Classic Poem

Sayes " Christ thee saue, good child of Ell!
christ saue thee & thy steede!

" my father sayes he will noe Meate,
nor his drinke shall doe him noe good,
till he haue slaine the child of Ell
& haue seene his harts blood. "

" I wold I were in my sadle sett,
& a Mile out of the towne,
I did not care for yo u r father
& all his merrymen!

" I wold I were in my sadle sett,
& a little space him froe,
I did not care for yo u r father
& all that long him to! "

he leaned ore his saddle bow
to kisse this Lady good;
the teares tha t went them 2 betweene
were blend water & blood

he sett himselfe on one good steed,
this lady of one palfray,
& sett his litle horne to his mouth,
& roundlie he rode away

he had not ridden past a mile,
a mile out of the towne,
her father was readye w i th her 7 brether,
he said, " sett thou my daughter downe!
for it ill beseemes thee, thou false churles sonne,
to carry her forth of this towne! "

" but lowd thou lyest, S i r Iohn the K nigh t!
thou now doest Lye of me;
a knight me gott, & a lady me bore;
soe neuer did none by thee.

" but light now downe, my lady gay,
light downe & hold my horsse,
whilest I & yo u r father & yo u r brether
doe play vs at this crosse;

" but light now downe, my owne trew loue,
& meeklye hold my steede,
whilest yo u r father [& your brether] bold "