WHEN SILLY BEES COULD SPEAKE
(Shakespeare?/Jown Dowland)

It was a time when silly Bees could speake,
And in that time I was a sillie Bee.
Who fed on Time until my heart gan break,
Yet never found the time would favour mee.
Of all the swarme I onely did not thrive,
Yet brought I waxe and honey to the hive.

Then thus I buzd, when time no sap would give,
Why should this blessed time to me be drie,
sith by this Time the lazie drone doth live,
The waspe, the worme, the gnat, the butterflie,
Mated with griefe, I kneel-ed on my knees,
And thus complained unto the king of Bees.

My liege, gods grant thy time may never end,
And yet vouchsafe to heare my pliant of Time,
Which fruiltlesse Flies have found to have a friend,
And I cast downe when Aromies do clime.
The king replied but thus, Peace peevish Bee,
Th'art bound to serve the time, the time not thee.