Madrigals to Fiue voyces Newly published |
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| I. |
| II. | [II. Content thy selfe with thy estate] |
| III. |
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| VIII. |
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| XIII. |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
 | Madrigals to Fiue voyces |  |
[II. Content thy selfe with thy estate]
Content thy selfe with thy estate,
Seeke not to climb aboue the skies,
For often loue is mixt with hate,
And twixt the flowers the Serpent lies,
Where Fortune sends her greatest ioyes,
There once possest they are but toyes.
Seeke not to climb aboue the skies,
For often loue is mixt with hate,
And twixt the flowers the Serpent lies,
Where Fortune sends her greatest ioyes,
There once possest they are but toyes.
What thing can earthly pleasure giue,
That breedes delight when it is past?
Or who so quietly doth liue
But stormes of cares do drowne at last?
This is the lone of wordly hire,
The more we haue the more desire.
That breedes delight when it is past?
Or who so quietly doth liue
But stormes of cares do drowne at last?
This is the lone of wordly hire,
The more we haue the more desire.
VVherefore I hold him best at ease,
That liues content with his estate,
And doth not sayle in worldly Seas,
VVhere mine, & thine, do breede debate:
This noble mind euen in a Clowne,
Is more then to possesse a Crowne.
That liues content with his estate,
And doth not sayle in worldly Seas,
VVhere mine, & thine, do breede debate:
This noble mind euen in a Clowne,
Is more then to possesse a Crowne.
| Madrigals to Fiue voyces | |