OF gold's KINGDOM, AND THIS VNhelping Age.  
Described in sundry Poems intermixedly placed after certain other Poems of more special respect:  
And before the same is an Oration or speech intended to have been delivered by the Author hereof unto the King's Majesty.  

Ipse licet venias Musis comitatus Homer,  
Si nihil attuleris, ibis Homere foras.   

Though Homer, thou do come thyself  
with Muses waiting on thee,  
Yet Homer, if thou nothing bring,  
than Homer, God be with thee.   Animus virtutis studiosus ad●nuenit artem Carminum ad la●dandum bona: ad vituperandum vero 〈◊〉. Arist. De poet●● lib. 1. 
THOU SHALT LABOUR FOR  
Imprinted at London 〈…〉   

A SPEECH INTENDED TO HAVE BEEN MADE UNTO THE KING'S MAJESTY, in the Town of Windsor, but not spoken.  
MOST Gracious and renowned King, if we your highness subjects of this place, be (for the present) to seek in what sort to applaud the incomparable blessing of your royal presence: we are most humbly to beseech your Highness to impute the same unto two causes: The one, the consideration we have of our own imperfections, as the same are now to be exposed unto the censure of your Princely perfections: The other, the abundance of our joy which hath so possessed every part of our thoughts, as that thereby we are unable to retain in our speaking either Method or Decorum: For it cannot be told (most gracious Sovereign) with what insatiable power of our minds we do embrace & entertain this joyful time of your majesties personal repair into this land, and now particularly to this your Town and Castle of Windsor: This time I say, most brightsome and clear, not overcast with any the least cloud of either trouble present, or danger to come: For it may truly be said of your Majesty (and that to the glory of God) as it was sometimes said of M●urici●● the godly Roman Emperor: that true piety and felicity have so met together in your royal person, as that true piety hath forced felicity to be present at a l your royal solemnisations whatsoever: And why? surely, because your Majesty hath not only covered your head with the Imperial Diadem, and inue●ted your person with the Royal Ornaments of the Crown, but hath also adorned your mind with the inestimable jewels of true Religion and justice: But what shall I say? Among all the inexplicable blessings which we are now by the goodness of God to enjoy by your Majesty, there is one amongst the rest so full of blessedness, as that it overreacheth the measure of common comprehension to dilate it in speech: And what is that? Even the knitting together of your two Kingdoms England and Scotland, which are now so closed in one Harmony as well of Religion, as of their confining borders and agreeing languages, as that (according to the saying of the Prophet) Bone is joined to Bone, & joint to joint: Most gracious king, our most beloved Sovereign, there is one thing that your Majesty may hold as an undoubted certainty: namely this, that you are entered into your rule and reign over England, with as great comformity of hearts of English subjects as ever King or Queen within this Realm. Long may your Highness live: Long may the Sceptre sway in your Princely hands: And unto the King of Kings we bow the knees of our hearts, that he will vouchsafe to grant unto your Majesty a long, a peaceable, and renowned Reign over us.  
I will not take upon me to particularise unto your Majesty the Nature of England's government, but generally (under your Princely favour) this thereof may be said that by the most ancient usage of England, the king hath been accounted to be persona mixta, hoc est, unita cum Sacerdotibus, answerable to that of Homer and Aristotle: Suprema potestas antiquitus fuit regia & Sacerdotalis. And for that that is holden thereof civilly at this day, it is this: we say that our supreme power is principatus tam regalis quam politicus, the one respecting times of war, and the other times of peace. And we say also that principatus regalis & politicus paris sunt potentiae, sed principatus regalis difficilioris est exercit● & 〈◊〉 securitatis. But of this as also of the Equity of your majesties Common laws o● Engl●●d, and ●o o● the Equity of your ●ig● Court of Chancery with their differences, and therewithal also of Equity in general as the same is to be used in every human law, ay your majesties most humble subject, a professor of those Common laws some certain years past did employ my labours in writing a plain & open Treatise thereof in English, whichbe ing here contained in this written Volume, if it might 
This book herein mentioned, the Author hath delivered to th● King's Majesty, but not by way of dedication.  stand with your Princely pleasure to vouchsafe your reading of it, I make no doubt but that your Majesty will find sundry things therein not impertinent, no nor yet unnecessary for your Princely perusing: The simplicity of the handling always excepted, for the which I must and do most humbly beseech your majesties gracious pardon.  
After this, there should have followed some private and particular matters on the behalf of the said Town.   

TO THE RIGHT WOR'SHIPFVLL HIS very kind and courteous friend Edward Uaughan Esquire, Deputy Officer of the Office of the Pipe of the King's majesties Exchequer.  
GOOD Sir, my occasions staying me so long in London this last vacation, as that according to the bill of Certificate there died above 19 hundredth of the Plague in one week: Although I then thought it not fit to employ that time in any serious Study, yet I was vn●●lling to pass it wholly over without some exercise of my Pen. Whereupon resorting to a few odd trifles which I had penned about a year or two sithence, I added every day for diverse days together sundry others unto them. And causing my man to write them out after me, in the end I found the whole thereof to arise unto a proportion of a little Book: which (thus written as it is) I send unto you, as a token of my assured goodwill, being ready from time to time to express the same by better means as I shall be enabled thereunto. And whereas in one or two places of the book I have made mention of outrageous fees, let that light where it will: As for you, you are known to be a giver of fees: But an extreme exacter of fees I am persuaded in my heart you never were, nor ever will be. And so with my best wishing unto you, I cease: This First of januarie 16●●.  
Your true and hearty well-willer, E. Hake.   

The Author's Prologue to such of his Poems in this book as concern Golds Kingdom.  

ALthough that Gold can closely creep  
where th'air could never come,  
And cause that vice and virtue be  
of equal poise with some,  
Yet noble and true gentle minds  
with Gold will not be won,  
To do the thing that is unjust  
or leave good things undone.  
A proof hereof myself have seen  
in one that noble is,  
And holdeth place of high respect  
as he well worthy is:  
A poor man with Petition  
annexed to his case  
To him repairs, not having help  
of any friend in place:  
Which when he had exhibited,  
although that noble man  
Had great employments of the State  
yet mark what followed than:  
Not full two days expyrd, before  
the poor man did receive  
An Answer to his full content,  
And thence did take his leave,  
Not rendering gifts to any one  
nor Secretary's fees,  
But hasting home unto his Hive,  
rejoiced with his Bees.  
A year thence after, troubles came  
about that passed gift,  
As that some sought to frustrate it  
by friends or feigned shift.  
The poor man for his help again  
preferreth his complaint,  
And by his only writing doth  
that Lord therewith acquaint,  
Himself unable through disease  
in person to be seen.  
This noble man, as if the case  
had then like present been,  
What he had passed erst before,  
Confirms with greater force:  
Right noble surely was this deed  
and full of true remorse.  
Yea, as before, no penny went  
out of the poor man's purse,  
So now again, no penny he  
to any did disburse.  
Patron to pupils is that Lord,  
(so doth his office lie)  
Amongst whose virtuous deeds this one,  
the poor man's case did try.  
And sith that I an Actor was  
to pen that poor man's case,  
I therefore write it as a note  
of virtue in that place.  
The rather, for because this Age  
unhelping is, and why?  
Few men will help in cases where  
they see no profit lie.  
So that to speak what I conceive,  
I fear, no Gold, no Good,  
No, not perhaps for such as have  
adventured their blood.  
And for the man at home, who hath  
of good deserving been,  
Nor works nor worth can him advance  
if Gold come not between:  
For now, as good to beat the air  
as fill the ears of some  
Who Suits prefer: Nay, fill their hands,  
else look to find them Mum.  
Yet write I not with mind to touch  
men of superior place:  
Nor do I know particulars  
that any should deface.  
Many complain and many cry:  
God knoweth where the fault doth lie.    

