SEPTEMBER

September

And in September, O what keen delight!

Falcons and astors, merlins, sparrowhawks;

Decoy-birds that shall lure your game in flocks;

And hounds with bells: and gauntlets stout and tight;

Wide pouches; crossbows shooting out of sight:

Arblasts and javelins; balls and ball-cases;

All birds the best to fly at; moulting these,

Those reared by hand; with finches mean and slight;

And for their chase, all birds the best to fly;

And each to each of you be lavish still

In gifts; and robbery find no gainsaying;

And if you meet with travellers going by,

Their purses from your purse's flow shall fill;

And avarice be the only outcast thing.