THE most famous and Tragicall HISTORIE of Pelops and Hippodamia. Whereunto are adioyned sundrie pleasant deuises, Epigrams, Songes and Sonnettes.
Written by Mathewe Groue.
Imprinted at London by Abel Ieffs dwelling in the Forestreete without Creeplegate, neere vnto Grubstreete, 1587.
¶ To the ryght Honorable, Sir Henrie Compton knight, Lord Compton of Compton hole, R. S. wisheth long life with increase of honour.
AS Moyses once by law then made
Was taught to swimme and not to wade
Ariued (by God) at Princes place,
Whom Pharaos daughter tooke to grace.
And brought hym vp, and taught hym so,
Who prooued at length as well ye know:
So I by channce thys Pamphlet here
Dyd saue sometime from water cleere,
And tooke it vp and brought to light,
To be defended through your might.
And so your Honours fauor finde,
According to the Authors minde.
Foure yeere and more I dyd hym nurse.
Although no whit it cost my purse,
Yet driuen at length at cost to be,
Because your Lordship should it see,
Yet no such cost as shall appeare,
But mende my purse within the yeare.
Th'aucthor sure I doe not know,
N [...]whet [...]er he be high or low,
Or now aliue, or els be dead:
But this in few words may be sead.
Hoping your honor accept it will,
According to the Authours skill.
And for my part still shall I pray,
That God your Lorship blisse alway.
R. Smith.
The argument of the Historie following.
ONomaus was king of Archandia, vnto whom it was told by the Southsayers, that whonsosuer his onely daughter Hipodamia did marie, he should dye, she comming to her ripened yeeres, he proclaymed a prize of running with Charwis, that whosoeuer did vanquish him therin, should marry Hippodamia, and haue the Realme with her, but the vanquished should dye. Many of the Woers were slayne: at last Pelops promised priuily to Myrtilus that if hee shoulde winne the prize, Myrtilus should lye with Hipodamia the first night to Whereupon he made the Axiltree of wax, by reason wherof in the course the Charet fell downe, which Onomaus thē per ceyuing, slew hymselfe, and Pelops enioyed the Lady, and Myrtilus requyring that which was promised, Pelops threwe hym into the Sea, which euer after was called mare Myrtonum.
The most famous and tragicall history of Pelops and Hippodamia.
THere stretcheth long a Realme in Greece,
of antique bruite and fame,
Whose memory remayneth yet,
Archadia it we name.
Which title Archas sonne of Ioue,
bestowed on that land:
Who ruled there with Regall crowne,
and golden mace in hande.
There is the fenne of Lernea,
where Hidra monster great
With hundred hissing Serpents heads,
retayned there her seate.
Til Hercules inforced was
with strength the fiend to gripe,
And Erymanthus riuer there,
his surging course doth kéepe.
Where once the scepter help in throne
Omaus with his might,
One of the sonnes of dreadfull Mars,
the furyous God of fight:
[Page] Which wight of Parge sisters thrée,
such grace he gan obtayne,
That they did all forbeare to cut
or shred his threan in twaine.
Wherby he drewe his vitall web,
vntil the siluer heares
Gan grow vpon hys aged skull,
for cause of many yeares.
He only Hippodame had,
hys daughter damsel fayre.
Which by descent and due desert,
should stay his lawfull heire.
Who guyded was in séemely life,
by learned Sages store.
And as she doeth encrease her dayes,
so vertues hath she more.
She was her fathers only ioy,
the fortresse of his life
She left was only of his stock
then sole without a wife.
In somuch that the greatest care
and studie of the king,
Was aye in vertues lore to trayne
and this hys daughter bring.
Which vertues she conceiued so,
and printed in her hart,
[Page] As fast as learned Patrons could
instruct her them by arte.
Which caused her in flaming yeres,
to beare the worthy fame:
And ne to haue among the rest,
her mate, a courely dame.
But that she dyd excell and shade
the shape of euery wight
As much as Luna with her hornes
surpast a starre by light.
