On Giles and Joan

Who says that Giles and Joan at discord be?   Th' observing neighbors no such mood can see.

Indeed, poor Giles repents he married ever,   But that his Joan doth too.

And Giles would

By his free will be in Joan's company;   No more would Joan he should.

Giles riseth early,

And having got him out of doors is glad;   The like is Joan.

But turning home is sad,

And so is Joan.

Ofttimes, when Giles doth find   Harsh sights at home,

Giles wisheth he were blind:

All this doth Joan.

Or that his long-yearned life   Were quite outspun.

The like wish hath his wife.

The children that he keeps Giles swear are none   Of his begetting; and so swears his Joan.

In all affections she concurreth still.   If now, with man and wife, to will and

The self-same things a note of concord be,   I know no couple better can agree.

Contextual notes:

L11 - 'long-yearned' - spun from long skeins of

L16 - 'nill' - not will