University of Virginia Library

Liber Secundus.

1Dulce, quod vtile.

An honest Vicar riding by the way
(Not knowing better how to spend the day;)
Would sing vnto himselfe Geneua Psalmes.
A blindman hearing him straight beg'd his almes,
To whom (quoth he) with coyne I cannot part,
But God thee blesse (good man) with all my hart:
Oh, said the blind man, greater is our losse,
When such as you doe blesse without a crosse.

3Sequitur inuidia famam.

Two Madams once were striuing for the wall,
Both standing on their tearmes of worthinesse:
The one but young (howbeit rich withall)
The other ancient, though of substance lesse,
Said, soft and faire, till time hath tane fruition,
Your Ladyship is of the last edition.

4Quo se vertat, nescit.

Cucullus hath disguis'd his former feature,
And like Pythagoras transformed shape,
Is now (me thinks) become another creature,
Halfe French, halfe English (pox on such an Ape)
That imitates all fashions farre and neere,
Though gainst the haire he buyes them ner'e so deere.

5Credit colori.

Battus beleeued for a simple truth,
That yonder gilt-spurre spruce and veluet youth,
Was some great personage, or worthy wight,
Vntill one told him he was but a knight.
A knaight (quoth Battus) vaith I chud a zworne,
A hod not beene lasse then zome Gen-man borne.

7Sequitur fortuna nefanda.

Craicus through craft redeem'd his credit crackt,
That forc'd to leaue his banker out occupation,
Clos'd with a widdow e're he was contract,
Whose riches once more rais'd his reputation.
That now mid'st fortunes floating to the brim,
Craicus keepes strumpets, whiles his wife keeps him

8Non omnibus dormit.

Say that Carina keepes a vitling house,
I hope 'tis for no vulgar men of meane resort,
That basely will a cast of Cannes carouse,
Or at some game at Cards but idly sport:
Tis knowne her weekely risings and downe-falling
Equals her state with some of higher callings.

9Multum principia suadent

VVhen Kate with Country Clyents courted is,
She seems more coy then any new beginner,
Striuing, as if she knew not how to kisse,
Or euer saw the man that yet could win her:
But all to draw the Gulles more eager on,
That shares her gaines with Tinkers being gone.

10Magnis non est morandum.

See Silenus walkes accomplished,
With due performance of his fathers Page,
Lookes backe of purpose to be honoured,
And on each sleight occasion gins to rage,
You villaine, Dog, where hath your stay beene sucht
Quoth he, the Broker would not lend so much.

12Filius terræ.

Lvcas that hath beene long conceal'd of late,
Vpon the pennance of some purchast blame,
Liues now at Court in most heroicke state,
(But you must note t'is by another name:)
Call him not Lucas now, least you disclose him
Nor aske whose sonne he is, for then you pose him.

13Turpe est cum fœnore lucrum.

Lanus hath liu'd this last vacation,
Vpon his wiues bare charge without all reason,
Who since she knew at first her occupation,
Nere saw worse takings in a Lenton season.
A man would thinke thou shouldst her more beshrow,
That did so many burdens vndergoe.

15Non videmus manticæ quod in tergo est.

Naso could wish the people would forbeare,
To scandalize his more then honest Nan:
Who for this twelue month will expresly sweare
He hath not found her false with any man:
If otherwise she doe, he knowes not what,
Why should poore Naso be so pointed at?

16Luditur arte.

Marke but the semblance of Fucatas face,
How to the life her picture doth excell,
For louely feature, sweet and comely grace,
(Surely the Painter hath done wondrous well:)
But here's the doubt (both faces made by art)
Which you would choose to be the better part.

17Spoliatis arma supersunt.

Grand Captaine Quid, of coyne is quite bereft,
Whose Page was wont his purse & coyne to carry,
Now neither Page, Purse, Coyne, nor ought is left,
Saue what he's forc'd to pawne at th'ordinary.
Thus squint-ey'd Fortune partiall in her gifts,
Puts men of note oft-times to needy shifts.

18Duo iunguntur in vnum.

VVhy was yong Lancelot, Lynsey-wolsey nam'd,
Whose Ancestors were of one Linage fram'd?
But that t'was knowne Watling and fridaystreet,
In one coniunction coplatiue did meete.

19Anguis in herba.

Hilus hath hid himselfe this yeere and more,
Not in respect of feare to shew his face,
But for he rashly in his humour swore,
The Sessions-house should no more sift his case:
But if you'l needes the reason vnderstand,
He hath beene burn'd already in the hand.

20Labor ïmprobus omnia vincit.

Clogo will needs be knighted for his lands,
Got by the labours of his fathers hands,
And hopes to proue a Gentleman of noate,
For he hath bought himselfe a painted coate.

23Qui fuit arte Pedes.

The case is alter'd with Mercutio,
Since his preferment to that Noble man,
What er'st he hath beene, boots not now to know,
Those times are chang'd you see, what's then was then.
I dare presume Mercutio doth forget,
That euer he a Bill in Paules did set.

24Omnibus hoc vitium.

Pru that had patience to haue borne with any,
And lou'd plaine-dealing (witnesse all that knows her)
Is now vndone by bearing one too many,
So that you see plaine dealing ouerthrowes her,

25Varijs mutata figuris.

Lettis at length hath left her old profession,
And closely coucheth in a Sempsters shop,
Which may the burden of her late transgression,
With lesse suspect support and vnderprop:
To such as knowes her not, she and her wares,
For perfect purenesse with th' Exchange compares.

26Plus quàm prudentia nummus.

Amongst our later knights, sir Thomas knew it,
By common practise more then cunning wooing,
That being rich inough he could not rue it,
If Dicke should take him with his Doll a dooing.

27Hoc omnibus datur.

Cuthbert our Cobler can no more forbeare,
To take Tobacco, then to liue vnknowne:
He drinks all whiffes at least, and learnes to sweare
By Heauens; his oathes and humours are his owne:
But adding hereunto a pot or more,
He stands to nothing which he spake before.

28Premit altum corde.

Vvlcanus guilty, doth himselfe perswade,
Some of these Epigrams by him were made:
But dares not tell you wherein for his life,
Least men should play on him, as on his wife.

29Velle placere sat est.

Mistresse Parnella holds it requisite
To keepe more maides at home then need requires
As well to please her husbands appetite,
As for abroad she like exchange desires:
For thus they absent best content each other,
That else should be but baudes to one another.

31Redit orbis in orbem.

Yong Codrus, Land-lord to his fathers rents,
Which happy time (long look't for) did expire,
Addresseth him with those habiliments,
As least beseemes the sonne of such a Sire:
And thus he gallants it some yeere and more,
Vntill his Tenants thrust him out of dore.

32Oculus Adulter.

Of all the pleasures that our London yeelds,
Caluus commends the walks about Moore-fields,
There's many reasons that prouokes him to it,
He must be looking though he can not doe it,

33Matauit fortuna genus.

Rufus was reckoned once a man of might,
That would seuerely domineere and swagger,
Daring the stoutest of the Guard in fight
At single Rapier, or at Sword and Dagger:
Who would not muse that such a great commander
Should be translated to a lousie Pander?

34Uirescit vulnere Uenus.

Svsan 's well sped, and weares a veluet hood,
As who shall know her breeding hath been good:
It's reason she should rise once in her life,
That fell so oft before she was a wife.

37Voluptatis prætium dolor.

What cause had Liuia to leaue the Citie,
Where she so flourish't vntill now of late?
Oh, ther's a fault escap't (the mores the pitty)
Which the Church-wardens will not tollerate:
And yet the yeere before they could dispence,
Taking no knowledge of the like offence.

38Et manibus pedibusque leuis.

Lays of lighter mettall is compos'd,
Then hath her lightnesse till of late disclos'd,
For lighting where she light acceptance feeles,
Her fingers there proue lighter then her heeles.

39Fæminæ ludificantur viros.

Lvce had a secret longing to goe see
Her childe at nurse, for that she dream'd t'was sicke;
And would by no meanes pacified be,
Till she had seene her pretty little Dicke:
Full little knowes her husband (silly groome)
Who by this match e're midnight takes his roome.

40Fallentem fema fefellet.

Priscus gaue out he went to Prester-Iohn,
Presuming to haue purchast three for one;
But that t'was knowne, which did him sore beguile,
Priscus had tane the dyet all the while.

41Dominatus seruilis.

Fell foughten Furio hath now met his match,
And is seuerely sent vnto the gaile,
For blurting at Mas-Constable and his watch:
Who bids away with him, admits no baile:
As who shall know hee's now the Kings peace-maker,
Although the last yeere was but Kennell-raker.

42Pàr parì.

