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SATYRES.
Satyr I.
Away thou changeling motley humorist,
Leave me, and in this standing wooden chest,
Consorted with these few books, let me lye
In prison, and here be coffin'd, when I dye.
Here are Gods Conduits, grave Divines; and here
Is Natures Secretary, the Phylosopher:
And wily Statesmen, which teach how to tie
The sinews of a Cities Mystick body;
Here gathering Chroniclers, and by them stand
Giddy fantastique Poets of each land.
Shall I leave all this constant company,
And follow headlong wild uncertain thee?
First, swear by thy best love here, in earnest
(If thou which lov'st all, canst love any best)
Thou wilt not leave me in the middle street,
Though some more spruce companion thou dost meet,
Nor though a Captain do come in thy way
Bright parcell guilt, with forty dead mens pay:
Not though a brisk perfum'd pert Courtier
Deign with a nod, thy curtesie to answer:
Nor come a Velvet Justice with a long
Great train of blew-coats, twelve or fourteen strong,
Wilt thou grin or fawn on him, or prepare
A speech to court his beauteous son and heir?
For better or worse take me, or leave me:
To take, and leave me is adultery.

[CW: Oh]