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

Certaine Epigrammes to the Kings most excellent Maiestie, the Queene, the Prince, the Princesse, and other Noble and Honorable Per∣sonages, and friends to whom the Au∣thor gaue any of his bookes.

To the Kings Maiestie.

EPIGRAM. 1.

LOe here ••read Sou'raign and great Brittans King First to thy view I haue presum'd to bring, These my Essaies; On which but ge••ly looke, I do not make thee Patron of m•• booke: For 'tis not sit ••ur Faiths-Desender (still) Take the protection of each trifling quill; No; yet because thy wisdome able is, Of all things to make vse; I g••ue thee this: The Picture of a Beast in Humane shape, 'Tis neither Monkey, nor Baboone, nor Ape, Though neere Conditioned; I haue not sought it brought it In Affrick Deserts; neither haue I

Out of Ignota terra: those wild lands, Beyond the farthest Magalanick strands Yeeld not the like; the Fiend liues in this Il And I mu••'d that you spied not all this while That Man-like Monster. But (alas) I saw, The looke of Maiestie kept him in awe; He wil not, for he dares not before thee Shew what (indeed) he vses for to be; But in thy presence he is meeke, demure, Deuout, chast, honest, innocent, and pure: Seeming an Angell, free from thought of ill, And therefore thou must needs so thinke him stil. But for because thy Soueraigne place denies, The sight of what is view'd by meaner eyes: This I haue brought thee, with much care and paine, 'Twas like to haue bin forced backe again: So loath the world was, that thou should'st view, The Portrature that I haue drawne so true; Yea yet, (I feare) she findes her selfe so gal'd, That some wil study how to haue't recal'd; But tis too late; for now my Muse doth trust, When thou hast seen't thou wilt approoue what's iust. And if I may but once perceiue, or heare, That this sounds pleasing in thy kingly eare, Ile make my Muse for to describe him fuller, And paint him forth in a more liuely cullour: Yea I wil to the worlds great shame vnfold, That which is knowne, but neuer yet was told; Meane while great King a happy Monar••h raigne, In spight of Rome, the Diuel, Hel, and Spaine.

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.

Obscurity, Grosse-Fates, and want of Meanes, Would haue made Romes great Maro harshly sing▪ But if once Caesar to his musique leanes, His tunes through all the world will sweetly ring▪ And why are English wits so perfect growne? But for because thy kingly hand peruses, Their wel tun'd Poems; and hath bounty showne, Yea it is thou giust light vnto their Muses. Oh! had I such a Star for Pole to mine, I'de reach a straine should rauish all the Nine.

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,

To keepe himselfe, from such fell Passion free, And make so many mad-wild creatures bow, Indeed here's Vices tablet plainely made, Not veiled ouer, or obscurely drawne; Tis in a colour which shall neuer fade, That men may blush, on such a hag to fawne▪ But if your Grace will fauour what I sing, Though Vertue be in durance Ile erpreeue her That now despised Nimph to honour bring, Set al her hidden beauties forth; and giue her So sweet a looke, and such a deft attire, Men shal grow loue-sick and burne with desire.

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.

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;

So deare to Eng••and is, we are to blame If without teares and sighes we parted be; But if thou must make blest another Clime; Remember Our; and for that; though I vse, A crabbed subiect and a Churlish Rime, Daine but to be the Mistris of my Muse; And Ile change Theames, and in a lofty stile, Keepe thee aliue for euer, in this Ile.

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;

Or tax me as too saucy with the State, In hope to make me for the Truth be ••hent, Yet know Great Lords, I do acknowledge heere, It is your wisdomes that next God maintaines, This Kingdomes good; And from my heart I beare•• A reuerent respect vnto your paines. I do not, as such faine would haue it seeme, Presume to teach your wisedomes what is best, I do not my owne knowledge so esteeme, Vile selfe conceit I from my heart detest. But for because I know the percing'st eye, Can neuer into all abuses see; And since the greatest in Authority, May not behold some-time so much as we: What therefore I haue thought to be amisse And worth amending I haue told it heere: I know your Honors wil be pleas'd in this, Though some (it may be) cannot rage forbeare. But if there's any take this writing badly, Had it told all, it would haue vext him madly.

To Henry Earle of South∣hampton.

