GRANDSIRE GRAYBEARD. OR Machiavelli Displayed.  
Wit's Wisdom.  
Wit saith that this for Wisdom goes  
(Oh pity!) Virtus post nu●●●s.  
LONDON, Printed for Richard Higgenbotham, and are to be sold in the Bulwark near the Tower at the sign of the Unicorn 1635.   

TO THE READER, (with the Contents) a CAVEAT.  

OLd grandsire Graybeard, who the world had tried▪  
And (by experience) learned both good, & bad;  
Tendering his Son, thought good (before he died,)  
To lesson well his best beloved lad:  
Lest he should fall by following the World,  
Whose tricks he tells and how they be controlled.   

Conceive Wits Wisdom with consentlesse heart,  
He that hath ears to hear, here stop them fast,  
Perusing it, use wise Ulysses' Art,  
And manacle thy mind to Virtue's Mast:  
Be like the Bee, suck out the sweet and good,  
The rank refuse, let be the Spider's food.    

Grandsire Graybeard.  

The Preface.  
COme hither Son, and learn thy father's lore,  
It is not now as it hath been of yore:  
For in my youth would no man read to me,  
That now (in age) I can deliver thee.   

Precept 1.  

IF thou wilt be a man of much esteem,  
Be not the same what ever so thou seem.   

Speak fair to all, be courteous, gentle, kiad,  
But let the world know nothing of thy mind.   

Let slip no time, may be for th●n e●uai●e,  
But trust no friend for Faith begins to fail,   

Refuse no gifts to fill thy coffers full,  
The wisest poor man passeth for a Gull.   

Be temperate in affect, no quarrels move,  
And if thou love thyself, f●ll not in love.   

Have care for all men, but confer with few,  
And count fair words to be but as a dew.   

Fellow the time, find humours, flatter pride,  
And praise the Groom, but only please the Bride.   

Str●ue not with great ones, meddle not with small,  
●or trifles trouble not thyself at all.   

Frequent the Church, make show of great devotion  
And be not bashful to receive promotion.   

Look big at beggars, wear thy  neat,  
And spen● not to much money at thy meat.  
Save thy horse-meat at thy ousins stable,  
And take thy trencher at another's table.   

Break jests on cowards, but take heed of knaves,  
And love no bawds for they are beastly slaves.   

Be perfect in Arithmeticks close Art,  
In all accounts to make a saving part.   

Observe the Lion, do not stir the Bear,  
And love the Wolf but only for the hair.  
Learn of the Ass to bear, the Dog to wait.  
And of the Ape to counterfeit conceit.   

Catch not at flies, they are but swallows food,  
But love the meat that nourisheth the blood.  
Feed like a Wolf on blood whilst it is warm.  
He is a fool that feels another's harm.  
Yet scum as kind as he that seems to cry,  
To see him sick, whom he would wish to die.   

Take heed of interest, sell nor gage no land,  
And from assurance ever keep thy hand.   

Take no man's word, for coin is hard to get,  
And 'tis a custom (now) to pay no debt.  
Stand not to look upon a Peacock's tail,  
Who (if he see his legs) will stoop his sailer  
When jackdaws chatter, let the language go,  
Better be silent then to prattle so.  
Come not within the verdict of a jury,  
And come not near a Tyrant in his fury:  
Commit no secrets to thy second Self,  
For never yet was Ape but played the Elf.  
Kill not a fly, and let a flea alone,  
That sucks the blood, and never hurts the bone.  
File not thy finger's with a filthy Slut,  
And ride not often on a gauld-backt cut.  
Fear not a shadow, but avoid a danger,  
And do not keep a jade at rack and manger,  
Remember nothing that thou dost not write,  
Lest danger do thy fearful heart affright.  
Be sociable in each company,  
But have no hand in any villainy.  
Be conversant with strangers, learn languages,  
Sound their estate, mark their carriages,  
Know their diversities of wares, their worths and prizes,  
But trouble not thyself with vain devices.  
Learn to know kingdoms, nations & their natures  
Their laws their judgements male & female creatures;  
And how their wealth doth rise, by war or peace,  
And how their states begin, and how they cease;  
How they may be offended or defended,  
And how their quarrels grow and which way ended.  
But of all Notes, note chiefly this of all,  
How thou mayst rise, who ever hap to fall.  
Suspect thy wit, be wary of thy will,  
And learn to spare, but never learn to spill.  
Think no man wise but he that gathers wealth,  
And keep the diet that preserves thy health.  
Sat not up late, unless it be for gain,  
For lack of sleep is hurtful for the brain.  
Go not to Sea, whilst thou mayst live on land,  
Lest scaping rocks thou fall upon the Sand.  
Travel with ease, take heed of taking cold,  
And (next to God) take comfort in thy gold.  
Get all contentment that the world can give,  
For (after death) who knoweth how we live?  
Strange things are spoken, but believe the best,  
And leave the worst. I leave thee to the rest.   

