[note]of Man and Beast] betwixt Man, and Beast. 1653 [/note]
Man is a creature like[note]like] by 1664, 1668 [/note] himself alone;
In him all qualities do join[note]In him all qualities do join] For in him joyn all Qualities 1664; For in him join all Qualities 1668 [/note] as one.
When man[note]man] he 1664, 1668 [/note] is injured, and his honor stung,[note]his honor stung,] sustains a Wrong, 1664, 1668 [/note]
He seems a lion, furious, fierce, and strong.
With greedy covetousness, like to[note]greedy covetousness, like to] He’s Greedy, Covetous like 1664; He’s Greedy, Covetous, like 1668 [/note] wolves and bears, 5
Right he devours,[note]Right he devours,] Devoures Right, 1653 [/note] and truth in pieces tears.
Or like as crafty foxes lie in wait
To catch young novice kids[note]novice kids] Novice-Kids 1653; Novice-Kids 1668 [/note] by their deceit,
So subtle knaves do watch who errors[note]who errors] Errours to 1664; Errors to 1668 [/note] make,
That they thereby advantages might[note]might] may 1664, 1668 [/note] 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 of[note]men of] those which have 1653 [/note] power and authority,
Not out of love to honor and[note]and] or 1653 [/note] renown,
But to ensnare, and so to pull them down.
For[note]For] Or 1653 [/note] as a mastiff flies at every throat,
So spite will fly at all that are[note]are] is 1653 [/note] of note. 20
With slanderous words, as teeth, good deeds they[note]they] out 1653 [/note] tear,
No power, strength, nor greatness do they spare,[note]No power, strength, nor greatness do they spare,] Which neither Power, nor Strength, nor Greatnesse spare. 1653 [/note]
And are so mischievous,[note]are so mischievous,] so Mischievous they’re, 1664, 1668 [/note] love not to see
Any to live without an infamy.
Most do like[note]do like] like to 1653 [/note] 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,
Who[note]Who] For as they 1664; For, as they 1668 [/note] fear no foe, nor enemies do dread,[note]do dread,] dread, 1664, 1668 [/note]
Will[note]Will] But 1664, 1668 [/note] fight in battles till they fall down dead. 30
Their heart with noble rage so hot will grow,
That[note]That] As 1653 [/note] from their nostrils clouds of smoke do blow.
And with their hooves the firm hard ground will strike[note]hooves the firm hard ground will strike] Hoofs they’l strike the Ground, and bite 1664; Hoofs, they’l strike the ground, & bite, 1668 [/note]
In[note]In] For 1664, 1668 [/note] anger, that they cannot go to fight.
Their eyes, like flints,[note]like flints,] (like Flints) 1653 [/note] will shoot[note]shoot] beat 1653 [/note] out sparks of fire; 35
They’ll[note]They’ll] Will 1653 [/note] 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 god[note]god] that 1653 [/note] Mars did rule that hemisphere. 40
Some, like to slow, dull asses, full of fear,
Contented are heavy burdens to[note]heavy burdens to] great Burthens for to 1653 [/note] bear,
And every clown doth beat his back and side
Because he’s slow, and faster[note]and faster] when fast that 1653; when faster 1664 [/note] he would[note]would] could 1664, 1668 [/note] ride.
Then will he bray out loud, but dare not bite, 45
For why he hath not courage for[note]For why he hath not courage for] Why so? ’cause he no Courage has 1664; Why so, cause he no Courage has 1668 [/note] to fight.
Base minds will yield their heads under the yoke,
Offer their backs to every tyrant’s stroke.
Like fools they’ll[note]they’ll] will 1653 [/note] grumble, but they[note]they] yet 1664, 1668 [/note] dare not speak,
Nor strive for liberty, their bonds to break. 50
So dull will those that live in slav’ry[note]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 [/note] grow;
Dejected spirits make the body slow.
