The poetical recreations of Mr. Alexander Craig of Rosecraig

THE POETICAL RECREATIONS OF Mr. ALEXANDER CRAIG OF ROSECRAIG .

AT EDINBVRGH Printed by Thomas Finlason . 1609. WITH LICENCE .

TO THE MOST HONORABLE MY SINGVLAR GOOD LORD AND PATRON G. E. OF DVNBAR , LORD AND GOVERNOVR OF BERWICK , HEIGH Thesaurer of Scotland , great Maister of the Minerals there , Lieutenent of the middle Shyres of Great Britane , one of his Majesties honorable privie Counsell , and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter .

WHEN PHILIP OF Macedon came to conquere Corinth , the carefull Corinthians did fortifie their ruined walles , some caried stones , some trees , some lyme , some clenged and dressed their armour , some taught & trained the neoterick sogers ; no man was found idle to withstand the common enemie saue Diogenes , he vn-able for any service in the republick , did roll himselfe in his Tub vp and downe the streets . One of his familiars asked what he did : Al the Corinthians ( answered Diogenes ) are bussie , and I must be doing some thing : Each man ( my honorable good Lord ) at this great Court of Parliament is bussie , and lest I alone like Diogenes be noted as idle , I will roll my selfe in these foolish rymes vp and downe the streetes ; that it may be said I am doing something : the goodes and children of the bond-man belong to the master : These passions are my goodes , or rather my children Minerva-like borne from their fathers brane , without a mother , and so due to your L. Take then your owne ( dear Lord ) from this hand , who according to the antient custome hath bored his eare with a boidkene , to shew that he shall still remaine your Honors most faithfully devoted and voluntarie slaue .

AL. CRAIG .

TO THE READER .

EXcuse me ( good Reader ) for the methodlesse placing of these Passions : They are my children , you haue them as they were borne : And so the Primo-genit must haue the prioritie at the Presse . Amongst so many children some must mis-thriue and proue naght : Cherishe ( I pray thee ) the good , and leaue the faultie to be reformed by their father .

Fair-wel .

TO HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE THE HVMBLE PETITION OF his Heighnes Orator AL. CRAIG at Christmas in Whitehall . APelles some-time came To Ptolomaeus feast , And had well nye return'd againe Inglorius and disgrac't . For Ptolomaeus ask'd , Who cald him to that place , Then with a coale vpon the wall , He painted Planus face . The King knew Planus well , And did at once protest That hee should fast , and hee would feast Appelles with the best . So am I come Great King , Vnto thy Christmas chere , And Povertie against my will , Invit's me to be heere . You are a greater King Then Lagus sonne , altho With Aegipt , Afrie , he vsurpt , And was th' Arabians fo . Let Povertie I pray , Receaue his due disgrace : And let thy Poet at this feast Supplie the Painters place . But Lacon some-time said Vnto a begging slaue , Giue what I will it is thy craft To beg , and ever craue . Be not affrai'd for that , ( Though for this time J cry ) Jf succurd once , nor seeke againe J rather sterue and dye .

COMPLAINT TO HIS Majestie . LOue , Want , and Cares , all contrare me conspyre , First , second , last , for me too many bee : Want breakes my heart , and drown's my high desyre , And makes my Muse so lowe a course to flee . But were J rich , the cruell fair wold rew , Then sould J sing and bid my Cares adew . O happie Artist , and Mechanick slaue , Thou mai'st a price vpon thy paines impose : My wair is such , I know not what to craue , And so but looke both Loue and Lynes I lose : Strange thing betwix my Soveraigne and my sant , I waist my wits , and rape but woes and want . Yet might these two reward me if they wold , And purge me both from povertie and paine : She with good wil , my royall Syre with gold , And so preserue , and saue their slaue vn-slane . With modest lookes , and silent sighs J serue , The shameles begger thriu's , and yet I sterue .

TO JOHN LORD RAMSAY , Vicunt of Hadington , the Author bemoneth his hard Fortunes in England . ALas , why sould Calisthenes remaine Where Agis both and Cleo beare the sway , These Sicophants and Parasites profaine , Draw Macedoes magnific minde astray : Jf Aristip in Court make any stay , Some Tyran straight shall spit into his face , Thus feeling ill , and fearing worse each day , A miriad of mis-fortunes I embrace . How carefull is Entimeon poore thy case At home , abrod , since Fortun is thy foe ; But ere thou turne to Griece with more disgrace , Jn Persia die , and there intomb thy woe : To him that liues , and must die Fortunes slaue , Jf nothing else , good Persians grant a graue .

AD EVNDEM DE EODEM . BEyond the Mountains of the frostie North , I some-time seru'd a Caledonian Dame : The first of all for Vertue , wit , and Worth , That ever yet adorn'd the rols of fame : She fed my heart on fansies sweetest flame , Yet haue I left both heart and her behind , And to this land spoild of my heart I came To follow Fortune , which J can not find : Strange is the state wherein I stand , J see Twix Fortune heere , and my affections there : I fled from these , this flees againe from mee , Here Povertie , and yonder springs Dispare . Blind Cupid thus , blind Fortune are againe mee , My Loue at home , my Luck abrod disdaine mee .

NEW YEARE GIFT TO his Majestie . TO Cresus rich shall Codrus gifts propyne , To Maro wise must Mevtus ryms present : O pearles Prince , OPoet most divyne , My Muse is dead , my moyen all is spent : Wise Maro writ , weake Mevius wonder ay , Rich Cresus giue , poore Codius beg and pray .

TO HIS MAJESTIE IN NAME of his Noble Master . THe faithfull heart is ever fraught with feare , And jelousie is still conjoind with loue : How can J then ( dread Liege ) be frie from care , Since from thy sight J see J must remoue : And thou my Phosphor , yea my Phaebus bright , Whose presence day , whose absence breeds my night Yet feare J not for that within thy minde , That ouglie ghaist vnkindnes can haue place : But cause J know , some claw-backs are inclinde With all their force my Fortunes to disgrace : Be thou the poynt , and J the circling line , Mine be the pangs , and all the pleasurs thine . J ' lekyth a constant Palinure to thee , A trustie steirs-man both in storme and calme ; That in my works the wondring world shall see The truest hand , that ever held a helme : Thogh ( I confesse ) I am not skild like him , Yet let me sink , so sweet Aeneas swim . Thus will J goe , because thou do'st command , Even for thy sake from out thy sight some space : And after kissing of thy sacred hand , J pray the Gods protege thy state in peace : And when J cease for to be true to thee , Curst be my life , and wretched may J dye .

TO MY LORD SARVSBVRIE . TWo potent Kings over Siciles two Empyre , That famous I le where Siracusa stood : Where gainst the heavens Encelad voms his fyre , King Philip bruks with much Iberian blood : But wise King Iames ( O blest and happie case ) Commands a Cecill of more price in peace .

TO MY LORD HAY , AT HIS LEgation to France . SInce thou must sail to see the Celtick shore , From titular to him that keeps the Crown : Which with thy Name thy Nation shall decore , And fett more quils to further thy renown : My wishes both , and prayers shall attend thee , At home , abroad , the living Lord defend thee .

TO MY LORD ADMIRALL AT his mariage with Ladie Margaret Stewart . MArs , Hercules , and Iupiter we finde , With Venus , Lyda , Laeda were in loue , And for obedience to the Archer blind , The Sword , the Club , and Scepter they remoue : And Neptuns deput leau 's the fomie strand , To pearse a Margarit fet from Murray land .

A Counsell to Courteours . THe bibull Spoynge in tepid water set , Drinks till it fill each small and greedie pore : But if the Barber in his hand it get , He wrings all out , which it hath drunk afore : You that in Court with Kings and Princes stay , Mark well in minde the water-spoynge I pray . For if you stand on top of Fortunes wheele , Be ware lest with the bibull spoynge you swal , Drink not too much as gluttons , govern well , Clim not too hie , incase you catch a fall : The King makes vp , the King againe makes downe , Both wealth and wrack awaits vpon a Crowne .

To my Lady Hartfurde at his Majesties first progres to Totnem . There the wyld farne smelled as sweet as perfume , naturaly . THe tempest beat and falling Farne ( fair Dame ) Receaves new life , new strength , new smell wee see : And for thy sake thy Soveraigne weares the same Heigh on his head to serue and honour thee : These are the frutes thy bewtie braue brings forth , Thy least propynes are valued of most worth .

TO HIS DEAR FRIEND Mr. AL. DICKSON Mr. of the Art of Memorie who dyed at Winchester in England . EPITAPH . THat Thracian forme at birth of friends to weepe , And to be glad when as againe they dye : My sigh-swolne heart can not content to keepe , Since J deare friend must sigh , and murne for thee . Now haue I los'd my second selfe J see , To whom shall J ( since thou atr dead ) bemone : Most rich of all ( the Scythians say ) is hee That hath true friends , now I , alas , haue none : No other death of ould the Hircans choos'd , But to be kild by these same dogs they fed : Displeasure so to be ingratlie vs'd , Hath broght braue Dickson to his cognat bed . Thou taught the Art of Memorie to those That seemd thy friends , yet prou'd in end thy foes .

TO HIS VNKINDE FRIEND . OF all the wounds whereof that Roman great , Braue Iulius Caesar in the senat died : The wounds from Brutus ( burreau most ingrate ) Did grieue him most , on Brutus still he cri'd : So were my life to take last leaue of mee , Still wold I cry ( vnkinde , vnkinde ) on thee .

TO HIS CVSNING FRIEND . AThenian Chares promis'd much to many , Most prodigall of smooth perswading words : And yet perform'd no thing at all to any , Such are the frutes false eloquence affords : Like Larus leane of flesh he had no store , But multitude of fethers fair , no more . Since Chares thus concludes to play the knaue , And still persists proud , impius , false , profane : Shall he begyle , and gull me like the laue , Yes , faith , once more to exercise his vane : Yet since experience Chares maks me wise , I shrew my heart , and thou begyle me thrise .

TO COVETOVS COVRTIERS . A Greedie Mouse did by a privat way Steale to the pantrie of a wealthie man : Where many dishes were , and wold assay Each dish of all : but at the last began To teast an Oister , when her guts were filled , The Oister clos'd , and thus the Mouse was killed , Thou that hast crept in credit but by stealth , And teasts each dish , sib to the greedie Mouse : Who builds and maks of others wrack thy wealth , And soulles man will not oversee a souse : Thogh Prince behold , and privat men must thol thee , Some sharp-sheld oister some-time sall controll thee .

TO VIRTEOVS AND NOBLE Cynthia . FAne wold J render thanks for thy good-will : But thanks are words , and words compense no deeds , And thus must J remain thy debter still , For which my heart within my bosome bleeds : But if it chance that in thy debt I die , My froward Fortune hath the fault , not I.

TO HIS DEAR FRIEND , AND fellow student Mr. Robert AEton . SIng swift hoof'd Aethon to thy matchles selfe , And be not silent in this pleasant spring : I am thy Echo , and thy Aerie elf , The latter strains of thy sweet tunes I 'll sing : Ah , shall thy Muse no further frutes forth-bring , But Basia bare , and wilt thou write no more To higher notes , J pray thee tune thy string : Be still admir'd as thou hast bene of yore , Write Aethon writ , let not thy vain decay , Least we become Cymerians dark , or worse . If Aethon faill , the Sun his course must stay , For , Phoebus Chariot laks the cheefest horse : Thogh Fortun frown , ah , why should vertue die , Sing Aethon sing , and J shall Echo thee .

AETHON CRAGIO SVO . FAne wold I sing , if songs my thoghts culd ease , Or calme the tempest of my troubled mynde : Fane wold J force my silent Muse to please , The gallant humor of thy wanton vane ▪ But O a miser mancipat to paine , Sould slaue to sorrow , wedded to mischief , By mirth of songs , perhaps more greefe might gane , Jn vane of them J should expect releif : Then sacred Craig if thou wold ease my greef , Jnvite me not to wantonize with thee : But tune thy notes vnto my mourning cleif , And when J weepe , weepe thou to Echo mee . Perhaps the teares that from a Craig shall floe , May proue a Soveraigne balme to cure my woe .

AGAINST THE SELLERS of Tobacco . THou that hast made of selling smoak a trade , And Jew and Gentill but remorse do'st gulf , And by these base Nicotian bleads are glade To spoill , mar , blek , the stomach , brane , and skull : As thou deseru'st Turinus-like J doome thee , By selling smoak thou liv'st , let smoak consume thee .

