Page:The white doe of Rylstone - or, The fate of the Nortons. A poem (IA whitedoeofrylsto00wordrich).pdf/163

Listen, lively lordings all,
  Lithe and listen unto mee,
And I will sing of a noble earle,
  The noblest earle in the north countrie.

Earle Percy is into his garden gone,
  And after him walks his fair leddie:
I heard a bird sing in mine ear,
  That I must either fight, or flee.

Now heaven forefend, my dearest lord,
  That ever such harm should hap to thee:
But goe to London to the court,
  And fair fall truth and honestie.

Now nay, now nay, my ladye gay,
  Alas! thy counsell suits not mee;
Mine enemies prevail so fast,
  That at the court I may not bee.

O goe to the court yet, good my lord,
  And take thy gallant men with thee;
If any dare to do you wrong,
  Then your warrant they may bee.

Now nay, now nay, thou ladye faire,
  The court is full of subtiltie:
And if I goe to the court, ladye,
  Never more I may thee see.

Yet goe to the court, my lord, she sayes,
And I myselfe will ryde wi’ thee: