For the Earl of Essex

It was a time when silly bees could speak
And in that time I was a silly bee
Who fed on time until my heart `gan break
Yet never found the time would favour me.
Of all the swarm I only did not thrive
Yet brought I wax and honey to the hive.

Then thus I buzzed when time no sap would give
Why should this blessed time to me be dry
Sith by this time the lazy drone doth live
The wasp the worm the gnat the butterfly?
Mated with grief I kneeled on my knees
And thus complained unto the king of bees

My liege gods grant thy time may never end
And yet vouchsafe to hear my plaint of time
Which fruitless flies have found to have a friend
And I cast down when atomies do climb.
The king replied but thus Peace peevish bee
Thou`rt bound to serve the time the time not thee.

The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603): ¹18. `It was a Time when silly bees`,  (Dowland)
April 2004, Sweden.
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