PPuritanSearch
Primary source research library
SearchGeorge WitherSource
English Puritan & Reformed

The Shepherds Hunting

George Wither (1588-1667) · 14,501 words · 64 min

The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A15656.0001.001

Project Note

This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.

This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.

Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.

However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.

This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.

Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org

THE SHEPHERDS Hunting: Being, CERTAINE EGLOGS written during the time of the Authors Imprisonment in the Marshalsey.

BY GEORGE WITHER, Gentleman.

LONDON: Printed by THOMAS SNODHAM for George Norton, and are to be sold at the sign of the red-Bull, near Temple-bar. 1615.

TO THOSE HONOVRED, NOBLE, AND RIGHT Virtuous Friends, my Visitants in the Marshalsey: AND, TO ALL OTHER, MY VNKNOWNE FAVOVRITES, who either piuately, or publicly wished me well in my imprisonment.

N Oble Friends: you whose virtues made me first in love with Virtue: and whose worths, made me be thought worthy of your loves. I have now at last (you see) by God's assistance and your encouragement, run through the P •… rgatory of imprisonment: and by the worthy favor of a just PRINCE, stand free again, without the lea •… t touch of dejected baseness. Seeing therefore I was grown beyond my Hope so fortunate, (after acknowledgement of my Creators love, together with the unequal'd Clemency of so gracious a Sovereign) I was troubled to think by what means I might express my thankfulness to so many well-deserving friends: No way I found to my desire; neither yet ability to perform when I found it. But at length considering with myself what you were, (that is) such, who favor honesty for no second reason but because you yourselves are good; and aim at no other reward but the witness of a sound conscience that you do well, I found that thankfulness would prove the acceptablest present to suit with your dispositions; and that I imagined could be no way better expressed then in manifesting your courtesies, and giving consent to your reasonable demands. For the first, I confess (with thanks to the disposer of all things, and a true gratef •… ll heart towards you,) so many were the unexpected visitations and vnhoped kindnesses received both from some among you of my Acquaintance, and many other unknown Well •… illers of my Cause, that I was persuaded to entertain a much better conceit of the Time then I lately conceived, and assured myself that VERTVE had far more followers then I supposed.

Somewhat it disturbed me to behold our ages Fauourites, whilst they frowned on my honest enterprises, to take unto their protections the egregiousts fopperics: yet much more was my contentm •… nt, in that I was respected by so many of You, amongst whom there are some, who can and may as much dis-esteem these, as they neglect me: nor could I fear their malice or contempt, whilst I enjoyed your favors, who (howsoever you are under-valued by fools for a time) shall leave unto your post •… ritie so noble a memory, that your names shall be reverenced by Kings, when many of these who now flourish with a show of usurped Greatness, shall either wear out of being, or despoiled of all their patched reputation, grow contemptible in the eyes of their beloved Mistress the World. Your Love. is is that (enabling me with patience to endure what is already past) hath made me (also) careful better to prepare myself for all future misaduentures, by bringing to my consideration, what the passion, of my just discontentments had almost quite banished from my remembrance.

Further, to declare my thankfulness, in making app •… rant my willing mind to be commanded in any services of love, which you shall think fit (though I want ability to perform great matters) 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 yet I have according to some of your requests been contented to give way to the printing of these Eglogues, which though •… it to many seem a sleight matter, yet being well considered of, may prove a strong argument of my readiness to gi •… e you content in a greater matter: for they being (as you well kn •… w) begotten with little care, and preserved with less respect, gave sufficient e •… idence that I meant (rather then any way to deceive your trust) to give the world occasion of calling my discretion in question, as I now assure myself This will: and the sooner, because such expectations (I perceive) there are of I know not what Inuentions, as would have been frustrated though I had employed the utmost and very best of my endeavours.

Notwithstanding, for your sakes, I have here adventured once again to make trial of the w •… rlds censures: and what hath received being, from your Loves, I here rededicated to your Worths, which if your noble dispositions will like well of: Or if you will but reasonab •… y respect what yourselves drew me unto, I shall be nothing displeased at others cavils, but resting myself contented with your good opinions, scorn all the rabble of uncharitable detractors: For none I know will malign it except those, who either particularly malice my person, or profess th •… mselues enemies to my former Books; who (saving those that were incensed on others speeches) as diverse of you (according to your protestations) have observed, are either open enemies of our Church; men notoriously guilty of some particular Abuses therein t •… xt, such malicious Crittickes who have the repute of being indicious, by detracting from others; or at best such Guls, as never approve anything good, or learned, but either that which their shallow apprehensions can apply to the soothing of their own opinions, or what (indeed rather) they understand not.

Trust me, how ill soever it hath been rewarded, my love to my Country is inviolate: my thankfulness to you unfeigned, my endeavor to do every man good; all my aim content with honesty: and this my pains (if it may be so termed) more to avoid idleness, then for affectation of praise: an •… if notwithstanding all thir, I must yet, not onel •… rest myself content that my innocence hath esc •… ped with strict imprisonment (to the impairing 〈◊〉 my state, and hindrance of my fortunes) but all •… be constrained to see my guiltless lines, suffer th •… despite of ill tongues: yet for my further enco •… ragement, let me entreat the continuance 〈◊〉 your first respect, wherein I shall find that come fort as will be sufficient to make me set light an •… so much contemn all the malice of my adversaries that ready to burst with the venom of their own •… hearts, they shall see

My Mind enamored on fair Virtues light
Ascends the limits of their bleared sight,
And placed above their Envy, doth contemn,
Nay, sit and laugh at their disdain and them.

But Noble Friends, I make question neither of yours, nor any honest man's respect, and therefore will no further urge it, nor trouble your patience: only this I will say, that you may not think •… e too well conceited of myself; though the Time •… ere to blame in ill requiting my honest endea •… ours, which in the eyes of the world deserved •… etter, •… et somewhat I am assured there was in •… ee worthy that punishment which when God shall •… iue me grace to see and amend, I doubt not but •… o find that regard as will be fitting for so much •… erit as my labors may justly challenge. Mean while, the better to hold myself in esteem with you, and amend the worlds opinion of Virtue, I will study to amend myself, that I may be yet more worthy to be called

Your Friend, GEO. WYTHER.

The first Eglogue.

ARGUMENT.
WILLY leaves his •… lock a while,
Ui •… ites 〈◊〉 in exile;
Where though prison' •… , he doth find
He's still free that's free in Mind:
And 〈◊〉 trouble no defense
Is so •… irme as Innocence.
  • R •… T.
  • WILLY.
WI •… y, thou now full tolly tun'st thy Reed •… ,
Making the Aimphs enamou •… d on thy strains,
And whilst thy harmless •… lock vnscar •… d feeds,
Hast though contentment, of Hills. Groues, and Plaines:
Trust me, •… oy thou and thy Muse so speedes
In such an Age, where so much mischief reigns:
And to my Care it some redress will be,
Fortune hath so much grace, to smile on thee.
WILLY.
To smile on me? I nere yet knew her smile,
Unless 'twere when she purposed to deceive me;
Many a Trayne, and many a painted wile
She casts, in hope of Freedom to bereave me:
Yet now, because she sees I scorn her guile
To fawn on sooles, she for my Muse doth leave me,
And here of late, her wonted spite doth tend,
To work me care, by frowning on my friend.
ROGET.
Why then I see her Copper-coin 's no starling,
'T will not be currant still, for all the gilding,
A Knaue, or •… oole must ever be her Darling:
For they have minds to all occasions yielding:
If we get anything by all our parling
It seems an Apple, but it proves a weilding:
But let that pass; sweet Shepherd tell me this,
For what beloved friend thy sorrow is.
WILLY.
Wrong me not Roget: doest thou suffer here,
And ask me for what friend it is I grieve?
Can I suppose thy love to me is deer,
Or this thy joy for my content believe:
When thou thinkest thy cares touch not me as near,
Or that I pin thy sorrows at my sleeve?
Roget, my faith in thee hath had that trust,
I never thought to find thee so unjust.
ROGET.
Why Willy? WILLY: Prethee do not ask me why,
Doth it diminish any of thy care,
That I in freedom maken melody,
And thinkest I cannot as well somewhat spare
From my delight, to mone thy miscrie?
It is time our Loves should these suspects forbear:
Thou art that friend; which thou vnnam'd shouldest know,
And not have drawn my love in question so.
ROGET.
Forgive me, and I will pardon thy mistake,
A •… d so shall this thy gentle-anger cease,
(I never of thy love will question make)
Whilst that the number o •… our day •… s increase,
Yet to my se •… fe, I much might seem to take,
And something near unto presumption press:
To think me worthy love from such a spirit,
But that I know thy kindness, past my merit.
Besid •… s; me thought thou spak'st now of a friend,
That se •… m'd more grieu •… us discontents to bear,
Some things I find that do in show offend,
Which to my Patience little trouble are,
And they e're long I hope will have an end,
Or though they have not, much I do not care:
So this it was made me that question move,
And not suspect of honest Willies love.
WILLY.
Alas, thou art exiled from thy •… lock,
And quite beyond the Desarts here confined,
Hast nothing to converse with but a Rock,
Or at least Out-laws in their Caues half pin'd,
And do' •… t thou at thy own misfortune mock,
Making thyself to; to thyself unkind?
When heretofore we talk' •… we did embrace:
But now I scarce can come to see thy face.
ROGET.
Yet all that, Willy, is not worth thy sorrow,
For I have Mirth, here thou wouldest not believe,
From de •… pest ca •… es the highest joys I borrow:
If ought chance out this day, may m •… ke me grieve,
I will learn to mend, or scorn it by tomorrow,
This barren place yields somewhat to relieve:
For I have found sufficient to content me,
And more true bliss, then ever freedom lent me.
WILLY.

