Trivial poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Are these the things I sigh'd for soe, before?
For want of these, did I complayne of Fate?
Itt cannot bee. Sure there was somewhat more
That I saw then, and priz'd att a true rate;
Or a strange dullnesse had obscur'd my sight,
And euen rotten wood glitters i'th' night.

2

Mine eyes were dimme, I could noe nearer gett;
This trash was with itt's most aduantage plac'd:
Noe meruayle then, if all my thoughts were sett
On folly, since itt seem'd soe fayrely grac'd.
But now that I can see, and am gott neare,
Ugly (as 'tis indeed) itt doth appeare.

3

Now, were I putt on th'Erithrean sands,
I would not stoope the choycest jew'les to take:
Should th'Indian bring me gold in full-fill'd hands,
I would refuse all offers hee could make,

Gemmes are but sparckling froth, naturall glasse;
Gold's but guilt clay, or the best sort of brasse.

4

Long since (for all his monarchy) that bee
Which rules in a large hiue, I did dispize:
A mole-hill's chiefest ant I laugh'd to see,
But any prince of men I much did prize.
The world now seemes to mee noe bigger then
Mole-hill, or hiue; ants, bees, noe lesse then men.

5

Who wishes then for power, or plenty craues,
O lett him looke downe on them both from hence!
Hee'l see that kings in thrones, as well as graues
Are but poore wormes, enslau'd to uilest sence:
Hee'l find that none are poore who care for nought;
But they who hauing much, for more haue sought.

6

Come, poore deluded wretch! climbe up to mee;
My naked hermitage will teach all this:
'Twill teach thee too where truest riches bee,
And how to gayne a neuer-fading blisse.
'Twill make thee see that truely none doe raigne,
But those who serue our common souuerayne.