with the Common people be esteem'd Let them turne hack-sters as they walke the street Quarrell and fight with euery one they meet Learne a welsh Song to scoffe the Brittish bloud Or breake a iest on Scotsmen that 's as good Or if they would that fooles should much admire them They should be Iugglers if I might desire them But if they want such feates for to be glorious Make Ballets and they shall become not orious Yet this is nothing if they looke for fame And meane to haue an euerlasting name Amongst the Vulgar let them seeke for gaine With Ward the Pirat on the boisterous Maine Or else well mounted keepe themselues on land And bid our wealthy trauellers to stand Emptying their full cram'd bags for that 's a tricke VVhich somtimes wan renoune to cutting Dicke But some may tell me though that such It doth not goe against their conscience much And though there 's boldnes showne in such a case Yet to be Tost at Tyburns a disgrace No 't is their credit for the people then Wil say 't is pitty they we eâ—proper men With many such like humors base and naught I do perceiue the common people fraught Then by th' opinion of some it seemes How much the Vulgar sort of men esteems O 〈◊〉 or learning Certaine neighbouring swaines That think none wise-men but whose wisdome games Where knowledge be it morall or diuine Is valued as an Orient-pearle with swine Meeting me in an euening in my walke Being gone past me thus began their talke First an old Chuff whose roofe I dare be bould Hath bacon hang's in 't aboue fiue yeares old Said That 's his sonne thatâ—s owner of the grounds That on this pleasant beechs mountaines bounds D' ye marke me ne ghbors This saâ—e yong mans vather Had a bin my zunne I hud a hangd him rather Assoone as he perzeâ—u'd the little voole Could creepe about the house putten to schoole Whither he we tâ—not now and then a â—purt As 't had beene good to keep him from the durt Nor yet at leasure tim s that 's my zunnes stint Vor then 〈◊〉 deed there had beene reason in'te Bâ—t vor continuance and beyond all zesse A held him too 't sixe dayes a weeke no lesse That by S. Anne ie was a great presumption It brought him noâ— his end with a Consvmption And then besides he was not so content To putten there where as our childers went To learne the Horne booke and the Abcee through No that he thought not learning halfe enough But he must seeke the Country all about Where he might find a better Teacher out And then he buies him now a pips befall it A vlappâ—ng booke I know not what they call it T is latine â—ll thus it begins In speech And hat 's in English boy beware your breech One day my Dicke a leafe on t with him brought Which he out of his fellowes booke had raâ—g â—t And to hâ— s Mother and my selfe did read it But we indeed did so extreamely dread it We gaue him charge no more thereon to looke Vor veare it had bin of a coniuring booke If that you thinke I iest goe as ke my wife If ere she heard such â—ibberish in her life But when he yonn had cond the same by heart And of a meny moethe better part He went to Oxford where he did remaine Some certaine yeares whence hee 's returnd againe Now who can tell it in my stomack stickes And I doe veare he has some Oxford tricks But if it be zo would he had neâ—e come hether Vor we shall still be sure of blustring weather To what end comes his paine and vathers cost Th' one's charges and the tothers labour lost I warrant he so long a learning went That he almost a brothers portion spent And now it nought auailes him by this holly I thinke all learning in the world a folly And them I take to be the veriest vooles That all their life time doe frequent the schooles Goe aske him now and see if all his wits Can tell you when a barly season hits When Meddowes must be left to spring when mowne When Wheate or tares or rye or pease be sowne He knows it not nor when t is meet to fold How to manure the ground that 's wet or cold What Lands are fit for Pasture what for corne Or how to hearten what is ouer-worne Nay he scarce knowes a Gelding from a Mare A Barrow from a Sow nor tak she care Of such like things as these be knowes not whether There be a difference twixt the Ewe and Weather Can he resolue you No nor many more If Cowes doe want their vpper teeth before Nay I durst pawne a groat he cannot tell How many legges a Sheepe hath very well Is 't not a wise man thinke yee By the Masse C ham glad at heart my zunnes not zuch an Asse Why he can tell already all this geare As well almost as any of vs heare And neighbors yet I 'le tell you more my Dicke Hath very pretty skill in Arsemetricke Can cast accouts writes his name Dunces daughter Taught him to spell the hardest words it 'h zauter And yet the Boy I le warrant yee knowes how As well as you or I to hold the Plow And this I noted in the vrchin euer Bid him to take a Booke he had as lether All day haue drawne a Harrow truth is so I likt it wel although I made no shew Vor to my comfort I did plainly see That he heoreaster would not bookish bee Then when that hauing nought at home to do I sometime forct him to the schoole to goe You would haue greeud in heart to heare him whine And then how glad he was to keep the swine I yet remember and what tricks the Mome Would haue inuented for to stay at home You would haue wondred But 't is such another A has a wit in all the world likes Mother Yet once a month although it greeues vs than H'ele looke you in a books do what we can That Mother Sister brother all we foure Can scarce perswade him from 't in halfe an howre But oft I thinke he does it more of spight To anger vs then any true delight Vor why his Mother thinks as others do And I am halfe of that opinion too Although a little learning be not bad Those that are bookish are the so â—nest mad And therefore since much wit makes vooles of many I hil take an order mine shall ne're haue any By r Lady your the wiser quoth the rest The course you take in our conceit 's the best Your Lonne may liue in any place i th land By his industrious and laborious hand Whilst he but that his parents are his stay Hath not the meane to keepe him selfe a day His study to our sight no pleasure giues Nor meâ—â—es nor profit and thereby he liues So little thing the better none needt doubt it He might
ABVSES STRIPT AND WHIPT OR SATIRICAL ESSAYES By GEORGE WYTHER Diuided into two Bookes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dispise not this what ere I seeme in showe A foole to purpose speaks sometime you know AT LONDON Printed by G. ELD for FRANCIS BVRTON and are to be solde at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Green-Dragon 1613. To him-selfe G. W. wisheth all hapinesse THou euen my selfe whome next God my Prince and Country I am most engaged vnto It is not vnlikelie but some will wonder why contrary to the worlds custome I haue made choyse of thy Patronage for this booke rather then the protection of such whose mightinesse might seeme better able to defend it especially considering such a Gigantick troupe of aduersaries haue banded themselues against the Truth that one of them Goliah-like dares raile vpon a whole hoast of Israel It may be I say some will wonder and some scoffe at mee for it for which cause though to answer them with sic volo had been sufficient yet to shew I will not like our Great ones stand so much vpon my authority as to make my VVill my Reason I heere let you know why and for what causes I haue done it the first is this I could not amongst all men finde any man in my opinion so fitting for this purpose but either my Worke was vnworthy or too worthie his Patronage Secondly it is said Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit and I doubting my free speech would hardly make a Diapason pleasing to the eare of a common Mecaenas thought it best to hold my tong or speake to my selfe whose disposition I am better acquainted with Thirdly seeing I know but what men appeare and not what they are I had rather indure the Kites tyranny then with Aesops Doues make the Sparrow-hauke my Champion Fourthly if I haue spoken Truth it is able to defend it selfe if not who-ere be my Patron it is I must answere for it Fiftly for asmuch as I know my owne minde best I purpose if need be to become my own Aduocate Sixtly for my owne sake I first made it and therefore certaine I am I my selfe haue most right vnto it But seauently and lastly which is indeed the principal Reason I haue made this Dedication to thee poore world-despised Selfe euen to put thee in minde seeing thou hast here boldly begun to bid defiance to the Flesh and vpon iust causes quarrelled with the World that thou take heed to thine owne words and not through basenes of minde or vntowardnes of Fortune to thy euerlasting disgrace faintly giue ouer so noble a Combate If euer aduersitie as t is like enough oppresse thee yet remember thy owne sayings and in despight of outward Destinies haue a care to keepe an vndeiected heart still free for Vertue Or on the contrary if euer as t is vnlikely vnexpected Prosperity bee cast vpon thee then look to thy selfe take to thee this poore booke of thine wherein thou shalt see the dangers of it and be perhaps thereby staid from many a perilous enterprise which that estate might else driue thee into Reade it weekely daily yea and howerly toe what though it bee thine owne thou knowest mans nature to bee so vncertaine and prone to forgetfulnesse euen in the best things that thou canst not haue too many Memorandums The wisest fall and therefore euery day was Philip desirous to bee remembred that hee was a Man thou thinkest I know still to remaine what thou art I desire in some things thou maist but vnlesse thou labour it with diligent watchfulnesse ouer affection it is at least much to be doubted if not altogether to bee despaired of thou hast seene many by an alteration in their estate beene so metamorphosed as if they were not the same men nor of that Nation Nay remember it thou thy selfe and that but vpon a bare hope or imagination of some preferment hast bin puffed vp and exalted aboue measure consider now then how much more thou hadst beene so and what had become of thee if God had not by dashing those hopes called thee to thy selfe againe Alas if hee had answered thy ambitious expectations to thy desire thou hadst bin by this time past recouerie and not thought of this but delighted in villany bin ouer-mastered by passion rusht into all vanity and presumption yet neuer felt any danger till it were too late to preuent it Thou hast oft wisht thou hadst bin borne to the like means that others are which might it haue beene so now thou seest thou shouldst hardly or neuer haue come to the knowledge of those things that are now showne thee T is true thou hast lamented to be crost in thy preferments but thou seest since that it might haue been thy vndoing if it had not beene so and maist perswade thy selfe whether it be now or neuer it will be to thy good For tell me hast thou not often felt euen when thou wert busiest to preuent them fond loue ambition reuenge couetousnesse and such like Passions then to inuade thee Hast thou perceiued it I say How much more then would they haue beene ready to assaile thee when quite forgetting them thou hadst wholly addicted thy self to the things of this world Let mee aduise my deare-selfe then to make vse of this thine owne worke it will be better to thee then all the world for this good it may do thee and to this end I made both â—t and the Dedication thereof to thee that if euer hereafter the temptations of the world the flesh the diuel or any occasion should make thee to forget this mind that thou art now in or so blind thy vnderstanding thou shouldst not perceiue thy owne and the Worlds follies as thou now dost That if thou shouldst be in that miserable state as many are to haue no feeling of thy danger that if thou shouldst bee wofully flattered and haue no friend that dares or loues thee so well to put thee in mind of thy transgressions Then I haue ordained this to shew thee what once thou wert to touch thee againe with the feeling of thy miseries and to bee vnto thee that true Friend which free from all faigned inuention shal plainely tell thee what perhaps should else haue neuer beene brought againe to thy remembrance Looke then that for thy owne sake thou respect this how euer to others it may seeme a trifle Bee carefull of thy actions for seeing thou knowest the dangerous Passions wherevnto Man is subiect hast showne his vanities layed open his Weakenesse and sharpely taxed his Presumptions If now thou shouldest wilfully runne thy selfe into the same euilles the vvorld would vpraidâ— thee this Booke yea thy Conscience accuse thee God and good-men hate thee thy fault be more odious and in-excusable thy iudgement more seuere and which is worst thy punishment most intollerable I say seeke therefore if for no other cause so to carry thy selfe that at least thou maist haue a
good conscience before God for Si Deus tecum quis contrate but if now hauing made the World thine enemie exposed thy selfe to the malice thereof and hauing so many Legions of foes without thee thou shouldest also by thy negligence suffer the inuincible fortresse of a sound Conscience to be crazed within thee the Diâ—ell that is alway watching such aduantages would quickly possesse it with an vnmercifull troupe of Horrors Feares and Desperations that without Gods miraculous assistance thou wouldest grow wholly past either comfort or recouery For all the World cannot defend thee against thy Conscience but that beeing with hee thou maist preuaile against all the World Beware then doe not like the Zibeâ—hum yeeld a perfume to sweeten others and be thy selfe a stinking vermine but let this thy owne worke bee first confirmed by thy life and conuersation yea let it be a President to thy selfe for Tanâ—i erit aliis quanti tibi fuerit but if not I say if the World mis-esteeme either it or thee yet doe not thou therefore esteeme the lesse either of thy booke or of thy selfe but rather let them know That thou hast learned still thy care shal be A rush for him that cares a straw for thee But now though for these and diuers oother Reasons I haue to thee my Owne-selfe committed the protection and made the Dedication of this booke yet my meaning is not that thou shouldst keepe it wholly to thine owne vse But rather seeing it is honourable to giue though none will giue thee any thing I haue bestowne this oâ— thee that if thou canst in this corrupted age finde any whom desert and thy loue may make so deare vnto thee or whomâ— thou art perswaded will gratifie or but thinke well of thy honest endeauours thou maist bee liberall to them both of these thy labours and expences But this I coniure thee to be they neuer so great yet flatter not or if he be a man whom thou knowest the World speakes any way iustly ill of either tell him his fault or leaue him wholly out of thy Catalogue But because I begin to grow tedious to my owne-selfe and since I shall haue Opportunity enough to consider with thee what is further needfull without an Epistle with my prayers for my Prince my Country my friends and my â—wne prosperitie without any leaue taking or Commendations of my Selfe I heartily wish my owne Soule to fare-well Thy Princes thy Countries thy friends and thine i. thine owne whilst Reason masters Affection GEO. WITHER To the Reader REaders I speake to you that haue vnderstanding when these first fruits of my conuerted Muses shall come to your iudicious censures Do not look for Spencers or Daniels wel composed numbers or the deep conceits of now florishing Iohnson no say t is honest plain matter there 's as much as I look for If I haue seem'd to err in any thing suppose me not so obstinate or wel conceited of my own opinions but that I may be perswaded by any that shal produce stronger reasons to the contrary If any thing may seeme to haue a doubtfull interpretation assure your selues the honestest meaning in it is mine and although some may think I haue not so wel ioyned things together as I might haue done I know wheÌ„ you haue considered the nature of the Subiect the diuersity of things therin haÌ„dled you wil accept my good wil let my yeeres be an excuse for that al other ignorant ouer-sights whatsoeuer Some no doubt will mistake my plainnes in that I haue so bluntly spoken what I haue obserued without any Poeticall additions or fained Allegories I am sorry I haue not pleased them therein but should haue been more sorry if I had displeased my selfe in doing otherwise for I know if I had wrapt vp vy meaning in dark riddles I should haue been more applauded and lesse vnderstood which I nothing desire I neither feare nor shame to speake the Trurh and therefore haue nakedly thrust it forth without a couering To what end were it if I as some do had appareld my mind in darke Parables that few or none might haue vnderstood mee I should doe better to be silent but if it be more in request I may hereafter be obscure enough yet in this t is not my meaning for indeed if I knew how my desire is to be so plaine that the bluntest Iobernole might vnderstand mee Our Grand-villaines care not for a secret ierk well wee may shew an honest wit in couertly nipping them but either 't is in vaine cause they perceiue it not or else ridiculous seeing they only vnderstand it who will but either malice or flout vs for our labors Many may dislike the harshnes of the Verse but you know although it be not stately yet it we enough befits the matter and whereas I may seem blame-worthy in mixing Diuinity with Humanity yet when you haue found my generall ayme considered with what reuerent respect I haue done it and what commendable authorities I may haue for it I nothing misdoubt your approbation Those things which concerne my selfe may seeme childish nothing pleasing but you must consider I had a care to please my selfe aswel as others and if the World blame mee as to sawcy with her 't is for want of manners but her owne fault that would allow mee no better education To bee briefe if I haue any way offended I am so well perswaded you wil mildly conster my errors and infirmities that I rest wholly and onely on your sound and incorrupted Iudgements * But* Readers I meane you that are no more but Readers I make no question if this book come to your spelling it will haue many halting verses and disioynted sentenses for I haue had experience of your insufficiencie yet haue I striu'd to bee for your sakes I tell you because I would if it were possible bee vnderstood as plaine as they say as a pack-saddle and now the doubt is then fooles will ride me If they doe certainly I shall be rough vneasie for their tendernes Though you vnderstand them not yet because you see this wants some fine Phrases flourishes as you find other mens writings stuft withal perhaps you wil iudge me vnlearned Wel and right enough Yet you will be counted but saucy Coblers to go beyond your Lasts And if that be a fault did not the subiect and your ignorances require me to be in that sort faulty I could with ease haue amended it for it cost me I protest more labour to obserue this plainenesse then if I had more Poetically trim'd ii but for feare if I speake much I confound your Memories I will say no more but this Read and welcome but Censure not for your iudgement is weake and I vtterly renounce it Valete George Wither To Time EPIGR. 1. NOw swift-deuouring bald and ill fac't Time Dost not thou blush to see thy selfe vncloak't Oh that I knew but how to laugh in