Are Prisons then grown places of delight?

ROGET.
It is as the conscience of the Prisoner is,
The very Grates are able to affright
The guilty Man, that knows his deeds amiss,
All outward Pleasures are exiled quite,
And it is nothing (of it self) but this:
Abhorred-loanenesse, darkness. sadness, pains,
Num' •… -cold, sharp-hunger, scorching thirst & chains.
WILLY.

And these are not •… ing?

ROGET.
——Nothing yet to me,
Onel •… my friends restraint is all my pain,
And since I truly find my conscience free
From that my loanen •… sse to, I reap some gain.
WILLY.
But grant in this no discontentment be,
It doth thy wished liberty restrain,
And to thy soul I think there's nothing nearer,
For I could never hear thee prize ought dearer.
ROGET.
True, I did ever set it at a Rate,
Too deer for any Mortal 's worth to buy,
It is not our greatest Shepherd 's whole estate,
Shall purchase from me, my least liberty,
But I am subject to the powers of Fate,
And to obey them is no slavery:
They may do much, but when they have done all,
Only my body they may bring in thrall.
And 'tis not that (my Willy ) 'tis my mind,
My mind 's more precious freedom I so weigh
A thousand ways they may my body bind,
In thous •… d 〈◊〉 ▪ •… ut 〈◊〉 m •… mind •… etray,
And •… •… ce it is that I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ,
And bear with 〈◊〉 th •… my 〈◊〉 away:
I am 〈◊〉 myself, a •… d that I'd rat •… er be,
Then to be Lord of all th •… e Downes in see.
WILLY.
No •… lie 〈◊〉 and I do joy to hear' •… ,
For 'tis the mind of Man indeed that's all,
There's n •… ught so hard but a •… rake 〈◊〉 will bea •… 't,
And 〈◊〉 men co •… t great 〈◊〉 small,
The •… 'le look on ' Death and Torment, yet not fearit,
Because they 〈◊〉 tis rising so to 〈◊〉 :
Ty •… ants n av boast they to much power are borne,
Yet he hath more that Tyranies can scorn.
ROGET.
'It is right, but I no Tyranies endure,
Nor •… au •… I suffered ought worth name of care.
WILLY.
What e're thou wilt called, thou mayest, but I am sure,
Many more pine that much less payned are,
Thy look me thinks doth say thy meaning's pure,
And by this past I find what thou doest da •… e:
But I could never yet the reason know,
Why thou •… rt lodged in this house of woe.
ROGET.
Nor I by Pan, no •… never hope to do,
But 〈◊〉 it pleases some; and I do guess
•… tly a cause that moves them there-unto,
Which neither will avail me to express,
Nor thee to hear, and therefore let it go,
We must not say, they do so, that oppress:
Yet I shall never to sooth them or the times,
Iniure my sel •… by bearing others crimes.
WILLY.
Then now thou mayest speak freely, there's none hears,
But he wh •… m I do hope thou doest not doubt.
ROGET.
True; but if doors and walls have got •… ears,
And Closet-whisperings may be spread abou •… :
Do not blame him that in such causes fears
What in his Passion he may blunder out:
In such a place, and such strict times as these,
Where what we speak is took as others please.
But yet tomorrow if thou come this way,
I will tell thee all my story to the end,
It is long, and now I fear thou canst not stay,
Because thy Flock must watered be and pend,
And Night begins to muffle up the day,
Which to inform thee how alone I spend,
I will only sing a sorry Prisoners Lay,
I f •… m'd this Morne, which though it suits not fields,
Is such as fits me, and sad Thraldome yields,
WILLY.
Well, I will set my Kit another string,
And play unto it whilst that thou doest sing▪

SONNET.

ROGET.
N Ow that my body dead-alive,
Bereau'd of comfort lies in thr all.
Do thou my soul begin to thrive,
And unto Honey, turn this Gall:
So shall we both through outward woe,
The way to inward comfort know.
For as that Food my Flesh I give,
Doth •… eepe in me this Mortall breath:
So souls on Meditations live,
And shun thereby immortal 'Death:
Nor art thou ever nearer rest.
Then when thou find'st me most oppressed.
•… irst think my soul; if I have Foes
That take a pleasure in my care,
And to procure these outward woes,
Have thus entrapt me vnaware:
Thou shouldest by much more •… arefull be,
Since greater Foes lay wait for thee.
Then when Mew'd up in grates of steel,
Minding those joys mine cyes do miss,
Thou find'st no Torment though •… doest feel.
So 〈◊〉 as Priuation is▪
Muse how the damned in s •… ames that glow,
Pine in the loss of •… lisse they know.
Thou seest there's given so great might
To some that are but clay 〈◊〉 l,
Their very anger can affright.
Which if in any thou espy
Thus think of Mortall's frowns stri •… e sear,
How dreadful will God's wrath appear?
By my late hopes that now are crossed,
Consider those that firmer be,
And make the freedom I have lo •… t,
A means that may remember thee
Had Christ not thy Redeemer b •… n,
What horrid 〈◊〉 thou hadst been in
These iron chains the bolt's of steel.
Which other poor offenders grind,
The wants, and cares which they do feel •…
May bring some greater thing to mind
For by their 〈◊〉 thou shalt do we •… ,
To think upon the pains of Hell.
Or when through me, thou 〈◊〉 a Man
Condemn'd unto a mortal 〈◊〉 ,
How sad he looks, how pale how wan,
Drawing with Fear his panting brea •… h
Think i •… in that such grief thou see,
How sad will, Go ye cuised be.
Again, when he that feared to Dye
(Past hope) doth see his Pardon brought,
Read but the joy that's in his eye,
And then 〈◊〉 it to thy thought:
There t •… ink betwixt my heart and thee,
How sweet will, come ye blessed, be
Thus if thou do, though closed •… ere,
My bondage I shall deem the less,
I neither shall have cause to fear,
Nor yet bewa •… le my sad distress:
For whether li •… e, or pine, or die,
We shall have bl •… sse 〈◊〉 .
WILLY.
Trust me I see the Cage doth some Birds good,
And if they do not suffer too much wrong,
Will teach them sweeter descants then the Wood:
Beleeueit, I like the subject of thy Song▪
It shows thou art in no distempred mood,
But cause to hear the residue I long:
My Sheep tomorrow I will nearer bring,
And spend the day to hear thee talk and sing.
Yet e're we part, Roget to me areed,
Of whō thou learn'dst to make such Songs as these,
I never yet heard any Shepherds reed
Tune in mishap, a strain that more could please,
Surely thou doest inuoke at this thy need.
Some power, that we neglect in other lays:
For here's a Name, and words, that but few swaines
Have mentioned at their meting on the Plaines.
ROGET.
Indeed 'tis true; and they are sore to blame,
They do so much neglect it in their Songs,
For, thence proceedeth such a worthy fame,
As is not subject unto Enuies wrongs:
That is the most to be respected name
Of our true Pan, whose worth sit •… on all tongues:
And the most ancient Shepherds use to praise
In sacred Anthems sung on Holy-days.
He that first taught his Music such a s •… rain,
Was that sweet Shepherd, who (until a King)
Kept She •… pe upon the honey milky Plain,
That is enritchit by Iordans watering;
He in his troubl •… s ca •… 'd the bodies pains,
By measures raised to the s •… ules ravishing:
And his sweet numbers only most divine,
Gaue the first being to this Song of mine.
WILLY.
Let his good spiri •… eu'r with thee dw •… ll,
That I might hear such Mulicke every day.
ROGET.
Thanks; but would now it pleased thee to play.
Yet sure'tis late thy Weather rings his Bell,
And Swaines to fold, or homeward drive away.
WILLY.
And yon goes Cuddy, therefore fare thou well:
I will make his Sheep for me a liule s •… ay,
And if thou think it fit I will bring him to,
Next morning hither.
ROGET.

Prethee Willy do.

FINIS.

The second Eglogue.

