[24] eldritch = unearthly. [25] tree = wood. [26] coft = bought. _3. Sir Cawline_ I _Jesus, Lord mickle of might, That dyed for us on roode, So maintaine us in all our right That loves true English blood!_ II Sir Cawline [was an English knight] Curteous and full hardye; [And our King has lent him] forth to fight, Into Ireland over the sea. III And in that land there dwells a King, Over all the bell does beare; And he hath a ladye to his daughter, Of fashion[27] she hath no peere; Knights and lordes they woo’d her both, Trusted to have been her feere[28]. IV Sir Cawline loves her best of onie, But nothing durst he say To discreeve[29] his councell to no man, But dearlye loved this may[30]. V Till it befell upon a day, Great dill[31] to him was dight[32]; The mayden’s love removed his mind, To care-bed[33] went the knight. VI One while he spread his armes him fro, And cryed so pittyouslye: ‘For the mayden’s love that I have most minde This day shall comfort mee, Or else ere noone I shall be dead!’ Thus can Sir Cawline say. VII When the parish mass that itt was done, And the King was bowne[34] to dine, Says, ‘Where is Sir Cawline, that was wont To serve me with ale and wine?’ VIII But then answer’d a curteous knight Fast his hands wringìnge: ‘Sir Cawline’s sicke and like to be dead Without and a good leechìnge[35].’ IX ‘Feitch ye downe my daughter deere, She is a leeche full fine; Ay, and take you doe and the baken bread, And [drinke he of] the wine soe red, And looke no daynty’s for him too deare, For full loth I wo’ld him tine[36].’ X This ladye is gone to his chamber, Her maydens following nye; ‘O well,’ she saith, ‘how doth my lord?’ ‘O sicke!’ againe saith hee. XI ‘But rise up wightlye[37], man, for shame! Ne’er lie here soe cowardlye! Itt is told in my father’s hall For my love you will dye.’-- XII ‘Itt is for your love, fayre ladye, That all this dill I drie; For if you wo’ld comfort me with a kisse, Then were I brought from bale to bliss, No longer here wo’ld I lye.’-- XIII ‘Alas! soe well you know, Sir Knight, I cannot be your feere.’-- ‘Yet some deeds of armes fain wo’ld I doe To be your bacheleere.’-- XIV ‘On Eldritch Hill there grows a thorn, Upon the mores[38] brodinge[39]; And wo’ld you, Sir Knight, wake there all night To day of the other morninge? XV ‘For the Eldritch King, that is mickle of might, Will examine[40] you beforne[41]: There was never a man bare his life away Since the day that I was born.’-- XVI