Linsi-woolsie. Or Two centuries of epigrammes. Written by William Gamage Batchelour in the Artes

Linsi-Woolsie. THE FIRST CENTVRIE.

Epig. 1. To his heroike, and splendent Patronesse. Katherine, Lady Mansell.

THis stuffe of mine, I grant, is ouercourse, For your fine wearing Loadstarre of our Clime, Yet let it serue, I pray, tho few be worse As a course garment for this Winter time. Ere Sommer else, I do most highly feare, That Momus will my Loome in sunder teare.

Epig. 2. On her Name.

C CEll of vertue thou art rare, A Any with for to compare, T That doth dwell in Cambers Clime, H Hauing •…•…oble Sydneys Line▪ E Euer beautifie thy name, R Royall, worthy peereles dame: I In vertue still let be thy dwelling, N Neuer ill, in good excelling; E Eternizing so thy fame. M Might my praier be accepted, A Accept it, Lord, and graunt her Ishue: N Neuer none to be reiected

S Send her, children, cloath•…•…d in Tishue▪ E Erect her calling at thy pleasure, L Let her life be vertues Treasure: L Lead her soule where Angels are.

Epig. 3. To the worthy founder of our famous Oxonian Librarie, Sir Thomas Bodley built in the forme of a T.

THe forked Y, as learned Sages write, Containes in it deepe mysteries diuine: Thy target T if that I true endite▪ Doeth shelter in't more many a sacred Line Then all the letters of that * sage his name; Such is the Glory of thy Vaticane. * 1.1

Epig. 4. To the Reader of his Poëmes.

SOme of these Poeme, some will Satyres call, What tho some be grim Satyres-like, and tall? Which Monsters be, pertaining to the Wood.) These do molest the Bad, but please the good.

Epig. 5. On Zoylus, of his Booke.

•…•…Oets doe stile thee oft a biting Mate; Which argues thee the eater of some Bookes:

Eate this withall, but leaue to Barke thereat, So that in fine this Morsell quite thee choakes.

Epig. 6. A Courtizan, Etymologized.

A Courtizan most fit deriues her name, By her conditions from a courteous Dame. What Nature did to her so gratis giue, With this shee will all such as begge relieue.

Epig. 7. The Noone-tide Walker of Paules.

WHat makes thee stay? Wel nie, since all be gone. Thou telst me, cause some verses thou wouldst make. Ist so? thou mai'st since thou art most alone, And cause all day thy Panch must emptie quake.

Epig. 8. Garnet, with his Twelue Apostles.

IOseph, with his Apostles twelue first plants, In Englands Soile, Religion pure to grow; But thou, and thy twise sixe infernall Wants, Didst this endeauour to supplant; and Sow

Thy Popish D•…•…rnell; but the season fail'd, And thou with thine, to Tyburns post was nail'd.

Epig. 9. The sickmans Dialogue.

SIcknesse what art? the Bodies schourging Rod; What else? the queller of thy lofty blood. Moreouer what? the path vnto thy God. And what in fine? Deaths message for thy good. Since thou art then the soule and bodies weale, Come when thou wilt from thee Ile ne're appeale.

Epig. 10. On our Bacchanalians. To Magistrates.

THunder as anc'ient Poets fabulize, Begate God Bacchus, Lord of all misrule: No wonder then his Nephewes, which Portize Till they be drunke, vse clamors like the Mule. Remoue the cause th'effect soone take away: Yee'll aske me how? lop downe the Iuie Bay.

Epig. 11. To his deare interessed friend M^r. M Cradocke.

AS I thy ground did compasse and o're-looke I compassed well nie, this triuiall Booke.

Epig. 12. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Bucci•…•…s. To his 〈◊〉〈◊〉. M^r Rob Lloyd.

ORe many are, as we may daily see, That start too soone to Moyses sacred •…•…eat; Before they fit beneath G•…•…aliels knee, To sucke the Nectar of his flowing Teat. These Bro•…•…hers be of schisme and heresie, Not skilling how to teach or edifie.

Epig. 13. To the worthie Mecoenas of learning M^r. Anthony Guin, Esquier.

AMongst the Scythians Anacharsis sage Was their sole Clearke, the * 1.2 Prouerbe verifies. I will not say, in this our learned age, Thou art sole Phoenix, in arts Mysteries. But this I'le say, in this our barren Clime: Thou •…•…t the best Mecoenas vnto thine.

Epig. 14. To the studious Gent, M^r. I. Carne.

THy s•…•…dious Booke, thy bla•…•…ed fame shall ring: When others pastime •…•…o great shame shall bri•…•…

Epig. 15. Un•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To his respectiue fr. M^r Row Harries, of pious, religious scholler, M^r. Hop. Price, lately de∣ceased.

SOme graue in yeares▪ in lore but childish yet, In stud'ing, fleering, fleeting, fading toies. But thou, yong Price, hadst cert's a grauer wit In conniug precepts of aye lasting ioyes. Let these alone t'enioy their fruitlesse art; Thou doubtlesse now hast chose the * 1.3 better part.

Epig. 16. To our Moderne Epigra•…•…matists, of his Poems.

AL Arts, which latest come to common view, Are commonly the best without compare; But in these lines you cannot finde this true, Like timelesse fruits, vnmellowed right which are, For you haue gatherd all the Sommers flowers. Heere are but leauings mixt with Hyems showers.

Epig. 17. One Mouns•…•…er Elatus, deceased.

IT lately seemd by thy aspiring mind, Thou totall wast compos'd of loftie fire:

Which vpwards tends, the place to it assign'd, But thy downefall vnto the basest * 1.4 mire, Betokens now thy substance was but clay; Which should haue stoopt thy loftinesse alway.

Epig. 18. A new Conuert.

THy change was good, from bloody▪ killing sword; To Preach and Teach the euer liuing Word.

Epig. 19. A rare Metamorphosis.

IS it not strange in this our yron Age? To see one clime to Pulpit, from the Stage.

Epig. 20. The Epitaph of the studious Gent. M^r. Hop. Price, To the worshipfull, his louing Father M^r. W^m. Price, Esquier.

AS my true loue was loyall vnto thee, Whiles that thou breathst within this valty Cell; Which shall not end with thy mortalitie, But in the graue with thee shall euer dwell: So take these farwels as thy only due,

Of thy deare friend, thy death which doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Farewell, bright Gem of learnings worthie grace; Farewell, great hope of all the Muses nine; Farwell, sweet Impe, with thy Angellike face; Farewell embracer of the Word diuine. Farewell, deere Price, whose price I cannot count: Farewell, vntill we meet in Sions Mount.

Epig. 21. Duke Humfrey 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

THy Tombe has gratis more spectators e're Then those of Westminster for Coine I wote; 'Tis strange, therefore they doe not pay more deare, But as I gesse, they be not worth a grote.

Epig. 22. Gullus, Grillus.

Gu:

HOw goes the world, my Grillus, now with thee?

Gr:

Comrade, my life naught is but slauerie;

Gu:

How so, a Freeman for to be a thrall?

Gr:

Free borne, but yet, Don Magnus Tenis Ball.

Gu:

Cashiere his yoke cast of his seruile Badge.

Gr:

Oh, no, for feare of his most furious rage.

Gu:

What World is this? must you be Rombus slaue?

Gr:

Yes; else for such, iust nothing we can haue.

Epig. 23. To I G.

THy Crosses were full many in account; But, ay, one * 1.5 Manie, doth these many moun•…•….

Epig. 24. Tillage. To his fr. M^r. Ie. Cradocke.

TIllage is good, the Husbandmans true badge; While youth remaines, still fructifies, Till Age.

Epig. 25. The Symp•…•…hie of Law, and Logicke. To his Aca∣dem•…•… Cousen, Io. Powel.

