THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION: OR, CERTAIN SATIRICAL EPIGRAMS. Written by I. H. Gent. Together with a few Characters, called PAR PARI: OR, Like to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.  
Ficta voluptaetis causa sint proxima veris.  Hor. de art Po. 
LONDON, Printed by Bernard Alsop, for Richard Redmer, and are to be sold at his shop at the West end of Saint Paul's Church. 1619.   

The Author to his Book.  
COme hither Book, take counsel. He that goes  
Into the world, meets with a world of foes.  
Thy Mother was my Muse, a gentle Dame,  
Who much adored Apollo's sacred name:  
Then being freeborn, know that thou art going  
Unto a world of Wits; still fresh, still growing:  
Yet wonder not, that I have got no friend  
To write in thy behalf! What! should I send  
Thee, like a Servingman, with Letters? No.  
The World shall see thee first; and seeing, know  
Whether thou meritest praise: none shall have cause  
To be condemned of folly in the applause.  
Of thy harsh lines, the worst that can be thought  
Is this, That none would write, they were so nought.  
Alas, poor Book, hunt not thou after praise,  
Nor dare to stretch thy hand unto the Bays  
Upon a Poet's head: let it suffice  
To thee and me, the world doth us despise.  
For 'tis a mad World, and it turns on hinges,  
Whilst some a birding go, and set their springs  
For to catch Woodcocks. Others sting and bite  
Like Wasps and Mastiffs, and do take delight  
To quarrel with their shadows, nay, themselves,  
And their own brood. Sure these are spiteful ●●●es.  
〈◊〉 at all Writers strive to have a lark:  
Meddle not with them, lest thou get a yerke:  
And yet their venamous breath (as on a Glass)  
No sooner lighteth, but away doth pass.  
Then fear them not. The Wise, which know thee best,  
Will entertain thee, as a welcome Guest;  
Praise that's praiseworthy, wink at faults but small,  
Like thy conceits, and praise thy vain withal.  
Yet be not proud, though thou their praise dost gain,  
Remembering what is writ is writ in vain.  
'tis for a better pen than mine to say  
By God 'tis good, and if you lik's you may.   

EPIGRAMS.  

¶ Lectori.  
MY Epigrams, like to a wandering Guest,  
Or tattered Soldier, that's but lately priest,  
Your favour craves, to grant a Pass unto them,  
A greater kindness you can never do them.   

Bibens his bounty.  
BIbens, to show his liberality,  
Made Lusus drunk. A noble quality,  
And much esteemed, which Bibens fain would prove,  
To be the Sign of his familiar love.  
Lusus, beware, thou'lt find him in the end  
Familiar Devil, no familiar Friend.   

I● Ducum.  
DVcus keeps house: and it with reason stands  
That he keep house, that sold away his lands   

¶ Omne Simile non est Idem.  
TOgether as we walked, a friend of mine  
Mistook a painted Madam for a Sign,  
That in a window stood; but I acquainted,  
Told him, it was no wooden Sign was painted,  
But Madam (—.) Yea true, said he,  
Yet 'tis a Sign of little modesty.   

Gr●●e pondus.  
WHat tell you us that Milo bore a Bull!  
Is that so strange? Yond silk & silver Gull  
Beareth a Country Church upon his back.  
The lighter Bull made Milo's shoulders ache:  
A Steeple on his head, and at his heels  
A Ring of Bells, and yet nor stoops nor reels.   

On a Shoemaker.  
WHat boots it thee to follow such a Trade  
That's always underfoot and underlayde?   

On Fuscus his valour.  
FVscus the Braggart being, in field to fight,  
Protesting of his valour overnight,  
Shaking his Sword, he swore, Now by this hand.  
I'll fight and kill so long as I can stand.  
The Field was pitched: and now begins the fray;  
And Fuscus now begins to run away,  
Nor ever stints his course, until by flight  
He had outrun the danger of the fight.  
The Combat ended, Fuscus he was wanting,  
And found ere long, where he for fear stood panting.  
And thus they mocked him; You swore by your hand,  
You'd fight and kill so long as you could stand.  
'Tis true (said one,) but pray do Fuscus right;  
For Fuscus neither stood to kill nor fight.   

