Characters and Essayes :: :: University of Virginia Library

Hee is the Picture of Impietie;
To gaine a Groat, avowde to Villanie.
For with a flattring Tongue hee will not fayle,
To picke Mens Pockets, and their Money steale.
His Face is Brazed, that hee cannot blush:
Shame set asyde, none hee regardes a Rush.
And what hee lighteth on with both his Hands,
Hee holdes; for they are lym'd, and lyke Bird Wands.
His Tongue vntymous, clinketh lyke a Bell,
And nought but Tryfling Truethlesse Tales doth tell.
Hee playes the Pandare, and with Gracelesse Greetings,
Hee carries Messages, for Evill Meetings.
And with smoothe Wordes, which hee is cunning in,
Perswades a sorte of Sweetnesse into Sinne.
Hee is much lyke a Dogg without a Doore;
Where-at the Devill to daunce, went in before.
Or lyke a mounted Spyder hee doth show:
And yet but liues on Poyson heere Below.
So hee may gayne, hee lookes not who doth losse,
And for a Crowne his Credite hee will cosse.

Hee hath no Honestie, and doth no Duetie:
Hee spoyles the Youth, and is th'Abuse of Beautie.
A Knaue at Court, a Cheater in the Citie,
That should bee punisht, and expell'd but Pittie,
A Iester alwayes, (tho his Iestes bee stall)
Hee is, and is a Iacke-an-Apes in all.