No vvhippinge, nor trippinge: but a kinde friendly snippinge

No whippe . T IS strange to see the humors of these daies : How first the Satyre bites at imperfections The Epigrammist in his quips displaies A wicked course in shadowes of corrections : The Humorist hee strictly makes collections Of loth'd behauiours both in youthe and age : And makes them plaie their parts vpon a stage . An other Madcappe in a merry fit , For lacke of witte did cast his cappe at sinne : And for his labour was well tould of it , For too much playing on that merry pinne : For that all fishes are not of one finne : And they that are of cholerick complections , Loue not too plain to reade their imperfection Now comes another with a new founde vaine ▪ And onely falls to reprehensions ; Who in a kind of scoffing chiding straine , Bringes out I knowe not what in his inuentions : But I will ghesse the best of his intencions : Hee would that all were well , and so would I. Fooles shuld not too much shew their foolery , And would to God it had ben so in deed , The Satyres teeth had neuer bitten so : The Epigrammist had not had a seede Of wicked weedes , among his herbes to sowe , Nor one mans humor did not others showe , Nor Madcap had not showen his madness such , And that the whipper had not ierkt so much . For they whose eyes into the world doe looke , And canuasse euery crotchet of conceite , Whose wary wittes can hardly be mistooke , Who neuer feede their fancies with deceite , Finde this the fruict of euery idle sleight : To shew how enuy doeth her venom spit , Or lacke of wealth doeth sell a little wit . And while they tumble in their tubbes of coine , Laugh at their wittes that tunne so far awry : In learning how to giue the foole the foine , Mistake the warde & wound them selues thereby : While only wealth doth laugh at beggery . For rowling stones will neuer gather mosse , And raunging wittes doe often liue by losse . The Preachers charge is but to chide for sinne , While Poets steppes are short of such a state : And who an others office enters in , May hope of loue , but shal be sure of hate . 'T is not a time offences to relate . Contentions sooner will begin then end : And one may sooner lose , then keepe a friend . And he that writes , vnwary of his wordes , May haue an ill construction of the sense . For fortune euer not the right affordes , Where will doeth gouerne ouer patience . Who doeth not finde it by experience , That points and letters often times misread , Endaunger oft the harmelesse writers head ? Good writers then , if any such yee be , In verse or prose , take well that I doe write : I wish yee all what ere yee heare or see , Haste not your wits to bring it vnto light : Lest ere you weet you doe repent your spight . Your friendes ill courses neuer doe disclose , And make your pens no swords to hurt your foes . Spend not your thoughts in spilling of your wits : Nor spoile your eies , in spying of offences . For howsoeuer you excuse your fittes , They carry shreud suspect of ill pretences : And when you seeke to make your best defences , How euer priuate friends will poorly purse ye , If one doe blesse yee , fiue to one will curse ye . Some one will say , you are too busie pated , An other saies the foole is idle headed : An other saies such rakehells would be rated : An other , see , how will to wit is wedded : An other , sure the man is poorely stedded : Hee writ for coine , he knew , nor car'd not what : But yet take heede , we must not like of that . Meane while perhaps he sits within his Cell , And sighes to heare how many descant on him : And for a litle must his labour sell , While such as haue the pence , do preie vpon him ▪ And he poore soule , in want thus wo begon him , Curseth the time , that euer he was borne , To vse his will to make his wit a scorne . For let him bragge , and braue it as he list , The Poets is a poore profession : And oftentimes doeth fall on had I wist , When conscience makes of inwarde crimes confession : And sorrow makes the spirites intercession , For mercies pardon , to that time misspent , Which was the soule for better seruice lent . Yet will I say that some , oh all too fewe , Doe bend their humors to diuine desires : Those I confesse , doe in their verses shew , What vertue , Grace into those soules inspires , That are inflamed with the heauenly fires : Such a good Poet , good if any bee , Onely in God , would God that I were hee . As for those fansies , fictions , or such fables , That show in losse of time abuse of wit : That neuer look't into those