Nicholas Breton
¶[i545i?)-i626i?)]
¶Phillida and Coridon
¶In the merry month of May,In a morn by break of day.Forth I walk'd by the wood-sideWhen as May was in his pride:There I spied all alonePhillida and Coridon.Much ado there was, God wot!He would love and she would not.She said, Never man was true;He said. None was false to you.He said. He had loved her long;She said, Love should have no wrong.[197]Coridon would kiss her then;She said, Maids must kiss no menTill they did for good and all;Then she made the shepherd callAll the heavens to witness truthNever loved a truer youth.Thus with many a pretty oath,Yea and nay, and faith and troth,Such as silly shepherds useWhen they will not Love abuse,Love, which had been long deluded.Was with kisses sweet concluded;And Phillida, with garlands gay.Was made the Lady of the May.