"'Now, thanks, my loving Uncle,' that Lady gay replied; 'Gramercy for thy benison!'--then 'Out, alas!' she sighed; 'My father dear he is not near; he seeks the Spanish Main; He prays thee give me shelter here till he return again!'-- "'Now, welcome! welcome! dearest Niece; come lay thy mantle by!' The Canon kissed her ruby lip--he had a merry eye,-- But Nelly Cook askew did look,--it came into her mind They were a little less than 'kin,' and rather more than 'kind.' * * * * * "Three weeks are gone and over--full three weeks and a day, Yet still within the Canon's house doth dwell that Lady gay; On capons fine they daily dine, rich cates and sauces rare, And they quaff good store of Bourdeaux wine,--so dainty is their fare. "And fine upon the virginals is that gay Lady's touch, And sweet her voice unto the lute, you'll scarce hear any such; But is it '_O Sanctissima!_' she sings in dulcet tone? Or '_Angels ever bright and fair_?'--Ah, no!--it's '_Bobbing Joan_!' * * * * * "The Canon's house is lofty, and spacious to the view; The Canon's cell is ordered well--yet Nelly looks askew; The Lady's bower is in the tower,--yet Nelly shakes her head-- She hides the poker and the tongs in that gay Lady's bed? * * * * * "Six weeks were gone and over--full six weeks and a day, Yet in that bed the poker and the tongs unheeded lay! From which, I fear, it's pretty clear that Lady rest had none; Or, if she slept in any bed--it was not in her own. "But where that Lady pass'd her nights, I may not well divine, Perhaps in pious oraisons at good St Thomas' Shrine, And for her father far away breathed tender vows and true-- It may be so--I cannot say--but Nelly look'd askew. "And still at night, by fair moonlight, when all were lock'd in sleep, She'd listen at the Canon's door,--she'd through the keyhole peep-- I know not what she heard or saw, but fury filled her eye-- --She bought some nasty Doctor's-stuff, and she put it in a pie! * * * * * "It was a glorious summer's-eve--with beams of rosy red The Sun went down--all Nature smiled--but Nelly shook her head! Full softly to the balmy breeze rang out the Vesper bell-- --Upon the Canon's startled ear it sounded like a knell! "'Now here's to thee, mine Uncle! a health I drink to thee! Now pledge me back in Sherris sack, or a cup of Malvoisie!'-- The Canon sigh'd--but rousing, cried, 'I answer to thy call, And a Warden-pie's a dainty dish to mortify withal!' "'Tis early dawn--the matin chime rings out for morning pray'r-- And Prior and Friar is in his stall--the Canon is not there! Nor in the small Refect'ry hall, nor cloister'd walk is he-- All wonder--and the Sacristan says, 'Lauk-a-daisey-me!'