The most elegant and witty epigrams of Sir Iohn Harrington, Knight digested into foure bookes: three vvhereof neuer before published.

91 In commendation of a straw, written at the request of a great Lady, that ware a straw Hat at the Court.

I Vowd to write of none but matters serious, And lawfull vowes to breake, a great offence; But yet, faire Ladies hests are so imperious, That with all Vowes, all Lawes they can dispence: Then yeelding to that all-commanding Law, My Muse must tell some honour of a straw. Not of Iack Straw, with his rebellious crew, That set King, Realme, and Lawes at hab or nab, Whom Londons worthy Maior so brauely slew, With dudgeon daggers honorable stab, That his successors for that seruice loyall, Haue yet reward with blow of weapon royall. Nor will I praise that fruitlesse straw or stubble, Which built vpon most precious stones foundation:

When fiery tryalls come, the builders trouble, Though some great builders build of such a fashion, To learned Androes, that much better can, I leaue that stubble, fire, and straw to scan. Now lift I with Philosophers to range, In searching out, (though I admire the reason) How simpathising properties most strange, Keepe contraries in straw, so long a season. Yee, snow, fruits, fish, moist things, & dry & warme, Are long preseru'd in straw, with little harme. But let all Poets my remembrance wipe, From out their bookes of Fame, for euer during, If I forget to praise our Oaten pipe, Such Musicke, to the Muses all procuring: That some learn'd eares preferr'd it haue before Both Orpharyon, Violl, Lute, Bandore. Now if we lift more curiously examine, To search in straw some profitable points, Bread hath beene made of straw in time of famine, In cutting off the tender knotted ioynts: But yet remaines one praise of straw to tell, Which all the other praise doth farre excell. That straw, which men, & beasts, & fowles haue scor∣ned, Hath beene by curious Art, and hand industrious So wrought, that it hath shadowed, yea adorned A head and face of beauty and birth illustrious. Now praise I? No, I enuy now thy blisse, Ambitious straw, that so high placed is. What Architect this worke so strangely matcht?

An yuory house, dores, rubies, windowes touch A gilded roofe, with straw all ouerthatcht. Where shall pearle bide, when place of straw is such? Now could I wish, alas, I wish too much, I might be straw-drawne to that liuely Tuch. But herein we may learne a good example, That vertuous Industry their worth can raise, Whom slanderous tongs tread vnder foot & trample. This told my Muse; and straight she went her waies: Which (Lady) if you seriously allow, It is no toy, nor haue I broke my vow.