Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

A Moral

LXXXIX. Samuel Rowlands

HE that performes not what he ought,

But doth the same neglect,

Let him be sure not to receive

The thinge he doth expect.

When once the tall and loftie tree

Vnto the ground doth fall,

Why euery peassont hath an axe

To hew his boughes withall.

He that for virtue merrits well,

And yet doth nothing clayme,

A double kind of recompence

Deserueth for the same.

Acquaint me but with whom thou goest,

And thy companions tell,

I will resolue thee what thou doest,

Whether ill done or well.

He knowes enough that knoweth nought,

If he can silence keepe:

The tongue oft makes the heart to sigh,

The eyes to waile and weepe.

He takes the best and choycest course

Of any man doth live,

That takes good counsell when his friend

Doth that rich iewell give.