Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain,
For they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain. 8
He that no more must say is listen'd more
Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose;
More are men's ends mark'd than their lives before:
The setting sun, and music at the close, 12
As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last,
Writ in remembrance more than things long past:
Though Richard my life's counsel would not hear,
My death's sad tale may yet undeaf his ear. 16
York. No; it is stopp'd with other flattering sounds,
As praises, of whose taste the wise are fond;
Lascivious metres, to whose venom sound
The open ear of youth doth always listen; 20
Report of fashions in proud Italy,
Whose manners still our tardy apish nation
Limps after in base imitation.
Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity,— 24
So it be new there's no respect how vile,—
That is not quickly buzz'd into his ears?
Then all too late comes counsel to be heard,
Where will doth mutiny with wit's regard. 28
Direct not him whose way himself will choose:
'Tis breath thou lack'st, and that breath wilt thou lose.
Gaunt. Methinks I am a prophet new inspir'd,
And thus expiring do foretell of him: 32
His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last,
9 listen'd: heeded
10 glose: dissimulate
11 mark'd: observed
13 As: like
18 Cf. n.
25 respect: care
26 buzz'd: whispered
28 mutiny: quarrel
wit's regard: deliberate judgment of the understanding
33 riot: unrestrained behavior
