The poore mans passions. And pouerties patience. VVriten by Arthur VVarren. Anno. Dom. 1605

THE Poore Mans passions . AND Pouerties Patience .

Written by Arthur Warren . Anno. Dom. 1605.

AT LONDON , Printed by I. R. for R. B. and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard , at the signe of the Sun .

To his kindest Fauourer Maister Robert Quarme . DIssemble not Pen , paint thy naked mind , Draw the Anatomy of perfit loue , And though Fortune to slender meanes thee bind , Affectionate yet to thy Patron proue ; And tell thy friend , if Pouerty may steede , He shall not faile to finde a friend at neede . Giue him thy Passions , and thy Patience , And in them both include thy louing hart , Inuite him to thy Contents Residence , And feast him there , to answere his desart : That hast no Currant him to satisfie , But loue , affection , and gratuity . Europe hath Owners in possession placed , Asia for her Subiects taketh care , Affrica her Inhabitants hath graced , America hath not a foote to spare , And Indigence will not make thy Release , Till some of these Possessioners decease . Tell him , the Hand , that did this Pen direct , If seruiceable , shall on him attend ; Tell him , the Hart , that doth his loue affect , By prayers his Humanity defend ? Tell him , that Passions must his Patience craue , Till Pouerty a richer Nature haue . Arthur Warren .

The poore Mans passions . TRagicall Hart , inuectiue tearmes collect , Perturbe the passion of the worldly minde , Deluding Obiects of Content reiect , Counterfeit pleasures in a bundell binde , And ouer-whelme them midst the Oceans waue , Or them interre in some Cymmerian caue . Resigne possession of regardlesse Toyes , That hoodwinke thee in downefalles of distresse , Though in apparance superficiall ioyes , Yet tryed proue but Counterpanes of blesse : I le not bestowe perusing on that lease , Whose expir'd Date doth at the sealing cease . I Caitife , Cressus Royaltie disclayme , Discarding golden Crassus choisest store , With Enuies darts at Epicures I ayme , And Diues Sumptuousnes I disadore ; For tell the Porter of the proudest state , I scorne to knock at the securest gate . Yet lowest Fortunes crosse my lostly minde , And apprentize my thoughts to seruile lawe , Which Nature to her Pupils ne'er assig'nde , And all to curbe my grand Conceipts in awe ; Such as lawlesse Necessities impose , To gall the shoulder that this yoke would lose . I liue , yet loth to lead this lothsome life , I breath , yet doe suspire with painfull breath , I stirre , yet storme to manage tedious strife , And I shall die vntested in my death , Doubting least mine Executors refuse The statute of my Testament to vse . while Crosse and Losse doe countermand desire , while will with want conioines a Combatine , As powerfull to set the Seas on fire , Making the most gainst Patience to repine , That ill Successe in worlds vnhappie state , Makes haplesse man much more vnfortunate . To controuerse with mine Aduersity , Is but with vnarm'd Brest to pierce a sword ; And so Philautus shall doe iniury Vnto himselfe , by his selfe-wild discord : And yet these Oppositions who can brooke , That with one eye , or halfe a face doth looke ? Can Flesh and Bloud , that loues to braue the best , Pocket these wrongs and bury such abuse ? And can Humanity these pilles digest , Or like Melancholists get some Recluse , To make their Orizons in Saturnes eare , That sitting dumbe doth mute petisions heare ? A man 's a man , though he haue but a face , A beardlesse face the world for to controle , But I in cloke depriud of gard and lace , Poore patches for my fortunes must inrole , To signifie vnto the Earth , what lot , The Lack-lands of our lower House haue got . To monarchize a wretches woofull state , Importeth prowesse , though but little power , Once to commaund the world seemes fortunate , Though but a World conceipted for an houre , Indigents may abound though but in dreames , Fortune Flowes not to all in Fauours streames . Demi-god Argent , and the Siluer Saint Passengers in their trauell must protect , And with the Tauerner their needes acquaint , The Pennilesse no choise of Innes elect ; Hunger and Thirst needes must we wars proclaime , And try the Combat , though we take the maime . Phisitian Gold doth fortifie the lame , With Argus eyes illuminates the darke , Skilleth to shrowd Sinners apparant shame , In ships of Siluer safe we may imbarke , To cut the Seas , and crosse by eu'ry coast , In peace to take all Harbours for our hoast . In vaine the Monylesse their mones confesse , In vaine the wealthlesse doe their wants repeat , In vaine the wretches warble their distresse , In vaine the miserable doe intreat , For helping hands the Needy to relieue , Or mercies minds their much and good to giue . To sue , sollicite , begge , beseech , intreate , To smooth , sooth , flatter , and doe what thou skillest ; To malice , menace , mischiefe , storme , and threat , But Worlds vacuity with ayre thou fillest : Requests nought feed the siluer-sucking minde , No Penny doth no Pater Noster finde . Loue liues by losse , Don Lucre all commaunds , Pittifull Complaints , dolefull passions Sound , But are not tuned by relieuing hands , While miseries are weakest Motiues found ; Sonne dutifies father , father loues Sonne , And all is for Consideration done . O would I could by vertues of my voyce , The Beggar from my presence but exile , And on professions execute my Choise , Or to desires my fortunes reconcile , Then farewell whip , a sop hard to digest , And Pill'ry , where men take but Pinch-eares rest . I would not feare Freedome of Borrough townes , Nor strictest Restraints of immured wales , Nor seuere presence of Officious gownes , Which with Commaunds commend vs to their hales , To answere all Obiects with cappe and knee , And Abiects all the while reputed bee . Vppon our Doome the dull'st will whet his braine , If Fortunes Flower but beginne to fade ; The rau'nous Cormorants will vs constraine A Common top for scourges to be made , Lamigers creepe to set on foote our harme , The Blind to view our woes about vs swarme . Poorelings but Caterpillers they account , Their proffits destinated to deuoure , That Seas of sorrowes shall our Soules surmount , While Pride gainst Poore doth flouds of malice poure , Adiudging vs but Burthens of the Earth , And Canker-wormes increasing Countries dearth . Beares Armes gainst Peace , besieging our Contents , Muster the troupes of controuersing minds , And of our Martyrdomes make monuments , Testifie their degenerating kinds , Vnnaturallizing peruersest harts , To scandallize our lawdable Desarts . New-gate , the worst gate , they protest too good , Coldly to entertaine such goldlesse guests , These Cowards durst exhaust a Beggers blood , And tyrannize in hindring our requests ; Our serious expectations crosse with toyes , Plant obstacles to intercept our ioyes . Helpe Heauens , poore Harts poorer plaints may poure To carelesse shores , and to relentlesse rocks , Man is mans Woolfe , for man would man deuoure , while Brother from Brother compassion locks , Yet Trees him shade midst Sol-in-loos heate , Beasts minister him foode to be his meate . The Christall fountaines quench the thirst of man , The Dogges vse dalliance , and on him attend , The Oxe drawes , and the Asse doth what he can , The flocks withfleeces him from cold defend , Yet goes it gainst the hayre with him to spare , The solace , which might cure his Brothers care . Vnreasonable Creatures can him show , And sencelesse things in silence can bewray Duty , which to his Neighbours he doth owe , Though deafe , blind , and hard-harted thus he stray , And hath such Mydas eares , as will not heare , Though thence his Error to the world appeare . Man without many helps can hardly liue , Although his fields of acres know none end , Yet doth it worse then cut his throat to giue , To Impotents , to Indigents to lend : Fondling , forget'st thou how thou borrow'st still That hard'nest thus thine Adamantine will ? Diggers , and Dikers , Drudges , Carters , Swaines , Sheepheards , and Cowards , friend thee at thy neede , The poorest persons worke thy richest gaines , Thy Dropsie with Commodities to