Baldus (too blame) runs in his Laundresse score,
And will not pay her scarcely once a yeere,
But then his shame is twice so much the more,
For she hath paid him truely to a haire.

43Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis oues.

Heard you in what surpassing rich aray,
Young Roger ruffled on S. Georges day?
T'was pitty more then spite it should be knowne,
That none of all those garments were his owne.
So that in stead of what report did scatter,
Hee simply was non-suted on the matter.

45------ortus nouus vrbe Brittannus.

VVho braues it now as doth yong Histrio?
Walking in Paule like to some Potentate,
Richly replenisht from the top tot'h toe;
As if he were deriu'd from high estate:
Alas, ther's not a man but may descry,
His begging trade, and bastard faculty.

46Iuueni, quid curua senectus?

Silla hath got a wife that's wondrous old,
But 'tis well knowne he woo'd her for her gold:
I hope her maides are yong, and serue for hire,
And that's as much as Silla doth desire.

47Castus erat vultu, &c.

Know you not Criticus our Cities Mule,
That haunts the harbours of iniquitie?
Yet like a Beadle of disordred rule,
Lasheth at lust, to cloake his villany:
Criticke, 'tis not your lookes (I dare assure you)
Can feare the Surgeon that of late did cure you.

48Plus Mæchus omnis amat.

Peace, weepe no more (sweet Su) and all is well,
Say I had found thee false, thinkes thou Ile tell?
No by this iron and steele, which plainly showes it,
An honest Wit-all is no Gull that knowes it.

49Fugit huc iurisque peritus.

Tobie hath euery tearme great suites in hand,
But sits at home like Iohn indifferent;
His wife hath law enough to vnderstand,
What by Ioint-tenant and In-taile is ment,
Haue not our Clarkes with fees beene faine to woe her,
And for bare knowledge put their cases to her?

50Omnes querunt sua.

This obseruation seemes (quoth Fisco) strange,
Why merchants walk in Paules, & knights th' exchāge,
Belike the one seekes those their debts should pay,
Whil esth'other goes to craue a longer day.

51Quicquid oritur inoritur.

Zonus our neighbour, and his spouse are parted,
True demonstration of her whoorish hate,
Else could she not haue beene so stony-hearted,
To leaue her husband for a stragling mate:
But then the statute (Zonus) sets thee free,
Thou didst not banish her, she fled from thee.

52Quàm partus ventrem sequitur.

Ralph hath an office in reuersion bought,
But rues the time that yet no wit hath wrought.
Content thee (Ralph) for wealth to let it passe,
Thou art no worse foole then thy father was.

53Non omnibus dormit.

VVhat reason is it Omphida should yeeld
To any man that's but a stranger to her?
Thinkes he at first assault to win the field?
Tut let him doe his worst, that worst can doe her:
Had there but colour beene for such intent,
She might allow your weakest argument,

54Mors vt vita ita.

Leno lyes sicke, and to the Doctor sends,
Who bids him looke for what he least intends:
And being oft to make his will requested.
Away (faith Leno) I will dye detested.

55Tunc tua res agitur, &c.

A iealous Marchant that a Saylor met,
Ask't him the reason why he meant to marry,
Knowing what ill their absence might beget,
That still at sea constrained are to tarry?
Sir (quoth the Saylor) thinke you that so strange?
T'is done the time whiles you but walke th'exchange.

56Ingeniosa Venus.

Fœdus hath got his neighbours wife with childe,
And yet hath not her husbands bed defil'd,
For why the plot within Moore-fields was wrought,
From whence a place was for that purpose sought.

58Nec vultus indicat virum.

Dicke in a raging deepe discurtesie,
Cal'd an Atturney meere necessity.
The more knaue he, admit he had no law,
Must he be flouted at by euery daw?

59Iugum suaue patientia.

Minos a man of much impatience,
Proues himselfe Cuckold in his owne defence;
And further doubts of greater danger fearing,
Intends to prosecute the good abearing:
His reason is, because he would seeme loth
To be cornuted, and bumbasted both.

60Sat saltem sic habeatur.

Ralph saies, this rabblement of new made Knights.
Makes Coaches deere, & Chandlers sell their lights,
The scarce a Seruingman the more is fed,
Or Foote-boyes onely bring their Sirs to bed.

61Dant otia ludum.

Young Maister Newcome, late of th' Ins of Court,
Hath newly laid aside his Littleton,
And for his pleasure deignes no other sport,
Then these vnfauoured rimes to seaze vpon:
Which hauing read, he comments on the weather,
How iumpe his law and learning met together.

