Versos English William Langland But most of all it wins my admiration

English poem

But most of all it wins my admiration

by (1332–1386)

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But most of all it wins my admiration To view the structure of this little work— A bird's nest. Mark it well, within, without, No tool had he that wrought, no knife to cut, No nail to fix, no bodkin to insert, No glue to join; his little beak was all: And yet how neatly finished! What nice hand, With every implement and means of art, And twenty years' apprenticeship to boot, Could make me such another? Fondly then We boast of excellence, where noblest skill Instinctive genius foils.—Hurdis.

7342. Ecclesiasticus xi, 9.