Classic Poem

Were ever chaste and honest hearts
Exposed unto such great distresses? Answer:
Yes; they that act the worthiest parts,
Most commonly have worst successes.
Great fortunes follow not the best,
It's virtue that is most distrest.

Then, fortune, why do we admire
The glory of thy great excesses?
Since by thee what men acquire,
Thy work and not their worth expresses.
Nor dost thou raise them for their good,
But t'have their ills more understood.