University of Virginia Library

THE THIRD BOOK.

1. To the Lady Mary Nevill.

Though I delight to praise you; greatest spight,
Cannot convict Me, for a Parasite.
Madam, all sorts commend; yet you express,
By humble Carriage; that none wish it less.
Applause you seek not, though desert soars high:
Of all your Praise, this is the Summary.

2. To the same Lady.

You were a Burden, to your Mothers womb:
Now her great Weight of Glory, are become.

3. To the Reader.

I dread the Candid, may dislike my Book.
I fear that Fools, may giv't a scornful Look.

4. The Off-spring of the Virgin-Queen Elizabeth. 1602.

England , and Scotland's, blessed Unity;
The Issue was, of your Virginity.
She is more glorious, who Unites two States,
Then She, who like the Vulgar Generates.
So you, great Queen! A Virgin pleas'd to die:
And happy Mother, to Posteritie.

5. To the Hollander, 1602.

That Minerva did help you; must be said,
Whilst England's Pallas, did your Hogans aid.
Thus were you happy; but now Fate throws down,
Your haughty Actings, with a churlish Frown.
Of late Death, Death; Ulysses did become:
And stole your Pallas, and Palladium.

6. To King James.

Now are the Golden Daies; long since foretold:
When one Kings head, Brute's double Crown, should hold.
Our Islands; thought the By-blow, of the World:
By Peace, have now, their golden Tresses, Curl'd.
So that who hate stern Mars; must Eccho this;
That the cold North, is Donour of their Bliss.

7. To the Prince.

O you Great Britain's Hope! Lord of a Part,
Both of a King, and Queens, most Royal Heart.
Nobilities Exemplar; although Few,
Can write after so rare a Copy, true.
But though select devoirs, you are above;
Your Subjects crave a pardon, with their Love.
Did great James this, ex Traduce, infuse?
Or Fair Annes Milk? I can't tell which to choose.

8. Basilicon doron. To the King.

No need to give the Author, or Book, Praise:
For here's Reciprocation, of the Bayse.

9. To the Lady Mary Nevill.

The glass, attests you fair; modest, cries Fame:
Your Glass speaks true; and Report doth the same.
Though Fame be a swift evil; yet it spares
Your Ladiship: not to vent slanders, dares.

10. Of Cæcilia, Daughter to that Lady.

No Limner can, Qualities shadow forth:
And yet you have, a Picture, of your worth.

11. To the Candid Reader.

What I make Good, you Praise; my worst wit, may
Pass for indifferent: Thus you please to say.

12. To the Envious Reader.

If I make any Bad; none can be Worse:
If tolerable; them, you likewise Curse.

Hercules his two waies.

Most men can err in four waies; some, in three:
Alcides lost his way in two; we see.

13. Concerning Vertue.

Vertue, slights Praise; yet Praise, resolves to be,
Constant Retainer, to her Familie.
Glory, waits upon Merit; as the shade,
Upon that Body; which it, perchance made.
Vertue is real; Honour is not; thus,
Substance are we: not the shade, waits on Us.

14. Lifes Dial.

My Daies verge upon West; lost are the Best:
Nor shall I see again, the vanisht East.
I had my Birth last night; Live, just this Day:
Finde me to Morrow, in the Grave; you may.

15. Of God.

Thy Omnipresence, Euclid's Rules confutes:
Plato's Scholar; knew not, thy Attributes.

16. The Atheist.

That there's no God; the Psalmists Fool avers:
But the most simple, to Beleeve it fears.
If no, Fool denies God; what creature's He,
Call'd Atheist? One that wish, no God should be.

17. Charity.

No Wise is Faithful, but Love makes her so:
Where Faith resideth; Charity dwels too.

18. Dives, and Lazarus.

Dives is put i'th' Gospel, without Name:
But Poor, were then call'd Lazers; still, the same.

19. Encrease, and multiply.

Poor Man created was at first, alone:
But shortly after, Woman added one.
When Adam married Eve; then, as before,
The World was Rul'd by One; and not one more.
After Creation, Man did multiply:
God conjoyn'd Eve: so came posterity.

20. Union.

From Hell sprung Discord; Union, is Divine:
God is but One. Hells Quotient, none assign.

21. The three Tempters.

The World, and Flesh, will flatter; Devil, Lie:
They Oratory use; He Sophistry.

22. The Spirit and the Flesh.

What the Spirit command, the Flesh controul:
Thus Grace, and Sin, divide my wretched Soul.
Would Flesh, and Spirit, but conclude a Peace;
Revenge, Jars, Wars; quite through the world should cease.

23. A man was a God to another: Is now a Wolf.

Man, like a God his Brother did defend:
Man, like a Wolf, his Brother now will rend.
Christ, to he God, to Man, came from on high:
But Adam practis'd, Wolfish cruelty.

24. Gods Word.

Præscience belongs to God; to Man, mistakes:
Vain Man talks much, God only one Word makes.

25. The Narrow way.

To the broad Streets of Heaven, Scripture hath
Commanded Us, to choose the narrow Path.
The straight way, leads to Heavens Palaces:
Or Broad way, puts ye, in Hells Little-ease.

26. St. John the Baptist.

As the Suns approach, is foretold by Light:
John before Christ, saluted mortals Sight.

27. Of Autumn.

Autumn shakes off the Leaves, and brings Fruit too:
I wish we could, like gelid Autumn doe.

28. The Miseries of Life.

All wish to Live, though they be sickly, poor;
Small Griefs, will not suffice; they wish for more.
The forlorn Irus, desires not, to Die;
That is; is loath to part with Miserie.

29. Of Nature, and Grace.

Nature dispelleth Darkness, like the Moon:
But Grace, is like the Sun; at exact Noon.

30. A Catechism.

Twelve Articles of Faith, you must believe;
That you may not, the Holy Spirit Grieve.
If you desire, effectually to Pray;
Christ's seven Supplications; use, you may.
Duties incumbent on all sorts of Men:
Have their Sum total, in the Number Ten.

31. The Rich Man.

Why go few Rich to Heaven? why? because,
They grieve for Breaking Sums; but not God's Laws.

32. O Treacherous Hope!

Rather fallacious World; for Hope will stay,
Till extream Ruine, sign our fatal Day.

33. Upon our Redeemer.

As one Mans sin, did Death on all entail:
So one Mans Death, our souls from Hell did Bail.
The falsest Calumnies were meekly born:
Adam offended; Christ was made a scorn.

34. The Holy Ghost.

To white Dove-houses, Pigeons take their flights:
In candid Hearts, God's Spirit, much delights.

35. Valour.

The Wise Man knows, the Just will render right:
He which joyns Courage, is the Man of might.

36. Of the King.

Laws, without King, in a Parallel run,
With duskish light, discarded by the Sun.
King without Laws, is Phœbus in the Night;
What though there be a Sun? we see no Light.
The People chose their King; they both made Laws.
Hence Laws; hence Lords; the Royal Scepter awes.

37. The Welsh.

Wales is not sole Heir, to the British Name:
For England, Scotland; answer to the same.

38. The English-Scot.

These Nations differ in their Customs; how
Came they espoused to an Union, now?
The Law, Predominant, in ev'ry Land;
(The Kingdom's safety) joyn'd them, hand in hand.

39. Roses were united by Henry: Kingdoms by James. To the King.

The superb Red, and White Rose; might Revie
Fraternal wounds; with Cadmus Progenie.
Like Leda's Twins; they disdain'd to appear
Consuls of the same convex Hemisphere.
But as the Argent Day, routs Sable Night;
Then the Earth's shadow captivates the Light:
York should no longer, an Occasion have;
Then till Lancastrian Prowess, could Enslave.
Until the Isle of Man, (whence British bee,
Ambitious to derive their Pedigree;)
Until this high-priz'd Isle, (which vaunts a Name,
By Tacitus, put in the Rolls of Fame;)
So happy was, as to bring Thewder forth:
A Θεου δων; both by Name, and worth.
This Gift of God, to him was neer Allied;
Who in a Gordian Knot, two houses tied.
Whose Red-rose Birth, (Thanks Hymen) did unite
The blister'd Discord, of the Red, and White.
But lest disgust should think Divorce to sue:
Henry, betrothed Roses; Kingdoms, you,

40. John Napiers Revelation.

Ninety, and two years hence, the World shall end:
Is it at your disposal, my Good Friend?
But why would you, no shorter Time devise?
What, to be call'd a Liar? you are Wise.

God, and Man.

God could not suffer Death; and Man could not,
Over the Crave, a Victory have got:
But Christ could Die, and Vanquish; because, He,
Had God-head; joyned to Humanity.

42. Death.

Death, sought by Good; shun'd by such as offend:
Ends Evils; or brings those which have no End.

43. God.

God is Immense; because nothing can fly,
Commensuration, by Omnisciency.
Numbers Perfection, is by Him, outgone:
The Dual, begins Number; God's but One.

44. A Miracle.

The Vulgar admire Miracles; to Mee,
Nothing is Marveilous; O God! but Thee.

45. Adam's Disobedience.

Galen , Justinian, Aquinas, and all:
Might have been spar'd, but that for Adam's Fall.

46. To Adam.

The Devil, to deceive Thee, lent Eve skill:
She gave Good Morrow; but did mean to kill.

47. To the Divine.

The Countrey Horologe, first claps his wings;
Before he News, of grateful Day-light brings:
Thou that wouldst have, thy Preaching take effect;
What thy own Life is, first of all; reflect.

48. The Tempter.

As nibling Mice, use to deal with old Chests:
The Devil finds, or makes waies; into Brests.

49. Mortification.

Unless Sin Dies, no hope of Life; then try
In time, to make it facile, for to Die.

50. To Day.

This instant time, Men yesterday did call,
To Morrow: what strange Name will it befal,
To Morrow? the Name of Yesterday, then
Shall be put on it; by all kinde of Men.
Cras is neer, yet never comes: I shall say
Upon these Thoughts; To Morrow, is to Day.

51. Against thee only have I sinned.

A subject sins, against God; Law, and King:
None, but a Prince; can such an excuse bring.

52. Prayer.

As Christ came in, although the doors were shut:
So into Heaven; Fervent Prayers get.

53. Upon Mary Magdalen.

What faults her eyes were guilty of, in years
Of wantonness; she blots out, with her tears.
A faculty to weep, resides in eyes:
For by their Treachery; most sins surprize.

54. Concerning Hope and Fear.

Riches, and Fears, are huge Concomitants;
Hope a Companion, unto him that wants:
Yet Hope is thought, a comfortable thing;
But fear darts through the Soul a forked sting.
Hope belongs to the Poor; to wealthy, Fears:
You may take Hope; I fancy, Golden Cares.

55. Methusalem is dead.

Not to have Liv'd, but to Live; Life, implies!
If Man lives many years; at last He Dies.

56. Of Lawes, and Justice.

Men the Laws Path, more then Astræas track:
Yet Justice they find quick; and the Law, slack.

57. Intemperance.

The Universal wish, is to Live long:
Yet Luxury, may freely, lead us wrong.
We destroy, what we wish for; Life must be,
A debtor to Physicians; not to Thee.

58. To Ponticus.

'Tis hard to become Rich; since you are Poor.
If you were Rich, 'twere nothing, to get more.

59. The Pharisees.

Their Life was foul, Speech fair; our Age likewise;
To cloud Hypocrisie; are grown precise.
But if you credit, what Grammarians tell;
Faith comes from Fio; delights to do well.

60. Liberty.

'Tis Happiness, what I wish, to acquire;
Why then do Men, destructive things desire?
Goodness, is the grand Freedome; only they
Live to content, whom Vertue teach the way.

61. What Countrey Christ was of.

Conceiv'd A Nazaret, Born, Bethlemite:
But to Two Countrys; Nature, pretends Right.

62. Christ's Crucifixion.

Christ was a Life, to such sad Souls, as knew
The Second Death, was wages, to them due;
To sick, a Cure; a Way, to them at Loss;
Death, unto Death; a Torment, to the Cross.

63. Christ's Cross.

The Cross bare Christ; Christ the Cross up did take:
Thus Mercy mov'd Him; for distress'd Mans sake,

64. Upon Religion.

In Pious Hearts, a Tree must Grafted be;
Whose Fruit, is Honour; whose Root, Industrie.
That Fear made Gods, I readily assent;
For godly Fear, is Graces Instrument.
Although the Root of Piety, speaks Gall;
Yet She is Hony, uppermost of all.
Fear is the Fount; the River which thence springs,
Is Love: whose ev'ry Drop, much sweetness brings.

65. Upon the Prodigal, and Covetous.

The Miser, not one Farthing gives, till Death:
Spend-thrift hath nothing to give; more then Breath.

66. Man, and Wife.

Let Husbands Love their Wifes; Wifes, recompence
Their Husbands Love; with strict Obedience.
As Husband is the Head; let the wife be
Heart, to her Head; in meer humanity.

67. Study.

Some lose their wits, by Study; but ne'r they
Grow mad; who study Vertue, Night, and Day.

68. Memento Mori. Think on Death.

The Hour of Death is dubious; and yet
A certain Time, by Destiny is set.
No Man is far remote from West; from East:
Yet when we think on them, 'tis but in Jest.

69. The Virgin Mary.

God's Spouse, her Fathers Mother might be styl'd
A Daughter, to her own Cœlestial Child.
She was a Virgin, and yet Married: She,
A Mother was; yet kept Virginitie.

That which is Rare, is not alwaies Dear. A Paradox.

Vice is a Disease, Epidemical;
Yet 'tis held Dear: Its price will never fall.
Though seldom humane Eyes, Vertue behold:
Yet for all that, at easie Rates 'tis sold.

71. A Beast.

On Future things, not on those which are past;
Is it the fashion, Hopes Anchor to cast.
Things Vanishing, Hope Dies; or, hopes appear;
But where is the enjoyment? that's not near.
Times Past, the Future; both do Tyrannize:
The Beast takes what is present; He is wise.

72. Reason.

Nature is Mother; Reason, Queen of things:
Nature begets; Reason, to Order brings.

73. Nature.

Reason, is Natures Childe; and therefore saies:
If you'l be Happy; follow Natures waies.

