Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/35

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ANONYMOUS

Levedi,[1] al for thine sake
    Longinge is y-lent me on.[2]
In world nis non so wyter mon[3]
That al hire bounté telle con;
Hire swyre[4] is whittore than the swon,
    And feyrest may[5] in toune.
An hendy hap, etc.

Ich am for wowyng al for-wake,[6]
    Wery so water in wore;[7]
Lest eny reve[8] me my make
    Ichabbe y-yerned[9] yore.
Betere is tholien whyle sore
Then mournen evermore.
Geynest under gore,[10]
    Herkne to my roun.[11]
An hendy hap, etc.


4
Spring-tide
4

c. 1300

LENTEN ys come with love to toune,[12]
With blosmen and with briddes roune,
    That al this blisse bryngeth;
Dayes-eyes in this dales,
Notes suete of nyhtegales,
    Uch foul song singeth;

3
  1. levedi] lady.
  2. y-lent me on] come upon me.
  3. so wyter mon] so wise a man.
  4. swyre] neck.
  5. may] maid.
  6. for-wake] worn out with vigils.
  7. so water in wore] as water in a weir.
  8. reve] rob.
  9. y-yerned yore] long desired.
  10. geynest under gore] comeliest under robe.
  11. roun] voice.
  12. toune] the dwellings of men.