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

333
ANCIENT SONGS
She curft the whorefon weaver,
That had the mantle wrought
And doubly curft the froward impe,
Who thither had it brought. 6r
" I had rather live in defarts
" Beneath the green-wood tree :
" Than here, bafe king, among thy groomes,
" The fport of them and thee.'*
Sir Kay calPd forth his lady, 65
And bade her to come near :
" Yet dame, if thou be guilty,
" I pray thee now forbear."
This lady, pertly gigling,
With forward ftep came on, 70
And boldly to the little boy
With fearlefs face is gone.
When fhe had tane the mantle,
With purpofe for to wear :
It fhrunk up to her moulder, 75
And left her b-**fide bare.
Then every merry knight,
That was in Arthur's court,
Gib'd, and laught, and flouted,
To fee that pleafant fport.
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8o
Downe