74. I must take leave to talk my Minde.

Alas poor Creature! all your Freedom's gone;
For you no more, may rave against the Throne.
But Liberty of Tongue, will never cease;
If you can obtain Leave, to hold your Peace.

75. To Marcus. A Problem.

What if you take a Bad, or honest Course?
For Bad, by Law are punish't; Good, by Force.

76. Upon Antiquarians, and Novators.

'Tis foolish Envy, to pass all things by;
But what are mouldy, with Antiquity.
'Tis Envious Folly, all things to explode;
But what are adorn'd, with the newest Mode.

77. What Death is to a Christian.

Through Death, at Life eternal, we arrive:
'Tis not an End, but Beginning to Live.

78. To Christ.

Lord! thou Hopes Anchor art; which never fails;
A Sea of Love; the Ship, where our Faith sails.
Thou art Salt to the Earth; Sun, to the Sky:
The Ransom, paid for Souls captivity.
Destruction was destroy'd; Death by thee slain:
Who thought, Death could have suffer'd Deadly Pain?

79. Self-Love.

They who see others Faults; and not their own:
For others, Wise; for themselves, Fools are grown.

80. The Lifes of Saints.

Not to read Lifes of Saints, but such to Live;
Is that which in the end will Profit give.
To turn Leaves over, no Advantage brings:
Strive not to Read, but Relish, Holy things.

81. A man's Countrey.

A good Man alwaies is at Home; a wise,
Under the fear of Banishment ne'r lies.
A valiant Son of Mars, where e'r he be:
Converts that Place, into his own Countrey.
Where we can't Thrive; we there, as exiles dwell:
My Countrey is, where ever I am well.
A Good Mans Countrey, from him can't be rent.
The wicked alwaies, are in Banishment.

82. Against the Atheist.

Time past cannot Avail; Future, can't Ope
To such a Reprobate; the door of Hope.
Thy choyce desires, only on that reflect;
Which for this moment; doth the Sence affect.

83. Upon Hereticks.

From Ennius dunghil, Virgil scrapt up Gold:
Hereticks Dung; from Truths most precious Mold.

84. The effect of Praise.

Good Men, are made Better; Bad, worse by Praise:
Crafty, More sly; 'twill the Fools folly, raise.

85. Not too Fast.

A good Man is not quickly built; take heed,
Though in plain way; you make not too much speed:
Prudent Advice those slight, which are in hast:
First thy self Collect; then correct at last.

86. The Envious, and the Fool.

The one wants Honesty, the other wit:
One cannot see; the other, thinks not fit.

87. Λογος. Reason.

'Tis Reason which God speaks; and which we Pray.
Thus God, and Man; both, Rationally say.

88. Opinion.

None will Beleeve; as Friendship; so Men Try
Their Reputations; by Utility.

89. Art.

God did in Natures Bosom, place the Arts:
That Man might have a Touch-stone for his Parts.

90. Adam's Apologie.

For sin's first Author, Men have flings at Mee:
Did not Eve pull the Apple, from the Tree?

91. The Serpents Answer.

This Allegation prove you never can:
To Tempt you, (but your self) there was no Man.

92. Alwaies the same.

God alwaies was, is, shall be thought but One:
Why came not Faith down to the world, alone?
One Faith, as well as Day, gives Light a Birth:
There's but one Sun, in Heaven; God, on Earth.

93. Cordial Prayer.

Since your Breast, is the Church; let it be pure:
The Holy Ghost, for Minister procure.
And because God, for uprightness will look;
Make a clean Heart, thy devout Prayer-book.

94. The five Wounds.

Christ's Wounds, we soveragn Emplaisters finde:
They heal the Ulcers, of a troubled Minde.

95. Friendship delineated.

When Sol puts on his splendid Robes of State;
Our Bodies Shadow turns Associate.
When Solar Beams, yeeld to a churlish sky;
Our Shadows vanish, with Celerity.
Whilst Fortune smiles upon ye, never fear
The want of Friends; thou shalt have some to spare.
When the Stern Fates, turn to storms, serene Day;
Friends will, as much as shadows, Post away.

96. Vertue.

Not Talk, but Actions, Vertues Pearls comprise:
Faith, Hope, and Love; are Real Entities.

97. Rachel.

What weep, because Children are from you torn?
Had you not Grief enough, when they were Born?

98. Solomon.

So many wise Men, as the world can cull;
So many things are in it wonderfull.
Solomon died; before Greece, seven nurst:
He was not the eighth Wise-man; but the first.

99. Hope.

I can't prevent, what must fall to my share:
I'l neither Hope for Good; nor Evils fear:
Yet Hope will do me all the Good she can:
Expectancy drawes out, my Lifes short Span.

100. Humane Ignorance.

I scarcely know what Life is; how should I
Tell, what 'tis to be Born; and what to Die?

101. Christ is the Way.

Canst not thou the streight way to Heaven, see?
Behold! the Way it self, comes down to thee.