Others as swine lie groveling in the mire,
Have no heroic thoughts to rise up higher;
They[note]They] And 1664, 1668 [/note] from their birth do never sport nor play, 55
But eat and drink, and grunting run away,
Of grumbling natures, never doing good,[note]Of grumbling natures, never doing good,] And Cruel are, as of a Boarish brood; 1664; And Cruel are, as of a Boarish Brood, 1668 [/note]
And cruel are, as of a boorish brood.[note]And cruel are, as of a boorish brood.] Of Grumbling Natures, never doing good. 1664, 1668 [/note]
So gluttons, sluggards care for nought but ease,
In conversations seek no man to[note]seek no man to] will not any 1653 [/note] please, 60
Ambition none,[note]none,] they do Slight 1664; they do slight, 1668 [/note] to make their name to[note]their name to] them 1664, 1668 [/note] live,
Nor have they generosity to give,
And[note]And] But 1664; But 1668 [/note] are so churlish, that if any pray
To help their wants, they’ll[note]they’ll] will 1653 [/note] cursing go away.
So cruel are,[note]are,] and 1664, 1668 [/note] so far from death to save, 65
That they will take away the life they[note]That they will take away the life they] As they’l take Life away, that others 1664, 1668 [/note] have.
Some, as the[note]as the] like to 1653 [/note] fearful hart, or frighted hare,
Shun every noise, and their own shadows fear.
So cowards, that are[note]that are] which when 1664, 1668 [/note] sent in wars to fight,
Think not to beat, but how to make their flight. 70
The trumpet, when[note]The trumpet, when] When Trumpet sounds 1653 [/note] to charge the foe it calls,
Then with that sound[note]Then with that sound] And with that noise, 1653 [/note] the heart o’th’coward[note]o’th’coward] of th’Coward 1664, 1668 [/note] falls.
Others, as harmless sheep, in peace do live,
Contented are, no injury will give,
But on the tender grass they[note]they] do 1664, 1668 [/note] gently feed, 75
And neither[note]And neither] Which do no 1653 [/note] spite nor rankled malice breed.
They[note]They] Which 1664, 1668 [/note] never in the ways of mischief stood,
To set their teeth in flesh or drink up blood.
They[note]They] But 1664; But 1668 [/note] grieve to walk alone, and[note]and] will 1653 [/note] pine away,
Grow fat in flocks, and[note]and] will 1653 [/note] with each other play. 80
The naked they do[note]The naked they do] Which do the Naked 1664, 1668 [/note] clothe with their soft wool;
The ewes do feed the hungry stomach full.
So gentle natures and sweet dispositions[note]natures and sweet dispositions] Nature’s Disposition sweet 1653 [/note]
Contented live, and shun foolish ambitions,[note]Contented live, and shun foolish ambitions,] Shun foolish Quarrels, loves the Peace to keep. 1653 [/note]
Full of compassion, pitying the distressed, 85
And with their bounty help they[note]help they] helping 1664, 1668 [/note] 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’tous[note]Nor any bribes do take with cov’tous] Nor Bribes will take with covetous 1653 [/note] hands,
Nor set they back the mark of th’owners’ lands,
But gratefully all courtesies requite,[note]gratefully all courtesies requite,] with a gratefull Heart do still returne 1653 [/note]
Free from all envy, malice, spleen and spite,[note]Free from all envy, malice, spleen and spite,] The Curtesies that have for them been done. 1653 [/note]
And in[note]And in] In all 1664, 1668 [/note] their conversation,[note]conversation,] Conversations 1664, 1668 [/note] meek and mild, 95
Without lascivious words or actions wild.
Those men[note]Those men] And those 1664, 1668 [/note] are fathers to a commonwealth
Where justice lives,[note]lives,] is Alive, 1664; is alive, 1668 [/note] and truth may show herself.[note]may show herself.] in Health. 1664; in health. 1668 [/note]
Others, as apes, do imitate the rest,
And when they mischief do, seem but to jest. 100
So are buffoons, which[note]which] that 1653 [/note] seem for mirth to sport,
Whose liberty makes[note]makes] fills 1653 [/note] factions in a court.
Those that delight in fools must in good part
Take what they say, although their[note]their] the 1653 [/note] words are smart.
