"But in did come the kyng of Spayne
With manye a grimme barone,
Tone day to marrye kyng Adlands daughter,
Tother daye to carrye her home.130
"That ladye fayre she greetes you well,
And ever-more well by mee:
You must either turne againe and fighte,
Or goe home and lose your ladye."
Sayes, "Reade me, reade me, deare brother,135
My reade shall [ryse] at thee,
Whiche way we best may turne and fighte,
To save this fayre ladye."
"Now hearken to me," sayes Adler yonge,
"And your reade must rise at me;140
I quicklye will devise a waye
To sette thy ladye free.
"My mother was a westerne woman,
And learned in gramarye,
And when I learned at the schole,145
Something shee taught itt me.
"There groweth an hearbe within this fielde,
And iff it were but knowne,
His color which is whyte and redd,
It will make blacke and browne.150
"His color which is browne and blacke,
Itt will make redd and whyte;
That sword is not in all Englande,
Upon his coate will byte.
"And you shal be a harper, brother,155
Out of the north countree;
And Ile be your boye, so faine of fighte,
To beare your harpe by your knee.