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Rh A worthy wight his friend was ever known, Some generous cause did still his lips inspire; He begs the Knight by friendships long agone To shelter from his lawyers cruel ire An auncient hinde, around whose cheerlesse fire Sat Grief, and pale Disease. The poor mans wrong Affects the Knight: his inmost hearts desire Gleams through his eyes; yet all confusd, and stung With inward pain, he looks, and silence guards his tongue.

See, while his friend entreats and urges still, See, how with sidelong glaunce and haviour shy He steals the look to read his Lemmans will, Watchfull the dawn of an assent to spy. Look as he will, yet will she not comply. His friend with scorn beholds his awkward pain; From him even Pity turns her tear-dewd eye, And hardlie can the bursting laugh restrain, With manlie Honor frowns on his unmanlie stain.