A02265:191
Mystical bedlam, or the world of mad-men. By ThoMystical bedlam, or the vvorld of mad-men. By Tho
Mystical bedlam, or the world of mad-men. By Tho: AdamsMystical bedlam, or the vvorld of mad-men. By Tho: Adams
London: printed by George Purslowe for Clement Knight, 1615
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
12. The Busy-Body
12. The Busie-Body
All will confess a mad-man: for he fisks up and down, like a nettled horse, & will stand on no ground. He hath a charge of his own properly distinguished: ye he must needs trouble his head, with alien and unnecessary affairs. He admits all mens businesses into his brain, but his own: and comes not home for his own, till he hath set all his neighbours ploughs a-going. He hurries up and down, like Jehu the son of Nimshi in his Chariot, or as a Gallant in his new Caroch, driving as if he were mad.
All will confesse a mad-man: for hee fiskes vp and downe, like a nettled horse, & wil stand on no ground. He hath a charge of his owne properly distinguished: yee hee must needes trouble his head, with alien and vnnecessary affayres. Hee admits all mens businesses into his brayne, but his owne: and comes not home for his owne, till he hath set all his neighbors ploughes a-going. Hee hurries vp and downe, like Iehu the sonne of Nimshi in his Chariot, or as a Gallant in his new Caroch, driuing as if he were mad.
He loves not to sleep in his own doors; and hinders the common-wealth with frivolous questions. He is an universal solicitor for every mans suit; and would talk a Lawyer himself mad. There is not a Boat, ⟨p. 65⟩wherein he hath not an Oar; nor a Wheel, wherein he will not challenge a Spoke. He lives a perpetual affliction to himself and others; and dies without pity; save that they say, it is pity he died no sooner. He is his neighbours malus genius, and a plague to melancholy. He is the common supervisor to all the wills made in his parish: and when he may not be a counsellor, he will be an intelligencer. If you let him not in to interrupt, he will stand without to eavesdrop. He is a very mad-man; for he takes great pains without thanks, without recompense, of God, or man, or his own conscience. He is luxurious of business, that concerns him not: Lay hands on him, shackle him: there are some less mad in Bedlam. I will be rid of him with this Distich.