The Scourge of Folly Consisting of satyricall Epigrams, And others in honour of many noble Persons and worthy friends, together, with a pleasant (though discordant) Descant upon most English Proverbs and others [by John Davies] |
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Of the Booke.
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 | The Scourge of Folly |  |
Of the Booke.
In minde beholding (with the which I see)The two-fold Hyre of those that publish Bookes,
Most good, if good, most bad if bad they bee,
Assignd by Him that all Mens workes ore-lookes:
And how some weene (and weene as Wisedome would)
Saint Paules Epistles dayly Soules conuerting
In Heau'n inuest him with new Crownes of gold,
VVhen others, whose leawd Bookes, Soules stil peruerting,
Are euer plagu'd with fresh supply of paines,
Eu'n as the harmes they do, do still increase:
VVhich Harmes (like hammers) hāmerd so my Braines,
That from my purpose I resolu'd to cease:
But when I thought how much a smart Reproofe
With men preuailes, from faults them to deterre:
I thought these Bobs might serue for somes behoofe,
Whose vitious manners stray from Vertue farre.
If sacred Lawes of Loue vvere vvell obseru'd:
Its true (most true) and I checke none by name;
But shevv, vnseene, the shame they haue deseru'd:
Then, come what will, it's out; (Fates speed it well)
Hanging in Iudgements Scoles, t'wixt Heau'n and Hell.
| The Scourge of Folly | |