The flea sic parua componere magnis.

DEMOCRITVS his Dreame . OR , The Contention betweene the Elephant and the Flea . WHen Titans Carre in th' Ocean was drencht & Phoebus burning heat by Tethis quencht And Arcas through the skye did driue his Teame , My r●stlesse sprite met with this merry Dreame . DEmocritus ( me thought ) chancing to meete Weeping Heraclitus , thus did him greete . What madnes doth possesse thy better parte , That wilfully thou ●at'st vp thine owne harte ? Call backe thy thoughts , and veiwe this wide worldes stage , Beholde ( with me ) the follyes of each age . Marke for what trifling royes , young men doe sell Their wealth and strength , Heraclite marke them well : And see againe when th' one foot 's in the graue : The lesse men need , how still the more they craue . This mark● , with laugh●er sure thy sides 〈…〉 Or else I holde thee of the Gods accurst . Not so ( quoth he ) I knowe I am a man , Needes must I greiue to see mens follyes than . That man is voyde of all humanitie , Who is not toucht with others miserie . Can one be such as you your selfe professe , And see the shape of man proue reasonlesse● Can he see this , and yet his eyes be drye ? He is no true Philosopher think I. Reason's the forme of man , he who wants this , May well be like a man , but no man is . Marke this with me ; and then I make no dout , Thou 'lt laugh no more , but weep thine eye-balles ou● . Th' art much deceiu'd ( Democritu● replyes ) To think that this could make me wet mine eyes , Vnles much laughter caus'd some teares distill ; Should I so farre pertake an others ill As hurt my selfe , for seeing him so doe● He playes the foole , should I be foolish too ? But see how mightye men weake o●es dispise , See how rich fooles contemne the poore , though wise . And see againe , how in their owne conceit , The least will not giue place vnto the great : See this and laugh● if this too little seeme , I 'm sure thou 'lt laugh if thou but heare my dreame . To heare of these disorders makes me weep ( Quoth he ) let 's heare what mirth comes from your sleep List then : Me thought a christall streame did glide Alongst a valley , by a Forrest side : Through which an heard of Elephants did swimme , From forth the desart , to the hither brimme : Me thought it did me good ( euen as I slept ) To see the goodly order that they kept . The elder had a care , till all were o're To keep the weake and yongest still before ; For so with lesser perill might they passe , whilst yet the quiet streame vntroubled was . And if that any danger hapt beside , For their defence they better might prouide . No sooner had the last set foot on land , But all the rest about him make a stand : When thus the big bone'd beast the rest bespake : Perceiue you not how all the Forrests shake When I doe passe along ? how eu'ry tree Doe bend their tops ( in dutie ) vnto me ? What beast in desart can with me compare : I speake not now of the sex-chaunging a a the Hare is said by Aristotle & Pliny to be one yeere male , an other femal Hare , Th' earth deluing Coney , or the subtill Fox , The nimble Ape , nor of the labo●ring Oxe , The watchfull Dog , nor of the long-lyu'd Hart : For most of these at their owne shadowes start . My awfull presence casts into a feare The glut'nous Wolfe , and the ●leep-fat●ed Beare : The swift-foot Tyger , and th' adulterous Parde ( Which yet to wrong the Lordly Lyon dar'de ) Fea●es ●ine aspect : the spo●ted Pa●t●er too Do●h stand in dread , and so all th' others doe . Why should I place vnto the Lyon giue ? I knowe there is not any Beast doth liue Who dare compare with me in any thing : B●t all would giue their voyce I should be King . Content thee sonne ( his Mother then replide ) Though thy great strength can no way be denide Misgouern'd strength ( ô this too well I knowe ) Often procures his owners ouerthrowe . Then bragge not of t●y strength , ô would t' were lesse ! Thy too much strength may work thine owne distresse : Though Can and Will not be a noble thing , A Subjects can's not gratefull to his King . Keep thee within thy bounds , and then thy might Will glad thy freinds , and will thy foe● affright Tush , tush , quoth he , leaue off your talke I pray , Ther 's no Beast dares my peerles worth denay . But all this talke a li●●le Flea did heare , Which sate close feeding vnderneath the eare Of a poore Sheapheards Curre● the which for feare , Was crept into a bu●● and hid hi● there . The Swa●●e himselfe ( when ●e these beasts did se● ) Did ( for his safetye ) climbe into a tree . But the bolde Flea ( not any whit agast ) To his proud ●peech , this answer m●d● a● last . How long shall vn●o●t●●●●ed arrogance Exalt itse●●e● how long shall 〈◊〉 ●●●ance Without or checke , o● curb● , hi● hatefull cre●●● Let Flyes then harbour in the Eagles nest : Let little starres compare them to the Sunne , Let all to th' first confused Chaos runne . Who euer thought such insolence to finde , In this huge lump● of ●olly , this bace hinde ? Th●u thought'st perhaps , my vaunts now no beast hea●es : Yes ; know that fieldes haue eyes , & woods haue eares● Is there no beast who can with thee compare ? Yes very many , who both can and d●●e . Euen I my selfe ( though of a thou●and least ) Doe estimate my selfe a nobler beast Then thou , or any of thy lumpish race : And feare not so to tell thee ●o thy face . The Elephant hearing a little noyes , Said thus : my friend● from whence proceed● this voyce● Towards the bush he cas●s his scornf●ll eyes , Where the poore Cu●●e halfe dead fo●●eare h● spyes . Alas , why should he fea●e ( Her●cli●e said ) He trespas● not , why should he be a●●●aid ? But ( quoth the other ) he relei●'d his fo● , Did he no● wrong him ( think you ) doi●g so ? No , what he did wa● done against his will , The mind● doth make the fact , or good or i●● . I , but ( quoth he ) the thought we cannot ●ee , As is the fact , so must our iudgemen● b●● . What though the Dog had done no 〈◊〉 at all● Yet if the other pleasde i● so to ●all , He durst not stand to iustifie the deed . For why ? we see the slender-yeilding reed Doth stand , when as the sturdye Oake doth fall . For mightie men must not be striu'n withall , To fawne & crouch , and tell a softe smooth tale Doth often speed , when force will not preuaile . This knewe the Dog who better dayes had seene● ( for in his youth he had a Courtier beene ) With faithfull seruice he to please did striue : But honest faith , takes not the way to thriue . But why doost weep ? Heraclites then wept , Yet listning to his speech , he silence kept . I weep ( quoth he ) to heare , that flatterie Should often better speed then veritie . I weep to see how rich ones take delight To entertaine each plump-cheekt Parasite . All doores stand ope to euery claw-backe lout , Whilst honest truth is forc'd to stay without . How wisdome findes but slender entertaine , Whilst doltes and fooles doe licke vp all the gaine . No meruaile quoth the other so let bee Dawes best with dawes , like with their like agree● Then forward with your Dreame ( Heraclite ●aid ) You left where as the dogge was sore affraid , Then thus : forthwith out of the bush he cralles● Before the Lordly beast he prostrate falles . He humbly lickes his feete , and then him prayes To weigh with fauour his distressed case● Most mightie Lord ( quoth he ) I hope you see , That gain●t my will this villaine dwels with me : Betwixt my teeth I soone would crush the patch , If I could finde the meanes the dwarfe to catch . But good my Lord no more of this ( quoth he ) ( Leaning his mightye limbes against a tree ) I pardon thee : but where is that bolde squire Who durst compare with me ? I much desire To see that caytiffe , that presuming elfe : Heere am I ( quoth the Flea ) and shew'd him selfe . Heere am I ( quoth the Flea ) ready to proue What erst I said , and downe he throwes his gloue : Then trye the quarell , when and how thou dare● Thou h●ar'st I dare my selfe with thee compare . The Elephant ( then smiling in disdaine ) Said thus : know wre●ch , I count thy vaunts but vain●● For why ? if to this strife I should agree , I should disgrace my selfe and honor thee . Alas , what glory should I thereby gaine● If thou , and all thy eluish race were slaine ? But t' were a credit for thee for to dye , Slaine by so great and mightie beast as I : The nimble Flea , thus interrupts his speach , Thou striu'st in vaine my worth for to impeach● This is a cowards common vsed pretence , It stands not with mine honour : this defence , Serues for a sheild to shelter cowardise , But is derided of such as be wi●e . What ? doe I not esteeme my life as deare As thou thine honour ? nothing but pale feare Doth daunt thy courage