A Gentle Squire would gladly entertain Into his house some trencher-chaplain, Some willing man that might instruct his sons, And that would stand to good conditions: First, that he lie upon the truckle-bed, While his young master lieth o'er his head; Secondly, that he do, on no default, Ever presume to sit above the salt; Third, that he never charge his trencher twice; Fourth, that he use all comely courtesies, Sit bare at meals, and one half rise and wait; Last, that he never his young master beat, But he must ask his mother to define How many yerks she would his breech should line. All these observed, he would contented be To give five marks and winter livery. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 28 by JAMES JOYCE BALLAD MADE AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER .. PRAY TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON LAST WORDS TO A DUMB FRIEND by THOMAS HARDY THE VOYAGE TO VINLAND: 3. GUDRIDA'S PROPHECY by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL |