A Bride most fair fed a swan and a lion, A swan and a lion and a falcon grey. To her came merchants from far away: "Sell us, sweet maid, your swan and your lion, This swan and this lion and falcon grey!" "Ye men from afar, go away, go away, My godfather cometh to see me wed, And this lion I tend till the time be sped; And for my true friend who best man shall be, This white swan I keep, and for none but he! But this falcon grey ye covet so much, 'Tis my true love's own; none shall it touch." J. W. W.
CXXXVIII
FIDELITY
A youth to God did pray, About his sweetheart dear, That he the gem might be Which trembled in her ear.
He wished to be the beads Reposing on her breast, That he might hear her say That she loved him best.
The prayer he prayed was heard A pearl beside the shore, His darling picked him up, And on her necklet bore.
He listened and he heard How true her loving heart: She told the other maids She ne'er from him would part. J. W. W.
CXXXIX
A SISTER'S LAMENT
Sister was I of kingly brothers three, But now my kings are gone from me, Woe, woe, woe!