A Description of love with certaine [brace] epigrams, elegies, and sonnets : and also Iohnsons ansvver to Withers ... : with the Crie of Ludgate and the Song of the begger.

A Description OF LOVE .

WITH certaine Epigrams . Elegies . and Sonnets .

AND Also IOHNSONS Answer to WITHERS .

The Second Edition , With the Crie of LVDGATE .

AND The Song of the BEGGER .

LONDON . Printed by Edw. Griffin . 1620.

Ad Librum . MY little ship doth on the Ocean fleet , That euery circumspecting eye may see 't : Now in her iourney lest she chance to faile , Let Printers pray shee may haue happy saile .

Ad Lectorem . Some men there be that praise what 's good they hear , And some there are that carpe what ere it be : Some men in Zoilus ghost will soone appeare , And some with Aristippus flattery . But carpe at what you can , dispraise , back-bite , I 'le neuer hide my Poems from the light .

Ad lectorem maleuolum , PAle faced Enuy aimes at greatest men , And by her nature euer seekes to clime ; If it be so surely , she will not then Looke-downe so low as for to view my rime , But if against her nature shee will see 't . Her face to face my verse shall dare to meete .

In eundem . IF good it be I write , some pick-thanke-pate , Will sweare that I had some Coadinuate ; If naught it be , the more is my disgrace ; For euery man will houte me to my face . But spit your venome at me if you will , I must write what is good or what is ill .

Ad candidum Lectorem . PLease learned wits , I know I neuer shall , For shallow is my wit , my will is all , If that the meanest sort I can but please , I 'le count this worke a play , this labour ease .

Ad Lectorem . NOr good nor bad I can these verses call , Some bad I know , and yet not therefore all . 'Mongst sweetest flowers no some nettles spring : There 's some blacke feathers in the Peaceckes wing . Let not the bad then all the rest disgrace , Faire Venus had a wart vpon her face .

Nemo Propheta in patria sua . GOod gentle Readers let me truely tell , That Citty , Towne , and Countrey loues me well . At home some hate me , too too well I know it ; They thinking me a Prophet or a Poet.

Ad Lectorem . REad gently , gentle Reader , as t' is fit , Lest that your tongue should ouer-runne my wit .

Author . ALas these rimes I had forgotten quite , Not dreaming they should come againe to light , But sure at this same pretty riming stuffe The curious world , not scoffed hath enough , But to come foorth againe since t' is my chance , You shall not laugh me out of countenance .

¶ A Description OF LOVE . NE're toucht my lips the Heliconian Well , Mine eies ne'regazd vpon Parnassus Hill . My tongue did neuer Ancients stories tell My hand did neuer hold a curious quill . Yet write I must , but if I barren bee , And shew no wit , I 'le shew my industry . Where is that mortall man that can define The thing cald loue , which all the gods do honor ? Her greatnes goes beyond the wit of mine , I go beyond my wits ; to thinke vpon her : The more I think what this same loue should be , The lesse I do conceiue what thing is shee . A taske most weighty doe I vndergoe , By vndertaking for to speake of Loue , Whose bare description I did neuer know , Whose definition pose the gods aboue , She 's deafe yet heares , she 's dumb yet speaks , she 's blind , Yet Ianus like , she seeth before , behind . Like vnto Summers grasse shee 's fresh and greene , Shee adornes the body as the flowers the field , She in a Begger liues , as in a Queene , She conquers Mars , and yet to Mars shee 'l yeeld ; Shee 's white , shee 's red , shee 's yellow as the gold , Shee 's euer liuing , yet is neuer old . Inuisible shee is , yet her we see , Both Heauen and earth this goddesse doth inherit , Shee 's flesh , shee 's bloud , shee 's bone as well as we . Yet can shee nothing doe but with a spirit ; Shee is a ponderous feather , wittie folly , A quicke thing slow , a merry melancholy . Shee 'l soone be angry , Shee 'l be pleas'd assoone , Maliciousnesse nere harbours in her mind . She 's hot i' the morning , but shee 's cold ere noon , She 's rough , shee 's calm , shee 's hoggish , yet shee 's kind , She 'l sing , she 'l sob , so that the curious fiction May tearme and call her , a contradiction . Shee is a restlesse rest , a fervent cold , A wholsome poyson , shee 's a painfull pleasure , Exceeding shamefast , shee 's exceeding bold ; Shee 's bitter hony , shee 's a gainlesse treasure , Shee 's too too loose , yet too too fast a knot . Shee is a hellish Heauen , what is shee not ? Shee made Leander passe the raging Seas , His louing Hero that he might enioy ; Faire Helena did Paris better please , Then all his kinsfolks , or the wealth in Troy : Shee 's such a thing that we so much respect , That we our friends forget , our selues neglect . Our natiue Country doe we quite forsake , Our prudent parents will we disobey , Through desert places iournies doe we make , And so become some lurking Lions pray : Nay more then this , downe quicke to hell we go , As Orpheus did , if Loue would haue it so . Whil'st on the key-cold earth our loue doth lie , The ground sends forth a comfortable heat , Forgetting of her owne proprietie , The stones seeme soft whilst loue makes them her seat , Down on the downs whil'st Louers lie together ; The down seems down , & euery stone a fether . Who her enioyes , enioyes all earthly pleasure , Who her enioyes , can feele no cold not heat , Who her enioyes , enioyes a world of treasure , Who her enioyes , enioyes his drinke , his meat : Shee 's hony sweet , her selfe not mixt with gall , Who her enioyes , enioyeth all in all . But if the goddesse Loue should changed be , And not perpetually abide the same ; Shee head-long fals into extremity , She takes vpon her then another name . Her white is blacke , her smillings changed are , Shee is a fury growne which once was faire . Her golden haires are turn'd to slimy snakes , Her eies like fire , her touch doth poyson spit ; Most grim and dreadfully her head she shakes : Which on her shoulders once did finely sit . Her pretty lisping tongue , & wanton speeches , Are turnd to yelling , howling , and to scretches . She whom the gods did loue to looke vpon , Makes Pluto quiuer at her odious sight : Who was a Mate most meete for Ioue alone , Is now become a Fiend of darksome night ; Who once was louely and in rich estate . Is wretched , hurtfull , and is turn'd to hate . Your youthfull Youths will not so often knocke , And beate their tender fists against the doore , But rust and canker now consumes the locke , For want of vse which shind with vse before . Shee keepes her home , and lurking there doth lie In holes and corners free from company . Speake what she will , shee may , here 's none that heares ; Let her bite , back-bite , slander or reuile , Weep whilst shee 's weary , none respects her tears , We know they come but from a Crocodile , We know her arts , her cunning , charmes & skill , Who can seeme kinde to those she meanes to kill . Then why for Rosa should I carke and care ? Why for my Rosa should I sorrow feele , Being she 's false , as much as she is faire ? What once lay at my heart , lies at my heele : For why , a foole I should accounted be , To die for her that skornes to liue with mee . Farewell my Rosa , fickle as the winde , Yet read these verses which I make of you , Scan them vpon your fingers , & you 'le finde That euery staffe and line of these be true : Then since that you and I are now apart , My Verses feet be truer then thy heart . Cursed be that beauty which was once my blisse , Cursed be those twinckling star-like eies of thine , Cursed be those lips which gaue me kisse for kisse , Cursed be the tong which told me , thou wert mine , Cursed be those arms which once did hold me fast And ten times cursed be what e're thou hast . Now to some vncouth desart will I goe , There will I lay me downe in melancholy , Where croaking toads lie throtling out my woe , Or where some snakes lie hissing at my folly : There will I lay me downe , there will I stay , And neuer turne vntill I turne to clay . But soft , what slumber hath mine eies opprest , What idle fantasies disturbs my braines , What is it makes me raile amidst my rest , In slumber sweet what makes me talke of paines ? Pardon sweet Loue , on me compassion take , For this I dreaming or in passion spake . The Heliotropium makes no shew at night , The proudest Peacocke hath no pleasing crie , The glittering Sunne reserues his totall light , Though mistie cloudes may keepe it from our eie : Pardon sweet , loue , once more I pardon aske , Faire is not foule , although she weares a maske . He somtimes feeles the pricks that puls the rose ; Who hony takes may sometimes touch the sting , The fairest flowers may offend the nose , Death may be neere , although the Swan doth sing : Checks from such cheekes , & frownes from such a face , Sweet loue I like , so I may thee imbrace . Then promise mee I may enioy thy sight , And faithfully thy word and promise keepe , Lest I lie rumbling all the irkesome night , Telling the tedious minutes wanting sleepe : For when ones loue doth stay a while away , Each minute seems an houre , each houre a day . Seeing . What if I walke most richly through the towne , What if I be ador'd like Mahomet , What if I take my rest on beds of downe , What if I doe inioy whole kingdomes ? yet All this is nought , vnlesse my Rosa be In presence , to behold my brauerie . Hearing . What if the best Musitians that be , Take in their hand a seuerall instrument , And play to me the sweetest harmony That euer was ? yet were it no content ; The sweetest tunes seems harsh vnto mine care , Vnlesse my Rosa be in place to heare . Smelling . What if my skin should be by nature sweete Like Alexanders ; whar if by perfumes Each man should smell me passing through the streete , What if my smell make sweet ill-smelling roomes ? These smels , these odors little will content me , Vnlesse my Rosa be in place to sent me . Tasting . What if my Table be most richly spread With the best iunkets can be made for men , If nectar be my drinke , if that my bread Be of the purest Mancher made , what then ? All these delights will not my palate please , Lest my Rosa be in place to taste of these . Feeling . What if the fairest Damsels in the Land With soft silke skin and Alabaster white , Should all at once before me naked stand To touch , they 'd neither please my touch or sight : Rosa is shee , like whom there is none such , She is my eye , eare , smell , my tast , my touch . All the Senses . Her voice is pleasant musicke to the eare , Her lookes doth like our sight exceeding well : Feed on her lips , she is the daintiest cheare , 'Mong all perfumes she is the sweetest smell : Our hot desire her water onely quenches , She is the touch , the very sense of Sences . She is the Star by which the Ship men faile , She is the hatches , she wherein they rest , She is the wind which makes the prosperous gale , She is the hauen , she which pleaseth best ; She is the Dolphin which Arion did Preserue from danger , whil'st he plaid and rid . Then be my Pilot to direct my Ship , Be thou the onely house where I may dwell , Be thou the onely cup to touch my lip , Be thou my heauen , and I shall feele no hell : Be thou my winde in spite of Aeolus , My iourney then must needes be prosperous . Now what is Loue , or what may we it call , Tell me O thou that triest ? I doe beseech You see , that onely shee 's the senses all ; I thinke shee 's also all the parts of Speech : To call her first a Noune , I thinke it good , Who can be felt , seene , heard , or vnderstood . A Noune . She is a Noune , and a Noune substantiue , And by that name I may her rightly call , Who stands her selfe , vnlesse another striue To fling her downe , and force her for to fall : An Adiectiue she may be also said , Who sometime doth require anothers aid , But of Nonne Substantiues there are two sorts , Some Nounes are proper , others common be , The best of all Grammarians reports ; If it be so , yet both of these is she : She 's proper , small , and of but slender bone , Shee is doubtfull , common yet to moe then one . A Pronoune . Shee is a Pronoune , like vnto a Noune , A Pronoune now she may be called well , For she what ere is done throughout the towne , To euery one that comes will shew and tell ; She busie is , like Poets that be versing , She doth delight in shewing and rehearsing . A Verbe . Shee 's a Verbe Actiue ; for if any wooe , And aske her if she loues , shee 'l say , I doe ; Shee is a Passiue too , for shee 'l sit still , And suffer any man to haue his will ; But yet to her I n'ere will be a Suter , Shee 's Actiue , Passiue , but to me a Neuter . A Participle . Shee is a Participle too I know , For she has two strings euer to her bow ; Shee is a Noune , a Verbe , yet sometimes neither : Shee sometimes onely takes but part of either : Foure kindes of Participles now there be , But shee is of the Preter tense with me . An Adverbe . Adverbs of diuers kindes we know there be , An Adverbe then of any kinde is she , Sometimes shee is of place , for here and there , Nay looke for her , you 'l finde her any where ; Shee 's any Adverbe ; if you would know why , Shee 'l wish , shee 'l sweare , flatter , affirme , deny . A Coniunction . Shee 's a Coniunction copulatiue , for either As close as wax shee ioyneth things together , Or a Disinnctiue , for shee 'l stir vp strife , ( Hauing a naughty tongue ) twixt man and wife : She is a thing that 's fit for any function , Shee 's any thing , therefore any Coniunction . A Preposition . Shee is a part of speech commonly set Before all other parts of speeches ; yet This part of speech , we very often finde Beyond , beside , nigh , through , about , behinde : She is a Preposition likewise seene , Within , without , against , beneath , betweene : An Interiection . Since she is any thing , we last of all , May rightly her an Interiection call ; Sometimes shee 's curst , somtimes exceeding kind , Troubled with diuers passiions of the minde ; Of maruelling , shee 's often as Pape , Sometimes of laughing too , as Ha , ha , he . O you most braue coniuring Seminaries , Read and attend my wofull wooing story : Take beades , make crosses , say your Aue Maries , And pray I may be out of Purgatory : For if I 'me not in Purgatory here , I le not beleeue ther 's any any where .

