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9 Novembris, 1603
IF great men wrong me, I will spare myself; | |
| If mean I will spare them. I know the pelf | |
| Which is ill-got the owner doth upbraid; | |
| It may corrupt a judge, make me afraid, | |
| And a jury; but ’twill revenge in this, | 5 |
| That, though himself be judge, he guilty is. | |
| What care I though of weakness men tax me? | |
| I had rather sufferer than doer be. | |
| That I did trust it was my nature’s praise, | |
| For breach of word I knew but as a phrase. | 10 |
| That judgment is, that surely can comprise | |
| The world in precepts, most happy and most wise. | |
| What though? Though less, yet some of both have we, | |
| Who have learn’d it by use and misery. | |
| Poor I, whom every petty cross doth trouble, | 15 |
| Who apprehend each hurt that’s done me, double, | |
| Am of this, though it should sink me, careless; | |
| It would but force me to a stricter goodness. | |
| They have great gain of me, who gain do win, | |
| If such gain be not loss, from every sin. | 20 |
| The standing of great men’s lives would afford | |
| A pretty sum, if God would sell His word. | |
| He cannot; they can theirs, and break them too; | |
| How unlike they are that they’re liken’d to. | |
| Yet I conclude, they are amidst my evils; | 25 |
| If good, like Gods; the naught are so like devils. | |
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