Ad Rinaldum amic.  
SEe, see, Rinaldus! Prithee who is that  
That wears you great green Feather in his hat,  
Like to some Tilter? Sure it is some Knight,  
Whose wits being green, his head must needs be light.   

In Lusiam.  
LVsia, who scorns all others imitations,  
Cannot abide to be outgone in fashions:  
She says, she cannot have a Hat or Ruff.  
A Gown, a Pettycoate, a Band, or Cuffe,  
But that these Citizens (whom she doth hate)  
Will get into't, at near so dear a rate:  
But Lusia now doth such a fashion follow,  
Whose Hair is Flax, and Band as Saffron yellow,  
That there's no Citizen, what ere she be,  
Can be transformed so like an Owl as she.   

In Lincum.  
LIncus the Draper, for his more avail,  
Dams up his lights to set his Ware to sail;  
And counts it (in his Art) a mystery  
To gain by lying, oaths, and flattery:  
But take this rule, If Lincus his lights stop,  
Deem you his conscience darker than his shop.   

Destruit aedificat mutat quadrata rotundis.  
A Man there was (which here shall not be named)  
that with great cost a wondrous building framed;  
But as the building rose, the Bvilder's purse  
Did pine in substance, (Builders common curse.)  
It cost him many a pound: but that's no matter.  
Slightly being built, the building 'gan to tatter:  
And by mischance, down falls of it a part.  
The Workmen (they being glad with all their heart  
Come to their Master, thereof to complain,  
And asked his leave to ●ayse it up again.  
Nay soft (quoth he) it is a question whether  
More may fall down; let's set up all together.   

Canutus reformation.  
CAnutus now will be no more a Ranger,  
But Married live, and lie at Rack and Manger.  
So means not she. Well, if she go to grass,  
he'll prove an Ox, that was before an Ass.   

On a Maidens those.  
A Parent to his Child this counsel gave,  
Quoth he, My Girl, two Suitors thou must have,  
The one is young and fair, virtuous & wise,  
Of worthiest Stock, and rarest qualities:  
The other different, both in age and nature,  
Neither so fit, nor yet so sweet a Creature;  
Yet be resolved, and make that Suitor blest  
Whom in thy love thou thinkst the Worthiest?  
Strait she replies, Since choice is left to me,  
Nature commands, that Age with Age agree,  
Virtue and Love compel my heart thereto  
To love the youngman; and in truth I do.  
Why, but (said he) be not mistaken than,  
Conceive, the Elder is the better man.  
How so, quoth she! it's a Paradox to me,  
How being the worse, he can the better be?   

In Pigmeum.  
LIttle Pigmeus wears his Mistress Glove,  
Her Ring, and Feather, (Favours of her love.)  
Who could but laugh, to see the little Dwarf  
Grace out himself with her embroidered Scarf?  
'Tis strange, yet true, her Glove, Ring, Scarf and Fan,  
Makes him (unhandsome) a well favoured man.   

Flemminius' Sickness.  
FLemminius near was sick; yet was it said  
Flemminius he was sick, yea, sick and dead:  
His Friends lamented, shedding many a tear:  
At length it came unto Flemminius' care,  
Who thus ●aue answer; Never let them fear it,  
The News is ill, yet am I glad to hear it.   

In Oblitum.  
I Wondered much (as I had wondrous reason)  
Oblitus should, within so short a season,  
Forsake, forget his old and ancient friend,  
For whom he oft had vowed his life to spend:  
I was not altered much, but so was he,  
From low estate, to higher dignity,  
Yet knew I him; hath he forgotten me?  
Preferment then hath spoiled his memory:  
Yet this I know, 'Tis but his paltry pelf.  
He knows me well; but he forgets himself.   

Lucus journey.  
LVcus that travelled with an hundred pound,  
Was robbed, and left well beaten, and fast bound:  
But when to share their prize they had begun,  
No miracle was wrought, yet he undone.   

Nimis Amor.  
TWo friends (that had not met a long time since)  
Together supped: but at their parting thence,  
Tom swore he'd have Kit home: but all in vain.  
Kit swore as fast he'd have Tom back again.  
In kindness thus they strive, and striving go  
From home to home: nor could they end it so;  
But too and fro, walking through many a Street:  
It now being late, the Constable they meet.  
He gave command; his Billmen quickly stayed them,  
And took them thence, & in the Compter laid them.  
And thus by Fortune was a means provided  
To end the strife, which could not be decided:  
All which was well, but that that fell out worse;  
They saved their oath, but could not save their purse.   

