QVODLIBETS, LATELY COME OVERDO FROM NEW BRITANIOLA, OLD NEWFOUNDLAND.  
Epigrams and other small parcels, both Moral and Divine.  
The first four Books being the Authors own: the rest translated out of that Excellent Epigrammatist, Mr. john Owen, and other rare Authors.  
With two Epistles of that excellently witty Doctor, Francis Rabelais: Translated out of his French at large.  
All of them Composed and done at Harbor-Grace in Britaniola, anciently called Newfoundland.  
By R. H. Sometimes Governor of the Plantation there.  
LONDON, Printed by Elizabeth Allde, for Roger Michael, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Bulls-head. 1628.   

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, CHARLES, by God's especial mercy, King of Great-Britaine, France, and Ireland, etc. Emperor of South, and North Virginia, King of Britaniola, or Newfoundland, and the Isles adjacent, Father, Favourer, and Furtherer of all his loyal Subjects right Honourable and worthy Plantations.  
MAY it please your most Excellent Majesty, this last right worthy attribute of yours (no way insinuated, but justly affixed to your more ancient style) persuades these unworthy papers to presume (with your gracious leave and permission) to take the hardiness to kiss your sacred hands; hoping of the like success, that some unripe ears of corn, brought by me from the cold Country of Newfoundland, received from some honest, well-minded lovers of that action when they saw them: who with much-affected joy often beholding them, took much comfort in what they saw: but more, when they supposed it might be bettered, by industry, care, and honesty. These few bad unripe Rhymes of mine (coming from thence) are in all humility presented with the like intendiment to your Majesty, to testify that the Air there is not so dull, or malevolent, but that if better wits were transplanted thither, neither the Summer's heat would dilate them, nor the Winter's cold benumb them, but that they might in full vigour flourish to good purpose. For if I now grown dull and aged, could do somewhat, what will not sharper, younger, freer inventions perform there? They would not walk as I here do, with short turns, leaning sometimes on others inventions, skipping weakly from bough to bough; but with large walks, with long, and strong flights. I suppose it not fit at this time (but attending the success of this presumption) in some other larger manner to make known unto your Majesty, the inestimable riches of the Seas circuling that Island: The hopeful improvements of the main Land thereof: The more than probable, unualuable hidden treasures therein: The infinite abundance of combustible fierce materials fit for such an employment. It is only the Air at this time I desire to dignify, and that which is within that Horizon: Yet is my proof rather in hope of others, then in any actuated performance of mine own. If your Majesty will be pleased to give credit to your meanest subject, I may engage myself on this asseveration, That not only in this unprofitable (though not unpleasant) Art, better wits would thrive there: but all other solid learning would walk uprightly without convulsions. I cannot but know, how almost all your Royal hours are taken up in most Real, serious, solid employments: did I therefore imagine, that either your Majesty could, or graciously would vouchsafe the reading of these; they would be found some mine own, the rest, Translations. Mean and unworthy though they are, yet because some of them were borne, and the rest did first speak English, in that Land whereof your gracious Majesty is the right, and lawful Sovereign, and King, by ancient descent and primary possession, and being the first fruits of this kind, that ever visited this Land, out of that Dominion of yours; I thought it my duty, to present and to prostrate these with myself at your Royal feet: For what I have mistakingly offended herein, or shall hereafter, I humbly beseech your Majesty's gracious, merciful, general, indulgence and pardon, unfeignedly beseeching God to bless your Majesty with abundance of all Earthly and Heavenly blessings. And that you may see an happy success of all your Foreign Plantations, especially of that of Newfoundland, I remain  
Your Majesties well meaning and loyal Subject, ROBERT HAYMAN.   

My humble Muse, desires likewise to kiss your sacred hands.  
Fair, Bright, Illustrious Daystar of our times!  
Cast a fair aspect on my short breathed Rhymes:  
If these to kiss your hands, are found unmeet,  
I throw myself down at your Royal feet.  
Humbly kisseth your sacred hands, the short-breathed Muse of ROBERT HAYMAN.   

To my dear Friend and Fellow-Planter, Master Robert Hayman, who with Pen and Person prepares more room for Christians in the Newfound-World.  
WHilst worldlings most build Castles in the Air,  
Nibbling on baits, like Orpheus and Sems' heir:  
You spend your time both with your Muse and hand,  
To edify our hopeful Newfoundland.  
To tame the rude, doth argue a brave spirit:  
But to save souls, are works of greatest merit.  
To plant and fish, from sloth you those persuade:  
From errors these, to a more heavenly trade.  
Thus whilst but dorsse some raking slaves engross,  
You dig new grounds, and root up Trees and Moss.  
You show the means to cut off suits and strife;  
Means for good men, to lead a pleasant life.  
You search the Seas, and anchor with strong cables:  
Which deeds you build on faith, as those on Babel's.  
Thus he who borrowed twice sweet Orpheus' name;  
Poor Cambriols Lord, adds to your rising fame.  
Your true friend William Vaughan.   

To the Facetious Epigrammatist, my loving Kinsman, Mr. Robert Hayman, who composed these acquaint Quodlibets at Harbor-grace, in Newfoundland.  
YOur modest lines begot in Harbor-Grace,  
Do grace that Harbour in old Newfoundland,  
Your witty lines the Muses do embrace.  
Parnassus' Nymphs admiring, mutely stand,  
Seeing such sweet flowers from that barren soil,  
As your neat Quodlibets which there did spring,  
To Owen's Genius you have given the foil.  
By your sweet Epigrams, you there did sing.  
I would you had the grace with our great King;  
To do there your desires: A greater thing.  
Your loving Kinsman, Richard Spicer.   

To the Lovers of the Muses, upon these Quodlibets.  
WHy do so many fond dote upon  
Parnassus Tempe, and that Helison  
Renowned by the Greeks? why praise they so  
The Muses haunting Tiber, Thame, and Po;  
As if no other Hill, or Grove, or Spring,  
Should yield such Raptures, as these forth did bring?  
Behold, even from these uncouth shores, among  
Unpeopled woods, and hills, these strains were sung:  
And most of theirs they seem to parallel,  
Who boast to drink of Aganippe's well.  
Despair not therefore, you that love the Muses,  
If any Tyrant, you, or yours abuses:  
For these will follow you, and make you mirth,  
e'en at the furthest Angles of the Earth,  
And those contentments which at home ye lose,  
They shall restore you among Beasts and Trees.  
Yours, George Wither.   

An Acrostick-Sonnet. To his learned and well-beloved friend, Mr.  

Recreated with sweet savours  
Of thy various curious Labours,  
Beautified with Arts trim Treasures,  
Excellent for Poeticke-Measures;  
Rapt (I say) with so rare view,  
Thanks (me thinks) at least, was due.   

here, I found such fragrant flowers,  
As, best dressed Urania's Bowers;  
Yielding Scents and Sights admired,  
Meet, the Muse's Brows t'have tired:  
As, They (then) are, thus graced by Thee,  
Never, may They, Grace, deny Thee.   

Ad eundem: Per eundem.  
IF Newfoundland yield such commodities,  
I'd thither trade, for so rare Merchandise.  
Yours, john Vicars.    

Upon this Anagram of my name, and the device of the West-Indian Guane.  

. Harm I bore not.   depiction of iguana  
IF some should meet this Beast upon the way,  
Would not their heartsblood thrill for great affray?  
Yet the West-Indian that best knows his nature,  
Sesse, there is not any more harmless Creature.  
So though my lines have much deformity,  
Their end mine Anagram shall verify.   


AA   
THE FIRST BOOK OF QVODLIBETS, DONE AND COMPOSED BY THE AUTHOR himself.  

1. Of mine own Quodlibets.  
THough my best lines no dainty things affords,  
My worst have in them some thing else then words.   

2. To my Readers.  
I kept these closely by me some few years,  
Restrained by my knowledge, and my fears:  
I fear they are too shallow for the Schools,  
I know they are too deep for shallow fools,  
Yet there are many of a middle breeding  
May think them good: nay richly worth the reading.   

3. To the perpetual renown of our learned King JAMES, King of Great Britain, etc. of famous memory.  
Wales, England, Scotland long did disagree,  
Yet like a threefoldcord accord in Thee,  
Such a cord hardly breaks, being wisely twist:  
These three combined, may the whole world resist.   

4. Old Lelius to his wise friend Scipio.  
Let us sit down and by the fires light,  
Let our discourse be without saucy spite,  
we'll tell old toothless tales, which cannot bite,  
Whilst young Fools to talk Treason take delight.   

5. Why God gives some Fool's riches, and some wise men none. To a discreet friend.  
Why fretst thou so, and art so sullen grown?  
Thy neighbour Fool gets wealth, and thou getst none.  
Wise, merciful, and just is God in it:  
For he hath given him riches, and thee wit.  
Alas poor Fool, if that he had no wealth,  
He hath not wit to comfort his sad self.   

6. An old Apothecary made a new Doctor.  
He killed by others warrant formerly,  
He kills now by his own authority.   

7. God doth all in all.  
It's held, The Stars govern the works of Men:  
It's likewise held, Wisemen may govern them:  
I hold, God overrules Wise, Ways, and Stars:  
It's He that humbleth, and it's He prefers.   

8. A worldly Man will have it by hook or by crook.  
If wealth I cannot catch with Virtue's hook,  
I'll haule it to me, by my crafty Crook.   

9 Thrifty Charity, to a nameless Friend.  
On this Text thou dost seize, with griping hold,  
Who gives the Poor, he shall receive fourfold.  
This Text thou dost some pretty room afford,  
Who gives the Poor, doth lend unto the Lord:  
But this hard Text doth go against thy grain,  
Give cheerfully, looking for nought again.   

10. Borrowing on Time, is worse than Birdlime.  
As Fowlers use to take their Fowl with Lime:  
So Usurers take borrowing Fools with Time.  
Great danger'tis, for Birds, Birdlime to touch▪  
Not to keep Touch with Usurers it's as much.   

11. To a kind Foole.  
Oft into Bonds for others thou hast run,  
But by those Bonds, thyself thou hast undone.  
No luggler ever showed us such a cast,  
To be undone by being bound so fast.  
So Drunkards do with a like juggling trick,  
By gulping others healths, themselves make sick.   

12. Travelling in England.  
The travelling fashion of our Nation,  
To pay without examination:  
What our hard-rented Oasts may get thereby,  
Is Noble, Loose, Brave, Prodigality.   

13. A persuasion to Humility.  
As when the Moon after the Sun doth go,  
She daily doth, fairer, and fuller grow;  
But when that She doth go before the Sun,  
Her light grows less, and less, till she have none:  
So whilst we follow God in humble fear,  
His Grace in us, will beauteously appear:  
But if we go before God in presumption,  
His Grace in us will soon have a consumption.   

14. Why there are so few Hospitals built.  
It us hath Will, but wants good Means to do it.  
Croesus hath Means, but wants a Will unto it.   

15. Lawyer's profitable pastime.  
Lawyers do call Plaintiffs Defence, their Plea:  
It rather might be called Lawyers Play.   

16. The policy of the Whore of Babylon.  
As common Queans have several acquaint devices,  
To hook all kind of men, by their entices:  
So the spiritual Whore of Babylon  
Hath several gins to entrap every one:  
For Villains, Wantoness, easy Indulgences:  
For Zealous, Wise, Angelical pretences;  
For High-mindes, Spenders, honour she dispenses;  
For Women, Fools, fine shows to please their senses.   

17. To Baldpate.  
Though I want years, yet hoar I am through cares:  
But Whores have made thy head white, without hairs.   

18. Worse than naught.  
Thou art not worthy of a Satyr's quill:  
An Epigrams too short to show thine ill.   

19 Two filthy fashions.  
Of all fond fashions, that were worn by Men,  
These two (I hope) will ne'er be worn again:  
Great Codpist Doublets, and great Codpist britch,  
At several times worn both by mean and rich:  
These two had been, had they been worn together,  
Like two Fools, pointing, mocking each the other.   

20. Fools are more masters of their wives then wise men. Scarce a Paradox.  
Wise men for shame mildly away will go,  
Fools will stand stiffly to't and have it so:  
Wise men for quietness will sometimes yield.  
Though Fools be beaten, they'll not quit the field.   

22. To a Pardon-Buyer.  
The Pope gives thee a sweeping Indulgence,  
But thou must give him good store of thy pence:  
So my Lord Mayor gives spoons all guilded o'er,  

Every Lord Mayor of London doth yearly give a guilded spoon to most of his Company, & at a solemn Feast, each guest gives him 4. or 5. l. or more towards his charge.  Receives for each four or five pounds therefore.   

22. Worse than a Whore.  
Our common Whores turn Roman Catholics,  
By that means they get Pardons for tricks:  
These wand'ring Stars of common occupation,  
Are rightly sphered in this large Constellation:  
I envy not that Church, that us so spite's,  
For fingering such notorious Procelites.   

23. Why Kings speak in the Plural.  
Princes speak in the plural Us, and We:  
It is their charge, from wrongs to keep Us free,  
And We are wronged when They wronged be:  
Thus Plurals with their Plural charge agree.   

24. The effects of God's Word.  
God's Word, to Sheep is grass; to Swine, hard stones;  
Unto Believers, Flesh; too others, Bones.   

25. A Scottish Honest Man. A Londoners Good Man.  
An Honest man, as Scot'shmen understand,  
Is one, that much gudes hath, at command.  
A Good man, in the Londoners account,  
Is one, whose wealth to some Sum doth amount.  
Lord, make me Honest, Good by thy instruction:  
Then Good and Honest after their construction.   

26. How and whereof to jest.  
jest fairly, freely: but exempt from it,  
men's misery, State business, Holy writ.   

27. The World's Whirlegigge.  
Plenty breeds Pride; Pride, Envy, Envy, War,  
War, Poverty, Poverty humble Care.  
Humility breeds Peace, and Peace breeds Plenty;  
Thus round this World doth roll alternatly.   

28. On a Good fellow Papist, who makes no bones to eat Flesh on Fasting days.  
Thou hold'st, thou sayest, the old Religion,  
Yet I know, the new Diet best likes thee.  
That which thou call'st the new opinion,  
I hold, yet the old Diet best likes me.   

29. Poperies Pedigree.  
Papistry is an old Religion,  
Some part more old than Circumcision,  
And some as ancient as are Moses Laws,  
From whose Lees she some Ceremonies draws,  
Which she will hold, by old tradition.  
It is indeed a new hodg-podgerie,  
Of jewish rites, elder Idolatry:  
Of these old simples a new composition.   

30. The Married, to the Chaste.  
It would this World quickly depopulate,  
If every one should dye in your estate.   

31. The Chaste, to the Married.  
Therein you have the odds, herein we're even:  
You fill the world, but we do people heaven.   

32. A Description of a Puritan, out of this part of the Litany, From Blindness of Heart, Pride, Vain glory, etc.  
Though Puritans the Litany deride,  
Yet out of it they best may be descried:  
They are blind-hearted, Proud, Vainglorious,  
Deep Hypocrites, Hateful and Envious,  
Malicious, in a full high excess,  
And full of all Uncharitableness.   

A Prayer hereupon.  
Since all tart Puritans are furnished thus,  
From such false Knaves (Good Lord deliver us.)   

33. Love is betwixt Equals.  
Rich friends for rich friends, will ride, run and row,  
Through dirt and dangers, cheerfully they'll go:  
If poor friends come home to them, for a pleasure,  
They cannot find the Gentleman at leisure.   

34. The difference betwixt good men and bad, is best seen after death.  
Good men like waxe-lights blown out, savour well:  
Bad men like tallow, leave a stinking smell.  
Bad men's Fame may flame more while they have breath,  
But Good men's Name, smell sweeter after death.   

35. To Sir Peirce Pennyless.  

He walks out his dinner in Paul's, and his supper in ●●e Exchange.  Though little coin thy purse-lesse pocket line,  
Yet with great company thou art ta'en up,  
For often with Duke Humphrey thou dost dine,  
And often with Sir Thomas Gresham sup.   

36 The reward of Charity. To a rich Friend.  
Wouldst thou be pitied after thou art dead?  
Be pitiful whilst thou thy life dost lead:  
If whilst thou livest, the poor thou dost relieve,  
Fearing the like supply for thee they'll grieve:  
If now thou giv'st them nought, when thou art gone,  
They will be glad, hoping for a new gown.   

37. What have Foolish men to do with Prince's Secrets? Thought upon, on the preparation of a great Fleet, and may serve for all such actions hereafter.  
Fond men do wonder where this Fleet shall go:  
I should more wonder, if that I should know.   

38. A Secret of State.  
Though Peace be love liar, honourabler than War,  
Yet warlike Kings most loved, and honoured are.   

39 Kings Paramount Subjection.  
What ways Kings walk, Subjects the same will go.  
And many Kings, expect they should do so:  
Therefore should Kings follow the King Almighty:  
Kings are Gods 
Rom. 6. ver. 16.  Subjects, if they govern rightly.   

40. Why Women are longer attiring of themselves then Men.  
Women tiring themselves have many lets,  
Their Fillets, Frontlet's, Partlets, and Bracelets:  
Whilst downe-right-neatlesse-plaine men have but one,  
A Duoblet double-let in putting on.   

41 Christ and Antichrist.  
Christ in the Temple shopboords overthrew,  
Whipped thence the buying and the selling crew.  
The Pope 
In the year of jubilee.  in his Church, sets up his free Fair,  
And whips all those, that will not buy his Ware.   

42. Wise men may be mistaken. Puritans ragged Reason of the rag of Popery, and Papists rotten Reason of threadbare Antiquity.  
Some too precise, will not some customs use,  
Because that Papists did them once abuse:  
As good a reason in sincerity,  
As Papists oldness without verity.  
Though these deserve to be hist off the Schools,  
Yet they are held by those that are no Fools.   

42 Unrighteous Mammon.  
Poet's feigned Pluto, God of wealth, and Hell:  
For they perceived few got their riches well.   

44. A Dialogue betwixt a Wise King and a good Christian. The Wise King.  
My neighbour's secrets I desire to know,  
That I their private plots may overthrow.   

The good Christian.  
I do neglect my Neighbours words, and deeds,  
I carefully survey mine own proceeds.   

The Wise King.  
If that my friends offer to do me harm,  
I smite them first, and seek them to disarm.   

The good Christian.  
Though that my Foes do wrong me every hour,  
I do them all the good lies in my power.   

The Wise King.  
By these and justice, I shall wisely reign.   

The Good Christian.  
By this and faith, Heaven's Kingdom I shall gain.   

45. Sad-mens' lives are longer than Merry-mens' A Paradox.  
To him, whose heavy grief hath no allay  
Of lightning comfort, three hours is a day:  
But unto him, that hath his hearts content,  
Friday is come, ere he thinks Tuesday spent.   

46. Poperies principal Absurdities.  

In Papistical Churches, they both read the Scripture and sing and pray to Images, and all in Lattaine.  Of all the hoodwinked tricks in Popery,  
This is the lamentablest foppery:  
When God is made to speak, and to command  
Men, in a tongue they do not understand,  
And Men commanded are to Sing and Pray  
To such fond things that know not what they say,  
And these men having madly, sadly prayed,  
Themselves do not know, what themselves have said.   

47. Of those who are too Kind, too Courteous, etc. Who overdo good things.  
Exuberant goodness, good men's names have stained,  
Their too rank Virtue is by some disdained.  
Yet 'tis not Vice, but Virtue over strained.   

48. Some men's Testament is not their Will.  
He that will nothing spare whilst he doth live,  
And when he dies, unwillingly doth give,  
Bequeathing what he gladly would keep still,  
Makes a good Testament, but an ill Will.   

49. Why Wives can make no Wills.  
Men, dying make their Will●: why cannot Wives?  
Because, Wives have their wills, during their lives.   

50. A just Retaliation.  
Dead Men bite not: great reason is there then,  
That we which now do live, should not bite them.   

51. A Prayer.  
Lord, send me Patience and Humility,  
And then send Plenty, or Adversity:  
So if I be observed, or disrespected,  
I shall not be puffed up, nor yet dejected.   

52. Reverend Grave Preachers.  
On holy days, I would hear such a Man,  
Grave, holy, full of good instruction.   

53 Neat, acquaint, nimble Pulpit Wits.  
These nimble Lads are fit for working days,  
Their witty Sermons may keep some from plays.   

54. divers complexions, and diverse Conditions.  
A quiet, chaste mind, in flesh fair, and neat,  
Is like to dainty sauce, and dainty meat.  
A handsome body, with a mind debaust,  
Is like to dainty meat sluttishly saust.  
A good wise mind, in flesh ill-favoured,  
Is course meat, sweetly saust, well-savoured.  
A froward, lewd mind in an ill shaped seat,  
Is scuruy-scuruy sauce, and scurvy meat.   

55. Our Births, and Deaths, Rejoicing, and Mourning.  
When we are borne, our friends rejoice, we cry:  
But we rejoice, our friends mourn when we die.   

56. The Vanity of a Papistical Shift.  
You say you worship not the wood, nor stone,  
For that's but the representation.  
Wise Heathen used this Fine Distinction.  
Millions that know not this subtlety,  
Commit plain, palpable Idolatry.  
Which you in them, do take some pains to breed,  
That on their offerings you may fatly feed:  
Why cause you else your Saints to weep, sweat, bleed?   

57 Curious barley Brethren.  
Those that will have all Names out of God's book,  
And hold all other Names in detestation:  
Poor begging Lazarus Name, these never took,  
They more fear poverty, than Profanation.   

58. A Scrivener on a Trotter.  
Scrivener's get most by riding trotting horses,  
Copper-Ars, and Gall, for Ink towards their losses.   

59 women's wise Tears.  
Disburthening tears breeds sad hearts some relief,  
And that's one cause, few Women die of grief.   

60. To my Reader.  
If brevity my Reader do displease.  
I use it more for his, then for my ease.   

62. Youth's conceit, and Ages knowledge.  
I thought myself wise when I was at School,  
But now I know, I was, and am a Foole.   

63. Hearbe-grace commonly called rue.  
chaste men with name of Herb of Grace this graced,  
Because thereby, they thought they were kept chaste.  
Some women hereupon did name it Rew.  
Because thereby they thought they lost their Due.   

64. To Writers of Heretical, and Keepers of false Books.  
When ye before God's judgemen Seat shall come,  
Out of your own books, ye shall read your doom:  
God need not to produce his own True Book,  
For He doth daily on your False books look.   

65. To a Periwiggian, who hopes to gain by some friend's death.  
Thou mayst well hope to be some deadman's heir,  
For thou already wear'st some dead-men's hair.   

66. Gossipes and Goodwives.  
Whither go these Good wives so neat and trim?  
They go a sipping, or a gossipping.  
Come hither, Boy, wipe clean my Spectacles,  
I shall see none of these Good-women else.   

67. A young Saint, an old Devil, to a Contous old Man.  
Thou changed art of late (as I am told)  
Less charitable grown, as thou growest old;  
Thy former good was heat of youth in thee,  
For grace once rooted, will grow like a Tree.  
Which never can eradicated be.   

68 A mad Wenches justice..  
Since not to be thy wife's head thou dost scorn.  
Think this as just, The head must wear the Horn.   

69. We are God's Husbandry, or Gods crop out of a fortile Christian Soul.  
A good Soul dressed with Zeal, ploughed up with fear,  
Watered with God's grace, a large crop will bear,  
The root firm Faith, Hope, the blade spreading fair,  
From these spring's Love, into a large full ear:  
The root is sure, the blade endures the storm,  
With sheaves of Love we must fill full God's Barn.   

