Forthy,[3] Montanus, follow mine arede,[4]
(Whom age hath taught the trains[5] that fancy useth)
Leave foolish love, for beauty wit abuseth,
And drowns, by folly, virtue's springing seed.
[Footnote 1: praise.]
[Footnote 2: try, test.]
[Footnote 3: hence.]
[Footnote 4: advice.]
[Footnote 5: stratagems.]
MONTANUS
So blames the child the flame because it burns,
And bird the snare because it doth entrap,
And fools true love because of sorry hap,
And sailors curse the ship that overturns.
But would the child forbear to play with flame,
And birds beware to trust the fowler's gin,
And fools foresee before they fall and sin,
And masters guide their ships in better frame;
The child would praise the fire because it warms,
And birds rejoice to see the fowler fail,
And fools prevent before their plagues prevail,
And sailors bless the barque that saves from harms.