IMITATION OF CHAUCER by ALEXANDER POPE

Women ben full of Ragerie,
Yet swinken nat sans Secresie.
Thilke moral shall ye understond,
From Schole-boy's Tale of fayre Irelond:
Which to the Fennes hath him betake,
To filch the gray Ducke fro the Lake.
Right then, there passen by the Way,
His Aunt, and eke her Daughters tway:
Ducke in his Trowzes hath he hent,
Not to be spied of Ladies gent.
'But ho! our Nephew,' (crieth one,)
'Ho!' quoth another, 'Cozen John!'
And stoppen, and lough, and callen out, --
This sely Clerk full low doth lout:
They asken that, and talken this,
'Lo here is Coz, and here is Miss.'
But, as he glozeth with Speeches soote,
The Ducke sore tickleth his Erse Roote:
Fore-piece and Buttons all-to-brest,
Forth thrust a white Neck, and red Crest.
Te-he cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought spake:
Miss star'd; and gray Ducke crieth Quaake.
'O Moder, Moder,' (quoth the Daughter,)
'Be thilke same Thing Maids longen a'ter?
Bette is to pyne on Coals and Chalke,
Then trust on Mon, whose yerde can talke.'

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