Life and Death of Fair Rosamond

When as King Henry this land, the second of that name; Besides the queen he loved dear, a fair and comely dame. Most peerless was her beauty found, her and her face: A sweeter creature in the world, could never prince cmbrace.

Her crisped locks like threads of , appear'd to each man s sight, Her comely eyes like orient pearl, did cast a heavenly light. The blood within her crystal cheeks, did snch a colour drive. As though the lily and the rose for mastership did strive

Now for his love and lady's sake who was faie and The keeping of the bower he gave, unto a valiant knight But that doth often where it before did smile. The delight the lady's joy full soon she did .

For why the king's ungracious son, whom he did high , Against his father raised wars, within the realms of france But yet before our gracious king the land . Of Rosamond his lady fair, His farewel' thus he took.

But still my Rose be sure thou shalt my coming shortly see And in my heart when hence I am; I'll bear my Rose with me When Rosamond the lady bright did hear the king say so, The sorrows of it grieved her so her outward looks did show.

And from her clear and crystal eyes the tears gush'd out apace And like the silver pearl dew ran down her comely face And falling down into a swoon, before King Henry's face; Full oft within his princely arms, her body did embrace.

Nay rather let me like a page thy sword and target bear That on my breast the blow may light that should offend my dear O let me in your royal tent prepare your bed at night And with sweet baths refresh you there as you return from fight

So I your presence will enjoy no toil I will refuse: But wanting you my life is death which doth true love abuse Content thyself my dearest love thy at home shall be In England's sweet and pleasing court for travels fit not thee.

And you Sir Thomas whom I trust to be my love's befence Be careful of my gallant Rose when I am parted hence. And here withal he fetched a sigh as though his heart would break And Rosamond for very grief not one plain word could speak.

And at their parting well they might in heart be grieved sore After that day fair Rosamond the king did ne er see more, For when his grace had passed the seas and into France was gone, Queen Eleanor with envious heart to Woodstock came anon.

And forth she calls the trusty knight, who kept this curious bower. And with a clue of twisted thread come from this famous flower. But when they had wounded hin; the queen his thread did get, And went where Lady Rosamond was like a lady set.

But when the queen with stedfast eyes beheld her lovely face, She was amazed in her mind, at such exceeding graee. Cast off, said she these fine wrought (robes that rich and costly be, And drink yon up this deadly draught which I have brought to thee.

But presently upon her knees, Fair Rosamond did fall, And pardon of the queen she craved, For her offences all, Take pity of my youthfull years, fair Rosamond did ery; And let me not with poison strong, be for to die.

She gave this comely dame to drink, who took it from her hand, And from her bended knees arose, and on her feet did stand: When casting up her eyes to , she did for mercy call And drinking up the poison strong, she lost ner life withal.

And when that death thro' every limb had its greatest spite, Her chief foes could but confess, she was a glorious sight. Her body then they did entomb, when life was fled away, At Woodstock near to Oxford town, as may be seen this day.