Poem by Thomas Urquhart

Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 41. How to oppose sinister fate.

IF of misfortune you suppose t'exoner
By any other meanes, then those of vertue,
Your troubled spirit: you bestow upon her
Both your owne skll, and weapons to subvert you;
For that, wherewith you 'magine to resist
Her furie, is already in her hand:
And which she holds extended to your breast,
To make you plyable to her command:
It is not then great friends, Nobilitie,
Health, beauty, strength, nor store of worldly treasure,
That can preserve you from her blowes; for the
Of all those things disposeth at her pleasure:
But you, your selfe must furnish with such armes,
As may defend you against vice, and sin:
And so you shall not need to feare her harmes:
For being so warded, you are happy in
The tumults of the world: and she unable
With all her might, to make you miserable.

1. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 41. Concerning those, who marry for beauty, and wealth without regard of vertue
2. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 20. Riches affoord to vertue more matter to worke upon, then povertie can doe
3. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 43. That inconveniences ought to be regarded to before hand
4. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 6. To one, whom poverty was to be wished for, in so farre, as he could hardly otherwise be restrained from excessive ryot, and feasting
5. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 22. Why covetous, and too ambitious men prove not so thankfull, as others for received favours

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