I have been ready at your hand, To grant whatever you would crave: I have both waged life and land, Your love and good-will for to have. Greensleeves, &c. I bought thee kerchers to thy head, That were wrought fine and gallantly: I kept thee, both at board and bed, Which cost my purse well-favour’dly. Greensleeves, &c. I bought thee petticoats of the best, The cloth so fine as fine might be: I gave thee jewels for thy chest; And all this cost I spent on thee. Greensleeves, &c. Thy smock of silk both fair and white, • With gold embroider'd gorgeously: Thy petticoat of sendall' right; . And this I bought thee gladly. Greensleeves, &c. Thy girdle of gold so red, With pearls bedecked sumptuously, The like no other lasses had : And yet thou wouldest not love me ! Greensleeves, &c. Thy purse, and eke thy gay gilt knives, Thy pin-case, gallant to the eye: No better wore the burgess' wives : And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. Thy crimson stockings, all of silk, With gold all wrought above the knee ; Thy pumps, as white as was the milk: And yet thou wouldest not love me ! Greensleeves, &c. Thy gown was of the grassy green, Thy sleeves of satin hanging by; Which made thee be our harvest queen : And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. Thy garters fringed with the gold, And silver aglets' hanging by; Which made thee blithe for to behold: , And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. • Aiglets ; aiguillette, a lace with tags: My gayest gelding I thee gave, To ride wherever liked thee: No lady ever was so brave: And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. My men were clothed all in green, And they did ever wait on thee; All this was gallant to be seen : And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. . They set thee up, they took thee down, They serv'd thee with humility; Thy foot might not once touch the ground: And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. : .. For every morning, when thou rose, I sent thee dainties, orderly; .. To cheer thy stomach from all woes: And yet thou wouldest not love me! Greensleeves, &c. Thou couldst desire-no earthly thing, But still thou hadst it readily: '... Thy music, still 10 play and sing : And yet thou wouldest not love me ! Greensleeves, &c. And who did pay for all this gear, That thou didst spend when pleased thee? Even I that am rejected here, · And thou disdainest to love me ! Greensleeves, &c. Well! I will pray to God on high, That thou my constancy mayst see, Aid that, yet once before I die, Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me ! Greensleeves, &c. Greensleeves, now farewel! adieu! God I pray to prosper thee ! Come once again and love me! . |