HUMBLE PETITIONS OF GOOD SUBJECTS TO THEIR GOOD KING against the Parliament.  

Confirm Religion as the Ark of God:  
Preserve the places where the same shall rest:  
Then laws for life, and manners as the Rod,  
Wherewith offence of Sin must be suppressed,  
So shall the land assuredly be blest.  
But fiery Spirits are not for that charge,  
Nor such as seek their profits to enlarge.   

Next, for the Commonwealth (as is begun)  
Take off oppressions from the Subjects back,  
And to the Commons do not always run  
For every thing that Commonwealth doth lack,  
For so poor Subjects still shall go to wrack,  
And yet must Subjects Caesar's duties pay:  
No faithful Subject will thereof say nay.   

As for the Lawyer's faults and griefs thereby,  
The people's plaints suffice to make them known,  
And how huge monstrous fees on Suitors lie,  
Which Officers and Clerks claim as their own:  
But if you ask quo iure they are grown,  
The man (say they) must sell who first did buy:  
A case to be redressed as cause shall lie.   

In brief, the sores and sicknesses that are  
In England's state, which grieved men will show  
In Parliament, will move the Prince's care  
To find the fountains whence the same do flow,  
And fountains found, to purge them all a-row.  
The God of heaven preserve our blessed King,  
That he to Church and Realm true peace may bring.  
Astra Deo nil maius habent, Nil Caesare Terra:  
Sic Caesar Terras, ut Deus Astra regat.    

The subjects love is the riches and safety of the King.  

IT is recorded in this wise:  
At worms aGermaine Town,  
When all the Princes there were met  
And all were sitten down   

To talk of matters of the State  
At length they took in hand,  
Each one to praise and to extol  
The goodness of his land.   

Baua●ia Dukes their Cities praised,  
The Saxons praised their Mines,  
Duke Palatine his fertile Soils  
And fatness of his vines.   

Duke Eberard of Wittenberg,  
Who likewise was in place,  
And silent sat by Frederick,  
Who had the Sovereign grace.   

As Saxon Duke required was  
To tell his Country's praise:  
And he obeying modestly,  
(As loathe himself to raise)   

My Lords (said he) 'tis nothing that  
By me can be declared,  
Who●am the lowest in this place  
And might full well be spared:   

Nathlesse this one thing do I know,  
And knowing, do protest  
That I in any subjects lap  
Of mine can take my rest,  
Although in open fields from press:  
Whereby our mutual lovesincrease.    

A notable example of integrity in a King, between himself and his Subjects.  
LEwis King of France was accustomed to sit judicially 
Io. Manlius de Magistrate pag. 593.  in the hearing of his own causes: And if he found any to flatter him therein, and to say his cause was good: Let us hear the same (said he) whether justice, or your benevolence hath swayed most therein: And oftentimes when he found their Sentence to be with him, he would pronounce the contrary, and would bitterly chide those who had attributed too much to his side.   

Another notable example of integrity in a Prince.  
FRedericke Duke of Saxony had certain woods 
10. Manlius de Magistratu pag. 592.  near adjoining unto Wittenberg, which had been sometimes purchased by his progenitors. Anhaldine mother of those Princes of that name, who then lived (being wise & a good Oeconomist) required those woods to be restored unto her, because they had been at the first but mortgage. The Duke although it was very hard for him to depart with the woods, insomuch as he had rather have given more money for them, then to have foregone them (in respect that the price of woods did then daily increase) yet he would by no means vex or disquiet that most honest Matron, or hold her long in suspense: And therefore albeit he had counsel & pretextes propounded unto him, how by a show of right he might retain them, yet he would by no means burden his conscience, by admitting of any of the said pretextes for the retaining of them: and such was his integrity, as that he willingly restored the same to the house of the Anhaldi●es.  

And hath not james our England's King  
Showed forth like Princely mind,  
Who farms of fines and forfeitures,  
Which Subjects backs did grind,   

With Monopolies, licences  
And privileges large,  
Whereby he might have been enriched  
(Though to his subjects charge)   

Hath royally released from  
His English Subjects backs,  
Not minding to enrich himself  
By his poor subjects wracks?  
What good so great hath erst been done,  
As by King james is now begun.    

A Case of Difficulty in the Royal Administration.  

GReat Difficulty may be found in this  
Unto the Prince, where Subjects do complain  
Of any that in office doth amiss,  
As that percase he should some wrong maintain:  
For as the Prince is bound to aid the right,  
Without respect of any Subjects might,   

So, meet it is that where he giveth power,  
He should support the same, and still uphold  
Th'authorized, for why? Else every hour  
Th'uprightest men, and men of purest mould  
Might be traduced, and beside, his Grace  
Would be surcharged with plaints in every place.   

Then what to write, or speak in such a case,  
Few men can tell, but fewer will (I fear)  
Th'inferior once offended, will deface  
Superiors, and such as office bear:  
Again, the mighty they are full of friends,  
And as friends be, so oft the matter ends.   

Put case the King upon complaint preferred  
Against the mighty, by the lower sort,  
Of his great grace should cause to be referred  
The insight of such plaints to men of Port:  
Say that the mighty with the mighty hold, 
Re●erments of cau●●s dangerous.   
So that to aid the poor none durst be bold.   

What should then here be done, can any tell?  
Th'inferior he goes down. But is that all?  
No, no, he's blamed because he durst to mell  
With such as on the earth men Gods do call.  
O case of cases to be seen into,  
Which doth concern the Prince what he should do.   

And sith a wiser Prince this land near had,  
Nor better bend to hear the poor man's cry,  
What needs my pen thus move a case so sad?  
His Highness knows where all the help doth lie:  
For least the matter should so go awry,  
His grace himself must help, or else perhaps  
The poor Complainant shall feel after claps.   
james the fifth of that name King of Scotland, Grandfather to our most gracious King, was called the Poor man's King.   

The infortunate Courtier.  

TWo Courtiers living long at Court,  
The one of good desert,  
The other meanly meriting,  
Yet (ut fortuna fert)   

The meaner had the better luck,  
By th'emperor well advanced,  
Which to the other brought great grief:  
But mark ye how it chanced,   

The noble S●gismundus he  
(So was the Emperor named)  
Informed of this matter, and  
How he was only blamed,   

As not to bear an equal hand  
In giving of reward,  
Advised himself thereof, and with  
A Princely due regard   

For answering of the matter, did  
Resolve upon this course:  
Two chests he filled, the one with gold,  
The other, stones or worse.   

And calling for the Courtier which  
Had found himself so grieved,  
Declared unto him that now  
His case might be relieved.   

If Fortune were not in the fault:  
Choose here (said he) of two,  
A chest of gold, or one of stones,  
And think well what to do,   

For I'll be hence forth quite of blame,  
(The fault thou sayst is mine)  
And if thou choose the stones, then say  
The fault is rather thine,   

Or if not thine, yet Fortune's fault:  
And who can that redress?  
The Courtier chose, and chose the stones:  
(Alas, unluckiness.)   

But shall I say my mind herein?  
Good Kings will have respect,  
Whom they advance, whom they reward,  
And whom they do reject.   

For why? All's one to raise the ill,  
And not to help the honest still.    

Three things very grievous to good minds.  

THree things there are that breed much grief,  
And discontent of mind:  
The world's mishaps, untrust of friends,  
The third, that Gold doth bind,   

Nay bind and loose, though not with all,  
yet greatly with the most:  
And for the first of these three things,  
what man on earth can boast   

That he hath passed his days in peace,  
not crossed with world's mishap?  
Not one I think, though best men most  
do taste of sorrows sap.   

The King hath cares to cross his joys,  
home strises to cross his peace,  
And traitorous hearts conspire his hurts,  
while Subjects loves increase.   

