Classic Poem

There is a time to rise, and to descend —
A time for everything — to speak, and cease,
To wait, and to adventure, strive, and bend,
A time to threaten, punish, bind, release;
A time to hear when others reprehend,
A time to lavish wealth, and to increase,
Time for revenge on all who may offend,
And time to feign and shut your eyes for peace.
Prudent I do account him then, and wise,
Who chooses a fit time for every aim;
Knowing discreetly how to temporize,
And win by courtesy a goodly name;
So shall he find whatever the emprize
He undertake, there will be few to blame.