Abuses stript, and whipt. Or Satirical essayes. By George Wyther. Diuided into two bookes
About this Item
- Title
- Abuses stript, and whipt. Or Satirical essayes. By George Wyther. Diuided into two bookes
- Author
- Wither, George, 1588-1667.
- Publication
- At London :: Printed by G. Eld, for Francis Burton, and are to be solde at his shop in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Green-Dragon,
- 1613.
- Rights/Permissions
-
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- Subject terms
- Satire, English -- Early works to 1800.
- Epigrams, English -- Early works to 1800.
- Cite this Item
-
"Abuses stript, and whipt. Or Satirical essayes. By George Wyther. Diuided into two bookes." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/a15623.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 30, 2024.
Pages
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Another to his Maiesty.
EPIGR. 2.
AS he that feedes on no worse meat then Quailes, And with choice dainties pleaseth Appetite: Wil neuer haue great list to gnaw his nailes, Or in a course thin diet take delight, So thou great King that still dost ouerlooke, The learned workes, that are most deepe, most rare▪ Canst not perhaps these my rude Satyrs brooke: Thou dost not for such sharp fang'd Critticks care: Oh do not yet thy selfe so much estrange, From wonted curtesie to others showne, A Country dish doth often serue for change, And something heere is worthy to be knowne. Sharpe sauce giues sweetest meat a better tast; And though that this to many bitter be, Thou no such sicknes in thy stomack hast, And therefore 'twill be pleasing vnto thee: VVhat though I neither flater, fawne, nor sooth, My honest plainenesse shall more truely praise thee, Then those that in Court language filed smooth, Striue vnbeleeuing Tropheis for to raise thee, My loyall heart cannot so well impart, The loue it beares your Maiesty as other••s: The want of Time, Encouragement and Art, My purpose in the Embrio still smothers.Page [unnumbered]
To the Queenes Maiesty
EPIGR. 3.
DAughter, Wife, Sister, 'Mother to 'In Posse. a King▪ And Empresse of the North, enrich your Name; Yet do you chastity and wisedome bring, Bounty, and curtesie to make vp true fame. VVhich ••ince (faire Queen) my Muse hath vnderstood, She's bold into your presence to intrude, Assured, honest meanings that are good, Shall find acceptance there, though they seeme rud••, Looke and hehold the Vanities of men, Their Misery, their Weaknesse, and their Pride, Daigne to suruey this booke (I say) and then, VVhen you haue each particular espi'de: Thinke with your selfe, how highly blest you be, For to enioy a Prince that both knowes how,Page [unnumbered]
To CHARLES Prince of Wales.
EPIG. 4.
SEE here faire Of-spring of the royall Stem, What all the world almost is subiect to; Behold it so, thou truely maist contemne, And from thy heart abhorre what others doe, Now is the fit and only time to season, That young, rare-vnderstanding breast of thine VVith sacred precepts, good aduise, and reason; But there's no doubt thou wilt to good incline, Inheritance, great Prince, will make it thine: And were Mans nature, yet more prone to fall, Soe to be borne, and so taught, helpes all.Page [unnumbered]
To the Princesse.
EPIG. 5.
SWeet Princesse; though my Muse sings not the glories, Of faire aduenterous Knights or Ladies loues: Though here be no Encomiastick stor••es, That tender hearts, or gentle Spirits moues, Yet in an honest homelie Rustick straine, She shews the Creature (such may you nere know) Forgiue her though she be seuere, or plaine, Truth that may warrant it commanded so. Yea view it ouer with beleefe; but than, I am afraid you will abhor a man. And yet you need not; All deserue not blame, For that great Prince that wooes for to be yours If that his worth but equalize his fame, Is free from any Sat••r here of ours. Nay they shall praise him; for though they haue whips To make the wicked their offences rue, And dare to scourge the greatest when he trips, Vertue shall still be certaine of her due. But for your sake; (if that you entertaine him,) Oh would he were (a man) as I could faine him Yet sweet Elizabeth: that happy Name, If we lost nothing else by loosing thee;Page [unnumbered]
To the Lords of his Maiesties most hono∣rable Priuy Counsell.
EPIGR. 6.
MOst Honor'd Lords; I heere present this book, To your graue censures, not to shew my Art: Nere did you on so rude a matter looke, Yet tis the token of an honest heart, I did it not to please, nor flatter any, Nor haue I made it for the thirst of gaine: For I am sure it wil not humor many, And I expect much hatred for my paine. Here somthing you may see that now requires, Your care and prouidence to haue't amended: That's the maine poynt to which my Muse aspires, And whereto I haue all my labour tended: It may be there be some out of their hate, Will mis-interpret what is plainely ment;Page [unnumbered]
To Henry Earle of South∣hampton.
EPIGR. 7
SOuth-hampton; since thy Prouince brought me forth•• And on those pleasant mountaines I yet keepePage [unnumbered]
To William Earle of Pen∣brooke.
EPIG. 8.
THou whom respect of kin makes not vniust, True Noble Spirit free from hate or guile; ••hou whom thy Prince hath for thy care and trust, ••••ac't for to keepe the entrance of this Ile, ••e heere th' abuses of these wicked Times, ••haue expos'd them open to thy view: ••hy iudgement is not blinded with like crimes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therefore maist perceiue that all is true. ••Take't, though I seeme a stranger, yet I know thee; ••nd for thy vertues Penbrooke, this I owe thee.Page [unnumbered]
To the Lord Lisle, Lord Chamberlaine to the Queene.