62Citò parata Uenus.

Let Mistresse Su be stirring nere so soone,
She'l not be ready vntill after-noone,
Nor scarcely then: for why this sommer season,
The least Thing makes her sweat beyond all reason

63Quem suspicaueris, ipse.

Fuco is fled, more for his credit sake,
Then to be burdened with so base a deed:
Would he (thinke you) such trifles vndertake,
Hauing that kindred, and so little need?
Damn'd might he be that euer meant to doe it,
Had not his whoore, or somthing vrg'd him to it.

65Non caret effectu quod voluêre duo.

Constant Renaldo, who can but commend thee,
That still one Mistresse in reuersion seruest?
She could doe little, if not least befriend thee,
With gleaning licence for so long a haruest:
Gleaning said I? nay more, to mowe her Corne,
And catch the Hare whiles others blow the Horne.

67Si nihil attuleris, ibis, &c.

Planus , an honest Swaine, but monylesse,
Besought a Lawyer to be good vnto him,
Who eyther (gratis) must his cause redresse,
Or promise what he neuer meant to doe him,
Being asked why he carelesse lingred it,
Made this reply: Ex nihilo nihil fit.

69Formosa facies.

Fine Mistresse Fœtida perfumes her selfe,
With sweetest odours that she can deuise,
Which she preferres before all worldly pelfe,
That nought auaileth when her beautie dies:
But this dispaire is very death in thinking,
That one so faire should haue a breath so stinking.

70Sapiat qui vendit oportet.

Ianus doth iesting vse Equiuocation,
Which he alludes as doubtfull words of Art,
To hide the colour of his occupation,
But to the Diuell he beares an honest hart.

71Consilium post factum.

Aske not Uincentio now when things are past,
Why he so often sported with his Puncke.
Or wherefore so much hath beene spent in wast;
(As good you told a tale to one that's druncke:)
Let it suffice, he hath consum'd it all,
And as you see, walkes like the prodigall.

73Mole ruit sua.

Qvesto that quaint and briske Italian,
When first his trade for Merchandize began,
Would so much vndertake more then his owne,
(I thinke of purpose to be ouerthrowne)
For when t'was thought his fulnesse did abound,
Euen then he brake for seuenty thousand pound.

74Parturiunt montes murem.

Dego will draw, and stoutly stand vnto it,
Vpon the vtmost of his words brauado,
But being vrg'd on equall tearmes to doe it,
He basely pockets vp the bastinado.

77Malè parta, male pæriunt.

Old Colins sonne is newly come to age,
And may dispend fiue hundred markes a yeere,
But wanteth wit to holde his heritage,
Which hath beene euermore his Vncles feare:
Because his father got it by extortion,
And therefore ill to be a Woodcockes portion.

78Habet, & musca splenem.

Mopsus maintaines that bankruptship lesse moues him,
Then such a slaue as for his wiues sake loues him,
Yet well the Wit-all woteth though it grieue him,
His tonuge might starue except her Tayle releeue him.

79Olim hæc meminisse dolebit.

Gruntus lies groaning of a grieuous gout,
And would giue thousands to be soundly cured,
But all the cunning that his coyne findes out,
Cannot expell those paines so long endured:
Oh Grunto, thou hast liu'd so vnrepenting,
As scarce two hels sufficeth thy tormenting.

81Duplex Iniquitas.

Now yea and nay, quoth Mistresse Temperance,
You are to blame to be so vainely giuen:
Cannot your eyes vpon a woman glance
But they must couet? sooth you should be shriuen:
Fye, that you'l sweare so rashly by your troth,
Truely I would not doo't but for your oath.

82Non omnia possumus omnes.

VVho sayes Alcides hath no wit, they lye,
His place and office proues the contrary,
Though t'was not meant he should more vnderstand
Then might concerne him to subscribe his hand.

83Sumus omnes deteriores.

Cornutus boasteth of the debts he owes,
As who should thinke his credit then was such:
But all his substance valued now, God knowes,
Amounts not to the twentieth part so much:
Tis to be thought, because his vvife growes old,
And hath lesse doing now a thousand fold.

84Cani facile inueniendum Baculum.

Madam Ventoza can no longer frolick,
She is so troubled with a sore winde-cholicke,
Which to the standers by may lesse appeare,
Because her fyesting-Cur is still so neare.

88Mendici mendaces.

