[from the Edition of 1606]

Vppon this sinfull earth If man can happy be, And higher then his birth, (Frend) take him thus from me. Whome promise not deceiues That he the breach should rue, Nor constant reason leaues Opinion to pursue. To rayse his mean estate 10That sooths no wanton's sinne, Doth that preferment hate That virtue doth not winne. Nor brauery doth admire, Nor doth more loue professe To that he doth desire, Then that he doth possesse. Loose humor nor to please, That neither spares nor spends, But by discretion weyes 20What is to needfull ends. To him deseruing not Not yeelding, nor doth hould What is not his, doing what He ought not what he could. Whome the base tyrants will Soe much could neuer awe As him for good or ill From honesty to drawe. Whose constancy doth rise 30'Boue vndeserued spight Whose valewr's to despise That most doth him delight. That earely leaue doth take Of th' world though to his payne For virtues onely sake And not till need constrayne. Noe man can be so free Though in imperiall seate Nor Eminent as he 40That deemeth nothing greate.

Singe wee the Rose Then which no flower there growes Is sweeter: And aptly her compare With what in that is rare A parallel none meeter. Or made poses, Of this that incloses Suche blisses, 10That naturally flusheth As she blusheth When she is robd of kisses. Or if strew'd When with the morning dew'd Or stilling, Or howe to sense expos'd All which in her inclos'd, Ech place with sweetnes filling. That most renown'd 20By Nature richly crownd With yellow, Of that delitious layre And as pure, her hayre Vnto the same the fellowe, Fearing of harme Nature that flower doth arme From danger, The touch giues her offence But with reuerence 30Vnto her selfe a stranger. That redde, or white, Or mixt, the sence delyte Behoulding, In her complexion All which perfection Such harmony infouldinge. That deuyded Ere it was descided Which most pure, 40Began the greeuous war Of York and Lancaster, That did many yeeres indure. Conflicts as greate As were in all that heate I sustaine: By her, as many harts As men on either parts That with her eies hath slaine. The Primrose flower 50The first of Flora's bower Is placed, Soo is shee first as best Though excellent the rest, All gracing, by none graced.