We more should thrive, and erre the seldomer, If we were like this honest _Carpenter_, Whose _Emblem_, in reproofe of those, is made, That love to meddle, farther then their _Trade_. But, most are now exceeding cunning growne In ev’ry mans affaires, except their owne: Yea, _Coblers_ thinke themselves not onely able, To censure; but, to mend _Apelles_ Table. _Great-Men_, sometime, will gravely undertake To teach, how _Broomes_ and _Morter_, we should make. Their Indiscretions, _Peaants_ imitate, And boldly meddle with affaires of _State_. Some _Houswives_ teach their _Teachers_ how to pray, Some _Clarks_, have shew’d themselves, as wise as they; And in their Callings, as discreet have bin, As if they taught their _Grandames_ how to _spinne_: And, if these _Customes_, last a few more Ages, All Countries will be nothing els, but _Stages_ Of evill-acted, and mistaken parts; Or, _Gallemaufries_, of imperfect _Arts_. But, I my selfe (you’l say) have medlings made, In things, that are improper to my _Trade_. No; for, the _MVSES_ are in all things free; Fit subject of their _Verse_, all Creatures be; And, there is nothing nam’d so meane, or great, Whereof they have not Liberty to treat. Both _Earth_ and _Heav’n_, are open unto these; And (when to take more libertie they please) They _Worlds_, and _things_, create, which never were; And, when they list, they _play_, and _meddle_, there. _A =Shepherd= carefull of the Sheepe, At all times, faithfull =Watch= doth keepe._ [Illustration: NON DORMIT QUI CUSTODIT. ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 3_]