feede , Coblers , and Curriers , Tinkers , Tanners all Support thy state , else would thy fortresse fall . It 's worke tyme-worthy to obserue the wayes Of Worldlings , how prepost'rously they liue , That will not helpe , yet want helps all their dayes , That without gifts liue not , yet will not giue . O brazen fronts , ô iron-metled harts , Whose quiuers surfet with discourteous darts . And all 's to royallize their Progeny , And eternize their Names in Mammons bookes , Register their time-eaten Dignity , Catch the Circumferrence in golden hookes , Make Ignorance subscribe vnto their will , Perswade the Blind , the valley is a hill . Summon a Parliament , which may haue power To contradict rulelesse Necessity , Endowe Needs Daughter with conuenient Dower , To extirpate the roots of misery , And ruina●…e the edifice of wants , In Pleasures plots to set Contentments plants . Beggery men contemptible doth make , Rags with Robes assume no Society , Irus with Cressus neuer hands did shake , Tokens of Vnion to testifie : The Patch with Purple nere acquaintance tooke , Nor Siluerlesse suits with the Lawiers booke . The widowe Want soiournes at low-streets end , While Monsier Mony purchaseth a place , His Consistory midst the towne to spend , Mongst Magistrates , Monarchs of greatest grace ; While to the Rich the world a Lorship giues , Pouerty alwaies vndertenant liues . O rich Worlds Darling , bigge thou dost abound With treasures , pleasures , health , wealth , liberty , Harts ease and thoughts wish at a winke are found Thy mutable Humours to satisfie , All ioyes desir'd attend thee at a beck , As though thou didst both fate and fortune check . Little thou carest what cares I indure , And lesse thou feel'st what force I suffer must , My dolours can no rest from ruth procure , While as thou list thou canst agglut thy lust , Flowing in Oceans of profoundest wealth , While wretch I want helpes to support my health , My Palate dry , my lips seeme parch'd with thirst , Belly thinkes throat cut through the lack of meate , Yet Seconds striue not who shall be the first , To minister meanes what to drinke or eate , Small scraping mundifies my trenchers cleane , I neede no Dyet to conserue me leane . Phisicke farewell , thou neuer shalt take cure , Gainst surfetting to practise remedy , If seldome meale may make complexion pure , Fairensse my formall face shall beautifie , Make me Pigmalions pictures counterfaite , While staruing stomacke for a crum doth waite . When Thirst like Aetna'es heat doth cause me craue , Some slender potion Appetite to drowne , And begging I sweet liquid cannot haue , The Butler with his bowle so blacke doth frowne ; Then runne I to a Riuer , 〈◊〉 faire Brooke , How comfortable doth thy current looke : There I in all Humility prostrate , Bow'd on bare knees , and empty belly laide , Sue for a suppe at kind Banks mercy-gate , Where of the water I am not denaide ; Twixt lip and liuer , water wine is made , To flourish life , which did commence to fade . Thus solaced incontinent I rise , Bowing in token of my thankfull hart , With best Cursey , that Duty can deuise , To gratifie the Runners kind desart : Away I walke after this humble greete , As though I quaffed had the Nectar sweete . When wooluish Hunger on my stomack gnawes , Inuocates Custome Victu'alls to prouide , Teeth ruminating on their empty iawes , As if they durst no longer dull abide , Sith Appetite precepteth them to dresse For dying Nature some reuiuing messe . Then I importune , and sollicite Cooke , For one cold cut I tender him my loue , With hollow eyes and fleshlesse cheekes I looke , To pitty so the pittilesse to mooue : With Egle wings he flies to lock the dore , Is not at leasure to reliue the poore . Thus doe these iron hands Compassion shut From soules surcharg'd with sorrow through their neede , who neuer helpes vnto the helplesse put , Nor spare superfluous things our wants to feede , which swell with fat , surfeit with dainty fare , Vnmindfull of their needy Neighbours care . The Belly-god with gourmandizing full Excludeth empty Appetite from minde , Bibbers beere-swollen eyes with quaffing dull , Thinke they can no where any thirsting find , Gluttons in Lethe lake drowne Penury , Drunkards imagine no throat to be dry . Midst this perplexity I make my mone To God , to man , man not regarding God , I sigh in sorrow , and in griefe I grone , Scourged with Persecutions piercing rod , O it 's a Hell on earth all to indure , Which dayly men to mischiefe men procure . Nature , that first gaue life , decreed a lawe , That Mortalls Earths-fruites should in Common hold , When Tymes Corruption priuate profit saw , Things gratis giuen must be bought and sold , And then Diuision striued for a store , To marre what golden Age had made before . This seeing I all Adams sonnes forsake , Ominous seeming in their odious sight , And to my Meditations me betake , To seeke the Cause , why they denie me right : Such Difference I find twixt store and dearth , That Rich count Beggers Bastards of the Earth . Because we are not elder Brethren borne , Apparant Heyres to earthly Heritage , Hence hautie Worlds Inheritors vs scorne , As not begot in lawfull Marriage , The harme is ours , the iniury was theirs , To take all , ere we borne were to be Heires . These monster-natur'd People I forsweare , And to mismembred Syluane Satyres goe , Pouring my plaints into their brutish eare , So making them familiar with my woe ; I warble forth a wretches dolefull cryes , To proue what pitty in their bowels lyes . These lodge a better Bounty in their Brest , These Heathen harbour more Humanitie , One may in surer safety with them rest , Than with his Brethren full of Tyrannie , They will conduct you to their mossy caue , Where part of their prouision you may haue . This moou'd the prudent Hermits to forsake Country , Acquaintance , Parents , liuings , land , And in the Wildernes a Cell to make , where they secur'd from iniuries might stand ; Though mosse , not downe they vsd in sted of bed , And were with hips and hawes for Dainties sed . It 's Ease enough , whereas may lodge Content , It 's cheere enough , where Nature is suffis'd , It 's Right enough , whereas no wrong is ment , It 's loue enough , where no hate is deuis'd , Better to liue alone in peace and rest , Then mongst the multitude , and be opprest . My sourged Wits doe waue with strange desires , When Melancholy doth these planets note , My Soule to be a Soliuage requires , Intreats Earths Center for some place remote , There could I draw sweet and contented breath , where friends faigne not , nor foes pretend my death : The Clifts , the Rocks , the steepy Roughes , and Dales , The Mountaines , Promontories , Harbours , Plaines , Inhabitable Islands , Creekes , and vales , Estranged Continents , resortles Maines , Groues , Desolations , and vntroden waies My wandring steps with weary pace assaies . Some vnfrequented woods I seeke to find , Some vnknowne Desarts iourney I to see , what Solitarines hath there assign'de For such , as her Inhabitants shall be , The Earth I suruey for the secret'st field , To proue what entertainement it may yeild . I meet with Lynx , and with the Lyon fell , with beastly Beares , Tygres of Hyrcanie , Calidons Bore , like Cerberus in Hell , That wrongs and wounds all Persons passing by , The Basan Bulls , the Irish wolues I see , All which impose no violence on mee . The Lynx , that is the clearest Beast of fight , Seemeth to shed a showre of Christall teares , The Lyon , Monarch for his matchlesse might , Offers no force , to load my life with feares ; Tygres are tame , Bulls hurt me not with horne , woolues are like Lambs by them I am not tonne . My misaduentures doe them all amaze , Of mine Afflictions they remaine in awe , On my mishaps , and my misfortunes gaze , As though they so strange obiects neuer saw , So forlorne-like I passe , so vile so base , That they relent to view my ruthfull case . Thus I with eyes of farre-discerning mind , Home-ward conuert a distort Countenance , In esperance acquaintance some to find , which might eye-witnes vnexpected chance , Earths Cormorant , heere to thy scandall see The mercy , which the mercilesse shew me . Maske thy hard forehead , to obscure thy shame , Viewing vnreasonable Creatures kind , That sauage , wild , and brutish are by name , And yet by Nature of a better mind , Then thou , that dost thy selfe a monster make , while that a Beast doth mans Idea take . Yet Genius hath framed thee a man , Time and Experience ioynd assisting hand , Arte hath perform'd , what knowledge practise can , And all is but to number Ocean's sand , It seemes Impossibility to bee , To make a Metamorphosis of thee . Thou wilt not alter , but from Haue to Hold , From catch to keepe , from much to gather more , From Cottages to farmes , from lead to gold , From Competence into superfluous store , Thy Nature nought to such but enuie yeilds , As haue a meadow greener then thy fields . What i's t to begge , but to be counted base ? What i's t to borrow , but to be denide ? When Poore are trespas'd , they learne Ploydons case , And must for recompence content abide , Yet giue the Rich but an vncourteous looke , It prooues a forfeit by their statute booke . It 's wrong to them , if any pleasant liue : It 's paine to them , if any sit in ease : It 's griefe to them , if any one doe thriue : It 's death to them , if any them displease : They doe prohibit that a horse should beare , But golden him , that siluer spurs doth weare . Degrading vs with contumelius spelles , They touch , attach , and summon vs with shames , To our discredit ring reprochfull bells , And Catalogue vs with inhumane names , Vagabonds , varlets , villaines , vassalls , slaues , Rogues , Caterpillers , Runnagates , and knaues . O Heauens , yee haue heard these wrongs and more , Earth is eare-witnes of these iniuries , Produc'd to punish , and depose the poore , With more then su●…ble villanies , That mauger 〈◊〉 the oppressed cry , And death it is , that wretches may not die . Goods , Cattles , Fees , Lands , 〈◊〉 , and gold , Issues , Rents , Proffits , Fines , and 〈◊〉 , Worlds Argonauts from ouer-whelming hold , Midst Flouds , Rocks , Seas , and gulfes of miseries , While Poore her person with the path doth weare , Bucephalus must Alexander beare . For in wealth consists worlds Nobility , Honour , Preferment , fri●…dship , loue , and all , Birth , Learning , Vertue , is but Beggery , Least Hap it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ball : Who is the Lord , but he , that hath the luck ; Who is the man , but he , that hath the muck ? If Asses thus to Honours height ascend , Load but with siluer burthens , golden pa●…s , If Manhood thus on Mou●…s depend , Which hauing this all other merits lacks , Then Glory shall detaine Desa●… reward , And vertues will not 〈◊〉 ●…gard . Then 'mong'st the Ladies may A 〈◊〉 , And hold a Dis●…affe , or ruine Carpet Knight ; Vlisses may his 〈◊〉 madnesse giue , And plow the sands , and in his ●…ome delight , To Cowardice the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeild , Mars sit indignifide in Honours field . Custome maintaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in things , Or chang'd , for better 〈◊〉 wish , Good Friday hath the Capon by the wings , While Easter day is fea●… b●… with fish , The Poore midst Richimens meple is forc'd to fast , And still into the S●… 〈◊〉 ●…cast . Who presents Pouer●…y with pin , or ought , Pining in Pen●…y , naked with neede ? Venson and Fatlings to the Rich , are brought , Iewells and iems their e●…es delight●… feede ; Whether goe gifts , but to the wealthy hand ? Who sit in Chaires , but they that best might stand ? All to the tune of Ars●… versie goes , Cart drawes the Horse , them both the Diuell driues , Mens publique friends conuert to priuate foes , And these wounds most the harmelesse Patient grines , The wealthy best the●…ter succour might , But they 'll no wrong ●…pt , nor proffet right . Couzen Diogenes , didst thou suruiue , Mine hart were freed from a thousand feares , If Pilgrim , thou couldst prosprously ●…riue , Midst the Caniculars of our luck lesse yeares , Couldst thou fadge with the world in thy state , I would thee for example imitate . Remember , how they once did Dogge thee name , Now Curre , and worse then ill , they would thee call , Bannish thy presence to thy future shame , Not spare a tub to couer thee with all , But intercept the Sun from warning thee , If them thou find such , as they prooue to mee . The shestring Hedge personates Beggars house , The trees , the fields , and bushes are his mates , Some silly Baucis poore Philemons spowse , Forgotten and forgone of greater states , His Rayment , Ragges , vndecency his lace , The Rent his Cut , his habits so to grace . The Cynick once with Candle in his hand , At noone 〈◊〉 man in Macedoni●… sought ; were he Suru●…your of the spacious land , He scarcely should descry a courteous thought , That had Compassion to commiserate , The Indigence of some distressed state . This frozen-harted Age so coldly loues , That Charity exting ●…shed is found , Beneficence but ver●… 〈◊〉 prooues , While Promise doth but expectation sound , All are content to father Dignitie , Yet few will Parents be of Courtesie . Had I but honour , all I would aduance : Had I but wealth , I would inrich the poore : Or strength , I would the weakest countenance : Or had I skill , I would recure the lo●…e : There should no penny of reward be nam'd , Till I had made strength , wealth , and Art asham'd . Is t not a dis●…ine to Humanity , That monie should thus tyrannize on earth ? Or Niggardize our fames indignifie , And on the faculties raise needlesse dearth ? The Arts are liberall , then why should price , Bury such gifts in obscure Auarice ? What Penury of Paper Scriueners find : While Bills , and Bonds , Indentures , Leases , Deeds . The worldlings to their words performance bind ; Though no Prouiso for Relapse of needs , The Poore bare Ec●…oes are content to take , While Rich with wa●… and writings bargaine make . While writs and warrants , Executions , Rests , Lurke like Hyenna , Debts to apprehend , while carefull Creditors perturbe their brest , In secresie their Messengers to send Vnto the Bank-rupt , that hath broken day , And doth not leuie , what he ought to pay . These troubles are become so common trade , That Shoulder-catching doth the vnthrift gall : Such Custodies for Euidences made , That they deuoure the timber , steele , and all ; They must haue double gates before their doore , To stop the false , and to expell the poore . The Needy no key , lock , chest , closet lack , They without artificiall continent , Include in Belly , and support on back , what Heauen giues , or niggard Earth hath lent , No folds for flockes , no treasuries for gold , But they haue present vse , that all can hold . Deneers not Duckats are the Summes we make , Pence and not pounds the charges we bestowe , Slender dole , and no large Donations take , Gratuity , the payments which we owe ; Yet worldly Pompe , which doth our eies allure , Suggests , we should not this disgrace indure . Coniecture what we thinke , when we behold , A wealth-enobled worldling , to abound With rings , and pretious things , with gilt , and gold , As such a second worthy were not found : How true suppose yet prooues our Poore-mans ey , when all these trickes and trims it doth espy ? How faine it would relinquish homely head , And riuet to Obiects so faire in sight ; Whose robes and plumes so gloriouslie are spread , The gazers to amaze with rare delight ! My dearest Treasures should be cheaply sold , To buy a minute , these Rares to behold . One of mine eies to ieopard could I brooke , On silkes , scarses , Sattans , iewells , bracelets , chaines , On cuffes , and ruffes , and Nouelties to looke , Although the price thereof procure my paines : Such difference in my muck-blinded minde , I betwixt their worth , and my want doe find . One of their fingers craues more sumptuous cost , Then all my Carkasse to inuest the same , So gloz'd with gold , with pearle so imbost , Whose pricefull valew they at Hundreds name : Almost I am perswaded , that it shall Neuer to dust through times oppression fall . For Iuries Solomon , that did abound With rarest Ornaments , that Art hath wrought , Nor Scriptures Lilly , was so royall found , To equallize what shewes they foorth haue brought ; To make beholders at these sights admire , And the Ambitious hange on their desire . Caesar , whose troupes enforc'd the Earth to grone , With warriours waight in his triumphant daies , Numbred no more to gard his regall throne , Then doe attend the Rich in all assaies ; For all the Earth is theirs to be inioyd , And all the world are theirs to be imployd . The winters frost nips not the Rich with colde , Their purse preuention gainst all plagues procures , Their steeds in stables stand , their flocks in folde , The Poore ( poore Hart ) all Detriments indures , Wealth neuer wrincheth griued with the gall , Alas it 's want , that euer feeles the fall . Bare Neede constraines the eldest foote to trot , Through frost , through flint , through fire , though legge be bare . Ice neuer too cold , neuer Sun too hot , To worke our woe , and to increase our care , Although Disease and Death our liues possesse , Wealth stands vnmoou'd to pitty our distresse . But with a Crucifie they on vs call . But with their helpe they adde griefe vnto griefe , But with their might they wrest vs to the wall , But with their loues they leaue vs no reliefe , Fie on that call , helpe , might , loue , and that deede , which makes our wounded hart the more to bleed . But aske my staffe , the witnes of my woes , what crackes , what knockes , and strokes it hath indur'd , As secret shield against professed foes , By whom my blacke and blewes haue beene procur'd ; It 's worne , it 's torne , spoil'd , and foil'd , & cut in twaine , To weaken force , which would augment my paine ? But aske my Scrip , the Cubbord where I lay My crusts , my crumes , my Commons , victualls , meale , And it my fortunes will in briefe be wray , How niggardly with me these Earthlings deale : If fasting fare in diet I surmount , For euer me an Hereticke account . while Aristippus in the Court doth seede , And fats his crammed Corps by flattery , I in the Country entertaine my neede , with herbes and roots of Natures charity , And for my priuate foode search common fields , which Contents Plenty in abundance yeilds . I thinke how Heauens gaue the Desolate Manna , and Quailes , and Honie from the rockes , Beautifide those harts vnfortunate , Open'd their Treasuries with Mercies-lockes , That thought they Egipts garlicke , onions lost , They found prouision of a dearer cost . Is t true Elyas , that the Rauens brought Such comfortable Nutriments of meate ; And so meanes of thy Sustentation wrought , when thou hadst nought but secresies to eate . Not daring in the worlds apparance stand , Fearing Oppressions tyrannizing hand ? In aire Camelions foster vitall breath . In flaming fires the Salamander feeds : In Seas the Fish secure themselues from death : Mowles in Earths bowells doe expell their needes : Then will I not in doubtfull state despaire , while I may liue by water , fire , earth , aire . These Cobs resemble Saturne , that deuour'd The stone Abider in the steede of Ioue ; And all the flouds of their desires are pour'd , To make a Sea of what they chiefely loue : They couet drosse , and doe contemne the gold , Omit the good , which men by vertue holde . Yet they themselues shrowd in security , Gainst aduerse Oppositions fortifide , Beare Armes against that trouping miserie , Which circumuents my Soule on eu●…ry side : They are not troubled with a touch of woe , While we midst Legions of misfortunes goe . Seas , stormes , waues , tempests , and contrary wind , Did poore shipman Acaetes euer crosse , In calmest Ocean he did shipwraoke find , Which did conuert his lucre into losse ; While wealthy Marchants safely doe arriue , And at their pleasdre prosprously athriue . Thus Passions get a habit in my life , Making it tractable to Fortunes frowne , While we liue Souldiours in sinister strife , Contending to attaine a Lawrell Crowne ; Yet Mercenaries find a time to rest , which is as much , as hapneth to the best . Horace , did not Cobler Alphenus liue ? Why Vsurer Alphius did no more , Yet though the Fates to all like breathing giue , Fortune makes them not Stewards of like store ; The doubtfull lots are so vnequall found , That some must want , while others doe abound . The Seas Amalchi'um alwaies frozen stand , want flagrant Phaebus to dissolue the same ; And poore are euer more depriu'd of land , whose former lot the Senior worldlings came , On the Philosophers stone they erect The edifice , which chiefely they respect . And they haue power to turne Fortunes wheele , As most contents their auaricious minde ; They skill choisest Commodities to feele , Although their eies with earthly dust are blind ; Vnable to discerne that royall thing , which doth inrich the Beggar , grace the King . These Sysiphusians haue a stone to turne , A wandring thought to rumble vp and downe , with Tantalus in expectation burne , Couet the Country and affect the towne : For what they stoop to take , too low doth lie ; And what they reach to catch , ascends too hic . These with Ancaeus plant the sprowting vine , Hedge in their garden , Orchard , Hearbory , Yet neuer tast of their expected wine , By Calidons bore intercepted die , For Fates preuent them with their tuskish wound , Before the Sweete fruits of their sweats are found . Some Deianira venom'd shirts them send , From worldly ●…ole to draw their loue , That midst their mirth with misery they end , Their harts from ioyes enioying to remooue : Then Hercules from reason runs to rage , And Death denies them of an elder age . These Fatlings feast , while as I pooreling fast , They dine , I pine ; they sweetely sleepe , I wake : They leaue , I lacke ; I want , they plenty wast : I seeke a crum , while choise of Cates they make , Their fast is dearth of stomacke , not of meate , Mine is because I haue not what to eare . These are vainglorious , lewd , vniust in life , Desperate , discontent in death they bee , Sedition-sowers , stirrers vp of strife , While Heires for Inuentories disagree , These Purgatorians , though forgot in graue , Ora pro nobis must remembred haue . Funerall pomps , tombes , Ceremonies , Rites , Epitaphes , month-minds , Dirges , Candels , Bell , Rabbles of irreligion , Flatring writes , To intercept their passage into Hell , Their Memories in Chronicles must liue , When Truth should them scandals sepulchre giue . Yet false teares stepdame-like their partings ha●… Of friends , acquaintance , Kindred , children , wife , Scrikes , cries , sighes , and sobs circumuent their graue , Though death of one to twenty giueth life , For many Soules are comforted with that , Wherewith one Epicure fed one so fat . Might I heire to some Vsurer be found , Whose gorged chests surfet with cramming gold , Whose coffers with Commodities abound So full , that they no sterling more may hold : Rome Rascalls then make space and grace for me , Whereas my worship shall in person bee . I would elect , Flaunt , Cut , and Swash for mates , For choise Companions , pleasure , mirth , delight , For equalls , Gentells , Honourables , States ; Aiax would not presume to prooue my might : Mylo would beare his Bull , and let me goe , Malitious Momus durst not be my foe . Dignitie seeme inferiour , and too bad To be my shadowe , Science would attend , Inuention practize Arts to make me glad , Poetry my profession would commend , Dutifull Loyalty would humbly greete My Person , passing the prospicuous streete . But now the worst are censured too good , The Miscreants , the Abiects , the forlorne , Adiudging Basenes borne of better blood , A corner of my Company doe scorne : So odible an Obiect am I thought , Contemn'd , forsaken , loth'd , and set at nought . Yet Miser thus disparaiged I liue , Succour and meanes of maintenance to mee , The heate , the ayre , the woods , and waters giue , Though Fortunatelings hate it so to bee , I borrow not , doubting to be denide , I steale not fearing my life should be tride . Come staffe , and manage mine vnhappy hand , Scrip , guard my Shoulders , burthen light to beare , Three merry mates we gainst the Sun will stand , Solace to see , that comforts none can heare , The lighter purse , the lesse the cares are found , Hearke , while I whistle to the winds a round . Arthur Warren .

