| |
(Translated by John Payne)
I. WHOSO in love would bear the bell, | |
| Needs must he prank him gallantly, | |
| Swagger and ruffle it, bold and snell, | |
| And when to his lady’s sight comes he, | |
| Don cloth of gold and embroidery; | 5 |
| For ladies liken a goodly show. | |
| This should serve well; but, by Marie, | |
| Not all can nick it that will, heigho! | |
| |
II. Once on a season in love I fell | |
| With a lady gracious and sweet to see, | 10 |
| Who spoke me fair, that she liked me well | |
| And gladly would hearken to my plea, | |
| But first I must give to her for fee | |
| Fifty gold crowns, not less nor mo’. | |
| Fifty gold crowns?—O’ right good gree! | 15 |
| Not all can nick it that will, heigho! | |
| |
III. To bed I went with the damsel | |
| And there four times right merrily | |
| I did to her what I may not tell | |
| In less than an hour and a half, perdie. | 20 |
| Then with a failing voice said she, | |
| “Once more, I prithee! my heart is woe.” | |
| Once more, quotha, sweetheart? Ah me, | |
| Not all can nick it that will, heigho! | |
| |
ENVOI. Great God of love, I crave of thee, | 25 |
| If ever again I lay her low, | |
| Ne’er let my lance untempered be, | |
| Not all can nick it that will, heigho! | |
| |
