The anatomie of baseness. Or the foure quarters of a knaue flatterie, ingratitude, enuie, detraction.

THE ANATOMIE Of BASENESSE . Or The foure quarters of a Knaue ; Flatterie , Ingratitude , Enuie , Detraction .

He that hath these foure parts , neede no more haue To be recorded for a complete Knaue .

Imprinted at London for Richard Redmer , and are to be sold at the West dare of Paules at the signe of the Starre . 1615.

TO THE TRVELY enobled both by Vertue and birth , Sir ROBERT SYDNEY Knight of the BATH : I. A. wisheth the reward of his Vertue , honour in this world , Glorie in the next . Honourable Sir :

TO immitate the common methode of Epistolizers in this kinde , were rather to write of you , then to you , which course though I affect not , J cannot altogether neglect , though I shall thereby either wrong you , or my selfe ; for in publishing ( though sparingly ) my knowledge of your worth to the world , such , to whom you are vnknowne will so much iniure mee , as to taxe me with ( what I condemne in others ) flatterie ; whereas some ( to whom you are no stranger ) will censure mee as much on the contrary to haue dealt with you rather , according to the pouertie of my abilitie , then to the fulnesse of your merite .

Jt will peraduenture seeme strange vnto you ( if this poore worke chance to come to your view ) what assurance of your good acceptance begot such presumption in me as to dedicate the same vnto you . J must first answere , I haue not done it mercenarily ; for then I would haue presented it to your hand : nor vaine-gloriously ; for then I would either haue craued your allowance , or subscribed my name ; but freely and honestly out of that respect which I owe to that innate Goodnesse which I know to be in you . Though I forbeare ( out of some respects ) to haue my name published ; yet I can acknowledge the Booke to be mine without blushing . If it bee ( by anie ) ill digested , the fault must be in the taker not in the Author : it was written with a right hand , and I wish it may not bee sinisterly intertained by any ; but if som wil needs be so forward , the care is taken . In you I am made so confident by that ( I might iustly vse Honourable , Noble , Worthy , or some such high Epithete : but I will rather say ) Honest ( a poore phrase will some thinke ) and vertuous disposition which accompanies you , that I must account it may happinesse that I liue to knowe a second , whose brest Goodnesse makes her habitation ; yet pardon mee if I say , I enioy not this happinesse without some touch of griefe ; I shall not neede to implore your protection , though your pardon . I acknowledge I haue presumed , and know you can and will remit the errors of Affection in him that is ,

The wisher of your Honour , and honourer of your VERTVES J. A.

