Since we must neither speake nor hold our peace Some will be angry if they cannot make Another their opinions for to take Others haue meanings but they cannot shew them Yet are displeas'd with those that doe not know And I haue seene that anger may be holy them A good man mooued for anothers folly Yet in such cases let not any chafe But pray as I doe they may mend and laugh Me thinkes they should be men vnfit to weild The sword of Iustice that do basely yeild Vnto so brute a passion yet haue we Some Gouernours that ouer-ruled be By this and worse affections yea some now Haue charge of others that doe worse know how To guide themselues the angry Magistrate To be aueng'd on him whom he doth hate For priuate causes drawes the publike sword And all the Rigor that the lawes affoord Must serue his Choller such there be so many You cannot misse one though I name not any Now diuers doe affirme such men as be Hasty so they tearme this infirmitie Are the best natur'd who that lesson taught If they be best I le sweare the best be naught Moreouer there be many doe suppose It is a signe of courage what meane those Where is their iudgements they me thinkes should gather That it were weakenesse did produce it rather Or else why should the feeble and the sicke Women and children be most chollerick Againe there 's some whose iudgement is as rude Doe thinke that Anger quickens fortitude But that 's a vertue surely will deny With such a Vice to haue affinity Thou that hast iudgement tell me can it be That Fortitude and Anger may agree I thinke it not for why the one is steady And rul'd by reason t'other rash and heady The one doth nothing but on consultation The other cannot take deliberation And therefore if that we be well aduis'd It is a humor ought to be despis'd And though some thence much help may seeme to gather To whet on Fortitude it hinders rather Yea t is a strange vnreasonable Passion That brings the owner cleane beside all fashion Making him speake if ought but discontent him Yea doe the thing of which he shall repent him And of a friend if I might chuser be I 'de rather haue a man that 's mad then he Some say 't is inflamation of the blood And may with carefull heed be soone withstood But their 's so few that seeke to stop this ill That most do let it runne at randome stil And very faintly yeeld to the inuasion Of this wild Passion on the least occasion But he indeed that would a medcine find For this disease must haue a setled mind Not giuing credit vnto all reports Nor yet delighting in vaine toyes nor sports On dogs or hawkes his mind must not be set So much as for their losse to chafe or fret He should not fancy fuch fond idle trash But euer taking heed of being rash Athenodorus good aduice embrace And follow Cotis that wise King of Thrace Whereby he best shall quench this Passions tinder And many an Angry fumish fit may hinder OF IEALOVSIE SATYR 7 BVt though these angry-ones soon breed a braule And are pernicious to conuerse with-all Not one â—ot better is the iealous-head That thinks his friend and 's wife are still a-bed This Passion as it plainely doth appeare Proceeds out of a too-much loue with feare Loue in a match procures the highest bliss That for vs men on earth ordained is But adde a feare of loosing of our ioy And that we loue so dearely 't will destroy All our delights and strewing good with ill Makes that seeme lost which we haue with vs still Thus doth it often with the Iealous proue VVho carefull in the choosing of his loue Hath gotten her that is not faire alone But modest wise and curteous hating none Nor yet affecting any but her peere For which good parts her husband counts her deere As well he may her vertues he 'll vphold Dares sweare she will not be allur'd with gold Honor nor beauty but as she is chast So hee 's perswaded will be to the last And to himselfe so well he seemes to thriue He thinkes his owne the happiest choise aliue 'T is good Thus for no hurt he wiued well But soft there there is an after part to tell This man when he by daily proofe doth see His wife no other then a wife should be It so augments his Loue to that extreame He knowes not if he be awake or dreame Now doth this Loue for Loue will euer doe it For a Companion take in Feare vnto it A feare of loosing what he loues so much And then the nature of this feare is such That it begets suspect which creeping in Doth by a little at the first begin To make him doubt his spouse doth loosely liue Whereto vpon a slight report to giue Firme credence he seemes loth but yet ere long He doth but think perhaps she doth him wrong Which if he doe that one false thought 's enough To giue all