23
From top to toe all wet was shee:
'This have I done for love of thee,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
24
Thus rode she all one winter's night,
Till Edenborow they saw in sight,
The chiefest towne in all Scotland.
25
'Now chuse,' quoth he, 'thou wanton flower,
Whe'r thou wilt be my paramour,
Or get thee home to Northumberland.
26
'For I have wife, and children five,
In Edenborow they be alive;
Then get thee home to faire England.
27
'This favour shalt thou have to boote,
Ile have thy horse, go thou on foote,
Go, get thee home to Northumberland.'
28
'O false and faithlesse knight,' quoth shee,
'And canst thou deale so bad with me,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland?
29
'Dishonour not a ladie's name,
But draw thy sword and end my shame,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
30
He tooke her from her stately steed,
And left her there in extreme need,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
31
Then sate she downe full heavily;
At length two knights came riding by,
Two gallant knights of faire England.
32
She fell downe humbly on her knee,
Saying, 'Courteous knights, take pittie on me,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.