There stood my friend with patient skill,

Attending of his trembling quill.[9]

Already were the eaves possessed

With the swift pilgrim's daubèd nest:

The groves already did rejoice

In Philomel's triumphing voice.

The showers were short, the weather mild,

The morning fresh, the evening smiled.

Joan takes her neat-rubbed pail and now

She trips to milk the sand-red cow;