The barren wife all sad in mind
Came forth one even tide
In his church yard alone to walk
A greyhound by her side
The gallant greyhound Edward loved
And much it pitied me
Now that his luckless lord was gone
The pair forlorn to see
While [?I] stood by my heart so full
I wist not what to say
The gallant greyhound snuffed about
And instant sprang away
The greyhound thro’ the river dashed
And down the meadow bore
And up the open hill he flew
A full half mile or more
Said Mary then what ails the dog
Oh Jesu! far or near
I see I see, no mate of his
No hunter’s shout I hear
There is no hare, no deer in sight
It strangely strikes my mind
See see him how he runs quoth I
Ther[e] is carrion [?in] the wind
Look there look there he drives along
More fleet than hart or hind
What has he seen what has he heard
That I am left behind
Away away on wings of wind
Oh dog for ever dear
Thou knowest thou knowest what I have lost
And thou wilt lead him here
And hast thou leapt upon his neck?
And hast thou licked his hand?
What shape is yon that comes so quick
Across the meadow land
Peace sweetest Lady peace I said
And took her by the hand
There is no shape that cometh quick
Across the meadow land
I marked the greyhound scour along
And lost him in yon wood
And I will go with your good will
And see what is his food
What dost thou say thou aged man
Art thou again a child
And then she checked herself and wept
She was of nature mild
Quoth I sweet dame to see you weep
Doth breed me great annoy
She turned her head and smiling said
Old man I weep for joy
She dragged me on then stopped and cried
Ere twenty steps were gone
Alone must I unto the wood
He waits for me alone.
‘Twas no day-ghost in raiment clad
Which eye of beast can see
Hadst thou appeared to living thing
Thou hadst appeared to me.