Pasquils Fooles-Cap

W H at meanes this world that Muses can not rest
But one or other will be working still?
Tis no time now to breake too broad a iest;
Least, had I wist, repent a heedlesse will
While hammering skonces haue vnhappy skill
Which in their Cradles, being borne accurst
Will euer construe all things to the woorst.

But since the Wisdome of the world I finde,
Before Heauens Wisdome , Foolishnesse indeede
While such Illusions doe the spirit blinde
As onely growe vpon vngratious seede:
Which wicked Humours in the heart doe breede,
While truest Wisdome liues aboue the Sunne
Let me but play the Foole and I haue done.

But some, perhaps in pieuish spight will say
The fielde is large, wherein I am to walke:
Where I may wander many an idle way
And make a deale of fiddle faddle talke:
But say, my Muse mistake greene Cheese for Chalke
This is the worst (to hide her idle braines)
She shall haue but the Fooles-cappe for her paines.

But let her weare it, since it is her due,
Who hath no Wisdom , can not speake of Wit
Who neuer came where Wit and Reason grue
Must needs shoot wide, when that they aim at it
For while the Gander by the Goose doth sit,
Tis ten to one, how euer prooue the weather
But that the birds will all be of a feather.

Then good Wise Man , if such a one thou bee
That dost the lines of little matter reade
I pray thee be not in a chase with mee,
Although a Iade be spurred till hee bleede:
Keepe thou thy Stable for a better Steede:
Who hath beene well brought vp in Reasons Schoole
May haue the patience to goe by the Foole .

But if it bee you cannot goe along
But that you needes will stumble at a strawe;
If that your selfe will doe your selfe such wrong
To let the Worme vpon your Wits to gnawe
Vntill a Crowe be come to be a Dawe
Then do but thinke how some the Ieast will smother
Why should one Foole be angry with another?

Then be not angry let the Foole alone,
Except thou be a bird of his owne broode:
For trust it true, it will be ten to one
If once thy heade be couerd with his Hoode ,
It will so heate thy braines and staine thy bloode
That thou wilt fall into such Extasies,
As while thou liu'st thou neuer wilt be wise.

Beware therefore in time of Had I wist
Let not Impatience shewe thy pieuishnesse:
Keepe thy Conceipt within Discretions List:
Where thou maiest looke vpon that Idlenesse
That fils the world too full of Foolishnesse:
Seeke thou to knowe but where true wit doth dwell
And learne to laugh at Fooles and all is well.

And if thou chaunce to meete an idle Mate
Whose tongue goes all too glibbe vpon the seare
And chiefe delight is so much in his prate,
As where hee comes, will be chiefe Prater there:
In friendly kindnesse tell him in his eare,
That in the Rules of Wit and Reasons schoole
He will be counted but a prating foole.

And if you hap to light vpon a Gull,
That is conceipted of his Mother wit,
And doth apply his beetle-headed scull
But to an humour of an idle fit;
In honest kindnesse let him heare of it,
That in the Rowles of Wisdomes Rules you reede
Lesse hope of him then of a Foole indeede.

And if you chaunce to see the Sonne of Pride
Looke fifteene thousand mile aboue the Moone
And lye abedde vntill his idle hide
Must make a Morning, of an after-noone:
For feare his Worshippe should be vp too soone;
Least that the Ayer should happe to doe him harme
Lend him the Fooles-cappe for to keepe him warme.

And if you chaunce to spy a Subtill Slaue
That hath a world of Simple wits beguilde,
And, like a cunning cogging, coosening knaue,
On other harmes, his helpes doth onely builde:
Tell him that Sathan is a subtill childe,
That while the wicked golde for drosse doe sell,
Makes Fooles seeme wise vntill they come in hell.

Hee that doth murther twentie thousand men,
And sacke their cities and their townes deface;
And, with a dash but of a wicked Penne
Bring a poore world into a pitious case
To gaine himselfe a kinde of Monarches grace:
Tell him what Angels read in Vertues schoole,
That bloudy Pride doth breede a hellish Foole .

Hee that doth couet more then is his owne,
And scrapes and scratcheth for a little drosse:
And all with ease is like a Bladder blowne
And neuer cares for any neighbours crosse,
For his owne gaine, to giue a thousand losse:
Tell him when Wisdome beates the world about
The Foole will quickly lay the Miser out.