These vertues and the like so rare
enforst the father olde
With zealous care his daghter and
her state for to behold,
And to prouide that damage small
hereafter should annoy
The tender corps by any meanes
of thys his only ioy.
For which intent he did retayne
with him in Court alwayes
A number séene in Magike arte
and prone for such assayes:
Which by their learned skil forshew
vnto the king and his
Those things that long shal after fal
of euil hap or blisse.
[Page] Which men Omaus king gan will
in presence for to come,
Which do approch, their dutie eke
with bended knée soone downe,
Do listen then to heare their charge:
to whom the king gan say.
My tryed friends, ye learded péeres,
in whom my trust doth stay,
As heretofore ye faithfull haue
been vnto me and mine,
In all aspects and great affayres,
so now your eares encline:
You all do know our daughter dear,
our Hippodame milde,
Who séemeth now in youthly yéeres,
a most vertuous childe,
And shunneth yet each sinfull lore,
as farre as I can know,
Whereby to me no little ioy,
through her I say doth grow:
Yet doubting now dame Fortunes wheele,
which whirieth very strange,
I aske your ayde, for to preuent
and stop a sodeyne change.
For Fortune frayle not surely stayes
her steppes still in one place,
[Page] But turneth as the winde, whereby
I stay in doubtfull case.
What if that she should be infect
with Venus wanton sport,
Or other like: or if that shée
should any ill report,
That may vnwished come to passe?
I silie wight in woe,
Might wail the case of this my child,
her selfe which noyeth so:
For youth is fraile, and tendeth not
sometimes to sage aduise,
And shunneth that which they perceiue
Those men which do seem wise,
For to embrace: for they whom that
olde Senex staffe hath smite,
In sadnes, not in youthly pranks
doe studie and delite.
But youth doth tread the path to sin [...]
and earst t'obtaine that still,
Which they perceiue doth please the flesh,
hap either good or ill.
And you doe know, there nothing is
that fraile flesh pleaseth more,
Than that which doth depend on vice,
wereof there raigneth store.
[Page] And I remember Venus sonne
who with his shaft and bowe
Doth often peérce the harts of those
who like pangues did ne know
Alas if that should light on her,
as likely sure it is,
Vnwares to me then might I say
adue my ioy and blisse.
For that blind boy doth cast his dart,
not on the meanest fort,
As soone as on those stately Peéres,
that places haue in Court.
For why they driue their time in ease
and idly spend the day
They féede on dayntie dishes race
and rest on downe for aye,
There is no pleasure but they taste
as may content the hart
Which are the causes that he doeth
so soone throwe them his dart.
For if thou banish idlenes,
thou breakest then the bands
Which Cupid doth with flight deuise
to tangle both thy hands
If she should chaunce to fix hir mind
in loue with one that is
[Page] Inferior in degreé to her
which match were farre amisse,
I should be loath, therfore my frends
of this her destinie,
I wil that ye ensearch foorthwith,
and it reueale to me,
To this intent I may prouide,
for to preuent the same,
If it should happen for to be
impayring to her fame.
Yet willingly I would that she
should ioyne with one in loue
As meete is in degreé, which doeth
from him all vice remoue,
For this I know the time will be
if that her yeres endure,
Néeds she must knit her selfe to one
in wedlock ioy most pure.
Wherfore repaire to th'used place
and with our Gods assent
As touching Hippodamia,
to know their high intent.
And take the fairest goate that may
within this towne be found
Him offer vp in sacrifice,
to them, whose laude doeth sound
[Page] Aboue the starres, who rule the globe
who sitte aboue the starry skye,
And know such things as earst were pa [...],
and those to come perdy.
Then they all on their bowed knées,
vnto the earth doe-fall
And one of them doth answere then
and thus in name of all,
O king, if that we would not graunt
now to thy hest and thée,
Vnworthy we were of our [...],
true subiects ne were we.
If that by Magike are we may
satisfie thée in this,
We are right glad that by the same
we thée asferre such blisse.
And now there doth remain no more
but th'while to loue I pray,
To further that our enterprize,
which fortune doth assay.
This Onomaus king was of
and held the Payn [...] law,
He kn [...]w not then the huing God
ne kept himselfe in awe:
Wherefore he gan [...] a place
as best he had in thought,
[Page] Where hée and earst his subiects moe,
to fayned Gods they sought.
Herein were aulters many store.
where when in smart they fall,
They offer vp their Sacrifice,
and to their Gods they call.
The cause is say they (for why)
they offer vp such gift
And offerings brent for Sacrifice
is for a proper shift,
For this they thought, sith that so farre
of distance were the skies,
Their voice might scarce be heard, or els
so high as skies arise,
Yet often they doe prayers houle
vnto their gods aboue:
To this intent when loud they crie,
they might by chaunce haue loue:
And eke on aulters them to moue
with burned flesh intend,
The smoke whereof in litle while
might vnto them ascend.
And thus although no voice might be
so high as skies inclinde.
Yet by the incense thereof, they
might vnderstand their minde:
For smoake (they say) goes vpward still,
and riseth with the winde.
[Page] These wisemen to the temple goe,
with hast for to fulfill
The hest of Onomaus king,
and search for good and ill.
They bring with them the kyd his death
which resteth to receiue,
And one of them with p [...]recing knife
doeth force him life to leaue.
And wringing out the blood also,
depriuing him his skyn,
They prayers say, which they suppose
doeth cause the Gods to blinne.
Then kindle they the fire, and throw
the Goate into the same.
For to consume to ashes aye
by violence of flame.
They mark the diuers colours that
in waste doe flée therehence,
The raynbow hue, to déeme thereby
of Gods the high pretence.
Some on Saturnus call, and some
on Iupiter doe crye,
Some on Mars, and some on Sol.
yea some on Mercurie,
Some on Venus, some to Luna
make their vocation.
No god there was but him they had,
in appellation.
[Page] As diuersly their mindes were sette,
so diuersly they cal
Eche one vnto his god to proue
which happyest would befall
So they consume the tyme vntyll
the fleshe is almoste spente,
Then déeme they what shall happen, as
they thinke is Ioues entent,
And other gods: then pray they one
whiche oldest was of all,
To shew them first what he did thinke
shoulde afterwarde befall.
But he with pause doth stay, as though
some doubt he did perceyue,
His rolling eyes caste vp,
and musing he doth leaue
And said: my fréendes and fellowes deare
shall I nowe tell in déede,
This case, or as I thinke thereof?
the more haste the worste spéede.
I well perceyue by th'azure hue,
that paynted aye the flambe,
And by the string that helde the heart
of this our killed lambe,
With other signes but euill newes,
for vs aye to declare,
It certayne is when Hippodame
in mariage linke doth fare,
[Page] Our king must l [...]se his life perforce
whether he will or no,
Such froward destinie for him
the Gods haue graunt to shoe.
And was not aye the verie like
reueled to you all,
Alas, this cruell sodaine chaunce
my minde doth much appall.
How say my friends? but now such feare
hath strike them to the heart,
That they haue now scarsce power to speake
or him thereof impart.
At length they causoe him vnderstand
that they did know full well
The same, but that they gaue to him
the preheminence to tell
And first declare the same, for hée,
was oldest them among,
For reuerence ouht be giuen
to th'old men, of the young:
They all deuise the meane whereby
they may this expresse
Vnto Omaus, which doth expect
an answere more or lesse:
And then that aged father doth
his tale againe renew,
Full bent to waile their owne state,
as after doth ensue.
[Page] Alas what hay had we (quoth he)
this arte for to assay,
Why d [...]d not we bestowe our minds
or wits another way?
I muse wherfore each wight with tongue
doth this our darke estate
Most happy call, when vs they minde
and when of vs they prate,
And blabbe that we each thing doe knowe
and ken each destiny,
And eke the knots of fortunes laund
can vndoe by and by.
Alas if that we tel a man
his present froward fate,
Then are we sure of hym to haue
and purchase péeuish hate.
And although hys desire be
to know the very same,
Yet nay thelesse if it be sharpe
he giueth vs the blame,
Againe, or els if we conceale,
and doe not tell the trueth
Then are we sure and certayn that
the wrath of God ensueth.
Thus on ech side the doubt is playne
the perill is more great,
We are in worse case then they whom
the destintes doe threat.
[Page] As now when that we doe foretel
this hap vnto the king,
Who knowes what he in raging fits
wil doe, or els what thing
With mischiefe shal be done by him,
perhaps in that his ire,
He wil pretend to slay vs than
to quench his burning fire.
As thogh that we were cause thereof
our selues this doe we know
Nor cannot aye vnlesse we should
more sacrifices showe
To déeme therby our frowarde fate
but now the time doth haste
That we must wend vnto our king,
and spend no winde in wast.
I would to Ioue that we might stay,
vntil to morow day,
And then to yéelde our answere vp
the while we would assay
By incence swéete the destinie
that happen should to vs.
Then each doubt and each fearful poyat
we would our selues discusse,
But now there is no remedie,
Omaus king doeth stay
Ere this time long in closet tilte
to heare what we can say.
[Page] He thinkes it long til that we come
to tel to him this spight,
Come let vs goe, the gods vs shield,
and succour with their might.
Thus passe they on their way vntill
vnto the hall they come,
From thence they passe the chambers large,
and goe through many a roome,
Vntil the priuie chamber they,
approach, wherein the king
Remayned then, whom they salute
as best with their liking.
Then howe they down their knées to th'earth,
then one of them gan say
O soueraine king our liege and Lord
thus much we doe thée pray,
Sith thou doest wil that we reueale
such things we know to thée,
To pardon vs, what euer that
of vs shall spoken be.
That being graunt, we boldly then
our mindes may whole expresse
And open thée each darkened poynt,
as thou erst wouldst no lesse,
Which he gan graunt thus much, and sayes
some peruerse newes I féele,
Because ye doubt mine ire, alas
I dread dame Fortunes whéele.
[Page] Perdy I thinke if that my chaunce
were happy me to saue
There were [...] ne [...]de that pardon thus,
of me you yow should [...].
Oh tell the same, then they agayne
the Gods that rule the skye,
And turne the rounded globe, whose power
and whose authoritie
Thou mayst ne gaynsay once,
to vs thus they declare,
That whē thy daughter Hipodame
in wedlock bands doth fare
(Which now in ripened yeres doeth waxe)
that thou shalt lose thy lise,
The very day most sure [...]r which
see giuen stares a wif [...].
Thus much we [...]a [...]ued haue, thus much
the peruerse dest [...] y
Of thee for her by offrings brent,
we know assuredly
Prouide therfore, it happen shall,
as sure as Ioue doth raigne
As true as sonne of Mars thou art
in skies which did remayne
[...]en he as foming bore that whets
his tuskes against the fight,
oth rage with pusfed face, and erst
with swelling eyes for spight.
[Page] His ire permits his tongue to tel
the greefe he bides with payne.
So vanquishe he with fury was,
in dumpe doth so remaine,
At length when memory he found
his sparkling eyes at last.
Vpthrowen, this tale with warbling tongue
among them be outcast,
Oh Ioue what cruel hap is this,
what deuilish desteny,
What horror doeth inuade my brest?
because that I must dye.
And must I die in déede for that
as yet I neuer knew
I neuer knew my face before
what after should ensue
Oh fortune, fortune, which no treades
her steps still in one place,
But wauering here and there most fraile,
as doutfully doeth trace
Why deales not she as equally
the golden gifts she hath,
But setteth some to top on high
and some treades vnderneath.
