It was a time when silly bees could speak
And in that time I was a silly bee
Who fed on time until my heart 'gan break
Yet never found the time would favour me
Of all the swarm I only did not thrive
Yet brought I wax and hney to the hive

Then thus I buzzed when time no sap would give:
Why should this blessed time to me be dry
Sith by this time the lazy drone doth live
The wasp, the worm, the gnat, the butterfly?
Mated with grief I kneeled on my knees
And thus complained unto the king of bees:

My liege, gods grant thy time may never end
And yet vouchsafe to hear my plaint of time
Which fruitless flies have found to have a friend
And I cast down when atomies do climb
The king replied but thus: Peace, peevish bee
Thou'rt bound to serve the time, the time not thee