ANONYMOUS

She. King Stephen was a worthy peer;

His breeches cost him but a crown ; He held them sixpence all too dear,

Therefore he called the tailor Mown/ He was a king and wore the crown,

And thou'se but of a low degree: It's pride that puts this country down:

Man, take thy old cloak about thee !

He. Bell my wife, she loves not strife,

Yet she will lead me, if she can ; And to maintain an easy life

I oft must yield, though I'm good-man. It's not for a man with a woman to threap,

Unless he first give o'er the plea : As we began, so will we keep,

And I'll take my old cloak about me.

��JOHN SKELTON

30. To Mistress Margery VFentworth

WITH margerain gentle, The flower of goodlihead, Embroidered the mantle

Is of your maidenhead. Plainly I cannot giose;

Ye be, as I divine, The pretty primrose, The goodly columbine.

29, threap] argue. 30. margerain] marjoram.

�� �