EPIGR. 7

SOuth-hampton; since thy Prouince brought me forth•• And on those pleasant mountaines I yet keepe

••ought to be no stranger to thy worth, Nor let thy Vertues in obliuion sleepe. Nor wil I; if my fortunes giue me time: Meane while read this, and see what others be; ••f thou canst lik't, and wil but grace my R••me, ••wil so blaze thy Hampshire springs and thee, Thy Arle, Test, Stowre, and Auon shal share Fame, Either with Humber, Seuerne, Trent or Thame.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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:

A toplesse Statue that to starres shall clime, Far greater then your Art shall comprehend: But I must needs confesse tis true, I yet Reape little profit in the eyes of men: My Tallent yeelds small outward benefit, Yet Ile not leaue it for the world agen, Though't bring no gaine that you by artful sleight Can measure out the earth in part or whole; Sound out the Centers depth, and take the height, Either of th' Artick, or Antartick pole: Yet tis your pleasure, it contentment brings, And so my Muse is my content and ioy, I would not misse her to be ranckt with Kings, How euer some account it is a toy, But hauing then (and by your meanes) obtaind▪ So rich a patrimony for my share: For which with linkes of loue I'me euer chaind, VVhat duties fitting for such bounties are? Moreouer Nature brought me in your debt, And still I owe you for your cares and feares: Your paines and charges I doe not forget Beside the interest of manie yeares: VVhat waie is there to make requitall for it? Much I shall leaue vnpaid doe what I can: Should I be then vnthankefull? I abhorre it, The Will maie serue when Power wants in man: This booke I giue you then, heere you shall finde Somewhat to counteruaile your former cost; It is a little Index of my mind; Time spent in reading it, will not be lost▪

Accept it and when I haue to my might, Paid all I can to you; if powers diuine Shall so much in my happi••es delight, To make you Grandsire to a sonne of mine: Looke what remaines and may by right be due▪ I'le pay it him as 'twas receiud from you.

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,

Loue made you apt to feare those slanders true, Which in my absence were but lately sowne: It was a motherly distrust in you, But those that raisd them are false villaines known For though I must confesse I am indeed, The vilest to my selfe that liues this time, Yet to the world ward I'ue tane such heed, Theres none can spot me with a hainous crime. This I am forct to speake, you best know why, Wherer's that man liuing that dare say I lye.

To his deare friend arrow_forward 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 arrow_back friend arrow_forward are good directions,) And though we lou'd both well at first, both hid it, Till 'twas discouered by a like affections.

Since which, thou hast ore-gon me far in showing The Office of a arrow_back friend arrow_forward ; do't stil and spare not, Lo heere's a Memorandum for what's owing; But know for all thy kind respect I care not, Vnlesse thou'lt show how I may seruice do thee, Then I wil sweare I am beholding to thee.

Thine G. VV.

To his louing arrow_back friend arrow_forward , 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:

And as inded our aduersaries say; The very name of VVither showes decay. But yet despaire not, keep thy white vnstain'd, And then it skills not what thy Crescents be What though the Moone be now increas't, now wain'd Learne thence to know thy lifes inconstancy, Be carefull as thou hitherto hast beene, To shun th' abuses Man is tax't for heere, And then thy soule, that's now ecclips'd with sin, When Moone and Sun are darkned shal look cleere And what soer'e thy English name may threat, The ^a Haruests sonne the Greekes entitle thee, Ere thou shalt wāt, thy^a H••re wil bring thee meat, And, to kill care, her selfe thy make-sport be, Yea yet (though Enuies mists do make them dull) I hope to see the wained Orbes at full.

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.

To his Schoole-maister, Maister Iohn Greaues.

EPIGR. 16.

I Feuer I doe wish I maie be rich, (As oft perhaps such ilde breath I spend;) I doe it not for any thing so much, As for to haue wherewith to pay my arrow_back friend. For trust me, there is nothing grieues me more Then this; that I should still much kindnes take, And haue a Fortune (to my mind) so poore, That (though I would) amends I cannot make: Yet for to be as thankefull as I maie, Snce my estate no better meanes affords, VVhat I in deed receiue, I doe repaie In willingnes, in thankes and gentle words. Then though your loue doth well deserue to haue Better requitals then are in my power; Knowing you'l nothing vltra posse craue, Here I haue brought you some Essaies of our: You may thinke much, perhaps, since ther's so many Learn'd Graduates that haue your pupils beene; I who am none, and more vnfit then any, Should first presume in publike to be seene: But you doe know those horses in the teeme, That with their worke are ablest to goe through, Seldome so forward as blind Bayard seeme, (Or giue so many twitches to the plough) And so though they may better; their intent Is not, perhaps, for to be fooles is print.

To the captious Reader.

VVHat thou maist say or thinke, it is no matte But if thou busily imagine here, Since most of these are mighty, that I flatter; Know, sacred Iustice is to me so deare, Did not their Vertues in my thoughts thus ra••••ther To get an Empire by them I'de not praise the••••

FINIS.