Classic Poem

To my Deere cousine and kinde friend Mr. Rich Harries

H AD'ST thou a fortune Dick (as thou maist haue
And worthy art thou of high Fortunes grace)
Thou wouldst be royall, frugall, plaine and braue;
All this thou wouldst bee in the hart and face
But this thou couldst not bee without that arte
That rules the starrs, and fortune can controule;
But such thou hast and yet not such thou art,
Because good nature arte doth ouer-rule:
For now (as waggs the world) the wiliest waggs
That sacrifice good nature to ill gayne
Be th' only Iudases that beare the baggs
While poore desciples moneylesse remaine;
But cousin Dick to cousin Fortune blinde,
Steale from her lapp a wench as rich as kinde.