THE FLEA: Sic parva componere magnis.  
LONDON Printed for john Smethwick and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstanes Churchyard in Fleetstreet, under the Dial. 1605.   

The Epistle Dedicatory. To the giddy multitude.  
CVstome (that imperious King, or rather cruel Tyrant) hath so far prevailed in these our days, that every Pamphlet must have his Patron, or else all the fat is in the fire: Now I not knowing any one whose name I might be so ●olde with, as to make a shelter for this substance-wanting shadow, dedicate it to you all, so shall I be sure to offend none. And as he that speaketh in the defence of women, having a flock of females for his Auditors (howsoever his cause be) is sure to want no words on his side: So let him that shall speak against this Toy, look for more fists than his own about his ears, & take heed of Club law, since the brainless multitude hath vouchsafed to take it into their protection. Now therefore, thou many headed beast, censure me at thy pleasure: like or dislike what thou listest; but have an especial care of this, that thou be'st not over constant in thine opinions: But what even now thou praisest to the heavens, by and by dispraise again, as the vildest stuff thou ever heardest of. Extol that with admiration, which but a little before thou didst rail at, as most carterly: And when thou sittest to consult about any weighty matter, let either justice Shallow, or his Cousin Mr. Weathercock be foreman of the jury. Thus relying on thy Moon-like constancy, I will shroud this shadow under thy alwaies-unstedfast favour.  
P. W.   

The Epistle to the Reader.  
I Will neither call thee gentle nor ungentle reader, for I know not thy dispositions neither will I term thee learned nor unlearned, for I was not acquainted with thy education: Nor yet will I praise this Pamphlet (as containing pleasure or profit) for if thou be'st wise, thou canst perceive it better than I; if otherwise, it will be in vain, for I shall never be able to make thee conceive it. If thou like it, thou hast wherefore to thank me, for procuring thy delight; if thou dislike it, lay it out of thy hands, for it were great folly wilfully to procure thine own discontent. If thou dost reap any profit by it, the more is thy discretion's if none at all, the worse is thy fortune. Thus not looking to be enriched through thy favour, I shall still remain:  
Thy poor friend, Peter Woodhouse.   

In laudem Authoris.  

HOmer (the glory of the learned greeks)  
To wright of Frogs & Mice did think no scorn.  
Th'admired Roman Maro also seeks  
With his sweet songs the little Gnat t'adorn.  
Great Orpheus Harp laid by, they'll fill their cheeks  
As other Shepherds done with pipes of Corn:  
Yet can at will lay by their Oaten reeds,  
And sing of battles and of knightly deeds.   

One tells us of a metamorphosed Ass,  
another Folly highly doth commend;  
He proves natheless, his wit unchanged was,  
And this his time oft time could better spend.  
Neither of those but at his pleasure, has  
Matter of worth with good advisement penned.  
Either of those (the wonder of his age)  
Under base subjects shadow matter sage.   

Now let who list this as a toy despise,  
Such worthy patrons since thou hast in store:  
What though thy subject be of little price?  
Thy wit appears thereby to be the more,  
Then let thy Flea step forth, since Frogs and Mice  
And little Gnats have led ●he way before.  
Fear not though Momus brood still carping Bee,  
He snarled at Homer, let them bark at ●hee.   R. P. Gent●  

DEMOCRITUS his Dream. OR, The Contention between the Elephant and the Flea.  

WHen Titan's Car in th'Ocean was drenched  
& Phoebus burning heat by Tethis quenched  
And Arcas through the sky did drive his Team,  
My restless spirit met with this merry Dream.   

DEmocritus (me thought) chancing to meet  
Weeping Heraclitus, thus did him greet.  
What madness doth possess thy better part,  
That wilfully thou hat'st up thine own heart?  
Call back thy thoughts, and view this wide worlds stage,  
Behold (with me) the follies of each age.  
Mark for what trifling royes, young men do sell  
Their wealth and strength, Heraclite mark them well:  
And see again when th'one foot's in the grave:  
The less men need, how still the more they crave.  
This mark●, with laugh●er sure thy sides 〈…〉  
Or else I hold thee of the Gods accursed.  
Not so (quoth he) I know I am a man,  
Needs must I grieve to see men's follies then.  
That man is void of all humanity,  
Who is not touched with others misery.  
Can one be such as you yourself profess,  
And see the shape of man prove reasonlesse●  
Can he see this, and yet his eyes be dry?  
He is no true Philosopher think I.  
Reason's the form of man, he who wants this,  
May well be like a man, but no man is.  
