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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FOLK SONG by ANONYMOUS

First Line: WHAT SHALL I DOE IF LOVE ME LEAVE?
Last Line: IS MY OWNE BELOVED ONE.'
Subject(s): LOVE - LOSS OF;

WHAT shall I doe if love me leave?
Night and daye I cannot sleepe.

For my lover I doe grieve
When unto my bed I creepe.

Then I rise with bodye bare
And doe on my robe of graye;

Glidynge down a secret stayre,
Thro' the grove I wend awaye.

There the merry larke doth synge,
And the nightingale doth crye

In his prettye jargonynge,
"See these lovers farynge bye,

"On the river in a boat
Movynge on her stately waye,

"With a satin saile a-float
And with silken cordes for staye.

"The tall maste is ivorie,
And the rudder golden pale;

"From a far awaye countrie
Come the lads that trim the saile.

"One that bears the Fleurs-de-Lys
Is the Kynge of France's sonne,

"And the other lad, I wis
Is my owne belovéd one."



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