If in season due be thy speech, if blended + 

Into close-knit order thy thoughts be, as when + 

A weaver upgathers his threads, attended + 

Shall thy words be with scantier cavil of men. + 

For if speech be tedious and long-drawn, then + 

Thine hearers’ eager expectancy dieth. + 

And when burghers the praise of their fellows hear, + 

On their hearts a weight of jealousy lieth. + 

Yet better is envy than pity, which sigheth + 

Over failure. In justice thy folk do thou steer, + 

And in truth’s forge fashion thy tongue’s keen spear. + 