A fig for Momus containing pleasant varietie, included in satyres, eclogues, and epistles, by T.L. of Lincolnes Inne Gent.

To reuerend Colin. Eclogue. 1. (Book 1)

• Ergasto.
• Damian.

Ergasto.

SIng vs that carroll (Damian) Amintas soung when he began, To follow Ringdes minstralsie, And made vs merrie melodie.

Damian.

Yong lad, my strings are broke and spent, My harpe, records no merriment, The moderne and new fangled laies,

From auncestrie beare hence the praise; Such strange Terpanders now professe. To moue both mirth, and heauines, By euery motion of the fingers, That olde men seeme but sorie singers.

Ergasto.

Let yong men boast what art they list, Mine eares chiefe pleasure doth cōsist, In hearing what concentfull laies Our Fathers chaunted in their daies; For often haue I found this true, The sence is olde, the words be newe: What ere the yonger boast and braue, Their worth, & wit, from eld they haue: Olde sence by vpstarts newlie suted In words ill warpt, is not reputed The deede of him that formd the stile, But his that did the sence compile.

Damian.

Since thou canst argue so for age, My voice with harpe some warre shall wage: And I will sing thee such a lay As erst I heard my Ringde play. At Galateas wedding feast, (Where sea to heare, his musicke ceast.)

Cantus.

THere was a time (or writers haue missung) UUherein our partiall mothers ballance hung UUith equall poise: and fish, wild beastes, and birds, Had vse of reason, and of needfull words: VVherein foure-footed beasts of sauadge field, (UUho sought the state of winged fowles to wield) Conspir'd, (the better to defence their states) To chuse the fish, to be their mutuall mates: UUho vainly trusting to their fraile defence, Consented quickly to the beastes pretence, Supposing nature, equallie had lent Like force in earth, as liquid element: Hereon (ambition egging on the flocks Of proud foure-footed beasts) the shoares, and rocks UUere fild with fish; and heauen, with shoutes and cries, And gastlie breathings, almost lost his eies: UUhen all the foules, embatail'd in the aire (Seeing their fortunes almost in despaire) Besought the Gods, (who all iniustice hate) To be assistant in this dire debate: Ioue, by a thunderclap a signall gaue Vpon their prayers, they should good fortune haue, And speedily sent out the Southerne wind

To driue the waters from their bounds assind; A murren on the beasts he thrilled downe: UUhilst thus the reuerend iudge doth threat and frowne, The fowles they stoupe, and offering vrgent blowes, Finde hartles beastes, and each where liueles foes: The fish, on waueles shore disperst, and left, Of pride, and life, were all at once bereft: The fowles preuaild, and fed them fat with pray, And after victors like did flie away; And beating off the aire with open wings They tun'd this carroll to the woods and springs, To beasts, to fish, (reseru'd from brunt of warre) To all, that (with both factions mortall are) Beware (ô what soeuer race you bee) (Too much ambitious in felicitie) To striue to raise your fortunes through oppression, Or count your neighbours purchase your possession, For Gods reuenge each impious attempt Before the plague, or punishment be drempt: Be sure the square whereby you build your states, Must breake and faile, in dangers and debates; For Nemesis hath euery houre reseru'd A plague for pride, that hath from iustice sweru'd: Oh you, whose calme, makes neighbours stormes seeme sore Trie you your tides, before you trust your ore,

The surge may rise on sodaine ere you thinke, And force you, (whilst you swim, secure) to sinke. UUho trustes to choice of proud confederate, And failes in choice of faithfull friends estate; Let him disclaime his armes, and claime foresight; Lest he with beastes, mannage a beastlie fight.

Engasto.

In sooth this is a wittie lay More pleasant then the verrelay, The shepheard sings vnto his sheepe As soone as day begins to peepe.

Damian.

Waigh not the words, but marke the worth, Great flouds doe often issue forth From humble waters, and deepe skill, May flow from an impolisht quill. Who waites for words, may get him hence, For shepheards onely sing for sence.