The Poetical Works of John Skelton, Volume 1 (of 2)Skelton, John
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The Poetical Works of John Skelton, Volume 1 (of 2)
Skelton, John
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700
Containing the merry skirmish that was betweene her and sir
James of Castile, a Spanish knight, and what was the end of
their combat.
There was a great suter to Meg’s mistresse, called sir James of Castile,
to winne her loue: but her affection was set on doctor Skelton; so that
sir James could get no grant of any fauour. Whereupon he swore, if hee
knew who were her paramour, hee would runne him thorow with his rapier.
The mistresse (who had a great delight to bee pleasant) made a match
betweene her and Long Meg, that she should goe drest in gentlemans
apparell, and with her sword and buckler goe and meet sir James in Saint
Georges field[s]; if she beat him, she should for her labour haue a
new petticote. Let me alone, quoth Meg; the deuill take me if I lose
a petticote. And with that her mistris deliuered her a suit of white
sattin, that was one of the guards that lay at her house. Meg put it
on, and tooke her whinyard by her side, and away she went into Saint
Georges fields to meet sir James. Presently after came sir James, and
found his mistris very melancholy, as women haue faces that are fit for
all fancies. What aile you, sweetheart? quoth he; tell me; hath any man
wronged you? if he hath, be he the proudest champion in London, Ile
haue him by the eares, and teach him to know, sir James of Castile can
chastise whom he list. Now, quoth she, shall I know if you loue me: a
squaring long knaue, in a white sattin doublet, hath this day monstrously
misused me in words, and I haue no body to reuenge it; and in a brauery
went out of doores, and bad the proudest champion I had come into Saint
Georges fields and quit my wrong, if they durst: now, sir James, if euer
you loued mee, learne the knaue to know how he hath wronged me, and I
will grant whatsoeuer you will request at my hands. Marry, that I will,
quoth he; and for that you may see how I will vse the knaue, goe with
me, you and master doctor Skelton, and be eye-witnesses of my manhood.
To this they agreed; and all three went into Saint Georges fields, where
Long Meg was walking by the wind-mils. Yonder, quoth she, walkes the
villain that abused me. Follow me, hostesse, quoth sir James; Ile goe
to him. As soone as hee drew nigh, Meg began to settle herselfe, and so
did sir James: but Meg past on as though she would haue gone by. Nay,
sirrah, stay, quoth sir James; you and I part not so, we must haue a
bout ere we passe; for I am this gentlewomans champion, and flatly for
her sake will haue you by the eares. Meg replied not a word; but only
out with her sword: and to it they went. At the first bout Meg hit him
on the hand, and hurt him a little, but endangered him diuers times, and
made him giue ground, following so hotly, that shee strucke sir James’
weapon out of his hand; then when she saw him disarm’d, shee stept within
him, and, drawing her ponyard, swore all the world should not saue him.
Oh, saue mee, sir! quoth hee; I am a knight, and ’tis but for a womans
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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