THe subtile Logicke, and the craftie Law, Most equally within one yoke doth draw. Both vse * 1.6 Deceipts, the one for glorie vaine, Th'other doth abuse it for his Gaine. Both Brawlers be, and doe for euer iarre. Th'one at Schoole, the other at the Barre. But of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we must chuse the lesse; And from Impostors vs for euer blesse. To Logicks quipping tongue, I'ld rather stand: Then to Lawes cruell, shearing, shauing hand.

Epig. 26. Quicquid in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 venerit. To Mi•…•…r Futilis.

THy Siuie breast can keepe no secrecie, But force•…•… all things there•…•…ut for to •…•…e: If there were vent to gable lie, or truth; Thy breast should be in lieu of open mouth.

Epig. 27. Fides so•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To M^r Wadams, the worthy founder of a new Co•…•… ledge in Oxford.

THe Popi•…•… sect faire Colleges did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whereby they tho•…•… themselues to •…•…tifie; But sole true Faith we see doth now adaies, Produce Good daughters, workes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Which caus'd, I thinke our Wadam so to wade, In building Columnes, which shall neuer fade.

Epig. 28. On Cur•…•…s, and C•…•…riosus.

I Did forcee thee present my faultlesse B•…•…ll, And praid there•…•… thy hand to vnder-write; Thou toldst •…•…ay; for that t'was framed ill, •…•…d why? thou s•…•…st, cause faults it did not cite.

Thou differst then from Curiosus quite, Which will subscribe to all but to the Rite.

Epig. 29. To M•…•…nsier After.

AFter, in what? in name, sure not in Lore, For most S^r. Iohns thou wentest bold, Before.

Epig. 30. To King Iames, Brittaines royall Monarch.

THe Vnico•…•…e, and Lion ioine in loue, Which props the Armes of our most Gracious King; Tho enemies in all things else they proue Themselues vnto themselues; a wondrous thing; That beasts should be more humane in their kind, To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pearle; then mens Diuisions blind.

Epig. 31. To the •…•…st illustrious Brothers, the Earles of Pem∣broke, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

WAles stiles you Both with titles great of fame: You pay 'ir alike, your Greatnesse mounts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Name

Epig. 32. To the learned and ingenious Diuine, M^r. D. Hall, of his Uowes Cent.

SOme vow, and breake; thou vowstand dost fulfill; Such is the difference 'twixt good, and ill.

Epig. 33. In the praise of Brasen-nose Coll.

THy Nose more famousis, tho't be of Brasse, Then many a head of many a golden Asse.

Epig. 34. To his louing fr. M^r. Ie. Price. Batch of Diuinitie.

VVEll may we liken Gods most Sacred Writ, Vnto the forme of Alcibiades: Which outwardly lookt plaine, and nothing bright, But inwardly, most like faire Goddesses: So doth Gods Word seeme rude, in outward face; But the cleare Spirit yeelds a shining grace.

Epig. 35. On perfidious Carle, the Loue-maker.

CArle will not keepe promise, wote ye why? He thinkes by Law all Suiters well may ly.

Epig. 36. To his friend and Phisition M^r. Wm. Voyle.

MY friend thou hast a griefe in Phisicks art, Called, Me noli tangere, by name; For being touch't it forthwith yeeldeth smart. How caust thou then to this a Med'cine frame? Each griefe, I thinke within thy * 1.7 Bookish Cell, With this griefes name will be contented well.

Epig. 37. To his golden Gildus.

THe feign'd Vtopian * 1.8 weareth in his eare A ring of Gold in lieu of infamie; But, Gildus thou, Gold eare-rings still dost weare, Which is thou sa•…•…st, thy selfe to glorifie. What glorie ist? it serues to hide the sore, Which in thy eares the Pillorie did Bore.

Epig. 38. To sober M^r. Beuans.

SObrietie thou count'st a sinne, and why? Because thou seldome liuest soberly.

