Classic Poem

To tell the truth plainly
He is so ambitious,
So shameless and so vicious,
And so superstitious
And so much oblivious
From whence that he came
That he falleth into a caeciam
Which, truly to express,
Is a forgetfulness,
Or wilful blindness.

Howbeit the primordial
Of his wretched original
And his base progeny
And his greasy genealogy
He came of the sang royall
That was cast out of a butcher's stall.

Such is a kinges power
To make within an hour
And work such a miracle
That shall be a spectacle
Of renown and wordly fame.
In likewise now the same
Cardinal is promoted,
Yet with lewd conditions coated
As hereafter ben noted,
Presumption and vainglory,
Envy, wrath, and lechery,
Couvetise and gluttony,
Slothful to do good,
Now frantic, now starke wood.
Set up a wretch on high
In a throne triumphantly,
Make him a great estate
And he will play checkmate
With royal majesty.