THE Poor Man's passions. AND Poverties Patience.  
Written by Arthur Warren. Anno. Dom. 1605.  
AT LONDON, Printed by I. R. for R. B. and are to be sold in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Sun.   

To his kindest Favourer Master Robert Quarme.  

DIssemble not Pen, paint thy naked mind,  
Draw the Anatomy of perfect love,  
And though Fortune to slender means thee bind,  
Affectionate yet to thy Patron prove;  
And tell thy friend, if Poverty may steed,  
He shall not fail to find a friend at need.   

Give him thy Passions, and thy Patience,  
And in them both include thy loving heart,  
Invite him to thy Contents Residence,  
And feast him there, to answer his desert:  
That hast no Currant him to satisfy,  
But love, affection, and gratuity.   

Europe hath Owners in possession placed,  
Asia for her Subjects taketh care,  
Africa her Inhabitants hath graced,  
America hath not a foot to spare,  
And Indigence will not make thy Release,  
Till some of these Possessioners decease.   

Tell him, the Hand, that did this Pen direct,  
If serviceable, shall on him attend;  
Tell him, the heart, that doth his love affect,  
By prayers his Humanity defend?  
Tell him, that Passions must his Patience crave,  
Till Poverty a richer Nature have.   
Arthur Warren.   

The poor Man's passions.  

Tragical heart, invective terms collect,  
Perturb the passion of the worldly mind,  
Deluding Objects of Content reject,  
Sergeant pleasures in a bundle bind,  
And overwhelm them midst the Ocean's wave,  
Or them inter in some Cymmerian cave.   

Resign possession of regardless Toys,  
That hoodwink thee in downefalles of distress,  
Though in appearance superficial joys,  
Yet tried prove but Counterpanes of bless:  
I'll not bestow perusing on that lease,  
Whose expired Date doth at the sealing cease.   

I Caitiff, Croesus' Royalty disclaim,  
Discarding golden Crassus choicest store,  
With envies darts at Epicures I aim,  
And Dives sumptuousness I disadore;  
For tell the Porter of the proudest state,  
I scorn to knock at the securest gate.   

Yet lowest Fortunes cross my lostly mind,  
And apprentize my thoughts to servile law,  
Which Nature to her Pupils ne'er assig'nde,  
And all to curb my grand Conceits in awe;  
Such as lawless Necessities impose,  
To gall the shoulder that this yoke would lose.   

I live, yet loath to lead this loathsome life,  
I breath, yet do suspire with painful breath,  
I stir, yet storm to manage tedious strife,  
And I shall die untested in my death,  
Doubting lest mine Executors refuse  
The statute of my Testament to use.   

while Cross and Loss do countermand desire,  
while will with want conjoins a Combatine,  
As powerful to set the Seas on fire,  
Making the most 'gainst Patience to repine,  
That ill Success in world's unhappy state,  
Makes hapless man much more unfortunate.   

To controverse with mine Adversity,  
Is but with unarmed Breast to pierce a sword;  
And so Phylautus shall do injury  
Unto himself, by his self-willed discord:  
And yet these Oppositions who can brook,  
That with one eye, or half a face doth look?   

Can Flesh and Blood, that loves to brave the best,  
Pocket these wrongs and bury such abuse?  
And can Humanity these pills digest,  
Or like Melancholists get some Recluse,  
To make their Orisons in Saturn's ear,  
That sitting dumb doth mute petisions hear?   

A man's a man, though he have but a face,  
A beardless face the world for to control,  
But I in cloak deprived of guard and lace,  
Poor patches for my fortunes must enrol,  
To signify unto the Earth, what lot,  
The Lack-lands of our lower House have got.   

To monarchize a wretches woeful state,  
Importeth prowess, though but little power,  
Once to command the world seems fortunate,  
Though but a World conceited for an hour,  
Indigents may abound though but in dreams,  
Fortune Flows not to all in Favours streams.   

Demi-god Argent, and the Silver Saint  
Passengers in their travel must protect,  
And with the taverner their needs acquaint,  
The Penniless no choice of Inns elect;  
Hunger and Thirst needs must we wars proclaim,  
And try the Combat, though we take the maim.   

Physician Gold doth fortify the lame,  
With Argus' eyes illuminates the dark,  
Skilleth to shroud Sinners apparent shame,  
In ships of Silver safe we may embark,  
To cut the Seas, and cross by every coast,  
In peace to take all Harbours for our host.   

In vain the Monylesse their moans confess,  
In vain the wealthlesse do their wants repeat,  
In vain the wretches warble their distress,  
In vain the miserable do entreat,  
For helping hands the Needy to relieve,  
Or mercy's minds their much and good to give.   

To sue, solicit, beg, beseech, entreat,  
To smooth, sooth, flatter, and do what thou skillest;  
To malice, menace, mischief, storm, and threat,  
But World's vacuity with air thou fillest:  
Requests nought feed the siluer-sucking mind,  
No Penny doth no Pater Noster find.   

love lives by loss, Don Lucre all commands,  
Pitiful Complaints, doleful passions Sound,  
But are not tuned by relieving hands,  
While miseries are weakest Motives found;  
Son dutifies father, father loves Son,  
And all is for Consideration done.   

O would I could by virtues of my voice,  
The Beggar from my presence but exile,  
And on professions execute my Choice,  
Or to desires my fortunes reconcile,  
Then farewell whip, a sop hard to digest,  
And Pill'ry, where men take but Pinch-eares rest.   

I would not fear Freedom of Borough towns,  
Nor strictest Restraints of immured wales,  
Nor severe presence of Officious gowns,  
Which with Commands commend us to their hales,  
To answer all Objects with cap and knee,  
And Abjects all the while reputed be.   

Upon our Doom the dull'st will whet his brain,  
If Fortune's Flower but begin to fade;  
The ravenous Cormorants will us constrain  
A Common top for scourges to be made,  
Lamigers creep to set on foot our harm,  
The Blind to view our woes about us swarm.   

Poorelings but Caterpillars they account,  
Their profits destinated to devour,  
That Seas of sorrows shall our Souls surmount,  
While Pride 'gainst Poor doth floods of malice pour,  
adjudging us but Burdens of the Earth,  
And Cankerworms increasing Country's dearth.   

bears Arms 'gainst Peace, besieging our Contents,  
Muster the troops of controversing minds,  
And of our Martyrdoms make monuments,  
Testify their degenerating kinds,  
Vnnaturallizing perversest hearts,  
To scandallize our laudable Deserts.   

Newgate, the worst gate, they protest too good,  
Coldly to entertain such goldlesse guests,  
These Cowards durst exhausted a beggars blood,  
And tyrannize in hindering our requests;  
Our serious expectations cross with toys,  
Plant obstacles to intercept our joys.   

Help Heavens, poor Hearts poorer plaints may pour  
To careless shores, and to relentless rocks,  
Man is man's Wolf, for man would man devour,  
while Brother from Brother compassion locks,  
Yet Trees him shade midst Sol-in-loos heat,  
Beasts minister him food to be his meat.   

The Crystal fountains quench the thirst of man,  
The Dogs use dalliance, and on him attend,  
The Ox draws, and the Ass doth what he can,  
The flocks withfleeces him from cold defend,  
Yet goes it 'gainst the hair with him to spare,  
The solace, which might cure his Brother's care.   

Unreasonable Creatures can him show,  
And senseless things in silence can bewray  
Duty, which to his Neighbours he doth owe,  
Though deaf, blind, and hard-hearted thus he stray,  
And hath such Midas ears, as will not hear,  
Though thence his Error to the world appear.   

Man without many helps can hardly live,  
Although his fields of acres know none end,  
Yet doth it worse than cut his throat to give,  
To Impotents, to Indigents to lend:  
Fondling, forgettest thou how thou borrowest still  
That hard'nest thus thine Adamantine will?   

Diggers, and Dikers, Drudges, Carters, Swains,  
Shepherds, and Cowards, friend thee at thy need,  
The poorest persons work thy richest gains,  
Thy Dropsy with Commodities to feed,  
Cobblers, and Curriers, Tinkers, Tanners all  
Support thy state, else would thy fortress fall.   

It's work tyme-worthy to observe the ways  
Of Worldlings, how prepost'rously they live,  
That will not help, yet want helps all their days,  
That without gifts live not, yet will not give.  
O brazen fronts, o iron-metled hearts,  
Whose quivers surfeit with discourteous darts.   

And all's to royalize their Progeny,  
And eternize their Names in Mammon's books,  
Register their time-eaten Dignity,  
Catch the Circumferrence in golden hooks,  
Make Ignorance subscribe unto their will,  
Persuade the Blind, the valley is a hill.   

Summon a Parliament, which may have power  
To contradict rulelesse Necessity,  
Endow Needs Daughter with convenient Dower,  
To extirpate the roots of misery,  
And ruina●…e the edifice of wants,  
In Pleasure's plots to set Contentments plants.   

Beggary men contemptible doth make,  
Rags with Robes assume no Society,  
Irus with Croesus' never hands did shake,  
Tokens of Union to testify:  
The Patch with Purple near acquaintance took,  
Nor Siluerlesse suits with the lawyers book.   

The widow Want sojourns at low-streets end,  
While monsieur Money purchaseth a place,  
His Consistory midst the town to spend,  
'mongst Magistrates, Monarches of greatest grace;  
While to the Rich the world a Lordship gives,  
Poverty always undertenant lives.   

O rich World's Darling, big thou dost abound  
With treasures, pleasures, health, wealth, liberty,  
Heart's ease and thoughts wish at a wink are found  
Thy mutable Humours to satisfy,  
All joys desired attend thee at a beck,  
As though thou didst both fate and fortune check.   

Little thou carest what cares I endure,  
And less thou feelest what force I suffer must,  
My dolours can no rest from ruth procure,  
While as thou list thou canst agglut thy lust,  
Flowing in Oceans of profoundest wealth,  
While wretch I want helps to support my health,   

My Palate dry, my lips seem parched with thirst,  
Belly thinks throat cut through the lack of meat,  
Yet Seconds strive not who shall be the first,  
To minister means what to drink or eat,  
Small scraping mundifies my trenchers clean,  
I need no Diet to conserve me lean.   

Physic farewell, thou never shalt take cure,  
'Gainst surfeiting to practise remedy,  
If seldom meal may make complexion pure,  
Fairensse my formal face shall beautify,  
Make me Pygmalion's pictures counterfeit,  
While starving stomach for a crumb doth wait.   

When Thirst like Aetna'es' heat doth cause me crave,  
Some slender potion Appetite to drown,  
And begging I sweet liquid cannot have,  
The Butler with his bowl so black doth frown;  
Then run I to a River, 〈◊〉 fair Brook,  
How comfortable doth thy current look:   

There I in all Humility prostrate,  
Bowed on bare knees, and empty belly laid,  
Sue for a sup at kind Banks mercy-gate,  
Where of the water I am not denied;  
Twixt lip and liver, water wine is made,  
To flourish life, which did commence to fade.   

Thus solaced incontinent I rise,  
Bowing in token of my thankful heart,  
With best Curtsy, that Duty can devise,  
To gratify the Runners kind desert:  
Away I walk after this humble greet,  
As though I quaffed had the Nectar sweet.   

When wolvish Hunger on my stomach gnaws,  
Invocates Custom Victu'alls to provide,  
Teeth ruminating on their empty jaws,  
As if they durst no longer dull abide,  
Sith Appetite precepteth them to dress  
For dying Nature some reviving mess.   

Then I importune, and solicit Cook,  
For one cold cut I tender him my love,  
With hollow eyes and fleshless cheeks I look,  
To pity so the pitiless to move:  
With Egle wings he flies to lock the door,  
Is not at leisure to relieve the poor.   

Thus do these iron hands Compassion shut  
From souls surcharged with sorrow through their need,  
who never helps unto the helpless put,  
Nor spare superfluous things our wants to feed,  
which swell with fat, surfeit with dainty fare,  
Unmindful of their needy Neighbour's care.   

The Belly-god with gormandizing full  
Excludeth empty Appetite from mind,  
Bibbers beere-swollen eyes with quaffing dull,  
Think they can nowhere any thirsting find,  
Gluttons in Lethe lake drown Penury,  
Drunkards imagine no throat to be dry.   

Midst this perplexity I make my moan  
To God, to man, man not regarding God,  
I sigh in sorrow, and in grief I groan,  
Scourged with Persecutions piercing rod,  
O it's a Hell on earth all to endure,  
Which daily men to mischief men procure.   

Nature, that first gave life, decreed a law,  
That Mortals Earths-fruites should in Common hold,  
When times Corruption private profit saw,  
Things gratis given must be bought and sold,  
And then Division strived for a store,  
To mar what golden Age had made before.   

This seeing I all Adam's sons forsake,  
Ominous seeming in their odious sight,  
And to my Meditations me betake,  
To seek the Cause, why they deny me right:  
Such Difference I find twixt store and dearth,  
That Rich count Beggars Bastards of the Earth.   

Because we are not elder Brethren borne,  
Apparent Heirs to earthly Heritage,  
Hence haughty World's Inheritors us scorn,  
As not begot in lawful Marriage,  
The harm is ours, the injury was theirs,  
To take all, ere we borne were to be Heirs.   

These monster-natured People I forswear,  
And to mismembred Sylvan satires go,  
Pouring my plaints into their brutish ear,  
So making them familiar with my woe;  
I warble forth a wretches doleful cries,  
To prove what pity in their bowels lies.   

These lodge a better Bounty in their Breast,  
These Heathen harbour more Humanity,  
One may in surer safety with them rest,  
Than with his Brethren full of Tyranny,  
They will conduct you to their mossy cave,  
Where part of their provision you may have.   

This moved the prudent Hermits to forsake  
Country, Acquaintance, Parents, livings, land,  
And in the Wilderness a Cell to make,  
where they secured from injuries might stand;  
Though moss, not down they used in stead of bed,  
And were with hips and haws for Dainties said.   

It's Ease enough, whereas may lodge Content,  
It's cheer enough, where Nature is sufficed,  
It's Right enough, whereas no wrong is meant,  
It's love enough, where no hate is devised,  
Better to live alone in peace and rest,  
Then 'mongst the multitude, and be oppressed.   

My sourged Wits do wave with strange desires,  
When Melancholy doth these planet's note,  
My Soul to be a Solivage requires,  
Entreats Earth's Centre for some place remote,  
There could I draw sweet and contented breath,  
where friends feign not, nor foes pretend my death:   

The Cliffs, the Rocks, the steepy roughs, and Dales,  
The Mountains, Promontories, Harbours, Plains,  
Inhabitable Islands, Creeks, and vales,  
Estranged Continents, resortles Manes,  
Groves, Desolations, and untrodden ways  
My wandering steps with weary pace assays.   

Some unfrequented woods I seek to find,  
Some unknown Deserts journey I to see,  
what Solitariness hath there assigned  
For such, as her Inhabitants shall be,  
The Earth I survey for the secretest field,  
To prove what entertainment it may yield.   

I meet with Lynx, and with the Lion fell,  
with beastly Bears, Tigers of Hyrcanie,  
Calidons Boar, like Cerberus in Hell,  
That wrongs and wounds all Persons passing by,  
The Basan Bulls, the Irish wolves I see,  
All which impose no violence on me.   

The Lynx, that is the clearest Beast of fight,  
Seemeth to shed a shower of Crystal tears,  
The Lion, Monarch for his matchless might,  
Offers no force, to load my life with fears;  
Tigers are tame, Bulls hurt me not with horn,  
wolves are like Lambs by them I am not ton.   

My misadventures do them all amaze,  
Of mine Afflictions they remain in awe,  
On my mishaps, and my misfortunes gaze,  
As though they so strange objects never saw,  
So forlorne-like I pass, so vile so base,  
That they relent to view my ruthful case.   

Thus I with eyes of farre-discerning mind,  
Homeward convert a distort Countenance,  
In esperance acquaintance some to find,  
which might eye-witness unexpected chance,  
Earth's Cormorant, here to thy scandal see  
The mercy, which the merciless show me.   

Mask thy hard forehead, to obscure thy shame,  
Viewing unreasonable Creatures kind,  
That savage, wild, and brutish are by name,  
And yet by Nature of a better mind,  
Then thou, that dost thyself a monster make,  
while that a Beast doth man's Idea take.   

Yet Genius hath framed thee a man,  
Time and Experience joined assisting hand,  
Art hath performed, what knowledge practice can,  
And all is but to number Ocean's sand,  
It seems Impossibility to be,  
To make a Metamorphosis of thee.   

Thou wilt not alter, but from Have to Hold,  
From catch to keep, from much to gather more,  
From Cottages to farms, from lead to gold,  
From Competence into superfluous store,  
Thy Nature nought to such but envy yields,  
As have a meadow greener than thy fields.   

What is't to beg, but to be counted base?  
What is't to borrow, but to be denied?  
When Poor are trespassed, they learn ploydon's case,  
And must for recompense content abide,  
Yet give the Rich but an uncourteous look,  
It proves a forfeit by their statute book.   

It's wrong to them, if any pleasant live:  
It's pain to them, if any sit in ease:  
It's grief to them, if any one do thrive:  
It's death to them, if any them displease:  
They do prohibit that a horse should bear,  
But golden him, that silver spurs doth wear.   

Degrading us with contumelious spells,  
They touch, attach, and summon us with shames,  
To our discredit ring reproachful bells,  
And Catalogue us with inhuman names,  
Vagabonds, varlets, villains, vassals, slaves,  
Rogues, Caterpillars, Runagates, and knaves.   

O Heavens, ye have heard these wrongs and more,  
Earth is eare-witnes of these injuries,  
Produced to punish, and depose the poor,  
With more than su●…ble villainies,  
That maugre 〈◊〉 the oppressed cry,  
And death it is, that wretches may not die.   

Goods, Cattles, Fees, Lands, 〈◊〉, and gold,  
Issues, Rents, Profits, Fines, and 〈◊〉,  
World's Argonauts from over-whelming hold,  
Midst Floods, Rocks, Seas, and gulfs of miseries,  
While Poor her person with the path doth wear,  
Bucephalus must Alexander bear.   

For in wealth consists world's Nobility,  
Honour, Preferment, fri●…dship, love, and all,  
Birth, Learning, Virtue, is but Beggary,  
Lest Hap it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ball:  
Who is the Lord, but he, that hath the luck;  
Who is the man, but he, that hath the muck?   

If Asses thus to Honour's height ascend,  
Load but with silver burdens, golden pa●…s,  
If Manhood thus on Mou●…s depend,  
Which having this all other merits lacks,  
Then Glory shall detain Desa●… reward,  
And virtues will not 〈◊〉 ●…gard.   

Than 'mong'st the Ladies may A 〈◊〉,  
And hold a Dis●…affe, or ruin Carpet Knight;  
Ulysses may his 〈◊〉 madness give,  
And plow the sands, and in his ●…ome delight,  
To Cowardice the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yield,  
Mars sit indignifide in Honour's field.   

Custom maintain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in things,  
Or changed, for better 〈◊〉 wish,  
Good Friday hath the Capon by the wings,  
While Easter day is fea●… b●… with fish,  
The Poor midst Richimens' meple is forced to fast,  
And still into the S●… 〈◊〉 ●…cast.   

Who presents Pouer●…y with pin, or aught,  
Pining in Pen●…y, naked with need?  
Venison and Fatlings to the Rich, are brought,  
jewels and gems their e●…es delight●… feed;  
Whether go gifts, but to the wealthy hand?  
Who sit in Chairs, but they that best might stand?   

All to the tune of Ars●… versie goes,  
Cart draws the Horse, them both the Devil drives,  
Mens public friends convert to private foes,  
And these wounds most the harmless Patient grines,  
The wealth best the●…ter succour might,  
But they'll no wrong ●…pt, nor profit right.   

Cousin Diogenes, didst thou survive,  
Mine heart were freed from a thousand fears,  
If Pilgrim, thou couldst prosprously ●…riue,  
Midst the  of our luck less years,  
Couldst thou fadge with the world in thy state,  
I would thee for example imitate.   

Remember, how they once did Dog thee name,  
Now Cur, and worse than ill, they would thee call,  
Banish thy presence to thy future shame,  
Not spare a tub to cover thee with all,  
But intercept the Sun from warning thee,  
If them thou find such, as they prove to me.   

The shestring Hedge personates Beggar's house,  
The trees, the fields, and bushes are his mates,  
Some silly Baucis poor philemon's spouse,  
Forgotten and foregone of greater states,  
His Raiment, Rags, undecency his lace,  
The Rent his Cut, his habits so to grace.   

The Cynic once with Candle in his hand,  
At noon 〈◊〉 man in Macedoni●… sought;  
were he Suru●…your of the spacious land,  
He scarcely should descry a courteous thought,  
That had Compassion to commiserate,  
The Indigence of some distressed state.   

This frozen-harted Age so coldly loves,  
That Charity exting ●…shed is found,  
Beneficence but ver●… 〈◊〉 proves,  
While Promise doth but expectation sound,  
All are content to father Dignity,  
Yet few will Parents be of Courtesy.   

Had I but honour, all I would advance:  
Had I but wealth, I would enrich the poor:  
Or strength, I would the weakest countenance:  
Or had I skill, I would recure the lo●…e:  
There should no penny of reward be named,  
Till I had made strength, wealth, and Art ashamed.   

Is't not a dis●…ine to Humanity,  
That money should thus tyrannize on earth?  
Or Niggardize our fames indignify,  
And on the faculties raise needless dearth?  
The Arts are liberal, then why should price,  
Bury such gifts in obscure Avarice?   

What Penury of Paper Scriveners find:  
While Bills, and Bonds, Indentures, Leases, Deeds.  
The worldlings to their words performance bind;  
Though no Proviso for Relapse of needs,  
The Poor bare Ec●…oes are content to take,  
While Rich with wa●… and writings bargain make.   

While writs and warrants, Executions, Rests,  
Lurk like Hyena, Debts to apprehend,  
while careful Creditors perturb their breast,  
In secrecy their Messengers to send  
Unto the Bankrupt, that hath broken day,  
And doth not levy, what he ought to pay.   

These troubles are become so common trade,  
That Shoulder-catching doth the unthrift gall:  
Such Custodies for Evidences made,  
That they devour the timber, steel, and all;  
They must have double gates before their door,  
To stop the false, and to expel the poor.   

The Needy no key, lock, chest, closet lack,  
They without artificial continent,  
Include in Belly, and support on back,  
what Heaven gives, or niggard Earth hath lent,  
No folds for flocks, no treasuries for gold,  
But they have present use, that all can hold.   

Dinars not ducats are the Sums we make,  
Pence and not pounds the charges we bestow,  
Slender dole, and no large Donations take,  
Gratuity, the payments which we owe;  
Yet worldly Pomp, which doth our eyes allure,  
Suggests, we should not this disgrace endure.   

Conjecture what we think, when we behold,  
A wealth-enobled worldling, to abound  
With rings, and precious things, with gilt, and gold,  
As such a second worthy were not found:  
How true suppose yet proves our Poor-man's eye,  
when all these tricks and trims it doth espy?   

How fain it would relinquish homely head,  
And rivet to Objects so fair in sight;  
Whose robes and plumes so gloriously are spread,  
The gazers to amaze with rare delight!  
My dearest Treasures should be cheaply sold,  
To buy a minute, these Rares to behold.   

One of mine eyes to jeopard could I brook,  
On silks, scarves, Satins, jewels, bracelets, chains,  
On cuffs, and ruffs, and Novelties to look,  
Although the price thereof procure my pains:  
Such difference in my muck-blinded mind,  
I betwixt their worth, and my want do find.   

One of their fingers craves more sumptuous cost,  
Then all my Carcase to invest the same,  
So glozed with gold, with pearl so embossed,  
Whose pricefull value they at Hundreds name:  
Almost I am persuaded, that it shall  
Never to dust through times oppression fall.   

For juries Solomon, that did abound  
With rarest Ornaments, that Art hath wrought,  
Nor Scriptures Lily, was so royal found,  
To equalize what shows they forth have brought;  
To make beholders at these sights admire,  
And the Ambitious hang on their desire.   

Caesar, whose troops enforced the Earth to groan,  
With warriors weight in his triumphant days,  
Numbered no more to guard his regal throne,  
Then do attend the Rich in all assays;  
For all the Earth is theirs to be enjoyed,  
And all the world are theirs to be employed.   

The winter's frost nips not the Rich with cold,  
Their purse prevention 'gainst all plagues procures,  
Their steeds in stables stand, their flocks in fold,  
The Poor (poor heart) all Detriments endures,  
Wealth never wrincheth grieved with the gall,  
Alas it's want, that ever feels the fall.   

Bare Need constrains the eldest foot to troth,  
Through frost, through flint, through fire, though leg be bare.  
Ice never too cold, never Sun too hot,  
To work our woe, and to increase our care,  
Although Disease and Death our lives possess,  
Wealth stands unmoved to pity our distress.   

But with a Crucify they on us call.  
But with their help they add grief unto grief,  
But with their might they wrest us to the brickwall,  
But with their loves they leave us no relief,  
Fie on that call, help, might, love, and that deed,  
which makes our wounded heart the more to bleed.   

But ask my staff, the witness of my woes,  
what cracks, what knocks, and strokes it hath endured,  
As secret shield against professed foes,  
By whom my black and blewes have been procured;  
It's worn, it's torn, spoiled, and foiled, & cut in twain,  
To weaken force, which would augment my pain?   