EPIGRAM. 9.
BEing a Sidney and so neere allied, To him whose matchlesse rare immortall pen Procur'd of Fame to haue him deifide, And liue for euer in the hearts of men: The loue my soule hath euer borne that name, Would certainely perswade me for your sake; In honest seruice to aduenture blame, Or any open dangers vndertake, Yet shall not that your titles, nor your place, Your honours, nor your might, nor all you haue, Cause me to flatter for reward or grace▪ Fortune shall neuer make my mind a slaue, But seeing that your Vertue shines apparant, And honorable acts do speake your praise: Since Good Report hath giuen forth her warrant, Which none so much as by himselfe gaine-saies, That (and naught else but that) compels my Muse, To sing your worth and to present her Owne, If this imperfect issue you'le peruse, Ile make her in a better forne be knowne, And teach her, that is now so rude and plaine, To soare a pitch aboue the common straine,Page [unnumbered]
To the Lady Mary Wroth.
EPIGR. 10.
MAdame, to call you best, or the most faire, The Vertu'st and the wisest in our daies: Is now not commendations worth a haire, For that's become to be each hus-wifes praise. There's no degree, below Superlatiue, VVill serue some soothing Epigrammatists: The Worst they praise, exceeds Comparatiue, And Best can get no more out of their fists. But, Arts sweet Louer; (vnto whom! know, There is no happie Muse this day remaines; That doth not for your Worth and bounty owe, Euen himselfe, his best and sweetest straines.) Vouchsafe, to let this booke your fauour finde, And as I heare haue Mans abuses showne, Ile with like iust, and vncorrupted minde, So make your true vnfained Vertues knowne, While others false praise, shall in one's mouth be, All shall commend you, in the high'st degree.Page [unnumbered]
To Sir Thomas Ridgeway, Knight Bar∣ronet, Treasurer of Ireland.
EPIGR. 11.
SIR, you first grac't and gratifi'd my Muse, Which nere durst try til then what she could do That which I did vnto my selfe was newes, A matter I was little vs'd vnto: Had you those first endeauours not approou'd, I should for euer more haue silence kept; But now your good encouragement hath moou'd And rous'd my Spirits, that before time slept; For which I vow'd a guift that should be better: Accept this for't, and ile be still your debtor. Here you shall see the Images of men, More sauage then the wildest Irish kerne: Abuses whipt and stript, and whipt agen, I know your Iudgement can the Truth discerne, Now so you will thinke well of this my Rime, I'ue such a mind yet to Saint Patrickes Ile, That if my Fate and Fortunes giue me time, I hope for to reuisit you a while, And make those sparkes of honour to flame high That rak't vp in obliuions cinders lie.Page [unnumbered]
To his Father.
EPIGR. 12.
OThers may glorie that their Fathers hands Haue scrapt together mighty summes of gold Boast in the circuit of new purchast lands, Or heards of cattell more then can be told. God giue them ioy; their wealth Ile nere enuy, For you haue gotten me a greater store, And though I haue not their prosperitie, In my conceit I am not halfe so poore. You learn't me with a little to content me, Shew'd how to bridle passion in some measure; And through your meanes I haue a Talent lent me, VVhich I more valew then all Indies treasure; For when the al-most boundlesse patrimonies, Are wasted; those by which our great ones trust To be eterniz'd: when their Ceremonies Shall be forgotten, and their toombes be dust; Then to the glorie of your future line, Your owne and my friends sacred memorie, This litle, poore, despised, wealth of mine, Shall raise a Trophee of eternitie, Which fretting enuy, nor consuming time, Shall ere abolish or one whit offend:Page [unnumbered]
Page [unnumbered]
Your louing Sonne. George Wither.
To his mother.
EPIG. 13.
VNgrateful is the child that can forget, The Mothers many paines, her cares, her feares, And therefore though I cannot pay the debt, Due for the smallest drop of your kind teares; This Booke I for acknowledgement do giue you, Wherein you may perceiue my heart▪ my mind; Let neuer false report of me more grieue you, And you shall sure no iust occasion find,Page [unnumbered]
To his deare friend Maister Thomas Cranly.
EPIGR. 14.
BRother, for so I call thee, not because Thou wert my Fathers, or my Mothers sonne, Nor consanguinity, nor wedlock lawes, Could such a kindred twixt vs haue begun, We are not of one blood, nor yet name neither, Nor sworn in brotherhood with ale house quarts We neuer were so much as drunke together, Twas no such slight acquaintance ioynd our harts But a long knowledge with much trial did it (Which for to chuse a friend are good directions,) And though we lou'd both well at first, both hid it, Till 'twas discouered by a like affections.Page [unnumbered]
Thine G. VV.
To his louing friend, and Cousen-German, M. WILLIAM WITHER.
EPIGR. 15.
IF that the Standerds of the house bewray, What Fortunes to the owners may betide: Or if their Destinies, as some men say, Be in the names of any signifi'd; Tis so in thine for that faire antique shield, Borne by thy Predecessors long agoe, Depainted with a cleere pure Arg••nt field, The innocency of thy line did show. Three sable Crescents with a Cheueron gul'de Tel's that black fates obscur'd our howses light; Because the Planet that our fortunes rul'd, Lost her owne lustre and was darkned quite:Page [unnumbered]
For the better vndersta••••ing of this Epigram, note that his Armes are in a field argent a Cheuron, Gules betwixt three crescents sable, his name accord••ng to the Greekes is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and his Crest is a Hare with thre•• wheat eares in her mouth.