Tudor and Stuart Love Songs — Nicholas Breton

PHILLIDA AND CORYDON.

In the merry month of May, In a morn by break of day, With a troop of damsels playing, Forth I rode, forsooth, a-maying, When anon by a woodside, Where as May was in his pride, I espied, all alone, Phillida and Corydon.

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.

Corydon would kiss her then, She said, maids must kiss no men, Till they do 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.

Richard Breton.