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THE 
 
 POETICAL 
 
 RECREATIONS 
 
 OF M'^. Alexander Craig 
 OF ROSECRAIG. 
 
 AT EDINBVRGH 
 
 Printed by Thomas Finlafon. 1609. 
 
 WITH LICENCE. 
 

 ^ 
 
TO 
 
 THE MOST HO- 
 
 NORABLE MY SINGV- 
 LAR GOOD LORD AND PATRON 
 
 G.E. OF DVNBAR, LORD AND 
 
 GOVERNOVR OF BERWICK, HEIGH 
 
 Thefaurer of Scotland, great Maifher of the Mi- 
 nerals there^ Lieutenent of the middle Shy res 
 of Great Britane, one of his Majeflies ho- 
 norable privie Counfell, and Knight 
 of the mofi noble order of the Garter. 
 
 HEN Philip OF 
 Macedon came to conquere Co- 
 rinth, the carefull Corinthians 
 did fortifie their ruined ivalles, 
 fome caried ftones, fome trees, 
   fome ly me J fome clenged and dref 
 fed their armour, fome taught & trained the neoterick 
 fogers; no man was found idle to with/land the com- 
 mo7i enemie faue Diogenes, he vn-able for any fer- 
 
 vtce 
 
 A 
 
 Mg030e6 
 
vice in the republick, did roll himfelfe in his Tub vp 
 and downe the Jlreets. One of his familiars afked 
 what he did: A I the Corinthians (anfwered Dioge- 
 nes) are bufjie, and I miifi be doing fomething: Each 
 man (my honorable good Lord) at this great Court of 
 Parliament is buj/ie, and left I alone like Diogenes 
 be noted as idle, I will roll my felfe in thefe foolifh 
 rymes vp and downe the ftreetes; that it may be f aid 
 I am doing fomething : the goodes and children of the 
 bond-man belong to the mafter: Thefe paj/ions are 
 my goodes, or rather my children Minerva-/?'-!^ borne 
 from their fathers brane, without a mother, and fo 
 due to your L. Take then your owne (dear Lord) 
 from, this hand, who according to the antient cuftome 
 hath bored his eare with a boidkene, to fhew that he 
 fhall ftill remaine your Honors moft faithfully de- 
 voted and voluntarie flaue. 
 
 Al. Craig. 
 
TO THE READER. 
 
 EXcufe me (good Reader) for the methodleffe 
 r placing of thefe Paffions: They are my chil- 
 dren, you haue them as they were borne : And 
 fo the Primo-genit mufl haue the prioritie at the 
 Preffe. Amongft fo many children fome muft 
 mif-thriue and proue naght: Cherifhe (I pray 
 thee) the good, and leaue the faultie to be refor- 
 med by their father. 
 
 Fair-wel, 
 
TO HIS MOST EX- 
 
 CELLENT MAIESTIE 
 
 THE HVMBLE PETITION OF 
 
 his Heighnes Orator Al. Craig 
 
 at Chrijlmas in Whitehall. 
 
 A Pelles fome-time came 
 To PtolonKzus feaft, 
 And had well nye return'd againe 
 
 Inglorius and difgrac't. 
 For PtolomcBus afk'd, 
 
 Who cald him to that place, 
 Then with a coale vpon the wall, 
 
 He painted Planus face. 
 The King knew Planus well, 
 
 And did at once proteft 
 That hee fhould faft, and hee would feaft 
 
 Appelles with the beft. 
 So am I come Great King, 
 
 Vnto thy Chriftmas chere, 
 And Povertie againft my will, 
 
 Invit's me to be heere. 
 You are a greater King 
 
 Then Lagus fonne, altho 
 
 With 
 
With ^gipt, Afric, he vfurpt, 
 
 And was th' Arabians fo. 
 Let Povertie I pray, 
 
 Receaue his due difgrace : 
 And let thy Poet at this feaft 
 
 Supplie the Painters place. 
 But Lacon fome-time faid 
 
 Vnto a begging flaue, 
 Giue what I will it is thy craft 
 
 To beg, and ever craue. 
 Be not affrai'd for that, 
 
 (Thogh for this time J cry) 
 Jf fuccurd once, nor feeke againe 
 
 J rather fterue and dye. 
 
 COMPLAINT TO HIS 
 
 M aj e s tie . 
 
 LOue, Want, and Cares, all contrare me confpyre, 
 Firft, fecond, laft, for me too many bee : 
 Want breakes my heart, and drown's my high defyre. 
 And makes my Mufe fo lowe a courfe to flee. 
 But were J rich, the cruell fair wold rew, 
 Then fould J fmg and bid my Cares adew. 
 
 O happie Artift, and Mechanick flaue, 
 Thou mai'ft a price vpon thy paines impofe : 
 My wair is fuch, I know not what to craue. 
 And fo but looke both Loue and Lynes I lofe : 
 
 Strange thing betwix my Soveraigne and my fant, 
 I waift my wits, and rape but woes and want. 
 
 Yet 
 
Yet might thefe two reward me if they wold, 
 And purge me both from povertie and paine : 
 She with good wil, my royall Syre with gold, 
 And fo preferue, and faue their flaue vn-flane. 
 With modeft lookes, and filent fighs J ferue, 
 The fhameles begger thriu's, and yet I fterue. 
 
 TO John LORD Ramsay 
 
 Vicunt of Hadington, the Author be- 
 moneth his hard Fortunes in England. 
 
 A Las, why fould Calijihenes remaine 
 
 "^ -^ Where Agis both and Cleo beare the fway, 
 
 Thefe Sicophants and Parafites profaine, 
 
 Draw Macedoes magnific minde aftray : 
 
 ]i Arijiip in Court make any ftay. 
 
 Some Tyran ftraight fhall fpit into his face. 
 
 Thus feeling ill, and fearing worfe each day, 
 
 A miriad of mif-fortunes I embrace. 
 
 How carefull is Entimeon poore thy cafe 
 
 At home, abrod, fmce Fortun is thy foe ; 
 
 But ere thou turne to Griece with more difgrace, 
 
 Jn Perfia die, and there intomb thy woe : 
 
 To him that Hues, and muft die Fortunes flaue, 
 Jf nothing elfe, good Perfians grant a graue. 
 
 AD 
 
AD EVNDEM DE EODEM. 
 
 TDEyond the Mountains of the froftie North, 
 -"^I fome-time feru'd a Caledonian Dame: 
 The firft of all for Vertue, wit, and worth, 
 That ever yet adorn'd the rols of fame: 
 She fed my heart on fanfies fweetefl flame, 
 Yet haue I left both heart and her behind. 
 And to this land fpoild of my heart I came 
 To follow Fortune, which J can not find : 
 Strange is the flate wherein I ftand, J fee 
 Twix Fortune heere, and my afife6lions there : 
 I fled from thefe, this flees againe from mee. 
 Here Povertie, and yonder fprings Dijpa7'c. 
 
 Blind Cnpid thus, blind Fortime are againe mee, 
 My Lone at home, my Luck abrod difdaine mee. 
 
 NEW YEARE GIFT TO 
 
 his M aj eftie. 
 
 ^nr^O Crefns rich fhall Codrus gifts propyne, 
 -*• To Maro wife mufb Mevius ryms prefent: 
 O pearles Prince, O Poet moft divyne, 
 My Mufe is dead, my moyen all is fpent : 
 
 Wife Maro writ, weake Mevius wonder ay. 
 Rich Crefus giue, poore Codrus beg and pray. 
 
 B TO 
 
TO HIS MAJESTIE IN NAME 
 
 of his Noble Master, 
 
 ^ I ^He faithfull heart is ever fraught with feare, 
 -■- And jeloufie is ftill conjoind with loue : 
 
 How can J then (dread Liege) be frie from care, 
 
 Since from thy fight J fee J muft remoue: 
 
 And thou my Phofphor, yea my Phoebus bright, 
 Whofe prefence day, whofe abfence breeds my night 
 
 Yet feare J not for that within thy minde. 
 That ouglie ghaifl vnkmdnes can haue place : 
 But caufe J know, fome claw-backs are inclinde 
 With all their force my Fortunes to difgrace : 
 Be thou the poynt, and J the circling line, 
 Mine be the pangs, and all the pleafurs thine. 
 
 J'le kyth a conftant Paliimre to thee, 
 A truftie fteirf-man both in ftorme and calme; 
 That in my works the wondring world fhall fee 
 The trueft hand, that ever held a helme : 
 
 Thogh (I confeffe) I am not fkild like him, 
 
 Yet let me fink, fo fweet ^ncas fwim. 
 
 Thus will J goe, becaufe thou do'fl command, 
 
 Even for thy fake from out thy fight fome fpace : 
 
 And after kiffing of thy facred hand, 
 
 J pray the Gods protege thy fiiate in peace : 
 And when J ceafe for to be true to thee, 
 Curfb be my life, and wretched may J dye. 
 
 TO 
 
 10 
 
TO MY LORD SARVSBVRIE. 
 
 nr^Wo potent Kings over Sidles two Empyre, 
 -■■ That famous He where Siraciifa flood : 
 Where gainft the heavens Encclad voms his fyre, 
 King Philip bruks with much Iberian blood : 
 
 But wife King lames (O bleft and happie cafe) 
 Commands a Cecill of more price in peace. 
 
 TO MY LORD HAY, AT HIS LE- 
 
 gation to France. 
 
 O Ince thou muft fail to fee the Celtick fliore, 
 *^From titular to him that keeps the Crown : 
 Which with thy Name thy Nation fhall decore, 
 And fett more quils to further thy renown : 
 
 My wifhes both, and prayers fhall attend thee, 
 At home, abroad, the living Lord defend thee. 
 
 TO MY LORD ADMIRALL AT 
 
 his mariage with Ladie Margaret Stewart. 
 
 "j\ /r^rj, Hercules, and lupiier we finde, 
 
 -*-' -^With Venus, Lyda, Leda were in loue, 
 
 And for obedience to the Archer blind. 
 
 The Sword, the Club, and Scepter they remoue : 
 And Neptuns deput leau's the fomie ftrand. 
 To pearfe a Margarit fet from Murray land. 
 
 B2 A 
 
A Counfell to Cotirteours. 
 
 ^ I ^He bibuU Spoynge in tepid water fet, 
 -^ Drinks till it fill each fmall and greedie pore : 
 But if the Barber in his hand it get, 
 He wrings all out, which it hath drunk a fore : 
 
 You that in Court with Kings and Princes ftay, 
 Mark well in minde the water-fpoynge I pray. 
 
 For if you ftand on top of Fortunes wheele, 
 Beware left with the bibuU fpoynge you fwal, 
 Drink not too much as gluttons, govern well, 
 Clim not too hie, incafe you catch a fall : 
 
 The King makes vp, the King againe makes downe, 
 Both wealth and wrack awaits vpon a Crowne. 
 
 To my Lady Hartfurde at his Majefties 
 firji progres to Totnem. 
 
 There the wyld fame fmelled as fweet as perfume , natiiraly. 
 
 * I ^He tempeft beat and falling Fame (fair Dame) 
 -*■ Receaves new life, new ftrength, new fmell wee fee: 
 And for thy fake thy Soveraigne weares the fame 
 Heigh on his head to ferue and honour thee : 
 
 Thefe are the frutes thy bewtie braue brings forth. 
 Thy leaft propynes are valued of moft worth. 
 
 TO 
 
 la 
 
TO HIS DEAR FRIEND M'. Al. 
 
 Dickson M". of the Art of Memorie who 
 dyed at winchejler in England. 
 
 EPITAPH. 
 
 ^ I ^Hat Thracian forme at birth of friends to weepe, 
 ■*• And to be glad when as againe they dye : 
 My figh-fwolne heart can not content to keepe, 
 Since J deare friend muft figh, and murne for thee. 
 Now haue I lof'd my fecond felfe I fee, 
 To whom fhall J (fmce thou art dead) bemone : 
 Moll rich of all (the Scythians fay) is hee 
 That hath true friends, now I, alas, have none : 
 No other death of ould the Hircans choof'd, 
 But to be kild by thefe fame dogs they fed : 
 Difpleafure fo to be ingratlie vf'd, 
 Hath broght braue Dickfon to his cognat bed. 
 Thou taught the Art of Memorie to thofe 
 That feemd thy friends, yet prou'd in end thy foes. 
 
 TO HIS VNKINDE FRIEND. 
 
 /^ F all the wounds whereof that Roman great, 
 ^^ Braue hdius Ccefar in the fenat died : 
 The wounds from Brutus (burreau moft ingrate) 
 Did grieue him moft, on Brutus ftill he cri'd : 
 So were my life to take laft leaue of mee, 
 Still wold I cry {vnkinde, vnkinde) on thee. 
 
 TO 
 
 ^y 
 
TO HIS CVSNING FRIEND. 
 
 A Thenian Chares promif d much to many, 
 -^ ^Moft prodigall of fmooth perfwadlng words: 
 And yet perform'd no thing at all to any, 
 Such are the frutes falfe eloquence affords : 
 
 Like Lams leane of flefli he had no ftore. 
 
 But multitude of fethers fair, no more. 
 
 Since Chares thus concludes to play the knaue, 
 
 And ftill perfifts proud, impius, falfe, profane: 
 
 Shall he begyle, and gull me like the laue. 
 
 Yes, faith, once more to exercife his vane : 
 
 Yet fmce experience Chares maks me wife, 
 I fhrew my heart, and thou begyle me thrife, 
 
 TO COVETOVS COVRTIERS. 
 
 A Greedie Moufe did by a privat way 
 -^ -*-Steale to the pantrie of a wealthie man: 
 Where many difhes were, and wold affay 
 Each difh of all : but at the laft began 
 
 To teaft an Oifter, when her guts were filled, 
 The Oifter clof'd, and thus the Moufe was killed. 
 
 Thou that haft crept in credit but by ftealth. 
 And teafts each difli, fib to the greedie Moufe: 
 Who builds and maks of others wrack thy wealth. 
 And foulles man will not overfee a foufe: 
 
 Thogh Prince behold, and privat men muft thol thee. 
 Some ftiarp-ftield oifter fome-time fall controll thee. 
 
 TO 
 
 1+ 
 
TO VIRTEOVS AND NOBLE 
 
 Cynthia. 
 
 FAne wold J render thanks for thy good-will : 
 But thanks are words, and words compenfe no deeds, 
 And thus muft J remain thy debter ftill. 
 For which my heart within my bofome bleeds : 
 But if it chance that in thy debt I die. 
 My froward Fortune hath the fault, not I. 
 
 TO HIS DEAR FRIEND, AND 
 
 fellow Jludent W. Robert A Eton. 
 