In Priscus commendations of his Mistress.  
PRiscus commends his Mistress for a Girl,  
Whose lips are Rubies, & whose teeth are pearl.  
They need prove so, or else it will be found  
He pays too dear, they cost him many a pound:   

Vltra posse non est esse.  
HOw should Rattillo lose his purse last night,  
And 20. shillings in it? was't not by slight?  
Why? he came in no crowd. What, did he play?  
No. he's no Gamester. Did he no debts pay?  
Nor Fee no Lawyers? Neither. Was he not drunk?  
Neither. Nor did bestow it on his Punk?  
Why, then the question's this; If none of these,  
How should he lose what he had not to lose?   

In Rufum.  
AS Rufus praised his Beaver Hat of late,  
One that stood by (striking him o'er the pate)  
Said it was felt. Rufus would not believe it.  
He struck again, till Rufus did conceive it.  
So dark was the conceit, that out of doubt,  
He near had found, had he not felt it out.   

In Cornutum.  
WHy should Cornutus Wife lie in the Strand,  
And he, poor silly man, lie in the City?  
Belike the Shop was not sufficient man'd.  
To part the Head and Members yet 'tis pity:  
But what cares she for head; I hope she scorns  
Were he seven heads, she'd crown him with ten horns.   

Richard's mourning.  
WHen his old Master buried was with cost,  
Dick had a mourning Cloak, but it was lost.  
The Corpse to Churchward goes, each takes his turn,  
But Dick took none: for Richard could not mourn.  
Yes, that he did; the Company he forsook,  
And mourned not in, but mourned for his Cloak.   

Flaccus payment.  
FLaccus came to a Tavern, there to dine,  
Called for good store of meat, great store of wine,  
The Reckoning brought, Flaccus says not a word,  
Nor draws his purse; but out he draws his sword:  
Some say he proffered wrong; but how think you?  
He drew upon the Drawer, paid his due.  
He owed him the reckoning but of late:  
Hath he not scored, and paid him on the pate?   

On justice her entertainment.  
Justice came down from heaven of late to be  
A perfect judge, without partiality:  
But when that justice to the Bench was come,  
The Bench it was so full she had no room;  
So back she took her flight unto the heavens,  
And left the world again at six and sevens.   

justice her reward.  
Justice fled up to heaven, some say was blind:  
Why so is many a justice left behind:  
But justice being blind, the cause regarded,  
Respected none nor never was rewarded.  
So say not all, some of the Bench agrees,  
That justice kept a Clerk to take her fees.   

In Briscum.  
HIs Father being dead, Briscus was told,  
And found ere long where was his father's gold,  
All Angels rich, but poorly clad in leather.  
Briscus took pity on them, and strait hither  
Sends some for Satin, other some for Tissue,  
Gloves, Scarves, Hats, Hangers: but now mark the issue,  
They all being freed, did all consent together,  
And took their flight, poor Briscus knows not whither,  
which he laments, blaming those former kings,  
Who made a Law, he might not clip their wings.   

In Ledaem.  
BEcause I'm black & swarfe, Leda doth scorn me,  
And if I marry her, she vows she'll horn me:  
But Leda, know (I speak't not in disgrace)  
Your red and white is but a pybauld face.   

Enigma.  
AS often as I please it changeth form.  
It is no Coward, though it do no harm:  
'tis never hurt, nor ever doth it feed,  
'tis nothing worth, yet nothing doth it need.  
Swiftly it runs, yet never maketh sound,  
And once being lost, again 'tis never found.  
'Tis a fit Servant for a Gentleman,  
And a true pattern for a Servingman.  
'Tis borne a Giant, lives a Dwarf, and nigh  
Unto its death, a Giant doth it die.   

Ad bonos socios.  
Old Women told us tales long time ago,  
Of Robin Goodfellow, what he would do,  
Who now they say is gone: but yet we find,  
There's many of his name are left behind.   

In Pratum Iur: cons.  
I Asked Pratus what was his Profession?  
He saved a Lawyer, who by h●s discretion,  
Could right and wrong, according to the Law,  
To cherish Virtue, and keep Vice in Awe:  
I know it contrary, and full of Ire,  
Setting his Awe aside, I called him Liar.   

