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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 2: SATIRE: 4 by JOSEPH HALL

First Line: WORTHY WERE GALEN TO BE WEIGH'D IN GOLD
Last Line: PURCHASETH REALMES, AND LIFE PROLONGED BRINGS.
Subject(s): DEATH; HEALTH; LIFE; SOCRATES (470-399 B.C.); DEAD, THE;
VVorthy were @3Galen@1 to be weigh'd in Gold,
Whose helpe doth sweetest life & health vphold
Yet by S. @3Esculape@1 he solemne swore,
That for diseases they were neuer more,
Fees neuer lesse, neuer so little gaine,
Men giue a groat, and aske the rest againe.
@3Groats-worth of health,@1 can any leech allot?
Yet should he haue no more that giues a grote.
Should I on each sicke pillow leane my brest,
And grope the pulse of euerie mangie wrest:
And spie out maruels in each Vrinall:
And tumble vp the filths that from them fall,
And giue a @3Dose@1 for euery disease,
In prescripts long, and tedious @3Recipes:@1
All for so leane reward of Art and mee?
No Hors-leach but will looke for larger fee.
Meane while if chance some desp'rate patient die,
Cum'n to the Period of his destinie:
(As who can crosse the fatall resolution,
In the decreed day of dissolution:)
Whether ill tendment, or recurelesse paine,
Procure his death; the neighbors straight complaine
Th'vnskilfull leech murdred his patient,
By poyson of some foule @3Ingredient.@1
Here-on the vulgar may as soone be brought
To @3Socrates@1-his poysoned @3Hemlock@1-drought,
As to a wholsome @3Iulep,@1 whose receat
Might his diseases lingring force defeat.
If nor a dramme of @3Triacle@1 soueraigne,
Or @3Aqua vitae,@1 or @3Sugar Candian,@1
Nor @3Kitchin-cordials@1 can it remedie,
Certes his time is come, needs mought he die.
Were I a leech, as who knowes what may bee,
The liberall man should liue, and carle should die.
The sickly @3Ladie,@1 and the goutie @3Peere@1
Still would I haunt, that loue their life so deere.
Where life is deare who cares for coyned drosse?
That spent, is counted gaine, and spared, losse:
Or would coniure the @3Chymick Mercurie,@1
Rise from his hors-dung bed, and vpwards flie:
And with glas-stils, and sticks of @3Iuniper,@1
Raise the @3Black-spright@1 that burns not with the fire:
And bring @3Quintessence@1 of @3Elixir@1 pale,
Out of sublimed spirits minerall.
Each poudred graine ransometh captiue Kings,
Purchaseth Realmes, and life prolonged brings.



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