A FREINDE OF MINE.

Insooth," then did this youngman say,
"I thinke this ffragrant place

was only made for louers true

eche others to inbrace."

hee tooke her by the middle small,—
good sooth I doe not mocke,—
not meaning to doe any thing

but to pull vpp her : smo:1 blocke

wheron shee sate, poore silly soule,
to rest her weary bones.

this maid shee was noe whitt affraiyd,

but shee caught him ffast by the : stones:

thumbes;

wheratt he vext & greiued was,

soe that his flesh did wrinkle;

this maid shee was noe whitt affrayd,

but caught him fast hold by the pintle :

pimple

which hee had on his chin likwise

but lett the pimple passe ;

[page 460]

e ; —

there is no man heare but he may supposse

shee weere a merry lasse.

he boldly ventured, being tall,

yet in his speech bu[t] blunt,

hee neuer ceast, but tooke vpp all,

& cacht her by the Cun: plumpe.

And red rose lipps he kisst full sweete:
quoth shee, "I craue no sucour."
which made him to haue a mighty mind
to clipp, kisse, & to : ffuck: plucke her
into his armes. "nay! soft!" quoth shee,
“what needeth all this doing?

ffor if wilbe ruled by me,

you

you

shall vse small time in wooinge.

These and the similar colons following are those of the MS.-F.