[Lyric] To Mistress Margaret Hussey (John Skelton)

MERRY Margaret
As midsummer flower,
Gentle as falcon
Or hawk of the tower:
With solace and gladness, 5
Much mirth and no madness,
All good and no badness;
So joyously,
So maidenly,
So womanly 10
Her demeaning
In every thing,
Far, far passing
That I can indite,
Or suffice to write 15
Of Merry Margaret
As midsummer flower,
Gentle as falcon
Or hawk of the tower.
As patient and still 20
And as full of good will
As fair Isaphill,
Coliander,
Sweet pomander,
Good Cassander; 25
Steadfast of thought,
Well made, well wrought,
Far may be sought,
Ere that ye can find
So courteous, so kind 30
As merry Margaret,
This midsummer flower,
Gentle as falcon
Or hawk of the tower.