I Sing of a Maiden

I Sing of a Maiden

Original Text
British Library Sloane MS. 2593; Thomas Wright, ed., Songs and Carols (London: T. Richards, 1856). PR 1120 W3 Victoria College Library
1  I syng of a mayden
2    That is mak{.e}les;
3Kyng of all{.e} kyng{.e}s
4    To here Son{.e} sche ches.
5  He cam also stylle
6    There his moder was
7As dew in Aprylle
8    That fallyt on the gras;
9  He cam also stylle
10    To his moderes bowr
11As dew in Aprille
12    That fallyt on the flour;
13  He cam also stylle
14    There his moder lay
15As dew in Aprille
16    That fallyt on the spray;
17  Moder and maydyn
18    Was never non but sche;
19Wel may swych a lady
20    God{.e}s moder be.

Notes

1] The "incremental repetition" by which this song is built up is similar to that found in the popular ballads. Cf. "St. Stephen and Herod," from the same manuscript. Back to Line
2] makeles: without a mate, peerless. Back to Line
4] ches: chose. Back to Line
5] also stylle: as quietly. Back to Line
8] fallyt: falleth. Back to Line
19] swych: such. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1450
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.3; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme
abab