Were I into the place that I came frae, For weal nor woe I should ne'er come again.' With that she took her leave, and forth can gae, Till through the corn, till through the plain. When she was forth and free she was right fain, And merrily linkit unto the muir, I cannot tell how afterward she fure.[23] But I heard syne she passed to her den, As warm as wool, suppose it was not grit, Full beinly[24] stuffed was both butt and ben, With peas and nuts, and beans, and rye and wheat; Whene'er she liked, she had enough of meat, In quiet and ease, withouten [any] dread, But to her sister's feast no more she gaed. [FROM THE MORAL.] Blessed be simple life, withouten dreid; Blessed be sober feast in quiete; Who has enough, of no more has he need, Though it be little into quantity. Great abundance, and blind prosperity, Ofttimes make an evil conclusion; The sweetest life, therefore, in this country, Is of sickerness,[25] with small possession. [1] 'Spence:' pantry. [2] 'Wuish:' washed. [3] 'Telyies grit:' great pieces. [4] 'Spier'd;' asked. [5] 'Sairy:' sorry. [6] 'Wait:' expect. [7] 'Threif:' a set of twenty-four. [8] 'Staw:' stole. [9] 'Creish:' grease. [10] 'rede:' counsel. [11] 'Syne:' then. [12] 'Lever:' rather. [13] 'Bawdrons:' the cat. [14] 'Hent:' seized. [15] 'Cant:' lively. [16] 'Strae:' straw. [17] 'Buik-hid:' body. [18] 'Crap:' crept. [19] 'Cluiks:' claws. [20] 'Minget:' mixed. [21] 'Gane-full:' mouthful. [22] 'Parpane:' partition. [23] 'Fure:' went. [24] 'Beinly:' snugly. [25] 'Sickerness:' security. THE GARMENT OF GOOD LADIES. Would my good lady love me best, And work after my will, I should a garment goodliest Gar[1] make her body till.[2] Of high honour should be her hood, Upon her head to wear, Garnish'd with governance, so good No deeming[3] should her deir,[4] Her sark[5] should be her body next, Of chastity so white: With shame and dread together mixt, The same should be perfite.[6] Her kirtle should be of clean constance, Laced with lesum[7] love; The mailies[8] of continuance, For never to remove. Her gown should be of goodliness, Well ribbon'd with renown; Purfill'd[9] with pleasure in ilk[10] place, Furred with fine fashioun. Her belt should be of benignity, About her middle meet; Her mantle of humility, To thole[11] both wind and weet.[12] Her hat should be of fair having, And her tippet of truth; Her patelet of good pansing,[13] Her hals-ribbon of ruth.[14] Her sleeves should be of esperance, To keep her from despair; Her gloves of good governance, To hide her fingers fair. Her shoes should be of sickerness,[15] In sign that she not slide; Her hose of honesty, I guess, I should for her provide. Would she put on this garment gay, I durst swear by my seill,[16] That she wore never green nor gray That set[17] her half so weel.