Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/246

 Yes, threaten, do. Alas! I fear As little as I hope from thee: I know thou canst not show nor bear More hatred than thou hast to me.

My tender, first, and simple years Thou didst abuse and then betray; Since stir'd'st up jealousies and fears, When all the causes were away.

Then in a soil hast planted me Where breathe the basest of thy fools; Where envious arts professèd be, And pride and ignorance the schools;

Where nothing is examined, weigh'd, But as 'tis rumour'd, so believed; Where every freedom is betray'd, And every goodness tax'd or grieved.

But what we're born for, we must bear: Our frail condition it is such That what to all may happen here, If 't chance to me, I must not grutch.

Else I my state should much mistake To harbour a divided thought From all my kind&mdash;that, for my sake, There should a miracle be wrought.

No, I do know that I was born To age, misfortune, sickness, grief: But I will bear these with that scorn As shall not need thy false relief.