Mark this with me; and then I make no doubt,  
Thou'lt laugh no more, but weep thine eyeballs ou●.  
thouart much deceived (Democritu● replies)  
To think that this could make me wet mine eyes,  
Unless much laughter caused some tears distill;  
Should I so far partake an others ill  
As hurt myself, for seeing him so doe●  
He plays the fool, should I be foolish too?  
But see how mighty men weak o●es despise,  
See how rich fools contemn the poor, though wise.  
And see again, how in their own conceit,  
The least will not give place unto the great:  
See this and laugh● if this too little seem,  
I'm sure thou'lt laugh if thou but hear my dream.  
To hear of these disorders makes me weep  
(Quoth he) let's hear what mirth comes from your sleep  
List then: Me thought a crystal stream did glide  
Alongst a valley, by a Forest side:  
Through which an heard of Elephants did swim,  
From forth the desert, to the hither brim:  
Me thought it did me good (even as I slept)  
To see the goodly order that they kept.  
The elder had a care, till all were o'er  
To keep the weak and youngest still before;  
For so with lesser peril might they pass,  
whilst yet the quiet stream untroubled was.  
And if that any danger happed beside,  
For their defence they better might provide.  
No sooner had the last set foot on land,  
But all the rest about him make a stand:  
When thus the big boneed beast the rest bespoke:  
Perceive you not how all the Forests shake  
When I do pass along? how every tree  
Do bend their tops (in duty) unto me?  
What beast in desert can with me compare:  
I speak not now of the sex-chaunging 
a the Hare is said by Aristotle & Pliny to be one year male, an other female  Hare,  
Th'earth delving Coney, or the subtle Fox,  
The nimble Ape, nor of the labouring Ox,  
The watchful Dog, nor of the long-lived Hart:  
For most of these at their own shadows start.  
My awful presence casts into a fear  
The gluttonous Wolf, and the ●leep-fat●ed Bear:  
The swift-foot Tiger, and th'adulterous Pard  
(Which yet to wrong the Lordly Lion dared)  
Fea●es ●ine aspect: the spo●ted Pa●t●er too  
Do●h stand in dread, and so all th'others do.  
Why should I place unto the Lion give?  
I know there is not any Beast doth live  
Who dare compare with me in any thing:  
B●t all would give their voice I should be King.  
Content thee son (his Mother then replied)  
Though thy great strength can no way be denied  
Misgoverned strength (o this too well I know)  
Often procures his owner's overthrow.  
Then brag not of t●y strength, o would 'twere less!  
Thy too much strength may work thine own distress:  
Though Can and Will not be a noble thing,  
A Subject's cans not grateful to his King.  
Keep thee within thy bounds, and then thy might  
Will glad thy friends, and will thy foe● affright  
Tush, tush, quoth he, leave off your talk I pray,  
there's no Beast dares my peerless worth denay.  
But all this talk a li●●le Flea did hear,  
Which sat close feeding underneath the ear  
Of a poor Shepherds Curre● the which for fear,  
Was crept into a bu●● and hid hi● there.  
The Swa●●e himself (when ●e these beasts did se●)  
Did (for his safety) climb into a tree.  
But the bold Flea (not any whit aghast)  
To his proud speech, this answer m●d● a● last.  
How long shall vn●o●t●●●●ed arrogance  
Exalt itse●●e● how long shall 〈◊〉 ●●●ance  
Without or check, o● curb●, hi● hateful cre●●●  
Let Flies then harbour in the Eagles nest:  
Let little stars compare them to the Sun,  
Let all to th' first confused Chaos run.  
Who ever thought such insolence to find,  
In this huge lump● of ●olly, this base hind?  
Th●u thought'st perhaps, my vaunts now no beast heaves:  
Yes; know that fields have eyes, & woods have eares●  
Is there no beast who can with thee compare?  
Yes very many, who both can and d●●e.  
Even I myself (though of a thou●and least)  
Do estimate myself a nobler beast  
Than thou, or any of thy lumpish race:  
And fear not so to tell thee ●o thy face.  
The Elephant hearing a little 'noys,  
Said thus: my friend● from whence proceed● this voyce●  
Towards the bush he cas●s his scornful eyes,  
Where the poor Cu●●e half dead fo●●eare h● spies.  
Alas, why should he fear (Her●cli●e said)  
He trespass not, why should he be afraid?  
But (quoth the other) he relei●'d his fo●,  
Did he no● wrong him (think you) doing so?  
No, what he did wa● done against his will,  
The mind● doth make the fact, or good or i●●.  
ay, but (quoth he) the thought we cannot ●ee,  
As is the fact, so must our judgement b●●.  
What though the Dog had done no 〈◊〉 at all●  
Yet if the other pleased i● so to ●all,  
He durst not stand to justify the deed.  
