Seem not too conscious of thy worth, nor be The first that knows thy own sufficiency. If to thy king and country thy true care More serviceable is than others are That blaze in court, and every action sway, As if the kingdom on their shoulders lay. Or if thou serv'st a master, and dost see Others preferr'd of less desert than thee, Do not complain, though such a plaint be true: Lords will not give their favours as a due, But rather stay and hope: it cannot be But men at last must needs thy virtues see. So shall thy trust endure, and greater grow, Whilst they that are above thee fall below. |