The Captive-captain or, the restrain'd cavalier; Drawn to his full Bodie in these Characters ... Presented, and Acted to Life in a Suit of Durance; an Habit suiting best with the Place of his Residence [by Richard Brathwait] |
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| VIII. |
No Mean, No Man.
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 | The Captive-captain |  |
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No Mean, No Man.
What is this Pomp, this Port, this flowr of glory,But a meer pageant, or a naked story,
Presenting Man what his extraction is,
And, what an unblest State is humane bliss?
If rich, hee's proud; if poor, he envies them
Who swell with more estate, or more esteem.
If Fool, should he all Ophirs oar possess,
The more he has, he does injoy the less.
If wise, his own house cannot him contain,
Some forein projects must surprize his brain;
Where, while he feeds on hopes, and seekes to prey
On others fall, his own falls to decay:
For, how should he retein least hope, to come
To wealth abroad, that cannot thrive at home?
But, if Ambition wing our ayry flight,
Look not how high we fly, but where we light.
Who to his own State can his thoughts confine,
He in his Croft enjoyes an Indian Mine.
| The Captive-captain | |