For why? we see the slender-yeilding reed  
Doth stand, when as the sturdy Oak doth fall.  
For mighty men must not be striu'n withal,  
To fawn & crouch, and tell a soft smooth tale  
Doth often speed, when force will not prevail.  
This knew the Dog who better days had seeney  
(for in his youth he had a Courtier been)  
With faithful service he to please did strive:  
But honest faith, takes not the way to thrive.  
But why dost weep? Heraclites than wept,  
Yet listening to his speech, he silence kept.  
I weep (quoth he) to hear, that flattery  
Should often better speed than verity.  
I weep to see how rich ones take delight  
To entertain each plump-cheekt Parasite.  
All doors stand open to every claw-back lout,  
Whilst honest truth is forced to stay without.  
How wisdom finds but slender entertain,  
Whilst dolts and fools do lick up all the gain.  
No marvel quoth the other so let be  
Daws best with daws, like with their like agree●  
Then forward with your Dream (Heraclite ●aid)  
You left where as the dog was sore afraid,  
Then thus: forthwith out of the bush he cralles●  
Before the Lordly beast he prostrate falls.  
He humbly licks his feet, and then him prays  
To weigh with favour his distressed case●  
Most mighty Lord (quoth he) I hope you see,  
That 'gainst my will this villain dwells with me:  
Betwixt my teeth I soon would crush the patch,  
If I could find the means the dwarf to catch.  
But good my Lord no more of this (quoth he)  
(Leaning his mighty limbs against a tree)  
I pardon thee: but where is that bold squire  
Who durst compare with me? I much desire  
To see that caitiff, that presuming elf:  
here am I (quoth the Flea) and show'd himself.  
here am I (quoth the Flea) ready to prove  
What erst I said, and down he throws his glove:  
Then try the quarrel, when and how thou dare●  
Thou hearest I dare myself with thee compare.  
The Elephant (then smiling in disdain)  
Said thus: know wre●ch, I count thy vaunts but vain●●  
For why? if to this strife I should agree,  
I should disgrace myself and honour thee.  
Alas, what glory should I thereby gaine●  
If thou, and all thy elvish race were slain?  
But 'twere a credit for thee for to die,  
Slain by so great and mighty beast as I:  
The nimble Flea, thus interrupts his speech,  
Thou strivest in vain my worth for to impeach●  
This is a cowards common used pretence,  
It stands not with mine honour: this defence,  
Serves for a shield to shelter cowardice,  
But is derided of such as be wi●e.  
What? do I not esteem my life as dear  
As thou thine honour? nothing but pale fear  
Doth daunt thy courage only fear's the l●t,  
Then th'Elephant, thou dost thyself forget:  
For (each one knows) unstained nobility  
Keeps us alive, although our bodies die.  
Do I forget myself (the Flea did say)  
But who did then forget himself I pray,  
When this unwieldy mass of thine, did dare  
Unto the lions grace itself compare?  
Do I forget myself? I do thee right:  
I offer thy huge bulk the single Fight.  
Thou stand'st upon thine honour: I tell thee  
I'll prove myself the nobler beast to be.  
Thy blood is stained by this wild traitorous act:  
Admit it were not, thou'lt denay the fact.  
I'll prove when that thou wert the best of all,  
Thy worth (compared to mine) would be but small.  
And let what Beasts thou wilt, judge in this case,  
Till when, I will not yield to thee an ace.  
Each Beast in his own cause is partial,  
And in his own conceit, each dwarf seems tall.  
(Quoth th'Elephant) By others, let's be tried,  
Let others censure, this debate decide.  
Who fears the trial, doth his cause mistrust;  
So do not I, knowing that mine is just.  
Choose thou an arbitrator for thy part,  
And promise from his censure not to start.  
I'll do the like● let this be done with sp●●d.  
See yonder Bull which he●r below doth ●●●d,  
Shall be my days-man, if that he agree.  
And (quoth the Flea) yo● 
a The Elephant standeth in fear of the mouse for that she will 〈◊〉 up his tr●nck● & through it into his head sometimes.  Mou●e shall be for me.  
Why dost thou start? why art thou so dismayed?  
What (on the sudden) makes thee so afraid?  
The Mouse (quoth he) shall never judge my cause:  
He is mine enemy, wherefore the laws  
Permit me from his censure to appeal,  
With that vile vermin I will never deal.  
Is this the beast (quoth he) vaunted even now,  
Each other beast would at his presence bow?  
And see! a little Mouse doth make him quake:  
No marvel though the very trees did shake  
For awful fear, as he along did pass.  
Is this the beast? sure it some other was.  
