A satyre dedicated to His most excellent Maiestie. By George VVither, Gentleman.

TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTY . A Satyre . Quid tu , sipe●eo ? WHat once the POET said , I may avow , T is a hard thing not to write Satyres now , Since what we speake , abuse raignes so in all , Spight of our hearts will be Satyricall . Let it not therefore now be deem●d strange , My vnsmooth'd lines their rudenesse do not change , Nor be distastfull to my graciou● King , Though in the Cage , my olde harsh notes I sing , And rudely make a Satyre here vnfold What others would in neater tearmes haue told . And why ? my friends and meanes in Court are scant , Knowledge of curious Phrase , and forme , I want . I cannot bear 't to runne my selfe in debt , To hire the Groome , to bid the Page intreat Some fauour'd follower ; to vouchsafe his word , To get me a colde comfort from his Lord : I cannot sooth , though it my life might saue , Each fauourite , nor crouch to euery Knaue : I cannot brooke delayes as some men do , With scoffes , and scornes , and tak 't in kindnesse to . For er'e I 'de binde my selfe for some slight grace To one that hath no more worth then his place ; Orb● ●base meane free my selfe from trouble , I rather would e●●ure my penance double : Cause to be forc'd to what my minde disdaines Is worse to me then tortures , rackes , and chaines : And therefore vnto thee I onely flye , To whom there needes no meane but Honesty : To thee that lou'st not Parasite nor Minio● Should e're I speake , possesse thee with opinion . To thee that do'st what thou wilt vndertake ▪ For loue of Iustice , not the persons sake . To thee that kno'wst how vaine all faire shewes be , That flow not from the hearts sincerity . And canst ▪ though shadowed in the simplest vaile , Discerne both Loue and Truth , and where they faile : To thee doe I appeale , in whom heau'n knowes , I next to God my confidence repose . For can it be , thy grace should euer shine , And not enlighten such a cause as mine ? Can my hopes ( fixt in thee great KING ) be dead ? Or thou those Satyres hate thy Forrests bred ? Where shall my second hopes he founded then , If euer I haue heart to hope agen ? Can I suppose a fauour may be got In any place when thy Co●rt yeel●● it not ? Or that I may obtaine it in the land , When I shall be deni'd it at thy hand ? A●d if I might , should I so fond on 't be , To tak 't of other● when I miss't of thee ? Or if I did , can I haue comfort by it , When I shall t●inke my So●●raig●e did denie it ? No , were I sure , I to thy hate were borne , The loue of halfe the world beside I 'de scorne . But why should I thy fauour here distrust , That haue a cause so knowne , and knowne so iust ? Which not alone my inward comfort doubles , But all suppos'd me wrong'd that heare my troubles . Nay , though my fault were Reall , I beleeue , Thou art so Royall that thou wouldst forgiue . For well I know thy sacred M●iestie , Hath euer beene admir'd for Clemencie . And at thy gentlene● the world hath wondred , For making Sunshine , where thou mightst haue thundred . Yea , thou in mercy life to them didst giue That could not be content to see thee liue . And can I thinke that thou wilt make me , then , The most vnhappy of all other men ? Or le● thy loyall subiect , against reason , Be punisht more for Loue , then some for Treason ? No , thou didst neuer yet thy glory staine , With an iniustice to the meanest Swaine . 'T is not thy will I 'me wrong'd , nor dost thou know If I haue suffred iniuries or no. For if I haue not heard false Rumours flye , Th'a●t grac'd me with the stile of Honesty . And if it were so ( as the world thinkes 't was ) I cannot see how it should come to passe That thou , from whose free tongue proceedeth nought Which is not correspondent with thy thought . Those thoughts to , being fram'd in Reasons mould , Should speake that once , which should not euer hold . But passing it as an vncertaintie , I humbly begge thee , by that Maiestie , Whose sacred Glory strikes a louing-feare Into the hearts of all , to whom 't is deare : To deigne me so much fauour , without merit , As reade this plaint , of a distempred spirit : And thinke , vnlesse I saw some hideous storme Too great to be indu●'d by such a worme , I had not thus presum'd vnto a King , W●th Aesops Flye ▪ to seeke an Eagles wing . But know I 'me he that entred once the list , Gainst all the world to play the Satyrist : T was I , that made my measures rough , and rude , Daunce arm'd with whips , amid'st the multitude , And vnappalled with my charmed Scrowles , Teaz'● angry Monsters in their lurking holes : I 'ue plaid with Wasps , and Hornets without feares , Till they grew mad , and swarmd about my eares . I u'e done it , and me thinkes 't is such braue sport , I may be stung , but n●re be sorry for 't . For all my griefe is , that I was so sparing ▪ And had no more in 't worth the name of daring . He that will taxe these Times , must be more bitter , Tart lines of Vinegar , and Gall are fitter ▪ My fingers , and my spirits are benum'd , My Inke runs forth too smooth , t is too much gum'd I d'e haue my Pen so paint it , where it traces , Each accent should draw bloud into their faces . And make them , when their villanies ●re blaz●d . Shudder , and startle , as men halfe amaz●d , For feare my verse should make so loud a din , Heauen hearing , might raine vengeance on their sin . Oh no● for s●ch a straine● would Art could teach it , Though life my spirits I consum'd to reach it . I d'e learne my Muse so braue a course to flye , Men should admire the power of Poesie . And those that dar'd her greatnesse to resist , Quake , euen at naming of a Satyrist . But when hi● sco●rging numbers flow'd with wonder , Should cry God blesse vs , as they did at thunder . Alas ! my lines came from me too too dully , They did not fill a Satyres mouth vp fully . Hot bloud , and youth , enrag'd with passion● store , Taught me to reach a straine nere touch'd before . But it was coldly done , I throughly chid not : And somewhat there is yet to doe , I did not . More soundly could my scourge haue yerked many , Which I omit not , cause I feared any . For want of action , discontentments rage , Base dis-respect of Vertue ( in this age ) With other things , vnto my selfe a wrong , Made me so fearelesse , in my carelesse long : That had not reason within compasse wonne me , I had told Truth enough to haue vndo●e me : ( Nay , haue already , if that her Diuine And vn●eene power , can doe no more then mine . ) For though fore-seeing warinesse was good , I fram'd my stile , vnto a milder mood , And clogging her thigh-towring wing● with mire , Made her halfe earth , that was before all fire . Then being ( as you saw ) disguis'd in shew , Clad like a Satyre , brought her forth to view : Hoping , ( her out-side being mis-esteem'd ) She might haue passed , but for what she seem'd : Yet some , whose Comments iumpe not with my minde In that low phrase , a higher reach woul● finde . And out of their deepe iudgement seeme to know , What 't is vncertaine if I meant or no : Ayming thereby , out of some priuate hate , To worke my shame , or ouerthrow my state . For amongst many wrongs my foe doth doe me , And diuers imputations , laid vnto me , Deceiued in his ayme , he doth mis-conster That which I haue enstil'd a Man-like Monster , To meane some priuate person in the state , Whose worth , I thinke to wrong out of my hate ; Vpbraiding me I from my word doe start , Either for want of a good Ground , or Heart , Cause from his expectation I doe vary In the denying of his Commentary , Whereas 't is knowne I meant Abuse the while , Not thinking any one could be so vile , To merit all those Epithites of shame . How euer many doe deserue much blame . But say I grant that I had an intent To haue it so ( as he interprets ) meant , And let my gracious Liege , suppose there were One whom the State may haue some cause to feare , Or thinke there were a man ( and great in Court ) That had more faults then I could well report , Suppose I knew him , and had gone about By some particular markes to paint him out , That he best knowing his owne faults might see , He was the Man I would should noted be : Imagine now such doings in this Age , And that this man so pointed at should rage , Call me in question , and by his much threatning , By long imprisonment , and ill intreating , Vrge a Confession : wer 't not a mad part For me to tell him what lay in my heart ? Doe not I know a great mans Power and Might , I● spight of Innocence , can smother Right . Colour his Villanies , to get esteeme , And make the Honest man the Villaine seeme ? And that the truth I told should in conclusion ▪ For want of Power , and Friends , be my confusion ? I know it , and the world doth know 't is true ; Yet●I protest , if such a man I knew , That might my Countrey preiudice , or Thee , Were he the greatest , or the proudest Hoe That breathes this day : if so it might be found , That any good to either might redound , So farre I 'le be ( though Fate against me run ) From starting off , from that I haue begun , I vn-appalled dare in such a case Rip vp his foulest Crimes before his face , Though for my Labour I were sure to drop Into the mouth of Ruine without hope . But such strange farre-fetcht meanings they haue sought , As I was neuer priuy to in thought : And that vnto particulars would tye Which I intended vniuersally . Whereat some , with displeasure ouer-gone , Those I scarce dream'd of , saw , or thought vpon ▪ Maugre those caueats , on my Satyres brow , Their honest , and iust passage disallow . And