HIRUDO

Death! you are abused, Were I the man appointed to sustain, So undeserved a signal of disgrace, The proudest King in Europe should perceive, I'de not digest and injury so base. You being the subject of such high abuse, You should with faction terrify the King, Amaze the Court, and make your opposites Tremble again Like babes, who shaking stand, Doubtful of mercy from the Tutors hand. Were I the man whom dignity of place Entitled to such vast prerogative As you enjoy, no scandal, no disgrace, Should touch my honour without full revenge: The King himself should not escape my spleen, (Upon so joust a quarrel) I'de affront His ample greatness: nay expostulate On equal terms, why without open cause He should reject my service with a frown, I'de tax him of ungoverned appetite, Self-humour, peevish ignorance of state, And charge him to amend infirmities: If Like a tyrant he but durst reply, Rating the licence of audacity, Then would I menace torture; I would tear, The big voluminous Title he does wear Pined on his back by parasites and knaves, Who though they want, yet can bestow much grace, Kings when they leave to be upright, are base. Beleeu't my Lord, a homebred naturalist, Whose resolution never was confirmed By art, example, or experience; Who never knew a faith historical, (That low step to a warrant rational) His anger would be ready for attempt; Nay finish all with very good success, While you revolve a tedious advice, Of which, too long delay does spoil the prize. What huge Antaus may of conquest brag, Who euercomes a Pigmey? or insults Over a simple wrecth condemned to chains? May loves own Eagle stoop at stinking flies? And suffer Owls to penetrate the skies? Well did that mighty Indian dog deserve, Whom neither Buck, mad Bull, nor threatening Boar, Could from the kennel make to rise, before A stout courageous Lion, king of strength, Ireful enough, with vengeance in his jaws, Prepared for single combat; boldly then Like a resolved Champion forth he flew, And the Majestic Lion fiercely slew. Give me a man, whom neither multitude, Nor means to work revenge, can terrify; Who, though encompassed with corrival foes, Immured with adverse competitors, Left even amid the circumventing Jaws, Of greedy hounds, and hunter's policy; Can, Like a whirlwind, in despite of those, Who with unequal faction dare oppose, Fly through the thickest, make their big-swollen maws, Level with stinking Lake's, and ditches deep, Like a Colossus though they stood before. Who may esteem it and inglorious act, Rather who thinks the valour not divine, Which through a banded troop of enemies, Does, Like some bolt of thunder fly apace, And force withstanding objects to give place? Men of your size being urged with insolence. Of peevish statists aemulating pride, (A humour most unnecessary ill) Should, Like the murdering Chain-shot, driven downhill Castles and rocks, although impregnable, Make mountains stoop before you, rend up Oaks, Buffet large Atlas with incessant strokes, (Though the supporter of Olympus frame) Till heaven and earth beg rescue for the same. Yet shallow great-men, they must wisemen seem, For noble births do live by peoples breath; Nor may the privilege of birth redeem Our estimation, subject still to death; Be therefore wise (wisdom who dares condeme?) If not by nature, then by stratagem. Know then I love thee Duke, and must prefer Thy Fortune's, though I do confiscate all, Whom Gods will not relieve, invention shall. Hark joust heaven! She rails upon a virgin, whose pure soul Might give example of true chestity To her own spotted, leprous infamy. Oh the rude licence of a woman's rage, Who her malignant disco ds can presage? So, let her vanish, and her gall unmask, Till we accomplish our appointed task. Of murder: yes, you love . All this demands a furtherance, my Lord. Who? or what man is he that dares do thus? 'Sdeath I will not endure the sighed of him. 'Sdeath I will not endure the sighed of him. Il'e not endure the presence; nay the sighed Of such a slave, yet never turn my eels: No, I'de embowel the base rogue at first, Contrive a quick dispatch: the villains heart Would I expose upon a mountains top, Or offer it upon my falchions point, Fresh bleeding to some wrath ull Deity, Of unappeased revenge, in sacrifice: I'de mix my urine with his reeking blood, And piss upon the carcase in despite, Dissever joints and flesh, till all were done, Then toast his marrow in the melting Sun: I'de not endure the sighed of him alive. But you jest Im'e sure. 'Sdeath I am slain; forbear, ingratitude! I perish without expectation: Oh. The popular invective does exclaim Upon Pheudippe; swear with open voice He bred this famine. Grieve not, she was my daughter (gracious King) Concealed so long? Impossible! I am resolved against all argument; I am incredulous; dead never walk. Who says again so, weel'e aver the lie; What be no things of nature, I account Fables. No sir: I think the age is giddy; death! Can we from ashes raise a second life? The age is drunken sure. The times are dizzy. Flay him, and make a trophy of his skin.