Page 35 - Third Book of Reading Lessons
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THIRD BOOK OF
Good is best when soonest wrought, Ling'ring labours come to nought.
2. Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure;
Seek not time, when time is past,
Sober speed is wisdom's leisure:
After-wits are dea y bought,
Let the re-wit guide thy thought.
3. Time wears all his locks be re, Take, then, hold upon his rehead: When he ies, he turns no more;
And behind his sealp is naked:
Works adjourn'd have many stays, Long demurs bring new delays.
4. Seek thy salve while sore is green, Fester'd wounds ask deeper lancing;
After-cures are seldom seen,
Often sought, scarce ever chancing:
In the rising sti e ill,
Lest it grow against thy will.
5. Drops do pierce the stubborn int; Not by rce, but often lling ;
Custom kills with feeble dint,
More by use than strength prevailing; Single sands have little weight, Many m ke a drowning eight.
6. Tender twigs are bent with ease, Aged trees do break with bending;
Young desires make little prease,
Growth doth make them past amending : Happy man, that soon doth knock Babel's babes against the rock.
SOUTHWELL.
