Taylor's motto Et habeo, et careo, et curo.

TAYLORS MOTTO . Et habeo , Et Careo , Et Curo . I haue , I want , I care .

IS any man offended ? marry gep With a horse nightcap , doth your iadeship skip ? Although you kicke , & fling , & wince & spurne , Yet all your Coltes-tricks will not serue your turn . Vice hath infected you , 'gainst vertues force , With more diseases then an aged horse ; For some of you are hide-bound greedily , Some haue the yellowes , of fal●e Iellousie , Some with the staggers , cannot stand vpright : Some blinde with B●bes , can see to doe no right . Some foundred ▪ that to Church they cannot goe , Broke winded some , corrupted breath doe blowe , Some hoofe bound , some su●bated , and some graueld , With trauelling , where the● shuuld not haue traueld . Some are crest falne , 〈…〉 through th●immoderate vice , Of gorgeous outsides , smoake , and drinke , and dice . And some are full of malle●ders and scratches , The neck-cricke , sp●uins , shouldersplat , and aches . The ring-bone , quitter-bone , bots , botch , and scab , And nauelgall , with coursing of the Drab . The back-gall , light-gall , wind-gall , shackle-gall , And last , the spur-gall , the worst gall of all . A good sound horse , needs not my whip to feare , For none but Iades are wrung i' th withers heere . And doe these hackneyes thinke to runne on still ( Without a bit or snaffle ) as they will , And head-strong prancing through abuses , dash , And scape without a Satyrs yerking lash ? No , they must knowe the Muses haue the might , The vniust iustly to correct and smite , To memorize victorious vertues praise , To make mens fame or shame , out liue their dayes , To force iniustice ( though it doe looke bigge ) With his owne nailes his cursed graue to digge : T'emblaze the goodnes of a man that 's poore , And tell the vices of an Emperour . All this the Muses dares , and will , and can , Not sparing , fearing flattring any man . And so dare I , ( if I iust cause doe see ) To write , from feare , or hate , or flattry free , Or taxing any in particulere , But generall at all , is written heere . For had I meant the Satyre to haue plaid , In Aquafortis , I would whips haue Iayd , And mixt my inke ( to make it sharpe with all ) With sublimate , and Cockatrices gall , Which , with a Satyres spleene , and fury fierce , With the least ierke would to the entrailes pierce , And with a lash that 's ●ustily layd on , Would strip and whip the world , vnto the bone , I know that none at me , will spurne or kicke , Whose consciences no villany doth pricke : And such as those will in their kennells lye , And gnar , and snarle , and grumble secretly , But with full mouth , they dare not barke or bite , But fret within , with rancor and despight . For why ( before the world ) I make a vowe ; There doth not liue that male , or female now , 'Gainst whom I haue so much as is a thought , Much lesse , against them are my Verses wrought , This Motto in my head , at first I tooke , In imitation of a better booke : And to good mindes I no offence can giue , To follow good examples , whil'st I liue . For I had rather to abide detraction , And be an Ape , in any honest action : Then wilfully , into a fault to runne , Though it before , had by a King bin done . I haue not heere reuil'd against my betters , Which makes me feare no dungeon , bolts , or fetters : For be he neere so great , that doth apply My lines vnto himselfe , is worse then I. Smooth is my stile , my methode meane and plaine , Free from a railing , or inuectiue straine ▪ In harmelesse fashion heere I doe declare , Mine owne rich wants , poore riches , and my care , And therefore at my wants let no man grieue , Except his charges will the same releiue : And for my Wealth ( except a rotton Boate ) I neuer fear'd the cutting of my throate . And those that for my cares doe enuy me , Shall in them ( if they list ) great sharers be . All my taxations are in generall , Not any personall , or nationall : The troubles now in Fraunce , I touch not heere Nor of the Britaine fleete before Argiere . Nor of the forces that the Turke doth bring , Against the Poland Kingdome and their King . Of Count Buckoy , of Beth'lem Gabor , or Of Spinnola , or any Ambassador . Nor Denmarkes King nor of the Emperour , Nor Netherlands great Nauigable powre . Nor of Religious points my Muse doth chant , Of Romish Catholicke , or Protesta●t : Of Brownist , H●ssite , or of Caluinist , Arminian , Puritan , or Familist , Nor against Corporation , trade , or Art , My poore inuentions speakes in any part . And therefore Critticke snarle , and snap , and hang , If inwardly thou feele my Satyres fange : T is wisedome in thee , if thy spleene thou hide , And mend thy selfe , before thy faults be spide . Thus as I boldly haue begun to enter Couragiously , I 'le through the busines venter .

I haue . I Ha●e a Soule which through it be not good , 'T was bought at a deere rate , my Sauiours Blood : And though the Deuill continually doe craue it , Yet he that bought it hath most right to haue it . I ( with my soule ) haue power to vnderstand , The summe of my Creators great Command : And yet I haue a Law , within me still , That doth rebell against his Sacred Will. But though ( through merrit ) I haue Hell deseru'd , Through Mercy yet I haue a Heau'n reseru'd , I haue a reason , which can diffrence make 'Twixt good and bad , to choose , and to forsake : I haue a working , forward , and free will , Wherewith I haue inclynded to doe ill . I haue a Conscience , which doth tell me true ▪ That for my sinnes the wrath of God is due . And to relieue that Conscience terrifide , I haue a Faith , in Ie●us Crucifide . I haue a Iudgement , by the which I see , And Iudge , how good and bad things different bee : And with iust Censure , I distinguish can , The oddes betweene a monster and a man . But when with iudgement on my selfe I looke , I straight wayes am with feare and horror strooke : And finding my afflicted Conscience grudg'd , I iudge my selfe , for feare of being iudg'd . I haue a Knowledge , by the which I knowe , That all that 's good in me , God did bestowe : And all my thoughts , and words , and actions euill , I haue them ( like my neighbors ) from the Deuill . By this my Knowledge , sometimes skill I haue , To knowe an honest man , and knowe a knaue : To knowe where I fare well , to come againe , Where Friends for loue , doe onely entertaine . To knowe that Enuy , Pride and Lechery , Sloath , Wrath , and Auarice , and Gluttony , Doth make the world dance Antique in a string , And all their Followers to confusion bring . I knowe that griping base Extortion , As it gets wealth without proportion , Eu'n so , without proportion , rule or measure , Shall be consum'd , that most accursed Treasure . I knowe a swearer , when I heare his Oathes , I knowe a Gull although he weare good Cloathes , I knowe a Prodigall , by 's lauish spending , I knowe a Foole ( my selfe ) by too much lending . I knowe I haue discharged others Score , But will ( for ought I knowe ) doe so no more . I knowe , that foure and twenty letters teaches All the whole worlds tongues , languages & spe●ches . I knowe that I not any word can frame , But in some Language 't is an Annagram . And though the world of sundry parts consists , Yet all the world are Anagramatists . I know the numbers numberlesse of faces , That were , are , shall be , at all times , and places , Are all vnlike each other , for we see They each from other may distinguish'd be . I know the difference of these voices are , Vnlike each other , being neere , or farre . And that mens seuerall writings are contrary , And in some things from one another vary , And by this knowledge I haue inward sight , How that the workes of God are infinite . I haue credulity , that when I heere A man a●ouch a thing , protest and sweare ▪ I haue giu'n credit to him by and by , Although the wicked wretch did sweare and lye , Be●ause I haue a hope that want of grace , Doth not our Makers Image quite deface . As that a man who hath wit , sence , or reason , Dares to commit so horrible a treason , As to call God to witnesse of his lies , Thereby to countenance his villanies . Thus through simplicity , and light beliefe , I haue belieu'd an arrant whore , or thiefe . I haue opinion , and haue euer had , That when I see a stagg'ring drunken swad ▪ Then that a man worse then an Asse , I see , Because an Asse will neuer drunken be . And yet in mine opinion I am bold , ( That friendship and ●ocietie to hold ) The merry spending of an idle houre , To take a cup , or two , or three , or foure ▪ If soberly the meeting be well ended , T is tollerable , and to be commended . And yet I haue my imperfections to , Which makes me daily doe , as others doe : For I l●ke ( many rich men ) now and than , Make shew to be a very honest man : But strong temptations dog me euery houre , Which to resist I haue so little power , That if ( perhaps ) I had their meanes , I thinke I should ( as they doe ) di●e and drab and drinke , And through infirmity , or wilfulnesse , Run greedily to Riots vaine excesse : For Honors changes Manners , wealth and place Are ( oftentimes ) temptations to disgrace , And did some great men cast vp their account , To what their vaine expences doe amount : So much for needlesse quartes , so much for smoake , Payde so much for Eringoes , ( to prouoke ) So much for Coach-hire , so much for a whore , With Item not three half-pence to the poore . And who knowes , if I had their mean●s , I say But I should be as very a K●aue as they . For I haue imperfections , and a will And fraile infirmities , t'atempt what 's ill , That I in no good action cannot stand , Exept supported by th' Almighties hand . I haue a sence , and feeling simpathy , Of others woe , and want , and miserie : If one man doth doe good , another bad I ( for them both ) can be both glad , and sad . For when I see a Great man raised hye , I haue a sence of his Nobillity , And wish , that all his Actions still may be , To make him worthy of his dignity . But when I see that Fortune 'ginnes to frowne , And from her fickle wheele to cast them downe , Though their foule faults I hate and doe abhor , Yet as th' are men , I haue a pitty for . For when a whore is whip'd , a Bawd it 'h Cart , A drunkard in the stockes , for his desert : An arrant Knaue , or periurde wretch to stand , And makes the Pillory his falling band ; Or one whose backward Fortune doth preuaile , To make a bri●le of a Horses ●aile , With riding Retrograde , it 'h streetes proclaime , On their own backes & breasts , their faults & shame . When any Villaine for his fault is tortur'd , A Theife , or Traytor , hang'd , or drawne and quarterd . As I doe hope for mercy from Aboue , As they are men they doe my pitty moue . And I doe grieue the Deuill hath so much power , Mans Reason , and Aleageance to deuoure : And that of Grace they layd no faster hold , But fall into these mischeifes manifold . I haue a Fortune that attends on me , For neuer will I Fortunes vassall be : And let her frowne or smile , or hang her selfe , And g●ue me either pouerty or pelfe , Or cast me lowe , or lift me vp on hye , Yet ( spight her teeth ) I 'le liue vntill I dye . For all mans outward happines , are things Ty'd and bound fast to fickle Fortunes wings : Which when she li●t she will alight and stay , And wh●● her wheele but turnes she flies away . She 's bountifull to fooles , and therefore I Haue small share in her liberallity . On wise men she doth fauours seldome fix , For wisdome scornes her slights and iugling tricks , And yet no 〈◊〉 of man aliue , ( If Fortune frowne , on him ) can make him thriue . For why , so powerfull is the purblinde witch , To raise vp knaues , and make fooles deuilish rich , To set an Asse on top of all her wheele , And to kick vertue backward , with her heele , To raise 〈◊〉 Piper , Pander , or a Iester , And therefore hang the hag , I doe detest her . She hath st●ange tricks , and workes for diuers end● , To make a great man haue more kin then friends , But seldome she this good report doth win , To make a poore man haue more friends then kin . A King in 's Throne , a generall in the warre , Places of best command , and reuerence are . But yet if Fortune frowne on their affaires , They shal be rich in nothing but in cares . Shee 's like a I●nus with a double face , To smile and lowre ; to grace , and to disgrace ; She lou's and loathes , together at an instant , And in inconstancy is onely constant . Vncertaine certaine , neuer loues to settle , But heere , there , euery where ; in dock out nettle . The man whom all her frownes or fauours spurnes , Regardeth not her wheele , how oft it turnes . A wise man knowes she's easier found , then kept And as she 's good , or bad , he doth accept . He knowes she comes , intending not to stay , And giu's but what she meanes to t●ke away . For by discretion it is truely knowne , Her liberall gifts she holds still as her owne . And vnto me her bounty hath bin such , That if she tak 't againe I care not much . I haue a loue which I to God doe owe , With which I haue a feare doth in me growe : I loue him for his goodnes , and I feare , To anger him , that hath lou'd me so deere ▪ I feare in loue , as hee 's a gracious God , Not loue for feare of his reuenging Rod. And ●hus a lo●ing feare in me I haue , L●ke an adopted sonne , not like a slaue . I haue a King whom I am bound vnto , To doe him all the seruice , I can doe : T● whom when I shall in Alegeance faile , Let all the Deuills in hell my soule a●●aile ; If any i● his gouernment abide , In whom foule Treacherous mallice doth recide 'Gainst him , his Royall offspring or his friends , I wish that Halters may be all their ●●ds . And those that cannot most vnfainedly , Say this , and sweare , as confident as I : Of what degree so ere , I wish ( one houre ) They were , in some kind skilfull Hangmans power . I haue a life was lent me 'fore my birth , By the great Landlord both of Heau'n and Earth : But though but one way vnto life is common , For All that euer yet was borne of woman , Yet are there many thousand waies for death , To dispossesse vs , of our liues , and breath . For why , the Lord of life ( that life doth make ) Will ( as he pleaseth ) life both giue and take , And let me ( blamelesse ) suffer punishment , Or losse of goods , or causlesse banishment , Let me be ●ang'd , or burn'd or stab'd , or drownd , All 's one to me , so still my Faith keepe sound , Then let my life be ended , as God will ▪ This is my minde , and hope shal be so still : To get to Heau'n , come thousands deathes together , Th' are welcome pleasures , if they bring me thether . I know for certaine , all Mortallity , When it begins to liue , begins to dye ; And when our liues that backe againe we giue , We euer endlesse then doe dye , or liue . When good men wish long life , 't is vnderstood That they would longer liue , to doe more good : But when a bad man wisheth to liue long , It is because he faine would doe mo●e wrong . And this one reason giu's me much content , Thought I shall haue no Marble Monnument , Where my corrupted Carkas may inherrit . With Epitaphs , to blaze my want of merrit , To wast as much to pollish and be-guild , As would a charitable Almes-house build . All which , a gouty Vsurer , or worse , May haue , and haue poore peoples heauy cu●se , That many times the sencelesse Ma●ble weepes , Because the ex●crated corps it keepes . When the meane space perhap's the wretched soule , In flames