Oh Hippodame is this the gift
and recompence I haue
Because that I thée traynes thus
in Courtly place so braue▪
[Page] Is this the fruits I reape of thée,
who in thy childish yeres
Didst shew come thy sire such hope,
and sprang me siluer heares:
Alas, alas, that thou shouldst be
the causer of my greefe,
Which wa [...]t the only ioy to me
and fortresse of my life.
The staffe wherby I teaned, when
I fel in any smart,
As often as I thought on thée,
ful light was then my hart
Oh A [...]sculap reuiue my corps
that passeth now to woe,
Come Cl [...]o help my parched paines
and haples hap to showe.
Ther was not since the world began
a wight that felt such gréefe
As now I féele, or had such cause
to wayle his noyed life.
Can there be any greater payne
or torment can you tell,
Bethought by furious fiery frendes,
that lurke below in hell,
I reade that Ixion is tuxned
there, and tost on hie,
For promise broke, or whirling whéele.
so for desert perdy,
[Page] Sisiphus doeth on shoulders beare
the stone to top of hyl,
Which rolling downe again, he doth
renue his paynfull ill.
Amyd the lake with thirsty iawes
olde Tantalus therein
Pursues the waues the water stream
doth wet and wash his chinne.
And when to him now oft deceaued
it doeth yet promise make
Then flits the flood the fruite at mouth,
his famine doth forsake.
I reade also how Titius heart,
to flying foule is praye,
And Danaus daughters fill in vaine
their watry vessels aye.
And all these féele such pangues and paynes
for some their iust desert
But I as giltles now abide,
it for to péerce my heart.
If for desert I felt the same
lesse gréefe it were to me
But once being come t'expulse the same,
I finde no remedy.
Thus finishe he hys wayling stile
commaunded earst with speede
The Southsayers for to auoyde,
which willingly for dreade
[Page] Consent, misdoubting much that he
in fury fond some fact
To them would doe, whereby their gréese,
they should for nought exact.
Omaus then be takes hunselfe,
and goes in couert wise,
To garden plot, where by him selfe,
he wayles with watty eyes,
There doubts he what were best to doe,
what remedy to finde
What wile for to coyne out that might
deceiue fortune vnkind.
At last he thinks to slea and dyd
his daughter of her life,
For so much as she was the spring
wherehence doeth flowe his gréefe
And better it to be that she
in Charons boat should w [...]d
Then he, who being dead [...]
his destinie to end.
For sith that Ioue appoynted hath,
this destinie to take,
Effect when euer that she did
her sole estate forsake.
If she were [...]ne before that time
by no meanes he can sée,
Through her desert this hap to pas
then no such hap to be.
[Page] And so himselfe quyt for to leaue
then stayeth be a while,
At last he doeth reuoke those words
and them from mynd exile.
And poureth out this playnt agayne,
ah myser, did I say
That I with baysterous hand should pierce
and Hippodame slay,
I doe recant those words againe,
in no wise it may be,
She is mine only child, which by
my wife was left to me.
Shal I embrue my hands with blood
or that doe in my rage,
Which I did neuer yet commit
shall I thus stayne mine age?
No, no, and more then that,
she is my only childe,
Then she once dead, Archadia
hath fewe the crowne to wielde,
If I were dead also, therefore
Ile search some witty wile.
Wherby I may the churlish snares
of dame fortune beguile.
And from these parched pinching paynes
my selfe for to beguile,
And therby for to faue her life
for if that she should dye,
[Page] I glad woulde be my selfe to wende
with hir, then by and by:
And what that I did speake before
I vtterly denye.
In arbour he consumes the tyme,
at length he doth arise,
As Musa puts into his minde,
a shyfte he can deuise,
Which he thinkes best, this is the same:
he myndeth to ordeyne
A prize to runne with chariots swifte
in fielde vppon the playne,
And who so findes the chaunce
the swyftest pace to trace,
(And vanquished the king) thereby
for to departe the place
Shall wedde this dame, and when the lyfe
of this king is in hande,
T' inioy Arcadie realme, and earst
the king therof to stand:
But on the other side, if that
Omaus geues the foyle,
The vanquished to lose their lyues
for ventring in the broyle.
Thus he decréed in minde, thereby
if happie that hée be,
To winne the prize, if contrarie,
his owne death for tosée.
[Page] And now when that he doth perceiue
he found no better way,
He hyes him into Pallace straight,
to publish this for aye.
And then in déede he calleth in
one which most mée [...]e he found,
For such assayes, whom he can will
with trumpe in hand to sound
In euery place within the Realme,
the Cities of the land,
Proclayming to each wight these words
or lyke, which next doe stande.
Here foloweth the Proclamation.
IF there be any wyght that myndes to trye
By course of charets on the field shplayue,
And eke before the route of chyualry
VVorthy seeme to haue reward for payne,
It stayes the wyll of O [...] grace,
That they approch within these thyrty dayes
Vnto the Court, where they shall finde in place
Hymselfe sole prest to try in these assayes,
Gaynst commers all, and who so vanquisht is
On fyeld by him, shall soone t [...] enlo [...]e hys lyfe:
But who so ouer runnes the king with blisse
Shall espouse Hipp [...]dami [...] to hys wyfe:
And furthermore, the Realme for to enioy,
After the death of One mau [...] king.
To hym without disturbance or anoy
Of any man, and to hys chyldren after hym.
Tubicen goes and passeth fro,
he sounds in euery place
The newes, and at the last returnes
and is one in ioyous case,
Because that this his toyle,
and tournes is so past,
The commons muse full fast on this,
and are with feare agast,
Not knowing what the cause shoulde beé
of this so sudden change,
But for the most part they impute
this hap to fortune strange.
And as the vulgar people must,
the nobles ioy againe,
For ech of them doth thinke by fight
this Lady to obtaine.
Then might you sée the knight concurre
on heapes, to haue a sight
Of Hippodam vnto the court
t'encourage them to fight
And they who that vile dastard hearts
before time did possesse,
In hope to winne this Ladie bright,
them now to runne doe presse.
So much the forme of women doth
enforce men for to doe,
Like as they neuer did before,
ne like againe would so,
[Page] Vnlesse it were their enterprise
as authors olde dyd shewe
And they that learned are indeéde,
the very same doe know.
The lusty gallants of the Court,
that proper are and tall
Do mynd to venter now themselues
and hazard life and all.
The choosing is of coursers braue,
that trymly treads the way
And wel is he that hath the best
the cheefe to prooue that day.
There trim they vp the charets light
which put in redynesse
Ech thing that they shal neéd in field
themselues they sée to dresse.
The king also himselfe, his horse
prouided he doth sée,
His charets al which lightest and
most meéte were thought to be.
In these affayres they doe consume
and spend the thirty dayes
Ordeyning, and ech one hymselfe,
to trye in these assayes,
Thus all things set in order due
as best were to deuise▪
Among the troupe of chyuallers,
one Pelops doth arise,
[Page] And vewing aye the séemly port
of Hippodame bright
He mynds to try himselfe to wynne
her if he may in fight.
There was that time one Myrtilus
of fayned faith a wight,
Who ruled the charet of the king
and draue the horses right.
To hym doth Pelops think to wend
there some meane to deuise
Wherby he may preuent the king,
and bleare the lookers eyes.
And thinks with gelt to ouercome
this mysers féeble minde
Or by some other way, he cares
not what, so he may finde
The meane to be Archadian king
wherby he should enioy.
This dame, and evry thing he would
without let or anoy.
And searching aye the Pallace large
to finde this Myrtilus
He commeth to his chamber, where
at length sayes to him thus.
My frend, thou knowest that in field
the combat we shall see,
And veutrous wights to bear the fame,
amongst the chyualry,
[Page] And as I one doe minde with force,
to shew my selfe in fight
To prooue if lucke will happen me
to winne that Lady bright.