The swaggring Huffecappe that will stare and sweare
That hee will cut through the whole piece of cloath;
And face to face, will meete the olde blinde Beare
And breake the Canne, that's filled vp with froath
And cares not how he throwe away an oath;
Let him be sure when Vertues Honours fall
In Wisdomes Court he hath no place at all.

The sneaking Coward that doth closely creepe
And feareth euery shadowe where hee goes:
And of himselfe both watch and warde doth keepe,
For feare his Friendes should growe to be his Foes:
Doth so much title of true Manhoode lose,
That hee may reade what Truthe in honour tries
A Coward neuer can be truely wise.

The Idle Spendthrift that will sell his land
To feede the humours of an addle heade:
And sowes his seede vpon the barren sand,
Till late Repentance liue to begge his bread:
Let him beleeue what many a one hath read
Howeuer Fancy make excuse for it
Such Had I wist had neuer happy wit.

Hee that doth thinke that Wit is but in Wealth
And plots to purchase kingdomes with a Purse
And neuer thinketh of the Spirits health:
But doth his heart with wicked humours nurse
And for a blessing, falles vpon a curse:
Let him confesse, if in heau'ns blessings blot
Hee finde himselfe a wicked Foole or not.

Hee that lookes Babies in his Mistris eyes,
And beates his braines to tell an Idle tale:
And thinkes himselfe that hee is wondrous wise,
That breakes a Ieast though it be nere so stale:
And for a Nut crackes nothing but a Shale:
How ere hee thinke of his owne wit amisse
Wisdome will tell him. what a Foole hee is.

She that is neither noble, faire, nor wise,
Nor scarce so rich as a newe shorned Eawe
And yet, conceited in her owne foule eyes.
When shee is dubbled three foote in the deawe,
That shee may seeme a prettie handsome shrewe:
Let her not thinke, but such a Shut the doore
Is halfe a Foole and if she be no more.

Hee that hath neither Trueth nor Honestie ,
Good hand, good legge, good body, nor good face
Nor any such exceeding qualitie
As may aduaunce him vnto Honours place:
Yet, thinkes himselfe a man of speciall grace.
When mad-men treade the Woodcockes Morris daunce
Giue him the Fooles-cappe for his Cognisaunce.

Shee that is fifteene mile about the waste
And all with fat vnable is to goe
Yet makes her face vp in a piece of paste
As though she were an Image of Rie Dowe;
Tell her but trueth that Wit and Reason knowe
That this is all, that Fame doth her affoorde
A filthie Owle is but a foolish Birde.

Hee that doth hit vpon a printed booke,
And findes a name neere fitting to his owne
And of his owne poore wit hath vndertooke
The ground of all hath from his humor growne,
When euery Bird is by her feather knowne,
Pasquill doth tell him that poore Esops Pie
Will shewe him how his Wit hath gone awry.

Hee that doth marry, all for Wanton-loue
And hath no Reason for his fond affection:
But all too late doth with Repentance proue
The wofull fruites of wretched wils direction,
While Want and Sorrowe are the Soules correction:
Tell him, such babies may the dugge goe sucke:
While louing Fooles haue neuer better lucke.

Shee, in a glasse, that sees her Sorrell haire
And straight will put it to the Painters die,
And then doth thinke that shee is wondrous faire;
When flatt'ry feedes her humour with a Lie
Oh, let her not in such an errour die;
But bid her kindly cracke this friendly Nut
So fowle a Dowd' is but a foolish Slut

Hee that delights to tell an idle tale,
Vpon the prattle of a cogging Mate
And carelessely his credit set to sale:
Which being noted for his foolish prate.
He shall be sure to finde although too late
That Wisdom reades these Rounds in Reasons schooles;
Newes-Carriers are next Neighbours vnto Fooles .

She that doth file her tongue for Eloquence
To entertaine a world with Idle talke:
And thinkes shee hath the very Quintescence ,
Of quicke conceite, wherein her wits do walke
Yet doth not knowe a Buzzard from a Hawlke
Let her belceue, such giddie headed Tittes
Are not commended for the truest Wittes .

