Thus talkyng we went forth[1673] in at a postern gate; Turnyng[1674] on the ryght hande, by a[1675] windyng stayre, She brought me to[1676] a goodly chaumber of astate, Where the noble Cowntes of Surrey in a chayre Sat honorably, to whome did repaire 770 Of ladys a beue[1677] with all dew reuerence: Syt downe, fayre ladys, and do your diligence! Come forth, ientylwomen, I pray you, she sayd; I haue contryuyd for you a goodly warke, And who can worke beste now shall be asayde; A cronell of lawrell with verduris light and darke I haue deuysyd for Skelton, my clerke; For to his seruyce I haue suche regarde, That of our bownte we wyll hym rewarde: For of all ladyes he hath the library, 780 Ther names recountyng in the court of Fame Of all gentylwomen he hath the scruteny,[1678] In Fames court reportynge the same; For yet of women he neuer sayd shame, But if they were counterfettes that women them call, That list of there lewdnesse with hym for to brall. With that the tappettis and carpettis were layd, Whereon theis ladys softly myght rest, The saumpler to sow on, the lacis to enbraid; To weue in the stoule sume were full preste, 790 With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest; The frame was browght forth with his weuyng pin: God geue[1679] them good spede there warke[1680] to begin! Sume to enbrowder put them in prese, Well gydyng ther[1681] glowtonn to kepe streit theyr sylk, Sum pirlyng of goldde theyr worke to encrese With fingers smale, and handis whyte[1682] as mylk; With, Reche me that skane of tewly sylk; And, Wynde me that botowme of such an[1683] hew, Grene, rede, tawny, whyte, blak,[1684] purpill, and blew. 800 Of broken warkis[1685] wrought many a goodly thyng, In castyng, in turnynge, in florisshyng of flowris, With burris rowth[1686] and bottons surffillyng,[1687] In nedill wark raysyng byrdis in bowris,[1688] With vertu enbesid all tymes and howris; And truly of theyr bownte thus were they bent To worke me this chapelet by goode aduysemente.[1689] _Occupacyon to Skelton._ Beholde and se in your aduertysement How theis ladys and gentylwomen all For your pleasure do there endeuourment, 810 And for your sake how fast to warke[1690] they fall: To your remembraunce wherfore ye must call In goodly wordes plesauntly comprysid, That for them some goodly conseyt be deuysid, With proper captacyons of beneuolence, Ornatly pullysshid after your faculte, Sith ye must nedis afforce it by pretence Of your professyoun vnto vmanyte,[1691] Commensyng your proces after there degre, To iche of them rendryng thankis commendable, 820 With sentence fructuous and termes couenable. _Poeta Skelton._[1692]