Earle Percy is into his garden gone,5
And after him walkes his faire ladìe:
"I heard a bird sing in mine eare,
That I must either fight or flee."
"Now heaven forefend, my dearest lord,
That ever such harm should hap to thee;10
But goe to London to the court,
And faire fall truth and honestìe."
"Now nay, now nay, my ladye gay,
Alas! thy counsell suits not mee;
Mine enemies prevail so fast,15
That at the court I may not bee."
"O goe to the court yet, good my lord,
And take thy gallant men with thee;
If any dare to doe you wrong,
Then your warrant they may bee."20
"Now nay, now nay, thou lady faire,
The court is full of subtiltie;
And if I goe to the court, lady,
Never more I may thee see."
"Yet goe to the court, my lord," she sayes,25
"And I myselfe will ride wi' thee:
At court then for my dearest lord,
His faithfull borrowe I will bee."
Now nay, now nay, my lady deare;
Far lever had I lose my life,30
Than leave among my cruell foes
My love in jeopardy and strife.
"But come thou hither, my little foot-page,
Come thou hither unto mee;
To maister Norton thou must goe35
In all the haste that ever may bee.