The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
3
I WOVLD AND would not.
5
1
I Would I had, as much as might be had,Of wealthy wishes, to the worldes content:
That I might liue, all like a lusty Ladde,
And scorne the world, and care not how it went:
But eate, and drinke, and sleepe, and sing, and play,
And so in pleasures, passe my time away.
2
And yet I would not: for too wealthy then,I should be troubled with a world of toyes:
Kinred, Companions, Troups of Seruing-men;
Fashion-Deuisers, Fooles, and Guirles, and Boyes:
Fidlers, and Iesters, Monkeys, Apes, Babounes,
Drunckards, and Swaggerers, and such trouble-townes.
3
Besides I should forget to finde the way,That leades the Soule to her Eternall blisse;
And then my state were at a wofull stay,
No, I would wish, a better world then this.
And in Affictions, here on Earth to dwell,
Rather then seeke my Heau'n on earth, and run to hell.
4
I would I were a man of such deepe wit,As might discerne the depth of euery cause:
That wheresoere I did in Iudgement sit,
I might be held a Note-booke, in the Lawes.
My braine might seeme a kinde of miracle:
And euery word I spake, an Oracle.
5
And yet I would not: for then, woe were me,I should be troubled with a world of Cases:
Both rich and poore, would then my Clients be,
Some, with their pleasing, some with piteous faces:
And when the Rich had left their briberie,
I should not rest for Forma pauperie.
6
I would I were a man of greatest power,That swaies a Scepter, on this worlds great Masse.
That I might sit on Toppe of pleasures Tower,
And make my will, my way, where ere I passe,
That Lawe might haue her being from my breath,
My smile might be a life, my frowne a death.
7
And yet I would not: for then, doe I feare,Enuy or Malice would betray my trust:
And some vile spirit, though against the haire,
Would seeke to lay mine honor in the dust.
Treason, or Murther, would beset me so:
I should not knowe, who were my friend, or foe.
8
No, I do rather wish the Lowe estate,And be an honest Man, of meane degree:
Be lou'd for good, and giue no cause of hate,
And clime no higher, then a Haw-thorne tree;
Pay euery man his owne, giue Reason, right:
And worke all day, and take my rest at night.
9
For sure in Courtes, are worlds of costly Cares,That comber Reason, in his course of rest:
Let me but learne, how thrift both spends and spares.
And make enough as good as any feast.
And fast, and pray, my daies may haue good end,
And welcome all, that pleaseth God to send.
10
I would I were the fairest sweetest Creature,That could be painted with the purest Art:
That Arte might wonder at the worke of Nature,
How so perfection made vp euery part.
That euery Eye that saw mee, might admire mee,
And euery heart, heard of me, might desire me.
6
11
And yet I would not: for then, out alasse,I should be troubled with a world of fooles:
When many a simple Idle headed Asse,
Would put his wits vnto some Poets schooles,
To learne to make a verse to flatter mee:
As there were no such louing foole as hee.
12
No, I doe rather wish the louely Browne,Where vertues Beauty makes the Inward faire:
Then be the gallant gazer of the towne,
And make mine honor, but a Barbers Chaire:
When none that had, with losse of treasure tride me,
Once finding my foule Inside would abide me.
13
I would I were an Innocent, a foole,That can do nothing else but laugh or crie:
And eate fat-meate and neuer go to schoole;
And be in loue, but with an Apple-pie:
Weare a pide-Coate, a Cockes-Combe, and a Bell,
And thinke it did become me passing well.
14
And yet I would not: for then should I notDiscerne the difference, twixt the good and bad:
Nor how the gaine of all the world is got,
Nor who are sober, wise, nor who are mad.
Nor in the Truth of follies sence to see:
Who's the foole now? ther's no such foole as hee?
15
I would I were a Fidler, and could play,A thousand quauers in a minutes space:
And at a Bridale, brauely leade the way,
Before the Bride, and giue the Groome, a Grace,
That I might shake the head, and stare, and gape,
And make a thousand faces like an Ape.
16
And yet I would not: for ten to oneMy fiddle or my fingers should not rest:
But euery Iacke a Lute would call vpon,
Such Moris daunces as doe like him best:
And euery wagtaile with a wanton Eye,
Would hang vpon me for a Heidegy.
17
I would I were a Cuckolde Wittall Asse,And car'de not who did mount my Hackney Saddle,
Yet thinke I haue as true a louing Lasse
As ere lay in Swadling Clouts or Cradle:
And manerly goe to the Church before her,
And would not heare, how many did bewhore her.
18
And yet I would not: for then doe I feare,My hornes would be so hard, I could not bide them
And when their weight were more then I could beare
Alas I know not what to doe to hide them.
But euery one would say in bitter scornes,
Looke yonder goes a gallant paire of hornes.
19
I would I were the arranst Cuckolde maker,That euer answerde for his Aperne sport:
There should not scape a wench, but I would take her
And set her to her worke in such a sort
That all the world should know, while I had health
I would not see an Idle Common-wealth.
20
And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,Bride-well and I, should wrestle for the Whippe:
And once got in, I hardly should get out,
Till I had soundly pay'd for Trully-Trippe:
When all the Beggers in the streets would whoo me,
And do me all the shame, that they could do me.
21
I would I were a most notorious ThiefeThat might affright all true men, where I goe:
And when I made demaund, they might be briefe,
That in their Budgets doe my busines knowe.
And such as trauaile, with concealèd treasure,
Should be but Stewards, to maintain my pleasure.
22
And yet I would not: for then out of doubt,Some dogge, or diuel, would for Coyne betray me:
Some priuy search, would surely finde me out,
Or Watch, or Warrant, some way, would way-lay me.
And being caught with Bills, and Clubbes, and staues,
Bee guarded, with a crue of beastly Slaues.
23
Then to the Iustice, brought with such a Ioy,As if some Campe or Castle were surprisde:
Who knowing how such Stragglers doe destroy,
A world of wealth, hath presently deuisde,
Vnto the Iaylers keeping to commend me:
Where I must stay, vntill the gallowes end me.
25
No, I had rather leade a quiet life,And feare to looke no true man in the face:
Keepe a poore house, maintaine an honest wife,
Trauell no further then the Market-place.
On Sundayes goe to Church, and home againe,
And with my neighbors drinke a pot, or twaine.
26
I would I were a Iuggler, and could playA thousand prankes vpon a Pepper-corne:
And draw the wittes of Wyzardes, so away,
They all might wonder at a Bullockes-horne.
And with their purses runne and follow mee,
To make them think they see they doe not see.
7
27
And yet I would not: for then well I know,Some Eye, or other, would my sleights descrye:
And to the world reueale my cunning so,
I could not answere for my Knauery.
But some Curst-queane, would either cracke my crown,
Or Constable, would course me out of town.
28
I would I were a Myller, and could grindeA hundred thousand bushells in an houre:
And ere my Master and my Dame had dinde,
Be closely filtching of a bagge of Floure.
And send it to my Sweet-hart, for to make,
A Pudding-pie, a Pastey or a Cake.
29
And yet I would not: least my Thumbes should beHeld all too great vpon my towling-dish:
And such as did my secret cunning see,
Might curse, and wish mee many a bitter wish:
And say, when they before the Mill-dore-stand,
The Millers-thumb's as broade as halfe a hand.
30
No, I had rather fairely buye my bread,And spend it as I get it honestly:
Then scarcely sleepe in quiet in my Bed,
When I but thinke vpon my subtilty;
To lay the wench along vpon the Sacke,
And steale her meale, ere she had turn'd her back.
31
I would I were a Taylor, and could cut,A thousand yardes of Veluet out in shreads:
And in my purse the money closely put,
While simple hearts were beating of their heads,
With labours toyle to keepe a poore estate,
Like honest Cutberd and his bony-Kate.
32
And yet I would not: least by falshoods trade,I should be call'd a stealer, that's a thiefe:
No, in no wise, by such meanes to be made
A Master-workman, were too great a griefe.
No, Let me rather be an honest youth,
That neuer stoole a yarde of stuffe in truth.
33
I would I were a Keeper of a Parke,To walke with my bent Crosse-bow, and my hound,
To know my Game, and closely in the darke,
To lay a barren-Doe vpon the ground.
And by my Venizon, more then by my Fees,
To feede on better meate then bread and cheese.
34
And yet I would not: least if I be spide,I might be turnèd quite out of my walke;
And afterwards more punishment abide,
Then longs vnto a little angry talke.
And cause more mischiefe after all, come to me,
Then all the good the Does did euer doe me.
35
No, I would rather bee an honest Keeper,To walke my Parke, and looke vnto my Pales;
And not to play the sluggard and the sleeper,
And holde my Land-lord vp with idle tales.
Take but my Fees, be merry with my Dame.
And so to gaine, and keepe an honest name.
36
I would I were a Collyer, might sell Coles,And fill my sackes a quarter full of dust:
And hauing emptied them in some darke holes,
Sweare out my measure to be full, and iust.
Then laugh to thinke when I were gotten home.
How I had couzen'd a kinde-hearted Mome.
37
And yet I would not: least by my black face,I might be held a Diuell then in deed:
And so to doe my fellowes all disgrace
When many a one the worse for me should speed.
No, God forbid, let me be true and iust,
While other hide, the Diuell in the dust.
38
I would I were a Gardiner, and had skill,To digge and rake, and plant, and sowe, and slippe
The Caterpiller, and the Mowle to kill,
To proyne my Trees, and all my stalks to strippe.
And when to plucke my fruite, and sowe my seeds,
And how to keep my Gardein cleane from weeds.
39
And yet I would not: for then should I feare,The Thiefe, the Mowle, the Worm, and blasting windes:
I should not looke about me any where,
But I should finde some crosses in their kindes.
My Plants would wither, or my seedes would rot,
Or loose in one yeare, more then ere I got.
40
No, I would rather take the Markets happe,And pay my Coyne, and keepe my minde in quiet;
And what I bought, to bring home in my lappe,
And when I come home, dresse it for my Dyet.
Then in my garden watch a Mowle or Mouse,
And haue another planting in my house.
41
I would I were a painter of such Art,As like Appelles, might abuse the Eye:
And to the life so set out euery part,
That straunge conceits might bee deceiu'd thereby,
And I might vse my pensill in such sort
As all the world should neuer make report.
8
42
And yet I would not: for then doe I feare,My heart might fall vpon Idolatry:
For while my hand were drawing of a haire,
I might be rapt into a thought too high.
When thinking to behold an Angels face,
Forget the diuell in another place.
43
No, I had rather onely learne to knowe,The difference of my Colours in their kindes:
And haue a care, to set my shadowes so,
That may not be a hurt to blessèd mindes.
And vse my pensill, on my cloath, and boord,
And for what price I might my paines affoord.
44
I would I were a Merchant of all wares,That I might furnish all both Rich and poore:
And what should fall vnto the Beggars shares,
I might haue plenty, alwaies at my doore.
My shoppe might be a Market of such state,
As all the world may stand and wonder at.
45
And yet I would not: for then doe I feare,I should finde many a Begger in my booke:
And when I could my mony not forbeare
I might goe hang my credit on a hooke.
When if both Towne, and Country came vnto me.
In one, or both, some debters would vndo me.
46
No, I would rather be of meane estate,Haue mony alwaies ready in my chest:
Be sure to buy my wares at the best rate,
And sell good stuffe, and serue my friends the best,
And cosen no man, with false weight nor measure,
But with true dealing make a poore mans treasure.
47
I would I were a practiser in Phisicke,To know my Simples, Compounds, and my waters,
To heale the Rume, the Tooth-ach and the Tisicke.
The Coughe, olde Aches, and such other matters,
That I might by my skill in generall,
Be held the Maister of the Vrinall.
48
And yet I would not: for then day nor night,I should haue quiet scarcely in my bed:
And in my Conscience haue full many a fright,
To heare my Patient suddenly were dead:
When by a Vomit, I had burst his heart
Or pur'gde his guttes out through the nether part.
49
No, I had rather bee an Herbalist,To know the Vertue both of Hearbs and Rootes.
Then be the bold and desperate Alchymist;
That ofte his weight and measure ouer-shootes,
And so, by either want of Care or skill,
In steede of Curing, giue a killing-Pill.
50
I would I were a high Astronomer,That I might make my walke among the starres:
And by my insight might fore-see a farre
What were to come, and talke of peace and warres,
Of liues and deaths, and wonders to ensue,
Although perhaps, but fewe doe fall out true.
51
And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,With too-much study, I should grow stark mad:
When one Conceit would put another out,
While giddy braines beyond themselues would gad.
And seeking for the man within the Moone,
Mistake a morning, for an after-noone.
52
No, I would rather learne no more to knowe;Then of the times and seasons of the yeare:
What dayes the Fayres are kept, and how to goe
From towne to towne, and euery Sheer, to Sheere.
That Tearmers may not their day-note-books slack,
And so to make an honest Almanacke.
53
I would I were a rare and sound Ciuillian.And had the Lawes of honest loue by heart:
Would not corrupt my conscience for a million,
Nor euer pleade, but on the honest part.
Examine strictly, and consider duely,
And so giue sentence to the matter truly.
54
And yet I would not: for then might I heare,How Truth gets hatred, for her honest minde:
And simple-Fees, doe make but sory cheare,
While true Plain-dealing hath but barely dinde.
When such as know the world, and how to vse it,
Seeing a Fee come faire, will not refuse it.
55
I would I were a Scriuener, and could pen,All kinde of writings, write all kinde of hands;
Be well acquainted with great Monyed-men,
And closely deale for all their goods and Lands.
And being furnisht fully, to my pleasure,
Play them a trick, to make them loose their Treasure.
56
And yet I would not: for then I am sure,My Conscience would receiue a Mortall-wound:
And such a wound as neuer Arte could Cure,
By all the feates that euer Scriuener found.
When if I scap't mine eares for Forgery,
My soule should goe to hell for Vsury.
9
57
No, I had rather in a Copy bookeWrite a good sentence for a Schollers reading:
Whereon the parents may be glad to looke,
And say, God send their hands a happy speeding.
And take my mony on the Saterday
For all the weeke, then bid my Boyes goe play.
58
I would I were a Trades man, and could sellMy wares by weight, and measure as I list:
And had such trickes to make my market well,
That I might send home fooles with Had-I-wist.
That while poore soules did sit with losses crying,
I might growe Rich, with swearing, and with lying.
59
And yet I would not: for my Conscience then,Wold make me feele the smart of falshoods woe:
When I beheld the ends of faithles men,
With what a horror to their Hell they goe.
While true plaine-dealing hearts in quiet die,
And faithfull loue doth liue Eternally.
