And now farewell both spear and shield,

Caliver, pistol, arquebuse,
See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield

To think that I must leave you thus;
And lay aside my rapier-blade,
And take in hand a ditching spade.

And you farewell, all gallant games,

Primero, and Imperial,
Wherewith I used, with courtly dames,

To pass away the time withall :
I now must learn some country plays
For ale and cakes on holidays !

And now farewell each dainty dish,

With sundry sorts of sugar'd wine: Farewell, I say. fine flesh and fish,

To please this dainty mouth of mine; I now, alas, must leave all these, And make good cheer with bread and cheese.

And now, all orders due, farewell:

My table laid when it was noon ; My heavy heart it irks to tell

My dainty dinners all are done. With leeks and onions, whig and whey, I must content me as I may,

And farewell all gay garments now,

With jewels rich, of rare device;
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,

I must go range in woodman's wise ;
Clad in a coat of green or grey,
And glad to get it if I may.

What shall I say, but bid adieu

To every dram of sweet delight,
In place where pleasure never grew,

In dungeon deep of foul despite,
I must, ah me! wretch, as I may,
Go sing the song of welaway!

(Abridged from 39 stanzas.]

Not long ago, as I at supper sat,

Whereas indeed I had exceeding cheer,
In order served, with store of this and that,

With flaggons fill’d with wine, and ale, and beer,
I did behold, (that well set out the rest!)
A troop of dames in brave attire addrest.—

Now gan I guess, by outward countenance,

The disposition of each dainty dame:

And though, perhaps, I missed some by chance,

I hit some right, I do not doubt the same. But shall I tell of each one what I guest ? No fie! for why, fond tattling breeds unrest.

But let them be such as they were: by chance

Our banquet done, we had our musick by, And then, you know, the youth must needs go

dance, First, galliards ; then larousse ; and heidegy; « Old lusty gallant;" “ all flow’rs of the bloom;" And then a hall! for dancers must have room.

And to it then ; with set, and turn about,
Change sides, and cross, and mince it like a

hawk; Backwards and forwards, take hands then, in and

out; And, now and then, a little wholesome talk, That none could hear, close rowned in the ear; Well! I say nought: but much good sport was

there.

Then might my minion hear her mate at will:

But, God forgive all such as judge amiss ! Some men, I know, would soon imagine ill,

By secret spying of some knavish kiss :

But let them leave such jealousy for shame!
Dancers must kiss : the law allows the same.

And, when friends meet, some merry sign mast

pass;
Of welcoming unto each other's sight:
And for a kiss that's not so much, alas !

Dancers, besides, may claim a kiss of right,
After the dance is ended, and before.
But some will kiss upon kiss: that goes sore.

But what? I had almost myself forgot

To tell you on of this same gentle crew;
Some were, alas, with dancing grown so hot,

As some must sit; while other danced anew:
And thus forsooth our dancing held us on
Till midnight full; high time for to be gone.

But to behold the graces of each dame!
How some would dance as though they did but

walk; And some would trip, as though one leg were

lame; And some would mince it like a sparrow-hawk; And some would dance upright as any bolt ; And some would leap and skip like a young colt!

And some would fidge, as though she had the itch;

And some would bow half crooked in the joints ; And some would have a trick; and some a twitch; Some shook their arms, as they had hung up

'points : With thousands more that were too long to tell, But made me laugh my heart sore, I wot well.

But let them pass : and now “ sir we must part;

" I thank you, sir, for my exceeding cheer.”— " Welcome (quoth the good man) with all my

heart: “ In faith the market serves but ill to year, “When one could not devise more meat to dress.”Jesus! (thought I) what means this foolishness?

But let that pass.- Then, parting at the door,

Believe me now, it was a sport to see
What stir there was, who should go out before.

Such curtsies low, with“ Pray you pardon me"« You shall not chuse"--" In faith you are to

66 blame." Goodsooth! (thought I) a man would think the

same!

Now being forth (with much ado) at last,

Then part they all ; each one unto their house ;