A Bundle of Ballads

PART THE SECOND.

     "Low laid by my sorrow, begot by disdain;
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Against her too cruel, still still I complain,
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and!

     "O love too injurious, to wound my poor heart!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     To suffer the triumph, and joy in my smart:
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "O willow, willow, willow! the willow garl-and,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     A sign of her falseness before me doth stand:
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "As here it doth bid to despair and to die,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     So hang it, friends, o'er me in grave where I lie:
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "In grave where I rest me, hang this to the view,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Of all that do know her, to blaze her untrue.
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "With these words engraven, as epitaph meet,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     'Here lies one drank poison for potion most sweet,'
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "Though she thus unkindly hath scorn-ed my love,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     And carelessly smiles at the sorrows I prove;
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "I cannot against her unkindly exclaim,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     'Cause once well I loved her, and honoured her name:
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "The name of her sounded so sweet in mine ear,
        O willow, willow, willow!
     It raised my heart lightly, the name of my dear;
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "As then 'twas my comfort, it now is my grief;
        O willow, willow, willow!
     It now brings me anguish; then brought me relief.
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and.

     "Farewell, fair false-hearted:  plaints end with my breath!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Thou dost loathe me, I love thee, though cause of my death.
        O willow, willow, willow!
        O willow, willow, willow!
     Sing, O the green willow shall be my garl-and."