Scottish Text Society publications > Old series > Poems of Alexander Montgomerie

THE CHERRIE AND THE SLAE.
91
39-
[WREITTOUN
“ If we two hold not up thine1 heart,
Which is the chiefe and noblest part,
Thy works 2 would not goe well; 535
Considering the 3 companions can
Disswade a silly, simple man
To hazard for his heale.
Suppose they have deceived some,
Ere we and they 4 might meete, 540
They get no credance where we come,
In 5 any man of sprite;
By reason, their treason
By us is plainely spyde;6
Revealing their dealing, 545
Which dow not be denyde.
40.
“ With sleekie7 Sophismes seeming sweete,
As all their doing 8 were discreet,
They wish thee to be wise ;
Postponing time from9 houre to houre 550
But, faith, in underneath the flowre,
The lurking serpent lyes ;
Suppose thou seest her not a stime,
While that she sting10 thy foote :
Perceives thou not what precious time 555
Thy sleuth doth11 overshoote ?
Alas, man, thy case, man,
In lingring I lament:
Goe to now, and doe now,
That Courage be content. 560
1 E.W.2 thy.
4 E.W.2 Or thay and we.
7 E.W.2 sleikit.
10 E. Till that scho stings.
2 E.W.2 wark. 3 E.W.2 thae. Cf. pp. 38, 39.
5 E. with. 6 E.W.2 first espyit.
8 E.W.2 doings. 9 E. frae.
11 E.W.2 slewthing.