Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.
Robert Herrick
let us be
From cares and troubles free;
And thou shalt hear how we
Will chant new hymns to thee.
_Orgies_, hymns to Bacchus.
_Brave_, boast.
_George-a-Green_, the legendary pinner of Wakefield, renowned for the
use of the quarterstaff.
_Blouze_, a fat wench.
773. UPON PUSS AND HER 'PRENTICE. EPIG.
Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play;
That done, they kiss, and so draw out the day:
At night they draw to supper; then well fed,
They draw their clothes off both, so draw to bed.
_Drawgloves_, the game of talking on the fingers.
774. BLAME THE REWARD OF PRINCES.
Among disasters that dissension brings,
This not the least is, which belongs to kings:
If wars go well, each for a part lays claim;
If ill, then kings, not soldiers, bear the blame.
775. CLEMENCY IN KINGS.
Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.
776. ANGER.
Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time,
But heard with anger, we confess the crime.
777. A PSALM OR HYMN TO THE GRACES.
Glory be to the Graces!
That do in public places
Drive thence whate'er encumbers
The list'ning to my numbers.
Honour be to the Graces!
Who do with sweet embraces,
Show they are well contented
With what I have invented.
Worship be to the Graces!
Who do from sour faces,
And lungs that would infect me,
For evermore protect me.
778. A HYMN TO THE MUSES.
Honour to you who sit
Near to the well of wit,
And drink your fill of it.
Glory and worship be
To you, sweet maids, thrice three,
Who still inspire me,
And teach me how to sing
Unto the lyric string
My measures ravishing.
From cares and troubles free;
And thou shalt hear how we
Will chant new hymns to thee.
_Orgies_, hymns to Bacchus.
_Brave_, boast.
_George-a-Green_, the legendary pinner of Wakefield, renowned for the
use of the quarterstaff.
_Blouze_, a fat wench.
773. UPON PUSS AND HER 'PRENTICE. EPIG.
Puss and her 'prentice both at drawgloves play;
That done, they kiss, and so draw out the day:
At night they draw to supper; then well fed,
They draw their clothes off both, so draw to bed.
_Drawgloves_, the game of talking on the fingers.
774. BLAME THE REWARD OF PRINCES.
Among disasters that dissension brings,
This not the least is, which belongs to kings:
If wars go well, each for a part lays claim;
If ill, then kings, not soldiers, bear the blame.
775. CLEMENCY IN KINGS.
Kings must not only cherish up the good,
But must be niggards of the meanest blood.
776. ANGER.
Wrongs, if neglected, vanish in short time,
But heard with anger, we confess the crime.
777. A PSALM OR HYMN TO THE GRACES.
Glory be to the Graces!
That do in public places
Drive thence whate'er encumbers
The list'ning to my numbers.
Honour be to the Graces!
Who do with sweet embraces,
Show they are well contented
With what I have invented.
Worship be to the Graces!
Who do from sour faces,
And lungs that would infect me,
For evermore protect me.
778. A HYMN TO THE MUSES.
Honour to you who sit
Near to the well of wit,
And drink your fill of it.
Glory and worship be
To you, sweet maids, thrice three,
Who still inspire me,
And teach me how to sing
Unto the lyric string
My measures ravishing.
