1802TIS better to be vile then vile esteemed,

1803When not to be, receiues reproach of being,

1804And the iust pleasure lost, which is so deemed,

1805Not by our feeling, but by others seeing.

1806For why should others false adulterat eyes

1807Giue salutation to my sportiue blood?

1808Or on my frailties why are frailer spies;

1809Which in their wils count bad what I think good?

1810Noe, I am that I am, and they that leuell

1811At my abuses, reckon vp their owne,

1812I may be straight though they them-selues be beuel

1813By their rancke thoughtes, my deedes must not be shown

1814 Vnlesse this generall euill they maintaine,

1815All men are bad and in their badnesse raigne.

1817TThy guift, , thy tables, are within my braine

1818Full characterd with lasting memory,

1819Which shall aboue that idle rancke remaine

1820Beyond all date euen to eternity.

1821Or at the least, so long as braine and heart

1822Haue facultie by nature to subsist,

1823Til each to raz'd obliuion yeeld his part

1824Of thee, thy record neuer can be mist:

1825That poore retention could not so much hold,

1826Nor need I tallies thy deare loue to skore,

1827Therefore to giue them from me was I bold,

1828To trust those tables that receaue thee more,

1829 To keepe an adiunckt to remember thee,

1830Were to import forgetfulnesse in mee.

1832NO! Time, thou shalt not bost that I doe change,

1833Thy pyramyds buylt vp with newer might

1834To me are nothing nouell, nothing strange,

1835They are but dressings of a former sight:

1836Our dates are breefe, and therefor we admire,

1837What thou dost foyst vpon vs that is ould,

1838And rather make them borne to our desire,

1839Then thinke that we before haue heard them tould:

1840Thy registers and thee I both defie,

1841Not wondring at the present, nor the past,

1842For thy records, and what we see doth lye,

1843Made more or les by thy continuall hast:

1844 This I doe vow and this shall euer be,

1845I will be true dispight thy syeth and thee.