But ask my Scrip, the Cupboard where I lay  
My crusts, my crumbs, my Commons, victuals, meal,  
And it my fortunes will in brief be wray,  
How niggardly with me these Earthlings deal:  
If fasting fare in diet I surmount,  
For ever me an Heretic account.   

while Aristippus in the Court doth seed,  
And fat's his crammed Corpse by flattery,  
I in the Country entertain my need,  
with herbs and roots of Nature's charity,  
And for my private food search common fields,  
which Contents Plenty in abundance yields.   

I think how Heavens gave the Desolate  
Manna, and Quails, and Honey from the rocks,  
Beautified those heart's unfortunate,  
Opened their Treasuries with Mercies-lockes,  
That thought they Egypt's garlic, onions lost,  
They found provision of a dearer cost.   

Is't true Elyas, that the Ravens brought  
Such comfortable Nutriments of meat;  
And so means of thy Sustentation wrought,  
when thou hadst nought but secrecies to eat.  
Not daring in the world's appearance stand,  
Fearing Oppressions tyrannising hand?   

In air Chameleons foster vital breath.  
In flaming fires the Salamander feeds:  
In Seas the Fish secure themselves from death:  
Moles in Earth's bowels do expel their needs:  
Then will I not in doubtful state despair,  
while I may live by water, fire, earth, air.   

These Cobs resemble Saturn, that devoured  
The stone Abider in the steed of jove;  
And all the floods of their desires are poured,  
To make a Sea of what they chiefly love:  
They covet dross, and do contemn the gold,  
Omit the good, which men by virtue hold.   

Yet they themselves shroud in security,  
'Gainst adverse Oppositions fortified,  
Bear Arms against that trooping misery,  
Which circumuents my Soul on eu●…ry side:  
They are not troubled with a touch of woe,  
While we midst Legions of misfortunes go.   

Seas, storms, waves, tempests, and contrary wind,  
Did poor shipman Acaetes ever cross,  
In calmest Ocean he did shipwraoke find,  
Which did convert his lucre into loss;  
While wealthy Merchants safely do arrive,  
And at their pleasdre prosprously athrive.   

Thus Passions get a habit in my life,  
Making it tractable to Fortune's frown,  
While we live Soldiers in sinister strife,  
Contending to attain a Laurel Crown;  
Yet Mercenaries find a time to rest,  
which is as much, as happeneth to the best.   

Horace, did not Cobbler Alphenus live?  
Why Usurer Alphius did no more,  
Yet though the Fates to all like breathing give,  
Fortune makes them not Stewards of like store;  
The doubtful lots are so unequal found,  
That some must want, while others do abound.   

The Seas Amalchi'um always frozen stand,  
want flagrant Phoebus to dissolve the same;  
And poor are ever more deprived of land,  
whose former lot the Signior worldlings came,  
On the Philosopher's stone they erect  
The edifice, which chiefly they respect.   

And they have power to turn Fortune's wheel,  
As most contents their avaricious mind;  
They skill choicest Commodities to feel,  
Although their eyes with earthly dust are blind;  
Unable to discern that royal thing,  
which doth enrich the Beggar, grace the King.   

These Sysiphusians have a stone to turn,  
A wandering thought to rumble up and down,  
with Tantalus in expectation burn,  
Covet the Country and affect the town:  
For what they stoop to take, too low doth lie;  
And what they reach to catch, ascends too hic.   

These with Ancaeus plant the sprouting vine,  
Hedge in their garden, Orchard, Hearbory,  
Yet never taste of their expected wine,  
By Calidons bore intercepted die,  
For Fates prevent them with their tuskish wound,  
Before the Sweet fruits of their sweats are found.   

Some Deianira venomed shirts them send,  
From worldly ●…ole to draw their love,  
That midst their mirth with misery they end,  
Their hearts from joys enjoying to remove:  
Then Hercules from reason runs to rage,  
And Death denies them of an elder age.   

These Fatlings feast, while as I pooreling fast,  
They dine, I pine; they sweetly sleep, I wake:  
They leave, I lack; I want, they plenty waist:  
I seek a crumb, while choice of Cates they make,  
Their fast is dearth of stomach, not of meat,  
Mine is because I have not what to ear.   

These are vainglorious, lewd, unjust in life,  
Desperate, discontent in death they be,  
Sedition-sowers, stirrers up of strife,  
While Heirs for inventories disagree,  
These Purgatorians, though forgot in grave,  
Ora pro nobis must remembered have.   

Funeral pomps, tombs, Ceremonies, Rites,  
Epitaphs, month-minds, Dirges, Candles, Bell,  
Rabbles of irreligion, Flattering writes,  
To intercept their passage into Hell,  
Their Memories in Chronicles must live,  
When Truth should them scandals sepulchre give.   

Yet false tears stepdame-like their partings ha●…  
Of friends, acquaintance, Kindred, children, wife,  
Scrikes, cries, sighs, and sobs cirumvent their grave,  
Though death of one to twenty giveth life,  
For many Souls are comforted with that,  
Wherewith one Epicure fed one so fat.   

Might I heir to some Usurer be found,  
Whose gorged chests surfeit with cramming gold,  
Whose coffers with Commodities abound  
So full, that they no sterling more may hold:  
Rome Rascals then make space and grace for me,  
Whereas my worship shall in person be.   

I would elect, Flaunt, Cut, and Swash for mates,  
For choice Companions, pleasure, mirth, delight,  
For equals, Gentells, Honourables, States;  
Ajax would not presume to prove my might:  
Mylo would bear his Bull, and let me go,  
Malicious Momus durst not be my foe.   

Dignity seem inferior, and too bad  
To be my shadow, Science would attend,  
Invention practise Arts to make me glad,  
Poetry my profession would commend,  
Dutiful Loyalty would humbly greet  
My Person, passing the prospicuous street.   

But now the worst are censured too good,  
The Miscreants, the Abjects, the forlorn,  
adjudging Baseness borne of better blood,  
A corner of my Company do scorn:  
So audible an Object am I thought,  
Contemned, forsaken, loathed, and set at nought.   

Yet Miser thus disparaiged I live,  
Succour and means of maintenance to me,  
The heat, the air, the woods, and waters give,  
Though Fortunatelings hate it so to be,  
I borrow not, doubting to be denied,  
I steal not fearing my life should be tried.   

Come staff, and manage mine unhappy hand,  
Scrip, guard my Shoulders, burden light to bear,  
Three merry mates we 'gainst the Sun will stand,  
Solace to see, that comforts none can hear,  
The lighter purse, the less the cares are found,  
Hark, while I whistle to the winds a round.   
Arthur Warren.   

POVERTIES Patience.  

Departed ye Discontents like Reprobates,  
For Patience all Adversities endures,  
In rarest Disposition imitates  
Herb Panace, that all diseases cures,  
Heals intern maladies of wounded minds,  
And salves the sores that Physic saluelesse finds.   

Credit not vain Persuasion, that deludes  
Fond Tractability with fallacies,  
And such inducements forcibly intrudes  
Into Credulity with Sophistries,  
That man, whom Reason's Index should direct,  
Suggested is true judgement to neglect.   

Ask Contentation, what's Felicity,  
And ask Felicity, what is Content,  
Ask life, what is the death of misery,  
And ask dumb death, what makes life permanent:  
Peruse the Contents of contented mind,  
Thou nought, but Patience registered shalt find.   

Tell Expectation, Hap doth frustrate Hope,  
Through frowning Fortunes fatal Accident:  
Tell Avarice, Virtue hath larger scope,  
Where to erect the Mansion of Content:  
And tell Content, that Sufferance drew the plot,  
Fit for foundation of so happy lot.   

Tell India, that gold's but yellow earth:  
Tell Greece, that words are but a breathed sound;  
Tell Ceres, that all Plenties have their dearth;  
Tell stoutest Troy, Hector is mortal found;  
And tell thyself, that wealth, Art, store, and strength  
Proves frailty, want, error, and need, at length.   

Discretion, censure which is better found,  
Much to possess, and nethlesse live in need;  
Or to enjoy but little, and abound,  
So Competence Necessities may steed:  
Brooks satisfy thirst with convenient store,  
The spacious Ocean's liquid can no more.   

Yes, Seas may swallow, Currents seldom drown,  
This world includs such Gulfs of overthrows,  
For wealth's Deluge may overwhelm a Crown,  
When Desires floods to inundations grows,  
Sourging and sinking that wave-tossed mind,  
Which sails Impossibilities to find.   

And therefore Resolution, seal thy thought,  
Soon to surrender thy dismembered state,  
Because Contents Perfection is not bought,  
Such firm Proviso hath been made by Fate,  
Whisper Chorebus in the ear, that Clay  
Proves losing gamester, with a knock to play.   

