[For men a perfect vvarning]
For men a perfect vvarning,
Hovv childe shall come by larning.
[1]
All
you that faine would learne the perfect wase,
To haue your childe, in Musick something seene:
Aske nature first, what thereto she doth saie,
Ere further suite, ye make to such a Queene.
For doubtlesse Grossum caput, is not he,
Of whom the learned Muses, seene will be.
2
Once tride that nature, trim hath done hir part,
And Ladie Musick, farre in loue withall:
Be wise who first, doth teach thy childe that Art,
Least homelie breaker, mar fine ambling ball.
Not rod in mad braines hand, is that can helpe,
But gentle skill, doth make the proper whelpe.
3
Where choise is hard, count good for well a fine,
Skill mixt with will, is he that teacheth best:
Let this suffice, for teaching childe of thine,
Choose quickly well, for all the lingring rest.
Mistaught at first, how seldome prooueth well?
Trim taught, O God, how shortly doth excell?
4
Although as ships, must tarrie winde and tide,
And perfect howers, abide their stinted time:
So likewise, though of learning dailie tride,
Space must be had, ere wit may thereto clime.
Yet easie steps, and perfect way to trust,
Doth cause good speede, confesse of force we must.
5
Thus in the childe, though wit ynough we finde,
And teacher good, neere hand, or other where:
And time as apt, as may be thought with minde,
Nor cause in such thing, much to doubt or feare.
Yet cocking Mams, and shifting Dads from schooles,
Makes pregnant wits, to proue vnlearned fooles.
6
Ere learning come, to haue first art thou taught,
Apt learning childe, apt time that thing to frame:
Apt cunning man to teach, else all is naught,
Apt parents, glad to bring to passe the same.
On such apt ground, the Muses loue to bilde,
This lesson learne: adue else learned childe.
