KATHERINE PHILIPS: A CRITICAL EDITION OF THE POETRY by ...

Like Dyamonds in the darke, a natiue worth.
He that deriues his high nobilitie
Not from the mencion of a pedigree, 40
Who thinkes it not his praise that others know
His auncestors were gallant long agoe,
Who scornes to boast the gloryes of his bloud
And thinkes he can't be great that is not good.
Who knowes the world and what we pleasure call 45
Yet cannot sell one Conscience for them all,
Who hates to hoard that gold with an excuse
For which he can find out a better use.
Who dares not keepe that life which he can spend
To seme his God his countrey or his friend, 50
Falsehood and flatterie doth so much hate
He would not buy ten Hues at such a rate,
Whose soule then dyamonds more rich and cleare
Natiue and open as his face doth weare.
Who dares be good alone, in such a time 55
When vertue's held and punishd as a crime.
Who thinkes darke crooked plotts a meane defence
And is both safe and wise in innocence,
38 worth.] "',
42 agoe,] ^.
44 good,] '^.
532