The Laurel greene, that long in safetie stood

THE Laurel greene, that long in safetie stood
By PENEVS streame, the Muses chast delight,
Oft water'd by the NAIAD'S of the flood,
And oft reviued by her Louer bright,
The Waue assaileth with her swelling might,
And overthrowes in time, (but who doth know
Their miserie, that neere to Greatnes grow.)

This sacred Bay, is Learning and the Artes,
In former times that flourished at will,
Now wash'd and worne by some, even to the heartes,
Who should haue succour'd and vpheld them still,
Who eate the Corne, but throw the Chaffe to Skill:
And what the Church had once to holy vses,
Serues them to pride, and all prophane abuses.