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Satyre V.
Thou shalt not laugh in this leafe, Muse, nor they
Whom any pitty warmes. He which did lay
Rules to make Courtiers, (hee being understood
May make good courtiers, but who courtiers good?)
Frees from the sting of jests all who in extreme
Are wretched or wicked: of these two a Theame
Charitie and libertie give me. What is he
Who Officers rage, and Suitors misery
Can write, and jest? If all things be in all,
As I thinke, since all, which were, are, and shall
Bee, be made of the same elements:
Each thing, each thing implyes or represents.
Then man is a world; in which, Officers,
Are the vast ravishing seas; and Suters,
Springs; now full, now shallow, now drie; which, to
That which drownes them, run: These selfe reasons doe
Prove the world a man, in which, officers
Are the devouring stomacke, and Suitors
The excrements which they void; all men are dust,
How much worse are Suitors, who to mens lust
Are made preys. O worse than dust, or worms meat,
For they do eate you now, whose selves worms shall eat.
They are the mils which grind you, yet you are
The winde which drives them; and a wastfull warre
Is fought against you, and you fight it; they
Adulterate law, and you prepare the way,

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