 | The Labyrinth Of Mans Life |  |
The Ladie her speach to the Passionate.
Long since I this confused Maze possest,
(Chiefe Ladie) when t'was place of heauenly rest,
Before the fall of him, I first did beare:
Whose dismall fall, this hatefull hagge did reare.
Her selfe once set (pure) in celestiall place,
Enuie, and Pride, depriu'd her of that grace.
Cast downe from blisse, then strip'd of light, and loue:
Malign'd the glorie, shining from aboue;
And hates the happinesse of man below,
Plac'd in the Garden, where Content did grow;
She then intrudes, pretending Wisdomes loue,
And my first borne, in malice did remoue,
From light to darke, from grace, to giddinesse,
From Loue to lust, from Faith to ficklenesse.
In him (my first) haue all posterities,
Lost true content, and found sad miseries.
Now she seemes greatest, and of greatest might;
She's so indeed, but only in despite.
She countercheckes the course, which I aduise,
And fils this Labyrinth with cruelties.
The place where now this Labyrinth is set,
Was free to mee, I had no counterlet,
Vntill this hagge vsurped power, and place,
And by her wiles, rob'd humane kinde of grace.
A gracelesse guide, her light, infernall fire,
Begot belowe, blacke Darkenesse was her sire:
A hatefull monster of infernall breede,
On humane hearts and soules delites to feede:
As Toades and Serpents, creatures venimous,
Feede on grosse poyson, and pestiferous:
So this foule hagge feedes only on despite,
Enuie, Malice, Hate, are her delite.
None can escape her hidious hands of hate,
The purest, she seekes to contaminate.
(Chiefe Ladie) when t'was place of heauenly rest,
Before the fall of him, I first did beare:
Whose dismall fall, this hatefull hagge did reare.
Her selfe once set (pure) in celestiall place,
Enuie, and Pride, depriu'd her of that grace.
Cast downe from blisse, then strip'd of light, and loue:
Malign'd the glorie, shining from aboue;
And hates the happinesse of man below,
Plac'd in the Garden, where Content did grow;
She then intrudes, pretending Wisdomes loue,
And my first borne, in malice did remoue,
From light to darke, from grace, to giddinesse,
From Loue to lust, from Faith to ficklenesse.
In him (my first) haue all posterities,
Lost true content, and found sad miseries.
Now she seemes greatest, and of greatest might;
She's so indeed, but only in despite.
She countercheckes the course, which I aduise,
And fils this Labyrinth with cruelties.
Was free to mee, I had no counterlet,
Vntill this hagge vsurped power, and place,
And by her wiles, rob'd humane kinde of grace.
A gracelesse guide, her light, infernall fire,
Begot belowe, blacke Darkenesse was her sire:
A hatefull monster of infernall breede,
On humane hearts and soules delites to feede:
As Toades and Serpents, creatures venimous,
Feede on grosse poyson, and pestiferous:
So this foule hagge feedes only on despite,
Enuie, Malice, Hate, are her delite.
None can escape her hidious hands of hate,
The purest, she seekes to contaminate.
Within this Labyrinth high powers me set,
That qualities Diuine I might beget:
And men by mee might learne to liue vpright,
And re-assume the grace of heau'nly light:
Which is not got by humane pollicie,
By Arte or force, or restlesse industrie,
The proud, malitious, hautie, insolent,
Learne of that hagge, their gracelesse gouernment.
The humble only, and true fearefull take
The way of life, I leuell for their sake
A way, yet seeming way of bitternesse,
Of hearts distaste, and irkesome wearinesse:
Only to those, whose reason she peruerts,
And seedes of Ignorance, in steede inserts:
She muffles men, and hoodes them, leste they see,
The meanes to make them, of her bondmen, free.
That qualities Diuine I might beget:
And men by mee might learne to liue vpright,
And re-assume the grace of heau'nly light:
Which is not got by humane pollicie,
By Arte or force, or restlesse industrie,
The proud, malitious, hautie, insolent,
Learne of that hagge, their gracelesse gouernment.
The humble only, and true fearefull take
The way of life, I leuell for their sake
A way, yet seeming way of bitternesse,
Of hearts distaste, and irkesome wearinesse:
Only to those, whose reason she peruerts,
And seedes of Ignorance, in steede inserts:
She muffles men, and hoodes them, leste they see,
The meanes to make them, of her bondmen, free.
Thou know'st that hast had tryall of her spite,
Hee is her slaue, that is her fauorite.
If thou persist a fauorite of mine,
Thou canst not bee but odious in her eyne.
She will oppose thee, and against thee band,
She'll fawne in face, haue wounding sword in hand.
A seeming cup of sweet delight she beares,
If that serue not, sh' infatuates with teares.
Flatterie and force, are weapons of her fight:
A fearefull combate, to the vertuous, light.
Reuenge of wrongs (though light) she instigates,
Puts patience by, she only plots debates.
Reuenge heroycall, Meekenesse cowardice:
Pardon, (remitting wrongs) indignities.
The hautie, proud, and insolent, she makes
The Minions of her Court, who vndertakes
A course by wrong, If he grow thereby great,
She wils hold fast, to giue for no intreat.
He is her prudent, her prouident, her bancke,
Him she commends, inhibites to be franke.
And he that will the contrarie imbrace,
(The prodigall) that spends in vitious case,
Bountie, who promiseth, performeth not,
Is truely pollitique, and not a sot
She blindes mens eyes, the meane, they may not see,
The meane is Vice, Vertue th' extreame degree.
A thousand counterfeites of Vertues deedes,
She giues for currant, and truthes-bearing seedes.
Hee is her slaue, that is her fauorite.
If thou persist a fauorite of mine,
Thou canst not bee but odious in her eyne.
She'll fawne in face, haue wounding sword in hand.
A seeming cup of sweet delight she beares,
If that serue not, sh' infatuates with teares.
Flatterie and force, are weapons of her fight:
A fearefull combate, to the vertuous, light.
Reuenge of wrongs (though light) she instigates,
Puts patience by, she only plots debates.
Reuenge heroycall, Meekenesse cowardice:
Pardon, (remitting wrongs) indignities.
The hautie, proud, and insolent, she makes
The Minions of her Court, who vndertakes
A course by wrong, If he grow thereby great,
She wils hold fast, to giue for no intreat.
He is her prudent, her prouident, her bancke,
Him she commends, inhibites to be franke.
And he that will the contrarie imbrace,
(The prodigall) that spends in vitious case,
Bountie, who promiseth, performeth not,
Is truely pollitique, and not a sot
She blindes mens eyes, the meane, they may not see,
The meane is Vice, Vertue th' extreame degree.
A thousand counterfeites of Vertues deedes,
She giues for currant, and truthes-bearing seedes.
The Spider and the Toade (both venimous)
Are ech to other deadly odious:
So Pride and Enuie, borne infernall twins,
Hold mutuall warre, but Enuie still begins.
Are ech to other deadly odious:
So Pride and Enuie, borne infernall twins,
Hold mutuall warre, but Enuie still begins.
This hagge haunts mee, where I am, there is she,
Her workes and mine, as light and darke agree.
She in despite, peruertes the wayes I teach,
Where I affect, she seekes to make a breach.
Whom I aduance, she plots to hurle him downe,
From basest abiect, to th' imperiall crowne.
Her workes and mine, as light and darke agree.
She in despite, peruertes the wayes I teach,
Where I affect, she seekes to make a breach.
Whom I aduance, she plots to hurle him downe,
From basest abiect, to th' imperiall crowne.
How did She instigate those bloudie hearts?
How kept She concord of so many parts?
That plotted lately, that strange Stratageme,
That aym'd, not only to the Diademe,
The Stocke and Branches of admired State;
To Prince, and Princesse pure, and Potentate:
But Artes, and Artistes, and Religion,
Had felt together, sad subuersion?
But that the power, that curbes her deep'st despite,
From darkest cell, brought Deuils deuice to light.
Worlds wonder, how this hidious hagge could finde,
So many, knit firme in infernall minde:
But that, whom she once windeth in her clewe,
Seldome vntwist, or libertie renewe
Spider-like she spins snares, stings, lets them lye,
Whom she findes instruments for villanie:
Els needes must some of that infernall crewe,
Disclos'd the plot, though sworne to be trewe.
Traytors are worse then wormes, that eate the tree,
Vnder whose barke themselues ingendr'd bee.
Worse then the Viper, and the Moath that gnawe
Their mothers bowels, maugre Natures lawe.
Antigonus could loue a Traytor so,
As he could plot to circumuent his foe:
The treason done, transformes his loue to hate;
Reiects the Traytor, person detestate.
What then, if these reneged impes had sped?
Th' had cut themselues, by treason, from their head.
And seeking for their treasons, salarie,
They should haue guerdon fit; like treacherie.
What Traytor thinkes, another will him trust,
That's to his Head suborn'd to be vniust?
A giddie head, an idle thirst to rise;
A heart corrupt, breedes Treasons first surmise.
Surmising feares, his in-bred plot is knowne,
Suspectes ill haruest ere the seede be sowne.
How kept She concord of so many parts?
That plotted lately, that strange Stratageme,
That aym'd, not only to the Diademe,
The Stocke and Branches of admired State;
To Prince, and Princesse pure, and Potentate:
But Artes, and Artistes, and Religion,
Had felt together, sad subuersion?
But that the power, that curbes her deep'st despite,
From darkest cell, brought Deuils deuice to light.
Worlds wonder, how this hidious hagge could finde,
So many, knit firme in infernall minde:
But that, whom she once windeth in her clewe,
Seldome vntwist, or libertie renewe
Spider-like she spins snares, stings, lets them lye,
Whom she findes instruments for villanie:
Els needes must some of that infernall crewe,
Disclos'd the plot, though sworne to be trewe.
Traytors are worse then wormes, that eate the tree,
Vnder whose barke themselues ingendr'd bee.
Worse then the Viper, and the Moath that gnawe
Their mothers bowels, maugre Natures lawe.
Antigonus could loue a Traytor so,
As he could plot to circumuent his foe:
The treason done, transformes his loue to hate;
Reiects the Traytor, person detestate.
What then, if these reneged impes had sped?
Th' had cut themselues, by treason, from their head.
And seeking for their treasons, salarie,
They should haue guerdon fit; like treacherie.
What Traytor thinkes, another will him trust,
That's to his Head suborn'd to be vniust?
A giddie head, an idle thirst to rise;
A heart corrupt, breedes Treasons first surmise.
Suspectes ill haruest ere the seede be sowne.
If this foule hagge, the nurse of dyre despite,
Heaue at the highest, will she not excite,
Her hatefull instruments, to hurle downe those,
Of lowest ranke, and yet, of force, her foes?
In all complots, how so of spite they rise,
On mee she fasly Fathers th' enterprise.
She makes Religion colour outward hate,
Which makes the fact farre the more detestate.
Religion is the builder of estates,
And true Obedience, her remunerates.
Strange thing that true Religion should be foe,
To that estate she planted, first to growe.