THE ANATOMY of Basenesse . OF THE FLATTERER . THey that compare the fawning Parisite vnto the Spaniel , do the curre much wrong ; for he will often heare his masters tongue , When in the field he follows his delight : Yet neuer quest ; but th' ecchoing Sicophant at euery word , by his weake fauourer spoken , cries good , 't is true , and this is held a token Of much respect and loue ; though from the haunt Of worth and merit , his base nature range as farre as falshood , from the strong built nest of Truth and Goodnesse , which in euery brest Should like two twinnes be nourisht ; but t is strange To see how this poore worthlesse humour liues , euen in those bosomes where good bloud and parts , haue their abiding , poisoning generous Arts With that , to which no language spoken giues An Epithete too bad : and to those men ( if I may tearme them so ) whose only words such sweetnesse to the flattered eare affoords , To yeeld a fitting title by my pen : I am as much vnable , as vnapt to imitate their basenesse ; which indeede had I not chanc't t' haue heard , into my Creede Could nere haue come , but it hath often happt To sownde within the compasse of my hearing , whereby mine eares as to the pillory , seem'd to be nailde in such grosse flattery ; Yet in their checkes no signe of shame appearing . It may seeme strange ( yet I dare say 't is true ) that I haue blusht to see their impudence , while they ( vn-man-like ) seem'd to haue no sence Of their owne basenes : of this thriuing crue . I haue observ'd both Sexes to be free ; too free in some respect , though in some kinde more bound then slaues , for our best part ( the minde ) Was chiefly giuen diuinest things to see : And not to be by ought that shares with vs , in the short course of our mortalitie so fetter'd , least vnhappily it be , Depriv'd of its best good in being thus . Haue I not heard one tell , the Crowe shee 's white , and Midas-like preferre the pipe of Pan before Appollo's harpe ? wherein this man ( Who thus from Art and Nature teares their right ) . Thus from the Phrygian differs , Midas weares ( as the reward and badge of ignorance ) th' eares of an Asse ; but 't is the others chance To thriue by clawing th' ignorant Asses eares . Haue I not heard some tell the prodigall , 't is for his honour to be bountifull : and with applause commend the humorous Gull In all his actions ? I haue seene them fall And kisse the feete of a great golden calfe ; whose very best of his admired worth was by a Taylor to the world brought forth , To whom his Honour ought his better halfe . Let a man chafe ( though no iust cause there be ) and then obsequious Apes will fret as fast , as had they seene a verier slaue t' haue past By , then themselues : or be your humour free And Iouially dispos'd , they 'le Ianus-like straite shew a cleerer face , where you may see the true proportion of hypocrisie Drawne to the life ; ( which loues as others like ) Many yeeres since the famous Chaucer writ , that , these same men which beare a double visage , are as meere monsters in good Natures linage ; And for good mens societie vnfit . Like your Camelions these will change their hew as you your colour , be it good or ill , change nere so oft , yet you shall finde them still , ( From what they were ) transforme as fast as you . Seeme to be most vnlike your selfe , or speake what you least thinke they ' le be , and speake like you ; tell them they 're Knaues they le smile and say so too ; Faine your selfe ill , they 'le sweare they finde you weake .

TO THE FLATTERED . FOnd Man , that suck'st the pleasing poyson in ( which from the Syrens vnsuspected tongue Is kindly offer'd to thine eare ) wherein are all the drugges and dregges of vildnesse wrung : Assure thy selfe ; if in thy bosome liue ought that deserues the name of worth , 't is knowne More then thy selfe , nor shalt thou neede to giue Fame a reward to haue thy mercy blowne : For 't is her care , the more she findes thee slow , or carelesse , whether thy desert shall be Knowne vnto any , but thy selfe , or no ; to sownd the louder : ( so to honour thee ) Thorough her golden Trumpet , ( good mens throats : ) Or if thine eare shall loue , and itch to heare Thine owne praise sung in smooth and pleasing notes , ( which makes true worth vnlike it selfe appeare ) She hath an other Trumpet blowne by those , whose mercenary tongues shall sownd thy praise ; But with a breath which blasteth as it blowes , and ruines that which it pretends to raise . For do but note , you shall perceiue their plots , are ( being once assur'd of you as friends ) To thrust their blankes amongst your high priz'd lots , so by your losse to compasse their owne ends . But selfe-conceipt so much corrupts your sence , that to your iudgement , onely that same man Seemes wise , and honest , and giues no offence that by this Art , can make a Goose a Swanne . If by the breath of these , you striue to raise your Reputation , your Ambition's weake ; You must resolue of such to buy your praise , not for the Trueth , but for reward they speake . If on the former ( who for Vertues sake honour that good is in you ) you relie , Their approbation shall haue power to make your glorie liue to all Posteritie . Doe not you thinke that man deserues much blame who findes his owne infirmitie , yet feedes Daily on that which nourisheth the same , And dangerously the braines corruption breeds ? Such is your case ( weake men and women ) for you like the meate because the sauce is sweete ; What bitter is ( though wholsome ) you abhorre , disabling that which iudgement holdeth meete . But Iudgement , is no iudgement , if it seeme to contradict your humour ; but the longer Y' are constant to this poorenesse , ( which you deeme worth in your selues ) your weaknes proues the stronger . Though to the palat pills distastfull be they to the health more beneficiall proue , Then things more pleasing to the sence ; we see cutting doth oft in curing much behoue : But you like Herod thinke , that he most loues you who cries , you speake more like a God then man , Beheading him that honestly reproues you , not caring though it be baptizing Iohn : Let a man seeme but cheerefully to sing Placebo to your words and actions , then You quite forget , neere honie lies a sting ; and that the diuell ( clarke-like ) sayth Amen : Where flatterers ( his Chaplaines ) reade the Masse whose superstition ( making you their Saint ) You doe allow as currantly to passe , for Truth , as Gospell ( which no tongue can taint . )

