Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

AND BALLADS. 79
And as it befelle on a high holidaye,
As many there are befide,
Lord Thomas he went to faire Ellinor, 1
That mould have been his bride.
And when he came to faire Ellinors bower,
He knocked there at the ring,
And who was fo readye as faire Ellinor,
To lett lord Thomas withinn. 2%
What newes, what newes, lord Thomas, (he fayd?
What newes doft thou bring to mee ?
I am come to bid thee to my wedding,
And that is bad newes for thee.
God forbid, lord Thomas, (he fayd, 25
That fuch a thing mould be done ;
1 thought to have been thy bride my felfe,
And thou to have been the bridegrome.
Come riddle my riddle, dear mother, Ihe fayd,
And riddle it ail in one ;
30
Whether I mall goe to lord Thomas his wedding,
Or whether mall tarry at home ?
There are manye that are your friendes, daughter,
And manye that are your foe,
Therefore I charge you on my bleffing, 35
To lord Thomas his wedding don't goe.
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