HORACE HIS art of Poetry, pistles, and Satyrs Englished, and to the Earl of Ormounte By Tho. Drant addressed.  
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Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet, near to S, Dunston's Church, by Thomas Marsh. 1567.   

DE SEIPSO.  

COelo musa beat, iuueni sua messis in herba est,  
Mens mea divinos sollers nutrire furores  
Se fovet, & bubulam pedibus quas●… spargit arenam.  
Sic verides ausis anni, vis insita fandi  
Sic jubet, & florens studium, feruorque decorus:  
Qui tacitus sinit ire dies, inglorius annos  
Fortunatus erit nimis, & jove judicat aequo.  
Me fati modus immodicus pungitque tra●…itque  
Dissimilem longè natum primoribus annis.  
Nec fludij ratio, nec sors est aequa labori,  
Moxlicturus iter, mox non meditabor avena.  
Vatibus in●…rtis nunc omnia tristia vertunt.  
Gestamen laxant humeri, sub pondere vertix  
Nutat, & haud veris me recti sacra cupido  
Ludit imaginibus, numen promissa benignum.  
Persona●… & nostras hoc frustra forsitan aures:  
Non deerunt Maecenates, s●…nt (Dranta) Marones.    



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COME.. I'AY. TROVE.  

Aureus Ormontus fama super aethera notus,  
Hic honos, haec merx est, sic sunt sua premia laudi.     

❧ TO THE RIGHT Honourable and very noble Lord, Thomas Earl of Ormounte, and O●…orye, Lord Butler, viscount Thurles, Lord of the liberty of Typparye, and high Treasurer of Ireland, Tho. Drant master of Art, and student in divinity, wisheth increase of honour, with all felicity.  
Now it is (right honourable Lord) that this Horace my book will needs be abroad, and the rather from me shall have frank passport, because sum part therofis heretofore already passed. The glory, and grace of a book written is much what in the nobleness, and magnificence of the patron. Nor any thing doth add more estimation to true nobility, than patronage of learning. Well was it for Horace that he was cherisde of Maecenas, for he obtained through him opportunity to study: better was it for Maecenas that he cherised Horace, and procured him that opportunity, for he lifted up his name, and made him immortal. whereas, nathles the wit of the one, and the port of the other, all their wide fames had long ere this time been drenched in the dust, and raked up with their cinders, had not the Poet been stayed by his patron, and the patron's glittering honour by the Poet displayed. No potentate of all the world, not he that hath covered the Alps with soldiers, nor he that hath made the Sea land with ships, nor he that hath conquered from east to West, either liveth more clear to his posterity, either hath more fair inditements to his commendation, then hath this faveror of learning, this scholars friend, the Lord Maecenas. It is God's justice that those which support the most precious things of all other, learning, and wisdom: should have the best guerdon of all other, that is immortality. They say the right way to eternity is to please the gods and the poets, who beautify, and adorn every merit in every person. The very Crowns and Sceptres of best monarchs, and princes had been rusty, wembde, and warpde with oblivion, had not they with the goodly eloquence of great clerks, and Poettes been streked and filled: otherwise the fames of kings, are intumbed with their bodies. Sum thing it was that made the bell of Augustus his brute to be rung so loud, that made king ptolemy to he so much red of, that made Alphonsus to be so much read of, t●…at made the great gentlemen Medici of Milan to be so much red of, that made Leo the tenth in Erasmus, Longolius, Bembo, Sadoletto to be so much red of. Nor the report of France's the french King so freshly blasened, nor of Charles of Lothering so well celebrated should evil have been deserved, had they not boulstered learned heads against malice, and ignorance: and yielded courteous acceptance to painful labours. Horace (gentle and honourable Lord) being once of his patron Maecenas so dearly tendered, is loath now (turned out of his latin coote) masterless to gad abro●…de at wide adventure though his own doings do justly speak his own commendations, yet my humble suit is, that under your lordship's protection he may be preferred. If we weigh both profit and delectation Lambinus wrote truly, amongst latin poets Horace hath not his fellow. This is he▪ whom great Augustus writ should be looked to as himself, whom Maecenas loved as himself, ripe, pithy, excellent for moral precepts, full of pretty speeches, full of judgement, him I partly interrupting my study of good advice choosed to translate before all other, whom under your worthy patronage in principal respect I thought to promote, fytlye devising to have so trim and elegant a poet, under the name of so noble an Earl, and goodly a gentleman.  
Your good honour Humbly reverencing. Tho. Drant▪   

To the Reader.  
We writ Poesis apace & of all hands, sum with more, and sum with less learning, and sum with more luck than learning. But if our trial were as straight, as our utterance is sp●…die, or if our reader were not rather slight earde, then cleareeyde: the good books (which be few) should be better known, and those which be evil not become so many. To pass by them which be pas●…e, and to speak of this my book which is out of my hands passing, it standeth before you good readers, and posterity, as before the great inquest of the Assizes, by your verdicts to stand, or to be cast, to be made somewhat, or stark nowght, guilty, or not guilty. And for as much as each sensible creature hath this by nature, both to provide for, and do away that which may be harmful to their young, I shall do but thing natural, to tender mine own, charitably to say for that, which can not say for itself, honestly to inform the ignorant of a truth. That which hath been, or may be said against this translation issueth out of these three places: either that no translation ought to be had, or that I might be better occupied then in thus translating, or that the book by me thus Englished is hard and difficult. As for those who would have nothing removed from the native tongue where in it was written, because they dote more fully, and grossly then the rest, I would they had the greater part of Heleborus. If they understand Latin I send them over to Tully's academical quest●…ons, there to be assoiled of their so nice a scruple. If they be mere English, and so in that case but stantes pueri ad mensam, their assertion is less authentical, and I will dissemble my want of an answer whilst I hear further of the pith of their profess. But to those which would have the things which I do to seem trifles in comparison of my degree, profession, and other studies, and do marvel that I will now any longer enlincke myself in things so small, & base, quasi nostris non responsura lacertis, or as who would say Aquila non capit muscas, because they would make me proud, and seem to speak lovingly to render love, for love, I shape them this one answer out of many. I think so indeed, there is none of my time, and progress in schools w●…lde have taken this author in hand, because the pains is great, and the gains not great, whereas if the gains had been much, and the pains but prettye, there would have been, as great posthaste to have first entrance in him, as there is now busy demands why I should be a stickler in matters so trifling. No man that had been trained up in studies Philosophical, or that had the circumstances, of a translator was towards the turning of him that I know. And sure that he should have been translated by any other than such an one, it would have been an untoward practice, and an unfruitful. I therefore in good south of tender pity took sum truce with my better, and more profitable studies, matching myself with Horace the poet. Neither be the things in him light trifles, except lewd calling of them so, can make them so, but ever among he hath good, sound, dé●…pe, massy, and well rellest stuff. He that would come to the upmoste top of an high hill, not being able directly to go forward for the steapnes thereof, if he step a foot or twain, or more out of the way, it is not though out of the way for that it is a more conveyghable way to the top of the hill: so to come to be able utterers of the gospel, which is the top, and tip of our climbing, we must learn out of men to speak according to the man, (which is a bystep from the path of divinity,) yet very, and most necessary for that we live with men, speak with men, and preach to men. Thus therefore for me to step aside by melling with humanity, is not to tread out of my way, or lose my way, but to find my way more apparent ready before me. And though it be loss of vantage, or loss of now and then a●… honey sweet word from sum good bodies mouth, yet loss of understanding, and good learning, that I am sure it is not Further to speak all my mind at once it is not mine hole study, but a parcel exercise, a pa●…aunce, a recr●…ation. And as yet to forego it for a time I would not, so to say that I will use it any long time I mean not. Thus much lovingly to those loving ones, who be so tender hearted to my estimation ward, that they would eftsoons have me let drive at greater things, and shake hands with these trifles If yet they further be troublesum from question to question, surcharging me with to much babble, and questions, and all that for kindness, they will kill me of honesty with kindness. If neither considering my deed nor intent they will by word of mouth be answered, than wellfayre my last shootanchor, glum silence: for that is an approved good answer to all such the like idle questions. Now to our heavy friend, that saith this book is so toto hard To say the le●…e he dealeth very hardly with me. And certainly if it be in my default that it is an hard book, my hap very hard, and my discretion well harder. For have not I made a fair forward thinkest thou (gentle reader) to take truce with mine other studies, & doings, wherein I was coum●…ted sum body, and to become a silly translator rythmical and thereunto an hard writer which is indeed to be a no body? But all things cannot be easy to all persons. But what if our heavy friend have a heavy head, and an hard head to? What if he can perceive my words, and not conceive the Author's meaning? It is hardly said of him to say that I am hard, his own wit being hard or the Aut●…or being hard for that he is not by him understanded.  
That it should be so hard (to speak first for myself) the default is either through me the translator, through thee, the Reader, or Horace the author, or us all. That it should not be hard through me what have I not done which might be done? I have translated him sometimes at Randun. And now at this last time well-nigh word for word and line for line. And it is marvel that I being in all mine other speeches so plain, and perceaveable, should here desire, or not shun to be hard, so far forth as I can keep the learning, and sayings of the author. But I fear me a number do so think of this book, as I was answered by a printer not long agone, forbid saith he (Sir your book be wise, and full of learning, yet peradventure it will not be so saileable) signifying indeed that flim flames, and guegawes, be they never so slight and slender, are sooner rapt up then are those which be lettered and Clerkly makings. And no doubt the cause that books of learning seem so hard is, because such, and so great a skull of amarouse Pamphlets have so preoccupyed the eyes, and ears of men, that a multitude believe there is none other style, or phrase else worth gramercy. No books so rife or so friendly red, as be these books 
Hic meret aera liber socijs, et trans mare currit,  
Et longum noto scriptori prorogat euum.  Whether they be good or no, easy they are sure, and that by this Argument. For good things are hard, and evil things are easy. But if the setting out of the wanton tricks, of a pair of lovers, (as for example let them be cawled Sir Chaunticleare and Dame Partilote) to tell how their first conbination of love began, how their eyes floated, and how they anchored, their beams mingled one with the others beauty: then of their perplexed thowghts, their throws, their fancies their dryrye drifts, now interrupted, now vnperfyted, their love days, their gaude days, their sugared words, and their sugared joys. Afterward how envious fortune through this chop or that chance turned their bless to bail, severing too such bewtyful faces, & dewtiful hearts, Last a●… parting to add to an oration or twane interchangeably had betwixt the two wobegone persons, the one thick powdered with manly passionate pangs, the other watered with wominishe tears: Then to shrine them up to god Cupid, and make Martirres of them both, and therewith an end of the matter. This and such like is easy to be understanded and easy to be endited. But to finish my process, If only these be poesis, or be poesis or have any comparison to a learned making or poesy: Principio me illorum dederis quibus esse poetis 
Excerpam numero:  I take them to be ripe toungued trifles, venomous Allectyves, and sweet vanities. To be short, (as it is best for a man to be with his friend) he that is least acquainted with such trash, and pelf will better perceive such things which be savoury and sappye. If there be such hardness as is said to be in this book, to me it is not hard, nor through me it is not hard. Whether it be through Horace his diffuse speech, or unknown knowledge, or through the Readers suspected ignorance, let it there rest, and to them be applied. To impropriate it to me it were neither honesty, norwysedom. For of truth there is no such cause Why. Certainly Horace himself is hard, and very hard, neither any man which can judge, can judge it one & the like labour, to translate Horace, and to make, and translate a love book, a shrill tragedy, or a smooth, and plat levyled poesy. This can I truly say of mine own experience that I can sooner translate twelve verses out of the Greek Homer, than six out of Horace. Praise I seek not for nor except I be a fool I care not for. To do that which I do, is and shall be to me recompense sufficient. I never hard tell of any man that was great gainer by poesies, and the better the poet is, the more commonly is he hated. Homer was so contenmed that beggary was his best life: and so hated of a many of trewands that Zoilus for very rancour fell a whipping of his Image: Virgil for his golden verses, was recompensed with a certain odd cast of bread. Horace had his tillage ground taken from him: Seneca was dun to death by his tyrant scholar Nero, Sophocles, was accused of dotage by his own children. It is a kind of people which ought much to be loved, and no one kind more envy. The cause, and date of their hatred are both in these two verses contained. 
Vrit enim fulgore suo qui pregravat arts  
Infra se positas, extinctus amabitur idem.    

Of the Art of poetry.  

A Painter if he should adjoin unto a woman's head  
A long maires neck, and overspread the crops in every stead  
With sundry feathers of strange huie, the whole proportioned so  
Without all good congruity: the neither parts do go  
Into a fish, on high a fresh Welfavord woman's face:  
My friends let in to see this sight could you but laugh a pace?  
Piso's trust me, that book shallbe much like unto this same,  
Whole fancies like a sick-man's dreams so rudely hang in frame,  
That head and feet do square from th' whole. Poets, and painters aye  
Have had like charter to attempt all kind of work (you say).  
I know, I crave this liberty, and give the like also.  
But not that matters wild, and mylds without reason should go  
Blended as one, saying Poets may, this leave they do not find  
Serpents with birds, Tiger with lambs to join against their kind.  
To big beginnings, and vaunting otte times a purple clout  
Of words impertinente is brought, to help the matter out:  
When woods, Temples or rivers course which hastily doth glide,  
When rushing Rhemus is descriude, or rain bows painted pride.  
Such babble (God wot) needed not, but sum of that sort be,  
There common place, and theme is still upon the 
* This proverb grew upon a bad painter, that could paint nothing but the Cypress ●…ree.  Cypress tree.  
If that sum man would have strange things, and geson gear depainted,  
Howcan he earn aught in such case that is with nowghte acquainted?  
" Let things be formal of one kind and do not chop it up  
" To make tone part a gallon pot, and tone a pretty cup.  
" The more deal of us Poets, both the old, and young most part,  
" Are oft beguiled by show of good, affecting to much art.  
" I labour to be very brief, it makes me very hard.  
" I follow flowing easiness, my style is clearly marred  
" For lack of pith and savoury sense, Writ lofty, thou shalt swell:  
" He creeps by the ground to low, afraid with stormy vain to mell.  
" He that in varyinge one point much would bring forth monstrous store,  
" Would make the dolphin dwell in woods and in the flood the boar.  
" The shunning of a fault is such that now and then it will  
" Procure a greater fault, if it be not eschewde by skill.  
Our black smith Imus oftentimes in brass will undertake  
The nails and hairs of sundry men right conninglye to make.  
A much unhappy workmanship which never comes to end.  
If ever I should take in hand either to make or mend,  
Ere I would do such parcel acts and nowght to full end bring,  
Erst would I wear a crooked nose or in the same a ring.  
Pick out such matter ye that write that's meetest for your strength.  
Try well your backs, what they will bear, or what not bear at length.  
He that hath chewsde his matter such as he can well assail,  
Nor tickling eloquence, nor him shall lightsum order fail.  
This is of order, as I judge the virtue, and the grace,  
sometimes to speak, sometime to leave, and pass buy for a space,  
That one might speak, and cast it of until a further tyme.  
Let him with choice chewse, and refuse that would set forth a rhyme.  
Thou must be subtle, and wary in placing of thy gear.  
By witty composition its excellent to hear.  
A known word straunged hansumlye. If we have need to show  
New words for things, which things themselves are now invented new,  
Words never used of other men is best for to devise.  
Licence is granted if it be used in shamfaste wise,  
And novel words invented late. shall better credit bring,  
If sparingly, not violently They sourde from gréekishe springe.  
The Romans to Cecilius, and Plautus leave to feign  
Why should they give, and from Virgil and Uarye it detain  
T'inuente a few words if I can why should they so me hate?  
Since Ennius, and Cato's tongue our mother tongue of late  
Inritchde, and brought up novel terms. it is, and ever shall  
Be leeful to give kame to that, that hath no name at all.  
" As woods are made debayre of leaves by turning of the year,  
" The oldest fall: So antic age of words away do wear.  
As lusty youths of crescive age do flourish fresh and grow  
And creep in credit and conceit, which whilom were full low  
" And we, and ours are due to death. havens, and creaks, the ground  
" Now tamed with plough, which heretofore unfruitful hath been found,  
" Attempts of kings, which were devised for wealth of nations then  
" Shall perish all, and perish shall the facts of mortal men.  
" Much less of speeches long can live the honour and the grace.  
Full many a word that now is dashed shall rise gain in space.  
As these in space must feel their fall, if use do like them ill,  
Who hath to judge, autorish, reule, all manner speech at will.  
The facts, the seats of kings, and dukes and baylful battles sad,  
What kind of verse is best for them In Homer may be had.  
In rhymes uneven, at first complaints and after in that kind  
Were written fancies dumps, and all affections of the mind.  
But who the pretty Elegies first on their feet did set,  
Grammarians strive, and that case is in controversy yet.  
Rage armed first Archilacus with his jambus verse.  
Our comedies, and tragedies, in which we do rehearse,  
For interchaung of talk right meet, which doth in sounding pass  
The noise of crowd, to set forth things. that verse invented was.  
The Musies taught in lyrike verse the Gods, and their of springe  
The warlike victor, and that horse, which price away did bring,  
Amours of youth, and and banquets frank on instruments to sing,  
If I nor can, nor know to keep an order due at all  
Ne colour brave my writings, why, should they me Poet call?  
Lewd that I am why do I shame to learn which I ne know?  
One may not think things comical in Tragic blasts to blow.  
Phyestes feast is ill set out with simple words and tame.  
Let all things have their comely room well fitted in the same,  
sometimes the commodye looks up and lifts her voice with all.  
And crabbed Chremes for his thrift with open mouth will brawl.  
The tragical doth sometimes talk as meanly as one can:  
Sir Teliphus, and Pelius, both poor, and exiles than  
Put out no puffs, nor thwacking words words of to large assyce  
If by their words they mean to move affects in any wise.  
Not lore enough in Poesis, let them be swéetlye find,  
And let them lead to where them list the hearers plyante mind.  
" The cheers of men as these will smerke on those that use to smile:  
" So are they wrinchd, when they do weep and changed within a while.  
" If thou wouldst have me weep for the first must thou pensyfe be.  
" Thy harms shall hit me, when I spy●… that they have harmed the.  
If Teliphus or Pelius your words be out of place,  
wise men will sleep, whiles they are spoke and laugh at them apace  
Sad words be set a sorry face threting the visage grim  
For iokand, wanton, for the sage right serious words be trim.  
Nature before the outward act doth frame us to each hap  
By secret workings of her own: In pleasures she doth lap,  
Or shoveth on the heart with ire, or presseth to the ground.  
The vanquished breast with dolours dint, then shunning to be bound  
To inward passions of the mind, she poureth out at long  
The drirye drawghte of all her thoughts with benefit of tongue.  
If unfit for the parsonage the talk do run awry,  
The nobles, and the press therewith will strike unto the sky.  
The page, or pear, whether doth speak It skilleth nothing more  
A fresh hot younker cock brain, wild, or old man, sage, and whore.  
A matron rich, or painful nurse, the merchant venturer,  
Or he that few good fashions knows th'uncivil ground tiler.  
The Colcus, or assyrian, at Thebes, or Arge up brought,  
If circumstances ye not marked the matter willbe nought.  
Writer, of who so thou shall write speak, as the most men say,  
Or if thou feign, feign then the things as truthlyke as you may.  
If thou wouldst set Achilles out As other men have done,  
Let him be swift, chase, unprayed, inflamed to vengeance soon.  
Let him deny that laws were made for him or any such.  
Let him by weapon bear him stout, and thereby chalange much.  
Let Medea be fierce, on mowde, let Ino still be sad,  
Ixie trothless Io wandering, Orestes never glade.  
A strange attemptate to the stage if that thou darest commit,  
And dar'st a parsonage unseen, in now ell manor fit:  
Mark well, wherewith thou didst begin, and use the matter so  
That top, and tail in like semblant, and tenor true may go.  
Much hard it is in proper talk to write a thing unknown.  
Better it is the Ilyads to stage again were drawn,  
Then that thou shouldest in practise put things known, nor hard before.  
A public matter may be thought to cume from private store,  
If that one do not tread out right, the trodden, used way.  
Thou shalt have no regard at all word for word to out lay.  
If thou wouldst turn things faithfully and do not imitate  
So iumpingly, so precyselfe and step, for step so straight,  
That what for shame to wade on still or else to end the thing  
As it began, thou canst not move ne yet thy foot out bring.  
Begin not as that Poet once that fowl mouth Cyclike lout  
Priam's fortune, and famous fights, at full I will layt out,  
What will our promiser tell us for such a gaping fit,  
The mountains travail, we shall have a mouse to laugh at it.  
How much more cicumspectlie he which nothing did a miss,  
How were his wits advised well when he invented this.  
Set out my Muse to me the man Since Troy taken (ꝙ he)  
Which did the manners of much men, and sundry Cities see.  
Not smoke of flame, but flame of smoke he would have to proceed,  
And learn of him, if thou wouldst make a poesy in deed.  
Not Antiphas, Scylla, Cycloppcs, Charybdis to display,  
Nor Dyamede from brother's death how that he came away.  
For writing of the Trioane war and Greeks fair buskinde legs,  
He doth not fetch his matter down from Lady Leda's eggs,  
He hasteth on unto the haps, the hearer he doth draw  
Into the thickst, & let's ●…im taste, as he the whole did know.  
The things that he doth quite despair, t'entreat to good effect,  
To spare his labour, and his words he doth it all reject.  
So feigneth he, things true and false so always mingleth he,  
That first with midst, and midst with last, may cotton, and agree.  
What I and all require of the this for thy learning hark.  
If thou wouldst have us stand stock still, and to the end to mark,  
That when the Epilogue is done we may with frank intent,  
After the plaudite strike up our plausible assent:  
Of sorts, and ages thou must note the manor and the guise.  
A decency for stirring youth, for elder folk likewise.  
The child as he can speak and go 
Childhood  forthwith is glad of play,  
Amongst his mates, and gathers heart to cuff, and learns to fray:  
And this he hath peculiar he changeth without reason.  
No one thing is, that can like him but for a very season.  
Unbearded youth, at last rid from 
Youth  the Tutors b●…g charge,  
Horse, hawk, or hound, fla unt, & caroust●… into the field at large.  
Pliant as wax to any sin most spiteful, and most fell,  
To those that seek his proofit most by warning of him well.  
A slack provider for himself a squanderer of gold,  
Hawrie, hasty soon hot in love, and suddenly as could.  
Man's state, and mind doth turn that trade he gins to cast his eye 
Manhood   
To richeses, and acquaintance straight and hawks to be on high.  
He takes good heed, not to commit through giddiness of brain  
The fact, which he for very shame must needs undo again:  
Old men have much encumbrances 
Age  the miser spends his wit,  
In getting, and the gotten spares nor dares he spend of it.  
Couldlie, and toto timorous his sentence he doth give  
prolonging, hoping, past his work, desirous aye to line,  
Churlish, wrangling, a praiser of the time he lived in.  
A solemn Censor, and chastner of every young man's sin.  
As years do help us mightily whilst we come at a stay:  
So after they disvantage us, and break us to decay.  
least youth of age, and age of youth do say, and play the part  
To shape out things accordingly besetes a Poet's art.  
Matters be ei there done on stage, or to ulde how they were done▪  
The things reported to the ears move not the mine so soon▪  
As lively set before thine eyes, in act for to behold:  
Such acts as may be done within no reason is they should  
Be showed abroad: And many things thou mayst remove from sight,  
Which good, and ready eloquence may staight way bring to light.  
Medea may not openly her tender children slay,  
Nor wicked Atreus mens guts in sethinge vessels play.  
Nor Progne turn into a bird, Nor Cadmus to a snake.  
I trust nothing thou shows me so but in worst part it take.  
The play that would be sought after and often come in place,  
Must have five acts, nor more, nor less for therein is a grace▪  
God must be none brought on the stage, but in such case and time,  
When mortal man, cannot reform nor dignely plague the crime.  
Enough for four to speak in sight, And if the need be such  
That more must talk, cut of the last and let them not speak much.  
Th●…autor the Chorus must defend or else some other one  
Whose innocency, or manhood deserueh praise alone.  
Let them not sing twixt act, and act that squayreth from the rest.  
Such let their songs be, as will tune unto the purpose best.  
Let them lean ever to the good, and join in verdict clear,  
rule the unruly, and love them which to offend they fear.  
Let them praise homely, simple cheer, and wholsume justice praise,  
Laws, and safe rest with open gayts, and peace in all the ways.  
Let them conceal things credited, to God oft let them pray,  
That luck may grow unto the meek, and to the proud decay.  
The shawme was not as it is now with copper writhed in  
In trumpet wise but small it was, few breathing holes, and thin.  
Fit for a Chorus and as yet the boystus sound, and shrill,  
Of trumpetes clang, the stalls was not accustomed to fill.  
Came thither folk soon numbered, for why, the crowd was small  
A thrifty flock, a shamefast flock, and thereto chaste withal.  
But when by conquest they began their borders to extend,  
And broad their walls about the town for pomp were made to bend,  
And when that men had felt a sweet in daily belly cheer,  
So banqueting each holiday without remorse or fear,  
Their music, and their melody increased more and more.  
The hobbes as wise as gravist men, rid from their travail sore,  
The most untoward and untaught, most contemptible clown,  
As part as pie doth press amongst the wisest of the Town.  
So, motions and wantonness, unto his former art  
The minstrel adds, as hoyting he as any of his part.  
Then with the twanginge instrument the singer's voice did match,  
And that did novel Eloquence, and lofty speeches hatch.  
A solemn speak meet for great things, which knoweth after claps:  
A speech wherein the Delphique Phoebe might tell men of their haps.  
He that strove first in Tragic verse, but for a silly goat,  
Set out Satyrs incontinente, things rustical (god wot.)  
With wholesome bitter gravity he proved to make sport,  
With allurements, and new conceits, to please a doltish sort,  
A sort past grace, and drunken to, unrewlie, rude and rash.  
We may not so praise Satirists, which sometimes for a crash,  
Make many merry with their taunts, and give them leave to play,  
So that both gods, and noblemen in splendent vestures gay,  
Shame not their garments, & themselves with common ale house talk.  
The Tragedy must shun the ground, yet not in welking walk,  
And retch to high, though to prattell of pelting babbles small,  
Is not of nature Tragical, nor fit for it at all.  
The matron blusheth, that is bod to dance in open day,  
So sober Satirists must be amiddste their frolic play.  
To those that only love the rued, and signifying word  
In Satyrs, I a Satyriste Piso's do not accord,  
Nor will not so confound my terms, that difference none be,  
Twixt Daws, and bold Pythyas▪ The shrew, the damsel, she  
Who could cozen old Simo fire and at hishands could gain,  
A tallant by collusion, and slight ligerdemayne.  
The rural Gods must have their speech if they do speak in press.  
I would endite familiarly and utter with mine ease,  
That each man may assure himself, to do the like again,  
But when he shall attemptate give▪ he shall but sweat in vain.  
Order, and composition, so in themselves excel.  
And mean matter cleanly set out deserveth praise so well.  
The rural gods (if I can judge) must look in any case  
That they speak not like civil folks, brought up in peopled place.  
Their rhymes may not to gamesum be, of rybawdrye to ryfe,  
Or slanderous: for unto sum it brings offence and strife.  
The noble, honourable, rich, and also most of those  
Which aught can do, will snuff, and take it pepper in their nose.  
What Tom, and Tib do rectefie, what likes the carter clown,  
The wise men take not in good part, nor cover it with crown.  
The foot of Syllabs short, and long 
jambus a foot of two silla bless whereof the first is short the second long.  jambus hath to name.  
A much swift foot, and trymeter (the verse which of the same,  
Consists) is cawld, with six wight feet it speedily doth strike.  
The first and last as all the rest in pure verse are a like.  
That more slowly, and more gravely, it might cume to our ears,  
It now the stade Spondeus foot within it quiet bears.  
In the fourth Room and second room jambus still hath been.  
In Ennius or Accius, Spondie is seldom seen.  
Bug verses which come to the stage with weight of words alone  
Louslie laid out, to soon surveyed, having of science none.  
A learned judge will pass on them as guilty of great crime.  
What though sum judges can not mark the jarring of a rhyme.  
And what though Romans Poets to an ample charter have?  
should I go write at Randonne though, and vage abroad, and rave?  
Or should I think my faltes would be subject to all men's sight?  
Within the hope of pardon, I employed have my might  
To scape from 'scapes, and them to shun by all possible ways:  
With all my heart I do confess I never earned praise.  
The presidents of greek writers to know, and understand,  
Reed them, and turn them day and night with never ceasing hand.  
Our forefathers, which Plautus rhymes, and tothesume sweetened vain,  
With loads of commendations did praise, and praise again:  
It was in them great patience, folly I will not say,  
So to admire his verse, or vain, neither is very gay.  
If I▪ or you the taunting grace can judge from scurril gear,  
Or can measure the law of sound by fingering, or by ear.  
Thespis to find out Tragedies bestowed first the pains,  
And led about his players, and his playing stuff in veins.  
Sonnets to sing, and things to speak in that unparfit case,  
The personages were disgysde by smering of their face.  
Next him of vise●…des, and attire was founder Eschilus'.  
How that the stage adorned should be he first instructed us.  
To exercise loud speaking, and to couch aloft our voice,  
To teach all kind of iesturyngs with cumlines, and choice.  
next came the antic comedy and she won all the praise.  
Her licence hath made dissolute and lawless now a days.  
But stayed was, and whist she was whishde to her utter shame,  
Because gone was her privilege so bitterly to blame.  
Our Poets left nought unassayed, and they not worship least  
Deserved have, who of themselves adventerously have c●…asde  
Further to trade in gréekishe steps: and boldly start up then  
The jolly jests of native land in native tongue to pen.  
As Italy in Chivalris, and manhood doth excel:  
So ere this time in perfect speech it might have borne the bell,  
But that our lither Poets all of one disease are sick:  
they cannot stay to scum their stuff, nor lumpish travail lick.  
You Piso's (blood of Pompelie) those verses reprehend,  
Which long deliberation and rasinge did not mend  
And hath not ten times bettered, and on the fingers scanned,  
Correcting, and perfyting them with overnoting hand.  
Because Democrites judged art to be more base than wit,  
Therefore those drummidories séek●… so slightly after it.  
And for because from Helicon the same man did exclude  
All those, which were not 'straught of sense: those lurdons are so lude  
To let their beard, and nails grow out to shun the open bain,  
Of hills, and dales, and secret steads he feanes him to be fain  
Though all the pothigaries stuff can scarcely purge his noll  
He thinks him wise, his solemn bush because no man doth paul.  
O dotterel I, I might or this have written noble gear  
But that from colour, I am purged at springe time every year.  
" It matters not, I am therefore a whetstone in my wit,  
" Which can cause Irne and style to cut ne cut itself a whit.  
" I will teach others how to do, the pains I will not take.  
I will tell them how to be rich, what diet, what will make  
A Poet good, what doth become, and what unsetting is.  
To what virtue will us conduct, and error lead amiss.  
Of right writing dame wisdom is the fountain, and the well,  
As do the books Socratical purposedly the tell  
And words will come upon the fast at elbow waiting due  
If that the matter in the mind thou wilt before suruew.  
He that hath learned, what he doth owe unto his country dear,  
Unto his parents, brothers, friends, what duty he doth bear:  
What doth concern the Senator what doth the judge behove:  
What doth become the chifetan best to set upon and move:  
Him dare I warrant of my word that he can tell, or none,  
What properly is incidente to persons everichone.  
The learned imitator, I do wish that he should cast  
An eye into the life of men and practises now passed,  
That he may to the very quick his lively phrases lay  
sometimes an honest merry tail (lasciviousness away)  
Delights, and stays the people more, then do a thousand rhymes  
devoid of matter, shrill trifles and waterde well with crimes.  
The muse gave wit to Greeks, to Greeks a trowlinge tongue she gave:  
Who only glory, and renown were covetous to have.  
The Romans now do teach their sons no other kind of arts,  
But all day long do set and part, a sum into his parts.  
Learn them to multiply an ounce by ounce and many ounces,  
So that this thing to multiply still in their mind reiounses.  
And nu●…led once in casting counts and care to multiply  
When to cankered coin casting once, their wits they do apply,  
How can we think that they can make or that their verse should be  
Worthy in Cedar to be writ or kept in Cypress tree.  
" The Poets seek to profit thee, or please thy fancy well,  
" Or at one time things of profit and pleasance both to tell.  
" In all thy precepts be thou brief that learners quickly may  
Conceive thy words, and that the same in faithful mind to stay.  
What s'euer is superfluose, to much, and oftens told,  
Doth fill the hearer passed the brim that long he cannot hold.  
" The things that's feigned for pleasure sake be next to true in place.  
No comedy can hope to have all credit in each case.  
To bring in as a trim devise an old wife's chat, or tale  
Of wiches bugs, and hobgobling, such trash is nought to sail.  
Unprofitable Poesies, the sage sort will not hear  
And austere works, the youthful sort will overlook them clear.  
" He bears the bell in all respects who good with sweet doth minge:  
" Who can in delectable style good counsel with him bring.  
His books the stationer's will buy, beyonte Sea it will go,  
And will conserve the author's name a thousand year, and more.  
Yet certain Peccadilians which scape yea in the best,  
Are to be borne the better with by reason of the rest.  
For not the lute string always strikes, as hand, and mind would have.  
It will sound base, and low when we an high loud stroke would have.  
Nor yet the bow doth ever hit the thing which it doth threat.  
If that the more deal of the work be beautiful and neat,  
A few 'scapes shall not grieve me much, with negligence let lie,  
Or which because that we are men must now and then pass buy:  
What then? he that compyles a work, and warned doth offend  
In one thing oft, is perdonles if that he doth not mend.  
As may that minstrel well be mocked, and worthily I wiss,  
Which ever of the self same string doth use to strike amiss.  
So he which oft is overseen is Chaerilus to me,  
Whom writing two or three good rhymes I marvel at with glee.  
Yet am right wroth that any good should come from such a sot.  
Good Homer now and then him ●…elfe will slumber well I wot.  
If that our work be long and hug●… so hard it is to keep  
Ourselves waking, it is dispens●… if sometimes we do sleep.  
" A Poesy is picture like, the which if thou stand near,  
" Delights the much: sum picture mor●… if further of thou were.  
This hath a better grace in dark, and this in open day,  
The scanning skill of viewing judge can it no whit afraye.  
This Poesy hath had his time it was well liked once,  
An other hath been lykd ten times, An, A per se for nonce.  
(O eldest of thy brethren all) although with father's voice  
Thou art well taught, and of thyself thou haste a savoury choice.  
Yet take this saying of my mouth and take it with the clean.  
Sum thing there is, which will admit a tolerable mean,  
Th' attorney and the counsaloure though they be mean in plea  
Unlyke to them which at the bar and bench do bear the swea.  
natheless in estimation they both have been, and are.  
And many a man for their advice will seek to them from far.  
But that mean Poets were the best that never granted yet  
Or God, or man or monuments or evidence of writ.  
Ill sauces, or ill melody when we do sup, or dine  
Is little worth, for those apart, the feast might have been fine:  
So Poems first devised, to sport, and recreate the mind  
Are best, or worst by standing in or qualing from their kind.  
He dare not tourney, nor yet tilt which never knew the play:  
The stool ball, top, or camping ball if such one should assay  
As hath no manor skill therein, amongst a mighty crowd,  
they all would scréeke unto the sky and laugh at him aloud.  
Yet he that knows no foot in verse will boldly versefy.  
What else? he is a gentleman, ten thousand francklins lie  
By him to spend, and besides that so worshipful a man:  
Such qualities, and of great crime no man convict him can.  
Yea, gentle men are goodly men, what so they will, they may:  
But Piso, against nature thou shalt nothing do, or say.  
For so thyself art minded to: But if in after time  
Thou shalt have great affection to publish any rhyme,  
Let it be first examined, by Metius his ear,  
And by thy fathers, and by mine: kept close a nine long year.  
The scrolls which be at home with the at leisure thou mayst mend.  
The faltes that's passed once in print, are passed without end.  
The holly one great Orpbeus the god's enterpreter,  
The salvage folk from beastlike life, and murder did deter:  
So said the Tigers to assuage and lions ramping power.  
So was it said of Amphion founder of Theban tower,  
With twang of harp to stir the stones, with orisons divine  
To lead th'unwild creatures to where he would assyne.  
This was the wisdom in those days, this counted they their gain,  
To part things public from private and sacred from profane.  
For to inhibit wandering lusts and wedlock knot to tie,  
Laws to ingrale in during brass, and rear up towns on high.  
So got the godlike poets first their honour, and their name,  
And for their verses all the world did celebrate their fame.  
Then started noble Homer up, and Tyrtheus with verse  
Did make the lusty youthful bruits to battle fresh, and fierce.  
By verses were men's fortunes told and rules to live aright,  
And princes favours were procured by verse, and rhyming slight,  
" Verse is a solace, after work, a chase for noble game,  
" And perdie man to versify it need be thought no shame.  
" For madam muse could tune the harp, Apollo knew the same.  
If verse praise worthy written were by nature or by art,  
Demand hath been, but I am thus resolved for my part,  
" That neither study can do good without a wealthy wit,  
" Nor yet the wit not well applied can profit one a white,  
" So wit, and, study linked are, so doth the one require  
" The others help, so lovengly in one they do conspire.  
He that doth study to come to the mark, which all men would,  
Hath sufferde, and done much in youth oft sweeting, and oft could,  
Refrainde from wine and venery. The minstrel that doth sing.  
Was taught, and feared his master first ere he professed the thing.  
Now it's enough to say, that I can passing poems make,  
Since each man brags, the lag of us A shendefull shame him take.  
I think it shame to come behind, to grant I do not shame,  
In that which I was never taught me skilless in the same.  
The Crier, as he cawles in on the company to buy  
In portesaile of his merchandise as they do thither high:  
So doth the poet, rich in land, and rich in banqued gold,  
Assemble all his parasyts to hear his praises told.  
If that a poet usually maintaineth lusty cheer,  
And willbe surety for poor knaves in suits them to vy bear,  
I marvel if that his fortune and goodluck should be such  
To know false flatterers, from true friends, their faces willbe such.  
If thou hast given any aught, or further dost intend  
Beware to any merry Greek thy verses to commend.  
He will cry well, notably well, passing, exceeding well,  
He will wax pale from friendly eyes his tears he will expel.  
Dance, and bedunche the ground with foot as those which hired be  
To wail, and morn at funerals (as far forth as we see)  
Both do, and speak more hevily and rueful in their kind,  
Then those which inwardly with grief, are griped in their mind.  
So be the jesters gesterings and glozing words, above  
The praises of the well meaning, who doubtless do the love.  
" Great princes use to make much of, to feast, and feast again,  
" With strong, and heady drinks t'assay what was the wit and brain,  
" Of those to whom their amity they meant for to admit.  
" To prove how they for grand affairs and trusty things are fit.  
If thou profess a poetry be not deceived, bewayre,  
And shun the flyring feasting face which outward looks so fair.  
If one unto Quintilius, did any thing rehearse,  
Friend (would he say) you must correct both such, and such a verse.  
If he reply, that he ne knew better to make the same  
He would assay yet twice or thrice and bid him mend, from shame,  
To lay his rude ill turned stuff again into the frame.  
If thou hadst rather to defend then to amend thy miss  
Thou should never have conference, nor counsel more of his,  
Thou mightst march on in thine own ways without his further suit,  
And hug, and, buss, and cull, and cusse thy darling apish fruit  
Th'unsavoury verse the goodman, and the wise will reprehend,  
Blame those diffuse, and obscure rhymes, which to no good can tend.  
Bald latin he will note and mark, with scraping of their thum,  
And ornaments superfluous from better chaffer scum.  
He must make manifest dark drifts, and argue at things strange,  
He must like Aristarchus tell what each one ought to change.  
And think not much his very friend in trifles to offend.  
" These trifles will prove earnest things, and serious in the end.  
When all the world shall them deride and grievously them grudge  
And when all shall with auckwarde doume and sinister them judge.  
To those which have the fawling evil and lothly leprosy,  
That be frantic and moon sick, none dare boldly pass him buy:  
All men do fear the poet mad, the wise sort will him shun,  
Young boys him vex, the foolish flock will do as he hath done.  
He that doth belch out puffing rhymes, and gaddingly doth stray,  
Is like the fowler, who to catch his birds, as old men say,  
Gave back for nonce, into a trench, and though a press passed by,  
And though with rope to hail him out were present help hard by:  
What if the fellow, sayeth one, went in with his good will?  
Through this and such the silly segge lay ●…lasde in puddle still.  
To know how vile, vain glory is, how perilous a thing,  
Empodocles of Sicily to what end it did bring  
Tell you will I: of immortal to purchase him the name,  
For vain glory he scipped quick to Etnaes' fiery flame.  
In good time poets, if they will, may make themselves away,  
And who so letteth such an one▪ as rightly might one slay,  
May haps he hath assayed before how to procure his bain,  
May haps if he were now fore stayd●… his staing were in vain.  
Still would he be besides himself nor would not lay a side  
The fancy towards famous death wherein he had a pride.  
And no man knows, what cause he had to write such frantic gear  
How irreligious he hath been devoid of godly fear,  
But mad he is, and like a bear most ragingly he strains,  
And if he could with all his force dispatch him of his chains.  
learned, and unlearnd he would confound, he readeth them so fierce,  
And doth their works so snapingly, and snatchingly rehearse.  
Whom he hath seized, on, he holds and doth with reading kill,  
The horseleech will not leave the hide but having sucked her fill    

Horace his Epistles to Maecenas  

OThou the matter of the first the matter of these last  
Verses of mine, (Maecenas Lord) this is thy very cast  
Yet once again t'acquaint me with my wont rhyming game,  
Me, that am throughlie tried in that and victor in the same.  
" Not age a like nor mind a like, the valiant man of war  
May leave his arms, and live at length●… a part from scirmage far.  
Him needs not when his race is run the people much to pray,  
He hath licence by law of arms in time to go his way.  
A thing I have within myself that beats upon mine ear,  
And dasheth often in such sort that clearly I may hear,  
How it doth warn me to be wys●… to rid me from this race,  
And timely to, lest I becum a tired ●…ade in space.  
A crooked caple, who when he hath travailed any while  
Will halt down right at length & pant, and make a number smile.  
And therefore now I lay my rhymes. and other toys a side  
Devysing things of hone sty, and therein holy bide.  
That which may serve to guide myself I muse upon and make.  
And least thou ask what Chifetan I, to what sect I do take,  
To none so bound, to swear unto what s'euer he shall say.  
To where the tempest carrieth me a stranger borne away.  
sometimes I skude about the town in civil matters drowned,  
A champion rough and practyser of virtue strait and sound.  
sometimes on Aristippus lore by stealth I cease on it,  
The things to me, not me to things, I would they should submit.  
" Long is the night to them whose grief alrest doth quite exile:  
" The labouring man doth think one day●… along, and dreary while:  
Slow seams the year unto the wards which holden down must be  
In custody of stepdame strait: Slow slides the time to me,  
Unwelcome times, which do for●…ow my hope, and fixed mind,  
With courage to accomplish that which rich and poor shall finds  
Of profit like, the which thing to if it be left untold,  
The not knowing thereof may be like hurt to young and old  
Remains, with these few principles myself to rule, and stay,  
And through my skill surcreasd in me thus to myself to say.  
Though one cannot like Lynceus with piercing eyesight see,  
To mend his sight he may not grudge inoynted for to be.  
Like lusty Glyco thou despairs in limbs to be so stout  
Yet may thou exercise thyself to shun the knotty gout.  
A man may climb a step, or twain though he go not beyond.  
Thy breast doth boil with covetise, with lusting vile, and fond,  
Sainges there be, and saws there be to cure thy greedy care:  
To master thine assalting fits to purchase thy welfare.  
And dost thou swell with love of praise? Such sacred salves there be,  
Reed the prescriptions through but thrice and I dare warrant thee,  
" Th'envious, angry, drunken, slow, the lover lewd▪ and wild  
" None so outeragiouse, but in time he may bec●…me full mild.  
" If he to good advertisement will retch his listening ear,  
" And meekly bide with patience the counsel he shall hear.  
" It is virtue, vice t'avoid and wisdom chief of all  
Folly to want: these two ills lo do vex the at thy gall.  
A slender stock, and sharp repulse. to shun, and void these twain,  
How dost not thou disease thy mind, and ply thine head with pain?  
A pare thou scuds to traffic with the furdeste folk of Ind,  
Through Seas and rocks, through fire and all lest thou be cast behind.  
Contemn those things, which suddenly thou dost wish, and admire:  
Wilt thou not learn nor hear, nor trust, the wise at his desire?  
Who would (layest thou) go practise fence In every town, and street,  
And then refuse Olympus' crown if he with it might meat,  
A pleasant thing, so pleasantly without much stifling dust:  
Good toiling fast, and for the best since travail needs I must.  
Silver is base much then gold, and gold then virtew worse.  
O, neighbours, neighbours, first get coin first hardly pragge the purse,  
And then seek virtue after gold, so say our merchants lo:  
So chaunte the young, so chat the old, all occupiers so.  
Their pouches, and their counting books are glued to their hands,  
For this we see, nor can but see, the case on this sort stands:  
Though thou haste wit and courage good, and manners mild by skill,  
Though thou beast crafty, and canst weld thy pleading tongue at will,  
If thou haste all things competent: an other more than thee,  
Thou art thought course, and he a king: thy better must he be.  
The Roman children have a song, which carrall doth they call  
A king and keaser if to sin thyself thou dost not thrall.  
" Not to be guilty or war wan at any salt at all,  
" A bulwark that, to bear all brunts, be that the brazen wall.  
The lawyer Rossy made this law, that all should be esteemed,  
For only wealth: that blood, and skill as nowght worth should be deemed.  
Per friendship whether better now Sir Rossius laws, and toys,  
Or that which I did carrall call the ballad of the boys?  
That ballad crowns all just livers, and every worthy wight.  
" Seek crowns of fame, for well living, not golden crowns for sight.  
Who gave the better counsel? he which bids the learn to thrive  
By right, if not to catch, and scrape whilst thou art man alive.  
To sail in wealth, (a ship forsooth where thou mayst plain behold  
The rueful falls which they have had that put theice trust in gold):  
Or he, that bids the stand upright gainste fortune, and her pride,  
And chearelye wills the to be bold not once to skew a side?  
If sum ask me why I joy not from bar, or bench to talk  
Sithence I use so commonly mongste lawyers for to walk  
Why I do not embrace or fl●…e which moste men love or hate  
As once unto the Lion crazed the fox that subtle pate  
Did make reply, so answer I: the foteprints do me fray  
Which lie and look toward the cave, none lie or look this way.  
Should wise men seek to please the most? what profit, or what gains?  
Whom should I eye? the people is a beast of many brains.  
Sum men will mell with public things, and those delight to higher:  
Sum seeking wealthy widows can with toys set them on fire:  
Sum can (like fishes in a trunk) keep old men for their pay:  
Many by secret usury, do creep up at this day.  
But be it so, that diverse have a diverse trade, and way:  
Doth any one well like his trade, one hole hour of the day?  
No coast of all the world I wean like Baiie town of pleasure:  
Yet sail the posting carls from thence, in hope to heap up treasure.  
If (on god's name) they change their place, which way those lurdans draws,  
Th'artificers must bear their tools the carpenters their saws.  
In wedlock (Lord) how he admyres the bless of single life?  
Unmaryed, he swears him blessed, alone which hath a wife.  
What knot can hold this Proteus, that varies thus in hew?  
The poor man What? merry I hope he too must change his stew.  
His parlour, and his bedchamber, Yea he will have his barge  
As surly as the rich: a boat upon his proper charge.  
Mecaens if I meet with the without my frizzled top,  
Not knotted fyne, and fashion like, thy manor is to stop,  
And jest at me: my cote is bare, my gawberdyne amiss,  
Thou jests at me: I marvel much what sport thou finds at this.  
If that my mind were changeable, and were not always one,  
Taking, rejecting, retaking the fashions left, and gone  
Glowing, in no state of my life in steady plight, and sound,  
Thou thinks, and knows me to be mad, but wilt not jest at me  
In juster case, as reason would: as far forth as I see,  
Thou weenest that I do want no leech, nor physics helping cure  
From praetor sent: nathles thou art a buttres safe, and sure  
Of all my state, thou chafes at me for pairing of my nail  
Amiss, at me thy friend, and eke an hangeby at thy tail.  
In fine, such folly fondes a man, and fondly makes him rove:  
The wiseman a nes unfallibly, second to only jove.  
His own man famous mannerly lastly of kings, a king.  
Healtheful in soul except his corpses sum kind of sickness bring.   

To Lollius.  

I Have perused at Preneste him (friend Lollie great of fame)  
That pend Troy's broils, whilst thou at Rome didst practise to declaim.  
Who, what profits, what's good what's bad, (and very séelde doth slip)  
Doth better tell, and more at full, than Crantor or Crysipp.  
Why I so think, (if leisure let) lend me thy listninge ear.  
The history of Paris love, (for which as we do hear  
Great Gréece impaired very sore, which wreaking Paris sins  
Did wain away with ten years fight prolongde by lingering twins)  
Of foolish kings and foolish folk contains a fumish flame.  
Antenor would have compromise to cut away the same.  
What says our Paris? what says he? compel him shall their none  
To cease to bathe in worldly bliss, and flow in joy alone.  
Duke Nestor silly carking segge the tempest to appease  
He cummes, and goes, betwixt king of 
* Agamenon  men and awful Achilles.  
The king for love, both twain for ire are in a chafinge fitt●…,  
What so the princes dote in life, the commons smart for it.  
" Through treason craft, mischief, and lust, through wroth of stomach stout,  
they spare no sin within Troy walls, nor none they spare without.  
Again, how virtue, and a wit at all assays can ease  
The Poet made a mirror in the witty Vlixes.  
Who taming Troy, the manors, and the cities wisely viewed  
Of many men: (for him and his whilst he through vast sea rude,  
Did shape return) who though he bore full many a bitter shower,  
Yet had the adverse waves of him, no sovereignty, or power.  
Thou know'st the mearemades sweet records, dame Circe's charming cup,  
Whereon if he like to the rest had once assayed to sup,  
filthy and fond, a strumpettes slave, subject to her desire  
Than had he been, a dog unclean, and sow, the friend to mire.  
We are a sort of lubbers, bred to help to eat up corn,  
Kighte wooers of Penelopie, knaves, parasites forlorn,  
A youth but to well practised in making of a feast,  
To sleep to twelve a clock at noon, we think it but a jest.  
And when as we are couchde in bed, we hear the minstrels play,  
With twanging of an instrument, to chase our dumps away.  
" thieves rise at all times of the night to murder, and to quell.  
Wilt thou not break thy deathlyke sleep, to keep the sound▪ and well?  
If thou neglect forecasting still for to enjoy thy health,  
Take head, for dropsies breed of flowthe, all suddenly by stealth.  
If at day break with candle light, thou buskle not at book,  
" If thou to sum good exercise, or study do not look,  
" In love, or malice shalt thou plunge, Yea, though thou be awake.  
A little mote out of thine eye why dost thou haste to take?  
If ought there be that 'noys thy mind most part thou art content  
Or thou begin to cure the same to seek an whole year spent.  
" The fact begun, tonehalfe is done, be wise and take good heart:  
Begin: who so drives of good deeds, he plays the farmer's part,  
Who will not overslip the brook whilst that the water fall▪  
The water runs, and keeps his course, and ever keep it shall.  
Men seek for money, and a wife, fruitful, and fresh of hew:  
The earth undreste, with shredding share, the husbandmen subdue:  
He that hath once sufficient, let him wish for no more:  
Not house nor grove, nor yet of gold, or silver ample store  
Can rid the owners crazy corpses fro felon shaking fever.  
Nor can the mind of man from cark, (for all their vigour) sever:  
That owner needs must healthful be, and other men excel,  
Which having riches competent, doth cast to use them well.  
The wishing, and the trembling chuff his house and good doth please,  
" As portraitures the purblind eyes, as baths, the gouty ease.  
" As music doth delight the ears With matter stuffde, and sore.  
" The vessels sowers what so it takes if it be fowl before  
" Do, way delight, for pleasure bowghte with pain annoys in th'end.  
" The Carl wants aye, let thou thy drift to no excess extend.  
" Th'envious fool doth pine away at others happy state,  
" The tyrfants of Sicilia did find nothing to grate  
" Their gauls so much, as envy did. who can not stay his i●…e  
" Shall wish undone which teen bad do, and wilful fond desire▪  
Ire is short wrath, rule thou thy mood, if it do not obey,  
It rules forthwith, it thou with bit, it thou with chain must stay,  
The plyante steed of tender neck, the horsekeeper doth tame,  
To march forth lightly where him list: further, to prove the same,  
The hound which doth commence his game with opening at the skin,  
Do th' practice pursuit at the beast and length through fern and fin.  
Then children lean your hearts to lore, the best things eke embrace  
What juice (look) first bemoysts a shell, the shell thereof a space,  
A long space will retain the taste: But if thou slack or stay:  
Or if thou beast to forwerd else, and run to fast away:  
I tarry for no trewands, I, which from their studies slack,  
And those that will vauntcurrers be Not I will draw them back.    

To julius Florus.  

FLorus, in what part of the world Augustus' son in law  
Duke Claudius doth warfayre now I travail much to know.  
Or Tracia or Hebrus flood congealed with winter frost:  
Or seas twixt towers, abordringe next that glide away, and post:  
Or fertile fields of Asia, and mountains hold you still?  
What doth our busy bend of Clerks? to know it is my will.  
Who takes upon him to indite Augustus, worthy acts?  
Who powers into the world to cume his wise, and warlike facts?  
What Tytius? to Roman cost that shortly comes to dwell.  
Who did not fear to drink the drawghtes of Pindars' hidden well.  
bold to disdain, the rivers known and common puddles vile  
How might he fear? how minds he us? doth he in latin style  
Address his Theban melody with Madam muse his guide?  
Or is his swelling lofty vain in tragic practice tried?  
How doth Sir Celsus? warned once, and to be warned much  
To seek for matter of his own, as also not to touch  
The works which have been deemed good By Phoebus Palatine:  
Lest if the birds perhaps do cume to ask their feathers fine:  
The crow bereft of borrowed hue do make a merry game,  
To see the thief that had so much have nought to shroud his shame.  
Florus what dost thou enterprise, in what study or rhyme  
Dost thou bestir? as doth the Bee bestir herself in thyme  
Thy wit is not of meanest sort, it doth not lie unskowrde,  
It is not harsh through negligence or otherwise untoward.  
If thou dost whet thy tongue to plead, or play the civil judge▪  
If thou dost make a lovely verse, there's none alive will grudge  
To fee the with the first reward of victory the crown.  
And covetise, the cause of care: If thou couldst cast it down,  
O passing florus passing man thou mighste go forward free,  
Aduaunsed by thy thy heavenly wit▪ as it would conduct the,  
To this work, and this exercise, let's speedily draw near,  
If we willbe unto ourselves, or to our Country dear.  
I wish you furthermore to write and written to me send.  
What heart thou bear'st to Munatie, if he be yet thy friend.  
If that thy friendship soulderd ill, hath stayed no longer while:  
And if it now be knapte in twain which I did reconcile.  
But, whether you hot stirring blood, or lack of practice vex,  
Like beasts unbroake, unused to toil, Bruits of untamed necks,  
Sirs, wheresoever you do live, me think it doth not well,  
To break so strait a knot of love: further I will not mell.  
I have against your home coming a long devoued cow.  
Which grazeth here within my groves and fats herself for you.    

To Albius, Tybullus a devisor  

Tybullus friend and gentle judge of all that I do clatter  
What dost thou all this while abroad, how might I learn the matter?  
Dost thou invent such worthy works, as Cassus poems pass?  
Or dost thou closely créepinge lurk, Amid the wholesome grass,  
Addicted to Philosophy, contemning not a whit  
That's seemly for an honest man, and for a man of wit?  
Not thou a body without breast, the Gods made the t'excel  
In shape, the gods have lent the goods, and art to use them well.  
What better thing unto her child can wish the mother kind,  
Then wisdom, and in fyled frame to utter owte his mind,  
To have fair favour, fame enough, and perfect stay, and health,  
Things trim at will, and not to feel the empty ebb of wealth?  
Twixte hope to have, and care to keep, betwixt fear and wrath, away  
Consumes the time: each day that cummes think it the latter day,  
The hour that cummes unlooked for shall come more welcum ay.  
Thou shalt find me fat, and well fed, as pubble as may be,  
And when thou wilt a merry mate, to laugh, and chat with the.    

To torquatus  

If thou canst well vowtsafe to sup with thin, and simple cheer,  
And eat thy pottage holy up, (a mess of homely gear)  
In skellet course: at sonsette then Torquat I tarry the.  
Thou shalt come home and help to drink a cup of wine with me.  
Wine, priest in taurus consulship, twixt Sinuce, and Petryne,  
And merry Mintorne, If thou hast sum better that is thine,  
Or pray me cum, or bid me come, If thou wilt be my gest▪  
My chimney shines, mine household stuff, is hansumly up dressed.  
Do way vain hope, fowl strife for goods and babbling in law cases.  
The day licenseth sport, and sleep, To morrow Caesar's grace's  
Nativity assoileth all, scotfree we may hold tag,  
In friendly chat this summers night, and let the world go wag.  
" A way with wealth, if that a man have not a time to use it:  
" The niggard to strait to himself, what doth he but abuse it?  
" Who seeking how to benefit his heir in all he can,  
" Doth well deserve the second room, next to a frantic man.  
I will go quaff, and strew my flowers, In fresh and fragrant wise,  
And for a time willbe content not to be counted wise.  
What, doth not lively drunkenness? deep secrets it brings out 
Dronke●….   
It confirms hope, the naked man it makes in battle stout:  
It doth discharge the pensive mind, It teacheth arts a pace,  
Whom have not freighted goblets made, to utter with a grace?  
And eke in pinching poverty made louse at heart and free?  
This fit for me, I glad of it, this charge I take to me:  
A factor I to take good heed that table clothes be cleave:  
The napkens fayr●…●…e sluttishness do turn the guess to teen.  
That flagons and the vessels scourde do show to the thy face.  
That what passeth through friend and friend go not out of the place▪  
Through prattling pies: that like with like and mate may set with mate:  
Septicius,, and Brute with the according to your state.  
Except Sabin per company be bod to better cheer,  
He shallbe one? I take on me to compass all this gear.  
There is a room for shadows to, as lesters, and for such:  
Unless the crowded company perfume the place to much.  
Writ thou the number that will come, cum strait, and stay no more,  
And through sum postern slip thou from thy client at thy door.    

To Numitius  

NOwght to admire Numitius is almost such a thing  
As can conserve a man in bless and bless unto him bring.  
Sum such there be not once aghast which dare behold the son,  
The stars, the times, from point, to point, how they do roll and run,  
What think you of the goodly gifts, which in the earth we find?  
What of the sea, that ritcheth those of Arabia, and Ind.  
Plays, triumphs (gifts of such as seek with folk to have a grace)  
How dost thou look upon this gear? what Censur, and what face?  
Who dreads the lack, of such like things, in such sort doth admire,  
No doubt the same, as he that doth them fervently desire.  
Both parties are distrubde with fear, both drenched in one cryke,  
The fear to lose, or not to have, doth fray them both a like.  
joy he, sad he, wish he, dread he, what matters that at all,  
If at all things which he shall see better, or worse to fall  
Then he hoped for, with pouting looks he glares upon the ground,  
Or else in body, and in mind be sickly, and not sound?  
The wise man may be counted mad, the righteous man unjust,  
If he after virtue itself more than enough do lust.  
Go now, and lay thy looks upon thy silver, and thy goold,  
Thy marble statues, brazen works, and Monuments behold.  
Past virtue since we may not pass, this earthly dross admire,  
Becum in love with jewels, gems, and colours cumd from tire.  
Rejoice that thousand eyes do gaze on thee, whilst●… thou dost talk,  
Take this with the from market place both late, and early walk  
Home to thy house: forcastinge that thy neighbour should have more  
Wheat (by the dowry of his wife) dehuskd upon the flore:  
Let it grieve the that sum man cumd of base, and cowrser kind,  
shallbe admired of the for wealth, and thou out of his mind.  
" Nothing but virtue, nowghte but it, what s'euer lies below  
" Age will make seen, age will dig up: and those things which we sow  
" Most fresh, and sheen, age will attach Though thou beast famous known  
In court, of kings, though through the streets thy bruit abroad be blown▪  
Remains to come, to where all kings and kesars have been drawn.  
If that thy sides, or Renes becume With twitching stitch attainted,  
Seek how to chase that grief away to make it disaquaynted.  
Wouldst thou live well? who would not so? If only virtue can  
Procure such life, vain toys resyne, stick stout to virtue then.  
Think not that words do virtue make, as trees do make a wood, 
The best merchandise is virtue.   
Take ship betime, lest sum forestall, and buy up all this good:  
This precious delytefull good▪ treasure of greater gain  
Than all the chaffer that transfretes from Portugal, or Spain.  
Disburce a thousand talents thus, and then a thousand more,  
Three thousand, and four thousand thus▪ for virtue let them go.  
But Madam money can do much, she brings a wealthy wife, 
Money.   
Brings trusty friends, gentry, & stock all pleasures of this life.  
Yea, he that hath the coin in store in pleading of a case  
Shall tell his tale more pythelie, with more delyteful grace.  
The king of Cappadocia. with all his rout of men,  
Lords, lordings, princes and their pears▪ lack money now, and then. 
The causes of the lack of money.   
Well if they lack, manteyne not thou, a swarm of idle pages.  
Buy not such suits of vain attire, whereon the world so rages.  
Lucull demanded on a time to lend as I hard say,  
An hundred coats t'adorn the stage and make the players gay.  
And how should I that number great betake to you quoth he  
natheless in south I do not know I will go home to see.  
Straight way when he had searched his house: rewrytte again this mome,  
That he had which he know not of Ten thousand cloaks at home.  
Or take t'one half, or all of them. that house (saith he is scant,  
Where howsould stuff unoccupyde not thought upon doth want.  
Yea, true, such stuff is very good the master to deceive,  
(And he not knowing) is a pray for every pilfering knave.  
If wealth alone can blessed make, and the conserve in bliss,  
Let all thy care, both more, and sum, be cast to conquer this.  
If bravery or honour can make the an happy man,  
letes by a cut throat rutterkin which in best manor can  
recite thy titles, and thy names, who also much reioyses  
To Crave and jog those on the side that have th'electing voices.  
Who will, and dare retch forth his hand, and man the through the crowd,  
Bear of the heavy multitude, crack thus, and cry aloud:  
My Lord my master now a days doth bear alonely sway  
Throughout the hole nobility: If that him list to frown,  
From burnished car of ivory the magistrate goes down,  
And thou thyself most smerkinglye (to further on thy page)  
say father, brother, to each one, as best becomes their age.  
If well supping be well living, this matter is dashste, let's go,  
To fish, to hunt, and whether that our throat will lead us to.  
Like Gargill, who betime would cause his nets, bore spears, and men  
To go abroad through flocks of folk, that they might see him, when  
He marched forth, and for to make the men to marvel more  
He would in covartes carry forth and bring in sight a Boar,  
As who say he had conquered him. Let us go quaff, and swill  
On full gorge, nor once mind what's good, or what becummes us ill.  
Worthy to have our memory's Portrade, in war or ail.  
Ulixes men of Ithaca a grédie sinful sail:  
To whom pleasure inhibited did seem of value more,  
Then was to see their native soil, so wished for before  
If he say true that saith all bliss consists in love, and sport,  
Then live in love: in dalliance is best to keep a port.  
It's neither so, nor so say I. wealth, honour feasting, love,  
Do bread no bliss, virtue it is that stauleth us above.  
Live, and fair well, if thou know ought, Better than these things be  
As touching bliss) frindlye confer, if not, use these with me.    

To Maecenas.  

Five days my promiss was to the in country town t'have been,  
And now am wanted (false of word) all August, as I ween.  
If thou wouldst have me safe at ease, that nothing should me grieve,  
What thou dost grant me being sick, the very self same leave  
Thou wilt grant me, that stand in dread of sickness, more, and more.  
Whilst summer suage, and the fig tree her prime fruit have I bore:  
Whilst the Indytors of the dead, (For so their name they have)  
Be led by pomp with sergeants sad the Epigrams to grave:  
Whilst parent's pail, do dread, and fear their children should be sick:  
Whilst busy toil, and work abroad make fevers green to prick:  
Whilst head doth rageand sickness rains, and each man breaks his will,  
And makes a new, at point of death (Sir) let me tarry still▪  
On Alban hills when winter shall spit out his flaggie snow,  
Thy poet shall cumme to the sea and sojourn there below.  
framing himself to ply his book with lesser grief of mind  
He will see the (my dulcet friend) with warmie western wind:  
And with the swallow very first that cummes into that place,  
If he may be safe conducted and welcum to thy grace.  
Maecenas thou hast made me rich not as the Calabere  
Doth rich his guest, who when he cummes doth set him down a pear.  
fall to (saith he)   Guest. 
I have enough  Oste. 
well if you list not eat,  
Yet bear them to your babes at home Perhaps a welcum cheat.  Guest. 
Mine host, I am as well content I thank you to my pay  
As if I should eat all your fruit and carry it away.  Oste. 
Sithence I can not rid them▪ hence and that you will forsake them,  
I mean to give them to the swine to see if they'll forsake them.  Horace. 
Of foolish and of prodigal this is the proper guise  
" To give such things as they themselves and others do despise.  
" Those francklings who by such a sort persuade them to be frank,  
" Ne shall, ●…e have at any time deserved any thank.  
The wiseman knows both what he gives, how worthy that they be  
That take, and is discreet enough the brass from dross to see.  
I for my part will never fail to be a thankful man:  
Worthy your praised benefits by all the means I can.  
If thou wouldst have me keep with thee, and never to depart,  
Thou must call back my years of youth my lusty sides and heart.  
Restore mine hair, my forehead once with abrune hairs clad.  
Where nothing now but scaulpe alone, and baldness can be had.  
Restore to me my fyled speech, the causes why I smiled  
The doleful dumps in Bacchus' feast whilst Cupid me beguiled.  Fable. 
Once through a narrow rifte did creep an empty cub with pain,  
Into a basket full of wheat: and being fast, again  
With pragged paunch assayed to go out of the same in vain.  
To whom the weasel: to escape quoth she thine only shift  
Is, to creep out as thou camest in all empty through the rifte:  
This same, or such like parable if thou apply to me,  
I must come empty from thine house if thine I leave to the.  
For all was thine, through the came ease to live at my desire.  
As cloyed with wealth, or strife not I this call my life require.  
And yet this joy so clear, so sound which in this life I find,  
I would not change for all the gold of Arabia, and Ind.  
Oft haste thou praised my shamefastness, my father, and my king:  
I have praised the before thy face in absence eke the thing.  
If I thy bounty can acquit consider thou my best,  
With all my heart, what so I can it ever shallbe pressed.  
Telemachus, Ulysses child the mark at full did hit,  
Who used to say that Ithacke ground for geldings was not fit.  
For that the ground in houltes, and hills and dales consumed was,  
Not evenly stretched out in plain nor prodigal in grass.  
I leave ꝙ he to the Atryde the things that fit be,  
So I Maecenas grand affairs leave fully unto the.  
Small men small jests. Not regal Rome stands now with me in grace:  
But desert Tiber and Tarente that sluggish warlesse place  Fable. 
Philippe a famous counsellor an hearty, and a stout,  
Came from the hall at eight a clock to sup, or there about.  
And being nowan aged man and therefore not so strong  
Complained, that from the hall to home his journey was so long.  
And spying in a barbers shop a young man in a char  
At ease yplasde, who quietly his nails did purge and pair:  
Sir boy ꝙ he, go learn, tell me, (the boy did straight obey)  
Who? whence he came, what wealth, what friends what parents, and what stay?  
Goes, comes and brings him word, how that Vulteus was his name  
A praiser, hamsumlye to live. Whom no man can defame.  
A speedy, and discreet worker in bounty frank, add free,  
Fiew friends, and commonly at home he useth for to be.  
And when he hath dispatch himself, of business for that day,  
Then with a menny of his mates, abroad he goes to play.  
This tale thus told philippus longed Wtth Vulte himself to talk.  
And bad his boy incontinente back to the shop to walk,  
To pray the young man sup with him, The page returns again:  
He half mistrustes the case, saith he, and thanks me for the pain,  
But cannot cume: and as I guess by visage made to me,  
The horesonne either doth contemn, or fear to mell with the.  
Next day Philippus went to him and found him selling gear:  
Rags to the country rustical. approaching very near  
Philippus first saluted him: Vultie himself did purge,  
Because his busy bargaining, so daily did him v rge,  
That he ne came, and spoke not first. Vultie I pardon all,  Phi 
If thou wilt sup to night with me▪ what time I shall the call,  
Yours to command Phi: at nine a clock I trust you will not fail.  Vult 
Whilst that, go make your merchandise God send you good retail.  
At supper when he had at full Laid out his lavish mind,  
At length to bed to take a nap he freighted, was assigned.  
Next day this Vultie comes again for law matters to look.  
When that the fish was known to like this secret hidden hook,  
They dubde him for a daily gest. next holly day abroad  
To see the suburbs not far thence with Philip forth he road.  
And coming to his journeys end he 'gan to mar veil sore,  
At Savines pastures, at the air, and praised it more, and more.  
Philli p he smiled in his sleeve, and hopeth more to smile,  
Willing this Cokney to entrap, With this same merry wile:  
He gives to him seven sextarcies, and promiseth seven more  
To buy this farm: with fair sweet words he eggs the coxcomb so  
That for to make the ambage short, and not to draw it on  
More than it needs, our citizen is now a Corydon.  
He trimmes his ulmes, boasting of lands and vineyards, he doth rave:  
Consumes with cark, and waxeth old with covetose to have.  
But when his goats through ill disease, his sheep decayed through theft,  
His corn deceived his greedy hope, his ox at plough dead left:  
Displeased with his damagies, at midnight on a jade  
To philip's house all suddenly he posteth in a br ade.  
Whom when Philipp see overspread with scurf▪ and bushy here,  
You study Vultie overmuch you took to much of care,  
Saith he) forsooth quoth tother though, the name of wretch is due  
To me (lands Lord) cawl thou me wretch if thou wilt cawl me true.  
By thy good nature, thy right hand, and household gods therefore,  
" Humbly I pray my former plight to me poor wretch restore.  
" He that doth see his own offence how that he did retire  
" From better trade, and better things than those he did desire:  
Let him not shame, but straight return with all possible speed,  
And willingly resume the trade, and life, which he did lead,  
This is from me the best advise, that he is like to get,  
Let each man meysure out himself with his own foot, and met.   

To Celsus albinovanus  

MY muse at my request wish well, to the great puisante mate  
And secretary to Nero that much renowned state,  
If he inquire once after me, or question what I do,  
Say me to threaten many things and goodly matters to.  
To live not well, nor pleasantly: not for because the hail,  
Doth bruise my vines, or parchinge heat mine olives doth assail,  
Nor that my neat do go in fields from home removed long:  
But that I am in mind then corpses less well at ease and strong.  
Wroth with my leeches, and myself for that they do restrain  
From me such things, as they do think in time would be my bain.  
Things noysum those I long to have, from wholesome things, I fly.  
At Rome Tiber at Tiber Rome a giddy merchant I.  
This done my muse demand of him how he doth, and what cheer  
Throughout the oft, and with Nero What stroke he doth now bear,  
If he shall say that all is well that no wght can make him sad,  
Then show the eftsonnes iocant to, and be thou very glad  
At last remember to instill this precept in his ear  
Celsus as thou canst fortuneuse so all men will the bear.    

To Septimius  

SEptimi, Only Claudius. perceiveth as I dene  
What good account you make of me how you do me esteem  
For needs with importunity (I wis he will compel  
That I should set him forth to thee, and go about to tell  
That he well for his worthy wit on Nero may depend,  
Nero, that to unhonest books in no wise will attend.  
He knows your favour to be great, so deeply he doth pry.  
What knows not he? certes he knows much more of me, than I.  
I said most things that might avail t'excuse me in this case,  
Yet was afraid lest I should seem to much myself t'abbase  
By cloaking mine ability: fit for myself alone.  
So I that from the greater vice so fain would have been gone,  
Not to be thought an hypocrite deserve now to be named,  
In this my suit a citizen that is of nought ashamed,  
But if thou thinkeste it praise worthy that at my friends request,  
I have shakde of all shame fastness, and boldly done my best:  
Let him retain unto thy house, thou shalt find him no doubt  
Aright good fellow of himself, and for his courage stout.    