Yet naythelesse by thy deuice
if I might winne the same
I should reward thy veneuolence
aduauncing of thy fame.
But Myrtilus with fayned shew
of frendship to his Lord
Doth answere thus, in no wise I
may vnto theé accord.
Think not that I for this thy glose
of promise fine, will shewe
Me disobedient to my liege
to whom I seruice owe.
Aduancement ne I craue of theé
my paynfull seruice may
Preferment get me of our king
wherfore thus much I say
Forsake this place, and now desist
with talke to trouble me.
Then he which to obtaine his will
no meane or way did see,
Being almost in despaire of hope
doeth hope yet once againe.
To trye the wight which sayd hym nay,
although it were his payne:
[Page] Oh Myrtilus if that I may
by any meanes aspire,
To win the prize, and specially,
if thou helpst my desire,
Thou shalt be sure to match in bed
with Hippodamie deare,
If thou canst finde the wile to bring,
to lucky end this geare.
We are as frends, what néede these words
and circumstance of stile?
Eche thing shall common be with vs
what euer hap the while.
What though that thèu doest play this pranke
art thou the first that hath
Béen earst vnfaithfull to his Lord,
for scant or els for scathe.
Let musing go, though this séeme strange
yet thinke if king I be
I will reward this thy desert,
as thou in time shalt sée.
Would it not moue a frozen heart
yea flinted for to bowe,
To haue in armes such damsels as,
are rare I make a bowe?
Thinke therfore on the night that thou
in bed with her shalt haue,
Who staynes each courtly dame that shines,
for beuties gift so braue.
[Page] Now Myrtilus euen as thou wilt
to me thine answere show,
If thou wilt not, I must goe séeke
some other wight to know
That may me ayd, and think not but
if able that I be:
This thy vnkindnes Ile requite
what euer hap to me.
Then he that stood so stiffe gan turne
and vnto Pelops say
More for the brunt of Cupid blinde,
then any thing for aye,
If that thou list thy hest to kéepe,
performde as thou doest vowe
Ile stand content to pleasure thée,
as much as I may showe.
If thou canst be content, that I
as thou hast sayd before,
Shall lye with her, I will prouide
that thou néedest doubt no more
For I wil make the Axeltrée
the charet which doeth beare
Of waxe, which by force of a cracke
most suddenly shall teare
Wherby vnto the ground ye knowest
the charet néedes must fall:
In so much as the Axiltrée,
doth beare the charge of all.
[Page] Which beeing done, the course is lost
then all the prize is thyne,
And therefore in the wedding night,
lette pleasure fyrst be mine.
Thou knowst the king at eche course doth
with changed charet runne,
And thenrenewe his course agayne,
as first it was begunne:
Beware that thou doe not presume
to run, till thou doest sée
The first course and the second too
expired for to bée:
Then valeantly foorth preace thy selfe
for I wil ready stand,
To offer him his wexed roome,
which next shall come to hand.
Then Pelops proud of this good hap
gramercy sayes my frend
As now I haue no more to say,
for this thy councel kind,
But farewel once, for Phaeton
descendes Olimpus downe,
And Phebus shunnes Proserpina,
his foe, that hellish hound.
And I will earst depart from thée
those things for to prouide
Tomorow which within the listes,
[Page] in fight I shall haue néede
Adue agayne then trudgeth he
as fast as he can fly,
Vnto his chamber, where that he
doth call to gods on hye
For help, but chiefe to Venus mylde
to whom young Paris gaue
Before the rest for loue of Nimph
the golden apple braue.
And sith that Luna with her black
and darkned horned hut,
Doth cause the sparkling starres in skyes
their places to renue.
He thinks it best to clyme hys bed
in sléepe to spend the night,
That in the day betimes he might
be ready for to fight
The time thus doth consume & wear
the night doth vade away
And Phebus getting th'upper hand,
Proserpina doeth fray
He shewes himselfe as chéeftain now
with chariot in the skye,
With twice two prauncing horses yt
shewes hys authoritie.
