University of Virginia Library

Epigram. 84. Fortius est qui se &c.

Ad Labeonem.

Beleeue me Labeo, this were fortitude,
Ouer thy selfe to get a victory;
To see thy foule affections subdude,
This were a triumph worthy memory;
Though some will hold, true valour doth consist
In resolution and an actiue bodie,
Of iniuries not suffering the least,
But who so thinkes, I thinke him but a noddie.
Achilles was commended, wot you why?
Not for the valiant deeds he did performe;
But then he shewd his magnanimity,
When gainst great Agamemnon he did storme:
Others perhaps with hasty insurrections
Would take reuenge of an iniurious offer,
Well could he temper our affections,
And (what the valiant seldome can) could suffer
True valour, Labco, if I reade aright,
Must not be onely Actiue to attempt:
For why the Lyon and the Bull can fight
And shew great mindes too, and much hardiment;
But the Irrationall can onely grieue:
Ours must not be so Beast-like furious,
But readier sometime, wrong to take then giue,
Else manhood might prooue too iniutious,
Where it must be considerate and carefull,
Betwixt extreames to keepe the merry meane,
Not to be rashly bold, nor basly fearefull,
Not too too milde, not too too full of spleane,
Who thought one world too little to subdue,
Found 'twas too much t'orecome a furious minde;
Then, as at first, so here conclude we now:
Labeo, this were true fortitude I finde,
This were a triumph worthy memory,
Ouer thy selfe to get a victory.