former truths the ouerthrow And why Suspect growes thereupon so great See thrusts true iudgement quite besides her seat Which being done then straight begins to wane The good conceit he of his bliss had tane For if his friend doth to his house repaire He thinkes t is onely cause his wife is faire But if 't be strangers he durst pawne his life There 's some compact betweene them his wife Yea though their busines to himselfe he find He thinks t is bâ—t a hood to keep him blind Then all the sweet he had is turn'd to sowre Faine would he think well but hath not the powre Much care torments his heart and yet he will Be prying farther to encrease it still Yea he will seeke although he truely know The more he seekes the more he findes his woe Beside suspect receiueth in the head All things that may be mis-interpreted And the best thought her vertue 's like to winne Is onely this It seru'd to cloake her sinne In briefe his liking thus he marreth quight And there he loath's where once he tooke delight But wherefore Onely cause he doth mistrust And not on any proofe that she 's vniust Vnhappy woman haplesly to wed So meere a sot and such a Iealous head An owle-eyed buzzard that by day is blind And sees not things apparant yet can find That out which neuer was The feare to loose The Iewell he aboue all Iemms did chuse That feare I say of wit doth so bereaue him He thinks that 's gone which means not yet to leaue him Oh foolish man that hauing gain'd a bliss Doost mak 't a curse by vsing it amiss If iudgement be not blinded in thee looke Try if thou hast not all this while mistooke Is not thy wife still faire and to the eye Seemes she not yet to haue that modesty Thou didst commend her for Is she not wary With whom she walks or speaks or
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
conceale it For they themselues will to their shames reueale it There 's others who disliking so to vaunt VVill si non castè tamen cautè grant For that 's their Motto they make modest showes But what they doe in secret man nere knowes Some make a Baud of their diuine profession Like Shauelings in Auricular-confession Th' other are bad and sure of God accurst But of all others these I deeme the worst There 's other Gallants would desire but this VVithout suspition for to talke and kisse For other pleasures they do neuer craue them Nay if they might they sweare they will not haue them So mean perhaps but time brings alteration And a faire woman is a shrewd temptation Then many make their fained loue to be A cloake to couer their immodestie These will protest and vow and sweare their life Consists in hauing whom they wooe to wife Yet if the villaines can their lust fulfill They will forsweare them and be liuing still Some doe court all and not alone doe proue But for because with all they are in loue With such deep passion that they cannot smother Their hot affection till they meete another But why will man against himselfe and Reason Consent to such a Tyrant in his treason Why will he so his liberties foregoe To be a slaue to such a monstrous foe For what is this same passion We call lust I st not a Brutish longing and vniust And foule desire of the soule to gaine Some euill pleasure Or to speake more plaine A furious burning passion whose hot fumes Corrupts the vnderstanding and consumes The very flesb of man then what 's the fact What may I terme that vile and shamefull act But this The execution of an ill Out of set purpose and with a good will In spight of Reason Tell me i st not base When men shall so their worthy sex disgrace To giue their bodies in a deed vncleane With a foule nasty prostituted queane Or in their vnderstanding be so dull As to obserue on idle short-heeld trull A puling female Diuell that hath smiles Like Syrens songs and teares like Crocadiles Yet there be some I will not name them now Whom I haue seene vnto such Puppits bow And be as seruiceable as a groome That feares another man will beg his roome They had beene glad ful oft to please their pride With costly gifts and forc't for to abide Imperious scoffs with many scornefull words Such as the humors they are in affords And yet for these thei 'le venter Honors liues If they command it when for their poore Wiues Though they in Beauty loue and true delight Exceed them more then day-time doth the night They le scarcely take vppon them for to speake In any case of theirs their loues so weake Yea and their lust doth wrap them in such blindnes They cannot giue them one poore look in kindnes Moreouer for their lust they haue not laid Base plots alone like him that was conueyd In a close trunk because in secrecy He would vnseene enioy his venery I say not only therein haue they retcht Their damn'd inuentions It hath also stretcht Vnto strange lusts of which I wil not speake Because I may offend the minde that 's weake Or least I to some simple one should show Those sinnes by naming he did neuer know And here I leaue there 's lurking holes such store This stinking Vermin I wil hunt no more OF HATE SATYR 3. BVt I haue rous'd another here as bad They call it Hate A worse I neuer had Before in chase I scarce can keepe insooth My selfe from danger of his venom'd tooth This is the Passion that doth vse to moue The mind a cleane contrary way to loue It is an inspiration of the Divel That makes men long for one anothers euill It cankers in the heart and plagueth most Not him that 's hated but the hateful host And yet there 's too too many I do know Whose hearts with this soule poyson ouer-flow Of which I haue a true intelligence By the sharpe scoffs and slanders springing thence For where it rules they cannot well conceale it But either wordes or deeds or both reueale it Were it iust causes that did stil engender This passion in them or if they could render A reason fort 't were somwhat but their will Carries them on in spight of Reason still These are their humors for a slight offence Thei 'le hate th' offender for a recompence Some malice all that any way excell In which who thinkes but they do very well And many haue abhorred God amend them The stranger that did neuer yet offend them VVhich they are not asham'd for to confesse Yet in their hate continue ner'e the lesse But though that they can yeeld no reason why They beare them causlesse mallice yet can I Their hearts are il and it is seldome knowne That a sweet broâ—ke from bitter springs hath flowne There 's some to when they see a man respected More then themselues though they be not neglected They inly grudge and outwardly disdaine Being alike condition'd as was Caine Some hate their friends that loue and count them deare As by the sequel plainely shal appeare One that a seeming friendship had profest me Vpon a time did earnestly request me That I would plainely my opinion shew What I of his conditions thought or knew And that I would without exceptions tel What acts of his did not become him well I scorning flattry with a louing heart Twixt him and me my mind did soon impart And as a friend that is vnfaigned ought Left nothing vnreueald of what I thought Yea without feare I boldly reprehended If I perceiud he any way offended Provided alwayes that I did not swerue From a decorum fitting to obserue But marke Mans nature he perceiuing I Had taken note of some infirmity He would not haue vnript And seeing toe I espide more then he wisht I should doe Of his ill humours though I must confesse Being my friend I lou'd him nothing lesse In steed of thankes and liking for my paines My company and sight he now refraines And for my kindnes like a thanklesse mate Doth ill repay me with a lothing hate This one I know and by that one I finde That there be many beare as bad a minde But let vs for their true conuersion pray For we alasse may very iustly say Quod nulla est in terra Charitas Et Odium parit ipsa Veritas Againe the wicked hates beyond all measure The righteous man that contradicts his pleasure And that 's the fundamentall cause I know That many men doe hate their teachers so These common humors are obseru'd of few Yet may a yong experience find them true And boldly say that all in whom th' are found Haue poysoned hearts polluted and vnsound But they corrupted aboue all the rest Which hate their friends they should account of best But let Men striue and study to remoue This passion from
you should find and yet my mind is still Rather to defend my selfe then kill But most men thinke that he which kils his foe Is most couragious now I tell thee no For he that hath a heart that fact to doe Is both a Tyrant and a Coward toe But how is he a Coward some will aske To answer that is but an easie taske Thus he is one He hauing by his might A power on him with whome he haps to fight Thinkes if he spare his life in such a case He one day may reuenge his foule disgrace That thought with feare of future dangers fils him Which to preuent he like a Coward kils him But those that iustly in excuse can say For present safety they were forc't to slay I must count blamelesse Thou that hast a Foe Seeke not to be his wofull ouerthrow Rather if 't may be keepe him liuing still I tell thee 't is a necessary ill inimicus amicus My selfe haue some their liues I do no grutch For they haue done me seruice very much And wil do still for wheresoere I goe They make me careful what I