Promise enough, but not perform too much:  
Yet with thy betters evermore keep touch.   

Wear not thy shoes too short, nor cloak too long  
Use thy friends well, but do thyself no wrong.   

Abandon foo●es, make much of cunning wits,  
But favour most that most thy profit fits.   

Work all the week for profit every way,  
And keep thy Conscience for the Holy day.   

First if thou be a Courtier, know thy place,  
And do not serve for only show of grace;  
But let thy profit answerthy expense,  
Lest want do prove a woeful patience,  
And thou do prove the proverb often told,  
A careless Courtier young, a beggar old.   

And if thou be'st a Scholar and canst preach  
And knowest rightly how thy flock to teach;  
Let never conscience at thy profit knock,  
But shear thy sheep, and fleece another's flocks  
For be thou poor what ere thy preaching be,  
Thy parish will not pass a pin for thee.   

If that thou be a Soldier, serve for fame  
But let thy golden pay maintain the same;  
For he that spends more than he gets in sight,  
Will be a beggar, though he be a knight.  
And if thou be a Lawyer, know the right,  
But keep thy client in a cunning plight.   

For how canst thou a cunning pleading hold,  
If that thy tongue be not well tipped with gold?  
And rich attired, thou shalt have room to stand,  
And plead thy cause whate'er thou hast in hand.  
But barely clad, and in a poor array,  
Thou mayst (perhaps) have hearing at doomsday:  
For though the Law be right and judge be just,  
Yet with the rich the beggar may not thrust.  
If that thou be a Merchant mark thy trade,  
And of thy wares what reckoning will be made▪   

And be not lavish in a lewd expense,  
Lest bankrupt prove a bad experience.  
And if thou be a craft's man weigh thy pains,  
And let no Alehouse eat out all thy gains;   

For if thy charge above thy getting go  
Thou wilt be quickly in the beggar's Roe.  
What saith the crafty clown in clouted shoes?  
Time was ordained to get, and not to lose.  
What though the poor lie starving in the ditch?  
It is the dearth of corn makes farmers rich.   

Aim still at profit howe'er it grows,  
Make the wind serve thee wheresoever it blows,  
For 'tis this wealth, this profit, and this gain,  
That dies the colour ever more in grain.   

Learn the Physician and the Lawyer's fee,  
And (for thy profit) speak as fair as he.  
Promise the one good speed, the other health,  
In any course 'tis good to gather wealth.  
Learn all diseases and their several cures,  
And care not what the patiented heart endures;  
But give him one day grief, another case,  
Not as his patience but his purse doth please.   

Learn Cards and Dice, and any cheating play  
That may bring in thy profit any way.  
Learn how to stop a Card and cog a Die,  
But shift it cleanly from the Gamesters eye:  
At Ruff and Trump note how the dealer rubs,  
There is no pack without the Knave of clubs.   

