THE MUSES CABINET, Stored with variety of POEMS, Both pleasant and profitable. By W. W. LONDON, Printed for F. Coles in the Old-Baily. 1655. To the truly and excellent well accomplished Gentleman, Mr. William Holgate. BE pleased Sir these lines for to peruse, The weak inventions of a Rustic Muse. Which although small and worthless, yet doth show The love and service I unto you owe. Augustus Caesar was to Poet's kind, Nor was Maecenas any thing behind: Do thou like them, but patronage my pen, Renowned shall thy name continue, when Each griple worldlings fame shall rot and die, Wanting true worth to raise their memory, Such mighty power in a Muse doth lie. If the three Sisters lengthen out my days, The thrice three Sisters shall chant forth thy praise. Yours in all service, William Winstanley. To the Reader. IN this scribbling age, wherein to do as the most do, is to do as the worst do, I have adventured my boat in the Sea of the world, not fearing the censure of malicious Critics: I make no doubt but this poor work of mine will have many detractors, who (like Aesobs' dog) will do nothing themselves, yet carp at the endeavours of other men, such if I have, it shall be my glory, that I have written something worthy their envy, nor must I expect to be free from their censures, since both Homer and Virgil, the flower of Greek and Latin Poets, had their detractors, Homer his Zoilus and Virgil his Bavinus, few that ere could say like Ovid, No foulmouthed detractor ere hath bit With fangs of envy any work I writ, Many ignorant Readers I expect to have, who to be esteemed wise will carp at what they cannot mend. To these low witted ones, that would seem high, Ne suitor ultra crepidam, say I. Others (like Scaliger) seek fame to themselves, by detracting from others, and like flesh-flies delight altogether in sore places, these will do what they can to disparage my Poems. But as for these my resolutions be, A rush for them that care a straw for me. To the Judicious Readers I shall willingly submit, desiring them to bear with my imperfections, and where they find any faults, to remember what Ovid said unto his friend, who having found fault with the meanness of some of his Verses, replied, that face seems fairest that hath some moles: but least (like the Citizens of Mindum) I should make my porch too big for my house. I will conclude my Epistle as learned Mr. Owen beginneth his pigams. Thou that readest these, if thou commend'st them all, Thou'st too much milk, if none, thou'st too much gall. Thine as I find thee, Will. Winstanley To the Autthr. SIr, though I am not an ginger, Yet I without the stars may thus infer, Thy work will pass, though in these worst of times, When arts contemned are, and scurrile lines Pass and applauded be; thou needest not fear, Thy lines shall serve to wrap up Grocer's ware: Nor yet to light Tobacco with; no, this Hath scarce a line, but there a sentence is; Proceed thou on then, as thou hast begun, And add to what already thou hast done: For this thy work posterity will thank thee. And with our famous English Bards will rank thee. Jo. Vaughan. THE Muse's Cabinet, STORED With variety of POEMS, both pleasant and profitable. The Author's Preface to the following Poems. REader! What thou mayst think of this, or me, I know not, nor yet care; though Poesy Be grown into contempt, and ignorance Their tongues against the Muses do advance: Though some (to bring the Art into disgrace) Say, none do it profess, but only base And sordid fellows; yet I'd have them know it, David the Lords Anointed was a Poet, And Solomon his Son, the wisest man That ever lived since the world began, Was likewise one of that Society, As his excellent Song of Songs doth verify. Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Rome, A Poet was, as Histories have shown, And royal james, of blessed memory, Professor was of sacred Poesy. Though some do say, we do not reprehend The people's vice, but teach them to offend, In laying open to the common view The acting of such sins they never knew: Yet sure I think they rather may reap profit, Showing the sin, we show the danger of it. For, though sometimes we filthy sins do name, We ne'er excite men to commit the same, But every one of us, with one assent, Unto the sin have joined the punishment. If we of Helen's rape do speak, we show, How it at length caused Ilium's overthrow; That none may such a life as Paris lead, For fear that they like unto Paris speed. Though some with open mouths do make loud cries, That all our Works are nothing else then lies; Yet did not passion sure their reason blind, They would an error in their judgement find, Since we affirm nothing for to be true, We writ not what's done, but what men should do Affirming nothing, how can we deceive? We bind no man our reports to believe, But for a good invention do desire, The sacred Muses would in us inspire, That under feigned relations men may see Both what they are, and what they ought to be: More truths are thus presented to men's eyes, Then in many seeming true Histories. These frivolous aspersions some do cast On sacred Poesy, with envious blast: But Reader, I from thee expect far better, Which if I find, I shall remain thy Debtor. W. W. On Misery after joy.. FOrepast delights no present comfort gives; He who was one time happy, and now lives In penury, no woes are like to his: It adds to griefs the thoughts of passed bliss: No object of more greater woe can be, Then to behold a King in misery: For as joy after sorrow sweetest is, So sorrow is most bitter after bliss: This made the wise Themistocles deny, Being poor, to learn the Art of Memory, Knowing remembrance of his former state His present miseries would aggravate. To have been happy, it is such a curse, I think the world cannot afford a worse: When Fortune brings a man to th'top of all, Then throws him down, the greater is his fall. Deposed Dionysius did say, They only happy were, and none but they, That ne'er were blest, it is no happy state That hath unto it an appointed date. O let me rather never happy be, Then in my old age taste of misery. Ovidii Nasonis Amorumliber primus, Aelegia 15. Envy why sayest thou I spend ill my time, And sayst my Verses are an idle rhyme? And that, unlike the line from whence I came, Wats I pursue not for to purchase fame: And that I study not the tedious laws, Nor prostitute my voice in each man's cause: Thy scope is; mortal, but eternal mine, Which through the world shall ever chant my rhyme. Homer will live while Ide and Tenedos Doth stand, and whilst to th'Sea doth flow Simois: So will Ascreus whilst grapes by vines are borne, Or men with crooked sickles reap down Corne. Callimathus, though but low in invention, Yet after-ages shall his Verses mention. High Sophocles proud vein shall last for ever, With Sun and Moon Aratus shall endure. Whilst slaves do cheat, father's hoard, bawds be whorish, And wantoness flatter, shall Menander flourish: Rude Ennius, and Ploutus, both shall live, Each age of them a fresh applause shall give. Of Varroes' name what age shall not be told? Of Jason's Argos, and the fleece of gold? Then shall Lueretius lofty lines expire, When earth and Seas shall burn in flames of fire. Titirus and Aeneas shall be read, Whilst Rome of all the conquered world is head. Whilst Cupid's fires be out, and his bow broke, Thy Verses, dear Tibullus, shall be spoke. Our Gallus shall be known from East to West, So shall Licoris whom he loved best. The flint and iron both may wet away, Verse is immortal and shall ne'er decay. Let Kings give place to it, and Kingly shows, The banks o'er which gold-bearing Tagus flows, Then let base wits vile things admire, and dread, Bright Phoebus to the Muses springs me lead: The quivering Myrtle wind about my head, And of sad lovers i'll be often read. Envy bites not the dead, but those that live; For after death all men their right receive: Then though in funeral fire death take away My bones, my better part shall ne'er decay. An Elegy and Epitaph by way of Acrostic upon that religious and virtuous Gentlewoman, Mrs. Anne Gibs, late wife to Mr. Samuel Gibs of Newman Hall in Effex. AWake Melpomene, thou mournful Muse, Such cause of sorrow never hadst thou yet, Here is a task, which if mwn should refuse, The senseless creatures would it not forget. Who loveth virtue, now his pen will use. Know 'tis to virtue's memory a debt. Her virtues live, though she in grave doth lie, Your doleful tunes sweet Muses now apply. Never hereafter look for such a one, For peerless beauty, and rare gifts of mind: Nature despaireth now, her patterns gone; Weeds grow in each place, flowers are hard to find. She was a Phoenix, and therefore but one, True to her Mate, and to her Neighbour's kind: Esther for beauty, for devoutness Hannah, For virtue Ruth, for chastity Susanna. Goodness within her breast inhabited, Her prayers were always at God's throne attenders, Eschewing what he in his Word forbidden, And what he bids, that she as well remembers. No unclean thought within her breast lay hid, Marry to God, and Martha to his Members. Contemplative Divine, in words discreet, Secret in alms, in conversttion sweet. Injurious Death, how darest thou be so bold, To kill that life that did so many cherish? How shall dross do, if thus thou usest gold? How shall weeds do, if thus the flowers perish? Should such rare beauty lie in dirty mould? Cruel hatd-hearted Death, thou art too currish: Impartial Atropos to none favour gives, Amiable Anne deceases, Audrey lives. Boast not fair Ladies then, although you do In Nature's choicest ornaments excel: All's one to Death, the wench of blackest hue, As she whose beauty few can parallel. Here was a Flower who far excelled you, Yet by Death's this fragrant Flower fell: Death is a Pursuivant with eagle's wings, That knocks at poor men's doors, & gates of Kings. Sleep blessed soul within thy sacred urn, Whilst we with tears thy absence do deplore Thou singest Hallelujahs whilst we mourn, Praising the Name of God for evermore: No man doth know how soon may be his turn, To tread the steps which thou hast trod before, Death is always attendant upon men, Gertain he will come, but uncertain when. Epitaph. Askest thou Reader who it is lies here? No common corpse, then list and thou shalt hear. Goodness, rare meekness, Zeal, pure chastity, Interred together in this ground do lie: Behold her acts whilst here she made abode, She lived beloved of men, died loved of God. A Prisoners complaint. I Late used to resort unto the Brook, To ceach the fish with either net or hook, Whereas these Creatures did learn unto me, From danger neither land nor water's free: For whilst on fowls, fishes, and beasts we feed, Earth, air, and water shall be ransacked, The gluttonous belly for to satisfy. Thus to preserve one creatures life, how many Creatures die. I late used to walk abroad i'th' fields, To take the pleasure Spring and Summer yields. Whereas the flowers did denote to me Of our short life the mutability. One day in pomp, next day i'th' dirt they lie. This day we live, to morrow we may die, For this our life's so short, and full of sorrow, None can assure himself to day, he shall live till to morrow. I once used to rise early in the morn To hunt the Fox, that enemy to Corne. And chase the timorous Hare, and by that way I had both pleasure, and sometimes a prey. But of those joys I now am quite bereft. And unto me (alas) is nothing lest But the remembrance only; poor relief. To think of joys that now are past, to ease my present grief. Walden Bacchanals. Platoes' great year returned is (we see, Things done long since again now acted be: The Bacchanalian Feasts once celebrated In famous Greece, to Walden are translated; And Venus