SENECA

Gainst lineage, nought should rashly pointed be. A sovereign salve for fear, is for to bear, Your self debonair to your subjects all. A worthier virtue it's, in countries sire, His people to defend with sword, and fire. Nay rather frolic youthful blood appears, To have more need of counsel wise, and graven. That heavenly powers your doings may allow. So much the more, because so much you may. Give slender trust to Fortune's flattering face: She topste turuie turns his wheel a pace. A princes praise I counted have always, To do that same which with his honour stood, Not that which frantic fancy counteth good. And whom they hate with force they overquell. But faith more sure defence does seem to me. More meet of subjects for to be beloved. What so by force of arms you do wring out, A grievous work it is to bring about. Will nothing then but that which well you may. What peoples voice does jointly bind or loose, Let that confirmed stand. Ne. Swords bloody dint Shall cause them else at me to take their hynt. God Shield, and far that fact from you remove. It is, Oh prince, a worthy famous thing, Amids redoubted Lords alone to ring: And wisely work your countries praise to save: And well your self to captive folk behave: From cruel brutish slaughter to abstain: And void of mood to wreak your angry pain: And, to the world a quiet calm to give, That all your age in peace their lives may live. This is a Princes praise without all crime: This is the path to heaven whereby we climb. So is Augustus prince and father called Of country first, in starbright throne ystald. Whom as a God in ministers we adorn, Yet troublous fortune tossed him before, A great while long on lands, and ruffling seas, Until his father's foes he could appease, And through wars diverse course could quel the ̄ quite. To you did fortune yield his power, and might, And reins of rule without all blood, and fight. And to your beck both land, and seas hath bent. Grim deadly envy daunted does relent. The Senate Lords gave place with free consent: The battailous rout of knights with willing hearts (That same decree from sager sires departs) Unto the lay men's choice do well agree. Your grace the spring of peace they count to be. And chosen Judge, and guide of mortal stock. Your grace, your countries sacred sire, does rock, And rule with princely gorgeous title bright, The circled world in rundell wisely ydight. Which mighty mounting name to keep so great, This noble city Room, does you entreat: And does commend unto your royal grace, His lively lyms in charge for your lives space. Your noble spouse, sprung forth of sainted peer, Of Claudius stock, the starbright Diamond clear, That goddess Juno wise his brother's bed Partaking, pressed down with buttocks read, Your graces princely court shall garnish gay, With wondrous heavenly fair descended stay. In tender budding years, when love suppressed With blushing, hides the flames of burning breast, Scant plain appears the love they bear in deed. Faith, meekness, manners mild, & hashfull shame Of spouse, those ought and husband to reclaim. The pearls of judging mind, alone remain, Not subject once to any rulers reign. The passing pride of beauties numbing grace Eke day appals, and bleamisheth a pace. Oh noble prince such blind, unlawful love, (Do rashly credit nought) from you remove. Swift winged love, men's fanste found, in vain A mercy wanting God to be, does fame: And arms his hands with wounding weapons keen And bows with burning brands, for lovers green: Of Venus to be sprung, they all accord, And blindly forged, of thunders limping Lord. Bland love the minds great torment soar, appears, And buddeth first, in frolic youthful years. Who, while we drink of Fortune's pleasant cup, With laysie pampering riot, is nestled up: Whom if to foster up, you leave at length It fleeting, falls away with broken strength. This is, in all our life, as I suppose The greatest cause, how pleasure, first arose. Which sith mankind by brooding, bideth ayt, Through gladsome love, that fierce wild beasts does sway It never can, from manly breast depart. The peoples grief might never yield to it: Nor virtue can, the same at all, permit. No trifling toys, the people looks to have Of him, that ought to rule with wisdom graven. Seek rather for to please, and calm their mood. When nought that they require they can obtain, They justly then aggrieved are again. And hard thing it's the people not to have That of their Prince, which they do justly crave. Let not your subjects then so soar be reigned. That no man trusts, that is of credit light. With country peers to meddle, it is afraid. Your grace may easily couch that budding bruit. Let sainted sires deserts with pliant suit, Your graces mind, remove: let spouses age, And courteous bashful shame disrump your rage.