Withers Motto, Section 3

Withers Motto · Section 3

Nec Habeo.

ANd first; that no man else may censure me,

For Vaunting what belongeth not to me:

Heare what I hauehave not; for, I'le not deny

To make confession of my pouerty.

I hauehave not of my selfe the powre, or grace,

To be, or not to be; one minute space.

I hauehave not strength another word to write;

Or tell you what I purpose to indite:

Or thinke out halfe a thought, before my death,

But by the leaue of him that gaue me breath.

I hauehave no natiue goodnesse in my soul;

But I was ouer all corrupt and foul:

And till another cleans'd me, I had nought

That was not stain'd within me: not a thought.

I hauehave no propper merrit; neither will,

Or to resolue, or act but what is ill.

I hauehave no meanes of safety, or content,

In ought which mine owne wisedome can inuent.

Nor hauehave I reason to be desperate tho:

Because for this a remedy I know.

I hauehave no portion in the world like this,

That I may breath that ayre, which common is:

Nor hauehave I seene within this spacious Round;

What I hauehave worth my Ioy or sorrow found.

Except it hath for these that follow binn;

The LoueLove of my Redeemer, and my sinn.

I none of those great Priuiledges hauehave,

Which make the Minions of the Time, so braue.

I hauehave no sumpteous Pallaces, or Bowers

That ouertop my neighbours with their Towrs.

I hauehave no large Demeanes or Princely Rents,

Like those Heroes; nor their discontents.

I hauehave no glories from mine Auncesters;

For want of reall worth to bragg of theirs,

Nor hauehave I basenes in my pedigree;

For it is noble, though obscure it be.

I hauehave no gold those honours to obtaine,

Which men might heretofore, by Vertue gaine,

Nor hauehave I witt, if wealth were giuen me;

To thinke, bought Place or Title, honour'd me.

I (yet) hauehave no beliefe that they are wise,

Who for base ends, can basely temporise:

Or that it will at length be ill for me,

That I liu'd poore, to keepe my Spirit free.

I hauehave no Causes in our Pleading Courts.

Nor start I at our Chancery Reports.

No fearefull Bill hath yet affrighted me,

No Motion, Order, Iudgement, or Decree.

Nor hauehave I forced beene to tedious Iourneys,

Betwixt my Counsellors and my Attorneys.

…e no neede of those long-gowned warriers,

Who play at Westminster, vnarm'd at Barriers:

Nor gamster for those Common-pleas am I,

Whose sport is marred, by the Chancery.

I hauehave no iuggling hand, no double tongue;

Nor any minde to take, or doe a wrong.

I hauehave no shifts or cunning fleights, on which

I feed my selfe, with hope of being rich.

Nor hauehave I one of these, to make me poore;

Hounds, Humors, running horses, Haukes or VVhore,

I hauehave no pleasure in acquaintance, where

The Rules of State, and Ceremony, are

Obseru'd so seriously; that I must dance,

And act o're all the Complements of France,

And Spaine, and Italy; before I can

Be taken, for a well bred Englishman:

And eueryevery time we meet, be forc't agen,

To put in action that most idle Sceane.

Mong these, much precious time (vntounto my cost)

And much true-hearty meaning hauehave I lost.

VVhichWhich hauing found: I doe resolue therefore,

To lose my Time, and Friendship, so no more.

I hauehave no Complements; but what may show,

That I doe manners, and good breeding know.

For much I hate, the forced, Apish tricks,

Of those our home-disdaining Politicks:

VVho to the Forraine guise are so affected,

That English Honesty is quite reiected:

And in the stead thereof; they fu…isht home,

VVith shaddowes of Humanity doe come.

Oh! how iudicious in their owne esteeme,

And how compleatly, Trauelled they seeme;

If in the place of reall kindnesses,

(VVhichWhich Nature could, hauehave taught them to expresse)

They can with gestures, lookes, and …guage sweet,

Fawne like a Curtezan, on all they meet:

And vie, in humble and kind speaches; when,

They doe most proudly, and most falsely meane.

