THE ABORTIVE OF AN IDLE HOUR: OR A century OF EPIGRAMS. AND A MOTTO UPON THE CREED. By Sr T. W. Scribimus indocti, doctique poemata passim. LONDON Imprinted by T. D. 1620. Vinum, & Vinegrum. I Neither hang out Bush nor Sign, t'invite The comers by to taste, what Wine I sell: 'tis new, but hard, the palate to delight: Yet I have often heard some others tell, That I have Wine, some much more sweet than other: Believe them not, for they may be deceived, 'Twere better taste thyself, then trust an other: I pass not if thou taste, or taste not, so I leaved: It's that I made myself, 'twas never bought, Many pay dear, for that's exceeding nought▪ THE Abortive of an idle Hour. Ad Lectorem. Epigr. 1. Apologia pro Libello. THe Epigrams which you shall read Are some good, Sunt bona, sunt quaedam mediocria, sunt mala plura, Quae legis hîc: aliter non fit Auite liber: Ep. Mar. most part nought, Indifferent some; or else indeed A book, no book is thought. In Hermaphroditos Anglicanos. Ep. 2. THe * Virginibus Tyrijs mos est gestare pharetram. Virg. Tyrian maids in shooting took great pride, And always wore their quiver by their fide; Our Britain brutes, or rather Monster-dames, Whose necks are compassed with hell's yellow flames, I must tell troth, though I be shent for blabbing, They were Steelettoes, for their pride's in stabbing. In Drusum. Ep. 3. WHen Drusus waits upon St. George his day, He prays his friends not to molest him then, For then he's not his own man, doth he say, He's so employed, as other Lordings men; The man's so far for being then his own, That Drusus and his clothes alike are known. In Levem. Ep. 4. LEuis through much experience understands▪ Women have cause to fancy falling— bands. In Monoculum. Ep. 5. WE deem them crafty, which with one eye look; But I dare take my oath upon— no book, Monoculus did ne'er deceive his brother, he'd see with two eyes, if he had another. In Lenonem. Ep. 6. LEno protests it is not past four years, Since shoe-tie-roses were in estimation; And he was one that had the first he swears, 'tis like; for he loves still to be in fashion. But for his credit and the time, I'll add, He eight years since a pair of * Non Rosae mundae, Roses had. In Levem. Ep. 7. I Will not, * Two negatives make an affirmative. no, and that's as much as I, This phrase cost Levis her Virginity. In Littletonicos. Ep. 8. AN ancient tenure Cornage is ye know, And heretofore hath been of more esteem: Now horns in every place so common grow, That men ridiculous this Tenure deem; But Innss-of-court-man should not Cornage scorn, It summons them to dinner For they are much beholding to the Horn. In Thrasonem. Ep. 9 THraso is loath, that his well-wishing friends Should see his courses, or know what he spends; But when to borrow need doth urge him, than He stands not on't, Noverint universi. Be't known unto all men. In Alum. Ep. 19 ALLus protests, that he can drink no wine, He loves it not, 'twill make his headpiece light; With ale or beer (saith he) I'll rather dine, Than hurt my stomach, or my wits affright. At wine his lips shall not so much as smack, But you may daily make him drunk with sack. In Quercium. Ep. 11. QVercius turns over many Physic books, But doth not practice, yet on water looks; I have not heard his physic ere saved any, But once I heard, he would have poisoned many. In Lucifugum. Ep. 12. LVcifugus was with a Ghost so haunted, That he thought every place to be enchanted; He could no sooner move him to one place, But still his Ghost had got before his face. Lucifugus owed money to his host This was his night and day molesting G. De simulachro Thomae Bodlei equitis aurati, Bibliothecae Oxoniensi dicato. Ep. 13. HEre may you see though Bodley but in part, Apollo's image and Lysippus art. To wish for more than part of him were vain, For all the earth cannot the * Anima. whole contain. In Orbicularem figuram mundi. Ep. 14. THe world is round, we know, that live therein, 'tis round in compass, and 'tis round in sin. In Magnasum. Ep. 15. MAgnasus is a man of worthy race, His nose stands like a Screen before his face; Much worship did he lose of the last Queen, Because he could not for his nose be seen. I hear he hath of late received some grace, His Nose it seems, was in some other place. In Thrasonem. Ep. 16. THraso looks big, and makes his cheeks seem ten, As if he would outface an host of men: The flesh, the devil, and the world, I know He cannot conquer, though he puffeth so. In Dronum. Ep. 17. WHere ever Dronus sups, or dines, or walks, He thinks on Dolon, and on Dolon talks; He's much indebted unto him, he says; And so think I, but debt is ta'en two ways. In debt to him saith he? I know he's bound, Not for his love, but 'tis for many a pound. In Hergusum. Ep, 18. DRunken Hergusus is known every where, All spendthrifts know him, such as love good beer Cuckolds, Panders, and perjured drabs can tell, he's strange to none, not scant to them in hell; Who knows him not? Nosce teipsu●… if he be strange to one, 'tis to himself, himself he ne'er hath known. In Litorem. Ep. 19 LItoris holds him for a simple swain, That gets not forty pounds a year by's wits; But he (me thinks) makes small use of his brain, His shifts are bad, nor dainty are his bits; Yet those, to whom the man is better known, Affirm he useth all he hath, that's—. In Hergusum. Ep. 20. HErgusus, I had almost quite forgot To ask thee why of late thou art so hot; I will not blame thy liver, nor thy heart, Thy heat proceeds from some inferior part. In Thrasonem. Ep. 21. THraso protests his neighbour's goods to covet, Is sin so vile, no crime may be above it; To wish his wife, he swears, maugre the Devil Can be no sin; for, she's his greatest evil. In Biberium. Ep. 22. BEcause I said Biberius was discreet, In that he used few words when we did meet, One fell a laughing, and this jest did break, Biberius drinks until he cannot speak. De Insignibus Oxoniensium. Ep. 23. I Never did behold since I was borne, An Ox or Bull whose head had not one horn: The Citizens of Oxford had of yore A Bull that scant had half a horn, before The learned Tribe, which indecorum scorns, Out of their love gave them a pair of HORNS. In Britannicas amazons. Ep. 24. THey say a new Plantation is intended, Near or about the Amazonian river, But sure that mannish race is now quite ended; O that great jove of all good gifts the giver, Would move King james once more to store that clime, With the Mall-cut-purses of our bad time. De Cord & Lingua. Ep. 25. THe tongue was once a servant to the heart, Non loquitur os secundum cor. And what it gave she freely did impart; But now Hypocrisy is grown so strong, She makes the heart a servant to the tongue. To his worthy friend Captain Butler, Governor of Bermuda, or the Summer Lands. Ep. 26. I Marvel I, what mischiefs or what evils Hath made men call your Isles the Isles of Devils, Is't for the perilous * By reason of Rocks, the entrance into those Lands is very dangeous. Rocks, or for the * In the beginning of that plantation, great store of hogs were found there. Swine, In whom our Lord the Legion did confine? What ere it be, let's hear no more complaints▪ So govern you, they may be Isles of Saints. In Thrasonem. Ep. 27. Think not amiss of Thraso in your hearts, Because he brags, and sets forth his good parts, For I have known some backward to reveal That which they lost, because they did conceal. In Levem. Ep. 28. LEuis was troubled with a jealous man, Which long perplexed the silly woman's mind, But taking heart, she studies all she can For's jealous humour remedy to find: She so contrived, that through a little chink He saw that done, which erst he did but think. In Mortem. Ep. 29. DEath, where's thy sting? I hope thouart taken down, I fear thee not in City, Court, nor Town; Thou needest not boast thou robbest men of their breath, For he that conquered Hell did conquer Death. In Quercium. Ep. 30. QVercius queasy stomach feeds on muttons, Great eaters sin (saith he) and terms them glutons; To thrust himself out of the count of sinners, One leg of mutton serves him minced ten dinners. De Luna. Ep. 31. WOmen from Luna's custom much do stray, She makes horns monthly, but they ev'ry day. In Lenam. Ep. 32. LEna was once of gallants much esteemed, But now she is as one unworthy deemed, By those of whom she hath been often used, She is contemned, scoffed at, and abused; The reason's this; All men affect and wish To have the youngest flesh and ouldest fish, In Tergusum. Ep. 33. HOmer did drink, and Homer could not see, But Homer drunk not out his eyes, like— In Littletonicum quendam. Ep. 34. THe morrow next after an Ember Fast, Litoris brags of his last night's repast; Partridge and Pheasant, tut, with him's no dish; I think so to, where's neither flesh nor fish: He always keeps his bed, when he sups best, But Morpheus still is master of the