The Arbor of Amitie wherin is comprised pleasant Pohems and pretie Poesies, set foorth by Thomas Howell |
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Of ingratitude.
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 | The Arbor of Amitie |  |
Of ingratitude.
Who rightly scans what thing is greatest greefeAnd seekes by proofe the truth therof to trie,
Shall surely finde ingratitude the cheefe,
Surmounting farre eche other wo on hie.
Whose freting force when friendlie wight shal feele
All mirth and ioy to care doth straight conuart.
Yea weare the hart of craggie flinte or steele,
It scarse coulde shoonne to waile such bitter smart.
Who therfore seekes by paines to please the prowd,
Unthankefull wight compared well may bee,
To hym that kepes a Cur which barkes as lowde,
At Feaders face as when he foe doth see.
Or Viper eke, who long with carefull thought,
In wofull wombe, hir tender younglings feedes,
By whome at last hir balefull bale is wrought,
Through their ingrate and most vnfriendly deedes.
Whose nature is to worke the place most griefe,
Where they in time haue had full great reliefe:
Of all ingrate loe heere the gotten gaine,
And onely hyre for well deserued paine.
| The Arbor of Amitie | |