University of Virginia Library

Sonetto. 15.

[As fond conceyt doth moue the wauering minde]

As fond conceyt doth moue the wauering minde,
Of artlesse sottes that knowe not wisedoms lore,
Inconstant still to chang with eu'rie winde,
Whose base desires want fruites of vertues store.
So doth the arte and knowledge of the wise,
Stirre vp his minde in honors foorde to wade,
With feruent zeale base changlinges to dispise,
And their weake strength, with courage to inuade,
Whose mind being arm'd with true loues strong defence,
He gyrdes his loynes with bondes of constancie,
And scornes that ought should alter his pretence,
Or stayne his name, with blot of infamie.
Thus wisedome is not giuen to manye,
And but to such for to be constant anye.