ARGUMENT.
CVDDY tells how all the Swaines,
Pitty ROGET on the Plaines:
Who requested, doth relate
The true cause of his estate,
Which bro •… e o •… f becau'e ' •… was long.
They begin a three-man's Song.
  • WILLY.
  • CVDDY.
  • ROG •… T.
ROget, thy old friend Cuddy here and I,
Are come to visit thee in these thy bands,
Whilst both our Floc •… es in an Inclosure by
Do pick the thin gra •… se from the fallowed lands.
He tells me thy restraint of liberty
Each one throughout the Country understands:
And there is not a gentle-natured Lad,
On all these ' Downes but for thy sake is sad.
CVDDY.
Not thy acquaintance and thy friends alone.
Pitty thy close restraint, as friends should do:
But some that have but scene thee for thee moan:
Yea, many that did never see thee to.
Some deem •… thee in a fault, and most in none;
So diverse ways do diverse rumors go:
And at all meetings where our Shepherds be,
Now the main Mewes that's extant is of thee▪
ROGET.
Why, this is somewhat yet: had I but kept
Sheep on the Mountaiues, till the day of doom,
My name should in obscurity have sl •… pt,
In Brakes, in Briars▪ shrubbed Furze and Broome▪
Into the worlds wide care it had not crept,
Nor in so many men's thoughts found a room:
But what cause of my s •… ffe in •… s doethey know?
Good Cuddy t •… ll me how doth rumour go.
CVDDY.
Faith 'tis uncertain, some speak this, some that:
Some dare say naught, yet seem to think a cause,
And many a one prating he knows not what;
Comes out with Proverbs and old ancient sawes,
As if he thought thee guiltless, and y •… t not:
Then doth he speak half sentences, then pause:
That what the most would say, we may suppose,
But what to say the rumour is, none know •… .
ROGET.
Nor care I greatly, for it skills not much,
What the vnsteady common-people deemes,
His conscience doth not always feel least touch,
That blameless in the sight of others seems:
My cause is honest, and because 'tis such,
I hold it so, and not for Men's esteems:
If they spea •… e justly well of me, I am glad;
If 〈◊〉 , eu •… ll, it never makes me sad.
WILLY.
I like that mind, but Roget you are quite
Beside the matter that I long to hear:
Remember what you promised yester-night,
Youl'd put us off with other talk I fear;
Thou knowest that honest Cuddies heart's upright,
And none but he, except myself is near:
Come therefore, and betwixt us two relate
The true occasion of thy present state.
ROGET.
My friends I will; You know I am a Swain,
That kept a poor Flock here upon this Plain,
Who though it seems, I could do nothing less,
Can make a Song, and woe a Shepheardesse,
And not alone the fairest where I live,
Have heard me sing, and favors daign'd to give:
But though I say' •… , the noblest Nimph of Thame,
Hath graced my Verse unto my greater same.
Yet being young, and not much see▪ing praise,
I was not noted out for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ,
N •… r f •… eding •… locks, yea▪ noun as others be:
For the delight that most 〈◊〉 me
Was 〈◊〉 Foxes, W •… lues, and Beasts of Pray▪
That spoi •… e our Foulis, and bear our L •… mbs a •… ay:
F •… r this as a •… so for the love I bear
Unto m •… Country, 〈◊〉 by all •… are
Of 〈◊〉 . or of 〈◊〉 , with desire
〈◊〉 to keep that state I had entire,
And like a true gro •… 〈◊〉 man sought to speed
My self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of ra e and choicest 〈◊〉 ,
Whose Names and Natures ere I further go,
〈◊〉 you are my friends I will let you know.
My 〈◊〉 esteemed D 〈◊〉 that I did find,
Was by 〈◊〉 of •… lde 〈◊〉 kind;
A Bra •… e, which if I do not aim amiss,
For all the world is •… ust i •… e one o •… his;
She's named Love, and scarce yet know •… s her duty;
Her Damme s my L •… d es pretty Beagle 〈◊〉
I bred her up myself with wondrous charge,
Until she grew to be exceeding large,
And waxt so wanton that I did abhor it,
And put her out amongst my Neighbors for it.
The next is Lust, a Hound that's kept abroad,
Mongst some of mine acquaintance, but a Toad
Is not more loathsome: 'tis a Curr will range
Extreamely, and is ever •… ull of mange,
And cause it is infectious, she's not wunt
To come among the rest, but when they hunt.
Hate is the third, a Hound both despe and long.
His Sire is True, or else supposed wrong.
He'le have a snap at all that pass him by,
And yet pursues his game most eagerly.
With him goes Eni •… e coupled, a lean Curr •…
And she'le hold out hunt we •… e're so far,
She pineth much, and seedeth little to,
Yet stands and snarleth at the •… est that do.
Then there's Reuenge, a wondrous deep-mouthed dog,
So fleet, I am fain to hunt him with a clog,
Y •… t many times he will much out-strip his bounds,
And hunts not closely with the other Hounds,
He'le venter on a Lion in his 〈◊〉
Curst 〈◊〉 was his damme, and wrong his Sire.
This Choller is a Brache, that's very old,
And spends her mouth too much to have it hold:
She's very teasty, an unpleasing Curr,
That •… ites the very stones, if they but stir:
Or when that ought but her displeasure moves,
She'le bite and snap at any one she loves:
But my quick-scented'st Dog is Jealousy,
The truest of this breed's in Italy:
The Damme of mine would hardly fill a Gloue,
It was a Ladies little Dog, called Love:
The Sire a poor deformed Curr named Fear,
As shagged and as rough as is a Bear,
And yet the Whelpe turned aft •… r neither kind,
For he is very large, and never-hand blind.
At the first sight he hath a pretty culler,
But doth not seem so when you view him fuller.
A vile suspicious beast, his looks are bad,
And I do fear in time he will grow mad.
To him I couple Avarice, still poor,
Yet she devours as much as twenty more:
A thousand Horse she in her paunch can put,
Yet whine as if she had an empty gut,
And hauiug gorg'd what might a land have found,
She' •… e catch for more, and hide it in the ground.
Am •… ition is a Hound as greedy full,
But he for all the daintiest bits doth cull:
He scorns to lick up crumbs beneath the Table,
〈◊〉 f •… tchit from boa •… ds and shelues if he be ab c,
Nav, he can climb if need be, and for that,
With him I hunt the Martin and the Cat.
And yet sometimes in mounting he's so quick,
He fet •… hes falls, are like to break his neck.
Fear is well-mouthed, but subject to 〈◊〉 ,
A stranger cannot make him take a crust.
A little thing will soon his courage quail,
And 'twixt his legs he ever claps his tail.
With him Despair often coupled goes,
Which by his roaring mouth each hunts-man knows.
None hath a better mind unto the game,
But he gives off, and always seemeth lame.
My blo •… d-hound Cruelty. as swift as wind,
Hunts to the death, and never comes behind;
Who but she's strapt and musled to withal,
Would eat her sellowes, and the pray and all,
And yet she car •… s not much for any food,
Unless it be the purest harmless blood.
All thes •… are kept abroad at charge of menny,
They do not cost me in a year a penny.
But there's two coupling of a middling size,
That seldom pass the sight of my own eyes.
Hope, on whose head •… 'ue led my life to pawn.
Compassion, that on everyone will fawn.
This would when 'twas a Whelpe with Rabets play,
Or Lambs, and let them go unhurt away:
Nay, now she is of growth, she'le now and then,
Catch you a Hare, •… nd let her go agen.
The two last, Joy and Sorrow, 'tis a wonder,
Can never agree, nor never •… ide fa •… re •… sunder.
Ioye 's •… uer wanton, and no order knows,
She'le run at Larkes, or stand and bark at Crowe •… .
〈◊〉 goes by her, and ne' •… e moves his eye,
Yet both do s •… rue to help make up the cry:
Then comes behind all these t •… bear the base,
Two 〈◊〉 more of a larger Race,
Such wide mouthed Trollops, that 'twould do you good
To hear their loud land Ecchoes tea •… e the wood.
〈◊〉 Uanity, who by his gaud •… hide,
May far away from all the rest be spide,
Though huge, yet quick, for he's now here, now there,
Nay, look about you, and he's every w •… ere,
And ever with the rest, and st ll in chase:
Right so, Inconstancy fills every place,
And y •… t so strange a sickle natured Hound,
Look •… for him, and he's nowhere to be found,
Wea •… enesse is no fair dog unto the eye,
And yet he hath his proper quality:
But there's Presumption when he heat hath got,
He drowns the Thunder, and the Canon-shot:
And when at Start he his full roaring makes,
The earth doth tremble, and the Heaven shakes.
These were my Dogs, ten couple just in all,
Whom by the name of Sa •… yres I do call:
Mad Curres they be and I can never come night them,
But l'me in danger to be bitten by them.
Much pains I took, and spent days not a few,
To make them keep together, and hunt true:
Which yet I do suppose had never been,
But that I had a Scourge to keep them in.
Now when that I this Kennell first had got,
Out of my own demeanes I hunted not,
Save on these Downes, or among yonder Rocks,
After those Beas •… s that spoil'd our Parish Flocks:
Nor during that time, was I ever wont,
With all my Kennell in one day to hunt:
Nor had done yet, but that this other year,
Some Beasts of Pray, that haunts the Desarts here
Did not alone for many nights together
Deuoure, sometime a Lamb, sometime a Weather,
And so disquiet many a poor man's Heard,
But that of loosing all they were afeard:
Yea, I among the rest did sare as bad,
Or rather worse for the best Ewes I had,
(Whose breed should be my means of 〈◊〉 & gain)
Were in one Euening by these Monsters 〈◊〉 :
Which Mischiefe I resolved to repay,
Or else grow desp'rate, and hunt all away,
For in a fury (such as you shall see
Hunts-men in missing of their sport will be)
I vowed a Monster should not lurk about,
In all this Province, but I'd find him out,
And there-upon without respect or care,
How lame, how full, or how unfit they were.
In hast vnkennell'd all my roaring crew,
Who were as mad as if my mind they knew,
And e're they trayl'd a flight-shot, the fierce Curres
Had rows'd a Hart, and through Brakes and Furres.
Follow'd at gaze so close that Love and Fear
Got in together, so had surely there
Quite over thrown him, but that Hope thrust in
〈◊〉 both, and sau'd the pinching of his skin,
Whereby he scapit, till coursing overthwart,
〈◊〉 came in, and grip'd him to the heart,
I hallowed in the resdue to the fail,
And for an entrance there I fleshit them all,
Which having done, I dipped my staff in blood,
And on •… ard led my Thunder to the •… ood,
Where what they did, I will tell you out anon,
My keeper calls me, and I must be gone.
Go if you please a while, attend your Flocks,
And when the Sun is over yonder Rocks,
Come to this Ca •… e again where I will be,
If that my Guardian so much favor me.
But e're we part, let each one sing a strain,
And then go turn your Sheep into the Plain
WILIY.

I am content.

CVDDY.

As well content am I.

ROGET.

Then Will, Begin, and we'le the rest supply.

SONG.

WILLY.
SHepheard would these Gates were ope,
Thou mightest take with us thy fortune.
ROGET.
No, I will make this narrow scope,
Since my Fate doth so importune
Means unto a wider hope.
CVDDY.
Would thy Shepheardesse were here.
Who beleu'd, loves thee so dearly.
ROGET.
Not for both your Flocks I swear.
And the same they yield you yearly,
Would I so much wrong my Deare,
Yet to me, nor to this Place,
Would she now be long a stranger,
She would hold it no disgrace,
( 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 not more my danger)
Where I am to shewber face.
WILLY.
Shepherd, we would wish no harms,
But something that might co •… tent thee.
ROGET.
Wish me then within her arms,
And that wish will never repent me,
If your wishes might prove charms.
WILLY.
Be thy Prison her embrace,
Be thy air her sweetest breathing.
CVDDY.
Be thy prospect her fair Face,
For each look a kiss bequeathing,
And appoint thyself the place.
ROGET.
Nay pray, hold there, for I should scantly then;
Come meet you here this afternoon agen:
But fare you well. since wishes have no power,
Let us depart, and keep the pointed hours.
FINIS.

The third Eglogue.

ARGUMENT.
ROGET set with his three friends,
Here his hunting story ends;
Kind ALEXIS with much ruth,
Wailes the banished Shepherds youth:
But he slighteth Fortunes stings,
And in spite of Thraldome sings.
  • ROGET.
  • CVDDY.
  • ALEXIS.
  • WILLY.
SO now I see y'are Shepherds of your word,
Thus were you wont to promise, and to do.
CVDDY.
More then our promise is we can afford,
We come our selves, and bring another to:
Alexis whom thou knowest well, is no foe
Who loves thee much, and I do know that he
Would fain a hearer of thy Hunting be.
ROGLI.
Alexis you are welcome, sor you know
You cannot be but welcome where I am,
You ever were a friend of mine in show:
And I have found you are indeed the same,
Upon my first restraint you hither came,
And proffered me more tokens of your love,
Then it were fit my small deserts should prove.
ALEXIS.
T'is still your use to vnderprise your merit,
Be not so coy to take my proffered love;
T'will neither vnbeseeme your worth nor spirit,
To offer curt •… sie doth thy friend behoove,
And which are so, this is a place to prove:
Then once again I say, if cause there be,
First make a trial, if thou please, of me.
ROGET.
Thanks good Alexis; sit down by me here,
I have a task, these Shepherds know, to do;
A Tale already told this Morne well near.
With which I very fain would forward go,
And am as willing thou shouldst hear it to:
But thou canst never understand this last,
Till I have also told thee what is past.
WILLY.
Roget it shall not need, for I presumed,
Your loves to each were firm, and was so bold,
That so much on myself I have assumed,
To make him know what is already told:
If I have done amiss then you may scolde.
But in my telling I preuised this,
He knows not whose, nor to what end it is:
ROGET.
Well now he may, for here my Tale goes on,
My eager Dogs and I to Wood are gone,
Where beating through the Couerts every Hound
A several Game had in a moment found:
I rated them▪ but they pursued their pray,
And as it fell (by hap) took all one way.
Then I began with quicker speed to sollow,
And •… az'd them on with a more cheerful hallow,
That soon we passed many weary miles,
Tracing the subtle game through all these wiles.
These doubl'd, they redoubled on the sent,
Still keeping in •… ull chase where ere they went,
Up Hilles, down 〈◊〉 , through Bogges, and over
Stretching their 〈◊〉 to the highest strains ( Plains,
That when some Thicket hid them from mine eye,
My care was ravished with their melody.
Nor crossed we only Ditches, Hedges, Furrowes,
But Hamlets. •… hings, Parishes, and Burrowes.
They followed where so eu'r the game did go
Through Kitchen, Parler, Hall, and Chamber too,
And as they passed the City and the Court,
My Prince looked out, and daign'd to view my sport,
Which then (although I suffer for it now)
(If some say true) he liking, did allow;
And so much (had I had but wi •… to stay)
I might myself (perhaps) have heard him say,
But I that time, as much as any daring,
More for my pleasure then my safety caring;
Seeing fresh game from every loope-hole rise,
Crossing by thousands still before their eyes.
After I rush'd, and following close my Hounds
Some Beasts I found lie dead, some full of wounds
Among the Willows, scarce with strength to move
One I found here, another there, whom Love
Had grip'd to death: and in the self-same state,
Lav one devoured by Envy, one by Hate,
Lust had bit some, but I soon past beside them,
Their festered wounds so stuncke, none could ablde
Choller hurt diverse, but Reuenge killed more,
Fear srighted all, behind him and before:
〈◊〉 drove on a huge and mighty heap,
Forcing some down from Roc •… es and Hills to leap:
Some into water, some into the fire,
So on themselves he made them wreak his ire:
But I remember as I passed that way,
Where the great Kin •… and Prince of Shepherds lay,
About the walls were hid some once more known,
That my fell Curr Ambition had o'rethrowne.
Many I heard pursued by Pitty cry,
And oft I say my Blood-Hound Cruelty,
Eating her passage even to the heart,
Whither once gotten, she is loath to part.
All pl •… 'd it well, and made so loud a plea,
T'was heard through Britain▪ and beyond the Sea;
Some rated them, some stormed, some liked the game,
Some thoght me worthy praise, some worthy blame.
But I not fearing the one, misteeming toother,
Both, in shrill hallowes and loud •… ernings smother:
Yea, the strong me •… ed and my long-breathed crew,
Seeing the 〈◊〉 increasing in their view,
Grew the more frolic, and the courses length
Gaue better breath, and added to their strength;
Which Jove perceiving, for Jove heard their cries
Rumbling amongst the Spheres concauities:
He marked their course and courages increase,
Saving, towere pity such a chase should cease;
And therewith swore their mouths should never wast
But hunt as long's mortality did last.
Soone did they feel the power of his great gift,
And I began to find their pace more swift:
I followed, and I rated, but in vain,
Striu'd to o'retake, or take them up again;
They never stayed since, neither nights nor days,
But to and fro still run a thousand ways:
Yea often to this place where now I lie,
They'l wheel about to cheer me with their cry;
And one day in good time will vengeance take
On some offenders, for their Masters sake:
For know, my Friends, my freedom in this sort
For them I lose, and making myself sport.
WILLY.

Why Roget, was there any harm in this?

ROGET.

No Willy, and I hope yet none there is.

WILLY.

How comes this then?

