The poems of Horace consisting of odes, satyres, and epistles / rendred in English verse by several persons. Works. English. 1671 Horace. 1666 Approx. 622 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 209 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A44478 Wing H2781 ESTC R43263 27095196 ocm 27095196 109967 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44478) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 109967) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1721:2) The poems of Horace consisting of odes, satyres, and epistles / rendred in English verse by several persons. Works. English. 1671 Horace. Brome, Alexander, 1620-1666. Fanshawe, Richard, Sir, 1608-1666. T. H. (Thomas Hawkins), Sir, d. 1640. Dunstall, John, fl. 1644-1675. Loggan, David, 1635-1700? [30], 400 p., [2] leaves of plates : ports. Printed by E. Cotes for Henry Brome ..., London : M. DC. LXVI [1666] Translated by Alexander Brome, Sir Richard Fanshawe, Sir Thomas Hawkins and others. Cf. Notes & queries. v. 174, 1938, p. 200-201. "Imprimatur, Roger L'Estrange. Septemb. 12. 1670."--Prelim. p. [1]. "The epistle dedicatory" signed: Alex. Brome. "The life of Horace": prelim. p. [16]-[28]. Engraved frontispiece portraits of: Horace, by J. Dunstall; Alexander Brome, by D. Loggan. Reproduction of original in British Library. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Horace. 2003-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-04 Rina Kor Sampled and proofread 2003-04 Rina Kor Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Imprimatur , Roger L'Estrange . Septemb. 10. 1665. CARMINA DESVNT The Poems of Horace Translated into English By several Persons . THE POEMS OF HORACE , Consisting of Odes , Satyres , and Epistles , Rendred in ENGLISH VERSE BY SEVERAL PERSONS . HOR. SAT. 3. Lib. 1. Qui , ne tuberibus propriis offendat amicum Postulat ; ignoscat verrucas illius — He that desires his Wens should not offend His Friend , must wink at th' pimples of his Friend . LONDON : Printed by E. Cotes for Henry Brome at the Gun in Ivy-lane , M.DC.LXVI . To his honored Friend and Patron Sir William Backhouse BARONET , SIR , I Here present , or rather pay , what I have often promised you , and what you have a right to ; The Poems of HORACE in the English tongue : To the Translation whereof my pleasant retirement and conveniencies at your delightsome Habitation , have liberally contributed . And now according to the Custome of my Predecessors , having spoyled some paper with writing a bad Book , I am to waste more in a worse Preface , least I suffer under the imputation of being a heretick in Book-writing . However , I will be so kind to you and my self , as to spare so much time and paper as might be employed in celebrating your Greatness , Virtues , and generous Inclinations towards me , being Themes for a higher Pen than dare pretend to , and only tell you how you came to be disturbed with these undertakings . 'T was not because I understand this Author better than others do , nor because I thought I did . But the same temptation which induced our Grandame Eve to eat fruit , prevaild with me to read Horace , meerly because forbidden . But the frequent Quotation of him by all sorts of ingenious men , and the Hault-goust which the wit and truth of his excellent sayings gave , made me languish till I had broken through all the difficulties which my imbecillity contended with , and thrown my self on this audacious adventure . In the prosecution whereof I never blushd to ask the advice or take the assistance of any person whom I thought able to contribute either . And among the rest , of that indefatigable and eminently learned person with whom , by your indulgence and his own condiscension I had the honour and happiness to grow acquainted , whom I found so skill'd in all the difficulties of this Poet , that he was to me more then all the Voluminous Commentators . Sir , For my speedier dispatch and your advantage , I made bold to take in all such parts of HORACE , as have been Englished by the Lord Embassadour Fanshaw ; and what were omitted by him , I supplyed with such as have been done by Sir Thomas Hawkins , or Dr. Holiday , or both , for they are both the same ; and whether of the two is the Author , remains to me undiscovered : What were not touched by these , I gathered out of Mr. Cowleys and other Printed Books ; and such as were not Translated by others , my self and several friends of mine at my request have attempted : De Arte Poetica being long since Englished by that great Master thereof B. Johnson , I have borrowed to crown the rest . So that you will easily finde , that as this Book consists of several men endeavors , so those several men went several wayes ; but all studied to shun a nice Pedantical Translation , which Horace could not abide . By reading all which you are certain of two Pleasures , Liberty of censuring , and variety of matter . And I have this felicity , that if any dislike what is done , it will not be safe for them to traduce it publickly , least they should reproach some of the Undertakers to their faces ; for we are considerable for number and quality , consisting of many persons ; and those either Right Honourable , Right Worshipfull , Reverend , or ( which is as good ) Well-beloved ; and if I for my part have herein played the Fool , 't is in very good Company . Such as it is I expose it to publick perusal , with this becoming Confidence , that the excellence of the Author will make amends for the imperfections of the Translators ; and having this in my prospect , that HORACE may chance to find as good fortune as his dear friend VIRGIL had , who being plundered of all his Ornaments by the old Traslatours , was restored to others with double lustre by those Standard-bearers of Wit and Iudgment , Denham and Waller . To which end I humbly commend this rude Essay , to those Persons whose Learning , Wit , and Leisure shall enable to do him such right as he serves . And for a president , I desire them to compare these lines of Phaer , This end had Priams destinies , all this chance him Fortune sent , When he the fire in Troy had seen , his Walls and Castles rent , That sometimes over Peoples proud , and Lands had raign'd with fame Of Asia Emperour great , now short on shore he lies with shame , His head besides his shoulders laid , his corps no more of name . with this done by Sir John Denham , Thus fell the King who yet surviv'd the State , With such a signal and peculiar fate , Under so vast a ruine , not a grave , Nor in such flames a funeral fire to have : He whom such Titles swelled , such power made proud , To whom the Scepters of all Asia bow'd ; On the cold earth lies this neglected King , A headless Carcass , and a uameless thing . By which they may perceive how highly Translations may be improved . And if any Gentlemen will be so industrious and kind , as to amend , or but to find out the faults in this Essay ( which may easily be done ) or furnish the Stationer with any better against the next Impression , they will be so far from disobliging me , that I invite them to it , conceiving it a work by which they may gratifie and oblige Posterity : And should rejoyce to see these rude and imperfect draughts , like the Athenian ship so often and throughly amended , that there shall not an old plank remain therein : That so these Poems which were so acceptable to Augustus in their native dress , might be so polish●d in our language , that they may be look'd on by a more indulgent and greater Prince than he was . Perhaps it may be expected that I should have embellished ( as they call it ) this Address with Witty Passages , and Rhetorical flowers ; but indeed Sir , they are grown quite out of fashion , and I am heartily glad that thereby I am freed from a task which I was so unfit for . And now Sir , having tired you with this flat Narrative , to make you amends , I will make no Address to the Gentle Reader ; only I declare to him and all the World , that I profess my self , and am what your Goodness has made me , Honored Mecaenas , Your very much obliged Servant , Alex. Brome . THE LIFE OF HORACE ▪ QUintus Horatius Flaccus was born at Venusium , formerly one of the best Cities in Italy , now called Venoso ; of mean Parentage ; his Father was one whom the Romans called Libertinus , viz. the Son of a Slave who had been made free ; and by Profession he was a Praeco , or a Coactor , whose Imployment was to gather in Debts for Usurers . Of his Mother we find no mention ; onely ●tis agreed by all the Dutch Commentators , that he had one . He was born two years before Catalines Conspiracy , viz. the 6 th . of the Ides of December ; Cotta and Torquatus being Consuls . His Education was at Rome , where his Father finding him very pregnant , kept him at Schoole under Orbilius a whipping Schoole-Master ; his Father also , being a very prudent man , had a severe and watchful eye over him , and instructed him in Virtue . Having attained to a good measure of Grammer learning at Rome , he was sent to Athens ( then the most famous University in the World ) and there studied Philosophy ; in which , if he adhaered to any Sect , it was to the Epicuraeans . At first he was no great Zealot in Religion , but rather jeared than adored any of the Heathen Gods ; of which nevertheless he afterwards repented and made an Ode professedly to testifie his Recantation . In the Civil Warr betwixt Augustus and Brutus and Cassius , he being the familiar Friend of Brutus , took his part in the battle at Philippi ; in which he was a Tribune , which is equivalent to a Colonel here : but whether he fought or not , does not appear ; onely by his being so great a Commander and so ingenious a person , 't is probable that the Muses might inspire him with Wit enough to keep himself out of danger : Some have traduced him for running away , which if true , is excusable ; for Valour and Wit are two spirits which possess onely some men , and that but at some times : So that the same Commanders who have proved Cowards in a just and honourable War , have afterwards in a Tavern dared to challenge such as call'd them so ; and by the law a Souldier is no more bound to fight when he is out of his humor , then an Orator to speak when he is out of his wits : Nor is it prudent for a man of Wit and Learning to have his brains beaten out by one that has none . Augustus having won the Battle , it appeared that Horace had taken the wrong side , for which his great friend Mecaenas , a very rich noble man of Rome , and in great esteem with Augustus , obtained a pardon : And Augustus , like a good-natured Prince , not only pardoned , but rewarded him for being against him , and ( if it had then bin in fashion there ) would have Knighted him . Now being become a Courtier , and not old or bold enough to begg ; and Augustus , so newly after a Warr , not rich enough to give ; he ( like others of his Order ) wanted Money , and that put him upon making Verses , which he performed to admiration , and was the first that introduced the Lyrick Poëtry among the Romans : By which , and his great ingenuity and sweetness of Conversation , he grew so much in favour with Mecaenas , that he by his good will , would never have him out of his Company ; and to encourage him in his Studies , and enable him to live without cares , bestowed on him a competent Estate among the Sabines , where he had a Country-house , to which he often retired , from the noise and bustle of Rome , to write and contemplate , and in which he took great delight and recreation . By Mecaenas he was preferr'd to a familiar acquaintance with Augustus , who offer'd to make him his Secretary of State : But Horace ( like other great Wits ) hated business . Augustus also considering what immortality Poets conferr on Princes and other great men , wrote a Letter himself , inviting him to come and live with him as his companion . And having read some of the Satyres , and found not himself concern'd , or his name mentioned therein , he complain'd of it , and asked him , Whether he thought it would be a disparagement to him to have it recorded to posterity , that Horace was a familiar friend to Augustus ? As to his Stature , he was short and very fat , blear-ey'd , gray-headed in his youth , and bald in the forehead . And for his morals , he was a very good man , pious and grateful to his Father , whom being grown old and poor , he releived and kept at his Country house : much a Gentleman in his nature and demeanour ; very merry and face●ious in company , soon angry and as soon pleased : As to his Diet , he was that which we by a grand mistake call an Epicure , for he loved and understood how to eat and drink well ; and though he was very temperate and frugal generally , yet at a Treat , if he lik'd his Company , he would give nature a loose , and come up to Ohe ! He had that good natured Vice ( if it be one ) which constantly adheres to great Wits , and is much indulged by high imagination ; an inclination to women , which he is the less to be condemned for , because he was a Bachelour , and in his time and Country it was not esteemed a crime . He was well acquainted with , and highly valued by , all the eminent wits , and persons of quality in his time . By frequent Company-keeping , and strict observation , he informed himself of all the vices and humours of Rome , which he reproved and chastised in a way of raillery , whereby men were jear'd out of their ill manners and not offended : So considerable was he for his parts , and so eminent for his writings , that he deservedly won the applauses of divers of the greatest Schollars in their times , as Tibullus , Virgil , Ovid , Petronius , Persius , Quintilian Alex. Severus , St. Augustine Scaliger , and Bishop Iewel , who have all written in his Commendation , and are known to be neither Fools nor Flatterers . How long he lived , is not agreed on ; some say 50 , some 55 , some 59 , others 70 years ; but when he finish'd his second Book of Epistles he was 44 years old . And he dyed soon after Mecaenas , namely ( as the best Authors report ) 5 Kal. Decemb. Censorinus and Gallus being Consuls , which was five years before the birth of Christ , having made Augustus his heir , to whom he left his Library , which was a good one ; and a years provision , which he alwayes designed to keep before hand ; and being a great contemner of wealth , and a derider of covetous men , he never aim'd at more . Being dead he was buried next to Mecaenas himself , in the Esquiliae ; an honour which good Poets deserve , and which great Princes have in all times taken care to conferr upon them . ODES . BOOK I. ODE I. By Sir R. Fanshaw . To MECOENAS . That several Men affect several Things : That himself is delighted with the Study of Lyrick Verses . MECOENAS , Thuscan Kings descent , My Bulwark and sweet Ornament . There are that love their Charets spoak With rais'd Olympick dust should smoak : And with hot Wheels the Goale close shaven , And noble Palm , lifts Men to Heaven ▪ One , if the fickle Peoples blast Redoubled Honours on him cast : Another that delights to teare With Plough the Fields his Fathers were : If in his private Barns He store Whatever fruitful Africk bore ; The wealth of Croesus cannot gain With trembling Keele to plough the Main . Frighted with rough Icarian Seas , The Merchant praises Home and Ease : But His bruis'd Vessel repairs straight , Impatient of a mean Estate . There is that neither scorns to taste Old Massique , nor half-days to waste Under a shady Poplar spread , Or at a Bubling Fountains Head. Some Drums and Trumpets love , and War ; Which Mothers do as much abhorr . The Huntsman in the cold doth rome , Forgetting his poor Wife at home , Whether his Hounds a Stagg have rowz'd , Or Marsian Boar his Nets have towz'd . Mee Ivy ( Meed of learned Heads ) Ranks with the gods : Mee chill Groves , Treads Of Satyrs with loose Nymphs , have show'd A way out of the common Road ; Whilest kind Euterpe wets my Flute , Whilest Polyhymnie strings my Lute ; Then write Mee in the Lyrick Role , My lofty Head shall knock the Pole. A Paraphrase upon the first Ode by S. W. Esq To MECOENAS . MECOENAS , sprung from Royal blood , My greatest Patron , just and and good ! There are , who in th' Olympick Games Raise the light dust , but more their names : When the Fleet Race , and noble prize , E're death , the Victor Deifies . Some in applause , that empty aire , Place both their honour , and their care ; While others with a different minde Would choose more solid wealth to finde , And rich in what the Earth dos yield , To the whole Sea preferrs one field ; The Sea'l not tempt them , or its store , No not the World , to leave the shoare . The Merchant when he sees the Skyes Cover'd with storms , and Tempests rise , Thinks none so happy live or well , As those that on the Main-land dwell ; He prayses what he slights at home : But when from a bad Voyage come , Above the Earth he loves the Main , And longs to be at Sea again . The Fuddlecap , whose God 's the Vyne , Lacks not the Sun if he have Wine ; By th' Sun he only finds a way To some cool Spring , to spend the day . Shrill Flutes and Trumpets Souldiers love , And scorn those fears that Women move . The Huntsman , in the open Plains Regardless of the Air remains ; A Dear makes him forget his Wife ▪ And a fierce Boar despise his life . But me the learned Lawrel give , The Gods themselves by Poets live . Give me a Grove , whose gloomy shade For Nymphs and frisking Fawns was made , Where from the Vu●gar hid , I 'le be , The Muses waiting all on me ; Here one my Harp and Lute shall string , Another there shall stand and sing . This one thing great Mecoenas doe , Inroll me in the Lyhick Count , A Lyrick Poet , and I 'l mount Above the skies , almost as high as you . ODE II. By Sir R. F. To AUGUSTUS CAESAR . That all the Gods are angry with the Romans for the killing of Julius Caesar : That the only hope of the Empire is placed in Augustus . ENough of Hail and cruel Snow Hath Iove now showr'd on us below ; Enough with Thundring Steeples down Frighted the Town . Frighted the World , lest Pyrrha's Raign Which of new monsters did complain , Should come again , when Proteus Flocks Did climbe the Rocks : And Fish in tops of Elm-Trees hung , Where Birds once built their Nests , and sung , And the all-covering Sea did bear The trembling Dear . We , Yellow Tyber did behold Back from the Tyrrhene Ocean rowl'd , Against the Fane of Vesta power , And Numa's Tower ; Whilest the Uxorious River swears He 'l be reveng'd for Ilia's Tears ; And over both his Banks doth rove Unbid of Iove . Our Children through our faults but few , Shall hear that we their Fathers slew Our Countrymen : Who might as well The Persians quell . What God shall we invoke to stay The falling Empire ? with what Lay Shall holy Nuns tire Vesta's Pray'r-Resisting Ear ? To whom will Iove the charge commend Of Purging us ? at length descend Prophetick Phoebus , whose white Neck A Cloud doth deck . Or Venus in whose smiling Rayes Youth with a thousand Cupids playes : Or Mars , if thou at length canst pity Thy long plagu'd City . Alas , we long have sported thee , To whom 't is sport bright Casks to see , And grim Aspects of Moorish Foot With Blood and Soot ; Or winged Hermes , if 't is you Whom in Augustus form we view , With this revenging th' other Flood Of Iulius Blood ; Return to Heaven late we pray , And long with us the Romans stay : Nor let disdain of that Offence Snatch thee from hence . Love here Victorious Triumphs rather ; Love here the Name of Prince and Father : Nor let the Medes unpunisht ride , Thou being our Guide . A Paraphrase on the Second Ode by S. W. To AUGUSTUS . Storms long enough at length have blown ! Iove hayl , fire , has darted down , Has his own Temples overthrown , And threatned all the Town . Threatned the World , which now did fear Another Deluge to be near ; When Proteus all his herds did drive Upon the hills to live . When highest trees with Fish were fill'd , Those trees where birds were wont to build ; And staggs that could the wind out fly Must take the Sea , or dye . We Tiber saw , when seas withstood His streams , and checkt with Seas his flood , More heady , and unruly grown , Not wash , but bear all down ; And swelling at his Ilias wrong No more his banks did glide along , But chose new Channels and a Sea , To be reveng'd would be . How our own swords those wounds did make Which might have made the Persian quake , These Civil Warrs , next age shall tell , And fear what us befell . When th' Empire thus begins to fall , On what God shall poor Romans call ? In vain we hope our god will hear When Vesta stops her ear . To whom will Iove Commission give To purge us , or our Plagues reprieve ? Descend Apollo cloth'd with light , Thy beams must make us bright . Or else thou fairest Queen of Love , More needed here then thou' art above , About whose neck the Graces fly , And languish in thine eye . Or Mars , if he hath any pity For his despis'd and ruin'd City ; Though Mars has been so long at Rome We need not wish he 'd come . Or you bright Hermes , proud to be Augustus , more than Mercury , Since in that shape you choose to breath , And expiate Caesars death . Let it be long ere you return To heav'n , in love your Romans burn For their old crimes , desire your stay , Never to goe away . Do you their Lives and Warrs command , The Prince and Father of your Land , Nor let our Enemies 'ore us ride , While Caesar is our Guide . ODE III. By Sir R. F. He prayes a prosperous Voyage to Virgil , Embarqued for Athens : and takes occasion from thence to inveigh against the Boldness of Man. SHip , that to us sweet Virgil ow'st ( With thee intrusted ) safe Convey him to the Attick Coast ; And save my better half : So Helene's Brothers ( Stellifi'd ) And Venus guide thy Sails : And the Wind 's Father , having tie'd All up , but Vernal Gales . Of Oak a Bosom had that man , And trebble-sheath'd with Brass , Who first the horrid Ocean With brittle Bark did pass ; Nor fear'd the hollow Storms , that rore ; The Hyades , that weep ; Nor the South-wind , which Lords it ore The Adriatick Deep . What face of Death could him dismay , That saw the Monsters fell ; And wracking Rocks , and swelling Sea , With Eyes that did not swell ? In vain , the Providence of God The Earth and Sea did part , If yet the watry Pathes are trod By a forbidden Art. But Men ( that will have all , or none ) Still things forbid desire : Iapetus bold Son stole down The Elemental Fire : Whence Leanness over-spread the World , And Feavers ( a new Race ) Which creeping Death on Mortals hurl'd ; And bad him mend his pace . Daedale the empty Air did cut With wings not giv'n to men ; And Hercules the Gates unshut Of Pluto's dismal Den. Nothing is hard to sinful Man : At Heav'n it self we fly ; Nor suffer Iove ( do what he can ) To lay his Thunder by . ODE IV. By Sir R. F. To L. SEXTIUS a Consular Man. Proposeth the arrival of the Spring ; and the common condition of Death , as Inducements to Pleasures . SHarp winter's thaw'd with spring & western gales , And Ships drawn up the Engine hales : The Clown the Fire , the Beasts their Stalls forgo : The Fields have cast their Coats of Snow . Fair Venus now by Moon-shine leads a Dance , The Graces after comely prance . With them the Nymphs the Earth alternate beat , Whilest Vulcan at his Forge doth sweat . Now should we be with lasting Myrtle Crown'd , Or Flowers late Prisners in the Ground . Now should we sacrifice a Lambkins Blood To Faunus in a sacred Wood. Death knocks as boldly at the Rich mans dore As at the Cottage of the Poore , Rich Sextius : and the shortness of our days Fits not with long and rugged ways . Swift night will intercept thee , and the Sprights , They chat so of in Winter Nights , And Pluto's haunted Inn. Thou canst not there Call for the Musick and good Cheer : Nor in soft Chloris gaze away thy sight , Her Sexes Envy , Our delight . ODE V. By Sir R. F. To PYRRHA . That those Men are miserable who are intangled in her Love : That he is escaped out of it as from Shipwrack by Swimming . WHat Stripling now thee discomposes , In Woodbine Rooms , on Beds of Roses , For whom thy Auburn hair Is spread , unpainted fair ? How will he one day curse thy Oaths , And Heav'n that witness'd your Betroaths ! How will the poor Cuckold , That deems thee perfect Gold , Bearing no stamp but his , be maz'd To see a suddain Tempest rais'd ! He dreams not of the Windes , And thinks all Gold that shines . For me my Votive Table showes That I have hung up my wet Clothes Upon the Temple Wall Of Seas great Admirall . A Paraphrase on the fifth Ode , by Dr. C. 1. TO whom now Pyrrha art thou kind ? To what Heart-ravisht Lover Dost thou thy golden locks unbind , Thy hidden sweets discover , And with large bounty open set All the bright stores of thy rich Cabinet ? 2. Ah simple youth , how oft will he Of thy chang'd faith complain ? And his own fortunes find to be So airy and so vain , Of so Camelion-like an hew , That still their colour changes with it too . 3. How oft alas , will he admire The blackness of the skies ? Trembling to hear the winds sound higher , And see the billows rise , Poor unexperienc'd he , Who ne're before alas had been at Sea ! 4. He enjoyes thy calmy Sun-shine now , And no treath stirring hears ; In the clear heaven of thy brow , No smallest cloud appears ; He sees thee gentle , fair , and gay , And trusts the faithless April of thy May. 5. Unhappy ! thrice unhappy he , T' whom thou untried dost shine , But there 's no danger now for me , Since or'e Lorettoes shrine , In witness of the shipwrack past , My consecrated vessel hangs at last . ODE VI. By C. C. Esq To AGRIPPA . Argument . Though Varius in Heroick stile Agrippa's Martial Acts compile ; Yet Horace his low-pitched Muse More humble Subjects best pursues . VArius in living Annals may To the admiring Universe Voice out in high Maeonian Verse Thy courage and thy conquests won , And what thy Troops by Land and Sea , Have through thy noble conduct done , Our Muse Agrippa that does fly An humbler pitch , attempts not these , T' express Pelides rage ; nor fly Ulysses tedious Voyages : Nor dips her Plume in those red Tydes Flow from the bloody Parricides Of Pelops cruel Family : We nothing to such heights pretend , Since Modesty , And our weak Muse , who does aspire No further than the jolly Lyre , Forbids that we Should in our vain attempts offend And darken with our humble Layes Thine , and great Caesars God-like praise . Who to his worth can Mars display When clad in Arms , whose dreadfull ray , Puts out the day ? Or brave Meriones set forth , When soyl'd in Trojan dust , or raise Fit Trophies to Tydides worth Who to th' immortal gods was made A rival by Minerva's aid ? We sing of Feasting , and Delights , Stout drinking , and the harmless fights Of hot young Men , and blushing Maids , Who when the Foe invades Make a faint show To guard what they 'r content should goe . These are the subjects of our Song In nights that else would seem too long , Did we not wisely prove ODE VII . By Sir T. H. To MUNATIUS PLANCUS . Some praise one City , some another , but Horace preferreth Tibur before all , where Plancus was born , whom he exhorteth to wash Care away with Wine . SOme Rhodes , some Myt'l●ne , Ephesus doth please , Or walls of Corinth , with its two-fold Seas : Some Thebes , some Delian Delphos worth defend , Other Thessalian Tempe's air commend . There are , who make their sole , and fix'd design , To mention Pallas City in each line , And rather strive her Olive branch to grace , Than any pull'd off from another place : Yea some to honour Iuno , loud proclaim Horse-racing Argos , and Mycenas fame . Me , not the patient Sparta's pompous sights , Nor fat Larissa field so much delights , As do Albunea's Eccho-giving Groves , And Anien's headlong stream that by it roves ; Or than Tiburnus woods , and Orchard-grounds , Moystned with gliding brook which it arrounds . As the South wind , the Heav'ns from dark Clouds scowrs And doth not generate perpetual showers ; So ( Plancus ) with good Wine , be it thy strife , To wash down sadness , and the toyls of life : Whether thou to thy glittering Tents art ty'd , Or dost in Tibur's shady Bowers abide . When Teucer fled , Father , and Salamine , He , ( it is said ) his Temples dew'd with wine , And browes encircled with a Poplar wreath , Did 'mongst his pensive friends these accents breath : What way Fortune ( more kind than Syres ) shal show , We , Friends , and dear Companions , will go . Teucer , your Guide , Teucer Encourager , Despair not any thing , admit no fear : For we shall raise a second Salamine , ( Sayes wise Apollo ) in another Clime : Brave Spirits , who with me have suffer'd sorrow , Drink cares away ; wee 'l set up fails to morrow . ODE VIII . By Sir R. F. To LYDIA . He notes obscurely a certain Young Man , whom he calls Sybaris , as undone with Love , and melted with Pleasures . LIdia , in Heavens Name Why melts young Sybaris in thy Flame ? Why doth he bed-rid lie That can indure th' intemperate Skie ? Why rides he not and twits The French great Horse with wringled bits ? Why shuns he Tybur's Flood , And wrastlers Oyl like Vipers Blood ? Nor hath his Flesh made soft With bruising Arms ; having so oft Been prais'd for shooting farre And clean delivered of the Barre ? For shame , why lies he hid As at Troy's siege Achilles did , For fear lest Mans Array Should him to Manly Deeds betray ? ODE IX . By Sir R. F. To THALIARCHUS . That being Winter , it is time for Men to give themselves to Pleasure . THou seest the Hills candied with Snow Which groaning Woods scarce undergo , And a stiff Ice those Veins Congeals which Branch the Plains . Dissolve the Frost with Logs pil'd up To th' Mantle-Tree ; let the great Cup Out of a larger Sluice Pour the reviving Juice . Trust Iove with other things ; when he The fighting Winds takes up at Sea , Nor speared Cypress shakes , Nor aged Elm-Tree quakes . Upon to Morrow reckon not , Then if it comes 't is clearly got : Nor being young despise Or Dancings , or Loves Joyes . Till testy Age gray Hairs shall snow Upon thy Head , lose Mask , nor Show : Soft whispers now delight At a set hour by Night : And Maids that gigle to discover Where they are hidden to a Lover ; And Bracelets or some toy Snatcht from the willing Coy . ODE X. To MERCURY . Argument . The Character of Mercury , His Eloquence , and Progeny : And various other Ornaments , Our Poet in this Ode presents . Mercuri facunde . SWeet-tongu'd Cyllenius , son of May , Who man 's first rudeness didst allay With Eloquence , and graceful parts Of wrastling Arts ; I 'le sing of thee , Heav'ns Messenger By whom crookt Lyres invented were : Crafty to hide what ere 's bereft By sportsome theft . While thee ( O youth ) his threats affray , Except thou his stoll'n Beefs repay : With no shaft-bearing Quiver fraught , Apollo laught . Rich Priam too deserting Troy , Th' proud Atreids scap'd with thy Convoy , Thessalian watches , and each tent 'Gainst Trojans bent . Thou in bless'd Mansions Ghosts imbowers , And thy Caducean Rod ' ore-powers Th' exiler Tribe ; whom Gods above , And lower love . ODE XI . By Sir T. H. To LEUCONOE . He exhorteth Leuconoe , that care omitted , she seek please her self , taking argument from the shortness life , and speed of death . STrive not ( Leuconoe ) to know what end The Gods above to thee or me will send : Nor with Astrologers consult at all , That thou may'st better know what can befall . Whether , thou liv'st more winters , or thy last Be this , which Tyrrhen waves 'gainst rocks do cast ; Be wise , drink free , and in so short a space , Do not protracted hopes of life embrace . Whilest we are talking , envious Time doth slide : This day 's thine own , the next may be deny'd . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by S. W. To LEUCONOE . NEre strive Leuconoe , ne're strive to know What Fates decreed for thee and mee , nor goe To an Astrologer ; 't is half the cure , When Ill , to think it will not long endure : Whether Iove will another Winter give , Or whether 't is your last that now you live ; Be wise , and since you have not long to stay , Fool not with tedious hopes your life away . Time , while we speak on 't flyes ; now banish sorrow , Live well to day , and never trust to morrow . ODE XII . By Sir T. H. To AUGUSTUS . The Gods , Demy-Gods , and some worthy men honoured , he descendeth into the divine praises of Augustus . WHat man , or Hero ( Clio ) wilt thou praise With shrillest Pipe , or Lyra's softer layes ? What God ? whose name in sportive strain , Eccho will chaunt thee back again ? Either in shady Heliconian Bowers , High Pindus , or cold craggy Hemus Towers , Whence leavy Groves by heaps confus'd , To wait on tuneful Orpheus us'd ; Orpheus well skil'd from mothers artful lay , Swift rivers glide , and speedy winds to stay , And with his harps melodious song Attentive Okes to draw along . What shall I sing before the constant praise Of Father Iove , who Gods , and Mortals swayes ? Yea , Land , Sea , World extended wide With various seasons doth divide ? ●rom whom there nothing springs , greater than he : Like nothing lives , nor can a second be : Yet shall next honours Pallas grace , Though seated in a lower place . Nor will I , warlike Bacchus , let thee goe , Nor Dian , savage beasts eternal foe : Phoebus shall likewise have a part , Dreadful with unavoided dart . With Hercules I Leda's sons must name , Horse-service this , Foot-fight gives th' other Fame : Whose brighter starre , when first in skie , The wakeful Saylor doth descrie , Down from the rocks impetuous waters flow ; The winds surcease , the clouds dispelled goe : And threatning waves ( so the Twins will ) Upon the Oceans brow are still . These mention'd first , shall Romulus obtain The next record , or Numa's peaceful raign ? Shall I the power of Tarquins state , Or Cato's manly death relate ? Stout Regulus , the Scauri , Paulus , free Of his great soul in Canna's victory ; Or shall my grateful tongue rehearse Fabricius , in resplendent verse ? Who with the valiant Curius , rough in guise And hair uncomb'd , did with Camillus rise To high advancement , homely bred In their poor Grand-Sires lands , and Shed . Marcellus Fame is like a spreading Tree , Which groweth still , although insensibly : Each eye the Iulian Starre admires , As Cynthia 'mongst the lesser fires ▪ Great Father , and Protector of Man-kind From Saturn sprung , to thee the Fates assign'd The care of mighty Caesar ; Reign , And Caesar second place obtain . He whether in full triumph lead along The vanquish'd Parthians , who neer Latium throng . Or Seres , and swart Indians tame , That East-ward tremble at his name : He less , but , Just , the spacious world shall guide ; Heav'n-shaking , thou in thund'ring Chariot ride , And thy offended lightning cast On Groves , which harbour the unchaste . ODE XIII . By Sir R. F. To LYDIA . He complains that Telephus is preferr'd before him . THe Arms that Wax-like bend , And every henge when you commend , On which the Head doth turn Of Telephus , ah , how I burn ! Madness my mind doth rap , My Colour goes ; and the warm sap Wheesing through either Eye , Showes with what lingring Flames I frie. I frie ; when thy white hue Is in a Tavern brawl dy'd blew , Or when the sharp-set Youth Thy melting Kiss grinds with his Tooth . Believe 't , his love 's not sound That can such healing kisses wound ; Kisses which Venus hath Made supple in a Nectar bath . O their felicitie Whom a firm cord of love doth tie , Unbroke with wicked strife , And twisted with their threds of Life ! OED XIV . By Sir T. H. To the Commonwealth preparing afresh for Civil-war . O Ship , what do'st ? fresh storms again Will drive thee back into the Main ; Bravely recover Port , and shore . See'st not th' art destitute of Oar ? Swift South-west windes invade thy mast , Thy sail-yard cracks with every blast ? And cables scarce thy keel assure , Those surly billows to endure ? Thy sails are torn , and thou a thrall , No gods haste to invoke at all . Though Pontique Pine ( woods noble race ) Thou boast thy barren name and place ; The fearful Sailer ( dangers tride ) Doth not to painted ships confide : Take heed unless thou hast a minde To be a sport unto the winde . ( Oh my desire and greatest care , Earst horrour to my heart ) Beware , And flie in time chose shelfie Seas , Which run betwixt bright Cyclades . ODE XV. By Sir T. H. The Prophecy of Nereus concerning the destruction of Troy. WHen in Idaean ships the trecherous swain , With Hellen his Greek mistress crost the main , Nereus , that ●ll events he might presage , Becalm'd with lazy rest the swift windes rage . Thou her tak'st home with thee in an ill hower , Whom Greece shall fetch again with armed power , Conspiring to dissolve thy married state , And Priam's antient Kingdome ruinate . Alas ! what toil for horse , for men what pain , What direful funerals of Trojans slain . See , Pallas , helm and target doth provide , And will on her incensed Chariot ride . In vain grown insolent with Venus grace , Shalt thou thine hair dishevel , sleeke thy face : In vain shalt thou , on harps effeminate string , Soft tuned notes t' attentive women sing : In vain , thou in thy chamber shalt decline Sharp spears , and head of Cnossian javeline , Loud noise , and Ajax , nimble to pursue , Yet dust at last shall soil thy beauties hue . Do'st thou not Nestor , nor Ulysses mind , VVho for thy countries ruine art design'd ? On the undaunted Salaminius flies ; Thee Sthenelus provokes , who bears the prize Of armes , or horse to mannage with command 'Gainst thee likewise shall Meriones stand : Fell Diomedes stronger than his fire , For thee , with desp'rate fury shall enquire : Whom as an hart that doth neglect his food , Spying far off the wolf thirsty of blood , Thou faintly shalt , and almost breathless flie , Breaking thy vow to Hellen cowardly . Achilles wrathful Fleet the hour shall slack Of Phrygi●n matrons fall , and Ilium's wrack ; But Grecian fire in time determinate , Shall Trojan buildings burn , and dissipate . ODE XVI . By Sir T. H. To a Friend . He recants : For he asketh pardon of a Maid , whom had wounded with Iambicks , transferring the fault up anger , the un●rid ed force whereof he describeth . DAughter , than thy fair mother much more fair , On my Iambicks fraught with spiteful air , Do thou prescribe what doom thy self shalt please , Either of flames , or Adriatique seas . Not Dindymenian , nor the Pythian Priest , Are with such fury by their Gods possest ; Not Bacchus , nor the Corybantes so , VVhen on shrill brass they iterate their blow , As baneful anger , which not Norique armes , Nor the ship●wracking stormy Ocean charmes : Not furious fire , nor Iove himself on high , VVhen be with dreadful thunder rends the skie . 'T is said , Pr●me●heus , resolv'd to make M●n out of clay , did several parcels take Dissected cunningly from every beast , And put fierce lions wrath into our breast . Anger Thyestes into ruine cast , And unto cities ever was the last Cause , why they fell , and that proud foes were seen VVith hostile share to plough where walls had bee . Bridle thy self . Me likewise heat of blood Enrag'd in youth , and with distemper'd mood Into Iambicks hurri'd : Now I seek To change my rougher language into meek ; So wrongs recanted , thou more friendly be , And love reciprocal return to me . ODE XVII . To TYNDARIS . Argument . The Lyric Tyndaris invites Vnto Lucretile . Recites What profits and delights abound , And in what Climate may be found . Velox amaenum . FRom mount Lyaeus , to sweet Lucretile , Swift-footed Pan is flitting ev'ry while , And is still my Goats defence From storms , and Sols hot influence . Dams from their noisom leaders stray'd away , O're all the woods securely forrage may , Seeking Thyme and VVildings there ; Nor do the Kids infolded fear Green-speckled-snakes , nor wolfs to Mars assign'd . VVhere e'r vales ( Tyndaris ) and the steep inclin'd Mount Ustica's fleek Rocks bound , Again the Pipes harmonious sound . Me , Gods protect , and in my pietie , And Lyric-Muse , they much delighted be : Rural wealth here plenty grows , And with a bounteous horn o'r-flows . Here in Maeandrian-vale may'st thou decline The Dog-stars heat ; and chaunt in Teyan line Penelope , and Circe clear , VVho both for one man anxious were . Here may'st thou prostrate in a shadie bower ▪ Bolls of unnauseous Lesbian-wine devour : Nor shall Bacchus juice excite Thee to outragious brawls and fight . Nor shalt thou ' f jealous Cyrus fearful stand , Lest he o'r-lay thee with lascivious hand , Rending chaplets from thy crown , And undeserv'dly tear thy gow● ▪ ODE XVIII . By Sir R. F. To QUINTILIUS VARUS . That with moderate drinking of wine , the minde is exhilerated : with immoderate , quarrels begotten . OF all the trees , plant me the sacred Vine In Tybur's mellow fields , and let it climbe Cathyllus walls : for Iove doth cares propound To sober heads , which in full cups are drown'd . Of want , or war , who cries out after wine ? Thee father Bacchus , thee fair Erycine , Who doth not sing ? but through intemp'rate use , Least * Liber's gifts you turn into abuse , Think of the Centaures braul , fought in their Cans , With Lapithes : and to Sithonians Heavy Evous , when their heated blood Makes little difference betwixt what 's good , And what is not . No , gentle Bassareu , I will not force thee ; nor betray to view Thy vine-clad parts : suppress thy Thracian hollow , And dismal dynn : which blind self-love doth follow , And Glory-puffing heads with empty worth , And a Glass-bosome pouring secrets forth . ODE . XIX . Of GLYCERA . Argument . How beauteous Glycera infires His heart with amorous desires . Mater saeva . TYrannic Venus chargeth me , And Bacchus th' heir of Theban Semele , And wanton leisure bids me too , Extinguisht flames of Cupid to renew . Fair Glycer a inflames me sore , Than any Parian Marble glitt'ring more : Her pleasing coyness , and her face Is over-ru●nating for a gaze . The Q●een of love her Isle forsook , Falling sore on me , nor will Scythians brook , Nor stout back-darting Parthians For my Pens theam , nor unconcerning strains . Here ( servants ) green turf-altars rear , Vervains , and sacred Frankincense place here . A Boll of two-years wine , to these A victime slain , she will her ire appease . ODE XX. To MAECENAS . Argument . He prays Maecenas for a guest Unto a plain and homely feast . Vile potabis . THou 'st bouze cheap Sabine in small cup , Which in Greek Butt my self daub'd up : When Theaters with Ovations high Rang in the skie . Thy fames ( thou of Equestrian rank Maecenas ) that thy Tiber's bank , And the eccho toss'd thy praise again From th' Vaticane : Caecubian , and Calenian wines , Shall be thy drink . No Falern vines , Nor Grapes which crown the Formian knolls , Flow in my bolls . ODE XXI . By Sir T. H. Of Diana and Apollo . He exhorteth youths and virgins to sing forth their praises . YOu tender virgins , sound Diana's name , ( Boyes ) be your song youthful Apollo's fame , Latona likewise touch , By Iove affected much . ( Maids ) mention her , who loved rivers so , And woods which on cold Algidus do grow , On Erymant are spread ; Or Cragus verdant head . ( Boyes ) with your notes delightful Tempe grace , And Delos chaunt , Apollo's native place ; His shoulders , quiver-dight , And harp of heavenly might . He , with our prayers mov'd , shall banish far , Sharp hunger , pestilence , and direful war From Prince and people , to Persian , and British foe . ODE XXII . By Sir T. H. To ARISTIUS . Integrity of life is every where safe , which he proveth his own example . WHo lives upright , and pure of heart ( O Fuscus ) neither needs the dart , Nor bow , nor quiver , fraught with store Of shafts envenom'd by the Moor : Whether o're Libya's parched sands , Or Caucasus that houseless stands , He takes his journey ; or those places Through which the fam'd Hydaspes traces ▪ For ( careless ) through the Sabin grove , Whilest chaunting Lalage , I rove , Not well observing limits due , A wolf ( from me unarmed ) flew . A monster such as all exceeds , Which in huge words fierce Daunia feeds : Or those that Iuba's kingdome hath , The Desart-nurse of lions wrath . Place me in coldest Champanies , where No Summer warmth the trees do cheer : Let me in that dull Climate rest , Which clouds and sullen Iove infest : Yea place me underneath the Carre Of too near Phoebus : feared farre From dwellings : Lalage I le love , Whose smiles , whose words so sweetly move . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , By S. W. To FUSCUS ARISTIUS . THe just man needs nor Sword nor Bow , Those armes his fear , not safety show , Who better has for his defence Strong guards of innocence . For if along rough shoars he coast , Tempests and Seas on him are lost . Or if he Caucasus pass by , Tygers their rage deny . A wolf that croft me in my grove , As I walkt musing on my love Beyond my bounds , and no armes had , Was of my love afraid . Away he fled , though Dauma yields No greater monster in her fields : Though Africa which Lions breeds , None half so cruel feeds . Put me where never Summer breeze Kist the dull earth , or lifeless trees , In that skirt of the world , where show'rs Do number out the hours , Or place me in the Torrid Zone , Where never house or man was known , If there my Lalage but smile And sing , I le love the while . ODE XXIII . To CHLOE . Argument . CHloe adult : no cause now why She should from mens embracements fly . Vitas hinnuloe . Chloe , thou shunn'st me like a wanton Fawn Of tim'rous Dam forsook in pathless lawn ; Dreading with minde agast Ev'ry bush , and every blast . For as when Zephyrus trembling leaves doth shake , Or green-speckt Newts make bramble bushes quake , So tremulous is she , Dith'ring both in heart and knee : But I not to devour thee now pursue , As Afric Lions , and wild Tygers do . O leave thy Mother pray , Now grown ripe for Venus play . ODE XXIV . By Sir T. H. To VIRGIL . Who immoderately bewailed the death of Quintilius . MElpomene , whom Iove our Father daignes Shril voice apply'd to harps melodious strains , Tell in sad notes how far the bounds extend Of love , and shame unto so dear a friend ; Shall then in endless sleep Quintilius lie ? As equal unto whom , pure Modesty , And Justice ' sister , Faith sincere and plain ▪ Nor naked Verity shall ever gain ? Of many worthy men bemoan'd he fell , But ( Virgil ) no mans grief can thine excell . Thou ( loving ) dost ( alas ) the gods in vain Quintilius , not so lent thee , ask again . WHat if more sweet , than Thracian Orpheus wire , You trees perswade to hearken to your lyre ? Yet can you not , return of life command To shadow vain , which once with dreadful wand , God Mercury , unwilling Fate t' unlock , Hath forc'd to dwell among the Stygian flock . 'T is hard , I grant ; But patience makes that light , Which to correct , or change , exceeds our might . The same by Sir R. F. To VIRGIL . Who lamented immoderately the death of Quintilian . What shame , or stint in mourning ore So dear a Head ? Weep not but rore Melpomene , to whom thy Sire Gave a shrill voice , and twanging lyre . B●t does Quintilian sleep his last ? Whose Fellow , Modesty , and fast Faith , with her Sister Justice joyn'd And naked truth , when will they find ? Bewa●l'd by all good men , he 's gone : But then Thee Virgil , more by none . Thou begst back ( ah ! pious in vain ) Thee , not so lent , Quintilian . If sweeter then the Thracian Bard , Thou could'st strike tunes by dull Trees heard , The blood would never more be made To flow into the empty shade , Which Hermes with his horrid wand ( Inflexible to countermand Th' unevitable doom of Death ) Once drove to the black Flock beneath . 'T is hard : But Patience makes that less , Which all the World cannot redress . ODE XXV . To LYDIA . Argument . He Lydia sc●ffs for Aged look , And cause her Suiters her forsook . Parcius junctas . NOw froward youths rap not so sore At thy shut casements as before , To break thy sleep ; thy gates love much Their thresholds tou●h , Which wont so ' ft on glib hinges run : Thou' rt less and less now call'd upon ▪ Ho Lydia ! sleep'st all night while I Thy lover die ? Thou , an ag'd Quean , again shalt moan Thy scornful Paramours , all alone , In narrow lanes : while North-winds range 'Bout Phoebe's change : When fragrant love , and lustful flames , Such as infuriates Horses dams , Thy ulcer'd breast with rage impales , Not without wails : Cause youth likes verdant Ivy more , Than Myrtle almost sabled o'r : And gives to Heber's Wintry tide Boughs wither-dry'd . ODE XXVI . By Sir T. H. To his Muse concerning Aelius Lamia . It is not fit for the lovers of the Muses to be subject to ca●● and sadness . The Poet commendeth his Lamia to the Pimplean Muse. I , Who the Muses love , sadness , and fear Will to rought winds commit , that they may bear Them to the Cretique sea , careless , who swayes , And whom the far-North dweller most obeys : Or what doth great Tirridates affright . O my Pimplean Muse ( my hearts delight ; ) O thou who near pure Fountains ●ittest down , Wreath o'drous flowers for Lamia , wreath a crown . Little without thee worketh my applause : 'T is now become thine , and thy Sister's cause Him , with unused strains to celebrate , And with thy Lesbian lyre to consecrate . ODE XXVII . By Sir R. F. To his Companions . To his Companions feasting together , that they should 〈◊〉 quarrel in their drink , and fight with the Cups them●selves , after the manner of the Barbarians . WIth Goblets made for Mirth , to fight , 'T is barbarous : leave that Thracian rite , Nor mix the bashful blushing God Of Wine , with quarrels and with blood . A Cand-stick , and Quart-pot , how far , They differ from the Cymitar ? Your wicked noise Companions cease , And on your Elbows lean in peace . Would you have me to share th' austere Falernian liquor : Let me hear Megella's brother , by what eyes , Of what blest wound and shaft he dies . No! then will I not drink : whatever Venus tames thee , she toasts thy Liver With fires thou hast no cause to cover , Still sinning an ingenuous lover . Come , thou may'st lay it whatsoere It is , securely in my Ear. Ah wretch ! in what a Whirl-pool tane ? Boy worthy of a better flame , What Witch with her Thessalian Rod Can loose thee from those charmes ? What God ? Scarce Pegasus himself can thee From this three-shap'd Chimera free . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by Dr. P ▪ VVHat ? Quarrel in your drink , my friends ? ye'abuse Glasses , and Wine , made for a better use . 'T is a Dutch trick ; Fie , let your brawling cease , And from your Wine and Olives learn both mirth and peace . Your swords drawn in a Tavern , whilest the hand That holds them shakes , and he that fights cann't stand , Sheath 'um for shame , embrace , kiss , so away , Sit down , and ply the business of the day . But I 'le not drink , unless T. S. declares Who is his Mistress , and whose wounds he wears . Whence comes the glance , from what sweet-killing-Eye , That sinks his Hope so low , and mounts his Muse so high ! Wilt thou not tell ? Drawer , what 's to pay ? If you 're reserv'd I 'le neither drink nor stay : Or let me go , or out w'it ; she must be Worth naming , sure ; whose Fate it was to conquer thee : Speak softly , — She ! forbid it Heaven above ! Unhappy youth ! unhappy in thy love ; Oh how I pity thy Eternal pain ! Thou never can'st get loose , thou never canst obtain ; Le ts talk no more of love , my friends , le ts drink again . ODE XXVIII . By Sir T. H. Architas , a Philosopher , and Geometrician , is presented , answering to a certain Mariner , that all wen must die , and intreating him , that he would not suffer his body to lie on the shore unburied . THe poor gift of a little dust , confines , And neer unto the Matine shore enshrines Thee , now ( Architas ) who could'st measure well The Sea , the Earth , and Sands , which none can tell . Nor could it any help , or profit be , Death being ready still to seize on thee ; Those airy mansions to have sought from hence , And oft survey'd the Heavens circumference . The fire of Pelops , who with gods did feast , And aged Tython , shrunk at Deaths arrest : And Minos , to Ioves counsels call'd , was slain , And Panthois di'de , sent down to Hell again ; Though by the shield pull'd down , he proving well That his First-birth in Trojane ages fell , Affirm'd , that Death nought kill'd , but nerves & skin : ( No man in Natures power was better seen : ) But we into one self-same night do fall , And must the paths of Death tread once for all . The Furies some to games of Mars apply , The greedy sailer drench'd in sails doth lie . In death both young and old , by heaps do joyn ; Nor any head escapes sad Proserpine . Me , the South-wind , crooked Orion's Mate O're-whelmed in Illyrian waves of late : But ( gentle Friend ) be pleas'd now I am dead , In loose sands to interre my bones , and head . Which done ( so thou be safe ) may th' Eastern-wind , Which stirs Hesperian billows , be assign'd To bluster lowdly in Venusium woods : And may on ev'ry side , thy traffiqu'd goods In plenty flow to thee from Ioves just hand , And Neptune , who Tarentum doth command : But if this fault of thine shall seem but slight , ( Which may upon thy harmless issue light ) I wish due punishment and proud neglect , May on thy funeral Obsequies reflect : Nor shall my prayers be poured forth in vain , Nor vows have strength to set thee free again . Yet if thou haste , no longer stay I crave , But thrice to throw the dust upon my Grave . ODE XXIX . by Sir T. H. To ICCIUS . It is a strange thing , that Iccius the Philosopher intermitting his Studies , should become a man at Armes , out of the love of money . ICcius , thou now the Arabs dost envy Their golden treasure , and to warrs dost hie , 'Gainst the Sabean Kings unvanquished , And nets prepar'st to snare the horrid Mede . What Captive Damsel her beloved slain Shall serve thee now ? What youth of noble strain Shall now annointed , on thy Cup attend , Prompt , from his fathers Bow swift-shafts to send ? Who can deny but falling Rivers may Run up steep hills , and Tyber backward stray : When thou Panetius books on all sides sought , And house of Socrates , where arts were taught , Do'st into Steely Spanish armes translate , With promise to thy self of better state . ODE XXX . To VENUS . Argument . He implores Venus to refrain Her Cyprus , and her presence daign At Glyc'ras consecrated Fane . O Venus regina . O Cnide's and Paphos Queen , At Cyprus be less gracious seen : To Glyc'ras beauteous Temple go , Where odours flow . Take with thee Cupid , ungirt graces , The agile Nymphs with their swift paces , Iuventas sullen without thee , And Mercurie . ODE XXXI . By Sir R. F. To APOLLO . He askes not riches of Apollo , but that he may have a sound mind in a sound body . WHat does the Poet Phoebus pray , In his new Fane ? what does he say , Pouring sweet liquor from the cup ? Not give me fat Sardinia's crop . Not hot Calabria's goodly Kye : Not Gold , and Indian Ivory : Not Fields which quiet Liris laves , And eats into with silent waves . Proyne , They that have them , Massick Vines : In Golden Goblets carowse Wines , The wealthy Merchant , which he bought With Merchandise from Syria brought , The Minion of the Gods : as he That in one year the Altantick Sea Three or four times , unpunish'd past . Mine Olives , Endive my Repast , And Mallows light . Latona's Son , In Minde and Bodies health my own T' enjoy ; old Age from dotage free , And solac'd with the Lute , give me . The same by Sir T. H. WHat doth thy Poet ask ( Phoebus divine ; ) What craves he , when he pours the bowles of wine ? Not the rich corn of fat Sardinia , Nor fruitful Flocks of burnt Calabria , Nor gold , nor Indian ivorie ; nor the grounds , Which silent Lyris with soft stream arrounds . Let those whom Fortune so much store assigns , Prune with Calenian hook their fertile vines : Let the rich Merchant to the Gods so dear , ( For so I term him right , who every year , Three , or four times , visits the Atlantique seas From shipwrack free : ) Let him his palate please ; And in guilt bowls drink wines of highest price , Bought with the sale of Syrian Merchandice . Loose Mallows , Succorie , and Olive-plant Serve me for food . O ( great Apollo ) grant To me in health , and free from life's annoy , Things native , and soon gotten to enjoy ; And with a mind compos'd old Age attain , Not loathsome , nor depriv'd of Lyrick strain . ODE XXXII . To his Lyre . Argument . He bids his Lyre still ready be To chear him up with Melody . Poscimus si quid . WE beg , if we supinely lane , In shrouds with thee play'd ere a strain Worth Fame's Record , ô Lyre display In Latine Lay : On which A●caeus first resounded , Who ( though with Mars fierce broyls surrounded , Or that his shatter'd sail he ty'd To th' Ocean side . ) Of Liber , Muses , Venus sung , And th' youth that alwayes to her clung , And Lycus for black eyes and hair , Of presence rare . O Lyre , Apollo't ornament , Yielding Ioves banquets blest content , My toils sweet solace , hail while I Unto thee cry . ODE XXXIII . To ALBIUS TIBULLUS . Argument . He Albius wills not lay 't to heart , Though undeservedly on his part , Curst Glycera respecteth more His Rival , and Competitour . Albi , ne doleas . ALbius , not too excessively condole Harsh Glycera's unkindness : neither howl Out mournful Elegies , though thy junior be Perfidiously preferr'd to thee . Lycoris , fam'd for narrow fore-head , burns For Cyrus love ; and Cyrus , loe he turns Unto coy Pholoe : But e'r Pholoe erre With that all-base Adulterer , Goats with Apulian wolfs shall copulate : So Venus , and dire Cupid please , who mate Unequal forms , and diff'rent mindes together Within a Brasen yoke and Tether . But when a fairer Mistress courted me , Myrtle me held in sweet captivity , A Libertine , more fierce than Adrian Seas , Which crooktly 'bout Calabria preaze . ODE XXXIV . By Sir R. F. To himself . Repenting that having followed the Epicureans , he had been little studious i● worshipping the Gods. I' That have seldome worshipt Heaven , As to a mad Sect too much giv'n , My former wayes am forced to balk , And after the old light to walk . For Cloud-dividing , lightning - Iove , Through a clear Firmament late drove His thrundring Horses , and swift wheels : With which supporting Atlas reels : With which Earth , Seas , the Stygian Lake , And Hell , with all her Furies quake . It shook me too . God pulls the Proud From his high Seat , and from their Cloud Draws the obscure : Levels the hills , Aud with their Earth the vallies fills : 'T is all he does , he does it all : Yet this , blind Mortals Fortune call . ODE XXXV . By Sir. T. H. To Fortune . He beseecheth her , that she would preserve Caesar going into Britany . O Goddess , which beloved Antium swayes , Still ready with thy powerful Arm to raise Men , from the low degree of wretched thrals , Or turn proud Triumphs into Funerals ; The poor and rustick Clown with humble plea Solicites thee : The Lady of the Sea He loudly invocates , who ere doth sweep In Asian vessel the Carpathian Deep . The Dacian rough , the wandring Scythian , Kingdomes and Cities ; the fierce Latian : Thee Mothers of Barbarian Kings do fear , And Tyrants , which bright Purple garments wear . Let not a standing Pillar be o'rethrown By thy offended foot : Nor be it known , That troops of Warlike people now at rest ; Take Armes again , and Empire's peace infest . Still , sharp Necessitie before thee goes , Holden in Brazen hand , ( as pledge of woes ) Tormenting beams , and wracks : and more to daunt , Sharphooks , and molten lead do never want . Thee , Hope , and simple Faith in white attire , Much honour , and