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Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher

Containing Salomons Sermons or Commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H. L. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Lok]. Whereunto are annexed sundrie Sonets of Christian Passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate Sonets of a feeling conscience of the same Authors
  
  

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103

3. If clouds be full, raine fals on earth: and trees in north & south.
4. Who sowes and reapes by rules of wind, but little land he plow'th.

3.

Yea looke how plenteously thou seest the raine,

If the cloudes be full, they wil powre forth raine vpon the earth: and if the tree do fall toward the South, or toward the North, in the place that the tree falleth, there it shal be.


Fro out the deaw-fild clouds on earth distill,
So long as any drops in them remaine,
Wherewith earths dryed cesterns vp to fill,
So in thy almes be thou as forward still.
And as each soile, some sap from heauen doth gaine,
And euery tree and shrub of deaw hath part,
So thinke thou not thy gift bestowd in vaine,
To whom or when so ere thou giuing art:
And if thy store be great, more mayst thou spend,
If lesse, yet some, vnto more needy lend.

4.

Take all occasions to be doing well,

He that obserueth the wind, shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shal not reape.


Let euery season for it proper seeme,
The husbandmen that most in skill excell,
Though sometimes they to sow more fit do deeme,
Yet to be too precise, vnfit esteeme.
Who marketh alwaies where the wind doth dwell,
And feareth euery cloud that is in sky,
But little corne shall sow or reape to sell,
If alwaies he do guide his workes thereby:
So giue thou when thou maist, and thinke thy store
Increast thereby, no whit impaird the more.