WHAT boots it to be great?
To live in royal state
And feast with kings,
Since now all things
One doom await?
5
What boots it to be fair?
Sweet eyes and golden hair,
And youthful bloom,
Since in the tomb
All foulness there?
10
To live in royal state-
That is not to be great;
Sweet eyes and golden hair-
That is not to be fair.
What is it to be great?
15
Content with thine estate;
To serve thy God and King
In everything-
That is it to be great.
What is it to be fair?
20
Sweet modesty to wear;
To keep thine honour sure,
Thy bosom pure-
That is it to be fair.
Much boots it to be great,
25
Much boots it to be fair.