Classic Poem

1
What madnesse is't for him that's wise
To be so much self-hating?
Himself and his to sacrifice,
By medling still with things too high,
That don't concern but gratifie,
His letchery of prating
What is't to us who's in the ruling power?
While they protect, we're bound t'obey,
But longer not an hower.

2
Nature made all alike at first,
But men that fram'd this fidle
Of government made best and worst
And high and low, like various strings,
Each man his several ditty sings,
To tune this state down diddle
In this grand wheel the world we're spokes made all,
But that it may still keep its round,
Some mount while others fall.


3
The blinded Ruler that by night,
Sits with his host of Bill-men
With their chalk'd weapons, that affright
The wondring clown that haps to view
His worship and his Gowned crew,
As if they sate to Kill men;
Speak him but fair; he'l let you freely go.
And those that on the high rope dance,
Will do the same trick too.

4
I'll ne're admire that fatuous fire,
That is not what it seems,
For those, that now to us seem higher,
Like painted bubles blown i'th' air,
By boyes seem glorious and fair,
'Tis but in boyes esteems
Rule of its self's a toy! and none would bear it
But that 'twixt pride and avarice
And close revenge they'l share it.

5
Since all the world is but a stage,
And every man a player,
They're fools that lives or states engage,
Let's act and juggle as others do,
Keep what's our own, get others too,
Play whiffler clown or Maior
For he that sticks to what his heart calls just,
Becomes a sacrifice and prey
To the prosperous whirlegigs lust

6
Each wise man first best loves himself,
Lives close, thinks and obeyes,
Makes not his soul a slave to's pelfe,
Nor idly squanders it away,
To cram their mawes that taxes lay,
On what he does, or sayes,
For those grand cords that man to man do twist
Now are not honesty and love
But self and interest.