SIR RICHARD'S SONG

  _I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,_ _To take from England fief and fee;_ _But now this game is the other way over--_ _But now England hath taken me!_

  _I had my horse, my shield and banner,_ _And a boy's heart, so whole and free;_ _But now I sing in another manner--_ _But now England hath taken me!_

  _As for my Father in his tower,_ _Asking news of my ship at sea;_ _He will remember his own hour--_ _Tell him England hath taken me!_

  _As for my Mother in her bower,_ _That rules my Father so cunningly;_ _She will remember a maiden's power--_ _Tell her England hath taken me!_

  _As for my Brother in Rouen city,_ _A nimble and naughty page is he;_ _But he will come to suffer and pity--_ _Tell him England hath taken me!_

  _As for my little Sister waiting_ _In the pleasant orchards of Normandie;_ _Tell her youth is the time for mating--_ _Tell her England hath taken me!_

  _As for my Comrades in camp and highway,_ _That lift their eyebrows scornfully;_ _Tell them their way is not my way--_ _Tell them England hath taken me!_

  _Kings and Princes and Barons famed,_ _Knights and Captains in your degree;_ _Hear me a little before I am blamed--_ _Seeing England hath taken me!_

  _Howso great man's strength be reckoned,_ _There are two things he cannot flee;_ _Love is the first, and Death is the second--_ _And Love, in England, hath taken me!_

  THE KNIGHTS OF THE JOYOUS VENTURE