A Moral Discourse of Man and Beast

¹

Man is a creature like² himself alone;
In him all qualities do join³ as one.
When man⁴ is injured, and his honor stung,⁵
He seems a lion, furious, fierce, and strong.
With greedy covetousness, like to⁶ wolves and bears,           5
Right he devours,⁷ and truth in pieces tears.
Or like as crafty foxes lie in wait
To catch young novice kids⁸ by their deceit,
So subtle knaves do watch who errors⁹ make,
That they thereby advantages might¹⁰ take,                             10
Not for examples them to rectify,
But that much mischief they can make thereby.
Others, like crouching spaniels, close will set,
Creeping about the partridge to in-net.
Some humble seem, and lowly bend the knee                        15
To men of¹¹ power and authority,
Not out of love to honor and¹² renown,
But to ensnare, and so to pull them down.
For¹³ as a mastiff flies at every throat,
So spite will fly at all that are¹⁴ of note.                                    20
With slanderous words, as teeth, good deeds they¹⁵ tear,
No power, strength, nor greatness do they spare,¹⁶
And are so mischievous,¹⁷ love not to see
Any to live without an infamy.
Most do like¹⁸ ravenous beasts in blood delight,                     25
And only to do mischief, love to fight.
But some are like to horses, strong and free,
Will gallop over wrong, and injury,
Who¹⁹ fear no foe, nor enemies do dread,²⁰
Will²¹ fight in battles till they fall down dead.                         30
Their heart with noble rage so hot will grow,
That²² from their nostrils clouds of smoke do blow.
And with their hooves the firm hard ground will strike²³
In²⁴ anger, that they cannot go to fight.
Their eyes, like flints,²⁵ will shoot²⁶ out sparks of fire;          35
They’ll²⁷ neigh out loud when combats they desire.
So valiant men their foe aloud will call,
To try their strength, and grapple arms withal.
And in their eyes such courage doth appear,
As if god²⁸ Mars did rule that hemisphere.                               40
Some, like to slow, dull asses, full of fear,
Contented are heavy burdens to²⁹ bear,
And every clown doth beat his back and side
Because he’s slow, and faster³⁰ he would³¹ ride.
Then will he bray out loud, but dare not bite,                          45
For why he hath not courage for³² to fight.
Base minds will yield their heads under the yoke,
Offer their backs to every tyrant’s stroke.
Like fools they’ll³³ grumble, but they³⁴ dare not speak,
Nor strive for liberty, their bonds to break.                              50
So dull will those that live in slav’ry³⁵ grow;
Dejected spirits make the body slow.
Others as swine lie groveling in the mire,
Have no heroic thoughts to rise up higher;
They³⁶ from their birth do never sport nor play,                     55
But eat and drink, and grunting run away,
Of grumbling natures, never doing good,³⁷
And cruel are, as of a boorish brood.³⁸
So gluttons, sluggards care for nought but ease,
In conversations seek no man to³⁹ please,                                60
Ambition none,⁴⁰ to make their name to⁴¹ live,
Nor have they generosity to give,
And⁴² are so churlish, that if any pray
To help their wants, they’ll⁴³ cursing go away.
So cruel are,⁴⁴ so far from death to save,                                  65
That they will take away the life they⁴⁵ have.
Some, as the⁴⁶ fearful hart, or frighted hare,
Shun every noise, and their own shadows fear.
So cowards, that are⁴⁷ sent in wars to fight,
Think not to beat, but how to make their flight.                      70
The trumpet, when⁴⁸ to charge the foe it calls,
Then with that sound⁴⁹ the heart o’th’coward⁵⁰ falls.
Others, as harmless sheep, in peace do live,
Contented are, no injury will give,
But on the tender grass they⁵¹ gently feed,                               75
And neither⁵² spite nor rankled malice breed.
They⁵³ never in the ways of mischief stood,
To set their teeth in flesh or drink up blood.
They⁵⁴ grieve to walk alone, and⁵⁵ pine away,
Grow fat in flocks, and⁵⁶ with each other play.                        80
The naked they do⁵⁷ clothe with their soft wool;
The ewes do feed the hungry stomach full.
So gentle natures and sweet dispositions⁵⁸
Contented live, and shun foolish ambitions,⁵⁹
Full of compassion, pitying the distressed,                               85
And with their bounty help they⁶⁰ the oppressed.
They swell not with the pride of self-conceit,
Nor for their neighbor’s life do lie in wait,
Nor innocence by their extortions tear,
Nor fill the widow’s heart with grief or care,                           90
Nor any bribes do take with cov’tous⁶¹ hands,
Nor set they back the mark of th’owners’ lands,
But gratefully all courtesies requite,⁶²
Free from all envy, malice, spleen and spite,⁶³
And in⁶⁴ their conversation,⁶⁵ meek and mild,                        95
Without lascivious words or actions wild.