Hee that doth loue to talke of Robin-Hoode
Yet neuer drewe one Arrowe in his Bowe:
And yet doth thinke his skill is wondrous good,
That scarce the compasse of a marke doth knowe
When such a Goose-cappe doth a shooting goe
Tell him, that in the aime of Wisdomes eye
Wide handed Wits will euer shoote awry.

Hee that doth put his state vpon his friendes
In hope of grace, when all his good is lost,
Shall finde his Wit not worth two puddings endes,
When want of pence to reckon with the Hoste ,
Doth make the Begger chalke vpon the poste:
Whose base condition doth too plainely showe,
Hee was not wise that plaide the Woodcocke so

Shee that doth thinke, shee hath a rare conceite
That giues the Cuckoe to her kindest friend;
And laughes to thinke vpon that close deceit,
That doth but breede Repentance in the ende;
Tell her, if shee the sooner not amend,
Wisdom sets downe that knows what Wit doth meane
A wicked Drabbe is but a foolish queane .

He that is proud of his conceipted wit
When he can cogge, and cozen, prate, and lie:
And place himselfe with better men to sit
Then may beseeme so base a Rascaldry ,
As is too farre from thought of Chyualry ,
When euery Asse his due reward shall haue,
The Fooles-cappe is too good for such a Knaue .

Hee that in heart doth say there is no God
And neither thinkes of Heau'n , nor yet of Hell
Nor hath a feeling of that heau'nly Rodde
That makes the Sowle in Sorrowes teares to tell
How Mercie doth within the Spirit dwell:
Within the booke of Wisdomes blessed Schoole
The Lord of Heauen hath set him downe a Foole .

Hee that will lende more then he well may spare
And he that spendes all that he hath and more:
And onely trusteth vnto Fortunes share,
And cares not how he runne vpon the score,
Vntill the Begger meete him at his dore:
Wisdome will tell him truely in the end,
Hee is a Foole that is not his owne friend

She that can looke as mildely as a Lambe
Yet is a Tigre inwardly in hearte;
And cares not how, nor where she leaue the Ramme
When she hath gotten once the rutting parte:
It is a Rule in Wit and Reasons Arte,
That she, that hath no better natur'd Wit
The Wise will tearme a dogged foolish Tit .

Hee that is brought vp idly in his Youth,
And scornes to labour in his elder yeeres,
And neuer thinkes vpon the day of Ruthe ,
Went want (entangled in the Beggers breers)
The heauie sound of helpelesse Sorrowe heares:
Let him beleeue, that Trueth doth plainely wright;
The Fooles-cappe fits the Idle begger right

Hee that can plot a world of villany,
And neuer cares what Vertues loue deserueth:
And sortes himselfe with wicked company,
That from the way of perfect Wisdome swarueth
While Mercies hand the gratious heart preserueth
That sinfull wretch will finde in Sathans schoole
A damned villaine is a cursed Foole

Hee that doth fill his Cophers full of Goulde
Yet will not weare good Cloathes on his backe
But doth a kinde of Clownish humor houlde
To haue his Garment cut out like a sacke
And thinkes Redde Herings haue a daintie smacke:
Tell him in kindenesse (that he may not quarrel)
The Fooles-cappe will be fit for his Apparrell .

Shee that is giuen to Ease and Sluttishnesse
And trifles out the time in Trompery:
And yet will thinke it is no pieuishnesse
To feede her selfe with Idle Foppery
May hap to finde in Sorrowes Misery,
That when the Grashopper doth leaue to sing
An idle Hielding is a foolish thing

Hee that doth studie twentie things at once
And hath intent for to performe them all:
And yet his beetle addle-headed skonce
In full conclusion can doe none at all:
If that the Fooles-cappe to his fortune fall
Let him not thinke but it will finely fit.
The Idle heade that hath no better Wit

Shee that is giuen to Pride and Brauery ,
And Ruffin -like, will sweare and swash it out;
And studies nothing els but Knauery
To bring a wicked kinde of world about;
And cares not whome she followes with a flout:
Such foolish Kittes of such a skittish kinde,
In Bridewell booke are euery where to finde

Hee that is here to day yonder to morrowe
And cares not how hee raungeth here and there:
Nor careth what hee can or begge, or borowe,
To spende or spoile, he cares not how nor where:
Oh, tell that Idle Fellowe in his eare,
If that hee doe not take the greater care,
The Foole will catch him ere hee be aware

Shee that doth loue to gossippe, and to tattle
And leaues her house to keepe it selfe alone:
And cares not how she spend the time in prattle
Till shee haue bar'd her Husband to the boane:
Let her not thinke but such an Idle loane
Must haue this note set downe vpon her name:
A Tattling houswife is a foolish Dame

Hee that can combe his head and curle his bearde
And set his Ruffes, and weare his Cloake in print
And by his side can finely weare his swearde,
And learne to fleere, and leere and looke a squint
And keepe his steppes, within a measures stint:
Let him be sure to passe with this good flout:
Hee lackes the Fooles-Cappe yet to set him out

Hee that is well in seruice entertainde
And iustly hath the due of his desart;
And by his labour findes that hee hath gainde
The carefull comfort of an honest heart;
Yet fondly will with such a Master part:
Tell him what Truthe doth by Experience knowe
Hee is a Foole leaues such a Master so

Hee that will let his Wit to runne on Wheeles,
And in proude tearmes will with his betters stand
Vntill his Tongue be tempered by his heeles,
Vntill his Braines haue better manners scand:
And if the Foole doe take him by the hand,
Bid him haue Patience to endure the sounde;
That lacke of Wit will lay a Foole aground

Hee that in Libels takes delight to write,
And cares not whom hee wickedly defame;
But pleuishly will shewe a baggage spite,
To touch the Honour of an Honest name .
What shall I say, that hee is much to blame?
Yea and so much, as for his idle vaines
Hee well deserues the Fooles-cappe for his paines

Hee that hath all his studie in the Clowdes
And all misliketh euery thing hee reedes:
And what the Sunne within her Circle shrowdes
All in the height his haughty Humour feedes:
If hee doe chaunce to light on Herbes for Weedes
Hee is but foolish: rise he nere so soone
That runnes in haste to ouertake the Moone

He that will Reade before he learne to Spell ;
And write a Booke , before he knowe a Blot;
And keepe a Shoppe , before he learne to sell;
And all to galloppe ere hee learne to trot:
Whither such one thinke himselfe wise or not
Let him be sure that better wits doe reede,
Such Madhead fellowes are but Fooles indeede.

Hee that with pleasure followes Cardes and Dice
Drinking and wenching , and such Idle sportes:
Vntill too late Repentance knowe the price
Of Patience passage to Saint Sorrowes portes;
Whereto the Begger most of all resortes:
Oh let him knowe when he doth comfort lacke
The Begger Foole will hauc him by the backe

Shee that doth finde her Husband true and kinde
And for her wants to worke both night and day;
Yet like the Wethercocke , with euery winde
Will turne her Humour euery idle way
And cares not how hee fall into decay
So shee be fedde according to her fit;
She is a Baggage and a foolish Tit .

Hee that is married to an honest wife ,
That, as her life, in loue doth holde him deare:
With whome his heart may haue a quiet life
And, in content , liue many a merry yeare:
Yet leaues a Doe to take a Rascall Deere:
The fruites of Will do prooue his Wit accurst
That so will leaue the best to take the worst

He that doth enuie euery mans good happe,
And knowes not how to get himselfe in grace:
And layes his Loue but all in Fortunes lappe
Whose custome is her followers to deface:
When hee is fallen into a pitious case,
O let him knowe before he hang himselfe
An enuious foole is euen such an Elfe

Shee that doth keepe an Inne for euery Guest ,
And makes no care what winde blowe vp her skirt
And readie is to breake a Chaucers least
To make a Smocke euen measure with a Shirt
If such a one be call'd a Foolish flirt
Twas not for nothing that she had her name
When all the world is witnesse to her shame

Hee that doth take the lawe, but as a Ieast,
And will be hangd but for good fellowshippe
And thinkes it nothing to be halter blest,
When from the Gallowes it is but a skippe:
Oh, let him not in anger hang the lippe,
If by desert thus due reward hee take;
He was a Foole that hangd for fashion sake