On Captain Drake his Voyage.  
SOme think it true, whilst other some do doubt,  
Whether Capt. Drak● compassed the world about.  
Some say he did it in the devils name,  
And none ere since could do the like again:  
But these are all deceived, why should they doubt it?  
They know each year there's some that go about it.   

Ad amicam.  
I I Am the happiest ere enjoyed a Love,  
u. You are the first did ever constant prove:  
lie. Lie down my wandering thoughts, them take your rest,  
an. An blessed once, continue ever blest.   

Answer.  
na. nam, he that shall: tour affections grudge,  
ill. Ill be his Fortune, since my prayer is such:  
u. You love me now, let not affections sever,  
I. I love you now, and I shall love you ever.   

Will's error.  
WIll says his Wife's so fat, she scarce can go:  
But she as nimbly answers, Faith sir, no.  
Alas, good Will, thou art mistaken quite,  
For all men know that she is wondrous light.   

Spinus his choice.  
SPinus would wed, but he would have a Wench  
That hath all Tongues, Italian, Spanish, French,  
But I dissuade him; for if she hath any,  
She hath enough; if two, sh'as two too many.   

To Mr. Richard Moor, one of the Masters of the Chancery, on his name.  
FOr to be Rich and hard, or hard and Rich,  
Is not thy nature, though thy name be such:  
For to be Rich 'tis hard, but thou hast store  
Of Riches, Honour, yet of Virtue more:  
Which Virtue, Honour, Riches now adays  
Being hard to get, More great must be thy praise,  
So I, and all that know thee, do agree,  
The More's the pity there's no More like thee.   

To the Bookeseller.  
NAy, fear not Bookeseller, this Book will sell:  
For be it good, as thou knowst very well,  
All will go buy it; but say it be ill,  
All will go by it too: thus thou sei'st still.   

Vulcan's Marriage.  
Wlcan and Venus were together wedded:  
But Mars charged in, & Vulcan's Venus bedded.  
what though the Smith were black, & she were white,  
She might have asked him leave, for leave is light:  
Why so is she, what then? why than she scorns  
But to make up the weight with Vulcan's horns.   

In Borachium.  
BOrachio said, Wine made his head too light,  
And therefore would not drink it: yet last night  
Carousing healths, so heavy was his head,  
He fell asleep, and there was left for dead:  
Within a while he waked, and found for right,  
The Wine had made his purse, not head, too light.   

In Dominam Membrosam.  
MAdam Membrosa had to me a suit,  
To set forth her good parts: and thus I'll do't:  
Setting a side thy judgement, and thy wit,  
(Which though but little is) for thee more fit:  
First, of rare Complexion thou hast store,  
And when 'tis gone, gone know'st well where to have more.  
Then, for thy Hair, (nay, think not I do flatter)  
It cost thee to the Tire man, no small matter.  
Fingers like Spider's claws; nay, not so thick,  
And yet to pick a Pocket far more quick.  
Thou a small Foot, nor a short Heel dost lack,  
Which makes thee fall so often on thy back.  
As for thy other Parts (which I know least)  
Thou gettest thy living by; sure those are best.   

thieves falling out, true men come by their goods.  
TWo cheating Mates, whose only trade was shift,  
To cheer a Country fellow was their drift:  
The place being fi●, they quarrelled, and fell out,  
And needs at Buffets they would have a bout:  
The honest man slept in to part the fray;  
But they in bustling, Nimed his Purse away:  
Which after missing, he (poor man) laments,  
And that he parted them, greatly reputes:  
But they being parted, part what they had got,  
And laughed a main at the poor simple sot,  
Swearing, the Ancient Proverb they had crossed,  
Since they fell out, and he his goods had lost.   

On the six Cases.  
No. NAnta was nominated for a Whore,  
Gin. For that she had been Ginitive before:  
Da. Notice hereof was to the justice given,  
Acc. Who her accused, that she had loosely liven;  
Vo. But she cried mercy, and her fault vpript',  
Abl. And so was ta'en away, and sound whipped.  
Her Case was ill: yet will the question be,  
Being thus declined, in what a case was she?   