But since the little Mouse (which I did choose)  
(For that he is thy ●oe) thou dost refuse:  
I'll name an other, though I might defend  
Me from the Bull, because he is thy friend.  
Thy friend said I? you're of one kindred all:  
For 
b When Pyrrhus King of Epirus warred against the Romans he had Elephants in his army which the Romā● having ●euer seen any of them before, termed Bul● of Africa. Plutarch in the life of Pyrrhus.  Bulls of Africa some folk did you call.  
I refuse none, from greatest to the least,  
And lo, the weasel, that same Princely bea●t,  
Who (armed with Rue) adventrously dares ●ight  
With the soul Ba●●liske, which kills with sight;  
He dares encounter that same poys●nous breath,  
Which unto many mortals causeth d●●th.  
That Prince shall be my dayman (if he please)  
I choose him arbitrator for the Fleas.  
Imagine all agreed, the dayesmen set,  
Bend to decide the cause for which they met.  
The Elephant did first the silence break.  
(For't was his lot that he the first should speak)  
The arbitrators had such order ta'en,  
That either should his own cause first explain,  
Without all interrupting, or impeach,  
If th'one then could except 'gainst th'others speech  
He briefly should declare wherein, and why:  
And they would give thei● censure by and by.  
The Elephant (by lot) the first place wins,  
And thus with bold erected looks begins.  
My Lords (who set to arbitrate our cause)  
I hope you shall not need long time to pause,  
To pass your censure, when both parts you hear,  
For I shall make it very plain appear,  
This little Skipjack beast, his worth is small.  
Why grace I him so much? no beast at all.  
For every beast produceth his own kind:  
But Fleas to breed of sweat and dust we find.  
As his beginning is obscure, and base,  
So of his life is the whole course and race.  
Yet grant he were a beast, grant him so much:  
What judgement is so blind to think him such,  
As that he may be likened unto me?  
Whose breath oreturnes ten thousand such as he●  
Look on our statures, see what odds there is,  
Such difference is there 'twixt my worth and his.  
His person's little, little is his worth:  
What act praiseworthy can such dwarves bring forth  
You see my limbs are large, my joints are strong,  
Able to further right, or right my wrong:  
Let me speak boldly, there's no beast in field  
But that (for strength) to me will easily yield.  
Behold (my Lords) this Castle-bearing back,  
And think what strength is in this dwarfish jack.  
Yet durst the elf provoke me to the fight;  
Well might the world henceforth contemn my might  
If with this atomye I should contend.  
But too much time in that's well known I spend.  
Leaving the body, let's come to the mind:  
How many virtues therein shall you find?  
My fortitude in this most plain appears,  
That man (who rule over all creatures bears)  
Have often used my service in the wars.  
Even Kings of men, in their most bloody jars,  
One 'gainst an other, used my help and aid.  
Who ever (in their wars) the pleas help pray'de?  
The Kings of wealthy I●dye us do choose  
As their chief champions, and our help use  
In all their battles: and in us doth stand  
Their confidence, and hope of all their band.  
And not without great cause: for I have been  
Whereas my father fight I have seen,  
His 
a The like was done by the Elephant of K. Porus in his war against Alexa●der but this was after the time of Democritus who is supposed to dream this dream  rider being down and almost slain,  
He which his trunk did set him up again:  
And forth his bleeding wounds the arrows drew,  
Did never Flea like haughty courage ●●ewe:  
Nay more, we fought (o let me vaunt of this)  
'Gainst the world's wonder, proud S●●ira●●●.  
'Gainst her we ●ought, 'gainst her we did prevails,  
When as the King of Ind ' she dared anmaile.  
Let my foe show when he wa● such a f●●ld,  
And I the victory to hi● will yield.  
He turns his feeble might against his friend,  
And sucks their blood who do him harbour lend.  
But I convert my force against my ●oes,  
The wakeful Dragon, and Rhinoceros  
Armed with strong scales, and with a piercing horn  
Upon his wreakful nose, who holds in scorn  
But once to speak to such a wre●ch as thee:  
Yet both their ●orces cannot conquer me.  
To prove my fortitude this shall suffice,  
Because I know (my Lords) you both are wise.  
Now if my diet you will estimate,  
(I dou● not) you will grant me temperate:  
For temperance consisteth (as I think)  
Chiefly in th'usage of our meat and drink,  
And Venus' sports: in these (this virtue's placed)  
He's temperate, who sober is and chaste.  
My food is such as from the earth doth spring,  
I live not by the death of any thing.  
I feed not (as the Flea) on others blood,  
But the green gras●e contents me for my food.  
My drink is such as the clear fountains gi●e●  
And thus do I (not harming others) live.  