If pleasures for his health he take,  
what interruptions are  
Unto his pleasures and disports  
by suits, that breed his care   

In causes of his subjects states,  
perhaps their lives and lands:  
The strong doth still oppress the weak,  
the help's in Prince's hands.   

Yea day by day occasions rise  
of common wealths redress,  
And day by day abuses grow,  
which Princes should suppress.   

And yet if Princes should not have  
their pleasures and delight.  
Alas, alas, what were their case?  
of all men worst in sight:   

Only the King that feareth God,  
and seeks to spread his praise  
Shall have his seat and State securde,  
his soul shall see good days.   

Then if the King in this world's course,  
where all men him obey,  
Finds world's unrest, of lower States  
how firm can be the stay?   

Next for the faith and trust of friends,  
where is the friend whose faith  
As well in hard as happy state  
in friendship firmly staithe?   

Swallows men are, whose summers glee  
retains in friendship's band,  
And Winter's woes drive clean away:  
So doth men's friendship stand.   

Examples here of infinite  
the world doth daily show,  
And how men's loves are wrongly placed  
and from wrong causes grow:   

For were true virtue their loves cause,  
then what could it remove?  
No, no, 'tis gain, or vain respect,  
that most where causeth love:   

The rich holds friendship with the rich,  
the lecher with his like,  
And pot companions with their mates  
great league of friendship strike.   

Blind Zeal also to maintain Sects,  
and to impugn the truth,  
Doth link itself in friendships bands:  
but what thereof ensueth?   

Disturbance of the Church's peace,  
contempt of King and law,  
And all that with such friends is found,  
is only to withdraw   

From uniform consent of faith,  
and from true serving God:  
O, out, alas, what love i● this?  
Such league from love is odd.   

The third and last is sway of Gold,  
which so still hinders all  
That to the well deserving man  
should for his Guerdon fall,   

As that no gifts of learning, nor  
of skill which in him are,  
Can do him good, because perhaps  
his state is something bare.   

Fair speech and sugared words are ri●e,  
but if thy state be poor,  
While others press and come in place,  
look thou to stand at door.   

I●t office that thou seekest friend?  
why offices are bought:  
An Office is a Nemo scit,  
and should it come for nought?   

But be it small or great that thou  
dost labour to obtain:  
Assure thyself that i● there be  
therein a sent of gain,   

Though near so small, and yet perhaps  
the matter full of toil,  
Unless with gifts thou get thee friends,  
be sure to catch the foil:   

For if thou stand upon desert,  
thou mayst put up thy pipes:  
There is a fellow called Giffe Gaffe,  
that in such cases gripes.   

And so we see that Gold and gifts  
In suits must do the deed,  
And how that no man for desert  
of any thing can speed.   

Audacious, proud, and flattering mates  
I grant you may do much;  
And many things of good respect  
are oft bestowed on such.   

Again, we see that some there are,  
who willingly are led  
By men of slender gifts: And why?  
because by them are fed   

The humours whereunto they be  
inclined, and most what  
For that they please them with delights,  
and servile are to that.   

And sooner will they give to those,  
Then unto men of price.  
If such one ask, he strait way speeds,  
and hath it with a trice.   

But if I should run over all  
that might be said in this,  
How Gold hath Sovereign power in suits,  
and chief effecter is   

Of men's desires, and that desert  
(as of itself) shall fail,  
I might employ much speech therein,  
And little should prevail:   

For howsoever men of place  
and honour are inclined  
To further and promote a man  
that is of honest mind,   

Yet are the means so difficult  
that must be made to such,  
And favourites so many that  
therein doth look for much,   

As that a man far better were  
to live with bread and grew,  
Then with a threadbare purse to seek  
or for preferment sew.   

And so I end my doleful song  
of threefold grief and pain,  
As world's unrest, next, friends untrust,  
the third, that all's for gain.    

Of true Nobility.  

OF true Nobility do we inquire?  
'tis that that doth excel the common sort  
In virtuous Acts whereto it doth aspire,  
And shows itself abroad with noble port:  
For noble port must show the noble State,  
It fits not Noble minds to be at common rate.   

But what for that? doth Noble therefore wrong?  
Doth he oppress or seek a common hurt,  
Whereby to raise himself or make him strong?  
No fie, the Noble reckons that as dirt:  
For as the world is cheered by the Sun,  
So from true Noble comforts dailyrunne.   

Doth Country's service call the Noble forth?  
Most what he is prepared for the same,  
For that's a mean to show his noble worth:  
And that accomplished wins him noble fame.  
To God, to King, and Country is he charged  
To see the Honour of them all enlarged.   

Is noble near the King? who else should be?  
Then nobly doth he service to his Grace,  
As both his honour and his safety to foresee,  
For which his eyes are open in each place,  
Detracting none that are of good desert,  
But helping all out of a noble heart:   

And chiefly unto suitors doth he show  
A noble affability, and why?  
Because from Prince, as from a spring doth flow  
The Subjects help, which helpless else might lie:  
Then if this Noble keep poor suitors back,  
Unnobly doth he cause poor suitors wrack,   

And to proceed, doth he in Country dwell?  
No party factions doth he there support,  
Much less, prepareth plots how to rebel,  
Nor graceth any of suspected sort.  
But honour's law, and judges doth assist,  
And makes not law to serve him as he list.    

To the most reverend and right Honourable, the Primate of all England.  

TRue Pattern of piety, with true hearts good will  
My pen doth presume to speak of thy grace  
Whose virtues and goodness right well do fulfil  
The honour and greatness that is in thy place,  
Gladness of conscience may thee embrace,  
Whose zeal hath been peaceful with censures discreet,  
Whose life hath been blameless with doctrine to meet.   

Pride sitting below thee in envious chair,  
Doth swell at thy greatness, yet fain would be great:  
And Momus the wretch that all would impair,  
His head about mischief and malice doth beat,  
But care of the truth shall 'stablish thy seat.  
Thus vertuesregard hath employed my pen,  
Not moneys reward, nor pleasing of men.    

The judge must be truths Patron.  

THe judge that sitteth on the bench  
to judge of wrong and right,  
Should have the high Tribunal seat  
prefigured in his sight,   

Lest that the Lawyer with his skill  
and argument prepared  
Well sounding to the sense of man,  
and subtly declared   

Should have the hap to harbour in  
his well intending breast,  
Where nought but truth, and truths defence  
for evermore should rest.   

For this is sure, that some there are  
in this our learned age,  
Whose force is great with witto win  
the judgement of the sage:   

Then ought this rule be always held  
in all judicial things,  
That neither Art, nor laws dispute  
which learned Lawyer brings,   

Do draw a present judgement on  
in question of the law:  
For sudden judgements of ten-times  
may from the truth withdraw.   

And (Lord) how grievous were the case,  
if goods were l●st, or lands  
Upon a point of lawe● dispute  
which argumentive stands,   

Without well ripping up the same  
with due and deep regard,  
Foreseeing that the Prince's case  
in judgement be not spared?   

As (for the purpose) were it thus:  
A Statute law there is  
Of chantries (so entitled)  
whereon the case be this:   

A man gives lands to one by Will,  
he finding evermore  
A yearly Obite for the souls  
of some deceased before,   

And paying for that Obites charge  
a certain yearly sum,  
And for default thereof a pain  
out of those lands to come.   

Admitting also that the lands  
of greater value are,  
Besides Reprises of the same  
then th'Obites charges far,   

Then say those lands are claimed for  
the King in this degree,  
As that the use thereof by law  
should superstitious ●e:   

Although I take not on me to  
affirm how it should go,  
Yet this I say, that if such case  
should into question grow,   

For that the wait thereof perhaps 
I have heard of such a case in question at this day, and that it is of no less importance to the subject the defendant than is here mentioned.   
unto the subject may  
Be such as that those lands in suit  
are his all only stay:   

And eke for that the Lawyers s●ill  
in case of Laws dispute,  
Is leveled to win the cause  
and to obtain the suit   

Upon the side he is retained,  
and not to bend the same  
For Rights defence (for so pardie  
his Client might him blame)   

What need then hath this case of 〈◊〉  
of judges holy aid,  
As by the which full oft and oft  
the Right had need be swayed?   

