Lyrics By Chance It Was

By chance it was I met my love, it did me much surprise
Down by a shady myrtle grove just as the sun did rise
The birds, they sang right gloriously and pleasant was the air
And there was none save she and I among the flowers fair

In dewy grass and green we walked, she timid was and coy
How canst thou choose but pity me, my pretty pearl, my joy?
"How comes it that thou stroll this way? Sweet maiden, tell me true
Before bright Phoebus' glittering ray has supped the morning dew"

"I go to tend the flocks I love, the ewes and tender lambs
That pasture by the myrtle grove, that gambol by their dams
There I enjoy a pure content at dawning of the day"
Then hand in hand we lovers went to see the flock at play

And as we wended down the road I said to her, "Sweet maid
Three years I in my place abode and three more must be stayed
The three that I am bound so fast, oh fairest, wait for me
And when the weary years are past, then wedded we will be"

"Three years are long, three times too long, too lengthy the delay"
And then I answered in my song, "Hope wastes them quick away
Where love is fervent, fain and fast and knoweth not decay
There nimbly fleet the seasons past accounted as one day"