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ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 47

Little One Coming

1 it is a boy, well and good ; if it is a girl, throw it away.

About the time of Christ an Egyptian labourer was writing
this message to his wife, who was expecting a child to be born

Man Should Not Hunt Mankind to Death

MAN should not hunt mankind to death,
But strike the enemies of man.
Kill vices if you can :
They are your wildest beasts,
And when they thickest fail
You make the gods true feasts.

Ben Jonson

Sen Jonson Invites a Friend to His Poor Some
rpoNiGHT, grave sir, both my poor house and I
JL Do equally desire your company :
Not that we think us worthy such a guest,
But that your worth will dignify our feast.
With those that come, whose grace may make that seem
Something which else would hope for no esteem.
It is the fair acceptance, sir, creates
The entertainment perfect, not the cates.
Yet shall you have, to rectify your palate,
An olive, capers, or some better sallet
Ushering the mutton : with a short-legged hen,
If we can get her full of eggs, and then,
Limons, and wine for sauce : to these a coney
Is not to be despaired of for our money ;
Nor shall our cups make any guilty men,
But at our parting will be as when
We innocently met. No simple word
That shall be uttered at our mirthful board
Shall make us sad next morning, or affright
The liberty that we'll enjoy tonight.
Ben Jonson to Queen Elizabeth
LET Flattery be dumb and Envy blind
In her dread presence : Death himself admire her.
And may her virtues make him forget
The use of his inevitable hand.
Fly from her, Age; sleep* Time, before her throne:
Our strongest walls fall down when she is gone.
Epilogue spoken before Queen Elizabeth at Ben
Jonson's play Everyman Out of His Humour