100 TOBACCO IN EUROPE. 



The poor as well as the wealthy, 

 From the court to the cottage, 

 From childhood to dotage, 



Both those that are sick and the healthy. 

 It plainly appears 

 That in a few years 



Tobacco more custom hath gained, 

 Then sack, or then ale, 

 Though they double the tale, 



Of the times, wherein they have reigned. 

 And worthily too, 

 For what they undoe 



Tobacco doth help to regaine, 

 On fairer conditions, 

 Than many physitians, 



Puts an end to much griefe and paine ; 

 It helpeth digestion, 

 Of that there's no question, 



The gout and the tooth ache it easeth : 

 Be it early, or late, 

 'Tis never out of date, 



He may safely take it that pleaseth. 

 Tobacco prevents 

 Infection by scents, 



That hurt the brain, and are heady. 

 An antidote is, 

 Before you're amisse, 



As well as an after remedy. 

 The cold it doth heate, 

 Cools them that do sweat, 



And them that are fat maketh lean : 

 The hungry doth feed, 

 And, if there be need, 



Spent spirits restoreth again. 

 The poets of old, 

 Many fables have told, 



Of the gods and their symposia : 

 But tobacco alone, 

 Had they known it, had gone 



For their nectar and ambrosia.* 



* This idea occurs in an Epigram on Tobacco in the same work, which 

 savours of hyperbole : 



" Nature's idea, Physicke's rare perfection, 

 Cold rheumes expeller, and the wit's direction ; 



