Withers Motto, Section 5 – Section 6

Withers Motto · Section 5 – Section 6

Nec Curo.

THen, to vouchsafe me yet more fauour here;

He that supplies my Want, hath tooke my Care.

And when to barre me ought, he sees it fit,

He doth infuse a Minde to sleight at it.

Why, if He all thinges needfull doth bestow,

Should I for what I hauehave not, carefull grow?

Low place I keepe; yet to a Greatnesse borne,

Which doth the Worlds affected Greatnesse scorne:

I doe disdaine her glories and contemne,

Those muddy spirits that delig…t in them.

I care for no mans Countenance, or grace,

Vnlesse he be as good, as great in place.

For no mans spight, or enuie doe I care:

For none hauehave spight at me, that honest are.

I care not for that baser wealth in which

Vice may become, as well as Vertue rich.

I care not for their friendship, who hauehave spent,

Loues best expressions, in meere Complement:

Nor for those Fauors (though a Queenes they were)

In which I thought another had a share.

I care not for their Prayse, who doe not show,

That in their liues, which they in words allow.

A rush I care not who condemneth me;

That sees not what, my Soules intentions bee.

I care not though to all men knowne it were,

Both whom I louelove, or hate; For none I feare.

I care not though some Cou…tiers still preferre,

The Parasite, and smooth-tongu'd Flatterer,

Before my bold truth speaking Lines, And here,

If these should anger them, I doe not care.

I care not for that goodly Precious Stone;

Which Chymists hauehave so fondly dored on.

Nor would I giuegive a rot…en Chip, that I

Were of the Rosie-Crosse, Fraternity:

For, I the world too well hauehave vnderstood,

As to be gall'd with such a Brother-hood.

I care for no more knowledge, then to know:

What I to God, and to my Neighbour owe.

For outward Beauties I doe nothing care,

So I within, my faire to God appeare:

No other liberty I care to winne,

But to be wholy free-ed from my sinne.

Nor more Abilitie (whilst I hauehave breath)

Then strength to beare my Crosses to my death.

Nor can the Earth affoord a happinesse

That shall be greater then this Carelesnesse.

For such a Life I soone should Careles grow,

In which I had not leasure more to know.

Nor care I, in a knowledge paines to take,

Which doth not those, who get it, wiser make:

Nor for that Wisdome, doe I greatly care;

Which would not make me somewhat honester.

Nor for that morall Honestie, that shall

Refuse to ioyne Religion, therewithall.

Nor for that zealous seeming Piety.

Which wanteth louelove and morrall Honesty.

Nor for their Loues, whose base affections be,

More for their lust, then for ought good in me:

Nor, for ought good within me should I care,

But that, they sprincklings of Gods goodnesse are.

For many Bookes I care not; and my store

Might now suffice me, though I had no more,

Then Gods two Testaments, and therewithall

That mighty Uolume, which the World we call.

For, these well lookt on, well in mind preseru'd;

The present Ages passages obseru'd:

My priuate Actions, seriously oreview'd.

My thoughts recald, and what of them ensu'd:

Are Bookes, which better farre, instruct me can,

Then all the other Paper-workes of Man?

And some of These, I may be reading to,

Where e're I come, or whatsoe're I do.

I care not though a sight of Idle Guls,

(With lauish tongues and euer-empty skulls)

Doe let my better temperd Labours lye;

And since, I Termely make not Pamphlets flie,

Say I am Idle, and doe nothing now.

As if that I were bound, to let Them know,

What I were doing; Or to cast away

My breath, and Studies, on such fooles as They.

I much disdaine it: For, these Blockes be Those,

That vse to read my Verse like ragged Prose;

And such as (so their Bookes be new), ne're care

Of what esteeme, nor of what vse they are.

I care not, though a vaine and spungy crew,

Of shallow Critickes, in each Tauerne spew

Their drunken censures on my Poesie,

Vntill among their Cupps, they sprawling lye.

These poore, betattered Rimers (now and then)

With Wine and Impudence inspired can

Some fustian language vtter, which doth seeme

(Among their base admirers) worth esteeme.

But those base Iuie-Poets neuer knew,

Which way, a sprightly, honest Rapture flew:

Nor can they relish, any straine of wit,

But, what was in some drunken fury, writ.

Those needy Poetasters; to preferr

Their nasty stuffe to some dull Stationer;

With Impudence extoll it: and will tell him,

The very Title of their booke shall sell him,

As many thousands of them (wholly told)

As euer of my Satyrs, hauehave been sold,

Yet, e're a tweluemoneth by the walls it lies,

Or to the Kitchin or the Pastry hies.

Sometime, that these mens Rymes may heeded be,

They giuegive (forsooth) a secret Ierke at me.

But so obscurely, that no man may know,

Who there was meant, vntill they tell them so.

For fearing me, They dare not to be plaine,

And yet my vengeance they suspect in vaine.

For I can keepe my way, and carelesse be,

Though twenty snarling Curres doe barke at me.

And while my Fame, those fooles doe murmur at,

(And vex themselues) with laughing, I am fat.

I am not much inquisitiue to know,

For what braue Action our last Fleet did go:

What men abroad performe, or what at home,

Who shall be Emperour, or Pope of Rome;

What newes from France, or Spaine, or Turkey are;

Whether of Merchandize, of Peace or Warre;

Whether Mogul, the Sophy Prester-Iohn,

The Duke of China or the Ile Iaphan,

The mightier be: for, things impertinent

To my particular, or my Content

I little heede (though much thereof I know)

Nor care I whether it be true or no.

Not for because I carelesse am become,

Of the neglected State of Christendome.

But, cause (I am assur'd) what euer shall

VntoUnto the Church or Common-wealth befall;

(Through Sathans spight, or humane Trechery,

Or our relying on weake Policy)

Gods promise to his glory shall preuaile:

Yea, when the fond attempts of men doe fayle,

And they lye smoaking, in th…infernall Pit;

Then Truth and Vertue, shall in Glory sit.

Those, who in louelove to things that wicked are;

And those, who through Cowardize and feare,

Became the damned Instruments, whereby

To set vp Vice and falsehoods Tyranny;

Eu'n those shall perish by their owne offence:

And they who loued Truth and Innocence,

Out of oppression shall aduance their head:

And on the ruin…s of those Tyrants tread.

Oh! let that Truth and Innocence, in me

For euer vndefil…d preserued be:

And let me liue no more: if then I care,

How many miseries I liue to beare.

For, well I know, I should not weigh how great,

The perils are, that my destruction threat.

Nor chaynes, nor dungeons should my soule affright,

Nor grimmest Apparitions of the Night:

Though men from Hell could of the Deuill borrow,

Those vgly prospects, to augment my sorrow.

But proue me guilty; and my Conscience than

Inflicts more smart, then bloody Tortures can.

And none (I thinke) of me could viler deeme;

Then I my selfe, vntounto my selfe should seeme.

If good, and honest my endeauors be,

What day they were begun ne're troubles me.

I care not whether it be calme, or blow.

Or raine, or shine, or freeze, or haile or snow:

Nor whether it be Antumne, or the Spring;

Or whether, first I heare the …uckow sing,

Or first the Nightingale: nor doe I care

Wh…ther my dreames of Flowers, or Weddings are.

What B…ast doth crosse me, care I not at all;

Nor how the Goblet, or the Salt doth fall;

Nor what aspect the Planets please to show;

Nor how the Diall, or the Clocke doth goe.

I doe not care to be inquisitiue,

How many weekes, or months, I hauehave to liue.

For, how is't like, that I should better grow,

When I my Time shall tweluemonth longer know;

If I dare act, a Villany and yet,

Know I may die, whilst I am doing it?

Let them, whose braines are sicke of that disease;

Be sl…ues vntounto an Ephem…rides.

Search Constellations, and themselues apply;

To find the Fate of their Natiuity.

I'le seeke within me; and if there I find,

Those Stars, that should giuegive light vntounto my mind,

Rise faire and timely in me and affect,

Each other with a naturall aspect.

If in coniunction, there perceiue I may

True Uertue and R…ligion eueryevery day:

And walke according to that influence,

Which is deriued vntounto me from thence:

I feare no Fortunes, whatsoe're they be,

Nor care I, what my Stars doe threaten me▪

For He, who to that State can once attaine,

Aboue the power of all the Starres doth raigne.

And he that gaines a knowledge wherewithall,

He is prepard for whatsoe're may fall:

In my Conceit is farre a happier man,

Then such, as but foretell mis-fortunes can.

I start not at a Friers prophecy,

Or those with which we Merlin doe bely.

Nor am I frighted with the sad relation,

Of any neare-approaching Alteration.

For things hauehave euer changd, and euer shall,

Vntill there be a change run ouer All.

And he that beares an honest heart about him,

Needes neuer feare, what changes be without him.

The Easterne Kingdomes, had their times to flor…sh

The Grecian Empire rising, saw them perish;

That fell and then the Roman Pride began;

Now scourged by the race of Ottoman.

And if the course of things around must run,

Till they hauehave ending, where they first begun,

What is't to me? who peraduenture must,

Ere that befall, lie moulther'd into dust.

What if America's large Tract of ground,

And all those Iles adioyning, lately found?

(Which we more truely may a Desert call,

Then any of the worlds more ciuill Pale.)

What then? if there the Wildernesse doe lye,

To which the Woman, and her S…xe must flie,

To scape the Dragons furie; and there bide,

Till Europes thankelesse Nations (full of pride,

And all abomination) scourged are,

With Barbarisme as their neighbours were?

If thus God please to doe; and make our sin

The cause of bringing o her Peoples in,

His Church to be (as once he pleased was,

The Gentiles calling should be brought to passe,

The better, by the Iewish vnbeliefe,)

Why, should his pleasure be my care, or griefe?

Oh! let his Name and Church more glorious grow;

Although my ruine helpe to make it so.

So I, my duty in my place hauehave done,

I care not greatly, what succeed theron:

For sure I am, if I can pleased be,

With what God wills; all shall be well for me.

I hate, to hauehave a thought o're▪ serious spent,

In things meere triuiall, or indifferent.

When I am hungry, so I get a dish,

I care not, whether it be flesh or fish;

Or any thing, so wholsome foode it be:

Nor care I, whether you doe carue to me,

The head, the tayle, the wing, the legge, or none;

For, all I like, and all can let alone.

I care not, at your Table where I sit;

Nor should I thinke I were disgrac…t in it,

(So much as you) if I should thence in skoffe,

To feed among your Groomes be turned off.

For I am sure that no affront can blot,

His Reputation, that deserues it not.

To be o're curious, I doe not professe;

Nor euer car'd I, for vncleanlinesse.

For I ne're loued that Phylosophy,

Which taught men to be rude and slouenly.

I care not what you weares, or You, or He,

Nor of what fashion my next clothes shall be,

Yet to be singular in Antique fashions,

I hold as vaine, as Apish imitations,

Of each phantastique garb our Gallants weare:

For some, as fondly proud conceited are,

To know, that the beholder, taketh note,

How they still keepe their Grandsires iusset Coate:

As is the proudest Lady, when that she

Hath all the fashions, that last extant be.

I care for no more Credit, then will serue,

The honour of the Vertuous to preserue:

For, if the showes of honesty in me,

To others Vertues, would no blemish be;

(Nor make them deemed Hypocrites) if I

Should falsly be accus'd of Villany:

Sure, whether I were innocent, or no;

I should not thinke the World, worth telling so,

Because to most men, nothing bad doth seeme,

Nor nothing vertuous; but as vntounto them,

Occasion makes it good, or ill appeare.

Yea, foulest Crimes, while they vnpunisht are:

Or bring in profit, no disgrace are thought;

And truest Vertues, poore, are set at naught.

I care for no more Pleasures then will make,

The Way which I intend to vndertake,

So passible; that my vnwealdy loade

Of fraileti…s, incident to flesh and blood

Discourage not my willing soule from that,

Which she on good aduice, hath aymed at.

I care for no more Time then will amount,

To doe my worke, and make vp my account.

I care for no more Money, then will pay

The reckoning, and the charges of the day.

And if I neede not now, I will not borrow,

For feare of wants, that I may hauehave to morrow.

What Kings, and States-men meane; I doe not care;

Nor will I iudge, what their intentions are:

For priuate censures, helpe not any way,

But iniure them in their proceedings may.

Yet, Princes (by experience) we hauehave seene,

By those they louelove, hauehave greatly wronged been.

Their too much trust, doth often danger breed.

And Serpents in their Royall bosoms feed.

For, all the fauours, gifts and places, which

Should honour them; doe but these men enrich.

With those, they further their owne priuate ends:

Their faction strengthen, gratifie their friends:

Gaine new Associates, daily to their parts,

And from their Soueraigne, steale away the hearts,

Of such as are about them; For those be

Their Creatures; and but rarely, thankes hath He,

Because the Grants of Pension, and of Place;

Are taken as Their fauors, not His grace.

And (which is yet a greater wickednesse)

When these the loyall Subiects doe oppresse,

And grind the faces of the poore, aliue;

They'le doe it, by the Kings Prerogatiue.

They make Him Patron of their Villany;

And when He thinkes they serue him Faithfully,

Secure him in their Loues, and all things do,

According both to Law and Conscience to;

By Vertue of his Name, they perpetrate

A world of Mischiefes: They abuse the State;

His truer-hearted Seruants, they displace;

Bring their debauched Followers into grace;

His Coffers rob; yea (worser farre they vse Him)

The true affections of his people loose Him:

And make those hearts (which did in him belieeue,

All matchlesse Vertues) to suspect, and grieue.

Now, (by that Loyaltie I owe my Prince)

This of all Treason, is the Quintessence.

A Treason so abhorred, that to Me,

No Treachery could halfe so odious be.

Not though my death they plotted; for more deare,

My honor, and my Friends affections are

Then twenty Kingdomes, and ten thousand liues.

And, whosoeuer, Me of that depriues:

I find it would, a great deale harder be,

To moue my heart to pardon; then if he

Conspired had, (when I least thought the same)

To root out my posterity and Name.

Who next in Court shall fall, I doe not care:

For, my delights, in no mans ruines are.

Nor meane I, to depend on any, so,

That his disgrace shall be my ouerthrow.

I care as little, who shall next arise;

For none of my Ambition that way lyes.

Those rising Starres, would neuer deigne to shine,

On any good endeauour, yet, of mine.

Nor can I thinke there shall hereafter be,

A man amongst them, that will fauour Me.

For, I a Scourge doe carry, which doth feare them,

And louelove too much Plaine-dealing, to be neare them.

If my experience teach me any thing,

I care not old Antiquities to bring;

But can as well belieue it to be so,

As if twere writ, three thousand yeeres ago.

And where I find good ground for my assent,

I'le not be halter'd to a President.

If men speake reason, tis all one to me,

Whether their Tenent, Aristotles be;

Or some Barbarian…, who scarce heard of yet;

So much as with what Names the Arts we fit.

Or whether, for an Author you infer,

Some Foole, or some renown'd Philosopher.

In my Religion, I dare entertaine,

No fancies hatched in mine owne weake braine;

Nor priuate Spirits: But, am ruled by

The Scriptures; and that Church Authoritie,

Which with the ancient Faith doth best agree,

But new opinions will not downe with me.

When I would learne, I neuer greatly care,

So Truth they teach me, who my teachers were.

In points of Faith I looke not on the Man;

Nor Beza, Caluin. neither Luther can

More things, without iust proofe perswade me to,

Then any honest Parish-Clarke can do.

The ancient Fathers (where consent I find)

Doe make me, without doubting of their mind.

But, where in his opinion any One

Of these great Pillers, I shall find alone,

(Except in questions which indifferent are,

And such as till his Time, vnmooued were)

I shun his Doctrine; For, this swayeth me,

No man alone in points of Faith can be.

Old Ambrose, Austine, Ierome, Chrysostome,

Or any Father; if his Reuerence come,

To moue my free assent to any thing,

Which Reason warrants not (vnlesse he bring,

The sacred word of God to giuegive me for it)

I prize not this opinion; but abhorre it.

Nay, I no faction gainst the Truth would follow,

Although Diuinest Paul, and Great Apollo,

Did leade me; if that possible it were,

That they should hauehave permitted bin to erre.

And whilst that I am in the right

How wise, or learned. Them, you thinke, that are not, I care not

I care not, who did heare me, if I said,

That he who for a place of Iustice paid

A golden Inn-come, was no honest Man,

Nor he that sold it: for I proue it can,

And will maintaine it, that so long as Those,

And Church-preferments, we to sale expose;

Nor Common-wealth, nor Church shall euer be,

From hatefull Brib'ry, or damn'd Schisme, free,

I may be blam…d, perhaps, for speaking t…ing this;

But much I care not: for the truth it is.

And were I certaine, that to blaze the same,

Would set those things (that are amisse) in frame.

Shame be my end but I would vndertake it,

Though I were sure to perish when I spake it.

I care not for Preferments which are sold,

And bought (by men of common worth) for gold,

For, he is nobler who can those contemne.

Then most of such, as seeke esteeme in them.

I doe not for those ayrie Titles care,

Which fooles, and knaues, as well as I may weare.