onely fear 's the l●t , Then th' Elephant , thou dost thy selfe forg●t : For ( each one knowes ) vnstaind nobilitie Keepes vs aliue , although our bodyes die . Doe I forget my selfe ( the Flea did say ) But who did then forget him selfe I pray , When this vnweildie masse of thine , did dare Vnto the Lyons grace it selfe compare ? Doe I forget my selfe ? I doe thee right : I offer thy huge bulke the single Fight . Thou standst vpon thine honor : I tell thee I 'le prooue my selfe the nobler beast to be . Thy blood is stayn'd by this vilde traytrous act : Admit it were not , thou 'lt denay the fact . I 'le proue when that thou wert the best of all , Thy worth ( compar'd to mine ) would be but small . And let what Beasts thou wilt , iudge in this case , Till when , I will not yeild to thee an ace . Each Beast in his owne cause is partiall , And in his owne conceit , each dwarffe seemes tall . ( Quoth th' Elephant ) By others , let 's be tride , Let others censure , this debate decide . Who feares the tryall , doth his cause mistrust ; So doe not I , knowing that mine is iust . Chuse thou an arbitrator for thy part , And promise from his censure not to start . I le doe the like● let this be done with sp●●d . See yonder Bull which he●r belowe doth ●●●d , Shall be my days-man , if that he agree . And ( quoth the Flea ) yo● a a The Elephant standeth in fear of the mouse for that she will 〈◊〉 vp his tr●nck● & throgh it into his head somtimes . Mou●e shall be for me . Why dost thou start ? why art thou so dismaid ? What ( on the suddaine ) makes thee so affraid ? The Mouse ( quoth he ) shall neuer iudge my cause : He is mine enemye , wherefore the lawes Permit me from his censure to appeale , With that vile vermin I will neuer deale . Is this the beast ( quoth he ) vaunted euen now , Each other beast would at his presence bow ? And see ! a little Mouse doth make him quake : No meruaile though the very trees did shake For awfull feare , as he along did passe . Is this the beast ? sure it some other was . But since the little Mouse ( which I did chuse ) ( For that he is thy ●oe ) thou dost refuse : I 'le name an other , though I might defend Me from the Bull , because he is thy freind . Thy freind said I ? you 'r of one kindred all : For b b When Pyrrhus King of Epirus warred against the Romans he had Elephants in his army which the Romā● hauing ●euer seen any of them before , termd Bul● of Affrica . Plutarch in the life of Pyrrhus . Bulles of Affricke some folke did you call . I refuse none , from greatest to the least , And loe , the Wesell , that same Princely bea●t , Who ( arm'd with Rue ) aduentrously dares ●ight With the soule Ba●●liske , which killes with sight ; He dares encounter that same poys●nous breath , Which vnto many mort●lles causeth d●●th . That Prince shall be my dayes-man ( if he please ) I choose him arbitrator for the Fleas . Imagine all agreed , the dayes-men set , Bent to decide the cause for which they met . The Elephant did first the silence breake . ( For 't was his lot that he the first should speake ) The arbitrators had such order tane , That either should his owne cause first explaine , Without all interrupting , or impeach , If th' one then could except gainst th' others speach He briefly should declare wherein , and why : And they would giue thei● censure by and by . The Elephant ( by lot ) the first place wins , And thus with bolde erect●d lookes begins . My Lords ( who set to arbitrate our cause ) I hope you shall not need long time to pause , To passe your censure , when both partes you heare , For I shall make it very plaine appeare , This little Skip-iack beast , his worth is small . Why grace I him so much ? no beast at all . For eu'ry beast produceth his owne kinde : But Fleas to breed of sweat and dust we finde . As his beginning is obscure , and bace , So of his life is the whole course and race . Yet graunt he were a beast , graunt him so much : What judgement is so blinde to thinke him such , As that he may be likened vnto me ? Whose breath oreturnes ten thousand such as he● Looke on our statures , see what oddes there is , Such difference is there 'twixt my worth and his . His person 's little , little is his worth : What acte praise-worthy can such dwarffs bring forth You see my limbes are large , my ioynts are strong , Able to further right , or right