To His Son, Vincent Corbet

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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.

© Richard Corbet