A Candle

Avast, ye mate, thy tallow head it holds

Such a bright light as cool as hot it shines

And with thy aid I pray my quarry find

But keep away from all our curtain folds

For thy light, it fires when, I am told

It comes too near by aid of stupid minds

To cotton dress or close to slatt’nd blinds

And only wet can cause thy heat to cold.

So stay a while and make my room so bright

And bring a smile to all who dwell within

And if, with I, thy bides thy time so well

Thou canst know I shan’t prevail to dark night

But if my match doth hide, as such a sin

Thy light shall ne’er shine and so I tell.