University of Virginia Library


40

YE FOE TO CATHAYE

O never an oathe sweares he,
And never a pig-taile jerkes;
With a brick-battle he ne lurkes
For to buste ye crust, perdie,
Of ye man from over sea,
A-synging as he werkes.
For he knows ful well, ys youth,
A tricke of exceeding worth:
And he plans withouten ruth
A conflagration's birth!