WHEN May is come and roses open wide, | |
| From them I went to pluck in friendly wise. | |
| Near to an abbey, by a green wood side, | |
| A little space I heard sweet voice confide: | |
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| “I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run; | 5 |
| Cursed of God be they who made me nun! | |
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| Who made me nun, by Jesu cursed be! | |
| Vespers, complines, I speak unwillingly; | |
| For better far love I good company | |
| Which knows of dalliance and jollity. | 10 |
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| I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run; | |
| Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | |
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| She spoke aloud: “my heart is sick with fear; | |
| Ah God! who mewed me in this abbey drear? | |
| But by our Lady I will out from here, | 15 |
| Nor gown nor surplice will I ever wear. | |
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| I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
| Cursed of God be they who made me nun! | |
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| I will command my own dear love that he | |
| Come seek me in this abbey speedily, | 20 |
| We will to Paris, live right merrily, | |
| For I am young, a comely man is he. | |
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| I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
| Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | |
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| When her lover had this her speaking heard, | 25 |
| He leapt for joy, the heart within him stirred, | |
| Towards the abbey gate straightway he spurred, | |
| And drew his dear love forth without a word. | |
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| “I feel the sweet pains ’neath my girdle run. | |
| Cursed of God be they who made me nun!” | 30 |
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