Sir Walter Raleigh (1554?–1618). Poems. 1892.

Walter Rawely of the Middle Temple in Commendation of the Steel Glass; 1576

SWEET were the sauce would please each kind of taste;

The life likewise were pure that never swerved:

For spiteful tongues in cankered stomachs placed

Deem worst of things which best (percase) deserved.

But what for that? This medicine may suffice

To scorn the rest, and seek to please the wise.

Though sundry minds in sundry sort do deem,

Yet worthiest wights yield praise for every pain;

But envious brains do nought, or light, esteem

Such stately steps as they cannot attain:

For whoso reaps renown above the rest,

With heaps of hate shall surely be oppressed.

Wherefore, to write my censure of this book,

This Glass of Steel unpartially doth show

Abuses all to such as in it look,

From prince to poor, from high estate to low.

As for the verse, who list like trade to try,

I fear me much, shall hardly reach so high.