 Sing fwift hoofd ^thon to thy matchles felfe, 
 And be not filent in this pleafant fpring : 
 I am thy Echo, and thy Aerie elf, 
 The latter ftrains of thy fweet tunes I'll fmg: 
 Ah, fhall thy Mufe no further frutes forth-bring, 
 But Bajia bare, and wilt thou write no more 
 To higher notes, J pray thee tune thy firing : 
 Be ftill admir'd as thou haft bene of yore. 
 Write ^thon writ, let not thy vain decay, 
 Leaft we become Cymerians dark, or worfe. 
 If JSthon faill, the Sun his courfe muft ftay, 
 For, Phcehus Chariot laks the cheefeft horfe : 
 
 Thogh Fortun frown, ah, why ftiould vertue die, 
 Sing ^thon fing, and J fhall Echo thee. 
 
 AE- 
 
 15 
 
AETHON 
 
 Cragio Svo. 
 
 XipAne wold I fing, if fongs my thoghts culd eafe, 
 
 -■- Or calme the tempeft of my troubled mynde: 
 
 Fane wold J force my filent Mufe to pleafe, 
 
 The gallant humor of thy wanton vane : 
 
 But O a mifer mancipat to paine, 
 
 Sould flaue to forrow, wedded to mifchief, 
 
 By mirth of fongs, perhaps more greefe might gane, 
 
 Jn vane of them J fhould expect releif : 
 
 Then facred Craig if thou wold eafe my greef, 
 
 Jnvite me not to wantonize with thee : 
 
 But tune thy notes vnto my mourning cleif, 
 
 And when J weepe, weepe thou to Echo mce. 
 
 Perhaps the teares that from a Craig fhall floe, 
 May proue a Soveraigne balme to cure my woe. 
 
 AGAINST THE SELLERS 
 
 of Tobacco. 
 
 ^ I ^Hou that haft made of felling fmoak a trade, 
 -*■ And Jew and Gentill but remorfe do'fl gull. 
 And by thefe bafe Nicotian bleads are glade 
 To fpoill, mar, blek, the ftomach, brane, and fkull : 
 As thou deferu'ft Tarimis-like J doome thee, 
 By felling fmoak thou liv'fl, let fmoak confume thee. 
 
 TO 
 
 i6 
 
TO HIS LORD AND M'. George 
 
 Earle of Dunbar. 
 
 "D Raue Alcibiad curious once to know 
 
 -■^Jf all were frinds, that fo appeard to bee, 
 
 To each of all in fecret he did fhow, 
 
 The purtrate of a new-flane-man, faid hee : 
 
 This is a friend whom J haue kild, J pray 
 
 Jn quiet forme come cary him away. s 
 
 Yet none of all that Crew wold giue confent, 
 
 Nor help to put the painted tree a part : 
 
 Saue Kallias kinde, who only was content, 
 
 Hap what might hap, to help with hand and hart r 
 Such is my luck (moft loving Lord) I fee, 
 J haue not found a Kallias kinde, but thee. 
 
 Thou art the great Mcecenas of my Mufe, 
 My patron. Lord, my Mailer, and my All : 
 Whom (whil J liue) but change in me I chufe, 
 To loue, to ferue, and to attend as thrall : 
 
 Thogh time and abfence breed fufpect, what than ? 
 
 J am in fpight of Fortuns nofe thy man : 
 
 TO LADIE ANNA HAY COVNTES OF 
 Winton, one of the Ladies of her Majeftles moft 
 royall bed chalniery at her rettirn front England. 
 
 AH, whither now fweet Ladie wilt thou go ">. 
 From Court to Cuntrie, what new change is this.? 
 And wilt thou needft (fweet Sant) be gone.? and fo 
 Bereaue fouth-Britan of fo rare a blis. 
 
 Yes thou mufb go, J fee there is no flay, 
 And take ten thoufand Thoufand hearts away. 
 
 C Take 
 
 «9f 
 
Take then my heart, my better part with thee, 
 
 My wifhes, vow's, my prayers, all thefe all : 
 
 For J am thine devoted till J die, 
 
 And ftill fhall beare the bloodie yock as thrall : 
 
 And when my head fhall turne to hoarie gray. 
 The world fhall fee that I fhall feme An Hay. 
 
 A'DISSVVASION TO HIS 
 
 friend from his intended inariage. 
 
 "pAir famous He where Zoroajlres raign'd, 
 -■- Where Bactrum once the^^flatelie cittie flood : 
 Which (when th'ould name Ariaspe) was difdain'd, 
 Was Bactria cal'd from fertill Bactnis flood ; 
 Where fome-time Ceter, Arams fonne began, 
 Of thoufand citties the foundation fure. 
 In thee the wyues abufe the marled man. 
 And both with flaue and ftranger play the whoore. 
 The Dame with Diflaff beats her yeelding Lord, 
 And for her pryde but punifhment skaips free: 
 And poore Actcon dare not fpeak one word. 
 From Bactrian Avyues the Lord deliver thee: 
 
 Nor lead a life infamous, heart-brock, thrall, 
 Far better were to wed no wife at all. 
 
 i8 
 
A DESCRIPTION OF A P A R- 
 dond,yet still vnrepenti7ig proditor Plexirtus. 
 
