Classic Poem

1

I Would I had, as much as might be had
Of wealthy wishes to the worldes content:
That I might liue, all like a lusty Ladde
And scorne the world, and care not how it went:
But eate, and drinke, and sleepe, and sing, and play
And so in pleasures, passe my time away.

2

And yet I would not: for too wealthy then,
I should be troubled with a world of toyes:
Kinred, Companions, Troups of Seruing-men;
Fashion-Deuisers, Fooles, and Guirles, and Boyes:
Fidlers, and Iesters, Monkeys, Apes, Babounes,
Drunckards and Swaggerers and such trouble-townes.

3

Besides I should forget to finde the way,
That leades the Soule to her Eternall blisse;
And then my state were at a wofull stay,
No, I would wish, a better world then this.
And in Afflictions, here on Earth to dwell,
Rather then seeke my Heau'n on earth and run to hell.

4

I would I were a man of such deepe wit,
As might discerne the depth of euery cause:
That wheresoere I did in Iudgement sit
I might be held a Note-booke, in the Lawes
My braine might seeme a kinde of miracle:
And euery word I spake an Oracle

5

And yet I would not: for then, woe were me
I should be troubled with a world of Cases:
Both rich and poore, would then my Clients be,
Some, with their pleasing some with piteous faces:
And when the Rich had left their briberie
I should not rest for Forma pauperie .

6

I would I were a man of greatest power
That swaies a Scepter, on this worlds great Masse
That I might sit on Toppe of pleasures Tower,
And make my will, my way; where ere I passe,
That Lawe might haue her being from my breath
My smile might be a life my frowne a death.

7

And yet I would not: for then, doe I feare
Enuy or Malice would betray my trust:
And some vile spirit, though against the haire
Would seeke to lay mine honor in the dust
Treason, or Murther, would beset me so:
I should not knowe who were my friend or foe.

8

No I do rather wish the Lowe estate,
And be an honest Man, of meane degree:
Be lou'd for good, and giue no cause of hate,
And clime no higher, then a Haw-thorne tree;
Pay euery man his owne, giue Reason, right:
And worke all day and take my rest at night.

9

For sure in Courtes, are worlds of costly Cares,
That comber Reason, in his course of rest:
Let me but learne, how thrift both spends and spares,
And make enough as good as any feast.
And fast, and pray my daies may haue good end
And welcome all that pleaseth God to send.

10

I would I were the fairest sweetest Creature,
That could be painted with the purest Art:
That Arte might wonder at the worke of Nature
How so perfection made vp euery part.
That euery Eye that saw mee, might admire mee
And euery heart heard of me might desire me.

11

And yet I would not: for then, out alasse,
I should be troubled with a world of fooles:
When many a simple Idle headed Asse,
Would put his wits vnto some Poets schooles
To learne to make a verse to flatter mee:
As there were no such louing foole as hee.

12

No, I doe rather wish the louely Browne,
Where vertues Beauty makes the Inward faire:
Then be the gallant gazer of the towne,
And make mine honor, but a Barbers Chaire:
When none that had, with losse of treasure tride me
Once finding my foule Inside would abide me.

13

I would I were an Innocent, a foole,
That can do nothing else but laugh or crie;
And eate fat-meate and neuer go to schoole;
And be in loue, but with an Apple-pie:
Weare a pide-Coate, a Cockes-Combe, and a Bell,
And thinke it did become me passing well.

14

And yet I would not: for then should I not
Discerne the difference, twixt the good and bad:
Nor how the gaine of all the world is got,
Nor who are sober, wise nor who are mad
Nor in the Truth of follies sence to see;
Who's the foole now? ther's no such foole as hee?

15

I would I were a Fidler, and could play,
A thousand quauers in a minutes space:
And at a Bridale, brauely leade the way,
Before the Bride, and giue the Groome, a Grace
That I might shake the head, and stare, and gape
And make a thousand faces like an Ape

16

And yet I would not: for ten to one
My fiddle or my fingers should not rest:
But euery Iacke a Lute would call vpon,
Such Moris daunces as doe like him best;
And euery wagtaile with a wanton Eye
Would hang vpon me for a Heidegy.

17

I would I were a Cuckolde Wittall Asse,
And car'de not who did mount my Hackney Saddle.
Yet thinke I haue as true a louing Lasse
As ere lay in Swadling Clouts or Cradle:
And manerly goe to the Church before her,
And would not heare how many did bewhore her.

18

And yet I would not: for then doe I feare,
My hornes would be so hard I could not bide them
And when their weight were more then I could beare
Alas I know not what to doe to hide them
But euery one would say in bitter scornes,
Looke yonder goes a gallant paire of hornes.

19

I would I were the arranst Cuckolde maker,
That euer answerde for his Aperne sport:
There should not scape a wench, but I would take her
And set her to her worke in such a sort
That all the world should know, while I had health
I would not see an Idle Common-wealth.

20

And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,
Bride-well and I should wrestle for the Whippe:
And once got in, I hardly should get out,
Till I had soundly pay'd for Trully-Trippe:
When all the Beggers in the streets would whoo me
And do me all the shame that they could do me.

21

I would I were a most notorious Thiefe
That might affright all true men, where I goe:
And when I made demaund; they might be briefe
That in their Budgets doe my busines knowe
And such as trauaile, with concealed treasure,
Should be but Stewards to maintain my pleasure.

22

And yet I would not: for then out of doubt,
Some dogge, or diuel, would for Coyne betray me;
Some priuy search, would surely finde me out,
Or Watch, or Warrant, some way, would way-lay me
And being caught with Bills, and Clubbes, and staues,
Bee guarded, with a crue of beastly Slaues.

23

Then to the Iustice, brought with such a Ioy,
As if some Campe or Castle were surprisde:
Who knowing how such Stragglers doe destroy
A world of wealth, hath presently deuisde,
Vnto the Iaylers keeping to commend me:
Where I must stay vntill the gallowes end me.

25

No, I had rather leade a quiet life
And feare to looke no true man in the face:
Keepe a poore house, maintaine an honest wife
Trauell no further then the Market-place,
On Sundayes goe to Church, and home againe,
And with my neighbors drinke a pot or twaine.

26

I would I were a Iuggler, and could play
A thousand prankes vpon a Pepper-corne:
And draw the wittes of Wyzardes, so away,
They all might wonder at a Bullockes-horne.
And with their purses runne and follow mee,
To make them think they see they doe not see.

27

And yet I would not: for then well I know,
Some Eye, or other, would my sleights descrye:
And to the world reueale my cunning so,
I could not answere for my Knauery.
But some Curst-queane, would either cracke my crown
Or Constable would course me out of town.

28

I would I were a Myller , and could grinde
A hundred thousand bushells in an houre:
And ere my Master and my Dame had dinde
Be closely filtching of a bagge of Floure.
And send it to my Sweet-hart, for to make
A Pudding-pie, a Pastey or a Cake.

29

And yet I would not: least my Thumbes should be
Held all too great vpon my towling-dish:
And such as did my secret cunning see,
Might curse, and wish mee many a bitter wish:
And say, when they before the Mill-dore-stand,
The Millers-thumb's as broade as halfe a hand.

30

No, I had rather fairely buye my bread
And spend it as I get it honestly:
Then scarcely sleepe in quiet in my Bed
When I but thinke vpon my subtilty:
To lay the wench along vpon the Sacke,
And steale her meale ere she had turn'd her back.

31

I would I were a Taylor, and could cut,
A thousand yardes of Veluet out in shreads:
And in my purse the money closely put,
While simple hearts were beating of their heads
With labours toyle to keepe a poore estate
Like honest Cutberd and his bony- Kate .

32

And yet I would not: least by falshoods trade
I should be call'd a stealer, that's a thiefe:
No, in no wise, by such meanes to be made
A Master-workman were too great a griefe
No, Let me rather be an honest youth,
That neuer stoole a yarde of stuffe in truth.

33

I would I were a Keeper of a Parke,
To walke with my bent Crosse-bow, and my hound
To know my Game, and closely in the darke
To lay a barren-Doe vpon the ground.
And by my Venizon , more then by my Fees
To feede on better meate then bread and cheese.

34

And yet I would not: least if I be spide,
I might be turned quite out of my walke;
And afterwards more punishment abide
Then longs vnto a little angry talke.
And cause more mischiefe after all, come to me
Then all the good the Does did euer doe me.

35

No, I would rather bee an honest Keeper,
To walke my Parke, and looke vnto my Pales:
And not to play the sluggard and the sleeper
And holde my Land-lord vp with idle tales.
Take but my Fees be merry with my Dame.
And so to gaine and keepe an honest name.

36

I would I were a Collyer, might sell Coles
And fill my sackes a quarter full of dust:
And hauing emptied them in some darke holes
Sweare out my measure to be full, and iust.
Then laugh to thinke when I were gotten home
How I had couzen'd a kinde hearted Mome .

37

And yet I would not: least by my black face
I might be held a Diuell then in deed:
And so to doe my fellowes all disgrace
When many a one the worse for me should speed
No, God forbid, let me be true and iust,
While other hide the Diuell in the dust.

38

I would I were a Gardiner, and had skill,
To digge and rake and plant, and sowe and slippe:
The Caterpiller , and the Mowle to kill.
To proyne my Trees, and all my stalks to strippe
And when to plucke my fruite, and sowe my seeds,
And how to keep my Gardein cleane from weeds.

39

And yet I would not: for then should I feare,
The Thiefe the Mowle the Worm and blasting windes:
I should not looke about me any where,
But I should finde some crosses in their kindes
My Plants would wither or my seedes would rot
Or loose in one yeare more then ere I got.