vnquenchable doth yell and bowle . I haue a hope , that doth my hea●t refresh . How e're my soule be sundred , from my flesh : Although I haue no friends to mourne in sacke , With merry insides , and with outsides blacke ; Though ne're so poorely they my corps interr , Without bell , booke or painted Sepulcher , Although I misse these trifles Transitory , I haue a hope my soule shall mount to glory . I haue a vaine in Poetry , and can Set forth a knaue to be an honest man ; I can my Verses in such habit clad , ‛ Tabuse the good , and magnifie the bad . I can write ( if I li●t ) nor Rime or Reason , And talke of fellony , and whistle Treason . And Libell against goodnes ( if I would ) And agai●st misery could raile and scould ; Fowle Treachery I could mince out in parts , Like Vintners pots , halfe pints , and pints , and quarts . Euen so could I , with Libles base abound , From a graine waight or scruple , to a pound , With a lowe note I could both say or sing , As much as would me vnto Newgate bring . And straining of my voyce a little higher , I could obtaine the Fleete at my desire : A little more aduancing of my note , I from the Fleete , might to the Gatehouse floate . Last , aboue Ela raising but my power , I might , in state be mounted to the Tower . Thus could my Muse ( If I would be so base ) Runne carelesse by degrees , into disgrace , But that for loue of goodnes I forbeare , And not for any seruile slauish feare . Time seruing vassalls , shall not me applaud , For making of my Verse a great mans Bawd : To set a luster , and a flatt●●ing glosse , On a dishonorable lump of drosse ; To sl●bber or'e a Ladies homely feature , And set her forth for a most beau●ious creature . No● shall my free inuention , stoope t' adore , A fowle diseased , pocky , painted whore . Rewards or b●●bes my Muse shall ne're entice , To wrong faire Vertue , or to honor Vice , But as my Conscience doth informe me still , So will I praise the good , condemne the ill . That man is most to be abhord of men , Who in his cursed hand dares take a pen , Or be a meanes to publish at the presse , P●●phaned lines , or obsceane be●stlines , Sc●●illitie ▪ or knowne a parant lyes , To a●●mate or couer villanies ; A ●alter for such Poets , stead of Bayes , Wh● make the Muses whores● , much worse then T●ais ▪ Such R●scalls make the Helliconian well , ( 〈…〉 and respect ) like hell . ●nd of 〈◊〉 , good m●n iustly are rewarded , 〈◊〉 and scorn'd l●ke hellhounds , vnregarded . For Poetry ( 〈…〉 be vs● arig●t ) 〈…〉 mercy , and his might : For 〈…〉 ignorance ) it hath some foes , 〈◊〉 may be praisd in Verse , as well as prose . 〈…〉 are fit for Kings , To 〈◊〉 them M●taphoricall ) such things 〈…〉 they should know and heare , 〈◊〉 none but Poets dare to speake for fea●e ▪ A Poet 's 〈◊〉 a Poet , and his trade Is still to make : but Orators , are made . All Arts are taught and learnd , we daily see , But taug●● , a Poet neuer yet could be . And as the ●ree is by the fruite well knowne , So by his writing is a Poet showne ; If he be 〈◊〉 dispos'd , hee 'le well endite , If ill 〈…〉 viciously will write . And 〈…〉 or bad , in his condition , His 〈◊〉 ●ill sh●w his inward disposition . And to 〈◊〉 this point , and make an end , The best am●ngst them hath much need to mend . I ha●● a tongue , and could both sweare and lye , ( I● to such customes ▪ I would it apply ) But often swearing now and then forsweares , And lying , a mans credit quite out weares ; I le trust 〈◊〉 arrant Th●●fe to keepe my purse , As soone as one that lou●● to sweare and curse : For can it be that he that takes a vse , And custome , God in swearing to abuse , Can it be thought he will make Conscience then , To play the false dissembling Knaue with men ? Nor can my supposition euer dreame , That he who dares his Makers name blaspheame , But that if Time would but occasions bring , He would betray his Countrey , and his King . For 't is a Maximm , ( no man can conuince ) The man that feares not God , loues not his Prince . And ●e that cares not for his soule , I thinke , Respects not if his Country swim or sinke . To lying I beare such a ha●e that I Will neuer ( wittingly ) affirme a lye : I will not say , but I a lye may say , But I will not affirme it any way : T is the maintaining falshoods to be true , To whome a liers odious name is due . That all vntruths are falshoods , none denies , But sure all falshoods cannot be cald lyes . For Esops fables , Ouids art-like fictions , ( Although they are ' against truth meere contradictions , ) Of humane transformations from their kind , Of disputations twixt the Sunne , and win●e , Of fowles , and beasts , and riuers , trees , and stones , To tell each other of their ioyes or mones , Of men transform'd to dogs , beares , bulls , swine , apes , Which shewes that treasons , murders , incests , rapes ; Turns men into worse formes then beastly creatures , When reason 's dispossest by bruitish natures . A fiction , fable , or a harmelesse iest , I tollerate , but lyes I doe detest . Th' Egyptians had a Law , that euery lyer , Should straite way be beheaded , for their hyre . But if that Law were executed heere , Few P●tifoggers would be left I feare . The very Court would forfeit now and than , Many a complementing Gentleman . But sure the Ci●ty were the greatest share , Where lying buyes and sells , a world of ware ; The Countrey somtimes would a head alowe , In selling Corne , a Horse , a Sow , a Cowe : And then a headsman would get store of pelfe , If he could but refraine to lye himselfe . I haue a memorie like ( as I doe find ) A wallet , halfe before , and halfe behind . In the fore part my neighbours faults I put , Behind ( quite from my sight ) mine owne are 〈◊〉 . Thus partiallity runnes like a streame , To spy a Moate , and not to see a Beame . But when as reason memorie collects . T'exammin , my owne impotent defects , Then doth it vnto me such things record , As makes me ( almost ) of my selfe abhord . It tells me I was in corruption borne , And to corruption that I shall returne . It tells me that betwixt my birth and this , I haue done thousand thousand things amisse , It bids me to remember what I am , To what place I must goe , and whence I came , And with these thoughts , when as my mind is high , I am deiected , through humility . And this all great men well remember may , They are but Honorable clods of clay : Or Reue●end Right Worshipfull graue dust , And ( whence they came ) againe they thither must . I say if foolish females , with faire features , Would but remember they were Mortall Creatures : And that as their good Grandames dide before , Eu'n so must they , and must be seene no more , And all their gaudy glory be forgot , Whilst they shall lye , consume , and stinke , and rot . If these things , they would to remembrance call , Their honied pleasures , would be mix'd with Gall. And all and euery one their course would bend ▪ Within themselues , what is amisse to mend . The memorie , vnto the soule is food , That thinkes , & saies , & doth the things that 's good . I haue a hea●t doth like a Monarch raigne , Who in my Microcosme , doth lawes ordaine : Affections , Sences , Passions , Subiects Slaues , Some like good Courtiers ; some like flattring knaues , With showe of Vertue , hiding of their Vice , They bring their Lord t' a foolish Paradice , For when the heart thinkes swearing an abuse , Then Anger saies it is a manly vse , And when to quaffe , the minde hath no intent , Affection saies 't is ho●est merriment , The minde calls Lecherie abhomination , Sence saies 't is Gentlemanlike recreation , The minde holds Coueteousnes worse then theft , Sence calls it Husbandry , and frugall thrift , Reason delights in liberallity , Sence counsells it to prodigallity . And thus these