70. To a fair Whore.  
When we do see a woman sweetly fair,  
We say that God hath done his part in her,  
Thou passing fair, but passing wicked art,  
In thee therefore Satan hath played his part.   

71. Riches is now a days the House upon men's heads.  
In elder times good Manners made a Man:  
In our wise age, good Manors maketh one.   

72. Monies Etymology.  
Money that's Moon I: for when I have none,  
I pensive am, and sad, and sigh, and moan.   

73. The Treasure of the Church, or the Pope's Exchequer.  
Wert not for the huge, large, imagined chest,  
The Key whereof hangs at the Popes own breast,  
Where over-doers works, are ranged for buyers,  
For profane Traitors, Gripers, Lechers, Liars,  
The Pope's strong-bard-chest would be lined but thin,  
A bag would serve to keep his treasure in.   

74. A wicked, contentious man's Epitaph.  
None living loved him, for his death none grieved,  
Save some say, Grief it was he so long lived.   

75. An Epitaph. On every well meaning man undone by his kindness.  
My rich heart made me Poor, comforting Sad,  
My helping, Impotent, my Goodness Bad.   

76. To one of Fortune's white Sons.  
Thou hast lived many years in perfect health,  
Great friends thou hast, for thou hast got much wealth,  
All things fall pat with thee, which thou wouldst have,  
Were it not pity thou shouldst be a Knave?   

77. Death, and War.  
War begets Famine, famine, Plague, plague Death,  
War breathes forth woes, but Death stops all woes breath,  
War is great A of ills, and Death is Z.  
In wars red Letters, Death's feast-days are read.   

78. The Popish Legend. The jewish Talmoud. Mahomet's Alcheron.  
The Legend, Talmoud, and the Alcheron,  
Are differing lies, for one intention,  
They work for differing works framed on one frame,  
Like, lewd, large lies, fit for the whetstone game:  
One way they tend, though several ways proceed,  
He well believes, who makes them not his Creed.   

79. To an Armenian Canary Bird.  
Thou that think'st good works in God's nose so savoury,  
What savour think'st thou smells he in thy knavery?   

80. Faith without Works, Works without Faith.  
To believe and live ill, is but to think,  
Without Faith's salt, Goodworks will quickly-stinke.   

81. Ungirt, Unblessed.  
Ungirt, unblessed: a Proverb old, and good,  
A true one too, if rightly understood:  
Unblessed he shall be everlastingly,  
Who is not girt with Christian 
* Ephes. 6.14.  verily.   

82. True Chastity.  
Not, who doth not, yet gladly would go to it,  
Is chaste, but he that may, and will not do it.   

83. From hardness of heart, good Lord deliver us.  
It's God alone that makes a tender heart.  
To make hearts hard, ours and the Devil's part▪   

84. A persuasion to Heaven.  
Where Heaven is, all our Divines agree,  
They cannot well tell, where Hell's seat should be.  
Why should we not, to known Heaven bend our race?  
Rather than by sin seek an unknown place?   

85. To a nameless Religious Friend.  
Why dost thou every Sermon God's Word call,  
Since Preachers broach damned errors, flatter, brawl?  
Indeed thou mayst Sermons this praise afford,  
It is, or should be, God's own holy Word.   

86. To King JAMES, King of Great Britain, etc. of blessed memory.  
Our Ministers in their Euangeling,  
Praying for thee, style thee Great Britain's King:  
Our Lawyers pleading in Westminster Hall,  
Of England, and of Scotland King thee call.  
For what great mystery, I cannot see,  
Why Law, and Gospel should thus disagree.  
Only I judge, that Preachers give thee thine,  
By their Law it's as lawful as Divine.   

87. The most Catholic King of Spain.  
The Spanish King is styled Most Catholic:  
In it is hid a acquaint mysterious trick,  
His meaning is not in Religion,  
But he intends it in Dominion.   

88 What use old Moons are put to.  
What doth become of old Moons thou dost ask,  
And where her borrowed influence she shades?  
For me to tell thee, 'twere too hard a task,  
A witty Wag says, They fill women's heads.   

89. Little Legs, and less wit.  
At first me thought a wise man thou shouldst be,  
For Calf about thee I could no where see:  
'tis thought thy Calves are walked into thy brain,  
For all thy talk is in a Calvish vain.   

90. Problematically proving, that the City of Rome is not the seat of CHRIST'S Vicar General.  
Since Christ his old choice City ruined,  
'Cause it despised Him, and his Saint's blood shed,  
Why should He Rome, with supreme Grace enable?  
Who killed him, and of his innumerable?   

91. I prove it thus.  
Our Lord was Crucifi'd by Pilat's doom,  
His death was Roman, and his judge of Rome,  
And of his death the chief pretended cause, 
* john 19. 1●.   
Was for the breach of Rome's Imperial Laws:  
And the ten bloody persecutions,  
Was by th'authority of Rome's great ones.   

92. Two Proverbs coupled.  
As those that get goods ill, do them ill spend,  
So an ill life makes an ungodly end.   

93. Good Counsel, ill Example.  
Those that persuade others to Godliness,  
And live themselves ungodly ne'ertheless:  
Are like a ships Cook, that calls all to prayer,  
And yet the greasy Carl will net come there.   

94. To an Upstart.  
Thine old friends thou forgettest, having got wealth:  
No marvel, for thou hast forgot thyself.   

95. Christ in the midst.  
He that on earth with low humility,  
Betwixt two thieves upon Mount Caluary,  
Acted his Passive-active Passion,  
In highest heaven in supreme dignity,  
Seating himself betwixt the Deity,  
Acts his Active-passive compassion.  
O let me bear what thou dost act in me,  
And act what may be suffered by Thee!   

96. God's Word is a two-edged Sword.  
God's Word wounds both ways like a two-edged Sword,  
The Preachers, and the Hearers of the Word:  
The fore edge wounds the Hearers on the pate,  
The backe-edge on the Preachers doth rebate.   

97. To the admirably witty, and excellently learned Sir Nicholas Smith, Knight, of Lorkbeare near Exeter, my ancient friend. Taking occasion of an Anigram of his. N. S. Tulaus mihi eos es.  
Praises on duller wits a sharp edge breeds,  
Your Wit's all edge, he no such whetstone needs.  
Yet your steeled judgement, sharp invention,  
Temperd with learning, and discretion,  
Millions of praises merits as their due:  
Who knows you well, knows well that I speak true.   

98. To the right worshipful William Noy, Esquire, one of the Benchers of Lincoln's Inue, long since of my acquaintance both in Oxford and London.  
Noah the second father of all souls.  
Had in his Ark all beasts, and feathered fowls.  
You in your Ark, as in a plenteous hoard,  
Have stored what Wit, or Learning can afford:  
For all Laws, Common, Civil, or Divine,  
For Histories of old, or of our time,  
For Moral Learning, or Philosophy,  
You are an exact, living Library.  
But your rich mind mixed with no base allay,  
Is ancient Opher of the old assay.  
I may fear drowing, launch I further forth,  
In the large, full, deep Deluge of your worth.   

99 To the right worshipful Nicholas Duck, Esquire, one of the Benchers of Lincoln's Inn, and Recorder of the City of Exeter, my Cousin German.  
Although those Creatures, called by your name,  
For their delight in dirt, deserve much blame▪  
And though that some of your profession,  
Are glad when they have got possession.  
Of the foul end, or will dirt a clear case:  
You in your Circuittread a cleaner pace.  
I know it, you abhor those sordid things,  
And where 'twas foul before, you clear the springs:  
For which, wise honest men you high esteems,  
May your young Duckling paddle in like streams.   

100 To the right worshipful Arthur Duck, Doctor of the Civil Law, and Chancellor of London, Bath and Wells, my Cousin German.  
To correct Sin and Folly to disgrace,  
To find out Truth, and Cunning steps to trace,  
To do this mildly, with an upright pace.  
Are virtues in you fitted for your place.   

101. An Epithalamium. On the Marriage of Doctor Arthur Duck, with one of the Daughters and Coheires of Henry Southworth Esquire.  
Amongst your best friends I am not ingrate  
To God, who hath you given so good a mate,  
Fair, Virtuous, Loving, with a great estate.  
Would I had such another at the rate.   

102. To the right worshipful William Hackwell Esquire, one of the Benehers of Lincoln's Inn, my ancient kind friend.  
Your large, complete, solid, sufficiency,  
Hid in the veil of your wise modesty,  
Your acquaint, neat learning, your acute quick wit,  
And sincere heart, for great employments fit:  
Beside your Law, wherein you do excel,  
Because you little show of your great deal,  
None can know well, except they know you well.   

103. To the Reverend George Hackwell, Doctor in Divinity, Archdeacon of Surry, my ancient & kind friend.  
Should I dilate all your great gifts at large,  
Which for my weak Muse were too hard a charge,  
An Epigram would to a volume grow,  
If I their large particulars should show.  
You have your brother's whole sufficiency:  
Save for his Law, you have Divinity:  
This may I add, and with great joy relate:  
For which to you obliged is our whole State,  
In our blessed best plot, you have sowed good seeds,  
Which do out-grow Nature's quick-growing weeds.   

104. To the right worshipful john Barker Esquire, late Mayor of the City of Bristol, my loving and kind brother in Law.  
Bristol, your Birth place (where you have augmented  
Much, your much left you) is well recompensed.  
In Counsel Office, and in Parliament,  
For her good you have showed your good intent:  
As you do grace the place that did you breed,  
I pray, your Son's sons may there so succeed.   

105 To the wise and learned S. B. K. Knight.  
A Poet rich, a judge, and a Just man,  
In few but you, are all these found in one.   

106 To the right worshipful john Doughty, Alderman of Bristol, of his right worthy wife, my especial good friends.  
I have heard many say they'd not remarry,  
If before them their kind wives should miscarry,  
I fear, some of them from their words would vary.  
Should your wife dye, sad sole you would remain.  
I have sufficient reason for my aim,  
You cannot find so good a wife again.   

107. To the worshipful, Richard Long of Bristol, Merchant, and his good wife, my kind and loving friends.  
Unthankfulness is the great Sin of Sins,  
But Thankfulness to Kindness, kindness wins.  
For your dear love accept my thanks therefore.  
An honest heart is grieved he can no more.   

108 To the Reverend Doctor, Thomas Winnife, Deane of Gloucester, Prebend of Paul's, and Chaplain to King CHARLES, anciently of my acquaintance in Exeter College in Oxford.  
Your solid learning, and sincere behaviour,  
Have worthily brought you into great favour,  
And you are Deane of Gloria Caesaris,  
Such Chaplains our great Caesar's glory is. 
Some derive Gloster from Gloria Caesari, others from Claudius Caesar.    

109 To the right worshipful Richard Spicer, Doctor of Physic, my loving and kind Kinsman.  
Apollo, first Inventor of your Art,  
His hidden secrets doth to you impart,  
Old Galen, Avicen, and all the rest,  
Have with their knowledge your grave judgement blest,  
You are both wise and happy in your skill,  
Doing continual good, and no man ill.   

110. To the right worshipful Robert Viluain, Doctor of Physic, my ancient friend, in Exeter College in Oxford.  
Let me change your Paternal name Vilvaine,  
Somewhat more aptly, and call you Feele-vaine,  
In Physic still you are as good as any,  
And with your Recipes you have helped many,  
Wherefore in troops the to sick you repair,  
Who hath your help, need not of health despair.   

111. To the Reverend, learned, acute, and witty, Master Charles Fitz-Geoffery, Bachelor in Divinity, my especial kind friend, most excellent Poet.  
Blind Poet Homer you do equalise,  
Though he saw more with none, than most with eyes.  
Our Geoffery Chaucer, who wrote quaintly, neat,  
In verse you match equal, him in conceit,  
Featured you are like Homer in one eye.  
Rightly surnamed the Son of Geoffery.   

112. To a right worshipful, discreet, sober Gentleman, a justice of Peace, who of a wild demean young Gentleman, is now become a Reverend Minister, a painful Preacher, and a worthy Example.  
You know, I know, what kind of man you were;  
Not like to make the man that now you are:  
Your buds of Grace, were overgrown with folly,  
These weeds plucked up, you are grown wholly holy,  
From a strange, loose, wild, waggish Libertine,  
A Doctor learned, Preacher sweet, Divine.  
Many take Orders, livings to obtain.  
Plenty you had, Christ's glory was your aim,  
Your Friends joyed much, when they saw you so given,  
Ineffable's the joy that was in heaven.   

113. To the same Reverend Doctor.  
You are turned old Saint, leaving your young evils,  
Whilst many young Saints, do become old Devils.   

114. To my honest Bed-fellow the privately Charitable, discreetly Beneficial, Master Edward pain, Merchant of Bristol.  
Piein is Greek, to drink: Pain, French, for bread:  
With Pain (God says) with these we shall be fed,  
Yet without pain, many these needfuls gain,  
Only by thanking God, and Master pain.   

115. To squinteyed, envious Momus.  
For praising These, do not thou dispraise me;  
If thou wilt be as these are, I'll praise thee.   

116. A little of my unworthy Self.  
Many of these were my familiars,  
Much good, and goods hath fallen unto their shares,  
They have gone fairly on in their affairs:  
Good God, why have I not so much good lent!  
It is thy will, I am obedient:  
What thou hast, what thou wilt, I am content,  
Only this breeds in me much heaviness,  
My love to this Land I cannot express,  
Lord grant me power unto my willingness.   

117. A Skeltonicall continued rhyme, in praise of my Newfoundland.  
Although in clothes, company, buildings fair,  
With England, Newfoundland cannot compare:  
Did some know what contentment I found there,  
Always enough, most times somewhat to spare,  
With little pains, less toil, and lesser care,  
Exempt from taxings, ill news, Lawing, fear,  
If clean, and warm, no matter what you wear,  
Healthy, and wealthy, if men careful are,  
With much-much more, than I will now declare,  
(I say) if some wise men knew what this were,  
(I do believe) they'd live no other where.   

118. A Napkin to wipe his mouth that waters at these deserved Commendations.  
Thus for this hopeful Country at this Time,  
As it grows better, I'll have better Rhyme.   
The end of the first Book.   


1. To the Reader of my reprehending general Epigrams.  
I Do not, nor I dare not squib the State:  
Such oultrequidant sauciness I hate:  
Nor do I mean any one Man herein;  
In private terms, I lash a public sin;  
If any guilty think I him do mean,  
He judgeth right: for I at him do aim.   

2. Of the like Epigrams. To the right worshipful and learned, Simon Baskervile, Doctor of Physic.  
Epigrams are much like to Oxymell,  
Hony and Vinegar compounded well:  
Hony, and sweet in their invention,  
Vinegar in their reprehension.  
As sour, sweet Oxymell, doth purge though phlegm:  
These are to purge Vice, take them as they mean.   

3. A Problem of Children.  
Since God complains of too few Children,  
And Satan hath for God's One, more than ten,  
Yet still would have more. Why should Man alone  
Repine at some, nay? wish that they had none?   

4. To a close Sinner, more fearful of shame, than Sinne. David saith, Stand in awe, and do not sin  
Thou stand'st in awe, but 'tis, lest thou be seen:   

5. To Curious Critic Wit, Head-Constable.  
Search close, thou mayst some Felony find here:  
From all Foolhardy Treason these are clear.   

6. On Erra Pater and his Almanac.  
The often Printed Gull-foole Erra Pater,  
Is in conclusion but an erring prater.   

7 To Baldpate.  
Surely, Paldpate, thou some times hadst a brow  
Before thou lost thy hair; No man knows how.  
Thy brow doth now reach home unto thy crown,  
But uncrowned thou art, he comes further down;  
How far he comes, now cannot be descried:  
For he comes down, down, down to thy backside.   

8. To a Paltry Acquaintance.  
Thou dost accuse me, and condemn my Rhymes,  
Because to thee I dedicate no lines.  
Thou dost as well deserve an Epigram,  
As Baldpate, who is trimmed with many a one.   

9 To a certain Periwiggian.  
Thy smooth, sleek head-haire, daily settled on,  
Though some say not, I say it is thine own,  
Thou paid'st for't: yet the hair thou hast lost,  
When thou didst lose it, did thee much more cost.   

10. Of the Antiquity of the true Church, to a jesuit.  
Thou dost demand, and acclamations raise,  
Where our belief was, before Luther's days?  
As Christ did answer to a question,  
By such a like expostulation:  
So do I ask, answer me when thou please,  
Where was your Faith, long since the Apostles days?   

11. To the same jesuit.  
Art thou a jesuit, yet dost us reproach  
With want of Faith, ere Luther his did broach?  
Your race was razed, since he preached: your new errors  
Are odious to your own, to others terrors.  
A hated race, spewed in these latter days,  
Though Fathers called, y'are the Pope's Roaring boys.   

12. To a sober, sly, Penurious, Usurious Companion.  
Godliness is great gain, God says no less,  
But thou sayest, thou canst make gain godliness:  
What thou hast got by craft, and Usury,  
Thou wilt bequeath in deeds of Charity.  
Such distribution I do emulate;  
The way unto it, I abominate.   

13. The Indefatigability of a Shrews Tongue.  
What long wants natural rest, cannot endure:  
In all things, but a Shrews Tongue, this is sure.   

14. The goe-out and the Gout.  
Thou grieved art with the goe-out, and the Gout;  
For if thy wife doth chide thee out of door:  
Which of these ills is worst, some make a doubt:  
I think the goe-out, is the greater sore.  
The Gout doth ostnest but the great Toe pain:  
The goe-out doth afflict both heart, and brain.   

15. To Father Taylor jesuit, sometimes my familiar friend in Oxford.  
You say that Images are laymen's Books.  
He learns most error, that most on them looks.  

As the Egyptians Hierogliphics.  And to say truth, whatever you do say,  
They're fit Books for the Learned, not the Lay,   

16. To an Idol worshipper, or an obstinate Recusant.  

Psal. 135. ver. 15.16, 17, 18.  Idols are senseless, speak them foul or fair;  
And those that trust in them, as senseless are.  
Trusting in them, thou art obdurate made,  
That Law nor Gospel can thee not persuade.   

17. A Meditation for such simple innocent people as I am.  
Since thou Alwise hast made me not so wise,  
With subtle Serpents for to subtilise;  
Accept my plainness, and my good intent,  
That with thy Dove I may be innocent;  
From subtle tricks guard my simplicity.  
And make me simple in subtlety.   

18. The force of Repentance.  
Our sin enforceth God to raise his hand:  
But our Repentance doth the stroke withstand.   

19 Most men want somewhat.  
Some honest well-bent minds their strength is slack;  
Strong men have strength, some of them wisdom lack;  
Wisemen have wit; But some want honesty;  
Some men are neither honest, strong, nor witty.   

20. Too much, too little, hurts.  
Light Corn bears ground that's not with dressing dight;  
Without some learning, wit grows vain and light;  
As too much dressing cause weeds, rank, and bad:  
So too much Learning makes a quick wit mad.   

21. Greatness and Love move not in one Sphere.  
Greatness soars upward; Love is downward moved;  
Hence 'tis that Greatness loves not, nor is Loved.   

22. To an envied Favourite, right worthy of his preferment.  
Envious, and bad, against virtue, goodness fight;  
Would Good, and wise, did understand you right.   

23. To a casheard Favourite, who hath deserved his disgrace.  
I grieve at thy disgrace, blush at thy shame,  
But this draws tears; Thou hast deserved the same.   

24. How Little, how Great.  
The least of all the fixed Stars, they say,  
Is some times bigger than the earth and Sea.  
Poor little I that from earth have my birth,  
Am but a clod, compared to the Earth.  
How little now, how great shall I be then,  
When I in Heaven, like to a Star shall shine?   

25. On Young weekly Newes-writers & old Chroniclers.  
Currantiers lie by ubiquity;  
But Chroniclers lie by Authority.  
Newes-writers, Travellers are, Historians old:  
Travellers and old men to lie may be bold.  
Not then, Not there, cannot their lies unfold.   

26. Conscience.  
Whilst concious men of smallest sins have ruth,  
Bold sinners count great Sins, but tricks of youth.   

27. To a weak brained Goodfellow.  
Thy brain is weak, strong drink thou canst not bear:  
Follow my Rule, Strong drink do thou forbear.   

28. The only Foundation Rock of Christ's Church, To the Divines of Rome.  
Out of the Creed, wherein we both consent,  
Peter, I prove is not the Rock Christ meant.  
Do we believe in God of all the maker?  
In that, the jew with us is a partaker.  
Do we believe, that Christ was borne and died,  
And that he was unjustly Crucifi'd?  
The Turk believes so, and says he did stand,  
Till theirs came mediating at God's right hand.  
That he shall judge all that believe in him,  
Both jew and Turk, Forgiveness of all sin  
Believe; the flesh's Resurrection,  
The blessed Saints holy Communion,  
And life eternal almost as we do,  
And that their Church is Catholic, and true.  
They do believe the Spirits influence,  
Though not like us, but in a larger sense.  
But all within our Creed, which doth conduce,  
To prove Christ jesus is the only sluice  
Of our Salvation, and Gods only Son;  
In that, we Christians do believe alone.  
This is the Rock whereon Christ's Church is built.  
Take away this, all our Faith's frame will tilt.  
And this was Peter's wise confession:  
Whence I deduce this firm conclusion;  
Not Peter his confession the Rock is,  
And Christ said not, On Thee, but, Upon This.   

29. An honest wronged Man's Meditations.  
Since for my Love, Friends me unkindly serve,  
God will not use me, as I do deserve.   

30. The good effects of Corrections.  
Sea-water, though't be salt, salted meats makes fresh;  
So doth correction our ill lives redress.   

31. Preachers Fame, and Aim.  
Young Preachers, to do well, do take much pain,  
That all may do well, is old Preachers aim.   

32. To the Reader.  
This one fault (Reader) pardon, and endure,  
If striving to be brief, I grow obscure.   

33. A Christian Meditation.  
I hope, and I do faithfully believe,  
That God in love will me Salvation give:  
I hope, and my assured firm faith is,  
God will accept my Love to him and his.  
I hope, by faith his Love will me afford  
All this only, through jesus Christ our Lord.   

34. A Mess of Mistakers.  
Lewd, loose, large lust, is love with Familists.  
Papists chief Hope in their own works consists.  
Some Protestants on barren Faith rely.  
Atheists have no Faith, Hope, nor Charity.   

35. An Appendix to this Epigram.  
Love is the fruit; Hope the leaves; Faith the tree.  
Who hath a perfect Faith, hath all these three.  
Only by such a Faith men saved be.   

36. A Guilty Conscience.  
When God did call to Adam, Where art thou?  
He meant not thereby, where, or in what place?  
God knew in which bush he was well enough:  
But, Where art, Adam? that is, In what case?   

37. To give the Church of Rome her due. To a Separatist.  
Though thou art loath to put it in thy Creed,  
The Church of Rome is a true Church indeed:  
So is a Thief a true, truly a man,  
Although he be not truly a true one.  
How is it else that Children there baptized,  
By other Christians Christians are agnizde?   

38. To Quick silver headed Innovators.  
Because of the uncertainty of Wits,  
Our Law commands a certainty in Writs:  
For as good cause is our Church Lythurgie  
Wisly reduced to a certainty.  
If that were yielded to that some men seek,  
We should have new church-service every week.   

39 Fair Good Wives.  
Cleare-skind, true coloured Wives, with exact features,  
With wise, mild, chaste Souls, are the best of Creatures.   

