[ Downloads ]   [ Home ]


Thomas Campion


The first Booke of Ayres

1613

X.


1   Wise men patience neuer want,
Good men pitty cannot hide :
Feeble spirits onely vant
Of reuenge, the poorest pride.
Hee alone forgiue that can
Beares the true soule of a man.

2   Some there are debate that seeke
Making trouble their content,
Happy if they wrong the meeke,
Vexe them that to peace are bent ;
Such vndooe the common tye
Of mankind, societie.

3   Kindnesse growne is, lately, colde,
Conscience hath forgot her part :
Blessed times were knowne of old,
Long ere Law became an Art.
Shame deterr'd, not Statutes then,
Honest loue was law to men.

4   Deeds from loue and words that flowe
Foster like kinde Aprill showres;
In the warme Sunne all things grow,
Wholsome fruits and pleasant flowres.
All so thriues his gentle rayes,
Where on humane loue displayes.

 

Close
 
Online text copyright ©, Harald Lillmeyer
www.harald-lillmeyer.kulturserver.de