Olde mad-cappes new gally-mawfrey Made into a merrie messe of minglemangle, out of these three idle-conceited humours following. 1 I will not. 2 Oh, the merrie time. 3 Out vpon money.

OLD MAD-CAPS new Gally-mawfrey .

1. Mad-caps I will not . MY wretched thoughts , ye wretched thoughts of mine , How shall my soule your secret essence see , That thus with passions makes my hart to pine , With sorrowes force , too forcible for me ! But let me tell ye , whatsoe're ye be , I will haue helpe for all mine Agony , And tread vpon ye in your Tyranny . I will not care for Beauties clearest light , But shut mine eyes at such an idle looke , Nor Midas treasure shall bewitch my sight : I will not be with Gold , for God mistooke , This worlds best wisdome is a wicked booke , Whose greatest blisse shal neuer come aboord me , Nor will I care , for what it can affoord me . Youth , I will hold a posting kind of time , Age , when it comes , a care that will not tary , Honor , too high for quiet hearts to clime , Loue , but a bond of them that liue to marry , Power but a charge for conscience to carry , Time , but a course that neuer can be stayd , And Death , a Bug-beare to make fooles afrayd . What can I wish for may be worth my wishing , But I were ( almost ) better be without it ? What can I fish for may be worth my fishing , When I haue lost both hooke and line about it ? If ought auayle I greatly doubt it : What should I worke for , when in fine I know , My selfe and all , vnto the graue must goe ? No , no , my thoughts , content your selues awhile ; I know too well the tricks of all your trust : Ye shall no more my beaten brayne beguile , With seeking Diamonds in the Sea-coale dust , The Canker take the treasure that will rust . I haue no mind to any of your toyes , That , in Trueths iudgements , are mistaken ioyes . I will not learne to tell a shamefull lye , Because the Deuill is their damned Sire . I will not vse my tongue to blasphemy , For feare my soule doe find it in hell fire : I will no place of wicked pride aspire , For feare when I am at the height of all , A slipping foote doe breed a break-neck fall . I will not weare a Nose-gay in my hat , A picktooth in my mouth , flowres in mine eare , Nor hunt the Otter , nor the water-Rat , Nor haue an Ape sit nitting of my heare , Nor runne betwixt the Beareward and the Beare , The Bull-dogge , Ban-dogge , nor the Puppits play : None of these thoughts shall throw my wittes away . Nor will I learne to cogge and foyst a Dye , Nor pull all day at a Primero Card : Nor see a Cocke , to strike his spurre awry . From all these thoughts I am by reason bar'd . To follow play , I find the time too hard . No , let me sit alone and keepe my stake , While winners laugh , and losers hearts do ake . I take no pleasure in your sweete perfumes . The open ayre is healthfull vnto Nature , Which liueth long , while stuffed sence consumes Both mind and body into many a creature : Nor doe I loue a forced colour'd feature , But playne and pure milke-white and Cherry-red : These are the colours that are best in bed . I loue no leere , nor winke , nor wily looke , But straight fore-right , a penny in my face : I loue to read in no vngodly booke , For feare instruction breed me but disgrace : I loue to plead in no vnhonest case : No , no , the world such wickednesse doth breede , I know not ( almost ) what to loue indeede . What doe I care to see a Swasher swagger , With frounst Mustachios , and a staring eye ? Alas the day , I neuer saw a bragger , But hardly scapes the Begger e're he dye , If that the Hang-man put not out his eye . No , no , I loue the ciuill kinde of iesture , Right on and plaine , both in my looke and vesture . What care I at a Countrey Wake to see A Fidler fumble on a wicked note ? Or in a play , what can it pleasure mee , To seeking Pippin in a paynted coate , Or heare a fellow tell a tale by roate , Or see a boy to play a wenches part ? I cannot laugh at such an idle Arte. What if I chaunce to see a wench so paynted , That not a Plastrer in the towne can mend it ? And if perhaps , her tutch withall be taynted , Let them that be her secret friends , defend it : I neither will defend it , nor offend it : No , let her goe along with her disgrace , I loue not her that weares not her owne face . And if I see a Miser munching Chuffe Furd with a forest round about his face , Clinging his clunsh-fist in a Calueskin cuffe , And lace his Ierkin with a letherne lace , Within a Church , to take a Chauncels place ; Let him goe sleep out all the Sermon while , What doe I care for such a Iohn a stile ? And if I see a crue of cunning knaues , Laying of plots to coozen single wittes , Let them alone , and come not neere the slaues , They wil be met with one day for their fits , When that the Hangman by the halter sits . Let them not touch my pocket , nor my purse , And , let them hang , I neuer wish them worse . What if I meet with Mistris Fiddle-strings , That maketh twenty faces in a day ? I will not meddle with her Aperne strings : My dare is out for plucking flowres in May , Such idle humours I must throw away , And say vnto my selfe , but what I see , Such prick me dainties are to proud for me . And if I meet a finicall fine youth , That weares his best clothes on a worky day , And makes a legge with yea forsooth , in truth , And learnes to lispe and looke the tother way , And knowes not well vpon what ground to stay : Alas poore fellow let the foole alone : What should I care for eyther Iohn or Ione ? And if I meet a Mistris wide-mouth'd Malkes , And see her slauer like a filthy slut , And marke her when with Iohn a Nods she walkes Into the wood , to learne to crack a Nut , I will not teach a Sparrow to keepe Cut. Let them goe tumble till their bones be weary : Why should I trouble them when they are merry ? Away with all vnprofitable humours , Your huffe and snuffe , and swagger , sweare and swill , The fruites whereof are but vngracious rumours , That hatefull wit condemnes of heedlesse will , Which hunteth after nothing else but ill . Fye , fye vpon them all , I care not for them , And blest are they , that in their hearts abhorre them . What , shall a blessed beautious virgins face Beget a wicked humour in mine eye ? Shall Reason so much runne into disgrace , As so to yeelde to Natures villany ? If she be faire , must I be foule thereby ? No , no , my thoughts , I 'le quickly turne the case , I 'le haue as fayre a soule , as she a face . Come not to me with an odde coyned Iest , Or prittle prattle of a puddings skinne : For Iests are stale , and Iesters at the best , Vnto the beggars are too neere a kinne , And idle prates I haue no pleasure in : Tell me of somewhat that may doe me good , And neuer hide your heads within my hood . Speake you of Newes ? t is oddes they be not true ; And if they be , pray God they be not ill : But good or ill , if that they be too newe , I pray you in your silence keepe them still . For too much speach doth prooue to little skill : But for all newes , vntil the truth be knowne , Rather heare twenty , then report of one . Is there a wench within your idle walke ? Well , let her walke , I will not heare of her : I doe not like of such ill humour'd talke : I can your silence to such talke preferre : And my Conceit to better cares referre . Mine eyes grow dimme , eares deafe , and sences dull , I care not for a sheepe without her wooll . Tell not me of a horse , nor of a hound , The Iades will kicke , and Dogs wil sizzle all : Nor tell me of a song , nor of a ground , I haue no humour to bee musicall ; Nor tell me of a vaine Poeticall : Verses are growne so common & so course , They bring but small reuennue to the purse . Tell me not of a coate of cloth of gold , Or silke and siluer , pearle and precious stone , T is ten to one the fashion will not hold , Besides , a Prince should by such robes be knowne : And though the world to a mad passe be growne , I will content me with good home-made cloth , That hath no harme , but onely by the moth . Tell not me of a dainty dish of meate , When poyson may be stolne into the broth , Nor in my Napry how to be too neate , I can content me with cleane lynnen cloth , And take my drinke , and blow away the froth , Looke in my purse to answere my expence , And make a vertue of experience . Tell not me of a pleasant cup of Wine , And Suger to it : what is that to me ? That drinking smack shal touch no tongue of mine . Wine , Beere or Ale , I care not which it be : I loue the dyet that fits my degree : If it wil wet , and coole and quench my thirst , I care not who be last , so I be first . It may be , yee will thinke I loue