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Cornell University Library 
 PR2211.B23C5 1888 
 
 Chrestoleros. Seuen bookes of epigrames. 
 
 3 1924 013 117 860 
 
The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013117860 
 
I^ubitcations of t^t ^ptmtt docieti^; 
 
 Issue No. 47. 
 
 CHRESTOliEROS. 
 
 SEUEN BOOKES OF EPIGRAMES 
 
 Wt-JTiFEM BY 
 
 THOMAS BASTARD. 
 
 Re-printed from the Edition of 1598. 
 
 PRINTEp FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 
 1888, 
 
©5^ jSppnfpp ^oripfg. 
 
 JOHN LEIGH, Esq. 
 
 The Rt. Hon. LORD COLERIDGE. 
 
 Contrdl. 
 J. EGLINTON BAILEY, Esq., F.S.A. 
 Rev. W. E. BUCKLEY, M.A., Middleton Cheney, 
 THOMAS SCHOFIELD, Esq. 
 CHAS. W. SUtTON, Esq. 
 JOSEPH THOMPSON, Esq. 
 GEORGE MILNER, Esq. 
 A. H. BULLEN, Esq. 
 W. W. DAWSON, Esq., Secrttari'. 
 
 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 -j^^^ For the First Year 1867-8. 
 
 1. The Proverbs and Epigrams of John Heywood. Reprinted from the Original 
 
 Editioft of 1562. 
 
 2. The Works, of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio Edition 
 
 .of 1630. Part J. ' 
 
 For the Second Year 1868-9. 
 
 3. The Works of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio of 
 
 1630. Part II. 
 
 4. The Works of John Taylor the Water Poet. Reprinted from the Folio of 
 
 1630. Part III. {Completing the volumet) 
 
 5. Zepheria. Reprinted from the Original Edition of iS'P'f. 
 
 For the Third Year 1869-70. 
 
 6. The "EKATOMnAeiA or Passionate Centurie of Love, by Thonias Watson. 
 
 Reprinted from the Original Edition of («>^a) 1581. 
 
 7. Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, not included in the Folio Volume of 
 
 1630. Reprinted froni the Original Editions. First Collection. 
 
 For the Fourth Year 1 870-1. 
 
 8. A HandefuU of Pleasant Delites, by Clement Robinson, and divers others. 
 
 Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1584. 
 Q. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither, contained in the collections of his 
 
 Juvenilia which appeared in 1626 and 1633. Part I. 
 10. Juvenilia : Poems by George Wither. Part II. 
 
CHRESTOLEROS. 
 
 SEUEN BOOKES OF EPIGRAMES. 
 
 BY 
 
 THOMAS BASTARD. 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY. 
 
 1888. 
 
 s 
 
Pkihted by CHARLB! E. SIMMS, 
 Manchester. 
 
CHRESTOLEROS. 
 SEUEN BOOKES OF 
 
 Epigrames written by T. B. 
 
 Hutu nouere modum nojlri feruare libelli 
 Parcere perfonis : dicere de vitiis. 
 
 Imprinted at London^ by Richard Bradocke, 
 
 for I. B. and are to be fold at herjhop 
 
 in Paules Church-yarde, at the 
 
 figne of the Bible. 1598. 
 
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 Sir Charels Bhmt Knight, Lord 
 
 Mountioy, and Knight of the moft 
 
 noble order of the 
 
 Garter. 
 
 MY Lorde, Epigrames are a fcarfe 
 worke, they haue euer had but 
 fewe writers, and yet too many. If 
 my booke pleafe not ; yet this I fhall be 
 fure of, rare difcommendations : the grea 
 
 teft 
 
 A3 
 
teft aduenture that I knowe, is to 
 write, mens iudgments are of £o many 
 fafhions ; yet tliis is my comfort, that 
 my booke is of the fafhion. If the com- 
 mon manners commend him, he hath 
 giuen them no caufe. I faine obie6l to 
 my calling this kinde of writing : in 
 other things I woulde be glad to ap- 
 proue my ftudie to your good Lord- 
 fhippe. Thefe are the accomptes of 
 my Idlenes. Yet herein I may feeme 
 to haue done fomething worthy the price 
 
 of 
 
of labour, that I haue taught Epigrams 
 to fpeake chaftlie ; befides, I haue ac- 
 quainted them with more grauite of 
 fence, and barring them of their olde 
 libertie, not onely forbidden them to be 
 perfonall, but turned all their bitter- 
 neffe rather into fharpneffe. But the 
 worke it felfe, (in regard of which I mofb 
 humbly craue your honors patronage) 
 doth in the nature and kinde thereof 
 deliuer me of an Epiftle, and bidds it 
 giue place to an Epigram. 
 
 If 
 
If I my pen an higher tafke (hould fet, 
 Great Lord, what better matter could I finde, 
 Then of thy worth and vertue to entreate, 
 Of thy heroicka fpirite and noble minde : 
 Now take my gnatt, and try me in a toye, 
 Whether hereafter I may fmg of Troye. 
 
 Your Honours moft af- , 
 fe6lionate Seruant, 
 
 Thomas Bajlard. 
 
EnirPAMMATflN. 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 Epigr. I. de fubie6lo operis fui. 
 
 ISpeake of wants, of frauds, of policies, 
 Of manners, and of vertues and of times, 
 Of vnthrifts and of friends, and enemies. 
 Poets, Phyfitions, Lawyers, and Diuines, 
 Of vfurers, buyers, borowers, ritch and poore. 
 Of theeues, and murtherers, by fea and land, 
 Of pickthankes, lyers, flatterers leffe and more. 
 Of good and bad, and all that comes to hand ; 
 I fpeake of hidden and of open things : 
 Of flrange euents, of countries farre and wide. 
 Of warres, of captaynes, Nobles, Princes, kings, 
 
 B Afia, 
 
AJia, Europe, and all the world befide. 
 This is my fubieft, reader, I confeffe, 
 From which I thinke feldom I doe digreffe, 
 
 Epigr 2, 
 
 WHen I was fweetly fotted with delight, 
 Each trifeling caufe could moue one to indite, 
 A little praife would ftirre me in fuch wife, 
 My thirft all Helycon could fcarfe fuffice. 
 My pen was like a bowe which ftill is bent, 
 My head was like a barrell wanting vent ; 
 Then had you toucht me, you had felt the fmart. 
 What fury might, requiring helpe of art, 
 And then I thovght my ivdgements ayme fo cleere 
 That I would hitt you right, or mifse you neere : 
 But nowe left naked of profperitie 
 And fubieft vnto bitter iniurrie : 
 
 So 
 
So poore of fenfe, fo bare of wit I am, 
 Not neede her felfe can driue an Epigram, 
 Yet neede is miftreffe of all exercife. 
 And fhe all thriuing arts did firft deuife. 
 But Ihould I thriue or profper in that ftate, 
 Where fhe is my commandreffe whome I hate? 
 
 For of a key-cold witt what would ye haue ? 
 
 He which is once a wretch, is thrife a flaue. 
 
 Epigr. 3. Ad Le£loretn, 
 
 IJ Eader my booke flies low, and comes not neere, 
 
 The higher world, and the celeftiall fpheare. 
 Yet not fo low, but that it doth defpife 
 The earthes round lumpe, and farre aboue it flies. 
 This is the middle labour of my pen. 
 To drawe thee forth (Reader) a mappe of men. 
 
 B2 
 
 Epigr, 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 Epigr. 4. De Microcofmo. 
 
 MAn is a little world and beares the face, 
 And piflure of the Vniuerfitie : 
 All but refembleth God, all but his glaffe, 
 All but the pi6lure of his maieftie. 
 
 Man is the little world (fo we him call,) 
 The world the little God, God the great All. 
 
 Epigr. $. Ad leSlorem de fiibieSlo 
 operis fui. 
 
 THE little worlde the fubie6l of my mufe. 
 Is an huge taske and labour infinite ; 
 Like to a wilderneffe or maffe confufe. 
 Or to an endleffe gulfe, or to the night. 
 How many ftrange Meanders doe / finde ? 
 How many paths do turne my ftraying pen ? 
 
 How 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 How many doubtful! twilights make me blinde, 
 Which feeke to lim out this ftrange All of men ? 
 Eafie it were the earth to purtray out, 
 Or to draw forth the heauens pureft frame, 
 Whofe reftleffe courfe, by order whirles about 
 Of change and place, and ftill remaines the fame. 
 But how fhall mens, or manners forme appeare, 
 Which while / write, do change fro that they were? 
 
 Epigr.6. Ad Momum. 
 
 MOmus, I treate of vices by the way. 
 Of vices pure, abftraft, and feparate, 
 Of vniuerfall, as the fchoole men fay, 
 /ntentionall, meere, and fpecificate ; 
 Which floate aboue all fenfe of vulgarneffe, 
 And keepe the topp of the prsedicament ; 
 Which like Chymcera haunt the wilderneffe, 
 B 3 
 
 And 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 And are the fubftance of an accident. 
 
 You cannot Momus then be toucht by me, 
 Vnleffe you genus vniuerfmn, be. 
 
 Epigr. "J. Ad curiofiim le£lo- 
 rem. 
 
 ME thinks fome curious Reader, I heare fay, 
 What Epigrams in englifti ? tis not fit 
 My booke is plaine, and would haue if it may, 
 An englifh Reader but a latine witt. 
 
 Epigr, 8. Ad Do, Mountioy. 
 
 GReat Lord, thine honour and thine excellence, 
 Among the leaft hath worthy refidence ; 
 Of which / am, as meane, as low as any ; 
 Yet a true heart and witneffe with the many. 
 
 Then 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 Then learne of me what th'vnknowne vulgar faies, 
 how high the lowe extoll thy worthy praife, 
 Here thou doft fit, thefe harts thy worth doth moue 
 Thefe know thy vertues, daine to know their loue. 
 
 Epigr. 9. In Caium. 
 
 CAius will doe me good he fweares by all, 
 That can be fworne, in fwearing liberall : 
 He did me one good turne I wote well how, 
 I would he had not, for I rue it now. 
 And twife and thrife, he holpe me at my need, 
 He me in fliew, but I holpe him in deede. 
 Had I more neede he would fo fuccour me. 
 That for his helpe the more my need fhould be. 
 But Cuius, haue ye fuch good turns in ftore ? 
 O keepe them for your felfe, helpe me no more. 
 
 B 4 For 
 
 13 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 For he which comes to you and wanteth pelfe, 
 Muft fay : Sir I haue need, now helpe your felfe. 
 
 Epigr. 10. De Cadauere in littus eieSlo. 
 
 THe naked corpfe caft out vpon the flioare, 
 Seemde in my thought thus wofully to plaine : 
 Sea, thou did'ft drowne, and bury me before ; 
 Why do thy waues then digge me out againe ? 
 Thus we by earth and fea are inuired ; 
 The earth caftes forth her liue, the fea her dead. 
 
 Epigr. II. de Philippo Sidneo. 
 
 WHen nature wrought vpon her mould fo well, 
 That nature wondred her owne worke to fee, 
 When arte fo labourde nature to excell, 
 And both had fpent their excellence in thee. 
 
 Wil- 
 
 14 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 Willing they gaue the into fortunes hande 
 Fearing they could not ende what they beganne. 
 
 Epigr. 1 2. De Public. 
 
 PVblius fweares he is nor falfe nor wicked, 
 Free from great faults, and hath no other lett, 
 Saue this great fault he is in debt. 
 This is the greateft finne he hath committed. 
 This is a great and hainous finne indeede, 
 Which will commit him if he take not heede. 
 
 Epigr. 13. 
 
 G Alius would make me heire, but fuddainly, 
 He was preuented by vntimely death : 
 Scilla did make me heire, when by and by 
 His health returnes and he recouereth. 
 
 He 
 
 IS 
 
lO 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 He that entendes me good, dies with his pelfe, 
 And he that doth me good, hath it himfelfe 
 
 Epigr. 14. In Mathonem optatiuum. 
 
 sAa tho the wifher hath an ill entent, 
 But for the fa6l I thinke him innocent. 
 If he fee ought he wifheth it ftraight way. 
 Wifhing the night, wifhing he fpendes the day. 
 Nor horfe, nor man, nor wife, nor boy nor maide 
 Can fcape his wifli, nor ought that can be faid. 
 Your houfe, your bed, your board, your plate, your 
 All he deuours, tis all his with a wifh. (difh. 
 
 He views whole fields & fheep on them which ftray 
 Riuers, woods, hils, he wifheth all away. 
 Yea witt, and learning and good qualities, 
 He would not want, if wifhing might fuffice. 
 And this the difarde Matho nothing gaines, 
 By wifhing oft, and yet he takes great paines. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 16 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 II 
 
 Epigr. 15. In Mirum. medicus. 
 
 PHifition Mirus talkes of faliuation, 
 Of Tophes and Pujlules, and Febricitation ; 
 Who doth ingurgitate, who tufficate, 
 And who an vlcer hath inueterate. 
 
 Thus while his Inkehorne termes he doth apply, 
 Euacuated is his ingenie. 
 
 Epigr, 16. 
 
 SOme fay that fome which Colledges did found, 
 Were wicked men ; I grant it may be fo : 
 But what are they which feeke to pull them downe ? 
 Are not thefe wicked builders, let me know ? 
 How do times differ ? how are things difcufl; ? 
 For fee their wicked, do excel! our iuft. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 17 
 
12 
 
 Liber Primus 
 
 Epigr. 17. de poeta Mar Halt. 
 
 MArtiall, in footh none fliould prefume to write, 
 Since time hath brought thy Epigrams to light : 
 For through our writing, thine fo praif 'de before 
 Haue this obteinde, to be commended more : 
 Yet to our felues although we winne no fame. 
 Wee pleafe, which get our maifter a good name. 
 
 Epigr. 18 
 
 THe poore man plaines vnto a Crocodile, 
 And with true tears his cheeks he doth bedew, 
 Sir, I am wrong'd and fpoild : alas the while, 
 I am vndone, good fir fome pitie fhewe : 
 Then weepes the Crocodile, but you may fee, 
 his teeth preparde and hollow rauening iawe : 
 Then dry the poore mans teares, away goes he, 
 
 Muft 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 13 
 
 Muft rape be pitied, is there fuch a lawe ? 
 He did me wronge which robde me as you fee, 
 But he which ftole my tears, ftole more from me. 
 
 Epigr. 19. in Auaritiam. 
 
 AVarice hath an endleffe eye, 
 Attende, and I will tell you why ; 
 The minde the bodies good doth craue, 
 Which it defiring cannot haue : 
 
 The like refemblance may be made. 
 As if the bodie lou'd a fhade. 
 
 Epigr. 20. in Cacum. 
 
 CAcus defired me to fet him foorth. 
 O how I burne faith he ! O how I long, 
 And yet I cannot regifter his worth. 
 And why ? for Cacus neuer did me wrong. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 19 
 
H 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 Epigr. 21. De Typograplio. 
 
 THe Printer when I afkt a little Summe, 
 Huckt with me for my book, and came not nere. 
 Ne could my reafon or perfwafion, 
 Moue him a whit, though al things now were deere ; 
 Hath my conceipt no helpe to fet it forth ? 
 Are all things deere, and is wit nothing worth ? 
 
 Epigr. 22. In Scillam. 
 
 S Cilia had bin in France a weeke or two. 
 When he returned home with viftory : 
 Boafting of ten which he to death did do. 
 Nine in the fight, the tenth but cowardly, 
 For him he fmote vntruffing of his hofe : 
 Alas that foldier di'de a filthy death ; 
 Yet he made vp the compleate fum of thofe. 
 
 Of 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 15 
 
 Of whofe occifion Scilla glorieth, 
 And by his i?apiar hilts (O bloody deed) 
 Embrau'de with golde, he fweares viftorioufly 
 And hundred at his next returne to fpeede. 
 Ten him no tens, an hundred more fhall die, 
 ^ut neuer he retumde, nor euer will, 
 Counting more glory now to faue then kill. 
 
 Epigr. 23. in Caluum. 
 
 CAluus hath hayre neither on head or brow. 
 Yet he thanks God, that witt he hath enowe. 
 The witt may ftand although the hayre doe fall 
 Tis true, but Caluus had no witt at all .' 
 
 'Epigr. 24. 
 
 '^Aujlus is ficke of care, the dodlors fay, 
 -His cure and remedy muft be delay. 
 
 While 
 
i6 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 While ficke confuming Faujius keeps his bedde. 
 An hundred whole men are confum'd and deade. 
 
 After all this FauJlus recouereth ; 
 
 I fee care is a tricke to cofin death. 
 
 Epigr. 25. in fucantem faciem fuam. 
 
 HE which put on a falfe vpon thy face, 
 Hath done that ill, which was done well before. 
 Thus he hath put thy piflure in thy place, 
 Making thee like thy felfe, thy felfe no more. 
 Depriude of liuing comlineffe and feature, 
 Fye on thee art, thou com'ft to neere to nature. 
 
 Epigr. 26. de Adam prima homine. 
 
 vv 
 
 Hen Adam couered his firfl nakednes,(what. 
 With figge tree leaues, he did, he knew not 
 
 The 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 17 
 
 The leaues were good indeed, but not for that, 
 God ordaind skins gainft his skins wretchedneffe. 
 But gainft difeafes and our inward neede. 
 To piece our life which flitting ftill doth paffe. 
 What leafe do we not vfe, what herbe, what graffe, 
 Their fecret vertues ftanding vs in fteede ? 
 Thus in our garmentes thefe we caft away : 
 And yet our life doth weare them euery day. 
 
 Epigr. 27. In Cophum. 
 
 COphus on Antimonium doth plodd, 
 ^eleeue me Cophus but you are too bolde. 
 To fearch into the fecret depth of God : 
 After Potatoes of refolued golde 
 The Varacelfians taught you this to doe ; 
 And you will ferett Nature from her denne , 
 Yee'le make men liue whether they will or no. 
 
 C 
 
 B\x\. 
 
 23 
 
1 8 Liber Primus. 
 
