In Imitation of Chaucer
Women
ben
full
of
Ragerie,
Yet
swinken
not
sans
secresie.
Thilke
Moral
shall
ye
understond,
From
Schoole-boy's
Tale
of
fayre
Irelond:
Which
to
the
Fennes
hath
him
betake,
To
filch
the
gray
Ducke
fro
the
Lake.
Right
then,
there
passen
by
the
Way
His
Aunt,
and
eke
her
Daughters
tway.
Ducke
in
his
Trowses
hath
he
hent,
Not
to
be
spied
of
Ladies
gent.
"But
ho!
our
Nephew,"
(crieth
one)
"Ho!"
quoth
another,
"Cozen
John;"
And
stoppen,
and
lough,
and
callen
out,
—
This
sely
Clerk
full
low
doth
lout:
They
asken
that,
and
talken
this,
"Lo
here
is
Coz,
and
here
is
Miss."
But,
as
he
glozeth
with
Speeches
soote,
The
Ducke
sore
tickleth
his
Erse-roote:
Fore-piece
and
buttons
all-to-brest,
Forth
thrust
a
white
neck,
and
red
crest.
"Te-he,"
cry'd
Ladies;
Clerke
nought
spake:
Miss
star'd;
and
gray
Ducke
crieth
Quake.
"O
Moder,
Moder,"
(quoth
the
daughter)
"Be
thilke
same
thing
Maids
longer
a'ter?
"Bette
is
to
pyne
on
coals
and
chalke,
"Then
trust
on
Mon,
whose
yerde
can
talke."
