| A wayle whyt ase whalles bon | |
|---|---|
 Text contains the second part of Most I ryden by Rybbesdale, and the start of A wayle whyt as whalles bon | |
| Written | late-13th or early-14th century |
| Language | Middle English |
"A wayle whyt ase whalles bon" ('A beauty white as whale's bone'), also titled after the opening of its refrain "Ich wolde ich were a threstelcok" ('I wish I were a throstle-cock'), is an anonymous late-13th or early-14th century Middle English lyric poem.[1] The text forms part of the collection known as the Harley Lyrics (MS. Harley 2253, f. 67r).[1]
The persona praises, and carnally desires, a beautiful woman (wayle; lit. 'selection' or 'preference') who is very white (as 'whale's bone').