The Oxford Book of Ballads - online book

A Selection Of The Best English Lyric Ballads Chosen & Edited by Arthur Quiller-Couch

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THE BOY AND THE MANTLE
XXIV
She threw downe the mantle, That bright was of blee,
Fast with a red rudd
To her chamber can she flee.
xxv Craddocke call'd forth his ladye
And bade her come in; Saith, ' Winne this mantle, ladye,
With a little dinne.
XXVI
' Winne this mantle, ladye,
And it shal be thine If thou never did amisse
Since thou wast mine.
XXVII
Forth came Craddocke's ladye
Shortlye and anon, But boldlye to the mantle
Then is shee gone.
XXVIII
When she had tane the mantle
And cast it her about, Up at her great toe
It began to crinkle and crowt: Shee said, ' Bowe downe, mantle,
And shame me not for nought.
XXIX
' Once I did amisse,
I tell you certainlye, When Craddocke's mouth I kist
Under a greened tree ;
dinne] noise, i. e. ado.         crowt] pucker.
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