For know, Corruption will thee apprehend,  
When Sheriff Death shall execute arrest,  
And to thy sepulchre thee Captive send,  
To sojourn there, till thy Debts be confessed,  
Till Sums be paid, till thou acquittance have,  
Or Creditors Release thy Credit save.   

Sword, sheath thy sharp, it's neither edge, nor point,  
Nor target, Buckler, shield, nor skill, nor might,  
That gives protection to thy safest joint,  
when mastering Destinies proclaim their fight,  
challenging a Quicunque vult to play  
About with them, for Conquest of the day.   

Gnatho, Fates have no ears to entertain  
The sugared phrase of soothing Parasites,  
And Ostentations brave are but vain,  
there's no regard of proudest Th●…asonites;  
For Adulation proves but idle breath,  
Great words small wind, when they solicit death.   

Prostrate thy person Magnanimity.  
For Pompey doth, and Potentate thou must,  
Can Alexander lease his Chivalry?  
No 'tis expired, and he dissolved to dust:  
Where's he, that would Achilles' armour have?  
Ajax in earth, Ulysses lies in grave.   

Cyrus' his mouth with bowls of blood hath filled,  
while Tomyris the royal Butler played;  
Hell holds the Cob, that bigger batnes would build,  
with Soul consulting not to be denied:  
So their Desires some augmention meant,  
while sleeping thus they dreamed not of content.   

But Affectation, I have past my word  
To justice Conscience, world's Court forsake,  
whose Secretary Fear doth it record,  
That in Contents Cell I must Mansion make,  
And like a Hermit in that Residence  
Be wedded, and converse with Patience.   

And from the manyheaded multitude  
will sequester my presence and estate,  
In secret scene my Comedy conclude,  
And privately with Meditation mate,  
Then farewell pleasure, and adieu delight,  
I'll yield to Fate, that must with fortune fight.   

Pomp, Riot, Ease, delicious, costly, vain,  
Glory, gold, my Regeneration see,  
Self-love, hope, pleasure, lust, desires, and gain,  
I have subscribed with you at two to be,  
Presumption fly with Dedal son, and fall,  
Drowned in the sea, which men Ica●…ean call.   

Intemperance, do not on Venus' look,  
Chastity I have vowed to deify,  
And register my name in Vesta's book,  
And Cupid's temples, gods, and Saints deny:  
No myrtle, no melodious warbling string,  
Nor pair of Doves for sacrifice will bring.   

Tell Danae Virginity repelles  
The goldenst shower, that from Heaven falls,  
And him, that jove in Fortitude excels,  
Where maidenhood secured is in walls,  
When Constancy, Faith, and Perseverance,  
The Castle guard for life's Continuance.   

Rich Tagus' rennet, which with gold dost run,  
I will not wash my gilded wish in thee,  
Beauty, which shinest to outbrave the Sun,  
For thy love I'll not Pride's Corrival be:  
The Alchemists I'll in defiance hold,  
Which durst convert base Objects into gold.   

Inhuman Machevilles I will abjure,  
And not be friend to virtues enemies,  
Troops of Antagonists I will procure  
To depose their presuming villainies,  
Constraining them to tergiverse with me,  
When Contents prowess shall approved be.   

Pleasure, on earth-worms make intestine prey,  
And with thy golden bait delude the blind,  
No frauds my circumvented Troy betray,  
Though Sinon for this Action be assigned:  
So greedily I gape not after gain,  
In short delight to swallow endless pain.   

Siren's harmonious Sonnets founding sweet  
Send no misinformation to their mind.  
Which navigate their Commonwealth to meet,  
And after travel Ithica to find,  
Ulysses to a pillar will be bound,  
That so he may escape home safe and sound.   

Circe, thy Potions want effectual power,  
To intercept the passage of the wise,  
Calipso's dregs cannot retard one ho●…e  
The voyage, which Discretion doth devise:  
Bewitching world works none impediment,  
To stop the Mortifides resolved intend.   

Yet Poverty seems title of Contempt,  
A graceless word, a derogating Name,  
Which Honours Court from presence doth exempt,  
As scandal, which indignifies the same;  
I have none ensigns of apparent worth,  
Nor Ornaments, to set my Person forth.   

I challenge no possession of a Crown,  
which earthly Realms or Royalty bestows,  
I fear not fatal force of Fortune's frown,  
which to the proud Precipitation owes,  
I sit meek, mild, inferior unto all,  
So low I am, lower I cannot fall.   

With Usury I have no league of love,  
with Pride I claim on Consanguinity,  
Yet though I cannot Fortunatus prove,  
world's expectation I will fallify,  
And one day be possessor of that place,  
which holds these fronted titles in disgrace.   

Favour is but fading uncertainty,  
Majesty some decaying Monument,  
Love but a labarinth of misery,  
Riches are but Administrations lent,  
Then will I scorn Earth's excrements, pelf, dross,  
And, till I come to Heaven, bear my cross.   

Roman Carbilius first refused his wife  
For Barrenness, but Nature's bare defect:  
So this world loathes our incommodious life,  
Our wedlock by di●…orcement to reject:  
Because we do not yearly fructify,  
With Fortune's sprouting Prodigality.   

Campania is not our Na●…iue seat,  
Which the Italians judge their fertill'st lands,  
But I about sterility must beat,  
And for Annuities employ my hands:  
while Wealth in largest seas his ship may put,  
with slender Hulk the Caspian straits I cut.   

Advancement, bear an eye unto thy state,  
Securelesse Royalty, live circumspect,  
Ignorance, no dominion arrogate,  
Phaeton, thine Ambition correct,  
If love incensed be 'gainst what's desired,  
He will confound thee, ere the World be fired.   

Empire's rule not with moderate Content,  
Sceptres join with terrestrial Diadems,  
Mansolus hath but fading Monument;  
Then basely I esteem these India gems,  
As for all Treasures found on seas or land,  
I admit none of them to touch my hand.   

When saw the World me robed in rich array?  
Or counterfeit in colours Esop's Py?  
Or countermand earth's fashions every day;  
Or with the Peacock gaze on bravery:  
Or like Lisicrates, 'gainst Nature black  
White hairs, that old I might seem age to lack?   

When travelled I in waggon, chariot, Couch?  
Or Abbot-like with cushions cockered ease?  
Or had of Pleasures any tender touch?  
Or eyes with beauteous visions did I please?  
Or when my stomach did I fill and feed  
with choice of meats, or one meal more than need?   

Less leaves do fitter lower shrubs become,  
And lower sails less boats do better guide,  
Less paces sooner bring the lighter home,  
And safer we arrive with lower tide:  
Great tides have floods, floods waves, waves dangerous be,  
Take through the fords, if thou wilt pass with me.   

Th'Egyptian Island Chemnis always swims,  
Tossed hither, thither, up and down with wind,  
So worldly love, so Worldlings wandering limbs  
Course to and fro Commodities to find:  
Acquainted are with rarity of rest,  
Feeling disturbance of care-cumbred breast.   

The Cercyraei were not more perplexed  
with warring oppositions of their foes,  
Then Wealth is with inquietation vexed,  
while it from land to seas a coursing goes,  
Sending Inquiry to descry that store,  
which makes the Owner to affect the more.   

If in a Senate house Content could live,  
Then Office might adorn the Frankize gown,  
If that a kingdom could sufficient give,  
Then Majesty might dignify a Crown:  
If Fates surprised not men with purging fan,  
Presull and Prelate were a happy man.   

Centurion's then might on their guards be stout,  
And Generals might troops of Armies hold,  
justian then were manumist from doubt,  
But Death the Shepherd plays, brings them to fold,  
No Magistracy length of life can give,  
Caninus but seven hours did Consul live.   

The Ox, which of Clytumnus Current drinks,  
Transformed is into a Colour white,  
But who so tasteth of Contentment, thinks,  
Earth's invitations can him not incite,  
To be translated into any mind,  
But those conceits, which Patience seeks to find.   

Although no Bacchanals I celebrate,  
To banish wit by sence-exiling wine,  
Though I my stomach do not ded●…  
To Luxury, and with the Glutton date,  
Yet doth Abstemius Crystal water find,  
And Curius foot to content Nature's mind.   

Essei were certain Religious jews,  
Abstaining from flesh, women, oils, and wines,  
Contenting Nature but with Dates and dews,  
Never killed fatlings, never rob vines,  
To flatter Palate, or feed Glu●…ony,  
With Cates and Delicates variety.   

His Kingdom ravenous Erisychthon sold,  
And of so many Millions kept no mite,  
Exchanged his daughter Protea for gold,  
To satisfy his Royal Appetite;  
Not thus content 'gainst Nature did rebel,  
And of his own Flesh a devouring fell.   

The Trojan horse, made by Epeus' hand,  
Had no such Belly Hundreds to contain,  
Though it did swallow, City and the land,  
Which Priam ruled, during his happy Reign:  
This wolf, his Realm in gormandizing spent,  
Tasting no sweet Ambrosin of content.   

Divine Content, thine Altars I'll frequent,  
Offering a mite with hand, talents with heart,  
Fortune to greatr ●…ifts will not consent,  
Then goddess, let desire stand for desert;  
And prove propitious to thy poorest Saint,  
That doth thy godhead with his lot acquaint.   

Sweet Virtue, patronize my Patience,  
Though but Beggar to Biggers I appear,  
Protect me with thy sacred Providence,  
Thy Suppliants petitions jove-like hear;  
And for me Glories paradise provide,  
Above the Earth to have me dignifide.   

Dismember limbs from Body of Delight,  
which in times process must disjointed be,  
From Sensuality my senses right,  
which may conglutinate my love to thee;  
Make perfect Union twixt Content and Poor,  
And knit that Gordian lasting evermore.   

Give not Abundance, lest I should forget  
The Giver, when such surplusage I see,  
Give not too little, lest I die in det,  
Unable so to tender Charon's fee;  
The golden Mediocrity I crave,  
To quite the world, and me conduct to grave.   

I covet not that penetrable way;  
Divulged to the Common Multitude,  
I'll not at passage with the Vulgars' play,  
But steps into the narrow straights intrud●…,  
Not griving though I leave my shoes behind,  
So I the perfect path to Heaven find.   

what ist a pleasant journey to enjoy,  
And in a painful Inn be ente●…▪  
Cursed are lodges, that the guests ●…oy,  
where Travels Recreation should be 〈◊〉:  
Tread hard by day; s●… ease at night ●…e ●…ound,  
Lament in life so joys in death abound.   

Employ me not in Superfluities,  
whose sums surcharge a well-addicted mind,  
which Martha's conversation occupies,  
To prosecute such earthly suits assigned:  
Disburden my Conceits of worldly cares,  
which little Time to think on Tempe sp●…res.   

Let divine Contemplations be my treasures,  
And sacred songs my choicest harmony,  
And virtues Recreation my pleasures,  
And Hope the Prologue of my Comedy,  
Oh with what action would I g●…ce my part,  
Had I a scene according to desert.   

Pronunciation should make Pride ashamed,  
Such sweetness in distinction, Are in gesture,  
My gravity in face may not be named,  
Nor Ornaments i●…brodred on my ●…sture;  
That muddi●… eyes, base lamps, and earthy lights,  
Durst not behold the Objects of these sights.   

The melody of Cher●…bins me grace,  
And Millions of Ma●… me attend,  
Societies of Angels me embra●…e,  
Their time the S●…ints Communions with me spend,  
And robes of Righteousness I have in store,  
My person in Ioues presence ●…o decore.   

And yet Earth's Vulgars' me indignify,  
And on my habits cast dis●…full 〈◊〉,  
Obraid me with odious vnd●…ncy;  
But worse objections I then these have borne;  
Better Coceipts I have of rater things,  
Which men ●…nto the bliss of blissing brings.   

I'll converse with my private Pilgrimage,  
Meddling with Earth so little, as I may,  
Let Solitariness me patronage,  
Until by Death I Nature's due repay;  
Yet I with Fortune's hand encounter must,  
And bear arms, till I be dissolved to dust.   

Let Contents Coslet guard besieged life,  
Armour of Proof upon my Shoulders lay,  
Direct me Soldier in this vale of strife,  
On Earth my captains ensigns to display,  
Though I unfortunate loose gains, gain loss,  
Under the durance of the hardest cross.   

It's Hart-griefe to survey my woeful wounds,  
Death-passions, but to touch my miseries;  
These Troubles taste Digestions strength confounds,  
Courage sits daunted at these doleful cries,  
Hell cannot add one plague unto my pain,  
That circumsept with mischiefs thus remain.   

Earth's Daemogorgon armed 'gainst me stands,  
To ruinate my Castle of Content,  
Hellish Briareus with his hundred hands,  
Against my Patience hath his forces sent,  
But I have vowed to lose my life in field,  
Ere tergiverse, or coward weapons yield.   

Triumphant Victory shall me attend,  
And Confidence mine enterprise embold,  
Till gloriously mine Honours do ascend,  
In majesties Palace their Court to hold:  
That Admiration wonder shall anew  
The miracles of mine exploits to view.   

Harpocrates thy Silence strangleth words,  
while hot multiplications fire Debate,  
Bring flax to flame, and proffer Battle swords,  
And Authors are of life-surviving hate;  
There's such Omnipotence in Loyalty,  
That yielding, it obtains the Victory.   

O it's a bloodless Conquest to submit,  
No maims, no martyrdoms therein are found,  
Rashness proves Argument of slender wit,  
while Providence in whole skins sleepeth sound,  
with Laurel leaves subduing stoutest foes,  
while wild-heads by the ears in armour goes.   

Revenge with Cocyx selfe-conceipt confounds,  
while Time might salve the bleeding injury,  
Precipitation scared is with wounds,  
while Sufferance purchaseth Security:  
O there's such Operation in Content,  
That it doth right the wrongfull'st detriment.   

Admit I seem but homely in my House,  
My Commons course, my food no dainty fare,  
Notable lodge a Friend, nor feast a Mouse,  
Next Neighbour to want Penury and Care;  
Nay, Care I leave to carking Dives charge,  
whose treasured wealth his tortured woes enlarge.   

Survey mine head, search if thine eyes can find  
True Testimony of care-martyrd heart,  
Or Evidence of discontented mind,  
Compelling Nature's colour to depart,  
Planting a White, resembling Northern snow,  
which doth possession of griefe-tenures show.   

My feature seems as fair, as Fatters be,  
As comely, as the grossest of the land,  
As healthful, as the Richest are to see,  
Nay they're diseased in head, foot, face, and hand,  
with dropsy, phlegm, knobs, pleurisy, and gout,  
with falling evils, itch, and break out.   

Humours and tumours, botclies, biles, and sores  
Their chiefest senses dangerously displease,  
These are the issues of superfluous stores,  
Surburth'ning Nature to provoke disease,  
To suffocate the Conduit of their breath,  
while Riot causeth Surfeit, surfeit Death.   

Wealthlings suppose their parting peal they hear,  
See Death's Idea with his maze in hand,  
If Bell but whisper in their guilty ear,  
Dreading that coram nobis they must stand,  
And being c●…lpable, to fear begin  
Incuitable judgement for their sin.   

All Objects their Capacity offend,  
Lest sudden perils should abridge their breath,  
And Tasters must their trencher-meales attend,  
Lest nutrimental Diet hasten death;  
A former Mouth must practise on their meat,  
And brook their breakfast, ere they durst to eat.   

Roots, Onions, garlic, and the Hermit's meal,  
Proves better feasting then this dangerous fare:  
which seeks a scratch of Hunger's nails to heal,  
And catch a wound, that bleeds with mortal care:  
(Digestion) I securely vow to fast,  
Ere fearfully feed on so dear repast.   

Nay more, the Belly burdened, Brains are dull,  
The body glutted, vices load the mind,  
The head is empty, when the womb is full,  
The Corpulent do slender knowledge find,  
For Abstinence and Temperance attain,  
The mark of Honour, and the means of gain,   

A little Cottage, common cloth, short meals,  
Is safest Seat, best Raiment, surest health,  
Not chargeably impairing Publique-weales,  
And seldom da●…ify man's private wealth.  
It's sumptuous lodge, rich vesture, dainty fare,  
That rob the purse, and make Revenues bare.   

Double and Treble Chimn●…is mounting fair,  
Observe the single Hospitality,  
All spent to build, and buildings to repair,  
which should support oppressed misery,  
Great halls, large tables, gold, plate, little meat,  
Feed but the eye, while mouth hath nought to eat.   

Apollo's divine Oracle confe●…,  
Aged Aglaus far more fortunate,  
Then was king Gyges in his royal rest,  
Amidst the mountains of his lofty state,  
Aglaus ne'er passed limits of his land,  
Gyges detained all that came to h●…nd.   

Agathocles 'mongst his Sycanian Lords  
Did earthen Vessels at his table use:  
Like precedent P●…rsenna King affords,  
To teach that none Humility refuse:  
In jewels their Ability might eat,  
But they discerned it bettered not the meat.   

