Woe to the cock who strutteth on ice, Woe to the nightingale singing in the mill; In such a din, far better to be still! J. W. W.
CXVI
HARD TO BELIEVE
A man ne'er born once told a tale To seven stout ghosts so hearty and hale; A ship went sailing 'mid greenwood trees, While the burning sun her crew did freeze. A horse danced o'er the billowy sea, From him a duck with hoofs did flee. From an empty cup two knights did quaff, Served by a maid whose head was off. Two wingless geese flew up in the sky, As a legless hero ran hard by; While near him scampered two roasted hares, Hotly pursued by three dogs in pairs. Then to the deaf man the dumb man spoke: "What a monstrous lie! but I hope it's a joke." J. W. W.
CXVII
THE CONDITIONS
Listen, listen man of God, If thou wouldest serve thy God, In thy lifetime do thou good, And revere thine elder brother, So thy younger thee revere. Neither boast when fortune smileth, Nor complain in days of trouble; Grasp not an another's good; For when death befalleth man, Nought he takes from out the world, Save his deeds and crossed white hands— When he goeth to the Judgment, Where king's rank is unaccounted, Rich men can no more be proud, Poor men be no more despised. J. W. W.
CXVIII
PRAYER BEFORE GOING TO BED
With a cross I lay me down, With a cross I get me up, All day long it doth protect, And angels in the night are near; Archangels, they shall ward my death, And God's my guard till all things end. J. W. W.