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Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

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226 XX. SIR THOMAS WIAT.;;;;;But true it is, that I haue alwayes ment loLesse <strong>to</strong> esteme <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> common sort,Of outward thinges that iudge in <strong>the</strong>ir entent,Without resrard what inward doth resort.I graunt, sometime <strong>of</strong> glory that <strong>the</strong> fireDoth <strong>to</strong>uch my hart. Me list not <strong>to</strong> report 15Blame by honour, and honour <strong>to</strong> desire.But how may I this honour now attaine,That can not dye <strong>the</strong> colour blacke a Iyer ?My Poyns, I can not frame my tune <strong>to</strong> fayne,To cloke <strong>the</strong> truth, for prayse without desert 20Of <strong>the</strong>m that list all nice ^ for <strong>to</strong> retaine.I can not honour <strong>the</strong>m that set <strong>the</strong>ir partWith Venus and Bacchus, all <strong>the</strong>ir life longNor holde my peace <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, although I smart.I can not crouch nor knele <strong>to</strong> such a wrongTo worship <strong>the</strong>m like God on earth alone,That are as wolues <strong>the</strong>se sely lambes among.I can not with my wordes complaine and mone.And suifer nought ; nor smart without complayntNor turne <strong>the</strong> worde that <strong>from</strong> my mouth is gone. 30I can not speake and loke like as a saynt,Vse wiles for wit,and make disceyt a pleasureCall craft counsaile, for lucre still<strong>to</strong> paint.I can not wrest <strong>the</strong> law <strong>to</strong> fill <strong>the</strong> c<strong>of</strong>f'er,With innocent bloud <strong>to</strong> fede my-selfe fatte, 35And do most hurt, where that most helpe I <strong>of</strong>fer.I am not he, that can alowe <strong>the</strong> stateOf hye Ceasar, and damne Ca<strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong> dyeThat with his death did scape out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gateFrom Ceasars handes, if Liuye doth not lye, 4025^ Printed * nice' first ed. ;'vice* second ed.

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