FORTUNE

Report hath spread, that Virtue here in place Arrived is, her silly courtto hold: And therefore I am come with faster pace, Tencounter her, whose countenance is so bold. I doubt not, but by this my pompous show, By vestures wrought with gold so gorgeously, By reverence done to me of high and low, By all these ornaments of bravery, By this my train that now attends me so, By Kings that hale my Chariot to and from, Fortune is known the Queen of all renown, That makes, that mars, sets up, and throws adown. Well is it known, what contrary effects, Betwixt Fortune and dame Virtue hath been wrought: How still I her contemn, she me rejects; I her despise, she sets me at nought: So as great wars are grown for sovereignty, And strife as great, betwixt us for victory. Now is the time of trial to be had, The place appointed, eke in present here: So as the truth to all sorts, good and bade, More clear then light, shall presently appear. It shall be seen, what Fortune's power can do, When Virtue shall be forced to yield thereto. It shall be seen when Virtue cannot bide, But shrink for shame, her silly face to hide. Then Fortune shall advance her self before All harms to help, all losses to restore. But why do I my self thus long restrain, From executing this I do intend? Time posts away, and words they be but vain, For deeds (indeed) our quarrel now must end. Therefore in place I will no longer stay, But to my stately throne my self convey. Reverence, endue reverence, &c. Let's hear what they can say. It liketh me. Dame Fortune deals not by merit, but by chance: He hath it but by hap, whom Fortune does advance; And of his hap as he hath small assurance: So in his hap likewise is small continuance. Therefore at a venture, my deer son Money, I do commit you unto Prodigality. Money, you must go to him, there is no remedy. Vanity? Is this Roister gone! Then get thee anon, And cause my attendants to come away, For here as now I will no longer stay, But prosecute this foe of mine so fast, By mischiefs all I may, that at the last, He shall arrive unto a wretched end, And with repentance learn how to offend A goddess of my state and dignity. Dame Fortune's power, her most exceeding might, Is known by this as and undoubted thing: Since here most plainly hath appeared in sighed, How all the world does hang upon her wing, How High and low, of all states and degrees, Do rise and fallen again as she decrees. Then let not Virtue think it scorn to yield, To Fortune chief of power, chief sovereignty: Sith Fortune here by proof hath won the field, Subdued her foes, and God the victory: For as she list to favour, else to frown, She hoiseth up, or headlong hurleth down. Well then, come on, to witness this our victory, Depart we hence with found of fame triumphantly. Reverence, endue reverence.