Classic Poem

To Master Alexander Nowell

The Muses joy, and well they may to see
So well their labour come to good success
That they sustained long ago in thee.
Minerva smiles, Phoebus can do no less,
But over all, they chiefly do rejoice
That leaving things which are but fond and vain,
Thou diddest choose (O good and happy choice)
In sacred schools thy lucky years to train,
By which thou hast obtained (O happy thing)
To learn to live while other wander wide,
And by thy life to please the immortal king,
Than which so good, nothing can be applied.
Law gives the gain, and Physic fills the purse,
Promotions high, gives Arts to many one,
But this is it, by which we scape the curse
And have the bliss of God, when we be gone.
Is this but only Scriptures for to read?
No, no! Not talk, but life gives this in deed.