CLXXI THE AGE OF CHILDREN HAPPIEST L if they had still Wit to understand it AID in my quiet bed in study as I were I saw within my troubled head a heap of thoughts appear, And every thought did show so lively in mine eyes, That now I sigh'd, and then I smiled, as cause of thoughts did rise. I saw the little boy, in thought how oft that he to be, The young man eke that feels his bones with pain 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, How would he be a boy again to live so much the more. Whereat full oft I smiled, to see how all those three, From boy to man, from man to boy, would chop and change degree. Earl of Surrey I CLXXII THE NOBLE NATURE T is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night It was the plant and flower of Light. In small proportions we just beauty see; And in short measures life may perfect be. CLXXIII B. Jonson MY THE RAINBOW Y heart leaps up when I behold So was it when my life began; The child is father of the man; 31 176 41 A country life is sweet. A fox, in life's extreme decay A perilous life, and sad as life may be. An old song made by an aged old pate An outlandish knight came from the North lands 127 77 334 169 20 20 32 163 140 226 ΙΟΙ Art thou the bird whom man loves best As I a fare had lately past 9 Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise 70 |