Poison is powered in the golden Cru●…e,  
The Aconite in richest Bowls is laid,  
As with foul treason under fairest truce;  
So worldlings are in costly Cups betrayed,  
Fie on those goods, though glorious to be seen,  
which have Efficients of destructions been.   

King Dionysius knew the restless state,  
Which to the peril Potent●…es possess,  
Experience taught him in what dangrous gate  
They enter, which to Kingdoms have access,  
While by a hai●…e 〈◊〉 naked Sword hangs down,  
Ready to fall upon the Prince's Crown.   

What proves Abundance but abundant Care?  
what's wealth: Plenty but Poverty of Rest?  
Treasures are tortures, which do never spare  
with leaden thoughts to onerate our breast:  
Elect Riches of a diviner sort.  
Choose Burdens which thou better mayst support.   

Content in Cells seems richer by degrees,  
Then Discontent enthroned in Courts of Kings;  
One dish of fruit more worth than twenty trees,  
Sufficient consists not in many things:  
Nought is enough for him that wanteth nought,  
Much is too little, whereas more is sought.   

Resolve me worldling, midst thy goods, ●…nd ground,  
Herds, Flocks, Corn, Oil, Fruits, Silver, Gold, & gain,  
What Contentation in this store is found,  
But Competence where with life to sustain?  
Will not this gilt prove Guiltiness of mind;  
When thine Account love shall unworthy find?   

Miser, durst so much on one mouth bestow,  
As might a pettie-Commonwealth suffice?  
what doth Possession such Revenues owe  
Unto one Helluo's hellish Avarice?  
Condition knows, thou hadst it to impart,  
Some portion thereof to the needy heart.   

So Admiration once beheld an Ass  
Loaden with roast, burdened with costly meat,  
With curbing bit in mouth the plains to pass,  
Finding not nettles, hay or grass to eat,  
His fortunes did some worldlings imitate,  
That fools and beggars are in richest state.   

That pine in plenty, starve amidst their store,  
That want in wealth, and in abundance need,  
That maugre Superfluities seem poor,  
And Nature with no Contentation feed:  
Man's heart so small gorg'th not a kite one hour,  
Yet would it Earth's Circumferrence devour.   

Must Man needs drossy Muck his Master make,  
which Fortune hath apprentized for a slave?  
And can Humanity with Patience take,  
That Baseness should of him dominion have?  
I dare not call thee Ass, but ask thyself,  
What ears thou hast, that harknest so to pelf.   

Doth money purpose to 〈◊〉 might?  
Doth wealth imagine to discredit wit?  
Have Riches Confidence to conquer Right?  
Doth gold 'bove Virtue undertake to sit!  
Fie, will Moria shoot beyond her aim?  
And challenge more then justly she can claim?   

How should Humanity itself behave,  
And not with Oppositions be oppressed,  
His scourged ship from scylla's throat to save,  
In harbour of Security to rest?  
Vain Desperation seems in misery,  
More vain Presumption in prosperity.   

Priam's, that princely Governor of Troy,  
Father of Sonne●… coequallizing Kings,  
In the maturity of rarest joy,  
Midst tenure of invalewable things,  
was slain, and Time by Destinies deferred,  
To have his murdered Majesty inte●…'d.   

Hector his He●…e, had Time bestowed success,  
Prince of the worthies, Mars for Chivalry,  
was impotent Fortune's force to suppress,  
And must shake hand●… with like Adversity;  
Bearing the bu●…hen of unprosprous strife,  
To make untimely Period of his life,   

The City flowed with tears at this distress,  
Grief sounded Clamours at his overthrow,  
And Cordial Dolours did their hearts possess,  
Sith youth did levy debts, which Age should owe,  
An hundred noble Courages did quail,  
And thousand Ladies did his loss bewail.   

No princely Pomp can Potentates secure,  
No earthly Kingdoms can eternize life,  
Prosperity no safety can assure,  
Sith Fortune hath his frowns, Atropos her knife,  
Two too inexorable still have been,  
That blind Director, and that fatal Queen.   

These Two uncertain are, yet certain be,  
Fortunes pleased help, Fortune's displeased hate,  
The Destinies are bribed by no fee,  
To lengthen life, or days to breviate:  
No term hath interest in their good will,  
They save in shipwrecks, and in harbours kill.   

Now Demonax should prove a Puritan,  
Instructed by Philosophy to hate,  
Siluers receipt in time of Adrian,  
Unfit to be these Money-mongers ma●…e,  
which mortgage Souls, and their Salvation drown,  
In depth of diving for a golden Crown.   

Concupiscence with Lucre falls in love,  
Demonica durst Ephesus betray,  
If Brennus will a bounteous Briber prove,  
Treasons demands with treasures sums to pay;  
Eryphale will have her husband sold,  
while gold blinds worldlings, worldlings grope for gold.   

Temptation, vanish, with seducement die,  
which golden Mountains durst by promise give,  
Suggesting Commonwealths of Dignity,  
while as thy Creditors in scandal live;  
For what proves glory on an Empire placed,  
But plodded means to make a man disgraced?   

Don Romulus no fallacies could find,  
But Brother's death, poor Rhemus must be slain,  
To satisfy his all-affecting mind,  
Moeties seemed insufficient gain,  
Daily the Diadem as fair appears  
Unto his lustful eyes, as second years.   

Therefore enacts, that such as should ascend  
The Roman walls, this scale with death should buy,  
To Celer this observance doth commend,  
Rhemus gets up, dreading no treachery,  
which dear attempt exhausts his dearest life,  
Concluding so that twin-born brethren's strife.   

Mismurdred Rhemus, by this time thou know'st  
Dignities value, fading fruits of gain,  
what satisfaction thou to Honour ow'st,  
And what preferment Scepter-sutes attain;  
Oh if that Brother spare not Brother's blood,  
At Aliens hands who expects any good?   

A wolf in woods, them equally did nurse,  
But Romulus retained the wolvish mind,  
Lamb-natured Rhemus might his fortune's curse,  
while Destinies had such events assigned,  
One kingdom is not capable of twain,  
One Temple cannot Abel hold and Caine.   

The beauteous Solstice of a Crown doth blind  
The clearest Argus eyes, that ever live,  
what man is he, that might a kingdom find  
And Parents, Children, Brethren, would not give?  
Princedoms seem sweet pills, pleasant is a Crown,  
He that hath no throat would them swallow down.   

Yet lofty Cedars overthrown are found,  
with boisterous blasts of ruin-threatening wind,  
when junipers stand steadfast on their ground,  
And seats of surer Residence do find;  
Fortune Presumption to preferment calls,  
To give the heedless Climbers headlong falls.   

Profit provoketh, bids the Niggard hold;  
Pleasure persuadeth, motive Method speaks,  
Dives will hoard, though hang in Hell for gold;  
Epicures gormandize, though Belly breaks:  
From sugared baits what caveats can forbid,  
Though thousand harmful hooks lie under hid?   

Darius will his horsman's Counsel use,  
Process of his Direction execute,  
will not O●…bares decretals refuse,  
If his devise him Ruler constitute,  
If Horses bray may him proclyme a King,  
He putteth in practise the ignoblest thing.   

Philoxenus the Parasite did wish  
His throat in length a Crane's neck might exceed,  
To feel the pleasures of the sweetest dish,  
Taste pleasant drink his appetite to feed:  
with Phago placing his felicity  
And summum Bonum in his gluttony.   

Few with Phraortes worship Temperance,  
Sardanapal●… lives e●…minate,  
Scyron hardeneth his thi●…ish Countenance,  
Roman Sarmantus proves a ●…coffing mate,  
And none with Z●… that Content desire,  
which Horace of Maecenas did inqui●….   

When Zancles hundred four years had survived.  
which term doth nought but imperfections gain,  
Nature a Miracle in him contrived,  
Making his jaws young teeth a new retain,  
Such is the Custom of the worldly mind,  
That losing life, Abundance seeks to find.   

Years Parents are of Mutability,  
And Mutability Nature's decay,  
Time is the trumpeter of secrecy,  
Though Revelation plead upon delay;  
The ey-deluding shows are shadows found,  
Mortality to Dissolution bound.   

Palaces, Temples, castles, Cities, Towns,  
Towers, and Turrets equal to the skies,  
Subverted by resistl●…sse fortunes frowns,  
Leave nought, which their memorials testifies;  
Harvest and hook those fertile furlongs grace,  
Where walls and windows once had royal place.   

King Priam's Parlour made an Hearbory,  
With Flora's favours seems red, white, and green;  
Those halls with fruits and flowers fructify,  
Where quandam Lordings princely to be seen,  
Led Courtly dances in their Lady's hands,  
Like Thetis tripping on the silver sands.   

