From eyes, from ears, from navel and nose, And from the lower parts,

The blood, methought, did gushing run,

And clodded like men's hearts.

I asked why that punishment

Was upon Swearers laid;

Because, quoth one, wounds, blood, and heart, Was still the oath they made.

And therewithal from ugly hell,

Such shrieks and cries I heard,

As though some greater grief and plague
Had vexed them afterwards.

So that my soul was sore afraid,

Such terror on me fell :

Away then went the young man quite,
And bad me not farewell.

Wherefore unto my body straight,
My spirit return'd again,
And lively blood did afterwards
Stretch forth in every vein.

My closed eyes I opened

And raised from my swound, I wonder'd much to see myself Laid so upon the ground.

Which when my neighbours did behold,

Great fear upon them fell,

To whom soon after I did tell,

The news from heaven and hell.

LXXV.

"THE TURTLE DOVE,

OR,

The Wooing in the Wood, being a pleasant new Song of two Constant Lovers."

To the tune of The North Country Lass.

[Black letter, for the Assigns of T. Symcocke.]

WHEN Flora she had deckt

The fields with flowers fair,

My love and I did walk abroad,
To take the pleasant air.

Fair Phoebus brightly shin'd,

And gently warm'd each thing, Where every creature then did seem To welcome in the Spring.

VOL. 1.

Into a pleasant grove,

By nature trimly made:
My love and I together walkt,
To cool us in the shade.

The bubbling brooks did glide,
The silver fishes leap,

The gentle lambs, and nimble fawns,
Did seem to leap and skip.

The birds with sugar'd notes,
Their pretty throats did strain,
And shepherds on their oaten pipes,
Made music on the plains.

Then I began to talk

Of lovers in their bliss,

I wood her, and courted her.
For to exchange a kiss.

With that she straightway said,
Hark how the nightingale,
Although that she doth sweetly sing,

Doth tell a heavy tale.

That in her maiden years,

By man she had much wrong,

Which makes her now with thorn in breast To sing a mournful song.

With that I lent an ear,

To hear sweet Philomel,

Amongst the other birds in woods,

And she this tale did tell.

Fair maids be warn'd by me,
I was a maiden pure,
Until by man I was o'er-reach'd,
Which makes me this endure.

To live in woods and groves
Sequestred from all sight,
For heavily I do complain,

Both morning, noon, and night.

The throstle-cock did say,

Fy! Phil, you are to blame, Although that one did do amiss, Will all men do the same?

No quoth, the ousel then,
Though I be black of hue,

Unto my mate. and dearest love
I always will prove true.

The blackbird having spoke,
The lark began to sing,
If I participate of aught,
My love to it I bring.

The mag-pie up did start,

And straight began to chatter, Believe not men, they all are false, For they will lie and flatter.

Then up upon a leaf

The wren leapt by and by, And said bold parrot your pied-coat, Shews you can cog and lie.

SECOND PART.

Then robin redbreast said,
"Tis I in love am true.
My colour shews that I am he,
If you give me my due.

No, said the linet then,

Your breast it is too yellow,

For let your love be ne'er so true,
You'll think you have a fellow.

Another bird starts up,

Being call'd the popinjay,

And said, fair mistress, view me well,

My coat is fine and gay.