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MINSTREL LIFE, by                    
First Line: Lord count, I have the viol played
Last Line: Happier than you can say or sing.


LORD COUNT, I have the viol played
Before yourself, within your hall;
And you my service never paid,
Nor gave me any wage at all--
'Twas villainy.

By faith I to Saint Mary owe
Upon such terms I serve you not;
My alms-bag sinks exceeding low,
My trunk ill-furnished is, I wot.

Therefore, Lord Count, will you command
What 'tis you mean to promise me:
Say, with free heart and open hand,
Will you some handsome gift decree
Through courtesy?

For much I wish, you need not doubt,
In my own household to return;
And if full purse I come without,
Small greeting from my wife I earn.

Sir Angele, I hear her say,
In what poor country have you been,
That through a city all the day
You nothing have contrived to glean?

See how your wallet folds and bends,
Well stuffed with wind and nought beside;
Accursed is he whoe'er intends
As your companion to abide.

When reached the house wherein I dwell,
And that my wife can clearly spy
My bag behind me bulge and swell,
And I myself clad handsomely
In a grey gown;

Know that she quickly throws away
Her distaff, nor of work doth reck;
She greets me laughing, kind and gay,
And twines both arms around my neck.

My wife soon seizes on my bag,
And empties it without delay;
My boy begins to groom my nag,
And hastes to give him drink and hay;
My maid meanwhile runs off to kill
Two capons, dressing them with skill
In garlic sauce.

My daughter in her hand doth bear,
Kind girl, a comb to smoothe my hair:
Then in my house I am a king,
Great joyance and no sorrowing,
Happier than you can say or sing.





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