ROGET.
Note and I will tell thee how.
Thou knowest that Truth and Innocency now,
If placed with meanness, suffers more despite
Then Uillanies, accompan'ed with might:
But thus it fell, while that my Hound pursued
Their noisome pray, and every field lay strewed
With Monsters, hurt and slain mongst many a beast,
Some viler, and more subtle then the rest,
On whom the Bitch called Envy, hapit to light:
And as her won •… is, did so surely b •… te,
That though she left behind small outward smarts,
The wounds were deep, and wrankled to their harts.
Then joining to some other that of late
Were very eagerly pursued by Hate,
To fit their purpose having taken leisure,
Did thus conspire to work me a displeasure.
For imitation far supassing Apes,
They laid aside their Fox, and Wooluish shapes.
And shrouded in the skins of harmelesle she •… pe
Into by-ways, and open-paths did creep,
Where they (as hardly drawing breath) did lie,
Showing their wounds to every pas •… r by;
To make them think that they were sheep so foi •… 'd
And by my dogs in their late hunting spoil'd.
Beside some other that envy'd my game,
And for thei •… pastime kept such Monsters tame:
As you do know there's many for their pleasure,
Keep Foxes, Bears, and Wolves, as some great treasure:
Yea, many get their living by them to,
And so did store of these, I speak of do,
Who seeing that my Kennell had affrighted,
Or •… urt some •… Uermine wherein they delighted,
And finding their own power by much too weak
Th •… ir Malice on my Innocence to wreak,
Swolne with the deepest rancor of despite,
Some of our greatest Shepherds folds by night
They closely entered; and there having stained
Their hands in 〈◊〉 , of me they plain'd,
Affirming, without shame or honesty,
I and my Dogs had done it purposely:
Whereat they stor •… 'd, and called me to a trial,
Where Inn •… cence prevails not, nor denial,
But for that 〈◊〉 here in this place I lie,
Where none so merry as my dogs and I.
CVDD •… .
Believe it, here's a Tale will su •… en 〈◊〉 ,
For 〈◊〉 in another Age to tell.
WIIIY.
And Roget shall be thought on with delight,
For this hereafter many a Winters night,
For of this sport another Age will ring:
Yea, Nymphes unborn now, of the same shall sing,
When not a beauty on our greenes shall play
That hath not heard of Rogets hunting day.
ROG •… T.
It may be so, for it that gentle Sw •… ine,
Who wonnes by Ta •… y, on the western plain,
Would make the Song, such life his ver •… e can give,
Then I do know my Nam •… might ever live.
ALEXIS.
But tell me; are our Playnes and Nimphes forgot,
And canst thou 〈◊〉 in thy trouble be?
ROG •… T.
Can I Alexis savst thou? Can I not
That am resolu'd to scorn more m •… sery?
AIEXIS.
Oh, but thy youth's yet green, and young blood hot,
And liberty must n •… eds be sweet to thee,
But now most s •… eet whilst every bushy 〈◊〉 ,
And Grone and 〈◊〉 , rings of the Nightingale.
Me thinks when thou rememberest those sweet iayes,
Which thou wouldest lead thy Shepheardesse to hear
E •… ch evening forth among the Leau •… sprayes,
The thoght of that should make thy freedom deer;
For now whilst ever •… Nimph on Holy-da •… es
〈◊〉 with some 〈◊〉 Lad, and maketh cheer,
Thine sighs for thee, and mew'd up from resort,
Will neither play her self, nor see their sport.
There's Shepherds that were many a morning wont
Unto their Boys to leave the •… ender Heard,
And bear thee company when thou didst hunt,
Cannot their songs thou hast so gladly heard,
Northy m •… st pleasure make thee think vponit,
But seems all vain, now that was once indear'd.
It cannot be, for I could make relation,
How for lesle cause thou hast been deep in passion.
ROGET.
Ti •… true: my tender heart was ever yet
Too cap •… ble of such conoeits as these;
I never s •… w that Object but from it,
The Passions of my Love, I could encre •… se
Those things which move not other men a whi •… ,
I can, and do make use of, if I please:
When I am sad, to sadness I apply,
Each Bird, and Tree, and Flower that I pass by.
So when I will be merry, I as well
Something for mirth from everything can draw,
From Misery, from Prisons, nay from Hell,
And as when to my mind, grief gives a flaw,
Best comforts d •… e but make my woes more fell,
So when I am bent to M •… rth, from mischiefs pawe
(Though ceased upon me) I would something cull,
That spite of care should make my joys more full.
I feel those wants Alexis thou doest name,
Which spite of •… outh's affections I sustain;
Or else for what isit I have gotten fame,
And am more known then many an elder Swain?
If such desires I had not learned to •… ame,
Since many pipe much better on this Plain:
But tune your Reedes, and I will in a Song
Express my Care, and how I take this wrong.

SONNET.

I That ere'st-while the worlds sweet Air did draw,
(Grac'd by the farrest ever Mortall saw;)
Now closely pent, with walls of Ruth less stone,
Consume my Days, and Nights, and all-alone.
When I was wont to sing of Shepherds loves,
My walks were Fields, and Downes, and Hilles, and Groues,
But now (alas) so sirict is my hard doom,
Fields, Downes, Hills, Groues, & all's but one poor room.
Each Morne as soon as Day-light did appear,
With Natures Music Birds would charm mine ear;
Which now (in •… ead) of their melodious strains,
Hear rattling shackles, gyues, and boults, and chains.
But though that all the world's delight forsake me,
I have a Mu •… e and s •… e 〈◊〉 Music make me;
Whose a •… y Notes inspight of 〈◊〉 cages,
Shall give content to me, and afterages,
Nor do I pass for all this outward ill.
My heart's the •… ame, and vnde •… ected still;
And whic •… is more then some in freedom win;
I hau •… true rest, and peace, and joy within.
And then my Mind that s •… ight of prison's free,
When er •… e she pleases, anywhere can be;
She's in an hour in France, Roome, Turkey, Spain,
In Earth, in Hell, in Heaven, and here again.
Yet there's another comfort in my w •… e,
My ca •… se is spread, and all •… he world doth know
My •… ault's no more but speaking Truth and Reason,
Nor Debt, nor Theft, nor Murder, •… ape, nor Treason.
Nor shall my Foes with all their Might and Power,
Wi •… e out their s •… ame, nor yet this Fame of our
Which when they •… inde they shall my Fate envy,
Till they grow lean, and sick, and mad, and dy •… .
Then though my Body here in Prisonrot,
And my poor 〈◊〉 seem a while forgot,
Yet when both Fame and Life have left those men,
My 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and live agen.
So thus 〈◊〉 , I bear afflictions load,
But with mo •… e true content then some abroad;
For while •… st 〈◊〉 thoughts do feel my scourges sting▪
In bands I will leap •… , and daunc •… and laugh, and sing.
ALEXIS.
Why now I see thou dioup'st not with thy care,
Neither exclaim'st thou on thy hunting day,
But dost with vnchang'd resolution bear,
The heavy burden of exile away,
All that did truly know thee did conceive,
Thy actions with thy spirit still agree'd;
Their good conceit thou doest no whit bereave,
But showest that thou art still thyself indeed.
If that thy mind to baseness now descends,
Thou'lt injure Virtue, and deceive thy friends.
WILLY.
Alexi •… , he will injure Virtue much,
But more his friends, and most of all himself,
If on that common bar his mind but touch,
It wracks his same upon disgraces shelf:
Yet Roget, if thou stere but on the course,
That in thy just adventure is begun;
No thwarting Tide, nor adverse blast shall force
Thy Bark without the Channels bounds to run,
Thou art the same thou wert for ought I see,
When thou didst freely on the Mountains hunt,
In nothing changed yet, unless it be
More merrily disposed then thou wert wont,
Still keep thee thus, so other men shall know,
Uertue can give content in midst of woe.
And he though mightiness with frowns doth threat,
To be yet Innocent is to be great.
Thriue and farewell.
ALEXIS.

In this thy trouble flourish.

CVDDY.

While those that wish thee ill, fret, pine, and perist •… .

FINIS.

To his truly beloved loving Friend, M r . WILLIAM BROWNE, of the Inner Temple.

The fourth Eglogue.