thy company desire ; How e're thou do'st another habit take , And made a Foe to Great Men , them forsake . But the false Multitude , and perjur'd Whore Retireth back : yea friends , when vessel's store Is to the dregs drunk up , away do flie , Shunning the yoke of mutual povertie ; Preserve thou Caesar safe , we thee implore , Bound to the worlds remotest Brittan shore , And those new Troops of youth , whose dreadful sight , The East and ruddie Ocean doth affright . Fie on our broyles , vile Acts , and Brothers fall . Bad Age ! what mischief do we shun at all ? What youth , his hand for fear of Gods contains ? Or who from sacred Altar's spoil refrains ? Ah! rather let 's dull swords new forge , and whet Against th' Arabian and the Massaget . ODE XXXVI . To POMPONIUS NUMIDA . Argument . Our Lyrick joy'd , exults amain For Numida's return from Spain . Et thure , & fidibus . VVIth Frankincense and Lyric Lay , And bullocks justly slaughter'd , let 's allay Great Numid's tutelary gods : Who safe arriv'd from Spains remot'st abodes , Gave's dear friends many a-kiss-salute , But to sweet Lamia most did distribute : Remembring how both served all Their youthful dayes under one General . And both their gowns together quit , This beauteous day sign with a Chalky smit : Let vast Wine-rundlets freely spout , And Salian like incessant skip about , Nor more let soaking Dam'lis bouze , Than Bassus in a Thracian carrouze . Let Roses , Parsley ever green , And fading Lillies much at feasts be seen . All shall their eyes with Lust infested On Dam'lis cast , nor Dam'lis be wrested From her new Paramour , who combine Closer than any amorous Ivies twine . ODE XXXVII . By Sir T. H. To his Companions . Whom he exhorteth to be merry upon the Newes of the Actiaque victory . NOw let us drink , now dance ( Companions ) now , Let 's Salian banquets to the Gods allow . It might before this time be thought a sin , To broach old Caecube wines , whilst the mad Queen Prepar'd the ruine , and disastrous fall , Both of the Empire and the Capitoll , With her ●cabb'd Troop of men effeminate , Proud with vast hopes , & drunk with prosp'rous state : But the scarce safety of one ship from fire Less'ned ●er fury , whilst great Caesars ire To real fears enforc'd her to resign Her minde enrag'd with Mareotique wine , He pressed with swift vessels to enchain This monster , flying Italy amain : As Hawk the fearful Dove , or Hunter swift Pursues the Hare th'row Aemon's snowie drift : Whilst she , that she might die the nobler way , Did neither as a woman fear the ray Of brandish'd sword , nor laboured to flie , With speedy flight in secret nooks to lie : But with an eye serene , and courage bold , Durst her dejected Palaces behold , Handle the hissi●g Adder and the Snake , And in her body their black poyson take ; Made the more fierce by death determined , She ( Noble Spirit ) scorned to be led In hostile vessels , as a private thrall , To fill proud triumphs with her wretched fall , ODE XXXVIII . To his Servant , Argument . He wills his Servant , rooms be dre●● With Myrtle onely at his Feast , Persicos odi . SErvant , all Persian pomp disdain , From Teyl-rinde pleated Crowns refrain ▪ Cease further scrutiny where grows The ●ardy Rose , For nothing but plain Myrtles care , They most beseeming Servants are : And for my self too , tipling laid In Vine-tree shade . The end of the First Book . ODES . BOOK II. ODE 1. By Sir R. F. To C. ASINIUS POLLIO . He exhorts him to intermit a while his writing of Tragedies , until he have finisht his History of the Civil War of Rome ; Then extolls that Work. THE Civil War from the first seeds , The Causes of it , Vices , Tides Of various Chance , and our prime Lords Fatal Alliance , and the Swords Sheath'd , but not yet hung up , and oyl'd , The Quarrels fully reconcil'd : Thou writ'st a work of hazard great , And walk'st on Embers in deceit● Full Ashes rak't . Let thy severe Tragical Muse a while fo● bear The Stage : This publick Task then done , Thy Buskins high again put on , Afflicted Clients grand support And light to the consulting Court : Whom thy Dalmatick triumph crown'd With deathless Bayes . Hark how the sound Of thy brac'd Drums , awakes old fears , Thy Trumpets tingle in our ears : How clattering armes make the Horse shog , And from the Horse-man's face the blood . Now , now amidst the Common Heard See the great Generals fight , besmear'd With glorious dust : and quel'd the whole World , but unconquer'd Cato's Soul ! Iuno , and whatsoever Gods , To Affrick Friends , yielded to th'odds Of Rome ; the Victors Grandsons made A Sacrifice to Iugurth's shade . What Field , manur'd with Daunian blood Shews not in Graves , our impious Feud , And the loud crack of Latiums fall , Heard to the Babylonian wall ? What lake , what river 's ignorant Of the sad war ? what Sea with paint Of Latine slaughter , is not red ? What land 's not peopled with our dead ? But wanton Muse , least leaving Toyes , Thou should'st turn Odes to Elegies , Let us in Dioneian Cell Seek matter for a lighter Quill . ODE II. By Sir R. F. To C. SALUSTIUS CRISPUS . First , he praises P. for his liberality to his brothers : Then shews , that he who can repress his appetite , and despise money , is onely a King , onely happy . SAlust , thou enemy of gold , Mettles , which th' earth hath hoarded , Mould , Until with moderate exercise Their colour rise . No Age the name of Pontius smothers , For being a Father to his Brothers : Surviving Fame on towring wings His bounty sings . He that restrains his covetous soul , Rules more , then if he should controul Both Land and Sea ; and adde a West-Indies to th' East . The cruel Dropsie grows , self-nurst , The thirst not quencht , till the cause first Be purg'd the veins , and the faint humour Which made the tumour . Vertue , that reves what Fortune gave , Calls crown'd Phraates his Wealth 's slave , And to the Common People teaches More proper speeches . Giving a Scepter , and sure Throne , And unshar'd Palmes to him alone , That ( unconcerned ) could behold Mountains of Gold. ODE III. By Sir R. F. To DELLIUS . That the minde should not be cast down with adversity , 〈◊〉 puft up with prosperity : But that we should live merrily , since the condition of dying is equal to all . KEep still an equal minde , not sunk With stormes of adverse chance , not drunk With sweet Prosperitie , O Dellius that must die , Whether thou live still melancholy , Or stretcht in a retired valley ; Make all thy howers merry With bowls of choicest Sherrie . Where the white Poplar and tall Pine , Their hospitable shadow joyn , And a soft purling brook , With wrigling stream doth crook ; Bid hither Wines and Oyntments bring , And the too short sweets of the Spring , Whilst wealth and youth combine , And the Fates give thee Line . Thou must forgoe thy purchas'd seats , Ev'n that which golden Tyber wets , Thou must ; and a glad Heir Shall revel with thy care . If thou be rich , born of the Race Of antient Inachus , or base Lieft in the street ; all 's one , Impartial death spares none . All go one way : shak'd is the pot , And first or last comes forth thy lot , The Pass , by which thou' rt sent T' Eternal banishment . ODE IV. By Sir R. F. To XANTHIA PHOCEUS . That he need not be ashamed of being in love with a Serving-maid : for that the same had befaln many a Great Man. TO love a Serving-Maid's no shame ; The white Briseis did enflame Her Lord Achilles , and yet none Was prouder known ▪ Stout Telamonian Ajax prov'd His Captives Slave ; A●rides lov'd In midst of all his Victories , A Girl his prize : When the Barbarian side went down , And Hect●●s death rendred the Town Of Troy , more easie to be carried By Grecians wearied . Know'st thou from whom fair Phillis springs ? Thou may'st be son in law to Kings ; She mourns , as one depos'd by Fate From regal state . Believe 't she was not poorly born : Phoceus , such Faith , so brave a scorn Of tempting riches , could not come From a base womb . Her face , round armes , and every lim I praise unsmit . Suspect not him , On whose loves wild-fire Age doth throw Its cooling Snow . ODE V. Upon Lalage . Argument . Since beauteous Lalage's unfit For Hymens rites , or Venus yet ; He will with Continency's reign , All wild Concupisence restrain . Nondum Subacta . AS yet with neck subdu'd she cannot ' bide The yoke , nor answer th' office of a bride ; Nor sustain the eagerful , Fierce rushes of a pondrous bull . Thy heifer 'bout the Verdant medows roves ; Sometimes in brooks t' allay her thirst she loves ; And sometimes she 's much rejoyc'd To sport with Calves 'mongst Sallows moyst . Restrain all longing for Grapes immature : Straight gaudie Autumn deckt in Purple pure . Will to thee ripe clusters send , Straight she thy foot-steps will attend . For fleet-heel'd Time with rapid motion flows , And years subtracted from thy date bestows On her . Straight with brazen brow Will Lalage a husband wooe . More lov'd than Cloris , or nice Pholoe : Her candid shoulders glittering , like the Sea In the night with Moon-shine dy'd ; Or Gyges sprung from th' Isle of Cnide : Whom if thou rank'st among the Virgin Fyle , His scarce-spy'd differnce eas'ly might beguile Quick-ey'd strangers , for his Grace Of shev'led hair , and dubious face . ODE VI. By Sir T. H. To SEPTIMIUS . He wisheth Tybur and Tarentum may be the seal of hi● old age , whose sweetness he praiseth . SEptimius , ready bent , with me Rude Cantabers , or Gades to see , And those inhospitable Quick-sands , where The Moorish seas high billows rear . Tybur , which th' Argives built ( O may ) That be the place of my last day : May it my limit be , of ease From journeys , warfare , and rough seas . But if the Sister-Fates deny , I 'le to rich fleec'd Galesus hie , And thence down to Tarentum stray , Earst subject to Phalantus sway . That tract of land best pleaseth me , Where not Hymettia's full fraught Bee Yields better honey , and where grow Olives , that equal Venafro ; Where the middle air yields gentle frost , And a long Spring-tide warms the coast , And Aulon fertile in rich vines , Envieth not Falernian wines . That place , with all those fruitful hills , Me with desire of thee fulfils : There let thy due-paid tears descend O're the warm ashes of thy friend . ODE VII . To POMPEIUS VARUS . Argument ▪ He gratulates that Pompey scome In safety to his Native home . O saepe mecum . O' Thou reduc't oft to extremest thrall With me , when Brutus was our General ; Who to Latiums liberty , And Rural Lars restored thee Pompey my chief'st associate ? with whom I Oft many long-day drunk Wine copiously , My bright hair with unguents fill'd , From rich Malobathrum distill'd . I with thee bare th' brunt of Philps Field , And flying basely flung away my shield , When those foil'd souldiers swell'd With boasts , to blood-drencht earth were fell'd ; Pay Iove then thy vow'd Junckets , and repose Thy limbs out-tir'd with warfare's tedious woes Under my Bay-shroud , nor spare What hogsheads for thee destin'd are . Let polisht Goblets freely flow about , With mem'ry-thralling Massick wines : teem out Sweet Oyles from capacious cup : Who strives to pleat a chaplet up Of Mirtle , or moist Parsley ? Who 's the guest , Venus-throw signs Controller of the feast ? I 'le play Thracian : pleas'd amain To rant , my friend return'd again . ODE VIII . By Sir R. F. To BARINE . That there is no reason why he should believe her when she swears : for the Gods revenge not the perjuries of hansome women . IF any punishment did follow Thy perjurie : if but a hollow Tooth , or a speckled nail , thy vow Should pass . But thou , When thou hast bound thy head with slight Untwisting oaths , are fairer by 't : And like a Comet spread'st thy rayes , The publick gaze , It boots thee to deceive the Ghost Of thy dead Mother , and still boast Of Heav'n with their eter● aboads , And deathless gods . Venus but laughs at what is done , Her easie nymphs , and cruel son , On bloodie whetstone grinding ever His burning quiver . New suitors daily are inrol'd , New servants come , nor do the old Forsake their impious Mistress dore , Which they forswore . Thee Mothers for their Fillies dread , Thee gripple , Sires , and Wives new wed , Least thy bewitching breath should fray Their Lords away . ODE IX . By Sir T. H. To VALGIUS . That now at length he would desist to deplore his deceased Myste . THe swelling Cloud , not alwayes powres On rugged Fields , impetuous showres : Nor Caspian Sea ( Valgius belov'd ) With boystrous stormes , is ever mov'd : Nor on Armenia's bordring shore , Dull Isicles stand alwayes hore : Or garden-groves with North-windes riv'd , Or are Ash-trees of leaves depriv'd . You still in mournful sort complain , That death hath your dear Myste slain ; Your love sets not , if Vesper rise , Nor when from Phoebus , Hesper flies : But thrice-ag'd N●stor did not still , Tears , for Antilochus distill : Nor Parents , nor sad Sisters , ever To wail young Troilus persever . Cease then at length thy soft complant , And in our songs , now let us paint Great Caesars Trophies , and command , And how conjoyn'd to conquer land , The Median stream , and Nyphate strong , In lesser channels run along , And Gelons to less limits tide , In far more straightned Fields do ride . ODE X. By Sir R. F. TO LICINIUS . That Mediocrity , and Equality of the Mind , in both Fortunes , are to be retained . THe safest way of life , is neither To tempt the Deeps , nor whilest foul weather You fearfully avoid , too near The shore to steer . He that affects the Golden Mean , Will neither want a house that 's clean , Nor swell unto the place of showres His envy'd Towres : The tempest doth more often shake Huge Pines : and loftie Turrets take The greatest falls : and Thunder lops The mountain tops . A mind which true proportion bears , In adverse hopes , in prosperous fears The other lot . Iove Winters brings , And Ioves give Springs , It may be well , if now 't is ill : Sometimes Apollo with his Quill , Wakes his dull Harp , and doth not ever Make use of 's Quiver . In boystrous Fortune ply thy Oar , And using it stoutly to the shore ; Contract in too auspicious Gales Thy swelling sails . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by S. W. WOuld you a constant Fortune keep Licinius ? Trust not the false Deep ; And though black stormes begin to roar , As little trust the shore . The man who loves the golden mean , Has his Herth neat , and house swept clean : Below't , he envies not the Court , Above 't , he cares not for 't . Winds oft'nest tear the lofty Pine , While its low growth defends the Vine ; Huge Piles in greatest ruines fall , And Thunder levels all . A gallant brest hope● well at worst , A change will come , though 't be long first ; And when 't is come , he fears the best , And dare not think of rest . This Heav'n will teach us every year , Winter has Summer in the rear ; And when the Ebbe doth run most low , The Tide ere long will flow . Though 't is bad now , 't will soon be spent , Apollo's Bow 's not alwayes bent , But sometimes he 'l the Muse bid sing , And touch a better string . When Fates are cross , then courage show , Be wise when gales more prosperous blow ; Strike sail , and put not too far out , The Wind may turn about . ODE XI . By Sir T. H. To QUINTUS HIRPINUS . Cares laid aside , let us live merrily . WHat the Cantalrian stout , or Scythian think , Divided from us by rough Adria's brink , ( Quintus Hirpinus ) do not thou enquire , Nor for life's use , which little doth desire , Be too solicitous . Sleek youth , apace Hast's hence away , and with it beauties grace , Dry-aged hoariness which furrows deep Dispelling amorous fires , and gentle sleep . The Summer Flowers keep not their Native grace ▪ Nor shines the bright Moon , with a constant face . Why dost thou vex thy minde , subordinate Unto the counsels of Fernal Fate ? Why under this high Plain , or Pine-trees shade In discomposed manner , careless laid Anoint not we , and then to drink prepare ? Free Bacchus dissipates consuming care . But ( oh ) what Boy Falernian wine's hot rage , Will soon for me , with Fountain streams asswage ? Or , who will Lyde wish from close retire Hlther to come ? Boy , with her Ivory lire Bid her make haste , and like Laconian maids Tie her neglected hair in careless braids . ODE XII . TO MAECENAS . Argument . Dire wars , and Tragick subjects , they Incongruous are for Lyric lay . Ly●●m●●ia's splendour Horace sings , And such like amatorious things . Nolis longa . NOtedirous Wars on sierce Numantia's plain , Nor hardy Hannibal , nor Scicilian main , Purpled with Carthaginian blood , desire Be warbled on soft Lyric wire : Nor barbarous Lapiths , nor the liquor-swell'd Hyleus , nor whom Alcides prowess quell'd , That brood of earth , whose dismal terrour made Ag'd Saturns glorious house afraid . But thou ( Maecenas ) in the looser stile Of an Historian , better canst compile Great Caesars acts , and threatful Princes shown Chain'd by the necks along the Town . My Muse would treat of those melodious layes Of thy dear Ladies , sweet Lycimnia's : And of her clear refulgent eyes , and breast With Flames of faithful love possest : Whom neither dancing postures mis-became , Nor jestful skirmish , nor in sportive game Fair virgins with incircling armes t' inthral , On famous Dians festival . Would'st for the wealth rich Achaemenes ows , Or all the riches fertile Phrygia shows , Or th' Arabs houses which well furnisht are , Exchange thy dear Lycimnia's hair ? While she for kisses wreaths her neck awry , Or doth with gentle cruelty deny What , then her love , she rather covets t'ane : Straight she 'l a●t●cipate again . ODE XIII . By Sir R. F. To a Tree , by whose fall in his Sabine Villa , he was like to have been slain . That no man can sufficiently understand what to avoid : From thence he slides into the praises of Sappho and Alcaeus . A Planter with a ( ● ) was he That with unhallowed hand set thee , A trap for the succeeding race , And ignominy of the place . He might as well have hang'd his Sire , Or practis'd all the Poysons dire Medea temper'd , or have shed His Guests blood sleeping in his bed : Or if a worse crime may be found , As to place thee upon my ground , Unlucky wood ; thee , stagg'ring trunk , To brain thy Master when th' art drunk . No man knows truly what to shun ; The Punick Sea-man fears to run Upon some Shelf , but doth not dread Another Fate over his head : The Souldier , Shafts , and Parthian fight : The Parthian chains and Roman might . But Death had still , and still will have , A thousand back-wayes to the grave . How near was I Hells Jaundied Queen , And Minos on the Bench t' have seen , And the describ'd Elysian shades ? And Sappho , of her Countrey-maids Complaining on Aeolian wire ? And the Alcaeus , with gold lyre In fuller notes thundring a Fight , Ratling a storm , fluttring a flight ? Both ( worthy of a sacred pawse ) The pious Ghosts hear with applause : But most the Fights , and Tyrants fears , The shouldring throng drink with their ears . What wonder , when th' infernal hound , With three heads , listens to that sound : The Furies snakes their curles unknit , Nor finde revenge so sweet as ●t . 'T is Play-day too , with Pelop's sire , And him that stole from heaven the fire . Orion ev'n his hunting leaves , And greater pleasure thence receives ▪ ODE XIV . By Sir R. F. To POSTHUMUS . That Death cannot be avoided . AH Posthumus ? the years of man Slide on with winged pace , nor can Vertue reprieve her friend From wrinkles , age , and end . Not , though thou bribe with daily blood Stern Dis , who with the Stygian Flood Doth Gerion surround , And Titius Acres bound . Sad Flood , which we must ferry all That feed upon this earthly ball , From the King to the poor Beggar that howls at door . In vain avoid we Mars's fury , And breaking waves that kill and bury : In vain the sickly falls , Fruitful of funerals . Visit we must the sootie shore Of dull Cocytus , th' empry store Of Daunus wicked stock . And Sisyphs restless rock . Thou must forgoe thy lands and goods , And pleasing wife : Nor of thy woods Shall any follow thee , But the sad Cypress-tree . Thy worthy heir shall then carowse Thy hoarded wines , and wash the house With better Sack , then that Which makes the Abbots fat . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by S. W. 1. Time ( Posthumus ) goes with full sail , Nor can thy honest heart avail A furrow'd brow , old age at hand , Or Death unconquer'd to withstand : One long night , Shall hide this light From all our sight , And equal Death Shall few dayes hence , stop every breath . 2. Though thou whole Hecatomb's should'st bring In honour of th' Infernal King , Who Geryon and Tytio bold , In chaines of Stygian waves doth hold : He 'l not prize , But more despise Thy sacrifice : Thou Death must feel , 'T is so decre'd by the Fatal Wheel . 3. The numerous Off-spring of the Earth , That feed on her who gave them birth ; Each birth must have its funeral , The Womb and Urn's alike to all : Kings must die , And as 〈◊〉 , As thou or I ; And though they have Atchievements here , there 's none in th' Grave . 4. In vain we bloody battles flie , Or fear to sail when wines are high ; The Plague or an infectious breath , When every hour brings a new Death . Time will mowe What e're we sow ; Both weal and woe Shall have an end , And this th' unwilling Fates must send . 5. Cocytus lake thou must waft o're , Thy totter'd boat shall touch that shore ; Thou Sisypus ere long must know , And into new acquaintance grow : Shalt with life , Leave house and wife , Thy loves and strife , And have no tree , But the sad Cypress follow thee . 6. Mean while thy heir shall nobly quaffe , What thou with hundred locks kept't safe , Caecuhan wines , and wash the Flore With juice would make an Emperor rore : 'T will be thy lot , Question it not , To be forgot With all thy deeds , E're he puts on his Mourning weeds . ODE XV. By Sir R. F. Against the Luxury of his Age. OUr Princely piles will shortly leave But little lands for ploughs to cleave ; Ponds out-stretch Lucrine shores , Unmarried Sycamores Supplant the Elmes . The Vi'let , Rose , With all the junkets of the Nose , Perfume the Olive-yards , Which fed their former Lords : And Daphne twists her limbs to shun Tne sons rude Courtship . Not so done By Cato's Precedent , And the old Regiment . Great was the Commonwealth alone , The private small . No wide Balcon Measur'd with private square Gap'd for the Norths cool air . Nor the next turf might men reject ; Bid at the Publick Charge t' erect Temples and Towns , alone , Of beautiful new stone . ODE XVI . By Sir R. F. To GROSPHUS . That tranquillity of the mind is wisht by all : But that the same is not purchased by heaping up Riches , or obtaining Honours , but by bridling the desires . QUiet ! the trembling Merchant cries , Into Egean seas driven far ; When the Moon winks , and he descries No guiding st●● . Quiet ! in War the T●raian bold ; Quiet ! the Medes with quivers dight ; Not to be bought with gems , nor gold , Nor purple bright . For 't is not wealth , nor armed troops , Can tumults of the mind remove , And cares , which about fretted roofs Hover above . His little 's much , whose thrifty board Slunes with a salt that was his sires : W●ose easie sleeps nor fears disturb , Nor base desires . Why in short life eternal care ? Why changing for another Sun ? Who , having shun'd his Native air , Himself could shun ? Take horse , rude Care will ride behind ; Embarque , unto thy ship she crouds : Fl●●ter them Stags , and the East-wind Chasing the Clouds , Let minds of any joy possest , Sweeten with that whatever gall Is mixt : No soul that ere was blest , Was blest in all . The fam'd Achilles timeless dy'd , Old Tyth●n did his bliss out-live , And Chance , what she to thee deny'd , To me may give . A hundred flocks about thee bleat , And fair Sicilian heifers low ; To thee large neighing Mares curvete : In scarlet thou , Twice-dipt , are clad . Indulgent fate Gave me a Graunge ; a versing vein ; A heart which ( injur'd ) cannot hate , But can disdain . ODE XVII . by Sir R. F. To MAECENAS sick . That he will not live after him . WHy dost thou talk of dying so ? Neither the Gods , nor I 'm content , Maecenas , that thou first shouldst go , My Pillar and great Ornament . If thee , the one half of my soul , A riper fate snatch hence : alas ! What should I stay for , neither whole , And but the dregs of what I was ? That day shall end us both : Come , come , I 've sworn't ; and will not break it neither : March when thou wilt to thy long home , That journey we will make together . Chimaera's flames , nor ( were he rise Again ) Briareus hundred hands , Should keep me back . 'T is justice , this : And in the Book of fate it stands . Were I or under Libra born , Or Scorpio my ascendant be With grim aspect , or Capricorn ( The Tyrant of the Latian sea : ) Our stars do wondrously consent . Benigner Iove repriev'd thy breath When Saturn was malevolent , And clipt the hasty wings of Death , In frequent Theater when thee Thrice the rejoycing people clapt , A falling Trunk had brained me , Between if Faunus had not slept , The guardian of Mercurial men . Pay thou an ample sacrifice , And build the Chappel thou vowd'st then ; For me an humble Lamkin dies . ODE XVIII . By Sir T. H. He affirmeth himself to be contented with a little , while others are wholly addicted to their desires , and increase of riches , as if they should alwayes live . NO guided roof , nor Ivory Fret , For splendor in my house is set ; Nor are beams from Hymettia sought , To lie a-thwart rich Colmns , brought From Africk ; nor I heir unkown , Make Attalus his wealth , mine own . No honest Tenants wives you see , Laconian purples weave for me : A loyal heart , and ready vain Of wit I have , which doth constrain Rome's richest men to seek the love Of me , though poor : Nor gods above Doe I invoke for larger store ; Nor of Maecenas ask I more . To me my single Sabine field , Sufficient happiness doth yield . One day thrusts on another fast , And new Moons to the wane do hast . When Death ( perhaps ) is neer at hand , Thou fairest Marbles dost command Be cut for use , yet dost neglect Thy grave , and houses still erect : Nay would'st abridge the vast Seas shore , Which loudly doth at Baiae rore : Enriched little , less content , With limits of the Continent . Why often pull'st thou up the bounds , T' enlarge the circuit of thy grounds , Encroaching far from Confines known , To make the neigbouring field thine own ? The husband , wife , and sordid brood , With antient houshold gods , that stood In quiet peace , must be expell'd : Yet is not any Mansion held For the rich Land-lord , so assur'd , As deep in Hell to be immur'd . Then whither do you further tend ? Th' indiffrent earth an equal friend , As willingly opens her womb , For Beggars grave , as Princes tomb . Gold could of Charon not obtain , To bear Prometheus back again . Proud Tantalus , and all his stock , Death , with the bands of fate doth lock : And call'd , or not call'd ready stands , To free the poor from painful bands . ODE XIX . Upon BACCHUS . Argument . He fill'd with Bacchus power , assayes T' ebuccinate his fame and praise . Bacchum in remotis . ON Rocks remote I Bacchus chanc'd t' espy , Teach verse ( ô trust me ye posterity ) Listning Nymphs , and Satyrs there With Goat-feet , and erected ear . My heart appall'd with sudden horror , I , Of Bacchus full , shout Evohe on high : Forbear Liber , ô forbear , So dreadful for thy horrid spear . I may have stubborn Thyads for my theam , A fount of Wine , and rivers running Cream , Chaunt again how honey drils , And from the hollow stem distils , I thy blest consorts glorious constellation , I Pentheus Palace brought to desolation , I may sing the dismal fate Of Thracian Lycurgus state . Thou turn'st Rivers , and the Indian Main , Thou ( soak'd with wine ) on distant mountains l●'ne , Do'st Thrace womens tresses plait In V●per-wreaths without deceit : Thou , when those impious Gyants climb'd on high , To Ioves Court Royal through the boundless sky , Flung'st down Rhaecus with the claws Of Leo , and his horrid jaws : Although more prone to dances , sports , and playes Thou wert esteem'd , nor fit for Martial frayes : Yet did either war or peace Indifferently thy genius please . At thee gold-horn'd , F●end Cerberus did look With harmless eye , and fawningly he shook His tail , and with triple-head Thy feet toucht , when thou didst recede . ODE XX. By Sir T. H. HORACE turned into a Swan , will fly all ever the world , whence he promiseth the immortality of hi● Poesie . A Two-fold Poet , through the liquid skie , I with a strong unusual wing will flie : No longer shall I of the Earth partake , But out of Envies reach the World forsake . I am not issued of ignoble strain , Nor whom Maecenas pleaseth to retain Under the title of belov'd shall die , Or in the Stygian lake forgotten lie . Now , now , upon my legs a rugged skin Is over-spread , and I a Swan am seen Upward transform'd ; a light and downie plume , My fingers , and wing'd shoulders now assume . And now a shrill-tune Bird become , I le soar And much more swift then Icarus , explore The Lybian Syrtes , and the murmuring sand Of Bosphor straights , and Hyperborean land . Me , Colchos , and the Dacian , who doth faign Fear of the Marsian's armes shall entertain , Gelons remote , and they who on the brink Of I●er dwell , or Rhodanus do drink . Banish from my thin Hearce your fun'ral mones , Your ill bemoaning tears , complaints , and groans : Clamour forbear , or fondly to confer The needless honour of a Sepulcher . The end of the second Book . ODES . BOOK III. ODE I. By Sir R. F. That a happy man is not made by Riches or Honours , but by tranquillity of the minde . I Hate lay-Vulgar : make no noise , Room for a Priest of Helicon : I sing to noble Girls and Boyes Such verses as were never known . Fear'd Kings command on their own Ground ; The King commanding Kings is Iove : Whose Arme the Giants did confound , Whose aweful brow doth all things move . One man may be a greater Lord Of land then other : this may show A nobler Pedegree : a third In parts and fame may both out-go : A fourth in Clients out-vie all . Necessity in a vast Pot Shuffling the names of great and small , Draws every one's impartial lot . Over whose head hangs a drawn sword , Him cannot please a Royal feast : Nor melody of lute or bird , Give to his eyes their wonted rest . Sleep , gentle sleep , scorns not the poor Abiding of the Plough-man : loves By sides of Rivers shades obscure : And rockt with West-windes , Tempe Groves ; That man to whom enough's enough , Nor raging seas trouble his head , Nor fell Arcturus setting rough , Nor fury of the rising Kid : Not hail-smit Vines and years of Dearth ; Sometimes the too much wet in fault , Sometimes the stars that broil the earth , Sometimes the Winter that was nought . The Fish fear stifling in the sea , Damm'd up . The Master-builder and H's men , the Land-sick Lord too , he Throws rubbish in with his own hand . But fear and dangers haunt the Lord Into all places : and black Care Behind him rides : or , if on board A ship , 't is his companion there . If Marble keep not Feavers out , Nor purple rayment help the blind , Nor Persian Oyntments cure the gout ▪ Nor Massick Wines a troubled mind : With envied posts in fashion strange Why should I raise a stately pile ? My Sabine vale why should I change For wealth accompani'd with toyl ? ODE II. By Sir T. H. To his Friends . Boyes are to be enured from their tender age , to poverty , warfare , and painful life . LEt th' able youth , himself enure By sharp wars raught , want to endure : And mounted on his horse , with spear , Confront bold P●rthians , free , from fear : Let him expos'd to open air , Live , and attempt the hard'st affair : Whom when some warlike Tyrants Queen , Or Virgin-marriage ripe hath seen , Afar from hostile walls , may cry With sighs , which from sad passion flie ; O , that my Royal Lord , untrain'd In Martial feats , would be restrain'd , Not by fierce Combats fatal stroke , That wrathful Lion to provoke , Whom bloody Anger 's direful rage , In thickest slaughters doth engage . It is a sweet , and noble gain , In Countreys quarrel to be slain ▪ Death the swift flying man pursues With ready steps : Nor doth he use To spare from unavoided wrack , Youths supple hams , or fearful back , Vertue , that ne're repulse admits , In taintless honours , glorious sits , Nor takes , or leaveth Dignities , Rais'd with the noise of vulgar cries . Vertue ( to worth Heav'n opening wide ) Dauntless , breaks through wayes deny'd . And ( taught ) the Rabble to despise , Forsaking earth to heaven flies , Yea trusty silence is not barr'd , From having a deserv'd reward . He , who to blab the holy Rites Of secret Ceres phane delights , Under the same roof shall not be , Nor in frail Vessel sail with me . Oft Iove neglected makes the just To smart with those are stain'd with lust ▪ Seldome Revenge , though slow of pace , Leaves ill fore-going men to trace . ODE III. By Sir R. F. A Speech of Inno at the Council of the Gods , concerning the ending of the war of Troy , and the beginning which the Roman Empire should take from the Trojans . AN honest and resolved man , Neither a peoples tumults can , Neither a Tyrants indignation , Un-center from his fast foundation ; Nor storms that from the bottome move The Adrian sea , nor thundring Iove : If the crackt Orbes would split and fall , Crush him they would , but not appall . Pollux , and wandring Hercules , Gain'd Heaven by such wayes as these : 'Mongst whom Augustus , leaning , sips Immortal Nectar with red lips . This way deserving Bacchus clomb The high Olympus , with his own Tam'd Tygers , which Ambrosia feed , And Romulus on Mars his steed : Pleas'd Iuno speaking a good word On his behalf , at Council-board . Troy , Troy , ( through mine , and Pallas grudge ) A fatal and adultrous Iudge , And forraign woman overthrew , With its false King and damned Crew , Because Laomedon forsook The Gods , and brake the Oath he took . The Spartan Strumpets famous guest Is now no more jewell'd and drest : No more doth Priams Perjur'd house Resist bold Greeks by Hectors prowes : And wars , which I inflam'd , are done ; My wrath then , and the Trojan Nun 's Abhorr'd Off-spring , here I give To his father Mars that he should live In bowres of light , suck Nectar-bowls , And be transcrib'd into the rolls Of quiet Gods , I will abide . So long as spacious seas divide Ilium and Rome ; so long as beasts On Priamus and Paris breasts Insult , and ( undisturb'd ) the wild Whelp in their tombes ; let the exil'd Reign great in any other land : The Capitol refu'gent stand ; And awful Rome with seven proud heads Give Laws to the triumphed Medes : Rouzing her self , left her extend Her dreadful name to the worlds end ; Where mid-land seas part Africks soyl From Europe , to the floods of Nyle ; More valiant to despise hid gold , ( Which wisely Nature did with-hold ) Then force it to mans use , by sack Of Temples , or by Natures wrack . Whatever corner would impeach Her progress , that , let her Sword reach : Visit the stores of snow and hail , And where excessive heats prevail . Yet warlike Romans destiny , On this condition I decree , That they ( too pious , and grown high ) Shall not re-build their Mother Troy. VVith Troy's fate shall be reviv'd , And all her ominous birds retriv'd , VVhen second wars our self will move , The Sister and the VVife of Jove . If Phoebus harp a Brasen wall Should thriee erect , thrice it should fall ( Raz'd by my Greeks ) the wife , in chain , Thrice mourn her sons and husband slain . But whether saucy Muse ? These things Agree not with the Lutes soft strings . The words of gods cease to repeat , And with small voice matters so great . ODE IV. By Sir R. F. The Poet saith , That he hath been delivered from many dangers by the help of the Muses ; And that it hath gone ill with all who have attempted any thing against the Gods. DEscend Thalia with a song From Heaven ; my Queen , I 'de have it long To the shril pipe or to the flute , The viol or Apollo's lute . Do ' st hear ? or do I sweetly rave ? I hear in yonder trees , which wave , Thy rustling robe , and in that spring The tuning of thy silver string . Me , am'rous turtles ( Poets theam ) As by my native Aufids stream , A child opprest with sleep and play , Under a Mountain side I lay , Fearless ( for what hath he to fear , Who from his birth was Heavens care ? ) With sacred Bayes and Mirtle boughs , On which no Beast did ever browse , Covered , least Snake or ugly Bear , Should do me hurt as I slept there ; Which set the neighb ' ring Fields at gaze , As wondring what should be the cause . Whether I mount the Sabine hill , Or with cold springs Preneste chill , Or me the healing Bath allures ; Where ere I am : Muses , I 'me yours . Friend to your springs , with your songs rapt , At lost Philippi Field scap't ; The fall of my own cursed Tree , And shipwrack in Sicilian Sea. Go you with me , I 'le ( dreadless ) try The Bosphorus that threats the skie , And ( travelling ) defie the thirsty Syrian sands to do their worst . Visit the Brittains , fierce to strangers , The horse-fed Thracians bloody mangers , The Scythians , whom no Sun doth warm , And none of them shall do me harm . Great Caesar , you with Martrial toil Tir'd out , and glad to breath a while In Winter quarters with his men , Refresh in the Pierian Den. You give him mild advice ; And well From you he takes it . We can tell , The Giants selves for all their troop Of monstrous Bulkes , were Thunder-strook By him that towns , and dreary ghosts , Immortal Gods , and mortal hoasts , The stupid Earth , and restless Main , Doth govern with one equal raign . The horrid band and brotherhood , Who ( whilst upon their terms they stood ) Pelion to heap on Ossa strove , Gave not a little care to Iove . But what could Mimas , and the strong Typhaeus , what Porphyrion long , What Rhaecus , and with hurled trunk ( Torn up by th'roots ) the fury-drunk Enceladus , rushing against Minerva's ringing shield advanc't ? Here the devouring Vulcan stood , There Matron Iuno , and the god That never layes his Quiver by , Bathes in pure dews of Castaly His dangling locks , haunts Delian woods , Patros , and Rhodes , and Xanthus floods . Uncounsil'd force with his own weight Is crusht ; a force that 's temperate Heaven it self helps : and hates no less Strength that provokes to wickedness . This truth Orion understands , And Gyges with the hundred hands : He , purposing chast Dians Rape , Could not her Virgin-arrows scape . The Earth on her own Monsters thrown , ( Thundred to endless night ) doth grone Over her sons : Aetna doth rore , Burning , and not consum'd . No more Can Tytiu's heart in Vulters claw , Or wast it self , or fill her Mawe . Offended Proserpine restrains Perithous in three hundred chains . ODE V. By Sir R. F. The praises of Augustus , the dishonour of Crassus , the constancy of Regulus , and his return to the Carthaginians . JOve governs Heaven with his nod : Augustus is the earthlie God ; Bold Brittains to the Empire bow'd , And Persians , with late trophies proud . Could Crassus souldier lead his life Yoakt basely with a barbarous wife ? And with Foe Father-in-law grow gray In Armes , under a Medians pay ! ( O fathers ! and degenerate shame ! ) His blood forgotten and his name , Eternal Vesta , and the Gown , Whilest there was yet a Iove , and Rome ! This fear'd wise Regulus his mind , And so the base Accord declin'd , Weighing the consequence , unless The Captive Youth dy'd pitiless . I saw ( quoth he ) our Ensigns stuck In Punick fanes , without a stroke Souldiers disarm'd , Citizens Their free hands bound behind with chaines . And the Ports open , and that field Which Romans had incampt on , till'd . All this I saw . Redeem'd with gold They 'l grow , belike , in fight more bold . Buy not iniquity . As stain White wooll 't will never white again : So , if true Vertue fall , despair To stop her till the lowest stair . A Hind out of the Tramels free , And make her fight , then so will he That rendred to a faithless foe , And Carthaginians overthrow In second War ; That tamely took The lash , and ( Death but named ) shook . Why these ( forgetting whence they came ) Confounded war with peace , O shame ! Great Carthage ! thou hast overcome The vertue ( more then troops ) of Rome . His chast wife's kiss , and his small fry Of Babes , he 's said to have put by , ( As being a slave ) and not t' have took From Earth his stern and manly look : Till he th' unwilling Senate brought To vote the thing that he had sought : Then through his weeping friends he went Into a glorious banishment . Though well he knew what torments were Ready prepared for him there By Barbrous men . Yet brake through all His Kindred , and the crouded Hall To beg of him he would not go , No otherwise then he would do From Clyents swarms , after the end Of a long Term , going to spend In sweet Campania the Vacation , And give his mind some Relaxation . ODE VI. By Sir T. H. To the Romans . Of the corrupt manners of that Age. ROman , resolve , thou shalt desertless taste Sins scourge , for Vice of Predecessor past , Until thou do'st again repair Decaied Temples , and make fair The falling houses of the Gods disgrac'd , And cleanse their images , with smoak defac'd . To think thee less than Gods , thy power commends ; Hence take beginnings , hither aim thy ends . The Gods neglected , many woes On Italy distressed , throws . Twice Pacorus , and twice Moneses hand , Our inauspicious armed troops disband : Who with a plentious prey made glad , To little chains more links do adde . The Dacian and the Ethiop fierce in wars , Hath almost raz't the City , rent with jars : One with his Navy formidable , With darts the other better able . This age in vice abounding , first begins Chast stocks , and Nuptials to pollute with sins ; The woes which from this fountain flow , People , and Countrey over-throw . The Maid for marriage ripe , much joyes to learn Ionick dances , and can well discern With art to sain , and quickly prove , The pleasures of unlawful love . Straight made a wife , in midd'st of husbands cups , She with young Gallants and Adult'rers sups ; Nor cares to whom she yields by stealth , ( When lights are out ) loves lawless wealth . But ask'd doth rise , her knowing husband by , To prostitute her marriage-modesty ; At Factors call , or Pilots hire , Of lustf●l shame , a costly buyer . That youth came not from such Fore-fathers strain , Who did the sea with Punick blood distain : Not by such hands did Pyrrhus fall , Antiochus , nor Hannibal . But in those dayes a brave and manly race Of rustick souldiers lived in this place , Well skill'd in Plough and Sabine Spade , And so to strict obedience made , That if sharp Mothers bade , at their return They on their shoulders brought logs hew'd to burn , When Phoebus changed had the mountains shade , And weary unyoak'd Oxen homeward made , And that night gave their toil dispense , Chasing the Suns bright chariot hence . What wasteth not with Times devouring rage ? Our fathers life , much worse than Grandsires age , Sees us more wicked , to produce An Off-spring fuller of abuse . ODE VII . By Sir R. F. To ASTERIE . He comforts her , being sad and solicitous for the absence of her husband . ASterie , Why dost thou mourn For Gyges , shortly to return On wings of Vernal air , Rich in Sicilian War ? More rich in faith . He by a blast After long stormes , on Epire cast His Widow'd nights , steeps there In many a watchful tear . Yet Chloe's subtil messenger , Shewing what sighs it pulls from her , Whilest in thy Flame she fries , A thousand wayes him tries . She tells how the false Woman wrought On credulous Pretus , till she brought A cruel death upon Too chaste Bellerophon . Of Peleus near his fatal hour , Whilest he shuns love , that 's arm'd with power : And ( cunning ) rakes from dust All precedents for lust . In vain : For deaf as Rocks to prayer , He 's yet unmov'd . But take thou care Enipeus at next door Do not thy love procure . Though none with better skill be seen To weild a Horse in Mars his green ; Nor with more active limbs In Tyburs Channel swims . Shut to thy gate before it darken , Nor to his whining Musick hearken : And though he still complain Thou' rt hard , still hard remain . ODE VIII . To MAECENAS . Argument . No reason that Maecenas should It for an admiration hold , He should Mars Calends celebrate , Although he live in single state . Martiis coelebs . HOw I a Batch'lour spend my hours On Mars his Calends , what mean flowers ▪ And Incense-bolls , and coals on green Turf-altars seen , Th'admir'st , O thou profoundly skill'd In either tongue . I almost kill'd With falling tree , sweet Cates devote , And white He-goat . He yearly on this very day Will fling the Rosin'd Can away , To soak Wine , old as Tullus date Of consulate . Maecenas bouze the hundreth Cup To thy friends health ; Night-lamps set up Upon fair day ; from hence retire All noise and ire . Let pass all civil cares for Rome , For Cottison's o'rcome : Now Scyths with Bow unbended yield , And quit the Field . Heed not though Vulgars toil sustain ; Though private , publick care refrain , And using what time present brings , Shun serious things . ODE IX . By Sir. R. F. A Dialogue of Love and Jealousie , betwixt Horace and Lydia . Hor. WHilst I possest thy love , free from alarms , Nor any Youth more acceptable arms About thy Alablaster neck did fling , I liv'd more happy then the Persian King. Lyd. Whilst thou ador'st not more another face , Nor unto Chloe Lydia gave place ; I Lydia , soaring on the wings of Fame , Eclipst the Roman Ilia with my name . Hor. Me , Thracian Chloe now , rules absolute , Skill'd in sweet Layes , and peerless at her Lute : For whom to die I would not be afraid , If Fates would spare me the surviving Maid . Lyd. Me , Calys , rich Ornitho's heir , doth scorch With a reciprocal and equal torch : For whom I would endure to die twice over , If Fates would spare me my surviving Lover . Hor. What if old Venus should her Doves revoke ; And curb us ( stubborn ) to her Bra●en yoke : If bright-trest Chloe I would henceforth hate , And to excluded Lydia ope the Gate ? Lyd. Though he be fairer then the Morning-star ; Thou , lighter then a Cork , and madder far Then the vext Ocean , when it threats the Skie , With thee I 'de gladly live , I 'de willing die . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by J. W. Esq. Hor. WHilest I alone was dear to thee , And onely chief in thy embrace , No Persian King liv'd life to me , Or half so blest or happy was . Lyd. Till thy love roul'd , and did prefer Chloes new face , 'fore Lydia , In fame , I ( far surpassing her ) Was greater than Romes Ilia . Hor. Chloes the Saint I pray to now , Sweetly she sings , and playes o' th' Lute ▪ For whom , would Destiny allow , My life should be a substitute . Lyd. The same 's young Orthniu's heir ) To me , for whom I should be glad If I might die , though twice it were , Would the same Fates but spare the Lad ▪ Hor. But say ! if as before I burn ? Say I once more put on my chain ? Chloe shak'd off , and I return To my first Lydia again ? Lyd. Though he 's more glorious then a Star , Thou then a Cork more fickle be , Or pettish then the Sea , I swear Once more to live and die with thee . ODE X. Against LYCE. Argument . Harsh Lyce Advertised here She would hard-heartedness forbear ▪ And some commiseration grant To him , her humble supplicant ▪ Extremum Tanaim . LYce hadst drunk of remote Tanais tide , Or to some Barbarous Scythian been a bride ; Yet , me prostrate before thy doors , thou should Bewail t' expose to Northern cold . Hear'st how the Gates crack ? how the woods resound 'Mongst beauteous structures placed all around ? And how the air conglaciates the snow , When all the Heavens serenely show ? All pride ingrateful unto Lovers shun : Least Fortunes wheel should retrogradely run . No Tyrrhene father hath begotten thee O● hard-to-wo Penelope . Although with thee nor Gifts , nor prayers avail , Nor Lovers violet tinctures mixt with pale , Nor thy Mate Love-struck with Pierian whore ; O spare thy suppliants I implore : Thou more relentless than a rigid tree , And Maurian Serpents not so cruel be , My tender sides not alwayes can sustain At thy hard doors down-syling rain . ODE XI . By Sir R. F. To MERCURY . That he would dictate to him a song , wherewith to bend Lyde . The Fable of Danaus Daughters . O Mercury ( for taught by ●ou Deaf stones by th' ears Amphion drew ) And Shell , whose hollow Belly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seven strings . Once mute and graceless , now the tongue Of Feasts and Temples : lend me a song To thrid the maze of Lyde's prayer Resisting ear . Who like a three years Colt doth fetch A hundred rings , and 's hard to catch ; Free from a husband , and not fit For backing yet . Thou mak'st stiffe Forrests march , retreat Prone rivers : Cerberus the great Porter of Hell to thee gave way , Stroak'd with a Lay ▪ Though with a hundred Snakes he curl His head , and from his nostrils hurl A filthy stream , which all bedrops His triple chops . Ixion too with a forc't smile Did grin . The tubs stood dry a while , Whilest with thy Musick thou didst please The Belides . Tell Lyde that ; that Virgin-slaughter , And famous torment , the vain water Coozning their Urnes through thousand drains , And Posthume pains . For cruel Maids laid up in store , Cruel . For what could they do more , That could with unrelenting steel Their Lovers kill ? One onely worthy Hymens flame , And worthy of immortal Fame , Her perjur'd father ( pious child ) Bravely beguil'd : Who said to her young Husband ; Wake , Least an Eternal sleep thou take , Whence least thoo look'st : deceive my Sire , And Sisters dire : Who like so many Tygers tear ( Alas ! ) the prey : I ( tenderer ) Will neither slay , nor keep thee thus I' th Slaughter-house . Me let my Savage father chain , Because my Husband is unflain , Or into farthest Africa Ship me away . By Land or Sea take thou thy flight , Cover'd with wings of Love and Night : Go , go , and write when thou art safe My Epitaph . ODE XII . To NEOBULE . Argument . They live in miserable thrall Whom no refreshments chear at all : Stout Heber wounds with amorous dart His Sweet-heart Neobule's heart . Miserarum est . THey 'r wretched , who in love ne're recreate , Nor with sweet Wines their maladies abate , With fear of Uncles sharp reproof dismay'd . Thy basket , Neobule , Cupid takes , And Liparean Hebrus lustre makes Thee leave thy web , and painful Pallas trade . He than Bellephron can better ride At hand-fights , foot-course still victorious try'd , When his oyl'd limbs are bath'd in Tybers flood : He cunning is to chase a roaming Hart , O'r Champains , and transfix him with his dart , And surprize Bores skult in the bushy wood . ODE XIII . To the Fountain of Blandusia . Argument . He to Blandusia's Chrystal Spring A Kid for Sacrifice will bring : And doth the sweet delights recount , Of that refriegerating Fount . O fons Blandusiae . BLandusian Spring , tralucenter than glass , Worthy wine-offerings , deck'd with flowry grass , I 'le slay to thee to morn A Kid crown'd with youthful horn , Choosing his mate , and conflicts , all in vain : For a lascivious Off-spring shall distain , And file thy frigid flood With mixture of Purple blood . Thou' rt free from Dog-stars servent influence . Thou do'st thy sweet refreshing streams dispence To Bullocks tired out , And Heards roving all about . Ev'n thou shalt be a far-renowned Spring , Whilest I of Rocks crown'd with the Ilex sing : Whence the loud waters rush Down head-long with vi'lent gush . ODE XIV . By Sir T. H. To the Roman people . This Ode containeth the praises of Augustus returning out of Spain , after his Conquest over the Cantabrians . GReat Caesar who is said to go , Like Hercules against his foe , To purchase Bayes by death , again Victorious is return'd from Spain . The Wife that 's with one husband pleas'd , Let her come forth , the Gods appeas'd . Octavia , Caesars Sister , haste , And mothers with your daughters chaste . Attir'd in modest veil appear , And sons returned safe draw neer : You Boyes , and you now married train Of wives from evil words abstain . From me this new made Holy-day Black sullen cares shall take away : Nor fear I in great Caesars reign By force or tumult to be slain . ( Boy ) crowns , and unguents now prepare , And vessel kept , since Marsian war , If any such conceal'd hath been By wandring Sportacus not seen . Let hither shrill Neaera hie , And hair perfum'd in tresses tie : But if the Porter make delay With churlish answer , haste away . White hoary hairs temper the mind , To brawls , and quarrels earst inclin'd : This in youths heat I could not brook , When Plancus charge of Consul took . ODE XV. Against CHLORIS . Argument . That Chloris ( now well stept in Age ) Should Lust and Wantonness asswage . Uxor pauperis . AT length , poor Ibicu's wife , Affix a period to thy vicious life , And unto thy reproachful trade . And now that Death so near approach hath made , 'Mongst Maids leave playing , nor enshroud Those fulgent stars with thy obscuring cloud . Nor Chloris think that seemeth thee , Which gracefully becomes thy Pholoe . Thy daughter breaks ope young mens doors Better , like Thyas rag'd when Tim●r●l rores : Renown'd Luceria's Fleeces grace The more when old , than any Lyric layes , Or crowns with roses deckt about , Or hogsheads to th' extreamest dregs drunk out . ODE XVI . By Sir. R. F. To MAECENAS . That all things fly open to Gold : Yet HORACE is contented with his own condition , in which he lives happy . DAnae in Brazen Tower immur'd , From night-adulterers , doors barr'd , And of fierce dogs a constant ward Would have sufficiently secur'd , If Iove and Venus had not fool'd , The Goaler of the cloyster'd Maid , ( Though of his own shadow afraid ) Turning his Godship into Gold. Gold loves to break through armed Guards , And Castles that are Thunder-proof , The Augur's sacred roof Was undermined by rewards . Gifts were the Macedons Petar , With which he blew up City-gates , Subverted Rival Kings and States , And laid aboard their Men of War. With growing riches cares augment , And thirst of greater . I did well To shrink my head into my shell , Maecenas Knight-hoods ornament . The more a man t' himself denies , The more indulgent Heaven bestowes . Let them that will side with the I's : I 'me with the Party of the No's . A greater Lord of a small store , Then if the fruitful Crops of all Appulia I mine own did call : In midst of so much plenty poor . My little wood , and my pure stream , And corn that never fails ; makes me A man more truly blest , then he That wears rich Africks Diadem . Though neither Crossick Bees produce Honey to me , nor cloathing fine Segovian flocks : nor Massick wine Mellow in barrels for my use : Yet 〈◊〉 Poverty 's away . Nor , wisht I more , wouldst thou deny 't . Who , with contracted appetite May easier my tribute pay , Then if deputed Egypts King. Large issues follow large supplies . He , to whom Heaven nothing denies , Owes an account of every thing ▪ ODE XVII . To AELIUS LAMIA . Argument . He Lamia's regal stem displayes Forth in Encomiastic Layes : Wills him his Genius to chear , Against the presag'd storm appear . Aeli , vetusto . O Aelius , sprung from Lamus antient name , From whose stem all precedent Lamias came , And thy family and tribe , Which nothing Registers describe : Thou from his loyns draw'st thine original , Who reigned first within the Formian wall , And whose amply spread command Raught Liris , laving Maric's strand . An Eastern tempest shall with furious roar , Fling leaves in woods , and leaves upon the shore : If the aged Cow decry A true presaging augury . Lay , while thou canst , dry faggots on the fire : With lushious Wine to morrow feed desire , A Pig fat , and tender slay , And let thy Hindes keep Holy-day . ODE XVIII . By Sir T. H. To FAUNUS ; Who being an infernal pestilent VVood-god , he prayeth that passing thorow his Fields , he would be favourable to him and his . FAunus , who after Nymphs dost range , Through my precincts , and fruitful Graunge Pass gently , and propitious be To flocks , and me . A tender Kid the year shall end , Full Cups of Liquor ( Venus friend ) We 'l pay ; Fumes shall on Altars flie In odours high . Beasts , when Decembers Nones appear In grazy grounds make sportive chear : The jocund Clown in Meads doth feast ; The Oxe doth rest . The Wolf 'mongst frearless Lambs doth stray , Woods strew thee leafs upon this day ; The Ditcher joyes with measur'd mirth To tread the Earth . ODE XIX . To TELEPHUS . Argument . At Telephus he scoffs , who whiles He Histories obsolete compiles , Of things which chiefly constitute An happy life is wholly mute . Quantum distat . THe space 'twixt Inachus his reign , And Codrus bravely for his Country slain , And Aeacus his Kin , and fights Fought under Sacred Ilium thou writes : But of a Choan hogsheads price , And who with fire cold water qualifies , In whose house , and what hour t' allay Pelignian cold , thou not one word dost say . Boy , quick bring Cups for Cynthia's rise , And for Mid-night , bring th' Augurs Cup likewise , Murena's , and corrouze off Wine , No less then three healths , no more then nine . A Poet , who th' unequal Tribe . Of Muses loves , let him nine Jugs imbibe . The Graces with nak'd Sisters joyn'd , Let them , for fear of brawlings , be confin'd , And drink three Cups off , and no more ; O , how I love to frolick it , and roar ! Why sounds not still the Phrygian Flute ? Why Pipes and Harps permitted to be mute ? I parsimonious hands despise . Strew Roses , and let out wild frantick noise Arrive to envy'd Lycus ears , And neighbour Maid unfit for Lycus years . Mature-grown Chloe courts thee now , Tel'phus grac'd with rank locks of comely shew , And bright as radiant Vesper : I , I wasting ardour for my Glyc'raes fry . ODE XX. To PYRRHUS . Argument . How dangerous a thing 't would prove T'abstract Nearchus from his love . Non vides quanto . PYrrhus , how dang'rous 't is , confess , To take Whelps from a Lioness : Straight thou scarr'd Ravisher wilt run , When battel 's done . When she through crouds of youthful men Shall to Nearchus turn again , Great question 't is who bears away The greater pray . As thou prepar'st thy speedy piles , She whets her dreadful Tusks the whiles : He ( th' Umpire ) trampled down , they say , The Victors Bay. And wafted his sweet shiveled hair With gentle blasts : like Nireas fair , Or Ganymede snatcht up from fountfull Ida's Mount. ODE XXI . To His VVine-vessel . Argument . He speaks t' his Rundiet to effuse , For Corvine's sake , choice Massick juyce : Thence takes occasion to define The praises and effects of VVine . O nata mecum . KInd vessel , coaetaneous with my date , Compos'd when Manlius bare the consulate , Whether thou invite to weep , Or jest , or brawl , or love or sleep , Where'r mark thy choice Massick liquors hide , Well-worthy broaching on some sacred Tide : Now Corvinus thee injoyns , Come down , and tap thy mellow Wines . He , though well studied in Socratic books , Contemns thee not with sour and rigid looks ; And grave Cato as is fam'd , Was oft with Bacchus gift inflam'd . Thou sometimes sett'st upon a gentle rack Severe wits : Thou the wiser pates canst make With thy mirth creating juyce , Even all their secrets thought ; effuse . Thou dost the Forelorn with hope fortifie , And mak'st the poor man lift his horns on high , Who drunk , nor the Scepters fears Of Kings incens'd , nor Souldiers spears . For Bacchus , ( Venus if in merry cue ) And graces loth to break the social Crew , And lamps lighted , shalt thou run , Till Stars decline the orient Sun. ODE XXII . Upon DIANA . Argument . He Diana's offices relates , To whom his Pine he dedicates . Montium custos . O Tripple Queen of Woods and Hills , Who freest parturient wombs from ills At three Orizons , and dost ever Them safe deliver . Accept the Pine that shrouds my Farm , Which yearly I le imbrew with warm Bores blood , that sacrificed strike With tusks oblique . ODE XXIII . By Sir T. H. To PHIDILE . The Gods are to be honoured with pure hands , and the testimony of a well spent age . IF Rural Phidile , at the Moons arise , To Heaven thou lift thy hands in humble wise : If thou with Sacrifice thy Lars wilt please , Or with new fruit and greedie swine appease , Thy fertile Vineyard shall not suffer blast From pest'lent South , nor parching dew be cast Upon thy Corn , nor shall thy children dear , Feel sickly Fits in Autumn of the year . It is the long vow'd victime , which is fed 'Mongst Holmes , and Okes on snowie Algids head , Or which in fat Albanian pastures grew , That shall the Priests sharp axe with blood imbrew . To thee , who petty Gods dost magnifie , With Mirtle branch , and sprig of Rosemary , It nothing appertains their feasts to keep With frequent slaughters of the fattest sheep . If thy hand , free from ill , the Altar touch , Thou shalt th' offended Gods appease as much With gift of sparkling Salt , and pious meal , As if thou vows with costly victimes seal . ODE XXIV . by Sir R. F. He inveighs against covetous men , who continually joyn houses to houses , building in the very Sea it self : when in the mean time no buildings can free them from the necessity of dying . He saith the Scythians are happy , who draw their houses in waggons , and till the fields in common . Moreover , denies that corruption of manners , and license of sinning to be amongst these , which is amongst the Romans . But for the rooting out of these evils , together with the depraved desire of increasing riches , affirms , there is need of a more rigid Discipline . THough richer then unpoll'd Arabian wealth , and Indian Gold , Thou with thy works should'st drain The Tyrrbene and whole Pontick Main ; Thou could'st not , when Death layes On Thee his Adamanti●e mace , Thy minde from terrour free , Nor body from mortality . Wiser the Scythians , Whose houses run on wheels like Waines ; And frozen Getes , whose Field U●●ounded doth free Ceres yield : Nor is 't the custome there , To sow a land above a year ; And when that Crop is born , The 〈◊〉 it each by turn . There women mingle not , For Son-in-Law's a poyson'd pot ; Nor govern : Or their Dou'● Presuming , 〈◊〉 adultrers pow'r . Their 〈◊〉 to be well bred : And Chastity , flying the Bed Of others , their own trust Perswading , and the price of Lust. Oh! he that would asswage , Our blood-shed and intestine rage , If he would 〈◊〉 have His Countries Father on his grave ; Let him not fear t' oppose Unbridled licence to the nose : So shall he gain great praise In after times ; since ( wome dayes ! ) We envy living worth , But miss it when 't is laid in earth . For what do our laws stand , If punishme●●●eed not 〈◊〉 land ? What serves vain preaching for . Which cannot cure our lives ? if nor Those lands which flames imbrace ; Nor where the neighb'ring Boreas , Shuts up the Ports with cold , And snows fast nail'd to the free hold , The Mariner repell ? If crafty Merchants learn to quell The horridst Seas ? the fear Of that crime Want making them bear , And do all things , and balk Severer vertues narrow walk ▪ Would Heaven we 'd carry all Our wealth into the Capitoll ! Or in the next Sea duck Our jewels and pernicious muck , Fewel of all that 's 〈◊〉 ! If we repent as we ought , Strike at the root of ills ; And mould we our too pliant wills To rougher arts : the childe Of noble linage cannot wield A bounding horse of war , Nay fears to hunt , more skill'd by far to stride off the Greek bowl , Or the forbidden D●ce to trowl , The whilest his perjur'd Father Deceives his partners trust , to gather For one that hath no wit. So ill got wealth grows fast , and yet Something still short doth come , To make it up an even sum . ODE XXV . Upon BACCHUS . Argument . The Lyric of God Bacchus craves , T' induct him to his Bowers , and Caves . Wherewith his influence repleat , He may Augustus praise repeat . Quo me Bacche . WHere dragg'st me ( Bacchus ) with thy power Repleat , to what Grove , or obscure Bower Am I hal'd , with transform'd mind ! In what Reciuses is my Muse confin'd , While Caesars endless honour I Advance to heaven , and rank with Iove on high : I 'le sing a glorious , and new verse , Such as no man did ere before reherse . Just so layes Evias in a Muse Awak'd on lofty Mountains , where he views Cold Hebers streams , and snowy Thrace , And Rhodope where barbarous people trace . O how do I a wandrer love , T' admire the crags and solitary groves ! King of Flood-nymphus , and Bacchae's , who Can with your hands tall Ash-trees overthrow : No petty Theam in humble phraze , No mortal subject shall my Muse deblaze . Bacchus , sweet danger 't is to chase . A God , whose crest green Vine-branch Crownets grace . ODE XXVI . To VENUS . Argument . The Poet now well struck in years , His Lyre , and amorous Theams forlears : And prayes the Cyprian Queen to dart One love-shaf● at proud Chloes heart . Vixi puellis . I Lately with young Virgins did comply , And was in Cupids camp renowned high : Now my Engins ( wa●s at end , ) And Lute I 'le on this wall i●spend , Bord'ring on Sea-born Venus'es left hand Here , be●e let my enlightning Tapour stand , With my leavers and my bow , That borr'd-up doors can open throw , Thou who do'st o'r blest Cyprus Isle preside , And M●mphis where no Thracian snow can bide , O Q●een , with ●ar fetched stroke Once haughty Chloes ire revoke . ODE XXVII . By Sir R. F. To Galatea going to Sea. He deters her principally by the example of Europa . LEt ill presages , guide the Ill , A screecning Owl , or from a hill A She-wolf mad upon the Flocks , Or pregnant Fox , And a Snake shaft-like shot athwart Their horses way to make them start , Their journey stop . What place is here For provident fear ? Before the tempest boading foul , Descend into the standing Pool , My prayer shall from the Orient steer The Kings Fisher. Be blest , whereever thou wouldst be , And Galatea think of me ; No ominous Pye thy steps revoakes , No Raven croaks . Yet pale Orion sad descends ; I know too well what it portends , When black I see the Adriatick , Or white the Iapick . Let our foes wives , and all they love The rising Kids blind anger prove , And the vext Ocean when it roars , Lashing the shores . Europa so , trusting her soft Side to the ticing Bull , shriekt oft , The Rocks and Monsters to behold , Though she was bold . She that late pickt sweet flowers in M●●es , And wore meet Ga●l 〈◊〉 N●mphs heads , In a clear night could nothing spy But Sea and Sky . In pepulous ●rete arriv'd soon after , O Sire , ( quoth she ) left by thy Daughter And 〈◊〉 my feeble brest By love opprest , Whence whether rapt ? One death 's too small to expiate a Virgins fall . Do I ( awake ) true crimes lament , Or ( innocent ) Doth some false Dream put me in pain ? Was 't better through the horrid Main To rove far off : or with my Father Fresh Flowers to gather ? Had I that naughty Bull now here , How with my nails I could him tear , And break the horns about that pate So lov'd of late ! Shameless I left my Sires aboads : Shameless I pawse on death ; ye Gods , ( If any hear ) show me the way Where Lions stray . Ere my fair skin grow tand and loose , And of the tender prey the juice Run out ; whilst I am plump I wou'd Be Tigers food . Die hase Europa ( whispers me My Sire ) behold you beckning tree ! The Zone from thy chaste waste unknit To thy neck fit . Or if sharp Rocks delight for speed , This hanging cliff will do the deed : Unless ( being come of Royal kin ) Th'adst rather spin , And be a barbrous Mistress thrall , Her husbands trull . Venus heard all , And Cupid falsely laughing now Wi● tunbent bow ; At length she said , This rage forbear ; That naughty Bull thou shalt have here : Prepare thy self 'gainst he returns To break his horns . Iove is thy Bull. These Fountains dry ; Learn to use greatness moderately : Thy Thirds o th' World shall called be Europe from thee . ODE XXVIII . By Sir T. H. To LYDE. He perswadeth Lyde to spend the Day dedicated to Neptune , pleasantly . ON Neptunes feasts what else do we ? Straight ( Lyde ) broach , and bring to me Caecubian Wines laid up in store , And let strong wisdome sway no more . Thou seest 't is Mid-time of the day , And yet , as if swift hours did stay , A But thou spar'st , was Cellar-stall'd , When Bibu●us was Consul call'd . With mutual songs wee 'l Neptune please , 〈◊〉 ●he green-hair'd Nereides . On crooked Lyre sing thou with art , L●tona , and swift Cynthia's dart : Whilest our last strain her praise unfolds , Who Cnidos , and bright Cyclads holds : And Paphos with payr'd Swans doth view ; The night shall likewise have his due . ODE XXIX . By Sir. R. F. To MAECENAS . He invites him to a merry Supper , laying aside public● cares . OFf-spring of Tyrrhene Kings ; I have , Waiting thy leisure in my Cave , Of mellow Wine an unbroacht But , With Spicknard and Rose buds , to put Upon thy hair . Break off delay : Do not moist Tybur still survay , And Aesulaes declining hill , And his that did his Father kill . Leave fulsome plenty , and thy proud Palace whose head is in a cloud : Respite the love of smoak , and noise , And all that wealthy Rome enjoyes . Rich men are mostly pleas'd with change , And cleanly meals in a poor grange , Without their Tapestries , unplough The furrows of a careful Brow. Andromed now peeps with his star , Now Procyon shews the Dog not far , He barks , and Phoebus kindling Raies Hasle to bring back the sultry daies . The Shepherd now with his faint Flock Looks , panting , for a gushing Rock , The horrors of a gloomy wood ; And no air stirs to crisp the flood . Thou mind'st affairs of State , and With fears for Rome ) busiest thy thought fraught What Scythians , what the B●ctrians think , And those that distant Tanais drink . Wise God hath wrapt in a thick cloud What is to come : and la●ghs aloud When Mortals fear more then their share . Th●ngs present manage with due care : The rest are carried like a stream , Which now runs calm as any dream ●●to the Tyrr●ene sea ▪ anon ( Beyond all limits overflown ) Sweeps with 〈◊〉 herds , and flocks , And trees intire , are broken rocks , Making the woo●● and mountains roar . That man has 〈…〉 For a hard 〈◊〉 , that can say Into his Soul , 〈◊〉 to day . To morrow 〈…〉 or rain , Yet cannot or 〈…〉 vain , ●That which wa● yesterday nioy'd . Fortune that knows the 〈◊〉 part , To use her 〈◊〉 with proud art , Her fickle 〈◊〉 , now bestows 〈◊〉 , now on another throws . If she stay , 〈◊〉 if she will pack , ● gave her all her presents back , ( Like Wo●ers when a match is broke ) 〈◊〉 wrapping me in my old cloak , My vertue , marry the next hower 〈◊〉 Povertie with out a Dower . When North winds bellow , 't is not I 〈◊〉 scar'd to wretched prayers , and cry Let not my Spice , my Silks increase The riches of the greedie seas . When men may be in Oars convaid Through Pontick stormes , then I will trade . ODE XXX . By Sir R. F. By writing Lyricks , he saith , He hath provided better for the Immortality of his Name , then if he bad procured Brazen Statues , and Pyramids to be e●ected to him . And intimates that his chief praise would be . That he was the first of the Latins , who in this kind of Verse imitated the Greeks . A Work out-lasting Brass , and higher Then Regal Pyramids proud Spire , I have absolv'd . Which storming windes , The Sea that turrets undermines , Tract of innumerable daies , Nor the rout of time can raze . Totally I shall not die , And much of me the Grave shall flie . Posterity my name shall boast , When Rome her self in Rome is lost . Where like a King loud Aufid reigns , Where Daunus ( poor in stream ) complains To neighb'ring Clowns : I shall be sed The man , that from an humble head T' a Torrent fwoln did first inspire A Roman Soul in Grecian Lire . I labour with deserved praise ; Crown , crown me ( willing Muse ) with Baies . The End of the Third Book . ODES . BOOK IV. ODE I. To VENUS . Argument . Arriv'd to Fifty nox , he should His Pen from amorous Theams with-hold : Yet night and day doth Ligurine his heart to fervent love incline . Intermissa Venu : THou Venus dost commence again Thy long suspended wars . O pray refrain : I am not as I wont to be , While gracious Cynera ruled over me . Dire mother of sweet loves forbear Me , now obdur'd and at my Fiftieth year , T' incline to thy soft 〈…〉 Where fair-teng'd young mens flattries court the to In Paulus M●ximus 〈◊〉 , Thou drawn with 〈◊〉 more fitly shalt corrouze , And want on it : if thou desire T' inflame thy flagrant Liver with loves Fire , He , noble , and of Comely , race , And a good pleader in his Clients case , And for an hundred arts renown'd , Shall spread thine Ensigns through the ample round ▪ And when he laughs , more prevalent Than those large gifts his Rival did present , He under Cypress-roof shall make Thee alli of Marble nigh the Albane lake . There copious store of Fra●kincense Shalt thou snuff up , to recreate thy sense , And lyve , with Phrygian pipe , and fl●te , All shall thine ears prom●scuously salute . There Youths and tender Virgina , they Thy sacred power advancing , twice a day , Shall with their candid feet rebound , Like Pries●s of Bacchus three times from the ground , No woman , nor young youth love I , Nor am I prone to vain credulity , Nor in carro●z●●g to c●●test , Nor with f●●sh Flowers my temples to invest ▪ But why , 〈◊〉 Lygurinus , why Glide 〈◊〉 tears thus slowly from my eye ? Why in the midst of language trips My eloquent tongue with unseemly slips ? I , when surpriz'd with gentle sleep , Do thee ( methinks ) in my imbracements ●e●p : Now o'r woode and Mars his plain , O hard of heart / thee prosecute amain . ODE II. By Sir R. F. To Antonius Julus , the son of Mark Anthony , the Triumur . That it is dangerous to imitate the ancient Poets . WHo thinks to equal Piudar , tries With waxen wings to reach the Skies , Like him that ( falling ) a name gave T' his watry grave . As a proud stream that swoln with rain , Comes pouring down the hills amain , So Pindar flows , and fears no drouth , Such his deep mouth : Worthy the Bayes , whither he powre From unexhausted Springs a showre Of lawless Dytherambs , and thunders In bolder numbers : Or sings of Gods , and Heroes ( seed Of Gods ) whose just swords did outweed The Centaures , and Chimera stout Her flames put out : Or mourns some youth , from his sad spouse Unkindly torn , whose strength and prowes And golden mind he lists to th' skie , And lets not die . This Theban Swan , when he will sing Among the clouds , raises his wing On a stiff gale . I like the Bee Of Calabrie , Which ( toiling ) sucks beloved Flowers About the Thymie Groves , and Skowrs Of Fount-well Tyber , frame a terse But humble verse . Thou Anthony in higher strains Chaunt Caesar , when he leads in chains Fierce Germans , his victorious brows Crown'd with Bay-boughs ▪ Then whom a greater thing , or good , Heaven hath not lent the earth , nor shou'd Though it refin'd the age to th' old Saturnian gold . Thou shalt sing to the publick playes For his return , and Holy-dayes For our prayers heard , and wrangling pleas Bound to the peace . Then I ( if I may then be heard ) Happy in my restored Lord , Will joyn i th' close , and ô ! ( I le say ) O Sun-shine day ! And ( thou proceeding ) we 'l all sing , Io Triumph ! And agin Io Triumph ! At each turning Incense burning . A Hecatomb's requir'd of thee , And weaned Calf excuses me , In high grass fat and frisking now , To pay my vow . Resembled in whose shining horns , The increasing Moon his brow adorns ; Save a white feather in his head All sorrel red . A Paraphrase on the same Ode , by A. C. 1. PIndar is imitable by none ; The Phoenix , Pindar , is a vast species alone ; Who er'e but Dedalus with Waxen wings could flie , And neither sink too low , nor soar too high ? What could he who follow'd claim , But of vain boldness the unhappy fame , And by his fall a Sea to name ? Pindars unnavigable song , Like a swoln Flood from some steep mountains pours along ▪ The Ocean meets with such a voice From his enlarg'd mouth , as drowns the Oceans noise . 2. So Pindar does new words and figures roul Down his impetuous Dithyrambique tide , Which in no Channel daignst ' abide , Which neither bankes nor dikes controul , Whither th' immortal Gods he sings In a no less immortal strain , Or the great acts of God-descended Kings , Who in his numbers still survive and raign Each rich Embroidred line , By his Sacred hand is bound ; Which their triumphant brows around , Does all their Starrie-Diadems out-shine . 3. Whither at Pisa's race he please To carve in Polisht verse , the Conqueror● 〈◊〉 ▪ Whither the swift , the skilful , or the strong , Be crown'd in his nimble artful vig'rous song , Whither some brave young mans untimely Fate , In words worth dying for , he celebrate Such mournful , and such pleasing words , As joy to his Mothers , and his Mistress grief assords . He bids him live , and grow in fame , Among the Stars he sticks his name ; The Grave can but the dross of him devour , So small is Deaths , so great the Poets power . 4. Loe , how the Obsequious wind and swelling air , The Theban Swan does upwards bear Into the welks of Clouds ; where he does play , And with extended wings opens his liquid way : Whilst , alas , my timerous Muse , Unambitious tracts pursues , Does with weak unballast wings , About the massie brooks and springs , About the trees new blossom'd heads , About the Gardens painted beds , About the Fields and flowry Meads , And all inferiour beauteous things , Like the laborious Bee , For little drops of honey flee ; And there with humble sweets , contents her industry . ODE III. By Sir. R. F. To MELPOMENE . That be is born to Poetry , and by the benefit thereof , hath obtained immortality and glory . WHom thou Melpomene Hast smil'd on in his infancie , Him neither Isthmian game Shall ever for a wrestler fame ; Nor stout Olympick steeds Victorious draw ; nor Martial deeds Shew to the Capitoll A Lawrel-crowned General For faming Kings : but floods Which wash rich Tybur , and green woods Their bushy locks grown long , Make big with an Aeolian song . Queen Rome hath noted me Of her own sacred Quire to be , Where sweet-tongu'd Poets sing ; And now I fear not envies sting . O Muse ! whose sugard words Are married to the golden Chords : Who , if thou touch their tongues , Giv'st to mute Fishes Swan-like songs : T is ( all ) thy Boon , that I Am pointed at as I pass by Romes Lyric : thine it is , I live , and please , if I do this . ODE IV. By Sir. R. F. He celebrates the Victories of Drusus Nero ( who was Son-in-law to Augustus Caesar ) over the Rhaetiars and Vindelicians : Also commemorates certain valiant deeds of Claudius Nero. AS th' Armour-bearer of great Iove ( Made King of all that soars above , For stealing him from Troy The * yellow-tressed Boy ) Youth whilom and his Native courage Drew from his nest ere he could forage : And now soft Winds , being fair , Teach him to from i th' air Unwonted steps : Anon more bold With hostile force assaults a fold ; Resisting Snakes anon For fight and prey sets on : Or such as kids a Lion view From tawny mother weaned new , Ready in pastures sweet To hansel his first teeth : Such Rhaetians did behold and flie Drusus beneath the Alpes , who why They carry at their backs An Amazonian Ax , I lift not to determine here : Perhaps nor can . But this is clear Their long Victorious bands Subdu'd by a Boy 's hands , Felt what a mind right gor , and true-●red under lucky roofs could do , What Caesars fatherly Care of the Claudii . A valiant man gets men of spirit ; Ev'n beasts their fathers mindes inherit ; Nor doth the bird of Iove Get a degenerous Dove . But learning inward strength thrusts forth , And Princely breeding confirms worth : Still where good precepts want , Good Plants turn recreant . What unto Nero's , Rome thou ow'st , Speak Alpes , and Asdrubals red Ghost , And that bright day to thee The black Clouds made to flee : The first , since the dire African Through the Italian Cities ran Like fire through Piny woods , Or storms on Tuscan Floods . Thenceforth thy youth with prosperous pains Still grew ; and thy religious fanes , Sackt by the Punick sword , Had their chac'd Gods restor'd ; And perjur'd Hannibal ' gan say At length ; Porr sheep ( of wolves the prey ) We worry , whom to flie Were a great victory . The Nation that through flames of Troy , And Tyrrhene billows did convoy Their Gods , and Babes , and hoar Sires , to th' Ausonian shore , Like a dark Oak on the rich top Of Algidum , which Hatchets lop , Grows by it loss , and takes Strength from the very axe . Not mangled Hydra more increast Vnder Alcides , nor that beast Iason , or he subdu'd Of Thebes , more lives renew'd . Plunge them ith'sea ; they swim fresh out : Foyl them , with double force they 'l rout The Conqueror : and sight As in a Mistress fight . Now shall I send no more proud Posts To joyful Carthage . Lost , O! lost's Now Asdrubal is slain , The glory of our name . What is 't but N●ros can effect ? Whom Heavens with prosperous stars protect , And their own prudent care Clews through the Maze of War. ODE V. By Sir R. F. To AUGUSTUS . That he would at length return to the City . Describes the peace and happiness which Italy injoyed under his Government . HEavens choicest gift , Romes greatest stay , Now thou art too too long away : The holy Senate urge thy word For soon return , return . Afford , Like day , thy presence ; like the Spring Give a new life to every thing : The first , good Prince , our night will chace , The second will prolong our dayes . As a fond mother for her son , Whom , having over seas been gone Above a year , the envious wind Keeps back from her embraces kind ; And now she eyes the Vane , and prayes , And from the crooked shore doth gaze : So , with a loyal passion strook , The People for their Caesar look . For now the Oxen walk in peace : Corn , and white innocence increase : The cleared Main the Sea-men sail : Faith promises , and dares not fail . The married Bed unsoil'd remains , Custom and law preventing stains : Babes , like the father , praise the Mother : Punishment is Sins Twin-brother . Who fears cold Scythians ? who the Medes ? Fierce sons of Germany , who dreads ? Whilest Caesar doth in safety raign , Who is afraid of Wars with Spain ? Each man his proper Field doth till , And hides the Sun behind his hill : Returning then to sup with Glee , His second course is praising thee . For thee he prayes , to thee propines , Thee with his houshold gods he joyns , As , for like reason , thankful Greece Did Castor and great Hercules . Long last these golden Holy-dayes ! Thus Italy for thy life prayes : Sprinkled at night , not chang'd at morn , When to dry labour they return . ODE VI. To Apollo and Diana . Argument . He doth in Saecularian verse Phoebus , and Diana's praise rehearse . Dive quem . GOd , whose revenge for boasts , the crew From Niobe sprung , and Tytius knew , And great Achilles , who did Troy Almost destroy . The greatest souldier 's not like thee , Though Sea-bred Thetis son he be , Who did with dreadful Javelin make Troys turrets shake . No Pine with keen edg'd-axe hewn down , Nor Cypress with East-blasts o'r-thrown , So amply fell , his Carcass found On Trojan ground . He ne'r ( as sculkt in horse compil'd For Pallas sacrifice ) beguil'd Ill-id ling Troy , and Priams Court , With dancing sport . But publickly in flames had flung ( O dire ? ) each Grecian infant young , Yea formless Embroyes not yet come From Mothers womb ; Had not thy own , and Venus prayer Prevail'd with father Iove , to rear Walls f●r Aeneas toyles , of state , And better fate . O Phoebus shrill Thalias theam , Who lav'dst thy looks in Xanthus stream , Protect the honour'd Daunian Muse , Smooth Agyeus . 'T was Phoebus gave thee wit , and art , And name of Poet did impart . Ye noblest Maids , and youths of high - Born ancestry ; Ye guarded in Diana's bounds , Whose bow swift Stags , and Lynces wounds , My Lesbian measures patron stand , And guide my hand : Chaunting ( as of old ) Diana's Sun , And the still light-augmenting Moon , Fructiferous , making Moneths to hie On speedily . Now wed , thou 'lt say : I , who each Verse Of Horace knew , did Layes rehearse T' th' Gods , when ev'ry age in use Did feasts reduce . ODE VII . By Sir R. F. To L. Manlius Torquatus . Proposing the arrival of the Spring , and the equal necessity to all men of dying , without hopes of living again , and proposing likewise the change and vicissitude of all things , he invites to lead a merry and pleasant life . THe snows are thaw'd , now grass new cloaths the earth , And trees new hair thrust forth . The season 's chang'd , and brooks late swoln with rain , Their proper banks contain . Nymphs with the Graces linkt dare dance around Naked upon the ground . That thou must die , the year and howers say Which draw the winged day . First Spring , then Summer , that away doth chase , And must it self give place To Apple-bearing Antumn , and that past , Dull Winter comes at last . But the decays of time , Time doth repair : When we once plunged are Where good Aeneas , with rich Ancus wades , Ashes we are , and shades . Who knows if Iove unto thy life 's past score Will adde one morning more ? When thou art dead , and Rhadamanthus ●ust Sentence hath spoke thee dust , Thy blood , nor eloquence can ransome thee , No nor thy piety . For chast Hippolytus in Stygian night Diana cannot light : Nor Theseus break with all his vertuous pains , His dear Perithous chains . A Paraphrase on the same Ode . THe snow is gone , the grass returns To Fields , the Perucks to the trees , Earth playes with her varieties . Each River in Consumption mourns , And humbly glides beneath her bourns , Contain'd within her banks degrees . The naked Graces lead the dance , With whom the Nymphs in measures more , The sliding years our hopes reprove ; Which to Eternity advance , And the swift howers their speed inhance , The day by snatches to remove . Soft Western gales allay the cold , On the Sprlngs heels the Summer treads , It self then to destruction leads . Where Autumn does her fruits unfold , Straight comes the Winter stiffe and cold , And life with lazie humour deads . Yet Moons may wane , and soon increase , But when once we thither go , Where wealthy men and worthy too , Must all lay down their heads at last , When their needless toyls are past , To dust and ghost we vanish all ; Who knows that those great powers on high , The present sum of these our dayes , Which by to morrows reckoning raise ? Our heirs as well as we must die , And from our clutcht hands all will flie , Which our kind will to them conveys . That once among the dead thou be , And the just Judge do sentence give , In glorious state on all that live : Thee no extraction thence shall free , No eloquence , no piety , Thy life recover , or reprieve . No Father can , though much he mourn , From the dark vale of shade beneath , Restore his guiltless Babe to breath ; Nor friend can make his friend return , When once imprison'd in his Urn , From cold forgetfulness and death . ODE VIII . By Sir R. F. To Martius Censorinus . That there is nothing which can make men more immortal , then the verses of Poets . MY friends , I would accommodate With goblets , Grecian tripods , Plate Of Corinth - Brass : and , Censorine , The worst of these should not be thine : That is to say , if I were rich In those same antique pieces , which Parrhasius and Scopas fame ; He skill'd to paint , in stone to frame This , now a God , a Mortal now . But I have not the means ; nor thou A mind , or purse , that wants such knacks . Verse thou dost love . Thou shalt not lack For Verse . And hear me what 't is worth , Not inscrib'd Marbles planted forth To publick view , which give new breath To great and good men after death : Not the swift flight of Hannihal , And his threats turn'd to his own wall : Not perjur'd Carthage wrapt in flame , By which young Scipio brought a name From conquer'd Africk : speaks his praise So loud as the Pierian Layes . Nar , were Books silenc'd could'st thou gain The Guerdon of thy vertuous pain ? What had become of Ilia's child She bare to Mars , had darkness veil'd The merits of our Romulus ? From Stygian waters Aeacus , Vertue and fav'ring verse assoils , And consecrates to the blest Isles : A man that hath deserv'd t' have praise , The Muse embalms ; She keeps Heavens Keys , Thus Hercules ( his labours past ) With Iupiter takes wisht repast : The sons of Leda stars are made , And give the sinking Sea-man aid ; Good Bacchus , crowned with Vine-leaves , His drooping Voraries relieves . ODE IX . By Sir R. F. To LOLLIO . That his writings shail never perish : Vertue without the help of Verses is buried in oblivion . That he will sing Lollio's praises , whose vertue he now also celebrates . LEast thou should'st think the words which I ( By sounding Aufid born ) compile To marry with the Lute b'a skill Never before reveal'd , shall die : Though Homer lead the Van , the Muse Of Pindar , nor Alcaeus heights , Grave Stesichore , nor Caean sighs , Are silenc't , or worn out of use . Nor what of old Anacreon plaid , Hath time defac't : Love lights his fire ▪ And with his Quiver wears the Lyre Of the yet fresh Aeolian Maid . Helen was not the onely she A curled gallant did inflame , The splendour of his Royal train , And Gold and Pearls embroyderie . Nor Teuc●r first that drew a strong Cydonian Bow. Trojans had fought Before : nor that age onely wrought Deeds worthy of the Muses song . Nor valiant H●ctor , and the brave Deiphob , were the onely men Receiv'd deep wounds upon them then , Their children and chafte wives to save . Men slasht ere Diomed was made : But all are in oblivion drown'd , And put unmourn'd into the ground , For lack of Sacred Poets aid . Vertue that 's buried , and dead Sloth , Differ not much . Un-understood Thou shalt not die ; nor so much good As thou host acted feed the Moth. Lollio thou art a man hast skill To fathome things : that being tride In either Fortune , could'st abide In both up-right , and Lollio still . Of coverous fraud a scourge severe : On whom the all-attracting Gold Could with its Tenters ne'r take hold : Nor Consul of one year . When ere Avertuous Magistrate , and true , Shall call good , gain , bid Bribes avaunt ; Upon Opposers bellies plant His conqu'ring Flags ; Lollio , that 's you . He is not happy that hath much : But who so can his mind dispose To use aright what Heaven bestows , He justly is accounted such : If he know how hard want to bear : And fear a crime , more then his end ; If for his Country , or his Friend To stake his life he doth not fear . And strain'd 'mongst herbs my palate to delude ? Or some damn'd dose Canidia brew'd ? When Iasons love Medea's heart had caught , He chief , and fairest Argonaut ; Who bulls combined never yoak'd before , With Garlick she besmear'd him ore . With this that harlot Glauca she bespred , And on the wings of Dragons fled . An influence so rageful never rent Apulia's droughty continent , Nor gore-steept garment ere more servent fri'd On powerful Hercules his side . But if thou ' gain provide me such a dish , Maecenas merry friend , I wish Thy sweet-heart nicely may thy kisses flie , And on the utmost Bed-stock lie . EPODE IV. By Sir T. H. To Volteius Mena , Pompey's freed-man . THat disaccord between us two I find , Which Natures law hath lambs and wolves disjoyn'd . ( O thou , whose sides with Spanish whips are torn , And galled legs with stubborn fetters worn . ) Though , proud of wealth , thou walk with pompous pace , Fortune correcteth not ignoble race . Seest not when to the Capitol through the Town , Thou stalk'st along clad in thy Six-ell Gown , How Indignation limitless , and free Of passers to and fro reflects on thee ? He , who was earst with Triumvirs smart blows , Lash'd till the loathing Beadle weary grows ; A thousand plough'd Falernian Akers brags , And treads the Appian way with well pac'd-nags , And on chief Benches sitteth ( in despight Of Otho's law ) a most accomplish'd Knight ! What needs great Caesar , then to go about So many goodly ships to furnish out 'Gainst wretched Pirates , and the slavish hand , This , this man dignify'd with prime command ! EPODE V. By Sir T. H. A noble youth , whom Canidia , and other Witches had stoln , and set in the earth up to the chin , purposing to famish him , that they might by Art Magick make a Love-drink of his Liver and Marrow . O God , who e're in Heaven dost guide The earth , and men which here abide , What means this noise , and why on me , Do you all look so rufully ? Ah , for thy childrens sake forbear , If at such Births Lucina were . By this vain Purple robe , I pray , By Iove , who will not like your way , Why frown you on me , Step-dame like , Or beast , whom eager Hunters strike ? While here the trembling Lad doth stay , Made to dispoil from rich array H●s tender body ( which might force The cruel Thracian to remorse : ) Canidia , whose unkembed head Was with short Vipers filleted , Commands from Graves wild Fig-tree torn : And Cypress , which doth Becres adorn : Eggs steept in Blood of Toads , to bring , With feathers from the Scritch-Owles wing ; Hearbs of Iolco's baneful field , And poysons , Thessaly doth yield ; Bones snatch'd from jaws of hungry Bitch , To burn with flames of Colchique witch . Quick Sagan , who doth waters fling , Fetch'd from Avernus loathsom Spring , Bristles her hair , as moody Bore , Or the Sea-urchin near the shore . While Veia free from all remorse Of horrid deeds , the ground 'gan force With stubborn spade ; and hard she swet That in it , the whelm'd stripling set , Might twice or thrice a day be ply'd With view of viands , till he dy'd : In which , up to the chin he stood , As they who wade within the flood . That his drain'd Marrow , Liver dry , Her with a Love-drink might supply ; When once his fainting eyes were spy'd To sink at sight of food , deny'd . Nay easeful Naples did believe , And the neat Towns for receive That Folia of Ariminum Lustful ( man like ) did thither come : Whose spells have power from Orbes of light , The charmed Moon , and Stars to fright . Canidia here for spleen prepar'd , With black teeth gnawing nails unpar'd , What mutter'd she ? what not ? O ye You conscious Arbiters with me , Night , and Diana Queen of Rest , Now we perform our dark behest Be present here : your anger throw , And powerful God-head on my foe . While fearful beasts close covert keep ▪ Charm'd with the ease of gentle sleep . Let the Suburran dogs report , That all may jeer it , the resort Of the old wanton , sleek with Nard ; Better my hands have n'ere prepar'd . How , how ! why do Medaea's charmes And deadly drugs cause greater harmes , Wherewlth she took revenge at full On Creons daughter , that proud Trul , When a Gown dipt in poyson'us Bane , Turned the guift and Bride to flame ? But plant nor root in craggs conceal'd Rests from my notice , unreveal'd : Yet Varus , not with love in ure , In beds perfumed , sleeps secure : But , ah , he walkes , freed by the spells Of some , whose knowledge more excells . O Varus , by strange drugs , to me ( Damn'd to indure much misery ) Thou shalt return ; nor thy sick mind From Marsian charmes shall comfort find . A stronger Cup I will devise Fill'd for thee , who dost me despise . Heaven shall below the Sea descend , And o're the Sea the Earth distend ; If thou like pitch in dusky fire Consumest not with my desire . The Boy sought them to sooth no more With gentle words , as heretofore , But doubtful what he first should speak , Thus direfully doth silence break ; Let charmes and spels do what they can , They cannot change the Fate of man. I 'le haunt you still : For setled hate No sacrifice doth expiate . When forc'd by you my soul is fled , I 'le come a Fury to your bed , And a sad Ghost your faces tear ( Such power on earth have Spirits here : ) And as the Night-mare , on your chest , I 'le vex , and scare you from your rest . The thronging people in the street , Base Hags , shall stone you , when yee meet : Your limbs untomb'd the Wolves shall tear , And Vulters to Esquiliae bear : Nor ( ah ) my parents after me Shall fail this spectacle to see . EPODE VI. Against Cassius Severus , a revileful and wanton Poet. Argument . The surly and crabb'd qualities Of Poet Cassius , he descries . Quid immerentes . WHy ( currish Dog ) dost harmless guests assail , But not 'gainst Wolves dar'st wag thy tail ? Why , if thou dar'st , with menaces so vain Assault'st not me , who 'l turn again ? For like Colossian masty , or red-flect Laconian dogs , which herds protect , Through profound snowes with flat-cowch'd ear I 'le chace Whatever obvious game I face . When the woods eccho with thy dismal cries , Thou snook'st at morsels 'fore thine eyes . Beware , beware : for I 'le sharp horns prepare , To push those that revileful are ; Like him whom curst Lycambe slighted so , Or Bupalus his tart-mouth'd foe . What ? if calumniated once , should I Put 't up and childe-like pule and cry ? EPODE VII . By Sir R. F. To the People of Rome . An Execration of the second Civil Warre waged after the death of Julius , by Brutus and Cassius on the one side ; on the other by Octavius , M. Anthony , and Lepidus . WHy , why your sheath'd swords drawn again ? Whether rush ye , impious brood ? Have not the earth yet and the main , Drunk enough of Latin blood ? Not that proud Carthage burnt might be , Rival of the Roman State : Nor the chast Mistress of the Sea Britain , on our Triumphs wait ; But that the thing the Parthians crave , Rome , may make her self away . Lions and Wolves this temp'rance have , On their Kind they will not prey . Is 't a blind rage , or force more strong , Or Crime drives you ? Speak . They look As pale as Death , and hold their tongue , As their Souls were Planet-strook . 'T is so : dire Fates the Romans haunt , And a Fratricidal guilt : Since blood of Remus innocent , On the cursed ground was spilt . EPODE VIII . To a Lustful old Woman ▪ Argument . The fulsome shape , and vitious life , Of a lascivious aged wife . Rogare Longo . THou to demand of rot-consumed date , What should my strength emasculate ? When all thy teeth black-furr'd with Canker show , And Old-age wrinckle plows thy brow , And filthy arse 'twixt buttocks wither-dry'd , Like some raw-bon'd Cows gapes so wide . But thy down-swagging breasts extub'rant teats , Like Mares dugs kindle Cupids heats : Thy down-soft bellie , and thy spindle thighs , Sustain'd on legs , which pregnant rise . Live happily : let Statutes triumphal Adorn thy pompous funeral : Nor may more precious chains of pearl invest ' Ere any marri'd womans brest . How is 't that Stoic Treatises are by , And 'mongst thy silken pillows lie ? Are rustick Loons less pollent at the sports ? Or doth their courage less retort ! Whose — that thou may'st urge to spend , Thou must with — contend . EPODE IX . By Sir T. H. To MAECENAS . He beforehand feels the contentment he shall take from Augustus his victory against M. Anthony , and Cleopatra . VVHen shall I Caecube wines , that stored lie For banquets , glad at Caesars victory ( So Iove will have it ) in thy stately house , With thee , my dear Maecenas , free carrouze ? Resounding notes that mingle Flutes with Lyre ; This , Dorique , speaking joy , that Phrygian , Ire : As when Neptunian Pompey droven , fled Through straigthned seas , with navie ruined , Who Rome had threatned with those chains , which he Had ta'ne from treacherous Servitors , made free The Roman Souldier by a woman ty'd In slavish bands ( ah this will be deny'd By after times ) lugs armes , earth , stakes , and tent , Striving her with'red Eunuches to content ; And Phoebus 'mongst their ensignes doth espy , Her net-like and lascivious canopie . But the bold French proclaiming Caesars name , Thence with two thousand Horse straight hither came ; And the swift prowess of hostile vessels lie Turn'd to the left hand , ready set to flie . O gladsome triumph ! thou retard'st the drift Of golden chariot , and young beifers gift : O gladsome triumph ! from Iugurthian war ▪ Thou brought'st no captain might with this compare : Nor African , whose noble valours praise , Did lasting monuments or'e Carthage raise . The foe , by Sea , and Land , now vanquish'd fears , And a black Cassock for a purple wears ; Not knowing whither adverse windes will cast Him , on rich Crete with hundred Cities grac'd , Or on the Quick-sands with South-billows toss'd , Or the wide main in danger to be lost . Boy , cups bring hither for a larger draught ; Let Chian , or the Lesbian grape be sought : Or fill Caecubian wines without delay , Which may a queezie loathing drive away : The care , and fear of Caesars happy state , Let us with merry Bacchus dissipate . EPODE X. Against Maetius a Poet. Argument . He wisheth raging stormes may rise , And Maetius with wrack surprize . Mala Soluta . THe ship inauspica●ely quits the Bay , And noisome Maetius hoists away . Anster , see thou impe●uously rave , Dashing both sides with furious wave . Let gloomy Eurus with his stormes adverse The Tacklings and broke Oars disperse . 〈…〉 such violent 〈◊〉 extend , As from high hills an Holm 〈…〉 . On pitchie nights let no stars luster shine , When sad Orion doth decline : Nor let the Ocean tranquiller stand , Than for the Grecians conquering band , When wrathful Pallas , waving fired Troy , Would impious Ajax sail destroy . O how do thy industrious sailers sweat ! Thy self with pallid fear repleat , Howling out sadly woman-like laments , And vows , which ireful Iove resents : When showry Notus lowdly bellowing , I' th' Adrian Gulph doth ship-wrack bring . But if the crooktly-winding shore display Thy still stretch'd limbs for Corm'rants prey , A lustful Goat , and a She-lambkin shall A Sacrifice to tempests fall . EPODE XI . To Pettius his Chamber-fellow . Argument . He Cupid-struck cannot the while To compose Verses frame his stile . Petti nil me . PEttius , I take no pleasure , as before , In writing Verse , Now Cupids arrows pierce : Cupid , who me ' ●ove all inflameth sore With wilder heat Of Youths and Virgins neat . Now three Decembers woods have shed their glory , Since ore I gave For Inachia to rave . Oh shameful folly ! what a Citie-storie ( 'lass ) I became ! My junkettings I blame , When paleness , silence , and long sighs exhal'd From lungs profound , Descri'd my passions wound : And I lamentful moan'd that wealth prevail'd 'Gainst honestie , And distress'd ingeny : When debaucht Bacchus did my secrets broach From heated breast , With fervent liquors prest . But if free indignation once approach My boyling blood , And this distasteful flood Expel , which nought allaies my maladie : Shame profligate With great ones strife will hate . When I , thou hearing , these extoll'd on high , Charg'd to get home , I rov'd with vagrant roam , To those ( ah ) flintie thresholds , unkind posts , Which as I li'd , All bruis'd my shins , and side . Me now Lyciscas love ore-rules , who boasts T' exceed each she , In soft effeminacie , From whence no faithful counsels can me free A friend affords , Nor contumelious words . A new flame of some Virgin it must be , Or youth plump-round , With long hair backward wound . EPODE XII . Against a libidinous old Woman . Argument ▪ He scolds a Whore , who did him court To sate her Lust with Venus sport . Quid tibi vis . WHat mean'st thou Woman for black El'phants fit ? Why send'st me tokens , why are letters writ To me nor vig'rous , nor obtuse of nose ? For I quick-sented can as soon disclose A Polype , or an arm-pits rammish scent , As well nos'd hounds explore where sows are pent , What ●tench , what sweat her wizned limbs hath drench'd , When ( Natures kneener ardours in me quench'd ▪ ) She hastes to satisfie her unbridled lust : Nor bides her all sweat-steeped cheeks cerust , Or dawb'd with Crocodiles ordure : with mad reaks , She now both Bed-stock , and the Matt'ress breaks : Thus jears my Languors with revileful flout ; Thou with Inachia could'st hold longer out , Yea , thrice a night : with me at once thou 'rt tir'd . A Pox take Les●ia , who when I enquir'd For tuff-back'd Actors , shew'd me thee so dull : Choan Amyntas giving me my full , Whose unfoyl'd — more stiff erected — Then ere a sapling in the loftie wood : For whom were garments ( which twice tincted show In Tyrian purple ) made ? for thee I trow . Least 'mongst his equals ere a guest should be Whom his dear sweet-heart better lov'd than thee . Oh wretch am I whom thou eschews as much ; As Lambes fierce Wolves , or Goats the Lions clutch . EPODE XIII . By Sir T. H. To his merry Friends , that they should pass the VVinte● pleasantly . ROugh tempests have the brow of heaven bent , And showers , and snows cause thickned airs descent : Now Thracian North windes , Seas and woods affray ; Friends , let us take occasion from the day ; While strength is fresh , and us it well becomes , Let 's old age banish , which the brow benumns . Boy , see you broach those elder Wines were prest , When Torquat first the Consulship possest : Speak not of other things . God will , perchance , Them to their Seat , with happy change advance . Let us in Persian unguents now delight ; And with Cylenian harp put cares to flight : As noble Chiron to Achilles sang ; Vnvanquish'● Mortal , that from Thetis sprang , Troy thee expects ; which Simois rouling Tide , And small Scamanders colder streams divide , VVhence thou no more ( the Sisters so ordain ) VVith thy blew Mother shalt return again . All sorrow there , with wine , and Song depress , ( Sweet comforts of deformed heaviness . ) EPODE XIV . By Sir R. F. To MAECENAS . That his love to Phryne , is the Cause why he doth not finish his promised Iambicks . 'T Is Death , my sweet Maecenas , when so oft You ask me , why a soft Sloth turns my sence , as if with thirsty draught I had together quaft L●the's oblivious lake into my blood . It is a God , a God , Forbids me finish my Iambicks , though Promis'd thee long ago . Be●●●ted thus Ana●rcon was 't is said Upon the S●mian Maid : W●o so●●'d his love out to a hollow Lyre With stumbling Feet . That fire Cons●mes thee too . If fairer burnt not Troy Besieg'd , in thy lot joy . Me a Bond-woman , such a one torments , As no one man contents . EPODE XV. To his Sweet-heart Neara . Argument . Our Lyric dolefully descryes Faithless Neaeraes perjuries . Noxerat . 'T Was night , and Cynthia lighted all the skie 'Mongst Stars of less fulgency , When thou , profaning Gods of power immense , T' act my will didst oaths dispence ; Not lofty Ivies th' Ilex closer graspt , Than thy limber armes me claspt : While Lambs fled Wolves , and while Orions orb Sailours bane , should seas disturb , VVhile unshorn Sol his hairy beams should dart , Thou would'st mutual love impart . Naeera ! how my vertue thou 'st bewail ! For less Flaccus spirit fail , For cliftier rivals he 'l not brook one night , And vext seek those that will requite , Nor once offended will he constant rest , If certain grief pierce his breast . But thou who now in favour happy reigns , Proudly vaunt'st at my disdains , Though rich in stock , and grounds , and to thy hands Pactole roll his Golden sands : Though truly vvrote oft-liv'd Pythag●ras , And fair Nereus thou surpass ; Yet she 'l her love to others ( 'lass ) translate , But then I 'le deride thy Fate . EPODE XVI . By Sir R. F. To the People of Rome . Commiserating the Common-wealth , in respect of the Civil VVars . NOvv Civil VVars a second age consume , And Romes ovvn Svvord destroyes poor Rome . Whom neither neighbouring Marsians could devour , Nor feared Porsenas Tuscan power ; Nor C●pua's rival valour , mutinies Of Bond-slayes , Treacherie of Allies ; Nor Germany ( blue-ey'd Bellona's nurse ) Nor Hannibal ( the Mothers curse ) We ( a blood-thirstie age ) our selves deface , And Wolves shall re-possess this place . The barbarous foe will trample on our dead ; The steel-shod horse our courts will tread ; And R●m●lus dust ( clos'd in religious Urn From Sun and tempest ) proudly spurn . All , or the ●ounder part , perchance would know , How to avoid this coming blow . 'T were best I think , like to the Phocean● , Who left their execrated lands , And hou●es , and the houses of their Gods , To Wolves and Bears for their aboads ▪ T' abandon all , and go where ere our feet Bear us by land , by sea our Fleet. Can any man better advice afford ? If not , in name of Heaven aboard ! But you must swear first to return again , When loosned Rocks float on the Main , And be content to see your Mother-town , When Betis washes the Alpes crown ; Or Appennine into the Ocean flies , Or new lust weds Antipathies , Making the Hind stoop to the Tygers love , The ravenous Kite cuckold the Dove : And credulous Heards , t' affect the Lions side , And Goats the salt Sea to abide . This , and what else may stop our wish'd return When all , or the good part have sworn , Fly hence ! Let him whose smooth and unfledg'd breast Misgives him , keep the rifled neast . You that are men , unmanly grief give o're And sail along the Tuscan shore , To the wide Ocean . Let us seek those Isle● Which swim in plenty , the blest soyles : Where the Earths Virgin-womb unplough'd is fruitful , And the unproyned Vine still youthful : The Olive Tree makes no abortion there , And Figs hang dangling in the air ; Honey distils from Oaks , and water hops With creeking feet from Mountain tops . The generous Goats without the Milk-maids call , Of their full bags are prodigal ; No evening wolf with hoarse alarums wakes The Flocks , nor breeds the up-land Snakes . And far●●er to invite us , the plump Grain , Is neither drunk with too much rain , Nor yet for want of mod'rate watring drie ; Such the blest temper of the skie . Never did Iason to those Islands guide His Pirat-ship , and whorish Bride . Sydonian Cadmus never toucht these shores , Nor false Ulysses weary Oars . No murrain rots the sheep , nor star doth scorch The Cattel with his burning torch . When Iove with brass the Golden age infected , These Isles he for the pure extracted . Now Iron raìgns , I like a Statue stand , To point good men to a good land . EPODE XVII . To CANIDIA . Argument . Canidia the Sorceress He doth his over-match confess : And supplicates her to give o're Her spells , and torture him no more . Iam , jam efficaci . I Now su●mit unto thy powerful skill , And beg by Proserpines imperial will , And by Dianaes steddy fixt decree , And by thy Charm-books which effectual be , To summon stars down from the Aetherial Sphear ; Thy Spells , Canidia , Oh at length forbear , And cease , O cease this giddy whirling wind . Proud Telephus , he dire Achilles mind Mov'd to relent ; though against him he had shown His Mysian squadrons , and sharp Javelins thrown . The Trojan dames did warlike Hector oyl , To ravenous birds , and dogs expos'd for spoyl ; When Priam quitting Troy , fell down prostrate Before Achilles , ah , too obstinate . Ulysses his industrious Sailors left Their br●sled limbs of hispid skins bereft , Circe appeas'd : then Reason did retreat , With speech and wonted favour to its seat . Thou now hast plagu'd me in abundant measure , O thou the Seamans and Merchants pleasure . Youths blossom's faded , and my Purple hew , My skin and bones are smear'd with black and blew ▪ My hair's turn'd hoary with thy dismal oyles , No leisures free me from heart-racking toiles : I 'me cruciated night and day with ire : Scarce can my grief extended lungs respire . I wretch am now convinced to believe , Sabellan charmes ( which I deni'd ) can grieve The heart , and Marsian Spells the head dispoil . What would'st thou more ? O sea , O land ? I broyl , As not Alcides stew'd in Nessus gore : Nor yet Sicilian Aetna rageth more With its e'r flagrant embers : Thou , till I Become light ashes scatter'd in the skie , Fry'st me , as 't were in Colchian poys'nous forge . When ends my pain ? what tribute wilt thou urge ▪ O speak ; And I religiously will pay Whatever mulct's impos'd ; prepar'd to slay Ev'n Hecatombs , or with dissembling song Chaunt thee for fair , for vertuous , and among Heavens Or●es to glister as a glorious Sphear . Castor and Pollux wrathful though they were , And smote him ●lind did Helens honour stain , Yet , won with prayers , restor'd his eyes again . Ev'n thou , who canst from phrenzies set me free , O 〈◊〉 not sprung from Sires of base degree , Nor skill'd in poor mens urns , to dissipate 〈◊〉 silent ashes after nine dayes dare . Thy heart is hounteous , and thy hands sincere , Fruitful thy Womb , and th' Midwi●e rinseth clear 〈…〉 with thy fluent blood , When thou from Child-bed skip'●t with livelihood . CANIDIA'S Answer . Argument . The 〈◊〉 ●ill not be wo● 〈…〉 his supplication : 〈…〉 up and down , 〈…〉 all ore the Town . Quid obscratis . WHy vainly pray'st thou to my lock'd-up ears ? A● well the Rock the nake-stript Sailor hears , When 〈◊〉 Neptune with his billows beats . Shalt thou ( Scot-free ) scoff our Cocyttian feats , Divulge licentious Cupids Sacrifice ? An Arch-priest-like o' th' Esquile Sorceries ; Revengeless blason our reproachful fames ? To truck with old P●lignian haggard dames , Or mix dispatching Pills , to what end is 't , If thou can'st not refeind thy destin'd twist ? The Fa●es ( poor wretch ) prolong thy irksome date , That still fresh torments may thy carcase bait . Pelops his tell-tale Sire for rest out cries , Wanting still what abounds before his eyes : For Rest Prometheus Vultur-chain'd makes moan , And Sisyphus his still down-tumbling stone Would roul aloft , but Iove gain-saies . And now Thou wouldst thy self precipitately throw From down steep clifts : Now Noric sword distain In thine own Guts , and ( loathing life ) in vain Striv'st with a Halter to conclude thy pain . Then on thy hateful shoulders will I ride , And make the earth stoop to my haughty pride . I , who Wax . 〈◊〉 can inspire with motion , As thou ( too curious ) know'st , and whose dark notion Can hale the Moon down by my abstruse Spells , And raise the dead up from their silent Cells , And fervent Phil●ers mix : Should I bewail , My Magic Art 'gainst thee cannot prevail ▪ Verses sung in the Secular games every Century of years , pronounced for the s●fety of the Roman Empire . PHoebus and Dian , Grovie Queen , Heavens ornaments ; as you have been , Still be you honour'd , ever 〈◊〉 : Gra●t what we ask on holy Feast . In which Sybi●l●'s verses ●each , Cha●te maids , and youths not 〈…〉 , Unto those Gods songs to recite , Who on the seaven-fold hills delight . ( Fair Sol ) who in thy chariot bright , Dost call forth Day , and shutt'st up Night ; And other , and the same dost come , Nought greater maist thou see than Rome . Ilythia , open wombes we crave For ripened Births , and Mothers save ; Whether we thee Lucina call , Or Cynthia , which produceth all . Goddess , bring Children forth , and bless Senates decrees , give good success To nuptial laws , that those who wed , May have a fruitful Marriage-bed . That ten-times-ten full Orbes mature , May us to songs and sports enure : Thrice in the splendour of day light , And thrice in shades of welcome night . And you truth ●telling Fates , to past Joyn future fortunes , that may last : That stable limits may enclose , What once to Mortals you propose . That Cattel may , and Corn abound , Wherewith fair Ceres shall be crown'd : And wholesome streams , with air as pure . May n●triments to plants assure . Ah Phoebus mild , withdraw thy dart , To suppliant youths thy grace impart : And Queen of Stars , who do'st appear By-forked ( Luna ) Virgins hear ▪ If Rome a work be of your store , And Trojan troops held Tybers shore : A part injoyn'd their seat to change , And with success from home to range : For whom secure , th'row Troy on fire Aeneas chaste in safe retire , Free passage open'd , and gave more To them , then they possest before . O Gods to youth grant matters sage , Gods give repose to quiet age ; And unto Romulus his blood , Wealth , issue , honour , all that 's good . Let Venus , and Anchises strain , Who give ye Oxen free from stain , In Wars atchievements bear the prize , And courteous be to enemies . The Median now by Sea and Land , Fears Roman power , and conquering hand : The Scythians now our friendship crave , And haughty Indians truce would have . Now Faith , Peace , Honour , modest look And Vertue scorned , which forsook Our City , dares return again , And blessed Plenty freely raig● . Phoebus , with radiant Bow , Divine , Gracious among the Muses nine ; Who doth with Heaven-inspir'd art , To crazie bodies health impart : If he Mount Palatine do grace , The weal of Rome , and Latian Race , To farther times and better end , May he these Centuries extend . And Dian who holds Aventine , And Algidus , may she incline To prayers of fifteen men , and hear Our childrens vows with friendly ear . Then I , and all well skill'd in Layes , Phoebus and Dians name to praise , Go home , with certain hopes , that Iove , And all the Gods these things approve . The end of the Epodes . SATYRES . BOOK I. SATYR I. By A. B. That Men are not contented with their Conditions . HOw comes it ( great Maecenas ) that there 's not A man , who lives contented with that lot Which choice inclin'd , or chance expos'd him to , But all applaud what others are and do ? Oh happy Merchant , then the Souldier sayes , When by old age and toil his strength decayes ; The Merchant when th' insulting billows rise , And toss his tottering Ship , Give me ( he cries ) The Souldiers life , for he meets in a breath A joyful victory or certain death . The Lawyer when he hears his Clients knock At 's gate before the crowing of the Cock , Admires the Country life , while the poor Swain , Being from his home up to the City drawn To follow Law-suits , does conclude no mens Conditions happier then the Citizens . But the whole rabble of this sort of men Would be so numerous it would tire the Pen Of Scribling Fabius ; so I 'le pass by those , And draw the matter to this point : Suppose Iove said , I 'le make you what you would be ; thou Who wert a Merchant , be a Souldier now . Thou that a Lawyer wert , shalt now commence A Husbandman ; change sides , and so pack hence You t' your new Calling , you to yours ; Nay , nay , Now your desires are granted , why d' you stay ? Fond fools ! you 'l not be happy , though you may . Is it not reason then great Iove should be Highly incensed , and declare that he Will be no more propitious unto them , But all their vain and various prayers contemn ? This is no laughing matter , nor would I Be thought to speak all this in Drollery , Though to blurt out a truth has never been ( In way of merriment ) esteem'd a sin . The flattering Master thus his Boys presents With Cakes , to make them learn their Rudiments . But let 's leave fooling , and be serious now ; The Clown that rends the pondrous Earth with 's plough , The cheating Tradesman , and the Souldier too , The Sea-man bold , who ploughs the Ocean through ; All these their various toils endure ( they say ) Meerly with this intention , that they may When they grow old , with peace injoy that store Which their industrious youth had gain'd before . Just like the Ant ( for that 's their pattern ) small In bulk , but great in thrift ; who draws in all That e're she can , and adds it to her store , Which she fore-seeing want , had heap'd before ; And in the rage of Winter keeps within , To feed on what her providence laid in : But neither sword , fire , water , heat , nor cold , Nor any thing keeps thee from getting Gold , Onely spurr'd on with that ambitious itch , To have the World say , Thou art Devilish rich . What good in thy vast heap of Treasur's found , Which thou by stealth dost bury under ground ? But if it be diminisht once , thou 'lt say Thy whole estate will dwindle soon away . ●nd if thou spend'st not out of it , what pleasure ●an'st thou take in a heap of hoarded Treasure ? 〈◊〉 thy Barn held ten thousand sacks of Wheat , ●et thou can'st eat no more then I can eat . Among thy fellow slaves when thou' rt pickt out To bear all their provision about , With which thy Shoulders gall'd and weary grow● . Thou eat'st no more then one that carried none . Or ( tell me prithee ) what the difference is To him that makes the Rules of Nature his , Whether he does a thousand Acres sow , Or on a hundred does his pains bestow ? But oh ( thou cri'st ) men do great pleasure reap In taking Gripes out of a plenteous heap . Yet since out of a little thou dost leave As much as we 've occasion to receive , Why should'st thou thy vast Granaries prefer Before our Willies , which much lesser are ? Or if thou hast occasion to take up Water enough to fill a Butt or Cup , Why should'st thou say , thou hast a greater will Out of that river , then this spring to fill ? Hence it proceeds infallibly , that those Who to their wills are superstitious , Uncurb'd desire drives them to this and that , Until at last they 'ld have they know not what . Whilst who confines his mind to Natures laws , The troubled muddy water never draws , Nor in the river does his life expire : But most of men deceiv'd by false desire , Say , Noughts enough ; 'cause they absurdly guess At what men are , by what they do possess . To such a Miser what is 't best to do ? Let him be wretched , ●ince he will be so . Thus that Athenian Monster Timon , which Hated Man-kind , a sordid Knave , but rich , Was wont to say , When ere I walk abroad The People hiss me , but I do applaud And hug my self at home , when I behold My chests brim-full with Silver and with Gold. So Tantalus , being extreamly drie , Courts the swifte stream , which does as coily flie . Why laughst thou Miser ? if thy name should be A little chang'd , the Fables told of thee , Who on thy full cramb'd Bags together laid , Do'st lay thy sleepless and affrighted head ; And do'st no more the moderate use on 't dare To make , then if it consicrated were : Thou mak'st no other use of all thy gold , Then men do of their pictures , to behold . Do'st thou no● know the use and power of coyn ? It buys bread , meat , and cloaths , ( and what 's more wine ; ) With all those necessary things beside , W●thout which Nature cannot be suppli'd . To sit up and to watch whole dayes and nights , To be out of thy wits with constant frights , To fear that thieves will steal , or fire destroy , Or servants take thy wealth , and run away . Is this delightful to thee ? then I will Desire to live without those Riches still . But if the pains of stomach , or the head , Or other sickness fix thee to thy bed , Hast thou a visitant to sit down by thee , Who with due food and Physick will supply thee ? Or make the D●ctor rid thee of thy pain , And to thy friends restore thee sound again ? Thy wife and children thy quick Death desire , So do thy friends and kindred : Ne're admire That they don't shew thee love , thou merit'st none , For before all thou preferr'st wealth alone . If thou thy friends or kindred would'st retain , And not be liberal , thy task 's as vain As his , who in the Field does teach an Ass T' obey the bridle , and to run a race . Make once an end of gaining , that the more Thou hast , the less thou 'st tremble to be poor . Begin to end thy labour , having got That which thou didst desire , and follow not That rich Umidius , whose chests did so swell , He measur'd's money which he could not tell , So sordid , that he never did go higher Then his mean'st Servants did , in his attire : And to his dying day in fear he stood , Least he should die meerly for want of food ; Till his bold Con●ubine did boldly do A Heroes act , and cut the Slave in two . But now thou'lt ask me , whether I 'de have thee , A Miser or a Prodigal to be ? Thou still art in extreams ; I would not have Thee covetous , nor a vain squandring Knave . 'Twixt rough Visellius and smooth Tanais The Eunuch , a vast difference there is . There is a mean in things , and certain lines Within which virtue still it self confines . But I 'le return from whence I came ; are none But greedy Slaves delighted with their own Conditions ? Do all praise each others lot , And pine to see their Neighbours Goat has got A Dug more full of Milk then theirs ? and ne're Themselves with the poorer sort of men compare : ( Though that 's the greater number ) but aspire Still to ore-top this man and that , whose higher ! It curbs the Spirit of that person which Tugs to grow great , when he meets one more rich , So when the Chariots from the Barriers are Let loose to run a Race , the Charioter Minds still those horses which out-stript his owne , Slighting those which by t'other are ou● gone . And hence it comes , we seldome find a man That sayes He has liv'd happily , and can Like a well-feasted-guest depart at last Contented with that part of 's life that past . Now 't is enough ; least you should think that mine 'S like Crispins Volumns , I will not add a line . SATYR II. By A. B. That while foolish men shun one Vice , they run into another . THe Players , Empricks , Beggars , and the noise Of Fidlers , all the roaring Damn-me boyes , And all that sort of cattel do appear Extreamly sad , and much concern'd to hear Their friend Tigillus is deceas'd ; For he Did treat them with great liberality . While the close miser , least he should be thought A prodigal ; o th' contrary , gives nought To his dear friend ( though ne're so much he need ) To cloath his body , or his belly feed . If one should ask the Prodigal , why he By an ungrateful sottish gluttony , That brave estate bequeath'd him by his friends And Ancestors , so prodigally spends ; And at great interest take up money too , Meerly in needless luxury to bestow : His answer is , Because he scorns to be Esteem'd a sordid fellow , or that he Has but a narrow soul : So up he 's cri'd By some , while others him as much deride . Fufidius the Usurer fears to have The Reputation of an unthrift Knave , Rich both in moneys out at use , and lands , But when he lends , he still detains in 's hands Five times the interest from the principal ; And where he finds his Debtors prodigal , Those he gripes most severely : He inquires For wealthy heirs new come of age , whose Sires Had been close-fisted to them and severe . Good God! what persons who shall come to hear Such horrid actions , won't exclaim ? But oh ! ( You 'l say ) he does 't for his livelihood . Oh no! You can't believe how much this love of Pelf , Makes this vile Slave an enemy to himself . Old Menedemus , whom the Comedy Brings weeping in , and living wr●tchedly For his lost son , could not himself torment More then this sordid Beast . To what intent All this is said , if you desire to know , It onely tends to this design , to show That fools , when they attempt one Vice to slun , Into the contrary do madly run . This man his garment down to th' ground does wear , And that so short his privities appear . Perfum'd Rufillus wears a gaudie coar , Gorgonius stinks as nastie as a Goat . Men do observe no means , but this mans flames Must be allay'd onely with Roman Dames . Another does a common Quean admire , That prostitutes her self to all for hire . A man of note came from the publick stews , And , to applaud his action , he did use Cato's Divine old Sentence , Bravely done , Go on , and prosper in what th' hast begun : For when the rage of Lust inflames your blood , 'T is lawful to come hither , but not good Another Nuptial bed to violate . While Cupiennius cries out , I hate To be applauded for this nicety , Give me anothers wife , she 's safe and free . 'T is worth the observation of all those That would not have uncleanness prosperous , To see how they are Plagu'd on every hand , How often they fall into danger , and How small , and seldome too , they pleasures gain , And those corrupted with much grief and pain . This leaps from th' top o'th'house , and thinks to flie , But breaks his neck ; and that 's whipt till he die ; This as he flies , 'mong thieves and robbers falls , And that with 's pur●e redeems his Genitals . This is by Foot-men buggar'd , and sometimes Those members which commit these shameful crimes , Do loose their Heads , and justly too ; all say , None but that rutting Galba dares lay , nay . But 't is more safe to venture your estate In Ships , that are but of the second rate ; Daughters of Captives that have been made free , Yet Salust plaid the fool as much as he That does commit adultery ; For he had A generous Soul , and would be very glad Of any good occasion , that he Might but express his liberalitie , ( In modest manner though ) he would dispence His money to all freely , yet from thence No damage came to him , no disrepute , But still he lov'd a gentle prostitute . This was that darling Vice he lov'd to th' life , But still he cri'd , I 'le meddle with no mans wife . Just so Marcaeus did , who heretofore Onely admir'd an honourable whore , And his Paternal Fortune fool'd away On a she-thing , that on the Stage did play . Yet still he said , I thank my stars , that I With wives of other men did never lie . But if with wh●res and mimicks he 'd to do , His fame more suffer'd , then his wealth came to . What satisfaction can it to us bring , To shun one person , and not ev'ry thing That every way does hurt us ? To destroy Our reputation , and to fool away Th' Estate our parents left us , certainly Is a great vice , which way so e're it be . So Villius , who had a mind to be The Son in Law of Sylla , how was he Severely punish'd ? Maul'd with Fists , nay more , Stabb'd with Steeletto's , then kickt out of door . ( Poor wretch ! how was he chou'sd with name and stile ? ) But Longarenus lay with her the while . Now if that Natural genius of his Should say to him , when he had seen all this , Sir , what d' you mean ? Do I require , when e're I am inrag'd , the Daughter of a Peer Or any marri'd woman ? what could he Then answer to 't ? that womans meat for me , Who is descended of a noble stem . But Nature teaches better things then them , And quite repugnant too ; Great Nature , which In her own help is plentifully rich , If we would rightly use them , and descry What we should choose , from what we ought to fly , Does it no difference appear to thee By lust to perish , or necessity ? Then that thou may'st not that vain work attempt , Of which thou surely wilt too late repent , Pursue not Matrons ; for the cost and pain Will far surmount the pleasure thou canst gain . Nor is their Flesh more tender , nor are they Mo●e clean-limb'd , whose attire is rich and gay , And do with jewels deck their necks and ears , ( Such as th' effeminate Corinthus wears ; ) Nay oftentimes that Lass , who 's plain and free , Wears better Limbs then your great Madams be ▪ She does her mercenary Flesh expose , Undeckt by art , and openly she shows The ware she means to utter , nor will she , If any part about her hansome be , Proudly show that alone , nor strive to hide Those parts , which Nature has not beautify'd . So Princes , when they Horses go to buy , Into the cover'd parts most strictly pry , Least the same Horse , that 's lovely to behold With a small head , and a crest high and bold , And a round buttock , the eager Buyer cheat , Because he 's lame , or foundred in his feet . This they do well in ; for we should not pry On their perfections with a Lynxes Eye , And be as blind as Hypsea was , when we Their greater imperfections ought to see . Oh comely legs and armes ! ( sayes one ) and yet She is pin-buttock'd , and has long-splay Feet , Short-wasted , but a nose of such a size , That all the Members shortness it supplies . Thou canst no part of a grave Matron see , Except her face , the rest all cover'd be , Unless it be of Catia , who , although She be a matron , does unvailed goe . If thou attempt forbidden wives to win To thy desires , they are incompass'd in With guards and walls ? 't will make thee mad to see How many things there are to hinder thee . There 's Guardian , Coach-man , Tire man , Flatterer , A gown to th' heels , a vail that covers her ; And many more 〈◊〉 envious things there be , Make thee the 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉 thou canst not see . A Lass ne're hinders thee , she will appear In dress transparent , as she naked were ; That thou maist by thine Eye discern , that she Is straight in th' waste , and that her anck●● be Not great , and gou●y ; and her feet are nea● . Does any man desire to have a chea● Impos'd upon him ? and be made pay down The price ere the commodity be shown ? But thou art like the Hunts-man , who does go After the Hare up to the knees in Snow , Wh●ch being caught , makes him a chearful Feast , Yet hee 'l not touch a Hare brought ready drest . Thou scorn'st that Lass thou may'st with ease enjoy , And court those that are difficult and coy . But doest thou think thy passions to appease With such vain and impert'nent flames as these ? Has not wise Nature bounded thy desire ? Does it not more avail thee to enquire , What she cann't be without , and what she may , And pare what ere 's superfluous away ? When thou art thirsty , m●st thou onely drink Out of a Golden goblet ? or doest think All meat is loathsome , when thou' rt hungry grown , But Turlet , or the Phe●s●nt poult alone ? So when thy 〈◊〉 flames grow strong and high , Wilt thou not take 〈◊〉 next thou canst come by ? Be 't Kitchin wench , or Scullion boy ; or else , Wouldst have that 〈◊〉 which so extreamly swells ? I 'm of another humour , for to me That girl is best , that 's easiest ; and she That I can soonest come at ; and when I Ask her the Question , sa●es Yes by and by , As soo●'s my Servant is gon forth , or sayes She 'l gratifie me , if the price I raise . Those that are hard , and te●ious to be won , Are for the feeble Eunuchs taste alone : Give me a coming Lady , that ne're stands Consid'ring long , nor great rewards demands ; But when I call her quickly comes to me , Let her not ugly , nor yet cro●ked be , But of good colour , and clean-limb'd withal , Of a good size , not by Chipe●ns made tall ; Nor let her by her painting make more fair Her face and skin , then they by Nature are . When such a Creature in mine Armes does lie , She is m● Love , my Queen , my Deitie ; I call her by all names , nor do I ●oubt When we our Deeds of Pleasure are about , The barking Dogs , the breaking ope of doors , And all the Home disturb'd with great uproars , Her jealous husband will return to see , How he is cuckolded by her and me ; While the poor woman starts from off her Bed , Pale and affrighted , 'cause discovered , And being conscious cries , Oh I 'm undone ! I shall be fetter'd , and my Por●on's gone . And I without my Breeches then m●st pack , Bare-foot and coat-less , all to save my back From the dire Lash , or to preserve my Purse , Or else my R●putation , which is worse . For to be taken is a Crime , 't is true , And 't is a pitiful misfortune too ; I dare be judg'd by Fabius , who does know All this is true , for he has been serve ●so . SATYRE III. By A. B. That men are quick-sighted to pry into other mens infirmities , and connive at their own . ALl Songsters have this humour , that among Their friends they can't abide to sing a Song If they 're intreated ; but they 'l ne're give ore If not desired . This was heretofore Tige●ius vice ; Caesar who could command , If by the friendship of his Father , and His own , he did intreat but for one Ayre , This Songster would not sing ; yet if he were Once in the humour , all the Supper long He would to Bacchus sing , Song after Song ; His voice to th' highest treble rais'd , and then Descending down to th'lowest base again . A most unsteady fellow , somet●mes he Woul● run , as if pursu'd by 's enemy ; Sometimes hee 'ld slowly walk , as if he were T●e Sacred host about the street to bear . Sometimes attended with two hundred men Heel'd walk , at other times with onely ten . Now Kings and Princes , and all great things be The subjects of his talk : Anon ( sayes he ) Give me a three-leg'd board , a shell to hold A l●ttle ●alt , and to keep off the cold A gown , though ne're so course ; if you present This poor abstemious person , who 's content Now with so little , with a thousand pound , In five dayes there will not a Great be found In 's pocket : He the day in sle●p doth pass , And 〈…〉 all night long ; there never was A thing so much unlike so him as he Was to himself : But some may say to me , Pray what are you ? Have you no crime at all ? Yes , Other vices , not perhaps so small . When Menius absent , Novius did upbraid , You Sir , d' you hear ? D' you know your self ? ( one said ) Or do you think to cheat us , as if we Did not know what you are ? Menius , said he , Could wink at , and forget his own faults ; this Is both a vile and silly love , and'tis Fit to be taken notice of , when with blear eyes We over-look our own infirmities . Why should we into our Friends errors pry As narrowly as with an Eagles eye , Or Basi●cks piercing look ? 't will come about , As we do theirs , they 'l find our Vices out . An angry man is no way fit to bear The jeers , which from the Wits he 's forc'd to hear : They 'l jeer him if ill shav'd , or if his Gown In a neglected posture hangeth down : Or if his Shooes are not well t●'d , though he May be as honest as their Witships be . Though he 's a Friend , though a great Wit does lie Within that Body , drest so clownishly . Examine well thy self , see if there be The seeds of any Vices sow● in thee ; By Nature or ill custome we discern , Neglected Fields still over grown with Fearn , Let 's raise our selves up to this frame of mind , To be t' our Friends infirmities as ●lind As Lovers to their Mistresses can be , Who either don 't their imperfections see , Or if they do , they 're pleasing to them , th●s Balbinus lik'd even Agnas Polypus . I wish we all would erre in friendship so , And vertue on that error would bestow A glorious name ; for as the Father mild , If he espies a frailtie in his child , He does not scorn , nor loath it , nor should we Th● errors of our friends , if any be . If a Son squinting goggle-eyes should have , H●s Father calls him , Pretty winking Knave ; And he whose Child in stature●s no more Then Sysiphus th' Abortives heretofore , Calls him his Chick●n ; if he bend at knee , He calls him Varus ; if he hurl-foot be , His Father l●sping calls him Scaurus : Thus When a Friend lives something penurious , Le●'s call 't good Husbandry , and when we find One that to jeer or vapour is inclin'd , Imagine his design is but to be Very facetious in company : If he be rough-hew'd , and will talk and rant , Count him a down-right man and valiant , And when we meet with any person that Is hot and surly , call him passionate . This thing joynes friends together , and when joyn'd , It still preserves them in a friendly mind . But we the very vertues of a Friend Do into Vices basely wrest , and bend O●r mind those vessels to pollute , which are Clear of themselves ; if any person dare L●ve vertuo●sly among us ; base and low We count him then , and if a man be slow Of apprehen●on , we are apt to call and thick-skul'd fellow ; he that all 〈…〉 , whose Bosome does not lie Expos'd to any kind of injury , Though he lives in a treacherous Age , wherein Malice and Slander , and all kind of sin Do grow and flourish , ought of right to be Esteem'd a prudent wary man , but we Call him a subtle Iugler : If we spy A● open-hearted person ( such as I Oft shew'd my self to you Maec●nas ) which W●th his perpetual and impertinent Speech Disturbs men far more serious , when they Do either read or study hard , we say This fellow has not common sence , Alas ! How inconsiderately do we pass Laws on our selves , unequal and severe , Since no man without Vices ever were , Or born , or bred , and that man is the best , Who 's troubled with the fewest and the least . Areal Friend will with my faults compare My vertues ; and if all my vertues are More then my Vices , he that loves me would Incline toth'most , as'tis fit he should : So if to be belov'd he has a mind , He may by this means the same measure find : He that desires his Wenns should not offend His friend , must wink at the Pimples of his friend ▪ He that would have his faults forgiven must Give pardon , if he take it , 't is but just . Now since the vice of anger , and the rest Which do our foolish Nature thus infest , Cannot be throughly rooted out , why may Not equal judgement and right reason sway ? And why should not all punishments be fitted Proportionably to the Crimes committed ? When a man bids his Servant lift a Dish Off from the Table , and he eat the Fish That 's left , or lick the sauce up , if that he Should suffer death , should not his Master be Esteem'd more mad then frantick Labeo By all those men , who are themselves not so ? How would the Masters crime the mans transcend In greatness ; nay in madness ? If a Friend Commit a fault , at which thou ought'st to wink , Or else all men will thee ill-natur'd think , If thou should'st scorn and hate him for 't , and shun H●s company , as the poor Debtors run From that damn'd Usurer Druso , who when ere The doleful Day of Payment does appear To his poor Debtors , if they do not pay Both principal and interest , how they Come by 't he cares not , he condemns them then To stand with naked throats , like Captive men , Not to be kill'd , but ( what 's far worse then it ) To hear those wretched Playes which he had writ . Suppose my fudled Friend when he did sup , Bepist the room or break my Mistress cup : Or if he being hungry took away That Chicken which i' th' Dish before me lay , Must I fall out with him ? What then if he Should commit theft ? Or break his trust with me ? Or should deny his promise ? those by whom All sins are equal held , when once they come T' inquire into the truth they 're at a stand ; For common reason , general custome , and Profit it self , which is the Mother now Of what is right and just , all disallow This fond opinion : When in former time Man-kind , which of all creatures is the prime , Crept out of 's Mother Earth , they were a kind Of dumb and nasty Cattle , which inclin'd To brawl for Mast , and Dens to lodge in to , With nails and fists , and next with clubs , and so In length of time , they fought with spears and swords , Which need had taught them how to make , till words And names by them invented were , whereby They did their sence and voices signifie Unto each other , then they did begin To build them Forts to live with safety in . Then they enacted Lawes , that none might dare Play either Robber or Adulterer : For before Helens dayes women have been The cause of cruel wars . When men rush'd in On any women which they next came to , At the first sight , as wild Beasts use to do ; Till like a Bull o' th' herd , a stronger come , Kill the first Occupant , and takes his room : But unremembred di'd those nameless men , Wanting th' Historians and Poets Pen. We if we do consider former times , Must grant that Laws were made for fear of crimes As Nature can't discern ; what 's right , what 's wrong , Nor separate good from ill , nor from among Those things we ought to shun , pick out what we Ought to desire , nor can't by reason be Made out , that he who on the Hearbs within His Neighbours Garden treads , do's as much sin As he that robs a Church , and steals away What to the Gods there consecrated lay . Let 's have a Rule , by which our pains may be Proportion'd to our crimes , and not that he Who has deserv'd a little Rod alone , Should with a horrid whip be 〈◊〉 to th' Bone. That thou 'lt with ferule strike I 'le ne'r suppose , Him that deserves to suffer greater blows ; While thou hold'st thefts and robberies to be Offences onely of the like degree , And threatnest if thou reign once to chastise Our petty faults and foul enormities With equal punishments : if it be so , That he who is a wise man's wealthy too , A good Mechanick skill'd in every thing , The onely gallant , and indeed a King. What need'st thou wish to be a King , since thou Art so already ? Thou wilt ask me now If I don't know what old Chrysipus said , Tho●gh a wise man perhaps has never made His Shooes and Boots , yet still a wise man is A Shoo-maker ; to what end is all this ? Just so Hermogenes , thoughs he 's dumb , can Sing well , and is a good Musitian . And in this sense , Alfenus when he threw Away his tools , and shut up shop , and grew A cunning Lawyer , who had been before A Cobler , was still Cobler , and no more : So the wise man's alone in every thing , The skilfull'st Artist , and so he 's a King. The Roguing Boyes ( thou talk'st so like a Sot ) Will pull thee by thy Beard , if thou do'st not That Scepter in thy hand thy cudgel sway , And in Majestick-wise drive them away . The cheated crowd that stand about thee , all Prepare to kick thee , thou maist bark and brawl Till thou hast burst thy Royal self , Most high And mighty King , in brief thou Royally Giv'st a whole f●r●hing , for thy Bath at once , And hast no guard to attend thee but that dunce Chrispinus ; But my pleasant fr●ends , if I , Through folly should transgress , will pass it by And when they do bewray their frailties , then I in requital pardon them agen ; And thus I live , though but a private man , More happy then thy fained Kingship can . SATYRE IV. By A. B. A Discourse concerning POETRY . THe old Greek Poets , Aristophanes , Cratinus , Eupolis , and such as these Who did write Comedies , wher e're they had One fit to be describ'd , as very bad , Such as a Thief , or an Adulterer , Or Murtherer , or such like men which were Notorious in their lives , these all should be With a brave bo●dness , and great liberty , Exprest to th' life , and whatsoever is Writ by Lucillius does proceed from this , Those Poets he did imitate , their feet And numbers onely he did change , and yet His wit was excellent , his judgement clear , Onely the Verses which came from him , were Harsh and unpolisht ; for this was his crime , Two hundred Verses in one hours time He ordinarily poured out with ease , As if he did such weighty businesses ; Yet though his Verses like a Deluge flow'd , Th 'had something still above the common road : He lov'd to scrible , but could not endure The pains of writing Verses good and pure ; I ne're regard how much an Author writes , 'T is not the Volumn , but the sence delights . I 'le tell you ; Once Crispinus challeng'd me , Pointing with 's Finger at me , Come ( sayes he ) Take Paper , Pen , and Ink , fix place , and time , Let 's both be watcht , try which can swiftest rhime ; I thank my Stars , Nature did me compose So bashful , and so pusillanimous , That I speak little , and but seldome too , But his laborious lungs do alwayes go Like a Smiths Bellows , puffing breath so fast , That he his Iron audients tires at last . What luck that Scribling Rhimer Fannius met ? That our grave Senate undesir'd have set His silly Book and ugly statue too In Caesars Library ? Whilest I that do Both blush and tremble when I e'er appear In publick , no rehearsing wit does care To read my Lines to th' undiscern●ng crue ; But here 's the reason for 't , there are but few That love a Satyr well ; most are afraid Their Crimes may be like others , open laid . Pick any person out of all Mankind , He is to pride or avarice inclin'd ; This with the lust for 's Neighbours wife runs mad , That 's for th' unnatural use of some fair Lad : This loves to gaze on 's money still , and that Is ravisht with the splendour of his Plate ; This to get wealth by merchandizing goes , Where the Sun sets , from the place where it rose , Runs through all dangers head-long , and is tost From place to place as Whirlwinds blow the dust , Fearing least he should loose his stock , or not Increase that vast Estate which he had got . All these hate Verses , and Verse-makers fly That Beast the Poet comes ' ware-horns they cry : To make the People laugh , these Fellows use Not to regard what friends they do ab●se , And whatsoe're they write they forthwith to The Politicians of the Conduit shew , Or at the Bake-house , that Old Women and The Rouging Boyes their jests may understand . Much good may 't do them , I on t'other side With the name Poet wo'nt be dignifi'd Out of their number , whom the world does own For Poets , I 'm excluded , being none : For to compose a Verse , or write as we Do naturally speak's not Poetry . That noble Title Poet those doth fit , Who have good Stile , high Fancy , and quick wit ; And therefore some have askt whither , what I Have written be Poem or Comedy , Because no salt , no flame , nor spirit be , Or in the words or sence which comes from me ; Which would be very Prose , but onely I My words to feet and numbers use to tie : But in a Comedy the Poet brings A Father raging in 'cause his Son clings T' a common prostitute , and does refuse That wealthy match which the old man did chuse , And being drunk walks in the open day With a Torch flaming in a scandalous way . Pomponius Father , if alive , would thus Rebuke his Son for being leacherous ; 'T is not enough to make Verse smoothly run With fine cull'd words , but if they are undone , And made plain Prose , would as unpleasant be As the sowre Father in the Comedy . If from the Verses which I use to make , And those which once Lucillus writ , you take The feet and measure , and do discompose The order of those words , and make them Prose ; Placing those words before which stand behind , And so invert their order , you will find The quarters of a Poet still appear In every sentence , scatter'd every where , Not like this Verse ; When as the cruel jars Of wars had broke our iron posts and bars . So much for that ; We 'l take a time to know , Whither this Poetry be right or no : Now I would onely ask whither to thee A Satyr can justly offensive be . The bawling Lawyers and the formal Iudge , When they in Gowns and with their Law-tools trudge , Make Malefactors tremble , while that he That 's innocent contemns their Pogeantry . Though thou' rt a malefactor , yer since I Am no Informer , why do'st from me fly ? No Books of mine do prostituted lie On publick Stalls to tempt th' enquiring Eye Of Passengers , soyl'd by the greasie Thumbs Of every prying nasty Cl●wn that comes . I seldome do rehearse , and when I do , 'T is to my Friends , and with relunctance too : Not before every one , nor every where ; We have too many that Rehearsers are , In publick Baths , and open Markets too , In the Seild chambers , where their voices do Double by repercussion , they rehear'e In sipid notions tortur'd into Verse . This pleases empty Fops , who never mind True wit and sense , so rhime and feet they find ▪ Thou sayest I love to jeer and study it , To gratifie my own ill-natur'd wit ; Where didst thou pick up this Report ? or who Of my acquaintance e're reputes me so ? That person who back-bites his absent friend , Or when another does , will not defend His reputation ; he that aims to be The jester in all foolish company , Ambitious of the Title of a Wit , Ablab of 's tongue , who what e're you commit Unto his trust , discovers and betrayes , And impudently lies in what he sayes : This is a dirty fellow , such a one Every true Roman is concern'd to shun , I 've seen a dozen men together feast , And one has rudely jeer'd at all the rest , Except his Friend , which entertain'd them all ; But being drunk at last on him did fall , When Truth 's Mother ) had unlockt his Breast , Reveal'd those thoughts that there did smother'd rest . Thou who abhorr'st base Fellows , wilt suppose This beast free , civil , and ingenious . Whilest if I do discover and deride Some powdred Coxcombs vanity and pride : Or else some nasty Sloven , thou dost fall On me , as envious or Satyrical . If in thy presence any person does Report Petillus Sacriligious , Thou ( as thy custome is ) wile him defend , And say Petillus was thy antient Friend ; From Children you were conversant , and he With Kindnesses was still oblieging thee , The thought of him does much thy Spirit chear , That he is well , and thou enjoy'st him here : But yet thou canst not but admire how he Himself could from that Iudgement so well free . Such Friends are like the Scattle-fish , whose skin Is white without , but all black juice within ; This is the rust of Friendship , and this vice ( If any promise in my power lies ) I freely promise thou shalt never find In all my writings , no nor in my mind . If I speak what is jocular and free , You by the Law are bound to pardon me . My honour'd Father , now deceas'd , did use Into my mind these Precepts to infuse ; Observe ( quoth he ) their end who vice pursue , And thou by that all Vi●es wilt eschew : When he did press me to good Husbandrie , And thrifty frugal courses , and to be Content with that Estate which he had got , And did intend to leave me ; dost thou not ( Said he ) observe the wealthy Albius Son Into what want he is by wildness run ? See what a shabby Fellow 's Barrus grown , Barrus the Ranting'st Gallant of the Town ; A good instruction for young Heirs , that they Should not their Patrimony fool away ! And when from love of VVhores he would deter me , He to Sectanus sad Fate would refer me , That after marri'd Wives I should not stray , But use my Pleasures in a Lawful way . ( Quoth he ) upon thy name 't wil be a Brand If like Trebonius thou should'st be trappand , Philosophy will with much reason shew What thou should'st shun , and what thou should'st pursue ▪ If thou canst well observe those prudent wayes , In which our Fathers walkt in former dayes , And keep thy life and reputation free From vice or scandal whilest thou' rt under me , I 'm pleas'd : But when thy mind and body too By age to full maturity shall grow , I 'le turn thee loose into the World. Thus he Did in my Nonage wisely nurture me : When he propos'd a duty to be done , He 'ld say , Thou hast a fair example ( Son ) For doing this , thou hast before thine eyes Those which to honour and great power did rise , And if he 'ld have me any vice to flie , ( Sayes he ) A man may see with half an eye This act which now thou art about to do Is against honesty and profit too . Since this mans name , and that 's who did this thing , With general scandal through the Nation ring . And as one Gluttons death doth much affright Another , and suspends his appetite For fear of death , so others infamy Makes tender Spirits from those vices fly . Thus I liv'd unconcern'd in all those Crimes Which ruine young-men in these impious times , Though I perhaps do'nt unpolluted live , But have small faults , which men may well forgive , And which my second thoughts and a true Friend , And wiser age may teach me to amend ; For I 'm not wanting to my self when I Do walk alone , or in my Bed do lie . Then I think with my selt , this way is best And if I follow'r , I am truly blest , And to my Friends am grateful ; but when I Observe a person doing fool●shly , Should I be such an Ass to make the same Ill course my pattern , which has been his shame ? These are my private thoughts , and when I light On a spare minute I do Verses write , And this is one of those small sins which I Am guilty of , which if thou should'st deny To pardon , all of my Fraternitie Would come to help me ; for we Poets be A mighty number , and as once the Iews , Romans to their Religion did seduce , So we 'l dub thee a Brother of the Muse. SATYRE V. By A. B. A Iourney from Rome to Brandusium FRom spatious Rome to Aris once went I , With Heliodorus in my company , The best for Rhetorick that the Grecians had ; Our Inn was small , our entertainment bad . From whence to Apii forum we did ride , Where Sailors and lewd Victuallers most reside . We made it two dayes work , which might be done By those that had a mind in less then one . The Appian Road we did not tedious think , We travell'd slowly , and did often drink : Here , 'cause the water was unwholsome , I Refus'd to eat a Supper , but sate by While my Friends did ; I long'd to be in Bed , ●or night on th' earth her sable wings had spread , And stuck the Heaven with stars , but such a noise Rose from the Sailors railing at their Boyes , And their Boyes back again at them ! So ho ! The Boat , the Boat ! Plague on you , where d' you go ? ( Sayes one ) you Rogue , you over-load the Boat , You lye ( sayes t'other with an open throat ) Hold , hold , now 't is enough : And thus while they Harnest their Mules , and quarrel for their Pay , They spent a whole houers time ; the stinging fleas And croaking Frogs deni'd me sleep and ease . And now the Sailor being got quite drunk , With nastie Wine begins to sing of 's Punck . The Mule-man does the like of his : both try Which should roar loudest for the Victory ; At length the Mule-man being weary grown , Falls fast asleep ; while to a neighbouring stone The lazie Mariner did tie the Barge With the Mules traces which was gon at large To graze ; and likewise falls asleep till day , Then we perceiv'd the Barge was at a stay , There being no Mule to draw her ; thereupon Out leaps a surly Fellow , and layes on The Mule-man and the Salior head and side With a tough Cudgel , which was well appli'd : Then in four hours we ashore were set , We washt our hands and faces , and did eat : Then after Dinner three full miles walkt we , And came to Anxur , where the houses be Cover'd with Polisht Stone , my honour'd Friend Maecenas and Cocceius did intend To take this Maritine City in the road , Both being sent Ambassadors abroad 'Bout State Affairs , and using to compose All differences which 'twixt Friends arose . Here I anointed these sore Eyes of mine With the most true Collyrium ex'lent Wine . Then straight Maeoenas and three more I see , Ingenious persons all , and forthwith we With scorn pass by that petty Village , where That Scrivener Luscus proudly rul'd as Mayor . With Mace and Chain , and Fur and Purple-gown , Strutting and domineering o're the Town , And came to Formiae soundly tir'd at last , Where our Friends gave good lodging and repast : The next day was a blessed day , for we Came to a Town where wine was good and free : There Virgil , Varius , and Plotinus met , Men of such Souls the World can't equal yet , Nor are there any in the World to me So much obliging as those persons be . But oh ! what love , and what embracing ' t was ? And what rejoycing old between us pass ? No man in 's Wits can any thing commend Before a real and ingenuous Friend . Next to a small Maritine village , near Campania's Bridge we came , the Townsmen there With Wood and Salt Maecenas did present As fees , 'cause in an Embassy he went. From thence to Capua betimes we came , Virgil and I did sleep , Maecenas game ; That ●oilsome play at Ball no way complies With Virgils stomack , nor with my blear eyes . Hence we came to ( occeius house , which is Seated beyond the Claudian Hosteries , A stately house , where plentie did abound , And there we splendid entertainment found . And now ( my Muse ) assist me while I tell That memorable squable which befel Between Sarmentus that Buffoon , and one Messius , whose Face with warts was over-grown ; And from what Noble antient Familie These Combatants deriv'd their pedigree ; The Ossian Nation unto Messius gave His being , but Sarmentus was a Slave Of this condition and original . These two Tongue-combatants began their braul ; Thou Horse-fac'd Raskal ( sayes Sarmentus first ) At which we fell a laughing , like to burst . Messius replies , Well be i● so ; what then ? ( And Ox-like tost his head at him agen . ) Oh? ( sayes Sarmentus ) what a dangerous Cow , Had not thy horns been qui●e saw'd off , wert thou , Who art so curst without them ? thy old face , ( If possible ) is uglier then it was ▪ — Since thy great men on one side , now we find Cut out , it leaves an ugly ●rand behind That botchy face of thine 〈◊〉 ●s if thou Hadst a Campama● Cl●p upon thee now . Thus he abus'd Messius ace , and bid Him come and dance as Polyphemus did . No vizard , nor yet buskins need'st thou wear , Thy face and limbs can't seem worse then they are . Messius retorts as much ; Thou Dog , ( sayes he ) When will thy slaveship end ? for though thou be Now made a Scribe , thy Mrs. right thereby Is not extinguisht ; tell me , Sirrah , why Didst thou so often run away from her ? Is not a pound of bread sufficient fare For such a starveling slave as thou to eat ? And with such pastime we got down our meat . At Beneventum our officious Host Roasting lean Birds , was like himself to roast . The pile of fire fell down , and scatter'd flame Unto the roof of the old Kitchin came , The hungry Guests , and Servants worse then those , Being afraid their supper they should lose , Began to scramble , and did more conspire To snatch the victuals , then to quench the fire . And now th' Apulean Mountains did appear , Which by 〈◊〉 so scorched are , These we had ne'er chaw'd ore , but that there lay Trivi●us to refresh us by the way ; But such a cursed smo●k did there arise From the green Bo●ghs they burnt , it scorcht our ey● ▪ Here I the 〈◊〉 of the company Till Mid-night aid in expectation lie Of a false Wench , who promis'd to come to me , But sleep did come , and that more good did do me : But what I dreamt ▪ and what on me befel , My body and my sheets can onely tell . Thence four and twentie miles we were convey'd By Coach , then in a little town we staid , Whose name won't stand in verse , but yet there are Plain signs to know it by , they water there ( The meanest of all things ) sell , while trav'lers may With fine bread gratis load themselves away . Bread at C●nusiums gritty , water there Is as at Equotutium , very rare . Brave Diomedes of so high renown , 'T was he , that built in former time , this town . Here Varius parted from 's , and weeping went , While ●e his absence did as much lament . To Rubi thence , we being tir'd , did get , The journey long , and worse because 't was wet . Next day to Fishy Barus we repair , The way was worse , but yet the Weather fair ; From thence to Gratia , which did seem to be Founded in spight of th' Water Nymphs , for we Found wholesome Water greatly wanting there , But we had ex'lent sport ; for they did dare Perswade me , that their Incense which they lay Upon their Altars , would consume away Without a fire , I 'le ne're think 't is true , This story fits th' uncircumcised Iew ; For I well know the Gods live free from cares , And ne're concern themselves in mans affairs , And when as Nature any thing does do , Which Mortal men are most accustom'd to , I don't believe that 't is the careful Gods Send down this wonder from their high abodes ; Thence to Brandusium we our travels bend , And here my paper and our journey end . SATYRE VI. By Sir R. F. To MAECENAS . He reprehends the vain judgement of the people of Rome concerning Nobility , measuring the same by antiquity of Pedigree , not by vertue ; nor willingly admitting to Magistracy any but such as were adorned with the former ▪ That there was no reason to envy him for the friendship of Maecenas , as for a Tribuneship ; since that was not given by Fortune , but acquired by the recommendations of vertue . Lastly , shews his condition in a private life to be much better , then ( if he were a Magistrate ) it could be . NOt that the Tus●ans ( who from Lydia came ) Have nothing nobler then Maecenas name ; Nor that thy Mothers , and Sires Grand-sire were Gen'rals of old , makes thee as most men , sneer Thy nose up at poor folks , and such as me , Born of a Father , from a Slave made free . When thou affirm'st , It skils not of what kind Any is come ; if of a noble mind ; Thou deem'st ( and right ) that before Tullus reign , ( Who was a King , yet not a Gentleman ) Many a man of no degree , no name , By great atchievements to great honours came . Levinus contrary ( Valerio's Son , By whom proud Tarquin was expell'd the Throne ) Him worthless , Ev'n the people ( whom you know ) They scorn'd ; Those fools that honours oft bestow On undeservers , doating on gay men , Dazled with shields and coronets . What then Shall we do , lifted far above their Sphere ? The People to Levinus did prefer A new man Decius ; yet now , should I Stand for a place , hoarse Appius would cry , Withdraw ! 'cause I 'm no Gentleman : and shall , When Horace meddles farther then his Naul . But Honour takes into her golden Coach Noble and base . Tullus , what hast to touch The Purple Robe ( which Caesar forc't thee quit ) And be a Tribune ? Envy thou didst get Thereby , by whom i' th dark thou'dst neer been spide . For when the people see a strange face ride Up to the ears in Ermins , and a list ( Or more ) of Gold ; strait they demand , Who is 't ? What was his Father ? Just as when some youth , Sick of the Fashions ( to be thought , forsooth , Handsome ) inflames the fairer Sex , to call His face in question , hair , teeth , foot , and small . So when a man upon the Stage shall come , And say , Give me the Reins that govern Rome , I 'le manage Italy , the State shall be My care , I , and the Church likewise : Ods me ! It forces every Mortal to enquire And know who was his Mother , who his Sire ? Shall then the Off-spring of a Minstrel dare D●splace this General , condemn that Peer ? Novius was one hole lower . Being the same My Father was , you 'd think from Brute he came . But if two hundred Draies obstruct a street , Or with their Trumpeters , three Funerals meet ; Louder then all he chafes with brazen lungs , And this is something to awe peoples tongues . But to my self , the son of the Freed man , O ( Envy cries ) The son of the Freed man ! Maecenas , now , Because thy Guest : before , Because a Tribune's charge I bore . These two are not alike : I may pretend , Though not to office , yet to be thy friend , Thou being chiefly in this case so choice , Not guided by Ambition , popular voice , Or by a chance : Virgil his word did pass For me , then Varus told thee what I was . When first presented , little said I to thee , ( For Modesty's an infant ) did not shew thee A long-taild Pedigree : I did not say , I bred Race-horses in Appulia : Told what I was . As little thou replied'st , ( Thy mode ) I go : at nine moneths end , thou bid'st Me , of thy Friends , be one . Of this I boast , That I pleas'd thee ( who to distinguish know'st ) Not Noble , but of fair and Chrystal thoughts . Yet , if except some few ( not hainous ) faults , My Nature's straight ( as you may reprehend , In a fair face , some moles . ) If ( to commend My self ) I am not given to avarice ; Not nastie , not debaucht , not sold to vice , Lov'd by my Friends , obedient to the Laws , Of all these things my Father was the cause . Who though but tenant to one small lean Farm , In Flavio's School would never let me learn. When great Centurions sent their great Boyes thither , Their left armes crampt with stones , hung in a leather Bag , with a counting-board ; but boldly parts With me ( a child ) to Rome : t'imbibe those arts A Knight , or Senator , might teach his Boy ; That who had seen my cloaths and my convoy Of Servants , cleaving through a press , would swear Some wealthy Grandsire did my charges bear . Himself ( the carefull'st Tutor ) had his eye Over them all . In short my Modestie , ( Vertues first bloom ) so watring from this Well , He both preserv'd my whiteness and my smell : Nor fear'd , lest any should in time to come , Blame him he had not bred me still at home To his own Trade : or I my self complain ; ( The more his praise my debt , ) if I have brain , Of such a Father now shall I repent , Like some that quarrel with their own descent , Because their blood from Nobles did not flow , Reason as well as Nature answers , No : For if I should unweave the Loom of Fate , And chuse my self new parents , for my State , In any Tribe : Contented with mine own , I would not change to be a Consuls Son. Mad , in the Vulgars judgement : But in thine Sober , perchance : because I did decline An irksome load I am not us'd to bear . For I must seek more wealth straight , if that were ; And , to beg Voices , many a visit make , Must at my heels a brace of Servants take ; For fear my honour should be seen alone , To go into the Countrey , or the Town . There must be Horses store , and Grooms thereto , A Litter's to be hir'd too : Whereas now 'T is lawful for me on a Bob-tail Mule To travel to Tarontum , if I wull ; My cloak-bag galling her behind , and I Digging her shoulders . Not , with Obliquie , Like Tullus , when in Tiber-Road he 's seen Attended with five Boyes , carrying a skin Of Wine , and a Close-stool : Brave Senator , More decently then thou , and thousands more , I could do that . Where e'er I list I go , Alone , the price of Broath and Barley know ; Croud in at every Sight , walk late in Rome : Visit the Temple with a prayer : then home To my Leek-pottage , and Chich-pease , Three boyes Serve in my Supper ; whom to counterpoise One bowl , two beakers on a broad white slate , A pitcher with two ears ( * Campanian Plate ) Then do I go to sleep : securely do 't , Being next morning to attend no suit In the great Hall ( where Marsya doth look , As if loud Nemio's face he could not brook ) I lie till Four. Then walk , or read a while ; Or write to please my self ; noint me with Oil : ( Not such as Natta paws himself withal , Robbing the Lamps . ) When neer his Vertical The hotter Sun invites us to a Bath For our tir'd Limbs , I fly the Dog-stars wrath , Having din'd onely so much as may stay My appetite : Loiter at home all da● . These are my solaces : this is the life Of men that shun ambition , run from strife . Lighter then if I soar'd on Glories wing , The Nephew , Son , and Grand-son to a King. SATYRE VII . By A. B. A Braul between two Railing Buffoons . THe venomous railing of that black mouth'd thing Who lately was prescrib'd Rupillius King , Against that mungrel Persian , and how he Reveng'd himself on King again ; these be Things ( I suppose ) notoriously known , The talk of every Barbers shop in town . This Persian being rich , his wealth did draw Much business , and that business suits in Law ; And with Rupillius King , among the rest , He had a very troublesome contest ; He was a surly fellow , proud , and bold , And able King himself with ease t'out-scold , Of such a bitter and invective speech , That he even Billingsgate to rail could teach . Now as to King , since nothing could compose The differences which between them rose , These two Tongue-combatants began their fray , When Brutus govern'd wealthy Asia ; To th' Hall they come contending eagerly , Both matcht as equally as Fencers be ; They made an exc'lent Scaene : First in the Court The Persian pleads his cause , and made good sport , Our General Brutus to the skies he rais'd , And his victorious Army highly prais'd ; Call'd him the Sun of Asia , and all His Captains he propitious Stars did call , Except that Buffoon King ( sayes he ) who 's far More mischievous t'you all , than the Dog-star Is to the Husband-man : thus on he ran , And by his railing , bore that baffl●d man Quite down before him ; like a Winter flood , Which drives down every thing that e're withstood Its rapid motion , and by violence Roots up the trees , and so the Axe presents . Thus when two Warriers engage in fight , And both of equal courage , skil , and might , Honour 's their aim , both scorn to yield or r●n , The more their valour , the more mischiefs done . So valiant Hector when he did engage 'Gainst stout Achilles , such a deadly rage Did animate them both , that nothing could Satiate their fury but each others blood , And death of one , meerly 'cause both were stout ; Conquer or die both could , but ne're give out . But when two Cowards quarrel , or if one That courage has , contends with one of none ; ( As Diomedes once with Glauceus did ) The Coward yields or runs for 't , and instead Of blows , gives bribes , and presents to his Foe , Onely to save his life , and let him go . King rallies up his thoughts , and then retorts Invectives false , and many of all sorts : Just like a surlie Carman , whose rude tongue Out-rails all Passengers , be 't right or wrong ; He had not wit to jeer , but rudely bauls , And the smart Persian Rogue and Cuckold calls . The angry Persian being so much stung By the reproaches of the Italians tougue , Cries out , Oh Brutus ! by the Gods I pray , Thou whose profession's to take Kings , away , Murther this one King for me , thou 'lt gain more By this , then all the Kings th' hast kill'd before . SATYRE VIII . By A. B. A Discovery of Witchcraft . OF an Old Fig-tree once the trunk was I , And as useless piece of wood laid by , 〈…〉 Carpenter who found Me lying so neglected on the ground , Took me in hand to form me with his tool , But whether he should make of me a stool , Or a Priapus , was a thing that ●id Long time perplex this politick work-mans head ; Till after long deliberation , he For weighty reasons made a God of me . Hence does my Deity proceed , and I Here stand the thieves and birds to terrifie ; The thieves I fright away with my right hand , And my long pole which does erected stand ; My Crown of Reeds does drive the birds away , That they dare not in our new Gardens prey . The ground where I now stand was heretofore A common Burying-place for all the poor , Whose carcases in mean small graves were laid , And this the publick Sepulcher was made For th' meanest sort of people , those men which Were much the poorer 'cause they had been rich . The bodies of such spend-thrifts here were casts As fool'd their means away , and lack'd at last . A thousand foot in length , three hundred wide , Which from the rest a Land-mark did divide , Whose plain inscription did describe to th' Heirs , Which ground was Sacred , & which ground was theirs . Now men i' th' healthy Church-yard live , and where Dead bodies stunk , the living take fresh a●r , And on that green hill now we walk , which once Was all deform'd and cover'd ore with bones . But yet the thieves and birds which hither come , And haunt this place , are not so troublesome To me , as those who charmes and poysons use , With which they do poor Mortal minds abuse , These I can neither hinder nor destroy , But in the silent nights , by Moon-shine they Into these Gardens steal , and pick up there Dead humane bones and hearbs that poysonous are . Here that old Hag Canidia I spi'd In a black garment close about her ti'd , Bare-foot she walkt , her locks dishevell'd were , And that Witch-major Sagana with her : Howling like Wolves , of pale and ugly hew , They both appear'd most ghastly to my view , With their long nails to scratch the earth they went , And with their teeth a Lamb in sunder rent , Whose blood they pour'd into their new dig'd pit , And conjur'd up th' infernal Fiends with it , Such Spirits as could answer to what ere They did demand ; two Images there were Brought by these Hags , by which they did their knack One made of wool , the other made of wax : The Woollen was the greater , that it might The little Waxen Image curb and fright . This Wax Effigies stood cringing by , As sinking under its servility , One Hecate invokes ; Tisyphone Is charmed by t'other : Serpents one might see , And the infernal Dogs run out and in . The bashful Moon for fear she should have been A witness to these juglings hid her face , And made our Sepulchers her lurking place . If I lie t'you in any thing I 've said , May the crowes with their dung pollute my head ! May all the rogues and whores , and thieves in town , Cast their base Excrements upon my crown . What need I all those tricks to mention , which Were done by Sagana that damn'd old Witch ? And by what Artifice the Ghosts and she Discours'd together with variety Of tones , now shrill , now flat , and how they did Hide under ground by stealth the hairy head Of an old wolf , with teeth of speckled snake , Then with the Waxen image they did make The fire to blaze : But that I might not be A tame spectator of this foolery , And those impostures unreveng'd behold , Of both those Hags so ugly and so old ; I from my Godships entrails backward spoke , As thundring as a bladder when'tis broke ; Away run both the witches into town , Out dropt Canidia's set of teeth , and down Old Sagana her snakes and poysons threw , And all her conjuring tools , off likewise threw Her Periwig , 't would make one break his heart With laughter , to observe how one ●ound fart Broke from a God , two Witches frights away , And made them run from one more weak then they . SATYRE IX . A description of an impertinent prating Fool. OF late along the streets I musing walkt , And to my self some learned whimsie talkt , When loe a wandring Trifler to me ca●e , Whom scarce I knew , save onely by his name ; And with familiar freedom took my hand , Asking me , How I did ? At your command ( Said I ) God keep you Sir. He following still , I turn'd about , and stopt to know his will. VVhat ? don 't you know me , man ? ( said he ) I too A Virtuo so am as well as you . The more I honour you , Sir , ( I repli'd ) And still all wayes to shake him off I tri'd , In thousand different postures I did go , Sometimes I walkt apace , and sometimes slow ; Sometimes I whisper'd in my Foot-boys ear , And all the while did sweat all o're for fear . Oh happy he ! ( to mutter I began ) Who hugs himself at an impertinent man ! Oh happy ! who as well himself can feast On the most foolish talker as the best ! In the mean time his tongue did gallop on , Letting no street , nor sign , nor house alone : At last , perceiving I did nothing mind , ( He said ) you 'd fain be rid of me , I find ; But you , nor I have now not much to do , I 'le therefore wait upon you where you go : VVhere lies your way ? O Lord , pray Sir do not Your self for me to so much trouble put ; My journey lies almost as far 's the Tower , To visit one you never saw before . That 's nothing sir , I 'm perfectly at leisure , And a long walk with you I count a pleasure : With that I shru●k my shoulder● , hung my ears , As a dull Ass that too great lading bears . Then he begins : If once you knew me sir , You 'ld scarce to me would any wit prefer , Who is there that can better verses write ? Or who with greater swiftness can indite ? Who of your friends can more gentely dance ? Or who can better teach the mode of France ? If you but hear me sing , you will confess , I do exces the fam'd Hermogenes . Here it was time to interpose : Have you No mother Sir , nor other kindred , who May want your company this present hour ? O no ; pale Death did them long since devour . The happier they ; Nay then , in faith , go on , Kill me out right , my friend , since th' hast begun ; My last hour 's come , and now I plainly see Thou wert intended by that Prophecie Which my Nurse spake , when I an Infant was , Clapping my feet and smiling in my face , She said ; This Boy no poison , nor no steel , No pain of Cough , or Spleen , or Gout , shall feel , But by some fatal tongue shall be destroy'd , Talkers let him , when come to age , avoid . Over against Guild-hall at length we came , He pelting me , I miserably lame . Gods so ! 'T is well remembred , hold , I pray , I have a Cause here to be tri'd to day ; Good Sir come with me in , I 'le straight dispatch . In hast , like dying men , this bough I catcht . In troth Sir I have no great skill i' th Law , My nod will keep no Iudge or Iury in awe , I 'le softly walk before , and if you make Good speed , you quickly me may overtak● . Here the perplext stood still , and scratcht his head , What ? shall I lose so dear a friend ? ( he said ) Or by my absence loose my Cause ? Nay Sir , I pray regard your business , do not stir . Let my Cause sink ( or swim ) I 'le leave it here , So I may self to such a friend endear . So on he leads , and I found 't was in vain To spoil my teeth by champing of the chain ; Straight he resumes his first Discourse ; And how ? How with my Lord stands your condition now ? Lord 's a prudent man , and private lives , Never himself to much acquaintance gives ; You 'l raise a mighty Fortune under him , But yet me thinks it would great wisdom seem , If you would take some course those to prefer About him , who might still possess his ear To your advantage , and if I were one , You might be sure govern him alone . You 're quite mistaken Sir , we live not so As you suppose , nor yet as others do ; No small Intrigues that family does breed , No plots , nor little jealousies does feed : None there does look with envious eyes upon Anothers good , but loves it as his own ; Strange and unusual this which you relate , But so it is , the more I 'm passionate To make one of your number . That you may Without dispute , if you 'l but try the way ; A man so qualified as you appear , Can't be deny'd admission any where . Well , to my self I will not wanting ●e , I 'le watch his hours , his servants I will fee ; I will salute his Chariot in the street , I 'le bring him home as often as we meet : We Courtiers strive for interest in vain , Vnless by long observance it we gain . While he did thus run on , who should we meet But my friend C — passing cross the street , C — straight found what kind of man he was , Nor to see through him , needed he his Glass : So when the usual complements were past , I trod on 's Toes , and softly him imbrac't ; I winkt , and shruug'd , and many signes I gave , Which silently did his assistance crave : But my unmerciful malitious friend , Seem'd not to understand what I intend , Enjoy'd my misery , and smil'd to see What small thin Plots I made to be set free . Dear friend ! d' you remember who last night Did us to dine with him to day invite ? I well rember it , but yet in troth I have no mind to go , for I am loth To break a fasting day , as we shall there , That 's nought I have a dispensation here . I 've none ( sayes he ) I 'm going another way , I 'le keep my conscience , and the Church obey . This said my witty Friend with cruel spight , Leaves me even when the Butchers going to smite . Under what cursed Planet was I born ? By my companion to be left forlorn ! Condemn'd to suffer this incessant breath , And by perpetual chattring talk'd to death . But now at last by great good hap there was A Bailiff seas'd on him as he did pass ; O have I caughr you Sir , you must with me , Pray Sir , will you against him witness be ? Along they go , I for revenge too joyn'd , But in the Hall we so great tumult find , Such heaps of Women follow'd us , and Boyes , That I with ease escapt amidst the noise . Sure great was my distress , when even a throng Of Lawyers was relief against his tongue . SATYRE X. By A. B. Another Discourse of POETRY . I Said indeed the Verse Lucilius writ Were rough , 't is true ; and who 's so void of wit , T●ough ne're so much his Patron or his Friend , That him against this censure can defend ? But in that very Page I said withal , That with great Wit he does the City maul , And did commend him for it much . But yet Though I allow him that , I don't admit Lucilius was so thorough-pac'd a Wit , As to be good at every thing , for so That fool Laberius Dogrel Rhimes might go For exc'lent Poems , and be much admir'd . Though 't be a vertue , and to be desir'd To make an Audience laugh well , yet there be More things requir'd to make a Poet ; he Must be caucise , his Verse must smoothly flow , And not be clogg'd with needless words that grow A burden to the Reader , who is tir'd With reading that which he at first desir'd . Sometimes 't is good to use a doleful strain , But most of all the brisk and aiery vain Now play the Rhetorician , and then To the Poetical raptures fly again . Sometimes write like a Gentleman , whose part Is to write easily without much art , A Drolling merry stile does better hit Great matters , then a down-right railing Wit ; The antient Comick Poets on this ground Are imitable , and to be renown'd , But those our spruce Gallants about the Town , ( Because they understand them not ) cry down . To sing what Calvus and Catullus writ , Is th' heighth of all their learning and their wit. He that , say they , in 's Latine Verses can Mix ends of Greek , that that 's the onely man. You aged Block-heads ! who so doat upon That Rhodian Dunce , Poet Pytholeon , And think that Pie-bald way in which he went To be both difficult and excellent . But oh ! an elegant discourse ( you 'l say ) Made up of Greek and Latine words looks gay ; 'T is just like Chian Wine when mixt among The Wine that to Falernum does belong . When thou wouldest Verses make , imagine thou Wert for thy life to plead thy own cause now , As did that criminal Petillus once , Would'st thou thy Native language quite renounce , While the Kings Council in their Mother tongue Tug for thy Condemnation , right or wrong ? To ●nterlace thy speech , would'st thou incline With forein words , and like the Canusine , Speak a compounded Gibrish ? But when I ( Who am an In-land Poel went to try To make Greek Verses , after mid-night , when Those things are real which are dreamt by men , Romulus straight appear'd to me , and told me , All men would for as great a mad-man hold me , If I attempt t' encrease that tedious store Of the Greek Poets , too too large before , As if I should Coals to New-castle send ; This to my Graecian versing put an end ; While swelling Alpin with his thundring Pen , Murders poor slaughter'd Memnon o're again , And by his barbarous Poetry destroyes Those things and persons which he goes to praise . I sport my self with writing Lines , which ne're Are spoken in Apollo's Temple , where That pedant Tarpa does presume to sit , And with much boldness judge of little wit , Nor are they oft obtruded on the Stage , To cloy the Stomack of the queazie age , As now our modern Fundanus does , Who is in scribling Playes facetious , And with a subtle whore , a cunning knave , Cheating old men , we the same fancy have In all his Playes . And Tragick Pollio sings In his three-footed Verse the deeds of Kings : But our ingenuous Varius does produce Better then any the Heroick Muse , And the smooth Rural Muses do insp●re Virgil with soft and most facetious fire . Hence 't is that I write better Satyrs then That blundring Varro , and that sort of men Who have so often tri'd to write , in vain , Yet I fall short of our Lucilius strain , Who first invented them ; nor will I dare To strip him from the Crown which did adhere T' his brows with so much glory ; though I said His Verses did run muddily , yet they had More in them that deserv'd our great respect , Then all those Vices which we should reject . But , prithee tell me ? Did thy learned eye Nothing to be reprov'd in Homer spie ? Did not Lucilius himself think fit To alter something of weak Accius wit ? Did he not laugh at Ennius lines , as though Some things in them were not quite grave enough ? And when of thee he a discourse did move , Thought thee as bad as those he did reprove ? And what should hinder , but when ever we Do read Lucilius works , we well may see If 't were the imperfection of his wit , Or crabbed Nature of the things he writ , Would not permit the Lines he made to be Elaborate , or run more evenly ? Or if that any Poet took delight A Poem in Hexameter to write , Contended onely that he had made up Two hundred Verses when he went to sup , And after Supper just as many more , Whose rhimes did run as Cassius heretofore , More swift and raging then a Torrent does , Which being condemn'd to fire , as story goes , Was burnt to ashes with the Books he writ , ( The just reward of a voluminous wit ) If he were now alive , and all that e're He found superfluous , away should pare , He 'ld scratch his head were he a Verse to write , And often to the quick his nails would bite . He that wou●d write what should twice reading stand , Must often be upon the mending hand , Ne're mind the praise of the undiscerning Crew , Content with learned Readers , though but few . Art thou so mad thy Poems to expose To Ballad-singers , and to Puppet-shows ? Now I ( I vow ) I 'm like the bold wench , that By all the people being baited at , Since I ( quoth she ) am Minion to a Knight , I all the inferiour rabble scorn and slight : Shall such an Arse-worm as Pantilius , Disturb may thoughts ? or when Demetrius does Behind my back traduce me , or that Ass Fannius ( who once Tigellius Crony was ) Abuses me , his envious rage to vent , Shall I shall foolishly my self torment ? No ; let Maecenas , and such men of wit As Virgil , will but read what I have writ , With many friends and learned persons more , Whose names I do industriously pass ore , Whom I desire to smile on what I write How ill soe'er ; But if they should delight Less then my expectation , I should be Exceeding sorrowful : But as for thee Demetrius , thee Tigellius that be But Finding Rogues , go fret your selves and pine 'Mongst your She-schollars at these lines of mine ; Sirrah , make all the haste you can , aud look That all I've said be added to my Book . The end of the First Book of Satyrs . SATYRES . BOOK II. SATYRE I. By Sir. R. F. He dilates upon the advice given him by Trebatius to write the actions of Augustus , rather then Satyrs ( as things that are dangerous to meddle with ) and shews way he cannot obey him . SOme think I am to sharp a Satyrist , And that I stretch my work beyond the list . Others , what ere I write is neeless say , And that like mine a thousand Lines a day May be spun . What would'st thou advise me now ( Trebatius ) in this case ? Sit still . As how ? Not to write Verse at all , dost thou aver As thy Sense ? I doe . Let me never stir , If 't were not better . But I cannot sleep . For that , swim Tyber ( nointed ) thrice : or steep Thy brains at night in Wine . If thou must needs Write , dare to write unconquer'd Caesars deeds , Great Rewards following . Father , that being it I 'de fain be at , my will exceeds my wit. Not every Pen can paint in horrid Field . Thick Groves of Pikes , Spears broke in French-men kill'd , And a hurt Parthian dropping from his Horse . His justice though thou maist , and his mindes force : As wise Lucilius those of Scipio , I 'le not be wanting to my self , if so Occasion serve . The passage must be clear When Horace words pierce Caesars serious ear : Whom , stroaking , if we think t' approach : ' ware heels . Is not that better then in Verse that reels , To jeer this Gull , that Prodigal , when each Man thinks he 's meant ( tho quite from thy thoughts reach ) And hates thee for 't ? what should I do ? being hot i th' head , and seeing double through the Pot , Milonius frisks . Castor on Horse-back fights : The twin of the same Egg in Clubs delights . As many thousand minds as men there be , I Like Lucilius ( better then both we ) My words in Meeter love t' enclose and bind . His way was , in his Books to speak his mind As freely , as his secrets he would tell To a tride friend : and took it ill , or well , He held his Custome . Hence it came to pass , The old mans life is there as in a Glass . His steps I follow , whom you neither can Of Luca call , nor an Appulian . ( For the Venusian both their borders ploughs , A Colony of Rome , as old Fame shews , The Sabells thence expell'd to stop that Gate , And be an Out-work to the Roman State. ) Yet I 'de not harm a Chicken with my will : For shew and countenance bearing my Quill Like a Sword sheath'd ; which why should I draw , not Set on by Rogues ? with Rust there may it rot O Iove , Father and King : and none bereave The peace I seek . But if there do , believe Me they will rew't , when with my keen Stile stung , Through the whole town they shall in pomp be sung . Servius , the penal Statutes ( anger'd ) threats Canidia to Witch them , 'gainst whom she sets : A mischief Turius , to all those wage Law Where he 's a Judge . That every one doth awe Them whom he fears , with that where his strength is , And that by Natures Law appears in this : Wolves smite with teeth , Buls with the horn ( this must Be taught them from within . ) With Scaeva trust His long-liv'd Mother ; my head to a groat , His pious hand shall never cut her throat . Not his ? No more then an Oxe bite , a Bear Kick thee : but she shall die of poison . There Now lies his skill . Me , whether ( in effect ) The quiet Harbour of old age exspect , Or Death with sable wings hover about : Rich , Poor , at Rome , or by hard Fate thrust out Into exile ; in whatsoever way Of life , I must write Verses : that 's my play ▪ O Childe ! thy taper's near the end I doubt , And that some great Mans brave will puff thee out . Why ? When Lucilius durst begin this way Of writing Verses , and the skins did flay . In which the outward-fair disguis'd their shame ; Were Laelius and he that won a name From Carthage-raz'd , offended with his wit ? Or did they winch , Metallus being hit ? And Lupus stript and whipt in Verse ? yet he Spouted his Ink on men of each degree : None spar'd but Vertue and her friends . Nay when Retir'd were from the Stage , and croud of men , Scipio's exalted vertue , and the mild Wisdom of Laelius : Till the Broth was boild , They both would play and toil with him , ungirt . Though I in wit , and in condition , short Am of Lucilius : Envy shall confess Against her will , I 've liv'd nevertheless Amongst great men : and ( thinking to have stuff Here , for her rotten teeth ) find I am tough , If learn'd Trebatius take me at my rate , Nay truly I can find nothing to bate ; Onely I warn thee , least through ignorance Of setled Laws thou come to some mischance : If any write base Verses against other , It bears a suit . If base , I grant : but Father , If any write good verse , that man 's prais'd , Caesar the Judge . If I the street have rais'd By ba●●ing at a Thief , my self being none , The 〈◊〉 with laughter cracks , I ( freed ) go home . SATYRE II. By A. B. The benefits of Temperance and Frugality . HOw great a vertue 't is , and how it tends To the good of humane life ( my worthy friends ) To live abstemiously , is not to be Learn'd at great Feasts made up of luxury , Amongst your polish'd Tables spread in State , Loaden with Dishes of stupendious Plate , Whose various splend our does amaze the Eye , And make the puzled appetite pass by What 's good , and choose the worse : but when you be Fasting , then come sift out this truth with me . This is not my Sense onely , but Offellus That Country wit , this truth did long since tell us , A prudent man , yet walkt not by a rule , Nor learn'd the formal Precepts of the School . You 'l ask , why fasting ? give me leave I 'le tell you ▪ You can no more with a full gorged belly Know vice from vertue , then a Judge that is Corrupt , discern 'twixt truth and falsities . Suppose you had hunted hard , or us'd your force To ride and mannage a high-metled Horse : Or you whose life before luxurious was , Should'st on a Roman Souldiers duty pass , Or should'st at Tennis play with might and main , Whilest the delight makes you ne're mind the pain ; Or had you been at Quoiting , and had thrown Into the yielding Air a pondrous stone , Till your much exercise had driven away That sustenance which on your stomachs lay , When you are very dry and hungry grown , Then I 'ld fain fee you let course food alone ; Or drink no Wine , unless you can procure Racy , Canary , or what Claret's pure , Or if the Butler's absent , or the Main By storms protects her Fish from being slain , A crust of bread dipt into salt well may The barking of your empty stomachs stay . You 'l ask me how this vertue may be got ? True pleasure in the daintiest Dish does not Consist , but in our selves , and any meat Is to us Venson , if obtain'd by Sweat : But no delicious Banquets can invite , Or gratifie the gorged appetite . I doubt I shan't perswade you , but that men Will feed upon dry Peacocks , rather then The Fat , but common Fowl : Mens palats be Corrupted with the very vanity Of things , and still desire to taste that food That 's very dear , and think it therefore good . Peacocks with us the best esteem obtain , Not for their Flesh , but for their gaudy Train , As if it would mens Palats gratifie , To eat those Feathers they extol so high : Or that the glorious shew would not be spoil'd , When you shall see a Peacock stript and boil'd . Although the flesh of Hens and Peacocks do In nothing differ , it appears that you Are fool'd with various colours : Be so still You 'l wonder how I have attain'd this skill . When you 've a Pike presented in a Dish , You ask impertinently , if that Fish I● the main sea , or in fresh waters caught ? And madly praise Mullets of three pound weight , Which you must cut in pieces ; but I see Most men meerly with shews delighted be : Pray , for what reason do most men dislike , ( Though they love Mullets large ) a well grown Pike ? Their curiosity's the reason for 't , 'Cause Nature made Pikes long , and Mullets short . When a mans stomach is once hungry grown , He slights no food , the coursest Bit will down ; But the luxurious Glutton sayes , I wish A pondrous Mullet wallowing in my dish ; Such fellows do onely deserve to eat With revenous Harpyes . I could wish their meat Would with moist weather stink , and loathsome grow , But their fresh Fish and Venson will do so ; And to their glutted Stomach nauseous be , By their too fulsome superfluity , When the cram'd Glutton over-charg'd with meat , To get new stomach does sharp Salads eat . Yet sometimes homely Diet does appear At mighty Princes Tables ; for Eggs there ( Which are so common ) sometimes may be seen , And the black Olives on their Boards have been . Though with the Crier Gallo 't was not thus , Who was for Luxury so infamous , Because he Sturgeon first did bring to 's Board , What cann't the Sea Mullets enough afford ? The Turbet in the Sea did safely rest , And Storks lay unmolested in their nest , Till your luxurious May'r ( that would have been ) Ingeniously brought their destruction in : And now if any other person shou'd Cry up the roasted Cormorant , rare food ! Our Roman youth , who 've onely vitious wit , Would praise and imitate both him and it . Yet ( as Offellus held ) there 's difference great Betwixt the sordid and the frugal meat , And men in vain do luxury eschew , If they do Sordidness the while pursue . So Avidienus , whom we do justly brand With name of Dog , would eat wilde Cornels , and Kept ●●ll 't was sowre all the Wine he drunk , And all his Oyl intollerably stunck , Which from his nasty horn , he , drop by drop , Distill'd upon the Colwort Sallet top With his own hand , but he would never spare To dowse it o're with his dead Vinegar , Though on his Birth-day , or his Wedding-day , Or other feast , clad in his best array . What Diet then should a wise man beat ? And which of these two should he imitate ? Keep the mid-road , and both extreams beware , Here lurks a Dog , and a feirce Wolf lies there . So cleanly he should be as not t' offend By 's nastiness the stomach of his friend ; Not be extream in either hand in 's treat , Nor by too much , nor by too little meat ; Not like Albucius of old , who when He entertain'd his friend would beat his men ▪ Nor negligent as Naevius , who at Feasts With greasie water would present his guests . This is a great vice also . Now , pray mind , What good in frugal Diet you may find . First you 'l be very healthy ; for you know Much harm to us from various meats does flow : Think on that onely Dish which was your fare , How blith and healthy after it you were ! B●t when men fell to mingling roast and boild , And fish and fowl together , health was spoild ! The sweet meats turn'd to Choller , and tough phlegm Bred a disturbance in the maws of them : Observe how pale and sick a man does rise From board , confounded with varieties ; Nay when the bodies over-charg'd , the mind Is also in the discomposure joind , And on the ground inhumanely does roul , That part of Heavenly breath , the precious soul ! While he that does a slender Diet keep , Can on the sudden lay his limbs to sleep , And in the morning rise so fresh to do Whatever business he 's inclin'd unto . And yet this temperate person sometimes may Increase his Table on some Holy-day , Or when he means his body to caress , Which is brought low by his abstemiousness ; For years will steal on men , old age must be , Because 't is feeble , handled tenderly . But if decrepid age on some men seise , Or if they fall into some sharp disease , What tender usage can be added more , Then they being young and lusty had before ? Our Ancestors stale Venson us'd to praise , Nor that they could not smell it in those dayes , But 't was with this intent , that if a Guest Came some dayes after th' ending of the Feast , 'T were better he should on cold Venson fall , Then for the Master to devour it all . I would to God I had been brought forth then , In that first age among those worthy men . D' you value reputation , which to th' ear Is gratefuller then verse or Musick are ; Great Turbets , and such costly Dishes do Begat you damage and discredit too ; Besides your parents and your friends you must Enrage , and prove to our own selves unjust ; And then in vain you will desire to die , Not being worth a Groat a Rope to buy . You 'l say , such a poor Sneak as Thrasius , Justly deserves to be rewarded thus : But you 've a great Estate , wealth without end , As much as will suffice three Kings to spend . What then ? Can there no better way be fou●d To spend that Wealth , with which you so abound ? Why should so many brave men want ? and why Should the Gods antient Temples ruin'd lie ( thon While you are rich ? Vile wretch ! Why wilt notthou Out of thy needless store something allow For thy dear Countries good ? canst thou suppose Thy fate alone will still be prosperous ; Oh , how thine enemies will laugh at thee , When thou' rt reduc'd to want and beggary ! Which of the two can certainest rely On his own temper in adversity ? That man whose pamper'd body and his mind , Have ever been to luxury inclin'd , Or that 's content with little , and doth fear What may fall out , and wisely does prepare In time of peace things requisite for war. Now that you may believe this to be true , When I was young I this Offellus knew , A man of great Estate , yet spent no more Then afterwards , when robb'd of all his store . A man might see him with his cattle , and His children tilling his allotted land , And patiently bearing that he is Farmer of that estate which once was his . I never durst eat any thing ( he 'ld say ) But Caul and Bacon on a working-day ; But if an ancient friend with me had been , Whom a long time before I had not seen , Or a good neighbour came to visit me , When rainy weather me from work set free , I made him welcome , not with costly Fish , A Pullet , or a Lamb serv'd for his dish ; Dri'd Grapes and Nuts his second Course were made , And double Figs were on the Table laid ; Then after Dinner ' t was our recreation To pass the Grace-cup round on Reputation . A health to Ceres that our Corn might grow , And smooth'd with wine the wrinckles of our brow , Let Fortune rage , and raise commotions new , Can she make me live meaner ( Boyes ) or you ? For Nature nere appointed him or me , Or any else , proprietors to be Of our own lands , though now the time is his To turn me out , yet his unthriftiness Or ignorance of tricks in law , or else Who e're survives him , him at last expells , This Farm which now by Umbrenas name is known Was mine , but none can say , It is his own ; 'T is thine , and mine , and his , live bravely then , And in all troubles quit your selves like men . SATYRE III. By A. B. That every man is in something or other mad . DAMASIPPUS and HORACE . Dam. THou writ'st so seldome , that there does appear , Scarce a new Poem from thee twice a year , But vainly spend'st thy time in looking o're Those things which thou hast written heretofore : I 'm vext at thee , that thou do'st thus resign Thy self up to the sway of sleep and wine ; The Muses negligently laid aside , And we of what we so desire deni'd . Hor. What would you have me do ? Dam. Here thou hast been Retir'd ever since Christmas did begin , Now thou' rt at leisure , let 's have something from thee That may appease our longing , and become thee : Come , strike up man , — one Verse . Hor. No , 't will not do . Dam. Thou blam'st thy harmless pen , nay the wall to Endures thy causeless rage for native guilt , 'Cause 't was in spight of Gods or Muses built . Thou did'st pretend , that if thou once could'st be Out of this Town from noise and business free , And to some little Country Vill retire , In a mean Cottage by a little ●ire , How many admirable lines should we , As the effects of thy retirement see ? Else to what end did'st thou incumber thus Thy self with Eupolis , Archilocus , Menander , Plato , and such Books as those , If thou 'lt not write at all ? do'st thou suppose That by declining vertue thou shalt be Protected from the jaws of Calumny ? Thou wilt be laught at for an Ass ; come , loath Those lewd inchantments of that Syren sloath ; Else all that honour which about thee shin'd , Got by thy exc'lent parts must be resign'd . Hor. ' Pox on your too true council . Now ( I pray ) The Gods to send a man to shave away That formal beard of thine ; but prithee how Cam'st thou me and my humour thus to know ? Dam. Since my Estates consum'd I go no more To the Exchange , as I did heretofore , But having now no business of my own , To other men I am a Broker grown ; In former time , I gave my mind to know Whether a statue were well made or no ; What was well carv'd or painted , and what ill , And how to fell or buy them I had skill . If a rare picture any where I found , I would not care to give a thousand pound , Gardens and stately houses I could buy And sell to great advantage , so that I When I was seen through the City ride , Here comes the Purchaser , the people cri'd . Hor. I know it , and I can't but wonder how Thou com'st thus cur'd of that distemper now . Dam. I 'le tell you what seems strange , and yet 't is true , My old disease was driv'n out by my new , As in some bodies there is wont to be The Head-ache cured by a Plurisie , Or one that has a Lethargy endur'd Grows frantick , and beats him by whom he 's cur'd . Hor. Be thou as frantick as thou wilt , so as Thou wilt not serve me as the Doctor was . Dam. Good friend don't cheat thy self , ev'n thou art mad , And all the world are very near as bad . If what Stertinius the Stoick saith 'Mong prudent men , does merit any Faith , That grave Philosopher at first taught me These admirable precepts , and 't was he My Spirits in my great affliction chear'd , And will'd me wear this Philosophick beard ; And from Fabritius Bridge return agen With spirit undisturb'd and calme , for when All my Estate was gon , I thither went My Cap pluckt o're my eyes , with an intent To drown my self , I fortunately spi'd That learned Stoick standing by my side . What do'st thou mean ( qd . he ) young man ? take heed That thou do not an unbecoming deed , Thou' rt driven to this by shame that 's very bad , Fearing 'mong mad men to be counted mad : Consider first what madness is , and then If it be in thee , and in no other men , Go bravely hang or drown thy self for me , I 'le never speak a word to hinder thee . He who to vitious folly is inclin'd , And is by ignorance of truth led blind , Is by the Stoick counted out of 's wits , This definition all degrees befits : All persons , nay great Princes , every one It comprehends , but the wise man alone ; Nay give me leave , and I 'le demonstrate how He who calls thee fool's as much fool as thou . Like Trav'lers passing through a Wood , when they Range up and down missing their ready way , This to the right ' that to the left hand strayes , One error fools them both , though several wayes . And tho thou think'st thou' rt mad , yet even he Is not a jot less mad that laughs at thee , Both to Fool-coats have like propriety . There is one sort of fools that start and quake At the Chymaeras which their fancies make , Cries out rocks , fire , and water him detain , When he is onely walking on the plain : Another which is full as mad as he , Though in his humor he goes contrary , Runs through all fire and water ventures life , Though Father , Mother , Brother , Sister , Wife , Or ( which is more ) his Mrs. should stand by , And warn him of the danger he is nigh , Crying aloud , Take heed ; he 'ld care no more Then Fusius the Actor heretofore When he the part of Hecuba did play , And should present her sleeping , down he lay Drunk and asleep ; Catien the Player who The part of Polidore did also do , Though he cri'd , Mother 't is I call you , wake , A thousand Catieni could not make Her stir : I think that all the Vulgar be In several humours as stark mad as he . To buy old Statues you suppose I 'm mad , But was not he that trusted me as bad ? Hor. May'st thou now borrow money of me , and ne're Pay me a farthing on 't agen , if e're I say thou' rt mad . Can it with madness stand When thou art still on the receiving hand ? But is not that Shop-keeper madder far Who slights a ready-money Customer , And deals with thee on Credit ? for suppose A Debtor should acknowledge that he owes A Thousand pounds to 's Creditor , and shou'd Give it him under 's hand , this is not good ; Nay , if he seal a Bill or Bond for 't , or What e're bindes Debtor to his Creditor , Recognizances , Statutes , Mortgages , Iudgements , and Executions , all these A cunning Knave that knows the Querks of Law Will no more value , then he does a straw : When you arrest him he will laugh at all Those troubles which on other men befal , And thorough all the Cobweb-laws escapes , Varying his tricks as Proteus did his shapes . If by the conduct of affairs we can Judge of a mad or of a prudent man , Thy Creditor's a Coxcomb , who takes pain To write in 's Books what 's ne're crost out again . Come , sayes Stertinius , hearken ; nay , come near , And mind what I shall tell you , whosoe're Is by a vain and lewd ambition swai'd , And he whom sordid avarice has made Look like a Skeleton , all those that be Given up to a destructive luxury , To doating superstition are inclin'd , Or any such distemper of the mind . Are all stark mad . The Miser stands much more Then other men in need of Hellebore : I doubt , all that Antycera produces , Was meant by Nature onely for their uses . Staberius by his Will his Heirs injoyn'd T'engrave 〈◊〉 Tomb what Wealth he left behind . And if they would not do it , he design'd They should a hundred pair of Fencers find To treat the rout , and should provide a feast As sumptuous as if Arius were their Guest , And as much corn as e're in Afric grew , This is my will ( sayes he ) what is 't to you , Whether 't be well or ill ? you will not be My Unckles , and leave your Estates to me . Hor. I think Staberius was a prudent man. Dam. What do you think of his great prudence than , When he injoin'd his Heirs they should engrave Upon his Tomb what monies he did leave Behind him ? and in all his whole life time Thought poverty to be the greatest Crime , And abhorr'd nothing more , and if he shou'd Have di'd less rich , he thought himself less good . For every thing divine and humane to Virtue , wit , comeliness and honour do Submit their Necks to riches splendid sway , Which whosoever heaps together , may Be noble , valiant , just , and wise ; nay , King , Or ( if 't were possible ) a higher thing : He hop'd by 's Wealth to get immortal fame , As if he had by virtue rais'd the same . How contrary was Aristippus mind To this ? That great Philosopher enjoin'd His men to throw his Gold o th' Lybian shore , Because the weight on 't made them travel●lower ●lower ; VVhich was the madder of these two think you ? Hor. I think there 's no comparing of those two , For that Example ne're prevails with me , VVhich shews the truth but by its contrary . Dam. Should a man load himself with Lutes , and yet To play or sing , have neither will , nor wit ? Should one that knows not how to make a Sh●o● , VVith Auls and Lasts cramb'd in a Budget go : Should one to buying ships and anchors fall , Who has no skill in Merchandize at all , A mad man and a Buzzard he would be : Call'd by all People , and deservedly . What difference is there 'twixt these and those , Who study gold and silver to enclose , And know not how to use the Wealth they gain , But from it as from sacred things refrain ? If one by a huge heap of corn should stand Watching all day with a long club in 's hand , Yet every grain thereof must let alone , Though ne're so hungry , and the corn his own , But rather feeds on bitter barks of trees , And for his drink takes Vinegar and Lees , Though millions of Pipes in 's Cellar lie Of as good wine as e're blest taste or eye , And lies in straw in his old age , while all His rich attire to moths and wormes do fall To feed on , or to rot in 's Chest. 'T is true S●ch men seem mad but to a very few , Because most people are as mad as these , And much afflicted with the same disease . Do'st thou hoard up all thy Estate for one Who was thy Slave , or is perhaps thy Son , Whom thou , accurs'd old wretch , thine heir wilt make That he in drink may spend it for thy sake ; And all least thou should'st want : How much a day Could'st thou from thy vast Treasure pare away , That thou might'st feed on good and wholsom meat , And wear apparel useful , clean and neat . If thou can'st live in any manner , why Do'st thou forswear thy self , and cheat and lye , Plunder and filch from others ? art thou in Thy perfect Senses ? if thou should'st begin To stone the very slaves which thou did'st buy , That thou art mad , the Boyes and Girls would cry . If by thy perjury thy guiltless wife Is by the Iudge condemn'd to lose her life , That thou might'st get new Portion with another ▪ Or if by poison thou destroy thy Mother , Meerly t' obtain her jointure , how canst thou Be perfect in thy understanding now ? This is not done at Argos , where such things Are done , and licenc'd by inhumane Kings ; Nor as Orestes once his Mother slew , Which by her crimes she had provok'd him to . Do'st thou suppose the frenzie of his brain Seiz'd not till after he 'd his Mother slain ? Or was he not out of his wits before He bath'd his sword in her maternal gore ; Besides since that he was accounted mad , He did no act reproveable and bad ; He ne're attempted Pilades to kill , Nor yet Electra ; onely he said ill To both , and curst them both , calling her Witch , And rail'd at him with all bad Language , which From his enraged heart and tongue could flow , Uttring what gaul and choller stir'd him to . Opimius , that Miser , was as mad , For he did need that money which he had Laid up in store , and us'd to drink the base Vejentan Wine on solemn Holy-dayes , In course Campanian Earthen pots , and on Week-dayes drunk wine whose taste and spirit 's gon . This fellow fell into a Lethargie , And his rejoicing Heir ran presently , And ransackt all his pockets for his Keys . An honest nimble Doctor this Disease Cur'd in this manner ; first he gives command Into his room to bring a Table , and Upon it his money out to pour , And bring in divers men to tell it o're , So rais'd him presently out of his fit , And gave him this wholesome advice with it ; If thou keep not thy wealth thy self , thine Heirs Will greedily seize on 't , as if ' t were theirs . What , while I am alive ? ( sayes he ) yes ( sayes The Doctor ) therefore have a care alwayes , That thou may'st live , make that thy business too . What ( sayes the Miser ) would you have me do ? Your veins ( the Doctor sayes ) will fail , you 'l die Unless with meat and cordials you supply Your fainting stomach : Nay , there 's no delay , Come , take this Cordial . Sir , what must I pay For 't ? ( quoth Opimius ) O ( the Doctor cries ) This Physick's of a very little price . How much is that ( Opimius sayes ) Four pence ( The Doctor said . ) Alas what difference ( Sayes this damn'd Miser ) is't whether I die Of this disease , or by their theivery ? Hor. Who then are in their senses ? Dam. Those that be Not fools . Hor. But what do you suppose is he That 's covetous ? Dam. A fool and mad man too . Hor. Must he be wise that covets not ? Dam. No , no , Hor. Why ( prithee Stoick . ) Dam. I will tell thee why : Suppose a Patient in his sick bed lie ; This man has not the Plague ( the Doctor cries . ) Is he well therefore ? may he safely rise ? No ( sayes the Doctor ) for the man may be Afflicted with some other malady . This man perhaps is not a perjur'd Knave , Nor yet a sordid avaritious Slave , Thank ●is good Stars for that ; yet if he be O'●e impudent , or else ambitious , he Is mad and must pack to Antycera , For what 's the odds , whether you throw away All your estate into the Sea , or not Dare to make use of that which you have got ? Opidius a wealthy person , who Had good old Rents , and at Canusium two Very good Farmes , which he 'twixt both his Sons At 's death divided ( as the story runs ) Calling them to his Bed , he told them thus ; Since l 've observ'd thee ( my Tiberius ) Tell o're thy Nuts , and in some private place To hide thy Play-games with a careful face , While thou ( my Aulus ) carelesly would'st play With thine , and loose them , or give them away ; I am afraid lest madness should possess The minds of both , though in a different dress , And make one turn a Prodigal , and t'other Be covetous , contrary to his Brother ; And therefore he did beg of Heaven , that One Son might ne're diminish his Estate , Nor t'other his increase , but be content With that which he had thought sufficient , And Nature had confin'd them to ; and least The itch of glory should their mindes infest , He by an oath injoin'd them , that if e're Either of them were Alderman or Mayor , He should b' uncapable to make a Will , But live like one run mad , or out-law'd still . Thou mad man ! wilt thou spend what e're thou hast In gifts and presents , onely that thou maist Walk on th' Exchange in state ? or else maist be Set up in Brass to keep thy memory ? When thy Hereditary Lands t' hast sold , And spent thy Fathers Silver and his Gold : Must you forsooth have such applauses made As great Agrippa , Caesars Kinsman had ? Or shall the Coward Fox , though crafty , dare With the magnanimous Lion to compare ? A Countrey fellow that by chance did meet With Agamemnon , ask'd him in the street , Why ( Agamemnon ) why didst thou forbid That Ajax body should be buried ? I am a King ( said Agamemnon . ) Nay Then ( quoth the Clown ) I have no more to say . But my commands were just , ( the King replies ) And if to any they seem otherwise , I 'le give him free leave to discourse the things . The Countrey Clown repli'd , Greatest of Kings ▪ Heaven grant you may triumphant bring away Your conquering Navy from the conquer'd Troy. Propose the Q●estion ( cries the King ) and I Will give an answer to 't : Speak . Pray Sir , why ( Reply'd the Clown ) should that Heroick wight Ajax , who was so eminent for might , And had so oft preserv'd the Grecians , not Second to any but Achilles , rot Above ground uninterr'd , that Priam may , And all his baffled Trojans laugh , and say He by whose hand so many Trojans were Deny'd their Graves , now wants a Sepulcher ? Ajax ( sayes Agamemnon ) being mad , Did kill a hundred sheep , and said he had Kill'd that renowned man Ulysses , and That I and Menalaus fell by 's hand . But when at Aulis you did basely slay Your beauteous Daughter , and on th' Altar lay Her body like a Calf for Sacrifice , Vile man ( said the Plebean ) were you wise ? Why not ? ( sayes Agamemnon . ) Quoth the Clown , Pray what has Ajax in his madness done ? He with his Sword kill'd Cattle , but his hand From murthering's wife and children still abstain'd ; True , he curs'd you and Menalaus too : But to his friend Ulysses he did do No wrong : Nor yet to Teucer ( sayes the King ) That I may Navy from the Shore might bring , The Gods with blood I wisely pacifi'd . Mad King ! 't was your own ( the Clown reply'd . ) Yes ( quoth the King ) with my own blood , 't is true ▪ In which I did no act of madness shew ; Who false things ( sayes the Clown ) with true , & bad With good , together huddles , is stark mad ; And whether it be out of folly done , Or rage , and madness , still the thing is one Ajax in killing harmless sheep was mad , And you in acting your great crime as bad ; Killing your guiltless Daughter to appease , Those vain imaginary Deities ; Upon deliberation too ; is your heart well And pure , when as it did with passion swell ? If any in a Coach about should bear A fine white Lamb , and garments for 't prepare As for a Lady , furnish it with money And Servants , call it his dear , duck , and honey , Provide a Husband for 't ; the Magistrate Must seize upon this Lunaticks Estate , And then the Guardianship of him commit To the next Kin of his who has more wit. But what if one his Daughter sacrifice Instead of a mute Lamb , is that man wise ? No man will say 't ; and therefore wheresoe're Is vitious folly , madness too is there ; And he 's a mad-man who is given to vice , That fool whom brittle Honour does intice , Is so transported with the various sound Of Drums and Trumpets , that his Brains turn round . Now as to luxury , reason doth shew , That foolish Prodigals are mad men too : There 's Nomentanus , who as soon as e're He had receiv'd a thousand pounds , which were Left him by 's Father , he proclaimed straight The Fowler and the Fisherman should wait Upon his Worship , and all Tradesmen come And bring their wares next morn to him at home ! Ba●ds , Pimps , Buffoons , and all that impious crue Of sherking Tradesmen , which young Squires undo . What followed then ? They instantly appear With their Commodities from far and near . The Baud being at Rhetorick the best , Makes a set Speech at th'instance of the rest ; May 't please your Worship , ( quoth she ) whatsoe're I or my Brethren have at home , or here , Is at your service , send for 't when you please . Now mark the silly answer which to these This youngker gives ; Poor Huntsman thou dost go In heavy Boots , and watch all night in th' Snow , And for my Supper bring'st a Bore to me : Thou Fisherman in the tempestuous Sea Tak'st me a Dish of exc'lent Fish , while I Glutted with wealth and sloth supinely lie , Unworthy such a Fortune to possess ; Your merits must make my great fortune less ; You Huntsman , there 's a hundred pounds for you ; Here Fisherman , take you a hundred too ; Pimp , for thy Wives sake , take a triple sum , For if I send at mid-night she will come . Aesop the Players Son , that Prodigal In his luxurious prank , out-ranted all ; He pluck'd a Pearl out of his Doxies ear , Which when he had dissolv'd in vinegar , He quaffs it at a draught , as who should say , ( Damn me ) I drink a thousand pounds a day . Had he bin madder if he 'd thrown away That Pearl into the Bog-house or the Sea ? Those Sons of Arrius , who were arrant Twins In luxury , toyes , love , and such vain sins ; No food upon those Gallants Tables came , But Nightingals which could sing Walsingham . How shall I rank them , 'mong the wise , or no ? Must they to th' Senate , or to Bedlam go ? If one who wears a beard should make Dirt pies , Or please himself with Chariots drawn with Mice , Or ride a Hobby-horse , or at Push-pin play , Who would not swear his wits were fled away ? If Reason does convince us that to fall In Love , is the most childish thing of all ; And there 's no difference if thou play'st with dirt , And such vain toyes ( as when a child thou wert ) And now thou' rt grown a man thou do'st adore , And whine and vex for some fair crafty Whore. Pray , tell me , can you do like Polemon ? Who being drunk , run with a Garland on Into the School of grave Xenocra●es , With Ribons , Cushions , Handkercheifs ; all these He privately took off and threw away When he heard what that temperate man did say ; And grew a grave man from a Cock-brain'd fool , So that he did succeed him in that Scho● . If you should offe● to a froppish Boy An Apple , he 'ld refuse 't ; and if you say , Take it ( my pretty Child ) he will deny ; But if you do not give it him , he 'l cry . A puling Lover's such another Ass , Who being shut out by his cunning L●ss , Hankers about the door : What shall I do , ( Thinks he ) shall I return to her , or no ? And though he uninvited would have gon , Yet when by her he is but call'd upon ; Shall I go now ( sayes he ) or rather find Some way to ease the troubles of my mind ? Shut out ! and straight call'd in ! and shall I go ? If she should beg her heart out , I 'ld say , No ; Parmeno was much wiser , though a Slave , Master ( sayes he ) those things which neither have Reason nor measure , are not fit to be Dealt with by Rule and rationality . In that vein toy call'd love , these mischiefs are , War , Peace , ill-grounded peace , and groundless war ▪ If any man should strive to fix and stay Those things which by their Nature will away ; This way and that by every wind are blown , And on blind Fortunes waves tost up and down , He does as ill , and is as much a fool , As if he would be mad by art and rule . When thou do'st laugh because a kernel hits Thy Chambers roof , art thou in thy right wits ? And when thou do'st thy Mistress entertain With Childrens prattle which cannot speak plain , How canst thou possibly be thought more wise Then little Children are , which make Dirt pies ? Now to all Lovers follies add the guilt Of all the blood which has by them been spilt , Both of themselves and others , with a Sword Let their devouring foolish Fire be stirr'd . Was it not stoutly done of Marius ? who First his own Mistress , then his own self slew : Was he not frantick ? or wilt thou acquit Him of that crime , of being out of 's wit , But of great wickedness wilt him accuse , To give nick-names to things as people use ? There was an old man in the morn would go Fasting about the streets , with hands washt too ; And to the Gods he 'ld vehemently pray , That he might ne're by Death be t'ane way , 'T is a small thing to you , ye Gods ( quoth he ) To give to one man Immortality . If any Master were about to sell Such men for Slaves , and should the Buyer tell That they were persons perfect and compleat , Unless h' except their minds , he is a Cheat. This sort of people does Chrysippus place Among the fools innumerable race . A superstitious Mother , whose young Son Sick of a Quartan lay , as he had done , Five moneths at least , to Iupiter did pray ; Oh Iove , who pains do'st send and take away , If this poor Child of mine may be ( quoth she ) Once from this shivering Quartan Ague free , On the next day thou do'st a fast command , I' th' morn in Tyber he shall naked stand . Now when the Doctor , or good luck ( that 's more ) Did to his former health this Boy restore , His doating Mother , by her Zeal beguil'd , Into the River put her Feav'rish Child ; Whose coldness did the Feaver bring again , So she her Son , which she would save , hath slain : But how came she so much out of her Wits ? Hor. Perhaps she 's troubled with Religious Fits. Dam. Stertinius , that 8 th . wise man , told me This as a friend , that I might armed be , When any man hereafter call'd me mad , I in revenge might say , he is as bad ; And teach him to look back , that he might find That unknown part o th' bag which hangs behind . Hor. After those losses which thou didst sustain , May'st thou sell every thing for so much gain ; But prithee tell me , Stoick , to what kind Of madness do'st thou think I am inclin'd , ( For there are several sorts ) but I suppose , That I am free from every one of those . Dam. When up and down the streets Agave bore Her poor Childs Head which she cut off before , Did she conceive that she was mad , ( think you ? ) Hor. Well , I 'm a fool , I must confess , 't is true ; Nay , I 'm mad too ; but ( prithee ) let me know What kind of madness I 'm addicted to . Dam. I 'le tell thee ; First , thou hast a building brain , Next , though thou' rt but an Urchin , thou would'st fain Appear a propper Fellow : Thou laugh'st at That little Fencer Turbo's strutting gate When he 's in Armes , with what a Spirit he goes , And art not thou as much ridicul●us ? Do'st thou conceive 't is fit for thee to do What e're Maecenas power promps him to ? Wilt thou who art so much below him , dare With such an eminent person to compare ? A careless Calf by chance did tread upon A nest of young Frogs , when the old was gon ; One that escap'd did to his Dam declare , That by a huge great beast her young ones were All trod upon and kill'd . How big was he ? Was he as big as I am now ? ( quoth she : ) Then swell'd her self . Bigger by half ( repli'd Frog junior . ) What thus much — bigger ( cri'd The Beldame Frog ) and still she did swell on , Until at last , Oh , Mother ! ( sayes the Son ) Forbear your swelling , for you cannot be ( Though you should burst your self ) as big as he : This Picture very much resembles you . Add Poetry to all thy madness now , Which mixt with other Vices is the same , As if thou should'st pour Oyl into the flame : Yet if a Poet had been ever known To be a sober fellow , thou art one ; I 'le not speak of thy horrid cholerickness — Hor. Hold ( prithee Stoick ) hold . — Dam. Nor of thy dress That 's so phantastical , and so above Thy Purse and Quality ; nor of thy love T' a thousand wenches and a thousand boyes . Hor. Good Damasippus follow thine own toyes , And now for shame my peccadilloes spare , Which no pr●portion with thy Vices bear . SATYRE IV. By T. F. Esq A Character of a Belly-god . CATIUS and HORACE . Hor. Whence Brother Catius , and whither bound so fast ? Cat. Oh , Sir , you must excuse me , I 'm in haste , I dine with my Lord Mayor , and can't allow Time for our eating Directory now , Though I must needs confess I think my Rules Would prove Pythagoras and Plato fools . Hor. Grave Sir , I must acknowledge 't is a crime To interrupt at such a nick of time ; Yet stay a little Sir , it is no sin ; You 're to say Grace're Dinner can begin ; Since you at food such Virtuoso are , Some Precepts to an hungry Poet spare . Cat. I grant you Sir , next pleasure ta'ne in eating Is that ( as we do call it ) of repeating ; I still have Kitchin-Systems in my mind , And from my Stomach's fumes a brain well lin'd . Hor. Whence , pray Sir , learnt you these ingenious arts , From one at home , or hir'd from foreign parts ? Cat. No names Sir , ( I beseech you ) that 's foul play , We ne're name Authors , onely what they say . 1. For Eggs chuse long , the round are out of fashion , Unfavory and distasteful to the Nation , E're since the brooding Rump they 're addle too , In the long Egg lies Cock-a-doodle-do . 2. Chuse Colworts planted on a soil that 's dry , Even they 're worse for th' wetting ( verily ! ) 3 ▪ If Friend from far shall come to visit , then Say thou would'st treat the wight with Mortal Hen , Don't thou forthwith pluck off the cackling head , And impale Corps on Spit as soon as dead ; For so she will be tough beyond all measure , And Friend shall make a trouble of a pleasure ; Steep 't in good wine let her her life surrender , O then she 'l eat most admirably tender . 4. Mushromes that grow in Medows are the best , F'rought I know there is poyson in the rest . 5. He that would many happy Summers see , Let him eat Mulberries fresh off the Tree , Gather'd before the Sun 's too high , for these Shall hurt his Stomach less then Cheshire Cheese . 6. Ausidius ( had you done so 't had undone ye ) Sweetned his Mornings-draughts of Sack with honey , But he did ill to empty veins to give Corroding Potion for a Lenitive . 7. If any man to drink do thee inveigle in , First whet thy whistle with some good Metheglin . 8. If thou art bound , and in continual doubt Thou shalt get no more in till some get out , The Muscle or the Cockle will unlock Thy bodie ; trunck , and give a vent to nock ; Some say that sorrel steept in wine will do , But to be sure put in some Aloces to . 9. All Shel-fish ( with the growing Moon increase ) Are ever when she fills her Orbe the best ; But for brave Oysters , Sir , exceeding rare , They are not to be met with every where ; Your Wall-fleet Oyster no man will prefer Before the juicy Grass-green Colchester ; Hungerford Crawfish match me if you can , There 's no such Crawlers in the Ocean . 10. Next for your Suppers , you ( it may be ) think There goes no more to 't , but just eat and drink ; But let me tell you Sir , and tell you plain , To dress 'um well requires a man of Brain ; His pallat must be quick , and smart , and strong For Sauce , a very Critick in the tongue . 11. He that pais dear for Fish , nay though the best , May please his Fishmonger more then his Guest , If he be ignorant what Sauce is proper , There 's Machiavel in th' menage of a Supper . 12. For Swines-flesh , give me that of the wild bore , Pursu'd and hunted all the Forrest o're , He to the liberal Oke ne're quits his love , And when he finds no Acorns , grunts at Iove ; The Hamshire Hog with Pease and Whey that 's fed Sti'd up , is neither good alive nor dead . 13. The tendrels of the Vine are Sallads good , If when they are in season understood . 14. If Servant to thy Board a Rabbet bring , Be wise , and in the first place carve a wing . 15. When Fish and Fowl are right , and at just age , A feeders curiosity to asswage , If any ask , Who found the Mystery ? Let him enquire no farther , I am he . 16. Some fansie Bread out of the Oven hot , Variety's the Gluttons happiest lot . 17. It 's not enough the wine you have be pure , But of your oyl as well you ought be sure . 18. If any fault be in thy generous wine , Set it abroad all night , and 't will refine , But never strein't , nor let it pass through linnen , Wine will be worse for that as well as Women . 19. The Vintner that of Malaga and Sherry With damn'd ingredients patches up Canary , With Segregative things , as Pigeons Eggs Straight purifies , and takes away the dregs . 20. An o're charg'd stomach roasted Shrimps will ease . The cure by Lettice is worse then the disease . 21. To quicken appetite it will behove ye To feed couragiously on good Anchovie . 22. Westphalia Hamm , and the Bolognia sawsage ; For second or third course will clear a passage , But Lettice after meals ! Fie on 't ! the Glutton Had better feed upon Ram-alley-Mutton . 23. 'T were worth ones while in Palace or in Cottage , Right well to know the sundry sorts of potage ; There is your French Potage , Nativity Brot● , Yet that of Fetter-lane exceeds them both ; About a limb of a departed Tup There may you see the green Herbs boiling up , And fat abundance o're the furnace float , Resembling Whale-oyl in a Greenland Boat. 24. The Kentish Pippin's best , I dare be bold , That ever Blew-cap Costardmonger sold. 25. Of Grapes , I like the Raisons of the Sun ; I was the first immortal Glory won , By mincing Pickle-Herrings with these Raisons And Apples : 'T was I set the World a gazing , When once they tasted of this Hoghan Fish , Pepper and Salt Enamelling the Dish . 26. 'T is ill to purchase great Fish with great matter , And then to serve it up in scanty Platter ; Nor it it less unseemly some believe , From Boy with greasie Fist Drink to receive ; But the Cup foul within is enough to make A squamish creature puke , and turn up stomach . 27. Then Brooms and Napkins , and the Flander tyl● These must be had too , or the Feast you spoil , Things little thought on , and not very dear , And yet how much they cost one in a year ! 