The Poetry Corner

Fair Susan Did Her Wif-Hede Well Menteine - In Chaucer's Style

By Matthew Prior

Fair Susan did her wif-hede well menteine, Algates assaulted sore by letchours tweine; Now, and I read aright that auncient song, Olde were the paramours, the dame full yong. Had thilke same tale in other guise been tolde; Had they been young (pardie) and she been olde, That, by St. Kit, had wrought much sorer tryal, Full merveillous, I wrote, were swilk denyal.