Henry Parrot

“A Welshman and an Englishman disputed    Which of their lands maintained the greatest state; The Englishman the Welshman quite confuted,    Yet would the Welshman naught his brags abate. "Ten cooks," quoth he, "in Wales one wedding sees." "True," quoth the other, "each man toasts his cheese."”

“Kind Katherine to her husband kiss'd these words,    "Mine own sweet Will, how dearly do I love thee!" "If true," quoth Will, "the world no such affords."    And that it's true I durst his warrant be: For ne'er heard I of woman, good or ill, But always lovèd best her own sweet will.”

“Dacus doth daily to his doctor go, As doubting if he be in health or no; For when his friends salute him passing by, And ask him how he doth in courtesy, He will not answer thereunto precise, Till from his doctor he hath ta'en advice.”

“Sir, can you tell where young Pandorus lives,    That was surnamed here the Prodigal: He that so much for his silk stockings gives,    Till nought is left to buy him shoes withal? Oh blame him not, to make what show he can; How should he else be thought a gentleman?”

“A cobbler and a curate once disputed,    Before a judge about the King's injunctions; Wherein the curate being still confuted,    One said 'twere good if they two changèd functions. "Nay," quoth the judge, "I thereto should be loth, But an you will, we'll make them cobblers both."”