Classic Poem

We Bear about No Cats' Skins

We ben chapmen light of fote,
The foule weyes for to flee.

We bern abouten non cattes skinnes,
Purses, perles, silver pinnes,
Smale wimpeles for ladies chinnes;
Damsele, bey sum ware of me.

I have a poket for the nones,
Therine ben tweyne precious stones;
Damsele, hadde ye asayed hem onys,
Ye shuld the rathere gon with me.

I have a jelif of Godes sonde —
Withouten fyt it can stonde;
It can smiten and hath non honde;
Ryd yourself what it may be.

I have a powder for to selle,
What it is can I not telle;
It maket maidenes wombes to swelle:
Thereof I have a quantitee.English