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The Works of Michael Drayton

Edited by J. William Hebel
Drayton, Michael (1563-1631)

collapse sectionI. 
VOLUME I
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THE HARMONIE of the Church.
  
[dedication]
  
THE MOST NOTABLE SONG OF MOSES,
  
A SONG OF MOSES AND THE ISRAELITES, FOR THEIR DELIVERANCE OUT OF EGYPT.
  
THE MOST EXCELLENT SONG WHICH WAS SALOMONS,
  
THE SONG OF ANNAH, for the bringing foorth of Samuel her sonne.
  
THE SONG OF JONAH IN THE WHALES BELLIE.
  
THE PRAIER OF JEREMIAH, bewailing the captivitie of the people.
  
THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARACKE.
  
AN OTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULL, FOR THE MERCIES OF GOD.
  
A SONG OF THE FAITHFULL.
  
A SONG OF THANKES TO GOD, in that hee sheweth himselfe Judge of the world, in punishing the wicked, and maintaining the godlie.
  
AN OTHER SONG OF THE FAITHFULL, wherein is declared in what consisteth the salvation of the Church.
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HEREAFTER FOLLOWE CERTAIN OTHER SONGS AND PRAIERS of godly men and women, out of the Bookes of Apocripha.
  
THE PRAIER OF JUDITH, FOR THE DELIVERANCE OF THE PEOPLE.
  
THE SONG OF JUDITH, HAVING SLAINE HOLOPHERNES.
  
A PRAIER OF THE AUTHOUR.
  
THE PRAIER OF SALOMON.
  
A SONG OF JHESUS THE SONNE OF SIRACH.
  
THE PRAIER OF HESTER, for the deliverance of her and her people.
  
THE PRAIER OF MARDOCHEUS.
  
A PRAIER IN THE PERSON OF THE FAITHFULL.
  
A PRAIER OF TOBIAS, EXHORTING ALL MEN TO PRAISE THE LORD.
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IDEA THE SHEPHEARDS GARLAND, Fashioned in nine Eglogs.
  
[dedication]
 1. 
THE FIRST EGLOG. When as the joyfull spring
 2. 
THE SECOND EGLOG. Wynken of mans frayle wayning age
 3. 
THE THIRD EGLOG. Rowland and Perkin both I feere
 4. 
THE FOURTH EGLOG. Wynken bewayleth Elphins losse
 5. 
THE FIFTH EGLOG. This lustie swayne his lowly quill
 6. 
THE SIXT EGLOG. Good Gorbo cals to mind the fame
 7. 
THE SEVENTH EGLOG. Borrill an aged shepheard swaine
 8. 
THE EIGHTH EGLOG. Good Gorbo of the golden world
 9. 
THE NINTH EGLOG. When cole-blacke night with sable vaile
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IDEAS MIRROVR.
  
TO THE DEERE CHYLD OF THE MUSES, AND HIS EVER KIND MECÆNAS, MA. ANTHONY COOKE, ESQUIRE.
  
[Ankor tryumph, upon whose blessed shore]
 1. 
AMOUR. 1.
 2. 
AMOUR. 2.
 3. 
AMOUR. 3.
 4. 
AMOUR. 4.
 5. 
AMOUR. 5.
 6. 
AMOUR. 6.
 7. 
AMOUR. 7.
 8. 
AMOUR. 8.
 9. 
AMOUR. 9.
 10. 
AMOUR. 10.
 11. 
AMOUR. 11.
 12. 
AMOUR. 12.
 13. 
AMOUR. 13.
 14. 
AMOUR. 14.
 15. 
AMOUR. 15.
 16. 
AMOUR. 16.
 17. 
AMOUR. 17.
 18. 
AMOUR. 18.
 19. 
AMOUR. 19.
 20. 
AMOUR. 20.
 21. 
AMOUR. 21.
 22. 
AMOUR. 22.
 23. 
AMOUR. 23.
 24. 
AMOUR. 24.
 25. 
AMOUR. 25.
 26. 
AMOUR. 26.
 27. 
AMOUR. 27.
 28. 
AMOUR. 28.
 29. 
AMOUR. 29.
 30. 
AMOUR. 30.
 31. 
AMOUR. 31.
 32. 
AMOUR. 32.
 33. 
AMOUR. 33.
 34. 
AMOUR. 34.
 35. 
AMOUR. 35.
 36. 
AMOUR. 36.
 37. 
AMOUR. 37.
 38. 
AMOUR. 38.
 39. 
AMOUR. 39.
 40. 
AMOUR. 40.
 41. 
AMOUR. 41.
 42. 
AMOUR. 42.
 43. 
AMOUR. 43.
 44. 
AMOUR. 44.
 45. 
AMOUR. 45.
 46. 
AMOUR. 46.
 47. 
AMOUR. 47.
 48. 
AMOUR. 48.
 49. 
AMOUR. 49.
 50. 
AMOUR. 50.
 51. 
AMOUR. 51.
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ENDIMION and Phœbe. IDEAS LATMVS.
  
TO THE EXCELLENT and most accomplish't Ladie: Lucie Countesse of Bedford.
  
[Rouland, when first I red thy stately rymes]
  
To Idea.
  
ENDIMION & PHŒBE.
  
Peirs Gaueston EARLE OF CORNWALL.
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MATILDA. The faire and chaste Daughter of the Lord Robert Fitzwater.
  
[dedication]
  
THE VISION OF MATILDA.
  
[Thy learned Poeme (Friend) I will not prayse]
  
[Teares in your eyes, and passions in your harts]
  
To. M. DRAYTON.
  
MATILDA.
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THE Tragicall Legend of Robert, Duke of Normandy, surnamed Short-thigh, eldest sonne to William Conqueror.
  
[dedication]
  
TO M. DRAYTON.
  
TO THE VERTUOUS LADY, THE LADY Anne Harrington: wife to the Honorable Gentleman, Sir John Harrington, Knight.
  
THE TRAGICALL LEGEND of Robert Duke of Normandie.
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Mortimeriados. THE LAMENTABLE ciuell warres of Edward the second and the Barrons.
  
TO THE EXCELLENT AND most accomplish'd Ladie, Lucie Countesse of Bedford.
  
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LADY, Lucie Countesse of Bedford.
  
MORTIMERIADOS.
  
TO THE MAIESTIE OF KING JAMES.
  
A PÆAN TRIVMPHALL.
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[SONNETS NOT PRINTED IN IDEAS MIRROUR, 1594, OR IN IDEA, 1619]
  
Sonet. 3.
  
Sonet. 9.
  
To the Moone. Sonet. 11.
  
To the Spheares. Sonet. 23.
  
Sonet. 27.
  
A Cansonet. Sonet. 56.
  
To the high and mighty Prince, James, King of Scots. Sonnet. 62.
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[ODES NOT REPRINTED IN 1619 From Poemes Lyrick and pastorall (1606).]
  
TO MY WORTHY FREND; MASTER JOHN SAVAGE OF THE INNER TEMPLE. Ode 4
  
Ode 8.
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[UNCOLLECTED POEMS]
  
Mr. M.D. TO THE AUTHOR.
  
OF THE WORKE AND TRANSLATION.
  
[The curious eye that over-rashly lookes]
  
TO HIS FRIEND, MASTER CHR. M. his Booke.
  
ROWLANDS MADRIGALL.
  
[Nature, and Arte are overmatcht by thee]
  
TO MASTER NICHOLAS GEFFE.
  
TO M. JOHN DAVIES, MY GOOD FRIEND.
  
TO MY KINDE FRIEND DA: MURRAY.
  
Incipit Michael Drayton.
  
TO HIS FRIEND THE AUTHOR.
  
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. GEORGE CHAPMAN, and his translated Hesiod.
  
TO MY FRIEND M. A. H.
  
M. D. ESQUIRE TO HIS GOOD FRIEND, T. V.
  
TO THE DEARE REMEMBRANCE of his Noble Friend, Sir John Beaumont, Baronet.
  
TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MR. ROBERT DOVER, on his brave annuall Assemblies upon Cotswold.
  
[Soe well I love thee, as without thee I]
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VOLUME II
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POEMS: BY MICHAEL DRAYTON ESQVIRE.
  
[dedication]
  
To M. Michael Drayton.
  
To M. Michael Drayton.
  
To his Friend the Authour.
  
Upon the Barons Warres, the Epistles and Sonnets.
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THE BARONS WARRES,
 1. 
The first Canto.
 2. 
The second Canto.
 3. 
The third Canto.
 4. 
The fourth Canto.
 5. 
The fifth Canto.
 6. 
The sixt Canto.
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ENGLANDS HEROICALL EPISTLES. BY Michael Drayton, ESQVIRE.
  
TO M. MICHAEL DRAYTON.
  
TO M. MICHAEL DRAYTON.
  
TO M. MICHAEL DRAYTON.
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THE EPISTLE OF ROSAMOND TO KING HENRY THE SECOND.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
HENRY TO ROSAMOND.
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KING JOHN TO MATILDA.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
MATILDA TO KING JOHN.
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QUEENE ISABEL TO MORTIMER.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
MORTIMER TO QUEENE ISABEL.
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EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE TO ALICE COUNTESSE OF SALISBURIE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
ALICE COUNTESSE OF SALISBURIE TO THE BLACKE PRINCE.
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QUEENE ISABEL TO RICHARD THE SECOND.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
RICHARD THE SECOND TO QUEENE ISABEL.
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QUEENE KATHERINE TO OWEN TUDOR.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
OWEN TUDOR TO QUEENE KATHERINE.
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ELINOR COBHAM TO DUKE HUMPHREY.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
DUKE HUMPHREY TO ELINOR COBHAM.
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WILLIAM DE-LA-POOLE, DUKE OF SUFFOLKE, TO QUEENE MARGARET.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
QUEENE MARGARET TO WILLIAM DE-LA-POOLE, DUKE OF SUFFOLKE.
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EDWARD THE FOURTH TO MISTRES SHORE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
THE EPISTLE OF MISTRES SHORE, TO KING EDWARD THE FOURTH.
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MARY, THE FRENCH QUEENE, TO CHARLES BRANDON, DUKE OF SUFFOLKE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
CHARLES BRANDON, DUKE OF SUFFOLKE, TO MARY THE FRENCH QUEENE.
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HENRY HOWARD, EARLE OF SURREY, TO THE LADY GERALDINE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
THE LADY GERALDINE, TO HENRY HOWARD, EARLE OF SURREY.
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THE LADY JANE GRAY, TO THE LORD GILFORD DUDLEY.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
GILFORD DUDLEY TO THE LADY JANE GRAY.
  
A CATALOGUE OF THE HEROICALL LOVES.
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IDEA. IN SIXTIE THREE SONNETS. BY Michael Drayton, ESQVIRE.
  
TO THE READER OF THESE SONNETS.
 1. 
1
 2. 
2
 3. 
3
 4. 
4
 5. 
5
 6. 
6
 7. 
7
 8. 
8
 9. 
9
 10. 
10
 11. 
11
 12. 
12
 13. 
13
 14. 
14
 15. 
15
 16. 
16
 17. 
17
 18. 
18
 19. 
19
 20. 
20
 21. 
21
 22. 
22
 23. 
23
 24. 
24
 25. 
25
 26. 
26
 27. 
27
 28. 
28
 29. 
29
 30. 
30
 31. 
31
 32. 
32
 33. 
33
 34. 
34
 35. 
35
 36. 
36
 37. 
37
 38. 
38
 39. 
39
 40. 
40
 41. 
41
 42. 
42
 43. 
43
 44. 
44
 45. 
45
 46. 
46
 47. 
47
 48. 
48
 49. 
49
 50. 
50
 51. 
51
 52. 
52
 53. 
53
 54. 
54
 55. 
55
 56. 
56
 57. 
57
 58. 
58
 59. 
59
 60. 
60
 61. 
61
 62. 
62
 63. 
63
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ODES. WITH OTHER LYRICK POESIES.
  
TO THE WORTHY KNIGHT, AND MY NOBLE FRIEND, SIR HENRY GOODERE,
  
TO HIMSELFE, AND THE HARPE.
  
TO THE NEW YEERE.
  
TO HIS VALENTINE.
  
THE HEART.
  
THE SACRIFICE TO APOLLO.
  
TO CUPID.
  
AN AMOURET ANACREONTICK.
  
LOVES CONQUEST.
  
TO THE VIRGINIAN VOYAGE.
  
AN ODE WRITTEN IN THE PEAKE.
  
HIS DEFENCE AGAINST THE IDLE CRITICK.
  
TO HIS RIVALL.
  
A SKELTONIAD.
  
THE CRYER.
  
TO HIS COY LOVE,
  
A HYMNE TO HIS LADIES BIRTH-PLACE.
  
TO THE CAMBRO-BRITANS, and their Harpe, his Ballad of AGINCOURT.
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THE LEGENDS OF Robert, Duke of Normandie. Matilda the Faire. Pierce Gaveston, Earle of Cornwall. Thomas Cromwell, Earle of Essex.
  
TO THE HONOURABLE KNIGHT, SIR WALTER ASTON.
  
THE LEGEND OF ROBERT, DUKE OF NORMANDY.
  
THE LEGEND OF MATILDA.
  
THE LEGEND OF PIERCE GAVESTON.
  
THE LEGEND OF GREAT CROMWELL.
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THE OWLE.
  
TO THE HONOURABLE KNIGHT, SIR WALTER ASTON.
  
THE OWLE.
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PASTORALS. Contayning EGLOGVES, With the Man in the Moone.
  
[dedication]
 1. 
THE FIRST EGLOGUE. Phœbus full out his yeerely course had runne
 2. 
THE SECOND EGLOGUE. Might my youth's Mirth, become thy aged yeeres
 3. 
THE THIRD EGLOGUE. Rowland, for shame awake thy drowsie Muse
 4. 
THE FOURTH EGLOGUE. Shepheard, why creepe we in this lowly vaine
 5. 
THE FIFT EGLOGUE. Come, let us frollike merrily, my Swaine
 6. 
THE SIXT EGLOGUE. Well met, good Winken, whither dost thou wend?
 7. 
THE SEVENTH EGLOGUE. Borril, why sitt'st thou musing in thy Cote
 8. 
THE EIGHTH EGLOGUE. It joyes me, Gorbo, yet we meet at last
 9. 
THE NINTH EGLOGUE. Late 'twas in June, the Fleece when fully growne
 10. 
THE TENTH EGLOGUE. What time the wearie weather-beaten Sheepe
  
THE MAN IN THE MOONE.
collapse sectionIII. 
VOLUME III
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THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOVRT.
  
[dedication]
  
THE VISION OF BEN. JONSON, ON THE MUSES OF HIS FRIEND M. DRAYTON.
  
UPON THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOURT, Written by His Deare Friend MICHAELL DRAYTON Esquire.
  
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. MICHAELL DRAYTON upon these his Poems.
  
THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOURT.
  
THE MISERIES OF QUEENE MARGARITE.
  
NIMPHIDIA, THE COURT OF FAYRIE.
  
THE QUEST OF CYNTHIA.
  
THE SHEPHEARDS SIRENA.
  
THE MOONE-CALFE.
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ELEGIES UPON SUNDRY OCCASIONS.
  
OF HIS LADIES NOT COMMING TO LONDON.
  
TO MASTER GEORGE SANDYS
  
TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MASTER WILLIAM BROWNE,
  
UPON THE THREE SONNES OF THE LORD SHEFFIELD,
  
TO THE NOBLE LADY, THE LADY I. S.
  
AN ELEGIE UPON THE DEATH OF THE LADY PENELOPE CLIFTON.
  
UPON THE NOBLE LADY ASTONS DEPARTURE FOR SPAINE.
  
TO MY MOST DEARELY-LOVED FRIEND HENERY REYNOLDS ESQUIRE,
  
UPON THE DEATH OF HIS INCOMPARABLE FRIEND, SIR HENRY RAYNSFORD
  
UPON THE DEATH OF THE LADY OLIVE STANHOPE.
  
TO MASTER WILLIAM JEFFREYS,
  
UPON THE DEATH OF MISTRIS ELIANOR FALLOWFIELD.
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THE MUSES ELIZIVM, Lately discouered, BY A NEW WAY OVER PARNASSVS.
  
[dedication]
  
THE DESCRIPTION OF ELIZIUM.
 1. 
THE FIRST NIMPHALL.
 2. 
THE SECOND NIMPHALL.
 3. 
THE THIRD NIMPHALL.
 4. 
THE FOURTH NIMPHALL.
 5. 
THE FIFT NIMPHALL.
 6. 
THE SIXT NIMPHALL.
 7. 
THE SEVENTH NIMPHALL.
 8. 
THE EIGHT NIMPHALL.
 9. 
THE NINTH NIMPHALL.
 10. 
THE TENTH NIMPHALL.
  
NOAHS FLOUD.
  
TO THIS POEM
  
TO M. MICHAEL DRAYTON.
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MOSES HIS BIRTH AND MIRACLES.
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THE FIRST BOOKE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
collapse section2. 
THE SECOND BOOKE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
collapse section3. 
THE THIRD BOOKE.
  
The Argument.
  
[section]
  
DAVID AND GOLIAH.
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VOLUME IV
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POLY-OLBION.
  
[dedication]
  
UPON THE FRONTISPICE.
  
[Britaine, behold here portray'd, to thy sight]
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POLY-OLBION.
 1. 
The first Song.
 2. 
The second Song.
 3. 
The third Song.
 4. 
The fourth Song.
 5. 
The fift Song.
 6. 
The sixt Song.
 7. 
The seaventh Song.
 8. 
The eight Song.
 9. 
The ninth Song.
 10. 
The tenth Song
 11. 
The eleventh Song.
 12. 
The twelfth Song.
 13. 
The thirteenth Song.
 14. 
The fourteenth song.
 15. 
The fifteenth Song.
 16. 
The sixteenth Song.
 17. 
The seventeenth Song.
 18. 
The eighteenth Song.
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THE SECOND PART, OR A CONTINVANCE OF POLY-OLBION
  
[dedication]
  
TO MY HONOR'D FRIEND Mr. DRAYTON.
  
TO HIS NOBLE FRIEND, MICHAEL DRAYTON, ESQUIRE,
  
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MICHAEL DRAYTON, ESQUIRE.
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POLY-OLBION.
 19. 
The nineteenth Booke
 20. 
The twentieth Song.
 21. 
The one and twentieth Song.
 22. 
The two and twentieth Song
 23. 
The three and twentieth Song
 24. 
The foure and twentieth Song.
 25. 
The five and twentieth Song
 26. 
The sixe and twentieth Song.
 27. 
The seaven and twentieth Song.
 28. 
The eight and twentieth Song.
 29. 
The nine and twentieth Song
 30. 
The thirtieth Song

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HIS DEFENCE AGAINST THE IDLE CRITICK.

The Ryme nor marres, nor makes,
Nor addeth it, nor takes,
From that which we propose;
Things imaginarie
Doe so strangely varie,
That quickly we them lose.
And what's quickly begot,
As soone againe is not,
This doe I truely know:
Yea, and what's borne with paine,
That Sense doth long'st retaine,
Gone with a greater Flow.
Yet this Critick so sterne,
But whom, none must discerne,
Nor perfectly have seeing,
Strangely layes about him,
As nothing without him
Were worthy of being.
367

That I my selfe betray
To that most publique way,
Where the Worlds old Bawd,
Custome, that doth humor,
And by idle rumor,
Her Dotages applaud.
That whilst she still prefers
Those that be wholly hers,
Madnesse and Ignorance,
I creepe behind the Time,
From spertling with their Crime,
And glad too with my Chance.
O wretched World the while,
When the evill most vile
Beareth the fayrest face,
And inconstant lightnesse,
With a scornefull slightnesse,
The best Things doth disgrace.
Whilst this strange knowing Beast,
Man, of himselfe the least,
His Envie declaring,
Makes Vertue to descend,
Her Title to defend,
Against him, much preparing.
Yet these me not delude,
Nor from my place extrude,
By their resolved Hate;
Their vilenesse that doe know,
Which to my selfe I show,
To keepe above my Fate.
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