Upon the lute Sweet William play’d,
And to the same he sang and said,
With a sweet and noble voice
Which made the old man to rejoice:
XIX
‘My father was as brave a lord
As ever Europe did afford,
My mother was a lady bright,
My husband was a valiant knight:
XX
‘And I myself a lady gay,
Bedeck’d with gorgeous rich array;
The bravest lady in the land
Had not more pleasure at command.
XXI
‘I had my music every day,
Harmonious lessons for to play;
I had my virgins fair and free
Continually to wait on me.
XXII
‘But now, alas! my husband’s dead,
And all my friends are from me fled;
My former joys are pass’d and gone,
For I am now a serving-man.’