40

No, I would rather take the Markets happe
And pay my Coyne, and keepe my minde in quiet:
And what I bought, to bring home in my lappe,
And when I come home dresse it for my Dyet
Then in my garden watch a Mowle or Mouse
And haue another planting in my house.

41

I would I were a painter of such Art,
As like Appelles , might abuse the Eye:
And to the life so set out euery part
That straunge conceits might bee deceiu'd thereby
And I might vse my pensill in such sort
As all the world should neuer make report.

42

And yet I would not: for then doe I feare
My heart might fall vpon Idolatry:
For while my hand were drawing of a haire
I might be rapt into a thought too high,
When thinking to behold an Angels face
Forget the diuell in another place.

43

No, I had rather onely learne to knowe,
The difference of my Colours in their kindes:
And haue a care, to set my shadowes so,
That may not be a hurt to blessed mindes.
And vse my pensill, on my cloath, and boord.
And for what price I might my paines affoord.

44

I would I were a Merchant of all wares,
That I might furnish all both Rich and poore:
And what should fall vnto the Beggars shares
I might haue plenty alwaies at my doore.
My shoppe might be a Market of such state,
As all the world may stand and wonder at.

45

And yet I would not: for then doe I feare,
I should finde many a Begger in my booke:
And when I could my mony not forbeare
I might goe hang my credit on a hooke.
When if both Towne, and Country came vnto me
In one or both some debters would vndo me.

46

No, I would rather be of meane estate,
Haue mony alwaies ready in my chest:
Be sure to buy my wares at the best rate.
And sell good stuffe, and serue my friends the best
And cosen no man, with false weight nor measure.
But with true dealing make a poore mans treasure.

47

I would I were a practiser in Phisicke
To know my Simples, Compounds, and my waters,
To heale the Rume, the Tooth-ach and the Tisicke
The Coughe, olde Aches, and such other matters.
That I might by my skill in generall
Be held the Maister of the Vrinall

48

And yet I would not: for then day nor night
I should haue quiet scarcely in my bed:
And in my Conscience haue full many a fright
To heare my Patient suddenly were dead:
When by a Vomit, I had burst his heart
Or pur'gde his guttes out through the nether part.

49

No, I had rather bee an Herbalist,
To know the Vertue both of Hearbs and Rootes.
Then be the bold and desperate Alchymist;
That ofte his weight and measure ouer-shootes
And so, by either want of Care or skill,
In steede of Curing giue a killing-Pill.

50

I would I were a high Astronomer ,
That I might make my walke among the starres:
And by my insight might fore-see a farre
What were to come, and talke of peace and warres
Of liues and deaths, and wonders to ensue
Although perhaps but fewe doe fall out true.

51

And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,
With too-much study, I should grow stark mad:
When one Conceit would put another out
While giddy braines beyond themselues would gad
And seeking for the man within the Moone
Mistake a morning for an noone

52

No, I would rather learned no more to knowe:
Then of the times and seasons of the yeare:
What dayes the Fayres are kept, and how to goe
From towne to towne and euery Sheer, to Sheere
That Tearmers may not their day-note-books slack
And so to make an honest Almanacke .

53

I would I were a rare and sound Ciuillian .
And had the Lawes of honest loue by heart:
Would not corrupt my conscience for a million
Nor euer pleade, but on the honest part.
Examine strictly, and consider duely,
And so giue sentence to the matter truly.

54

And yet I would not: for then might I heare.
How Truth gets hatred, for her honest minde:
And simple-Fees, doe make but sory cheare,
While true Plain-dealing hath but harely dinde
When such as know the world, and how to vse it
Seeing a Fee come faire will not refuse it.

55

I would I were a Scriuener, and could pen.
All kinde of writings, write all kinde of hands;
Be well acquainted with great Monyed-men,
And closely deale for all their goods and Lands
And being furnisht fully, to my pleasure
Play them a trick, to make them loose their Treasure .

56

And yet I would not: for then I am sure,
My Conscience would receiue a Mortall-wound
And such a wound as neuer Arte could Cure
By all the feates that euer Scriuener found
When if I scap't mine eares for Forgery ,
My soule should goe to hell for Vsury

57

No, I had rather in a Copy booke
Write a good sentence for a Schollers reading:
Whereon the parents may be glad to looke,
And say, God send their hands a happy speeding
And take my mony on the Saterday
For all the weeke then bid my Boyes goe play

58

I would I were a Trades man, and could sell
My wares by weight, and measure as I list:
And had such trickes to make my market well,
That I might send home fooles with Had-I-wist
That while poore soules did sit with losses crying.
I might growe Rich with swearing and with lying.

