1. O sons of lofty virtues pure,
O those I trust and trusts secure,

2. You are the lords and finest folk,
From whom high hopes will not detour.

3. If I did rightly laud your worth,
Then kindness lauds its brother sure.

4. Or if my effort fell too short,
Then judge me as one who endured.

5. Or shun my praise in modest guise,
And triumph not o’er one demurred.

6. A hunting hawk I sent ahead,
Return him safe if he concurred.