The Anatomie of Basenesse Or The foure quarters of a Knaue; Flatterie, Ingratitude, Enuie, Detraction [by John Andrewes] |
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OF THE INGRATEFVL. |
 | The Anatomie of Basenesse |  |
OF THE INGRATEFVL.
Some haue compar'd (and not improperly)
him that is tainted with this worst of ills
vnto the Swine, who (freely, daily) fills
His hungrie mawe euen to sacietie
him that is tainted with this worst of ills
vnto the Swine, who (freely, daily) fills
His hungrie mawe euen to sacietie
Vpon such Maste as from the fruitfull tree
falls to the ground; yet his deiected eye
is fixed only where his food doth lie,
And neuer rais'd the Giuers face to see.
falls to the ground; yet his deiected eye
is fixed only where his food doth lie,
And neuer rais'd the Giuers face to see.
Guilty of this vnpardonable crime,
where diuers kinds of these inhumane men,
discoursed by th'industrious famous pen
Or heathen Tully liuing in his time.
where diuers kinds of these inhumane men,
discoursed by th'industrious famous pen
Or heathen Tully liuing in his time.
The first Dissemblers were of fauours reap'd
proportioning the same (being more or lesse)
To the small measure of their thankfulnesse,
Though a full hand on them the same had heap'd.
proportioning the same (being more or lesse)
To the small measure of their thankfulnesse,
Though a full hand on them the same had heap'd.
The next acknowledg'd freely that occasion,
off'ring it selfe (ioyn'd with abilitie)
to make requitall (for each curtesie)
Seem'd deafe to opportunities perswasion.
off'ring it selfe (ioyn'd with abilitie)
to make requitall (for each curtesie)
Seem'd deafe to opportunities perswasion.
An other sort there was, whose shamelesse crauing
would not admit deniall, but being made
master of their desires could soone perswade
Their tongues (too basely) to denie the hauing.
would not admit deniall, but being made
master of their desires could soone perswade
Their tongues (too basely) to denie the hauing.
The fourth and last (and worst my Author writes)
were such as, what they had receiu'd, forgot.
Unthankfull he then that remembers not;
He that denies, dissembles, not requites.
were such as, what they had receiu'd, forgot.
Unthankfull he then that remembers not;
He that denies, dissembles, not requites.
Let me adde one kinde more, which I conceiue
worse then all these, who like the frozen snake,
stings that same bosome, whence it warmth did take;
And would, what gaue it life, of life bereaue.
worse then all these, who like the frozen snake,
stings that same bosome, whence it warmth did take;
And would, what gaue it life, of life bereaue.
Such there hath been my obseruation knowes,
who (from a poore, deiected miser state)
being rais'd (by Great ones) proued so ingrate,
To bring their Raysers necke neere th'axes blowes.
who (from a poore, deiected miser state)
being rais'd (by Great ones) proued so ingrate,
To bring their Raysers necke neere th'axes blowes.
Should I demaund why such vnnumbred were
among the former, some man might reply;
(as vnto him who ask't the reason why,
Among so many lawes, so strict, seuere,
among the former, some man might reply;
(as vnto him who ask't the reason why,
Among so many lawes, so strict, seuere,
Made by the Romans, none was knowne to touch
the childe, whose hand should guide the fatall knife;
to cut his throat who gaue his being life):
Because that Tully thought there liv'd none such.
the childe, whose hand should guide the fatall knife;
to cut his throat who gaue his being life):
Because that Tully thought there liv'd none such.
But since the time perfidious Iudas dyed
(who at his end (I feare) bequeath'd his curse,
to some that do in these daies beare the purse)
Such there haue been, such haue been Deifide.
(who at his end (I feare) bequeath'd his curse,
to some that do in these daies beare the purse)
Such there haue been, such haue been Deifide.
If your prosperity strike sayle, be sure
These Kites, which stoop to you while you can feede them,
come to an others fist; and if you need them
They soare aloofe, checke at your empty lure.
These Kites, which stoop to you while you can feede them,
come to an others fist; and if you need them
They soare aloofe, checke at your empty lure.
Much like their Embleme which (for the full payles)
followe the maide that beares them; if she fall
and spill the meate, to that they run, and all
Respect of her that vs'd to feede them, failes.
followe the maide that beares them; if she fall
and spill the meate, to that they run, and all
Respect of her that vs'd to feede them, failes.
Or Cuckoe-like, they to your Summers sunne
sing merrily (though sucke your egges withall)
but when they finde your Summer faile, and fall
Draw neere, they're gone, and their harsh musicke done.
sing merrily (though sucke your egges withall)
but when they finde your Summer faile, and fall
Draw neere, they're gone, and their harsh musicke done.
| The Anatomie of Basenesse | |