John Skelton — To Mistress Margaret Hussey

MERRY Margaret As midsummer flower, Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower: With solace and gladness, 5 Much mirth and no madness, All good and no badness; So joyously, So maidenly, So womanly 10 Her demeaning In every thing, Far, far passing That I can indite, Or suffice to write 15 Of Merry Margaret As midsummer flower, Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower. As patient and still 20 And as full of good will As fair Isaphill, Coliander, Sweet pomander, Good Cassander; 25 Steadfast of thought, Well made, well wrought, Far may be sought, Ere that ye can find So courteous, so kind 30 As merry Margaret, This midsummer flower, Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower.