_I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,_
_To take from England fief and fee;_
_But now this game is the other way over—_
_But now England hath taken me!_
_I had my horse, my shield and banner,_
_And a boy’s heart, so whole and free;_
_But now I sing in another manner—_
_But now England hath taken me!_
_As for my Father in his tower,_
_Asking news of my ship at sea;_
_He will remember his own hour—_
_Tell him England hath taken me!_
_As for my Mother in her bower,_
_That rules my Father so cunningly;_
_She will remember a maiden’s power—_
_Tell her England hath taken me!_
_As for my Brother in Rouen city,_
_A nimble and naughty page is he;_
_But he will come to suffer and pity—_
_Tell him England hath taken me!_
_As for my little Sister waiting_
_In the pleasant orchards of Normandie;_
_Tell her youth is the time for mating—_
_Tell her England hath taken me!_
_As for my Comrades in camp and highway,_
_That lift their eyebrows scornfully;_
_Tell them their way is not my way—_
_Tell them England hath taken me!_
_Kings and Princes and Barons famed,_
_Knights and Captains in your degree;_
_Hear me a little before I am blamed—_
_Seeing England hath taken me!_
_Howso great man’s strength be reckoned,_
_There are two things he cannot flee;_
_Love is the first, and Death is the second—_
_And Love, in England, hath taken me!_