1 'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed,
2 When not to be receives reproach of being,
3 And the just pleasure lost, which is so deemed
4 Not by our feeling, but by others' seeing:
5 For why should others' false adulterate eyes
6 Give salutation to my sportive blood?
7 Or on my frailties why are frailer spies,
8 Which in their wills count bad what I think good?
9 No, I am that I am, and they that level
10 At my abuses reckon up their own;
11 I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel;
12 By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown,
13 Unless this general evil they maintain:
14 All men are bad, and in their badness reign.
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