Clarastella Together with Poems occasional, Elegies, Epigrams, Satyrs. By Robert Heath |
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To a friend. Ode.
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To a friend. Ode.
Affect not aierie Popularitie!But what thou wouldst be thought, that strive to be!
Praise is but Virtues shadow; who court her
Doth more the handmaid then the Dame admire.
Who only doth wel, wel spoke of to bee,
Studies the praise and not the virtue, he.
To blaze thy virtues ne'r bespeak thy friend!
If good, they speak thee and themselves commend.
Now men but judge by heare-say, thus, they'l know,
And see thy worth, and judge it greater too.
True worth is best displaid by modestie
The greatest rivers slide most silentlie,
Only the shallow brooks do prattle, they
Make a great noise and go but little way.
Fame that doth feed oth' vaine applause of men,
Gapes to its Eccho to be heard agen:
And like this, lives awhile by others breath;
Which being stopt is husht to silent death.
Good actions crown themselves with lasting baies,
Who deserves wel, needs not anothers praise.
Virtue's her own reward; though, Euge, none
Wil cry, 'tis Guerdon yet to have wel done.
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