IX. The Willow Tree. A PASTORAL DIALOGUE. From the small black-letter collection, entitled "The Golden Garland of princely Delights;" collated with two other copies, and corrected by conjecture. WILLY. How now, shepherde, what meanes that? Why that willowe in thy hat? Why thy scarffes of red and yellowe Turn'd to branches of greene willowe? CUDDY. They are chang'd, and so am I; Sorrowes live, but pleasures die : Phillis hath forsaken mee, Which makes me weare the willowe-tree. WILLY. 5 Phillis! shee that lov'd thee long? Is shee the lass hath done thee wrong ? 10 Shee that lov'd thee long and best, Is her love turned to a jest? CUDDY. Shee that long true love profest, She hath robb'd my heart of rest: 15 Which makes me wear the willowe-tree. WILLY. Come then, shepherde, let us joine, For the maid I thought most true Mee hath also bid adieu. CUDDY. Thy hard happ doth mine appease, Yet, Phillis, still I pine for thee, And still must weare the willowe-tree. WILLY. Shepherde, be advis'd by mee, CUDDY. 20 25 Herdsman, I'll be rul'd by thee, 30 Henceforth I will do as they, X. The Lady's Fall, Is given (with corrections) from the Editor's ancient folio MS. collated with two printed copies in black-letter; one in the British Museum, the other in the Pepys collection. Its old title is, "A lamentable ballad of the Lady's fall." To the tune of In pescod time, &c. The ballad here referred to is preserved in the Muses Library, 8vo. p.281. It is an allegory or vision, entitled The Shepherd's Slumber, and opens with some pretty rural images, viz. "In pescod time when hound to horn Gives eare till buck be kil'd, And little lads with pipes of corne Sate keeping beasts a-field. "I went to gather strawberries By woods and groves full fair," &c. MARKE well my heavy dolefull tale, You loyall lovers all, And heedfully beare in your brest A gallant ladyes fall. Long was she wooed, ere shee was wonne, To lead a wedded life, But folly wrought her overthrowe Before shee was a wife, 5 Too soone, alas! shee gave consent And yeelded to his will, Though he protested to be true, And faithfull to her still. 10 Shee felt her body altered quite, Her bright hue waxed pale, Her lovelye cheeks chang'd color white, 15 Her strength began to fayle. Soe that with many a sorrowful sigh, With greeved hart, perceived herselfe To have conceived with childe. 20 Shee kept it from her parents sight And soe put on her silken gowne None might her swelling see. Unto her lover secretly Her greefe she did bewray, And, walking with him hand in hand, Behold, quoth shee, a maids distresse By love brought to thy bowe, Behold I goe with childe by thee, Tho none thereof doth knowe. The litle babe springs in my wombe 25 30 Lett it not be a bastard called, Sith I made thee my choyce: Come, come, my love, perform thy vowe And wed me out of hand; O leave me not in this extreme Of griefe, alas! to stand. Think on thy former promises, To mee thou madest thy moane. 35 40 45 |