A straunge A, B, C

TO learne the babies A, B, C,
Is fit for children, not for mee.
I knowe the letters all so well,
I neede not learne the way to spell:
And, for the crosse, before the rowe,
I learn'd it all too long agoe.

Then let them goe to schoole that list,
To hang the lippe, at Had I wist.
I neuer lou'd a booke of horne,
Nor leaues, that haue their letters worne,
Nor with a fescue to direct mee,
Where euery puny shall correct mee.

I will the treuant play a while,
And, with mine eare, mine eye beguile,
And only heare, what other see,
What mocketh them as well as mee,
And laugh at him, that goes to schoole,
To learne with mee to play the foole.

But soft a while: I haue mistooke.
This is but some imagin'd booke,
That wilfull hearts in wantons eyes,
Doe onely by conceits deuise:
Where spell, and put together proue
The reading of the rules of loue.

But, if it be so, let it be:
It shall no lesson be for mee.
Let them goe spell, that can not reede,
And know the crosse vnto their speede;
While I am taught but to discerne,
How to forget the thing I learne.