Two hidden; but the rest to sight appeare:
Wherein the Spermes of all the Bodies lower;
Most secrett are, yett Spring forth once a yeare,
Nothing more fixt than Earth digested thrise:
No Winde so fresh as when it serveth will;
No Profitt more, then keepe in, and be wise,
For then thou maist leave of and sleepe thy lust
Yett will I warne thee least thou chaunce to faile,
Sublyme thine Earth with stinking Water erst,
Then in a place where Phœbus onely tayle
Is seene art midday, see thou mingle best:
For nothing shineth that doth want his light,
Nor doubleth beames, unless it first be bright.
That wise men teach, or Adrop leadeth in,
Whereof the first is large and easiest pray;
The other hard, and meane but to begin.
For surely these and no one more is found,
Wherein Appollo will his harp-strings sound.
Reflecting vertues from and t’every poynt,
In which the mover wherein all things lyes,
Doth hold the vertues all of every Joynt:
And therefore Essence sift may well be said,
Conteining all and yett himsèlfe a Maid.
And by Discent who was to each the Syre,
Then learnt their Lives and Kingdomes if you can,
Their Manners eke, with all their whole Attire;
Which if thou doe, and know to what effect
The learned sophets will thee not reject.
Then say I nothing though I said too much:
Of truth tis good will moved me, not gaine,
To write these lynes: yett write I not to such
As catch at Crabs, when better fruits appeare,
And want to chuse at fittest time of yeare.
I answere, such as auncient Physicke taught:
And though thou read a thousand Bookes before,
Yett in respect of this, they teach thee Naught:
Thou mayst likewise be blind, and call me Foole
Yett shall these Rules for ever praise their Schoole.