Classic Poem

Proaemium.

As in the greatest of societies,
The first beginners, like good natur'd soules,
Beare with their neighbors poore infirmities:
But after, when ambition controules
Theyr calme proceedings, they imperiously
" (As great things still oerwhelme themselues with weight)
Enuy their countrimens prosperity,
And in contempt of poorer fates delight.
So Englands wits (now mounted the full height,)
Hauing confounded monstrous barbarismes,
Puft. vp by conquest, with selfe-wounding spight,
Engraue themselues in ciuill warres Abismes ,
Seeking by all meanes to destroy each other,
The vnhappy children of so deere a mother.