The Hesperides & Noble Numbers Part 62

1. Now for to win thy heifer fair, I'll strike thee such a nimble air That thou shalt say thyself 'tis rare, And t.i.tle me without compare.

_Chor._ Lay by a while your pipes, and rest, Since both have here deserved best.

2. To get thy steerling, once again I'll play thee such another strain That thou shalt swear my pipe does reign Over thine oat as sovereign. [_He sings_

_Chor._ And Lalage shall tell by this, Whose now the prize and wager is.

1. Give me the prize. 2. The day is mine.

1. Not so; my pipe has silenc'd thine: And hadst thou wager'd twenty kine, They were mine own. _Lal._ In love combine.

_Chor._ And lay ye down your pipes together, As weary, not o'ercome by either.

_And lay_ ye _down your pipes_. The original edition reads _And lay_ we _down_ our _pipes_.

717. TRUE SAFETY.

'Tis not the walls or purple that defends A prince from foes, but 'tis his fort of friends.

718. A PROGNOSTIC.

As many laws and lawyers do express Nought but a kingdom's ill-affectedness; Even so, those streets and houses do but show Store of diseases where physicians flow.

719. UPON JULIA'S SWEAT.

Would ye oil of blossoms get?

Take it from my Julia's sweat: Oil of lilies and of spike?

From her moisture take the like.

Let her breathe, or let her blow, All rich spices thence will flow.

_Spike_, lavender.

720. PROOF TO NO PURPOSE.

You see this gentle stream that glides, Shov'd on by quick-succeeding tides; Try if this sober stream you can Follow to th' wilder ocean; And see if there it keeps unspent In that congesting element.

Next, from that world of waters, then By pores and caverns back again Induct that inadult'rate same Stream to the spring from whence it came.

This with a wonder when ye do, As easy, and else easier too, Then may ye recollect the grains Of my particular remains, After a thousand l.u.s.ters hurl'd By ruffling winds about the world.

721. FAME.

_'Tis still observ'd that fame ne'er sings The order, but the sum of things._

722. BY USE COMES EASINESS.

Oft bend the bow, and thou with ease shalt do What others can't with all their strength put to.

723. TO THE GENIUS OF HIS HOUSE.

Command the roof, great Genius, and from thence Into this house pour down thy influence, That through each room a golden pipe may run Of living water by thy benison.

Fulfill the larders, and with strengthening bread Be evermore these bins replenished.

Next, like a bishop consecrate my ground, That lucky fairies here may dance their round; And after that, lay down some silver pence The master's charge and care to recompense.

Charm then the chambers, make the beds for ease, More than for peevish, pining sicknesses.

Fix the foundation fast, and let the roof Grow old with time but yet keep weather-proof.

724. HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH.

Though clock, To tell how night draws hence, I've none, A c.o.c.k I have to sing how day draws on.

I have A maid, my Prew, by good luck sent To save That little Fates me gave or lent.

A hen I keep, which creeking day by day, Tells when She goes her long white egg to lay.

A goose I have, which with a jealous ear Lets loose Her tongue to tell that danger's near.

A lamb I keep, tame, with my morsels fed, Whose dam An orphan left him, lately dead.

A cat I keep that plays about my house, Grown fat With eating many a miching mouse.

To these A Tracy[A] I do keep whereby I please The more my rural privacy; Which are But toys to give my heart some ease; Where care None is, slight things do lightly please.

_My Prew_, Prudence Baldwin.

_Creeking_, clucking.

_Miching_, skulking.

[A] His spaniel. (Note in the original edition.)

725. GOOD PRECEPTS OR COUNSEL.

In all thy need be thou possess'd Still with a well-prepared breast; Nor let the shackles make thee sad; Thou canst but have what others had.

And this for comfort thou must know Times that are ill won't still be so.

Clouds will not ever pour down rain; _A sullen day will clear again_.

First peals of thunder we must hear, Then lutes and harps shall stroke the ear.

726. MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH.

When all birds else do of their music fail, Money's the still sweet-singing nightingale.

727. UP TAILS ALL.

Begin with a kiss, Go on too with this; And thus, thus, thus let us smother Our lips for awhile, But let's not beguile Our hope of one for the other.

This play, be a.s.sur'd, Long enough has endur'd, Since more and more is exacted; For Love he doth call For his _uptails all_; And that's the part to be acted.

_Uptails all_, the refrain of a song beginning "Fly Merry News": see Note.