The Times' Whistle Or A Newe Daunce of Seuen Satires, and other Poems: Compiled by R. C., Gent. [i.e. Richard Corbett]. Now First Edited from Ms. Y. 8. 3. in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral: With introduction, notes, and glossary, By J. M. Cowper |
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De quatuor virtutibus cardinalibus. |
 | The Times' Whistle |  |
De quatuor virtutibus cardinalibus.
What may the reason be that we doe call
Our fower excellent vertues cardinall?
Is it because Romes Cardinals moste vse them,
And other men doe more then they refuse them?
No truely, for each severall vertue trie,
And you shall finde that they one few relie.
For wisedome first, what wisdome can ther be
In them, who, given superstitiouslie,
For the true God doe images adore,
And in necessity their healpe implore?
Yet why should I their wisdome thus defie,
Whose crafty witt and damnèd pollicie
Is to enrich themselves, though their soules have
Perdition, whom true wisdome seekes to save?
For iustice next, doth iustice with them live
Who absolution to each sinne doe give
For a corrupting bribe? The sonne may kill
His aged parentes; man the blood may spill
Of his deepe foe & 'scape; for a large fee
Wrong shall take place, & right perverted be.
If these thinges we may iustice iustly call,
Iustice is vsde by every Cardinall.
Our fower excellent vertues cardinall?
Is it because Romes Cardinals moste vse them,
And other men doe more then they refuse them?
No truely, for each severall vertue trie,
And you shall finde that they one few relie.
For wisedome first, what wisdome can ther be
In them, who, given superstitiouslie,
For the true God doe images adore,
And in necessity their healpe implore?
Yet why should I their wisdome thus defie,
Whose crafty witt and damnèd pollicie
Is to enrich themselves, though their soules have
Perdition, whom true wisdome seekes to save?
For iustice next, doth iustice with them live
Who absolution to each sinne doe give
For a corrupting bribe? The sonne may kill
His aged parentes; man the blood may spill
Of his deepe foe & 'scape; for a large fee
Wrong shall take place, & right perverted be.
If these thinges we may iustice iustly call,
Iustice is vsde by every Cardinall.
But it may be in temperance they excell,
And therin doe all only bear the bell.
If to be Epicures, and live at ease,
Swallowing vp pleasures when & how they please,
We doe account a temperat sober life,
Then these are they we graunt withouten strife.
Their chastety is soe immaculate
That they doe alwaies live in virgin state,
Marriage they nill admitt by any meanes,
Yet doe allowe of concubins & queanes.
Lastly to speake of manlie fortitude,
Therin their calling shews them to be rude;
Full ill (we know, & every man may see)
A steely helme, & Cardnals cap agree;
As for their fortitude of minde, 'tis small,
Proud in their height, dejected in their fall.
I, but their power 's great great; in oppression,
Treding downe vertue, raising vp transgression.
These are their cardinall vertues of cheife fame,
Which we may trulie cardnall vices name.
But now at last a reason shew I shall,
Why we these vertues doe name cardinall:
Cardinall iustly may derived be
From cardo, which a hinge doth signifie;
Soe these 4 vertues, all the rest enfolde,
Even as the hinges doe the dore vpholde.
And therin doe all only bear the bell.
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Swallowing vp pleasures when & how they please,
We doe account a temperat sober life,
Then these are they we graunt withouten strife.
Their chastety is soe immaculate
That they doe alwaies live in virgin state,
Marriage they nill admitt by any meanes,
Yet doe allowe of concubins & queanes.
Lastly to speake of manlie fortitude,
Therin their calling shews them to be rude;
Full ill (we know, & every man may see)
A steely helme, & Cardnals cap agree;
As for their fortitude of minde, 'tis small,
Proud in their height, dejected in their fall.
I, but their power 's great great; in oppression,
Treding downe vertue, raising vp transgression.
These are their cardinall vertues of cheife fame,
Which we may trulie cardnall vices name.
But now at last a reason shew I shall,
Why we these vertues doe name cardinall:
Cardinall iustly may derived be
From cardo, which a hinge doth signifie;
Soe these 4 vertues, all the rest enfolde,
Even as the hinges doe the dore vpholde.
| The Times' Whistle | |