a pie Of spice and plummes , but truly t is not so , My diet stands not vpon Spicerie . To Beefe and Mutton can good stomacks go . Hunger is the best sauce that I do knowe . T is good for yong fine wiues that be a lust , To long for plummes , and pies , and pasticrust . A Tit-mouce rosted , and a Sparrowe stewde , Is meate for such as eate for fashion sake . And Beere or Ale , of running water brewde , Is good for them that feare the belly-ake , And crustie bread , or a hard Bisket cake , These are trimme victuals for some stomacks feeding , But such fine diet is not for my breeding . Tell me not of a fine and daynty booke , A Spanish slipper , or an Irish spurre : Giue me a shooe that well may fit my foot , I care not for a buskin made of furre , T is good for those that euer feare the murre : Giue me a shooe or boote to keepe me dry , I care for no fantasticke foolery . Tell not me of a new-found peece of stuffe , That scarce will last a minute of an houre , Nor of a strange conceited Muffe nor Ruffe , That may be seeme a Swashers Paramoure . I do not care to sit in Venus boure . Cost is but lost that is so ill bestowd , And had I wist , is but a foole beshrowd . Bid mee not keepe my money in my purse , And pay no debts , let beggers lye and starue : I doe not meane to get my selfe a curse , With scraping for that may the present serue : I will not so from honest reason swarue : Let carelesse mindes their conscience forget , I thinke it is a hell to be in debt . Yet will I neuer count of coyne but drosse , And wish it but for necessary vse , To answere fortune in a froward crosse , And to auoyd the cunning of excuse , When lacke of faith might fall into abuse : For in respect of Loue , I care not for it : And as for Auarice , I doe abhorre it ,

2. Mad-caps Oh the merrie time . OH where is now that goodly golden time , When gold was counted but a needfull drosse , And Reason sought but by desert to clime , While few or none that feared gayne or losse , When patience bare the brunt of euery crosse , And no man lou'd his neighbour to an end , But once and euer , say and hold a friend : When one might haue a hundred egges a groate , And for three halfepence , halfe a strike of Rye , And for a shilling make himselfe a coate , To keepe him warme , & many a Winter dry : And for a farthing , a good pudding pie , A good olde drawing Iade for halfe a crowne , And forty pence the best Cow in a towne : When youth would serue for meat & drinke and cloth , And weare their best clothes but on Holydayes : And in a yeere you should not heare an othe : When Tut and stoole-ball were the Summer playes , And buffets made no sword and buckler frayes . No puntos nor stoccados were not knowne , When Iohn had nought to doe but with his Ione . When fine maid Marian in a Moris daunce , Could bride it like a millers ambling Mare , And euery blew-cote by his Cognisance , Made all the Countrey know whose cloth hee ware ? And euery Farmer kept good houshold fare , And not a rich man would a begger rate , But he would giue him almes at his gate : When pride did teach no Princocks to goe gay , Nor Pricke me daintie , picke her fingers ends , Nor lust could take the virgines loue away , Nor heedelesse wits were carelesse of their friends , Nor blessed spirits fear'd accursed fiends . But honest wits so neere to wisedome came , That nothing almost could be out of frame : When Mistris Fubs that Fiddle faddle fusse , No colours knew to mend her coorse complexion , Nor Prancking Parnel like an idle pusse , Could gull a Nimph with an imperfection , But euerie Schole-boy knowes his Interiection , And had by heart a better part of speech , Then make a full point only in a Breech : When swearing Swopskin could not swash it so , But euerie Mule could point him for an Asse , Nor munching Miser could so closely goe , But men could note him for an Owliglasse , And make him hatefull wheresoe're he was . And not a whore , but is so woe begone her , That all the Countrie would crie out vpon her : When faith and truth was found in yea and nay , And words of wisedome had their worthy weight , When Sunne-shine beames did make the blessed day , And euerie stalke did beare her flower full streight , And such as saw them , ioy'd to see their height , And euerie Bird was bush't within the spring , When all were