TO THE FLATTERER . THou that canst grieue because another smiles , and giue , to vndeseruing spirits , stiles Which thou dost filch from gen'rous noble minds ; because thy poore obsequious humour findes Cold intertainment there , tell me ; dost thinke that all are blinde that are content to winke ? Or that thy shamelesse flattery beguiles euery man that at thy glozing smiles ? Assure thy selfe thy thoughts deceiue thee much ; for many smile to see thy basenesse such : And such as thou think'st blind more truly see thy heart , then they that hugge thy flatterie ; And ( scorning by thy pitch to be defil'd , or by thy sweet tun'd lullabies beguil'd ) Doe loath to view thy vilde deformitie , which pleasing is to such as fauour thee . That euery man be master of his owne all men allow ; but it is lately growne To such a custome , ( first by thee brought in ) among th' Ambitious of this age of sinne , That to a man ( if I professe to loue him ) I must giue titles some degrees aboue him : Or else be tax'd with enuie or neglect , though my soule knowes , I giue more true respect Then you that id'ly light a torch at noone , and tell the Sun hee 's brighter then the Moone ; Which argues only that your humour is , still to be doing though you do amisse In guilding golde . This I obserued haue in some , whose age did homage to the graue , Whose words in prai'rs more fitly had been spent , and with deuotion on embassage sent To make their peace with heauen , then to obay that which would guide them by the broader way . If it be hatefull euen in younger yeeres to temporize and gloze , sure it appeares Monstrous in age , whose part it rather is to grieue for what in youth it did amisse ; Then in the last act of a life mis-led , To heape more blowes vpon a wounded head . Could I instruct , or might I but aduise ; I 'de teach , or wish you to become more wise : But 't will be thought preposterous in youth to tutor Age , though by the Word of Truth Such proofes as it doth bring approoued be : Therefore I leaue you to your humour free ; Wherin ( no doubt ) you 'le one day finde this true , You make your fav'rers fooles , they knaues of you . Too mild a stile , for that 's a tearme for men ; if so , too good for any flatterer then : What shall I call thee diuell , monster , beast ? if not all these , thou 'rt one of them at least Transform'd to th' shape of man ; nor seemes it strange if thy grand Master ( who himselfe can change Into an Angels likenesse ) make thee seeme , a Saint-like man in many mens esteeme ; Instructing thee vpon what vaine to worke , and where thou maiest the most securely lurke With best assurance , bids thee plie that minde where thou the weakest easinesse shalt finde : Such thou maiest puffe as Butchers do their meate , and with thy breath perswade them they 're as great As thou dost make them ; and aboue the rest , be sure ( my child ) thou suff'rest not a Iest , Bee 't nere so poore to passe without a Good , though by none else the same were vnderstood How to deserue applause ; and then thou hear'st amongst that Sect ( where gracious thou appear'st ) A tedious talker , sencelesly discourse ( till he dull others , and himselfe grow hoarse ) Let thy attention ( till his tongue ly'th still ) stare in his face , then let him finde thy skill . These be the rules , and many worse then these thou must obserue , if thou desir'st to please ; Thy Tutor sayth , whose helpe will nere deceiue thee , and to whose fauour wretched man I leaue thee .