in possibilitie For to be reacht vnto But say it were Will the Ambitious-minded-man forbeare To be Ambitious if he once fulfill His longing thoughts No he will rather still Encrease that passion which first he had Or fall into some other that 's as bad For altring the Condition or Estate The soules vexation doth no more abate Then changing roomes or beds doth ease his paines That hath a Feuer since the Cause remaines Still in himselfe But how and which way then May these Diseases be recur'd in men Why by Philosophy Counsell and Reason These being well appli'd in their due season May do much good Else seek the Cause whence rise These hurtfull and pernitious maladies Let them consider That and so they may Cut off the ' ffect by taking it away But if they cannot the occasions find I le tell them 't is a Basenesse of the mind Or els a false Opinion that 's in some Of Good or Euill present or to come Respecting good things thus They do desire And are to yehemently set on fire With coueting what seemes so Or anoying Themselues with an Excessiue Ouer-ioying In the obtaining In regard of ill They are oppressed with some sorrow still So that we see if men would goe about To change their minds and driue that basenes out Through Magnanimity And note well this That Passion but some false Opinion is Fram'd by the will and drawne by the direction Of Iudgement that 's corrupted by affection Me thinkes they might by reasons help confound The former errors that haue tane such ground In their weake Hearts and learne for to esteeme That which doth either good or euill seeme And in their soules such perturbation wrought As things not good nor ill and that which ought Being vnworthy neither to molest Nor breed such Passions in their carefull breast By these and other such like meanes as these The wise Philosophers in elder daies Kept out those furies and 't were now a shame If that we Christians could not doe the same Hauing besides those helps whereon they staid A certaine promise of a better ayd If wee le but aske it Le ts demand it then To rid these euils from our soules agen If that we feele them yet not stirring in vs Let vs preuent them ere by force they win vs For 't is more easie eu'ry one doth know For to keep out then to expella foe If any thinke I from my purpose swarue Cause my intent was chiefly to obserue And not to Teach let them not blame me tho For who can see his friends lie sick and know Which way to cure them But you 'l say my skill Cannot instruct you yet may my good-will Be worth accepting and the other neither A thing to be reiected altogether For I haue seene when in a knowne disease Doctors with all their Art could giue no ease To their weake Patient a Country Dame Hath with a home-made medicine Cur'd the same And why not I in this Yes I le abide it Being well vs'd it helps for I haue tride it Thus much for that but still there doth remaine Some obseruations yet for to explaine I haue not done for I am further task't And there 's more Humors yet to be vnmask't Wherein because I will not step astray Nor swerue from Truth a iot beside the way I 'le say no more least men should seeme belide Then what my owne experience hath espide And then if any frowne as sure they dare not So I speake truth let them frowne still I care not But if my Muse you should so saucy finde Sometime to leaue her Notes and speak her minde As oft she doth when she but haps to see How vaine or weake or fickle most men be Yet blame me not 't is out of the good-will I beare to you and hatred vnto ill Which when I see my purpos'd Course I breake Because indeed I am compel'd to speake Yet thinke not though I some where bitter be I count my selfe from all those Vices free Rather imagine 't is to me well knowne That here with others faults I tell mine owne The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE VANITY Inconstancie VVeake-nesse and Presumption of Men. PRECATIO THou that Createdst all things in a weeke Great God whose fauour I doe onely seeke E'ne thou by whose sweet Inspiration I vndertooke this obseruation Oh grant I pray since thou hast dain'd to show Thy seruant that which thousands doe not know That this my noting of mans hum'rous Passion May worke within Me such an Alteration I may be for my past offences sorry And lead a life to thy eternall glorie Let not Ambition nor foule Desire Nor Hate nor Enuy set my heart on fire Reuenge nor Choller no nor Iealousie And keepe me from Despaire and Crueltie Fond hope expell and I beseech thee blesse My soule â—rom feare and too much heauines But giue me speciall grace to shun the vice That is so common Beastly Auarice Yea grant me power I not onely know But flye those euils that from Passion flow Moreouer now Inspire my soule with art And grant me thy assistance to impart The rest of mens ill Customes yet remaining And his vaine humors that by my explaining They may perceiue how odious I can make them Blush at the reading and at last forsake them So let my Muse in this and things to come Sing to thy glory Lord or else be dumbe THE SECOND BOOKE Of the Vanitie Inconstancie Weaknes and Presumption of MEN. OF VANITIE SATYR 1. MY Muse that now hath done the best she can To blaze corrupted Passion bred in man Goes further here and meanes for to vndoe Another knot of ill 's he 's prone vnto From which as out of the main root there growes All whatsoeuer euill Mankind knowes With thousands of bad Humors of which some Such as to mind by obseruation come As also such as are the proper crimes Of these vngodly and disorder'd times She means to treat off the chiefe heads be these Consider of them Reader if thou please First VVanton and light-headed Vanity Next that Camelion-like Inconstancy Then miserable Weaknes lastly this Damned Presumption that ore-daring is But ere I doe begin this worke that I May speake to purpose with sinceritie Lord I beseech thee help me to explaine And teach me to contemne the thing that 's vaine I haue begun in thee this my endeauour And constancie I craue for to perseuer Also my knowledge I confesse is weake Yet through thy strength and truth I hope to breake These mires of sinne from which mankind kept vnder Must be let loose like beds of Eelles by thunder Then that I may man's pride the better see From all Presumption Lord deliuer me Likewise disperse the foggy mist of sinne That to my purpose hath a hindrance bin And th' euill by thy wisedome I perceiue Lord let thy mercy giue me grace to leaue That being free my selfe I may not coldly Tax
surely God amend it One twise twelue howers will begin and end it But why are they so earnest then oh know That the small springs within the dales below Glide gently on vntill a land-flood fils Their empty channels from the higher hils But when thei 'le swell vntill they can discharge Their Burthens in some plaine to runne at large So these low Magistrates would gladly sleepe And their owne easie crooked Channels keepe But when that any Streame of Ivstice showers And comes downe to them from the Higher powers Then peraduenture the 'le grow big a day And Iustice shall haue course the nearest waie Yet in a little space she must be faine To runne within their winding banks againe Some falsely haue affirmed Iustiâ—e blind Yet I am sure she knows how to finde If that she be disposed for to looke Who giues her daie-workes by her counting books Nay she knowes Capon Turkey Goose or Swan And thee I warrant from another Man What ere thou be But whilest she sees so plaine It is no wonder we haue lawes in vaine Also when Officers doe vndertake Their charge at first Lord what a quoile they make A drunkard cannot with his capring feete Cut out Indentures as he walkes the streete But he 's straight stockt for 't or for his offence By fining to the poore he must dispence Then those perhaps that slackly doe frequent Gods deuine Seruice somewhat shall be shent And many other goodly deeds thei 'le do But these grow quickly weary of them toe Againe sometimes comes out a Proclamation Which threatens on the paine of Confiscation That no Recusant doe presume to stay Within ten miles o th' Court from such a day Yet sure 't is notwithstanding ment that some Should daily to the Presence Chamber come And shroud within a furlong on 't or two Some Great-one's may and so I hope they doe And by their owne Authority no doubt May keepe the rest from danger thereabout Pish they at such a matter will but scoffe 'Cause they know surely how to put it off Yet I 'le not say it is in vaine for why The Printer's sometime set on worke thereby And 't is moreouer for our satisfaction Who else might think the State were out of action But oh you noble English Senators Our Kingdomes Guard and Princes Counsellors How can you see your labours so mis-vs'd Or brooke to haue your Soueraigne so abus'd Doe you suppose that it deserues no blame To make a Scar-crow of the Regall Name And to erect it on some common stall For to be gaz'd on to no end at all Respect it more and vse it not for course Or fashions sake but shew it hath some force Pluck out those Vipers that for feare of harme Their chilled spirits in your bosomes warme D' ye not perceiue their stings No danger feare yet Oh 't is apparant let them not shroud neere yee For if you doe 't is doubtlesse the Conclusion If God preuent not will be your Confusion Yet all for ought I see should still remaine Were there not some who out of zeale to Gaine More then Religion or their Countries weale Their scuruie base conditions doe reueale In begging and in rifling of some few But they their owne corruptions rather shew Then redresse any More I here could vtter But I methinkes already heare some mutter As if I should be sure of Râ—mes great curse But then â—'me sure I shall be ne're the worse Yea let them go to Rome curse ban spare not I 'le sit at home and laugh because I care not But why doe I of Lawes alone complaine Since all Man deales in is in some sort vaine Religion is with Ceremonies stuft And with vaine-glory and presumption puft Now our Almes-deâ—ds and guifts of Charitie Are done for shew and with hypocrisie Yea al 's made vaine for if you would but view Our Vniuersities indeed 't is true There you may yet see how that heretofore In better daies hath been erected store Of Pallaces whose curious build are still A faire remembrance of the worke-mens skill Which least that knowledge in the land should fade VVere by the Patrons of good learning made That there the Muses shelter'd from the rages Of former present and succeeding ages Might safely liue and not beholding be To Pyren for his hospitality 'T is also true there wants not to sustaine Their proper needs nor yet to entertaine Such as desire knowledge there 's enough The worthy Founders haue prouided so But of these profits now why make they stay Best sel 't or let some Courtier beg't away For publike Guifts are turn'd to priuate vses Faire Colledges are ful of foule Abuses And their Reuenues I account as vaine Because they lazy Dunces do maintaine Who to themselues do claime the profits by Nothing but witlesse Seniority Such as saue Beard with reuerence be it spoken Of profound learning haue nor marke nor token Good Founders dreaming not of these Abuses Gaue them at first to charitable vses But we find now all alter'd and the dues The which by right vpon desert ensues Like Offices in Court are bought and sould And places may be had but how for gold There as else-where they now are growne so bad Without Quid dabis nothing can be had 'T is strange to see what Auarice can doe But are the Muses taken with it to Oh no for they esteeme such gaine a losse And their high Spirits scorne such earthly drosse How then There are some Cormorants crept in Who in their youth pretended to haue bin Addicted vnto knowledge when alas T is wel seene since that all their purpose was To snort in ease augmenting still their store Til they grow wealthy and their houses poore Foule droanes whose voices must be hir'd with mony Steruing the Bees while they deuoure the hony But oh you Birdes of Athens cleare your Hals And driue those lazy Hornets from your stals Through them it is men thinke you couetous They make your groues and walks grow scandalous But how wil you discerne them Marry thus Since they haue made themselues notorious I le point them out And though their heads they shroud As Venus did Aeneas in a cloud I 'le so vnmask them if their eares they show You shal be able to say there they goe First note them there are some by Bribes and Fees Can soone passe thorough two or three Degrees And if they sue for ought are not deni'de it When better Students must be put beside it Then there be others who their nests to fether Can keepe in office nineteene yeares together Enforcing many vnto penury To haue wherewith to feed their luxury Note you not some at fifty winters study That haue their wits so thin and braines so muddy They must procure of other men to doe The excercises they were cal'd vnto And sit there not of Dunces pretty store From Sunne to Sunne at euery tradesman dore Huge fat Curmâ—dgeons tell me I think no Do
these men will be Admitted to the sacred Ministry But most of vs do now disdaine that Place Accounting it vnworthy meane and base Yea like to Ieroboams Priests we see They of the lowest of the people he And though we know the Israelites allow'd God the first-borne for his we are so proud Vnlesse they either do want shape or wit Or seeme for worldly busines vnfit Few thinke Gods seruice worthy the bestowing Their Child about it or such duty owing Vnto the same but rather that Vocation They count a blemish to their reputation But where 's your vnderstanding oh you men Turne from your bruitish dulnes once agen Honour Gods Messengers for why t is true To them both Reuereâ—ce and Honour 's due Think what they are and be not still selfe-minded Suffer not reason to be so much blinded If not for loue that you to Iustice beare Yet follow her although it be for feare And see that this presumption you amend Or looke some heauy plague shal be your end Then it is also a presumptuous act With knowledge to commit a sinfull fact Though ne're so small for sin 's a subtill else That by degrees insinuates it selfe Into our soules and in a little space Becomes too-huge a Monster to displace Yea it is certaine that one sinne though small Will make entrance great enough for all And what is 't but presumption to abuse And without-feare and reuerence to vse Gods sacred Word yet we that Christ professe Thinke it no fault or that there 's no fault lesse Else sure we would not in our common talke Let our loose tongues so much at randome walke We would not dare our Iests of that to make At vttering whereof the Heauens shake For if God had reueal'd his Gospel newes To vs as heeretofore vnto the Iewes He did the Law who heard him to their wonder Speaking through fearefull fiery flames and thunder We would more dread in any euill fashon To vse that sacred meanes of our suluation Our cursed Pagan vnbeleeuing foe I meane the Turke more reuerence doth show In those his dam'nd erroneous Rites then we In the true worship for 't is knowne that he Wil not so much as touch his Alcharon That doth containe his false Religion With vnwasht handes nor till he hath o'rewent All that his vaine and confus'd rablement Of Ceremonies vs'd much lesse dares looke On the Contents of that vnhallowed booke But we in midst of all our villany In our pot-conference and ribaldry Irreuerently can the same apply As if 't were some of Pasquils Letany But soft my Muse in her perambulation Hath hapt vpon an Excomunication And though that her Commission she wanted Yet she made bold to search wherefore 't was granted Which if you would know too why it may be Some were so pleas'd because they lack't a fee For had the Officers bin wel contented They say the matter might haue been preuented But you that haue the wisdomes to discerne When abuse is pray tel me I would learne Misuse we Excommunication You know it is a Separation From God and a most fearefull banishment From the partaking of his Sacrament And good mens fellowship a sad exile Perhaps for euer at the least a while From the true Church and oh most horrid euill A giuing of Men ouer to the Diuell And therefore was ordain'd in better times Onely for such who in their hainous crimes With hardned obstinacy did persist As may appeare but now we at our list As if the same but some slight matter were For euery trifle to pronounce it dare And peraduenture to on such as be More honest far and better much than we But since my Muse hath her endeauour done To note how men into this fault do run I will be bold to let you vnderstand One strange Presumption noted in our land Worth the amending and indeed 't is this Readers pray iudge how dangerous it is We seeing God hath now remooued far From this our Country his iust plague of war And made vs through his mercy so much blest VVe do in spight of all our foes yet rest Exempt from danger by vs it appeares Through the great blessing of these quiet yeares We are so feare-lesse care-lesse and secure In this our happy peace and so cock-sure As if we did suppose or heard it sed Oulâ— Mars were strangled or the Diuel dead Else can I not beleeue we would so lightly Esteeme our safely and let passe