As for the usage of the act of kind,  
Not any beast more temperate shall you find,  
We bathe ourselves both before c●i●●re,  
As likewise when 'tis done: thus a●e we su●e  
T'avoid uncleanness: and ourselves suffice  
To use this whilst we live but twi●e or thrice.  
In our lives length our temperature appears,  
For many of us li●● three hundredth years.  
Whilst such as thou (the truth if you'll confess  
Shorten your lives with riot and excess.  

a Xenophon Libr. 1. de Insti●: Ciri.  Physicians which can bo●●h up your health,  
Like vultures (whilst you live) pray on your wealth,  
As garments which are rend, borchers piece over;  
Your crazy bodies (they) with drugs restore.  
Thus are your lives a living misery,  
And death's procured by some extremity.  
But I with temperance my life prolong●  
And ne'er (with Physic) do ●y body wrong●  
My hope of health in mine own guiding standest  
I list not put my life int'others' hands.  
O thrice unhappy he, whose good or ill,  
Stands in th'adventure of an others skill.  
Now will I speak of prudence: which in deed  
Should have been spoke of f●●st, bu●●le pro●eed●  
Religion (which should be natural  
As meat and drink) as common unto all●  
Though it of some slightly regarded be,  
Yet is esteemed and practised by me.  
Of prudence this I hold the chiefest part,  
From service of the Gods no whit to start.  
And to be brief, I carry such a brain,  
Of Letters I the knowledge can attain.  
What would you more? even this same excellence  
Betwixt us two declares the difference.  
Here might I speak of justice: I wrong none,  
But give that which is due to every one.  
Of courtesy here might I something say,  
How when I meet one straying from his way,  
I do direct him how his course to bend,  
And him from force of hurtful beasts defend.  
I could say more, but what need more be said?  
I only this will add: all beasts were made  
To serve the use of man, who doth this best,  
In this approves him nobler than the rest.  
My strength avails him much: and when I die,  
I leave my teeth which men call Iuorye●  
Alive or dead the Flea doth nothing else  
But troubleth every one whereas he dwells.  
If this be true; as I in nothing lied,  
Why pause you to give sentence on my side?  
Thus did the Elephant lay open his case,  
And then with silence to the Flea gave place.  
What (quoth Heraclite) did he gain his suit?  
What said the Flea? was he not quite struck mute?  
Tell me Democritus what said the elf?  
Even thus (quoth he) he answered for himself.  
Grave arbitrators, now yourselves have tried  
This beasts proud arrogance and daring pride,  
But hear me plead (with patience) for the Fleas,  
Then may you give your censure as you please.  
Th'one part unheard, who lets his verdict pass,  
Though he judge right, no upright judge he was.  
I know you do reserve th'one ear for me,  
Though not so great a beast, aswell as he.  
Indeed I was not hid as in a Tomb  
For two 
a for so long time is it reported y● Elephant going with young.  years space within my mother's womb.  
Yet look what odds is between slime and dust:  
Such difference is twixt our beginnings iust●  
At first the earth did every creature breed,  
Yet he contemns the earth as impure seed.  
Proud beast who dares our common mother call  
Impure and base, th'earth's mother of us all:  
But he triumphs in his unweildye mass,  
Let this go currant, it will come to pass  
That you (my Lords) and all beasts else save he,  
Yea even the lions self despised shall be.  
He would over crow me, for I am so small,  
Let this be suffered, he'll outbrave you all.  
Virtue consists not in the quantity,  
But rather is an inward quality.  
We more esteem the little Rhemora  
Then the huge Whale: this little fish can stay  
A Ship that's under sail, in her swift course:  
In a rough storm, 'gainst wind and waters force.  
Who makes a do●t but little Philomela '  
The iron stomached Ostrich doth excel:  
And though fair Ladies much esteem her coat,  
She more delights them with her sugared note.  
The Cedar than the Vine is much more tall,  
And yet the Vine is more esteemed of all.  
What wants in stature (oftentimes we find)  
Nature repays it double in the mind.  
But with his mighty strength he doth me press,  
'Gainst which I set mine active nimbleness.  
If that he fall, he cannot rise again,  
But like a log he lies upon the plain.  
By this means is he made the hunters pray,  
When with a half out tree they him betray.  
In that great 
a The Bat in this fray took part with beasts & therefore after the victory was entwined this punishment never to fly but by twilight.  battle and that bloody fray  
Betwixt the beasts and birds: we lost the day,  
Not through their strength (as they themselves confess)  
But rather through their active nimbleness.  
My service that day to you all's will known,  
And therefore need not vauntingly be shown.  
