University of Virginia Library

[Thou Rebell vile, come, to thy master yelde]

R.
Thou Rebell vile, come, to thy master yelde.

P.
No, Tyrant, no: mine, mine shall be the fielde.

Reason.
Can Reason then a Tyraunt counted be?

Passion.
If Reason will, that Passions be not free.

R.
But Reason will, that Reason governe most.

P.
And Passion will, that Passion rule the rost.

R.
Your will is will; but Reason reason is.

P.
Will hath his will, when Reasons will doth misse.

R.
Whom Passion leades unto his death is bent.

P.
And let him die, so that he die content.

R.
By nature you to Reason faith have sworne.

P.
Not so, but fellowlike together borne.

R.
Who Passion doth ensue, lives in annoy.

P.
Who Passion doth forsake, lives void of joy.

R.
Passion is blinde, and treades an unknowne trace.

P.
Reason hath eyes to see his owne ill case.

R.
Dare Passions then abide in Reasons light?

P.
And is not Reason dimde with Passions might?

R.
O foolish thing, which glory doth destroye.

P.
O glorious title of a foolish toye.

R.
Weakenes you are, dare you with our strength fight?

P.
Because our weaknes weakeneth all your might.

R.
O sacred Reason, helpe our vertuous toiles.

P.
O Passion, passe on feeble Reasons spoiles.

R.
We with ourselves abide a daily strife.

P.
We gladly use the sweetnes of our life.

R.
But yet our strife sure peace in end doth breede.

P.
We now have peace, your peace we doo not neede.

R.
We are too strong: but Reason seekes no blood.

P.
Who be too weake, do feigne they be too good.

R.
Though we cannot orecome, our cause is just.

P.
Let us orecome, and let us be unjust.

R.
Yet Passion, yeeld at length to Reasons stroke.

P.
What shall we winne by taking Reasons yoke?

R.
The joyes you have shall be made permanent.

P.
But so we shall with griefe learne to repent.

R.
Repent indeed, but that shall be your blisse.

P.
How know we that, since present joyes we misse?

R.
You know it not: of Reason therefore know it.

P.
No Reason yet had ever skill to show it.

R. P.
Then let us both to heavenly rules give place,
Which Passions skill, and Reason do deface.