on their heads so many censures rake , That spight of me , themselues they 'le guilty make . Nor is 't enough to swage their discontent , To say I am ( or to be ) Innocent . For as , when once the Lyon made decree ▪ No horned beast should nigh his presence be , That , on whose fore-head onely did appeare , A bunch of flesh , or but some tuft of haire , Was euen as farre in danger as the rest , If he but said , it was a horned beast : So , there be now , who thinke in that their power , Is of much force , or greater farre then our ; It is enough to proue a guilt in me ▪ Because ( mistaking ) they so think 't to be . Yet'tis my comfort , they are not so high ▪ But they must stoope to thee and equity . And this I know , though prick't , they storme agen The world doth deeme them ne're the better men . To stirre in filth , makes not the stench the lesse , Nor doth Truth feare the frowne of Mightinesse . Because those numbers she doth deigne to grace , Men may suppresse a while , but ne're to deface . I wonder , and 't is wondred at by many , My harmelesse lines should br●ed distaste in any : So much , that whereas most good men approue , My labour to be wo●thy thankes , and loue ; I as a ●illaine , and my Countries foe , Should be imprison'd , and so strictly to , That not alone my liberty is bar'd , But the resort of friends ( which is more hard ▪ ) . And whil'st each wanton , or loose Rimers pen , With oily words , sleekes o're the sinnes of men , V●iling his wits to euery Puppets becke , Which e're I 'le doe , I 'le ioy to breake my necke . ( I say ) while such as they in euery place Can finde protection , patronage and grace ; If any looke on me , 't is bu● askaunce , Or if I get a fauour , 't is by chaunce . I must protect my selfe : poore Truth and I , Can haue scarce one speake for our Honesty . Then whereas they , can gold , and gifts attaine , Malitious Hate , and Enuie is my gaine . And not alone haue here my freedome lost , Whereby my best hope 's likely to be crost : But haue beene put to more charge in one day Then all my Patrons bounties yet will pay . What I haue done was not for thirst of gaine , Or out of hope preferments to attaine . Since to contemne them , would more profit me , Then all the glories in the world that be : Yet they are helps to Vertue , vs'd aright , And when they wanting be , she wants her might . For Eagles mindes ne're f●t a Rauens fea●her , To dare , and to be able , sute together . But what is 't I haue done so worthy bla●e , That some so eagerly pursue my fame ? Vouchsafe to view 't with thine owne eyes , and try ( Saue want of Art ) what fault thou canst espy . I haue not sought to scandalize the State , Nor sowne sedition , nor made publicke bate . I haue not aym'd at any good mans fame , Nor taxt ( directly ) any one by name . I am not he that am growne discontent With the Religion , or the Gouernment . I meant no Ceremonies to protect , Nor do● I fa●our any new-sprung sect ; But to my Satyres gaue this onely warrant , To apprehend and punish Vice apparant . Who ayming in particular at none , In generall vpbraided euery one : That each ( vnshamed of himselfe ) might view That in himselfe , which no man dares to shew . And hath this Age bred vp neat Vice so tenderly She cannot brooke it to be touch'd so sl●nderly ? Will she not bide my gentle Satyres bites ? Harme take her then , what makes she in their sights ? If with impatience she my Whip-cord feele , How had she raged at my lash of Steele ? But am I call'd in question for her c●use , Is 't Vice that these afflictions on me drawes ? And neede I now thus to Apologize ▪ Onely because I scourged villanies ? Must I be faine to giue a reason why , And how I dare , allow of Honesty ? Whilst that each fl●ering Parasite is bold Thy Royall brow vndaunted to behold : And euery Temporizer strike● a string , That 's musicke for the hearing of a King . Shall not he reach out , to obtaine as much , Who dares more for thee then a hundred such ? Heauen grant her patience , my Muse takes't so badly , I feare sheel'● loose her wits , for she raues madly . Yet let not my dread Soueraigne too much blame h●r Whose awfull presenc● , now hath made her tam●r . For if there be no Fly but hath her spleene , Nor a poore Pismire , but will wreake her teene ; How shall I then , that haue both spleene , and gall , Being vniustly d●alt with , beare with all ? I yet with patience take what I haue borne , And all the worlds ensuing hate can scorne : But 't were in me as much stupidity , Not to haue feeling of an iniury , As it were weaknesse not to brooke it well . What others therefore thinke I cannot tell ; But he that 's lesse then madde , is more then Man , Who sees when he hath done the best he can To keepe within the bounds of Innocence : Sought to discharge his due to God and Prince : That he , whil'st villanies vnreproued goe , Scoffing , to see him ouer-taken so , Should haue his good intendments misconce●●'d , Be of his dearest liberty bereau'd ; And which is worse ; without reason why , Be frown'd on by Authorities grim eye . By that great power my soule so much doth feare , She scornes the stearn'st frownes of a mortall Peere . But that I Vertue loue , for her owne sake , It were enough to make me vndertake To speake as much in praise of Vice agen , And practise some to plague these shames of me● , I meane those my Ac●us●rs , who mistaking My true conceit● , frame some of their owne making ▪ But if I list , I neede not buy so dee●e , The iust reuenge I could bring on them here . I could frame measures in this my iust fury , Should sooner finde them guilty then a Iury : Whose ●ords , like swords ( tempred with Art ) should pierce And hang , and draw , & quarter them in verse . Or I could racke them on the wings of Fame , ( And he 's halfe hang'd ( they say ) hath an ill name , ) Yea I d'e goe neere to make these spightfull Elues , Lyca●bes-like , be glad to hang themselues . And though this Age will not abide to heare Those faults reprou'd , whom custome hath made deare . Y●t if I pleased , I could write their crimes , And stone them vp in walles for after-times : For theyl 'e be glad ( perhaps ) that shall ensue , To see some story of their Fathers true . Or should I smother'd be in darknesse still , I might not vse the freedome of a quill : 'T would raise vp brauer spirits then my owne , To make my cause , and this their guilt more knowne . Who by that subiect should get Loue , and Fame , Vnto my foes disgrace , and endlesse shame : Those I do mean , whose Comments haue mis-vs'd me , And to those Peeres I honour , haue accus'd me : Making against my Innocence their batteries , And wronging them by their base fl●tteries : But of reuenge I am not yet so faine , To put my selfe vnto that needlesse paine : Because I know a greater power there is , That noteth smaller iniuries then this ; And being still as iust as it is strong , Apportions due reuenge for euery wrong . But why ( say some ) should his too saucy Rimes , Thus t●xe the wise and great ones of our times ? It su●es not with his yeares to be so bould , Nor fits it vs , by him to be contrould . I must confesse ( '● is very true indeede ) Such should not of controuling stand in neede ▪ But blame not me , I saw good Ver●ue poore , Desert , amongst the most , thrust out of doore , Honestie hated , Curtesie banished , Rich men excessiue , Poore men famished : Coldnesse in Zeale , in Lawes much partiality ; Friendship , but Complement , and vaine Formality . Art I perceiue contemn'd , while most aduance ( To Offices of worth ) Rich Ig●orance . And those that should our Lights and Teachers be , Liue ( if not worse ) as wantonly as we . Yea I saw Natur● , from her course runne backe , Disorders grow , Good orders goe to wracke . So to encrease what all the rest began , I to this current of confu●io● ran . And seeing Age left off the place of guiding , Thus plaid the sawcy wagge , and fell to chiding . Wherein , how euer some ( perhaps ) may deeme , I am not so much faulty as I seeme : For when the Elders wrong'd Susannaes honor , And none withstood the shame they laid vpon her ; A Childe rose vp to stand in her defence , And spight of wrong , confirm'd her innocence : To shew those must not , that good vndertake , Straine curtsey , who shall doe 't , for manners sake . Nor doe I know , whether to me God gaue , A boldnesse more then many other haue , That I might shew the world what shamefull blot Vertue by her lasciuious Elders got . Nor is 't a wonder , as some doe suppose , My Youth so much corruption can disclose ; Since euery day the Sunne doth light mine eyes , I haue experience of new villanies : But it is rath●r to be wondred how , I either can , or dare , be honest now . And though againe there be some others rage ▪ That I should dare ( so much aboue mine age ) Thus censure each degree , both yong and old , I see not wherein I am ouer-bold . For if I haue beene plaine with Vice I care not , There'● nought that I know good , & can , & dare not ▪ Onely this one thing doth my minde deterre , Euen a feare ( through ignorance ) to erre . But oh knew I , what thou would'st well approue , Or might the small'st respect within thee moue ; So in the sight of God it might be good , And with the quiet of my conscience stood , ( As well I know thy true integrity , Would command nothing against Piety , ) There 's nought so dangerous , or full of feare , That for my Soueraignes sake I would not dare . Which good beliefe would it did not possesse thee ; Prouided some iust tri●ll might re-blesse me : Yea , though a while I did endure the gall Of thy displeasure , in this