Ad Lectorem.  
IS't possible that thou my Book hast bought,  
That saidst 'twas nothing worth! why was it nought?  
Read it again, perchance thy wit was dull,  
Thou mayst find something at the second pull:  
Indeed at first thou nought didst understand,  
For shame get something at the second hand.   

On Luce's maintenance.  
He that takes pains shall get, the Proverb go●s;  
But Luce takes pleasure, yet doth nothing lose.  
Poor labouring Porters, with much toil & sweat,  
Scarce get sufficient Victuals for to eat:  
But if that Luce at any time doth lack,  
She with her belly can maintain her back.   

Peter's trouble.  
PEter is troubled with a froward Wife,  
Whose cursedness makes him weary of his life:  
The simple fellow, (with her railing crossed)  
Hath often wished that she her tongue had lost.  
Alas (poor Peter) sure thy case is ill,  
When she'll nor lose her tongue, nor keep it still.   

Parnels comfort.  
PArnell, being taken in the very Act,  
Was sent unto Bridewell, for such her fact:  
But be contented, Parnell, cease to mourn,  
thouart at the Wheel of Fortune, make it turn.   

In Duellum.  
STratus and Stremon went to Field to fight,  
Stratus was slain, and Stremon taken straight;  
He being condemned, was saved: yet by this strife,  
The one, his living; th' other lost his life.   

In Bachum & Venèrem.  
BAchus and Venus well accord together:  
And whither Bacchus goes, Venus goes thither:  
Bacchus backs Venus; Venus for his pain,  
Pleasureth Bacchus on her back again.   

On Venture the Merchant.  
Venture the Merchant is run mad, they say,  
On the report his Ships are cast away.  
What, did he Venture with his goods his wits,  
That he is fallen into these frantic fits?  
Then, peradventure, it may well be found,  
The Sea his goods, and he his wits hath drowned.   

To the Gentlewomen Painters.  
Appelles', famous for the Art of Painting,  
Unto whose work there nought but life was wanting;  
Had he compared, or held with you the strife,  
He had not won, yours comes so near the life:  
Your Portraitures you make to speak and go,  
Appelles' workmanship could near do so.   

Tempora mutantur & nos mutamur in illis.  
TO be a Whoremaster, in former time,  
Was by our Fathers counted a base crime:  
How much the world's worse than it was before,  
Each Gallant makes his Mistress of his Whore.   

Ad Iur: cons.  
Word's wisely set are worth much gold,  
So were we by our ancient Fathers told,  
And so we do believe: Experience then  
Doth teach us, Lawyers are the wisest men.   

Tom's bargain.  
TOm should have paid ten shillings for a Sword  
But would not take it on the Cutler's word;  
He bid him tri't, he did, at the first struck  
It proved not worth a point, the point was broke.   

To Mistress E. S.  
LEt but thy beauteous eyes look on this line,  
To see, as in thy Glass, thy beauty shine,  
Which beauty nature gave thee to disgrace  
Our latter Artists, who make up a face  
Of seeming beauty, for to blind such eyes,  
As with Pygmalion them do Idolize.  
Should I not praise, what I praiseworthy see,  
I should do wrong to nature and to thee:  
Yet, whilst I speak thee fair, so short I come  
Of thy perfection, that I'm deemed by some  
To light the shining Sun: Yet from my hand  
Receive this grain unto thy heap of sand.   

Epitaph.  
STay, do not pass! here fix your eyes  
Upon a Virgin's Obsequies!  
Pay Tribute to a troubled heart,  
'tis but a tear before you part:  
And what are tears? They are but streams  
Of sorrow, which, like frightful dreams,  
Disturb your senses- Yet I crave  
No other Sacrifice to have:  
But if you pass, and let fall none,  
Y'are harder than this Marble stone.  
Your love is colder, and your eyes  
As senseless of my miseries.   

On my Venture in Sir Walter Rawleigh's Voyage.  
I Being persuaded (not by reason led)  
For Gold unto Gwyan adventured;  
Great were our hopes of good success; for none  
Expected less to gain then five for one:  
But following Fate (she fickle) thither led,  
Where neither they of Gold nor Silver sped:  
But, poor, distressed, homeward return again,  
Money, lives, labour, all was spent in vain.  
The hopeful neck of their design was broke;  
For all their Gold was vanished into Smoke.  
Thus I lost all; wherefore it is a sign  
The found no Mine of gold, yet gold of mine.   

