[95.]
For men a perfect warning
How childe shall come by larning.
1
All you that faine would learne the perfect waie,
To haue your childe in Musick something [séene],
Aske nature first what thereto she doth saie,
Ere further suite ye make to such a Quéene.
For doubtlesse [Grossum caput] is not he
Of whom the learned Muses séene will be.[E464]
2
Once tride that nature trim hath done hir part,
And Ladie Musick farre[1] in loue withall,
Be wise who first doth teach thy childe that Art,
Least homelie [breaker] [mar] fine [ambling] [ball].[E465]
Not rod in mad braines hand is that can helpe,
But gentle skill doth make the proper [whelpe].
3
Where choise is hard, count good for well a fine,[E466]
Skill mixt with will, is he that teacheth best:
Let this suffice for teaching childe of thine,
Choose quickly well for all the lingring rest.
Mistaught at first how seldome prooueth well!
Trim taught, O God, how shortly doth excell!
4
Although as ships must tarrie winde and tide,
And perfect howers abide their [stinted] time;
So likewise, though of learning dailie tride,
Space must be had ere wit may thereto clime.
Yet easie steps, and perfect way to trust,
Doth cause good spéede, confesse of force we must.
5
Thus in the childe though wit ynough we finde,
And teacher good néere hand or other where,
And time as apt as may be thought with minde,
Nor cause in such thing much to doubt or feare.
Yet [cocking] [Mams],[E467] and [shifting] [Dads][E468] from schooles,
Make pregnant wits to prooue vnlearned fooles.
6
Ere learning come, to haue first art thou taught,
Apt learning childe, apt time that thing to frame,
Apt cunning man to teach, else all is naught,
Apt parents, glad to bring to passe the same.
On such apt ground the Muses loue to [bilde],
This lesson learne; adue else learned child.
[1]? faire [1614].