cousin kate

• i was a cottage maiden hardened by sun and air
• why did a great lord find me out to fill my heart with care
• he lured me into his palace home
• to lead a shameless shameful life
• his plaything and his love
• wore me like a golden knot
• changed me like a glove
• now i moan an unclean thing who might have been a dove
• my cousin kate you grew more fair than i
• chose you and cast me by
• he lifted you from mean estate to sit with him on high
• you were so good and pure he bound you with his ring
• call me an outcast thing
• i sit and howl in dust you sit in gold and sing
• my love was true your love was writ in sand
• i would spit in his face
• yet i have a gift you have not got and seem not like to get
• my fair haired son my shame my pride cling closer closer yet
• you sire would give broad lands for one to wear his coronet