Albert he is a gentil man, full courteous and free;
We love each other, man and man, as brothers verily;
Yet other men his favors win as he were maiden gay,
I would the law grant him choose one, before he look my way!
O, let him marry, with a hey derry derry down derry,
O, let him marry, and leave me well alone.
My bel ami, dear Albert, is the joy of many hearts;
His manly valor he combines with many gentler arts,
Fair is his face and sweet his voice, his garb so soft and bright;
But I am not a lady, so cannot receive this knight!
O, let him marry, with a hey derry derry down derry,
O, let him marry, and leave me well alone.
A wife I wed, to bring to bed, a helpmate for my ease,
Yet soon I sicken'd on her hests, no more could I her please;
My debt to her I could not pay, my wit was at an end;
I long'd anew for solace in the company of men.
Now we have married, with a hey derry derry down derry,
Now we have married, fain would she leave me lone.
Betimes I sought sweet Albert at the cot where hunters rest;
And there amid that happy throng, he clasp'd me to his breast,
To say, "Man, I do cherish thee, but not for am'rous play;
In that I am well satisfi'd to love whoso I may."
"None would I marry, with a hey derry derry down derry,
None would I marry, to be as thee alone."
"None would I marry, with a hey derry derry down derry,
None would I marry, to be as thee alone."
Rosamunde del Shore A.S. XXXVI