feast. In Alum. Ep. 35. INe're did wish thee well, thou saidst to day, Now therefore Allus mark what I shall say: I wish thy nose for ever may look red, For, when 'tis pale (I fear) thou wilt be dead. In Ebriosum Ep. 36. FIe man, saith she; but I tell mistress Ann, Her drunken husband is no drunken man; For, those whose wits are overcome with drink, Are void of reason, such are beasts I think. In Petraeam. Ep. 37. WHo saith Petraea hath no abstinence? Those that say so, have but a little sense, For most men know, ti's evident and plain That none from Church doth more than she abstain. In Thrasonem. Ep. 38. THraso I think doth near of anger dream, Although his Choler seems to be extreme. In Lexum. Ep. 39 WHen Sword and Buckler was in estimation, Lexus saith, than a man might have some play; But since this noble fight grew out of fashion, A boy might kill a man in any fray: Lexus in honour of this old defence, Hacks many a * One end of a Sur-loin of Beife called the buckler piece, by reason of a large flat bone in that part. Buckler in an other sense. In Lizam. Ep. 40. LIza doth nothing well, her sister says But this proceeds from envy, I can tell, For which I must her sister much dispraise; Since many know that Liza drinketh well. In Curuum. Ep. 41. WHen Curuus first Silvanus daughter saw, Her heat of youth his frosty blood did thaw; Which so inflamed the aged man's desire, That he ne'er stood on portion with her Sire; Nor was there cause, the match was not so bad, For with his wife enough (God knows) he had. In Ventrosum. Ep. 42. FOr trees an penthouses I do not care, As long as you (Ventrosus) presentare, For in the greatest show're and storms I tell ye, I wish not better shelter then your belly. In Litorem. Ep. 43. Lie on Litoris, do, here's none controls, Thou mayst as freely lie here, as in Paul's; But now my small friend, that the less men say, The more they write against thee every day. De Anglis. Ep. 44. IT seems the English men are Cannibals, For they eat Fools, and fools we know are men; Such as eat men have bitter barbarous galls, The English have so, it should follow then. Resolutio. But I'll resolve this doubt equivocal Some men are Fools, some fools are men, not * A whitmeat made of Cream and Rice, called of some a Ricemos, of others a Foole. all. In Magnasum. Ep. 45. thouart vain Magnasus for to be so proud, Because so many, where thou comest, give place, And most of those are of the vulgar crowd, Yet were they Lords I think, 'twere no great grace: For one of better understanding knows, They give not place to thee, but to thy Nose. In Thomansium Long. Ep. 46. thouart very fitly named Thomansius Long, For with thy name doth well accord thy nature; Long ere thou wilt do good, or right a wrong, Long in thy lying, likewise long in stature, thouart long in all, in Nature, stature, Name, But thou comest short of virtue, and good fame. De Musis. Ep. 47. YE reverend Poets, now but earth and clay, And ye the glories of this present age, Vouchsafe me leave with due respect to say, Ye seemed to flatter in your sacred rage, Feigning the Muses to be women, when Reason approves them rather to be men; Those Nine, in men are but a nine-fould skill, Which for the head is the supremest part Do there inhabit, as upon a hill, Well named Parnassus, or the house of Art; there's scant nine women wise; men nine times nine, Then reason will, they should be masculine. In Piscatorem quendam. Ep. 48. OStendam piscem, quoth a learned clerk, That scorned to use his mother tongue in schools; A right wise scholar forthwith got a Bark, And out he goes with all his angling tools; His guide pointing to Heaven, ere they went far, Cried Ecce piscem, angle for the star. De Oto. Ep. 49. Otus a Maid both far and near hath sought, But cannot come, where he dares swear is one; I tell him Maids are common to be bought, If they be common then, saith he, theyare none. 