TO JOHNE LADGATE.
Reading edition
[Sent with the following Songe to Ælla.]
Well thanne, goode Johne, sythe ytt must needes be soe, Thatt thou & I a bowtynge matche must have, Lette ytt ne breakynge of oulde friendshyppe bee, Thys ys the onelie all-a-boone I crave.
Rememberr Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmalyte, 5 Who whanne Johne Clarkynge, one of myckle lore, Dydd throwe hys gauntlette-penne, wyth hym to fyghte, Hee showd smalle wytte, and showd hys weaknesse more.
Thys ys mie formance, whyche I nowe have wrytte, The best performance of mie lyttel wytte. 10