Heaue at the highest, will she not excite,
Her hatefull instruments, to hurle downe those,
Of lowest ranke, and yet, of force, her foes?
In all complots, how so of spite they rise,
On mee she fasly Fathers th' enterprise.
She makes Religion colour outward hate,
Which makes the fact farre the more detestate.
Religion is the builder of estates,
And true Obedience, her remunerates.
Strange thing that true Religion should be foe,
To that estate she planted, first to growe.
This hagge doth haunt me at ech wished deed,
Not to assist, but hinder lesse it speede.
Where true desert may challenge due reward,
She frownes, and striues the gift may be debar'd.
If any prosper by my ayd-full hand,
Her malice great, takes sword in hand to band:
Not one escapes, who her despite feeles not,
And oft preuailes, her heart of hate is hot.
Not to assist, but hinder lesse it speede.
Where true desert may challenge due reward,
She frownes, and striues the gift may be debar'd.
If any prosper by my ayd-full hand,
Her malice great, takes sword in hand to band:
Not one escapes, who her despite feeles not,
And oft preuailes, her heart of hate is hot.
Examples of her ougly cruelties,
Are infinite, couler'd by flatteries.
But when the plot, hath taken it effect,
It's found her fawnes were meerely counterfect.
False, fraudulent, and secret vndermines,
Which when the wise doe shun, then she repines.
And vomits out her glutted gorge of gall,
Without respect of State Imperiall.
Deceipt her sword, flatt'ry, defensiue sheeld,
Are her chiefe instruments of fight in feeld:
Put by the first, the second naught auailes,
She flyes, or fals, before him she assailes.
Thy selfe who hast incounter'd her of late,
By proofe, dost finde, her greatest force in hate.
Though showing loue, to liking complices,
She hates and seekes to hurt her contraries.
Are infinite, couler'd by flatteries.
But when the plot, hath taken it effect,
It's found her fawnes were meerely counterfect.
False, fraudulent, and secret vndermines,
Which when the wise doe shun, then she repines.
And vomits out her glutted gorge of gall,
Without respect of State Imperiall.
Deceipt her sword, flatt'ry, defensiue sheeld,
Are her chiefe instruments of fight in feeld:
Put by the first, the second naught auailes,
She flyes, or fals, before him she assailes.
By proofe, dost finde, her greatest force in hate.
Though showing loue, to liking complices,
She hates and seekes to hurt her contraries.
If thou conioyne consent, to what I teach,
Thou shalt be neere her, yet without her reache
I am thy guide, this Labyrinth I guided,
Thou shalt goe right, if by mee rectified.
Thou shalt be neere her, yet without her reache
I am thy guide, this Labyrinth I guided,
Thou shalt goe right, if by mee rectified.
The way to treade this Labyrinth aright,
Is not selfe force, but only of my might
Thou must begin, by banishment of ill,
To what is good to dedicate thy will,
And honest life, free from impietie,
Is first and chiefest steppe to dignitie.
Is not selfe force, but only of my might
Thou must begin, by banishment of ill,
To what is good to dedicate thy will,
And honest life, free from impietie,
Is first and chiefest steppe to dignitie.
It is not actes of auncesters that make,
A vertuous man, but wayes himselfe doth take.
If any vaunt him of high honours stocke,
And is not vertuous giues himselfe the mocke:
It is no praise, t'haue a praise worthy sire,
Vnlesse the sonne, by vertue like aspire.
A vertuous man, but wayes himselfe doth take.
If any vaunt him of high honours stocke,
And is not vertuous giues himselfe the mocke:
It is no praise, t'haue a praise worthy sire,
Vnlesse the sonne, by vertue like aspire.
True vertue is the surest ground of same,
Who hath not that, vsurpes the Noble name.
None can be Noble, but the Vertuous,
All Vertuous are not Noble yet generous:
The vertuous-base, may haue an honest name,
True generositie imports the same.
Who hath not that, vsurpes the Noble name.
None can be Noble, but the Vertuous,
All Vertuous are not Noble yet generous:
The vertuous-base, may haue an honest name,
True generositie imports the same.
One may be vertuous, yet not seene to rise
To great estate, or earthly dignities:
Though men see not, nor praise thy vertuous deeds,
Imbrace them still for inward grace it breedes.
If Vertue liue within thy secret brest,
She will bee working, Vertue cannot rest:
Nor seldome may, for Enuie frets to see,
Mee liue in thee, or thou to liue by mee.
Set thou therefore, right resolution so;
As thou be not seduced by that foe.
She will allure thee by a thousand wiles,
By office, place, and honorable stiles
For wealth, by briberie t'abuse thy place,
Or by some scandall to thy most disgrace.
To great estate, or earthly dignities:
Though men see not, nor praise thy vertuous deeds,
Imbrace them still for inward grace it breedes.
If Vertue liue within thy secret brest,
She will bee working, Vertue cannot rest:
Nor seldome may, for Enuie frets to see,
Mee liue in thee, or thou to liue by mee.
As thou be not seduced by that foe.
She will allure thee by a thousand wiles,
By office, place, and honorable stiles
For wealth, by briberie t'abuse thy place,
Or by some scandall to thy most disgrace.
She heaues aloft, hurles downe, graceth, disdaines,
She fawns, & frownes, helps, hurts, applauds, constrains,
As she for purpose findes mens mindes inclin'd,
Fortune and she are foes, and yet combin'd.
Fortune fawning, she frownes, frowning, she smiles;
The fawn'd, and frown'd, she feedes with equall wiles.
Trust not, nor feare blinde Fortune, nor Enuie,
Ficklenesse the one, th' other falsitie.
And falslie imitate Diuine regard,
Which giues, nor takes (respecting men) reward:
But as the hearts of high and lowe are set,
So high, or lowe, conceipts in them beget.
What ech begets, is of deceite to wrest,
The good to ill, the ill to wrest the best.
She fawns, & frownes, helps, hurts, applauds, constrains,
As she for purpose findes mens mindes inclin'd,
Fortune and she are foes, and yet combin'd.
Fortune fawning, she frownes, frowning, she smiles;
The fawn'd, and frown'd, she feedes with equall wiles.
Trust not, nor feare blinde Fortune, nor Enuie,
Ficklenesse the one, th' other falsitie.
And falslie imitate Diuine regard,
Which giues, nor takes (respecting men) reward:
But as the hearts of high and lowe are set,
So high, or lowe, conceipts in them beget.
What ech begets, is of deceite to wrest,
The good to ill, the ill to wrest the best.
Thou hast had tryall of fowle Enuies flightes,
Be constant, walke by lanterne of my lightes.
Consort not with her, she will make thee base,
Were thou a branch of most high honours race.
Refraine the way, where shee allures to gad,
I will conduct where fruites of grace are had:
Though she assay to blemish and depraue,
Like subtile Serpent, best good things I haue.
Be constant, walke by lanterne of my lightes.
Consort not with her, she will make thee base,
Were thou a branch of most high honours race.
Refraine the way, where shee allures to gad,
I will conduct where fruites of grace are had:
Though she assay to blemish and depraue,
Like subtile Serpent, best good things I haue.
To place polluted, with the filth of sin,
She will intise, forbeare to enter in.
What I command, she will suggest it ill,
What I forbid, to it she'l urge thy will.
Be not too rash, what she bids vndertake,
Attempt it not, by mee, first triall make.
What I aduise, if thou reuolt and fly,
(Faining consent) it is hipocrisie.
The Truth is naked, Craft is cloath'd with guile,
None vse deceite, but are deceiu'd the while.
She will intise, forbeare to enter in.
What I command, she will suggest it ill,
What I forbid, to it she'l urge thy will.
Be not too rash, what she bids vndertake,
Attempt it not, by mee, first triall make.
(Faining consent) it is hipocrisie.
The Truth is naked, Craft is cloath'd with guile,
None vse deceite, but are deceiu'd the while.
Imbrace the words and documents I teach,
Let not this hagge, make in thee smallest breach:
For it she set foot, in thy heart, and finde
Foundation fit, in thine vnstable minde:
Hard to remoue her from the Citadell,
She in thy heart plants, and prepares to dwell.
Armies of Vice and Vanities will be
At her commaund, and ouermaster thee.
Let not this hagge, make in thee smallest breach:
For it she set foot, in thy heart, and finde
Foundation fit, in thine vnstable minde:
Hard to remoue her from the Citadell,
She in thy heart plants, and prepares to dwell.
Armies of Vice and Vanities will be
At her commaund, and ouermaster thee.
The chiefest point that first thou art to seeke,
Is that true wisdome, which makes hautie meeke.
It is not Natures gift, as Nature stands
Polluted, but giu'n by Diuiner hands:
Mans nature knowes not things celestiall,
No not it selfe, and parts materiall.
But only as they seeme, them takes and holds,
The cause materiall, and the formall mouldes.
The perfect, and imperfect outward parts,,
Not th' inclinations of imperfect hearts.
Is that true wisdome, which makes hautie meeke.
It is not Natures gift, as Nature stands
Polluted, but giu'n by Diuiner hands:
Mans nature knowes not things celestiall,
No not it selfe, and parts materiall.
But only as they seeme, them takes and holds,
The cause materiall, and the formall mouldes.
The perfect, and imperfect outward parts,,
Not th' inclinations of imperfect hearts.
Speach, motion, breathing, sicknes, health, and light,
Are somewhat subiect to weake Natures sight:
But who, where, how, wherefore men are; to knowe
Is giu'n by grace, doth not by Nature growe.
Are somewhat subiect to weake Natures sight:
But who, where, how, wherefore men are; to knowe
Is giu'n by grace, doth not by Nature growe.
In showe the impious may appeare vpright,
And see some steps of Truth, by Natures light:
But brought vnto Truthes test, it's found but drosse
That flyes, and vaporates, and brings but losse.
And see some steps of Truth, by Natures light:
But brought vnto Truthes test, it's found but drosse
That flyes, and vaporates, and brings but losse.
The young and old are apt to hide their ill,
(That comes by Nature) not to curbe the will:
Vnsetled in their iudgements, young men are,
The aged feeble, yet of deeper care.
The idle froth of youthfull fuming braine,
Must be cast off by Wisdome, to containe,
Not to consent to all what th' hart would haue,
Nor to effect all Appetite doth craue.
In doubtfull things, giue not too rash consent,
Luste buyes too deare a rash experiment:
Her present pleasures, with succeding paine,
Content, with griefe, both, with perturbed braine.
Continuing lust, gets hatefull Impudence,
Infamie and shame succeede concupiscence,
(That comes by Nature) not to curbe the will:
Vnsetled in their iudgements, young men are,
The aged feeble, yet of deeper care.
Must be cast off by Wisdome, to containe,
Not to consent to all what th' hart would haue,
Nor to effect all Appetite doth craue.
In doubtfull things, giue not too rash consent,
Luste buyes too deare a rash experiment:
Her present pleasures, with succeding paine,
Content, with griefe, both, with perturbed braine.
