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"Sir olde kaynard, is this thyn array? |
| Why is my neighebores wyf so gay? |
| She is honoured overal ther she gooth; |
| I sitte at hoom, I have no thrifty clooth. |
| 245 | What dostow at my neighebores hous? |
| Is she so fair? Artow so amorous? |
| What rowne ye with oure mayde? Benedicite, |
| Sir olde lecchour, lat thy japes be! |
| And if I have a gossib or a freend |
| 250 | Withouten gilt, thou chidest as a feend |
| If that I walke or pleye unto his hous. |
| Thou comest hoom as dronken as a mous |
| And prechest on thy bench, with yvel preef! |
| Thou seist to me, it is a greet meschief |
| 255 | To wedde a povre womman, for costage, |
| And if she be riche and of heigh parage, |
| Thanne seistow it is a tormentrie |
| To soffre hire pride and hir malencolie. |
| And if she be fair, thou verray knave, |
| 260 | Thou seyst that every holour wol hir have; |
| She may no while in chastitee abyde |
| That is assailled upon ech a syde. |
|
|
"'Sir Dotard, is it thus you stand today? |
| Why is my neighbour's wife so fine and gay? |
| She's honoured over all where'er she goes; |
| I sit at home, I have no decent clothes. |
| 245 | What do you do there at my neighbour's house? |
| Is she so fair? Are you so amorous? |
| Why whisper to our maid? Benedicite! |
| Sir Lecher old, let your seductions be! |
| And if I have a gossip or a friend, |
| 250 | Innocently, you blame me like a fiend |
| If I but walk, for company, to his house! |
| You come home here as drunken as a mouse, |
| And preach there on your bench, a curse on you! |
| You tell me it's a great misfortune, too, |
| 255 | To marry a girl who costs more than she's worth; |
| And if she's rich and of a higher birth, |
| You say it's torment to abide her folly |
| And put up with her pride and melancholy. |
| And if she be right fair, you utter knave, |
| 260 | You say that every lecher will her have; |
| She may no while in chastity abide |
| That is assailed by all and on each side. |
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