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Honest Gentle-men.

Some ancient Seniors, that experienc't be
Of famous Doctors, do applaud these three:
First, Doctor Dyet, a right sober man,
That nere disorderd courses ran:
But keepes such rules as nature holdeth good,
For to preuent corruption of the bloud.
He is no glutton, with the filthy swine,
Nor drownes his wits, as drunkards do with Wine:
But by his temperate carriage liueth long,
Keeping an able body; sound, and stronge.
Next Doctor Quiet, of a modest life,
That alwayes doth auoyde contentious strife,
He enters not into the swagg'ring fits,
With those whom rage depriueth of their wits.
For euery light occasion to contend,
Not caring whom it bee (with foe or friend)
To vexe himselfe, in fretfull furyes rage,
For all these passions he can well aswage:

Whereby he keepes himselfe in perfect health,
Esteeming more of that, then Cressus wealth.
The third is Doctor Merry-man: whose dyet
Doth keepe himselfe, and all his friends in quiet,
With disposition of a pleasant sort,
And men of wit will vnto him resort:
To driue away dull melancholy mind,
Which to a madding frenzy is inclynd:
This Doctor, honest recreation vseth,
And such iests as are here, he often chuseth:
Not to offend, but like Democritus
That laugh't at th'Athenians, he doth thus;
He makes but merry with some shallow braynes,
And smyles at many in their knauish vaines:
And if that any discontenment grow,
Tis not his fault, but theirs that take it so.
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