Feasts here likewise hallowed are. Mars being dead, that bloody God of war, Venus he unto Bacchus doth assign, So these two do in mutual friendship join. Walden they chose to be their rendezvous Or meeting place, Vulcan chanced to hear how. Venus with Bacchus was to meet, so he To Walden comes amain, but Venus she, And Bacchus with some others so agreed, They Vulcan foxed, and sent him home with speed. Venus' being rid of Vulcan, doth invite The Gods unto a dancing fit that night, Silenus' house they chose, their repairs The jovial Crew, with mirth to banish cares. Phoebus himself left guiding of the Sun, And came at night to see what sports were done: But least the world should be without a day, He in the morning did departed away; Diana (thaugh entreated) would not come, Whereat Venus enraged, commands her son The little Cupid for to bend his bow, And make her and her followers to know His skill in archery, Venus' request Cupid fulfils, Diana comes with the rest; O Love thou hast a powerful deity, To make a Lais of Penelope! Being thus assembled, Bacchus with bowls of Molly Filled them so long until their wits were jolly; That some to dance and leap about began, Whilst Pluto sat smoking Necotian, Momus carped at their do, whilst the crowd Of drunken Fiddlers sung and scraped aloud: Some thought themselves to be a hawking sure, For they their buzzards did begin to lure; Others to show themselves more active fools, Would undertake to leap over three stools, But in performance when as one gins, He stumbles at the first, and breaks his shins. A second tries his skill, and does no less. A third, a fourth, a fifth had like success. For Bacchus' whimses did posesse their heads, And they had got the cramp on either legs; Well, having leaped as much as they would do, To drawing Dun out of the mire they go, But presently they left that sport again, And then they fell into a drinking vain: A health says one unto my loves bright eye, Which staright was pledged by all the Company. He that drunk last another health prefers, A rule observed by Bacchus' followers. Whilst thus full bowls to one another pass, Bacchus and Venus in a Corner was; Billing each other like two Turtle Doves. For now they first enjoyed each others loves: Yet though they got into a secret place, Janus soon spied them with his double face: He tells Mercury, Mercury strait goes To Aetna's forge, and doth the same disclose To limping Vulcan, Vulcan thereat storms, And swears he'll pay the whoremaster for's horns: He snatcheth up his hammer, presently To Walden comes, and Bacchus soon doth spy, He flings it at him, hits him on the crown, Who like unto a log strait tumbles down. Hercules was thereat exceeding wroth, And took a Jug filled full of barley broth, Fling it at Vulcan's head, but missed the same, And hit his foot, which ever since is lame: Jove fearing mischief might thereby arise, Commanded Morpheus to close up their eyes, Which he performs, and left them snorting there Till Sol enlightened had our hemisphere. To Almanacke-mongers. YOu that to knowledge such pretenders be, As to unfold each secret mystery In nature's works, that by your art do know How many miles Sol in a day doth go, The rising, and the setting of the Stars, What causeth peace, debate or civil wars, Whence roaring thunders, and whence lightnings grow, The cause of whirl winds, earth quakes, rain, hail, snow: Eclipses, Comets, and prodigious-things, The cause you say o'th' rise or fall of Kings. You that these things do know, resolve good brothers, Who lay last with your wives, yourselves or others? When will our English people grow more wise, Then to believe your loud enchanting lies? As that of your black Monday, so 'twas styled, Which many of your Credits hath nigh spoiled, That now because you would in credit grow, You use ambiguous sentences, as though The Delphian Oracle were used again, As thus, 'twill be fair weather, if not rain. The states of Venice shall not suffer much This year, unless the Turk his confines touch. And if they hit one truth mongst many a lie, It shall be termed such a ones prophecy. And in the next year's book these words he brings, Last year I did foretell such and such things. And yet the blockhead people would not be So mad to believe such an ass as he. Then next foretell by your mysterious art, Will men this year prove true, or false in heart? Will women leave to scold? will knaves leave whoring? Will schoolboyes on their books be always poring? Will old men leave their prating? Children crying? Or men of your profession leave your lying? If this you cannot tell, I must divine Your credit now beginneth to decline, A farewell to Tobaccs. FArewell thou Indian smoke, Barbarian vapour, Enemy unto life, foe to waste paper. Thou dost diseases in the body breed, And like a Vulture on the purse doth feed. Changing sweet breath's into a stinking loathing, And with 3. pipes turns two pence into nothing; Grim Pluto first invented it, I think, To poison all the world with hellish stink: And though by many it hath been defended, It makes men rotten ere their lifes half ended. Base heathenish weed! how common is it grown, That but a few years past was scarcely known! When for to see one take it was a riddle, As strange as a Baboon to tune a fiddle. Were it confined only to gentlemen, It credit were to take Tobacco then. But Bedlams, Tinkers, Cobblers, Water-bearers, Your common drunkards, & most common swearers. Are them that use it most, which makes me muse That men of quality the same should use. Things common commonly are most neglected, Saving Tobacco, which is most respected. If man's flesh be like hogs, as it is said, Then sure by smoking thus its Bacon made. Then farewell smoke, good for such things as these, 'Gainst louse, sore, heads, scabs, mange, or French disease. The description of a Mistress, WHat thought can think, what heart indite, What tongue can tell, what pen can write. What verse contain, what words declare, What numbers measure out the rare And superexcllent parts of she, That doth command the heart of me? Her hair like thirds of gold doth show, Her forehead whiter than the snow, Which on the Scythian mountains lies. Like to two stars appear her eyes, Her cheeks for pleasure and delight Seem as the red Rose, and the white Together met, there to confer Which should most homage do to her. Her ears like Labyrinths seem to me, Her lips as red as Rubies be, Her teeth like Pearl, her breath like spice Which cometh from the Sun's uprise, Sweeter than Aromatic gum, Or Drugs that from Arabia come. Her heavenly voice when I do hear, It makes me wish each sense an ear: Her words so full of harmony, What she affirms, none can deny. Her neck more white than Swans that swim Upon Menander's Crystal brim. Arms long and slender, singers small, Fit for the Lute or Virginal. Soft paps, smooth belly, Ivory thighs, Betwixt which lies Love's Paradise: The Muse's theme, a place more famed Then that which is the Milky named: O blessed he may have the hap To search what treasures are in that: Briefly each part is so transcending, Nature needs no art in mending. But that which spoils and mars all this, Her heart more hard than marble is. To one who enquired the Name of her whom I loved. Would you desire to know the name of her My heart doth fancy? view her Character: She is a Virgin of unspotted fame, Art never did feign, nor yet did Nature frame A fairer than she is; her life a line, Which who so reads will make him a Divine: Chaster than Diana, fairer than Cupid's mother, It were impiety to think her other Then what she is; for tell me, can there be An adding to perfection? surely he Who doth but view her, lawfully may swear, No beauty living may with her compare. Then to her heavenly outward form is joined Wit, judgement, learning, and a virtuous mind, For can we think Nature would be so base To make the jewel worse than the case? As if Protogenes should so much dote To paint fair Venus in old Bancis Coat; No Nature, we do by experience see, Gives inward gifts like as the outward be. Then false is their position who do write Where beauty reigns virtue is banished quite, For certainly those Nymphs whose beauties blaze, Do deck the world like Sols resplendent rays; With constant flower of divine chastity, Their beauty's garland do so dignify: That Cupid he though deemed a god of power, With all his flames can never scorch their flower. And though Lucretia's fate bids us take heed To wish her face, least like to her we speed, Yet sure I think, and think I think aright, Beauty was not alone given to delight. The wanton eye, but as a note or sign, Fair outsides inwardly are most divine, Men do not Marble put to uses foul, Nor God give beauty with an impure soul; It seldom is we see together joined, A fair complexion, and a vicious mind. Briefly her beauty doth as far surpass Our common beauties, as the flowers do grass, As gold doth steel, or polished Ivory, Rough bones or pearls, the stones that o'th' ground lie, When these perfections you in one do see, Then know assuredly the same is she. A Sonnet. A Pelles like, when Nature did thee make, She viewed the beauties of the Earth each one, And from them all the best of all did take, That thou shouldst not excelled be by none; And for to make thee superexcellent, She joined in one what many beauties lent. And thus with Venus' beauty she endowed thee, And Pallas-like she wisdom to thee gave, The learning of Cornelia she allowed thee; That thou no lack of any thing shouldst have: Then since with such great gifts she did thee bless, O do not stain them with hardheartedness. Some (though but few) as beautiful there be, Others (and those not many) are as wise; Others may be as learned, but in thee, All Nature's jewels in one Casket lies: That who so views thy looks a Lover makes him, Either thy virtues or thy beauty takes him. Another: SInce that you will not change your cruel heart, O that time would your heavenly beauty stain, Then from my soul this love of mine would part, And then I my lost freedom should regain. For when the object of my soul is gone, 'Twill vanish, having nought to work upon Then should my Muse rehearse no more thy praise, In which she only now doth take delight, Striving thy name unto the heavens to raise, Extolling thee to be a Goddess bright: But what she formerly hath said, unsay, With coy disdain thy cruelty repay. But since thou dost thy beauty still retain, Which a servant in Cupid's Court doth prove me I may weep, wail, sit, sigh, grieve and complain, Yet notwithstanding cannot cease to love thee Then either change thy unrelenting heart, Or cease to be so fair as thou art. On her absence. IS not this grove the place which used to be Made happy by my Mistress company? Yes certainly, this was her residence, But now she hath left it, and is gone from hence. Here is the shrine, the Saint away is gone, Here is the place, but Goddess there is none. Then farewell grove, henceforth I will not yield More reverence to thee then another field. Delphos, thou shalt no longer honoured be, Then god Apollo doth remain in thee. To his much respected Gosin Mr. T.N. SIr, If you would renowned live for ever, And be enrolled i'th' books of fame, endeavour To have no Poet to your enemy, But let desert find liberality. It's in a Poet's power to make your name For ever live within the books of Fame. No Mausolean monument can give Such lasting fame, nor make your name to live, As can sweet Poesy, whose art divine Will make your name like stars in splendour shine. Who ever was more famed for chastity, Then was Ulysses' wife Penelope? Yet had not Homer in his verses shown her, These days of ours had not so much as known her. Virgil Aeneas lasting fame did give, And made Maecenas name for ever live. Such mighty power in a Muse doth lie, It makes men live to all posterity, And if that Poets true presages give, You by my book eternally shall live. On Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia. When I that learned work of his peruse, And read the lines indicted by his Muse, It makes me think, so sweet of love he sings, His pens were quills plucked off from Cupid's wings. Epitaph on Mr. John Taylor the Water Poet. HEre lies the Water Poet, honest John, Who rowed on the streams of Helteon, Where having many Rocks and dangers past, He at the Haven of Heaven arrived at last. To Mr. Sheppard on his most excellent Epigrams. SHeppard thou hast Martial orepast, Ausonius conquered: Thou Harrington Hast overcome, And Owen stricken dead. These in their time For wits the prime Of Poets counted were: But if to thee Compared they be, We see they nothing are. Then fit thee down, Whilst we do crown Thy head with wreaths of Bays: The Muses nine Do all combine To warble forth thy praise. For my Picture, THis Effigies to your view represents My bodies outward form and lineaments, But should you view the same hereafter, 'twill Quite changed be, though this remain so still: How vain is wretched man then, since we see. Our shadows are more permanent than we. On Mony. MAn maketh money, money makes a man, This is the world's use e'er since it began: Had man not been, money it had not been, And without money none will thee esteem. The younger Brother. Wwho with a serious eye doth overlook The sacred records in Gods holy Book, Shall find (comparing one place with another) The blessings most times on the youngest brother; Cain the first man that e'er was born rejected, And righteous Abel in God's eyes accepted. Shem, Noah's youngest son, from whom did spring So many a godly Patriarch and good King, Was blessed both by God, and Noah, when as Canaan cursed in himself and offspring was, Isaac, in whom all Nations of the Earth Was blessed in our Saviour Christ his birth; Though Ishmael were the elder, as we read, Isaac was blessed in the promised seed. Esau was hated, Jacob blessed was they out of their mother's womb did pass; On joseph's head old jacob's blessing passes, And Ephraim was preferred before Manasses. Although King David were the younger brother, Yet he preferred was before the other. And wisdom's favourite, wise Solomon, Preferred was before Prince Absalon: But what the reasons are why these were so, No man can tell, it's only God doth know. Necessary Precepts. 1. FIrst worship God, let prayer be the key That shutteth in the night, and opes the day, Think not an hour or two too much to spend In holy duties, expect not a good end Of any thing thou undertakest to do. Unless by prayer thou hast God's blessing too. 2. Be not thou puffed up with pride, for know Thou art but dust, and unto dust must go, Then let not riches, honour, and high birth Swell thy vain thoughts, they are sprung from the earth. The Peacock vaunts when he displays his tail, But looking on his feet his pride doth quail: If we our feet of earth considered, Tail vanities would soon be banished. 3. knowst thou a man who sin doth entertain? Hate not his person, but his sins refrain; Reprove him mildly, mildness doth recure Him oft whom sharpness doth the more obdure, Let him perceive thy reprehension tends Unto his good, and not for thy own ends, If after many admonitions he Continue wilful, eat his company, For fear least seeking of his soul to win, Unto licentiousness he draw thee in. 4. The loathsome sin of drunkenness detest, Which doth transform a man into a beast, Empties the purse of Coin, the soul of grace, Deforms (with vicious Heraldry) the face, Breedeth diseases, and abbreviates life, Causeth contention, author of all strife. Lord give me grace for to eschew this sin, Wherein so many now do wallow in. 5. Honour thy Parents, reverence to them do, Nature commands thee, and Religion too. 6. Do not thou pine, because ungodly men Thrive in the world, grow rich and wealthy, when Many a righteous man can hardly get for to hid his shame, or bread to eat: But thinks upon their ends, the one sinks down To hell, the other doth obtain a Crown. 7. Hath God with earthly goods enriched thee? Bestow them on the poor as liberally, Relieve the fatherless, the hungry fill, And the naked, know he doth as ill, Who spares when Christ doth in his members want it, As he who spends to swear, and drink, & flaunt it. 8. Art thou grown poor & knowst not how to live? Despair not, God will means unto thee give; Behold the Lilies of the valley, they Spin not, nor toil, with gentle winds do play. Yet Solomon in all his royalties Was not arrayed like to one of these: If God the fading Lilies doth respect, Think not that he his creatures will neglect. 9 Amongst dishonest men honest to be, Deserveth praise in the highest degree; But yet I do advise thee come not where Dishonest men or women living are: To get such praise by living honestly, Thou hast no foe like to bad company. 10. Hath God with sorrows thee encompassed? Do cares and fears mightly possess thy head? Hath he by sickness ta'en away thy health? Do outward losses much impair thy wealth? Consider crosses unto thee are given, To make thee loath the world, and wish for heaven Should God here give unto his servant's bliss, They would desire no other heaven but this: But finding here no rest, they wish with Paul To be with Christ, which is the best of all 11. Unto each idle tell-tale give no ear, Nor yet report again all thou dost hear, Let the least part of what thou hearest be The most thou dost believe, those that to thee Of other men's affairs so much do prate, Behind thy back will lies of thee relate; Setting those men at strife that lived in peace, For where tale-bearers want, there mischiefs cease. 