ARGUMENT.
ROGET here on WILLY calls,
To sing out his Pastorals:
Warrants Fame shall orace his Rimes,
Spight of Envy and the Times;
And shows how in care he uses,
To take comfort from his Muses.
  • ROGET.
  • WILLY.
P Rethy WILLY tell me this,
What new accident there is,
That thou (once the blythest Lad)
Art become so wondrous sad?
And so careless of thy quill,
As if thou hadst lost thy skill.
Thou wert wont to charm thy Flocks,
And among these rudest rocks
Hast so cheered me with thy Song,
That I have forgot my wrong.
Something hath thee surely crossed,
That thy old wont thou hast lost,
Tell me, Have I ought mis-said
That hath made thee illa-paid?
Hath some Churl done thee a spite?
Dost thou m •… le a Lamb to night?
Frownes thy fairest Shepherds Lasse?
Or how comes this ill to pass?
Is there any discontent
Worse then this my banishment?
WILLY.
Why, doth that so evil seem
That thou nothing worse dost deem?
Shepherd, there full many be,
That will change Contents with thee.
Those that choose their walks at will,
On the Valley or the Hill.
Or those pleasures boast of can
Groues or fields may yield to man:
Never come to know the rest
Wherewithall thy mind is blest.
Many a one that oft resorts
To make up the troop at sports,
And in company some while
Happens to strain forth a smile:
Feeles more want, more outward smart
And more inward grief of heart,
Then this place can bring to thee,
While thy mind remaineth free.
Thou condemn'st my want of mirth,
But what find'st thou in this earth,
Wherein ought may be believed,
Worth to make me joy'd, or grieved?
And yet feel I (na •… helesse)
Part of both I must confess,
Sometime I of Mirth do borrow,
Otherwhile as much of sorrow,
But my present state is such,
I am nor Joy'd, nor grieved much.
ROGET.
Why hath WILLY then so long
Thus forborne •… his wonted song?
Wherefore doth he now let fall,
His well-tuned Pastoral?
And my cares that Music bar▪
Which I more long after far,
Then the liberty I want.
WILLY.
That were very much to grant.
But doth this hold always lad,
Those that sing not must be sad?
Did'st thou ever that bird hear
Sing well, that sings all the year?
Tom the Piper doth not play
Till he wears his Pipe away:
There's a time to slack the string,
And a time to leave to sing.
ROGET.
Yea, but no man now is still,
That can sing, or tune a quill.
Now to chant it, were but reason,
Song and Music are in season,
Now •… n this sweet •… olly tide,
Is the earth in all her pride.
The fair Lady of the May
Trim'd up in her best array
Hath invited all the Swaines,
With the Lasses of the Plaines
To attend upon her sport
At the places of resort.
Corridon (with his bold Rout)
Hath already been about
For the elder Shepherds dole,
And fetched in the Summer-Pole:
Whilest the rest have built a Bower,
To defend them from a shower,
Se •… l'd so close with boughs all green,
Tytan cannot pry between.
Now the Darrie Wenches dream
Of their Stra •… berries and Creame:
And each doth her self advance
To be taken in, to dance▪
Everyone that knows to sing,
Fits him for his Carolling:
So do those that hope for meede,
Either by the Pipe or Reede,
And though I am kept away,
I do hear (this very day)
Many learned Groomes do wend,
For the Garlands to contend.
Which a Nimph that hight Desert,
(Long a stranger in this part)
With her own fair hand hath wrought
A rare work (they say) past thought,
As appeareth by the name,
For she calls them Wreathes of fame.
She hath set in their due place
Eu'ry flower that may grace,
And among a thousand moe,
Whereof some but serve for show)
She hath woue in Daphnes tree,
That they may not blasted be.
Which with Time she edge'd about,
Least the work should rau •… ll out.
And that it might wither never,
Intermixt it with Live-ever.
These are to be shar'd among
Those that do excel for song:
Or their passions can rehearse,
In the smooth'st and sweetest verse.
Then for th •… se among the rest,
That can play and pipe the best▪
There's a Kidling with the Damme,
A fat Weathe •… , and a Lamb.
And for those that leapen far,
Wrastle, Run, and throw the Barre,
There's appointed guerdons to,
He that best the first can do
Shall for his re •… ard be paid,
With a Sheep-hook, fair in-laid
With fine bone, of a strange beast,
That men bring from out the west.
For the next, a Scrip of red,
Tassel'd with fine coloured thread.
There's prepared for their need,
That in running make most speed,
Or the cunning measures foot,
Cups of turned Maple-root,
Whereupon the skillful man
Hath i •… grau'd the Loxes of Pan:
And the last hath for his due
A fine Napking wrought with blew.
Then my Willy why art thou
Carelesse of thy merit now?
What dost here with a wight
That is shut up from delight,
In a solitary den
As not fit to live with men?
Go my Willy get thee gone,
Leave me in exile alone.
Hye thee to that merry throng,
And amaze them with thy Song,
Thou art young, yet such a Lay
Never grat'd the month of May,
As (if they provoke thy skill)
Thou canst fit unto thy Quill.
I with wonder heard thee sing,
At our last years Reuelling.
Then I with the rest was free,
When unknown I noted thee:
And perceived the ruder Swaines,
Envy thy far sweeter strains.
Yea, I saw the Lasses cling
Round about thee in a Ring:
As if each one •… ealous were,
Any but her self should hear.
And I know they yet do long
For the res'due of thy song.
Haste thee then to sing it forth,
Take the benefit of worth.
And Desert will sure bequeath
Fames fair garland for thy wreath.
Hye thee Willy, hye away.
WILLY.
Roget rather let me stay,
And be desolate with thee,
Then at those their Reuels be,
Nought such is my skill I wis,
As in deed thou deem'st it is.
But what ere it be, I must
Be content, and shall I trust.
For a song I do not pass▪
Mong'st my friends, but what (alas)
Should I have to do with them
That my Music do contemn?
Some there are, as well I wot,
That the same yet favor not:
Yet I cannot well avow,
They my Car •… ols disallow.
But such malice I have spid,
It is as much as if they did.
ROGET.
Willy, what may those men be
Are so ill to malice thee?
WILLY.
Some are worthy-well esteemed
Some without worth are so deemed▪
Others of so base a spirit,
They have nor esteem, nor merit.
ROGET.

What's the wrong?

WILLY.
A slight offense,
Wherewithall I can dispence;
But hereafter for their sake,
To myself I will music make.
ROGET.
What, because some Clowne offends,
Wilt thou punish all thy friends?
WILLY.
Honest Roget understand me,
Those that love me may command me▪
But thou knowest I am but young,
And the Pastoral I sung,
Is by some supposed to be,
(By a strain) too high for me:
So they kindly let me gain,
Not my labor for my pain.
Trust me, I do wonder why
They should me my own deny.
Though I am young, I scorn to fli •… ,
On the wings of borrowed wit.
I will make my own feathers rear me,
Whither others cannot bear me.
Yet I will keep my skill in store,
Till I'ue seen some Winters mo •… .
ROGET.
But in earnest mean'st thou so?
Then thou art not wise, I trow.
Better shall advise thee Pan,
For thou dost not rightly than:
That's the ready •… ay to blot
All the credit thou hast got.
Rather in thy Ages prime,
Get another start of Time:
And make those that so fond be,
(Spight of their own dullness) see
That the sacred Muses can
Make a child in years, a man.
It is known what thou canst do,
For it is not long ago,
When that CVDDY, Thou, and I
Fach the others skill to try,
At Saint Dunstanes charmed Well,
(As some present there can tell)
Sang upon a sudden Theame,
Sitting by the Crimson stream.
Where, if thou didst well or no,
Yet remains the song to show.
Much experience more I'ue had
Of thy skill (thou happy Lad)
And would make the world to know it;
But that time will further show it:
Envy makes their tongues now run,
More then doubt of what is done,
For that needs must be thy own,
Or to be some others known:
But how then wilt suit unto
What thou shalt hereafter do?
Or I wonder where is he,
Would with that song part to thee:
Nay, were there so mad a Swain,
Could such glory'sell for gain;
Phoebus would not have combined,
That gift with so base a mind.
Never did the Nine impart
The sweet secrets of their Art
Unto any that did scorn
We should see their sauors worn,
Therefore unto those that say,
Where they pleased to sing a Lay,
They could dooit, and will not though;
This I speak, for this I know:
None ere drunk the Thespian spring,
And knew how, but he did sing.
For that once infused in man,
Makes him shewit, do what he can,
Nay those that do only sip
Or but eu'n their fingers dip
In that sacred Fount (poor Elues)
Of that brood will show themselves;
Yea, in hope to get them fame,
They will speak though to their shame,
Let those then at thee repine,
That by their wits measure thine,
Needs those Songs must be thine own,
And that one day will be known,
The same imputation to,
I myself do undergo:
But it will appear ere long,
I am abused, and thou hast wrong,
Who at twice ten hast sung more,
Then some will do at fourscore.
Cheere thee (honest Willy ) then,
And begin thy song agen.
WILLY.
Faine I would, but I do fear
When again my Lines they hear,
If they yield they are my Rimes,
They will fain some other Crimes,
And 'tis no safe ventring by,
Where we see Detraction lie.
For do what I can, I doubt,
She will pick some quarrel out,
And I ost have heard defended,
Little said, and soon amended.
ROGET.
See'st thou not in clearest days
Oft thick fogs cloud Heavens rays?
And the vapors that do breath
From the earths gross womb •… e eath,
Seeme they not with their black steams,
To pollute the Suns bright beams,
And vet vanish into air.
Leauing it (vnblemisht) fair?
So (my Willy ) shall it be
With Detractions breath and thee.
It shall never rise so hie,
As to stain thy Poesie.
As that Sun doth oft exhale,
Vapours from each rotten Vale,
Poesie so sometime draines,
Grosse conceits from muddy brains;
Mists of Envy, fogs of spite,
Twixt men's judgments and her light:
But so much her power may do,
That she can dissolve them too.
If thy verse do bravely tower,
As she makes wing, she gets power.
Yet the higher she doth sore,
She's affionted still the more:
Till she to the high'st hath past,
Then she rests with fame at last.
Let naught therefore thee affright,
But make forward in thy flight:
For if I could match thy Rime,
To the very stars l'de clime.
There begin again and fly
Till I reached Aeternity.
But (alas) my Muse is slow:
For thy pace she flagges too low:
Yes, the more's her haplesse fate,
Her short wings were clipt of late.
And poor I, her fortune ruing,
Am myself put up a muing.
But if I my Cage can rid,
I will fly where I never did.
And though for her sake l'me crossed,
Though my best hopes I have lost,
And knew she would make my trouble,
Ten times more then ten times double:
I would love and keep her to,
Spight of all the world could do.
For though banished from my flocks,
And confined within these rocks,
Here I waste away the light,
And consume the sullen Night,
She doth for my comfort stay,
And keeps many cares away.
Though I miss the flowery Fields,
With those sweets the Spring-tide yields,
Though I may not see those Groues,
Where the Shepherds chaunt their Loves,
And the Lasses more excel,
Then the sweet-voiced Philomel,
Though of all those pleasures past,
Nothing now remains at last,
But Remembrance (poor relief)
That more makes, then mends my grief:
She's my minds companion still,
Maugre Enuies evil will.
(Whence she should be driven to,
Werit in mortals power to do.)
She doth tell me where to borrow
Comfort in the midst of sorrow;
Makes the desolatest place
To her presence be a grace;
And the blackest discontents
Be her fairest ornaments.
In my former days of bliss,
Her divine skill taught me this,
That from everything I saw,
I could some invention draw:
And raise pleasure to her height,
Through the meanest objects fight,
By the murmur of a spring,
Or the least boughs rusteling.
By a Dazie whose leaves spread
Shut when Tytan goes to bed,
Or a shady bush or tree,
She could more infuse in me,
Then all Natures beauties can,
In some other wiser man.
By her help I also now,
Make this churlish place allow
Somethings, that may sweeten gladness
In the very gall of sadness.
The dull loanesse, the black shade,
That these hanging vaults have made,
The strange Music of the waves,
Beating on these hollow Caues.
This black den which Rocks embosse,
Ouer-grown with eldest moss.
The rude portals that give light,
More to Terror then Delight.
This my Chamber of Neglect,
Wal'd about with Disrespect,
From all these, and this dull air,
A fit object for Despair,
She hath taught me by her might
To draw comfort and delight.
Therefore thou best earthly bliss
I will cheris •… thee for this.
Poesie; thou sweet'st content
That ere Heaven to mortals lent.
Though they as a trifle leave thee
Whose dull thoughts cannot conceive th •…
Though thou be to them a scorn
That to naught but earth are borne:
Let my life no longer be,
Then I am in love with thee.
Though our wise ones call it madness,
Let me never taste of gladness
If I l •… ue not thy madest sits
Above all their greatest •… its.
And though some too seeming holy
Do account thy raptures folly:
Thou dost teach me to contemn
What makes Knaues and Fools of them.
O high power that oft doth carry
Men above,
WILLY.
Good Roget carry
I do fear thou wilt be gone
Quite above my reach anon,
The kind flames of Poesy
Have now borne thy thoughts so high,
That they up in Heaven be
And have quite forgotten me.
Call thyself to mind again
Are these Raptures for a Swain,
That attends on lowly sheep
And with simple herds doth keep?
ROGET.
Thank •… s my Willy, I had run
Till that Time had log'd the Sun,
If thou hadst not made me stay;
But thy pardon here I pray.
Lou'd Apollo 's sacred sire
Has raised up my spirits higher
Through the love of Poesy,
Then indeed they use to fly.
But as I said, I say still,
If that I had Will •… 's skill
Envy nor Detractions tongue,
Should ere make me leave my song:
But I'd sing it every day
Till they pin'd themselves away.
Be thou then adui •… 'd in this
Which both •… ust and fitting is,
Finish what thou hast begun
Or at least still forward run:
〈◊〉 and Thu •… der ill he will bear
That a blast of wind doth fear:
And if w •… rds will thus afray thee,
Prethee how will deeds dismay thee?
Do not think so rathe a song
Can pass through the vulgar throng,
And escape without a touch,
Or that they can hurt it much:
Frosts we see d •… e 〈◊〉 that thing
Which is for •… ard's in the Spring:
Yet at last for all such lets
Somewhat of the rest 〈◊〉 gets:
And I am sure that so •… aist thou,
Therefore my kind Willy now,
S •… nce thy folding time 〈◊〉 on
And I see thou mu •… t be gone,
T •… ee I earnestly b •… seech
To rememb •… r this m •… s •… ech,
And some little couns •… ll 〈◊〉 ,
For thy poor friend Rogets sake:
And I more of this will 〈◊〉 ,
If th •… u come next Holy-day.
FINIS.

