1Virtue once in the Olympics
fought a duel— 2Her second
, Wisdom, that transcendent jewel. 3Fortune courageously did her oppose,
4And giddily for second, Folly chose.
5The sad spectators grieved to see this fray
, 6Fearing that Virtue’s side would win the day.
7Thus pitying Fortune and her fellow, Folly,
8The city cockneys
sat most melancholy. 9But see the fate of war: Fortune was blind
10And madly laid about
, her foes to find, 11Nor cared on who or where her blows did light.
12Folly as bravely did maintain the fight,
13Not valuing what she did or what she said;
14And now the people that were so afraid
15’Gan to rejoice; then Virtue she gave place
. 16Wisdom drew back with slow but modest pace;
17Then acclamations
made the welkin
ring, 18Paeans
the people unto Fortune sing. 19Folly with Fortune’s help did wear the crown;
20Virtue with Wisdom both were hisséd down.
21Then let none by success judge of the cause,
22For we have lived (ay me) to see the laws
23Of God and Nature basely trampled on,
24When bold impiety
the vict’ry won; 25And such a king killed, that
this isle before 26Did never see, nor never will see more,
27Unless our God his princely son restore.