59

And yet I would not: for my Conscience then,
Wold make me feele the smart of falshoods woe:
When I beheld the ends of faithles men
With what a horror to their Hell they goe
While true plaine-dealing hearts in quiet die
And faithfull loue doth liue Eternally

60

I would I were a Broker, and for Coyne
Tooke any Pawnes, and care not what I tooke
For interest, nor how I did pourloyne,
So I might get it with the Siluer hooke:
Who were the Thiefe so I might buye the wares
Nor who did shift, so I did get the shares

61

And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt,
Some priuate Eyes, would closely prie into me:
And some odde Ladde or Landresse finde me out
And for receiuing stolne goods would vndo me.
When with the losse of all my goods, scarce hope
To be so happy as to scape the Rope

62

No, I had rather trie a better trade,
Whereby to make some honest kinde of gaine:
Whereby some better reckoning may be made
Then buy Repentance with so great a paine.
Now fie vpon them Brokers, Bawdes, and Theeues,
Make poore men weare their Ierkins without sleeues

63

I would I were a close promoting, Mate,
To picke a hole in each offenders Coat:
And make a shew of seruice to the State
When I would pursewp many a priuy groat:
But in great Summes follow my Information
Till I were well paide for a Reformation

64

And yet I would not: for then euery knaue
Would single me out for a secret friend:
And teach me how to play the cunning slaue
To bring my busines to a wretched ende
While hellish Craft with Cloke of heresic
Might hide a world of foule iniquitie.

65

No, I would rather learne my selfe t amend
What is amisse, and so my friends aduise;
Then when I see an other man offend
In secret seeke his ruine to deuise.
And making shew to seeke the good of all
Set vp my selfe, with many thousands fall

66

I would I were a Tapster, fill my pot
Halfe vp with froth, and make my gaine of drinke:
And make no care, how I my mony got,
So I might heare my gold and siluer chinke
Make more of Drunkardes then of better men
By putting off bad licour now and then

67

And yet I would not; for then should I be,
At Call and Checke of euery Iacke and Gill:
And many a Lobcocke would looke into me,
What drinke I drew, how I my pot did fill:
And sometime trust so farre vpon the score,
I scarce should put my head out of the doore

68

No, I had rather runne another Race,
Though for lesse profit, yet for more content:
That both with God and man, might be in Grace
Wherein my time might be more happily spent
And rather pay, my penny for my pot,
Then cosen twenty people for a groat

69

I would I were as tall, and stout a man,
As euer drewe a sword out of a sheath:
That I might see, who durst come neere my Canne
Or speake a word, where I but seeme to breath
Or fortune durst, but crosse me with her wheeles
For feare to see her braines about her heeles

70

And yet I would not: for then where should I
Bestowe my selfe? why euery man would flie me:
I should be sure to haue no company,
Where none that loue themselues that will come nigh me,
And fortune would be sure to fit me so
That she wold some way seeke mine ouerthrow

71

I would I were a Trauellor, to passe
The Roughest Seas, and card'e for winde and weather:
And might arriue, where neuer Creature was,
But Beasts, and Birds, that liue and feede together
And tell at home what I abroad haue seene,
Where neuer man yet but my selfe had beene

72

And yet I would not: for I feare that fewe
Would trust my stories, were they nere so true:
Words are but winde, and winde is but a Dewe
Farre Trauellers may say the blacke is Blewe
Although perhaps some simple soules may say
Surely this man hath trauailde a great way;

73

No, I will rather trye my Fortunes heere.
And to my best aduantage vse my wittes:
Then runne abroad, and buye Repentance deere
Knowing how ofte, vnhappily Fortune hittes
When Weather-beaten Sailes, with winde, and raine
Scarce make a Sauing- Voyage home againe

74

I would I were a Player, and could act
As many partes as came vpon a Stage:
And in my braine, could make a full Compact
Of all that passeth betwixt Youth and Age;
That I might haue fiue-shares in euery Play
And let them laugh that beare the Bell -away

75

And yet I would not: For then doe I feare,
If I should gall some Goos-cappe with my speech:
That he would freat and fume and chafe, and sweare
As if some Flea had bit him by the Breech
And in some passion or strange Agonie
Disturbe both mee and all the Companie

76

I would I were a Poet , and could write
The passages of this Paltry world in rime:
And talke of Warres, and many a valiant fight
And how the Captaines did to Honor clime.
Of Wise, and Faire, of Gratious, Vertuous, kinde
And of the bounty of a noble minde

77

But speake but little of the life of Loue ,
Because it is a thing so harde to finde:
And touch but little at the Turtle-Doue,
Seeing there are but fewe Byrdes of that kinde
And Libell against leawde and wicked harts,
That on the earth doe play the Diuells-parts

78

And yet I would not: for then would my braines,
Be with a world of toyes Intoxicate:
And I should fall vpon a thousand vaines,
Of this and that, and well I know not what
When some would say, that saw my Frantick fittes
Surely the Poet is beside his wittes

79

I would I were an honest Countrey-Wench,
That only could make Curtsey smoile and blush
And sit me downe vpon a good Ale bench,
And answere wanton Tomkin , with a Tush.
And well, Go-too, and How-now? Pary-away
And for a Tanzey goe to Stoole-Ball -play.

