The Rocke of Regard diuided into foure parts. The first, the Castle of delight: Wherein is reported, the wretched end of wanton and dissolute liuing. The second, the Garden of Vnthriftinesse: Wherein are many sweete flowers, (or rather fancies) of honest loue. The thirde, the Arbour of Vertue: Wherein slaunder is highly punished, and vertuous Ladies and Gentlewomen, worthily commended. The fourth, the Ortchard of Repentance: Wherein are discoursed, the miseries that followe dicing, the mischiefes of quareling, the fall of prodigalitie: and the souden ouerthrowe of foure notable cousners, with diuers other morall, natural, & tragical discourses: documents and admonitions being all the inuention, collection and translation of George Whetstons |
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How great a follie the conceit of excellencie is.
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 | The Rocke of Regard |  |
How great a follie the conceit of excellencie is.
Where as dame Nature hath bestow'd, a speciall gift of wit,And learning won by trauell long, with natures lore is knit.
If wisdome then do rule his toung, the tryall of his skill,
A passing praise among the wise, no doubt but win he will,
But once infect, with fonde conceit, how he doth others passe.
So feeding on his painted speach, wil proue a passing asse,
Or if he seekes by reasons rule, the scoffer to disgrace,
Which makes a scorne, of sounde aduice, and loues to floute and face.
Or when his equalles list to sport, to waste their sharpe annoy,
His glorious toung, is grauely bent, to countermaund their ioy.
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Then sots will straight be on his top, the residue sport to make,
If argument his betters moue, howe so the same doth growe,
If he defende or proue with them, before their mynde he knowe,
Too malapert they will him recke, and so their toil adiourne,
Thus too familiar speach in him, vnto contempt will tourne,
Where haply else, to try his wit, them selues will him request,
To shewe his reasons and his mynde, which side he liketh best,
For ofte the best, the baser choose, and leaues the high estate,
But knowes againe, when to be strange, lest he shuld proue checke mate
In honest myrth, is wisedome seene, as time thereto doth fit,
For grauest heads must haue a meane, for to refresh their wit,
Fewe wordes they say, in order plaste, the wise mans tale doth wray,
And silence is an answere fit, the noddies toung to stay,
But ouer halte in seeking praise, some myndes persuade the still,
Their knowledge silence will conceale, what then auailes their skill?
When as betweene the both extreames, a modest meane doth lye,
For to direct the wisemans tong, as needes the vse shall try.
| The Rocke of Regard | |