loathsome thrall . For notwithstanding in this place I lye ●y the command of that Authority , Of which I haue so much respectiue care , That in my owne ( and iust ) defence I feare To vse the free speech that I doe intend , Least Ignorance , or Rashnesse should offend . Yet is my meaning and my thought a●free , From wilfull wronging of thy Lawes or thee ▪ A● he to whom thy Place or Person 's dearest , Or to himselfe that findes his conscience clearest . If there be wrong , 't is not my making it , All the offence i● some's mistaking it . And is there any Iustice borne of late , Makes those faults mine , which others perpetrate ? What man could euer any Age yet finde That spent his Spirits in this thanklesse kinde Shewing his meaning , to such words could tye it ▪ That none should either wrong ▪ or mis-apply it ? Nay , your owne Lawes , which ( as you doe intend ) In plain'st and most effectuall words are pend , Cannot be fram'd so well to your intent , But some there be will erre from what you meant . And yet ( alas ) must I be ty'd vnto What neuer any man before could doe ? Must all I speake , or write , so well be done , That none may picke more meanings thence then one ? Then all the world ( I hope ) will leaue dis-vnion . And euery man become of one opinion . But if some may , what care so ere we tak● Diuers constructions of our writings make The charitable Reader should conceaue The best intentions mine , and others leaue : Chiefly in that , where I fore-hand protest , My meaning euer was the honestest . And if I say so , what is he may know So much as to affirme it was not so ? Sit other men so neere my thought to show it ? Or is my heart so open that all know it ? Sure if it were , they would no such things see , As those whereof some haue accused me . But I am carelesse how 't be vnderstood , Because the Heauens know my intent was good . And if it be so , that my too free Rimes Doe much displease the world , and these bad times ; T is not my fault , for had I beene imploy'd In something else , all this had now beene voyd . Or if the world would but haue granted me Wealth , or Affaires , whereon to busie me , I now vnheard of , peraduenture than , Had beene as mute as some rich Cleargie-man . But they are much deceiu'd that thinke my minde Will e're be still , while it can doing finde , Or that vnto the world so much it leanes , As to be curtold for default of meanes . No , though most be , all Spirits are not earth , Nor suiting with the fortunes of their birth , My body 's subiect vnto many powers , But my soule '● free , as is the Emperours : And though to curbe her in , I oft assay , She 'le breake in 't action spight of durt and cl●y . And is 't not better then , to take this course , Then f●ll to study mischiefes , and doe worse ? I say she must haue action , and she shall : For if she will , how can I doe withall ? And let those that or'e-busie thinke me ▪ know , He made me , that knew why he made me so . And though there 's some that say , my thoughts doe flye A pitch beyond my states sufficiency ; My humble minde , I giue my Sauiour thanke , Aspires nought yet , aboue my fortunes ranke . But say it did , wil 't not befit a man , To raise his thoughts as neere Heau'n as he can ? Mu●t the free Spirit ty'de and curbed be , A●●o●ding to the bodies pouerty ? Or can it euer be so subiect to Base Change , to rise and fall , as fortunes doe ? Men borne to Noble meanes and vulgar minde● Enioy their wealth , and there 's no Law that bindes Such to abate their substance , though their Pa●es Want Braine , and they Worth , to possesse their states ▪ So God to some , doth onely great mindes giue , And little other meanes whereon to liue . What law , or conscience , then shal make them smother Their Spirit , which is their life , more then other T' abate their substance ? since if 't were confest , That a braue minde could euer be supprest , Were't reason any should himselfe depriue Of what the whole world hath not power to giue ? Since wealth is common , and fooles get it to , When to giue spirit's more then Kings can doe ? I speake not this , because I thinke there be , More then the ordinariest gifts in me ; But against those who thinke I doe presume On more then doth befit me to assume , Or would haue all , whom Fortune barres from store , Make themselues wretched , as she makes them poore . And cause in outward things she is vnkinde , Smother the matchlesse blessings of their minde : Whereas ( although her fauours doe forsake them ) Their mindes are richer then the world can make them . Why should a good attempt disgraced seeme , Because the person is of meane esteeme ? Vertue 's a chaste Queene , and yet doth not scor●e To be embrac'd by him that 's meanest borne . She is the prop , that Maiesties support , Yet one whom Slaues as well as