80

And yet I would not: For then doe I feare,
My louers would be out of loue with mee:
If I would not belieue them when they sweare
That I am shee and I am onely shee,
Of all the Maydes, before the Church-house dore:
That hath their harts; and what can I haue more?

81

No, I had rather be an honest wife
And loue my husband, and looke to my house:
And with my Neighbours leade a quiet life,
And keepe a Cat, to driue away the Mouse.
Hatch vp my Chickins, pen vp my clocke-Henne
And haue nothing to doe with naughtie men.

82

I would I were the gallanst Courtizan,
That euer put a foure-Ear'de Asse to schoole
That I might cleane put downe Maide Marian
And neuer be without my dainty foole.
And make my mony Baggs come tumbling to me
And glad to see what seruice they can doe me

83

And yet I would not: for then doe I doubt
Some Cunstable, or Beadle of Bridewell:
By some olde Bawde, would surely find me out
When for his silence. I should pay full well
Or Cart it to the place of youthes Correction;
Where chopping Chalke would quite spoile my Complexion.

84

No, I had rather be an honest Maide,
That neuer knewe any [of] loues delight:
And of a man, almost to be afraide,
Then seeme to set my Maidenhead so light
As for a wicked choise, to chaunge my name
To fit me onely with a fie for shame

85

I would I were a Bruer, and could make
My water pay the charges of my Malt:
And for small Beere, the price of strong beere take
And helpe a musty Barrell with bay salt.
Keepe leaking vessells, stoppe them vp with Clay:
The drinke may runne out, when the Earth's away

86

And yet I would not: for then I should thinke
If I should take good mony for ill Beere:
My Customers would curse me for my drinke
And say I solde both that was naught and deere
And one so driue an other daily fro me
That in the ende they would quite ouerthrow me

87

No, I had rather truly pay my penny
For my full pot of either Ale or Beere:
Then seeke the hurt or spoiling of a many
Or to vndoe the poore in a deere yeere.
Or make them say whose trust I doe abuse,
O wicked Bruer looke what drinke he brues.

88

I would I were an excellent Diuine
That had the Bible at my fingers ends:
The world might heare out of this mouth of mine
How God did make his enemies his friends
I were so follow'de, as if none but I
Could plainely speake of true Diuinity.

89

And yet I would not: for then ten to one
I should be call'd but a Precizian:
Or Formalist, and might goe preach alone
Vnto my holy brother Puritan.
And so be flouted for my zealous loue
In taking paines for other mens behoue.

90

No, I had rather reade, and vnderstand
The Rules of Grace, that haue the learned led:
To know the power of the Almighty hand
And with what foode, the blessed flocke are fed
Rather then with a thundring and long praier
To leade into presumption or dispaire.

91

I would I were a man of warlike might
And had the Title of a Generall:
To point the Captaines euery one their fight,
Where should the Vangard and the Rereward fall:
Who should be leaders of the forlorne hope,
And who the Entrance to the Army ope.

92

And yet I would not: for then I might see
How discontent might cause a Mutinie:
Whereby the Army might in danger be
To be surprized by the Enemy.
Or by the losse of men, for honors gaine,
To wound my Conscience with a bloody paine.

93

No, I had rather praise the Course of peace,
And study how to helpe to holde the same:
And how soone quarrells ill begun may cease
And how to keepe accord in quiet frame.
That olde and young may liue contented so
That to their graues all may in quiet goe.

94

I would I were the Miserablest wretch
That euer Crambde vp mony in his Chest:
That I might learne, but like a dogge to fetch
Lambes from the Folde, and Duckelings from the nest
And when I tooke the paines to plucke and pull,
Know how to gaine by Feathers and by wooll

95

And yet I would not: least while I did liue,
I should scarce trust my selfe with that I haue.
I should not heare the word of Lend, nor giue
But only studie, how to get and saue.
And when I die, haue written on my doore:
The Dogge is Dambu'de that preyde vpon the poore.

96

I would I were the strangest Prodigall,
That euer strew'de his mony in the street
That I might make the Beggers merry all,
When they but sawe the shadowe of my feet.
And Churles might chafe, to see me so to throw
Away the wealth that they did scrape for so.

97

And yet I would not: least when all were gone,
My Stocke, my goods, my Leases, and my Lands
It sure would breake my heart to looke vpon
My whole estate to be in others hands.
And then to hide me in some secret place,
Or grieue to death to thinke of my disgrace

98

I would I were so neate and Spruse a Noddy,
As all in print, might speake, and looke and walke
And so become for euery idle body,
A kinde of Table or a Stable-talke.
And say to see me, tripping on the Toe,
The Fool's so prowd he knows not how to goe.

99

And yet I would not: least some Wood-cock-asse
To equall me in my Ciuilitie :
Might paint, and princke himselfe vp in a glasse
And studie counterfeit Gentilitie
And so perhaps put mee into some passion,
To see my fashion growe so out of fashion.