40. Fair Shrews.  
Cleare-skind, fair coloured Wives, with exact features,  
With shrewd, lewd, wild minds, are the worst of creatures,   

41. A Problem hereupon.  
If fine flesh be so ill with an ill mind,  
What is a foul outside thus inward lined?   

42. A Trestick to these three, Distiches by way of Answer. To all constant Bachelors, especially to my Good Friend Mr. Roger Michael.  
Charybdis' one, the other Sylla is;  
And though the first an harbour be of bliss,  
You steer the safest course, these Rocks to miss.   

43. To an honest old doting Man, such as I may be, if I live a little longer.  
A Liar should have a good memory;  
For want of it thou utterest many a Lie,  
Thou dost remember many things in great:  
But the particulars thou dost forget.  
Thou tell'st thy Lies without ill- thought or pain;  
theyare no malicious Lies, nor Lies for gain.   

44. A Crew of Cursing Companions. To the Bishop of Rome.  
With Bell, Book, Candle, each Ascension day,  
Thou cursest us 
Vide, the collect on good-Fryday. Nicholas de Nichola. lib. 4. cap. 36.  who for thee yearly pray.  
But on good Friday the Greek 
Vide, the collect on good-Fryday. Nicholas de Nichola. lib. 4. cap. 36.  Patriarch,  
Doth ban thee, branding thee, with this lewd mark,  
He styles thee, Father of Corruption,  
Of Ancient Fathers the corrupting One:  
They saw long since thy knavish forgery,  
As we now see thy Purging Knavery.   

45. To the same man.  
He that doth dead Saints Relics Idolise,  
Their living writings lewdly falsifies.   

46. Envy's Diet.  
Old wits have several ways dressed Envy's food;  
Each hath his sauce (if rightly understood)  
Her own heart, her own flesh, A Toad, A Bone,  
Which she devoureth sitting all alone:  
Though these are fair, This dish doth me best please,  
When I find her gnawing a wreath of Bays:  
For her chief food, Is well deserved praise.   

47. To a handsome Whore.  
One told me, what a pretty face thou hast;  
And it's great pity that thou art not chaste.  
But I did tell him, that did tell it me,  
That if thou wert not Fair, thou chaste wouldst be.   

48. The mad life of a mad Seaman of War.  
He lives, and thrives by death, and by decay,  
He drinks, swears, curseth, sometimes he doth pray,  
That he may meet somewhat to be his prey,  
And spends the rest in sleep, at meat, at play.   

49. Of the Gunpowder Holiday, the 5. of November.  
The Powder-Traytors, Guy Vaux, and his mates,  
Who by a Hellish plot sought Saints estates,  
Have in our Calendar unto their shame,  
A joyful Holiday called by their Name.   

50. On these black Saints.  
The first day of November is always,  
All- Saints feast: and the fifth, all- Devils day.   

51. To a great Gamester.  
Saint Paul doth bid us Pray continually,  
But thou wouldst rather Play continually.   

52. Most men are mistaken. To Mr. Robert Grimes.  
Good, bad, rich, poor, the foolish, and the sage,  
Do all cry out against the present age,  
Ignorance made us think our young Times good;  
Our elder days are better understood;  
Besides, griefs past we easily forget;  
Present displeasures make us sad, or fret.   

53. The Tree of Sanctification.  
First grows the Tree, and then the Leaves do grow;  
These two must spring before the fruit can show:  
Faith is a firm Tree, Hope, like shaking Leaves,  
From these two, Charity her Fruits receives.  
Faith without Hope, and Love, is a dead Tree,  
Hope without Love, and Faith, greene cannot be.  
Love without Hope and firm Faith is no more  
Than handsome Fruit without, rotten at core.   

54. Real presence Praying to Saints. Each contradict the other.  
If Christ be real, corporal in the bread,  
After the Consecrating words are said:  
What need you go to Saints, since you may take him  
And use him as you please like them that bake him?   

55. An Antidote for Drunkards.  
If that your heads would ache before you drink  
As afterwards, you'd ne'er be drunk, I think.   

56. women's Tears.  
women's head-laces and high towering wires,  
Significantly, rightly are called tires;  
They tire them and their Maids in putting on,  
Tyre Tyremakers, with variation.  
I think to pay for them, doth tire some men;  
I hope they'll tire the Devil that invents them.   

57 The Grant.  
I'm but a man, though I in length exceed.   

The Dwarf.  
Though I want length, a Man I am indeed.   

The Giant to the Dwarf.  
My Sire outshot the mark, begetting me.  
Thy Father shot too short, when he made thee.   

The Dwarf to the Giant.  
Although short shooting often lose the game,  
To over-shoot the mark, is as much shame.   

58. To a nameless Friend, whose head is said to be full of Proclamations.  
To fill the head with Proclamations,  
Is no disgrace, so they be well penned ones.   

59 The good of punishment.  
Plagues make proud, big, swollen hearts, fall low again:  
As Caustics bate proud flesh, though with much pain.   

60. A Chirurgeons good qualities. To my good friend Mr. P.S. Chirurgeon.  
A Surgeon should have, well to use his art,  
Lady's hands, Eagles eyes, A Lion's heart.  
Not one of these good properties you lack,  
But when you hide them in the white strong Sack.   

61. A Pill to purge Bribery.  
Those that do live here by Corruption,  
Shall dye in the next generation.   

62. Papistical faith.  
What a strange doubtful blind no-Faith you hold,  
Which cannot be imagined, held, or told?  
What Laymen know not, Clarks do think they know,  
Says the Pope otherwise, It is not so.  
The Weathercock of your Religion  
Is in the Pope's shifting Opinion.   

63. Some poor comfort for these Multifidians.  
If this Pope, Millions draws with him to Hell, 
Boniface Archbi. of Mentz. apud Gratian. Dig. 40.   
The next wise Pope may reset all things well.   

64. Spiritual weapons to encounter with Satan. To my loving and good Aunt, Mistress Elizabeth Spicer of Exeter, mother to Doctor Richard Spicer Physician.  
These are strong Arms to buckle with the Devil,  
Fasting, Faith, Prayer, bearing, forbearing evil:  
If with these weapons God do us assist,  
Satan will ne'er stand to it, nor resist.   

65. Confidence ill used, and Confidence abused.  
Cursed is he that puts his confidence  
In Man: Only in man is the right sense. 
jerem. 17.5.   
And that Man shall like punishment receive,  
Who doth an honest Confidence deceive.   

66. A Caveat for buyers and sellers.  
In this world silly buyers must beware:  
In the next world, dear sellers of bad ware.   

67. To Politic Bankrupt.  
Thou hast broke five times; thou wilt break once more:  
What a brave Tilter thou wouldst make therefore!   

68 A mad answer of a Madman.  
One asked a Madman, if a wife he had?  
A Wife (quoth he) I never was so mad.   

69. A lusty Widow, to one of her Suitors.  
To have me, thou tell'st me, on me thou'lt dote.  
I tell thee, Who hath me, on me must do't,  
I may be cozened; but sure if I can,  
I'll have no doting, but a doing man.   

70. To Mammonnists, who put their trust in uncertain Riches.  
Some have too many goods: some would have none:  
You have too many, though you have but one;  
For yellow Mammon is your God alone.   

71. God and Mammon.  
Service to God, and Mammon none can do:  
Yet we may serve God, and have Mammon too:   

72. There is no fooling with Edge-tools. To a Friend.  
Thou hast sped well in many a former plot,  
Thou vndertook'st a great one, failest in that,  
Men must have Mittens on, to shoe a Cat.   

73. My judgement on Men of judgement. To a kind Friend.  
Thou talk'st of men of judgement. Who are they?  
Those, whose conceits success doth still obey.  
Wise men's, wise counsel, is but their conceits;  
If they speed ill, they are sad wise deceits.   

74. To all the shrewd Wives that are, or shall be planted in Newfoundland.  
If madmen, Drunkards, Children, or a Fool,  
Wrong sober, discreet men with tongue or tool,  
We say, Such things are to be borne withal.  
We say so too, if Women fight, or brawl.   

75. Some prevention for some of these misdooers.  
Mad men are bound; Drunkards are laid to sleep:  
Fools beaten are; Toys Children quiet keep:  
I wish unruly Shrews were turned to Sheep.   

76. Master's Behaviour. To my good Friend Master Thomas Mil-ware, of Harbor-Grace in Newfoundland.  
Stern, cruel usage may bad servants fetter:  
Wise gentle usage, keeps good servants better.   

77. Too much Familiarity breeds contempt.  
Though some wise men this Proverb do apply,  
For a defence of their austerity;  
I think this way this Proverb might be meant,  
Chiding too oft, brings Chiding in contempt.   

79. The four Elements in Newfoundland. To the Worshipful Captain john Mason, who did wisely and worthily govern there diverse years.  
The Air, in Newfoundland is wholesome, good;  
The Fire, as sweet as any made of wood;  
The Waters, very rich, both salt and fresh;  
The Earth more rich, you know it is no less.  
Where all are good, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air,  
What man made of these four would not live there?   

80. To all those worthy Women, who have any desire to live in Newfoundland, specially to the modest & discreet Gentlewoman Mistress Mason, wife to Captain Mason, who lived there diverse years.  
Sweet Creatures, did you truly understand  
The pleasant life you'd live in Newfoundland,  
You would with tears desire to be brought thither:  
I wish you, when you go, fair wind, fair weather:  
For if you with the passage can dispense,  
When you are there, I know you'll ne'er come thence.   

81. To a worthy Friend, who often objects the coldness of the Winter in Newfoundland, and may serve for all those that have the like conceit.  
You say that you would live in Newfoundland,  
Did not this one thing your conceit withstand;  
You fear the Winter's cold, sharp, piercing air.  
They love it best, that have once winterd there.  
Winter is there, short, wholesome, constant, clear,  
Not thick, unwholesome, shuffling, as 'tis here.   

82. To the right worshipful john Slany, Treasurer to the Newfoundland Company, and to all the rest of that Honourable Corporation.  
I know, that wise you are, and wise you were:  
So was he who this Action did prefer:  
Yet some wise men do argue otherwise,  
And say you were not, or you are not wise:  
They say, you were not wise to undertake it:  
Or that you are not wise thus to forsake it.   

83. Of the same Honourable Company.  
divers well-minded men, wise, rich, and able,  
Did undertake a plot inestimable,  
The hopefullest, easiest, healthi'st, just plantation,  
That ere was undertaken by our Nation.  
When they had wisely, worthily begun,  
For a few errors that athwart did run,  
(As every action first is full of errors)  
They fell off flat, retired at the first terrors.  
As it is lamentably strange to me:  
In the next age incredible 'twill be.   

84. To the right Honourable Sir George Calvert, Knight, late Principal Secretary to King JAMES, Baron of Baltomore, and Lord of Aualon in Newfoundland.  
Your worrh hath got you Honour in your days.  
It is my honour, you my verses praise.  
O let your Honour cheerfully go on;  
End well your well begun Plantation.  
This holy hopeful work you have half done,  
For best of any, you have well begun.  
If you give over what hath so well sped,  
Your solid wisdom will be questioned.   

86. To the same Nobleman.  
Yours is a holy just Plantation,  
And not a justling supplantation.   

86. To the right worthy, learned and wise, Master William Vaughan, chief Undertaker for the Plantation in Cambrioll, the Southermost part of Newfoundland, who with pen, purse, and Person hath, and will prove the worthiness of that enterprise.  
It joyed my heart, when I did understand  
That yourself would your Colony command;  
It grieved me much, when as I heard it told,  
Sickness had laid on you an unkind hold.  
Believe me, Sir, your Colchos Cambrioll  
Is a sweet, pleasant, wholesome, gainful soil.  
You shall find there what you do want; Sweet health:  
And what you do not want, as sweet; Sweet wealth.   

87. To the same industrious Gentleman, who in his golden golden-fleece styles himself Orpheus junior.  
Your noble humour indefatigable,  
More virtuous, constant yet, then profitable,  
Striving to do good, you have lost your part,  
Whilst lesser loss hath broke some Tradesmens heart:  
Yet you proceed with person, purse and pen,  
Fitly attended with laborious men.  
Go on, wise Sir, with your old, bold, brave Nation  
To your new Cambriolls rich Plantation,  
Let Dolphins dance before you in the floods,  
And play you, Orpheus junior, in her woods.   

88 Some Diseases were never in Newfoundland. To the right worthy Mistress, Anne Vaughan, wife to Doctor Vaughan, who hath an honourable desire to live in that Land.  
Those that live here, how young, or old soever,  
Were never vexed with Cough, nor Aguish Fever,  
Nor ever was the Plague, nor small Pox here;  
The Air is so salubrious, constant, clear:  
Yet scurvy Death stalks here with thievish pace,  
Knocks one down here, two in another place.   

89. To Sir Richard Whitborne, Knight, my dear friend, Sometime Lieutenant to Doctor Vaughan for his Plantation in Newfoundland, who hath since published a worthy book of that most hopeful Country.  
Who preaching well, doth do, and live as well,  
His doing makes his preaching to excel:  
For your wise, well-penned Book this Land's your debtor;  
Do as you write, you'll be believed the better.   

90. To my good Friend Mr. Thomas Rowley, who from the first Plantation hath lived in Newfoundland little to his profit.  
When some demand, Why rich you do not grow?  
I tell them, Your kind nature makes it so.  
They say, that here you might have gotten wealth.  
Adam in Paradise undid himself.   

91 There is more gain in an honest Enemy, then in a flattering Friend.  
A flattering Friend in's Commendations halts:  
An honest Foe will tell me all my faults.   

92. To the right Honourable, Sir Henry Cary, Knight, Viscount Faukeland, Lord Deputy of Ireland.  
I joyed when you took part of Newfoundland;  
I grieved, to see it lie dead in your hand:  
I joyed when you sent people to that Coast;  
I grieved, when I saw all that great charge lost.  
Yet let your Honour try it once again,  
With wise, stayed, careful honest-harted men,  
I am to blame, you boldly to advise:  
For all that know you, know you wondrous wise:  
Yet near-hand, Dull blear-eyed may better see,  
Then quicker cleare-eyed, that a far off be.   

93. To the Honourable Knight, Sir Percivall Willoughby, who, to his great cost, and loss, adventured in this action of Newfoundland.  
Wise men, wise Sir, do not the fire abhor,  
For once being findged, more wary grow therefore.  
Shall one disaster breed in you a terror?  
With honest, meet, wise men mend your first error.  
If with such men you would begin again,  
Honour and profit you would quickly gain.  
Believe him, who with grief hath seen your share,  
'Twould do you good, were such men planted there.   

94. To my very good Friend, Mr. john Poyntz, Esquire, one of the Planters of Newfoundland in Doctor Vaughan's Plantation.  
'Tis said, wise Socrates looked like an Ass;  
Yet he with wondrous sapience filled was;  
So though our Newfoundland look wild, savage,  
She hath much wealth penned in her rusty Cage.  
So have I seen a leane-cheekes, bare, and ragged,  
Who of his private thousands could have bragged.  
Indeed she now looks rude, untowardly;  
She must be decked with neat husbandry.  
So have I seen a plain swarth, sluttish jone,  
Look pretty pert, and neat with good clothes on.   

95. To the right Honourable Knight, Sir William Alexander, Principal, and prime Planter in New-Scotland: To whom the King hath given a Royal gift to defray his great charges in that worthy business.  
Great Alexander wept, and made sad moan,  
Because there was but one World to be won.  
It joys my heart, when such wise men as you,  
Conquer new Worlds which that Youth never knew.  
The King of Kings assist, bless you from Heaven;  
For our King hath you wise assistance given.  
Wisely our King did aid on you bestow:  
Wise are all Kings who all their gifts give so.  
'Tis well given, that is given to such a One,  
For service done, or service to be done.  
By all that know you, 'tis well understood,  
You will dispend it for your Country's good.  
Old Scotland you made happy by your birth.  
New-Scotland you will make a happy earth.   

96. To the same Wise, Learned, Religious Patriot, most Excellent Poet.  
You are a Poet, better there's not any,  
You have one super-vertue amongst your many;  
I wish I were your equal in the one,  
And in the other your Companion.  
With one I'd give you your deserved due,  
And with the other, serve and follow you.   

97. To the right Honourable, Sir George Caluert, Knight, Baron of Baltamore, and Lord of Aualon in Britaniola, who came over to see his Land there, 1627.  
Great Shebae's wise Queen travelled far to see,  
Whether the truth did with report agree.  
You by report persuaded, laid out much,  
Then wisely came to see, if it were such:  
You came, and saw, admired what you had seen,  
With like success as the wise Sheba Queen.  
If every Sharer here would take like pain,  
This Land would soon be peopled to their gain.   

98. To the same right wise, and right worthy Nobleman.  
This shall be said whilst that the world doth stand,  
Your Honour 'twas first honoured this Land.   

99 To the right worshipful Planters of Bristoll-Hope in the new Kingdom of Britaniola.  
When I to you your Bristoll-Hope commend,  
Reckoning your gain, if you would thither send,  
What you can spare: You little credit me:  
The mischief is, you'll not come here and see.  
Here you would quickly see more than myself:  
Then would you style it, Bristols-Hope of wealth.   

100 To the right worshipful William Robinson of Tinwell, in Rutland shire Esquire, come over to see Newfoundland with my Lord of Baltamore. 1627.  
Strange, not to see stones here above the ground,  
Large untrencht bottoms under water drowned.  
Hills, and Plains full of trees, both small, and great,  
And drier bottoms deep of Turf, and Peace.  
When England was used for a Fishing place,  
By Coasters only, 'twas in the same case,  
And so vnlouelyed had continued still:  
Had not our Ancestors used pains, and skill:  
How much bad ground with mattock and with spade,  
Since we were borne, hath there been good ground made?  
You, and I rooted have Trees, Brakes, and stone:  
Both for succeeding good, and for our own.   

101. To the first Planters of Newfoundland.  
What aim you at in your Plantation?  
Sought you the Honour of our Nation?  
Or did you hope to raise your own renown?  
Or else to add a Kingdom to a Crown?  
Or Christ's true Doctrine for to propagate?  
Or draw Saluages to a blessed state?  
Or our o'er peopled Kingdom to relieve?  
Or show poor men where they may richly live?  
Or poor men's children godly to maintain?  
Or amyed you at your own sweet private gain?  
All these you had achieved before this day,  
And all these you have balked by your delay.   

102. To my Reverend kind friend, Master Erasmus Sturton, Preacher of the Word of God, and Parson of Ferry Land in the Province of Avalon in Newfoundland.  
No man should be more welcome to this place,  
Then such as you, Angels of Peace, and Grace;  
As you were sent here by the Lords command,  
Be you the blessed Apostle of this Land;  
To Infidels do you Euangelize,  
Making chose that are rude, sober and wise.  
I pray that Lord that did you hither send,  
You may our cursings, swearing, 
* A word frequently used by the West-Countrymen, and signifies muttering or murmuring  iouring mend.   

103. To my very loving and discreet Friend, Master Peter Miller of Bristol.  
You asked me once, What here was our chief dish?  
In Winter, Fowle, in Summer choice of Fish.  
But we should need good Stomaches, you may think,  
To eat such kind of things which with you stink,  
As Ravens, Crows, Kites, Otters, Pox, Bears,  
Dogs, Cats, and Soils, Eaglets, Hawks, Hounds, & Hares: 
Dogs and Cats are fishes so called, and Hounds a kind of Fowl   
Yet we have Partridges, and store of Dear,  
And that (I think) with you is pretty cheer.  
Yet let me tell you, Sir, what I love best,  
It's a Poore-Iohn 
* Called in French Pour Gens, in English corruptly Poor john, being the principal Fish brought out of this Country.  that's clean, and neatly dressed:  
There's not a meat found in the Land, or Seas,  
Can Stomaches better please, or less displease,  
It is a fish of profit, and of pleasure,  
I'll write more of it, when I have more leisure:  
There and much more are here the ancient store:  
Since we came hither, we have added more.   

104. To some discreet people, who think any body good enough for a Plantation.  
When you do see an idle, lewd, young man,  
You say he's fit for our Plantation.  
Knowing yourself to be rich, sober, wise,  
You set your own worth at an higher price.  
I say, such men as you are, were more fit,  
And most convenient for first peopling it:  
Such men as you would quickly profit here:  
Lewd, lazy Lubbers, want wit, grace, and care.   

105. To the famous, wise and learned Sisters, the two Universities of England, Oxford and Cambridge.  
The ancient jews did take a world of pain,  
And travelled far some Proselytes to gain:  
The busy pated Jesuits in our days,  
To make some theirs, do compass Land and Seas:  
The Mahometan, Heathen, modern jew,  
Do daily strive to make some of their crew:  
Yet to our shame we idly do stand still,  
And suffer God, his number up to fill.  
Ye worthy Sisters, raze this imputation,  
Send forth your Sons unto our New Plantation;  
Yet send such as are Holy, wise; and able,  
That may build Christ's Church, as these do build Babel.  
If you exceed not these in 
* Mat. 5.20.  Righteousness,  
I need not tell your Wisdoms the success.   

106. To answer a Friend, who asked me, Why I did not compose some Encomiastics, in praise of Noble men and Great Courtiers, As my friend john Owen hath done.  
I knew the Court well in the old Queen's days;  
I than knew Worthy's worthy of great praise:  
But now I am there such a stranger grown,  
That none do know me there, there I know none.  
Those few I here observe with commendation,  
Are Famous Stars in our New Constellation.   
The end of the second Book.   

THE THIRD BOOK OF QVODLIBETS.  

justice's Epigram.  
KIngs do correct those that Rebellious are,  
And their good Subjects worthily prefer:  
Just Epigrams reprove those that offend,  
And those that virtuous are, she doth commend.   

2. To my delicate Readers.  
When I do read others neat, dainty lines,  
I almost do despair of my rude times:  
Yet I have fetch't them far, they cost me dear,  
Dear and far fetched (they say) is Lady's cheer.   

1. To my zealous, and honest friend, Master W. B. of Bristol.  
If thou canst not to thy preferment come,  
To be Christ's red Rose in best martyrdom;  
With Patience, Faith, Hope, Love, and Constancy,  
A pure blest, white Rose in Christ's Garden dye.   

4. God's Love: The Devil's Malice.  
He that made man, only desires man's heart:  
He that marred man, tempts man in every part.   

5. God rewards thankful men.  
What part of the Moon's body doth reflect  
Her borrowed beams, yieldeth a fair prospect;  
But that part of her, that doth not do so,  
Spotty, or dark, or not at all doth show:  
So what we do reflect on God the giver,  
With thankfulness: those Grace's shine for ever:  
But if his gifts thou challeng'st to be thine,  
They'll never do thee Grace, nor make thee shine.   

6. To a dissembling, sober, sly Protestor.  
'Tis so, or so, as I'm an honest man,  
Is thy assuring Protestation,  
When it's as true as thou art such a one.   

7. Dissemblers cousin themselves.  
Whilst in this life Dissemblers cousin some,  
Themselves they cousin of the life to come.   

8. On a wide-mouthed prating companion.  
He prates, and talks, and rails, and no man hears.  
Yet he hath mouth, to make a score of Ears.   

9 Latin Prayers by number.  
Christ spoke no Latin, though he could do so,  
Nor any of his Twelve, for aught I know.  
Why should you in that tongue pray by the score?  
It is the Language of the Mounted Whore.  
Somewhat more merrily; here lies the jest:  
Most of hers speak the Language of her Beast.  
In such Hobgoblin words they sing, and pray,  
Scaliger full-tongued knows not what they say.   


Greg. lib. 4 Epist. 32. and 36-  10. To the Bishop of Rome.  
Of Bishops I dare style you Principal,  
'Tis Antichristian to be General.   