Honour is but a worthless word of grace,  
To soothe Ambitions praise-attending ears:  
Beauty but Blossoms in a flowering face;  
And Pleasures but delights commixed with fears;  
Then Honour, Beauty, and Delight are vain,  
Sith in them all no Certainty doth reign.   

Diogenes once passing near to Hell  
Beheld Midas, that sometime lived a King,  
Now in Infernal Beggary to dwell,  
Base, ragged, dispossessed of every thing;  
And laughing said, ah ah my golden Ass,  
Is't possible the world comes thus to pass?   

The Sequels of precedent Pleasures move  
Purification to relinquish dross,  
And earthly approbations to disprove,  
And make concealment of apparent cross,  
Sith Rich are poor, and Poor are rich at last,  
When fatal lots are on our limits cast.   

Lazarus midst his suits of miseries  
Solicited the Gluttons careless gate,  
Dives in flames of Phlegeton now cries;  
Not heard of him, whom he heard no●… of late,  
The law of Talio like for like doth pay,  
To quite all kindness there succeeds a day.   

Sith Cornucopia filled with fruitful things  
To Penury by Destination turns:  
Sith Riot unexpected Damage brings,  
Sith ceasing Ease in ceaseless torments burns:  
Pleasures and Plenties I'll not Comforts call,  
But Perturbations, and forsake them all.   

In fack and Cinders 〈◊〉 be,  
Part of my limbs uncoverd in the cold,  
I'll not my body cloth beneath my knee,  
That earthen eyes may clayen feet behold;  
To note (sith they resemble brittle sand)  
That I on Frailties weak foundation stand.   

That living man may dying mould respect;  
Though Power cannot Impotence prevent,  
It may repair some Natural defect,  
That sinful Soul die not impenitent:  
Our manhood weak our matter being dust,  
Subject to Death, to Mother Earth we must.   

Nestor surviving Nature's common length,  
Nor Agamemnon with his Majesty,  
Nor Polyphemus with robustous strength  
Can countermand the Doom of Destiny:  
Fire can the hardest wood to cinders burn,  
And Time the strongest flesh to Ashes turn.   

There shall no 〈◊〉 be shown,  
But Kings and Clowns in one Condition be;  
Twixt Court and Cottage no distinction known,  
Between the high state and the low degree:  
For Irus dies, and C●…s doth no less,  
Wit, Beauty, Hon●…, Wealth must make a mess.   

Then ringed Fingers 〈◊〉 with gold,  
Then cursed Tresses beautified by A●…,  
Then fashions, and ruffs ranked fouresold,  
Then locks and looks witness of proudest heart,  
Then painted Cheeks, rolling eyes lures of lust,  
Shall perish, ro●…, consume, and come to dust,   

Then Helen lustful Venery shall ●…ue;  
And Clytaemnestra abjure homicide,  
whose murderous hands her loving husband ●…lue,  
That thought in safety with his wife to bide:  
And Giant Cacus curse unlawful gains,  
when Pluto pays the stipend of his pains.   

And Nero shall lament midst ●…arfull flood,  
Whose Rigour life's effusion did affect,  
Daily exhausting many Millions blood,  
Which Tyrant he in justice should protect;  
Medea loath her Necromantic spell,  
For Magic Art when witches burn in hell.   

Tell Rhodope the Harlot, how she spent  
Charaxus patrimony, Chattels, goods,  
And him forth with to Seas a Pirate sent,  
His fortunes to experience in the floods;  
And ask her, whether there will come a day,  
For pleasures and extortions use to pay.   

One Continent must Alexander hold,  
Whom many Provinces could not contain,  
That wept, and weeping his Attendants told,  
He grieved lest he none other World should gain,  
To chronicle the Conquests of his hands,  
Because the whole world Phillip's subject stands.   

Admonish thus a Worldlings climbing mind,  
That Destinies do his desires deride;  
Thou at his hands Ingratitude shalt find,  
And he will thy Directions not abide;  
But with the Adder stops indocile ear,  
Unwilling wisest charmers voice to hear,   

Folly hath got a habit on their head,  
This head misguides the self-conceited will,  
The living meditate not on the dead,  
But full with errors their affections fill,  
Yet where is safety, health, joy, comfort, ease,  
Or Contentation, which can last and please?   

Then blessed Patience, fortunate Content,  
Sitting inferior to the lowest seat,  
Privilege from external Accident,  
which doth with Fortune's scourges Worldlings beat:  
The Poor's but poor how ever Tempests blow,  
But richmen may strange alterations know.   

What Metamorphosis will then be seen,  
when Pilgrims princelike shall enthroned stand,  
And shall live Regent's, which have Vassals been  
Holding a sceptre in immortal hand;  
Then gold for dross, and glory for disgrace.  
Equal to Saints the meanest shall embrace.   

When fading Bale shall ceaseless blessings bring  
Then farewell winter of Aduersityes,  
when Flora with her everflowring spring.  
All seasons, Summer, Autumn dignifies:  
Then particoloured flowers, and the rose,  
Shall feed eyes humour, and delight the nose.   

Then strained melody shall pierce our ear,  
whose sense from ear descendeth to the heart,  
when songs for sighs, and mirth for moans we hear,  
who would not wish with us to bear a part?  
Grieve not, though now discords of tunes abound,  
This jarring one day will be music found.   

Soul sequester thy thought from vanity,  
worldly Advancement in dishonour hold,  
And do not Angerona dignify,  
Although she proffer pleasures manifold:  
If thy Desires on earth their pleasures take,  
'twill cost thy life, before thou canst awake.   

An Oracle Protesilaus told,  
That what Greek first entered the Trojan land,  
Should die, which danger could not him withhold  
But he first takes this enterprise in hand;  
The prophecies accordingly succeed,  
For Hector killed him that performed that deed.   

Beware by this example, how thy mind  
Adventure make for transitory things,  
For subtile Fates the secretest searcher find,  
And finding him, ad respondendum brings.  
Possess not, but pass through this earthly cell,  
where no Contents, but misadventures dwell.   

Here's nought but passions, penury, and pain,  
Sickness, and sorrows, slanders, rumours fears,  
Drudging, and grudge, envy, strife, disdain,  
Damage, and discontents, frowns, terrors, trates,  
Prisonment, poison, cavils, curse, and cross,  
Servitude, thralldoms, labours, dolours, loss.   

here's nought but filth, and frailty, griefs, and galls,  
Troubles, and travels, force, fraud, wrath, and wrong,  
Folly, and frenzy, snares, cares, climbing, falls,  
Show me a man 'mongst Mortals, that's so strong,  
which can support the burden of one day,  
That doth all these loads on his shoulders lay.   

Atlas, that beareth Heaven on his back,  
Presumeth not this weight to undertake,  
Invincible Samson would sinews lack,  
which for this durance might him able make:  
These all so insupportable appear  
That Giants would their impositions fear.   

Hercules' toils in number, Nature, name,  
Cannot with these discouragements compare,  
Their name to tasks, to twelve their number came,  
Their nature bridled with a little care;  
Part wrought with force, part wrought with fallacies,  
But these pretend impossibilities.   

They seem as odious as the Gorgon's head,  
As terrible as ●…ping Lions jaws,  
Or Cockatrice whose sight brings fatal dread,  
As horrible as were the H●…pies claws,  
That doubts before, behind misfortunes stand,  
Despair above, dangers on every hand.   

Yet Patience in a Castle of content  
Winks at these Objects, over-heares the sound,  
But weighs not words of the Impatient,  
Whose spirits full of Discontents abound,  
I smile to see the corpulent still feed,  
Laugh to behold the wealth stand in need.   

Empty-way-faring men with pencelesse purse  
Durst sing in thieves presence discharged of fear,  
When full Powch doth his Misadventures curse,  
And (will he, nill he) for a pass pays dear,  
That Poverty returneth safer, home,  
Then Riches with such royalty can come.   

Armath'oes ride on rocks, ships sink in sands,  
Meet with storms, tempests, gulfs, unprosprous wind,  
When safely Pinnages arrive to lands,  
And wished Calms for Navigation find;  
Charybdis, Scylla, Syrteses, wracks, and wave,  
On lowly Barks no lofty power have.   

If Adam through forbidden fruit for sook  
Those Eden pleasures of felicity,  
If that Lot's wife for one retorted look  
In pillar of Salt found such misery;  
These Sodom apples I will not behold,  
That inward are but dust, though outward gold.   

Virtue join hand in hand with Poverty,  
And we will walk socured from bonds of fears,  
Not surprised with preventing misery,  
Till jubilee proclaim those joyful years,  
when we in Heaven shall be resident,  
To reap the fruits of Patience and Content.   
Arthur Warren.  
FINIS.