KINGDOMES ARE BUT CARES (ATTRIBUTED)
Kingdomes are but cares;
State ys devoyd of staie;
Ryches are redy snares,
And hastene to decaie.
Plesure ys a pryvie prycke
Wich vyce doth styll provoke;
Pompe, unprompt; and fame, a flame;
Powre, a smouldryng smoke.
Who meenethe to remoofe the rocke
Owte of the slymie mudde,
Shall myre hymselfe, and hardlie scape
The swellynge of the flodde.
Kingdomes are but cares;
State ys devoyd of staie;
Ryches are redy snares,
And hastene to decaie.
Plesure ys a pryvie prycke
Wich vyce doth styll provoke;
Pompe, unprompt; and fame, a flame;
Powre, a smouldryng smoke.
Who meenethe to remoofe the rocke
Owte of the slymie mudde,
Shall myre hymselfe, and hardlie scape
The swellynge of the flodde.