But passing this as from our tale apart, Dame Partlet[176] was the sovereign of his heart: Ardent in love, outrageous in his play, He feathered her a hundred times a day; And she, that was not only passing fair, But was withal discreet, and debonair, Resolved the passive doctrine to fulfil, Though loth, and let him work his wicked will: At board and bed was affable and kind, } According as their marriage-vow did bind, } And as the church's precept had enjoined. } Even since she was a se'nnight old, they say, } Was chaste and humble to her dying day, } Nor chick nor hen was known to disobey. } By this her husband's heart she did obtain; What cannot beauty, joined with virtue, gain! She was his only joy, and he her pride, She, when he walked, went pecking by his side; If, spurning up the ground, he sprung a corn, The tribute in his bill to her was borne. But oh! what joy it was to hear him sing In summer, when the day began to spring, Stretching his neck, and warbling in his throat, _Solus cum sola_, then was all his note. For in the days of yore, the birds of parts Were bred to speak, and sing, and learn the liberal arts. It happ'd that perching on the parlour-beam, Amidst his wives, he had a deadly dream, Just at the dawn; and sighed, and groaned so fast, As every breath he drew would be his last. Dame Partlet, ever nearest to his side, Heard all his piteous moan, and how he cried For help from Gods and men; and sore aghast She pecked and pulled, and wakened him at last. Dear heart, said she, for love of heaven declare Your pain, and make me partner of your care. You groan, Sir, ever since the morning-light, As something had disturbed your noble sprite.-- And, madam, well I might, said Chanticleer, Never was shrovetide-cock in such a fear. Even still I run all over in a sweat, My princely senses not recovered yet. For such a dream I had of dire portent, That much I fear my body will be shent: It bodes I shall have wars and woeful strife, Or in a loathsome dungeon end my life. Know, dame, I dreamt within my troubled breast, } That in our yard I saw a murderous beast, } That on my body would have made arrest. } With waking eyes I ne'er beheld his fellow; His colour was betwixt a red and yellow: Tipped was his tail, and both his pricking ears, With black, and much unlike his other hairs: The rest, in shape a beagle's whelp throughout, With broader forehead, and a sharper snout: Deep in his front were sunk his glowing eyes, That yet, methinks, I see him with surprise. Reach out your hand, I drop with clammy sweat, And lay it to my heart, and feel it beat.-- Now fie for shame! quoth she; by heaven above, Thou hast for ever lost thy lady's love. No woman can endure a recreant knight; He must be bold by day, and free by night: Our sex desires a husband or a friend,