HOSTAGES
"He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune."—Bacon.
Aye, Fortune, thou hast hostage of my best!
I, that was once so heedless of thy frown,
Have armed thee cap-à-pie to strike me down,
Is parceled out in little hands, and brown
Bright eyes, and in a sleeping baby's gown:
Upon the makeshift armor of my heart,
For thee no honor lies in such a fight!
Who came awake with such a painful start
To hear the coughing of a child at night.
Hostages.