His eye begets occasion for his wit;
For every object that the one doth catch
The other read more

His eye begets occasion for his wit;
For every object that the one doth catch
The other turns to a mirth-moving jest,
Which his fair tongue, conceit's expositor,
Delivers in such apt and gracious words,
That aged ears play truant at his tales,
And younger hearings are quite ravished,
So sweet and voluble is his discourse.

There is nothing which cannot be perverted by being told badly.

There is nothing which cannot be perverted by being told badly.

The rumor forthwith flies abroad, dispersed throughout the small
town.
[Lat., Fama volat parvam subito vulgata per urbem.]

The rumor forthwith flies abroad, dispersed throughout the small
town.
[Lat., Fama volat parvam subito vulgata per urbem.]

Nature abhors a vacuum but why do most people hasten to fill in the blanks with garbage?

Nature abhors a vacuum but why do most people hasten to fill in the blanks with garbage?

The rolling fictions grow in strength and size,
Each author adding to the former lies.

The rolling fictions grow in strength and size,
Each author adding to the former lies.

The flying rumours gather'd as the roll'd,
Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told;
And all read more

The flying rumours gather'd as the roll'd,
Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told;
And all who told it added something new.
And all who heard it made enlargements too.

I hate
To tell again a tale once fully told.

I hate
To tell again a tale once fully told.

In this spacious isle I think there is not one
But he hath heard some talk of Hood and read more

In this spacious isle I think there is not one
But he hath heard some talk of Hood and Little John,
Of Tuck, the merry friar, which many a sermon made
In praise of Robin Hood, his outlaws, and their trade.

Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell.

Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell.