IX.

THE WILLOW TREE.

A PASTORAL DIALOGUE.

From the small black-letter collection, intitled, _The Golden Garland of princely delights_; collated with two other copies, and corrected by conjecture.

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[Dr. Rimbault gives the melody of this pretty little pastoral on the favourite subject of wearing the willow from a MS. dated 1639 in the Advocate's Library, Edinburgh. It is also to be found in the celebrated Skene MS. in the same library, and again in all the editions of Forbes's _Cantus_.]

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WILLY.

How now, shepherde, what meanes that? Why that willowe in thy hat? Why thy scarffes of red and yellowe Turn'd to branches of greene willowe?

CUDDY.

They are chang'd, and so am I; 5 Sorrowes live, but pleasures die: Phillis hath forsaken mee, Which makes me weare the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Phillis! shee that lov'd thee long? Is shee the lass hath done thee wrong? 10 Shee that lov'd thee long and best, Is her love turn'd to a jest?

CUDDY.

Shee that long true love profest, She hath robb'd my heart of rest: For she a new love loves, not mee; 15 Which makes me wear the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Come then, shepherde, let us joine, Since thy happ is like to mine: For the maid I thought most true, Mee hath also bid adieu. 20

CUDDY.

Thy hard happ doth mine appease, Companye doth sorrowe ease: Yet, Phillis, still I pine for thee, And still must weare the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Shepherde, be advis'd by mee, 25 Cast off grief and willowe-tree: For thy grief brings her content, She is pleas'd if thou lament.

CUDDY.

Herdsman, I'll be rul'd by thee, There lyes grief and willowe-tree: 30 Henceforth I will do as they, And love a new love every day.