The Quip
The World's Mock Parade
The world and its companions mock the speaker with temptations of beauty, money, glory, and wit, but each time the speaker trusts the Lord to answer.
One day the merry world, with his trained troops and companions, agreed to meet where I was lying, and all in jest to jeer at me.1 First, Beauty crept into a rose; and when I didn't pluck it, she said, "Sir, tell me, please—whose hands are those?" But you will answer for me, Lord. Then Money came, still clinking. "What tune is this, poor man?" he said. "I heard you were skilled in music."2 But you will answer, Lord, for me. Then fine Glory came puffing by in silks that whistled—who else but him?3 He barely gave me half a glance. But you will answer, Lord, for me. Then came quick Wit and Conversation, and he insisted on being a comfort, and, to be brief, on making an oration. But you will answer, Lord, for me.
The Simple Reply
The speaker concludes that when God's time comes, the only defense needed is to declare 'I am yours.'
Yet when the hour of your design to answer these fine things comes, don't speak at length; say, I am yours. And then they have their answer home.4
Read the original English
THe merrie world did on a day With his train-bands and mates agree To meet together, where I lay, And all in sport to geere at me.
First, Beautie crept into a rose, Which when I pluckt not, Sir, said she, Tell me, I pray, Whose hands are those? But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
Then Money came, and chinking still, What tune is this, poore man? said he: I heard in Musick you had skill. But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
Then came brave Glorie puffing by In silks that whistled, who but he? He scarce allow’d me half an eie. But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
Then came quick Wit and Conversation, And he would needs a comfort be, And, to be short, make an Oration. But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
Yet when the houre of thy designe To answer these fine things shall come; Speak not at large; say, I am thine: And then they have their answer home.
Notes
- 1 ↩train-bands: early modern citizen militia; here the world's mock-military retinue. geere = jeer.
- 2 ↩Money’s taunt ‘I heard you had skill in music’ implies the speaker should play Money’s tune / accept wealth’s offer; kept as music skill to preserve the poem’s metaphor.
- 3 ↩Early modern 'brave' here means splendid/showy dress and bearing, not courage; rendered as 'fine' to keep that sense.
- 4 ↩Early modern idiom: a reply that strikes home—decisive, thorough, and final, not merely a verbal retort.
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