Alysoun

Alysoun

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
5  Bytuen{.e} Mersh and Averil,
6    When spray biginneth to spring{.e},
7The lutel foul hath hir{.e} wyl
14    Hire brow{.e} broune, hire ey{.e} blak{.e};
26    That al hire bounté tell{.e} con.
34    Then mournen evermor{.e}.

Notes

1] A fair fortune have I won. Back to Line
2] Ichot: I know. Back to Line
3] lent: departed. Back to Line
4] lyght: alighted. Back to Line
8] lud: language. Back to Line
9] libbe: live. Back to Line
10] semlokest: comeliest. Back to Line
11] he: she. Back to Line
12] Icham: I am.
baundoun: power. Back to Line
13] on heu: in colour, complexion.
her; hair.
ynoh: enough. Back to Line
15] lossum chere: loving look.
he on me loh: she laughed at me. Back to Line
16] ymake: made. Back to Line
17] bote: unless. Back to Line
18] forte: (for) to.
buen: be.
make: mate. Back to Line
19] ichulle: I will. Back to Line
20] feye: doomed to die (Old English fœge; Scotch fey). Back to Line
21] wende: turn, toss about. Back to Line
22] forthi: therefore.
wonges: cheeks.
won: wan. Back to Line
23] levedi: lady. Back to Line
24] is ylent me on: has come upon me. Back to Line
25] nis non so wyter mon: there is no man so wise. Back to Line
27] swyre: neck. Back to Line
28] may: maid. Back to Line
29] forwake: worn out by loss of sleep. Back to Line
30] weary as water in a pool (stagnant water). Back to Line
31] reve me my make: steal my mate from me. Back to Line
32] y-yerned yore: yearned, mourned, for a long time. Back to Line
33] It is better to endure hurt for a while than to mourn always. Back to Line
35] geynest under gore: most gracious, fairest under gown. Back to Line
36] roun: song. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1310
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.1; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme