Classic Poem

1

To speik of science, craft or sapience,
Off vertew morall, cwnnyng or doctrene,
Off iure, of wisdome or intelligence,
Off euerie study, lair or disciplene —
All is bot tynt or reddie for to tyne,
Not vsing it as it sould vsit be,
The craft exerceing, considdering not the fyne.
A paralous seiknes is vane prosperite.

2

The curious probatioun logicall,
The eloquence of ornat rethorie,
The naturall science philosophicall,
The dirk apperance of astronomie,
The theologis sermoun, the fablis of poetrie,
Without gud lyfe all in the selfe dois de,
As Maii flouris dois in September dry.
A paralous lyfe is vane prosperite.

3

Quhairfoir, ye clarkis grittest of constance,
Fullest of science and of knawlegeing,
To ws be myrrouris in your governance
And in our darknes be lamps in schyning,
Or than in frustar is your lang leirning.
Giff to your sawis your deidis contrair be,
Your maist accusar salbe your awin cwnning.
A paralus seiknes is vane prosperite.