Page:The Century Of Life.pdf/33

 THE HARD LOT OF THE COURTIER

Hard is the courtier’s lot who fain would please. Being silent, ““Lo the dumb man!” they gibe; if speech Eloquent edge his wit, “‘He seeks to teach, The chatterer!” else, ‘““Hark to his flatteries!”’ Rude, if he sit near; far,—‘‘What want of ease!’ Enduring insult, “‘Coward!’’; if he spurn The injurer, “Surely a spawn of parents base!”’ Such service is in courts, whose laws to learn Wise sages are perplexed, or tread its ways.

THE UPSTART

Yea, how this high sun burns that was so low, Enlightening with his favours all things base! Hating all goods, with chainless license vile

Of those his filthy deeds makes arrogant show Obscurely engendered in his unseen days Ere sudden fortune raised from miry soil.

No virtue now, genius nor merit ’s safe

From vulture eyes that at all cleanness chafe.