MYNSTRELLES SONGE

From ELLA: A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE

O, synge untoe mie roundelaie!
O, droppe the brynie teare wythe mee!
Daunce ne moe atte hallie daie,
Lycke a reynynge1 ryver bee;
Mie love ys dedde,

Gon to hys death-bedde,
Al under the wyllowe tree.

Blacke hys cryne2 as the wyntere nyghte,
Whyte hys rode3 as the sommer snowe,
Rodde hys face as the morynynge lyghte,
Cale he lyes ynne the grave belowe;
Mie love ys dedde,

Gon to hys death-bedde,
Al under the wyllowe tree.

II

Swote hys tyngue as the throstles note, 15 Quycke ynn daunce as thoughte canne

bee,

Defte hys taboure, codgelle stote,

O! hee lyes bie the wyllowe tree:
Mie love ys dedde,

Gonne to hys death-bedde,

Alle underre the wyllowe tree.

Harke! the ravenne flappes hys wynge, In the briered delle belowe;

20

Harke! the dethe-owle loude dothe synge, To the nyghte-mares as heie goe;

Mie love ys dedde,

Gonne to hys death-bedde,
Al under the wyllowe tree.

See! the whyte moone sheenes onne hie;
Whyterre ys mie true loves shroude;
Whyterre yannes the mornynge skie,
Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude;
Mie love ys dedde,
Gon to hys death-bedde,
Al under the wyllowe tree.

Heere, uponne mie true loves grave,
Schalle the baren fleurs be layde,
Nee one hallie Seyncte to save
Al the celness of a mayde.
Mie love ys dedde,

Gonne to hys death-bedde,
Alle under the wyllowe tree.

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