Erle Robert's Mice. In Chaucer's Style Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABCDD EEFFFFGGHHI JKKFLMMNNOPQQFFKL GGRPFFGGGG FFSSFFMMTT FFFFMMM| Tway Mice full Blythe and Amicable | A |
| Batten beside Erle Robert's Table | A |
| Lies there ne Trap their Necks to catch | B |
| Ne old black Cat their Steps to watch | C |
| Their Fill they eat of Fowl and Fish | D |
| Feast lyche as Heart of Mouse mote wish | D |
| - | |
| As Guests sat Jovial at the Board | E |
| Forth leap'd our Mice Eftsoons the Lord | E |
| Of Boling whilome John the Saint | F |
| Who maketh oft Propos full queint | F |
| Laugh'd jocund and aloud He cry'd | F |
| To Matthew seated on t'oth' side | F |
| To Thee lean Bard it doth partain | G |
| To understand these Creatures Tweine | G |
| Come frame Us now some clean Device | H |
| Or playsant Rhime on yonder Mice | H |
| They seem God shield Me Mat and Charles | I |
| - | |
| Bad as Sir Topaz or 'Squire Quarles | J |
| Matthew did for the nonce reply | K |
| At Emblem or Device am I | K |
| But could I Chaunt or Rhyme pardie | F |
| Clear as Dan Chaucer or as Thee | L |
| Ne Verse from Me so God me shrive | M |
| On Mouse or other Beast alive | M |
| Certes I have these many Days | N |
| Sent myne Poetic Herd to graze | N |
| Ne Armed Knight ydrad in War | O |
| With Lyon fierce will I compare | P |
| Ne Judge unjust with furred Fox | Q |
| Harming in Secret Guise the Flocks | Q |
| Ne Priest unworth of Goddess Coat | F |
| To Swine ydrunk or filthy Stoat | F |
| Elk Simil farwell for aye | K |
| From Elephant I trow to Flea | L |
| - | |
| Reply'd the friendlike Peer I weene | G |
| Matthew is angred on the Spleen | G |
| Ne so quoth Mat ne shall be e'er | R |
| With Wit that falleth all so fair | P |
| Eftsoons well weet Ye mine Intent | F |
| Boweth to your Commaundement | F |
| If by these Creatures Ye have seen | G |
| Pourtrayed Charles and Matthew been | G |
| Behoveth neet to wreck my Brain | G |
| The rest in Order to explain | G |
| - | |
| That Cup board where the Mice disport | F |
| I liken to St Stephen's Court | F |
| Therein is Space enough I trow | S |
| For elke Comrade to come and goe | S |
| And therein eke may Both be fed | F |
| With Shiver of the Wheaten Bread | F |
| And when as these mine Eyen survey | M |
| They cease to skip and squeak and play | M |
| Return they may to different Cells | T |
| Auditing One whilst t'other Tells | T |
| - | |
| Dear Robert quoth the Saint whose Mind | F |
| In Bounteous Deed no Mean can bind | F |
| Now as I hope to grow devout | F |
| I deem this Matter well made out | F |
| Laugh I whilst thus I serious Pray | M |
| Let that be wrought which Mat doth say | M |
| Yea quoth the ERLE but not to day | M |
Matthew Prior
(1)
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