"O how happy is that woman That enjoys so true a friend; Many happy day's God send her! And of my suit I'll make an end: On my knees I pardon crave for my offence, 'Commend me to that gallant lady, All my jewels, in like sort, take thou with thee; 'I will spend my days in prayer, Love and all his laws defy; In a nunnery I will shroud me, Far from any company: But ere my prayers have an end, be sure of this, To pray for thee and for thy love I will not miss. 'Thus farewell, most gallant captain! Farewell to my heart's content! Count not Spanish ladies wanton, Though to thee my mind was bent: Joy and true prosperity go still with thee!' Anonymous. THE BRIDAL BED. IT was a maid of low degree, She strew'd the flowers, she pluck'd the weed, And showers of tears she shed: 'Sweet turf!' she said, 'by fate decreed To be my bridal bed. 'I've set thee, flower; for that the flower And watered thee, with plenteous showers And still she cried-'Oh stay, my love, Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, And I will follow thee. 'I pluck'd thee, weed, for that no weed But sweetest flowers, from virtue's seed, But, ah! their beauteous tints no more And I must strew this meaner flower, 'Sweet turf! thy green more green appears, Which now profusely flow, O! stay for me, departed youth, My true-love, stay for me; Stay till I've deck'd my bridal bed, And I will follow thee. "This is the blooming wreath he wove, And this dear ring I was to keep, And with it to be wed: But here, alas! I sigh and weep, A blithesome knight came riding by, 'O say,' he said, 'fair maiden, say, And thus, while fast my tears o'erflow, 'Be calm, fair maid!' the knight replied, "Thou art too young to die; Then go with me, and be my bride, But still she call'd- Oh stay, my love, My true-love, stay for me; Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, And I will follow thee.' 'Oh leave,' he cried,' this grief so cold, And leave this dread despair, And thou shalt flaunt in robes of gold, A lady rich and fair; Thou shalt have halls and castles fair; Ah! hold thy peace, too cruel knight, With thee my troth I will not plight, For all thy proffers fair: But I will die, with my own true-love My true-love, stay for me; Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, And I will follow thee. Both halls and castles I despise : I want nor gold nor costly gear, 'Oh! be my bride, thou weeping fair! Still, still with tears, she cried,' My love, My true-love, stay for me! Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, And I will follow thee. 'My love-he needs no tomb so rare! Our carved works-these flowrets fair, Now go, sir Knight, go now thy ways, Full soon shall be dead : But yet return, in some few days, And deck my bridal bed: "Then strew the flower, and pluck the thorn, And cleanse the turf, I pray : So may some hand thy turf adorn, Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, 'No, maid, I will not go my ways, But I will stay, and share thy woe; And help thee pluck the flower, to strow Now from the church came forth the priest, To cease her piteous moan: For still she cried- Oh stay, my love, My true-love, stay for me; Stay, till I've deck'd my bridal bed, "O kneel with me,' he said, ' dear maid, Haply, kind heaven may vouch thee aid, |