The Early Works of Thomas Becon Being the treatises published by him in the reign of King Henry VIII. Edited for The Parker Society, by the Rev. John Ayre |
 |
THE NOSEGAY SPEAKETH. |
 | The Early Works of Thomas Becon |  |
THE NOSEGAY SPEAKETH.
What meanest thou, my friend, to gather
Flowers which soon perish and decay?
Their savours will not last ever,
As by experience see thou may.
Flowers which soon perish and decay?
Their savours will not last ever,
As by experience see thou may.
For a little time they seem pleasant,
But straight do they vanish away,
Like things which to vanity grant,
As by experience see thou may.
But straight do they vanish away,
Like things which to vanity grant,
As by experience see thou may.
Leave therefore things transitory,
And embrace godly things alway,
Which shall avance thee unto glory,
As by experience see thou may.
And embrace godly things alway,
Which shall avance thee unto glory,
As by experience see thou may.
Receive me into thy bosom,
If thou dost desire a nosegay:
My flowers are full of delectation,
As by experience see thou may.
If thou dost desire a nosegay:
My flowers are full of delectation,
As by experience see thou may.
To know thyself thou mayest learn here,
God and thy king truly to obey,
And to thy neighbour to be dear,
As by experience see thou may.
God and thy king truly to obey,
And to thy neighbour to be dear,
As by experience see thou may.
Take me now unto thee therefore,
Bear me in thy bosom alway:
Much pleasure have I for thee in store,
As by experience see thou may.
Bear me in thy bosom alway:
Much pleasure have I for thee in store,
As by experience see thou may.
| The Early Works of Thomas Becon | |