Epigrams . Ad lectorem candidum . THese Epigrams I made seuen yeeres agoe , Before I rime or reason scarce did know : Condemne me not for making these , alas , It was not I , I am not as I was . De Ligato non Ligato . As 't was my fortune by a wood to ride , I saw two men , their armes behinde them tide : The one lamenting there what did befall , Cride , I 'me vndone , my wife and children all : The other hearing him , alowd did crie , Vndoe me then , let me no longer lie : But to be plaine , the men which there I found , Were both vndone indeed , yet both fast bound . Ad Tonserium . Tonserius onely liues by cutting haire , And yet he brags , that Kings to him sit bare : Methinkes he should not brag and boast of it , For he must stand to Beggers , whiles they sit . Mordaces sapit vngues . Philomathes once studying to indite , Nibled his fingers , and his nailes did bite : By this I know not what he did intend , Vnlesse his wit lay at his fingers end . In Vxorium . Noctivagus walking in the euening sad , Met with a Spirit ; whether it was good or bad , He did not know : yet courage he did take , And to the wandring spirit thus he spake ; If good thou beest , thou 'lt hurt no silly men , If thou beest bad , thou 'st cause to loue me then , For I thy Kinsman am , my wife so euill , That I am sure I maried with the Deuill . In Naturam . Nature did well in giuing poore men wit , That fooles well monified , may pay for it . Ad Cansidices . To go to law , I haue no maw , Although my sure be sure ; For I shall lacke sutes to my backe , Eare I my sute procure . Demosthenis Imperfectio . Demosthenes both learning had and wit , As we may gather by the bookes he writ : Then blame him not , hauing so much to vtter , If that his tongue did trip , or he did stutter . In quendam Tobacconistam . If mans flesh be like swines , as it is said , The Metamorphosis is sooner made ; Then full fac'd Gnatho no Tobacco take , Smoking your corps , lest bacon you doe make . In quendam Ebrium . Cinna one time most wonderfully swore That whil'st he breathed he would drink no more But since I know his meaning , for I thinke He meant , he would not breath whilst he did drink . In Adulatores . Whilst on the Heliotropium Sol doth shine , Her clos'd and twisted selfe it will vntwine , But when from her bright Phabus takes his light , She shuts againe as scornefull to the night . Whilst on me Phaebus sun-shine shewes his face , Each man with open armes will me embrace . But when the Sunne of fortune'gins to set , They clutch their owne , hauing no more to get . In Superbum . Sylla would take the vpper hand of mee , Saying he was a better man then I ; I knew my selfe his better for to bee , But yet the wall I gaue him willingly . The wall he tooke , and take it euer shall , For still the weakest goeth to the wall . Mulieris inconstantia . A woman may be faire , and yet her mind , Is as vnconstant as the wauering wind , Venus her selfe is faire , she shineth farre : Yet shee 's a Planet , and no fixed starre . Bassae superbia . If it be true as ancient Authors write , That Blackamores do paint their Deuils white , Then why doth Bassa brag that she is faire , When such as shee most like the Deuils are ? In medices nostri-seculi . Twixt former times and ours there is great ods , For they held men that were Physitians , Gods . O what a happy age liue we in then , That haue such Gods before that they be men ! Pauperum felicitas . Fortune doth fauour poore men most of all , They hope to rise , but rich men feare to fall . Ad Coriatum . Coriat shoes , and shirt did neuer shift In his last voiage ; would you know his drift ? It was because he scorn'd that any one Should say , he was a shifting Companion . Ad Caluum . Caluus to combe his head doth take no eare , For why , there breeds no nits , where growes no haire . In Eundem . Haire on my head I neuer number shall , Nor Calvus his , for he hath none at all . Ad Aucipitem . As Auceps walked with his peece to shoote , Vpon a toad by chance he set his foote , With that he strait-way started backe and said , It was the foulest Creature , that was made . But say he what he will , I thinke not so , For he himselfe a Fowler was I know . In Balbum . Balbus , with other men would angry be , Because they could not speake so well as he . For others speake but with their mouth , he knowes But Balbus speakes both through the mouth and nose . Nulla dies sine linea . By euer learning Solon waxed old , For time he knew , was better farre then gold . Fortune would giue him gold , which would decay , But fortune cannot giue him yesterday . In vino nulla veritas . Truth is in wine , but none can finde it there , For in your Tauerne , men will lie and sweare . In Pictorem . Priscus is excellent in making faces , For he his eies , his nose , his mouth displaces ; Since he hath skill in making these alone , I wonder much he mendeth not his owne , In Rosam Periuratam . Rosa being false and periur'd , once a freind , Bid me contented be , and marke her end . But yet I care not , let my friend go fiddle , And let him marke her end , I le marke her middle . Temporum inconstantia . Those men that trauell all the world about , Doe go to finde the rarest fashions out , For all the newest fashions that we weare , We haue beyond Sea ; They their fashions here , But now the world of fashions seemeth dry , We looke to finde them in the starry skie . For if you looke it now , this fashion 's new , To weare a starre on a Polonie shooe . In Adulatorem . The Dogge will euer barke before he bite , The Theefe will bid you stand , before hee 'le fight , Each lurking beast , with some sowre visage will Shew you a former signe of following ill : But Marcus yet is ten-times worse then these , Whose heart is killing , when his words do please . In Aulicum . Man 's but a worme , the wisest sort doth say , Yet Clim the Courtier goes in fine array , So that if man's a worme till hee 's deceast , He meanes to be a Silke-worme at the least . De morte Achillis . Achilles heart no wound would hurt , his minde No chance could fright , we in story finde : But yet he died when he did Paris feele ; Surely I thinke his heart was in his heele . In Arrogantem . When foolish Icarus like a Bird would flie , With waxed wings he did ascend on hie ; But when that Phoebus saw his proud intent , Him head-long downe into the Sea he sent . Then Icarus cried , O that I had my wish , I would not be a Bird , but be a fish . Mulierum superbia . Why women weare a Fall , I do not know , Vnlesse it onely be to make a show ; It 's true indeed , to pride they 're giuen all , And pride the Prouerbe saies , must haue a fall . In quandam Edentulam . To Fusca beefe and bacon very loathsome , Chickens and Pigeons are not very toothsome ; No maruell though if them she cannot eate , Shee hath no teeth , and they are toothsome meate . In viraginem My wife while she doth liue , her Will will take , For when she dying is , no will must make : But if shee 'le promise quickly for to die , I le grant her will , her life-time willingly . In Calumniatores . When Codrus catches fleas , what ere he ailes , He kils them with his teeth , not with his nailes ; Saying that man by man might blamelesse goe , If euery one would vse Back-biters so . In Magistrum Leech fugitiuum . A pillar of the Church some Leech doe call , But such as he are Caterpillars all : Hee 's fled to Rome , there 's roome for such as he , We loue his roome , but not his company . Vultus index animi . If Phoebus good and bad doth see his signe , Bassa is bad ; for shee when Sol doth shine Doth weare a maske , lest to the pearing Sunne , Her countenance should tell what she hath done . Ad Momum responsum . Whilst I , as I was wont , went neate and fine , Momus me delicatulum did call ; This was the answere which I made to him , Take you but halfe the word , and I le take all . De Educatione Authoris . The City London to me life did giue , And Westminster did teach me how to liue : To whether place I doe most dutie owe , Good Readers tell me , for I hardly know . Nosce teipsum . Walking and meeting one not long agoe , I ask'd who't was , he said , he did not know ; I said I know thee , so said he , I you , But he that knowes himselfe I neuer knew . Nimium ne crede colori . When Bassa walkes abroad , she paints her face , And then she would be seene in euery place ; For then your Gallants who so ere they are , Vnder a colour will account her faire . In Macilentum . When first of all I Macilent did see , An vgly spirit , I thought him for to be ; But since I know the cause he look'd so grim , Had hardly flesh enough to couer him . In faeneratorem . Griper more money got then he could spend , By mony which to others he did lend , Say what he will , he was no gainer yet , But he a Looser was , which so did get : To get by cosening , was his whole pretence , By getting so , he lost his conscience . In eundem . Much gold you Griper gather and corrade , By lending out to vse a damned trade ; But whilst of gold you are a Hell-u-o , Much to the Deuill , much to hell you owe . In ventriculum sesquipedalem . Gaster did seeme to me to want his eies , For he could neither see his legs nor thighes ; But yet it was not so , he had his sight , Onely his belly hanged in his light . In Asseclam . Sextus in old apparell still doth goe , Yet all his sute is new from top to toe : It is no maruell though , if this be true , His Masters old apparell makes him new . In Edentulum garrulum . Nature the teeth doth as an hedge ordaine , The nimble frisking tongue for to containe : No maruell then since that the hedge is out , If Fuscus tongue walketh so fast about . Necessitas non habet legem . Florus did beate his Cooke , and gan to sweare , Because his meate was rotten roasted there : Peace good sir , quoth the Cook , need hath no law , 'T is rotten rosted , 'cause 't was rotten raw . In deauriculatum . Thraso vpon a pillar lost his eare , And euer since he hid that place with haire ; Now least you Thraso , or his friend would be , Cut off your lockes , that we your eares may see . Iri Paupertas . Irus vsing to lie vpon the ground , One morning vnder him a feather found ; Haue I all night here laine so hard ( quoth he ) Hauing but one poore feather vnder me ? I wonder much then how they take their ease , That night by night lies on a bed of these . In malam vxorem . Priscus was weeping when his wife did die , Yet he was then in better case then I , I should be merry , and should thinke to thriue , Had I but his dead wife for mine aliue . Aenigma . As Sextus once was opening of a nut , With a sharpe knife his finger deepely cut , What signe is this quoth he , can any tell , 'T is signe , quoth one , you haue cut your finger well : Not so , saith he , for now my finger's sore , And I am sure that it was well before . De Paupertate Codri . Codrus did serue a multitude with meate : Yet he himselfe had nothing for to eate : Some men may thinke this frolicke misery , Or miserable liberalitie . Vermine did reede on him , when he perhaps Did either feed on nothing or on scraps . In Philogastrum . Craesus is rich , and gallant , faire , and fat , Codrus thou art but poore , and what to that ? When he is dead , tell Craesus this from me , More wormes will feed on him , then will on thee . In quendam Petatorem . Bid Gnatho heare a Sermon , then hee 'le say , Hee 's a dry fellow that doth preach to day ; But hee 's a drier Fellow sure , I thinke , That ne're has from his nose a pot of drinke . In eundem . Gnatho did sweare that he would drinke no moe , Flinging the beere away cause it run loe ; Nay faith , saies one , it is a sinne to spil't , For that is noble beere that runnes at tilt . De Casto amore . Many accuse me cause I could doe nothing , Many accuse ' me 'cause I was a slow thing ; But soft my Masters , I was politicke : For had not I beene slow , shee had beene quicke . Ad Cornutum . Cornutus call'd his wife both whore and slut . Quoth she , youl 'e neuer leaue your brawling , but ; But what , quoth he ? quoth she , the post or doore : For you haue hornes to but , if I 'me a whoore . An Epigram . The Shopmen Gallant go , and spruse they are , And giue their Workmen what they list for ware , They drinke good wine , they feed vpon anchoues , Sic vos non vobis , fertis aratra boues . An Epigram . When I in Presse saw these things , not long since I iudg'd they had beene tried by the bench ; For if the Iurie once had gone vpon them , Lesse they 'd beene hang'd or burn'd , what had come on them . Ad ● F. Since you your selfe did breake , you cunning are , Cozening your kindred thus with broken ware . Ad M. P. Six yeeres I was a Seruant vnto thee , Had I seru'd one yeere more , I had beene free ; But since you got me once vpon the hippe , You turn'd me off , before my Prentiship . An Epigram . Cmna loued Rosa well , thinking her pure , And was not quiet till he made her sure , She married yet another , but the end Is this ; shee 's Cinnaes wife , the others friend . Ad quosdam Academicos . You that so many precious houres loose , Fall close vnto your studie ; let your Muse Thinke vpon nought but goodnes . Starue & pine , Before an houre passe without a line . For euen as the riuer ebs and flowes , This trash and earthly treasure , comes and goes , But learning lasts vntill the day of doome , Sea cannot sinke it , nor fire it consume , What if thy friends , thee meate , nor money send , Spend thy time well , though hast enough to spend , What if thou beest , by chaunce in prison cast , 'Mongst those that are in want , thou 'lt find a waste . Nay one may come , thy face that nere did see . And set thee out , as one deliuer'd mee .

A Loue Sonnet . I Loued a Lasse a faire one , As faire as e're was seene , Shee was indeed a rare one , Another Sheba Queene . But foole as then I was , I thought she lou'd me too , But now alas sh 's left me ; Falero , lero , loo . Her haire like gold did glister , Each eye was a starre , Shee did surpasse her sister , Which past all others farre . She would me hony call , Shee'd-O-shee'd kisse me too , But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . In Summer-time to Medley My loue and I would goe , The boate-men there stood ready , My loue and I to rowe : For creame there would we call , For cakes , for pruines too , But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . Many a merrie meeting My loue and I haue had , Shee was my onely sweeting , Shee made my heart full glad , The teares stood in her eies Like to the morning dew , But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . And as abroad we walked , As Louers fashion is , Oft we sweetly talked , The Sun would steale a kisse : The winde vpon her lips Likewise most sweetly blew , But now alas sh 'as left mee , Falero , lero , loo . Her cheekes were like the cherry , Her skin as white as snow , When she was blithe and merry , She Angell-like did shew : Her waste exceeding small , The fiues did fit her shooe , But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . In summer-time or winter She had her hearts desire , I still did scorne to stint her From sugar , sacke , or fire : The world went round about , No cares we euer knew , But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . As we walk'd home together At midnight , through the towne , To keepe away the weather , O're her i 'de cast my gowne : No cold my Loue should feele , What e're the heau'ns could doe . But now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . Like Doues we would be billing , And clip and kisse so fast , Yet she would be vnwilling , That I should kisse the last : They 're Iudas kisses now , Since they prou'd all vntrue , For now alas sh 'as left me , Falero , lero , loo . To Maidens vowes and swearing , Henceforth no credit giue , You may giue them the hearing , But neuer them beleeue ; They are as false as faire , Vnconstant , fraile , vntrue , For mine alas has left me , Falero , lero , loo . 'T was I that paid for all things , 'T was others dranke the wine , I cannot now recall things , Liue but a foole to pine : 'T was I that beate the bush , The bird to others flew , For she alas has left me , Falero , lero , loo . If euer that Dame nature , For this false Louers sake , Another pleasing creature , Like vnto her would make ; Let her remember this . To make the other true , For this alas hath left me , Falero , lero , loo . No riches now can raise me , No want makes me despaire , No miserie amaze me , Nor yet for want I care : I haue lost a world it selfe , My earthly heauen adue , Since she alas hath left me , Falero , lero , loo .

To his Loue fearing a Corriuall . THe poisnous Spider , and the labouring Bee , The one and selfe-same flower daily suckes ; But yet in nature much they disagree , For poison one , the other hony pluckes . You are the flower ( you know my meaning , ) he The poisnous Spider is , and I the Bee . But if you like that swelling creature best , Whose onely trap can but insnare a flie ; I 'le leaue my writing , and I 'le liue in rest , Vntill another Loue can like my eie . But , if you leauing me , me none can please , I 'le lingering liue in paine , I 'le pine in ease . I am the Bee , if thou wilt be the Hiue , Wherein no blacke nor poisnous moisture lies ; I 'le be a painefull Bee , I 'le daily striue , Home to returne to thee with loaden thighes : And in the winter , when all flowers perish , The hiue the Bee , the Bee the hiue shall cherish . 'T is not your fringe , your gloues , your bands , your lace , Your gold , your fathers goods that I desire ; But 't is your golden haire , your comely face , 'T is that , O that , that sets my heart on fire : Your hands , your heart , your loue , your comely hue . Makes me forget my selfe , remembring you . O that I were a hat for such a head ! O that I were a gloue for such a hand ! O that I were your sheetes within your bed ! O that I were your shooe whereon you stand ! To be your very smocke ! I 'de daily seeke , So that you would not shift me once a weeke ,

Another to his Loue seeing her walke in twi-light . THe deepest waters haue the smoothest looks , The fairest shirt may hide the foulest skin : Bad lines are often writ in guilded bookes , View not the outside then , but looke within : Try ere you trust , and if all things be true , Locke hands in hands , and seeke not for a new . I must confesse , and will , I am but poore , But rich I am in loue , perhaps you know : But if you to some higher region soare , Disdaining for to take your flight so lowe , Take heed lest by some vehemencie of wether , You chance to burn some , or scorch some other . But tell me sweet , if that thy minde be set Vpon some other man ; or if you know What thing this Loue should be , if not as yet , I le teach you what a thing is loue ; O no : What thing is loue ? how can you learne of ●e , When first I learn'd to loue by seeing thee ? The pretty winding of thy comely head , The decent rowling of thy liuely eie , Thy tender lilly hand , hath strucke me dead Without a touch . Now what is Loue ? T' is I , T' is you , t' is I , t' is you , t' is both together , You loue , I loue , both loues , sweete loue come hither . I cast an eye vpon you yester-night , But Phoebus Horses went too great a pace , Vnwilling to afford me so much light , Wherein I plainely might discerne your face : In spite of Phoebus , nay in spite of you . I 'le looke , I 'le loue , t' is somwhat strange , but true .

Desiring an Answer from his loue . IF that I am vnworthy of your loue . Let me be worthy of your answer yet , That I may know whether I must remoue My deare affection from you now , and set My minde vpon my bookes , which now I feare I spend in Loue toyes , and am n'ere the neere . Prethee sweet Loue , some prettie thing Indite , Let those thy prettie fingers hold a Pen ; Vpon some pretty peece of paper write , Nature made Maidens pretty , and not men . What Midas toucht was gold ; you are so witty That what you write , or touch , or do , 't is prettie . If you want paper , paper will I send you , If you want Inke , I 'le likewise send you Inke ; If that you want a Pen , a Pen I le lend you , What ere t' is you want , if that I can but thinke : What 't is , I 'de freely giue it to you , so You would but send an answer , I , or no. I doe not write to thee for hope of gaines , But onely for to gaine thy loue ; so then I prethee Rosa take a little paines ; Once more I prethee Rosa hold a Pen : I long to heare from thee , I faine would know , An answer from thee quickly , I , or no. If it be I , then Rosa thou art mine , Then will we spend our youthful daies in pleasures If it be No , yet Rosa am I thine : What ere thy answere is , thou art my treasure . If that ( sweet heart ) youl 'd know the reason why , It is , because a Maidens No , is I.

