THEY that have power
to hurt and will do none |
|
That do not do the thing they most do show, |
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Who, moving others, are themselves as stone, |
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Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow; |
|
They rightly do inherit heavens graces, |
5 |
And husband natures riches from expense; |
|
They are the lords and owners of their faces, |
|
Others but stewards of their excellence. |
|
The summers flower is to the summer
sweet, |
|
Though to itself it only live and die, |
10 |
But if that flower with base infection meet, |
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The basest weed outbraves his dignity: |
|
For sweetest things turn sourest
by their deeds; |
|
Lilies that fester smell far
worse than weeds. |
|