Epig. 39. The Sheepheards Calenders Arithmeticke.

THou Kalender of Sheepheards farre didst err•…•…, In numbring Gods Commandements by rote; When Nine for Ten for Truth thou didst auerre, Leauing the second out, not least of note. This thy substraction serues no other Sheepe But thine; which basely to the Image creepe.

Epig. 40. Perkin•…•….

THou sweet, profound Diuine, with one sole hand, Didst raze more buildings of the Popish frame, Then many a one, that seeketh to withstand With both at once the Gunshot of the same. Heere doth the Maim'd, (a wonder) as we see The whole o're-match, in Christ his Soulderie.

Epig. 41. To S^r. Io. Stradling, Knight and Baro•…•…et, of his learned Epig.

THy Muse fits not the vulgar in effect: For reading, s•…•…ns conceit, is to neglect.

Epig. 42. Iewell, the Hammer of Heretickes.

THou Iewel wast a iewel rare indeed▪ Of value more then is the Ophir gold: For this doth only decke the bodies weed; But thy most heau'nly words most sweetly rowld Doe decke the soule; and thy keene English Pen Did cut * 1.9 his throat, that sung the Popes Amen.

Epig. 43. D. Rainolds Ghost.

VVHat made thee Atlas of our Church diuine? For to decline so vnder thy light paise: Which neuer stoopst to any Popish shrine In all thy life; but loth'st such Trash alwaies. Thy answer is hereto most right I doome, Burning to vs thou didst thy selfe consume.

Epig. 44. To M^r. Blable the Tale-teller.

DAme Nature gaue thee two eares and two eies, My wheel-tongu'd Gemy) which doth seldōe stay, And but one mouth (through her fore-knowledge wise) That thou shouldst more both heare, & see, then bray. But thou dost blab against Minerua's Law More then thy Eares did heare, or Eies ere saw.

Epig. 45. To the H•…•…: and most vertuous Lady, Barbara, Vice∣countesse de Lisle, the Omega of the Gamages.

AL Riuers that do run to Neptunes Vast, Do loose their names let them be ne're so great: So thy great Gransiers names in thee at last, Do loose their stile, and Coyties royall seat. What tho? is not the sea of more renowne Then Riuers, which in him themselues do drowne?

Epig. 46. Gabriel Goodman, heretofore Deane of Westminster.

GOodman wast hight, (and lesse I misse to scan) Thou wast indeed a zealous right good man.

Epig. 47. T•…•… Baccho, quam Vulcane. To Hugh, the Ale-Draper.

THou art a Crafts-man good; yet all thy Craft Cannot detaine thee from too deepe a Draft.

Epig. 48. To the noble heroicke Gent: Sir William Sidney Knight of the place of his Natiuitie.

ZEland did blaze thy birth, be like thy name; Then Sea, and Land, shal Trump thy Golden fame,

Epig. 49. To Zutphen, a Towne in Gilderland, at the Beleagring of which, the renowned Sir Phillip Sid∣ney was killed.

I Wist not which thy fame or infamie, Doth more exceede, in causing Sidney: fall: But yet, I rather thinke thy fame, for why? Before that time thou hadst no fame at all.

Epig. 50. On Elizabeths Embleme, late Queene of England, Tanquam Outs.

THou wast a Sheep, & Wolues thy Shepheards were; How didst thou then escape Deaths bloody hand? Another * 1.10 shepheard which doth rule the Spheare, Did these fell shepheards wondrously withstand.

Epig. 51. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Du Bartas praise, and his Transsator.

RIght well Du Bartas may we call thy name, For * 1.11 D•…•… in Welch betokens more then Ma•…•…. So wast, I thinke, when thou thy Laies didst frame, Such Heaunly Muse sole Man could scarcely scan. And Iosuah thou that tookst this verse in hand To turne; for ere thy .. 1.12 sunne of praise shall stand.

