Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of Slaunder, &c.

Slaunder and base Detraction, is the fruit Of deuilish hearts, and foule polluted soules.

WHo liues, that standeth out of slaunders reach? Detractions tongue, delights in ill reports.

What likes not mallice, straight disprais'd must be, Slaunder is blind, and cannot vertue see, In slaundring speech, enu••e takes pleasure most. With spightfull tongue detract no honest mind. Doe what we will, we cannot s••ape the sting Of slaundrous tongues, that s••••li afresh doe spring. Take not away that thou canst not restore: Encrease not griefe, but rather sai••e the sore. Detracting speech, of heauen doth not smell, But rather stinking, like the p••t of hell. Leudnesse is still defam'd, and euer was. Bold slaunders tongue, time neuer can suppresse. Good words of all men gaineth laud and praise, Where slaunders are but counted cast-awayes. No secret's hid, where slaunder keepes the dor•• Detraction will not spare Dianaes name. Detracting talke, Gods picture out doth race, And setteth vp the Deuils in the place. A free consent is priuiledg'd from blame. Slaunder can neuer iust deserts deface. The Bee hath honey, so he hath a sting: The one doth wound, more than the other heales. Against bad tongues, goodnes cannot defend he••. A sprightly wit disdaines detraction. Men hardly stop the infamie and noise, Of slaunders published by common voice. An vniust slaunder hath no recompence. Foule mouth'd detraction is his neighbours foe. Blame is esteem'd more blame-lesse generall, Than that which priuat errours doth pursue. Slanders call things in question, not approues them. A tale vn••ptly told, may be dep••au'd. An open slaunder, often times hath brought That to effect, which neuer else was thought.

Flatterie, lyes, and slaunder, are sworne friends. Slaunder will wrong his friend behind his backe. Slaunder like enuies dogge, detects the dead. Slaunders like arrowes gainst a wall rebound, And soon'st of all the slaunderer doth wound. Slaunder being odious, so would others make. Slaunder may barke at truth, but cannot b••te. All itching eares doe swallow many wrongs. Who by his slaundring tongue his neighbour harmes, Doth wound his owne soule by his wicked words. Large slaunders are apparant signes of enuie. Slaunder offends the liuing, gnawes the dead. Patience is prooued by detraction. No bane to friendship, worse than slaunder is.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS Rats and Myce doe feed vpon our meat, So slaunderers feed on flesh of other men. As diuers meats doe hurt digestion, So changeable reports begetteth slaunder. As Princes armes reach very farre in length, So slaunder stretcheth vnto following times. As deepe incisions are for festred sores, So mightie meanes must cure vp slaunders wounds. As vultures prey vpon dead carion, So slaunderers feed vpon mens liuing names. As Somners liue by peoples daily sinnes, So slaunders liue by killing mens good fame.

Examples likewise on the same.

NArsetes that renowmed Generall, By slaunders was dismissed from his charge. When Scipio was by slaunder highly wrong'd, His discreet answere soone acquited him.

Calisthenes, Parmenio, and Philotae••. By slaundrous accusations lost their liues. Augustus pardon'd one that would haue slaine him, But banisht him that falsely slaundred him. Diogenes affirmed, the slaunderer Was worse than any wild or furious beast. Seneca saith, O•• theeues men may beware, But hardly shall they scape the slaunderer.