To Fuscus Aretius  

I that admire the country soil interely do wish well  
Fus●…us to thee, in city ay that like it so to dwell.  
In this thing only we are found unlike in judgement others,  
In all things else we tune in one as it were germane brothers,  
The culuerdoves of ancient league the treweste twain that be,  
Are not in more consent of wills and harmony, than we.  
Thou keeps thy nest, the city still, I love on husshing brooks  
Of country gay, on mossy stones onmedes to caste my looks.  
What wilt thou man I live I reign since I resigned these toys  
Which you advance up to the skies with mighty routing noise.  
Like as the seruawt that is used to course, and fulsome meat,  
Thinks it of small effect, or none on wafer cakes to eat:  
So I would have good country cheer my nature to suffice,  
Your junkets, and your delicates, of truth I do despise.  
If men must live accordingly as nature doth them call:  
And if a plot for howseroume must be sowght for, first of all:  
The country didst thou ever know and place of better bliss?  
Is there, where winters bitter breathe more tolerable is,  
Where more cool air doth temperat●… the dogs star stewing rage?  
Or doth the lion in his course more beninglie assuage.  
When furious he hath received the traveled prickling son?  
Is there, where sleep through rankerouse care is less than here undone?  
And do the erbes I pray you worse delight the nose, and eye:  
Then Lybic stones, or what so else the city setteh by?  
Where doth there purer water through the leaden conduyts glide,  
Then that which in the fawling stream with murmur, sweet doth slide.  
The city eke like country towns to have their fruit, and flowers  
Build pillars to support their trees their orchards, and green bowe●…s  
In city to, do we not say that building is the best  
Whose prospect serve to see the fields more fitly than the rest?  
The citizens thinks nature base, and art is their desire.  
Tush, expulse nature with a fork yet she will still retire,  
But chiefly, if that she be evil she tarries then no space,  
The victris hath a swift recourse by stealth unto her place,  
The man that can not well decern but useth still to buy  
For Sidon silk, a woollen web of wateringes forged die,  
Hath not like loss, nor yet like grief to grate him on the gall,  
" As he which twixt falsehood,, and truth cannot decern at al.  
" Who so was to much ravished and to much joy did take  
" In flow of wealth, him change of flow yea to much shall yshake.  
" Make it away what s'euer it be thou gins for to admire.  
Fly great doings: above all things seek not for to aspire:  
Well may one pass in cottage poor the princes and their pears  
In true and perfect liberty and see more pleasant years.   Fable. 
An heart the better chevailer as it came then to pass  
Did chase an horse that fed with him from eating of the grass.  
The horse that alway went to worse besowghte the help of man.  
The man he takes him up with spurs and bit, in all he can.  
The tryumpher after that he was parted from his foe  
The man from back, the bit from mouth he could not rid them fro.  
So, he that feareth poverty his freedom cannot hold.  
freedom, better than mettells all better than choicest gold.  
That fool shall bear in deed a Lord, and live a daily thr all,  
For that he will not know to use and live upon a small.  
" The state of men, if it for them be not according fit,  
" Is like a shoe, or else a shoe is very like to it:  
" The shoe that's greater than the foot will make the fall or trip,  
The lesser shoe doth hurt thy foot (for pardie it will nip.  
It's wisdom to live merrily (Fuscus) upon thy share.  
Correct me well and thriftily (good Fuscus do not spare,  
If I should seem to scrape up more than well suffice me can.  
Collected coin is Lord or low●…e to each possessinge man,  
" Moore worthy to come after him constrained with a cord,  
" Then that it should so have the head, and lead the lowtishe Lord.  
Behind Dame Ceres' ruinnouse church I oighted these to the  
In all points very well appaied but that thou wast from me.   

To Bullatius,  

How have these Bullate pleased the Chios, and Lesbos known?  
How Sames fine, whose buildings brave throughout the world is blown?  
How surly Sardis Croesus' town who made it bear a name?  
How Smirna and how Colophon? greater or less than fame?  
Or in respect of Tiber's floods and fields, seems all things nowght?  
Or doth sum dame of delicates resort unto thy thought?  
Or doth not (for that Lebedus hath ircksum seas, and land:  
Or roisting Rome so populous now in thy favour stand?  
Lebed in deed is dissolate and that full well know'st thou  
The smallest village in a shyer more peopled than it now.  
Peopled, or not, to live even there I would be very fain,  
For gittinge mine and I of them to be forgot again.  
Where I may see, and safely see Neptune of dreadful name,  
How he at will the weltering waves doth oft control, and fame.  
But he that posts from Capua to Rome muck weet with mire,  
To rest him all day in his In is not that man's desire:  
Nor he that lately hath catchde could the stew, and bane doth praise,  
As things that fully make a man happy at all assays.  
If thou be'st tossed upon the sea with South wind pusant fell,  
Thou wilt not yonte Aegaeum sea. sell all thou hast, and dwell.  
We travail all, not all a like, I travail to remain:  
Thou here to catch, and there to snatch dost go and come again,  
What is Rhods to content a man or Myttelene the gay?  
A warm furde freeze coote on thy back upon a summer's day.  
A linnine stop in spitting snow, in winter, Tiber flood,  
In hot August a nosehighe fire will do the as much good.  
Whilst we are lusty, and fortune doth keep her friendly cheer,  
At Rome praise Chios, and Samos and Rhods that lies not near.  
Apprende with greatfull hand each hour that god hath lente the here:  
Things pleasant now for to be done deffer not for a year.  
To where soever thou dost cum or what hap thou dost find,  
Thou mayst live there, if that thou wilt, with a contented mind:  
If by wisdom, not well dight house our cares are all undone,  
If those change weather, not their wit, which yont the sea do run.  
Tuc diligence hath little skill we far and near do skip,  
To purchase wealth in every coast in waggon, and by ship.  
The worst place here as pleasant is as that which thou wouldst find,  
If thou hadst grace, to judge a right, and qualify thy mind.    

To Iccius.  

ON Agrippes goods in Sicily which thou hast in thy hand,  
If (Iccie) how to use them well thou wouldst understand,  
I cannot see how love himself could give the better store.  
Do way therefore thy practysde plaints, bemoan thyself no more.  
" For he that hath the use of goods, cannot be judged poor.  
" If that thy belly, sides, and feet, and all thy parts be well,  
" Not wealth of kings can add to ought that doth this wealth excel.  
If that midst all these present goods, thou bibliste not at wine,  
But art content with erbes and roots to set the down and dine:  
This dare I say thou livest hard, to get the coin in hold.  
That fortune liquid river straight might turn the into gold.  
Or, that money should seem to change, thy nature but a small,  
Or that thou dost think abstinence surmounting pleasures al.  
It is no marvel if that he let bease eat up his corn,  
Whilst that his mind contemplating, on pilgrimage was borne:  
For thou this dross, uneasefull dross dost set but little by,  
No small wiseman, as it should seem, thou hast thy mind on high.  
What stays the seas from drowning all, what orders all the years:  
If planets move themselves, or else are wrung about in spheres:  
Why is the moon now bright now dark, what to her roundness brings:  
What means, what doth the great conflict, the striving peace of things:  
Empedocles, or Sartyves pate, which of the twain doth dote:  
Thus art thou oft times occupied, or shouldest be I wot.  
Fish, garlic, onions what it be, thou usest for to eat:  
I pray the of thy coortesie do Grosphus well entreat.  
there's not the thing that is not good that he will of the crave,  
The good man hath the fieweste friends, when he most needs to have.  
least thou béeste ignorant what is as now our Romans state,  
The folk of B●…sca, by Agrip, th' Armenianes, of late,  
By Nero were discumfited: Phraates took his mace,  
Kneeling upon his marribones, to Caesar's aufull grace.  
The golden Lady plenty hath. let fall out of her horn  
Such store of grain, as Italy hath seldom had like corn.    

To Vinnius Asella  

AS I have taught the long and oft when thou for me shouldest ride,  
Thou shalt present to August hand my books in clawsure tied:  
(Asell) present them unto him, if thou hast marked those three  
That he is well: that he is glad: and asked for them from me.  
Be not to rash on my behalf, it will disgrace the gift,  
If thou béeste to officious a profferer to swift.  
If that my book be burthenouse shift the of it be time  
Lest thou ass like unloaden the with greater note of crime:  
Then will they laugh at Asin●…: thy father's right surname,  
On the his son, the common voic●… will then bestow the same:  
More meet to bear through cliffs, & flndd●…s and puddills (will they say)  
Then here in court in mannish shape the Ass' part to play.  
Thy purpose once accomplished, arrived at the port,  
Thou must retain thy bookish charge in hansum civil sort:  
Not as the lamb under the arm●… the shepherd doth retain:  
Or drunken Pyrrhe bears her wool her flycesie filched gain.  
Or as the drunken dissolute doth prate his cap in hand.  
And brag not to the company that shall about the stand,  
That thou hast sweat, and taken pains. in bringing of such gear,  
As will embaite our Caesar's eye, and tickle up his ear.  
I pray the heartily to take pains, (good Asell) do thy best,  
Avaunt, adieu, take heed to trip, and break not my behest.    

To his Balie in the Country.  

BAlie, the balive of my firm, which maketh me so glad,  
Which thou contemnest daintelye and demeste very bad,  
My farm of five fair families, which once was wont to have  
five Senators from Baria, men credible and grave.  
Balie, I say let the and me in this one point compare,  
Or thou canst pluck more thorns from field or I from mind more care.  
Whether the lands lord, or the land shallbe more trim, and gay.  
Although the pensive piety of Lamia do me stay,  
Who comforteles his brother's death a mourner doth lament,  
Yet th'itherwarde assuredly my heart, and mind is bent.  
And burns, and burns to burst the bonds which do enclose it so,  
That it ne can go scope abroad where it would gladly go.  
I think the country, thou the town, to make a man of bliss:  
" He that doth like an others lo●…e his own condemned is.  
Both fools alike, without respect the country we do blame  
" Our mind the cause in fickleness Which ever is the same.  
A Citizen, in secret wise thy farm thou dost desire:  
A farmer, thou the townish games dost burn for, hot as fire.  
Thou knewst me to be still one man much pensive ay to be  
When mine unwelcum business to city draweth me.  
We love not one thing thou and I, and therefore disagree.  
Those places which thou thinkete rude erksum, and desolate,  
A man of mine opinion thinks pleasant: and doth hate  
Things gay to thee: the vitlinge house doth bring thy stomach down  
And eggeth on thine appetite to come into the town.  
And that my ground, incense, and rather than grapes doth bear:  
And for because to whittle the the tavern is not near:  
And that thou hast no tripping trull to mince it with the now  
That thou might'st foot it unto her as nimble as a cow.  
The glebie field, and clottrie glebe with mattock thou must tame:  
Yoke the wild neat, and with burdens of father feed the same.  
The river turns the to a toil, if that a rain do fall,  
Thou must go learn to make a dam to save thy mead with all.  
Now hark, and mark on my behalf what maketh us to square.  
I that did shine in silken suits and glitter in mine hair,  
I that could make the wily shifts scotfre to live in pleasure:  
I that in time, and out of time karoust it without measure:  
Now me to feed on simple cheer it is a heavenly hap:  
And sweetly by the husshing brooks to take a snurting nap.  
Not any there with way ward eyes for my good luck shall spite me,  
Or poison me through secret grudge or bitterly backbite me,  
The innocentes the country clowns when they see me unfit  
Upturning clods, their harm is this, they'll stand, and laugh at it.  
The carpintor doth grudge and think thy state to be to good,  
And that thou hast to much of neat, or orchard, fruit and wood,  
The sluggish ore doth wish to bear the caple for to draw:  
I would wish all with good intent to use the art they know.    

To Valla.  

IT were but well that I should come, that thou shouldest written to me  
What winter now at Velia, what wether there mih bt be  
At Salerne town: what country folk, and eke what kind of way.  
For Musa the physician, told me this other day,  
That Baiae was not now esteemed as it was once in price.  
They hate me there at Baiae of late in grievous wise,  
For that I use in winter time to bathe me in such baynes  
As be not warmie like to theirs, nor so aslake my pains.  
The place is full of myrtle tries: and many a wholesome lake,  
Of brimstone, good to cure the gout, of truth I did forsake.  
All Baiae murne, and grudge to see the sick-men, and the sore,  
How each doth bathe himself else where, and cometh there no more.  
The place is changed, the Inns are changed the horses they go by,  
And no man now to Cumae, or to Baiae doth high.  
The people they do shun the town, the horses must obey,  
Guided by twyning of the bit unto their masters pay.  
I pray you also write to me the nature of that ground,  
Or this, or that, to feed the flock more plentiful is found.  
If that their water in the Paul'S and cisterns closely stand:  
Or if it sweetly bubble through the silver channeld sand.  
As for the wines that you have there I force not on them I  
How s'euer it be in country town I love it by and by.  
But when I come to seadyke side then do I hope to drink  
lively, and myldlie rellesde wines, wine that will wake one think  
Of cherry things, and that will flush into my mind, and veins,  
assuring me, that I shall be a man of ample gains.  
Wine that will make me speak in tune, to prattle with a grace,  
Wine that will make my param our esprysed on my face.  
Of hairs, and bores write unto me, which soil hath better store,  
Of sea fish, and of dainty fish which country hath the more.  
That I may come brawn fed from thence: This writ thou unto me:  
So meet it is, as also meet that I should come to the.  
When as with expense of parent's god's Sir Mevi once began,  
'mongst lusty lads for to be cawld a jolly gentleman:  
The wandering varlet that knew not oft times where he should go  
Undind, and had not wit to know his true friend from his foe,  
Cunning to speak all kind of speech against all kind of men,  
Th'undoer tempest, and the hell of all the shambles then,  
What s'euer he could get, or scrape his appetite to staunch  
He gau e it all to gratify, his greedy gutted paunch.  
When from his wicked dasterde mates he could but little wipe,  
Then like an horse he would devour a chitterling, or trype,  
And as a man half mortified, of god he would desire,  
That all the gluttons wasteful wombs were brent with flaming fire.  
When he had got sum greater pray, and turned it all to dust,  
I maruaiie not (by God) qu●…th he If many men do lust  
To eat good things, what thing is like amorsell of good meat:  
The Turtle, and a piece of sauce, no better thing to eat.  
Such one am I, things small and safe mine use is for to praise.  
In ebb of wealth, against the ebb my courage stern doth poise.  
In dainty flow of happy tide I think you only wise,  
To bathe in bliss above the rest and live in civil guise,  
Which have the fermes, and manners fair, with gold the pragged purse,  
Rents and revenues standing firm. at all times to disburse.    

To Quintius.  

QVintye in that thine oft demand make thou no further suit,  
If that my ground feed me with corn or with the olive fruit.  
With apples, meed, or propping elms that clad with vinetrées be,  
The fashion of my field shallbe at large set out to the.  
adjoining hills, except they be with darkesum dale undun:  
But so that on the right side still doth shine the rising son:  
Or left side the declining son that doth the fie ldes surview:  
The temprature is laudable: Nay, what if this be true?  
The oak trees aid the herd with mast the herds man with much shade.  
Well might thou say that fresh Tarent were brought into this stound?  
The well m ay well becalde a stream that spr ingeth in my ground.  
Hebrus that meeteth Thracia, colder nor purer is  
To cure the head, to cure the womb it runneth wholesome, this  
The dulcet dues in September, if thou darest credit me,  
Make me to come 'gainst winter still so healthful unto the.  
Thou livest well, if thou wilt seek for to fulfil thy fame.  
At Rome we all have given to the of blessedness the name.  
I fear it though, thou dost believe more others than thyself,  
And puttest not in wisdom bliss, but in sum baggage pelf.  
If many say thy sickly corpses to be at healthful stay,  
To please those many thou wilt feast, and revel all the day:  
Hiding thine ague, whilst it come, and shake thy trembling arms:  
Lewd shamefastness of fools it is to hide their proper harms.  
If one should oft record to the thy works by land and seas,  
And by this language should assay thine empty ears to please:  
Great jove knows not, in whose sole hands thou and thy city be,  
If that thou love the people more and they love better the.  
Canst thou impropriate to the Augustus worthy praise?  
Or wilt thou let them call thee wise reformed at all assays?  
Per friendship canst thou answer to so burthenouse a name?  
Both thou, and I, I think it so would gladly have the same.  
He that gave these great names to me, and titles now to day,  
To morrow if it pleaseth him, may take the same away.  
The people gives, and takes away, the case is very bad:  
I lay them down, yet for my part I mean not to be sad.  
If they should me despoil of fame, and burden me with theft,  
And swear that I my parent's life with rope had erst bereft:  
Bite me with thousand infamies, should I my cheer estrange?  
False titles please, false slanders fray, and many men do change:  
Whom? none but liars and the lewd. who is, a goodman? who?  
He that can keep the father's laws, their acts, and statutes to.  
Who doth abridge long suit, and strifes that come into his hand:  
And by whose suretyship, contracts in perfect state do stand.  
But what if all the house, and street do know him full of sin,  
Fair hewed without, observing laws, and filthy fowl within?  
I have not stolen nor run away a servant says to me.  
He is not bet (what would he more) not beating is his fee.  
I have not slain: thy hanged flesh the ravens shall not fat,  
I am thrifie, a good husband: his master grants not that.  
" The crafty wolf suspects the trap, the gosshawke fears the snayre,  
" The puttock from the baited hook, her knabling neb will spare.  
" The good hate vice for that they love virtue with all their heart.  
" The wicked they hate wickedness, for fear of further smart.  
In case thou walk pretensedly, and thereby hope to gain,  
Thou shalt becum for to confound things holly, and profane.  
If thou purloinst one met from out a thousand met of beans,  
My loss is less, thy fact not less in this thy filching means.  
An Ipocryte whom all the world for holly life admyres,  
When he doth offer ox, or hog, in sacrifieing fierce,  
He speaketh t'Appollo, and janus that all men may it hear:  
But muttreth in his mumbling lips an other kind of gear.  
Laverna Dame of treachery with craft inspire thou me,  
That I may seam an upright man, an holy one to be:  
Beduske my fraud with clouds, my sins Induce on them a night.  
And let me seem to be in life a leminge lamp of light.  
What better is the covetous, what then a slave more free?  
He for a dodkin that will duck, In faith I do not se.  
He that will covet greedily, he that willbe afraid:  
That such an one is free in deed, no man shall me persuade.  
His arms are lost, he hath forsook of manliness the stound.  
Who hasting to advance himself is daunted to the ground▪   Covetus 
If one may sell his prisoner, what wise man would him slay▪  
He may do service very good, that may he by my faith.  
He may plough, sail, and winter to amid the salt sea foam:  
He may bear out, bring into us, provide for things at home.  Wiseman 
The goodman, and the man that's wis●… is ever bold to say,  Governor 
Penthus thou governor of Thebes, what dost thou on me lay?  
What shall I bear unworthily? I'll take thy goods from the  Wiseman 
What gods? my substance, silver, beds? take all those goods to the.  governor 
With gives, and fetters I'll tame the under a galow dire  Wiseman 
But god (I hope) will rescue me, at mine instant desire.  
perceiving this, death on my back, straight forth the tyrant brings:  
That is his worst: death is the last and utter line of things.   

To Saeva  

Though Seva) thou art wise enough▪ and by thyself canst tell  
In every kind of coortesie to use thy betters well,  
Yet further learn the judgement of a very friend of thine,  
As if the blind to him that sees his footestep should assign:  
Yet mark it thoo if thou canst cull ought from these words, I say,  
That thou mayst take unto thyself, and after bear away.  
If grateful ease, if profound fle●…e, be such things, as do please thee,  
If crackling carts, if taverns no ice, if stifling dust disease thee:  
Avoid the town, and go abroad: Not he doth live the best,  
That hath the most. In city sure is not the joyful rest:  
Nor he lives ill that oft times seems to live but base, and vile.  
A much poor man doth live oft best, and doth the world beguile.  
If thou wouldst seek to pleasure thine, and well thyself demean,  
Wait on an inch upon the churl, attire thee neat, and clean.  
Not Cynicus (ꝙ Aristip,) with colewoorts need have bind,  
If he himself a servitor to princes had resind.  
Not Aristip (ꝙ Cynicus) himself would had resind  
A servitor to princes, if with words he could have bind.  
Which of these twain hath better spoke? or tell, or learn of me.  
I would judge Aristippus' taunt the better for to be.  
For he the sharp Diogenes derided in his kind:  
Thou art (ꝙ he) a common coke's, I to myself do find  
Good pastime to, the better reins and eke more noble glee:  
I play my part to ride aloft that kings may pamper me.  
Thou asks vile things, and art much worse than he that to the gave,  
Though thou pretend to stand no need at any man to crave.  
All huie, all state, all kind of life did Aristip beset.  
Seeking the best, yet well appaied with that, which he could get.  
Again, wise meek Diogenes much would I marvel I,  
If he to sum civility himself could now apply.  
Not Aristippu would desire in purple to be clad:  
In all places he gladly ware apparel good, or bad:  
And could each kind of parsonage so gaily on him take:  
The Cynecke hates a purple weed wars then a dog or snake  
Or he would wear a suit of silk, the winter should him kill:  
Well give him cloth, and let the fool go like a Coxcomb still.  
To conquer Realms, and at the Car the Captynes for to to lead,  
Doth touch joves' throne, an heavenly thing a lofty praise in deed.  
To please those in authority, is not the meanest praise:  
Not each man's chance, to Corinthe town to sail the moystie ways.  
Sum will not mell, distrustinge how their service should take place:  
And is it not a manly act to get the prince's grace?  
Or such, or none in these our days do bear away the bell,  
" Sum feel their own unableness, and do abhor to mell  
" With burdens toto ponderous, to heavy for their back.  
" An other undertakes all things and of himself doth crack.  
" But if that virtue be a thing, and not an idle name,  
" Experience deserves the branch the prince of all the game.  
" Those that speak least of poverty, in talking with the king,  
" Oft times speed best, and all day seen▪ the more away do bring,  
" getting and catching differ much, to get and get no shame,  
That is the head of our good hap, the fountain of our fame.  
My Sister hath no dower at all my mother lacks her meat,  
My land is nought for to be sold, Nor good to keep my neat:  
This is an open beggary: An other he doth crack,  
If he had where to do with all no friend of his should lack.  
If that the Crow could feed in whishte▪ not creak nor make ado,  
She might have better cheer by much▪ less grudge and brabbling too.  
Per company thou rydest abroad to Brunduis, or Tarente,  
Of craggy way, of storms, or could he that doth him repent:  
He that for pain, or damagies, or feigned lossies wails,  
Is like the strumpats impudent, talkde of in poets tales.  
Who morn so oft for want of chains, for want of fair attire,  
That none at length will trust there tears, when they would most desire.  
That cripple that doth oft delude, (when his dyceite is spied)  
Must go on foot, whom many me●… did suffer for to ride.  
Though he should vapour into tears, and swear upon the same:  
Trust me in sadness, take me up, have pity on the lame.  
His neighbours all will cry at once: sum customer else crave  
To speed your turn: we know your need, we know you for a knave.    

To Lollius  

FRancke Lollio if I know the well. thou wilt be much afraid,  
Professing the a friend, to play the ribbalde at a brade.  
The minion, and the matron chaste do differ: (that is true)  
Faithless ribbalde, and faithful friend, be things of divers hew.  
This vice hath to his contrary, almost a greater vice,  
Rude dumpishness, unmannerlye, offensive, and precise:  
Set forth with rugged, scraped hide, and teeth, as black as get.  
Whilst it would seem a mere franchise, installed in virtues seat.  
" Uirtue is mean, of vices twain, from both disseverde plain.  
An other is to prove, and pressed, to play the slave for gain.  
A ●…ester at the meaner sort the ritchmans' beck, or sound  
He feareth so, retreats his words, and helps them at rebound:  
As if to cruel schoolmaster a child should latin say,  
As if a vice should counterfeit sum other in the play.  
An other useth brablarie, for very goatish will,  
With trifles ●…encd, indeed saith he, or any man should pull  
My name from me, or should me let to speak my conscience fire,  
I would not live duke Nestor's life, in such case for to be.  
Caster, or Docill I may doubt, which can the better play.  
And eke debate to Brunduis town which is the ready way,  
Whom harmful love, whom hurtful dice have suddenly made bare:  
Whom pride, and pomp, above his state hath trickde and trimmed fair:  
Whom greedy thirst and knawing pine of silver, and of gold:  
Shunning, and shame of poverty who so that they do hold:  
Him hates the ritchman, that ritcheman, doth hate him deadly sore,  
That hath himself of vices vile ten times more deadly store.  
He hates him, or will keep him down, and like the godly dame,  
Would have him wiser than himself, of more deserved fame.  
And tells him to his own great shame a very lickly tale.  
Uylan match not thyself with me my wealthiness will quale,  
And qualify my foolishness, and with the same dispense.  
Ha done compare no more with me, for why thou lacks the pence.  
A narrow gown may him content, that is of humble wit.  
give fo●…les the wealth, wiseme n the need for they can bear out it.  
Eutrapelus his enemies to trouble and annoy,  
Would give them gallant gaudy gear, who flushde with pusant joy,  
Would take new hope, and new conceits with their new garments gay▪  
Set more by whore edom than wedlock ●…lepe all the lightsum day:  
Say money out to usury when it is roused thence,  
Becum at length for to profess the noble art of fence.  
And being flitted from his strength to impotence, and teen,  
Is glad to drive the gardeners jade, ourwhart the country green.  
" Search not to know the privy drifts, of any friend of thine.  
" Keep counsel close, though thou best wrung with hasty wrath, and wine.  
" Commend not thine own practices, nor other men's dispraise.  
When one would have the hunt abroad, thy poems do not blaze.  
This ground of strife did Amphion, and Zethus twins divide,  
Till Amphion of brotherhood did lay his harp aside.  
Yield the t'obbeye the easy rule, of him that is of might.  
As oft as thou shalt léede a field, with nets a charged sight:  
A sight of bangle eared hounds, rise thou, and lay adoune  
Thy conference with bokishe muse and let the shrew go frown,  
That thou mayst feed yfeare, upon thy hardly purchased pray.  
For those of Rome a goodly toil, good for thy name (I say)  
For life, and limbs confortityve, for the in health the more  
That dost in course surpass the hound, in strength excel the boar.  
Who can then the more semelely thy manlike armour wield.  
Oft hast thou won with joy of press at gamminges in the field.  
A child, thou knewst both war, and camp, thou wanste thy spurs in Spain  
With him that brought standards of Parths into their rooms again.  
With him, who if that any thing unconquerd be behind,  
With pruice of the Roman rout●… to win it hath assigned.  
And lest thou hiding of thyself excu●…es should be found.  
(Howbeit) I think thou dust attempt nothing but just and sound)  
sometimes thou trifles out thy time within thy father's ground.  
The O●…e devydes their bargies, and the water scrymage then  
(Thou being guide) in foishe guise is played by youthely men.  
Thy brother foe, the fludd at hand, the ●…elde hard by the town,  
You strive whilst that swift victory, one of the twain doth crown.  
If August knew that thou his war resemblest in thy play▪  
He would praise the with clapping hands friendly I dare well say.  
Further for to admonish thee (If thereof thou stand'st need)  
" What, of what men, to whom thou speak●…e, take ever earnest heed.  
" A groper after novelties, in any wise do fly.  
" I warrant the learn this of me the same's a very pie.  
" Nor wide ope ears the things of trust can well conceal at all,  
And word once 'scaped, away it's gone, and none can it recall.  
The maid, or wife that doth sojourn within thy neighbours door,  
Let her not wound thine heart with love or thrill thine entrails sore.  
Lest that the husband of the wife, and master of the maid,  
Do turn thy hoped joy to pain, and make the ill appaide.  
" Beware, take heed, take heed, bewayre whom thou for good dost name,  
" Lest haply his misdeeds at length do shent thy face with shame.  
sometimes we err, and do defend a much unworthy man:  
The guilty party once deceived defend no further then.  
" Speak for thy friend, thy long known friend, if slander him assay:  
" And bear, and bolster out the good which on thine aid doth stay.  
" For if with Theons venom tooth all g●…awde about be he,  
" The hasserdes that are coming next will come most near to the.  
" The case is thine, thy neighbours house when it doth flame up bright,  
" And burnings thowght but small, or now have grown to dréedful might.  
Then whilst thy ship doth keep a float ydauncinge on the plain,  
Take heed lest sudden change of wind do bear the back again.  
Sad nature, hates the pleasant head, the pleasant head the sad:  
" The swift likewise do hate the slow, the slow the swift to bad.  
" The tiplinge sots at midnight which to quaff carouse do use,  
" Will hate the if at any time to pledge them thou refuse.  
Though thou dost swear, that thou dost fear the rumes that come by night.  
Be part, and clear in countenance not malapert, and light.  
Sumetimes the sober man is thought the most dunce in the town:  
" And he that locketh up his lips is taken for a clown.  
Chiefly confer with learned men, peruse each lettred book:  
That how to live a quiet life thou mayst consult, and look,  
Lest poor, and needy covetise do ever make the itch:  
Or dread or hope of things that make a man but manelie rich.  
If virtue springe by literature, or else by nature's gift,  
What quencheth care, what can the bring to constancy, and thrift?  
What makes full contentation? honour, or dulcet wealth,  
Or secret trade, or private life, which stalks away by stealth,  
O Lollie friend, what do I think, what thinks thou? do I say  
When I of any ioyllie joy or pleasure do assay:  
God grant that I this kind of life, though somewhat worse may find:  
(If of my life the gods will have remaining sum behind)  
God send me once my commons clear, of Books abundant store:  
This is enough to pray to god that gives and takes away,  
God give me life, and wealth and I will set my life at stay.    

To Maecenas.  

Maecenas if thou darest believe thine ancient friend Cr●…tyne,  
No kind of verse can long be lykd●… that was not write in wine.  
Bacchus doth make the poets rave, like woddishe gods, and wild:  
In dawn of day have smelled of wy●… the maiden musies mild.  
Dan Homer for that he so much in praise of Bacchus could,  
Is proud to be a friend of wine: yea Ennius the old  
Did never press to puff abroad the feats of battle fine,  
Except he were first whittled well and warmed through with win  
To thrifty men that had not drunk grave matters he did leave:  
The sober sort of poetry he did forsooth bereave.  
Ennie said this, they did not miss but practysde it full well,  
All night to sprawl and strive with wine, all day on it to smell.  
But what though one with face austere, with naked feet, and bayre,  
Should Cato counterfeit, and in his gallows roundedhayre,  
Soould he be like to Cato's self in life and virtue then?  
He braced himself, that would be thought equal to Timagen  
In gesture, voice, and eloquence. Sum follow so precise  
A learned man, that oftentimes they imitate his vice.  
If I should say at certain times I used for to be wann,  
Sum would wax pale with slibber sauce▪ sum imitating man.  
O imitators servile beasts how have your tumults vile  
Full oftens razed my colour up, and oftens made me mile.  
I ever set my fotestepps free, princelike where none had gone,  
But others grounds I have not vsd●… to press my foot▪ upon,  
Who hath courage, and confidence shall rule an host the best.  
thou ‛ jambiquae verse to italy I showed before the rest. 
Licambes hanged himself for grief conceived through iambic verses written a 'gainst him.   
Archilocus his rhymes and 〈◊〉 I followed at an inch:  
Those words, and matter that so sore Licambes once did pinch.  
And lest you should my poet's head with lesser leaves adorn,  
For that I fear the measure, and his art of verse to turn:  
The mannish Sappho, and Alcaeus temper the same man's muse  
In other feet: this drift, and son they both twain did refuse.  
Alceus seeks no stepfather whom he with verse may black,  
Nor doth not make with railing rhyme his spouse her ne cke to crack.  
I, the romish musician set forth to latin land,  
This author, named in no man's mouth, nor borne in any hand.  
It doth me good to hear high m bring things never brought before,  
To see him red with gentle eyes in each man's hand ybore.  
If thou wilt know why in himself, the reader much unkind  
Allows my works, and yet abroad doth blemish in them find:  
I seek not for the fletinge voice of foolke, with making cheer,  
By suppers, or to get the same, by dole of casting year.  
Not I that read the noble books, can so becum the lout,  
To crave grace at the grammar tribes in pews to seek them out.  
Hence come these tears, this mortal spite they have against my verse:  
I am ashamed on pompose stage (say I) for to rehearse  
My writings, (writings nothing worth) to seem to add a weight  
To tryflinge things, and things in deed of very slender sleight.  
Tush man, saith one, you mean to keep your tricksy, dainty gear,  
To exhibit for worthiness to joves' good graces ear.  
Fair to thyself, thou dost suspect all other to be sour:  
And thinks thyself the honey suck of poems to out power.  
Reply do I, the judgement sharp of curious wits I fear,  
And that they should for very spite my penned poems tear.  
" The Theatre I cannot like I cry, and ask delay.  
" feign would I not begin at all so perilous a play.  
" For play engenders tremlinge strife, and strife outraging ire:  
" Owtraging ire, fell spiteful life, it, deathlyke battle dire.     

The second Book of Q. H. Flaccus his Epistles.  

