HE. "Yet take good hede; for ever I drede That ye could not sustain The thorny ways, the deep vall-eys, 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 than 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 al-so part of your woe Endure, as reason is: Yet am I sure of one pleas-ure; And, shortly, it is this: That, where ye be, me seemeth, perde, I could not fare amiss. Without more speech, I you beseech That we were soon agone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone." HE. "If ye go thyder, ye must consider, When ye have lust to dine, There shall no meat be for to gete, Nor drink, beer, ale, ne wine. Ne sheet-es clean, to lie between, Ymade of thread and twine; None other house, but leaves and boughs, To cover your head and mine; Lo mine heart sweet, this ill di-ete Should make you pale and wan: Wherefore I to the wood will go, Alone, a banished man." SHE. "Among the wild deer, such an archere, As men say that ye be, Ne may not fail of good vitayle, Where is so great plent-y: And water clear of the rivere Shall be full sweet to me; With which in hele I shall right wele Endure, as ye shall see; And, ere we go, a bed or two I can provide anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone." HE. "Lo yet, before, ye must do more, If ye will go with me: As cut your hair up by your ear, Your kirtle by the knee, With bow in hand, for to withstand Your enemies, if need be: And this same night, before daylight, To woodward will I flee. An ye will all this fulfil, Do it shortly as ye can: Else will I to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man." SHE. "I shall as now do more for you Than 'longeth to womanhede; To short my hair, a bow to bear, To shoot in time of need. O my sweet mother! before all other For you have I most drede! But now, adieu! I must ensue, Where fortune doth me lead. All this make ye. Now let us flee; The day comes fast upon: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone."