Patience In Princes.

Abundant plagues I late have had,
Yet none of these have made me sad:
For why? My Saviour with the sense
Of suff'ring gives me patience.

That prince must govern with a gentle hand
Who will have love comply with his command.

God pardons those who do through frailty sin,
But never those that persevere therein.

Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.

That princes may possess a surer seat,
'Tis fit they make no one with them too great.

Good princes must be pray'd for; for the bad
They must be borne with, and in rev'rence had.
Do they first pill thee, next pluck off thy skin?
Good children kiss the rods that punish sin.
Touch not the tyrant; let the gods alone
To strike him dead that but usurps a throne.