To Augustus  

SInce thou sustains such business and so much bringst about,  
Defends the Itale realm with arms, with manors sets it out,  
Reforms with laws: I should but do the common wealth much wrong,  
If I should stay thy well spent time, Cesar, with talking long.  
Both Romulus, and God Bacchus, Pollux, and Caster to  
For valiant feats of chivalry saints shrined long ago,  
Whilst they made their abode on earth Emongste us mortal men,  
Stayed wars, built towns, and laid out fields, they much compleined then,  
That honour such so plausible, did not ensue their acts,  
As they did think they had deserved by merits and their facts.   Hercules 
He that did crows, and culpon once Hydra of hellish spite,  
And monsters known with fatal toil to fetters frusshed quite,  
Perceived this by experience, that Monsters all do fall  
Through manliness: envy is tamed at death, or not at all.  
He burns the most with very blaze, that all things brings to pass  
With skill, and none loves him, till he be lapde in leaden mass.  
august, to the now present here, we present honours due,  
And altars make to thy great name, by that name we swear true,  
That any thing in any place was never like to thee:  
And dare aver, and well avouch that never none shallbe.  
The romish people wise in this, in this point only just  
Before the Greeks, and Roman guides prefer the as they must.  
In this case doumes men very good, in that they judge of thee:  
In other things me thinks they seem not so upright to be.  
Hating, and lothinge all such works, as lewd, and full of crimes,  
Which were not fetchde from foreign lands, or pend in all their times.  
Such fawters of antiquity that tables made be men,  
devised and auctorished by well known Romans ten,  
The stories, and the jests of kings reiestred long before,  
Relegiouse books, and Chronicles, by prophets writ of yore:  
These works they say the musies once in Alban mount did tell.  
Needs must they come from mouth of muse, for they so much excel.  
The works of Greeks as they be old so if they be the best,  
So let us judge of Roman works and then is all at rest.  
Then chawke is cheese, and night is day plain speaking is to stut,  
Within the olive nowght is hard, nowght hard without the nut:  
We then have taken up our stand, and cum to fortune's tip.  
But since we paint, and sing as well wrestle as well. and skipp  
As doth the Grecians pickd for nonce, as good in any game.  
Why should we then in poetry distrust t'attayne the same?  
If time do make men's poems good as it doth make good wine,  
Then would I know how many years a poet do assyne.  
The writer that departed hence an hundred years ago,  
Amongst the poets new, or old, where shall we place him (lo?)  
Mongste good, or bad: In sadness now to exclude all brabbling mood,  
How many winters do you ween will make a poet good.  
he's old, and good that hath been dead an hundredth years complete.  
And he that lacks a year, or month where shall he have his seat?  
Amongst the poets ancient, whom all men do approve:  
Or mongste that tribe which we reject, and never age shall love?  
He takes his place amongst the old the case is very clear,  
If he come short of his account but one month, or one year.  
I take it thus Our Rome saith to that one year breeds no square.  
Then like as one from horses tail should twitche out hair by hair,  
I take out one, and then one year subtracting one, by one  
Whilst he deceived shall well perceive the hundred to be gone:  
Who going to his chronicles doth judge all rhymes by time,  
And ercepte death hath hallowed it allows no kind of rhyme.  
Ennie wise, strong, and as he thought an other Homer he,  
Of the which doom concerning him (yet divers other be)  
Could not perform his promise though like Homer to endite  
Though he wend he had Homer's soul and even as well could write.  
Nevie he is not in our hands his want doth vex our mind,  
So sacred be the poets old and Rome to them sokind.  
If it be asked who was the best: Pacwius doth bear  
The bell for lore, and Actius doth sound his thumping gear:  
To Menander the Comic gown of Afphranus was fit.  
Plautus the swift deliver style of Epicarme did hit.  
Cecilius in gravity, Terence in art doth pass.  
Those Rome doth cun, those mighty Rome doth crowd thick in compass  
Of Theatre, doth gaze on those to Poets those be mounted.  
And all from Livy to our time be perfect poets counted.  
The people sometimes see a truth, sometimes are overseen.  
If they so praise these Poets, which in alder time have been,  
If they make them A per se Aes that none are like to them:  
The people than is misconceaude, such umpires I condemn.  
If they do think that old men writ sum hard, sum out of use,  
Sum slowthfully, and lowslie to, and do not them excuse,  
wise is that folk, and of my mind and judgeth uprightly,  
I do not blame, nor have not wished that Livies verse should die,  
Which cruel, sharp, Orbilius did teach to me a child.  
How they I marvel seem so trim, such majesty to bear,  
That they to principale good stuff approaching on so near  
Mongste which if one well uttered word have glimpsed at a shine:  
Or if there be a verse or twain that seemeth somewhat fine:  
Uniustlie they presume the hole to be sum precious thing,  
And dare unto the Stationer as sailable it bring.  
I think not much that things are carpde comde from a blockish pate,  
But that those things are counted worse which were commenced of late.  
The licence of the ancients I never mente to crave:  
There honours and their good rewards I would be glad to have.  
If Attaies interlude were good (in case if I should doubt)  
For that it spoke of trifling toys, certes a shameless lout  
Our seniors would blame me all, for that I would amend  
Those things, which Esopus the grave and learned Rossie pend.  
Or that they think nothing is good that is not to their pay,  
Or that to their inferiors they think shame to obey.  
And that they think it now a shame to leave their wilsom ways,  
Which these have berdles learned once, and in their youthful days.  
He that can praise the Anthymmes of king Numa, though that he  
Be like myself, yet needs must he of greater judgement be.  
He cannot he delight himself in those which died of late.  
Us eke, and ours he pincheth at, both deadly he doth hate.  
If novel works had been of greeks accounted of so could  
As now of us, where now had been these works, which we call old?  
Or what thing public had there been written, and extante then  
Which might be red, and fly abroad amongst the hands of men?  
As soon as Greece abandonde war, and 'gan to fall to toys,  
(As done those folk which gin to taste at ease of fortunes joys)  
Now to horses, now to wrassling attentive much it was,  
To view strange workmanship in stone in ivory, and brass.  
Hanged up their lively physiognomies in tables dighted gay:  
sometimes did joy in melody, sometimes in tragic play:  
Like as the infant under nurse cries still to have the teat,  
And afterward at riper age doth leave her loved meat:  
So changed thegrekes. For what O jove is so novel, and strange,  
But mind of man still discontent would see a further change  
" Things sweat or sour still change by chance and vary from their kinds,  
" So changeth golden peace to war so change the lucky winds.  
" Long was it pleasant unto Rome, a solemn use to wake,  
And in thine open house early great busy pains to take:  
To gene their Clientes solemn reed and firmly tofore cast  
How that their money well bestowed might multiple at last.  
To hear their betters teach the worse, by honest trade to gain:  
And to extinguish hurtful lust the parent of much pain.  
The fickle folk have changed their mind, each man is burning hot  
To be a starteup writer straight in that alone, afloat.  
The young, the old of graver wits at supper have with bay  
Their pendaunte locks encompasde round and verses they outlay.  
Yea I myself that use to say I write no kind of rhyme:  
Am found more lying than the Parthes': and do call for betime  
Ere son be up, my trinkets all, my paper, desk, and quill.  
He is a frayed to rule the ship that can rule her but ill:  
None dare make bold to minister. unto his patient  
Woormewoode, except he know the thing, and know to what intent.  
Physicians with their own art will only have to do:  
The blacksmith he with shop and stith doth mell, and look unto.  
Learned, and unlearnde we poems pen on all hands in each place.  
Our error tho, and small frenzy what great virtues, and grace,  
It hath, consider this with me: the poets fixed mind  
Is commonly not covetous, nor ravished from his kind.  
Verses he loves, them only plies his losses, (as the guile  
Of servants vile his house is brent) at those he doth but smile.  
No fraud he meaneth to his friend, to Orphaines infants none.  
He can diet with grudging bread, and peasecods all alone.  
Good in city, though he be but a milksop in the war:  
If you grant this that great affairs by small things helped are:  
The tender stammering mouth of boys the poet frames by pain:  
At the same times from language lewd their ears he doth restrain.  
Strait he instructs their breasts with rules, as friendly as may be,  
Of dumpishness, envy, and ire a sharp controller he.  
He shows to spend the time to come by samples passed before.  
He doth reiesture acts well dun, comforts the sick, and poor.  
How should young virginnes, & small boys have known how they might pray,  
Except the muse had poets razed to teach them what to say.  
The queare thus taught craves help from heaven and feels it cum with all.  
This fair, speachde queare through learned prayer waters from high doth call.  
Turns back diseases, drives away all dangers full of fear.  
Obtaineth peace, of corn and grain a much abundant year.  
The gods above are calmed with verse, with verse the hags of hell.  
The farmers old, strong with a small, that led their lives so well,  
Their haruist done refreshde their corpses. On holly days with cheer,  
And mind with sport, which such hard hap for better hope did bear.  
With wife, babes, servants, to Tellus did sacrifice a swine,  
And to Sylvanus offered milk a sacrifice divine.  
To Genius that makes men mind the shortness of their days,  
They sacryficed flowers, and wine and lo by such like ways,  
Came first the franchise Fessentine, the rude uncivil sort, 
Fessentine liberty, by the which on certain testinat days poets might talk their pleasure on any man.   
Did rail at will in rural rhyme through freedom of the sport.  
And this licence through many years in pleasant plight did stay,  
Whilst to a very open rage was turned the hasty play.  
This rage right honest families assailed, and was not blamed,  
Whilst honest men took it in snuff to see themselves defamed.  
And those that were not blemishde yet in general did fear  
To what end might proceed at length this saucy taunting gear.  
A law was made, and penalty annexed to the same:  
For very rigour, of the law they turned their former trade:  
Fair woorded rhymes to please the ear 'gan then for to be made.  
The conquered Greece, her victor Rome with poems did delight,  
And brought arts into Italy, a realm uncivil quite.  
So vanished Saturn's peevish rhythms which he before had taught,  
And better speech, the clottered clot of duncerie brought to nowght.  
Yet many a winter after that, Did base speech with us stay,  
And left 'mongst us sum foot steps yet remaining to this day.  
For Rome to greakish writings laid her ear but now of late,  
And being after Punic wars in calm, and quiet state,  
Began then first to make the search, and partly for to sin ell  
What Eschill, Thespis, Sophocles, had put in writing well▪  
If worthily they could translate then gave they first assay,  
Haughty, and sharp by nature they and for their proper pay,  
They breath thing tragical enough and luckily are bold:  
But they fear blemish in their work, and no such shame they would.  
A comedy is thought to be a thing of lesser pain,  
because out of our daily deeds the most thereof is ta'en.  
A comedy is so much more of great, and weighty charge,  Comedy. 
Because her liberty is straight, at least not very large.  
Behold Plautus how he sets out, by what apparent art  
The beardless lover, heedful sire, and crafty Lenos part.  
Dorsen in painting parisits bestoweth all his vain:  
Right dessolute in all the rest, as one that takes no pain,  
If he may coffer up the coin or hent it once in hand,  
gramercy let his commodity or settle down, or stand.  
He that for brute, and wyndlik fame doth bring to stage a play,  
Him many hearers will make proud, small number will dismay.  
So small it is, so light it is, that makes the glorious mind,  
That huffs it up, and puffs it down most changeable by kind.  
Both comedies, and Tragedies, Fair well say I, if that  
The people's evil voice make me lean, or good voice make me fat.  
These two doth much exanimate, and strikes the heart full could,  
And makes those poets much ashamed, that aught most to be bold,  
That oft the greater company, in virtue few, and base,  
Untaught blockheads, brainless, ere while at buffets for their place,  
Though all our nobles like it well in midst of all the play,  
To bear ebaytinge, or prick playings, our Rudesbies' must away.  
Yea now our nobles do at length their ears from toys restrain:  
Yet float their eyes, and heed of toys which be but very vain.  
They can sustain four hours to see our stagies bravely dight,  
Of horsemen tropes, of footmen ranks, how they are put to flight:  
Strait, captive kings are hailed in sight with pinnyand arms behind:  
The waggon, coach, horselitter, Barge, to follow are assigned:  
The captive booties must be seen, all things to please the eye:  
To hear a learned comedy we weary by, and by.  
Democritus if he were here where he was wont to be,  
He would I warrant laugh a pace, and make a noble glee,  
If that the white strange Elephante, or yet the Camel can  
Retain the people attentive, and make so many scan,  
A gawishe sort greedy to gaze not greedy to be tawght:  
At whom more then at any vice a wiseman would have lawght.  
What so is told amongst the●…e flock so as it cumes to pass,  
As fruitfully a man might tell a tale unto an ass.  
What noise, or noises to this noise, comparable in sound?  
So stern it is, so shrill it is when th' echo doth rebound  
The roar of woods, the roar of seas thou wouldst think to hear:  
Such rule, and ruffle make the rout that cum to see our gear.  
devices, pagaunts, vestures strange with which the players dressed,  
The people having hard no word to clap their hands are priest.  
Masters why lawgh you so (saith one) what did the players say?  
Nowght yet (saith one) we lawgh to see the goodly garments gay,  
The coollor clear, the noble die upon that purple gown:  
Most like unto the purple hue which comes fro Tarent town.  
Lest thou should think that I dispraise the thing which I do make  
Because it is a kind of charge which other undertake:  
That poet on a stretched rope may walk and never fall,  
That can steer up my passions, or quick my spirits at all.  
Steer me, cheer me, or with false fears of bugs fill up my breast,  
At Athens now, and now at Thebes, by charming make me rest.  
Concerning us which study not to serve the staring stage,  
But write, which the posterity may reed from age to age.  
If thou dost mean to have us pen sum clercklie work in deed,  
Worthy Sir Phebe, and to put out our books with better speed,  
Cut of the cark that nips our heart, (a work of passing meed)  
That poets with more fervent mind then commonly is seen  
May viset oft the musies nine, and Helicon the green.  
We poets do annoy ourselves by many kind of ways:  
When I (as cutting down, my vines) mine own works do dispraise.  
Or when that thou art cloyed with book, (Like noddies, as we be)  
We hurt ourselves without respect, in giving books to the.  
Or if sum friend do reprehend but one word of our verse,  
The hurt is ours that we becum so biting, and so fierce.  
When we do say, and oftens say our rhymes which none would hear:  
When we take thought, because our toil to no man doth appear,  
Which we sustained in making of our poems fresh and fine,  
By drawi●…ge them so featly forth, and with so clean a twine.  
Or when we think our matter needs to such an end must grow:  
That, when, how we devisers be, assoon, as thou shalt know,  
On thine own swinge thou wilt us call, and make on us with speed,  
And cause us write, and work it so that we no more shall need.  
It shall concern your honour to to have to write men's acts.  
retainers to the musies house, and famous for their facts.  
To make their deeds in peace, and war in stately style to set:  
Such deeds as to unworthy Clarks we ought not to commit.  
To Alexander Chaerilus was welcum at those times:  
Who gave him crowns (a princely gift) for raggy rugged rhymes.  
But as black ink doth blur, and doth the paper fair defile:  
So good things handled of a fool do seem to be more vile.  
The self same king so prodigal, that bowght his trash so dear,  
Made proclamation to be made that no man any where,  
Except Apelles should portray, except Lysip in brass,  
Should cast to counterfeit his face, which of such courage was.  
One painter passing all the rest his mind was to have had:  
One poet to, that poet was▪ Sir Chaerilus the bad.  
Though he were king and Conquered, he might be counted tho,  
A very gowse to leave the good, and fee a lozel so.  
But thy judgements which thou dost give will never work the shame,  
And gifts which they had with much praise of the which gave the same.  
Virgil I mean, and Varius thine own dear Darlings twain.  
Thou hast deserved well of lore, in quitinge of their pain.  
Faces in brass are not set forth so lively in their kinds,  
As by a poet's workmanship men's manners, and their mindee  
Are well described▪ and painted out. It's twice so lief to me,  
To write a story loftelie, and stout worded to be.  
As low to creep, and poorly peep: fain would I take in hand  
To speak of lands, of haughty towers, which on the rocks did stand.  
Of salvage realms, of fowghten fields throughout the world so wide:  
And now reduce to peace again thee only being guide:  
The turrets that in peace keep close janus the towns watchman▪  
And Rome so fearful to the Parthes' thee being chevetaine.  
This would I write, if that my power could satisfy my will.  
And true it is thy majesty a right great style would fill.  
Its stands not with my shamefastness to undertake the thing,  
To bear that which my strength doth shrink, and shame unto me bring.  
To much a do doth hurt him most, that melts with it the most:  
Chiefly if he in tongues, and arts be rash to make his boast.  
A man may sooner bear away and rather keep in mind  
The thing derided, then that is praise worthy in his kind.  
That commendation force I not which doth my merits pass:  
As eke I would not have my face set out in wax or brass.  
For evil invented poecie I would not have a name.  
lest praised so be yonte all home it chance me for to shame.  
And lest my writings which I thought eternal brute shall have,  
Upon one bear, as soon as I be carried to their grave.  
I mean unto the mercer's shops, where frncke incense is sold,  
And what soever spycerie in waste paper is rolled.   

To julius Florus  

FLorus, thou inteyre, faithful friend to virtuous Nero,  
If one sell the a stranger boy, and say unto thee, (lo)  
This fair skinned boy, for such a Sum If thou wilt shallbe thine,  
A servant at his master's beck tidy, prompt, pressed and fine.  
Well trained in Greek, fit for all art●… and one that will in space,  
Trim imitate, and counterfeit each countynuaunce with grace.  
He can sing, though not cunningly Yet sweetly at a table:  
Much words, and cracks do make I know▪ ones credit seem less able.  
When one sets out his wares to much as precious stoofe alone,  
For that for ready down told coin he fain would have them gone,  
Though I be poor, yet nothing shall compel me for to lie,  
Cowpes man not one in all this town●… will use the thus as I.  
Thou art not all, this will I say, (I speak it unto thee)  
This boy ran once for fear of whip, and na but once from me.  
Buy him, whiles thou dost mistru●… that he should run away.  
A man his coin in such a case with small distrust might pay:  
Thou boughts me knowing all my faults, my nature told before,  
Yet wilt thou have to do with me and troublest me right sore.  
At our last parting, what I was I told the plainly than,  
For such office most impotent, a lame, unable man.  
And that thou shouldst not take me up with visage sad and glum,  
Although no letter unto the from me at all did cum:  
What veiled it me? If thou wouldst look●… upon the laws again,  
And see how they do make for me thou wouldst not thus complain,  
Because I have not writ to thee, False of my word sayest thou:  
The law will way with me in this I told theeths is, or now.  
Lucullus had a soldier, who with war much wearied then,  
His voyage wayges being paid all crafty, as he can  
Whilst snorting like a very hog the foretoylede did groin,  
A pridgeman from him privily his money did purloin.  
Then like a wolf most vehement against him, and his foo  
Incensed, with felon fasting face he flings, and fayreth so,  
The coun●…ter captains standard straight he swayed to the ground.  
Guarded about with force of men, Enuyrounde thikeand round.  
Renowned for this valiance in ample recompense  
They gave him twenty sextersies to keep his port, and expense.  
The praetor then (I wot not why) began t'assail a fort.  
And looking for much good at him spoke to him in such soorte,  
As would have moved a very sheep: Go lusty lad, (〈◊〉 he)  
Press on with lucky foot to where thy pruice calleth the.  
Famous shallbe thy rich reward: march on why dost thou stay.  
To whom the soldier quiet now demuerlye did say.  
Dread Sir a very daster lout will suffer pain and pine:  
But then when he is spoiled of all as I was erst of mine.  
Rome was my norse, and scholemaistres, and in her was I taught  
What damagement the Trojan rowt●… by dire Achilles ●…awghte.  
Athens she me instructed so that sciences I knew,  
And that wisely I could decern the false thing from the true.  
In Plato's school the moral lore I 'gan to learn a pace  
Whilst troublous times, and hasserds hard distrurbd me from that place.  
The civil heat then me untraind did animate to war,  
wars wh●…h to match, with our August unable were by far.  
Thence lighted I in Thessaly of feathers then deplumde,  
I brought full low my house, and lands, and all I had consumed.  
Bold poverty made me start up, to versefie, and rhyme:  
My verses need not to be fande, or scumd at any tyme.  
Except I would despise the art, and dissolutely think,  
That it is worse to versefie then is to swill, or drink.  
Howbeit my wit, which I have had begins for to decay,  
And each year plucks away from me as it doth pass away.  
My games, my jests, my lusts, my feasts, from me they made to go,  
And now would steal my poems to. what wouldst thou I should do?  
Concerning kinds of verse, not all delight in any one.  
Thou loviste the common verse, and he jambique verse alone.  
Sum likes Satyrs, and thwarting speech: I have three at my board,  
Not one of them bout any thing with th'other will accord.  
Each one from other straunged so that diversly they choose.  
What should I writ? or what not write? He bids, thou dost refuse.  
That which thou craves, and dost always take in the better part,  
That other do mislike, and think it, toto harsh, and tart.  
Again, thinks thou that I at Rome my vearses can endite  
'mongst so much toil, and such a coil, such soaking cark, and spite.  
He calls me for a surety, an other for to hear,  
(All other business set a part) his new devised gear.  
He lies on mount Quirine, and he yont Aventine doth lie.  
A sunder far, yet to them both to see them both must I.  
Thou séeste the gay commodities we silly students get.  
No thing doth want, nor street, nor talk●… our studies for to let.  
The horse, the carts, the merchants tongues, a clattringe noise of bells,  
Now crossbow shot, or peal of guns our glass wyndors down fells.  
Skryking, howling at funerals, the bawling mastiffs cry:  
The hogs yell out, heers noble stuff, let him go now apply  
His shrill tunes, sonnets, that doth think this place to be so good.  
The bookish crew did ever yet delight, to haunt the wood,  
Right Bacchus' Clients, like to him, they hayte to haunt the town,  
And under solitary shade to rest, and lie them down.  
Mongste hurly burly, night, and day wouldst thou have me to sing?  
To tread in Poets narrow trace? If Athens could not bring  
To sum with seven years hard study great plenty of her ●…ore,  
Though they waxed old with book, and car●…, Yet block heads, as before  
Depart they home with shame enough: I that am dwelling here  
midst wrestling waves, and rou●…inge 〈◊〉; of all this busy gear,  
Can I in case so cummero●…se, in such turmoylinge times,  
find in mine heart to tune with harp●… my jarring Lyric rhymes.  
I knew too Orators at Rome th'one was to the other,  
In mutual praise for both their gains a fast ytrothed brother.  
These frantic knacks have Poets to I wis I know it well:  
I write Lyrics, he Elegies both works say we excel:  
Both works becum the musies nine, behold with what a pride,  
And what a do we Poets walk, and look on every side.  
Dog thou us once, and listen well, and eftsoons thou shalt hear  
What goodly fellows be we twain, why we the laurel wear.  
He kills me with his bablarie, and I again him quell.  
To Samnet soldiers feightinge ill. we are compared well.  
I am Alceus by his doom: and what is he by mine?  
What but Calimachus? if yet he would be more divine,  
I call him great Mimermnus straight, thus by our wished name  
We yrow up both, (as I cast it) to be of flying fame.  
I hear, and see, and say the best, and this law do I find  
Easeful for me, least I stir v●… the waspish Poet's kind.  
And when my doing●… cum abroad, for good will that they bear me,  
they'll praise it, be it good or bad, I need not for to fear me.  
Evil versefyers mocked be, yet have they to their joy,  
Whilst they indite, and read their toys, most chearie, and most coy.  
If thou saist nought, they praise themselves like good ones as they be.  
But if thou wilt good poems write this will I say to thee:  
As thou in lawful scanned verse canst well describe a thing:  
So must thou to into thy mind good law, and virtue bring.  
Thou must be bold to sever out words that be not of light,  
Words of no weight, and such as b●… not praise worthy in sight.  
Though they do cleave unto thy rhyme unwilling to depart,  
If they be nought, though they be used of Poets in their art.  
Thou must abandon uncouth words, and bring eke into ure  
Bright, lightsum stuff, sounding, and grave, not simple, and demure.  
Words used by the antic Dans, the fashions once did bear:  
But now cast of for very eld, he must bring novel gear,  
Which father use hath bred, and taught pithy, and plain with all.  
To rich his country let his words like flowing water fall.  
Cut of process, and sleake, and file thou, that which runs not round,  
Pick, and cull out with heedful skill what s'euer is not sound.  
Each parsonage in his right Qwe take heed that thou dost frame,  
In diverse parts the gestures, and th'effects, are not the same.  
Rather to me for to be thought a doulte, and dissard vile,  
If that my folly might please me, or seem good for a while:  
Then to be wise, and vexed ay: (as wisemen be most grieved.)  
A man well known in Arge there was, who steadfastly believed,  
That he did hear brave melody, and see trim fellows play.  
Thus fanseinge, on an empty stage he would laugh all a day.  
In all points else an honest man unspotted in his life:  
A good neighbour, a good fellow peaceable with his wife.  
No brawler in his family, nor angry for a crewse  
breaking, no craft of man, or place could him in aught abuse.  
When he by wealth, and friendly help recovered by, and by,  
Had chased away with herbs, and drinks his old melancholy,  
And coming to himself again, by God my friends ꝙ he)  
By this your doing you save not but you have killed me.  
From whom is gone, pleasure alone the like can no man find:  
So pleasant dotage cut away by curing of my mind.  
Certes its good for to be wise, and cast these toys away,  
To leave unto the younger sort this riminge kind of play.  
Not reulie to consume our days in music sleight, and clean,  
But truly to direct our ways in measure, and in mean.  
This thing I oftens talk upon, and oft I think of this.  
If that no lickoure could assuage thy greedy thrust (I wis)  
Thou wouldst tell the physician: the more that thou hast got  
The more thou wants, confess thyself of this so fowl a spot.  
If that with certain roots, and herbs thy wounds could well be dressed,  
Wouldst thou therefore to heal thyself neglect to do the best?  
I said in deed that he was wise that had the coin in store.  
But since thou hast no more of wit though thou of wealth have more,  
Why dost thou use my counsel still▪ If riches make one wise,  
Less fearful, greedy, or (for fiew) better in any wise,  
This wot I well, and dare speak it thou wouldst ashamed be,  
That any man which is alive should leave them more than the.  
If that be thine which thou hast hired, or which thou hast of old,  
That is thine own which was to the but very lately sold.  
Thou bowghst the ground, and so it is that use hath made it thine:  
Thou boughst it with thy proper goods, what should I more define?  
What skills it whether thou dost liu●… by purse, or by thy field,  
If for thy field though long ago thou money once did yield?  
He that doth think that goods, or lands can be his own for long,  
A fool is he, a fonded fool and doth himself but wrong.  
He calls it his, because without controlment, he dare take it,  
That thing which changeth in one hour no man can stable make it.  
That which doth run from man to man in flitting fickle guise,  
By conquest, lot, by chop, or change, by prayer, and by prize.  
No term of state doth dure for ay, heirs come on, one by one,  
As gliding waves in swiftye streams are quickly cumd, and gone.  
What profits meadows, or else barns, our pastures, and our parks:  
What all, wherefore so gredelie the money mucker carks?  
Pearls, stones, jewels, pictures with costelie kind of taint,  
Silver or silks so lively wrought as hand of man can paint?  
Since death at length things great, and less doth wipe away as clean  
Successyvelie in such effect as they had never been.  
Sum can not come to have this gear, and sum men do not crave it:  
And seeing what it is and works, by all means shun to have it.  
Why two brethren, the one should set more by a quiet life,  
Then Heroldes palms, and all his pomp preserved still by strife.  
The other rich doth never think that he can have enough,  
And therefore delveth, hagthe, and heuthe, by mooneshyne goes to plough.  
God knows, that God, which in the stars hath tempered each man's fate,  
That nature God, which hath so clean estranged each man's state,  
That all men differ by their deeds: But he is very sad  
To see them evil, to see them good as merry and as glad.  
I will take from my little heap, and sewer I will not snudge.  
And as touching my successor, I fear not if he grudge.  
betwixt prodigal and liberal, fain would I know of the  
Twixt sparing, and the covetous if difference none be.  
It differs much to spend always, and spend at honest time:  
Differs from both, to catch, and snatch with covetise, and crime.  
Best is, as children use, sometimes to learn, sometimes to play:  
sometimes to get, of our gettings sometimes for to assay.  
Need, and an unclean house fro me let these two ills be gone:  
Let wether hoist, or sink me down, the world shall find me one.  
I row not full sail, as I would ever with wished wind,  
Yet doth the wether serve me so I come not far behind.  
In credit, wit, in virtue, wealth, in outward shape, and face  
Behind the first, before the last, I keep the middle place.  
Thou art not covetous thou sayest, Be gone I like the well.  
But didst thou with the covetise all other crimes expel?  
Art thou without ambition devoid of vain desire,  
Without all fear fantastical, and hasty, chafing ire?  
Dreams, charms, jugglings witchcrafts, night booggs wonders of Thessallie,  
Canst thou contemn? the holy day with worship dost thou ply?  
Canst thou forgive thy neighbours fault, art thou not more austere,  
And crabde in conversation as old age draweth near?  
Of all these thorns that prick man's mind, why pulls thou out but one?  
If thou canst not live as thou shouldst, from those that can, begun.  
Ye worldlings, you that have enough, of meat, drink, and of play,  
Surrender now, full time it is for you to cum away.  
lest even young folk seeing you drink more than for you is meet  
Do make of you mere mocking stocks, and camp you with their feet.     

Priscus Grammaticus de Satyra  
Satyra est carmen acerbum, instrumentum mordax. etc.  

A Satire is a tart, and carping kind of verse,  
An instrument to pinch the pranks of men,  
And for as much as pinching instruments do pierce,  
Y●…lept it was full well a Satire then.   

A name of Arabic to it they gave:  
For Satire there doth signify a glaive,   

Or Satyra, of Satyrus, the mossy rude,  
Uncivile god: for those that will them write,  
With taunting girds, & glikes, & gibes must vex the lewd,  
Strain courtesy, ne reck of mortal spite.   

Shrouded in moss, not shrynkinge for a shower,  
Deming of moss as of a regal bower.   

Satire of writhled waspyshe Saturn may be named,  
The Satirist must be a wasp in mood,  
testy, and wroth with vice and hers, to see both blamed,  
But courteous and friendly to the good.   

As Saturn cuts of time with equal sith:  
So this man cuts down sin to coy, and blithe.   

Or Satyra of Satur, th'author's must be full  
Of frostred art, infarst in ballads breast.  
To teach the worldlings wit, whose witched brains are dull  
The worst will pardie hearken to the best.   

If that the Poet be not learned in deed,  
Much may the chat, but few will mark his réed●….   

Lusill, (I ween) was parent of this nipping rhyme:  
Next hudlinge Horace brave in satires grace.  
Thy praised Pamphlet (Persie) well detected crime,  
Sir Juvenal deserves the latter place.   

The Satirist loves Truth, none more than he,  
An utter foe to fraud in each degree.   

THE POET SPEAKETH Reverently to his patron Maecenas, bitterly controlleth the unconstancy of men, and their changeable affections, that none of them will content him with his share: and hereupon taking occasion ●…e doth bend a great part of his artillarye against the covetous: whose ravenous and unsatiable doings, he doth eagerly detest and abhor.  

RIght dread Maecenas, what's the cause that none content abide  
In trained trade, that whilom choice or chance to them affyed?  
But loves, and likes an others lote, and novel life pursues.  
Still floats and flyts from former fate, Ne brooks the same to use,  
Th'unwieldy warrior waste with toil, with grovelling eld for spent,  
O makeless merchant mumbleth he, O state with bliss Yblent▪  
The fearful merchant he again, When waltering winds amain  
With plunging puffs from Sothren cost, and hydiouse hissing rain  
Torments the Sea, hoistes up the waves, that doth surmount the sail,  
Sans peer, doth dame the soldiers guise, for why, they tug, they hail,  
They press in plumps on mortal iron, where eftsoons either bain  
Is priest: or gladsum trumpets clang doth blaze triumphant gain.  
The counsellor for meed, or fee, that parles, and pledes the laws,  
When at cocks crow, his gates are pushte with hasting Clients paws,  
Then happy farmer oft, (saith he, for thou in golden sleep  
Art soused: of mout or suit undreamde, of bar thou bears no keep.  
The chubbyshe gnof that toils, and moils, and delveth in the down,  
If happily he a surety be, so sent for into town▪  
Who gapes, who gawes, who pores, who pries, who proggs his mate but he?  
Perfaye (saith he,) hers all things rife, these people blessed be.  
The residue that rests unroulde, the remnant that remain  
Of this new fanglde fickle flock, would pose and put to pains  
The fabling Fabies tattling tongue: 
Fabie a common prattler.  to deskaunte and descrive  
The rout, and rabble all a row A draught to long to drive,)  
But that no tract need trouble thee, nor ambage breed delay,  
Hark well how I will couch this gear. put case some god would say,  
Your likings all allowed shallbe: and thou that erst in field  
The maces keen, the grounded sword, the Tuck, the targe, the shield  
Was wunte to wild, with passage moist shall cut the frothy plain,  
A merry merchant shalt thou row. and thou that didst disdain  
To live and lead the Lawyer's life, shalt mucker in the ground.  
Be trudgging hence, your trades are turned, why stand you still in stound?  
They will not tho, although they might accept this blisfulle boon.  
Then what's the cause that jove thus mocked may not condinglye soon  
In ireful mode and dire revenge engourge his puffed cheeks  
against all this sort? and spreed no ear to them that henceforth seeks  
And suies with prattling prayer to chop, and change their former plight.  
But lest some man should hold me in hand my treatise is to light,  
To much with laughter interlasde, (albeit the guessed er may  
Harp on a sooth▪ else God for bid) and toys may keep and stay  
sometimes the reeder very well, as those that teach in schools,  
With buttered bread, or featusse knacks will lewre the little fools,  
To learn a pace their A. B. C,) I will be at a point  
With nyfles now. I'll turn the leaf, and weighty things disjointe.  
The Churl that shreds the earth with share, and wreaks the yielding lées,  
The marryner that shaves the stream, and furrouse uncouth seas:  
The taverner that falsethe oaths, and little recks to lie,  
The soldier that doth deal the bats, and makes his foes to fly,  
They say the cause they travail thus, that thus they care and cark,  
Is this: That when unnimble age hath refte them of their work.  
When ●…umbling foot denies to meeve, when hand nil hold, or hent,  
That then they might suffisance have, lest easles need them shent.  
Not much unlike the little Ant, (a beast of tydye toil)  
Who draws, and drags her delicates orewharte the hil●…ie soil  
By might of mouth in a l she may, and placed in her cell  
She stickleth, and be stirs herself, She huswyfes it right well.  
She carves it fine, and ming it thick and shrouds it under roof.  
As one that of the winters wrath Were not to learn the proof,  
Ne yet to care for after claps. Whereby when january  
That myrethe all the costs with slete and saddes the beginning year  
With aspere showers, doth cause the clouds and welkin aye to weep,  
Then Lady Pismyer stirs no where, she's claspde in closet deep.  
She keeps her Chrystenmasse in cave and there they make bone cheer:  
They feed and feel the fruit of that, which once they got yfeare.  
And wisely to, but thee (alas) no Phoebus flaming brand,  
Nor grievous numbing could that makes the chilling senseless hand,  
Nor fearful fire, that flusheth up and sums to pitchy smoke:  
Nor stormy seas, whose open jaws sups up without all choke  
The straglinge ships: nor weapon whet, Nor ought can the deter  
From hunting after hurtful hoard: for whilst some such there are,  
That swim in wealth, and the surpass in richeses or in robes,  
Thy glutton mind will never stay, still, still thy stomach crobbs.  
What veils it the so quakinglye to grub and grippe the mould,  
And there in hucker mucker hide thy idol God thy gold?  
If that thou spend, and sparple it, no dodkin will abide▪  
The devil may dance in crosslesse purse, when coin hath took his tide.  
And if thou snudge, and save it sound, and cofferte from the son,  
What show then hath thy hidden 〈◊〉, what lust is thereby won?  
Admit on flore thou haste in store an hundredth thousand mets  
Of corn dehuskde: what comes thereby? thy belly holds, nor gets  
No more than mine: as if in case to field thou shouldst fair  
With scrip on back, full freight with food●…, and straight, as thou comes their,  
The hungry hunts must have it all: what makes thou by this match?  
As much as he ●…hat carrieth nought, (certes a worthy catch.)  
Or else per friendship answer this: To him that doth propound  
Nature his guide, and treads her steps, what booteth him of ground  
Whether, an hundredth acres he or else a thousand tills:  
Thou saist, he feeds the eye●…the more▪ the from the huge heap fills:  
Well sir no force, if that you will but condescend to this,  
That our repast doth riot shun, and reasonable is  
To keep the soul and Carcase cheynd, to stint the pining sting  
Of hungers gnaw, and that we have a mean of every thing:  
Why then, what dost thou boast so much, thy plumes why dost thou spread?  
" What better is thy barns, than our small sacks that serve our need?  
" Much like for south, as if that thou a pot or pitcher must  
" With liquor load, and mights it fill at fountain hereby just,  
" And yet for fond affection, thou, to please thy greedy eye.  
" Shouldst wend unto the flowing stream where greater gulfs do fly.  
" At which whilst some have reached far and proferde over fast,  
" The bank hath burst, that down they lusht, and so be drente at last.  
" But he that leans to temperance, and anchoures on her lore,  
" And takes so much as serves his turn, and gapes to gripe no more  
Him needs not draw the drubbled dregs of fowl by dirty pool.  
Nor yet for devilish thirst to have (as one from virtues school  
Exempted quite) fetch from the brim and overwhelming waves,  
Where now and then (O just reward) in raging surge sum taves.  
The crystal springe shall work his will, and silver channelde wells  
Shall yield enough, where lurcks no dread, where slime ne slabber dwells.  
" But out (alas) the greater part with sweet empoysned bate  
" Of wealth bewitchde, do ween their wants abundance in each state.  
" For money makes, and mars (say they) and coin it keeps the coil,  
" It binds the bear, it rules the roast, it puts all things to foil.  
" A man's his money, and no more, wherein confused is  
" An heaven of haps, a world of weeles, an hunnye hath of bliss.  
" O dottrells' doom, and is it so? what guardon for these doultes  
Shall we devise? let's suffer still the foolish frantycke foultes  
To wallow in their wilfulness, whose under eating minds  
Is never crammed, but prooles for more and swerves not from their kinds.  
Such one we read of in old time, that dwelt in Athins town,  
A man in substance passing rich, nathlesse a niggerde cloune,  
At whose scarceheade, and covetise the world did outas make,  
But all in vain, he forced it not, he sought not how to slake  
Black fame, that frisked every where, and bounsed at itch ear,  
" A fig for them (ꝙ brazen face) I force not how I hear,  
" They hawk, they hem, they hiss at me, I weigh it not an h●…we,  
" Whilst I may harbour in mine ark, and lodge within my law  
" My darling gold, my leaue●… guest, my solace and my glee,  
" He is the bone companion, it's he that cheers up me.   Tantalus. 
Ah simple cheer considering all, grave Tantal in thine heart,  
" His fee did feed his fatale fall, his muck procured his smart.  
Whose lips as dry, as any kykkes doth oft assay to taste  
The licker, to allay the drought, that hath nigh all to waste  
His entrails, sterude for lack of moist, the floods to eke his pain  
They climb unto his very chin, and then decline again.  
He catcheth, and he snatcheth aye, and still he grates in teen,  
And still shall do, for pangs still spring and freatinge sorrows green.  
I pray the now, what cause hast thou to sport and pleasance take?  
To faun upon thy foolish gold which endless grief doth make.  
For thou induriste Tantalus' fate, and taking but his name,  
This tale may well be told of thee, thou art the very same.  
Thy house, the hell, thy good, the flood, which, though it do not start,  
" Nor stir from thee, yet hath it so in hold thy servile heart,  
" That though in foysonne full thou swims, and rattles in thy bags,  
" Yet tossed thou art with dreadefulle dreams, thy mind it waves and wags,  
And wisheth after greater things, and that, that's woorste of all,  
Thou spersed it as an holly thing, and dost thyself in thrall  
Unto thy lout, and coxcomb like thou dost but fill thine eye  
With that, which should thy port preserve, and hoist thine honour high.  
Thou scans it, and thou toots upponte, as though it were a work  
By practysde painters hand portrayed with shadows subtle dark.  
" Is this the perfect end of coin? be these the very veils  
" That money hath, to serve thy sight? fie, fie thy wisdom fails.  
Thart miss insenste, thou canst not use't, thou wots not what to do  
Withal, by cates, buy bread, buy drink, in fine disburse it so,  
That nature need not move herself, nor with a betments scant  
Distrainte, and pricked pass forth her day in pine and pinching want.  
To wake all night with shivering corpse, both night and day to quake,  
To sit in dread, and stand in awe of thieves, lest they should break  
Perforce thy doors, and rob thy chests, and carve thy weasaunte pipe:  
lest flickering fire should stroy thy den, and seize with wasteful gripe  
Upon thine house, lest runagats should pilfer aught from thee,  
Be these thy gains, by richeses repte? then this behest to me  
O jove betake, that I may be devoid of all those goods  
That brews such baneful broils, or brings of fear such gastfull floods.  
But if so been the pauling cold thy limbs doth overgo,  
Or else sum other worse disease hath daunt thy body so  
That down thou must, and bide in bed, thy vantage then is great,  
At elbow pressed thou hast thy friends, who will provide the meat,  
And tender the even as themselves, confections sweet or tart  
Theylle minge for thee, such as best likes thy quasye wambling heart.  
They'll treat the fine physician with potions sound and sure,  
By force and virtue of his skill thy corpse for to recure,  
And to restore thee to thy sons and kindly friends again.  
Alas the while it's no point so, thy wife she works thy bain,  
Thy son he inly loathes thy life, his regreate, and his plaint  
Is ever fresh, because that death doth linger to attaint  
Thy hateful head, thy neighbours, and thy chief acquaintance all  
Thy jack, thy gill, thy kith, thy kin doth prosecute thy fall.  
" What marvel is't, when thou hast loud thy silver as thy lord,  
" If none love thee, whose loutish life deserved no loving word?  
But if thou thinks th'alyes to link in frindshyppe and in faith,  
And weenest thou mayst with small a do from breach and foyshe wrath  
Keep tied the knot, that nature knit: Ah fillye man, in vain  
Thou dost surmise this fruitless fetch, it's far beyonte thy brain:  
perseverance in amity, and durance still in love  
Discordeth much from fickle man, thou mayst as well above  
The sluggish ass a saddle couch, with gold and pearl befret,  
And strain his jaws, with bridle brave with goldsmithrye ybet,  
And so to make him prance, and plunge, to frisk, and gambols fetch,  
To chew upon the spewing bit, and at his foes to retch  
With harneste houfe▪ as thou canst learn the frail retiring man  
" To tread in trace of truth outryghte in truth as he began.  
" In fine, suppress thy lewd desire: the more thou haste in store  
The less pass thou for poverty, do travail for no more.  
Sense thou accomplishde haste thy will, and purchesde wealth at ease:  
O be not like Vmidius, whose ravenous disease.  
It is not long for to discourse. he, that he might upturne  
His coumed coin, with shoviles wide, himself durst not adorn  
With any weed that wealth besettes, but like a miser right,  
More ragged than a tattered coulte did pass the poreste wyghte  
In pieces and in tatter wags: whylste that he had his wind,  
And drew his breath, he spent no ●…ote, a frayed that he should find  
Need in old age: but (loo) his wife of greakishe dames most stout:  
With grounded are cut him in twain, and rifted him throughout.  
What? is it best like Meui●…s the makeaway, to live? prodigal personnes.  covetous. 
Or shall I like Nementanus prodigal persons. my goods to giglotts give?  
A goodly di she, who taught e the this? why dost thou thus compare  Poet. 
extremities? Is there no shift, all spend, or else all spare?  
I would the not a nipfar thing, nor yet a niggard have,  
Wilt e thou therefore, a drunkard be, a dingthrifte, and a knave?  
There is a difference betwixt the gelded Eunuch Ta'en:  
And Herniosus hot as coals, that rank uncleanly swain.  
" A mean there is in matters all, and certain bonds be pyghte,  
" On this side or beyond the which nothing that's good can light.  
But after long vagaries fetchde, to come to my request,  
How happeneth it, his own estate that no man liketh best?  
But teens, if that his neighbours goat a bigger bag doth bear  
Then his, or yields her milk sum deal more flowing and more clear:  
Nor ever will compare himself unto the greater sort,  
Whose state is base, and bad as his, who lives in mean apport:  
But roves, and shoots at further marks, now him he doth contend  
To pass in coin: now him again, and so there is no end.  
" For he that thinks to coat all men and all to overgo,  
" In running shall sum richer find who still will bid him hoe.  
Such posters may be likened well unto the carters old  
Of foreign world, on mount Olimpe whose carts when they were rolled  
With gyrefull sway, by coursers swift, to win the glistering branch:  
They jerted up their horse with whips, that forth they made them launch  
With boisterous noise, like thunder clappe●…, they made the quavering soil  
To dindle and to shake again, in hope of laurel spoil.  
They never had respect to those, that once were cast behind,  
But scourde to give the rest the slip, with course as wyghte as wind.  
Right semblably, this carking kind of men do never eye  
The rout, that they have overrun in goods, but haste, and high  
To retch the residue, and so do ame above their strength,  
To prick, and pierce those marks, & whits, that lie without their length.  
Lo this is even the very▪ ground, this is the perfect cause,  
That most mislike themselves so much, and can no season pause  
In blissfulness: and this is it why very seld we find  
" A man so cloyed with the world as he that new hath bind  
" Is with his meat and that there's none which in their extreme days  
" Will part from life as full from feast to go their homeward ways▪  
To banish all excess of talk, let this suffice as now,  
And lest thou shouldst suppose by space my talk might overgrow 
Crispin a writer against covetous to excessive in talk.   
In bulk the bleareeyde Crispin's roole whose tongue on pattans free  
Did reckless run, even here I cease not one word more of me.   

The Poet still blameth, fickleness and unsteadfastness of those, which labouring to sail fro the yrcksom pool of avarice, do willingly contend to make shipwreck by the infortunate waves of prodigality: he speaketh against fashions: they are thought to be noorses of pride, and folly.  
The second Satire.  

THe stews, and stained house of drabs, th'apothecaries neat,  
The beggars, and the tumbling trulls the horehunters, the great  
And flocking rakehell rabblement of rags, and rascals all,  
Be pensive, and through plunged with pangs to see the funeralle  
Of Tigelle, trusty friend of theirs, who whilst he lived here,  
Did carolle shrill, and trimly tune his sonnets sweet, and clear.  
Their cause of grease is some expressde: he was both free and frank.   〈◊〉. 
They hanged on him, his purse kept them so croustye, and so crank.  
But this man, clean contrary wise, t'eschew, and shun the name  
Of spendall, and of scatter good, and fearing such like blame  
That doth ensue outrageous expense, he will not give nor lend  
One cross of coin, to cloth or feed his needy naked friend.  Prodigal 
An other, if thou question him why that he doth devour  
His sire, and his gransyres goods, and turneth town, and tower  
All into nought, through gréedynes and foul delyting throat:  
And why that he by gluttony, and stomach raging hot  
Miscounsailed, doth make a sale of lands, and lordship wide  
To buy such curious cates, as bests will down his gullet glide:  
His answer is not far to fetch, posthaste he will the say,  
That he doth thus set cock on hoop and lavishly outlay  
This muck, & dross the world hath sent, because he would not seem  
Like one of carlish abject mind, so vile a thing t'esteme  
That answer say the never thrifts, was given in the Cue,  
Well far his heart: the chuffs the same with deep dispraise pursue.  
Fusidius, a landed man, a man whose fertile feyldes,  
Whose meadows fair, & glebye grounds revenues ample yields:  
A man by art of usarye, by guile, and treachers trade,  
By fraud, and covin full of goods, is very sore afraid  
To spend amongst good company, least on such pranks might springe  
A iavall, or a ruffians name, or sum such heinous thing.  
This Fusidie, to fill his purse, and to enrich his store,  
What soever comes by users skill, to get, and gender more,  
He lays it to the captain heap, whereof it rose, and grew,  
He takes by year the fifth of all, and so he breedeth new.  
And if a man through negligence, perhaps be cast behind,  
At parting he shall pay for that such fetches will he find.  
Heil go me like a crafty coulte, and listen every where,  
To understand the names of those that late delivered were  
From government of masters sharp, and gins to wear the weed,  
That only manhood doth beseem: there, there he sows his seed.  
He mings deceit, he plies the box, he strews me such a train,  
That straight he is with them to bring, (God wots) unto their pain.  
Th'unbridled brutes, the younckers that are passed the cure, and charge  
Of Tutor's grave, like lusty lads, do love, to rove at large,  
To roist, and revel with the best, in suits of silks to flante:  
Th' hard headed fathers they deny such spences vain to grant:  
Then comes this fox, this Fusidie, with money pressed in hand,  
He bees before their father's death their livelihood, and their land,  
Who hearing such malengin wrought doth not abrade, and cry,  
Upon the greatest God of all, that flings the fates from high?  
But they, the silly fonded fools, (such be the youthful brains)  
Do feast him for his lovesom love, and highly praise his pains.  
Certes, a man would scarce believe, how much this lovely wight,  
Whom others love, doth love himself, how he doth deck, and dight  
His surly corpse in rich array, what table he doth keep,  Menedemus. 
Almost as great as did the snudge, whom Terence told to step,  
And sink in sorrows, and in sobs, for that he chaste his son  
To asia, there to pike his crumbs, which deed unkind onhis done:  
He broke up house, put mice to grass, himself fed nothing fine,  
With col●…wortes, and such carters cates, oft would the caitiff dine.  
But here, if sum precysly ask, what doth this process mean?  
It is to show, that whilst sum men take care to keep them clean  
From blame, and blot of one gross sin, incontinente they are caught,  
Entangled with the contrary: like dullerdes never taught.  
Malchine, to make him singular, 
A new-fangled minion of that age.  a fashion fresh hath found,  
He swings and swoupes from street, to street, with g own that swéepes the ground,  
And think you Malchine wants his mates? no fie, that were amiss,  
another pleasant headed child, in no sauce liketh this.  
To prove himself a pretty man, and quaynte in his devise,  
He makes his garment to be shapde, not of so large a size:  
For wot you what? he coortalls it, it hardly hides his rump,  
Rufillus, heis perfumed with musk Gorgoni, smells o'th' pump.  
Mean hath no mansion in the flock▪ they keep no stéedy stay,  
In matter, and in novel shape, they vary every day,  
Sum one, or other loads man still, and what that he doth use,  
The residue may not ne, will, for fashion sake refuse.  
Fashions in all our gestering, fashions in our attire,  
Which (as the wise have thought) do cum, and go in circled gyre.  
Fashions, in notting of the hear, in paring of the nails,  
In Otho, and mustacho beards, thus fashions never fails.  
In tother sex, who would rehearse their fashion as they be,  
Might even as well by augrisme tell, the gravel of the Sea.  
Those curious, crousting courtly dames, whose spangled vestures shéene  
With stones and pearls, of pride, and prise, and Emrauds heevenly green,  
Doth give the glimmering, glorious show, that feeds the gazers' eyes,  
And dasles quite the simple looks, with leams, that from them flies:  
" The world perchance doth think them gay, and in a chief degree:  
" They be no better creatures, than other people be:  
" Noah outward thing doth better us, no not our noble kind:  
" Not pearls, or gold: but pearlesses gifts be praised in Godly mind.  
" All else is toys, and all is vain, and all when they have tried,  
Will once confess these things to be, but nutriments of pride.   

❧ He reprehendeth those, who be sharp accusers of others vices, and can be content, either not to see, or dissemble their own▪ He dispraisethe the Stoics discipline, who thought, all offences to be a like and equally to be punished: merrily after his manner, he beginneth with the minstrel Tygell, and disalloweth of his mutability of life.  
The third satire  

IT is a fault, a common fault, that all our minstrels use:  
The more you seem to crave a song, the more they will refuse.  
Request them not, they never cease: right so would Tigell fair,  
A singer of Sardinia though Cesar should not spare,  
For his, and for his father's sake sum music to require.  
Yet would his humble suit oft times come short of his desire.  
He might have forsde him thereunto: but Tigelle, if it had  
Cumde in his brain, would of himself, take on as he were mad,  
He, Bacchus' ballets would record, sometimes the triple part,  
Sum times, the quavering deskantdure sometimes, to vaunt his art,  
A boisterous base he bounsed out, and jumbled on his strings,  
No dram he had of constancy: so fickle in his things.  
Oft times, he ran, as fled from foe, oftentimes in solemn pace  
He would proceed, as though he were in serving junos' grace.  
sometimes, an hundredth waiting men. sometimes he kept but ten:  
sometimes he spoke of potentates, and on his honour then  
Was all his talk: sometimes, let me one dish well dighted have,  
(Thus would he say), and one course gown my corpse from could to save.  
To this good husband, that could be with pittance small content,  
If sum good friendly man, of hope ten hundred crowns had lent:  
Within five days, no groat he had, in purse, ne yet in chest:  
All night he walkde, whilst morning came, all day he took his rest.  
Was never man so little stayed. but sum, will say to me,  
And what are you: sum silly saint? nay, hal●…e as i●…l as he:  
One Mavius, did frump, and flout at nephew (than away:)  
A friend of his, a slander by, what serray, what I say?  
(Quoth he): dost thou not know thyself, nor think that we the know?  

* Mevius.  Myself, yes, I wink at myself: therefore, a winking daw. 
* Po.   
This is a wicked, witless love, not to be winked at:  
Since thou dost know, and see thy sin, and use to wink at that:  
What mean thou, in others faults, so pearsantly to pry  
With eagles sight, or Epidaurs 
Epidaure taken for all kind of sir pents,  that subtle serpent's eye?  
But if in case, an other carp▪ sum crime he sees in thee,  
He is too rash, and undiscreet, and no good fellow he.  
A sheep, a very jesting stock, he treads his shoe awry,  
His gown sits slack, his head unkempte, vn●…uyle, by and by.  
But he his good, and godly to, and one that wills the well,  
And though his body be not brave, great wit may in himdwell.  
Well, rifle thou thy conscience, and look thou be not led  
With any vice, which nature hath, or custom in the bred.  
In fields unforowde fruit is none, for brakes all over grows:  
To blow retreat, and to return from whence my matter flows:  
If we do strongly love a thing, and like it very much,  
Though faults in it be evident, yet we will see none such.  
I would in race of amity such dotage we might use,  
And that virtue by honest name, such curtsy would excuse.  
For as the father for ill shape, his son doth not disdain:  
So friends, at times must bear with friends, though faults to them remain.  
" The son he squynts, the father saith, he hath a pinking eye,  
His legs misshapde, the father saith, his leg but stands a wry.  
The parent's pleasure much to praise, and prattle to the lad,  
Thy foot is very great (saith he) thy foot is swelled to bad.  
" Hast thou a friend that diets hard? Well, call him thrifty then:  
" Hast thou a friend, a bragging lout? call him a jolly man,  
" The king of fellows amongst friends, for him no better name.  
" Hast thou a friend with face of brass, that brags without all shame?  
" count him of stern, and haughty heart, that well dare speak his mind,  
That will not flatter, nor yet fear, how soever blows the wind.  
If he be subtle, call him sage, if wily, call him wise:  
This, thisis it, that wins thy friends, and won in friendship ties.  
But we, full ill construction, of virtue self do make,  
And eftsoons do eclipps the praise, that's due for virtues sake.  
" For, if with us be conversant sum humble. lowly soul,  
" We call him goose, and disarde dolt, and foully fatted noll.  
" Add if a man deal waryly, and bear himself upright  
" Amongst such folk as foster fraud, and practise slyly slight,  
" For name of skilful, witty man, and one that takes good heed▪  
" He is a deep dissembling man, and crafty for his meed,  
" If that a man can not conceal, but tell his verdict free,  
" (As I Maecenas patron mine, have done full oft to thee:)  
" If that he speak to one that's whish●…, or looketh on his book,  
" Or talk not all in print, or tune, (say we) this cods head, (look)  
" This ass, doth want his common sense. woes me and out, (alas)  
How do we aggravate such laws, as 'gainst ourselves doth pass?  
For faultless (doubtless) borne is none, and he is even the best,  
Whose life sincere admitteth fiew, and with the least is pressed.  
A frindely man, (as meet it is) the good with bad will weigh,  
If much be bad, and more be good, let soulderde friendship stay.  
Let us in equal balance pai●…e, and do as we would have:  
Wouldst thou thine own offences cloak? in others faults not rave.  
It is but right, that mum should mum. and pardon, pardon crave.  
For short, in that the vice of wrath will be our tenant still,  
And brutish part of modie mind, will lodge affections ill:  
Why do we not by reasons rule, and by proportion just,  
Dame of the crime as it is done, and mulct it as we must?  
If that the master bid his man, from board to take a dish,  
The man doth sipple up the broth, or feed on broken fish:  
His master hangs him strait upponte: who will not hold him mad 
Labio a lavish toungued lozel. who still was barking at August thereupon counted mad.   
As Labeo? and why not thou as frantic, and as bad?  
Thy friend offends, and grants his guilt, thou wilt him not forgive,  
What art thou then? a testy churl, great pity thou shouldst live.  
If thou him hate and shun his sight, (as Drusos' debtors do)  
Thou shalt be dressed, like Drusos' self, he for to lend to more, 
A credito●…,   
Doth shear, and shave, and poll, and press, well, when his audit comes,  
When he most hopes of bestrecept, and to suruewe his sums,  
Then, gawlye words (for fear of stripes (when he his coumpts hath red)  
He doth put up, with cap, and knee, at those which from him fled.  
Evander comes unto my house, 
A good fellow  perhaps, he drinks to much,  
Or breaks a jug, or stains my gown, or eats my dyat, such  
As was prepared, and placed for me, is he the less for this,  
A merry grig, a jocande friend, for every silly miss?  
Should I go baull a main at him, as he had piekde my purse,  
Or me descried, his pledge denied or done sum thing, that's worse?  
Who almost hath at any time thought faults of equal weight▪  
Philosophers, (that bookish brood) may teach the thing by sleight  
But skill, and practise counterplea, and profit it denies,  
Profit, the nurse of just, and right, as time, and sequel tries.  
When man abandoned first the earth, 
justice ra●…her by profit then nature,  and scraulde out of the mould,  
(Adum unwyldye creature) through hunger and through could,  
For food, and harbour 'gan they fray: at first, with tooth and nail,  
And then, with clubs, and then with swords, which use had taught t'assail:  
Whilst words, ambasdors of the heart for to bewray the mind  
Were putin ure: and names applied, then to conserve their kind,  
They ceaste from wars: made rear up walls: and pounding laws did make,  
That none should ●…lche, nor any rob, that nene should wedlock break.  
For, or that cities had their walls, or Helen came to Troy,  
Have women bathed the world in blood, (the cause of dire annoy)  
But of the slain was no record. they ranged, in eatche where,  
No spousailes known more, brute than beasts, the make knew not his fear.  
The mightiest man, like Bull in herd, did wreak the meaner sort:  
Thus, grant you must, that fear of wrong, set lady law in fort.  
If thou wilt calendar in mind, the consequents of tides,  
By noting long dissent of time, in what effect it glides:  
Well mayst thou see, that nature telleth, What like, what leave we must,  
Yet nature hath no policy, to sever wrong from just.  
But reason beareth stroke in that: and profit patrons right,  
If reason reel, than profit pants, reason saves both, by might,  
And as she doth, so will not she use argument, that he  
Which stealth from hedge, and stealth from church, in like offence should be.  
Let discipline alle●…ied be in measure to the vice,  
When light correction may take place, far not in tyrants wise:  
Ne yet, when great outrage is wrought, with ferule do not strike.  
Where justice slakes, there fear decays, when thou mak'st all faults like,  
As purloyninge, with burglary, or robbing by the way,  
Trespass with crime, doth not thy doume foredome to us, and say?  
That thou indeed, in like effect, wouldst execute the thing,  
If choice, by voice, had host the up, invested once a King:  
A king, each stoic is a king, for stoics all be wise:  
And, wisdom is itself a wealth: Through wealth do princes rise:  
wisdom is all: but thou art wise: then safely, be of cheer,  
Thou art fair, strong, and eke a king, a cobbler though thou were.  
What wilt thou more? Sto: yes, Chrysip says, the wise man mends no moil,  
Nor soles no shoes: Poe: lo, thus thou weens to turn me to a toil.  
The wise man, though he leave the act, reteynes the art, as how?  
Hermogines sings not at all: Yet music he doth know.  
Alfenus made away his tools, broke shop up long a go,  
Is he not an artificer, or not a craft man, thou?  
The wise knows most, who knoweth moste must bear awayethe name  
Of faculty: debar him not, but let him have the same:  
To rule a realm in faculty, which, none but wise can tell:  
If they can rule, though they rule not, Kings are they by this spell.  
The stoic wise: the wise can rule: to can, is full as much  
As though he did: a Realm he can: then, let his name be such.  
Can rule, is rule: none can but wise: the stoic only wise:  
The stoic therefore only king by this so straight a size.  
Yea stoic, art thou create king, then must thou maintain port: 
Wit alone insufficient in regality, if it be bereft of other solemn and laudable appertinents.   
Else, wags in streets will twitch thy beard and make at the a sport.  
Except thou take the to thy hands, and fence the with a stick:  
they'll make the burst for agony, in crowding the so thick.  
And thou a wise, witpuisaunt king, that holds thy crown by wit:  
Shalt be enforced, to howl and cry, (for such a state unfit.)  
In brief, when thou a king at meals, dost rise, or sit the down,  
So sore precise thou art that none will bide thee, but sum clown.   ●…ryspine. 
But if that I miscarye aught, my friends will make the best,  
So I to them, so they to me, and this engendereth rest.  
Thus, do I pass my pleasant days and fear no stormy thing,  
This private life I would not change with thee, pretenced king.   

He Defendeth Himself, against those who had reported him to have been slanderous, sharp and corrosive: He toucheth Lusilius Not to condemn his doings, but to have them amended Heprofesseth to speak against no man, upon superfluity or disease of the brain, but upon a mere frankness, and liberty of the mind: specially, he rebuketh them, which will kick and resist when they should be cured.  
The fourth satire  

THe Poet Aristophanes Eupolis, and Cratine,  
And ancients more, whose interludes are saust with sayings fine,  
If any person were mislyude in theft or lechers lore,  
Or where a roisting quarreler, they would display him so re,  
Hence, Lusill boroud all his vain, those precedents he took,  
The matter sharp, the feet but changed, the form full sleek did look.  
In deed, the sense was too to tart, within an hours space,  
Two hundredth verses he would make, thought he, a gift of grace.  
And would not move his foot with al. But huddle he would roll,  
To half might well been scummed of, an idle chatting soul.  
A milk sop long to pen a work, much more to pen it well,  
The length is not material, the escapes he must expel.  
Cri●…pinus, that great length lover with finger doth me call,  
And darreins combats, if I dare: should Crispin me appall?  
Nay, there's my glove give velom here, give judges, time, and place,  
Let's see which one can more indite, and with a better grace.  
Well have the gods appointed me, of no courageous wit,  
And speaking seld that I ne should, confound the fool with it.  
But thou (sir Crispin) in thy mind, assembles fancies oft,  
As bellows sup and beltch out winds, to make the iron soft.  
O learn not so to puff and blow, saint Fannie follow well,  
That thou bestowed in surly tomb 
Fannie an arch Ass or blockhead in whose memorial was erected a block.  thy statues here may dwell.  
As for my works oblivion will raze them out of mind:  
A few or none that will, or dare behold them can I find.  
Wot you not why? corrosive style, is corsie to the eye.  
They dream a thing that blamed here, their counterfeit should lie.  
They dream a truth for find me one, amongst the sons of men:  
" But love of goods, or love of rule, doth fond him now and then.  
" Sum live catesnd in Cupid's chains, and sum love blazing gold,  
And sum a sum of silver white, or curraunte metal would.  
Sume keep exchange from east, to West, and sore upon the Seas:  
Toast and retoste, (like wherlwynd dust eking their own disease  
For maintain a unce of gotten stock, or else to make it more.  
All these do stand in awe of rhymes, and hate the Poets sore.  
The Poet's prune, beware (say they) that they may jest their fill,  
They spare no speech, they spare no friend, fools lavish, and to ill.  
And if their toys in letters limed be printed once in book:  
Then all the world must take the view, and all sorts on them look.  
If this be true: then hark again, I am no Poet, I.  
No Poet such as is discryude, am not I so? and why?  
Not hea Poet, that can make an halting huddling verse:  
Nor he in paltry daily talk that can his tale rehearse.  
Him Poet dub, whose wit is sharp, whose mind doth mount on high,  
Whose throat is shrill in trumpet wise, to couch men's acts in sky.  
Therefore demand hath once been made, if comedies might be  
A poecye, sithence in them the spirit puffs not free.  
No gourgiouse sound in word or sense, save that in verse it runs:  
From prose it differs but by foot, but (lo) the father burns  
In pelting chafe, for that his son on wantoness madded is,  
And leaves a spouse of noble dower, this breeds a tempest, this.  
And that with torch n twylightinge he treads the romye streets,  
How say you have not comedies their vigours, and their spriteses.  
Old Pomponie, if he had lived, what stir now would he keep, 
Pomponius an impacien▪ niggard.   
(thing comical) because his son, is drow in debt so deep?  
And what though father Pomponie should grate his gall in twain,  
Affection makes no poecie, but lusty, lofty vain.  
It's not enough to pen a verse, in vernishde words and pure,  
Each word alone must have his sound, and seem not to demure.  
Those simple words playmakers use, those use Lusill and I.  
So nice, so neat, so numberouse▪ that all's not worth a fly.  
Disorder but the gliding gate, the words appeareth ●…ame,  
No gloze there is of majesty, not such as in this same.  
Fowl moodi Mars broke brazen bars bore bolstered boulwarkes back.  
These words transposde, yet each one hath of Poesy a smack:  
And thus much now, an other time if rhymes allowed may be.  
But now, why should this kind of style, be so suspect in me.  
Promoters seek, and peer each where, and use to work much woe,  
Accusing and molesting men, wheresoever they do go,  
Feared, and much adread of thieves and losels lose of life,  
Not feared of those that pilfer not, nor broach no brabbling strife.  
Admit thou wart a naughty pack, as divers other be, 
* Birrus and Cest●…s, for all naughty packs.   
I am not one that doth promote, why art thou frayed of me?  
My verses give no gaze from walls, ne yet in taverns fly,  
Not Tigell nor such alegunners my works do overprye.  
I show them but to very friends, and at their great request:  
Not to each hobb, nor every where. sum be that think it best,  
Their quaint devices to proclaim, in market, ●…ayre, and mart:  
To read them grave, & sound them brave, and to unfold their art.  
Such pleasure have pride practisers, who do it not to mend,  
Nor learn a decency in things, for no such honest end.  
A mallipert a merchant I of malice (thou wilt say)  
I use this talk: whence issued this, 'gainst me that thou dost lay?  
Or which of my companions hath this instilde to thee?  
Who pincheth at his friend, not priest, or if he burned be,  
Doth not allevyate his blame, who scoffs to make men smile,  
Who plies for to be plausible, and doth his flowtinge file,  
Who can invent things never mente, who nothing can conceal:  
Such one is noughts, beware of him, and naught to him reveal.  
sometimes, at table thou shalt see a dozen more or less,  
Each seeking each ortwharte the thumbs with taunts, and terms to dress.  
Their host they spare, for manner sake, till Bacchus tide be up:  
Then out must all, mine host, mine host is scanned at every ●…up.  
Railing thou hates, yet dost thou count railers but merry men,  
Good fellows, frank, and free of speech: If I have jested then,  
At Rufills taste Gorgonies smell, (two paragons of pride)  
I am no freatinge ghost therefore, nor slaundrouse, all things tried.  
If chance we talk of Petills' prancke●… how he from tower stole,  
A massy piece of bullion gold, (to twine thy tale in hole)  
Thou shaps it thus: (as is thy trade) Petille, I know him well,  
I have sum cause to speak for him, for he and I did dwell  
Of children little in one house, my fellow, and my friend,  
Much hath he done for me at times, I found him ever kind.  
And yet I marvel how he could rub out this trespass so.  
(Lo) here a crafty postles part, 
Logille a fish whit without and black within.  lo here a Logille lo  
Ha, false malignant wreaking mind, this vice I do expel▪  
As cancre fret, from heart and book, most true it is I tell,  
For certainty I like it not, then licence me the more,  
To guess aloufe, not hard to scratch but claw about the sore.  
My father, he did usually, dehort me from this sin,  
By manifold examples, which, through talk he would bring in.  
Still warning me not to ingrate, nor seek not much to live,  
But thryftylye, contentedly enjoy that he would give. 
Old Horace his talk. Albie and Barns Scatter goods.   
Mayst thou not see young Albie now how he is cumde to naught,  
backbiting Bar most beggarlike? Ingrayle them in thy thought.  
Two precedents, that thou ne shouldst thy fathers good misspend.  
But when he would dehort from love, his talk was to this end.  
Dissemblable to Sectans sort, 
Sectan wanton and amou rouse. So Trebon.  no brothelmonger be,  
Keep wedlock chaste, let Trebons' name be warning unto thee.  
The wise men with their morals sage, by reason could the guide,  
sufficeth me that I can give, such counsel as I tried.  
And if my saws in time take place, for teacher hast thou none,  
When groweth, and years shall make the man, youths shipwreck will be gone.  
Thus would he turn my pliant youth, and what he wild in word,  
For pattern he would bid me mark, The life of sum good Lord.  
So, if he would inhibit me, that is no godly deed  
My son (saith he): and here upon, sum foul report will breed.  
For even like as when neighbours die, the sick-man's changing lust,  
For fear doth stay, and is content, to come to diet just:  
So skilless youth to see defame of others, may take heed,  
And slip not into vices snare, nor listen to her reed.  
Hereby I stayed my tempting age, and did no heinous sin  
In easy crimes, and venial I have been trapped in.  
And these, (no doubt) will wain a way and ebb, as they did rise,  
By help of years, by friends reproof and by mine own advice.  
As I lie in my bed sometimes, on matters thus I muse,  
Thrifte would do thus, right doth dissuade that I should thus me use.  
Thus could I make my cheerful friends: this was a foolish part:  
Was I so fondly overseen? a fool soon flings his ●…arte,  
Thus do I mutter in my m●…nde, Ere while at cards I play,  
(A fault, amongst the meaner faults) forgive me, Thou sa●…este na●….  
Then Poets all preas on▪ preas on help at a pinch: no dreed●…,  
We be so ryotouse a rout▪ who sa●…es but we shall speed?  
As jews do measure all by might 
The multitude cannot be led from their fancies, no not for truths sake,  that none dare them forsake:  
So we by number will men force, in league with us to take▪    

The fif●…e Satire, which the Poet had written of his journeying ●…o and fro, wholly altered by the translator.  

