When Arte so labourde Nature to excel,
And both had spent their excellence in thee;
Willing they gave thee into Fortune's hand,
Fearing they could not end what they beganne!"
In my poor judgment, those are truly noble lines. And what say you to the following, Mr. Editor, which form a sonnet rather than an epigram?
"The world's great peers and mighty conquerours,
Whose sword hath purchased them eternal fame,
If they survived in this age of ours
Might add more glory to their lasting name.
For him which Carthage sack'd and overthrewe,