100

No, I will rather wisely looke about me
And weare both what and how might fit my state
And haue a care within, what were without me
I might not be an Owle, to wonder at.
But I might passe through all the Pide-coat-throng
And bee no Taber for an idle-toong

101

I would I were a Beastly- Epicure ,
That car'de for nothing but to eate and drinke:
And talke of nought but Natures -Nouriture
And filling vp my Flagons to the brinke
Of lusty swallowes, and of pleasing taste,
And make no care how much got meat I waste.

102

And yet I would not: least the world should say
Looke, yonder goes a barrell full of Beere:
Who gulls in more good victualls in one day
Then might suffize an honest man a ycere
And ere he dye, it will (no doubt) be found,
The Beast did burst, and stunck aboue the ground

103

No, I had rather keepe a better Dyet,
And liue with Bread and water all my life:
Then in my Guttes to keepe so great a Ryot:
And in my Stomacke haue so sore a strife.
That I should puffe, and blow, and swell, and sweat
And be halfe-dead ere I disgest my meat.

104

I would I were a man of all mens mindes,
My Wit were drawne into all kinde of passions:
And my Conceyts were all of sundry kindes,
My Cloathes made after all Countrey-fashions
I knew the secret of all Natures -sence,
And so of Earth and all her Excellence.

105

And yet I would not: for then sure should I,
Be all too gaz'd at wheresoere I goe:
And like the poore bare-feather'd Æsops -Pye,
When euery Byrd did her owne-feather knowe.
Be followed with many a flowting-lacke,
Or Rauens feathers all pull'd from my backe.

106

No, I had rather wear but home-spun-thread,
And haue my Cloathes close vpon my Breech:
And by my Labours-toyle to get my bread,
And vse no other but my Countrey-speech.
And rather haue a Foole thinke mee a foole,
Then craftie work-men know me by my Toole.

107

I would I were the truest-hearted woman,
That euer spake with a most pleasing Toung
And neuer meane to giue offence to no man
Nor neuer thrust into an idle throng
But so haue care of all my Cariage,
It may be helpe vnto my Mariage

108

And yet I would not: for then euery Maide,
Within our towne, would stand and laugh at me:
And call me Foole, and say I were afraide,
To know what in an honest man might be.
For shee that will not looke ere shee did leape,
Might curse the Trades-man though his Ware were cheape.

109

No, I had rather be a reasonable,
True Honest Witty merry- Bony-Kate
That would not feare the Constable,
To see him looke in at our window-Grate
As many Wenches will be now and then,
That haue bene medling with too-many men

110

I would I were the rarest Politician ,
That euer plotted for preheminence:
And of the Doggedst disposition.
That euer was in Natures residence.
And car'de not how the worlde to Ruine went
So I might onely purchase my Content .

111

And yet I would not: For then doe I feare
Some sudden-flash from Heau'n would fall vpon me:
And all the world reioyce to see and heare,
In helples griefe, how I am woe begon me.
When I of force should bid the world Fare-well
And Death were sent to summon mee to Hell

112

No, I had rather keepe the plaine High-way,
That leades the soule to her Eternall rest:
Then by Illusion , seeke out a wry-way,
To hatche my Egges vp, in the Diuells -nest.
And with the Worlde when I had made an ende;
To finde in Heau'n an Euerlasting-Friende

113

I would I were, and yet I would not too,
Because I know not, that's I know not what:
And when I would doe, then I cannot doe,
When that would put out this this put out that
And such strange Fancies would my spirit feede
That in the ende I should grow mad indeede.

114

Then let me see if I at least can see
What may be seene, that worthie to be seene:
Wherein might be and onely there might bee,
That alwayes hath bene; and hath onely beene
In true Conceit , in state of Comforts store,
Where I would be and say would not no more

115

Yea, that were such a thing indeed to finde,
As one might seeke vntill his Eyes were out:
With all the strength both of his heart and minde
And trauell ouer all the Earth about.
And noting Natures workes, and worth in all
Finde all as nothing or to nothing fall.

116

Yet there is something wheresoere it is
And it is some-where, and no-where, but there:
Where all is well, and nothing is amisse,
But yonder, here and there, and euery-where.
Where the bright-Eyes of Blessed-Soules may see,
Where all the Ioyes of Hearts and Soules may bee.

117

But wher is this same, where? that wold be known
And where is this same knowledge to be found?
And where is such a seede of Science sowne?
And where is such a blessed piece of ground?
And where is such a Blessing to be sought,
That for that worth sets all the world at nought.

118

Where all the pride of Beawtie is put downe,
While Natures Reason must subscribe to Grace
And Wit and Will, may wander vp and downe
And Vertue onely keepes a Glorious place
Where shee alone vnto her Seruants showes
Where all the comfort of the spirit goes.

