Poems and Songs :: :: University of Virginia Library

I once heard a priest
Say a close tongue was best;
An' he that says least
Shall be most at rest;
And, as far as I've wrought
I have still found it so;
Then, I'll say next to nought,
But I know what I know;
Know, know;
I know what I know.

II

Yet a blind man may see
By that which I say,
What strange things they be
That do fall in my way;

He may guess all I mean
From what I do show;
Then part I will screen,—
But, I know what I know;
Know, know;
I know what I know.

III

Some men spend their time
In trick and in strife,
That so they may climb
The proud hills of life;
Yet, when the day's o'er,
They sleep with the low;
I need not say more,—
But, I know what I know;
Know, know;
I know what I know.

IV

Some sleek rogues there be,
Who do cant by the way,
That, so, they may slee
Steal down on their prey;

Fierce wolves are these knaves,
Like lambs that bleat so:
Yet my breath I will save,—
But, I know what I know:
Know, know;
I know what I know.

V

I have liv'd a good while,
And I've seen a good deal
Of mirth, and of toil,
And of woe, and of weal;
But when a man's old,
I do think it is well
For to rest in the fold
Where the tir'd folk do dwell;
Dwell, dwell;
Where the tir'd folk do dwell.

VI

Then keep a wise tongue
If you'd be at rest;
And do nought that's wrong,
If you would be blest;

And, when your days cease,
And you come to ground,
Your end shall be peace,
And your sleep shall be sound;
Sound, sound;
Your sleep shall be sound.