 "TTI^THen falfe and proud Plexirtus did confpire, 
 
 ^ ^ His King and Lord Leonat to dethrone: 
 He found the fates were foes to his defire, 
 At laft when all his baflard-hopes were gone, 
 A halter fair about his hals he tyes, 
 And on the Prince for pardon ftill he cryes. 
 
 The Clement King Leonat was contented 
 To pardon all his faults and foull offences : 
 And yet we read the Rebell noght repented, 
 Saue that he could not pra6lize his pretenfes : 
 
 It's pittie then the Prince can not perceaue, 
 
 Plexirtus was, and will be ftill a knaue. 
 
 EPITAPH OF lOHN FIRST MAR- 
 
 ques of Hamviiltoit. 
 
 T> Left was thy life, and bleffed didft thou die, 
 -*-'Thy Oyle was burning, and thy Lamp gaue light. 
 When lifes prowd foe, pale death did fummond thee 
 To render earth her due, and heavens their right : 
 Thogh death did then thy foule and bodie fever, 
 Once thou ih alt be conjoind, and liue for ever, 
 
 Aliud. 
 
 T T Ere rejls within this Tomb of truth tU vmnaiched zeale 
 ■■- -■■ The father, & the faithful fried, of Church & comon tvel: 
 Inflorme and calme inclind to doe his Kings command, 
 Of peace the parent, child of Mars, cheef glorie of the land. 
 
 C 2 Fortujia 
 
 «» 
 
FORTVNA SAEVO LAETA NEGO- 
 
 tio: tranfmutat incertos honor es, 
 
 O Trange are the changes of this changing age, 
 *^The cloun turns knight, the knight again turns cloun : 
 Now is he Lord, who, was of late a page. 
 And he that threatned all, is now thrown doun : 
 Thrife happie he, whofe heart can be content, 
 To ferue his God in peace with fober rent. 
 
 To his affli6led friend. 
 
 TN wether fair, and in a temperat fpring, 
 -■-The waikeft bird with warbling fongs will foare, 
 But in a ftorme, or winters rage to fing 
 With mirrie 'notes, deferues a praife much more : 
 Thy fpring is gone, thy winter growes, O than 
 Sing fweetlie now, and fhew thy felfe a man. 
 
 To his fortunate friend. 
 
 *~r^He Fox and Kat, were walking by the way, 
 ■*• (As jEfop fains) and lo for all his wits 
 
 The Fox became to hungrie hounds a pray, 
 
 Whilft in a trie the Kat fecurlie fits. 
 
 Since Foxes falfe (dear friend) muft fall, and die. 
 Climb with the Kat, and make the truth thy trie. 
 
 Vivitur 
 
 90 
 
Vivittir parvo bene. 
 
 T T E that can walk on ground that's fair and plane, 
 •*• -^ Shall feldome fall, or if he chance to fall, 
 He meafures but his lenth, he'ill rife agane, 
 And haue no harme, nor any hurt at all : 
 
 But he muft fall of force that climbs too hie, 
 And if he fall, it's ten to one he'ill die. 
 
 Heigh hoifed failes giue vantage to the florme, 
 And if thy ftate be ftately, large, and fair, 
 The farer mark for mifchief to deforme, 
 With fpightfuU fport proud Fortun play's her there : 
 Fair marks are hit with fhots and fhafts mifchivous. 
 Which make the wounds more deep & much more 
 
 grievous. 
 Contented Codrtis with his Cuntrie Dame, 
 Suppofe his Farme were fet on fire he fear's not, 
 His wife and he will warme them with the flame, 
 Come what can come, his compts are caft, he cares not ; 
 Jf want and wealth were alwaies at my will, 
 Away with wealth, let me be Codrtis still. 
 
 A Prayer for his imprifoned friend, 
 
 npHe famous Perfians had a forme, we reed, 
 -*■ That if a Noble were condemd to dee, 
 They fpar'd himfelfe, and hang'd his cloaths with fpeed, 
 Poore prifoner, God grant the like to thee : 
 Vcalegon his houfe is fet on fire, 
 A neighbor kinde wold quench left it burne nyer. 
 
 When Pollio proud did to his feaft requyre 
 Augujius Ccsfar, at a folemne time : 
 
 He 
 
 21 
 
He needs wold kill a feruing flaue in yre, 
 For breaking of a banquet glaffe, fmall crime : 
 
 But C(Bfar faid, poore flaue, thou fhalt not dee, 
 Th'offence is naght, feare is eneugh for thee. 
 
 To Idea for his long abfencc. 
 
 A Ttilins ruler of the Roman hoft, 
 •*- -^-Beg'd leaue his wife and children deare, to fee 
 His poore effairs he did performe with poft. 
 And made returne with all the hafl might bee. 
 He was for this no run-away, but rather 
 A loving hufband, and a faithfull father. 
 
 I haue like him (wife Dame) at home a wife, 
 With whom in peace the poafling hours I fpend, 
 Yet will J loue thee, whill J haue a life, 
 And till J die my loue fhall never end : 
 
 My poore Adoes withdraw me oft from thee. 
 Yet where thou art, my heart fhall ever bee. 
 