Those men⁶⁶ are fathers to a commonwealth
Where justice lives,⁶⁷ and truth may show herself.⁶⁸
Others, as apes, do imitate the rest,
And when they mischief do, seem but to jest.                          100
So are buffoons, which⁶⁹ seem for mirth to sport,
Whose liberty makes⁷⁰ factions in a court.
Those that delight in fools must in good part
Take what they say, although their⁷¹ words are smart.
And⁷² many times they⁷³ rankled thoughts beget                   105
In hearts of princes, and much envy set
By praising rivals, or else do reveal
Those faults they should with privacy conceal.⁷⁴
For when⁷⁵ a fool unpleasing truth doth tell—⁷⁶
Or be it false, if like a⁷⁷ truth it smell—⁷⁸                                  110
It gets such hold, e’en⁷⁹ in a wise man’s brain,
That hardly it will ever out again.
Some are⁸⁰ like worms, upon which others tread,⁸¹
And some like ven’mous vipers do sting dead.⁸²
Some like to⁸³ subtle serpents wind about,                               115
To compass their designs crawl in and out,
And never leave until some nest they find,
Suck out the eggs, and leave the shells behind.
So flatterers with praises wind about
A noble mind, to get a secret out,                                                120
For⁸⁴ flattery through every ear will glide
Down to the heart, and there some time abide,
And in the breast with feignèd friendship lie,
Till to the death it⁸⁵ stings it⁸⁶ cruelly.
Thus some like beasts, and some like worms⁸⁷ are such,      125
But some do flying birds⁸⁸ resemble much.
Some, like a⁸⁹ soaring eagle, mount up high;
Wings of ambition bear them to the sky.
And some, like⁹⁰ hawks, fly round to catch their prey;
Some,⁹¹ like to puttocks, bear the chick away;                        130
Some, are like⁹² ravens, which on carrion feed,
Feeding on spite, which spite doth⁹³ slanders breed.
And like as peacocks proud their tails do⁹⁴ show,
So men⁹⁵ that followers have will haughty grow.
Some melancholy owls that hate the light,                               135
And like as bats fly⁹⁶ in the shades of night;
So envious men their neighbor⁹⁷ hate to see,
When that he shines⁹⁸ in great prosperity,
Keep home in discontent, repine at all,
Until some mischief on the good do fall.                                   140
Others, like⁹⁹ cheerful larks, sing as they fly,
So they¹⁰⁰ are merry and¹⁰¹ have no envy,
And some, like¹⁰² nightingales, do sweetly sing,
As messengers when they good news do bring.
Thus men, beasts, birds,¹⁰³ in humours much agree,             145
But several properties in these there¹⁰⁴ be.
’Tis proper for a lively horse to neigh,
And for a slow, dull, foolish ass to bray.
For dogs to bark, bulls roar, wolves howl, pigs squeak,
For men to frown, to weep, to laugh, to speak.                        150
Proper for flies to buzz, birds sing and chatter,
Only for men¹⁰⁵ to promise, swear, and flatter.
Thus can man’s shape their properties express,¹⁰⁶
Yet they have some which all his skill surpass.¹⁰⁷
For men want¹⁰⁸ wings to fly up to the sky,                             155
Nor can they like to¹⁰⁹ fish in waters lie.
What¹¹⁰ man like roes can run so swift, and long?¹¹¹
Nor are they like to horse, or lions strong.
Nor have they scent like dogs, a hare to find,
Nor¹¹² sight like swine, to see the subtle wind.                       160
Thus several creatures, by their¹¹³ several sense,
Have better far (than man)¹¹⁴ intelligence.

These¹¹⁵ several creatures several arts know¹¹⁶ well,¹¹⁷
But man in gen’ral¹¹⁸ doth them far excel.
For arts in men as well did nature¹¹⁹ give,                               165
As other qualities to beasts¹²⁰ to live.
And from men’s¹²¹ brains such fine inventions flow,
As in his head all other heads do grow.
What creature builds like man such¹²² stately towers,¹²³
And makes¹²⁴ such things as time cannot devour?                 170
What creature makes such engines as man’s hand,¹²⁵
To traffic and to use, at sea and land,¹²⁶
To kill, or¹²⁷ spoil, or else alive to take,
Destroying all that other creatures make?
This makes man seem of all the world a king,                         175
Because he power hath of everything.
He’ll teach birds words, in measure beasts¹²⁸ to go,
Makes passions in the mind to ebb and flow.
And though he cannot fly as birds, with wings,
Yet he can take the height and breadth of things.                   180
He knows the course and number of the stars,
But¹²⁹ birds and beasts are no astrologers.
