University of Virginia Library

A Moral Discourse of Corn.

The Yellow-bearded Corn bows down each Head,
Like Gluttons, when their Stomack's over-fed;
Or like as those whose Wealth makes heavy Cares,
So doth the Full-ripe Corn hang down their Ears;
For Plenty makes Oppression, gives small Ease,
And Superfluity is a Disease;
Yet all that Nature makes doth still aspire
Forward to get, never doth Back retire,
Untill the Sithe of Death doth lay them low
Upon the Earth, from whence they first did Grow.
Then who would Hoard up Wealth, and take such pains,
Since nothing but the Earth has all the gains?
No Riches are, but what i'th' Mind is found,
They are but Poor, who seek them under Ground;
For Time that Feeds on Life, makes all things fall,
Is never Satisfy'd, but Eats up all:
Then let the Minds of Men in Peace take rest,
And count a Moderation still the best;

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And do not Grumble, or Covet Nature's store;
For those that are Content, can ne're be Poor;
But bless the Gods, submit to their Decree,
Think all things best, what they are pleas'd, must be:
He that doth Grumbl' at what he cannot mend,
Is one, that takes a thing at the wrong end.