Paradise sig. Aiiiiv

[sig. Aiiiiv]

4. Being asked the occasion of his white head,
he answereth thus.
+

W Here sighing sighes, and sorrow sobbes, Hath slaine the slippes that Nature set, And scalding showers, with stonie throbbes, The kindly sappe from them hath fet, (5) what wonder then though that you see, Upon my head white heares to be,
Where thought hath thrilde and throwne his speares, To hurt the heart that harmeth him not, And groning griefe hath ground forth teares, (10) Myne eyne to stayne, my face to spot, what wonder then, though that you see, Upon my head white heares to be.
When pinching paine himselfe hath plaste, There peace with pleasures were possest, (15) And where the walles of wealth lye waste, And pouertie in them is prest, what wonder then though that you see, Upon my head white heares to be.
Where wretched woe will weane her webbe, (20) Where care the clewe + can catche and cast, And flouds of ioy are fallen to ebbe, So loe, that life may not long last, what wonder then though that you see, Upon my head white heares to be.
(25) These heares of age are messengers, which bid me fast, repent and praie: They be of death the Harbingers, That doth prepare and dresse the way, wherefore I ioye that you may see, (30) Upon my head such heares to bee.