reet > lacking in discretion, imprudent
8 So evil thing to seek to their aid,
So > Such [an]
9 And, having not, complain, and having it, upbraid?"
upbraid > reproach [wealth]; _or, perhaps:_ are reproached (for
being rich)
207.15
Indeede (quoth he) through fowle intemperaunce,
2 Frayle men are oft captiu'd to couetise:
But would they thinke, with how small allowaunce
4 Vntroubled Nature doth her selfe suffise,
Such superfluities they would despise,
6 Which with sad cares empeach our natiue ioyes:
At the well head the purest streames arise:
8 But mucky filth his braunching armes annoyes,
And with vncomely weedes the gentle waue accloyes.
1 "Indeed," quoth he, "through foul intemperance
2 Frail men are oft captived to covetise:
Frail > Morally weak
covetise > avarice, covetousness
3 But would they think with how small allowance
would > [if only]
4 Untroubled Nature does herself suffice,
5 Such superfluities they would despise,
6 Which with sad cares impeach our native joys:
impeach > endamage, impair
7 At the well-head the purest streams arise:
8 But mucky filth its branching arms annoys,
its branching arms > [the stream's various watercourses]
annoys > afflicts, vexes
9 And with uncomely weeds the gentle wave accloys.
wave > water
accloys > clogs, chokes
207.16
The antique world, in his first flowring youth,
2 Found no defect in his Creatours grace,
But with glad thankes, and vnreproued truth,
4 The gifts of soueraigne bountie did embrace:
Like Angels life was then mens happy cace;
6 But later ages pride, like corn-fed steed,
Abusd her plenty, and fat swolne encreace
8 To all licentious lust, and gan exceed
The measure of her meane, and naturall first need.
1 "The antique world, in its first flowering youth,
antique > ancient
2 Found no defect in its Creator's grace,
3 But with glad thanks, and unreproved truth,
unreproved > blameless; unreproving, uncomplaining
truth > {Conduct in accordance with the divine standard; also a
variant spelling of "troth", good faith}
4 The gifts of sovereign bounty did embrace:
5 Like angels' life was then men's happy case;
case > state
6 But later ages' pride, like corn-fed steed,
corn-fed > [pampered]
7 Abused her plenty, and fat swollen increase
her > [Nature's, referring to 207.15:4]
fat swollen i
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