Childe Vyet and Lord Ingram,5
Were both born in one hall,
Had both their loves on one Lady
The worse did them befall.
Lord Ingram woo'd the Lady Maiserey,
From father and from mother;10
Lord Ingram woo'd the Lady Maiserey,
From sister and from brother.
Lord Ingram wooed the Lady Maiserey,
With leave of all her kin;
And every one gave full consent,15
But she said no, to him.
Lord Ingram wooed the Lady Maiserey,
Into her father's ha';
Childe Vyet wooed the Lady Maiserey,
Among the sheets so sma'.20
Now it fell out upon a day,
She was dressing her head,
That ben did come her father dear,
Wearing the gold so red.
"Get up now, Lady Maiserey,25
Put on your wedding gown,
For Lord Ingram will be here,
Your wedding must be done!"
"I'd rather be Childe Vyet's wife,
The white fish for to sell,30
Before I were Lord Ingram's wife,
To wear the silk so well!
"I'd rather be Childe Vyet's wife,
With him to beg my bread,
Before I'd be Lord Ingram's wife,35
To wear the gold so red.