Dazzled thus with height of place, Whilst our hopes our wits beguile, No man marks the narrow space 'Twixt a prison and a smile. Then, since fortune's favors fade, You, that in her arms do sleep, Learn to swim and not to wade, For the hearts of kings are deep. But if greatness be so blind As to trust in towers of air, Let it be with goodness lined, That at least the fall be fair. Then, though darkened, you shall say, When friends frail and princes frown, Virtue is the roughest way But proves at night a bed of down. |