EPIG. 24.

Fisher, by being the Popes humble thrall,
Missed not much of being Cardinall;

A cap there was prepared, a Legate sent,
Tinvest his brow with that pure ornament;
But see how thinges fell out, see how he sped,
Before his cap came he had lost his head.

BOOK 2d.

EPIG. 9.

Health is a jewel true, which when we buy,
Physicians value it accordingly.

EPIG. 14.

Some of Alvinus friends met purposely
T'extol his worth, did praise him for to bee
Well timberd, and to give him the more grace,
One of them said he had a wainscot face;
Another thinking sure to strike the stroke,
Reported that he was all hart of oke.

Commend they him this way, the best they can,
Yet shall they make him but a woodden man.

EPIG. $8.

Ad M. Brewer, Medicum.

This phrase to drinke a health is onely trew,
Of drinke which men of your profession brew.

VOL. II.

K

EPIG.

EPIG. 40.

Our common Parents straight upon their fall,
Made breeches fit to hide their shame withall;
And as we read both alike were them then,
Now females weare the breeches more than mes,

EPIG. 92.

TOBACCO.

We buy the driest wood that we can finde,
And willingly would leave the smoke behinde;
But in tobacco a thwart course we take,
Buying the hearb onely for the smokes sake.

EPIG. 98.

PORUS, the onely Sloven of our dayes,
Is, for I dare avouch it to his praise,
No punie scholler, wonderfully read
As any of his time that beares a head,
Yet of all the authors common here with us,
It seemes he ne're heard of Go-CLENIUS.

QUOD

THIS

QUODLIBETS.

THIS Collection of Epigrams is mentioned. with respect by Warton, and deserves a place in this work, from its extreme rarity.

QUODLIBETS, LATELY COME OVER FROM NEW BRITANIOLA, OLD NEWFOUNDLAND. Epigrams and other small Parcels, both morall and divine.

The first foure Books being the Authors owne: the rest translated out of that excellent Epigrammatist, Mr. John Owen, and other rare Authors.

With two Epistles of that excellently wittie Doctor Francis Rablais. Translated out of his French at large. All of them composed and done at Harbor-grace, in Britaniola, anciently called Newfoundland.

By R. H. sometimes Governor of the Plantation there.

London. Printed by Elizabeth All-de, for Roger Michell, dwelling in Pauls Church Yard, at the Signe of the Bulls Head. 1628."

They are dedicated to Charles I., whom the author terms" Father, Favourer and Furtherer of all his loyall Subjects right honourable and worthie

K 2

worthie Plantations." He subscribes himself his

Majesties well meaning and loyall subject, ROBERT HAYMAN."

The following complimentary verses to the author, by the celebrated George Wither, seem worth preserving:

TO THE LOVERS OF THE MUSES UPON THESE

QUODLIBETS.

Why doe so many fondly dote upon
Parnassus, Tempe, and that Helicon,

Renowned by the Greeks? why praise they so
The muses haunting Tiber, Thame and Po,
As if no other hill, or grove, or spring,

Should yeeld such raptures as these forth did bring.
Behold even from these uncouth shores, among
Unpeopled woods and hills, these straines were sung.
And most of theirs they seeme to parallell,
Who boast to drinke of Aganippes well.

Despaire not, therefore, you that love the Muses,
If any Tyrant you or yours abuses;

For these will follow you and make you mirth,
Ev'n at the furthest angles of the earth,.
And these contentments which at home ye leese,
They shall restore you among beasts and trees.

Yours,

GEORGE WITHER."

The

-The following alludes to a singular custom formerly observed by the Lord Mayor of London, but which, I presume, is now omitted. Every Lord Mayor gave, in the course of his Mayoralty, "a gilded spoon to most of his Company, and at a solemne feast each guest gives him 4 or 51 or more towards his charge."

EPIG. 22.

TO A PARDON BUYER.

The Pope gives thee a sweeping indulgence,
But thou must give him good store of thy pence:
So my Lord Mayor gives spoons all guilded oer,
Receives for each foure or five pounds therefore,

The City now makes a large allowance, as much, I believe, as 8000l. to each Lord Mayor, for the maintenance of his state and dignity.

EPIG. 35.

TO SIR PIERCE PENNY-LESSE.

Though little coyne thy purse-lesse pocket lyne,
Yet with great company thou art ta'en up,
For often with Duke Humphrey thou dost dyne,
And often with Sir Thomas Gresham sup.

Note on the above.

"He walks out his dinner in Paules, and his supper in the Exchange."