An epitome of the vvorlds woe vvherein is perspicuously discouered, the lamentable miseries of the world, in these tempestuous times, the infidelitie of fained friends, and ficklenesse of deceitefull fortune : continued by way of meditation and resolution / by Geo. Dichante, gent.

THE WOE OF THE WORLD . HEauen's high director , and Olympus King , Whose power doth guid , & gouerne euery thing Whose blessed bounty doth extend to all , Whose wealth supplyes each want in generall . Supply my wants , Great God! thou map of meeknesse , And let thy power be perfect in my weakenesse : Oh helpe me to divulge , in these weake times , The vainnesse , and vexation of these times . Inspire my Muse , she truely may explaine , The woes that in this wicked world do raigne : For at the Altar of thy holy Will , My Muse doth offer vp her Incense still : And all the faculties remaine in me I will addresse and consecrate to thee . T is in thy power to rectifie each wrong , Oh guide me then , and go with me along : Grant what I write , within this tedious story May to all 's good redound , and to thy Glory . Since that same season wherein I was borne , ( By sinne originall ) a wretch forlorne : These eyes and eares of mine haue knowne ( though young ) Woes ; cannot be exprest by pen , nor tongue . For I protest ( yet many thinke not so ) I haue beene witnesse to a world of Woe . Neere in my life as yet that I could tell ; One intire day remaind I perfect well . But various passions , still were represented , Sometimes well-pleased , straightway male-contented Sometimes fresh ioy , did ouer ioy my heart ; Anone I was possest with pangs of smart : And when some ouerflowe of fickle Fate , Had fild my bodies bankes with blisse or State , The ebbe of that within a little space , Hath left me in a worse , and weaker case : And seeing thus my ioyes to ebbe and flowe , With lofty Surges first , and then sinke lowe . Leauing the top-full bankes of blisse all dry , Oh what a wicked world is here ( thought I ) Where nothing's firme , but all I here espie , Of sublunary Subiects , liue to die . What mortall then , that with the eye of wit ? Descends into the world , but sees that it , Containeth little that is good within , For t is a nurse of vice , a sinke of sinne : A Laborinth of labour , gins , and guiles : A sacke of sorrowes , wickednesse and wiles . And In my selfe though all these woes I see , 〈…〉 s●●ll as me Each man a little world containes within , A true compendium of the great worlds sinne : Where Reason as the Princesse highest sits , In the bed-chamber of the Bodies wits , The Sences are Attendants on the Court , Without whose aide nought passes through the port . The supreame powers , as Memory and Will , They are the Peeres , retaining good or ill : The Parts exterior , and interne Affections Are Commons that relye o' th Peers protection . Then violent Passions that ( there ) will not cease Are base Disturbers of the Common peace . And as one Passion is anothers doore Wherein may enter more and more : So restlesse Woes continually make roome , Whereby another Woe may likewise come ; Which dumps and dolors do so terrifie me , And sors my sences , that no ioy comes nigh me : For the great griefes , that gaule me euery day , Surpriz● my comfort , bannish blisse away . I am no Stoicke that no passions loue , Whose mindes at neither mirth nor sorrow moue : These Stocke conceits do truly represent , The ouerthrow of inward gouernment . But as a Christian heart my God me gaue , So I'●● take care to order all I haue . Then tell , what mortall euer yet could say , His ioy was constant st●ll a compleate day : Yet true it is that many men haue spent , 〈…〉 But constantly if it endur'd a day , And was not crackt by sorrow neere away : That griefe and ioy so long hath kept a sunder , I will record it for a worldly wonder . No , no , the world is meerely all but vaine , And her best pleasures turne to bitter paine : For though ioy tary strangely for an houre , T is soone consum'd by care , and sorrow sowre . Whence I extract ( which euery one sayes plaine ) That pleasures period , is a passe to paine ; That ioy and gladnesse take their turnes about , And when the one is in , the others out . So that in neither , ther 's a stable station , But when its sorrowes Terme , it 's ioyes Vacation . The Poets faine , there was betwixt those two , A great dissention , and a deale to doo ; Which twix't them selues could not he pacifi'd , But they must go to Iupiter to tride , And he all meanes , and motions too did trie , The variant to reduce to amity . But when he fee his paines had fruitlesse proou'd , And that their malice could not be remoou'd : To venge himselfe , and curbe these solmne sots , He bound them in , indissoluble knots ; And chan'd them fast , withall decreed so , These two inseperate for ere should go . Then t is no wonder that they do surprize Men in this manner with their miseries : For euery man hath sure his turne of sorrow , f glad to day , he 's sure of griefe to morrow . So thus is mankind with their mischeefes crost , One day payes dolor , that another lost : I neuer yet with any did remaine , But euer he of something did complaine . If Rich , then to augment his state and store , He would take care to scrape and gape for more ; If poore and nipt with pinching pennurie , He then must care to ease his miserie . When Salomon the Mirror of true wit , Had all experience man could haue of it ; And for his pleasure Orchards daily planted , Made fish-ponds , craued nought , but it was granted . Had men and women-seruants borne and breed , within his house , and there were nourished : Had stately buildings , costly gemmes and things , As presents sent from Emperors and Kings . Bdellium , Ophir gold , all kind of wood , Gold , Siluer , Frankincense , and all was good : Nay to be briefe , all solace he had sent , Could please the eye , or giue the heart content ; Yet did he deeply ( lothing them ) complaine , And said , The world and all is vaine . So let men giue their hearts to glut in pleasures , To hoord vp Riches , Iewels , Gems , and treasures : Yet in the end with him they will complaine , And truely say , The world and all is vaine . But discontent and hunting still for more , Not satisfi'd with good enough before : Men fast pursue to be of all possest , And till their race be runne can neuer rest . Which woe indures and the furies fell , Makes vs thinke earth to be a second hell . Then cannot this be mended ? yes , in store , God hath laid vp a Salue for euery sore : And the best Medicine that I finde is this If any in his Baine would looke for blesse : When woe and sorrow come , I do not care for 't Because before it come I am prepar'd for 't : And when t is come ( for to disgest the smart ) I le freely welcome woe with all my heart ; But when it goes ( it's bitternesse to quell I looke for 't more and bid but halfe , Farewell . So that in Mirth I maladies do feare ; And in my care I know that comfort 's neere . Oh that my eyes could shed a sea of Teares For to lament our vnlamented yeeres ; Or could but with my weake and weary straine Beate all these mischiefes into Mortals buaine : Then sure some veiwing of its Misery Would cast all care aside , and learne to dye ; Leaue of all worldly loue , make preparation , As here he had but one houres habitation . I do not care ( my Minde was neuer such ) Whether I be endow'd with little or much ; If little , my account shall be but small , How I 'ue disposed of this little all : If much ( no Auarice gainst me hath stood , But I may grant it to the needies good . And for my part I will confesse that I , Am very young yet old enough to die . If that the destinies had decreed it so , I had beene well content that gate to go : Then had I beene secure from sinning more , And past the perill of the pikes before . But since it stands thus with his holy pleasure , That to repent , I haue the times leysure : My Times , at all times like a carefull man , I le make the best vse of it that I can . But as for Fortune and all worldly care , That daily on this world do make repaire , I 'ue such an Antidote laid vp in store , As that her hornes shall neuer hurt me more : For Patience shall arme my body still , To beare the burthen of her good or ill . My minde shall meditate on that alway , That prudent Pompey vsed oft to say : My friends ( quoth he ) we haue but little cause , To trust Fates flatterings , and vaine applause : For by experience I haue prou'd it true , ( My former state I know was knowne to you ) How the Emperiall Rule I once did gaine , Before I lookt for or ere wisht the same ; And on a suddaine euery one might see T was snarcht away , and taken quite from me . When I a Mighty Monarch reigned in Rome , Secure ( as then I dreamd ) from Care to come ; And climing to attaine the top of all , I was deposed , and cought this feate full fall . So Senecca ( when banished from Rome , 〈…〉 Vnto his mother Altine wrote a letter , That she might beare his banishment the better . ( Mother said he ) I n'ere gaue credit to , Or trusted Fortunes slimme and subtle show Although 'twixt me and her did often grow , Great friendlinesse , 't was fild with fraud I know . For when she did consent to ought I did , If any peace or praise in it lay hid : I knew she did not pitty me at all , But rais'd me high , to take the greater fall . So by her liberality what 's sent , Riches , or Honor , I accompt them lent . All promises that she doth proffer me , The pleasures , wealth , or what prosperity , I lay it by within my house by 't selfe , Looking each houre to lose that lastlesse pelfe . And it doth n'ere my mind at all affright , Whether she tak 't away by day or night : I le n'ere lament nor wander still in woe , But as it came , I le freely let it goe . Whence this we see , the prudent and the wise . Will not presume still on good happ to rise : Nor all her ficklenesse esteeme a haire , Because before a change they do prepare . Yet if I might elect I 'd rather buy Her Amity , then wofull Enmity ; And when I 'ue lost wherewith she did relieue me , Then let her take it , it shall neuer greeue me . Let her take all I haue , burn't in the fire , And giue it to some monster , or a man , Vse all extremities she will or can ; Yet shall not this , nay nor a further smart , Produce a sigh , or euer greeue my heart . We read that Philip Macedon likewise , When he heard tell of three great victories : Straight kneeled down with folded palmes to 'th skies And vnto heauen lifting vp his eyes Vtter'd these words ; Oh cruell Fates ( quoth he ) And gratious , gods , after prosperitie I humbly pray you you will be content To moderate my future chastisement : And let it not be a sad introduction . Of my great ruine , or my dire destruction : For I am certaine , that such flowes are vaine , And after pleasure will insue my paine . All which examples , truely should be noted And in our memories well writ and quoted : That midditating on them we may know , How little trust to fortune we do owe : How much we haue to trust the flattering strife , And fawning happinesses of this life ; For we not taking heed of after claps . Fall vnawares in number of mishaps . Yea , if it fortune that some time we find , Pleasures , and great contentments to our mind : Then paine his penalty , for pleasure doubles , And vs ou'r whelmeth , in a gulfe of troubles . So like right worldlings , thinking for to hold , Our 〈…〉 In spight of Fortune and her nimble lets , We 're trapt and toyled in misfortunes Nets : Such is our folly , when we hauing got , Some bauins blaze of blisse , or little lot : Our Wits by much presuming on that fate , Are c●ptiuate and drown'd in selfe conceit . So we become ( by running thus astray ) ( To froward Fortune , and ill hap ) a pray . O traiterous world , which for a little space , Dost flatter fawne , and smile on vs apace ; And quickly in the twinkling of an eye , Bereaues vs of our ioyes and dignitie : Thou giuest vs occasion to be glad , And after makes vs dolefull , heauy , sad . Now thou aduances , and extols vs hie , Then throwes vs downe , and makes vs lowly lie . But oh base world , how can we scape thy gins ? Or liuing here extenuate our sinnes . For why , the more thou knowes a man is glorious And by 's aspiring seekes to be notorious ; To fit his chaps for him thou dost prouide , Riches , Honor , and many things beside : As Beauteous Women , I and dainty fare , That he may surfeit on them wtthout care . But after all these wished ioyes , and pleasures , Great dignities , and many precious Treasures ; Euen as a bate is for the Fishes set , So are we taken in vaine pleasures net . But as for worldly and these tough Temptations ) ( Presented to vs for our iust probations ) They make vs thinkt , vnpossible ere Fate , Should Metamorphose such a setled State : Which hardens vs in them to take delight . And practise nought but pleasures day and night . Yet I would haue one that 's affectionate Vnto the worldly pleasures , pompe , and state , Or loues it most , To tell me by his wit What recompences , or what benefit After the world deceiues them , they can reape ; Nought but Laments , and for their lust to weepe , I 'ue knowne great dolors , griefe , and lamentations , In many houses , where 's beene exultations , And many ioyes before , in worldly state , That haue their losse lamented too too late . But thinke , the world rewards vs still with euill , And ruines good things like a demy-deuill : T is Vertues Tyrant , enemy to peace , For base commotions neuer in 't will cease : Errors maintainer , and a freind to warres , This Souldiers testifie , when scourg'd with skarres : A graue of ignorance , a field of folly , That showes vs mirth , yet stor'd with melancholy , Curst Cares Charibdes , and a dangerous deepe , Wherein the godly many crosses reape : A very Scilla wherein our desires , Do also perish with vaine lucres fires . For the base vulger makes no accompt of them , That merit well , or sprung of Noble Stem : But those that can support and maintaine pleasures , And onely wade in wealth and ●●●da●ie treasures When these bereft of liuing and of state , Do curse their birth-day , and the faith of fate . Yet still the base broode , cast a semblance sowre , Vpon good qualities , if they be poore : When they fond clues , his outside onely see , And braue apparell , without honestie : But care not for all qualities a pin , Nor the sweete gifts that he retaines within . When the best Clearkes , did often on it vant , And banisht Opulence to line in want : As Bias carried all his wealth about , And dog'd Diogenes lay in 's Tub without ; Poore Irus , Codrus , and a many moe , That sought things firme , and let the fickle goe . For plaine experience let these learned see , Want is the Mistresse of Philosophie . Their skill and learning told them this for sure , That riches and preferment would not dure ; But vertues lustre lasteth during breath , And makes our name Immortall after death . This should be apprehended of the wise , Though they seeme sordid in the vulgers eyes . Their iudgements fallible , and comes not neare , The true insight , but iudge as things appeare ; When wisedome alway doth of things take heede , Not as they seeme , but as they be indeed . So still the noble striue for to surmount , The Pedants censure and the vulgers count . For when the brittle state of things they see , And wh●● s●●ll ●old 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 They cleaue to that , which brings perpetuall gaine , And makes men without ruine long