OF THE INGRATEFVL . SOme haue compar'd ( and not improperly ) him that is tainted with this worst of ills vnto the Swine , who ( freely , daily ) fills His hungrie mawe euen to sacietie Vpon such Maste as from the fruitfull tree falls to the ground ; yet his deiected eye is fixed only where his food doth lie , And neuer rais'd the Giuers face to see . Guilty of this vnpardonable crime , where diuers kinds of these inhumane men , discoursed by th' industrious famous pen Or heathen Tully liuing in his time . The first Dissemblers were of fauours reap'd proportioning the same ( being more or lesse ) To the small measure of their thankfulnesse , Though a full hand on them the same had h●ap'd The next acknowledg'd freely that occasion , off'ring it selfe ( ioyn'd with abilitie ) to make requitall ( for each curtesie ) Seem'd deafe to opportunities perswasion . An other sort there was , whose shamelesse crauing would not admit deniall , but being made master of their desires could soone perswade Their tongues ( too basely ) to denie the hauing . The fourth and last ( and worst my Author writes ) were such as , what they had receiu'd , forgot . Vnthankfull he then that remembers not ; He that denies , dissembles , not requites . Let me adde one kinde more , which I conceiue worse then all these , who like the frozen snake , stings that same bosome , whence it warmth did take ; And would , what gaue it life , of life bereaue . Such there hath been my obseruation knowes , who ( from a poore , deiected miser state ) being rais'd ( by Great ones ) proued so ingrate , To bring their Raysers necke neere th' axes blowes . Should I demaund why such vnnumbred were among the former , some man might reply ; ( as vnto him who ask't the reason why , Among so many lawes , so strict , seuere , Made by the Romans , none was knowne to touch the childe , whose hand should guide the fatall knife ; to cut his throat who gaue his being life ) : Because that Tully thought there liv'd none such . But since the time perfidious Iudas dyed ( who at his end ( I feare ) bequeath'd his curse , to some that do in these daies beare the purse ) Such there haue been , such haue been Deifide . If your prosperity strike sayle , be sure These Kites , which stoop to you while you can feede them , come to an others fist ; and if you need them They soare aloofe , checke at your empty lure . Much like their Embleme which ( for the full payles ) followe the maide that beares them ; if she fall and spill the meate , to that they run , and all Respect of her that vs'd to feede them , failes . Or Cuckoe-like , they to your Summers sunne sing merrily ( though sucke your egges withall ) but when they finde your Summer faile , and fall Draw neere , they 're gone , and their harsh musicke done .

