It is said in praise of the tree planted by the rivers of water, that it bringeth forth its fruit in ifs season; good men should aim to have seasonable virtues. For instance, a giving spirit is golden if it display itself in the moment when an injury is received; it is but silver if it show itself in speedy reflection, and it is mere lead if it be manifested after a long time for cooling. The whole matter reminds us of Warwickshire estimate of swarms of bees.
'A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spune (spoon);
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly.'