Notes
1] A fair fortune have I won.
2] Ichot: I know.
3] lent: departed.
4] lyght: alighted.
8] lud: language.
9] libbe: live.
10] semlokest: comeliest.
11] he: she.
12] Icham: I am.
baundoun: power.
13] on heu: in colour, complexion.
her; hair.
ynoh: enough.
15] lossum chere: loving look.
he on me loh: she laughed at me.
16] ymake: made.
17] bote: unless.
18] forte: (for) to.
buen: be.
make: mate.
19] ichulle: I will.
20] feye: doomed to die (Old English fœge; Scotch fey).
21] wende: turn, toss about.
22] forthi: therefore.
wonges: cheeks.
won: wan.
23] levedi: lady.
24] is ylent me on: has come upon me.
25] nis non so wyter mon: there is no man so wise.
27] swyre: neck.
28] may: maid.
29] forwake: worn out by loss of sleep.
30] weary as water in a pool (stagnant water).
31] reve me my make: steal my mate from me.
32] y-yerned yore: yearned, mourned, for a long time.
33-34] It is better to endure hurt for a while than to mourn always.
35] geynest under gore: most gracious, fairest under gown.
36] roun: song.
Online text copyright © 2010, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Facsimile of British Museum MS. Harley 2253, intro. by N. R. Ker (London: Early English Text Society, 1965). PR 1119 .A2H3 Trinity College
First publication date:
1310
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 2RP.1.1; RPO 1996-2000.
Recent editing: 2:2002/4/25
Composition date:
1310
Rhyme: ababbbbc