 | The Night Raven |  |
Iesting turn'd to good earnest.
Gentlemen kindly in a Tauerne met,And as they all to supper downe were set,
Came in a Iester, (vnto some there knowne,)
Who at the table boldly maketh one,
Where like an impudent audacious asse
He turnes his foolish idle scoffes to passe,
Not caring whom, nor how he did abuse:
But one amongst the rest, whom he did chuse
To play vpon, and in a vaine to run
Did quiet put vp all, till supper done,
Then rising, came and tooke him by the hand,
And said familiar sir, I vnderstand
The ripenesse of your wit to breake a iest
It seemes your braine is busily possest
To vtter all your humour doth allow,
And therefore for your boldnesse with me now,
Although I cannot breake a iest, I say,
Yet I can breake your pate, take that I pray.
Goe to the Barbers shop, and there reueale-it,
And Iest a plaister out of him to heale-it.
| The Night Raven | |