As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

     O softlye moaned the dove to her mate within the tree,

          And meseemed unto my syghte

          Came rydynge many a knyghte

          All cased in armoure bryghte

              Cap-a-pie,

     As I laye a-dreamynge, a goodlye companye!

       As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

     O sadlye mourned the dove, callynge long and callynge lowe,

          And meseemed of alle that hoste

          Notte a face but was the ghoste

          Of a friend that I hadde loste

              Long agoe.

      As I laye a-dreamynge, oh, bysson teare to flowe!

       As I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

     O sadlye sobbed the dove as she seemed to despayre,

          And laste upon the tracke

          Came one I hayled as 'Jacke!'

          But he turned mee his backe

              With a stare:

     As I laye a-dreamynge, he lefte mee callynge there.

       Stille I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

     And gentler sobbed the dove as it eased her of her payne,

          And meseemed a voyce yt cry'd—

         'They shall ryde, and they shall ryde

         'Tyll the truce of tyme and tyde

              Come agayne!

     Alle for Eldorado, yette never maye attayne!'

       Stille I laye a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge, a-dreamynge,

     And scarcelye moaned the dove, as her agonye was spente:

         'Shalle to-morrowe see them nygher

          To a golden walle or spyre?

          You have better in yr fyre,

              Bee contente.'

     As I laye a-dreamynge, it seem'd smalle punyshment.

       But I laye a-wakynge, and loe! the dawne was breakynge

     And rarely pyped a larke for the promyse of the daye:

         'Uppe and sette yr lance in reste!

          Uppe and followe on the queste!

          Leave the issue to be guessed

     At the endynge of the waye'—

       As I laye a-wakynge, 'twas soe she seemed to say—

    'Whatte and if it alle be feynynge?

     There be better thynges than gaynynge,

     Rycher pryzes than attaynynge.'—

          And 'twas truthe she seemed to saye.

     Whyles the dawne was breakynge, I rode upon my waye.