 | The poems (1902) |  |
53
Satires.
32. The slicht remeid of luve.
Luvaris, lat be the frennessy of luve,
And mvse nor mvrne no moir intill ȝour mind,
Bot sollace seik, and sorrow ay remove;
Cast ȝow to conqueiss luve ane vþir kynd.
For knew ȝe wemenis natur, course, & strynd,
Ȝe wald nocht be so trew to thair vntrewth
Quhilkis hes no petie thocht ȝour hairtis be pynd,
Nor of ȝour restless womenting no rewth.
And mvse nor mvrne no moir intill ȝour mind,
Bot sollace seik, and sorrow ay remove;
Cast ȝow to conqueiss luve ane vþir kynd.
For knew ȝe wemenis natur, course, & strynd,
Ȝe wald nocht be so trew to thair vntrewth
Quhilkis hes no petie thocht ȝour hairtis be pynd,
Nor of ȝour restless womenting no rewth.
Bot wald ȝe rewill ȝow, keip this regiment:
Be subteill, secreit, sobir, in thair sicht,
Facound of wordis, but feckill of intent,
And nevir lat ȝour mowth and mynd go richt.
Swey as thay swey, be blyth quhen thay ar licht,
And preiss ȝow ay in presenss to repair,
Forvey no tyme, be reddy day and nicht
Vpoun ȝour kneis to serve thame soletare.
Be subteill, secreit, sobir, in thair sicht,
Facound of wordis, but feckill of intent,
And nevir lat ȝour mowth and mynd go richt.
Swey as thay swey, be blyth quhen thay ar licht,
And preiss ȝow ay in presenss to repair,
Forvey no tyme, be reddy day and nicht
Vpoun ȝour kneis to serve thame soletare.
Be prevy, pert, in presenss play with synis,
Be sicht or smyle lat non knaw ȝour intentis,
Be verry war or that thay wit ȝour myndis;
Be clenely cled in ȝour abilȝementis.
Reuse nocht ȝour self, latt vþiris preiss ȝour rentis,
Bot offir thame ȝour daly observance
Be tung; thocht naþir hairt nor mynd consentis
Body and gudis to haif in govirnance.
Be sicht or smyle lat non knaw ȝour intentis,
Be verry war or that thay wit ȝour myndis;
Be clenely cled in ȝour abilȝementis.
Reuse nocht ȝour self, latt vþiris preiss ȝour rentis,
Bot offir thame ȝour daly observance
Be tung; thocht naþir hairt nor mynd consentis
Body and gudis to haif in govirnance.
54
Abuse bot breif, howbeid ȝe be said nay,
And reckles nocht ȝour erand for the rane,
Bot cast ȝow for to cum ane vþer day,
And petously complene ȝour woles pane,
Saying ȝe ar both secreit, trew, and plane;
With this, part wreth and fremmit to, but faid
For cum the freindschip of thair syd agane:
I mak ȝow seur ȝe sall nocht miss remeid.
And reckles nocht ȝour erand for the rane,
Bot cast ȝow for to cum ane vþer day,
And petously complene ȝour woles pane,
Saying ȝe ar both secreit, trew, and plane;
With this, part wreth and fremmit to, but faid
For cum the freindschip of thair syd agane:
I mak ȝow seur ȝe sall nocht miss remeid.
Hald thame in hand, quhilkis may ȝow help at neid,
And hecht thame giftis howbeid ȝe gif thame nocht,
For thair gud word sall rathest cause ȝow speid,
And thrwch their creddence to ȝour purpoiss brocht.
Speik fair, till ȝe haif gottin that ȝe socht;
Be wyiss and war, and watt thame ay with wylis;
For be the wy that all the warld wrocht,
Maist witt hes hie, that moniest oursylis.
And hecht thame giftis howbeid ȝe gif thame nocht,
For thair gud word sall rathest cause ȝow speid,
And thrwch their creddence to ȝour purpoiss brocht.
Speik fair, till ȝe haif gottin that ȝe socht;
Be wyiss and war, and watt thame ay with wylis;
For be the wy that all the warld wrocht,
Maist witt hes hie, that moniest oursylis.
Meikly solist to meit in secreit place,
Syne mak ȝour mane quhan it may maist avelȝie,
Be richt demvre & graif quhen ȝe ask grace,
Bot be ȝe rank quhen thay begin to relȝie.
Fleiche with fyisene ffor feir sumpart ȝe felȝie:
And swa but pane ȝe may lufe parramowris;
Be softe of speiche, bot spair nocht till asselȝie,
Wyn anis the entress, & the houss is ȝowris.
Syne mak ȝour mane quhan it may maist avelȝie,
Be richt demvre & graif quhen ȝe ask grace,
Bot be ȝe rank quhen thay begin to relȝie.
Fleiche with fyisene ffor feir sumpart ȝe felȝie:
And swa but pane ȝe may lufe parramowris;
Be softe of speiche, bot spair nocht till asselȝie,
Wyn anis the entress, & the houss is ȝowris.
Bot ȝit ȝe may mishaif ȝow in sum caice,
And ȝe defend nocht damissellis defame,
For practik is to play, syne hald ȝour peice,
And counsale keip, ffor hurting of thair name.
Richswa forbeir a manis wyfe for blame,
And hald ȝow koy in quiet quhill ȝe get her;
As for a weddow wirk weill on hir wame,
I knaw no craft sall cause hir lufe ȝow bettir.
And ȝe defend nocht damissellis defame,
For practik is to play, syne hald ȝour peice,
And counsale keip, ffor hurting of thair name.
Richswa forbeir a manis wyfe for blame,
And hald ȝow koy in quiet quhill ȝe get her;
As for a weddow wirk weill on hir wame,
I knaw no craft sall cause hir lufe ȝow bettir.
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33. Ane ballat maid to þe derisioun and scorne of wantoun wemen.
Ȝe lusty ladyis luke
The rakles lyfe ȝe leid,
Hant nocht in hoile or nuke
To hurt ȝour womanheid;
I reid, for best remeid,
Forbeir all place prophane:
Gife this be caus of feid,
I sall not said agane.
The rakles lyfe ȝe leid,
Hant nocht in hoile or nuke
To hurt ȝour womanheid;
I reid, for best remeid,
Forbeir all place prophane:
Gife this be caus of feid,
I sall not said agane.
Quhat is sic luve bot lust,
A lytill for delyte,
To hant that game robust,
And beistly appetyte;
I nowdir fleische nor flyte,
To tell the trewith certane;
Taik ȝe this in despyte,
I sall not said agane.
A lytill for delyte,
To hant that game robust,
And beistly appetyte;
I nowdir fleische nor flyte,
To tell the trewith certane;
Taik ȝe this in despyte,
I sall not said agane.
The wysest scho may sone
Sedusit be and schent;
Syne fra the deid be done,
Perchance sall soir repent;
Ouir lait is till lament
Fra belly dow not lane,
To try in tyme take tent:
I sall not said agane.
Sedusit be and schent;
Syne fra the deid be done,
Perchance sall soir repent;
Ouir lait is till lament
Fra belly dow not lane,
To try in tyme take tent:
I sall not said agane.
Lycht wynchis luve will fawin,
Evin lyk ane spanȝeollis lawchter
To lat hir wamb be clawin
Be thame list geir betawcht hir;
For conȝie ȝe may chawcht hir,
To sched hir schankis in twane,
And nevir speir quhais awcht hir:
I sall not said agane.
Evin lyk ane spanȝeollis lawchter
To lat hir wamb be clawin
Be thame list geir betawcht hir;
For conȝie ȝe may chawcht hir,
To sched hir schankis in twane,
And nevir speir quhais awcht hir:
I sall not said agane.
56
Thocht bruckill wemen hantis
In lust to leid thair lyvis,
And wedow men þat wantis
To steill a pair of swyvis;
Bot quhair that mareit wyvis
Gois by thair husbandis bane,
That houshald nevir thryvis;
I sall not said agane.
In lust to leid thair lyvis,
And wedow men þat wantis
To steill a pair of swyvis;
Bot quhair that mareit wyvis
Gois by thair husbandis bane,
That houshald nevir thryvis;
I sall not said agane.
It settis not madynis als
To latt men lowis thair laice
Nor clym about menis halss,
To clap, to kiss, nor braice,
Nor round in secreit place;
Sic treitment is a trane
To cleive thair quaver-caice:
I sall not said agane.
To latt men lowis thair laice
Nor clym about menis halss,
To clap, to kiss, nor braice,
Nor round in secreit place;
Sic treitment is a trane
To cleive thair quaver-caice:
I sall not said agane.
Fairweill with chestetie,
Fra wenchis fall to chucking,
Thair followis thingis thre
To gar thame ga in gucking,
Brasing, Graping, and Plucking;
Thir foure the suth to sane,
Enforsis thame to fucking:
I sall not said agane.
Fra wenchis fall to chucking,
Thair followis thingis thre
To gar thame ga in gucking,
Brasing, Graping, and Plucking;
Thir foure the suth to sane,
Enforsis thame to fucking:
I sall not said agane.
Sum luvis new cum to toun,
With jeigis to mak thame joly,
Sum luvis dance vp and doun,
To meiss thair malancoly;
Sum luvis lang trollie-lolly,
And sum of frigging fane,
Lyk fillokkis full of folly:
I sall not said agane.
With jeigis to mak thame joly,
Sum luvis dance vp and doun,
To meiss thair malancoly;
Sum luvis lang trollie-lolly,
And sum of frigging fane,
Lyk fillokkis full of folly:
I sall not said agane.
Sum monebrunt madynis myld,
At nonetyd of the nicht,
Ar chappit vp with chyld,
But coile or candill-licht;
Sua sum said maidis hes slicht
To play, and tak no pane,
Syne chift thair seid fra sicht:
I sall not said agane.
At nonetyd of the nicht,
Ar chappit vp with chyld,
But coile or candill-licht;
57
To play, and tak no pane,
Syne chift thair seid fra sicht:
I sall not said agane.
Sum thinkis na schame to clap
And kiss in opin wyiss;
Sum can-nocht keip hir gap
Fra lansing as scho lyiss;
Sum gois so gymp in gyiss,
Or scho war kissit plane,
Scho['d] leir be japit thryiss:
I sall not [said againe].
And kiss in opin wyiss;
Sum can-nocht keip hir gap
Fra lansing as scho lyiss;
Sum gois so gymp in gyiss,
Or scho war kissit plane,
Scho['d] leir be japit thryiss:
I sall not [said againe].
Moir gentrice is to jott
Vndir ane silkin goun,
Nor ane quhyt pittecott
And reddyar ay boun;
The denkest / sonnest doun,
The farest / But refrane,
The gayest / Grittest loun:
I sall not said again.
Vndir ane silkin goun,
Nor ane quhyt pittecott
And reddyar ay boun;
The denkest / sonnest doun,
The farest / But refrane,
The gayest / Grittest loun:
I sall not said again.
The moir degest and grave,
The grydiar to grip it;
The nycest to ressave,
Vpoun the nynnis will nip it;
The quhytliest will quhip it,
And nocht hir hurdeis hane;
The less the lerger hippit:
I sall not said agane.
The grydiar to grip it;
The nycest to ressave,
Vpoun the nynnis will nip it;
The quhytliest will quhip it,
And nocht hir hurdeis hane;
The less the lerger hippit:
I sall not said agane.
Loe! ladeis gif this bie,
Ane gud counsale I geif ȝow,
To saive ȝour honestie,
Fra sklander to releif ȝow;
Bot ballatis ma to breif ȝow,
I will nocht brek my brane,
Suppois ȝe sowld mischeif ȝow;
I sall not said agane.
Ane gud counsale I geif ȝow,
To saive ȝour honestie,
Fra sklander to releif ȝow;
Bot ballatis ma to breif ȝow,
I will nocht brek my brane,
Suppois ȝe sowld mischeif ȝow;
I sall not said agane.
58
34. [I mvse and mervillis in my mind.]
I mvse and mervellis in my mind,
Quhat way to wryt, or put in verss,
The quent consaitis of wemen-kynd,
Or half thair havingis to reherss:
I fynd thair haill affectioun
So contrair thair complexioun.
Quhat way to wryt, or put in verss,
The quent consaitis of wemen-kynd,
Or half thair havingis to reherss:
I fynd thair haill affectioun
So contrair thair complexioun.
For quhy no leid vnleill they leit,
Vntrewth expresly thay expell;
Ȝit thay ar planeist and repleit,
Of falset and dissait thair sell:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair complexioun.
Vntrewth expresly thay expell;
Ȝit thay ar planeist and repleit,
Of falset and dissait thair sell:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair complexioun.
Thay favour no wayis fuliche men,
And verry few of thame ar wyiss,
All gredy personis thay misken,
And thay ar full of covettyiss:
So find [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
And verry few of thame ar wyiss,
All gredy personis thay misken,
And thay ar full of covettyiss:
So find [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
I can thame call bot kittie vnsellis,
That takkis sic maneris at thair motheris,
To bid men keip thair secreit counsailis,
Syne schaw the same agane till vþiris:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair awin complexioun.
That takkis sic maneris at thair motheris,
To bid men keip thair secreit counsailis,
Syne schaw the same agane till vþiris:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair awin complexioun.
Thay lawch with thame that they dispyt,
And with thair lykingis thay lament;
Of thair wanhap thay ley the wyt
On thair leill luvaris innocent:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
And with thair lykingis thay lament;
Of thair wanhap thay ley the wyt
On thair leill luvaris innocent:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
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Thay wald be rewit, and hes no rewth,
Thay wald be menit, and no man menis,
Thay wald be trowit, and hes no trewth,
Thay wiss thair will, that skant weill wenys:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
Thay wald be menit, and no man menis,
Thay wald be trowit, and hes no trewth,
Thay wiss thair will, that skant weill wenys:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
Thay forge the freindschip of the fremmit,
And fleis the favour of ther freindis;
Thay wald with nobill men be nemmit,
Syne laittandly to lawar leindis:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair complexioun.
And fleis the favour of ther freindis;
Thay wald with nobill men be nemmit,
Syne laittandly to lawar leindis:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair thair complexioun.
Thay lichtly sone, and covettis quickly;
They blame ilk body, and thay blekit,
Thay eindill fast, and dois ill lickly;
Thay sklander saikles, & thay suspectit:
So find [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
They blame ilk body, and thay blekit,
Thay eindill fast, and dois ill lickly;
Thay sklander saikles, & thay suspectit:
So find [I thair affectioun]
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
Thay wald haif all men bund & thrall
To thame, and thay for to be fre;
Thay covet ilk man at thair call,
And thay to leif at libirtie:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrar [thair awin complexioun].
To thame, and thay for to be fre;
Thay covet ilk man at thair call,
And thay to leif at libirtie:
So fynd [I thair affectioun]
Contrar [thair awin complexioun].
Thay tak delyt in merciall deidis,
And ar of nature tremebund;
Thay wald men nvreist all their neidis,
Syne confortles lattis thame confound:
So [find I thair affectioun]
Contrar [thair awin complexioun].
And ar of nature tremebund;
Thay wald men nvreist all their neidis,
Syne confortles lattis thame confound:
So [find I thair affectioun]
Contrar [thair awin complexioun].
Thay wald haif wating on alway,
But gwerdoun, genȝeild, or rewaird,
Thay wald haif reddy scherwandis ay,
But recompans, thank, or rewaird:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
But gwerdoun, genȝeild, or rewaird,
Thay wald haif reddy scherwandis ay,
But recompans, thank, or rewaird:
So find I thair affectioun
Contrair [thair awin complexioun].
60
The vertew of this writ and vigour,
Maid in comparisone it is,
That famenene ar of this figour,
Quhilk clippit is Antiphratis:
For quhy thair haill affectioun
Is contrair thair complexioun.
Maid in comparisone it is,
That famenene ar of this figour,
Quhilk clippit is Antiphratis:
For quhy thair haill affectioun
Is contrair thair complexioun.
I wat, gud wemen will nocht wyt me,
Nor of this sedull be eschamit;
For be thay courtas, thay will quyt me;
And gif thay crab, heir I quytclame it:
Confessand thair affectioun,
Conforme to þair complexioun.
Nor of this sedull be eschamit;
For be thay courtas, thay will quyt me;
And gif thay crab, heir I quytclame it:
Confessand thair affectioun,
Conforme to þair complexioun.
35. [Ladies, be war þat plesand ar.]
Ladies, be war / þat plesand ar
To menis appetyte,
That ȝe nocht rew / þat ȝe thame knew
Throw þair lust and delyte.
To menis appetyte,
That ȝe nocht rew / þat ȝe thame knew
Throw þair lust and delyte.
For mony men / ar evill to ken
Þat luvis paramour,
With fenȝeit mynd, fals and vnkynd
Bringis ȝow to dishonour.
Þat luvis paramour,
With fenȝeit mynd, fals and vnkynd
Bringis ȝow to dishonour.
Quhen thay haif ane / with flattry tane,
Begylit with a trane,
Then with ane vddir / thay will confiddir
And play þe contrar pane.
Begylit with a trane,
Then with ane vddir / thay will confiddir
And play þe contrar pane.
Thay will promit / giftis rycht grit,
And sueir thay luve ȝow best;
Ȝow to begyle / with mony wyle
Thair mynd takkis nevir rest.
And sueir thay luve ȝow best;
Ȝow to begyle / with mony wyle
Thair mynd takkis nevir rest.
Thair hairtis ar sett / with sittelness,
For loif and nocht for lufe
Ȝow to dissaif / with dowbilness
To ȝour schame and reprufe.
For loif and nocht for lufe
Ȝow to dissaif / with dowbilness
To ȝour schame and reprufe.
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O ladeis deir / I ȝow requeir,
Thair fals and fenȝeit fair,
Latt ay go henss / and tyne creddens
Beleving þame no mair.
Thair fals and fenȝeit fair,
Latt ay go henss / and tyne creddens
Beleving þame no mair.
36. [Ȝe blindit luvaris luke.]
Ȝe blindit luvaris luke
The rekless lyfe ȝe leid;
Espy the snair and huke
That haldis ȝow be þe heid:
Thairfoir, I reid remeid,
To leife and lat it be;
For lufe hes non at feid
Bot fulis þat can nocht fle.
The rekless lyfe ȝe leid;
Espy the snair and huke
That haldis ȝow be þe heid:
Thairfoir, I reid remeid,
To leife and lat it be;
For lufe hes non at feid
Bot fulis þat can nocht fle.
Quhat is ȝour lufe bot lust,
Ane littill for delyte,
Ane beistly game robust,
To reif ȝour ressoun quyte;
Ane fowsum appetyte,
That strenth of persoun waikis;
Ane pastance vnperfyte,
To smyte ȝow with þe glaikis.
Ane littill for delyte,
Ane beistly game robust,
To reif ȝour ressoun quyte;
Ane fowsum appetyte,
That strenth of persoun waikis;
Ane pastance vnperfyte,
To smyte ȝow with þe glaikis.
Quhair sensuall lust proceidis,
All honest lufe is pynd;
Ȝe ma compair ȝour deidis,
Vnto ane brutall kynd;
Fra vertew be con[s]trynd
To follow vyce, considdir
That ressoun, wit, and mynd,
Ar all ago togiddir.
All honest lufe is pynd;
Ȝe ma compair ȝour deidis,
Vnto ane brutall kynd;
Fra vertew be con[s]trynd
To follow vyce, considdir
That ressoun, wit, and mynd,
Ar all ago togiddir.
The wysest woman þairout,
With wirdis may be wyllit
To do þe deid but dout,
That honour hes exyllit:
How mony ar begyllit,
And few I fynd that chaipis;
Thairfoir ȝour faithis ar fylit
To frawd thay silly aipis.
With wirdis may be wyllit
To do þe deid but dout,
That honour hes exyllit:
62
And few I fynd that chaipis;
Thairfoir ȝour faithis ar fylit
To frawd thay silly aipis.
Ȝe mak regaird for grace
Quhair nevir grace ȝit grew;
Ȝe lang to ryn the race
That ane or baith sall rew;
Ȝe preiss ay to persew
Thair syte and ȝour awin sorrow;
Ȝe trest to find thame trew,
That nevir wes beforrow.
Quhair nevir grace ȝit grew;
Ȝe lang to ryn the race
That ane or baith sall rew;
Ȝe preiss ay to persew
Thair syte and ȝour awin sorrow;
Ȝe trest to find thame trew,
That nevir wes beforrow.
Ȝe cry on Cupeid king,
And Venus quene in vane;
Ȝe send all maner thing
With trattillis thame to trane;
Ȝe preiche, ȝe fleich, ȝe frane;
Ȝe grane ay quhill thay grant;
Ȝour prectikis ar profane,
Pure ladeis to supplant.
And Venus quene in vane;
Ȝe send all maner thing
With trattillis thame to trane;
Ȝe preiche, ȝe fleich, ȝe frane;
Ȝe grane ay quhill thay grant;
Ȝour prectikis ar profane,
Pure ladeis to supplant.
Ȝe schowt as ȝe wer schent,
Thay swoun to se ȝow smartit;
Ȝe rame as ȝe wer rent,
And thay ar rewthfull hairtit;
Ȝour play[s] ar sone peruertit,
Fra þat thair belly ryss;
Thay wary ȝow þat gart it,
And ȝe thame in lykwyss.
Thay swoun to se ȝow smartit;
Ȝe rame as ȝe wer rent,
And thay ar rewthfull hairtit;
Ȝour play[s] ar sone peruertit,
Fra þat thair belly ryss;
Thay wary ȝow þat gart it,
And ȝe thame in lykwyss.
Ȝit thair is lesum lufe
That lawchtfully suld lest;
He is nocht to reprufe
That is with ane possest:
That band I hald it best,
And nocht to pass attour,
Bot ȝe can tak no rest
Quhill thay kast vp all four.
That lawchtfully suld lest;
He is nocht to reprufe
That is with ane possest:
That band I hald it best,
And nocht to pass attour,
Bot ȝe can tak no rest
Quhill thay kast vp all four.
63
Sic luvaris seyndill meitis,
Bot ladeis ay forlorne is;
Quhen thay bewaill and greitis,
Sum of ȝow lawchis and skornis:
Ȝour hecht, ȝour aith mensworne is
Ȝour lippis ar lyk burd-lyme;
I hald ȝe want bot hornis,
As bukkis in belling tyme.
Bot ladeis ay forlorne is;
Quhen thay bewaill and greitis,
Sum of ȝow lawchis and skornis:
Ȝour hecht, ȝour aith mensworne is
Ȝour lippis ar lyk burd-lyme;
I hald ȝe want bot hornis,
As bukkis in belling tyme.
Ȝe trattill and ȝe tyst,
Quhill thay forȝet thair fame;
Ȝe trane thame to ane tryst,
And þair ȝe get þame tame:
Thay sussy nocht for schame,
Nor castis nocht quhat cumis syne;
Bot quhen ȝe claw þair wame,
Thay tummyll our lyk swyne.
Quhill thay forȝet thair fame;
Ȝe trane thame to ane tryst,
And þair ȝe get þame tame:
Thay sussy nocht for schame,
Nor castis nocht quhat cumis syne;
Bot quhen ȝe claw þair wame,
Thay tummyll our lyk swyne.
Thocht ȝung perwersit natouris
To palȝardy applawddis;
Bot ȝit auld rubiatouris
To hant the laittis of lawdis;
Quhen thay begyn sic gawdis,
To leif thay ar most laith,
Quhan thay haif gottin blawdis,
With Venus bowtyne cleth.
To palȝardy applawddis;
Bot ȝit auld rubiatouris
To hant the laittis of lawdis;
Quhen thay begyn sic gawdis,
To leif thay ar most laith,
Quhan thay haif gottin blawdis,
With Venus bowtyne cleth.
Ȝe wantoun wowaris waggis
With thame that hes the cunȝe;
For haif ane bismeir baggis,
Ȝe grunche nocht at hir grunȝe:
Swa ladeis will nocht sounȝe
With waistit wowbattis rottin,
Bot prowdly thay will prounȝe
Quhair geir is to be gottin.
With thame that hes the cunȝe;
For haif ane bismeir baggis,
Ȝe grunche nocht at hir grunȝe:
Swa ladeis will nocht sounȝe
With waistit wowbattis rottin,
Bot prowdly thay will prounȝe
Quhair geir is to be gottin.
64
Quhair money may ȝow moif,
I hald it aweryce;
Thair is na constant lufe,
Bot commoun merchandyce:
This ordour now is nyce,
Quhair lufe is sauld and coft,
It is ane dowbill vyce
To bring the Devill on loft.
I hald it aweryce;
Thair is na constant lufe,
Bot commoun merchandyce:
This ordour now is nyce,
Quhair lufe is sauld and coft,
It is ane dowbill vyce
To bring the Devill on loft.
The bich the curtyk fannis;
The wolf the wilrone vsis;
The mull frequentis þe annis,
And hir awin kynd abusis;
Rycht swa þe meir refusis
The cursour for ane awer;
Swa few I fynd excusis,
Bot wemen quhylss will wauer.
The wolf the wilrone vsis;
The mull frequentis þe annis,
And hir awin kynd abusis;
Rycht swa þe meir refusis
The cursour for ane awer;
Swa few I fynd excusis,
Bot wemen quhylss will wauer.
Ȝit poyettis ffew decreitis,
Saif ane hecht Pasifie.
Bot of ȝour sodomeitis
In Rome and Lumbardie,
In [N]aippillis [and] Italie,
To compt how ȝe converss,
I vg for villanie
Ȝour vycis to reherss.
Saif ane hecht Pasifie.
Bot of ȝour sodomeitis
In Rome and Lumbardie,
In [N]aippillis [and] Italie,
To compt how ȝe converss,
I vg for villanie
Ȝour vycis to reherss.
Quhair lechery belappis
All steidfast luve it stoppis;
Quhair hurdome, ay vnhapp is
With quenry, canis, and coppis.
Ȝe prye ȝow at þair proppis,
Till hair and berd grow dapill;
Ȝe cowet all kyn croppis,
As Eua did the apill.
All steidfast luve it stoppis;
Quhair hurdome, ay vnhapp is
With quenry, canis, and coppis.
Ȝe prye ȝow at þair proppis,
Till hair and berd grow dapill;
Ȝe cowet all kyn croppis,
As Eua did the apill.
65
Thus ȝe haif all the wyte,
And thair mischeif ȝe mak it,
That suld haif wit perfyte,
And wisdome to abstrak it.
Suld ladeis than be lakkit,
Thocht few of thame be gud?
For all dissait thay tak it,
Of ȝour awin flesch and blude.
And thair mischeif ȝe mak it,
That suld haif wit perfyte,
And wisdome to abstrak it.
Suld ladeis than be lakkit,
Thocht few of thame be gud?
For all dissait thay tak it,
Of ȝour awin flesch and blude.
Wald ȝe foirse þe forme,
The fassoun, and þe fek,
Ȝe suld it fynd inorme,
With bawdry ȝow to blek:
Thairfoir fle fra suspek,
Or than, sa mot I thryfe,
Ȝour natouris ȝe neglek,
And wantis ȝour wittis fyve.
The fassoun, and þe fek,
Ȝe suld it fynd inorme,
With bawdry ȝow to blek:
Thairfoir fle fra suspek,
Or than, sa mot I thryfe,
Ȝour natouris ȝe neglek,
And wantis ȝour wittis fyve.
Appardoun me of thiss
Gif ocht be to displeiss ȝow,
And quhair I mak a miss,
My mynd sal be to meiss ȝow:
Thir ressonis ar to raiss ȝow
Fra crymes vndir coite,
Or war ȝe say nocht: Wa iss ȝow!
Quod Allexander Scote.
Gif ocht be to displeiss ȝow,
And quhair I mak a miss,
My mynd sal be to meiss ȝow:
Thir ressonis ar to raiss ȝow
Fra crymes vndir coite,
Or war ȝe say nocht: Wa iss ȝow!
Quod Allexander Scote.
| The poems (1902) | |