speak or doe And when I step aside I here on 't roundly Or as themselues say they wil tel 't me soundly Whereas my friend til I were quite vndone Would let me stil in mine owne follies run Or if he warne me it is so in sport That I am scarse a whit the better sort But this same good I know but few can vse Because that they do better thinges abuse Mans nature 's ill and I haue noted this If they vpbraided bewith what 's amisse They cannot brooke it but are readier still For to reuenge that then amend what 's ill We must not now our lusty-blouds gain-say No not so much as in a yea or nay But presently we dye for 't if we will They haue both hand and heart prepar'd to kil Let them but thinke a man to them iniurious Although he be not so thei 'le straight grow furious And are so quickly up in a brauado They are for nothing but the imbrocado And in this humor they respect not wheither They be vnto them friends or foes or neither All are alike and their hot choller ends Not only loue and friendship but their friends I know 't were vaine if I should tel to these The peaceful mind of ancient Socrates Or if I should Lycurgus vengeance shew How he behau'd himselfe vnto his foe â—Twere but in vaine I say for there 's no doubt Our watle-headed Gallants would but flout At their wel tempred passions since they deeme None now but fooles or mad-men worth esteemeâ— But what 's the cause of their vnbridled rage Oh know it is a humor of their age For to be foolish desperate and many Account not of him wil not fight with any On the least quarrel Therefore most to gaine A little fame that way though nere so vaine Wil put their liues in danger nay there 's some Had rather haue it then the life to come Alas poore men what hath bewitcht your mind How are you grown so sencelesse and so blind For to affect vaine shaddowes and let slide The true substance as a thing vnspide â—s Reason in you growne so great a stranger To suffer an affection of such danger To settle in you Bannish't from your breast And there let Mercy and Forgiuenes rest â—t is a token of a humane mildnes But vengeance is a signe of Bruitish wildnes Not fitting any but the Tyger Beare â—r suâ—h like creatures that remorslesse teare What ere they light on Cast it from you then â—e in condition as in shape y' are men And stand vnmoou'd for Innocence ere long Will shew her selfe abroad in spight of wrong And of your Patience you shall not repent But be auenged to your owne content Yet some may say the Counsell I haue giuen Is hard to follow strict and too vneuen And whatsoeuer show I seeme to make Such as my selfe would hardly vndertake Know you that thinke so I am not afraid If that it be a burthen I haue laid To bear 't my self Nay I haue vndergone If this be hard a more vneasie one For but of late a friend of mine in show Being indeed a spightfull secret foe I know not why for I did ne're in ought Wrong him I 'me sure no not in an ill thought Yet this man hauing wisely watcht his Time When I a stranger in another Clime Left my owne Country did meane while repaire To my best friends and with dissemblings faire And showes of loue and griefe did there vnfold The grosest slander euer Villaine told A dam'nd inuention so exceeding vile That gallants 't would haue made your bloud to boile And out of your abused bodies start I know it would haue broken veines or heart I say if you had felt that cruell sting You would haue fret fum'd stampt done any thing Or angry rag'd like mad-men in their fit Till mercilesse Reuenge had quenched it But what did I at first I must confesse I was a little mou'd who could be lesse But when I felt my troubled thoughts begin To ioyne with brutish Passion within And raise disquiet humors in my brest I fear'd if I should yeeld 't would mar my rest And therefore to my selfe I Patience tooke VVhich whil'st I haue about me I can brooke Any misfortune Then that Patience Grew so much stronger through my Innocence That I forgot both wrong and vengeance too Some thinke 't was cause that I lack't Might to doe The hurt I would No it was onely Will For I had power enough to doe him ill â—t is well knowne the coward dares not stand T' abide the Vengeance of my wronged hand Were his strength tripled Nay were I in bands Of impotencie wrapt and had no hands Yet I haue friends whom if I had not prai'd And beg'd vnto to haue their fury stai'd Had chopt him and made dogs meat for my sake Of his vile Carkas yea and he would quake A twelue-month after had he but the daring To thinke vpon the vengeance was preparing For that lewd slanderous tale of his which he Might better raise on one vnborne then me Now though that course my Reason