L'ENVOI.

As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

O softlye moaned the dove to her mate within the tree,

And meseemed unto my syghte

Came rydynge many a knyghte

All cased in armoure bryghte

Cap-a-pie,

As I laye a-dreamynge, a goodlye companye!

As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

O sadlye mourned the dove, callynge long and callynge lowe,

And meseemed of alle that hoste

Notte a face but was the ghoste

Of a friend that I hadde loste

Long agoe.

As I laye a-dreamynge, oh, bysson teare to flowe!

As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

O sadlye sobbed the dove as she seemed to despayre,

And laste upon the tracke

Came one I hayled as‘ Jacke!’

But he turned mee his backe

With a stare:

As I laye a-dreamynge, he lefte mee callynge there.

Stille I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

And gentler sobbed the dove as it eased her of her payne,

And meseemed a voyce yt cry'd —

‘ They shall ryde, and they shall ryde

‘ Tyll the truce of tyme and tyde

Come agayne!

Alle for Eldorado, yette never maye attayne!’

Stille I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

And scarcelye moaned the dove, as her agonye was spente:

‘ Shalle to-morrowe see them nygher

To a golden walle or spyre?

You have better in yr fyre,

Bee contente.’

As I laye a-dreamynge, it seem'd smalle punyshment.

But I laye a-wakynge, and loe! the dawne was breakynge

And rarely pyped a larke for the promyse of the daye:

‘ Uppe and sette yr lance in reste!

Uppe and followe on the queste!

Leave the issue to be guessed

At the endynge of the waye’ —

As I laye a-wakynge,‘ twas soe she seemed to say —

‘ Whatte and if it alle be feynynge?

There be better thynges than gaynynge,

Rycher pryzes than attaynynge.’ —

And‘ twas truthe she seemed to saye.

Whyles the dawne was breakynge, I rode upon my waye.