Alison

I'm paraphrasing Ambleside Online's Year 7 Medieval Poems because it's the only way I can grasp them. Here's the second one. The poem in its original Ye Olde English is here. This is very different from the Elvis Costello version of Alison that I'm familiar with.

2 Alison

Between March and April
When new growth begins to spring
The little bird has her way
And sings in her own language
I live with yearning in love
For the most beautiful of all things
She may bring me bliss
I am her devoted servant
And I've taken advantage of a lucky break
I'll wager that it's sent from heaven
My love has left all other women
And alighted on Alison

The color of her hair is fair
Her brow is brown, her eyes black
With a loving look she laughs at me
She's well-made, with a small waist
If she doesn't decide to take me
As her own mate
I'll lose my desire to live
And wish I were dead
And I've taken advantage of a lucky break
I'll wager that it's sent from heaven
My love has left all other women
And alighted on Alison

At night I toss and turn
That's why I grow so pale
Lady, because of you
I've developed this yearning
In all the world there's no man wise enough
To tell all of her bounty
Her neck is whiter than the swan
She's the prettiest maiden in town
And I've taken advantage of a lucky break
I'll wager that it's sent from heaven
My love has left all other women
And alighted on Alison

I'm worn out with vigils from wooing
Like water in a stagnant pool
Someone else might steal my mate
I've been distressed for a long time
Yet it's better to endure distress for a while
Than to mourn forevermore
Prettiest thing under any dress
Listen to my song
And I've taken advantage of a lucky break
I'll wager that it's sent from heaven
My love has left all other women
And alighted on Alison