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

AND BALLADS. 291
" Thefe twenty winters here forlorn
" I've drawn my hated breath ;
*' Sole witnefs of a monfter's crimes,
" And wifhing aye for death.
" Know, I am fifter of a king ;
" And in my early years
" Was married to a mighty prince,
" The faireft of his peers.
" With him I fweetly liv'd in love
" A twelvemonth and a day :
" When, lo ! a foul and treacherous prieft
" Y-wrought our loves' decay.
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" His feeming goodnefs wan him pow'rj
" He bad his mailer's ear :
" And long to me and all the world 115
" He did a faint appear.
" One day, when we were all alone,
" He proffer'd odious love :
" The wretch with horrour I repuls'd,
" And from my prefence drove. 120
" He feign'd remorfe, and piteous beg'd
" His crime I'd not reveal
* c Which, for his feeming penitence,
" I promis'd to conceal.
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