Nec te quaesiveris extra

ALTHOVGH the staffe, within the river cleere,
Be straight as Arrow, in the Persian bow:
Yet to the view, it crooked doth appeare,
And one would sweare, that it indeede were so:
So soone the Sence deceiu'd, doth iudge amisse,
And fooles will blame, whereas none error is.

This staffe doth shew, how oft the honest mind,
That meaneth well, and is of life vpright,
Is rashly censur'd, by the vulgar blind,
Through vaine Opinion: or vile envious spite:
But if thou know'st, thy conscience cleere within,
What others say, it matters not a pinne.