LAID IN MY QUIET BED

Laid in my quiet bed, in study as I were,

I saw within my troubled head a heap of thoughts appear;

And every thought did shew so lively in mine eyes,

That now I sighed, and then I smiled, as cause of thought did rise.

I saw the little boy in thought how oft that he

Did wish of God, to scape the rod, a tall young man to be.

The young man eke that feels his bones with pains opprest,

How he would be a rich old man, to live and lie at rest.

The rich old man that sees his end draw on so sore,