vassells doe their King mislead , ( Whilst Reason seemes to be asleepe or dead . ) And thus this little Kingdome man doth fade , With hearing Traytors , when they doe perswade . I haue experience , by the which I find , That some though poore in purse , are rich in minde : And they that haue of wealth the greatest store , Are ( in content ) most miserable poore , Ther 's many a Mammanist doth houses keepe , With lofty Turrets , and with Sellers deepe : With a most stately porch , and spacious hall , And kitchin , lesser then a Coblers stall Where ( in two dayes ) a poore halfe ●acke of Mutton , Proclaimes the Maister of the house , no Glutton . Where foule bewitching gold in bondage is , ( ●s may the keepers be , in hells abisse . ) Where waking thoughts , keepes still the mind opprest And frigh●full dreames , makes ●est to be vnrest , And where as feares by night , and doubts by day Driues happines , and sweet content away . M●●h better then is my estate then theirs , I ha●e content , and they the golden cares : I can feed well at home , and soundly sleepe , And what I haue not care to lose or keepe . I haue consideration , to perceiue , What 's best for me to take , and what to leaue ▪ When I consider , pleasures past and gone , Doth adde affliction , to affliction , Though he that 's lowe can very hardly rise , Yet he that'● high , oft falls to miseries . He that is downe , his fear 's already past , Whilst he that 's vp may haue a slippery cast . I doe consider , that I oft did craue , Things both from God and men , vnfit to haue : And many times , through in considerate wi● , Gui●ts giue●● and receiuers , are vnfit . He 〈◊〉 a liberall man , that doth deny , That which will doe the askers iniurie ; There i● a bounty , which I will reueale , That he nere giu's in vaine that giu's in zeale : As prodigality , brings wan● , and woes , So liberallity , makes friends of foes . T is better for a man his purse to hold , Then giue to make a begger proud , or bold , True bounty , is ( on earth ) a speciall grace , And hath in heauen prepared a glorious place . For as the Sunne vnto the moone giu's light , Which light she giues againe to vs by night : So God doth giue his guifts to libr'all men , Which they ( to men that want ) doe giue agen . But he that giues should straite forget it quite , What they that take , in memory should write . And I accept a like , great guifts , and small , Onely to me the giuers mind is all . T is a base bounty when a man releiues , These prostituted whores , or knaues , or Theiues , For still the Deuill is bountifull to those , That vnto vertue are in●etterate foes . But many hold it for a generous part , To giue a man that 's drunke the 'tother quart : And in a humor ( to haue Drawers trouble ) Throw pottle Pots downe staires , to come vp dubbl● ▪ When straite vpon their knees , they all accord , To drinke a health to some vnworthy Lord : Some fusty Madam , or some carpet Knight , ●Till they can neither speake , or stand vpright . Then being all abhominable drunke , A Gallant drinkes a health vnto his Punke : The which withall Sir Reuerence strait they are , Inioynd to doe , vpon their knees , all bare . If any dare deny to pledge the Drab , Hee 's in great danger of a mortall Stab : For he accounts it worse then blasphemie , That one should there his Mistris health deny . Vntill at last , o're charg'd with to much wine , They wallow in their vomits , worse then swine : Thus many a beastly rude Barbarian , Gaines little of a lib'rall Gentleman . A worthy spirit , a rare Noble sparke , True bred , a merry Greeke , or man of marke . A right mad Troyan , a most ex'lent blade , As bountifull a man as e're God made . Thus many an idle fellow gets a name Of Bountifull , through deedes of sinne and shame . Indeed hee 's liberall , that spends health and wealth , And precious Time , in drinking others health : If dropsie Drunkards falne to pouerty , Should beg a Pension of his Maiesty , And in their humble sutes would make it knowne , How drinking of his healths , they lost their owne , I thinke , his Highnesse ●ustly would relieue them , And ( for Rewards ) to each a Halter giue them . But is 't not stran●● , that man so mad should be , Idolatrous ▪ bare-headed on his knee , Bow and fall downe vnto an absent Whore , As th' only Saint ( or deuill ) he doth adore ? But e're hee 'le kneele vnto his God , to craue For mercy , his infected soule to saue : Before hee 'le beg Gods pardon for his crimes , He sweares him ore and ore a hundred times , And takes it for a Gentlemanlike grace , To spit his venome 'gainst his Makers face , And with his Othes , as false as black is white , God dam him , or renounce , or sinke him quite : Refuse him ( or if not refuse ) for sake him , And now and then sweares , Then the Diuell take him . Thus he in ordinary talke affords , 'Mongst ( truth & lies ) more othes then other words , These are the bounteous youths I car● not for , And these I haue a heart that doth abhor . From a rich knaue of worshipfull degree , I haue a mind to spare my cap and knee : To a good man that 's honest , poore and wise , I haue a heart that my affection ties . Some sixteene times I on the Seas haue beene , In Spaine and Germany both out and in , At Cales , at Ostend , Prague , and ma●● a where , And yet I doe thanke God , C ham here , Cha● here . I haue a Wife which I was wont to praise , But that was in my yonger wooing dayes : And though shee 's neither Shrew nor Sheepe ( I vow With Iustice ) I cannot dispraise her now . She hath an Instrument ( that 's euer strung , To exercise my patience on ) her tongue . But past all question , and beyond all doubt , Shee 'l ne're infect my forehead with the Gout . A married man ( some say ) ha's two dayes gladnesse , And all his life else , is a lingring sadnesse : The one dayes mirth is when he first is married , The other 's when his wife 's to burying carried . One I haue had , should I the other see , It could not be a day of mirth to me . For I ( as many haue ) when I did woo , My selfe ( in tying fast ) did not vndoo : But I haue by my long experience found , I had beene vndone , had I not beene bound . I haue my bonds of marriage long enioy'd , And do not wish my obligation voyd . I haue a house where I doe eate and sleepe , But bread nor meat , or drinke in it ( I keepe . ) For many Lords , ●nd great men keepe good meate , But I spend mine , to make good fellowes eate . And though no Turrets doe my house bedeck , There one may breake his fast , before his neck . I haue a trade , much like an Al●umist , That ofttimes by extraction , if I list , With sweating labour at a woodden Ore , I le get the coyn'd refined siluer Ore . Which I count better then the sha●king tricks , Of cuz'ning Tradsmen , or rich Politikes , Or any proud foole , ne're so proud or wise , That doth my needefull honest trade despise . I haue some troubles , by the which I know , How flattring friends doe ebbe , and foes doe flow : Prosperity increaseth friendship much , But aduerse Fortune tries them with the tutch . By troubles , and by crosses I gaine wit , When dayly pleasures doe diminish it . Thus ( by his power that All-sufficient is ) I haue had time and power to write all this : And I haue hope that He the time will grant , That I may tell of some things that I want , The Motto of I haue is large and wide , Which largely heere , I could haue amply fide , For I haue Ioy , and Loue , and Comforts heere , And I haue folly , sorrow , doubt and feare ; I haue ( in part ) my frailty heere reueal'd , I haue some Vices which I haue conceal'd ▪ I haue done as I haue , then if I haue Bu● pleas'd my friends , I haue gain'd what I craue . Ye● my , I haue , as great is euery iot , And as small too as any mans haue not .

