The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.
Sir John Harington (1561–1612)Of a Certain Man
T
That never learned, and yet became a teacher,
Who, having read in Latin thus a text
Of erat quidam homo, much perplext,
He seemed the same with studie great to scan,
In English thus: There was a certain man.
But now (quoth he), good people, note you this:
He saith there was—he doth not say there is;
For in these days of ours it is most plain
Of promise, oath, word, deed, no man’s certain;
Yet by my text you see it comes to pass
That surely once a certain man there was;
But yet, I think, in all your Bible no man
Can find this text, There was a certain woman.