119

Yea, there alone the heart and soule may finde,
The sacred Summe of their Eternall-Sweete :
Which gladdes the soule, the spirit, and the minde
Where all the Graces do together meete
And altogether, doe agree in one,
To sing in Glorie to their GOD alone.

120

What? neither great, nor wise, nor Rich, nor faire?
What would I be then? might I as I would:
I would not be a Moate amidst the Ayre,
Nor yet a Mowle , to digge within the ground.
Nor Byrd, nor Beast, that can but eate, and sleepe
Nor like a Baby can but laugh and weepe.

121

Nor like a Bowby, without wit or sence,
Nor like a Baboune, for a Bearardes whippe:
Nor like a Lowse in Beggars Residence,
Nor like a Flea that can but leepe and skippe.
Nor like a worme, but to be troden on,
Nor like a Gue-Gaw to be gaz'de vpon.

122

Nor would I be a Byrd within a Cage,
Nor Dogge in Kennell nor a Bore in Stye:
Nor Crab-Tree-staffe, to leane vpon for Age.
Nor wicked Liue, to leade a Youth awrye.
Nor like a Flooke, that floates but with the Fludde
Nor like an Eele that liues but in the mudde.

123

Nor would I haue the Crane picke out mine Eyes,
Nor Pyes, nor Parats, teach me how to prate:
Nor fill my Pawnche too-full of Wood-cock-pyes,
Nor haue Madge-Howlet make me watch too-late .
Nor let the Cuckooe learne me how to sing
Nor with a Buzzarde make too Lowe a wing.

124

Nor would I be a Catte , to hunt a Mowse
Nor yet a Ferret to goe hunt a Cony
Nor yet an Ape , to stand aud looke a Lowse,
Nor yet a Sheepes-head to be solde for mony
Nor yet a Hawke, to seize vpon a Ducke
Nor yet a Nurse to giue a Baby sucke.

125

Nor would I write vpon the death of Dogges,
And say here lyes a good olde-stinking Curre:
Cut lusty faces out of rotten Logges,
Nor of an Owles-skinne, make an Ape a Furre
Nor teach a Byrde to whistle in a Cage
Nor be a Ministrell at a Marriage.

126

Nor teach a Cat, to hunt a Mowse drye-foote,
Nor a young Squyrrell how to clime a Reede:
A Skarre-crow in a Garden how to shoote,
Nor a blinde-Harper, how a Song to reade.
Nor how a Flea may scape the Fingers endes.
Nor how a Lowse may liue among her Friends.

127

Nor would I be a golden Alchymist ,
To studie the Phylosophers faire stone:
And feede a sight of Fooles, with Had-I-wist ,
To weepe for Siluer, when theyr Golde is gone
Poope noddy, neuer was there such an other
To make a Couzen of a simple Brother.

128

Nor would I bee a Foole when all is done,
To weare Pyed Coats, Turn-spit, and eat fat-meat:
Follow my master, dandle his young Sonne,
And tell my Mistris who the Foole did beat
That she might chide her Wenches euery one,
For medling with her Foole when she was gone.

129

Nor sing new Ballads, nor make Countrey-games
Nor set vp sights, were neuer seene before:
Nor walke among my crue of Cursed-Dames
And bee a Pander to a Paltry -Whore:
No, Pandarisme is so poore a Trade,
That none but Beggars, bargaine for a Iade.

130

No, I would not bee any one of these,
Nor any of this wretched worlds delight:
I would not so my spirits comforts leese
To haue mine Eyes bewitcht from heauenly light
No, I would haue an other World then this,
Where I would seeke for my Eternal-Blisse .

131

And till I come vnto that Glorious place
Where all Contents doe ouercome the heart:
And loue doth liue in Euerliuing-Grace ,
While Greatest Ioy doth feele no smallest smart
But GOD is all in all to his beloued,
The Sweet of soules that sweetest soules haue proued

132

To tell you truely, what I wish to bee,
And neuer would be other, if I could:
But in comfort of the Heau'ns Decree,
In soule and bodie that I euer should
Though in the world, not to the world to liue
But to my GOD my seruice wholly giue.

133

This would I be, and would none other be
But a Religious seruant of my God:
And knowe there is none other God but he
And willingly to suffer mercies Rod
Ioy in his Grace and liue but in his Loue,
And seeke my blisse but in the heauen aboue.

134

And I would frame a kinde of faithfull praier
For all estates within the state of Grace:
That carefull loue might neuer know despaire,
No[r] seruile feare might faithfull loue deface
And this would I both day and night deuise
To make my humble Spirits Exercise.

135

And I would reade the rules of sacred Life,
Perswade the troubled soule to patience:
The husband, Care, and Comfort to the wife
To Childe and seruant, due obedience.
Faith to the friend and to the Neighbour peace,
That loue might liue and quarrels all may cease.

