Classic Poem

" ffor this same night att [Bucklesfeildberry]
litle Musgreue is in bed w i th thy wife. "

" If it be trew, thou litle foote page,
this tale thou hast told to mee,
then all my lands in Bucklefeildberry
Ile freely giue to thee:

" But if this be a lye, thou litle foot page,
this tale thou hast told to mee,
then on the highest tree in Bucklesfeild-berry
all hanged that thou shalt bee. "

Saies, " vpp & rise, my merrymen all,
& saddle me my good steede,
for I must ride to Bucklesfeildberry;
god wott I had neuer more need! "

But some they whistled, and some the sunge,
& some they thus cold say,
" when euer as Lo rd Barnetts horne blowes,
away, Musgerue, away! "

" Mie thinkes I heare the throstlecocke,
me thinkes I heare the Iay,
Me thinkes I heare L ord Barnetts horne,
away, Musgreue, away! "

" But lie still, lie still, litle Musgreue,
& huddle me from the cold,
for it is but some sheaperds boy
is whistling sheepe ore the Mold.

" Is not thy hauke vpon a pearch,
thy horsse eating corne & hay,
& thou, a gay lady in thine armes,
& yett thou wold goe awaie! "

By this time L ord Barnett was come to the dore,
& light vpon a stone,
and he pulled out 3 silver kayes,
& opened the dores euery one

And first he puld the couering downe,
& then puld downe the sheete,
saies, " how now? how now? litle Musgreue,
dost find my gay lady sweet? "

" I find her sweete, " saies litle Musgreue,
" the more is my greefe & paine; "

" Soe haue I done the fairest Lady
tha t euer wore womans weede;

" Soe haue I done a heathen child,
w hi ch ffull sore greiueth mee,
for w hi ch Ile repent all the dayes of my life
& god be with them all 3. "