Continuing lust, gets hatefull Impudence,
Infamie and shame succeede concupiscence,
Young yeares in some, haue old experience,
And aged men the least intelligence:
But it's obseru'd, soone rots that ripes too fast,
A suddaine flame, is no long-lasting blast:
True Wisdomes seede, sowne in the greenest head,
Water'd by grace, doth quickly branch and spread:
So doe the humors of vnstable minde
Grow strong or weake, as Fancies are inclynde.
A life contemplatiue in things Diuine,
Brings hurtfull humors vnder, that repine.
And aged men the least intelligence:
But it's obseru'd, soone rots that ripes too fast,
A suddaine flame, is no long-lasting blast:
True Wisdomes seede, sowne in the greenest head,
Water'd by grace, doth quickly branch and spread:
So doe the humors of vnstable minde
Grow strong or weake, as Fancies are inclynde.
A life contemplatiue in things Diuine,
Brings hurtfull humors vnder, that repine.
It's not the Cloyster, or the Hermite life,
That keepes perturbed minde from inward strife:
But constancie in Vertues exercise
Which he obtaines that best Philosophies:
That by true reason can his iudgement guide,
Which he can not, that is not rectifide.
That keepes perturbed minde from inward strife:
But constancie in Vertues exercise
Which he obtaines that best Philosophies:
That by true reason can his iudgement guide,
Which he can not, that is not rectifide.
This Wisdome doth in words and deeds consist,
Not in the Will, that worketh what it list:
But in the Will, by grace Diuine renew'd,
And in the sence, by Nature new indew'd.
This Nature sowes, in mindes prepar'd, the seede,
That beares the fruite, whence will and worke proceed.
Not in the Will, that worketh what it list:
But in the Will, by grace Diuine renew'd,
And in the sence, by Nature new indew'd.
This Nature sowes, in mindes prepar'd, the seede,
That beares the fruite, whence will and worke proceed.
This changed nature, and reformed, swayes
In some degree, the minde that most estrayes.
Some sparke she leaues, in mindes polluted most,
Which most neglect, and deeme it meerely lost.
This Nature will require, what first it gaue,
Aswell what th vitious as the vertuous haue:
Though they forget, and make no vse of it,
Excuse, but vaine, fram'd by the finest wit.
In some degree, the minde that most estrayes.
Which most neglect, and deeme it meerely lost.
This Nature will require, what first it gaue,
Aswell what th vitious as the vertuous haue:
Though they forget, and make no vse of it,
Excuse, but vaine, fram'd by the finest wit.
There is a light, within the darkest minde,
Though it shine not, none can pretend him blinde:
For, he that sues, and soone consents to ill,
Feeles yet a lawe, that countermands the will.
The will yet obstinate, performes the fact,
That light within doth witnesse the contract:
That light will shine vnto the conscience,
And will reueale, most hid concupiscence.
Though it shine not, none can pretend him blinde:
For, he that sues, and soone consents to ill,
Feeles yet a lawe, that countermands the will.
The will yet obstinate, performes the fact,
That light within doth witnesse the contract:
That light will shine vnto the conscience,
And will reueale, most hid concupiscence.
The things indeede thou must auoid, and doe,
Are in effect in generall, but two:
To flye, what Enuie egges thee to effect,
To doe what I in contrarie direct.
Vnder the name of Enuie, and of Lust,
Is comprehended, what I hold vniust.
Are in effect in generall, but two:
To flye, what Enuie egges thee to effect,
To doe what I in contrarie direct.
Vnder the name of Enuie, and of Lust,
Is comprehended, what I hold vniust.
Pride, Enuie, Crueltie, and Auarice,
Deceit, Hypocrisie, and flatteries,
Presumption, and prodigalitie,
Ingratitude, Hate, Sloth, and Gluttonie,
And many other things forbidden, rest,
Harbor'd and hug'd in euery doting brest.
Deceit, Hypocrisie, and flatteries,
Presumption, and prodigalitie,
Ingratitude, Hate, Sloth, and Gluttonie,
And many other things forbidden, rest,
Harbor'd and hug'd in euery doting brest.
Earths pleasures, vanities, carnall delites,
Are Natures content, not guided by my rites.
As many Sences as the bodie beares,
So many appetites Affection reares:
Ech pleasur's propper to some Sence alone,
The rest then sleepe, or are content with none.
The thing belou'd, delites the longing eye,
The other Sences, silent willingly.
The eye suffiz'd, the eare pertakes her share:
The taste, smell, feeling, all propensiue are
To feede affection, and abuse the heart,
Which erres, led by polluted Natures Arte.
When ech hath yeelded, what his office giues,
The heart misguided, thinkes it much relieues.
And when the heart, whence springs affection,
Hath fedde at full, of false refection,
Then hungers it anew, for new delite,
What fancie likes, it holds most exquisite.
The changes of fond fancies appetites,
Are infinite, seeming a while delites:
Forthwith they grow vnto such harsh distaste,
Others are had, fit fewell for a blast.
New choyce, new change, strangest varieties,
Are sweete awhile, in fine, perplexities.
Are Natures content, not guided by my rites.
As many Sences as the bodie beares,
So many appetites Affection reares:
Ech pleasur's propper to some Sence alone,
The rest then sleepe, or are content with none.
The thing belou'd, delites the longing eye,
The other Sences, silent willingly.
The taste, smell, feeling, all propensiue are
To feede affection, and abuse the heart,
Which erres, led by polluted Natures Arte.
When ech hath yeelded, what his office giues,
The heart misguided, thinkes it much relieues.
And when the heart, whence springs affection,
Hath fedde at full, of false refection,
Then hungers it anew, for new delite,
What fancie likes, it holds most exquisite.
The changes of fond fancies appetites,
Are infinite, seeming a while delites:
Forthwith they grow vnto such harsh distaste,
Others are had, fit fewell for a blast.
New choyce, new change, strangest varieties,
Are sweete awhile, in fine, perplexities.
Affection, guided by Reason Diuine,
Shuts vp the outward, opes the inward eyne:
Auoids earths pleasures, treacherous and short,
Seekes pleasures, which eternitie import.
The pleasures which determine, be not best,
Nor long content the minde, wherein they rest.
Pleasures alone, that inwardly are bred,
And by right reason nourished and fed,
Shall neuer change, though outward sences die,
Their inward ioyes shall liue eternally.
Shuts vp the outward, opes the inward eyne:
Auoids earths pleasures, treacherous and short,
Seekes pleasures, which eternitie import.
The pleasures which determine, be not best,
Nor long content the minde, wherein they rest.
Pleasures alone, that inwardly are bred,
And by right reason nourished and fed,
Shall neuer change, though outward sences die,
Their inward ioyes shall liue eternally.
Let thy delite be then, in what doth last,
Sport sparingly, in that may bring distaste.
The weakest worme, hath motion to aspire,
Knowes not yet whether it rise or retire:
No more knowes he, that fancieth this and that,
Where, or what marke it is he aymeth at.
The brutest beast, seekes and desires to haue,
What so his brutish appetite doth craue.
Resembling those, that what they see, affect,
Though ill haue not, true reason to reiect.
Sport sparingly, in that may bring distaste.
The weakest worme, hath motion to aspire,
Knowes not yet whether it rise or retire:
No more knowes he, that fancieth this and that,
Where, or what marke it is he aymeth at.
The brutest beast, seekes and desires to haue,
What so his brutish appetite doth craue.
Though ill haue not, true reason to reiect.
The minde doth long, the will consentes and takes,
Lawfull, or not, as mindes delite, it makes:
But if the will, and full affection bee
In earthes delites, it makes a bond, of free.
As pleasures come, they fawne, as harlots doe:
But past, the minde left stunge, they come into.
Lawfull, or not, as mindes delite, it makes:
But if the will, and full affection bee
In earthes delites, it makes a bond, of free.
As pleasures come, they fawne, as harlots doe:
But past, the minde left stunge, they come into.
If outward acte of thy delite regaine,
More inward force t'exhilerate thy braine,
Dul'd with the practise of true vertues deedes,
Be moderate, and then no ill it breedes.
More inward force t'exhilerate thy braine,
Dul'd with the practise of true vertues deedes,
Be moderate, and then no ill it breedes.
And for the choyce of fit companions,
To passe the time in recreations,
Looke not vpon them, as they onely seeme,
Nor thinke them fit, in showe of good esteeme:
But trye the humours and the inward minde,
Before consort, proue how they stand inclinde:
If they affectate vitious wordes and deedes,
Abandon them, scurrilitie it breedes.
And in thy recreatiue disports take heede,
Thou loose not that thy inward grace may feede.
Thy constancie and magnanimitie,
By wantonnesse, and effeminacie:
No recreation beedes more infamie,
Then to bestowe deare time in gamestrie.
Dicing beseemes noe men of grauitie,
But brands them with the marke of leuitie,
Of frensie, indiscretion, wanting wit,
With these the sagest Romans branded it.
To passe the time in recreations,
Looke not vpon them, as they onely seeme,
Nor thinke them fit, in showe of good esteeme:
But trye the humours and the inward minde,
Before consort, proue how they stand inclinde:
If they affectate vitious wordes and deedes,
Abandon them, scurrilitie it breedes.
And in thy recreatiue disports take heede,
Thou loose not that thy inward grace may feede.
Thy constancie and magnanimitie,
By wantonnesse, and effeminacie:
No recreation beedes more infamie,
Then to bestowe deare time in gamestrie.
Dicing beseemes noe men of grauitie,
But brands them with the marke of leuitie,
Of frensie, indiscretion, wanting wit,
With these the sagest Romans branded it.
Let vertues actes, be cherished in thee,
So shalt thou keepe thy minde (assayled) free.
Vertue a power, ruling the inward part,
Brings into order the disordred be art,
And sets th' appetite in so comely frame,
It thirsts for nought, but Reason holds the same.
So shalt thou keepe thy minde (assayled) free.
Vertue a power, ruling the inward part,
Brings into order the disordred be art,
It thirsts for nought, but Reason holds the same.
One thing among a multitude, is had
In great esteeme, which makes the gainer glad:
It beares the name, which trul'it cannot take,
Goodes: yet not good, for good it cannot make.
It rather makes the good indeed the wurse,
Vexing the mind for goodes to fill the purse.
In great esteeme, which makes the gainer glad:
It beares the name, which trul'it cannot take,
Goodes: yet not good, for good it cannot make.
It rather makes the good indeed the wurse,
Vexing the mind for goodes to fill the purse.
When inward heart doth rest in setled peace,
If thou thy health, thy limbes, and sence possesse,
What more can wealth, and great aboundance bring,
But feare to loose (and lost) thy sorrowing?
In getting much is great perplexity,
In keeping it as much timidity.
But greife of greefes to leaue it when he dies,
Can that be good, that breedes such miseries?
Can houses, landes, can gold or siluer giue
To mindes distract, harts-Mummy to releeue?
Can Iewels of the highest price abate
A feuer heckticke, or the dartes of hate?
If thou thy health, thy limbes, and sence possesse,
What more can wealth, and great aboundance bring,
But feare to loose (and lost) thy sorrowing?
