Part 2 — No 99 DEATH AND THE LADY

1 As I walked out one day, one day, All in the merry month of May, When lambs did skip and thrushes sing, And ev'ry bush with buds did spring. 2 I met an old man by the way, His head was bald, his beard was grey, His coat was of the Myrtle-green, But underneath his ribs were seen. 3 He in his hand a glass did hold, He shook as one that shakes with cold. I asked of him what was his name, And what strange place from which he came. 4 "My name is Death, fair maiden, see Lords, Dukes and Squires bow down to me; For of the Branchy Tree[27] am I And you, fair maid, with me must hie." 5 "I'll give you gold, if me you'll spare, I'll give you costly robes to wear!" "O no, sweet maid, make no delay Your sand is run, you must away!" 6 Alas! alack! the fair maid died, And these the last sad words she cried: "Here lies a poor, distressed maid, By Death—and Death alone betrayed."