so slightly Our former care of Martiall discipline For excercises meerely Feminine VVe would not see our Armes so soild in dust Nor our bright blades eat vp with cankred rust As now they be our Bowes they lye and rot Both Musket and Caliuer is forgot And we lye open to all Forraine dangers For want of Discipline 't is knowne to Strangers Though weel 'e not see 't Alas will not our pleasure Let vs be once in seauen yeares at leasure To take a muster and to giue instruction No rather Pleasure will be our destruction For That first caus'd the Law that now preuents And barres the vse of Pouder-instruments To be enacted why for to preserue An idle Game the which I wish might sterue Amids our plenty so that with their curse The land and people might be nothing worse Cause for that trifle to the Realmes abuse The hand-gun hath been so much out of vse Scarce one in forty if to proofe it came Dares or knowes how for to discharge the same Oh valiant English we are like to hold The glory that our fathers had of old But sure I think some vndermining hand That studies for the ruine of the land Is cause of this in hope thereby at length To weaken ours and let in forraine strength What do we think cause theirs a truce with Spaine That we are safe Alas that thought is vaine Our dangers rather more for while they dar'd To proffer wrong they found vs still prepar'd The profitable feare that we were in Preuented danger that might else haue bin But now the cause of former feare is gone We haue not only let all care alone But also are so drunken with delights And drownd in pleasure that our dulled sprites Are so o'reclog'd with Luxury we droope More fit for Venus then for Mars his troope That if our foes should now so ventrous be For to inuade the lanâ— vnlesse that wee With speed amend this error heere 's my mind The way to worke our ruine thei 'le soone find For iust the Troians last nights watch wee keepe Who then were buried all in â—ine and sleepe We read when Cato should a Captaine chuse For the Panonian fight he did refuse His kins-man Publius cause that from the war He often had return'd without a scar And went perfum'd but if such faults as these Displeasd the Censor sure then in our dayes He scarcely would in towne or country find A man with vs according to his mind Such is our daintinesse Besides to strangers
villany To make them smart these wordes to them commend That beggery and shame shall be their end Yet thou shalt find depending on the Court Some that wil ieast to make their betters sport But sift them I durst pawne a brace of testers If truth were known they are more fooles then Iesters And so they are suppos'd although indeed They are more knaues then fooles but take thou heed Come not within the compasse of their Bable Then call them knaues as lowd as thou art able If thou come thither at some publike show As there thou shalt be whether they will or no Remember that thou make a shift to creepe Neere to the place where they the Reâ—els keep There stand a while vnseene and do no more But note those fellowes that do keep the doore If thou perceiue some as some will do then Keep out a many worthy Gentlemen And let a Laundresse or a Scoundrel passe Giue him a ierk and tell him hee 's an asse But least thou spy what may make thee asham'd Or speake of that for which thou maist be blam'd Leaue thou the Court if thy owne ease thou pitty And come a while to walke about the Citty As soone as there thou ent'rest thou shalt meet Great store of Gallants pacing out the street A part from dice or fence or dancing come And peraduenture from a whore-house some Those are goodfellowes that will frankly spend While land will last or any man wil lend And yet to see more fooles the world had neuer They are so proud as if 't t would last for euer And though these lightly cannot haue a worse Or deadlier sicknes then an empty purse Which wil ensue yet tell them they must meete At the Kinges-bench the Counter or the Fleet Then step vnto the Lawyers peraduentnre They 'l by some VVrit command thee not to enter Yet feare them not but looke and thou shalt spye Vnder their gownes a messe of Knauery Pluck off their mask of law that clokes their drifts And thou shalt see a world of lawlesse shirâ—s But tell them there 's a iudge wil not be feed And that perhaps wil make their conscience bleed Then tell the Scriueners as thou passest by That they were best to leaue their forgery Or else why is 't their eares do scape so well The Diuell meanes to beare them whole to hell Tell the Phisitions if thou meet with any Their Potions their Drugs haue murther'd many For which thou would'st haue lasht but dost delay them Because the diuel means himselfe to pay theÌ„ But if thei 'l proue conclusions bid them then Try't on themselues and not on other men Desire the Brokers that they would not yaune After the forfeit of anothers pawne It is their right by law thei le say t is true And so 's their soule perhaps anothers due But sting them if their conscience quite be fled Then shall they pay what they haue forfeited Entreat the Tailor next if that he can To leaue his theft and proue an honest man If that he think the matter be too hard Knock him about the noddle with his yard If he bee ritch and take the same in snuffe Tell him his substance is but stolen stuffe And that the Iay would hardly brook the weather If eu'ry Bird should take away her feather So hauing whipt him let the Priest go shrieue him And if he haue authority forgiue him Go warn the Crafts man that he do not lurke All day at ale-house and neglect his worke And then suruey the ware of euery trade For much I tell thee is deceitfull made Which if thou find I charge thee do not friend it But call him knaue and bid him go and mend it Oh see if thou the Marchant-man canst find For hee le be gone at turning of the wind Bid him keep touch or tell his worship how His heart wil tremble when the Seas are tough Desire him to if he doe trauaile thither Where Conscience is that he would bring some hither Here 's little some wil haue it if none will He shall gaine by it though he keepe it still If he bring none 't were Charitie I thinke To pray some storme might make his vessell sinke Looke in their ships for I haue knowne deceit Hath bin in both the Owner and the fraight Yea note them well thou shalt finde their bookes Are ginns for wood-cocks made like tenter-hooks Well they are ritch the Marchant wealth obtaines And cares not how so he encrease his gaines Yet least his wealth may hap to make him proud Satyr I pray thee tell him this aloude To make him smart that whilst he like a mome Playes fast abroad his wife plaâ—es loose at home Nor shall his ill-got masse of wealth hould out But he or his become a banquerout Now to thy rest t is night but here approaches A troupe with torches hurried in their Coaches Stay and behold what are they I can tell Some bound for Shoreditch or for Clarken-well Oh these are they which thinke that Fornication Is but a youthfull sportfull recreation These to hold out the game maintaine the back VVith marrow pies potato-rootes and sack And when that Nature hath consum'd her part Can hould out a Luxurious course by art Goe stop the horses quickly least thou misse And tel the Coachmans wanton carriage this They of their guide must be aduised well For they are running downe the hill to hell Their Venery will soone consume their stocks And bring them to repentance with a poxe So other crimes committed without light Let such reueale as see like Owles by night For many men a secret fault can finde But in apparant rougeries are blind Or else they will not see but thou wertst best Leaue whipping and betake thee to thy rest If in an Inne it be before thou sup Will that the Tapster call his maister vp And bid him kindly since he giues thee lodging To vse plaine dealing and detest all dodging Dissembling's naught hard rekonings they ar worsâ— Light gaines they say will make a heauy purse And let them not this fault is very rife Make any guest familiar with his wife For many men they weare but what they should Do make their wiues more wantoÌ„ then they would Thereby they gaine their Innes are wel frequented But such ill courses are too late repented So schoole him well and do thy whip refraine And send him to his other guests againe Then thou shalt see the nimble Tapster flie Still yalling here anon sir by and by So dilligent till thou thy selfe acquaint With his â—ly tricks thou 'lt â—'take him for a Saint But I suppose that they haue tane an oth Neuer to â—â—ll a pot but halfe with froth And there 's an old shift if they leaue it not There must be something added to the shot But wilt thou swagger with him for it no But take him as he is and let him goe Now for most hostlers if thou hap to try