In getting much is great perplexity,
In keeping it as much timidity.
But greife of greefes to leaue it when he dies,
Can that be good, that breedes such miseries?
Can houses, landes, can gold or siluer giue
To mindes distract, harts-Mummy to releeue?
Can Iewels of the highest price abate
A feuer heckticke, or the dartes of hate?
Be not too bold, to ryot of thy store,
Though thou be sure supply will bring thee more:
A mountaine wasteth with soft drops of raine,
And wasted once, hardly suppli'd againe:
Therefore if fortune fill thy fist with gold,
Spend, yet, in spending, be not too too bold.
Nor spare it so as if thy heart had not,
Some other, and farre more releyuing lot,
Though thou be sure supply will bring thee more:
A mountaine wasteth with soft drops of raine,
And wasted once, hardly suppli'd againe:
Therefore if fortune fill thy fist with gold,
Spend, yet, in spending, be not too too bold.
Nor spare it so as if thy heart had not,
Some other, and farre more releyuing lot,
Some know no other bounty then to spend,
Yet can propound therein no lawfull end.
The wise yet find, idle expendings vaine,
They spend in measure and a meane retaine.
Not prodigall, as if it could not wast,
Nor too sparing, fearing, to want at last:
Auoyding these two strong extreames of ill,
They find the meane doth purchase most good will:
Yet can propound therein no lawfull end.
The wise yet find, idle expendings vaine,
They spend in measure and a meane retaine.
Not prodigall, as if it could not wast,
Nor too sparing, fearing, to want at last:
They find the meane doth purchase most good will:
They that imbrace and loue earthes excrements,
Loue onely things compact of elements,
Which by their composition haue defects,
One cheefe predominant, the rest reiects:
For when the elements do disagree,
The bodies long continuance cannot be.
So he that sets his mind on money most,
Hath vse of sacred vertue meerely lost:
For earthly pelfe, and vertue, contraries,
Agree as fire and waters qualities:
And as the fire, predominant preuailes,
And all confining fewell stil assailes,
So loue of lucre doth increase and rise,
As ritches rise, and earthes felicities.
Ritches are good if owner knowes to vse them,
But meerely hurtfull; if he do abuse them.
Loue onely things compact of elements,
Which by their composition haue defects,
One cheefe predominant, the rest reiects:
For when the elements do disagree,
The bodies long continuance cannot be.
So he that sets his mind on money most,
Hath vse of sacred vertue meerely lost:
For earthly pelfe, and vertue, contraries,
Agree as fire and waters qualities:
And as the fire, predominant preuailes,
And all confining fewell stil assailes,
So loue of lucre doth increase and rise,
As ritches rise, and earthes felicities.
Ritches are good if owner knowes to vse them,
But meerely hurtfull; if he do abuse them.
When thy desire, begins to grow to strong,
Giue it not head, nor foster it too long:
It hardes the heart and sotteth so the braine,
It makes commit the foulest thinges for gaine,
Giue it not head, nor foster it too long:
It hardes the heart and sotteth so the braine,
It makes commit the foulest thinges for gaine,
A common fault raignes in polluted breast,
And cloked oft, by deepe, yet false protest,
To gaine vain-glory by the masse of pelfe,
Some sell a lye for losse of soule it selfe:
Incident to most, respecting misteries,
Respecting persons, great diuersities:
But they that haue the habit in the heart,
Can coulour it by nimblenesse of art.
But what they gaine is like vnto the lye,
It seemes, but is not, as appeares to eye;
The hearers hart, deceiu'd by false relate,
So is the lyer by the gaine he gate.
For, what he gaines, by false protests, consumes,
As snow in sun, and as light vapor fumes.
And cloked oft, by deepe, yet false protest,
To gaine vain-glory by the masse of pelfe,
Some sell a lye for losse of soule it selfe:
Incident to most, respecting misteries,
Respecting persons, great diuersities:
But they that haue the habit in the heart,
Can coulour it by nimblenesse of art.
But what they gaine is like vnto the lye,
It seemes, but is not, as appeares to eye;
The hearers hart, deceiu'd by false relate,
So is the lyer by the gaine he gate.
As snow in sun, and as light vapor fumes.
This hagg, my foe prescribes this false receit,
To nature sick, which workes in men deceit:
Nature corrupt findes sweetnes of this drugge,
Fancy affecting, doth the potion hugge,
Drinkes first a dram: then quaffes of falsity,
Vomits at last whole floudes of periury.
Lying a greeuous sicknes of the mind,
And's where wants Reason or where Reason's blind.
Cur'd by right Reason or by publike shame,
Who loues to lye, hates yet a lyers name,
A lyer euer is rewarded best,
Not to beleeue him though he do protest.
Pope Alexander Sextus neuer did
The thing he spake, and Cesar Borgia hid
His inward thought, and spake the contrary,
Father and Sonne of deepe hypocrisie.
To nature sick, which workes in men deceit:
Nature corrupt findes sweetnes of this drugge,
Fancy affecting, doth the potion hugge,
Drinkes first a dram: then quaffes of falsity,
Vomits at last whole floudes of periury.
Lying a greeuous sicknes of the mind,
And's where wants Reason or where Reason's blind.
Cur'd by right Reason or by publike shame,
Who loues to lye, hates yet a lyers name,
A lyer euer is rewarded best,
Not to beleeue him though he do protest.
Pope Alexander Sextus neuer did
The thing he spake, and Cesar Borgia hid
His inward thought, and spake the contrary,
Father and Sonne of deepe hypocrisie.
If power and place may seeme thee to permit,
To act the thing by law thou thinkest fit.
Be not too rash, consult with reason first,
And do not thou but what right Reason dirst:
The law without, rules not the mind within,
What Law may do the mind may think it sinne:
The law commandes, some thinges it tollerates,
The first exacts, the second moderates:
Foure vertues hath each law that gouerneth,
It swayes, forbids, permits, and punisheth,
In these right Reason moderator stands,
Contracts and sutes, in Iustice, passe her hands.
The Lawes extreames are too exorbitant
That to right Reason are disconsonant:
Therefore the meane in case of difference,
Best equal zeth law and Conscience.
How impious is't, and yet a common crime,
Grosly to erre, and make it yet pastime:
Many presume, and foulest facts commit,
Blush not to tell it, rather glory in it.
They hold their infamy a badge of grace,
They make, and cast their owne durt in their face:
These are the men, whose liues the world laments,
Their deathes vntimely, bring as great contents,
These are the froth and scumme of Enuies trayne,
She breeds a swarme of vices in their braine.
To act the thing by law thou thinkest fit.
Be not too rash, consult with reason first,
And do not thou but what right Reason dirst:
The law without, rules not the mind within,
What Law may do the mind may think it sinne:
The law commandes, some thinges it tollerates,
The first exacts, the second moderates:
Foure vertues hath each law that gouerneth,
It swayes, forbids, permits, and punisheth,
In these right Reason moderator stands,
Contracts and sutes, in Iustice, passe her hands.
The Lawes extreames are too exorbitant
That to right Reason are disconsonant:
Therefore the meane in case of difference,
Best equal zeth law and Conscience.
Grosly to erre, and make it yet pastime:
Many presume, and foulest facts commit,
Blush not to tell it, rather glory in it.
They hold their infamy a badge of grace,
They make, and cast their owne durt in their face:
These are the men, whose liues the world laments,
Their deathes vntimely, bring as great contents,
These are the froth and scumme of Enuies trayne,
She breeds a swarme of vices in their braine.
Some do deny, or forge their faults offence
With shift or lye, or by some hid pretence,
This aggrauates the fault more then the fact,
Confession lessens guilt of foulest act,
By art some shroud their inclinations long,
Conceiling nature, yet when't waxeth strong,
It breaketh forth, in perfect coulours seene,
What seemed, seemely, found to be vnclene.
Dissembling holines and sanctity,
Are th' only pictures of impiety.
With shift or lye, or by some hid pretence,
This aggrauates the fault more then the fact,
Confession lessens guilt of foulest act,
By art some shroud their inclinations long,
Conceiling nature, yet when't waxeth strong,
It breaketh forth, in perfect coulours seene,
What seemed, seemely, found to be vnclene.
Dissembling holines and sanctity,
Are th' only pictures of impiety.
If thou hold not true meane in what thou doost,
In iudging others art the more vniust:
Reforme thy selfe, and then command, correct,
Iudge when thou hast repaird thine own defect.
If thou be iust and constant in thy deed,
Whom thou exhorts will take the surer heed.
It's easie to giue counsell and direct,
To heare as easie, harder to effect,
In iudging others art the more vniust:
Reforme thy selfe, and then command, correct,
Iudge when thou hast repaird thine own defect.
If thou be iust and constant in thy deed,
Whom thou exhorts will take the surer heed.
It's easie to giue counsell and direct,
To heare as easie, harder to effect,
In consultations see thou still consort
With men of vertue, and of best report:
No Counsel steedes, least it true wisedome guide,
It prospers not, not by her rectifi'de
Wisedome is slow, in resolution
Resolued: constant in execution.
But if the counsell-giuer be not wise,
Consult a new, before the enterprise:
Aduised pollicy cannot but be,
The best assurance, wit of man can see,
In most attempts, steedes magnanimity,
But neuer (but by chance) temerity.
But howsoeuer, thinges well plotted, fall,
Be thou the same (constant) grudge not at all:
For I will fortefie thy heart anew,
And good content shall futurely ensue.
With men of vertue, and of best report:
No Counsel steedes, least it true wisedome guide,
It prospers not, not by her rectifi'de
Wisedome is slow, in resolution
Resolued: constant in execution.
Consult a new, before the enterprise:
Aduised pollicy cannot but be,
The best assurance, wit of man can see,
In most attempts, steedes magnanimity,
But neuer (but by chance) temerity.
But howsoeuer, thinges well plotted, fall,
Be thou the same (constant) grudge not at all:
For I will fortefie thy heart anew,
And good content shall futurely ensue.
As thou consistest of two contraries
Nature, and grace, seeming vnities:
So are there in thee two distinct desires,
Carnall downeward, spirit all vpward aspires.
Whether of these predominant in thee,
Caries consent where thine affections be,
What thou affectest is thy best delight.
If it be earthly it's my opposite:
That delectation, how sweet soeuer,
Is but conceit, conceited to perseuer.
Yet fades on suddaine, as a morning mist,
And of like substance, al the like consist.
As farre as doth the Sun exceed a starre:
Heau'nly delightes, the earths, exceed as farre
Nature, and grace, seeming vnities:
So are there in thee two distinct desires,
Carnall downeward, spirit all vpward aspires.
Whether of these predominant in thee,
Caries consent where thine affections be,
What thou affectest is thy best delight.
If it be earthly it's my opposite:
That delectation, how sweet soeuer,
Is but conceit, conceited to perseuer.
Yet fades on suddaine, as a morning mist,
And of like substance, al the like consist.
As farre as doth the Sun exceed a starre:
Heau'nly delightes, the earths, exceed as farre
None set delight in pleasures here below,
But such as the superior do not know.
If once true iudgement thy opinion sway,
Affection, cannot lead thy will astray.
But such as the superior do not know.
If once true iudgement thy opinion sway,
Affection, cannot lead thy will astray.
Accustome thee to ioyes spirituall,
They comfort most though supernaturall
Natures delights are sweet to outward sence,
Sowre in effect, breeding in fine offence:
Hony sweet in tast, yet if the silly Bee,
While thou dost tast, bestow her sting on thee.
Thou wilt be wary in thy second tast,
Pleasures haue stinges, when their delights are past,
Then satisfie thou not fond fantasie,
It darkens sense and blindeth Reasons eye.
The more thy fancy is fulfil'd and fed,
More strength it takes, and more peruerts the head.
They comfort most though supernaturall
Natures delights are sweet to outward sence,
Sowre in effect, breeding in fine offence:
Hony sweet in tast, yet if the silly Bee,
While thou dost tast, bestow her sting on thee.
Pleasures haue stinges, when their delights are past,
Then satisfie thou not fond fantasie,
It darkens sense and blindeth Reasons eye.
The more thy fancy is fulfil'd and fed,
More strength it takes, and more peruerts the head.
Pleasures are like a whorish painted face,
Onely in show, voyd yet of inward grace,
The tast of pleasures to the outward part,
Is seeming sweet, within polutes the heart,
Carnall delights are foolish fansies ioyes,
Right Reasons guide abandons them as toyes.
Onely in show, voyd yet of inward grace,
The tast of pleasures to the outward part,
Is seeming sweet, within polutes the heart,
Carnall delights are foolish fansies ioyes,
Right Reasons guide abandons them as toyes.
A thousand thinges by fancy are affected,
Not one of ten, accordingly, effected:
A gulfe it selfe, a gulfe of griefe it makes,
It is selfe bane, and still selfe bane it takes,
Sensual delights, She falsly holdes diuine,
Yet worke they dangerous effects in fine,
And though men laugh that liue licentiously,
They laugh at losse of their felicity,
Mad men, and fooles, do laugh at iniuries,
And wittingly imbrace their miseries,
Not one of ten, accordingly, effected:
A gulfe it selfe, a gulfe of griefe it makes,
It is selfe bane, and still selfe bane it takes,
Sensual delights, She falsly holdes diuine,
Yet worke they dangerous effects in fine,
And though men laugh that liue licentiously,
They laugh at losse of their felicity,
Mad men, and fooles, do laugh at iniuries,
And wittingly imbrace their miseries,
Some erre in dyet, staffe of mans releefe,
Be temperate for gurmondy bringes greefe:
Most danger growes by grosse satiety,
But neuer any by sobriety,
Yet often, hurtes, to be too abstinent:
In meane, is Nature, (ruled) best content,
When vulgar congies yeeld thee most all haile,
Think then some monster seekes thee to assaile:
Stick to thy vertues to defend thy fame,
No other weapons, can protect the same.
Be temperate for gurmondy bringes greefe:
Most danger growes by grosse satiety,
But neuer any by sobriety,
Yet often, hurtes, to be too abstinent:
In meane, is Nature, (ruled) best content,
When vulgar congies yeeld thee most all haile,
Think then some monster seekes thee to assaile:
Stick to thy vertues to defend thy fame,
No other weapons, can protect the same.
The idle vapors of the vulgar rise,
And fall againe, as fauour liues or dies.
The fawnes, and frownes resemble well the Bee,
When sun doth shine they swarme and sing we see:
But in a black and gloomy day they lye,
Within the hiue: Thus they obserue the sky,
So when on th vulgar rayes of fauour shine,
They fawne, let fauour faile, their loues decline.
And like a monster fawning; to be fed,
Failing of food, gripes keeper on the head.
And fall againe, as fauour liues or dies.
When sun doth shine they swarme and sing we see:
But in a black and gloomy day they lye,
Within the hiue: Thus they obserue the sky,
So when on th vulgar rayes of fauour shine,
They fawne, let fauour faile, their loues decline.
And like a monster fawning; to be fed,
Failing of food, gripes keeper on the head.
Sometimes the great, fall from their outward grace,
To low estate and ignominious case:
What then can his perplexed mind content,
That seees redresles dangers imminent?
Ready to fall, he flies, and seekes to shun,
The ill he feares, from which he cannot run,
In this sad strait there is one remedy,
To make a vertue of necessity.
That's to imbrace what he cannot forgoe,
To dye the death if force determine so,
Where vertue dwels, there dwels true sapience,
The mother, nurse, and life of patience.
To low estate and ignominious case:
What then can his perplexed mind content,
That seees redresles dangers imminent?
Ready to fall, he flies, and seekes to shun,
The ill he feares, from which he cannot run,
In this sad strait there is one remedy,
To make a vertue of necessity.
That's to imbrace what he cannot forgoe,
To dye the death if force determine so,
Where vertue dwels, there dwels true sapience,
The mother, nurse, and life of patience.
Vertue resembles Aarons sacred wand,
That buddeth blessings, held in working hand,
But cast to ground-breedes serpent in thy breast,
In life and death let thy heart be her nest.
There will she bud and bring forth sacred deedes
Deuouring all the serpents spawne that br breedes
That buddeth blessings, held in working hand,
But cast to ground-breedes serpent in thy breast,
In life and death let thy heart be her nest.
There will she bud and bring forth sacred deedes
Deuouring all the serpents spawne that br breedes
The wise, strong, carnally magnanimous,
Haue vertues habit, heartes prodigious:
For that foule hagge, the dame of false delights,
Giues outward glory to her fauorites,
She mooues the mind she workes th' affection,
As only Lady of direction:
She paints the baites, affection sucks delight,
Lul'd in Lusts lap, the better partes despite.
Fly this infernall hagg and her inchants,
It's not for good the seeming best she grants.
Haue vertues habit, heartes prodigious:
For that foule hagge, the dame of false delights,
Giues outward glory to her fauorites,
She mooues the mind she workes th' affection,
As only Lady of direction:
She paints the baites, affection sucks delight,
Lul'd in Lusts lap, the better partes despite.
It's not for good the seeming best she grants.
She doth excite to grosse and vild atempts,
And by protests, al danger she exempts:
And by degrees she winnes the doubting mind,
She frames the baites, as she findes mindes inclind.
And by protests, al danger she exempts:
And by degrees she winnes the doubting mind,
She frames the baites, as she findes mindes inclind.
Ambitious mindes, meanly incens'd to rise,
She liftes a little to low dignities:
Then tenders she matters of greater sort,
Sugiesting those, their glory much import.
Then who so standes in way where they must passe,
Must downe, a Diadem, or head of brasse,
And when these silly subiects of her fraudes,
Are at the highest, them she then applaudes,
Feedes them with fawnes, and false security,
Plotting the while against them trechery,
They must not stand, sufficeth her to see,
Her plots preuaile and them in high degree.
Soone she repines, at their aduanced state,
She trips their heeles, whom she did eleuate.
She liftes a little to low dignities:
Then tenders she matters of greater sort,
Sugiesting those, their glory much import.
Then who so standes in way where they must passe,
Must downe, a Diadem, or head of brasse,
And when these silly subiects of her fraudes,
Are at the highest, them she then applaudes,
Feedes them with fawnes, and false security,
Plotting the while against them trechery,
They must not stand, sufficeth her to see,
Her plots preuaile and them in high degree.
Soone she repines, at their aduanced state,
She trips their heeles, whom she did eleuate.
Whom she obserues vainegloriously bent,
She showes false meanes to make more excellent:
To gaine him grace, the meane is to exceed
All of his rank, in cost and forme of weed.
Spending gets glory, sparing but disdaine,
He's too mistrustful, if he saue, or gaine.
Spares not spends all, at last depriu'd of all,
Then she obraides him as too prodigall,
She showes false meanes to make more excellent:
To gaine him grace, the meane is to exceed
All of his rank, in cost and forme of weed.
Spending gets glory, sparing but disdaine,
He's too mistrustful, if he saue, or gaine.
Spares not spends all, at last depriu'd of all,
Then she obraides him as too prodigall,
She leaues no heart vnsearch't what she detects:
Is fundamentall ground for her proiects:
Some are by inclination nigardly,
Them she perswades to liue more thriftily.
Vntill they grow most auaritious,
Sugiesting them yet too too prodigous.
And when they are in highest honour set
To gaine; she snares and takes them in her net.
Is fundamentall ground for her proiects:
Some are by inclination nigardly,
Them she perswades to liue more thriftily.
Vntill they grow most auaritious,
Sugiesting them yet too too prodigous.
To gaine; she snares and takes them in her net.
Concupiscence, the bane of best estates,
Though most pestifrous, she extenuates;
She shews it in a glasse of libertie,
To make it seeme loue, and no leuitie;
Yet fastens she a foile of deepe disgrace,
Griefe in the heart, Shame in the outward face.
Though most pestifrous, she extenuates;
She shews it in a glasse of libertie,
To make it seeme loue, and no leuitie;
Yet fastens she a foile of deepe disgrace,
Griefe in the heart, Shame in the outward face.
A minde inclinde to hatefull Iealousie
She feedes, with strong deluding fantasie,
And layes the counterfet, so like in show,
As if it were the thing he sought to know:
And when she hath the strong suspition wrought,
She breedes him Enuy, for the thing he thought;
A greater sickenes sacketh not the minde,
Then this that seemes to see, and yet is blinde,
It doth pretend the quintessence of loue,
And yet condempnes the part t'would aproue.
She feedes, with strong deluding fantasie,
And layes the counterfet, so like in show,
As if it were the thing he sought to know:
And when she hath the strong suspition wrought,
She breedes him Enuy, for the thing he thought;
A greater sickenes sacketh not the minde,
Then this that seemes to see, and yet is blinde,
It doth pretend the quintessence of loue,
And yet condempnes the part t'would aproue.
What is the thing mans heart incline vnto
How ill soeuer, but she egges to do?
And done, appeares to those in vgly wise,
VVhom she seduc'd, and them she terrifies.
How ill soeuer, but she egges to do?
And done, appeares to those in vgly wise,
VVhom she seduc'd, and them she terrifies.
VVhat brings reuenge, the act of foule despite;
Vaineglory egg'd by Enuie to the fight?
VVhen light occasion moues the minde to rage,
VVhat head so light, will lay his life in gage?
Who leaues his foe in field dead, combat done,
Griefe and repentance are the gaine he wonne:
VVhere hearts affect reuenge, she laies the plot,
Hearts coldly hatefull, she fires and makes hot;
Suggesting him a coward that remits
The smallest wrong; yet when th' offender smits,
She egges the smitten to that deadly hate,
That each must other kill or vulnerate.
And him that wins the prize with best content,
She doth pursue death, or banishment.
Vaineglory egg'd by Enuie to the fight?
VVhen light occasion moues the minde to rage,
VVhat head so light, will lay his life in gage?