Friend Horace though you may me use as to translate your verse,  
Yet your exploit I do refuse, at this time to rehearse.  
Not every trick nor every to●…e, that flo●…th from your brain.  
Are incident into my pen, nor worthy of my pain  
If all be true, that sum surmise, for divers think it good,  
To have di●…criude the clattering broils, of Mavors' raging wood:  
Or for to know the climates high, to climb unto the sk●…es:  
To view the stars their placing eke and how they set and rise.  
Or for to read the quiddityes and queerks of logic dark,  
To hear the babbling sophisters, how they for nought can bark,  
Or for to write things natural, things mystical and geason:  
The harmony of elements how they accord by reason.  
To start up in astrology, the casuals of men  
To limit, and forlote by art, to show by whom, and when,  
Things were conveyed: and to erect through what aspect, and why  
Pompey abroad, Cesar at home, were fortuned to die.  
To tell how man a creature, of reasonable mind  
Is sociable, apt, and fit to company by kind.  
To read the sacred histories of man how he began:  
How first he fell, through whom he fell, what of himself he can.  
To learn the helps of holy tongue, the doctors to peruse:  
To coarse the schoolmen 〈◊〉 they lie, and Horace to refuse.  
Those cackling pies, that use to prate so much against humanity.  
Are commonly the lewdest daws, and skilless in divinity.  
The antic fathers used it much, th'apostle doth the same:  
Now all must down in pulling down that fools may get a name.  
Some innovation▪ must be made, or change of used things  
Needs must there be: when all would pass, and all would needs be kings.  
Moses' in writing his five books confearde with profane time,  
Yet few or none, that I have hard, appeached him of crime.  
From Egypt we may borrow still, it never was forbade,  
So it be for the weal of man, and glory of our God.  
To read sole scriptures is, I grant, a thing of lesser pains,  
And those that fain would have it so, would have it so for gains:  
Unable for to get of tongues, or sciences a skill,  
Then cry they sole divinity, as though the rest were ill.  
divinity is glorious, and they but idle praters,  
Gainste whose outrage, a man might we●… write forty godly satires.  
The wise can read humanity, and beautify their wit,  
Whilst fools sit tattling to and to in talking against it.  
A good divine might the translate (Horace) I can it prove:  
Who so denies, I do not doubt to cast him down my glove.  
And yet such is the matter now whereon thou dost endite,  
That I must play the poet needs, and wots not what to write.  
Thy laurel green betake to me, thy gown of scarlet read,  
And prove a novice how I can in after steps I tread.  
Feign me to have a Poet's art, a native Poet's brain:  
A very Poet, saving that I use not for to feign.  
Dames of Pernas of Helicon, whence Paegas horse did fly:  
(If yours it be) grant this to me, in process notto lie.  
Nay, thou O truth, both God and man of whom I stand in awe:  
Rule over my words, that I ne pass the compass of thy law.  
What should I write against wickedness how sin hath all the hire:  
How wights are wed to wretchedness, captives to their desire?   jeremy. 
The Prophets have bewailed that, and he whose voice so shrill:  
Both heaven and earth with plaintiff tune, and dolours deep did fill.  Christ. 
The truth himself when he was here did truly things foretell:  
And wept to see the sorry plagues, that afterward befell.  
If they moved few, if few would mark the words of such like men:  
How may the silly Satirists hope for amendment then?  
In vain for me to stir or keep a racket with my rhymes:  
The sons of men, will still be men and pliant to the times.  
What should I write, against wickedness? the world by her advice  
Hath brought to pass, that most believe, there is no kind of vice.  
For covetise is coloured, and though the Prophet king  
Damn usurers, yet still we see more practice of the thing.  
Dame Gluttony is to to high: she keeps in stately halls,  
And gurmundise is fellowship, for so the world it calls.  
So lust is now a lordly thing, and swearing hath a grace,  
Forswearinge covered under zeal, (alas) the cursed case.  
What should one write, dissembling dawe●… (a wondrous tale to tell)  
The better birds of noble price by creaking would e●…pell.  
The popish daws, whom all men knows, To be still black of hue,  
Do swear themselves best protestants, and birds that's only true.  
What should I write? by colour all true titles they do steal,  
And cover thousand treacheries, under pretenced zeal.  
To know the matter perfectly, to understand it well:  
Mark here what precise Commod●…; to Pertinax doth tell.  
Think Commodus to be such one, as covertly in heart  
Doth worship all Idolatry, and minds not to convert.  
And yet through show of godly zeal, our church would quite deface.  
To help the popish kingdom up, and to retain his place.  
Think Pertinax a peui●…he imp, an imp of popish line,  
Who still w●…ll be a Catholic, though all the books divine,  
Do prove his church an heretic. Sir Commodus keeps still  
In England for commodity: Sir Pertinax he will  
To lovayne, to the mother church, but how they both have s●…ed,  
Perceive that by their proper talks, and what lives they have led.  
The hunger waxeth sharp and keen, in Flemmishe barren land,  
And Pertinax bet home with pine, takes Commodus by the hand.  Pertinax. 
God save you gentle Commodus, how have you fared long  Commodus. 
Na●… verily even as you see, well liking fat, and strong,  
Of credit never better I: what urgent cause doth make  Pertinax. 
You at this time fron●…sacred soil, your journey for to take?  
When we went to the holy town, from English flock infect,  
Our want was wealth, and coin at will, we were an happy sect.  
But our long stay, was our decay, men grudgd to give us more:  B, Sali●…. 
And S●…rum with his subtle book hath cropte our credit sore▪  
Before, we gave a countenance, to all the world so wide:  
That ou●… intent was wholly bend, to have our quarrel tried.  
Such cautels had we to bear of, that who 'gainst us did write,  
We swore he was fallen from the Church, of giddiness or spite.  
We bore them down that they were nought rash, railing, and ill spoken,  
Lewd, and unlearnde: but now our stythe of forgery is broken.  
Sarum hath walkde so war●…ly, (it gr●…uethe m●… to name him)  
That most of men do see his truth, we wot not why to blame him.  
Now they despair our prostrate cause, and of our safe return:  
And suffer us in beggary, (Ah silly case) to mourn.  Commodu●…. 
Ah silly case, nay silly fools, you might have lived here,  
In wealth and bliss, and even as there, have kept your conscience clear▪  Pertinax. 
In de●…de your letter writ▪ to me, did signify no less:  
But how that you can use it so, I would you should express.  
Since I came last into the realm, it was told me of truth,  
That you above the rest of men, use to be fretting wroth  
With ceremonies, is it so? jesus, what shoul●…e one hope,  
They say that you do cast them o●…, as brought in by the Pope.  
Can you speak so precisely here: and bear us so in hand?  
You are no doubt no Catholic as now the case doth stand.  
No catholic: Ah Pertinax thou art a merry man.  Commodus 
I speak, I grant against the pope, and speak the worst I can,  
And profit him, yet more than you, (perhaps ye give to muse)  
But hark to me, and listen well what practice I do use.  
When you did cut the salt sea foam, with framed timber board,  
And yeade to Louvain there to hear, the Latin romish word,  
Then stormi●…ge in my thoughtful breast, and sharp beset with cares,  
In mortal waves I wandered still, in maze of my affairs.  
Fear cast in all extremities. what should I do, thought I?  
To sanctuary of papists to Louvain should I fly?  
That were away to beggar m●… to bring me unto need:  
And in so doing, I should work, the mother church small meed.  
●…neas came into my mind, that fiend himself a Greek,  
And by that means made many souls, Lord Dis' hall to seek.  
He can not h urte his foe the most that keeps the furst away:  
I was resolved to keep me close, and see a further stay,  
I said my wounded conscience did prickle more and more,  
And wished after some of skill to remedy my sore.  
I said my doubt was dangerous, and therefore fain would have  
Some clerkly man, of insight deep, within the same to rave.  
This was the t●…nour of my ●…ale, that I would common feign,  
If some learned man on tother side, would take on him the pain.  
The Protes●…ants be merciful, and glad to win us all:  
In brief the chief would me at length to common with them call.  
Their reasoning was to and fro, to win me if they could:  
And I began as debonair, to render up the hold.  
Now hearken (old friend Pertinax) what was the speedy key:  
To ope the lock of credit's fort, for me to bear a sway.  
He that was counted too to fierce and angry with the Pope,  
I went to him, and prayed him o●…te my conscience for to grope.  
Parted from him, I would protest, and openly would say:  
That such one was the greatest clerk that was on live this day.  
He that was holden most of zeal, and to the world the best:  
Him would I pra●…se above the son, and so I purchased rest.  
No more demand made of my fay●…he. I feigned me very ●…elous  
Of other men, and said they were drawebackes, and nothing zealous.  
And still I praised my con●…essours, and made them so to ●…well,  
Such pulpit hornetts by my means, That none durst with them mell.  
And what that they to feed their mind, Or choler else would speak:  
I maintained it with tooth and nail, in all that I could creak.  
Then was I dubde as true precise, and faithful by and by,  
And none was counted hot enough, save he, and he, and I.  
I whysperde to and fro a pace, and played my part so free:  
That quarrels stepped up fast and fast, A noble game to see.  
And that the rest might learn to stoop, and I might grow up still:  
An other fetch by piecemeal, I into them did instill.  
My master listen well (quoth I) take keep, what I shall say.  
Me thinks this church, this english church is clogged at this day  
With ceremonies, more than needs, to tell you at a word,  
I would have all thing s just, as they were left us by the Lord  
This knew I was the dainty e dish, that so their passions fed:  
I am not now to learn I trow, to bring a babe to bed.  
Now whether for true conscience, or else that they might seem  
Sole gospelers, and that the world, might so of them esteem:  
Or else through our suggestions, they gnawed so this bone,  
That O good God, I would to God they had been let alone.  
Nay trust me truly Pertinar men would have been full fain,  
To thrust out all those gospelers, and send for you again.  
How say you, was not this a drift▪ and that a drift of hope?  
Am I not now, as league as you, to our good Lord the pope?  
If there were talk of gospels grace, of frankness of our liberty,  
Then would I whet my tongue to speak, against the gift of policy.  
And that our service was consumed only in adoration▪  
Whereas the prime church used one prayer, the rest in e xhortation.  
That ministers, (why should they not?) might go even like the rest.  
In suits of silk, in chains of goldd, apparelde with the best.  
That ministers might take and leave their orders when they would:  
I went about to make all nought by all the means I could.  
This was my greatest ●…nchoure hold, I ever cast it thus:  
The worse it fared with their church, the better much for us.  
Untoward case unlucky case, Ah Pertinar I say  
(As erst I said) a trump a trump was cast down in our way.  
And he that cast it, hath surueyde. and marked our cards so well▪  
That all our drifts is now fordone, and you abroad must dwell▪  
As for myself, who but myself I never felt like ease:  
Not stoutest of the protestants dare me in ought displease.  
I made my match I trow with such, as dare not but upbeare me▪  
What if I know their guilty pranks, and thereupon they fear me?  
Those wring, and wrest the meaner sort, whose minds and tongues are free,  
And so imbecile all their strength, that they are nought to me.  
I now can dub a protestant, and eke disdubbe again:  
And make a Papist graduate, if he will quite my pain.  
livings are mine, givings are myn●…, the countenance is mine:  
Promotions come to me alone, or where I will assign.  
Yea Pertina●… if thou wilt come, of Labyrinth ne dread,  
I can conduct th●…e safe and sound, by virtue of a thread  
I know who plays the cat, and how her jolly kittles mouse's,  
I and my patrons leave small ●…ore, in some right famous houses.  
And if there be not speedi●… help. against me▪ and my fools.  
I'll drive their Gospel from the church, and learning from the Schools.  
In deed I study hard myself, but to what end or why?  
That I might get the greatest fee, and put all others by.  
As now I am, I could not wish almost a better stay:  
If the precise creep up agayn●…, I know my wont play  
In the mean time I tell them plain they are the greatest clerks,  
And that for their great constancy, the total world them marks.  
Yea, I can tell them clawyngly (but that is in their ear.)  
That those which have deposed them thus, are persecutors clear.  
And if that some by policy, in time do not prevent them,  
I'll egg them on to speak some thing, which spoken may repent them.  
Well if that those get up again, I keep my jolly stay:  
And if sir Pertinax you come, I will not go away.  
So that come papist, or precise, or formal conformable,  
The precisde Papist keep his room, like promontory stable.  
And yet, if thou as palpable, my conscience couldst grope,  
Of honesty, I am full true, unto my lord the Pope.  
May haps when I have filled my pur●…, 
●…haklockes profession.  with taking all this pain.  
I will go turn from Commodus to Pertinax again.  Pertina●…. 
What Commodus, thou turns thyself as one should turn the groat,  
Turn round, or else thou will be spied in turning oft thy coat.  
because you talked of groping erst, how chanced it heretofore,  
That you against the blessed Pope, so solemnly have swore.  
Speak out man, are you in a dump? how durst you so far go?  Commod●… 
juravi lingua, sed men●…em non iuratam gero.  
I told them then, I spoke with tongue. but never mente it so.  Pertina●… 
Why do you hear their service still, a thing of such abusion?  Commodus, 
I could not else abide with them, to help them to confusion.  Pertinax. 
What say you to the precise flock, are they resolved that way?  Commodu●… 
Sum part of them is like myself, the conformable say  
That half of those which busily against those order's clatter,  
Are Papists rank: as those may see which will survey the matter.  Pertina●… 
Why do they make so strait account of things that be but mean?  Commodus 
Pythagoras, why did he put man's soul within a bean?  Pertinax 
What if yourself for not wearing hereafter may be wrung?  Commodus 
Tush man I made them long ago, a very Aesop's tongue  Perrtinax. 
Since you against these churchly rites so long and sore did winch,  
How could you now resume again so buxom at a pinch?  Commodus 
I said (as oft I use to say) that I was very poor,  
Nathlesse would give tone half I ha●… that I might wear no more.  Pertinax. 
I go to help a papist now, that gins for to recant,  
And I go now, for to molest a silly protestant.  Commodus 
O noble force of flattery, Farewell old fellow mine,  
But so farewell that you keep close and come to me do dine.  Translator. 
Farewell a pair of hellish impe●… of cankered Satan's race:  
For you are enemies unto God, And his in every place.  
The true precise, none do despise, but all men know it well,  
That they in learning and good life, most commonly excel.  
Not one of us, but wills them well to keep their godly name.  
Nor ever thought to prejudice, or to eclipse the same.  
Some be so wise by Papists guile, they can not be abused:  
Yet Commodus hath fonded some, it can not be excused.  
If I should write of Commodus, the crafts of such like men,  
The trickling tears for hearty grief would overload my pen.  
But none will look to Commodus, he bears the bell away,  
Some guerdon due for his desert, The Lord will send one day.  
The world is blearde with dusking shoes, and daselde with a gloze:  
But I appeal unto the wise, and crave redress of those.  
Come what can come, how much can come, I am at stay in mind:  
Their net of zeal, wherewith they steal, for ever to unwind.  
Since God and our liege Sovereign bulwarks to Truth do stand:  
We fear not Commodus his craft, nor Pertinax his hand.   

❧ The Poet rebuketh those which do commend vices in the nobility, and do judge such worthy to bear rule, as also those which think, that none base borne ought to have any access to promotion. He speaketh to Maecenas, and commendeth him as one which hath respect only to virtue and godly qualities.  
The sixth Satire.  

NOt due descent from haughty house, nor thine Hetrurie land,  
(Mine own good Lord) doth cause thy name and honour still to stand.  
Not father's sire not mothers sire ●…wo cheu●…tant sin the field:  
(About whose bann●…rs such a rout of lusty bloods bare shield.)  
Induce thee to be insolent. (as most of gentry be)  
To make a mock of meaner men, for thou acceptest me.  
Whose father was enfranchised, and saist, it doth not skill  
Of pedigree, so that our own demeanour be not ill.  
Of this full well thou art resolved before king Tully 'gan 
Tullus a soppressor of ver tue.   
So tyrannous a monarchy imbeceling freedom, than  
By virtues spray, the basest borne might be the noblest man.  
Levinus, he whose ancestors 
Levynus a great gentleman hated of the people for his naughtiness notwithstanding ●…the great admyration they have to gentry.  king Tarquin drove away:  
Through life corrupt, and rainlesse youth did work his fame's decay.  
Neglected of the commoners, who only do admire  
Nobility, and none but them to honours would aspire.  
If it be so that lawless pranks Yea nobles, discommendeth:  
Who will praise us of base blood except our life amendeth?  
For what if Levyn were esteemed and Decie were not so?  
Levyn a lout and Decie stout, 
Decius' base borne.  Yet Levins kindred tho,  
Might be induction to the rude, to deem of him so well.  
If that the counsels Precedent, perchance should me expel, 
Appius.   
From Senate house, for vulgar stock, This colour would he make,  
" That base must bide in base, room for civil profits sake.  
" But glittering glory ravisheth the poor and princely state:  
" And pleasures not a jot at length: let Tully spell his fate▪  
" He might have passed his time in peace declining lordly life,  
" His royal robes razed rancour up, and rancour termelesse strife.  
" such is the world, who bears the sway assuredly is scanned,  
" How he came up, what parentage, what was his father's land.  
For as the younger that would seem most handsome and most brave,  
Doth make the more to mark the more if he such features have:  
So▪ who so thinks to rule in realms, and aufull sway to bear,  
To place, displace, to dub, disdubbe, to keep the costs in fear:  
The rifling of his pedigree, must think erewhile to hear.  
Durst thou (say they) a beggars brat, in such outtaking rage  
Take on thee thus to head the pear, to hang, and draw the page?  
Novie would be a counsellor, 
Novie a petifobber Paulus & Massala.  in law I pass him far.  
Though not like some of fyled tongue to parley a case at bar,  
But, he can set a face of it, with his forpenned tail,  
In solemn sights he thunders so, that fauters never fail.  
Let me speak well, speak what I can, They laugh me still to scorn:  
He is to base to rule (say they,) in deed to basely borne.  
Now grudge they me, because I am becomde your household guest▪  
Before, because in war and field my rule was next the best.  
Things much unlike for be it so, that honours envied be,  
As fortunes gifts, yet may I well be suppliant to thee:  
Which art by choice of pondering wi●…e, of friends provided (lo)  
Not rou●…erakers, nor rent rackers, nor stained with vices more.  
I dare not say that fortune could have wrought me such a bliss,  
Not loreles chance, but Virgil's lore, did help me up to this.  
First Virgil's voice, then Varies praise your presence did procure:  
At mine income, I lowted low, And muttred full demure,  
For bashful shame did still my vo●…e, and much abridge my talk:  
Therefore in blazing of my blood▪ my tongue it doth not walk.  
Nor how that I do mount on mule, in country gawyshe games:  
I platly power out my mind, thou answer also frames  
In brief and few, such is thy wont▪ and after certain days,  
Thou calls me home, and calls me frend●…, and thus my grief alleys.  
A joy to have Maecene my friend, who good from bad doth part,  
" Not by dissent, but life well led, and ballast breast with art.  
" For if with slender single sinne●… and those but very few▪  
" My vprigh●… nature be infect: (as if in cum mlye hue  
" A wart or twain be evident) it is not much to rue.  
If gayngroper or muckmunger, I can not proved be,  
Nor spent my youth in dalliance, the case is well with me.  
And be in charitable life, with all and every friend:  
I thank my father for this gear, he sent me to this end.  

* Flavius.  He sent me not to lawyer's shop: to learn accounts to cast,  
To be recorder, auditor, to know to fetch in fast:  
Nor as the gentles send their sons, to cha●…ter in a plea,  
Professing law, learn lawless life, and sail in riotes Sea.  
But like the babes of noble birth, to Rome I was conducted,  
With lordly arts that might be seem the best, I was instructed.  
My garments such, retinue such that most men did believe,  
My gransyres goodds did stay the rou●…e, that hanged upon my s●…eue.  
My master grave, well studied, and much unlike a ●…orte  
Who dissolute at each small suit, do let their youth go sport.  
For few, as tip of all good name he ●…aughte me shamefastness,  
That shendful shame through word or fat●… did never me oppress,  
Not fearing, though I went to law, on him I should complain,  
Nor do: I can him hearty thank, and praise him, for his pain.  
Except I mad, I may be glad, eke of my parent base,  
And do mislike such kind of skuse which sum use in this case.  
pardy (say they) not our fault is, our parage is so mean:  
pardy, say I, my voice and heart doth go against that clean.  
For if that nature would and ●…oulde reclaim my dul●…et days,  
And bid me pick my parents out, 'mongst those, that bears the ●…ayes,  
Sum would no doubt bid me take one, that lifts the lofty mace,  
And praunceth in the purple throne: contented with my place  
I would not chau●…ge: the most of men, will think me straughte of wit,  
But you, can weigh th●… weighty state, and judge a right of it.  
" For▪ as authority is great, so substance must be great,  
" My viaundes great, my charges great, my friends I must entreat,  
" Some, one, or other, must I have where s●… that I be gone,  
To town or country far or near, a shame to be alone.  
My many much, my train of men, my geldings fat and fair,  
My wagons, coaches, hor●…elitters, for cost I must not spare.  
In city, I must set vppo●… me gold ●…espangled mule,  
In deeper way, a trounsinge steed, whom uneath ought can rule.  
Else sum will check me for my thry●…te, Lord Tullus so would thrive,  
Who Praetor would ride through the streets, his train no more but five.  
five pelting lads, (good senator) at least must wait on thee,  
And I may roam my mastershipp, wheresoever liketh me.  
Myself alone can chepen things, and make my market well,  
At even, and morn, in fair, or mart from thence to where I dwell:  
To such poor ●…ates, as I well like, my supper ready set,  
A pot of drink, a glass of oil, my household stuff not great.  
From that to bed, not crampte with care, of that which may betide,  
Nor bent to go a pilgrimage, for my great strife or pride.  
I rise at ease, walk forth at ease, and then a cast at book,  
All secretly, (a joy of joys at it to sit and look)  
For wearied with my bookish gaze, I noint with supple oil,  
My loytrous limbs and when sir Phebe with brand begins to broil:  
I wash my corpse in cool shade, my dyat ●…male and thin,  
Of pretty pittance, not so much as stomach would let in.  
I calculate the coursing stars, how each doth run, and rain,  
When noisome dog doth flame in rage, I come not at the bain,  
But sit at home: this is the life, so jolly, and so free,  
That cherisheth and cheereth up, and so recumforts me.  
As though my father, grandfather, and uncle erst had been,  
Lords treasurers, and le●…te me knight, and rich in childhood green.    

❧ A DERISION OF CHIding and brawling. The strife is betwixt Rupilius king of Preneste, and one Persius: a wonderful undecent thing, for a noble man to be a scoulder.  
The seventh satire.  

THe felon tongue of Rupilie, that t●…aytor mongrel king,  
How Persius hath dressed in kind, it is no novel thing.  
As common as the cart's way that. This Persie for the most,  
Did make his bode at ●…innia: with Rupilie at host  
With gybes, and glicks, and taun●…ing str●…fe a brawler sharp and sore  
Rash, arrogant, and by use had of r●…aldrye such store:  
That from a dozen cackling drabs, the bell he might have boar.  
Well, to the king like dog, and cat, these two did then agree,  
Like champions fell, their toylesum tongues they used as weapons free.  
For ●…che man seeks to noy his foe, (the old said saw doth tell,)  
With prows, and those martial feats, wherein he doth excel.  
Twixte Priam's haughty Hector, and corrag●…ouse A●…hill,  
So keen and mortal was their wrath, that he did Hector kill.  
And for no other cause I trow, but that, in those same twain,  
Like force in principality, and parfytnesse did rain.  
Dasterds will quickly part themselves, unequal if they be,  
(As Glaucus was to Diomedes) the weaker shrinketh, he  
Departs in peace as recreante, his ransom makes him free.  
Lord Brutus was lyeutenaunte, then of Asia the less,  
When Rupilie, and Persius, to combat do address,  
Like as two masters of the ●…ence, unshethe their blades of might,  
So these same two, tongue p●…isaunte knights, with scolding ginn the fight.  
The auditory numberouse▪ the Persie ●…nset gave,  
The people laugh, he praiseth Brute, and his retinue brave.  
Duke Brute, the son of Asia, his men he calls the stars,  
Bald Rupilie he rattles up, to combat if he dares.  
He called him hurtful hateful dog, to earth, a grievous sign,  
Like pleasant stream beset with wood, so flows his talk divine.   〈◊〉 
Then Rupile let issue out, his well ycouched words,  
Throughseasonde, as the drubled lakes, that keepeth aye in fords.  
So perfit and exact a scold, that women might give place,  
Whose tattling tongues, had won a wisp, to stand before their face.  
The Persie see his foe so fell, 
A railers' tongue insupportable, therefore not to be answered by words, but repressed by rigour of the magistrate.  and how he did him snape,  
Thought impossible to resist, ne wist he how to scape.  
Lord Brute (quoth he) my liege lord Brute▪ for all the gods above▪  
Thou that art wont to hasserd all, to win thy countries love,  
To wring the maces forth their hands, to daunt the dukes a down,  
Be wrekde, be wrekde (thy only praise) upon this doggish clown.   

❧ The garden God Priapus being erected as a watch to drive away birds and thieves, complaineth himself to be sore scared of the old Witch Canadie, her fellow sorcerers Sagana, and such like. He partly toucheth the manner of their practising.  
The eight Satire.  

I Was sometimes a very block, the body of a tree,  
The write uncertain what to make a stool, or God of me,  
His pleasure was to make me God, mine office is to fray  
Both birds & thieves, that would come filtche our fruit from hence away.  
As images (most commonly) the workmen use to make,  
To purchase ease, or wealth to men, and for their lucre sake.  
This orchard was a sepulchre indeed, a public grave,  
For Nomentane and Pantolabe▪ and every rascal slave.  
The plat of ground, was broad and square, and of a mighty length,  
Sum tombs there were right beautiful, and of a during strength.  
This place that was a dampish soil, and white, with dead men's bones,  
Is now a pleasant paradise, to walk in for the nonce.  
The velvet grass, the wholesome herbs, the trees in motley livery,  
Both art and nature have bestowed, abundantly their tapestry.  
I am molested very much with fowls, and cléeking thieves.  
Yet moste these charming sorcerers, undoubtedly me grieves:  
Who do with poison, and with spells, bereave men of their wits:  
I can not stay these mother mabbes, but they will charm by fits.  
When as the moon begins to show her young and comely face,  
They cum to gather dead men's bones, and hurtful herbs a pace.  
I saw myself old Canadie, about twelve of the clock, 
Canadie a witch.   
Bare foot, her locks about her head, Ytuckde in pukishe frock.  
She howled with on other hag, a colour sallow man  
Made them to look, like gastefull goosts, (good for to curse and ban)  
These two with teeth did rent in twain a lamb of blackish hue,  
The blood resorted to an hole, purple, and smoking new.  
Thence did they city the damned souls, from Pluto's palace large:  
The souls, that all things should expound, as it was given in charge.  
Stood statues two, the great of wool, of wax was made the less,  
The greater gurnde with visage grim, as though he would oppress  
The less, which lowered lowtishlye, dispairinge all redress.  
The one she called of Hecatie, King Pluto's chamber fear,  
The other called Tisephonie, that hath in spite no pear,  
Fiends, serpents, furies, hellish imps. the moon inflamed to read,  
Thou mights have seen, the witch's couch behind the tombs of dead  
For being spied, If that I lie, the daws defile my noll,  
And all the thieves of Rome cum in, and of my fruit take toll.  
What should I show particulars? by course how they did speak,  
The witch and goosts how they did howl, again how they did squeak,  
How they interred in the ground a speakled serpents hide:  
And hare of wolves, and by and by a flame there out did glide.  
And as the flame did grow in bulk, and 'gan for to increase:  
So did the waxed image (lo.) by small and small decrease.  
I marked the drabbishe sorcerers, and hard their dismal spell.  
The matter went so hard with me, (there was no other boot)  
I let a scape? Dame Cannadie she moved her aged foot,  
And trotteth on her way so hard, that all her téethe out fall:  
The other Trot lost her read hive, she hide her bush with all.  
There mights thou find their coniutde herbs, their threades, and knacks of art,  
And for to see the beldames scared, have laughed out thy part.    

❧ In general he controlleth people inquisitive, and importunable tattler, That he doth dialogue wise, and yet without naming of any person.  
The ninth Satire.  

I Chauncd, to room me in the streets, (as oft I use to do)  
Musing, I wot not of what toys, but scanning to and fro.  
Runs unto me a certain man, whom erst I uneath see.  
Embracing me, oh pleasant lad, how mights thou far (quoth he?)   Horace. 
Well at this time, and wish to thee, all that thou canst require.  
When as I see him haunt me still, I asked him his desire.  Str. 
Why pardy sir, know you not me? I am a great lernde man.  Horace. 
If it be so, I dame of you, so much the better than.  
lives fain, I would have left him there, and heruppon, I went  
Now swift, now slow, and told my boy trifles to none intent.  
In faith I was through bathed in sweat, and thought them in good case,  
That were well in their chamber set, or in sum secret place.  
When he would praise the town, or strets, I answered nought again.  
I see, (quoth he) you would that we were parted very feign.  
But all for nought, it may not be, I'll wait upon you now.  
(Quoth I) sir spare your coortesie, I have no need of you.  
I must go se, a friend of mine, whom you did never know,  
nigh Caesar's Orchards, yond Tiber he dwelleth far below,  Strange. 
No business I, needs must I walk, have with you for this day,  Horace 
Then (like the heavy lodened ass) mine ears down did I lay,  Stir: 
Sir if you knew my qualities, there is no reason why,  
Or Viske, or Varus should be more, entire to you then I. 
Viske, and Va rus two jolly Poets:   
For who, for number or for grace, dare mell with me in rhyme?  
Or who can dance so footingly, observing tune and time?  
I can sing so melodiously, that very Hermogene  
Would envy me, or if he hard would yield to me I ween.  Ho: 
I thought to interchaunge a word, thy mother liveth she,  
Or any of thy kinsfolk else, that standeth need of thee?  Str: 
In good time they are brought to stay, and I remain alone,  Horace 
Dispatch thou me, so it must be: for many years a gone,  
Sabella (I a very child) 
Sabella a-Prophetes.  did reed my drerye fate,  
In following form, with tender hand, pressed upon my pate.  
Not poison keen, nor enemies sword, this babe away shall draw,  
Not stitch, or cough, or knobbing gout▪ that makes the patient slaw,  
A prater shall become his death, therefore, let him always  
If he be wise, shun jangling jacks, after his youthful days.  
We came to Lady Vesta's church▪ the fourth part of the day  
Whilst language passed to and fro, was passed clean away.  
He stood in bonds, (as he told me) in court for to appear,  
Or sentence else definitive should pass against him clear.  
If thou dost love me friend (quoth he) to th'arches with me draw.  
Nor can I stand upon my feet, nor know the civil Law.  Horace: 
I doubt if I should leave my cause, or else thy friendly company.  Str: 
I pray the me, not yet (quoth he.) before me, by and by  Horace, 
He preseth on: my victor guide I do succeed a pace,  str:: 
How doth your Lord Maecenas now, how stand you in his grace?  
It is a rare and witty part, in friendship long to dwell,  
Horace, I tell the as a friend, thou hast used fortune well,  
If that thou woldste plant me in once, (in forfitte of my head)  
Thou shouldst no doubt, have me a friend, would stand the in good stead.  
Within a months space or twain, Maecenas I would claw  
That all the rest might blow their nails, or go to shove the daw.  Horace. 
We live not so, as thou dost think, no house, more pure than this,  
Nor none, that from those mischiefs vile, more clean and spotless is.  
His riches, or his learning is no prejudice to me:  Str. 
There is a place accordingly, for each in his degree.  Hor. 
A thing thou tells uncredible. I tell a soothfast tale,  Str. 
Thou makes me glow feign would I come to be of his counsel.  Hor. 
If that you will, you have a grace, his favour for to win:  
The first assault is very hard, by suit thou mayst get in.  Str. 
I will not fail bribes shall corrupt his chéefist serving men:  
Though once or twice the gates be shut I will not cease yet then:  
* I'll wait my opportunity, to meet him in the ways,  
" To lead him home, to curtsy him, and cap him when he stays.  
" There is no good for to be bone, whilst we are living here:  
" Except we lie, faun, flatter, face, cap, kneel, duck, crouch, smile, fiere.  
He prattling thus, a friend of mine one Fuscus Aristie,  
Met me, who knew this chatting sir almost as well as I.  
Stock still we stand, he asked my whence, or whether that I would:  
I haylde him back, and by the hand, of friendship did him hold.  
Squinting his eyes, he 'gan to nod, to call me thence away,  
And yet dissemblingly he thought, to dally and to play  
My heart in choler parboiled was: I wis my friend (quoth I)  
You said, that you a matter had to tell me secretly.  Fuscus. 
An other tyme. I must go see the circumcised jews  
In keeping of their Saboth day, what holy rites they use.  Horace 
I love not that religion.  Fuscus 
I, of infirmity  
Am scrupulous: and therefore sir, I pray the bear with me.  
Hereafter I will be your man, both when and where you will,  
This day dismis me to go room, throughout the streets my fill.  Hor. 
The churl departs and left me still to feel my sharp distress.  
By chance there comes this fellows foe, who now had got redress  
At him by law: varlet, (quoth he) I charge the for to stay,  
And pray you (Horace) give me leave, my mind to him to say.  
Content (quoth I) you may be bold, to work your will for me,  
My troblesum companion arrested than I see.  
Both parties cry, the crowd grows great through great Apollo's grace,  
It was my luck for to escape▪ so cumbrous a case.   

❧ Some Had Evil spoken of Horace for reprehending Lucille. he protesteth that he by no means, meaneth to defame the person, but to have his, or their doings bettered. Pretty other c●…nceites and notes of versefying  
The tenth satire  

Forsooth, I said, (Lucill) I said, your verses run not round.  
Doth any love Lucill so well, to praise his jarring sound?  
But he through tickling up the town, with mirth hath won a name:  
And yet this doth not prove him lernde though I should grant the same.  
So might our minstrel Laberie 
Laberie delec table in minstre●…y, and yet not learned.  be counted learned than,  
If merry mirth, and only mirth, could make a learned man.  
To make the reader laugh a pace, is not a Poet's part:  
I mean not all: though therein be a pretty piece of art.  
He must be quick to make his pause, and sentence fall in time▪  
Else tracting long, to wearied ears, will make a loathsome rhyme.  
His treatise interchangeable: now merry and now sad,  
In Poet's puff, and now again in Retorique flourish clad.  
sometimes a fable trimly told doth work in better force.  
Then if the plaintiff Poet should besing his musies hoarse.  
Sumtime to spare his eloquence, and speak not what he can:  
Such were the ancient interludes, so where they liked than.  
And so far to be imitate: but neither Hermogen  

* Demetrius:  Nor other, who would seem to be, so gay devising men,  
Did ever read (I dare make good) those lettred Poets works,  
Save Catul, and calvus, whereas such paltry baggage lurks,  
Tush, now I glance, and blame amiss for Lucill hath devised  
A tricksye work in Latin coat, and greakishe guards comprised.  
An auntrus act, I promise you, O thou that knows not much,  
Cease to admire a man for that, the matter is not such  
As it is thought, to sprinkle here and there a word of Greek,  
Sum asshead doultes in baggish style, of Greek are not to seek.  
Except thou think that diverse tongues are better when they meet,  
As mixed wines, (what else?) become more wholesome and pure sweet.  
Well, in thy verse use Greek at will, beware, that when at bar 
Petillus:   
Thou pleadest for thy client, there thou goest not overfar.  
I mean as if some passing man should stand in plea thy foe, 
Publicula or corvinus:   
And sweat again to gravaile thee, and work thy client woe,  
Use not thy two tongude phrases then, 
Canues a town where was spoken both grecke and Latin:  like one of Canues town,  
Thou mayst perchance become non suit, thou and thy cause borne down.  
Once on a time, a Greek poem I dreamt to indite,  
(A Roman I disjoined by sea, unured so to write)  
Lord Romulus did bid me stint, in pitchy silent night,  
At midnight, when such visions are coumted most of might.  
In greekish tongue (sayeth he) to write write upon writing still,  
Is as to power on fatted sow, more draff drink and more swill.  
Therefore whilst Alpine shriketh out 
Al●… a tragical Poet.  the murdered Memnon's bane  
And Rhine descrives, I leaving Greek am of my satires fain.  
Which neither shall in Guyldhall once, be judged of the Mayre:  
Nor feed the eye on stately stage, to make a meinie stare. 
Fundanus a comical Poet:   
Fundanus may at his good lust, of ninctie fyncties write,  
(I say) of harlots heedful guile, of Daws what a spite  
He wrought to Chremes by his craft, That faculty therefore  
I leave to him as captain in scoffing comic lore.  
And Pollio, the princely jests, in lofty jambiques may  
By virtue of that gracious verse in tragic wise display:  
So Vary makes his Elegies, of quick, and lively might,  
And Virgil, well in rural rhyme, His gamesome Muse can dight:  
A Satire I, more savourly, and with more luck attempted,  
Then Varro, and a number such▪ (all arrogance exempted.)  
I do not say, before my time, But Lucille did devise,  
Nor ever meant to prejudice his crown in any wise: 
Lawt●…ll Crown.   
But now and then outtakingly, he will be overseen,  
And bring such stuff, whereof the most omitted might have been.  
I pray you (Lucille) say me sooth, nor be you not offended,  
Hath not your wisdom said or now, that Homer migtt be mended?  
And hath not jolly Lucill to 
Actins.  the doleful Actle changed?  
And for to carp him for his phrase 
Enius  all over Ennie ranged.  
Yet when he speaketh of himself, He speaks not as he were  
A better clerk, than those he blamed. Why may not we inquire  
In way of talk? if his hard style, a matter good hath marred:  
Or if the matter too untoward, hath made his style to hard.  
If that a man think it enough, and for a Poet meet,  
Twixt meal and meal, two hundredth rhymes, to rear upon their feet:  
Like Casse, whose lavish eloquence, 
Cassus burned for his foolish books  was rushing as the streams:  
Therefore were burnt, his corpse, his books, (his ha●…tye travailed dreams.)  
If this be good, Lucill is good, in such respect may he  
Of pleasant head, and deep device, and clerkly judgement be.  
He may be thought to have enritchde Grease, with his Satire verse,  
Much better than an elder sort, which I could now rehearse.  
Right happy Lucill, that did see so plausible a time:  
If he had been in the se our days, he must have razed his rhyme.  
And paerd of all that was not trim, and so have bend his brain,  
" That both he should have scratchde his head, and bit his thumbs for pain.  
" For now, who looks to bear the bell, his doings he must cull, 
Horace.   
" At home with him, and better add, than he did erst out pull.  
" Contented to have pleased the wise, let go the skyllesse hobbes,  
Who would esteem the clapping of a flock of luskyshe lobbes.  
(Not I in sooth): the judgement of one worthy parsonage,  
In learning ripe, in virtue just, in verdict sharp, and sage:  
give me before a thousand lowtes, and all their loud suffrage.  
Tigell he keeps a prat●…lynge still, his pages do me pinch:  
Prate what they can, the worst they can, I mind not once to winch.  
Such careless, brainless, senseless shrubbs, such suckling maultwormes who,  
Doth take their words, but as of course, and so can let them go?  
The lord Maecenas and Virgil, 
The wise clerks of that age.  Plotie, and Varius,  
Valgie, and our dread sovereign the great Octavius,  
And Pollio (I fawn not now, nor flatter, thanks to pike)  
Fuscus, and eke the Viscie both, I would they should me like▪  
Thou Messala, thy brother to, You Bubilie also  
You Seruie, and thou Furnius, both you and such like more,  
Friendly, and learned, which now for haste unnamed I let go,  
Your praise I say, fain would I have, full sorry and full sad:  
If I ne can fulfil the hope, which of myself I had.  
Sir Tigell, and sir Demetrie, Your dumpish domes in schools▪  
You may be stow there as you list, amongst your flock of fools.  
As for the wise, they wink at them, nor will not on them look:  
Go boy go note these sayings well and put them in a book.     

