On hew hire her is fayr ynoh

Hire browe bronne, hire eye blake ;

With lovsom chere he on me loh ;
With middel small ant wel y-make ;

Bott he me wille to hire take,

For to buen hire owen make,

Long to lyven ichulle forsake,
Ant feye fallen a-doun.
An hendy hap, &c.
Nihtes when I wenke ant wake,
For-thi myn wonges waxeth won ;

Levedi, al for thine sake
Longinge is ylent me on.
THE MAKING OF ENGLISH. 211

In world is non so wytor mon
That al hire bounte telle con ;
Heir swyre is whittere than the swon
Ant fayrest may in toune.
An hendy hap, &c.
Icham for wouyng al for-wake,

Wery so water in wore
Lest any reve me my make

Ychabbe y-3ymed 3ore.
Betere is tholien whyle sore
Then moumen evermore.
Geynest under gore,
Herkene to my roune.
