| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| George Peele. 1558?–97 |
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102. A Farewell to Arms
(To Queen Elizabeth) |
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| HIS golden locks Time hath to silver turn'd; | |
| O Time too swift, O swiftness never ceasing! | |
| His youth 'gainst time and age hath ever spurn'd, | |
| But spurn'd in vain; youth waneth by increasing: | |
| Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but fading seen; | 5 |
| Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green. | |
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| His helmet now shall make a hive for bees; | |
| And, lovers' sonnets turn'd to holy psalms, | |
| A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees, | |
| And feed on prayers, which are Age his alms: | 10 |
| But though from court to cottage he depart, | |
| His Saint is sure of his unspotted heart. | |
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| And when he saddest sits in homely cell, | |
| He'll teach his swains this carol for a song,— | |
| 'Blest be the hearts that wish my sovereign well, | 15 |
| Curst be the souls that think her any wrong.' | |
| Goddess, allow this agèd man his right | |
| To be your beadsman now that was your knight. | |
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