Sic audaces fortuna

LYSIMACHVS adiudged once to die,
By sentence iust, for that he poisoned,
CALISTHENES his maister privilie,
And lieng long in dungeon fettered
To end his daies, did in the end request,
He might be thrown, vnto a savadge beast.

The which was straight of ALEXANDER graunted,
And naked he vnto a Lion cast,
But hauing one arme closely arm'd, vndaunted,
By th'vpper Iaw, he holdes his foe so fast,
That downe his throate, that armed arme he sendes,
And even the heart-stringes, from the bodie rendes.

Which bold attempt, when ALEXANDER knew,
Thy life is thine, LYSIMACHVS quoth he,
Besides I giue, (as to thy valour due,)
My frendship here, my Scepter after me:
For thus the virtuous, and the valiant spright,
Triumphes o're Fate, and Fortunes deadliest spite.