John Skelton

MANERLY MARGERY MYLK AND ALE.


AY, besherewe yow, be my fay,
This wanton clarkes be nyse all way ;
Avent, avent, my popagay !
What, will ye do no thyng but play ?
Tully valy, strawe, let be, I say !
Gup, Cristian Clowte, gup, Jak of the vale !
With, Manerly Margery Mylk and Ale.

Be God, ye be a praty pode,
And I loue you an hole cart lode.
Strawe, Jamys foder, ye play the fode,
I am no hakney for your rode ;
Go watch a bole, your bak is brode !
Gup, Cristian Clowte, gup, Jak of the vale !
With, Manerly Margery Mylk and Ale.

I wiss ye dele vncurtesly ;
What wolde ye frompill me ? now, fy !
What, and ye shalbe my piggesnye ?
Be Crist, ye shall not, no hardely ;
I will not be japed bodely !
Gup, Cristian Clowte, gup, Jak of the vale !
With, Manerly Margery Mylk and Ale.

Walke forth your way, ye cost me nought ;
Now haue I fowned that I haue sought,
The best chepe flessh that euyr I bought.
Yet, for His loue that all hath wrought,
Wed me, or els I dye for thought !
Gup, Cristian Clowte, your breth is stale !
Go, Manerly Margery Mylk and Ale !
Gup, Cristian Clowte, gup, Jak of the vale !
With, Manerly Margery Mylk and Ale.



Source:
Skelton, John. The Poetical Works of John Skelton. Vol. I.
Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1866. 35-36.


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