The bachelor

In all this warld nis a meriar life

Than is a young man withouten a wife;

For he may liven with outen strife,

In every place where so he go.

In every place he is loved over all,

Among the maidens grete and small,

In dauncing, in piping, and renning at the ball,

In every place where so he go.

Then sey maidens, "Farewell, Jacke!

Thy love is pressed all in thy pake;

Thou berest thy love behind thy back,"

In every place where so he go.