 To eloquent Erantina. 
 
 C^Lcomhrotiis a Heathen man did heare 
 ^^^Wifc Plato, with fuch reverence and refpeck: 
 As for the loue he to his leffons beare, 
 He went abrod (kinde man) and brok his neck : 
 Thy charming words inchant me fo that J 
 Doe nothing now, but mourne, figh, weep, and die. 
 
 TO 
 
 ■22 
 
To his abfeiit and loving Lesbia. 
 
 Tr\ Eare heart, dear heart, dear, dear, dear heart againe, 
 -*-^ More dear then writ can fliew, or waxe can feale : 
 O ! if thou knew the care, the woe, the paine 
 I felt fince last I tooke from thee fair-well : 
 
 The night in black chimerick thoghts I fpend, 
 Ere Phlcgon rife, I wifh the day to end. 
 
 The dark is lothfome, and the day femes long, 
 Becaufe, alas, J am not where thou art : 
 This is not mine, but frowning Fortunes wrong, 
 Yet hope (deare heart) vp-holds my dying heart : 
 Look then for me, before few dayes take end. 
 Till when my thoghts to thine, I doe commend. 
 
 To abfent Idea. 
 
 T XTIth puiffant pow'r when princely Pompey went, 
 
 ^ ' And made him for Pharfalic battell bowne : 
 With heavie hearts his fogeors did lament, 
 And oft look'd back to Rome their natiue towne : 
 
 Each in him felfe a civil combat felt. 
 
 To leaue the place wher friends, wiues, childre dwelt. 
 
 I may for this be deem'd a Roman borne, 
 I am fo full of kindneffe and of loue. 
 In deepeft fort (deare heart) I dare be fworne. 
 My minde from thee no diftance may remoue : 
 And for thy fake (beare witneffe naked God) 
 I loue thy Bowns wherein thou mak'ft abod. 
 
 TO 
 
 23 
 
To Idea at her bownes. 
 
 AH, whither now (fweet Sant) art thou retired ? 
 Souls-ravifer, alas, where art thou gone ? 
 Thy bewtie now can be no more admired, 
 Since thou delightfl to lurke and Hue alone : 
 
 Now Hermit-\\k& thou hantft, the more the pittie, 
 And for the Farme forbear's the famous Cittie. 
 
 Look to thy felfe, thou dwel'fl; too neere the fea, 
 Neptnu no doubt will from thofe rocks bereaue thee : 
 And with his wife divorfe for loue of thee : 
 Yet am I glade, none but a God muft haue thee: 
 When winds and waves, and all are at thy will, 
 Proue not vnkinde, J pray thee loue me ftill. 
 
 TO HIS BANISHED FRIEND 
 
 TWo wofuU weeds, the mother Church muft weare, 
 One Crimfon rid, the other mourning black: 
 The black betokneth forrow, pane, and care. 
 The rid bods death, fearce perfecution, wrack: 
 It maters not what rags fhe beare abrod, 
 Once fhe'll be cloth'd in robs of white with God. 
 
 To his fingiilar good Loj'd mid M after. 
 
 T Ong mai'ft thou liue an argument of praife, 
 
 ■'—'A lordlie fubject to my loving pen. 
 
 That on thy worth the wondring world may gaife, 
 
 A magiflrat admir'd amongft all men. 
 
 Yea, more and more heavens grant thee from aboue. 
 The Makers mercie, and the Maflers loue. 
 
 Bene 
 
 24 
 
Auream quifquis mediocritatem. 
 TT merits praife to manage litle well, 
 -*-A cunning coachman turns in litle roume: 
 In poore eftate a rich content I feell, 
 And fmyle to fee a wretches wealth confume : 
 J 'ill fludie then to fteward what J haue, 
 And not be curious more and more to craue. 
 
 His regrate for the lofe of time at Court. 
 
 /^ How Time flips, and flelie Aids away, 
 
 ^^ God is forgot, and woe is me therefore : 
 
 J wafte the night, and weare away the day, 
 
 I fleepe, dres, feed, talke, fport, and doe no more : 
 Far better were with care to haue redemed. 
 Nor fell for noght the thing I moft eflemed. 
 
 To his afpyring friend. 
 
 O Ince charge and honor march together ftill 
 
 *^For charge but honour were a toyle too great : 
 
 And honor but a charge were eafe at will. 
 
 To want them both is not the worfb eflate : 
 
 I loath thofe loads which Hghtneffe firfl pretend, 
 But break the neck before the journeys end. 
 
 Nulla dies fine linea. 
 
 ^ I ^He ftanding poole will quicklie ftink and rott, 
 ■*- The currant ftreame is cleanlie both and cleare : 
 The idle man is Sathans prey, God wott, 
 A verteous minde the Devill darr not draw neare, 
 My fantafies can profit few, and yet 
 It hurteth none, but doth me good to writ. . 
 
 D The 
 
 25 
 
The praife of Glad-povertie. 
 
 T^Hree forts of men vnto the market go, 
 -*- One buyes, one felles, an other doth behold, 
 Great greef and care is in the former two, 
 Th'expectant waiks fecure and vncontrold. 
 
