Proverb Pieces 4

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