| 830 |
This noble knyght, this Januarie the olde, |
| Swich deyntee hath in it to walke and pleye, |
| That he wol no wight suffren bere the keye |
| Save he hymself; for of the smale wyket |
| He baar alwey of silver a clyket, |
| 835 | With which, whan that hym leste, he it unshette. |
| And whan he wolde paye his wyf hir dette |
| In somer seson, thider wolde he go, |
| And May his wyf, and no wight but they two; |
| And thynges whiche that were nat doon abedde, |
| 840 | He in the gardyn parfourned hem and spedde. |
| And in this wyse, many a murye day, |
| Lyved this Januarie and fresshe May. |
| But worldly joye may nat alwey dure |
| To Januarie, ne to creature. |
|
| 830 | This noble knight, this January old, |
| Such pleasure had therein to walk and play, |
| That none he'd suffer bear the key, they say. |
| Except he himself; for of the little wicket |
| He carried always the small silver clicket |
| 835 | With which, as pleased him, he'd unlock the gate. |
| And when he chose to pay court to his mate |
| In summer season, thither would he go |
| With May, his wife, and no one but they two; |
| And divers things that were not done abed, |
| 840 | Within that garden there were done, 'tis said. |
| And in this manner many a merry day |
| Lived this old January and young May. |
| But worldly pleasure cannot always stay, |
| And January's joy must pass away. |
|
