63r] 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 63v]    46 50

¶ Ichot a burde in a bour ase beryl so bryht, Ase saphyr in selver, semly on syht, Ase jaspe the gentil that lemeth with lyht, Ase gernet in golde, ant ruby wel ryht, Ase onycle he ys, on yholden on hyht, Ase diamaund the dere in day, when he is dyht. He is coral ycud with cayser ant knyht; Ase emeraude amorewen, this may haveth myht.      The myht of the margarite haveth this mai mere;      For charbocle Ich hire ches bi chyn ant by chere. Hire rode is ase rose, that red is on rys; With lilye-white leres, lossum he is; The primerole he passeth, the peruenke of pris, With alisaundre, thareto, ache, ant anys. Coynte ase columbine, such hire cunde ys, Glad under gore, in gro ant in grys. He is blosme opon bleo, brihtest under bis, With celydoyne ant sauge, ase thou thiself sys:      That syht upon that semly to blis he is broht!      He is solsecle, to sauve ys forsoht! He is papejai in pyn, that beteth me my bale; To trewe tortle in a tour, Y telle the mi tale; He is thrustle thryven in thro, that singeth in sale, The wilde laveroc, ant wolc, ant the wodewale; He is faucoun in friht, dernest in dale, Ant with everuch a gome, gladest in gale. From Weye he is wisist into Wyrhale; Hire nome is in a note of the nyhtegale,      In an note is hire nome. Nempneth hit non?      Whose ryht redeth, roune to Johon. Muge he is, ant mondrake, thourh miht of the mone,      Trewe triacle ytold with tonges in trone; Such licoris mai leche from Lyne to Lone; Such sucre mon secheth that saveth men sone; Blithe yblessed of Crist, that bayeth me mi bone When derne dede is in dayne derne are done. Ase gromyl in greve, grene is the grone, Ase quibibe ant comyn, cud is in crone,      Cud comyn in court, canel in cofre,      With gyngyure ant sedewale, ant the gylofre. He is medicyne of miht, mercie of mede, Rekene ase Regnas resoun to rede, Trewe ase Tegeu in tour, as Wyrwein in wede, Baldore then Byrne, that oft the bor bede; Ase Wylcadoun he is wys, dohty of dede, Feyrore then Floyres, folkes to fede, Cud ase Cradoc in court, carf the brede, Hendore then Hilde, that haveth me to hede.      He haveth me to hede, this hendy, anon;      Gentil ase Jonas, heo joyeth with Jon!

¶ I know a lady in a bower as bright as beryl, As sapphire in silver, lovely to see, As fine jasper that gleams with light, As garnet in gold, and ruby well set, As onyx she is, one highly regarded, As precious diamond by day, when she’s adorned. She is coral valued by emperor and knight; As emerald by morning, this girl has power to heal.      The power of pearl this fair girl possesses;      I choose her as my precious gem in every way. Her complexion’s as rose, red on the stem; With lily-white cheeks, she is lovable; She excels the primerole, the prized periwinkle, Horse parsley, too, wild celery, and anise. Pretty as columbine, such is her nature, Merry under skirt, with gray and rich furs. She’s a flower in color, radiant under dress, With celandine and sage, as you yourself see:      Who sees that beauty is transferred to bliss!      She is marigold, sought out for health! She’s a parrot in a pine, who conquers my sorrow; To true turtledove in a tower, I tell you my tale; She's a thrush doughty in dispute, who sings in the hall, The wild lark, and hawk, and the golden oriole; She's a falcon in forest, most hidden in valley, And among everyone, most glad in merriment. She is wisest from the Wye into the Wirral; Her name’s in a note of the nightingale,      In a note is her name. Can anyone name it?      Whoever guesses correctly, whisper to John. Nutmeg she is, and mandrake, by power of the moon, True remedy attested to by courtly report; Such licorice may bring cure from Lynn to Lune; Such sought-after sugar that heals men quickly; I’m happily blessed by Christ, who grants me my prayer      When private daytime deeds are performed secretly. As gromwell in grove, whose seed is green, As peppercorn and cumin, prized for its crown, Court-prized cumin, cinnamon in chest, With ginger and setwall, and the clove. She is medicine with potency, mercy with reward, Ready as Regnas to counsel reasonably, True as Tegeu in tower, as Wyrwein in fine dress, Bolder than Byrne, who often challenged the boar; As Wylcadoun she’s wise, doughty of deed, Fairer than Floyres, a pleasure to folks, Famous as Cradoc in court, who carved the roast, More courteous than Hilde, who takes care of one.      She takes care of one, this fair one, indeed;      Gracious as Jonas, she finds pleasure with John!

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