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 hissed 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.