John Florio (1553?–1625)

SINCE honour from the honourer proceeds,

How well do they deserve, that memorize

And leave in books, for all posterities

The names of worthies and their virtuous deeds;

When all their glory else, like water-weeds

Without their element, presèntly dies,

And all their greatness quite forgotten lies,

And when and how they flourished no man heeds!

How poor remembrances are statues, tombs,

And other monuments that men erect

To princes, which remain in closèd rooms

Where but a few behold them, in respect

Of Books, that to the universal eye

Show how they lived; the other where they lie!