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52
The fifth muse
What shall be said then of this rope or cord?
Although of all men it be now abhord,
And spoke of in disdaine, their ignorance
Hath made them so to speak, yet may it chance
When they shall know the truth, they will speak better,
And think of it as of a greater matter,
And truely it esteeme an hundreth fold
Of much more honour than a chaine of gold.
Thus may you see Monsier, men of renown
Of old time have possest this ancient town.
And yet this may we boast, even to this day
Men of good wit and worth do not decay;
For to this houre some footsteps still remaines
Of such couragious hearts and cunning braines.
Good Master Gall, quoth I, I know that well
Whereof you speak, and clearly can it tell,
For I did say these Men, being then of age
Some twelue or threttene years, a prettie page,
As easely you may guesse, and can you show
Some partiall poynts whereof you nothing know.
Nor are they written. Then answered Master Gall,
A witnesse such as you is above all
Exception, therefore show what you did see,
Or heare, good Monsier, Your antiquitie
Is of great credit: Master Gall, quoth I,
Much did I see, and much more did I try:
My Father was a man active, and wight
In those dayes, and who helped for to fight
The battell of the bridge: within few yeeres
Thereafter was I borne, then all our quires
Although of all men it be now abhord,
And spoke of in disdaine, their ignorance
Hath made them so to speak, yet may it chance
When they shall know the truth, they will speak better,
And think of it as of a greater matter,
And truely it esteeme an hundreth fold
Of much more honour than a chaine of gold.
Thus may you see Monsier, men of renown
Of old time have possest this ancient town.
And yet this may we boast, even to this day
Men of good wit and worth do not decay;
For to this houre some footsteps still remaines
Of such couragious hearts and cunning braines.
Good Master Gall, quoth I, I know that well
Whereof you speak, and clearly can it tell,
For I did say these Men, being then of age
Some twelue or threttene years, a prettie page,
As easely you may guesse, and can you show
Some partiall poynts whereof you nothing know.
Nor are they written. Then answered Master Gall,
A witnesse such as you is above all
Exception, therefore show what you did see,
Or heare, good Monsier, Your antiquitie
Is of great credit: Master Gall, quoth I,
Much did I see, and much more did I try:
My Father was a man active, and wight
In those dayes, and who helped for to fight
The battell of the bridge: within few yeeres
Thereafter was I borne, then all our quires
And