10

SAMUEL DANIEL

EPISTLE TO SIR THOMAS EGERTON, KNIGHT

Stanza

Must there be still some discord mix'd among, The harmony of men; whose mood accords Best with contention, tun'd t' a note of wrong? That when war fails, peace must make war with words, And b' armed unto destruction ev'n as strong As were in ages past our civil swords: Making as deep, although unbleeding wounds; That when as fury fails, wisdom confounds.

Stanza

Seeing ev'n injustice may be regular; And no proportion can there be betwixt Our actions, which in endless motion are, And th' ordinances, which are always fix'd: Ten thousand laws more cannot reach so far But malice goes beyond, or lives immix'd So close with goodness, as it ever will Corrupt, disguise, or counterfeit it still.

Stanza

And therefore did those glorious monarchs (who Divide with God the style of majesty, &c.