to raigne ; But not of riches , friends , or lands to boast , That long a gathering are , and soone are lost : Nor great ones loues , for like the Scithian floure , Their fauours fade , or flourish in an houre . Did not Aegyptian Ptholomie affect , Ewsenides with honor and respect : That what he spake ( though he prou'd but a Daw ) It was reputed for a lasting law : Instal'd in offices , and finally , He waxt most opulent , and proud thereby ; Reioycing greatly in his happy fate , He boastingly one time said to his mate . The King no more can attribute to me , Then the sole rule of all his Monarchie : Who answer'd ( Sir ) be not deceiu'd , thinke how The Fate that gau 't , can tak 't againe from you ; And that would prooue ( to your eternall strife ) The saddest day you ere had in your life . Short after Ptholomie did him espie , Talking with women very wantonly Whom he affected ; Ptolomia anon , Caus'd all the women poyson drinke vpon : Ber●ft Ewsenides of all 's estate , And lastly hang'd him on the Portall gate . So by Senerus , Plancina was promoted , Till in his too much dignity he doted : For checking of his Princes eldest sonne , 〈…〉 Then Commodus his man Cleander lou'd , Whose loue a long time , could not be remoou'd , For he was wise , yet auarous and greedy , ( And often times these proue but little speedy . ) For when the Souldiers with a warrant came , To aske their pay , he did deny the same Though sealed with the Signet of the King . And when the Souldiers did relate the thing , For contradiction of the Kings command , He hastily was hanged out of hand ; His goods confiscate , and his noble name , Togither with his life , did end in shame . Constantius to Hortensius had a fauour , And deerely lou'd him for his good behauiour : As one , on whom rely'd his chiefe protection , All his affaires were done by his direction . Yet when the King receiu'd intelligence , He was the Auth●r of a foule offence Did touch his person ; straight way for the deed , He was adiudged for to lose his head . Nay and a number I could mention heere , Who in great loue and estimation were : Yet for such triuiall faults were done to death , And all their blessings blasted with their breath . Great Alexander in his angry mood , Slewe Carterus , and basely shed his blood . Though Cincinnatus was Bittillons friend , Yet was Bittilion , Cincinnatus end : So in mens fauours there 's no constancy , For changes come i th ●●i●●ling of an eye And if from ancient Stories we descend , To moderne acts , and marke the timelesse end Of Fauorites , here I truely might infold , More presidents , then all this booke can hold . These represent to our meditations , Liuely illustrate , this worlds alterations : And that there is no minute , hour , nor day , But Woe and Gladnesse , alter still their stay : For which sage Solons speeches I commend , And say , No man is happy , till his end . Another greefe to make my woe amends , Doth torture me , and that is faithlesse friends : Who when they see some poore sinister puffe Of Fate , assault a friend ; Oh! that s enough , And causes good they haue , then to reiect him , Leaue him to helpe himselfe they 'le not respect him . Some of this stampe I haue , but sure not many , But of that crew I wish I had not any . For in a little triall , I haue found , Their bounties backward , & their hearts hide-bound , When friends affliction , puts them to the touch , Then little helpe , or heart is showne from such . Yet farre be it , our consanguinitie , Should with vnnaturall affinitie , Be cloyed thus , though some there be that s ill , Yet I haue others , that prooue honest still : And for their parts , thus much I 'le boldly say , For no aduersity they 'le turne away . But for the first , all goodnesse doth forsake them , Whom God amend or 〈…〉 For as their hearts are hardned to do ill , So are their hands to propagate their will ; Their infamy and names I might haue noted , And all their malice in the margent quoted : But for my present ease , I will forbeare , And presse them in another place then here . They are forwarned now , and I protest , Though they scape hanging yet they shall be prest . For he indeed ought to be term'd a friend , whose loue and aide last firme vnto the end : That willingly doth offer with his heart , Of a poore penny to his friend a part ; And willingly supplies what he doth lacke , Meate for his mouth , and cloathing for his backe : Doth succor him before he asketh aide , And 's fixed to him when all others fade . For this is true ( none dare I thinke deny it ) To beg a thing of friendship is to buy it : And such as in mens miseries forsake them , They 're monsters made of men , what can you make them . For while that happy fortune doth in sue Friends grow , then reckon them , you 'l finde enough . There 's goodman get-all , and my neighbour Iane , Must needes be sent for vnto gratious Lane : She 's very honest , and I meane to meete Her ( as she promis't me ) in Gracious streete : But lauisht out , and you shall see this rag-taile , Where there no Gold-Finch is , will proue a Wagtaile Then goodman get-all , and long Iane the Iade , Will cur●e your pouerty like mistrisse Blade . And they are Iewes that haue a friend indeed Indued with vertues , though he be in need , And do restraine their hands , and then forsake him , When as their furtherance might marre or make him . For can a man , that truly is possest , Of vertuous ornaments within his brest ? Can he I say long want , or stand in need , Though for a time his hopes be buried ? No , he 'l be still releeu'd , each noble heart , ( If friends vnwilling prooue ) wil soster Art . For as the sunne when some obscuring cloud , Doth in her bosome all her splendor shroud : Though thus I say , he shroud it from our sight , Yet can he not extenuate his light . So when a Wise man seemes to suffer need , And cloudy want doth make his vertues dead For a small time ; that broke and vanisht quite , Then doth his splendor shine through 's learned light : And a true friend will neuer during breath , Forsake his friend for feare of paine or death . Nay after death he will lament the end , Of such a loyall and a louing friend : And in the world there 's not , nor cannot be , More perfect loue ( then this ) and amitie ; That 's , for a friend no perils to forsake , May for the furtherance of his matters make . This caused Plato often take his way , From learned Athens to Sicilia : And for no other end but looke vpon , His true and trusty louer Phocion . For of a wiseman to inioy the sight , The wayes ( though long ) is short , the labour light . Tianeus ( as some Historians say , Parted from Rome , past through all Asia : Saild ouer Nilus with vndanted boldnesse . Endur'd the blasts of Cancasus his coldnesse : Waded in cold through her congealed fountaines , Suffered the heates of all the Riphean mountaines ; And to no other end . but to conferre , With his Hyarchus the Philosopher . Agesilans hearing that his friend , In remote Countries were i' th prison pend , He set's affaires aside , and went his way , Longing to finde where his beloued lay : Whom when he found , vnto the King he went , And him saluted with this complement . Redoubted Roy , a friend I haue , and he Is here captiued by your Royaltie ; Of his distressed case , some pitty take , And if you please , to free him for my sake ; Or giue him honor , dignity , or pelfe , I take the deede as done vnto my selfe : And I assure you Oh most Royall King , You cannot chastice , nor do any thing Vnto my friend , but if I hear 't or see , I feele the torment too aswell as hee . Thus did the noble man , great loue descrie , Vnto his friend , though in aduersitie ; And of all worldly pompe , riches , and pleasure , 〈…〉 As a true friend , to whom a man may show , All secrets , though none but himselfe doth know : He may recount to him his woes and griefes , And trustily rely on his reliefes . In briefe , he may repose ( without all doubt ) To him his secrets both within and out : For he is sure to reape this for his gaines , And be releiued in his woe and paines : Counseld in perils and aduersities , And be reioyc'd with in prosperities . But such a friend is rare , and hard to finde , Wherefore to choose one of an honest mind We must be wary , his condition be , Godly and good , and ioyn'd with honestie . Not couetous , vnpatient , or vniust , Thou maist then be deceiued in the trust : Seditious factious , nor that mooueth strife , Presumptuous , nor faulty in his life . For if he be infected with those crimes , As many be now in these latter times ; Reiect him , trust him not , nor come not nie him , And if he proffer loue to thee deny him ; For none will buy a horse , or count him trim , Vnlesse he see him sound of wind and limme ; Nor none will bargaine for pure silke or cloath , But he 'l first view , that it be free from Moath , Nor wine , vntill that he can truely tell ; The colour 's pure , and it will rellish well . So none ( that 's wise ) will proffer all his fauour , To any if he know not his behauiour : But with Augustus alwayes carefull be , Whom thou admittest in thy amity . And when true triall , doth informe that he , Is euery way compleate for honestie : Then let thy heart on such a friend take hold , Reiect him not for siluer nor for gold . Fot if we will beleeue the Antique stories , Wherein 's recorded , many Monarches glories , We shall perceiue , how friendship they reputed , And how sincerely for true friends they suited . As Alexander , Aristotle lou'd , King Cyrus , Chylon that so faithfull prou'd : Great Ptolomie , Pithimon much affected , And with all reuerence he him respected . Pyrrus , Satirus , August Symonides , Traiane , Plutarchus , Scipio , Sophocles : Which men for friendship haue beene much esteem'd And mirrors of good manners haue beene deem'd : The worlds true Worthies were they in their daies , Wherein their seruice meritted true praise . But oh ! this iron age which we liue in , True friends are sowne thicke but they come vp thinne . For in these dayes t is difficult to know , Whether a man by 's words meanes well or woe . Some Parasite , reiected punckes will praise , And terme her the true Damsell of our dayes ; Extoll her to the hight , and tell her how But she , ther 's none of any worth liues now : Insinuating with this base intent , To let her heare how he can complement ▪ Or else with her he gladly would make friends , For 's owne commodity and proper ends : But step aside , he 'l say she is a scab , And to his neighbour call her scume and drab . Thus idle heads , that so to sawne deuise , Do circumuent such with a thousand lies : And make their promise very large and faire , But their performance is not worth a haire ; But let the wise take heede . not to relieue them , And when they speake most faire , the les●e beleeue him Trust not faire language , many oathes not so , But heare them for a while , than let him go . Well now Woes tract , and Fickle faith I 'ue done , Wherein a slender course my Muse hath ron●e ; Which some may blame me for , when t is well scand , As too too young to take this taske in hand : To which I answer now that euen I , Though twenty yeeres I hardly haue past by , ( Yet Iue obseru'd ) sometime that forced teares Of woe asmuch as some of forty yeeres . Therefore graue Seniors , and you froward blood . That grin at goodmen when they wish you good . Excuse my weakenesse , if you be not coy , To take instruction from a witlesse boy : Regard a while and let there grow no griefe , That here I reckon other woes in briefe . It is a woe when men of good deserts , Should vilipended be with meere vpstarts : Because they want , and men that little know , 〈…〉 This is the world , a knaue that will not lacke , A precious outside , for his Asses backe , Shall be esteem'd , though the foole be mute , Yet shall he be commended for his suite . I greeue againe when Petti-foggers be , So au'rous no conscience they wil see , But with long Gownes , they keepe their coxcombes warme , And sell their breath for many a poore mans harme ; For bribes extoll them to a high degree , Which makes them fare so well and fat ( we see . ) But let some begger a petition make , And pray him double , that for Christ his sake , With a poore penny he 'l relieue his want ; He 'l tell him straight , that pennies now are skant , When he 's more hoarded vp then well he knowes How , or to whom he shall the same dispose . They make poore Pedants oft to trudge in rags , When they can sit in silke , and fill their bags . By vaine delayes , demurres , and needlesse clauses , They haue a tricke to lengthen easie causes . Their conscience cares not , so they haue their share , That makes them blest , and many honest bare . It s a condition incident to all , That raise their fortunes by anothers fall : And as i' th Elephant we may discry , ( Being guilty to his owne deformity ) Dare not looke in the fountaines cleare and good , But lookes for filthy channels mixt with mudde . So of their conscience I may moralize , For bout their soules such base polution lyes They dare not looke in them , for feare the elues , Growe desperate , perhaps and hang themselues . So haue I seene a Patient when his wound , Hath beene deepe , wide , and rankled all around , Would not permit the Surgeon to see , Nor search his wound , so obstinate was he . I 'ue likewise seene a wasting prodigall , Hath runne i th bookes so farre ( by wasting all , That by no meanes he could abide to heare , The sable summe the Merchant made appeare ; When it hath beene a prouerbe old and true , Oft reckning makes long friends with me and you . But some neere summe their reckonings vp with God Nor feare the ruine of his wrathfull rod , But run o th score so long , with large receipts , They will not heare nor hearken to their debts . When we should often summe our sinnes vp all , And see whereto amounts the principall : Which while I liue with care I will respect , And then I know , what goodnesse to expect . I le feare no Audit then , nor hatch dispaire Of lawfull payment , when I thus prepare . I 'ue wondred oft , and blusht for very shame , To read of meere Philosphers great aime , That had no other guide but onely Nature , Yet in their manners were so ripe and mature . They Amity embrac't , and were content , With fruits and hearbs which mother Tellus sent : Not riotous , nor lou'd they luxurie , None they oppressed with damn'd us●●● And when a hainous crime was ere committed , 'T was deepely punisht , which no Fee remitted . Now to inuent sinnes we 'r each day beginning , And crimes commit by custome of much sinning ; Which to portray doth passe my skill and pen , Since there 's as many vices now as men . But oh the blindnesse of vs Christians now , That haue the Gospell read and preached too ; Yet suffer them by the dimme candle light Of nature , to excell vs ; though the right We ( fruitlesse ) practize : but their liues so spent May to vs liuers be a president . The great deceites too of mechanicke men , Which in their callings they vse now and then : Would vexe a Saint , when th' honest cannot haue Their worke dispatched truly for a knaue . As Taylors that to make their patings large , Puls of a share , and puts toth conscience charge ; For 'th last apparell that I had to make , A Taylor ( that the taske would vndertake ) Came to me with faire language and beseeches , And told me if pleased he 'd make my breeches : I willingly assented bid him take them , And told the manner how I 'd haue him make them : These patched vp ( a Poxe light on his nose , He 'd stole at least three quarters from my hose ; Which when I found , I did not as some doo , To fall a scolding , No , he told me how , His workmanship did most mens workes exceede , 〈…〉 So many of them , cheefly of that crew , Will not say God be with you , but adieu . At euery oath they heare turnes vp their eye , Hates in religion true conformity ; Leaue the high street & through the corne make way To seeke new methods both to prate and pray . This rout ( for sooth ) they are so holy bent , In presence they 'l not sweare but complement , With congies , cringies , nay , they 'l keepe a stir , With truly yes , and verily ( good Sir ) Vse ceremonies , make a show to pray , When'th world hath not more hypocrites then they : And prating thus they can possesse an asse , Their honesty , all honesties surpasse ; For if a Nouice worke to such men put , Which he would haue trim'd in the newest cut ; He 'l tell him he hath metaphisicke skill , And sweare to make them neatly , that he will . He 's tractable enough , and then the clowne , Sweares he doth make the cheapest in the towne ; And sayes Sir vnderstand this by your fauour I aske but very little for my labour ; Tho others can them larger fees allow , Nay stretch and steale a great deale more then due , We hate the humour and these sharking elues , That neither care for vs nor for themselues ; Which is disgrace to vs and to them too , This I admire they do not shame to doo : To vse dissembling in an honest trade , But t is no matter yours shall be well made This is the fashion of that gracefull youth That lyes most , yet must make 't ( in tirely ) truth : And such a monster well obseru'd of Man , Who would not take him for a Pewter-can . He scornes to steale , but for the rips and stitches ( Tho double paid ) yet he must pinch the breeches : For to dissemble , he ' th the exacte Art , Seemes holy headed , with a hollow heart ; This they effect with many verilies , And vnder truths pretences cloake most lies . Now if some Botcher take the same in snuffe , And face my lines out with a counter-buffe . Say they are weake , and he doth much dislike it , Then throw 't aside , or with his purse strings strike it : Possesse the Readers , that it is a toy , For 't was composed by a stripling boy . Yet ( Sarrah ) contend not now with me to cloak your tricks , The prouerbe is , none but a gauld horse kicks . I can reuenge me , but the conquest 's base , That is obtained in so vile a case , As for the honest workemen of this land , I gladly would haue them to vnderstand ; That I with all obsequiousnesse respect them , And ( being honest ) heartily affect them ; For though my cloth vnto my griefe was gone , I will not blame all , for the fault of one ; Nor I divulge it , to ecclipse his fame , That did the deed , for I 'le obscure his name . The Tapsters get vnconscionable gaine , And for one penny often picke on twaine : They cosen strangers with halfe nicke and froth , ( These sookes the City , and the Country both ) Their empty halfe-fildings , and cose●ning pots , Make poore men pay whole money for their shots ; And yet the rascall , cheates and cosens still , For he 's a tricke ( obserue him when you will ) To fill the iugge halfe full , bring 't to the table , And poures a glasse foorth as 't was commendable : For why , the villaine certainely is loth , We should perceiue the pot halfe fild with froth . Well , let them score , and scourge , and brag , and baule One day will come , will make them pay for all : And tho they thinke by smothering to conceale it , He sees that once will make their carkasse feele it . The cosenning Broker is none of the least , That most deludes ; this fellow in hels-chest Layes vp his linen , cloth , wooll , and lawne , Which he for little purchast at a pawne . They cosen Nouices , and like base Rookes , Are happy when the honest's in their bookes ; For by extorted rates , they are opprest , And plagued by exacted interest : And as they take in others Line or Lawne , So to the deuill they their soules do pawne : For if the law will but their crimes allow , They 'le freely hazard soule and body too . But penalty reformes part of their euils , Which makes men liue in peace in spight of diuels . Their grand extortions , and their wounding bils , Summ'd vp with fabl● 〈…〉 They 'l either liue in misery to end it , Gr leaue it to a thriftlesse heire will spend it . But as Mechannickes vse this vile deceit , And study how to cosen , aire , or late ; Leaue nought ( for lucre ) but it is attempted , Yet few professions are from hence exempted : For there 's no calling vnder Sunne I see , But t is accrewed with some falsitie . Our Cleargy they whose liuing should be spent , Vnto the Laymens pious president , Are most corrupted with damn'd Symony , And ignorance is plac'd by bribery . This makes Sir Iohn procure a liuing fat , That scarce knowes what is latin for his hat , And like an Abbey-lubber gets the gaines , When learnder men liues poore with greater paines . Such liuings perish with their fat and honey , That are assigned onely for See-mony : But if I were not placed by my Art , Let then who will show-money ( take my part ) For if that coyne beare sway and good be gone , I 'le rest me as I am , and neere seeke none . Then the loose liuing of the Temporall man , Both Papist , Protestant and Puritane , The Brownist and more I could reckon now , ( Of vpstart Sects ) I 'm sure neere thirty two Are in as bad , or worse predicament , Riches , and Riots care , kils their content ; No trust is in them , for their faith I say , With their small conscience th●● haue chast away . Nought now is practiz'd , but deceit and strife , A man dare hardly trust his neerest wife ; The Father not the sonne , nor Sonne the Father , Some or they'● trust their Sire , will hang him rather ; The eldest Son , suites 'gainst his younger brother , And neither of them dare trust one another ; Thus is all truth , good liuing led astray , Affections dead , and faith is fled away : For many now will promise sweare and lye , To doe a friend , a fauour by and by ; To flatter him in presence , speake him faire , And bid him make good cheere and take no care , For they will cure him of that carefull case , And promise mountaines too before his face ; But turn'd aside , their speciall care growes slacke , And then they 'l wish him hang'd behind his backe . Oh faithlesse wretches in whose hollow brests , No confidence , no truth , no honour rests . Alas is all your conscience gone and pitty too , That makes it so hard to finde a parcell now . But if your liues did any faith afford , You 'd chuse to breake your necke before your word . It is a woe when true gentility , Should croutch to vpstarts crept from beggery : Suite with submission to the fooles for grace , When such a one inuested in a place , Is farre more haughty , and more prompt to scorne , Then Gentlemen that nobly were borne . The Asse will grow so curious , coy , and ciuill , And set on horsebacke he 'l ride lik●●●●●ill But let them clime so , yet , beware a fall , They slip not backe , and breake their neckes for all : For I haue knowne some full as fortunate , That haue beene foiled with the premis'd fate . It is a woe when wise are vnder rules Of golden calues , and shallow brained fooles ; Will be commanded by a rustie slaue , Fawne , flatter him , some kindnesse for to haue ; Doe good or euill , that he would haue done , Through wet , and dry , he 'l either ride or runne . But I admire that men of noble partes , Indu'd with many Sciences and Arts , So basely thus can crouch , vnto a Knaue , And be officious , tho he money haue ; For such obseruance and obsequiousnesse , Make qualities contemn'd , loare lou'd the lesse . Were I the man , that should be tide vnto One of these mushromes , or I 'le chuse to do Such offices , or marke each puppies becke , I 'le first resolue ( i'faith ) to breake my necke , Or to a scoundrell so obsequious be , As come to kisse her hand , or bend my knee ; To honor her , or humour her conceit , With vaine applauses from an empty pate : As many falsly do imploy their pen , To make a monster , King of mortall men : And some loose liuing Lady to inherit , A Paragaues true praise and proper merit . Out on such Asse-made-Epigrammatists , That fil● their phrases with such filthy fists ▪ And make some sordid show , makes foule most faire , Tels them of Castles ( they deserue ) i' th aire . Indeed if that one knew a nobleman , But these are rare as is the coale-blacke Swan ) That harbor'd honesty , compleat each way , And that no lyes would either sooth or say ; What is 't ? but for him I would vndertake , Euen wade the Sea ( if need were ) for his sake . And truly ( Mistresse ) if we list to scan Vpon your spouse , he 's each way such a man As I haue mentioned ; but what man can tell , Where such another Mirror now doth dwell . Repleet with honesty , and good , and grace , That hath wits image pictur'd on his face : Free from all falsities and horrid crimes , Abandonning the basenesse of these times : The guide of godlinesse , the Man of Men , Whose glories , had I but a golden pen , I would record , and sing the same in verse , That our successors might his worth reh●rse . But while I liue , my Muse and I will striue , To make his honesty his life suruiue ; In spight of fortune and that fickle fame , No time , nor ruine shall out raze the same : And if my lines his true deserts can giue , In spight of death , for euer he shall liue . And so farre ( Reader ) vnder thy correction , Haue I digrest to show the true affection , And seruices I owe vnto these two , Which till I dye ( God willing I will doe ▪ Praying their happinesse , may neuer wither , But they may loue , and long time liue together . And now my Muse being weary of this woe , By ripping ruines vp , tost too and fro ; And seeing that no practise here is free , But in some part it tasts of misery : We 'l for this time indeauour for to leaue , Such things as mention'd further would but greeue . For had I iron voices , or brasse tongues , Briarius hands , or large extended lungs , Or were the Sea all inke , the earth all quils , 'T were difficult to mention all the ils , This Microcosme includes : So I intend , to close my Phamphlet vp , and here to end . Without end . If I herein haue er'd , I pray forgiue , As proper t is for man to erre as liue . FINIS .