 | The mirror of Man, And manners of Men |  |
To the generall Readers.
Some
readers lookes, for newes from forrayne lands,
A custome old, that no new world can leaue,
Some buyes new bookes, that coms from writers hands,
To see what works the laboring wit can weaue.
Some steps in hast, and leanes on Stationers stall,
To aske what stuffe, hath passed Printers Presse,
Some reades awhile, but nothing buyes at all,
For in two lines, they giue a pretty gesse:
What doth the booke, contayne such schollers thinke,
To spend no pence, for paper, pen, and inke.
A custome old, that no new world can leaue,
Some buyes new bookes, that coms from writers hands,
To see what works the laboring wit can weaue.
Some steps in hast, and leanes on Stationers stall,
To aske what stuffe, hath passed Printers Presse,
Some reades awhile, but nothing buyes at all,
For in two lines, they giue a pretty gesse:
What doth the booke, contayne such schollers thinke,
To spend no pence, for paper, pen, and inke.
I wright no verse, to those that lists not looke
What payne men take, in this deuice or that,
A farme for those, is better than a booke:
Farmes profit brings, yea sir but wot ye what,
The purchace costs, mutch gold and money both,
A booke lyes dead, and soone is floong aside,
Yet often times, in bookes are found such troth,
That to mans steps, they are a gratious guide.
This mirror may, perchance leade some aright,
(That blindfold are) to see the playn day light.
What payne men take, in this deuice or that,
A farme for those, is better than a booke:
Farmes profit brings, yea sir but wot ye what,
The purchace costs, mutch gold and money both,
A booke lyes dead, and soone is floong aside,
Yet often times, in bookes are found such troth,
That to mans steps, they are a gratious guide.
This mirror may, perchance leade some aright,
(That blindfold are) to see the playn day light.
Reade in Gods name, but skorne not things well ment,
No matter though, you buy it not in deed,
It is paid for, and to good people sent,
Of meere good will, that idle folks should reade,
In way of sport, though it no mirth do make:
It shews the spots, and blurs in stayned browe,
And from foule face, would euery blemish take,
If some therewith, will wash their faces throwe.
Though in a glasse, there is no running spring,
A Mirror may, shew man a stranger thing.
No matter though, you buy it not in deed,
It is paid for, and to good people sent,
Of meere good will, that idle folks should reade,
In way of sport, though it no mirth do make:
It shews the spots, and blurs in stayned browe,
And from foule face, would euery blemish take,
If some therewith, will wash their faces throwe.
Though in a glasse, there is no running spring,
A Mirror may, shew man a stranger thing.
FINIS.
| The mirror of Man, And manners of Men | |