University of Virginia Library

A Drunkard. 42.

A drunkard, to define him, is a Beast,
Tho hee the Figure haue, and bee Man-fac't.
Man Cup-shot, is no Man, no, scarce in part;
For hee hath neyther Hands, nor Head, nor Heart.
Hee is a Nowne, and an Adjectiue One,
That by himselfe, well can not stand alone.
And yet a Tryer, and Contestor great,
Into his Weakenesse, and that stau'ring State.
If that in Surfets, Health, or Sicknesse shall,
The Mastrie haue, command, and o're-rule all.
Hee is the Figure of Deformitie:
And th'evidence of all enormitie.
H'abuseth Time, and Natures Rights ore-turns,
Hee wasteth Wealth, at Reason spights, and spurns.
All Modestie h'anoyeth, and hee marres,
All temp'rate Sprites hee frights from him and skarrs.
Civilitie hee doth disturbe, and trouble;
And all Disorder Orderlesse doth double.
Hee's Woe to his Wife; to his Children Griefe:
His Neighbours Skoffe, and to himselfe a Thiefe.
His Feete doe reele, his Tougue at Randon runnes,
Hee doth, hee sayes, and knows not what, yet sinnes.
Hee blasts, hee braiks, hee bans, and hee blaspheams:
Hee shouts, or sleeps, and still is in Extreams.
Hee wastes, and wots not how, and so doth weaken,
His Stomacks strength, altho that it were oaken.
The Sober sigh, and for his Fashions flees him:
And all beside they scoffe and scorne that sees him.
And so hee serues for nought, except to shame,
Himselfe, and slay his Bodie, Soule, and Fame.