11. A wife more dear than sweet. To a complementing kind Husband.  
Come hither, dear wife, prithee sweet wife go,  
Sweet wife, do this, or dear wife, pray do so.  
She's dear indeed, but not so sweet, I trow.   

12. Plasters for a Gald-heart.  
On every married man that hath a Shrew,  
(As many a married man hath one, I trow;)  
These four, poor, piteous plasters I bestow,  
Except their wife's death, the best help I know.  
1 Or to thy friend reveal thy woeful plight;  
2 Or let her hot words thee inflame to fight;  
3 Or else withdraw thyself from her by flight;  
4 Or with thy patience all her wronging flight.   

13. A husband's desire to his Wife.  
Laugh with me, make me laugh, whilst I do live:  
When I die, choose where thou'lt laugh or grieve.   

14. To a weeping Widow.  
Thy Husband's dead, and thou dost weep therefore.  
No: 'tis, cause thou canst make him weep no more.   

15. Ill-favoured Housewifery. To one shrewdly married.  
Though you fall out, yet you agree herein,  
When as thy wife doth wash, than dost thou wring.   

16. To all Choleric People.  
Shrewdness is like unto a Gravesend toast,  
Abhorred by those that do use it most.  
In us we do contentedly it bear,  
We cry, Fought at it, finding it elsewhere.  
If Shrews say they cannot their Choler smother,  
I say, For healths sake we must vent that other.  
'Tis hugged at home, abroad, at home it is abhorred,  
Thence I conclude Shrewdness is like a T.   

17. To those who I fear will find fault with this Comparison.  
If you will say that this is odious,  
Comparisons are so; this should be thus.   

18. Reasons for the taking of Tobacco.  
Since most Physicians drink Tobacco still,  
And they of nature have th'exactest skill,  
Why should I think it for my body ill?  
And since most Preachers of our Nation,  
Tobacco drink with moderation,  
Why should I fear of profanation?  
Yet if that I take it intemperately,  
My soul and body may be hurt thereby.   

19 The five Properties of good Tobacco.  
Tobacco to be good, it must be strong,  
Clear smoked, white ashes, hard and lasting long.   

20. A City Sheriff.  
Before, and after, sparing he doth live,  
Bravely he spends, when he is Master Shrieve.   

21. Si Sennior: Spaniard. Signore Simo: Italian.  
Of Spaniards and Italians thus I find,  
As Arsee-versee they aver their mind.  
So one before, the other sins behind.   

22. Why Astrea left the Earth.  
On earth Astrea held the Balance even:  
But she long since with them is fled to heaven.  
Why hath Astrea bid this world Adieu?  
Her Lease was out, She would not buy a new.   

23. On a Private, Rich, close-living Churl, alluding to him in Terence, who of himself says, Populus me sibulat, etc.  
Walking abroad like a great Turkiecocke,  
Some fleer, some gear, every one doth me mock:  
At home amongst my puddings and my eggs,  
I hug myself, looking on my full bags,  
Finding myself Fortunes white son to be,  
I laugh at them, that even now laughed at me.   

24. To the same fellow.  
Thou ar● deceived, selfe-flattering-golden Ass,  
Whilst thou beholdest thyself in a false Glass.   

25. To the Pope.  
Christ said unto the people, Read and see  
The Scriptures: for they testify of me.  
Wherefore didst thou thine reading them deny?  
That thou art Antichrist, they testify;   

26. Papistical cruelty.  
Were there no other argument but this,  
It proves our faith, then yours the better is.  
We are not cruel, bloody, envious,  
(Though your late-lying Legends slander us)  
We meekly seek but your Conversion,  
Weep at your sought for Execution:  
You bloody, slanderous, and inexorable  
At all times, every where, where you are able;  
Witness Mary's short Reign, French Massacre,  
Which in red letters, your lewd minds declare.  
Our God, though Just, his mercy's over all,  
A bloodsucker, Satan was from his fall.   

27. A Prayer hereupon, to the God of justice..  
When thou for blood mak'stinquisition,  
Think on the bloody Inquisition.   

28. To our wise Roman Divines.  
Why enforce ye a blind obedience?  
All else would see your Glosses enforced sense.   

29. Why the five-footed Iämbicke fits best in our English verse.  
Iäbicks in our language have best grace:  
They with grave Spondees dance a Cinquepace:  
If wanton Dactyls do skip in by chance,  
They well-near mar the measure of the Dance:  
To end a verse, she may a foot be lending,  
Like to a round trick at a Galliards ending.   

30. To the Divine soul of that excellent Epigrammatist, Master john Owen.  
Let thy Celestial Manes pardon me,  
If like thy shadow I have followed thee.   

32. Why Preachers stand, and Auditors sit. To his loving Friend, Master Robert Burton.  
Wouldst know why Preachers stand, and we do sit?  
Because what they speak with, or without wit,  
Not we, but they themselves must stand to it.   

33. What Prosperity cannot persuade, Adversity will enforce.  
He that in Zeal is calm, in calms at Sea,  
In storms if he have Zeal, in Zeal, he'll pray;  
So though our Zeal be cold whilst Fortune shines,  
'Twill be more fervent in tempestuous times.   

34. To a Friend.  
Show such as mine to young-briske Butterflies,  
(Who have as many hearts as they have eyes,)  
They'll swear to you, The best that e'er they saw:  
Behind your back, They are not worth a straw.  
This shuffling shows, that in their Puff-paste wit,  
Momus and Guato do at random sit.   

35. Talking Beasts.  
When Aesop said Beasts spoke; Aesop said true.  
I heard Beasts speak within this day or two.   

36. The Gout.  
'Tis said, that rich men only have the Gout,  
Of that old-rusty-sad saw, I make doubt.  
Indeed the Gout, the child is of rich men;  
This froward Elf, poor men nurse now and then.   

37. When I was of Lincoln's Inn, the fashion was, (and I think is still) after dinner upon grand and festival days, some young Gentlemen of the house would take the best Guest by the hand, and be the next, and so hand in hand they did solemnly pass about the fire, the whole Company, each after other in order; to every staff a song, (which I could never sing) the whole Company did with a joined voice sing this burden: 
Some mirth and solace now let us make,  
To cheer our hearts, and sorrows slake.  
Upon this kind of Commencement of these Revels,  
I conceited this:   
When wise, rich Lawyers dance about the fire,  
Making grave needless mirth sorrows to slack.  
If Clients (who do them too dear hire,  
Who want their money, and their comfort lack)  
Should for their solace, dance about the Hall:  
I judge their dance were more methodical.   

38. An old Proverb, though a strange one, truly exemplified.  
A Proverb 'tis, how true I cannot tell,  
Happy are those, whose fathers go to hell,  
Sure, some would think, their happiness it were,  
If their close-fisted fathers in hell were,  
That they may of his wealth have out their share.  
For whilst they live, but little they will spare.   

39 To a nameless one.  
Thou marri'st one, whom thou before didst know:  
It is the fashion now to marry so.   

40. The first Arithmetic.  
Adam at first in number 
Numration.  was but one;  
Until God added Eve, 
Addition.  he was alone:  
They were divided, 
Division.  till the Lord them joins,  
And bade them multiply 
Multiplication.  out of their Loins:  
And so from them substracted 
Subtraction.  are all Nations,  
Unto these present Generations.   

41. The seeming good works of unbelievers.  
The glorious deeds of unbelieving ones,  
Are glittering clear abominations;  
So said St. Hierom: and thus saith St Paul,  
They're shining brass, and a tinkling Cymbal.  
For good works without faith and loving fear,  
Do neither please God's eye, nor yet his ear.   

42. Heavenly, and Earthly hearts.  
The Earth is firm, the Heaven's mutable,  
Yet Heavenly minds are firm, Earthly unstable.   

43. To a superstitious Papist, fearful of Purgatory, who to his cost desires to have a quick dispatch from that fearful place.  
With faith pray fervently, religious live;  
Thou needest no money, for an Obits leave,  
Thy soul in Purgatory to relieve.   

44. To rich Papists.  
If the Pope's Saws by his authority,  
Were truer than Christ's written Verity; 
Contrary to Christ's saying, Mat. 19.23, 24.   
Those rich men, Asses were, that went to Hell,  
If they within Rome's Churches limits dwell:  
For though you ne'er so lewdly spend your breath,  
Your Coin will buy you Pardons after death.   

45. An humble, contrite, and a double-devided heart.  
God's favour breaks forth on a broken heart:  
But in a parted one God hath no part.   

46. A short Dialogue betwixt two ancient Philosophers, laughing Democritus, and weeping Heraclitus. Heraclitus.  
Vain, foolish man, why dost thou always laugh?   

Democritus.  
Man's vanity, and foolish pride I scoff,  
Wherefore dost thou such a strange puling keep?   

Heraclitus.  
For man's bad sins, sad miseries I weep.   

47. Counsel to my young Cousins,  


john and William Barker, Sons to my Brother Barker, and his now wife.    


Abel and Matthew Rogers, Sons to my Brother Barker, and his now wife.    
Ill Company is like Infection,  
It soon taints a good disposition.  
Take heed into what Company ye fall:  
Vice is a sickness Epidemical.   

48. To one, who on his Gossip's prattlings in a dangerous disease, thinks and hopes so much of his Recovery, that he neglects the consideration of his Mortality.  
'Cause some have scaped that have been almost dead,  
Thou think'st that thou may'st be recovered:  
But because many healthy men do dye,  
I think on that, knowing that so may I.   

49. To my Reverend sick friend, W. G. of Bristol.  

Not quiet, an usual phrase for sickness in Devonshire.  When folk are sick, we say, They are not well.  
My Country phrase is, That they are not quiet.  
Both of these phrases fit all those that mell  
With Physic Doses, and prescribed diet.  
The first of these two phrases fit sick men:  
The last fits best Women and Children.   

50. Papistical Miracles.  
Primitive miracles were strange and true,  
And did confirm the Doctrine than held new.  
Yours falsely, feigned, ridiculous, and bold,  
Bolster new Doctrines, contradict the old.  
Your apparitions, new-faigned miracles,  
Do overthrow the ancient Articles.   

51. An Advertisement to all Tradesmen, and may serve for Soldiers, or any others subject to Casualty.  
Who doth refuse a reasonable proffer,  
Had need to have good Fortune in his Coffer.   

52. To a Card-Cheater.  
To Cut, and shuffle, in a Horse is ill:  
To shuffle, and to Cut, is thy prime skill.   

53. To one that hath lost both his ears.  
Some that have two ears, hear not what we say:  
Thou that hast not an ear, hearest more than they.   

54. Whom Discretion doth not, Correction will keep under.  
If headstrong jades will not Gods Bit obey,  
His Rod will whip their restines away.   

55. Ne quid nimis. A meditation of too much and too little Wind at Sea, wracking Storms, and starving Calmes.  
Man's state on shore, is like man's state at Sea;  
Too much, too little, causeth sad decay;  
Hence Poets feigned Fortune heretofore  
Sailing, one foot on Sea, and one on shore.   

56 Fearful Hellfire.  
At sight of fire, bold Lions run away  
Bold sinners, who men fearing sin, vpbray:  
The sight of Hell-fire will these Lads dismay.   

57 To Sir Senix Fornicator.  
Winter hath seized upon thy beard, and head,  
Yet for all this, thy wild Oats are not shed.  
Me thinks when Hills are endeavoured with Snow,  
It should not wantonly be hot below.  
But thou most like unto a Leek dost seem:  
For though thy head be white, thy tail is green.   



58. Some standers by see more than Gamesters.  
58. Some standers by lose more than Gamesters.    
Some wise bystanders more than Gamesters sees;  
Some standers by more than wise Gamesters lose.   

59 To nobly descended Recusants.  
'Tis said, you came from noble Ancestors,  
Who did strange wonders in the old French wars,  
You say you are of their Religion,  
And that it is the true and ancient one:  
It was your Ancestors, for aught I know:  
But new, untrue, God's old true Word says so.   

60. Traditions and Gods Word. To Papists.  
'Twixt your belief, and our Religion,  
There hath been long, and strong contention:  
You prove yours by men's word: but we abhor it:  
Our proof is better, we have God's Word for it.   

61. To one that asked me why I do write so briefly.  
What I do write of, I but only touch,  
Who writes of many things cannot write much,  
Or thus,  
Who writes of many things, must needs write much.   

62. To my kind loving bedfellow, Mr. Edward pain, on the Gift of a Ring, wherein there was a Poesy of Patience.  
In your last gift you wish me Patience.  
I know you mean it in the better sense;  
Not a sad, bad, stout patience, Stoical.  
But one that knows, that God sends, and mends all.   

63. Wise men's ill success, and Fool's Fortune. A Paradox.  
As many Wise men hurt themselves through wit,  
As there are sosts grow rich, for want of it.   

64. To the Pope.  
Wherefore shouldst thou blind Ignorance enhance?  
(On which all Wiser times did look ascance?)  
Saying it doth devotion much advance?  
All thy mysterious skill, is Ignorance.   

65. One of the Pope's titles is, Servant of Servants.  
Servant of Servants, Popes themselves have named,  
By that style cursed 
* Gen. 9.25.  Canaan was defamed.   

66. All things are vendible at Rome.  
In Rome's full shop are sold all kinds of ware,  

* Reuel. 8.12.  men's souls purged, fyre-new, you may buy there.   

67. To faultfinding more faulty Zoilus.  
When others fault thou dost with spite reveal,  
The Kettle twits the pot with his burnt tail.   

68 To a hard-favoured rich Widow, who, because she hath many Suitors, thinks well of herself.  
We know thee rich, and thou think'st thyself fine:  
Thou think'st we love thee, we know we love thine.   

69. Why Physicians thrive not in Bristol.  
In Bristol Water-tumblers get small wealth:  
There Doctor goodwin keeps them all in health.   

70. To my Readers. An Arsee-versee Request, to my Friend john Owen. 
Owen, Lib. 1. Epig. 172.   
Do not with my leaves make thy backside bright:  
Rather with them do thou Tobacco light.  
I'd rather have them up in flames to fly,  
Then to be stifled basely privily.   

71. Health and Wealth.  
Health is a jewel, yet though shining wealth,  
Can buy rich jewels, it cannot buy health.   

72. To Inuocators of Saints.  
To Saints you offer supplication,  
And say, God's face beholding, they them know.  
This is a strange bold speculation.  
Whence came the Doctor that first told you so?  
In God's Word we do read, that God sees all:  
Of such a glass no mention made at all.   

73. To those Papists, who show their ignorant Devotion in their Aue mary's.  
How long shall Ignorance lead you astray?  
Whilst to our Lady you'd a prayer say,  
You her salute, and needless for her pray.   

74. To one of the Elders of the sanctified Parlour of Amsterdam.  
Though thou mayst call my merriments, my folly,  
They are my Pills to purge my melancholy,  
They would purge thine too, wert not thou Foole-holy.   

75. Great men's entertainment.  
Though rich men's troubles, kindness are esteemed,  
Yet poor men's kidneys, troubles are still deemed.   

77. To a Bad-minded, Choleric, ungrateful man.  
Thou soon forgettest those wrongs thou dost to Men:  
All small wrongs done to thee thou dost remember;  
Every good turn thou dost, thou countest it ten:  
For good done to thee, thy record is slender.  
Kindness from thee, like vomits make thee sweat;  
Thou swallow'st others kindness as thy meat.   

78. To Master Fabian Sanford, Master of our Ship and voyage in Newfoundland, and may serve for all Masters trading there.  
Men wearied are with labour otherwhere:  
But you are weary, when you want it here.  
And what in England would quite tyre a horse,  
Here the want of it, tires you ten times worse.  
Labour was first a curse to curb man's pride;  
The want of it, makes you to curse, chafe, chide.  
To see you work thus, better would me please,  
Did you not work thus upon Sabbath Days.   

79. Goodness and Greatness. To my good and loving Cousin, Mistress Thomasin Spicer, wife to Doctor Richard Spicer, Physician.  
Goodness and Greatness falling at debate,  
Which should be highest in men's estimate;  
After much strife, they upon this did rest,  
Great-goodnes and Good-greatnes is the best.   

80. Marry magdalen's Tears. To my pretty Niece, Marie Barker.  
To wash Christ's feet, Mary's Bath was her tears,  
To wipe them dry, her Towel was her hairs:  
What her tears could not cleanse, nor hairs makes dry,  
Her Coral lips did wipe, and mundify.  
She did anoint him with a sweet, rich oil,  
And spared for no cost, nor for no toil:  
This Story merits to be Registered,  
And to be practised as well as read.   

81. To my Niece and God-daughter, Grace Barks.  
I promised, you should do good, and fly ill,  
Before that you had power, or will, or skill.  
Lame Nature I knew could not walk that pace,  
Without God's Grace: therefore I named you Grace.  
Let mild Grace so sway Nature in you then,  
That you may obtain Grace with God and Men.   

82. To a nameless, wise, modest, fair Gentlewoman, my loving and kind Friend, whom reciprocally I love as heartily.  
juno is wealth, Pallas is virtue, wit,  
Venus' Love, beauty is in Poets writ:  
Pallas, and Venus have in you their treasure,  
Why should hard juno offer us such measure?   

83. To our most Royal Queen MARY, Wife, Daughter, and Sister to three Famous Kings.  
Venus, and Pallas, at your birth conspired,  
To make a work, of all to be admired:  
Venus with admired feature did you grace,  
Divine complexion, an Angelic face.  
Pallas inspired a quick, sweet, nimble spirit,  
Virtue, and wit, of admirable merit,  
But I admire them most, how they could place  
So much; so admirable in so small space:  
And they themselves admired when they had ended,  
A Piece which they knew could not be amended.   

84. To the same most Royal Queen.  
When wise Columbus offered his New-land,  
To Wise men, they him held, vain, foolish, fond,  
Yet a wise Woman, of an happy wit,  
With god success adventured upon it:  
Then the wisemen their wisdoms did repent,  
And their heirs since their follies do lament.  
My New-land (Madam) is already known,  
The way the air, the earth, all therein grown,  
It only wants a Woman of your spirit,  
To make't a Land fit for your Heirs t'inherit.  
Sweet, dreaded Queen, your help here will do well:  
Be here a Famous second Isabell.   

85. A Newfoundland Poetical Picture, of the admirable exactly featured young Gentlewoman, Mistress Anne Lowe, eldest Daughter to Sir Gabriel Lowe, Knight, my delicate Mistress. The Preface to her Picture.  
At sight, Love drew your picture on my heart,  
In Newfoundland I limm'd it by my Art.   

86, The Pourtraite.  
If Paris upon Ida hill had seen  
You amongst the Three, the Apple yours had been.  

* Zeuxis drawing this picture had all the choice beauties of Greece naked before him.  Had curious Zeuxis seen your-all-excelling,  
Whilst juno's Picture he was pencelling;  
You had him eased in his various collection:  
For Beauty hath in you a full Connection.   

87. To the fair and virtuous Gentlewoman, Mistress Mary Winter, the younger, worthy of all love.  
Your budding beauty, wit, grace, modesty,  
I did admire, even in your infancy,  
These blessed buds, each grown to a fair flower,  
Much have I loved, since my first lawful hour.  
Whom few crosse-winters' have made old and sad,  
One such fair Winter would make young and glad.   

88 To the same beauteous modest Virgin, an Aenigma.  
Had not false shuffling Fortune paltered,  
Hymen had Hiems long since altered.   

88 To a fair modest Creature, who deserves a worthy name, though she desires here to be nameless.  
Niggardly Venus' beauty doth impart  
To diverse diversely, and but in part.  
To one a dainty Eye, a cherry Cheek:  
To some, a tempting Lip, Breasts white and sleek:  
To diverse ill-shaped bodies, a sweet face:  
Clean made Legs, or a white hand, doth some grace,  
On Thee more free her gifts She doth bestow;  
For She hath set Thee out in Folio.   

90. To my outwardly fair, and inwardly virtuous kind friend, Mistress Marie Rogers, widow, since married to Master john Barker of Bristol, Merchant, my kind and loving Brother in Law.  
Lilies, and Roses on your face are spread,  
Yet trust not too much to your white and red:  
Lilies will fade, Roses their leaves will shed:  
These flowers may dye, long before you are dead.  
Your inward beauty (which all do not see)  
Then white and red, and you, more lasting be.   

91. To the fair, virtuous, witty widow, Mistress Sara Smeyths.  
If it be true, (as some do know too well;)  
To Lover's Heaven, we pass through Lover's Hell:  
Be confident, you shall enjoy Earth's glory,  
For you on Earth are past your Purgatory.   

92. To my kind and worthy Friend, Mistress E. B. wife to Captain H. B. By my Captain's leave.  
Your outward, and your inward graces move  
My tongue to praise you, and my heart to love.  
I hope, it will not God, nor man offend,  
If that in Love your virtues I commend:  
And by his Leave who is yours in possession,  
He love, and praise your goodness in reversion.   

93. To my perpetual Valentine, worthy Mistress Mary Tayler, wife to Master john Tayler Merchant of Bristol.  
My sweet discreet perpetual Valentine,  
In your fair breast virtue hath built a Shrine,  
Bedecking it with flowers, amongst the rest,  
Mildred bearing your not-bearing is not least.  
You know the worthy husband that you have,  
Is worth more children than some foundlings crave;  
Besides the blessed babes begot by good,  
More comforts bring then some of flesh and blood.  
Kind Valentine, still let our comfort be,  
Children there are enough for you and me.   

94. To my best Cousin, Mistress Elizabeth Flea, wife to Master Thomas Flea, of Exeter Merchant.  
If one were safely lodged at his long rest,  
I could wish you a Flea in my warm nest.  
Who writes this, loves Ye both so well, he prays,  
Long may ye skip from Death, like nimble Fleas.   

95. To the fair modest, Maid, pretty Mrs. Martha Morris, and of her handsome sister, Mistress Marie Philip's, both of Bristol.  
Though Martha were with Mary angry for't,  
Yet Christ told her, 
* Luke 10.42.  She chose the better part.  
Fair, chaste maid Martha, you have chose the best:  
Your sister Mary, a life 
1. Cor. 7.34.  of less rest.   

96. Another to the same, being since married.  
But since I hear that you have changed your state,  
I wish your choice may prove kind, fortunate,  
And that he may deserve you every deal;  
He well deserves, that doth deserve you well.   

97. To the pretty, pert, forward green, Mistress L. B.  
Nature took time your pretty parts to form,  
She hastes her work in you, since you were borne,  
Your buds are forward, though your leaves are green:  
I think you will be ripe at Eleventeene.   

98. To the modest, and virtuous Widow, Mistress Elizabeth Gye of Bristol, whose dead Husband Master Philip Gye, was sometimes Governor of the Plantation in Newfoundland, where he, and she lived many years happily and contentedly.  
Though Fortune press you with too hard a hand,  
I hear, your heart is here, in Newfoundland.   

99 To a debauched University. A Complaint against Drunkenness.  
Thy Sons (most famous Mother) in old time,  
To quench their thirst, Parnassus' hill did climb.  
Some of thy Sons, now think that hill too steep,  
Their Holliconian springs do lie more deep.  
Their study now is, where there is good drink,  
The Spigot is their Pen, strong beer their Ink,  
I could with Democrit ' laugh at this sin,  
If it in any other place had been:  
But in a place where all should be decent,  
A sin so nasty, inconvenient,  
So beastly, so absurd, worthy disdain,  
It strains me quite out of my merry strain.  
I could with Heraclit ' lament, and cry,  
Or write complaints with woeful jeremy:  
Nay, much-much more, if that would expiate  
What's past, or following follies extirpate.  
Many rare wits hath it infatued,  
Their climbing merits quite precipited,  
And hopes of ancient houses ruined.  
Fools and base sots this sin hath made of them,  
That by sobriety had been brave men:  
Yea I do know, many wise men there be,  
Which for this dare not trust their Sons with thee,  
Fearing this Cerberus, this Dog of Hell,  
Within whose Ward all other follies dwell.  
I hope, thy Sister better looks to hers,  
Indulgent Elies are thy Officers,  
If they will not assist my motion,  
To apply Caustics, and no Lotium;  
Dear Mother, on my knees I beg this boon,  
Afford this inconvenient Vice no room,  
But whip it in thy Convocation,  
Or strip it of Matriculation.   

