ANONYMOUS
Forsooth I trow, you and your bow For fear would draw behind.
And no mervail; for little avail Were in your counsel than:
Wherefore I'll to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man.
She. Right well know ye that women be
But feeble for to fight; No womanhede it is, indeed,
To be bold as a knight: Yet in such fear if that ye were
With enemies day and night, I would withstand, witJi bow in hand,
To grieve them as I might, And you to save; as women have
From death men many one: For, in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone.
He. Yet take good hede; for ever I drede
That ye could not sustain The thorny ways, the deep valleys,
The snow, the frost, the rain, The cold, the heat; for dry or wete,
We must lodge on the plain; And, us above, no other roof
But a brake bush or twain: Which soon should grieve you, I believe:
And ye would gladly than That I had to the green -wood go,
Alone, a banished man.
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