University of Virginia Library

SCENE IIII.

Enter Liberalitie.
Lib.
The more a man with vertuous dealing doth himselfe invre,
The lesse with worldly businesse, he is molested sure,
Which maketh proofe, that as turmoyles still tosse the worldly minde:
So mindes exempt from worldly toyle, desired quiet finde.
And chiefly where the life is led in vertuous exercise,
There is no toyle, but ease, and contentation to the wise:
But what account, how sleight regard, is had of vertue here,
By actions on this worldly stage, most plainely doth appeare,
Men see without most iust desert, of vertue nought is got,
To Fortune therefore flie they still, that giueth all by lot;
And finding Fortunes gifts, so pleasant, sweet and sauery,
They build thereon, as if they should endure perpetually.
But this is sure, and that most sure, that Fortune is vnsure,
Her selfe most fraile, her giftes as fraile, subiect to euery shewre:
And in the end, who buildeth most vpon her suerty,
Shall finde himselfe cast headlong downe, to depth of miserie.
Then hauing felt the crafty sleights of Fortunes fickle traine,
Is forst to seeke by vertues aid, to be relieu'd againe.
This is the end, runne how he list, thus man of force must doe,
Vnlesse his life be cleane cut off, this man must come vnto:
In time therefore man might doe well, to care for his estate,
Lest letted by extremity, repentance come too late.