A thief he was, I swear,
A sorry Christian he,
That took my basil of Salerno fair, etc.
A thief he was, I swear,
A sorry Christian he,
That took my basil of Salerno fair,
That flourished mightily
Planted by mine own hands with loving care
What time they revelled free:
To spoil another's goods is churlish spite.
To spoil another's goods is churlish spite,
Ay, and most heinous sin.