1.
[fforsothe I woll no lengir/ you contrarie. [Harl. 1758 folio 87b]
Now late vs turne a-geyne to Ianuarye.
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That in this gardyn with this faire Maye.
Syngeth full merier/ than the Popyniaye.
You loue I best/ and schall and other/ non.
So longe a-boute the aleis is he gon.
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Till he was come ageyns thilke pirye.
Wher/ as this Damyan sitteth full merye.
On high among the fresche leues grene.
This fresche May that is so bright and schene.
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Gan for to sike and seide allas my side.
Now sir/ quod sche for ought that may be-tide.
I moste haue of the peris that I se.
Or I mote dye so sore longeth me.
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To etyn of the smale peris grene.
Help for hir/ loue that is of heuene quene.
I tell you well a woman in my plight.
May haue to fruyt/ so gret an appetight
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That sche may dyen but/ sche it haue.
Allas quod he that I ne had here a knaue.
That couthe clymbe allas allas quod he.
ffor I am blynde ye sir/ no fors quod sche.
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But wolde ye vouche saf/ for goddis sake.
The piry in with your/ armes take.
ffor well I wot that ye mestruste me. [Harl. 1758 folio 88a]
Than schulde I clymbe well y-nowȝ quod sche.
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So I my foot myght set/ vpon your/ bak.
fforsothe seide he in me schall be no lak.
Might I you helpe with myn herte blood.
He stoupith doun and on his bak sche stood.
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And caught hir/ bi a twiste and vp sche goth.
Ladies I pray you that ye be not wroth.
I can not glose I am a rude man.
And sodenly a-non this Damyan.
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