Serve Jove upon thy knees both day and night, Adore his name above all things on earth; So shall thy vowes be gracious in his sight, So little babes are blessed in their birth: Thinke on no worldly woe, lament thy sin, For lesser cease, when greater griefes begin. Sweare no vaine oathes, heare much, but little say, Speake ill of no man, tend thine owne affaires; Bridle thy wrath, thine angrie mood delay, So shall thy minde be seldome cloyd with cares: Be milde and gentle in thy speech to all, Refuse no honest gaine when it doth fall. Be not beguild with words, prove not ungratefull, Releeve thy neighbour in his greatest need, Commit no action that to all is hatefull, Their want with welth, the poore with plentie feed: Twit no man in the teeth with what th' hast done; Remember flesh is fraile, and hatred shunne. Leave wicked things, which men to mischiefe move, Least crosse mis-hap may thee in danger bring: Crave no preferment of thy heavenly Jove, Nor anie honor of thy earthly king: Boast not thyselfe before th' Almighties sight, Who knowes thy hart, and anie wicked wight. Be not offensive to the peoples eye, See that thy praiers harts true zeale affords, Scorne not a man that's falne in miserie, Esteeme no tatling tales, no babling words; That reason is exiled alwaies thinke, When as a drunkard rayles amidst his drinke. Use not thy lovely lips to loathsome lyes, By craftie meanes increase no worldly wealth; Strive not with mightie men (whose fortune flies), With temp'rate diet nourish wholesome health: Place well thy words, leave not thy frend for gold; First trie, then trust, in ventring be not bold. In Pan repose thy trust; extoll his praise, (That never shall decay, but ever lives): Honor thy parents (to prolong thy dayes), Let not thy left hand know what right hand gives: From needie men turne not thy face away, Though charitie be now yclad in clay. Heare shepheards oft (thereby great wisdome growes), With good advice a sober answere make: Be not remoov'd with every winde that blowes, (That course doo onely sinfull sinners take): Thy talke will shew thy fame or els thy shame; (A pratling tongue doth often purchase blame.) Obtaine a faithfull frend that will not faile thee, Think on thy mother's paine in her child-bearing; Make no debate, least quickly thou bewaile thee, Visit the sicke with comfortable chearing: Pittie the prisner, helpe the fatherlesse, Revenge the widdowes wrongs in her distresse.