Thomas Middleton ( 10 of 22 )
With diadem and sceptre high advanced,
The lower still I fall; only supreme
In misery; such joy read more
With diadem and sceptre high advanced,
The lower still I fall; only supreme
In misery; such joy ambition finds.
And with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
And with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Who aspires must down as low
As high he soar'd.
Who aspires must down as low
As high he soar'd.
The strongest and the fiercest spirit
That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair.
The strongest and the fiercest spirit
That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair.
The less of this cold world the more of heaven.
The less of this cold world the more of heaven.
For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.
For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.
Who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king.
Who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king.
How fallen, how changed
From him, who, in the happy realms of light,
Clothed with transcendent brightness, read more
How fallen, how changed
From him, who, in the happy realms of light,
Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine
Myriads, though bright.
Hold their nose to the grindstone.
Hold their nose to the grindstone.
Two other tender drops, which ready stood,
Each in their crystal sluice.
Two other tender drops, which ready stood,
Each in their crystal sluice.
