Sir Edward Dyer (1543–1607) (?)

THE LOWEST trees have tops, the ant her gall,

The fly her spleen, the little spark his heat;

And slender hairs cast shadows, though but small,

And bees have stings, although they be not great;

Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs;

And love is love in beggars and in kings.

Where waters smoothest run, deep are the fords;

The dial stirs, yet none perceives it move;

The firmest faith is in the fewest words;

The turtles cannot sing, and yet they love;

True hearts have eyes and ears, no tongues to speak;

They hear, and see, and sigh, and then they break!