Classic Poem

As close as a goose
Sat the Parliament-house,
To hatch the royal gull;
After much fiddle-faddle,
The egg proved addle,
And Oliver came forth Nol.

Yet old Queen Madge,
Though things do not fadge,
Will serve to be queen of a May-pole;
Two princes of Wales,
For Whitsun-ales,
And her Grace Maid-Marion Clay-pole.

In a robe of cow-hide
Sat yesty Pride,
With his dagger and his sling;
He was the pertinent'st peer
Of all that were there,
To' advise with such a king.

A great philosopher
Had a goose for his lover,
That follow'd him day and night:
If it be a true story,
Or but an allegory,
It may be both ways right.

Strickland and his son,
Both cast into one,
Were meant for a single baron;
But when they came to sit,
There was not wit
Enough in them both, to serve for one.

Wherefore 'twas thought good
To add Honeywood;
But when they came to trial;
Each one prov'd a fool,
Yet three knaves in the whole,
And that made up a Pair-royal.