Chanson

A ring of gold and a milk-white dove

Are goodly gifts for thee,

And a hempen rope for your own love

To hang upon a tree.

For you a House of Ivory

(Roses are white in the rose-bower)!

A narrow bed for me to lie

(White, O white, is the hemlock flower)!

Myrtle and jessamine for you

(O the red rose is fair to see)!

For me the cypress and the rue

(Fairest of all is rose-mary)!

For you three lovers of your hand

(Green grass where a man lies dead)!

For me three paces on the sand

(Plant lilies at my head)!