Then was I well esteemed of great and least,  
Who then made doubt if that I were a beast?  
I see a Soldiers service is forgot,  
In time of peace the world regards us not.  
But to proceed; he pra●es of fortitude,  
And, that he's valiant would fain conclude.  
He counts strength valour, but he judgeth wrong  
Who ●aith the Oak hath valour: yet 't is strong.  
But he (he saith) hath many battles fought,  
I, but true valour never danger sought.  
Rashness, itself doth into peril thrust:  
That's only valour where the quarrel's just.  
But when as unsought danger doth betide,  
His prowess then true valour will not hide.  
For such as without all foresight are bold  
Fool hardy, and not valiant we hold.  
Let this great warrior, I pray you show  
For what just cause these wars he did pursue●  
What, is he mute? then I the cause will tell,  
For that his Lord to fight did him compel.  
He saith that man his help doth oft times crave,  
It's false, he doth command him as his slave.  
No, do not think such judgements to delude,  
Amongst some fools vaunt of thy servitude.  
Men use your service often to their cost,  
For one day's won through you, there are three lo●t.  
Not war alone, but other fearful things,  
(And chiefly such as death oft with it brings)  
Are fortitudes true objects● herein lies  
His chiefest force these perils to despise.  
When man with pressing nail seeks me to kill,  
My guts about my heels, I march on still.  
And though in this great broil I was ●eere slaire,  
The danger past, I boldly bite again.  
Was thy Syre's valour (thinkst thou) like to this,  
When as thou fought 'gainst proud Semiramis?  
Hast thou no 
* The Elephant being wounded, rageth against all that come in his way, & so doth more hurt on his own party  wound? may be thou wilt not start,  
But I fight having lost my hinder part;  
Even half my body being ta'en away,  
I fly not but dare still maintain the fray.  
I dare adventure in each dangerous place,  
And beard the boldest Ruffian to his face:  
What dare I not? I know that I am f●ee,  
And do enjoy most perfect liberty.  
He brags that he is entertained of Kings,  
And so am I, but yet for divers things.  
He as a drudge or as a sturdy slave,  
My company at bed and board they'll have.  
The fairest Ladies that do live in Court,  
Will sometime entertain me in such sort;  
As he would hang himself to find the grace,  
But once to harbour in so sweet a place.  
O, this is such a sweet felicities  
That men envying my prosperity,  

ovid.  Have wished to be transformed into Fleas,  
That so they better might their fancy please.  
By this desire of theirs is plainly shown,  
They thought my state was better than their own:  
And therefore men (for all thy haughty vaunts)  
Never desire to become Elephants●  
For if they so were changed, they plainly see●  
Their state should be made worse, not bettered bee●  
My shape they wish for, thereby to obtain  
This liberty which else they cannot gain.  
The coyest dames in City or in Court,  
Afford the Flea free scope himself to sport  
In their soft bosoms: and without denay,  
At his best pleasure he may lower stray.  
I say no more of this lest I be blamed,  
But thus conclude, I am a Courtier framed.  
My face and legs, will suit a Prince his hall,  
For th'one I know is smooth, the other small.  
Vaunt on and spare not of thy mighty foes:  
I will rejoice I have such friends as those.  
Much of thy sober diet thou dost preach  
The Fox hates grapes when they're out of his reach.  
So needy beggars speak of poverty,  
And gelded men vaunt of their chastity.  
Thou never knewst what better diet meant,  
And therefore art with such base stuff content  
Man, who devours both birds, and beasts, and fish,  
Will spare his blood for me to be my dish.  
Thus I revenge the blood of beasts ar● slain●  
To feed his paunch; and shed his blood again.  
I think in this thou quit'st us free from lust,  
In that thou sayst we breed out of the dust.  
Thou tell'st us also of thy courtesy,  
Are these the marks of thy nobility?  
These virtues which thou namedst may gentry trye●  
But wherein art thou nobler yet than I?  
That thou canst learn to know a Letter? ●ush:  
I count that learning hardly worth a rush.  
To what good purpose canst thou this apply?  
Bu● I am skilful in astronomy.  
I can foretell what weather s●all ensue,  
And thereof before hand by signs I show.  
When I bite sore, the Ploughman knoweth plai●e  
(Foretold by me) he shortly shall have rain.  
When h● doth snor● secure, I him awake,  
That to good thoughts himself he may betaken  
Thus do I wisely things far off foresee,  
And not such only as before me be.  
Art thou religious? I am so too,  
For look what men awaked by me s●all do  
Is mine● mine are their vows and prayers all●  
What good they then shall do, I may mine call.  
And to be brief, thus I conclude in fine:  
All that they think, or say, or do, is mine.  
