William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Elizabethan Verse. 1907.

Sonnet Prefixed to His Majesty’s Instructions to His Dearest Son, Henry the Prince

King James I. (1566–1625)

GOD gives not kings the style of gods in vain,

For on His Throne His sceptre do they sway;

And as their subjects ought them to obey,

So kings should fear and serve their God again.

If then ye would enjoy a happy reign,

Observe the statutes of your Heavenly King,

And from His Law make all your laws to spring,

Since His lieutenant here ye should remain:

Reward the just; be steadfast, true, and plain;

Repress the proud, maintaining aye the right;

Walk always so as ever in His sight,

Who guards the godly, plaguing the profane,

And so ye shall in princely virtues shine,

Resembling right your mighty king divine.