Alexander Montgomerie: A Description of Tyme (16th ct.)

Tak tyme in tym, or tyme will not be tane;

Thairfor tak tent how thou this tyme suld tak:

Sho hes no hold, to hold hir by, but ane;

A toppe befor, but beld behind hir bak.

Let thou her slippe, or slipperly grow slak,

Thou gettis no grippe agane fra sho be gane.

If thou wald speid, rememember what i spak;

Tak tyme in tyme or tym will not be tane.

For i haif hard in adagies of auld,

That tyme dois waist and weir all things away;

Then trow the taill that trew men oft hes tauld-

A turne in tyme is ay worth other tway.

Siklyk, I haif hard oft-tymis suith men say,

That negligence yit nevir furtherit nane;

Als, seindle tymis luck followes long delayis.

Tak tyme in tyme or tym will not be tane.