Thou sayst thy teeth are good, they are: but when●  
When thou art dead: they're never good till then.  
What good thou living dost, that is thine all:  
But good done after death, scarce ours I call●  
How long thou liv'st I care not, nor can tell,  
How long we live it skills not, but how well●  
And for man's service I come not behinded  
He profits but the body, I the mind.  
Thus have you heard (my Lords) both him and 〈◊〉.  
And both of us await for your decree.  
If that he do except against my speech,  
With favour hear mine answer I beseech.  
Thus did the F●ea (me thought) conclude his Themes  
At which I hearty laughed even in my dream.  
How now Herac●●●●s, dost not laugh yet?  
At what quoth he? me thinks this tale should ●et  
Tears from the hardest flin●: laugh I dost ask?  
What, to see vice thus put on virtues maske●  
To hear a villain tell so smoo●h a ●ale,  
And hypocrites set up so full a sail?  
To see how great ones still would greater be●  
And none contented with their own degre●●  
How lightly others virtues some do weigh,  
Whilst that self love doth bear so great a swaye●  
O, when I hear that beasts use rea●on, than  
I weep to think beasts li●e in shape of men.  
But on, I pray you on, your dream pursue,  
And let me know what verdict did ensue.  
Nay stay (quoth he) you are too forward, ●ie:  
First pray you hear the Elephant's reply.  
My Lords (quoth he) before you further go,  
I pray you hear me speak a word or two.  
Mine enemy thinks with a glo●ing tongue  
And smooth filled speech, to bolster out his wrong.  
Thou tells how great ones do thee entertaine●  
And yet even those thy company disdain.  
But do they ●arbour t●ee, and give thee foody  
The more ungrateful thou to suck their blood.  
This is the wicked custom of our days,  
To seek thei● ruin who first did them raise.  
Fowl sin hath set her marks upon thy back,  
And (like herself) hat● clothed thee in black.  
Do Ladies harbour thee? thou dost them wrong:  
They all would rather have thy room then throng  
Too many such intruding mates we have,  
Who boast how Ladies do their presence crave.  
Thou ravest 'gainst great ones, railest against their life,  
Such foul mouthed curs are now adays too ri●e.  
So use base grooms seeking themselves to raise●  
Discredit others, others do dispraise●  
Wanting desert, he to your favour flies:  
But herein (as I think) true bounty lies,  
That you may be enforced to wrong none  
For that you do intend to give to one.  
For many oftentimes such gifts do make,  
They are enforced from others for to take.  
The envy of my greatness makes him speak,  
He must have vent, or his swollen hear● will breake●  
As shadows still attend upon the Sun,  
So glory ye● could never envy shun.  
Where as fire is, there always will be smoke,  
Envy will ever seek virtue to choke.  
Thus have you ●eard in brief what I can say,  
Thus ends my speech, I for your censure stay.  
But the● the Flea; yet hear me a 〈◊〉 words  
(According to your order) reverent Lords.  
He says, 'mongst great ones I myself intrude,  
And then doth charge me with ingratitude,  
O see how well his speeches do agree:  
Observe them well, you'll find them contrary.  
Either their entertain must willing be,  
Or from ingratitude acquit me free.  
Am I in debt to him who did me good?  
Yet to his power alwaves the same withstood?  
The wise oft-times reap profit from their foes,  
Yet who accounts them bounden unto those?  
If that turn good which for my hurt was meant,  
I'll thank my fortune, and not his intent.  
But was he willing? then I may conclude,  
He wrongs me much, who saith I did intrude.  
Favour and force, never so well agree,  
That both at once can in one subject be.  
But when he saw his speech truth's colour lack,  
He wrangles at my colour, cause 'tis black.  
Mislikes he black? heerat much marvel I:  
He never could abide his 
a It is written of the Elephant, that he cannot away with the sigh● of white colour.  contrary.  
He knows not well what 't is stands in his light,  
He neither can away with black nor white.  
I envy not thy greatness, for with all,  
Such as thou art (I know) will be thy fall.  
Little I am, and little will I say,  
But here I end, and do your verdict pray.  
Heroclit● said show what their censure was●  
I long to hear on which side it did pass.  
Then must you lose your longing (I'll be plain)  
Or else must stay until I dream again.  
I thought (to hear the verdict) to draw near,  
And so awaked, and thus my dream you hear.  
What dost not laugh ' thou art no man at all:  
Laughter to man is alway natural,  
And to 
a We read how the Crocodile will weap by nature: the ●ye●● will counterfeit 〈…〉 & 〈◊〉, bu● no 〈…〉 man) can laugh by nature.  man only: if thou be'st not such,  
Though thou laugh not, I will not marvel much.  