did gain-say I was allow'd Reuenge a better way Both Law add Iustice proffer'd me a scourge To whip him for it which my friends did vrge Shewing me motiues to allure me to it Yet still was I vnwilling for to doe it For though I might beside submission gaine No little summes my heart doth much disdaine For to encrease my substance through his shame Or raise it with the ruines of my fame Now for because there 's some may thinke I faine Or speake a matter fram'd by mine owne braine Know this back-biter liues and may doe long To doe me more and many others wrong And though I doe not mind to staine my verse The name of such a Monster to rehearse For others satisfaction and to grace it Vpon the
to my face VVhen he would leaue my presence for my place Yea and to sweare it too he will not tremble Although he knowes I know he doth dissemble VVhich in my iudgement is a Vanity Too full of shamelesse grosse absurditie And I much wonder men delight to spend Time that 's so precious to so little end As to consum 't in idle Complement And not so much as to a good intent Crouching and kneeling when each peasant knowes Much curtesie much craft the prouerbe goes A quality beseeming men I deem 't For to be Courteous and I much esteem't Yet sure without good meaning t is vnfit And extreame vaine when men are cloy'd with it When some man's Table 's furnished with store Of Dainties that a Prince can haue no more Hee 'le bid you welcome though that by your cheere It doth not as hee 'le say himselfe appeare And yet he sees and knowes well that his Bordes Haue what the Water Earth and Ayr affords With pray d' yee eat I drink t'yee nay be merry And such like words I oft haue beene as weary To thank to pledge and say I do not spare As ere was Sommers of his trotting mare But now I think of this I 'le without ieasting Tell one absurdity l 'ue seene in feasting Amongst my Countrymen when one intends For to be merry he bids home his friends And for them all things needfull doth prepare That they may well perceiue they welcome are Yea he would haue them frolick and 't is good A signe of loue and honest neighbourhood But then with all he oftentimes inuites Som lofty Statesmen or proud neighbouring knights Who all their merriment doth ouerthrow Because they looke for reuerence you know And he must be a slaue vnto that guest Contenting him though he displease the rest Now that 's his fault were I as he my Boord Should neuer entertaine that Knight or Lord In way of feasting that allow'd not me To be as merry and as blith as he Or that through his disdaine would thinke amisse To beare some iests of mine as I beare his For who but fooles would while their guest is baiting Stand with bare heads like Alehouse-keepers waiting As if they were some strangers wanted chearing In their owne houses while they dominering Say what they list be therefore rul'd by me Bid none but equals if you 'le merry be At least let them be such as can abide To lay Superiority aside Moreouer if they haue the prouidence To bid their friends keep these mar-feasts thence They are too lauish and doe much deuize How they the appetite may best suffize But 't is a signe their vnderstanding's weake And they haue small good matter for to speake It showes a shallow pate and muddy braine When men haue no discourse to entertaine Their friends withall but whiffes of smoake or drinke Or curious fare as if that they did thinke They could not shew their honest loue vnlesse They did abound in gluttonous excesse But there be many greedy-guts indeed That will finde fault vnlesse their cates exceed Such Socrates shewes how to answer best Who hauing for his friends prepar'd a feast And hearing one to discommend his store Told him directly friend there needs no more For be they vertuous her's enough for such If otherwise quoth he there is too much A fitter answere we can neuer finde For such nice gluttons differing in minde From certaine deere and learned friends of mine Whom when I late requested for to dine Or sup with me one night would not agree Vnlesse I drest that they appointed me I will said I and not a bit beside Why then quoth they we charge thee to prouide One dish no more we loue not him that crams And let our second course be Epigrams Well that they had with more good mirth laughing Then those that had their dainties their quaffing Who can declare that Vanity man shewes In hearing and reporting idle newes The foolish tales and lies that he doth faine Are more then any numbers can containe And now I thinke on that same lying euill A mischiefe first inuented by the diuell I cannot chuse but greatly wonder why Men should delight so in that