Cousin Kate

I was a cottage maiden
Hardened by sun and air
Contented with my cottage mates
Not mindful I was fair
Why did a great lord find me out
And praise my flaxen hair?
Why did a great lord find me out
To fill my heart with care?

He lured me to his palace home -
Woe's me for joy thereof-
To lead a shameless shameful life
His plaything and his love
He wore me like a silken knot
He changed me like a glove;
So now I moan, an unclean thing
Who might have been a dove

O Lady kate, my cousin Kate
You grew more fair than I:
He saw you at your father's gate
Chose you, and cast me by
He watched your steps along the lane
Your work among the rye;
He lifted you from mean estate
To sit with him on high

Because you were so good and pure
He bound you with his ring:
The neighbors call you good and pure
Call me an outcast thing
Even so I sit and howl in dust
You sit in gold and sing:
Now which of us has tenderer heart?
You had the stronger wing

O cousin Kate, my love was true
Your love was writ in sand:
If he had fooled not me but you
If you stood where I stand
He'd not have won me with his love
Nor bought me with his land;
I would have spit into his face
And not have taken his hand

Yet I've a gift you have not got
And seem not like to get:
For all your clothes and wedding-ring
I've little doubt you fret
My fair-haired son, my shame, my pride
Cling closer, closer yet:
Your father would give his lands for one
To wear his coronet