husht , when Philomen did sing : When all the day , the Connies kept their burrowes , And not a Lambe was troubled with a worme : The fearefull Hare was squat amid the furrowes , Till feare or hunger made her leaue her forme , And season'd Shepheards neuer fear'd a storme : And youth and beauty liu'd like Turtle Dones , When age would not be angry at their loues : When Nymphs and Muses sweetly kept the woods , And olde Hob-goblin kept within the caues : The Farmer sought not for his neighbours goods . But Sam and Simkin were the merry slaues , That danced Trenchmoore on their graundsirs graues : And Su and Sib would trip it on the toe , As if they knew not on what ground to goe : When curds and creame were such a dainty dish , As made the Louers licke their lips for ioy : And youth as mery as their hearts could wish , When Cupid was so kinde a hearted boy , As neuer wrought a blessed thought annoy , But gracious Spirits were so well agreed , That truth was faire on euery face to reed : When Ale , and Beere was once olde English wine , And Beefe , and Mutton was good Countrie cheere , And bread and cheese would make the Miller dine : When that an honest neighbour might come neere , And welcome : Hoh maide , fill a pot of Beere , And drinke it soundly in a woodden dish , When wagges were merrie as their harts could wish : When not a Pedler walk't without his packe , And not a Tinker , but did sound his panne , And euerie Trades-man , by What do you lacke ? And euery Tapster , by his woodden canne : And by his dealing euerie honest man : And euerie wife , was by her husband knowne , And then it was a blessed world alone . When Susan Sowre-face , that would sit and powt , For all the parish , was a pointing stocke : And Lazy Lobkin , like an idle lowte , Was made no better then a washing blocke : While the good husbands , that maintaynde the stock , And laide vp closely for a raynie day , Were they , that kindly bare the bell away : When no man kept a dogge but for an vse , The Mastife chiefly , for to hunt a hogge , The Hound to hunt the Hare out of her mewse , And for a piece , a fetching water-dogge , Or for to beate a Foule out of a bogge . A Horse to beare as easie as a cradle , And not to kicke , nor fling out of the saddle : When maidens wink 't to see a Hen a tredding , And carefull Widdowes caried honest mindes , And Brides would blush to heare but of their bedding , And humours would not alter with the windes , But loue was it , that faith for euer bindes , And pitch , and pay , and take , and trie , and trust : When hearts were hatefull that were found vniust : The word of connicatching was not heard , The practise was so seld or ne're in vse , And vertues grace , was chiefly in regard , When iustice gaue redresse for all abuse , While care of conscience suffered no excuse . But iudgement cut off wicked wilfulnesse , Or mercy wrought repentance happinesse : Then honest husbands had the merrie liues , That saw their children well brought vp at schoole , And ioy in heart to see their honest wiues , Seldome or neuer , from their spinning stoole , When none was idle , but was held a foole . And he , nor she , could iustly be offended , When all amisse could quickly be amended : When vsurers were counted but as Iewes , And Parasites did goe in painted coates , And whores and drabs were kept but in the slewes , And Cuckowes might be sounded by their notes : While Farmers mixt no Rie among their Otes , But euerie Eare could shew what corne was sowne , And euerie wife was by her husband knowne : When Huswiues lou'd to talke of home-made cloth , The fine euen threed , and of the kindly whiting , And how to kill the canker and the Moth , And of my childrens reading and their writing , And of mine Vncles eldest sonnes inditing , As well in prose , as pleasing Countrie-rime , And chat , and worke , for feare of losing time : When men would meet on Sundayes at the Church , With true deuotion , not for fashion sake : When cunning wit would giue no foole the lurch , But in each cause , a kinde of conscience make , And with indifferent hand both giue and take : While all things were so common among friends , That good beginnings made as blessed ends : When maidens sate and neately milkt their Cowes , And Lambs and Rabbits skipped vp and downe : And little children marched with their bowghes In a May morning to a market towne : And Batchelers gaue wenches a greene gowne : And smouching yonkers gaue the gyrle a kisse , When all was wel , where nothing was amisse : When Cake and Pudding was no simple feast , And dealt about in bittes like holy bread , And ripe yong Rooks were taken in the neast , While Ruth and Rachel did the Rye loafe knead : When Kit would smile to see cocke Sparrowes tread , And Pipe and Taber made as merry glee , As at a May-pole one would wish to see : When Bride-cups with their dainty gay Bride-laces , The Bachelers with such a grace would carry , And maidens follow with such mincing faces , As would allure a man halfe madde to marry : And not a wagge nor wench without Rosemary , A Nose-gay , Napkin ▪ and a paire of Gloues , These were the orders of the ancient loues : When the olde folkes went mannerly before , And the young people kindely followed after , The parents held the bason at the dore , T 'one for my sonne , the other for my daughter : When all the Churchyard might beful of laughter , And seruice done , the youth on euery side , Would runne to meet the Bridegroome with the Bride . When going home , in order as they went , The Fidlers played before them all the way : And not a maide that had her aperne rent , Her face cleane washt , and had not a cleane stay , Her shooes well blackt , was held a slut that day . When plummes and pies would fill the belly full , And nappy ale made many an addle skull : When many a Lad would lift the leaden heele , And daunce vntill he swet , and dropt againe , And winde his wench about him like an Eele , and tosse and turne her like a lustie swaine , While harmeles hearts were in a merrie vaine : And then a posset , and a spiced cup , And so good-night , to make the matter vp : When sheepes-eies winking first began the wooing , And hearts and hands did set on faith and troth , And then the matter was not long a dooing , When it was needelesse to deuise an oth , And for apparrell , good plaine home-made cloth . Shee in her haire , and he in that he had , Thus was the Lasse contented with the Lad. He had his fathers harrowe , and his plowe , A yong gray Fillie , and a curtold Mare , Shee had her Mothers blessing and a Cow , A milke-paile , and some woodden dayrie-ware , A slitch of Bacon for good houshold fare . He had a Cottage and a faire backe-side : And so did liue the Bridegrome and his Bride : When scarce they had beene maried fifteene houres , But he would to his worke , she to her wheele , And then looke what 's my neighbours , what is ours , And carde , and spinne , and wind vpon the reele , And mixe the Iron kindly with the steele , And keepe some corne to fill the emptie sacke , For feare the begger catch them by the backe : Worke all the weeke for a good Sundayes dinner , And then as merrie as the day was long , When they might well afford their drinke the thinner , If that the meate did make the porridge strong , And all was right , where nothing did go wrong . But Sim and Sib so louingly agreed , That then it was a louing world indeed . When hunger was the sauce for euerie meate , While early rising did good stomacks make , And labour was the bath to make men sweate , One with a forke , another with a rake : When Tom would worke a vie for Susans sake . And he that sung and whistled at the cart , With hay , and ho , did beare the merrie heart : When honest mindes would neuer beat their braines To fetch out wordes a mile aboue the Moone : Nor frame their Wittes to loose a worlde of paines , To make a morning of an after noone : Nor wayte too long , nor yet to wish too soone : But worke their Willes and Wittes togither so , As met the winde where euer it could blow . Strange Wordes were Riddles vnto simple eares , New Fashions , Follies vnto Wisedomes eyes : And faythfull hartes , were voyde of idle feares , While true Plaine meaning sought no Pollicies : For till the Poets Figures did deuise To make men studie till their braines were mad , Trueth was much more in estimation had . Oh when mens Hartes lay bare vpon their Brestes , While Wordes and Deedes were all one in effect . And wicked Humours were not turn'de to Iestes , When Honor had to simple Trueth respect , And Wisedome would vngratious thoughtes reiect , And Loue was loue for Loue , and not for Gaine , Then was the Worlde in a true Golden vaine . Then was not borne that wicked Machauile , Whose Rules haue metaphormol'de many a minde . Nor Trueth would stande to study out a stile That were too high for honest wittes to finde . Nor Cunning trickes , the Carefull eye would blinde : But when the toung did speak , the hart would prooue Trueth was the substaunce of the speech of Looue . Then was ( in deede ) that true Nobilitie , That had respect to nothing but it selfe : When no infection in Gentilitie Could gull the minde with greedines of pelfe : Nor suffer Cupid play the peeuish elfe , Nor Venus pride , to match with Vulcans Croome , Nor wicked Midas steppe in Mars his roome . Then , was the Sheepe knowen easely by his brand , Cow by her lowe : and by his barke the Dogge : The neighbour iustly measur'de out his land , And helpt to pull his Horse out of the bogge : No Titles tride about a Timber-logge , But rather loose it , then to goe to Law , To spende a Sheafe of Corne about a Straw . And then was Law the onely rule of Loue , Where many hartes agreed all in one : And carefull Conscience did in Concord proue The blessed life of such an vnion : When Grace with Pride could not be ouergon , But humble , milde , and modest smiling eyes , Made the Worlde seeme a kinde of Paradise . But some will say , All those good dayes are past : Well , let them goe ; as good may come againe : Time goes apace : but runne hee nere so fast , He may be ouertaken in the plaine . Such as haue Golde , are in the golden vaine , While that the poore must champe vpon the bit , And Fooles must fret , because they haue no wit . Hee that hath Money , may do many thinges , Yet all , as good as nothing , in the ende . And he that wantes , knowes what the spirit wringes , That goes to heau'ne , to seeke to finde a friende , While all in vaine , doth hee his spirit spende , That thinkes on Earth is any daintie hony , But that which Arte distilleth out of mony .

3 MAD-CAPS Out vpon Money . OH Money , Money , t is a Monarch such , As makes men know not what themselues may bee : It makes the churle his neighbors good to grutch And felles the Plant before it be a Tree . And makes the Miller through a Mil-stone see More cunning , towling in a Strike of Rie , Then can be found out by the Farmers eie . It makes a Wench as tawnie as a Moore , To seeme as faire , as shee were red and whighte . It makes a Rich men make him selfe as poore As hee that were not scarcely worth a Mighte : It makes a Cowarde quarrell with a Knight : Yea , and sometime , to giue him such a blow , As all his strength doth wholly ouerthrow . It makes a Rascall in his rogish pride , To thrust his Nose at tandom in the winde : And bringes a Groome a wooing to a Bride , That scarce would wish to let him looke behinde , Nor take a Trencher , till her Dogge had dinde : And yet that Subiect of all thoughts disgrace , Shall put a handsome Stripling out of place . Why ? Money puts a Foole into some Wit , And makes a Wise man wary of his will : And puts on Roast-meate on the Beggers Spit : And makes a Bungler learne a better skill , Then take a Trade , and liue by losses still . Why , Money such a power in Mallice beares , As sets a Worlde togither by the eares . But , what of this ? Be Money what it can , T is but a kinde of purified drosse : The ouerthrow of many an honest Man , That hath not patience to endure a Crosse , While one mans game , doth breed an others losse : And therefore let them loue it that haue store , I would but haue to vse it , and no more . Is there no God , but Golde ? nor good , but gaine ? All Siluer Sainctes ; that must high worship haue ? Is there no Grace , but in the Golden vaine ? Where , either be a King , or be a Slaue ? No , t is for Fooles , which Fortune so to shaue : T is Vertue onely bringes the truest wealth , Though Money may do well , to maintaine health . What reason is there Beautie should haue blame , For getting Money out of Follies handes ? Or why should Money haue so ill a name , To lappe a Spend-thrift in vnthriftie bandes ? Why , Money is a Monarch ouer landes , And must be sued too , when a Man doth lacke , Or els perhaps be put into a Sacke . Alas poore Money , how hee is misus'de : And yet I see not who can be without him : I neuer came yet where hee was refus'de , But Cappe