John Harington of Stepney

Honour is highe, and hard for to attayne
Enforcing hartes, of noble blood that bene
No deede to do, their statelye stock to stayne
Right race to ronne, no Reckles for to seeme
In Awntrus actes, as did Awcetours olde
Stowtlye to stand, the en'mye in the face
Trulye to serve, the prince as baron bolde
Allowing lesse the life, then royall race
Not fearinge foes, ne fortune in suche cace
Loyall to be, and Lyberall also
En'mye to none, but suche as wold degrace
In evell sort, your Honour as a foe

Love Litt'rature, as Lamppe that lighteth all
Onlye eschewe, the ydle pathe to treade
Right Honour restes, wheare vertue governe shall
Delicate lyfe, lett women onlye Lead
Excell in all, that leadith unto fame
Stryve with the least, more valyaunt for to be
Trew noblenes, Tryumphethe in the same
Regarde your god in all felicitie
Ambicion abhor, that Ladye brutishe beast

Note well the end, of suche as so aspyre
Goe you that waye, your noble parentes prest
Ey well to serve, the state, was their desyre
Highe Honour thus, right well you shall defend
Sure so to lyve, unstayned to the end

University of Virginia Library

II A 24

[Honour is highe, and hard for to attayne]