University of Virginia Library

A worthie Noble-Man. 8.

Hee's a true Noble, that is noblie borne,
Whose gracefull Vertue doth Descent adorne.
Nobilitie consistes not aye in Blood,
But in a personall, and practicke Good.
When as the Noble-borne, by actiue worth,
Decores, and crownes, and beautifies his birth.
Hee Noble is, that nev'r to Vertue, Wealth,
Nor to his Honour, doth preferre his Health.
For Countrey, King, and for the Christian Fayth,
Hee's truely Noble, that doth disdaine the Death.
And never doth regarde (for loue of these,)
His Hazards, Paines, his Losse, his Gaine, nor Ease.
And hee is Noble the noblest Nobles among.
That will not doe, nor will receiue, a Wrong.
Hee is compleatlie Noble, in everie Case,
Whose Nature is nobilitate with Grace.
And hee is Noble, that prudentlie, and wyse,
Doth hugg Humilitie, and Pryde despyse.
Graue Wisdome justlie doth most Noble esteeme,
The temperatelie Iust, and Magnaneim.
A verie Noble, a King, a Prince, or Earle,
In Natures Shop, is lyke a polisht Pearle:
Whose reasonable Soule is rapt aboue
Terrestr'all Trash, with hopefull holy Lone.
Hee's wholly Noble, into his Heart that hath
Strong holding Hope, true Loue, and living Fayth.
Hee's meerly Noble, whose Sprite aspiring springs,
Nev'r blinking backe to Baggage basest things.
Hee is the Heart of Hospitalitie,
Bounties Lyfe, and Nurse of Charitie.
Hee's Learnings Loue, Necessities Reliefe,
Valours Fame, and Wisdomes constant Cliefe.
The Falcon hee's, that on no Carrion feeds,
And th'Eagle that after no Spider speeds.
Hee is the Dolphin true, that feares no Whale,
And never will for terrour turne his Taile
Hee is in Reasons Heaven, a stately Starre,
And chosen Sainct in Vertues Kalendar.
Hee's in the Royall Round and Hemispheare,
A sure and setled Cynosura there.
Hee's Rector in Reasons Philosophie,
Load-starre of Light, in Loues Astronomie.
In Honours Court, hee hath the Marshals place,
And's Royall Gallant into greatest Grace.
In briefe, hee is the Beaut' of his Abode,
Belov'd of Men, and gracious vnto GOD.