The order of the stanzas is different from that here printed.
The rhyme-scheme is normally aabbccd; but the first, second, seventeenth, and last stanzas are irregular—abcddc, ababcdcdeef, aabbccdde, and aaaa, thus varying in both number and arrangement of lines. The first four verses contain roughly the same number of accents, the fifth and sixth vary greatly in length, while the seventh is a constant refrain to all stanzas except the first and last.
The poem is distinctly popular in tone; and I have seldom attempted to improve its rough metre, holding that the effect is racier as it is.
p. [31]. Kirk. Text has church, but the rhyme is work.
p. [32]. Thrive ... life. The corresponding couplets are usually proverbial in character.
p. [33]. Whatsoever he be. Apparently on the basis that “e’er a man is better than ne’er a man.”
p. [33]. Atterling. Literally, one who deals in poisons (O. E. ator); hence, a witch; hence, a shrew.
p. [34]. Maze. Without the help of the N.E.D., the word is puzzling; but the context seems to demand maze, connected with amaze, rather than maze = labyrinth.
p. [35]. Shooting at the cock. The popular old English pastime of throwing missiles to bring down a cock tied by the leg.
p. [37]. Deed ... speed. The meaning is that a deed finished quickly helps on another by giving place to it.