Their fame did found fo paffingly, That it did pierce the ftarry sky, TAKE THY OLD CLOAK ABOUT THEE. T HIS winters weather waxeth cold, Rife up, and fave cow Crumbockes life, HE. 6 O Bell, why doft thou flyte and scorne'? Thou kenft my cloak is It is fo bare and overworne, very thin: A cricke he thereon cannot renn: Then Ile noe longer borrow nor lend, For once Ile new appareld bee, To-morrow Ile to towne and spend,' For Ile have a new cloake about mee. SHE. Cow Crumbocke is a very good cowe, Shee has been alwayes true to the payle, Good husband, councell take of mee, Then take thine old cloake about thee. HE. My cloake it was a very good cloake, I have had it foure and fortye yeare: 'Tis now but a figh-clout as you may fee, It will neither hold out winde nor raine; Ill have a new cloake about mee. SHE. It is four and fortye yeeres agoe Since th' one of us the other did ken, Wee have brought them up to women and men ; And why wilt thou thy felf misken? HE. O Bell my wife, why doft thou floute! Thou kenft not clownes from gentlemen. Once in my liffe Ile doe as they,' For Ill have a new cloake about mee. SHE. King Stephen was a worthy peere, His breeches coft him but a crowne, He held them fixpence all too deere; Therefore he calld the taylor Lowne. He was a wight of high renowne, And thoufe but of a low degree: Itt's pride that putt's the countrye downe,, HE Bell my wife fhe loves not ftrife, And oft, to live a quiet life, I am forced to yeild, though Ime good-man': Where I began I now mun leave, SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE. WHEN Arthur firft in court began, And was approved king, By force of armes great victoryes wanne, Then into England ftraight he came And many jufts and turnaments, Wherein fome knights did then excell But one Sir Lancelott du Lake, He for his deeds and feates of arms, When he had refted him a while, He armed rode in forreft wide, And met a damfell faire, Who told him of adventures great, Such wold I find, quoth Lancelott: Thou seemst, quoth she, a knight full good, Whereas a mighty knight doth dwell, That now is of great fame: "My name is Lancelott du Lake.” Who has in prifon threefcore knights She brought him to a river fide, And alfo to a tree, Whereon a copper bason hung, |