And all the way,
She did play
On tabret and pipe,
Full many a stripe,
With note so high,
For joy that her father is come so nigh.
But when he saw his daughter dear
Coming on most foremostly,
He wrung his hands, and tore his hair,
And cryed out most piteously;
"Oh! it's thou, said he,"
"That have brought me
Low,
And troubled me so,
That I know not what to do.
For I have made a vow, he sed,
The which must be replenished;"
"What thou hast spoke
Do not revoke:
What hast thou said,
Be not affraid;
Altho' it be I;
Keep promises to God on high.
"But, dear father, grant me one request,
That I may go to the wilderness,
Three months there with my friends to stay;
There to bewail my virginity;
And let there be,"
Said she,
"Some two or three
Young maids with me."
So he sent her away,
For to mourn, for to mourn, till her dying day.