A Strappado for the Diuell Epigrams and Satyres alluding to the time, with diuers measures of no lesse Delight. By MISOSUKOS[Greek], to his friend PHILOKRATES[Greek] [by Richard Brathwait] |
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 | A Strappado for the Diuell |  |
For Guido saith, some spirits walke on earth,
That cheered are, and much delight with mirth,
Such doe admire conceits and pregnant brayues;
Others there are, which Melancholy chaines,
And keepes in low Subiection, these are they
Affect the balefull night, frequent that way
That is obscure, silent and intricate,
Darke charnell-houses, where they keep their chat,
Of Tortures, Tragicke ends and Funeralls,
Which they solemnize for their Festiualls.
Thus would Admetus passe the winter-night,
Wherein he gaue such neighbours great delight,
As came to heare him: and such store he had,
Of quaint conceits, as there was not a ladde,
That of discourse had more variety,
Or could expresse his mind more gracefully.
But lacke for sorrow, how hee's fallen away,
That was so trim a youth but tother day,
A meere Anatomy, but skin and bone,
One that it pitties me to looke vpon.
What should the cause be, sure I cannot say,
But his pale face, some sicknesse doth bewray?
“For as our thoughts are legible in our eye,
“So doth our face our bodies griefe descry.
Yet I perchance, by th' Sonnet which hee made,
May find the cause for which he is dismaide
How ere it fall, it shall be sung by me,
Now when I want Admetus company.
That cheered are, and much delight with mirth,
Such doe admire conceits and pregnant brayues;
Others there are, which Melancholy chaines,
And keepes in low Subiection, these are they
Affect the balefull night, frequent that way
That is obscure, silent and intricate,
Darke charnell-houses, where they keep their chat,
Of Tortures, Tragicke ends and Funeralls,
Which they solemnize for their Festiualls.
Thus would Admetus passe the winter-night,
Wherein he gaue such neighbours great delight,
As came to heare him: and such store he had,
Of quaint conceits, as there was not a ladde,
That of discourse had more variety,
Or could expresse his mind more gracefully.
But lacke for sorrow, how hee's fallen away,
That was so trim a youth but tother day,
A meere Anatomy, but skin and bone,
One that it pitties me to looke vpon.
What should the cause be, sure I cannot say,
But his pale face, some sicknesse doth bewray?
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“So doth our face our bodies griefe descry.
Yet I perchance, by th' Sonnet which hee made,
May find the cause for which he is dismaide
How ere it fall, it shall be sung by me,
Now when I want Admetus company.
| A Strappado for the Diuell | |