John Heywood

Of Reeds and Oaks

“Will you reeds at the wind’s will still make low becks?
Will you oaks stand still stiff while wind break your necks?
Will you reeds, like apes, still tuck and bow each joint?
Will you oaks, like asses, still stand stiff at one point?
Will you reeds be still bending bowing bodies?
Will you oaks be still stout stiff-necked noddies?
Will you reeds be staggering still for vain avails?
Will you oaks be stern still till your tops kiss your tails?
Will you reeds shrink still to all winds towardly?
Will you oaks swell still at all winds forwardly?
Will you reeds crouch still to be the wind’s footstools?
Will you oaks crake still to be the wind’s head fools?”
“Oaks will do as we have done; so will we reeds.
Wherein, for our purpose, mark what end proceeds:
In each one storm a thousand oaks down are blown;
In a thousand storms not one reed overthrown.”