The Hesperides & Noble Numbers Part 74

914. A REQUEST TO THE GRACES.

Ponder my words, if so that any be Known guilty here of incivility: Let what is graceless, discompos'd, and rude, With sweetness, smoothness, softness, be endu'd.

Teach it to blush, to curtsy, lisp, and show Demure, but yet full of temptation, too.

_Numbers ne'er tickle, or but lightly please, Unless they have some wanton carriages._ This if ye do, each piece will here be good, And graceful made by your neat sisterhood.

915. UPON HIMSELF.

I lately fri'd, but now behold I freeze as fast, and shake for cold.

And in good faith I'd thought it strange T' have found in me this sudden change; But that I understood by dreams These only were but Love's extremes; Who fires with hope the lover's heart, And starves with cold the self-same part.

916. MULt.i.tUDE.

We trust not to the mult.i.tude in war, But to the stout, and those that skilful are.

917. FEAR.

Man must do well out of a good intent; Not for the servile fear of punishment.

918. TO M. KELLAM.

What! can my Kellam drink his sack In goblets to the brim, And see his Robin Herrick lack, Yet send no bowls to him?

For love or pity to his muse, That she may flow in verse, Contemn to recommend a cruse, But send to her a tierce.

919. HAPPINESS TO HOSPITALITY; OR, A HEARTY WISH TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

First, may the hand of bounty bring Into the daily offering Of full provision such a store, Till that the cook cries: Bring no more.

Upon your hogsheads never fall A drought of wine, ale, beer, at all; But, like full clouds, may they from thence Diffuse their mighty influence.

Next, let the lord and lady here Enjoy a Christ'ning year by year; And this good blessing back them still, T' have boys, and girls too, as they will.

Then from the porch may many a bride Unto the holy temple ride: And thence return, short prayers said, A wife most richly married.

Last, may the bride and bridegroom be Untouch'd by cold sterility; But in their springing blood so play, As that in l.u.s.ters few they may, By laughing too, and lying down, People a city or a town.

_Wish_, om. orig. ed.

_l.u.s.ters_, quinquenniums.

920. CUNCTATION IN CORRECTION.

The lictors bundled up their rods; beside, Knit them with knots with much ado unti'd, That if, unknitting, men would yet repent, They might escape the lash of punishment.

921. PRESENT GOVERNMENT GRIEVOUS.

_Men are suspicious, p.r.o.ne to discontent: Subjects still loathe the present government._

922. REST REFRESHES.

Lay by the good a while; a resting field Will, after ease, a richer harvest yield; Trees this year bear: next, they their wealth withhold: _Continual reaping makes a land wax old_.

923. REVENGE.

_Man's disposition is for to requite An injury, before a benefit: Thanksgiving is a burden and a pain; Revenge is pleasing to us, as our gain._

924. THE FIRST MARS OR MAKES.

In all our high designments 'twill appear, _The first event breeds confidence or fear_.

925. BEGINNING DIFFICULT.

_Hard are the two first stairs unto a crown: Which got, the third bids him a king come down._

926. FAITH FOUR-SQUARE.

Faith is a thing that's four-square; let it fall This way or that, it not declines at all.

927. THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH.

Praise they that will times past; I joy to see Myself now live: _this age best pleaseth me_.

928. CLOTHES ARE CONSPIRATORS.

Though from without no foes at all we fear, We shall be wounded by the clothes we wear.

929. CRUELTY.

_'Tis but a dog-like madness in bad kings, For to delight in wounds and murderings: As some plants prosper best by cuts and blows, So kings by killing do increase their foes._

930. FAIR AFTER FOUL.

_Tears quickly dry, griefs will in time decay: A clear will come after a cloudy day._

931. HUNGER.