Essex Songs

It was a time when silly Bees could speake,
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 mee.
Of all the swarme I only did not thrive,
Yet brought I waxe 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 butterflie?
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 downe when aromies do climb.
The king replied but thus: Peace, peevish bee,
Thou'rt bound to serve the time, the time not thee.