Excerpt from Speke, Parrot
Parotte.
So many morall maters,* and so lytell vsyd ;
So myche newe makyng,* and so madd tyme spente ;
So myche translacion in to Englyshe confused ;
So myche nobyll prechyng, and so lytell amendment ;
So myche consultacion, almoste to none entente ;
So myche provision, and so lytell wytte at nede ;—
Syns Dewcalyons flodde there can no clerkes rede.
So lytyll dyscressyon, and so myche reasonyng ;
So myche hardy dardy, and so lytell manlynes ;
So prodigall expence, and so shamfull reconyng ;
So gorgyous garmentes, and so myche wrechydnese ;
So myche portlye pride, with pursys penyles
So myche spente before, and so myche vnpayd behynde ;—
Syns Dewcalyons flodde there can no clerkes fynde.
So myche forcastyng, and so farre an after dele ;
So myche poletyke pratyng, and so lytell stondythe* in stede ;
So lytell secretnese, and so myche grete councell ;
So manye bolde barons, there hertes as dull as lede ;
So many nobyll bodyes vndyr on dawys hedd ;*
So royall a kyng as reynythe vppon vs all ;—
Syns Dewcalions flodde was nevyr sene nor shall.
So many complayntes, and so smalle redresse ;
So myche callyng on, and so smalle takyng hede ;
So myche losse of merchaundyse, and so remedyles ;
So lytell care for the comyn weall, and so myche nede ;
So myche dow3tfull daunger,* and so lytell drede ;
So myche pride of prelattes, so cruell and so kene ;—
Syns Dewcalyons flodde, I trowe, was nevyr sene.
So many thevys hangyd, and thevys never the lesse ;
So myche prisonment ffor matyrs not worthe an hawe ;*
So myche papers weryng for ryghte a smalle exesse ;*
So myche pelory pajauntes* vndyr colower of good lawe ;
So myche towrnyng on the cooke stole* for euery guy gaw ;*
So myche mokkyshe makyng of statutes of array ;—
Syns Dewcalyons flodde was nevyr, I dar sey.
So braynles caluys hedes, so many shepis taylys ;
So bolde a braggyng bocher,* and flesshe sold so dere ;
So many plucte partryches, and so fatte quaylles ;
So mangye a mastyfe curre, the grete grey houndes pere ; *
So bygge a bulke of brow auntlers cabagyd that yere;*
So many swannes dede, and so small revell ;
Syns Dewcalyons flodde, I trow, no man can tell.
So many trusys takyn, and so lytyll perfyte trowthe ;
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poem by John Skelton
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