60
I would I were a Broker, and for CoyneTooke any Pawnes, and care not what I tooke
For interest, nor how I did pourloyne,
So I might get it with the Siluer hooke:
Who were the Thiefe, so I might buye the wares,
Nor who did shift, so I did get the shares.
61
And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,Some priuate Eyes, would closely prie into me:
And some odde Ladde or Landresse finde me out,
And for receiuing stolne goods would vndo me.
When with the losse of all my goods, scarce hope,
To be so happy, as to scape the Rope.
62
No, I had rather trie a better trade,Whereby to make some honest kinde of gaine:
Whereby some better reckoning may be made,
Then buy Repentance with so great a paine.
Now fie vpon them Brokers, Bawdes, and Theeues,
Make poore men weare their Ierkins without sleeues.
63
I would I were a close promoting Mate,To picke a hole in each offenders Coat:
And make a shew of seruice to the State,
When I would purse vp many a priuy groat:
But in great Summes follow my Information,
Till I were well paide for a Reformation.
64
And yet I would not: for then euery knaueWould single me out, for a secret friend:
And teach me how to play the cunning slaue,
To bring my busines to a wretched ende.
While hellish Craft with Cloke of heresie,
Might hide a world of foule iniquitie.
65
No, I would rather learne my selfe t'amendWhat is amisse, and so my friends aduise;
Then when I see an other man offend,
In secret seeke his ruine to deuise.
And making shew to seeke the good of all,
Set vp my selfe, with many thousands fall.
66
I would I were a Tapster, fill my potHalfe vp with froth, and make my gaine of drinke:
And make no care, how I my mony got,
So I might heare my gold and siluer chinke.
Make more of Drunkardes then of better men,
By putting off bad licour now and then.
67
And yet I would not: for then should I be,At Call and Checke of euery Iacke and Gill:
And many a Lobcocke would looke into me,
What drinke I drew, how I my pot did fill:
And sometime trust so farre vpon the score,
I scarce should put my head out of the doore.
68
No, I had rather runne another Race,Though for lesse profit, yet for more content:
That both with God and man, might be in Grace,
Wherein my time might be more happily spent.
And rather pay, my penny for my pot,
Then cosen twenty people for a groat.
69
I would I were as tall, and stout a man,As euer drewe a sword out of a sheath:
That I might see, who durst come neere my Canne,
Or speake a word, where I but seeme to breath.
Or fortune durst, but crosse me with her wheeles,
For feare to see, her braines about her heeles.
70
And yet I would not: for then where should IBestowe my selfe? why euery man would flie me:
I should be sure to haue no company,
Where none that loue themselues, that will come nigh me,
And fortune would be sure to fit me so,
That she wold some way seeke mine ouerthrow.
71
I would I were a Trauellor, to passeThe Roughest Seas, and card'e for winde and weather:
And might arriue, where neuer Creature was,
But Beasts, and Birds, that liue and feede together:
And tell at home what I abroad haue seene,
Where neuer man yet but my selfe had beene.
10
72
And yet I would not: for I feare that feweWould trust my stories, were they nere so true:
Words are but winde, and winde is but a Dewe,
Farre Trauellers may say the blacke is Blewe.
Although perhaps some simple soules may say,
Surely this man hath trauailde a great way;
73
No, I will rather trye my Fortunes heere,And to my best aduantage vse my wittes:
Then runne abroad, and buye Repentance deere,
Knowing how ofte, vnhappily Fortune hittes.
When Weather-beaten Sailes, with winde, and raine,
Scarce make a Sauing-Voyage home againe.
74
I would I were a Player, and could actAs many partes as came vpon a Stage:
And in my braine, could make a full Compact,
Of all that passeth betwixt Youth and Age;
That I might haue fiue-shares in euery Play
And let them laugh, that beare the Bell-away.
75
And yet I would not: For then doe I feare,If I should gall some Goos-cappe with my speech:
That he would freat and fume, and chafe, and sweare,
As if some Flea had bit him by the Breech.
And in some passion, or strange Agonie
Disturbe both mee, and all the Companie.
76
I would I were a Poet, and could write,The passages of this Paltry world in rime:
And talke of Warres, and many a valiant fight,
And how the Captaines did to Honor clime.
Of Wise, and Faire, of Gratious, Vertuous, kinde,
And of the bounty of a noble minde.
77
But speake but little of the life of Loue,Because it is a thing so harde to finde:
And touch but little at the Turtle-Doue,
Seeing there are but fewe Byrdes of that kinde.
And Libell against leawde and wicked harts,
That on the earth, doe play the Diuells-parts.
78
And yet I would not: for then would my braines,Be with a world of toyes Intoxicate:
And I should fall vpon a thousand vaines,
Of this and that, and well I know not what.
When some would say, that saw my Frantick fittes,
Surely the Poet is beside his wittes.
79
I would I were an honest Countrey-Wench,That only could make Curtsey, smoile, and blush,
And sit me downe vpon a good-Ale bench,
And answere wanton Tomkin, with a Tush.