Epig. 52. To wise Lusca

I Wonder, Lusca, of thy foolish Pate, Which to thy husband hast so wise a Mate; He should haue powr'd into thy selfe being One Linkt to himselfe, some wisdome long agone. But, as I gesse, thy head is farc'd so full With folly, that no lore can pearce thy scull.

Epig. 53. To publicke Lata, alias, Wh.

VVHy do men call thee, Publicke? for I weene, What thou commit'st is not in Publick seene.

Epig. 54. On Fabius, to the Readers.

THou didst resigne thy Office, wot yee why? Because thou sai'st thou hardst a Rat to Squeake: None would haue wondred at thy foolerie, In leauing it, if thou hadst hard her Speake.

Epig. 55. Pilling and Poling, to Damon, and Damon.

Da

HOw ist Comrade? we both professe the Law, Therfore we should in one yoke equal draw.

Da:

We do; but in the Manner we disioine, I ciuill do, thou common dost Purloine.

Da:

No force, our Maners both shall Manours buy;

Da:

Why then Ile shaue, and sley thou Equitie.

Epig. 56. To the most learned, and Heauenly Diuine, Doctor Holland, Doctor of the Chaire, lately De∣ceased.

THy sacred Chaire did oft from Earth thee Mount: No maruell; for of Earth thou nought didst count.

Epig. 57. To Sir Hebes, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empericke.

VVHat difference twixt the Papists Vnction, And thine? for both we see be quite extream; No great; they vse it when all helpe is gone, And thou hereby more kill'st then curst, I deeme.

Epig. 58. To his louing friend Mr. Ie. Mayos, Preacher of Gods Word.

IN the Church primatiue, * 1.13 deuoted men, Did lay their Treasures at the Apostles feete; But the Derivatiue, alas, since then, Allowance poore allots to Preachers meete. But like their brother Ananias, they, Yeeld their poore Pastors, but a :: 1.14 part of Pay.

Epig. 59. To his friend R. Loue.

LOue oft is taken for blinde Cupids Game, So is allloue, thats only but in Name.

Epig. 60. To the Illustrious L: Viscount de Lisle, brother to Noble Sir Phil. Sidney.

THough not in Name vnto thy brother deere, Yet thou in Nature art his worthy peere;

His fame extolled, blazed forth his name, Thy name exalted, Trumpets loud thy fame.

Epig. 61. To the worthy Mecoenas of learning, Oliuer, Lo: S^t. Iohn, Baron of Bledso.

VVE Scholers may, S^t. Iohn, thee stile right well, Which gratis giu'st to a 1.15 Saints what others sell.

Epig. 62. The Gilden Mile.

IF that same Mile were farced full with Gold, That's Gilden call'd, for her smooth-silken face; Then would our Mony Miners sure be bold Her path faire-superficies to deface. Then should she right her Gilden name forsake; And for the same a gauled name might take.

Epig. 63. Ius, and Iurista Robbing poore Luscus.

Ius:

HOw ist colleague? how goes Don-Luscus case?

Iur:

Clean backwarts; sans of Angels bright a brase

Ius:

These heau'nly be, how then canst thou then haue?

Iur:

Friend, thou mistak'st the earthly I do craue.

Epig. 64. On Thrasc•…•…o, the kill Cow.

I Meete percase Dell Thrasco at the shore, As he came fresh from Irelands dismall warre; I askt what newes? He told me all, and more, How he himselfe did thousands kill, and skarre. I him beleeu'd, for he did beare about Whole multitudes of the * 1.16 rebellious Rout.

Epig. 65. To his louing friend M^r. R. Tho.

a 1.17 THese seeme in peace to liue in b 1.18 midst of war, So blind we iudge when with c 1.19 our selues we iar.

Epig 66. Brittaines Burse. To the famous late Earle of Sarisburie.

FVll fraught with store shall be thy famous Bursse, When p•…•…nilesse shall be the Misers purse.

Epig 67. To the ingenious Epigrammatists Io. Owens, and Io. Heath, both brought vp in

THough you were both not of one Mother bore, Yet nursed were you at the selfe same a 1.20 brest: For fluent Genious, and ingenious lore, And the same Dugges successiuely haue prest. Tis true yee are but Fosterers by birth, Yet brothers right in Rimes conceiptfull mirth.

Epig. 68. To Blincke, the Archer.

CVpid is blinde, yet neuer misse the white: But thou dost see, yet neuer shoot'st aright.

Epig. 69. On franticke Fiscus.

THe Prouerbe is, a 1.21 Dame Mony can do All; It instigates the Theefe to kill and steale. It Spurres the Merchant On, to Round the Ball Of this vast Orbe, to'enrich his Common-weale. What can it not? It causeth vs runne mad, And Fiscus too, being therewith ouerclad.

Epig. 70. The capring Corde. To theeuish Lato, and Clownish Leto.

VVHat wouldst haue done with that strong, halter Nick Which, Lato thought t'exchange for thy Gold Thou in it wouldst haue showne a capring Trick, And stretch thy Necke in that Racke, long of old. But since thou scap'st, giue Lato's Corde againe, His right, t'is pitty from him to detaine.

Epig. 71. On the Worldlings question.

THe common question now a daies doth passe, Not what shee is▪ but what sweet Mopsa ha's.

Epig. 72. One the Natiuity of Q•…•…ne Elizabeth▪ borne •…•…n the Eue of the Natiuitie of M•…•….

THy Virgin Birth vpon a Virgins Eue, Did true Presage thou should'st a Virgin Liue.

Epig. 73. To our Nauigators, seeking heare the Port of Rest.

YEe Neptunes Plowmen, yeare cleane astray, Which seeke on Earth the Port of quiet Rest; Direct your course vnto Olympus Bay, This of all other Capes is sure the Best. But your calme sea must be the liquid Aire, Your ships, your sailes the wings not of Despaire.

Epig. 74. A paire Royall of Fiends:

IF friendship true did ere in Bad ones stay, It did remaine in Bengfield, Winchester, And Constable, three men of Hels array, Which sought Elyza'in in hir Prime to smoother. I may not tearme these paire of Royall friends But rather paire of most disloyall fiends.

Epig. 75. To his louing Cosen M^r Rees Myricke.

THou shalt now light on many a compleat frie, That will thee call, most louing Cosin, kinde, Which neuer skill'd it by arts Heraldrie; •…•…ake heed, this Cosin, mai'st a cousner finde. For Iudas-like hee'll Haile thee with a kisse; And to betray, such Cheaters seldome misse.

Epig. 76. On Fu•…•…ke, the Gor•…•…diser. To his Cousen Row: Vaughan, student in Physicke.

PHysitians sav, all sicknesse doth proceed From o're aboundance, or Vacuitie; Whereof, the first thou verifi'st in deed My Fuske, by gorging thy profunditie. And 'fore that nature should a Vacuum graunt Within thy Panch; Death-Surfeit thou wilt haunt,

Epig. 77 On an Inne, Grac'd with the Flower-de-Luce.

Th'art brauely deckt without, with Frānce faire Armes, But stain'd within with her most lothsome Harmes.

Epig. 78. Coytie Castle, and Radyr house exclaiming on Time.

WOrld wasting Time, thou worker of our woes Thou keene edg'd rasor of our famous name, That antique was but now obliuious growes, The subiect almost of contempt and shame. Yet doe thy worst, our names shall liue for ay, Altho our fame thou buried hast in Clay.

Epig. 79. Almes Deeds. On Pinch-Peny, Tent.

SOme Treasures cast into the poore mans Box, Some slender Mites according to their state; But thou didst neuer (Tent) once o'pe thy Lockes, Thy Mydas muck for to anihilate. But stuff'st his maw with Roundings for to eate, To still his crie, which did for coine intreate.

Epig. 80 To the studious, and noble Gent Sir R. Sidney knight of the Bath.