Hee that wil weary out his friends with borrowing
And be behoulding to an Enemy ,
And kill himselfe with too much Sorrowing
To thinke, the touch of Treasons villany
Should make such worke in wicked company:
Wisdome will tell him, what Experience tries,
That kinde of Wit will neuer make him Wise

Hee that importunes an approued friend
And hee that feares to speake where hee may speede;
And in beginning, lookes not to the end;
But loues to glorie in a Wicked deede
And will his heart with wicked humours feede:
These Wits doe shewe (that are so fitly matcht)
A neast of Fooles that Wisdome neuer hatcht

Hee that doth set his band to euery Bill
And neither cares for Right or Equitie
And onely bendeth his vnhappie skill
But to the ouerthrowe of Honesty:
Fooles , that are so neere in affinitie,
When Wisdome makes a tryall of true Wit
Not one of these that hath to doe with it.

Hee that doth build high Castles in the Ayre
Vntill they headlong tumble on his necke:
And hee that will not an old Shippe repaire
Till it be too farre tainted with a leake:
If that the Woodcocke giue his Wits the peake:
Let him not chafe if that it be his chaunce,
To weare the Fooles-Cappe in a Moris-daunce

Hee that can play on Twentie hands at once
And turnes his humor vnto euery time:
And hath his Spirit tempered for the nonce
To set his flowers onely in the prime:
If when he thinkes most warily to clime,
By due desart a breake neck-fall hee haue,
His craft doth prooue him but a Foolish knaue

He that will talke of euery thing hee knowes
And credit giue to euery thing hee heares:
And builds his knowledge only on suppose,
Yet vnderstands not what too plaine appeares:
How young or ould soeuer be his yeares,
Who of his poore Wit giueth witnesse so;
Thinke him an arrant Foole and let him goe.

Hee that doth wonder at a Weathercoche ,
And plaies with euery feather in the winde
And is in loue with euery Nannicocke;
Yet scarcely knowes an Orange by the Rinde:
When euery Foole is found out in his kinde
How is it possible but he should passe
For a poore silly simple witted Asse?

Hee that doth thinke it is no Wickednesse
To lead a young man into Wantonnesse:
But takes delight in all Vngodlinesse:
Vntil the Heart in Sorrowes heauinesse.
Doe shewe the fruites of Wils vnhappinesse;
Let that vile villaine reade in Vertues Schooles
Such wicked wretches are Vngratious Fooles .

Hee that will chaunge a Iennet for a lade
And put his Land into a little House:
And, in the way where Little Wit doth wade
Watch a great Mountaine for a little Mowse
And sits to feede a Monkey with a Lowse;
Where Will is so in folly ouergone,
Wisdome sayes plainely his is small or none.

Hee that will put his state vpon aduenture
And may be safe and if it please himselfe:
And hee that bindes his seruice by Indenture
To baggage courses for a little pelfe:
If that his Shippe doe runne vpon a Shelfe
Let him not thinke, but that poore Wit of his,
From Wisdomes Course was carried quite amisse.

Hee that will creepe vnto an olde Ioynt-stoole
And serue a Thatcher for a Bunch of strawe
And he that goes to worke without his toole
And loues to wrangle with a Man of Lawe .
And thinkes no Birde so prettie as a Dawe .
How ere such one be of his Wit conceiued.
Wisdome will tell him he is much deceiued.

Hee that will treade a Measure as he walkes,
And counterfaite Maide Marians countenance:
And loues to fall into those whisper talkes,
That bring poore Wit into a pitious traunce
If that the Foole doe light on him by chaunce.
He must assume what Fates to him assigne:
I can not helpe him tis no fault of mine.

Hee that will Drinke vntill his braines be merry
And Eate vntill his stomacke be too full ,
And Lie a bed vntill his boanes be wearie ,
And Prate so long vntill he prooue a Gull:
If that such braines be lin'd with Ganders wooll ,
When such Wise creatures put their Wits together
To chuse the wisest , who knowes which is whether?

Hee that all day sits blowing at a cole ,
And neuer leaues till hee put out the fire
And hee that houlds his finger in a hole
To please the humour of a fond desire:
And hee that loues to trample in the mire .
When these wise men togither make a play,
The Foole will runne with all their Wits away.