 But truft me Cophus they are truftleffe men. 
 For Cophus they haue taskt you like a noddy, 
 To ftudy th'immortalitie of the bodie. 
 
 Epigr. 28. 
 
 THey which reade Horace, Virgill and the reft, 
 Of ancient Poets ; all new wits deteft : 
 And fay O times ; what happy wits were then, 
 I fay, O fooles ; rather what happy men. 
 
 Epigr. 29. In Galium. 
 
 THe good turne Callus which you promifed. 
 When / beleeuing foole doe aske of you : 
 Then you obie£l your name is blemifhed, 
 By my reportes, and more which is not true. 
 You might bin liberall as ye did boaft, 
 ^ut you are angry now with halfe the coft. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 24 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 19 
 
 Epigr. 30. 
 
 FLonis exceeded all men of our time, 
 So braue, fo pert, fo luftye, and fo trimme : 
 But fodainly me thought he did decline, 
 ^■0 wanne, fo blanke, fo fily and fo thinne. 
 I askte the caufe, he leads me through the ftreete. 
 He brings me to his houfe, where I may fee, 
 A woman fayre, fofte, gentle and difcreete. 
 behold faith Florus what hath tamed me. 
 
 What is this true ? can fuch a wife doe fo ? 
 
 Then how muft he be tamd which hath a fhroe ? 
 
 Epigr. 31. Epitaphium Timonis. 
 
 HEere I lie fealed vnder this ftone, 
 Deathes loathfome prifoner, lifes caftaway. 
 Which when I liued was loued of none, 
 
 C 2 Not 
 
 25 
 
20 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 Nor louely to any as all men can fay. 
 
 Now all men for dying doe loue me, though ill, 
 I would not reuiue to loofe their good will. 
 
 Epigr. 32. 
 
 THey fay the Spaniards make prouifion 
 For wars, and that they will be heere with fpeed 
 With fhops, golde, filuer and munition. 
 >What do they meane 1 I think they know our need ? 
 
 ^pigr. 33- 
 
 IF ye aske Lest us why he keepes no Chriftmaffe, 
 Being fo rich, hauing fo large reuenue : 
 Hee'le fay he is in debt, or hath fome purchafe, 
 Or hath begonne it and can not continue. 
 Torus hath many legacyes to pay. 
 
 Though 
 
 26 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 21 
 
 Though Lcetus he exceede in welth or land. 
 BxA Dacus will do good fome other way, 
 Cacus would, weare his mony in his hand : 
 Olde Mifus faith, let them fpend wich can get. 
 Corns would now, but all things are to deare. 
 Germaniis faith, you do not know my lett, 
 And Cains will keepe houfe an other yeare. 
 
 O wretched times, but our times iuft abufe, 
 That euer doing good fhould haue excufe. 
 
 Epigr. 34. Ad Thomam Freake armig. 
 de verts aduentu. 
 
 THe welcome Sunne from fea Freake is returned, 
 And cheerth with his beames the naked earth, 
 Which gainft his comming her apparelleth. 
 And hath his abfence fixe long moneths mourned. 
 Out of her fragrant fide fhe fendes to greete him 
 The rafhed primrofe and the violet ; 
 
 C 3 While 
 
 27 
 
22 
 
 Liber Primus. 
 
 While (he the fieldes and meadowes doth befet 
 With flowers, & hangs the trees with pearle to meet 
 Amid this hope and ioy fhe doth forget, (him 
 
 To kill the hemlocke which doth grow too faft, 
 And chill the adder making too much haft. 
 With his blacke fonnes reuiued with the heat, 
 Till fommer come with diuers colours clad, 
 Much like my Epigrams both good and badd. 
 
 Epigr. 35. I« Therfiten. 
 
 AAthough Tkerjites haue a filthy face, 
 And flaring eyes, and little outward grace, 
 Yet this he hath to make amend's for all, 
 Nature her felfe is not more naturall. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 28 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 23 
 
 Epigr. 36. 
 
 NIfus writes Epigrams and fo doe I, 
 Matter he hath enough, but I haue leffe, 
 Yet but in pne poynt all the ods doth lie, 
 He may fpeake of lewde loues and wantonneffe. 
 Is not this ods ? am not I in a ftreight, 
 ms matter pleafeth more, then my conceipt. 
 
 Epigr. 37. In Fejlum. 
 
 ^EJlus and this vile world haue fhaken hands, 
 
 Opprobrious riches were to him fuch griefe, 
 That he hath fo difpatcht his wealth and lands, 
 That no man now can call them in his teeth. 
 Now what is not vndone ? and what remaines. 
 To Fejlus of his former happineffe ? 
 i?itch with all humours, onely he retaines, 
 
 C 4 Good 
 
 29 
 
Good natur'd grofneffe, and a bounch of flefh. 
 But Philo take you care no more of that, 
 For if ye doe, you will vndoe your fatt. 
 
 Epigr. 38, In Mifmn. 
 
 Olde Mi/us is a flauifli drudge / knowe, 
 For whome ? but for his mafter, fo he faies : 
 Who is your maifter Mi/us can ye fhew ? 
 Is not he in your cheft vnder your keyes ? 
 Then you doe ill fo farre him to preferre, 
 And make your Lord, which is your prifoner. 
 
 Epigr. 39. Ad librunt fiium. 
 
 MY little booke whom wilt thou pleafe, tell me ? 
 All which fhall reade thee? no that cannot be. 
 Whom then, the bed ? but few of thefe are knowne, 
 
 Howe 
 
 30 
 
Liber Primus. 
 
 25 
 
 How (halt thou knowe to pleafe thou know'ft not 
 
 The meaner fort comend not poetry ; (whom ? 
 
 And fure the worft fhould pleafe themfelues for thee 
 
 But let them pafle, and fet by moft no (lore, 
 
 Pleafe thou one well, thou (halt not neede pleafe 
 
 more. 
 
 Epigr. 40. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 HOw quickly doth the Reader paffe away, 
 My pens long taske and trauaile of the day ? 
 Foure lines, which hold me tug an hower or twaine 
 He fups vp with a breath and takes no paine. 
 Yet vfe me well Reader, which to procure 
 Thy one fliort pleafure, two long paines endure ; 
 The one of writing when it is begonne : 
 Th'other of (hame, if't pleafe not when tis done. 
 
 Finis. Libri Primi. 
 
 EHirp. 
 
 31 
 
27 
 
 EnirPAMMATnN 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 THou which deluding raifeft vp a fame, 
 And hauing ftiewd the man concealft his name ; 
 Which canft play earneft as it pleafeth thee, 
 And earneft turne to ieft as neede (hall be, 
 Whofe good we praife, as being likt of all, 
 Whofe ill we beare, as being naturall, 
 Thou which art made of vineger and gall, 
 Wormewood, and Aquafortis mixt with all. 
 The worldes fpie, all ages obferuer, 
 All mens feare, fewe mens flatterer. 
 
 Ceafe, write no more to agrauate thy finne : 
 Or if thou wilt not leaue, now He beginne. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 33 
 
28 
 
 Liber Seamdus. 
 
 Epigr. 2. In Porum. 
 
 POrus when firft he ventred for a prize, 
 Defirde fafe conduft but to yonder (hoare : 
 When he ariude and fpedd his merchandize, 
 Sea, bring me home againe, I aske no more. 
 And yet a fecond courfe he vndertakes. 
 And fteeling leaue for gayne which is fo deare, 
 A third and fourth aduenture yet he makes, 
 And vfde to danger now, forgets to feare. 
 Ye windes and feas where are your blafts & waues. 
 With which ye feale and open the great deepe ? 
 Torus contemneth you as captiue flaues, 
 And faith you are his prifoners vnder keepe. 
 
 Like Xerxes he hath Neptune faft in ftockes. 
 
 And like Vlyjfes, ^olus in a boxe. 
 
 34 
 
Liber Secundus, 
 
 29 
 
 Epigr. 3. 
 
 MOnfters of men are many now a day. 
 Which ftill like Vultures on the dead do pray, 
 And as the Phoenix doth in wondred wife, 
 So they, but out of others afhes rife. 
 
 Epigr. 4. Ad Henricum Wottonum. 
 
 \hJOtton, the country and the country fwayne. 
 
 How can they yeelde a Poet any fenfe ? 
 How can they ftirre him vp, or heat his vaine ? 
 How can they feede him with intelligence ? 
 You haue that fire which can a witt enflame, 
 In happy London Englands fayreft eye : 
 Well may you Poets haue of worthy name, 
 Which haue the foode and life of poetry. 
 
 And yet the country or the towne may fwaye, 
 Or beare a part, as clownes doe in a play. 
 
 'E.pigr. 
 
 35 
 
30 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Epigr. 5. In hofpitem quendam. 
 
 Mine hoaft he hath but one eye which good is, 
 As for condtions good, one leffe then this, 
 I pray ye gueftes as many as come hether. 
 In his behalfe to put thefe both together. 
 
 "^pigr, 6. De men/a lanuarii qucefuit 
 an: do. 1595. 
 
 (reigne, 
 
 WHen coldes & frofts, & fnowes were wont to 
 As in their time of prime in laniuere. 
 Then calme and milde and pleafant was the yeare, 
 like to the fpring which maketh all things feyne. 
 The little fparrowes thefe I fawe deceiue, 
 Which cherped merily and built their neft. 
 Pore birds, the froft will come when you think left. 
 
 And 
 
 36 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 31 
 
 And you of pleafure fodainlye bereaue. 
 
 And this poore birds let me your errour rue ; 
 But let the yeare deceiue no more then you. 
 
 Epigr. 7. In Lee turn. 
 
 J yEtus by fops, and fups, and little more 
 
 Hath got a nofe which reacheth to the skies, 
 This nofe hath got a mouth wide gaping fo, 
 This mouth hath gotten eares, thefe eares haue eies, 
 And now me thinkes tis little nofe againe, 
 ^eing deuided for I did fuppofe, 
 That it had neither mouth, nor eares, nor eyne. 
 I was deceiu'de, I tooke all for a nofe. 
 
 And if I fay als nofe, thinke you I lye ? 
 
 ^ut if I fay not ; what a nofe marre I ? 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 37 
 
32 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 ^Si^^^^^^fS 
 
 Epigr. 8. 
 
 ■\^Alking the fieldes a wantcatcher I fpide, 
 
 To him / went defirous of his game : 
 6'ir haue ye taken wants ? yes he replide, 
 Heere are a dozen which were lately tane. 
 Then you haue left no more. No more quoth he, 
 6'ir I can fliewe you more, the more the worfe, 
 And to his worke he wente, but t'wolde not be, 
 For all the wantes were crept into my purfe. 
 
 Farewell friend wantcatcher fnice t'will not be. 
 Thou canft not catch the wants, but they catch me. 
 
 Epigr. 9. 
 
 AXTEftminfter is a mill which gryndes all caufes. 
 
 And grinde his caufe for me there he that lift : 
 For by Demurrs and Pleas, appeales, and claufes. 
 The tole is oft made greater then the gryfte. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 38 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 IZ 
 
 Epigr. lo. 
 
 A Gentleman, if once decline he chance, 
 Theres meate for peafants, there is dainty fare 
 One fnaps the fides, an other hath the haunch. 
 One hath the vmbles, euery one a fhare. 
 O vile bafe ende of riott and exceffe, 
 He which had lining, landes and dignitie ; 
 Is eaten vp of very filthineffe. 
 Falne among fwine, a pray to flauerie. 
 But fee the ende ; this fweete and daintie foode, 
 Turns into finer molde, vpftartes a fonne : 
 He is a Gentleman of your lands blood. 
 He buyes your Armes, who could be thus vndone, 
 Firft would I fterue my felfe and eate my nayles. 
 Or thefe rude chufs (hould drayle me through their 
 
 tayles. 
 
 D 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 39 
 
34 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Epigr. II. 
 
 HE which to London did conuey the pigge, 
 Which was fo wodrous long, fo monftrous big 
 Tell him from me he was a very mome. 
 For I knowe greater piggs he left at home. 
 
 Epigr. 12. In Zoilum. 
 
 ZOilus now ftinkes, cold, wann, and withered. 
 How (hall one know when Zoilus is dead. 
 
 Epigr. 13. In Caciim. 
 
 CAais, if any chance on him to call, 
 Drawes forth the loafe & cheefe, but if they eate 
 A golden fentence he drawes forth withall, 
 Friendihip confifteth not in drinke and meate. 
 
 This 
 
 40 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 35 
 
 This is a goolden fentence I dare fweare. 
 This fentence faues him many pound's a yeare. 
 
 Epigr.i^ Epit aphium barhce cuius 
 erat PJillus. 
 
 HEre lies a bounch of haire deepe falowed, 
 Of fayre long hayre, trilling a downe the breft, 
 With goodly flakes and peakes ; now all is dead. 
 The fhaking, and the count'nance, and the creft ; 
 Now death of mooches hath diffolude that twynn, 
 And feafed on that goodly fett of hayre. 
 And marde the order of that famous chynn, 
 With his pofteritie alone fo fayre, 
 
 Which to pofteritie I will commende. 
 
 Heere lies a beard, and PJillus at the ende. 
 
 D2 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 f 
 
 41 
 
36 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Epigr. 15. 
 
 |-J Eyzvood goes downe faith Dauie, fikerly, 
 And downe he goes, I can it not deny. 
 But were I happy, did not fortune frowne. 
 Were I in heart, I would fing Dauy downe. 
 
 Epigr. 16. Ad L eSlorem . 
 
 "D Eader, there is no biting in my verfe ; 
 
 No gall, no wormewood, no caufe of offence. 
 And yet there is a biting I confeffe 
 And fharpeneffe tempred to a wholfome fenfe. 
 Such are my Epigrams well vnderftood. 
 As fait which bites the wound, but doth it good. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 42 
 
Liber Secundiis. 
 
 37 
 
 Epigr. 17. Ad Aulicos. 
 
 YE Courtiers, fo may you in courtly forte 
 With manners old, old Courtiers long remaine, 
 So that fome vpftart courtiers ye refraine ; 
 vnworthy of a peereleffe princes port. 
 As courtier leather, courtier pinne, and fope, 
 And courtier vinegeer, and ftarch and carde, 
 And courtier cups, fuch as were neuer heard, 
 And fuch as fhall not court it long we hope. 
 The true gentilitie by their owne Armes, 
 Aduance themfelues, the falfe by others harmes. 
 
 Epigr. 18. In inuidmn. 
 
 I Chanced on a monfter of a man, 
 With health heart fick, fterued with ftore of food, 
 With riches poore ; with beauty pale and wanne. 
 
 D 3 Wretched 
 
38 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Wretched with happineffe, euill with good, 
 One eye did enuie at the other eye, 
 Becaufe the other enuide more then he. 
 His hands did fight for the firft iniurie. 
 So enuie enui'de, enuied to be. 
 
 And as he went his hinder foote was fore 
 And enuide at the foote that went before. 
 
 ^pigr. 19. In Fcenatores. 
 
 NEuer fo many vferers were knowne. 
 As we haue now ; yet haue we not enowe, 
 ^■0 many borowing neede hath ouerthrowne. 
 Which would be more in debt, but know not how. 
 The vferers are tane vp of Gentlemen, 
 Of Merchants, of the Nobles of the land. 
 The poore can now haue no acceffe to them, 
 Vnder vndoing thrife, vnder good band. 
 
 Methinkes 
 
 44 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 39 
 
 Methinkes I heare the wretches how they call, 
 Let's haue more vfurers, or none at all. 
 
 Epigr. 20. 
 
 U E that will in the mid'ft of dronkenneffe, 
 
 Learne how he may miraculoufly be frefh : 
 And in one inftant honger after cates, 
 Which his cramde furfeyting with loathing hates. 
 And ipfo fa£lo cure the rume deftilling, 
 And that which heere to name I am not willing, 
 
 Vnleffe Tobacco vanifh his difeafe. 
 
 He muft ftay longer or he can haue eafe. 
 
 Epigr. 21. In Momum. 
 
 \ j\ Omus to be a Poet Lawreate, 
 
 Hath ftraynde his wits, through an yron grate, 
 D4 For 
 
 45 
 
For he hath rimes and rimes, and double ftraynes : 
 
 And golden verfes, and all kindes of veynes, 
 
 Now to the preffe he preffeth haftely, 
 
 To fell his friendes ftinking eternitie. 
 
 For who would be eternall in fuch fafliion^ 
 To be a witneffe to his condemnation. 
 
 Epigr. 22. 
 
 T Mett a courtier riding on the plaine, 
 
 Well mounted on a braue and gallant fteede ; 
 I fate a iade, and fpurred to my paine, 
 My lazybeaft whofe tyred fides did bleede, 
 He fawe my cafe ; and then of courtefie, 
 Did reyne his horfe, and drewe the bridle in 
 .5ecaufe I did defire his companie : 
 Bw\. he coruetting way of me doth winne. 
 What fhould I doe which was befteadcd fo .' 
 His horfe ftoode ftill fafter then mine could go, 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 45 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 41 
 
 Epigr, 23. In Mifum. 
 
 MI/us, thy wealth will quickly breath away, 
 Thine honeftie is (horter then thy breath, 
 Thy flefli will fall, how can it longer ftay, 
 Which is fo ripe and mellow after death ? 
 Yet while thou liu'ft men make of thee a ieft. 
 Heere lies olde Mi/us foule, lockt in his cheft. 
 
 Epigr. 27. In Lalum. 
 
 J Alus is drunke, and able fcarfe to fpeake, 
 
 He fweares he is not drunke ; when by an by 
 The nimble licour foyles him on his necke, 
 How durft ye Lalus giue your Ale the lie. 
 Next time if you will be beleeu'd, confeffe, 
 That when you haue not drunk, you are not frefli. 
 
 47 
 
Epigr. 25. Inhabentein Ion- 
 gam barbam. 
 
 THy beard is long : better it would thee fitt, 
 To haue a fhorter beard, and longer witt 
 
 Epigr. 26. 
 
 T Want an hundred pounds : my bookes I feeke, 
 Their anfwere is ; that learning hath a fall : 
 
 I feeke my braines : conceipts be fo good cheepe, 
 
 One dramme of filuer may buy head and all. 
 
 Then to the Mufes I amafed flye. 
 
 They tell me Homers cafe and others more. 
 
 Then to my bookes againe as faft I hie. 
 
 And backe againe as wretched as before, 
 betraying ftudies ftanding few in fteede ; 
 Why doe ye this forfake me in my neede .' 
 
 "Kpigr. 
 
 48 
 
Epigr. 27. In Latum. 
 
 Ij/Etus would begge of me I knowe not what, 
 B\xt firft he couenants, denye not me. 
 
 Nay Lcetus begge me then if I grant that. 
 
 If I will binde my felfe to fett you free. 
 Twere well if after asking you might haue it 
 B\x\. you will haue a thing before ye craue it. 
 
 Epigr, 28. 
 
 SO harde it was for Poets to reieft, 
 The once conceiued iffue of their braine, 
 As for a mother her babe to negleft, 
 For whom in trauayling fhe tooke fuch paine. 
 Then if we loue our faultes for our owne fake, 
 Loue doth but loue the child, which loue did make. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 49 
 
Epigr. 29. in Papam. 
 
 THe Pope as king of kings hath power from hye, 
 To plant, and to roote out fuccefliuely : 
 Why fell the king of France in wofuU cafe ? 
 Becaufe the Pope did plant him of his grace. 
 Bxi\. our Elifa Hues, and keepes her crowne, 
 Godamercy Pope, for he would pull her downe. 
 
 Epigr. 30. Adreginam Elizabetham. 
 
 T lue long Elifa, that the wolfe of Spayne, 
 
 In his owne third of blood confumde may be. 
 That forraine princes may enuie thy reigne. 
 That we may liue and florifh vnder thee. 
 And though the bended force of mighty kings, 
 With knots of policy confederate, 
 Ayme at thy royall Scepter, purpofmg 
 
 Con- 
 
 So 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 45 
 
 Confufion to thy country and thy ftate. 
 
 Heauen fights for thee, & thou fhalt haue thy will 
 Of all thy foes, for thy Sunne ftandeth ftill 
 
 Epigr. 31. Ad Ledlorem. 
 
 REader me thinkes that now I doe digreffe, 
 Prefuming thus to talke of Maiefty. 
 Which in things eafie could my minde expreffe. 
 And dandle little meanings pretily. 
 For now I loofe my proper veynes delight, 
 Which things vnproper to my veyne rehearfe. 
 Thus I attempting thofe things to recyte, 
 Which come not in the compaffe of my verfe. 
 
 In fuch a plot, cannot make matter faye. 
 
 Where fo much matter muft be caft away. 
 
 'E.pigr. 
 
 SI 
 
46 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Epigr. 32. Ad Comitem EJfexicB. 
 
 ES/ex, the ends which men fo faine would finde, 
 Riches, for which moft are induftrious. 
 Honour, for which moft men are vertuous, 
 Are but beginnings to thy noble minde : 
 
 Which thou as meanes doft frankly fpend vpon, 
 Thy countries good, by thy true honour wonne. 
 
 Epigr. 33. 
 
 OLde hand in handes faluting now is paft, 
 And friendes embracing armes in armes do caft. 
 Why ? caufe the body is the better part ? 
 Or we would feele our friends neerer the heart ? 
 Or that our friends as flitting to and fro 
 Our armes may hold, our hands would let them go ? 
 Yet were the auncient friendfliip now of force, 
 Our armefull, for their handful! I would fcorfe. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 S3 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 47 
 
 Epigr. 34. 
 
 THe firft defence that goolde hath, is the grounde, 
 Where it lyes hidden till we digge it foorth. 
 Then in her thickneff it lies, which we founde, 
 For gooold's pale fpirit of admirable woorth : 
 And then we let it downe into our heart, 
 And drench our foule fo thirfty after gayne, 
 Till like a God it reigne in eury part, 
 Mo Alcumift can draw it thence againe. 
 : If goolde from goold can be be abftra6i:ed thus. 
 Why ftiould not goold as well be drawn from vs ? 
 
 Epigr. 35. In Fortunam. 
 
 I Pray thee fortune, (fortune if thou be.) 
 Come heere afide, for I muft braule with thee. 
 I'll you that fitt as Queene in throne fo hye, 
 
 In 
 
 53 
 
48 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 In fpite of vertue, witt and honefty ? 
 Haue you a Scepter onely to this ende, 
 To make him rue which neuer did offend ? 
 I'll your fayre face whofe fauour fooles doe finde, 
 And whofe vain fmile makes wife men change their 
 Thy hands be ful, yet eye thou haft not one, [mind ? 
 Th' arte full of moffe, and yet a rolling ftone. 
 Thou fancyeft none : yet puts't the worfte in truft, 
 Thou ta'kt no bribes, and yet doft iudge iniuft. 
 Thou makeft Lordes, and yet doft caft them downe, 
 Thou hateft kings, and yet doft keepe their crowne, 
 Thou neuer ftand'ft : and yet doft neuer fall ; 
 And car'ft for none and yet haft rule for all. 
 
 But fortune, though in princely throne thou fit, 
 
 I enuie not, it is not for thy witt. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 mum^^^ 
 
 tA 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 49 
 
 Epigr, 36. Ad Sextum. 
 
 SExtus in wordes giues me goold wealth and lands 
 Sextus hath Craffus tongue, but Irus handes, 
 
 "Epigr. 37. Ad Guilielmum Sutton. 
 
 IVowde to make an Epigram a day, 
 But fetting pen to paper twolde not faye. 
 I wanted matter and inuention. 
 My pen was tired, and my witt was donne. 
 Sutton this loffe thou well mayft recompenfe, 
 Taking out wordes and putting in fome fenfe : 
 Perhaps thou wilt not, for thou think'ft it beft, 
 To leaue fome bad which may comend the reft. 
 
 E Epigr. 
 
 55 
 
so 
 
 Liber Secundus. 
 
 Epigr, 38. In Caium. 
 
 CO thy rare vertues fixed in mine eyes, 
 
 Thy gentle nature Caius, and thy minde. 
 So fraught with learning and good qualities : 
 That thou art ritch this onely fault / finde. 
 
 When thou waft poore thy vertues me releeued. 
 Since thou art ritch, of both / am depriued. 
 
 Epigr. 39. 
 
 THe princes good is good to all : but yeat 
 The good of all to her good doth not tende. 
 She one defends vs all what euer threat, 
 And yet we all can not her one defende. 
 For the kings euell none but kings can cure. 
 Yet the kings euill more then kings procure. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 56 
 
Liber Secundus. 
 
 51 
 
 Eigr, 40. De librofuo. 
 
 ONe fayde my booke was like vnto a coate, 
 Of diuerfe colours blacke and red and white, 
 I bent to croffe him faide he fpake by roate. 
 For they in making rather are vnlike. 
 A coate, one garment made of many fleeces, 
 My booke, one meaning cutt in many peeces. 
 
 Finis Libri Secundi. 
 
 E2 
 
 57 
 
53 
 
 EnirPAMMATXlN 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 MY Booke is not for learned men nor wife, 
 Nor mery nor conceipted, nor the plaine." 
 Nor angry, foolifh, criticall or nice. 
 Nor olde nor young, nor fober, nor the vaine. 
 Nor for the proud, nor for the couetous. 
 Nor for the Gentleman, nor the Clowne.- 
 Nor for the glutton, nor adulterous. 
 Nor for the valiant worthy of renowne. 
 Nor for the thrifty, nor the prodigall. 
 But if thou needs will know for whom ? for all. 
 
 E3 
 
 "EpigK 
 
 59 
 
54 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Epigr. 2. In Corum. 
 
 Q'orus defires with them to haue a place, 
 
 Whom my fleight mufe of right doth celebrate. 
 
 Avant ye peafant, for you are too bafe. 
 
 What you among the worthies of our ftate ? 
 
 How fhould I fitt you with a trough or fmke, 
 
 Or plant a kenell for your worthineffe, 
 
 But that the reft for neighbourhood muft ftinke, 
 
 And be confiners to your filthyneffe ? 
 I tooke myne oath Thalia at thy fhryne, 
 
 Ne're to embrue my verfes with a fwyne. 
 
 Epigr. 3. Ad lohannem Dauis. 
 
 T F witt may make a Poet, as I geffe, 
 
 Heywood with auncient Poets may I compare, 
 ^ut thou in word and deed haft made him leffe, 
 
 In 
 
 60 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 55 
 
 In his owne witt ; hauing yet learning fpare, 
 The goate doth hunt the graffe : the wolfe the goat. 
 The lyon hunts the wolfe, by proofe we fee. 
 Heywood fang others downe, but thy fweete note 
 Dauis, hath fang him downe, and I would thee. 
 Then be not mou'de, nor count it fuch a finn, 
 To will in thee what thou haft donn in him. 
 
 Epigr. 4. 
 
 King Philip would by force viftorioufly, 
 Inuade our land:which hauing proude in vaine, 
 He wars with treafon moft inglorioufly. 
 Yet is repelde, and driuen home againe. 
 In great attempts few fpare for wickedneffe, 
 Yet neuer any man did more for leffe. 
 
 E4 
 
 '^pigr. 
 
 61 
 
56 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Epigr. 5. Ad comitem EJjfexicB iam 
 
 npHefe fhips with childe with fuch an enterprze, 
 
 As more then quicke they trauaile with to Spayne; 
 Thefe Captaynes of couragious companies, 
 The towers and fortes, 'Ely/a, if thy reigne, 
 Thefe Armies marching and thefe enfignes fpread, 
 Thefe Armes aduanft vpon our enemies : 
 All as the body, waite on thee their head, 
 Great Lord, dipt in thine heart, fixt in thine eyes. 
 Go on with lining courage, tempring fweete, 
 The infpirde body of her royall fleete, 
 
 Epigr. 6. Ad eundern. 
 
 'T'He newes of 5panifh wars, how wondroufly, 
 It ftrooke our heartes, what terrour it did breed. 
 
 6'aint 
 
 62 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 57 
 
 Saint Mary porte and Cales can teftifie, 
 And thoufand's 6'paniards witneffing the deede. 
 When thou Deurox, with feare waft fo difmaid, 
 That thou to Siuill well nigh fled'ft for ayde. 
 
 Epigr. 7. 
 
 "XXfHen Cafar in thofe wars which did not ceafe, 
 
 Till they had confummated not his peace : 
 By higher caufe was drawne into the flood, 
 Where Alexanders royall citie ftoode : 
 And now the world did ftint her conquering, 
 Againft the comming of a greater king, 
 ^gypt, which hording all iniquities, 
 Vnder yet vnreueauled myfteries. 
 Did burne the wifedome of all ages olde 
 Which forty thoufand volumes had enrolde : 
 
 Plainely foretold what (hortly (hould enfue. 
 
 Wipe out the olde world and begin the new. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 63 
 
Epigr. 8. In Vkilonem. 
 
 PHylo is richly rayde, and beareth hye 
 His great reuenues dated in his coate. 
 Coyne, iewels, plate and land : loa heere they He. 
 This is their laft which lately fo did floate. 
 Firft in his bely fhipt they fufifred wracke. 
 Now they are landed all vpon his backe. 
 
 "Epigr. 9. 
 
 TJEfides contentions to vs naturall, 
 
 And to our age : befides all wickedneffe 
 So rife fo ripe, fo reaching ouer all. 
 And murdring malice raging in exceffe. 
 We haue inuented engines to Ihed blood, 
 Such as no age did euer knowe before. 
 Like as God thundreth from the ayrie clowde; 
 
 Lightning 
 
 64 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 59 
 
 Lightning forth death out of deaths houfe of ftore, 
 
 What Arte had euer more perfeftion. 
 
 Then murder hath, fince gonns did worke our euill, 
 
 Fye on all mifchieuous inuention. 
 
 Fye on all wicked heads, fye on the diuell. 
 
 Which vs fuch murdring inftruments affignes. 
 It is to much to haue fuch murdring mindes. 
 
 "Epigr. 10. 
 
 WHen bSkrupt Tamus, his chanel fcarfedid wett, 
 He was great ftore of water in our dett. 
 Which all he payde vs, when an other yeare 
 Hee pleaded at the barre at Wejlminjlere, 
 
 "Epigr, Ad Leilorem. 
 
 T? Eader if Heywood lined now againe 
 
 Whome time of life hath not of praife bereaued, 
 
 If 
 
 65 
 
6o 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 If he would write, I could expreffe his vaine, 
 Thus he would write, or elfe I am deceiued. 
 
 ^pigr. 12, Of a pudding, 
 
 (pends 
 
 THe end is all, & in the end the praife of all de- 
 A podding merits double praife, a podding hath 
 
 (two ends. 
 
 Epigr. 13. A crofsing of tJtat "Epigram 
 
 A podding hath two ends ? ye lye my brother : 
 For he begins at one, and ends at t'other. 
 
 Epigr. \^ Of the Lions? 
 
 'PEU me good Tom, haft thou the Lions feene? 
 lacke I haue felt them: why where haft thou bene? 
 
 Where 
 
 6(, 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 6i 
 
 Where haue I not beene, ranging heere and there 
 And truft me lacke Lions are euery where, 
 Why then thou faw'ft them : foole that is no foare, 
 He that tels thee I felt them, tells thee more. 
 
 Epigr. 15. Of lenkin. 
 
 T Efikin is a rude clowne ; go tell him fo. 
 
 What neede I tell what he himfelfe doth know ? 
 Perhaps he knowes not, then he is a fott, 
 For tell me, what knowes he which knows not that? 
 
 Epigr. 16. Of an Ape. 
 
 U E that would know an Ape, may be to feeke, 
 An Ape is that, which an Ape is not like. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 67 
 
62 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Epigr. 17. Of Bankes korfe, 
 
 "QAnkes hath an horfe of wondrous qualitie, 
 
 For he can fight, and piffe, and daunce, and lie. 
 And finde your purfe, and tell what coyne ye haue. 
 But Bankes, who taught your horfe to fmel a knaue t 
 
 Epigr. \S. Of Pymer %vhich fell mad for 
 the loue of his dogg Talbott. 
 
 Pymer lou'de Talbot, Talbot loued him, 
 Who loued beft ? both loued conftantly. 
 Pymer with Talbot dy'd, Talbot with him. 
 Who dyed beft ? both dyed louingly. 
 
 Yet were I iudge for Talbot I fhould fitt, 
 Whofe match in loue Pymer was, not in witt. 
 
 'Epigr. 
 
 g^W^W 
 
 68 
 
Liber Terlius. 
 
 63 
 
 Epigr. 1 8. Ad Le6lorem. 
 
 COme will perhaps condemne my foolifli veyne. 
 For that of Dogs, Lyons, and Apes I fpeake. 
 
 Bw\. if they knewe the caufe they would refrayne. 
 
 I doe it onely for the Printers fake. 
 
 The fimple muft haue fomething for their humour, 
 
 And hauing fomthing they my booke will buy. 
 
 Then gayneth he by whome I am no loofer. 
 
 So is he fatisfide, and they and I. 
 Some will giue (ixe pence for a witty touch, 
 And fome to fee an Ape will giue as much. 
 
 Epigr. 19. In Seuerum. 
 
 Q^uerus reads my booke, and hauing read. 
 
 Forthwith pronounceth me an idle head. 
 And idle he had binn as well as we. 
 
 But 
 
 69 
 
^ut that he matter found to carpe at me : 
 Then all goes not amiffe as I miftooke ; 
 I fee there is fome matter in my book. 
 
 Epigr. 20. In eundem. 
 
 SEuerus calls me idle, I confeffe : 
 ^ut who can worke vpon my idleneffe. 
 
 Epigr, 21. 
 
 ■\^Hen Sextus Quintus traytroufly had flayne, 
 He threw his fpoyled corpfe into the deepe. 
 5ut the iuft fea did throw him out againe, 
 And to a murder would not counfaile keepe. 
 The fa£t appeares, the author of the fmne, 
 Is yet vnknowne, but fee the flayne doth bleede. 
 And his cold blood runs out, and points at him, 
 
 And 
 
 70 
 
And cryes, this is the author of the deede. 
 Thus euen the dead againft fuch villanie 
 Oi Abels blood for vengeance learne to cry. 
 
 Epigr. 21. Ad reginam Elizebetham, 
 
 Mother of England, and fweete nurfe of all, 
 Thy countries good which all depends on thee, 
 Looke not that countries father I thee call, 
 A name of great and kingly dignitie. 
 
 Thou doft not onely match old kings, but rather, 
 In thy fweete loue to vs, excell a father. 
 
 Epigr. 22. Ad eandem. 
 
 I Know where is a thiefe and long hath beene, 
 Which fpoyleth euery place where he refortes. 
 He fteales away both fubiedles from the Queene. 
 
 F And 
 
 71 
 
66 
 
 Liber Teriius. 
 
 And men from his owne country of all fortes. 
 Howfes by three, and feauen, and ten he rafeth, 
 To make the common gleabe, his priuate land. 
 Our country Cities cruel! he defaceth, 
 The graffe grows greene where litle Troy did ftand. 
 The forlorne father hanging downe his head, 
 His outcaft company drawne vp and downe. 
 The pining labourer doth begge his bread. 
 The plowfwayne feek's his dinner from the towne. 
 O Prince, the wrong is thine, for vnderftand : 
 Many fuch robbries will vndoe thy land. 
 
 "Epigr. 23. Ad Do. Mountioy. 
 
 MOuntioy what is my mufe, or my dull pen, 
 Or my forlorne conceipt, worthy of thee 
 The honoredft of honorable men, 
 Nobling with vertues thy Nobilitie ? 
 
 Yet 
 
 72 
 
Liber Tertius. 67 
 
 Yet fith thy fame through euery eare doth flie, 
 And all men praife thy worth : why fhould not I ? 
 
 Epigr, 24. In Cacum. 
 
 Vr'yhen Cacus wrong'de me, this was his excufe, 
 I meant no harme : I thought thee no abufe. 
 Well had he meant it worfe I could not fpeede. 
 I could not fealt his thought more then his deede. 
 I would haue thankt him had the cafe fo ftood, 
 That he had meant me harme and doone me good. 
 
 Epigr, 25. In eundem. 
 
 YOu did me harme, but meant not fo to doe, 
 Since you haue donne it Cacus, meane it to. 
 
 F2 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 k n 
 
68 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Epigr. 26. Ad Georgium Morton 
 Arinig. 
 
 M Orion whofe face bewrayes antiquitie, 
 When men were goodly of proportion. 
 But in whofe heart is true gentilitie, 
 In thee perfited, in thy race begonne. 
 
 Take thefe poore lines, as due to thy defart, 
 From him which owes to thee more then his heart. 
 
 Epigr. 27. Ad Richardum Eeds. 
 
 EEds, onely thou an Epigram doft feafon, 
 With a fweete taft and relifh of enditing. 
 With fharpes of fenfe, and delicates of reafon, 
 With fait of witt and wonderful! delighting. 
 For in my iudgement hipi thou haft expreft. 
 In whofe fweet mouth hony did build her neft. 
 
 "E-pigr. 
 
 74 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 69 
 
 Epigr. 28. Ad Guilielmnne Suttonum. 
 
 ^^AT^Hen breath and life through my cold miferie, 
 
 Did euen fayle, and hope had made an end. 
 Thou Sutton did'ft put breath and life in me, 
 With the fweet comforts of a faithfuU friend. 
 O that I likewife might keepe thee from death 
 With my pens life, and with my papers breath. 
 
 Epigr. 9. 
 
 NEuer fo many mafters any knew, 
 And fo fewe gentlemen in fuch a crewe. 
 Neuer fo many houfes, fo fmall fpending. 
 Neuer fuch ftore of coyne : fo little lending. 
 Neuer fo many cofms : fo fewe kynde. 
 Goodmorrowes plenty, good wils heard to finde. 
 Neuer fo many clerkes, neere learning leffe, 
 
 F 3 Many 
 
 75 
 
70 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Many religious, but leaft godlineffe. 
 luftice is banifhed, lawe breeds fuch ftrife, 
 And trueth : and why ? for fwearing is fo rife. 
 Thus in her ftrength of caufes vertue dieth, 
 But vice without a caufe ftill multiplieth. 
 
 Epigr, 39. Ad Cacum. 
 
 THere was prefented you an odd Libell 
 For which you knowe Cacus, you payd me well, 
 ^ut well I knowe, of me fir you had none. 
 Remember then Cacus, I owe you one. 
 
 "Epigr. 31. In Libellum. 
 
 T Ibel all rawe with indigefted fpite, 
 
 Whofe witt doth droppe inuenymde iniurie. 
 Whofe pen leakes blots of fpitefull infamie, 
 
 Which 
 
 76 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 71 
 
 Which the fynke of thy paper doth receite. 
 
 Why doft thou boaft ? for if thou had'ft don well. 
 In naughty things twere eafie to excell. 
 
 Epigr. 32. Ad Mathonem. 
 
 MAtlw, if common liking may fuffice, 
 And temprate iudgement, when you do repeat, 
 Then would I praife your verfes once or twife. 
 But I muft rage and cry, and fweare and fweat, 
 I muft condemne the writers of all ages, 
 And wrong diuiner wits which were before ; 
 When hauing fpent and confum'de all my praifes 
 Yet you reade on, and yet you looke for more. 
 Henceforth looke for no praife at your recyting. 
 Wordes are but winde, i'le fet it downe in writing. 
 
 F4 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 77 
 
Epigr. 33. 
 
 AWealch and Englifli man meete on the way, 
 j5oth poore, both proud, full of fmall courtefy. 
 They fall in talke till each of them difplay, 
 Bo'dx their great mindes, and fmall abilitie. 
 The wealch man from one word of difcontent, 
 Of an huge quarrell tooke occafion : 
 Telling the englifhman he fhould repent, 
 For he fhould fight with all his nation. 
 
 The englifh man would put vp no difgrace, 
 B\xt faid I will, doe you appoint the place. 
 
 Epigr, 34. in Thymum. 
 
 THymus is fo enfpirde fo mortifide. 
 So pure a ghoft, fo heauenly fpirituall : 
 That all things elfe to God he hath deny'd. 
 
 Feete, 
 
 78 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 n 
 
 Feete, knees, hands, breaft, face, eyes, lips, tongue & 
 As falfe religion he doth reuile it, ('all. 
 
 Which loues the knees, or any outward part. 
 With his (linking lounges will not defile it 
 Nor with his purefl blood, nor with his heart. 
 In fpirit he doth ride, walkes; eates, and drinkes 
 In fpirit he hates, he rayles, / worfe then this, 
 He cares not what the vulgar fort do thinke, 
 Alas they knowe not of what fpirit he is, 
 Neyther know I, yet thinke I of an euill, 
 And feare his fpirit will turne into a deuill. 
 
 ^pigr- 35- 
 
 T^Afteus nofe when time of death drew neere. 
 So hideoufly did fwell, none could fuppofe 
 What was the caufe, two beds prepared were. 
 One for Daneus, to'ther for his nofe. 
 
 One 
 
 79 
 
74 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 One faid it bredd a wolfe : againe another, 
 Did iudge the tympany the caufe of rifing : 
 Some fayde it was tormented with the mother. 
 Some with the fcurvies for not exercifing. 
 ^eing ript vp, the caufe of death was fpied. 
 Ten thoufand ieftes were found, whereof it died. 
 
 Epigr. 36. 
 
 'TTHe peafant Corns of his wealth doth boaft, 
 Yet he fcarfe worth twife twenty pounds at mod, 
 
 I chanc'de to worde once with this lowfie fwayne. 
 
 He calde me bafe, and beggar in difdaine. 
 
 To try the trueth hereof I rate my felfe. 
 
 And cafl the little count of all my wealth. 
 
 See how much Hebrew, Greeke, and Poetry, 
 
 Latin, JRhetorique and Philofophye. 
 
 Reading and fenfe in fciences profound. 
 All valued, are not worth forty pounds. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 So 
 
Liber Tertius. 
 
 75 
 
 Epigr. 37. 
 
 MAtho in wealth and eafe, at libertye, 
 Expreffeth neither witt nor honefty. 
 But is fecure and idle, dull and vaine, 
 His pleafures man, and his fweete fortunes fwayne, 
 But when he is awakt with mifery. 
 With executions, and pouertie. 
 When he is quite vndonne and nothing worth. 
 Then like a viper his witt crawleth foorth. 
 
 Epigr. 38. In Seuerum. 
 
 SEtierus hates my pens lycentious grace. 
 He liked not of my gadding poetry. 
 He tearmes my writing like the wildgoofe race, 
 In fine he faith that all is vanity. 
 
 Away 
 
 81 
 
76 
 
 Liber Tertius. 
 
 Away faith he, I like not this redundance, 
 Away with him, a Poet is abundance. 
 
 Epigr. 39. Ad EJfexice comitem. 
 
 T F / could turne my verfe into defart, 
 
 Or tune my fenfe to thy nobilitie. 
 Great E_ffex, then fhould'ft thou enioy my arte. 
 And chalenge me thy Poet worthely. 
 But fince I cannot equall thee with art 
 Take thy reward out of thine owne defart. 
 
 Finis Libri Tertij. 
 
 82 
 
n 
 
 Epigr. r. Ad Librum fuum. 
 
 LYe not my booke for that were wickednes, 
 Be not too idle, idle though thou be, 
 ^fchewe fcurrilitie and wantonneffe. 
 Temper with little mirth, more grauity. 
 Rayle not at any lead thy friends forfake thee. 
 In earneft caufe of writing fhew thy witt. 
 Touch none at all that no man may miftake thee. 
 But fpeake the bed that all may like of it, 
 
 If any aske thee what I doe profeffe, 
 Sa.y that, of which thou art the idleneffe. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 83 
 
78 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Epigr. 2. Ad Do. Mountioy. 
 
 MOuntioy, among the labours of my pen, 
 Which my glad mufe afpireth to prefent, 
 To thee as worthieft of all other men, 
 Of thee as patron and high prefident, 
 If any had, thefe had bin worthy beft. 
 ^ut fmce all are, thefe are vnworthy leaft. 
 
 Epigr. 3. Ad Librum fumn. 
 
 MY booke, fome handes in Oxford WA thee take, 
 And beare thee home.and louinglyrefpefl thee 
 And entertaine thee for thy mafters fake : 
 And for thy mafters fake fome will reiedl thee. 
 But to my faithfall friendes commend I thee. 
 And to mine enemies, commend thou me. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 84 
 
Liber Quarus. 
 
 79 
 
 Epigr. 4. Ad vtranque Acadamiam. 
 
 YE famous fifter Vniuerfities, (hate ? 
 
 Oxford and Cambridge, whence proceeds your 
 Brothers rare concord do ye imitate, 
 Each greeting each with mutuall injuries ? 
 Brothers fall out and quarrell I confeffe. 
 But fillers loue ; for it becomes you leffe. 
 
 Epigr. 5. Ad eafdem. 
 
 "^^Hy ftriue ye fillers for antiquitie ? 
 
 Can not your prefent honour you fuffice ? 
 
 Why ftriue ye fifters for that vanitie. 
 
 Which if ye fa we as twas, you would defpife ? 
 You muft make loue : loue is your fureft hold. 
 Others muft honour you and make you olde. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 85 
 
8o 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Epigr. 6. Defua Clepfydra. 
 
 SEtting mine howre glaffe for a witnefle by 
 To meafure ftudie as the time did fly : 
 A lingring mufe poflefte my thinking brayne : 
 My minde was reaching, but in fuch a veyne, 
 As if my thoughtes by thinking brought a fleepe, 
 Wingleffe & footeleffe, now like fnailes did creepe. 
 I eyde my glaffe, but he fo faft did ronne. 
 That ere I had begonne, the howre was donne. 
 The creeping fandes with fpeedy pace were flitt, 
 before one reafon crept out of my witt. 
 When I ftoode ftill I fawe how time did fly. 
 When my wits ranne, time ranne, more faft then J. 
 .Stay heere, ile change the courfe, let ftudy paffe 
 And let time ftudy while I am the glaffe. 
 What touch ye fands ? are little mites fo fleete ? 
 Can bodies ronne fo fwift which haue no feete ? 
 
 And 
 
 86 
 
Liber Quartus. 
 
 8i 
 
 And can ye tomble time fo faft away ? 
 Then farewell howers, I'le ftudy by the day. 
 
 Epigr. 7. 
 
 OVr fathers did but vfe the world before. 
 And hauing vfde did leaue the fame to vs. 
 We fpill what euer refteth of their ftore. 
 What can our heyres inherit but our curfe ? 
 For we haue fuckt the fweete and fappe away. 
 And fowd confumption in the fruitfull ground. 
 The woods and forefbs cladd in rich aray, 
 With nakedneffe and baldneffe we confounde. 
 We haue defaft the lafting monymentes 
 And cauf'd all honour to haue ende with vs : 
 The holy temples feele our rauifhments. 
 What can our heyres inherit but our curfe .' 
 The world muft ende, for men are fo accurft, 
 Vnleffe God ende it fooner : they will furft, 
 
 G Epigr. 
 
 87 
 
82 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Epigr. 8. Ad lohamiem VVhitegift, 
 Arch, Cant. 
 
 WHitegift, whom gratious honour entertaines. 
 Welcome as to the yeare the gladfome May, 
 Welcome as is the morning to the day, 
 Welcome as fleepe vnto the weary fwaynes : 
 The fayre Elifa white with heauenly praifes : 
 The Gods white Church adorned doth fet forth. 
 The all white meaning and excelling worth : 
 The vertue white aboue all honour raifes. 
 
 Yet let my pen prefent this little ftorie. 
 
 Vnto the endleffe volume of thy gloria. 
 
 Tc-pigr. 9. In adorantes reliquias. 
 
 T 5 it a worthy thing to digge vp bones ? 
 To kiffe, t'adore the reliques of dead men ? 
 
 Alas 
 
Liber Quartus. 
 
 83 
 
 Alas how foolifh were thofe fily ones, 
 Which in times paft did nought but burie them ? 
 But they perhaps for ftinke did then refraine : 
 But you doe worfe to make them ftinke againe. 
 
 Yet in the very ftinking this is odd, 
 
 They ftank to men then, now they ftinke to God, 
 
 Epigr. 10. Comparatio Cranmeri 
 & Mutij. 
 
 (hand 
 
 Like Mutius Cranmer thou diddeft burne thine 
 O but I iniure thee thus to compare. 
 Nothing was Hke, the fire, the caufe, the man. 
 Yet Hkeft you of all that ftored are. 
 He had a Theatre of men to fee 
 What thou didft reprefent to Angels eyes. 
 He burnt his hand to cinders carelefly, 
 Which thou by burning diddeft facrifice. 
 
 G 2 Thou 
 
 m 
 
 89 
 
84 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Thou diddeft fowe thine hand into the flame, 
 Which he confumde and could not reape againe. 
 Thy loue did quench the burning of the fame, 
 Afting with pleafure what he did with paine. 
 In him twas wonder that he did prefume, 
 To touch the flame with flefli contaminated. 
 
 In thee twas wonder that the fire did burne. 
 
 An holy hand to glory confecrated. 
 
 Eigr. II. 
 
 PVblius hath two brothers fowle and cleane. 
 The fowle is honeft, and the cleane a foole : 
 He in the middeft maketh vp the meane, 
 6'itting in vertues place : fo faith our fchoole : 
 
 Of his extreames neither alowe he can 
 The cleane foole, nor the filthy honeft man. 
 
 'E.pigr. 
 
 90 
 
Liber Quartus. 85 
 
 Epigr, 12. De Lceto & Bito, 
 
 JyEtus doth pittie Biius for his wanteS, 
 
 And low defires, & meane hopes, & poore fare : 
 
 For fmall houfe and little houfhold plantes. 
 
 For his plainneffe, and for his honeft care, 
 
 Bitus doth pittie Lcsius happineffe, 
 
 And his great houfe, fweet friend's & dangers ftore, 
 
 His heedleffe good and fteepe prefumptuoufneffe, 
 
 His merry heart and thoughts afpyring more. 
 Thus each do fee into the others woe. 
 But Bitus is more merciful! of the two. 
 
 Epigr. 13. 
 
 INdie newe found the Chriftian faith doth holde, 
 
 Reioycing in our heauenly merchandize. 
 Which we haue chang'd for pretious ftones & gold 
 
 G 3 And 
 
 91 
 
86 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 And pearle and feathers, and for Popingyes. 
 Now are they louing, meeke and vertuous, 
 Contented, fweetly with poore godlineffe. 
 Nowe are we faluage, fierce and barbarous, 
 Rich with the fuell of all wickedneffe. 
 
 ^o did Elijhaes feruant Gehazye, 
 
 With Naamans goold, buy Naamans leprofye. 
 
 Epigr. 14. 
 
 RVfus hath fpent his gummes and vnderlippe, 
 Cancelde his face, vndonne his faithfuU eyes, 
 And fearde his throate with many a fcalding fipp, 
 OlAlafortis where his treafure Hes. 
 Onely his nofe remaines to comfort him, 
 Which hath encroacht ore all the partes befide, 
 Erefting Trophees ore his conquered chinn. 
 Fayre crefted, tall, voluminous and wide. 
 
 Vnder 
 
Liber Quarttis. 
 
 87 
 
 Vnder whofe cou'ring his face lyeth low. 
 Tanquam fiib Aiacis clypeo. 
 
 Eigr. 15. De Im Mahometica. 
 
 ■\X7'Hen Pan forfooke the mountaines & the rocks, 
 where he did leade his heards, & his great flocks 
 And that fweete pipe to which the hils did dance, 
 Was fplit a funder, a moft wofull chance. 
 And the worldes heart was fmitten in her breft, 
 And the bright 5unne, declined in the Eaft. 
 And the blinde Locuftes, crau'de no other light, 
 Then for their 5unne the black pits fmoaking night. 
 
 Sodome forfooke her fea, where (he lay dead. 
 
 And with Gomorrhe all Afia ouerfpread. 
 
 G4 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 93 
 
88 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Epigy. 1 6. Ad Reginam. 
 Elizabethatn, 
 
 "XTlTHen in thy flowring age thou did'ft beginne, 
 
 Thy happy reigne, Eliza, blefled Queene. 
 Then as a flowre thy country gan to fpring. 
 All things as after winter waxed greene : 
 No riper time fhakes of thy flowring yeeres, 
 Thy greennefle ftayes, our budd continueth. 
 No age in thee or winters face appeares. 
 And as thou, fo thy country florifheth. 
 
 As if that greenneiTe and felicitie, 
 
 Thy land did giue, which it receiues from thee. 
 
 Epigr. ij. 
 
 THe Sonn which fliines amid the heaue fo bright, 
 And guides our eyes to heauen by his light : 
 
 Will 
 
 94 
 
Liber Quartus. 89 
 
 Will not be gazde on of a fleflily eye : 
 ^ut blinds that fight which dares to fee fo hye : 
 Euen he doth tell vs that heauen doth require, 
 Far better eyes of them which would fee higher. 
 
 Epigr. 18. Ad Comitem 'EJjfexia, de ex- 
 peditione in Hifpaniam. 
 
 "DEing in armes, how did'ft thou furioufly, 
 
 With fire and fword thy trembled hand difplay 
 
 Which did'ft become after the viftory. 
 
 Sweete to the captiues, gentle to the pray ? 
 
 Teach Spaine, Deurox, as thou haft well begunn 
 Not to dare fight, but dare to b'ouercome. 
 
 'E.pigr. 19. Ad 
 
 ESfex bring to E/j/« youth and life. 
 5ing her a fleepe with ioyfuU vi6lories. 
 
 Leaue 
 
 95 
 
90 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Leaue to her enemies defpaire and ftrife. 
 Wake them with wofuU wars, and fearfull cries. 
 
 Of conquering vs how fowly doe they miffe. 
 
 Which feele our force, and enuy at our bliffe. 
 
 Epigr, 20. 
 
 SHeepe haue eate vp our medows & our downes, 
 Our come, our wood, whole villages & townes. 
 Yea, they haue eate vp many wealthy men, 
 ^efides widowes and Orphane childeren. 
 jBefides our ftatutes and our iron lawes, 
 Which they haue fwallowed down into their maws, 
 Till now I thought the prouerbe did but left. 
 Which faid a blacke fheepe was a biting beaft. 
 
 "Epigr. 
 
 96 
 
Liber Quartus. 
 
 91 
 
 Epigr, 21. 
 
 MOuntioy, thy vertue and thy fecret woorth, 
 My lowe enditing feeketh not to raife. 
 Heres no inuention to fet thee forth. 
 Here is no painted ftile, no borrowed phraife. 
 Yet breathing tables fweetly thee refemble, 
 And thy fayre image dwels in liuing hearts : 
 Bvt lead fucceeding ages fhould diffemble, 
 And time obfcure the glory of thy partes. 
 
 While thou doft liue giue life vnto my pen, 
 Which when thou dyeft will pay it the agen. 
 
 Epigr. 22. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 "D Eader, I grant I doe not keepe the lawes, 
 Of riming in my verfe : but I haue caufe : 
 I turne the pleafure of the ende fometimes, 
 Leail he that likes them not fhould call the rymes. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 97 
 
92 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Epigr. 23. Be tribus ptteris inforna- 
 ce ignea. 
 
 ■\X^Hat were the dCMx&a. Nahucadnejfar, 
 
 Which walking in the fornace thou did'ft fee ? 
 Was each an Angel, or an heauenly ftarre, 
 Aboue the a£l of natures foueraigntie ? 
 Were they three wedges of the fineft goold. 
 Which the heauens treafurer doth fo defire ? 
 Or had they power to turne the heat to colde ? 
 Were they three Salamanders in the fire ? 
 The flame was martyred with her heat fpent, 
 And the fire fuffred for the innocent. 
 
 o 
 
 Epigr. 24. Epitaphum Cannij, 
 
 F fighting Cannius here lye the bones, 
 Which neuer receiued the lye but ones. 
 
 He 
 
 98 
 
He thought to. aU^nge him ;; he drew forth his fword. 
 He ventured; his life vpon a bare: word. 
 Now I-fay.he4yeth, ia-himthe caufe is, 
 Had he tane that lye, he had not tane this. 
 
 Epigr. 25. 
 
 r^Vr WaUr Drake long feasjilfange ieopardies, 
 Farr countries, great attempts haue ouertatie. 
 Hee payde his life there^ whence his glory came, 
 Adorne him India for in thee he lies,_ - 
 
 We hauea worthier wtHthy of our ftate.- - 
 And would not leaue our WaUr for our Drake. 
 
 ■:■.. Epigr-i 26i - ..-J 
 
 INdie which fo long fearde, now hialh otir Drake, 
 Her feare lyes buried in her golden fands. 
 
 Which 
 
 99 
 
94 
 
 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Which we will oft reuifite for his fake, 
 
 Till we haue ranfomde him out of her handes. 
 
 You which will venter for a goolden pray, 
 Go on braue lads, \>y Water is your way. 
 
 Epigr. 27. In cultum reliquiarum. 
 
 TO feeke thee in thy Tombe fweete lefu when, 
 The women with their oyntment haftened : 
 Two Angels did appeare, forbidding them 
 To feeke thee liuing there among the dead. 
 Did Rome by diuing in the tombes of faintes, 
 ^ut feeke the liuing whence they now are fled. 
 Yet might they heare the Angels making plaint 
 Seeke not the liuing Rome among the dead. 
 But to tye holy worfhipp to dead bones. 
 To bowe religion to the wicked truft 
 Of crofTes, reliques, afhes, ftickes and ftones. 
 
 To 
 
Liber Quartus. 
 
 95 
 
 To throwe downe liuing men to honour duft : 
 Is not to feeke, but like Mezentius rather, 
 To ioyne the liuing and the dead together. 
 
 Epigr. 28. "Epitap. Richardi Pinuer. 
 
 HEre lyes Dicke Pinner. O vngentle death, 
 Why didft thou rob Dick Pinner of his breath 
 For liuing he by fcraping of a pinn : 
 Made better duft then thou haft made of him. 
 
 Epigr. 29. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 T? Eader but halfe my labour is expirde, 
 
 And Poet, matter, witt and all are tyrde. 
 Thrife fiftie labours haue worne out my veyne. 
 An hundred meanings and an halfe remayne. 
 
 Here 
 
96 
 
 Liien Quaritis, 
 
 ^m 
 
 Heere would I f eft were my firft worke to doe. 
 Were the laft at an end, heere would I to. 
 
 Epigr. 30. 
 
 MEltis was taught to fpeake, to read, to write. 
 Yet clerkly footh.he can do none of thefe. 
 He learned Logicke and Arithmetique. 
 Yet neither brauls nor ciphers worth a peaze. 
 The muficke fchoole did teach him her fweet art 
 He dealt with i?hetorique and Aftrologie. 
 Yet nether can he chaunt it for his part, 
 Ne can he tell a tale, or prophefie, 
 
 And yet he rides as fcholerlike (tis thought) 
 As neuer any ; yet was neuer taught. , 
 
 ^pigr. 
 
 102 
 
Epigr. 31. De Frandfco Waljingham 
 & PMlppo Sidnfiio Equit . 
 
 Sir Francis and fir Philip, have no Toombe, 
 Worthy of all the honour that may be. 
 And yet they lye not fo for want of roome, 
 Or want of loue in their pofteritie. 
 Who would from liuing hearts vntombe fuch ones, 
 To bury vnder a fewe marble ftones ? 
 Vertue dyes not, her tombe we neede not raife. 
 Let the trufl tombs which haue outliu'd their praife. 
 
 Epigr. 32. 
 
 ■\A/'Hen I beholde with deepe aftonifliment. 
 
 To famous Wejiminjier how there reforte, 
 Liuing in braffe or. ftony tnonyment.. 
 The princes and the worthies of all forte ; 
 
 H Doe 
 
 103 
 
98 Liber Quartus. 
 
 Doe not I fee reformde Nobilitie, 
 Without contempt or pride, or oftentation ? 
 And looke vpon offenfeleffe Maiefty, 
 Naked of pompe or earthly domination ? 
 And howe a play-game of a painted ftone, 
 Contents the quiet now and filent fpirites. 
 Whome all the world which late they ftood vpon, 
 Could not content nor fquench their appetites. 
 
 Life is a froft of cold felicity. 
 
 And death the thawe of all our vanitie. 
 
 Epigr. 33. 
 
 THe firft and riper world of men and skill, 
 Yeeldes to our later time for three inuentions. 
 MJracoloufly we write, we faile, we kill. 
 As neither ancient fcroll nor ftory mentions, 
 Printe. The firft, hath open'd learnings old conceald, 
 
 And 
 
 104 
 
Liber Quartus. 
 
 99 
 
 And obfcurde arts reftored to the light, 
 
 The fecond hidde countries hath reuealed, Loade 
 
 And fent Chriftes Ghofpell to each lluing wight, Jlone 
 
 Thefe we commend, but O what needed more. 
 
 To teach death more skill then it had before. Gunns 
 
 Epigr. 34. Ad lokannem Reynolds. 
 
 T)Oe I call iudgement to my foolifli rimes, 
 And rareft art and reading them to viewe, 
 
 Reynoldes : Religions Oracle moft true. 
 
 Mirrour of arte, and Aujlen of our times .' 
 For loue of thefe I call thee, which I pray. 
 That thou in reading thefe would'ft put away. 
 
 Epig^' 35- 
 
 T 6'awe a naked corpfe fpread on the ground. 
 Ouer the dead I fawe the liuing fight. 
 
 H 2 
 
 If 
 
 105 
 
lOO 
 
 Liber Qtiartus. 
 
 If euer ought mjr fenfes did confound, 
 Or touch my heart, it was this wofuU fight. 
 To wound the graue, to dare the dead to dye. 
 To fprinkle life on aflies putrifide. 
 To weepe with blood, to mourne with villanie. 
 To looke on death and not be mortifide. 
 Such funerals if we fuftaine to keepe, 
 I thinke the dead will rife, and for vs weepe. 
 
 'Epigr. 36. 
 
 CHito and Tragus finn th'extremitie, 
 Ckito of pride, Tragus of gluttonie 
 Chito will weare his dinner on his backe. 
 Tragus will eate his fhoes rather then lacke. 
 Chito hath earthen plate, but golden cuts : 
 Tragus hath a freize coate, but veluet guts. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 106 
 
Li^er Quarius. 
 
 101 
 
 ^igf' 37' jP^ Gualtero Deitrox in expC' 
 ditione gallica ccbJo 
 
 T 'Honour and bliffe D^itrox^ thou didft afpyre, 
 By worthy means, though fortune not thy friend 
 Tookef from thy ioyes,>what vertUe did defire. 
 To giue thy life : but paide thee in thine ende. 
 Onely at this thy country doth repine, 
 That her reioycing is not ioynde with thine. 
 
 Epigr. 38. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 T-IAd I my wifli contented I fliould be, 
 
 Though nether rich nor better then you fee. 
 For tis not wealth nor honour that I craue, 
 B\x\. a fliort life, Reader, and a_ long graue. 
 
 1^3 
 
 Bpigr. 
 
 107 
 
Liber Quarlus. 
 
 Epigr. 39. Ad Henricum Wottonem. 
 
 WOtton my little 5eere dwels on a hill, 
 Vnder whofe foot the filuer Trowt doth fwim 
 The Trowt fduer without and goold within, 
 fibbing cleere NeSlar, which doth aye deftill 
 From Nulams lowe head ; there the birds are fmging 
 And there the partiall 5unnne ftill giues occafion. 
 To the fweete dewes eternall generation : 
 There is greene ioy and pleafure euer fprin^ng, 
 
 O iron age of men, Otime of rue. 
 
 Shame ye not that all things are goold but you ? 
 
 M 
 
 "^pigr, 40. 
 
 Y merry exercifes of conceipt, 
 When I was once in a feuerer veyne. 
 
 Had 
 
 108 
 
Liber Qimrtus. 
 
 103 
 
 Had felt one dafli, my fury was fo great, 
 Vp was my pen and fcarfe could I refraine, 
 When two or three befpeake which I lik't beft, 
 And for their fakes I pardon'd all the reft. 
 
 Finis Libri quarti. 
 
 109 
 
I05 
 
 "Epigr. I Ad Do. Mountioy. 
 
 MOuntioy if I haue praifed worthy men, 
 And with fafe liberty contented me, 
 Touching no ftates with my prefumptious pen ; 
 If from all fecret biting I am free ; 
 I hope I fhall not loofe thy patronage, 
 If I doe lawfuU thinges and voyde of feare, 
 If hunt the Fox if bring the Ape on ftage. 
 If I doe whip a curr or baite the 5eare, 
 For thefe are exercifes of fuch forte. 
 As ly alike to earneft and to fporte. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
io6 
 
 Liber Quintus. 
 
 Epigr. 2. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 AN heauie book reader my weary pen, 
 Doth here prefent to thee, which doth containe 
 The faultes and euils of fo many men. 
 With which my paper doth euen fmke againe. 
 They haue confeft their fmnes into my booke, 
 Which here vnloaded, all they haue forfaken. 
 Now for newe faults and errours they muft looke. 
 Cleere of the olde which I haue vndertaken. 
 If I keepe them, their record will remaine. 
 If I doe not, they will returne againe. 
 
 Epigr. 3. 
 
 'T'Hough choife of faultes, and pureft vice felefled 
 
 Be my bookes fubieft here by me dete£led : 
 Yet he that blames the writer is not wife. 
 He giues vice a perfon, not perfons vice. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
Liber ^uintus. 
 
 107 
 
 'E'pigr, 4. In Getam. 
 
 G^ta from wooll and weauing firft beganne, 
 5'welling and fwelling to a gentleman. 
 When he was gentleman, and brauely dight 
 He left not fwelling till he was a knight 
 At laft, (forgetting what he was at furft) 
 He fwole to be a Lord : and then he burft. 
 
 Epigr.^. In Seuerum. 
 
 <lEuerus hath no touch of eloquence. 
 
 He can not double with a ftrayne of witt. 
 A ridled fentence floates aboue his fenfe. 
 Figures are mifteries and farre vnfitt. 
 
 Well mett Seuerus, for to tell ye true. 
 
 This is a booke of vulgars made for you. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 113 
 
io8 
 
 Liber Quintus. 
 
 Epigr. 6. In Candidum. 
 
 "\X7'Hen my friend Candidus was in diftreffe. 
 
 Me thought I ioyed true felicitie. 
 To loue his woe it was my happineffe. 
 And to feele halfe of my friends mifery. 
 ^ut when his fortune turnd about her wheele. 
 And melancholy good did ourtake him, 
 / was no fitt companion for his weale. 
 From thence began my woe and my forfaking. 
 
 For now he keepes the good as cruellie. 
 
 As franke of late he fpent the euill on me. 
 
 Epigr. 7. In Thytnum. 
 
 THymus doth fpeake how all the fathers olde, 
 Were men, & therfore thinks he may be bold. 
 He blufheth not S. Aujlen to difgrace. 
 Ambro/e, and lerome, when he comes in place. 
 He cytes 5. Bernarde and S. Gregorie, 
 
 And 
 
 114 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 109 
 
 And then Caffeers them of his homely. 
 He names 5. Chryfojlome with much a doe. 
 And of the fathers Greeke, more, one or two. 
 
 All thefe by fpeaking Thymus doth defame. 
 
 And would abufe more if he knew their name. 
 
 ^pigr. 8. In Cacum. 
 
 C^Acus though nothing but a loafe perdy. 
 
 He fett before his hungry friends at boorde : 
 Yet he prates of the finn of gluttony, 
 And how that furfeyt kils more than the fworde, 
 How three at Belinfgate with Oyfters dy'de 
 Howe fixe vpon one Cabidge furfeyted. 
 Of thefe he prates and many moe befide 
 Fearing leaft we fhould furfeite on his bread. 
 Cacus haue donne, for we may furfeite heare 
 Well with thy words, but hardly with thy cheare. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 IIS 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 Epigr. 9. 
 
 "^flchard gaue money vnto ChriJIopher, 
 
 Which fliould but fay he was an vfurer. 
 For though poore Richard neuer yet coulde lend, 
 Neither could borrow of his deereft friend : 
 Yet he did thinke the name of vfurie. 
 Should gett him creditt, wealth and honefty. 
 
 O wretched age of ours, O times accurft. 
 
 We are afhamd'e of all ftiames faue the worft. 
 
 Epigr. 10. /» Mirum. 
 
 "D Eader be iudge betweene Mirus sxiA me. 
 
 And as thou iudgeft it, fo it ftiall be. 
 I blame vnfeemely things with modefty. 
 He railes vpon me moft reprochfuUy. 
 I rayle at none, but hauing fliewde the vice, 
 
 Onely 
 
 u6 
 
Ill 
 
 Onely commend the good, and warne the wife. 
 Should I commend the bad ? but that were finne, 
 Should I difpraife the good ? that would pleafe him ; 
 
 Should I write nothing, and my pen refraine ? 
 
 There is fo much matter, who can abftaine ? 
 
 Epigr. ir. In Seuerum. 
 
 CEuerus notes how euery verfe begins, 
 And ftill he faith, he findes leffe ads then ins, 
 
 Leffe ads then ins ? why fhould it not be fo ? ^ 
 
 If men be nought is it my fault or no ? 
 
 Or Ihould I praife vice, and commend a fpott ? 
 
 Beare witneffe reader I commend it not. 
 And yet I fpare it, but I fpare it fo, 
 I giue a great Affe but a little blow. 
 
 Epi£^r. 
 
 117 
 
112 
 
 Epigr. 12. In Bardum. 
 
 TlArdus eates crufts and (hrids of Ba.r\y bread, 
 Parings of cheefe, and drippings of the meate. 
 
 5'teru'de mutton, beefe with foote bemartelled. 
 
 And skinn and bones : all thefe will Bardus eate. 
 
 He ends the loafe, he fleas the cheefe, (O teeth) 
 
 And when the bones dance naked then he praies. 
 
 He makes the foote fmoake out of rufty beefe, 
 
 And that which hunger kilde, his hunger flayes. 
 And yet his father is no dogge I fee. 
 His father is not, but his fonne may be. 
 
 Epigr. 13. 
 
 A Knot of manage legitimate, 
 Was knitt betweene Faujla and Fortunate. 
 5he had enterred husbands feauen before. 
 
 He 
 
 118 
 
He foure and three wiues buried and no more. 
 And now they ftriue which of them (hall die furft. 
 For in my iudgement neither is the worft. 
 Phifition Lanio if he fhould come thether, 
 He would perhaps vnknitt them both together. 
 
 Epigr. 14. Thy mum. 
 
 T Hymns hath fmnde the fmne of fymony. 
 Both for himfelfe and all pofteritie. 
 He hath made cleane difpache and quite remou'd 
 That holy land, fo long fo deerely lou'de : 
 
 better for their foules health prouide who coulde, 
 Which fhall not fmn hereafter though they would .' 
 
 I 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 119 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 Epigr. 1$. In Cajlorem. 
 
 CAJlor at eueiy fafliions new difguife, 
 Is mou'de to fpeake, (the caufe doth fo require. 
 And vanity doth fo offend his eyes) 
 How men like monfters wander in attyre. 
 But the fame fafhions which he fo did fcoffe, 
 Long after like repentance he doth weare. 
 After the brauer forte haue caft them off. 
 Like fafhions counting booke, or regefture. 
 
 Or like an Epitaph, which ftilldoth cry. 
 
 Loa here the ende of all our brauerie. 
 
 'E.pigr. 1 6. In Brillum. 
 
 "O^Rillus is neither proud nor timerous, 
 Nor of the fwearing cutt, as many be. 
 He is not falfe, he is not couetous, 
 
 He 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 115 
 
 He is not amorous, he is not he. 
 He is not giuen to the finn of wine, 
 And yet he is not honeft for all this, 
 How euer fecretly he doth decline. 
 I cannot but commend him for the mifle. 
 
 'S4)igr. 17 In S. Q. C. &c. 
 
 SExtus and Quintus, Cuius, and the reft, 
 Looke for their commendations with the beft. 
 Quintus hath a large houfe, which may containe. 
 Three Lords, with roome to fpare, & al their traine ; 
 Sextus hath come and all prouifioh meete, 
 To vittaile, if need fliould require a fleete. 
 Cuius by th'yeare a thoufand pounds may fpend, 
 Ducus may loane three thoufand to his friend. 
 How could I praife thefe, leffe I vnderftood, 
 The future tenfe of the potentiall moode ? 
 
 I 2 Epigr. 
 
 isr 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 Epigr. 1 8. 
 
 AWonderfuU fcarfety will fhortly enfue. 
 Of Butchers, of Bakers, of all fuch as brewe. 
 Of Tanners, of Taylers, of Smithes and the reft. 
 Of all occupations that can be expref'd, 
 
 In the yeare of our Lorde, fix hundred and ten. 
 I thinke : for all thefe will be Gentlemen. 
 
 Epigr. 19. in Philonem. 
 
 PHilo if naked loue you aske of me. 
 White loue, cleare loue, and fuch as loued was 
 Of our forefathers in fimplicity : 
 Then loue and looke on me, I am your glaffe. 
 This cuts you off : your friend, muft fawne & flatter, 
 Nay more then this, your friend muft you beelie : 
 I to your face : and that for no fmall matter, 
 
 i?ut 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 117 
 
 But for your woorth, your witt and honefly. 
 This cuts me of: the caufe if you require, 
 I would not haue my friend proue me a lyar. 
 
 Epigr. 20. In Nifum &■ Mop/am. 
 
 MIfus and Mop/a hardly could agree, 
 5triuing about fuperioritie. 
 The text which fayth that man and wife are one. 
 Was the chiefe argument they ftoode vpon. 
 She held they both one woman Ihould become. 
 He held both fhould be man, and both but one. 
 So they contended dayly, but the the ftrife, 
 Could not be ended, till both were one wife, 
 
 Epigr. 21. In Gillonem. 
 
 YOu which haue forrows hidde bottom founded, 
 And felt the ground of teares and bitter moane. 
 I 3 You 
 
 123 
 
You may conceiue how Gilloes heart is wounded, 
 And iudge of his deepe feeh'ng by your owne. 
 
 His toothleffe wife then fhe was left for dead. 
 
 When graue and all was made, recouered. 
 
 Epigr. 22. In Lanionem medicum. 
 
 PHifition Lanio neuer will forfake, 
 His golden patiente while his head doth ake : 
 When he is dead farewell, he comes not there. 
 He hath not caufe, nor courage to appeare. 
 He will not looke vpon the face of death, 
 Nor bring the dead vnto her mother earth. 
 I will not fay, but if he did the deede, 
 
 He muft be abfent, lefTe the corpfe (hould bleed. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 124 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 119 
 
 Epigr. 23. in Dacum. 
 
 T\Acus hath all things that he can defire, 
 
 He hath fayre land, and yellow goold to fpare. 
 
 The good of which God knows he comes not nere 
 
 BvX. pickes out paine, and feedeth on the care. 
 
 He will not warme his backe with one good coate 
 
 Nor fpend one penny to offend his ftore. 
 
 He will not feafl his belly with a groate. 
 
 Hunger and he, are matches and no more. 
 Heele taft no fweete of all his happineffe, 
 belike he knowes his owne vnworthineffe. 
 
 Epigr. 24. 
 
 OVr peruerfe age doth recon leaft of all. 
 Of the true noble, plaine, and liberall. 
 And giueth honour mofl iniurious. 
 I4 
 
 Vnto 
 
120 
 
 Liber Quintus. 
 
 Vnto the bafe, craftie and couetous. 
 
 What makes the good repine? what wrongs the wife? 
 
 What is the fpoyle of all ? fortunate vice. 
 
 Epigr. 25. in Timonem. 
 
 nrimon is ficke of feuen which deadly be. 
 And yet not like to die for ought I fee. 
 He hath the foggie finn of Ale and cakes. 
 He hath the finn of lace and fuftniapes, 
 He hath the feeing finn the heartes great'ft woe, 
 And yet he hath the finn, of winken to. 
 
 He hath the fparrowes finn, & thefe which follow, 
 He hath, he hath, the redd finn and the yellow. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 126 
 
121 
 
 Epigr. 26. In Septimium. 
 
 SEptimius doth excell for daintie cheere, 
 His diet is olde Mutton and new beere. 
 And fugred muftard and fweete vinegeere. 
 
 Epigr. 27. In Cophum. 
 
 r* Ophus doth Hue as if he could beftowe, 
 
 Life on his friende, and Hfe vpon his foe. 
 As if he had a life to fport and play. 
 As if he had a life to call away. 
 As if he had change of liue, and life did found. 
 Not as one farthing of his thoufand pound. 
 As if his landes were wondrous large and great. 
 And life but one fmall dull to that huge heape. 
 
 Yet life is all his goold, and all his land. 
 
 Himfelfe and all, if he did vnderftand. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 127 
 
122 
 
 Liber Quinius. 
 
 Epigr. 28. Tranjlatum ex Martiali. 
 
 ^ Eighbours, I meruaile much to fee your ftrife, 
 
 5ince ye are fo well matcht, fo like of life, 
 A moft vile husband, a mod wicked wife. 
 
 Epigr. 29. In Lalum. 
 
 A Dry beame feedes the mind, as Pyndar writes, 
 And quickneth reafon with refined fpirits. 
 B\xX. your conceipt is dull and nothing fuch, 
 Lalus ; I thinke you wett your mind to much. 
 
 l£.pigr. 30. In Cajlorem. 
 
 THe gooldfmith guildeth filuer, tinn or braffe. 
 The painter paints on wood or bafer ftone. 
 What gooldfmith guilded goold that euer was ? 
 
 What 
 
 128 
 
Liber Quintus. 123 
 
 What painter euer painted rubies ? none. 
 
 BvX Cajior paints himfelfe, and thinks it good. 
 To fteale away his pictures praife from wood : 
 
 Epigr. 31. In Latum. 
 
 J Otus owes little vnto memory, 
 
 He will forget his purfe, his cloake, his hat 
 I, both a good turne and an iniury. 
 H\s friend, himfelfe, and more I know not what. 
 Nothing remaines of all things more and leffe, 
 To be forgotten, but forgetfulneffe. 
 
 Epigr. 32. In Momum. 
 
 H Earing my fhort writs, Momtis faith of me, 
 Why (hould not I endite as well as he ? 
 
 As 
 
 129 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 As well as I Momusp{o moijghtye^oe, 
 Rather then I fliould write as well as you. 
 
 Epigr. 33. in VlyJ^em. 
 
 T TLyJfes hauing fcapt the ocean floood. 
 
 V Twife ten yeares pilgrimage in foreyn landes. 
 And the fweete deathes of Syrens tunde with blood, 
 And Cyclops iawes, and Circes charming handes : 
 
 Comes home, and feeming fafe, (as he miftakes) 
 
 He fteps awrie, and fals in to Aiax. 
 
 Epigr. 34. in Medonta. 
 
 TOward my marte, Medon, I will faid I 
 Prefent you with a booke (but you refufed) 
 Which for your kindneffe fake I did denie. 
 Then you repinde as being more abufed. 
 
 And 
 
 130 
 
Liber Qvintus. 
 
 125 
 
 And caufe you had of both to be afraide. 
 Whether it were to paie, or to be paide. 
 
 Epigr. 35. 
 
 \A^Ith charge of foules as Polititians fay, 
 
 Poffeffe one clerke fliould but one benefice, 
 ^ut without charge of foules, we fee how they. 
 .Sticke not to lay vp, fowre and feauen apiece. 
 We clerkes would keepe one liuing and no moe. 
 So you which are not clerks would keepe but two. 
 
 Epigr. 36. mfejium. 
 
 "yEU Fejlus that this mirth and iollitie, 
 
 Thefe futs thefe feafts, this daily flocking to him. 
 This gameling and this wanton luxurie, 
 This careleffeneffe, this free heart will vndoe him. 
 
 He 
 
 131 
 
126 Liber Quintus. 
 
 He cannot heare, his wits are not his owne, 
 But his fweete fortunes, whofe commaund is fuch, 
 That Fejlus fenfes quite are ouerthrowne, 
 Since fhe gaue him of hers, a little too much. 
 Then why aduife you him ? let it fuffice, 
 That he doth that himfelfe muft make him wife. 
 
 Epigr. 37. In Asbejlum. 
 
 CHlorus was greene, when in his tenderneffe, 
 Asbeftus did contemne his littleneffe. 
 Yet he did force his buds, and wreake his fpite 
 Vpon his leaues before his fruite was ripe. 
 When thou bar'ft fruite Chlorus, as little tree. 
 Then did Asbeftus pull thy fruite from thee. 
 Till time drew on, which did his rage impeach, 
 And bare thy fruite on high, aboue his reach : 
 
 Then 
 
 132 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 127 
 
 Then other meanes, by malice, he had none, 
 To worke reuenge, but hang himfelfe thereon. 
 
 Epigr. 38. in Scillam. 
 
 NO enemie of Scillas can accufe him, 
 Of any wrong or villanie pretended. 
 Of any prouocation or abufing, 
 Or the leaft caufe why they fhould be offended. 
 Yet Scilla hath a fault to make amendes. 
 He will abufe none but his deereft friends. 
 
 Epigr. 39. in Merum, 
 
 MEriis doth reconcile Philofophie, 
 To bellies want and backes neceflitie. 
 This Moone will caufe much appetite of meat. 
 The outward colde doubling the inward heate. 
 
 5hew 
 
 133 
 
Shew him your flocke : and he will vndertake, 
 How many ierkins all their wooll will make. 
 Shew him an hundred beeues : heele make a plaine 
 Account, how many dinners they contayne. 
 Drinke you Tabaccho nere fo fecretly. 
 Yet by the fmoake heele tell the quantitie. 
 
 Epigr. 40. in Cajloretn. 
 
 CAJior doth grauely fhake his holow beard, 
 And talkes of pollicy and feates of warre. 
 Matters of ftate and rule, I am afearde. 
 He mindes to be fome princes counfeller. 
 
 Yet many miffe which ayme in fuch a fort, 
 I thinke heele neuer be but of the court. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 134 
 
Liber Quintus. 
 
 129 
 
 Epigr. 40. 
 
 SOme vnderftand my meaning as it is : 
 Some vnderftand it worfe ; againe fome better ; 
 They doe me right which read, and doe not miffe. 
 But to the other two I am a detter. 
 The beft I will requite the beft I may. 
 The worft ftiall truft me if I cannont pay. 
 
 Finis Libri quinti. 
 
 K 
 
 135 
 
131 
 
 EnirPAMMATON. 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 Epigr. I. Ad Leilorem. 
 
 SOme mirth doth pleafe, to fome it is offence. 
 Some will haue vices toucht, fome none of that, 
 ^ome will haue fleight coceipt, fome deeper fenfe, 
 ^ome wil haue this, and fome they know not what. 
 And he which muft pleafe all and himfelfe to, 
 Reader, I thinke fomething he hath to doe. 
 
 Epigr. 2. In Carum. 
 
 CArus abufeth me and faith I fill, 
 My papers with fond trifles and delightes. 
 Would I could make fo well as he can fpill. 
 
 K 2 Yet 
 
 137 
 
132 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 Yet is there fomething more in my (hort writs. 
 For tell me Cams, if I be fo vaine, 
 As of meere courtefy you fay I am : 
 Where did I borrow of an idle brain ? 
 What common ieft lent me an Epigram ? 
 
 And yet I can be plaine, do not miftake. 
 
 ^ut if I be, it fliall be for your fake. 
 
 Epigr. i. Ad Do. Mountioy. 
 
 "M O Helicone Mountioy, no Qaftale well, 
 
 Shall wett my tongue to make thy praifes laft : 
 Thy praifes they themfelues fo fweetly tell, 
 Welling forth from thy vertues fount fo faft. 
 That euen the mufes hence might fett fupply. 
 To wett their tongues, if Helicone were dry. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 138 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 ^2>Z 
 
 Epigr. 4. Ad Rodulphum Horfee. equit. 
 
 HOrfee, my flender mufe not learn'd to flye, 
 But learn'd to fpeake, & country fongs to fing: 
 ^hall giue thy name winges of eternitie. 
 And lining glory to thine afhes bring : 
 Thou which did'ft feed the home bred poets pen, 
 And cheered'ft vp his fad and heauy mufe, 
 Take thy reward among no vulgar men, 
 And thefe fewe greeting lines doe not refufe, 
 Which haue no other duety to impart : 
 Then t'anfwere high defarts with humble art 
 
 Epigr. 5. in Philonem. 
 
 PHilo, you loue a while vnfainedly. 
 But when with wrath enraged is your vaine, 
 Then you reueale what euer fecretly, 
 
 K 3 The 
 
 139 
 
134 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 The bofome of our friendfhip did contalne. 
 
 Loue Captaynes Philo and Italians : 
 
 Fencers, fouldiers and the gallant crewe. 
 
 And hauing tam'de your friendfhip by their handei, 
 
 ^ring it to me and I will honour you. 
 Or if ye dare not loue to fuffer wrong, 
 Then loue me '?hilo, but without a tongue. 
 
 Epigr. 6, ad Thomam 'E.gerton equitem, 
 cujlodem magni Jigilli, 
 
 EGerton, all the artes, whom thou dofl cherifh, 
 ^■ing to thy praifes moft melodioufly. 
 And regifter thee to eternitie : 
 Forbidding thee as thou doft them to perifh. 
 And artes praife the, and fhe which is aboue, 
 Whom thou aboue all artes doft fo protedl. 
 And for her fake all fciences refpect. 
 
 Artes 
 
 140 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 135 
 
 Arts foueraigne miftreffe, whom thy foule doth loue 
 Thus you as ftars in earth and heauen fhine. 
 Thou hers on earth, and fhe in heauen thine. 
 
 'E.pigr. 7. In prophanationem 
 nominis Dei. 
 
 GOds name is bare of honour in our hearing, 
 And euen worne out with our blafphemous 
 ^etweene the infant & the aged both (fwearing. 
 The firft and laft they vtter, is an oath. 
 O hellifhe manners of our prophane age. 
 lehouahs feare is fcoft vpon the ftage, 
 The Minicke iefter, names it euery day. 
 Vnleffe God be blafphem'de, it is no play. 
 
 K4 
 
 Mpigr^ 
 
 141 
 
136 Liber Sextus. 
 
 "Epigr. 8. 
 
 '\A/'Hen the great forefts dwelling was fo wide, 
 
 And careleffe wood grew faft by the fires fide : 
 Then dogs did want the Iheepherds field to keepe, 
 Now we want Foxes to confiime our flieepe. 
 
 Epigr. 9. 
 
 THey fay the vfurer Mifus hath a mill, 
 Which men to powder grindeth cruelly. 
 But what is that to me ? I feare no ill, 
 For fmaller then I am I cannot be. 
 
 Epigr. 10. De Philippo Hi/panics 
 Rege. 
 
 J F workes doe faue, happy king Philip is, 
 He may fet heauen to fo high a prife. 
 
 Since 
 
 142 
 
Since all the goold of Indie now is his, 
 
 That he alone may purchafe Paradife, 
 
 But merits faue, fo faith the Church of Rome. 
 
 And Philip doth beleeue it verily, 
 
 With hired armes which renteth Chriftendome. 
 
 And with huge fummes doth purchafe villany 
 Gainft princes heads,thefe are his pretious balmes, 
 Fy Rome; teach you your king to giue fuch almes ? 
 
 Epigr. II. In Thymum. 
 
 AMong abufes which you fpeake vnto, 
 And iuftly difcommend (I know you doe.) 
 (For vice is ftronge, and which I wonder more, 
 By multiplying ftronger then before) 
 The paynting of the face which you deteft, 
 Is one, and not the leaft among the reft. 
 
 B\xt 
 
 143 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 But you paint fermons to Gods wordes difgrace, 
 Thymus I would you did but paint your face. 
 
 Epigr. 12. 
 
 THe wicked wound vs, yet aske why we bleede, 
 Tlie wicked fmite vs, yet aske why we cry : 
 They clip our winges, and yet would haue vs flye. 
 They aske more bricke, yet take away our reede. 
 And thefe not Pharaohs out of ^gypt fpronge, 
 Bwt our owne Ifraelites which doe this wrong. 
 And we from ftranger countries hauing reft, 
 /n our fweete Canaan are thus oppreft. 
 
 Epigr. 13. 
 
 THere is no fifh in brookes little or great, 
 And why ? for all is fifh that comes to nett. 
 
 The 
 
 144 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 139 
 
 The fmall eate fweete, the great more daintely. 
 The great will feeth or bake, the fmall will frye. 
 For rich mens tables ferue the greater fifh. 
 The fmall are to the poore a daititie difli, 
 The great are at their beft, and ferue for ftore. 
 The fmall once tane, keepe or you catch no more. 
 
 We muft thanke ponds, for riuers we haue none. 
 
 The fowle fwim in the brook, the fifh are flowne. 
 
 Epigr. 14. De Pifcatione. 
 
 pifhing, if I a fifher may proteft. 
 
 Of pleafures is the fweet'ft, of fports the beft, 
 Of exercifes the moft excellent. 
 Of recreations the moft innocent. 
 But now the fport is marde, and wott ye why ? 
 Fifhes decreafe, and fifhers multiply. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 145 
 
I40 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 Epigr. 15. 
 
 ("'Ontent feedes not, one glory, or one pelfe. 
 Content can be contented with her felfe. 
 
 Epigr. 16. Ad Samuekm Danielem. 
 
 T\Aniell, befide the fubieft of thy verfe, 
 With thy rich vaine and ftile adorned fo. 
 
 ^efides that fweetnes with which I confeffe. 
 
 Thou in thy proper kinde doft ouerflowe. 
 
 Me thinkes thou fteal'ft my Epigrams away, 
 
 And this fmall glory for which now I waite. 
 
 For reading thee me thinks thus would I fay. 
 
 This hits my vaine, this had beene my conceipt. 
 ^ut when I come my felfe to doe the like, 
 Then pardon me, for I am farre to feeke. 
 
 146 
 
Liber Sextus. 141 
 
 Epigr. 17. In Sextum. 
 
 SExtus vpon a fpleen, did, rafhly fweare, 
 That no newe fafliion he would euer weare. 
 He was forfworne for fee what did enfue, 
 He wore the olde, till the olde was the newe. 
 
 Epigr, 18. in Scillam. 
 
 Q^Cilla were I in loue with brauerie, 
 
 With caualeers, and with the gallant crew. 
 With captaines, foldiers, and fuch men as you 
 I neuer would forfake the company. 
 But if a word paffe vnaduifedly. 
 If eyther ieft or earneft pleafe you not. 
 Out flies the dagger, friendfhip is forgot 
 Stabbing is but a common courtefye. 
 And though the ftranger catch it now and than, 
 
 The 
 
 147 
 
142 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 The newe acquaintance at his firft repaire, 
 And he that meets you in the ftreet or fayre. 
 Yet for the moft your friend is your firft man, 
 How ftiould I dare loue him, which dares defend, 
 He is no man which dares not ftab his friend ? 
 
 Epigr. 19, 
 
 LAlus was noted for vaine talke and prating. 
 Cams for drinking and Tobaccho taking. 
 When they both dy'de and were ript vp apart, 
 One had no breath, the other had no heart. 
 
 Epigr. 20. In hofpitem quendam. 
 
 Mine hoaft Vorfenna, when I am with you. 
 I muft praife all, though all be out of fafliion. 
 Or elfe mine hoaft will fight and his friendes to. 
 
 And 
 
 148 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 143 
 
 And his friends friends, & all the generation, 
 
 I dranke bad beere, my throate can fay no leffe. 
 
 I fay fo now, I durft not fay fo then, 
 
 I fupt with clownes, rough, rude and mannerleffe. 
 
 But I muft fay, t'were courteous gentlemen, 
 
 I praifde your building f if I may fo terme it.) 
 
 Your hilly profpefl: & your pafture thinne. 
 
 Your ayre, your language, though I could not learne 
 
 And all your pedegree, and all your kinn. 
 
 ^ut iuftly was I plaug'de for this I thinke. 
 
 For fee, when / came home my breath did ftinke. 
 
 Epigr. 21. in Cinnam. 
 
 r^Inna tolde a long tale to no effeft, 
 
 yie fay fo much quoth Scilla in a worde. 
 That happy worde we longing did expedl. 
 And forth it came as leafure could afford, 
 
 Which 
 
 149 
 
144 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 Which when we heard much like the cuckoes fong 
 The tale was fliort, and Scillas worde was long. 
 
 Epigr. 22. Ad 'Kobertum Wiliams. 
 
 AATHo is my friend Williams doft thou enquire .' 
 
 He that will loue my want and pouertye. 
 He that will loue through water & through fire, 
 Through fhame, through euery kinde of mifery. 
 Which will not fcorfe me for a better friend, 
 Nor for fweet goold the father of all ftrife. 
 Which will not hate me though I doe offende. 
 Nor fell mee for a tale, nor for his wife. 
 He whom I fmooth, and round, & pcrfedl proue, 
 Tyring out all the euils which moleft me, 
 Making me happy with his conftant loue, 
 Which is the earthly heauen where I reft me : 
 
 He which doth loue, nor more nor leffe then this. 
 
 He is my friend Williams and I am his. 
 
 Epigr, 
 
 150 
 
Liber Sextus. 145 
 
 Epigr. 23. 
 
 FIrft Clerus by fayre flattrye Princes fought. 
 Then was caft of to the Nobilitie. 
 He flattred them till he was fet at nought, 
 And was thruft downe to the gentilitie ; 
 Now he fpeakes fayre to them and th'yeomanrye. 
 
 ^pigr. 24, 
 
 OLde Abbeyes who that Hues doth not defpife, 
 Which knew their fall & knows they cSnot rife ? 
 And I defpife the new, becaufe I fee. 
 They were, but are not ; thefe will neuer be. 
 But wer't not finne, and might I be fo bold, 
 / would defire one newe for many olde. 
 
 L Epigr. 
 
 151 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 Epigr. 2$. 
 
 'T'He Spaniardes are a warlike nation, 
 
 We are more warlike as they know and feare. 
 
 But they are ftrong to make inuafion. 
 
 But we more ftrong to chafe them euery where, 
 
 ^ut they haue multitudes to make fupplye. 
 
 We are more peopled, fuller of frefh blood. 
 
 They loue their Prince and country zealoufly. 
 
 B\A we more zealous for our foueraignes good. 
 Yet we fhould feare them for our wickedneffe. 
 They are more wicked, here we onely leffe. 
 
 'Epigr. 26. in Papam. 
 
 HTHe Pope ; when tender health her infant fenfe, 
 
 Receiueth from the now approaching Sunne. 
 And new borne blood of heauens influence ; 
 
 With 
 
 152 
 
With prime pf life to bloffome hath begunne, 
 Forbids all flefti and fweeter nutriment, 
 Which fappy Nature to lifes roote would laye. 
 Yea he forbids meates moft indifferent. 
 Egs, cheefe, butter and milke, and all faue hey. 
 He not content, falfe wolfe, (as others doe^ 
 To kill the foule, would kill the body to. 
 
 Heriti 
 ques 
 
 Epigr. 27. Ad Reginam Elizabetham, 
 
 T Oue, the fweete band of thy defired reigne, 
 From thine owne heart, is fo fhedd into many. 
 
 As owd'e of all, can not be payde of any. 
 
 Zeaft all in one vnited Ihould contayne. 
 Such loue in fuch an heart as nere was any. 
 Which would to loue thee, yet wifli it felfe many. 
 
 153 
 
148 
 
 Liber Sextus. 
 
 Epigr. 28. Ad LeSlorem, 
 
 ■D Eader thou thiiiVft that Epigrams be rife, 
 
 ^ecaufe by hundreds they are flocking here. 
 I reade an hundred pamjJhletS ; for my life 
 Could I finde matter for, two verfes there ? 
 Two hundred ballets yeddfed tne no more, ~ 
 5efides barraine reading and conference. 
 Befides whole legends of the ruftie (lore, 
 Of (lories and whole volumes voyde of fenfe. 
 And yet the Printer thinkes that he Ihall leefe. 
 Which buyes my Epigrams at pence a peece.. 
 
 A 
 
 Epigr, 29. "Epitaj!, locobi lugler. 
 
 Nd was not death a fturdie ftriigler, 
 In ouerthrowing lames the iugler ? 
 
 .^^Ji^^J^I 
 
 154 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 149 
 
 Which when he Ilu'de fmall trueth did vfe, 
 That here he lies may be no newes. 
 
 Epigr: 2,0. 
 
 VPon the plaine as I rode all alone, 
 Aflaulted by two fturdie lads I was. 
 I am a poore man Sires, let me be gone. 
 Nay, but ye ftiall be poore before ye paffe. 
 And fo I was : yet loft nothing thereby. 
 Would- they had robde me of my pouerty. 
 
 Epigr. 31. 
 
 T\Adus payde deare for learning, but the time 
 
 Did croffe him fo, he could not haue his foorth. 
 For when he was by ftudy a Diuine. 
 And at his beft ; learning was nothing worth. 
 
 L3 Is 
 
 15s 
 
ISO 
 
 Is learning nothing worth fo deerly boiught, 
 Which could buy all things when it was in prime ? 
 Sett we the goolden fciences at nought 
 And fell we heauen for earth, and goolde for flime? 
 
 Yet were / Dadtis I would not repent. 
 
 A fchollers want excels a clownes content. 
 
 H 
 
 Epigr. 32. Epitaphium lo- 
 kannis Coferer. 
 
 Ere lyes lohn Coferer and takes his reft. 
 Nowe he hath changde a cofer for a cheft. 
 
 Epigr. 33. 
 
 A Pilgrim beggar on a day, 
 Did meete a Lorde vpon the way. 
 I truft your honour will be good, 
 
 As 
 
 156 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 iSi 
 
 As was my dreame laft night by th'roode, 
 
 For why me thought a per'lous thing, 
 
 Vpon a foddaine ch'was a King. 
 
 Helpe him, which had his dreame beene trewe 
 
 Laft night, mought donne fo much for you. 
 
 The Lord replying anfwered than : 
 
 O happy dreame, wretched man. 
 
 And happy man, although but poore. 
 
 If thou had'ft neuer waked more. 
 
 And yet thy fancy was not meane 
 
 beggar, I enuie at thy dreame. 
 
 This anfwere made the beggar prate, 
 
 Sir take my dreame for your eftate. 
 
 This much your reafon will afforde. 
 
 Sleepe you a King, He wake a Lorde. 
 
 Thus euery ftate receiues his punifhment. 
 
 The poore of want, the rich of difcontent. 
 
 L4 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 157 
 
i»;2 
 
 Libev Sextus. 
 
 Epigr. 34. Tn Titum, 
 
 Titus is faft and hath no ftarting waies, 
 As faft, as is the naile driuen to the head. 
 Or as pale goold kept vnder many keyes. 
 Or as a trueloue knott well hampered. 
 Not for his vertue enuie did this deed. 
 Nor for his vice he fuffereth of the lawes, 
 ('For good and euill both hurt if they exceed.^ 
 BvA. for his word and for no other caufe. 
 
 He plaints vnto his friends, and cries, O Lord. 
 
 I am kept, for not keeping of my word. 
 
 Epigr. 35. 
 
 ANtiquitie, of learning holding deare 
 Made vawtes, and goodly flirines to clofe it in. 
 And raifde her flately pillars yeare by yeare. 
 
 To 
 
 158 
 
To make her outfides anfwere that within. 
 Our age h^th raz(J thofe goodly moniments. 
 And pearft the temples where the mufes lay, 
 To all fucceeding times aftoniflirhent. 
 Digging for ignorance out of their clay. 
 Yet fpare that little which is not defail, 
 While her decayes doe fuffer her to (land : 
 You which that ritch and pretious balme do waft, 
 Which did fo fweetly fmell in all our land : 
 
 And for your Prince, and countries fake relent. 
 
 Yours is the finne, thers is the punilhment. 
 
 Epigy. 36. 
 
 J N quiet fleepe a iudgement feat I fawe. 
 
 Two brought as guilty to their triall, when 
 The queft was chargde according to the lawe 
 To giue their verditt on thefe filly men. 
 
 But 
 
 159 
 
1 54 Liber Sextus. 
 
 But by the iury he which had donne ill, 
 Acquited was, the innocent betrayde. 
 Then ftoode I vp ('although I had no skill, 
 To pleade before a iudge,) and this I faid. 
 This is no iurie things of right to trye, 
 But to fay trueth, this is an iniurie. 
 
 I 
 
 Epigr. 37. 
 
 F I dreame Epigrams, I doe as they. 
 
 Which vfe to dreame of what they did the day, 
 
 Epigr, 38. Ad Georgium Morton, 
 artnig. de Truta afe capta. 
 
 MOrton how foolifh was this filly trowte. 
 Which quickly fawe, and pertly plaide about 
 The little flye, of bigneffe of a pinn. 
 
 But 
 
 160 
 
Liber Sexttis. 
 
 155 
 
 But ouerfawe the fifher and his ginn. 
 
 So men doe oft which greedy are of gaine. 
 Eyde to their profit, but blinde to their paine. 
 
 Epigr. 39. De Richardo Tharltono. 
 
 "Yl/^Ho taught me pleafant follies, can you tell ? 
 
 I was not taught and yet I did excell. 
 T'is harde to learne without a prefident 
 T'is harder to make folly excellent. 
 
 I fawe, yet had no light to guide mine eyes. 
 
 I was extold for that which all defpife. 
 
 Epigr 40. De Barnei Poeji. 
 
 "QArneus verfe, (vnleffe I doe him wrong,^ 
 Is like a cupp of facke, heady and ftrong. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 161 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 m^ 
 
 Epigr. 41. 
 
 r\cuus now olde and fpent, and hard beftead. 
 
 Taking much trauaile for a little bread. 
 Wifheth for youth in which he could endure, 
 To toyle, and fweate, and labour euery hower. 
 
 As if Prometheus eaten vp with paine. 
 
 Should wilh his heartfrefh to be gnawne againe. 
 
 Epigr. 42. Ad Guilielmum Arnoldum, 
 
 \Rnold, the fathers Oracles profound, 
 
 Sinke deep into mens hearing whe we cite them. 
 And fometimes Poets verfes beare fuch ground. 
 As great diuines diuinely do recite them. 
 And though the fumm & fubftace maine they beare 
 Whofe fetled ftudies yeeld that fweet encreafe, 
 Yet fometimes with decorum we may heare. 
 
 A 
 
 162 
 
Liber Sextus. 
 
 157 
 
 A Poet fpeake, a father hold his peace. 
 As when a father like a Poet creakes. 
 And when a Poet like a father fpeakes. 
 
 Epigr, 43. In Seuerum. 
 
 Q^Euerus would not haue me flacke my veyne, 
 
 Nor vary fenfe to diuers kindes of writing. 
 Nor play with meanings which may eafe my braine 
 And eafe my reader if they doe not like him. 
 But I muft racke my wits till all be fpent, 
 That he may nothing but cry: excellent. 
 
 Finis Libri Sexti. 
 
 163 
 
IS? 
 
 EnirPAMMATflN. 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Epigr. I. Ad LeSlorem. 
 
 IF thou thJnke, Reader, that defire of gayne, 
 Hath mou'de me to indite or ftir'de my veyne. 
 Or rather if thou thinke I vndertake, 
 To come vpon this ftage for glories fake. 
 He giue thee all that profitt and that praife. 
 And make me but a Lawyer for three daies. 
 
 Epigr. 2. De Matkotu, 
 
 MAtho bethought what life him beft might fitf^ 
 For bafenes fake he fcornd all occupation. 
 Studie he could not for he wanted witt. 
 
 And 
 
 164 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 159 
 
 And fight he durft not, hence he tooke occafion 
 To loudj of all Hues this life pleafde him beft; 
 Till loue to all thefe euils him obiefled. 
 To labour, ftudy, fighting and the reft, 
 More thefe by all, then euer he fufpefted. 
 
 Thus they endure, which liue in louers (late. 
 
 For one thing, lou'de, a thoufand things they hate. 
 
 Epigr. 3. In Cophum. 
 
 COphus is a fine dancer and a trimme. 
 A nimbler head to dance you haue not feene. 
 Dance you he danceth, ceafe yet danceth he. 
 Praife or difpraife him, yet about will he. 
 When you are weary he will hold it out 
 When he is weary, he will skippe about. 
 All that behold are weary, and are gone. 
 Yet Cophus danceth being left alone, 
 . A At 
 
 i6s 
 
i6o 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 At laft Cophus himfefe departes, but fo. 
 
 Me thinkes Cophus doth dance when he doth go. 
 
 Epigr. 4. 
 
 f^Extus is thrall to goold, as many be, 
 ^ut hath it in his cheft, happy is he. 
 Dacus three fhips do cut the Ocean waue. 
 What neede he grudge to be a goolden flaue I 
 Mi/us good land by coueting hath got. 
 I am a thrall to goold, and haue is not. 
 
 "Epigr. 5. De Foriuna fua. 
 
 T .See good Fortune runne before, 
 
 As Palinurus fawe the ftioare. 
 And if I die before it hitch. 
 Welfare mine eyes for they be rich. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 166 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 i6i 
 
 Epigr. 6. Ad Thomam. Strangwayes de 
 
 Martialis Epigrammate, Aurum & 
 
 opes & rura, &c. 
 
 Cyeeld? 
 
 GOold, wealth, and gleab, how many friends will 
 But few in witt will giue place to their friend, 
 Why Martiallf many haue goold wealth & gleab 
 ^ut few haue witt, if fo our ftrife hath ende. 
 And footh fe fayes Strangwaies, but yet I would, 
 That I for want of witt might fay heers goold. 
 
 Epigr. 7. ad LeSlorem. 
 
 REader I warne thee, now the fecond time, 
 Stand not vpon th'exaftnes of my rime. 
 I' admitt a fmall to fhunn a great offence. 
 Better ten rimes Ihould perifh then one fenfe. 
 
 M 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 167 
 
i62 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Epigr. 8. In Carum. 
 
 ■\17'Hen Cams dy'de thefe were the laft he fpake, 
 O friend's take heed, Tobaccho was my death. 
 You that can iudge tell me for Carus fake, 
 He which dy'de fo, dy'de he for want of breath ? 
 If fo he did, then I am more in doubt 
 How breath being taken in, may blow breath out ? 
 
 A 
 
 Epigr. 9. DefeneSlute & iuuentute. 
 
 Ge is deformed, youth vnkinde. 
 
 We fcorne their bodies, they our minde. 
 
 Epigr. 10. Ad lohannem SoocJie. 
 
 'T'Hou with the laft fweete doftor nam'de by me, 
 
 Of any of thy name firft in defart. 
 Firft in my loue, firft placed in mine heart. 
 
 Demaun- 
 
 168 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 163 
 
 Demaundeft thou the caufe what it may be ? 
 To my defire inuention feemed fcant, 
 Which now doth fet thee forth & yet doth want, 
 
 Epigr, II. De nouo or be. 
 
 THe worlds great Peers & mighty conquerours 
 Whofe fword hath purchaf'de the eternal fame 
 If they furuiued in this age of ours, 
 Might add more glory to their lading name. 
 For him which Carthage fackt and ouerthrewe. 
 We haue found out another Africa. 
 Newe Gauls and Germaines Ccefar might fubdue. 
 And Pompey great an other AJia. 
 But you O Chriftian Princes do not fo. 
 Seeke not to conquer nations by the fworde, 
 Whom you may better quell and ouerthrowe. 
 By winning them to Chrift and to his worde 
 
 M 2 Giue 
 
 169 
 
164 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Giue him the new worlde for olde AJias loffe, 
 And fet not vp your ftandart, but his croffe. 
 
 "Epigr. 12. De Mora & Caro patrono. 
 
 MOrus prefented to a fat benifice. 
 Condition'd with Cams but for the tenth fleece 
 Port twentie yeeres feruice his patron did grutch, 
 And faid that the tenth of the tenth was to much. 
 A quarrell was picked, and fett was the day, 
 To fende infufficient Morus awaie : 
 When he was remoued and quite difpoffeft. 
 He (hut vp the matter with this bitter iefl:. 
 Bala-ming his patron which did him this wrong, 
 Am not I thine afle which haue feru'd thee thus long 
 
 Epigr. 1 3. ad reginam Elizabetham. 
 
 "NJ Ow fourty folemn feafts, thine englifh nation. 
 Fedd with fweet peace & plentie all the while. 
 
 Hath 
 
 170 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 165 
 
 Hath yeelded to thy happy coronation. 
 
 O fayrer keeper of the fayreft yle. 
 
 Our firft great ioyes with greater feconded. 
 
 Our fecond with fucceeding ioyes defaft, 
 
 They with the next extindl and vaniftied : 
 
 The next with greater ioyes, all with the laft, 
 
 And yet thou liu'ft to make vs yet more fayne, 
 
 And to fet vp new triumphes and new pleafure, 
 
 To add more fweetnes to thy fweeteft reigne. 
 
 To make more roome for ioy which knows no mea- 
 
 O liue as do the ftars, which fhine for euer. (fure. 
 
 And as the Sunne fo rife, but fet thou neuer. 
 
 Epigr. 14. ad eandem. 
 
 ELiza, thou haft fpread a goolden peace, 
 Ouer thy land thrife bleffed be thy raigne. 
 And were it that fome ciuiU wars did ceafe. 
 Which in our felues deuided we fuftaine.- 
 
 M3 Be- 
 
 171 
 
1 66 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Betweene the patron and poore minifter, 
 Landlordes and Tenants, raigning more and more. 
 Betweene the borrower and the vfurer. 
 betweene fo fewe rich, and fo many poore : 
 Ours were the golden age, but thefe home iarres, 
 Houfes, and fields and flates haue ouerthrowne. 
 And fpoyled vs no leffe then foreyne wars. 
 Thanke we this idle mifchefe of our owne. 
 But who did heare, or who did euer read, 
 Peace without wars, or fomething elfe in ftead. 
 
 Epigr. 15. In Mifum. 
 
 plrft Mi/us coueted a peece of goold, 
 
 Then a fmall houfe, and little garden plotL 
 Then copie land, and after a freeholde. 
 At laft a fhipp by coueting he got, 
 Then out he ftreched reaching auarice. 
 To a fhippe loade with goolde, and by degrees, 
 
 Manours 
 
 172 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 167 
 
 Manours and caftles tempt his hollow eyes, 
 
 Then to a mine of goold he fwiftly flees. 
 
 Then greater Lordfhips he doth feaze vpon. 
 
 No goold can ftill his bottomles defire. 
 
 Nothing can fcape his goold, he preffeth on, 
 
 And to all India laftly doth afpire. 
 
 Where now a little mine hath him inhold, 
 Where is nor houfe, garden, land, fhip nor goold. 
 
 "Epigr, 16. Ad Comitem EJfexce. 
 
 I-IOw hath a little chance great fortune croft? 
 The Spanifh fleete euen balafed with goolde, 
 A narrow miffe did fnatch out of our holde. 
 Which we nere had, but yet defire as loft. 
 B\± if this loffe muft purchafe thy returne. 
 And buy thee out of danger emminent. 
 How rich are we by loofmg, and content, 
 
 M 4 How 
 
 173 
 
1 68 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 How woe are they that they are not vndoone ? 
 More thou art fearde then any loffe of Spayne 
 Deurox, and England loues thee more then gaine. 
 
 Epigr. 17. 
 
 "D Ome hath a barrayne vine, yet doth not fpare 
 
 With a ftrong hedge to compaffe her about. 
 We haue the true vine, which we do not care 
 To fence againft the wilde boares rooting out, 
 If my poore prayers may be heard in time, 
 I would we had their hedge, or they our vine. 
 
 Epigr. 18. In Caium. 
 
 r^aius hath brought from forraine landes, 
 
 A footie wench with many handes. 
 Which doe in goolden letters fay. 
 She is his wife not ftolne away. 
 He mought haue fau'de with fmall difcretion. 
 
 Paper 
 
 174 
 
Liber Septimus,, 
 
 169 
 
 Paper inke and all confeflion. 
 For none that feeth her face and making, 
 Will iudge her ftolne but by miftaking. 
 
 Epigr. 19. De nceuo in facie Faujlince. 
 
 Faujlina hath a fpott vpon her face, 
 Mixt with fweete beawty making for her grace. 
 By what fweete influence it was begott, 
 I know not, but it is a fpotleffe fpott. 
 
 Epigr. 20. De 
 
 AS with frefh meates mixture of fait is meete. 
 And vinegere doth relifh well the fweete. 
 So in fayre faces moulds fomtimes arife. 
 Which ferue to ftay the furfeyte of our eyes. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
 175 
 
170 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Epigr, 22, 
 
 IF a poore minifter haue done amiffe, 
 Then his high calling is obiefled to him. 
 High to all wrong I grant our calling is, 
 And great and wonderous to our vndoing, 
 ^ut they which fet vs high to all difgrace, 
 In honour put vs to the lowed place. 
 
 Epigr. 23. Ad TJwinam Strangwaies. 
 
 STrangwaies leaue London & her fweet contents, 
 Or bring them downe to me to make me glad. 
 And giue one mon'th to country meriments. 
 Giue me a fewe dales for the yeeres I had. 
 The Poets fongs and fports we will reade ouer, 
 Which in their goolden quire they haue refounded 
 And fpill our readings one vpon another. 
 
 And 
 
 176 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 171 
 
 And read our fpillings fweetly fo confounded. 
 Nulam. fhall lend vs night in midft of day, 
 When to the eaen valley we repaire. 
 When we delight our felues with talke or play, 
 6"weete with the infant graffe and virgine ayre. 
 Thefe in the heate, but in the euen later, 
 Weele walke the meads, and read trowts in the 
 
 ('water. 
 Epigr. 24. In Mathonem. 
 
 '\J{Atho with angry countenance threatned me. 
 
 For that I toucht him in a verfe of mine. 
 I faid I knewe it not, not fo quoth he } 
 That can I (hew .• and pointed to the rime. 
 So he accufde himfelfe, for had not he. 
 He might haue kept concealements clofe for me. 
 
 Epigr, 25. 
 
 Stand, want, and waite, doe what you can. 
 6"tand 
 
 177 
 
Stand poore, want foole, waite feruingman. 
 
 Their doors are made to ftiut thee out, 
 
 Or let thee in to goe without. 
 
 Their goolde their idoll they doe make. 
 
 6Tiould they for thee their God forfake. 
 
 Fye filthy muckers tis not fo, 
 
 Ye erre, God is not goold I know. 
 
 ^ut if he did confift of pelfe, 
 
 What would you haue him all your felfe ? 
 
 ^pigr. 26. 
 
 PHilo in friendly fort faluteth me, 
 And feedes me with embrafmg courtefie. 
 ^ut what of thefe fith he hath wronged me ? 
 Thus doe I fuffer Philoes courtefie. 
 
 Epigr. 27. 
 H'arke-Angell Michaell looketh wan & blewe, 
 
 178 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 173 
 
 More then his predeceffor Bartlemewe. 
 
 More then his neighbour MatJiew : as men fay, 
 
 Becaufe he hath fo many debts to pay. 
 
 Epigr, 28, De infante mortuo ante 
 par turn. 
 
 THe infant lying in the mothers wombe, 
 Through vnknowne griefe & vnfufpefted death 
 Refmg'd not fully yet receiued breath. 
 And fo lay buried in a lining tombe. 
 The wofuU mothers heart this fo did greeue, 
 She wifht it had bin buried aliue. 
 
 * Epigr. 29. Fn Caufidicos, 
 
 OVr vice, our outrage and malitioufneffe, 
 Set ouer vs newe maifters and new lawes. 
 Which preying on our wicked fimpleneffe. . 
 Do grow fo great by minifhing the caufe. . 
 
 Epigr 
 
 179 
 
Epigr. 30. 
 
 TJ E which an elder feeking to defame, 
 
 Reueales his fecret to his enemies. 
 Deferues the heauy curfe of wicked Cham, 
 Which did contemne his fathers priuities. 
 The Sire was dronke, and yet the plague did light, 
 Vpon the fonne which fcornd a finfuU fight. 
 
 Epigr. 31. 
 
 CLerkes to their liuings wedded once did thriue, 
 From which fome are diuourft and yet do wiue, 
 Then Mo/es lawe tooke holde, the brother dead. 
 The brother fhould furuiuing raife him feed. 
 BvX we fucceding husbands can haue none. 
 Which are fo wicked husbands to our owne, 
 The wife tofore which many husbands had, 
 With their foft rayment and rich iewels clad. 
 
 Deckt 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 175 
 
 Deckt with their comely loue and coftly care. 
 Tyr'de like a Princeffe and without compaire. 
 We haue caft of from her owne blood & kinne, 
 To ferue a ftranger and to ftoope to him, 
 And fhe alreadie groanes as thrall indeed, 
 And we yet liuing ftinke of this foule deede. 
 What fhould the enemie do with barbrous knife ? 
 Learne of the husband to torment the wife ? 
 Wolues to your felues, vipers to your own mother. 
 And caterpillers eatinge one an other. 
 
 Epigr. 32. 
 
 T-I Ow dearly doth the fimple husband buy, 
 
 His wiues defe61; of will when ftie doth dye ? 
 better in death by will to lett her giue. 
 Then let her haue her will while Ihe doth Hue. 
 
 'E.pigr, 
 
 181 
 
176 
 
 Liber SiptiMUs. 
 
 M 
 
 'Epigr. 33. De Poeta Martialu 
 
 Artiall in Rcnne full thirtie yeares had fpent, 
 Then went he home, was not that banifliment? 
 
 Epigr. 34, In Latum. 
 
 T Etus in vertuous manners may excell, 
 
 ^ut what neede hath he fo rath to be good ? 
 His ftrength of body which he knowes to well, 
 His life forbids him and his youthly blood. 
 Thus vice and pleafure haue our ftrength & prime, 
 And vertue hath, the leauings of them both, 
 ^he hath the orts and parings of our time. 
 Then when euen fmne our carion courfe doth loath, 
 We may be good, but muft be aged furft. 
 Thus we are good neuer, or at our worft. 
 
 Epigr. 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 177 
 
 Epigr, 35. Epitaph: lohannis Sande. 
 
 WHo would Hue in others breath ? 
 Fame deceiues the dead mans truft. 
 Since our names are chang'de in death, 
 Sand I was, and now am dull. 
 
 Epigr. 36. De puero balbutietiente. 
 
 ME thinkes tis pretie fport to heare a childe, 
 Rocking a worde in mouth yet vndefiled. 
 The tender racket rudely playes the found. 
 Which weakely banded cannot backe rebound, 
 And the foft ayre the fofter roofe doth kiffe. 
 With a fweete dying and a pretie miffe, 
 Which heares no anfwere yet from the white ranke 
 Of teeth, not rifen from their corall banke. 
 The alphabet is fearcht for letters foft. 
 To trye a worde before it can be wrought, 
 
 N And 
 
 I S3 
 
178 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 And when it flideth forth, is goes as nice, 
 As when a man doth walke vpon the yce. 
 
 Epigr. 37. 
 
 SVch was my griefe vpon my fatall fall, 
 That all the world me thought was darke withall, 
 And yet I was deceiued as I knowe, 
 For when I proou'de I found it nothing fo, 
 I fhewde the Sunne my lamentable fore. 
 The Sunne did fee and fhined as before : 
 Then to the Moone did I reueale my plight. 
 She did deminifh nothing of her light : 
 Then to the ftars I went and lett them fee, 
 No not a ftarre woulde fhine the leffe for me. 
 Go wretched man, thou feeft thou art forlorne, 
 Thou feeft the heauens laugh while thou doft mourn. 
 
 Epigr. 38. 
 
 YE Cookes and Pothecaries be my friend. 
 For 
 
 184 
 
For ye of all, my booke dares not offend ; 
 I made him for the homely countries taft, 
 They loue not fpice, they vfe not feede on paft. 
 If he ha'ue fait enough then let him go. 
 You haue no neede to put in pepper to. 
 
 Epigr. 39. Ad Do. Mountioy. 
 
 IF in thefe naked lines perhaps be ought, 
 Great Lord, which your conceipt or fenfe may fit, 
 Then had that dy'de, and periflit from your thought, 
 Had not audacious neede prefented it ; 
 If neede haue well done; I am glad therfore, 
 But I befeech you lett her do no more. 
 
 Epigr. 40. Ad Lenorem. 
 
 IF my bookes eafie of digeftion be, 
 Thanke not my matter reader but thanke me ; 
 How many verfes haue I cancelled ? 
 
 N 2 Howe 
 
 i8s 
 
i8o 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 Howe many lompes of meaning feafoned ! 
 I fuflfer Epigrams to fprowte forth, when 
 I vfe mine arte, and prune them with my pen, 
 For he that will write Epigrams indeed, 
 Muft vfe to wring the meaning till it bleede. 
 
 Epigr, 41. in Sabellum, 
 
 Biting Sabellus hereat takes offence, 
 Becaufe I lay not open all my fenfe. 
 All muft be plaine, and nothing I muft hide. 
 There muft be notes at ende, and notes by fide. 
 There muft be nothing felt, and nothing ftrayned, 
 The reader muft delighted be, not payned ; 
 But I am of another minde, for why 
 Should not he take fome paines as well as I ? 
 
 o 
 
 Epigr, 42, 
 
 Vr vice is runne beyond all olde mens fawes, 
 
 And 
 
 186 
 
Liber Septimus. 
 
 y 
 
 i8i 
 
 And farre authenticall aboue our lawes. 
 
 And fcorning virtues fafe and goolden meane, 
 
 Sits vncontrolde vpon the high extreame. 
 
 Circes thynne monfters painted out the hue, 
 
 Of fayned filthineffe, but ours is true. 
 
 Our vice puts downe all prouerbes and all theames, 
 
 Our vice excels all fables and all dreames. 
 
 Epigr. 43. 
 
 ■\ 1 /"Hen books & poore men, they their parifli burned, 
 
 Thefe their low houfes raz'd & ouerturned, 
 Are driuen to feeke, changing their olde repayre, 
 They in the ground, thefe dwelling in the ayre. 
 Then fport is made of damned fornication. 
 And vfurie an honeft occupation. 
 When dull, cramde, groffe, and fwoUen gluttony, 
 Scornes wholefome temperance with leaden eye, 
 When pride like polling miller fits vpon, 
 
 N I The 
 
 187 
 
l82 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 The bated gryft of poore religion : 
 
 When holy tithes the higheft callings price, 
 
 Make rags for coates, and fuell for the dice, 
 
 May we not well O times, on manners cry ? 
 
 This were an eafe, it were no remedie. 
 
 Epigr, 44. In Brillum. 
 
 p?Rillus tolde fuch a tale as neuer man 
 
 Did heare, or thinke of fmce the worlde began. 
 
 Tw'as not of murther ftrange, nor filthineffe. 
 
 Nor open wrong, nor fecret wickedneffe ; 
 
 Nor legend tale, nor. ancient poets fable. 
 
 Nor fuch as parafites do tell at table : 
 
 It was nor monftrous lie, nor pleafant fiflion, 
 
 Nor of affirming, nor of contradiftion. 
 
 All writers, trauellers, merchants are to feeke. 
 
 Yea John deuifer neuer tolde the like ; 
 It was a tale of oaths abhominable, 
 God was the ieft, and our dread Chrift the fable. 
 
Epigr: 45. 
 
 J Etus did in his miftreff quarrell die, 
 
 Quinius was flayne defending of the lie, 
 Germanus in his frendes defence did fall, 
 Sakellus died ftriuing for the wall. 
 Merits did fpend his life vpon a ieft, 
 Saunius loft it at a dronken feaft, 
 Nirus at Sundaies wake, reueng'de the wrong 
 Of his bull dogge, untill he lay along. 
 What fayft thou now contemn'de religion .? 
 Vice hath her Saynts and martyrs, thou haft none. 
 
 Epigr. 46. In Porum. 
 
 Dlius defired Porus of his grace, 
 
 That in his feruice he might haue a place ; 
 He fayde he was of honeft occupation. 
 iV4 
 
 He 
 
 189 
 
1 84 
 
 Liber Septimus. 
 
 He could no lye nor falfe diffimulation, 
 
 He knewe no wicked meanes to fill his purfe, 
 
 But Porus anfwered, he likes him the worfe. 
 
 Epigr. 47. De Hominis Ortu 
 & Sepultura. 
 
 NAture which headlong into life doth thring us, 
 With our feetforwardto our graue doth bringvs: 
 What is leffe ours, then this our borrowed breath, 
 We ftumble into life, we goe to death. 
 
 Fin is , 
 
 190 
 
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