Classic Poem

Meanwell, Moth.

Mean . If what I speak prove false, then stigmatize me.
Mo. I has not what you mean; Depardieux you
Snyb mine old years, Sans fail I wene you bin
A Jangler, and a Golierdis.
Mean. I swear
By these two Janus heads you had of us.
And your own too, as reverend as these,
There is one loves you that you think not on.
Mot. Nad be, none pleasaunce is me ylaft,
This white top writeth my much years, I wis;
My fire yreken is in Ashen cold,
I can no whit of daliance: If I kissen
These thick stark bristles of mine beard will pricken
Ylike the skin of Hownd-fish. Sikerly
What wends against the grain is lytherly.
Mean. Me thinks y'are strong enough and very lusty,
Fit to get heyres; among your other peeces
Of age and time, let one young face be seen
May call you Father.
Mo. Wholsom counsel! but
The world is now full Tykel sykerly;
'Tis hard to find a Damosel unwenned;
They being all Coltish and full of Ragery,
And full of gergon as is a flecken Pye.
Who so with them maketh that bond anon
Which men do clypen spousaile, or wedlock,
Saint-Idiot is his Lord I wis.
Mean. This is
No tender and wanton thing, she is a stay'd
And setled widow, one who'l be a Nurse
Unto you in your latter daies.
Mo. A Norice
Some dele ystept in age! so mote I gone
This goeth aright, how highteth she say you?
Mean. Mrs Joane Potluck , Vintner Potluck's widow.
Mo. Joane Potluck Spinster. Lore me o thing mere.
Abouten what time gan she brendle thus?
Mean. On Thursday morning last.
Mo. Y' blessed Thursday,
Ycliped so from Thor the Saxons God.
Ah benedicite I might soothly sayne,
Mine mouth hath itched all this livelong day;
All night me met eke, that I was at Kirke;
My heart gan quapp full oft. Dan Cupido
Sure sent thylke sweven to mine head.
Mean. You shall
Know more if you'l walk in.
Mo. Wend you beforne;
Cembeth thy self, and pyketh now thy self;
Sleeketh thy self; make cheere much Digne good Robert :
I do arret thou shalt acquainted bin
With Nymphs and Fawny, and Hamadryades;
And y'eke the sisterne nine Pierides
That were transmued into Birds, nemp'd Pyes,
Metamorphoseos wat well what I mean.
I is as Jollie now as fish in Seine.