He that will in an humour leaue a friend
And in a furie fall vpon a foe:
While ill beginnings make as bad an end,
When poore Repentance doth too late beshrowe
The heedlesse Will , that Wit doth ouerthrowe:
That Foole must needes be turn'd vnto the List
Emong the number of the Had I wist .

Hee that will tell his secrets to a stranger
And play the Coward with an enemie:
Hee that will put himselfe in needelesse daunger
To followe a mad headed companie:
Let him take heede a sodaine villany
Make him not finde in true Repentance Schoole
A backward Wit lackes little of A Foole .

Hee that will weare his wealth vpon his backe
Yet in his purse doth scarce his dinner carry:
And hee that saies to giue his neck the cracke
Because he will not for his fortune tarry:
If such a Foole become a Buzzards quarry,
When Carelesse Will doth shew his Wit so smal
Tis not my fault, I cannot doe withall.

Hee that doth studie out his braines in trifles
And misse the humour of a better marke:
And cosens his conceite with Foolish nifles
In taking of a Bunting for a Larke ,
And euery Pibble for a Diamond sparke:
Hee that doth so his Will to folly fit,
Doth plainely shewe he hath no perfect Wit .

Hee that can eate no other Meate but Milke ,
And for his Horse must haue an Ambling Nagge
And cannot weare a Shirt , but soft as Silke:
Nor keepe his Coyne , but in a Golden Bagge ,
And must be knowne his Mothers kindest Wagge
Such smoothed Godsons shew in Wisdomes schoole
A Milk-soppe Babie is more halfe a Foole .

Hee that will be afraide of euery dreams
And thinketh euery puddle is a poole:
And runnes ten miles to eat a messe of Creame
And cannot sit but on a Cushin stoole .
If such a Noddy be not thought a foole .
Hee hath great fauour in the Rule of Wit ,
That sees his Weaknesse and concealeth it.

Hee that doth fill his heade so full of humours
Hee knowes not where he may in quiet sit:
And hee that loues to raise vnciuill rumours
Vntill that Iustice doe in Iudgement sit,
Vpon the workes of such a wicked wit:
Such wicked Wits , for honest peoples health,
Might well be banisht from a Common wealth.

Hee that all night doth watch a Conny borough .
To catch a Ferret , that hath broke his Muzzle;
And hee that squats a Hare within a furrowe .
And sees how shee within her Muce doth Nuzzle;
And yet so long about the Bush doth puzzle
That she is gone ere he can well beset her
Which of these two good Fooles may be the better?

Hee that put all to the latter day ,
To reckon euen with all the world at once
And in the meane time is at such a stay
He knowes not how to vse his addle Skonce:
If such an Asse be noddied for the nonce
I say but this, to helpe his Idle fit;
Let him but thanke himselfe for lacke of Wit .

Hee that wilfully falles into offence ,
And satisfaction neuer cares to make:
But carelessely stands in his owne defence,
While that the Foole his Wits doth ouertake:
When late Repentance makes his heart to ake
Hee scapeth well, if (for such idle vaines)
Worse then the Fooles-cappe answere not his paines.

Hee that loues to be noted for strange fashions
And for his lockes and for his kinde of gate:
And in his Muses , and his Passions ,
Will not be thought an ordinary mate:
If that his Wittes come to themselues, too late
I know not well how to be his Aduiser:
But euen be sory, that he was no wiser.

He that will hoorde vp all for a deere yeare
Yet in the meane time want necessities:
He that will be vnto himselfe so neere
As bring himselfe into extreamities,
By his owne wilfull caus'd calamities
This is the end that will fall out of it;
Such Niggard Fooles haue neuer better Wit.

Hee that doth put his wealth vpon a Cocke
A Carde , a Die , or such an Idle toy;
And hath his humour so much on the Smocke
As if it were his Spirits onely ioy:
When Soorrowes sighes doe shewe the heartes annoy:
Let him goe backe vnto Repentance schoole,
And see how long his Wit hath plaid the Foole .

Hee that will busie be with Euery matter ,
Yet scarce hath power to bring one well to passe:
And neuer leaues to cosen, lie, and flatter,
Vntill hee prooue himselfe a Craftie Asse:
Let him but looke in the Foles looking Glasse ,
And there his Woodcocke Wit shall plainly haue
The true proportion of a Paltry Knaue .