For howsoever counsel urge  
the matter for the king,  
The judge hath his respect to Right  
as to the chiefest thing.   

And as for Coplatives and Disiunctives  
in wills, why should they sway?  
For as the Sun shines not by night  
as it doth by the day:   

So men in sickness have not sense  
as in their health they have:  
Sun setting bringeth darkness, and  
sense faileth at the grave.   

Again, should points or periods  
destroy a subjects state?  
The King himself seeks no man's land  
as such an easy rate.   

Especially, if there have bi●  
like cases formerly  
Judged for Subjects: but for that  
Let Law such matters try:   

My speech is not to prejudice  
The judgements of the Grave:  
I, as a mean Professor speak  
The knowledge that I have,   

Submitting all that I have said  
Concerning point of Law  
To such, as from whose learned Breasts  
My learning I must draw.   

For were the foresaid case mine own,  
My minds resolve should be  
To take in worth what ere fell out,  
Wer'● good or ill for me,   

And to return where I began:  
The judge that hath God's Seat,  
Protects the Right while Lawyer's heads  
Upon prevailings beat.  
I honour judges from my heart,  
And love all Lawyers of desert,    

A Caveat to peremptory speaking Lawyers.  

ANd dost thou speak (friend Faber) for thy fee?  
Speak not with mind to bear the matter down:  
Think not that Law should come from none but thee,  
For many a one that wears a threadbare gown,  
Although his gift be not in speaking well,  
Yet may his judgement many times excel.    

To Astilius Regius the learned & highly employed Lawyer.  

Such gifts of skill as few men apprehend,  
Must needs be great to dignify the man,  
To whom it pleaseth God such gifts to lend,  
Though but one gift: If so, what say we the●  
Where sundry gifts of equal great degree  
In one self person well conjoined be?   

laws knowledge of itself withouten more  
Hath made some great, yet not without desert.  
And hath it so? what say we then to store  
Of Laws great skill, and depth of learned Art?  
I say that he in whom such gifts are ●ound,  
Is great by Right upon true Reason's ground:  
Such one are you: O still, then still abound in righteousness.    

Of the most commendable and honourable government of the City of London, in the late times of the sickness and decease of the most gracious and renowned Queen Elizabeth.  

Fear, horror, trembling, and dismay of heart  
Were each where seen upon reports that went  
That our late Queen lay sick. O dreadful smart  
Redoubled still as new reports were sent.  
Most men to flit and change their soils were bend,  
But where to seat or where to be secure,  
Alas, alas, no casting could procure.   

The upland man, thought safest in the Town,  
The towns man thought him best that was at large,  
And he that erst sat warm in long furred gown,  
Could well have brook● the steering of a barge,  
Not one of other than would take the charge,  
But each suspecting other, all dismayed,  
Not for defence, but for destruction stayed.   

O London then (to thy still lasting same)  
So prudently thy Government was set,  
As that how ever news then went and came,  
Nought could thy grave foresight or compass let  
Wisdom and courage so in thee were met,  
As that the Peaceful had his quiet rest,  
And few men fe●rd that they should be oppressed.   

No troops by day nor lurk in the night  
Could gather head, but straight they were descried:  
Each officer so held his course aright,  
As that no doubtful person durst abide.  
And for the care that was at waterside,  
It was to all great joy to understand  
What rules were there for setting men on land.   

In fine, when certainty of death was known  
Of her our Queen, did hurly burly rise?  
No none at all: A bud then strait way blown  
On self same Stalk did London well suffice  
To measure all things with an upright Size.  
The keys were kept for him who did succeed,  
And nought was heard that discrepance might breed.   

Then I as one partaker of that Good,  
Who with my wife and family did stay  
Within the City where I understood  
Th'occurrents of those times and Cities sway,  
Found cause of sweet content whereas I lay,  
Observing there the orders of that place,  
Which with my heart I highly did embrace.    

No gold no goodness.  

O Gold that goest in and out,  
That rul'st and reignest at thy will,  
O thou that bringest things about,  
Why art thou absent from us still?  
But O our God, O where art thou  
That sufferest Gold to conquer now?   

You earthly men who unto men  
Nought give where you can nothing take,  
I speak to you, regard me then,  
Your Gold and Goods your God you make:  
For whereas Gold is, you are won,  
But where Gold is not, you have done.   

Be honest, learned, skilful, wise,  
Be what thou canst, if Gold thou want,  
Thou mayst lie still, thou shalt not rise,  
For nothing proves where Gold is scant:  
For Gold it is that doth the dead,  
But nothing prospers where is need.   

What, shall I then lie down and die?  
Alas I cannot when I would:  
Or shall I sit me down and cry  
And with my tears my grief unfold?  
Lament and cry, do what thou wilt,  
Thy cause is lost for lack of Gilt.   

Yet say I not that all men look  
To be rewarded for their deed:  
But this I say, that few men brook  
To help a man that is in need:  
For though he write with Homer's i●ke,  
Yet go he shall before he drink.    

The same of this unhelpping Age.  

WHere is the man on whom thou mayst depend  
To work thy good or to assist thee so,  
As by his help thou mayst thy state am●nd,  
(Though by thy own desert?) Not one I tr●.  
In words they'll give thee (yea) In deeds still (No)  
Myself have had the proof with men of choice,  
Who wished me ever well, but all in voice:   

For when it came to proof, to write or speak  
In matters which themselves thought good and right,  
Good Lord, how were those friends of mine grown weak  
And how small joy took they of me the sight?  
If 'twere a matter for me to indite,  
I could report hereof a tedious Tale  
And yet the moral might be worth the sale:   

But this (in some) I say and make it known,  
That if my case require more help than view,  
Except I give, or can, I look for none:  
For if thou stand upon desert, Adieu:  
Mark well my speech, for thou shalt find it true,  
This age affordeth nought but words and wind,  
The rich shall be preferred, The poor shall stay behind.    

The same complaining of his want of friends.  

WAking in my bed I wept  
And silently complained,  
The cares that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crept  
All hope of sleep restrained,  
I called 〈◊〉 my hap,  
I cried on my chance,  
Will none stand in the gap?  
Will none my state advance?  
My woe that never ends,  
My w●nt that never dies,  
My state that never mends,  
My soul that ever cries,  
All these are but the loom  
That warpeth up my death,  
All these presage my doom,  
The loss of later breath.  
But is there not a joy  
That worldly joy excels,  
That helpeth all annoy  
And worldly woe expels?  
There is no doubt, God grant it me  
So shall those woes extinguished be.    

Droop and die, Look up and live.  

BE drooping N. and die my 〈◊〉 friend:  
For who regardeth him whose joys do end:  
Look up and live, make show of greatest store:  
If little thou possess, make show of more:  
Be modest, simple, bashful in thy deed,  
Assure thyself of nothing thou shalt speed:  
But stout va●●t parlour stirring in the State  
Will have his passage through a Princely Gate.    

Answer.  

Ah God my God, and must it needs be thus?  
Will nothing come by plain and simple course?  
Must Nature change herself and lose her I●s?  
Must humble mind be proud? Nay (which is worse)  
Must virtue servile be to stalcke upon the Stage?  
Ah Lord my God, how grievous is this Age?  
I'll never live to make such feigned shows:  
I'll rather live where peace of Conscience grows.   

Natura pauca, opinio mult● requiri●.    

Trust to thyself and not to thy friends nor kinsfolks.  

