Classic Poem

Where wardes are weake and foes encountring, strong,
Where mightier do assult then do defend,
The feebler part putts upp enforcèd wronge,
And silent sees that speech could not amend;
Yet higher poures must think though they repine,
When sunne is sett, the little starres will shyne.

While pyke doth range the seely tench doth flye,
And crouch in privy creekes with smaller fishe;
Yet pikes are caught when little fish go by,
These fleete afloate while those do fill the dish.
There is a tyme even for the worme to creepe,
And sucke the dewe while all her foes do sleepe.

The merlen cannot ever sore on highe,
Nor greedy grayhounde still pursue the chase;
The tender larke will finde a tyme to flye,
And fearefull hare to runne a quiet race.
He that high grouth on cedars did bestowe,
Gave also lowly mushrumpes leave to growe.

In Aman's pompe poore Mardocheus wept,
Yet God did turne his fate upon his foe;
The lazar pynd while Dives' feast was kept,
Yett he to heaven, to hell did Dives goe.
We trample grasse and prize the floures of Maye,
Yet grasse is greene when flowers do fade awaye.