Classic Poem

The philosopher Diogenes sayth, that nature to this intent bestowed two eyes and two eares, and but one toung on any man, that he should heare and see more then he should speake: and sure who soever unadvisedly slaundreth another hurteth him selfe. In matters of controversie, who so feeleth his suite colde straight seeketh by pretie traines to take some advauntage of his adversaries wordes; to whiche effect the craftie churle complained on for any notable cousenage, to knowe the compleynants secretes, worketh meanes to bring him into extreame passions of choler; who being greatly wronged will not onely give knowledge, by what countenaunce, and in what court, he will trounse the defendant for his deceit, but lightly unadvisedly voweth to strike him, or calleth him craftie knave, cousening churle, &c. Whereupon the defendant, to worke the compleynants discredite, declareth to some justice of account in what daunger of life he stoode in: the compleynant being mischiefously and ruffenly disposed, and having colour of wrong for slaunderous words, he claps such unkynde actions on the compleynant, that will he, or nyll he, he enforceth him to agreement. Who so is so wronged may take warning to temper his toung by Plasmos penance, who being hugely abused, gave out hard (yet true) speaches of one of his adversaries, notwithstanding, by his owne negligence, together with the extremitie of lawe, he payde roundly for recompence: who to discharge his stomache of griefe, a sorrie amendes in fayth, blamed his toung as followeth.