William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.
The Three RavensAnonymous
T
Downe a downe, hay down, hay downe
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
With a downe
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
They were as blacke as they might be.
With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.
‘Where shall we our breakefast take?’
There lies a knight slain under his shield.
So well they can their master keepe.
There’s no fowle dare him come nie.’
As great with yong as she might goe.
And kist his wounds that were so red.
And carried him to earthen lake.
She was dead herselfe ere even-song time.
Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman.