The Furies· With vertues encomium. Or The image of honour. In two bookes of epigrammes, satyricall and encomiasticke. By R.N.

THE FVRIES . WITH VERTVES ENCOMIVM .

OR , The Jmage of Honour .

In two Bookes of Epigrammes , Satyricall and Encomiasticke .

By R. N.

Virtus est , vitium fugere .

THOV SHALT LABOR FOR seal

LONDON , Printed by William Stansby . 1614.

TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull and generous disposed ( follower of vertue and fauourer of learning ) Sir TIMOTHIE THORNHIL Knight . MY Muse infor'st by Fortunes first extreame , To leaue the Eden of my soules desire , Which Isis waters with her siluer streame , Vnto my natiue Thames did backe retire ; Where maz'd to see so many various shapes , Of wanton vice , the Furies she doth raise With snakie whips to scourge such idle Apes , But least she proue to weake in these essayes ( Faire Plant of hope ) some branch of safetie yeild , Vpon the which my forlor●e Muse may lite , And if for vertues s●ke you deigne to sheild , Her poore endeuours 'gainst the powr'e of spight ; More pleasing numbers , she too light shall bring , Though hoarse with griefe , she now can hardly sing . Your Worships humbly deuoted R. N.

To the Reader .

MAny idle humorists , whose singularity allowes nothing good , that is common , in this frantik age , esteeme of verses vpon which the vulgar in a Stationers Shop , hath once breathed as of a peece of infection , in whose fine fingers no papers are holesome , but such , as passe by priuate manuscription ; Others because to many impudent Poetasters , that can scarce read a Verse , doe daily pester the Printers Presse with their paltries , will without trial , eyther for dislike of the title , distast of the Authors name , or some such idle scruple , censure anie mans endeuours with : Qui nescit , versus tamen audet fingere ; For the first of these , I leaue them to the curious conceits of the close Cabinet : the last I would haue to know , that Hic nihil inuitâ dicam , faciamue Mineruâ . To him , who out of a seeming seueritie , distastes all thinges , that sauour not of grauite , and sayes Epigrammes are toyes vnworthie eyther his expence of time or suspence of opinion . I answer , & in ipso ioco , aliquid probi ingenij lumen eluceat ; Yet I confesse , these to bee Epigrams and but slight ; in placing of which , for that I obserue no method or order , if his austeritie , out of ignorance , doe cauill with me , I referre him to the Prince of all writers in this kind Val . Martialis . I desire the impartial Reader , to know , that for the follies of such and the like , I heere inuocate the Furies , who in the first part of this Pamphlet , alternatly succeed in the scourg of vanitie ; to the last part I referre you in his proper place , wishing all vertu●us Gentlewomen , eyther to passe ouer my Furies , as impertinent to their sex or mildly to ce●sure , or at le●st not misco●strue my intent : if question be made , why I make three parts of the first part , and but one of the last ; ●ecause the best of vs hath three partes of vice , for one of v●rtue , bre●fly I craue ▪ but that the simplicitie of my intent may be free from the malignitie of interpretation , in all other thinges I submit my selfe to censure .

THE FVRIES .

EPIG . I. In Authoris intentionem . NO man be captious , my aduice preuent him , Who first excepts , my Furies , will torment him ; Yet they from guilt of priuate grudge are free , No man ; but vice in man is taxt by me ; None of my lines , detraction doth compose , To make men laugh , I play with no mans nose : Nor doe I scandal any great mans name , So to lose libertie for idle fame . Breife , not obscure , plaine : yet obscoene I write not , Pleasant , not wanton , sharpe and yet I bite not .

EPIG . II . Ad Poetarum nomine dignos . WIts rarest wonders , men of most import , Of all the skilful Clearkes in Natures Court ) Let 〈…〉 I show them , That 〈…〉 may the better know them , The straine , which my Satyrique Muse doth sing , Fits not the pinion of an Eagles wing ; Excuse me then , if that these lines be loose , The pen was but the pinion of a Goose .

EPIG . III . Ad Lectorem mas . REader ) the Furies , if thou faultlesse bee , Bid thee not vntrust , they wip not thee ; If thou be faultie , let it not offend thee , Heere to vntrusse ; this whipping may amend thee .

EPIG . IIII . Ad Lectorem foem . THe Furies , by your fingers daintie touch , Doe know your gentle sex , and maruell much You 'le come in danger of their ierking rimes , Perhaps they thought to passe your pettie crimes , In hope your faire would bring forth no foule deed ; Yet in faire fruit , since wormes doe soonest breed , They bid that you your selues with patience arme , A little whipping will doe you no harme .

EPIG . V. Ad Librum . LEt not his dreadfull censure feareful make thee , Who scarse can read ; yet in his hand will take thee , And with an humerous humh , a nod , a no , Will say this slight , this scuruie , this so so . Nor his , who reading thee with eye-browes knit , Contracting to his brain the whole worlds wit , As out of deeper iudgment thee disdaining , Will cast thee downe , and leaue thee thus complaining , Tush't hath no pith , t is harsh and yet to plaine , I loath these lines , that sauour not of braine ; Feare neyther these , nor partially spare those , Whom to the Furies whips thou canst expose , What can they doe ; thou doing my desire ? They can but cast my rod into the fire .

Alecto .

THE FVRIES .

EPIG . VI . Ad Alecto . COme sad Alecto leaue thy dismall cell , And bring thy s●ake-heard sisters vp from hell , First take thy turne , doubt not the want of worke , I will present thee thousand sinnes to ierke ; But be no partiall Furie , doe not spare This man for wealth , that woman for her fare , This gull for cheere , th●t foole for his fine cloathes ; This for his lookes , that other for his oathes ; Ierke generall sinne , that it may heere be seene , Alecto scourges none for priuate spleene .

EPIG . VII . In Syrenem . T' is strange to see a Mermaide , you will say , Yet not so strange , as that I saw to day , One part of that which ' boue the waters rise . Is woman , th' other fish , or fishers lies . One part of this was man or I mistooke , The other woman , for I pray ( sirs ) looke , The head is mans , I iudge by hat and haire , And by the band and doublet it doth weare , The bodie should be mans , what doth it need ? Had it a codpeice , 't were a man indeed .

EPIG . VIII . In Caluionem . SIr Calui●es haire did shed not long agoe , And on his head grew thin ; but will you know , How 't is of late so thicke and comely growne , Why , he but mockes the world , 't is not his owne , To women he gaue his , then is it strange , If he weare theirs ? no , 't is an honest change .

EPIG . IX . In pecuniae penuriam . MOne I for monie , is the common crie ; Yet yong and old men both can tell you why , When man is yong , he spends vpon his pleasures , When man is old , he hoords vp golden treasures , Out of the yong mans schoole of Venerie The old man learnes his art of Vsurie ; Then in each age , since monie first was knowne ; This is the cause that men for monie mone , Yong men doe spend all ; therefore yong men want , Old men doe hoord all : therefore monies scant .

EPIG . X. In Fabium . BEhold the little great man , Fabius comes , Litle in wit and great in wealthie summes ; But why doth wealthie Fabius walke alone , When many men for seruice make such mone , That the west gate of Paules great I le ( poore hearts ) In paper daily speakes their better parts ? T' is said , his legges that garter-loaded reeles , And very shooe-ties fright men from his heeles , This then the cause Paules gate for seruice begs , Fabius weares seruingmen vpon his legs .

EPIG . XI . In artem , fortunam , & ignorantiam . WHen Fortune fel on sleep , & hate did blind her , Art Fortune lost , and ignorance did find her , Since when dull ignorance with Fortunes store , Hath bin enricht , and Art hath still bin pore .

EPIG . XII . In Vertumnum . STay ( my Vertumnus ) whether dost thou goe , To thy chast Mistris , whose true heart doth know . No loue but thine ? O foole to thinke that shee Will keep from others ; what she giues to thee , Here could I tel thee of her strange desire , Hee trickes to set the coldest hearts on fire , But least by laying open such foule crimes , I rather seeme to teach , then ch●cke the times . Know this , the best , that is , or ' ere hath beene Of common women is no better then Such common things , at which ( pho stop thy nose Each french-sicke stalion may put downe his —

EPIG . XIII . In Romam . HAte & debate , Rome through the world hath spred , Yet Roma Amor is , if backward read ; Then ' is t not strange Rome hate should foster ? no , For out of back-ward loue , all hate doth grow .

EPIG . XIIII . In Curionem . TIs said , when Rusus Englands King did raigne , When vnto him a seruant of his tr●●e A paire of stockings of a mark d●d brin●● That then he said , why these are for a King ; But liu'd he now , to see sir Curio hold Both wol'en , iersie , si●ke , all slite but gold ; What then ' I thinke , his crowne , if he were here Should stil be gold , his stockings woollen were ; Why then are Curioes legs with gold ore spread ? I thinke , because , he hath a woollen head .

EPIG . XV . In Ebrionem . SEE where Don Ebrio like a Dutchman goes , Yet drunk with English Ale , one would suppose , That he would shoulder downe each dore and wal ; But they must stand , or he ( poore foole ) must fal , Well home at length he comes and on his bed , He layes him downe to rest his drink-drownd-head . But in the morne , the drunken feuor past , Waking he feeles his pocket all in hast , And finding there no pennie of that store Which in his purse , he had , the night before , Vnto himselfe then soberly alone , He softly sighes , and saies his moni's gone .

EPIG . XVI . In Amorem . LOue hath two diuers winges , as louers say ; Thou following him , with one , he flies away , With th' other , if thou flie , he followes thee ; Therefore the last , loue only vse for me .

EPIG . XVII . In Odoriferum . GReat Alexanders bodie , which is strange , Perfum'd his cloathes , as oft , as he did change : But Odorifero sayes , that 's nothing rare , In euery place he comes , into the ayre His body all about sweet odors throwes , Nay more , he sweates pure Ciuet as he goes , Yet you shal find , vncase him to the skin , Though he smel sweet without he — .

EPIG . XVIII . In Critticum . SOme Crittick in a spleene , himselfe farre prouder Will aske , why Gentlewomen with sweet pouder Sprinkle their haire ; but pray , let me alone , I le answere him , this haire not being their owne , But combings bought , might peraduenture be Of some vnholesome head , thus then you see , Why women vse this odoriferous dust ; Let Critticks then be dumbe , their cause is iust .

EPIG . XIX . In Procos . WHo woes a wife , thinks wedded men do know The only true content , I thinke not so , If woe in woers be that women court , As the word woe , in woers doth import And woe in women too , that courted bee , As the word woe , in women we doe see , I thinke 't is better lead a single life ; Then with this double woe , to woe a wife .

EPIG . XX . A Poore neglected Scholler , whose chiefe good Was all he bore about him , vnderstood A friend of his , to be in such a place , To whom he went , who gaue him kind imbrace , And spake his worth , intreating all his friends To doe the like , to which all condiscends , Except one cald All out sides , who wil passe The streets with none , but some silke-grogten Asse , And he in anger , after many oathes , ( For he could sweare ) bad him get better cloathes Then come to them againe , adding this scoffe , The schollers stuffe is like , stand farther off , Thus ignorant All out sides thinkes of arts , The Taylor now giues man his better parts .

EPIG . XXI . In Lenam . LEna being yong could neuer haue her fill Of loues sweet sower : now old , she loues it still ; And therefore yong , of yong men she tooke gold , That she might giue to yong men , being old .

EPIG . XXII . In Fuscum . FVscus is turn'd a Player ; for in rage , He lately left his function for the stage ; In hope to out-act Roscius in a Sceane , In care of which , the fellowe 's growne so leane , That all men pitie him ; but Fuscus know , Players doe now as plentifully grow , As spawne of Frogs in March ; yet euermore The great deuoure the lesse ; be wise therefore , Procure thou some commendatorie letter For the Burthmothos , 't is a course farre better .

EPIG . XXIII . WOmen thinke women , far more constant bee , Then we men , and the letter O we see In women , not in we men , as they say , Figures earthes constant orbe , we men say , nay , It meanes the Moon , which proues , none think it strange Women are constant and most true in — .

EPIG . XXIIII . TWise twentie dayes of lamentable lent , Why goes All Colours like a mal-content . Clad all in black , some thinke thereby to show , His sorrow for his sins , tush , 't is not so , Flesh then forbidden , his all sable back , Mournes for his belly fortie dayes in black .

EPIG . XXV . In Malbellam . MIstris Malbella beares away the bell , And doth more holland , Lawne and cambrick sell , Then all her neighbours , not because her stall Shewes better ware , or boyes doe lowder call , What lack yee Gentlemen ? but for her faire Is farre prefer'd before their better ware ; For no spur-gingle gentle Paphian Knight , Walkes by her sent-sweet shop for his delight , Will passe , if shee be obiect of his eye , She absent , boyes may say , what will you buy ? What lack you ? but in vaine , monie appeares not , Gallants are deafe , custome goes by and heares not , No ware's there vendible , or worth a rush , Except Malbella be the Iuie bush .

EPIG . XXVI . In Drusum & Furionem . FVrio would fight with Drusus in the field , Because the straw stout Drusus will not yeeld , On which their Mistris trod , they both did meet , Drusus in fight fell dead at Furioes feet ; One had the straw , but with it this Greeke letter , ח The other lost it , pray , who had the better ?

EPIG . XXVII . In Battum . BAttus chiefe Mimmicke of the times quaint Apes , Who shifts not shirts , more oft , then he doth shapes , Frequents great states and vainly doth surmise , That mongst faire Ladies , hee 's reputed wise , But as the caske , hath euer noted bin To sound most , hauing only ayre within , So thou art knowne , although thou seemest gay , Deckt with an others plumes ; but painted iay , If they were pluckt away , thou would'st haue none , And my sic vos non vobis would be knowne .

EPIG . XXVIII . In Priscum . MOngst the Monopolists on Londons Bursse , Priscus was ta'ne for cutting of a pursse , And being reuild ' , made this bold question , why , Are these Monopolists excus'd , since I Did cut but one mans purse , why they cut all ? But thus we see , the weakest goes to 'th wall ?

EPIG . XXIX . In Curuum detractatorem . CUruus thou saist , that I doe our-like looke , That fawnes on men , when I doe giue a booke , But Curuus asse-like thou , hast not the wit To vnderstand , much lesse to censure it , Else thou woul'st know , each booke I giue 's a bone For such curst cutres , as thee to gnaw vpon ,

EPIG . XXX . To the same right worshipfull Sir Timothie Thornhill . MY Muse cast off , at good hap first did flie , On wings of Hope , good hap did soare to high ; But when my Muse too feeble was of wing I thought to whistle her off ; but late did spring A meaner chance , at that I made my game ; But whether at the fource she tooke the same , Or in the ramage no performance made , I know not well , good hope still giues her aide , Yet stil I doubt , but , gentle Sir , reade on , This cannot be discust , while you haue done .

Tisiphone .

TO THE LEARNED AND vertuous Gentleman my Worshipfull good friend Master Christopher Osborne . THe scourge of Carthage and Augustus were Two pillers of great Rome and taught her how To make the World beneath her Empire bow ; Yet they sometimes would state affaires forbeare Their Enius and their Maroes Musae to heare , Whose tunefull verse did smooth cares ruged brow ; Which custome since those Worthies did alow . Be pleased ( Sir ) to lend a gentle eare Vnto my Muse , and cease some little space From serious studies worthie pretious time , To grauest readers verse is no disgrace , Good wits reape good by reading idle rime , But smile on these with gentle entertaine , And they perhaps will cause you smile againe .

THE FVRIES .

EPIG . I. Ad Lectorem . IF that you please read on ; yet reade not one , Nor two , nor three , but all , else pray read none .

EPIG . II . Ad Tisiphonem . NIghts second birth by th' Acherontike Lake , Who from the scourge of sin thy name dost take , Vp , for thou hast not on Cocytus strand , More cause to shake thy euer burning brand Against the gyant brood of sin , then here , Obserue them well , I le cause them to appeare ; But scourge them so that this report may passe , Tisiphone no partiall Furie was .

EPIG . III . WHat haue we heere ? a Citie-Dame ? sure no , 't is loues own Iris , or she should be so . How daintily the Raine-bow round dispread Vnder her light-Scotch hat becomes her her head , It is a signe the weather will be faire , To the new walkes , she is gone to take the Aire : But at that little gate how gets she out , Her head with such a compasse archt about ? With much adoe ; therefore these dames desire Great London wil build little Moregate higher .

EPIG . IIII . STand by my Masters , wil yee be o're runne ? See yonder comes the Chariot of the Sunne , How the fierce Horses ! soame the coach-wheeles mount ! He driues like Phaeton : 't is some great Count , Tush , quoth another , you mistake , inquire ; And you shal find your Count some pippen-squire : His liuing is but small ; yet must he haue . His horse and coach , and he himselfe go braue . But what maintaines it ? misse you not his men ? See you his Liueries ? where are they then ? In his horse mouthes , the men are all confin'd : And with their Liueties his coach is lin'd .

EPIG . V. In Durum . A Friend of Durus comming on a day To visite him , finding the doores say nay Being lockt fast vp , first knockt and then did pause , As Lord haue mercie on 's had beene the cause ; But missing it , he askt a neighbour by , When the rich Durus dores were lockt and why ? He said it was a custome growne of late , At dinner time to locke your great mans gate . Durus poore friend admir'd , and thought the doore Was not for state lockt vp ; but 'gainst the poore : And thence departing emptie of good cheere Said , Lord haue mercie on vs is not heere .

EPIG . VI . In Aquilam Romanam . THat Eagles yet sau'd Rome 't was neuer knowne : Then in Romes Ensigne , why is th' Eagle showne ? Yet Rome by Geese , once free from thrall was set : Then why doth thanklesse Rome the goose forget ?

EPIG . VII . In Gurmundum . THe fat Gurmundo , great Idolater , His belley 'fore his God doth far prefer , His deare lou'd Idol is his stomack , that In priuate eates vp so much flesh and fat , And his oblation common at that shrine Is a fat Capon and a cup of wine , Boyes laugh to see him wallow in the street His Capon-fatted panch ouer his feet Hanges Cisterne like , and as 't is said he sweares , He hath not seene the cocke this many yeares ; Then haplesse thou that are Gurmundoes hen , And all that suffer vnder such fat men .

EPIG . VIII . In Liuiam . NOw lite-heel'd Liuia , whether trip it you , Vnto the shop againe ! pray , tel me true ? Will not that gallant sit from whom you came , Buy that set ruffe this morne , sent by your dame ? He will not , well , although he doth not care For your dames Laundrie ; yet he loues your ware .

EPIG . IX . In Basiliscum . SUburbian Basiliscus in his lookes Beares signes of death , his eyes are murders bookes . But what 's the cause he lately goes so trim ? He keepes a Trul , or rather she keepes him , What is his function ? or what hath he beene , A man of armes ? no , but of harmes , what then ? Some stile him Captaine for that bloudy deed , When with his blade he made his friends heart bleed ; But in true valour know , no man is poorer , He is no Captaine but a turn-bull roarer .

EPIG . X. In Blasum . NOr gold , nor siluer is in Blaesus purse , Nor hath he any creddit , which is worse ; Yet those gilt spurres , which Blasus bootes adorne , Sayes Blaesus at his heeles rich gold doth scorne .

EPIG . XI . In Pontiam . A Friend of mine with a loue feuor taken To the faire rose-cheekt Pontia , and forsaken , Did wish that I with mine owne eyes would proue If any could dislike , what he did loue , I did , and as he said , for face and feature , Pontia at first did seeme an heauenly Creature ; But strange to tel , this gold was copper gilt , Comming abroad , her beautie all was spilt , Blowne from her cheekes by the blind Garlick man ; Then lookt she like deaths picture pale and wan , My freind admir'd ; but I did shew the reason : Though to such beauties , I doe know 't was treason , Yet they know wel , that any Fust●lugges May buy such beautie in a shop of drugges ; Then courage friend quoth I for six pence cost , Thy best beloued may buy , what she hath lost ; With that loues feuor left him and he swore Rather then loue such drugges , hee 'd loue a — .

EPIG . XII . In marittimos . SOme say , that Sea men , more then land men loue . Fond Venus sports , and thus their saying proue , Since Venus selfe came of the Seas light froth Sea men are Venerists , and to say troth , If as t is said , the Seas light Venus bore , Sea men doe smell of Venus on the shore .

EPIG . XIII . In Hillum . MOor fields no more , shal now be Moor fields cal'd , Hilliu wel read before the same were wal'd ; Seeing the plough goe there did call to mind A certaine prophesie , which he did find In Merlin , which he said , then came to passe , Belieue it you that like it , this , it was : When one whole yeare a Holiday shall last , Moore fields shall ploughed be the ditch new cast , If this be true and as all men doe talke , Their 's on a holy-day scarce roome to walke , Or if Hill ly'de ; yet since the sence is true , London may well giue Holliday his due .

EPIG . XIIII . FEw gallants lately will , nor is it strange , Bargaine for needments in the new Exchange ; For on the strand , the new stands bleake and cold , And they are hot in credit with the old .

EPIG . XV . In Lasconem . HOt-liue'rd Lasco with loues longing itches , But what 's the cause since he both yong and rich is , That whom he woes , he wines not ? I doe smell it , And Lasco be not angrie if I tell it , Thy face well featur'd is , so is thy nose Though somewhat crimson , which thou dost suppose With Campher dayly daubing to amend ; But know this drug was neuer louers friend Then , when to maids or widdowes thou art going Leaue it , the smell of it doth spoile thy woing .

EPIG . XVI . In Orgum . ORgus loues learning , yes , and will prefer it , Vowes his assistance , true , I doe auer it ; Yet this I know , the marke , at which he shoot ; Is but to make learning make cleane his boots .

EPIG . XVII . In Neponem . NEpo that payes his hostesse by post scoring , And hath spent all to learne the art of roaring , Would be obseru'd : his qualities are many : Drinke he can stiffely , bandy oathes with any , Tel tales of bloud and wounds , roare , fight and stab , Looke bigge , speake bombast , dally with a drab . All these good parts and more then these hath he ; Yet wants what he deserues : but Nepo be A good prosicient in them , and outrunne Thy fellow roarers , as thou hast begunne , And thou before them al maist haue this hap , To crowne thy head with Stories corner cap .

EPIG . XVIII . Loue as 't is said , doth worke with such strange tooles , That he can make fooles wise men , wise men fooles . Then happie I ! for being nor foole , nor wise ; Loue with his toyes and tooles I shall d●spise ,

EPIG . XIX . WHat Don past by vs with such complement ? Obseru'd you not his strange a coutrement ? His deep , set holland ruffe so high prefer'd Aboue his chin , did hide his piked beard : His cuffes about the tist of eyther hand , Were both as large and deep as any band 'Bout meane mens neckes : and as the fashion 's now A sugar loafe did crowne his brain-sick brow . His sleeue vnto his arme sat close and scant , As if his Countrie English wolle did want , And wantonly he wore his desperate spit . In briefe , for fashion , complement and wit , The man so like a stranger did appeare , I knew not whence he was ; till drawing neare , I found by his short cloakes new Spanish cape , 't was Don Penechio , Spaines new English Ape .

EPIG . XX . WHen fan and fardingale came to carouse Milke with a milke-maid in a darie house , Good Lord ( said she ) the milke pale standing by Rather then beare such burthens I would die . Yet ( Mistris ) quoth the milke-maide , you can beare Vpon your head an Asses load of heare .

EPIG . XXI . In Miluam . WHen Milua to disgrace me cals me Poet , Then Milua graces me and doth not know it ; Fo Kings and Prophets Poets haue beene stil'd . Then Milua , since thy enuie is beguil'd To gra●e me thus in thinking to abuse me , Still call me Poet and I will excuse thee .

EPIG . XXII . IN tunefull accents of a dolefull straine Old Verlams fall thus Colin did complaine : Verlam I was : what boots it what I was Sith now I am but weeds and wastfull grasse ? But lin'd he now to see out Townes each day Made coats for sheep : of them he thus might say , Townes once we were : what boots it what we were Since nothing now but sheepes dung doth appeare ? Here 's neyther greene of wastfull weeds or grasse , Our wretched case is worse then Verlams was .

EPIG . XXIII . In Malsanctum . BEardlesse Malsanctus many doe thee wrong , To thinke thee so deuout , and yet so yong . Dost goe to lecturs ? I commend thee for it : But wherefore ? to what end ? O I abhor it ; To shoot thy darts from a lust-sparkling eye , Into the breast of some chast Susan by . Leaue it Malsanctus , marke how I aduise , Leaue not the Church , but leaue this wicked guise .

EPIG . XXIIII . In Popaam . TVrn-Bul Popaea to her healths annoy Made drunk at supper by a roaring boy , Reeles through the street : at which an elder Sage , Who neuer knew such custome in his age , Admiring said , I once , and , as I thinke , But once did see a man thus drown'd in drinke , But neuer woman . One that heard him vse This sharpe reproofe , our women to excuse , Said , Sir , were this a woman that is drunke , 't were strange indeed ; but 't is not , 't is a punke .

EPIG . XXV . In Ocuum . THe worshipful Sir Ocuus deeds of pitie Haue wonne him grace in Countrie and in Citie . For the poore wife of many a man decaid Hath tasted his free bountie : and 't is said He leads a single life , that he may giue His almes to those , that poore , yet wedded liue : But they that thinke this Charitie , mistake ; For know 't is only for the womans sake , That in her husbands house by Ocuus planting , The horne of plentie growes , and nothing's wanting .

EPIG . XXVI . In Vindicem . FOule is the bird , that wil defile his nest ; Yet Vindex worse then eyther bird or beast , All women monsters euery where proclaimes : Which to affirme the Stagirite he names , Who sayes they are imperfect Creatures all . Then what doth Vindex his owne mother call ? A monsterlyes ; then this must currant passe , A monster woman bore a monstrous Asse .

EPIG . XXVII . SOme thinke , that naked vertue , which of yore Was seene in women , is now seene no more . I thinke not so : if ve tue naked be , In women , men , more vertue nere did see . For doubtlesse vertue being naked rests With much content in their all naked brests .

EPIG . XXVIII . MAny wil say money will not increase In any poore mans purse , while we haue peace ; But let such men complaine on peace no more , I thinke our warres are hotter then before , For both in men and women , this is knowne , Surgeons ne're found more wounds to worke vpon .

EPIG . XXIX . In Syringam Panafugientem . FRom rugged Pan though louely Syriux fled , Pretending so to saue her maidenhead ; Yet in the end the chaster Nimph did stay To be the pipe , when Pan would please to play .

EPIG . XXX . In Remum . REmus doth kicke , because I rub the soare , Rayles at my labours , sweares their fruit's all chore , And in his rage will write against me too , As some suppose . I prethe Remus do : The idle Drone hummes lowder then the Bee , Yet hath no sting . Can Remus then hurt mee ?

Megera .

TO THE WORSHIPFVLL AND worthie Gentleman , louer of Artes and Learning , Master THOMAS FISHER . HE that is more , then what he seemes to bee , Deriues his worth from no such idle fame , As fashion only giues : that which we see Of golden vanitie , is not the same Which it appeares ; and therefore I would find One that hath more then what bare fashion made , That might without partialitie of minde Proceed to censure that which heere is said . Then leauing those , whose worth on vaine ●stent Of golden outsides only doth depend ; To you ( praise-worthie Sir ) this part is meant . This Furie to your censure I commend : In reading which , if you no profit gaine , You shall at least find pleasure for your paine .

THE FVRIES .

EPIG . I. Ad Lectorem . TWo Furies you haue past ; therefore be glad , And ( Reader ) yet if you no ierke haue had , Boldly read on : if Vertue with you goe , You may escape Megaeras whip I know .

EPIG . II . Ad Megaeram . VP thou third daughter of sad Acheron , Earth more then pale Auernus now doth grone Beneath hels tyrants , vp then , take thy stand , Be readie with thy snakie scourge in hand To startle them : and as thou tak'st thy name From hate of ougly vice , now shew the same , Spare none ( dread Virgin ) so men title thee , True Virgins neuer can corrupted bee .

EPIG . III . BY chance I met a thing vpon the way , Which came from France at first as men did say : It feign'd big lookes , yet had a womans face ; It stalkt it too , but with a womans pace ; And with a womans voyce it squeakt out oathes ; Had womans lockes and lookes , and womans cloathes ; Hat , band and bodies , periwig of heare , Excepting bootes and spurres , all womens weare . Wondring I askt what 't was : one , that did eye it . Said sir , a gallant , or the cloathes belie it . M●sing , that womans weare should make a man , To question with this gallant I began : But faith I found him , both in act and speech Woman in euery part , excepting breech .

EPIG . IIII . In Pontiam . YOng Portia long lockt vp from sight of all By her old Beco , vnto minde did call A wittie wile , th' old Fox to circumuent , And know her loued Parius whole intent . An aged Crone , that came with staffe in hand Bone lace to sel , her mind did vnderstand , And at the next returne from Parius came With more bone-lace to sel , and in the same A letter wrapt , Pontias good man stood by , And askt his wife , which parcell pleas'd her eye : That with the horned peaks , said she . He bought it And with his owne hand to his wife he rought it , Thus iealous Beco bought , such was his hap , Bone lace with hornes , to edge his owne night-cap .

EPIG . V. In Bibonem . IF ( Bibo ) I doe tax thee heere at all , Good fellowes streight wil sweare my inke was gall . For while thy purse can shew one crosse of monie , No fellow-friend of thine shall spend one pennie : And when thou scarse canst sit vpon thy stoole , Thou drink'st vp all mens healthes . But know O foole As if from friends thou wouldst win death by stealth , Th●u drink'st thine own disease to their good health : And for thy kind good will ( kind hearted Asse ) When thou art dead , this Epitaph shall passe , Here Bibo lies , whose losse few now doe mone , Though drinking to their healths he lost his owne .

EPIG . XI . DVI Doll but one eye hath , and with that one Sees more then many doe with two . For none Lookes more asquint at others good , then she , She enuies all , which that one eye doth see . But Doll , to be a Christian now begin : Put out that eye , or put away that sin .

EPIG . VII . In Luponem . CHurch-chaffring Lupo is an honest man , Touch him with any fault no neighbour can , Yet six impropriate liuings are his liuing ; His leauings to the Leuite in his giuing Are pious deeds : and when rich Lupo writes The false sowne seeds of his wiues stolne delights , Sole heire to all these liuings , when he dies ; Yet still is wealthie Lvpo counted wise : For he did leaue , but what he should haue done , Improper liuings t'an Improper sonne .

EPIG . VIII . In Pisonem . PIso t' his wife in all things doth accord , Except in this : He needs must be her Lord And she his slaue . To proue it , he wil draw His argument from God and natures law : He is the head , and she must be the foot . Good reason too . Then Piso vrge her too 't , Humble her well and make her stoop to thee , And thou perhaps in time all head maist bee .

EPIG . IX . WHich of the Sages order shall I keepe ; The one of which did laugh , the other weepe To see my new made , Sir , who yet smels fresh Of Lenton schooles , euen the first day that flesh May be alow'd , seise the precostris , and Out-acting famous Roscius with his hand Giue pasport to his phrase appli'd vnfit Coind in the mint of his own mother wit . But chaffie stalkes of Corne their heads doe beare High and aloft , whereas the fuller eare Bowes humbly downe : he workes vpon this ground Who is not , yet to some may seeme , profound , And little reading serue , if in this case , The bookes kinde index bee his common place . But prethee ( Domine ) take heed in time , Accept the counsell of my ruder time . 't is nere too late good actions to begin : The Asse must lay aside his borrow'd skin . Backe to Parnassus , reade 'ore wisdomes booke , And let time giue thy youth a grauer looke : Else heere thy life and learning both are doomb'd , With thy yong credit to be cradle-toomb'd .

EPIG . X. ON earth Phisitions are as gods of health . O then , how happie is our Common-wealth , In which so many yong Phisitions been , That they be gods , before that they be men !

EPIG . XI . In Poeticam & paupertatem . Twixt Poetrie and pouertie is found Congruitie in sense as well as sound . The cause is this : when Poetrie did aime Beyond blind fortunes flight to follow fame , Fortune tooke V. in Poetrie to place it Twixt O. and E. with R. so to disgrace it . But Gramer did denie ; then Fortune swore In spight of Gramer Poets should be poore .

EPIG . XII . In Tubrionem . TVbrio the termer , though a rustick Asse , Will make the Court his fancies looking glasse , And late a yellow band he carried downe To make himselfe more noted in the Towne . On Sunday on he puts it , and , that all The Rustickes might behold his yellow fall , Loud gingling spurres he wore , to bid them stand And view the fashion of his yellow band . But Tubrio next time lay thy spurres aside ; Thy boots were only seene , thy band not ey'd .

EPIG . XIII . In Amorem . LOue is a boy and subiect to the rod Some say , but louers say he is a god . I thinke that loue is neyther god nor boy , But a mad braines imaginarie toy .

EPIG . XIIII . In Verrem . BLunt Verres meeting with me in the strand Said , God be praysed , holding vp his hand . Why friend , what is the matter , answer'd I : O sir said he , as I was passing by , Plutoes black Coach , for sure the Coach was his , From running ouer me did little misse . This feare of his I checkt with some reproach , And askt him why he thought 't was Plutoes Coach . Foure fierie horse , quoth he , which drew the same Few with it through the street like lightnings flame : The driuer sat before , neckt like a Bu l , Grimme was his beard , his cap was like a skull , And with a whip , which in his hand he had , He laid about and lasht , as he were mad ; Three Furies sate , Furies I thinke they were , Within the Coach , whose heads with grizly heare Were drest , or rather vndrest , and withall Toyes like Medusas Snakes about did crall ; Their yellow coloured b●nds , and strange attire , About their neck●s , appear'd like wheeles of fire , And on their cheekes , which glow'd with scarlet die , And pappes made bare to euerie vulgar eye , Blacke specks and pimpels here and there were seene As if their bodies had infected beene . This was their fashion , thus all three were shapt , And glad I am that I from them escapt . At this I smil'd , and bad my friend goe looke What these three were , whom he for Furies tooke .

EPIG . XV . In Gracchum . GRacchus will sweare all women are vnchast , Yet Gracchus thou I thinke a woman h●st Vnto thy mother , say then , what was shee ? O you are silent now , wel this must be ; Or women all must be vnchast no more Or Grachus must be th' of-spring of a — .

EPIG . XVI . WIll you know how we English men excell All other Nations ? euery one can tell , Time and occasion out of all the rest , Hath doubtlesse made an English man the best . His head and neck are Spanish ; for his hat And ruffe vnto the World can witnesse that . His back is french , clad in their court quaint weeds : His belly German ; for with them he feeds : His breech Venetian , greedie in delight : His legs are dutch , that cannot goe vpright : He then I thinke is best , since all these can Hardly make vp a perfect English man .

EPIG . XVII . A Friend and I consorting on the way , In midst of Cheap vpon a working day , Spide a faire painted picture , as we thought , Vpon a stall , set to be so●d and bought . But marke our grosse mistake , when we drew neare To veiw the same , it plainly did appeare By knocking those light heeles against the bench , 'T was no dead picture , but a liuely wench .

EPIG . XVIII . In Lidiam . LIdia though village bred and meanly borne , Yet made my Ladies Chamber-maide doth scorne Al but the Court , your Citie Sea-cole aire Is foggie grosse , and s●oile , her cheese greene faire , She sayes that London d●mes are dull not wit●ie , Nor fancies she the fashions of th Cittie : Therefore all Citie sutors woe in vaine , The learned Courtier hardly may obtaine Faire Lidias loue , but wherefore ? I can tell her , She loues his Lordships yeoman of the celler .

EPIG . XIX . In nigrum , I Prethe Niger leaue to play the Ape , In this quaint age , Chaucers misconstru'd iape Is not so sordid , as each common iest Which thou dost parbreake ; thou art growne a guest Most cumbers●me to friends , thy iests are gall , Yet rather then loose one , thou 'lt loose them all ; But Niger take good heed , least with some friend , Thou iest away thy wit , too in th' end .

EPIG . XX . IN time of peace , the wisemans counsel is , To practise martiall feates , and we in this , The garland to our English Hauns must yeeld : Who daily traines good fellowes for the field : The bloud-red lettice tauerne is the plot , Which for a campus Martius Hauns hath got ; The Vintners Iuie bush for these ●ffaires The ensigne is , to which his men repaires His Drums and Fifes are Fiddles , Sagbuttes are His Trumpets ; thus begins , his desperate warre ; Fiue in a ranke in stead of smaller shot Play with Tobacco Pipes , whose vapour hot Heating the head , hid all in cloudes of smoke , Doth with high valour eyther side prouoke ; Then eagerly instead of Cannos roare , The pottle pots doe thunder on the floare ; Hanus brauely brings them on , pel-mel they close ; Then on the boord the bloud-like licour flowes , Heere one drops downe an other there doth fall , Heere one as wounded , leanes against the wall , But Hauns stil leader-like doth courage crie , Till they about him all ●ike dead men lie , And he in his own head now wo●nded sore , Is carried f●om the fight let none therefore Slight valiant Hauns , more men to death doe yeeld In Hauns his battailes , then in Mars his field .

EPIG . XXI . In Fortunam . ' MOngsts Ethnickes Fortune was a Deitie , 'Mongst Christians 't is a grosse impietie , To thinke it any powre , if any ill Betide a man , 't is his his owne wicked will Was cause of it ; if any good , t' is knowne 't is from aboue : then Fortune there is none , 't is but a word of idle wits creation And fauours fooles but in imagination .

EPIG . XXII . In nomen suum . RIch heart of Richard , as the Saxons say , Is th' Etymologie : an other way Is hard and rich . But some from this I feare , Hard to be Rich , the name of Richard beare .

EPIG . XXIII . In Papam Rom. ROme cals her Bishop Papa , of a Father : We English cal him Pope , of Popa rather . Popa a bloudie Sacrificer is Or greedie glutton ; therefore not amisse : Since he still sacrifices for our fall , A Pope , not Papa , Englishmen him call .

EPIG . XXIIII . SOme the word wanton fetch , though with small skill , From those , that want one to effect their will , If so , I thinke that wantons there are none , For till the World want men , can they want one ?

EPIG . XXV . AMongst the pack of knaues , which is the chiefe ; Your breaker , broker , vsurer , or thief ? I know , thta many men your thiefe will say ; For in this age , your great rich wise man may Breake , yet be whole and compleat as before : Whereas your thiefe , a thiefe is euermore . Thus from your thiefe the breaker th' odds must haue , To be your wise , rich , great and compleat knaue .

EPIG . XXVI . FRom impure mouthes , now many beare the name Of Puritan , yet merit not the same . This one shall only be my Puritan , That is a knaue ; yet seemes an honest man .

EPIG . XXVII . IS that great deed of Edgar , Englands glorie , To be approu'd : who as we reade in storie Destroi'd this Kingdomes wolues ; because that they Deuour'd our sh●ep ? sure yes : yet some say nay , Wishing we had no other wolues ; for then Wolues did eate sheep : but sheep now eat vp men .

EPIG . XXVIII . WOman mans shadow is , loue is the Sunne , Now in the Sunne , if man his shadow shunne ; T● followes h●m : but if he follow it . It the● shu●● him and shewes his want of wit .

EPIG . XXIX . In mortis timorem . HOw base hath sinne made man to feare the thing , That men call M●rs ; which , yet hath lost all sting , And is but a priuation , as we know , Nay i● no word , if we exempt the O. Then let good men the feare of it defie , All is but ò when they shall come to die .

EPIG . XXX . In Scyllam . COy Scylla sweares that she will neuer loue me , Rayles at my times ; and sayes , that she wil proue me A traytor to the sex ; yet none shall find , That I was euer false to woman kind , She sayes their secrets are disclos'd by me , And so condemnes me ; yet in Charitie I should be quit , were women of my iurie , Since 't was in heat of bloud , and writ in Furie ,

Finis .

VERTVES ENCOMIVM .

OR , The Jmage of Honour .

Honor virtutis praemium .

PRO LEGE REGE , ET GREGE

LOVE KEPYTH THE LAWE , OBEYETH THE KYNGE , AND IS GOOD TO THE COMMEN WELTHE .

seal depicting a pelican feeding her young

LONDON , Printed by William Stansby . 1614.

TO THE MOST noble Ladie , the Ladie HONORIA HAY , wife to the right honourable the Lord HAY , sole daughter and heire to the right honourable the Lord DENNIE . THough ( noble Ladie ) in your Honors prayse , Beneath the shadow of your fauours wing A sweet Siluester Nightingale doth sing : The graceful musick , of whose heauenly laies , From times bests wits , now beares away the baies . Yet ( Beauties best ) since meanest birds , ech Spring , To choisest eares some pleasing sounds do bring ; Vouch safe to heare my Muse in her Essayes . Where vrg'd by hope , thogh yet not free from doubt That once her sisters teares did fauour find , Your Honours image heere doth portrait out , As th' humble pledge of my true thankfull mind . If that did erre , I hope in this alone ; Since Honours chiefe , this image is your owne . Your Honours most humbly deuoted R. N.

To the Reader .

GEntlewomen ) this last and least part of my litle labour , I consecrate to you , the image of whose honour , though so excellent , that like that part of the picture of Venus left to posteritie by Apelles , takes away all hope of imitating the same ; Yet to acquit my selfe of that madnesse , which the woman-hater doth indeuour to make mine , perhaps though more hastily then happily , I haue here cast off this image of Honour from the model of a woman , in honour of your sex . To answer those , that say , my pen drops gall against you in the first part , I desire you to know that my Furies touch none but those Apes of yours ; such I meane , who making no difference betw●xt Swans and Geesse ; because they haue both white feathers , imitate only your fashion not your vertues . If in what followes you find my stile too harsh for so sweet a subiect , my forme too impolish for so faire an image , be pleased to know that I am limited to Epigrams , in which no pen can limme so faire a picture as your faire deserues ; such as it is ; if you respect it , I care not who reiect it , for , I put my selfe vnder your protection .

To the same right Honourable the Ladie Honoria Hay , &c.

EPIG . I. VErtues , wits , beauties , riches perfect Honour ) Though my meeke Muse to weake to take vpon her Vertues Encomium , t' Epigrams confin'd ; Ye● being bound to honour women kind , And quit her selfe of late imputed blame , Doth neere pres●me to vse your Honours name , That women-hating madmen , that of late Haue lost their wits ; yet still retaine their hate , By lo●king on you image , may restore Then little wits and so be mad no more .

EPIG . II . Apoll . HOnour is masculine Gramarians say , Nor by a woman pourtrait heere I may Honours true image : yet the vertues all Are faeminine and Honour needs must fall If vertue failes 't is vertues cheife reward ; Then women in this faeminine regard , Since all the vertues doe attend vpon her , I heere present , for th' image of true Honour .

EPIG . III . In templum Honoris . VPon a hill , whose height doth reach the starres , Honour hath rais'd her phane : true vertue barres The passage to the same , whose Temple stands In the mid-way . Without industrious hands , Things great and glorious no man may attaine . He that wil clime this hil to Honour● phane , First , like the mysterie-supporting asse , Through vertues temple must with patience passe .

EPIG . IIII . In habitum Honoris . TImes Swan-white wings illustrate Honour weares , With which from earth she mounts vnto the Spheares : Truths azure robes are her immortall weeds , Painted with Fames bright star-made glorious deeds . They then that Honour seeke by deeds of same , Through time and truth must first attempt the same .

EPIG . V. Aeternitas . In Caput . A Crowne of Roses pluckt by her owne hand From Fames faire tree , vpon her head doth stand Whose amber tresses flowing downe thereby , Seeme golden ensignes of Eternitie . He then that gets a tramell of that heare , Or Rose , for pledge of Honours grace to weare , The gallant is , whom Fame shall eternize . For Honours gifts are glorious in all eyes .

EPIG . VI . Fides . In frontem . VPon that Christall table of delight The Iuorie front , Faith seemes in open sight To sit in triumph with each heauenly grace , Nere maskt , or hid beneath an other face : And as the louely fronts rare formed feature Most beautifies that angel-like faire creature : So constant Faith more graces same-grac'd Honour , Then all the graces heauen bestowes vpon her .

EPIG . VII . Spes . In oculos . THe two star-twinckling twins , those lampes of light The bodies sentinels , so quick of sight Beneath her Christal brow , hopes wi●dowes are , Out of the which when danger and despa●e Doe threaten mischiefe , hope lookes vp at heauen , From whence for her deare sake all power is giuen , When sad dispaire doth fill the heart with feares In Honours eye , Hope most of all appeares ;

EPIG . VIII . Charitas . In Buccas . VPon the cheekes , on which , as on a bed , Of snow-white ●illies Roses haue beene shed , Sits , Charitie and with the sweet delight Of cheareful lookes , that feed the gazers sight , Where milke commixt with wine doth seeme to flow , Her bounteous gifts doth chearefully bestow ; Not dead but liuing Charitie , that giues With chearful count'nance honour'd euer liues .

EPIG . IX . Prudentia . In labra . THe red-soft-s●lken lips , those leaues of Rose , Are the two doores of Corrall , that inclose The closet vp , where prudence day and night Doth worke vpon the honie of delight , The which the Muses thither bring with paine , And after poores it through those lips againe , For Prudence selfe , her selfe doth honour'd proue , When as those lips be stil , or else doe moue .

EPIG . X. Iustitia . In dentes . THe teeth , those two euen rankes of pearle do seeme To be the place , which Iustice doth esteeme , Who querne-like grinding not for their owne food , So much as for the bodies common good , Doe daily worke and though they daily weare , Yet in the publike cause doe not forbeare , True iustice heere on earth most Honour gaines , When most for common good it suffers paines .

EPIG . XI . Fortitudo . In collum . THe neck , more white then snow on mountaine tops , As Fortitudes faire columne vnderprops Her Globe-like head ; which though but smal in sight , With Maiestie still stately stands vpright ; If it doe bow , 't is but to grace the frame Which it supports : it neuer failes the same . Honour true Fortitude then most esteemes , When Fortitude is more , then what it seemes .

EPIG . XII . Temperantia . In mamillas . THose twin-like pretie buds of crimson Rose , The daintie pappes , you may compare to those Two springs of Temperance ; which a little sweld , The milke of goodnesse moderately doe yeild To nurse the vertues : powring out no more Then will suffice , yet euer yeilding store . This part of Honour Temperance doth chuse : Amidst her store the golden meane to vse .

EPIG . XIII . Castitas . In Pectus . THe snow-white brest where vertue keeps the treasure Of golden thoughts , the garden is of pleasure , In which the flower of Chastitie doth sprout ; Whose spreading leaues Honour laps vp from doubt Of bitter blasts , and keepes them curiously From scorching of the Sunnes loue-burning eye . Pure Chastities faire flower which doth grow In Honours bosome , makes the goodliest show .

EPIG . XIIII . Pudicitia . In gremium . THe red-cheekt daughter of the blushing morne , Sweet modestie , of all the World forlorne , On Honours lap nurst vp in safetie lies , With vnknowne graces ; hid from sight of spies : I thinke , except in Honours selfe alone , Modestie's more imagined then knowne .

EPIG . XV . Concordia . In Manus . THose Lille hands , when they with curious cunning Doe touch the Lute or Viol with swift running , Concord so sweetly , that to heare such sounds , Windes would be stil and Seas would keep their bounds : And those fiue Champion brethren , that doe stand As arm'd with Iuorie helmes on either hand , To guard the bodie safe doe all agree , When any harmes by foes intended be . Concord in peace , a Musick is therefore ; In war a safetie honour'd euermore .

EPIG . XVI . Patientia . In Crura . PAtience of all the vertues and the Arts Is the maine prop. And as those daintie parts The neat-proportioned pillers , that doe beare The bodie with quick motions heere and there , For comely shape , are the most gracefull limmes : So gentle patience all the vertues dimmes . Cheife glorie by true patience Honour gaines : Patience alone the vertues all sustaines .

EPIG . XVII . Humilitas . In Pedes . LOw at the feet Humilitie doth rest ; Yet is a vertue equall to the best . As the feetes feature , those two pretie bases , That glorious creature woman no lesse graces , Then any part of all that goodly frame , Nor lesse doth please the eye that sees the same : So her Humilitie , which heere I place , Lowest of all with heauen's in highest grace .

EPIG . XVIII . HE that shall aske , what reason I can shew Why vertue should be Foeminine , may know , The faire Pandora , vnto whom was giuen Each seu●●all vertue by the Gods of heauen , A woman was : who askes , what H●nour is , An Angel vpon earth and not amisse Let him suppose ; else Honour let him take , For that Pandora , which the Gods did make .

TO THE VERTVOVS AND NOBLE LADY , THE LADY CHARITIE HOWARD , wife to the nobly-descended Sir Charles Howard Knight , second Sonne to the right Honourable the Earle of Notingham , &c. VERTVES ENCOMIVM .

EPIG . XIX . GOod , gracious , vertuous , all I can picke forth , Are needlesse attributes t'explaine your worth . For ( Nole Ladie ) your owne proper name Vniuocally doth expresse the same . Deigne then , that I your Charitie may place Among'st these few of vertues honour'd race : And though I heere , vnfitly in rude rimes , Present to you the labour of lost times ; Yet at the least these children looke vpon , The naked Graces , sure they be your own . This , Ladie , please to know , that they be three , And of true Charitie the children be .

EPIG . XX . In Aglaiam . AS faire Aglaia is the first in birth , So is she first in bountie ; and from mirth Or true delight deriues her name : which shewes , That what she giues , she chearefully bestowes . Naked she is , that we by her may see True benefits without imposture bee : Bathing in th' Acidalian spring she sayes , Who giues , must giue for no reward or praise . Who these three properties conceiues , must yeild Aglaia be Charities own child .

EPIG . XXI . In Thaliam . THalia is the next , a noble Grace , Belou'd of God and man , and takes her place At Bounties shrine there offering thankes and prayse . For h●ting grosse ingratitude , she sayes , From euer-flourishing , I take my name , That gifts in mind receiu'd , may , as the same , Be euer greene ; for vnto Charitie Ingratitude is cheifest enimie . Therefore this name Thalia she did giue , The second Grace , that grace might euer liue .

EPIG . XXII . In Euphrosynem . EVphrosyne is , though the last of three , A Grace not least belou'd of Charitie , She 's her delight , Euphrosyne therefore Shee calles her name : and as the first before Giues chearfully , the second thankfu●l takes , This third a double restitution makes . Since then these three true Charitie explaine , To giue , to take , and to restore againe ; The Graces t' all from Charitie say this , Giue , take , restore , and neuer doe amisse .

To the Patterne of Vertue and Paragon of Beautie , the Ladie Margaret Smith , wife to the right Worshipfull Sir RICHARD SMITH .

EPIG . XXIII . SInce Beauties faire strikes blind the eyes of those , That vnto beautie are but seeming foes : Since Vertue doth conuince them being blind , That are but seeming foes to women kind : ( Mirrour of beautie and of vertue both , ) My humble Muse vnknowne , and therefore loth T' attempt your name , yet knowing well your worth , Meekly craues leave , that she may portrait forth Your beautie and your vertue ; not to flatter , But to oppose't against our woman hater . For not so much your owne worth , as in you The worth of women , I present to veiw : In whose defence your name shall stand in sight , Like Beauties pearle or Vertues Margarite . Which to behold , please to reflect your eye Vpon these three , Vnus , Vnam , Vni .

EPIG . XXIIII . Vnus . ONe more then excellent , we know , did make One woman excellent , whom we may take To be the Margarite ; and gaue that woman The same which with the Margarite is common : Beautie he gaue to her . The Margarite : Excels all other things , for Christall bright : He gaue the woman vertue to sustaine That Beautie giuen . Such vertue doth remaine In this faire pearle or Margarite , that none 'Mongst gems most precious of more w●rth is knowne . For which 'gainst enuie , in all womens right , We may present the precious Margarite .

EPIG . XXV . Vnam . ONe woman made was giu'n to one man , Which in the Margarite wise nature can , And doth expresse . The woman men doe honour , For those chast thoughts which doe attend vpon her Affecting only one . The Margarite Doth neuer prosper being indiscrete , Or separated by it selfe alone : Which caus'd the Romans call it Vnion . For which 'gainst enuie heere in womans right , We may present the precious Margarite .

EPIG . XXVI . Vni . TO one alone one woman thus was giuen , That man might take it , as a gift from heauen : And keep it euer with such care and loue , That from it nothing should his heart remoue . The precious Margarite all men doe couet , And hauing gain'd it , doe so dearely loue it , No Coffer , Cabinet , can be so strong , As they doe thinke to keepe it safe from wrong , With men therefore let women haue this right , That euery one may be a Margarite .

TO THE MIRROR OF TRVE Constancie , the Ladie Elizabeth Cleere wise to the Noble Gentleman deceased Sir FRANCIS CLERE Knight .

EPIG . XXVII . TRue perfect image of that ancient worth Deriu'd from parents at your happie birth Yet grac'd in mind with heauens more faire perfection : Grant that my Muse , who vnder your protection Englands Eliza once did safely sing , May in the ranke of honor'd women bring Your worthie selfe , that of your Vertues Cleare To women-hating want-wits may appeare . So , noble Ladie , shall my Muse goe free From enuies touch : for men in you shall see What some men say is wanting in your kind , In your faire Clere such worth shall all men find ,

In obitum benignissimi omnique gratiarum genere cumulatissimi viri Francisci Clere Militis , &c.

EPIG . XXVIII . IF't be a vertue , speaking vertues prayse , The sleeping vertues of the dead to raise , ( Vertues dead liuing mirror ) leaue I craue To ope the entrance to thy honor'd graue . Cleros his name was giuen at his birth ; For liuing , he was vertues heire on earth . Cleros his name to him still dead is giuen ; For heere though dead , he liues an heire in Heauen . On earth his vertue 's cleere from enuies blame : In heauen he shines a starre Clere as his name .

TO THE VERTVOVS AND MY euer honoured Ladie , the Ladie Margaret Wroth , wife to the right Worshipfall Sir Thomas Wroth , Knight .

EPIG . XXIX . WIts second vnto none , worthes excellence ) My pen oblig'd by that due reuerence Iewe to you , craues leaue by you to show . What honour to your sex all men doe owe The sparkling gem , whose worth all men esteeme , The precious Pearle , which all men rich doe deome , The dazie which men call the dayes delight , All three the Romans title Margarite . Much worth is in the gem , that beares that name , More worth in you that double beare the same : Rich is that pearle ; but Rich is more your due : Faire is that flowre , but farre more faire are you : This may susfice , who seekes , in you shall find , All faire , Rich , Worth , in bodie name and mind .

In obitum nobilissimi benignissimique viri nuper defuncti ROBERTI WROTH Militis , &c.

EPIG . XXX . WOrthes chiefe is dead , since worthie he is gone , Who of that name most worthie was alone ; ( Yee poore and hungrie all ) his graue goe find , That holds the bodie of so faire a mind . There sit yee downe and sigh for bountie dead : Bountie with that braue Knight to Heauen is fled : Where since he came , heauen as it doth appeare , Wanting a starre to set by bounteous Clere ; In Wroth did place the O before the R , And made it Worth , which since is made a star .

To all vertuous Ladies and Gentlewomen .

EPIG . XXXI . EArthes fairest figures of the Saints in Heauen , T' whose angel-like rare beauties powre is giuen , Their healthes to dying men for to restore , And strike them dead , that had their healthes before : Giue life vnto these lines , with gracious view , Where though your Honours prayses want their due ; Yet Honours image your ensample be , And euermore be honoured of me . My Muse for vertue women shall adore : A modest Epigram can say no more .

FINIS .