{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb07.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb07.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb07.htm","text":"IN the merrie moneth of Maye,\n In a morne by break of daye,\n With a troope of damselles playing\n Forthe 'I yode' forsooth a maying;\nWhen anon by a wood side,\n Where that Maye was in his pride,\n I espied all alone\n Phillida and Corydon.\nMuch adoe there was, God wot:\n He wold love, and she wold not.\n She sayde, \"Never man was trewe;\"\n He sayes, \"None was false to you.\"\nHe sayde, hee had lovde her longe;\n She sayes, love should have no wronge.\n Corydon wold kisse her then;\n She sayes, \"Maydes must kisse no men,\n\"Tyll they doe for good and all.\"\n When she made the shepperde call\n All the heavens to wytnes truthe,\n Never loved a truer youthe.\nThen with manie a prettie othe,\n Yea and nay, and faithe and trothe,\n Suche as seelie shepperdes use\n When they will not love abuse,\nLove, that had bene long deluded,\n Was with kisses sweete concluded;\n And Phillida with garlands gaye\n Was made the lady of the Maye.","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: Phillida and Corydon","type":"page"}