Sonnet 1: True Nobilitie

Great is the glory of the Noble minde
Where life and death, are equall in respect:
If fates be good or bad, vnkinde or kinde,
Not proud in freedome, nor in thrall deiect;
With courage scorning fortunes worst effect,
And spitting in foule Enuies cankred face.
True honor thus doth baser thoughts subiect
Esteeming life a slaue, that serues disgrace.
Foule abiect thoughts, become the minde that's base,
That deemes there is no better life then this,
Or after death doth feare a worser place,
Where guilt is paid the guerdon of Amisse.
But let swolne enuy swell vntill shee burst,
The Noble minde defies her to her worst.