POVERTIES Patience . DEpart yee Discontents like Reprobates , For Patience all Aduersities indures , In rarest Disposition imitates Hearbe Panace , that all diseases cures , Heales interne maladies of wounded mindes , And salues the sores that Phisicke saluelesse finds . Credit not vaine Perswasion , that deludes Fond Tractability with fallacies , And such inducements forcibly intrudes Into Credulitie with Sophistries , That man , whom Reasons Index should direct , Suggested is true iudgment to neglect . Aske Contentation , what 's Felicity , And aske Felicity , what is Content , Aske life , what is the death of misery , And aske dumbe death , what makes life permanent : Peruse the Contents of contented minde , Thou nought , but Patience registred shalt find . Tell Expectation , Hap doth frustrate Hope , Through frowning Fortunes fatall Accident : Tell Auarice , Vertue hath larger scope , Where to erect the Mansion of Content : And tell Content , that Suffrance drew the plot , Fit for foundation of so happy lot . Tell India , that gold 's but yellow earth : Tell Greece , that words are but a breathed sound ; Tell Ceres , that all Plenties haue their dearth ; Tell stoutest Troy , Hector is mortall found ; And tell thy selfe , that wealth , Art , store , and strength Prooues frailty , want , errour , and neede , at length . Discretion , censure which is better found , Much to possesse , and nethlesse liue in neede ; Or to enioy but little , and abound , So Competence Necessities may steede : Brookes satisfie thirst with conuenient store , The spacious Oceans liquid can no more . Yes , Seas may swallow , Currents seldome drowne , This world includs such Gulfes of ouerthrowes , For wealths Deluge may ouerwhelme a Crowne , When Desires flouds to inundations growes , Sourging and sinking that waue-tossed minde , Which sailes Impossibilities to find . And therefore Resolution , seale thy thought , Soone to surrender thy dismembred state , Because Contents Perfection is not bought , Such firme Prouiso hath beene made by Fate , Whisper Chorebus in the eare , that Clay Prooues loosing gamster , with a knock to play . For knowe , Corruption will thee apprehend , When Sherife Death shall execute arrest , And to thy sepulchre thee Captiue send , To soiourne there , till thy Debts be confest , Till Summes be paid , till thou acquittance haue , Or Creditors Release thy Credit saue . Sword , sheath thy sharpe , it 's neither edge , nor point , Nor target , Buckler , shield , nor skill , nor might , That giues protection to thy safest ioint , when maistring Destinies proclaime their fight , Chalenging a Quicunque vult to play About with them , for Conquest of the day . Gnatho , Fates haue no eares to entertaine The sugred phrase of soothing Parasites , And Ostentations brauings are but vaine , Ther 's no regarde of proudest Th●…asonites ; For Adulation proues but idle breath , Great words small wind , when they sollicite death . Prostrate thy person Magnanimity . For Pompey doth , and Potentate thou must , Can Alexander lease his Chiualry ? No t' is expir'd , and he dissolu'd to dust : Where 's he , that would Achilles armour haue ? Aiax in earth , Vlisses lies in graue . Cyrus his mouth with bowles of bloud hath fill'd , while Tomyris the royall Butler plaid ; Hell holds the Cob , that bigger batnes would build , with Soule consulting not to be denaide : So their Desires some augmention ment , while sleeping thus they dream'd not of content . But Affectation , I haue past my word To Iustice Conscience , worlds Court forsake , whose Secretary Feare doth it record , That in Contents Cell I must Mansion make , And like a Hermit in that Residence Be weded , and conuerse with Patience . And from the many-headed multitude will sequester my presence and estate , In secret scene my Comedy conclude , And priuately with Meditation mate , Then farewell pleasure , and adew delight , I le yeild to Fate , that must with fortune fight . Pompe , Riot , Ease , delicious , costly , vaine , Glory , gold , my Regeneration see , Selfe-loue , hope , pleasure , lust , desires , and gaine , I haue subscrib'd with you at two to be , Presumption fly with Dedalls son , and fall , Drown'd in the sea , which men Ica●…ean call . Intemperance , doe not on Venus looke , Chastity I haue vow'd to deify , And register my name in Vestas booke , And Cupids temples , gods , and Saints denie : No myrtle , no mellodious warbling string , Nor payre of Doues for sacrifice will bring . Tell Danae Virginity repelles The goldenst shower , that from Heauen falls , And him , that Ioue in Fortitude excells , Where maidenhood secured is in walls , When Constancie , Faith , and Perseuerance , The Castle guard for lifes Continuance . Rich Tagus Runnet , which with gold dost run , I will not wash my gilded wish in thee , Beauty , which shinest to outbraue the Sun , For thy loue I le not Prides Corriuall bee : The Alcumists I le in defiance hold , Which durst conuert base Obiects into gold . Inhumane Macheuilles I will abiure , And not be friend to Vertues enemies , Troupes of Antagonists I will procure To depose their presuming villanies , Constraining them to tergiuerse with mee , When Contents prowesse shall approoued bee . Pleasure , on Earth-wormes make intestine pray , And with thy golden baite delude the blind , No frauds my circumuented Troy betray , Though Synon for this Action be assign'd : So greedily I gape not after gaine , In short delight to swallow endlesse paine . Syrens harmonious Sonnets founding sweete Send no misinformation to their minde . Which nauigate their Common-wealth to meete , And after trauell Ithica to find , Vlisses to a pillar will be bound , That so he may escape home safe and sound . Circe , thy Potions want effectuall power , To intercept the passage of the wise , Calipso's dregs cannot retard one ho●…e The voyage , which Discretion doth deuise : Bewitching world workes none impediment , To stop the Mortifides resolu'd intend . Yet Pouerty seemes title of Contempt , A gracelesse word , a derogating Name , Which Honours Court from presence doth exempt , As scandall , which indignifies the same ; I haue none ensignes of apparant worth , Nor Ornaments , to set my Person forth . I challenge no possession of a Crowne , which earthly Realmes or Royaltie bestowes , I feare not fatall force of Fortunes frowne , which to the proude Precipitation owes , I sit meeke , milde , inferiour vnto all , So low I am , lower I cannot fall . With Vsury I haue no league of loue , with Pride I clayme on Consanguinity , Yet though I cannot Fortunatus proue , worlds expectation I will fallify , And one day be possessour of that place , which holds these fronted titles in disgrace . Fauour is but fading vncertainty , Maiesty some decaying Monument , Loue but a labarinth of misery , Riches are but Administrations lent , Then will I scorne Earths excrements , pelfe , drosse , And , till I come to Heauen , beare my crosse . Romane Carbilius first refus'd his wife For Barrennes , but Natures bare defect : So this world lothes our incommodious life , Our wedlock by di●…orcement to reiect : Because we doe not yeerely fructifie , With Fortunes sprowting Prodigalitie . Campania is not our Na●…iue seate , Which the Italians iudge their fertill'st lands , But I about sterilitie must beate , And for Annuities imploy my hands : while Wealth in largest seas his ship may put , with slender Hulke the Caspian streights I cut . Aduauncement , beare an eye vnto thy state , Securelesse Royaltie , liue circumspect , Ignorance , no dominion arrogate , Phaeton , thine Ambition correct , If loue incensed be gainst what 's desir'd , He will confound thee , ere the World be fir'd . Empires rule not with moderate Content , Scepters ioyne with terrestriall Diadems , Mansolus hath but fading Monument ; Then basely I esteeme these Indy Iems , As for all Treasures found on seas or land , I admit none of them to touch my hand . When saw the World me roab'd in rich aray ? Or counterfeit in colours Esopes Py ? Or countermand earths fashions euery day ; Or with the Peacock gaze on brauery : Or like Lisicrates , gainst Nature black White haires , that old I might seeme age to lack ? When trauell'd I in wagon , chariot , Couch ? Or Abbot-like with cushions cockred ease ? Or had of Pleasures any tender touch ? Or eyes with beauteous visions did I please ? Or when my stomack did I fill and feede with choise of meats , or one meale more then neede ? Lesse leafes do fitter lower shrubs become , And lower sayles lesse boats doe better guide , Lesse paces sooner bring the lighter home , And safer we arriue with lower tide : Great tides haue flouds , flouds waues , waues dangerous be , Take through the fords , if thou wilt passe with me . Th' Egyptian Island Chemnis alwaies swimmes , Tost hether , thether , vp and downe with wind , So worldly loue , so Worldlings wandring limmes Course to and fro Commodities to find : Acquainted are with rarity of rest , Feeling disturbance of care-cumbred brest . The Cercyraei were not more perplexed