Characters and Essayes :: :: University of Virginia Library

A publicke Poyson, and pernitious thing,
And hurtfull harme, to the Crowne of a King,
Is a corrupted Counseller, and evill,
The Sonne of Shame, and Suppost of the Devill.
The danger of the State, and oft the fail,
When Iudgement wants, or weaknesse wryeth all
The Eares of the King, hee doth enchant, and charme.
And doeth so, the whole Republicke harme.
False in effect, tho most faire in his word,
And in th'advise of tyrannie, a sword
Pridefull, and perilious, his power-still,
And partiall proues his voting, with his will.
His heart is hollow, for his owne behoue,
In protestation of a feigned loue.
Hypocrisie the Cloake hee carries on,
His colde and counterfet Religion.
Trayterous invents, the onlie Agents are,
That stirre in him, a bolde Ambition dare.
Hee's lyke a cloudie and a threatning Storme,
That seemes to haue a Nat'rall cause and forme:
When that it Raines, dissolues, and foorth doth fall,
It striketh dead, and ofttimes drowneth all.
Disloyall to his Lord, ingrate to GOD,
To both vnworthie, and of Vertue voyde.
Hee is no person proper for his place,
But doth the grandour of that Rowne disgrace.
Vnworthie alwayes, and therefore, vnfit
For to looke once, on Majestie from it.