Living
Scripta non temere edenda
From Minerva Britanna (1612)
BY worke of wit, who thirsteth after Fame:
And by the Muse, wouldst liue a longer day,
What ere thou writ'st, see carefully the same,
Thou oft peruse, and after pause, and stay;
Mend what's amisse, with ARGVS hundred eies,
I meane advice, and Iudgment of the wise.
For as in Children, easily we behold,
Some neere resemblance of the mouth, or eie:
Of Parents likenes: so our workes vnfold,
Our mindes true Image, to posteritie.
Beside, lew'd lines, our loues, and leasinges vaine
Doe die: when wise wordes ever doe remaine.
Cite this poem
MLA
Peacham, Henry. “Scripta non temere edenda.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/55/.
Chicago
Peacham, Henry. “Scripta non temere edenda.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/55/.
Read this poem with the Codex →