Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

For which sudden abate1anon astert 2
The blood of all my body to my heart.

[blocks in formation]

5

Of her array the form gif3 I shall write,
Toward her golden hair, and rich attire,
In fret wise couched with pearlis white,
And greatè balas 4 lemyng as the fire;
With many an emerant and faire sapphìre,
And on her head a chaplet fresh of hue,
Of plumys parted red and white and blue.

XXIX.

About her neck, white as the fyr amaille 6,
A goodly chain of small orfevyrie 7,
Whereby there hang a ruby without fail
Like to a heart yshapen verily,
That as a spark of lowe so wantonly
Seemed burnyng upon her whitè throat;
Now gif there was good parly God it wote.

XXX.

And for to walk that freshè mayè's morrow,
An hook she had upon her tissue white,
That goodlier had not been seen toforrow 9,

1 An unexpected accident. 2 Started back. 3 If. 4 Rubies. 5 Burning. 6 Mr. Ellis conjectures that this is an error, for fair email, i. e. enamel. 7 Goldsmith's work. 8 Fire. 9 Heretofore.

As I suppose, and girt she was a lyte 1
Thus halfling loose for haste; to such delight
It was to see her youth in goodlihead,

That for rudeness to speak thereof I dread.

XXXI.

In her was youth, beauty with humble port,
Bounty, richess, and womanly feature:
(God better wote than my pen can report)
Wisdom largèss, estate and cunning sure,
In word in deed, in shape and countenance,
That nature might no more her childe avance.

ROBERT HENRYSON.

1425-1495.

NOTHING is known of the life of Henryson, but that he was a schoolmaster at Dumferling. Lord Hailes supposes his office to have been preceptor of youth in the Benedictine convent of that place. Besides a continuation of Chaucer's Troilus and Cresseide, he wrote a number of fables, of which MS. copies are preserved in the Scotch Advocates Library.

[blocks in formation]

ROBENE AND MAKYNE,

A BALLAD.

I.

ROBENE sat on gud grene hill',
Keipand a flok of fie 2:

Mirry Makyne said him till",
Robene thou rew on me1:

I haif thè luvit, lowd and still 5,

This yieris two or thrè";

My dule in dern bot gif thou dill7,
Doubtless bot dreid I die 8.

II.

He. Robene answerit, be the rude 1,

Nathing of lufe I knaw2;

Bot keipis my scheip undir yone wud3,
Lo quhair they raik on raw1.

I. Robene sat on a good green hill.-2 Keeping a flock of cattle.-3 Merry Makyne said to him.-4 Robene, take pity on me.-5 I have loved thee openly and secretly.-6 These years two or three.-7 My sorrow, in secret, unless thou share.-8 Undoubtedly I shall die.

II.

Robene answered, by the rood. Nothing of love I
But keep my sheep under yon wood.-4 Lo where they

know.
range in a row.

Quhat has marrit thè in thy mude3,
Makyne to me thow schaw?

Or what is luve, or to be lu'ed7,
Fain wald I leir that law 8.

III.

She. At luvis leir gif thow will leir1,
Take thair an A, B, C2,

Be kind, courtas, and fair of feir3,
Wyse, hardy, and frèa.

Sè that no danger do thè deir3,
Quhat dule in dern thow drie 6,
Preiss the with pane at all poweir7,
Be patient, and previe3.

IV.

He. Robene answerit her agane1,
I wait not quhat is luve 2,
But I haif marvell, in certaine3,

Quhat makis thè this wanrufe1.

5 What has marred thee in thy mood.-6 Makyne, show thou to me.-7 Or what is love or to be loved.--8 Fain would I learn that law (of love).

III. At the lore of love if thou wilt learn.-2 Take there an A, B, C.—3 Be kind, courteous, and fair of aspect or feature. 4Wise, hardy, and free.-5 See that no danger daunt thee.-Whatever sorrow in secret thou sufferest.-7 Exert thyself with pains to thy utmost power.-8 Be patient and privy.

IV. 1 Robene answered her again.I wot not what is love.— 3 But I (have) wonder, certainly.-4 What makes thee thus melancholy.

The weddir is fair, and I am fane",
My scheip gois haill aboif",

An we wald play us in this plane?
They wald us baith reproife.

V.

She. Robene take tent unto my tale1,
And wirk all as I reid2,

And thow sall haif my hairt all hailė3

Eik and my maidenheid.

Sen God sendis bute for baill*,
And for murning remeid,

I dern with the, but gif I daill",
Doubtless I am bot deid.

VI.

He. Makyne, to morne this ilka tyde',

And ye will meit me heir2;

Peradventure my scheip may gang besyde3,
Quhill we haif liggit full neir*,

5 The weather is fair, and I am glad.-6 My sheep go healthful above (or in the uplands).-7 If we should play in this plain.8 They would reprove us both.

V. Robene, take heed unto my tale. And do all as I advise.3 And thou shalt have my heart entirely.-4 Since God sends good for evil.-5 And for mourning consolation.-6 I am now in secret with thee, but if I separate.-7 Doubtless I shall die (broken hearted).

1

VI. Makyne, to-morrow this very time.2 If ye will meet me here.-3 Perhaps my sheep may go aside.-4 Until we have lain

near.

« ZurückWeiter »