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GOSSIP MINE

Alice with a loud voice spake than :
"I wis," she said, "little good he can
That beateth or striketh any woman,

And specially his wife: God give him short life!"

Margaret meek said, "So might I thrive,
I know no man, that is alive

That give me two strokes, he shall have five :
I am not afear'd, though I have no beard."

One cast down her shot, and went her way.
Gossip," quoth Elinore," what did she pay?"
"Not but a penny."

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Lo therefore I say

She shall be no more of our lore.

"Such

guests we may have enow

That will not for their shot allow.

With whom come she? Gossip, with you?"
"Nay," quoth Joan, " I come alone."

"Now reckon our shot, and go we hence.
What! cost it each of us but three pence?
Pardie! this is but a small expense
For such a sort, and all but sport.

"Turn down the street where ye came out,
And we will compass round-about."

“Gossip," quoth Anne," what needeth that doubt ? Your husbands be pleased when ye be reised.

"Whatsoever any man think,

We come for nought but for good drink.
Now let us go home and wink;
For it may be seen where we have been.”

From the tavern be they all gone;
And everich of them showeth her wisdom,
And there she telleth her husband anon
She had been at the church.

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This is the thought that gossips take;
Once in the week, merry will they make,
And all small drink they will forsake,
But wine of the best shall have no rest.

Some be at the tavern once a week,
And so be some every day eke,

Or else they will groan and make them sick;
For things used will not be refused.

How

say you, women, is it not so ?
Yes surely, and that ye well know;
And therefore let us drink all a-row,
And of our singing make a good ending.

Now fill the cup, and drink to me,
And then shall we good fellows be:
And of this talking leave will we,
And speak then good of women.

QUIA AMORE LANGUEO

IN a valley of this restless mind
I sought in mountain and in mead,
Trusting a true love for to find.
Upon an hill then took I heed;
A voice I heard (and near I yede)
In great dolour complaining tho:
See, dear soul, how my sides bleed
Quia amore langueo.

Upon this hill I found a tree,

Under a tree a man sitting;

From head to foot wounded was he;
His hearte blood I saw bleeding:

A seemly man to be a king,
A gracious face to look unto.
I asked why he had paining;
[He said], Quia amore langueo.

QUIA AMORE LANGUEO

I am true love that false was never ;

My sister, man's soul, I loved her thus.
Because we would in no wise dissever
I left my kingdom glorious.

I purveyed her a palace full precious;
She fled, I followed, I loved her so
That I suffered this pain piteous
Quia amore langueo.

My fair love and my spouse bright!

I saved her from beating, and she hath me bet;
I clothed her in grace and heavenly light;
This bloody-shirt she hath on me set;
For longing of love yet would I not let ;
Sweete strokes are these lo!

I have loved her ever as I her het
Quia amore langueo.

I crowned her with bliss and she me with thorn;

I led her to chamber and she me to die ;

I brought her to worship and she me to scorn;
I did her reverence and she me villany.

To love that loveth is no maistry;

Her hate made never my love her foe :
Ask me then no question why-

Quia amore langueo.

Look into mine handes, man!

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These gloves were given me when I her sought;
They be not white, but red and wan;
Embroidered with blood my spouse them brought.
They will not off; I loose hem nought;

I woo her with hem wherever she go.
These hands for her so friendly fought
Quia amore langueo.

Marvel not, man, though I sit still.
See, love hath shod me wonder strait :
Buckled my feet, as was her will,

With sharpe nails (well thou may'st wait!)

In my love was never desait;

All my membres I have opened her to;
My body I made her herte's bait
Quia amore langueo.

In

my side I have made her nest; Look in, how weet a wound is here!

This is her chamber, here shall she rest,
That she and I may sleep in fere.

Here may she wash, if any filth were;
Here is seat for all her woe;

Come when she will, she shall have cheer
Quia amore langueo.

I will abide till she be ready,

I will her sue if she say nay;

If she be retchless I will be greedy,
If she be dangerous I will her pray;

If she weep, then bide I ne may :
Mine arms ben spread to clip her me to.
Cry once, I come: now, soul, assay
Quia amore langueo.

Fair love, let us go play :

Apples ben ripe in my gardayne.

I shall thee clothe in a new array,

Thy meat shall be milk, honey and wine.

Fair love, let us go dine:

Thy sustenance is in my crippe, lo!
Tarry thou not, my fair spouse mine,
Quia amore langueo.

If thou be foul, I shall thee make clean;
If thou be sick, I shall thee heal;

If thou mourn ought, I shall thee mene;
Why wilt thou not, fair love, with me deal?

Foundest thou ever love so leal?

What wilt thou, soul, that I shall do ?
I may not unkindly thee appeal

Quia amore langueo.

QUIA AMORE LANGUEO

What shall I do now with my spouse
But abide her of my gentleness,

Till that she look out of her house
Of fleshly affection? love mine she is;
Her bed is made, her bolster is bliss,

Her chamber is chosen; is there none mo.
Look out on me at the window of kindeness
Quia amore langueo.

My love is in her chamber : hold your peace!
Make ye no noise, but let her sleep.

My babe I would not were in disease,
I may not hear my dear child weep.
With my pap I shall her keep;

Ne marvel ye not though I tend her to:
This wound in my side had ne'er be so deep
But Quia amore langueo.

Long thou for love never so high,

My love is more than thine may be.

Thou weepest, thou gladdest, I sit thee by:

Yet wouldst thou once, love, look unto me!
Should I always feede thee

With children meat? Nay, love, not so!

I will prove thy love with adversitè
Quia amore langueo.

Wax not weary, mine own wife!

What mede is aye to live in comfort?
In tribulation I reign more rife

Ofter times than in disport.

In weal and in woe I am aye to support:

Mine own wife, go not me fro!

Thy mede is marked, when thou art mort :
Quia amore langueo.

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