Or that my Name (when e're it shall be writ)

Should be obscur'd with twenty after it.

For could I set my mind on vulgar Fame,

I would not thinke it hard to make my Name,

Mine owne Name, purchase me as true renowne,

As to be cald, by some old ruin'd Towne.

I louelove my Country, yet I doe not care,

In what Dominions my abidings are:

For, any Region on the Earth shall be,

(On good occasion) natiue Soile to me.

I care not though there be a muddy crew,

Whose blockishnes (because it neuer knew

The ground of this my Carelesnesse) will smile,

As if they thought I raued, all this while.

For, those the Prouerb saith, That liue in Hell

Can ne'r conceiue what 'tis in Heauen to dwell.

I care not for those Places, whereunto

Bad men doe sooner climbe then Good men do:

And from whose euer-gogling station, all

May at the pleasure of another, fall.

But oh! How carelesse eueryevery way am I,

Of their base minds, who liuing decently

VponUpon their owne Demeanes; there feareles might

Enioy the day from morning vntill night,

In sweet contentments: rendring prayse to Him,

Who gaue this blessings, and this rest to them;

That free from Cares and Enuies of the Court,

They honor'd in their Neighbours good report;

Might twenty pleasures, that Kings know not, trie,

And keepe a quiet Conscience, till they die?

Oh God! how mad are they, who thus may do;

Yet, that poore happinesse to reach vntounto,

Which is but painted; will those Blessings shun,

And bribe and woo, and sweate to be vndone?

How dull are they? Who, when they home may keep

And there, vponupon their owne soft pillow sleepe,

In deare security; would roame about,

Vncertaine hopes, or pleasures to find out?

Yea, straine themselues a slippery place to buy,

With hazarding their states to beggery?

With giuing vp, their Liberties, their Fame?

With their aduenturing on perpetuall shame:

With prostituting Neeces, Daughters, Wiues,

By putting into Ieopardy their liues?

By selling of their Country, and the sale

Of Iustice, of Religion, Soule and All?

Still dreaming on Content; although they may

Behold, by new examples, eu'ry day

That those hopes faile; and faile them not alone,

In such vaine things as they presumed on:

But bring them also (many-times) those cares,

Those sad distractions, those dispaires, and feares▪

That all their glorious guilding, cannot hide

Those wofull ruines on their inner-side.

But, ten to one, at length they doe depart,

With losse, with shame, and with a broken heart.

I care not for this Humor, but I had,

Far rather lye in Bedlem chain'd and mad,

Then be, with these mens frantique mood possest:

For there they doe lesse harme, and hauehave more rest.

I care not when there comes a Parliament:

For I am no proiector, who inuent

New Monopolies, or such Suites, as Those,

Who, wickedly pretending goodly showes,

Abuses to reforme, engender more;

And farre lesse tollerable, then before.

Abusing Prince, and State, and Common-weale;

Their (iust deserued) beggeries to heale:

Or, that their ill-got profit, may aduance,

To some Great Place, their Pride, and Ignorance.

Nor by Extortion, nor through Bribery,

To any Seat of Iustice, climb'd am I;

Nor liue I so, as that I need to care,

Though my proceedings, should be question'd there.

And some there be, would giuegive their Coat away,

That they could this as confidently say.

I care for no such thriuing Pollicy,

As makes a foole, of Morrall Honesty.

For, such occasions happen now and than:

That He prooues Wise, that proues an Honest man.

And howsoere our Pr…iect-mongers deeme,

Of such mens Fortunes, and of them esteeme;

(How big soe're they looke; how braue soe're,

Among their base Admirers they appeare:

Though ne're so trimme, in others feathers dight;

Though clad with Title of a Lord, or Knight;

And by a hundred thousand croucht vntounto)

Those gaudv Vpstarts, no more prize, I doe,

Then poorest Kennell-rakers; yea, they are

Things, which I count, so little worth my care;

That (as I louelove faire Vertue) I protest,

Among all honest men the beggerl'est,

And most betatter'd Pesant, in mine eye,

Is Nobler, and more full of Maiestie;

Then all that braue bespangl'd Rabblement,

Composd of Pride, of Shifts, and Complement.

Let great and Courtly Pers'nages delight,

In some dull Gest…r, or a Parasite;

Or in their dry Buffoone, that gracefully,

Can sing them baudy songs, and sweare, and lye;

And let their Mastership (if so they please)

Still fauour more, the slauerings of These,

Then my free Numbers. For, I care no more,

To be approued, or esteemed, for

A witty Make-sport; then an Ape to be.

And whosoeuer takes delight in me,

For any quality that doth affect

His Senses better, then his Intellect;

I care not for his louelove. My dogge doth so;

He loues, as farre as sensuall louelove can go,

And if how well he lou'd me, I did weigh,

Deserues (perhaps) as much respect, as they.

I hauehave a Soule, and must beloued be

For that which makes a louely Soule in me;

Or else, their Loues, so little care I for,

That them, and their affections I abhor.

I care not, though some Fellowes, whose desert

Might raise them, to the Pillory, or Cart,

The Stocks, the Branding-yron, or the Whip.

(With such like due Preferment) those doe skip;

And by their blacke endeauours purchase can,

The Priuiledges of a Noble man.

And be as confident, in what they doe:

As if by vertue they were rais'd thereto.

For, as true Vertue hath a confidence,

So, Vice, and Villaines hauehave their impudence.

And manly Resolution, both are thought,

Till both are to an equall Tryall brought;

But vicious Impudence, then prooues a mocke:

And Vertuous Constancy, endures the Shocke.

Though such vnworthy Groomes, who t'other day,

Were but their Masters Panders to puruey

The fuell of their Lust; and had no more,

But the Reuertion of their meat, their Whore,

And their old cloathes to brag of. Though that these;

(The foes to Vertue, and the Times disease)

HaueHave now, to couer o're their knauery,

Got on the Robes, of Wealth, and Brauery;

And dare behaue their Rogueships sawcily,

In preseuce of our old Nobilitie:

As if they had been borne to act a part,

In the contempt of Honour, and Desart.

Though all this be; and though it often hath

Discourag'd many a one, in Vertues Path,

I am the same, and Care not: For, I know,

Those Butter-flies, hauehave but a Time to show

Their painted wings; that when a storme is neare,

Our habits, which for any weather are,

May shew more glorious, whilst they shrinking lye,

In some old creuise, and there starue and dye.

Those Dues, which vntounto Vertue doe belong,

He that despiseth, offers Vertue wrong.

So, he that followes Vertue for rewards;

And more the Credit, then the Act regards;

(Or such esteeme as others seeke, doth misse)

Himselfe imagines worthier then He is.

If therefore, I can tread the way I ought,

I care not how ignoble I be thought:

Nor for those Honours doe I care a fly,

Which any man can giuegive me, or deny:

For what I reckon worth aspiring to,

Is got and kept, whe… others will or no.

And all the world can neuer raise a man

To such braue heights, as his owne Vertues can.

I care not for that Gentry, which doth lye

In nothing but a Coat of Heraldry.

One Vertue more I rather wish I had,

Then all the Heralds to mine Armes could add:

Yea, I had rather, by my industry

I could acquire some one good quality,

Then through the Families, that noblest be

From fiftie Kings to draw my Pedigree.

Of Nations, or of Countries, I nought care,

To be Commaunder; my Ambitions are,

To hauehave the Rule, and Soueraignty of things,

Which doe commaund, great Emperours, and Kings.

Those strong, and mighty Passions, wherewithall

Great Monarchs hauehave bin foyld, & brought in th…all;

I hope to trample on. And whilst that they

Force but my body (if I disobey)

I rule that Spirit; which would they constraine

Beyond my will; They should attempt in vaine.

Yea, whilst they bounded within Limits here,

On some few Mortals, onelyonly domineer,

Those Titles, and that Crowne, I doe pursue,

Which shall the Deuils to my powre subdue.

I care not for that Ualour, which is got

By furious Choller, or the Sherry-pot.

Nor (if my Cause be ill) to heare men say,

I fought it out, euen when my bowels lay

Beneath my feete. A desperatenesse it is,

And there is nothing worthy praise in this;

For I hauehave seene (and you may see it to)

That any Mastiue dogge as much will doe.

He valiant is, who knowes the dis-esteeme,

The vulgar hauehave, or such as Cowards seeme.

And yet dares seeme one, rather then bestow

Against an honest cause, or word, or blow:

Though, else he fear'd no more, to fight, or die,

Then you to strike a dogg, or kill a flie.

Yea, him I honour, who new wakt from sleeping,

Finds all his Spirits so their temper keeping;

As that he would not start, though by him there,

Grim Death, and Hell, and all the Deuils were.

I care not for a Coward, for to me,

No Beasts on Earth, more truely hatefull be;

Since all the villanies that can be thought

Throughout the world, and altogether brought,

To make one Villaine; can make nothing more,

Then he that is a Coward, was before.

And he that is so, can be nothing lesse,

Then the perfection of all wickednesse.

In him no manly Vertues dwelling are,

Nor any shewes thereof, except for feare.

In no braue resolution is he strong,

Nor dares he bide in any goodnesse long.

For, if one threatning from his foe there come,

His vowed Resolution starts he from.

And cares not what destruction others hauehave,

So he may gaine but hope himselfe to saue.

The man that hath a fearefull heart, is sure

Of that disease that neuer finds a cure.

For take and arme him through in eueryevery place,

Build round about him twenty walls of Brasse.

Girt him with Trenches, whose deepe bottoms lye

Thrice lower, then three times the Alpes are hye.

Prouide (those Trenches, and those walles toward)

A Million of old Souldiers for his guard,

All honest men and sworne: His Feauer will

Breake in (despight of all) and shake him still.

To scape this feare, his Guard he would betray,

Make cruelly his dearest friend away;

Act any base, or any wicked thing,

Be Traytour to his Countrey, or his King,

For-sweare his God, and in some fright goe nigh

To hang himselfe, to scape the feare to dye.

And for these reasons, I shall neuer care,

To reckon them for friends, that Cowards are.

I care not for large Fortunes: For I find,

Great wants, best trie the Greatnesse of the minde.

And though I must confesse, such Times there be,

In which the common wish, hath place in me.

Yet, when I search my heart, and what content

My God vouchsafe me hath; I count my Rent

To be aboue, a thousand pound a yeare,

More then it can vntounto the World appeare.

And with more wealth, I lesse content might find,

If I with riches, had some rich-mans mind.

A daintie Pallate would consume in cheere,

(More then I doe) an hundred pounds a yeere,

And leaue me worse sufficed then I am.

Had I an inclination, much to game;

A thousand Markes, would aunually away,

And yet I want my full content at Play.

If I in Hawkes or Doggs had much delight,

Twelue hundred Crownes it yearely waste me might;

And yet, not halfe that pleasure bring me to,

Which from one Line of This, receiue I do.

If I to braue Apparell were inclind;

Fiue Students Pensions, I should ye…rely spend,

Yet not be pleas'd so well, with what I weare,

As now I am; Nor take so little Care

I much for Physicke might be forc't to giuegive,

And yet a thousand fold, lesse healthy liue.

To keepe my Right, the Law my goods might wast,

And with vexation tyre me out at last.

These, and (no doubt) with these full many a thing

To make me lesse Content, more wealth might bring,

Yet more employ me to; for few I see

Who owners of the greatest Fortunes be:

But they hauehave still, as they more riches gaine,

More State, more lusts, more troubles to maintaine

With their Reuennues. That the whole account,

Of their great seeming Blisse, doth scarse amount

To halfe of my content. And can I lesse

Esteeme this rare acquired Happinesse,

Then I, a thousand pounds in Rent would prize?