Et Careo , I want . STrange is the penance of my humble Muse , That must tell what I want without excuse . What man ( without much torture ) would confesse His want , his beggery , and guiltinesse ; But that the World would thinke him to be mad , Or that he very small discretion had ? Yet ( at this time ) it is my fatall lor , To tell I want , what other men want not . And therefore to declare my wants most plaine I want a bragging or a boasting vaine ; In words or writing , any wayes to frame , To make my selfe seeme better then I am . I want faire vertue to direct my course , And stand against the shock of vices force ; And ( of my selfe ) I no way can resist , 'Gainst Hell , the World , the Flesh , or Antichrist ; For ought I know , I want a courage stout , Afflictions and temptations to keepe out : And I doe feare should time of triall come , My constancy would bide no Martyrdome . But to helpe what I want , I want despaire , And hope supplies my want in all my care . And as I want that bold-fac'd impudence , As may giue iust occasion of offence : So do I want base flattery with my pen , To sooth my selfe , or to taxe other men . I doe want goodnesse : for I cleerely see , All good I doe or say , is not from me . And amongst all the benefits I craue , Goodnesse I want , and goodnesse I would haue . A man may seeme too iust , too full of wit , But to be too good , neuer man was yet . He that is great , is not made good thereby , But he that 's good , is great continually . Thus great and good , together's rare and scant , Whilst I no greatnesse haue , all goodnesse want . I do want wit t' inuent ▪ conceiue and write , To moue my selfe or others to delight : But what a good wit is , I partly know , Which ( as I can ) I will define and show . Wit is the off-spring of a working braine , That will be labouring , though it be in vaine : 'T is call'd the Mother wit , by which I find , Shee 's of the bearing , breeding , femall-kind . And some haue of their mothers wit such store , That in their fathers wisedome they are poore . A good wit is a vertue that excells , And is the house where vnderstanding dwells : With whom the minde , the memory and sense , And reason keepe continuall residence : For why , if Reason chance to bee away , Wit , ( like a Colt ) breaks loose and runnes astray . There 's many that haue got their wealth by wit : But neuer wealth had power to purchase it . Rich fooles , and witty beggers euery where , Are the third part of Mankinde very neere . And little friendship doth blinde Fortune grant To me ; for wit and mony both I want . Yet for mine eares price I could vndertake To buy as much as would a Lybell make : Or I could haue as much , as fi●s these times With worthlesse Iests , or beastly scuruy Rimes ▪ To serue some Lord , and be a man of note , Or weare a garded vnregarded Coate . Wit for a foole I thinke enough I haue ; But I want wit to play the crafty knaue : And then the Prouerbe I should finely fit , In playing of the foole , for want of wit . To Archie ( at the Court ) I le make a iaunt , For he can teach me any thing I want , And he will teach me for a slender fee , A foolish knaue , or knauish foole to bee . Garret growes old and honest , and withall , His skill in knauish fooling is but small : The Knight o' th Sunne can caper , dance and leape ▪ And make a man small sport exceeding cheape In the old time a wiseman was a foole , That had compar'd himselfe with great Otoole : But his good dayes are past , hee 's downe the winde , In both his eyes and vnderstanding blinde . But holla holla Muse , come back againe , I was halfe rauisht with a fooling vaine : And , if I had gone forward with full speede , I 'de plaid the foole for want of wit indeede . As Frogs in muddy ditches vse to breede , So ther 's a wit that doth from Wine proceede : And some do whet their wits so much thereon , Till all the sharpenesse and the steele is gone ; With nothing left but back , the edge gone quite ▪ Like an old Cat , can neither scratch nor bite . The wit I want , I haue , y●t yeelds no profit , Because a foole hath still the keeping of it . Which had it in a Wisemans head beene planted , I should not now want what I long haue wanted ; I want that vndermining policy ; To purchase wealth with foule dishonesty : And I do want , and still shall want , I hope , Such actions as may well deserue a Rope . I want a mind , bad company to haunt , Which if I doe , it seemes I foresight wan● ▪ I want a Kingdome and a Crowne to weare , And with that want , I want a world of care : But might I be a King , I would refuse it , Because I doe want wisedome how to vse it . When an vnworthy man obtaines the same , Hee 's raiz'd to high preferment for his shame ▪ For why , the office of a King is such , And of such reuerence as I dare not tutch : Like to the Thunder , is his voice exprest , His Maiesty , as lightning from the East , And though he want the art of making breath , Hee 's like a Demy-god , of life and death . And as Kings ( before God ) are all but men , So before men , they all are gods agen . Hee 's a good King , whose vertues are approu'd , Fear'd for his Iustice , for his m●rcy lou'd : Who patternes all his Royall dignity , By the iust rule of Heauens high Maiesty , Who can distribute ( to good mens content ) Reward for vertue , vices punishment , Who loues a poore mans goodnesse , and doth hate All soule corruption in a man of State , Combin'd in loue with Princes neere and farre , Most affable in peace , powerfull in warre : And aboue all , religious , full of zeale , To guard the Church , & guide the Common weale . And though such Kings as this hath seldome beene ; Yet such a King as this I oft haue seene . And as I want a Regall power and fame , I want Reuenues to maintaine the same : I thinke a King that 's made of Ginger-bread His Subiects would obey him with more dread : I should beleeue all were Gold that glisters . And any knaue that could but kisse his Claw , And make a leg , would make me but Iack-Daw . And as the Swallow all the Summer stayes , And when the winter comes , hee flyes his wayes : So flatterers would adore my happinesse , And take their flight , and leaue me in distresse . To praise my vices , all the swarme of them Would flocke , and all my vertues would condemne . Much worse then Rauens is their flattery , For Rauens eate not men vntill they dye : But so a flatt'ring knaue may get and thriue , Hee dayly will deuoure a man aliue . Besides , the body only feeds the Fowle : But flattery oft consumes both body and soule . For like to trencher-Flies they euer proue , Who still wait more for lucre then for loue . Thus , though I want a Kingly power Royall , 'T is 'gainst my wil to want will to be loyall . And if that any King aliue there bee That willingly would change estates with mee , I in my bargaine should haue gold for brasse , And hee would bee accounted but an Asse . For any Kings estate , bee 't ne're so bad , To change it with Iohn Taylor , were starke mad , A King of Clubs keepes subiects in more awe : For he commands his Knaue ( except at Maw ) A King of Spades hath more wit in his pate , To delue into the secrets of his state : The King of Diamonds is too rich and wise , To change his pleasures for my miseries . And for the King of Hearts , hee 's so belou'd , That to exchange with me , hee 'le ne're be mou'd , For I am full of feares and dangerous doubts , And poorer farre then is a King of Clouts : I therefore will a Subiect still remaine , And learne to serue that am vnfit to reigne . I want ten millions of good coyned gold , And with that want , want troubles manifold : But if I had so much , what man can tell , But that I should want grace to vse it well ? Within the walles and skirts of Troynouant , Many that haue most goods , most goodnesse want : For Charity and Riches seldome can Haue both possession in a wealthy man . Fooles that are rich with multitudes of Pieces , Are like poore simple sheepe with golden fleeces ; A knaue , that for his wealth doth worship get , Is like the Diuell that is a cock-horse set . For money hath his nature in it still , Slaue to the goodman , master to the ill . The Couetous amidst his store is poore , The minde content is rich , and seekes no more . Who couets most , hath least ; who couets least , Hath most ; for why , sufficient is a feast . Wealth vnto mischiefes might my minde inchant , And therefore 't is much good for me I want . I want a Sonne and Heyre , and I perceiue , That he no portion could from me receiue ; Vnlesse I could bequeath him Poetry , To adde more pouerty to pouerty : But as I doe want Children , I want care , And Iealousie , in which some Fathers are : For many of them rake and toyle ( God wot ) To gather wealth for Heyres they ne're begot : And run to Hell ( through mischiefes ) greedily For other mens misgotten Bastardy . The greatest females vnderneath the skye , Are but fraile vessels of mortality : And if that Grace and Ver●ue be away , Ther 's Honour's shame , and Chastitie's decay . For , if inconstancie doth keepe the dore , Lust enters , and my Lady proues a Whore : And so a Bastard to the World may come , Perhaps begotten by some stable Groome ; Whom the fork-headed , her cornuted Knight May play and dandle with , with great delight , And thus by one base misbegotten sonne , Gentility in a wrong line may run : And thus foule lust to worship may prefer The mungrell Issue of a Fruterer , Or yeoman of the Bottles it may bee , Or some vnmannerd rascall worse then hee , And though the Stripling vp in yeares doth