TO HIS LORD AND Mr. GEORGE Earle of Dunbar . BRaue Alcibiad curious once to know Jf all were frinds , that so appeard to bee , To each of all in secret he did show , The purtrate of a new-slane-man , said hee : This is a friend whom J haue kild , J pray Jn quiet forme come cary him away . Yet none of all that Crew wold giue consent , Nor help to put the painted tree a part : Saue Kallias kinde , who only was content , Hap what might hap , to help with hand and hart : Such is my luck ( most loving Lord ) I see , J haue not found a Kallias kinde , but thee . Thou art the great Maecenas of my Muse , My patron , Lord , my Master , and my All : Whom ( whil J liue ) but change in me I chuse , To loue , to serue , and to attend as thrall : Thogh time and absence breed suspect , what than ? J am in spight of Fortuns nose thy man :

TO LADIE ANNA HAY COVNTES OF Winton , one of the Ladies of her Majesties most royall bed chalmer , at her return from England . AH , whither now sweet Ladie wilt thou go ? From Court to Cuntrie , what new change is this ? And wilt thou needst ( sweet Sant ) be gone ? and so Bereaue south-Britan of so rare a blis , Yes thou must go , J see there is no stay , And take ten thousand Thousand hearts away . Take then my heart , my better part with thee , My wishes , vow's , my prayers , all these all : For J am thine devoted till J die , And still shall beare the bloodie yock as thrall : And when my head shall turne to hoarie gray , The world shall see that I shall serue An Hay .

A DISSWASION TO HIS friend from his intended mariage . FAir famous I le where Zoroastres raign'd , Where Bactru● once the statelie cittie stood : Which ( when th' ould name Artaspe ) was disdain'd , Was Bactria cal'd from fertill Bactrus flood ; Where some-time Ceter , Arams sonne began , Of thousand citties the foundation sure . In thee the wyues abuse the maried man , And both with slaue and stranger play the whoore , The Dame with Distaff beats her yeelding Lord , And for her pryde but punishment skaips free : And poore Acteon dare not speak one word , From Bactrian wyues the Lord deliver thee : Nor lead a life infamous , heart-brock , thrall , Far better were to wed no wife at all .

A DESCRIPTION OF A PARdond , yet still vnrepenting proditor Plexirtus . WHen false and proud Plexirtus did conspire , His King and Lord Leonat to dethrone : He found the fates were foes to his desire , At last when all his bastard-hopes were gone , A halter fair about his hals he tyes , And on the Prince for pardon still he cryes . The Clement King Leonat was contented To pardon all his faults and foull offences : And yet we read the Rebell noght repented , Saue that he could not practize his pretenses : It 's pittie then the Prince can not perceaue , Plexirtus was , and will be still a knaue .

EPITAPH OF IOHN FIRST MARques of Hammilton . BLest was thy life , and blessed didst thou die , Thy Oyle was burning , and thy Lamp gaue light , When lifes prowd foe , pale death did summond thee To render earth her due , and heavens their right : Thogh death did then thy soule and bodie sever , Once thou shalt be conjoind , and liue for ever .

Aliud . HEre rests within this Tomb of truth th' vnmatched zeale The father , & the faithful friend , of Church , & common wel : In storme and calme inclind to doe his Kings command , Of peace the parent , child of Mars , cheef glorie of the land .

FORTVNA SAEVO LAETA NEGOtio : transmutat incertos honores . STrange are the changes of this changing age , The cloun turns knight , the knight again turns colun : Now is he Lord , who , was of late a page , And he that threatned all , is now thrown doun : Thrise happie he , whose heart can be content , To serue his God in peace with sober rent .

To his afflicted friend . IN wether fair , and in a temperat spring , The waikest bird with warbling songs will soare , But in a srtome , or winters rage to sing With mirrie notes , deserues a praise much more : Thy spring is gone , thy winter growes , O than Sing sweetlie now , and shew thy selfe a man .

To his fortunate friend . THe Fox and Kat , were walking by the way , ( As Aesop fains ) and lo for all his wits The Fox became to hungrie hounds a pray , Whilst in a trie the Kat securlie sits . Since Foxes false ( dear friend ) must fall , and die , Climb with the Kat , and make the truth thy trie .

