Osbert Parsley

Osberto Parsley

Musicae Scientissimo

Ei quondam Consciati

Musici posuerunt Anno 1585

                Here lies the Man whose Name in Spight of Death,

                Renowned lives by Blast of Golden Fame:

                Whose Harmony survives his vital Breath,

                Whose Skill no Pride did spot whose Life no Blame.

                Whose low Estate was blest with quiet Mind:

                As our sweet Cords with Discords mixed be:

                Whose life in Seventy and Four Years entwind -

                As falleth mellowed Apple from the Tree.

                Whose Deeds were Rules whose Words were Verity,

                Who here a Singing-man did spend his Days.

                Full Fifty Years in our Church Melody

                His Memory shines bright whom thus we praise.

A memorial plaque in Norwich Cathedral

Note that if he sang there "full Fifty Years" he must have experienced Henry VIII's Reformation, Edward VI's Protestantism, Mary's Catholicism and the Elizabethan Settlement.