Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FIRST BOOK OF AIRS: 20. A HAPPY MARRIAGE, by THOMAS CAMPION


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FIRST BOOK OF AIRS: 20. A HAPPY MARRIAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Jack and joan [or, jacke and jone], they think no ill
Last Line: Securer lives the silly swain.
Variant Title(s): Fortunati Nimium;rustic Joys
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Country Life; Courts & Courtiers; Marriage; Simplicity; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


JACK and Joan, they think no ill,
But loving live, and merry still:
Do their weekday's work, and pray
Devoutly on the holy day;
Skip and trip it on the green,
And help to choose the summer queen;
Lash out, at a country feast,
Their silver penny with the best.

Well can they judge of nappy ale,
And tell at large a winter tale;
Climb up to the apple loft,
And turn the crabs till they be soft.
Tib is all the father's joy,
And little tom the mother's boy.
All their pleasure is content:
And care, to pay their yearly rent.

Joan can call by name her cows,
And deck her windows with green boughs;
She can wreaths and tutties make,
And trim with plums a bridal cake.

Jack knows what brings gain or loss;
And his long flail can stoutly toss;
Makes the hedge, which others break,
And over thinks what he doth speak.

Now, you courtly dames and knights,
That study only strange delights;
Though you scorn the homespun grey
And revel in your rich array:
Though your tongues dissemble deep,
And can your heads from danger keep;
Yet, for all your pomp and train,
Securer lives the silly swain.





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