Bargaining
The girl is sleepless by her lord's side,
another cannot tempt the fair maid.
The one who watches over my pure darling
4 does not sleep around her fortress.
She would not take less than six pounds,
by her confession, she would do no favour.
I would give the little girl a pound,
8 I knew well how to barter;
but I wouldn't give a pound all at once
to my dear girl who bargained so adeptly.
Six-score pence I'd give to the golden girl,
12 if she got pregnant,
and I'd only pay that six score
after six trysts, I'd get my way.
Of the six score, an amazing sum,
16 I'd decide to give three score.
Of this three score (she doesn't want me)
two score would be enough for her.
And furthermore (value like a dream of the mind)
20 if she were to take all of my two score,
the wonderfully fair maid's price is too high
by as much as almost one score.
Twelve pence under compulsion,
24 or eight in payment for my little girl.
Six pence is the hire in hand,
I'd give four in case she won't do it.
From four to a fee of three,
28 and from three it goes to two.
O for money on loan,
my sweetheart is to be had for a penny.
I cannot give the fair maid money
32 in her hand, but only my will.
'If you want my body (heaven for my soul)
it's to be had in return for your body,
and a lad's oath under greenwood leaves
36 that the bargain is not ugly, girl, but most fair.'
A curse on him if I am the one,
if she doesn't want this, my brazen lass,
(not for what the maid wouldn't recompense)
40 who will ever give more for her.