Classic Poem

Since Honor from the Honorer proceeds,
How well do they deserue that memorie
And leaue in bookes for all posterities
The names of worthyes, and their vertuous deedes
When all their glorie els, like water weedes
Without their element, presently dyes,
And all their greatnes quite forgotten lyes:
And when, and how they florisht no man heedes
How poore remembrances, are statutes, Toomes
And other monuments that men erect
To Princes, which remaine in closed roomes
Where but a few behold them; in respect
Of Bookes, that to the vniuersall eye
Shew how they liu'd, the other where they lye.