The Scourge of Folly Consisting of satyricall Epigrams, And others in honour of many noble Persons and worthy friends, together, with a pleasant (though discordant) Descant upon most English Proverbs and others [by John Davies] |
 |
 | The Scourge of Folly |  |
85
Epi. 180. Against Aesop the Stage-player.
I came to English Aesop (on a tide)As he lay tirde (as tirde) before the play:
I came vnto him in his flood of pride;
He then vvas King, and thought I should obay.
And so I did, for vvith all reuerence, I
As to my Soueraigne (though to him vnknovvne)
Did him approch: but loe, he casts his Eye,
As if therein I had presumption showne:
I, like a Subiect (vvith submisse regard)
Did him salute, yet he regreeted mee
But vvith a Nod, because his speech he spar'd
For Lords and Knights that came his Grace to see.
But I suppos'd he scorn'd me, by vvhich scorne
I deemed him to be some demi-God;
(That's more then King (at least) that thoughts discerne)
And markt my fained favvnings, vvith a Nod.
For, I vvell knevv him (though he knevv not me)
To be a player, and for some fevv Crovvnes
Spent on a Supper, any man may bee
Acquainted vvith them, from their Kings to Clovvnes.
But I (as Aron vvith the Golden Calfe)
Did grosse idolatry vvith him commit:
Nay my offence vvas more then his by halfe,
He erd against his vvill, but I vvith vvit:
For, Wit me taught (I thought, for proofe of folly)
To try conclusions on this doting Asse,
I him ador'd too much, but he (vnholly)
Too'kt on him smoothly; But vvell, let that passe.
86
That he could not well see my Veluet hose.
But if I ere salute him so againe,
Crowne him, and Cocks-combe my crowne for my paine.
| The Scourge of Folly | |