And first their votary, then their wit became;

His jest was bitter and his satire bold,

When he his tales of formal brethren told;

What time with pious neighbours he discuss’d,

Their boasted treasure and their boundless trust:

“Such were our dreams,” the jovial elder cried;

“Awake and live,” his youthful friends replied.

Now the gay clerk a modest drab despised,

And clad him smartly, as his friends advised;

So fine a coat upon his back he threw,