which I can willinglier conceive than dare to prescribe; yet let me have the substance rough, not the shadow. I cannot, nay, I will not delude your sight with mists; yet I dare defend my plainness against the verjuice-face of the crabbed'st satirist that ever stuttered. He that thinks worse of my rhymes than myself, I scorn him, for he cannot: he that thinks better, is a fool. So favour me, Good Opinion, as I am far from being a Suffenus.[428] If thou perusest me with an unpartial eye, read on: if otherwise, know I neither value thee nor thy censure. W. KINSAYDER. [426] A hit at Ben Jonson.--See Introduction to vol. i. [427] Ridiculed by Ben Jonson in the _Poetaster_. [428] The poet ridiculed by Catullus. THE SCOURGE OF VILLAINY. PROEMIUM IN LIBRUM PRIMUM. I bear the scourge of just Rhamnusia, Lashing the lewdness of Britannia. Let others sing as their good genius moves, Of deep designs, or else of clipping loves: Fair fall them all, that with wit's industry Do clothe good subjects in true poesy; But as for me, my vexèd thoughtful soul Takes pleasure in displeasing sharp control. Thou nursing mother of fair Wisdom's lore, Ingenuous Melancholy, I implore 10 Thy grave assistance: take thy gloomy seat, Enthrone thee in my blood; let me entreat, Stay his quick jocund skips, and force him run A sad-paced course, until my whips be done. Daphne, unclip thine arms from my sad brow; Black cypress crown me, whilst I up do plow The hidden entrails of rank villainy, Tearing the veil from damn'd impiety. Quake, guzzel dogs,[429] that live on putrid slime, Skud from the lashes of my yerking rhyme. 20 [429] "In other words, dogs of the gutter or drain. A small gutter is still called a guzzle in some of the provinces."--_Halliwell._ SATIRE I. _Fronti nulla fides._