University of Virginia Library

A Satyre.

My Muse (imployment wanting) chanc't to stray
Out of her beaten path, her common way,
Walkt from the wood into the wildernesse,
(I meane the world of wiles, and wickednesse)
And hating sloth, the Canckerworme of wit,
She did obserue what might her turne befit.
First, she espie'd the Great ones, (that should be
So many Loadstarres to vulgarity)
Delight in great offences; and support
Iniurious rapines, with a friend in Court.
Vertue stood bare, whilst Vice sate eminent;
Learned discourse was turn'd to complement,
Merit was rob'd, in seeking of her right,
And Goodnesse ouerpoys'd with greatest Might.
Religion (chiefest Piller of the State,
The Square and Rule of things legitimate)
Grew faint for want of zeale and true Professors,
And was not able to resist oppressors.
Valour, (in Court and Country) was neglected,
And homebred Cowardize alone respected:
He, that abroad, knew how to lead a Band,
At home, to Peasants stood, with cap in hand,
And beg'd an almes; yet went away without,
Tis fit he should (they say) because he's stout.
The Lawes, (that are the Cinque Ports of the Realm
Left Outlawes, by their force should it orewhelm.)
Grew veniall, And where the greatest weight
Was put into the Scale, t'was iudg'd fgr right.
Yet still reseru'd a Sting to punish those,
Which should repine, or (being wrong'd) oppose.
Conscience and Equity, (the helpes of Law)
Gaue way to Enuies all-deuouring iaw,
And he that could procvre a Great Ones Letter
To colour wrong, was sure to fare the better.
But (leauing those, for feare of knowne delay,)
She went into the City to suruey.
Till then, she nere was like to loose her sight,
For euery thing was shew'd her in False-light.
Smooth tongu'd Deceipt, did on her Credit giue it,
What ere she soulde, to make the world beleiue it.
The Master, and the seruant, did combine,
Simplicity (with Craft) to vndermine.
Conscience, was put to wracke, and Faith was sold,
Whilst Loue of Lucre did the ballaunce hold,
And they, that scarce were bound to'th occupation,
Had learn'd (in selling wares) Equiuocation,
Plaine dealing, was a fashion once in vse,
But now was alter'd by the Times abuse.
Femineall Modestie, (that in the shop,
With her owne presence should the absence prop,
Of a kind husband) Was conducted forth,
By a lasciuious Courtiers little worth,
And vnder colour to bring custome in,
Gaue way to loosenes, (customary sinne,)
Hence, Pride (the Cities knowne Inheritaunce)
Became a friend in Court, had countenance,
Yet so; That still the man of meanest worth,
Was sure to set the gayest outside forth,
The Tradesman knowes, That they most freely spend,
Which doe on others worth and wealth depend.
But now the Night drewe on, and heau'n orespred
Her sable Canopy, Starr-lightned,
And fearing least the Night-owles watchfull-crue,
Should apprehend her, or disturbe her viewe,
And knowing that their Censure doth reproue,
(Whil'st night Crowes scape) the silly harmeles Doue,
She left the Citie; And her happy lot
Was, to be lodg'd that night, in Irus Cot.
(A Country Shepheard) who in steed of wealth,
Made Coursest fare, & Sweat, the props of health,
Nor did he much dislike his present state,
Which (though so meane) was free from wrong & rape,
Nor had he bin so poore, But that of late
(He said) his Land-lord at higher rate,
Had rack't his rent, and threatned to vndoe him,
Vnles (next feast) he brought some Pullen to him;
She thence arriu'd into a Country towne,
Where (once their Ioy) the Maypole, was pul'd downe,
And asking why; Twas told her by a Swaine;
The better sort, did hold it was prophane,
And yet (he fearde) themselues had oft done worse,
In building houses with the poore mans curse.
Hence being got, She chaunced to arriue,
Vnder the goodly roofe (the gaudy Hiue.)
Of a Rich Drone, whose tender homebred skinne,
Was fed with hony, (Bees had brought him in.)
Whose griping Penny-father by extortion,
And robbing others, rais'd his sonne a portion,
But ere she there could entertainement haue,
The Beggers Beadle-porter, gan to Craue,
What made her homely outside be so bolde,
To craue releife, where Charity was cold;
She mildely answear'd, That she was a friend
To Learning, though her selfe, were forc't to spend,
Her time in idlenes, for want of that,
Which many onely keepe to wonder at;
But this reply was made, That none dwelt there,
That knew what learning meant, Nor need they care.
For he that knew, Ilgotten goods to spare,
And saue, was wise enough to make an Heire.
From hence my Muse (neglected) home doth post,
And (in dispaire to get a kinder Host,)
She left her wandring veine, and did retire,
Againe vnto the Woods, (with new desire.)
Where she intends to passe her Time in griefe,
Till frowning Fortune smile, and send Releife.