Sonnet 59. As Love and I late harboured in one inn

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1602 (No. 58), and in all later editions.]

To Proverbs

AS LOVE and I late harboured in one inn,

With Proverbs thus each other entertain.

In Love there is no lack, thus I begin:

Fair words make fools, replieth he again.

Who spares to speak, doth spare to speed, quoth I.

As well, saith he, too forward as too slow.

Fortune assists the boldest, I reply.

A hasty man, quoth he, ne’er wanted woe!

Labour is light, where Love, quoth I, doth pay.

Saith he, Light burden ’s heavy, if far born.

Quoth I, The Main lost, cast the By away!

You have spun a fair thread, he replies in scorn.

And having thus awhile each other thwarted,

Fools as we met, so fools again we parted.