And though he cannot like to fishes swim,¹³⁰
Yet nets he makes to catch those fishes in.¹³¹
And with his ships the world he’ll circle¹³² round;                 185
What beast or bird that doth so is yet¹³³ found?
He’ll fell down woods; with axes sharp he’ll¹³⁴ strike;
Whole herds of beasts can never do the like.
What beast can plead to save another’s life,
Or by his eloquence can end a strife?                                        190
Or counsels give, great dangers for to¹³⁵ shun,
Or tell the cause of the eclipsèd sun?¹³⁶
He’ll turn the current of the waters¹³⁷ clear,
And make that they do like new seas¹³⁸ appear;
Where fish do¹³⁹ only in old waters glide,                                195
Can¹⁴⁰ cut new rivers out on any side.
He’ll mountains make, which clouds almost do¹⁴¹ touch,
Mountains¹⁴² of moles or ants scarce do so much.
What creature like to man can reasons show,
Which makes him know¹⁴³ that he thereby doth know?       200
And who but man makes use of everything?¹⁴⁴
For¹⁴⁵ goodness out of poison he can bring.¹⁴⁶
’Tis only man that’s fill’d¹⁴⁷ with strong desire,
And by his rhet’rick¹⁴⁸ sets the soul on fire.
Beasts no ambition have to get a fame,                                      205
Nor build they tombs t’eternalize¹⁴⁹ their name.
They never war, high honor for¹⁵⁰ to get,
But to secure themselves, or¹⁵¹ meat to eat.
But men are like to gods; they live¹⁵² for ever shall;
And beasts are¹⁵³ like themselves, to dust shall¹⁵⁴ fall.          210

1. of Man and Beast] betwixt Man, and Beast. 1653
2. like] by 1664, 1668
3. In him all qualities do join] For in him joyn all Qualities 1664; For in him join all Qualities 1668
4. man] he 1664, 1668
5. his honor stung,] sustains a Wrong, 1664, 1668
6. greedy covetousness, like to] He’s Greedy, Covetous like 1664; He’s Greedy, Covetous, like 1668
7. Right he devours,] Devoures Right, 1653
8. novice kids] Novice-Kids 1653; Novice-Kids 1668
9. who errors] Errours to 1664; Errors to 1668
10. might] may 1664, 1668
11. men of] those which have 1653
12. and] or 1653
13. For] Or 1653
14. are] is 1653
15. they] out 1653
16. No power, strength, nor greatness do they spare,] Which neither Power, nor Strength, nor Greatnesse spare. 1653
17. are so mischievous,] so Mischievous they’re, 1664, 1668
18. do like] like to 1653
19. Who] For as they 1664; For, as they 1668
20. do dread,] dread, 1664, 1668
21. Will] But 1664, 1668
22. That] As 1653
23. hooves the firm hard ground will strike] Hoofs they’l strike the Ground, and bite 1664; Hoofs, they’l strike the ground, & bite, 1668
24. In] For 1664, 1668
25. like flints,] (like Flints) 1653
26. shoot] beat 1653
27. They’ll] Will 1653
28. god] that 1653
29. heavy burdens to] great Burthens for to 1653
30. and faster] when fast that 1653; when faster 1664
31. would] could 1664, 1668
32. For why he hath not courage for] Why so? ’cause he no Courage has 1664; Why so, cause he no Courage has 1668
33. they’ll] will 1653
34. they] yet 1664, 1668
35. So dull will those that live in slav’ry] Those that in Slavery live, so dull will 1653; So Dull will those, that Live in Slavery 1664
36. They] And 1664, 1668
37. Of grumbling natures, never doing good,] And Cruel are, as of a Boarish brood; 1664; And Cruel are, as of a Boarish Brood, 1668
38. And cruel are, as of a boorish brood.] Of Grumbling Natures, never doing good. 1664, 1668
39. seek no man to] will not any 1653
40. none,] they do Slight 1664; they do slight, 1668
41. their name to] them 1664, 1668
42. And] But 1664; But 1668
43. they’ll] will 1653
44. are,] and 1664, 1668
45. That they will take away the life they] As they’l take Life away, that others 1664, 1668
46. as the] like to 1653
47. that are] which when 1664, 1668
48. The trumpet, when] When Trumpet sounds 1653
49. Then with that sound] And with that noise, 1653
50. o’th’coward] of th’Coward 1664, 1668
51. they] do 1664, 1668
52. And neither] Which do no 1653
53. They] Which 1664, 1668
54. They] But 1664; But 1668
55. and] will 1653
56. and] will 1653
57. The naked they do] Which do the Naked 1664, 1668
58. natures and sweet dispositions] Nature’s Disposition sweet 1653
59. Contented live, and shun foolish ambitions,] Shun foolish Quarrels, loves the Peace to keep. 1653
60. help they] helping 1664, 1668
61. Nor any bribes do take with cov’tous] Nor Bribes will take with covetous 1653