On this: too many falsely set their face,

Of Courtship and of wisedome: but tis base.

For, seruile (vntounto me) it doth appeare,

When we descend, to sooth and flatter, where

We want affection: yea, I hate it more,

Then to be borne a slaue; or to be poore.

I hauehave no pleasure, or delight in ought,

That by dissembling must to passe be brought.

If I dislike, I'ld sooner tell them so,

Then hide my face, beneath a friendly show.

For he, (who to be iust, hath an intent,

Needs nor dissemble, nor a lye inuent.

I rather wish to faile with honesty,

Then to p…euaile in ought by treachery.

And with this minde I'le safer sleepe, then all

Our Machauillian Pollititians shall.

I hauehave no Minde to fl…tter; though I might,

Be made some Lords companion; or a Knight.

Not shall my Verse for me on begging goe,

Though I might starue, vnlesse it did doe so.

I hauehave no Muses that will serue the turne,

At eueryevery Triumph; and reioyce or mourne,

VponUpon a minutes warning for their hire;

If with old Sherry they themselues inspire.

I am not of a temper, like to those,

That can prouide an houres sad talke in Prose,

For any Funerall; and then goe Dine,

And choke my griefe, with Sugar-plums and Wine.

I cannot at the Claret sic and laugh,

And then halfe tipsie, write an Epitaph;

Or howle an Epicoedium for each Groome,

That is, by Fraud, or Nigardize, become

A wealthy Alderman: Nor, for each Gull,

That hath acquir'd the stile of Worshipfull.

I cannot for reward adorne the Hearse,

Of some old rotten Miser, with my Verse:

Nor like the Poetasters of the Time;

Goe howle a dolefull Elegie in Ryme,

For eueryevery Lord or Ladiship that dyes:

And then perplex their Heires, to Patronize

That muddy Poesie. Oh! how I scorne,

Those Raptures, which are free, and nobly borne,

Should Fidler-like, for entertainment scrape

At strangers windowes: and goe play the Ape,

In counterfeiting Passion, when there's none,

Or in good earnest, foolishly bem…ane

(In hope of cursed bounty) their iust death;

Who, (liuing) merrit not, a minutes breath

To keepe their Fame aliue, vnles to blow,

Some Trumpet which their blacke disgrace may show.

I cannot (for my life) my Pen compell,

VponUpon the praise of any man to dwell:

Vnlesse I know, (or thinke at least) his worth,

To be the same, which I hauehave blazed forth.

Had I some honest Suite; the gaine of which,

Would make me noble, eminent, and rich:

And that to compasse it, no meanes there were

Vnlesse I basely flatter'd some great Peere;

Would with that Suite, my ruine I might get:

If on those termes I would endeauour it.

I hauehave not bin to their condition borne,

Who are inclined to respect, and scorne;

As men in their estates, doe rise or fall:

Or rich, or poore, I Uertue louelove in all.

And where I finde it not, I doe despise

To fawne on them; how high so e're they rise,

For, where proud Greatnesse without worth I see:

Old Mordecay had not a stiffer knee.

I cannot giuegive a Plaudit (I protest)

When as his Lordship thinkes, he breakes aieast,

Vnles it moue me; neither can I grin,

When he a causeles laughter doth begin.

I cannot sweare him, truely honourable;

Because he once receiu'd me to his table;

And talk't as if the Mases glad might be,

That he vouchsased such a grace to me.

His slender worth, I could not blaze on so,

By strange Hyporboles, as some would do.

Or wonder at it, as if none had bin

His equall, since King William first came in.

Nor can I thinke true Vertue euer car'd

To giuegive or take, (for praise) what I hauehave heard.

For if we peyze them well; what goodly grace,

HaueHave outward Beauties, Riches, Titles, Place,

Or such; that we, the owners should commend,

When no true vertues, doe on these attend?

If beautifull he be, what honour's that?

As faire as he is many a Beggers brar.

If we, his noble Titles would extoll;

Those Titles. he may hauehave and be a foole.

If Seats of Iustice he hath climb'd (we say)

So Tyrants, and corrupt oppressors may.

If for a large estate his praise we tell:

A thousand Villanies, may be prais'd as well.

If he, his Princes good esteeme be in;

Why, so hath many a bloody Traytor bin.

And if in these things he alone excell,

Let those that list, vponupon his prayses dwell.

Some other worth I finde, e're I hauehave sense

Of any praise-deseruing excellence.

I hauehave no friends, that once affected were,

But to my heart, they sit this day as neare,

As when I most endear'd them (though they seeme,

To fall from my opinion or esteeme:)

For precious Time, in idle would be spent;

If I with All, should alwayes complement.

And till, my louelove I may to purpose show;

I care not wher'they thinke I louelove or no.

For sure I am, if any finde me chang'd;

Their greatnes, nor their meannesse me estrang'd.

I hauehave not priz'd mens loues, the lesse or more,

Because I saw them, either rich, or poore;

But as their louelove, and Vertues did appeare,

I such esteem'd them, whosoe're they were.

I hauehave no trust, or confidence in friends,

That seeke to know me, meerly for their ends,

Nor hauehave I euer said, I loued yet;

Where I expected more then LoueLove for it,

And let me faile of that where most I lou'd,

If that with greater ioy I be not mou'd

By twenty-fold, when I my kindnes show,

Then when their fauours they on me bestow.

I hauehave not that vile minde; nor shall my brest

For euer, with such basenes be possest;

As in my anger (be it ne're so iust)

To vtter ought committed to my trust

In time of frien…ship: though constrained so,

That want of telling it, should me vndo.

For, whosoe're hath trust repos'd in me;

Shall euer find me true, though false he be.

I hauehave no lo…o Countrey, Prince or Friend;

That can be more, or lesse, or hauehave an end.

For whatsoeuer state they rais'd me to;

I would not louelove them; better then I do.

Nor can I hate them; though on me they should

Heape all the scorne, and iniury they could.

I hauehave no do…ing humor, to affect

Where louelove I finde rewarded with neglect.

I neuer was wit… melancholy fit

Oppressed in such stupid manner, yet,

A▪ that vngently to my friends I sp…ke;

O… beed to their contentment, did not take:

Nor hauehave I felt my Anger so inflam'd

But that with gentle speach it might be tam'd.

I hauehave no priuate cause of discontent;

Nor grudge against the publike gouernment.

I hauehave no spight, or enu…e in my brest,

Nor doth anothers peace disturbe my rest.

I hauehave not (yet) that dunghill humour, which

Some Great-men hauehave; who, so they may be rich,

Thinke all gaine sweet, and nought ashamed are,

In vile, and rascall Suites to hauehave a share.

For I their basenes scorne: and euer loth'd

By wronging others, to be fed or cloth'd,

Much more, to hauehave my pride, or lust maintain'd,

VVith what, by foule oppression hath bene gain'd.

I hauehave not bene enamor'd on the Fate

Of men, to great aduancements fortunate.

I neuer yet a Fauorite did see

So happy, that I wished to be hee:

Nor would I, whatsoe're of me became;

Be any other man, but who I am.

For, though I am assur'd the destiny

Of millions tendeth to felicity:

Yet, those deare secret comforts, which I finde,

Vnseene, within the closet of my minde:

GiueGive more assurance of true happines,

Then any outward glories can expresse.

And 'tis so hard, (what shewes soe're there be)

The inward plight of other men to see:

That my estate, with none exchange I dare,

Although my Fortunes more dispised were.

I hauehave not hitherto divulged ought,

VVherein my words dissented from my thought.

Nor would I faile; if I might able be,

To make my manners, and my words agree.

I hauehave not bene ashamed to confesse

My lowest Fortunes, or the kindnesses,

Of poorest men: Nor hauehave I proud beene made,

By any fauor from a great Man, had

I hauehave not plac't so much of my Content,

VponUpon the goods of Fortune, to lament

The losse of them; more then may seemely be,

To grieue for things, which are no part of me.

