Book V, Epigram 13: In Calistratum

Calistratus I doe confesse
I have been poor, and am no lesse,
But not obscurely base as yet,
Nor a Knight of the lowest seat.
But through the world I'me freely read,
And as I passe here's he tis said,
What dust and ashes give to some,
My life affords without a Tombe.
But thy house leans on stately props,
Thy chests inclose great silver crops,
Rich Aegypts glebes thy houshold keep,
And Parma sheare thy numerous sheep.
Thus what we are we both may see,
But what I am thou canst not be,
What thou art each plebeian may
With thy estate be any day.