'tis true and false: But I mistook the dish, Otus meant flesh, and I meant Maids the fish. In Thrasonem. Ep. 50. THraso gives out, he's riding out of town, Yet still I meet him jetting in his gown; Which would have made me thought it but a brag, Had I not known he kept a running Nag: But if to speak my conscience I were bidden, He rides not half so oft, as he is ridden. In Britannicam Amazonem. Ep. 51. GOd save you Captain. Oh I have mistook, Excuse me Lady; when I first did look Upon your broad-brymd hat▪ and flaunting feather, Those martial ensigns met in you together, Made me suppose a Captain you had been; Your sex like men I near before have seen. In Lizam. Ep. 52. Cross me not Liza, Tarlton cut off all his skirts because none should sit upon them. ne'ther be so pert For if thou dost, I'll sit upon thy skerte. Thou knowst I know thy nimble fingers joints, Then hold thy tongue, and stand not on thy * Pointed round. points. In Levem. Ep. 53. TH'Italians say, Give me your wenches fat, To make them fair, we'll quickly find a mean, They'll have them fat and fair; but wot you what, Thou tak'st such pains, that thou art carrion lean. In Quosdam Punctualisticos. * Punctuallists Ep. 54. I'll tell a secret, if you will not mock it, Some keep a Calendar worn in their pocket, To note their days of business and delights: Others do bear about a Roll of knights, So punctual are they; Yet to their disgrace, They have mistaken both their Day, and Place. In quendam Tobacciferum. Ep. 55. WHen men are dry, they use to call for drink, And so they wet their arrid parts, I think, My husband bibs, and drink doth ever cry, Yet his drink doth not moisten, but doth dry. De * Nihil aliud est, secundum Philosophos, quam albi coloris apparentia, quae fit ob intetionem astrorum luminis, quae, ubi circulus apparet, densissima sunt & numerosissima. Est via sublimis, caelo manifesta sereno, Lactea nomen habet▪ candore notabilis ipso: Ouid. Galaxia sive Lactea via. Ep. 56. Philosopher's and Poets do agree, A white or milky way * Quaere de hoc. in heaven to be: 'tis well their judgements there so much do mark, For on the earth the ways of men are dark. In Drusam. Ep. 57 DRusa loves powdering, but she hateth salt; At first this humour seemeth very strange, Like his who loveth beer, yet hateth malt; But Drusa's woman-like, constant in change. Which makes me hope, that in her daintiest fare. She may love salt, and hate her powdered hair. In Capistra foeminea. Ep. 58. TRadition saith the Mair's of Oxford wore, A Rope about their necks * Ropes on or about the head was a sign of submission. in time of yore But now for decency of later years, In the Rop's place each Mai'r a Ribbin wears; This fashion women use, which makes me doubt, When that came in with them, 1. Kings 20. 3● their Ropes went out. Ad seipsum. Ep. 59 NOr pine, nor prank, in poverty or wealth; Nor curious be, nor careless of thy health; To others do as they should do to thee; Love th'active life, yet not too busy be. Maturely ponder, ear thou dost propound, Prepare thy mind to want, and to abound: I give myself this Counsel, to endear Me to myself, since to myself most near. In Corbum. Ep. 60. COrbus will not, persuade him what I can, The world should take him for a Gentleman; His reason's this; because men should not deem, That he is such, as he doth never seem. Ad laudem cuiusdam faeminae Ep. 61. virtute praecellentis.— MEn say thouart crooked and exceeding black, My eye observes not any thing you lack, And I esteem thee as a precious jewel, In thee is that gives my affection fuel; I love thee much, what faults so ere men find, Because I know thou hast a beauteous mind. In Lenonem. Ep. 62. GOod laws there be, and Proclamations made To force the abstinence from flesh in Lent; But Leno's appetite is so unstaide, Flesh he must have, though after he repent; I wonder how he keeps worms from his maw, They say his flesh is lean, and fresh, and raw. In quendam— Ep. 63. HOnest Sir john doth to his neighbours cry, Forsake the world, and learn the way to dye; If this be wholesome counsel he doth give, Why then makes he himself such shift to live? In Assinium. Ep. 64. ASsinius weeps still, for he fears to dye, As who should say, tears did produce his days; Nay laugh not, till you know his reason why, Perhaps 'tis such, that it will merit praise; Singing (saith he) portends death to the Swan; Why may it not presage the like to man? Allusio ad praecedens. Ep. 65. THis may be true; For were't for joy or sorrow, * The Player▪ Singer sung over night, and died next morrow. In Mopsam. Ep. 66. WHen Mopsa me a Nose-gaye prays to buy, I do not guess her meaning suddenly; Her Nose so gay is, that I oft suppose, She would not sell her flowers, but her Nose. In Galbum. Ep. 67. GAlbus, when thou wert young, I knew thee fair, But you are Sunburnt since that time, you say; That burned you are, you shall not need to swear, For none that knows thee will the same denay. But many