The moon is the world’s glass; in which ’twere strange

If we saw her’s and saw not our own change.

Herodotus is history’s fresh youth;

Thucydides is judgment, age, and truth.

In sadness, Machiavel, thou didst not well, 35

To help the world to run faster to hell.

The Italian’s the world’s gentleman, the Court

To which thrift, wit, lust, and revenge resort.

Bogs, purgatory, wolves, and ease, by fame

Are counted Ireland’s earth, mistake, curse, shame. 40