| |
| JACK 1 and Joan, they think no ill, | |
| But loving live, and merry still; | |
| Do their week-day’s work, and pray | |
| Devoutly on the holy day; | |
| Skip and trip it on the green, | 5 |
| And help to choose the Summer Queen; | |
| Lash out at a country feast | |
| Their silver penny with the best. | |
| |
| Well can they judge of nappy ale, | |
| And tell at large a winter tale; | 10 |
| Climb up to the apple loft, | |
| And turn the crabs till they be soft. | |
| Tib is all the father’s joy, | |
| And little Tom the mother’s boy; | |
| All their pleasure is Content; | 15 |
| And care, to pay their yearly rent. | |
| |
| Joan can call by name her cows | |
| And deck her windows with green boughs, | |
| She can wreaths and tutties 2 make, | |
| And trim with plums a bridal cake. | 20 |
| Jack knows what brings gain or loss; | |
| And his long flail can stoutly toss; | |
| Makes the hedge which others break, | |
| And ever thinks what he doth speak. | |
| |
| Now, you courtly dames and knights, | 25 |
| That study only strange delights; | |
| Though you scorn the home-spun gray | |
| And revel in your rich array; | |
| Though your tongues dissemble deep, | |
| And can your heads from danger keep; | 30 |
| Yet, for all your pomp and train, | |
| Securer lives the silly swain! | |