And[note]And] But 1653 [/note] many times they[note]they] such 1653 [/note] 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.[note]they should with privacy conceal.] most fit for privacy to conceale. 1653 [/note]
For when[note]when] though 1653 [/note] a fool unpleasing truth doth tell—[note]unpleasing truth doth tell—] if he an ill truth tells, 1653 [/note]
Or be it false, if like a[note]like a] but like 1664, 1668 [/note] truth it smell—[note]smell—] smels; 1653 [/note] 110
It gets such hold, e’en[note]e’en] though 1653; ev’n 1668 [/note] in a wise man’s brain,
That hardly it will ever out again.
Some are[note]Some are] And so 1653 [/note] like worms, upon which others tread,[note]upon which others tread,] some will be troad to Earth, 1653 [/note]
And some like ven’mous vipers do sting dead.[note]And some like ven’mous vipers do sting dead.] Others as venemous Vipers stung to death. 1653 [/note]
Some like to[note]Some like to] For like as 1664; For, like as 1668 [/note] 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
For[note]For] And 1664, 1668 [/note] 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 it[note]it] he 1653 [/note] stings it[note]it] him 1653 [/note] cruelly.
Thus some like beasts, and some like worms[note]like beasts, and some like worm] as Birds, and Beasts, and Flies, 1653 [/note] are such, 125
But some do flying birds[note]But some do flying birds] To every Creature men 1653; But some, do Flying-birds 1668 [/note] resemble much.
Some, like a[note]a] to 1653 [/note] soaring eagle, mount up high;
Wings of ambition bear them to the sky.
And some, like[note]And some, like] Or, like to 1653 [/note] hawks, fly round to catch their prey;
Some,[note]Some,] Or like to 1653 [/note] like to puttocks, bear the chick away; 130
Some, are like[note]are like] like to 1653 [/note] ravens, which on carrion feed,
Feeding on spite, which spite doth[note]Feeding on spite, which spite doth] And some their spight feed on, what 1653 [/note] slanders breed.
And like as peacocks proud their tails do[note]And like as peacocks their tails do] Some like to Peacock his taile to 1653 [/note] show,
So men[note]men] some, 1664, 1668 [/note] that followers have will haughty grow.
Some melancholy owls that hate the light, 135
And like as bats fly[note]like as bats fly] as the Bat flyes 1653 [/note] in the shades of night;
So envious men their neighbor[note]neighbor] Neighbours 1664, 1668 [/note] hate to see,
When that he shines[note]that he shines] as they Shine 1664; as they shine 1668 [/note] in great prosperity,
Keep home in discontent, repine at all,
Until some mischief on the good do fall. 140
Others, like[note]like] as 1653 [/note] cheerful larks, sing as they fly,
So they[note]they] men 1653 [/note] are merry and[note]and] wich 1653 [/note] have no envy,
And some, like[note]like] as 1653 [/note] nightingales, do sweetly sing,
As messengers when they good news do bring.
Thus men, beasts, birds,[note]beasts, birds,] Birds, Beasts, 1653 [/note] in humours much agree, 145
But several properties in these there[note]But several properties in these there] Though in them all several Proprieties 1664; Though, in them all, several Proprieties 1668 [/note] 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 men[note]men] Meu 1668 [/note] to promise, swear, and flatter.
Thus can man’s shape their properties express,[note]Thus can man’s shape their properties express,] So Men these Properties can imitate, 1653 [/note]
Yet they have some which all his skill surpass.[note]Yet they have some which all his skill surpass.] But not their Faculties that Nature made. 1653 [/note]
For men want[note]For men want] Men have no 1653 [/note] wings to fly up to the sky, 155
Nor can they like to[note]to] the 1664, 1668 [/note] fish in waters lie.
What[note]What] No 1664, 1668 [/note] man like roes can run so swift, and long?[note]long?] long; 1664, 1668 [/note]
Nor are they like to horse, or lions strong.
Nor have they scent like dogs, a hare to find,
Nor[note]Nor] Or 1653 [/note] sight like swine, to see the subtle wind. 160
Thus several creatures, by their[note]by their] by 1653 [/note] several sense,
Have better far (than man)[note](than man)] than Man, 1664, 1668 [/note] intelligence.
