I n like wise, hardily, Ye would answer, who so ever it were, In way of company. It is said of old, soon hot, soon cold, And so is a woman; Wherefore I to the wood will go Alone, a banished man." "If ye take heed, it is no need Such words to say by me; For oft ye prayed, and long assayed, Or I you loved, perde. And though that I of ancestry A baron's daughter be, Yet have you proved how I you loved, A squire of low degree; And ever shall, what so befall, To die therefore anon; For in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone." "A baron's child to be beguiled, It were a cursed deed! To be fellow with an outlaw, Almighty God forbid! Yet better were the poor squire Alone to forest yede, Than ye shall say another day, That by [my] wicked deed Ye were betrayed; wherefore, good maid, The best red that I can Is that I to the green wood go Alone, a banished man." "Whatsoever befall, I never shall Of this thing you upbraid; But if ye go, and leave me so, Then have ye me betrayed. Remember you weel, how that ye deal, For if ye, as ye said, Be so unkind to leave behind Your love, the Nutbrown Maid, Trust me truly, that I shall die, Soon after ye be gone; For in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone." "If that ye went, ye should repent, For in the forest now I have purveyed me of a maid Whom I love more than you: (_yede_, went. _red_, advice.) Another fairer than ever ye were, I dare it well avow; And of you both each should be wroth With other, as I trow. It were mine ease to live in peace; So will I, if I can; Wherefore I to the wood will go Alone, a banished man." "Though in the wood I understood Ye had a paramour, All this may nought remove my thought, But that I will be your; And she shall find me soft and kind And courteous every hour, Glad to fulfill all that she will Command me to my power; For had ye, lope, an hundred moe Yet would I be that one. For in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone." "Mine own dear love, I see the prove That ye be kind and true; Of maid and wife, in all my life, The best that ever I knew. Be merry and glad, be no more sad, The case is changed new; For it were ruth that for your truth You should have cause to rue. (_lo'e,_ love.) Be not dismayed: whatsoever I said To you when I began, I will not to the green wood go; I am no banished man." "This tidings be more glad to me Than to be made a queen, If I were sure they should endure, But it is often seen, When men will break promise, they speak The wordés on the spleen. Ye shape some wile me to beguile, And steal fro me, I ween; Then were the case worse than it was, And I more woe-begone; For in my mind, of all mankind