Epistle LII. On the loss of a Garrison

Another City lost! Alas poor King!
Still future griefs from former griefs do spring.
The World's a seat of change; Kingdoms and Kings,
Though glorious, are but sublunary things:
Crosses and blessings kiss; there's none that be
So happy, but they meet with misery.
He that ere while sate centred to his Throne,
And all did homage unto him alone;
Who did the Scepter of his power display
From pole to pole, while all this rule obey,
From stair to stair now tumbles, tumbles down,
And scarce one pillar doth support his Crown.
Town after Town, are lost Field after Field,
This turns, and that persidiously doth yield:
He's banded on the trayterous tongues of those
That Janus like, look to him and his foes.
In vain are Bulwarks and the strongest Hold,
If the besiegers bullets are of gold:
My soul be not dejected; wouldst thou be
From present trouble, or from danger free?
Trust not in rampires, nor the strength of walls;
The town that stands to day, to morrow falls:
Trust not in Souldiers, though they seem so stout;
Where sin's within, vain is defence without.
Trust not in wealth, for in this lawless time
Where prey is penalty, there wealth is crime:
Trust not in strength or courage; we all see
The weak'st oft-times do gain the victory:
Trust not in honour, honour's but a blast,
Quickly begun, and but a while doth last.
They that to day to thee Hosanna cry,
To morrow change their note for Crucisie:
Trust not in friends, for friends will soon deceive thee;
They are in nothing sure, but sure to leave thee:
Trust not in wits; who run from place to place
Changing Religion as chance does her face,
In spte of cunning, and their strength of brain,
They're often catch'd and all their plots are vain:
Trust not in Councels Potentates, or Kings;
All are but frail and transitory things.
Since neither Souldiers, Casties, wealth, or wit,
Can keep off harm from thee, or thee from it:
Since neither strength nor honour, friends nor Lords,
Nor Princes, peace or happiness affords,
Trust thou in God, ply him with prayers still,
Be sure of help; for he both can, and will.