Epistles 1.6 (Creech): Nil Admirari

NOt to admire, as most are wont to do,
It is the only method that I know,
To make Men happy, and to keep 'em so.
Some view this glittering Sun, and glorious Stars,
And all the various Seasons free from fears;
Well then, those Gifts of Earth the Gums and Gold,
Which sweet Arabia, and the Indies hold,
Applause and Office, that mistaken good,
That great Preferment of the Roman Crowd;
When these are view'd with all their gawdy show,
How calm should be our Thoughts, how smooth our Brow!
Now those that fear their Opposites, admire
These Toys, as much as He that doth desire;
For both sides fear lest Things their Hopes deceive,
And both at sudden disappointments grieve.
Whether one joy or grieve, or hate or love,
Or strive to shun, or eagerly approve,
'Tis all alike if the Event appears,
Or worse or better than He hopes or fears,
He stands amaz'd with fix't and staring Eyes,
His Limbs and Soul grow stiff at the surprise:
The just will be unjust, wise void of Wit,
That seek e'en Vertue more than what is fit:
Now go, let Gold and Statues charm thine Eyes,
Go, and admire thy Gems and Tyrian Dyes:
Rejoyce that when you speak Men gape and wait;
Go to the Court betimes, and come home late;
Lest Mutius reap a greater Crop of Corn,
For 'tis unsit, since not so nobly born.
Rather let him be wonder'd at by you,
Than you by him, 'tis better of the Two:
Whatever's under Ground Age brings to light,
And that will bury too, and hide the bright:
When Appius way, and Grippa's Porch shall know,
And see thee famous, Thou must walk below,
As Numa, and as Ancus long ago.
If vexing pains thy Sides, or Kidneys seize,
Then seek some present Cure for thy Disease.
Would'st thou live well? Who not? Then quickly strive,
And now since Vertue only this can give,
Then leave thy false delights, and that pursue:
But if you think their wild Opinion true,
(As heedless Minds the vainest things approve)
That Words make Vertue just as Trees a Grove.
Then follow Wealth, make that thy chiefest Care,
See none forestall, and none ingross the Fair,
Or bate the prizes of thy pretious Ware.
Then get one Thousand Talents, then one more,
And then Another, and then square the Store;
For by this Empress Wealth is all bestow'd,
A rich and honest Wife, and every Good,
As Beauty, Friends, and nobleness of Blood:
The Rich and Monyed Man hath every grace,
Perswasion in his Tongue, and Venus in his Face.
The Cappadocian King is poor in Coin,
Tho rich in Slaves, let not his way be Thine:
Lucullus once desir'd to lend the Stage
A Thousand Suits, says, How can I engage,
So many Suits? And yet I'le quickly send,
I'le search my store, and see what I can lend:
And streight writes word, I have five thousand good,
And they might take as many as They wou'd.
That's an unfurnisht House, that Master poor,
Which hath Things necessary, and no more,
And whose Superfluous plenty not deceives,
And scapes the Master's Eye, and profits Thieves.
If Wealth can make Thee blest, and keep Thee so,
Mind it the first, and the last Thing you do.
If Offices, and all their gawdy Pride,
Then buy a witty Slave to guard thy side;
To tell thee great Mens Names, and Nobles show,
And warn Thee to bow Popularly low;
Sir, that's a Lord, and this, Sir's such a One,
He bears the greatest sway in all the Town:
Unless you cringe and get his Voice, despair,
His Vote disposes of the Consul's Chair:
Sir, as their Years require some Fathers call,
Some Sons, and pleasantly adopt them all:
If He lives well that eats well, come 'tis light,
Let's go, led by our ruling Appetite.
Let's Fish and Hunt as Gargil us'd to do,
Who every morning bad his Servants go,
With Poles, and Nets, and Spears, and march along
The well fill'd Market place, and busie throng.
That One of many Mules might carry home,
A Bore, that he had bought, thro gazing Rome.
Let's Bath e'en whilst the undigested load,
Lyes crude, forgetting what is just and good:
Fit to be wax't, Ulysses Mates outright,
Who lov'd their Country less than base delight.
If nothing, as Mimernus strives to prove,
Can e're be pleasant without wanton Love;
Then live in wanton Love, thy Sport pursue,
Let that employ thy pretious Time; Adieu.
If you know better Rules than these, be free,
Impart them, but if not, use these with Me.