Classic Poem

Wald my gude lady luve me best
And work eftir my will,
I suld ane garmont gudliest
Gar mak her body till.

Of hie honour suld be her hood,
Upon her heid to wear,
Garneist with governance so gude,
Na deeming suld her deir.

Her serk suld be her body nixt,
Of chastitie so white,
With shame and dreid togidder mixt,
The same suld be perfite.

Her kirtle suld be of clean constance,
Laced with leesome luve,
The mailyeis of continuance
For never to remove.

Her gown suld be of gudliness,
Weill ribbon'd with renoun,
Purfillit with pleasure in ilk place,
Furrit with fine fassoun.

Her belt suld be of benignitie,
About her middle meet;
Her mantle of humilitie,
To thole baith wind and weet.

Her hat suld be of fair-having,
And her tepat of truth;
Her patelet of gude-pansing;
Her hals-ribbon of ruth.

Her sleevis suld be of esperance.
To keep her fra despair;
Her glovis of gude governance,
To guide her fingeris fair.

Her shoon suld be of siccarness,
In sign that she nocht slide;
Her hose of honestie, I guess,
I suld for her provide.

Wald she put on this garmont gay,
I durst swear by my seill,
That she wore never green nor grey
That set her half so weill.