48 TRUE GREATNESS

TRUE GREATNESS The fairest action of our human life Is scorning to revenge an injury: For who forgives without a further strife His adversary’s heart to him doth tie: And ’tis a firmer conquest truly said To win the heart, than overthrow the head.

If we a worthy enemy do find, To yield to worth, it must be nobly done:-- But if of baser metal be his mind, In base revenge there is no honor won. Who would a worthy courage overthrow? And who would wrestle with a worthless foe?

We say our hearts are great, and cannot yield;

Because they cannot yield, it proves them poor:

Great hearts are task’d beyond their power but seld: The weakest lion will the loudest roar.

Truth’s school for certain does this same allow, High-heartedness doth sometimes teach to bow.

_--Lady E. Carew_