To Mistress Margaret Hussey

Merry Margaret

As midsummer flower,

Gentle as falcon

Or hawk of the tower:

With solace and gladness,

Much mirth and no madness,

All good and no badness;

So joyously,

So maidenly,

So womanly

Her demeaning

In every thing,

Far, far passing

That I can indite,

Or suffice to write

Of Merry Margaret

As midsummer flower,

Gentle as falcon

Or hawk of the tower.

As patient and still

And as full of good will

As fair Isaphill,

Coliander,

Sweet pomander,

Good Cassander;

Steadfast of thought,

Well made, well wrought,

Far may be sought,

Ere that ye can find

So courteous, so kind

As merry Margaret,

This midsummer flower,

Gentle as falcon

Or hawk of the tower.