“The old Earl’s daughter died at my breast;
I speak the truth, as I live by bread!
I buried her like my own sweet child,
And put my child in her stead.”
“Falsely, falsely have ye done,
O Mother,” she said, “if this be true,
To keep the best man under the sun
So many years from his due.”
“Nay now, my Child,” said Alice the nurse,
“But keep the secret for your life,