Nature

Ha ha! ha ha! this world doth pass

by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs) c. 1588–1630

From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)

Nature

Ha ha! ha ha! this world doth pass
Most merrily, I'll be sworn;
For many an honest Indian ass
Goes for an Unicorn.
Farra, diddle dino;
This is idle fino.

Ty hye! ty hye! O sweet delight!
He tickles this age that can
Call Tullia's ape a marmosyte
And Leda's goose a swan.
Farra diddle dino;
This is idle fino.

So so! so so! fine English days!
When false play's no reproach:
For he that doth the coachman praise,
May safely use the coach.
Farra diddle dino;
This is idle fino.

✦ ✦ ✦

From Thomas Weelkes' Airs or Fantastic Spirits, 1608.

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Ha ha! ha ha! this world doth pass.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/44/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Ha ha! ha ha! this world doth pass.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/44/.

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