Prison-Pietie or, Meditations Divine and Moral. Digested into Poetical Heads, On Mixt and Various Subjects. Whereunto is added A Panegyrick to The Right Reverend, and most Nobly descended, Henry, Lord Bishop of London. By Samuel Speed, Prisoner in Ludgate, London |
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On Vain-glory. |
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128
On Vain-glory.
In his devotions unto God, the Lord,He gives no Alms unless upon Record;
And if his good deed happens to appear,
'Tis often sent to the Almighty's ear:
Pharisee-like, Behold, Lord, all my store,
Half of the whole I give unto the Poor.
Twice in the week I fast, and do bestow
My Alms on those whom I deserving know.
If an ill fortune doth molest his minde,
He's apt to think God shews himself unkinde;
As if it were decreed he should inherit
Heaven, therefore upbraids God with his merit.
He can fulfil Commandements, to try
An earning God with superfluity.
In pious bounties lies upon the lurch,
And writes them in the windows of the Church:
Bare heads in concourse of a publick street,
Tickles his fancy more than doth his meat.
Stands at his door taking his Fork from sheath,
And though his stomach's empty, picks his teeth.
And when abroad, he's first that doth begin
To call for Pheasants at a common Inne:
Cheapens rich Jewels, slighting those are worse,
Although he hath no Earnest in his purse.
He's ever on the stage to shew his Art,
And when abroad, still acts a glorious part:
Thinks all men view the Vertues of his mind,
When he's indeed a Bladder full of wind;
Skin full of words, unnecessary tool,
The Fool's great Idol, and the Wise man's Fool.
He that is truly wise is silent found;
The emptiness of knowledge makes a sound.
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