Gateway to the Classics: Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by Arthur Quiller-Couch
 
Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

A Lyke-Wake Dirge

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,

—Every nighte and alle,

Fire and sleet and candle-lighte,

And Christe receive thy saule.


When thou from hence away art past,

—Every nighte and alle,

To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last;

And Christe receive thy saule.


If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,

—Every nighte and alle,

Sit thee down and put them on;

And Christe receive thy saule.


If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane

—Every nighte and alle,

The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;

And Christe receive thy saule.


From Whinny-muir when thou may'st pass,

—Every nighte and alle,

To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last;

And Christe receive thy saule.


From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,

—Every nighte and alle,

To Purgatory fire thou com'st at last;

And Christe receive thy saule.


If ever thou gavest meat or drink,

—Every nighte and alle,

The fire sall never make thee shrink;

And Christe receive thy saule.


If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,

—Every nighte and alle,

The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;

And Christe receive thy saule.


This ae nighte, this ae nighte,

—Every nighte and alle,

Fire and sleet and candle-lighte,

And Christe receive thy saule.


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