The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
A Poeme both pithie and pleasant.
If right were rackt and ouer-runne,And power take parte with open wrong,
If force by feare doe yeeld too soone,
The lack is like to last too long:
If God for goods shalbe vnplac'd,
If right for riches leaues his shape,
If world for wisdome be imbrac'd,
The guesse is great much hurt may hap:
Among good thinges I prooue and find,
The quiet life doth most abound,
And sure to the contented mind,
There is no riches may be found:
Riches doth hate to be content,
Rule is enmie to quiet ease,
Power for the most part is vnpacient
And seldome likes to liue in peace:
I heard a Shepheard once compare,
That quiet nights he had more sleepe,
And had more merrie dayes to spare
Then he which ought his Flock of sheepe.
I would not haue it thought heereby,
The Dolphin swim I meane to teach,
Ne yet to learne the Faulcon flie,
I roue not so farre past my reach,
But as my part aboue the rest,
Is wel to wish and good to will:
So till the breath doth fayle my brest,
I shal not stay to wish you still.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |