Abuses Stripped and Whipped, Book 2 · Satire 3

Abuses Stripped and Whipped · Book 2 · Satire 3

OF WEAKNES.

SATYR. 3.

BVt oh looke here; for I hauehave surely found

The Maine chiefe Root, the very spring and Ground.

Of our Inconstancy. It is not Chance

That so dis-ables our perseuerance:

But a base Weaknesse, which to terme aright,

Is meerely a priuat… on of that might,

Or a detraction from that little power

Which should be in those limbs and minds of our:

We boast of strength; but tell me, can our daies

Affoord a Milo, or a Hercules?

Can all the world, (and that is large enough)

A match for Hector or Achilles show:

HaueHave we a Champion strong enough to weild

This Buckler? or Sir Aiax seauen-fold-Shield?

I thinke we hauehave not: (but I durst so grant,

There be some liuing shall with Aiax vaunt.)

Nay, now in these daies it is doubted much,

VVhether that any former age had such

As these fore-named; but indeed our faith

Binds vsus to credit, that as Scripture saith

There was a Samson, who could fright whole hosts,

And rent downe Azaths barred gates and posts,

Whose mighty Arms vnarm'd could bring to passe,

E'ne with the rotten iaw bone of an Asse,

A thousands ruine▪ and yet 'twill be long,

Er'e he shall thereby proue that Ma… is strong.

For first, the strength he seem'd to hauehave, was known,

To be the Spirit of God, and not his owne.

And then his proper weaknesse did appeare,

When after his braue actiheihad wel-neare,

Been dead for thirst; whereas if he in spight

Of Nature had been able by his might,

Out of this little Stony-rocke to wring,

To quench his present thirst, some flowing Spring,

As did a Stronger one: or if his power

Could hauehave compel'd the melting clouds to shower

For present need, such plenteous drops of raine,

He might hauehave had no cause for to complaine,

Or craue more aid. Sure then we might at length,

Be brought for to beleeue that Men had strength;

But ne're till then. Hee's mighty that can make

The Heaueus, Earth, & Hell with's breath to shake.

That in his spheare the Suns swift course can stop,

And Atlas with his burthen vnderunder-prop.

He that with ease his massy globe can rowle,

And wrap vp Heauen like a parchment scrowle;

He that fot no disease or paine will droop,

Nor vntounto any plague infernall stoop.

He that can Meat, and Drinke, and sleepe refraine,

Or hath the power to dye, and rise again…,

Hee's strong indeed; but he that can but teare,

Or rent in two a Lyon, or a Beare,

Or doe some such like act, and then goe lye

Himselfe ore-come by some infirmitte,

How ere with vants he seemes his deedes to grace,

He is both miserable, weak, and base,

What Creature is there borne so weake as Man,

And so vn-able? tel me, he that can.

Or if that they could number'd be by any,

Count his disease and what hath so many?

Or else what creature is there if he be

In bone and flesh of the same quantity,

So fraile as Man? or that can worse sustaine.

Hunger or thirst or cold or heat or paine?

Sure none; and yet in Histories we find,

Til Luxury hath weakened thus mankind,

They weare much stronger; could indure the heat,

Trauel a long time without Drink or meat,

And their best dainty was no costlier thing

Then a wild-root or water from the Spring.

With which small Commons Nature was content:

Yea in our Climate people naked went;

And yet no question felt as little cold,

As we wrapt vp in halfe a dozen fold

They had no wast-coats, night-caps for their heads,

Nor downy pillowes nor soft feather-beds

They scorn'd as much to hauehave such thinges about thē

As we in this Age sc…rne to be without them.

Their heads some stone bare vp their brawny sides,

VVith ease the hardnes of the earth abides.

Gluttonous fare that so the pallat pleases,

Nere fild their bodies full of foule diseases

Nor any pleasing liquors with excesse,

Made them grow weak through beastly drunkennes.

No lust-prouoking meats made them vnchaste.

Nor vntounto carnall copula…ton haste,

For I am in the minde they ne're requir'd it,

Till Nature come to herfull strength, desir'd it,

And that it is alone which made them be

More stout, more strong, and brauer men then we.