 He liu's (poore man) contented with his lot, 
 Vfmg the world as if he vf 'd it not. 
 
 His vjiambitious mincte. 
 
 ^ I "'Hree things there be for which J'ill not contend, 
 -■- The way, the wall, and Tables higheft feat : 
 
 What foole is he will frown, or yet offend 
 
 For any place, fo hee can reach his meat. 
 But in good faith, the idleft flrife of all, 
 Js in my judgement for the way, or wall. 
 
 To his friend who feemd forie when he left Court. 
 
 T Scorne to Hue at Court, becaufe J fpy 
 -*-The wicked heaps vp wealth, the foole hath grace: 
 The wife man weeps, and in difgrace muft die, 
 And vanitie muft march in vertues place : 
 Far better were on fhore fecure t' abide, 
 Nor faill in vane againft both wind and tide. 
 
 Againfl Pryde. 
 
 ^ I ""H' ambitious man no greater foe can haue, 
 -*- Then is himfelfe, for whilft he ftill afpires. 
 He grinds his heart for greef vnto the graue, 
 With foolifh hopes, with fear's, and fond defires : 
 God grant my pryde may grow to this degree, 
 Jn earth his child, in heaven his Sant to bee. 
 
 Da To 
 
 46 
 
To vnforhmat and pure ^milian at Court, 
 
 "p Milian begs with heart half-brok for forrow, 
 -*-^Yet finds not frute at all, but long delay: 
 As leaue me now, or come againe to morrow, 
 My lafure ferues not yet, I pray thee ftay : 
 None pitties thee j^milian, do not griue, 
 They get no thing, that haue no thing to giue. 
 
 That he neither hues to be too glad nor too fad. 
 
 TOyes come like oxen heavie peaf'd and flo, 
 -■-But tak their leaue like horfes running poft: 
 Greifs come at poft, on foot againe they go. 
 And leaue fad difcontentment with their hofl : 
 Both loys and Griefs as paffingers J'il vfe. 
 They (hall not be my ghaifts, if J can chufe. 
 
 His contents at his Tugur. 
 
 TTCT'Hen lofe of Tyme at Court was all my gane, 
 '^ '^ To take my leaue, J thoght it was my bell : 
 And in fome privat manfion to remaine. 
 Where J might frie from Envyes rage take reft : 
 Now blefl be God, no Portar bars my doore 
 By day, by night none keeps me but my kurre. 
 
 Again/i ignorance and ill example. 
 
 THe law of God is Lanterne full of light. 
 And good example beares this Lantern ftill : 
 Which fhews the way to walk, and march vpright, 
 To doe all good, and to decline from ill : 
 
 Without this light who walks, he can not fee. 
 And fuch (will God) fhall be no gyde to thee. 
 
 The 
 
 27 
 
To Mijlres Hartfide at Orknay her natall foyle. 
 
 Rofcribed Orcas thogh J hate thy forms, 
 J muft commend and praife thy courage ftill, 
 I faw thee proue both wife and ftout in ftorms, 
 And thou art barren fore againft my will : 
 
 For had thou fonnes of thy Amazon flamp, 
 They might be Captains of the Emperors camp. 
 
 Perfwajions of certainties are vnnecejfarie. 
 
 NO greater fools then Philodoxes fond, 
 And fuch as loue opinions of their own : 
 Thy wit (wife Plato) when I think vpon'd. 
 Made men to doubt on things that were well known : 
 
 Thefe Why, Hoiv, What, mad queftions of thy fchools, 
 Wold make the wife men of our age feeme fools. 
 
 Againft drunkards and lichers. 
 
 TN fmfuU Sodome to Hue cleane and poore, 
 
 -■- Jn AJia chaft amid allurements fuch : 
 
 To hate in Rome the bordell and the whoore. 
 
 And to be ftill abftemius with a Dutch : 
 
 Do'th merit praife, yet this much with correction, 
 J find but few can haunt them but infection. 
 
 To his Lord and Mqfter G. E. Dunbar, 
 
 A Las, that Time fhould be a foe to fame, 
 To clip the wings of true report in rage : 
 Alas, that th'earth fhould march a noble name : 
 Like to a bird that's compaft with a kage : 
 
 Fame clip'd with time, & hemb'd with earth's embrace 
 By Poets yet out-ftrips both time and place. 
 
 Thy 
 
 28 
 
Thy fame (dear Lord) is frie from all difgrace, 
 
 (Still be it fo till fire diffolue this frame) 
 
 Till when about the worlds broad fpatious face, 
 
 My ryms fhall run t'immortalize thy Name : 
 
 Foill to thy fame no time, no place fhall giue, 
 So long as Craig, or yet his lines can Hue. 
 
 Againjl ingratitude. 
 
 Flrft let me die before I proue ingrate, 
 No, let the earth devore me ere J die : 
 Before I liue in fuch a wretched ftate, 
 To haue no hand but one, no tongue to cry : 
 
 Vnthankfull mouths are graues, then if J take, 
 I will at lead giue praife and prayers back. 
 