Who leaues his foe in field dead, combat done,
Griefe and repentance are the gaine he wonne:
VVhere hearts affect reuenge, she laies the plot,
Hearts coldly hatefull, she fires and makes hot;
Suggesting him a coward that remits
The smallest wrong; yet when th' offender smits,
She egges the smitten to that deadly hate,
That each must other kill or vulnerate.
She doth pursue death, or banishment.
Vaineglorie, and excesse in needeles pride,
Resemble Phaëton, (vaineglorious guide)
That mounted on the Charret of the Sunne,
Could not checke, nor manage horses runne;
No more can he that giues his will the bit,
It runnes to riot, cannot mannage it.
Resemble Phaëton, (vaineglorious guide)
That mounted on the Charret of the Sunne,
Could not checke, nor manage horses runne;
No more can he that giues his will the bit,
It runnes to riot, cannot mannage it.
What gaines the auaritious, but his cares
To get and keepe what he in vaine prepares?
He sits secure, yet suddenly befall
A thousand deadly dangers corporall;
Besides the griefe, that he must needes depart
From that false god, he honours in his heart.
What deadly feare, amazeth him to see
The gastly gulfe, whence no escape can be?
To get and keepe what he in vaine prepares?
He sits secure, yet suddenly befall
A thousand deadly dangers corporall;
Besides the griefe, that he must needes depart
From that false god, he honours in his heart.
What deadly feare, amazeth him to see
The gastly gulfe, whence no escape can be?
How prize men lust, brutish concupiscence,
That brings so many griefes for recompence?
It is the pledge, and earnest of that shame:
Of force, succeeding, sorrow-winning game:
Short seeming-sweet, sharpe in the finall taste,
A brutish rage by'th brutish held repast.
That brings so many griefes for recompence?
It is the pledge, and earnest of that shame:
Of force, succeeding, sorrow-winning game:
Short seeming-sweet, sharpe in the finall taste,
A brutish rage by'th brutish held repast.
The errours infinite that doe distract
The minds of men, in purpose and in fact:
To tell them all were a superfluous deed,
Not one of all, but this fowle hag doth breede:
She shews the thing, though most pernitious,
In a false glasse to make it glorious.
The minds of men, in purpose and in fact:
To tell them all were a superfluous deed,
Not one of all, but this fowle hag doth breede:
She shews the thing, though most pernitious,
In a false glasse to make it glorious.
Flie and resist the practise of this witch,
Stoope not vnto her lure, nor soare her pitch,
Of smallest sparke of thy prest wills desire,
She kindles thirst, and longing to aspire,
Distasting then what present fortunes be,
No true content, or peace, can lodge in thee.
Enuie, Despite, and hatefull Emulation,
Lust, Lucre, and vnbrideled Ambition,
Will be the fewell of thy fuming braine,
The smoake thy smother, thy disgrace the gaine,
Inward distasts, thy hardned hearts vnrest
Shall be the banquet, thou sad Sorrowes guest.
Stoope not vnto her lure, nor soare her pitch,
Of smallest sparke of thy prest wills desire,
She kindles thirst, and longing to aspire,
Distasting then what present fortunes be,
No true content, or peace, can lodge in thee.
Lust, Lucre, and vnbrideled Ambition,
Will be the fewell of thy fuming braine,
The smoake thy smother, thy disgrace the gaine,
Inward distasts, thy hardned hearts vnrest
Shall be the banquet, thou sad Sorrowes guest.
Oh flie her, follow me, liue and learn my law,
Thy truest freedome is of me thine awe:
My strongest hate, is hate to hatefull vice,
My loue I leuell to the vertuous wise;
To such as shunne the painted paths of lust,
Set not delight in things compact of dust;
Nor tide, nor tempest, can driue them to doubt,
Assail'd they stand, a Lion not more stout:
Foes fright them not, threats breed in them no feate,
Poore state grieues not, nor daunts whatso they heare:
Hope being helmet, Confidence their shield,
Assurance their sword, nothing can make them yeeld;
Death that most dreadfully threatens and kills,
Heau'ns firie gusts that fearefully distills,
Thunder-claps, nor tempest, plague, nor warre
Affrights the hearts of men that vertuous are.
But as a Ship in stormy tempest tost,
So he at death, in life that boasted most,
Because true Reason pilote to the wise,
Stirs not the heart, when storms of Fansie rise.
Affection as a stormy gust doth driue
The Will on ground; wise he it can retriue,
And bring it backe, by Reason to the port,
Where I am Gouernesse and keepe the fort.
But if it harbour where that hag doth keepe,
A seeming hauen, safe, secure and deepe,
A storme ariseth, shelter then not neare,
It sinckes the hope, and none can it vpreare:
The minde inconstant, swaide with euery winde,
Sailes euery, yet no way but as the blinde.
Thy truest freedome is of me thine awe:
My strongest hate, is hate to hatefull vice,
My loue I leuell to the vertuous wise;
To such as shunne the painted paths of lust,
Set not delight in things compact of dust;
Nor tide, nor tempest, can driue them to doubt,
Assail'd they stand, a Lion not more stout:
Foes fright them not, threats breed in them no feate,
Poore state grieues not, nor daunts whatso they heare:
Hope being helmet, Confidence their shield,
Assurance their sword, nothing can make them yeeld;
Death that most dreadfully threatens and kills,
Heau'ns firie gusts that fearefully distills,
Thunder-claps, nor tempest, plague, nor warre
Affrights the hearts of men that vertuous are.
But as a Ship in stormy tempest tost,
So he at death, in life that boasted most,
Because true Reason pilote to the wise,
Stirs not the heart, when storms of Fansie rise.
Affection as a stormy gust doth driue
The Will on ground; wise he it can retriue,
And bring it backe, by Reason to the port,
Where I am Gouernesse and keepe the fort.
But if it harbour where that hag doth keepe,
A seeming hauen, safe, secure and deepe,
A storme ariseth, shelter then not neare,
It sinckes the hope, and none can it vpreare:
Sailes euery, yet no way but as the blinde.
The blind in light, are alwayes in the darke;
So he that is inconstant aimes no marke:
Now mou'd with lust, reuenge then seeketh hee,
Now spends, then spares; In bondage now, then free:
Now hope, then feare; now fauour, then disdaine;
Ambitious now, then in the lowest straine;
Suspitious now, forthwith too credulous;
Now prodigall, then auaritious.
So he that is inconstant aimes no marke:
Now mou'd with lust, reuenge then seeketh hee,
Now spends, then spares; In bondage now, then free:
Now hope, then feare; now fauour, then disdaine;
Ambitious now, then in the lowest straine;
Suspitious now, forthwith too credulous;
Now prodigall, then auaritious.
As are desires, so are their opposites,
Conceal'd sometimes by arte of hypocrites;
A smile may couer hatred of the heart;
Inward deceit shadow'd by outward Art;
Seeming frugalitie shrowds Auarice,
Dissembling grace, a seeming benedice.
Conceal'd sometimes by arte of hypocrites;
A smile may couer hatred of the heart;
Inward deceit shadow'd by outward Art;
Seeming frugalitie shrowds Auarice,
Dissembling grace, a seeming benedice.
But thou in following me shalt surely haue
No seeming succour, but the thing shall saue;
No carnall care needs much perturbe the mind
Of him whose heart is vertuously inclind;
To him is fulnes, peace, plenty, content,
Neuer distracted by most crosse euent;
He still is one, Fancie, Affection,
Enuie, Reuenge are in subiection:
Sufficeth to be vertuous indeede,
Not onely seeming, hauing but the weede;
The theoricke, wanting the practicke part,
With speculation, must be vse of Art:
Else when the stormes of meanest crosses rise,
They hold sad silence, or giue childish cries;
If griefes within, nor cries without preuaile,
Their wits becalmed, floate without a saile.
Then steps this hag vnto the helme and steares;
Hoiseth her sailes, aloofe off Grace she beares:
Lanching the Barke into most vnious seas,
Among ragg'd rockes of horror hearts disease;
Then falls the Barke vpon the rocke of Pride,
Lust beates her then, and boulgeth th' other side;
Ambition breakes the prow, Enuie the keele,
The stormes of Blasphemies make t'hull to reele:
The masts and shrowdes of Reason lacerate,
With bullets of Despaire in that estate.
Then houers Hope, hauing redreslesse leakes,
In gaining anker, Surance-cable breakes;
Some swimming haste to shoare, leaue Fansies barke
Vnto the hagge, rent, floating in the darke.
They worke againe for life of inward grace,
Then th' hag leaues helm, & hath these (scap'd) in chace,
They crie to me, I reach the hand and saue them
From that fowle hag that makes pursuite to haue them:
Then she retires and seizeth on the rest,
Makes them her follie slaues, she first possest;
She chaines them then, feeds them with false delight,
And makes them rowe the Barke of her despight,
They are the instruments of her complots,
For prize she gets, her silly slaues cast lots:
Their shares are griefes and sorrowes preparatiues;
Their seeming pleasures, conscience corosiues,
Yet seemes to blesse them with a thousand ioyes,
But what she doth or sayes found deadl' annoyes.
No seeming succour, but the thing shall saue;
No carnall care needs much perturbe the mind
Of him whose heart is vertuously inclind;
To him is fulnes, peace, plenty, content,
Neuer distracted by most crosse euent;
He still is one, Fancie, Affection,
Enuie, Reuenge are in subiection:
Sufficeth to be vertuous indeede,
Not onely seeming, hauing but the weede;
The theoricke, wanting the practicke part,
With speculation, must be vse of Art:
Else when the stormes of meanest crosses rise,
They hold sad silence, or giue childish cries;
If griefes within, nor cries without preuaile,
Their wits becalmed, floate without a saile.
Then steps this hag vnto the helme and steares;
Hoiseth her sailes, aloofe off Grace she beares:
Among ragg'd rockes of horror hearts disease;
Then falls the Barke vpon the rocke of Pride,
Lust beates her then, and boulgeth th' other side;
Ambition breakes the prow, Enuie the keele,
The stormes of Blasphemies make t'hull to reele:
The masts and shrowdes of Reason lacerate,
With bullets of Despaire in that estate.
Then houers Hope, hauing redreslesse leakes,
In gaining anker, Surance-cable breakes;
Some swimming haste to shoare, leaue Fansies barke
Vnto the hagge, rent, floating in the darke.
They worke againe for life of inward grace,
Then th' hag leaues helm, & hath these (scap'd) in chace,
They crie to me, I reach the hand and saue them
From that fowle hag that makes pursuite to haue them:
Then she retires and seizeth on the rest,
Makes them her follie slaues, she first possest;
She chaines them then, feeds them with false delight,
And makes them rowe the Barke of her despight,
They are the instruments of her complots,
For prize she gets, her silly slaues cast lots:
Their shares are griefes and sorrowes preparatiues;
Their seeming pleasures, conscience corosiues,
Yet seemes to blesse them with a thousand ioyes,
But what she doth or sayes found deadl' annoyes.
How can she blesse, that is a cursed sot,
How can she grace, who grace hath neuer got?