holy Tables , Where doeth the grace of reasons glory sit : And wisedome findes what is for vertue fit , What ere they figure in their dark constructions , They doe but little good in their instructions . No , poets , no : I write to yee in loue , Let not the world haue cause to laugh at vs : Let vs our mindes from such ill meanes remoue , As makes good spirits for to fall out thus : Let vs our causes with more care discusse : Not bite , nor claw , nor scoffe , nor check , nor chide : But eche mend one , and ware the fall of pride . Know'st thou a foole ? then let him leaue his folly , Or be so stil , and with his humour passe . What hath thy wit to do with trolly lolly ? Must euery wise man ride vpon an Asse ? Take heede thou mak'st not him a looking glasse , Wherein the world may too apparant see , By blazing him , to finde the foole in thee . Hast thou espied a knaue ? care not to know him , Lest that thy knowledge get thee little good . Or if you know him , doe not seeke to show him : Lest that your head be fear'd to fit his hoode . Such sense were better neuer vnderstoode . Better to see a knaue , and not to see , Then to be thought a knaue , as well as hee . Know you a villaine ? let him finde his matche : And show not you a Matche a villaines skill : A foolish dogge at euery Curre doeth snatch , Wordes haue no grace in eloquence of ill : There is no wrestling with a wicked will : Let passe the villaine with his villany , Make thou thy match with better company . Haue you acquaintance with some wicked quean , Giue her good words , and do not blaze her faults : Looke in thy soule if it be not vncleane : And knowe that Sathan all the world assaultes ▪ Iacob himselfe before the Aungell haultes : Sighe for her sinne , but doe not call her whore : But learne of Christ , to bid her sinne no more . Know you a drunkeard ? loath his drunkennesse But doe not laie it open to his foes : Least in describing his vngodlinesse , You take your selfe too soundly by the nose : Who hurts himselfe doth giue vnkindely blowes : Winke at each faulte & wish it were amended , And thinke it well that 's with repentance ended . Knowe you a wencher , let his wenche alone , Winke at his fault , & age will make him leaue it : And though he doe not , tell not Iohn of Ioane , For feare that ether you may misconceaue it , Or tone be hurt when tother doth perceiue it : Or while you seeke to make their folly knowne , It be a meane to lay abroad your owne . Knowe you a Miser ? let him be so still , And let his spirites with his metall melt : Let him alone to die in his owne ill , And feede not you on that which he hath felt : Be not you girded in so vile a belt : Rather praie for him , then so raile vpon him , That all the world may lay their curses on him . Knowe you a Spendthrift secreatly aduise him , But tell not all the worlde of his expence : For if such kinde of warning you deuise him , Your course maie happe to fall on such offence , As may be put off with an ill defence : For many a man that hath his wits asquint , Would frowne to see his folly put in print . Know you a Gamester ? let him play his game ▪ But seeke not you to cheat him of his coyne . Nor to the world doe idly tell his name , Whose heedlesse fancie doeth with folly ioyne , That cannot see who doeth his wealth purloine : Least when you name the chance that lost his stake He light on you , & make your noddle ake . Know you a Plotter ? studdy not his Plots , But leaue the busie , to their businesse : Least while you winde your wits into such knots , You doe too late repent your foolishnesse , And while you write of such vngodlinesse , Finde ere the lines of halfe your rules be red , To write of knaues doth bring a foole to bed ▪ Know you a Swaggerer ? let him walke along : Trouble him not in either word , or deed . He is not borne to put vp open wrong : Where euery man may of his humour read . Be silent then good Poet and take heede ( What euer faults you in his folly see ) You doe not talke of such a man as he . If that a great one haue a great defect , Let not your thought once touch at such a thing , Vnto Superious euer haue respect : A Begger must not looke vpon a King . Take heede , I say , is a most blessed thing : Least if you run to farre in such a fit , A foole may happe to hang for lacke of wit . Learne English Prouerbs , haue them wel by heart , And count them often on your fingers ends : Doe not your secrets to the world impart : Beware your foes , doe not abuse your friends : Take heed of flatterers as of hellish fiends : Eate vp your meat , & make cleane all your platters , And meddle not with any princes matters . Reade what is written on the painted cloth ; Doe no man wrong , be good vnto the poore : Beware the Mouse , the Maggot , and the Moth ; And euer haue an eye vnto the doore : Trust not a foole , a villaine , not a whore . Goe neat , not gaie ; and spend but as you spare : And turne the Colte to pasture with the Mare . Be not a churle , nor yet exceed in cheere . Hold fast thine owne , pay truely what thou owest : Sell not too cheape , and doe not buy to deare : Tell but to few , what secret ere thou knowest , And take good heed to whom , & what thou shewest : Loue God , thy self , thy wife , thy children , friend , Neighbour , and seruant , and so make an end . Beleeue no newes , till they be nine dayes old , Nor then too much , although the print approue them : Mistake not drosse for perfect Indian gold ; Nor make friends gods ; but as you finde them , loue them : And as you know them , keepe them , or remooue them . Beware of beauty , and affect no slutte : And ware the wonne before ye cracke the nut . Be neither proude , nor enuious , nor vnchaste ; Least al too late , repentance ouer-take you : And take good heede howe you your wealth doe waste , Least fooles doe scoffe you , & your friends forsake you And then the begger by the shulders shake you . Giue vnto all that aske ; not askers , all : And take heed how you clime , for fear you fall . Doe well , be true , backe-bite no man , be iust ; The Ducke , the Drake , the Owle , do teach you so : Speake what you thinke ; but no more then you must Least vnawares you make your friend your fo Be warie , sayes the Crane ; bee wise , the Crowe : Be gentle , humble , courteous , meeke , & milde , And you shall be your mothers blessed childe . Be loyall , sayes the Lyon , for your life ; Be firme and constant , sayes the Elephant : The Doue bids you be louing to your wife : Be carefull , sayes the Partridge : painefull , the Ant: Take heede , sayes Rainarde , of the Sycophant : Be wakefull , sayes the Cocke : Witty , the Conny : And sayes the Dog ; looke well vnto your mome . Haue all the weeke a penne behinde your eare , And weare your sword on Sundayes , t is enough : Be not too venturous , not too full of feare : Nor stand too much vpon a double ruffe ; Eor feare a falling band giue you the cuffe . Know well your horse before you fall to ride : And bid God blesse the Bride-groom & his Bride . Be merry , sayes the Cuckow : lusty , the Frog : Nimble , the Snaile : the Mag-pye , prouident : Be thrifty , sayes the Buzzard : cleanly the Hogge : Honest , the Bull : the Pigeon resident : The Popingeaie doth bid you to be silent : Be valiant , sayes the Horse : simple , the Asse ; A better Dictionary neuer was . Be gracious , sayes the Kite : gentle , the waspe : Be liberall , the Moile : sober , the Hare : Swift , sayes the Tortoise : vertuous , the Ape : Pittifull , the Woolfe : mannerly , the Mare : Thankefull the Eagle : bountifull , the Stare : Trusty , the Iack-daw : faithfull , sayes the Hearne : What better lessons then the Birdes doe learne ? No further runne , then you may turne againe , And let not will be guider , of your wit . What needes a plaister , where there is no paine ? Physicke is onely for the crazed fit : Who is in health , hath not to doe with it . Take heede of lying lippes , a swearing tongue . For they are odious both in old and young . Hast thou a wit and knowest thou canst do wel , Vse it vnto some worke of worth in deede . For t is no wit , to teach a foole to spell Nothing but foole ; when he is learn'd to reed . Better , to teach him Christs crosse be his speed , And how the holy Ghost may better guide him , Then with conceites of iests for to deride him . It is a course of little charitie , To find out faults , and fall vpon them so ; And t is a wit of singularitie , That perfect wisedom doth but little show : Which thinks it giues the foole the ouer-throw , And might haue bene farre better exercised , Then in the folly that it hath suprized . T is womens iest to wrangle for a word . And what thinke women then of wrangling men ? Let such fond quarrels be put vnder boord , As doe but spring out of an idle penne . Oh , trouble not the fowle within the fenne . The fame of learning neuer was worse grac't , Then where one foole an other hath defac't , But , art thou learned ? looke into thy booke , And thou shalt find thy fancy is abus'd , Which hath thy hope of happy prayse mistooke ; And done a fault that cannot be excus'd : For Wisedome neuer