Content I live, this is my stay; I seek no more than may suffice: I see how plentie surfets oft, And hastie clymbers soonest fall: I see that such as sit aloft Mishap doth threaten most of all: These get with toile, and keep with feare: No princely pompe, nor welthie store, 10 15 20 For why? my mind despiseth all. Some have too much, yet still they crave, 25 They are but poore, tho' much they have; And I am rich with little store: They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; 30 I laugh not at anothers losse, I grudge not at anothers gaine; I brooke that is another's bane: I feare no foe, nor fawne on friend; 35 I joy not in no earthly blisse; I feare not fortunes fatall law: I wish but what I have at will; I like the plaine, I clime no hill; In greatest stormes I sitte on shore, And laugh at them that toile in vaine To get what must be lost againe. I kisse not where I wish to kill; I feigne not love where most I hate; I wayte not at the mighties gate; The court, ne cart, I like, ne loath; Extreames are counted worst of all: The golden meane betwixt them both, Doth surest sit, and fears no fall: This is my choyce, for why? I finde, No wealth is like a quiet minde. My welth is health, and perfect ease; My conscience clere my chiefe defence: I never seeke by brybes to please, VI. THE PATIENT COUNTESS. The subject of this tale is taken from that entertaining Colloquy of Erasmus, intitled, Uxor Meμiyaμos, sive Conjugium:' which has been agreeably modernized by the late Mr. Spence, in his little Miscellaneous Publication, intitled, Moralities, &c. by Sir Harry Beaumont,' 1753, 8vo. pag. 42. The following stanzas are extracted from an ancient poem intitled Albion's England, written by W. Warner, a celebrated Poet in the reign of Q. Elizabeth, though his name and works are now equally forgotten. The Reader will find some account of him in Vol. II. Book II. Song 24. The following stanzas are printed from the author's improved edition of his work, printed in 1602, 4to.; the third impression of which appeared so early as 1592, in bl. let. 4to.-The edition in 1602 is in thirteen Books; and so it is reprinted in 1612, 4to. ; yet, in 1606, was published 'A Continuance of Albion's England, by the first author, W. W. Lond. 4to.:' this contains Books xiv. xv. xvi. In Ames's Typography, is preserved the memory of another publication of this writer's, intitled, 'Warner's Poetry,' printed in 1586, 12mo, and reprinted in 1602. There is also extant, under the name of Warner, 'Syrinx, or seven fold Hist. pleasant, and profitable, comical and tragical.' 4to. It is proper to premise, that the following lines were not written by the Author in stanzas, but in long Alexandrines of 14 syllables; which the narrowness of our page made it here necessary to subdivide. IMPATIENCE chaungeth smoke to flame, Some wives by patience have reduc'd Ill husbands to live well: As did the ladie of an earle, Of whom I now shall tell. An earle [there was] had wedded, lov'd; Full true to his fayre countesse; yet Once hunted he untill the chace, Did house him in a peakish graunge Where knowne and welcom'd (as the place Browne bread, whig, bacon, curds and milke A cushion made of lists, a stoole Halfe backed with a hoope Were brought him, and he sitteth down The poore old couple wisht their bread 15 20 Their bacon beefe, their milke and curds 25 Meane while (in russet neatly clad, With linen white as swanne, Herselfe more white, save rosie where The ruddy colour ranne: Whome naked nature, not the aydes Of arte made to excell) The good man's daughter sturres to see That all were feat and well; The earle did marke her, and admire Such beautie there to dwell. Yet fals he to their homely fare, And held him at a feast: But as his hunger slaked, so An amorous heat increast. When this repast was past, and thanks, And welcome too; he sayd Unto his host and hostesse, in The hearing of the mayd: 30 35 40 'Yee know,' quoth he, that I am lord Of this, and many townes; I also know that you be poore, And I can spare you pownes. Soe will I, so yee will consent, May bargaine for her love; at least, Doe give me leave to trye. Who needs to know it? nay who dares Into my doings pry?' First they mislike, yet at the length For lucre were misled; And then the gamesome earle did wowe He took her in his armes, as yet So coyish to be kist, As mayds that know themselves belov'd, And yieldingly resist. In few, his offers were so large 45 50 55 60 |