PERV. DOC. It is even so indeed, the world was never in so evil a state; But this is no time for us of these matters to debate. It were good we invented some politic way Our matters to address in good orderly stay. And for us reason would we looked to ourselves. Do you not see how these new-fangled prattling elves Prink up so pertly of late in every place, And go about us ancients flatly to deface? As who should say in short time, as well learned as we, As wise to the world, as good they might accounted be, Nay, nay, if many years and grey hairs do know no more, But that every peevish boy hath even as much wit in store: By the mass, then, have I lived too long, and I would I were dead, If I have not more knowledge than a thousand of them in my head, For how should they have learning that were born but even now? As fit a sight it were to see a goose shod or a saddled cow, As to hear the prattling of any such Jack Straw. For, when he hath all done, I count him but a very daw. As in London not long since, you wot well where, They rang to a sermon, and we chanced to be there. Up stert the preacher, I think not past twenty years old, With a sounding voice and audacity bold, And began to revile at the holy sacrament and transubstantiation: I never heard one knave or other make such a declaration. But, if I had had the boy in a convenient place, With a good rod or twain, not past one hour's space. I would so have scourged my merchant,[3] that his breech should ache, So long as it is since that he those words spake. What, young men to be meddlers in divinity? it is a goodly sight! Yet therein now almost is every boy's delight, No book now in their hands, but all scripture, scripture: Either the whole Bible or the New Testament, you may be sure. The New Testament for them? and then too for Coll my dog![4] This is the old proverb--to cast pearls to an hog. Give them that which is meet for them, a racket and a ball, Or some other trifle to busy their heads withal: Playing at quoits or nine-holes,[5] or shooting at butts, There let them be, a God's name, till their hearts ache and their guts! Let us alone with divinity, which are of riper age. Youth is rash, they say, but old men hath the knowledge. For while they read they know not what, they omit the verity, And that is now the cause so many fall into heresy, Every man hath his own way, some that and some this, It would almost for anger (sir reverence![6]) make a man to piss, To hear what they talk of in open communication, Surely I fear me, Ignorance, this gear will make some desolation.