TO THE BOVNTIFVLL . IF on the waters you shall cast your bread it is not lost , but if your pearles you throw Vnto these swine , be sure the same they 'l tread vnder their feete ; good seed in good ground sowen , Beneficìa malè locata malefacta sunt . Fauours ill plac'd , are numbred with ill deeds ; for if that hand which liberally bestowes , ( Though it ( in giuing ) other mens exceedes ) not the true vse of Bountie rightly knowes , T were better be more sparing , for to giue is proper to all creatures in their kinde : The meanest thing which we can say doth liue , in some respect we beneficiall finde . But vnto man is only giuen the powre to limit Bounty , know when , how , on whom , Best to bestowe ; not like a heedlesse showre to let faire flowers die in their mothers wombe For lacke of moisture , whil'st vpon vild weedes it ( in aboundance ) poures refreshing droppes ; This kinde of giuing naturally proceedes from partiall hands , which in the course soone stoppes . Nor should your bountie ( like the sunne ) runne round and shine on all alike , though ( like the beames ) The same should seldome in the eclipse be found ; the truest Bountie liues betweene extreames . * * Non ita claudenda est res familiaris , vt eam benignitas aperire non possit , nec ita reseranda vt pateat omnibus . Your hand should neuer be so lockt from all , as to deserue a couetous report : Nor still in action like your Prodigall , who makes expence his most delightfull sport : Long since were none then Good-men held more fit to taste your Bountie ( then 't was rightly vs'd ) ; But in those daies , such men must naked sit : thus is true liberality abus'd . He that can now most temporize , best thriues , and great men , more then good men , Bounty taste ; Honie is brought vnto the fullest hiues , small riuers giue vnto the sea ( in waste . ) Many ( againe ) like Husband-men doe lay their seede in th' bosome of the fattest ground ; Whose richnesse will with much aduantage paie , where for each graine there shall an eare be found : And some of you , to gaine a knaues good word ; or by a Iester to be highly prais'd Will giue with both handes , place them at your boord ; when good-men are not ore your threshold rais'd . Bounties pure current in this muddie time , is by the fogges of Prodigalitie So steinch't , with stinking ayres , so ' re-spread with slime , that ( as it were not ) no such thing we see . Wee finde the streame as contrary to runne , vnto that course which it should rightly hold : As is the West to th' rising of the sunne , or Southerne heate vnto the Northerne cold . Nay more , this Vertue suffers so much wrong , as to be made a subiect nay a slaue ; Euen vnto such whose base malitious tongue the Giuers reputation dare depraue : Yet haue they still gift after gift receiu'd , euen to the full of their desires . Shall I Taelis benignitas vanitati est coniunctior , quam liberalitati . Cic. Say this was bounty ? I might seeme bereav'd ( in saying so ) of sence and honesty . If a curst dogge ( fed at your table ) bites you , you 'le kick him ( if not hang him ) at the least : And in a man ( which doggedly requites you ) reward you that , you punish in a Beast ? I know not what to tearme this kinde of giuing : nor will I make my braine a minte for phrase ; But wish that men ( whil'st their faire fame is liuing , would manifest it comes of Vertues race : Whose true-borne children should relieue her friends ; but Vertue starues , they so degenerate Virtus laudatur & alget . In sucking base ones , for their priuate ends whil'st she and hers ( though prais'd ) are desolate . Alas poore Vertue , ( onely poore to such , as do not know thy worth , who liue and die Without all sence of goodnes , or a touch , of ought but Beast-like sensualitie ) : Or rather let me pittie them then thee . for though the strange deformed Brats of vice Be richly clad now , thine in pouertie ; they valued high , but thine at meanest price ; The time may come , when Bountie shall appeare pure , like it selfe , and like faire Vertues friend . When Ostentation shall not dare come neere , nor Prodigalitie perswade her spend , But vpon such as merite more then craue ; then shall no bauling foole , no wit-bare Iester , No fawning base insinuating slaue presume , the place where Bountie liues to pester . And you that now it thus abuse , shall then curse your much-giuing , and mis-giuing hand . When you shall see the deeds of other men , grauen in brasse , yours written in the sand . Such mettle are mens hearts , the thankfull part cannot forget the good it doth receiue , But ( as in brasse ) record it in his heart , of which no time can ere the same bereaue . Th' ingratefull Nature ( sand-like ) doth retaine th' impression of your hand , and more perceiues An aptnesse in it selfe to take againe , then to make shew it any thing receiues .

TO THE INGRATEFVLL . IS 't long of thy short memorie , that thou yeeld'st not due thanks , where thou the same do'st owe ? Alas , good man ; why do'st thou not forget to begge as well ? or dost thou thinke it fit For men to craue thy thankes ; because to thee vnask't their fauours came not ? can there be Excuse allow'd for such a fault ? O no ; But contrarie , no Tyrants lawe can show A torture too seuere for such an Ill : Looke how an ore-charg'd peece breaking doth kill The gazers on , and yet the Gunner stand not hurt at all , though from his fatall hand Death tooke his flight ; so doth thy want of Art rightly to vse a friend , make many smart And suffer too vniustly : For , thy fault makes honest hearts ( with no such basenesse fraught ) Suspected ; which approues the Prouerbe true men scalt with hot , cold water do eschewe . The guiltlesse seruants of that * * Naball . Carmelite inur bane foole , who did with ill requite Fauours receiv'd ) had been to death pursude ( but for his wife ) for his Ingratitude . Arr thou reliev'd in want , and canst forget ( vnworthy wretch ) what gracious hand did set Thy misry free ? doost thinke ther 's nothing more to be perform'd , when of thy leaprous sore Of Pouerty thou' rt cur'd ; no thankes , no praise , rendred to him which chang'd thy painfull daies To times of ease ? more grieuous is thy sore ( through thy neglect ) by much then 't was before . Thine outward sence then only felt the smart ; but now it sticks so close to thy false heart , ( And vlc'ring ly'th in thy corrupted bloud ) that not from thence proceedes a thought that 's good . If by sinister meanes thou hast obtain'd what thou inioy'st , thou canst not say 't is gain'd . By wealth that 's purchast with the losse of Fame , men do growe rich in nothing else but shame : In whom , desert , no thankfulnesse doth moue , they doe no lesse then cheate men of their loue . Thou with a hollow heart , false , stopp'd within , on thy best friends wilt play , so thou mai'st win : Gaine sauours well to thy misiudging sence , Dulcis odor lucri . whose facultie can easily dispence With any Stocke , with any ground , or dung ( bee 't ne're so base , or vild for any tongue But thine to touch ) from whence it doth proceede , though in thy bosome with the same doth breed Hatefull Ingratitude ; whose brasen brow ( bold Impe of Impudence ) will not allow A blush to touch it . I confesse my fault from misconstruction came , in that I thought Thou had'st been man , aswell in deed , as Name , which title di'd to thee , when thou to shame .