100 A short jig after this long Lachrymae Pavin.  
As drunk as an old Beggar, once 'twas said.  
As drunk as a young Scholar, now we read.   

101. To the Reverend, Learned, Sober, and wise Governors in this Famous University.  
I hear, this sin you will shut out of door:  
It joys me so, that I can write no more.   

102. That every one may take his. To my worthy Readers.  
Fair, modest, learned, sober, wise, and witty,  
Praising I praise you, if those praises fit ye.   

103. To my unworthy Reader.  
Fond, wicked, misled, if thou guilty be,  
Although I name thee not, yet I mean thee.   
The end of the third Book.   

THE FOURTH BOOK OF QVODLIBETS. An unfinished Book.  

1. To the Reader.  
SErmons and Epigrams have a like end,  
To improve, to reprove, and to amend:  
Some pass without this use, 'cause they are witty;  
And so do many Sermons, more's the pity.   

2. To the Reader.  
Of my small course, poor wares I cannot boast:  
Owen and others have the choice engrossed:  
And if that I on trust have ta'en up any;  
Owen hath done so too, and so have many.   

3. Redargution or paid with his own money.  
When Pontius called his neighbour, Cuckold Ass,  
Being mad to see him blinded, as he was,  
His Wife him standing by, replied anon:  
Fie, Husband, fie, y'are such another man.  
Nay, I do know (quoth Pontius) that there be  
Nine more in Town, in as bad case as he.  
Then you know ten, if you (quoth she) say true.  
Fie, Husband, fie, what an odd man are you?   

4. Catholic, Apostolic Roman faith. To Papists.  
If the word Catholic yea truly strain,  
To neither of us doth it appertain.  
Apostolic we dare ourselves afford,  
And prove it by their practice, and their word.  
The now new Roman Faith ye stiffly hold,  
And brag of it, as if it were the old.   

5. To elder Pelagians, more fine later Papists and our refined Arminians.  
Though several ways you one opinion twine,  
'Twixt your conceits there's but a little line:  
For all of you with freegrace are too bold,  
Withgood works laying on presumptuous hold.  
With your weak works, binding your boundless Maker,  
Without whom, none can be an undertaker.  
Whilst God ties us by Faith to do good deeds,  
You will tie God to you by your fond Creeds.  
Satan, that lours at faithful, fearful works,  
Likes your good deed, because he knows your quirks.  
At weak, faith-propt, due works Satan doth grieve:  
At tiptoe good works, he laughs in his sleeve.  
It's God that gives us grace, and makes us able,  
Having all done, we are unprofitable.  
Work, and work on with fond credulity,  
Mercy with faith is our security.   

6. A Chronagram of the year wherein Queen Elizabeth died, and King james came to the Crown of England: both of blessed memory. We MaDe a Happy Change thIs Year. MDC III.  
This year of Grace, by God's especial grace,  
When all our foes expected our disgrace,  
God crushed their malice, and allayed our fear:  
We made a happy Change this Present year:  
A Change we made, but yet no Alteration;  
Of former happiness a transmigration:  
Two froward Sisters long at enmity,  
Became the birth-twinnes of Virginity,  
From a chaste, virtuous, blessed barren womb,  
From the ill-boding North, our Spring did come;  
Whilst many wise foreseeing men did fear,  
Who should with quietness be the next Heir,  
Our fears, so suddenly to joys did pass,  
We cannot well tell in what year it was.  
This year our just victorious War did cease,  
And we enjoyed a sought-for proff'red Peace.  
Assoon as our wise Deborah was gont,  
God sent this Land a Peaceful Solomon.  
Our warlike Pallas having ruled her days,  
Apollo came, adorned with learned Bays.  
Lastly herein our Chronogram doth hold,  
This year we changed our Silver into Gold.  
Silver a female is, Gold masculine:  
Good God lengthen, strengthen this golden Line.  
If any wise man judge it otherwise,  
I may well judge that Wiseman overwise.   

7. Of the Great and Famous, ever to be honoured Knight, Sir Francis Drake, and of my little-little self.  
The Dragon, that our Seas did raise his Crest,  
And brought back heaps of gold unto his nest,  
Unto his Foes more terrible than Thunder,  
Glory of his age, After-ages wonder,  
Excelling all those that excelled before;  
It's feared we shall have none such any more;  
Effecting all, he sole did undertake,  
Valiant, just, wise, mild, honest, godly Drake.  
This man when I was little, I did meet,  
As he was walking up Totnes long Street,  
He asked me whose I was? I answered him.  
He asked me if his good friend were within?  
A fair red Orange in his hand he had,  
He gave it me, whereof I was right glad,  
Takes and kissed me, and prays, God bless my boy:  
Which I record with comfort to this day.  
Could he on me have breathed with his breath,  
His gifts Elias-like, after his death,  
Then had I been enabled for to do  
Many brave things I have a heart unto.  
I have as great desire, as e'er had he  
To joy; annoy; friends; foes: but 'twill not be.   

8. To the right Reverend Father in God, joseph Hall, by God's especial providence, Lord Bishop of Exeter.  
Born in a Christian new Plantation,  
These kneel to you for Confirmation;  
To you they come, that you might them adorn:  
Their Father in your Diocese was borne:   

9 To the Reverend and divinely witty, john Dun, Doctor in Divinity, Deane of Saint Paul's, London.  
As my john Owen 
Owen, Lib. 4. Epig. 40.  Seneca did praise,  
So might I for you a like pillar raise,  
His Epigrams did nothing want but verse;  
You can yours (if you list) that way rehearse:  
His were neat, fine, divine morality;  
But yours, pure, faithful, true Divinity.   

10. Aristotle's ten Predicaments, to be reduced into questions, is an excellent rule for examining any business for matter of justice. To the hopeful and right worthy young Gentleman, Thomas Smith of Long- Ashton in the County of Somerset, Esq.  
The thing, 
1  how much, 
2  conditions of the men, 
3   
For what cause, 
4  what was done, 
5  who suffered then, 
6   
Where, 
7  when; 
8  their postures, 
9  how clad, foul, or clean. 
10    

11. Their use.  
Who hath power of examinations,  
If he desire to find out guilty ones,  
Let him reduce these into questions.  
So if to find out truth, be his intent,  
Before that all these questions be spent,  
The guilty's brought in a Predicament.   

12. The cause of Dedication.  
Strange not, that I these Lines to you have sent;  
I know, your worth will make you eminent.  
Grace, Wisdom, Learning, Virtue, you have store;  
Were you not modest, I could say much more.   

13. To the Reverend, Learned, and judicious, Thomas Worall, Doctor in Divinity, and Chapaline to the right Reve. Father in God, George, L. Bishop of London. Of my reprehending Epigrams.  
It is for one of your gifts, and your place,  
To look bold-staring-black sin in the face,  
To wound, and lance with the two-edged blade,  
To cleanse, and heal those wounds that you have made:  
Yet suffer me, with my sharp-merry pin,  
To prick the blisters of some itching sin.  
And though Divines, justly loose Rhymes condemn,  
My tart, smart, chiding Lines do not contemn.   

14. To the Reverend, my worthy ingenious friend, Mr. Abel Lovering, one of the Preachers of the Word of God at Bristol. Of my commending Epigrams.  
Those I commend, you would commend them too,  
If you did know them truly, as I do.  
Preachers like you, may praise men at their ends,  
Laymen like me, may praise wise-living friends.   

15. To a Reverend and witty friend.  
Since few years studying hath improved your wit,  
That for the place you hold, you are held fit,  
When you preach, you preach sweetly and complete,  
And other things you do, smooth, witty, neat.  
What place in Church would you not fitly hollow;  
If you your study soberly would follow?   

16. Of Epigrams.  
Short Epigrams relish both sweet and sour,  
Like Fritters of sour Apples, and sweet flower.   

17. To the wise and Learned Sir john straddling, Knight Baronet, the Author of diverse Divine Heroical printed Poems.  
Robert Fitz-Heman drew your Ancestor  
To Wales, to be his fellow Conqueror.  
And Robert Hayman would draw all your worth,  
If he true knowledge had, to limb it forth.  
Wise Sir, I know you not, but by relation,  
Saving in this, which spreads your reputation:  
Your high divine sweet strains Poetical.  
Which crownes, adorns your noble virtues all.  
Therein to dight a full Feast, you are able,  
Whilst I fit Fritters for Apollo's Table.   

18. To Master Benjamin johnson, Witty Epigrammatist, and most excellent Poet.  
My Epigrams come after yours in time;  
So do they in conceit, in form, in Rhyme;  
My wit's in fault, the fault is none of mine:  
For if my will could have inspired my wit,  
There never had been better Verses writ,  
As good as yours, could I have ruled it.   

19 To one of my neat Readers.  
Thou sayest, my Verses are rude, ragged, rough,  
Not like some others Rhymes, smooth, dainty stuff.  
Epigrams are like Satyrs, rough without,  
Like Chessnuts, sweet, take thou the kernel out.   

Satyrs. 20. To the acute Satirist, Master George Wither.  
The efficient cause of Satyrs, are things bad,  
Their matter, sharp reproofs, instructions sad,  
Their form sour, short, severe, sharp, roughly clad:  
Their end is that amendment may be had.   

21. To the same Mr. George Wither, of his own Satyrs.  
What cause you had, this vein too high to strain,  
I know not, but I know, it caused your pain;  
Which causeth others wisely to refrain:  
Yet let some good cause draw you on again.  
You strip and whip th'ill manners of the times  
So handsomely, that all delight your Rhymes.   

22. To my right worthy friend, Mr. Michael Drayton, whose unwearied old Muse still produceth new dainties.  
When I was young, I did delight your lines,  
I have admired them since my judging times:  
Your younger muse played many a dainty fit,  
And your old muse doth hold out stoutly yet.  
Though my old muse durst pass through frost and snow,  
In wars your 
* He wrote battle of the Agincourt, when he was above 60. year's old  old muse dares her Colours show.   

23. To my worthy and learned good friend, Mr. john Vicars, who hath translated part of Mr. Owen's Epigrams.  
Who hath good words, and a warm brooding pate,  
Shall easier hatch neat new things, then translate:  
He that translates, must walk as others please:  
Writing our own, we wander may at ease.   

24. To my good friend, Mr. T. B. Vintner, at the sign of the Sun in Milk-street.  
Bacchus' desiring an auspicious sign,  
Under which he might sell his choicest wine,  
Desiring much to choose one of the seven  
Celestial Planets, reeled one night to heaven,  
He found old Bent-browed Saturn melancholy,  
jove stern, Mars stout, Venus' replete with folly,  
Sly Mercury full of Loquacity,  
And Luna troubled with unconstancy:  
Disliking these, he middle Sol espied,  
Who unto sober drinkers is a guide:  
He liking this, in 
* Milk-street  via Lactea placed it,  
And with his best wines, he hath e'er since graced it,  
And finding you no Brewer, as your due,  
He doth commit the charge thereof to You.   

27. To a Friend, who asked me why I do not compose some particular Epigrams to our most gracious King, as my Friend john Owen did to his famous Father, King JAMES of blessed memory.  
Thou ask'st, Why I do not spin out my wit,  
In silken threads, and fine, smooth, neat lines fit,  
In special Epigrams to our wise King?  
All these myself I dedicate to him.  
It's all too course, what my wit can weave forth,  
To wrap the little finger of his worth.   

28. Sin's short Grammar. To my loviog Cousin Master john Gunning the younger, of Bristol Merchant. The Grammar.  
Sin's easy Grammar, our Grandmother Eve  
To her sinful posterity did leave.   

Sin's Part.  
In Speech are eight parts, in sin there are seven,  
We may put Satan in, to make them even.   

Satan a Noun.  
Satan, Sins grandfather, stands as a Noun,  
To all ill things giving an ill renown,  
Enticing mildly; Roaring if withstood,  
Being thereby felt, heard, and understood.   

Sloth, a Pronounne.  
Sloth is a pronoun: Idle men in name  
Are men, but otherwise a senseless shame.  
Sloth is the Devil's best son Primitive,  
And from him most sins do themselves derive.   

Anger, a Verb.  
Anger a Verb is▪ for at every word,  
His Active and his Passive spleen is stirred,  
In Mood and Tense declined is this sin,  
Moody it is, at all times full of spleen.   

Covetousness, a Participle.  
Covetousness may be sin's participle,  
To help himself, from each one takes a little,  
With every Sin he will Participate,  
So he thereby may better his estate.   

Pride, an adverb.  
Pride is an adverb, if you'll take his word,  
Nor Heaven, nor Earth the like thing doth afford.  
In his conceit he is the thing alone,  
He holds himself beyond Comparison.   

Lust, a Conjunction.  
Lust is a lawless, lewd Conjunction,  
For Lust desires not to act sin alone:  
So joining sins his sinful days dost waste,  
Until they join him with the Devil at last.   

Envy, a Preposition.  
Envy may be Sin's Preposition,  
Against things well composed showing opposition.  
Ablatives, and Accusatives he'll choose  
For he loves to Detract, and to Accuse.   

Gluttony, an Interjection.  
Gluttony is an Interjection,  
Into his paunch all his delights are thrown.  
As nothing but good bits, can make him glad,  
So only want of them, can make him sad.   

Sin's Declension.  
O God in what bad Case are we declined?  
Since thou in every Case our sins mayst find,  
In Nominative, by furious Appellations,  
In Genitive, by spurious generations.  
In Dative by corrupting bribery.  
In the Accusative, by calumny.  
In Vocative, by grudging, and exclaiming.  
In Ablative, by cozening, rape, and stealing.   

Number, and Gender.  
Singular sins, and Plural we commit,  
And we in every Gender vary it.   

Number.  
Our Single sins are wicked cogitations,  
Our Plural, Riots, Combinations  
Against thee, Lord, and thy Anointed ones.   

Gender.  
Our Masculine, first sin's uxoriousnes,  
Our Feminine, to sin's sleights yeeldingnes,  
Our Neuter sin, is cold neutrality,  
Common of two, too common Venery.  
Thrice Common we commit sins against Three;  
Against ourselves, our Neighbours, against Thee.  
Doubtful is our Dissimulation.  
In all sins, he's and she's take delectation.   

The Conclusion.  
Thus we in Sin use regularity,  
Whilst We with Grace have no Congruity.   

29. To lashing, faultfinding Zoilus.  
I know, thou wilt end, as thou hast begun:  
Put up thy Rod (great whipper) I have done.   

30. To the ineffable, individual, ever blessed Trinity in Unity.  
To one in three, three in one be all praise,  
For planting in me, this small bud of Bays.   
The end of the Author's Quodlibets. At this time.   

To the Reader, in stead of an Epistle.  
If these fail in worth, blame me, but consider from whence they came; from a place of no helps. If in Printing, blame the Printer, and mend it. I have omitted many of mine own and of the Translations. As thou likest those, thou mayst have the rest.  
FAREWELL.   

CERTAIN EPIGRAMS OUT OF THE FIRST FOUR BOOKS OF THE EXcellent Epigrammatist, Master JOHN OWEN:  
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AT HARBOR-GRACE IN Bristols-Hope in Britaniola, anciently called Newfoundland: By R. H.  
PAX ⁙ OPULENTIAM SAPIENTIA ⁙ PACEM   printer's or publisher's device 
FK  
AT LONDON Imprinted for Roger Michael, and are to be sold at the sign of the Bull's head in Paul's Churchyard. 1628.   

TO THE FAR ADMIRED, ADMIRABLLY FAIR, virtuous, and witty Beauties of ENGLAND.  
IT was, fair, virtuous, witty, for your sake,  
That I this harder task did undertake.  
I grieved, such wit was out of your command,  
Locked in a tongue you did not understand.  
To do you service, not myself to please,  
Did I at first adventure upon these.  
I thought to have proceeded in this method, but the ragged, bashful slut my Muse (having not seen your like before) is amazed, and strucken dumb at the sight of your excellencies: I must therefore take up the speech for her, and as She hath heretofore twatled much for me, I must therefore entreat you in Her behalf. Indeed I told Her, She should find you very loving and kind, and should be admitted to kiss your whitest hands. She is a stranger, I humbly therefore pray you, to take her into your protection, kindly take her into your hands, and entertain her courteously; none can do it better than yourselves; whilst you look kindly upon her, let her with admiration, and contentment gaze on your beauties: you may look upon her boldly with unuailed countenances, you shall find her every where modest, either she hath veiled, or quite omitted what She fears might offend your chaste ears, She hath taken pains to let you know what envious men have too long kept from your knowledge. If She speak any thing against your sex, it is but what malicious men sometimes mutter in an unknown language against your inferior frailties, and hath answered somewhat in your behalf: you shall find Her no importunate Companion, for you may begin with her when you please, and leave her when you list: every small parcel is an entire treatise, and depends upon itself; they may serve you for pastime, if you please, for use, for embellishing in your discourse, as spangles in your attire: The translations were the better, if they are not made worse in the change. For our own, they are the best we can at this time. The grace and love I received sometime from one of your sex, makes me confident of your gracious goodness: but my Muse hath a little recovered her spirits, and requests me She may speak a little unto you.  
Your beauties, wonder and amazement bred  
In me, that still I am astonished:  
Yet this request I pray do not deny,  
Give me good words, for you have more than I.  
In recompense one day I'll sing a song  
Of your rich worth with my last buskins on.  
The admirer of your excellencies, the short-breathed Muse of Robert Hayman.   

A PRAEMONITION TO ALL KIND OF READERS of these Translations of john Owen's EPIGRAMS.  
AS one into a spacious Garden led,  
Which is with rare, fair flowers well garnished,  
Where Argus may all his eyes satisfy;  
Centimanus all his hands occupy,  
He will choose some fine flowers of the best,  
To make himself a Poesy at the least:  
Or he will, if such favour may be found,  
Entreat some Slips, to set in his own ground:  
So fares it with me, when in Owen's book,  
At leisure times, with willing eyes I look:  
I cannot choose, but choose some of his flowers,  
And to translate them at my leisure hours.  
But as 'tis not for this admitted Man,  
Manners at once to gather every one,  
But mildly to cull a few at a time,  
I pray thee do so too, kind Reader mine:  
For as a Man may surfeit on sweet meats:  
So thou mayst overread these acquaint conceits.  
Some at one time, some at another choose;  
As Maidens do their kissing Confects use.  
Read therefore these, His; by translation, Mine:  
As some eat Cheese, a penny-waight at a time.   

AN ENCOMIASTIC DISTICH ON MY RIGHT WORTHY AUTHOR, JOHN OWEN.  
THe best conceits Owen's conceits have found,  
Short, sharp, sweet, witty, unforced, neat, profound.   

PART OF MASTER JOHN OWEN'S EPIGRAMS TRANSLATED into ENGLISH.  

THE FIRST BOOK.  

Epig. 2. To the Reader.  
THou that readest these, if thou commend them all,  
Thou'st too much milk; if none, thou'st too much gall.   

3 To Master john Hoskins, of his Book.  
My Book the World is, Verses are the Men,  
You'll find as few good here, as amongst them.   

8 Know thyself.  
Nothing worth knowledge is in thee, I trow,  
Seek somewhere else, some worthier thing to know.   

14 Gilberts Opinion, that the Earth goes round, and that the Heavens stand still.  
Thou sayst, the Earth doth move: that's a strange tale,  
When thou didst write this, thou wert under sail.   

15 Physicians, and Lawyers.  
Our sicknesses breeds our Physicians' health,  
Our folly makes wise Lawyers with our wealth.   

16 O Times, O Manners!  
Scaliger did Times computation mend:  
Who, to correct ill manners doth intend?   

Or thus to Scaliger.  
Thou mended hast the bad score of old years:  
Who dares take old bad manners by the ears?   

21 To a poor, bare, beggarly, fie on such a Physician.  
Thou wert a poor, bare, fie on such a one,  
But now thou art grown a Physician:  
Thou givest us physic, we with gold thee please:  
Thou cur'st not ours; but we cure thy disease.   

26 Cold fire.  
If that Love be a fire (as it is said)  
How cold is thy Love's fire, my pretty Maid?   

27 An impious Atheists pastime.  
I joy in present things, and present time:  
A time will come that will be none of mine:  
Grammarians talk oftimes past and hereafter:  
I spend time present in pastime and laughter.   

28 An Atheist's Epitaph.  
He lived, as if he should not feel Death's pain,  
And died, as if he would not live again.   

30 Married Alanaes' complaint.  
All day Alana raileth at Wedlock,  
And says, 'tis an untolerable yoke:  
At night being pleased, she altereth her rage,  
And says that marriage is the merriest age.   

31 A Prophet and Poet.  
Of things to come these make true predication,  
These of things present make a false relation.   

35 freewill.  
freewill for which Christ's Church is so divided,  
Though men it lose, Wives will not be denied it.   

39 New Rhetoric.  
Good arguments without Coin will not stick  
To pay, and not say is best Rhetoric.   

52 To an Atheist.  
Each house, thou seest here, some one doth possess,  
Yet thou dost think the great house masterless.   

53 A trade betwixt Physicians and Patients.  
Physicians receive gold, but give none back,  
Physic they'll give, but none of it they'll take:  
Their hands write our health bills, ours grease their fist:  
Thus one man's hand, another doth assist.   

54 juris-prudentes, Wise men of Law.  
Lawyers are rightly called wise men of Law,  
Since to themselves, they wisely wealth do draw.   

To the same purpose more largely thus.  
Wise men of Law, the Latins Lawyers style,  
And so they are, fools Clients are the while:  
Lawyers are wise, we see, by their affairs,  
Leaving so much land to their happy heirs.   

55 To Courtiers.  
If good thou be at Court, thou may'st grow better,  
But I do fear thou hardly wilt grow greater:  
If great thou be, greater thou may'st be made:  
But to grow better is no Courtiers trade.   

57 A Mortal Conceit.  
To eternize thy fame, thou buildest a Tomb,  
As if death could not eat up such a Room.   

58 A Comfort for Baldness.  
So young and bald, take comfort then in this,  
Thy head will ne'er be whiter than it is.   

61 On old Alan.  
Old Alan joins his couch to his wife's bed,  
And thinks himself thereby most sweetly laid.   

62 New-yeeres-gifts. Some men's pride, some men's baseness.  
Olus gives not to rich, to receive more;  
To poor he cannot give, 'cause he is poor:  
Quintus for gain gives gift with long low legs,  
And what he would have given, by giving begs.   

63 A Caveat for Cuckolds.  
When Pontius wished all Cuckolds in the Sea,  
His wife replied: First learn to swim, I pray.   

71 Physicians and Lawyers.  
Physicians, Lawyers, by one means do thrive,  
For others harms do both of them relieve:  
By sickness one, the other by contention;  
Both promise help, both thrive by this pretention.   

73 The Baldpate.  
Trees have new leaves, in fields there grows new grain,  
But thy shed hairs will never grow again.   

76 Giants and Dwarves.  
Giants and Dwarves are men of differing growth,  
Dwarves are shrunk men; Giants are men stretched forth.   