my wrong : Let me speake boldely , ther 's no beast in field But that ( for strength ) to me will easely yeild . Beholde ( my Lords ) this Castle-bearing backe , And thinke what strength is in this dwarfish iack . Yet durst the elfe prouoke me to the fight ; Well might the world henceforth contemne my might If with this atomye I should contend . But too much time in that 's well knowne I spend . Leauing the bodye , let 's come to the minde : How many vertues therein shall you finde ? My fortitude in this most plaine appeares , That man ( who rule ouer all creatures beares ) Haue often vs'de my seruice in the warres . Euen Kings of men , in their most bloudy iarres , One gainst an other , vs'de my help and ayde . Who euer ( in their warres ) the ●leas help pray'de ? The Kings of wealthy I●dye vs doe chuse As their chiefe champions , and our help vse In all their battailes : and in vs doth stand Their confidence , and hope of all their band . And not without great cause : for I haue beene Whereas my father fighting I haue seene , His a a The like was doone by the Elephant of K. Porus in his war against Alexa●der but this was after the time of Democritus who is supposed to dreame this dream rider being downe and almost slaine , He wich his trunke did set him vp againe : And forth his bleeding wounds the arrowes drewe , Did neuer Flea like haughtye courage ●●ewe : Nay more , we fought ( ô let me vaunt of this ) Gainst the worlds wonder , proud S●●ira●●● . Gainst her we ●ought , gain●t her we did preuails , When as the King of Ind ' she du●st a●●aile . Let my foe shewe when he wa● such a f●●ld , And I the victo●y to hi● will yeild . He turnes his feeble might against his friend , And suckes their bloud who doe him harbour lend . But I conuert my force against my ●oes , The wakefull Dragon , and Rhenoceros Arm'd with strong scales , and with a peircing horne Vpon his wreake●ull nose , who holdes in scorne But once to speake to such a wre●ch as thee : Yet both their ●orces cannot conquer mee . To proue my fortitude this shall suffice , Because I knowe ( my Lords ) you both are wise . Now if my dyet you will estim●te , ( I dou● not ) you will graunt me temperate : For temperance consisteth ( as I thinke ) Cheifly in th' vsage of our meat and drinke , And Venus sports : in these ( this vertue 's plaste ) He 's temperate , who sober is and chaste . My food is such as from the earth doth spring , I liue not by the death of any thing . I feed not ( as the Flea ) on others blood , But the greene gras●e con●ents me for my food . My drinke is such as the cleere Fountaines gi●e● And thus doe I ( not harming others ) liue . As for the vsage of the acte of kinde , Not any beast more temp'rate shall you finde , We bath our selues both before c●i●●re , As likewise when 't is done : thus a●e we su●e T' auoyd vncleannes : and our selues suffice To vse this whilst we liue but twi●e or thrice . In our liues length our temp'rature appeeres , For many of vs li●● three hundreth yee●es . Whilst such as thou ( the truth if you 'l confesse Shorten your liues with ryot and excesse . a a Xenophon Libr. 1. de Insti● : Ciri . Phisitians which can bo●●h vp your health , Like vultures ( whilst you liue ) pray on your wealth , As garments which are rent , bo●chers peece ore ; Your crazie bodyes ( they ) with drugges restore . Thus are your liues a liuing miserie , And death 's procur'd by some extremitie . But I with temperance my life prolong● And ne're ( with Phi●icke ) doe ●y body wrong● My hope of health in mine owne guiding stands● I list not put my life int'others hands . O thrice vnhappy he , whose good or ill , Stands in th' aduenture of an others skill . Now will I speake of prudence : which in deed Should haue bene spoke of f●●st , bu●●le pro●eed● Religion ( which should be naturall As meate and drinke ) as common vnto all● Though it of some slightly regarded be , Yet is esteem'd and practised by me . Of prudence this I holde the cheifest part , From seruice of the Gods no whit to start . And to be briefe , I carry such a braine , Of Letters I the knowledge can attaine . What would you more ? euen this same excellence Betwixt vs two declares the difference . Heer might I speake of iustice : I wrong none , But giue that which is due to euery one . Of curtesi● heere might I something say , How when I meete one