University of Virginia Library

A worthie Knight. 14.

A worthie Knight, is hee that doth inherit,
The proper Vertues of a perfect Sperit:
Whom Power can not appall, nor Crosse foot chance,
Oppos'd, depresse, nor prosprous veles, advance.
True worthinesse is eminent in him,
That safelie in most dangerous deeps can swim.
Hee is a Magnanime and worthie Knight,
Into the Worlds vp-roars that walks vpright:
And not with Fortunes Change, nor Griefe of Minde,
Confounded, nor perplext in Sprite wee find.
Hee worthie is, that wiselie giues his word,
And keepes it too, th'vnsheathing of his Sword,
And not with light Escapes, or bastard bracks,
As Some snuffe Pepper, soone exceptions takes.
Hee worthie is, that bitter Things can beare,
And ov'r his Stresses Patience Tropheas reare.
True Magnanimitie, his Sword, and Horse,
Convoy, and hewes, his passages perforce.
And th'onlie Paradise, into his Eye,
Are Fields defeat, Tryumphs, and Victorie.
To pardon the Submissiue, and Distrest
Relieue, his Glorie is, and conquest best.
Hee will bee free from everie Blott and Blame,
That may imply Dishonour to his Name.
His pardon granting, to his prostrate Foes,
Most rich and famous him, in Mercie shoes.
Hee's voyde of Spight, and not with Hate defylde,
In Spirit stout, and in his Nature mylde
Hee is not One, with Loue and Hate, that's mixt,
Nor wavers, as One fast, and loose betwixt.
Bot hee is Constant, true, and Bellicall,
Heroick like, and honorable with all.
Bot worthie Knights, Note this, in Number are,
In vnities, and now, bee singulare.
And like th'Arabian Bird, doth bot abound,
For They with vs, as there, these Fowls are found.