Since with lesse trouble, it doth more suffice?

No; for as when the March is swift and long,

And men hauehave foes to meet, both fierce and strong;

That Souldier in the Conflict best doth fare,

Who getteth Armes of proofe, that lightest are:

So I, who with a little, doe enioy

As much my Pleasure and Content, as they.

Whom farre more wealth and businesse doth molest;

Account my Fortune, and Estate the best.

Gods fauour in it, I extoll the more:

And great possessions, much lesse care I for.

I care not so I still my selfe may bee,

What others are, or who takes place of me.

I care not for the times vniust neglect;

Nor feare their frownes, nor praise their vaine respect.

For, to my selfe my worth doth neuer seeme;

Or more, or lesse, for other mens esteeme.

The Turke, the Deuill, Antichrist, and all

The Rabble of that Body-mysticall,

I care not for; and I should sorry be,

If I should giuegive them cause to care for me.

What Christians ought not to b… carefull for▪

What the Eternall Essence doth abhor,

I hate as I am able; and for ought

Which God approues not, when I spend a thought.

I truly wish that from my eyes might raine,

A shower of Teares, to buy it backe againe.

I care not for their Kin, who blush to see,

Those of their blood, who are in meane degree.

For, that bewrayes vnworthines; and showes,

How they by Chance, and not by Vertue rose.

To say, My Lord, my Cousen, can to me

(In my opinion) no such honour be;

(If he from vertues precepts goe astray)

As when my honest Kinsman) I can say.

And they are fooles, who, when they raised are;

Faine their beginnings, nobler then they were.

Yea, they doe rob themselues of truest Fame,

With some false honor to belye their Name.

For, such as to the highest Titles rise,

From poore beginnings, nobler then they were.

To honour and obserue them (farre) then all

That doe succeed them, euer boast of, shall,

For, being nothing more then they were borne,

Men heede them not (vnlesse they merit scorne)

For some vnworthinesse. And then, perchance,

As their forefathers meannesse, did aduance

His praise the higher; so their Greatnesse shall,

Make greater both their Infamy, and Fall.

It is mens glory therefore, not a blot,

When they the start, of all their Names hauehave got;

And it was worthlesse Enuy, first begun,

That false opinion, which so farre hath run.

Which well they know, whose Vertues honor win,

And shame not to confesse their poorest Kin.

For, whensoeuer they doe looke on those,

To God they praises giuegive and thus suppose:

Loe; when the hand of heauen, aduanced vsus,

Aboue our brethren, to be lifted thus;

He let them stay behind, for markes to show,

From whence we came, and whither we may goe.

To hauehave the mind of those, I doe not care,

VVho both so shamelesse, and so foolish are,

That to acquire some poore esteeme, where they

VVere neuer heard of, vntill yesterday,

(And neuer shall perhaps, be thought on more)

Can Prodigally there, consume their store:

And stand vponupon their points of honour so,

As if their credit had an ouerthrow,

VVithout redemption: If in ought they misse,

VVherein th'accomplish Gallant punctuall is.

Yet basely, eu'ry qualitie despise,

In which true VVisdome, and true honour lies.

If you, and one of those, should dine to day,

Twere three to one, but he for all would pay:

If but your seruant light him to the doore,

He will reward him: If but he, and's whore,

Carocht a Furlong are; the Coachman may,

For sennight after, let his Horses play,

And yet, this fellow, whom abroad you shall

Perceiue so noble, and so liberall,

(To gaine a dayes, perhaps, but one houres Fame)

Mong those that hardly, will inquire his name.

At home (where eueryevery good, and eueryevery ill,

Remaines to honour, or to shame him still)

Neglects Humanitie. Yea, where he liues,

And needs most louelove; all cause of hatred giues,

To poole, to racke, to ruine, and oppresse,

The poore, the widow and the fatherlesse.

To shift, to lie, to cousen, and delay,

The Lab'rer and the Creditor of pay,

Are there his practises. And yet this Asse,

Would for a man of worth, and honour passe,

The Deuill he shall assoone: and I will write,

The Storie of his being Conuertite.

I care not for the worlds vaine blast of Fame,

Nor doe I greatly feare the Trumpe of shame:

For whatsoeuer good, or ill is done,

The rumor of it in a weeke is gone.

One thing put out another; and men sorrow,

To day, yerhaps, for what they ioy to morrow.

And it is likely, that ere night they may,

Condemne the man, they pleased yesterday?

Hand him next morning, and be sorry then,

Because he cannot be aliue agen.

But, grant the fame of things had larger date:

Alas! what glory is it if men prate

In some three Parishes of that we doe,

When three great Kingdoms are but Mole-hils to,

The earths Circumference? and scarce one man

Of twenty Millions, know our actions can?

Belieue me, it is worth so little thought,

(If the offence to others were not ought)

What mens opinions, or their speeches be;

That were there not a better cause in me,

Which moou'd to Vertue) I would neuer care,

Whether my actions good or euill were.

Though still vnheeded of the World, I spend

My Time and Studies, to the noblest end;

One hayre, I care not. For, I find reward,

Beyond the Worlds requitall, or regard.

And since all men, some things erronious doe,

And must in Iustice, somewhat suffer to,

In part of my correction. This I take;

And that I fauourd am, account doe make.

I care not, though, there eu'ry houre, should be

Some outward discontent to busie me.

And, as I would not too much triall hauehave;

So, too much carnall peace I doe not craue.

The one, might giuegive my Faith a dangerous blow;

The other would peruert my life, I know.

For, few louelove Uertue in aduersitie;

But fewer hold it in Prosperitie.

Vaine Hopes (when I had nought. but hopes alone)

HaueHave made me erre: Then whither had I gone,

(If I, the full possession had attaind)

When, but meere Hopes, my heart to folly traind?

Smoth Waies would make me wantō: and my course

Must lye, where Labour, Industry, and Force,

Must worke me Passage: or, I shall not keepe

My Soule from dull Securities, dead-sleepe:

But, outward discontentments make me flie

Farre higher, then the worlds Contents doe lie.

I neither for their pompe, or glory care;

Who by the louelove of vice aduanced are.

Faire Vertue is the louely Nimph I serue;

Her will I follow, her Commands obserue;

Yea, though the purblindworld perceiue not where,

The best of all her Fauours I doe weare.

And, when great Ui…es, with faire bayted hookes,

Large promises of fauour tempting lookes,

And twenty wiles, hath woo'd me to betray,

That noble Mistresse; I hauehave turnd away:

And flung defiance both at Them and Theirs,

Inspight of all their gaudy Seruitors.

In which braue daring, I opposde hauehave bin

By mighty Tirants; and was plunged in

More wants, then thrice my fortunes would hauehave

When our Heroes did, or feare, or scorne,

To lend me succour (yea, in that weake age, borne,

When I but newly entred on the Stage

Of this proud world) So that, vnlesse the King

Had nobly pleasde, to heare the Muses sing,

My bold Appologie; Till now, might I

HaueHave struggling bin, beneath their Tyranny.

But all those threatning Comets, I hauehave seene

Blaze, till their glories quite extinct hauehave beene.

And I, that crusht and lost was thought to be;

Liue yet, to pitty those, that spighted me;

Enioying Hopes which so well grounded are,

That, what may follow, I nor feare, nor care.

Yet those I know there be, who doe expect,

What length my Hopes shall hauehave, and what effect.

VVith enuious eyes awayting eu'ry day,

VVhen all my confidence shall slip away.

And make me glad, through those base paths to fly,

VVhichWhich they hauehave trod, to raise their Fortunes by.

They flout to heare, that I doe Conscience make,

What Place I sue for, or what Course I take.

They laugh to see me spend my youthfull time,

In serious Studies; and to teach my Rime

The Straines of Vertue; whilst I might perchance,

By Lines of Ribaldry, my selfe aduance

To place of fauour. They make skoffes, to heare

The praise of Honesty; as if it were,

For'none but vulgar mindes. And since they liue

In braue prosperitie, they doe belieue

It shall continue: and account of Me,

As one scarce worthy of their scorne to be.

All this is Truth; yea, trust me, care I not;

Nor louelove I Vertue, ought the worse a iot.

For, I oft said, that I should liue, to see

My Way, farre safer then their Courses be,

And I hauehave seene, nor one, nor two, nor ten,

But (in few yeares) great numbers of those men,

From goodly brauery, to raggs decline,

And waite vponupon as poore a Fate as mine.

Yea those, whom but a day or two before,

Were (in their owne vaine hopes) a great deale more

Then any of our Auncient Baronage:

(And such as many Wisemen of this age,

HaueHave wisht to be the men) eu'n those, hauehave I

Seene hurled downe to shame, and beggery,

In one twelue houres: and grow so miserable,

That they became the scornefull, hatefull fablo

Of all the Kingdome. And there's none so base,

But thought himselfe, a man in better case.

This, makes me pleased with mine owne estate,

And fearefull to desire anothers Fate.

This makes me Carelesse of the worlds proud scorne,

And of those glories, whereto such are borne.

And, if to hauehave me, still kept meane and poore,

To Gods great Glory, shall ought adde the more:

Or if to hauehave disgraces heapt on me;

(For others, in their way to Blisse) may be

Of more Aduantage, then to see mee thriue

In outward Fortunes, or more prized liue:

I care not though I neuer see that day,

Which with one pinns-worth more enrich me may.

Yea, by the eternall Dietie I vow;

Who knowes I lie not, who doth heare me, now.

Whose dreadfull Maiestie is all I feare,

Of whose great Spirit, These the sparklings are,

And who will make me, such proud daring, rue;

If this my protestation be vntrue.

So I may still retaine that in Peace,

That louelove and taste, of the eternall Blisse;

Those matchlesse comforts, and those braue desires,

Those sweet Contentments, and immortall Fires,

Which at this instant doe inflame my brest;

(And are to excellent to be exprest.)

I doe not care a Rush, though I were borne,

VntoUnto the greatest Pouerty; and scorne:

That (since God first infusde it; with his breath)

Poore flesh and bloud, did euer groane beneath.

Excepting onelyonly, such a load it were,

As no Humanitie was made to beare.

Yea, let me keepe these Thoughts; and let bee hurld,

VponUpon my backe, the spight of all the world,

Let me hauehave neither drinke, nor bread to eate,

Nor Cloathes to weare, but those for which I sweat.

Let me become vntounto my foes a slaue;

Or, causelesse here the markes of iustice, hauehave;

For some great villany, that I nere thought,

Let my best actions, be against me brought.

That small repute, and that poore little Fame,

Which hauehave got; let men vntounto my shame

Hereafter turne. Let me become the fable,

A talke of fooles Let me be miserable,

In all mens eyes, and yet let no man spare,

(Though that would make me happy) halfe a teare.

Nay (which is more vnsufferable farre,

Then all the miseries yet spoken are)

Let that deare Friend, whose louelove is more to me,

Then all those drops of Crymson liquor be,

That warme my heart (and for whose onelyonly good:

I could the brunt, of all this Care hauehave stood)

Let him forsake me. Let that prized Friend,

Be cruell to; and when distrest, I send

To seeke his Comfort, let him looke on me,

With bitter scorne, and so hard-hearted be;

As that (although he know me innocent,

And how those miseries I vnderwent,

In louelove to him) He, yet deny me should,

One gentle looke, though that suffice me could.

