Am I always to be a mere listener? Shall I never reply?

Am I always to be a mere listener? Shall I never reply?

Alas how difficult is it to preserve a high reputation!

Alas how difficult is it to preserve a high reputation!

When it thunders, the theefe becomes honest.

When it thunders, the theefe becomes honest.

O that Jupiter would but bring back to me the years that have
passed!

O that Jupiter would but bring back to me the years that have
passed!

Here beauty hangs upon the cheek of night,
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear.

Here beauty hangs upon the cheek of night,
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear.

What! can so young a thorn begin to prick?

What! can so young a thorn begin to prick?

For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.

For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.

A woman once fallen will shrink from no impropriety.