It so befel, in holy time of Lent, That oft a day I to this gossip went; (My husband, thank my stars, was out of town) From house to house we rambled up and down, 280 This clerk, myself, and my good neighbour Alse, To see, be seen, to tell, and gather tales.[21] Visits to ev'ry church we daily paid, And marched in every holy masquerade, The stations duly,[22] and the vigils kept; 285 Not much we fasted, but scarce ever slept. At sermons too I shone in scarlet gay, } The wasting moth ne'er spoiled my best array; } The cause was this, I wore it ev'ry day. }
'Twas when fresh May her early blossoms yields, 290 This clerk and I were walking in the fields. We grew so intimate, I can't tell how,[23] I pawned my honour, and engaged my vow, If e'er I laid my husband in his urn,[24] That he, and only he, should serve my turn. 295 We straight struck hands, the bargain was agreed; I still have shifts against a time of need: The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole, Can never be a mouse of any soul.
I vowed, I scarce could sleep since first I knew him, 300 And durst be sworn he had bewitched me to him; If e'er I slept, I dreamed of him alone, } And dreams foretell, as learned men have shown: } All this I said; but dreams, sirs, I had none: } I followed but my crafty crony's lore, 305 Who bid me tell this lie, and twenty more.[25]
Thus day by day, and month by month we passed; It pleased the Lord to take my spouse at last. I tore my gown, I soiled my locks with dust, And beat my breasts, as wretched widows must.[26] 310 Before my face my handkerchief I spread, To hide the flood of tears I did not shed. The good man's coffin to the church was borne; Around, the neighbours, and my clerk too, mourn. But as he marched, good gods! he showed a pair 315 Of legs and feet, so clean, so strong, so fair! Of twenty winters' age he seemed to be; I, to say truth, was twenty more than he; But vig'rous still, a lively buxom dame; And had a wond'rous gift to quench a flame. 320 A conj'ror once, that deeply could divine, Assured me, Mars in Taurus was my sign. As the stars ordered, such my life has been: Alas, alas, that ever love was sin! Fair Venus gave me fire, and sprightly grace, 325 And Mars assurance, and a dauntless face. By virtue of this pow'rful constellation, I followed, always, my own inclination.