Not only me

Not only me

No man is an island, entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less; As well as if a promontory were, As well as if a manor of thy friends, or of thine own, were; Any man’s death...
Bondage more than liberty?

Bondage more than liberty?

But what more oft in nations grown corrupt, And by their vices brought to servitude, Than to love bondage more than liberty, Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty, And to despise, or envy, or suspect, Whom God hath of his special favour raised As their deliverer;...
Clear Conscience?

Clear Conscience?

My conscience umpire; whom if they will hear, Light after light well used they shall attain, And to the end persisting safe arrive. This my long sufferance, and my day of grace, They who neglect and scorn shall never taste; But be hardened, blind be blinded more, That...
Wise bird

Wise bird

Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And wisdom’s self Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, Where with her best nurse Contemplation She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings That in...
Hypocrisy invisible except to God

Hypocrisy invisible except to God

Hypocrisy – the only evil that walks Invisible except to God alone, By his permissive will, through heaven and earth; And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps At wisdom’s gate, and to simplicity Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill...