THE firste stok, fader of gentilesse -- What man that claymeth gentil for to be Must folowe his trace, and alle his wittes dresse Vertu to sewe, and vyces for to flee. For unto vertu longeth dignitee, And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse, Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free, Clene of his gost, and loved besinesse, Ayeinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee; And, but his heir love vertu, as dide he, He is noght gentil, thogh he riche seme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse; But ther may no man, as men may wel see, Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse, That is appropred unto no degree, But to the firste fader in magestee, That maketh his heir him that can him queme, Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEGY: 19. TO HIS MISTRESS GOING TO BED by JOHN DONNE THE CORAL GROVE by JAMES GATES PERCIVAL POCAHONTAS [JANUARY 5, 1608] by WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY A SUMMER NIGHT by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS THE SINGERS OF DELLA ROBBIA by ALFRED BARRETT POST MORTEM by GUSTAVO ADOLFO BECQUER HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 34 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |