All brought in were in twinkling of an eye, Both beast and bird and flower before the Queen; And first the Lion, greatest of degree, Was summon'd there; and he, fair to be seen, With a full hardy countenance and keen, Before Dame Nature came, and did incline, With visage bold, and courage leonine.
This awful beast was terrible of chear, Piercing of look, and stout of countenance, Right strong of corps, of fashion fair, but fear, Lusty of shape, light of deliverance, Red of his colour, as the ruby glance: In field of gold he stood full rampantly, With flower-de-lyces circled pleasantly.
This Lady lifted up his claws so clear, And lute him listly lean upon her knee, And crowned him with diadem full dear, Of radious stones most royal there to see, Saying the King of all beasts make I thee; And the protector chief in woods and shaws, Go forth, and to thy lieges keep the laws.
Justice exerce, with mercy and conscience, And let no small beast suffer skaith or scorns Of greater beasts, that been of more puissance; Do law alike to Apes and Unicorns, And let no Bugle with his bousteous horns Oppress the meek plough Ox, for all his pride, But in the yoke go quietly him beside.
When this was said, with noise and sound of joy, All kind of Quadrupeds in their degree, At once cry'd LAUD, and then VIVE LE ROY, Then at his feet fell with humility; To him they all paid homage and fealty; And he did them receive with princely laits, Whose noble ire his greatness mitigates.
Then crowned she the Eagle King of fowls; And sharp as darts of steel she made his pens, And bade him be as just to Whawps and Owls, As unto Peacocks, Papingoes, or Cranes, And make one law for Wicht Fowls, and for Wrens, And let no fowl of rapine do affray, Nor birds devour, but his own proper prey.
Then called she all flowers grew in the field, Describing all their fashions and effeirs, Upon the awful THISTLE she beheld. And saw him guarded with a bush of spears, Considering him so able for the wars, A radiant crown of rubies she him gave, And said, in field go forth, and fend the laif.
And since thou art a King, be thou discreet, Herb without value hold not of such price, As herb of virtue and of odour sweet; And let no nettle vile, and full of vice, Her fellow with the goodly Flower-de-lyce; Nor let no wild weed full of churlishness, Compare her to the Lilly's nobleness.