quote · Legacy record
I would be great, but that the sun doth still Level his rays against the rising hill; I would be high, but see the proudest oak, Most subject to the rending thunder-stroke; I would be rich, but see men, too unkind, Dig in the bowels of the richest mine: I would be wise, but that I often see The fox suspected, whilst the ass goes free: I would be fair, but see the fair and proud, Like the bright sun, oft setting in a cloud: I would be poor, but know the humble grass Still trampled on by each unworthy ass; Rich hated: wise suspected: scorn’d if poor: Great fear’d: fair tempted: high still envied more: I have wish’d all; but now I wish for neither; Great, high, rich, wise, nor fair; poor I’ll be rather.
I would be great, but that the sun doth still Level his rays against the rising hill; I would be high, but see the proudest oak, Most subject to the rending thunder-stroke; I would be rich, but see men, too unkind, Dig in the bowels of the richest mine: I would be wise, but that I often see The fox suspected, whilst the ass goes free: I would be fair, but see the fair and proud, Like the bright sun, oft setting in a cloud: I would be poor, but know the humble grass Still trampled on by each unworthy ass; Rich hated: wise suspected: scorn’d if poor: Great fear’d: fair tempted: high still envied more: I have wish’d all; but now I wish for neither; Great, high, rich, wise, nor fair; poor I’ll be rather.
Approximate author period: c. 1603 AD · renaissance
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Sir Henry Wotton
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1603 AD · renaissance
author lifetime midpoint (1568–1639)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 448 · printed citation: Sir Henry Wotton · subject: POVERTY
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.