The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
A Straunge A, B, C.
To learne the babies A, B, C,
Is fit for children, not for mee.
I knowe the letters all so well,
I neede not learne the way to spell;
And for the crosse, before the rowe,
I learn'd it all too long agoe.
Is fit for children, not for mee.
I knowe the letters all so well,
I neede not learne the way to spell;
And for the crosse, before the rowe,
I learn'd it all too long agoe.
Then let them goe to schoole that list,
To hang the lippe at — Had I wist:
I never lou'd a booke of horne,
Nor leaues that haue their letters worne;
Nor with a fescue to direct mee,
Where euery puny shall correct mee.
To hang the lippe at — Had I wist:
I never lou'd a booke of horne,
Nor leaues that haue their letters worne;
Nor with a fescue to direct mee,
Where euery puny shall correct mee.
I will the treuant play a while,
And with mine eare mine eye beguile;
And only heare what other see,
What mocketh them as well as mee;
And laugh at him that goes to schoole,
To learne with mee to play the foole.
And with mine eare mine eye beguile;
And only heare what other see,
What mocketh them as well as mee;
And laugh at him that goes to schoole,
To learne with mee to play the foole.
But, soft awhile: I haue mistooke,
This is but some imagin'd booke,
That wilfull hearts in wantons eyes
Doe onely by conceits deuise;
Where spell and put together, proue
The reading of the rules of Loue.
This is but some imagin'd booke,
That wilfull hearts in wantons eyes
Doe onely by conceits deuise;
Where spell and put together, proue
The reading of the rules of Loue.
But if it be so, let it be:
It shall no lesson be for mee.
Let them goe spell that can not reede,
And know the crosse vnto their speede;
While I am taught but to discerne,
How to forget the thing I learne.
It shall no lesson be for mee.
Let them goe spell that can not reede,
And know the crosse vnto their speede;
While I am taught but to discerne,
How to forget the thing I learne.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |