JOHN SKELTON

Benign, courteous, and meek,

With wordes well devised ; In you, who list to seek,

Be virtues well comprised. With margerain gentle,

The flower of goodlihead, Embroidered the mantle

Is of your maidenhead.

��To Mistress Margaret Hussep

��M

��ERRY Margaret As midsummer flower, Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower: With solace and gladness, Much mirth and no madness, All good and no badness ; So joyously, So maidenly, So womanly Her demeaning In every thing, Far, far passing That I can indite, Or suffice to write Of Merry Margaret As midsummer flower. Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower.

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