Preferment, like a Game at bowles, <br />To feede our hope with diverse play <br />Heer quick it runnes, there soft it rowles: <br />The Betters make and shew the way. <br /> <br /> <br />As upper ground, so great Allies <br />Doe many cast on theyr desire: <br />Some uppe are thrust, and forc't to rise, <br />When those are stopt that would aspire. <br /> <br /> <br />Some whose heate and zeale exceed <br />Thrive well by Rubbs that curb theyr hast <br />Some that languish in theyr speede <br />Are cherisht by a gentle blast. <br /> <br /> <br />Some rest: and others cutting out <br />The same by whome themselves were made: <br />Some fetch a compasse farre about <br />And secretly the marke invade. <br /> <br /> <br />Some gett by knocke, and so advance <br />Theyr fortune by a boystrous ayme: <br />And some who have the sweetest chance <br />Theyr mistresse hitt, and winne the game. <br /> <br /> <br />The fayrest casts are those that owe <br />No thanks to Fortunes giddy sway: <br />Such honest men good bowles doe throw, <br />Whose owne true Byass cutts the way.<br /><br />William Strode<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-paralell-between-bowling-and-preferment/