doubt, though you have closely hid it, That 'twas not Phoebus, but 'twas Phebe did it. In Cornutum. Ep. 68 Until Cornutus gazed in a glass, * That which the eye sees not the heart never rues▪ He little thought that he a Monster was: But when he saw the truth, he cried out then, Women have power to metamorphose men. In Assinium. Ep. 69. TEll me Assinius, how it comes to pass, That thou dost hold in such contempt an Ass; Knewest thou as much as I, I'd undertake, Thou'dst love an Ass better for thine own sake. * Similis similem petit. De Chinensibus. Ep. 70. THe men of China say (who are so wise) * And all the world, according to their proverb. We see with one eye, they with double eyes; Suppose they err not: yet a Christian man Sees more with one eye, then with two they can. Ad Lectorem intelligentem. Ep. 71. REaders too common, and too many be, he's termed a Reader, can read A.B.C. But I'll not call for such a Readers aid, * Duplexest hîc sensus. For then poor rhymes, you were but ill apaid; I only crave protection from his hands, * Arsnonhabet inimicum praeter ignorantem. That carps no more, than what he understands. Apologia pro seipso. Ep. 72. I Pray fair Ladies pard'ne my forward youth, If I have slandered you in telling truth; You shall no more me thus offensive find; But if you mend not, in a worse kind. In Zabidium. Ep. 73. I Love thee not Zabidius, Non amore Zabidi, nec possum dicere quare; Nor can I stay so long To tell thee, why I hate thee thus, Thy breath doth smell so strong. Hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te▪ Mart. In Litorem. Ep. 74. IF I against Litoris ought have writ, I shall not need to fear his reading it; My youth hath seldom so much in his slopp To buy my Book, were't in a Broker's shop. Ad Libellum. Ep. 75. IF Philomusus read you, my rude Rhymes, You may have hope to outlive present times; According to the sentence he shall give, Or look you must to die, or look to live. In Lenonem. Ep. 76. 'tIs a great sign, that Leno's stomach's hot, Because he's noted to love Lemons so: But of this reason some approveth not, Who better do his constitution know: For they affirm, his Lemons got by theft, And those are castones * Priest's Lemons. , such as Priests have left. De quatuor Terminis militaribus. Ep. 77. IF Soldiers may obtain four Terms of war, Muskets shallbe the Pleaders, Pikes the Bar; And since our Terms are rare, get we but one, Mars shall eat flesh, justinian pick the bone. In quendam Richardum. Ep. 78▪ DIck went to Dunmowe for a * The old custom was, that whosoever repented not within a year after their marriage, they might go to Dunmowe for a flitch of Bacon, and have it upon demand. Bacon flitch, And claimed the custom there: But one replied, Although I know you (Sir) exceeding rich, And well may pay; you shall not be denied, So you will fetch your wife, for than I vow You shall bear hence two sides of a fat Sow. In Rodulphum. Ep. 79. ROdulphus frets, that he is ranked no higher, Because (saith he) his Title is Esquire; Of the first * Not Esquire by honour of blood. magnitude he's not, may be Some Pippin-Squire, or one of low degree. In Aucipem. Ep. 80. YE harmless birds, the Fowler now doth watch ye, Take heed his charming music doth not catch ye; Happy were ye, and most secure from wrong, If that a * Fistula dulce canit, volucres dum decipit Auceps. Fistula were in his tongue. In quosdam Panedentes. Ep. 81. YE Ravenous Eat-breads, had you chanced to live, When Christ the Loafes did to the hung'ry give; You eat bread so, that some profanely thought, That Miracle had then been never wrought. In Lenonem. Ep. 82. THe Doves will dwell in habitations clean, They thrive not, Aspicis ut veniant ad candida tecta Columbae. nor delight in any other: But thou hast got a habit so obscene; (Which thou deriu'st neither from Sire nor mother) Thou dwellest in Houses (and delight'st therein), Such as are nasty with the stench of sin. In Floram. Ep. 83. FLora was sick; they say she's now amended, But wanteth weight her sickness so impaird her; That weight she wanteth shall be condescended, She's now so light, that honest men discard her. If she be well, judge those that have more skill, In my opinion she is very ill. Ad Dominam Sapientiam. Ep. 84. EVer young Lady, ever glorious fair, 'tis strange the sons of men no more do court thee▪ Youth, beauty, honour, wealth, uncertain are A month they vex, if one day they disport thee; How