| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (1863–1944). The Oxford Book of Ballads. 1910. |
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| 68. The Three Ravens |
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I
THERE were three ravens sat on a tree, | |
| They were as black as they might be. | |
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II
The one of them said to his make, | |
| ‘Where shall we our breakfast take?’ | |
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III
‘Down in yonder greenè field | 5 |
| There lies a knight slain under his shield; | |
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IV
‘His hounds they lie down at his feet. | |
| So well do they their master keep; | |
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V
‘His hawks they flie so eagerly, | |
| There’s no fowl dare come him nigh. | 10 |
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VI
‘Down there comes a fallow doe | |
| As great with young as she might goe. | |
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VII
‘She lift up his bloudy head | |
| And kist his wounds that were so red. | |
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VIII
‘She gat him up upon her back | 15 |
| And carried him to earthen lake. | |
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IX
‘She buried him before the prime, | |
| She was dead herself ere evensong time. | |
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X
‘God send every gentleman | |
| Such hounds, such hawks, and such a leman!’ | 20 |
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