1The lion roars; his

vassals1

fear and tremble.

2But if he comes where they do all assemble,

3They stand

examinated2

, as they say.

4Thus, tyrant-like, he chooseth out his prey;

5Yet though his subjects at his mercy lies,

6Yet he’s a slave unto his love’s bright eyes,

7Being most indulgent to his

lioness3

;

8Yet kills her if he knows she doth amiss.

9For when he smells

the panther’s strong perfumes4

,

10That she hath broke her faith he then presumes.

11But if she wash her in some crystal streams,

12That she is false to him he never dreams.

13Such noble jealousy all must commend.

14In this, the elephant doth

so5

transcend.

15But the wild, hare-brained, and

lascivious ass6

16All creatures else in jealousy doth pass;

17For he doth watch his young ones

when they fall7

;

18Then,

to prevent all fear, he bites off all8

.

19He’s surely proud

of’s9

ears, and fears

the horn10

,

20When ’tis the

wittol11

is the people’s scorn.

21Then by these stories you may plainly see

22The noblest mind is from suspicion free;

23And by like consequence it comes to pass

24None is so jealous as the mad-brained ass.