It was a noble care in them indeed; but how

Are we become such Dwarfes and Pigmies now?

How are our limbs so weake and feeble growne?

I thinke I need not tell it, 'tis well knowne,

Nice tender breeding, which we well might spare,

Much drunkennes and our luxurious fare:

Which ads not strength, as some doe vainely say

But rather takes both strength, and health away.

Yet chiefely this same imbecility,

Comes by too soone and frequent venery.

A beardlesse Boy now cannot keep his bed,

Vnlesse that he be of his Night-geere sped,

And many Giglets I hauehave married seene,

Ere they (forsooth) could reach eleuenteene.

Nay 'tis no wonder we are growne so weake,

For now the'r matching brats ere they can speake;

And though we yet say that the men are stronger,

Yet he (I thinke) that liues but so much longer,

The reuolution of an age to see,

VVill say that men the weaker vessels be.

But now our strength of body, which indeed,

Deserues no more respect then doth a reed,

Is not the strength of which I meant to speake,

For we are yet another way too weake.

Our minds hauehave lost their magnanimitie,

And are so feebled through infirmitie;

That either to be resolute we care not,

Or else because of some base feare we dare not,

Where can we finde almost a man so hardy,

Who through his weakenesse is not somtime tardy,

To speake the truth? or to declare his minde?

Though he doe many iust occasions finde.

He'le wink at's friends offence, and passe it blindly,

Least (peraduenture) he should tak't vnkindly.

And if it be a Great man that offends,

Shew me but him that boldly reprehends,

And i'le admire him; Nay wee'l rather now

Bend our endeuour and our study how

To sooth and fawne; or to their lewdnes tell,

That all they doe (be't nere so bad) is well.

Their very looks and presence we so feare,

As if that they some monstrous Cyclops were,

Which makes them worse. But howsoe're they trust

VntoUnto their might, I'le tell them (for I must)

Although they threaten, and can slanders make

Of iust reproofes, my heart shall neuer quake

T'informe their Honors, thus'tis censur'd by men,

If they be Great-ones, Tanto maius crimen;

One knowes the Truth, but dares not to defend it,

Because he heares another discommend it.

Yea diuers follow Vertues wayes but coldly,

Because they dare not doe a Good thing boldly

And doe we not perceiue that many a man

Fearing for to be …earm'd a P…ritan,

Simply neglects the meanes of his saluation,

Though it be needfull, and worth commendation?

Some cannot well endure this or that:

Others distempred with I know not what

Shew an exceeding frailty: Few can brooke

With any patience, that men should looke

Into their Actions; and though they should louelove them,

They rather hate them for't that doe reproue them.

Is there a man so strong, that he forbeares

Choller or Fury, when by chance he heares,

Himselfe reuil'd, reproched and disgrac'd?

If there be such a one, he shall be plac'd

Amongst the Worthie, with the formost three:

For in my iudgement, none more wothy be

To hauehave renowne for strength, then those that can,

On their rebellious Passons play the man.

This Weakenes I do also find in men,

They know not their owne happinesse till then

When they hauehave lost it: And they doe esteeme

Men for their wealth, and them most blessed deeme

That are most rich; supposing no man more

Accursed or vnhappy, then the poore.

Some basely doe comdemne each strange report

To be vntrue, because it doth not sort

With their weake reasons. Some againe will be,

Astonished at eueryevery nouelty.

But too much wondring doth discover plaine

Where ignorance and frailty both remaine.

Is it not weakenesse when some petty losses,

Some hindrance in preferment, or such crosses

Shall make men greeue? is it no weakenesse when,

Aduersitie shall so disquiet men

That they should not with patience sustaine,

Or vndetgoe a little crosse and paine?

Yes questionles it is; or were they strong,

They would so arme themselues gainst greefe and wrong

That no disastrous, or il hap shold fright them

Though Fortune did the worst she can to spight them.

Nor would they those, as the vnworthiest deeme,

To whom dame Fortune doth most froward seeme;

But rather such as all their life time be,

In quiet state and from disturbance free.