such an humour vs'd . To shoote at shame , the aime was to farre off , To beat downe sinne , to ierke it with a scoffe . Hawkes hoods , & bels are not for Scholers study , They haue no argument for wo , ho , ho : Their spirits should not think on things so muddy , Where Duckes lie dibbling in the lakes below : But on the grounds , where sweeter graces grow . And though a fault be scused with a iest : A iest is but a folly at the best . Let all good Scbollers winde their wits away , From such ill following of their idle wils ; Least when they see their faults another day , They doe repent them of their little skils , Where lacke of Grace , a wittie spirit spils . For drinke is poison that is drunke in quaffing , And wit but folly , that sets fooles a laughing . Beleeue me , t is a kind of sport to some That loue no wit ; because of ignorance : When waries begin , to strike a wodden drum , When vertuous spirits fall at variance : About the treading of a Moris-dance . But what more spight can be to a good wit , Then see a foole to stand and laugh at it ? But , who will laugh so quickly as the foole ? Although he know not well at what indeede : But who hath liu'd in any learned Schoole , Would leaue a line for any asse to reede ; Except ( alas ) he were constrain'd for neede , As many are , God knowes ( the more the pitty ) That were they wealthy , would be far more witty . Sigh then for such , to see their sory cases , That must such treasure for such trash , go sell : And doe not fall to grieue them with disgraces , That in their sowles doe so with sorrow dwell , As in their hearts is more than halfe a hell , To beat their braines but for a little gaines , And , or be curst , or scoft at for their paines . But if there be some nimble witted Sir , That loues to play with euery one he sees : And hath a sport to make a stinking stir With buzzing verses , like to Humble Bees : I wish such pride were plucked on his knees , To make him know t were better to be quiet , Then with his wits to runne so farre at riot . But for my selfe , I know not any such : Because , perhaps , I haue not read their writings : Or els , I doubt they are too deepe a tuch , For the short reach of my poore thoughts inditings , That could not roue at their conceipts delightings . How ere it be , I know I doe not know them ; And therefore care not who do ouerthrow them . But for my selfe , what euer I haue writ ; And for poore Mad-cap , I dare sweare as much : In all the compasse of a little wit , It meant no one particular to touch . But for one should not at another grutch ; As the clouds thickend , and the raine did fall , He cast his Cap , at sinne in generall . Indeed , t is true , he cast his Cap at sinne ; And would to God that all the world did so : Then doe I hope our spirits should begin , Our wit , and senses better to bestow , Then one to seeke another ouer-throw . But pardon him for what is past before , And he hath done for capping any more . And for my selfe , good brother , by your leaue , I will not now dispute an Argument Of what I would , nor what I could conceiue , Nor what may be discretions detriment , In shewing of a wittie excrement : But I will wish all Scholers should be friends , And Poets not to brawle for puddings ends . I am not worthy to be heard to speake Emong the wise , what they should haue to doe ; But if there liue a wit that be too weake , Aduised care to bring his will vnto : Oh , with good words let me his spirit wooe , That he will now but onely studie pro , Let nos be nobis , and the contra goe . So shall our Muses sweetest musique make , When gratious spirits doe agree in one : And euery foole may not example take At our vnnaturall dissention : Let euery Asse goe by himselfe alone : And let vs seeme as though we knewe them not , Since no more good is by them to be got . Tell not a Souldier of his bloodie sword , Not yet the Sailer of his life at sea : Nor tell the Courtier of his knife aboord , Nor tel the Lawier of his gaineful plea : Nor tell the louer of his little flea : Let them alone , and trouble none of them : A secret hum is better then a hem . If you will needes be merry with your wits , Take heede of names , and figuring of natures : And tell how neere the goose the gander sits : Of Hob and Sib , and of such silly creatures : Of Croydon sanguine and of home made features : But skorne them not , for they are honest people , Although perhaps theyneuer saw Paules steeple . But , if you could , you should doe better much , To bend your studie to a better end , And neither one