To Master W. F. of the Middle Temple.

The fifth Eglogue.

ARGUMENT.
ROGET here ALEXIS moves,
To embrace the Muses loves;
▪Bids him never careful seem,
Of another's disesteem▪
Since to them it may suffice,
That themselves can iustl •… prize.
  • ROGET.
  • ALEXIS.
ALEXIS if thy worth do not disdain
The humble friendship of a meaner 〈◊〉
Or some more needful business of the day
Urge th •… e to be too hasty on thy way;
Come (g •… ntle Shepherd) rest thee here by me,
Under the shadow of this broad-leave'd tree:
For though I seem a stranger, yet mine eye
Obserues in thee the marks of courtesy:
And if my judgment err not, noted too
More then in those that •… ore would seem •… o do;
Such virtues thy rare modesty doth hide
Which by their proper luster I •… spy'd;
And though long mask' •… in silence they have been
I have a wisdom through that silence seen:
Yea, I have learned knowledge from thy tongue,
And heard when thou hast in concealment sung:
Which me the bolder and more willing made
Thus to inuit •… thee to this homely shade.
And though (it may be) thou couldst neu •… r spy
Such worth in me, I might be known thereby,
In thee I do; for here •… y neighbouring sheep
Upon the border of these down •… I keep:
Where often thou at Pastorals and plays,
Hast graced our Wakes on Summer Holy days:
And many a •… ime with thee at this cold spring
M •… rl, to hear your learned shepherds sing,
Saa them disporting in the shady grouc •… ,
And in chaste Sonn •… ts •… ooe their chaster loves:
When I endued with the meanest skill,
Mongst others have been vrg'd to tune my quill,
Where cause but l •… ttle cunning I had got)
Perhaps thou saw'st me, though thou knew'st me not
ALFXIS.
Yes Roget, I do know thee and thy name,
Nor is my knowledge grounded all on fame,
Art not thou he, that but this other year.
S •… ard'st all the Wolves and Foxes in the sheere?
And in a ma •… ch at Foot-ball lately tried
(Having scarce twenty Satires on thy side)
Held'd pla •… : and though assailed, kept'st thy stand
Gainst all the best-tried Ruffi •… ns in the land?
Did'st thou not then in dolesull Sonnets mone,
When the beloved of great Pan was gone;
And at the wedding of fair THAME & RHINE,
Sing of their glories to thy Valentine?
I know it, and I must confess that long
In one thing I did do thy nature wrong:
For till I marked the aim thy Satires had,
I thought them ouerbold and Roge •… mad;
But since I did mo •… e nearly on thee look
I soon perceived that I had all mistook;
I saw that of a Cynicke thou madest show
Where since I find that thou wert nothing so,
And that of many thou much blame hadst got
When as thy Innocence deseru'd it not.
But this too good opinion thou hast seemed
To have of me (not so to be esteemed)
Preuailes not ought to stay him who doth fear
He rather should reproofs then praises hear
It is true, I found thee plain and honest to,
Which made me like, then love as now I do.
And Roget though a stranger this I say
Where I d •… e love I am not coy to stay.
ROG •… T.
Thanks gentle S •… aine that dost so soon vn •… old
What I to thee a •… gladly woe •… ld have told
And thus thy wonted courtesy expressed
In 〈◊〉 entertaining this request:
Sure I should 〈◊〉 my o •… ne content
Or wrong thy love to stand on complemen •… ,
Who hast acquaintance in one word begun
As well as I could in an age have done:
Or by an ou •… rweaning slowness mar •… e
What thy more wisdom hath brought on so far
Then sit thou down and Il' •… my mind declare
As free •… , as if we familiars were:
And i •… thou wilt but deign •… o give me ear
Some •… hing thou mayest f •… r thy more profit hear,
ALEXIS.

Willingly Roget I thy wish obey.

ROG •… T.
Then know Alexis from that very day
When as I saw thee at that Shepherds Coat
Where each I think o •… other took first noate,
I mean that Pastor who by Tauies springs
Chast Shephear •… s louc •… in sweetest numbers sing •… ,
And with his Music (to his greater fame)
Hath late made proud the fairest Nimph •… of Thame.
E'ne then me thought I did espy in the •…
Some vnperceiu'd and hidden worth to be,
Which in thy more apparent virtues shined
And among many I in thought deuin'd,
By something my conceit had understood
That thou wert marked one of the Muses brood,
That made me love thee: And that love I bear
Begat a Pitty, and that Pitty Care:
〈◊〉 I had to s •… e good parts concealed,
Care I had how to have tha •… good r •… ueal'd,
Since ' 〈◊〉 a f •… uit 〈◊〉 no excuse
To possess much a •… d yet put naught in us •… :
Heereon I vowed (if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eve •… 〈◊〉
The first 〈◊〉 that I would 〈◊〉 to g •… t
Should be but 〈◊〉 is, that •… hou 〈◊〉 show th •… skill,
Ho •… thou couldest •… une thy ve •… ses to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 :
And teach thy Muse in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 long,
To she •… the Art th •… u 〈◊〉 suppressed so long:
Which if my new acquaintance may ob •… aine
Roget will ever honor this days gain.
〈◊〉 .
Alas! my small experienc •… scarce c •… n tell
So much as where those 〈◊〉 the Muses dwell,
Nor ( •… hough my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 travels on)
Shall I ere reach to drink of Hellicon;
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 be to taste
What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ames but oue •… -flow in waste,
An •… 〈◊〉 Parnassus, where •… it low'st doth lie,
I •… ear my skill would hardly flag so hye.
ROGET.
D spayre not Man, the God's have 〈◊〉 naught
So d •… ere that may not be with labor bought,
Nor need 〈◊〉 pain be great since Fate and Heaven
That (as a bl •… ssing) at thy 〈◊〉 have given.
ALEXIS.

Why say they had?

