And I your will for to fulfil In this will not refuse; Trusting to shew, in wordes few, That men have an ill use (To their own shame) women to blame, And causeless them accuse: Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse,-- Mine own heart dear, with you what chere? I pray you, tell anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. HE It standeth so; a dede is do Whereof great harm shall grow My destiny is for to die A shameful death, I trowe; Or else to flee: the one must be. None other way I know, But to withdraw as an outlaw, And take me to my bow. Wherefore, adieu, my own heart true! None other rede I can: For I must to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man. SHE O Lord, what is this worldys bliss, That changeth as the moon! My summer's day in lusty May Is darked before the noon. I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay, We depart not so soon. Why say ye so? wheder will ye go? Alas! what have ye done? All my welfare to sorrow and care Should change, if ye were gone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. HE 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