Newe Sonets and pretie Pamphlets. Written by Thomas Howell. Newly augmented, corrected and amended |
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The infortunate ende of Cresus Kynge of Lydia, a vvorthy note for Couetousnesse sake.
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8
The infortunate ende of Cresus Kynge of Lydia, a vvorthy note for Couetousnesse sake.
When darkenesse dim the earth did hide, and husht was wood & fielde,when Beasts & Birdes of painted pride, to take their rest did yelde,
When Seas and waues of waters wilde, their roring seemde to flake,
And eche thing els in silence sat, on sleape their ease to take,
Then I whose wakefull troubled head, no quiet rest coulde finde,
Lay mewsing how I best might ease, mine vncontented minde:
At last I starte from out my bead, and hauing present light,
Did finde a Booke whereon I read, to driue away the night,
In whiche the life of Cirus Kynge of Persia I founde,
Writen by one hight Xenophon, from whence I take my grounde,
The wonderous workes and worthy deedes, of Cirus then I read,
His regale rule his liberall harte, and how in warres he spead:
How he through his beneuolence, not only eache hart won,
But kept himselfe thereby more sure, then towne or garison:
Who when at any time he stoode, of Golde or men in neede,
with wealth and will his people hast, to strength him still with speede:
And breif to be suche noble deedes, by Cirus doone I finde,
As iustly sure deserued hath, to winne immortall minde,
Which I now passe ouer to them, that better can indite,
As one who most vnable is, his life at large to write:
But only this I note therin, as thinge of wonders prise,
A mirrour meete for Maiestrats, to set before their eies.
When Cressus he that cormrant Kinge, which ouer Lyde did raigne,
Seyng the largenesse Cirus vsde, wilde him his hande restraine:
He saide to heape his frendes in wealth, was vnto him great pleasure,
If he then chaunst to stande in neede, he tooke them for his treasure:
O noble Kynge, woulde God thy life were grauen in Tables of Golde,
That Cresus kinde whiche now doth liue, thy bountie might beholde,
So should they se what Fame thou wanne, in lands and countries coste,
where Cresus Kynge was cleane consumde, with that he honord moste:
Who ended thus his greedie guttes, were filde and set on flote,
with glittering Golde that melted was, and powred downe his throte.
Finis.
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