12. Swear not, save called by a lawful commission, But swear not falsely upon no condition; Who falsely swears by Gods most holy name, Deserves a double punishment for th' same: 'Tis a deep sin, yea damned impiety, To call God to be witness to a lie. 13. See from no man thou any thing purloyn, 'Tis death by humane laws, and eke divine. 14. The company of wicked men forsake; Lest for a wicked person men thee take; For 'tis a saying birds that are of a Feather, Will the most part accompany together. 15. Lie not on no condition, for the same Worse than a slanderous tongue will spoil thy fame, He who no conscience of a lie doth make, None will believe him when he truth doth speak: And the old proverb is as true as brief, A Liar is far worse than a Thief. 16. Be not too credulous what others say, Lest thou for thy credulity do pay; Yet for to give them no cause of distrust, Seem not to doubt although perhaps thou dost. 17. Avoid those brutish sins, those damned crimes, Those wicked acts (too frequent in these times) Of lust and whoredom, God himself will be The judge of those that act Adultery: Besides it shortens life, making thy name To foes a laughter, to thy friends a shame; Then let these reasons move thee to desist, And take advice from th'Epigrammatist, Fast much, pray oft, fly women as the fire, Think not on earthly things, but think on higher: If these work not, this medicine doth excel, The fire of marriage will lusts fire expel. 18. Set thy last end always before thy eye, Thou knowest not how, where, nor when thou shalt die; Then let not the thoughts of thy last end be The last end of thy thoughts, least suddenly Death cut thee off; that man cannot live ill, That is for his last end prepared still. Then in thy life provide so for thy end, That when death comes, to bid him welcome friend. 19 Give not thy mind unto excess of meat, Eat only for to live, not live to eat, If here on earth thou Dives life do lead, To Dives thou must go when thou art dead. 20. Accustom not thyself in sin, for know Custom in time will unto Nature grow, Sinnes that at first distasteful be to thee, By frequent acting will delightful be: And 'tis as hard to leave what we delight, As for to wash an Ethiopian white. 21. Do not thou with an overcurious eye Into the secrets of th' Almighty pry: But let thy greatest knowledge, and thy pride Be for to know Christ Jesus crucified. 22. Avoid all sins, but those especially, Which to thy fancy most delightful be. Who will not wanton with a beautiful Fair Virgin, will contemn a homely trull: So he that leaves the sins which most he loved Will not with slight temptations (sure) be moved 23. Hath God by sickness thee afflicted sore? Think 'tis to draw thee unto him the more, Said David God's anointed, had I not Been chastened. I thy precepts had forgot. Afflictions are (though in their Nature evil) Rods to restraines from running to the Devil. 24. Disclose not that which doth concern thee nearly Though to a friend that thou affectest dearly, he's wise that in his breast close secrets smothers, Whilst there they are thy own, if told another's: Besides it bringeth thee in slavery, Not daring to make him thine enemy, For fear his malice cause him to reveal What former friendship bound him to conceal. 25. If Satan tempts thee to commit a sin, Think with thyself whose presence thou art in; It was the counsel of a heathen man, Unto his friend, ere that he ought began, To think, grave Cato, or such one one as he Did ready stand, his actions to otesee, And not to act any thing that he would Ashamed be they should the same behold. If heathen men conceited were the sight Of such grave men as Cato would affright A man from acting sin, how then dare we, Who know that God doth all our actions see? Nothing is hid from him as Scripture mentions, He knows our secretest thoughts and hearts intentions. 26 Frequent the Church, miss not a Sunday there, Attentive be Gods sacred word to hear, Six days thou hast to labour in, but thou The seventh unto his service must allow: And pity 'tis that man should ever live, That one in seven unto him will not give. 27. Let not a secret place, nor the night be To sin any encouragement to thee. For be assured though from man's sight Sin acted be, 'twill come at last to light. Love not for lucre, marry not for money, Wed not for wealth, he who doth love the honey, Must fear the sting, parents they are most free To those children who least deserving be: Where best parts are no need wealth to bestow, When fat sows must be greased to make them go, 29. Writ no such lines that others they may be The worse by reading them, it is for thee Enough thine own iniquity to bear, Too much in others sins to have a share; Then neither write nor yet read none of them: A lame hand better is then a lewd pen. 30. Do no such actions as thou shouldest fear That any one should see it, neither dare To speak that word thou blushest to have shown, Nor think that thought thou wouldst not have known, But let thy deeds, words, thoughts be good, & then Thou needest not fear to have them known to men. 31. Rather let thy memory die, and thy name Then by ill acts to eternize the same. Though some with Herostratus temples burn To purchase fame, rather within thy urn Unmentioned by then for to eternize Thy name lie, committing of villainies: What profit hast thou though thy name aspire, If thou thyself lie'st frying in hell fire? 32. Despair not, though thy sins be great, for greater Is God in mercy, therefore grant Creator, That we of mercy presume not too far, So in like manner we may not despair: The Saint thief saved was even at death's gate, To learne's repentance never is too late, But least that we should too presumptuous be, We never read of none so saved but he. Lord if through frailty I great sins commit, Let me hope for mercy, not despair of it. Yet let me not presume to act a sin, Because th' art merciful in pardoning. 