Bad Wages For Good Service.

After this life, the wages shall
Not shared alike be unto all.

Preposterous is that order, when we run
To ask our wages ere our work be done.

Still to our gains our chief respect is had;
Reward it is that makes us good or bad.

Like those infernal deities which eat
The best of all the sacrificed meat;
And leave their servants but the smoke and sweat:
So many kings, and primates too there are,
Who claim the fat and fleshy for their share
And leave their subjects but the starved ware.

The bad among the good are here mix'd ever;
The good without the bad are here plac'd never.

Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.