Classic Poem

Here low he lies that sate still with the Hie,
For foolish Witt, and honest Knauerie
Neuer poore Foole himselfe more wisely bare:
For, hee gott loue of All, and took no care!
Then, neuer Foole, on this World reeling Stage,
Plaid his Part better, till fore score of age:
Then, Time, and Death on him their force did proue,
And tooke from him this Life, but not our loue.
Now, make Wormes mirry, Meece, as Thou mad'st Men.
Vntill in endlesse Mirth Wee meete agen:
For, to that Mirth if now thou be not gon,
God knowes what is become of Salomon!
Who, though Hee knew much Good, and did it to,
Yet knew much Ill, where hee (much worse) did doo
But Thou, (like Adam, Meece ) in innocence
Knewst not so much as how to giue offence.
Or, if thou knewst, thou did'st conceale the same;
So, like a wise-Foole liudst thou without blame!
Then, Meece sith Death doth play the Foole with Thee
Shewing his Teeth, laughing illfauour'dly,
Put on his Pate, thy Capp; and on his Back
Thy pide-Coate put, with eu'rie foolish knack:
And say (sith hee sittes quite beside the Stoole)
Looke on the Foole that cannot kill a Foole!
For I poore Meece: s a Foole, to Death,
Haue made Death now my Foole, eu'n with a Breath:
Sith I haue Cousnd him with only That
That made mee to bee mockt and laughed at:
Namely, but with mine onely outward Weede
Whereof poore naked Snake, hee stoode in neede:
And, I, beeing wearie of it, gaue it, then
When I was like to liue with God, and Men.