28. Would'st thou rub Alablaster with hands fabl● Or spread a Diaper cloth on dirty Table ? More cost , more worship : Come , be Al-a-mode , Embelish Treat , as thou would'st do an Ode . Hor. O learned , Sir , how greedily I hear This elegant Diatriba of good cheer ! Now by all that 's good , by all provant you loue , By sturdy Chine of Beef , and mighty Jove , I do conjure thy gravity , let me see The man that made thee this discovery ; For he that sees th' Original's more happy Than him that draws by an ill-favour'd Copy ; O bring me to the man I so admire ! The Flint from whence brake forth these sparks of fire , What satisfaction would the Vision bring ? If sweet the stream , much sweeter is the spring . SATYRE V. By A. B. A way to grow Rich. ULYSSES and TIRESIAS ▪ Ul. TO all that thou hast told me heretofore , Prithee , Tiresias , add this one thing more ▪ By what designs and means may I now be As wealthy as I have been formerly ? Why do'st thou laugh ? Tir. Is 't not enough , that thou ( Thou crafty Fellow ) art restored now To Ithaca , and do'st thy Gods behold Which thy progenitors ador'd of old ? Ul. Oh , thou unerring Profit ! do but see How naked I 'm return'd , how beggerly , ( As thou fore-told'st ) my Closets rifled all , And that Estate which I my own could call , Is all consum'd by those Gallants that lay Courting my Wife , while I have been away ; An honest man and of a Noble house , If poor , is no more valued then a Louse . Tir. Well then , since poverty affrights thee so , In brief I 'le tell thee how thou rich shalt grow : If any Friend send thee a brace of Phesants , Or any other rarities for presents , To thy next wealthy Neighbour , if he 's old , Send them away , so they 're not given , but sold ▪ And if thy Garden or thy Field bring forth Melons , or any other Fruits of worth , Send to some wealthy man a taste e're thou Do'st any of it to thy Lar allow ; For in this age our muck●admiring Elves Adore rich men more then the Gods themselves . Though perjur'd Rogues , ignobly born and bred , Murther'd their Brothers , and their Country fled , Yet wait upon them when they do command , And let them alwayes have the upper-hand . Ul. What ? Shall I give the wall to such a base Inferiour Rascal as old Damon was ? At Troy I ever scorn'd it , there did I Contend with Great ones . Tir. Thou 'lt a Beggar die . Vl. This heart wil stoutly bear such things as these , I have endur'd far greater i● my dayes : But prithee , learned Doctor , tell me how I may get heaps of Gold and Silver now . Tir. I 've told thee , and I 'le tell it thee again , Thou art a fellow of a subtle Brain ; Enquire what old Rich men are like to die , Observe their humours , keep them company , Ply them with Presents still , that thou maist be Nam'd in their wills an heir , or legatee ; And if perhaps one or two subtle men Nible the bait , and straight whip off agen ▪ And scape thy hook , and thou art cheated so , Do not despair , nor yet thy art forgo . Next , if there be a Law-suit great or small , That side that 's rich , and has no childe at all Be for , though unretain'd , and let thy Tongue Beat down his Adversary , right or wrong ; Be the manne're so honest , and the suit Never so just , or of so good repute , If he has Children , or a Wife that may Produce him Children , throw his Cause away . But say to thy rich childless Client ; Sir , May 't please your worship , or your honour ! ( for Titles of Honours , and such terms as these , Do Mortals tender Ears most strangely please . ) 'T is not your money , but your virtues have Made me your Friend , your servant , may your slave ; I know the Riddles of the Law , and can Menage your Suits ; and I 'le give any man Leave to pluck out mine Eyes , if ever he Can cheat or fool you , leave your Cause to me ; I 'le take such care that you shan't loose a Groat , Noe yet ●e laught at ; bid him take no thought , But away home to 's Country house , and there His mind and body both repose and cheer ! Or else do thou thy self turn Advocate , And for thy Client never cease to prate : Endure the scorching heat , the piercing cold , And then thou shalt the gazing Clown behold Jogging with 's Elbow those that next him stand , Look , look ( sayes he ) how he endures it , and How eagerly he pleads there for his friends , Sure he has all the Law at 's Fingers ●nds : The Fish will come in sholes then to be caught ▪ And thou may'st fill thy Net at every draught . Or if a rich man have an onely Son Lies dangerously sick and drawing on , Be n't too officicus to th' old man , least he Thy purpose through thy diligence should see , But gently screw thy self into him , and Get thy self writ down , Heir at second hand , That if to 's Child any disaster come , Thou next in order may'st supply his room ; 'T is ten to one but this design will take , And so his great Estate thine own thou'lt make . If one desire thee to peruse his Will , Seem to deny 't , thrust it away , but still So as to glance thine Eye on it , and see What Legacies , and who 's the Legat●e ; Let thy quick eye run all the Paper o're , Whether thou' rt Heir alone , or join'd with more . Oftimes an o're-grown crafty Scrivener , which By being in Offices grows wise and rich , Cheats the next Kindred of th' expected pelf , Leaves the right Heir out , and puts in himself , Makes him both needy and ridiculous too , ( As Aesops Fox did serve the gaping Crow . ) Ul. Art thou inspir'd ? or do'st thou go about On purpose with these ridling words , to flout And to delude me ? — Tir. No , Laertes Son ! Whate're I say , will , or will not be done ; For great Apollo hath bestow'd on me This admirable knack of Prophesie . Ul. If it be lawful then , prithee unfold The meaning of this Fable which th' hast told . Tir. The time shall come when our young Emperor , he Who does derive his Royal Pedigree From the Divine Aeneas , at whose beck The sturdie Parthians shall submit their Neck , And he shall grow so great by Sea and Land , All Princes else shall stoop at his command : Some crafty Courtier , as Coranus was , Shall have a mind t' a hansome strapping Lass , And wed that Dog Nasica's Daughter , who Will not a Groat on him with her bestow , Nor yet will put her off at any rate , Unless to one that has a vast Estate : But here 's the cheat , he bids th' old man read or'e His Will , which subtly was contriv'd before . The griping sl●ve thinking he has his end , Denies to view the Will , and does pretend He aim'd not at the Wealth , but to have one Of Honour and of Merit to his Son. What need I stand gazing on 's Will ( thinks he ) My Daughter must have all whate're it be : But being much intreated , does peruse The Will at last , and after divers views , Finds nothing is bequeath'd to him or his , But ev'n to hang himself , or mourn for this . One thing more I would have thee mind ; where e're , Thou of an old rich doating man do'sthear , Who 's govern'd by his Serving-man , or by His crafty W●nch ; joyn in society With those , and praise them to their Master , so To him behind thy back they 'l praise thee too : This trick will will help thee much ; but nothing can Avail so much as working on th' old man. If he writes Verses ne're so like an Ass , Extoll them to the Skies ; and if he has A mind t' a Wench , send thy Penelope ; Do 't of thine own accord ; be sure that he Don't ask thee for her ; freely her present , And wish she may to 's Worship give content . Ul. D' you think my Wife , who is so vertuous And modest , who so stoutly did oppose So many suitors , and continued chaste , Will be seduc'd t' anothers lust at last ? Tyr. They 'd little Souls , and knew not how treat , Nor to present a Lady that 's so great : Theirs was but Kitchin-love , they did desire To fill their Bellies , not to slake their fire ; So thy Penelope continued chaste ; If she of one old man but once should taste , She 'ld share the gains with thee , and cease no more Then dogs from sheep , when they 've kil'd sheep before . Nay wonder not at this that I have told , I found it all to true when I grew old . A damn'd old Hag who did at Thebes die , Order'd this Funeral solemnity By her last Will ; her body she would have Anointed o're with Oyl , and to her Grave She order'd him who was to be her Heir , On 's naked Shoulders her oyl'd Corps to bear , And if by th'slippriness he let her fall , What e're she left , he was to forfeit all : He , while she liv'd , did ( I believe ) pretend Great love to her , she 'ld have it without end . Walk war●ly , and see thou be not found Wanting in duty , nor too much abound ; To sickly men , and such as are morose , A prating fellow is most tedious . Yet s●llen silence affect not at all , But Dav●s-like be something Comical , Thy Head on one side lean'd , as if he were A man of whom thou stood'st in mighty fear : Be very dutiful , and if the Air Blow ne're so little , bid him have a care Of his most precious tender head , and when He 's in a Croud , get him straight out agen , And with both shoulders thrust aside all those , Who do his easie coming out oppose . And when he falls to talking bow thine ear , If his own praises he delights to hear , Ply him with high Encomiums , and fill Him Bladder-like with swelling words , until He lifts both hands up to the very skies ; An honest Servant ! 't is enough , he cries . And when at length thou by his death shalt be . From this great care and tedious service free , And being broad awak'd shalt hear it read , Ulysses quarter-heir to him that 's dead , Then with a loud voice cry ; And is he gon , What ? Have I lost my dear Companion ? Where now shall I another Patron find , Who 's of so just and of so stout a mind ? Nay weep a little , if thou canst ; 't is good Thy inward joy should not be understood . And if th' interment should be left to thee , Be sure thou do 't with pomp and decency ; The Neighbours all about will celebrate A funeral that 's manag'd in great State. If one of the oldest Coheirs chance to be Infirm in 's body , or cough dangerously , Apply thy self to him , tell him he shall Buy what to thy share by the Will does fall ; Whether 't be house or ground , tell him thy mind Is more to money then to land inclin'd . But Proserpine recalls me to my Cell , I must obey and go ; Live long , farewel . SATYRE VI. By Sir R. F. He saith he lives content with what he hath , and wishes no more . Then compares the Commodities of the ease he injoyes in the Countrey , with the discommodities of businesses and troubles which accompany the City life . THis was my wish , A moderate scope of Land , A Garden with a pl●n●eous Spring at ha●d : And to crown these a plump of trees : Heaven gave Better then this ; 'T is well , no more I crave Good Mercury , make but these 〈◊〉 indure ; If neither by ill wayes I did procure , Nor by ill wayes shall waste them : if I scape Longings : O that you Nook , which doth ●ishape My Field , were added ! O that I might find A pot of Gold ! as ( Hercules to friend ) He did , who hir'd to delve anothers ground , Bought the same Land he digg'd with what he found : If what I have please me : if thou incline , When I pray , Make my Flock , and all that 's mine Fat , but my wit ; and as th' ast ever done , Stand my great Guardian . Therefore ( when being flown ) Out of Romes Cage into the Woods , I put Discourses in rough Verse , and horse my Foot ) Nor Feavers kill me , nor Ambitions itch , Nor ●ickly Autumns making Sextons rich . FATHER MATUTE : or Janus ( if that style Affect thee more ) from whom their births , and toil , According to the Julian year men date , VVith thee I auspicate my work . When straight Thou thy self hurriest me away to Rome To be a Surety : Quick , least some one come Before , that 's more officious ; Rain , or Blow , And though the Colds shrink day to nothing , goe I must : and after , wrastle through a Croud , And crack my Lungs , t' undo my self aloud : Injure , who ere is slower . Name of Mars ! What mean you ? whose Solicitor ? ( Thus curse Those men , upon whose Corns I tread ) O! you Hasting to serve Maecenas , care not who You run o're . I 'le nere lie ; this grieves me not : 'T is Musick . But anon , when I have got Esquiliaes misty Top , thousand affairs Of other men flie buzzing in mine ears , And sting me back and sides ; Roscius requests To morrow , Two , you 'd help him i' th' Requests . The Secretaries pray you 'd not forget A business that concerns the Publick , Great , And new , today : stay Quintus , get this Bill Sign'd by Maecenas : If I can I will. Nay , thou can'st do 't ; and presses me . 'T is now A seven years past , Maecenas doth allow Me of his Family , onely t' advise Whom he should take into his Coach in journeys , To whom commit his Meddals : What 's a Clock ? Which Fencer will beat ( think'st thou ) or which Cock ? 'T is a hard Frost : Will 't bear another Coat ? With such like trifles as are safely put In leaking ears . This Prentiship have I Serv'd under Envy's lash , more and more daily . Our Friend Bowl'd with Maecenas th' other day , I , and they sate together at the Play : ( Some men have Fortune ! ) Blowes there through the street , A bleak news from the Change ? straight all I meet ; G●odman : ( for thou being near the Gods must know ) Do'st hear ought of the Dacians ? In sooth , No. Thou 'lt ne're leave jeering . Hang me , if I do . The Lands th●n which the Emperor promis'd to The Souldiers , in SICILIA shall they be Allotted to them , or in Italy ? Swearing , I nothing know : Well , Goe thy wayes For a deep pit of secresie ! and gaze . Mean while my Taper wasts : scarce time to pray : O Fields , when shall I see you ? O , when may I , rould in Books , or lull'd in sleep and ease , Opium life's cares with sweet forgetfulness ? When shall I taste the Pythagorean Bean With fav'ry broth , and Bacon without lean ? O nights , and suppers of the Gods , which I And mine , consume in my own Family ; Where my Clowns , born within doors , tear the ●east I tasted to them ; where the lawless guest D●ies the unequal Cups , as his Complexion Asks soaking showres , or moderate refection . Then talk we not of buying Lands , nor school Other mens lives : nor whether Caesars Fool Dance well , or not : But things of more concern , Are our discourse , and which men ought to learn : Whether to happiness do more conduce Vertue or wealth ? if we our Friends should chuse For ends , or honesty . What 's understood Truly by Goods ? and which is the chief good ? My Neighbour Cervius , interweaves his old Fables , as thus : Aurelius wealth extoll'd , ( Forgetting with what cares it tortures him ) I 'le tell you a Tale ( quoth he : ) Once on a time , The Country Mouse receiv'd in her poor house , Her antient and good friend the City Mouse ; A mighty Huswife , and exceeding nigh , Yet free in way of Hospitality . In short , the Chick-pease she had laid for ●oard , And unthrasht Oats she sets upon the Board , Brings scraps of Bacon in her mouth , and dry Barley ; desiring with variety ( Had it been possible ) to have o'recame The stately niceness of the City-dame . When the good wife her self on her Straw-bed , ( Leaving the best ) on Chaff and Acorn fed . At length , her guest : Friend , how canst thou indure To live in this Rock-side , moapt and obscure ? Wild Woods preferr'st Thou to a Town , and Men ? Come go with me . Since all shall die , and when We go , our Mortal souls resolve to dust , Live happy whil'st thou may'st , as one that must Be nothing a while hence . Drawn by this spell , The Country Mouse skips lightly from her Cell , And both their way unto the City keep , Longi●g by night over the walls to creep : And now 't was mid-night , and her foot each sets In a rich house : where glittering Coverlets Of Tyrian Die , on Ivory-beds were past , And many Offals of a great feast past , Lay in the Pantry heapt . Her Rural mate Pray'd to repose under a Cloth of State ; The City Mouse , like an officious Hoast , Bestirs her self to fetch bak'd , boil'd , and roast , And playes the Carver , tasting all she brings , She thinks the world well chang'd ; and Heavens good things Stretching , injoyes ; when straight flies ope the room , And tosses both out of the wrought Couch plom , Running like things distracted , but much more When with Molossian Dogs the high roofs roar : Then said the Country Mouse , No more of this , Give me my Wood , my Cave , and Roots with peace . The same by another Hand . THis , this the sum of all my wishes was , In a small farm my life obscure to pass , Where I a Garden and a Spring might see , A little Grave , or at the least a Tree : But here the bounteous Gods have given me more , Then all my largest hopes conceiv'd before ; 'T is well , I 'm thankeful , and no more I wish , But onely that they should continue this . If by no wretched gain I ever yet Made my self guilty , that I might be great ; If by no vitious course , or squandring way , I shall my life to poverty betray ; If I send up to Heaven no prayer like these , O that kind Heaven would give me to possess That narrow spot of ground which nere me lies , And ●'re my Garden walks too high doth rise ! Oh , that some luckie hit of Fortune wou'd Bring to my hands such unexpected good , As once she did to a hir'd Plough-man , who While he with usual hopes the Field did plough , He found of hidden treasure so great store , He bought the Field wherein he toil'd before . No , if my mind be equal in desires , And to no more then what I have aspires , Then let just Heaven keep my Estate from harm , Keep my Lambs safe , that they may keep me warm● Let me enjoy what 's needful , and what 's fit , Have all things fat about me but my wit ! May the Gods be propitious still to me , And be my guardians as they use to be . And now in this so close and silent life , Stole from the arts of Court and Cities strife , What should I write but Humerous Satyres here ? Satyres the Woods inhabitants alwayes were . Here no ambitious Raptures heat my head , Here no infection through the air is spread ; Here I in midst of tempests am secure , Nor fear the fall of Chimneys every hour ; Here all the stormy windes that chance to rise , Onely bring ●ounder sleeps unto my eyes : Or if sometimes their fury they do spend On some tall Oak , and it asunder rend , Their very mischief's useful here , and by Their rage my wood-mans labour they supply . But hold , while I my self thus flatter here , Reck'ning before each pleasure of the year , I ●ad forgot that I su●pena'd was , And up to London suddenly must pass ; Away I must , and ride through thick and thin , There to arive before the Term begin ; To Horse I must what ever wind doth blow , Whether the dayes do long or shorter grow ; For all my shrugging , yet away I must ; Thither I come , and through the croud I thrust : Methinks the stream I do already feel ; As I pass through , sometimes I kick ones heel , Sometimes anothers Cornes I tread upon , While they do curse and cry , whither d' you run ? What ails you ? why so fast ? do not you see That we by those before us hindred be ? To my Maecenas House I still press through , Remembring to what company there I go , That , that indeed is sweet to me ; for there Is pleasant company and healthy air To me , who from the Sea-coals and the noise Escap'd , a while a mouthful there injoyes ; But when I tired and puffing thither come , A hundred strangers business do hum About my ears , a hundred trifles fall Upon my head , back , shoulders , covering all . Of my whole life the greatest part I 've spent , Not with my self , or to my own content , But in that pomp , which I of all things hate , Th' acquaintance of chief Ministers of State , Though all th' employment I had with them was Onely to help some idle hours to pass : Sir , my Lord such a one desires that you Would be at Westminster at two : There did a Merchant , Sir , for you inquire , Your aid in some rich project to desire : I pray Sir get his Graces hand to this , He knows me , and it reasonable is . And if I say I 'le do my best in it , Oh Sir ( sayes he ) if you but think it fit To speak a word , th' event I need not fear , And then some Bribe they whisper in my ear ; All 's but for them to exe●cise the●r pride , And all that wa●t for business to deride , While we within in private shut the while , With such vain tattle do the time beguile : What is the clock ? 't is very cold to day , How do you like these Verses , or that Play ? Such were the grave affairs of State , that we Transacted in our envy'd secresie ; Yet by this means , 't was nois'd about the Town That I a mighty favorite was grown : D' ye hear the news ? ( sayes one ) our friend did ride Last night with my Lord Chancellor side by side ; He is a rising man , and happy me , I him to day at least two hours did see In private with his Highness , and his Grace Gave him a Friendly smile as he did pass . When once the World hath taken this report , Then all the Mounsieurs brisk about the Court , Where e're I meet them kindly me salute , Y' are well met Sir , you know without dispute How matters goe ; ( say they ) for now you are Acquainted with all States-men secrets here . And how ? and how ? and when d' ye expect the Fleet ? When will the King set forth the Que●n to meet ? I know not . Come you 'r such another man ! L●t all the Gods their judgements on me rain , If I know any things . And what d' ye hear , When did the Portuguez resign Tangier ? Is all in Ireland quiet still or no ? When will my Lord Lieutenant thither goe ? Which way are things accommodated there , For the old Irish , or the Purchaser ? Still I persist that I do nothing know , At my reserv'dness they much wonder shew ; That I 'm a close and trusty man they swear , Fit to be made a Privy-counsellor . Thus I my time to ●uch vain fopperies give , And onely in my wishes truly live : Oh , when shall I the Country see again , When in a medow , or a shady plain , Shall I once more securely read and sleep , And no account of the dayes motion keep ? But by a pleasant thoughtful idleness Of humane life make the long journey less : Oh Beans and Bacon ! O delicious meal ! Such as the first and innocent men did eat Of fruits , for which Pythagoras was wise , When he all other dainties did despise ; Oh nights and suppers fit for Gods to eat , For even the Gods have sometimes lov'd retreat . There o're my merry Servants I am King , Yet fear no Poison in what e're they bring . There free from all the gentle rudeness , which The Laws of Drinking in the City teach , One takes a Brimmer up , another cries , Hold , hold , pray not too much , that will suffice . All drink what e're they please , and none by stealth Need put this Glass by , or escape that health . There no discourse of other men comes in , Nor who this Race , who did that Cock-match win , Not who commands the fashion of the Town , Who the best Actor is , Lacy , or Mohume ? We talk of things that nearer us concern , And which 't is more material to learn , What kind of life a prudent man should chuse , Or to be rich , or to be virtuous ; What into strongest friendship men doth bind , Profit and interest , or the Goods o th' mind : What of true happiness the nature is , What are its measures , properties , degrees . C — the while ( for he too did the same ) Forsook the world with me , and thither came C — still mingles things that are more gay , Rough Morals with old Stories doth allay : Yet not that all our talk should stories be , But onely when they genuine come and free : Then if some new arriv'd half-witted Guest , ( Half witted sure he needs must be at best , ) Admires the City and the glories there , How splendidly these Lords or those appear , Against him which such railery he disputes , And with a Mouses Argument confutes . By Mr. A. Cowley . AT the large Foot of a fair hallow tree , Close by plow'd grounds , seated commodiously His antient and hereditary house , There dwelt a good substantial Country Mouse , Frugal and grave , and careful of the main , Yet one who nobly once did entertain A City Mouse , well coated , sleek , and gay , A Mouse of high degree , who lost his way Wantonly walking forth to take the air , And arriv'd early , and belighted there For a dayes lodging ; the good hearty Host The antient plenty of his Hall to boast , Did all the stores produce that might excuse , With various taste the Courtiers appetite , Chitches and beans , peason , and oats and wheat , And a large Chesnut , the delicious meat Which Iove himself were he a Mouse would eat ; And for a haut-guest there was mixt with these The sword of Becon and the coat of cheese , The precious relicks which at Harvest he Had gathe●'d from the Reapers luxury : Freely ( said he ) fall on , and do not spare , The bounteous Gods will for to morrow care . And thus at ease on Beds of straw they lay And to their Genius sacrific'd the day : Yet the nice Guests mind ( Though breeding made him civil seem and kind ) Despis'd this Countrey Feast , and still his thought Upon the cakes and pies of London wrought . Your bou●ty and civility ( said he ) Which I 'm surpris'd in these rude parts to see , Shews that the Gods have given you a mind Too noble for the fare which here you find : Why should a Soul so virtuous and so great , Loose it self thus in an obscure retreat ? Let Savage Beasts lodge in a Countrey Den , You should see Towns , and manners , and know men , And taste the generous luxury of the Court , Where all the Mice of qualitie resort , Where thousand beauteous shee s about you move , And by high fare are pliant made to love . We all ere long must render up our ●reath , No Cave or Hole can shelter us from Death ; Since life is so uncertain and so short , Let 's spend it all in feasting and in sport . Come ( worthy Sir ) come with me and partake All the great things that Mortals happy make . Alas , what vertue has sufficient armes T' oppose bright Honour and soft pleasures charms ? What wisdome can their Magick force repel ? It draws this Reverend Hermit from his Cell . It was the time when witty Poets tell , That Phoebus into Tethys bosome fell , She blusht at first , and then put out her light , And drew the modest Curtains of the night . Plainly the truth to tell , the Sun was set , And to the town the wearied trav●llers get To a Lords house , as Lordly as can be , Made for the use of pride and luxury . They come ; the gentile Courtier at the door Stopt , and will hardly enter in before . But this , Sir , you command , and being so , I 'm sworn t' obedience ; and so in they go Behind a Hanging in a spacious room , The richest work of Mortelacks noble Loom . They wait a while their wearied Limbs to rest , Till silence should invite them to their f●ast , Alont the hour that Cyn●hia's silver light Had toucht the pale meridies of night . At last the various Supper being done , It hapned that the company was gone Into a room remote , Servants and all , To please their noble fancies with a Ball. Our Host leads forth his stranger , and does find All fitted to the bounties of his mind : Still on the Tables half fill'd Dishes stood , And with delicious bits the flow'r was strew'd , The courteous Mouse presents him with the best , And both with fat varieties are blest : The industrious peasant every where does range , And thanks the Gods for his lives happy change ; Loe in the midst of a well fraighted Pye They both at last glutted and wanton lie : When ( see the sad reverse of prosperous fate , ) And what fierce stormes on mortal glories wait , With hideous noise down the rude Servants come , Six Dogs before run barking into th' room , The wretched Gluttons fly with wild affright , And hate their fulness which retards their flight . Our trembling Peasant wishes now in vain , That rocks and mountains cover'd him again : Oh , how the change of his poor life he curst , This of all lives ( said he ) is sure the worst . Give me again ye Gods my Cave and Wood , With peace let tares and acorns be my food ! SATYRE VII . By A. B. HORACE and DAVUS. The miseries of a Debauched life . Dav. I 'Ve over-heard you , and a mind I have ( Slave , To speak a word t'you , but being but your I am afraid . — Hor. — Who art thou , Davus ? Dav. — Yes , Davus , who alwayes to his Patron is A Slave so loving and so true , that he Deserves at length that you should make him free . Hor. Go on , and use Decembers freedom now , ( Because our Ancestors did that allow . ) Speak what thou hast a mind . Dav. — Most men delight In Vice continually , and with all their might Pursue their lewd designes : Many there be Float up and down with much inconstancie . Now they will lead a virtuous life , but then They quickly tumble into vice agen . How fickle Priscus is ! sometimes he ' ! be With ne're a Ring on 's hand , sometimes with three : And every hour he 'l vainly change his Gown ; Sometimes he 'l lodge i' th noblest house in Town , Straight in the meanest Cottage he will lie , And thence come forth looking so nastily . Now he at Athens studies hard , but straight Away he comes to Rome to fornicate . So various in his life , as if he 'd been Born in all shapes Vertunuus e're was in . That Gamester Volanerius , when the Gout Had rack'd and shrunk up all his joints throughout , A Fellow by the day he hir'd and sed To take the Dice , and throw them in his stead . How much more constant men in Vices be , So much the easer is their misery ; 'T is better far to keep an equal pace , Then sometimes slack and sometimes stretch the Trace . Hor. Yet all this while thou tell'st nor to what end ( Thou sleering Knave ) these fullen words do tend . Dav. They 're meant of you . — Hor. Why so ( you Rogue ? ) Dav. — You praise Mens fate and wayes who liv'd in former dayes , And yet if any God move you to use The like your self , you obstinately refuse , Either because you don't conceive what you Your self affirm thereof is right and true ; Or else the truth you faintly do deftend , And are not such a man as you pretend ; And when you stick so fast , you do desire In vain to pluck your feet out of the mire . The Country you admire when you are at Rome , But when into the Country you are come , A City life you above all things prize , And Rome you vainly do extoll to th' skies . When you are not invited forth to sup , Your own safe Diet you do so cry up , Pretending if you e're go forth , 't is still To please your Friend , but sore against your will : And you 're so pleas'd , and count your self so blest , When you are not invited out to feast . But if Maecenaes send for you to come , How all the house rings with your noise at home ! What , not the Barber come yet ? — Jack ! — who 's there ? Where are these Ragues , my Servants ? — does none hear ? And then away you post t' your Patrons feast , Where Milvius that Parasite , and the rest Which feed upon him , curse and rail , and speak Base words of you , when they away must sneak . One ( I confess ) did tell me to my face , You did your pleasure in your Belly place ; And call'd you smell-feast , feeble , sluggard , sot , What they could think , as Glutton , and Toss-pot . Now since you are as bad as I can be , Nay perhaps worse , why should you rail at me , As if you 're better ? when you but disguise With vertuous names the foulness of your vice . When you were with anothers wife in bed , And simply by his Slave discovered , Trapand and apprehended , were not you A verier fool then I ? — Nay , never go To fright me with your surly countenance ; Bridle your passion , don't your fist advance , While I impartially declare unt ' you That which Crispinus Slave reveal'd to me . You 're for a married woman , while your poor Slave Davus is content with a poor — Which of our crimes are greater , your or mine ? When heat of blood does me to th' flesh incline , I take a common wench , with whom I do Such things as humane Nature promps me to ; And having done , I presently depart , My name not blemish'd by it , nor my heart Solicitous , where those who next there lie , Be handsomer or richer men then I. But when you lay your Ornaments aside , And sneak along for fear you should be spi'd : Are you not what you seem , when you become Instead of a grave Senator a Groom ? And are into anothers Lodgings led , With an old Cap to hide your powdred head ; 'Twixt lust and fear such a contest is in you , Your flesh and bones still trembling do continue . What difference is 't if you are bound for hire To be destroi'd , whether by Sword or Fire ? Or to be thrust into a nasty Chest With head and heels contracted to your breast , Where by the Maid you have secured bin , The Baud that 's privy to her Mistress sin . Has not th' abused Husband then just power , Both o're his wife and o're her Paramour ? More just o're the Adulterer , yet she Nor place nor habit shifts , nor publickly Commits the sin ; the woman is in fear , And believes not your promis'd love to her : But you 're a voluntary Slave to your lust , And with that raging Tyrant do intrust All your estate ; your safety , liberty , Repute and life , things which so precious be . And when you have escap'd from all those Snares , A man would think you should be full of fears , And would by this take warning now , but you Seek how to sin , and to be plagu'd anew . Oh! you that make your self so oft a Slave , What bruit Beasts are so mad , that when they have Made their escape by breaking off the chain , Will to the snares expose themselves again ? You say , you are no Adulterer , nor I A Theif , because I warily pass by Your plate , but were the punishment away , You to Adultery , I to Theft should stray . Are you my Master , and so much a Slave , To those ill powers which Dominion have O're men and things ? and have so often bin Freed from your slavery , yet again get in ? Adde this thing to the rest , which seems to me An Argument of great validitie , If he that does a Slave serve and obey , Is a Slaves Vicar ( as you Scholars say ) Or but his Fellow-slave , pray tell me then What must I be to you ? for even when You rule o're me you are a wretched Slave , To other powers , and no true motion have , But are like wooden Puppets mov'd about , Not by your Nerves within , but Wires without . Hor. Who then is free ? Dav. He that is wise , and can Govern himself , that , that 's the true Free-man ; Whom prisons , want , nay Death , can't terrifie , Who quells his vain desires , and valiantly Contemns the froth of popular applause , And squares his actions all by virtues laws : No outward thing can alter him at all , And Fortune 's baffled if on him she fall . Can you pick a discription out of this , Which may express your self ? — Your high Mistress Demands a hundred pound a time of you , And if not given her , pouts and looks askew , And in a pet she thrusts you out of door , Flings water on you to affront you more : Then in another mood she calls you back ; And are you free ? Come , come , withdraw your neck Out of this shameful Yoke , and say I 'm free , Which you in this condition n're can be ; For you 've a Master rigid and severe , Does o're your mind and body domineer ; And though you 're tir'd , and able scarce to stir , He cruelly rides on with switch and spur . Pray Sir , when you so many hours lie lazing , On some rare piece of Painting vainly gazing , Wherefore are you more innocent then I , When on a Battle I do cast mine eye , With Char-coal or Red-oker rudely done , And see the Fencers nimbly strike and shun Each others blows , in various postures , so As if the Fight were real , not a Show : I must be call'd a loytering Rogue , but you In antient Painting for a Critick go . If I pursue a hot well-sented Cake , I am call'd Rascal ; but when you do make Your sumptuous Banquets with all luxury , You must a noble person counted be : Pray wherefore should my petty luxurie Be far more prejudicial to me , Then yours that 's greater is to you ? if I Indulge my Belly , I 'm lash'd presently : And are not you punish'd as much as that , Who on your Belly spend your whole Estate ? Feasts to perpetual Feasters odious are , And Drunkards feet refuse their paunch to bear . If a poor Boy sell his stoln Comb to buy A bunch of Grapes , we blame him presently ; And yet that Bellie-slave goes blameless , that To gratifie his paunch sells his Estate . Besides all this , you are not the same man For two hours space together , neither can You tell which way to pass your time away As you ought , when you have a leisure day , But Vagrant-like you from your self do flie , Sometimes with wine or sleep you vainly try To ease your mind , but wheresoe're you go Your guilty Conscience dogs and pricks you too . Hor. Where 's e're a stone ? — Dav. — At whom Sir would you throw , If you could finde a stone ? — Hor. 'S death ! where 's my Bow ? Dav. Alas ! my Master 's grown stark raging mad , Or else makes Verses , which is full as bad ! Hor. Get hence , or to my Farm else , where I have Sent eight already , I 'le send thee the nineth Slave . SATYRE VIII . By I. W. Esq A description of an unhansome Treat . HORACE and FUNDANUS . Hor. How lik'd ye wealthy Nasidenus feast ? For yesterday , intending you my guest , 'T was told me you were there , and from noon too . Fund . Troth we were never merrier . ( Hor. ) As how ? ( And if it ben't too troublesome ) declare How he receiv'd you ; what your bill of fare ? Fund . Our first encounter was a Lucan Bore , Kill'd , the wind South , for so the Master swore ; About the Dish lay Lettice , Radish , Beets , And such as whet the squeasie appetites , As Skirworts , Pickled Herrings , and next these , A Poynant sauce made of the Coan Lees : This took away , two pretty Striplings come , One wip'd the Table , t'other swept the room ; And , as you have seen an Attick Virgin go To Ceres Sacrifice ; straight other two , A Black the one , brought each his basket in , This full of Caecub , that of Chian wine : When straight mine Host ; Maecenas ! if you like A fuller bodi'd , or a greener , speak ; I have 'um both ( Hor. ) Poor wealth ! — But prithee say , What were your company ? ( Fund . ) On the first bed lay My self , next me Thurinus and below Was Varius ; On the second , Bal●tro , With him Vibidius , both Maecena's guests ; On the third , lay the Master of the feasts 'Twixt Nomentan , and Buffoon Portius , That swoops whole Custards , ere ye say , what 's this ; For his sake , t'other came , who understood The way of eating , and with his Finger cou'd Point out each sawce , and what was in 't ; while we Eat Fish and Fowl , and such like trumpery ; Though yet , the best in season , as the Plaise , And Turbats Belly which he carv'd me , was . Next , came the blushing Apples , gathered The Moon encreasing ; how they differed From others , he can tell you best ; when thus To Balatro began Vibidius ; We 've fed our selves top full , and now must die Quite unreveng'd , unless we drink him dry ; And calls for bigger Glasses ; at which word Mine Host lookt , as he 'd have sunk underboard ; So went and came his colour , dreaming least T ' have met with such stiff Drinkers , or a jest So home , but rather thought , t' ave seen his wine Deaded their palats , for 't was hardly fine ; But to small purpose , for the Rundlet now Was set a tilt , and round the brimmers go ; Onely some one or two of the prime Guests Made little spoil : — But see ! A second Feast ; A Lamprey stretcht at length , swimming as 't were Amidst a shole of shrimps ; On which , Mine Here Cries note , This Fish was big with young when caught , Or otherwise , 't'ad not been worth a Groat ; Then , for the rare Potage ! But taste it pray ! The Oyl in it right Campania , T' has more ingredients , as Caviare , The best white Pepper , Lesbian vinegar , Italian wine . ( But this , I dare be bold ) Not a drop of 't was less then five years old ; All this was in the boiling ( that once done Pour that of Chios in , or better none : ) I was the first e're boil'd Elicampane , And ' Ringoes in it ; from Curtillus , came Salt-water-craw-fish pickled , better far Then such as brought us from beyond Sea are : While thus mine Host , a piece of Tapstry's fall Rais'd such a dust , it spic'd us , Dish and all ; We thought at first , 't' had been the house , but when We saw there was no danger , chear'd agen ; But he ( poor man ) hung down his head , and cri'd As if his Son had at that instant dy'd ; Nor gave he ov'r , till Nomentanus , thus , Fortune our Foe , thou art a scurvy Puss ! Ah what a cruel Vixen th' art ! ah how Do'st thou delight to mock us here below ! 'T was even as much as Variu's Towel could do To keep his laughter in , when Balatro Gib'd on , And since the course of life is such , We can't ( quoth he ) admire your pains too much ; Is 't fit , to make me handsomely receiv'd , You should disquiet your self , and thus be griev'd , For fear the Bread be burnt , or the Potage Ill season'd , to be sure that every Page Perform his office right : add to all this What other accidents may fall amiss ; As this ' o th' Hangings was , or that a Clown Should stumble in , and run the Cup-board down ; But ( General-like ) Masters of Feasts reveal That temper by cross hits , the good conceal : At which , mine Host , Gods blessing on your heart ! So good a man , and boon Companion th' art ; And with it clapt his Sandals on ; when streight There went a whisper round the beds . Hor. But what ? What laught y' at next ? Fund . Vibidius cries , I think The Bottles broke , that we can get no drink ; And while they laught at what was past , quoth he , Balatro seconding , Mine Host for me ! How lively he returns ! he looks as pert , As if he 'd help our late mischance by art : Which said , his Boyes brought in a Charger fill'd With several things ; a Crane cut up , and grill'd With Salt and Flower ; and fed with with figs ( to chuse ) The well grown Liver of a Milk white Goose , The Shoulders of some Hares , by much the best Of all the body , a broil'd Black-birds breast : Ringdoves , their thighs cut off ; things excellent Had he not run so Damn'd a Lecture on 't ; As the cause why , drawn from their Nature too : But we reveng'd our selves , I 'le tell ye how ; We did not taste one bit , but fled it more , Then if a Witch had shook her Kercher o're . The end of the Second Book of Satyres . EPISTLES . BOOK I. EPISTLE I. By Sir R. F. To MAECENAS . He sayes he dismisses his trifling studies , and embraces those that tend to vertue : yet so as not to swear to any Masters words . And that these studies are such , that there is none but may be better'd by them , if he but lend a patient ear thereunto . In the end he reprehends the depraved judgement of men placing vertue after wealth and honours , and caring more for the things of the Body then the things of the mind . MAecenas mention'd in my Odes , to be Mention'd in all I write ; thou would'st have me ( Enough seen , and applauded on the Stage ) To the old sport ; I have not the same age , Nor the same mind . Upon Alcides post His Armes hung up , ere his won Fame be lost ; The Fencer that is wise , retires . I hear A voice sound daily in my cleansed ear , Free an old Horse , lest he ( derided ) lagg , And , broken-winded , in the last act flag . Therefore Love-songs , and all those toyes adieu , My work is now to search what 's good , what 's true : I lay in precepts , which I straight may draw Out for my use . If thou demand , whose Law , What Guide I follow : Sworn to no mans words , To this and that side I make Tacks and Bords . Now plung'd in billows of the active life , At vertues Anchor ride contemplatise ; With ARISTIPPUS now yield to the stream , More studying to get wealth , then to contemn . As nights are long to them their Mistress fails : To Hirelings , dayes : To curb'd Wards years are snails : So slow and so unpleasant my Time flowes , Till seriously I act , as I propose ; That which alike boots rich and poor , if done , Alike hurts young and old , if let alone . It rests , these rules I to my self apply . Thy eyes will never pierce like Lynceus eye , Scorn not to noint them though if sore they are : Nor , of a Wrastlers strength if thou despair , Neglect to salve the knotted Gout . If more 'S deni'd , 't is something to have gon thus fur . Revenge and Avarice boil in thy heart : There 's words and sounds will cut off a great part Of thy disease . Swell'st thou with love of praise ! There is a Charm too which this Devil layes ; Reading a good Book thrice devoutly over , T●e Envious , Wrathful , Sluggish , Drunkard , Lover : No Beast so wild , but may be tam'd , if he Will unto Precepts listen patiently . 'T is Vertue , to flie Vice : and the first Stair Of Wisdome , to want Folly. With what Care Of Mind , and toil of Body , we avoid Mean wealth , and honours hunt ( Ambition's God! ) Th' unwearied Merchant runs to farthest Ind , Through Fire , through horrid Rocks , Riches to find ▪ What thou thus fondly doat'st on , to despise , Sit , learn , and hear from those that are more wise . Whose Sword hath won him Honour in true Fights , Dusty Olympick Lawrels , that man slights , ( Above those toyes , and in his own self rowld . ) Gold excels silver , Vertue excels Gold. O Romans , Romans , first seek money ; then Vertue . This drops from every Scriv'ners Pen. This is the Doctrine old and young men preach , Carrying a black Box danging at their Breech . If of Sesterces fourty thousand lack Six or seven thousand onely , though you make It up in Virtues , Courage , Eloquence , Faith , and the like ; you 'r a Pletian , Hence . But playing in the streets , the children sing Another song : He that does well's a King. Be this a wall of Brass , to have within No black accuser , harbour no pale sin . Now ( sadly ) which is better , Otho's Law , Or the Bo●es Song , which gives a Regal awe To him do●● well ? A song oft sung of old By manly Curii , and Camilli bold . Counsels he better , that sayes , MONEY GET , If thou canst , well : but if not , get it yet , That tho● some piteous Play may'st neerer see ? Or he that bids thee , Brave , erect , and free , To face proud Fortune ? If ROME'S people now Object , Why plac't on our Bench vot'st not Thou The same with us ? abhorr'st not what we hate ? Affect'st not what we love ? My answer 's , That The slie Fox once to the sick Lion made : The foot-steps that way all , make me afraid , And from thy Den that I perceive no treads . The People , 'T is a Beast with many heads . What , or whom should I follow ? some by-places : Some for rich Widows trade with Beads and Glasses , And feed old men with Gifts , like Fish with bread , That they on them may afterwards be fed . Many grow fat with Usury . But well , Let sev'ral men have sev'ral minds . Now tell , How long will any in the same mind stay ? Baiae ? The World hath not a sweeter Bay , The Rich man cries : when streight the Sea and Lake The joy of their arriving Lord partake . Who , if an ominous Hare ( forsooth ) come thawrt To morrow ; Smiths unto the THE ANUM Cart The Iron work . Has he at home a wife ? No life ( he sayes ) like to the single life . If not , None blest ( he swears ) but married men . What knot can hold this changing Proteus ? Then The poor man ( laugh ) alters his eating room , His Barber , Bed , and Bath : and sick of Rome As much as rich men that keep Barks , to float Upon the water , goes and hires a Boat. If thou meet one , by an ill Barber nocht , Thou laugh'st : If one in Scarlet breeches bocht With Frize , thou laugh'st . But what if my mind fight With it self ? Seek that which it slighted , slight That which it sought ? all Rules of Life confound ? Turn like the Tide , build , raze , change square to round ? Thou think'st me mad in fashion , and laugh'st not , Nor that I need to have a Doctor got , And to be plac't in Bedlam by the Mayre : Though th' rt my Patron , and consum'd with care At the least fingers asking of thy friend That honours thee , and doth on thee depend . In sum , a wise man's onely less then Jove , Rich , free , fair , noble ; last a King , above , The common rate of Kings : But chiefly sound , That is to say , Unless his spleen abound . EPISTLE II. By Sir R. F. To LOLLIO . He sayes Homer in his Poems teaches fuller and better what is honest , then some Philosophers ; bringing arguments to prove the same . That in the Iliad , what are the incentives of war to foolish Kings and Nations is described : and in the Odyssee , by Ulysses example , what vertue and wisdome can do , is shown . Then exhorts to the study of wisdome , as that which will heal the diseases of the mind , which he reckons up . But teaches withal , that men must from their tender age accustome themselves to such like precepts . WHil'st thou ( Great Lollio ) in Rome do'st plead , I , in Praeneste , have all HOMER read : Who , what 's our good , what not ; what brave , what base , Fuller then Crantor , and Chrysippus , sayes . Why I think thus ( unless thou' rt busie ) hear . The Lines , that tell how Greeks and Trojans were Involv'd in a long War for Paris love , Rash Kings and Nations foolishly reprove . Antenors counsel was , to send the Cause Of the War back . PARIS sayes , No : What Laws Compel Kings to be safe ? NESTOR , to peece The difference , runs , betwixt the King of Greece And Tethy's son : One boyling with Love's flame , With anger both . The PRINCES , They 're too blame , And the poor PEOPLE smart for 't . Mischief , Strife , Fraud , rage , and lust in Town , and Leaguer rife . Again what vertue and what wisdome can , He shews us in th' example of the * Man Of Ithaca : who ( Troy in ashes laid ) The Towns and Manners prudently survay'd Of many Lands ; and through the Ocean vast , Returning home with his Companions , past Many sharp Brunts , not to be sunk with stromes Of adverse Chance . Thou know'st the Sirens charms ; And Circe's Cups : which had he greedily And fondly tasted with his Fellows , he Had serv'd a Whorish Dame , and liv'd a Dog On his on vomit , or mire-wallowing Hog . The Suitors of Penelope were meer Puppets , made onely to devour good Cheer : Raskals , who minded nothing but their skin , And , that perfum'd and sleek , to sleep therein Till it was Noon : then thought it brave , to wake With the same Lutes with which they rest did take ▪ Do Thieves sit up all night to kill and steal , And cannot we rise to intend our Weal ? But if in health thou wilt not stir about , Hereafter thou shalt run ( though with the Gout ) To a Physitian : and unless thou knock For Candle , and a Book , with the first Cock : Unless to studies , and to honest things Thou bend thy mind ; with Love's or Envy's stings Thou 'lt lie awake tormented . If a Fly Get in thy Eye , 't is puld out instantly : But if thy Mindes Ey 's hurt , day after day Cure's deferr'd . Set forth , thou' rt half thy way . Dare to be wise : Begin . He that to rule And square his life , prolongs , is like the Fool Who staid to have the River first pass by , Which rowles and rowles to all Eternity . Money is sought , and a rich wife for brood , And a sharp Culter tames the savage Wood. Let him that has enough , desire no more . Not House and Land , nor Gold and Silver Oare , The Body's sickness , or the Mind 's dispel , To rellish wealth , the palat must be well . Who fears , or covets : House to him and Ground , Are Pictures to blind men , Incentives bound About a gou●y Limb , Musick t'an ear Dam'd up with ●ilth . A vessel not sincere Sowres whatsoe're you put into 't . Abstain From pleasures : Pleasure hurts , that 's bought with pain The Cov'tous alwayes want : your pray'rs design To some fixt mark . The envious man doth pine To see another ●at : Envy 's a Rack ; Worse , no Sicilian Tyrant ere did make . Who cannot temper wrath , will wish undone What , in his haste , he may have done to one , To whom he ( possibly ) would be most kind . Anger i● a short madness : Rule thy mind : Which reigns , if it obeys not : 〈…〉 With chaines , restrain it with an Iron bit . The Quiry moulds the Horses tender mouth T' his Riders will. The Beagle from his Youth Is train'd up to the woods , being taught to ball ( A Whelp ) at the Bucks heads nail'd in the Hall. Now Boy , in the white paper of thy breast Write VERTUE : Now suck precepts from the best . A pot , well season'd , holds the Primitive taste A long time after . If thou make no haste , Or spur to over-run me , I am One For none will stay , and will contend with none . The same by Dr. W. WHile you at Rome ( my honour'd Lollius plead , I Homer at Praeneste once more read . Aquinas ne're so well , nor Lumbard taught So fully yet , what 's fair , or fit , or naught . My reason 's this ( if y'have no busie hours ) The story that relates Paris amours , And Greece spent with the tedious Trojan Leager , Shews us how silly Princes are , how eager The giddy Rout. That should be mov'd which seems The cause o' th' war , Antenor wisely deems . But Paris to enjoy his stoln delight , Thinks scorn to yield , Nestor to set things right 'Twixt Agamemnon and Achilles strives ; While Love the One , and both their passion drives . The Officers are mad , and still the smart Lights on the Commons ; still they have the art , What with their mutines , their plots , their sin , To loose as much without , as those within . But then , what vertue and good conduct can Perform you 'l see ; Vlysses is the man : Troy wisely gain'd , he many Cities next Views and their various Lawes , is oft perplext In hazards , stormes himself and his he saves , Not to be drown'd in Fortunes roughest waves . The Sirens charmes you know , and Circe's bowl Which had he quast with 's Drunken-train , his soul H 'had lost , a bruitish servant to the where , A Cur●●'had ●●'had been , or miry Bore . We are that rout , methinks , those Idle Knaves Made to be cramm'd , Penelope's lewd braves , Rising at Noon to wash , and powder hair , And then with noise of Fidlers lull our care . Will you not wake ? Fellons are onely stirring For mischief ; for your safety you 're demuring . You 'l easier now , then with a Dropsie run , Call for a Book and Light before the Sun. Your early thoughts in Vertue unemploy'd , Will be with Love or fretting Envy cloy'd . You 'l move an Eye-soar streight ; and is it sence , To let the Mind be cur'd a Twelve-moneth hence ? Begin : 't is half the work : assume the power To live : expect not for a fairer hower . [ So stayes the Clown till th' hasty Brook be dri'd , But th' everlasting streams still still do glide . ] We gripe for money still , marry for Goods , ( Such Wives are fruitful ) grub and fill our woods . VVho hath enough , why should he wish for more ? Did ever goodly seat , or Farmes , or Store , The sickly Landlord of his Quartan ease , Or of his cares ? the Owner must have health , Who reaps a satisfaction from his wealth . The carking Heart's not eas'd by bags or land . ( No more then Bleared-eye by Titians hand , Or Gout by pultis , or the Ear in pains VVith Rhume , by Ferabosco's melting streins ; ) But what it holds , like musty Bottle spoils . Pleasures ill bargains are , if bought with toils , Desires are endless , till you fix the end , Envy consumes for fatness of a friend ; Envy the worst of Plagues , the Tyrants scourge , Anger let loose , th' unwary mind doth urge To actuate revengeful thoughts , in haste . Which afterward in cold blood you 'l distaste . Anger 's a shorter phrensie . Passion reigns If 't be n't enslav'd , but curb it in with chains . The manag'd Colt is by the Horseman taught T' observe the Riders check : the Whelp is brought ( Since first he trail'd the Buckskin in the Hall ) To hunt abroad the Stag unto his fall . Now ( hopeful Boy ! ) counsels that wholesome are Take early next thy heart : the season'd Iar VVill hold his scent : now run , I 'le but give aim , I 'le neither stop the swift , nor help the lame . EPISTLE III. By A. B. To JULIUS FLORUS . Advice to follow his Studies . IN what part of the would Claudius fights now , ( My Iulius ●l●rus ) I desire to know : Claudius our great Augustus Son in Law , Whether to Thrace his Army 's march'd away . Or whether Icy Heber them detain , If on the Hellespont they still remain ; Or fruitful Asian hills and plains , or what The learned troop of Drusius will be at . These things I mind too , and what eminent wit VVill to posterity dare to transmi● Those mighty things , which done by Caesar are , How wisely he makes peace , how st●utly war : VVhat ex'lent piece will learned Titius write , The Roman admiration and delight ; He that so bravely dares transfer the ●lame Unto us Romans , which from Pindar came , That scorns to dabble in the vulgar lak's , And into the Ocean a brave Voyage makes : How does he do ? what does he say of me ? By his propitious Muses aid will he Translate the Verses writ with Theban●ire ●ire , And tune them smoothly to the Roman Lyre . Or with a tragick buskin does he rage , And with high stately language fill the Stage . And ( prithee ) how does Celsus deal by me ? That most incorrgible Plagiarie , VVho has been warn'd so oft , and must be more , To search for wit and sence from his own store ; And leave off pilferring out of Books that be By others writ , and plac'd i' th' Library . Least all the plunder'd Birds should stock together , And from his gaudy back pluck each his feather ; And he of his stoln colours like the Chough , Stand stript , and make all Spectators laugh . But what art thou about ? with what rare stuff Does thy Muse load her thighs ? th' hast wit enough , And that well pollisht , not absurdly rough . If thou wilt Orator or Lawyer be , Or falst upon delightsome Poetry , Thy wit away the Lawrel justly bears ; But if thou canst shake of those seeds of cares , Where e're Coelestial wisdome draws thou'lt goe , This work , this study , great and man men too Should set upon , if we design to be Dear to our selves , and to Posterity . I prithee send me word , whether or no Thou do'st such kindness to Munatius shew , As betwixt Friends and Brothers ought to be ; Or is your breach since you did disagree So ill pacht up , that it will never close , But every foot to it 's old rancour grows ; Yet whether height of blood , or want of wit , Inflam'd your untam'd spirits , 't is not fit , That your fraternal knot should be unti'd , In what part of the world so e're you ' bide ; I 've a fat Heifer , which I 'le gladly burn In sacrifice for your desir'd return . EPISTLE IV. By A. B. To TIBULLUS . That he should live comfortably , and without Cares . TEll me Tibullus , thou that do'st so far Indulge such trifles as my Satyres are , What shall I tell my friends that thou dost do Now in that Countrey thou' rt retir'd into ? Writing whole Volums : or hast thou thy mind Wholly to th' healthy woods and walks confin'd ? Considering onely to enjoy and doe Things which become a wise and good man too . Thou art no thick-skull'd block-head ; for wise Heav'n To thee an understanding Soul has giv'n . And with a fair Revenue does thee bless , Which thou know'st how t' enjoy as well's possess . What could a Nurse for her deer Child beseech , More then right understanding , and plain speech ? To live belov'd in honour and in health , To eat whole some Diet , and to want no wealth ? When thou' rt tost up and down ' twixt hope and care , Enflam'd with anger and shrunk up with fear : As soon as such a day is overpast , Comfort thy self , that that 's to be the last : When an hour comes that brings thee joy and bliss , If unexpected , Oh! how grateful is ! And when thou' rt minded to laugh heartily At a right Hog of Epicurus Sty Come see me , thou shalt find me plump and fair , I , of this Corps of mine , take special care . EPISTLE V. By Sir R. F. To TORQUATUS . He invites Torquatus to supper , which he sayes will be a frugal one . Exhorts him ( ●idding farewel to Cares , and the desire of Riches ) to give himself to Mirth ; and ( seeming a little light-headed with the joy of Augustus his birth-day ) lashes out into the praises of drinking . Names three things whereof he is studious in his entertainment , and the first of these , Cleanliness . IF thou ( a Guest ) on a ●oyn'd-stool canst sup , And in a small Mess all the broath sup up : I shall at home expect thee by Su●-set . Wine thou shalt drink of middle age , and wet Minturnae's growth hard by . If thou hast ought That better is , command it to be brought , And treat thy Host. Already the Logs burn , And the scowr'd Pans shine , on thy score . Adjourn Light hopes , and riches strife , and Mosco's Cause To morrow ; CAESAR'S birth-day gives a Pawse To toil , and leave to sleep . Without offence We may spin out with chatting Eloquence The Summer night . What do I care for wealth , Unless to use ? 