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

268
ANCIENT SONGS
Her lord of humour light and gay,
And innocent the while,
As oft as fiie came in his way, 35
Would on the damfell fmile.
And oft before his lady's face,
As thinking her her friend,
He would the maiden's modefl grace
And comelinefs commend. 40
All which incens'd his lady fo
She burnt with wrath extreame
At length the fire that long did glow,
Buril forth into a flame.
For on a day it fo befell, 45
When he was gone from home,
The lady all with rage did fwell,
And to the damfell come.
And charging her with great offence,
And many a grievous fault
She bade her fervants drag her thence,
Into a difmal vault,
That lay beneath the common-more :
A dungeon dark and deep :
Where they were wont, in days of yore, 55
Offenders great to keep.
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50
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