University of Virginia Library

Sic Transit gloria Mundi.

Marke & you loue me, who's yond marching hither,
Some braue Low-countrey-Captain, with his feather
And high-Crownd-hat, see into Paules he goes,
To showe his Doublet and Italian Hose.
The whiles his Corporall walkes th' other Ile,
To see what simple Gulls he can beguile,
In hope of purchase, for if such he meet,
They follow must his Captaine through the Street.
Where the poore Gulls before this Leader stand,
With lowly reuerence, and their Hats in hand.
Houering an Idoll, for true worth it selfe,
Because he keeps him braue with wrong got-pelfe.
But note this Gallants Genealogie,
Then shall you see his byrth and progenie.
His Father liu'd by gaming to defraude,
His Mother was an Ale-wife and a Bawde.
Yet doth this Outside so deceyue mens sight.
As oftentimes hee's taken for a Knight.
But Farewell Captaine, and now note this man,
This griping Mammon that doth all he can
To bee on Earth Great Plutoes-Treasurer,
And when he dies, in Hell an Officer.
This Slaue in Cash hath forty thousand pound,
Yet such a wretch there breaths not on the ground.
His Parents in their liues, gaue him their state,
But he returnd their loues with matchlesse hate.
That like a Pellican to doe him good,
He nourisht was by sucking of their blood.
And now possest of all they had before,
Vnnaturally against them shuts his Dore.
Yet now this Monster liues to doe more euill,
Lurking here still a Ledger for the Diuell.
The next to him comes Prodigalitie,
A Townesmans Heire strowting in brauerie.
This Foole makes Suppers for Whores, Bawds, & Cheators,
Yea, lends them money, but to call them Debtors.
Nere lookes to hate' againe: Cousnage defeat him,
When he wants Money at his neede, they beate him.
No wonder, for hee more deserues by halfe,
Tis good enough for such a golden Calfe.
Of whom a man may trulie prophesie,
His ende will be diseased Beggerie.
Next a penurious Miser wretch comes forth,
That owes his bellie more then he is worth.
Yea, faine would seede out of the Prisoners basket,
Wert not for feare, or shame, he durst not aske it.
Yet hath his Shoppe and Cellers stufft with Wares,
Which to make profite of hee onely cares.
Nere breakes the interest that thence redounds,
But is as prouident in pence as pounds.
Who to saue charges faine would woolward goe,
But that he doubts the world thereof should know.
Tut, penny sau'de (saith hee) is penny got,
Spend they that meane to begge, I like it not.
If labour or preuention can it let,
Heel' not in Fleete or Counter lye for Debt.
No, no, such Husbands as are worldly wise,
Will spend no more then nature shall suffise.
As not to drinke more then their braynes can carie,
For feare their iudgements from their wits should varie.
A thousand Cautions more hee might inferre,
To make him proue a damned Vsurer.
Adding still Interest to the principall,
Till in the ende hee hang himselfe for all.
But note what sober Citizen comes next,
That like a Preacher will expound a Text.
And tell what danger comes by doing euill,
Speake like a Saint, and doe worse then a Diuell.
For Golde heel' wrong his Father, cheat his Brother,
And yet these faults reproues hee in an other.
Who vnder cloake of Ciuill pollicie,
Presumes to couer all his villanie.
Pluto takes pride to see these plants so flourish,
Who as his Children hee desires to nourish,
And takes them home when they haue spent their prime
Least tarrying long they should corrupt more time.
But wherefore rippe I vp those dregges of men,
That wrongs true labour and a Satyrs pen.
To treat of Warres or Actions to be done,
Let next the Current of your Channells runne.