Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.
Stanzas from Christ on his CrosseXLVI. George Raleigh
N
The winter cannot waste out all the yeere,—
As time requires, we sad or merry be;
Ill fare sometimes ensweet’neth better cheere;
When clouds are past, we may discerne the sky,
And night once past, the sunne approacheth nigh.
Our tender muse hath labored as she could;
Her sable vaile she must of force unmaske,
And leave in silence what is left untold;
Begging good readers, in the end of all,
To make good use of this her funeral.
Where news of comfort to good hearts I bring;
After hard labour with an ebon oare,
Washt in the current of a sable spring,
Where shallows hindred, there I made to rise
A flood of tears, distilling from mine eyes.
Nor is it strange nor common unto all:
What a young merchant giveth unto you,
Must be received, be it ne’re so small:
You know great riches are not gain’d in haste;
A little fire makes a great flame at last.