To Master William Laud from his Tortoise…

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Dear Master,  much have I been moved and troubled by thy care of me,
thy humble servant,  when I know most keenly of my silly uselessness….
How tenderly thou bendest thyself to minister to me a leaf of lettuce –
muttering under thy breath the while, imprecations against thine enemies !
Let it be said that I provide thee with a slight diversion;
for of late,  thine enemies be many.
“Tuck thy head in, dear Master ! ” is my plea,  not just the once but on our several happenings.
And yet thou wouldest not.
For soothly thou persistest in thy ways as pedagogue,   reproving this man for want of surplice,
that clerk for an undressed altar.   I live in fright for thee, dear Master !
Dost thou not see, sometime to halt, consider and retire,
is yet better than to advance i’the fray ?
For such is the secret of my longevity,  which I much fear will surely exceed thine own,
unless thou turnest from thy way. .
Such turns are not in harmony with thy nature;   slight of stature thou mayest be
but most firm is thy disposition;
thou bendest to no man,  yet only to a tortoise.
God bless thee, dear my Master !
In the quietness of my shell,  I will pray for thee !

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A.J. Amos
A.J. Amos

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