Was won through Sir Gawaine, and through his wit only. Alas," said Sir Arthur, "now ekes my sorrow; I am utterly undone in mine own lands. 4 Ah, duteous daring deed, thou duellis too long, Why draws thou so on dreghe, thou drowns my heart." 5 (Early English Text Society.) 4 Stayedst? 5 Delay. E KING ARTHUR'S LAMENT FOR HIS K KNIGHTS. ING comely with crown, in care am I left; Maintained my manhood by might of their hands, 1 Wretched. (Early English Text Society.) 2 Day. INTER wakeneth all my care, When it cometh in my thought Of this world's joy, how it goeth all to nought. Now it is, and now it n'is, All so as it ne'er were, I wis; That many men saith, sooth it is, All goeth but God's will: All we shall die, though us like ill. All that grain me groweth green, Now, it fadeth all by-dene.' And shield us from hell, For I ne wot whither I shall, ne how long here dwell. (Unknown.) 1 Presently. A LYKEWAKE DIRGE. HIS ae night, this ae night, Fire, and sleete, and candle-lighte, And Christe receive thy saule. When thou from hence away art past, Everie night and alle, To Whinny muir thou comest at last, If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon, Sit thee down and put them on, And Christe receive thy saule. If hosen and shoon thou gavest nane, Everie night and alle, The whinnes shall prick thee to the bare bane, And Christe receive thy saule. From Whinny muir when thou mayst pass, Everie night and alle, To Brigg o' Dread thou comest at last, And Christe receive thy saule. From Brigg o' Dread when thou mayst pass, Everie night and alle, To Purgatory Fire thou comest at last, And Christe receive thy saule. If ever thou gavest meate or drinke, The fire shall never make thee shrinke, If meate or drinke thou gavest nane, The fire will burn thee to the bare bane, This ae night, this ae night, Everie night and alle, Fire, and sleete, and candle-lighte, And Christe receive thy saule. (Ballad Book.) |