62. gratefully all courtesies requite,] with a gratefull Heart do still returne 1653
63. Free from all envy, malice, spleen and spite,] The Curtesies that have for them been done. 1653
64. And in] In all 1664, 1668
65. conversation,] Conversations 1664, 1668
66. Those men] And those 1664, 1668
67. lives,] is Alive, 1664; is alive, 1668
68. may show herself.] in Health. 1664; in health. 1668
69. which] that 1653
70. makes] fills 1653
71. their] the 1653
72. And] But 1653
73. they] such 1653
74. they should with privacy conceal.] most fit for privacy to conceale. 1653
75. when] though 1653
76. unpleasing truth doth tell—] if he an ill truth tells, 1653
77. like a] but like 1664, 1668
78. smell—] smels; 1653
79. e’en] though 1653; ev’n 1668
80. Some are] And so 1653
81. upon which others tread,] some will be troad to Earth, 1653
82. And some like ven’mous vipers do sting dead.] Others as venemous Vipers stung to death. 1653
83. Some like to] For like as 1664; For, like as 1668
84. For] And 1664, 1668
85. it] he 1653
86. it] him 1653
87. like beasts, and some like worm] as Birds, and Beasts, and Flies, 1653
88. But some do flying birds] To every Creature men 1653; But some, do Flying-birds 1668
89. a] to 1653
90. And some, like] Or, like to 1653
91. Some,] Or like to 1653
92. are like] like to 1653
93. Feeding on spite, which spite doth] And some their spight feed on, what 1653
94. And like as peacocks their tails do] Some like to Peacock his taile to 1653
95. men] some, 1664, 1668
96. like as bats fly] as the Bat flyes 1653
97. neighbor] Neighbours 1664, 1668
98. that he shines] as they Shine 1664; as they shine 1668
99. like] as 1653
100. they] men 1653
101. and] wich 1653
102. like] as 1653
103. beasts, birds,] Birds, Beasts, 1653
104. But several properties in these there] Though in them all several Proprieties 1664; Though, in them all, several Proprieties 1668
105. men] Meu 1668
106. Thus can man’s shape their properties express,] So Men these Properties can imitate, 1653
107. Yet they have some which all his skill surpass.] But not their Faculties that Nature made. 1653
108. For men want] Men have no 1653
109. to] the 1664, 1668
110. What] No 1664, 1668
111. long?] long; 1664, 1668
112. Nor] Or 1653
113. by their] by 1653
114. (than man)] than Man, 1664, 1668
115. These] And 1664, 1668
116. know] do 1653
117. Note that while this line begins a separate stanza in 1653, it is run together with the previous lines in 1664 and 1668.
118. gen’ral] generall, 1653
119. arts in men as well did nature] Nature Arts as well to Man did 1664; Nature, Arts, as well to Man did 1668
120. to beasts] in Beast 1653
121. men’s] Man’s 1664, 1668
122. such] a 1664, 1668
123. towers,] Tower, 1664, 1668
124. makes] make 1653
125. man’s hand] Man can? 1653
126. land,] Land? 1664, 1668
127. or] to 1653
128. beasts] Beast 1653; Beast 1664. In the 1664 Errata list, “Beast” is corrected to “Beasts”; this correction is also carried forward into 1668.
129. But] When 1664, 1668
130. like to fishes swim,] Swim like Fish, he’l make 1664, 1668
131. Yet nets he makes to catch those fishes in.] Angles and Nets, those Fish withall to take; 1664; Angles and Nets, those Fish withall to take: 1668
132. the world he’ll circle] hee’l circle the World 1653
133. doth so is yet] can do so, is 1653
134. he’ll] will 1653
135. great dangers for to] how Dangers may be 1664, 1668
136. of the eclipsèd sun?] or how Eclipses come? 1653
137. waters] Water 1653
138. that they do like new seas] them like new Seas for to 1653
139. fish do] Fishes 1653
140. Can] He’l 1664, 1668
141. He’ll mountains make, which clouds almost do] Hee Mountaines makes so high, the Cloudes will 1653
142. Mountains] Small Hills 1664, 1668
143. know] sure, 1664, 1668
144. everything?] every thing, 1653
145. For] As 1653
146. bring.] bring? 1653
147. ’Tis only man that’s fill’d] Thus Man is filled a 1653
148. rhet’rick] Rhetorick 1664, Rhetorick, 1668
149. t’eternalize] thereon to write 1653
150. high honor for] Honour and Fame 1664; Honour and Fame 1668
151. or] their 1664, 1668
152. But men are like to gods; they live] In short, Men like to Gods, 1664; In short, Men like to Gods, 1668
153. And beasts are] Live; but Beasts 1664; Live: but Beasts, 1668
154. shall] must 1664, 1668