Living

In vos hic valet

by Henry Peacham 1576?–1643?

From Minerva Britanna (1612)

Living

WHO striues to keepe a heart and conscience pure,
Devoide of vice, and inward guilt of Sinne:
Is guarded by his Innocence more sure,
And witnesse of an honest mind within,
Then if he were in compleate armour clad,
Or Bow and quiver of the Moore he had.

For Innocence resembled by the WHITE,
And manly courage by the constant heart,
Way not a straw the force of SLAVNDERS might,
DEATHES Ebone shaft, or CVPIDS golden dart:
When, whome Affection, or their guilt doe wound,
Even at the first, are stricken to the ground.

MLA

Peacham, Henry. “In vos hic valet.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/163/.

Chicago

Peacham, Henry. “In vos hic valet.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/163/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Henry Peacham