IF ye would love and loved be, In mind keep well these things three, And sadly in thy breast imprint, -- Be secret, true and patient! For he that patience can not leir, He shall displeasance have perquier, Though he had all this worldis rent: Be secret, true and patient! For who that secret cannot be, Him all good fellowship shall flee, And credence none shall him be lent: Be secret, true and patient! And he that is of heart untrue, From he be ken'd farewell! adieu! Fie on him! fie! his fame is went: Be secret, true and patient! Thus he that wants ane of these three Ane lover glad may never be, But aye in some thing discontent: Be secret, true and patient! Nought with thy tongue thyself discure The thingis that thou hast of nature; For if thou dost, thou shalt repent: Be secret, true and patient! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MATERNITY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO THE REPUBLIC by JAMES GALVIN LEXINGTON [APRIL 19, 1775] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE MOTHER'S LAMENT by ST. CLAIR ADAMS THE RELAPSE by JOSEPH BEAUMONT PSALM 1; DONE INTO VERSE 1653 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE TO HIS WIFE WITH A KNIFE ON THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER WEDDING DAY by SAMUEL BISHOP |