Learn all Religions, be of every Sect,  
And (chiefly) to thy profit have respect.  
For this same (conscience) is so bare a thing,  
As it will make a beggar of a King.  
Learn to get riches by the beggar's purse,  
The Fox fares best when geese begin to curse.  
Learn every trade and traffic, train and trick,  
And live not by the dead but by the quick.  
In sum, of what estate soe'er thou be,  
Learn to be rich, for that will hold with thee;  
Be rich I say my Boy, be rich and wise,  
Gold is a precious mettle for the eyes.  
Why? rich men (they) have money and gay gear,  
And goodly houses, and most dainty chief:  
Fair wives, fine pictures, plays & courtly dances  
And many cheats that come by many chances:  
Brave Siver boxes, sweet perfumes and waters,  
And twenty other more such kind of matters.  
Whiles the poor man that pines for want offriends  
May sit and sigh and pick his fingers ends.  
And every morning wash his face with tears,  
And wipe his blubbered eyes with sheu'led hairs;  
And walk abroad for furrows recreation,  
Or starve himself, or feed on contemplation.  
Make curtsy to the shadow of a Lord.  
And glad to get a look, and half a word;  
Blush and fal● back when gay folk come in place,  
And start to look a Lady in the face.  
Talk to the air where no man lists to hear him,  
And plod alone, where no man will come near him.  
And thus recording of a heavy care,  
He feeds (perhaps) upon a hungry fare;  
Till some good Knight or learned Gentleman,  
(That is a prudent Politician  
And can make uses of afflicted brains,  
And gather profit from their toiling pains)  
May hap to grace him with a countenance,  
Give him a blue coat with a cognizance,  
An old cast doublet, or a pair of boots,  
Feed him with brown bread, small beer, herbs & roots  
And now and then (perhaps) a piece of meat,  
That scarce a man would give a dog to eat;  
Or after (haply) some good service done,  
Make him a Tutor to his youngest Son.  
Laugh at those beggars, speak in scorn at pelse  
Care thou for nothing but t'enrich thyself.  
For Truth reports that doth of thrift entreat,  
If thou be rich thou quickly writ be great.  
Plot for a pudding, or a piece of sauce,  
The Cat would never watch (but for a Mouse,)  
The Fox would never hunt (but for his prey.)  
And workmen (but for gain) would play all day▪  
It is this Wealth, this Profit, and this Gain,  
That makes the Labourer sing away his pain.  
Set snares for Would cocks, pitfalls for small birds,  
And catch a fool with nothing but fair words.  
Dandle the Child, grow inward with the Nurse,  
And think no beggary base that fills the purse.  
Laugh with the Lecher at Maids bash fullness,  
And with the Chaste at fleshly filthiness,  
And with the spendthrift at the miser's bugs,  
And with the Miser at the beggar's rags.  
Diss wade no Princes from their choice of pleasure,  
Nor a rich Miser from his love of treasure.  
If he be rich, what ever so he be,  
Seem in thy humour to be just as he.  
If he be poor, then let him beg alone,  
It is a trade that few grow rich upon.  
Persuade a slave he is a gentleman,  
Although he drop out of a dripping pan:  
It is no matter, if his purse can bear it;  
His rascal pride wih never blush to hear it.  
Persuade a Clown, that he is half a Knight,  
And that his wealth deserves that place aright,  
And his Maid-Marian with her winscot face,  
Might be a Lady (but for lick of grace.)  
And make her think that she is half a Queen,  
And scarce on earth is such another seen,  
For virtue, beauty, wit, for shape and feature:  
Though God (he) knows, that she is no such creature.  
But if she do applaud it, 'tis no matter;  
He is a fool (for profit) cannot flatter.  
Commend a Soldier when he is in crowns,  
And swear a Knight must govern over Clowns.  
In many a camp how be his cask did bear,  
Although (poor Coward!) he came never there:  
But yet be sure thy flattery so to frame  
That thine may be the gain, though his the fame.  
Commend the Lawyer, and his studious reading,  
Admire his judgement, and extol his pleading  
But flatter so, that if thou get a fee,  
Thou may'st have out a share as well as he.  
Fellow a Bishop with a world of praise,  
And make him as the Lodestar of thy days;  
Admire him, and extol him to the skies,  
But so, that thou mayst get a Benefice,  
A Vicridge, Cure, a Clarkeship or some such,  
As will return thee profit small or much.  
Commend the A●c●ant, honour his adventure,  
Who gets his wealth by danger, not Indenture;  
Commend his ●ade his craffique, and his truth,  
The honour of his age, and toil of youth;  
But yet (with all) be sure to flatter so,  
That to thy purse some piece of money grow,  
Or on his board thy trencher may be laid,  
Or borrowed money never to be paid,  
And tell (What-lacke ye) that he lacks no wit,  
And (for his head) that he deserves to sit  
On higher seats than the Churchwardens stools  
For he hath more wit than a world of fools.  
But yet in feeding of his idle vain,  
Be sure to pick-out some odd private gain  
A rapier, dagger, stockings, boots, or shoes,  
Somewhat doth well, though beggars may not choose.  
Tell Mistr●s-minks (coy she) that keeps the shop,  
She is a Ship that bears a gallant top;  
She is a Lady for her lovely face,  
And for her countenance half a Princess grace;  
Then bite the lip and wink, and hang the head,  
And give a fie as if thy heart were dead.  
And show strange passions of affections sense,  
That she may pity love (Sr.) reverence.  
But let the issue of this coming be,  
That from her purse some profit come to thee.  
A piece of satin, fustian, or some stuff,  
A falling band, or a three double-ruffe,  
A hat, a shirt, a cloak-cloth, or a ring,  
Knives, purses, gloves, or some such pretty thing,  
For (somewhat hath some savour) 'tis this gain,  
That to mention gives the sweetest vain.  
Why? tell a Cobbler he is half a King,  
When o'er his patches he can sit and sing,  
And knock his Last, and whet his cutting knife,  
There is no kingdom to a merry life.  
But yet in telling of this idle tale,  
Be sure (at least) to get a pot of ale.  
For this same (nothing) brings no world about,  
Better play small games than be clean shut out.   

