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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HONOR by JOSEPH BEAUMONT

First Line: AMBITIOUS SIR, TAKE HEED
Last Line: WHO FELL FULL FIFTY CUBITS HIGH.
Subject(s): AMBITION; HONOR;

AMBITIOUS Sir, take heed;
For thou on Glass dost tread.
No Glass more beautifull & cleer
Than all the paths of Honor are;
No Glass more slippery can be
Or brittle, than deceitfull She.

2

Ambitious Sir take heed,
Thou trustest to a Reed.
No Reed's more tost & scorned by
All Windes, than Honors bravery:
No Reed will wound more deeply Thee
Who leanst on it, than treacherous She.

3

Ambitious Sir take heed;
Thou rid'st a dangerous Steed.
No Steed his crest doth more advance,
Or proudlyer than Honor prance:
No Steed did e'r so desperatlie
Stumble, as most uncertain She.

4

Ambitious Sir, take heed;
Thou dost on Poison feed.
No Poison in a goodlyer cup
Than that of Honor's served up:
No Poison e'r made drinker be
More swollen, than doth banefull She.

5

Ambitious Sir take heed;
And in brave Haman read
A wholesome Lesson: who but He
Honor's own Darling was! Yet see
His ruines monstrous mockery,
Who fell full fifty cubits high.



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