John Dowland — It was a time when silly bees could speak

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