Читать книгу Come Hither: A Collection of Rhymes and Poems for the Young of All Ages - Various - Страница 105

Once musing as I sat,

And candle burning by,

When all were hushed, I might discern

A simple, sely fly;

That flew before mine eyes,

With free rejoicing heart,

And here and there with wings did play,

As void of pain and smart.

Sometime by me she sat

When she had played her fill;

And ever when she rested had

About she fluttered still.

When I perceived her well

Rejoicing in her place,

"O happy fly!" (quoth I), and eke

O worm in happy case!

Which of us two is best?

I that have reason? No:

But thou that reason art without,

And therefore void of woe.

I live, and so dost thou:

But I live all in pain,

And subject am to one, alas!

That makes my grief her gain.

Thou livest, but feel'st no grief;

No love doth thee torment.

A happy thing for me it were

(If God were so content)

That thou with pen were placèd here,

And I sat in thy place:

Then I should joy as thou dost now,

And thou should'st wail thy case.

Barnabe Googe

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