Text 76

These women all,

Both great and small,

Are wavering to and fro,

Now her, now their,

Now every where: ─

But I will nott say so.

They love to range,

Ther myndes do chaunge;

And maks ther frynd ther foe;

As lovers trewe

Eche daye they chewse new: ─

But I will nott say so.

They laugh, they smile,

They do begyle,

As dyce that men do throwe;

Who useth them mych

Shall never be ryche: ─

But I will nott say so.

Summe hot, sum cold,

Ther is no hold,

But as the wynd doth blowe;

When all is done,

They chaunge lyke the moone:-

But I will nott say so.

So thus one and other

Takith after ther mother,

As cocke by kind doth crowe.

My song is ended,

The beste may be amended: ─

But I will nott say so.

The Dark Ages knew various kinds of humourous literature. The complex and intricate social structure inspired all sorts of ironic and sarcastic remarks most of which are anonymous. Like this one from the 14^th century:

When Adam delved and Eve span,

Who was then a gentleman?

The Renaissance brought about a wave of translations and imitations of ancient authors. Thomas More set some standards for epigram writing translating from Ancient Greek into Latin. His book, Utopia, is actually one long sarcastic description of everything he hated and everything he sought in the social order. Irony and mockery reigned in the Elizabethan poetry, though it was more than dangerous to play with fiery pride of certain persons who became objects of epigrams. Shakespeare's humour is wonderful and full of punning and witty aphorism: such was the demand of the popular theatre of his day. Yet the high day for epigram came during the Augustan Age (1660-1750).

That was the age of restless reason and, consequently, of biting satire attacking all forms of folly and vice. That fashion was greatly influenced by translation work: the satires of the Roman poets Horace and Juvenal were much translated and imitated. One prominent author of the day was Alexander Pope (1688-1744). He was a great poet with an extraordinary rich and rapid play of mind. He wrote one of the most imaginative and profound verse satires of all time, The Dunciad, in which bad writers are elevated for the honour of the goddess Dullness (Text 77).