And (truly grieu'd, to make me) bring in place,

My well knowne Foe, to scorne me to my face.

Let this befall me; and with this, beside,

Let me, be for the faulty friend belide.

Let my Religion, and my honestie;

Be counted till my death Hypocrisie.

And, when I die, let till the generall Doome,

My Name, each houre into question come,

For Sinnes I neuer did. And if to this,

You ought can adde, which yet more grieuous is,

Let that befall me to; So that, in Me,

Those comforts may encrease, that springing be,

To helpe me beare it. Let that Grace descend,

Of which I now, some portion apprehend:

And then, as I already (heretofore)

(VponUpon my Makers strength, relying) swore,

So, now I sweare againe; If ought it could,

Gods glory further, that I suffer should:

Those Miseries recited: I nor care,

How soone they ceazd me, nor how long they were:

For, He can make them Pleasures, and I know;

As long as he inflicts them, will doe so.

Nor vntounto this Assurance am I come,

By any Apothegmes, gathered from

Our old, and much admir'd Phylosophers.

My Sayings are mine owne, as well as theirs;

For, whatsoe're account of them is made,

I hauehave as good experience of them had:

Yea, when I die (though now they sleighted be)

The Times to come, for Them, shall honour me,

And praise that Minde of mine, which now perchance,

Shall be reputed foolish Arrogance.

Oh! that my Lines were able to expresse,

The Cause, and Ground, of this my Carelesnesse.

That I might shew you, what braue things they be,

Which at this instant are a fire in me.

Fooles may deride me, and suppose, that This

(No more) but some vaine-glorious Humour is;

Or such like idle Motion, as may rise,

From furious, and distempered Phantasies.

But, let their thoughts be free; I know the Flame

That is within me, and from whence it came;

Such things hauehave fill'd me, that I feele my braine,

Wax giddy, those high Raptures to containe.

They raise my Spirits, which now whi…ling be,

As if they meant to take their leaue of me.

And could these Straines of Contemplation, slay

To lift me higher still, but halfe a day:

By that Time, they would mount to such a height,

That all my Cares would hauehave an end to Night.

But oh! I feele the fumes of flesh and bloud,

To clog those Spirits in me, and like mudd,

They sincke againe. More dimly burne my fires;

To Her low pitch, my Muse againe retires:

And as her Heauenly flames extinguishtbe,

The more I find my Cares to burthen mee.

Yet, I beleeue, I was enlightned so,

That neuer shall my Spirit stoope so low,

To let the seruile thoughts, and dunghill cares,

Of common Minds, entrap me in their snares.

For, still I value not, those things of nought,

For which the greatest part, take greatest thought.

Much for the world I care not; and (confesse)

Desire I doe, my care for it, were lesse.

I doe not care, (for ought they me could harme)

If with more mischiefes, this last Age did swa…e;

Yea such poore Ioy I hauehave or Care to see

The best Contents these Times can promise Me:

And that small feare of any Plague at all,

(Or Miseries) which on this Age may fall.

That, but for Charitie, I did not care

If all those comming stormes, which some doe feare,

Were now descending downe: For Hell can make,

No vpro…re, which my peacefull thoughts may shake.

I founded hauehave my Hopes on him that hath

A shelter for me, in the day of w…ath.

And I hauehave trust, I shall (without a maze,)

Looke vp, when all burnes round me in a blaze.

And if to hauehave these Thoughts, & this Mind known

Shal spread Gods praise no further then mine owne:

Or, if This shall no more instructiue be,

To others; th… it glory is to Me:

Here le… i… perish, and he …led by,

Into Obliuion euerlastingly.

For, with this Mind, I can be pleas'd; (as much)

Though none but I my selfe did know it such.

And, he that hath contentment, needs not care;

What other me… opinions of it, are.

I care not; though for many griefes to come,

To liue an hundred yeare…, it were my Doome.

Nor care I though I summon'd be, away,

At Nigh… to Morrow-m…ning, or to Day.

I care not whether This, you read or no;

Nor whether you beleeue it, if you doe.

I care no… whether any Man suppose

All This from Iudgement, or from Rash…es flowes.

Nor meane I, to take Care what any Man,

Will thinke thereof: Or Comment on it can.

I care not who shall fondly censure it;

Because it was not with more M…thod writ:

Or fram d in imitation, of the Straine.

In some deepe Grecian or old Romane vaine.

Yea, though that all men liuing should despise,

These Thoughts in Me, to heed, or Patronize:

I vow, I care not▪ And I vow, no lesse,

I care not who dislikes this Carelesnesse.

My Minde's my Kingdome; and I will permit,

No other… Will, to hauehave the rule of it.

For, I am free; and no mans power (I know)

Did make me thus, nor shall vnmake me now.

But, through a Spirit none can quench in me:

This Mind I got, and this, my Mind shall be.

To Enuy.

NOw looke vponupon Me, Enuy, if thou dare,

Dart all thy Malice, shoot me eu'ry where:

Try all the wayes thou canst, to wake me feele,

The cruell sharpenes of thy poys'ned steele.

For, I am Enuy-proofe, and scorne I do;

The worst, thy cancred spight, can vrge thee to.

This Word, I care not, is so strong a Charme,

That He, who speakes it truely, feares no harme,

Which thy accursed Rancor, harbor may;

Or, his peruersest Fortunes, on him lay.

Goe, hatefull Fury; Hagge, goe, hide thou then,

Thy snakie head, in thy abhorred Deu.

And since thou canst not hauehave thy will of Me:

There; Damned Fiend, thine owne Tormentresse …e,

Thy forked stings, vponupon thy body turne;

With Hellish flames, thy scorched entrailes burne;

From thy leaue Carkasse, thy blacke sinn…wes teare,

With thine owne Venome burst, and perish there.

Nec Habeo, nec Careo, nec Curo.