Kings may Court . She loueth all that beare affection to her , And yeelds to any that hath heart to wooe her . So Vice , how high so e're she be in place , Is that which Groomes may spit at , in d●sgrace . She is a strumpet , and may be abhorr'd , Yea spu●n'd at , in the bosome of a Lord . Yet had I spoke her faire , I had b●ene free , As many others of her Louers be . If her escapes I had not chanc'd to tell , I might haue be●ne a villaine , and done well . Gotten some speciall fauour , and not sate As now I doe , shut vp within a grate . Or if I could haue hap't on some loose straine ▪ That might haue pleas'd the wanton readers vaine : Or but claw'd Pride , I now had beene vnblam'd : ( Or else at least there 's some would not haue sham'd To plead my cause : ) but see my fatall curse , Sure I was either madde , or somewhat worse : For I saw Vices followers brauely kept , In Silkes they walk'● , on beds of Downe they slept Richly they fed , on d●inties euermore , They had their pleasure , they had all things store , ( Whil'st Vertue ●egg'd ) yea fauours had so many , I knew they brook 't not to be touch'd of any : Yet could not I , like othe● men , be wise , Nor learne for all this , how to temporize ; But must ( with too much honesty made blinde ) Vpbraid this loued darling of mankinde ; Whereas I might haue better thriu'd by fayning , Or if I could not choose but be complayning , More safe I might haue rail'd on Vertue sure , Because her louers , and her friends are fewer , I might haue brought some other thing to passe , Made Fidlers Song● , or Ba●lets , like an Asse . Or any thing almost indeed but this , Yet since 't is thus , I m'e glad 't is ●o amisse ; Because If I am guilty of a crime , 'T is that , wherein the best of euery time , Hath beene found faulty ( if they faulty be ) That doe reproue Abuse and Villanie . For what I 'me tax't , I can examples show , In such old Authors as this s●ate alow . And I would faine once learne a reason why They can haue kinder vsage here then I. I muse men doe not now in question call , Seneca , Horace , Perseus , Iuvenall . And such as they ; Or why did not that Age In which they liued , put them in a Cage ? If I should say that men were iuster then , I should neere hand , be made vnsay't agen . And therefore sure I thinke I were as good Leaue it to others to be vnderstood ; Yet I as well may speake as deeme amisse , F●r such this Ages curious cunning is I scarcely dare to let my heart thinke ought , For there be those will seeme to know my thought , Who may out-face me that I thinke awry , When there 's no witnesse but my Conscience by . And then I likely am as ill to speede , As if I spake or did amisse indeede , Yet l●ast those who ( perhaps ) may malice this Interpret also these few lines amisse , Let them that after thee shall read or heare , From a rash censure of my thoughts forbeare . Let them not mold the sense that this containes According to the forming of their braines , Or thinke I dare , or can , here taxe those Peeres , Whose Worths their Honours to my soule endeares , ( Those by whose loued-fear'd Authority ) I am restrained of my liberty : For least there yet may be a man so ill , To haunt my lines with his blacke Comment still , ( In hope my lucke againe may be so good , To haue my words once rightly vnderstood ) This I protest , that I doe not condemne Ought as v●iust that hath beene done by them ; For though my honest h●●rt not guilty be , Of the lea●t thought , that may disparage me , Yet ●hen such men as I , shall haue such foes , Accuse me of such crimes , to such as those , Till I had meanes my Innocence to show , Their Iustice could haue done no lesse then so . Nor haue I such a proud-conceited wit , Or selfe-opinion of my knowledge yet , To thinke it ●ay not be that I haue run Vpon some Errors in what I haue done , Worthy this punishment which I endure , ( I say I cannot so my selfe assure ) For 't is no wonder if their Wisedomes can , Discouer Impe●fections in a man So weake a● I ▪ ( more then himselfe doth see , Since my sight , dull with insufficiencie , In men more graue and wiser fa●re then I , Innumerable Errors doth espy , Which they with all their knowledge I 'le be bold . Can●ot , or will not , in themselues behold ) But ere I will my selfe accuse my Song , O● keepe a Tongue shall doe my Heart that wrong To say I willingly in what I pe●d Did ought which might a Goods mans ●ight offend , Or with my knowledge did insert one word , That might disparage a true Honour'd Lord ▪ Let it be in my mouth a helplesse sore , And neuer speake to be beleeued more . But man irresolute is , vnconstant , weake , And doth his purpose oft through frailty breake ▪ Least therefore I by force hereafter m●y Be brought from this minde , and these words vnsay ▪ Here to the world I doe proclaime