No 17 YE MAIDENS PRETTY

1 Ye maidens pretty In town and city, I pray you pity My mournful strain. A maiden weeping, Her night-watch keeping, In grief unsleeping Makes her complain: In tower I languish In cold and sadness, Heart full of anguish, Eye full of tear. Whilst glades are ringing With maidens singing, Sweet roses bringing To crown the year. 2 Thro' hills and vallies Thro' shaded alleys, And pleached palis— Ading of grove; Among fair bowers, Midst fragrant flowers, Pass sunny hours, And sing of love. In tower I languish, &c. 3 My cruel father Gave straitest order, By watch and warder, I barr'd should be. All in my chamber, High out of danger, From eye of ranger, In misery. In tower I languish, &c. 4 Enclosed in mortar, By wall and water, A luckless daughter All white and wan; Till day is breaking My bed forsaking, I all night waking Sing like the swan. In tower I languish, In cold and sadness, Heart full of anguish, Eye full of tear, Whilst glades are ringing With maidens singing Sweet roses bringing, To crown the year.