10 And first he puld the couering downe,
And then puld downe the sheete;
Saies, How now? How now, Litle Musgreue?
Dost find my gay lady sweet?

11 'I find her sweete,' saies Litle Musgreue,
'The more is my greefe and paine;'
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .

*  *  *  *  *

12 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
'Soe haue I done the fairest lady
That euer wore womans weede.

13 'Soe haue I done a heathen child,
Which ffull sore greiueth mee,
For which Ile repent all the dayes of my life,
And god be with them all three!'

C

a. Pepys Ballads, I, 364, No 187. b. Pepys Ballads, III, 314, No 310. c. Roxburghe Ballads, III, 146. d. Roxburghe Ballads, III, 340. e. Bagford Ballads, I, 36.

1 As it fell on a light holyday,
As many more does in the yeere,
Little Mousgrove would to the church and pray,
To see the faire ladyes there.

2 Gallants there were of good degree,
For beauty exceeding faire,
Most wonderous lovely to the eie,
That did to that church repaire.

3 Some came downe in red velvet,
And others came downe in pall,
But next came downe my Lady Barnet,
The fairest amongst them all.