University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Thalia's Banquet

Furnished with an hundred and odde dishes of newly deuised Epigrammes, Whereunto (beside many worthy friends) are inuited all that loue in offensiue mirth, and the Muses. By H. P. [i.e. Henry Peacham]
  

collapse section 
  
 1. 
 2. 
 3. 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 7. 
 8. 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13. 
 4. 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 18. 
 19. 
 20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 24. 
 25. 
 26. 
 27. 
 28. 
 29. 
 30. 
 31. 
 32. 
 33. 
 34. 
 35. 
 36. 
 37. 
 38. 
 39. 
 40. 
 41. 
 42. 
 43. 
 44. 
 45. 
 46. 
 47. 
 48. 
 49. 
 50. 
 51. 
 52. 
 53. 
 54. 
 55. 
 56. 
 57. 
 57. 
 58. 
 59. 
 60. 
 61. 
 62. 
 63. 
 64. 
 65. 
 66. 
 67. 
 68. 
 69. 
 70. 
 71. 
 72. 
 73. 
 74. 
 75. 
 76. 
 78. 
 79. 
To Maister Iohn Browne of Sparkes in Tacolneston.
 80. 
 81. 
 82. 
 83. 
 84. 
 85. 
 86. 
 87. 
 88. 
 89. 
 90. 
 91. 
 92. 
 93. 
 94. 
 95. 
 96. 
 97. 
 98. 
 99. 
 100. 
 101. 
 102. 
 103. 
 104. 
 105. 
 106. 
 107. 
 108. 
 109. 
 110. 
 111. 
 112. 
 113. 
 114. 
 115. 
 116. 
 117. 
 118. 
 119. 
 120. 
 121. 
 122. 
 123. 
 124. 
 125. 
 126. 
 127. 

To Maister Iohn Browne of Sparkes in Tacolneston.

Epigram 79.

I told you, though you haue the world at wil,
To happines there somewhat wanteth still,
Which is not (as you haue) to haue a wife,
That's young and passing faire, to leade a life
Without disturbe, to haue a perfect health,
Abound in chargeles and vnpurchas'd wealth;
These are without one, and vnto a mind,
Soule-sick, skil-poore, or with ambition blind,
Confere no more vnto it's ease, say I,
Then do rich curtaines and a Canopie,
With pearle and gold embroyder'd all about,
Vnto my Lord who lies vpon the gout:
Though much content herefrom a man may find,
Who can denie? the fountaine is the mind,
Whence must the soft and siluer streame arise,
To fence aswell as feede our Paradise.
Then as yee would some goodly fabrick reare,
Lay your foundation sure, the heauenly feare;


And pure religion, hereon let be pight,
Your liues strong frame that's honest and vpright,
Make choise (as studdes) of trusty friends that will
Like heart of oke, not shrinke for good or ill,
Not the rude rout who onely frendship measure
As they get by you, and one does them pleasure.
Of frendship, these, the base subsistence be,
And surfer of all ingenuitie,
These are the pies that on your peare-tree top,
But build to care the fruite in Autumne vp,
Or these doubled throated layes, you find,
To eate your cheries, leaue the stones behind:
Or haply fill'd their bellies from the tree,
Beray the bow, and so away they flee.
I then aduise you for to make your light,
Behind experience & a sore fore-sight,
Sith none knowes what may fall, close couerd lay
Vp somewhat to withstand a rainy day.
Let artes, good partes, a conscience cleere of sin,
Bee your best pride and household stuffe within,
Then lest the circle in your center rest,
And hold your selfe aboue a monarch blest.