And now I breath, my lord, now have I time To tell the cause, and to confesse the crime: I was in black; a scholler straite they guest; Indeed I colour’d for it at the least. I spake them faire, desir’d to see the hall, And gave them reasons for it, this was all; By which I learne it is a maine offence, So neere the clark of th’ check to utter sense: Talk of your emblemes, maisters, and relate How Æsope hath it, and how Alciate; The Cock and Pearle, the Dunghill and the Jemme, This passeth all to talke sence amongst them. Much more good service was committed yet, Which I in such a tumult must forget; But shall I smother that prodigious fitt, Which pass’d Heons invention, and pure witt? As this: A nimble knave, but something fatt, Strikes at my head, and fairly steales my hatt: Another breakes a jest, (well, Windsor, well, What will ensue thereof there’s none can tell, When they spend witt, serve God) yet twas not much, Although the clamours and applause were such, As when salt Archy or Garret doth provoke them[62], And with wide laughter and a cheat-loafe choake them. What was the jest doe you aske? I dare repeate it, And put it home before you shall entreat it; He call’d mee Bloxford-man: confesse I must ’Twas bitter; and it griev’d mee, in a thrust That most ungratefull word (Bloxford) to heare From him, whose breath yet stunk of Oxford beere: But let it passe; for I have now passd throw Their halberds, and worse weapons, their teeth, too: And of a worthy officer was invited To dine; who all their rudeness hath requited: Where wee had mirth and meat, and a large board Furnish’t with all the kitchin could afford. But to conclude, to wipe of from before yee All this which is noe better then a story; Had this affront bin done mee by command Of noble Fenton[63], had their captaines hand Directed them to this, I should beleive I had no cause to jeast, but much to greive: Or had discerning Pembrooke[64] seene this done, And thought it well bestow’d, I would have run Where no good man had dwelt, nor learn’d would fly, Where noe disease would keepe mee company, Where it should be preferment to endure To teach a schoole, or else to starve a cure. But as it stands, the persons and the cause Consider well, their manners and their lawes, Tis no affliction to mee, for even thus Saint Paul hath fought with beasts at Ephesus, And I at Windsor. Let this comfort then Rest with all able and deserving men: Hee that will please the guard, and not provoke Court-witts, must suite his learning by a cloake: “For at all feasts and masques the doome hath bin, “A man thrust out and a gay cloake let in.” _Quid immerentes hospites vexas canis,_ _Ignavus adversus lupos?_ TO THE PRINCE. (AFTERWARDS CHARLES THE FIRST.)