If that thy Wife be fair, and thou be poor,  
Let her stand like a picture at thy door,  
Where (though she do put pick her fingers ends)  
Fair eyes, fond looks will gain a world of friends,  
Play at bopeep, see me, and see me not,  
It comes off well that is so closely got.  
And evermore (say I) well far the vent,  
That pays the charges of the house and rent.   

If that thy Wife be old, thy daughter young,  
And fair of face, or of a fluent tongue;  
If by her Sutours' silver may be had,  
Bear with small faults, the good will help the bad.   

If thy Maidservants be kind hearted wenches,  
And closely make kind bargains on thy benches,  
If by their pleasure may thy profit grow,  
Wink at a wanton; who hath not been so?   

If that thy friend do lack a little wit,  
And in his humour have an idle fit,  
To take a Wife, and use thee for his wooing,  
Speak for thy friend, but for thyself be doing,  
For every friend is to his friend a debtor,  
To love him as himself, (but yet no better.)   

But for thyself if thou hast got a Wife,  
Make show to love her dear (as thy life)  
Though (for thy quiet) ●hou couldst be content,  
A 〈◊〉 charge were at her burial spent.  
An● 〈◊〉 ●hat (charge) be of thy grief he ground,  
For many Wives are better lost then found.  
〈…〉 come unto the second matching,  
〈…〉 for fear of coney catching,  
M 〈…〉 to twenty wench, in a day,  
But let no ●…sid●es lead thy heart away.  
But where thou findest good store of land, or gold,  
There lay in close to purchase a tree-hold.  
And be not squamish at a nice conceit,  
That may dissuade thee from a pleasing bait.   

If thou be rich and hast another's pride,  
(That he may go on foot while thou dost ride)  
Find means to feed his swelling humour so,  
That high conceit may above compass go,  
Till Fortune's frowns his folly so do check,  
That male▪ content do after break his neck;  
Then lay in for his lands, his goods, his place,  
But still be sure to keep thyself in grace.  
But if thou be not up, and seekest to rise,  
Step by degrees, and in thy steps be wise.  
Creep, crouch, and kneel, until thou be aloft,  
But then sit fast, for fear, thou fall not soft.  
Refuse no service, be it ne'er so base,  
By any means may bring thee into grace.  
And make no conscience to attend on sin,  
To keep the door where Devils dance within.  
Find a rich Heir, and note his disposition,  
How he is given to baseness or ambition,  
And with thy lending lay his land aboard,  
That he may be thy slave and thou his Lord.  
Who in the whole will undermine so fast,  
he'll leave his Lordship like the land of waist.   

