They are not, sir, worst owers, that do pay Debts when they can: good men may break their day, And yet the noble nature never grudge; 'Tis then a crime, when the usurer is judge, And he is not in friendship. Nothing there Is done for gain: if't be 'tis not sincere. Nor should I at this time protested be, But that some greater names have broke with me, And their words too; where I but break my band. I add that 'but' because I understand That as the lesser breach: for he that takes Simply my band, his trust in me forsakes, And looks unto the forfeit. If you be Now so much friend, as you would trust in me, Venter a longer time, and willingly: All is not barren land, doth fallow lie. Some grounds are made the richer, for the rest; And I will bring a crop, if not the best. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COUNTY OF MAYO by THOMAS LAVELLE THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: FEBRUARY by EDMUND SPENSER THE RIGHT MARY by CLARIBEL WEEKS AVERY TWELVE SONNETS: 3. THE VALLEY ROSES by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) SPRING IS NOT THE ASH by MARVIN BARRETT THE SONG OF THE SPANISH MAIN by JOHN BENNETT (1865-1956) CLEVEDON VERSES: 8. THE BRISTOL CHANNEL by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |