ways

Laws for themselves and not for me;

And if my ways are not as theirs

Let them mind their own affairs.

For she and I were long acquainted

And I knew all her ways.

And so the weed of sorrow

Springs at the four cross ways.

Know, kings and fortune cannot make thee more.

Then scorn to gain a friend by servile ways,

Nor wish to lose a foe these virtues raise;

Can all desert in sciences exceed.

'Tis great delight to laugh at some men's ways,

But a much greater to give merit praise.

Others on earth o'er human race preside,

Watch all their ways, and all their actions guide:

Of these the chief the care of nations own,

For there be those who hate him in their hearts,

Call him baseborn, and since his ways are sweet,

And theirs are bestial, hold him less than man:

Thou shalt tell all thy days and hours, and tell

Thy times and ways and words of love, and say

How one was dear and one desirable,