To Maken Vertue Of Necessite.

Certain, When I Was Born, So Long Ago, Death Drew The Tap Of Life And Let It Flow; And Ever Since The Tap Has Done Its Task, And Now There's Little But An Empty Cask.

I Wol Yow Telle, As Was Me Taught Also, The Foure Spirites And The Bodies Sevene, By Ordre, As Ofte I Herde My Lord Hem Nevene. The Firste Spirit Quiksilver Called Is, The Second Orpiment, The Thridde, Ywis, Sal Armoniak, And The Firthe Brimstoon. The Bodies Sevene Eek, Lo! Hem Heer Anoon: Sol Gold Is, And Luna Silver We Threpe, Mars Yron, Mercurie Quiksilver We Clepe, Saturnus Leed, And Jupiter Is Tin, And Venus Coper, By My Fader Kin!

Yet Do Not Miss The Moral, My Good Men. For Saint Paul Says That All That’s Written Well Is Written Down Some Useful Truth To Tell. Then Take The Wheat And Let The Chaff Lie Still.

Make A Virtue Of Necessity.

For I Have Seyn Of A Ful Misty Morwe Folowen Ful Ofte A Myrie Someris Day.