with warring oppositions of their foes , Then Wealth is with inquietation vexed , while it from land to seas a coursing goes , Sending Inquiry to descry that store , which makes the Owner to affect the more . If in a Senate house Content could liue , Then Office might adorne the Frankize gowne , If that a kingdome could sufficient giue , Then Maiestie might dignifie a Crowne : If Fates surpris'd not men with purging fan , Presull and Prelate were a happy man . Centurions then might on their guards be stout , And Generalls might troupes of Armies hold , Iustian then were manumist from doubt , But Death the Sheepheard playes , brings them to fold , No Magistracie length of life can giue , Caninus but seau'n houres did Consull liue . The Oxe , which of Clytumnus Current drinks , Transformed is into a Colour white , But who so tasteth of Contentment , thinks , Earths invitations can him not incite , To be translated into any minde , But those Conceyts , which Patience seekes to find . Although no Bacchanalls I celebrate , To banish wit by sence-exiling wine , Though I my stomacke doe not ded●… To Luxury , and with the Glutton date , Yet doth Abstemius Christall water find , And Curius foote to content Natures minde . Essei were certaine Religious Iewes , Abstaining from flesh , women , oiles , and wines , Contenting Nature but with Dates and dewes , Neuer kil'd fatlings , neuer robbed vines , To flatter Palate , or feed Glu●…ony , With Cates and Delicates variety . His Kingdome rauenous Erisicthon sold , And of so many Millions kept no mite , Exchang'd his daughter Protea for gold , To satisfie his Royall Appetite ; Not thus content gainst Nature did rebell , And of his owne Flesh a deuouring fell . The Troyan horse , made by Epeus hand , Had no such Belly Hundreds to containe , Though it did swallow , Citty and the land , Which Pryam rul'd , during his happy Raigne : This woulfe , his Realme in gourmandizing spent , Tasting no sweete Ambrosin of content . Diuine Content , thine Altars I le frequent , Offring a mite with hand , talents with hart , Fortune to greatr ●…ifts will not consent , Then goddesse , let desire stand for desart ; And prooue propitious to thy poorest Saint , That doth thy godhead with his lot acquaint . Sweete Vertue , patronize my Patience , Though but Beggar to Biggers I appeare , Protect me with thy sacred Prouidence , Thy Suppliants petitions Ioue-like heare ; And for me Glories paradize prouide , Aboue the Earth to haue me dignifide . Dismember limbs from Body of Delight , which in times processe must disiointed bee , From Sensualitie my sences right , which may conglutinate my loue to thee ; Make perfet Vnion twixt Content and Poore , And knit that Gordion lasting euermore . Giue not Aboundance , least I should forget The Giuer , when such surplusage I see , Giue not too little , least I die in det , Vnable so to tender Charons fee ; The golden Mediocrity I craue , To quite the world , and me conduct to graue . I couet not that penetrable way ; Divulged to the Common Multitude , I le not at passage with the Vulgars play , But steps into the narrow streits intrud●… , Not griuing though I leaue my shoes behind , So I the perfet path to Heauen find . what is t a pleasant iourney to enioy , And in a painefull Inne be ente●… ▪ Cursed are lodges , that the guests ●…oy , where Trauells Recreation should be 〈◊〉 : Tread hard by day ; s●… ease at night ●…e ●…ound , Lament in life so ioyes in death abound . Imploy me not in Superfluities , whose summes surcharge a well-addicted minde , which Marthaes conuersation occupies , To prosecute such earthly sutes assign'd : Disburthen my Conceipts of worldly cares , which little Time to thinke on Tempe sp●…res . Let diuine Contemplations be my treasures , And sacred songs my choisest harmonie , And Vertues Recreation my pleasures , And Hope the Prologue of my Comedie , Oh with what action would I g●…ce my part , Had I a scene according to desart . Pronuntiation should make Pride asham'd , Such sweetnes in distinction , Are in gesture , My grauity in face may not be nam'd , Nor Ornaments i●…brodred on my ●…sture ; That muddi●… eies , base lamps , and earthy lights , Durst not behold the Obiects of these sights . The Mellodie of Cher●…bins me grace , And Millions of Ma●… me attend , Societies of Angels me embra●…e , Their time the S●…ints Communions with me spend , And robes of Righteousnes I haue in store , My person in Ioues presence ●…o decore . And yet Earths Vulgars me indignifie , And on my habits cast dis●…full 〈◊〉 , Obraid me with odious vnd●…ncy ; But worse obiections I then these haue borne ; Better Coceipts I haue of rater things , Which men ●…nto the blisse of blissings brings . I le conuerse with my priuate Pilgrimage , Medling with Earth so little , as I may , Let Solitarines me patronage , Vntill by Death I Natures due repay ; Yet I with Fortunes hand encounter must , And beare armes , till I be dissolu'd to dust . Let Contents Coslet guard besieged life , Armour of Proofe vpon my Shoulders lay , Direct me Souldiour in this vale of strife , On Earth my Captaines ensignes to display , Though I vnfortunate loose gaines , gaine losse , Vnder the durance of the hardest crosse . It s Hart-griefe to suruey my wofull wounds , Death-passions , but to touch my miseries ; These Troubles taste Digestions strength confounds , Courage sits daunted at these dolefull cries , Hell cannot adde one plague vnto my paine , That circumsept with mischiefes thus remaine . Earths Daemogorgon armed gainst me stands , To ruinate my Castle of Content , Hellish Briareus with his hundred hands , Against my Patience hath his forces sent , But I haue vow'd to loose my life in field , Ere tergiuerse , or coward weapons yield . Triumphant Victory shall me attend , And Confidence mine enterprise embold , Till gloriously mine Honours doe ascend , In Maiesties Pallace their Court to hold : That Admiration wonder shall anew The miracles of mine exploits to view . Harpocrates thy Silence strangleth words , while hote multiplications fire Debate , Bring flaxe to flame , and proffer Battle swords , And Authors are of life-suruiuing hate ; There 's such Omnipotence in Loyaltie , That yielding , it obtaines the Victorie . O it 's a bloodlesse Conquest to submit , No maymes , no martyrdoms therein are found , Rashnes proues Argument of slender wit , while Prouidence in whole skinnes sleepeth sound , with Lawrell leafes subduing stoutest foes , while wild-heads by the eares in armour goes . Reuenge with Cocyx selfe-conceipt confounds , while Tyme might salue the bleeding'st iniury , Precipitation scarred is with wounds , while Suffrance purchaseth Securitie : O there 's such Operation in Content , That it doth right the wrongfull'st detriment . Admit I seeme but homely in my House , My Commons course , my foode no dainty fare , Notable lodge a Friend , nor feast a Mouse , Next Neighbour to want Penury and Care ; Nay , Care I leaue to carking Diues charge , whose treasur'd wealth his tortur'd woes inlarge . Suruay mine head , search if thine eyes can finde True Testimonie of care-martyrd Hart , Or Euidence of discontented minde , Compelling Natures colour to depart , Planting a White , resembling Northern snow , which doth possession of griefe-tenures show . My feature seemes as fayre , as Fatters bee , As comely , as the grossest of the land , As healthfull , as the Richest are to see , Nay they 'r diseasd in head , foote , face , and hand , with dropsie , fleame , knobs , plurisy , and gout , with falling euills , itch , and breakings out . Humors and tumors , botclies , byles , and sores Theyr chiefest sences dang'rously displease , These are the issues of superfluous stores , Surburth'ning Nature to prouoke disease , To suffocate the Conduit of their breath , while Riot causeth Surfet , surfet Death . Wealthlings suppose their parting peale they heare , See Deaths Idea with his maze in hand , If Bell but whisper in theyr guilty eare , Dreading that coram nobis they must stand , And beeing c●…lpable , to feare begin Incuitable Iudgment for their sin . All Obiects theyr Capacitie offend , Least suddaine perrils should abridge theyr breath , And Tasters must theyr trencher-meales attend , Least nutrimentall Dyet hasten death ; A former Mouth must practize on their meate , And brooke their breakfast , ere they durst to eate . Rootes , Onions , garlick , and the Hermits meale , Proues better feasting then this dangerous fare : which seekes a scratch of Hungers nailes to heale , And catch a wound , that bleeds with mortall care : ( Digestion ) I securely vow to fast , Ere fearfully feed on so deere repast . Nay more , the Belly burthned , Braines are dull , The body glutted , vices load the minde , The head is empty , when the wombe is full , The Corpulent doe slender knowledge find , For Abstinence and Temperance attaine , The marke of Honour , and the meanes of gaine , A little Cottage , common cloth , short meales , Is safest Seate , best Rayment , surest health , Not chargeably impayring Publique-weales , And