For why no leid unleill they leid, 2 Yet they are plenish'd and replete Contrair their own complexion. They favour no ways foolish men, Contrair their own complexion. They would have all men bound and thrall So find I their affection Contrair their own complexion. They take delight in martial deeds, And are of nature tremebund; 'Whole. Suffer no unloyal person. * Themselves. They would men nourish'd all their needs, Syne, comfortless lets them confound: So find I their affection Contrair their own complexion. The virtue of this writ, and vigour, I wot, good women will not wyt 1 me, And gif they crab, here I quyt-clame 2 it: Confessand their affection Conform to their complexion. CLAPPERTON. A Scotish poet, whose history is unknown, but who appears to have flourished about 1550. The following specimen is taken from Pinkerton's Anc. Scot. Poems, 1786. 1 Wo worth marriage! IN Bowdoun,' on black monunday,' When all was gatherit to the play, 2 Both men and women 'semblit there, I heard a sweet one sigh, and say "Wo worth marriage for evermair! "Maidens, ye may have great pleasànce Though I inclosit be with care, "Wo worth marriage for evermair! "When that I was a maiden ying, 3 1 A village on the Tweed, near old Melrose. "And sport and play, bayth late and air.' "Now dare I nought look to sic thing. "Wo worth marriage for evermair! "Thus am I bounden, out of bliss, “ Unto ane churl says I am his, "That I dare nought look o'er the stair, 2 "Scantly to give Sir John ane kiss! "Wo worth marriage for evermair! "Now were I ane maiden as I was “To make me lady of the Bas “And though that I were ne'er so fair, "To wedding should I never pass. “All night I clatter 3 upon my creed, Prayand to God that I were dead; "Or else out of this world he were : "Then should I see for some remeid. "Wo worth marriage for evermair! "Ye should hear tell (and he were gane) "That I should be ane wanton ane. "To leir the law of lovis layr2 "I should put on my russet gown, "And let them see my yellow hair "Under my curché 3 hingand down. "Lovers bayth should hear and see, "Their hearts for me should ne'er be sair :5 "But aye unweddit should I be. "Wo worth marriage for evermair!" |