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 music by,
And then, you know, the youth must needs go
dance,

First, galliards; then larousse; and heidegy; "Old lusty gallant;" "all flowers 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 must 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 upòn 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 danc'd 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."Jesu! (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 choose"- "In faith you are to "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;

And who had mark'd the pretty looks that past From privy friend unto his pretty mouse, Would say with me, at twelve o'clock at night, It was a parting, trust me, worth the sight.

But let them part, and pass in God his name!

God speed them well, I pray, and me no worse! Some are gone home with dancing almost lame;

And some go light by means of empty purse: And, to be short, home goeth every one, And home go I unto my lodge alone.

A Pastoral of Phillis and Corydon.

[From "England's Helicon."]

ON a hill there grows a flower,
Fair befall the dainty sweet!
By that flower there is a bower,
Where the heavenly Muses meet.

In that bower there is a chair

Fringed all about with gold,
Where doth sit the fairest fair

That ever eye did yet behold.

It is Phillis, fair and bright,

She that is the shepherd's joy, She that Venus did despite,

And did blind her little boy.

Who would not this face admire?
Who would not this saint adore?
Who would not this sight desire,
Though he thought to see no more?

O fair eyes, yet let me see

One good look, and I am gone: Look on me, for I am he,

The poor silly Corydon.

Thou, that art the shepherd's queen,
Look upon thy silly swain;
By thy comfort have been seen

Dead men brought to life again.