Contents
-BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
John Skelton. 1460?1529
31. To Mistress Margaret Hussey
MERRY Margaret | |
As midsummer flower, | |
Gentle as falcon | |
Or hawk of the tower: | |
With solace and gladness, | 5 |
Much mirth and no madness, | |
All good and no badness; | |
So joyously, | |
So maidenly, | |
So womanly | 10 |
Her demeaning | |
In every thing, | |
Far, far passing | |
That I can indite, | |
Or suffice to write | 15 |
Of Merry Margaret | |
As midsummer flower, | |
Gentle as falcon | |
Or hawk of the tower. | |
As patient and still | 20 |
And as full of good will | |
As fair Isaphill, | |
Coliander, | |
Sweet pomander, | |
Good Cassander; | 25 |
Steadfast of thought, | |
Well made, well wrought, | |
Far may be sought, | |
Ere that ye can find | |
So courteous, so kind | 30 |
As merry Margaret, | |
This midsummer flower, | |
Gentle as falcon | |
Or hawk of the tower. | |
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GLOSS: Isaphill] Hypsipyle. coliander] coriander seed, an aromatic. pomander] a ball of perfume. Cassander] Cassandra. |