Vivitur parvo bene . HE that can walk on ground that 's fair and plane , Shall seldome fall , or if he chance to fall , He measures but his lenth , he 'ill rise agane , And haue no harme , nor any hurt at all : But he must fall of force that climbs too hie , And if he fall , it 's ten to one he 'ill die . Heigh hoised sailes giue vantage to the srtome , And if thy state be stately , large , and fair , The farer mark for mischief to deforme , With spightfull sport proud Fortun play 's her there : Fair marks are hit with shots and shafts mischivous , Which make the wounds more deep & much more grievous . Contented Codrus with his Cuntrie Dame , Suppose his Farme were set on fire he fear 's not , His wife and he will warme them with the flame , Come what can come , his compts are cast , he cares not : Jf want and wealth were alwaies at my will , Away with wealth , let me be Codrus still .

A Prayer for his imprisoned friend . THe famous Persians had a forme , we reed , That if a Noble were condemd to dee , They spar'd himselfe , and hang'd his cloaths with speed , Poore prisoner , God grant the like to thee : Vcalegon his house is set on fire , A neighbor kinde wold quench lest it burne nyer . When Pollio proud did to his feast requyre Augustus Caesar , at a solemne time : He needs wold kill a serving slaue in yre , For breaking of a banquet glasse , small crime : But Caesar said , poore slaue , thou shalt not d ee , Th' offence is naght , feare is eneugh for thee .

To Idea for his long absence . ATtilius ruler of the Roman host , Beg'd leaue his wife and children deare , to see His poore effairs he did performe with post , And made returne with all the hast might bee , He was for this no run-away , but rather A loving husband , and a faithfull father . J haue like him ( wise Dame ) at home a wife , With whom in peace the poasting hours I spend , Yet will J loue thee , whill J haue a life , And till J die my loue shall never end : My poore Adoes withdraw me oft from thee , Yet where thou art , my heart shall ever bee .

To eloquent Erantina . CLeombrotus a Heathen man did heare Wise Plato , with such reverence and respeck , As for the loue he to his lessons beare , He went abrod ( kinde man ) and brok his neck : Thy charming words inchant me so that J Doe nothing now , but mourne , sigh , weep , and die .

To his absent and loving Lesbia . DEare heart , dear heart , dear , dear , dear heart againe , More dear then writ can shew , or waxe can seale : O! if thou knew the care , the woe , the paine I felt since last I tooke from thee fair-well : The night in black chimerick thoghts I spend , Ere Phlegon rise , I wish the day to end . The dark is lothsome , and the day semes long , Because , alas , J am not where thou art : This is not mine , but frowning Fortunes wrong , Yet hope ( deare heart ) vp-holds my dying heart : Look then for me , before few dayes take end , Till when my thoghts to thine , I doe commend .

To absent Idea . WIth puissant pow'r when princely Pompey went , And made him for Pharsalic battell bowne : With heavie hearts his sogeors did lament , And oft look'd back to Rome their natiue towne : Each in him selfe a civil combat felt , To leaue the place wher friends , wiues , children dwelt . I may for this be deem'd a Roman borne , I am so full of kindnesse and of loue , In deepest sort ( deare heart ) I dare be sworne , My minde from thee no distance may remoue : And for thy sake ( beare witnesse naked God ) I loue thy Bonus wherein thou mak'st abod .

To Idea at her bownes . AH , whither now ( sweet Sant ) art thou retired ? Souls-raviser , alas , where art thou gone ? Thy bewtie now can be no more admired , Since thou delightst to lurke and liue alone : Now Hermit-like thou hantst , the more the pittie , And for the Farme forbear's the famous Cittie . Look to thy selfe , thou dwel'st too neere the sea , Neptun no doubt will from those rocks bereaue thee : And with his wife divorse for loue of thee : Yet am I glade , none but a God must haue thee : When winds and waves , and all are at thy will , Proue not vnkinde , J pray thee loue me still .

TO HIS BANISHED FRIEND TWo wofull weeds , the mother Church must weare , One Crimson rid , the other mourning black : The black betokneth sorrow , pane , and care , The rid bods death , fearce persecution , wrack : It maters not what rags she beare abrod , Once she'ill be cloth'd in robs of white with God .

To his singular good Lord and Master . LOng mai'st thou liue an argument of praise , A lordlie subject to my loving pen , That on thy worth the wondring world may gaise , A magistrat admir'd amongst all men . Yea , more and more heavens grant thee from aboue , The Makers mercie , and the Masters loue .

Auream quisquis mediocritatem . IT merits praise to manage litle well , A cunning coachman turns in litle roume : In poore estate a rich content I feell , And smyle to see a wretches wealth consume : J'ill studie then to steward what J haue , And not be curious more and more to craue .

