Once musing as I sat, <br />And candle burning by, <br />When all were hushed, I might discern <br />A simple silly fly, <br />That flew before mine eyes <br />With free rejoicing heart, <br />And here and there with wings did play, <br />As void of pain and smart. <br />Sometime by me she sat, <br />When she had played her fill, <br />And ever when she rested had, <br />About she flittered still. <br />When I perceived her well, <br />Rejoicing in her place, <br />O happy fly, quoth I, and eke <br />O worm in happy case, <br />Which two of us is best? <br />I that have reason? No; <br />But thou that reason art without <br />And therewith void of woe. <br />I live, and so dost thou, <br />But I live all in pain, <br />And subject am to her, alas, <br />That makes my grief her gain. <br />Thou livset, but feelst no grief, <br />No love doth thee torment; <br />A happy thing for me it were, <br />If God were so content, <br />That thou with pen wert placed here <br />And I sat in thy place, <br />Then I should joy, as thou dost now, <br />And thou shouldst wail thy case.<br /><br />Barnabe Googe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/once-musing-as-i-sat/