THe mother L●rk● that ●●●sted on the ground  
With all her Brats her little birds about her,  
Abroad she flew where victuals might be ●ound,  
But ere she went, because she aid misdoubt her  
That in her absence some thing might be said  
For cutting down the C●rne wherein she stayed,   

She therefore thus ga● speak unto them all,  
My birds (quoth she) this crop doth ripe apace  
And in mine eye doth for the reapers call,  
Who when they come will you and me displace,  
And more than that, our lives will they invade  
Unless in time 〈◊〉 seek some other glade:   

And yet to leave 〈◊〉 soil before we need,  
Full 〈◊〉 I am: my mind therefore is this,  
That when you hear the owner come, take heed  
What words he speaks and what appointed is  
For felling of this field, the time and manner how,  
Looks well 〈◊〉, and so I lea●e you now.   

No sooner go●●, but comes the Farmer thither,  
And thus he spoke aloud unto his man:  
Sirrah (said he) you see this goodly weather  
Get reapers go, with all the speed you can.  
I t●ow my neighbours will not say me nay:  
Request them all and tell me what they say:   

The self same night when mother Lark came in,  
The silly birds with low and fearful voice  
Related all: Tust, tush (quoth she) a pin,  
If master Farmer make no better choice  
Than neighbours help, this field will not go down,  
Neighbours will help themselves throughout the Town.   

Next morning when she was to go again,  
The like precept and charge she left behind:  
At noon the owner came, but all in vain,  
His neighbours sicles nowhere could he find.  
All cha●ing then, he called unto his man  
Who said that they would come, but knew not when.   

Well well (quoth she) I'll trust no Neighbours aid,  
Go now to such my Cousins and my Kin:  
I know with them this matter will be weighed:  
And here to morrow let them all begin.  
This fearful Summons when the Dam returned,  
The little Larks declared, and then they mourned.   

Not this (quoth she) as yet shall make us fly:  
Will kinsfolks help? No no they'll help themselves,  
And therefore yet a while here will we lie.  
Cease therefore cease your moan you whi●pring el●●s  
And mark to morrow when he comes again  
What ●e gives forth and how ●e doth complain.   

The morrow came, and (as he did before)  
The owner of the field returned, and finding none  
About the Corn, Lord how he sweat and swore  
For being told of kins excuse, and how each one  
Was faint and cold and stood● upon delay,  
He ●●●de and fretted, and in fi●e did say.   

That he no longer neighbours, kicred, nor  
Ought sa●● himself thenceforth would trust unto:  
And therefore now (quoth he) to cure this d●r,  
Do thou therein as I shall bid thee do:  
To morrow morning call my men together  
And with their Harnessed weapons bring them hither.   

Those news at night when Beldame came to nest,  
The birds did tell as they had done before:  
Yea now (quoth she) this matter is increased,  
For after this, delays must be no more:  
This night with speed we must go change our seat  
And so she did with pains and travel great.   

And now to show the moral of this tale,  
As Lark that nested in another's ground,  
Not fenced about with hedge, nor ditch nor pale  
Did yet abide a twice most doleful sound  
Of kin and neighbours coming to the place,  
But when she saw that altered was the case,   

As that the Owner of the field would come,  
Or send his servants on the morrow day,  
Then thought she ti●e to leave that borrowed room  
And with her young ones thence to pack away:  
Such is the case of all men that do lay  
Their hope of help in kindred or in friend,  
For such a one lies helpless in the ●nd.    

The dolorous man being still crossed in his estate bewaileth his mishaps.  

DRooping and dying in depth of despair,  
Wasted and wearied with sorrow and smart,  
Pinched and pained in penc●full chair,  
Yet dare not discover the thoughts of my heart.  
To keep them or show them brings grief alike to me,  
To keep or to show them alike doth undo me.   

O days full of dolour, O nights of unrest,  
O times full of trouble, O seasons unkind,  
If aught could be added, or ought be decreased,  
Then might th●●● be hope some comfort to find:  
But resolute Ruin still standing at door,  
Death cannot have entrance nor life be secure.   

O God if thou dost it to punish my Sin,  
I am thy poor servant, the work of thy hand:  
All frail and unstable without and within,  
Unable without thee one hour to stand,  
But sith thou hast promised to help where is need,  
Lord, keep thou thy promise, and help me with speed.   

Thou know'st what I lack, thou know'st what I ail●,  
O Father of mercy, O Fountain of Grace,  
Sith none that hath sought thee, did ever yet fails,  
Lord, let not me only be thrust out of place:  
But look thou on me as thou lookest on all,  
And help thy poor Servant that lieth in thrall.   

Igraunt, of my merits I may be ashamed:  
Not mercy but judgement doth fit my des●ri  
My life hath been loose, my thoughts all untamed,  
And what so was holy, that did I pervert,  
Not therefore for me, but for thy name sake  
Vouchsafe me thy mercy my sorrow to slake.    

Of dissembling friends.  

WEll spoke that chosen of the Lord  
Who viewing friends by prose,  
Compared those that in our woes  
and sorrows stand aloof,   

To water brooks, whose moisture Heat  
in Summer dries to nought  
And winters Frost likewise sucks up  
When help thereosis sought.   

chose, in time of Rain  
When each small pit is full,  
Then flow they fast and send forth store  
each hollow gap to gull.    

A careful Debtor.  

I Live in debt, yet l●ue not to do so,  
I pay no debt, but not because I would not:  
'tis debts disease that breedeth all my woe,  
It kills my heart (alas) because I could not.  
But hence I go to seek some change of soil  
Whereby to pay my debt with body's toil.    

Of one near dead through thought.  

THought is a secret that doth kill  
And with the dead itself doth die  
As with his ruin Samson fill  
Himself and all with him perdie,  
And is not my poor case much nigh,  
near dead through Thought both Thought and I?   

I Thought no Thought could have prevailed  
Against my cheerful mind,  
But cross with cross hath so assailed,  
That now not so I find:  
For Thought is come and joy is gone,  
The body pines and death draws on.    

The liberal man's Expostulation with Gold.  

WEre my desire to hoerd thee in my chest,  
Or wished I thee to feed my lustful paunch,  
Or that by thee I might do what I list,  
And into seas of baneful pleasures launch,  
Or were my mind to lash thee out in law,  
By brabbling suits which all good things withdraw:   

Then hadst thou (Gold) good cause to shun my sight,  
And keep thy presence from my longing eye:  
But sith in seeking thee my Thoughts go right,  
Why shouldst thou then disdain my Thoughts to try?  
Believe me as thou list, this is my mind:  
If thou make choice of me, the poor shall find   

Not penny help, or slender alms at door,  
But pounds of aid, if need shall so require:  
A full relief I'll give unto the poor.  
My needy friend shall have his heart's desire,  
And every case that helpless lies for Gold  
Shall have my sure support as power can hold.   

To Bookmen wanting means, both hands shall give:  
The unprovided Preacher sound of life  
Shall find how far my zeal my purse can drive,  
But not to nourish Sects, or maintain strife.  
In sum, what good soe'er thou Gold canst do,  
My hand shall not withhold my help thereto:  
But here I cease, lest thou shouldst think I woe thee with my words.    

The Golden Swaggerer.  

Crowns, Crowns, cries Swaggerer: Then healths are had  
Of soundest liquor that those Crowns can find,  
It boots not then to tell him he is mad.  
His heads chief care is how himself to blind,  
Great suppers then so soon as he hath dined:  
And late at night new banquets are prepared,  
So rundell-wise his Crowns he doth discard,   

Not to advance his state pardie: But how  
To glut himself with pleasures long desired.  
He sows no seed, though deep he sets his Blow,  
But down he sinks until his feet be mirde,  
And fast he sticks when he should be retired:  
Then Gold, what goodness hast thou done hereby  
To make him now cry Crux, who Crowns did cry?    

