"He was the flower of noble wights,
None ever more sincerecoldebee;
Of comely mien and shapehee was,
And tenderlye heeloved mee.
"When thus I saw he loved me well,
I grewe so proud his paine to see,
That I, who did notknow myselfe,
Thought scorne of such a youthas hee.
[2]"And grew soe coy and nice to please,
As women's lookes are often soe,
He might not kisse, nor hand forsooth,
Unlesse I willed him soe to doe.
"Thus being wearyed with delayes
To see I pittyed not his greeffe,
He gott him to a secrett place,
And there he dyed without releeffe.
"And for his sake these weeds I weare,
And sacrifice my tender age;
And every day Ile begg my bread,
To undergoe this pilgrimage.
"Thus every day I fast and pray,
And ever will doe till I dye;
And gett me to some secrett place,
For soe did hee, and soe will I.
"Now, gentle heardsman, aske no more
But keepe my secretts I thee pray;
Unto the towne of Walsingham
Shew me the right and readye way.
Now goe thy wayes, and God before!
For he must ever guide thee still:
Turne downe that dale, the right hand path,
And soe, faire pilgrim, fare thee well!"
NOTES
- To shew what constant tribute was paid to Our Lady of Walsingham, I shall give a
few extracts from the "Houshold-Book of Henry Algernon Percy, 5th Earl of
Northumberland." Printed 1770, 8vo.
SECT. XLIII. page 337, &c.
ITEM, My Lorde usith yerly to send afor Michaelmas for his Lordschip's
Offerynge to Our Lady of Walsyngeham--iiijd.
ITEM, My Lorde usith ande accustumyth to sende yerely for the upholdynge
of the light of wax which his Lordschip fyndith birnynge yerly befor our Lady of
Walsyngham, contenyngexjlb. of wax in it aftervijd. ob. for the fyndinge of every
lb. redy wrought by a covenaunt maid with the Channon by great, for the hole yere,
for the fyndinge of the said lyght byrning --vis.viiijd.