For, I hauehave knowne the worst of being poore;

Yea lost, when I to lose hauehave had no more,

And though, the Coward World more quakes for feare

Of Pouerty, then any plagues that are:

Yet, He that mindes his End, obserues his Ward,

The Meanes persues, and keepes a heart prepar'd:

Da…es, Scorne and Pouerty as boldly meete;

As others gladly. Fame, and Riches greet.

For those, who on the stage of this proud World,

Into the pawes of Want and Scorne are hurld:

Are in the Master-prize, that trieth men;

And Vertue fighteth her brau'st Combat, then,

I no Antipathy (as yet) hauehave had,

Twixt me, and any Creature, God hath made:

For if they doe not scratch, nor bite, nor sting,

Snakes, Serpents, Todes, or Catts, or any thing

I can endure to touch, or looke vponupon:

(So cannot eu'ry one whom I hauehave knowne.)

I hauehave no Nation on the earth abhord,

But with a Iewe, or Spaniard can accord,

As well, as with my Brother; if I finde

He beare a Vertuous, and Heroick minde.

Yet (I confesse) of all men, I most hate

Such, as their manners doe adulterate.

Those Lins…-woolsie people, who are neither

French, English, Scotsh, nor Dutch: but altogether

Those, I affect not; rather wish I could,

That they were fish, or flesh, or hott, or cold:

But none among all them, worse brooke I, then

Our meere Hispaniolized English men.

And if we scape their Trecheries at home,

I'le feare no mischies, where so'ere I come.

I hauehave not fear'd who my Religion knowes:

Nor euer for preferment, made I showes

Of what I was not. For, although I may

Through want, be forc't, to put on worse ar…y,

VponUpon my Body; I will euer finde,

Meanes so maintaine, a habit for my Minde,

Of Truth in graine: and weare it, in the sight

Of all the world: in all the worlds despight.

I, their presumption, hauehave not, who dare blame,

A fault in others; and correct the same

With grieuous punishments: yet guilty be,

Of those offences in more high degree.

For, oh! how bold, and impudent a face,

(And what vnmoued hearts of Flint and Brasse)

HaueHave those corrupted Magistrates, who dare,

VponUpon the seat of Iudgement sit; and there

Without an inward horror preach abroad,

The guilt of Sinne, and heauy wrath of God;

(Against offenders pleading at their Barr)

Yet know, what plots, within their bosomes are?

Who; when (enthron'd for Iustice) they behold,

A reuerend Magistrate, both graue, and old;

And heare how sternly, he doth aggrauate

Each little crime, offenders perpetrate:

How much the fact he seemeth to abhor;

How he, a iust correction labours for;

How he admires, and wonders that among

A people, where the Faith hath florisht long

Such wickednes should raigne which (he hath heard)

The Heathen to commit, hauehave bin affeard.

Who, that obserues all this; would thinke that He

Did but an houre before, receiue a fee,

Some Innocent (by law) to murther there?

Or else, from Children fatherles to teare

Their iust Inheritance? and that when this

Were done (as if that nought had beene amisse)

He could goe sleepe vponupon a deed so foule;

And neither thinke on mans, or Gods controule?

I hauehave not a stupidity so madd,

And this presumption, I would no man hadd.

I hauehave no question made, but some there are,

Who, when of this my Motto they shall heare;

Will hauehave a better stomacke, to pro…ure

That I may check, or punishment endure,

Then their owne euill manners to amend:

For that's a worke, they cannot yet intend.

And though, they many view (before their face)

Fal'ne, and each minute falling to disgrace;

(For lesse offences farre then they commit)

Without remorse, and penitence they sit.

As if that They, (and they all one) had binne,

Without the compasse of reproofe of sinne.

I hauehave no great opinion of their wit,

Nor euer saw their actions prosper, yet,

Who wedded to their owne deuises be;

And will nor counsell heare, nor danger see,

That is foretold them by their truest friends:

But rather, list to them, who for their ends

Doe sooth their fancies. And the best excuse;

That such men can, to hide their folly vse;

(When all their idle proiects come to nought)

Are these words of the foole. I had not thought.

I hauehave not their delight, who pleasure take

At Natures imperfections scoffes to make.

Nor hauehave I bitternes against that sinne,

Which thorow weakenes hath committed bin.

(For I my selfe, am to offences prone;

And eueryevery day commit I many a one)

But at their hatefull crimes I onelyonly glance

That sinne of pleasure, pride, and arrogance.

I hauehave not so much knowledge as to call

The Arts in question; neither wi… so small,

To wast my spirits, those things to attaine;

Which all the world hath labour'd for in vaine.

I hauehave not so much beauty, to attract

The eyes of Ladies: neither hauehave I lackt

Of that proportion which doth well suffice

To make me gracious, in good peoples eyes.

I hauehave not done, so many a holy deed;

As that of IESVS CHRIST, I hauehave no need.

And my good-workes I hope are not so few;

But that in me a liuing Faith they shew.

I hauehave not found ability so much.

To carry Milstones; yea, and were it such,

I should not greatly vaunt it: for, in this,

A scuruie pack-horse farr my better is.

I louelove his manly strength, that can resist

His owne desi…es: force passage when he list

Through all his strong affections, and subdue,

The stout attempts of that rebellious cr…we.

This, were a brauer strength then Sampson got:

And this, I couet, but I hauehave it not.

I hauehave not so much heedlesnes of things,

Which appertaine vntounto the Courts of Kings;

But that from my low station, I can see

A Princes louelove may oft abused be.

For many men their Country iniure dare

At home; where, all our eyes vponupon them are,

And (of the worlds Protector) I implore,

The trust abroad, be not abused more.

I hauehave no Brother, but of younger age,

Nor hauehave I Birth-right without heritage:

And with that land, let me inherit shame;

Vnlesse I grieue when I possesse the same.

The value of a penny hauehave I not,

That was by bribry, or extortion got.

I hauehave no Lands that from the Church were pild,

To bring (hereafter) ruine to my Child.

And hitherto, I thinke, I hauehave beene free

From Widdowes, or from Orphants cursing me.

The Spleene, the Collicke, or the Lythargy,

Gouts, Palsies, Dropsies, or a Lunacy.

I (by inheritance) hauehave none of these:

Nor raigning sinne; nor any foule disease.

I hauehave no debts, but such as (when I can)

I meane to pay; nor is there any man

(To whom I standingag'd by ought I borrow)

Shall losse sustaine, though I should dye to morro…

And if they should (so much my friends they be)

Their greatest losse the'le thinke the losse of me.

And well they know, I tooke not whatthey lent,

To wrong their loues, or to be idly spent.

Except the Deuill, and that cursed brood,

VVhichWhich hauehave dependance on his Deuil-hood,

I know no foes I hauehave; for, if there be,

In none, more malice, then I finde in me:

The earth, that man (at this time) doth not beare

VVho would not, if some iust occasions were;

(Eu'n in his height of spleene) my life to saue,

Aduenture with one foot, into his graue.

To make me carefull; Children I hauehave none;

Nor hauehave I, any VVife to get them on;

Nor hauehave I, (yet to keepe her) had I one;

Nor can this spoyle my Marriage being knowne.

Since I am sure, I was not borne for her,

That shall before my worth, her wealth prefer:

For, I doe set my Vertues, at a rate,

As high as any prise their Riches at.

And if All count, the venture too much cost,

In keeping it my selfe there's nothing lost.

For, she I wed, shall some what thinke in me

More worthy LoueLove, then great reuenues be.

And if I finde not one, of such a minde,

(As such indeed, are Iewels rare to finde)

Ile clasped in mine owne embraces lye:

And neuer touch a woman till I dye.