THe waters giue thee Titles; but the earth Shall adde great Trophies to thy greater Birth.

Epig. 81. Lalus, and Lelius.

LAlus presuming on a dram of Lore, Did Lelius daughter for his Mate implore. Tush Princocke proud who scornefully repli'de, Think'st thou to haue my Darling, for thy Bride?

La:

I am a Scholler, so I may growe great, And may heereafter sit in princely seat.

Le:

What dost professe? what is thy facultie?

La:

I study sacred deepe Diuinitie.

Le:

Tut, what a Priest? a Tenant but for life? Pack hence thou getst not my ioy for thy wife.

La:

Be patient Sir, let me win your good will, I am a Lawier, full of Playdons skill.

Le:

I'st so? why then I'le instantly thee wiue Vnto my child, for thou art like to thriue.

Epig. 82. On Prudentius, a Christian Poet.

TIs not thy name makes thee deale prudently, But thy profession, Christianitie.

Epig. 83. To the most Reuer in Christ. Francis: B. of Landaffe on his

THough no Record shall Register thy fame, * 1.22 Thine owne Records enrowled haue the same.

Epig. 84. The Crab Tree.

OF all the Trees, the Crab Tree, I thinke best; The Oake is strong great buildings to erect,

The Firre Tree faire to frame thereof a chest, The Ew most fit an arrow to direct) But this has in't a pretious Baulme to cure The poys'ned stings which womens tongs procure.

Epig. 85. On our fleering, fawning, trecherous Gnathoes.

THe temp'rat Zones, as a 1.23 Naso testifies, Participate of heate, and cold commixt. Heerein I thinke, he vents out truth, not lies; Because that many in these Climat's fixt, Doe, as the Prouerbe saith, in either hand, Both carry Water, and a burning Brand.

Epig. 86. On Golden Simonie. To his deere affectiue Cousen, Mr. I. Pralpth.

AT first, I know, our ghostly Simonie, His name deriu'd from Simon Magus, iust, But now adaies, I thinke it verily, It tooke his name from See-money accurst. Heereby Sir Iohn gets him a liuing fat, That neuer knew the Latine for his hat.

Epig. 87. Heauens Diademe. To his fr. and familiar, W. Io.

MOst wonder will to heare a beggars brat Should haue as good, as large an heritage, As the rich heire of some great Potentate, That whilome was, or is in this our Age. But so it is, the Heauens Hirarchie To Spade belongs, as well to Scepter hie.

Epig. 88. Perkins cases, the Diuine.

THy sacred Cases conscionable bee, And why not Fips because he nips the Fee.

Epig. 89. To the most Reuer. Father in Christ, Anth. B of St. Dauids. Of his learned conceipts painted in his hall.

SOme Pen conceips their ingine sole to shew, But thine doe wit, and sacred Lore containe: Which tho domesticke be, for priuate vew, Thy fame to publish yet, they doe pertaine. If any question why they secret lie, I say because the Pencill cannot flie.

Epig. 90. On his Brother buried in Zealand.

VVHat though thy corps, as is the a 1.24 custome old, With thy forefathers doth not lie ingrau'd? I trust thy sonte with theirs be safe enrowl'd Within the b 1.25 Booke of life, most certaine sau'd.

Epig. 91. To the hypocriticall Papist, wearing the Gospell of Saint Iohn about his necke.

THou well this Book about thy neck mai'st weare: For, this, I know thy heart it comes not neere.

Epig. 92. To his cordiall fr. Mr. Moore Fortune, heeretofore a Traueller. Of Virginia.

THe Naturall a 1.26 Virginianist's beleeue, All creatures, both visible, vnseene; That were, or shall, or doe on earth now liue, To be composed of light water greene. A light beliefe, more light then is the water; To deeme that all was made of such a matter.

Epig. 93. In •…•…edio virtus. To his friend Rich. Iohnes.