Pandorus spends the day by telling newes,
Of such his trauels as will make you muse:
Nay sir, beleeue it, hee'l discourse at large,
How should he else be fed at others charge?

90Qui modò rusticus, olim.

Po-lo peckes vp a pretty proling trade,
That hath him prouder then his maister made,
But yet when all is done, the world mistakes him,
For 'tis not's money, but the Taylor makes him.

92Furor arma ministrat.

Magus hath studyed long to breake a iest,
Vpon these rimes he doth so much detest:
And can you blame him? well he may be chiding,
That hath so often spurgal'd beene with riding.

93Dubitat mens conscia cornu.

Let Iealous Ralph but reade of Capricorne,
Or simply of the signe that's in the Ram,
He straight way thinkes you tax him with the horne,
And thereon haue compos'd some Epigram:
If Ralph on euery rime the worst will conster
It must conclude, in time hee'l proue a monster.

94Uolucrem sic decipit auceps.

Hydrus the Horse-courser (that cunning mate)
Doth with the buyers thus equiuocate,
Claps on his hand, and prayes he may not thriue,
If that his Gelding be not vnder fiue

95Quod mora tardat, abest.

Luscus hath long since learnd his Accidence,
And now turn'd Sexton (Clarke I meane at least)
Might yet for age more further farre commence,
But lost his time wherein he was a Beast.
For why his vather kept him still a Calfe,
And would not weane him at twelue yeares and halfe.

96Perdat qui caueat Emptor.

Nor lesse meant Promus when that vow he made,
Then to giue or'e his cousening Tapsters trade,
Who (checkt for short and frothy measure) swore,
He neuer would from thence forth fill pot more.

98Post dulcia finis amarus.

VVhat griefe it was Grace had no better fortune,
But that Bride-well must her disgrace importune
And which is worse, if worse it might perplexe her,
The Beadle comes behinde her backe to vexe her?

102Quàm bene notus amor.

Should Spruso leaue the wearing of his muffe,
His golden night-cap, and his double ruffe:
He would be still the same he was before,
For halfe the Parish knowes he loues a (------)

104Cucullus non facit Monachum.

Siluanus is become so pure and holy,
As he accounts all mirth but idle folly:
Aske him wherefore, he giues you ghostly reason,
But then his whoore comes neuer out of season.

106Senibus voluisse satis.

Æsop must yeeld when Rodop will ride,
And take no knowledge where, or who's her guide
Yet could the wizard wish her more in sight,
Since she at Braynford lodg'd this other night.

110Hic laqueos tendit, qui laqueo moritur.

VVho euer held Mendoza halfe so wise,
To haue attempted such an enterprise,
As had not Tyburne soone preuented it,
Mendoza would haue learn'd but too much wit.

112Post gaudia luctus.

Aye me (quoth Amy) who would ere haue thought
So great a mischiefe should arise of nought?
Which, had she knowne, ere she began to swell,
Each yard of pleasure should haue prou'd an ell.

114Linguam vis nulla domabit.

Mvns skill in horses doth so much excell,
As no man liuing breakes them halfe so wen:
And yet one Filly quite comptroles his arte,
He neuer backs her but she breakes his hart.

116Roganti dabitur.

Marcus stood musing, maugre all his might,
Where he should goe to lodge this other night,
Vntill the Beadle vnawares came on him.
And volens nolens thrust a bed vpon him.

117Dat census Honores.

T'is plainly knowne that our young knight, sir Adam
Had his beginning from an ancient name,
And (though not rich) may make his wife a Madam,
That brings her dowry to maintaine the same:
Say, that the Herald cannot blaze him forth,
Must Knight-ship therefore be of no more worth?

118Tremuit sub pondere Cymba.

Had not Formosa very foule ill lucke,
Whose stooping simply but a rose to plucke,
Made to the hearers that so loudly knowne,
Which neuer yet before report had blowne?

120Coitum, non oscula laudat.

VVhen Kester courted Kate but for a kisse,
She coyly told him, that he aim'd amisse:
You maist beleeue her (Kester) what she said,
The halfe the parish knowes she is no maid.

121Cœlum non animum mutat.

Nay fie, how strange you make it Mistresse Iane,
That will not know your quondam tryed friends,
Remember since you lodg'd in Cart-her-lane:
Shall former kindnesse merite no amends?
I say no more, well you may change your name,
But once a Whoore, you should be still the same.

122Purtus ventrem sequitur.

