1Some birds
there be, sure they no love do lack, 2Who bear their sprightly young ones on their back;
3But of all beasts, the cunning
cannibal
4In kindness to her young excels them all.
5For she a wallet
hath beneath her breast; 6When they’re pursued, in that her young do rest.
7As the sea fox
all fishes doth outgo 8In subtlety
, so doth her love o’erflow; 9For when her cubs by monsters are pursued,
10With love and wisdom she is so endued
11That she doth swallow them ’til danger’s passed;
12Then up again alive she doth them cast.
13The viper
so her younglings swallows down— 14Of all the rest sure these may wear the crown.
15Then by their several stories you may see
16The wisest creatures most indulgent be.
17If they do so, what should we Christians do,
18That have the help of Grace and Nature too?
19Sure those that their own
children’s goods
neglects
20Are worse than birds, beasts, fishes, or insects.