He vowed to make them all comply
Or else he’d ‘know the reason why.’
Pilgrim Fathers 1620
His persecution to escape
Some Zealots in the ‘Mayflower’ shape
Their course for an uncharted world
Where Freedom’s Flag could be unfurled.
These ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ found a state
‘New England,’ blessed with happy fate.
Folks have called the first King James
Most uncomplimentary names;
To wit ‘a sloven’ and ‘a glutton’;
Perhaps his weakness was Scotch Mutton.
And as to gluttony, ‘Gadzooks’!
If what we read in History books
Is true, they all were trenchermen;
There were no diet faddists then.
It startles us, one must declare,
To read their breakfast bill of fare;
All ‘Kynes’ of ale, some highly spiced
And divers meats, roast, boiled and sliced.