RO •… ET.
Then use their gifts thou must,
Or be ungrateful, and so be unjust:
F •… r if it cannot true •… y be denied,
Ingrati •… ude men's benefits do hide;
Then more vng •… atefull must he be by odds
Who doth conceal the bounty o •… the G •… ds.
ROGET.
That's true indeed, but Envy haunteth those
Who seeking fame their hidden skill disclose:
Where else they might (obscured) from her espying,
Escape the blasts and danger of envying:
Critics will censure our best strains of Wit,
And pu •… blind Ignorance misconster it.
All which i •… bad, yet worse then this doth follow,
Most hate the Muses, and contemn Apollo.
ALEXIS.
So let them: why should we their hate esteem?
Isit not enough we of our selves can deem?
It is more to their disgrace that we scorn them
Then unto us that they our Art contemn;
Can we have better pastime then to see
Their gross heads may so much deceived be,
As to allow those d •… ings best where wholly
We 〈◊〉 them to their face, and flout their folly:
Or to behold black Envy in her prim •… ,
Die self-consumed whilst we vie lives with time:
And in despite of her, more fame attain
Th •… n all her malice can wipe out again?
ROGET.
Yea but if I applied me to those strains,
Wh •… should drive forth my flocks unto the plains.
Which whilst the Muses rest, and leisure crave,
Must •… atering, folding, and attendance have.
For if I leave with wonted care to cherish
Those tender herds: both I and they should perish
AL •… XIS.
Alexis now I see thou dost mistake,
There is no meaning thou thy charge forsake;
Nor would I wish thee so thyself abuse
As to neglect thy calling for thy Muse:
But let these two so of each other borrow,
That they may scason mirth, and lessen sorrow.
Thy flock will help thy charges to desray,
Thy muse to pass the long and tedious day.
Or whilst thou •… un'st sweet measures to thy Reed
Thy sheep to listen will more near thee feed,
The wolves will shun them, birds •… boue thee sing,
And Lambkins dance about thee in a Ring;
Nay which is more: in this thy low estate
Thou in contentment shalt with Monarkes mate:
For mighty Pan, and Ceres to us grants
Our fields and flocks shall help our outward wants.
The Muses teach us songs to put off cares,
Grac'd with as rare and sweet conceits as theirs:
And we can think our Lasses on the greenes
As fair, or fairer, then the fairest Queens;
Or what is more then most of them shall do,
We'le make their iuster sames last ionger to,
Having our Lines by greatest Princes graced
When both their name and memory's defaced.
Therefore Alexis though that some disdain
The heavenly music of the Rurall plain,
What isit to us, if they (or'e seen) contemn
The dainties which were nere ordained for them?
And though that there be other some envy
The praises due to sacred Poesie,
Let them disdain and fret till they are weary,
We in our selves have that shall make us merry:
Which he that wants, and had the power to know it,
Would give his life that he might die a Poet.
ALEXIS.

A brave persuasion.

ROGET.
Here thou see'st me pent
Within the jaws of strict imprisonment;
A forlorn Shepherd, void of all the means,
Whereon Mans common hope in danger leans:
Weak in myself. Exposed to the Hate
Of those whose Enuyes are ins •… tiate:
Shut from my Friends, banished from all delights,
Nay worse; excluded from the sacred Rites.
Here I do live (mongst out-laws marked for death)
As one unfit to draw the common breath,
Where those who to be good did never know
Are barred from the means should make them so.
I suffer, cause I wished my Country well,
And what I more must bear I cannot tell.
I am sure they give my body little scope,
And would allow my Mind as little Hope,
I wast my Means, which of it self is slender,
Consume my Time (perhaps my Fortunes hinder)
And many Crosses have, which those that can
Conceaue no wrong that hurts another man
Will not take note of, though if half so much
Should light on them, or their own person touch,
Some that themselves (I fear) most worthy think
With all their helps would into baseness shrink,
But spite of Hate, and all that spite can do,
I •… an be patient yet, and merry to;
That s •… nder Muse of mine, by which my Name,
Though scarce deseru'd hath gaind a little fame,
Hath made me unto such a Fortune borne,
That all misfortunes I know how to scorn;
Yea, midst these bands can sleight the Great'st that be
As much as their disdain misteemes of me.
This Cave whose very presence some affrights
I have oft made to Echo forth delights,
And hope to turn, is any Justice be,
Both Shame and Care on those that wisht it me:
For while the world rank villainies affords.
I will not spare to paint them out in words;
Because I thus into these troubles run,
I knew what man could act, e're I begun;
And I will fulfill what my Muse draws me to,
Maugre all Iayles, and Purgatories to.
For while▪st she 〈◊〉 me honest 〈◊〉 about▪
〈◊〉 or she I know will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 •… ut:
And if by Fate 〈◊〉 power of some,
Must in the worlds eve leave me overcome.
They shall find one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 •… o 〈◊〉 I •… ow,
It cannot •… eele a 〈◊〉 overthrow.
This Hope and trust that great power did in •… use,
That first inspired into my breast •… 〈◊〉 ,
By whom I do, and ever will con •…
All these ill h •… , my foes desp •… , and them.
ALEXIS.
Thou hast so well (young Roget ) plavd thy part
I am almost in love with that sweet Art:
And if some power will but 〈◊〉 my song▪
Alexis will not be obscured long.
ROGET.
Enough kind Pastor: But oh▪ yonder see
Two honest Shepherds walking h •… there be,
C •… ty and Willy, that so dearly love,
Who are repairing unto yonder Groue:
Let's follow them▪ for never brauer Swaines
Made music to their f •… ockes upon these plains.
They are more worthy, and can better tell
What •… are contents do with a Poet dwell.
Then whiles our sheep the short sweet grass do shear,
And till the long shade of the hills appear▪
We'l •… hear them sing: for though the one be young,
Never was any that more sweetly sung.
FINIS.

A Postscript To the READERS.

I F you have read this, and received any content, I am glad (though it be not so much as I could wish you,) if you think it idle, why then I see we are not likely to fall out; for I am just of your minds: yet weigh it well before you run too far in your censures, least this prove less barren of wit then you of courtesy. It is very true (I know not by what chance) that I have of late been so highly beholding to Opinion, that I wonder how I crept so much into her favor, and (if I did think it worthy the fearing,) I should be afraid that she having so undeservedly befriended me beyond my Hope or expectation, will, upon as little cause, ere long, again pick some quarrel against me: and it may be, means to make use of this, which I know must needs come far short of their expectation, who by their earnest desire of it seemed to be fore-possessed with a far better conceit then I can believe it proves worthy of. So much atleast I doubted, and therefore loath to deceive the world (though it often beguile me) I kept it to myself, indeed not dreaming ever to see it published: But now, by the overmuch persuasion of some friends, I have been constrained to expose it to the general view. Which seeing I have done, Somethings I desire thee to take notice of. First, that I am He who to pleasure my friend, have framed myself a content out of that which would otherwise discontent me. Secondly, that I have coveted more to effect what I think truly honest in it self, then by a seeming show of Art, to catch the vain blasts of uncertain Opinion. This that I have here written, was no part of my study, but only a recreation in imprisonment: and a trifle, neither in my conceit fitting, not by me intended to be made common; yet some, and it should seem esteeming it worthy more respect then I did, took pains to copy it out, unknown to me, and in my absence got it both Authorized and prepared for the Press; so that if I had not hindered it, last Michaelmas-Tearme had been troubled with it. I was much blamed by some Friends for withstanding it, to whose request I should more easily have consented, but that I thought (as indeed I yet do) I should thereby more disparage myself, then content them. For I doubt I shall be supposed one of those, who out of their arrogant desire of a little preposterous Fame, thrust into the world every unseasoned trifle that drops out of their unsettled brains; whose baseness how much I hate, those that know me can witness, for if I were so affected, I might perhaps present the world with as many several Poems as I have seen years; and justly make myself appear to be the Author of some things that others have shamefully usurped and made use of as their own. But I will be content other men should own some of those Issues of the Brain, for I would be loath to confess all that might in that kind call me Father. Neither shall anymore of them, by my consent, in hast again trouble the world, unless I know which way to benefit it with less prejudice to my own estate. And therefore if any of those less serious Poems which are already dispersed into my friends hands, come amongst you, let not their publication be imputed to me, nor their lightness be any disparagement to what hath been since more seriously written, seeing it is but such stuff as riper judgments have in their far older years been much more guilty of.

I know an ▪indifferent Critticke may find many faults as well in the sleightnesse of this present Subject, as in the erring from the true nature of an Eglogue: moreover, it altogether concerns myself, which diverse may dislike. But neither can be done on just cause: The first hath been answered already: the last might consider that I was there where my own estate was chiefly to be looked unto, and all the comfort I could minister unto myself little enough.

If any man deem it worthy his reading, I shall be glad: if he think his pains ill bestowed, let him blame himself for meddling with that concerned him not; I neither recommended it to him, neither cared whether he read it or no, because I know those that were desirous of it, will esteem the same as much as I expect they should.

But it is not unlikely, some will think I have in diverse places been more wanton (as they take it) then befitteth a Satirist; yet their severity I fear not, because I am assured all that I ever yet did, was free from Obseaeuitie: neither am I so Cynicall, but that I think a modest expression of such amorous conceits as sure with Reason, will yet very well become my years; in which not to have feeling of the power of Love, were as great an argument of much stupidity, as an over-sottish affection were of extreme folly. Lastly, if you think it hath not well answered the title of the Shepherds Hunting, go quarrel with the Stationer, who bid himself God-father, and imposed the name according to his own liking, and if you, or he, find any other faults, pray mend them.

Valete.
FINIS.