Vanity It is not onely vicious and base But also doth their credits quite deface And truth out of their moutheâ— is mis-esteem'd Because oft lying they are lyers deem'd I meane not any falshood to maintaine No though they be officious or for gaine Yet worst like them who their wits bo bend To inuent tales vnto no other end But for to find the company some talke And cause they loue to heare their owne tonges walke Some I haue knowne iudge of their Vanity They haue told tales to their owne infamy And yet vntrue 't is like they haue small care Of others credits when they wil not spare To wrong thâ—mselues Another crew beside Among these lyâ—rs I haue also spide Who as it may appeare do like so well Strange newes and matters past beleefe to tell That notwithstanding they do surely know It makes not only modest eares to glow But that 't is knowne they lie yet stil they dare Gainst Truth their owne al mens knowledge swear Yea when they may aswell and speake as right Sweare that each man is blind and all Crows white Oh too presumptuous and lewd offence Sprung from a brazen â—ellish impudence Then there 's a number to that do suppose All that beyond their little reason growes Is surely false And vainely do vphold That all reports which trauellers vnfold Of forraine lands are lies because they see No such strange thinges in their owne parish be If that I may not terme such fellowes vaine I 'le say th' are dul and of a shallow braine And him I count no wiseman that imparts To men of such base misconceiuing hearts Any rare matter for their bruitish wit Will very quickly wrong both him and it For thus the saying goes and I hold so Ignorance onely is true wisedomes foe Then thou art vaine that wilt vouchsafe to spend Thy breath with witlesse fooles for to contend In weighty matters when it is well knowne Thei 'le like of no opinions but their owne Euer disabling what thou dost recite Yea notwithstanding it be ne're so right And be their owne case false and all amisse They 'le proue it true How Thus Because it is So if there be no more wise men in place Thou bear'st the shame thei 'le haue all the grace And yet the mischiefe hath not there an end For tell me you that euer did contend VVith such is not their wayward disputation A meere confusion and a strong vexation I know 't is so for I my selfe haue tride it And since that time could neuer yet abide it But let those follow Vanity together With purbâ—ind ignorance and I 'le send thither To keep them company those that take pleasure In tedious discourse they be at leasure And those that loue to
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
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
seene Ere they forsooth could reach eleuenteene Nay 't is no wonder we are growne so weake For now the 'r matching brats ere they can speake And though we yet say that the men are stronger Yet he I thinke that liues but so much longer The reuolution of an age to see VVill say that men the weaker vessels be But now our strength of body which indeed Deserues no more respect then doth a reed Is not the strength of which I meant to speake For we are yet another way too weake Our minds haue lost their magnanimitie And are so feebled through infirmitie That either to be resolute we care not Or else because of some base feare we dare not Where can we finde almost a man so hardy Who through his weakenesse is not somtime tardy To speake the truth or to declare his minde Though he doe many iust occasions finde He 'le wink at 's friends offence and passe it blindly Least peraduenture he should tak 't vnkindly And if it be a Great man that offends Shew me but him that boldly reprehends And I 'le admire him Nay wee 'l rather now Bend our endeuour and our study how To sooth and fawne or to their lewdnes tell That all they doe be 't nere so bad is well Their very looks and presence we so feare As if that they some monstrous Cyclops were Which makes them worse But howsoe're they trust Vnto their might I 'le tell them for I must Although they threaten and can slanders make Of iust reproofes my heart shall neuer quake T' informe their Honors thus'tis censur'd by men If they be Great-ones Tanto maius crimen One knowes the Truth but dares not to defend it Because he heares another discommend it Yea diuers follow Vertues wayes but coldly Because they dare not doe a Good thing boldly And doe we not perceiue that many a man Fearing for to be â—earm'd a Pâ—ritan Simply neglects the meanes of his saluation Though it be needfull and worth commendation Some cannot well endure this or that Others distempred with I know not what Shew an exceeding frailty Few can brooke