Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of King James the First. 1847. Stanzas from “Christ on his Crosse” XLVI. George Raleigh
NO 1 sorrow long continueth, as we see,— The winter cannot waste out all the yeere,— As time requires, we sad or merry be; Ill fare sometimes ensweet’neth better cheere; When clouds are past, we may discerne the sky, 5 And night once past, the sunne approacheth nigh. The glasse is runne by which we took our taske, Our tender muse hath labored as she could; Her sable vaile she must of force unmaske, And leave in silence what is left untold; 10 Begging good readers, in the end of all, To make good use of this her funeral. Thus have I now cast anchor on the shore, Where news of comfort to good hearts I bring; After hard labour with an ebon oare, 15 Washt in the current of a sable spring, Where shallows hindred, there I made to rise A flood of tears, distilling from mine eyes. What I have brought lies here in open view, Nor is it strange nor common unto all: 20 What a young merchant giveth unto you, Must be received, be it ne’re so small: You know great riches are not gain’d in haste; A little fire makes a great flame at last.
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