nor other seeme to tuch : But in such sorte , as may beseeme a friend : And doe no more your spirits idly spend Withierking , biting , skoffing and such humors As fill the world too full of wicked rumors . Bring in no Verses for Authorities : As in presenti , and leaue out the R : T is fit for Babes in their minorities , Emong their formes , to fall at such a iarre . Necke verses are for theeues but at the Barre . God blesse vs man from euer comming there . A gulitie heart can scarcely reade for feare . Bacchus and Ceres were the Gods below : And there shall be , and neuer come aboue . And Claret wine will quicken wit I trowe : By the Redde Crosse , I sweare , it is to proue : But , what should Scholers , wine and sugar moue , To bring in so Appollo and virorum ? When wise men smile at horum harum horum . But , pardon me , if that I speake false Latine For lacke of learning : I no scholer am : My masters gowne deserues no face of Satine : I neuer to degree of Master came : But , where smal learning might attaine the same : And for a verse in Latine , let me see : Alas , they haue too many feete for mee , But , let me loue that language yet of olde , For Ergos sake , that many a time deluded My troobled harte , that knewe not what to holde Should be vpon the consequence concluded , While many a Placet for his place entruded : Vntill the Bell bad breake vp schoole , and then Sufficient , made , a world of propre men . And I among them , not the least contented To see both Maior , and the Minor cease , Full many a time my hastie will repented , When I haue wisht a Placet hold his peace ? Whose Sophystrie would so my feare increase , That to be short , my learning was so little , As I may write my Title in a tittle . Looke not therefore for arguments of Arte : But from the painted cloth vpon the wall , What I haue learn'd I kindely doe imparte , Hoping to purchase no ill will at all : Because , so rudely to my worke I fall . Such weakenesse my poore wits are come vnto , That beasts , & birds , must teach me what to do . My Librarie is but experience : The Authors , Men , that in my notes I finde : My notes , the natures of such difference , As may descry each other in their kinde : Where , if my wit and senses be not blinde , I doe perceiue in too much ill desarte : Pride in a Scholer , makes a foole by Arte. Blame me not then , if that I iudge amisse : The Sunne and Moone are my Astronomie : When you beholde where all my cunning is , Charge not simplicitie with villany : It were enough to breede an Agony In many a man : but truely not in me , That make no care , what ere your censure be . If it be good , I thanke you for good will : If contrarie , so contrarie come to you . If it be well , I can not take it ill : If otherwise , the like good may it doe you , If kindely then , as kindly let me wooe you To leaue such ierkings , least they smart too sore , Loue me as I doe you , I aske no more . But yet , me thinkes , I see you smile at mee , As though my Rules were scarcely worth the reading : And that a silly painted cloath should be The Librarie of all my learnings breeding : And that my wits had need of too much weeding . Oh what a burthen must my patience cary ? The Alehouse is the Asses Dictionary . But for the Alehouse and the Painted Cloth , If ought I finde there , that be worth the noting : Laying aside the filthy dronken froth ; What good I see , I will not skippe the coating . A good Redde Herring may be worth the bloting . Better a good wit in an Alehouse sit , Then finde an Alehouse in an idle wit . So much in honour of my homely booke : Wherein the Birds and beasts so wisely speake : And so much for the notes from them I tooke , To helpe such wits as will hath made too weake , Into the bounds of blessed thoughts to breake . Now , for the natures of those notes , you see What cause you haue to thinke amisse of me . I will not meddle with Quae Maribus , The Propria will trouble me too much : Nor yet , Qui mihi Discipulus . Except I knew my mastership were such , As somewhat might a gratious Scholer tuch . No , I will let the Latine lines alone ; And speake a few more English , and be gone . Let all good wits , if any good there be ; Leaue trussing , and vntrussing of their points , And heare thus much ( although not learne ) of me ; The spirits , that the Oyle of Grace annoyntes , Will keepe their senses in those sacred ioynts , That each true-learned , Christian-harted brother Will be vnwilling to offend another . And so would I ; for if in truthe , I knewe ( Although it were full