ADVICE

IF ye would love and loved be,

In mind keep well these thingis three,
And sadly in thy breast imprint,-
Be secret, true and patient!

For he that patience can not leir,
He shall displeasance have perquier,
Through he had all this worldis rent:
Be secret, true and patient!

For who that secret cannot be,
Himn all good fellowship shall flee,
And credence none shall him be lent:
Be secret, true and patient!

And he that is of heart untrue
From he be ken'd farewell! adieu!
Fie on him! fie! his fame is went:
Be secret, true and patient!
Thus he that wants ane of these three
And lover glad may never be,
But aye in some thing discontent:
Be secret, true and patient!

Naught with thy tongue thyself discure
The things that thou hast of nature;
For if thou dost, thou shal repent:

Be secret, true and patient!

William Dunbar

Modernized by H.M. Fitzgibbon.