The lord he lov'd to hunt the buck,
The tiger, and the boar;10
And still for swiftness always took
With him a black-a-moor:
Which black-a-moor within the wood
His lord he did offend,
For which he did him then correct,15
In hopes he would amend.
The day it grew unto an end;
Then homewards he did haste,
Where with his lady he did rest,
Until the night was past.20
Then in the morning he did rise,
And did his servants call;
A hunting he provides to go:
Straight they were ready all
To cause the toyl the lady did25
Intreat him not to go:
"Alas, good lady," then quoth he,
"Why art thou grieved so?
Content thyself, I will return
With speed to thee again."30
"Good father," quoth the little babes,
"With us here still remain."
"Farewel, dear children, I will go
A fine thing for to buy;"
But they, therewith nothing content,35
Aloud began to cry.
The mother takes them by the hand,
Saying, "Come, go with me
Unto the highest tower, where
The black-a-moor, perceiving now,
Who then did stay behind,
His lord to be a hunting gone,
Began to call to mind:
"My master he did me correct,45
My fault not being great;
Now of his wife I'll be reveng'd,
She shall not me intreat."
The place was moated round about;
The bridge he up did draw;50
The gates he bolted very fast;
Of none he stood in awe.
He up into the tower went,
The lady being there;
Who, when she saw his countenance grim,55
She straight began to fear.
But now my trembling heart it quakes
To think what I must write;
My senses all begin to fail,
My soul it doth affright.60
Yet must I make an end of this
Which here I have begun,
Which will make sad the hardest heart,
Before that I have done.
This wretch unto the lady went,65
And her with speed did will,
His lust forthwith to satisfy,
His mind for to fulfil.
The lady she amazed was,