 | The Night Raven |  |
To all slothfull Seruants.
I often in the night (as I doe flye)See burning houses flaming to the skye,
At which most dreadfull accidents that fall,
A sodaine terrour terrifieth all,
People amazed crying fire, fire,
And in perplexed manner helpe require
Some in their beds consum'd to ashes quite,
And some for euer franticke with the fright,
Some wealthy men at setting of the Sunne,
And ere the rising, beggers cleane vndone.
And when that people seriously inquire,
How all this great misfortune comes by fire;
The common answere is, (and tis too true)
Most slothfull seruants, it is long of you,
You that no care doe in your callings take,
Nor christian conscience of your waies doe make,
To looke vnto your fire and your light;
Of which in duty you haue ouer-sight,
But slight the danger that to other growes
Because your selues haue nothing for to loose;
Assure you this, a carelesse queane or knaue,
Euen such as they haue bin, shall seruants haue.
| The Night Raven | |