Q. HORA. FLACCUS HIS second Book of satires.  

❧ The poet is at Altercation with himself, and reasoneth if he should anyefurther proceed, in inditing of satires, sithence he was thought of some envious persons to be sharp spoken, and indeed a backbiter. He demandeth counsel of the lawyer Trebatius: he defendeth his own deed, and convincethe his misiudgers.  
The first satire  

SOme think my satires too to tart, to keep no constant law,  
And some have thought it lously pend●… what so of mine they saw.  
And wean a thousand such like rhymes, one might within a day,  
Writ and dispatch: (old friend Trebat●…) what would I do? a way  
To me prescrbe: you bid me rest, my Musics to appal.  
Na, trust me truly by my thrift, that were the best of all.  
But I must needs be doing still, you bid me, I know what,  
To swim in Tiber all the day at night to keep a chat.  
To drink for life, to quaff carouse, to load my tottye noll,  
And by such means restrain my pen, and to surcharge my soul.  
Or if I have such urgent lust, and liking to indite,  
That then I should of Caesar's frays and passing triumphs write.  
For that would fetch us in the pence, and help me for to live.  
Alas (God knows) full feign would I▪ my courage will not give  
Me so to do. Not every man the warlike troops so gay,  
The morishe pikes, and broaching spears, the frenchmen slain in fray,  
The puissant Pe●…cie pluck from horse praise worthy can display.  
Why might I not just Scipio, thy martial feats have praised,  
As learned Lucille once tofore such bloody banquets blazed?  
I will assay▪ as time shall serve, unless I wait my time,  
It is in deign, to exhibit to Cesar any rhyme.  
Whom, if a man attempt to claw, inflexible he stands,  
Yet, better were so to presume, then for to file our hands  
With bankroute slave Pantobolus and Nomentanus pranks  
Scythe causeless all mistrust themselves, and cans me little thanks,  
What way for me? they say, that I am subject unto drink,  
And shotishely upon excess, lay out what so I think:  
Like drunken folk that hop and skip, when lickour loads their brain,  
And when through ill affected eye, 
Pollu●… and Castor▪ jupiter and Leda's sons brethren to Helena.  one candle seemeth twain.  
Born of one egg, Pollux on foot, and Castor loves to ride,  
Each man his mind. In studying how many ways be tried?  
I keep one stay, writing (they say) in melancholy mood,  
Like Lucill, saving that my wit, is not all out so good.  
" Lucill, as to his very friend, so would he to his book  
" His secrets good or bad bewray, look on them, who would look.  
Him follow I, in Lucanie, or bred in Appulte  
I wot not: For Venuce my town 
Venucinum, just between Lucanie, and Appulie, there was the poe●… b●…ne. 〈◊〉  betwixt them both doth lie.  
The Romans Venucine possess, so sent into that place,  
lest people nigh abordering might win the same in space.  
And thereby noy the romish wealth, what so my country is:  
What so my wit, my bitter style strikes not a whit amiss.  
It may be likened to a sword, In sheath for my defen●….  
Since no false losels hurt me then, why do I draw it thence?  
O king, O father jupiter, Would God the times were so  
That rust might well devour this sword, that none would work me wo.  
But work they do, but who so does, though he be devilish fell,  
I blazon far and near his arms, and wanton touches tell.  
He may go howl, and pule for woe, the citizens will scorn him,  
And cause him wish full many a time, his dam had never borne him.  
The Lawyer when that he is chafed, will threaten judgement fell.  
So Cannadie our sorceress with poison will us quell:  
Each officer doth menace eke, the worst that they can do:  
All brag of that, which is their best, and therewith fear their foe.  
And that nature allows of this▪ mark thou these notes with me:  
The wolf with tooth, the bull with horn. and how this same might be,  
Dame Nature teacheth inwardly▪ thou dost again reply,  
Strong Sheva would not with his sword, his mother cause to die,  
Though she had wrought him much mischief. No marvel, for the ox  
Strikes not with tooth, nor wolf with hele▪ strong poison used this fo●…e.  
So he and they, the good and lewd their weapons have by kind,  
And use the same to work their wealet the gifts therefore of mind  
Shall be my best artillery: For whether quiet age  
Abideth me, or black wyngde death encompass me in rage,  
Come wealth or want▪ at home, or else perchance an exiled man,  
I will not fail, to write my state, if possiebly I can.   Trebar●… 
My son, if that thou writ to sharp, no doubt thou shalt not live,  
Some one or other, will to the Thy fatal wound ygeve.  
Why? Lucill lived, who ever used, all fayners to detect  Horace. 
With satires sharp, and quippies round, of death he never recked.  
But blamed those, which ontwardly do give a shining shoe,  
And inwardly are charged with sin, that unneaths they can go.  
Good Lelie did not hate his wit, not he that got renown  
For policy, and pruice too. For beating Carthage down.  
I say they were not miscontent, That lewd Metellus once, 
Metellus and Lupus noble men, yet repre hended for vice: Scipio and Lelius not repyning●…   
And lowtishe Lupus were reformed, with satires for the nonce.  
He would not spare the officers, nor private men to blame.  
A friend to none save honesty, and those that use the same.  
With doughty stout duke Scipio, and Lelie learned and wise,  
He would jest very iocondlye, 
One point of wisdom, not to be merry a 'mongst a multitude:  and frankly in his guise,  
At meals when he sequestered was from the unlettered sort.  
What so I am, though far I wot from Lueils wit and port.  
Yet envy self cannot deny, but I have led my life  
Amongst the best, though some men think me dedicate to strife:  
Methinks my ground is good and sure, except you friend Trebate,  
By law do disallow of it, I will pursue my state.  
Beware, beware, the warned may live, be circumspect, and slawe,  Trebate 
lest you by words undo yourself▪ through ignorance of law.  
For who that writeth slaundrously, we lawyers must amend him:  Hor. 
And who that writeth true and well, our Cesar must defend him:  
If that a man speak of azeale, And blame the bad alone,  
Dispatch your rolls, there is no gain, the Lawyer may be gone.   

❧ Under the parsonage of the stoic Ofelsus, he controlleth the gluttonous and riotous: he showeth the variatie of meats themselves, not to be so delectable, as they are so made by abstinence, and sharp appetite. He commendeth much frugality, which is chief in sparing and thryftie diet.  
The second satire  

How good it is, and laudable, to live but▪ with a small:  
It passeth me for to descrive. Ofellus told it all.  
A rudesbie, and unruly, wise, and yet unlucky man,  
Who never could bring to an end, The thing which he began.  
" Learn abstinence, O learn of me not when your paunch is full,  
" Or when with gross upflynging fumes, Your sight is maid and dull:  
" Or when your lust leans to the worst, and will not brook the best,  
" Come soberly, not overcharged, with intrayls all at rest.  
" Some thing to say: the wasteful womb, doth plague and kill the brain:  
" As that judge doth his country hurt, who gapeth after gain..  
When thou dost trace the hasting hare, or tame the jennet wild,  
Or fight in field, like roman stout, (unlike a greekish child,)  
Or when thou dost at football play, or tennis for pastime:  
Whylste love of game doth ease thy toil, and help away the time:  
Or when thou slyngest in the air: with might avoid the stone:  
What so thou dost, do earnestly, and when thy toil is gone,  
Thou shalt have stomach quick and sharp, that when thou comes to dine,  
It will not look for sweet conceits, or fragrant frisking wine,  
If that the rude and ugly sea, do let the fisher's art,  
If food do fail, of bread and salt, to take and eat thy part  
Thou wilt be glad. Why is it thus? How soundeth this with reason?  
The smell of hot and smoking roast, though it be dear and geason,  
Doth not delight of it own self: thou makes the culleis good.  
Thy sweat and pine makes sweet and fine, and savours all thy food.  
What taste is there, if thou beiste gordgde? ne can it well endue,  
In Lampre, or in Leveret, or choppyn oysters new.  
Nevertheless, I can not thee persuade, but if they both be dressed,  
The Peacock, and the pubble hen, the Peacock tasteth best.  
Beguiled with appearances: because her costly sail  
Is rare: and that a circled pride she beareth in her tail.  
As though that were material: her feathers dost thou eat  
So gay to thee? or is she else, in broth the better meat?  
The flesh of both is much alike: thou loves the peacock tho,  
Because of gallant gawyshe plumes: well, let it then be so.  
The dog fish, that from Tiber comes▪ 
Tuscus, a street in Rome, near to a creke of the sea,  or stream in Tuscus street,  
Why is it worse, then that, from sea, where wrestling waves do meet?  
O doting world, above the rest, they love the Mullet great,  
And yet do mince her small andsmal●… before they do her eat.  
Thus may we see, the sight is all: If sight may things ercell,  
Great Porpoises should be in price: nay, soothly I can tell  
Why they be not: this purpose fish, with us is every where:  
A Mullet for the mincing dames, 
far sought, and dear bought good for Ladies:  for that is rare and dear.  
The temperate will little eat and feed of simple cheer.  
Some gluttons would eat greater fish, to satisfy their maws,  
(Like hellish Harpies) from a pan, with greedy gnawing jaws.  
But you, you wasteful southern winds corrupt their viands all:  
It ends not much: for Boar or Brytte dost taste to them as gall.  
When to much havoc hath them cloyed, than begin they sore to long  
For Rapes and Helicampane root, and do the beggars wrong.  
So kings (to have their courses just) Reject not poor men's cates,  
As eggs and oil, with such the like received and used of states.  
The Herald Gallo for a dish 
The dish was a fish ●…awled Acc●…ipēser a ●…hile usual yea a●…d noble, afterwards contemptible:  He used upon a day,  
Was ill rebukde. But they to blame: for Brtttes few durst assay  
The Brit did scope abroad in seas, The Stork did keep her nest,  
Before paunch pampering pretory told how they should be dressed. 
pretory 〈◊〉 friend to th●… k●…chin,   
If some the roasted cormorant, delytefull would report,  
Our youth (soone taughe to naughtiness) would try it for a sport.  
The covetous and sparing man we must not note for one,  
(As ofell saith) if thou percase from one sin wouldst be gone,  
And thereby hap into a worse, that were a bootless case.  
Canis, in whom for his desert, that name may well take place, 
Canis a cove touse miser, Old olives   
Old Olives, add the dogtree fruit, and lees of changed wine,  
And vile unpleasant greasy oil, to loathsome for a swine.  
(If he did feast his friend at home, or keep his native day,  
Or solemnize the time by chance, in surely rich array) 
One good note of a churl to be liberal of that which is nought: Demand:   
Abundance of such corrup stuff, 'mongst his, he would outlaye.  
What diet shall the wise man then, twixt two contraries use?  
Shall he the trade of covetous, or prodigal refuse?  
Unspotted he, that keeps him free, and leans to neither side.   R●…plye: 
He shall not be like Albutye, who, when he doth divide,  
His household charge amongst his men himself will nothing do:  Albutye 
Nor yet like Nevie wait at board, for that is foolish too.  navy:: 
Now listen well, how great the fruits, of sparing diet be,  
First good for health, for this thou must persuade thyself with me:  
That many things annoyeth man, And meats do much offend,  
" Though they be pleasant, yea and good yet, when thou dost them blend,  
" As fish with fowl, roast meats, with boiled, to choler goes the sweet:  
" The moist to phlegm, for stomach phlegm a guest is most unmeet.  
" Again the corpse charged with excess, doth overcharge the mind,  
" Abandonnyngto earthly things, the soul of heavenly kind.  
The temperate may soon dispose his members to their rest,  
And rise again deliverly, to labour quick and pressed.  
He shall be in the better plight, In time that happen may,  
As when the year by compaste course, shall bring the pagiaunt day.  
Or if he take confortatives to help him at his need: 
Worthy fruits of temperance.   
For years will come, and crasye age, who daintily must feed.  
In age or sickness, what shall be, delighting unto thee?  
Who haste prevented in thy youth such pleasure as might be?  
The rammyshe Boar, they wonted to praise, not that they had no nose  
To feel him smell, but to this end, that he which did repose  
Himself with them, might eagerly fall to, and eat his meat:  
Because they would not gluttonlyke, their whole provision eat  
In those days, I would have been borne, in such an honest time:  
" I love well hospitality, If riot cause not crime.  
If thou dost stand in awe of verse, or force a rymers reed:  
Take heed, such sorts, and subtleties of cates will make thee need.  
Both shame and harm they will procure, again, add to this same,  
Thy kinsmen wroth, thy friends made foes thyself foe to thy name.  
" wishing for death, and shalt not die, but live to wail and moon  
" Thy wanton wealth, thy beggars plight thy treasures that be gone.  Trasie. 
(saith taunting Trasy) may not I lay out my coin at will?  
My rents come to me thick and thick, my want is foison still,  
Not three kings can dispend with me, who saith, I may not spend?  Poet. 
Therefore, the surplus of thy goods apply to better end.  
" Why want the silly needy souls refreshing at thy hand?  
" Why do the temples of the gods, without repairing stand?  
Thou corsye carl, thy country dear, from hougie substance such  
Shall she have nought▪ wilt only thou devour alone so much?  
" O jest, unto thy very foes, For, whether may have more,  
(If fortune frown, and griefs grow on) esperance to his store?  
Thou: which was married to thy muck, and fresh in gay attire,  
Or he: that dreading chance to cum, a little doth desire,  
And keeps it well, and warylye to help in hopeless tide:  
" Like as the wise in golden peace for stormy war provide.  
For more belief in this behalf, I then a little boy  
Can now report, that Ofellus, put not so great a joy, 
Ofels' talk ●…n prosperity   
Nor pleasured so in his chief wealth, as in his worst decay.  
This was a common talk of his when he bore greatest sway.  
All's one to me: on woorkyday I never could be taken  
With better meat, in field or town, than roots or chimnye bacon.  
I and my sons keep thus in field, our cattle seld forsaken. 
Horace, A more honest kind of liberality.   
But if some old acquaintance cum, who hath been long away,  
Or sum good honest neighbour else through sletie drizzling day  
Do cease from work, we merry make not with such costly fish,  
But with a chicken, or a kid, and grapes our second dish,  
A nut, or else sum kind of fig: the table ta'en away  
We drink about, and afterward●… for Ceres' gifts we pray,  
So fly away the freating cares, that bring the wimpled age.  
Let furious fortune frown and fume, and roast her self in rage,  
She can not much impair our cates: 
Vmbrenus a soldier who had the ground given him by Augustus.  my servants have not found  
Their cheer much worse sense Vmbrenus hath got away our ground.  
It matters not, for nature gave not me this proper land  
At first, nor him, nor any else, he chaste us forth with hand,  
His beastelynes will chase him out, or sum expulsive law,  
Or else his heir that shall survive, when he must couch full law  
Now Vmbrens' ground, of late O fells (a thing not very stable)  
Now my, now thine, so must we take, the world as variable.  
Let nothing cause your courage quail, in care be constant still,  
And bend your breasts to bear the blows of fortune that be ille.   

❧ The Poet showeth a great skill or workemanshipp in this Satire, especially in that the earnestly studying to make others good, is himself partly contented to be controwled by the stoic Damasip, as a sluggard, and pretermiter of dutiful occasions.  
The stoic proofs sin to be a certain kind of madness.  Damasip. 
YOu writ so seldom unto me, that tower times in a year  
Scarce comes a pen within your hand, perusing written gear.  
Half angry with yourself I wean, that drente in wine and sleep,  
You spending time in silent pause, of satires bears no keep.  
Perform thy promise once at length, go to, what shall we have?  
Thou comes from Saturn's▪ feast I trow from drink thyself to save.  
" Will nothing be? You blame your muse, so do your Poets all  
" Accuse your pen, when to your mind, your sentence will not fall.  
When thou camest to the country town, to live a part from strife,  
Thy visage gave, as though thou wouldst have written books or life.  
Menander and dan Plato's works, why do they on you wait?  
Why brought you Eupolis to town, and Archilog his mate?  
You mean for fear of spiteful folk, all virtue to disclaim,  
Thou caitiff shalt come to contempt, shun idle joys for shame:  
Or else surrender all such praise, as thou hast got before:  
By work of wit, in full intent 
The Poet content to be reproved but not at such a peevish Merchant as  to mell with it no more,  
For this sage counsel, (Damasip) the heavenly gods I pray,  
To send a barber speedily, 
This stoic damasip.  to wipe your beard away.  Horace 
In deed, and know you me so well how comes it so to pass?  Damasip, 
I suffered shipwreck of my goods, whilst I a merchant was.  
And therefore now can spare an eye, the world to overvewe.  
Then was I plunged in affairs, as they me drove and drew,  
To know what vantage by exchange, to clip, and wash my gold,  
By subtleties in minerals, my state for to uphold.  
By such like sort came I to have▪ an ample uvea lthie share,  
To purchase orcha rds for mine ease and bowers bright and fair.  
My wit so deep so sore to deal, such luck to win, or save,  
That me a Mercurialiste, to surname than they gave,  Horace 
I know it well and marvel much, If that be rid and gone:  
Except thou hast sum worse disease which needs will rain alone.  
As Physic's cure from head to breast, diseases can convey,  
As by excess of much madness, drive lythargie away.  
Per chance you setting fraud a part, the mad man's part will play.  Dam●…, 
Friend Horac●…, you are mad likewise, And so is every fool,  
If stoic Stertein taught us once, true d●…rine in his school.  
Of whom, I learned this trade of life, no trewande in my lore,  
He dubde me then a stoic Stage, and bade me morn no more.  
Though all the world should go to wrack, (for from a bridge I meant  
All headlong to have horlde myself so things against me went.)  
approaching nigh, O do not so, friend Damasip (quoth he)  
What thirlinge throws doth twitch thy heart? 
The stoic Startine supplieth with his talk almost all the satire following,  what shame confoundeth thee?  
The people cawl thee giddishe mad, why, all the world is so:  
If thou be mad, and thou alone be drowned: I let the go?  
But what is madness to define? Crysip that noble clerk,  
Calls all fools mad, and all whose minds are duskde with errors dark.  
" This rule makes mad a noumberouse swarm of subjects and of kings,  
" And none exemptes, save those in whom the well of wisdom springs.  
Now lean thine ears, and listen well, perceive how all be mad,  
Yea those who erst to make the worse, such mockeries have had.  
Admit there be through darkesum wood a speedy footepathe way,  
" On right side sum, on left side sum and all do go a stray  
" Through wilsumnes of wilderness: the error is all one,  
Though through miswandringe diversly, they diversly have gone.  
Thou mayst be mad, (friend Damasipp) 
A reason to prove all map, which tread not in one true footepath of wisdom.  thou mayst be much unwise,  
Thy mockers staring mad also, though in an other guise.  
One manner frenzy is, to fear when nothing is a miss,  
As hills on plains, or seas on mounts, this kind of bugg, or this,  
An other like a desperate, nothing at all to fear,  
To trudge through deep, high, hot, and could, to press upon a spear.  
His friends reclaims, his sister dear, his parents, and his wife,  
Theirs rocks, theirs Seas, great dread (say they) sweet kinsman save your life.  
He will not hear, for all their cry, no more than Fusie could  
When he through force of drowsy drink, was falue in slumber cooled.  
He should recite the drunkard's part, he drunk his part away,  
The people egde him for to speak, he wist not what to say.  
One way or other all are mad, as Damasip, which old  
Pictures did buy was mad, and he that lente to him the gold.  
" Most mad is he, that takes a trust, not having hope to pay:  
" Most mad is he, which may make bold and dare not his assay.  
" Assay (quoth you) but who would trust, for now the world is such,  
" That lend a man, a thousand crowns, or more, or nigh so much,  
And take a bill of his hand write, an obligation make,  
" So lawyer like, so clarklie drawn that none could it mistake,  
" And bind him strait to keep a day in pain of marks and pounds,  
" Show witness, writ, and what thou canst or louse, or shake thy grounds  
" Th'one will he do: like Proteus to shapes ychaunged, he  
" Sometime a Boar, a bird, a stone, and when he list a tree.  
No doubt he will attempt all shifts, to shift himself from the.  
If wise men use for to do well, and fools for to do ill,  
What say you to our creditor, our usurer Petill. 
petal usurer   
Is he not mad? wh●… when he lends, for increase, asketh more  
Than the poor debtor can perform, though he should swelled therefore,  
Ye lecherous, luxurious, ye superstitious:  
Ye shottishe, dotishe, doltish daws, that nothing can discuss,  
Draw on my Clients one by one, be not agreist ne sad,  
Stand still in stound, keep whishte (I say) whilst I do prove you mad.  
I charge you, you Ambitious, and you that mucker good,  
To gerde your gowns, to sit and harcke whilst I do prove you wood.  
The covetous, of Helibore the greater part must have,  
Or rather all the pills, for th' head 
One part of a mad man to seek vain glory after his death:  as they which most do rave.  
Th'e●…cutoures of Staberie, engrailed on his grave,  
What were his ample legaces, and what to them he gave,  
For so he bade in testament, and if they would not so,  
That then to maintain sword plarot,) most of his goods should go.  
Arrey did superuise this will: 
Areus supervisor of the will:  who should give them in wheat,  
To preserve sport, as much as half a country could well eat.  
What though I did (misjudge means I had a witty meaning.  Staberie 
No doubt you had, to this intent was all his guileful gleaning.  Stoic: 
To have his heirs engraive in stones his honnorable will:  
Need was to him a wickedness, yea an ungodly ill.  
Therefore in deed full dreadfully. he weighed it as god's curse:  
If at his death, then in his life, one dodkin he were worse.  
For all and every thing (quoth he) virtue, renoumne, and fame,  
" The corpses, the ghost, doth crouch to coin and serve unto the same.  
" Which who so hath all at his lust, him needs no further thing  
" He may be famous, stout, and ●…uste, a wiseman and a king.  
And this is even as good as if by virtue he up grew:  
But Staberie or Aristippe, 
Aristippe a Philosopher that flattered Alexander.  of likely, judge not true.  
Who travailing in Lybie cost his gold did cast away,  
Because it did from ●…orneyinge, his men a little stay.  
Which is the madder of the twain? but we ne can, ne will  
Sample, against example bring, to samples that be ill.  
If that a man buy instruments, and hoard them in a place▪  
Himself not weighing of the sound, nor forcing musics grace:  
If that a man should buy him stuff and tools to set up shop:  
Or buy him sails to hang in ship to hale her by the top:  
And never mean to practise ought, is he not staring mad?  
Why is not this our covetous as much in frenzy clad?  
Who hoards his money, and his gold, and uneath dare avouch it,  
Because it is so preciose, to peep at it, or touch it.  
If that a man an huge heap great of corn should ever keep,  
With stretched arm, and club in hand, for fear bereft of sleep,  
And being owner durst not take, one grain, (misdreading waste),  
eating most bitter roots, and leaves, unmild unto the taste:  
If one have many vessels full, a thousand ●…nn of wine,  
And drink nothing but vinegar, untastie, and unfyne:  
Go to, if one of five score years do lie on couch of ground,  
And have his down, and fetherbeddes, (where he might sleep full sound)  
Stuff up in chests, for worms and moths: sum will not hold them mad,  
Because the most of wealthy men, be now as vile, and bad.  
O hateful head, forlorn to God, spares thou for time to come?  
Na, na, thou spares that thy lewd child may spend the total sum.  
Each day will spend sum portion, (thou thinks) if thou do spend  
Oil to anoint, oil for thy board, amongst thy meats to blend.  
Further, thou saist, it is the best, to live upon a small.  
Why dost thou then forswear thyself, and filtche in places all? 
Testy anger a kind of madness.   
Haste thou the wits, that beats thy men, because nothing can please thee?  
Which thou with purse, haste purcheste dear, to aid the and to ease the.  
When thou dost poison thy parents, and strangle up thy wife,  
Art thou not mad, though in Arge town, thou drove not out her life,  
Nor yet with sword as Oreste did, or do not it inacte? 
A man is mad at the first conceit of mischief.   
Yes if for hope of gain thou hast, but thought upon thy fact,  
Was he not mad before his blade had bruised his mother's bane?  
Or forthwith, as this cruel fit, Was crept into his brain?  
Sense that Orestes hath been clepte giddy, and mad by name  
After the crime, he hath not done a fact of heinous blame,  
His sister dear, nor P●…des, he never struck with sword,  
To him, and her sometimes he gave a foul untoward word.  
Her fiend him worse, as him to speak, his piercing choler would:  
But thou in heart kilste all thy friends, that thou mights have their gold.  Opimie. 
The penyfather Opimie, who had so much in store  
Who holiday and workyngday, did toil whilst he were sore,  
Was troubled so with lythergie, for sleep he could not steer,  
His heir went round about the chests, with blithe and iocaunte cheer:  
A friendly quick Physician, to make, Opymie start,  
Contrived it thus: he had them bring, a board into the place,  
A sort eke to unseal the bags, and tell the coin a pace.  
He reared the sick-man from his bed, Sir (quoth he) hold it fast  
Or else no doubt▪ those will have all▪ and sparple all at last.  
In my life time?  Phi. 
awake betime, be lively then in deed  Opimie. 
What shall I do?  Ph. 
fail to thy meat, there is no way but feed.  Opimie. 
Else, will thy spirits be forfaynte, thy vigour fall away,  
Thy stomach weak and languishing, will bring the to decay.  Op. 
You give me naught.  Ph. 
drink up forth with this Ptysande made of rice.  Op. 
What shall I pay?  Ph. 
a small  Op. 
how much.  Ph. 
Two pence.  Op. 
alack, the price.  
Such costs is worse, than sword or thief, cum death I will not rise.  Damafip. 
Now who is made?  Sto. 
Each foolish man, what is the covetous?  Dum. 
A fool and mad.  Dam 
what if a man be nothing ravenonse,  
eftsoons shall he be counted sound? no:  Dam 
Stoic tell me why?  St. 
Put case the restless patient▪ full ill at ease should lie,  Sto. 
His pulse doth show, he hath no stitch, nor straining at his heart:  
Is that enough to warrant him, forth of his couch to start?  
Sharp pangs may twitch him in the reins, and twitche him in the side:  
So, though one be not covetous, yet may he swell with pride.  
" They need no salve, to say a sooth. that use not for to lie▪  
" Nevertheless the testy may take pills, to purge melancholy.  
" Almost as ill to hoard thy goods, that they give no relief,  
" As if thou shouldst bestow them on, an arraunte pilfering thief.  Oppidie. 
" Old Oppidie two manors kept of long in Canuse town  
En●…lde to him by due discente who sick, and lying down,  
On dead bed, then called for his sons, (which were no more but twain)  
And thus to speak unto them both, the parent would him pain.  
Aulus, my son, when thou in youth, 
A pretty no●… for parents.  counters in purse didst bear,  
And frankly on thy play●…éers wouldst, bestow them here and there,  
Tiber my son when thou thy nuts wouldst tell and tell again,  
By this I gathered, that in you, two divers sins would rain:  
That Aulus would be riotous, that Tiber nought would spend,  
Wherefore, for gods own love dear son unto my lore attend.  
Au●…us, look thou diminish not, nor Tiber thou increase,  
That, which your father thought enough to maintain you in peace.  
And, that which nature lymiteth: lest, tickling glory may  
Incense your hearts, take here an oath, before I pass away:  
That which of you shall sew in Rome, for room, or for degree▪  
Shall take himself as most detest, and quite accursed of me.  
Alas, Aulus (mine elder child) to give the gifts of price,  
To deal amongst the Citizens▪ that they gainste the may rise  
That thou mayst walk in pomp, & port, 
Like Agrippe.  thy statutes stand in brass,  
What 'vaileth that? when all is gone what 'vaileth that (alas.)  
Except to win a prince's fame, and plausible estate, 
Esope his fox.   
Like fox: thou wear a lions skin to seem a lions mate.  
" What though thou wert a prince indeed? 
Insolence noted in princes in Agamemnon's parsonage.  in pride thou might offend,  
As Agamemnon, in whose words most princes words are pend.  Tucer. 
Sir king, why may not Ajax be interred in his grave?  Agamemnon. 
I am a king, my lusts a law, your answer (lo) you have.  Tucer. 
Most puissant prince, my suit is just, if any can say nay,  
Without all stop, or jeopardy, his sentence let him say.  
God grant your noble majesty, to see your native soil.  
Léege prince, take pause a space, and then, my poor demand assoil.  Agam. 
Demand at once? Tew: shall duke Ajax the next to fierce Achilles:  
Who famous was, by saving greakes, untombed tarry still?  
That Priam, and his folk may joy, to see him lack his grave:  
By whom their Trojan younkers slain, no country tomb could have?  Agamemnon. 
A thousand sheep he slew in rage, the famous Vlixes,  
Menelaus and me with sword he thought he did disease.  Tucer. 
When thou in Auled for a cow, didst slay thy loving child,  
And salt her head ou alter stone, waste thou then mad or mild?  
In what degree did Ajax rage? what did he? slay the sheep.  
From lemons bain, and daughters baine his blade he could ykéepe.  
Perchance he cursed and band at large thee, and thy brother to:  
With me, nor Vlixes his foe, he never had to do.  Agamemnon, 
The linger ships, that they might sail from haven where they stood,  
Of purpose good, I pacified the wrothefull gods with blood.  Tucer. 
With blood of thine, thou mad king, thou, with mine, but I not mad.  Agam. 
Who doth confound things good and ill (as you) is even as bad,  Stoic. 
To follow shows, and uttershapes, to guess but at the good  
Is folly lewd as is the deed, that comes of angry mood.  
Ajax he slew the silly lambs, therefore, distraught of wit:  
And thou for titles, and renown, fell murder dost commit.  
(Hast thou thy wits?) or art thou good, all swelled up with pride?  
If in a coach, a fine fléesde lamb, a king should cause to ride,  
And give it raiments neat, and gay, and give it maids and gold,  
And call it pugs and pretty peat, and make as though he would,  
In worthy wedlock it bestow: the Praetor would fordo it,  
And make his friends look to his wit, for fear he should forego it:  
What if a king for a dumb sheep, his daughter sacrifice▪  
I ween the king will grant himself▪ not to be very wise.  
Fondness is madness, so is sin, and who that hunts for name Bellons' goddess of war  
Is like Bellona chatinge dame, Bellons' goddess of war that loves to see a maim,  
Who scales fame's fort oft times doth see, dire feats, and use the same. 
Against the riotous, as he promised.   
But now a crash at Nomentane to revellers a while,  
No reason is this foultishe flock from madness to exile.  
The prodigal, by wit word hath ten talents: in his heat,  
He bids the costermongers, and thappothycaries neat,  
fowlers, fishers, skulls, podingwrightes, the trulls of Tuscus street,  
All cooks and all the shambles eke, to morrow him to meat  
At home. How are they occupied when they are met in one?  
The bawd (a spokes man for the rest) its thine (saith he) alone,  
What so all those or I, possess▪ at home or any where,  
Demand it (master) when you will. now sir unto this gear,  
Hark, how our younker frames his tale, Ah trusty friends (saith he)  
The fouler wades through frost, and snow that he may banquet me,  
The fisher draws the wyntrye seas, whylste I do sit at ease,  
In faith good fellows, fain would I, your great turmoiling please:  
Take thou some thing, take ten times more, take thou as much again,  
And thou threefold, because with me, your wife hath taken pain.  
Young Aesop, snatchde a ring away, from madame Metells ear: 
Metells, a lady of Rome   
The pearl well worth five hundredth crowns, He drunk in vinigeare:  
He is as much besides himself as brainless in this case,  
As if he had it drow in flood or in some viler place.  
The brood of Quinctus Arius, 
Arius, a noble man of Rome,  the famous brethren twain.  
Through lewd conceits, and babysh pranks do make their stomach fain,  
And lively with the Linnet's flesh, that be of costly price.  
Be these men ween you, well in wit? be these men mad, or wise?  
To build an house of chips and cards, to watch the trap for mice:  
To play at even and odd, to ride cockhorse in childish guise:  
If these should please a bearded sire, the fool might have a hood,  
Much more, to haunt and harlot's house, doth prove an old man wood.  
" An old man, for to spill his tears, to please a woman's mind,  
" Is as an old man should in dust, go Tave, and toys out find:  
I would have all these naughty packs to do like Palamon:  Palamon. 
As he for shame upon a time, With drink all overgon. 
A fondling known by his ensigns.   
The badges of a fondlyuge, as, brave napkins, bracelets, rings,  
" He laid away, and went to school, to learn more sober things,  
" Command a child, to eat a pear, he will not eat a bit:  
" Command him, not to eat the pear, the child will long for it.  
" So fares it, with our foundling (lo) though he desires to go,  
And would this coyishe paramour, unbodden wend unto.  
Ye when she daygnes to send for him, then mammering he doth doubt,  Phedria. 
What should I go▪ as suppliant? or bear my sorrows stout?  
She shut me out, she sends for me, should I come there again?  
No, though she should upon her knees, Pray me, to take the pain.  Stoic: 
Me thinks the servant Parmeno. hath much the better brain.  Parmeno. 
The thing master, that hath in it no measure, nor advice,  
" By reason, can not well be ruled: Love hath in it much vice.  
" There's stormy war, and caulmie peace, which (passing as a blast,  
" And floating on, in blind success) Who seeketh to make feast,  
" Shall take in hand, an hard attempt, miraculons, and geason:  
As if be would at once he mad, and have his perfit reason.  Stoic, 
" A man that faultreth in his speech, for age, and yet is glad,  
" To play at quoytes, or spancounter, may well be counted mad:  
" A man, that faultreth in his speech, and will by sword and might,  
" Obtain his love, or murder her in cruel bloody plight:  
As Marius slew Hilade, 
Marius a known Roman: esp●…sed with the love of Hilade. Old dotage mere madness. Superstition proved madness.  and slew himself also,  
Because she sought by godly means, his dotage to undo.  
This perturbation may be called, a wodnesse of the mind:  
Such wickedness, and madness have no divers names by kind.  
An old man late enfranchised, in dawning of the day,  
With hands fair wash, would walk the streets and most devoutly pray.  
The more deal was to this effect: O Gods above, (for you  
Can do the thing) let me a ye live in earth where I am now:  
This man was sound enough in corpse, in mind I think him mad,  
Except his master like not that, who sold him of a lad.  
Such folk, so superstitious, 
In old time. if any sold a servant, who afterwards proved mad, it turned to the sellers endamage.  Chrysip doth greatly charge,  
And pleads by right, that they should sail in madame Madness barge.  
O jove, which both canst eke and ease, all dolour and all teen,  
Rue on my child (the mother crieth) who now five weeks hath been,  
With fever quartain, felly toast, of thou wilt heal my son,  
Bid me to fast, what day thou wilt, 
vows from the paynims.  thy great will shall be down:  
" My son likewise recovered done, in Tiber flood shall stand,  
" If thou wilt send him help by chance, or by physicians hand,  
" And so she will (to keep her vow) her child in Tiber set:  
" The boy through chille benumbedness, his ague worse shall get.  
This woman maddeth of herself, or by the will of God.  Damasip. 
Thus Stertin th'eighteight wise man of Grece, taught me, and gave a nod  
As to his friend, at knitting up: this armour he me gave:  
If any man be busy now, his guerdon he shall have.  
Who so that calls me wood or mad, may learn his proper lack,  
And know the ferdle of his faults, that hang behind his back.  
Friend Damasip, though you have lost your traffic and your ware:  Stoic: 
Yet may you gain, for some will give that you their faults may spare.  
Because there's many kinds of mad, in what sort do I dote?  Damasip. 
Yet to myself I seem not mad, nor from my wittè a jot.  ●…toike. 
No more seemed Agave to herself, when she of doleful child,  
The head detruncte, did bear about, she thought herself full mild.  
If sooth it be, that I am in add, yet Stoic tell me this,  ●…amacip. 
What vice is it, through which I seem so much to do amiss?  〈◊〉. 
Thou art a very little man, scarce three small cubits high,  
And yet thou builds a haughty house, and makes it threat the sky.  
Thou laughste at Turbo sword player, a little dandie prat,  
To see him stout▪ thou less, and stout: I deem thee mad for that.  
Thynks thou, to build like lord Maecene, to do, what he shall do?  
A match unmeet betwixt you twain, and ill appointed too.  
The mother frog upon a time abroad to feed, or play,  
A Calf killed all her young with foot, but one, that 'scaped away:  
Which brought the tidings to her dam, how such a mighty beast,  
Had slain her noble progeny, (to tell a bloody feast.)  
Canst thou with swelling make thyself, (quod th'old) as big as he?  
The young assayed, it would not prove 
The text applieth the swelling rather to the old frog, but it skillech not so presumption be eschewed in old and young  (quoth th'old) so let it be.  
Now moralise this fable, and iwis it toucheth thee,  
That still will swell, and make thy match above thine own degree▪  
Besides, thy prattling Poems to, be matter plain and clear,  
To prove thee mad, in poems mad, yfever any were▪  
It is a madness, thee thy coin, so frankly to disburse.  
(Friend Damasip,) abate thy expense, be counseled by thy purse.  Damasip: 
Well Stoic, thou haste taught us plain, that most of men be wood:  
As not to prove me so, again, I pray thee be so good.   

