Who at these numbers carp'd; and we alone :
Proceed we to the matter...
Nec Habeo, Nec Careo, Nec Curo.
SOME having seen where I this Motto writ Beneath my picture, ask'd what meaned it; And many in my absence do assay
What by these words they best conjecture may : Some have supposed that it doth express An unadvised desperate carelessness. Some others do imagine that I meant In little to set forth a great content.
Some on each member of the sentence dwell: And first will, what I have not, seem to tell : What things I want not, they will next declare : And then they guess for what I do not care. But that they might not from my meaning err, I'll now become my own interpreter.
Some things I have, which here I will not shew; Some things I want, which you shall never know: And sometime I, perchance, do careful grow; But we with that will nothing have to do. If good occasion be thereof to speak,
Another time we may the pleasure take.
That which to treat of I now purpose, therefore, Is what I neither have, nor want, nor care for.
AND first; that no man else may censure me, For vaunting what belongeth not to me: Hear what I have not; for I'll not deny To make confession of my poverty.
I have not of myself the power or grace To be, or not to be, one minute's space. I have not strength another word to write, Or tell you what I purpose to indite, Or think out half a thought before my death, But by the leave of Him that gave me breath. I have no native goodness in my soul, But I was over all corrupt and foul;
And till another cleans'd me, I had nought That was not stain'd within me, not a thought. I have no proper merit, neither will
Or to resolve, or act, but what is ill.
I have no means of safety or content,
In ought which mine own wisdom can invent. Nor have I reason to be desperate, tho', Because for this a remedy I know.
I have no portion in the world like this, That I may breathe that air which common is
Nor have I seen within this spacious round, What I have worth my joy or sorrow found, Except it hath for these that follow been; The love of my Redeemer, and my sin.
I none of those great privileges have,
Which make the minions of the time so brave. I have no sumptuous palaces or bowers That over-top my neighbours with their towers. I have no large demesnes or princely rents, Like those heroes, nor their discontents. I have no glories from mine ancestors, For want of real worth to brag of theirs. Nor have I baseness in my pedigree; For it is noble, though obscure it be.
I have no gold those honours to obtain, Which men might heretofore by virtue gain; Nor have I wit, if wealth were given me, To think bought place or title honour'd me. I yet have no belief that they are wise, Who for base ends can basely temporize, Or that it will at length be ill for me, That I liv'd poor to keep my spirit free.
I have no causes in our pleading courts; Nor start I at our chancery-reports. No fearful bill hath yet affrighted me; No motion, order, judgment, or decree.
Nor have I forced been to tedious journies, Betwixt my counsellors and my attornies. I have no need of those long-gowned warriors, Who play at Westminster unarmed barriers : Nor gamester for those common-pleas am I, Whose sport is marred by the chancery.
I have no juggling hand, no double tongue; Nor mind to take or do a wrong. any
I have no shifts or cunning sleights, on which I feed myself, with hope of being rich.
Nor have I one of these to make me poor; Hounds, humours, running-horses, hawks, or whore. I have no pleasure in acquaintance, where The rules of state and ceremony are Observ❜d so seriously, that I must dance, And act o'er all the compliments of France And Spain and Italy, before I can Be taken for a well-bred Englishman; And every time we meet, be forc'd again To put in action that most idle scene. 'Mong these, much precious time, unto my cost, And much true hearty meaning, have I lost; Which having found, I do resolve therefore To lose my time and friendship so no more. I have no compliments, but what may shew That I do manners and good breeding know;
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