| |
| IN going to my naked bed as one that would have slept, | |
| I heard a wife sing to her child, that long before had wept; | |
| She sighèd sore and sang full sweet, to bring the babe to rest, | |
| That would not cease but crièd still, in sucking at her breast. | |
| She was full weary of her watch, and grievèd with her child, | 5 |
| She rockèd it and rated it, till that on her it smiled. | |
| Then did she say, Now have I found this proverb true to prove, | |
| The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | |
| |
| Then took I paper, pen, and ink, this proverb for to write, | |
| In register for to remain of such a worthy wight: | 10 |
| As she proceeded thus in song unto her little brat, | |
| Much matter utter’d she of weight, in place whereas she sat: | |
| And provèd plain there was no beast, nor creature bearing life, | |
| Could well be known to live in love without discord and strife: | |
| Then kissèd she her little babe, and sware by God above, | 15 |
| The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | |
| |
| She said that neither king nor prince nor lord could live aright, | |
| Until their puissance they did prove, their manhood and their might. | |
| When manhood shall be matched so that fear can take no place, | |
| Then weary works make warriors each other to embrace, | 20 |
| And left their force that failèd them, which did consume the rout, | |
| That might before have lived their time, their strength and nature out: | |
| Then did she sing as one that thought no man could her reprove, | |
| The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | |
| |
| She said she saw no fish nor fowl, nor beast within her haunt, | 25 |
| That met a stranger in their kind, but could give it a taunt: | |
| Since flesh might not endure, but rest must wrath succeed, | |
| And force the fight to fall to play in pasture where they feed, | |
| So noble nature can well end the work she hath begun, | |
| And bridle well that will not cease her tragedy in some: | 30 |
| Thus in song she oft rehearsed, as did her well behove. | |
| The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | |
| |
| I marvel much pardy (quoth she) for to behold the rout, | |
| To see man, woman, boy and beast, to toss the world about: | |
| Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some check, and some can smoothly smile | 35 |
| And some embrace others in arm, and there think many a wile, | |
| Some stand aloof at cap and knee, some humble and some stout, | |
| Yet are they never friends in deed until they once fall out: | |
| Thus ended she her song and said, before she did remove, | |
| The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. | 40 |
| |