With any patience that men should looke Into their Actions and though they should loue them They rather hate them for 't that doe reproue them Is there a man so strong that he forbeares Choller or Fury when by chance he heares Himselfe reuil'd reproched and disgrac'd If there be such a one he shall be plac'd Amongst the Worthie with the formost three For in my iudgement none more wothy be To haue renowne for strength then those that can On their rebellious Passons play the man This Weakenes I do also find in men They know not their owne happinesse till then When they haue lost it And they doe esteeme Men for their wealth and them most blessed deeme That are most rich supposing no man more Accursed or vnhappy then the poore Some basely doe comdemne each strange report To be vntrue because it doth not sort With their weake reasons Some againe will be Astonished at euery nouelty But too much wondring doth discover plaine Where ignorance and frailty both remaine Is it not weakenesse when some petty losses Some hindrance in preferment or such crosses Shall make men greeue is it no weakenesse when Aduersitie shall so disquiet men That they should not with patience sustaine Or vndetgoe a little crosse and paine Yes questionles it is or were they strong They would so arme themselues gainst greefe and wrong That no disastrous or il hap shold fright them Though Fortune did the worst she can to spight them Nor would they those as the vnworthiest deeme To whom dame Fortune doth most froward seeme But rather such as all their life time be In quiet state and from disturbance free For â—he oft giues what their base longing craues Because she scornes to vexe deiected flaues I haue knowne braue men braue at least in shew And in this age now that is braue enow That in appearance for bold champions past And yet haue basely yeelded at the last Besides there 's many who thought scorne to droop By Fortunes power haue been made to stoop And with discredit shamefully left vndone What they with honor at the first begun And their weake hearts which frailty I much hate Deiected haue growne base with their estate VVhereas me thinkes the mind should neuer be Subiect to Fortunes frownes not tyrany But here through weaknes some offence may take That I of fortune should recitall make For they by Fortune say there 's nothing done But all things are both ended and begunne By Gods appointment I confesse indeed That he knowes all and all hath fore-decreed In the respect of whom I cannot say Ought comes by chance respecting vs I may So they are answer'd But how can men be So ouer-borne with this infirmitie As those who are in euery matter led By Parasites and Apes where is their head I meane their will their reason and their sence What is become of their intelligence How i st that they haue such a partiall care They can iudge nothing true but what they heare Come from the tongue of some sly sycophant But for because they strength of iudgement want Those that themselues to flatterers inure I haue perceiued basely to endure For to be plainely soothed mock't and flouted Made coxcombs to their faces yet not doubted That they were highly reuerenc't respected And by those fauning Parasites affected And why forsooth they often heare them prate In commendations of their happy state Yes and they tell them that they vertuous be Wise Courteous strong and beautifull to see When if the eye of reason were not lockt They plainly might perceiue that they were mockt For what i st else when they are prais'd for many Goodly conditions that had neuer any This frailty also merits to be blam'd When fearefull of reproach we are asham'd Our ignorance in those things to explaine Wherin t were fit more knowledge to attain 'T is weaknes also when a bargaines bought For to dispraise the penniworth as nought And tell what might haue beene or fondly prate Of Counsel when he sees it is too late Nor is it any lesse to seeke to stay Him that we know doth hasten on his way Oâ— be importunate for that which will Be nothing for our good yet others ill Also to be affraid for to gainesay What men doe know vnture or to delay The right of any matter to declare Because they feare they vnbeleeued are For notwithstanding Truth doth oft bring blame It may be freely spoken without shame Diuers more waies of which I needs must speake There 's many men doe shew themselues but weake In some but lately I obserued this And must needs say their nature euill is If friends to them haue any kindnes showne Or entertainments willingly bestowne That they confesse they are indebted for it Yet such is their condition I abhor it If that those freinds do hap to take the