University of Virginia Library

Medio tutissimus ibis.
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The attribution of this poem is questionable.

Climenes brat, aspiring Phaëton,
Dryving the fierie horses of the sunne
Out of the midle way, vp to the seat
Of Iupiter, & scorching with the heat
Of his bright flaming charriot all the goddes,
Was by incensèd Iove whipt downe with roddes
Of thundering lightning to the raging wave
O' the vast ocean, his vntimely grave.

132

Fond Icarus, proud of his waxen wings
Soaring to high, is drenchèd in the maine,
When Dædalus his plumèd bodie brings
Safe to the shore. Ambition is a traine
That life entraps; a golden mean the way
To live securely; for we often see
Men of most honor soonest doe decay,
When meaner men live in tranquility.
Wilt thow be safe? strive not to climbe at all;
Low shrubs stand fast, when statelier okes doe fall.