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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MINSTREL LIFE, by COLIN MUSET 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON MY JOYFUL DEPARTURE FROM THE CITY OF COLOGNE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE A TOWN WINDOW by JOHN DRINKWATER A SOLILOQUY; OCCASIONED BY THE CHIRPING OF A GRASSHOPPER by WALTER HARTE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (1) by GEORGE HERBERT THE DORCHESTER GIANT by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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