straying from his way , I doe direct him how his course to bend , And him from force of hurtfull beastes defend . I could say more , but what need more be said ? I onely this will adde : all beastes were made To serue the vse of man , who doth this best , In this approues him nobler then the rest . My strength auailes him much : and when I dye , I leaue my teeth which men call Iuorye● Aliue or dead the Flea doth nothing else But troubleth euery one whereas he dwels . If this be true ; as I in nothing li'de , Why pause you to giue sentence on my side ? Thus did the Elephant lay ope his case , And then with silence to the Flea gaue place . What ( quoth Heraclite ) did he gaine his suite ? What said the Flea ? was he not quight strucke mute ? Tell me Democritus what said the elfe ? Euen thus ( quoth he ) he answered for him selfe . Graue arbitrators , now your selues haue tride This beastes proud arrogance and daring pride , But heare me plead ( with patience ) for the Fleas , Then may you giue your censure as you please . Th' one part vnheard , who lets his verdit passe , Though he iudge right , no vpright iudge he was . I knowe you doe reserue th' one eare for me , Though not so great a beast , aswell as he . Indeed I was not hid as in a Tombe For two a a for so long time is it reported y● Elephant going with young . yeeres space within my mothers wombe . Yet looke what oddes is betweene slyme and dust : Such difference is twixt our beginnings iust● At first the earth did eu'ry creature breed , Yet he contemnes the earth as impure seed . Proud beast who dares our common mother call Impure and bace , th' earth's mother of vs all : But he triumphes in his vnweildye masse , Let this goe currant , it will come to passe That you ( my Lords ) and all beasts else saue he , Yea euen the Lyons selfe despis'd shall be . He would ore crowe me , for I am so small , Let this be suffred , hee 'l out-braue you all . Vertue consists not in the quantitie , But rather is an inward qualitie . We more esteeme the little Rhemora Then the huge Whale : this little fish can stay A Ship that 's vnder sayle , in her swift course : In a rough storme , gainst winde and waters force . Who makes a do●t but little Philomel ' The yron stomackt Estridge doth excell : And though faire Ladyes much esteeme her coate , Shee more delights them with her sugred noate . The Ceder then the Vine is much more tall , And yet the Vine is more esteem'd of all . What wants in stature ( oftentimes we finde ) Nature repayes it double in the minde . But with his mightye strength he doth me presse , Gainst which I set mine actiue nimblenesse . If that he fall , he cannot rise againe , But like a logge he lyes vpon the plaine . By this meanes is he made the hunters praye , When with a halfe out tree they him betray . In that great a a The Bat in this fray tooke parte with beasts & therfore after the victory was int●●̄d this punishment neuer to fly but by twilight . battaile and that bloudie fraye Betwixt the beasts and birds : we lost the day , Not through their strength ( as they themselues confesse ) But rather through their actiue nimblenesse . My seruice that day to you all 's woll knowne , And therefore need not vauntingly be showne . Then was I well esteem'd of great and least , Who then made dout if that I were a beast ? I see a Soldiers seruice is forgot , In time of peace the worlde regards vs not . But to proceed ; he pra●es of fortitude , And , that he 's valiant would faine conclude . He counts strength valour , but he judgeth wrong Who ●aith the Oake hath valour : yet 't is strong . But he ( he saith ) hath many battailes fought , I , but true valour neuer danger sought . Rashnes , it selfe doth into perill thrust : That 's onely valour where the quarrel 's iust . But when as vnsought danger doth betide , His prowesse then true valour will not hide . For such as wi●hout all foresight are bolde Foole hardye , and not valiant we holde . Let this great warriour , I pray you shewe For what iust cause these warres he did pursue● What , is he mute ? then I the cause will tell , For that his Lord to fight did him compell . He saith that man his help doth ofte times craue , It 's false , he doth commaund him as his slaue . No , doe not thinke such judgements to delude , Amongst some fooles vaunt of thy seruitude . Men vse your seruice