Or thy first finder’s fame abate!

Lewd and without shame are they.

Them I despise who do after this rate;

And to the wise ’tis grief to hear this say:

Through folly falls poesy to decay.

“Poesy hath praise”: an ancient saying;

But weighing it, its mettle is but base:

Put case, a poet true art essaying

The braying of the unlettered race

Will chase him straightway forth from place,