much against my will ) I should offend but any one of you , That might conceiue iust cause to wish me ill : I would throwe downe my Inke , & break my quill , Ere I would write one word to such an ende , As might but gaine a foe , or lose a friende . In kindenesse then let me entreate you this : If that your leasure serue you , looke it ouer : And what you finde that you may take amisse , Let my confession of small learning couer , Let euery Poet be each others louer . Let vs note follies , and be warned by them : But not in writing , to the world descry them . It is a plot among pernicious braines , To breede a brawle twixt better natur'd wits , By soothing sinne with humour of disdaines , Vntill they fall into some raging fits , Wherein the fruite but of Repentance sits : But let them listen to those tongues that list , Let vs not labour for a Had I wist . For , some will say that Arte is ill bestow'd On him that knowes not how to vse it well . And he sometime may finde his wits beshrow'd , That reades his lesson ere he learne to spell : Marke but the truthe , the painted cloath doth tell ; Who laies to much vpon his wits at once , May happe to prooue an Ideot for the nonce . Sound a mans minde before you shew his meaning : For feare repentance come an houre too late . Barre nor the beggers from their merry gleaning : Except the Land-lord bid you keepe the gate : And where you may haue loue , hunt not for hate . Let Poets drinke of Helicons faire fountaine , But bring no Mice out of a swelling mountaine . Let Noddies go to cuffes for bloudie noses : Let vs but laugh to see their lack of reason : Leaue them their weedes , and let vs gather Roses , And reap our wheat , while they do pick on peason . Let vs hate lies , ingratitude , and treason , And with our friends in fond conceipts to striue , And we shall be the blessed'st men aliue . If that a minde be full of misery , What villany is it to vexe it more ? And if a wench doe treade her shooe awry , What honest heart will turne her out of dore ? Oh , if our faultes were all vpon the skore : What man so holy , but would be ashamed , To heare himselfe vpon the Schedule named ? Let vs then leaue our biting kinde of verses : They are too bitter for a gentle taste . Sharpe pointed speach so neare the spirit pearces , As growes to rankle ere the poison waste . But let all be forgotten that is past : And let vs all agree in one in this ; Let God alone to mend what is amisse . But if we needes will try our wits to write , And striue to mount our Muses to the height , Oh let vs labour for that heauenly light , That may direct vs in our passage streight : Where humble wits may holy will awaite ; And there to finde that worke to write & reede ▪ That may be worth the looking on indeede . To shewe the life of vnitie in loue , Where neuer discord doth the musique marre : But , in the blessing of the soules behoue , To see the light of that faire shining starre , Which shews the day that neuer night can marie : But in the brightnesse of eternall glory , How loue and life doe make a blessed story . If we be toucht with sorrow of our sinnes , Expresse our passions as the Psalmist did : And shew how mercy , hopes reliefe beginnes , Where greatest harmes are in repentance hid : When Grace in Mercy doth despaire forbid : And sing of him , and of his glory such , Who hateth sinne , yet will forgiue so much . And let our hymnes be Angell harmonie , Where Halleluiah makes the heauens to ring : And make a consort of such companie , As make the Quire but to their holy King : This , this , I say , would be a blessed thing : When all the world might ioy to heare and see How Poets , in such Poetry agree . For who can make an Ape to leaue his mowes , Although he call him twentie times an Ape ? And who can stop the cawing of the Crowes , Although he tell them of their carrion gape ? And if the collicke chance to breed a scape , But hold your nose the sent will quickly die : Then cry not foh ; but let the fih goe by . A Mastiffe dog will neuer make a Spaniell : Then let the Curre alone to shew his kinde . A horse-mans saddle is no market paniell . To wash a Moore is worke against the winde . Those blinking wits do show their wils too blind , That finding faultes so roughly fall vpon them , To think to mend them with their railing on them The deuill is a knaue , who knowes it not ? And who but God , can put downe all his power ? And how must God his gracious loue be got ? But all by prayer euery day and houre ; While teares of sorrow make a blessed showre : And humble faith