QUHEN Flora had o’erfret the firth

And there maintain’d his Table Round,Beset with many a knight.And there he kept his ChristmasWith mirth and princely cheare,When, lo! a straunge and cunning boyBefore him did appeare.A kirtle and a mantleThis boy had him upon,With brooches, rings, and owches,Full daintily bedone.He had a sarke of silkAbout his middle meet;And thus with seemely curtesy,He did…

lying on earth with life at end,sorrowful sight. But the slayer too,awful earth-dragon, empty of breath,lay felled in fight, nor, fain of its treasure,could the writhing monster rule it more.For edges of iron had ended its days,hard and battle-sharp, hammers’ leaving;and that flier-afar had fallen to groundhushed by its hurt, its hoard all near,no longer…

of men and women the wine-hall to cleanse,the guest-room to garnish. Gold-gay shone the hangingsthat were wove on the wall, and wonders manyto delight each mortal that looks upon them.Though braced within by iron bands,that building bright was broken sorely;rent were its hinges; the roof aloneheld safe and sound, when, seared with crime,the fiendish foe…

Men are fools that wish to die!Is ‘t not fine to dance and singWhen the bells of death do ring?Is ‘t not fine to swim in wine,And turn upon the toe,And sing hey nonny no!When the winds blow and the seas flow?Hey nonny no!

Besides the queene, he dearly lovdeA faire and comely dame.Most peerlesse was her beautye founde,Her favour, and her face;A sweeter creature in this worldeCould never prince embrace.Her crisped lockes lie threads of golde,Appeard to each mans sight;Her sparkling eyes, like Orient pearles,Did cast a heavenlye light.The blood within her crystal cheekesDid such a colour drive,As…

Cryst, yf my love wer in my armysAnd I yn my bed agayne!