OF THE ENVIOVS . DOe we not hold him mad , that in his hand dare gripean Adder , though he crush it dead ? or seemes it strange , if he by whom is fedde A Lyons whelpe , or hath of Beares command , Shall haue his bloud by them vntimely shed ? What shall we thinke him then that entertaines a Viper next his heart , which from his vaines Sucks his best bloud , and leaueth in the stead A fretting poyson ? whose effect is this , It makes him grieue and rage at others good , to stabbe himselfe to spill an others bloud , And thinke himselfe curs'd in an others blisse . Let him be gorg'd , euen to the very throate ; yet will he vexe to heare an other call for a poore crust of bread ; it frets his gall To see a sayle belongs not to his boate . If with the price of one of his owne eyes he can buy both an other mans , hee 'l doo 't : 'T is to be fear'd too , for a Soule to boote Hee 'l giue his owne to hell a sacrifice . This is the man which from his mothers wombe hath been peruerse and froward , whose vild life is nourisht only by the breath of strife ; Which birth and breathing cannot want a roome At last in hell ; for he that trauells heere ( this Monster-like ) with mischiefe , cannot finde a place more suting to his diu'lish mind , Then where his friends and father may be neere , To be deliuer'd of his hell-bred seede : for there some damn'd infernall Hagge or other may be the Midwife , fit for such a mother From whom ( at best ) some Fury must proceede . Vix sunt ho● hoc nomine 〈◊〉 quamque lup●● plus seritatis bent , perfud● maenus frate● sanguine fr●● This is the man who sits , and laughs to spie where men do ( Wolfe-like ) by the throate , each other teare : how th' inhumane brother kills the brother , And by the hand of children , Parents die . Where he perceiues an others downe-fall nigh , He thirsts to see their ruine , more then they whose high-flowne Falcons ( watchfull for their prey ) Threatning to bring Destruction from the skie , Long to behold the fearefull game strooke dead . 'T is Enuies life , soule , summum bonum , all which we tearm deere , to see an other fall , Though 't be the man that giues his hunger bread . To see his neighbour fast is his best foode , It makes him leane to see another fat ; He pines to nought , when he finds nought whereat He may repine . To haue him vnderstood , And to the full describ'd ; thus in a word , it grieues his staru'ling spirit more to see An others good , then his owne miserie ; Inuidus non ● nu● discruciat● aliena felicita quàm su● inf● tuni● . Though it cut deeper then Afflictions sword .

TO THE ENVIED . IS it not strange , that such can liue , whose foode is dres'd by Enuie , and with poyson mixt , Whose heart 's the kitchin , and whose canker'd bloud the meager Cooke carowseth ; while betwixt , His master and the diuell are begotten prodigious Monsters , which appeare as barren Of honestie as Hell , their ioints as rotten through want of marrow , as a peece of carrion ? By these th' art malic'd ; but be not dismaide nor grieue thou at them , rather for them grieue If so thou canst thy Charitie perswade , ( which as thou' rt flesh and bloud , I scarce belieue . ) When a fierce Dogge comes running at thee , stay and thou shalt finde hee 'l rather back retire , Then offer to assault thee : if away from him thou fly'st thou further'st his desire . So these ( farre worse then dogges ) will fiercely bite , when they perceiue their venome makes thee stirre : For nothing giues such fulnesse of delight to th' snarling spleene of a malitious Curre , As to behold the mischiefe that he doth . But where well-temper'd patience doth preserue Inuidia virtute parta , gloria , non inuidia putanda est . ( As a safe Antidote to th' rankling tooth of Enuies whelpes ) they pine awaie , and starue . This to thy Fare-well ; if thy Vertues make thee hatefull to th' bad , their enuie is thy glorie : If loue to vice make good mens loue forsake thee , resolue thy selfe they enuy not , they 're sorrie .