¶ An Answere to her Answer . SWeete Mistris Rosa , for whose onely sake I 'de run through fire and water , nay I 'de make A iourney through the dangerous vncuth places , I 'de measure all the world with weary paces To doe you good : nay more , I 'de lose my heart , Rather then haue your little finger smart : But when you chance to read the same , I flatter You then will say ; but oh , it is no matter , Mock , flout , neglect , disdain , spit , spite , contemne , I needs must loue my earthly Diadem . I stouted others once in miserie , But other men may now well flout at me ; This is that dire and cursed punishment , Which all the gods aboue to me hath sent For all my faults , O see with pitty see , Sweet Loue , thy loue in wofull miserie , Whose eies ne're sleepes , whose fancie still is doing Since that he knew what did belong to wooing : Thou art the Clothe that hath spun my thred , By which I seeme to liue , but yet am dead . But prethee Rosa , if thou l't stop thy breath , Kill quicke , let me not liue a lingring death : Pitty , pitty , pitty , pitty , pitty . Pretty , pretty , pretty , pretty , pretty , Sweet , golden , lilly , liuely , tender maide , Looke , like , liue , loue me well , and I am made .

To his second Loue . TWixt hope & feare , I feare ( sweet Loue ) I liue , Thinking my heart was giuen long agoe ; Being one man , has but one heart to giue , How can you looke for mine , yet thinke not so ? But trie me , trust me , and sweet heart , you 'le see , I haue a heart that 's onely kept for thee . Misdoubt me not although I lou'd before , Misdoubt me not , but I lou'd faithfully ; Experience makes me now loue ten-times more , I haue my lesson now without booke , I : When first I lou'd I was a fondling foole , Now I am a Captaine made in Cupids schoole . You smil'd on me , but if you 'le smile no more , What will those men that know me now surmise ? Being I was forsaken once before . They 'le thinke me hatefull in a Maidens eiet : They 'l thinke all hate me , or suppose indeed , I onely came to wooe , but not to speed . O how much am I bound to Nature now , For making thee , that dost so farre excell Her , whom I thought excell'd all others ; how Am I now bound to nature pre' thee tell . The difference 'twixt my first loue , and you Is this , shee 's faire and false , thou faire and true . Misdoubt me not , for by the Heauens aboue , Thou shalt not finde me with a double tongue ; For if I am the man thou canst not loue , I am the man that will doe thee no wrong . For if I speake by thee but any euill , Count me no more a Man , count me a Deuill .

Of the burning of his letter . LIke as the Moath about the candle flies , Hoping to haue some comfort from the light , Scorcheth her wings , and on a sudden lies Panting vpon the ground , or burned quite . So I still hoping thee sweet heart to moue , Consume my selfe in burning flames of loue . Alas , alas , thy beautie shines so bright , It duls and dazels all that doe come nie thee , This is the cause I neuer come , but write . Without an Eagles eye , how dare I eye thee ? Cupid is blinde ; then I in louing thee , And looking too , should be more blind then he . Why doe I sigh , and sob , and broyle , and burne ? Why doe I seeke to striue against the streame ? Letters , nor loue , nor lookes , thy heart can turne , Why doe I then make loue my onely theame ? I loue , you hate , I write ; but what the better ? I burne in loue , and you doe burne my letter . Poore harmelesse verses , what did ye commit ? Hard hearted Flora how did they offend thee ? More verses haue I made for thee , but yet I le sweare thou shalt not burne the next I le send thee . Burning's too base a death , therefore the rest , If they deserue to die , they shall be prest .

Master Johnsons answer to Master Withers . Withers . SHall I wasting in despaire , Die because a woman's faire , Or my cheekes make pale with care , Cause anothers rosie are ? Be she fairer then the day , Or the flowrie Meades in May , If she be not so to mee , What care I how faire she be ? Iohnson . Shall I mine affection slacke , 'Cause I see a woman's blacke , Or my selfe with care cast downe , 'Cause I see a woman browne ? Be she blacker then the night , Or the blackest iet in sight : If she seeme not so to mee , What care I how blacke shee be ? Withers . Shall my foolish heart be pinde , 'Cause I see a woman's kinde , Or a well disposed nature Ioyned in a comely feature ? Be she kinde or meeker than Turtle Doue , or Pellican ; If she be not so to mee , What care I how kinde she be ? Iohnson . Shall my foolish heart be burst , 'Cause I see a woman 's curst , Or a thwarting hoggish nature Ioyned in as bad a feature ; Be she curst or fiercer then Brutish Beast , or sauage Men : If she be not so to mee , What care I how curst shee be ? Withers . Shall a womans vertues make , Me to perish for her sake , Or her merits value knowne Make me quite forget my owne ? Be she with that goodnesse blest , That may merit name of best : If she seeme not so to mee , What care I how good she be ? Iohnson . Shall a womans vices make , Me her vertues quite forsake , Or her faults to me made knowne , Make me thinke that I haue none ? Be shee of the most accurst , And deserue the name of worst : If she be not so to me , What care I how bad she be ? Withers Cause her fortunes seemes too high , Should I play the foole and dye ? He that beares a noble minde , If not outward helpe he find , Thinke what with them he would do , That without them dares to wooe . And vnlesse that minde I see , What care I how great she be . Iohnson . Cause her fortunes seemes too loe , Shall I therefore let her goe ? He that beares an humble mind , And with riches can be kinde , Thinke how kinde a heart hee 'd haue , If he were some seruile slaue : And if that same minde I see , What care I how poore she be . Withers . Great , or good , or kind , or faire , I will ne're the more dispaire , If she loue me then beleeue , I will die , ere she shall grieue , If she slight me when I wooe , I can slight , and bid her goe : If she be not fit for me , What care I for whom she be ? Iohnson . Poore , or bad , or curst , or blacke , I will nere the more be slacke , If she hate me , then beleeue , Shee shall die ere I will grieue , If she like me when I wooe , I can like and loue her too : If that she be fit for me , What care I what others be ?

