[Illustration: NEQVEO COMPESCERE MVLTOS ILLVSTR. I. _Book. 2_] When I observe the Melanchollie _Owles_, Considering with what patience, they sustaine The many clamours, of the greater _Fowles_; And, how the little _Chirpers_, they disdaine: When I remember, how, their Injuries They sleight, (who, causeles give them an offence) Vouchsafing, scarce to cast aside their eyes To looke upon that foolish Insolence. Me thinkes, by their _Example_, I am taught To sleight the slaunders of Injurious _Tongues_; To set the scoffes of _Censurers_, at naught, And, with a brave _neglect_, to beare out _Wrongs_. Hee, doubtles, whom the _Psalmist_, long agoe, Vnto a lonely _Desert-Owle_ compar’d, Did practise thus; And, when I can doe so, I, shall for all affronts, become prepar’d. And, (though, this Doctrine, Flesh and blood gaine-say) Yet, sure, to stopp the malice of _Despight_, There is no better, (nay, no other) way: Since, _Rage_ by Opposition gathers _Might_. _Good =God=! vouchsafe, sufficient grace and strength, That (though I have not yet, such =Patience= gott) I may attaine this happy gift, at length; And, finde the cause, that, yet, I have it not. Though me, my =Neighbours=, and my =Foes= revile; Make me of all their words, a =Patient-bearer=: When er’e I =suffer=, let me be, the while, As is the silent =Lambe= before the =Shearer=. So; though my =speakings=, cannot quiet any, My =Patience= may restraine the Tongues of many._ _When wee by =Hunger=, =Wisdome= gaine, Our =Guts=, are wiser then our =Braine=._ [Illustration: INGENII LARGITOR VENTER. ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 2_]