She said "Man, thee likes thy play; 85
What byrde[22] in bower may deal with thee?
Thou marrest me all this longe day;
I pray thee, Thomas, let me be!"
Thomas stood up in that stead[23],
And he beheld that lady gay; 90
Her hair it hang all over her head;
Her eyne were out, that ere were gray;
And all the rich clothing was away
That he before saw in that stead;
Her one shank black, her other gray, 95
And all her body like the lead.
Then said Thomas "Alas, alas!
In faith this is a duleful[24] sight;
How art thou faded thus in the face,
That shone before as the sun so bright!" 100
She said, "Thomas, take leave at sun and moon,
And also at leaf that grows on tree;
This twelvemonth shalt thou with me gone[25],
And Middle-earth[26] shalt thou none see."
He kneeled down upon his knee, 105
Underneath that greenwood spray,
And said "Lovely lady[27], rue on me,
Mild queen of heaven, as thou best may!
Alas!" he said, "and woe is me!
I trow my deeds will work me care; 110
My soul, Jesu, beteach[28] I thee,
Whithersoever my bones shall fare."
She led him in at Eildon hill
Underneath a derne[29] lea,
Where it was dark as midnight mirk, 115
And ever the water till his knee.
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