The Works of William Fowler Secretary to Queen Anne, Wife of James VI. Edited with introduction, appendix, notes and glossary by Henry W. Meikle |
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| IX. | IX. [Iff wering tyme dois mortal beautyes waist.] |
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 | The Works of William Fowler |  |
223
IX. [Iff wering tyme dois mortal beautyes waist.]
Iff wering tyme dois mortal beautyes waist,and with his suiftest course there glore destroy,
quhy, cruel faire, do yow no soner haiste
to bring me ease quhen ȝe have bred me noy?
iff lyfe doith lightlye pass to short our Ioy,
and maks our hops vncertayne, vayne, and frayle,
Qhwy, soure bellisa, will ȝe not employ
your sueteist yeres vnto your awen avayle?
bot, oh! I see, quhils as my foulds dois fayle,
and tymles silver hairs on me to grow,
your yeres draw on and will with tyme revaile
repentance late quhen skairse I will yow know:
then save me first from my approching deathe,
quhils beutye is in yow and in me breathe.
| The Works of William Fowler | |