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

24 ANCIENT SONGS
My father was an aged knighte,
And yet it chanced foe,
He tooke to wife a falfe ladye,
Whiche broughte me to this woe. 140
Shee witch'd mee, being a faire yonge maide,
In the greene foreft to dwelle ;
And there to abide in lothlye ihape,
Moil like a fiend of helle.
Midft mores and moffes ; woods, and wilds j 145
To lead a lonefome life :
Till fome yong faire and courtlye knighte
Wolde marrye me to his wife ;
Nor fully to gaine mine owne trewe fhape,
Such was her devilifli fkille ; 150
Until he wolde yielde to be rul'd by mee,
And let mee have all my wille.
She witchd my brother to a carlifh boore,
And made him ftiffe and ftronge ;
And built him a bowre on magicke grounde, 155
To live by rapine and wronge.
But now the fpelle is broken throughe,
And wronge is turnde to righte ;
Henceforth I fhall bee a faire ladye,
And hee be a gentle knighte. 160
III.