talpishe-blind are those, who do not see, They nothing have (Dame Wisdom) wanting thee? In quosdam non Ignotos. Ep. 85. TH'antipathy of nature in these men, Deserve an observation with my pen: Two things they love, green Leeks and toasted Cheese, But Hemp they hate, and when they see't, they sneeses. In non Decimantes. Ep. 86. SOme thieves are * Pirates. water-Ratts, someway-purs-takers, Some Canters are, and other some House-breakers; there's many sorts of theft, many of thieves, The greatest * Sacrilegious De fures. those, keep that the Church relieves. De Navi submersa. Ep. 87. THe Post brings news a Ship is sunk hard by, At north fleet March 1619. going out to the East Indies Laden with goods, worth threescore thousand pounds; 'Twere rude in me, to give the Post the lie, Yet grant me leave to show, I have some grounds, He talks of Goods, * Christo in navicula (quamuis dormiente) non perierunt. Mar. 4. 38. if one * Good were therein She had not sunk, but see the weight of sin! In Cornutum. Ep. 88 THe time hath been, thou wert a sucking Calf, And then thy mother daily used to bear thee; But when thou wert a weanling, half in half, Thy weight increased, and then thy Sire did rear thee; But now thouart grown an Ox, I know not one Can bear thy Horns; thou art so monstrous grown. Ad Floram. Ep. 89. THe use of Masks I cannot but commend, To keep the beauty from the scorching Sun; But Flora I would know, what you intent, Whether you fear the Moon, when day is done; For I have heard, that duly every night You wear a Mask, to smooth, but not to white. De suffocatione Matricis. Ep. 90. BElla is much afflicted with the Mother, No Physic can her mind's content restore; A contrary disease troubles her brother, Of some the Father * Dolour patris termed; which lies so sore Upon his heart, and thence not to be driven Till he may say, the Father is in heaven. In Levem. Ep. 91. 'tIs white and red that most delights the eye, That cheek's adored, where those two colours lie; But thou look'st green as leeks, or greenest glass, Which hue in thee, confirms all flesh is grass. Greene cures green, conceive me in a word. For thee nought's better than a Green-goose— Ad Senatores Lond. Ep. 92. Grave Senators, add to your Roy'l Exchange, (pleasure One * You may call it Northstreete. window more, through which your eyes with From thence may see your Fields, and level range Of your young Plants; oh take not so much leisure For a good work, which had been done (some say) Long since, had not a * Quaere de hoc. Style stood in the way. De quodam iocoso. Ep. 93. A Merry Greek set up a Si quis, late, To signify a stranger come to town, Who could great Noses, and their heat abate; His lodging, such an Inn, the day set down, The hugest Noses thither made repair, But Leech found none, they made mine host to stare. Of the Trees and Walks in Moore-Fieldes. Ep. 94. YE upright Formalists, Think upon Midletons' water. and gravelld walks, Of you the Spaniard, Dutch, Italian talks; So talk they of your city's great Infectour, Old More-Ditch and condemn the works director That More-Ditch is not less Ditch, or more water, To cleanse the filth of those, * The Cutthroats of Whitecrosse-street 〈…〉 that cattle slaughter. In Vulpinum. Ep. 95. Wlpinus twice was sick, twice made his will, (With no intent, that then should be his last) Gave all to those, who bore him no good will, Which well he knew, but policy forecast: That hope of gain did gain those men respect, Whom all the world would otherwise neglect. In Potatores. Ep. 96. YE gusling drunkards, I do much admire, Your throats wear not, nor that your arms do tire In swallowing drink, and lifting double juggs, Which fright my senses, as the sight of bugs; O Guttur-Laine, how many sorts of drink, Run post through thee, as water down a sink? In temporis profusores. Ep. 97. THe world is full of prodigal expenders, The borrowers are more than are the lender's; Those Prodigals commit the highest crime, Who wast their lives in vain expense of time. In quendam morbum equinum. Ep. 98. There's one disease in country and in London Hath men and horses ye, and women undone; There cannot sure a more contagious thing come Then this disease that spreads o'er all the Kingdom; I dare not name't least Pride's pies in their passions Chatter against me. Oh horses! oh the Fashions! In quosdam Tubicinatores. Ep. 99 YE roaring beggars, tell me what you mean, To spend each Christmas so