University of Virginia Library

Epigram. XLIIII. In Biberium.

Biberius, when he has dronke his fill,
And that his guts are on the tenters set.
Each little hillocke then streight seemes a hill;
A cocks-combes crest stands for a coronet.
The candles, which as earst but singly shone,
Whil'st this old mad-cap was in's sober vaine,
Now each to's sight is multiplide by one
Now foure seeme eight, two foure, & one seemes twaine.
He tels Astronomers their rules are fond,
That neuer could as yet two Moones descry:
Hee'le shew you two: th'one in his neighbours pond
T'other right opposite in th'azure skie.
It's strange to see, if that he straine to speake,
(And straine he must if that he speake at all)
How's faltring tongue does silence doubly breake,
And how for one two wordes from's mouth doe fall.
If that he dare aduenture for to goe
Whil'st that his crazie braines with moisture swim,
Tost like a ship he reeles me too and fro,
Or fals, his legs redoubling vnder him.
Yet let me you, his bodies organs, tell
(Which as at all times, so most in his neede
Ought him to serue) beleeu't yee doe not well
Thus for to leaue him with vntimely speede.
Ist reason, thinke you, when he nought conceales,
When he deales plainly both with great and small,
When he his thoughts, his inward thoughts reueales,
That he should be thus doubly dealt withall?