33. Defer not thy repentance until thy Old age, lest death seize on the suddenly: Parents their Children follow to the grave As oftentimes as Children followed have Their Parents: as many lambs skins are sold In the market as of Sheep that are old. And who the skulls in Charnel houses see, Shall find as many small as great ones be. Defer not then, but suddenly repent, Lest death thy purpose thereunto prevent. An Elegy on my dear Wife, who deceased in January 1652. Muse's that on Parnassus' Hill do make Abode, assist this work I undertake, Rightly do unto her, whose virtues shone Transcendent bright in this our Horizon: How glorious is she then of life bereaven? A Star on earth, but now a Saint in Heaven. Why strive I then for to describe her worth? In vain is art to set perfection forth: No I may sooner tell the drops o'th' Ocean; Surcease the Tides, or stop the Planets motion, Then to portray her virtues to the life, As here she lived on Earth, a maid and wife; Ne'er did the world's bright eye (Hyperion) see Less faults in any than he did in she: since Christ's time, so clear her virtues shone: Youths beauty, age's wisdom joined in one. Mirror of women in these worst of time, As full of goodness as the world of crimes, Religious, zealous, virtuous, wise, discreet, Too good to live on earth, for Heaven more meet, Her foul is now at rest, whilst she doth sing An hallelujah unto Heaven's great King. What virtues ere were feigned or known to be In any one, comprised were in she, No idle tell-tale for to cause debate, Such kind of Creatures she did always hate. Truth was her aim, lying she did abhor it, And truths great God rewarded hath her for it. Nor were these virtues locked up in her breast, Like to rich jewels in an iron chest, Enclosed fast, but evermore in action: Your standing water turns to putrefaction. More might be said, but when that all is done, All words are like a Candle to the Sun; Respecting her rare exceellent parts, who in The morning of her age did thus begin, How glorious had her life been then, had she Attained those years that ancient men do seel Why weep we then, why do our eyes run over, In vain to mourn for what we can't recover? Nor think her time on earth to be but small, Seeing she lived and died beloved of all. Those that unto this age do once attain, An honour 'bove Methusalls age do gain, Not length of days, but days well spent are best, Live so thy life that death may give thee rest. Expect not the more honour for grey hairs, Years crown our head, but goodness crownes our years. Epitaph. REader! within this ground interred doth lie Venus' beauty, Diana's chastity. Cornelia's learning, and Philoeleas swettness, Pondoras' wisdom, and fair Gristles meekness. Briefly whatever other items were, Summed up in one lie in this Sepulchre. True love. GReat was the love and friendship that between Damon and Pythias passed, scarce ere seen Or ever known before, or since, that as One to die for another, but more was The love that God to us Sinners did bear, For when (by sin) his enemies we were, Yet he so loved us, as that he gave, His Son a ransom our poor Souls to save. That whosoever do in him believe, Shan't perish, but eternal life receive; O love unspeakable! O bounty endless! Love unexpressible, and matchless kindness! It's seldom seen one to die for another, But for one's enemy transcends all other. To my Wife. NOw twice hath Phoebus run his annual race & twice 12 times fair Cynthia changed her face, Twice Hiems Frosts hath nipped both flowers & trees, Clothing old Tellus in a gown of Frieze; Twice hath the husbandman received his gain From grassy Meadows, and from Ceres' grain: Twice hath the Earth been dewed with Apr. showers, Twice Lady Flora decked the Fields with flowers, Since we in Hymen's rites together joined, During which time though fortune proves unkind, And God hath laid his hand of visitation Heavy upon us, and that much vexation We have endured, yet let's not repine, Content (although with little) is a Mine More worth than gold, a quiet peaceful life Is better far then much with care and strife: Thus let us rest secure, since we do lie Too low for envy, and for scorn too high. On Friends. FRiends, like to leaves that on the trees do In Summer's prosperous state much love will grow, But art thou in adversity? then they Like leaves from trees in Autumn fall away: show; He happy is that hath a friend indeed, But he more happy that no friend doth need. On Eternity. THe greatest happiness of heavenly bliss Is that, because the same Eternal is: So to the damned 'tis the greatest woe, Because their miseries no end shall know: The Conclusion. LIber are our Liberi, we do give Life unto them, and they make us to live. Epigrams. To the Reader. REader, if thou applaud'st all is here writ, Thou showest store of good will, but not of wit, But if thou dost dislike all here is penned, Yet cease to carp, unless thou canst it mend. An old Lecher. MEmbrino straddling goes in great distress, As if he had the Fr— yet confess He will it not, not can I think the same, Sith he in France at any time ne'er came. Then since he never came whereas they grew, Let all men be appeased, the tale's untrue. For how should he be troubled with French sores, Who never used any but English whores? Epigram. ONe Hogg, for goods feloniously taken, Was tried before a Judge, Sir Francis Bacon. And doubting much it would go hard with him, He told the Judge they two were near a akin, For Hogg and Bacon are all one, therefore For kindred sake to pity him the more: Nay stay replied the Judge, you are mistaken, Hogg must be hanged before it can be Bacon. Nature's impartiality. Nature's impartiality hath dealt her store, Riches she gives to fools, makes wise men poor; The lack of beauty is with strength supplied, And beauty given is where strength's denied. Learning she doth