Solomon's Sentences.  
Being in Excellent Ditty, showing the sage Sayings and Wise Sentences of Solomon.  
The Tune is, Wigmore's Galliard.  
 

Those that will run a Virtuous race,  
and learn the Precepts of the Sage,  
Those that true wisdom will embrace,  
and learn to live in youth and age:  
Let them approach hereto with speed,  
And to my Lessons give good heed;  
For bearing well these things away,  
The Lord will bless them night and day   

My Son, said Solomon the Wise,  
if thou true wisdom wilt obtain,  
Then fear the Lord that rules the skies,  
for so the Scriptures teacheth plain:  
Embrace his word, and him obey,  
This is the chief and only way;  
For they that do these things despise,  
Are fools to God, though worldly wise.   

Unto the Father honour give,  
and thou shall surely blessed be,  
And be obedient while you live,  
and to thy Mother Courteous be,  
Then God will send thee evermore  
Sufficient wealth, and treasure store:  
All things shall prosper in thine hand,  
And long thou shalt enjoy the Land.   

The blessing of the Father dear,  
doth cause his children's good success  
But where the Mother doth appear,  
to curse her children's wickedness:  
Their whole foundation doth decay,  
Like withered leaves that fall away.   

Then all good Christians learn by me,  
To love your Parents faithfully.  
Set not thy mind on worldly wealth,  
nor put the confidence therein,  
For riches doth consume by stealth,  
and Covetousness is counted sin  
For whilst thou livest on the earth,  
Thou art uncertain of thy death;  
And when that death doth stop thy wind  
Then thou must leave thy goods behind   

Be friendly unto every man,  
but unto few familiar be,  
And try thy friend if that thou can,  
His inward thoughts to prove & see.  
And if thou find him just and true,  
Change not an old friend for a new▪  
For many promise much indeed,  
But clean forsake them in their need.   

If thou hast Sons, instruct them well  
and on thy Daughters never smile:  
Their wanton ways do far excel,  
let not affection thee beguile:  
With due correction love them still,  
And give them not their wanton will;  
For if that they do stubborn grow,  
They will not then their duty know.   

Give honour to the aged sort,  
and to thy betters always bow,  
So shalt thou have a good report,  
for God himself doth it allow,  
Of hateful Pride always beware,  
And have an Eye to after care;  
Be not too wrath in any thing,  
For that will soon repentance bring.   

Lend not thy goods to mighty men,  
whose countenance passeth thy degree  
For they are hard to get again,  
as now by daily proof we see:  
For other men give not thy word,  
No further than thou canst afford;  
Left afterwards thou chance to rue,  
And pay the debt when it is due.   

With him that is a Magistrate,  
in any wise go not to Law,  
Lest thou repent the same too late,  
for he will hold thee still in awe:  
Be always wary of thy words,  
For spiteful words are cruel swords  
And look to whom thou dost impart  
The thoughts and secrets of thy heart   

Be never jealous of thy Wife,  
lest she therefore mischief learn,  
And thou thereby dost purchase strife  
then wisely do each thing discern.  
And not evil occasion give,  
But lovingly together live;  
We see when man and wife do hate;  
The curse of God hangs at the Gate.   

On Harlots cast not thou thy mind,  
lest thou thereby thyself consume;  
And waste thy riches with the wind,  
whilst thou in fancy fret and fume:  
Their soul enticements bringeth death  
And poison cometh out of their breath;  
Their eyes are wand'ring too and fro,  
And every one their fashions know.   

Praise no woman for beauty's sake,  
nor discommend no man ny sight;  
And with thy tongue no lying make,  
fulfil thy promise just and right:  
Be merciful unto the poor,  
And God will thee reward therefore;  
Keep not thy Labourers wages back,  
And comfort such as comfort lack.   

Grieve not the heavy hearted man,  
nor joy not at thy enemy's harm;  
Rebuke thy Brother friendly then,  
against no man use open charm;  
Credit not thou a Tale in haste,  
Lest trial make the matter waste;  
And from all slander keep thy tongue;  
And work for age whilst thou art young   

3 things there are that God does hate  
as holy Scriptures doth declare;  
A man too proud in Beggar's state,  
a rich man for to lie and swear.  
To see an old man given to lust,  
These things of God are sure accursed,  
The lying tongue the soul doth quell,  
But pride and lust throw down to hell.   

Whilst thou art living, call for grace,  
thy life is like a fading flower;  
Death cometh stealing on apace,  
thou canst not know the day nor hour  
Thy Speech at all times may not last  
Use well the same that now thou hast;  
And from repentance do not stay,  
Thou canst no time with death delay,   

If thou consider well the same,  
and bear these Lessons in thy mind;  
And thereunto thyself do frame,  
great comfort thou shalt quickly find  
Plant well these sayings in thy heart,  
And from these Precepts never start;  
So shalt thou live in perfect peace,  
And God will bless thee with increase.   
FINIS.