paine To come somtime and visit them againe In meere good will because these weake ones see They cannot then so well prouided be To bid them welcome as their loues require Though more then loue their loues did ne're desire A foolish Shame so blinds them that they shall For giuing them to much haue naught at all Yea for because they want excessiue fare Or some such things for which their friends neere care Though by their will it other wise had beene They neither will be knowne at home nor seene VVhich doth not onely shew impiety But hindereth loue and barres society Yet now the greatest weaknesse that I finde To be in man is ignorance of mind It makes a poore man hee 's scarse good for ought If rich men haue it they are worse then nought For hauing riches store and wanting might Or strength of mind to vse the same aright T is arrogancies and ambitious fuell It makes them Couetuous Inconstant Cruell Intemperate Vniust and wonderous heady Yea in their actionsrude and so vnsteddy They cannot follow any sound direction But are still carried with a wild affection This is their nature it is quickly noted If they to honour be by hap promoted Then they grow insolent beyond all reason Apt for Ambition Quarrels Murthers Treason Or any villany that followes those Who doe the summe of happinesse repose In worldly glory But if Fortune frowne And from her fickle wheele once cast them downe Then their deiected hearts againe grow base They are impatient of their present case Raue or run mad and can doe nought poore elues Vnlesse it be goe hang or drowne them selues Moreouer the same weakenes that proceeds From ignorance this mischife also breeds It makes men will conceited of their will Which they will follow be it nere so ill And they thinke all things needs must fall out bad Wherein their wise aduise may not be had But heere 's the hell to them all Counsell's vaine Cause they all others wisedome doe disdaine And wholly on their owne deuises rest As men perswaded that their owne are best But as all such are weake e'ne so I say Is euery one that rashly doth repay Vengeance in anger Or that 's male content Oft or oft mooued and impatient Or those that iudge of Counsels by th' euent Or that perswade themselues if their intent Be good and honest that it doth not skill If that the matter of it selfe be ill Which were it true then Dauid might complaine That Vzzah for his good intent was slaine Others againe thinke Superstitious Rites To be the seruice in which God delghts But since I 'me forst my mind of them to speake I must needs say their iudgements are but weake The like I must of them who disesteeme All forraine customes and doe onely deeme Their owne praise-worthy As also such as do Thinke those things best they cannot reach vnto Yet in the vulgar this weake humor 's bred They 'l sooner be with idle customes led Or fond opinions such as they haue store Then learne of reason or of vertues lore We think that we are strong but what alas Is there that our great might can bring to passe Since though we thereto bend e'ne all our will We neither can be good not wholly ill God giues vs needfull blessings for to vse them Which wanting power to do we oft abuse them Some hold them wise and vertuous that professe An heremitall solitariness But it proceeds from imbecillity And for because through Non-ability Those thinges they cannot well in dure to doe Which they indeed should be inur'd vnto Besides they wrong their Country and their friends For man saith Tullye's borne to other ends Then for to please himselfe a part to haue The common-weale doth look and parents craue A part so doth his friend then deales he well That closely mewd vp in a carelesse cell Keepes all himselfe and for a little ease Can in his Conscience find to rob all these I say hee 's weake and so againe I must But add withall hee 's slothfull and vniust Then as hee 's vaine that precious time doth spend In fond and idle pleasure to no end So are those weake that with contempt disdaine All plesure and delights on earth as vaine And though they would be zealous thought wise I shall but count them foolishly precise For Man hath cares and pleasures mixt with-all Are needfull yea both iust and naturall We are no Angels that our recreation Should consist only in meer Contemplation But we haue bodies to of whose due pleasure The soules must find sometimes to be at leasure For to participate but in this kind Though some find fault we are not much behind Then t is through humane weaknes when that we Of a good-turne will soone forgetfull be And readier to reuenge a small offence Then for that good to make a recompen â— And so 't is also when that we eschew Or shunne them vnto whom from vs is due Both loue and mony this because their owne Th' other cause friendship at our need was showne But 't is well seen there 's many so abhor To be in presence with their Creditor That thankless elues though he be still their friend They rather would desire to see his end He 's weake to that 's not able to withstand Any vnlawfull or vniust demand As well as he that knowes not to deny Seruing-mens kindness or pot-curtesie Some simple fellowes cause that silken-fooles That had their bringing-vp in Bacchus schooles In show of loue but daine to drink vnto them Think presently they such a fauour do them That though they feele their stomack wel nigh sick Yet if to pledge these kind ones they should sticke Or for a draught or two or three refuse them They thinke in conscience they should much abuse them Nay there be some and wisemen you would thinke That are not able to refuse their drinke Through this their weaknesse though that they be sure 'T is more then their weake stomacks can indure And why oh 't is the health of some great Peere His Maisters or his Friend he counteth deare What then if that the party vertuous be He 'le not esteeme of such a foolery If not who er 't be this is my mind still A straw for 's loue his friendship or good will Some muse to see those that haue knowledge gaind And to Degrees of Art in Schooles attaind Should haue opinion stuft with heresie And in their action such Simplicitie As many haue At first without a pause As meere a Boy as I may tell the cause I st not the reason their acquired parts And knowledge they haue reacht vnto by Arts Is growne a Mâ—tch to great and farre vnfit For to be ioyned with their Naturallwit 'T is so and they insteed of rightfull vsing Draw from their leraning errors by abusing Plaine Reason should and euery man that 's wise Knowes though that Learning be a dainty prize Yet if that
Fate with such a weakling place it Who hath no helpes of Nature for to grace it Or one whose proper Knowledge is so small He is beholding to his Booke for all It onely breeds vnlesse it be some Treasons Cripled Opinions and prodigious Reasons Which being fauour'd brings in the Conclusion Publike Dissentions or their owne Confusion For I may liken Learning to a Shield With a strong Armor Lying in a field Ready for any man that hath the Wit To take it vp and arme himselfe with it Now if he be a man of strength and might That happens on that furniture to light He may doe wonders As offend his foe And keep himselfe and his from ouerthrow But if a weake and feeble man should take These instruments of Mars what would they make For his aduantage Surely I should gather They would goe neere to ouerthrow him rather For they would loade him so a man more strong Although he be vnarm'd may doe him wrong So he that is depriu'd of Natures guifts With all his Learning maketh harder shifts Through his owne weakenes incurs more shames Then many that want Art to write their Names We haue some Fellowes that would scorne to be Term'd Weake I know especially by Me Because they see that my vngentle Fate Allow'd me not to be a Graduate Yet whatsoeuer they will say vnto it For all their scorning I am like to doe it And to be breefe they are no simple fooles But such as haue yauld Ergo in the schooles Who being by some men of worship thought Fit men by whom their children may be taught And learnd enough for that they are allowd The name of Teachers whereof growing proud Because perhaps they heare that now and then They are admired at by the seruing-men Or else by reason somthing they haue said Hath beene applauded by the Chamber-maid They therevppon suppose that no man may Hold any thing for truth but what they say And in discourse their tongues so much wil walke You may not heere a man of reason talke They are halfe Preachers if your question be Of matters that concerne diuinity If it be law I 'le warrant they 'l out-face A dozen Pâ—oydens to maintaine their case But if it be of Physick you contend Old Galen and Hypocrates may send For their opinion nay they dare professe Knowledge in al things though there 's none know less Now I should wonder they preuaild so much Did not the Common-people fauour such But they are knowne although their verdit passes Proud Dogmatists and self-conceited Asses Whom I may tearme though I cannot out-scold them Weake simple fooles and those that doe vphold them Moreouer some but foolishly precise And in my iudgement far more weake then wise Misiudge of Poetry as if the same Did worthily deseâ—ue reproach and blame If any booke in verse they hap to spy Oh out vpon 't away prâ—fane they cry Burn't reade it not for sure it doth containe Nothing but fables of a lying braine Al-asâ— take heed indeed it oft pollutes The out-side of thy false-vaine glorious sutes And to the blinded people makes it plaine The Coulour thou so counterset'st will staine Because we see that men are drunke with wine Shall