Wittes Pilgrimage, Sonnet 97

HE that would faine reduce an high-borne Wise
Vnto the Compasse of his meane estate,
Must not at first, stick for a little Strife,
To make his peace to haue the longer Date:
For, as some Curtall ouer-lusty Mares,
Then Water them, wherein they seeing it,
Let fall their Crest, sith their Tail so ill fares,
That Fooles, and Asses ride them without Bit.
So, from the Colon to the Period
Of this Similitude, what should ensue
Is eas'ly gest: But ah, I am forbod
By high-borne Wiues, low matchd, to tell it you:
But, by their leaues this must I needs affirme,
A Ring, too wide, wel bow'd doth sit more firme.