The three Ravens

Ravenscroft 1971: Original Text Reference.
Composition Date: unknown. Publication Date: 1611.
Ed. (text): N. J. Endicott; (e-text): I. Lancashire.
Rep. Poetry: 2RP.1.76.

1      There were three ravens sat on a tree,
2      Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
3      There were three ravens sat on a tree,
4      With a downe
5      There were three ravens sat on a tree,
6      They were as blacke as they might be.
7      With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.

8     The one of them said to his mate,
9    "Where shall we our breakefast take?"

10    "Downe in yonder greene field,
11    There lies a knight slain under his shield.

12    "His hounds they lie downe at his feete,
13    So well they can their master keepe.

14    "His haukes they flie so eagerly,
15    There's no fowle dare him come nie."

16    Downe there comes a fallow doe,
17    As great with yong as she might goe.

18    She lift up his bloudy hed,
19    And kist his wounds that were so red.

20    She got him up upon her backe,
21    And carried him to earthen lake.

22    She buried him before the prime,
23    She was dead herselfe ere even-song time.

24    God send every gentleman,
25    Such haukes, such hounds, and such a leman.