To the Enuious . BVt that I know thy face , I must confesse I should haue trembled ; for an Obiect lesse Fearefull , were able without Physicks Art To make a Costiue man play a loose part . I cannot thinke the worst of Pharaoes kine Look't halfe so bare , as this poore trunke of thine ; Which like Sir Cranion , or a starv'ling Capon Staukes here and there , proportionably shapen To thy leane spirit , whose repining hate Hath brought thy Carcasse to this pining state . I see there are more waies to th' wood then one . Not age , or wedlocke , bring'th a man alone Vnto a Night-cap ; for a wretched minde Gaue thine to thee ; O had it been so kinde T' haue put a Nose-gaie too into thy hand ; And in thy Ruffes roome plac'd a falling band , Many had look't t' haue seene thee turne , and Hope Would haue presum'd that next had come a Roape : Whereto thy hanging ominous lookes presage Thou must do homage ; in th' meane time , ingage That little hope thy wretched soule enioyes Of Heauen , to him who thy best good destroyes , In feeding thy insatiable spleene ; Which , ( had not helpe from hell transported been ) Could not haue been so diuelish as 't hath proov'd , But it in thee infernall powers haue mou'd : Scarce Hell it selfe , could conster that for ill ; Which ( damned ) thou ( to satisfie thy will ) Hast vrg'd ( I know ) as an extreame offence , Against vnguiltie , harmelesse Innocence . Which hiath by some ( too credulous weake men ) ( Out of their wisdomes ) been found faulty ; when Had they been masters but of so much sight , As to distinguish betweene day and night , They had beene lesse iniurious , or more iust ; But to such Iudges must the guilty trust , Whil'st Innocence must suffer ; yet not so But it may liue to see their ouerthrow Who moale-like heaue vnseene , till at the last Their working be discouer'd , and they cast Out of their hollow trenches , and withall Trod on by them , whom they desir'd might fall ; Then shall your sable Cacodaemon be Hang'd with a twigge vpon some willow tree ; To all which Enuious vndermining slaues , I wish no fairer Ends , no better graues .

OF THE DETRACTER . THis comes in last , because he comes behinde those whom he wrongs , though in his doing so the diuell cannot him in skill foregoe ; Vnto the last but this , This last I finde To be as neere alli'd in Basenesse , as a brother can be to a brother twinne , in feature , though ( as oft ) Nature therein Proportion them so like , that each doth passe For other . Only this one difference I note this last , allow'th more freedome to his tongue then Enuie doth , and other men are stung By him more then himselfe ; he makes his throate An open graue , where his contagious breath , labours to blast the spotlesse fame of such , whose Reputation it shall chance to touch . Nor can the hand of Reconciling Death Free men from this iniurious Monsters sting , which through the bowels of the earth doth pierce , and in the quiet vault appeares more fierce Then Death ( the graues sterne tyranizing King . ) Were a man here as free from actuall ill , as when he first mov'd in his mothers wombe ; or as the man that calls the Heauen his home Guiltlesse of sinne ; yet would this trie his skill . If in a bul-rush he can finde a knot ; or from pure hony ( which the harmlesse Bee suck'd from those flowers which like it selfe was free ) Straine poison'd iuyce ; where if he finde one iot Which he can iudge doth relish of a weede ( from which the toylsome Bee cheerfully flies , home to the hiue with hony-laden thighs ) He straite concludes no good can thence proceed . So strange is the distraction of this Tom of Bedlam , that all places , times , and men without distinction seeme alike : for when The furious rayling fit comes on him , from His stinking stomacke , hee 'le belch forth such geere , such filth ; and with such violence , as though he meant to cast his rotten garbage : so He ioyes to make his loathsomnesse appeare . This ( what shall I terme him ? ) will deuoure your bread , call you his master , crouch with cap in hand , professe he falls , if you shall faile to stand ; Yet curse you liuing , ioy when you are dead . He ' le be the Herald of your Infamy , and scandalize your worth , though you haue bred him to the shape of man euen from a shred . Hic niger est , &c. This is a blacke-one , full of trechery .

