Tune: Wolvercote
(\'O Jesus, I have promised\')
Proverbs 25 v.8-15
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Go not forth hastily to strive
Be patient, and so thrive
In case you know not what to do
If in our strivings you
Are put to shame by your neighbour
So with neighbour confer
And go not round secrets sharing
But keep them private thing
Or otherwise one may you hear
As they draw to you near
Hear the secret, and infamy
Shall then sure with you be
A word fitly spoken it be
Like apples of gold, see
In pictures of silver, so framed
Your wisdom shall be named
As an earring of gold, and too
An ornament gold true
So is a wise reprover here
Upon obedient ear
As cold of snow in harvest time
Occurring in life\'s rhymes
So is a messenger faithful
To they who send him all
For he does so refresh the soul
Of his masters, makes whole
But whoso boast of a false gift
Is like clouds which uplift
And give no rain, no fruit produced
So produce is reduced
By long forbearing persuasion
Is made by gentle ones