The Mirrour of Mutabilitie or Principall part of the Mirrour for Magistrates. Describing the fall of diuers famous Princes, and other memorable Personages. Selected out of the sacred Scriptures by Antony Munday, and dedicated to the Right Honorable the Earle of Oxenford |
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Thomas Procter in Commendation of this
Woork, and the Author therof.
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 | The Mirrour of Mutabilitie |  |
Thomas Procter in Commendation of this Woork, and the Author therof.
What
, shall I speak, or shall I holde my peace?
I knowe not wel which of them bothe were best
If of my freend my pen in prayse should preace,
Some would alledge of freendship I exprest.
But sith his matters are so manifest.
To speak my minde what shall I need to feare:
Since good report his Woorks well woorthy are.
I knowe not wel which of them bothe were best
If of my freend my pen in prayse should preace,
Some would alledge of freendship I exprest.
But sith his matters are so manifest.
To speak my minde what shall I need to feare:
Since good report his Woorks well woorthy are.
If I should seeme hauing perusde the same,
And see no cause why I should not commend:
To let it passe I should deserue but shame,
Beside displeasure of my loouing freend.
I would be loth in either to offend.
But to say trueth, bothe daungers to preuent:
He well deserues because so well he ment.
And see no cause why I should not commend:
To let it passe I should deserue but shame,
Beside displeasure of my loouing freend.
I would be loth in either to offend.
But to say trueth, bothe daungers to preuent:
He well deserues because so well he ment.
He showes how fraile our earthly Honor is,
How soone our pleasures perish vnto nought:
What daunger turnes to bale our worldly blisse,
By elder Age which haue such frailtie sought.
At length how Death eche state to earth hath brought.
The hautyest hart that vaunts of Uictors force:
His direfull dart vnbreaths without remorce.
How soone our pleasures perish vnto nought:
What daunger turnes to bale our worldly blisse,
By elder Age which haue such frailtie sought.
At length how Death eche state to earth hath brought.
The hautyest hart that vaunts of Uictors force:
His direfull dart vnbreaths without remorce.
The Wise whose wit inferiour vnto none,
Through his abuse bewayles his follyes fall:
The Ualliant yeelds, and conquerd makes his mone,
The Rich complaines to minde his fault to call,
By these estats he seemes to warne vs all.
Lest through our Wit, our Strength and Riches store:
We vainly vaunt, and last their losse deplore.
Through his abuse bewayles his follyes fall:
The Ualliant yeelds, and conquerd makes his mone,
The Rich complaines to minde his fault to call,
By these estats he seemes to warne vs all.
Lest through our Wit, our Strength and Riches store:
We vainly vaunt, and last their losse deplore.
Of pamperd Pride, of Enuye and of Wrath,
Of lothsome Lust and filthie Gluttony:
Of Couetousnes and sluggish Sloth he hath,
Prescribde the shame and greefe that comes therby.
Last biddeth vs such shamelesse sins to fly.
For feare as those who haue them selues abusde:
Wee waile to late their warnings good refusde.
Of lothsome Lust and filthie Gluttony:
Of Couetousnes and sluggish Sloth he hath,
Prescribde the shame and greefe that comes therby.
For feare as those who haue them selues abusde:
Wee waile to late their warnings good refusde.
Some of these Men were Kings, Dukes, Earles and Lords,
Some woorthy Knights some learned Iudges weare:
But what of that? no fauour Death affordes,
Hee striketh vs vncertain when or wheare.
Hee vnregardes of what estate wee are.
As soone the King that rules the regall Crown,
Yeelds vnto him as dooth the siely Clown.
Some woorthy Knights some learned Iudges weare:
But what of that? no fauour Death affordes,
Hee striketh vs vncertain when or wheare.
Hee vnregardes of what estate wee are.
As soone the King that rules the regall Crown,
Yeelds vnto him as dooth the siely Clown.
And piercst with Death wherto wee all shall yeeld,
Their shameless sins with sorow they bemone:
Whome neither VVit nor force of Mars his sheeld,
Can sauegarde them through their abuse orethrone,
Ne Worldly VVelth may proffit any one.
Nor earthly ioyes wherin they seemd to trust.
Auailes a whit to help their sutes vniust.
Their shameless sins with sorow they bemone:
Whome neither VVit nor force of Mars his sheeld,
Can sauegarde them through their abuse orethrone,
Ne Worldly VVelth may proffit any one.
Nor earthly ioyes wherin they seemd to trust.
Auailes a whit to help their sutes vniust.
Of Elder Age hee showes the frail estate,
Who in their liues Inferiours were to sin:
Besides hee dooth vnto vs all relate,
A perfect path for vs to walk therin,
And to amend hee wils vs to begin.
For at the length eche one account shall giue:
If one the Earth hee wel or il did liue.
Who in their liues Inferiours were to sin:
Besides hee dooth vnto vs all relate,
A perfect path for vs to walk therin,
And to amend hee wils vs to begin.
For at the length eche one account shall giue:
If one the Earth hee wel or il did liue.
Hee wel deserues because hee sought so wel.
To publish that might teach vs what wee are:
And took in hand our Elders liues to tel,
Whose shameles sinnes might warne vs to beware.
And by their fall wils vs to haue a care.
Wherfore let mee your Uerdits wholely tel:
And MVNDAY thank that vsde his Wit so wel.
To publish that might teach vs what wee are:
And took in hand our Elders liues to tel,
Whose shameles sinnes might warne vs to beware.
And by their fall wils vs to haue a care.
Wherfore let mee your Uerdits wholely tel:
And MVNDAY thank that vsde his Wit so wel.
Nil melius arte.
T P.
| The Mirrour of Mutabilitie | |