He kneeled down upon his knee,
Underneath that greenwood spray,
And said "Lovely lady, rue on me, 55
Queen of heaven, as thou well may!"
Then spake that lady mild of thought,
"Thomas, let such wordes be;
Queen of heaven ne am I nought,
For I took never so high degree. 60
But I am of another country,
If I be 'parelled most of price;
I ride after these wilde fee[19];
My raches runnes at my device."
"If thou be 'parelled most of price, 65
And here rides thus in thy folly,
Of love, lady, as thou art wise,
Thou give me leave to lie thee by!"
She said "Thou man, that were folly;
I pray thee, Thomas, thou let me be; 70
For I say thee full sekerly[20],
That sin will fordo all my beauty,"
"Now, lovely lady, rue on me,
And I will evermore with thee dwell;
Here my troth I will plight to thee, 75
Whether thou wilt in heaven or hell."
"Man of mould, thou wilt me mar;
But yet thou shalt have all thy will;
And, trow it well, thou 'chievest the ware[21],
For all my beauty wilt thou spill." 80
Down then light that lady bright
Underneath that greenwood spray.
And, as the story tells full right,
Seven times by her he lay.
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