ENVY

Hiss. Oh I could grind and grate thee with my teeth, Yes; and at Cinthia too, if she anger us. Why? My reason's this, To hear a Cat cry mewe, who can but hiss. Out ye filthy Fool, Envy hath wit, to set such Apes to school. And he that thinks that Love can ever be wise, Hath neither judgement, wisdom, wit, nor eyes. Because I hate to hear a wantwit preach Beyond wits bounds, and wisdoms boundless reach: To see a superficial Sot make show Of deeper skill then wit it self does know. Marry to see a Wolf devour a Sheep. To see men-diuels breeding still dissension Is sport (me thinks) beyond all comprehension: Or else a rich man hunger-pined with want, To see and Army (when their food is scant) Eat their own excrements; Oh this is sport For Envy, that without this is all amort. To see a drove of Drunkards Like to Swine Swilling their souls, in soule-o're-whelming wine. To see a City burned, or Barns on fire, To see a Son the Butcher of his Sire. To see two Swaggerars eagerly to strive, Which of them both shall make the Hangman thrive. To see a good man poor, or wise man bore, To see dame Virtue overwhelmed with care. To see a ruined Church, a Preacher dumb, A Kings child perish in the Mother's womb. To see a Miser, who to have his pelf, Will take a rope and (desperate) hang him self: To see a virgin by a varlet used, Till she by him to death be so abused. Or else to see a Father suck the blood Of his own Spawn, Oh! these would do me good. But to behold a rank of rustic Boys Showing as childish people childish toys To grace a day with; Oh it grates my gall To hear and apish Kitling catterwall. Is it not harsh to hear a Marmeset squeak Upon a stage a most unjointed speak? And then to hear some ignorant Baboon, Swear that this Monkey did surmount the Moon. When as the Infants best is too too bade, And which to hear would make a wiseman mad. Confusion, death, plague, pestilence, and piles, Confound their souls who at mine anguish smiles, Yet, ere I go, I'll bid the best farewell, Hoping ere long to meet their Ghosts in hell.