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Sixteenth Century
CAROL
My heart of gold as true as steel,
As I me leaned to a bough,
In faith but if ye love me well,
Lord, so Robin lough!
My lady went to Canterbury,
The saint to be her boot;
She met with Kate of Malmesbury:
Why sleepest thou in an apple root?
Nine mile to Michaelmas,
Our dame began to brew;
Michael set his mare to grass,
Lord, so fast it snew!
"For you, love, I brake my glass,
Your gown is furred with blue;
The devil is dead, for there I was;
Iwis it is full true.
And if ye sleep, the cock will crow,
True heart, think what I say; .
Jackanapes will make a mow,
Look, who dare say him nay?
I pray you have me now in mind,
I tell you of the matter;
He blew his horn against the wind;
The crow goeth to the water.
Yet I tell you mickle more;
The cat lieth in the cradle;
I pray you keep true heart in store;
A penny for a ladle.
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