Classic Poem

Concerning the precyousnese of time.

Oh time, oh time, that precyous thing
How doe we wast
thee. though with hast
Thou fly'st away, upon the wing
To eternity vast

Wee cannot call thee, back again
yet down we sitt
and intermitt
Our work, by Childish toys, most vain
which cannot benefitt

What ever tis wee ar about
time will not stay
But posts away
And our short sandglase, runeth out
whether we work, or play

Our day is short, our work is great
what need have we
active to bee
That sin, and saten, doe not cheat
of time, which still doth flee

Whilst we ar sleeping, time runs on
and hastyly
away doth fly
And in itt, wee, doe glide along
into eternity

Shall we by recreation
and foolish play
Throw time away
Whilst we neclect salvation
the great work, of the day

Whilst we ar eating, drinking, we
with time pase on
and run along
Into eternity, we flee
thither, we must be gone.

What would the damned spirits give
For one moment
of time, that's speant
If back they might but-come to live
sure, they'd be diligent.

What brainsick fools, ar we to throw
our time aside
which will not bide
Or wait whilst we our work shall doe
but slyly on doth glide.

How doe men hoord, and lay up gold
with heed, and care
But time most rare
(A Jewell which should, not be sold
but tresur'd up with care)

Away we doe, att our heels throw
and cast it by
regardlesly
Till by the want, its worth we know
when entring, on eternity.

Could we but get, a right, insight
and come to veiw
into the true
Nature of time, upon the flight
all sloth, we would eschew.

Help me, by grace, so to improve
my time, whilst here
in holy fear
That when I dy, I may remove
with joy, to heavens spher

That an abundant entrance may
then unto me
ministred bee
Into thy kingdome, att that day
where I, thy face, shall see,