Satyres :: :: University of Virginia Library

Stationer ) A Good turne to thee I owe:
Heere! I will pay thee now in Folio.
But stay! Not soe: that I woo'd haue thee put
Mee in the Folio: or the Quarto cut.
Rather contriue mee to the Smallest size,
Least I bee eaten vnder Pippin-pyes.
Or in th' Apothicaryes shop bee seene
To wrap Drugg's: or to dry Tobacco in.
First (might I chuse) I would be bound to wipe,
Where he discharged last his Glister-pipe.

The Character I care not, Great, or Small,
So I bee plainly vnderstood of all.
Onely preserue mee from the sight of Those,
That cannot but must Read me in the Nose.
Then care to cast mee: not ith' Learned Roe,
Least I the Learned censure vndergoe.
Not lay me with scald Poets least I titch,
And so become infected with Their itch.
Let not each Pesant, each Mecannick Asse,
That neer knew further then his Horn-booke crosse.
Each rauin-Rusticke: each illiterate Gull:
Buy of my Poesie, by pocket full.
Bookes like made-Dishes may for Daintyes goe,
Yet will not euery pallate taste 'em so:

Then were it good, I should inioyne the Sell.
Mee vnto none but those that loue me well.

If any Puff-paste, Bumbaste Iobernole,
Wrapt in the Hangings of a Brokers-stall.
A halfe-Nose: or a Carbonado'd face:
Of a suspitious subtill Serpents pace.
Trust to a Basket-hilt: chances to drop,
But for a Resting-roome into thy shop.
And catches in his fatall hand my Rime.
To lurke in it, vntill hee see his Time.
Thrust him out head-long, for (beleiue him not)
Now (by the Mace) it is a Counter-plot.

If thou behold a Courtcast Satten-show,
Fallen from the Fashion a Degree or two.

One as goes purueying vp and downe for Tales,
To Iest his hungry stomacke into meales.
That with a merry pocket-Pamphlet will,
For a weeke after Laugh his Belly full.
Send him to Sojourne with Duke Humfrey,
Let him starue ere hee get a bitt of mee.
Least lying (Read) neglected in his Slop,
I bee conueyed vnto the Brokers-shop.
Or by his theeuish Page discouered:
Quickly conuerted into Ginger-bread.

If any Younger Brother, that noe more
Hath then a Daggle-tayl'd Sheep-skin kept in store:
Whose Annuall fleece will but bare meanes afford,
And with the Echer of his Brothers bord.

That sits a Ledger at his Fathers Table:
My Booke woo'd foudly purchase: (hardly able,)
To win, the presence by the Fiers side,
Of Mrs. Sis, or Sue the Dary-maide.
Or chooke the Rusticke Leather-lobs with laughter
Bid him goe studdy how to liue hereafter:
Read where more sollid substance hee may get
To Live vpon, or learne to goe in Debt.

Ye, ye, Braue Gallants: Patrons of liuely mirth:
Ye, the young hopefull Land-Lords of the Earth:
The youth of youth! That read most liberally,
More out of Pastime then necessity.
Yee worthy Worthyes! None elss (might I chuse)
Doe I desire my Poesie peruse.

For to saue charges: ere the Playes begin:
Or when the Lord of Libertie comes in.
And if a Booke must needs a Patron haue,
Yours is the onely Patronage I craue.
Others I wish the Stationer fore-warne.
With a Hand's off: It is not for your turne.

FINIS.