For …he oft giues what their base longing craues,

Because she scornes to vexe deiected flaues,

I hauehave knowne braue men, braue at least in shew,

(And in this age now that is braue enow)

That in appearance for bold champions past

And yet hauehave basely yeelded at the last.

Besides there's many who thought scorne to droop,

By Fortunes power hauehave been made to stoop,

And with discredit shamefully left vndone,

What they with honor at the first begun;

And their weake hearts (which frailty I much hate)

Deiected, hauehave growne base with their estate.

VVhereas (me thinkes) the mind should neuer be,

Subiect to Fortunes frownes not tyrany.

But here through weaknes, some, offence may take

That I of fortune should recitall make:

For they by Fortune say theres nothing done,

But all things are both ended and begunne,

By Gods appointment. I confesse indeed,

That he knowes all, and all hath fore-decreed:

In the respect of whom I cannot say,

Ought comes by chance; respecting vsus I may.

So they are answer'd; But how can men be,

So ouer-borne with this infirmitie?

As those who are in eueryevery matter led,

By Parasites and Apes: where is their head?

I meane their will, their reason, and their sence,

What is become of their intelligence?

How ist that they hauehave such a partiall care,

They can iudge nothing true, but what they heare

Come from the tongue of some sly sycophant.

But for because they strength of iudgement want,

Those that themselues to flatterers inure,

I hauehave perceiued basely to endure

For to be plainely soothed, mock't and flouted,

Made coxcombs to their faces, yet not doubted

That they were highly reuerenc't, respected,

And by those fauning Parasites affected

And why forsooth? they often heare them prate,

In commendations of their happy state;

Yes, and they tell them that they vertuous be,

Wise, Courteous, strong, and beautifull to see,

When if the eye of reason were not lockt

They plainly might perceiue that they were mockt.

For what ist else, when they are prais'd for many

Goodly conditions, that had neuer any?

This frailty also merits to be blam'd

When fearefull of reproach we are asham'd,

Our ignorance in those things to explaine,

Wherin, twere fit more knowledge to attain

'Tis weaknes also when a bargaines bought,

For to dispraise the penniworth as nought,

And tell what might hauehave beene, or fondly prate,

Of Counsel, when he sees it is too late,

Nor is it any lesse to seeke to stay,

Him that we know doth hasten on his way,

O… be importunate, for that which will▪

Be nothing for our good, yet others ill:

Also, to be affraid for to gainesay,

What men doe know vnture, or to delay

The right of any matter to declare,

Because they feare they vnbeleeued are:

For notwithstanding Truth doth oft bring blame,

It may be freely spoken without shame

Diuers more waies of which I needs must speake,

Theres many men doe shew themselues but weake:

In some but lately I obserued this,

And must needs say their nature euill is;

If friends to them hauehave any kindnes showne,

Or entertainments willingly bestowne,

That they confesse they are indebted for it,

Yet such is their condition (I abhor it)

If that those freinds do hap to take the paine,

To come somtime and visit them againe,

In meere good will, because these weake ones see

They cannot then so well prouided be

To bid them welcome as their loues require,

(Though more then louelove their loues did ne're desire)

A foolish Shame so blinds them that they shall

(For giuing them to much) hauehave naught at all;

Yea for because they want excessiue fare,

Or some such things for which their friends neere care,

(Though by their will it other wise had beene)

They neither will be knowne at home nor seene.

VVhichWhich doth not onelyonly shew impiety,

But hindereth louelove, and barres society,

Yet now the greatest weaknesse that I finde,

To be in man, is ignorance of mind,

It makes a poore man hee's scarse good for ought,

If rich men hauehave it, they are worse then nought.

For hauing riches store, and wanting might,

Or strength of mind to vse the same aright,

Tis arrogancies and ambitious fuell,

It makes them Couetuous, Inconstant, Cruell;

Intemperate, Vniust and wonderous heady,

Yea in their actionsrude, and so vnsteddy

They cannot follow any sound direction,

But are still carried with a wild affection,

This is their nature: (it is quickly noted)

If they to honour be by hap promoted

Then they grow insolent, beyond all reason,

Apt for Ambition, Quarrels, Murthers, Treason:

Or any villany, that followes those,

Who doe the summe of happinesse repose

In worldly glory: But if Fortune frowne,

And from her fickle wheele once cast them downe,

Then their deiected hearts againe grow base,

They are impatient of their present case:

Raue or run mad, and can doe nought poore elues,

Vnlesse it be goe hang or drowne them selues.

