18. NICHOLAS BRETON ON SKELTON'S ‘RUFFLING RIMES’

1612


This passage occurs in ‘Comu-copiae or Pasquils Night Cap’ (STC 3639), 0 2r, published in 1612 and attributed to the poet Nicholas Breton (1545?–1626?). This work is a comic poem, the chief theme of which is cuckoldry. There is a later brief allusion to Skelton on Q 3r.


But as for Skelton with his Lawrel Crowne,
Whose ruffling rimes are emptie quite of marrow:
Or fond Catullus, which set grossely downe
The commendation of a sillie Sparrow:

Because their lines are void of estimation,

I passe them ouer without confutation.

Much would the Cuckoe thinke herselfe impared,

If shee with Philip Sparrow were compared