Part 13 (1/2)

_1st Shepherd._ Lord! what, these weathers are cold, and I am ill happed; I am near hand-dold,[86] so long have I napped; My legs bend and fold, my fingers are chapped, It is not as I would, for I am all lapped In sorrow.

In storms and tempest, Now in the east, now in the west, Woe is him has never rest, Mid day nor morrow.

But we silly shepherds, that walk upon the moor, In faith, we are near hands out of the door; No wonder, as it stands, if we be poor, For the tilth of our lands lies fallow as the floor, We are so lamed, So taxed and shamed, We are made hand-tamed, With these gentlery-men.

Thus they rieve us of rest, Our Lady them wary, These men that are lord-fest,[87] they cause the plough tarry.

That men say is for the best, we find it contrary, Thus are husbands[88] opprest, in point to miscarry, In life.

Thus hold they us under, Thus they bring us in blunder, It were great wonder, And ever should we thrive.

For may he get a paint sleeve,[89] or a brooch now on days, Woe is he that shall grieve, or once again says, Dare no man him reprieve, what mast'ry he has, And yet may none believe one word that he says-- No letter.

He can make purveyance, With boast and bragance,[90]

And all through maintenance, Of men that are greater.

There shall come a swain, as proud as a po,[91]

He must borrow my wain, my plough also, Then I am full fain to grant or he go.

Thus live we in pain, anger, and woe, By night and day; He must have if he longed If I should forgang[92] it, I were better be hanged Than once say him nay.

It does me good, as I walk thus by mine own, Of this world for to talk in manner of moan To my sheep will I stalk and hearken anon There abide on a balk, or sit on a stone Full soon.

For I trow, pardie!

True men if they be, We get more company Or it be noon.

_2nd Shepherd._ ”Beniste”[93] and ”Dominus!” what may this bemean?

Why fares this world thus, oft have we not seen.

Lord, these weathers are spitous,[94] and the weather full keen; And the frost so hideous they water mine een, No lie.

Now in dry, now in wet, Now in snow, now in sleet, When my shoon freeze to my feet It is not all easy.

But as far as I ken, or yet as I go, We silly wed-men dree mickle woe;[95]

We have sorrow then and then, it falls often so, Silly capyl, our hen, both to and fro She cackles, But begin she to croak, To groan or to cluck, Woe is him, say of our c.o.c.k, For he is in the shackles.

These men that are wed, have not all their will, When they are full hard sted,[96] they sigh full still; G.o.d wait they are led full hard and full ill, In bower nor in bed they say not there till This tide.

My part have I found, My lesson is learn'd, Woe is him that is bound, For he must abide.

But now late in our lives, a marvel to me, That I think my heart rives,[97] such wonders to see, What that destiny drives it should so be, Some men will have two wives, and some men three, In store.

Some are woe that have any; But so far ken I, Woe is he who has many, For he feels it sore.

But young men of wooing, for G.o.d that you bought, Be well ware of wedding, and think in your thought ”Had I wist” is a thing it serves ye of nought; Mickle still mourning has wedding home brought, And griefs, With many a sharp shower, For thou may catch in an hour That shall serve thee full sour As long as thou lives.

For as read I epistle, I have one to my fear As sharp as a thistle, as rough as a brere.[98]

She is browed like a bristle with a sour lenten cheer; Had she once wet her whistle she could sing full clear Her pater-noster.

She is as great as a whale, She has a gallon of gall; By him that died for us all!

I would I had run till I lost her.

_1st Shepherd._ G.o.d look over the row, full deafly ye stand.

_2nd Shepherd._ Yea, the devil in thy maw!--so tariand,[99]

Saw thou aught now of Daw?

_1st Shepherd._ Yea, on a lea land Heard I him blow, he comes here at hand, Not far; Stand still.

_2nd Shepherd._ Why?

_1st Shepherd._ For he comes here, hope I.

_2nd Shepherd._ He will make us both a lie, But if we beware.

_3rd Shepherd._ Christ's cross me speed, and Saint Nicholas!