To all Worthy and well deserving Soldiers.  

TRue Martial men despair not in the times:  
Nobility of you must have a care.  
Live still untouched of infamy and crimes,  
And high jehove will help you where you are.  
Are you the men who never yet would spare  
Nor life, nor limb, for Prince and Countries good?  
You are the men, the men whose loss of blood  
With wounds and scars doth still on you appear  
Though clothed and covered with your best array:  
But is that all? no, this beside I hear  
That what remains of life or limb, you say,  
You are content to spend it any way  
At Prince's pleasure, speak he but the word.  
Ah good sweet hearts, what more can breath afford?   

Write down your names, your services write down,  
And say that you devoutly do remain  
priest for the field, and to forsake the Town,  
If new employments call you forth again.  
That being done, then with the same retain  
Some one that is true Noble for your aid,  
Upon whose mediation all be laid:  
But let him be like her who sometimes said  
Non ignara Mali, miseris succurrere disco  
So help will come from service or from fisco    

Though wit be the wooer, Yet gold is the speeder.  

F Fibbus, fie, now fie upon thee fool,  
What meaning hast thou by thy wooing so?  
Thinkst thou to speed with that thou brought'st from school,  
Or that by Art thou canst her over go?  
If thou say yea, assure thee i'll say no.  
She hears thee speak, but when thy tale is told,  
she'll give thee love as thou canst give her gold,  
Except that flesh for flesh may hap be sold, Then lock to that.    

A Sale of sin..  

BVm-braka Lady of the slimy Snails,  
Out skowting still, doth seek where she can win,  
Then in she draws her booty by the tails,  
And puts foul flesh to flesh in filthy sin:  
Yet gilt she'll have before they do begin:  
O damned creature clapped in Satan's hold,  
Who damns herself and many more for gold if Grace come not between.    

A Memorial of the worthy and Right Worshipful Gentleman, Richard Louelace, late of Hurley, in the County of Berke, Esquire, Lieutenant of the Castle and Forest of Windsor.  

Some live, who never loving were  
to kiss nor yet to kin,  
But Lovelace he by loving all  
unloving hearts did win.   

I speak of that that I well know,  
who knew him to his end:  
His Country did not bear a man  
more loving to his friend.   

What, to his friend? yea poor as rich  
according to his power  
His Town of Hurley, where he dwelled  
affirms it to this hour.   

His Town of Hurley where he cold  
endure the poor to dwell.  
What dwell? yea oftentimes rent-free  
the Country knows it well.   

And more than that, for having woods  
and wastes that spacious were,  
He could abide the poorer sort  
to plant them dwelling there:   

Not for enlarging of his rents  
(a thing far from his mind)  
And yet unto those Cotagers  
be land ofttimes assigned.   

And as unto his friends and poor  
he thus expressed his love,  
So for his servants, wife, nor child  
could him from them remove:   

For when his copyholds came void  
he struck not up the drum,  
Nor gave them to his children, as  
I know is used by sum.   

But as they fell into his hands,  
he gave them to his men:  
Myself have made them Copies oft,  
was he not loving then?   

What should I say? A firmer man  
in kindness than was he  
I have not known, nor at this day  
a firmer man can see.   

And what I write thus in his praise,  
I write not for reward,  
But to the end that other of  
his sort might have regard   

To sample out their deeds by his  
in gentlemanly love,  
Which though it bring no profit here  
shall breed them gain above:  
For they must die, as he is dead,  
Though near so high they bear their head.   

Quid sumus (O miseri) nisi pulvis motus ab aura,  
Et fragili vitro similes, umbraeque fugaci?   

What are we (O wretches) by nature and kind,  
But ashes and dust blown about with the wind?  
And sampled by semblance, much like brittle glass,  
And like to the shadow that swiftly doth pass?   

Mors tua, mors Christi, fraus mundi gloria coeli,  
Et dolor inferni, sunt meditanda tibi.   

Thy death, Christ's death, the world's deceit,  
with hell's infernal pain,  
And glory of the heavens above  
let thy deep thoughts retain.   

Vive diu, sed vive Deo, nam vivere Mundo,  
Mortis opus, viva est vivere vita Deo.   

Live long, but live unto the Lord,  
for to the world to live  
Is dying life, but life to God  
a living life doth give.   

Quod sibi quisque serit praesentis tempore vitae,  
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur, ite, venite.   

What each one soweth to himself  
While he on earth is living here,  
That shall he reap, when it is said,  
You had be gone, you good come near.   

Heu viwnt homines tanquam mors nulla sequatur,  
Et velut infernus fabula vana foret.   

Men live (alas) as though they should not die,  
And even as though hell fire were a lie.    

To a foul and common swearer.  

Thou swearest (vile man) as though thou were to pay  
A sum of oaths to Satan for thy soul,  
Thy tongue and lips that so blaspheme alway,  
In hells black book thy judgement do enrol  
To suffer torments there and endless dow●e:  
For cursed swearing in this mortal life  
Will there have tearing and eternal strife.    

To a Common Liar.  

THy lies come from thee by the load,  
The carriage of them easy is.  
Where so thou makest thine abode,  
Of lies a man shall hardly miss.  
But wilt thou know what comes of this?  
Though thou speak truth, yet men will cry,  
Believe him not, he tells a lie.    

To an old man loosely living.  

Praws eras parvus, malus et nunc magnus haberis:  
Esto bonus tandem, non decet esse malum:   
Englished thus.  

Thou lewdly livedst a little boy,  
now old, th'ar● called a knave:  
Be good at length, 'tis too too bad  
so vile a name to have.   

Ad hypocritam.  
Dic mihi, cum Christus tibi sit tam multum in ore  
Cur vita Christum (flagitiose) negas?   

Come tell me now, sith in thy mouth,  
of Christ thy words are rise,  
Why dost thou still deny him then  
so lewdly in thy life?   

Ad Christum.  
Tabesco desiderio tua Regna videndi:  
Hac tu (Christ) tamen da mihi tabe mori,   

I waste with longing Lord  
To see thy kingdoms hie,  
Yet grant me (Christ my God)  
Such wasting death to die.    

A lively description of Ingratitude by a Fable of a Serpent and a wayfaring man.  

A Serpent fast enclosed in a Cave,  
Upon the mouth whereof a stone did lie,  
Did piteously complain and succour crave  
Of such as then by chance were passing by.  
A man there was that did regard his cry,  
And to the Serpent's suit this answer gave:  
Thou wilt invade my life if thine I save.   

The Serpent then unto the man replied,  
O no, not so, but rather if by thee  
My life be saved, which else is here destroyed,  
I'll give thee then the chiefest thing that ye  
Of human race and kind accustomed be  
To give to those who have done for you most:  
O save me man, else here my life is lost.   

The man much pitying his distressed case,  
Removed the stone and let the Serpent out:  
Who being out, did strait his limbs embrace  
And with his hissing wound his legs about:  
Herewith the man grew into fearful doubt,  
And ask what his meaning was thereby,  
To kill thee (quoth the Serpent, here to die:   

For such is the reward (quoth he) that men  
On earth do give and every where bestow  
On those who unto them most firm, have been:  
Ingratitude from each one's breast doth flow,  
And there is none from whom requitals grow.  
The man denying this, they both agreed  
That judges should decide the case: so on they yeede,   

And as they pass, they meet an aged horse,  
deaths picture sure was he, whom late before  
The owner had thrust forth without remorse:  
They in this case of theirs his help implore  
The feeble horse all galled, which grieved him sore,  
Accepted of the charge, and thus began:  
There was a time (quoth he) myself know when,   

For many years a master I did serve,  
Who in my youth was glad to use me well,  
But being old, he gave me leave to stern,  
Because that old, I lame and feeble fell:  
And though in youth I bore away the bell,  
And was esteemed, yet now, my labour past,  
He thrusts me forth an Abject at the last.   