And well, Go-too, and How-now? Pary-away,
And for a Tanzey, goe to Stoole-Ball-play.
80
And yet I would not: For then doe I feare,My louers would be out of loue with mee:
If I would not belieue them when they sweare,
That I am shee, and I am onely shee,
Of all the Maydes, before the Church-house dore;
That hath their harts; and what can I haue more?
81
No, I had rather be an honest wife,And loue my husband, and looke to my house:
And with my Neighbours leade a quiet life,
And keepe a Cat, to driue away the Mouse.
Hatch vp my Chickins, pen vp my clocke-Henne,
And haue nothing to doe with naughtie men.
82
I would I were the gallanst Courtizan,That euer put a foure-Ear'de Asse to schoole:
That I might cleane put downe Maide Marian,
And neuer be without my dainty foole.
And make my mony Baggs come tumbling to me,
And glad to see what seruice they can doe me.
83
And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,Some Cunstable, or Beadle of Bridewell:
By some olde Bawde, would surely find me out,
When for his silence, I should pay full well.
Or Cart it to the place of youthes Correction,
Where chopping Chalke, would quite spoile my Complexion.
84
No, I had rather be an honest Maide,That neuer knewe any [of] loues delight:
And of a man, almost to be afraide,
Then seeme to set my Maidenhead so light.
As for a wicked choise, to chaunge my name,
To fit me onely, with a fie for shame.
85
I would I were a Bruer, and could makeMy water pay the charges of my Malt:
And for small Beere, the price of strong beere take.
And helpe a musty Barrell with bay salt.
Keepe leaking vessells, stoppe them vp with Clay:
The drinke may runne out, when the Earth's away.
86
And yet I would not: for then I should thinke,If I should take good mony for ill Beere:
My Customers would curse me for my drinke,
And say I solde both that was naught, and deere.
And one so driue an other daily fro me,
That in the ende they would quite ouerthrow me.
11
87
No, I had rather truly pay my pennyFor my full pot of either Ale or Beere:
Then seeke the hurt or spoiling of a many,
Or to vndoe the poore in a deere yeere.
Or make them say, whose trust I doe abuse,
O wicked Bruer, looke what drinke he brues.
88
I would I were an excellent Diuine,That had the Bible at my fingers ends:
The world might heare out of this mouth of mine,
How God did make his enemies his friends.
I were so follow'de, as if none but I,
Could plainely speake of true Diuinity.
89
And yet I would not: for then ten to one,I should be call'd but a Precizian:
Or Formalist, and might goe preach alone,
Vnto my holy brother Puritan.
And so be flouted for my zealous loue
In taking paines for other mens behoue.
90
No, I had rather reade, and vnderstandThe Rules of Grace, that haue the learnèd led:
To know the power of the Almighty hand,
And with what foode, the blessèd flocke are fed.
Rather then with a thundring and long praier,
To leade into presumption, or dispaire.
91
I would I were a man of warlike might,And had the Title of a Generall:
To point the Captaines euery one their fight,
Where should the Vangard, and the Rereward fall:
Who should be leaders of the forlorne hope,
And who the Entrance to the Army ope.
92
And yet I would not: for then I might see,How discontent might cause a Mutinie:
Whereby the Army might in danger be,
To be surprizèd by the Enemy.
Or by the losse of men, for honors gaine,
To wound my Conscience with a bloody paine.
93
No, I had rather praise the Course of peace,And study how to helpe to holde the same:
And how soone quarrells ill begun may cease,
And how to keepe accord in quiet frame.
That olde and young may liue contented so,
That to their graues, all may in quiet goe.
94
I would I were the Miserablest wretchThat euer Crambde vp mony in his Chest:
That I might learne, but like a dogge to fetch
Lambes from the Folde, and Duckelings from the nest
And when I tooke the paines to plucke and pull,
Know how to gaine, by Feathers, and by wooll.
95
And yet I would not: least while I did liue,I should scarce trust my selfe with that I haue:
I should not heare the word of Lend, nor giue,
But only studie, how to get and saue.
And when I die, haue written on my doore,
The Dogge is Dambn'de, that preyde vpon the poore.
96
I would I were the strangest Prodigall,That euer strew'de his mony in the street:
That I might make the Beggers merry all,
When they but sawe the shadowe of my feet.
And Churles might chafe, to see me so to throw
Away the wealth, that they did scrape for so.
97
And yet I would not: least when all were gone,My Stocke, my goods, my Leases, and my Lands
It sure would breake my heart to looke vpon,
My whole estate to be in others hands.
And then to hide me in some secret place,
Or grieue to death, to thinke of my disgrace.
98
I would I were so neate and Spruse a Noddy,As all in print, might speake, and looke, and walke
And so become for euery idle body,
A kinde of Table, or a Stable-talke.
And say to see me, tripping on the Toe,
The Fool's so prowd, he knows not how to goe.
99
And yet I would not: least some Wood-cock-asse,To equall me in my Ciuilitie:
Might paint, and princke himselfe vp in a glasse.
And studie counterfeit Gentilitie.
