Mannerly Margery Milk and Ale

by John Skelton (1460-1529)

Aye, beshrew you, by my fay,
These wanton clerks be nice alway,
Avaunt, avaunt, my popagay!
"What, will ye do nothing but play?"
Tilly vally straw, let be I say!
Gup, Christian Clout, gup, Jack of the Vale!
With Mannerly Margery milk and Ale.

"By God, ye be a pretty pode,
And I love you an whole cartload."
Straw, James Foder, ye play the fode,
I am no hackney for your rod:
Go watch a bull, your back is broad!
Gup, Christian Clout, gup, Jack of the Vale!
With Mannerly Margery milk and ale.

Ywis ye deal uncourteously;
What, would ye frumple me? now fie!
"What, and ye shall not be my pigsny?"
By Christ, ye shall not, no hardily:
I will not be japed bodily!
Gup, Christian Clout, gup, Jack of the Vale!
With Mannerly Margery milk and ale.

"Walk forth your way, ye cost me naught;
Now have I found that I have sought:
The best cheap flesh that ever I bought."
Yet, for his love that hath all wrought,
Wed me, or else I die for thought.
Gup, Christian Clout, your breath is stale!
With Mannerly Margery milk and ale!
Gup, Christian Clout, gup, Jack of the Vale!
With Mannerly Margery milk and ale.