University of Virginia Library

To Rash Iudgement,

Tom Foole, and his fellowes.

The Prouerbe neuer did more true appeare
In auncient vse, many a fore-gon yeare;
Nor the like dayly practise euer gotte,
That a Fooles Bolt is soone and sodaine shotte
Then now; for tis a customary thing,
Rash iudgement's Arrow, feather'd wil'd-Goose-wing
Is sent abroad, before the Block-head looke
Vnto the marke, where leuell should be tooke.
What action be it nere so honourable,
Or worthy purpose perfect venerable?
What Zealous course of Christian pittie,
But some Fooles Bolt is Shot, therat awrye?
Euen Crowned heads, and Scepter-bearing hands,
That order Kingdomes, guide and gouerne lands:
Seeking Gods glory, and their subiects good:
Wrong'd by Rash iudgment, are misunderstood.
What worthy Nobles, true supports of state,
That iustly merrit Fames eternall date:
For faythfull carriage in most high designes,
Whose vertious goodnesse, bright Illustrate shines.
But some Indiscreete mad-braine Idle dolts,
Will at their actions shoote blind Foolish Bolts?
What vpright Iudge, or Iustest Maiestrate
That fauour not for loue, reuenge for hate;
But giue such sentence as the truth requires:
Which are not Shot at by the tongues of lyers?
Diuines (I meane the Godly best Diuines)
Whose liues according to their Doctrine shines,
That haue not their Religeon all in tongue:
Fayth only fayth, (the fruitlesse Ghristians song)
But on lip-labour do not boasting stand;
For to good wordes, they bring good workes in hand:
And so set foorth the light which God doth please,
Yet hath Detraction Bolts to shoote at these:
And in a word, euen generally all,
That liue the best, and shun with worst to fall:
Of what degree-soeuer high or lowe,
Garded against Fooles tongues can neuer goe:
They will be medling with affayres of state,
They will of things concernes them not, finde prate:
They'le censure, what their sence nere reach'd vnto,
And busie most, where they haue least to do:
Such is their folly, and their madnes such,
By scandall wronging all, exceeding much:
But had they eyes to see their owne contempt,
And how they are excluded, and exempt
All honest credit, sure they would prouide them,
More temp'rate tongues, and better brains to guid them.