University of Virginia Library

If thou wilt mighty be

He ruleth not though he raigne ouer realmes that is subiect to his owne lustes.

If thou wilt mighty be, flee from the rage
Of cruell wyll, and see thou kepe thee free
From the foule yoke of sensuall bondage,
For though thy empyre stretche to Indian sea,
And for thy feare trembleth the fardest Thylee,
If thy desire haue ouer thee the power,
Subiect then art thou and no gouernour.
If to be noble and high thy minde be meued,
Consider well thy grounde and thy beginnyng:
For he that hath eche starre in heanen

[_]

heauen

fixed,
And geues the Moone her hornes and her eclipsyng:
Alike hath made the noble in his workyng,
So that wretched no way thou may bee,
Except foule lust and vice do conquere thee.
All were it so thou had a flood of golde,
Vnto thy thirst yet should it not suffice.
And though with Indian stones a thousande folde,
More precious then can thy selfe deuise,
Ycharged were thy backe: thy couitise
And busye bytyng yet should neuer let,
Thy wretchid life ne do thy death profet.

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Dd3r