2. Here I Sit Alone, Alas! Alone
Alone, alone, alone, alone, alone;
Here I sitt alone, alas! alone.
As I walked me this endurs day
to þe grene wode for to play
& all heuyness to put away
my-self alone.
As I walkyd vndir þe grene wode bowe
I sawe a maide fayre I-now;
a child she happid, she song, she lough—
þat child wepid alone.
‘Son,’ she sayd, ‘I have þe borne
to saue mankynd þat was forlorne;
therfor I pray the, son, ne morne,
but be still alone.’
‘Moder, me thynkith it is ryȝt ill
that men [me] sekyth for to spill.
for them to saue it is my will;
therfor I cam hither alone.’
‘Sone,’ she sayd, ‘let it be In þi thought,
for mannys gilt is not with-sought;
for þu art he þat hath all wrought,
& I þi moder alone.’
