Facetiae : Musarum deliciae, or, The Muses recreation, conteining ...

192 Epigrams.And plain Mass-Parson cutting bread for th'tableTo tell how fast they talk, my tongue's not ableOne tels strange news, th'other Godsworbet cries,The third shakes her head, alack replies,She on her Hens, this on her Ducks do talk,On thousand things at once their tongues shall walk.So long as cocks can tread, and hens will lay,Gill, and Gills gossips will have words to say.765. Capax incapabilis.Produs in's Office seems a simple Scribe,Yet hath he cunning learnt to take a bribe.766. A Parson and a Thief.A lusty Parson riding on the way,Was by a Thief commanded for to stay ;The Parson drew his sword, for well he durst,And quickly put his foe unto the worst.Sir (quoth the Thief) I by your habit seeYou are a Church-man, and debate should flee, ,t * jYou know 'tis written in the sacred Word,Jesus to Peter said, Put up thy sword ;True (quoth the Parson) but withall then hear,Saint Peter first had cut off Malchus ear.767. Similes habent labra lactucas.Dick Swash (or swaggering Dick) through Fleetstreet reelcWith Sis & Bettrice waiting at his heels :To one that would have tane the wall, he swore,Zounds, dost not see my Punck and Paramour ?