bestow where honour's scant, And honour gives to those who learning want. Impartially she dealeth thus with all, Some hope to rise, and others fear to fall. The change of the World. I'Th' golden age, as ancient histories speak, Men desired rather to be good then great; But ever since this iron age hath stood, Men desire rather to be great then good. On Rembombo. REmbombo having spent all his estate, Went to the wars to prove more fortunate. Being returned he speaks such warlike words, No Dictionary half the like affords: He talks of flankers, gabions, and scalados, Of curtneys, parapets and palizadoes, Retreats and triumphs and of camisadoes, Of sallies, half moons, and of ambuscadoes, I to requite the fustian terms he uses, Reply with words belonging to the Muses. As Spondes, Dactiles and Hexameters, Stops, commas, accents, types, tropes, and Pentameters, Madrigals, Epicediums, elegies, Satyrs, iambics, and Apostrophes, Acrostics, Palinodies, Anagrams: Eglogues, Aquivoques, and Epigrams, Thus talking and being understood by neither, We part as wise as when we came together, On Achilles. SOme say Achilles was impenetrable, All but the heel, yet Cupid wounded him: Can Cupid's darts wound where no others can, Or was he wounded by him in the heel? On the Pope. WHy doth the Pope brag, boast, and make great vaunts Of the divisions amongst Protestants? It's true they too too much divided be, Yet all of them to hate him do agree. Time's worse and worse. TO think on these times how they are grown bad, Would if one did consider it, make one mad, But to think how every day they do grow badder, 'Twould make a tame man mad, a mad man madder. A learned wife. ONe said he had a wife which (although young) Yet had the English, French, and Latin tongue, But said another they are happier men Who have wives that cannot speak none of them, For my wife hath none but the English tongue, Yet oft with that she makes me wish her dumb. In Cineas. I Wonder what makes Cireas to be proud, Seeing he is with no good gifts endowed? He is not fair, nor rich, nor learned, nor witty, And yet he's proud, alas the more's the pity. In Pontum. Pontus complaineth greviously, that he Going so brave cannot esteemed be, Pontus thou shalt not unregarded pass, I do esteem thee a vainglorious ass. On a Prattler. IT is no wonder Rubius tongue to hear, But if he wisely talked, a wonder' 'ttwere. The wooden Age. OF all the World's four ages there was none So bad as this, the first a golden one; The next of silver, and the third of brass, The fourth more base, of hard iron was, But these our times, if rightly understood, May very well be termed an age of wood. Wherein some sticks, kindled with damned ire, Makes such a blaze as sets the world on fire. In Cornutum Toms' wife is sick, and therefore he doth run In haste to fetch the Midwife, which being Aone, He runs to call the women in with speed To help his wife in this her extreme need; The child being born, than Tom about doth troth, And never leaves till he hath Gossips got: Ah Tom I must needs say thou hast hard measure, To take such pains when others had the pleasure. On Ned. NEd swears a man can have no greater curse, Then a light housewife, and an empty purse: And what is't think you makes Ned of this mind, It's true, he doth it by experience find. On Rufus. RVfus the Tapster doth as bravely go, As he were worth five hundred pounds a year, And what is it that doth maintain him so; But nicking Cans and frothing Jugs of Beer? For he to these contents hath ta'en an Oath, ne'er to fill Jug nor Can but half with froth. On Brute. BRute certainly foresaw the time would come, Some would deny there e'er was such a one, And there fore he for to confirm the same, Called this Country after his own name. On Frances. FRanks flesh is free, and yet it is not free, Strange this may seem to some how it should be; Franks flesh is free to any who so pleases; Franks flesh is not free from French men's diseases. On a Tapster that got a Wench with child. BLame not the Tapster, why he did no more Than broach a Hogshead ne'er was tapped before. Contempt. DRink quarts of Nectar, take Necotian, Pregust, Regust, use all the Art you can, Implore the Muses, mendicant Apollo, Turn over the leaves of famous Poets, swallow Whole streams of Aganippe, study what The highest ingenue e'er aimed at; Yet when you have done all, you must conclude To be condemned by the multitude. On Physicians and Lawyers. SOme Physicians kill more than they do mend, Some Lawyers make more quarrels than they, end That he shall find who seeks for help to these The remedy far worse than the disease. Ill manners breed good Laws. TArt Epigrams, sharp Satyrs, and good Laws, Do all three of them proceed from one cause, Bad manners to amend that is the cause, Of making Satyrs, Epigrams and Laws. To unmerciful Creditors. Unmerciful, and yet expect you Heaven? Forgive, or never look to be forgiven, Nor do not think these words to be but wind, Who shows no mercy, mercy shall not find. To A. P. sing. WHen I that heavenly voice of thine did hear, Sounding harmonious as a heavenly sphere, To love I yielded strait, by which it appears Thou stolest away my heart through my ears. Cato lib. 1.27. HE that Speaks fair, and yet is false in heart, Do thou the like, so art is met by art. It is well spoken is will taken. Being in London nigh to Gracious Street, A country-Gentleman I chanced to meet, Who asked the next way to go to the Tower, Treason said I will do it in an hour. The Conclusion. CEase Muse, here comes a Critic, close thy page, These lines are not strong enough for this age, The nice new fangled Readers of these times Will scarcely relish thy plain Country rhymes. They with no other pictures will be taken, But only those are of Apelles making, But yet if at thy plain ones they do bark, Bid them write better, or else cease to carp. FINIS.