Classic Poem

To my sonne S. D.

The prudent sire, if vertuous (too) he bee,
Forbeares to do that ill, his sonne should see
And so (I must confesse) I should haue done;
But as I shall esteeme thee for my sonne,
Ensue mee in my best parts, not my worst;
Els thou of God and me shalt bee accurst
And do as Shem did, seeing his father lye
Expos'd to shame, through his ebrietie;
With eyes auerted, he (most blessed childe)
His fathers shame most honorably veild.
Then Shem ensue; for if thou follow Ham,
The curse will cleaue to thee which thee will damme
Couer my cryme if it do naked lye
Exposd to shame in Vertues purer eye;
The rather, sith it was not Bacchus' raigne
But wine, call'd wit, that giddy made my braine.