Moreouer the same weakenes that proceeds,

From ignorance, this mischife also breeds;

It makes men will conceited of their will,

Which they will follow be it nere so ill.

And they thinke all things needs must fall out bad,

Wherein their wise aduise may not be had.

But heere's the hell: to them all Counsell's vaine,

Cause they all others wisedome doe disdaine,

And wholly on their owne deuises rest,

As men perswaded that their owne are best:

But as all such are weake, e'ne so I say

Is eueryevery one that rashly doth repay

Vengeance in anger; Or that's male content

Oft; or oft mooued and impatient:

Or those that iudge of Counsels by th'euent,

Or that perswade themselues, if their intent

Be good and honest, that it doth not skill

If that the matter of it selfe be ill;

Which were it true then Dauid might complaine,

That Vzzah for his good intent was slaine.

Others againe thinke Superstitious Rites,

To be the seruice in which God delghts.

But since I'me forst my mind of them to speake,

I must needs say their iudgements are but weake:

The like I must of them who disesteeme,

All forraine customes, and doe onelyonly deeme

Their owne, praise-worthy; As also such as do

Thinke those things best they cannot reach vntounto;

Yet in the vulgar this weake humor's bred,

They'l sooner be with idle customes led,

Or fond opinions such as they hauehave store,

Then learne of reason or of vertues lore,

We think that we are strong, but what alas!

Is there that our great might can bring to passe,

Since though we thereto bend e'ne all our will,

We neither can be good not wholly ill.

God giues vsus needfull blessings for to vse them,

Which wanting power to do we oft abuse them,

Some hold them wise and vertuous that professe,

An heremitall solitariness:

But it proceeds from imbecillity,

And for because through Non-ability,

Those thinges they cannot well in dure to doe,

Which they indeed should be inur'd vntounto:

Besides, they wrong their Country, and their friends.

For man (saith Tullye's,) borne to other ends

Then for to please himselfe; a part to hauehave,

The common-weale doth look, and parents craue

A part; so doth his friend; then deales he well

That closely mewd vp in a carelesse cell

Keepes all himselfe; and for a little ease,

Can in his Conscience find to rob all these?

I say hee's weake, and so againe I must,

But add withall, hee's slothfull and vniust:

Then as hee's vaine that precious time doth spend,

In fond and idle pleasure to no end:

So are those weake, that with contempt disdaine

All plesure and delights on earth as vaine;

And though they would be zealous thought, & wise

I shall but count them foolishly precise;

For Man hath cares; and pleasures mixt with-all

Are needfull; yea both iust and naturall.

We are no Angels that our recreation,

Should consist only in meer Contemplation:

But we hauehave bodies to, of whose due pleasure,

The soules must find sometimes to be at leasure

For to participate; but in this kind,

Though some find fault, we are not much behind

Then tis through humane weaknes, when that we

Of a good-turne will soone forgetfull be,

And readier to reuenge a small offence,

Then for that good to make a recompen …

And so 'tis also when that we eschew,

Or shunne them vntounto whom from vsus is due

Both louelove and mony; this because their owne

Th'other cause friendship at our need was showne:

But 'tis well seen there's many so abhor,

To be in presence with their Creditor,

That (thankless elues) though he be still their friend.

They rather would desire to see his end:

He's weake, to that's not able to withstand,

Any vnlawfull or vniust demand,

As well as he that knowes not to deny,

Seruing-mens kindness, or pot-curtesie.

Some simple fellowes, cause that silken-fooles,

(That had their bringing-vp in Bacchus schooles.)

