Classic Poem

Hearesay, Slicer, Meanewell, Shape.

Our life methinks is but the same with others;
To couzen, and be couzen'd, makes the Age.
The Prey and Feeder are that Civill thing
That Sager heads call Body Politick.
Here is the only difference; others cheat
By statute, but we do't upon no grounds.
The fraud's the same in both, there only wants
Allowance to our way: the Common-wealth
Hath not declar'd her self as yet for us;
Wherefore our Policy must be our Charter.
Mea. Well mannag'd Knav'ry is but one degree
Below plaine Honesty.
Slic. Give me villany
That's circumspect, and well advis'd, that doth
Colour at least for goodnesse. If the Cloake
And Mantle were pull'd off from things, 'twould be
As hard to meet an honest Action as
A liberall Alderman, or a Court Nun.
Hear. Knowing then how we must direct our steps,
Let us chalk out our paths; you, Shape , know yours.
Sha. Where e'r I light on Fortune, my Commission
Will hold to take her up: I'l ease my silken
Friends of that idle luggage, we call Money.
Hear. For my good toothlesse Countesse, let us try
To win that old Emerit thing, that like
An Image in a German clock, doth move,
Not walke, I meane that rotten Antiquary.
Mean. Hee'l surely love her, 'cause she looks like some
Old ruin'd peece, that was five Ages backward.
Hear. To the great Vestry wit, the Livery braine,
My Common-Councell Pate, that doth determine
A City businesse with his gloves on's head,
We must apply good hope of wealth and meanes.
Slic. That griping Knight Sir Thomas must be call'd
With the same lure: he knows t' a crum how much
Losse is in twenty dozen of Bread, between
That which is broke by th' hand, and that is cut.
Which way best keeps his Candles, bran or straw.
What tallow's lost in putting of 'm out
By spittle, what by foot, what by the puffe,
What by the holding downwards, and what by
The extinguisher; which week will longest be
In lighting, which spend fastest; he must heare
Nothing but Moyties, and Lives, and Farmes,
Coppies, and Tenures; he is deaf to th' rest.
Mean. I'l speak the language of the wealthy to him.
My mouth shall swill with Bags, Revenues, Fees,
Estates, Reversions, Incomes, and assurance.
He's in the Gin already, for his Daughter
Shee'l be an easie purchase.
Hear. I do hope
We shall grow famous; have all sorts repaire
As duly to us, as the barren Wives
Of aged Citizens do to St Antholins .
Come let us take our Quarters: we may come
To be some great Officers in time,
And with a reverend Magisterial frown,
Passe sentence on those faults that are our own.