before , ●ere my resolution be so poore , 'T is no● the Right , but Might that makes me doe it , Yea nought but fearefull basenesse brings me to it , Which i● I still hate , as I now detest , Neuer can come to ha●bour in my brest . Thus my fault then ( if they a fault imply ) Is not alone an ill vnwillingly , But also , might I know it , I intend , Not onely to acknowledge , but amend : Hoping that thou wilt not be so seuere , To punish me aboue all other here . But for m'intents sake , and my loue to Truth , Impute my Errors to the heate of Youth ▪ Or rather Ignorance , then to my W●ll , Which sure I am was good , what e're be ●ll , And like to him now , in whose place thou art , What e're the resdue be , accept the Heart . But I grow tedious , and my loue abus'd Disturbs my thoughts , and makes my lines confus'd : Yet pardon me , and daigne a gracious ey● On this my rude vnfill'd Apologie . Let not the bluntnesse of my phrase offend , Weigh but the matter ▪ and not how 't is pend . By these abrupt lines in my iust defence , Iudge what I might say , for my innocence . And thinke I more could speake , that here I spare , Becau●e my power ●uites not to what I dare . My vnaff●ct●d stile re●aynes ( you see ) Her old Frize Cloake of yo●ng Rusticitie ▪ If others will vs● nea●er tea●m●● , they may , Ruder I am yet loue as well as they . And ( though if I would smooth't I cannot doo 't ) My humble heart I bend beneath thy foot : While here my Muse her discontent do●h sing To thee her great Apollo , and my King : Emploring thee by that high sacred Name , By Iustice , by those powers that I could name : By whatsoe're may moue , entreate I thee , To be what thou art vnto all , to m● . I feare it not , yet giue me leaue to pray , I may haue foes whose power doth beare such sway , If they but say I 'me guilty of offence , 'T were vaine for me to pleade my innocence . But as the name of God thou bear'st , I trust Thou imitat'st him to , in being iust : That when the right of truth thou com'st to scan , Thou l't not respect the person of the man : For if thou doe , then is my hope vndone , The headlong way to ruine I must runne . For whil●t that they haue all the helpes which may Procure their pleasure with my soone decay ▪ How is it like that I my peace can win me , When all the ayde I haue , comes from with●● me ? Therefore ( good King ) that mak'st thy bounty shine Sometime on those whose worths are small as mine ; Oh saue me now from Enui●● dangerous s●elfe , Or make me able , and I 'le saue my selfe . Let not the want of that make me a scorne , To which there are more Fool●● then Wise-men borne . Let me not for my Meannesse be despi●'d , Nor others greatnesse make th●ir words more priz'd . For whatsoe're my outward Fate appeares , My Soule 's as g●od , my Heart as great as their● . My loue vnto my Country an● to thee , As much as his that more would seeme to be . And would this Age allow but meanes to show it , Those that misdoubt● , ●hould ●re long time know it . Pitty my youth then , and let me not lye Wasting my time in fruitlesse misery . Though I am meane , I may be borne vnto That seruice which another cannot doe . In vaine the little Mouse the Lyon spar'd not , She did him pleasure when a greater dar'd not . If ought that I haue done , doe thee displease , Thy misconceiued wrath I will appease : Or sacrifice my heart ; but why should I Suffer for God knowes whom , I know not why ? If that my words through somes mist●ke offends , Let them conceiue them right , and make amends . Or were I guilty of offence indeede , One fault ( they say ) doth but one pardon neede . Yet one I had , and now I want one more : For once I stood accus'd for this before . As I ●emember I so long agon , S●ng Thame , and Rhy●es Epithalamion . When SHE that from thy Royall selfe deriue● , Those gracious vertues that best Title giues . She that makes Rhyne proud of her excellence , And me oft minde her here with reuerence ; Daign'd in her great-good nature to encline Her gentle eare to such a cause a● mine ; And which is more , vouchsaf't her word to cleare Me from all dangers ( if there any were ) So that I doe not now intreat , or sue For any great boone , or request that 's new ▪ But onely this , ( though absent from the Land ) Her former fauour still in force might stand : And that her word ( who present was so deere ) Might be as powerfull , as when she was heere . Which if I finde , and with thy fauour may Haue leaue to shake my loathed bands away , ( As I doe hope I shall ) and be set free From all the troubles this hath brought on me , I 'le make her Name giue life vnto a Song , Whose neuer-dying note shall last as long As there is either Riuer , Groue , or Spring , Or Downe , for Sheepe , or Shepheards Lad to sing . Yea , I will teach my Muse to touch a straine , That was nere reach't to yet by any Swaine . For though that many deeme my yeares vnri●e , Yet I ●aue learn'd to tune an Oaten pipe , Whereon I 'le try what musicke I can make me , ( Vntill Bellona ●with her Trumpe awake me . ) And since the world will not haue Vice thus shown● , By blazing Vertue I will make it knowne . Th●n if the Court will not my lines approue , I 'le goe vnto some Mountaine , or thicke Groue : There to my fellow Shepheards will I sing , Tuni●g my Reed , vnto some dancing Spring , In such a note , that none should dare to trouble it , Till th● Hil●es ans●ere , and th● Woods redouble it . And peraduenture I may then goe nere To speake of something thou l't be pleasd'd to heare : And that which those who now my tunes abhorre , Shall reade , and like , and daigne to loue me for . But the meane while , oh passe not thi● suite by , Let thy free hand signe me my liberty : And if my loue may moue thee more to do , Good King consider this my trouble to . Others haue found thy fauour in distre●se , Whose loue to thee and thine I thinke was lesse And I might fitter for thy ser●ice liue , On what would not be much for thee to giue . And yet I aske it not for that I feare The outward meanes of life should fa●●e me here ▪ For though I want to compa●se those good ●n●s I ayme at for my Countrey and my Friends . In this poore state I can as well content me , As if that I had Wealth and Honours lent me ; Nor for my owne sake doe I seeke to shunne This thraldome , wherein now I seeme vndone : For though I prize my Freedome more then Gold , And vse the meanes to free my selfe from hold , Yet with a minde ( I hope ) vnchang●d and free , Here can I liue and play with misery : Yea in despight of want and slauery , Laugh at the world in all her brauery , Here haue I learn'd to make my greatest Wrong● Matter of Mirth , and subiects but for Songs . Here can I smile to see my selfe neglected , And how the meane mans sute is disrespected , Whil'st those that are more rich , and better friended , Can haue twice greater faults thrice sooner ended . All this , yea more , I see and suffer to , Yet liue content , midst discontents I do , Which whil'st I can , it is all one to me , Whether in Prison or abroad it be : For should I still lye here distrest and poore , It shall not make me breath a sigh the mor● ; Since to my selfe it is indifferent Where the small remnant of my dayes be spent , But for Thy sake , my Countries , and my Friends , For whom more then my selfe God this life lends , I would not , could I helpe it , be a scorne , But l●ue ( if I might ) free , as I was borne : Or rather for good Bell-arete's sake , Fa●●e Ver●●● of ●hom most account I make , If I can chuse , I will not be deba●'d , In this last action , least She be disgrac'd . For 't was the loue of her that brought me to What Spleene nor Enuie could not make me do , And if her seruants be no more regarded , If enemies of Vice be thus rewarded , And I should also Vertues wrongs conceale , As if none liu'd to whom she dar'd appeale : Will they that doe not yet her worth approue , Be euer drawne to entertaine her loue , When they ●●all see hi● plagu'd as an Offender , Who for the loue he beares her , doth commend her ? This may to others more offensi●e be , Then preiudiciall any way to me : For who will his endeuours euer bend To follow her , whom there is ●one will friend ? Some I doe hope there be that nothing may From loue of Truth and Honesty dismay . But who will euer seeing my hard Fortune , The remedy of Times Abuse importune ? Who will againe when they haue smother'd me , Dart to oppose the face of Villany ? Whereas he shall not onely vndertake A Combate with a second Lernean Snake , Whose euer-growing heads when as he crops , Not onely two Springs , for each one he lops , But also he shall see in midst of danger● , Those he thought friends turn foes , or at lea●● stranger● . More I could speake , but sure if this doe ●aile me , I neuer shall doe ought that will a●a●●e me , Nor c●re to speake againe , vnlesse it be To him that knowes how Heart and Words agre● , No , nor to liue when none dares vndertake To speake one word for honest Vertues sake . But let his will be done , that best knowes what Will be my future good , and what will not . Hap well or ill , my spotlesse meaning 's faire , And for thee , this shall euer be my prayer , That thou may'st here enioy a long-blest Raig●e , And dying , be in Heauen Re-crown'd againe . SO now if thou hast daign'd my Lines to heare , There 's nothing can befall me that I feare : For if thou hast compassion on my trouble , The Ioy I shall receiue will be made double ; And if I fall , it may some Glory be , That none but IOVE himselfe did ruine me . Your MAIESTIES most loyall Subiect , and yet Prisoner in the Marshals●y . GEO. WYTHER .