doth but to mercy flie , In hearty prayer ; not in Poetry . Yet say I not , but Poets well may pray ; And praying Poets doe most sweetly sing . For proofe , of Dauid see what trueth may say ; A praying Poet , and a blessed King : Whose verses all did from such vertues spring , As left the loue of learned trueth to try , Howe prayer shewes the princely Poetry . Let vs all Poets then agree together , To run from hell , and fained Helicon ; And looke at heauen , and humbly hie vs thither , Where Graces shall be let in , euery one , To sing a part in Glories vnion ; And there to settle all our soules desire , To heare the musicke of that heauenly Quire . Let Ouid , with Narcissus idle tale , Weare out his wits with figuratiue fables . Old idle Histories grow to be so stale , That clownes almost haue bard them from their tables , And Phoebus , with his horses , and his stables : Leaue them to babies : make a better choise Of sweeter matter for the soules reioyce . Who toucheth pitch and tarre cannot be cleane ▪ A wilfull wit doth worke it selfe much woe . In euery course t is good to keepe a meane : And being well , to liue contented so . The softest walkers doe most safely goe . Hast maketh wast : and wits that run astray , Make had I wist , to make fooles holy-day . Be quiet then , I say ; be quiet , Wagges : And haue no more with nothing worth to doe : While other angle for the golden bagges , We seeke out toies , to set our wits vnto : But let vs leaue the Cobbler to his shooe . And let the foole , himselfe with folly flatter : And bend our studies vnto better matter . No : this is not a world for simple wits , That can not looke a mile aboue the Moone : Nor roste their sparrowes but on wodden spits : Nor make a morning of an after-noone : Nor watch a blessing when there fals a Boone : No , no : it is no world for weake conceit . The Deuil is too cunning in deceit . A silly honest creature may do well , To watch a cockeshoote or a limed bush : For many a Scholler happly learnes to spell , That can not put together worth a rush ; Yet let a Poet at such humors hush : His will should be about some other worke , Then where the Adder in the grasse doth lurke . And since my selfe haue marched in that ranke , Where Mercury commanded Pallas Traine , And spent my spirits in my thoughts , as franke As he that thought he had a better vaine : I must confesse , what idle humours gaine ; A frumpe , a frowne , a foyle , or els a feare : When wil doth write that reason cannot beare , No , truely no : this world is not for me , I will no longer be fantasticall ; But winke at folly , when the foole I see : That in his gesture is so finicall , As if his spirit were Poeticall : And thinke it better weare my wits at Schoole , Then spoyle my wits in painting of a foole . Vpon the painted cloth , the Nightingale Did bid me heare , and see , and say the best ▪ The sea Mew sayes it is a cruel gale , That driues the Swallow cleane out of her nest . Why , simple noses now can bide no iest : And Poets , that are open in Inuectiues , Doe often fall vpon too much defectiues , Beleeue me brother , t is as thou doest write ; Poets should wright by heauenly inspiration ; But he that is possessed with despight , Shewes but a wicked kinde of instigation ; To thinke by scoffes to make a reformation , No , let vs all goe backe to vertues Schooles , And let the world alone to bring vp fooles . I haue bene vaine as any man aliue : But would be vertuous now , if I knew how : And euery day , and houre , and minute striue My wicked heart to better grace to bow . Then let me say , as to my selfe , to you ; Let vs leaue all our idle imperfections , And study vertue , for our liues directions : Let vs serue God , in word , and deed , and thought ▪ And by our silence make our quarrels cease : And learne those lessons that true loue hath taught , Where concord doth a blessed world encrease , And speake of Peace , or let vs hold our peace . For words , or deeds , or thoughts of strife are euill , And are but instigations of the Deuill , It is a shame to shun the way of Grace , And runour wits a gathering after wool ; And finde the haire so course in euery place , As makes a wood-cocke proue himselfe a Gull , That hath no better braines within his scull , Then to bestow his time in idle trifles , With penning notes to fil the world with nifles . For God sake let vs then our follies leaue , And not lay open-one anothers ill ; But in our conscience learne for to conceiue , How heedlesse wit may be abus'd by will , And haue a care so well to