136

Pray for the health of all that are deceased
Confession vnto all that are Conuicted:
And patience vnto all, that are displeased
And comfort vnto all, that are afflicted
And mercy vnto all that haue offended,
And Grace to all that all may he amended

137

Pray for the King, the Queene, and Countries health
Their Royall issue, and Peeres of Estate:
The Counsaile, Cleargy, and the Common-wealth
That no misfortune may their blisse abate.
But that, th' Almighty so his Church will cherish
That not a member of his Loue may perish.

138

Wish [euery] King, to haue King Dauids heart,
And euery Queene, the Queene of Shebaes wit:
And euery Councell Salomons best part
Of vnderstanding for a Kingdome fit.
And euery Lady, faire Rebectaes face.
And euery Virgin the wise Virgins Grace

139

And euery Souldiour, Iosuahs true spirit,
And euery Scholler, Aarons eloquence:
And euery Miser, wicked Diues merits,
And euery poore man, Iobs true patience.
And euery Lawyer, Maries heau'nly minde
And euery Merchant of Zacheus kinde.

140

Doe not with Esaw , hunt for venizon,
And sell thy birthright for a messe of pottage:
Lest Iacob steale away thy benison,
When Isaach falls vpon the yeeres of dotage
But be a Ioseph in the time of neede,
To good olde Iacob and his blessed seede.

141

Be Abraham in obedient sacrifice,
And follow Lot in his loues holines:
Like Salomon , be in thy Iudgement, wise
And Ionathan in friendships faithfulnes,
Like Henoch make thy Ioy of heauenly Ioue
And with Eliah liue in Heau'n aboue.

142

And diet not with Holofernes drinke,
But follow Iudith , in her ioyfull strength.
Let Dalila , not make stout Sampson winke;
Lest the Philistines fall on thee at length
Nor Salmon be led with Pharaohs Childe
Lest by the flesh the spirit be beguilde.

143

Be both a Priest, a Prophet, and a King
A Priest to make thy selfe a Sacrifice:
A Prophet, to declare the way to bring
The blessed Spirit, vnto Paradise.
A King to rule thy selfe with such direction,
Thy Soule may keepe thy body in subiection.

144

Know what, and how, and where, and when to speake
Be fearefull, how thou doest thy God offend:
A vertuous vow, take heed thou doest not breake
And mercies pleasure willingly attend.
Holde backe thy Hand from all vnlawfull Action
And weane thy Spirit from vngodly Faction.

145

Flatter not folly, with an idle faith.
Nor let earth stand vpon her owne desart:
But shew what wisedome in the Scripture saith.
The fruitfull hand, doth shew the faithfull hart
Beleeue the word, and thereto bend thy will
And teach obedience for a blessed skill

146

Chide sinners, as the father doth his childe
And keepe them in the Awe of louing feare:
Make sinne most hatefull, but in words be milde:
That humble patience may the better heare:
And wounded conscience may receiue reliefe,
When true repentance pleades the sinners griefe.

147

Yet flatter not the foule delight of sinne
But make it loathsome in the Eie of Loue:
And seeke the hart with holy thoughts to winne
Vnto the best way to the soules behoue.
So teach, so liue, that both in word and deede,
The world may Ioy thy heau'nly rules to reade.

148

Heale the infect of sinne, with oile of Grace,
And wash the Soule with true Contritions teares:
And when Confession shewes her heauy Case,
Deliuer faith from all Infernall feares.
That when high Iustice threatens sinne with death
Mercy againe may giue Repentance breath.

149

Sit not with Sathan, on the Horse of pride
But see sweet Iesus sitting on an Asse:
Better on foote, then fowly so to ride,
As with the Diuell into hell to passe.
There is no meane, but either heau'n or hell
For on this Earth must no man euer dwell

150

Time hath a course, which nature cannot stay
For youth must die, or come to doting Age:
What is our life on Earth? but as a play
Where many a part doth come vpon the Stage.
Rich, poore, wise, fond, faire, fowle, and great and smal
And olde, and young, death makes an ende of al.

151

Where he that makes his life a Comedy,
To laugh, and sing, and talke away the time:
May finde it in the ende a Tragedy,
When mournefull Bells doe make no merry chime
When sad despaire shall feare Infernall euill,
While Sinne and death are Agents for the diuel.

152

But doe not Raue, nor Raile, nor stampe, nor stare
As if thy care would goe to cuffes with sinne:
But shew how mercy doth Repentance spare
While working faith, doth heau'nly fauour winne
And loues obedience to the law doth proue
The chosen Soule that God doth chiefly loue.

153

Thus would I spend in seruice of my God
The lingring howres of these fewe daies of mine
To shew how sinne and death are ouertrod
But by the vertue of the power diuine.
Our thoughts but vaine, our substance slime and dust
And onely Christ for our Eternall trust.

154

This would I be and say, would not, no more
But onely not, be otherwise then this:
All in effect, but as I said before,
The life in that life's kingdomes loue of his
My glorious God, whose grace all comfort giues,
Then be on Earth the greatest man that liues.