John Heywood

Of Catching a Fly

A boy on his book clapped hand to catch a fly. 
“Hast her?” cried his master. “Nay, God wot I.” 
“Then thou shalt drink!” “Master, I have her, I think.”
“If thou have her,” said the master, “thou shalt drink.”
To furious masters, what helpeth fair speeches?
Flies caught, or not caught, up go boys’ breeches!