To Sir Thomas Roe

Thou hast begun well, Roe, which stand well to,
And I know nothing more thou hast to do.
He that is round within himself, and straight,
Need seek no other strength, no other height;
Fortune upon him breaks herself, if ill,
And what would hurt his virtue, makes it still.
That thou at once then nobly may'st defend
With thine own course the judgment of thy friend,
Be always to thy gathered self the same;
And study conscience more than thou would'st fame.
Though both be good, the latter yet is worst,
And ever is ill got without the first.