Begann to daunce onn bobblynge Avonn's streame,

As yothefull Alfrede and Matylda fayre

Stoode sorowynge bie, ennobledd bie despayre:

Att tymes theyr lypps the tynts of Autumpe wore,

Att tymes a palerr hewe thann wynterr bore;

And faste the rayne of love bedew'dd theyr eyne,

As thos, in earnefull[7] strayns, theyr tenes[8] theie dyd bewreene.[9]

ALFREDE.

Ah! iff we parte, ne moe to meete agayne,

Wythyn thie wydow'dd berte wyll everr brenn