No man quoth he? why, dost thou count him none  
Who is not touched with each affection?  
Well, be it so: although I laugh not now,  
I could (if I see cause) as well as thou.  
But here were rather greater cause to weep,  
If cause of either can proceed from sleep.  
For when as all these ●oggie fumes are spent,  
Which to the brain, were from the stomach sent.  
Our restless fantasies repeat things over,  
Which we imagined the day before.  
For nothing comes in our intellgence,  
Which was not let in by the door of sense.  
The several things which we awake recite,  
In dreams our ●ancies oftentimes unite.  
As when of gold and mountains hath been told,  
Our dreams present us mountains all of gold.  
We talk of horses, and of flying things,  
And then we dream of horses that have wings.  
'tis like of beasts, and strife, hath been thy theme,  
And that from thence proceeds this idle dream.  
Idle dost call it? quoth Democritus)  
Yet rather had I thou shouldst term it thus,  
Then to interpret, or to wrest it, so  
As curious and busy heads would do.  
What by the Flea? what by the Dog was meant?  
What by the Elephant, was his intent?  
They'll aim at this, and that particular,  
And each thing as it pleaseth them transfer.  
Such fools as these would descant on my dream,  
And it interpret, as it best shall seem  
To their weak wit, and blunt capacity,  
Censure each word, each sentence misapply.  
If I should light on such a giddy ass,  
I'd scorn to answer him, but let him pass.  
But unto thee an answer must be sought,  
You say dreams do repeat but things forethought,  
In such 't is true, as sleep free scope afford,  
But such as I use sleep, not as a Lord,  
Not suffering it to rule, but serve our need,  
And thus from this same sort of dreams are freed.  
Such dreams as these on morning sleepers ●reep,  
And hap to such as glut themselves with sleep.  
In sleep our souls 
a So saith Cici. in his book de senectute, alleging it out of Xenophon de exped. Cry  use their divinity,  
And hence we prove their immortality.  
For whilst we sleep, our bodies are as dead,  
And then they stand our souls in little stead●  
And yet ●ost perfect in her works is she,  
Whilst that she ●hus is from the body free.  
Her faculties now can she use so well,  
That things to come she sometime ca● foretell.  
And since she life do●h to the body give,  
We know she can without the body ●●ue.  
To such as do their ●oules uncombred keep,  
The Gods reveal their secrets in their sleep.  
Thus unto me perhaps the Gods have done,  
And therefore I●●lon (God 〈◊〉 son)  
show'd me this vision, thereby to ●aske  
Some vice, which thus in shape of beasts did m●ske.  
The Elephant● the Fl●●; t●●●es general:  
So every one of ei●her kind we call.  
Some kind of faults, and not some faulty me●  
Are hereby noted it appeareth then.  
Why make you this Apology (quoth he)  
I hope you ●a●e me no ●●ch fool to be  
Thus to conjecture; how so ere it seem,  
I let it pass knowing 'twas but a dreame●  
The Gods have something else to do beside,  
What man? 
a Democr. held opinion that there were many worlds, with Alexander the great hearing of, wept, because he had not fully conquered 〈◊〉 of them.  you say th'a●e many worlds to guide.  
Thinkst thou the Gods will lea●e their heavenly ioy●s,  
And thus molest themselves with such like ●oyes?  
No, no, they are bu● idle fantasies,  
Which from thy ●i●th-deuo●ed thoughts arise.  
No, no, fond man, these worde● he weeping spoke,  
This same name (man) makes 〈◊〉 all mirth forsake.  
For what is man? nought else but misery:  
No sooner borne, but he begins to die.  
he's weeping born; which proves he's borne to weep●  
And all his life's or spent in woe, or sleep.  
Nay this his misery doth prove most plain,  
That not one man could become young again.  
On this condition to repeat o'er,  
Both th'woes and pleasures which he had before.  
O no, there is no man so fond, but knows  
That for one pleasure, he had twenty woes.  
here tears did drown his speech (which ●a●t did fall)  
Thinking to com●or● him, I waked with all.   

A Shadow of a shadow thus you see,  
Alas what substance in it then can be?  
If any thing herein amiss do seem:  
Consider 'twas a dream, dreamt of a dream.   
FINIS.   

Many, many things have written,  
When they'd better still have sitten.  
Peradventure so had I:  
Yet I know no reason why.  
It's a foolish toy I write●  
And in folly most delight:  
Then (I hope) it will please many,  
And not be disliked of any,  
Even from tales of Robin Hood,  
Wise men alway pick some good.  
None (I trust) offend I shall,  
So I take my leave of all.  Peter Woodhouse.