And so perhaps put mee into some passion,
To see my fashion, growe so out of fashion.
100
No, I will rather wisely looke about me,And weare both what and how might fit my state
And haue a care within, what were without me,
I might not be an Owle, to wonder at.
But I might passe through all the Pide-coat-throng,
And bee no Taber for an idle-toong.
101
I would I were a Beastly-Epicure,That car'de for nothing but to eate and drinke:
And talke of nought but Natures-Nouriture,
And filling vp my Flagons to the brinke.
Of lusty swallowes, and of pleasing taste,
And make no care how much got meat I waste.
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102
And yet I would not: least the world should say,Looke, yonder goes a barrell full of Beere:
Who gulls in more good victualls in one day,
Then might suffize an honest man a yeere.
And ere he dye, it will (no doubt) be found,
The Beast did burst, and stunck aboue the ground.
103
No, I had rather keepe a better Dyet,And liue with Bread and water all my life:
Then in my Guttes to keepe so great a Ryot,
And in my Stomacke haue so sore a strife.
That I should puffe, and blow, and swell, and sweat,
And be halfe-dead, ere I disgest my meat.
104
I would I were a man of all mens mindes,My Wit were drawne into all kinde of passions:
And my Conceyts were all of sundry kindes,
My Cloathes made after all-Countrey-fashions.
I knew the secret of all Natures-sence,
And so of Earth, and all her Excellence.
105
And yet I would not: for then sure should I,Be all too gaz'd at wheresoere I goe:
And like the poore bare-feather'd Æsops-Pye,
When euery Byrd did her owne-feather knowe.
Be followèd with many a flowting-lacke,
Or Rauens feathers all pull'd from my backe.
106
No, I had rather weare but home-spun-thread,And haue my Cloathes close vpon my Breech:
And by my Labours-toyle to get my bread,
And vse no other but my Countrey-speech.
And rather haue a Foole thinke mee a foole,
Then craftie work-men know me by my Toole.
107
I would I were the truest-hearted woman,That euer spake with a most pleasing Toung:
And neuer meane to giue offence to no man,
Nor neuer thrust into an idle throng.
But so haue care of all my Cariage,
It may be helpe vnto my Mariage.
108
And yet I would not: for then euery Maide,Within our towne, would stand and laugh at me:
And call me Foole, and say I were afraide,
To know what in an honest man might be.
For shee that will not looke ere shee did leape,
Might curse the Trades-man, though his Ware were cheape.
109
No, I had rather be a reasonable,True, Honest, Witty, merry-Bony-Kate,
That would not feare the Constable,
To see him looke in at our window-Grate.
As many Wenches will be now and then,
That haue bene medling with too-many men.
110
I would I were the rarest Politician,That euer plotted for preheminence:
And of the Doggedst disposition,
That euer was in Natures residence.
And car'de not how the worlde to Ruine went,
So I might onely purchase my Content.
111
And yet I would not: For then doe I feare,Some sudden-flash from Heau'n would fall vpon me:
And all the world reioyce to see and heare,
In helples griefe, how I am woe begon me.
When I of force should bid the world Fare-well,
And Death were sent to summon mee to Hell.
112
No, I had rather keepe the plaine High-way,That leades the soule to her Eternall rest:
Then by Illusion, seeke out a wry-way,
To hatche my Egges vp, in the Diuells-nest.
And with the Worlde, when I had made an ende;
To finde in Heau'n an Euerlasting-Friende.
113
I would I were, and yet I would not too,Because I know not, that's I know not what:
And when I would doe, then I cannot doe,
When that would put out this, this put out that.
And such strange Fancies would my spirit feede,
That in the ende, I should grow mad indeede.
114
Then let me see if I at least can see,What may be seene, that worthie to be seene:
Wherein might be, and onely there might bee,
That alwayes hath bene, and hath onely beene.
In true Conceit, in state of Comforts store,
Where I would be, and say, would not no more.
115
Yea, that were such a thing indeed to finde,As one might seeke vntill his Eyes were out:
With all the strength both of his heart and minde,
And trauell ouer all the Earth about.
And noting Natures workes, and worth in all,
Finde all as nothing, or to nothing fall.
116
Yet there is something wheresoere it is,And it is some-where, and no-where, but there:
Where all is well, and nothing is amisse,
But yonder, here and there, and euery-where.
Where the bright-Eyes of Blessed-Soules may see,
Where all the Ioyes of Hearts and Soules may bee.
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117
But wher is this same, where? that wold be known,And where is this same knowledge to be found?
And where is such a seede of Science sowne?
And where is such a blessèd piece of ground?
And where is such a Blessing to be sought,
That for that worth, sets all the world at nought.
118
Where all the pride of Beawtie is put downe,While Natures Reason must subscribe to Grace:
And Wit and Will, may wander vp and downe,
And Vertue onely keepes a Glorious place.
Where shee alone vnto her Seruants showes,
Where all the comfort of the spirit goes.
119
Yea, there alone the heart and soule may finde,The sacred Summe of their Eternall-Sweete:
Which gladdes the soule, the spirit, and the minde,
Where all the Graces do together meete.
And altogether, doe agree in one,
To sing in Glorie to their GOD alone.
120
What? neither great, nor wise, nor Rich, nor faire?What would I be then? might I as I would:
I would not be a Moate amidst the Ayre,
Nor yet a Mowle, to digge within the ground.
Nor Byrd, nor Beast, that can but eate, and sleepe,
Nor like a Baby, can but laugh and weepe.
121
Nor like a Bowby, without wit or sence,Nor like a Baboune, for a Bearardes whippe:
Nor like a Lowse, in Beggars Residence,
Nor like a Flea, that can but leepe and skippe.
Nor like a worme, but to be troden on,
Nor like a Gue-Gaw, to be gaz'de vpon.
122
Nor would I be a Byrd within a Cage,Nor Dogge in Kennell, nor a Bore in Stye:
Nor Crab-Tree-staffe, to leane vpon for Age,
Nor wicked Liue, to leade a Youth awrye.
Nor like a Flooke, that floates but with the Fludde,
Nor like an Eele, that liues but in the mudde.
123
Nor would I haue the Crane picke out mine Eyes,Nor Pyes, nor Parats, teach me how to prate:
Nor fill my Pawnche too-full of Wood-cock-pyes,
Nor haue Madge-Howlet make me watch too-late.
Nor let the Cuckooe learne me how to sing,
Nor with a Buzzarde, make too Lowe a wing.
124
Nor would I be a Catte, to hunt a Mowse,Nor yet a Ferret, to goe hunt a Cony:
Nor yet an Ape, to stand and looke a Lowse,
Nor yet a Sheepes-head to be solde for mony.
Nor yet a Hawke, to seize vpon a Ducke,
Nor yet a Nurse, to giue a Baby sucke.
125
Nor would I write vpon the death of Dogges,And say here lyes a good olde-stinking Curre:
Cut lusty faces out of rotten Logges,
Nor of an Owles-skinne, make an Ape a Furre.
Nor teach a Byrde to whistle in a Cage,
Nor be a Ministrell at a Marriage.
126
Nor teach a Cat, to hunt a Mowse drye-foote,Nor a young Squyrrell how to clime a Reede:
A Skarre-crow in a Garden how to shoote,
Nor a blinde-Harper, how a Song to reade.
Nor how a Flea may scape the Fingers endes,
Nor how a Lowse may liue among her Friends.
127
Nor would I be a golden Alchymist,To studie the Phylosophers faire stone:
And feede a sight of Fooles, with Had-I-wist,
To weepe for Siluer, when theyr Golde is gone,
Poope noddy, neuer was there such an other,
To make a Couzen of a simple Brother.
128
Nor would I bee a Foole when all is done,To weare Pyed Coats, Turn-spit, and eat fat-meat:
Follow my master, dandle his young Sonne,
And tell my Mistris, who the Foole did beat.
That she might chide her Wenches euery one,
For medling with her Foole, when she was gone.
129
Nor sing new Ballads, nor make Countrey-games,Nor set vp sights, were neuer seene before:
Nor walke among my crue of Cursed-Dames,
And bee a Pander to a Paltry-Whore:
No, Pandarisme is so poore a Trade,
That none but Beggars, bargaine for a lade.
130
No, I would not bee any one of these,Nor any of this wretched worlds delight:
I would not so my spirits comforts leese,
To haue mine Eyes bewitcht from heauenly light.
No, I would haue an other World then this,
Where I would seeke for my Eternal-Blisse.
131
And till I come vnto that Glorious place,Where all Contents doe ouercome the heart:
And loue doth liue in Euerliuing-Grace,
While Greatest Ioy doth feele no smallest smart.
But GOD is all in all, to his belouèd,
The Sweet of soules, that sweetest soules haue prouèd.
14
132
To tell you truely, what I wish to bee,And neuer would be other, if I could:
But in comfort of the Heau'ns Decree,
In soule and bodie that I euer should.
Though in the world, not to the world to liue,
But to my GOD, my seruice wholly giue.
133
This would I be, and would none other be,But a Religious seruant of my God:
And knowe there is none other God but he,
And willingly to suffer mercies Rod.
Ioy in his Grace, and liue but in his Loue,
And seeke my blisse but in the heauen aboue.
134
And I would frame a kinde of faithfull praier,For all estates within the state of Grace:
That carefull loue might neuer know despaire,
No[r] seruile feare might faithfull loue deface.
And this would I both day and night deuise,
To make my humble Spirits Exercise.
135
And I would reade the rules of sacred Life,Perswade the troubled soule to patience:
The husband, Care, and Comfort to the wife,
To Childe and seruant, due obedience.
Faith to the friend, and to the Neighbour peace,
That loue might liue, and quarrels all may cease.
136
Pray for the health of all that are deceased,Confession vnto all that are Conuicted:
And patience vnto all, that are displeased,
And comfort vnto all, that are afflicted.
