A most excellent new Ditty, wherein is showed the sage sayings, and wise sentences of Solomon: wherein each estate is taught his duty, with singular counsel to his comfort and consolation.  
To the tune of Wigmoores' Galliard.  
 

THose that will run a Virtuous race,  
and learn the Precepts of the sage  
Those that true wisdom will embrace  
and learn to live in youth and age:  
Let him approach hereto with speed,  
And to these Lessons give good heed:  
for bearing well these things away,  
the Lord will bless them night & day.   

My Son, saith Solomon the wise,  
if thou true Wisdom wilt attain:  
Then fear the Lord that rules the skies  
for so the scripture telleth thee plain.  
Embrace his word, and him obey:  
This is the chief and only way:  
for they that do these things despise,  
are fools to God, though worldly wise   

Unto thy Father honour give,  
and thou shalt surely blessed be:  
And be obedient while you live,  
vn●o your Mother courteously:  
Then God will send thee evermore  
Sufficient wealth, and treasure store:  
all things shall prosper in thy hand,  
and song thou shalt enjoy the Land.   

The blessing of thy Father dear,  
doth cause the children's good success:  
But where the Mother doth appear,  
to curse the children's wickedness,  
Their whose foundation doth decay,  
Like withered leaves they fall away:  
Then all good children learn of me,  
to love your Parents faithfully.   

Set not thy mind on worldly wealth,  
nor put thy confidence therein:  
For Riches doth consume by stealth,  
and Covetousness is counted sin:  
For while thou livest on the earth,  
Thou art uncertain of thy death:  
and when that death doth stop thy wind  
then must thou leave thy goods behind   

Be friendly unto every man,  
but unto few familiar be:  
And try thy friend if that thou can,  
his inward thoughts to prove and see:  
And if thou find him just and true,  
Change not thy old Friend for a new:  
For many promise much indeed,  
but clean forsake thee in thy need.   

If thou hast Sons, instruct them well  
but on thy Daughter never smile:  
Their wanton ways do far excel,  
let no affection thee beguile:  
With due correction love them still,  
And give not them their wanton will:  
for if that they do stubborn grow,  
their duty than they will not know.   

Give honour to the Aged sort.  
and to thy Betters always bow:  
So shalt thou win a good report,  
for God himself doth him allow:  
Of hateful Pride likewise be ware,  
And have an eye to after care:  
be not too rash in any thing,  
for that will soon repentance bring.   

Lend not thy goods to Mighty men,  
whose countenance passeth thy degree  
For it is hard to get again,  
as we by daily proof may see.  
For other men give not thy word,  
No further than thou canst afford:  
lest afterward thou chance to rue,  
and pay the debt when it is one.   

With him that is a Magistrate,  
in any case go not to law:  
Lest thou repeut the same too late,  
for he will hold thee still in awe:  
Be always wary in thy words.  
For spiteful congues are evil sworts  
and look to whom thou dost impair,  
the thoughts and secrets of thy heart.   

Be never ieolous of thy Wife,  
lest she thereby do mischief learn,  
For so thou shalt soon purchase strife:  
then wisely do each thing discern.  
And do no evil occasion give,  
But loviugly together live:  
For where the man and wife do hate,  
the curse of God waits at thy gate.   

On Harlots cast not thou thy mind,  
lest thou thereby thyself consume:  
And waste thy riches in the winte,  
whilst thou in faunie fret and fume:  
Their soul enticements bringeth death▪  
And poison cometh from their breath:  
their eyes are wandering too and fro,  
and every one their fashions know.   

Praise no woman for her beauti●●▪ sake,  
nor discommend no man by light:  
And with thy tongue no lying make,  
fulfil thy promise just and right.  
Be merciful unto the poor,  
And God will thee reward therefore:  
Keep not the labourers wages ba●ke  
but comfort such as comfort lack.   

Grieve not the heavy hearted man,  
nor joy not at thy enemy's harm:  
Rebuke thy Brother friendly than,  
against no man use open charm:  
Nor credit thou each tale in haste,  
Till trial prove the matter waist.  
Fron hateful slander keep thy tongue  
& work for age, whilst thou art young   

Three things there are which God doth hate  
as holy Scripture do declare:  
A man too proud in beggar's state,  
a Rich man for to lie and swear:  
To see an Old-man given to just:  
And those of God are sure accursed.  
The lying tongue the soul doth quest  
but pride & just throws down to hell.   

While you are living, call for grace,  
thyself is like the fading Flower:  
Death cometh stealing on a pace,  
thou shalt not know the day nor hour.  
Thy speech at all times shall not last,  
Use well the time that now thou hast:  
and from repentance do not stay,  
thou canst no time with death delay.   

If thou consider well the same,  
and bear these Lessons in thy mind:  
And thereunto thyself do frame,  
great comfort surely thou shalt find.  
Plant well these sayings in thy heart,  
And from these precepts never start:  
So shalt thou live in perfect peace,  
and God will bless thee with increase.   
FINIS.   

At London printed by W. W. for T. P.