They would men nourish'd all their needs,

Sen, comfortless lets them confound; So find I their affection Contrair their own complexion, i tilvus

I wot, good women will not wyt' me,

Nor of this schedule be ashamed ; For, be they courteous, they will quit me;

And if they crab, here I quit-claima it; Confessing their affection Conform to their complexion,

• Blame.

Disclaim.

CLAPPERTON.

A Scotish poet, whose history is unknown, but who appears to

have flourished about A.D. 1550. The following specimen is taken from Pinkerton's Anc. Scot. Poems, 1786, with the omission of the sixth stanza.

WOE WORTH MARIAGE!

In Bowdoun,' on black monday,
When all was gathered to the play,
Both men and women 'sembled there,
I heard a sweet one sigh, and say
Wo worth mariage for evermair !

Maidens, ye may have great pleasance
For to do Venus observance,
Though I inclosed be with care,
That I dare neither sing nor dance.
Wo worth mariage for evermair!

When that I was a maiden ying, a

Lightly would I dance and sing, * A village on the Tweed, near Old Melrose.

Young.

And sport and play, both late and air.'
Now dare I nought look to such thing.
Wo worth mariage for evermair!

Thus am I bounden, out of bliss,
Unto a churl says I am his,
That I dare nought look o'er the stair,
Scantly? to give Sir John a kiss !
Wo worth mariage for evermair !

Now, were I a maiden as I was—
To make me lady of the Bas,
And though that I were ne'er so fair,
To wedding should I never pass.
Wo worth mariage for evermair!

All night I clatter 3 upon my creed,
Praying to God that I were dead;
Or else out of the world he were:
Then should I see for some remede.
Wo worth mariage for evermair !

Ye should hear tell (an he were gone) · That I should be a wanton one.

To leir 4 the law of lovis layrs • Early. 8 Scarcely.

Chatter. Learn.

Doctrine.

In our town like me should be none.
Wo worth mariage for evermair !

I should put on my russet gown,
My red kirtle, my hose of brown,
And let them see my yellow hair
Under my kerchief hanging down.
Wo worth mariage for evermair !

Lovers both should hear and see,
I should love them that would love me;
Their hearts for me should ne'er be sare!
But aye unwedded should I be.
Wo worth mariage for evermair !