Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOOK OR [OR, ERE] YOU LEAP by JASPER HEYWOOD

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF THOU IN SURETY SAFE WILT SIT
Last Line: SEE ALL! SAY NOUGHT! HOLD THEE CONTENT!
Subject(s): DISCRETION;
If thou in surety safe wilt sit,
If thou delight at rest to dwell,
Spend no more words than shall seem fit,
Let tongue in silence talk expel:
In all things that thou seest men bent,
See all! say nought! hold thee content!
In worldly works degrees are three,
Makers, doers, and lookers-on:
The lookers-on have liberty
Both the others to judge upon:
Wherefore, in all, as men are bent,
See all! say nought! hold thee content!
The makers oft are in fault found;
The doers doubt of praise or shame;
The lookers-on find surest ground,
They have the fruit, yet free from blame:
This doth persuade in all here meant,
See all! say nought! hold thee content!
The proverb is not south and west,
Which hath been said long time ago,
"Of little meddling cometh rest,
The busy man never wanteth woe':
The best way, is, in all worlds sent,
See all! say nought! hold thee content!




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