80 A Sergeants case. To Lawyers.  
If a man with a wench should make a match,  
And in stead of her should his own wife catch:  
Tell me if a child borne by this deceit,  
Be a base bastard, or Legitimate?   

84 A begging Poet.  
I hear, thou in thy verses praisest me:  
It is because in mine I should praise thee.   

89 An old Churl.  
Whatever of this friend I beg or borrow,  
He puts me off, and says, You shall to morrow:  
For this thy promise shall I fit thanks fit?  
To morrow then, thee will I thank for it.   

93 Double dealing.  
Wherefore loves Venus, Mars, unlawfully?  
Vulcan is lame in lawful venery.   

94 Much hair, little Wit.  
Thy beard grows fair and large; thy head grows thin;  
Thou hast a light head, and a heavy chin.   

Addition.  
Hence 'tis those light conceits thy head doth breed,  
From thy dull heavy mouth so slow proceed.   

101 A dead Reckoning.  
What death is, thou dost often ask of me:  
Come to me when I am dead, I'll tell it thee.   

103 To self applying, and faultfinding Zoilus.  
When I find fault at faults, thou carp'st at me:  
It may be, therein thou think'st I mean thee:  
Why shouldst thou think I reprove thee alone?  
Finding fault with faults, I do fault mine own.   

105 To Baldpate.  
Surely thy brow had some dimention,  
Before thy hairs were with a hoarefrost gone:  
Thy hairs are all like leaves fallen from a tree,  
That thy whole head a forehead now may be:  
None know the length, breadth, depth of thy brow now,  
Therefore there is no trust now to thy brow.   

106 Plain downright baldpate.  
I cannot count my hairs, they are so thick grown,  
Nor canst thou number thine, for thou hast none.   

107 Fortune's Apology.  
To all, just Fortune deals an equal Share,  
To poor men she gives hope, to rich men Fear.   

113 The Chirurgeon.  
Whether for war or peace should I desire?  
I gain by Mars his sword, and Venus' fire.   

115 Complainers and Flatterers.  
Old Anaxagoras said, Snow was black:  
Our Age such kind of people doth not lack:  
The Fox said, that the Rook was white as Snow:  
Many such flattering Foxes I do know.   

119 A reasonable Request.  
Sweet, let thy soul be smooth as is thy skin:  
As thou art fair without, be so within.   

120 Not seen, No sin.  
Thou think'st all sure, when none do see thine ill,  
Though with a witness, thou goest to it still.   

127 To a scalded Lecher.  
Though thou hast scaped commuting, and the sheet,  
Thy headless thing hath had correction meet.   

130 To a mincing Madam.  
Thou art displeased, and angrily dost look,  
'Cause a man's thing thou findest named in my book:  
For writing it, why dost thou chafe at me?  
A man without it would more anger thee.   

131 Saturn's three sons.  
Doubtful Divines, Lawyers that wrangle most,  
Nasty Physicians, these three rule the roast.   

132 To his married friend. Single and married lives.  
Woe to th'alone saith married Solomon:  
Yet Paul says, There's no life like such a one:  
The married cry, Woe us: Single, Woe me.  
Woe me, I'll take: Take thou, Woe us, to thee.   

Addition out of his own Welsh Annotation.  
And single woes better than double be.   

139 Wine and Women.  
Since Venery is vendible as Wine,  
Why hath not Venus an enticing sign?   

Addition.  
They need no sign to hang over the door,  
Whilst in it stands the foul bawd or fine whore.   

143 Rare Sarah.  
A Wife to yield her bed-right to her maid,  
Of none but Sarah could it ere be said.   

144 To D. T.  
Thy Master's master, Pupils slave the while,  
I do both envy, and lament thy Style.   

147 A Wags Bolt.  
Happy is he (good Sir) that hath a care  
Of others harms, and horns for to beware:  
A son so whispered in his father's ear.   

149 An uxorious Ass.  
Quintus observes his wife's words, nods, and hands,  
Her words are laws, and her requests commands:  
She draws, she drives, she sways her husband so,  
You cannot tell where she have one or no:  
Against all Grammar rules, they lead their life,  
That you may say, his husband, and her wife.   

151 A wary wench that stood upon her terms.  
Unfaithful to her first mate, and her last,  
In the vacation she lived wondrous chaste.  
Shame, and not sin, made her forbear the deed,  
She knew she had good ground, had she good seed:  
Though she were hard beset both first and last,  
Still out of Term her Checker-doore was fast.   

Addition.  
Yet still when she of her Termtime was sure,  
Some days before, She opened her Checker-doore.   

161 A Doctor in promising, but a Dunce in performing.  
Much thou dost promise, nothing thou dost lend,  
Like Doctors that write, take, and nothing send.   

162 A pretty wench scurvily Cunny-catcht.  
Would the old Spartan Law were up again,  
That naked maids should marry naked men:  
I thought to have cocked away my maidenhead,  
In naked truth, I did a Capon wed.   

163 A forked Problem.  
Since She defiled hath the marriage bed,  
Why must he wear the horns? He is the head.   

164 Verses given for a New-yeeres-gift, unrewarded.  
Give somewhat, or my verses back to me:  
On that condition, I do give them thee.   

165 Christ's Church College in Oxford.  
Though men look sad at thy unfinishing,  
Which makes thee look like to a ruin'd thing,  
Thy Quadrangle shows what thou shouldst have been.   

166 Phillis Love..  
Phillis says that she's ravished with my verses:  
Verses she loves well: better she loves Tar—   

167 Pastime.  
I spend my time in vain and idle toys,  
So fearing to lose time, my time I lose.   

168 Short and sweet to the Reader.  
Brand not my brevity with ill belief,  
Believe me, 'tis my pain to be thus brief:  
I speak not much, and fond, as many a one,  
If I speak foolishly, I soon have done.   

172 A Request to the Reader.  
Rather than my leaves should Tobacco light,  
I pray thee with them make thy backside bright.   

173 Of his Book.  
What if my Book long before me should dye?  
Many a son doth so unwillingly.  
What if he should live some time after me?  
All my brains Children frail and mortal be.     

PART OF MASTER JOHN OWEN'S EPIGRAMS TRANSLATED into ENGLISH.  

THE SECOND BOOK.  

Epig. 1.  
THough Fools are every where, (as there are many)  
I cannot, nor I care not to please any:  
Few Readers I desire, and 'twere but one,  
It should not trouble me, if there were none.   

5 To Sir john Harrington, most Excellent Poet.  
A Poet mean I am; yet of the troop  
Though thou art not, yet better thou canst do't.   

7 A Court Wit.  
At Court, who cannot his wit nimbly fit,  
To fit each humour; hath at Court no wit.   

8 The Spur of Knighthood.  
Thou knighted art, to get thy wife's good will;  
she'll love herself the more, thee little still:  
She'ath cost thee much, but now she'll cost thee more;  
she's dearer therefore to thee, then before.   

9 Chemics folly.  
Th'unskillful Chemic toils, and boyles, and spoils,  
To make a Stone; unstones himself the while.   

10 A true Trojan.  
When all was lost, the Trojans than grew wise:  
Who is not a true Trojan in this wise?   

11 The Remedy of Love..  
Pray much, fast oft, fly women as the fire,  
Think not on earthly things, but think on higher:  
If these work not this, medicine doth excel,  
The fire of marriage will lust-fire expel.   

12 London, anciently called Troynovant.  
As from the old Phoenix ashes anew springs:  
So from Troy's ashes, London her birth brings.   

37 To Master Adam Newton, Tutor to King Charles, when he was Prince of Wales.  
The hopefullest Prince that ever this Land breed,  
Is from thy learned mouth so discipleed,  
That times hereafter will be arguing,  
Which he was; Greater, More learned, Better King?   

Addition. To the same Master Newton, to whom for kindness received, I am further indebted.  
I know thou art as learned as Arist'le,  
Thy Pupil will his far surpass in battle,  
In goodness, good josiah, David rather;  
In learning Tresmegist, or his own 
* Our late most learned King james.  Father.   

39 Sir Francis Drake.  
Drake like a Dragon through the world did fly,  
And every Coast thereof he did descry:  
Should envious men be dumb, the Spheres will show,  
And the two Poles, his journeys which they saw:  
Beyond Cades Pillars far, Fame steered his way;  
Great Hercules on shore, but Drake by Sea.   

43 The Divine.  
Though thou know much, thy knowledge is but lost,  
Unless that other men know what thou knowst.   

The Politician.  
Though thou know much, thy knowledge is but lost,  
If any other man know what thou knowst.   

47 Women would have their Will.  
A Papist maid marrying a Lutheran;  
Two sects much differing in opinion,  
She said, Sweet heart, be not unkind to me;  
All shall be well, for I'll be kind to thee:  
Let me of my old Faith hold but free will;  
In other points I shall your mind fulfil.   

54 An English Wife.  
Let me set always uppermost at board,  
The uppermost in bed I'll you afford:  
Thus we'll divide our rule; I rule all day,  
All night, kind Husband, you shall oversway.   

57 A prating Companion.  
Thou still ask'st leave, that still thy tongue may walk:  
Thou needest no leave, if thou wouldst leave to talk.   

64 The Order of the Golden Fleece.  
Philip of Burgundy did first ordain  
The Order of the Golden Fleece of Spain,  
He prophised, when he this Order made:  
For his heirs since have got the golden Trade.   

68 To Mistress jane Owen, a very learned Woman.  
Of thy five sisters, jane, I know but thee,  
I only have heard what their number be:  
I cannot one of them by their names call;  
Yet if they be like thee, I know them all.   

Addition.  
Fair, modest, learned, wise, beyond my praise:  
Happy is he shall marry one of these.   

71 To one like neither of his Parents.  
Why art thou so unlike either of those  
Who thee begot, with a joint willing close?  
Whilst each did strive hard, who should form thee most,  
Illfavouredly their favours thou hast lost.   

72 Two Gallants that went to Venice upon Return.  
Towards fair Venice both of ye are gone,  
At your return, to receive four for one:  
And now you are returned to your own Coast,  
Your friends welcome you home unto their cost.   

80 To a Drunken Rhymer.  
Thou drinkest, and think'st, drink makes a man a Poet,  
Thou think'st, and drinkest, thou art one by that diet.  
Add but two letters unto Versifier,  
And then thou art a drunken Vers-defiler.   

81 More Epistle than Gospel.  
Full often thy Epistles I receive,  
Thou seldom writest Gospel, I perceive.   

88 Naked Love..  
Nature's preserve, from cold as with a freeze,  
The ground with grass and corn, with bark green trees,  
With feathers, birds; and beasts, with wool, and hair:  
Where Nature wants, Art covering doth prepare.  
Why then loves Love her naked to unfold?  
The nakeder she is, she's the less cold.   

89 The Exchequer.  
Collected Coin into the Exchequer flows;  
As fresh streams daily to the salt Sea goes:  
From thence coin is dispersed by secret veins,  
As through the Earth the Sea refils up streams;  
Yet never will this Sea be satisfied,  
These rivers by their tribute never dried.   

94 This World's Wisdom.  
Who's rich? The wise. Who's poor? The foolish man.  
If I were wise, I should have riches then.  
Who's wise? The rich. And who's a fool? The poor.  
If I were rich, I should be wise therefore.   

102 To play and study together.  
When I handle a grave and serious thing,  
Lightly, and slightly, I play studying:  
When I light and slight trivial matters way,  
Too seriously I study in my play.   

104 To faultfinding and envious Zoilus.  
Praises are praised, Lover's loved are:  
If thou commend us, we will speak thee fair;  
Love us hereafter, we will for thee care.   

111 The Covetous Man.  
Thy gold is locked up in thy iron chest:  
Thy love is blocked up in thy iron breast.   

115 The Plague in England, 1603.  
This hungry lean Plague did so many eat,  
That we shall hardly find a new plague meat.   

116 To a very fair Woman.  
If that thou wert as rich as thou art fair,  
Then no one living could with thee compare.  
If thou hadst lived in time of Trojan wars,  
For thee more justly had been all those jars.   

Addition on my Author.  
Rare, fair was She to whom he this affords,  
Or he disposed to give her fair words.   

122 A fantastical Courtier.  
Of wise men thou art thought a foolish Elf:  
Fools think thee wise: what think'st thou of thyself?   

124 A handsome Whore.  
Would ' thou wert not so fair, or better given:  
Then a fair Whore there's nought worse under heaven.   

126 To Baldpate.  
Thou hast lost all thy hair upon thy pate,  
Thy faithless forehead is in the same state,  
Before, behind, all thy hairs being fled;  
What hast thou baldpate for to lose? Thy head.   

127 Nolens volens.  
Claudius' might soon be honest, if he would:  
Linus would be unhonest, if he could.   

131 On a covetous Gowty-fist.  
If thou a gift giv'st to this Clung-fist man,  
he'll find a hundred hands, though he have none:  
But if thou for thy gift, a gift dost crave,  
No hand he hath, though hundred hands he have.   

132 King's Misery.  
Whilst some dares not tell him the truth of things.  
And those that may, nought but placebo sings,  
How miserable is the state of Kings?   

133 Might and Right.  
Might overcomes Right, and Right masters Might,  
Yet change one letter, Right makes Might, Might, Right.   

137 On a Scalded ill-favoured Knave.  
In a known part, hot Venus branded thee,  
That thou some where mightst in her livery heel.   

138 To Adr. V.  
Thy laughing Epigrams ridiculous,  
Make us not smile, but laughter cause in us.  
They have no jests: the Reader laughs at that,  
Because there's nothing worth the laughing at.   

148 Sir Francis Drakes Epitaph.  
If Romish bloody superstition  
Should for our sins into our Land return,  
And that they should use their vile fashion,  
Their adversary's bodies for to burn;  
Brave Drake, thy body in the Sea lies free  
From their bold, beastly, bloody cruelty:   

Addition, Alluding to the Legend of the floating Lady of Loretto.  
Except some Loret Miracle do float thee.   

157 Of Virgil's Georgics.  
Thy verses, Maro, Husbandry express,  
Thou dost thy Readers grounds and his wit dress.   

158 To Poet Persius.  
Persius, when I sometimes thy verses touch,  
Thy sense I see not, thy dark lines are such,  
Thou dost neglect thy Reader tootoo much.   

160 To Poet Marshal.  
Thou iest'st at things, yet men thou dost not wrong,  
No gall, much honey flows from thy salt tongue.   

161 To excellent Poet Petrack of his Laura.  
As often as thy Laura shall be read,  
Amongst thy Readers 'twill be questioned,  
Whether thy Laura, Laurel doth deserve  
Better than thou, that didst her so well serve.   

172 On his own Epigrams to Samuel Daniel, most witty Poet.  
'Tis not strange, if my Epigrams be mean,  
I do not bite my nails, nor beat my brain.   

177 Hunger makes meat taste sweetest.  
If with much pleasure thou wouldst eat thy meat,  
Be hungry then, before the meat thou eat.   

181 Satyrs and Epigrams.  
Satyrs are Epigrams; but larger droven,  
Epigrams Satyrs are, but closer woven:  
An Epigram must be Satirical,  
A satire must be Epigrammicall.   

183 Deaf and Blind.  
Deaf men look wild: blind men thrust out their ear:  
Blind with ears see: Deaf with their eyes do hear.   

189 Sunday.  
Sunday I'll call that day, spite of precise,  
In which the glorious Son of God did rise.   

191 Fashions in Clothes.  
Old outworn fashions young men's fashion grows:  
And old men wear late strange new fashion clothes.   

193 The commodity of a silly Sheep.  
If leather, flesh, milk, compost, dice, or cords,  
Or wool you want; all this a Sheep affords.   

An Egg, which though it be mine own, I'll add to this, because it goes to the same tune.  
If flesh, or skin, or bones, feathers, or strings,  
Or blood you want; all this one round Egg brings.   

To mine Author, a little to be merry with him.  
When I did write this, I did think upon  
The Egg, supped up by thine own Countryman.   

196 Parrot, and Prater.  
Parrot and Prater, jump just in their names,  
One to the other are right Anagrams.   

200 Satyrs and good Laws have one original cause.  
Good Laws and Satyrs from one cause proceed;  
Wicked behaviour both of them doth breed.   

Addition. These ends are alike.  
Tart, biting Satyrs have the selfsame end,  
That good Laws have, bad manners to amend.   

203 A Merchant's account.  
Or rich, or poor, account myself I may,  
Whilst with my goods I trust the Bankrupt Sea.   

204 Lust.  
In the dark, foul Sluts are esteemed fair:  
Blind lust is cause thereof, not the dark air.   

213 Echo.  
Carving, nor painting, cannot express words;  
Yet prating Echo that quaint-art affords.   

214 Looking-glass.  
To express Motion, Painting is nought worth;  
My Looking-glass can lively set it forth.   

215 Echo, and Looking-glass.  
Nothing of man but voice Echo affords;  
My Looking-glass wants nothing else but words.   

217 A good Chapman.  
I gave thee three books, three pounds thou gav'st me;  
No man hath bought my books as dear as thee.   

218 To the blessed Memory of King james, the happy Vniter of this so long-divided Island of Great Britain.  
Great Britain severed from the World by Sea,  
Was in itself divided many a day,  
In many Kingdoms, and in many parts,  
Which did divide her people, and their hearts:  
Unhappy then was parted Albion,  
Happy in Thee, for in Thee All-be-on.   

Addition to King james.  
Oft have I wished (O pardon my wishing▪)  
That thou hadst styled thyself All-be-ons King.     

PART OF MASTER JOHN OWEN'S EPIGRAMS TRANSLATED into ENGLISH.  

THE THIRD BOOK.  

Epig. 4. The happy Virgin-issue of Blessed Queen Elizabeth.  
SCotland with England was twinned happily,  
In the blessed birth of thy Virginity:  
To unite, is more blessed then to breed,  
From thy not-bearing this birth did proceed.   

9 To the virtuous Lady, Mary Nevil, Daughter to the Earl of Dorset, his worthy Patroness.  
Thy glass presents thee fair, Fame Chased thee styles:  
Neither thy Glass nor Fame do lie the while.  
Loud-wide-mouthed Fame swifter than Eagles wing,  
Dares not report against thee any thing.   

10 To the same right worthy Lady, of her little Daughter, Cicill.  
To limb soul's beauty, painting is nought-worth:  
This pretty Image lively sets thine forth.   

11 To the white-handed Reader.  
My good excel: my bad ones well may pass:  
Such grace (white Reader) thy kind judgement has.   

12 To the black-mouthed Reader.  
My means are nought, my bad intolerable:  
Thy envy doth (black Reader) them disable.   

18 Dives and Lazarus.  
The rich man hath in God's Book but his shame:  
Poor Lazarus in God's Book hath his Name.   

22 The Spirit and Flesh.  
The Spirit this, the Flesh draws me that way:  
Caesar and jove in me bear several sway:  
If there were once a good Peace 'twixt these two,  
In Earth there would not be so much ado.   

24 Gods Sight, and man's oversight.  
Men few things see, God all things doth foresee:  
God seldom speaks, but men still prating be.   

25 The broad and narrow Way.  
Heaven's Way is narrow: but Heaven's Rooms are broad▪  
Hells way is large: but narrow his abode.  
Who goes not the straight Way to the broad place,  
The broad will bring him in a narrow case.   

30 A Catechism.  
We must believe twelve, and we must do ten,  
And pray for seven; if we'll be godly men.   

31 Rich men's Repentance.  
Why are so many rich men to Hell sent?  
They repent nothing but their Money spent.   

35 Wisdom, justice, and Fortitude.  
He's wise, who knows much: just, who just doth deal:  
He valiant is, who knows, and dares do well.   

37 To Camber-Brittone.  
Wales, Scotland, England, now are joined in one:  
Henceforth Wales is not Britain alone.   

41 Christ jesus God and Man.  
Because the purer Godhead could not dye,  
Nor could the impure Manhood satisfy:  
Therefore our wise God suffered bodily.   

45 Adam's fall was our thrall.  
Since our first Parent, Father Adam's fall,  
Our body's goods, and souls are thus in thrall:  
Divines have got the sway over our souls,  
Physicians, bodies, Lawyers goods control.   

47 A good Preacher.  
The morning's trusty Herald Chantecleare,  
Before he tells us that the day is near,  
russel's himself, stretching forth every wing,  
And then his good news loudly he doth sing:  
So a good Preacher should rouse himself then,  
When he intends to stir up other men.   

65 Niggard and prodigal.  
Niggard's nothing will give, whilst they have breath:  
Unthrifts have nothing to give after death.   

76 Old Critics. New phantastics.  
His envy is too gross, who likes no new device:  
And he that likes nothing but new, his envy is too nice.   

77 A Christians Death.  
As in a way Death doth us to life bring:  
Death's no enterring, but an entering.   

80 Holiness is better than Learning.  
To read Saints lives, and not live like them holy,  
Doth not respect, but doth neglect them wholly.   

82 An Atheists godliness.  
Thou hast no Faith on any thing that's past,  
Nor dost thou hope on any thing at last,  
But on the present all thy Love is placed.   

84 The diverse effects of praise.  
Praise doth improve the Good man, hurts the Bad,  
Infatuates Fools, makes wise the crafty Lad.   

86 The Envious and the Foolish man.  
The fool wants wit, the envious a good mind,  
Whilst this sees not, the other will be blind.   

96 Divine Virtue.  
Virtue an act is, not an idle breath,  
In works, not words, are found Love, Hope, and Faith▪   

105 Young Days.  
Then now time was, when first of all time was,  
When the new world was framed out of the mass,  
Now tell me, Reader, of Antiquities,  
Are these the elder or the newer days?   

106 Desire, and have.  
Wouldst thou do good? continue thy good will,  
He that gave thee desire, will give thee skill.   

108 Good men are better than wise men.  
Wise men are wiser than good men. What then?  
'Tis better to be better than wise men.   

110 Much Preaching. To Preachers.  
'Tis sign of much ill, where much preaching needs,  
For what needs preaching, where you see good deeds?   

A reply to mine Author.  
Yes, preaching may do good, where goodness grows,  
T'encourage, to confirm, to comfort those.   

112 Eloquence.  
Not he that prates, and takes a foul great deal.  
Is eloquent: but he that talketh well:  
As that is not good ground that rank weeds bears,  
But that which breeds good grass; or great full ears.   

116 Love comes by seeing: Faith comes by hearing. To Princes.  
Now out alas! Zeal, and the ancient Faith  
You do pretend, and warm her with your breath:  
Religion you pretend t'increase your honour,  
Not to restore Religion's honour on her.   

117 O Times, O Manners!  
With our faults we do times and manners blame,  
Accusing times and manners with the same:  
Neither in times nor manners is the crime,  
By times we are not viced, but in time.   

118 Knowledge-hunters. Philosophers of our time.  
Most would know all, little believe, but such  
Do know but little, and believe too much.   

120 More Zeal than Godliness.  
Divines strive, and their case is in the judge:  
Would God till he did bid, they would not budge:  
Divines strive, and who's judge, they do contend.  
Would God that that were all they did pretend,  
That strife of love were their intention,  
Not love of strife, and of contention.   

123 A quiet and a temperate life frees a man from Lawyers and Physicians.  
If men would temperate be in thought and diet,  
Eating thats good, and keeping themselves quiet:  
If men would patient be, and not be stirred,  
With covetise, and every testy word:  
Those that now plead in Gowns, might then part Lice,  
And Velvet Caps go poison Rats and Mice.   

124 The vicissitude of Marriage.  
One bed can hold a loving man and wife:  
A great house cannot hold them being at strife.   