Hee that would perswade himselfe He is a King
Yet all the world doth for a Begger knowe him:
And he that takes the Winter for the Spring ,
Because the Sunne a little light doth showe him:
If want of Wit doe wholly ouerthrowe him,
And that the Cockes combe to his cappe doe fall
Tis not my fault I can not doe withall.

Hee that puts fifteene elles into a Ruffe
And seauenteene yards into a swagg'ring slappe
And twentie thousand Crownes into a Muffe ,
And halfe his land into a hunting Cappe:
If that the foole doe catch him in his trappe,
There like a Woodcocke let him walke about:
When hee is in I cannot helpe him out.

Hee that in all his thoughts is so vnholy ,
Hee makes no care of any good conceight:
But giues himselfe so much to Idle folly
That vnto Hell hee runnes the highway straight:
If hee be poysoned with the Diuels baight.
I cannot choose but tell him like a friend,
Such wicked Fooles will haue a wofull end.

Hee that will Brase his face at Lothebury
Because he will not blush at Knauery:
And he that will refuse no drudgery
To gather Drosse by any Slauery,
And yet will stand vpon his Brauery:
He is no foole whoeuer be an Asse ,
Makes such a Couer for a looking glasse.

Hee that repents him of no wickednesse
Nor takes delight in any godlinesse:
But in the way of all vnthriftinesse,
Doth wast the Time of Natures wretchednesse;
Where helplesse Sorrowes, in vnhappinesse,
Doe breede the Spirits endlesse heauinesse:
That Foole is in the height of foolishnesse.

Hee that regardes not how hee vse his speech
Nor careth how the world doe goe about,
Nor maketh reckening who beholde his breech
Nor how hee play the Logger headed lowte:
Where Wisemen liue if hee be beaten out
Let him be patient if it come to passe
A beastly Foole be handled like an Asse .

Hee that doth make his Tongue a two hand sword
And only seekes his Honour all by stealth:
And cares not how hee falsifie his worde ,
Nor by how much disgrace to gather wealth
Howeuer so his Carcasse he in health,
Wisdom describes him, in true Honours schoole,
A Gull , a Knaue a Coward and a Foole .

Hee that doth gaine more, then he well may spend
And prattles more then Trueth doth vnderstand:
And in his actions, alwaies doth intend
Vpon the stay of wicked workes to stande:
If that the Diuell take him by the hand
Let him beleeue what highest Trueth doth tell:
Hee is a Foole , that leaueth Heau'n for Helt .

Hee that doth take a Shadowe for a Substance
And yet doth thinke he hath a perfect sight:
And hee that takes an Humour for an Instance
And yet beleeues his braines be in the right:
Hee that in darknesse so doth looke for light
(How euer Will do take his Wittes to schoole)
Wisdome in deede will finde him but a Foole .

Hee that hath once a piece of worke begunne ,
And knowes not how nor when to make an end
And hee whose will his Wittes doth ouerrunne
To make a Foe in wronging of a Friend:
Hee that doth so amisse his Spirit spend,
(Howeuer so his owne conceit doe deeme him)
Wisdome in deede will but a Foole esteeme him

Hee that is Esau for Vnthriftinesse ,
And followes Caine in his vngodlinesse
And loues Achitophell for wickednesse
And is a Iudas , in vnfaithfulnesse ,
Whateuer showe he make of holinesse
That man I finde in too much foolishnesse
Hath redde the Scripture in vnhappinesse .

Hee that of Machauile doth take instruction
To manage all the matters of his thought;
And treades the way but to his owne destruction,
Till late Repentance be too dearely bought
Shall finde it true that hath beene often taught:
As good be Idle as to goe to schoole
To come away with nothing but the Foole .

For feare whereof, least some of mine owne sect
(That haue but plaid the Fooles , with lacke of Wit )
Doe kindely tell mee of my Cares neglect
In finding humours for the time more fit:
While wicked Spirits doe their venome spit:
I will conclude (to prooue worlds Wit and Asse )
Mans Wit is vaine shalbe and euer was
Translation: 
Language: 
Rate this poem: 

Reviews

No reviews yet.