She leades men backe, in shew they forward runne,
She keepes them darke, yet faines them in the Sunne;
In words she seemes to be right rule of grace,
In workes, and wiles the worst of hellish race;
Who frame their fancies, as she doth, or sayes,
Are most vnhappy in their happi'st dayes:
The more to mooue the ignorant to erre,
She shews their glory, whom she doth preferre.
How can she grace, who grace hath neuer got?
She leades men backe, in shew they forward runne,
She keepes them darke, yet faines them in the Sunne;
In words she seemes to be right rule of grace,
In workes, and wiles the worst of hellish race;
Who frame their fancies, as she doth, or sayes,
Are most vnhappy in their happi'st dayes:
She shews their glory, whom she doth preferre.
Examples more preuaile in good or ill,
Then Counsell doth, to winne, or wrest the will:
Therefore examples she propounds and showes,
Of good successe, neuer of ouerthrowes:
Her fautors rising, not their falles reueales,
Their seeming ioyes their inward griefes conceales,
Nothing but pleasures she depaints to lure,
Allur'd, pretends they cannot but indure.
Then Counsell doth, to winne, or wrest the will:
Therefore examples she propounds and showes,
Of good successe, neuer of ouerthrowes:
Her fautors rising, not their falles reueales,
Their seeming ioyes their inward griefes conceales,
Nothing but pleasures she depaints to lure,
Allur'd, pretends they cannot but indure.
What pleasure can be truly pleasing long,
Although Affection be neuer so strong?
It waxeth weake, and then the pleasure dies,
Although by art the same she fortifies:
The Power may die, and yet the Will may liue,
If Will be dead, the Power can not it giue:
The will doth worke the act, act not the will,
Yet weakest will increas'th by actiue skill.
For, Custome, is a second Natures Nurse,
Best actions may by custome waxe farre worse;
Yet Custome is not simply dangerous,
Though in the worser part suspitious.
Of slender sparke ariseth mighty flame,
But not vnlesse fit matter feed the same.
So where as Custome sets it foote to rise,
In ill, subdue her lest she tyrannize,
While she is young she may be managed,
But growing olde, she will be strong in head;
But euer weakest is she found to bee,
When she should worke the mindes of men to mee.
And when she frames her will to aide my foe,
She's prest; the hag needs not constraine her goe.
Yet not of her selfe-inclination,
But as mens minds haue preparation.
For though she seeme a Princesse by her law,
She is not absolute, but vnder awe;
She doth command, the mindes she can surprise,
(The seeming so) but not the truly wise:
By nature men are proanest to doe ill,
Without an outward prompter of the will:
And where she findes the will prepared so,
She feeds affection as fond fansies goe:
She offers still occasion of her aide,
Stil building more vpon the plot she laide.
Although Affection be neuer so strong?
It waxeth weake, and then the pleasure dies,
Although by art the same she fortifies:
The Power may die, and yet the Will may liue,
If Will be dead, the Power can not it giue:
The will doth worke the act, act not the will,
Yet weakest will increas'th by actiue skill.
For, Custome, is a second Natures Nurse,
Best actions may by custome waxe farre worse;
Yet Custome is not simply dangerous,
Though in the worser part suspitious.
Of slender sparke ariseth mighty flame,
But not vnlesse fit matter feed the same.
So where as Custome sets it foote to rise,
In ill, subdue her lest she tyrannize,
While she is young she may be managed,
But growing olde, she will be strong in head;
But euer weakest is she found to bee,
When she should worke the mindes of men to mee.
And when she frames her will to aide my foe,
She's prest; the hag needs not constraine her goe.
Yet not of her selfe-inclination,
But as mens minds haue preparation.
She is not absolute, but vnder awe;
She doth command, the mindes she can surprise,
(The seeming so) but not the truly wise:
By nature men are proanest to doe ill,
Without an outward prompter of the will:
And where she findes the will prepared so,
She feeds affection as fond fansies goe:
She offers still occasion of her aide,
Stil building more vpon the plot she laide.
Thus custome alters, or begets anew,
A nature, which at first, her selfe withdrew;
Both good and ill she can transforme, and make
As is the heart apt good or ill to take.
A nature, which at first, her selfe withdrew;
Both good and ill she can transforme, and make
As is the heart apt good or ill to take.
She's agent both for that fowle hag, and me;
Regards not much whose instrument she be:
But that my foe hath her attendance most,
She brings me only those that hag hath lost.
Decrepite, feeble, aged, impotent;
The wrong'd, oppressed, lowly, indigent,
They that by her despite and pleasing charmes,
Haue found her witchcraft, and doe feele their harmes:
Not yet by nature, but b'instinct of grace,
That only light bewraies her vgly face.
Regards not much whose instrument she be:
But that my foe hath her attendance most,
She brings me only those that hag hath lost.
Decrepite, feeble, aged, impotent;
The wrong'd, oppressed, lowly, indigent,
They that by her despite and pleasing charmes,
Haue found her witchcraft, and doe feele their harmes:
Not yet by nature, but b'instinct of grace,
That only light bewraies her vgly face.
Flie her, her pleasures and false instruments,
And set thy heart right on my rudiments,
I am delite, my wayes and workes delite,
My pleasures please not carnall appetite,
Heroicke acts, that make men honorable,
Are only sweet, and most inestimable,
The rest are false, found meere scurrilitie,
By which some loose, both fame and dignitie:
But such as haue me patronesse and guide,
Shall neuer fall howso they seeme to slide:
They shall withstand, and get the victorie
Ouer that hagge and hellish companie:
Whose conquest farre exceedes the manli'st hand
That swaies a sword, none stronger can withstand.
And set thy heart right on my rudiments,
I am delite, my wayes and workes delite,
My pleasures please not carnall appetite,
Heroicke acts, that make men honorable,
Are only sweet, and most inestimable,
The rest are false, found meere scurrilitie,
By which some loose, both fame and dignitie:
But such as haue me patronesse and guide,
Shall neuer fall howso they seeme to slide:
Ouer that hagge and hellish companie:
Whose conquest farre exceedes the manli'st hand
That swaies a sword, none stronger can withstand.
The life of man hath two distinct delites,
Contraries, each to other opposites;
One seeming not, yet is delight indeede;
The other seemes, but is not of the seede.
The seeming not is blemished with spite,
Which makes it seeme sad sorrow, not delite;
The seeming, is, as it is found to bee.
Sweete in the first, sharpe in the last degree:
One seemes contempt, and yet is glorious,
Th' other glorie, yet ignominious.
Contraries, each to other opposites;
One seeming not, yet is delight indeede;
The other seemes, but is not of the seede.
The seeming not is blemished with spite,
Which makes it seeme sad sorrow, not delite;
The seeming, is, as it is found to bee.
Sweete in the first, sharpe in the last degree:
One seemes contempt, and yet is glorious,
Th' other glorie, yet ignominious.
The issues of these two delites doe show
Whence either takes, the roote and sap to grow,
The first doth spring from my loues influence,
And beares Content, faire fruit of Sapience;
The other issuing from polluted head,
Defiles the organ, through the which t'is led;
And whoso tasteth of that poyson'd spring,
Infatuates, or dyeth murmuring.
Whence either takes, the roote and sap to grow,
The first doth spring from my loues influence,
And beares Content, faire fruit of Sapience;
The other issuing from polluted head,
Defiles the organ, through the which t'is led;
And whoso tasteth of that poyson'd spring,
Infatuates, or dyeth murmuring.
The wise in me, by me doe learne to shunne
Harmes to themselues, as others harmes haue runne:
And if thou see some runne this Maze awry,
Conceiue the curuings, crosse the wisest eie;
Therefore I wish thee to obserue and take,
My rudiments aright, and triall make,
By inward exercise and meditation,
And by true practise sweet'st recreation.
Harmes to themselues, as others harmes haue runne:
And if thou see some runne this Maze awry,
Conceiue the curuings, crosse the wisest eie;
Therefore I wish thee to obserue and take,
My rudiments aright, and triall make,
By inward exercise and meditation,
And by true practise sweet'st recreation.
Prowd hearts are hie, yet grouell on the ground,
The meeke looke vp, where true content is found,
And that content is planted in the heart,
Water'd and prun'd, by right Reasons art;
And beares the branches of those true delites,
That spread abroad in hearts of Proselites.
True Conuerts, who from Ethnicke Enuie came,
And gaine them grace, and glory in my name.
The meeke looke vp, where true content is found,
And that content is planted in the heart,
Water'd and prun'd, by right Reasons art;
That spread abroad in hearts of Proselites.
True Conuerts, who from Ethnicke Enuie came,
And gaine them grace, and glory in my name.
If thou haue Honours birth or dignitie,
Adorne it more and more with pietie,
With iustice, mercy, and true patience,
With constancie and heauenly sapience,
With humblenesse, true magnanimitie,
With loue, with prouidence, and policie:
Thus thou adorned with celestiall gems,
Shalt farre exceede the farre more honor'd stems,
Let name and nature, heart and hand agree,
Let Honours name be dignifi'd in thee;
For I approue the parts, the person not,
But onely so, as he approoues his lot.
Birth is the badge that shews from whom men came,
Not much materiall, base or noble name.
Adorne it more and more with pietie,
With iustice, mercy, and true patience,
With constancie and heauenly sapience,
With humblenesse, true magnanimitie,
With loue, with prouidence, and policie:
Thus thou adorned with celestiall gems,
Shalt farre exceede the farre more honor'd stems,
Let name and nature, heart and hand agree,
Let Honours name be dignifi'd in thee;
For I approue the parts, the person not,
But onely so, as he approoues his lot.
Birth is the badge that shews from whom men came,
Not much materiall, base or noble name.
Of base degree, I raise, and set aloft,
The noble birth, abusde, I checke as oft;
It's not the sire that dignifies the sonne,
Nor him disgraceth; but grace lost and wonne:
A noble birth may be disgrac'd and fall,
The base may rise by acts heroicall:
As greatnes growes to ripenes, and to rot,
So basest rise, and come to highest lot.
The noble birth, abusde, I checke as oft;
It's not the sire that dignifies the sonne,
Nor him disgraceth; but grace lost and wonne:
A noble birth may be disgrac'd and fall,
The base may rise by acts heroicall:
As greatnes growes to ripenes, and to rot,
So basest rise, and come to highest lot.
Some are of noble stocke deriued farre
From Williams conquest, yet in's Armes a barre,
That barres him not from higher honors state,
(By due desert) then he th' first honour gate:
There was at first no diffrence in degrees,
Time brought forth Honour, and indignities.
From Williams conquest, yet in's Armes a barre,
That barres him not from higher honors state,
(By due desert) then he th' first honour gate:
There was at first no diffrence in degrees,
Time brought forth Honour, and indignities.
How came men first of equalls differing,
Aduanced some; some contrarie, declining?
The first, magnanimous and valorous,
The second, base of minde, and cowardous;
The first, approu'd by prowesse in the field,
The second, faint, vnhardy, prone to yield;
The first, to Letters, and to Wisedomes law,
The second, to vaine vitious wayes gaue awe;
The first, by grauitie gate gouernement,
The second, wanton, gracelesse, malecontent;
The first, gate honour, scepter, sword and crowne;
The second, shame, disgrace, and publique frowne:
These were originalls of each degree,
As men were led by that fowle hag, or mee.
