R. HERRICK. _Noble Numbers._ BOOKS THAT DO HURT In our forefathers' time, when papistry, as a standing pool, covered and overflowed all England, few books were read in our tongue, saving certain books of chivalry, as they said for pastime and pleasure; which, as some say, were made in monasteries by idle monks or wanton canons. As one for example, 'Morte Arthur', the whole pleasure of which book standeth in two special points, in open manslaughter and bold bawdry.... This is good stuff for wise men to laugh at, or honest men to take pleasure at: yet I know, when God's Bible was banished the court, and 'Morte Arthur' received into the prince's chamber. What toys the daily reading of such a book may work in the will of a young gentleman, or a young maid, that liveth wealthily or idly, wise men can judge, and honest men do pity. And yet ten 'Morte Arthurs' do not the tenth part so much harm, as one of these books made in Italy and translated in England.... Suffer these books to be read, and they shall soon displace all books of godly learning.--R. ASCHAM. _The Schoolmaster._ BOOKS AND THIEVES A good book steals the mind from vain pretences, From wicked cogitations and offences; It makes us know the world's deceiving pleasures, And set our hearts on never-ending treasures. So when thieves steal our cattle, coin, or ware, It makes us see how mutable they are: Puts us in mind that we should put our trust Where felon cannot steal or canker rust. Bad books through eyes and ears do break and enter, And take possession of the heart's frail centre, Infecting all the little kingdom man With all the poisonous mischief that they can, Till they have robbed and ransacked him of all Those things which men may justly goodness call; Rob him of virtue and of heavenly grace, And leave him beggared in a wretched state. So of our earthly goods, thieves steal the best, And richest jewels, and leave us the rest. Men know not thieves from true men by their looks, Nor by their outsides no man can know books. Both are to be suspected, all can tell, And wise men, ere they trust, will try them well: Some books not worth the reading for their fruits, Some thieves not worth the hanging, for their suits. And as with industry, and art, and skill One thief doth daily rob another still, So one book from another, in this age, Steals many a line, a sentence, or a page. And as the veriest thief may have some friend So the worst books some knave will still defend. * * * * * Still books and thieves in one conceit do join, For, if you mark them, they are all for coin. J. TAYLOR. _An Arrant Thief._ MOUNTEBANK AUTHORS