Part 11 (1/2)
I can believe, it shall you grieve, And somewhat you distrain; But, afterward, your paines hard Within a day or twain Shall soon aslake; and ye shall take Comfort to you again.
Why should ye ought? for, to make thought Your labour were in vain.
And thus I do; and pray you to, As heartily as I can; For I must to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man.
SHE
Now, sith that ye have shewed to me The secret of your mind, I shall be plain to you again, Like as ye shall me find.
Sith it is so, that ye will go, I wolle not leave behind; Shall never be said, the Nut-brown Maid Was to her love unkind: Make you ready, for so am I, Although it were anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone.
HE
Yet I you rede to take good heed What men will think and say: Of young and old it shall be told, That ye be gone away, Your wanton will for to fulfil, In green wood you to play; And that ye might from your delight No longer make delay.
Rather than ye should thus for me Be called an ill woman, 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 renne out To wood with an outlaw: For ye must there in your hand bear A bow, ready 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 lever than, That I had to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man.
SHE
I think not nay, but as ye say, It is no maiden's lore; But love may make me for your sake, As I have said before, To come on foot, to hunt, and shoot To get us meat in store; For so that I your company May have, I ask no more: From which to part, it maketh my heart As cold as any stone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone.
HE
For an outlaw this is the law, That men him take and bind; Without pity, hanged to be, And waver with the wind.
If I had nede, (as G.o.d forbede!) What rescue could ye find?
Forsooth, I trow, ye and your bow For fear would draw behind: And no mervayle: for little avail Were in your counsel then: Wherefore I will 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 or night, I would withstand, with bow in hand, To greve them as I might, And you to save; as women have From death men many a 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 th.o.r.n.y ways, the deep valleys, The snow, the frost, the rain, The cold, the heat: for dry, or wet, We must lodge on the plain; And, us above, none other roof But a brake bush, or twain; Which soon should grieve you, I believe, And ye would gladly then That I had to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man.
SHE
Sith I have here been partynere With you of joy and bliss, I must als part of your woe Endure, as reason is: Yet am I sure of one pleasure; And, shortly, it is this: That, where ye be, me seemeth, parde, I could not fare amiss.