vse our skill , We may be loued for our learned lines , Where gracious spirits Poets make Diuines . And for my selfe , I meane the Ice to breake , Vnto the passage of that Paradice ; Where rauisht Grace may of that Glory speake , Where mercy liues , and comfort neuer dyes , And the best praise of any Poet lies : Or at the least if any went before , Follow that line , and loue the world no more . What right bred wits , will haue to doe with blind men , Especially blind beggers and their boyes ? They that haue iudgement , how indeed to find men Wil think such younkers but hobberdie-hoyes , That ply their wits vnto such paltrie toyes : Or els to shew that he hath learn'd in part , To rob the blindeman of his beggers art . If it be so , and meane to keepe a Schoole To bring vp boyes vnto the beggers crafte , To take a thresholde , for his cushen-stoole , To knaue a crust , and drinke a sorry draft , Let him goe sleepe when he hath soundly quaft , And shrugge himselfe vnder some sorry tree , And , 'mong the beggers , master begger be . But then me thinkes he should set out his table ▪ All ye that seeke to haue your children taught , To play the begger how he may be able , When that his eye-sight groweth old , or naught : Aske for the man that hath the Cony caught , And dwelleth , where the matter is not great : And you shall haue them boorded without meate . But t is no matter : men that haue a name , Neede make no table ; they are knowen so well . And the blinde Begger hath so great a fame , As of his trickes can euery high-way tell . And since for begging he doth beare the bell , Let him keepe Schoole ; and learne of him that will : The stocks wil kindly fit him for his skill . But for I doubt , some men of good profession , Will take exceptions at my table-writing : To honest mindes I make my hearts confession ; My soule is free from vertuous spirits spighting : Not one of them is in my thoughts endighting ▪ I rather wish , God blesse them and their Arts , And let the blindmen play the Beggers parts . For all good Poets will cry out vpon him , That falles to blindenes and to beggery : And in his wits , be so farre woe-begon him , That in an humour , of base trumpery , The world may see , in idle foolery , A Ballad-maker would haue bene a Poet : But hat he knew not in what point to shew it . Thus will the world be descanting on writers , When they shall read their ouer-rude descriptions , And say that spirits which are growen such spighters Shuld better learned be in loues prescriptions ; Then goe about so with their circumscriptions : That wits of worth , that know their foolery , Doe call it Pot-rie , and not Poetrie . And what haue we to doe with pilgrimage , To walke bare witted to S. Dunces well ? A Grammer Scholer but of ten yeeres age , That scarse hath learn'd his Latine lines to spell , Will soone by heart , a better story tell : And say , such Poets as their wits so tosse , Make all their walkes by little witttam crosse . For let the world imagine what it list , And idle wits deceiue themselues with toyes : Those hammering heads that breed but Had I wist , Are all to farre from those assured ioyes , Where heauenly comfort kils al earths annoyes . No , no : t is onely Vnitie and Peace , That makes all blessings prosper and encrease . Oh Poets , turne the humour of your braines , Vnto some heauenly Muse , or meditation ; And let your spirits there imploy your paines , Where neuer weary , needs no recreation , While God doth blesse each gracious cogitation , For proud comparisons are alwayes odious : But humble Muses musicke is melodious . Then learne to sing , and leaue to learne to braule ▪ It is vnfitting to a fine conceit , From vertues care , to vaine effects to fall , Where carelesse words doe carry little weight , While fancie angles but with follies baite : Which , hanging but a Gudgin on the hooke , May sigh to see , what idle paines he tooke . No , no : let fancie weane her selfe from folly ; And heauenly prayers grace our Poetrie . Let vs not loue the thought that is not holy , Nor bend our mindes to blinde mens beggerie : But let vs thinke it our soules misery , That all our Muses doe not ioyne in one , To make a Quire to sing to God alone . Eor could our spirits all agree together , In the true ground of vertues humble grace , To sing of heauen , and of the high-way thither , And of the ioyes in that most ioyfull place , Where Angels armes the blessed soules embrace ; Then God himselfe would blesse our soules enditing , And al the world would loue a Poets writing . FINIS .