_Saffron-Walden_: This begot high Contests betwixt the Doctor and him,
so that it became to be a well known Pen-Combate. Amongst other Books
which Mr. _Nash_ wrote against him, one was entituled, _Have with ye
to_ Saffron-Walden; and another called _Four Letters confuted_; in
which last he concludes with this Sonnet;

Were there no Wars, poor men should have no Peace;
Uncessant Wars with Wasps and Drones I cry:
He that begins oft knows not how to cease;
He hath begun; He follow till I die.
Ile hear no Truce, Wrong gets no Grave in me:
Abuse pell-mell encounter with abuse;
Write he again, Ile write eternally;
Who feeds Revenge, hath found an endless Muse.
If Death ere made his black Dart of a Pen,
My Pen his special Bayly shall become:
Somewhat Ile be reputed of 'mongst men,
By striking of this Dunce or dead or dumb:
Await the World the Tragedy of Wrath,
What next I paint shall tread no common Path.

It seems he had a Poetical Purse as well as a Poetical Brain, being
much straightned in the Gifts of Fortune; as he exclaims in his _Pierce
Penniless_.

Why is't damnation to despair and die,
When Life is my true happiness disease?
My Soul, my Soul, thy Safety makes me fly
The faulty Means that might my Pain appease.
Divines and dying men may talk of Hell,