Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/211

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

The Four Humours of Man. 1 25

Yet many times unto my great difgrace

One of your felves are my Compeers in place,

Where if your rule prove once^ predominant,

The man proves boyifh, fottifh, ignorant:

But if you yield fubfervience unto me, [24]

I make a man, a man in th'high'ft degree :

Be he a fouldier, I more fence his heart

Then iron Corflet 'gainlt a fword or dart.

What makes him face his foe w^ithout appal,

To ftorm a breach, or fcale a city wall,

In dangers to account himfelf more fure

Then timerous Hares whom Caftles do immure?

Have you not heard of worthyes, Demi-Gods f

Twixt them and others what is't makes the odds

But valour? whence comes thatl* from none of you.

Nay milkfops at fuch brunts you look but blew.

Here's lifter ruddy, worth the other two,

Who much will talk, but little dares fhe do,

Unlefs to Court and claw, to dice and drink.

And there Ihe will out-bid us all, I think.

She loves a fiddle better then a drum,

A Chamber well, in field fhe dares not come,

She'l ride a horfe as bravely as the beft.

And break a ftaft', provided 'be in jeft;

But fhuns to look on wounds, & blood that's fpilt,

She loves her fword only becaufe its gilt.

Then here's our fad black Sifter, worfe then you.

She'l neither fay flie will, nor will ftie doe;

z once grow.

�� �