‘I wish no ill to your lady;
She ne’er comes in my thought;
But I wish the maid most of your love
That dearest has you bought.’—
XXVI
‘But my hounds shall eat of the bread of wheat,
And you of the bread of bran;
And you shall curse the heavy hour
That ever your love began.
XXVII
‘But my horse shall drink of the good red wine,
And you of the water wan;
And you will sigh and say “Alas,
That ever I loved a man!”’—
XXVIII
‘O, I will drink of the wan water,
And eat of the bread of bran;
And aye will I bless the happy hour
That ever I loved a man.’
XXIX
O four-and-twenty gay ladies
Were playing at the ball,
But Ellen, the fairest lady,
Must bring his steed to stall.