Swete sone, reu on me. And breste out of thy bondes. For me thinket that I see. Thoru Bothen thin bondes. . Nailes driven into the tree. So reufuliche thu honges.
The dubberment dere of down and dales. Of wode and water and wlonk plaines. Bilde in me bliss, abated my bales. Forbidden my stress, destroyed my paines.
Passing thus alone, through the silent forest. Many a grievous groan sounded in her ear. Where she heard a man to lament the sorest. Chance that ever came, forc'd by deadly strife.
Kinderly is now my coming. Into this werld with teres and cry. Litel and povere is min having. Britel and sone I falle from hi. Scharp and strong is my deying.
Wanne mine ehnen misten. And mine heren sisses. And mine nosen coldet. And mine tunge foldet. And mine rude slaket. And mine lippes blaken. And my muth grenet.
I have wist, sin I couthe meen. That children hath by candle light. Her shadewe on the wal iseen. And ronne therafter all the night. . Bisy aboute they han ben.
Adam lay ibounden. Bounden in a bond. Foure thousand winter. Thought he not too long. . And all was for an apple. An apple that he tok. As clerkes finden.