Miscellaneous works of George Wither :: :: University of Virginia Library

You have betwixt you (as imply'd before)
Half of all Forraign Tradings, if not more.
Your many Manufactures, are become
Staple commodities, that bring you home
Three times as much in value ev'ry year
As those things, which among you growing are
Amounted to unwrought; and you are grown
As rich in Forraign wares as in your own.
The Seas have been your Fish ponds, and afford
Enough to make both rich, could you accord
And both, alike were frugal. Means of Trade
Is in a thousand places to be had,
Which to imploy you will sufficient be,
When you like Christian Brethren shall agree,
Or, but like moral men; nay, if but so
As many Infidels, and some Beasts do;
And, GOD and Natures Laws, would you direct
Aright, if, them, you did not wilfully neglect,
Make your own Will a Law, and were inclin'd
To that, which hath corrupted all Mankinde
Rendring, what for mans real weal was given
The greatest outward Plague on this side heaven.
So wilfully pursuing your own wayes
For your self-ends; that he who doth not praise
Your folly, or with silence pass it by,
Is thought no Friend, if not an enemy,

And, to reprove Vice is become a Crime
Judg'd Capital among you at this time.