seldome da●…ify mans priuate wealth . It 's sumptuous lodge , rich vesture , daintie fare , That robbe the purse , and make Reuenewes bare . Double and Treble Chimn●…is mounting faire , Obserue the single Hospitality , All spent to build , and buildings to repayre , which should support oppressed misery , Great halls , large tables , gold , plate , little meate , Feed but the eye , while mouth hath nought to eate . Apollo's diuine Oracle confe●… , Aged Aglaus farre more fortunate , Then was king Gyges in his royall rest , Amidst the mountaines of his lofty state , Aglaus ne'er past limits of his land , Gyges detained all that came to h●…nd . Agathocles mongst his Sycanian Lords Did earthen Vessells at his table vse : Like president P●…rsenna King affords , To teach that none Humility refuse : In iewells their Ability might eate , But they discern'd it bettred not the meate . Poyson is powred in the golden Cru●…e , The Aconite in richest Bowles is laide , As with foule treason vnder fairest truce ; So worldlings are in costly Cups betraide , Fie on those goods , though glorious to be seene , which haue Efficients of destructions beene . King Dionisius knew the restlesse state , Which to the perrill Potent●…es possesse , Experience taught him in what dangrous gate They enter , which to Kingdomes haue accesse , While by a hai●…e 〈◊〉 naked Sword hangs downe , Readie to fall vpon the Princes Crowne . What prooues Aboundance but aboundant Care ? what 's wealth : Plenty but Pouerty of Rest ? Treasures are tortures , which doe neuer spare with ledden thoughts to onerate our brest : Elect Riches of a diuiner sort . Choose Burthens which thou better maist support . Content in Celles seemes richer by degrees , Then Discontent inthron'd in Courts of Kings ; One dish of fruite more worth then twenty trees , Sufficient consists not in many things : Nought is inough for him that wanteth nought , Much is too little , whereas more is sought . Resolue me worldling , midst thy goods , ●…nd ground , Heards , Flockes , Corne , Oyle , Fruits , Siluer , Gold , & gaine , What Contentation in this store is found , But Competence where with life to sustaine ? Will not this gilt prooue Guiltines of minde ; When thine Accompt loue shall vnworthy find ? Miser , durst so much on one mouth bestow , As might a pettie-Commonwealth suffice ? what doth Possession such Reuenewes owe Vnto one Helluo's hellish Auarice ? Condition knowes , thou hadst it to impart , Some portion thereof to the needy hart . So Admiration once beheld an Asse Loaden with rost , burthned with costly meate , With curbing bit in mouth the plaines to passe , Finding not nettles , hay or grasse to eate , His fortunes did some worldlings imitate , That fooles and beggars are in richest state . That pine in plenty , starue amidst their store , That want in wealth , and in aboundance neede , That maugre Superfluities seeme poore , And Nature with no Contentation feede : Mans hart so small gorg'th not a kite one houre , Yet would it Earths Circumferrence deuoure . Must Man needs drossy Muck his Maister make , which Fortune hath apprentiz'd for a slaue ? And can Humanity with Patience take , That Basenes should of him dominion haue ? I dare not call thee Asse , but aske thy selfe , What eares thou hast , that harknest so to pelfe . Doth mony purpose to 〈◊〉 might ? Doth wealth imagine to discredit wit ? Haue Riches Confidence to conquer Right ? Doth gold boue Vertue vndertake to sit ! Fie , will Moria shoote beyond her aime ? And challenge more then iustly she can claime ? How should Humanity it selfe behaue , And not with Oppositions be opprest , His scourged ship from Scilla 's throte to saue , In harbour of Security to rest ? Vaine Desperation seemes in misery , More vaine Presumption in prosperity . Pryam , that princely Gouernour of Troy , Father of Sonne●… coequallizing Kings , In the maturity of rarest ioy , Midst tenure of inualewable things , was slaine , and Time by Destinies defer'd , To haue his murdred Maiestie inte●…'d . Hector his He●…e , had Time bestowd successe , Prince of the worthies , Mars for Chiualrie , was impotent Fortunes force to suppresse , And must shake hand●… with like Aduersity ; Bearing the bu●…hen of vnprosprous strife , To make vntimely Period of his life , The Citty flow'd with teares at this distresse , Griefe sounded Clamours at his ouerthrow , And Cordiall Dolours did their harts possesse , Sith youth did leuy debts , which Age should owe , An hundred noble Courages did quaile , And thousand Ladies did his losse bewaile . No princely Pompe can Potentates secure , No earthly Kingdomes can eternize life , Prosperitie no safety can assure , Sith Fortune hath his frownes , Atrops her knife , Two too inexorable still haue been , That blind Director , and that fatall Queene . These Two vncertaine are , yet certaine bee , Fortunes pleasd helpe , Fortunes displeased hate , The Destinies are bribed by no fee , To lengthen life , or dayes to breuiate : No terme hath interest in their good will , They saue in shipwracks , and in harbours kill . Now Demonax should proue a Puritan , Instructed by Philosophy to hate , Siluers receipt in tyme of Adrian , Vnfit to be these Mony-mongers ma●…e , which morgage Soules , and their Saluation drowne , In depth of diuing for a golden Crowne . Concupiscence with Lucre falls in loue , Demonica durst Ephesus betray , If Brennus will a bounteous Briber proue , Treasons demaunds with treasures sums to pay ; Eryphale will haue her husband sold , while gold blinds worldlings , worldlings grope for gold . Temptation , vanish , with seducement die , which golden Mountaines durst by promise giue , Suggesting Common-wealths of Dignitie , while as thy Creditors in scandall liue ; For what proues glory on an Empyre placed , But plodded meanes to make a man disgraced ? Don Romulus no fallacies could find , But Brothers death , poore Rhemus must be slaine , To satisfie his all-affecting minde , Moeties seemed insufficient gaine , Daily the Diadem as fayre appeares Vnto his lustfull eyes , as second yeeres . Therefore enacts , that such as should ascend The Romane walls , this scale with death should buy , To Celer this obseruance doth commend , Rhemus gets vp , dreading no trechery , which deare attempt exhausts his dearest life , Concluding so that twin-borne Brethrens strife . Mismurdred Rhemus , by this tyme thou knowst Dignities valew , fading fruits of gaine , what satisfaction thou to Honour owst , And what preferment Scepter-sutes attaine ; Oh if that Brother spare not Brothers blood , At Aliants hands who expects any good ? A wolfe in woods , them equally did nurse , But Romulus retain'd the woluish minde , Lamb-natur'd Rhemus might his fortunes curse , while Destinies had such euents assign'd , One kingdome is not capable of twaine , One Temple cannot Abel hold and Caine . The beauteous Solstice of a Crowne doth blind The clearest Argus eyes , that euer liue , what man is he , that might a kingdome find And Parents , Children , Brethren , would not giue ? Princedoms seeme sweet pills , pleasant is a Crowne , He that hath no throat would them swallow downe . Yet lofty Cedars ouerthrowne are found , with boistrous blasts of ruine-threatning winde , when Iunipers stand stedfast on their ground , And seates of surer Residence doe finde ; Fortune Presumption to preferment calls , To giue the heedlesse Climbers headlong falls . Profit prouoketh , bids the Niggard hold ; Pleasure perswadeth , motiue Method speakes , Diues will hoord , though hange in Hell for gold ; Epicures gourmandize , though Belly breakes : From sugred baits what caueats can forbid , Though thousand harmefull hookes lie vnder hid ? Darius will his Horsmans Counsell vse , Processe of his Direction execute , will not O●…bares decretalls refuse , If his deuise him Ruler constitute , If Horses bray may him proclyme a King , He puts in practise the ignoblest thing . Philoxenus the Parasite did wish His throat in length a Cranes neck might exceed , To feele the pleasures of the sweetest dish , Taste pleasant drinke his appetite to feede : with Phago placing his felicity And summum Bonum in his gluttony . Few with Phraortes worship Temperance , Sardanapal●… liues e●…minate , Scyron hardneth his thi●…ish Countenaunce , Romane Sarmantus proues a ●…coffing mate , And none with Z●… that Content desire , which Horace of Mecenas did inqui●… . When Zancles hundred foure yeares had suruiu'd . which tearme doth nought but imperfections gaine , Nature a Miracle in him contriu'd , Making his iawes young teeth a new retaine , Such is the Custome of the worldly minde , That loosing life , Aboundance seekes to find . Yeares Parents are of Mutability , And Mutability Natures decay , Time is the Trumpettour of secresie , Though Reuelation plead vpon delay ; The ey-deluding shewes are shadowes found , Mortality to Dissolution bound . Pallaces , Temples , Castells , Citties , Townes , Towers , and Turrets equall to the skies , Subuerted by resistl●…sse fortunes frownes , Leaue nought , which their memorialls testifies ; Haruest and hooke those fertill furlongs grace , Where walls and windowes once had royall place . King Pryams Parlour made an Hearbory , With Floras fauours seemes red , white , and greene ; Those halles with fruits and flowers fructifie , Where quandam Lordings princely to be seene , Led Courtly dances in their Ladies hands , Like Thetis tripping on the siluer sands . Honour is but a worthlesse word of grace , To sooth Ambitions praise-attending eares : Beauty but Blossomes in a flouring face ; And Pleasures but delights commixt with feares ; Then Honour , Beauty , and Delight are vaine , Sith in them all no Certainty doth raigne . Diogenes once passing neare to Hell Beheld Mydas , that sometime liu'd a King , Now in Infernall Beggery to dwell , Base , ragged , dispossest of eu'ry thing ; And laughing said , ah ah my golden Asse , Is t possible the world comes thus to passe ? The Sequels of precedent Pleasures mooue Purification to relinquish drosse , And earthly approbations to disprooue , And make concealment of apparant crosse , Sith Rich are poore , and Poore are rich at last , When fatall lots are on our limits cast . Lazarus midst his suts of miseries Sollicited the Gluttons carelesse gate , Diues in flames of Phlegeton now cries ; Not heard of him , whom he heard no●… of late , The law of Talio like for like doth pay , To quite all kindnes there succeeds a day . Sith Cornucopiae fil'd with fruitfull things To Penury by Destination turnes : Sith Riot vnexpected Domage brings , Sith ceasing Ease in ceaselesse torments burnes : Pleasures and Plenties I le not Comforts call , But Perturbations , and forsake them all . In fack and Cinders 〈◊〉 bee , Part of my limbs vncouerd in the cold , I le not my body cloth beneath my knee , That earthen eies may clayen feete behold ; To note ( sith they resemble brittle sand ) That I on Frailties weake foundation stand . That liuing man may dying mould respect ; Though Power cannot Impotence preuent , It may repaire some Naturall defect , That sinfull Soule die not impenitent : Our manhood weake our matter being dust , Subiect to Death , to Mother Earth we must . Nestor suruiuing Natures common length , Nor Agamemnon with his Maiesty , Nor Polyphemus with robustous strength Can countermand the Doome of Destiny : Fire can the hardest wood to cinders burne , And Time the strongest flesh to Ashes turne . There shall no 〈◊〉 be showne , But Kings and Clownes in one Condition bee ; Twixt Court and Cottage no distinction knowne , Betweene the high state and the low degree : For Irus dies , and C●…s doth no lesse , Wit , Beauty , Hon●… , Wealth must make a messe . Then ringed Fingers 〈◊〉 with gold , Then cursed Tresses beautifide by A●… , Then fashions , and ruffes ranked fouresold , Then locks and lookes witnes of proudest hart , Then painted Cheekes , roling eies lures of lust , Shall perrish , ro●… , consume , and come to dust , Then Helen lustfull Venery shall ●…ue ; And Clytemnestra abiure homicide , whose murdrous hands her louing husband ●…lue , That thought in safety with his wife to bide : And Gyant Cacus curse vnlawfull gaines , when Pluto paies the stipend of his paines . And Nero shall lament midst ●…arfull flood , Whose Rigour lifes effusion did affect , Dayly exhausting many Millions blood , Which Tyrant he in Iustice should protect ; Medea lothe her Necromantick spell , For Magicke Art when witches burne in hell . Tell Rhodope the Harlot , how she spent Charaxus patrimony , Chattels , goods , And him forth with to Seas a Pirate sent , His fortunes to experience in the floods ; And aske her , whether there will come a day , For pleasures and extortions vse to pay . One Continent must Alexander hold , Whom many Prouinces could not containe , That wept , and weeping his Attendants told , He grieu'd least he none other World should gaine , To chronicle the Conquests of his hands , Because the whole world Phillips subiect stands . Admonish thus a Worldlings climbing minde , That Destinies doe his desires deride ; Thou at his hands Ingratitude shalt find , And he will thy Directions not abide ; But with the Adder stops indocile eare , Vnwilling wisest charmers voyce to heare , Folly hath got a habit on their head , This head misguides the selfe-conceited will , The liuing meditate not on the dead , But full with errours their affections fill , Yet where is safety , health , ioy , comfort , ease , Or Contentation , which can last and please ? Then blessed Patience , fortunate Content , Sitting inferiour to the lowest seate , Priuiledge from externall Accident , which doth with Fortunes scourges Worldlings beate : The Poore's but poore how euer Tempests blow , But Rich-men may strange alterations know . What Metamorphosis will then be seene , when Pilgrims princelike shall inthroned stand , And shall liue Regents , which haue Vassals beene Holding a scepter in immortall hand ; Then gold for drosse , and glory for disgrace . Equall to Saints the meanest shall embrace . When fading Bale shall ceaselesse blessings bring Then farewell winter of Aduersityes , when Flora with her euerflowring spring . All seasons , Sommer , Autumne dignifyes : Then particolour'd flowers , and the rose , Shall feede eyes humour , and delight the nose . Then strained Mellodie shall pierce our eare , whose sence from eare descendeth to the hart , when songs for sighes , and mirth for mones we heare , who would not wish with vs to beare a part ? Grieue not , though now discords of tunes abound , This iarring one day will be musick found . Soule sequester thy thought from vanitie , worldly Aduauncement in dishonour hold , And doe not Angerona dignify , Although she proffer pleasures manifold : If thy Desires on earth their pleasures take , T will cost thy life , before thou canst awake . An Oracle Protesilaus told , That what Greeke first entred the Troyan land , Should die , which danger could not him with-hold But he first takes this enterprise in hand ; The prophecies accordingly succeede , For Hector kild him that perform'd that deed . Beware by this example , how thy minde Aduenture make for transitory things , For subtyle Fates the secret'st searcher finde , And finding him , ad respondendum brings . Possesse not , but passe through this earthly cell , where no Contents , but misaduentures dwell . Here 's nought but passions , penury , and paine , Sicknes , and sorrowes , slaunders , rumours feares , Drudgings , and grudgings , enuy , strife , disdaine , Domage , and discontents , frownes , terrours , trates , Prisonment , poyson , cauills , curse , and crosse , Seruitude , thralldoms , labours , dolours , losse . Heer 's nought but filth , and frailty , griefes , and galls , Troubles , and trauels , force , fraud , wrath , and wrong , Folly , and frensy , snares , cares , climbing , falls , Shew me a man mongst Mortalls , that 's so strong , which can support the burthen of one day , That doth all these loads on his shoulders lay . Atlas , that beareth Heauen on his back , Presumeth not this waight to vndertake , Invincible Sampson would sinewes lack , which for this durance might him able make : These all so insupportable appeare That Gyants would their impositions feare . Hercules toyles in number , Nature , name , Cannot with these discouragements compare , Theyr name to tasks , to twelue their number came , Theyr nature bridled with a little care ; Part wrought with force , part wrought with fallacies , But these pretend impossibilities . They seeme as odious as the Gorgons head , As terrible as ●…ping Lyons iawes , Or Cocatrice whose sight brings fatall dread , As horrible as were the H●…pies clawes , That doubts before , behind misfortunes stand , Despayre aboue , dangers on eu'ry hand . Yet Patience in a Castell of content Wincks at these Obiects , ouer-heares the sound , But waighes not words of the Impatient , Whose spirits full of Discontents abound , I smile to see the corpulent stil feede , Laugh to behold the wealthy stand in neede . Empty-way-faring men with pencelesse purse Durst sing in thiefes presence dischar'd of feare , When full Powch doth his Misaduentures curse , And ( will he , nill he ) for a passe paies deare , That Pouerty returneth safer , home , Then Riches with such royalty can come . Armath'oes ride on rocks , ships sink in sands , Meet with stormes , tempests , gulfes , vnprosprous winde , When safely Pinnages arriue to lands , And wished Calmes for Nauigation find ; Charibdis , Scylla , Syrtes , wracks , and waue , On lowly Barkes no lofty power haue . If Adam through forbidden fruite for sooke Those Eden pleasures of felicity , If that Lots wife for one retorted looke In pillar of Salt found such misery ; These Sodome apples I will not behold , That inward are but dust , though outward gold . Vertue ioyne hand in hand with Pouerty , And we will walke socur'd from bonds of feares , Not surpris'd with preuenting misery , Till Iubile proclaime those ioyfull yeares , when we in Heauen shall be resident , To reape the fruits of Patience and Content . Arthur Warren . FINIS .