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

AND BALLADS. 8 7
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I had my muficke every day
" Harmonious leflbns for to play; go
" I had my virgins fair and free,
" Continually to wait on mee.
"But now, alas! my hufband's dead,
" And all my friends are from me fled,
" My former days are paft and gone, 95
" And I am now a ferving-man."
And fetching many a tender figh,
As thinking no one then was nigh,
In penfive mood I laid me lowe,
My heart was full, the tears didflowe. 10©
The king, who had a huntinge gone,
Grewe weary of his fport anone,
And leaving all his gallant traine,
Turn'd on the fudden home againe
And when he reach'd his ftatelye tower, 105
Hearing one fing within his bower,
He ftopt to liften, and to fee
Who fung there fo melodiouflie.
Thus heard he everye word I fed,
And fawe the pearlye teares I fhed, U o
And found to his amazement there,
Sweete William was. a ladye faire.
G 4
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Then