Then he tooke up the Eldridge sworde,
As hard as any flint:
And he tooke off those ringes five,
As bright as fyre and brent.
Home then pricked Syr Cauline
As light as leafe on tree:
I-wys he neither stint ne blanne,
Till he his ladye see.
Then downe he knelt upon his knee
Before that lady gay:
"O ladye, I have bin on the Eldridge hills:
These tokens I bring away."
"Now welcome, welcome, Syr Cauline,
Thrice welcome unto mee,
For now I perceive thou art a true knighte,
Of valour bolde and free."
"O ladye, I am thy own true knighte,
Thy hests for to obaye:
And mought I hope to winne thy love!"--
Ne more his tonge colde say.
The ladye blushed scarlette redde,
And fette a gentill sighe:
"Alas! Syr knight, how may this bee,
For my degree's soe highe?
"But sith thou hast hight, thou comely youth,
To be my batchilere,
Ile promise if thee I may not wedde
I will have none other fere."
Then shee held forthe her Lilly-white hand
Towards that knighte so free;
He gave to it one gentill kisse,
His heart was brought from bale to blisse,
The teares sterte from his ee.
"But keep my counsayl, Syr Cauline,
Ne let no man it knowe;
For and ever my father sholde it ken,
I wot he wolde us sloe."
From that daye forthe that ladye fayre
Lovde Syr Cauline the knighte:
From that daye forthe he only joyde
Whan shee was in his sight.
Yea and oftentimes they mette
Within a fayre arboure,
Where they in love and sweet daliaunce
Past manye a pleasant houre.