The Times' Whistle Or A Newe Daunce of Seuen Satires, and other Poems: Compiled by R. C., Gent. [i.e. Richard Corbett]. Now First Edited from Ms. Y. 8. 3. in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral: With introduction, notes, and glossary, By J. M. Cowper |
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Vera quid hominis forma. |
 | The Times' Whistle |  |
112
Vera quid hominis forma.
What makes a perfect man? My Muse declare.
Externall qualities? Their force is much
I doe confesse; but beastes excell vs farre
In them; our stepdame Natures will is such,
The lions strength mans force doth overquell;
The hare in swiftnesse doth vs all excell.
Externall qualities? Their force is much
I doe confesse; but beastes excell vs farre
In them; our stepdame Natures will is such,
The lions strength mans force doth overquell;
The hare in swiftnesse doth vs all excell.
In sences likewise brutes doe vs exceed;
Hartes in quicke hearing, eagles in sharp sight;
Spiders in touching; apes when as they feed,
Have daintier palates to procure delight:
Tender-nosd houndes, & vultures, senting prey,
In smelling doe surpasse vs every waie.
Hartes in quicke hearing, eagles in sharp sight;
Spiders in touching; apes when as they feed,
Have daintier palates to procure delight:
Tender-nosd houndes, & vultures, senting prey,
In smelling doe surpasse vs every waie.
Neither doth mans essentiall forme consist
In lineaments of body well contr[i]vde;
Although heerin of force I must insist
He doth excell all beastes that ever livde;
Since beastes aspect is downeward as they passe,
And man the heavens hath for his looking-glasse.
In lineaments of body well contr[i]vde;
Although heerin of force I must insist
He doth excell all beastes that ever livde;
Since beastes aspect is downeward as they passe,
And man the heavens hath for his looking-glasse.
What then? Doth wealth mans perfect forme compose?
Noe, though thy wealth doe Crœsus wealth exceed;
Though many miles thy land cannot enclose,
Though all things to thine owne desire succeed:
Yet this (if thou the matter rightly scanne)
Is of noe force to make the perfect man.
Noe, though thy wealth doe Crœsus wealth exceed;
Though many miles thy land cannot enclose,
Though all things to thine owne desire succeed:
Yet this (if thou the matter rightly scanne)
Is of noe force to make the perfect man.
113
There is a soule, not generate, but infusde,
Immortall therfore, which conjoyntly knit
With [the] corriptible bodie, & diffusde
By vertue through each member, as is fit,
Informes each part, & animates the same,
And this mans true essentiall forme doth frame.
Immortall therfore, which conjoyntly knit
With [the] corriptible bodie, & diffusde
By vertue through each member, as is fit,
Informes each part, & animates the same,
And this mans true essentiall forme doth frame.
| The Times' Whistle | |