In show of louelove, but daine to drink vntounto them,

Think presently they such a fauour do them,

That though they feele their stomack wel nigh sick

Yet if to pledge these kind ones they should sticke:

Or for a draught or two, or three refuse them

They thinke in conscience they should much abuse them

Nay there be some, and wisemen you would thinke

That are not able to refuse their drinke,

Through this their weaknesse; though that they be sure

'Tis more then their weake stomacks can indure,

And why? oh 'tis the health of some great Peere

His Maisters, or his Friend he counteth deare;

What then? if that the party vertuous be,

He'le not esteeme of such a foolery;

If not, who er't be, this is my mind still,

A straw for's louelove, his friendship, or good will,

Some muse to see those that hauehave knowledge gaind

And to Degrees of Art in Schooles attaind,

Should hauehave opinion stuft with heresie,

And in their action such Simplicitie

As many hauehave, At first, without a pause,

As meere a Boy as I may tell the cause:

Ist not, the reason their acquired parts,

And knowledge they hauehave reacht vntounto by Arts

Is growne a M…tch to great, and farre vnfit,

For to be ioyned with their Naturallwit?

'Tis so; and they insteed of rightfull vsing

Draw from their leraning errors, by abusing.

Plaine Reason should, and eueryevery man that's wise

Knowes though that Learning be a dainty prize,

Yet if that Fate with such a weakling place it,

Who hath no helpes of Nature for to grace it:

Or one, whose proper Knowledge, is so small,

He is beholding to his Booke for all;

It onelyonly breeds, (vnlesse it be some Treasons)

Cripled Opinions, and prodigious Reasons.

Which being fauour'd brings in the Conclusion,

Publike Dissentions, or their owne Confusion.

For I may liken Learning to a Shield,

With a strong Armor, Lying in a field:

Ready for any man that hath the Wit

To take it vp and arme himselfe with it,

Now if he be a man of strength and might,

That happens on that furniture to light

He may doe wonders; As offend his foe,

And keep himselfe and his, from ouerthrow.

But if a weake and feeble man should take

These instruments of Mars; what would they make,

For his aduantage? Surely I should gather

They would goe neere to ouerthrow him rather:

For they would loade him so, a man more strong

Although he be vnarm'd, may doe him wrong.

So he, that is depriu'd of Natures guifts,

With all his Learning, maketh harder shifts,

Through his owne weakenes, & incurs more shames;

Then many that want Art to write their Names.

We hauehave some Fellowes that would scorne to be

Term'd Weake I know, especially by Me,

Because they see that my vngentle Fate,

Allow'd me not to be a Graduate.

Yet whatsoeuer they will say vntounto it,

For all their scorning I am like to doe it.

And to be breefe they are no simple fooles,

But such as hauehave yauld Ergo in the schooles,

Who being by some men of worship thought,

Fit men by whom their children may be taught,

And learnd enough for that they are allowd

The name of Teachers, whereof growing proud,

Because perhaps they heare that now and then,

They are admired at by the seruing-men;

Or else by reason somthing they hauehave said,

Hath beene applauded by the Chamber-maid;

They therevppon suppose that no man may.

Hold any thing for truth but what they say:

And in discourse their tongues so much wil walke,

You may not heere a man of reason talke;

They are halfe Preachers, if your question be,

Of matters that concerne diuinity;

If it be law; I'le warrant they'l out-face,

A dozen P…oydens to maintaine their case:

But if it be of Physick you contend,

Old Galen and Hypocrates may send

For their opinion; nay, they dare professe,

Knowledge in al things, though theres none know less:

Now I should wonder they preuaild so much,

Did not the Common-people fauour such,

But they are knowne although their verdit passes,

Proud Dogmatists, and self-conceited Asses;

Whom I may tearme (though I cannot out-scold them

Weake simple fooles, and those that doe vphold them:

Moreouer some, (but foolishly precise,

And in my iudgement, far more weake then wise,)

Misiudge of Poetry, as if the same,

Did worthily dese…ue reproach and blame;

If any booke in verse they hap to spy,

Oh, out vpon't, away, pr…fane they cry,

Burn't, reade it not, for sure it doth containe

Nothing but fables of a lying braine;

Al-as… take heed, indeed it oft pollutes

The out-side of thy false-vaine glorious sutes?

And to the blinded people makes it plaine,

The Coulour, thou so counterset'st will staine.

Because we see that men are drunke with wine,

Shall we contemne the liquor of the Vine?

And since there's some that doe this Art misuse,

Wilt therefore thou the Art it selfe abuse?

'Twere meere iniustice: For Diuinitie

Hath with no Science more affinitie

Then this; and howsoe're this scruple rose,

Rime hath exprest as sacred things as prose;

When both in this age and in former time,

Prose hath been ten-times more profane, then rime;

But they say still that Poetry is lies,

And fables, such as idle heads deuise,

Made to please fooles: but now we may by this

Perceiue their weaknes plainely what it is:

Yea, this both weake and ignorant doth proue them,

In that thei'l censure things that are aboue them:

For, if that worthy Poets did not teach,

A way beyond their dull conceited reach,

I thinke their shallow wisedomes would espy,

A Parable did differ from a lie.

Yea, if their Iudgement be not quite bereft;

Or if that they had any reason left,

The precious Truths within their fables wrapt,

Had not vponupon so rude a Censure hapt;

But though that kind of teaching some dispraise,

As there's few good things lik't of now adaies:

Yet I dare say because the S…riptures show it,

The best e're taught on earth, taught like a Poet:

And whereas Poets now are counted base,

And in this worth-lesse age in much disgrace;

I of the cause cannot refraine to speake,

And this it is; mens Iudgements are growne weake,

They know not true desert; for if they did

Their well deseruings could not so be hid,

And sure if there be any doth despise

Such as they are; it is cause he enuies

Their worthines; and is a secret foe

To eueryevery one that truely learnes to know:

For, of all sorts of men here's my beliefe,

The Poet is most worthy and the chiefe:

His Science is the absolut'st and best,

And deserues honor aboue all the rest;

For 'tis no humane knowledge gain'd by art,

But rather 'tis inspir'd into the heart

By diuine meanes; and I doe muse men dare,

Twixt it and their professoins make compare.

For why should he that's but Philosopher,

Geometrician, or Astrologer,

Physitian, Lawyer, Rhetorician.

Historian, Arithmetician,

Or some such like, why should he hauing found

The meanes but by one Ar… to be renown'd,

Compare with him that claimes to hauehave a part

And interest almost in eueryevery Art?

And if that men may adde vntounto their name,

By one of these an euerlasting fame,

How much more should it vntounto them befall,

That hauehave not onelyonly one of these, but all

As Poets hauehave? for doe but search their works

And you shall find within their writing lurks

All knowledge; if they vndertake

Of Diu…ne matters any speech to make,

You'l thinke them Doctors; if they need to tell

The course of starres, they seeme for to excell

Great Ptolomey; entend they to perswade,

You'l thinke that they were Retoricians made:

VVhat Law, what Phisick, or what History

Can these not treat of? Nay what mistery

Are they not learn'd in? If of Trades they write,

HaueHave they not all tearms and words as right

As if he had seru'd an Apprentiship?

Can they not name all tooles for workemanship?

We see tis true; If once they entreat of wars?

Of cruell bloudy fraies? of wounds? of scars?

VVhy then he speaks so like a souldier there,

That he hath beene begot in armes thou'lt sweare:

Againe, he writes so like a Nauigator,

As if they had seru'd Neptune in the water,

And thou wouldst thinke he might of trauaile make

As great a Volume, as our famous Drake;

Old Proteus, and Vertumnus are but Apes.

Compar'd to these, for shifting of their shapes;

There is no humorous Passion so strange,

To which they cannot in a moment change:

Note but their Drammaticks and you shall see

They I speake for eueryevery sex, for each degree,

And in all causes as if they had beene,

In eueryevery thing, or at least all things seene.

