John Skelton

1460 - 1529 / Norfolk, England

To Mistress Margaret Hussey

MERRY Margaret
   As midsummer flower,
   Gentle as falcon
   Or hawk of the tower:
With solace and gladness,
Much mirth and no madness,
All good and no badness;
   So joyously,
   So maidenly,
   So womanly
   Her demeaning
   In every thing,
   Far, far passing
   That I can indite,
   Or suffice to write
   Of Merry Margaret
   As midsummer flower,
   Gentle as falcon
   Or hawk of the tower.
   As patient and still
   And as full of good will
   As fair Isaphill,
   Coliander,
   Sweet pomander,
   Good Cassander;
   Steadfast of thought,
   Well made, well wrought,
   Far may be sought,
   Ere that ye can find
   So courteous, so kind
   As merry Margaret,
   This midsummer flower,
   Gentle as falcon
   Or hawk of the tower.
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