and Curtsey , all that came about him : And hee that wantes him , all the world wil flout him : And though some haply finde him idle talke , Yet if hee haue no Money , hee must walke . Yet be it fit for neuer so good vses , Heede must be taken in the getting of it : For , against Law , there can be no excuses , When Iustice doth in sacred Iudgement sit , And knowes what is for all offences fit : And therefore better t is for to abhorre it , Then come before a Iudge to answeare for it . No , let no minde that meanes to liue at rest , Goe further for his good , then Law will guide him : But , in the meane , to thinke that musique best , That doth not let too high straines ouer-stride him , Least true Musitians happen to deride him : Vpon ynough , it is ynough to looke , And what is more , is quite beside the booke . Profite doth well , but Honestie is better : But , both doth well , and parted much amisse : Each sence is not according to the letter , The trueth in deede in the construction is , Where Wit may finde , that Will not walke amisse , In the true iudgement of Discretions eyes , A man may be both wealthy , kinde , and wise . But , since it is so hard a thing to doo , To gather Wealth with perfect Honestie : It is to strange a thing to come vntoo , With men of onely Worldes capacitie : Let me but labour for Necessitie , Feede , cloathe , and keepe the Begger from the dore , Pay that I owe , and I desire no more . For , let the Greedy-minde gape after Pelfe , Hee may be choaked when his throat is null : The Shippe may tunne vnhapply on a Shelfe , That little doubted , when it lay at hull : What is the Sheepe that neuer lost his Wooll ? Or what is hee , that must not leaue his Golde , How deere soeuer hee his Treasure holde ? Vngodly Drosse , why should it so be witch The mindes of men , to take away their mindes , As in too many that are too too rich ? Where Catching-spirites Auarice so blindes , As in their Bagges , their begger comfort bindes : Oh hatefull Coyne , that can inuent such euill , As so from God , to sende men to the Deuill . But yet I thinke , I haue my selfe mistaken , T is but the vse , that makes it good or ill : In an ill sence it ought to be forsaken ; But in a good , it helpes a forward will : Then as I sayd , it is a blessed skill , So to conceiue , perceiue , to take and vse it , That Wit may haue no Reason to refuse it . For he that lookes vpon a World of Wealth , May hap be Subiect to this bagidge drosse : And when he thinkes on that vngodly stealth , That makes a gaine of many a thousandes losse : It may be to his Comfort such a Crosse , That he would wish for Iob his pouertie , Rather then Diues superfluitie . But let each Conscience commune with it selfe , And put off Passions with Discretions care : I leaue the Scraper to his scratching pelfe , And , wish the honest wealthy all wellfare : And , to my selfe but an indifferent share , That when Good fortunes lots doe kindly fall , I might haue some , although my some be small . But Wishers , Wise-men say , are idle woulders , And wish and would , is worth but little ware : And they , that are no better knowne housholders , Doe oft at dinner , keepe their Table bare , Where emptie dishes giue but hungry fate : And therefore let them wish for Wealth that list , I 'le play the foole no more with Had-I-wist . What I can get , or keepe , or kindly saue , That 's vp with fiue ; well got , and well spent : A little Spade will make a Great mans Graue : And , hee liues happie , that can die content : And , hee accursed , that is passion rent With griefe , and feare to loose their comfortes heere , And lacke the Ioyes that to the soule are deere . But , let it goe ; for t is a perlous thing For many a man almost to meddle withall : It makes some daunce within a wicked Ring , When that the Theefe doth from the Gallows fall , And doth the Wittes of many a minde enstall : So that in fine , since such it is I see , Let them that list , gape after Golde for mee . And seeke the treasure of the Spirites wealth , Where no Corruption enters with Infection : But Holy-loue maintaines the truest health , And keepes the Sences in their best perfection : While - Fayth is fed , but with the Soules affection : And in that Treasure to repose my trust , Which can not fayle , not with the Canker rust . FINIS .