To the Reader . IT is a common custome now adayes , For one to wright vpon anothers praise : But I no Trumpets seeke , no sound of Drums , No man for me shall make incomiums : Their verses cannot make these verses better , They will not mend a staffe , a line , a letter .

The cries of Ludgate . NOble King Lud , long heare hast thou stood , Not framed of wood , But of stones ; Stones sure thou art , like our creditors heart , Which cares not a — . For our grones Within thy gates , the cry at thy grates , Though it moues the states of this City : Our calling , our bawling , our yawling it moues not , Our Creditors hearts vnto pitty . In caps , and in coates , with sorrowfull notes , And tearing our throates For reliefe : Good , Sir , we cry , with a Box hanging by , Heeres a hundred that lye Full of griefe , The Gallants ride on , and nere thinke vpon , Our pitifull mone Which we make , But rumbling , and tumbling , and iumbling their Coaches , The stones in the streetes they do shake . Marchants that goe by the gate too and fro , There hearts at our woe , Seeme to shake , Thinking what crosses , what griefe , & what losses , When theire carackes to sea , They take , These men are best , remorse in their brest , Doth harbour and rest To the needy , They roundly , profoundly , and soundly are giuing , As if they to free them were greedy . Others passe by , and cast vp an eye Vpon that cry , In disdaine , Saying , that we , all quickly would be , If now we were free , heere againe : Let them take heede , that mock vs indeede , And thus at our neede goe by giuing , T is so man , that no man , can know man his ending , Though well he may know his beginning .

The Song of the Begger . I Am a Rogue and a stout one , A most couragious drinker , I doe excell , t' is knowne full well , The Ratter , Tom , and Tinker Still doe I crie , good your Worship good Sir , Bestow one small denire Sir , And brauely then at the bousing can , I le bouse it all in beere Sir . If a Bung be got by the hye Law , Then straight I doe attend them , For if Hue and cry do follow I , A wrong way soone do send them . Still do I cry , &c. Ten miles vnto a Market , I runne to meete a Miser , Then in a throng , I nip his Bong , And the Party nere the wiser . Still do I cry , &c. My dainty Dals , my Doxis , When ere they see melacking , Without delay poore wretches they , Will set their Duds a packing . Still do they cry , &c. I pay for what I call for , And so perforce it must be , For as yet I cannot know the man , Nor Oastis that will trust me . Still do I cry , &c. If any giues me lodging , A courteous knaue they finde me , For in their bed , aliue or dead , I leaue some lice behinde me , Still do I cry , &c. If a gentry coe be comming , Then straight it is our fashion , My Leg I tye close to my thigh , To mooue him to compassion . Still doe I cry &c. My dublet sleeue hangs empty , And for to beg the boulder , For meate and drink , mine arme I shrinke Vp close vnto my shoulder . Still do I cry , &c. If a Coatch I heare be rumbling , To my Crutches then I hve me , For being lame , it is a shame , Such Gallants should deny me . Still do I c̄ry , &c. With a seeming bursen belly , I looke like one halfe dead sir , Or else I begg with a wodden leg , And a Night-cap on my head sir . Still doe I cry , &c. In Winter time starke naked , I come into some City , Then euery man that spare them can , ●●ll giue me cloathes for pity . Still do I cry , &c. If from out the Low country , I heare a Captaines name sir , Then straight I sweare I haue beene there , And so in fight came lame sir . Still doe I cry , &c. My Dog in a string doth leade me , When in the towne I goe sir , For to the blinde , all men are kinde , And will their Almes bestow sir , Still doe I cry , &c. With switches sometimes stand I , In the bottome of a Hill sir , There those men which , do want a switch Some mony giues me still sir , Still do I cry , &c. Come by , come by , a horne booke , Who buyes my pins or needles : In Cities I , these things do cry . Oft times to scape the Beadles . Still doe I cry , &c. In Pauls Church by a Pillar , Sometimes you see me stand sir , With a writ that shewes what care & woes , I past by Sea and Land sir . Still doe I cry , &c. Now blame me not for boasting , And bragging thus a lone Sir , For my selfe I will be praysing still , For neighbours haue I none Sir : Which makes me crie good your Worship good sir , Bestow one small dinere Sir , And brauely then at The bousing Kan , I bouse it all in beere Sir .