Poems with the Muses looking-glasse: and Amyntas· By Thomas Randolph Master of Arts, and late fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge.

SCENA 1.

• Roscius.
• Bird.
• Flowrdew.

Bird.

I will no more of this abomination.

Rosc.

The end crownes every action, stay till that. Iust Iudges will not be prejudicate.

Flow.

Pray sir continue still the moralizing.

Rosc.

The next we present are the extreams of Magnifi∣cence, who teaches a Decorum in great expences, as Libera∣lity in the lesser: One is Banausus, out of a meere •…•…tent ati∣on vaine-gloriously expensive; the other Microprepes one in glorious works extreamly base and penurious.

• Banausus.
• Microprepes.

Banau.

Being borne not for our selves but for our freinds, Our country and our glory, it is fit We doe expresse the majesty of our soules

In deeds of bounty and magnificence.

Micro.

The world is full of vanity, and fond fooles Promise themselves a name from building Churches Or any thing that tends to the Republique, 'Tis the Re-private that I study for.

Banau.

First therefore for the fame of my Republique. I'le imitate a brave Aegyptian King, And plant such store of onions, and of garlike, As shall maintaine so many thousand workmen, To th' building of a Pyamid at Saint Albons, Vpon whose top I'le set a hand of brasse, With a scrowle in't to shew the way to London, For th' benefit of Travellers.

Colax.

Excellent! 'Tis charity to direct the wandring Pilgrim.

Micro.

I am Church-warden, and we are this yeare To build our steeple up, now to save charges I'le get a high crown'd hat with five Low-bels To make a peale shall serve as well as Bow.

Colax.

'Tis wisely cast, And like a carefull steward of the Church, Of which the Steeple is no part, at least No necessary one.

Bird.

Verily 'tis true. They are but wicked Synagogues where those instru∣ments Of Superstition and Idolatry Ring warning to sinne, and chime all in to the Divell.

Banau.

And 'cause there is such swarmes of heresies rising:

I'le have an Artist frame two wondrous weathercocks Of Gold, to set on Pauls, and Grantam Steeple, To shew to all the Kingdome what fashion next The Wind of Humour hither means to blow.

Micro.

A wicker chaire will fit them for a Pul∣pit.

Colax.

It is the Doctrine sir that you respect.

Flow.

In sooth I' have heard as wholsome instructions From a zealous wicker chaire, as e're I did From the carv'd Idoll of wainscoat.

Banau.

Next, I intend to found an Hospitall For the decay'd Professours of the Suburbs, With a Colledge of Physitians too at Chelsy Only to study the cure of the French Poxe; That so the sinners may acknowledge me Their only benefactor, and repent.

Colax.

You have a care sir of your countrie's health.

Micro.

Then I will sell the lead to thatch the Chancell.

Ban.

I have a rare device to set Dutch windmills Vpon New-market Heath, and Salisbury Plaine, To draine the Fens.

Colax.

The Fens sir are not there.

Ban.

But who knowes but they may be?

Col.

Very right: You aime at the prevention of a danger.

Micro.

A Porters frock shall serve me for a surplice▪

Flow

Indeed a Frock is not so Ceremonious.

Ban.

But the great work in which I mean to glory, Is in the raising a Cathedrall Church: It shall be at Hoggs-Norton, with a paire

Of stately Organs; more then pity 'twere The Piggs should loose their skill for want of practice!

Bird.

Organs! fye on them for Babylonian Bagpipes!

Micro.

Then for the painting, I bethink my selfe That I have seene in mother Red-caps Hall In painted cloath the story of the Prodigall.

Cola.

And that will be for very good use and morall. Sir you are wise; what serve Aegyptian Pyramids, Ephesian Temples, Babylonian Towers, Carian Coloss'es, Traians water-workes, Domitians Amphitheaters, the vaine cost Of ignorance and prodigalitie! Rome flourish'd when her Capitoll was that ch'd, And all her Gods dwelt but in Cottages. Since Parian marble and Corynthian brasse Enter'd her gawdy Temples, soone shee fell To superstition, and from thence to ruine. You see that in our Churches, glorious Statues Rich Copes, and other ornaments of state Draw wandring eyes from their devotion, Vnto a wanton gazing, and that other Rich edifices, and such gorgeous toyes Doe more proclaime our countries wealth then safety, And serve but like so many guilded baits T'entice a forreigne Foe to our invasion. Goe in, there is a Glasse will shew you sir, What sweet simplicity our Grands•…•…res us'd, How in the Age of Gold no Church was guilded.

Exit. Micro.

Banau.

O I have thought on't, I will straight way build

A free schoole here in London, a free schoole Forth'education of young Gentlemen To study how to drinke, and take Tobacco, To sweare, to roare, to dice, to drab, to quarrell: Twill be the great Gymnasium of the Realme, The Phrontisterium of great Britayny. And for their better study I will furnish them With a large Library of Drapers bookes.

Colax.

'Twill put down Bodlies, and the Vatican. Royall Banausus! how many Sphears fly you Above the earthy dull Microprepes! I hope to live to see you build a stewes Shall out-brave Venice; To repaire old Tiburne And make it Cedar. This magnificent course Doth purchase you an immortality. In them you build your Honour to remaine Th-example and the wonder of Posterity. While other hidebound Churles doe grutch thēselves▪ The Charges of a Tombe.

Ban.

But Ile have one In which Ile lye embalm'd with Mirthe and Cassia, And richer unguents then th' Aegyptian Kings. And all that this my pretious Tombe may furnish The Land with Mummye.

Colax

Yonder is a Glasse Will shew you plots and models of all monuments Form'd the old way, you may invent a new 'Twill make for your more glory.

Ban.

Colax true.

Exit.

Rosc.

These are the extreams of Magnanimity. Caunus a

fellow so highly conceited of his own parts, that he thinks no honour above him; the other Micropsychus a base and low spirited fellow▪ that undervaluing his own qualities, dares not aspire to those dignities, that otherwise his me∣rits are capable of.