The little hearts, where light-winged passion reigns, Move easily upward, as all frailties do; Like straws to jeat, these follow princes' veins, And so, by pleasing, do corrupt them too. Whence as their raising proves kings can create, So states prove sick where toys bear staple-rate. Like atomy they neither rest, nor stand, Nor can erect, because they nothing be But baby-thoughts, fed with time-present's hand, Slaves, and yet darlings of authority; Echoes of wrong; shadows of princes' might, Which glow-worm-like, by shining, show 'tis night. Curious of fame, as foul is to be fair; Caring to seem that which they would not be; Wherein chance helps, since praise is power's heir, Honor the creature of authority; So as borne high, in giddy orbs of grace, These pictures are, which are indeed but place. And as the bird in hand, with freedom lost, Serves for a stale, his fellows to betray; So do these darlings, raised at princes' cost, Tempt man to throw his liberty away, And sacrifice law, church, all real things, To soar, not in his own, but eagles' wings. Whereby, like Aesop's dog, men lost their meat, To bite at glorious shadows which they see, And let fall those strengths which make all states great, By free truths changed to servile flattery. Whence, while men gaze upon this blazing star, Made slaves, not subjects, they to tyrants are. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TRANSFORMATION by CARL SANDBURG HIS OWNE EPITAPH by FRANCOIS VILLON TO A DOG'S MEMORY by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY THE MAN CHRIST by THERESE (KARPER) LINDSEY EPITAPH ON HIMSELF by MATTHEW PRIOR SONNET: 64 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |