Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/83

 She. King Stephen was a worthy peer;         His breeches cost him but a crown;        He held them sixpence all too dear,          Therefore he called the tailor 'lown.'        He was a king and wore the crown,          And thou'se but of a low degree:        It's pride that puts this country down:          Man, take thy old cloak about thee! He. Bell my wife, she loves not strife,          Yet she will lead me, if she can;        And to maintain an easy life          I oft must yield, though I'm good-man. It's not for a man with a woman to threap,         Unless he first give o'er the plea:        As we began, so will we keep,          And I'll take my old cloak about me. 29. threap] argue. JOHN SKELTON 1460?-1529   30. To Mistress Margery Wentworth

With margerain gentle, The flower of goodlihead, Embroidered the mantle Is of your maidenhead. Plainly I cannot glose; Ye be, as I divine, The pretty primrose, The goodly columbine.

30. margerain] marjoram.