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Wicked Semiramis, accursed Bitch!
My spirit is mightily provok'd against that wretch.
Lustful Semiramis, for will I wist
Thou wert the mother of proud Antichrist.
Nay, like to Levi and Simeon from antiquity,
The Pope and thee were Sisters in iniquity.
Strumpet Semiramis, like her was non,
For she built Babylon, Ah! she built Babylon.
But, Brethren, be ye good as she was evil,2 Use.
Must ye needs go because she's gone to the Devil?
Thy dinner carry.] Here may we look upon
A childe of God in great affliction:
Why what does he aile? Alas! he wanteth meat,
Now what (Beloved) was sent him for to eat?
Truly a small matter; only a dish of pottage,
But pray what pottage? Such as a small cottage
Afforded only to the Country swains,
From whence, though not a man the place explains,
'Tis guess'd that neither Christmas pottage 'twas,
Nor white-broth, nor capon-broth, good for sick maws,
Or milk-porrage, or thick pease-porrage either,
Nor was it mutton-broth, nor veal broth neither,
Nor any broth of noble tast or scent,
Made by receipt of the Countess of Kent;
But sure some homely stuff crum'd with brown-bread,
And thus was Daniel, good Daniel fed.
Truly, this was but homely fare you'l say,
Yet Daniel, good Daniel was content that day.Would he
have been
so content.
And though there could be thought-on nothing cheaper,
Yet fed as well on't as he had been a reaper.
Better eat any thing than not at all,3 Use.
Fasting, Beloved, why? 'tis prejudiciall
To the weak Saints; Beloved, 'tis a sin,
And thus to prove the same I here begin:Several
Reasons.
Hunger, Beloved, why? this hunger mauls,
Ah! 'tis a great mauler, it breaks stone-walls;
Now my Beloved, to break stone-walls you know,
Why 'tis flat felony, and there's great woe
Follows
