University of Virginia Library

A Foole. 29.

A foole hee is, the'Abortiue Birth of Wit,
And the vnfashiond Embrio of it:
Where Nature had more Power, than Reason Vse,
The Fruit of Imperfection to produce.
His Actions all, are almost all Extreames,
Of Meanes, nor Endes, hee never doubts, nor dreames.
Nature taught Fooles, to Eate, to Worke, and Sleepe,
Tho they there-in no Time nor Measure keepe.
Fooles haue no feare of GOD, respect to Men,
And voyde of Reason, they no Duetie ken.
Bot as their Passion, and their braine-sicke Wits,
Transport them, they doe play their foolish Fits.
His Exercise, it is foure folde alway,
H'eats, drinks, and sleepes, or then is laughing aye.
Fyue thinges doe humor him, and much doe moue,
And not bot these can hee thinke of, nor loue.
And what are they? a Bauble, a Bell, and bot
A pupped Pudding, or a pyed Coat.
His Wordes want Wit, and Reasonlesse his Will;
For it resolv'd, doth neither good nor ill.
Hee Wisdome and Instruction doth despise,
Since hee can nought, or hee will not bee wyse.
His Front, his Index is, and doth expresse,
His Mindes distemprature and giddinesse.
His foolish Pits, neyther the Bad doe please,
Nor can the Good bee seene content with these.
Hee out of Measure is in Motion ever,
And bot when hee doth sleepe, hee resteth never.
Hee is vnhappily begotten and borne,
(Tho not his fault) Reason and Wisdomes Scorne.
A Shame to's Syre, a Blott vnto his Brother:
A Curse to's Kin, a Mischiefe to his Mother.
Hee liues a Beast, and doth no better die,
But Wit and Reason, Natures Infamie.