'T is a mad kind of stealth , For one to rob himself , t' enrich his Heir . I 'le quaffe , and sprinkle Roses , and not care Though I 'm thought wild for this . The rare effects Of Wine ! Love , hid in Blushes , it detects : Hopes it ensures : it makes the Coward fight : Learned the Ignorant : the sad heart light . Whom have not flowing Cups eloquent made ? Whose debts ( though nere so great ) have they not paid ? I am the Man : and my charge I will make it , ( Willing , and not unfit to undertake it ) To have the Forms clean rubb'd : the Napkins such As may not curl our Noses up to touch : That in the Platters thou maist see thy face : That no false brother carry from the place Ought that is spoke : that all of a Suit be , Septimius ? Brutus ? Sure Cards , these . Let 's see : Then ( if not taken up with better chear , Or by his Girl ) Sabinus shall be here . Each Guest may bring his shadow . But the sweat Will be offensive , if too close we set . Thy number , write : and ( all things laid aside ) Thy Clients bobb'd , out at the back door glide . EPISTLE VI. By A. B. To NUMICIUS . Not to trouble himself with worldly matters . NUmicius , to admire nothing at all , VVhich in this world to Mortals may befal , Is one , if not the onely thing , which can Make and continue thee a happy man. Philosophy renders some men so bold , They 're not affrighted when they do behold The Sun and Stars so variously appear , In all the different seasons of the year : Or in unusual motions , why should'st thou Be more transported with the things below ? Why should'st thou mind the treasures of the earth , Those gums to which Arabia gives birth ? Or Silver , Gold , and pretious jems , with which Both Indies do the rest o' th' world enrich ? Pleasure or Honour , or those gifts which come From the self-ended Citizens of Rome , With what a mind and look should these things be Possess'd , or but reflected on by thee ? He that the contrary to this does fear , His passions like th' Admirers passions are . A mind disturb'd , which way soe're it come , On one side and the other is trouble some ; And sudden apprehension of all things , To those that fear or love much terror brings . What is it to the purpose , whether we Desire and fear , and sad or joyful be ? Who when a thing befals him , bad or good , If more , or other , then he thought it wou'd , Do'st presently look blank upon 't , and grow A●tonish'd both in mind and body too . The wiseman is an Ass , the just man grows Unjust , if they would be too virtuous . Go now , and gaze upon thy massie plate , Thy Brass and Marble pillars made for State ; Thy costly Hangings of rich Tapestry , And costly garments of the Tyrian Die , And hug thy self when thou shalt thousands see , While thou art making speeches , gaze on thee . Rise early in the morn , away to th' Hall , And till 't is late at night there tug and bawl , Least Mutius grow rich before thee , he Who is by birth inferiour much to thee . Shall such a sneaking fellow , as he is Be thy example , when thou should'st be his ? What ere is hidden time will bring to light , And that will vanish , which now shines so bright . Nay thou , who on th' Exchange and at the Hall Art so well known , and honour'd too by all , Forsaking all these things , must go at last Where our Fore-fathers are , whose dayes are past . If thou do'st any sharp disease indure , Use all thy Wits to get a present cure . Wilt thou live well ? who would not ? Virtue is The onely way to gain true happiness . And therefore all thy vanities thrown by , To it couragiously thy mind apply . Make that thy business , and do not suppose That to talk much is to be virtuous . That words together put will vertue prove , As Trees together put will make a Grove . But if wealth be thy aim , pursue thy Trade , Take heed no other Merchant do invade Those Ports thou traffick'st to , and take from thee Thy businesses which now so gainful be . Heap up a thousand talents , then one more , Add a third thousand , and then make'●m four . This mighty Monarch Money to us sends , Fair Wives , great Portions , Reputation , Friends , This makes us Noble , though our Birth be base , And giv●s our persons comesiness and grace ; That man who has his pockets lin'd with Chink , All men ingenious and handsome think . The Cappadocian King , though he had store Of Slaves , was in 's Exchequer very poor : But be not thou like that unhappy King , T' aboundin one , and not in every thing . Lucullus was desir'd ( the story sayes ) To lend a hundred Cloaks for some new Playes . Where should I have so many Cloaks ( said he ) But yet I 'le look , and what I have send t' ye . A little after this he sends them word , That he 5000 Garments could afford , Which in his house lay by unknown to him , And that they might have part or all of them , That house is much unfurnish'd where there are Not many things superfluous , and to spare . Goods which the Owner knows not of , but may Be unconcern'd when they are stoln away . If ( as Mimnermus said ) nothing can be Delightsome without love and jollity : Then live in love and jollitie ; farewel : If thou of any better Rules can'st tell Then these , impart them candidlie ; If not , I pray , make use of these with me . The same by J. W. Esq IF then , wealth onely makes , and keeps man blest , Make that thy first of works , and leave it last : If publick Honour ; buy some progging Slave , May point thee who goes by , what names they have ; Pluck thee by th' sleeve , and tell thee such or such Are worth your hand , you can't reach 't out too much : His interest lies here , and t'others there , Make 'um your friends , and you are Consul clear , Thus putting on a pleasant face to all , As their years are , this son , him father call ▪ If eating be the business , let 's away In order to 't ; we stay too long , ' ti● day ▪ Rouse our dull Servants , make one take the Nets , Another hunting Poles , a third the Spear , And so returning through the gaping Fare , Lead a tall Mule home laden with a Boare , Not kill'd ( as they suppose ) but bought before . Let 's bathe on a full stomack , as forgot Whither convenient for our health , or not . Right Cerites , lawless ; very Greeks that think Their Countrey far of less esteem then drink . If ( as Mimnermus ) nothing's to be done That has not Love , and Pleasure in 't , Let one Live , and farewel ; And if yo 've better chear , Impart it pray , if not , be merry hear . EPISTLE VII . By A. B. To MAECENAS . That Liberty is more acceptable to a friend , than costly Entertainm●nt . I Prom●s'd when I left you last , 't is true , Within five dayes to come again to you Into the Country , and you look'd for me All August long , to come accordinglie ; Yet I have fail'd you : now I 'll tell you why ; Not that I slight such worthy company ; But your hard drinking kills me . I profess , You 'ld love me better , if you 'ld love me less . If you 'ld have me live long and heathfully , Give me now I am well that liberty Which were I sick , I 'm sure you would allow , For I fear s●ckness , though I 'm healthy now . In these hot Dog-dayes , when each little thing That stirs the blood , does mortal sickness bring . Autum the Sextons harvest , when we meet Mourners and funerals in every street : When Women send their Children out , for fear They should be ●●lled by the City air . The Lawyers venting mercenary breath , Brings Feavers and ( a happy riddance ! ) death . But when the Winter comes , and heav'n bestrews The shabbed ground with frequent frosts and snows ; Then comes your Poet to the waters side , Where he t' ( ndulge his body will abide , And study very little . And ( if you Will give me leave ) I 'll wait upon you too When gentle Zephr ' blows ( as Poets sing ) And the first Swallow ushers in the Spring . Your favours do inrich me , not like those Which the Calabrian Inn-keeper bestows ; Who with crabb'd choaky Pears his guests did treat , And rudely over-pressed them to eat . Eat ( if you love me ) all these Pears , sayes he ; No ( sayes the guest ) I thank you heartily , I 've eat enough already . Put up , pray , Those you can't eat , and carry them away , ( Sayes the free Host : ) No ( replyes the Gue●t ) You are too liberal to me in your Feast . Nay sill your pockets , ( quoth the Host ) these toyes Are grateful presents to your Girls and Boyes . I 'm as much oblig'dt ' you ( sayes his friend ) As if with Pears you me home loaden send . Do as you please ( sayes the Host ) but what you leave , I 've Hogs which will be ready to receive . Thus Prodigals and fools are free of that Which these do vainlyst ght , those vainly hate ▪ Such roots ingratitude do alwayes bear , And will yield only that from year to year ; Whilest he that is both good and wise declares , That he for worthy men himself prepares ; And can discern good men from bad , as well As he can silver from brass-money tell . 'T is my design to answer th' expectation Of all the worthy persons in the Nation . But if you 'ld have me never leave you more , My former strength of body , pray restore ; My black curl'd locks , which on my forehead grew , And my bewitching nimble tongue renew . Revive my witty merry sprightly vain , And in my Cups my amorous flames again ; Oh! make me weep , or run stark mad , nay die For Love , if my coy Mistress should denie . A little Fox with hunger slender worn , Crept through a crevice in t ' a hutch of Corn , And , having fill'd his paunch , strugled in vain , With his great belly , to get out again : A Weezle spy'd him tugging at the chinck , Gave him this good advice , Friend if you think E're to creep out , you must become as thin As you were when you did at first creep in . I will apply this Fable , and restore To you what e're you gave me heretofore I love not to be cram'd , for I despise Those drowsie Banquets which the Vu'gar prize : Nor for Arabias wealth would I destroy . That ease and freedom which I now enjoy . You 've often prais'd me for my modestie , And I 've declar'd that you have been to me A Father , nav a King , both to your face , Nor said I less when you were not in place ▪ Try me , if I can cheerfully resigne , All those rich things your bounty has made mine . 'T was not ill said by young Telemachus , Son of Ulysses , who did answer thus To Menelaus , profering to bestow A horse upon him , Sir , I do not know What to do with your Horse ; for Ithaca Is an ill place to keep a Horse in ; Hey And Grass are very scarce there , and there 's no Plains or Champaigne for Horse to gallop through : Therefore pray keep your Presents , for they be Fitter by half for you , than th' are for me . Mean things become mean men . I now do not Admire Romes stately Palaces a jot , But quiet Tybur and Tarentum be My aime to live in for my privacie . Philippus , a great Lawyer , when he came From pleading home at night , grown old and lame , Complain'd much , that the Court too distant was From the Carina's that's his dwelling place . The story sayes , that he by chance espy'd One trim'd , that did i' th' Barbers shop abide , Paring his nailes with 's Penknife ; calls to 's boy ( A Lad that was ingenious to obey And quick t' observe his Masters minde ) sayes he , Demetrius , Go , ask and bring word to me What yonder idle person is , and who , And what Patron he is related to ; Where he was born , and what estate he has , What his name is , and who his Father was . The Boy went , ask'd , and told him presentlie , Vultejus Mena was his name , and he A Cryer by profession , of a small Estate , but he giv'n to no vice at all ; Sometimes he up and down , did trade to get Money , then stay'd at home and liv'd on it . Play'd with his little Children when alone , And in a small house liv'd , but 't was his own ; Follow'd his business , but his leisure dayes Spend at th' Artillery ground , or seeing Playes . From his own mouth ( sayes he ) I long to know Whether all this which thou relat'st be so . Therefore go tell him that his companie I much desire , pray him come sup with me . The Lad goes , comes , and tells his Master , Sir , I told the Gentleman , but he 'll not stir , Neither indeed would be believe that you Invited him , or what I said was true . But wondring with himself , 't is strange ! sayes he , What! an old , rich , great Lawyer , and so free ! But he was civil ; and put off his bat , Thank'd you , as who should say — here 's this for that . Did he deny me ! — Yes perversly too , And slights , or else stands much in fear of you . Next day the Lawyer in his sight appears , As he sold Fripery to the Wastcoateers : Gives him the first salute ; surpris'd hereat , The bashful Merchant lowly doffs his hat , And goes t' excuse the meaness of his trade , Complains that he thereto a slave was made . Begs Philips pardon , that he did not come To Supper , when he was invited home ; But that which did seem to afflict him worst , Was that he did not visit Philip first . Came ( sayes Philippus ) you 've no other way For pardon , but to sup with me to day . I 'll wait upon you , noble Sir , sayes he . The Laywer tells him , that the hour was thre● ▪ Bids him i' th' interim minde his calling so , That he by trading might the richer grow . He talk'd at Supper what e're came in 's way , Said what he should , and what he should not say : At length he takes his leave , and hies him home To Bed. Next morning he does thither come , And is observ'd so often there to wait , And nibble at the Lawyers dangerous bait , That he became his Clyent , after that He every day at Philips table ●ate , And on the Holy-dayes , when there were no Pleadings , to Philips Country-house they go In his brave gilded Coach together , where Vulteius prais'd the Sabin fields and air : Which when the Lawyer found , it pleas'd him much : Sayes he , My bodies constitution 's such , That hither I 'll for good and all retire , And live at ease here ; only I desire The company of such a friend as you , That is so prudent and so cheerful too . And if you 'll purchase something in this Town , One hundred pieces I will give you down , And I will lend another hundred t' ye , Meerly t' enjoy your pleasant companie . So ( not to make more words on 't then I ought ) A small Farm there , at length the Merchant bought . Now he that was so spruce a Citizen , Became one of the herd of Countrymen . Of Sheep and Oxen's all his talk , and how To plant young Trees , and go to Cart and Plough . To all his Studies now he puts an end , And to grow rich his minde does wholly bend . But when his Kids were stolen , and Sheep did rot , His Oxen kill'd at plow , his fields did not Bring forth according to his expectation , Grieved with these heavy losses , in a passion , He takes his Horse at Midnight , and away To the Lawyers house , whom when the Lawyer saw With such a rustick discontented look , You look ( sayes he ) my friend , as if you took Overmuch care and pains . Truly , sayes he , My honour'd Patron , if you would call me By any name that fits me , let it be A miserable wretch ; and I intreat You , by the God's and all that 's good or great , By all that 's dear to you , that you 'll restore Me to that life which I enjoy'd before . As soon as Philip had considered , what Difference there was 'twixt what he would be at , And what he so declin'd , Let him ( sayes he ) Return to what he has been formerlie . What fits us best is best ; 't is good and meet , To make our shooes according to our feet . The same by S. W. I Promis'd but five dayes from you to stay , And now all August I have been away ; But ( dear Mocenas ) if you 'd have me live Lusty and strong , that freedom to me give , ( Now I fear sickness ) as you would allow , And bid me take , if I indeed were so . Excuse your friend till sickly Autumn's o're , Autumn that is in funerals never poor ; When the fond Mother for her child looks pale , And a full term , and business , croud's the Hall ; Where , whilst the drudg Sollicitour attends , A Feaver hastes his will , and Lawsuit ends . But if sharp Winter cloaths the fields with snow , Your Poet down to your Country house will go , And living there obscure , himself will spare , And only for his look and health take care : With hopes to visit you against at Spring . And the first tidings of it with him bring . Not as my Country Host his Pears do's force , Have you return'd me full ; Our fare's but course , Yet feed ( he saies ) I thank you I 've done well , Do better then , these fruits we never sell : Your Servant Sir. Nay those you shall take home , You will more welcome to your children come . I am oblig'd , as much as if I did Take what you please ; but I should thus be rid Of that , with which I must to th' Hogs be kind , Who strait shall have , what ere you leave behind . So Fools and Prodigals no gifts bestow But what they hate , or what they do not know . Yet this ranck soyl a thankless crop does bear , Nor will it better yield another year ; But a wise man , though he the difference knows 'Twixt gold , and trifles , when he these bestows , For worthy hands , says he , they were design'd ; Nor me less worthy , say I , shall you find . But if I must alwayes with you remain , Let me my youth and beauty have again ; My lusty back , smooth forehead , and blach hairs Now all impair'd , or chang'd , by age and ●ares ; Return my mirth and ralliary again , And Cynare , whose loss I grieve in vain . Once on a time , through a very little hole , A hungry Fox into an Hen-roost stole , And glutted there with Poultry , all about , But all in vain , sought where he might get out : The hole too strait was grown , his paunch too wide , Which , at a distance , when the Weezel spy'd , Sir Reynard said she , you must be as thin If you 'd get out as when you first came in . Urge me but thus , I 'll quickly all resign , Yet not so foolish am I to repine , And a Swains sleep , before full tables choose , Though for both Indies I 'de no freedom loose . My Modesty you heretofore have prais'd , Nor have I less your worth with titles rais'd ; Father and King were the worst names I gave , My self in every place I stil'd your slave ; And judge you now if I can well restore , Or unsay what so oft has been said ore . Telemachus was wiser to refuse Great Menelaus proffer ; I 've no use For Coursers , said he , nor have wee good feed , Or running with us , for so high a breed . Rather , great Atreus Son , thy gifts retain , And let them , where they better suit , remain . A little does a little man content , Give me no Palace , but a Tenement ; A Cortage at Tarentum will suffice , And Rome compar'd with Tybur I 'll despise . Philip the famous Oratour , one day , As from the Bart he came , and thought the way To him grown old , and wearied with the throng , Thence to his Chamber , ne're seem'd half so long , Seeing ●'th ' shade , close by a Barbers door , One newly trim'd , that with light knife ran 'ore Each single nail , and pair'd it with such grace As if he studied to out trim his face ; Go ( said he to his boy ) inquire his Name , What Father , whose Retainer , whence he came ? He 's call'd Vul●eius Mena ( sayes the boy ) A Cryer , that does little wealth enjoy , But a good Name , ( that to th' whole World is known ; ) Who sometimes ; business has , and sometimes none . Iust enough for a livelyhood , which yet He does as freely spend ( he sayes ) as get . Of mean acquaintance , but a house of 's own , And when he 's either tir'd , or work quite done , Can to a play or wrestling wager go ; All this I from himself desire to know , ( Replies the Sage ) bid him to supper come This night , whilst I before walk softly home . How now ! An 't please you Sir he 'd scarce believe I came from you , and wondring did receive The Invitation . What else ? And by me Returns his thanks . Deny'd then must I be ! I think so , and he you does scorn , or fear , Or else invited thus , would scarce forbear . Philip next morning , as to Court he went , Menas Good m●rrow did with his prevent , And greeting gave the day , and ease from cares , As to the People he expos'd his Wares . Vulteius to excuse himself began , His pedling trade , and mercenary Chain , That his commands he had not sought at home , Nor was so happy as to see him come ; All this I 'll pardon ( said the Counseller ) But on condition you no more defer Your coming to me , whom I now invite The second time , to sup with me this night . You shall command me , ( Mena said ; ) Let three ( Philip return'd ) the latest minute be ; Till then your business mind — But Suppers come ; Where when they 'd freely talkt , my Guest goes home . Yet like a Fish that nibles at the past So long , that by the gills he 's caught at last ; By often visits he become more bold , Turns Client , and unbid a room does hold At every Feast : By Philip is desir'd , To go where i' th Vacation he retir'd : And out they ride . Mena commends the air , And Sabine fields , with fruits all gay and fair . Which Philip hears and smiles ; but mirth and ease , What may himself , or new retainer please , Being his care , he gives him fifty pounds , And lends him fifty more to buy such grounds ; Which done ( for I 'll make all the haste I can ) My City Cryer , is turn'd Country-man : Prunes his grown Vines , can stoutly hold the Plough , Clime a tall Elm , and trim its highest bough ; Dies at his labour , and with care grows old , And equals nothing to fat land , but Gold ▪ But when his Goats by Thieves , Sheep fell by th' rot , The field his hopes and charge answer'd not , His Cattle dy'd , his Ox at plow was slain , Himself no longer able to restrain , At midnight up he gets , and in a rage Rode post to Philips house , his furthest stage ; Whom as the Lawyer saw all rough with hair , And never shav'd since they together were ; Vulteius , said he , you too thoughtful look , As if more care than what is fit , you took . Undone good P●tron , said he , I 'me undone , And by the name of Wretch must hence be known . By your self therefore , and the God you adore , Your own good Genius , I your help implore , That but this once you 'd ease me of my pain , And turn me to my former life again . He whose past sta●e the present does excell , Let him take quickly up if he 'd do well . Return in time ; For reason this requires That a mans own foot measure his desires . EPISTLE VIII . By A. B. To CELSUS . That preferment should not transport him . GO when I bid thee Muse , and wish my friend Celsus , who now on Claudius does attend As Secretary and companion too ; Much health bid him , Live merrily , and do His business prudently , and if he doubt What kind of business I am now about ; Tell him I promise ex'lent things , but I At present live not well , nor pleasantly . Not 'cause the Hail-storm broke our Vines , nor yet Because our Olives by th' immoderate hear Are shrivel'd up , nor cause my Flocks that lie In Fields remote are sick , but because I Am sick in mind more then in body ; for I can't endure to hear what men say , nor To learn a Physical receipt that may My great distemper cure or but allay . My learn'd and true Physitian me offends , And I do peevishly rail at my friends , Because they offer to deliver me Out of my much bewitching Lethargie ; Those things which hurt me most I most pu●sue , And what is good for me I still eschew . At Rome I Tyber love , and when I 'm come To Tyber , I am mad to be at Rome . After all this ask how he does , and know How he proceeds , and how all matters goe . Ask him how he does Claudius please , and how He and the Regiment do Cotton now : If he sayes , Well ; tell him , I 'm glad to hear That happy News : then whisper in his ear This truth ; In this promotion , Celsus , we As thou demean'st thy self , will value thee . EPISTLE IX . By A. B. To CLAUDIUS NERO. On behalf of a Friend . GReat Sir , Septimius understands how vast That Princely love is which on me you cast , And by entreaties hath prevail'd with me , That I should praise him and present him t' ye As a man worthy every where to be Receiv'd into your breast and Family . Who onely worthy men and things elect , He thinks I 'm honour'd with that great respect To be your bosome friend , he knows my power Better then I my self , for till this hour I never tri'd it on you , and I us'd What arguments I could to be excus'd ▪ But fearing least I might too far disown Those Princely favours you on me have thrown , And so be thought such a dissembling Elf , That 's onely beneficial to my self , Therefore that I may not be thought to be Ingrateful ( that 's the worst of infamy ) I 've put on suburb-brows , and if you can Once pardon a necessiated man , Who waves his modesty to serve his friend , Accept this person which I recommend Into your Houshold , and take this from me , A stouter ▪ better man you ne're did see . EPISTLE X. By Sir R. F. To FUSCUS ARISTIUS . He praises to Fuscus Aristius ( a lover of the City ) the Countrey life , with which himself was delighted , and recounts the several Commodities thereof . Withal deters him from ambition , which accompanies the City life , not that of the Countrey . TO Fuscus , the Towns Lover , health I wish , That love the Countrey : diffring much in this , In all else twins . Both like , dislike , what either : A pair of old Doves bred of Eggs together . Thou keep'st the Nest : I love to flie abroad , To haunt sweet Brooks , the mossie Grott , and Wood. What would'st thou have ? I live and reign , when I Have shun'd those things thou praisest to the sky . And like a Comfit-makers Prentice fled , Clo●'d with Pres●rves , am better pleas'd with bread . If one would live with all conveniency's , And first in building the foundation is , Where doth frank Nature thrust out such a breast As in the Countrey , with all good things blest ? Where is it that the Winter's warmer ? where To cool the Dog-stars byte , is fresher air , And the fierce Lyon's rage , when all his heat Th' exalted Sun pours in , to make it great ? Where does less envious care our sleeps dispell ? Do Floores of Parian Marble look or smell Like Flowers ? The water when it heaves to burst The leaden Pipes with which in streets 't is forc't , Runs it so pure , as when melodiously It quavers in the Rivers Falls ? Ev'n Hee Affects t' have Trees , who in the City builds , And that his house should but survey the fields . Drive Nature with a Pitch-fork ou● , shee 'l back Victorious ( spite of State ) by'a secret Track . He that wants skill right Scarlet to descry From counterfeit , will not more certainly Be cosend in a Shop , then he shall be That knows not true from false Felicitie . Him , whom a prosp'rous State did too much please ; Chang'd , it will shake . What thou admir'dst with ease Thou canst not quit . Fly great things : In a Cell , Kings , and the Friends of Kings , thy Life may excell . The Stagg superior both in Arms and Force , Out of the Common-Pasture drove the Horse : Untill the vanquish'd after a long fight Pray'd Man's assistance , and receiv'd the Bit : But , having beat the Victor , could not now Bit from his Mouth , nor Man from his Back throw ▪ So He that fearing Poverty , hath sold Away his Liberty ; better then Gold , Shall carry a proud Lord upon his back , And serve for ever , 'cause he could not lack . Who fits not his Minde to it , his Estate If little , pinches him : throws him , if great . Wisely ( ARISTIUS ) thou wilt like thy lot , And wilt chide Me , if mine content Me not : If more I cark for , or if more I crave . Who ere has Money , either 't is his Slave , Or 't is his Master , as when two men tug At a Ropes ends : W' are dragg'd unless we drag . Giv'n in Vacation , at that * Goddess Cell : Save that I have not Thee , perfectly well . EPISTLE XI . By S. W. To BULLATIUS . That Felicity consists not in any Place or Condition , but in tranquillity of the Minde . NOw you have Lesbos , and fair Samos seen , At Sardis , Colopbon , and Smyrna been , What thinkest Thou , good Bullatius , is all true That Fame reports ? ( for she knows less then you . ) Do they exceed the Common voyce , or are Their fields , with ours , unworthy to compare ? Is not our Tyber better then their Seas ? Or which o' th' Asiatique Cities please ? Does Lebedus , because you rested there , And found that ease , you else sought every where ? 'T is a poor place indeed to Gabil , Yet there I 'de choose to live retir'd and die ; ( Forgetting all , of all my friends forgot ; Whom though they pity , yet they envy not . Where from the shoar I might behold the Main , And rate my pleasures , by anothers pain . Yet neither he , that does from Capua come , Wet to the skin , and on his way to Rome , Would take an Inn for home , or think a fire Or Stove , though numb'd with cold , his chief desire ; And seek no further , but his kind starrs bless , As one arriv'd to perfect happiness : Nor for a storm should you for swear the Sea , And sell your Barque , that you reveng'd might be . To one that 's safe Mit ' lene and Rhodes are fair , But as Furs in Summer , Silks in Winter are : As Tyber is to swim in when it snows , And as a fire i' th' midst of August showes . While Fortune smiles , let Rhodes be pray●'d at Rome , Chios and Samos fayrest are at home . Use the sweet Intervals the Gods allow , Nor tell next year put off what may be Now. That every place alike may seem to thee , And thou alike content in any bee . If prudent Reason sets no bound to Care , Nor can those Lands that bounds to th● Ocean are ; And he that reaches them too late , shall find The place is only chang'd , and not his Mind . And yet we ride , and fail , and journies make , Or happiness to find , or to o'retake ; That which thou seek'st is ready at thy hand , And Ulubrae may be the happy land ; For ( friend ) an even Soul can make it there , And what we no where find , have every where . EPISTLE XII . By A. B. To ICCIUS . That the use of Estates makes men rich . WHy dost thou murmur Iccius , and repine , Because Agrippa's wealth is more then thine ? Thou art his Steward if thou rightly use Those fruits which his Scicilian lands produce ; Iove himself can't give thee a greater store , Therefore leave off complaining that thou' rt poor : For he 's not poor , whom fortune does produce , What e're is necessary for his use . If thou canst get good Diet , and warm Cloaths , Caesars Estate can't give thee more than those . If at a Table stor'd with various meat , Thou canst abstemiously a Sallad eat , Thou by that virtue wilt as wealthy bee , As if kind fortune had showr'd Gold on thee ; For thy firm soul will above money soar , And thou wilt think all things inferiour To amiable Virtue , which alone , To good men , is guide and companion . Men wondred at Democritus when hee Sate in his Study , and his Hoggs did see , Root up his Corn field , and his Garden spoil , And he sate studying unconcern'd the while ; His thoughts were set on higher things , and thou Wilt be as great an admirat●on now , Who in this scabbed avaritious time , Mind'st nothing mean , but aim'st at things sublime . What bounds the Sea , what makes it ebb and flow , What makes the year round so exactly go ; Whether the Planets move by their own power , Or do obey some cause Superiour ; From whence th' Eclipses of the Moon proceed ; And how she 's from her obscuration fre'd . What means the jarring sympathy of things ; And whether good or evil from it springs ; Whether Empedocles deserve our faith , Or that be righter which the Stoick saith . But whether thou delightest to feed on F●sh ▪ Or only Leeks and Onions be thy dish ; Receive my good friend Grosphus courteously ▪ And grant him freely what he asks of thee ; For he has so much modesty and wit , That he 'l ask nothing but what 's just and fit ; Friendship doth come to a low market when Any thing 's lack'd by good and worthy men . But 'cause perhaps you have a minde to know ▪ How all affairs here in our City go ; Agrippa's valour has Cantabria won , Th' Armenians too by Nero are o'rethrown . Phraates does great Caesars lawes obey , And on his knees submit to th' Roman sway : Besides this seasonable harvest yields A plenteous crop in our Italian fields . EPISTLE XIII . By A. B. To VINIUS ASELLA . Instructions for presenting his Poems to Augustus . AS I have oftentimes , and long since too , Instructed thee ; when thou to Court dost go , ( Dear Vinius ) I 'ld have my Poems be Presented to Augustus seal'd by thee , When he is well , and of a cheerfull mind , And when to road them he is well inclin'd . Do not by much ●fficiousness offend , Or hurt me , whom thou studi'st to befriend : Nor yet make men my Poems to conte●n , Because thou importunely proferst them . But if the Volume of my book should bee So cumbersome , that it should weary thee , I 'd rather thou should'st throw them quite away ▪ Than on thy soulders them like Dorsers lay : And so make thy paternal name , becaus 'T is Asina , to signifie an Ass : And make thy self a Tabletalk , and be Ridiculous to all Posteritie . Set all thy strength to ' ●●pass through thick and th●n ▪ And when th' hast had thy will , and entred in To Caesar's presence , use the matters so , That prying Courtiers may not come to know ▪ That thou a load of Poetry dost bear Under thy arm , as if a Rustick were Carrying a Lamb , or drunken Pyrrbia Carryed the stoln Quills of Yarn away : Or as a Tenant when he gets a Rowse , Carries his Cap and Shooes from 's Landlord's house . Nor tell the Vulgar that thou sweat'st to bear Lines which will please both Caesars eye and ear . And though th' art courted ne're so much , press on , Shew no body a line . — Well get thee gon , Farewell , be carefull that thou err'st not , and If thou e're lov'st me , break not my command . EPISTLE XIV . By R. T. To his BAILIFF . The difference betwixt a Country life , and a City life . THou Bailiff of my Woods and pleasant Field , Which serv'd five dwellers once , and us'd to yield Five Burgesses for Baria , by thee now Conte●●● , let 's try who weeds best , I or you ; Whither my mind or ground be better till'd , Which is the better , Horrace or his field . Though L●mias pitty mourning th' hasty fate Of 's Brother ravisht from him do create Occasion for my longer stay at Rome Then ordinary , yet my heart 's at home . That strives to break all stops , for I prefer The Countrey , thou the Town as happier . Who likes anothers fortune , hates his own , He is a fool that does accuse the Town Or Country either , and does falsly find Fault with the place , when all the fault 's in 's mind , Which never fly's its self ; when you were slave To th' Baths , and liv'd in Town , you us'd to crave With silent Prayer to be remov'd to go To be a Country man ; now being so You cover Baths , Playes , and the Town ; you see I 'me constant , and when business urges me ( Which I of all things hate ) to Rome I part From thence , sad and afflicted at my heart . Our fancies don't agree : what you despise He likes that is of my mind , and decryes What you commend ; to such a strange degree Are odds at present brought 'twixt thee and mee . A jolly Whore , and Unctious Sack do's move ( I see it well ) thee to this earnest love Of th' City , and because my ground yields quicker Pepper and Frankincence , then Grapes for liquor : Besides another grievance is , you lack A Neighouring Tavern to afford you Sack. And a shee Minstrel that you to her sound May dance or'e th' prest Earth some blundring round ; And yet thou till'st the ground , which lately Spades Ne're touch't , & feed'st with care th' unharness'd Iades . By thee the River too in time of need By Damns is taught to spare the Sunny Mead : Now , go to , and what thus divide ▪ us hear ; Me who soft Robes and Powder'd hair did wear , And us'd with sparkling Cinera to sport Freely , and Drink till midnight ; now a short Supper contents , and sleep upon the Grass On a Bank-side , by which some stream does pass ; Nor do I yet believe it is a shame Once to be wild , but never to be tame . No body there does look askew with spite , Or with black hatred poison or back-bite Me when I thrive , none envy 's there my gains , My Neighbours joy with me when I take pains ; The City fare with Servants you do long To eat , and crowd your self into the throng . The suttle slave that wait's , and 's call'd all hours , Envy 's thy use of Cattle , Wood and Flowers : The Ox would be for th' Saddle , th' Horse for Plow , Let all ( say I ) use well the Art they know . EPISTLE XV. By R. N. Gent. To VALA . The pleasure of Travelling . PRethee , good Vala , write , what kind of Aire , What sort of Men , and what their Manners are At Velia and Salernus ; For I see The Bajan Waters are not good for me ; And so Antonius tells me . And 't is this That makes the Bajans take it much amiss , That in the Winter I cold Waters use : Truly their My●●le Groves thus to refuse , Thus slight their Baths , so talk't of all about , For being rare in curing of the Gowt , Must make them grumble . But these men , that will Cure a weak Stomach , or a Head that 's ill , With colder Springs , to Gabii must repair Where colder Waters are , and colder Air. But I 'm advis'd to change , and when my Horse Goes towards Baja , I divert his Course , And tell him ' t●s not thither I must go ; And then inrag'd I curb him in , and so Make him to understand me ; For , in truth , A Horses Ears are in his bridled Mouth . I prethee write which of the two excells In Bread ; and whether I out of the Wells , Or out of Cisterns must the Waters take . I come not for their Wines , but Waters sake , In th' Country any Dyet doth me please ; I love good Wine , when I go neer the Seas . Wine , that will drive away all Cares , and will With swelling Hopes through Veins and Soul distill . Wine that will make my Tongue with words to flow , And make me Brisk when to a Girl I go . Write me which place most Hares and Bores doth feed , Whose Rivers greatest store of Fishes breed ; That thence I may both Fat and Fair come home ; For thee to write , and me believe's all one . When Maevius had his Patrimony spent Profusely , then to live by 's Wits he meant , And turn'd a Iester , roving to and fro , And made no difference 'twixt Friend or Foe , But Jeer'd at all . One that would swallow more Down his wide Throat , then would a Common-Shore , What e're he got went down his Guts , and when He mist of better Fare abroad , he then Would feed on Guts and Garbage , and eat up Of that more then three Rav'nous Bears would sup . When pincht with want hee 'ld say each Gluttons Gut Was to be sear'd ; But when hee 'd got a glut Of better fare , and all consum'd , hee 'ld say No wonder if Estates are spent this way , For there 's no pleasure underneath the Sun Like Feasting , and a Belly like a Tun. So I in want commend the thrifty Fare , And eat such Victuals as the coursest are . But when I light on better food , I then Say those are wise , and those the happy men That live in plenty where they can behold Houses and Lordships purchas'd with their Gold. EPISTLE XVI . By W. T. To QUINTIUS . A Description of a Good Man. ASk me no more my Quintius , whether I Can in my Farm , grow rich by Husbandry , By the retayl of Apples , Oyl , or Wine : View but the Model of what I call mine . An intire Mountain , sever'd by a low Vale , yet it is not altogether so Obscure , but that the Morning Sun looks on , The Evening airs it , e're he will be gon . You can't but praise the Climate : Come what though My Quicksets are not Blackberry , or Sloe , The Kernel does as well , if I can please , And fat my stock with Acorns , take mine ease Under a shady Oak , you must confess To this , Tarentum is a Wilderness . Water'd besides with such a Spring , it may Adopt a River , Hebrus it self , nay Thrace cannot equal it , approv'd for all Head maladies : 't is a Purge natural . In Autumn 't is this sweet retirement pleases , This keeps me proof ( believ 't ) against Diseases . Rome says , yes boasts , you only happy are : All is not true men say : Indeed I fear They know more than your self does : He that woo'd Be so , must be not only wise , but good . If at your Dinner you should have a sit Of a chill Ague shake you , would you ●it ( Because your Guests say you look well ) and eat Until you can no longer hold your meat ? He is a modest Fool that won't disclose He has a clap before it reach his Nose . If one should tell you of a Victory You lately had on Land , others by Sea , Buzzing into your ears , that it is known To Iove , you sought Rome safety , not you own : You know this is the great Augustus's Due . If when they call you Virtuosi , do You make answer to the name , or can You say I am that Learned Gentleman ? I do believe there 's hardly one of us But may be sometimes stil'd ingenuous ; Yet he that said so , can you know unsay To M●rrow all that ere he said to day : As a brib'd Iustice must if Caesar please , Give up his Pa●ent , take his Writ of Ease . If the Unconstant Crowd shall say , Let go , You are'nt the men we prais'd : It must be so . What if I 'me follow'd with a Hue and cry , Stop Theif , he has committed Burglary ; Or if my Pious Neighbours , should present Me , a Loose Live● or Incontinent , Nay what if at Sessions I am try'd By a Nice Iury for a Parricide ; If I am sure , and know my Conscience clear , Shall I then Blush , or else look Pale for fear ? False Honour pleases , but false Infamy Affrights : Whom ? Those that love to hear a Ly. I wonder who 't is you call Good ; Your fine And learned Barrister that can untwine Statutes , Quote Reports , Books of Entries , pare The Law , and split out Iustice to a hair ; He that can knowingly give Evidence , And smooth both Parties to a Reference ! Yet there is scarce one House in the whole Town , But whispers this man Knave , for all his Gown . If my man tell me thus ; Sir , I ne're lay One night from home , or wrong'd you : must I say Be gon ? I 'le never trouble thee ; If he Sayes he never committed Felonie : Must I not prosecute , but say , Be free , 'T is pity thou should'st e're be hang'd by me ? I am a Godly , Pious , Sober man : Yes , yes ; But do you think Sabellus can Believe all this ? The Wolf the trap eschewes , The Hawk and Kite fly the suspected nooze . Good Men will hate all Wickedness , because They Vertue love more than they fear the Laws . You if you think you can cheat handsomly , All 's one , whether Clergy or Layety . Although it is a small loss , if you nimne But one Bean from a Quarter , 't is a sinne . He 's only counted honest now adayes That the whole Parish looks upon , he prayes And cryes Amen so loud at Church , although Sometimes if you hearken close , he 's as low Whispering ; Prithee sweet Devil give me leave To cheat Devoutly , but let none perceive . Give me a Cloak for all my Knavery ; What 's this man more than a Servant ? or why D' yee call a Miser , Freeman ? I have seen A Boy make both stoop for a Groat of Tin. He that still covets , still fears : I don't see What ground you have to say this man is free , H 'as fled his Colours , forsook the Field , which Flyes to turmoil in buis'ness and be rich . If you can sell your Pris'ner , never kill , But let him serve you ; let the Hardy till The Earth , turn Saylor , weather't out at Sea , Import Bisket ; 't will help the Granarie . He that is truly wise will dare thus to A Judge ; Come Sir , let 's hear the worst you 'll do : Why I 'le seize upon your Goods , take away Your Mony , Plate , nay all you 're Worth : You may : You shall be kept close Pris'ner : No , I 'le have Death bayle me , I can never be a Slave : That touches him , ( 't would any man ) Do , Dy First , Death is the last Seene of Misery . EPISTLE VXII . By R. N. To SCAEVA . The way to get Great Mens Favour . SCaeva , though thou art wise enough to tell How to make use of thy Super'ours well ; Yet learn of thy unskilful Friend ; and though He that is blind may undertake to shew The way ; yet mark , perhaps I may make known Something thou wilt desire to make thine own . If thou wilt hugg thy self with welcome Ease , If Sleep till next days Sun arise doth please , If thou' rt disturb'd with th' Hurry , and the Noise Of Carts , and Coaches , and of Dam-me-Boyes , I prethee to thy Country-house repair ; For 't is not Rich men only happy are ; Nor lives he ill , that lives and dies unknown : But if thou 'lt profit thine , and be more boon Unto thy self , though poor , yet come unto The Rich mans more delicious fare . 'T is true The Cynick said , that Aristippus would Refuse the fare of Princes , if he could Dine patiently on Sallads ; He again Said , that the Cynick would his Herbs disdain , Did he but know what 't was by Kings to be Feasted . The Cynick's saying points at me . But thou , my Friend , choose , and approve , and teach Either of both their doings and their speech ; Or as thou art a young man yet , mark well Why Aristippus bore away the Bell ; For he ( as I by many oft have heard ) That same morose Diogenes thus jeer'd , I Jest for Kings , but to my profit ; Thou Only for th' empty noise o' th People ; Now That 's the more Noble . I to ride the Kings Great Horse desire , Thou aim'st at baser things . But thou wilt say , Thou know'st no Poverty ; Yet poorer art , then he that gives to thee . All sorts of life did Aristippus bless , Aiming at great things , yet content with less ; But to thee none , whose only Robes and Fence Were nought but Rags and helpless Patience . If such a course of Life , so Traverstee Can any man become , 't is strange to me . Though Aristippns ne're desire to be Array'd in Robes of Purple made , yet he Could wear them ; yea he could in comely sort In Cloaths , or good , or bad himself deport . To thee a Scarlet Cloak did more abhorr , And rather fly it then a Snake , or Curr . Give him his Cloaths , else he with cold will dye , And thine , the● let the Fool his Fortune trie . T' atchieve great things , and Conquer , looks like Iove , It shews a reach at things that are above . 'T is no disgrace for Subjects to comply With gen'rous Kings : all have not wealth laid by . Fear of Success makes Cowards , be it so ; But he 's the Man , that thorough stitch doth go ; He is the Man , or none . One fears to ask A Princes favour , 't is too great a task For his too narrow Soul. Another He Begs boldly , and obtains . If Vertue be Still Vertue , doubt not , but that man is wise Who asks so , that he gains both Praise and Prize . Poor men , if modest , will with some obtain , While others sawcily shall ask in vain ; Here 's then the diff'rence , whether your favours be Humbly receiv'd , or snatcht immodestlie . The sum of all we aim at then here ends , Be meek and modest with thy Richer Friends . I have a Sister wants a Portion , and A Mother poor , a Farm lies on my hand That can't maintain me ; He that thus doth say , Doth in effect beg Alms : Another may Cant out his wants aloud , and keep a stir And cry , Give me one piece of Bread good Sir : A Crow , whilst feeding , if he would not Garr , Would have less trouble and more Meat by farr . One that is expert in the High-way Strains , That of the bitter cold , and storms complains , That cries his Pocket's pickt , and his small store Of Mony stoln , Iuggles but like a Whore , Who weeps for her lost Chain , or cries ah me ! My Garter's ravish'd from beneath my knee : Such common Cheats as these take all belief From real Losses , and from real Grief . He that is once thus chous'd , will sure beware Of helping such as faigned Cripples are . And though a Canting Cripple with tears To be helpt up , and by Osires swears , And sayes , I 'm lame , I do not mock , and then Cries out ; O help , help me hard hearted men ! The Neighbours rayl at him , and cry be gon , Get help ( you Rascal ) where you are not known . EPISTLE XVIII . By A. B. To LOLLIUS . How to be a good Companion . MY blunt friend Lollius , if I know thee right , Thou dost abhor to play the Parasite , Where thou professest friendship ; for so farr Differs a friend from a base flaterer , As a grave Matron from a Strumpet , who Differ in mind , in look , and gesture too . But there 's another vice as great as this , That is a rough-hew'd clownish surliness , When men unmannerly , unpleasant , rude , Themselves on others saucily obtrude ; And indiscreetly blurt out words which be Unfit , and call 't Virtue and Liberty . Vertue 's the mean betwixt two Vices , and From Vices is fenc'd in on every hand . Some being obsequious more then does befit , Jeer such as at the low'r end of th' Table sit ; But when a great man nods , will tremble , and What e're he says repeat at second hand ; As a poor School-boy says his Lesson o're , Which his harsh Master dictated before . Or as the Mimick Eccho's back what e're Verses or words by th' Actor's spoken were . Others dispute for trifles without end , And for Straw-matters tooth and nail contend , They 'll rather lose their share in Heav'n then they Won't be believ'd in whatsoe're they say ; Or not speak freely what comes in their brain , And that as impudently to maintain . But what 's the Question makes all this ado ? Which was the better Fencer of the two , Caster or Docilis ; whether Appium , Or Numicus lead to Brundusium ; Who 's out of his Estate by gaming run , Who by expensive Wenching is undone , And what fantastick Fool goes at a rate , In habit far above his mean estate . On whom th' in●atiate appetite of Gold And Silver has got a perpetual hold ; Or else of some vain-glorious fellow , which Makes it his bu'siness to be ' counted rich . The wealthy Patron , who is ten times more Skill'd in all Vices then he can that 's poore , Hates such concerning talk , and does abhor it , And either hates the Blabb , or checks him for it . Like a good Mother to her Daughters , he Desires that meaner men should wiser be Then he himself is , and more vir●uous too , And tells you things that are perhaps too true . Strive not with me ( says he ) I've an Estate , And that in me will folly tolerate ; You 're a mean Fellow , and your Coat must be Cut as your Cloth is : Don't compare with me . Eutrapelus to whom he did intend A mischief , he would costly habit send , That so transported with that goodly hew , He might take up strange hopes and counsels new , Sleep all the day , mind nothing but his Whore , Run into debt , and grow at last so poor , He must turn Fencer , and for bread sell's blood , Or drive Pack-Horses for a livelyhood . Other mens secrets never care to know ; But if a friend into thy bosom throw A secret , and desire thee to conceal it , Do not , though nere so drunk or mad , reveal it . Thy own peculiar Studies ne're commend , Nor what thy friend does fancy reprehend ; And if to hunt thy Patron minded be , Don't thou lie puzling with thy Poetry . 'Twixt Zethus and Amphion , both twins , hence There did arise a peevish difference ; Zethus , a Country Gentleman , inclin'd To Hownds and Hawks ; Amphion , gave his mind Wholly to 's Harp , but laid it quite aside Until his brothers heat was pacifi'd . In small things 't is good prudence to resigne Thy will to his whose pow'r is more then thine . And when he brings into the Champain ground His hunting properties , Horns , Horses , Hound , Lay by th' unsociable Muses then As recreations for old lazy men . Go hunt with him , then sup and take thy share Of what your sports produc'd , be 't Bore , or H●re : Among the Romans 't is a Recreation , Which is much us'd and in great Reputation . Besides 't will make thee healthy , and live long , Especially since thou art sound and strong , To keep in with the Doggs , and with the Bore , By thy own strength to graple and o're pow'r : Besides 't is known that there 's not any man For feats of Arms like thee , or dares , or can . When thou didst fence or wrestle , oh ! how loud Rang thy Applauses from th' admiring Crowd ! When but a boy the Souldiers duty thou In the Cantabrian battle didst pass through , Under that General , whose conquering Sword The Parthians hath to Italy restor'd ; And in their Temples hath set up again Those Ensignes which had been from Crassus tane . Do not withdraw thy self without a just Excuse , nor lye still that thy parts may rust . Although in all thy actions thou tak'st care They should be done exactly by the square ; Sometimes i' th' Country , thou descendst to toys , Acting a Sea-fight with the little boys : Two formal N●vies thou dost then equip , And armed Boys in both of them dost Ship ; On one side for Mark Anthony , thy Brother Was Admiral ; for Caesar thou on t'other . Your Fathers little Lake was made by thee For this great Fight the Adriatick Sea , Where you the Action battle acted o're , And ne're gave off till one was Conquerour . And if thy wealthy Patron does once finde Thee love those things to which he gives his minde , Tickled with that he will extol to th' skies This very Play , and think thy folly wise , I would advise thee further more ( if thou Didst stand in need of an adviser now . ) When thou dost talk of any man , take care Of whom , to whom , and what thy speeches are ▪ Shun him that is inquisitive , for he Will be as guilty of Garrulitie . And his still gaping ears itch to reveal What e're his friend intrusts him to conceal . And 't is impossible e're to recall One syllable which we have once let fall . And if thy Patron has a minde to toy With a fair Lady , or a pretty Boy , To his great House you must such reverence bear , As not to fall in love with either there : Least he that keeps them should prove so unkinde As to deny , and thou disturb thy minde ; Or ( which is worst ) should grant thee thy request , And thou popt off with these , content must rest . At first sight ne're commend a man , least thou Hereafter blush for him thou praisest now ; For we are soon deceiv'd , and to a Friend We oft unworthy men and things commend ; And therefore if one , whom thou didst suppose . Was a good person , should prove vitious , And thou be so deceiv'd praise him no more , Say thou' rt mistaken , and so give him o're . But if a friend that to thee 's throughly known Behind his back 's traduc'd by any one , Stick to him bravely ; for our names depend In absence on the courage of a friend ; Ne're let him carelesly endure a wrong From any Cowardly reproachful tongue . For is 't not plain , that who maliciouslie Back-bites thy friend , will do the same by thee ? When thy next neighbours house is all on fire , 'T is thy concern to make his flames expire ; For fire will gather strength if let alon● , And with thy neighbours house burn down thine owne . By unexperienc'd men 't is thought to be , To wait on Great men great felicitie ; But such as know what 't is , care not to come Among Great men , but count them troublesome . For thy part now into the World th' art got , Make it thy business to go on , and not Permit thy Vessel to ●ail back again , What e're contrary Winds disturb the Main , A merry man abhors a man that 's sad , And sad men hate all merry men as bad , A dull man hates an active man , and so A sprightly person scor●s a man that 's slow . The ●udling fellows , who past midnight drink , Hate such as from their pro●er'd glasses shrink : Though those that do refuse them truly swear Wine vapours in the night pernicious are . Look cheerfully in company ; for he That 's shamefac't 's generally thought to be A fellow of mean birth and spirit , and all Those that sit silent men do dogged call . But above all converse with wise men still , And read good Books , and learn from those the skill How thou mayst easily pass through this World , And not be vex'd and up and down be hurld By an insatiate desire , vain fear , Or hopes of things that of small moment are . Consider whether Vertue be produc'd By learning , or by nature be infus'd ; What lessens cares ; what makes a man to be A friend t' himself ; whence pure tranquil●●ie Proceeds , from Honour , or beloved wealth , Or from a Life led ( as it were ) by stealth . When I do to my Country Farm retreat , By those cool streams which me refresh in hear , What dost thou think I think upon ? or what Beleiv'st thou , if I could , I would be at ? I only pray that small Estate , which I Now have , may tarry with me till I die . And those few days which I have yet to live , ( If Heav'n to me any more days will give ) I may enjoy my self ; of Books have store , and Have necessaries for a year before-hand ; That I may never float 'twixt Hope and Doubt , What an uncertain Hour may bring about . But 't is enough to pray those heav'nly Powers Who give and take at Will what we call Ours . If I but live , and have my Pockets lin'd , Let me alone to get a quiet Mind . EPISTLE XIX . By A. B. To MECAENAS . A Discourse of Poetry . LEarned Mecaenas , if you 'll credit give To old Cratinus , not a Verse can live , Nor long be pleasant to us , which is writ By such as from meer water suck their wit. Since Liber has been pleas'd to rank all such As have of Rapture a transcendent touch , ●Mong Fawns and Satyrs , the delightsome Nine Did almost every morning smell of Wine . And Homers praising Wine , made Poets think The good old Man did much delight in drink . Hence Father Ennius would not write a Line , Till he had first got a good dose of Wine . The Politicks and great Affairs at Barr We leave to those that grave and sober are , But we 'll withhold from such sowre souls as theirs , The high Prerogative of writing Verse : As soon as this was publickly declar'd , All Poets up the brimful Goblet rear'd ; And for the Laurel all night long they drunk , And the next day of Wine all Poets stunk . But was this Poetry ? Shall every one That with a surly look , and shabbed Gown Walks without shoos and stockins through the Town , As representing learned Cato , straight His virtues and good manners imitate ? When Hyarbita aim'd to gain the glory Of rare Timagenes for Oratory , Striving to speak with Eloquence and Wit , He strain'd his Voyce , so that his Lungs were split . A pattern does delude a man when 't is Only pursu'd in that which is amiss . Should I by chance look pale ; Poets would fall To drinking Cummin-seeds to look so all . Oh servile herd of Imitators , who Make me both angry with , and laugh at you , And the base Drudgery which you 're forc'd to do ! 'T was I first set my daring foot , where none Had ever trod a step , but I alone . Who on 's own natural fancy does rely , Leads as a Captain does his Company . 'T was I that first the Romans did inspire With skill to write Iambicks for their lyre . The numbers and the spirit I pursu'd Of old Archilochus , but I eschew'd His railing matter and invective way , Which made poor old Lycambe to destroy His daughter and himself ; yet I hope you Think not the Laurel is to me less due , Because I have been fearful to invert The very mode of Verses , and the Art. The Masc'line Sappho did that Muse allay , Which was harsh in Archilochus his way . So did Alcaeus too , but different far In matter and in method their lines are . They sought no fathe'r in law to rhyme to death , Nor made enraged wives resign their breath . I being musical , him first did take , And fit to th' Roman lyre his numbers make . Which never any durst attempt tell then , And 't is my glory that ingenious men Such things as mine may come at and peruse , As ne're were touch'd by any other Muse. Now if you would the Reason know why some Ungrateful Readers will cry up at home , And hugg my Verses , but to all abroad Basely contemn those lines they so applaud ; I 'm none of those who sneakingly will court The windy suffrage of the Vulgar sort With my cast cloaths , nor with a costly Treat . I , that have heard the noblest wits repeat , And judg'd their Verses too , scorn to comply With formal paedagogues to teach their Fry My Verses , nor am I fondly delighted , When they in publick Pulpits are recited . Hence springs my misery ! And now if I Should say ( which I can say ingeniously ) I am asham'd Comaedians should rehearse My worthless lines in crowded Theaters , And by their tone and action make those seem Ingenious , which have no wit in them ; Some envious fellow will say , Horace , this Only a copy of thy countenance is , Thou dost preserve thy Poems only for The Princely ears of our great Emperor ; Presuming that none other but thy Muse ( Vain-glorious Fop ) good Poems can produce . I dare not laugh at this , least I should be More wounded by my struggling enemie . I 'm fain to cry out , I don't like the place , And as my right demand a breathing space . Fooling in jest oft fearful strife begets , And strife for victory produceth pets ; From sudden pets do deadly fewds proceed , And deadly fewds destructive wars do breed . EPISTLE XX. By A. B. To his BOOK . A Character of himself . WEll Book , thou on the Stationers stall wilt lie , Bound neatly to allure the gazers eye ; Thou hate'st to be seal'd up , or else confin'd , Which are things grateful to a modest mind . 