I was a cottage maiden
Hardened by sun and air,
Contented with my cottage mates,
Not mindful I was fair.
Why did a great lord find me out,
And praise my flaxen hair?
Why did a great lord find me out
To fill my heart with care?
He lured me to his palace home—
Woe's me for joy thereof—
To lead a shameless shameful life,
His plaything and his love.
He wore me like a silken knot,
This implies that she was dazzled by the man’s ‘palace home’, found temporary ‘joy’ in his attention, but this led to unhappiness, hence the archaic ‘Woe’s me’. As she goes on to explain the result was social shame.
Cousin Kate