quo vadis?

Almighty is the powerful grace
that lies in plants, herbs, stones,
and their true qualities.
For nought so vile
that on the earth doth live
but to the earth
some special good doth give.
And nought so good
but strained from that fair use
revolts from true birth,
stumbling on abuse.
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,
and vice sometime’s by action dignified.
Within the infant rind of this… weak flower…
poison is resident…
and medicine power.
For this, being smelt,
with that part cheers each part.
Being tasted,
slays all senses with the heart.
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
in man as well as herbs,
grace and rude will.
And where the worser is predominant,
full soon the canker death