Can all the planets to man or childe pretende,
If God most glorious by his might vs defende?”
Barclay’s Ship of Fooles, fol. 129. ed. 1570.
Here Skelton seems to allude to Wolsey; and from these lines (called in the Lansdown MS., see note ad loc., “The profecy of Skelton”) perhaps originated the story of our poet having prophesied the downfal of the Cardinal.
v. 476. trone] i. e. throne.
v. 479. euerychone] i. e. every one.
Page 330. v. 489. bruted] i. e. reported, talked of.
v. 492. wrest vp] i. e. screw up: see note, p. 238. v. 137.
v. 493. twynkyng] i. e. tinking, tinkling.
v. 498. the lay fee] i. e. the laity: see note, p. 234. v. 267.