Reading my verses, I liked them so well
Self-love did make my judgment to rebel.
And thinking them so good, thought more to make,1
Considering not how others would them take.2
I writ so fast, I thought if I lived long3 5
A pyramid of fame to build thereon.4
Reason, observing which way I was bent,
Did stay my hand, and asked me what I meant:
“Will you,” said she,5 “thus waste your time in vain,
On that which in the world small praise shall gaine? 10
For shame leave off,” said she,6 “the printer spare,
He’ll lose by your ill poetry, I fear.
Besides, the world already hath great store7
Of useless books; wherefore, do write no more,8
But9 pity take, do the world a good turn, 15
And all you write cast in10 th’fire11 and burn.”
Angry I was, and Reason struck12 away,
When I did hear, what she13 to me did say.
Then all in haste I to the press it sent,
Fearing persuasion might my book prevent. 20
But now ’tis done, repent with grief do I,14
Hang down my head with shame, blush, sigh, and cry.
Take pity, and my drooping spirits raise,
Wipe off my tears with handkerchiefs of praise.
- And thinking them so good, thought more to make,] Thinking them so good, I thought more to write; 1653
- take.] like. 1653
- I thought if I lived long] thought, Liv’d I many a Year, 1664; thought, liv’d I many a year, 1668
- to build thereon.] thereon to Rear; 1664; thereon to rear. 1668
- she,] He, 1664
- said she,] and do 1664; and do 1668
- already hath great store] hath already such a weight 1653
- wherefore, do write no more,] as it is over fraught. 1653
- But] Then 1653
- in] into 1664, 1668
- th’fire] the fire, 1653
- struck] strook 1653, 1664
- she] he 1664; he 1668
- repent with grief do I,] with greife repent doe I, 1653