 To his Lord and Mafter to be ware of envy. 
 
 DEepe danger lyes (deare Lord) in fmootheft looks. 
 Envy is falfe, and waits thee at thy back : 
 The poyfning bate is hung at golden hooks, 
 They ferue as friends that fane wold fee thy wrack. 
 Envy awaits on vertue as her flaue, 
 Yet ftill delights in digging vertues graue. 
 
 O pale Envy, the ouldeft childe of Pryd, 
 The Dame of Murther, Treafons onely nurfe, 
 Of glore the ftane, of fqulnt-ey'd fraud the bryd : 
 The bleffe of Hell, and Heavens cheefefb curfe. 
 
 God grant my Lord be harmeles from thy hate, 
 Thy blood thy drink, thine owne heart be thy meat. 
 
 To 
 
 29 
 
To John EARLE OF MONTROSE 
 
 firjl Vice- Roy of Scotland. 
 
 EPITAPH. 
 
 TF Rhadamantlms in th'Elifian field, 
 
 -■-With u^acus and Minos Judges bee. 
 
 And Gods over ghofts, they all of due muft yeeld, 
 
 For Pietie, Truth, Juftice, place to thee : 
 
 At leaft Montroes for Minos muft command, 
 And beare his Scepter in the bleffed land. 
 
 The Rapt of Proferpifia. 
 
 O Hall Ceres daughter flill remane at hell .^ 
 ^Shall Pinto comb her curling loks of amber.'' 
 Shall bewtie braue in loathfome bondage dwell .'' 
 And be imprifon'd in a pitch-black chamber .-* 
 
 Ah, fleuthfull Ceres, thou art much to blame, 
 Thy negligence hath broght thy child to flianie. 
 
 Proferpina hath bewtie both and wealth. 
 
 A pleafant prey entifeth many a theif : 
 
 Of bewtie rapt, of riches muft be Health, 
 
 And from the hels we heare is no releif : 
 Proferpina is Plutoes wife it's known. 
 The devill is black, yet let him bruke his own. 
 
 TO 
 
Againfi Sycophants and Parajlts. 
 
 FAlfe Sycophant that wrongs the virteous name, 
 Proud Parafit thou poyfons him that hear's thee : 
 And brings the abfent to difgrace and fhame, 
 Who neither cares for forged lies, nor fear's thee : 
 When Titan fhyns we fee the vermin fwarme, 
 Thou dwel'ft at court becaufe thou know'ft it's warm. 
 
 Falfe flattering foole, thou art but friendfhips Ape, 
 
 Camelion-Hke thou changeft every hew, 
 
 Saue white alone : thou loath's an honeft fhape. 
 
 As cheef companion of the curfed crew : 
 
 Proud Trencher flee thy panfli once fild, thou'ill goe 
 And proue to him that feeds thee befl: a foe. 
 
 The praife of htmiilitie in his L. and M^ 
 
 IT feems (me think) a thing of fmall effect, 
 When Fortun frowns for to be meek and lowlie : 
 But he that can eies, heart, looks thoghts, deject, 
 When Fortun fauns is happie both and holie : 
 
 He looks like God, and hath his makers fhow, 
 VVhofe pow'r is much, whofe fprit is meek and low. 
 
 Of true friendjltip, 
 
 IN fliaddie night the glow-worme fliines like fire. 
 And yet no heat to frofl:ie hand flie lends : 
 In calme who fwear's he lou's thee, is a lier, 
 He'ill fhrink in ftorme, and fo his friendfliip ends : 
 Let Pythias then take Damon by the hand, 
 Who for his friend in Fortuns ftormes can ftand. 
 
 To 
 
 31 
 
TO THE MOST HONORABLE 
 
 and religious Lord G. Earle Marfchell, great 
 Commijffzonar <?/" Scotland y^r his Majeftie. 
 
 T> Raue Cincinnatus from his houfe was broglit, 
 
 -*^To be Dictator in the towne of Rome: 
 
 Thou ill this fort, (Religious Lord) art foght, 
 
 Thy Princes place and feat for to affume : 
 
 He in a month put Rome to reft and peace, 
 
 And thou haft done much more in much leffe fpace. 
 
 Contempt of Death. 
 
 "jV/TEn feldome wifti to die, thogh nev'r fo old, 
 -'-'-■-This day of death they doe adjorne till morrow: 
 And by them all this fond excufe was told, 
 (The life is fweete) fuppofe they liue in forrow: 
 
 Blind, lame, dumb, deaf, fick, poore, and more we fee. 
 Men dam'd wold liue, yet know they needs muft die. 
 
 My wofull heart muft weepe to fee fuch fools. 
 
 As th' ould, poore, blind, leame, damd, difeaf'd, deaf, dum: 
 
 Broght vp and traind in Epicurus fcliools, 
 
 Can not beleeue there is a life to come. 
 
 God faies, I haue a Crown of glore to giue thee, 
 TJien call, hill, Croivn, for Lord I doe beleeue thee. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 32 
 
^ 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA LIBR4^Y