The Poet commoneth with the Epicure Catius, who revealeth unto him a great company of scholetrickes of that sect. The poet nippeth him floutyngly, as he did else where the precisde Stoic, and such the like fondlynges.  
The fourth satire.  Horace. 
From whence, and whether Catius? I have no time, farewell,  Catius. 
To teach a school of new precepts, not such as do excel  
Pythagoras, or Socrates, or lettred Dan Plato.  Horace. 
I grant my guilt, at ill aspect, to speak unto you so:  
Nevertheless, I hope your maystershyppe, Will bear with me this ones,  
Some dainty doctrine of your sect. and novel for the nonce  
Propound, of nature, or of art, for you in both do pass.  
Yea sir, to speak of matters all, that aye my coming was:  Cati. 
And for to speak accordingly, of rude and homely matter,  
A Roman, or an Alien, that taught you so to clatter?  Horace. 
I will disclose his mysteries, but not bewray his name:  Catius. 
Lest some, misliking his precepts, the author elf might blame. 
The Epecure his school.   
Eggs long and white, be nutritive, much better than the round:  
Eggs roasted hard be costive, yea unwholesome and unsound.  
The garden herbs be not so sweet, As those on mountains be  
The watery soil the virtue slakes, that it is not so free.  
The Moushrom that doth spring in meads, or in a supple ground  
Is best, for such as grow else where, most noisome have been found.  
If guests come to thee at unwares, in water mixed with wine  
Souse thou thy hen, she will become, short, tender, nesh and fine.  
Who after meat▪ eats Mulberries, soon riped of the son:  
Shall live in health and jollity, 
Ausidius, an ill scholar for the Epicure his diet.  whylste many summers ronn●….  
Aufidius mixed heady wine, and honey all in one,  
No crafts man he: for simple wines do breed a force alone,  
A lonely force in simple wines: Meathe urine doth provoke,  
The Muge fish and the Muscles cheap, In purging bear a stroke.  
So Coos wine with sorrel meynt hath virtue to expel.  
Shelfyshe in growing of the moon, is best to eat or sell:  
Not every sea, hath fish a like: Pelore in Lucrin grows,  
The Murer fish from Baiae comes, whence purple colour flows,  
From Circe's chopping oysters new, From Micen urchin fish,  
Of scaled Scalop Tarento brags, as her proper dish.  
To furnish well a feast, is hard, a thing not learned in haste:  
He that would do it gorgeous, must have a practised taste.  
It's not enough to freight the board with sea fish out of measure:  
There must be broth for squaymous folk, and spices all of pleasure.  
In Vmbria the mast fed Boars, do charge the vessels great:  
vessels, which have not in them borne, the common sorts of meat.  
The Boar is ill in Laurente soil, that feeds on reaks and reeds.  
Sometimes, from goodly pleasant vine▪ a sour tendril speeds. 
The Epicure a Benefactor to the Calat.   
Who likes to eat the fruitful Hare, her foreparts are the best,  
The choice and use of fish and flesh by me first were expressed.  
I made them so delicious, so welcome to the taste:  
Some can vouchsafe their wits and pains in pastry for to waste,  
It is not much commendable, to know a knack or twain:  
as if in brewing spiced wines thou shouldst bestow much pain:  
And sauce thy meat with foystie oils, thy guess would the disdain.  
If thou wilt purge Mounteflascon wines, and make them pure and clear,  
Set them abroad in open air, when many stars appear.  
The grievous smell by force of air, will pass and fade away:  
Through straining of them through a cloth, the good smell would decay.  
To mingle in thine egg at meals a little sack and salt,  
Doth mend the yelke or white thereof, if it have any fault.  
With Africa cocles or with shrimps, he that is cloyed may  
Be fresh again: in stomach sharp, the Lettuce it doth play.  
The strong may eat good looshiouse meat●…, in kytchins which be dressed,  
The kitchen physic, is for them, simply, the very best.  
It is behovable to know, of sauce a double kind,  
The one, of simple olive oil, as we in art do find.  
The compound hath that goes thereto. Constantinople brine,  
Herbs shred, and minced very thick, some kind of compound wine:  
An oil from Venefratum brought, (Lo) that is passing f●…ne.  
Most commonly, that fruit is best, that liketh best the eye.  
Some grapes may be conserude by means, some pressed by and by  
I taught the way, to keep them green, without all ylde or fault,  
To eat Hearing with juice of grappes, white pepper, and black sault.  
All those I bad, for to be borne, In vessels of great pride.  
A fair broad fish must aye be borne, in vessels large and wide  
To lash out all, is not the best, it can not be denied.  
Much thing doth hurt the stomach much, 
Tve Epicure cannot find in his ha●…t to eat with a poor man nor to have him eat or drink in his company.  as if thy boy, or maid  
Hath eat in sight, or have thy cup, with slavysh hand assayed.  
Or in some crevyshe motes do stick, unmoved to or fro:  
Therefore brooms, napkins, must be bought, With many trinkets ●…o,  
It is a filthy oversight, if all things be not clean:  
To rub things with thy purple clothes, I wis it would them steane.  
To have such necessary things is handsome, and less dear,  
Seclude neatness, and then no waste, Can make delightful cheer.  Poet. 
Sir Catius, for God's dear love and mine, my prayer is,  
another time, to lead me where I may hear more of this.  
Though well I wot, you could for skill, have played the masters part,  
Yet nothing like the Epicure, the father of the art  
Besides, his grave and modest looks, and reverent attire,  
Would make one hear him much the more, with zeal, and great desire.  
Whom you perchance esteem the less, because you happy still  
Enjoy his sight: but I do wish to go unto my fill,  
The crystal fountains hard to find, and there from virtues rife,  
To take an practtise perfect rules, of pure and blessed life.   

❧ Ulysses At His Home Coming being brought to great extremity and misery asketh the counsel of Tyretias, a prophet in hell▪ how he may be rich again. In Ulysses consider the state of poverty, in Tyretas talk, the ungodly counsel, of the devil, and the privy suggestions of the world, and her practices.  
The fifth Satire  Ulysses. 
TYretia at my request, tell me a little more,  
How may I be, so rich a man as I was once before?  
By what means, or what policy? (Prophet) why dost thou smile?  
O subtle pate, art thou not well, from shipwreck, and e●…ilo  Tiretias' 
To have escapd, thy household gods and Ithacke isles to see?  Ulysses. 
O Prophet soothfaste in thy speech, (alas) but seest thou me,  
How bare and beggarly▪ I come, into my native land?  
(Thou having so foretold my fate) nothing in plight doth stand:  
The wooers spend up all my goods, and houses do defile.  Tiresias 
My stock, and virtue without goods, are thought as things most vile.  
To cut of talk, since poverty thou dost abhor in heart,  
Now hearken how from deep distress, a witty man may start.  
Be sending pretty presents still, be sewer thy gifts to give  
Unto the wealthy rich man's house that is not like to live.  
The Turtle dove, the orchard fruit, the honours of the field,  
The rich must have before gods selfé, what so thy ground doth yield.  
Who though he be a perjured man, of currish kindred borne,  
All gored in his brother's blood, a runagate forlorn:  
Yet coortsye him and worship him, and if he would it so,  
Thou mayst not stay to wait on him in place where he shall go.  Vlixes 
Can I becum a page to slaves, to get a silly catch,  
Who erst in Troy, even with the best was wont to make my match?  tire 
Therefore, still poor. Apply the world, and bear it as it is,  Vlixes 
Yea I have borne, and can abide, things weightier than this.  
(Good wysarde) tell a speedy way, and drive me of no more:  
How may I fill my pouches full, as they were heretofore?  
I said, and eftsoons say to thee, be pregnant aye in guile,  
Thou must be forging old men's wills, And if that in thy wile  
Thou art perceived, if none will bite, but all from hook do fly:  
Thou once deceived, despair not tho, persist thine art to try.  
If there be in arbitrement a matter great or small,  
inquire upon the parties both, and circumstances all.  
If th'one be rich, and chyldrenles, though all the ground of strife  
proceed of him, set thou in foot, and plead his cause for life.  
The other, if he have a wife, or hope of progeny,  
Though all the world proclaim him good let thou his quarrel lie.  
Do clepe the other, by his names, (fair words with fools take place:)  
Right worshipful, your virtues (say) hath made me plead your case.  
I have some practice in the law, to parley and maintain plea,  
In faith, I rather would mine eyes were drenched in the sea,  
Then any of these fyled tongues, Your worship should abuse:  
Or spend your goods. Well go you home, and cease you thus to muse.  
Pluck up your he art, leave all to me, try what a friend can do.  
In heat or cold, I am your own to ride or else to go.  
Assay the consequence hereof, some one or other will,  
Name thee, an hearty friendly man a man of wit and skill.  
Thy hunger shall be great excess, thy want much wealth at ease▪  
The Tunnye and the whale will be, scarce presents thee to please,  
But here a ca●…tion for thee, lest some should reply again,  
That thou dost good to sole old men, as gaping after gain.  
If thou canst spy a wealthy man, that hath a wearyshe child,  
There, show thyself officious, much debonair and mild:  
And cast out talk as though thou couldst, prove thee, his second son,  
Then ply the old man, so to say perchance, when he hath done,  
The child may die, than who but thou? make entre on thy right,  
Such lose beginnings oftentimes, grow up to force and might.  
If that the old man offer thee his testament to read,  
Make, as thou could not, for great grief, put it a way with speed  
But take a superficial sight, if thou must all possess:  
Or divers more cooparteners: them thou with craft must dress.  
By threatenings or by flattery, by smooth talk get thou all,  
As Esop's fox allured the daw. to let her break fast fall.  
As Coraws with such like sort, deceived Scipio.  Vlixes 
Why art thou mad or mockest for nonce, for dooming hard things so?  tire 
Laertes son what so I say, must be or else not be,  
For great Apollo hath bestowed. a prophets gift of me.  Vlixes 
Unfold this fable unto me, this mystery bewray.  tire 
What time the young man, fear of parths, begins to bear a sway,  
Angustus Prince by line extract from duke Aeneas race,  
When he shall bear the countenance, and weld the wrathful mace,  
A noble dame to Coraws, shall Scipio the bold  
Dispouse, and yet for covetise her dowry large withhold,  
Coraws shall a feoffment force, and eke the writing seal,  
A cutting write for Scipio, which he ne shall repeal.  
I give the furthermore in charge, if any doting sire,  
Be ruled by his maid or man, thralled to their desire,  
Acquaint thyself, forthwith with them, Praise them, that thee away,  
With grateful praise, and like for like, they may again repay.  
But what of them? seek ever to 
A worldly rule to seek acquaintance at our better A safe rule Cnmaepuali aequale tibi ius erit.  the chiefest, and the best,  
Praise him, laud him, so shalt thou be, in time a welcome guest.  
In case the carl be lecherous, his bidding do not bide:  
Bring him thy chaste Penelope, to whom thou wast affyde.  
P●…nelope, so temperate, so continent a dame,  Vlix, 
Whom such a rout of revellers, could never stain with shame?  
Those younkers came not for to give, but hunger for to staunch,  Tyr. 
They came for lucre, not for love, 
Prostitution practised for covetise.  to paumper up the paunch.  
But this (lo) were a present way, for her and the to live.  
Loss made your dame, so temperate, Her truth to none to give.  
I being then well elderly) at Thebes, there was a wife,  
Who charged straightly her assigns, whilst she was yet in life,  
That they should 'noint, & hold her fast, if she could wrest away  
That them their hope should want his hire and miss his wished prey,  
These show to the that he that would rise up by dead men's bones,  
Must play the bawd, the slave, and lout and painful for the nonce.  
Bear well thyself, serve in such sort, that nought may be amended:  
The testy, tethye, waspish churl, with prattling i●…offended.  
Yet sometimes that thou merely, like Daws in the play,  
Abate thy looks, as though the man with presence did the fray.  
Be ever ducking down to him: if all things be not warm,  
Beseech him thou, to keep him close, lest haply come sum harm.  
Be still, and wished, whilst he speaks ought stretch out thy listninge ear,  
And never cease to magnify, whatsoever thou dost hear.  
In case he will be blazoned, sound and resound his praise,  
Forge and devise, puff up his heart by any kind of ways.  
What time the wretch draws to his end releasing the of pain,  
Then will he say, give Vlixes, a quarter of my gain:  
Of all my substance of this world. which voice when thou dost hear,  
Alas (say thou) Dama my friend, shall he no more appear?  
O Dama friend wilt thou be gone? how may I have so good▪  
So trusty, true, and steadfast frend●…? howl, cry as thou wert wood,  
Weep if thou canst a little crash, disse mble all thy joy,  
Upon his tomb an handsome cost, and labour eke employ,  
That neighbours may commend thy act●…▪ and yet a further note:  
If one of thy coparteners g to rutle in the thro' te,  
Take him aside, and salve him fair, and tell him if he please,  
He shall by house, and land of you, for use, or for his ease.  
Much more (as thou dost like of this) to the I could have said  
But I must to my hellish task perforce my tongue is staid.  
Proserpina our tyrant Queen▪ so vengeful, and so fell,  
Doth hail me hence, to bide the smart▪ with smould red souls in hell.  
Ye worldings make such shifts as those, adieu, and far you well.   

❧ Moderate And sparing living h●…ghly commended the country much preferred before the City: the pleasure of the one, and the trouble of tother.  
The sixth satire  

THis was the thing I wished for, an hansum room of ground,  
a orchard place, a fountain bright, with stones empounded round.  
Sum trees, to over shade the same, the gods this good behest  
Have granted me: they have fulfilleth. and betterde my request.  
Content. Grant this, friend Mercury, (for nothing else I crave)  
Grant this god good, for term of life, this livelihood I may have.  
If I got not my goods by fraud, nor poor man did oppress.  
Nor through riot, or negligence, do mean to make it less?  
And do not use to wish so vain, 
Vain wishes propes to foo les.  as foolish worldlings do.  
O that yond piece of ground, were mine it names mine orchard so.  
O that it were mine happy chance, to find a pot of gold,  
To purchase fearmes, such worthy fermes as now are to be sold.  
As some have done, as he to whom, God hercules did bring  
A gub of gold, who sense hath bought a worthy wealthy thing.  
A manor, here and now doth till his ground and cherelye sing.  
If god have lente me any thing, I thank him much for that.  
And pray him, for to make me sheep, and cattle very fat.  
And, for to fatten all I have, except my wit alone:  
If that be fat, adieu good lord, our musies may be gone.  
Since I am cumde from city now, into the country town,  
What shall be done (my rhyming muse?) shall I in satires frown?  
Not lewd ambition vexeth here, nor washy southern wind:  
Nor fruitless harvest, burning time unto the fields unkind.  
Thou father of the morning tide God janus, by thy name,  
In whom, men take in hand their works and set upon the same:  
O janus, help thou on my verse, thou knows the cruel coil  
In City kept, as eke the ease of quiet country soil,  
In Rome, I needs must rise bytime, to be some surety,  
To speak to him, and him for them they still do call on me.  
Though whisking winds do shave the earth, and though the snawishe day  
Be short, and sharp, I must abroad they will not let me stay.  
If that I speak not pleasingly, but upright in my mind,  
Then sure I am in places all, enough of foes to find:  
I must be crowded in the throng, and stay, when I would walk,  
What ails this fool? how shoves he on? such is their angry talk.  
Or if we to Maecaenas walked (for that is all in all,)  
That makes our great unquietness to seem to us so small.  
(I make no lie) as soon as I draw near the Palace place,  
An hundredth suitors call to me, to speak unto his grace.  
One calls on me, at two a clock, to moute hall for to go.  
The scribes pray me, for main affairs to hast the moute hall fro.  
If there be any grants drawn out, that tarry for the seal,  
They cry on me, unto my lord the thing for to reveal.  
A seven, or eight years now it is, since that Mecaene my lord  
Did dub me his, and ●…ad me cum aye welcome to his board.  
Not to debate of grand affairs: in waggon for to ride,  
To tell, or hear sum tryfled thing, I placed by his side▪  
As thus, how that the day doth spend, in may-games, and in play  
The Tracian or the Sarian, which bore the prize away,  
And of the season of the year, and how the morning could,  
Did nip the fool in summer tide, that look to nothing would.  
Such talk, as into ears of drabs, safely man might power.  
Through this, mine hatred quickened first and kindled every hour.  
For if in case the noble duke did solace him abroad,  
(Lo) yonder (said they) fortune whelp, and mokde me where I road.  
If from the préevie council cum sum muttering of the war,  
Then, who that meets me, questions me, and gréetes me fair from far.  
Good master, (you do know those gods because of near access)   People 
Must we to war on Dacia, ourselves in are moure dress?  
I hard it not.  Peo. 
By gisse, (Horace) you will not leave your mocking:  Ho: 
Then on my head (in stiddie wise  Hor. 
let all the goddesbe knocking▪  Po. 
Cesar made promise he would give▪ his soldiers ground to till:  
In Sycilie or Italy? Sir what is Cesors will?  Horace, 
Me swearing that I know nothing, they marvel, as at one,  
Of famous taciturnity, and secret gift alone.  
In City, thus I spend my days, in much recourse of care,  
O manor place, when shall I see thy groves so fresh, and fair?  
When shall I sound ply my book, and at my vacant hours  
Cut from the world profoundly sleep, amid the fragrant flowers?  
Pythagoras, when shall thy beans, or coleworts sybbe of kind  
Refresh my hungry appetite, whilst I have supped or bind?  
O nights, and suppers of the goods, in which both I and mine  
Make cheer at home: my iollis men do feed so clean, and fine  
Of all the townish delicates, of what, so likes them best,  
My strangers frankly take repast, with lively heart, at rest.  
When that our sober company gins to warm with drink,  
Of purchasing, or supplanting we do not eftsoons think:  
In troth, our talk it multiplies, but not of bawd, or quean,  
Or who doth frisk it best in daunee, no it is chaste, and clean.  
Of knowledge, most behovable, as if in riches be,  
Or in virtue, the chiefest good, (I clepde felicity.)  
If friendship spring of use, or gain, or do to virtue tend  
What is the good called sovereign, what is her very end.  
If any praysinge hurtful goods, of ignorance do fail,  
Our neighbour Seruie, hearing that, steps in to tell his tale:  
Full gosseplike, the father sage, begins his fable then.  
The country mouse, did entertain, within her homely den  
The city mouse, the old hostess, 
Fable told.  her old acquainted friend  
Doth welcum, loath to sparple much: and yet for to unbind  
The corsie anguish of her geste with sights of dainty fare:  
Not hurded pulse, nor long stalkd oats, (the prodigal) doth spare.  
She serves in mouth the curnell dry, the gobbets chewde of lard,  
To please her geste, with cheefeste meats, was chiefly her regard:  
(Her geste that tasted on each thing with tooth of much disdain)  
The rural mouse eat new thrushde chaff, and put herself to pain:  
Reserving wheat, and cockle flower, (two dishes of much joy)  
Unto the fine fed citizen, a stranger all to coy.  
At lenghthe bespeaks the city mouse: my friend why like you still,  
To live in country fastynglye, upon a craggy hill?  
How say you? can you find in heart●… to haunt, and set more by  
The city, than the salvage woods? march on, be bold to try.  
" Our earthly soul is ruinous, not possible to fly  
" From dint of death, by any means, the longest lived must die.  
Wherefore good sister, whilst thou mayst, do bayth they self in bliss,  
Remember aye, how shadowy, and short this life time is.  
These sayings moved the rustical, full lightly leapeth she:  
They both begin this gay exploit, the city for to see.  
Benighted come they to the town: (for midnight than did hide  
The middle part of roumie sky) when both at equal tide▪  
Did press their foot in pa●…lace proud: where scarlet vesturs read,  
On ivory beds did gloze with gleams, as it were glowing gleade.  
Much was the noble remainder, of gorgeous supper paste,  
Which was bestowed in baskets shut, not clasped very fast.  
Therefore, this stranger (country mouse) on purple quishion set,  
The townish dame (as nurtured well,) her noble cates doth fet.  
A feast, of much variety. she like a serving page  
Did deign to go to bring, to taste, in proper parsonage.  
The travailer, doth like her change, and quite devoid of fear,  
As dedicate to feast, and wealth, doth glade herself wit cheer.  
All suddenly, the clapping door, doth fray them into flore,  
Affrighted sore, a runde they trip, Dismayed more, and more.  
Also the vast, and ample house, of masty dogs did sound,  
The mouse, beset in sorry wise, doth shape her answer round:  
Farewell: I need not such a life: the harmless wood, and cave▪  
Can comfort me, with fetch, and tore, and so my body save.   

❧ It is good and profitable for the Master sometimes to hear, the true, and honest instruction and advertisement of his servant. In old time, servants might speak in the month of December, whilst Saturn's feasts were solemnized, frankly and at random. The Poet bringeth in Daws, detecting his masters practices.  
The seventh Satire.  Daws. 
ERe whiles, I listened to your words, and sumthinge would have said,  
But, I a servant, and Daws, was half, and more afraid.  
Daws, a true, and trusty page, so much as sense will give.  
A friend sir, so far unto you, as I myself may live.  Simo. 
Because our ancestors so would, the freedom of Decembre  
Enjoy, speak out all things amiss, that thou dost now remember.  
Some men do stiffly stick to void, and still pursue their pray,  Daws, 
Sum to and fro, now well now worse, and keep no common stay.  
Like Priscus, changing of his rings, who such attire hath bought,  
And changed his suits, so oft a day himself hath changed to nought.  
His house, and land, to mortgage laid, yea, need doth him compel,  
In simple cottage to abide, where scarce a slave would dwell.  
At Athins, very studente like, at Rome, a lusty lad▪  
I marvel, what unstable stars what byrthsygnes once he had.  
Volaverye sticks to one trade, for gout he can not rise,  
And therefore now he fees a man, to cast for him the dice.  
Such constant folk be better than those chaunglings in and out,  
Who plunge in every folly, which their heads can bring about.  Simo. 
Wilt thou not say, thou stretch hemp, thou whom thou means in thy prattling?  Dauu●…. 
I mean even the S. How so sir knave?  Da. 
For, thou wilt still be tattling  
In praising state of foreign times, but if that thou mightest choose,  
And God would place the in those worlds, no doubt, thou shouldst refuse.  
Or thou in heart didst never think, which thou in word hast said,  
Or thou not stoutly cleaviste to the truth as half unstaid.  
Scarce fully yet resolved to pluck thy foot out of the mire.  
At Rome thou loves to be abroad, abroad, thou dost desire  
To come to Rome, and dost extol that life above the sky.  
If thou be'st no man's geste abroad then dost thou magnify  
The private cheer as though thou wouldst, be bound to live so still:  
And thinks it well, that thou ne goyste to tipple, and to swill.  
But if sum bid the cum indeed, thou lins, not then to cry,  
Oil, water, haste my servants haste, away thou dost the high.  
Full many silly servitors, that wait with empty paunch  
Say to themselves, when will this churl his glutton stomach staunch?  
I am a s●…elfeaste bellyegod, idle, and full of sloth  
A greedy gut, and at a word a servant to my tooth.  
Since thou art even as ill, as I, and worse to, in thine heart,  
How dared thou first begin with me, as though thou better wert?  
Thou canst disguise thy sin with words, thy wickedness unfold,  
Thou art more fool than I, which erst, 
The satire all tered  for fifty groats was ●…ould▪  
Explain thy brows, restrain thy hands allay thine anger fell,  
What Cryspins' porter told of the I will make bold to tell.  
(Quoth he) Daws, that silly fool, hath not his masters cast,  
His heart is ever in his tongue, for if the fact be past  
He takes no sounder rest, whilst he. hath chatterd out the thing,  
Then doth the swine, that hath her groin new wounded with a ring.  
In open day, in open streets, he praunces, and he prates,  
He makes the younkers all a float, to break the brothels gates.  
His acts are ever evident, and therefore rife in talk,  
Because he doth not make pretence, nor under collar walk.  
His master goes in sage attire: that gives a sober shoe,  
His master solemn in his words: that makes him seem so true:  
Daws in sight of all the world doth as I said before.  
Simo doth all that pryvilye, much willing to do more  
Simo is rich and rubs it out: for gold hath this by kind,  
To louse or tie the tongues of men, and to content their mind.  
Simo may be a goose, a sheep, a noddy, and a daw,  
And have not gifts, or qualities, to counterpoise a straw:  
Yet parasites will term him good, and wise, at all assays.  
I wiss, red gold can make a daulte, a paragon of praise.  
If Daws do but talk amiss, a coxcomb, or a bell:  
Such badges might beseem oft time the masters very well.  
The roister wears not alwayplumes, nor yet the devil a tail,  
If every fool did were a bell, there would be jolly sail.  
Simo can lay to usury, and yet by plea of slight,  
He will persuade the thing to be a sin of little weight.  
So drunkenness, is belowship, fury, is manhood fold,  
Fondness is frankness, and scarcehead, for thriftynesse, is hold.  
In fine, no crime, no vice, no sin in Simo, must us known:  
No fault in Daws but forthwith with trumpet it is blown.  
Yea, Simo can cloak lechery, or clepe it, by such name  
That now it seems, a neyghborhood, a thing of little blame.  Simo, 
He slandered me, (Daws my man, I am no lecher, I.)  Daws. 
Nor I a thief, though, I would steal, and yet for fear pass by  
A piece of plate, but this I say, take punishment away:  
Nature would break her bridle straight 
Masters the more dissolute for default of correction.  unruly without stay.  
Canst thou be called my governor which art to vices thrall,  
To fancies, pleasures, wrath, and teen, sithence, I shun them all?  
If all the customs of our court, would franchise thee in liberty,  
Thy fear of goods would make the slave, and keep the still in villainy.  
Also an other argument: if that your customs all,  
A servants man, a substitute, or fellewe servant call,  
What am I, in respect of you? for thou haste rule on me,  
A wretch, subject to thy lust, as any wretch can be,  
My master, to a senseless block that's moved by others might,  
puffed up with pleasures plungie puff, may be resembled right.  Simo. 
Who then is free?  Da. 
The wise that can his own affections stay,  
" Whom neither need, nor death, nor grief of massy gives can fray.  
" Who can be lord upon his lusts, and haughty rooms despise.  
" Strong and sufficient in himself, in full and perfect wise.  
Nor pass upon external things, commodity, or gain:  
On whom fortune, his heavy friend doth make assault in vain.  
Canst, thou not note, by these few things who may be counted free?  
Admit, an harlot pickde thy purse, and much abused the.  
And calls the to her house again from yoke, and servile snare,  
If thou best free, rid then thyself, thou canst not quench thy care:  
In deed, a tyrant forceth thee, and broddes the forward still,  
Doth twine thy chaps, & prick the forth 
Appityde atyrant.  full sore against thy will  
When▪ thou dost gaze on woman's shape, by Pausies hand portrayed 
Pausie a copayo●…   
And I of other painters works my steadfast looks have laid?  
(To mark the ranks, the warlike troops in letter lymmed plain▪  
And how thy strike and how thy ward, and how they take their bain:)  
Thou altogether womanish her portraiture dost view 
Sin is su●…uewing effeminate pictures.   
Who sinneth more, or thou, or I? speak sooth, and say me true.  
Daws, iscounted slack, and slow, if he do them survey:  
Simo doth love antiquities, and judgeth well they say.  
They count me nought, if that I do but make a little cheer:  
It is a virtue thought in the to banquet all the year  
Why is the pampering of the paunch, so hurtful unto me?  
Because, my back doth bear the blows, if aught displeaseth the.  
How dost not thou deserve the whip that costly cates doth buy,  
And eats, and drinks, and revels still Without all modesty?  
Dainties becum no dainty things, 
One commodity of gluttony.  where there is nought but cheer  
Thy stackering stumps, thy corsye corpse at length will hardly bear:  
The servant, if he steal but grapes, is straight attachde of felony:  
My master sells his lands for meat, doth he not sin in gluttony?  
A gain thou art not with thyself, thou never art at leisure,  
Thou canst not rest, nor take a pause, nor muse at things of pleasure.  
Thou shun'st, to reason with thy soul, her counsel thou dost hate,  
Per consequens, thou shuns thyself 
A very hard thing to hear our faults without collar, Daws-simo Daws  (full like a runagate)  
Thou thinks by sleep, and bibbing wine to banish out all woe  
Thy conscience will work the teen wheresoever thou dost go  
Ah sir, where might I get a n1? wherefore? Simo: or else a stone?  
My master mads, or maketh rhymes▪ he museth so alone.  Simo: 
Except thou wilt be trudging hence, and make no more delays,  
Thou shalt go to my manor place, to work thes nine long days,   

❧ Against the Epicures usages, that to keep a riotous rout of serving men, is no true hospitality. Against excess in belly cheer. Horace talketh with Fundanus  
The eight satire  Horace. 
How do you like the Epicures repast, so rich, and gay?  
This other day I sent for you, and then I did hear say,  
You dynd abroad.  Fund. 
In faith my friend it liked me so much,  Horace. 
That ere this time, I do believe, there never was one such.  
If that it be not tedious, nor do not you displease,  
What meat was first, your angry maw that 'gan for to appease?  
first had we brawn from Lncanie, the father of the feast,  Fundan●… 
Said, he was slain when southern wind his blustering blasts released.  
Rapes, radish, Lettuce, Sher wick roots, broth start in taste, and quick  
Came next to make our stomach slow more urgently to prick.  
Fair trenchers than was called for strait, the purple carpet dressed,  
Each man desires to site next him, that tauntingly can jest:  
ribalds, and cock scombes are in deed a sauce unto our feast.  
Fools have with us a privilege to tell who, what, and when,  
Fools speak oft times, the very thoughts of wise and witty men.  
There was the costly Culliss the Turbut and the Pike,  
The purpose and the Porpentine with many such the like.  
Pyge, partridge, peacock, sparrow▪ ●…wale, so many of a row,  
That scarce the eater leaveth room, to fetch his wind, or blow.  
All things, so formally brought in, so solemnly assayed,  
As though on altars to the Gods the banquet had been made.  
What drink you masters (quoth our host) Gascoigne or Rennishe wine.  
We have of all sorts in this house, both lately brochde and fine.  
Then when that wine had won the field, and maisterd all our guess,  
Lord what it was a ●…oy to see, how some it down doth presse:  
Like as the thing that heavy is, of Nature so is made,  
(Except the same by violence forholden be and stayed,  
To fall to ground: like as the oak, of substance stiff and stout  
Comes dow●…e, when he with dynting axe is hewed round about:  
So do our hoglings sink forthwith, (their head a Bacchus barge)  
Wine is I tell you, burtheynous, and passing full of charge.  
Some singes of love and lovers fits, and, how Cupidos' dart  
Did smite him (gentle soul) amiss, so deautyful an heart.  
Some mourn and blame their sorry fate, 
The divers sorts of drunkards  why Fortune should be such,  
That they such bloods should nothing have, and others overmuch.  
some chide, some chat, some rave, some reel, and some can take the pain,  
Of courtesy to give mine host, his supper up again.  
Some will unfold big mysteries, and fram his matter so,  
As though he had above the rest, got Phoebus by the toe.  
Some will lament the state of times▪ and how that all is nought.  
How things be risen in their price, and how they have been bought.  
Some swear that they have lived ill, and how to morrow day,  
They will accord with all the world, and gin on other play.  
How Virtue is a peerless dame, how few do her embrace:  
This will they preach in gestring wise as though in public place  
The thing were done. (lo Horace, lo) our suppers and our cheer:  
We spare no cost, we may not ask if it be ceape, or dear  
We keep a troop of serving men: a crew of lusty brutes,  
And these for our great honour's sake, must cut it in their suits.  
These be our handy instruments, to worchen all our will,  
Not scrupulous for to inquire, if it be good or ill.  
So many, so officious, that not one hear may lie  
Amiss on us, but he or he, will spy it by and by.  
We laugh at those▪ when they are drunk, those make a sport alone:  
To scoff at strangers, when as they with drink are overgone.  
So so, no more C●…pide cannot from hive of honey lick,  
But one or other be forthwith will sting him with her prick.  
The world the hive the combs, the wealth, which who so doth assay,  
" Pleasure in face, poison in tail, Like Scorpion they will pay,  
" The stings that prick be choking ●…ares, These honey tasters have:  
" Whilst they are toast within themselves, to seek, or how to save.  
" Wealth is a thing most venomous, and few or none we find,  
" But pleasure hath like Circe's cups yturnde them from their kind.  
" Why should the w●…se esteem so much, a rout of waiting men?  
" Who, in their age most commonly, what are they? beggars then.  
Brought up so lewd, continue lewd, reckless, and idle swains▪  
Not knowing art, or handycrafte, nor able to take pains.  
To keep them brave, doth even as much thine honour true v●…holde.  
As if thou shouldst make thee a tail, and gild the same with gold.  
" Is hospitality in those, in ●…eding any such?  
" In keeping strong and heady drinks, in beluing overmuch?  
" Like sponges never satisfied, and like Vlixes foes,  
" From meat to bed, from bed to meat, and so their circle goes.  
" Devisers of all wantonness, what should I tell you more?  
Good to increase, and multiply their lord or masters score.  
I do suppose, that if men's wealths, should answer to their wills,  
That night and day would scarce suffice to revel out their fills.  
Each man is counted of most price and meet to be a Lord,  
As he with dishes can depaint, and overcharge aboard.  
No talk how wise, how virtuous, or to take pains how able,  
But if he keep great store of drink, or honourable table.  
There fore some people parasites, that they may seem to pass,  
Will spend out Malueseye, Muscadel, and fumyshe Hypocrasse.  
And make their cooks so looshiouslye, their delicates to dress  
Their very meats so insensive, brought in, in such excess:  
That I do loath them more in mind as things more full of harm,  
Then if that witch, that Canadie, had cursed them with her charm.    

Horace to his book  

ME thinks my book thou gins to look, to sail for to be gone:  
And now forsooth to lie out sleakd with printers poomise stone.  
Thou hates for to be locked up, with clasp for to be shit,  
Though shamefast books have well esteemed and ever liked of it  
Thou sorry to be showed to fu●… community dost praise:  
Not so instructed Book of me, go fly thy fancied ways,  
Thou never must return again. Ah wretch why did I long?  
What have I done? (thus wilt thou say) when sum have done the wrong.  
This well knows thou, the reader cloyed▪ will eftsoons at the snatch,  
And thou by running thus abroad, thine ill report dost hatch.  
Except that I an Augur false to rid the hence mistake me,  
Thou shalt be dear to Rome a while, whilst thy good days forsake the.  
Then must thou be an obscure book for moughtes on the to eat,  
A goodly dish, thou must becum the sluggie mough her meat  
A passenger through each hobbes hand, when thou ginst to be vile,  
Thou must becum to wrap up spice to trudge about a while  
On peddlers back, from town to town and I that warned the still  
To lurk with me, shall have good cause to lawght at the my fill. '  
As he that drew his ass up th'hill the awkward best drew back,  
Angered at last, he cast him down to feel his fatal thwack.  
The practice known, the proverb known and talked on all the day,  
Who can, or would hold back the thing, that needs would be away?  
And stamering age to petyte lads in corners all will reed thee,  
This occupation bides the to, thou mayst have joy to speed thee,  
On sum hot day when all thy friends are réeding the yfeare  
Deliver up this speech to them which I will tell the here.  
My father but a bondman borne and I at first but poor,  
I stretchd my wings, and from my nest did mount aloft, and sore,  
That look what praise from me for birth and base kind thou dost take:  
So much praise pardie more is due to me, for virtues sake. 
Horace of himself.   
Do tell them that I ever pleased at home, abroad those men  
Which bore the chiefest sway in town and were the load stars then.  
Of stature small, grey headed soon, of sonning very feign,  
Hasty to wrath, but so that I was strait way pleased again.  
And let them know that I had lyud four times eleven years clear  
When Lollius and Lepidus were Consuls in their year.   
FINIS.