Vertue was a man of modest merit, and was educated merely as an engraver; but, conscious of talent, studied drawing, which he afterwards applied to engraving.

Vertue was a man of modest merit, and was educated merely as an engraver; but, conscious of talent, studied drawing, which he afterwards applied to engraving.

Vertue is ritch and blots a poore disgrace.

My sight is not so precious as my brother: If there be any goodnes in one man He's Lord of that; his vertues are full seas Which cast up to the shoares of the base world All bodyes throwne into them: he's no drunkard; I thinke he nere swore oath; to him a woman Was worse than any scorpion, till he cast His eye on Eleonora: and therefore, sir, I hope it is not so.

Thys vertue is The scurvyest, harlottryest, undoeinge thynge That ever mixte with rysinge courtyers thoughts.

Well, if so, And to dispose her elsewhere to her goodd, Provided still that vertue be your ayme, I cannot but commende your charity And to my power I'l seeke to further it.

Mistris, another in my place, that were not tyed to believe all your actions just, would apprehend himself wrong'd: But I whose vertues are constancy and obedience.

The cho[i]ce is such as choiser cannot bee Even with a nimble eye; his vertues through His smile is like the Meridian Sol Discern'd a dauncing in the burbling brook; His frowne out-dares the Austerest face Of warre or Tyranny to sease upon; His shape might force the Virgine huntresse With him for ever live a vestall life; His minde is virtues over-matcht, yet