Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
Sir Frederick Pollock 18451937The Six Carpenters Case
PollockFT
(now listeneth what I shall say),
and the year was the seventh of James the First,
on a fine September day.
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
what trespass shall be ab initio.
(three more would have made them nine),
and they entered into John Vaux’s house,
that had the Queen’s Head to sign.
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
what trespass shall be ab initio.
(they were carpenters all by trade),
and they drank about till they drank it out,
and when they had drunk they paid.
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
what trespass shall be ab initio.
(white manchets are sweet and fine):
“Fair sir, we are fain of a penn’orth of bread
and another quart of wine.”
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
what trespass shall be ab initio.
(to drink is iwis no blame).
“Now tell me eight pennies,” quoth Master Vaux;
but they would not pay the same.
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
what trespass shall be ab initio.
(the six be too strong for me),
but your tortious entry shall cost you dear,
and that the King’s Court shall see.
The birds on the bough sing loud and nought low,
your trespass was wrought ab initio.”
(note, reader, this difference)
that in mere not doing no trespass is,
and John Vaux went empty thence.
The birds on the bough sing loud and sing low,
no trespass was here ab initio.