And mercy vnto all, that haue offended,
And Grace to all, that all may he amended.
137
Pray for the King, the Queene, and Countries health,Their Royall issue, and Peeres of Estate:
The Counsaile, Cleargy, and the Common-wealth,
That no misfortune may their blisse abate.
But that, th' Almighty so his Church will cherish,
That not a member of his Loue may perish.
138
Wish [euery] King, to haue King Dauids heart,And euery Queene, the Queene of Shebaes wit:
And euery Councell Salomons best part,
Of vnderstanding, for a Kingdome fit.
And euery Lady, faire Rebeccaes face,
And euery Virgin, the wise Virgins Grace.
139
And euery Souldiour, Iosuahs true spirit,And euery Scholler, Aarons eloquence:
And euery Miser, wicked Diues merits,
And euery poore man, Iobs true patience.
And euery Lawyer, Maries heau'nly minde,
And euery Merchant, of Zacheus kinde.
140
Doe not with Esaw, hunt for venizon,And sell thy birthright for a messe of pottage:
Lest Iacob steale away thy benison,
When Isaach falls vpon the yeeres of dotage.
But be a Ioseph in the time of neede,
To good olde Iacob, and his blessèd seede.
141
Be Abraham in obedient sacrifice,And follow Lot in his loues holines:
Like Salomon, be in thy Iudgement, wise,
And Ionathan in friendships faithfulnes,
Like Henoch make thy Ioy of heauenly loue
And with Eliah liue in Heau'n aboue.
142
And diet not with Holofernes drinke,But follow Iudith, in her ioyfull strength:
Let Dalila, not make stout Sampson winke;
Lest the Philistines fall on thee at length.
Nor Salmon be led with Pharaohs Childe,
Lest by the flesh, the spirit be beguilde.
143
Be both a Priest, a Prophet, and a King,A Priest to make thy selfe a Sacrifice:
A Prophet, to declare the way to bring
The blessèd Spirit, vnto Paradise.
A King to rule thy selfe, with such direction,
Thy Soule may keepe thy body in subiection.
144
Know what, and how, and where, and when to speake,Be fearefull, how thou doest thy God offend:
A vertuous vow, take heed thou doest not breake,
And mercies pleasure willingly attend.
Holde backe thy Hand from all vnlawfull Action
And weane thy Spirit, from vngodly Faction.
145
Flatter not folly, with an idle faith.Nor let earth stand vpon her owne desart:
But shew what wisedome in the Scripture saith.
The fruitfull hand, doth shew the faithfull hart.
Beleeue the word, and thereto bend thy will,
And teach obedience for a blessed skill.
146
Chide sinners, as the father doth his childe,And keepe them in the Awe of louing feare:
Make sinne most hatefull, but in words be milde:
That humble patience may the better heare:
And wounded conscience may receiue reliefe,
When true repentance pleades the sinners griefe.
15
147
Yet flatter not the foule delight of sinne,But make it loathsome in the Eie of Loue:
And seeke the hart with holy thoughts to winne,
Vnto the best way to the soules behoue.
So teach, so liue, that both in word and deede,
The world may Ioy thy heau'nly rules to reade.
148
Heale the infect of sinne, with oile of Grace,And wash the Soule, with true Contritions teares:
And when Confession shewes her heauy Case,
Deliuer faith from all Infernall feares.
That when high Iustice threatens sinne with death,
Mercy againe may giue Repentance breath.
149
Sit not with Sathan, on the Horse of pride,But see sweet Iesus sitting on an Asse:
Better on foote, then fowly so to ride,
As with the Diuell into hell to passe.
There is no meane, but either heau'n or hell,
For on this Earth must no man euer dwell.
150
Time hath a course, which nature cannot stay,For youth must die, or come to doting Age:
What is our life on Earth? but as a play,
Where many a part doth come vpon the Stage.
Rich, poore, wise, fond, faire, fowle, and great and smal
And olde, and young, death makes an ende of al.
151
Where he that makes his life a Comedy,To laugh, and sing, and talke away the time:
May finde it in the ende a Tragedy,
When mournefull Bells doe make no merry chime.
When sad despaire shall feare Infernall euill,
While Sinne and death, are Agents for the diuel.
152
But doe not Raue, nor Raile, nor stampe, nor stare,As if thy care would goe to cuffes with sinne:
But shew how mercy doth Repentance spare,
While working faith, doth heau'nly fauour winne.
And loues obedience to the law doth proue,
The chosen Soule, that God doth chiefly loue.
153
Thus would I spend in seruice of my God,The lingring howres of these fewe daies of mine,
To shew how sinne and death are ouertrod,
But by the vertue of the power diuine.
Our thoughts but vaine, our substance slime and dust.
And onely Christ, for our Eternall trust.
154
This would I be, and say, would not, no more,But onely not, be otherwise then this:
All in effect, but as I said before,
The life in that life's kingdomes loue of his.
My glorious God, whose grace all comfort giues.
Then be on Earth, the greatest man that liues.
FINIS.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |