Book of Old English Ballads, A

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"></SPAN></p> <h2> Phillida and Corydon </h2> <p>In the merrie moneth of Maye,<br/> In a morne by break of daye,<br/> With a troope of damselles playing<br/> Forthe 'I yode' forsooth a maying;<br/> <br/> When anon by a wood side,<br/> Where that Maye was in his pride,<br/> I espied all alone<br/> Phillida and Corydon.<br/> <br/> Much adoe there was, God wot:<br/> He wold love, and she wold not.<br/> She sayde, "Never man was trewe;"<br/> He sayes, "None was false to you."<br/> <br/> He sayde, hee had lovde her longe;<br/> She sayes, love should have no wronge.<br/> Corydon wold kisse her then;<br/> She sayes, "Maydes must kisse no men,<br/> <br/> "Tyll they doe for good and all."<br/> When she made the shepperde call<br/> All the heavens to wytnes truthe,<br/> Never loved a truer youthe.<br/> <br/> Then with manie a prettie othe,<br/> Yea and nay, and faithe and trothe,<br/> Suche as seelie shepperdes use<br/> When they will not love abuse,<br/> <br/> Love, that had bene long deluded,<br/> Was with kisses sweete concluded;<br/> And Phillida with garlands gaye<br/> Was made the lady of the Maye.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />