Old English Spring
(Adapted from Harleian MS. 2253. Date, about 1200 ?)
I. That he will have none of Love.
Lent is come with Love to town,1
Blossoms brag of his renown,2
All their bliss that bringeth ;3
Daisies in the dales4
And the sweet nightingales5
Each a song singeth.6
The throstle cock doth verily know7
Away is every Winter-woe8
When the woodruff springeth ;9
And he sings so wonder-well,10
He frights the Winter fleet and fell,11
That all the wood ringeth.12
The rose is ruddy now,13
Blossoms blow on the bough14
Waxing with will ;15
The moon mendeth her blee,16
The lily is lissom to see17
And the daffodil !18
In May it is merry when it dawns19
On the leas and on the lawns,20
And leaf is light on the lime ;21
On the waters the wild drakes22
Go seeking of their makes—23
For Love lives in the Prime !24
Grass grows under sun and cloud,25
Women wax wondrous proud26
As meseemeth still ;27
But my wish hath want of None28
Nor would I live all woebegone29
For Love that likes me ill !30
II. He entreateth the North Wind to send him his Love.
Blow, Northern Wind,31
Send thou me my sweeting ;32
Blow, Northern Wind,33
Blow, blow, blow !34
I have a Burd in a bower bright35
That is seemly unto sight,36
And like roses red and white37
Are her cheek and hand :38
In all the world is none39
Fairer ’neath shadow or sun,40
No, never knew I one41
So lovely in the land !42
Blow, Northern Wind,43
Send thou me my sweeting ;44
Blow, Northern Wind,45
Blow, blow, blow !46