If that thou hast a Partner in thy stock,  
And both your wealths lie all under one lock;  
And if thy Partner ride abroad for pleasure,  
And put thy faith in trust with all thy treasure;  
At his return do upon quarrels stand,  
When thou hast got his wealth into thy hand.  
Say, in accounts he hath deceived thee,  
(Although thou knowest no such matter be:)  
When, if he will not take what thou wilt give him  
To course of law (for his best comfort) drive him:  
Where, while he rails on thy ill conscience,  
Thy patience closely shall put up his pence.  
And whatsoever honest minds surmise,  
Wealth (with the wealthy) make the wealthy wise.   

Be rich therefore, I say, be rich my Son,  
For wealth will sway the world when all is done.     

GRANDSIRE GRAYBEARD. OR Machiavelli Displayed.  
Wit's Wisdom.  
Wisdom 'gainst Wit replieth thus,  
Virtutib. aurum vilius.  
LONDON, Printed for Richard Higg●nb●●●am, and are to be sold in the Bulwark near the Tower at the sign of the Unicorn 1635   

TO THE READER A Transition.  

NOw having ta'en a view of villainy,  
Whereby thou mayst Wits wicked wiles discern  
Whose wisdom is untruth and tyranny,  
More wholesome read here (Reader) mayst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learn:  
Wits-Wisedome, let it crew thy contemplation,  
But Wisedoms-Wit, thy life and conversation.   

The world (it) aims at wealth pomp, & delight,  
And him it doth account for witty wise;  
Who hath the craft, the cunning, and the sleight,  
By my plot to mount and to arise:  
Plain-dealing lo, dies beggar, that's the worst,  
But Fraud forever dies with shame accursed.    

Grandsire Graybeard.  

The Preface.  
But now my son, that thou hast learnt this lore,  
(Upon my blessing) look on it no more  
Except it be (by ill) to know the good;  
But yet take heed lest it be understood.   

Precept 1.  

BE that thou seem'st to be, in word and deed,  
Lest Pater n●ster put thee from his Creed.   

Fair speech is good, but keep not a foul mind,  
For hollow hearts are of a hellish kind.   

A good beginning makes a blessed end,  
And hold him for a dog that hath no friend.   

Receive 〈◊〉 bribe to fill a rusty chest,  
A quiet conscience is a Kingly feast.  
And 'tis a ●eauie ●ence in sorrows Roll,  
To save the body and to lose the Soul.   

In Honour's cause, maintain thy reputation,  
And hold love good for Reason's recreation.   

Affect the wise and with the learned talk,  
And with the virtuous often make a walk.   

Sooth no ill cares with idle flattery,  
Honour the Bride, but do the Groom no Rye,   

With great or small be sure to keep even measure,  
And scorn no trifle that may do thee pleasure.   

Frequent the Church, with faith & true devotion,  
And do not step too fast unto promotion.  
For fare more grief is in a headlong fall,  
Than if thy care had never climbed at all.   

Be wisely kind to every quality,  
And ever keep good hospitality.  
At thine own charge keep thy horse's stable,  
And seek no banquet at a beggar's table.  
For a true mind had rather starve then eat,  
When churls or servants grudge a stranger meat.   

jest not with cowards, for they will but cry,  
And as for bawds, pity their beggary.   

Arithmetic is seen in every trade,  
But true accounts are ever to be made.  
For when the last count-reckning is cast up,  
Then shall the crafty take their poisoned cup.   

For Lions, Bears, For Wolves, for Apes & Asses  
Leave them to figure humours looking-glasses.  
And have a care to carry so thyself,  
No storm may drive thy ship upon the shelf.   

