Poem by Thomas Urquhart

Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 19. The Parallel of Nature, and For∣tune

A Fly, which is a despicable creature
Obtaines, beside her wings, six feet from Nature:
Yet foure feet onely, she is pleas'd to grant
To the huge body of an Elephant:
So Fortune doth withdraw her gifts from some,
Whose real worth surpasseth theirs, on whom
She hath bestowed them, as forcibly,
As Elephants in strenth exceed a fly.

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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