Volume 2 — THYME AND RUE

O once I had plenty of thyme,

I could flourish by night and by day.

Till a saucy lad he

Returned from sea,

And stole my thyme away.

O and I was a damsel so fair,

But fairer I wished to appear;

So I wash'd me in milk,

And I dressed me in silk,

And put the.sweet thyme in my hair.

With June is the red rose in bud,

But that's not the flower for me;

So I plucked the bud,

And it pricked me to blood,

And I gazed on the willow tree.

Othe willow tree it will twist,

And the willow tree, it will turn;

I would I were clasped

In my lover's arms fast,

For 'tis he that has stolen my thyme.

O it's very good drinking of ale,

But it's far better drinking of wine;

I would I were clasped

In my lover's arms fast,

For 'tis he that has stolen my thyme.