You are accused as one that does condemn

And boldly scoff the laurel diadem.'

'I once', quoth she, 'admired them all, until

I found my praise returned but traffic ill.

for when I praised, they praisèd me again:

160So I had only praises for my pain.

Then wittily I oftentimes would flout,

And say, the poets' was a needy rout;

Of all professions sure it was the worst,

Just like the cockatrice i' th' shell accurst,