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Poem by Henry King, Bishop of Chichester


Epigram (He whose advent’rous keele ploughes the rough Seas)


Qui Pelago credit, mango se fænore tollit, &c

                Petronius Arbiter 

He whose advent’rous keele ploughes the rough Seas, 
Takes Interest of Fate for wealth’s increase. 
He that in Battaile trafficks, and pitch’t fields, 
Reaps with his Sword rich Harvests, which warre yeelds. 
Base parasites repose their drunken heads, 
Laden with Sleep and Wine, on Tyrian beds. 
And he that melts in Lust’s adult’rous fire 
Getts both reward and pleasure for his hire. 
But Learning only, midst this wanton heat, 
Hath (save it self) nothing to weare or eat; 
Faintly exclaiming on the looser Times, 
That value Witt and Artes belowe their Crimes. 



Henry King, Bishop of Chichester


Henry King, Bishop of Chichester's other poems:
  1. The Short Wooing
  2. Madam Gabrina, Or The Ill-Favourd Choice
  3. Upon A Table-Book Presented To A Lady
  4. Sonnet. Go thou that vainly do'st mine eyes invite
  5. To the Queen at Oxford


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