Book II, 34: On REHOBOAM

Could dying Parents, at their peacefull death,
Make but a firme Assurance, or bequeath
Their living Vertues; Could they recommend
Their wisdome to their heyrs; Could hearts descend
Vpon the bosome of succeeding Sons,
As well as Scepters doe; as well as Thnes;
Sure Rehobeams Reigne had found increase
Of Love and Honour, and had dyed in peace:
Kingdomes are transitory: Scepters goe
Frō hand, to hand, and Crownes, from brow, to brow,
But Wisdome marches on another guize:
They two things; to be Worldly great, and wise;
It was the selfe same Scepter that came downe
From Solomon to thee: The selfe same Crowne,
That did enclse his Princely browes, and thine;
Th same flesh and blood, the next o'th'Line;
The selfe same people were alive, to blesse
The prosp'rous dayes; But not the same successe:
Where reste the fault? what secret mischiefe can
Vn-same thy peace? 'Twas not the selfe same Man.