 | "Songes and Sonettes written by the ryght honorable
Lorde Henry Haward late Earle of Surrey, and other" |  |
If right be rackt
They of the meane estate are happiest.
If right be rackt, and ouerronne:And power take part with open wrong:
If fear by force do yelde to soone,
The lack is like to last to long.
If God for goodes shalbe vnplaced:
If right for riches lose his shape:
If world for wisdome be embraced:
The gesse is great, much hurt may happe.
Among good things, I proue and finde,
The quiet life dothe most abound:
Q2v
And sure to the contented minde
There is no riches may be found.
For riches hates to be content:
Rule is enmy to quietnesse.
Power is most part impacient:
And seldom likes to liue in pease.
I hard a herdman once compare:
That quiet nightes he had mo slept:
And had mo mery daies to spare:
Then he, which ought the beastes, he kept.
I would not haue it thought hereby
The dolphin swimme I meane to teach:
Nor yet to learne the Fawcon flie:
I rowe not so farre past my reache.
But as my part aboue the rest,
Is well to wish and well to will:
So till my breath shall fail my brest,
I will not ceasse to wish you styll.
| "Songes and Sonettes written by the ryght honorable
Lorde Henry Haward late Earle of Surrey, and other" | |