The poetical works of William Strode ... Now first collected from manuscript and printed sources: to which is added: The floating island a tragi-comedy: Now first reprinted from the original edition of 1655: Edited by Bertram Dobell with a memoir of the author |
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TO THE SAME |
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 | The poetical works of William Strode |  |
TO THE SAME
It grieves mee that I thus due thanks retayne
For that which I receivde the last King's raigne;
It grieves mee that the Lent is fully past;
That all the Usurers accounts are cast,
Theyr use already taken: and that I
Noe tribute sende, noe thankfull usury.
I envy that each Tree and petty shrubs
Breaking the barke peepe out with timely buds,
And paying all the duties of the spring
Theyr yearly Rents to Nature freely bring,
Whilst I in barren Silence still remayne,
Not yeelding for increase one leafe agayne,
One leafe of Paper; Leaves are signes of fruit,
So Words of what full time should execute:
They are no more: for shall I thinke I pay
When, that I am your Depter, I but say?
Confession is noe payment, but with God,
And some fewe of his Schollers, two or odde:
Of which small number, though you would be one,
Yet of such Depters I would fayne be none.
For that which I receivde the last King's raigne;
It grieves mee that the Lent is fully past;
That all the Usurers accounts are cast,
Theyr use already taken: and that I
Noe tribute sende, noe thankfull usury.
I envy that each Tree and petty shrubs
Breaking the barke peepe out with timely buds,
And paying all the duties of the spring
Theyr yearly Rents to Nature freely bring,
Whilst I in barren Silence still remayne,
Not yeelding for increase one leafe agayne,
One leafe of Paper; Leaves are signes of fruit,
So Words of what full time should execute:
They are no more: for shall I thinke I pay
When, that I am your Depter, I but say?
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And some fewe of his Schollers, two or odde:
Of which small number, though you would be one,
Yet of such Depters I would fayne be none.
Till I can choose, with patience thinke that man
Who nothing pays, pays all; if what he can.
Who nothing pays, pays all; if what he can.
| The poetical works of William Strode | |