125 Death sudden and sure.  
Death hath his day, which he will not foreslow:  
To morrow is that day, for aught we know.   

128 A Prayer.  
Good God that dost all wills to thy will tie:  
Give me a will to live, a will to dye.   

129 Good Counsel without a Fee.  
If that the judge be deaf, then hear thou me,  
Good Counsel I'll thee give without a Fee:  
Study thy judge more than thou dost thy case,  
So in that case thou shalt have no disgrace.   

130 To a Belly-god.  
Fasting was first ordained as a Rod,  
To awe flesh to the spirit, the spirit to God:  
But Fasting-days most of thy Feast days be,  
Thy spirit serves thy flesh, both of them thee.   

132 It is no marvel that we have no Miracles.  
Is God's arm short, that Miracles are gone?  
No: Our short-armed Faith now can reach us none.   

138 Grief and Pleasure.  
Bodies and soule-griefes vex, till they are passed,  
Griefs vex us first, they comfort us at last:  
But present pleasures please, though bought with pain:  
Their present pleasures future sorrows gain.   

140 An argument against sleeping.  
If dying sleeping, be sleeping to die:  
Why, then the more I sleep, the less live I.   

143 Contrary to the Prayer of the Apostles, Luk. 17.5. The multiplicity of beliefs in our days, doth rather require this prayer.  
Decrease our Faiths, Lord, 'tis increased too far:  
As many men, so many Faiths there are;  
And each one dotes on his fond Mistress,  
Never more faiths, nor more unfaithfulness.   

146 Vanity of vanities.  
Heraclitus, that shed so much salt brine,  
For those few small ills of his better time:  
If he did see, and know the best of our,  
he'd weep out both his eyes in half an hour.  
And did Democritus laugh out his life  
In his days, when folly was not so rise?  
If he dip see those parts that we do play,  
he'd laugh out all his Spleen in half a day.   

148 Works Consequence.  
Their works do follow them, that still do well:  
Those that do ill, follow their works to Hell.   

149 Fear begets zeal.  
We shall desire Heaven, if we fear Hell fire:  
Cold fear of Hell, inflames heavens hot desire.   

161 Owen's Bracelet.  
Our senses without Reason, are nought worth;  
Nor Reason, unless Faith do set it forth:  
Neither is Faith without Love to be deemed;  
Nor is Love without God to be esteemed.   

164 Wisdom and Valour.  
Wise men fear harms, but valiant men do bear them:  
So wise men bear them not, nor brave men fear them.   

165 In the sweat of thy brows.  
Our blessed God, that bade us for to get  
Our daily maintnance, by our daily sweat;  
Did never promise us, without our pain,  
We should our everlasting maintenance gain.   

170 Retaliation. To an ignoble Nobleman.  
Thy Ancestors did many glorious acts;  
But thou ne'er readest the Record of their facts:  
justice 'twill be in those, who thee succeeds,  
If they read not thy vile ignoble deeds.   

173 john against all.  
Though all men argue against thee in the right,  
Thou hast one answer for them; I deny it.   

174 justification.  
Doth Faith or good works justify the just?  
Neither, except God justify them first.   

181. A strange wish. To a poor friend.  
'Tis bad enough; yet worse God thee send:  
For when 'tis at the worst, than it will mend.   

182 The Earth's division.  
Cosmographers the Earth in four parts share.  
As many parts, so many Creeds there are.   

Addition.  
Asia, Africa, America, Europe.  
jewish, Mametan, Pagan, Christian hope.   

183. The cause of quarrels.  
All savour their own sense, their reason's sway;  
All will have their own will, and their own way:  
This is the cause of quarrels, and debate;  
For if will would be still, we should not hate.   

185 A wise Man.  
Who knows the cause of things, can temporize,  
Rule passions, order actions; he is wise.   

186 Wisdoms sovereignty.  
Fate governs fools, wise men o'errule the stars:  
Not Fate, but their pate order their affairs.   

187 A Chrisoms Epitaph.  
Ask not the name of him that here doth lie;  
Nameless, and blameless, I poor child did dye:  
Without a name, O Christ, I am engraved,  
That only in thy Name I might be saved.   

191 Socrates knowledge.  
Nothing thou knowst, yet that thing thou dost know;  
Thou knowst some thing, and that's nothing I trow  
This something's nothing, nothing's something tho.   

193 A General Epitaph.  
Thou wert borne with not one rag on thy back;  
When thou wentest hence, a sheet thou didst not lack:  
Therefore thou carriedst more unto thy Mother,  
Then thou didst bring with thee, when thou cam'st hither.   

196 The two Eyes of the world.  
Law and Religion do herein agree;  
Good and bad minds and hands; they tie and free.   

192 Death, better than life.  
We cry, being borne: from thence thus argue I,  
If to be borne be bad, 'tis good to dye.   

197 To Doctor john Gifford, a learned Physician.  
In Physic still thou art exactly seen;  
Thyself thou knowst both without, and within:  
Whilst Galen shows thee rules for others health  
Apollo teacheth thee to know thyself.   

200 Saint Paul's in London, and Saint Peter in Westminster.  
Saint Peter's Church is by the Exchequer placed.  
Hard by Whitehall with the King's presence graced:  
But by Saint Paul's learned Divines do preach,  
And there are sold those books which learning teach.  
They're fitly placed, Paul's here, Saint Peter's there;  
Peter the richer, Paul the learneder.   

199 Miserable job.  
God gave the Devil leave to spoil jobs wealth,  
To kill his Children, and impair his health:  
His friends vpbrayed him with his wretched life,  
Yet had he one worse plague; he had a wife.   

201 On those Traitors, who the fifth of November, 1605. intended to blow up the Parliament house with Gunpowder.  
These▪ like the old feigned Gyant-Generation,  
Would pluck the Gods out of their habitation,  
With raising Pelion upon Ossa hill.  
And Babel tower build with a strange new skill,  
Burn Troy to ashes, and her peace disquiet,  
And bring all things unto a second Fiat.   

Addition. On this never the like heard of Treason, and never to be forgotten Deliverance.  
Ne'er did the like report sound in man's ear:  
God blest us, that That sound we did not hear.   

202. To the Reader. To those Gunpowder Traitors, who on a Tuesday intended to blow up the Parliament House.  
Traitors, would you with fire New-Troy destroy,  
'Cause Traitorous greeks with fire destroyed old Troy?  
Tuesday is Mars his day, the God of War,  
A day fit for a plot of Gunpowder.   

207. To the Reader.  
Thou that readst these, shalt find them shor and few,  
Were these few many, they would larger grow.  
Thou that readest these, shalt find them few, and short:  
Were these few long, they'd be the larger for't.   

208 Voice and Writing.  
Though voice be living, writing a Lead better,  
Yet voice soon dies, writing lives long and etter.     

PART OF MASTER JOHN OWEN'S EPIGRAMS TRANSLATED into ENGLISH.  

THE FOURTH BOOK, WHICH HE CALL HIS SOLE BOOK.  

Epig. 3. To his Book.  
THou now must pass even through a world of hands,  
Thy censure under diverse judgements stands:  
Who doth not read thee, may thee discommend;  
More faultfinders than Readers thou wilt find.   

4 To the Inhabitants of Great Britain.  
As bad, as mad, we well That man may hold,  
Who doth despise needful free-proferd gold:  
He worthy were to wear a Bedlam fetter;  
You did despise the Union that was better.   

10 The three Dimensions to a prating jack.  
In thy talk are but two dimensions found;  
'Tis large, 'tis long, but not at all profound;   

16 To a great Courtier.  
If the King smile on thee, all will do so;  
As shadows do after our bodies go:  
If the King frown, all the Court will look black;  
As when the Sun is set, we shadows jack.   

17 Baldness through Vice.  
Though not one hair can on thy head be seen:  
On that white table all may read thy sin.   

18 To Pontilian.  
Calls he thee into Law, Pontilian?  
He calls not thee, he calls thy money, man.   

Addition.  
He hopes to work on thee by bribery,  
By thy fear, compromise, or forgery.   

20 Envy's Genealogy. To the admirably-vertuous, Sir john Harrington, than Heir to the Lord Harrington.  
Fair Virtue, foul-mouthed Envy breeds, and feeds;  
From Virtue only this foul Vice proceeds:  
Wonder not that I this to you indite:  
Against your rare Virtues, Envy bends her spite.   

23 A rich Promiser, but a poor Performer.  
We should perform more, than we promise can;  
For God hath given one tongue, two hands to man:  
Nothing thou giv'st, yet grantest each demand,  
As if thou hadst two tongues, but not a hand.   

26 Every man flatters himself.  
Of all the Planets betwixt us and Heaven,  
The Moon, though least, seems greatest of the seven:  
To best conceits that other ways do know,  
Because she's nearest us, she seemeth so.  
So though I am a Poet small, and bad;  
To my near self, I seem the finest Lad.   

29 Thy shadow in thy Looking-glass.  
When thou dost laugh, thy shadow seems to smile;  
Whilst thou dost weep, he mourneth all the while:  
Sleeping he winks, all postures he'll afford;  
Yet when thou speakest, he speaketh not a word.   

31 To a sleeping talker.  
In sleep thou speakest unfore-thought mysteries,  
And vtt'rest unfore-seene things with closed eyes:  
How well wouldst thou discourse, if thou wert dead,  
Since sleep, Death's image, such fine talk hath bred?   

33 Man's misery.  
Angels want bodies, and are never sick;  
Beasts wanting souls, their conscience never prick:  
Only poor man, of soul and body made,  
Their body's pains; sadness their souls invade:  
Reason that should rule passion, is not able;  
She only shows men they are miserable.   

35 To an unmarried friend.  
Good doers deserve Heaven after this life:  
Thou hast thy deserved heaven, thou hast no wife.   

36 Woe to the alone. To a married friend, proposing God for an example.  
God made him Angels to attend his Throne:  
And why? because God would not live alone.   

Addition.  
Having made Man, makes Woman of his bone:  
And why? because man should not live alone.   

38 An Atheists Inheritance.  
When any man of Heaven doth talk to thee;  
Thou sayest, they vain, and idle prattlers be:  
What's above us, to us doth not belong,  
Hell is below thee to burn such a tongue.   

40 To the Readers.  
Dost thou ask me, Why I take so much pain,  
To be thus brief? Reader, 'tis for thy gain.  
As travellers find gold less cumbersome  
Than silver, such is brevity to some.   

41 The New Roman Computation.  
Rome that says, she holds all points without change;  
Why doth she old feast, from the old rank range?   

50 To an envious Momus, who found fault with his three first Books.  
Had five just men amongst a wicked brood  
Been found, Gomorah to this day had stood:  
For a few bad, loose verses thou findest here,  
My whole book thou (black Reader) wouldst cashier.   

53 The poor Cuckold's Complaint.  
For my wife's close-stolne sports, why am I blamed?  
And of the common vulgar, Cuckold named,  
And pointed at? For what I did not act,  
But you, I know not who; call't not my fact.   

69 Cardinal Wolsey's Ego & Rex mens: I and my King.  
Grammarians will allow I, and my King:  
The Courtier says, it was a saucy thing:  
Grammarians teach words; Courtiers words well sort:  
This phrase might pass in Schools, but not at Court.   

75 Death's Trover.  
Death finds some, as Ulysses found his wife,  
With care and sorrow spinning out her life.   

Addition.  
To her, Ulysses was a welcome guest,  
To some as welcome is Death's sad arrest.   

80 A bad Debtor.  
I know, thou tak'st great care both night and day,  
Not how thou mayst, but how thou mayst not pay:  
Thou payest me nothing, that's thy wickedness:  
But payest thy Lawyer, that's thy foolishness.   

82 The derivative Church.  
There is but one true Church, as one true Faith,  
Which from th'eternal Spirit hath her breath:  
From Primitive all would themselves derive,  
To prove it, they strange arguments contrive.   

84 The good of want.  
If how good things are, by want best are known,  
I should know money's good, for I have none.   

87 Democrates many Worlds.  
If all those Worlds were, those innumerable,  
Which fond Democrates did erst believe:  
I do believe, that amongst all that rabble,  
This world would be the worst wherein we live.   

88 Of Epigrams.  
An Epigram that's new, quick, tart, sharp, witty,  
Is like a Wench that's new, fair, smooth, neat, pretty:  
Whilst they are new and fresh, they are respected:  
Once commnon (though still good) they are neglected.   

91 A covetous man's bounty: or a sure marksman.  
He gives to take, takes not to give again:  
Giving his arrows are, his mark is gain.   

93 Penelope's Patience.  
Penelope's patient Fidelity  
Was once a Proverb, now a Prodigy.   

94 To Anetta.  
Nature ('tis said) with little is content:  
That saying of thy Nature is not meant.   

95 To an one-eyed Soldier.  
Of thy two eyes, thou now hast left but one,  
Which by his moistness always seems to moon:  
One eye being lost, why always weeps the other?  
Because that in the wars he lost his brother.   

96 Why there is no peace in Europe.  
Princes make war, and soon their wars do cease,  
Oft times they war to have the better peace:  
Divines strive, and with Venom fill their veins,  
With gall their stomaches, and with spite their brains:  
Longer and worse they war with quills and words,  
Then Princes use to do with fire and swords.   

97 An Antidote, lest women should be proud.  
When thou thy fair face see'st in thy fine glass,  
Be not puffed up, because it beauty has:  
Brittle and frail is thy fair, fine, neat feature:  
How like thy fine glass art thou pretty Creature?   

100 Nature's Horizon.  
Two Elements we see not, fire and air;  
Water and Earth we see, 'cause they are near:  
So we know men and beasts that are below;  
High Angels, highest God, we do not know.   

105 An ambo dexter. A Fencer with a twohand Scabbard.  
If Pompey overcome, I am his man:  
If Caesar win, I'm a Caesarian.   

113 A King's behaviour. To King james.  
All subjects in their manners follow Kings,  
What they do; bids: forbearing, forbids things:  
A King's behaviour sways his subject's lyues:  
As the first mover all the fixed stars drives.   

114 The head is worth all the body beside. To King james.  
Reason and senses in the head resides:  
Nothing in man worth any thing beside.   

115 Kings fear Death.  
What Kings fear most, what men fear them to tell:  
Fame boldly tells them, and the passing Bell.   

118 A Losing Gain.  
Adam did lose a rib, to get a wife.  
Poor gain! by her he lost eternal Life.   

119 Head Tires.  
Huge, high-topt-wyres and tires with toys bespread,  
Do rather build, then beautify the head.   

121 The East and Western Churches.  
The right hand Faith is in the world's left Coast:  
The right hand of the world hath left faith most.   

127 To his Reader.  
Thirsty those are that do eat salt meats first,  
Would my salt lines might cause in thee such thirst.   

128 How to rule a wife.  
Who begs not, nor commands what he would have:  
His wife is not his Mistress, nor his slave.   

Addition. A Problem.  
Yet some are so ill-natured, or ill bred,  
With whom request commands; threats have ill sped:  
What bit is fit for beasts that so take head?   

131 To Anabaptists and such kind of mealy Brethren.  
You build no Churches, Churches you destroy:  
This Zeal doth not heal, but Christ's Church annoy:  
The Spirit (you say) doth press you fiercely on.  
What spirit is your spirit then? 
* Reuel. 9.11.  A-badd-on.   

132 Alchemists folly.  
God at the first of nothing all things wrought:  
Our Alchemists reduce all things to nought.   

136 The Cross in Cheapside over against Saint Peter's, and Paul's Cross in the Booke-row.  
Why is Saint Peter's guilt? Paul's cross of lead:  
Under Paul's Cross are golden Lectures read.   

140 Seneca the Philosopher.  
Thy writings are fine Epigrams in face,  
They nothing want but Poet's cinquepace.   

141 To the honourable, wise, judicious Knight, Sir Henry Nevil, Son and Heir to the Lord of Aberguenny.  
I think I heard you once say at your board,  
That your taste, the sharp taste of salt abhorred.  
Wise Sir, you need not to eat salt: Wherefore?  
All your wise talk hath salt in it good store.   

144 Contention is fit to dwell no where.  
In heaven or Hell is no dissension,  
In Heaven all good, in Hell ill every one:  
In earth men's diverse dispositions  
Do cause both long, and strong divisions.  
Therefore the earth shall be quite emptied,  
And heaven and hell be fully peopled.   

147 The poor man's poor comfort. To a rich man.  
Unconstant Fortune quickly changeth cheer:  
Hence springs my future Hope, thy present Fear.   

149 The Heart.  
Why is the right side of the Heart bereft?  
And on the left placed? Wisdom it hath left.   

156 The Worlds black Saunts: or Music for the Devil.  
The World's so full of shrill-voyced jangling,  
Of deep repining, and base murmuring:  
The Base so deep, the Treble is so high,  
That Mean and Tenor we cannot descry.   

159 The world grows worse and worse.  
Our Sires were worse than theirs: we worse than they:  
For still the World grows worse every day.  
If our posterity grow worse than we,  
A worse race than theirs there cannot be.   

160 London's Loadstone.  
As Thames devours many small brooks and rills:  
So smaller Towns with their wealth London fills:  
But though that Thames empts itself in the Sea,  
Wealth once at London, never runs a way.   

162 Fools and Dwarves.  
Though wit or virtue have in us no treasure,  
Yet we are Great men's sports, and Great men's pleasure.   

163 Every man is full of care.  
Poor men have care, because that they are poor:  
Rich men have wealth, and have much care therefore:  
Who hath no wife, takes great care to have one;  
Who hath a wife, hath more than who hath none.   

171 The blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ jesus.  
A blessed Virgin, that's thy common Name;  
Above all Women blest, that is thy fame:  
Thy Virgin's blessed State had me nought won,  
Hadst thou not been the Mother of thy Son.   

173 New fashions in words.  
Old words are new revived, and those shall dye,  
Which now are in discoursing prized high,  
And with bold flights in our set speeches fly.  
Our now new pleasant words will not please long,  
Because they cannot still continue young:  
And other newer words will them out-throng.   

180 To an Old Churl.  
Thou that didst never do good any way,  
When wilt begin to do good? Thou dost say,  
When I die, to the poor I'll leave my state:  
Who's not wise till he dies, is wise too late.   

182 A fearful Souls flesh-farewell.  
Why should the immortal soul fear body's death?  
Fears she to expire with the body's breath?  
Or fears she going hence, she must resort  
To long long punishment, but judgement short?  
Cold, shaking fear of the hot fire of hell,  
Makes this sad soul loath bid the flesh farewell.   

Addition. A good Christians Souls Flesh-farewell.  
A thought so base hath not that soul surprised,  
Who knows the flesh shall be immortalised:  
He fears no punishment, who is assured  
Before he die, his pardon is procured.  
Body and soul thus cheered by God's grace,  
Part like friends, pointing a new meeting place:  
Therefore who hopes for Heaven, and fears not Hell,  
May cheerfully bid the frail flesh farewell.   

An Epigram on both these.  
He fears not death, who hopes for Heaven's glory;  
He may fear Death, that feareth purgatory,  
Or he that thinks this life shall end his story.   

A Prayer hereupon.  
Good dreadful God, though I live 
* Phil. 2.12.  fearfully;  
Yet when I dye, make me dye cheerfully.   

183 A woman may be too proud.  
If I should praise thee, thou wouldst prouder grow:  
And thou already art too proud, I trow.   

184 A muck-Worme.  
Heaven still views thee, and thou shouldst it still view,  
God gave Heaven lights, and hath given eyes to you:  
Thou canst at once little of this earth see,  
But with one turn, half Heaven observed may be.  
Since Heaven is lovely, why lov'st thou Earth rather?  
Wantoness do love their Mam more than the father.   

188 Cor unum, via una. To King james, the first King of Great Britain.  
Two Sceptres in thy two hands thou dost hold:  
Thy Subject's languages are just fourfold:  
Though Britain folk in tongues divided be,  
Yet all their hearts united are in thee.  
The Devil it was that first divided hearts:  
Speech God divided into many parts.   

189 A King and a Prophet.  
A King out of his Country hath no place:  
A Prophet in his Country hath no grace.   

190 Virtue's Attendance.  
These two like Genij follow Virtue still:  
A good one, and a bad; Glory, Ill-will.   

192 To a foolish inquisitive vain prattler.  
Many fond questions thou dost ask of me,  
To all I answer little unto thee:  
'Tis not because thy questioning is much,  
But because thy fond questions are such.   

193 Sleep is the image of Death.  
When I do sleep, I seem as I were dead;  
Yet no part of my life's more sweetened:  
Therefore 'twere strange that death should bitter be,  
Since sleep, death's image is so sweet to me.   

194 How worldly men range their cares.  
First, we send for the Lawyer in all haste;  
For our first care is, to care for our wealth:  
Next, the Physician with request is graced,  
The second care is, to care for our health:  
Divines that should be first, may come at leisure▪  
If unbid they come, they may go at pleasure.   

206 A Lawyer's life.  
To plead thy Client's cause, and please thy wife;  
Little for thyself thou dost spend thy life.   

Addition.  
In little quietness, but in much strife.   

207 Preachers and Players.  
Preachers like Heraclite, mourn for our sin;  
Prayers like Democrite, at our faults grin:  
One always laughs, the other mourns always;  
One tells our faults, the other our sins ways.   

215 Schoolboys study.  
When I was young, I was a studying boy;  
My study was, when 'twould be playing Day.   

216 Every thing is as it takes.  
If Archy should one foolishly advice,  
And it speed well; he shall be judged wise:  
If wise advice should come to an ill pass;  
Though Cato's 'twere, he should be judged an ass.   

217 How to handle grief.  
Grieve only for those griefs which now thou hast;  
'tis too late for to grieve griefs that are past;  
To grieve for griefs to come, 'twill too long last.   

223 The Poet, of his Maecenas.  
Not words for words, good coin he me affords.   

Maecenas to his Poet.  
Having no coin for coin, thou coynest words.   

225 Blind Homer.  
whenever it be true that men do write of thee,  
That thou ne'er saw'st; I'm sure thy writings see.   

227 To go about, worse than the Gout.  
Thou hast two differing griefs (I understand:)  
One in thy feet, th'other in thy wife's hand:  
For when thy feet are fett'red with the gout,  
Thy wives sore nimble hand ferkes thee about.   

235 Pride is woman's Coloquintida.  
Learned, neat, young, fair, modest, and bening;  
Wert thou not proud, thou wert a pretty thing.   

24 Of King Brute. To Master Camden.  
Books may be burnt, and monuments decay;  
My lines may dye, and so in time thine may:  
Yet whilst some of the Britain blood shall live,  
The story of King Brute some will believe.   

246 To a covetous Carl.  
Wealth thou hast scraped up for a thousand years;  
A hundred years is more than thou canst live:  
Yet to scrape up more wealth thou bendst thy cares,  
And thinkst a short life will long comfort give.  
Thou sayest, If I live long, I shall be rich:  
Live I long, I must dye, should be thy speech.   

247 Death and life are near Neighbours.  
One Nature's screen Death and life hang so near,  
As doth the muddy Earth to waters clear:  
Of life's white Death, black Nature makes one robe,  
Even as the Earth and Water makes one Globe.   

248 Moores Utopia, and Mercurius Brittanicus.  
Moor showed the best; the worst world's showed by thee:  
Thou show'st what is; and he shows what should be.   

259. Vide ad Cor. vers. HOPE FAITH CHARITY Epist. 1. cap. 13.8, 13.  
We have three ladders to help us to heaven;  
One hath four steps, one five, and one hath seven:  
Hope reacheth to the Moon, Faith to the Sun;  
But Charity doth reach up to God's Throne.   

