I almost wish it were my trust
To teach how shocking that is;
I wish I had not, as I must,

To quit this tempting lattice.

Sure aim takes Cupid, fluttering foe,
Across a street so narrow;
A thread of silk to string his bow,

A needle for his arrow!

N A R R ATIVE.

NARRATIVE.

TAKE THY OLD CLOAK ABOUT THEE.

[OLD BALLAD, QUOTED BY SHAKSPEARE, IN OTHELLO.]

PERCY RELIQUES.

THIS winters weather itt waxeth cold,
And frost doth freese on every hill,
And Boreas blowes his blasts soe bold,
That all our cattell are like to spill;
Bell, my wiffe, who loves noe strife,
Shee sayd unto me quietlye,

Rise

up, and save cow Cumbockes liffe, Man, put thine old cloake about thee.

HE.

Bell, why dost thou flyte and scorne?
Thou kenst my cloak is very thin:
Itt is soe bare and overworne

A cricke he theron cannot renn:
Then Ile no longer borrowe nor lend,
For once Ile new appareld bee,
To-morrow Ile to towne and spend,

For Ile have a new cloake about mee.

SHE.

Cow Crumbocke is a very good cowe,

Shee ha beene alwayes true to the payle,
She has helpt us to butter and cheese, I trow,
And other things shee will not fayle;

I wold be loth to see her pine,

Good husband councell take of mee,

It is not for us to go soe fine,

Man, take thine old cloake about thee.