A Data fata sequtus.  
The Motto on Sir Walter Rawghlie's Arms.   

In Costum.  
COstus his custom stole; but by the way  
The Waiters met him, and his goods did stay:  
He it denies, and proffers those to bring,  
Should prove it was no unaccustomed thing.  
He meant to steal. If so? why should they choose  
Such Customs, rather to find then loose.   

On Smithfield.  
'TWas Fair at Smithfield once, but once a year;  
At Bartholmetide: but now the City's care  
Hath mad● it fair at all times, paved it round.  
'tis twenty shillings better by the pound.  
Nor have they much bestowed their cost amiss,  
Since there's no Soil so plentiful as this;  
here's Hay in great abundance, heads of cattle;  
As Horses, Oxen, hither come to battle:  
Yet what is strangest, It near needeth dressing.  
Here is the horn of plenty. Vulcan's blessing.   

Epitaph on a Footman.  
THis nimble Footman ran away from Death;  
And here he rested, being out of breath.  
Here Death him overtook, made him his slave,  
And sent him of an Arrant to his Grave.   

Censures on the Voyage to Gwyana.  
Sundry opinions abroad are spread,  
Why the Gwyanians no better sped;  
Some say, they were prevented out of Spain,  
Others, because some did return again:  
Some say, 'twas sickness: others, their abode  
So long ere they put from the English Rode.  
Some say, their General's absence: but the most  
Say, Captain Kemish death, when he was lost,  
All was overthrown, he only was to do it,  
And that Sir Walter came but Rawly to it.   

On a Scrivener.  
I Told a Scrivener of his Bribery,  
His Broking, Forging, Cheating, Knavery,  
He said, he heard me not; so't may appear,  
How could he hear, that had no Ears to hear?   

Ad Templum pro bonis.  
Hail to this holy place, this ancient seat,  
Where justice, joined with wisdom doth entreat  
Of right & wrong, & reads her sacred Laws,  
More for devotions sake, then for applause.  
This is the place chosen to be the helm,  
Where justice sits, to steer about the Realm.  
Both law and equity, hence justice drives  
The Chariot of fair peace, and leads in gives,  
Wrong, and oppression, throughout the Land,  
Whilst peace and plenty ride joined hand in hand.  
This is Astrea's Temple, which is greaced  
With many a golden Vessel, which are placed  
In places eminent. Those Astrea bless;  
And blessing, make their number numberless.   

De Templo in malos.  
SAint Peter and S. Paul's are in disgrace:  
The Middle Temple, that ●… the only place,  
Whither both City and the Country come,  
As to the Temple of jerusalem,  
To hear the Law, and many a jew to proffer;  
As many an angel. None must come to offer  
A widows mite: For how should live the Scribes,  
But by false profits, and by double bribes?  
Doves are brought hither to be bought and sold,  
And Country Client's bring their bags of gold  
Hither to change Both friends, and foes, & strangers  
Are used alike, for these are Money changers.  
This is a Sanctuary that is free  
For all but Sergeants'; yet we do agree,  
There's many good, and grave, whom these things grieves,  
Were't not for them, 'twere but a den of thieves.   

Sextus' Purchase.  
IT may be true (for Sextus in it stands,)  
That he hath purchased great store of Lands:  
But 'tis concealed: yea marry, so't may be,  
For I am sure 'twas never known to me.  
What if he lies? Why, then the question's, whether  
The Truth and Lands be both concealed together.  
Yea, that they are: for if the truth were known,  
The Lands would soon be found, but few or none.   

Mirabilie Visu.  
WHen old Penochio came first to town,  
And saw the Coaches running up & down,  
Staring upon them long, he hooped aloud:  
The people thronging round him made a crowd,  
And asked him, what he meant? Quoth he I hooted  
Because before I near saw women booted.   

On the Lotteries.  
SOme do condemn our late great Lotteries,  
And say they were but tricks and fopperies  
For to get money: This is all the thank  
They give the Founders; yet all were not blank.  
One miracle it wrought, say what they can,  
It made a Tailor for to be a man..   

