Lyrics The Boy and the Mantle (Three Tests of Chastity) - Steeleye Span, Sophie Yates

The Boy and the Mantle (Three Tests of Chastity)

On the third of May to Carlisle did come
A courteous child with much wisdom
A kirtle and mantle the boy had on
With rings and broaches full richly adorned
Out of his pouch he pulled two nut shells
A pretty mantle therein did dwell
King Arthur, let thy wife wear this
And it will prove whether she be chaste
Forth came dame Guinevere the mantle to try
For she was gay and fond of novelty
She slipped it on but she was afeared
That it might show more than she cared
First it was gold, then it turned green
Then it was blue and it ill her became
Then it turned black of the very worst hue
Said King Arthur, I think that thou’s not true
She threw down the mantle in a fit of pique
And ran to her chamber with flushed cheeks
She cursed the weaver that the cloth had wrought
And vengeance on him that had it bought
Then many a wife did the mantle wear
But on their backs it did crinkle and tear
Kay’s wife, she wore it with certainty
But it showed her buttocks bare for all to see!
She threw down the mantle in a fit of pique
And ran to her chamber with flushed cheeks
She cursed the weaver that the cloth had wrought
And vengeance on him that had it bought
Craddock called his lady, bade her come in
You with no trouble this mantle could win
She bore the mantle, upon her back
But at her great toe it did crinkle and crack
Oh, Bow down Mantle and shame not me
I sinned but once, I tell you certainly
I kissed my husband under a tree
I kissed my husband, before he married me
When she had shriven, and her sins told
The Mantle clothed her in glittering gold
Then every knight in the court did behold
The chastest lady in all the world
The boy then stood, looking over the door
And there he espied a ferocious boar
He drew his wooden knife and fast he ran
He cut off the boar’s head and quit him like a man
He brought in the boar’s head, and held it brave
Saying no seducer’s knife could it carve
Some sharpened their knives quickly on a whetstone
Some threw them away and said they had none
The King and the boy stood looking upon
For all of their knives had turned blunt again
Craddock had a knife made of iron and steel
He cut up the boar’s head wondrous well
The boy had a horn of the good red gold
And to the court spoke he loud and bold
No seducer can drink from this horn
But he will spill it behind or before
Some spilt on their shoulder and some on their knee
For they were seducers for all to see
One missed his mouth and one poured in his eye
For no seducer could drink it right
Craddock won the horn and the boar’s head too
Which showed him faithful and chaste and true
His lady the Mantle, which made her heart glad
To all such ladies, God send good speed
Beware of mantle and knife and horn
The truth out will so be forewarned
That you may live to rue the day
If the boy and the mantle come your way
Beware of mantle and knife and horn
The truth out will so be forewarned
That you may live to rue the day
If the boy and the mantle come your way