A Bundle of Ballads

SHE. "I shall as now do more for you Than 'longeth to womanhede; To short my hair, a bow to bear, To shoot in time of need. O my sweet mother! before all other For you have I mo...

"And, if thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight, "I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight; My heart's so inthrall-ed by thy beaut-ie, That soon I shall die for pretty Bes...

The English men had their bows ybent, their hearts were good enow; The first of arrows that they shot off, sevenscore spearmen they slowe. Yet bides the Earl Douglas upon the be...

"God give thee joy of them," said the king, "And send them well to prief."-- The tanner would fain have been away, For he weened he had been a thief.

"Ye might have ask-ed towers and towns, Parks and for-ests plent-y."-- "None so pleasant to my pay," she said, "Nor none so lief to me."-- "Madam, sith it is your desire, Your a...

"Sir abbot, and ye men of law, Now have I held my day, Now shall I have my land again, For aught that you can say." The knight stert out of the door, Away was all his care, And...

The fourth outlaw his bow gan bend, And that was Robin Hood, And that beheld the proud sher-iff, All by the butt he stood. Thri-es Robin shot about, And alway he cleft the wand,...

But at last there came commandment For to set the ladies free, With their jewels still adorn-ed, None to do them injury. Then said this lady mild, "Full woe is me; O let me stil...

INTRODUCTION CHEVY CHASE CHEVY CHASE (the later version) THE NUT-BROWN MAID ADAM BELL, CLYM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLIE BINNORIE KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR MAID T...

As near Porto-Bello lying On the gently swelling flood, At midnight with streamers flying Our triumphant navy rode; There while Vernon sate all-glorious From the Spaniards' late...

Abye: First English - abicgan, pay for. Assoiled: absolved. Avowe: "I make avowe," I declare; not "I make a vow." Avow-e: advocate. Awayte: "awayte me scathe," watch for opportu...