often to their cost , For one day 's wonne through you , there are three lo●t . Not warre alone , but other fear●ull things , ( And chiefly such as death ofte with it brings ) Are fortitudes true objects● heerin lyes His ch●ifest force these perrils to despise . When man with pressing nayle seekes me to kill , My guts about my heeles , I march on still . And though in this great broyle I was ●eere slai●e , The daunger past , I boldely bite againe . Was thy Syre's valour ( thinkst thou ) like to this , When as thou fought gainst proud Semiramis ? Hast thou no * * The Elephant being wounded , rageth against all that come in his way , & so doth more hurt on his owne party wound ? may be thou wilt not start , But I fight hauing lost my hinder parte ; Euen halfe my body being tane away , I flye not but dare still maintaine the fray . I dare aduenture in each dangerous place , And beard the boldest Ruffen to his face : What dare I not ? I knowe that I am f●ee , And doe enioy most perfect libertie . He brags that he is entertain'd of Kings , And so am I , but yet for diuers thinges . He as a drudge or as a sturdie slaue , My company at bed and boord they 'l haue . The fayrest Ladyes that doe liue in Court , Will sometime entertaine me in such sort ; As he would hang himselfe to finde the grace , But once to harbour in so sweet a place . O , this is such a sweet felicitie● That men enuying my prosperitie , Ouid. Haue wisht to be transformed into Fleas , That so they better might their fancie please . By this desire of theirs is plainly showne , They thought my state was better then their owne : And therefore men ( for all thy haughty vaunts ) Neuer desire to become Elephants● For if they so were chang'd , they plainly see● Their state should be made worsse , not betterd bee● My shape they wish for , thereby to obtaine This libertye which else they cannot gaine . The coyest dames in Citie or in Court , Affoord the Flea free scope him selfe to sport In their softe bosomes : and without denay , At his best pleasure he may lower stray . I say no more of this least I be blam'd , But thus conclude , I am a Courtier fram'd . My face and legges , will suite a Prince his hall , For th' one I knowe is smooth , the other small . Vaunt on and spare not of thy migh●y foes : I will reioyce I haue such freinds as those . Much of thy sober dyet thou doost preach The Fox hates grapes when they 'r out of his reach . So needy beggers speake of pouertie , And gelded men vaunt of their chastitie . Thou neuer knewst what better dyet ment , And therefore arte with such base stuffe content Man , who deuoures both birds , and beasts , and fish , Will spare his bloud for me to be my dish . Thus I reuenge the bloud of beasts ar● slain● To feed his paunch ; and shed his bloud againe . I thinke in this thou quit'st vs free from lust , In that thou saist we breed out of the dust . Thou tel'st vs also of thy curtesie , Are these the markes of thy nobilitie ? These vertues which thou nam'dst may gentrie trye● But wherein art thou nobler yet then I ? That thou canst learne to knowe a Letter ? ●ush : I count that learning hardly worth a rush . To what good purpo●e canst thou this applye ? Bu● I am skilfull in Astronomye . I can foretell what wea●her s●all ensue , And thereof before hand by signes I shewe . When I bite sore , the Plow-man knoweth plai●e ( Foretolde by me ) he shortly shall haue raine . When h● doth snor● secure , I him awake , That to good thoughts himselfe he may betake● Thus doe I wisely things farre off foresee , And not such onely as before me bee . Art thou religious ? I am so too , For looke what men awak't by me s●all doe Is mine● mine are their vowes and prayers all● What good they then shall doe , I may mine call . And to be briefe , thus I conclude in fine : All that they thinke , or say , or doe , is mine . Thou saist thy teeth are good , they are : but when● When thou art dead : they 'r neuer good till then . What good thou liuing doost , that is thine all : But good done after death , scarce ours I call● How long thou liu'st I care not , nor can tell , How long we liue it skils not , but how well● And for mans seruice I come not behinde● He proffits but the bodye , I the minde . Thus haue you heard ( my Lords ) both him and 〈◊〉 . And both of vs awai●e for your decree . If that he doe except