Maud being mou'd at foureteene yeares to marry
Said (were she tall inough) she would not tarry
T'were good her sister but so wise had beene,
That had a Bastard ere she was fifteene.

123Diues quis stultus habetur?

Tis true that Simon (simple though you thinke him)
Knowes how to execute his fathers trade,
Which (no dispraise) may with that substance link him
This quickly shall amend what nature made.
Doe not your most fooles thriue exceeding well,
That haue but wit inough to buy and sell?

124Hoc aliquid nihil.

Guido hath gotten very goodly suits,
That of his labours are the onely fruits,
I meane no other suits then those he weares,
Which how to compasse, is that Guido feares.

126Impar ætas, imparesq; mores.

It could not be (me thinkes) imagined,
That Iulia could haue lost her maidenhead
Being so yong, but that her selfe first told it,
To whom, and where she this vacation sold it.

128Indomitæ tandem veniunt ad aratra inuencæ.

Lesbia the faire, that would be woo'd of none,
Hath since beene won by many more then one:
And like a flower, whose colour soone doth fade,
With often riding, proues a hackney Iade.

130Aurum volat ocius Euro.

Monsieur Fleming fraught with Angels store,
Would see faire London, neuer seene before:
Where lodging with his Mistresse but one night,
Had (ere he parted) put them all to flight.

138Ingenio pollet cui vim natura negauit.

If Nanus had but common gifts of nature,
And no arts cunning to his cubit-stature;
He neuer could with Ladies come so neare,
Nor get his victuals gratis all the yeare,

139Turba graui paci Meritrix.

Ienkin is wondrous iealous of his wife,
And vrgeth tearmes of shrewd suspition,
But knowes not him the causer of his strife,
Yet will he yeeld to no condition:
For now you offer Ienkin more disgrace,
Then if you horne him to his very face,

148Quid non speramus amantes?

Pierce was espoused ere he went a wooing,
What should such Dunces be so long a doing?
His wife (the wiser) thought to saue that paine,
By getting her a cloake fit for the raine.

150Lateat benè qui malè vixit.

Francisco flyes, not daring once come neare,
But makes th' infection to be most his feare:
When those his Creditors that least beleeues him.
Knows 'tis his debt more thē the deuil that driues him

154Nec castè, nec cautè.

Mounsiur Du Prie hath promis'd to take heed,
That in the darke he doe no damned deed:
Fye Monsieur, fie, a man of your faire meanes,
And found a bed with filthy Oyster queanes?

156Sero sapiunt Phryges.

Cestus , that feasted long on delicates,
Now such vnpleasing foolish dyet hates;
Is it not reason he should spare at last,
That hath consumed more then all in wast.

158Mortalia cuncta caduca.

Stella the starre, that whilome shin'd so bright,
Is now ecclipsed, and hath lost her light;
Twas pitty (Stella) that thy starres were such,
Better for thee they had not shin'd so much.

159Pestis, cum finis amarus.

Fye, would you offer Winefrid that wrong,
To set abroach her Virgine chastity?
Well wotteth shee, you cannot loue her long,
And which is worse, the world may it espy:
Which is the thing that makes her looke into it,
Or else you know how easie t'were to do it.

162Qui quondam Lixa, Lanista.

Tis said that Whittington was rais'd of nought,
And by a Cat, hath diuers wonders wrought;
But Fortune (not his Cat) makes it appeare:
He may dispend a thousand markes a yeare.

166Prauis communia praua.

Aske Minos why he marries not, heel' say,
He loueth not, to liue at racke and manger,
Whiles he may take a snatch and so away,
In common corners, like a common ranger.

167Hic laqueos tendit, qui laqueo leditur.

Linus , that like to Æsops Spaniell snatcht,
The shadow, for the substance, in the water,
Thought his egges chickins, being yet vnhatcht,
And needs would thriue ere Lady-day the later:
Sure thou wert blind, that couldst, or wouldst not see,
To lay a trap for them that now catch thee.

168Trahit sua quemque voluptas.

VVat wils, you know how much he scorneth it,
To be a pick-purse of anothers wit:
But in a pocket, please you vnderstand,
He hath a reaching, deepe, and diuing hand.

170Naturam expellere durum.

Parcus now sparing cost, sweares hee'l begin,
To enter commons in some Chancery Inne,
And will no longer once a day be fed,
That still before went supperlesse to bed.

171Nummos & Demona iungit.

Bat bids you swell with enuy till you burst,
So he be rich, and may his Coffers fill,
Bringing th' example of the Fox that's curst,
And threatning folkes that haue least power to kill,
For why 'tis knowne his trade can neuer fall,
That hath already got the Diuell and all,

175Moritur, cui fama perennis.

Amongst our Poets Rauchus reckoned is,
But lesse beholding to be so reputed,
For honest truth it selfe knowne to be his,
With fained Poetry was neuer suted:
Then must it certainly be said amisse,
Amongst our Poets Rauchus reck'ned is.

176Canis ad Vomitum.

Mai in the mood of his distemp'rature,
Sweares he must fight to keepe his hands in vre,
For being weary of his theeuing trade,
What should he doe, if not approue his blade?

177Spernit gens rustica musas.

VVhat tell you me of Pontus peasant groome,
That Tearmely posteth vp to purchase pelfe
Which he obscures within some desert roome,
And basely liues a slaue vnto himselfe?
Spurre him in any point, but in a lease,
You'l sooner tire the iade, then melt his grease.

179Timodos fortuna repellit.

VVhen Miles the Seruingman my Lady kist,
She knew him not, (though scarcely could resist
So sweet a youth, and well apparelled)
Had not the Dunce himselfe discouered:
For this (quoth he) my Maister bad me say, ------
How's that (quoth she?) and frowning flings away:
Vext to the heart, she tooke her marke amisse,
And that shee should a Seruing-creature kisse.
Why thus it is, when fooles must make it knowne,
They come on others businesse, not their owne.

181Nonnunquam iactat egenus.

Iacke is a Gentleman, I must confesse,
For ther's no womans Taylor can be lesse.

182Nemo omnibus horis sapit.

Nisus that doth his night-cap so much vse,
Was neerely brought vnto his winding sheet,
Those guilty conscience did him most accuse,
That he was plagu'd for walking late the street;
And well deseru'd, nor could he well doe worse,
Then deale with drabs, be drunke, and lose his purse

185Quos ego? sed motos præstat, &c.

Flaccus giues out (because the world shall know it)
How bitter shortly he intends to write,
Threatning therein to firke his fellow Poet,
Gainst whom he beareth such reuenging spite:
But soft (quoth Flaccus) should I say hee's poore?
Oh no: least others talke as much of me.
Or shall I tell him that he loues a whoore?
Tush, therein likewise wee both iumpe agree.
Faith, Flaccus doubtlesse will his spleene recall,
I, I: As good be friends, nor write at all.

186Quid non pecunia?

Shall squint-ey'd Mopsus, old Cincanters sonne,
Be matcht with Beauty for his little pelfe?
Much better were the Lobcocke lost then wonne,
Vnlesse hee knew how to behaue himselfe.
But this hath euer beene the plague of it:
That such are lou'd more for their wealth then wit.

187Forma bonum fragile.

Marcella now growne old hath broke her Glasse,
Because it flatters not as't did: alas,
Who would desire that any sencelesse stone,
Should shew good count'nance, that receiueth none?

188Sorte tua contentus.

Bartus being bid to supper to a Lord,
Was marshal'd at the lower end of the boord.
Who vext thereat, 'mongst his Comrag's doth fret,
And sweares, that he below the salt was set.
But Bartus th' art a foole, to fret and sweare,
The salt stands on the boord, wouldst thou sit there?

189Malum est quod tegitur.

Bartellus for a swelling in his groine,
Hath cut his shooe, and of his toe doth whine,
But what by that (Bartellus doest thou gaine?)
The neighbours know too well where lyes thy paine.

190Uox impedit Esurienti.

Gluto at meales is neuer heard to talke:
For which the more his chaps and chin doth walke
When euery one that sits about the bord,
Makes sport to aske, what Gluto, nere a word?
He forc'd to answere, being very loth,
Is almost choak't, speaking and eating both.

191Semper tibi proximus esto.

The will that women haue, doth shew the want of wit in we men
For we frō women take our woe, by giuing way to women

294Heu domus antiqua, &c.

Brutus whose buildings cost a thousand pound,
(Being newly fram'd, of late, euen from the ground)
Is fayrer farre then when his Father liu'd,
Because it's richer and more rare contriu'd;
Yet many times I heare the poore man weepe,
Saying, his father better house did keepe:
Which vnto me a Paradox doth seeme,
That what farre worse is, men better deeme.

195Nil refert loqui, dum vti liceat.

