English poem
Slouth
by Stephen Hawes (1474–1523)
Toward heven to folow on the way Thou arte full slow, and thinkest nothing That thy nature doth full sore decaye And deth right fast is to the comyng. God graunt the mercy, but no tyme enlongyng; Whan thou hast time, take tyme and space, Whan time is past, lost is the tyme of grace.