Now a nutmeg, a nutmeg, _cum gariopholo_,[66] For Parrot to pyke vpon, his brayne for to stable, Swete synamum styckis and _pleris cum musco_![67] 190 In Paradyce, that place of pleasure perdurable, The progeny of Parrottis were fayre and fauorable; Nowe _in valle_ Ebron Parrot is fayne to fede: Cristecrosse and saynt Nycholas, Parrot, be your good spede!
The myrrour that I tote in, _quasi diaphanum_, _Vel quasi speculum, in ænigmate_, _Elencticum_,[68] or ells _enthymematicum_,[69] For logicions to loke on, somwhat _sophistice_: Retoricyons[70] and oratours in freshe humanyte, Support Parrot, I pray you, with your suffrage ornate, 200 Of _confuse tantum_ auoydynge the chekmate.
But of that supposicyon that callyd is arte _Confuse distributive_, as Parrot hath deuysed, Let euery man after his merit take his parte, For in this processe Parrot nothing hath surmysed, No matter pretendyd, nor nothyng enterprysed, But that _metaphora_, _allegoria_ with all, Shall be his protectyon, his pauys, and his wall.
For Parot is no churlish chowgh, nor no flekyd pye, Parrot is no pendugum, that men call a carlyng, 210 Parrot is no woodecocke, nor no butterfly, Parrot is no stameryng stare, that men call a starlyng; But Parot is my[71] owne dere harte and my dere[72] derling; Melpomene, that fayre mayde, she burneshed his beke: I pray you, let Parrot haue lyberte to speke.
Parrot is a fayre byrd for a lady; God of his goodnes him framed and wrought; When Parrot is ded, she dothe not putrefy: Ye, all thyng mortall shall torne vnto nought, Except mannes soule, that Chryst so dere bought; 220 That neuer may dye, nor neuer dye shall: Make moche of Parrot, the[73] popegay ryall.[74]
For that pereles prynce that Parrot dyd create, He made you of nothynge by his magistye: Poynt well this probleme that Parrot doth prate, And remembre amonge how Parrot and ye Shall lepe from this lyfe, as mery as we be; Pompe, pryde, honour, ryches, and worldly lust, Parrot sayth playnly, shall tourne all to dust.
Thus Parrot dothe pray you 230 With hert most tender, To rekyn with this recule now,[75] And it to remember.
_Psittacus, ecce, cano, nec sunt mea carmina Phœbo_ _Digna scio, tamen est plena camena deo._