Soboles damnosa parenti

THE Husbandman, in depth of winter feld,
An aged Willow, fewell for to burne,
But wanting wedges, Grandsire was compeld,
To rend with bowes, the bodie for his turne:
And while the Willow, now was rent in twaine,
It gaue a grone, and thus seem'd to complaine.

Oh greife, of greifes! that thus I should be torne,
And haue my heart, by those asunder rent,
That are my fruite, and of my bodie borne,
Who for my stay, and comfort, should be sent:
You Parents good, your selues behold in me,
Whose Children wicked, and vngratious be.