Lo, thus you hear (quoth Serpent) what he says:  
The like requital must thou have of me:  
Not so sir) said the man: This horse's praise  
Is of himself: And yet you plainly see  
His ill deserts, not Age the causes be,  
And being now enlarged from former toil,  
Here may he shift to live upon this Soil.   

And therefore from his Sentence I appeal,  
And will be tried by one that is upright:  
This idle jade decideth not of zeal,  
But what he speaks, he speaketh in despite,  
And would much more if malice were of might:  
The next we meet therefore shall hea●e the strife,  
For why (quoth he) it doth concern my life.   

Then forward still they pass till at the length  
They meet a dog, whom also age had worn,  
A silly Cur was he clean void of strength,  
And one who many miseries had borne,  
An halter lately this poor dog had torn,  
For why, the end then compassed his neck,  
Whereby it seemed he had escaped a check.   

The matter then unto this dog declared,  
Like doom he gave, as did the horse before,  
Whereat the Serpent as a victor fared,  
But yet for this the man would not give over,  
But took exceptions nothing less, but more:  
This halter's end (quoth he) doth well reveal  
What this dog is: wherefore I do appeal   

From him as from the horse: that halter's end  
Doth show, that he condemned was to die  
For some offence, though fortune as his friend  
That fate of his hath turned clean awry,  
And ●ent him strength from halter's strength to fly.  
The Serpent seeing this to be so plain,  
Could not reply, but gave consent again   

That this their cause should once more be referred  
To him whom: next they met. And so content  
They onward walk, and as they then conferred,  
They met a courteous Fox who gravely went 
Referment of a cause to a Fox, is a dangerous re●●●ment.   
In long Furred gown, he to them hearing lent.  
Which done, withdrew himself that he thereby  
Might better use advise to judge truly,   

And secretly unto the man mean while thus spoke:  
My friend (said he) thy life lies in my hand:  
Wilt thou therefore agree if for thy sake 
A corrupt judge.   
I judge the cause (which doubtfully doth stand)  
Upon thy side, that I by promise band  
Shall have the Poultry which thou dost possess,  
I say thy Poultry be they more or less?   

My Poultry? (quoth the man) how can the same  
Serve as a Guerdon for my lives release?  
There shall not one, not Pertellot by name,  
Be kept from thee, nor ever will I cease  
To yield thee year by year of my increase.  
Sufficeth (said the Fox) thus will I do,  
I will require myself to go into   

The Cave to see how there the Serpent lay,  
And when the Serpent is come in t'express  
The manner how, I'll quickly whip away,  
And being gone, then work thine own redress,  
Roll on the stone before he forward press.  
The matter thus agreed, the Fox retires  
Unto the Serpent, and of him requires   

As is in sort declared: They go yfere  
Into the Cave, the Fox soon skippeth out,  
The man who then was standing very near,  
Rolls on the Stone: So things are brought about.  
The Stone once on, not all the learned Rout  
Of Foxes, nor of Serpents in that field  
Could stir the same or any comfort yield   

Unto that traitorous worm enclosed again.  
Then there he lies. And now I will proceed  
To show the rest that hereof doth remain,  
New dishes oft, new Appetites do breed,  
And many a one of later course doth feed,  
'tis tragical that refleth to be told:  
What then? beet good or bad, our course we'll hold.   

The Fox and man together thence do go  
In friendly sort unto the goodman's house  
About the bargain of the Poultry tho.  
But wilt thou go poor Fox? avisa vous.  
Thy bargain will be scarcely worth a louse,  
Th'unthankfulness that reigneth in this Age,  
I fear me Fox, must be thy deaths presage.   

But well, what is foreset, must come to pass:  
Not only death appointed is to all,  
But eke the manner how, as here it was:  
For nought to man or beast by chance doth fall,  
There is none such as men do Fortune call.  
Against black death no craft nor cunning sways:  
The Fox for all his craft must end his days.   

The honest man repeats unto his wife  
The fearful hazards he had late been in,  
And how the Fox preserved had his life,  
And while he spoke the tears ran down his chin,  
Which tears with sobs and sighs he oft did blind.  
His wife attending all the while his tale,  
At length changed colour and waxed wondrous pale:   

O man (quoth she) now blessed be that beast  
By whom thou art restored to me alive:  
Half that we have is with the very lest  
That we unto that blessed Fox should give:  
We must make reckoning never here to thrive,  
If unrewarded this kind beast should be:  
O how my soul doth long his face to see.   

Sweet wife (quoth he) thou speakest nought but truth,  
For what can be too much for life's great gift?  
And sith I see that thou thereon hast ruth,  
I will disclose to thee an honest stift,  
Not doubting but thou wilt allow my drift.  
Thou know'st the Fox no riches doth regard,  
I'll show thee then what shall be his reward:   

Two Cocks and thirteen Hens I think we have,  
And these thou know'st I count not in our State,  
And if with these a greater gift we save,  
Then shall we pass it at an easy rate:  
For who that would have said to me of late,  
What wilt thou give me if I save thy life?  
I would have said, take all except my wife.   

The wife that erst before such Zeal had showed,  
As you have heard, now when it came to proof,  
That words must go with deeds, Lord how she crowd,  
Each word she spoke flew up above the roof.  
The husband half afeard, began to stand aloof:  
Why man (quoth she) our goods and gold are thine,  
But for the Cocks and Hens, they all are mine.   

Give what thou wilt, but give it of thine own:  
A custom 'tis that men do never mell  
With Cocks and Hens which in the house have grown,  
For such small wares the wife doth buy and sell:  
I tell thee man, if thou do wish me well,  
Let no such thought once creep into thy heart:  
For I will die before I'll see them smart.   

Alas, good man, what should he now reply?  
This peremptory speech hath crossed all:  
The Fox for answer stays abroad hard by,  
Expecting still what share to him should fall,  
He little thinks what speech is in the hall.  
Well, yet the man a manly courage took,  
And thus he answered with a manly look:   

And wilt thou (wife) withstand my wills decr●●?  
I tell thee woman I have passed my word.  
Say what thou wilt, the matter needs must be,  
And if thou caused in kindness it afford,  
I will regard thee both at bed and board,  
But if thou seek to thwart my true intent,  
It shall be done, and yet shalt thou repent.   

Which words of his so spoken, had such power  
To quench the fire of her ho●e burning spirit,  
As that her speech, which had been stern and sour,  
Grew instantly to be both calm and sweet.  
Well husband then (quoth she) if you think meet,  
Let it be done: yet thus much let me crave,  
That he may come by night his prey to have:   

For if I should behold, or hear the cry  
That I am sure the silly fowls will make  
When they shall see themselves drawn forth to die,  
Full sure I am that heart and joints would quake:  
Grant this therefore (sweet husband) for my sake,  
That he may come at midnight, not before,  
And I of purpose will leave open the door.   

This suit of thine sweet heart (quoth he) is small,  
The Fox I know will readily assent.  
So cheerfully he trudged out of the hall,  
And to the Fox that lay hard by he went,  
Fuil soon he found the vermin by the sent,  
And making known to him his wives request,  
The Fox agreed and held it for the best.   

But in this while the wife casts by deceit  
And plots how she her pullens lives may save:  
In th'end she doth resolve that at receipt  
His life who saved her husband's life she'll have.  
O cursed wretch whose deed doth so deprave  
The virtue that should be in human race,  
As that for virtue vice doth come in place.   

But what ensures? the Stratagem is set,  
The Fox at midnight comes to have his fee,  
And thinking (wretch, that he should have no let,  
Within the house the mortal Engines be,  
And were so placed because he could not see,  
That he was caught, and caught, was put to death,  
So he poor Fox resigned up his breath.   

