If that ye went, ye should repent; For in the forest now I have purvayed me of a maid, Whom I love more than you; Another fayrere, than ever ye were, I dare it wele 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. SHE 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 courteys every hour; Glad to fulfil all that she will Command me to my power: For had ye, lo! an hundred mo, Of them I would be one; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. HE Mine own dear love, I see the proof 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, Ye should have cause to rue. Be not dismayed, whatsoever I said To you, when I began; I will not to the green wood go, I am no banished man. SHE These 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 wordes on the splene. Ye shape some wile me to beguile, And steal from me, I ween: Then, were the case worse than it was, And I more wo-begone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. HE Ye shall not nede further to drede; I will not disparage You, (God defend!) sith ye descend Of so great a lineage. Now understand; to Westmoreland, Which is mine heritage, I will you bring; and with a ring, By way of marriage I will you take, and lady make, As shortly as I can: Thus have you won an erly's son, And not a banished man. AUTHOR Here may ye see, that women be In love, meek, kind, and stable; Let never man reprove them then, Or call them variable; But, rather, pray God that we may To them be comfortable; Which sometime proveth such, as he loveth, If they be charitable. For sith men would that women should Be meek to them each one; Much more ought they to God obey, And serve but Him alone. The Fause Lover A fair maid sat in her bower door, Wringing her lily hands; And by it came a sprightly youth, Fast tripping o'er the strands. "Where gang ye, young John," she says, "Sae early in the day? It gars me think, by your fast trip, Your journey's far away." He turn'd about wi' surly look, And said, "What's that to thee? I'm ga'en to see a lovely maid, Mair fairer far than ye."