Frogs and Mice.
[1]Now doth he wish, though wishes take no place,
That on firme land he were arriv'd againe;
He curseth Neptune, and his trident Mace,
The troubled waters and the running maine:
Now, but too late (alas) doth he repent
His foolish rashnesse, cause of this event.
"But after-wits like a showre of raine,
"That fals untimely on the ripened graine.
That on firme land he were arriv'd againe;
He curseth Neptune, and his trident Mace,
The troubled waters and the running maine:
Now, but too late (alas) doth he repent
His foolish rashnesse, cause of this event.
"But after-wits like a showre of raine,
"That fals untimely on the ripened graine.
His feet unto his belly he doth shrinke,
And on the Frog his backe doth closely sit,
Vsing his nimble tayle when he did sinke,
In stead of oare. "Pale feare did learne him wit.
The flowing billowes mount above his head,
Speechlesse for sorrow, and for griefe halfe dead:
"Yet death is not so bitter as cold feare,
"Which makes things greater then they are, appeare.
And on the Frog his backe doth closely sit,
Vsing his nimble tayle when he did sinke,
In stead of oare. "Pale feare did learne him wit.
The flowing billowes mount above his head,
Speechlesse for sorrow, and for griefe halfe dead:
"Yet death is not so bitter as cold feare,
"Which makes things greater then they are, appeare.
[2]Sorrow triumpheth in the Mouce his brest,
Despaire doth sit as Marshall in his minde,
Danger and death on ev'ry side are prest,
Still to receive him at each puffe of winde:
"But danger can the heart of pride ne're breake;
"When fear hath staid the tong, yet pride wilspeak
"And though the waters wash the outward skin,
"They cannot wash presumption within.
Despaire doth sit as Marshall in his minde,
Danger and death on ev'ry side are prest,
Still to receive him at each puffe of winde:
"But danger can the heart of pride ne're breake;
"When fear hath staid the tong, yet pride wilspeak
"And though the waters wash the outward skin,
"They cannot wash presumption within.
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