Currit mercator ad Indos.  
SOme fond think our great East-India Trade  
Hath all our other Merchant's beggars made;  
And that they carry men, and money store,  
To kill our Mariners, and make us poor.  
These are confuted all, and held as vain,  
In eighteen Months they now return again:  
Return a gain said I? Nay, but a loss,  
If they lose men and money, but for dross.   

On the High Spring tide at the Shows at the Palsgraue's Wedding.  
THe Sea fled in, willing to see this sport,  
That to the neighbouring Lands she might report  
Their valiant Prowess, and each gliding flood,  
Came rolling in; & each stream would have stood  
For to participate these warlike Shows,  
So that the Thames could hardly them enclose:  
For some, to be spectators of the sight,  
Got up upon the banks to see them fight.   

On justice balance.  
SOme do paint justice sitting in her state,  
With Scales & Balance to give each his weight:  
Surely her Scales are even, so think I,  
And that the beam hangs not in justice eye.   

Old Siluium.  
Silvius by Simmony a Living got,  
And he lived well upon it. Pray why not?  
For he the poor did pill, the rich did lurch,  
And so became a Pillar of the Church.   

De perochia beatae Mariae de Arcubus.  
AN Archer, bragging, said, he well did know  
How to bring any man unto his bow:  
Yet, when he put his knowledge into use,  
He hardly could say Bornwell unto a Goose.   

Ex abundantia cordis es loquitur.  
THe mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart,  
So were we taught: but they have found an Art,  
Lately at Westminster, which is far worse,  
Most mouths speak from th' abundance of the purse.   

Ad Lectorem Candidum.  
MY Book arraigned for causes criminal,  
Must die a death which is unnatural:  
A jury Ignorant have passed upon it,  
And found it guilty: So there is thrown on it  
Many contemptuous speeches, insomuch  
As I appeal to you, whose wisdom's such  
As errs not, and crave judgement from your breath,  
Whether it shall be burnt or priest to death.    

CERTAIN CHARACTERS, Called PAR PARI. OR, Like to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.  
— Ego nec studium sine divite verna,  
Nec rude quod prosit video Ingenium; alterius sic  
Altera poscit opem res.  Hor. de Art. Po. 
LONDON, Printed by Bernard Alsop, for Richard Redmer, and are to be sold at his Shop at the West end of Saint Paul's Church. 1619.   

Certain CHARACTERS, Called PAR PARI: or, Like to like, quoth the Devil to the Collier.  

A Pirate is an excellent Bowman.  
WHo from his childhood being much bent to roving, is in time become a cunning Shooter, and thereby hath won many a Prize. If you purpose to outgo him, you must betake you to your flight: but if once he Board you, your game is lost. Adam Bell and his Archers gave him first example to be an Outlaw; And because in times past he hath been a beneficial Soldier to the English, he is sent unto the Marshalsey; for whose sake, there is a Stake or two set up at Wapping, for him, or any of his Companions to make use of.   

A Drunkard is a Master of Defence,  
WHo dares challenge any Dutchman or German. He takes no felicity at the single, but dares any man at the double. He is but too to cruel: for oftentimes he seeks the blood of the Grape; ye● hath he in many a Duel been ●eft for dead, when his Friends, taking of him up, have f●und his crown cracked. Once he had almost lost his eyes, insomuch as he was led home to his lodging. And if at any time he be not able to stand, he may be well excused, because he hath got a cut in the leg. Many times have I seen him so stonied, he had not the power 〈◊〉 speak; yet w●ll he justle any man in the Street, and very manfully fall upon all fewer at a time. If perchance he meets with a Constable, he prepares for the Encounter, and betakes him to his word.   

A mere Gallant is one that plays at Noddy.  
ONe & twenty ends his game; for the like number ended his Nonnage, and made him flush, which if perchance he be, expect him to show it very openly: But if there come a sequ●ns, you shall have him keep close. For fear of a pair of knaves, you we●e best to look to his d●aung, lest that he shuffle with you But of all things, take need how you fall out about scoring; for he is known to be a great Cutter. If it be you fortune 〈◊〉 get to twenty, it is impossible for you to lose the gam●, because you are sure to have a Noddy in hand.   

