Richard Corbet

Here you will find the Poem To His Son, Vincent Corbet of poet Richard Corbet

To His Son, Vincent Corbet

What I shall leave thee none can tell, 
 But all shall say I wish thee well: 
 I wish thee, Vin, before all wealth, 
 Both bodily and ghostly health; 
 Nor too much wealth, nor wit, come to thee, 
 So much of either may undo thee. 
 I wish thee learning, not for show, 
 Enough for to instruct and know, 
 Not such as gentlemen require 
 To prate at table or at fire. 
 I wish thee all thy mother's graces, 
 Thy father's fortunes, and his places. 
 I wish thee friends, and one at court, 
 Not to build on, but support, 
 To keep thee, not in doing many 
 Oppressions, but from suffering any. 
 I wish thee peace in all thy ways, 
 Nor lazy nor contentious days; 
 And when thy soul and body part, 
 As innocent as now thou art.