And thus we see the Serpents saying here  
Is verifide that men to men do give  
Ill turns for good: for so it doth appear,  
The Fox is killed, the man he saved doth live:  
Mark well the Moral whereunto we drive,  
Ingratitude the Monster of our days,  
In men more than inbeasts itself displays.   

And also note (as to our purpose fit)  
That as the man was moved much by gift  
To save the Serpent's life, and saved it,  
So was the Fox likewise procured to shift  
To save the man: which to our former drift  
Is this, that lives relief is little weighed,  
If for the same be nothing paid.    

Mediocria firma, with advice to Constancy.  

IN height beware of people's hate,  
In wealth beware of bitter want,  
To rich may be a doubtful State,  
To ill is Sat that is to scant.   

The two extremes are always hard,  
The mean t'weene both is always best:  
And so each State with truth confard,  
The mean degree still bringeth rest.   

But whither bale or blithfull bliss  
Betid unto thy changing lot,  
The surest way for thee is this  
And by no means to be forgot:   

Not to be proud of slippery hap,  
Nor to repine at pinching woe,  
But as Dame Fortune changes Sap,  
So let Dame Fortune come and go.   

And so though States do chop and change,  
As oft they change and chop indeed,  
Thy mind shall never wandering range,  
But constantly in things proceed.   

Fortunam reverenter habe, quicunque repent  
Dives ab exili progrediere loco.   
The same in English.  

Who so thou be that suddenly from poor degree art raised,  
Embrace thy fortune reu'rently, and see thy God be praised.   

In Scurram pauperem.  
Scurra ubi iam fures totam sibi nocte videret  
Scrutantes magna sedulitate Domum,  
Risit, et O, media quid vos hic nocte videtis,  
Miror ait, media nil ego cerno die.   
The same in English.  

A scoffing Swain perceiving thieves  
to search his house by night,  
Laughed loud, and to the thieves he said,  
O sirs, your brains be light:  
What mean you at this ceil to search,  
as though you could ●spy  
At midnight that, that I at noon  
●ould never yet come by?    

A return to Gold.  

ANd now to Gold I bend my speech again:  
Go pack thee hence, Corrupter of our 〈◊〉,  
Enclose thyself in Mines, let earth retain  
Thy tyrant corpses, that so on earth d●st rage,  
That makest great ones serve thee as a Page,  
That what thou wilt, by thee is quickly won,  
And what thou wilt, in like degree is done.   

Thou setst th'unlearned in the learned Seat:  
Th'unfaithful Shepherd in true shepherds place,  
Who feeds no flock, but of the flock doth eat:  
Thou mak'st the fool the wiseman to disgrace,  
And him that's lewd the honest to deface.  
Woe worth thee wretch, the troubler of our time,  
By whom the virtuous are held back, and vassals climb.   

And though there be of high and worthy States  
That weigh thee not, but weigh true virtue more, 
I have heard of some honourable, who upon their advancement, have been most careful in the choice of their servants for fear of bribery. God 〈…〉   
Yet through Gehesi and his bribing mates,  
There's little had for such as be but poor:  
Where thou settest foot, the worthy wait at door,  
While claw-back jacks, as brag as body-louse,  
Are entertained in every room ath'house.   

'tis to be read what was in Athens wrought,  
By Phillippe king of Macedon, who thee  
Employed to bring that gallant state to nought,  
By bribing those that were of best degree  
Within the same. The like who might not see  
In England's State, of years not many past,  
As also what became of them at last?   

It were too long to reckon up the whole,  
How Gold corrupts by manifold degrees,  
And how for it full many pill and pole,  
And Lawyers some, do take excessive fees:  
Thou Gold canst make men fly about like Bees.  
But more than that, (would God that were the worst)  
Thou mak'st men swell with pride as they would burst.   

And yet hereby I touch not Lawyers State,  
Nor have intent to quip the learned sort:  
That were an Office for a scurrile mate,  
For there are Lawyers of most worthy port,  
Who still hold out as doth a fenced Fort,  
Well getting Gold, and not inclined to Pride,  
For which good sort due Honours do abide.   

And for the judges of our Common law,  
I speak it from my heart, and so I hold  
That there are none can say, they ever saw  
One judge that's now alive corrupt with gold.  
God grant that they in like sort may be bold  
To keep the Balance tyte twixt small and great, 
Grandibus exigu● sunt pisees piscibus ese●.   
Lest else the small should be the great ones meat.   

I will conclude. Not every State of men,  
But some almost in every State there are,  
Who may be wrought the good with bad to blen,  
If gold, thou gold canst grow unto their share:  
And though that some of them perhaps have care  
To do no wrong, yet wrong they will permit,  
As when they should give help, they silent sit.   

But for as much as many men are led  
By many ways to start aside for Gold,  
And that the mischiefs which are daily bred  
By Money's sway, are great and manifold,  
So great I fear, as hardly can be told,  
Therefore I end my endless plaint with this,  
That God must mend what gold hath made amiss.   

Quid non mortalia pectora cogis Auri sacrafames.   

To what thing is't that Goldene can  
Constrain the thirsting heart of man?  
The heart of man as hard as stone,  
Which yieldeth not to any move,  
But as ●he same with gold is bound,  
So is affection in it found,  
To bring about what may be had,  
Let be the matter good or bad.   

Omnia venalia Nummo.   

Seek gold, seek gold, (good friend) seek gold,  
For gold can all things buy,  
Both virtue, vice, (and else what not?)  
To sale for gold do lie.   

Omnia nummatis loculis sopita quiescunt,  
Cum volet ipse Deus, fiet amaena Dies.   

To him that hath the golden bags  
all things in quiet rest,  
But God can give a golden day  
when he shall think it best.   

Omnia Dives habet, nam praestat omnia Nummus.   

The rich hath all that heart can crave,  
For he with gold all things can have.   

When vices all wax old in man,  
His love of gold grows youthly than.    

To the Right Worshipful and of high deserving Sir julius Caesar Knight, one of the Masters of the Requests to the King's Majesty.  

THough griefs arise in men of troubled hearts,  
Yet when the same by skill of pen are placed,  
Petition-like in writing with the parts,  
Good God, how then such Suitors griefs do waste,  
As though that then their help would come in haste  
But if their Suits do happen on delay,  
Faint grows the hope whereon their hearts did stay.   

If toilsome pain procure dispatch of Suits,  
What ploughman taketh greater pains then yea;  
An open Truth a slanderous lie confutes,  
So what I write, apparently is true:  
And yet (good sir) this sequel may ensue,  
Unless the Suitor do his Suit obta●ne,  
Ill words may come for recompense of pain.   

For why it happens oft, that he who sues,  
Because his mind runs wholly on success,  
If that he hap to ●●are contrary news,  
Then weighing no man's travel more or less,  
Away he goes with great unthankfulness.  
So thankless thoughts and peeches that deprave  
Oft Mediators unto Prince's have.   
Alphensus king of Naples was wont to say of Mediators of Requests unto kings and princes, that they are like unto those who having their dwellings in the middle rooms of a house, are besprinkled with ●rine by those that are above them, and annoyed with filth by those that are below them. 
Sic plerunque Mediatores utrinque leduntur, sicut vespertili● Laceratur a mur●bus & autbus.    

The Author.  

ANd here my Book shall have his end  
with my complaint of Gold;  
God grant that high and holy thing▪  
in sound estate may hold   

And as the seat of justice is  
At this day firm and pure,  
So passages unto the same  
may be both plain and sure,   

Not clogged with shifts and falsity:  
by such as have to deal  
Inferiourly with justice in  
our English commonweal   

That Sut●rs may be 〈…〉  
before they be oppressed  
With bribes and charges in their sute●  
and so for all the rest,  
That Gold may never bear the sway,  
But that true virtue flourish may.   
FINIS.