Classic Poem

" NEVERTHELESS, I certainly advise
That you should not remain without a friend.
Why not take me — a gentlewoman fair
Worthy to serve the Emperor of Rome?
I'm willing; and, if me you will accept,
Do you know what my love is worth to you?
So much that you'll not want for anything
Which proper is, whatever may betide.
You'll find yourself so great a lord that ne'er
Was any greater known; and I will do
Whate'er you wish. Never too great desire
Can you conceive, if you will do my will;
And 'twere unfitting to do otherwise.
You'll have the great advantage of a friend
Of lineage that is beyond compare,
Daughter of God the Father, who conceived
And made me what I am Regard this form,
And gaze in these clear eyes. No titled maid
E'er loved with such abandon as do I;
For I have from my father fullest leave
To love and to be loved, and not be blamed.
Nor need you fear reproach, for we shall have,
O'er both of us at once, my father's guard.
Does that sound good? Answer; what do you think?
That god who made you act so foolishly,
Knows he so well to pay his vassalage?
Does he give such good wage to those poor fools
Whose homage he accepts? Do not refuse
My offer; have a care, for maidens scorned
Are all too shamed and grieved, unwont to beg,
For which is Echo's case sufficient proof. "

" Your words are Greek to me. In language plain
Tell me how 'tis you wish that I should serve. "
" Let me serve you; but be my loyal friend.
Forsake the god who brought you to this pass.
Scorn Fortune's wheel, which is not worth a prune.
Be like old Socrates, who was so firm
And stable that in his prosperity
He ne'er rejoiced; nor grieved in indigence.
Good and ill fortune he in balance set
And found them like in weight. To no extreme
Of happiness or sorrow he gave way;
Nor glad nor sorry he, whate'er befell
Solinus has well said he was the man
Apollo's oracle adjudged most wise.
Whate'er occurred, his face was always calm;
He was unmoved when hemlock doomed to drink
Because he'd not admit of many gods
But put his faith in one, and preached that man
By numerous deities should never swear.
Heraclitus, Diogenes refused
With equal courage to be cowed by woe
Or poverty — in resolution firm
Sustained mischances that occurred to them.
If you would serve me, do not otherwise.
By Fortune's turns however much abused
And tortured, guard lest you should be cast down.
He is no adversary good and strong
Who struggles not when Fortune seeks to beat
And with her cudgeling discomfit him.
He should defend himself most vigorously
And not give in; for Fortune faintly fights,
In palace or in dunghill, if opposed.
Who struggles well may win at the first blow.
Who fears her is not brave; who knows her strength
And knows his own should not be tripped by her
Unless he voluntarily falls down.
Disgraceful 'tis to see a man, who might
Defend himself, into the hangman's noose
Submit his head. No greater indolence
Could be than that he shows. It would be wrong
To waste regret on such a worthless one.
Take care, then, that you naught from her accept
Or help or honor; let her turn her wheel
Forever and a day without a rest,
Blindfolded, sitting in the midst of it.
She blinds the rich with honor and renown —
Others with poverty. But when she will
She takes back all her gifts. Great fool is he
Who finds in anything delight or grief,
For certainly he can defend himself
By power of will alone. Another thing
Most certain is: men say she is divine
And raise her to the skies, which is not right.
Nor rhyme nor reason gives her heavenly home;
Her house is perilous instead of being blest. "