I
Lord Lovel he stood at his castle-gate,
Combing his milk-white steed,
When up came Lady Nancy Belle,
To wish her lover good speed.
II
‘Where are you going, Lord Lovel?’ she said,
‘Oh where are you going?’ said she.
‘I’m going, my Lady Nancy Belle,
Strange countries for to see.’
III
‘When will you be back, Lord Lovel?’ she said,
‘Oh when will you come back?’ said she.
‘In a year, or two, or three at the most,
I’ll return to my fair Nancỳ.’
IV
But he had not been gone a year and a day,
Strange countries for to see,
When languishing thoughts came into his head,
Lady Nancy Belle he would go see.
V
So he rode, and he rode, on his milk-white steed,
Till he came to London town,
And there he heard St. Pancras’ bells,
And the people all mourning round.