To the Detracted . THough Wolues against the siluer Moon do bark , they blemish not her brightnes , nor the spight Of bauling Curres , ( which she disdains to mark ) can any whit eclipse her of her light . So mai'st thou slight the railing of ill tongues , if a cleere shining conscience be thy guard ; Which to defend thee from the worst of wrongs , will , as a wall of brasse , be found as hard . Men are by Nature apt to blame , and hate such as distaste what they approue as good : If thou dislike to heare a Parrat prate , and tell a tedious tale of Robin-hood ; He ' le shoot Detractions boult against thy braine , terming it shallow , barren , poore and dull ; Because not vented by a windy vaine , empt'ing it selfe to make thy mouth shew full . But wiser men then he assures thee no ; Loquacit a● certissimum fatuitatis argumentum Eras . They are most fooles ( say they ) that vse most words : That silence argues folly , 't is not so ; for vertues branches no such fruite affords . Admit a Turke should call thee Infidell ; wouldst be offended ? or imagine , that One dubbe thee knaue , in whose owne heart doth dwell basenesse enough , to make him wondred at By all that know him ? shall the first perswade thee , that thy Religion knowes more Gods then one ; Or to denie the sacred power that made thee , or t'giue his honour to a carued stone ? Or can the second force thee to confesse through his report , thou art as base as he ? If none of these thou wilt , their power 's the lesse , thy worth the more by their detracting thee . An honest fame ( like spice ) the more 't is brus'd sauours the sweeter , which when we are dead Will be the sweetest seare-cloath can be vs'd to wrap vs in ; it will out-last the lead Wherein that bodie lies , in which did liue a spotted conscience , a detracting spirit ; Which to it selfe an earthly heauen did giue , and of Heauens ioyes it selfe did disinherite .

TO THE DETRACTER . THink'st thou it makes thy Reputation faire , if by thy muddy tongue thou canst impaire An other mans ? looke how a murtherer can ( whose fatall hand shall kill an other man ) Adde to his owne by shortning others daies ; so by detracting others growes by praise . Perchance thou feed'st thy selfe with a conceipt , that euery man that heares thee raile , doth straite Belieue that all thou sayst is true , for that they contradict thee not ; I le tell thee what , In my opinion thou shouldst rather feare , it makes them tremble and amaz'd to heare , How diu'lishly thou second'st what thou say'st with oaths , and curses ; or admit thou mai'st Light vpon some who ( knowing not thy vse ) may be perswaded , that from some abuse Offer'd to thee , proceeds thy railing fit : Yet all the glory thou enioy'st by it Is , they 'le note thee euerafter , for a creature which all good men should abhorre . Or say thou shalt some man , to some depraue who know him honest ; think'st thou for a knaue They can do lesse then iudge thee ? and beware thou rayl'st to no men that iuditious are : For they 'le soone finde that thou dishonest art , and therefore know thou tak'st no good mans part : Whose prayse they iudge is equally the same , Where Iust men doe applaud , or thou defame . I might haue spar'd my breath in wishing thee to men of iudgement not to be too free ; For thou art chiefly carefull in this point to plie his eare whose iudgement 's out of ioynt : By whom as yet was neuer vnderstood how any cause could , but the first , be good ; Whose ignorance ( I thinke ) might argue rather Th' Vicar of fooles will prooue their ghostly father . And as for thee , thou dost resolue I know thou must die mad , thy braine 's distemperd so . Which will be for thy credit when thou 'rt dead : for some will lay the fault vpon thy head , And say thy braine inforc'd thy tongue to raue . Better be thought a mad-man then a knaue . FINIS . Qui ducis vultus , & non legis ista libenter , Omnibus iuuideas liuide , nemo tibi . Mart.

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