University of Virginia Library

WIT AND MIRTH.

(55)

[This bawdy Miller in a trap was catch]

This bawdy Miller in a trap was catch,
Not onely married, but most fitly match:
In this the prouerb is approued plaine,
What breadmen breake is broke to them againe.

(56)

[This mans blind ignorance I may compare]

This mans blind ignorance I may compare
To Aquavitæ giuen to a Mare:
Let each man his owne calling then apply,
Ne sutor vltra crepidam, say I.

(57)

[Let not man boast of wit or learning deepe]

Let not man boast of wit or learning deepe,
For ignorance may out of knowledge creepe
Amongst 12 men 4 mile an houre to ride;
He that hath wit, to each his share diuide.

(58)

[If vp the hill a measur'd mile it be]

If vp the hill a measur'd mile it be,
Then downe the hill's another mile; I see:
A groat to pay, 4 pence will quit the cost:
What's won in t' hundred, in the shire is lost.

(59)

[Here rashnesse did the Gallants tongue o'rship]

Here rashnesse did the Gallants tongue o'rship,
To whom the Shepheard gaue a pleasing nip:
Thus softest fire doth make the sweetest Mault,
And mild reproofes makes rashnesse see his fault.

(60)

[The boyling of this wenches eggs I find]

The boyling of this wenches eggs I find,
Much like vnto a greedy mizers mind:
The eggs, the more they boyle are harder still;
The mizer's full, too full, yet wants his fill.

(61)

[Thus wit with wit agrees like cake and cheese]

Thus wit with wit agrees like cake and cheese;
Both sides are gainers, neither side doth leese:
Conceit begets conceit, iest, iest doth father,
And butter falne to ground, doth something gather.

(62)

[What's one mans yea, may be anothers nay]

What's one mans yea, may be anothers nay;
The Sun doth soften wax, and harden clay:
Some Citizens are like to iests, for why,
They'll breake in iest, or bankrupt policy.

(63)

[This is a ridle to a foole, methinks]

This is a ridle to a foole, methinks,
And seemes to want an Oedipus or Sphinx.
But Reader, in my booke I hold it fit,
To find you lines, your selfe must find you wit.

(64)

[Too much of one thing oft proues good for nothing]

Too much of one thing oft proues good for nothing,
And dainties in satiety, breed lothing:
Th'ones flattery mingled with the others pride,
Had seru'd them both, both might liue long vnspide

(65)

[Be it to all men by these presents knowne]

Be it to all men by these presents knowne,
Men need not kneele to giue away their owne:
Ile stand vpon my feet when as I giue,
And kneele when as I beg more meanes to liue:
But some by this may vnderstand,
That Courtiers oftner kneele then stand.

(66)

[One Spaniard mongst 6000, pitty t'were]

One Spaniard mongst 6000, pitty t'were,
Better ten thousand Britains bold were there,
Led by braue Leaders, that might make Spain quake
Like Vere, or Morgan, Essex, Blunt, or Drake.

(67)

[I will not say the man that spake so ly'd]

I will not say the man that spake so ly'd,
Seuen veeres agoe, no doubt hee might haue dy'd:
He by his trade perhaps might be a dyer,
And daily dy'd to liue, and bin no lyer.

(68)

[Thus in the preter tense a foole he was]

Thus in the preter tense a foole he was,
And in the present tense he is an Asse;
And in the future, foole and asse shall bee,
That goes or rides so far such sights to see.

(69)

[I wish that all the Fencers in our Nation]

I wish that all the Fencers in our Nation,
Were onely of this Parsons Congregation:
That he his life and doctrine should explaine
By beating them, whilst they beat him againe.

(70)

[Eight's before eighty, all men may descry]

Eight's before eighty, all men may descry,
Yet wee name eighty first, contrarily.
Pull off my Boots and Spures, I you beseech,
When Spures and Boots is rather proper speech.

(71)

[The prouerbe saies, hee that will sweare will lie]

The prouerbe saies, hee that will sweare will lie,
He that will lie will steale by consequency:
Swearers are lyers, lyers most are thieues,
Or God helpe Iaylors, and true Vndershrieues.

(72)

[The prodigall at Pouerty doth scoffe]

The prodigall at Pouerty doth scoffe,
Though from his backe the begger's not farre off.
Here flour with flout, and bob with bo is quitted,
And proud vain-glorious folly finely fitted.

(73)

[Men sleepe at Sermons, sure their braines are adle]

Men sleepe at Sermons, sure their braines are adle,
Sly Satan lulls them, and doth rocke the cradle:
When men thus doe no ill, 'tis vnderstood,
The diuell hinders them from doing good.

(74)

[They say he's wise that can himselfe keepe warme]

They say he's wise that can himselfe keepe warme,
And that the man that sleeps well thinks no harme
Hee sung not, yet was in a merry mood,
Like Iohn Indifferent, did not harme nor good.

(75)

[Here's Bore and Brawne together are well met]

Here's Bore and Brawne together are well met,
He knew that giuing was no way to get.
The world gets somewhat by the prodigall,
When as the Mizer gets the diuell and all.

(76)

[This Rascals eye is with a beame so blind]

This Rascals eye is with a beame so blind,
That in the poore mans hee a moat can find:
The Wolfe himselfe, a temperate feeder deemes,
And euery man too much himselfe esteemes.

(77)

[All is not gold (they say) that glisters bright]

All is not gold (they say) that glisters bright,
Snow is not suger, though it looke as white:
And 'tis approued to be true and common,
That euery Lady's not a Gentlewoman.

(78)

[Here Pride that takes Humility in snuffe]

Here Pride that takes Humility in snuffe,
Is well encountred with a counterbuffe:
One would not giue the wall vnto a knaue,
The other would, and him the wall he gaue.

(79)

[This fellow was a knaue, or foole, or both]

This fellow was a knaue, or foole, or both,
Or else his wit was of but slender growth:
He gaue the white-fac'd Calfe the Lyons stile,
The Iustice was a proper man the while.

(120)

[He cals for light, she vnderstood him right]

He cals for light, she vnderstood him right,
For shee was vanity which made her light:
She sayd, she would Incontinent attend,
To make her Continent, she needs to mend.