A Courtesan is a Musi●ian.  
WHo from her youth being brought up to pricksong, hath lost no time, but is become a Woman of note. She learned it of the Nightingale, and in imitation of he● sleeps, always against a Prickle. She sings sometimes in Paris▪ but they are not much respected, because they are grown common; yet never was she put down by any but only in the closing, and the reason, as some say, is because she falls often too flat, she steals away your cares with her voice, and in the mean time hath many crotchets in her head how to strain courtesy with your purse. A large and a long she is well affected with; but a brief or a sembriefe, nothing pleaseth her. Of all Instruments she loves not the Recorder because it makes her too melancholy. She hath played at many a Marriage, yet never could affect the Bridewell, although she hath been paid largely for her pain. Imitating the ancient Poets, she sings her Poems in Cars, and the people being much delighted therewith, for the maintenance of her voice, have bestowed many an Egg upon her, which oftentimes have proved as rotten as herself. feign would she have been a Quarrister at Paul's, but that she loves not to stand in a Surplice: yet many times she repairs thither, especially unto the lower end of the Middle I'll. She is never out of the moods but when she meets with a Be●dle or Constable, and then she begins to quarter, because she feareth to sing a Counter tenor. If you have a desire to hear her, either she is gone to Lambeth to take the air; or else you shall meet her at the next Tavern with her conserts.   

A Gull traveler is the Ball at Tennis,  
WHo, by reason of the later Racket in France, hath left it, and now hath took up his place of residence in the Court of England. After his passage hither, he held us with a long discourse of the several hazards he had been driven into: How he was tossed from this place to that place, having not a few times passed under the line. Neither forgot he his rare exploits done in the Field, in the late banding of faction: nor what grea● services he had been proffered so his g●od parts in Court: but because he lieth for his v●●tage, which in him in a fault, it is fit he be whipped out of the Court.   

A Swaggerer is one that playe● at Ruff,  
FRom whence he took the denomination of a Ruffian. Take heed how you deal with him, for he is much given to packing; and at play his usual oath is Renounce me. He cares but for one good suit at a time: and the four orders of Knaves are his most familiar Companions. Let no Wenches trust him, for he is never well but when he is taking up their Coats, who for his sauciness is oftentimes sent to the Stocks, where every one is glad to find h●m.   

A broking Scrivener is a Barbersurgion.  
WHo in his Apprenticehood being brought up to the Art of Poleing, is now made free of the Shavers'. He hath his Shop fully furnished with most rare and cunning Instruments. His chief customers consists of Usurers and madmen, which madmen he so hampers, keeping them fast bound, that in six Months many of them recover their wits again. He begins to have some practice in Physic; 〈◊〉, ●f any young Gentleman be troubled wi●h a looseness, he can give him a binding potion▪ and again, if he be bound, he can minister unto him a purging pill, that shall fetch an extraordinary quantity of yellow stuff from him. He never missed of his cunning but once, when looking into the Marketplace through a window, he lost one of his ears, and never since could be cured.   

A Gamester at Irish is a Merchant Adventurer.  
THe Dice are his Ships, the Men are his goods, which lie in several parts to to be brought home in safety. In the return, many times, his goods are taken by Pirates, who lie in wait for them: but if in the pursuit he can but safely bring ●hem o'er the bar, he cares not a point for them. If ●he weather be so tempestuous, that he be constrained to lie at Hull, ten to one but the Ships are cast away. When he comes to make up his accounts, he bears away as much of his goods as he can possible▪ for than is he compelled to break, which is a great bi●● to his credit: and his adversaries immediately enter their actions, and attach his goods: so are they carried back again to the bilbowes, where they lie wind-bound untiil such time as he hath spent most part of his estate. When his adversaries having got their will of him, more of constraint than pity, release him.   

An Amorist is a Painter.  
WHo paints forth his passions in black and white, and carries his Mistress Colours in his Hat. He hath made her Picture in a Sonnet, & doth Idolize her like Pygmalion. If you make any comparisons with her, he will draw, although he be beate● black and blue in the quarrel He is so observative, that he will not omit her shadow, and accounts it the height of his happiness when he can frame his demeanour to please her. The utmost end of his study. is but to attain to the secrets of the Art of L●●ming, wherein being unskilful, he sometimes lays his Colours on a false ground, whereby they fading he himself is disgraced.    

Lectoribus.  
FRiends these are like to like, my judgement's such,  
The Devil to the Collier said as much.  
— Vitani denique culpam,  
non laudem merui.  Hor. de Art. Po. 
FINIS.