His regrate for the lose of time at Court . O How Time slips , and slelie slids away , God is forgot , and woe is me therefore : J waste the night , and weare away the day , I sleepe , dres , feed , talke , sport , and doe no more : Far better were with care to haue redemed , Nor sell for noght the thing I most estemed .

To his aspyring friend . SInce charge and honor march together still For charge but honour were a toyle too great : And honor but a charge were ease at will , To want them both is not the worst estate : I loath those loads which lightnesse first pretend , But break the neck before the journeys end .

Nulla dies sine linea . THe standing poole will quicklie stink and rott , The currant streame is cleanlie both and cleare : The idle man is Sathans prey , God wott , A verteous minde the Devill darr not draw neare , My fantasies can profit few , and yet It hurteth none , but doth me good to writ .

The praise of Glad-povertie . THree sorts of men vnto the market go , One buyes , one selles , an other doth behold , Great greef and care is in the former two , Th' expectant waiks secure and vncontrold . He liu's ( poore man ) contented with his lot , Vsing the world as if he vs'd it not .

His vnambitious minde . THree things there be for which J'ill not contend , The Way , the wall , and Tables highest seat : What foole is he will frown , or yet offend For any place , so hee can reach his meat . But in good faith , the idlest strife of all , Js in my judgement for the way , or wall .

To his friend who seemd sorie when he left Court . I Scorne to liue at Court , because J spy The wicked heaps vp wealth , the foole hath grace : The wise man weeps , and in disgrace must die , And vanitie must march in vertues place : Far better were on shore secure t' abide , Nor saill in vane against both wind and tide .

Against Pryde . TH' ambitious man no greater foe can haue , Then is himselfe , for whilst he still aspires , He grinds his heart for greef vnto the graue , With foolish hopes , with fear's , and fond desires : God grant my pryde may grow to this degree , Jn earth his child , in heaven his Sant to bee .

To vnfortunat and pure Aemilian at Court . EMilian begs with heart half-brok for sorrow , Yet finds not frute at all , but long delay : As leaue me now , or come againe to morrow , My lasure serues not yet , I pray thee stay : None pitties thee Aemilian , do not griue , They get no thing , that haue no thing to giue .

That he neither loues to be too gladnor too sad . IOyes come like oxen heavie peas'd and slo , But tak their leaue like horses running post : Greifs come at post , on foot againe they go , And leaue sad discontentment with their host : Both Ioys and Griefs as passingers J'il vse , They shall not be my ghaists , if J can chuse .

His contents at his Tugur . WHen lose of Tyme at Court was all my gane , To take my leaue , J thoght it was my best : And in some privat mansion to remaine , Where J might frie from Envyes rage take rest : Now blest be God , no Portar bars my doore By day , by night none keeps me but my kurre .

Against ignorance and ill example . THe law of God is Lanterne full of light , And good example beares this Lantern still : Which shews the way to walk , and march vpright , To doe all good , and to decline from ill : Without this light who walks , he can not see , And such ( will God ) shall be no gyde to thee .

To Mistres Hartside at Orknay her natall soyle . PRoscribed Orcas though J hate thy forms , J must commend and praise thy courage still , I saw thee proue both wise and stout in storms , And thou art barren sore against my will : For had thou sonnes of thy Amazon stamp , They might be Captains of the Emperors camp .

Perswasions of oertainties are vnnecessarie . NO greater fools then Philodoxes fond , And such as loue opinions of their own : Thy wit ( wise Plato ) when I think vpon'd , Made men to doubt on things that were well known : These Why , How , What , mad questions of thy schools , Wold make the wise men of our age seeme fools .

Against drunkards and lichers . IN sinfull Sodome to liue cleane and poore , Jn Asia chast amid allurements such : To hate in Rome the bordell and the whoore , And to be still abstemius with a Dutch : Do'th merit praise , yet this much with correction , J find but few can haunt them but infection .

To his Lord and Master G. E. Dunbar . ALas , that Time should be a foe to fame , To clip the wings of true report in rage : Alas , that th' earth should march a noble name : Like to a bird that s compast with a kage : Fame clip'd with time , & hemb'd with earth's embrace By Poets yet out strips both time and place . Thy fame ( dear Lord ) is frie from all disgrace , ( Still be it so till fire dissolue this frame ) Till when about the worlds broad spatious face , My ryms shall run t' immortalize thy Name : Foill to thy fame no time , no place shall giue , So long as Craig , or yet his lines can liue .

