By Chance it Was

By chance it was I met my love

It did me much surprise

Down by a shady myrtle grove

Just as the sun did rise.

The birds they sang right gloriously

And pleasent was the air

And there was non save she and I

among the flowers fair.

In dewy grass and green we walked

She timid was and coy

How can'st thou choose but pity me

My pretty pearl, my joy

How comes it that thou stroll this way?

Sweet maiden tell me true

Before bright Phoebus' glittering ray

Has supped the morning dew?

I go to tend the flocks I love

The ewes and tender lambs

That pasture by the myrtle grove

That gambol by their dams

There I enjoy a pure content

At dawning of the day

Then, hand in hand, we lovers went

To see the flock at play.

And as we wended down the road

I said to her, "Sweet maid,

Three years I in my place abode

And three more must be stayed

The three that I am bound so fast

O fairest wait for me

And when the weary years are past

Then wedded we will be."

"Three years are long, three times too long

Too lengthy the delay"

And then I answered in my song

"Hope wastes them quick away

Where love is fervent, fain and fast

And knoweth not decay

There nimbly fleet the seasons past

Accounted as one day."