Abuses stript, and whipt. Or Satirical essayes. By George Wyther. Diuided into two bookes

OF CHOLLER.

SATYR. 6.

BVt now the cause of mens Reuengefull thirst, Proceeds from rash vnbridled choller first: Which Passion flowes from imbecillity, And brings vs vnto much absurdity: Yea those that are infected with this crime, Are in a manner mad-men for the time: 'Tis a short Fury, where-with man possest Resembles most a wild vntamed beast: It makes him foolish, quite besides his wit, Doing and speaking many a thing vnfit.

Those men in whom I find this Passion raigne, I haue oft seene to storme for things but vaine, Yea, and as if they had some greeuous crosse Chafe out of measure for a penny losse, And fret as much in loosing of some toy As if therein consisted all their ioy: This too I noted in a Chollerick man, (Let any one disproue me if he can) They are not onely apt for to beleeue, Any report that may occasion giue; But in light matters if they should contend, Would pick a quarrell with their dearest friend arrow_forward : Yea I haue seen where friends, nay more, where bro∣thers That should & haue bin dearer far thē others: These I haue knowne in choller e'ne like foes. Mingling sharpe words, with farre more sharpned blows. When they are in their fit they do not spare, Any degree; No reuerence, nor care Doth then remaine; Thei'le speake though they be sure, Their heedlesse words, not foes alone procure, But loose their friends: nor doe they in that case, Respect the Time, the company, nor place: Besides there is this ouersight in some, Where Choller doth the Reason ouercome: They doe not onely blame him that offends, But are displeased euen with their friends, And all that are in presence or in view; I haue obseru'd it often to be true: Then if that any should but tell these men, Their anger were without iust Reason, then,

Although it be so and thy know it right, Their fury is the more increast with spight: They cannot brooke ••ontroule, nor yet can they Endure that a man should nothing say, For then indeed tis presently suspected, He cares not, and his anger is neglected: And in some Masters I haue noted this, Wherein they doe in my conceit amisse: If they but thinke their seruant doth offend, He must not his suspected crime defend, Guilty or no; but yeild it an offence As if men still were slaues; but surely hence, Springs this abuse, in whom this humour passes: Choller beares sway, and they are wayward Asses: Who though they haue read some strict rules in Cat•• Were neuer Schollers, to diuiner Plato: Oh Anger is a wondrous headstrong Passion, That hath a beastly, frantick operation; From which, how can we any man release Since we must neither speake, nor hold our peace? Some will be angry, if they cannot make, Another their opinions for to take. Others haue meanings but they cannot shew them, Yet are displeas'd, with those that doe not know And I haue seene (that anger may be holy) them: A good man mooued for anothers folly; Yet in such cases let not any chafe, But pray (as I doe) they may mend and laugh; Me thinkes they should be men vnfit to weild The sword of Iustice that do basely yeild,

Vnto so brute a passion; yet haue we Some Gouernours that ouer-ruled be By this, and worse affections; yea some now Haue charge of others, that doe worse know how To guide themselues: the angry Magistrate, To be aueng'd on him whom he doth hate, For priuate causes drawes the publike sword, And all the Rigor that the lawes affoord Must serue his Choller; such there be, so many You cannot misse one, though I name not any. Now diuers doe affirme such men as be Hasty, (so they tearme this infirmitie) Are the best natur'd: who that lesson taught? If they be best Ile sweare the best be naught: Moreouer there be many doe suppose, It is a signe of courage; what meane those? Where is their iudgements? they me thinkes should gather That it were weakenesse did produce it rather, Or else why should the feeble and the sicke, Women and children be most chollerick? Againe there's some (whose iudgement is as rude) Doe thinke that Anger quickens fortitude: But that's a vertue surely will deny, With such a Vice to haue affinity: Thou that hast iudgement, tell me, can it be, That Fortitude and Anger may agree? I thinke it not, for why, the one is steady, And rul'd by reason, t'other rash and heady: The one doth nothing but on consultation, The other cannot take deliberation:

And therefore if that we be well aduis'd, It is a humor ought to be despis'd: And though some thence much help may seeme to gather, To whet on Fortitude, it hinders rather: Yea tis a strange vnreasonable Passion, That brings the owner cleane beside all fashion; Making him speake if ought but discontent him, Yea doe the thing of which he shall repent him, And of a arrow_back friend if I might chuser be: I'de rather haue a man that's mad then he: Some say 'tis inflamation of the blood, And may with carefull heed be soone withstood; But their's so few that seeke to stop this ill, That most do let it runne at randome stil: And very faintly yeeld to the inuasion Of this wild Passion, on the least occasion, But he indeed that would a medcine find For this disease, must haue a setled mind, Not giuing credit vnto all reports▪ Nor yet delighting in vaine toyes, nor sports: On dogs, or hawkes his mind must not be set, So much, as for their losse to chafe or fret: He should not fancy fuch fond idle trash, But euer taking heed of being rash; Athenodorus good aduice embrace, And follow Cotis that wise King of Thrace, Whereby he best shall quench this Passions tinder, And many an Angry fumish fit may hinder.