Ayres and dialogues For One, Two, and Three Voyces; To be Sung either to the theorbo-lute or basse-viol |
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Liberty breeds Presumption.
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Liberty breeds Presumption.
[I]
When the unfetter'd subjects of the Seas,The Rivers, found their silver feet at ease;
No sooner summon'd, but they swiftly went,
To meet the Ocean at a Parliament:
Did not the petty Fountains say, their King,
The Ocean, was no Ocean but a Spring?
As now some do, the power of Kings dispute;
And think it less, 'cause more is added too't.
II
Pale Ignorance, can the excess of StoreMake him seem poorer than he was before?
The Stars, the Heavens Inferior Courtiers, may
Govern the Nights darkness but not rule the Day:
Where the Sun Lords it, though they all combine
With Lucia, in her Vulgar dress, to shine
Brighter than they; nor can He be subdu'd,
Although but one, and they a multitude.
III
Say Subjects, are you Stars, be it alow'd,You justly of your Members may be proud;
But to the Sun inferior; for know this,
Your Light is borrow'd, not your own, but his:
And as all Streams into the Ocean run,
You ought to pay your contribution:
Then do not such Ingratitude oppress,
To make him low that could have made you less
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