If need be they can like a Lawyer prate,

Or talke more grauely like a man of State;

They'l hauehave a Tradesmans tongue to praise their ware,

And counterfet him right (but they'le not sweare)

The curioust Phisicians (if they please)

Shall not quoine words to giuegive their patients ease

So well as they; And if occasion vrge,

They'l Choller, yea and Melancholly purge

OnelyOnly with charmes and words; and yet it shall

Be honest meanes and meerely naturall;

Are they dispos'd to gossip't like a woman,

They'l shew their tricks so right, that almost noman,

But would so thinke them: Virgins that are purest,

And Marrons that make shew to be demurest,

Speake not so like chast Cynthia, as they can,

Nor Newbery so like a Curtezan;

They'l giuegive words either fitting for a Clowne,

Or such as shall not vnbeseeme a Crowne;

In show they will be chollerick, Ambitious,

D…sperate, Iealous, Mad, or Enuious,

In sorrow, or in any Passion be;

But yet remaine still, from all passions free.

For they onelyonly to this end exprest them,

That men may see them plainer, and detest them.

But some will say that these hauehave on the stage,

So painted out the vices of this age,

That it not onelyonly tels that they hauehave bin,

Experienc't in eueryevery kind of sinne,

But that it also doth corrupt, and show

How men should act those sins they did not know,

Oh hatefull saying, not pronounc't by chance,

Bnt spew'd out of malicious Ignorance;

VVeigh it, and you will either thinke these weak,

Or say that they doe out of enuy speake:

Can none declare th' effect of Drunkennes,

Vnlesse they vsed such-like bestlinesse?

Are all men ignorant what comes by lust,

Excepting those tht were themselues vniust?

Or thinke they no man can describe a sin?

But that which he himselfe hath wallawed in?

If they suppose so, I no cause can tell,

But they may also boldly say as well

They are apprentices to eueryevery trade,

Of which they find they hauehave descriptions made,

Or for because they see them write those things,

That do belong to rule best, say th' are Kings:

As though that sacred Poesie inspir'd,

No other knowledge then might be acquir'd

By the dull outward sence; yes, this is Shee

That showes vsus no… alone all things that be,

But by her power laies before out view,

Such wondrous things as Nature neuer knewe

And then whereas they say that men are worse,

By reading what these write, 'tis their owne curse,

For is the flower faulty cause we see,

The loathsome spider and the painefull Bee,

Make diuers vse on't? No it is the same,

VntoUnto the spider though she cannot frame,

Like sweetnes as the Bee thence; But indeed

I must confesse that this bad age doth breed,

Too many that without respect presume,

This worthy title on them to assume,

And vndeseru'd base fellowes, whom meere time,

Hath made sufficient to bring forth a Rime,

A Curtaine ligge, a libell or a ballet,

For Fidlers or some Roagues with staffe and wallet

To sing at doores; men only wise enough,

Out of some rotten old worme-eaten stuffe,

To patch vp a bald witlesse Comedy,

And trim it heere and there with Ribaldry

Learn'd at a baudy house▪ I say theres such,

And they can neuer be disgrac't too much,

For though the name of Poet such abuses,

Yet they are enemies to all the Muses

And dare not sort with them for feare they will,

Tumble them headlong downe Parnassus hill:

Why then should their vsurping of it wrong

That Title which doth not to them belong?

And wherefore should the shame of this lewd, crew

Betide them, vntounto whom true honors due?

It shal not; for how ere they vse the name,

Their works wil show how they do merit fame;

And though it be disgrac't through ignorance,

The generous will Poesie aduance:

As the most Antique Science that is found,

And that which hath been the first root & ground

Of eueryevery Art; yea that which only brings

Content; and hath beene the delight of kings;

Great IAMES our King both loues & liues a Poet,

His bookes now extant do directly show it,

And That shall adde vntounto his worthy name,

A better glory, and a greater fame

Then Britaines Monarchy; for few but he,

I thinke will both a King and Poet be;

And for the last, although some fooles debase it,

I'me in the mind that Angels do imbrace it:

And though God giu't heere but in part to some,

All shall hau't perfect in the world to come.

This in defence of Poesie to say

I am compel'd, because that at this day,

Weaknesse and Ignorance hath wrong'd it sore▪

But what need any man therein speake more

Then Diuine Sidney hath already done?

For whom (though he deceas'd ere I begu…)

I hauehave oft sighed, and bewaild my Fate,

That brought me forth so many yeeres too late,

To view that worthy; And now thinke not you

Oh Daniell, Draiton, Iohnson, Chapman how

I long to see you with your fellow Peeres,

Matchlesse Siluester, glory of these yeeres.

I hither to hauehave onelyonly heard your fames

And know you yet but by your workes and names:

The little time, I on the earth hauehave spent,

Would not allow me any more content:

I long to know you better that is the truth,

I am in hope you'l not disdaine my Youth.

For know you Muses Darlings, Ile note raue,

A fellowship amongst you for to hauehave:

Oh no; for though my euer willing heart,

HaueHave vow'd to louelove and praise You and your Art;

And though that I your stile doe now assume,

I doe not, nor I will not so presume;

I claime not that too-worthy name of Poet;

It is not yet deseru'd by me, I know it.

Grant me I may but on your Muses tend,

And be enrould their Seruant, or their Friend.

And if desert hereafter worthy make me,

Then for a Pellow (if it please you) take me.

But yet I must not here giuegive off to speake,

To tell men wherein I hauehave found them weake,

And chiefely those that cannot brooke to heare,

Mention of Death but with much griefe and Fear…

For many are not able for to take

That thought into them, but their soules will quake▪

Poore feeble spirits, would you nere away,

But dwell for euer in a peece of Clay?

What find you heere wherein you doe delight,

Or what's to seeing that's worth the sight?

What? doth the heauens thy endeauors blesse

And wouldst thou therefore liue for to possesse

The Ioy thou hast? seek't not; perhaps to morro…

Thoul't wish to hauehave di'd to day, to scape the sorro…

Thou then shall see, for shame take stronger Hearts

And adde mo…e courage to your betteer Parts;

For Death's not to be feard, since tis a Friend,

That of your sorrowes makes a gentle end.

But here a qualitie I call to minde.

That I amongst the Common-people finde,

This 'tis, a weake one to; when they perceiue

A friend neare death, and ready for to leaue

This wretched life; and if they heare him say

Some par…ing words, as if he might not stay,

Nay say not so (these comforters reply)

Take heart your time's not come, ye shall not die;

What man, and grace of God you shalbe stronger;

And liue no doubt yet, many a faire day longer.

Thinke not on Death; with many such like words,

Such as their vnderstanding best affoords:

But where is now become this peoples wit?

VVhat doth their knowledges esteeme more fit

Then death to thinke on; chiefly when men be

About to put off their Mortal…tie?

Me thinkes they rather should perswade them then

Fearelesse to be resolu'd, to die like Men.

For want of such a resolution stings

At point of Death; and dreadfull horror brings,

…e'ne to the soule; cause wanting preparation,

She lies despairing of her owne saluation;

Yea and moreouer this full well know I,

He that's at any time afraide to die,

…s in weake case, and whatso'ere he saith,

Hath but a wauering and a feeble Faith.

But what need I goe farther to relate,

The frailty I hauehave seene in Mans estate?

Since this I hauehave already said makes cleere,

That of all Creatures, God hath placed here,

(Prouided we respect them in their kind)

VVe cannot any more vnable finde;

For of our selues we hauehave not power to speake,

No nor to frame a thought, we are so weake.

Against our bodies eue'ry thing preuailes,

And oft our knowledge and our iudgement failes;

Yea if that one mans strength were now no lesse,

Then all men doe in generall possesse.

Or if he had attaind to ten-times more

Then all Gods creatures ioyn'd in one before;

Yet would his power be eauen then so small,

When he stands surest; he's but sure to fall;

'Tis onelyonly weakenesse that doth make vsus droupe,

And vntounto Crosses and diseases stoupe:

That makes vsus Vaine, Inconstant, and Vnsure,

Vnable any good things to endure:

It brings vsus to the seruile base subiection,

Of all loose Passion, and vntam'd affection:

It leads vsus and compels vsus oft to stray

Both beside Truth, and out of Reasons way.

And lastly we, and that because of this,

Either doe Nothing; or do all amisse.

Which being so, we may with Dauid then,

Confesse that we are rather Wormes then men.