Three ladies went a-walking
Among the garden bowers;
They said: “Would we had with us
Those lovers brave of ours.”
A little bird, all silent,
Listened among the flowers.

“What will you pay me, ladies,
To be ambassador?”
The first said: “I will pay thee
This purse of gold, and more.”

“I will pay,” said the second,
“A nosegay sweet, like this.”
And the third, who was the fairest:
“I will pay a true-love kiss.”

The little bird went flying
Past tower and roof and tree,
From hall to hall, until he came
Where sat the lovers three.

“O little bird, who sent thee
To be ambassador?”
“Three pretty maids who sadden
To see their loves once more.”

“O bird, what did they pay you,
These three sweethearts of ours?”
“The first paid me a purse of gold,
The next a bunch of flowers;

“But the third gave me a true-love kiss,
The third, who is most fair.”
“Go, pray them to wait supper;
We surely will be there.”