The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163685   Message #3909064
Posted By: Steve Gardham
02-Mar-18 - 02:04 PM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter & Child Ballads
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter & Child Ballads
I can't find any translations so these are my guesses only
wol/wolle I would give as 'will'
wolt=wilt, again 'will'
mote, I would say 'might'
'forward hold' 'hold by me' 'stand fast by me.
13 myyth 'might?'
14 'lend me wisdom to answer here right
    And shield me from the foul wight' (being)
17 'loukynge' 'looking' 'longing' (not love)
18 'God's flesh' as in religious ceremonies, breaking bread, body of Jesus etc.
22 'Now thou fiend'
For 'nelle' see Child's Glossary, literally
'will not I speak no more with thee'
Nice to now that double negatives were common in the 15th century just as much as today.