much wind, to glean Gratuities from men. O come not near Where I abode, or whisper in my ear; Be sure your tongues with modesty be tipped, And then I'll tell you, beggars must be whipped. In Zoilum. Ep. 100 MY Book is short saith Zoilus, What then? I wish it short, and sweet to other men. Or thus. Ep. 77. IF Soldiers may obtain four Terms of war, Muskets shall be the Pleaders, Pikes the Bar, For black Bags, Bandeleers, jackets for Gowns, Angels our fees, we'll take no more cracked Crowns. FINIS. Libellus. IF any ask me now, whose book I am, I cannot answer without signs of shame; For he that owns me, very often saith, I am the worst of all the books he hath, And which more grieves me, calls me trivial rhymes, Th'untimely issue of his idle times. A MOTTO UPON THE CREED. Nullum simile est idem. Arist KIng David's * Psal. 14. 1. fool in paths of Athists trod, Denying him whom— I believe in God, Nay more ye Athists know (although it spite ye) I'll ever trust in— The Father Almighty: * 2 Sam. 24. 13 Nor fear I pestilence, nor sword, nor dearth, Confessing him— Maker of Heaven and earth. * Rom. 8. 27. I''s thou O Lord, the hearts of men that tr'yst, Thou knowst my faith in thee— And jesus Christ, * 1 Corin. 16. 13. Mediate my sins (or else I am undone) Sweet Christ, 1 Tim. 2. 5. with God, thou art— His only Son, All men O God, thy mercy must record, Who mad'st us, slaves to sin, * 1 Tim. 1. 15. free by— Our Lord; Which with a * Mat. 1. 16. bitter welcome was received Into this World, * Mat. 1. 20. O Christ— Who was conceived Not by the Carnal act of man, but most Miraculously— By the Holy Ghost: * Mat. 26. 48. Nor stayed God here, nor did his mercy vary, Christ was for us— Borne of the Virgin Marie: When he consummated each work and wonder, Most innocent, for us— He suffered under Th' accursed jews, through judas that false mate, And the constrained doom of— Pontius * Mat. 26. 48. Pilate: And more for us was buffited, * Mat. 27. 24. 28. envied, Reviled, * 67. disdained, and last— Was crucified: * 35. joseph of Arimathea then (enured To works of mercy) begged his body— Dead, * Mat. 27. 58. and buried: The Lord of life; would all our sins had ended, And been engraved with him, when— He descended (As we believe, and this our Creed doth tell) Into the grave, or pit, or— Into hell: * Psal. 68 18. Captivity led captive, * 〈…〉 Death in chain And for us men— The third day rose again And by his resurrection from the bed Of souls decealed, * Mat. 27. 63. 28. 6. raised mankind— From the dead: And rotten works of sin, talked with th' eleven * Heb 9 14. Gave them a charge— Ascended into heaven: Rom. 6. 2. But not as man, * Mat. 28. 9 who out of sight forgetteth Their suits, Mar. 16. 14. and wants are absent, still— He setteth Close by our God his heavenly father, and For sinners interceads— On the right hand Of majesty incessantly, * Mat. 26. 64. and rather Than Saints and Angels, begs— Of God the father Forgiu'nesse of all sins, 'tis he can right ye O sinful sons of men, e'en he th'— Almighty: Who then would * Eph. 4. 30 grieve him? who so sottish he To say he's not in heaven— From thence shall be The second time (till when he will not budge) Descend from heaven his Throne, and— Come to judge With * Mat. 25. 34. 41. Ite or Venite such as led Liu's good or ill— Both the quick and the dead. And though he's now in heaven, we must not grieve in, His corporal absence; now do— I believe in The Com'forter his spirit * john 14. 16. 'gainst whom an host Is weak, * Rom. 8. 2. so powerful is— The holy Ghost: Satan shall never leave me in the lurch Whilst I am branch of— The Catholic Church: Let Christians learn to live in * 1 Thess. 5. 13 peace and union, In zeal to imitate— The Communion Of heavens rich Citizens, where's no complaints Noriarrs of Angels, Cherubs nor— Of Saints: there's love, and bliss, and * Heb. 12. 14. peace with so much eu'nesse, That they ne'er one another ask— Forgiveness Then let's not speak, but do * Mat. 34. 46. the deeds that wins The love of God, and the full pard'ne— Of sins: So when we die, or grieve, there's a refection, Life after death, joy by— The resurrection Nor shall we then, though low doth lie the head, Be ranked among the number— Of the dead: This is a comfort sweet, and never wasting, To be assured of— The life everlasting; * Thess. 5. 17. Prayers may do much, therefore let Priest and lay men, For this great blessing knit up all with— Amen. FINIS.