'T is grievous to thee to be shewn to few , All thy ambition is for publick view . Thy father has not bred nor taught thee so ; But get thee gone , since thou 'st a mind to go . When once thou' rt gone , thou 'lt ne're return agen ; When thou' rt abus'd by the half-witted men , Thou 'lt say ; alas ! wherein am I too blame ? What have I done , or said , that mis-became ? Thou wilt repent , what thou hast rashly done , And what attempt thy pride threw thee upon . When thou shalt finde the Reader who admir'd Thee so at first , become both cloy'd and tyr'd , And roul thee up , and lay thee quite aside . But if I 'm not with anger Stupifi'd , At this offence of thine , I can foretell Thou wilt at Rome be entertain'd full well , While thou art new , but when thou' rt sulled grown By vulgar Thumbs , thou wilt be let alone For the dull moths , or sent to forraign parts , To cover Letters , or put under Tarts . Then I who unbeleiv'd , admonish'd thee Of all these things , shall laugh as heartilie At thy misfortunes , as he who did pass O're a steep cliff with an unruly Ass , Who playing resty tricks so stirr'd the Gall Of 's Master , that he let him loose to fall ; Nay thrust him down the Rocks , for who 〈◊〉 ( Q●oth he ) what 's minded to be gone away 〈◊〉 This will befall thee too , thou wilt at last Among old doating Schoolmasters be cast , Who in small Villages and far remote When the warm Sun has a full audience brought , Will read thee to their boyes , then thou may'st say , I 'm son of one who was a slave made free , Born to a mean Estate , but have increast It so , my wings are greater then my nest . What from my Ancestors thou tak'st away Of same , thou to my Industry must pay . I was companion to the best o' th' Town , Whether they were for Arms , or for the Gown . Of a small stature , gray before my time , And much delighted with a warmer clime . Soon angry , and soon pleas'd ; if any do , How old I am , of thee desire to know ; Tell them I 'm 44 years old this year , When Lepidus and Lollius Confuls are . EPISTLES . Book II. EPISTLE I. By Sir W. P. To AUGUSTUS . A Discourse of Poetry . WHen you alone so many and so great Affairs dispatch , of War and Peace do treat , Still thinking how to save the State from harms By wholesome Laws , good Manners , and just Arms ; I should the Publique wrong , and cross that end With tedious talk your precious time to spend . Romu●us that ●ounded Rome , and Bacchus ; who Invented Wine , whereby Men great things do , Though they were after death receiv'd among The Gods , yet living did complain of wrong ; For though the ground from weeds & bryers they freed , Ta●ght and made men on delicates to feed , Composed that common War and Scramble , which Made men like Beasts ; To each mans own , did pitch Just bounds , did plant the Earth with Flowers & Fruits ▪ Yea built men Cities : yet the World , like Bruits , Ne're knew , or found their worth , till 't was too late , Till those brave souls had pass'd the Common fate . Nor he , that crusht the Hydra , and subdued Predigious Monsters , when for reward he sued , Could ever it or ease obtain ; for still Envy would say's exploits were mean or ill . So he , who doth with new or nobler Arts Assist the world , shall never win their hearts ; But him alive they 'll laugh at and despise , Whom when he 's dead they will extol to th' skies . Yet Sir to you , ( though living ) men allow Honours divine , by you they 'll swear , they 'll vow Upon your Altars , and confess that never So great a thing appear'd nor shall do ever . Now though the world be very just and wise In this one point , that in their critick eyes You do excel all Greek and Roman Kings , Yet they don 't justly judge of other things , But loath or envy every thing but what Is dead or gone , or which ca●not be got . So Lovers of Antiquity do praise The Laws and Customs of forgotten dayes , Applaud those Articles and that antient deed To which the Sabines and Gabii agreed ; Admire the Liturgies and Rituals Found in Ruines of old Abby wals . Because the Writings of the Greeks we deem So much the better as they older seem ; If we should judge the same of what is here But lately writ , we might as well inferre That Olives have no stones , nor Nuts no shell ; For how one follows t'other I can't tell . We 're now at Rome arrived to the height , As well's the Greeks ; We paint , and sing , and ●ight . If age do better Verse , like Wine , how long Must Verses lie before they 're smart and strong ? A Poet dy'd an hundred years ago , Shall he be reckoned as new Must or no ? Or for old wholsome Wine ? Well! let him pass . Another wants a year , or less : Alass Shall he lose therefore all ? Let him pass too : Another wants a little more ; Let 's do The like for him ; The whole Horse-tail we may Thus hair by hair at length pluck quite away . He that consults the Annals , or counts Years , To try if Verse be good , T' whom nought appears Ex'llent , but what has pass'd the Grave , may see How wise and mighty Ennius , ( even hee Who 's call'd another Homer ) did not care How ill his Promises performed were . Naevius is got by heart and dearly sold ; So sacred are his Works because they 're old . Which of these two is best , Men cannot tell ; For Learning old Pacuvi●● bears the bell . Accius high strains are praised , Afranius Pen Makes us believe Menander wrote agen . Plautus resembles Epicharmus ; weight Commends Coecilius , Terence gentle flight . Their Playes do throng the Stage , from Livies dayes Down to our times , These Men have worn the Bayes . Sometime the Vulgus hit , sometime they miss , For when they say , That nothing Modern is Equal , to what is old , much less preferr'd , I boldly say , The Vulgar then have err'd . But if they 'll yield , That Ancients Wits have used Words obsolete or harsh , and have amused Men with their careless Thoughts , my hand and heart Shall joyn with them , and Iove shall take our part . I 'ld not explode , or scorn poor Livy's Verse , Nor yet what School-boys sometimes may reherse . But would n't have 't admir'd , because by chance Some single Phrase proves good , or that a glance Of wit does twinkle through the cloudy sky Of vaprous or tempestuous Poetry . I take it ill , That Men find fault , because ▪ A thing was lately writ , not for its ●laws , Or botches ; Yea , methinks I could lament , That Doters on stale stuffe are not content With pardon and connivance for some lines Scap● from the Ancients , but cry , bayes and shrines ! If one but doubts , Whether the Stage should be Strew'd o're with Flowers and Saffron , when we see Atta's things play'd , Our Gray-beards in a fume Cry Modesty is gone : If one presume To hint , that Roscius ever fail'd a tittle , They 're angry too , because they value little But what they valued young , or else because They scorn from younger men to take new laws . Now he that says th' old Saliar Verse was high , Seeming to know , who knows no more then I , Does not applaud the Authors of those Songs , But by his envy , us and our Wits wrongs . If the old Greeks like us , would not allow Ought that was new , what shall be ancient now ? Upon whose Works might we now safely look To read and con them as a classick Book ? When War was past in Greece , when Wealth and Ease Dispos'd men there to study , what did please ? Sometimes to Fence , or Vault , or th' H●rse to ride ; Sometimes to carving they their minds apply'd ; Or else to Painting , where they 'd nicely see How Ordnance draught and Colours did agree . Sometimes 't was Dancing , Musick , Scenes and Stage , That prov'd the pleasures of that wanton Age : So does a Child cry to his Nurse for toys , That are contemned by the bigger boys . For , which of all the things we hate , or love , Don't change ? Or which are fortunes power above ? Thus from a prosperous State and plenty springs Variety that gives all Gust to things . At Rome 't was heretofore a credit , and A Mode in ones Office or Shop to stand Waiting for Customers and Clients , all The morning , to let out money , to call On young men to be thrifty , and to hear Old mens advice , thus went about the year : But now the worlds chang'd , one humor runs Through ev'ry vein ; the Lawyers write Lamprons , Merchants Burlesque , the only Trade's for Bayes , Your Gowty Statesman too vent'rous at Playes : Ev'n I that have renownc'd all Poetrie , Sick of the self-same Itch of writing lie . For before day , when one can't see to scrawl , Do I scarce waked for Pen and Paper call . He that was ne're at Sea , wisely refuses To sail a Ship ; He likewise that ne're uses To practise Physick , dares not to dispense Strong Purges , nor what stupifies the Sense . Smiths do make Locks , and only Taylors clothes ; But they write Verse , that never could write Prose . Now le ts consider , What good this humor works ; Why first of all , no covetous Canker lurks Within a Poet ; nought can his soul intrude , But how to fancy finely , and t' allude : When good are lost , when servants run away , When tax is pay'd , when stoods the banks destroy , He cares n't , plots no trick to cheat his friend Or to devoure his Ward ; for to what end Should men do so , who can eat Bread and Cheese , Wear footed Stockings , and be warm in freeze ? Poets in Peace considerable are , Though they are useless in the times of warre . Now if you 'll grant that small things may improve Greatest affairs , we must our Poets love . For first they teach our children how to speak Plain and distinct , from telling lyes 'em break , Chide 'em for calling Names , Cursing , and Oathes ; Make them say Prayers , and keep clean their Clothes . Poets write Story , and by example teach , They comforts to the sick and needy preach . When Boys and Girls in Procession sing Anthems and Hymns , that God would bless the King , Send Rain , or Harvest-weather , save the fruit , Stop Plagues , and grant 'em any other suit , I' st not the Poet that makes those heavenly charms , And does more by 'em , then by Martial Arms ? Old Husbandmen and Worthies , such as could Be happy with a little , heretofore would ( After their Corn was housed , or Sheep were shorn , With Wife and Barns , and others who had born Part in those labors ) make an Holy-day , Kill a fat Pig , eat Cream , drink Wine and Play , Give Sacrifice , and sing to th' heavenly Powers VVhat Poets compos'd at their inspir'd Howers . Fescennine freedom by this means did grow , Such whose each distich , some course flouts did throw : This freedom for a while past well enough , Until at length it grew so tart and rough , So dirty and down-right , not sparing any , Though ne're so worthy men : At length when many Had been abus'd , the few that had scap'd free Took care thence forward , that no more should bee Making a paenal Law , by which good men Grew safe from th' poyson of Satyrick Pen. Thus Rhymers were reduc'd for fear of drubbing When no Scab was , quite to refrain from rubbing . Greece being taken by the Romans , took Its Conquerors ; from thence came Art and Book Into rude Italy , thenceforth the Rhymes That were in use in the Saturnine Times , Were obsolete ; and as we grew more rich In Things and Thoughts , so was improv'd our Speech . 'T was a great while before our minds we bent To read Greek Authors , and learn what they meant ; Till being in Peace , then when the Punick Warr Was well composed , the Romans waded farr In Soph'cles , Thespis , and Aeschilus too , Trying what they could in Translating do . They did succeed ; their smart and lofty Wit The Tragick vein with grace enough did hit . Com'dy tuey thought ( because its subject was Trivial and mean ) was easie ; But alas ! They did not dream how little pardon 's giv'n To the poor Comick : How hard was Plautus driv'n , The am'rous Young mans humor to make good , And his Curmudgin Fathers understood : And paint the plotting Pimp ? Porsennas Pen Describ'd with pains the flatt'ring Trencher-men . How slightly are perform'd some other parts By those that nothing else lay to their hearts , But to get Mony ? Let their Box to th'brim Be fill'd , they care not , if th' Play sink or swim . Him that Vain-glory stirs to write a Play , How doth Spectators negligence dismay , As when they gaze and gape , and give no heed ? But then , What joy does good attention breed ? So slight and small a matter quells or raises Minds that too much affect the peoples praises . Adieu all writing Playes , if so be that I pine when hiss'd , or when I 'm humm'd grow fat . Bold and sound Poets sometimes are cast down , Ev'n when the scoundrel Rabble of the Town , Sailers and Butchers being quickly full And glutted with strong Sense , call for the Bull ; Or ( in the middle of an Act ) the Bears Or Fencers set together by the Ears : Though when the better sort , and men of skill Grow weary too , the Play 't is like was ill . When men have sate a good while at the Play , And in disgust shall flock apace away , Then is brought forth a pinnion'd King , and shown Wagons of captive Dames , Corinth o'rethrown In Pastboard models : Democritus would sneere At such poor tricks , if he again were here ; He 'd laugh to see a spotted Dromedary , Spectators eyes off from the Play to carry ; In marking them he would more pleasure find , So pleasing 't is t' observe the peoples mind . Moreover he considering what a din Noise and confusion all the Stage is in , Might think the slighted Poet did rehearse Unto deaf Asses his elab'rate Verse . For when the Actors first appear well clad In Persian Silk , the People all like mad Hum and clap hands , not for their ex'lent saying , But for their Clothes and Purple gay arraying . Now lest you think , that I disparage what I cannot understand , or rellish not ; I grant , that such a Poet may climbe a Steeple Up by a small slack rope , who can the people Anger , appease , make laugh , or weep , or fear ; Whisk 'em to Athens , or Thebes , or keep 'em here ; Who by meer Words , can thus command mens fancy ▪ Is Master in Poetick Necromancy . Such men encourage , and withal those who Can the same thing without Drammaticks do ; For these you must provide , if you desire To blow strong flames out of Poetick fire ; Or if you 'ld sharpen Wit , and make collection Of pieces neerest to divine perfection . We Po●ts wrong our selves , ( and I offend As oft as others ) when we Books commend Into your hands , when you perhaps are tired , Or in the Bogs of some disaster mired . Then , when we vex that any though our friend , Should but one Verse ev'n gently reprehend ; Or when we reading our own Verse , repeat As Cud to be rechew'd what 's tastless meat : When full of our own sense , we do complain That no man throughly weighs our skill and pains ▪ And when we think , that you Great Sir as soon As e're we write , are bound to give a Boon , That you should bid us write the Second Part , And say Reward shall equal our Desart ; How e're 't is good to know , with whom to trust Great deeds , and who can save 'm from the dust . Choeri'lus so well did Alexander please With Verses not quite worth so many Pease , As that the fort'nate Bard , Medals and Coins Of precious Gold got for his Leaden lines . Some Poets foul more with their dirty Pen , Then can be clean'd again by better Men. That Prodi'gal Prince who bought those simple Rhimes At such a rate , was wise at other times , Forbidding all but great Apelles hand To draw his Picture ; Nay he did command That none should mold the figure of his face Except Lysippe , who did it with grace . Had this vain Prince no more skill in discerning The hands of Artists , then the men of Learning , One might have call'd him Thick-skul , and have sworn , That in some foggy air he had been born . But you are not abus'd in any sort By th' Gifts and Character and fair Report Bestow'd on Virgil and on Varius , then Whom are not better , either Wits or Men. The shapes of famous men are not so clear In graven Brass , as do their minds appear In well-pen'd Words : for my part I had chose ( Rather then broken Rhimes , resembling Prose ) To write heroick Verse , and those on you , That all the world might your atchievements know ; I would describe the Castles you have won , And winding Rivers that below 'em run . I would those barb'rous Kingdoms represent , The peace which you have forc'd where e're you went : Then Ianus Temple I 'de expose to view , And Rome by th' Parthi'ans fear'd , whilst rul'd by you , But Sir , low Verse cannot your Highness grace , Wherefore t' attempt it I have not the face . For me to be pragmatical might prove Your trouble , not my duty and my love : Besides , if I fell short to do your right , My faults would be remembred out of spight : For Readers so malicious now are growne , What 's bad they 'll con , what 's good they let alone . I hate such kindness as offends , and his That draws my Picture uglier then it is . Though gayly drest , I value not a rush The gawdy praises that must make me blush , And dread to have my Name bedawb'd on Paper Fit but to light Tobacco-pipes and Tapers ; Or else to wrap up wares of little price In Chandlers Shops , at best but Plums and Spice . EPISTLE ult . By I. D. To JULIUS FLORUS . Another Discourse of Poetry . BRave Nero's Favourite , My Iulius ( I answer your complaining letter thus ) Suppose one had to sell , and you would buy A Boy at Tibur born , or Gabii , The owner plainly tells you ; Sir you s●e , He 's smooth , and fair , of perfect Symmetrie In all his parts ; and without more discourse , Give me but so much money , he is yours . This I dare vouch , he 's apt , and quick to spie The smallest motions of your hand , or eye . He hath a little Greek , and being young May yet improve , he 's pretty good at song : But earnest praising Merchants oft declare Their craft , more then goodness of their Ware. I have no need to sell , my stock 's but small , Yet what small stock I have , my own I call . I 'le tell you therefore all the worst I know , Which I believe , none of the trade would do . The truth is , once he play'd the idle Boy , And fearing to be beaten ran away ; Now Take , or Leave ; May he not safely now Receive his money , having told you so ? Why should you sue , or call him cheat , when as He told you , what an Idle Rogue it was ? Yet so you deal in chiding me ; you know , I told you likewise e're you went , how slow I am in writing Letters , that as soon You might almost make any Cripple run ; But yet you still complain of me , and chide Because I do not write ; Nay , and beside You say I promis'd Verses ; But for that , Pray hear a story that I shall relate ; One of Lucullus souldiers went abroad To forage , and dearly having earn'd his load , In very pleasant manner , down he lies , And snores all night ; But e're he thought to rise , All his Provant was gone ; With that as Keen As a she Woolf , he falls to Rave , and Grin , Mad with himself , no less then with his foes , And Careless which should die for 't , out he goes Gnashing his teeth , and whosoe're he met , He lookt as fierce , as though he would him eat . In this high Rage , he storm'd a Fort himself That was well fortifi'd , and stor'd with wealth , And laid about him with such force , they say , As made the Guards give place , and run away ; For which exploit his very name was fear'd , And Thousands given him as a just Reward . Soon after this , the Praetors mind being bent To take a certain Castle , straight he sent To this great famous Souldier , and began T' exhort him by the name of gallantaman , Us'd all the Arguments , apt to excite With Words , enough to make a Coward●ight ●ight . The Clown wiser then so , cries ; Pray Sir hold , Such work becomes poor fellows , I have Gold. ( Now to apply this ) I at Rome was Bred , And for some time the Poets there I Read ; At Athens next , where I learnt to descry The Truth from falshood by Philosophy ; But the unhappy times hinder'd my stay In that sweet place , and hurry'd me away From Books to Arms , and then I was ingag'd I' th' Warrs which Brutus with Augustus wag'd . But e're long Brutus being overcome , I narrowly scap't from Philippi home , Stript , and as poor as possible , and then Having no way to live , but by my Pen , Straight I betook my self to versi●ie , Instructed by Ingenious Povertie . But now grown past all needs ( to pore on sad Dull Poetry , would not men think me mad ? ) I 'm of the Souldi●rs mind , I 'le sleep and seed , Why should I not ? let them take pains that need . I find I 'm growing old , and every year Steals somewhat from me ; Venus , Mirth , and Chear , Begin to lose their Gust ; My Wits decline , And my Poetick vein grows dry with time . What e're I have been , I am scarse the same , And will you have me dance now I am lame ? But if I did my faculty retain , All would not like it ; you the Lyrick strain Do best affect : a second he commends Hopping Iambicks , and a third contends That nothing's good but what 's Satyrical ; And how is 't possible to please you all ? Just so , as though I should three friends invite , And each one of a different appetite ; Sir , Shall I help you here ? No ; I 'm for this . And , What think you ? I 'm for the other dish . Are you so to ? No Sir , I thank you , I Like the first best : So 't is in Poetry . Besides all this , I wonder , you can guess Amidst the labours and disturbances Of this base busie Town , I should have rest To write a word . One comes and makes request , I would be surety for him ; After this I 'm call'd to hear the Poets Exercise ; I 've friends to visit too ; one in the Quirine , Th' other ( a fair distance ) in the Aventine . But yet you 'll say , the streets are fine , and still , And one may walk , and think of what he will. ( Oh mighty quiet , fit for th' ears of Kings ! These Carts and Coaches are such silent things . ) Here one comes with his Mules , all in a sweat , Who us'd to bring home Carriages with meat ; There creaks an Engine , which the Builder uses To wind up Timber to the tops of houses . Here goes a Funeral , and there a Dray Standing athwart the street blocks up their way . Now a mad Dog directly at me makes ; Anon , I meet a Sow out of a Iakes , ( And must give her the wall ) midst all this din , Is 't not a sweet place to make Verses in ? Poets true Bacchus Tribe , like him re●oyce To sleep in shades , of arr from the Cities noise . And would you have me do , as they have done , Although I live in this lewd balling Towne ? 'T is no rare thing to see some that have spent Seven years at Athens , in their studies pent , Reading their eyes almost out ; who yet after Return dumb objects of the peoples laughter , ( And neither say nor write ) here I am tost , And in a storm of trouble well nigh lost : How can I grant , or you of me desire , To sing sweet Lyricks to the joyful Lyre ? At Rome two Brothers were ; this studied Law , That was a Rhetor ; both so given to claw Each other , that their whole discourse was lies In praise of one anothers faculties ; That call'd this Gracchus , He him Mutius . Do not we Poets play the fool just thus ? I merry Lyricks write , Another he Being more grave , delights in Elegie : Yet both , as though undoubtedly inspir'd With all the Nine , expect to be admir'd . Do but observe , with what a stately grace We stalk , and look round the reciting place . But what great matter bring we , that should raise Our Expectations to be crown'd with Bayes ? The Samnites us , and we the Samnites wast , And yet we made the Samnites yield at last . O rare ! now he protests I shall no more Be Horace , but Alcaeus ; I adore Him as Callimachus , but that 's too little , Then he 's Mimnermus , or some greater title . These waspish Poets thus I'm faign to please , When I write , that I may gain their Suffrages . But I 'le be plagu'd no more ; I le neither write Henceforth my self , nor hear when they recite . Verses indeed if bad , there 's nothing worse , Nor more ridiculous , yet some fools of course Love to be scribling , and themselves extoll , For that at which all others laugh and droll . He that would have his Poems take , must sit Judge of his own language , as well as wit , Like a grave Censor ; words of no weight nor shew He must degrade , though they are loth to goe , And plead prescription . To recruit his store With choice and good , old words he must restore , Though th 'ave lain long rejected and despis'd , And take in new , what use hath naturaliz'd . And as a River that runs clear and strong , The soil inricheth , as it glides along : So must his language be ; it must not want , But neither must it be luxuriant . With smoother phrase he polishe's what 's rough , And throws out all the flat insipid stuff . And as a skilful Actor , he must strive , To imitate each Humor to the life . For my part , I had rather far be thought A trifling Poetaster , if that ought I do please's my self , be 't ne're so vain , Than to write well , and to endure the pain Of being vext with Censures . There was one At Argos , who did use to sit alone I' th' Theatre , fancying himself to be Present at some ingenious Tragedie : Hearkned and humm'd , till he thought all was ended , Then clapt , and cry'd , 'T is never to be mended : ' Bate only this , in other matters He Was as discreet as any one could be ; He was a right good Neighbour ; none more free To treat his Friends with all civilitie : Good to his Family ; if he came nigh A Rock or Lake , would heed how he past by : Could not be charg'd with any desperate folly , The worst was , he was highly Melancholy ; For this a lusty dose of Hellebore He took , which did him to himself restore ; But being cur'd , he cry'd , and said , Alas ! Such an unhappy Remedy ne're was ; For now by this unfortunate Occasion , I 've lost the pleasure of Imagination . 'T is time I should grow wise , and leave such toyes As Songs and Verses , proper sports for Boyes . Not weighing words , nor meas'ring out of sounds , But scanning life , and tracing Virtues bounds . Now thus I 'le spend my Thoughts ; If you or I Had such a thirst , that we were alwayes dry , How much so e're we drink , we should be sure To tell the Doctor of 't , and ask the cure . Now you are rich , yet cover still to gain More wealth , Is not this case the very same ? If one should say , such Herbs , or such a Course , Will cure your wound , if still your wound grew worse , Would you not cease to follow his Advice ? So you have heard , that he must needs be wise To whom the Gods give Riches , yet you find The Goods of Fortune have not chang'd your mind . And will you still believe it , since you know , By sad experience , that it is not so ? If to be Rich , could make one wise indeed , And you were sure by that means to be freed From hurtful Passions ; then I would allow , That none should be more Covetous than you ; But since it can no such effect produce , Let that suffice that serves for present use . If what I have , though small , be mine , ( as 't is ) And what one use's , in some sort is his : ( As the Civili●ns teach ) then Orbus field , And whatsoever fruit the same doth yield , Is mine ; nay and his servants too , and all He hath , may truly me their Master call . I give a little money , and receive Grapes , Poultry , Wine , and what I please to have . The difference is , I with a small expence Buy what he purchas'd with vast Sums long since . The Purchaser of all those fields that lie About Aricia , and old Veii , Hath not a Sallet of his own introth , Nor one small stick to warm his stale-kept broth , But what is bought ; only he calls it His As far as lies within such Boundaries . Fond man ! how canst thou call that substance thine Which varies like thy shadow ? One hour's time , One flitting hour , alters the property , And either death , sale , force or flattery Makes it another mans . For Heirs come on As fast as waves , one e're the other 's gone . And since 't is so , to what intent should I Great Farms or Mannors strive to multiply ? Or make new purchases ? when as , Alas ! Death and the Grave mow down all flesh like Grass ; Sparing nor high , nor low , nor young , nor old , Untouch't with Pity , uncorrupt with Gold. And while we live , we may live , if we please , Happy and well , without such things as these , Gems , Ivory , Marble , Pictures , Plate , rare Cuts , Garments like those in which the Sophy struts . All that make bodies gay , or houses brave , Some have them not , others don't care to have . So of two Brothers , one delights to play And drink ; the other from the break of day Till it be dark night , spends himself with toyl , Beating and burning the hard barren soyl . The only Reason that they differ thus , Proceedeth from a different Genius ; Which is as 't were a little Deitie , Prescribing how to live , and when to die . To some unluckie , to some Fortunate , So constituting good or evil Fate . For my part , I 'm resolv'd that little wealth I have , to use , and not to starve my self . I will be moderate , yet I 'le not forbear Expence , lest I should grieve my greedy Heir , Or make my Executor think much , to see My Inventory spent in Legacie . There is discretion to be us'd , for he Is justly taxt with Prodigalitie , That vainly wastes his Fortune ; and no less Is he to be accus'd of Greediness , Who spares his Purse , more than his Reputation , And will not spend upon a just occasion . But he that hath enough , and thinks it so , Toils not for more , nor pines to see that go ; That sometimes makes a festival , and spares A day for mirth to loose the bonds of cares : That doth no wrong , and is discreetly free , That man 's indu'd with Liberalitie . Bless me from Poverty and Sordidness ! And then be my enjoyments more or less , I 'm still the same : To me it matters not , Whether I 'm carried in a bigger Boat , Or in a less ; The middle state 's the best . And mine is such , I neither am opprest With storms , nor flat at all with calms ; my Sailes Are fill'd with equal and Indifferent Gales : For health , wit , vertne , honour , wealth , I 'm plac't Short of the foremost , but before the last . Yet though a man be freed from Avarice , That 's not enough , if any other Vice Be suffer'd to bear sway . What ? art thou free From pride , and empty Popularitie ? Art free from raging anger , and the fear Of cruel death , that dreadful Messenger ? Canst laugh at superstitious fond conceits Of Sprights , Dreams , Omens , all those vulgar cheats ? Art thankful for thy age that 's past and gone , And being older , Art thou better grown ? For as it cannot mitigate ones pain , To draw one Thorn , whilst twenty more remain : To hate one Vice is nothing , whilst the mind Indulges Vices of another kind . Until thou canst thy life exactly frame To Virtue 's pattern , don't usurp the name . But having play'd , and eat , and drunk thy share , Get home , lest taking more than thou canst beare , Th' art mock't , and bob'd , and justled for thy folly , By th' Lads whose priviledg is to be jolly . HORACE , His ART of POETRY . By B. I. IF to a Womans head a Painter would Set a Horse-neck , and divers feathers fold On every limbe , ta'en from a several creature , Presenting upwards , a fair female feature , Which in some swarthy fish uncomely ends : Admitted to the sight , although his friends , Could you contain your laughter ? Credit me , This piece , my Piso's , and that book agree , Whose shapes , like sick-mens dreams , are fain'd so vain , As neither head , nor foot , one form retain . But equal power , to Painter , and to Poet , Of daring all , hath still been given ; we know it : And both do crave , and give again , this leave . Yet , not as therefore wild , and tame should cleave Together : not that we should Serpents see W●th Doves ; or Lambes , with Tygres coupled be . In grave beginnings , and great things profest , Ye have oft-times , that may o're-shine the rest , A Scarlet-peice or two , stitch'd in : when or Diana's Grove , or Altar , with the bor ▪ - Dring Circles of swift waters that intwine The pleasant grounds , or when the River Rhine , Or Rainbow is describ'd . But here was now No place for these . And , Painter , hap'ly , thou Know'st only well to paint a Cypress tree . What 's this , if he whose money hireth thee To paint him , hath by swimming hopeless scap'd , The whole fleet wreck'd ? A great jarre to be shap'd , Was meant at first ; why forcing still about Thy labouring wheele , comes scarce a Pitcher out ? In short ; I bid , Let what thou work'st upon , Be simply quite throughout , and wholly one . Most Writers , noble Sire , and either Sonne , Are , with the likeness of the truth , undone . My self for shortness labour ; and I grow Obscure . This striving to run smooth and slow , Hath neither soul , nor sinews . Loftie he Professing greatness , swells : That low by lee Creeps on the ground ; too safe , too afraid of storm . This seeking , in a various kind , to form One thing , prodigiously , paints in the woods A Dolphin , and a Boar amid the floods . So , shunning faults , to greater fault doth lead , When in a wrong , and art less way we tread . The worst of Statuaries here about Th' Aemilian School , in brass can fashion out The nails , and every curled hair disclose ; But in the main work hapless : since he knows Not to design the whole . Should I aspire To form a work , I would no more desire To be that Smith ; then live , mark'd one of those , With fair black eyes , and hair , and a wry nose . Take , therefore , you that write , still , matter fit Unto your strength , and long examine it , Upon your Shoulders . Prove what they will bear , And what they will not . Him whose choice doth rear His matter to his power , in all he makes , Nor language , nor cleer order ere forsakes . The vertue of which order , and true grace , Or I am much deceiv'd , shall be to place Invention . Now , to speak ; and then differ Much , that mought now be spoke : omitted here Till fitter season . Now , to like of this ; Lay that aside , the Epicks office is . In using also of new words , to be Right spare , and wary : then thou speak'st to me Most worthy praise , when words that common grew , Are , by thy cunning placing , made meer new . Yet , if by chance , in utt'ring things abstruse , Thou need new terms ; thou maist , without excuse , Fain words , unheard of to the well-truss'd race Of the Cethegi ; And all men will grace , And give , being taken modestly , this leave , And those thy new , and late-coyn'd words receive , So they fall gently from the Grecian spring , And come not too much wrested . What 's that thing . A Roman to Caecilius will allow , Or Plautus , and in Virgil disavow , Or Varius ? why am I now envi'd so , If I can give some small increase ? When , loe , Cato's and Ennius tongues have lent much worth , And wealth unto our language ; and brought forth New names of things . It hath been ever free , And ever will , to utter terms that bee Stamp'd to the time . As woods whose change appears Still in their leaves , throughout the sliding years , The first-born dying ; so the aged state Of words decay , and phrases born but late Like tender buds shoot up , and freshly grow . Our selves , and all that 's ours , to death we owe : Whether the Sea receiv'd into the shore , That from the North , the Navy safe doth store , A Kingly work ; or that long barren fen Once rowable , but now doth nourish men In neighbour-towns , and feels the weighty plough ; Or the wild river , who hath changed now His course so hurtful both to grain , and seeds , Being taught a better way . All mortal deeds Shall perish : so far off it is , the state , Or grace of speech , should hope a lasting date . Much phrase that now is dead , shall be reviv'd ; And much shall dye , that now is nobly liv'd , If Custom please ; at whose disposing will The power , and rule of speaking resteth still . The gests of Kings , great Captains , and sad Warres , What number best can fit , Homer declares . In Verse unequal match'd , first sowre Laments , After mens Wishes , crown'd in their events Were also clos'd : But , who the man should be , That first sent forth the dapper Elegie , All the Grammarians strive ; and yet in Court Before the Judge , it hangs , and waits report . Unto the Lyrick Strings , the Muse gave grace To chant the Gods , and all their God-like race , The conqu'ring Champion , the prime Horse in course , Fresh Lovers business , and the Wines free source . Th' Iambick arm'd Archilochus to rave , This foot the socks took up , and buskins grave , As fit t' exchange discourse ; a Verse to win On popular noise with , and do business in . The Comick matter will not be exprest In tragick Verse ; no less Thyestes feast Abhors low numbers , and the private strain Fit for the sock : Each subject should retain The place allotted it , with decent thewes . If now the turns , the colours , and right hues Of Poems here describ'd , I can , nor use , Nor know t' observe : why ( i' the Muses name ) Am I call'd Poet ? wherefore with wrong shame , Perversly modest , had I rather owe To ignorance still , then either learn , or knows . Yet , sometime , doth the Comedie excite Her voyce , and angry Chremes chafes out-right With swelling throat : and of the tragick wight Complains in humble phrase . Both Telephus , And Peleus , if they seek to heart-strike us That are Spectators , with their misery , When they are poor , and banish'd , must throw by Their bombard-phrase , and foot-and-half-foot words : 'T is not enough , th' elaborate Muse affords Her Poem's beauty , but a sweet delight To work the hearers mind , still , to their plight . Mens faces , still , with such as laugh , are prone To laughter ; so they grieve with those that mone . If thou would'st have me weep , be thou first drown'd Thy self in tears , then me thy loss will wound , Peleus , or Telephus . If you speak vile And ill-penn'd things , I shall , or sleep , or smile . Sad language fits sad looks : stuff'd menacings , The angry brow ; the sportive , wanton things ; And the severe , speech ever serious . For Nature , first within doth fashion us To every state of fortune ; she helps on , Or urgeth us to anger ; and anon With weighty sorrow hurls us all along , And tortures us : and , after by the tongue Her truch-man , she reports the minds each thr● If now the phrase of him that speaks , shall flow In sound , quite from his fortune ; both the rout , And Roman Gentry , jeering , will laugh out . It much will differ , if a God speak , than , Or an Herce : If a ripe old man , Or some hot youth , yet in his flourishing course ; Where some great Lady , or her diligent Nourse ▪ A ventring Merchant , or the Farmer free Of some small thankful land : whether he bee Of Cochis born ; or in Assyria bred ; Or , with the milk of Thebes ; or Argus , fed . Or follow fame , thou that dost write , or fain Things in themselves agreeing . If again Honour'd Achilles chance by thee be seiz'd , Keep him still active , angry , un-appeas'd , Sharp , and contemning laws , at him should aim , Be nought so 'bove him but his sword let claim . Medea make brave with impetuous scorn ; ●no bewail'd ; Ixion false , forsworn ; Poor Io wandring , wild Orestes mad . If something strange , that never yet was had Into the Scene , thou bring'st , and dar'st create A meer new person ; Look he keep his state Into the last , as when he first went forth , Still to be like himself , and hold his worth . 'T is hard , to speak things common , properly ; And thou maist better bring a Rhapsody Of Homers , forth in acts , then of thy own , First publishing things unspoken , and unknown . Yet common matter thou thine own maist make ; If thou be vile , broad-troden ring forsake . For , being a Poet , thou maist feign , create , Not care , as thou wouldst faithfully translate , To render word for word : nor with thy slight Of imitation , leap into a streight , From whence thy Modesty , or Poems law Forbids thee forth again thy foot to draw . Nor so begin , as did that Circler late , I sing a noble Warre , and Priam's Fate . What doth this Promiser such gaping worth Afford ? The Mountains travail'd , and brought forth A scorned Mouse ! O , how much better this , Who nought assays unaptly , or am ss ? Speak to me , Muse , the man , who after Trov was sack't , Saw many Towns , and men , and could their manners tract . He thinks not , how to give you smoak from light , But light from smoak ; that he may draw his bright Wonders forth after : As An●iphates , Scylla , Charybdis , Polypheme , with these . Nor from the brand , with which the life did burn Of Meleager , brings he the return Of Diomede ; nor Troyes sad Warre begins From the two Egges , that did disclose the twins . He ever hastens to the end , and so ( As if he knew it ) raps his hearer to The middle of his matter : letting go What he despairs , being handled , might not show . And so well fains , so mixeth cunningly Falshood with truth , as no man can espy Where the midst differs from the first : or where The last doth from the midst dis-joyn'd appeare . Hear , what it is the People , and I desire : If such a ones applause thou dost require , That tarries till the hangings be ra'en down , And sits , till the Epilogue saies Clap , or Crown : The customs of each age thou must observe , And give their years , and natures , as they swerve , Fit rites . The Child , that now knows how to say , And can tread firm , longs with like lads to play ; Soon angry , and soon pleas'd , is sweet , or sowre , He knows not why , and changeth every houre . Th' unbearded Youth , his Guardian once being gone , Loves Dogs ; and Horses ; and is ever one I' the open field ; Is Wax like to be wrought To every vice , as hardly to be brought To endure counsel : A Provider slow For his own good , a careless letter-go Of money , haughty , to desire soon mov'd , And then as swift to leave what he hath lov'd . These studies alter now , in one , grown man ; His better'd mind seeks wealth , and freindship : than Looks after honours , and bewares to act What straight-way he must labour to retract . The old man many evils do girt round ; Either because he seeks , and , having found , Doth wretchedly the use of things forbear , Or do's all business coldly , and with fear ; A great deserrer , long in hope , grown numbe With sloth , yet greedy still of what 's to come : Froward , complaining , a commender glad Of the times past , when he was a young lad ; And still correcting youth , and censuring . Mans comming years much good with them doe bring : At his departing take much thence : left , then , The parts of age to youth be given ; or men To children ; we must always dwell , and stay In fitting proper adjuncts to each day . The business either on the Stage is done , Or acted told . But , ever , things that run In at the ear , do stir the mind more slow Then those the faithful eyes take in by show , And the beholder to himself doth render . Yet , to the Stage , at all thou maist not tender Things worthy to be done within , but take Much from the sight , which fair report will make Present anon : Medea must not kill Her Sons before the People ; nor the ill ▪ Natur'd , and wicked Atreus cook , to th' eye , His Nephews entrails ; nor must Progne flie Into a Swallow there ; Nor Cadmus take , Upon the Stage , the figure of a Snake . What so is shown , I not believe , and hate . Nor must the Fable , that would hope the Fate Once seen , to be again call'd for , and plaid , Have more or less then just five Acts : nor laid , To have a God come in , except a knot Worth his untying happen there : And not Any fourth man , to speak at all , aspire . An Actors parts , and Office too , the Quire Must maintain manly ; not be heard to sing Between the Acts , a quite clean other thing Then to the purpose leads , and fitly ' grees . It still must favour good men , and to these Be won a friend ; It must both sway , and bed The angry , and love those that fear t' offend . Praise the spare diet , wholesome justice , laws , Peace , and the open ports , that peace doth cause . Hide faults , Pray to the Gods , and wish aloud Fortune would love the poor , and leave the proud . The Hau'-boy , not as now with latten bound , And rival with his Trumpet for his sound , But soft , and simple , at few holes breath'd time And tune too , fitted to the Chorus rime , As loud enough to fill the seats , not yet So over-thick , but , where the people met , They might ' with ease be numbred , being a few Chaste , thrifty , modest folk , that came to view . But , as they conquer'd , and enlarg'd their bound , That wider Walls embrac'd their City round , And they uncensur'd might at Feasts , and Playes Steep the glad Genius in the Wine , whole dayes , Both in their tunes , the license greater grew , And in their numbers ; For , alas , what knew The Ideot , keeping holy-day , or drudge , Clown , Townsman , base , and noble , mix'd , to judge ? Thus , to his antient Art the Piper lent Gesture , and riot , whilst he swooping went In his train'd Gown about the Stage : So grew In time of Tragedy , a Musick new . The rash , and head-long eloquence brought forth Unwonted language ; And that sense of worth That found out profit , and foretold each thing , Now differ'd not from Delphick riddleing . Thespis is said to be the first found out The Tragedy , and carried it about , Till then unknown , in Carts , wherein did ride Those that did sing , and act : their faces dy'd With less of Wine . Next Aeschylus , more late Brought in the Visor , and the robe of State , Built a small timbred Stage , and taught them talk Lofty , and grave ; and in the busk in stalk . He too , that did in Tragick Verse contend , For the vile Goat , soon after , forth did send The rough rude Satyres naked ; and would try , Though sower , with safety of his gravity , How he could jest , because he mark'd and saw The free spectators , subject to no Law , Having well eat , and drunk : the rites being done , Were to be staid with softnesses , and wonne With something that was acceptably new . Yet so the scoffing Satyres to mens view , And so their prating to present was best , And so to turn all earnest into jest , As neither any God , were brought in there , Or Semi-god , that late was seen to weare A royal Crown , and purple ; be made hop With poor base terms , through every baser shop : Or whilst he shuns the Earth , to catch at Air And empty Clouds . For Tragedy is fair , And far unworthy to blurt out light rimes ; But , as a Matron drawn at solemn times To Dance , so she should , shame fac'd , differ farre From what th' obscene , and petulant Satyres are . Nor I , when I write Satyres , will so love Plain phrase , my Piso's , as alone t' approve Meer raigning words : nor will I labour so Q●ite from all face of Tragedy to go , As not make difference , whether Davus speak , And the bold Pythias , having cheated weak Simo ; and , of a talent wip'd his purse ; Or old Silenus , Bacchus Guard , and Nurse . I can out of known gear , a fable frame , And so , as every man may hope the same ; Yet he that offers at it , may sweat much , And toil in vain : the excellence is such Of Order , and Connexion ; so much grace There comes sometimes to things of meanest place . But , let the Faunes , drawn from their Groves , beware , Be I there Judge , they do at no time dare Like men street-born , and neer the Hall , reherse The●r youthful tricks in over wanton verse : Or crac● out bawdy speeches , and unclean . The Roman Gentry , Men of Birth , and Mean Will take offence at this : Nor , though it strike H●m that buys chiches blanch'r , or chance to like The nut crakers throughout , will they therefore Receive , or give it an applause , the more . To these succeeded the old Comoedy , And not w●t●out much praise ; till liberty Fell into fault so far , as now they saw Her licence fit to be restrain'd by law : Which law receiv'd , the Chorus held his peace , His power of fouly hurting made to cease . Two rest 's , a short and long , th' Iambick frame ; A foot , whose swiftness gave the Verse the name Of Trimeter , when yet it was six-pac'd , But meer Iambicks all , from first to last . Nor is 't long since , they did with patience take Into their birth-right , and for fitness sake , The steady Spondaes : so themselves do bear More flow , and come more weighty to the ear : Provided , ne're to yield , in any case Of fellowishp , the fourth , or second place . This foot yet , in the famous Trimeters Of Accius , and Ennius , rare appears : So rare , as with some tax it doth engage Those heavy Verses sent so to the Stage , Of too much haste , and negligence in part , Or a worse Crime , the ignorance of art . But every Judge hath not the faculty To note in Poems , breach of harmony ; And there is given too , unworthy leave To Roman Poets . Shall I therefore weave My Ve●se at random , and licent ously ? Or rather , thinking all my faults may spy , Grow a safe Writer , and be wary-driven Within the hope of having all forgiven . 'T is clear , this way I have got off from blame , But , in conclusion , merited no fame . Take you the Greek examples , for your light , In hand , and turn them over day , and night . Our Ancestors did Plautus numbers praise , And jests ; and both to admiration raise Too patiently , that I not fondly say ; If either you , or I , know the right way To part scurrility from wit : or can A lawful Verse , by th' ear , or singer scan . Our Poets too , left nought unproved here ; Nor did they merit the less Crown to weare , In daring to forsake the Grecian tracts , And celebrating our own home-born facts ; Whether the guarded Tragedy they wrought , Or 't were the gowned Comoedy they taught . Nor had out Italy more glorious bin In vertue , and renown of arms , then in Her language , if the Stay , and Care t' have mended , Had not our every Poet like offended . But you , Pompilius off-spring , spare you not To taxe that Verse , which many a day , and blot Have not kept in , and ( left perfection fail ) Not tent mes o're , corrected to the nail . Because Democritus believes a wit Happier then wretched art , and doth , by it , Exclude all sober Poets , from their share In Helicon ; a great sort will not pare Their nails , nor shave their beards , but to by-paths Retire themselves , avoid the publike baths ; For so , they shall not only gain the worth , Both fame of Poets , they think , if they come forth , And from the Barber Licinus conceal Their heads , which three Antichyra's cannot heal . O I left-witted , that purge every spring For choler ! If I did not , who could bring Out better Poems ? But I cannot buy My title , at the rate ; I 'ad rather , I , Be like a Whet-stone , that an edge can put On steel , though 't self be dull , and cannot cut . I writing nought my self , will teach them yet Their Charge , and Office , whence their wealth to fet , What nourisheth , what formed , what begot The Poet , what becometh , and what not : Whether truth may , and whether error bring . The very root of writing well , and spring Is to be wise ; thy matter first to know ; Which the Socratick writings best can show : And , where the matter is provided still , There words will follow , not against their will. He , that hath studied well the debt , and knowes What to his Country , what his friends he owes , What height of love , a Parent will fit best , What brethren , what a stranger , and his guest , Can tell a State-mans duty , what the arts And office of a Judge are , what the parts Of a brave Chief sent to the wars : He can , Indeed , give fitting dues to every man. And I still bid the learned Maker look , O● life , and manners , and make those his book , Thence draw forth true expressions . For , sometimes , A Poem , of no grace , weight , art , in rimes With specious places , and being humor'd right , More strongly takes the people with delight , And better stayes them there , then all fine noise Of Verse meer-matter-less , and tinckling toies . The Muse not only gave the Greek's a wit , But a well-compass'd mouth to utter it , Being men were covetous of nought , but praise . Our Roman youths they learn the subtle wayes How to divide , into a hundred parts , A pound , or piece , by their long compting arts : There 's Arbin's son will say , Substract an ounce From the five ounces , what remains ? pronounce A third of twelve , you may : four ounces . Glad , He cries , Good boy , thou 'lt keep thine own . Now , add An ounce , what makes it then ? The half pound just ; Six ounces . O , whence once the canker'd rust , And care of getting , thus , our minds hath stain'd , Think we , or hope , there can be Verses fain'd In juyce of Cedar , worthy to be steep'd , And in smooth Cypress boxes to be keep'd ? Poets would either profit , or delight , Or mixing sweet , and fit , teach life the right . Orpheus , a priest , and speaker for the Gods , First frighted men , and wildly liv'd , at ods , From slaughters , and foul life ; and for the same Was Tygers , said , and Lyons fierce , to tame . Amphion too , that built the Theban towers , Was said to move the stones , by his Lutes powers , And lead them with soft songs , where that he would . This was the wisdom , that they had of old , Things sacred , from profane to separate ; The publique , from the private ; to abate Wilde raging lusts ; prescribe the marriage good ; Build Towns , and carve the Laws in leaves of wood . And thus at first , an honour , and a name ▪ To divine Poets , and there Verses came . Next these great Homer , and Tyrtaeus set On edge the Masculine spirits , and did whet Their minds to Wars , with rimes they did rehearse ; The Oracles , too , were given out in Verse ; All way of life was shewn ; the grace of Kings Attempted by the Muses tunes , and strings ; Plays were found out ; and rest , the end , and Crown Of their long labours , was in Verse set down : All which I tell , lest when Apollo's nam'd , Or Muse , upon the Lyre , thou chance b' asham'd . Be brief , in what thou wouldst command , that so The docile mind may soon thy precepts know , And hold them faithfully ; For nothing rests , But flowes out , that ore-swelleth in full brests . Let what thou fain'st for pleasures sake , be neere The truth , nor let thy Fable think , what e're It would , must be : lest it alive would draw The Child , when Lamia ' has din'd , out of her maw . The Poems void of profit , our grave men Cast out by voyces ; want they pleasure , then Our Gallants give them none , but pass them by : But he hath every suffrage can apply Sweet mix'd with sowre , to his Reader , so As doctrine , and delight together go . This book will get the Sosii money ; This Will pass the Seas , and long as nature is , With honour make the far-known Author live . There are yet faults , which we would well forgive ; For , neither doth the String yet yield that sound The hand , and mind would , but it will resound Oft-times a Sharp , when we require a Flat : Nor alwayes doth the loosed Bow , hit that Which it doth threaten . Therefore , where I see Much in the Poem shine , I will not bee Offended with few spots , which negligence Hath shed , or humane frailty not kept thence . How then ? Why , as a Scrivener , if h' offend Still in the same , and warned , will not mend , Deserves no pardon ; or who 'd play , and sing , Is laugh'd at , that still jarreth on one string : So he that flaggeth much , becomes to me A Choerilus , in whom if I but see ' Twice , or thrice good , I wonder : but am more Angry . Sometimes , I hear good Homer snore . But , I confess , that , in a long work , sleep May , with some right , upon an Author creep . As Painting , so is Poesie . Some mans hand Will take you more , the neerer that you stand ; As some the farther off : This loves the dark ; This , fearing not the subtlest Judges mark , Will in the light be view'd : This once , the sight Doth please ; this , ten times over , will delight . You Sir , the elder brother , though you are Informed rightly by your Fathers care , And , of your self too , understand ; yet mind This saying : to some things there is assign'd A mean , and toleration , which does well : There may a Lawyer be , may not excell ; Or Pleader at the Bar , that may come short Of eloquent Messalla's power in Court , Or knows not what Cassellius Aulus can ; Yet , there 's a value given to this man. But neither , Men , nor Gods , nor Pillars meant , Poets should ever be indifferent . As jarring Musique doth , at jolly feasts , Or thick gross O●ntment , but offend the Guests : As Poppy , and Sardane Honey ; 'cause without These ; the free meal might have been well drawn out : 〈◊〉 , any Poem , fancied , or forth-brought 〈◊〉 bettering of the mind of man , in ought , ●●ne're so little it depart the first , ●nd highest , sinketh to the lowest , and worst . He , that not knows the games , nor how to use 〈◊〉 arms in Mars his field , he doth refuse ; 〈◊〉 , who 's unskilful at the Coit , or Ball , 〈◊〉 trundling Wheel , he can sit still , from all ; ●est the throng'd heaps should on a laughter take : ●et who 's most ignorant , dares Verses make . ●hy not ? I 'm gentle , and free-born , do hate ●ice , and , am known to have a Knights estate . ●hou , such thy judgement is , thy knowledge too , ●ilt nothing against nature speak , or do : But , if hereafter thou shalt write , not fear To send it to be judg'd by Metius ear , And , to your Fathers , and to mine ; though 't be Nine years kept in , your papers by , yo' are free To change , and mend , what you not forth do set . The Writ , once out , never returned yet . 'T is now inquir'd , which makes the nobler Verse , Nature , or Art. My Judgement will not pierce Into the Profits , what a meer rude brain Can ; or all toil , without a wealthy vein : So doth the one , the others help require , And friendly should unto one end conspire . He , that 's ambitious in the race to touch The wished goal , both did , and suffered much While he was young ; he sweat , and freez'd again : And both from Wine , and Women did abstain . Who , since , to sing the Pythian rites is heard , Did learn them , first , and once a Master fear'd . But , now , it is enough to say ; I make An admirable Verse . The great Scurf take Him at the last ; I scorn to come behind , Or , of the things , that ne're came in my mind To say , I 'm ignorant . Just as a Crier That to the sale of Wares calls every Buyer ; So doth the Poet , who is rich in land , Or great in money 's out at use , command His flatterers to their gain . But say , he can Make a great Supper ; or for some poor man Will be a surety ; or can help him out Of an entangling suit ; and bring 't about : I wonder how this happy man should know , Whether his soothing friend speak truth , or no. But you , my Piso , carefully beware , ( Whether yo' are given to , or giver are ) You do not bring , to judge your Verses , one , With joy of what is given him , over-gone : For hee 'll cry , Good , brave , better , excellent ! Look pale , distil a showre ( was never meant ) Out at his friendly eyes , leap , beat the groun ' . As those that hir'd to weep at Funerals , swoun , Cry , and do more then the true Mourners : so The Scoffer , the true Praiser doth out-go . Rich men are said with many cups to ply , And rack , with Wine , the man whom they would try , If of their friendship he be worthy , or no : When you write Verses , with your judge do so : Look through him , and be sure , you take not mocks For praises , where the mind conceals a fox . If to Quintilius , you recited ought : He 'd say , Mend this , good friend , and this ; 'T is naught . If you denyed , you had no better strain , And twice , or thrice had ' ssayd it , still in vain : He 'd bid , blot all : and to the anvile bring Those illl-torn'd Verses , to new hammering . Then : If your fault you rather had defend Then change : No word , or work , more would he spend In vain , but you , and yours , you should love still Alone , without a rival , by his will. A wise , and honest man will cry out shame On artless Verse ; the hard ones he will blame ; Blot out the careless , with his turned pen ; Cut off superfluous ornaments ; and when They 're dark , bid clear this : all that 's doubtful wrote Reprove ; and , what is to be changed , note : Become an Aristarchus . And , not say , Why should I grieve my friend , this trifling way ? These trifles into serious m●schiefs lead The man once mock'd , and suffer'd wrong to tread . Wise , sober folk , a frantick Poet feare , And shun to touch him , as a man that were Infected with the leprosie , or had The yellow Jaundies , or were furious mad According to the Moon . But , then the boyes They vex , and follow him with shouts , and noise , The while he belcheth lofty Verses out , And stalketh , like a Fowler , round about , Busie to catch a Black-bird ; if he fall Into a pit , or hole ; although he call , And cry aloud , Help gentle Country-men , There 's none will take the care , to help him then ; For , if one should , and with a rope make haste To let it down , who knows , if he did cast Himself there purposely , or no ; and would Not thence be sav'd , although indeed he could ? I 'le tell you but the death , and the disease Of the Sicilian Poet Empedocles ; He , while he labour'd to be thought a God Immortal , took a melancholique odd Conceipt , and into burning Aetna leap't . Let Poets perish , that will not be kept . He that preserves a man , against his will , Doth the same thing with him , that would him kill . Nor did he do this once ; for if you can Recal him yet , he 'ld be no more a man : Or love of this so famous death lay by . His cause of making Verses none knows why ; Whether he piss'd upon his Fathers grave ; Or the sad thunder-stroken thing he have Defiled , touch'd ; but certain he was mad , And , as a Bear ; if he the strength but had To force the grates , that hold him in , would fright All ; So this grievous Writer puts to flight Learn'd and unlearn'd ; holding , whom once he takes ; And , there an end of him , reciting makes : Not letting going his hold , where he draws food , Till he drop off , a Horse-leech , full of blood . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A44478-e3350 * Other names of Bacchus . * Ganymed . Honor sit auribus . Notes for div A44478-e66170 * Earthen . Notes for div A44478-e129340 * Ulysses , * The Romans adored Vacation as a Goddess , by the Name of Vacuna .