A30125:314
A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhymes for childrenA book for boys and girls, or, Country rhimes for children
A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhymes for children by J.B.A book for boys and girls, or, Country rhimes for children by J.B.
London: printed for N.P., 1686
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A BOOK FOR Boys and Girls, &c. › Poem 46: XLVI. The Boy and Watch-maker.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
XLVI. The Boy and Watch-maker.
This Watch my Father did on me bestow, A Golden one it is, but 'twill not go, Unless it be at an Uncertainty; But as good none, as one to tell a Lye. When 'tis high Day, my Hand will stand at nine; I think there's no man's Watch so bad as mine. Sometimes 'tis ••llen, 'twill not go at all, And yet 'twas never broke, nor had a Fall.
THis Watch my Father did on me bestow, A Golden one it is, but 'twill not go, Unless it be at an Uncertainty; But as good none, as one to tell a Lye. When 'tis high Day, my Hand will stand at nine; I think there's no man's Watch so bad as mine. Sometimes 'tis ••llen, 'twill not go at all, And yet 'twas never broke, nor had a Fall.
Watch-maker. Your Watch, tho it be good, through want of skill, May fail to do according to your will. ⟨p. 55⟩Suppose the Balance, Wheels, and Spring be good, And all things else, unless you understood To manage it, as Watches ought to be, Your Watch will still be at Uncertainty. Come, tell me, do you keep it from the Dust? Yea wind it also duly up you must. Take heed (too) that you do not strain the String; You must be circumspect in every thing. Or else your Watch, were it as good again, Would not with Time, and Tide you entertain.