For, shall a Fellow, whom (the Vsurer)

His father, by extortion did prefer

VntoUnto an heritage in value cleare,

Aboue foure times a thousand pounds a yeare,

So worthily or so confident become?

(By meanes of that his goodly annuall somme,

Which may be lost to morrow) as to dare

Attempt a Nymph of Honour for his pheare?

Shall he, that hath with those foure thousand pounds

A gaming vaine; a deepe mouth'd cry of Hounds,

Three cast of Hawkes, of Whores as many brace,

Sixe hunting Naggs, and fiue more for the race:

(Perhaps a numerous brood of fighting-Cocks)

Physitians, Barbers, Surgeons for the Pox;

And twenty other humors to maintaine;

(Beside the yearely charges of his traine)

With this reuenue? Most of which, or all

To morgage must be set? perhaps to sale

To pay his creditors, and yet all faile

To keepe his crasie body from the Iayle?

Shall this dull Foole, with his vncertaine store

(And in all honesty and Vertues poore)

Hope for a Mistresse, noble, rich, and faire?

And is it likely, that I can dispaire

To be as happy, if I seeke it would?

Who such a matchlesse fortune hauehave in hold;

That though the World my ruine plot and threat,

I can in spight of it be rich, and great?

A silly Girle, no sooner vnderstands,

That shee is left in Portion, or in Lands;

So large a fortune, that it doth excell

The greatest part, who neare about her dwell:

But straight begins to rate, and prize her selfe

According to the value of her pelfe.

And though to Gentry, nor good breeding born;

Can all, that hauehave estates beneath her, scorn.

This wit a Woman hath: and shall not I,

Who know I hauehave a Wealth, which none can buy

For all the world; expect a nobler phere

Then sutes vntounto a hundred pounds a yeere?

Shall louelove of Truth, and Vertue make of me

A match no better worthy, then is He

Who knowes not what they meane? and doth possesse

In outward fortunes neither more nor lesse?

HaueHave I oft heard so many faire ones plaine

How fruitles Titles are? how poore and vaine

They found rich greatnes, where they did not find,

True LoueLove, and the endowments of the mind?

HaueHave fayrest Ladies often sworne to me

That if they might, but onelyonly Mistresse be

Of true affection; they would prize it more

Then all those glories, which the most adore:

HaueHave I obseru'd how hard it is to find

A constant heart? a iust and honest mind?

How few good natures in the world there are,

How scanty true affection is? how rare?

And shall I passe as true a Heart away,

As hath conceiu'd an honest thought to day:

As if in value to no more it came,

Then would endeare me to a vulgar Dame

On equall termes? or else vndoe me with

Some old rich Croan, that hath out-liu'd her teeth?

I'le rather breake it with proud scorne; that dead;

The wormes may rifle for my Mayden-head.

I hauehave no louelove to beauties, which are gone

Much like a Rose in Iune, assoone as blowne.

Those painted Cabinets and nought within,

HaueHave little power my respect to win.

Nor hauehave I, yet, that stupid louelove to pelfe.

As for the hope thereof, to yoke my selfe

With any female; betwixt whom, and me,

There could not in the soule, a marriage be.

For whosoeuer ioyne without that care;

Fooles, and accursed in their matches are;

And so are you, that either heare or view

What I auerr; vnlesse you thinke it true.

I hauehave no meaning, whensoere I wed,

That my companion, shall become my head.

Nor would I (if I meant to keepe my right)

So much as say so, though that win her might.

Not though a Dutchesse: for, the meanes Ile vse

To keepe my worth, though my reward I loose,

Yea, from a prison had she raised me,

Lord of her fortunes, and her Selfe to be:

I that respect, would still expect to hauehave,

Which might become her Husband: not her slaue.

And should I spouse a Begger; I would shew,

What louelove, and honor, to a wife were due.

I hauehave not, yet, of any skorned binn;

Who…e good opinion, I hauehave sought to winn.

Nor hauehave I (when I meane to woe) a feare,

That any man, shall make me, willow weare.

I hauehave not, eyes so excellent, to see

Things (as some men can do) before they be.

Nor purblinde sight; which crimes farre off can mark…

Yet seeme, no faults, which are more neare me, dark.

I hauehave not cares for eueryevery …ale that's told:

Nor memory, things friuelous to hold.

I hauehave not their credulity that dare,

GiueGive credit vntounto all reports they heare.

Nor hauehave I subiect to their dulnes beene,

Who can bele…ue no more then they hauehave seene.

I hauehave no feeling of those wrongs that be

By base vnworthy fellowes, offerd me:

For, my contentment; and my glory lyes

Aboue the pitch, their spight, or malice flyes.

I hauehave not neede enough, as yet, to serue:

Nor impudence to craue, till I deserue.

I hauehave no hope, the worlds esteeme to get:

Nor could a foole, or knaue, e're brooke me yet.

I hauehave not villany enough, to prey

VponUpon the weake: or friendship to betray.

Nor hauehave I so much louelove to life, that I

Would seeke to saue it by dishonesty:

I hauehave not Cowardise enough to feare,

In honest actions; though my death be there:

Nor heart, to perpetrate a wilfull sinne:

Though I with safety, large renowne might winne;

And for omitting it, were sure to dye,

Ne'r to be thought on, but with infamy.

I hauehave not their base cruelty, who can

Insult, vponupon an ouer-grieued man:

Or tread on him, that at my feet doth bow.

For, I protest, no villany I know

That could be done me; but if I perceiu'd

(Or thought) the doer, without faigning grieu'd:

I truely could forgiue him; as if hee

Had neuer in a thought abused mee.

And if my louelove to mercy, I belye

Let God deny me mercy when I dye.

I hauehave not that vnhappinesse, to be

A Rich mans Sonne; For he had trained me,

In some vaine path; and I had neuer sought,

That knowledge which my pouerty hath taught.

I hauehave no inclination to respect

Each vulgar complement, nor neglect

An honest shew of friendship: For, I sweare,

I rather wish, that I deceiued were;

Then of so base a disposition be,

As to distrust, till cause were giuen me.

I hauehave no Constitution, to accord

To ought dishonest, sooner for a Lord,

Then for his meanest Groome; and hopes there be

It neuer will be otherwise with me.

I hauehave no pollicies to make me seeme

A man well worthy of the worlds esteeme.

Nor hauehave I hope, I shall hereafter grow,

To any more regard, for saying so;

I hauehave no doubt, though here a slighted thing;

But I am fauorite, to Heau'ns great King.

Nor hauehave I feare but all thats good in me;

Shall in my Life, or Death, rewarded be.

But yet, I hauehave not that attain'd, for which

Those who account this nothing, thinke me rich:

No… that, which they doe reckon worth esteeme;

To whom the riches of the min…e, doe seeme

A scornefull pouerty. But let that go,

Men cannot prize the Pearles they doe not know.

Nor hauehave I power to teach them: for if I,

Should here consume my gift of Poesie▪

(And wholy wast my spirits, to expresse

What rich contents, a poore estate may blesse)

It were impossible, to moue the sense

Of those braue things, in their intelligence.

I hauehave not found, on what I may relie;

Vnlesse it carry some Diuinitie

To make me confident: for, all the glory,

And all hopes faile; in things meere transitory.

What man is there among vsus, doth not knowe,

A thousand men, this night to bed will goe,

Of many a hundred goodly things possest;

That shall hauehave nought to morrow but a Chest,

And one poore Sheet to lie in? What I may,

Next morning hauehave, I know not; But to day,

A Friend, Meat, Drinke, and fitting Clothes to weare;

Some Bookes and Papers, which my Iewels are;

A Seruant and a Horse: all this I hauehave,

And when I dye, one promist me … Graue.

A Graue; that quiet close… of Content:

And I hauehave built my selfe a Monument.

But (as I liue) excepting onelyonly this;

(Which of my wealth the Inuentory, is)

I hauehave so little; I my oath might saue:

If I should take it, that I, nothing hauehave.