Addition.  
Hope, as the Moon, is always variable;  
Faith, as the Sun, more constant, yet unstable:  
When both these with the World shall be consumed,  
Love into endless joys shall be assumed.   

249 Of himself.  
Some men do say, I am a Poet no way:  
They do say true, because the truth I say.   

254 The nullity of our Laws.  
How many laws are made, or rather none?  
Not kept, or not made, we may count all one:  
That former laws be kept, if an Act were;  
That would be kept as all the others are.   

257 Besides women and children.  
In holy Bible it is somewhere read;  
Women and children were not reckoned:  
And by the Civil, and the Common Law,  
women's and children's gifts are worth a straw.  
Women and children are exempt from war;  
Women and children long-side coats do wear,  
And on the chins neither of them have hair.  
Women and children shed tears with much ease;  
Fair words and toys, women and children please:  
And last, of Love and Dalliance we may say,  
Venus a Woman was; Cupid a Boy.   

Addition. A disparison between these.  
Children fond blab truth, and fools their brothers;  
Women have learned more wisdom from their mothers.   

258 Of those that make the Scripture a Nose of Wax.  
Doth holy Writ promise us any good?  
'Tis easily believed, and understood:  
Doth it require aught, or reprove our sin?  
'Tis a hard speech; we have no faith therein.   

262 The Harp and Harrow of the Court. An envious and a flattering knave.  
These agree not, though in one place they dwell;  
Momus of none, Gnatho of all speaks well.   

263 The four efficient causes of man.  
What is man's form? Only a garish toy;  
What is his matter? Frailty and annoy:  
●hough for this cause, we may these two neglect,  
Making, and final cause we must respect.   

64 Deaths sweet and sour.  
To those that have their lives in much mirth spent;  
Death's sadness is to sad men, merriment.   

Or thus.  
To those that live in sin, Death is good night;  
Good morrow 'tis to those that live upright.   

266 Death and life.  
One way we live, Death many ways is had:  
All's for the best; Death is good, life is bad.   

267 An old decrepit man, A Builder.  
Old, and weak, thou buildest many a fair room:  
What buildest thou now? A house, or else a Tomb?   

269 An Envious man's Charity.  
The dead thou sparest, the living thou dost bite:  
Yet rather than I'd dye, I'll bear thy spite.   

273 Great Britain united everlastingly.  
As in beginning 'twas, is now again;  
Ever shall be, till this world ends. Amen.    
FINIS.   

An excellent Anagram on this excellent Poet's name, with the verses annexed, translated.  

johannes Audoenus. Ad annos Noë vives.  
ALthough that this cannot be said of you:  
Yet of your book, this Anagram is true.   

D. Du. Tr. Med.  
This of thee, and thy book, averd may be;  
Thou mak'st thy book live, and thy book makes thee.  
john Rosse. I.C.   

D. Du. Med. his Latin Distich to the Readers, translated.  
Art thou a Clerk, or Layman? Read thou these;  
They will both profit you, and you both please.   

One of mine own, to the same purpose.  
Art thou a merry man, or art thou sad?  
To suit you both, fit stuff may hence be had.   

Praiseworthy verses of Learned Mistress jane owen's of Oxford, in praise of my john Owen, translated out of her Latin.  
It was, and is Poets acquaint property,  
To carp at men, and women's vanity:  
Yet this I judge, Thy salt lines merit it;  
Both men and women will commend thy wit.   

To the same learned Woman, whose virtues I reverence; I dedicate this Encomiastic.  
I'd rather have thy praises on my side,  
Then any Woman's I do know beside:  
Thy wit and judgement is more just and able,  
Then many miriads of the unlearned rabble.   
FINIS.   

SEVERAL SENTENTIOUS EPIGRAMS, AND WITTY SAYINGS OUT of sundry Authors both Ancient and Modern:  
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AT HARBOR-Grace, in Bristols-Hope, in Brittaniola,  
Anciently called, Newfoundland; By R. H.  
PAX OPULENTIAM. SAPIENTIA PACEM.   printer's or publisher's device 
FK  
LONDON, Printed by Felix Kyngston for Roger Michael, and are to be sold at the Bullshead in Paul's Churchyard. 1628.   

A WEAK APOLOGY FOR MY WEAKNESS in these following Translations.  
WE think it no strange thing; nor do we laugh,  
To see an old, weak man walk with a staff:  
I that could with strong legs run a large fit,  
Must now with short turns, rest on others wit.   

TRANSLATIONS OUT OF SEVERAL AUTHORS.  

Beauty's Excellency.  
Virtue to all complexions giveth Grace:  
But Virtue graced is by a good face. 
Pulchrior est virtus veniens è corpore pulchro.    

The Devil's hospitality.  
Satan keeps open house; though sorry cheer:  
His blacke-wicket stands open all the year. 
Patet atri ianua Ditis.    

A Rule for perjured lecherous Votaries.  
If that against your Oaths you must needs do:  
To 't closely then that none may swear 'twas you. 
Si non castè tamen cautè.    

Cares Birth.  
In younger years black melancholy Cares 
Cura facit canos, etiam si nesciat annos.   
Breeds with hard throws, hoar, white, abortive hairs.   

A scurvy comfort.  
It is a comfort, though a scurvy one, 
Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.   
To have companions in affliction.   

women's levity.  
What's lighter than the wind? Thunder, you know. 
Quid vento jevius? Fulmen.   
What's lighter than that crack? Lightning, I trow.  
What's lighter than that flame? Why sure a Woman. 
Quid fulmine? Flamma.   
What's lighter now than that? Nay that knows no man. 
Quid flamma? Mulier.    

To answer him who wrought this in defence of those women who can well enough defend themselves. 
Quid Muliere▪ Nihil.   
Good wives, I think, the man that made this jest,  
Ne'er felt the weight of your words, nor your fist.   

Dangerous Weapons.  
There are not killed so many by the sword, 
Plures gulá quam gladio.   
As by the throat, by meat, drink, and the cord.   

A merry Mate.  

Comes facundus pro vehiculo est.  A merry Way-mate that can tale and skoch,  
With a tired horse, is better than a C'roach.   

Patience provoked.  

Laesâ patientiâ fit furor.  If doubled wrongs inflame cold Patience blood:  
Her mildness will convert to a mad mood.   

women's properties.  

Fallere, flere, ne'er: haec tria sunt muliere.  To weep oft, still to flatter, sometimes spin;  
Are properties women excel men in.   

To this women may answer.  
We weep for pity, and we speak men fair,  
And of their household thrift we have great care:  
Yet envious men our credits would impair.   

Froward nature.  

Nitimur in vetitum, semper cupimúsque negata.  Deny a thing, fond men the more will crave it:  
Deny a woman, and she'll cry, or have it.   

In defence of these soft Creatures.  
Alas, good Creatures, tears are all their Arms;  
To beat back grief, and to revenge their harms.   

Miserable want.  

Luxuriae desunt multa, avaritiae omnia.  Luxurious men may want particulars:  
But misers all things want (except their cares.)   

Impatible wrong.  

Qui faciunt, oderunt iniuriam.  Those that wrong other men beyond all measure,  
Will take wrongs done to them in great displeasure.   

Law and Fortune's difference.  

Legem nocens veretur, Fortuna innocens.  Wise Law corrects those that commit offence:  
Blind giddy Fortune plagueth innocence.   

A miserable Comforter.  

Prodesse qui vult, nec potest, aequè est miser.  He that can help his friend but with his breath;  
Is in the case of him he comforteth.   

A Rule for Travellers.  

Cum fueris Romae, Romano vivito more.  Being at Rome, I hold it good discretion  
In manners, and in clothes to use their fashion:  

Cum fueris alibi, vivito more loci.  And when that thou art any otherwhere,  
'Tis fit to use the fashion thou findest there.   

A Riddle.  
My Mother got me, I beget my Mother: 
Mater me genuit, eadem mox gigniter ex me.   
Alternately thus we beget each other.   

women's Tears.  
When women weep in their dissembling Art, 
Muliebris lacrima condimentum malitiae.   
Their tears are sauce to their malicious heart.   

I answer for women.  
He that wrote this, was sure some saucy jack:  
Against your Sex, malice he did not lack.   

Necessity.  
Necessity hath no law, no, not any; 
Necessitat dat legem, non ipsa accipit.   
Yet she the Mother is to a great many.   

Doubly-guilty.  
He that commits a shameful heinous fact, 
In turpi re peccare, bis delinquere est.   
Is doubly-guilty, by that single act.   

Necessary Restitution.  
Thy sins, be sure, will on thy back remain, 
Non tollitur peccatum, nisi restituatur oblatum.   
Till thy ill-got goods thou give back again.   

Rank covetousness.  
The rank desire of money grows always, 
Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit.   
Faster than money coined now adays.   

Nature's frailty.  
I see, and do allow the better way: 
Video meliora, prob●●quee;, deteriora sequor.   
Yet still I know not how I go astray.   

Miserable misery of miseries.  
Three times unhappy is that man at least, 
Quam miser est, cui ingrata misericordia est?   
To whom mild mercy's an unwelcome guest.   

Innocency's Comfort.  
For a good cause to dye, is honest shame: 
Est honesta turpitudo pro bona causa mori.   
Although a halter should procure the same.   

Preachers principal properties.  
That Preacher with a lively voice doth preach, 
Viuâ voce docet, qui vitâ & voce docet.   
That with his life as well as voice doth teach.   

How to end well.  
He surely hath his business half well done, 
Dimidium facti, qui benè caepit, habet.   
Who hath at first his business well begun.   

On a pretty Virgins Virginal Posy.  

Musica mentis.  Music is a sad minds Physician,  

Medicina moestae.  If a fair maid be the Musician.   

Blind Ignorance.  

Ignoti nulla cupido.  Blinder than Cupid is he in desire,  
In whom blind ignorance puts out the fire.   

women's Credit.  

Mulieri ne credas ne mortuae quidem.  A woman is not to be credited:  
If you will credit me, though she be dead.   

That women be not angry with me, nor my Author.  
Mine Author makes a man speak this in snuff:  
Himself was wise, he knew you well enough.   

Tears Vanity.  

Gemitus dolores indicat, non vindicat.  Our outward Tears may show our inward woes:  
They are a poor revenge against our foes.   

Fortune's Flowers.  

Dum fueris foelix, multos numera bis amicos:  Whilst wealth doth last, great store of friends thou hast:  
If thou it waste; thou soon may'st tell the last.   


Nullus ad amiss●s ib●● amicus opes.  Armour against lust.  
If thou from idle thoughts canst guard thy heart:  

Otia si tollas, periere Cupidinis arcus.  Thou mak'st it Musket-proofe against Cupid's dart.   

Anger.  

Habet & Musca splenem, & Formicae sua bilis inest.  The sting-taild small Muscheeto hath his spleen:  
The busy Ant sometimes is angry seen.   

A Bvilder's Humour.  

Diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.  He buildeth up what he threw to the ground;  
And changeth former foure-squares into round.   

Truths and flatteries effects.  

Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit.  Flattery gets Friends, and Truth gets Enemies:  
Soft and proud fools this Adage verifies.   

Exemplified.  
Flatter an easy fool, on you he'll dote:  
Tell a proud fool his faults, he'll cut your throat.   

Refractory nature.  

Optat Ephippia bos piger arare cuballus.  Dull Oxen long for saddles and the dorses;  
Whilst chains and yokes, desires hot stomached horses.   

Addition.  
Dull people need the spurs, more than the saddle;  
Yet 
Id est, marrying.  yoking may young hot-spurres better bridle.   

Three wild Coach-horses.  
Wine, Venus, Dice, fit jades for such a feat; 
Alea, vina, Venus, tribus his sum factus egenus.   
Draw men to Beggers-bush without a bait.   

From the frying pan into the fire.  
From Vshing coveting himself to free, 
Incidit in Syllam, cupiens vitare Charibdem.   
On Silla's Bishop and his Clerks fell he.   

women's extreme passions.  
Women do fond love, or foully hate; 
Aut amat, aut odit Mulier, nihil est tertium.   
Their extreme passion hath no middle state.   

To reform this error in this man.  
Why shouldest thou their goodness thus decline?  
Virtue is of the Gender Feminine.   

A Citizen's Thrift.  
O Citizens, learn first your bags to fill! 
O Clues Cives, quaerenda pecunia primùm:   
And then ofhonesty go learn the skill.   

Hell's Highway. 
Virtus post nummos—   
There is an easy downe-descent to Hell:  
Those that go there, do know it tootoo well. 
Facilis descensus Auerni.    

Cozening knaves.  
To cousin coozeners, is no cozening: 
Fallere fallentem non est Fraus:   
To cousin any, it's a knavish thing. 
Fallere quenquam, non est Laus.    

No penny, no Pater Noster.  
Homer, if thou nothing with thee dost bring; 
Si nihil attuleris, ibis Homere foras.   
Thou mayst without reward without door sing.   

A wicked Ubiquitary.  
The wicked doth his wickedness declare 
Nequam nequitiam monstrat ubique suam.   
At all times, against all, and every where.   

A wise choice.  
Rail at me rather, till thou break thy guts; 
Mallem me vituperari quam frigidè laudari.   
Then coldly praise me with thy Ifs and Butts.   

Customs inconvenience.  
What sins thou usest often to commit: 
Consuetudo peccandi tolb't sensum peccati.   
Will flow from thee, without sense, fear, or wit.   

As for example.  
Reprooue a swearer, who doth use to tear  
Gods holy Name: he'll swear, he did not swear,  
Or for your love, or that sin will not care.   

Nothing new.  

Nil est iam dictum quod non fuit dictum prius.  Speak old words, or coin new words by the score:  
Whate'er thou speakest, hath spoken been before.   

A true inquisition.  

Nec me quaesiveris extra.  Not of my outside, nor of those that dwell  
With me, nor the report my neighbours tell:  
Come to me, into me, to know me well.   

Painters and Poets properties. 
— Pictoribus atque Poentis,   

Quodlibet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas.  Painters and Poets have like power and skill;  
To add, to foist, to feign even what they will.   

Wicked Women.  

Foeminium seruile genus, crudele, superbum.  Women are of the gender feminine;  
Proud, cruel, servile (in mine Author's time.)   

Addition. A Claw.  
Although of women he could say so then;  
Women may say so now of naughty men.   

Perfect patience.  

Optima spero, quaecunque feram.  Whatever comes, I always hope the best:  
And till that come, I mildly bear the rest.   

A good woman's reward.  

Foemina nulla bona, sed si bona, digna Coronâ.  There is not one good woman to be found:  
And if one were, she merits to be crowned.   

In the behalf of good women, who cannot speak for themselves.  
Good women, he that blurred you with this blot,  
Deserves a crowning with your chamberpot:  
With envious eyes he sought for you; or else  
He might have found you with my spectacles.   

A Churl's good.  

Auarus nisi cum moritur, nihil recti facit.  The covetous doth nothing as he should,  
Till lavish death doth spread abroad his gold.   

Light of belief.  
Let the wide-throated circumcised jew 
Credat judaeus apella.   
Swallow it, and believe that it is true.   

Addition.  
The baptised Papist, circumcised Turk,  
If for their Church advantage it may work;  
One swallows all, 
* Vid. The Legend printed in Hen 8. time. I think the conformity Press hath suppressed it.  the other all save 
Whilst stigmatical Francis in the Legend dares eat a Capon on a Friday at supper; to work a ridiculous miracle the next Sunday: yet to satisfy his canonical host, can urge our blessed Saviour's words, Mat. 15.11. I believe a Turk would not swallow a miracle in his own behalf, if it were done by Pigs-flesh.  Pork.   

Sweet Gain.  
The smell of gain smells pleasantly indeed, 
Lucri bonus est odor, ex re quâlibet.   
Although from stinking parcels it proceed.   

Hunger breaks stone walls.  
Of Gold the holy hunger, who can tell, 
Quid non mortalia pectora cogit Auri sacra fames▪   
To what will it not mortal minds compel?   

Addition.  
Gold maketh bad men to do what good is:  
Too often it makes good men do amiss.   

Complaints out of Spanish.  
The old man weeps, for want of love, being grieved:  
His young wife weeps, 'cause he so long hath lived.   

Addition.  
Sad reverence (he saith) should affection move:  
Sir reverence (she says) hath outlived his love.   

Virgil's Close.  
Come on, my Boys, stop-up the water-groofe, 
Cludite iam rivos puêri, sat prata biberunt.   
The thirsty Meadows now have drunk enough.   
FINIS.   

A railing Epistle, written in French by that excellently witty Doctor, Francis Rabelais:  
Wherein though I follow him not verbatim; yet whoso can compare them, shall find I have done him no wrong.  
THou toothless withered Hag, defamed, accursed;  
Empty of God's grace, by the Devil nursed:  
Thou that didd'st never deed of Charity;  
But art the pattern of all villainy:  
Thou, in whose haireless brains ill thoughts do throng,  
And tak'st chief joy to hear a bawdy song:  
Thou that didd'st never drink water with wine,  
Scenting each bed with lust, where thou hast line:  
Thou that dost weep at every draught thou drinkest:  
But hast dry eyes, when on thy sins thou think'st:  
Thou that adorest no bed, but Priapus:  
Thou that didst ne'er, but for enticement blush:  
Thou that hast pissed away thy unknown shame:  
Thou that hast entertained each one that came:  
Thou martyrer of men, 'tis not the pose,  
That causeth thee to speak thus through the nose.  
Thou that art slow to Churchward as the louse;  
But quick as lightning to a bawdy-house:  
Thou with whose age hot lust doth not decline,  
Thou more insatiate than tired Messalina.  
Thou stinking, withered, stale; thou passed a whore;  
Thou lust procurer, keeper of the door:  
Thou that dost tempt fair Maidens to their shame,  
And for gains sake, robbest wives of their fair name:  
Thou damned damned Bawd, that dost procure thy meals,  
By tempting wenches to turn up their—  
Thou that didst never take delight to work;  
Thou in whose bosom snarling quarrels lurk;  
Thou that in angry mood dost never stay;  
Worse than Megaera or Tesiphonee,  
Until thine anger be with blood appeased;  
Like a She-wolf, that her mild prey hath seized,  
Lions, and Bears, and Griffins gentle be,  
And free from rage, being compared with thee.  
In thee, mercy is penned; but rage hath scope:  
Thou fitter for the fire, then for the rope.  
Thou witch that dost delight foul Toads to foster;  
And always sayest the Devil's Pater Noster.  
Thou that excell'st Medea in vile charms:  
Thou that killest children in their Mother's arms;  
Thou that from Heaven canst call the crooked Moon,  
And make the Sun dark at the brightest noon.  
For these good parts, a secret mark unknown,  
Satan hath marked thee with, to be his own:  
And he to think on thee, for joy doth swell,  
Hoping ere long to fry thy bones in Hell.  
Thou soon wilt kill his joy with future sorrow,  
When he shall know the Pox hath eat thy marrow.  
Thou whore, thou witch, thou bawd, crusted in evil,  
Thou that mayst be Schoolemistres to the Devil,  
Thou that with stinking breath speakest ill of many,  
Wert never heard speak good words of any:  
And though thy toothless gums can do no wrong,  
Those slanders bite, that flow from thy lewd tongue.  
Thou Hag, from whose blaspheming wide mouth goes  
Worse than rank poison to a fasting nose:  
Thy dugs by thine own bastard brats defiled,  
Are yet thought fit to nurse the Devil's child:  
Thy head hangs down through thy sin's weightiness,  
Thy body doubles with thy wickedness:  
Thou Trevet, hadst thou but one mite of grace,  
Thou wouldst forethink thy miserable case.  
What hope hast thou, continuing as thou dost,  
To scape hell fire? Hope not: to Hell thou must.  
Thy soul as wise, I do repute her for it;  
(Although her pureness did at first abhor it)  
Keeps still her loathsome Cabinet; foreseeing,  
If she leave this, her worse place of being,  
She needs among the damned souls must throng:  
And that's the reason that thou livest so long.  
What hast thou good in thee, but only this,  
That thy loathed outside a true pattern is  
Of thy vile living? Sin, and want of grace,  
Are ditched in the wrinkles of thy face:  
Thou bunch-back-bug-beare-faced, splay-foot, Cat-hand;  
Thou rough-bark'd-stinking Elder, worse than damned;  
Thou, about whose scurse-head the Devils flutter;  
Thou viler vild, than I have words to utter:  
Amend thy lewd life; or I swear to thee,  
For one ill-favoured word, I'll give thee three.   

120 Another Epistle of the same witty Author, Francis Rabelais, in praise of a grave Matron; translated as the former.  
THou reverend Matron, whose sweet grace & form,  
Would a young, fair, sweet, handsome face adorn;  
Thy modest carrying, and thy reverend wit,  
Shows that God's grace within thy heart doth sit:  
Thou in whose hands are always found good books;  
But on love-toys thy chaste eyes never looks:  
Thou that hast in thy brains imprinted deep  
Christ jesus, who from thence ill thoughts doth keep:  
In thy mild soul rich virtue hath her store;  
As God gives wealth to thee, thou giv'st the poor.  
Thy heart is always open to relieve,  
And comfort those whom miseries do grieve:  
And with thine own white hands dost not disdain  
To plaster those poor folks, whom sores do pain.  
The hungry thou dost feed with thine own meat;  
The naked, cold, with thine own clothes dost heat;  
Thy poor sick neighbours thou dost kindly visit;  
Thou giv'st them counsel, mak'st them kitchen physic:  
Thou freest poor prisoners with thine own estate:  
The fatherless thou dost compassionate,  
And dost so many godly deeds withal,  
That jesus Christ may thee his Sister call.  
From foolish vanities thou turn'st thine eyes,  
And shutt'st thy ears against malicious lies.  
Although foul sluttish smells thou dost abhor;  
Perfumers get nothing by thee therefore.  
Thy table's furnished with clean, wholesome fare;  
But for luxurious cates thou dost not care:  
And when thou drinkest, it is pure unmixed wine;  
Not those hot drinks that unto lust incline.  
Thy heart did never feel th'unlawful flame,  
Which hath drawn loser wives to public shame:  
Thou never layest on any amorous bed;  
But where thy husband had thy maidenhead;  
And only there for procreation,  
And for thy Husband's recreation:  
Thou art so zealous, godly, merciful,  
And with such heavenly, goodly graces full;  
That we may style thee, The rich Christian Palace,  
Wherein the Holy Ghost doth take his solace.  
Thy outward graces have such Excellence,  
That all salute thee with grave reverence:  
Thy head is fraught with holy meditations;  
Thy heart is filled with heavenly consolations;  
Thy ears are open to the poors sad cries,  
And from them thou dost never turn thine eyes:  
Thy hands are open to each godly deed,  
And feet are swift, when of thy help there's need.  
Thou art so fair, so virtuous, and so good;  
Thou seem'st an Angel clad in flesh, and blood.  
Thou art so handsome, proper, neat, and fair,  
As if but yet thou a young maiden were:  
(Sweetheart believe) all honest men with me,  
Are truly, heartily in love with thee.  
Thou often hast the Bible in thy hand,  
And humbly prayest, thou mayst it understand;  
And what with sober knowledge thou dost read,  
Thou puttest in practice, or into thy Creed.  
Thou peerless Paragon! thou past compare!  
Such as thou art, I wish all women were.  
Thou Extract of good women now adays;  
Thy worthiness so far exceeds my praise;  
To write it, I do want an Angel's quill;  
And I as much do need an Angel's skill.  
If thou be'st living, mayst thou never dye,  
I humbly pray the blessed Trinity:  
And that thou mayst in honour, health, and rest,  
Live in this World, and in the next be blest.  
FINIS.