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LAS! that thus should Fortune play

Her pranks, and worthy men betray

To misery, while the better part

She deals to miscreants. In thine heart

Bethink thou well of Socrates

(Too wise a foolish world to please);

My love I gave him, and to me

He gave his love all utterly.

Full many examples have there been

Of this in old-time records seen,

In proof whereof will I relate

Great Seneca’s and Nero’s fate.

But here I purpose not to tell

The grievous crimes and actions fell

Of Nero; such a tale of wrong

Were wearisome and over long

To cite once more; how he with dire

Intention set great Rome a-fire,

And many a senator that time

Met death by his atrocious crime.

Or how with heart more obdurate

Than stone, he sealed his brother’s fate;