A Vers de Société Anthology

by Unknown

ALL THINGS EXCEPT MYSELF I KNOW

I KNOW when milk does flies contain;

I know men by their bravery;

I know fair days from storm and rain;

And what fruit apple-trees supply;

And from their gums the trees descry;

I know when all things smoothly flow;

I know who toil or idle lie;

All things except myself I know.

I know the doublet by the grain;

The monk beneath the hood can spy;

Master from man can ascertain;

I know the nun’s veiled modesty;

I know when sportsmen fables ply;

Know fools who scream and dainties stow;

Wine from the butt I certify;

All things except myself I know.

Know horse from mule by tail and mane;

I know their worth or high or low;

Bell, Beatrice, I know the twain;

I know each chance of cards and die;

I know what visions prophesy,

Bohemian heresies, I trow;

I know men of each quality;

All things except myself I know.