If it might stand with justice to allow The swift conversion of all follies, now Such is my mercy, that I could admit All sorts should equally approve the wit Of this thy even work, whose growing fame Shall raise thee high, and thou it, with thy name; And did not manners and my love command Me to forbear to make those understand Whom thou, perhaps, hast in thy wiser doom Long since firmly resolved, shall never come To know more than they do,--I would have shown To all the world the art which thou alone Hast taught our tongue, the rules of time, of place, And other rites, delivered with the grace Of comic style, which only is fat more Than any English stage hath known before. But since our subtle gallants think it good To like of naught that may be understood, Lest they should be disproved, or have, at best, Stomachs so raw, that nothing can digest But what's obscene, or barks,--let us desire They may continue, simply to admire Fine clothes and strange words, and may live, in age To see themselves ill brought upon the stage, And like it; whilst thy bold and knowing Muse Contemns all praise, but such as thou wouldst choose. ON THE TOMBS IN WESTMINSTER BY BEAUMONT Mortality, behold, and fear! What a change of flesh is here! Think how many royal bones Sleep within this heap of stones: Here they lie had realms and lands, Who now want strength to stir their hands; Where from their pulpits, soiled with dust, They preach, "In greatness is no trust." Here's an acre sown indeed With the richest, royal'st seed, That, the earth did e'er suck in Since the first man died for sin: Here the bones of birth have cried, "Though gods they were, as men they died:" Here are sands, ignoble things, Dropt from the ruined sides of kings: Here's a world of pomp and state Buried in dust, once dead by fate. FROM 'PHILASTER, OR LOVE LIES A-BLEEDING' ARETHUSA'S DECLARATION Lady--Here is my Lord Philaster. _Arethusa_--Oh, 'tis well. Withdraw yourself. _Exit Lady_. _Philaster_--Madam, your messenger Made me believe you wished to speak with me. _Arethusa_--'Tis true, Philaster, but the words are such I have to say, and do so ill beseem The mouth of woman, that I wish them said, And yet am loath to speak them. Have you known That I have aught detracted from your worth? Have I in person wronged you? or have set My baser instruments to throw disgrace Upon your virtues? _Philaster_--Never, madam, you. _Arethusa_--Why then should you, in such a public place, Injure a princess, and a scandal lay Upon my fortunes, famed to be so great, Calling a great part of my dowry in question?