I have a yong suster
Fer biyonde the see;
Peri meri dictum domine
Manye be the druries
That she sente me.
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
She sente me the cherye
Withouten any stoon,
Peri meri dictum domine
And so she dide the dove
Withouten any boon.
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
She sente me the brere
Withouten any rinde;
Peri meri dictum domine
She bad me love my lemman
Withoute longinge.
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
How sholde any cherye
Ben withoute stoon?
Peri meri dictum domine
And how sholde any dove
Ben withoute boon?
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
How sholde any brere
Ben withoute rinde?
Peri meri dictum domine
How sholde I love my lemman
Withoute longinge?
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
Whan the cherye was a flowr,
Thanne hadde it non stoon;
Peri meri dictum domine
Whan the dove was an ey,
Thanne hadde it non boon.
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine
Whan the brere was unbred,
Thanne hadde it non rinde;
Peri meri dictum domine
Whan the maiden has that she loveth,
She's withoute longinge.
Partum quartum pare dicentem,
Peri meri dictum domine