Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Peele. 1558?–97102. A Farewell to Arms (To Queen Elizabeth)
HIS golden locks Time hath to silver turn’d; | |
O Time too swift, O swiftness never ceasing! | |
His youth ‘gainst time and age hath ever spurn’d, | |
But spurn’d in vain; youth waneth by increasing: | |
Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but fading seen; | 5 |
Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green. | |
His helmet now shall make a hive for bees; | |
And, lovers’ sonnets turn’d to holy psalms, | |
A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees, | |
And feed on prayers, which are Age his alms: | 10 |
But though from court to cottage he depart, | |
His Saint is sure of his unspotted heart. | |
And when he saddest sits in homely cell, | |
He’ll teach his swains this carol for a song,— | |
‘Blest be the hearts that wish my sovereign well, | 15 |
Curst be the souls that think her any wrong.’ | |
Goddess, allow this agèd man his right | |
To be your beadsman now that was your knight. |