Nicholas Breton. 1542-1626
73. Phillida and Coridon
1 min to read
157 words

IN the merry month of May, In a morn by break of day, Forth I walk'd by the wood-side When as May was in his pride: There I spied all alone Phillida and Coridon. Much ado there was, God wot! He would love and she would not. She said, Never man was true; He said, None was false to you. He said, He had loved her long; She said, Love should have no wrong. Coridon would kiss her then; She said, Maids must kiss no men Till they did for good and all; Then she made the shepherd call All the heavens to witness truth Never loved a truer youth. Thus with many a pretty oath, Yea and nay, and faith and troth, Such as silly shepherds use When they will not Love abuse, Love, which had been long deluded, Was with kisses sweet concluded; And Phillida, with garlands gay, Was made the Lady of the May.

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Nicholas Breton (?). 1542-1626
74. A Cradle Song The Arbor of Amorous Devices, 1593-4
1 min to read
324 words
Return to The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1900






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