These[note]These] And 1664, 1668 [/note] several creatures several arts know[note]know] do 1653 [/note] well,[note]Note that while this line begins a separate stanza in 1653, it is run together with the previous lines in 1664 and 1668. [/note]
But man in gen’ral[note]gen’ral] generall, 1653 [/note] doth them far excel.
For arts in men as well did nature[note]arts in men as well did nature] Nature Arts as well to Man did 1664; Nature, Arts, as well to Man did 1668 [/note] give, 165
As other qualities to beasts[note]to beasts] in Beast 1653 [/note] to live.
And from men’s[note]men’s] Man’s 1664, 1668 [/note] brains such fine inventions flow,
As in his head all other heads do grow.
What creature builds like man such[note]such] a 1664, 1668 [/note] stately towers,[note]towers,] Tower, 1664, 1668 [/note]
And makes[note]makes] make 1653 [/note] such things as time cannot devour? 170
What creature makes such engines as man’s hand,[note]man’s hand] Man can? 1653 [/note]
To traffic and to use, at sea and land,[note]land,] Land? 1664, 1668 [/note]
To kill, or[note]or] to 1653 [/note] 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 beasts[note]beasts] Beast 1653; Beast 1664. In the 1664 Errata list, “Beast” is corrected to “Beasts”; this correction is also carried forward into 1668. [/note] 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,
But[note]But] When 1664, 1668 [/note] birds and beasts are no astrologers.
And though he cannot like to fishes swim,[note]like to fishes swim,] Swim like Fish, he’l make 1664, 1668 [/note]
Yet nets he makes to catch those fishes in.[note]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 [/note]
And with his ships the world he’ll circle[note]the world he’ll circle] hee’l circle the World 1653 [/note] round; 185
What beast or bird that doth so is yet[note]doth so is yet] can do so, is 1653 [/note] found?
He’ll fell down woods; with axes sharp he’ll[note]he’ll] will 1653 [/note] 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 to[note]great dangers for to] how Dangers may be 1664, 1668 [/note] shun,
Or tell the cause of the eclipsèd sun?[note]of the eclipsèd sun?] or how Eclipses come? 1653 [/note]
He’ll turn the current of the waters[note]waters] Water 1653 [/note] clear,
And make that they do like new seas[note]that they do like new seas] them like new Seas for to 1653 [/note] appear;
Where fish do[note]fish do] Fishes 1653 [/note] only in old waters glide, 195
Can[note]Can] He’l 1664, 1668 [/note] cut new rivers out on any side.
He’ll mountains make, which clouds almost do[note]He’ll mountains make, which clouds almost do] Hee Mountaines makes so high, the Cloudes will 1653 [/note] touch,
Mountains[note]Mountains] Small Hills 1664, 1668 [/note] of moles or ants scarce do so much.
What creature like to man can reasons show,
Which makes him know[note]know] sure, 1664, 1668 [/note] that he thereby doth know? 200
And who but man makes use of everything?[note]everything?] every thing, 1653 [/note]
For[note]For] As 1653 [/note] goodness out of poison he can bring.[note]bring.] bring? 1653 [/note]
’Tis only man that’s fill’d[note]’Tis only man that’s fill’d] Thus Man is filled a 1653 [/note] with strong desire,
And by his rhet’rick[note]rhet’rick] Rhetorick 1664, Rhetorick, 1668 [/note] sets the soul on fire.
Beasts no ambition have to get a fame, 205
Nor build they tombs t’eternalize[note]t’eternalize] thereon to write 1653 [/note] their name.
They never war, high honor for[note]high honor for] Honour and Fame 1664; Honour and Fame 1668 [/note] to get,
But to secure themselves, or[note]or] their 1664, 1668 [/note] meat to eat.
But men are like to gods; they live[note]But men are like to gods; they live] In short, Men like to Gods, 1664; In short, Men like to Gods, 1668 [/note] for ever shall;
And beasts are[note]And beasts are] Live; but Beasts 1664; Live: but Beasts, 1668 [/note] like themselves, to dust shall[note]shall] must 1664, 1668 [/note] fall. 210