VErtue they say 'twixt two extreames doth stand, To separate Superlatiues in ill: Which true we finde in Brodefoord with her Strand, That parts Lauryddian, 'gainst Lanellies will. Else sure the bibbers of these famous Townes, Would meet full oft to cracke their giddie crownes.

Epig. 94. To the learned, honest, and Pious Gent. M^r. Th. Leysons, Phisitian; of the Bathes.

YOur Bathes partake of waters cold, hot too, A wonder 'twere, but that they wonders doe.

Epig. 95. On the Orchadians with their Be∣stiall fellowship.

IT ill befits for Man and beast to lie I•…•… one selfe roome without partitions shreene; Which the Orchadians hereof testifies. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 match ill made together as I weene. Vnlesse it be for loue of buggerie, The worst of kinde with beasts to multiply.

Epig. 96. To the Censurers of these vulgar Poesies, Epigrams.

SOme carping Criticks doubtlesse will auerre, This kind of rime to haue a common hew, And therefore harsh, because it doth inferre No nouell forme; like to the fashion new; No maruell, for it is the worlds true guise, The new to loue the ancient to despise,

Epig. 97. To ingenious Ben. Iohnson.

IF that thy Lore were equall to thy wit: Thou in Apollo's chaire mightst iustly sit.

Epig. 98. The Tra•…•…ller,

COsting Catita, t'was my chance to meet Alumnus poore, whom kindly I did greet: And askt what newes? who, sighing, did impart, Which to vnlace, said he, torments my heart. But hoping, friend thou wilt condole with me: I will vnfold what I too common see. The vnderling in Church, and Common-weale, Must trauaile, trudge, of bondage the viue seale; And when his sorrie Sallarie would game,

He oft receaues his labour for his paine. The Poore Pedant, who liues a seruile life, Which euer toiles, turmoiles in endlesse strife; Must be to all, yea to the Clowne a Slaue, And for his owne, with cap and knee must craue. The needy student wanting meanes to liue, Detesting by the former waies to thriue: The Ocean furrowes, being quite out of hope, And either serues fierce Mauors, or the Pope. Alas, quoth I, is this the best reward? That good deserts reapes in this fertile soile? Yes certs, said he, but for the soules regard, T'were better farre at the Plow's taile to toile.

Epig. 99. To long Megge of Westminster.

ALl cald thee, long Megge, true; they did not misse; If broad Megge too, they had not fail'd, I •…•…is.

Epig. 100. To the kinde Reader, of the Censure of my Booke.

SOme will, no doubt, thee aske of this my Booke, Whither't be good; perhaps thou'lt say; so, so.

Thy iudgement giue not so, I pray thee, looke: But heereof rather answere him; no no. Then ile be sure to shun each curious frie: That nought but faults in Writings can espie.

The end of the first Centurie.

Patere, aut Abstine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  a Pythagoras.
• * 1.2

  Anacharsis •…•…ter Scytha•…•….
• * 1.3

  Luca 10. 42.
• * 1.4

  qui cadit in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, non habet vnde cadat.
• * 1.5

  Ins•…•…ia.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  His Studie.
• * 1.8

  Ex Mo. Vtopia.
• * 1.9

  H•…•…dings.
• * 1.10

  Psal. 23. 4.
• * 1.11

  God.
• .. 1.12

  Ios. 10. 13.
• * 1.13

  Act. 4. 35.
• :: 1.14

  Act. 5. 2.
• a 1.15

  Ephes. 3. 8.
• * 1.16

  Pediculos.
• a 1.17

  Spiritus, & Car•…•….
• b 1.18

  Gal. 5.
• c 1.19

  2. Cor. 4.
• a 1.20

  New Coll. in Oxenford.
• a 1.21

  Pecunia potest omnia.
• * 1.22

  Catalogue.
• a 1.23

  1. Meta.
• a 1.24

  Gen. 49. 33.
• b 1.25

  Apoc. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.26

  Ex lib. Aug. Nau.