Thomas Urquhart

Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 15. To one of a great memory, but depraved life

Though many things your memory containe: 
	If by your mind, to matters it be led, 
Which are lesse profitable to retaine, 
	Then to commit t’oblivion, it is bad: 
And whatsoever arts it comprehend: 
	If it remember not on piety: 
Repentance for enormous sins: the end 
	Of life, Gods judgements, and his clemencie; 
Those necessary precepts while you lake, 
You but forget your selfe: and it is weake.