For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with meat; For an odious woman when she is married; And an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. xi Little and Wise A Number Sonnet There be four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise. The Ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their meat in the summer; The Conies are but a feeble folk, Yet make they their houses in the rocks; The Locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; The Lizard thou canst seize with thy hands, Yet is she in kings' palaces. xii Things Stately in their Going A Number Sonnet There be three things which are stately in their march, Yea, four which are stately in going: The Lion, Which is mightiest among beasts, The Greyhound; The He-goat also; And the King when his army is with him. xiii The Restraining of Wrath An Epigram If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Lay thine hand upon thy mouth: For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, 155 31 xiv THE ORACLE OF LEMUEL'S What, my son? MOTHER And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto Women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink Wine, Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink? Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the judgement of any that is afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, Let him drink, and forget his poverty, Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate; Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister judgement to the poor and needy. XV ANONYMOUS The Virtuous Woman An Acrostic A Virtuous Woman who can find? The heart of her husband trusteth in her, All the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant-ships, She bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, She considereth a field, and buyeth it : With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: And her hands hold the spindle. She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh linen garments, and selleth them; And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her: "Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all." |