grow , He shall want wit his father how to know : But hee shall know one that will father him , And with good bringing vp maintaine him trim : And loues him with affection , as he were His owne most naturall Primogeniter . In my English Latine Richard Swary , I finde or coynd this worthy word . The old Knight dyes and freely giues him all , And he being growne a Gallant faire and tall , If with his cursed wealth hee purchase can , To wed the Daughter of some Nobleman , And being thus ennobled much thereby , Through his Alliance with Nobility ; Hee may in time possesse an honour'd state , Which God doth curse , and all good people hate : Then shall bee search'd , The Heralds of this Office dwell at Nullibi . if possible it be , Before Cains birth , to finde his Petigree : Then is some famous coate of Armes contriu'd , From many worthy families deriu'd . And thus may Lust & Wealth raise many a Clowne , To Reputation , and to high Renowne . Thus many good men are deceiu'd ( perhaps ) In bowing of their knees , and doffing Caps , And courteously commit Idolatry , To a proud branch of Lust and Lechery . For my part , I want meanes to gull men so , I may be gull'd with others goodly show . If any finde my Children meate or cloth , I got them in my sleepe , I le take mine oth , I cannot be deceiued in my Heyres , As some that are my betters may in theirs , And as no Bastards my free minde perplexeth , So I want Iealousie which some men vexeth . Should thousand such as Hercules combine , T' inspire with Iealousie this brest of mine ; Nor all the Goatish foule luxurious brood , Could not possesse me with that frantike mood● , Shee that I haue I know her continence , And shee as well doth know my confidence ; Any yet , for ought you know , both she and I May want both honesty and Iealousie : Though of our selues our knowledge is but small ; Yet somewhat we doe know , and God knowes all . The man , whose wife will be a whore indeed , His Iealousie stands but in little steed : Nor can bolts , locks or walls of brasse suffice Briareus hundred hands nor Argos eyes ; Nor all the wit in man or Diuels pate , Can alter any mans allotted fate : For if a Woman be to lewdnesse giuen , And is not guided with the grace of Heauen ; Shee will finde opportunity and time , In spight of watch or ward to doe the Crime : But if she bee with heauenly blessings grac't , As outward beautifull , and inward chaste ; Then may foule iealousie and false suspition Against her nature alter her condition , From good to bad , from bad to naught , and worse , And turne her vertues to a vicious course . For nothing can an honest minde infect , So soone as Iealousie and false suspect : And this foule Furie many times hath wrought ▪ To make the bad worse , and the good stark naught : But neuer yet by it ( as I could heare ) The good or bad , one iot the better were : And therefore be my wife , or good , or ill , I Iealousie doe want , and want it will . I want dissimulation to appeare , A friend to those , to whom I hatred beare : I want the knowledge of the thriuing Art ▪ A holy outside and a hollow heart : But as I am , the same I le euer seeme , Not worse , or better , in mine owne esteeme , For what attire so e're my corps doth hide , Or whether I doe goe on foote or ride : Or were I with the Kings high fauour grac'd , Or at a great Lords boord , at dinner plac'd , And should I haue all this , I were no more But a poore Waterman , that at his Oare Doth ( for a liuing ) labour , tug , and pull , And carries both the Gallant and the gull . How euer others doe esteeme of me , Yet as I am , I know my selfe to be . If I doe chance to be in company , Well welcom'd , amongst true Gentility , I know in them it is a courteous part , And that in me it can be no desert . I want that high esteemed excellence Of fustian , or mockado Eloquence : To flourish o're , or bumbast ▪ out my stile , To make such as not vnderstand me smile ; Yet I with Non-sense could contingerate , With Catophiscoes Terragrophicate , And make my selfe admir'd immediately , Of such as vnderstand no more then I. Besides , I want the knowledge and the skill , How these my lines may passe now well or ill : For as a learned Poet lately writ With a comparison , comparing fit Mens writings and inuentions like to Cheese , Which with some stomacks very well agrees ; Some loue it , and some cannot well disgest it , Some care not for it , and some quite detest it : And so my lines to sundry hands may come , Some pleasing , and displeasing vnto some . One likes it well , and very well commends it , A second sweares 't is naught , and madly rends it , A third cries mew , and scrues his iawes awry , And in a scornefull humour layes it by : Thus some like all , some somwhat , & some nothing . And one mans liking is anothers loathing . I want hope to please all men where I come , I want despaire , and hope I shall please some ; I want ingratitude to friends , I want A willing mind , ( what 's written ) to recant : I want 'gainst any man peculiar spite , I want a selfe-loue vnto what I write : I want some friends that would my want supply , I want some foes that would my patience trye . If all things that I want I here should tell , To a large volume then my booke would swell ; For though my selfe my wants doe boldly beare , My wants of such great waight , and number are , That sure the burden of the things I want , Would breake the backe of any Elephant .

Et Curo . I Care . I Care to thinke vpon the Theame I write , For Care is carefull , yeelding no delight : And though Care flowes like a continuall stream , Yet Care is but a very barren Theame . Vpon I care not , my swift Muse could iog , Like to an Irish Lackey o're a bog ; But my poore wit must worke vpon I care , Which is a subiect ( like my wit ) most bare . I care to keepe my wife in that degree As that she alwayes might my equall be : And I doe care , and at all times endeuer , That she to haue the mastership shall neuer . I Care , and so must all that mortall are ; For from our births , vnto our graues , our care Attends on vs , in number like our sinnes , And sticks vnto vs close , as is our skins : For the true Anagram of * * Le●rned 〈◊〉 l●ds 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 ●omes neere Curro . Care is Race , Which shewes , that whilst we on the earth haue place , So many miseries doe vs insnare , That all our life is but a Race of Care ; And when I call my life vnto account , To such great numbers doe my Cares amount , That Cares on Cares my mind so much doe lade , As I of ( nothing else but ) Cares were made . When I conceiue I am besieged round , With enemies that would my soule confound , As is the Flesh , the World and ghostly Fiends , How ( seuerally ) their force or flattery bends , To driue me to Presumption or despaire , T' auoid temptations I am full of care . When I consider what my God hath done For me , and how his grace I daily shun : And how my sinnes ( for ought I know ) are more Then Stars in skye , or Sands vpon the shore , Or wither'd leaues that Autumne tumbles downe , And that sinnes leprosie hath ouergrowne My miserable selfe from head to heele , Then hopefull feares , and fe●refull cares I feele . When I doe see a man that conscience makes Of what he speakes , or doth , or vndertakes ; That neither will dissemble , lye , or sweare , To haue the loue of such a man I care . I care when I doe see a Prodigall ( On whom a faire estate did lately fall ) When as is spent his credit and his chink , And he quite wasted to a snuffe doth stink , Who in the Spring , or Summer of his Pride , Was worship'd , honor'd , almost deifi'd : And ( whilst the golden Angels did attend him ) What swarms of friends , and kindred did befriend him Perswading him , that giue , & spend , & lend , Were vertues which on Gentry doe depend . When such a fellow falne to misery , I see forsaken and in beggery , Then for some worthy friends of mine I care . That they by such examples would beware . A foole is he who giues ( himselfe t' impaire ) And wise is he who giues what he may spare : But those that haue too much , and nothing giue , Are slaues of Hell , and pitty t' is they liue . But as the prodigall doth vainely spend , As though his ill sprung well-spring , ne're would end , Yet in his pouerty he 's better much , Then a hard hearted miserable Clutch ; Because the Prodigall lets mony flie , That many people gaine and get thereby . A Prodigal 's a Common-wealths man still , To haue his wealth all common t is his will , And when he wants , he wants what he hath not , But misers want what they both haue , and got . For though man from the teate hath weaned bin , Yet still our infancy we all are in , And from our birth , til death our liues doth smother All men doe liue be sucking one another . A King with Clemency and Royalty , Doth sucke his Subiects loue and loyalty : But as the Sea sucks in the Riuers goods , And Riuers backe againe , sucke in the floods , So good Kings , and true Subiects , alwayes proue To sucke from each , protection , feare , and loue . All Clients whatsoe're , are Lawyers nurses , And many times they doe sucke dry their purses , But though the Lawyer seemes in wealth to swim , Yet many great occasions doe sucke him . The Prodigals estate , like to a flux , The Mercer , Draper , and the Silkman sucks : The Taylor , Millainer , Dogs , Drabs and Dice , Trey-trip , or Passage , or The most at thrice ; At Irish , Tick-tack , Doublets , Draughts or Chesse , He flings his money free with carelessenesse : At Nouum , Mumchance , mischance , ( chuse ye which At One and thirty , or at Poore and rich , Ruffe , slam , Trump , nody , whisk , hole , Sant , Newcut . Vnto the keeping of foure Knaues he 'le put His whole estate , at Loadum , or at Gleeke At Tickle-me-quickly , he 's a merry Greeke , At Primefisto , Post and payre , Primero , Maw , Whip-her-ginny , he●s a lib'rall Hero ; At My-sow-pigg'd , and ( Reader neuer doubt ye , He 's skil'd in all games , except ) Looke about ye . Bowles , shoue-groate , tennis , no game comes amis , His purse a nurse for any body is ; Caroches , Coaches , and Tobacconists , All sorts of people freely from his fists His vaine expences daily sucke and soake , And his himselfe sucks onely drinke and smoake , And thus the Prodigall , himselfe alone , Giues suck to thousands , and himselfe sucks none . But for the miser , he is such an euill , He sucks all , yet giues none suck but the Deuill : And both of them such cursed members are , That to be neither of them both I care . Thus young , old , all estates , men , maids , & wiues , Doe suck from one another , all their liues ; And we are neuer wean'd from sucking thus , Vntill we dye , and then the wormes sucke vs . I care when I want money where to borrow , And when I haue it then begins new sorrow : For the right Anagram of woe is owe . And he 's in woe that is in debt I know : For as I car'd before to come in debt , So being in , my care is out to get . Thus being in or out , or out or in , Where one care ends , another doth begin . I care to keepe me from the Serieants mace , Or from a barbrous Baylifs rough embrace : Or from a Marshals man that mercy lacks , That liues a cursed life by poore mens wracks , From Serieants that are Saracens by kind , From Baylifs ●hat are worse then Beares in mind : And from a Marshals monsters trap or snare , To keepe me from such knaues as those I care . A Pander ( Hostler-like ) that walks a whore , And for a fee , securely keeps the doore , A Punck that will with any body doe , And giue the pox in to the bargaine too : A rotten stinking Baud , that for her crimes , Stewd in a sweat hath beene some fifteene times , A Drunkard , that delights to curse and sweare , To shun such company as those I care . I care to please ▪ and serue my Masters will , And he with care commands not what is ill . I care to haue them hang'd that carelesse be , Or false vnto so good a Lord as he . I care for all Religions that are hurld And scatter'd o're the vniuersall world : I care to keepe that which is sound and sure , Which euer and for euer shall endure . I care t' auoid all Sects and errors foule That to confusion hath drawne many a soule . For be a man , a Heathen , Turke or Iew , With care his miserable state I rue , That he should haue sense , reason , life and limb , Yet will not know that God that gaue them him . And can a Christian thinke vpon these things , But it his heart with care and pitty wrings ? That three parts of the world , the grace doth shun Of their Creator , and his sauing Sonne . And as the Christians few in number be , Yet how they in Religions disagree , Kings , subiects , parents , children much diuided , By hell misguided , and by Turks derided . And can a Christian thinke how these things are , But that his heart must be possest with Care ? I would all Princes that doe Christ professe , And hope through him for endlesse happinesse , Their quarrels to each other to lay by , And ioyne against the common enemy , Who like a tempest oftentimes hath come , Aduancing Mahomet in Christendome . If Christian Kings this way would all prepare , For such a glorious warre as this I care . And here ( for mirths sake ) some few lines are made In the behalfe of me , and of my trade : But honest Reader be not angry tho They looke like verses I wrote long agoe , Some 6 or 8. lines are old of mine owne ●ut I haue 〈◊〉 vari●d ●hem . But they by many men were neuer seene , And therefore fit to publish them I weene . I that in quiet in the dayes of yore , Did get my liuing at the healthfull Oare , And with content , did liue , and sweat and row , Where like the tyde , my purse did ebbe and flow , My fare was good , I thanke my bounteous fares , And pleasure made me carelesse of my cares . The watry Element most plentifull , Supplide me daily with the Oare and Scull , And what the water yeelded , I with mirth , Did spend vpon the Element of earth . Vntill at last a strange Poetique veine , As strange a way possest my working braine : It chanc'd one euening , on a reedy banke , The Muses sa●e together in a ranke : Whilst in my boate I did by water wander , Repeating lines of Hero and Leander , The Triple three tooke great delight in that , Cal'd me a shore , and caus'd me sit and chat , And in the end when all our talke was done , They gaue to me a draught of Helicon , Which prou'd to me a blessing and a curse , To fill my pate with verse , and empt my purse . By their poore gift I haue experience found What 's fit to be reprou'd , and what renownd : And that a Waterman a member is , Which neither King nor Common-wealth can misse , Yet we could well misse some that are too bad , If better in their roomes were to be had : But though abundance of them I could spare , T is onely for the honest trade I care . Some say we carry whores and theeues , t is true , I le carry those that sayd so for my due : Our boates , like hackney horses , euery day , Will carry honest men and knaues , for pay , We haue examples for it most diuine , The Sunne vpon both good and bad doth shine ▪ Shall Gods gifts bee common to good & bad , and our boats be priuate onely to the good ? Vpon the dunghill and vpon the rose , Vpon Gods seruants and vpon his foes : The wind , the raine , the earth , all creatures still , Indifferently doe serue both good and ill . All tradesmen sell their ware continually , To whores , or knaues , or any that will buy . They ne're examine people what they are . No more can we , when we transport a fare . Sapho a Poetresse , a Lady fam'd , Did wed a Waterman was Phaon nam'd : Eyght Kings ( with Oares ) as histories doe show , King Edgar to his Parliament did row . And when the waters all the world o're ran , Old Noah was the onely waterman . I care what quantity of this same stuffe I write , for I may doe much , or not enuffe , To end it therefore I will haue a Care , And shew the Watermans briefe * * The character of a Waterman . Character . First , though he be not of the female kind , Yet he 's most like vnto a Whore I find : For both , the more vnready that they be , Both are most ready for their trade we see , The Watermen in shirts , and Whores in smocks , Both strip and fall to worke , t' increase their stocks . Besides , a Waterman is much ingratefull , ( And yet is his ingratitude not hatefull ) For ( vnder God ) the Riuer Thamesis , Thames a watermans best friend , whom hee delights to crosse . His chiefest friend , and best maintainer is , It feeds and fils him , giues him dayly treasure , And he ( to crosse that Friend ) takes paines with pleasure Mine own vnkindnes I haue oft exprest , For when I cros● it most , it pleas'd me best . And as an Hypocrite speakes fairest when He most deceiues , so we poore Watermen , Goe backward when we doe goe forward still , And forward , we goe backward with good will . Thus looking one way , and another rowing , With forward backward , backward forward going To get my liuing I haue thought it meet , Much like a Weauer with both hands and feet , Or like a Ropemaker , I in my trade Haue many hundred times run retrograde ; But though the Ropemaker doe backward goe , Yet is his worke before his face we know ; And all the voyages I vndertake My businesse still hath bin behind my backe . But ( in a word ) let things be as they are , Those whom I carry , to land safe , I care . When I doe stand my labour to apply I neither vse to call , or yall , or cry , Or thrust ▪ or shoue , or rake , or hale , or pull The Gentleman , or gentleman-like Gull , A mayd , a wife , a widow , or a trull . Be he the greatest swearer on the earth , Or the most dang'rous theefe that ere had birth , Be he or they as bad , or worse , or worst , Then any that of God or man are curst : Yet ( if it be their lots to be my fare ) To carry them and land them well I care , For why ? should I through carelesse negligence , Drowne but a Rascall by improuidence , In me it were an action most vntrue , For robbing of the hangman of his due . And be a veluet villaine ne're so braue , A siluer , silken , or a Satin slaue : And that I know , and doe esteeme him so , Yet with great care his Rogueship will I row , Because I would not wrong the curteous Riuer , With the base corps of such a wicked liuer ; I haue a care to looke about me round , That he may liue and hang , and not be drownd . I take great care how I might Cares auoid , And to that end I haue my Cares imploid : For long a goe I doe remember that There was a Prouerb , Care will kill a Cat. And it is sayd a Cat 's a wondrous beast , And that she hath in her nine liues at least , And sure if any Cat this care could shun , It was the famous Cat of Whittington , For whom was giu'n a ship rich fraught with ware And for a lucky Pusse like that I care . But if Care of such potent power be , To kill nine liues , it may kill one in me ; And therefore it behoues me to beware , That though I care , not to be kild with care . I care , and in my care take great delight , ( When by a Watch I doe passe late at night ) Such answers to the Constable to shape , As by good words I may the Compter scape .

