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

AND BALLADS. 281
Now, by the rood, king Pepin fays,
This child is palling fair : 30
I wot he is of gentle blood ;
: ;
Perhaps fome prince's heir.
Goe bear him home unto my court
With all the care ye may
Let him be chriften'd Valentine,
In honour of this day :
And look me out fome cunning nurfe
Well nurtur'd let him bee ;
Nor ought be wanting that becomes
A bairn of high degree. 40
They look'd him out a cunning nurfe
And nurtur'd well was hee
Nor ought was wanting that became
A bairn of high degree.
Thus grewe the little Valentine
Belov'd of king and peers ;
And fhew'd in all he fpake or did
A wit beyond his years.
But chief in gallant feates of arms
He did himfelf advance,
That ere he grewe to man's eilate
He had no peere in France.
;
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And