we contemne the liquor of the Vine And since there 's some that doe this Art misuse Wilt therefore thou the Art it selfe abuse 'T were meere iniustice For Diuinitie Hath with no Science more affinitie Then this and howsoe're this scruple rose Rime hath exprest as sacred things as prose When both in this age and in former time Prose hath been ten-times more profane then rime But they say still that Poetry is lies And fables such as idle heads deuise Made to please fooles but now we may by this Perceiue their weaknes plainely what it is Yea this both weake and ignorant doth proue them In that thei 'l censure things that are aboue them For if that worthy Poets did not teach A way beyond their dull conceited reach I thinke their shallow wisedomes would espy A Parable did differ from a lie Yea if their Iudgement be not quite bereft Or if that they had any reason left The precious Truths within their fables wrapt Had not vpon so rude a Censure hapt But though that kind of teaching some dispraise As there 's few good things lik't of now adaies Yet I dare say because the Sâ—riptures show it The best e're taught on earth taught like a Poet And whereas Poets now are counted base And in this worth-lesse age in much disgrace I of the cause cannot refraine to speake And this it is mens Iudgements are growne weake They know not true desert for if they did Their well deseruings could not so be hid And sure if there be any doth despise Such as they are it is cause he enuies Their worthines and is a secret foe To euery one that truely learnes to know For of all sorts of men here 's my beliefe The Poet is most worthy and the chiefe His Science is the absolut'st and best And deserues honor aboue all the rest For 't is no humane knowledge gain'd by art But rather 't is inspir'd into the heart By diuine meanes and I doe muse men dare Twixt it and their professoins make compare For why should he that 's but Philosopher Geometrician or Astrologer Physitian Lawyer Rhetorician Historian Arithmetician Or some such like why should he hauing found The meanes but by one Arâ— to be renown'd Compare with him that claimes to haue a part And interest almost in euery Art And if that men may adde vnto their name By one of these an euerlasting fame How much more should it vnto them befall That haue not onely one of these but all As Poets haue for doe but search their works And you shall find within their writing lurks All knowledge if they vndertake Of Diuâ—ne matters any speech to make You 'l thinke them Doctors if they need to tell The course of starres they seeme for to excell Great Ptolomey entend they to perswade You 'l thinke that they were Retoricians made VVhat Law what Phisick or what History Can these not treat of Nay what mistery Are they not learn'd in If of Trades they write Haue they not all tearms and words as right As if he had seru'd an Apprentiship Can they not name all tooles for workemanship We see t is true If once they entreat of wars Of cruell bloudy fraies of wounds of scars VVhy then he speaks so like a souldier there That he hath beene begot in armes thou 'lt sweare Againe he writes so like a Nauigator As if they had seru'd Neptune in the water And thou wouldst thinke he might of trauaile make As great a Volume as our famous Drake Old Proteus and Vertumnus are but Apes Compar'd to these for shifting of their shapes There is no humorous Passion so strange To which they cannot in a moment change Note but their Drammaticks and you shall see They I speake
are good Shall find acceptance there though they seeme rudâ— Looke and hehold the Vanities of men Their Misery their Weaknesse and their Pride Daigne to suruey this booke I say and then VVhen you haue each particular espi'de Thinke with your selfe how highly blest you be For to enioy a Prince that both knowes how To keepe himselfe from such fell Passion free And make so many mad-wild creatures bow Indeed here 's Vices tablet plainely made Not veiled ouer or obscurely drawne T is in a colour which shall neuer fade That men may blush on such a hag to fawne But if your Grace will fauour what I sing Though Vertue be in durance I le erpreeue her That now despised Nimph to honour bring Set al her hidden beauties forth and giue her So sweet a looke and such a deft attire Men shal grow loue-sick and burne with desire To CHARLES Prince of Wales EPIG 4. SEE here faire Of-spring of the royall Stem What all the world almost is subiect to Behold it so thou truely maist contemne And from thy heart abhorre what others doe Now is the fit and only time to season That young rare-vnderstanding breast of thine VVith sacred precepts good aduise and reason But there 's no doubt thou wilt to good incline Inheritance great Prince will make it thine And were Mans nature yet more prone to fall Soe to be borne and so taught helpes all To the Princesse EPIG 5. SWeet Princesse though my Muse sings not the glories Of faire aduenterous Knights or Ladies loues Though here be no Encomiastick storâ—es That tender hearts or gentle Spirits moues Yet in an honest homelie Rustick straine She shews the Creature such may you nere know Forgiue her though she be seuere or plaine Truth that may warrant it commanded so Yea view it ouer with beleefe but than I am afraid you will abhor a man And yet you need not All deserue not blame For that great Prince that wooes for to be yours If that his worth but equalize his fame Is free from any Satâ—r here of ours Nay they shall praise him for though they haue whips To make the wicked their offences rue And dare to scourge the greatest when he trips Vertue shall still be certaine of her due But for your sake if that you entertaine him Oh would he were a man as I could faine him Yet sweet Elizabeth that happy Name If we lost nothing else by loosing thee So deare to Engâ—and is we are to blame If without teares and sighes we parted be But if thou must make blest another Clime Remember Our and for that though I vse A crabbed subiect and a Churlish Rime Daine but to be the Mistris of my Muse And I le change Theames and in a lofty stile Keepe thee aliue for euer in this I le To the Lords of his Maiesties most honorable Priuy Counsell EPIGR. 6. MOst Honor'd Lords I heere present this book To your graue censures not to shew my Art Nere did you on so rude a matter looke Yet t is the token of an honest heart I did it not to please nor flatter any Nor haue I made it for the thirst of gaine For I am sure it wil not humor many And I expect much hatred for my paine Here somthing you may see that now requires Your care and prouidence to haue 't amended That 's the maine poynt to which my Muse aspires And whereto I haue all my labour tended It may be there be some out of their hate Will mis-interpret what is plainely ment Or tax me as too saucy with the State In hope to make me for the Truth be â—hent Yet know Great Lords I do acknowledge heere It is your wisdomes that next God maintaines This Kingdomes good And from my heart I beareâ— A reuerent respect vnto your paines I do not as such faine would haue it seeme Presume to teach your wisedomes what is best I do not my owne knowledge so esteeme Vile selfe conceit I from my heart detest But for because I know the percing'st eye Can neuer into all abuses see And since the greatest in Authority May not behold some-time so much as we What therefore I haue thought to be amisse And worth amending I haue told it heere I know your Honors wil be pleas'd in this Though some it may be cannot rage forbeare But if there 's any take this writing badly Had it told all it would haue vext him madly To Henry Earle of South-hampton EPIGR. 7 SOuth-hampton since thy Prouince brought me forthâ— And on those pleasant mountaines I yet keepe â—ought to be no stranger to thy worth Nor let thy Vertues in obliuion sleepe Nor wil I if my fortunes giue me time Meane while read this and see what others be â—f thou canst lik 't and wil but grace my Râ—me â—wil so blaze thy Hampshire springs and thee Thy Arle Test Stowre and Auon shal share Fame Either with Humber Seuerne Trent or Thame To William Earle of Penbrooke EPIG 8. THou whom respect of kin makes not vniust True Noble Spirit free from hate or guile â—hou whom thy Prince hath for thy care and trust â—â—ac't for to keepe the entrance of this I le â—e heere th' abuses of these wicked Times â—haue expos'd them open to thy view â—hy iudgement is not blinded with like crimes 〈◊〉 therefore maist perceiue that all is true â—Take't though I seeme a stranger yet I know thee â—nd for thy vertues Penbrooke this I owe thee To the Lord Lisle Lord Chamberlaine to the Queene EPIGRAM 9. BEing a Sidney and so neere allied To him whose matchlesse rare immortall pen Procur'd of Fame to haue him deifide And liue for euer in the hearts of men The loue my soule hath euer borne that name Would certainely perswade me for your sake In honest seruice to aduenture blame Or any open dangers vndertake Yet shall not that your titles nor your place Your honours nor your might nor all you haue Cause me to flatter for reward or grace Fortune shall neuer make my mind a slaue But seeing that your Vertue shines apparant And honorable acts do speake your praise Since Good Report hath giuen forth her warrant Which none so much as by himselfe gaine-saies That and naught else but that compels my Muse To sing your worth and to present her Owne If this imperfect issue you 'le peruse I le make her in a better forne be knowne And teach her that is now so rude and plaine To soare a pitch aboue the common straine To the Lady Mary Wroth. EPIGR. 10. MAdame to call you best or the most faire The Vertu'st and the wisest in our daies Is now not commendations worth a haire For that 's become to be each hus-wifes praise There 's no degree below Superlatiue VVill serue some soothing Epigrammatists The Worst they praise exceeds Comparatiue And Best can get no more out of their fists But Arts sweet Louer vnto whom know There is no happie Muse
