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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VERSES UNDER THE PICTURE OF FORTUNE by ROBERT GREENE

First Line: THE FICKLE SEAT WHEREON PROUD FORTUNE SITS
Last Line: OF SUCH AS TRUST TO FORTUNE OR TO FATE.
Subject(s): FATE; FORTUNE; DESTINY;

THE fickle seat whereon proud Fortune sits,
The restless globe whereon the Fury stands,
Bewrays her fond and far inconstant fits;
The fruitful horn she handleth in her hands
Bids all beware to fear her flattering smiles,
That giveth most when most she meaneth guiles;
The wheel that, turning, never taketh rest,
The top whereof fond worldlings count their bliss,

Within a minute makes a black exchange,
And then the vile and lowest better is:
Which emblem tells us the inconstant state
Of such as trust to Fortune or to Fate.



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