[illustration]
I Traueld farre to finde
where honesty abides,
And found in England more
then all the world besides;
But where true vertue growes,
vice quickly ruines that:
A poore man must not speak,
although he Smell a Rat.
When Iustice hath her sight,
shée's beautifull in show:
But when she Masks her face,
how vild she soone doth grow;
I doe perceiue the cause,
but dare not speake of that:
Ile not offend the Lawes,
but yet I Smell a Rat.
When I sée welthy men,
by worldly causes rise:
I count them happy here,
and truely worldly wise;
But Folly oft makes leane,
what Wit hath long kept fat:
Who knowes how rich men fall?
in troth I Smell a Rat.
Some gathers in their rents,
and hordes the coine with care:
Stretching their credits great,
for money or for ware:
When such great men do breake,
what is the cause of that?
In troth I dare not speake,
and yet I Smell a Rat.
To see a Courtier kinde,
is common euery hower,
To Widdow, Wife, or Maide,
or any in his power:
The Husband's welcome to,
but whats the cause of that?
I doe not iustly know,
but yet I smell a Rat.
When luber marries wealth,
how ioy full are the twaine,
On both sides wealths increase
comes in with ill got gaine:
This wealth cōmands their minds,
they liue like Dog and Cat;
What should the occasion be?
in faith I Smell a Rat.
When rates of all things rise,
within a plentious yeare:
What should the occasion be,
that euery thing's so deare;
Some censure rich mens faults,
and some say this and that:
Let al say what they will,
for faith I Smell a Rat.
When Age doth marry Youth,
how louingly they liue:
The want of youthfull bloud,
this tender Wife doth grieue:
The old man iealous growes,
occasion oft bids that:
When wealth and beauty méete,
in faith I Smell a Rat.