University of Virginia Library

A worthie Merchand, 24.

Is th'Heire of Adventure, whose Hopes doe hing,
On Gaine, that the Winds from the Waters bring:
With Halters of Hompe, and Horses of Tree,
Through the watrie waste Region rydeth hee:
And with a Merrie Gale chearfull hee is,
Furrowing the Foame, and shearing the Seas:
In Trading by Toyle, and Travell hee takes,
Discoveries of Coasts and Countreyes hee makes.
N'Hazard this Worthie from Ventring exempts,
Bot stablie hee stands in all his Attempts.
Hee spares not Expences, expecting his Gaines,
So Traffique and Trade, the Merchand maintaines.
His Studie is Number; his Care, his Accounts,
To know how his Meanes diminish, or mounts.
His effauld-Faythfull Formes are his Defence,
And greatest Comfort, is, his Conscience.
Hee trades not with a Measure false, his Fame
Is whole, and all. his Wealth, is his good Name.
Hee feares no Sill', and by Charibdis sayles,
Nor for a Wracke, hee out of measure wayles.
Altho with Tempests, hee bee tost and strest,
Yet hopes in the Hav'n to ryde, and to rest.
And by his Trade, and Labours long at leasure,
Hee gets his Goods, and finds the Key of Treasure.
Hee bringes, from th'Observations of his Eye,
The Modeles best, of Architecturie.
And from a bought Exper'ence, and the Sourse
Of Knowledge high, hee draweth his Discourse.
What comely is abroad, and good, hee knowes,
Most circumspectly that at Home hee showes.
In his Apparell, hee is neat, and cleane,
And modest in demeanure, hee is seene.
Not daintie, nor too delicate, in Dyet,
Vsing the meane twixt Parcimon' and Ryot.
Full of Civilitie, and alwayes, (Note)
Hee Holy is, Religious, and Devote.
And to the Citie, Countrey, Court, and King,
What cannot wanting bee, doth daylie bring.