An English Lad long wood a Lasse of Wales,
And entertained her with pretty tales:
Although she vnderstood not how to try him,
Yet gaue consent at last to vnder-lye him;
Both hauing dallyed with full saciety,
(The wench to manifest the more sobrietie)
Told, in her language, she was fully payd:
And Degon, degon, once or twice she said,
(Degon in Welsh doth signifie enuft,)
Which he mistaking, answer'd thus in snuffe,
Degon that will, (for I protest) so sore
Haue dig'd already, I can dig no more.

197Pudore suo impudens.

A certaine fellow of the purer sect,
Who outwardly did holinesse respect,
Could not endure a Surplice in the Church,
Yet was he lately found in such a lurch,
That though he could not with a Surplice beare,
Did in the Chancell yet a white sheet weare.

198Non nouit seipsum.

Could Titus deeme the times he now bestowes,
To be the same he did prognosticate,
That thus of late transform'd himselfe not knowes,
He is become so great a Potentate?
Who would haue thought (his father but a Tanner)
The son should braue it in that pompeous manner.

201Detur quod meritum.

A Courtier kinde in speach, curst in condition,
Finding his faults could be no longer hidden,
Came to his friend to cleare his bad suspition,
(And fearing least he should be more then chidden,)
Fell to a flattering and most base submission,
Vowing to kisse his foote if he were bidden:
My foote said he? Nay, that were too submisse,
You three foote higher; well deserue to kisse.

202Genus in specie.

VVhat curl'd-pate youth is he that sitteth there
So neere your wife, and whispers in her eare?
And holds her hand in his, and soft doth wring her?
And slides her Ring oft vp and downe her finger?
Sure 'tis some man that's seene in both the lawes.
Retain'd by her in some important cause:
Prompt of behauiour in his words and action,
That doth her bus'nesse with great satisfaction.

203A malo ad peius

You sent to me to borrow twenty marke,
But to that suite by no meanes would I harke,
Then presently you sent a man in post,
To tell me that a Lord with you would host:
And you must haue to entertaine his state,
A Siluer Bason with some other plate,
Are you a cockscombe? or thinke me a foole?
That should be set againe vnto the Schoole?
Indeed I were a Woodcocke to be wondred,
(Denying twenty markes) would lend a hundred.

204Latet aliquid occultum

If Doll step out of Dores into the street,
But towards Church or with a friend to meet,
What is the cause (it may be some will aske,)
Why she still hooded goeth in her maske?
Oh shee's afraid it would be much disgrace,
The wind or raine should marre her painted face.

205Vsus promptos facit

VVhy striues old Turnus still to haue the wall?
Oh, he is euer druncke and feares to fall.

206Semper idem Incultus.

Toruus hath left his late mechannick trade,
And vseth now another new profession,
But being still the same that Nature made,
Yeelds to his former stampe the same impression:
Of whom I well may write this Epigram,
Ne quisquam Sutor vltra Crepidam.

207Foras expertus.

Priscus hath beene a Traueller for why,
He will so strangely swagger, sweare, and lye.

208Leui, responsio leuis.

Pretus that late had office borne in London,
Was bid by one good morrow Pretus quondom,
He, with a iest (no whit put out of temper)
Reply'd incontinent Adue knaue Semper:
Another in a kinde of scoffing speeches,
Would needes request his gowne to line his breeches:
Not so quoth he, but sure twill be thy hap,
That for thy knauish head thou line thy Cap.

209Nil perdit ignotus.

210Ut nascimur, morimur.

When to the world we came, we nought did bring,
Borne therefore first of nought, & nought dying.

211In obitum Promi.

That Death should thus from hence our Butler catch,
Into my minde it cannot quickly sincke,
Sure Death came thirsty to the Buttry Hatch,
When he (that busie was) denid him drincke:
Tut 'twas not so: 'tis like he gaue him liquer,
And Death made drunke, tooke him away the quicker,
Yet let not others grieue too much in minde,
(The Butler gon) the Keyes are left behinde.

212Impar Impares odit.

Sotus hates wisemen (for himselfe is none)
And fooles he hates because himselfe is one.

213Quod nimis, nequicquam.

Creta respects her husband wondrous well,
It needes no proofe, for euery one can tell
How kinde she is, that if I not mistake,
Her loue extends to others for his sake.

214Ignauis stimulum.

Vorax is vext that I thus reprehend him,
Faith if words will not, Silence cannot mend him.