John Heywood

Jack and His Father

“Jack,” (quoth his father), “how shall I ease take?
If I stand, my legs ache; and if I kneel,
My knees ache; if I go, then my feet ache;
If I lie, my back acheth; if I sit I feel
My hips ache; and, lean I never so weel,
My elbows ache.” “Sir,” (quoth Jack), “pain to exile,
Since all these ease not, best ye hang awhile.”