102. Of Fame.

Do well; and crouch not to Plebeian Fame:
'Tis but an empty Adjunct to thy Name.

103. Faith.

Amongst Opinions, Faith had most Respect;
From the Tongue-tyed, Pythagorean Sect.
For whatsoever the old Samian knew;
An ipse dixit, did confirm it true.

104. Indifferency.

Be Death far off, be the fatal stroke nigh:
'Tis culpable to wish; or fear, to Die.

105. The freshest Date.

If I mistake not, I may boldly say;
That the first Age, was the Worlds New-years Day.
Then studious Reader, let me crave of you;
Are the Times we now live in; Old, or New?

106. The Will.

Would you be Good? Vertue, you may acquire:
He will inable; who made you desire.

107. To the Sun.

Twice eighty times, Astronomies express,
Sol bigger then the Earth; yet seems much less.
If you a Pygmie, Sol! appear to Me,
A little Worm; how small seem I, to Thee!

108. Probity.

Good Men, are oft out-witted; and what then;
Since they excel in Vertue, wiser Men?

109. A Man.

The chief Ingredient to Mans heart, is Care;
Foul, noysom Carkasses; our Bodies are:
Birth, is but sickness; and that Life we have,
Frequently found a passage to the Grave.

110. Concerning Loquacity. To the Preacher.

So many Sermons your bad Life denote:
For what need words, if Men your Deeds, might quote?

111. Death is both contrary, and according to Nature.

If you would follow Nature, cruel Death!
You should snatch Parents, before Childrens Breath.
To Natures Dictates, we obsequious be:
For Life, and Death; are both by her Decree.

112. Eloquence.

Great Talkers are not alwaies Eloquent;
A few neat Fancies, Auditors content.
Nor is that field thought Fruitful; whence proceeds,
A thousand Cart-loads full, of stinking weeds.

113. God.

As Clouds permit not, Heaven to descrie;
So none see God, 'cause Mists on their mindes lie.
None have seen God; but few, did ever hear:
Hence Faith is scarce; but Love is much more Rare.

114. To Ponticus.

You would think Me unkinde, should I deny,
To tell you how many years old, am I:
Since my Age is, this Moment; I say None;
For the years I have Liv'd, away are flown.

115. Love and Friendship. To Charles.

What space betwixt Nature, and Habits, lie;
So far is Love, distant from Amitie.

116. Princes.

Hugely Religious, ye seem to be;
And very Zelots, as to Pietie:
'Tis not Love of Religion, makes ye thus;
But thirst of honour, Sanctimonious.

117. O the wickedness of our Times!

Let the worst Vices happen to be nam'd;
Innocent Time, is certain to be Blam'd.
Yet we can't prove him guilty of such Crimes:
Men are not undone by; but in the Times.

118. Philosophy.

The World loves to know much; but few things, will
Beleeve: hence comes great Faith, & little skil.

119. Evils are innumerable.

VVe Die, a thousand waies; are Born but One:
Thousand Diseases push at Health, alone.

120. Upon Controversies.

Will Divines everlastingly contend?
Would they were pleas'd, a Judge, the strife might End.
Concerning who should be the Judge, they Brawl;
I wish sincerely, that dispute were all.
Might I contemplate once within my Life!
As great a strife of Love; as Love of Strife.

121. Christ upon the Cross.

Betwixt two Thiefs, Christ fill'd the empty space:
Now Vertue had, if ever, Middle Place.

122. The Daughter of Time.

Truth lies along Time hid; yet comes to Light:
Greece cals her Αληθες; 'cause she flies sight.

123. Law and Physick.

If Men would Live, as Prudent Nature teach;
They should climb quickly, out of Galen's reach:
If Men were wise, they would not so long Jar;
Till they are witnest Fools, by the whole Bar:
But Bartolus, should then despair to please;
And Mice might comment, on Hippocrates.

124. Husband and Wife.

VVhen Angry, a whole House can't us contain;
A Bed can hold; when we are friends again.

125. The shortest Day.

Our Lifes last day, doth the most short, appear;
Quite through that Day, the end is very near.

126. Vertues Complaint.

Love hath few servants; who will Vertue own?
Credit, and honour; extreme dear are grown.
Riches are sold; Mony, made Merchandize:
Vertue, for her Rewards; must pay Excise.

127. The Rigid Father.

The Avaritious Father, is most Free:
The more he scrapes, the more He leaves to thee.

128. A Prayer to God in time of Sickness.

Natures great Parent! when as thou shalt please,
My Soul from flesh, Her Prison, to release;
Let Grace, with thy afflicting Hand comply:
When I want strength to Live; give will to Die.

129. To the Pleader.

Where Judges Favour not; they invent flaws:
'Tis not your Eloquence, secures a Cause.
Throw Reports by; and Study Day, and Night:
What to turn Lawyer? No; but Favourite.

130. Upon Brunonius.

Our Ancestors ordained Fasting-daies;
That Flesh might obey Spirit; that God Praise:
Your Table turns Fasts, into Feasts, We see;
That Spirit might serve Flesh; and Flesh, serve Thee.

131. Time.

Time sweeps all things away; as well as brings:
As all things have their Times; Time hath, all Things.

132. Upon Miracles.

Is Gods Hand shortned, that Miracles cease?
Is it not rather caus'd by Faith's decrease?

133. To Irus.

You would Live ever; ever you can't Live:
Yet you can wish you ever might survive.
But since you are so Poor; I wonder, still:
Though you may wish to Live; that Live, you will.

134. Science.

In my Judgment, Happy are they alone,
Who all things know: or they, who know not one.

135. Christ.

Aurora expels Night: and Day, begins:
Christ was Death's Ruine; a Fount to purge sins.

136. Who art Thou?

My eyes fail, when they should themselves behold;
My minde, in Mental Scrutinies, is cold.
If noblest Parts pass unknown; I may cry,
To the next Comer; Sir! Pray, who am I?

137. The Kingdome of Heaven.

Though Heaven's large; Most have an Hellish Doom:
Perhaps the straight way gives no Elbow-room.

138. Pain, and Pleasure.

Present Grief stabs; Future holds in suspence,
The fearful Soul; yet delights, when gone hence.
Dolorous Pleasures, please; when Smart is past:
'Tis Sad; if Pleasure fades, whilst Sorrows last.

139. St. Peter.

Caiphas was last High-Priest, in that Place, where
Jehovah's Temple, Jury did Revere.
Kephas was first High-Priest, whose Chair did rest;
Where the Emperial Eagle, built her nest.

140. Sleep.

By Metaphors of Death, we sleep express:
The more Men sleep, 'tis sure, they Live the less.

141. Rome.

The World was scarce of Age, when Envious Cain,
His Brother Abel, in the Field had slain.
Princely Rome, was no sooner Edified;
But Remus Bloud, her walls in Crimson Dyed.
Cain's cruel Murder, did the World pollute:
Rome, the worlds Mistress; his steps prosecute.

142. Mans Perfection.

'Tis the Perfection of every thing,
To return to that, whence it first did spring.
Frail flesh, will my accomplishment adjourn;
Till I to Earth, and Heaven shall return.

143. Lord encrease our Faith, Luk. 17.

Our Age shan't need, after this form to Pray;
We rather, Lord diminish, Faith, may say.
As numerous as Men, Religions are:
Though Faiths be many, Faithfulness is rare.
Lord decrease our Faiths.

144. Upon a Covetous Person.

Hercules travel'd, till the furthest West,
Stopt his Career; & gave his wandrings rest.
The Covetous go further; their desire,
Is alwaies Errant; and can never Tire.

145. Good transcends.

No Genus, no bounds, Good, can comprehend:
No Mundane Creatures, do to Goodness tend.

146. Omnia Vanitas. All is Vanity.

VVhat showers of Tears! had Heraclitus seen,
Our times: Democritus had burst his spleen.
But one Democritus cannot suffice,
To Laugh at such mad Tricks, as men devise.
And Heraclitus eyes approach not nigh;
Due Lamentations, for our Misery.

147. Upon the Voluptuous.

I often hear young men complain, how short
The pleasures are, of the Venereal sport.
I often hear Gray-headed Sirs, thus cry;
O what a curse, is vital Brevity!
Lifes Pleasure, Pleasures Life, are short: who prize
Them both at little, may be termed wise.

148. Works.

Vertuous, and Vitious Persons, when they Die;
Carry their Works with them, for company.

149. The beginning of Wisdome.

None desire Heaven, but those who fear Hell:
Dread of the worst, makes prudent Men, Hope well.

150. Upon one delighting in Tautologies.

How you torment good Scholars, I let pass;
And how your Tales, run quite beyond the Glass.
When you have kil'd your Hearers, in this sort;
You exclaim; But I see the Time is short.
Return to Oxford, and Distinctions learn;
Till you long Prating, from short Time discern.

151. Upon the same.

Tully 's Orations, cannot be too long:
Who thy short Sermons fault, their Judgment wrong.

152. Upon those who imagine many Gods.

O foolish People, have ye lost your wits?
Over one World; one God, as Ruler sits.

153. Concerning Ingenuity and Study.

Neglect of Study, renders wit obtuse;
So Swords will rust, by reason of disuse.
Study, wits Ladder; wits downfal, hath bin:
As Grind-stones sharpen knives; they wear them Thin.

154. Know your Self.

None understand themselves: yet a young Man,
The years of Child-hood, well remember can:
And an old Father, troubles much his Tongue;
To relate what he did, when He was young.

155. Art is long, and Life is short.

Life is too short, to make us truly wise:
Death creeps behinde, and unawares surprise.

156. To old Moranus.

As you have many things, for to acquire;
So to Unlearn: if goodness you desire.
But how should you do either, since you lie;
Under old Ages Incapacity?

157. To D. T.

'Cause you have happy been, you must needs lie
Under a double weight, of Misery.
Happy is he who hath had heretofore,
Adversity; for the Storm is blown o'r.

158. Every one as they like.

The Laick seeks not Christ; but his own Gains:
Not to get Christ, but Tythes; Parsons take Pains.

159. Upon Brunonius.

That Plagues are Gods sharp Arrows, you confess;
Whence comes then Bruno; your great Healthfulness?
The Reason's ready: for a Plague like you;
Your Countrey disclaims, that she ever knew.

160. Reflect upon your End.

Rather fore-see thy end; reflect on Birth:
Look up to Heaven; and look down on Earth.

161. Sense, Reason, Faith, Charity, God.

Sense without Reason, is worth little; and
Reason's unruly; unless Faith command.
What is Faith, without Love? Love cannot bee,
Advantage; till, my God! it fix on Thee.

162. Of Prudence.

Our Actions are jejune; unless address
Be made to Prudence; Vertues School-mistress:
She teaches what to choose; what to eschue,
In Life: as in Art, Logick tels what's true.

163. To my Parents.

Dear Father, I am part of you; and part
Of you, dear Mother; cast Lots for my Heart.
You two, yet but one flesh; my Body make:
What dangers fear I; be they for your sake?

164. Prudence, and Fortitude.

Prudence foresees Evils; valour can bear:
One seeks Prevention; the other slights Fear.

165. In the sweat of thy Face.

He who commands Labour, for daily Bread;
Will deny Manna, to the drowzie Head.

166. Of Faith, and Charity.

Before there be a Tree, who Fruit expect?
Above all Vertues, we must Faith respect.
Love joyn'd to Faith, do Life beget: the Poor,
Can't live by Hope; but they must labour more.
Faith is the Chieftain; but Love is the King:
As well as Faith; we must Affections bring.

167. If thy right Eye offend thee, &c.

If as oft as they Sin, Men were inclin'd,
To pluck out eyes; the World would be stark blinde.

168. Christian Adverbs.

Not Adjectives; Adverbs, please the most High:
When we do good; we must do't Cordially.

169. The shortness of Life.

To unborn Infants, all things equall are:
For what is past, grave Seniors seldom care,
If past, and future Times, I should substract:
What a small number; Present hours exact!

170. Lex Talionis. To Aulus.

You peruse not, the Ancient History:
Expect like Justice; from Posterity.

171. Time.

Time devours Things; His Sithe our Legs will hit.
We have our pastimes: Time and we are Quit.

172. Abundance of Caution, hurts not.

Be not afraid, yet look, before you leap:
Be not rash; count no opportune Time, cheap.
To fearful Nature, Prudence lends a Shield:
None dangers dread, who their Ambush beheld.

173. Sir, minde the matter in hand.

VVhat though Philosophers on the Face fly?
One word will vanquish them; say, I deny.

174. Justification.

Doth God us Justifie, by Works, or Faith?
By both together; holy Scripture saith.

175. The Day of Judgment.

If all, this Day; their large Accounts must clear;
St Barnabie, will be too short, I fear.

176. To Marianus.

Good Men for Vertues sake, do detest Vice:
But now a Daies, there's few that are so Nice.
Goodness is so contemned, in our Time;
That to be Good, is thought an heinous Crime.

177. Mary Magdalens Sorrow.

One Mountain here, two well-fed Springs can show:
From whence, two Rivers of Salt water flow.

178. Upon the Soul.

The Soul is not infus'd; for if it were,
It would be mortal; as our Bodies are.

179. To Marcus.

VVhen to Pray, you at any Time shall please;
You institute your Bed, Chappel of ease.
You might well think, Heaven would exclude thence,
Prayers; presented with irreverence.
Till wandring thoughts, rude gestures, you forbear:
God Audience gives; but is not pleas'd to Hear,

180. Hell.

Who can reduce Cloth dyed Black to White?
What Damned Soul, enjoy'd again the Light?

181. To his poor Friend.

Your bad Estate, I wish worse for your sake:
On extreme evils; Fate, may pity take.

182. Europe, Asia, Africa, America.

The worlds division, is into Four parts:
So many distinct Faiths possess Mens hearts.

183. The causes of Discord.

When Sense, and Reason, be enslav'd to Will;
They prove the Source, of segregating Ill.
Will, Brethren sets at distance; for we see;
When Will consents, Kindred do well agree.

184. The Liberal Man.

The Just, to ev'ry Man, his own allow:
Let Rich, have Justice; to poor, Mercy show.

185. The Temperate.

Who know things Causes, who Times supervise:
Bridle their Passions, Actions rule; are Wise.

