Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/69

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       And that ye might for your delight
         No longer make delay
       Rather than ye should thus for me
         Be called an ill womàn
       Yet would I to the green-wood go,
         Alone, a banished man.

She. Though it be sung of old and young
         That I should be to blame,
       Theirs be the charge that speak so large
         In hurting of my name:
       For I will prove that faithful love
         It is devoid of shame;
       In your distress and heaviness
         To part with you the same:
       And sure all tho that do not so
         True lovers are they none:
       For in my mind, of all mankind
         I love but you alone.

He. I counsel you, Remember how
         It is no maiden's law
       Nothing to doubt, but to run out
         To wood with an outlàw.
       For ye must there in your hand bear
         A bow read? to draw;
       And as a thief thus must you live
         Ever in dread and awe;
       Whereby to you great harm might grow:
         Yet had I liever than
       That I had to the green-wood go,
         Alone, a banished man.


part with] share with. tho] those.