Maxioms by Michael Drayton
Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive,
And finds that by his strength but vainly he read more
Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive,
And finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive;
His tail takes in his teeth, and bending like a bow,
That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw:
Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand,
That, bended end to end, and flerted from the hand,
Far off itself doth cast. so does the salmon vaut.
And if at first he fail, his second summersaut
He instantly assays and from his nimble ring,
Still yarking never leaves, until himself he fling
Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap.
Prince Edward all in gold, as he great Jove had been,
The Mountfords all in plumes, like estridges were read more
Prince Edward all in gold, as he great Jove had been,
The Mountfords all in plumes, like estridges were seen.
Of doues I haue a dainty paire
Which, when you please to take the aier,
About your read more
Of doues I haue a dainty paire
Which, when you please to take the aier,
About your head shall gently houer,
Your cleere browe from the sunne to couer,
And with their nimble wings shall fan you
That neither cold nor heate shall tan you,
And like umbrellas, with their feathers
Sheeld you in all sorts of weathers.
By them there sat the loving pelican,
Whose young ones, poison'd by the serpent's sting,
With her read more
By them there sat the loving pelican,
Whose young ones, poison'd by the serpent's sting,
With her own blood to life again doth bring.
