Pimps, Parasites, Buffoons, and all the Crew That under Friendship's name weak man undo; Find their false service kindlier understood, Than such as tell bold Truths to do us good. Look where you will, and you shall hardly find A man without some sickness of the Mind. In vain we wise wou'd seem, while every Lust Whisks us about, as Whirlwinds do the Dust.
Here for some needless gain a Wretch is hurld From Pole to Pole, and slav'd about the World; While the reward of all his pains and cares, Ends in that despicable thing, his Heir.
There a vain Fop mortgages all his Land To buy that gaudy Play-thing, a Command; To ride a Cock-horse, wear a Scarf at's ---- And play the Pudding in a _May-pole Farce_.
Here one, whom God to make a Fool thought fit, In spight of Providence, will be a Wit: But wanting strength t'uphold his ill made choice, Sets up with Lewdness, Blasphemy, and Noise.
There at his Mistress feet a Lover lies, And for a Tawdry painted Baby dies; Falls on his knees, adores and is afraid Of the vain Idol he himself has made. These, and a thousand Fools unmention'd here, Hate Poets all, because they Poets fear. Take heed (they cry) yonder mad Dog will bite, He cares not whom he falls on in his fit: Come but in's way, and strait a new _Lampoon_ Shall spread your mangled fame about the Town
This Earl died in the Flower of his Age, and though his Life might be somewhat Extravagant, yet he is said to have dyed Penitently; and to have made a very good End.
Mr. _Thomas Flatman_, a Gentleman once of the middle Temple, of Extraordinary Parts, equally ingenious in the two Noble Faculties of Painting and Poetry; as by the several choice Pieces that have been seen of his Pourtraying and Limning, and by his Book of Poems, which came out about Fourteen or Fifteen Years ago, sufficiently appeareth: The so much Celebrated Song of the Troubles of Marriage, is ascribed to him.
Like a Dog with a Bottle tyed close to his Taile, Like a Tory in a Bog, or a Thief in a Jail, _&c._
This Gentleman was bred up a Student in _Christ-Church_ in _Oxford_; where he addicted his Mind to the sweet Delights of Poetry, writing an Ingenious Poem, entituled, _Men Miracles_, which came forth into the World with great applause. The times being then when there was not only _Cobling Preaching_, but _Preaching Coblers_; he followed the practice of Physick, and whether he be yet living is to me unknown.