Classic Poem

Beware fair Mayde of muskie courtiers oathes,
Take heed what gifts and favours you receive,
Let not the fading glosse of silken clothes
Dazell your vertue, or your fame bereave.
For loose but once the hold you have of grace,
Who'll e'er respect your fortune or your face.

Each greedy hand will strive to catch the flowre
When none regards the stalke it growes upon,
Each creature seekes the fruite still to devoure
But leave the tree to fall or stand alone.
Yet this advise, faire creature, take of me,
Let none take fruit, unlesse he take the tree.

Beleeve no oathes, nor much protesting men,
Credit no vowes, nor no bewayling songs,
Let Courtiers sweare, forsweare, and sweare againe;
Their hearts do live ten Regions from their tongues.
For when with oathes they make thy heart to tremble
Believe them least, for then they most dissemble.

Beware lest Caesar do corrupt thy minde
Or fond Ambition sell thy modesty.
Say though a king thou ever courteous finde
He cannot garden thy virginitie.
Begin with king, to subject you will fall,
From Lord to Lackey, and at last to all.