Love

The Willow Tree

by Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads) traditional; texts recorded c. 15th–18th century

From Percy, Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (1765)

Love

WILLY.

How now, shepherde, what meanes that?
Why that willowe in thy hat?
Why thy scarffes of red and yellowe
Turn'd to branches of greene willowe?

CUDDY.

They are chang'd, and so am I;
Sorrowes live, but pleasures die:
Phillis hath forsaken mee,
Which makes me weare the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Phillis! shee that lov'd thee long?
Is shee the lass hath done thee wrong?
Shee that lov'd thee long and best,
Is her love turn'd to a jest?

CUDDY.

Shee that long true love profest,
She hath robb'd my heart of rest:
For she a new love loves, not mee;
Which makes me wear the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Come then, shepherde, let us joine,
Since thy happ is like to mine:
For the maid I thought most true,
Mee hath also bid adieu.

CUDDY.

Thy hard happ doth mine appease,
Companye doth sorrowe ease:
Yet, Phillis, still I pine for thee,
And still must weare the willowe-tree.

WILLY.

Shepherde, be advis'd by mee,
Cast off grief and willowe-tree:
For thy grief brings her content,
She is pleas'd if thou lament.

CUDDY.

Herdsman, I'll be rul'd by thee,
There lyes grief and willowe-tree:
Henceforth I will do as they,
And love a new love every day.

MLA

Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads). “The Willow Tree.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-scottish-ballads/270/.

Chicago

Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads). “The Willow Tree.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-scottish-ballads/270/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous (English and Scottish Ballads)