FOR.  Report hath spread, that Virtue here in place
Arrived is, her silly court to hold;
And therefore I am come with faster pace,
T’encounter her, whose countenance is so bold. 
I doubt not but by this my pompous shew,
By vestures wrought with gold so gorgeously: 
By reverence done to me of high and low: 
By all these ornaments of bravery,
By this my train, that now attends me so: 
By kings, that hale my chariot to and fro,
Fortune is known the queen of all renown: 
That makes, that mars; sets up and throws adown. 
Well is it known, what contrary effects
’Twixt Fortune and dame Virtue hath been wrought: 
How still I her contemn, she me rejects;
I her despise, she setteth me at nought: 
So, as great wars are grown for sovereignty,
And strife as great ’twixt us for victory. 
Now is the time of trial to be had,
The place appointed eke in presence here. 
So as the truth to all sorts, good and bad,
More clear than light shall presently appear. 
It shall be seen, what Fortune’s power can do,
When Virtue shall be forc’d to yield thereto. 
It shall be seen, when Virtue cannot bide,
But shrink for shame, her silly face to hide. 
Then Fortune shall advance herself before,
All harms to help, all losses to restore. 
But why do I myself thus long restrain
From executing this I do intend? 
Time posts away, and words they be but vain;
For deeds (indeed) our quarrel now must end. 
Therefore in place I will no longer stay
But to my stately throne myself convey.

Reverence, due reverence, &c.

ACT II, SCENE I.

Enter LIBERALITY.

How seldom is it seen, that Virtue is regarded,
Or men of virtuous sort for virtuous deeds rewarded! 
So wonts the world to pamper those that nought deserve,
Whiles such as merit best, without relief do starve. 
Great imperfections are in some of greatest skill,
That colours can discern [not], white from black, good from ill. 
O blind affects of men, how are you led awry,
To leave assured good, to like frail Vanity! 
If some of Virtue’s train, for prince and country’s good,
To show their faithful hearts, shall hazard life and blood,
And guerdonless depart, without their due reward,
Small is th’encouragement, the example very hard. 
Where any well deserve, and are rewarded well,
Where prince and people both in safety sure do dwell,
Where he that truly serves, hath nothing for his pain,
More hearts are lost, than pecks of gold can ransom home again. 
Let states therefore, that wish to maintain stately dignity,
Seek to acquaint themselves with Liberality;
For that is it which wins the subjects’ faithful love,
Which faithful love all harms from them and theirs remove. 
Liberality am I, Virtue’s steward here,
Who for the virtuous sort do nothing hold too dear.