against my speech , With fauour heare mine answer I beseech . Thus did the F●ea ( me though● ) conclude his Theame● At which I hea●tily laught euen in my dreame . How now Herac●●●●s , doost not laugh yet ? At what quoth he ? me thinks this tale should ●et Teares from the hardest flin● : laugh I doost aske ? What , to see vice thus put on vertues maske● To heare a villaine tell so smoo●h a ●ale , And hipocrites set vp so full a saile ? To see how great ones still would greater be● And none contented with their owne degre●● How lightly others vertues some doe weigh , Whilst that selfe loue doth beare so great a swaye● O , when I heare that beasts vse rea●on , then I weep to thinke beasts li●e in shape of men . But on , I pray you on , your dreame pursue , And let me knowe what verdit did ensue . Nay stay ( quoth he ) you are too forward , ●ie : First pray you heare the Elephants replye . My Lords ( quoth he ) before you fur●her goe , I pray you heare me speake a worde or two . Mine enemye thinkes with a glo●ing tongue And smooth filde speech , to boul●ter out his wrong . Thou tels how great ones doe thee entertaine● And yet euen those thy company disdaine . But doe they ●arbour t●ee , and giue thee food● The more vngratefull thou to sucke their blood . This is the wicked custome of our dayes , To seeke thei● ruyne who first did them raise . Foule sinne hath set her markes vpon thy backe , And ( like her selfe ) hat● cloathed thee in blacke . Doe Ladyes harbour thee ? thou doost them wrong : They all would rather haue thy roome then throng Too many such intruding mates we haue , Who boast how Ladyes doe their presence craue . Thou rau'st gains● great ones , rail'st against their life , Such foule mouth'd curres are now adayes too ri●e . So vse base groomes seeking themselues to raise● Discredit others , others doe dispraise● Wanting desert , he to your fauour flyes : But heerin ( as I thinke ) true bountie lyes , That you may be enforced to wrong none For that you doe entend to giue to one . For many often-times such gifts doe make , They are inforst from others for to take . The enuye of my greatnes makes him speake , He must haue vent , or his swolne hear● will breake● As shadowes still attend vpon the Sunne , So glory ye● could neuer enuye shunne . Where as fire is , there alwayes will be smoake , Enuye will euer seeke vertue to choake . Thus haue you ●eard in briefe what I can say , Thus ends my speech , I for your censure stay . But the● the Flea ; yet heare me a 〈◊〉 words ( According to your order ) reuerent Lords . He sayes , mongst great ones I my selfe intrude , And then doth charge me with ingratitude , O see how well his speeches doe agree : Obserue them well , you 'l finde them contrary . Either their entertaine must willing be , Or from ingratitude acquit me free . Am I in debt to him who did me good ? Yet to his power alwaves the same withstood ? The wise oft-times reap profit from their foes , Yet who accounts them bounden vnto those ? If that turne good which for my hurt was ment , I le thanke my fortune , and not his intent . But was he willing ? then I may conclude , He wrongs me much , who saith I did intrude . Fauour and force , neuer so well agree , That both at once can in one subject bee . But when he sawe his speech truth's colour lacke , He wrangles at my colour , cause t is blacke . Mislikes he blacke ? heerat much meruaile I : He neuer could abide his a a It is written of the Elephant , that he cannot away with the sigh● of white colour . contrary . He knowes not well what 't is stands in his light , He neither can away with blacke nor white . I enuye not thy greatnes , for with all , Such as thou art ( I knowe ) will be thy fall . Little I am , and little will I say , But heere I end , and doe your verdit pray . Heroclit● said shewe what their censure was● I long to heare on which side it did passe . Then must you lose your longing ( I le be plaine ) Or else must stay vntill I dreame againe . I thought ( to heare the verdit ) to drawe neare , And so awak't , and thus my dreame you heare . What dost not laugh ' thou art no man at all : Laughter to man is alway naturall , And to a a We read how the Crocodile will weap by nature : the ●ye●● will counterfe● 〈…〉 & 〈◊〉 , bu● no 〈…〉 man ) can laugh by nature . man onely : if thou bee'st not such , Though thou laugh not , I will not meruaile much . No man quoth he ? why , dost thou count him none Who is not toucht with each affection ? Well , be it so : although I laugh not now , I could ( if I see cause ) as well as thou . But heere were rather greater cause to weepe , If cause of either can proceed from sleepe . For when as all these ●oggie fumes are spent , Which to the braine , were from the stomacke sent . Our restlesse phantasies repeat things ore , Which we imagined the day before . For nothing comes in our intellgence , Which was not let in by the doore of sence . The seu'rall thinges which we awake recite , In dreames our ●ancies oftentimes vnite . As when of golde and mountaines hath bene tolde , Our dreames present vs mountaines all of golde . We talke of horses , and of flying things , And then we dreame of horses that haue wings . T is like of beasts , and strife , hath beene thy theame , And that from thence proceedes this idle dreame . Idle doost call it ? quoth Democritus ) Yet rather had I thou shouldst terme it thus , Then to interpret , or to wrest it , so As curious and busie heads would doe . What by the Flea ? what by the Dog was ment ? What by the Elephant , was his intent ? They 'l ayme at this , and that perticuler , And each thing as it pleaseth them transfer . Such fooles as these would descant on my dreame , And it interpret , as it best shall seeme To their weake wit , and blunt capacitye , Censure each worde , each sentence misapplye . If I should light on such a giddie asse , I 'd scorne to answer him , but let him passe . But vnto thee an answer must be sought , You say dreames doe repeat but things forethought , In such 't is true , as sleepe free scope affoord , But such as I vse sleepe , not as a Lord , Not suffring it to rule , but serue our need , And thus from this same sorte of dreames are freed . Such dreames as these on morning sleepers ●reep , And hap to such as glut themselues with sleep . In sleep our soules a a So saith Cici . in his book de senectute , alleaging it out of Xenophon de exped. Cyr● vse their diuinitie , And hence we proue their immortalitie . For whilst we sleep , our bodyes are as dead , And then they stand our soules in little stead● And yet ●ost perfect in her workes is shee , Whilst that she ●hus is from the body free . Her faculties now can she vse so well , That thinges to come she sometime ca● fo●etell . And since she life do●h to the body giue , We knowe she can without the body ●●ue . To such as doe their ●oules vncombred keepe , The Gods reueale their secr●ts in their sleepe . Thus vnto me perhaps the Gods haue done , And therefore I●●lon ( God 〈◊〉 sonne ) Shew'd me this vision , thereby to ●aske Some vice , which thus in shape of beasts did m●ske . The Elephant● the Fl●● ; t●●●es generall : So eu'ry one of ei●her kinde we call . Some kinde of faultes , and not some ●aultie me● Are heerby noted it appeareth then . Why make you this Apologie ( quoth he ) I hope you ●a●e me no ●●ch foole to be Thus to coni●cture ; how so ere it seeme , I let it passe knowing 't was but a dreame● The Gods haue something else to doe beside , What man ? a a Democr . held opinion that there were many worldes , with Alexander the greate hearing of , wept , because hee had not fully conquerd 〈◊〉 of them . you say th' a●e many worlds to guide . Thinkst thou the Gods will lea●e their heauenly ioy●s , And thus molest themselues with such like ●oyes ? No , no , they are bu● idle fantasies , Which from thy ●i●th-deuo●ed thoughts arise . No , no , fond man , these worde● he w●eping spake , This same name ( man ) makes 〈◊〉 all mirth forsake . For what is man ? nought else but miserye : No sooner borne , but he begins to dye . Hee 's weeping borne ; which proues hee 's borne to weep● And all his life's or spent in woe , or sleep . Nay this his misery doth proue most plaine , That not one man could become young againe . On this condition to repeat o're , Both th' woes and pleasures which he had before . O no , there is no man so fond , but knowes That for one pleasure , he had twenty woes . Heere teares did drowne his speech ( which ●a●t did fall ) Thinking to com●or● him , I wak't with all . A Shadowe of a shadowe thus you see , Alas what substance in it then can bee ? If any thing herein amisse doe seeme : Consider 't was a dreame , dreamt of a dreame . FINIS .