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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
In all our late contests, 'tis hard to say,
Wether our Vice or Vertues made best way
To that Design, whereby to pass were brought
Those, which our best Atchievments have been thought;
Or, whether led by Folly or sound Reason
By Fraud or Force, by Faithfulness or Treason
We prospered most: and 'tis not yet agreed
By all men, who our persecutions heed,
Whether that which befell us at the first,
Or at the last, will prove the best or worst.
The Louse or Lion, Black Dogs, or the White,
Most mischievously either fawn or bite;
Which Party most needs pardon for their Sin,
Upon which side there hath most Traytors been;
Or, whether their Deserts are worst or best
VVho shall be honour'd most, or most disgrac't;
For, though we know what Causes men did own,
With what heart they did act them, 'tis unknown.
Prodigious Fruits in these times have been born;
Crabs on the Vine, and Grapes upon the Thorn;
And, Men and Causes, whether good or bad,
Of Weal and Woe, by turns, like shares have had,
To teach, that our late Changes have succeeded
For some ends, which ought better to be heeded.
Wether our Vice or Vertues made best way
To that Design, whereby to pass were brought
Those, which our best Atchievments have been thought;
Or, whether led by Folly or sound Reason
By Fraud or Force, by Faithfulness or Treason
We prospered most: and 'tis not yet agreed
By all men, who our persecutions heed,
Whether that which befell us at the first,
Or at the last, will prove the best or worst.
31
Most mischievously either fawn or bite;
Which Party most needs pardon for their Sin,
Upon which side there hath most Traytors been;
Or, whether their Deserts are worst or best
VVho shall be honour'd most, or most disgrac't;
For, though we know what Causes men did own,
With what heart they did act them, 'tis unknown.
Prodigious Fruits in these times have been born;
Crabs on the Vine, and Grapes upon the Thorn;
And, Men and Causes, whether good or bad,
Of Weal and Woe, by turns, like shares have had,
To teach, that our late Changes have succeeded
For some ends, which ought better to be heeded.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |