 | Satires and miscellaneous poetry and prose |  |
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MORALITY
All mens Intrigues, and Projects tend
By sevrall Courses to one end,
To Compass by the Properst shows,
What ever their Designes propose;
And that which ownes the fairst Pretext
'Tis often found the Indirect'st.
Hence 'tis that Hypocrites stil paint
Much fayrer then the Real Saint,
And Knaves appeare more just, and true
Then honest men, that make less show;
The Dullest Ideots in Disguise
Appeare more knowing then the wise;
Illiterate Dunces undiscern'd
Pass in the Rabble for the Learnd;
And Cowards that can damn, and Rant
Pass muster for the Valiant.
For he that has but Impudence
To all things has a Just Pretence;
And Put amonge his wants but shame
To all the world may lay his Clame.
By sevrall Courses to one end,
To Compass by the Properst shows,
What ever their Designes propose;
And that which ownes the fairst Pretext
'Tis often found the Indirect'st.
Hence 'tis that Hypocrites stil paint
Much fayrer then the Real Saint,
And Knaves appeare more just, and true
Then honest men, that make less show;
The Dullest Ideots in Disguise
Appeare more knowing then the wise;
Illiterate Dunces undiscern'd
Pass in the Rabble for the Learnd;
And Cowards that can damn, and Rant
Pass muster for the Valiant.
For he that has but Impudence
To all things has a Just Pretence;
And Put amonge his wants but shame
To all the world may lay his Clame.
In Ballances the lightest end
Do's always Naturally ascend:
So in th' Affaires of Church and State
Men soonest rise for want of weight:
And as those Names are Counted best,
That signify and meane the least;
So 'tis with Persons in th' opinion
Of Church and State, that have least in 'em.
Do's always Naturally ascend:
So in th' Affaires of Church and State
Men soonest rise for want of weight:
And as those Names are Counted best,
That signify and meane the least;
So 'tis with Persons in th' opinion
Of Church and State, that have least in 'em.
Al great Men are found to rise
As Pigeons mount with seald-up eies.
As Pigeons mount with seald-up eies.
For as in great and Crowded Faires
Monsters and Puppet plays are wares,
Which in the less wil not go of[f],
Because they have not money enough:
So men in Princes Courts will pass,
That will not in another place.
Monsters and Puppet plays are wares,
Which in the less wil not go of[f],
Because they have not money enough:
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That will not in another place.
Most of all great Persons Fates
Deserve mens Pitty or their Hates.
Deserve mens Pitty or their Hates.
Men flatter with their Tongues, more false,
And base, then Dogs do, with their Tayles,
And creep more vilely into favour,
Then Hounds that drivel, with their Chaps, and slaver.
And base, then Dogs do, with their Tayles,
And creep more vilely into favour,
Then Hounds that drivel, with their Chaps, and slaver.
To aske Forgivenes, and excuse
An Injury, and past Abuse
Is such a Plaister for a wound
As that o' th' weapon Salve is found,
That only has virtue to restore
And Cure the Hurt it did before.
An Injury, and past Abuse
Is such a Plaister for a wound
As that o' th' weapon Salve is found,
That only has virtue to restore
And Cure the Hurt it did before.
Willows are weak and yet beinge Bow'd
Have Powr to binde the stubborn'st wood.
Have Powr to binde the stubborn'st wood.
Mens Armes grow next their heads t' infer
Advice and Action should be neare.
Advice and Action should be neare.
As Thistles wear the softest Down,
To hide their Prickles, till they're grown;
And then declare themselves, and tear
Whatever ventures to come near:
So a smooth Knave does greater Feats
Than one, that idly rails and threats,
And all the Mischief, that he meant
Does like a Rattle-snake prevent.
To hide their Prickles, till they're grown;
And then declare themselves, and tear
Whatever ventures to come near:
So a smooth Knave does greater Feats
Than one, that idly rails and threats,
And all the Mischief, that he meant
Does like a Rattle-snake prevent.
As al men Live by one anothers Deaths
The Murthrer gaine's but what the Dead bequeaths.
The Murthrer gaine's but what the Dead bequeaths.
| Satires and miscellaneous poetry and prose | |