My serious Cares and Considerations . T' Is said the age of man is seuenty yeares , If eighty , it is full of griefe and Cares , And if we of our time account should keepe , How halfe our liues we doe consume in sleepe , And for the waking halfe , account that too , How little seruice to our God we doe : For till seuen yeares be past and gone away , We are vncapable to doe or pray . Our * * Strange Eloquence Adolescency till our manly growth , We wast in vanitie and tricks of youth , And as we trauell to our iorneyes end , The more we liue the more we doe offend . In sixty yeares three thousand Sabba●hs be , Which are some eight yeares in account we see , But of those Sundayes let vs thinke agen , How little seruice God hath had of men , And to the holiest man it will appeare , About one hundred houres in a yeare . And so in threescore yeares God hath not one , Wherein his seruice we attend vpon . And if that ( lesse than one ) t' account were brought , How many a nap , and many a wauering thought , And wandring fancies doe vs round beset , ( That many times the text we doe forget ? ) Thinke but of this , and then the yeare before Must be abated halfe , or somewhat more . Thus many a Christian sixty yeares hath trod The earth , and not sixe months hath seru'd his God . When we our liues vnequally thus share , In thinking ●f it , I am full of care . I care in all my actions so to liue , That no occasion of offence I giue To any man , with either pen or tongue , In name , or fame , or goods , to doe them wrong . For he 's the greatest murderer aliue , That doth a man of his good name depriue With base columnious slanders and false lies , T is the worst villainy of villanes : To blast a good mans name with scandals breath , Makes his dishonor long suruiue his death : For Infamie's a colour dyde in graine , Which scarce obliuion can wash out againe . As nothing's dearer then a mans good name , So nothing wounds more deeper then defame . Nature gaue man a paire of eares and eyes , And but one tongue , which certainly implies , That though our sight and hearing still is free , Yet must we not speake all we heare or see , Then he 's a Viper that doth lyes inuent , To worke thereby anothers detriment , 'T is sinne to slander a notorious Knaue , But sinne and shame a good man to depraue : Thus good or bad , or whatsoe're they are , To doe to neither of them wrong I care . I care to get good Bookes , and I take heed , And care what I doe either write or read : Though some through ignorance , & some throgh spite Haue said that I can neither read nor write . But though my lines no scholership proclaime , Ye● I at learning haue a kind of ayme . And I haue gatherd much good obseruations , From many humane and diuine translations . I was well entred ( forty Winters since ) As farre as possum in my Accidence ; And reading but from ●ossu● to posset , There I was mir'de , and could no further get , Which when I thinke vpon ( with mind deiected ) I care to thinke how learning I neglect●d . The Poet * * Bookes that I haue read of Poesie . Quid , ( or Ouid if you will ) Being in English , much hath helpt my skill : And Homer too , and Virgil I haue seene , And reading them I haue much better'd beene . Godfrey of Bulloyne , well by Fairfax done , Du Bartas , that much loue hath rightly wonne : Old Chaucer , Si●ney , Spencer , Daniel , Nash , I dipt my finger where they vs'd to wash . As I haue read these Poets , I haue noted Much good , which in my memory is quoted . Of Histories I haue perusde some store , As no man of my function hath done more . The Golden legend , I did ouer tosse , Part of the Bookes of History that I haue read . And found the Gold mixt with a deale of drosse . I haue read Plutarchs Morals and his Liues , And like a Bee , suckt Hony from those Hiues . Iosephus of the Iewes , Knowles of the Turks , Marcus Aurclius , and Gueuara's works : Lloyd , Grimstone , Montaigne , and Suetonius , Agrippa , ( whom some call Cornelius . ) Graue Seneca , and Cambden , Purchas , Speed , Old Monumentall Fox , and Hollinshead : And that sole Booke of Bookes which God hath giuen ( The blest eternall Testaments of heauen ) That I haue read , and I with care confesse , My selfe vnworthy of such happinesse . And many more good Bookes I haue with care Lookt on their goods , and neuer stole their ware , For no booke to my hands could euer come , If it were but the treat●se of Tom Thumb , Or Scoggins Iests , or any simple play , Or monstrous newes came Trundling in my way . All these , and ten times more , some good , some bad I haue from them much obseruation had . And so with care and study I haue writ These bookes , the issue of a barren wit . The most of them are verse , but I suppose It is much ease to name them here in prose .

The names of many of the bookes that I haue written .

First , the Sculler .

Vpon Coriat three merry bookes , called , Odcombs complaint , Coriats resurrection , and Laugh and be fat . The nipping or snipping of Abuses . Two mad things against Fenor . Taylors Vrania . The marriage of the Princesse . An Elegy on Prince Henry . Two bookes of all the Kings of England . Three weekes , three dayes , and three houres obseruations in Germany . Trauels to Scotland . Trauels to Prague in Bohemia . An Englishmans loue to Bohemia . The Bible in verse . The Booke of Martyrs in verse . The praise of Hempseed . A kicksy winsy . The great O Toole . Iack a Lent . The praise of Beggery . Tayl●rs Goose. Faire and foule weather . The life and death of the Virgin Mary . The Whip of Pride .

And lastly ( since the reigne of th' Emperour * * I was m●ch beholding to this Emperors name to make vp the meeter . OTTO ) Was neuer seene the like of TAYLORS MOTTO . All these , and some which I haue quite forgot , With care ( as is aforesaid ) I haue wrote . I care how to conclude this carefull straine : In care I care how to get out againe : I care for food and lodging , fire and rayment , And ( what I owe ) I care , to make good payment . But most of all , I care , and will endeuer To liue so carefull that I may liue euer . Thus without wronging any man a iot , I shew I haue what euery man hath not : My wants are such , that I forgiue them free , That would but steale the most of them from me . My cares are many , as I here expresse , Poore cousin Germans vnto carelessenesse . I haue a knowledge some men will read this , I want the knowledge how their liking is . I care in all that I herein haue pend , To please the good , and shew the bad to mend . And those that will not thus be satisfide , I haue a spirit that doth them deride . I flattry want mens likings to obtaine , I care to loue those tha● lo●e me againe . Thus be mens ●udgements steady or vnsteady To like my Booke , the ●are is tane already . The Prouerb sayes , that hast makes ( often ) wast , Then wha● is wast , imp●te it to my hast : This Booke was written ( not that here I boast ) Put houres together , in three dayes at most : And giue me but my breakfast , I le maintaine , To write another e're I eate againe . But well or ill , or howsoe're t is pen'd , L●k't as you list , and so I make an END .