186. A Wise Man.

Fate governs Fools; a wise Man, curbs the Stars:
His Wisdom shields him, from intended scars.

187. Upon an Infant dying before Baptism.

Alas! I dy'd, before pure Water could,
Mark me, A Lamb; belonging to Christs Fold.
The Church implores, my Saviour would not look,
For Name: Lord! write me Nameless, in thy Book.
Though I want Name, yet am I known to Thee:
For thy Names-Sake; be Merciful to Me.

188. The Flatterer, and Envious.

Envy, and Flattery, are both content;
To fall under, the same Predicament.
Zoilus hates Good Mens Vertue: Gnatho will
Labour; of Goodness, to defraud the Ill.

189. Love, and Friendship.

With Prudence, Friendships Knot may be unty'd,
To purchase Love; but on the other side:
It were a foolish Fancy, to remove
For fickle Friendship; a well-grounded Love.

190. St. Peter, and Paul.

Empire, the Sword; Wealth, the Key signifies;
Peter's Richer then Paul; as I surmise:
That Paul was Poor, his Epistles record;
But Peter's Pen let slip, not one such Word.

191. Socrates.

You nothing know; and you know only this:
To know, that you know nothing; something is:
Yet that something, you understand; I shall
According to directions, Nothing call.

192. A Man.

No sooner Born, but you began to cry:
Since Life's no Pleasure; why is't Grief to Die?

193. To Paulus, after Burial.

Though you were at Birth naked; now you have,
An Holland sheet; to sleep on in the Grave.
You carry that away, you did not bring:
Thank not your Mother Earth; for any thing.

194. To such Courtiers, as shall please to Read.

Most touch upon the Schools; but few them court.
Observe my humor, to divide my sport.

195. Prudent simplicity.

Morality, endeavour to improve,
To Innocence; as candid as the Dove.
But lest good Nature, should to Mischiefs lead;
To Dovelike Hands; annex the Serpents Head.

196. The eyes of the Common-wealth.

Law, and Religion, are the Nations Eyes:
One forbids Sins; the other, Injuries.

197. To John Gifford, Doctor of Physick.

No wonder, Gifford knows Apollo's Art:
Of his own Body, He knows ev'ry part.
Though Know your self, was not Galen's command;
To that Advice, Apollo set his Hand.

198. The Daw.

Which Sister of the Grove, dares make pretence,
To excel Me; in nimble Eloquence?

The Goose.

For some things, I my Self, may be turn'd loose:
Though you Prate more; you write less then a Goose.

199. The Afflictions of Job.

If you on Riches, Children, or Health look;
The Devil, (by Gods Leave) away these took.
When all was gone, his Wife was left behinde;
Lest some small Comfort, should refresh Job's minde.

200. Pauls, and Westminster-Abbey.

The Pleading Place, Exchequer, and White-Hall;
Are Neighbours to St. Peters-Abbey, all.
The Learned Preachers, make St. Pauls to sound;
And furnisht Stationers encompass round.
The two Apostles, very well agree:
Most Gold, hath Peter; Paul, Divinity.

201. Against the Conspirators, upon Tuesday, the Fift of November, 1605.

To make low Earth, challenge the lofty Sky;
And sordid Dust, oppose the Deity:
What is this, but for to revoke the Hour,
And Architecture, of Confusions Tow'r?
'Twere to make wanton Ilium, once more Burn;
And antiquated Chaos, should return.

202. Upon the same.

VVould ye have thrust fair Troy into the Fire;
And Millions thrown upon the Fatal Pyre?
Were ye bewitcht, to pitch on such a Day?
Tuesday was never made Ash-Wednesday.

203. The King, to his Kingdoms.

News of my Death, swoln Fame did lately bring:
I am not dead; By the Word of a King.

204. To England, concerning the Union.

We shall enjoy Thrice-Happy Peace; since Three,
Are Married to, a lasting Unity.
Wales is your Wall; ev'ry Scot, is your Scout:
You are secure, O England! without doubt.

205. To Tho. Nevill, an Ingenious young Gentleman.

You are Branch'd from, the Noble Nevil's Race;
Nature hath Limn'd both Parents, in your Face:
But what of that? She likewise thought not fit,
You should want Mothers, Vertues; Fathers Wit.

206. Upon the Death of Charles Blunt, Earl of Devonshire. 1606.

Shall I to pin upon thy Herse, devise
Eternal Praises; or weep Elegies?
Fame hath of you, a double-tongu'd Report:
Your Death was Good Mens Sorrow; Bad Mens Sport.

207. To the Reader.

My Epigrams are short, and also few:
From many short, Longitude would ensue.
Reader, these few, are short; for were they Long;
Few, would prove Many; and thy Patience wrong.

208. The Difference betwixt Words, and Writings.

Voice is alive; Writing's Inanimate:
Yet the Tongue, before Quill; resigns to Fate.