| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| John Skelton. 1460?–1529 |
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| 31. To Mistress Margaret Hussey |
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| 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. | |
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GLOSS: Isaphill] Hypsipyle. coliander] coriander seed, an aromatic. pomander] a ball of perfume. Cassander] Cassandra. |
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