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CAELICA: 92, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Virgula divina, sorcerers call a rod
Last Line: You straight see all great in him, but his ill.
Alternate Author Name(s): Brooke, 1st Baron; Brooke, Lord


Virgula divina, sorcerers call a rod,
Gathered with vows and magic sacrifice,
Which borne about, by influence, doth nod
Unto the silver where it hidden lies:
Which makes poor men to these black arts devout,
Rich only in the wealth which hope finds out.

Nobility, this precious treasure is,
Laid up in secret mysteries of state,
King's creature, subjection's gilded bliss,
Where grace, not merit seems to govern fate.
Mankind, I think, to be this rod divine,
For to the greatest ever they incline.

Eloquence, that is but wisdom speaking well,
The poets feign did make the savage tame;
Of ears and hearts chained unto tongues they tell;
I think nobility to be the same;
For be they fools, or speak they without wit,
We hold them wise, we fools be-wonder it.

Invisible, there is an art to go,
They say that study nature's secret works,
And art there is to make things greater show;
In nobleness, I think, this secret lurks,
For place a coronet on him you will,
You straight see all great in him, but his ill.





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