These changes hold, by prouidence Diuine,
The vertuous grow, the vicious decline.
And though the generalls in heads but twaine,
The branches infinite, they both sustaine:
And as there are in Greatnes, steppes to rise,
So many downe-falls, in their contraries:
If that fowle hagge my opposite haue place,
No honour riseth but with deepe disgrace.
Aduanced some; some contrarie, declining?
The second, base of minde, and cowardous;
The first, approu'd by prowesse in the field,
The second, faint, vnhardy, prone to yield;
The first, to Letters, and to Wisedomes law,
The second, to vaine vitious wayes gaue awe;
The first, by grauitie gate gouernement,
The second, wanton, gracelesse, malecontent;
The first, gate honour, scepter, sword and crowne;
The second, shame, disgrace, and publique frowne:
These were originalls of each degree,
As men were led by that fowle hag, or mee.
These changes hold, by prouidence Diuine,
The vertuous grow, the vicious decline.
And though the generalls in heads but twaine,
The branches infinite, they both sustaine:
And as there are in Greatnes, steppes to rise,
So many downe-falls, in their contraries:
If that fowle hagge my opposite haue place,
No honour riseth but with deepe disgrace.
My wayes resemble sugar in their kinde,
Sweet in themselues, and sweeten all the minde,
Make crosses light, and easie to be borne,
Digested, pleasant, cheering the forlorne:
The loue of me abandons loue of lust,
True trust in me infeebles carnall trust,
In whom I rule, and he be rul'd by me,
All difficulties to him easie be.
Sweet in themselues, and sweeten all the minde,
Make crosses light, and easie to be borne,
Digested, pleasant, cheering the forlorne:
The loue of me abandons loue of lust,
True trust in me infeebles carnall trust,
In whom I rule, and he be rul'd by me,
All difficulties to him easie be.
It is a matter difficult to finde,
By Nature how another is inclinde;
Not is't my will, thou should'st diue deepe to know
How others stand; but how thy selfe dost grow.
But if a publique note, by art thou see,
Iudge, yet not rashly till the issue bee.
For he may rise, or suffer for his guilt;
And thou maist fall, by building as he built,
A happy president, that doth fore-teach,
Before a floud to stoppe a doubted breach:
When others harmes farre off thou dost behold,
Thinke thine are neare, Wisedome not rashly bold:
If thou perceiue an errour in thy friend,
Iudge not, aduise; None happy till the end.
By Nature how another is inclinde;
Not is't my will, thou should'st diue deepe to know
How others stand; but how thy selfe dost grow.
But if a publique note, by art thou see,
Iudge, yet not rashly till the issue bee.
And thou maist fall, by building as he built,
A happy president, that doth fore-teach,
Before a floud to stoppe a doubted breach:
When others harmes farre off thou dost behold,
Thinke thine are neare, Wisedome not rashly bold:
If thou perceiue an errour in thy friend,
Iudge not, aduise; None happy till the end.
When due desert may challenge thy regard,
True Bounty rests not in a bare reward:
But Fauours eye, preferring will and might,
Giue all their aide, to yeelde deseruer right:
And when thou seest, by fained readinesse,
One to assume selfe-greatest worthinesse,
Thinke greatest boasters are not best of deed,
A cable-show in substance, spiders threed.
True Bounty rests not in a bare reward:
But Fauours eye, preferring will and might,
Giue all their aide, to yeelde deseruer right:
And when thou seest, by fained readinesse,
One to assume selfe-greatest worthinesse,
Thinke greatest boasters are not best of deed,
A cable-show in substance, spiders threed.
When hatefull Enuie stands inuenomed,
To spew her malice on best qualited,
Let them be silent, silence workes her shame,
No outward force, but inward makes her tame:
She flies when I resist, she falls, and dies,
When I incounter her with verities;
Her force is Falshood, Flatterie, Disdaine,
These ouer-gorge her, she cannot containe.
To spew her malice on best qualited,
Let them be silent, silence workes her shame,
No outward force, but inward makes her tame:
She flies when I resist, she falls, and dies,
When I incounter her with verities;
Her force is Falshood, Flatterie, Disdaine,
These ouer-gorge her, she cannot containe.
Foule Enuie, blindnesse, and true Vertues light,
Resemble Egypt when t'was darke and light;
Where I inlighten, darkenes vanisheth,
Blacke darknes where that hagge inhabiteth;
None comprehend my light, but they that haue it,
They hate that darkenes, and the hag that gaue it.
Resemble Egypt when t'was darke and light;
Where I inlighten, darkenes vanisheth,
Blacke darknes where that hagge inhabiteth;
None comprehend my light, but they that haue it,
They hate that darkenes, and the hag that gaue it.
My light resembles that celestiall place,
Her darkenes hell, depriu'd of light and grace;
Mine is a mount of ioy, hers gulfe of griefe,
Mine giues content: hers barre to all reliefe;
Her charmed venime strong, strong her despite,
Whereby she drawes the weake to her delite:
And to deceiue, she counterfeits true light,
That they that can not iudge, may deeme it right.
She sets fowle visard on the fairest face,
And on her owne depaints dissembling grace;
Deprauing me, she seekes her owne renowne,
And in conceit she stands, and hurles me downe.
She slaunders those that I doe traine aright,
By it supposing to increase her might.
She makes hers seeme by outward ornaments,
Worlds happy ones, and mine as malecontents:
But Plants may seeme to liue, dead yet in heart,
And seeming dead, may liue in inward part.
Her darkenes hell, depriu'd of light and grace;
Mine is a mount of ioy, hers gulfe of griefe,
Mine giues content: hers barre to all reliefe;
Whereby she drawes the weake to her delite:
And to deceiue, she counterfeits true light,
That they that can not iudge, may deeme it right.
She sets fowle visard on the fairest face,
And on her owne depaints dissembling grace;
Deprauing me, she seekes her owne renowne,
And in conceit she stands, and hurles me downe.
She slaunders those that I doe traine aright,
By it supposing to increase her might.
She makes hers seeme by outward ornaments,
Worlds happy ones, and mine as malecontents:
But Plants may seeme to liue, dead yet in heart,
And seeming dead, may liue in inward part.
Mans twofold life, a twofold death declares,
The one of ech all men see how it fares;
For, that men liue, and that they die, men see,
Their inward life, or death, not how they be;
Therefore rash censure I forbid to giue,
The liuing, dead, the seeming dead may liue.
The one of ech all men see how it fares;
For, that men liue, and that they die, men see,
Their inward life, or death, not how they be;
Therefore rash censure I forbid to giue,
The liuing, dead, the seeming dead may liue.
As censure sound, or partiall doome affords,
So are men held; A publique errour words.
Words worke report, Report, fame, good or bad,
The fame oft false, grieuing, or making glad.
So are men held; A publique errour words.
Words worke report, Report, fame, good or bad,
The fame oft false, grieuing, or making glad.
The badge that best assures what others bee,
Is gesture, act, and countenance men see:
All these deceiue, and therefore rest content,
Search not, iudge not, but leaue it to euent.
Is gesture, act, and countenance men see:
All these deceiue, and therefore rest content,
Search not, iudge not, but leaue it to euent.
Thy selfe, I wish thou would'st thy selfe vnfold
Vnto thy selfe. In secret, who not bolde?
What in thy selfe by due scrutation
Thou find'st, make it a lawe or caution;
A law to liue in awfull temperance,
A caution to preuent more arrogance,
So shalt thou settle peace within thy minde,
A wall of brasse before thee and behinde:
Who or what so incounters thee thus guarded,
Shall fall or flie; and thou stand, and rewarded.
Vnto thy selfe. In secret, who not bolde?
What in thy selfe by due scrutation
Thou find'st, make it a lawe or caution;
A law to liue in awfull temperance,
A caution to preuent more arrogance,
A wall of brasse before thee and behinde:
Who or what so incounters thee thus guarded,
Shall fall or flie; and thou stand, and rewarded.
A thousand censurers will looke on thee,
As are affections, so their censures be;
The vicious, to the vicious vertuous,
The vertuous to the vicious odious.
As are affections, so their censures be;
The vicious, to the vicious vertuous,
The vertuous to the vicious odious.
VVho builds a house, or doth some publique acts,
Stands on the stage of flatteries and detracts:
If he be valorous, then desperate;
If he be a coward, then considerate;
If he be bountifull, then prodigall;
If he be couetous, wise and frugall;
If he be ciuile, then a seelie sot;
If he be insolent, fit for what not?
If he be affable, then base of kinde;
If he be arrogant, of gallant minde;
If he be prowd, a comelie personage;
If meane in tire, fit for no equipage;
If he grow great, he is ambitious;
If meane, content, he is infatuous;
If truely zealous, then a Puritan;
If irreligious, great Politician.
Stands on the stage of flatteries and detracts:
If he be valorous, then desperate;
If he be a coward, then considerate;
If he be bountifull, then prodigall;
If he be couetous, wise and frugall;
If he be ciuile, then a seelie sot;
If he be insolent, fit for what not?
If he be affable, then base of kinde;
If he be arrogant, of gallant minde;
If he be prowd, a comelie personage;
If meane in tire, fit for no equipage;
If he grow great, he is ambitious;
If meane, content, he is infatuous;
If truely zealous, then a Puritan;
If irreligious, great Politician.
A world of wonders, this worlds wonders maze,
None see themselues, yet all on others gaze;
A forren fault men see; not selfe-estrayes.
The guiltiest censure, the lesse guilties wayes;
Fret not at this, faint not, nor be dismaide,
From Clowne to Keisar, all are thus displaide.
None see themselues, yet all on others gaze;
A forren fault men see; not selfe-estrayes.
The guiltiest censure, the lesse guilties wayes;
Fret not at this, faint not, nor be dismaide,
From Clowne to Keisar, all are thus displaide.
Now for conclusion thus I say to all,
To base and bigge, I am not partiall;
But he that swaies his words and deedes by me,
In fine shall finde a Diademe for fee.
To base and bigge, I am not partiall;
But he that swaies his words and deedes by me,
In fine shall finde a Diademe for fee.
When this Discourse this Ladie faire had ended,
And I obseruing whereunto it tended,
Rightly collected what before I guessed.
Whose persons these three vncoth'd gifts expressed.
And I obseruing whereunto it tended,
Rightly collected what before I guessed.
Whose persons these three vncoth'd gifts expressed.
Forthwith this Ladie and the Hagge were gone,
And left this Passionate in cell alone;
For though they seem'd of shapes substantiall,
They haue no bodies but are spirit'all:
Yet can and do dispose themselues to bee,
Where either likes, though no man may them see.
And left this Passionate in cell alone;
For though they seem'd of shapes substantiall,
They haue no bodies but are spirit'all:
Yet can and do dispose themselues to bee,
Where either likes, though no man may them see.
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