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The Scourge of Folly

Consisting of satyricall Epigrams, And others in honour of many noble Persons and worthy friends, together, with a pleasant (though discordant) Descant upon most English Proverbs and others [by John Davies]

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To my Sonne S: D

The prudent Sire, if vertuous (too) he bee,
Forbeares to do that Ill; his Sonne should see,
And so (I must confesse) I should haue done;
But as I shall esteeme thee for my Sonne,
Ensue mee in my best Parts, not my worst;
Els thou of God and me shalt bee accurst.

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And do as Shem did, seeing his father lye
Expos'd to shame, through his ebrietie,
With Eyes auerted, he (most blessed Childe)
His Fathers shame most honorably Veild.
Then Shem ensue; for, if thou follow Ham,
The Curse will cleaue to thee which thee will damne.
Couer my Cryme if it do naked lye
Exposd to shame in Vertues purer Eye:
The rather, sith it was not Bacchus Raigne,
But Wine, call'd Witt, that giddy made my Braine.