Against ingratitude . FIrst let me die before I proue ingrate , No , let the earth devore me ere J die : Before I liue in such a wretched state , To haue no hand but one , no tongue to cry : Vnthankfull mouths are graues , then if J take , I will at least giue praise and prayers back .

To his Lord and Mister to be ware of envy . DEepe danger lyes ( deare Lord ) in smoothest looks , Envy is false , and waits thee at thy back : The poysning bate is hung at golden hooks , They serue as friends that fane wold see thy wrack . Envy awaits on vertue as her slaue , Yet still delights in digging vertues graue . O pale Envy , the ouldest childe of Pryd , The Dame of Murther , Treasons onely nurse , Of glore the stane , of squint-ey'd fraud the bryd : The blesse of Hell , and Heavens cheefest curse . God grant my Lord be harmeles from thy hate , Thy blood thy drink , thine owne heart be thy meat .

TO JOHN EARLE OF MONTROSE first Vice-Roy of Scotland . EPITAPH . IF Rhadamanthus in th' Elisian field , With Aeacus and Minos Judges bee . And Gods over ghosts , they all of due must yeeld , For Pietie , Truth , Justice , place to thee : At least Montroes for Minos must command , And beare his Scepter in the blessed land .

The Rapt of Proserpina . SHall Ceres daughter still remane at hell ? Shall Pluto comb her eurling loks of amber ? Shall bewtie braue in loathsome bondage dwell ? And be imprison'd in a pitch-black chamber ? Ah , sleuthfull Ceres , thou art much to blame , Thy negligence hath broght thy child to shame . Proserpina hath bewtie both and wealth . A pleasant prey entiseth many a theif : Of bewtie rapt , of riches must be stealth , And from the hels we heare is no releif : Proserpina is Plutoes wife it 's known , The devill is black , yet let him bruke his own .

Against Sycophants and Parasits . FAlse Sycophant that wrongs the virteous name , Proud Parasit thou poysons him that hear's thee : And brings the absent to disgrace and shame , Who neither cares for forged lies , nor fear's thee : When Titan shyns we see the vermin swarme , Thou dwel'st at court because thou know'st it's warm . False flattering foole , thou art but friendships Ape , Camelion-like thou changest every hew , Saue white alone : thou loath's an honest shape ▪ As cheef companion of the cursed crew : Proud Trencher flee thy pansh once fild , thou'ill goe And proue to him that feeds thee best a foe .

The praise of humilitie in his L. and Mr. IT seems ( me think ) a thing of small effect , When Fortun frowns for to be meek and lowlie : But he that can eies , heart , looks thoghts , deject , When Fortun fauns is happie both and holie : He looks like God , and hath his makers show , Whose pow'r is much , whose sprit is meek and low .

Of true friendship . IN shaddie night the glow-worme shines like fire , And yet no heat to frostie hand she lends : In calme who swear's he lou's thee , is a lier , He 'ill shrink in storme , and so his friendship ends : Let Pythias then take Damon by the hand , Who for his friend in Fortuns stormes can stand .

TO THE MOST HONORABLE and religious Lord G. Earle Marschell , great Commissionar of Scotland for his Majestie . BRaue Cincinnatus from his house was broght , To be Dictator in the towne of Rome : Thou in this sort , ( Religious Lord ) art soght , Thy Princes place and seat for to assume : He in a month put Rome to rest and peace , And thou hast done much more in much lesse space .

Contempt of Death . MEn seldome wish to die , thogh nev'r so old , This day of death they doe adjorne ▪ till morrow : And by them all this fond excuse was told , ( The life is sweete ) suppose they liue in sorrow : Blind , lame , dumb , leaf , sick , poore , and more we see , Men dam'd wold liue , yet know they needs must die . My wofull heart must weepe to see such fools , As th' ould , poore , blind , leame , damd , diseas'd , deaf , dum : Broght vp and traind in Epicurus schools , Can not beleeue there is a life to come . God saies , I haue a Crown of glore to giue thee , Then call , kill , Crown , for Lord I doe beleeue thee . FINIS .