this day remaines That doth not for your Worth and bounty owe Euen himselfe his best and sweetest straines Vouchsafe to let this booke your fauour finde And as I heare haue Mans abuses showne I le with like iust and vncorrupted minde So make your true vnfained Vertues knowne While others false praise shall in one's mouth be All shall commend you in the high'st degree To Sir Thomas Ridgeway Knight Barronet Treasurer of Ireland EPIGR. 11. SIR you first grac't and gratifi'd my Muse Which nere durst try til then what she could do That which I did vnto my selfe was newes A matter I was little vs'd vnto Had you those first endeauours not approou'd I should for euer more haue silence kept But now your good encouragement hath moou'd And rous'd my Spirits that before time slept For which I vow'd a guift that should be better Accept this for 't and I le be still your debtor Here you shall see the Images of men More sauage then the wildest Irish kerne Abuses whipt and stript and whipt agen I know your Iudgement can the Truth discerne Now so you will thinke well of this my Rime I 'ue such a mind yet to Saint Patrickes Ile That if my Fate and Fortunes giue me time I hope for to reuisit you a while And make those sparkes of honour to flame high That rak't vp in obliuions cinders lie To his Father EPIGR. 12. OThers may glorie that their Fathers hands Haue scrapt together mighty summes of gold Boast in the circuit of new purchast lands Or heards of cattell more then can be told God giue them ioy their wealth I le nere enuy For you haue gotten me a greater store And though I haue not their prosperitie In my conceit I am not halfe so poore You learn't me with a little to content me Shew'd how to bridle passion in some measure And through your meanes I haue a Talent lent me VVhich I more valew then all Indies treasure For when the al-most boundlesse patrimonies Are wasted those by which our great ones trust To be eterniz'd when their Ceremonies Shall be forgotten and their toombes be dust Then to the glorie of your future line Your owne and my friends sacred memorie This litle poore despised wealth of mine Shall raise a Trophee of eternitie Which fretting enuy nor consuming time Shall ere abolish or one whit offend A toplesse Statue that to starres shall clime Far greater then your Art shall comprehend But I must needs confesse t is true I yet Reape little profit in the eyes of men My Tallent yeelds small outward benefit Yet I le not leaue it for the world agen Though 't bring no gaine that you by artful sleight Can measure out the earth in part or whole Sound out the Centers depth and take the height Either of th' Artick or Antartick pole Yet t is your pleasure it contentment brings And so my Muse is my content and ioy I would not misse her to be ranckt with Kings How euer some account it is a toy But hauing then and by your meanes obtaind So rich a patrimony for my share For which with linkes of loue I 'me euer chaind VVhat duties fitting for such bounties are Moreouer Nature brought me in your debt And still I owe you for your cares and feares Your paines and charges I doe not forget Beside the interest of manie yeares VVhat waie is there to make requitall for it Much I shall leaue vnpaid doe what I can Should I be then vnthankefull I abhorre it The Will maie serue when Power wants in man This booke I giue you then heere you shall finde Somewhat to counteruaile your former cost It is a little Index of my mind Time spent in reading it will not be lost Accept it and when I haue to my might Paid all I can to you if powers diuine Shall so much in my happiâ—es delight To make you Grandsire to a sonne of mine Looke what remaines and may by right be due I 'le pay it him as 't was receiud from you Your louing Sonne George Wither To his mother EPIG 13. VNgrateful is the child that can forget The Mother 's many paines her cares her feares And therefore though I cannot pay the debt Due for the smallest drop of your kind teares This Booke I for acknowledgement do giue you Wherein you may perceiue my heart my mind Let neuer false report of me more grieue you And you shall sure no iust occasion find Loue made you apt to feare those slanders true Which in my absence were but lately sowne It was a motherly distrust in you But those that raisd them are false villaines known For though I must confesse I am indeed The vilest to my selfe that liues this time Yet to the world ward I 'ue tane such heed There 's none can spot me with a hainous crime This I am forct to speake you best know why Wherer's that man liuing that dare say I lye To his deare friend Maister Thomas Cranly EPIGR. 14. BRother for so I call thee not because Thou wert my Fathers or my Mothers sonne Nor consanguinity nor wedlock lawes Could such a kindred twixt vs haue begun We are not of one blood nor yet name neither Nor sworn in brotherhood with ale house quarts We neuer were so much as drunke together T was no such slight acquaintance ioynd our harts But a long knowledge with much trial did it Which for to chuse a friend are good directions And though we lou'd both well at first both hid it Till 't was discouered by a like affections Since which thou hast ore-gon me far in showing The Office of a friend do 't stil and spare not Lo heere 's a Memorandum for what 's owing But know for all thy kind respect I care not Vnlesse thou 'lt show how I may seruice do thee Then I wil sweare I am beholding to thee Thine G. VV. To his louing friend and Cousen-German M. WILLIAM WITHER EPIGR. 15. IF that the Standerds of the house bewray What Fortunes to the owners may betide Or if their Destinies as some men say Be in the names of any signifi'd T is so in thine for that faire antique shield Borne by thy Predecessors long agoe Depainted with a cleere pure Argâ—nt field The innocency of thy line did show Three sable Crescents with a Cheueron gul'de Tel's that black fates obscur'd our howses light Because the Planet that our fortunes rul'd Lost her owne lustre and was darkned quite And as inded our aduersaries say The very name of VVither showes decay But yet despaire not keep thy white vnstain'd And then it skills not what thy Crescents be What though the Moone be now increas't now wain'd Learne thence to know thy lifes inconstancy Be carefull as thou hitherto hast beene To shun th' abuses Man is tax't for heere And then thy soule that 's now ecclips'd with sin When Moone and Sun are darkned shal look cleere And what soer'e thy English name may threat The a Haruests sonne the Greekes entitle thee Ere thou shalt waÌ„t thy a Hâ—re wil bring thee meat And to kill care her selfe thy make-sport be Yea yet though Enuies mists do make them dull I hope to see the wained Orbes at full For the better vnderstaâ—â—ing of this Epigram note that his Armes are in a field argent a Cheuron Gules betwixt three crescents sable his name accordâ—ng to the Greekes is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his Crest is a Hare with threâ— wheat eares in her mouth To his Schoole-maister Maister Iohn Greaues EPIGR. 16. I Feuer I doe wish I maie be rich As oft perhaps such ilde breath I spend I doe it not for any thing so much As for to haue wherewith to pay my friend For trust me there is nothing grieues me more Then this that I should still much kindnes take And haue a Fortune to my mind so poore That though I would amends I cannot make Yet for to be as thankefull as I maie Snce my estate no better meanes affords VVhat I in deed receiue I doe repaie In willingnes in thankes and gentle words Then though your loue doth well deserue to haue Better requitals then are in my power Knowing you 'l nothing vltra posse craue Here I haue brought you some Essaies of our You may thinke much perhaps since ther 's so many Learn'd Graduates that haue your pupils beene I who am none and more vnfit then any Should first presume in publike to be seene But you doe know those horses in the teeme That with their worke are ablest to goe through Seldome so forward as blind Bayard seeme Or giue so many twitches to the plough And so though they may better their intent Is not perhaps for to be fooles is print To the captious Reader VVHat thou maist say or thinke it is no matte But if thou busily imagine here Since most of these are mighty that I flatter Know sacred Iustice is to me so deare Did not their Vertues in my thoughts thus raâ—â—ther To get an Empire by them I 'de not praise theâ—â— FINIS