Newe Sonets and pretie Pamphlets. Written by Thomas Howell. Newly augmented, corrected and amended |
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The contempt of Riches.
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9
The contempt of Riches.
The state of worldly things, is straunge and most vnstable,Both mirth and wo to man it brings, through Fortune variable,
Wherfore I holde him best, that hath sufficiente,
That likes the lot which God hath geuen, & therwith stands contente:
For they that seeke most highest, them selues for to aduance,
Are often seen to be the niest to daungerous mischance:
Example by the tree which growes vpon the Hill,
That subiect is vnto eache blast, when trees below are still,
The higher state always the greater care doth bringe,
The greater care the lesser ease, which prooues the meane surest thing,
And Hystories deuine vs bidth from cares and woes,
And wils vs all to view the byrdes, and Lyllies fresh that groes.
The Byrds ne sowe nor reape, and yet do wante nothing,
The Lillie eake it doth compare with Salomon the King,
Afirming plaine that he in all his princely power,
Was neuer decked like vnto the simple Lilly flower:
A voyde such care therefore, as quailes the corage ofte,
And put thy confidence in him, that sits in Throne a lofte:
Contente thy selfe alway, with that he shall assine,
Against those whom he doth exalte, se thou do not repine,
If riches do increase, be thankefull for the same,
If wante of that do chaunce to prease, do not thy Fortune blame,
Better it is of bothe, to be contente with ought,
With greate and heaped howrdes of golde, then haue vnquiet thought:
Did not Diogenes, prefar the shining Sonne,
Before the mightie kingdomes great, that Alexander wonne:
When this greate conquerour woulde, haue geuen him giftes of golde,
He saide like gifte thou canst not geue, as thou from me dost holde.
Tho sundrie others mo, whose workes were wonderous wise,
I might here name to like effecte, yet let this sayd suffice,
For nothing here so sure, that certaine may remayne,
Acompte therfore all worldly powre, as transitorie vayne.
Finis.
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