A Farewell to the World

5Yes, threaten, do. Alas! I fear

6 As little as I hope from thee:

7I know thou canst not show nor bear

8 More hatred than thou hast to me.

9My tender, first, and simple years

10 Thou didst abuse and then betray;

11Since stir'd'st up jealousies and fears,

12 When all the causes were away.

13Then in a soil hast planted me

14 Where breathe the basest of thy fools;

15Where envious arts professed be,

16 And pride and ignorance the schools;

17Where nothing is examined, weigh'd,

18 But as 'tis rumour'd, so believed;

19Where every freedom is betray'd,

20 And every goodness tax'd or grieved.

21But what we're born for, we must bear:

22 Our frail condition it is such

23That what to all may happen here,

24 If 't chance to me, I must not grutch.

25Else I my state should much mistake

26 To harbour a divided thought

27From all my kind — that, for my sake,

28 There should a miracle be wrought.

29No, I do know that I was born

30 To age, misfortune, sickness, grief:

31But I will bear these with that scorn

32 As shall not need thy false relief.

33Nor for my peace will I go far,

34 As wanderers do, that still do roam;

35But make my strengths, such as they are,

36 Here in my bosom, and at home.