ANONYMOUS
Levedi,[1] al for thine sake
Longinge is y-lent me on.[2]
In world nis non so wyter mon[3]
That al hire bounté telle con;
Hire swyre[4] is whittore than the swon,
And feyrest may[5] in toune.
An hendy hap, etc.
Ich am for wowyng al for-wake,[6]
Wery so water in wore;[7]
Lest eny reve[8] me my make
Ichabbe y-yerned[9] yore.
Betere is tholien whyle sore
Then mournen evermore.
Geynest under gore,[10]
Herkne to my roun.[11]
An hendy hap, etc.
4
Spring-tide
4
c. 1300
LENTEN ys come with love to toune,[12]
With blosmen and with briddes roune,
That al this blisse bryngeth;
Dayes-eyes in this dales,
Notes suete of nyhtegales,
Uch foul song singeth;
3
- ↑ levedi] lady.
- ↑ y-lent me on] come upon me.
- ↑ so wyter mon] so wise a man.
- ↑ swyre] neck.
- ↑ may] maid.
- ↑ for-wake] worn out with vigils.
- ↑ so water in wore] as water in a weir.
- ↑ reve] rob.
- ↑ y-yerned yore] long desired.
- ↑ geynest under gore] comeliest under robe.
- ↑ roun] voice.
- ↑ toune] the dwellings of men.
