Maiden in the Mor Lay

Maiden in the Mor Lay

Original Text
Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson D.913. Rossell Hope Robbins, ed., Secular Lyrics of the XIVth and XVth Centuries (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1952): no. 18, p. 13. Carleton Brown and Rossell Hope Robbins, The Index of Middle English Verse (New York, 1943): no. 3891. Z 2012 B86 General Reference Robarts Library.
2In the mor lay,
4Maiden in the moor lay,
5In the mor lay,
8Wat was hire mete?
10  The primerole ant the --
11Welle was hire mete.
12Wat was hire mete?
13  The primerole ant the violet.
15Wat was hire dryng?
17  The chelde water of the --
18Welle was hire dryng.
19Wat was hire dryng?
20  The chelde water of the welle-spring.
22Wat was hire bour?
24  The rede rose an te --
25Welle was hire bour.
26Wat was hire bour?
27  The rede rose an te lilie flour.

Notes

1] mor: moor. Back to Line
3] Seuenyst: seven nights. Back to Line
6] ant: and. Back to Line
7] mete: food. Back to Line
9] primerole: primrose. Back to Line
14] dryng: drink. Back to Line
16] chelde: cold. Back to Line
21] bour: bower. Back to Line
23] an te: and the. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1907
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2002
Rhyme