CHAP. XXI.) THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 231 



Beauty, th' eye's idol, but a damasked skin; 

 State, hut a golden prison, to live in 

 And torture free-born minds ; embroidered trains, 

 Merely but pageants for proud swelling veins ; 

 And blood allied to greatness is alone 

 Inherited, not purchased, nor our own. 



Fame, Honor, Beauty, State, Train, Blood, and Birth 



Are but the fading blossoms of the earth. 



**I would be great, but that the sun doth still 

 Level his rays against the rising hill : 

 I would be high, but see the proudest oak 

 Most subject to the rending thunder-stroke : 

 I would be rich, r but see men, too unkind, 

 Dig in the bowels of the richest mind : 

 I would be wise, but that I often see 

 The fox suspected, whilst the ass goes free : 

 I would be fair, but see the fair and proud, 

 Like the bright sun, oft setting in a cloud : 

 I would be poor, but know the humble grass 

 Still trampled on by each unworthy ass : 

 Rich, hated ; Wise, suspected ; Scorned if poor ; 

 Great, feared ; Fair, tempted ; High, still envied more : 



I have wished all ; but now I wish for neither ; 



Great, High, Rich, Wise, nor Fair ; Poor I '11 be rather. 



" Would the World now adopt me for her heir, 

 Would Beauty's queen entitle me the fair, 

 Fame speak me Fortune's minion ; could I vie 

 Angels with India ; with a speaking eye 

 Command bare heads, bowed knees, strike justice dumb 

 As well as blind and lame ; or give a tongue 

 To stones by epitaphs ; be called great master 

 In the loose rhymes of every poetaster ; 

 Could I be more than any man that lives, 

 Great, fair, rich, wise, all in superlatives : 

 Yet I more freely would these gifts resign, 

 Than ever Fortune would have made them mine j 



And hold one minute of this holy leisure 



Beyond the riches of this empty pleasure. 



"Welcome, pure thoughts ! Welcome, ye silent groves! 

 These guests, these courts, my soul most dearly 



