Part 22

Leave off then labour and the lack rue,

Lament and repent when age doth ensue.

Deeds that deserved fame and great praise,

Buried had been, we see in old days,

If letters had not then brought them to light

The truth of such things who could now recite?

Apply thy mind to learning and science,

For learning in need will be thy defence.

Nothing to science compare we may well,

The sweetness whereof all things doth excel.

And Cato the wise this worthy saying hath,

That man wanting learning is as the image of death.

The roots of learning most bitter we deem;

The fruits at last most pleasant doth seem.

Then labour for learning while here thou shalt live,

The ignorant to teach, and good example give;

So shalt thou be thought a member most worthy

Thy commonwealth to serve in time of necessity.

Experience doth teach and show to thee plain

That many to honour by learning attain,

That were of birth but simple and base;

Such is the goodness of God’s special grace.

For he that to honour by virtue doth rise,

Is double happy, and counted most wise.

If doubt thou dost, desire to be told,

No shame is to learn, being never so old;

Ignorance doth cause great errors in us

For wanting of knowledge doubts to discuss;