lister Helen 389 No. XLVII. FAIR MARGARET AND SWEET WILLIAM. From "Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry." As it fell out on a long summer's day "I see no harm by you, Margarèt, "Before to-morrow at eight o' the clock Fair Margaret sat in her bower-window, Combing her yellow hair; There she spyed Sweet William and his bride, As they were a riding near. Then down she layd her ivory combe, And braided her hair in twain: She went alive out of her bower, But ne'er came alive in't again. When day was gone, and night was come, Then came the spirit of Fair Margret, And stood at William's feet. -"Are you awake, Sweet William? shee said; “Or, Sweet William, are you asleep? "God give you joy of your gay bride-bed, "And me of my winding sheet.". When day was come, and night was gone, Sweet William to his lady sayd, “ I dreamt a dream, my dear ladyè, "Such dreames are never good: " I dreamt my bower was full of red wine, my bride-bed full of blood." " And “Such dreams, such dreams, my honoured Sir, They never do prove good; "To dream thy bower was full of red wine, "And thy bride-bed full of blood." He called up his merry men all, Saying,―" And when he came to Fair Margret's bower, He knocked at the ring; And who so ready as her seven brethrèn To let Sweet William in. Then he turned up the covering-sheet, "I'll do more for thee, Margaret, "Though a smile I cannot win." With that bespake the seven brethrèn, —" You may go kiss your jolly brown bride, "And let our sister alone.". "If I do kiss my jolly brown bride, "I do but what is right; “I neer made a vow to yonder poor corpse "Deal on, deal on, my merry men all, "Deal on your cake and your wine :* “For whatever is dealt at her funeral to-day, "Shall be dealt to-morrow at mine.". Fair Margaret dyed to-day, to-day, Fair Margaret dyed for pure true love, Margaret was buryed in the lower chancèl, Out of her brest there sprang a rose, And out of his a briar. Alluding to the dole anciently given at funerals. |