Swallows do ●eed ensues, but light they sly▪  
While Epicures in too much feeding die.  
By others harms seek not thy private good,  
A bloody feast is an untimely food.  
And to dissemble love is such an evil,  
As nearest shows the nature of the Devil.   

To help thy friends, do not forbear thy hand,  
And (for thy credit) sell both goods and land.   

Deny no friend, when he doth friendly crave it,  
For honest minds will pay, when as they have it,   

Perform thy word, but promise not too much,  
With rich and poor be careful to keep touch.   

Let garments fit thy body, grace thy mind,   

And to thy friend (as to thyself) be kind.   

Let care of conscience, guide three every way,  
To give thee comfort on the holy day.   

First if thou be a Courtier know the grace,  
And seek in heaven to have a higher place,  
And if on earth such service profit brings,  
What shall he have that serves the King of Kings?   

If that thou be a Scholar and canst preach,  
With simple truth thy simple Audience teach;  
And feed thy flock thou hast in charge to keep.  
Lest that thou prove a Wolf unto thy sheep,  
But whatsoever (here) be thine estate,  
There is none poor but he whom God doth hate.   

And if thou be a Soldier, suck no blood,  
To Kingly minds it is  food.  
And honour's title who doth truly hold,  
Shall it in mercy find, and not in gold.   

If that thou be a Lawyer, judge the right,  
And let no bribery bl●nde a blessed sight:  
For thou shalt find it writ in Mercies roll,  
Better a thread bare gown, than threadbare soul   

And if thou be a Merchant, know thy cares,  
And do not wound thy conscience with thy wares  
Lest in repentance all too late thou find,  
The gain is loss that feeds a greedy mind.   

In brief, of what estate soe'er thou be,  
Let truth and conscience ever govern thee.  
Let clowns clap all their craft on clouted shoes,  
Seek thou no earthly gain thy Heaven to lose.   

Aim at no profit with a poisoned breath,  
Lest it be paid in thy second death.  
An honest gain in every trade doth well,  
The wind blows ill ●hat blows the soul to hell.   

In Law and Physic have a conscience,  
In making gain of thy experience.  
Lest that thy Clients cry, or patient's death,  
Make thee cry out and howl in hell beneath.   

For Cards and D●ce and all such idle play,  
From thy delight discard and cast away.  
For deal or rub whose hap it be to have,  
The Knave of Clubs will ever be a Knave.   

By wicked plots do never prole for pelf,  
Let thy Souls care be nearest to thyself.  
And soothe no humours in an evil mind,  
For poisoning breath is of a hellish kind.  
And though to hurt a few to help a many  
Seem good, yet (better) not the help of any.  
Flat no Mistress Fubs, or john▪ a Nods,  
Nor honour golden Calves, nor wooden gods.  
Nor puff a Peasant up with flattering pride,  
A rascal will but like a Beggar ride.   

If that thy wife be fair, be thou not foul,  
To let her play the Ape, and thou the Owl.   

And to thy daughter be a better Sire,  
Then l●ke a hackney let her out to hire.   

And for thy servants let no belly swell,  
A bawdy-house is but an earthly hell.   

Be faithful to thy Wife, firm to thy friend,   

And constant in religion to the end.   

If thou be rich, abandon wicked pride,  
And do not on the horse of envy ride,  
Nor seek the well deserving to disgrace,  
Nor put the virtuous spirit out of place.   

If that thy friend do trust thee with his love,  
Unto his trust do not a Traitor prove;  
Lest he that seethe thy ill-gotten treasure,  
Do pay thee home with an il-meaten measure,   

Be rich and wise in that good wit, my Boy,  
That death nor hell, nor devil can destroy.  
Tax no man's name in any evil matter,  
But like a Christian deal with every creature.  
Be sorry for the evil thou hast done,  
And go on with the good thou hast begun.  
Pray for thy faith, that it may fail thee never,  
So (though thou die) yet shalt thou live for ever.  
Serve GOD, thy King, be to thy Country true,  
Live till thou die, then bid the world adieu.    
FINIS.