Lup. Yes; or if you prefer one of Vives, the song he lately sang as he wandered along the wall-promenade of Bruges.
Val. With the voice of a goose.
Lup. But you sing it with a swan’s voice!
Tam. This a god would do better, for the swan only sings as death urges him on.
Ludunt et pueri, ludunt juvenesque senesque
Ingenium, gravitas, cani, prudentia, ludus,
Denique mortalis sola virtute remota,
Quid nisi nugatrix, et vana est fabula, vita.[79]
Val. I can assure you the song is well expressed, though it comes as it were from a dry old stick (ex spongia arida).