Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of euill Deeds, &c.

Euill deeds and wicked, come from vicious minds: And here, or some-where els, due vengeance finds.

EXtreamest ills, some time a ioy possesse. Ill hardly set on, is as hard got out. Those things which we deeme good, oft prooue but ill. Counsell that comes when ill hath done his worst, Blesseth our ill, but makes our good accurst. To put backe ill, our good we must forbeare. Euill tidings still doe faster flye than good. Our greatest ills, we most of all mistiust. A guiltie conscience, vrged with the thought Of former ill done deeds, not easily erres. Euils vnto euils, still conducters are. Ill comes too soone, repentance oft too late. Ill newes hath wings, and with the wind doth ••••ye. In the first rising, seeke to stifle ill, Least it get head, and grow against thy will. That daye's ne're ill, that brings a pleasing night Worse than the worst of euils, are wicked thoughts. No blush can paint the shame is due to ill.

The apprehension of what e're is good, Giues but the greater feeling to the worse. All wicked deeds doe wrathfull doomes procure. In euills, counsell is the comfort chiefe. Many times good doth grow by euils proofe. By euill courses may be vnderstood, That their euents can neuer fall out good. When ill is hapt, teares but encrease the ill. Ill by example often gaineth good. It's double griefe to see a helplesse ill. Great men that will haue lesse doe for them still, Must beare them out, although their deeds be ill. Good heart in ill, doth much the ill amend. It's better to reforme, than cut off ill. The wor••er deed, the doer likes for best. Neuer was man so euill, did or thought, But would pretend some good cause, though starke naught. Good words doe often couer ill pretence. One day doth wreake the ill that many wrought. Mischiefe oft falls vpon the meaners head. An euill deed ••one by authoritie, Is mightie sinne and subornation. The good compar'd with bad is soonest seene. Who will not stoope to good, must yeeld to ill. Mischiefe doth euer ouer-match the bad. The wicked cannot sleepe or take their rest, Till they be pleased with some ill done deed. Mischiefe is light, and mounteth ouer head. Old mischiefes oft doe set new ills abroach. Ill president, the tyde that wa••tes to vice. A minute spent in good, seemes long loath'd day, But nights of ill like moments slip away. The more ill threats vs, we suspect the lesse. To harme, there alwaies needs but little helpe.

Euill ensueth of each wrong intent. With vniust men to stand debating lawes, Is to giue power to hurt a rightfull cause. Constrained ill must needs be suffered. We see the good, but yet we chuse the ill. Oft that is vile, shewes like a vertuous deed. Nothing the world with greater harme doth fill, Than want of feeling one anothers ill. Mens faults doe seldome to them-selues appeare. Men smoother partially their owne misdeeds. Faults still against them-selues giue euidence. When better choices are not to be had, We needs must take the seeming best of bad. The euill doth alwaies argue the offence. One bad done deed, may worke to many ill. Euill seeming good, is most pernicious. Those euils where to a man by loue is driuen, So much the rather ought to be forgiuen. Things badly got, can haue but bad successe. Custome confirmes, and makes ill in perfection. Nothing is euill, that is necessarie. Too small a sacrifice for mischiefes done Is one mans breath, that thousands did defeat. Mischiefe is no meet way to seeke redresse. Mischiefe is oft thought good by speeding ill. A bad beginning makes a wor••er end. Ill some-times is the cause of good successe, And wicked meanings turne to happinesse. One mischiefes Sunne, thawes not anothers Ice. The sight of euill sets out goodnesse best. Euill dessignes haue euill accidents. All such as are the ministers of ill, The gallowes eates, or fatall sword doth kill.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS Fowlers by their craft beguile the birds, So wicked deeds corrupt plaine meaning minds. As serpents food is onely on the earth, So wicked mens delights, is ill done deeds. As sheep-cloath'd Wolues do alwaies greatest spoile, So painted deeds doe most of all deceiue. As Circes witch-craft chaunged men to beasts, So wicked deeds makes seeming men bruit beasts. As braunches prosper not cut from the tree, So all is vaine that swerues from honest course. As little sparkes of ••ire procure great harme, So least ill deeds doe hardly find amends.

Examples likewise on the same.

PEricles said, th' Athenians loued him, Because they neuer could detect his deeds. Demetrius lost all his followers, Because he had no care of doing ill. Pyrrhus desired to be smit with death, When he did ought that ill beseem'd a King. Seuerus caus'd his man be smoakt to death, Because his deeds should not dishonour him. Men to doe ill, or iniurie each other, Is no meane eye-sore, Tullie doth affirme. No man (saith Socrates) should deale vniustly In any matter, be it ne're so small.