The smal birds by their chirping lay
doe shew the time to wake,
[Page] And sluggish bed the drowsie place,
a tyme for to forsake
For as the day appoynted is
to haue with him for sight,
Of things that appertayne to day
so likewise is the night
Appoynted hym things to be done
which appertayne to light.
Therfore each wight doth styrre
hymselfe for [...]o prepare,
Into the field, and valiantly
hys armès for to declare
Among the rest Omaus doeth
make ope hys drowsie eyes,
Vnwilling he to kéepe hys bed
doth suddenly arise.
In mind to make thaduenture short
to lose or els to wynne.
Wherfore he hasteth first hymselfe
the array for to begyn.
Those youthful séemly knights
who by their great desire
Were pricked forth to try thēselues
no less: haste dyd require.
They thinking long the time to bée
themselues to field do hast
And spend not iangling here & there
the day which is farre past
[Page] When it was knowne by sounde of trumpe,
the king at poynt to bée,
A number prest in order braue
a man might then espie
For to attend vpon the king,
yea rather on the wight
For whose sake now eche one doth knowe
to be this broyle and sight
The king as chéefe and chalenger
first marcheth on the waye,
With all the crue of noble men
him after in araye,
Some wyth theire helmes besette
with plumed fethers hye,
Some on theire horsses heades for shewe
doe put the like perdie,
Which waueth with the winde:
the thirde but in degrée
Doth Pelops ryde in perfect hope,
but none so braue as he
The charrets make achéere full shewe,
the trumpets sounde woulde moue
The heart of anie wight, yea sure
the verie goddes aboue
So shrill a note with puffed chéekes,
those men with breth doe sounde,
That from the earth it flyes to skies,
from skyes agayne to grounde.
[Page] The horses eares are filde with that
they snort, and staring stand,
They prauncing iette, to shew themselues
which best might tread the land.
But Hippodame whose face hath set
each heart on flamed fire,
Doth follow now with troupes of dames
in sad and black attire.
Not as she went the prize to sée,
with ioy or to behold
But as though that she went to mourn,
Oh wight of perfect mould.
Those Ladyes that attend her trayne,
in lyke suite goe they all,
As though they wayled some their frend,
which lately tooke a fall.
Thus passe they foorth with measurde steps
til they come to the place
Where they appoynted are to stand
as Iudges of the case.
Within the lystes might no man come
vnlesse they minde to trye
Themselues, or footemen which attend
the king and Princesse nie,
Each one in order takes his roome
where he himselfe would stand,
To run his course, and take his lot
which comes next to his hand.
[Page] What should I say, the trumpets blowe
the blast of battle braue,
Each one doth hope by fortune good,
him selfe to quite and saue.
And now the time is come at poynte
when first the king doth say
He that doth mynd his charet first
with mine for to assay,
I wil that he come shew himselfe,
then foorth one yodeth fast
And sayes I am the wight, sir king,
to whom first lot is cast.
Then there remains no more, but both
let run their charets light
As swift almost as Iphicus
were there be séene in sight.
But loe the king hath woon the prize,
as all men thought before
The trumpets sound their warbling notes
for ioy of that therfore,
Then néedes the lawe must rigor take
which sight did much appall
And dread the lookers on, so that
thers none amongst them all
That venter durst scarce for to runne
but musing there they stand
At length the second takes like charge,
and enterprise in hand.
[Page] Alas, he followes the other cleane,
and taketh selfesame end.
For lozing aye the prize, he doeth
giue life it to amende.
Now Myrtilus oh caytiffe vile,
is ready for to bring
With trayterous face the charet waxt
with speéd vnto the king.
Which taken gratefully,
the course doth then renewe,
By Pelops Prince of Phrygia,
in order to ensue.
But loe, ere that demi the way
the course had ouerpast
That brittle axeltrée of waxe
euen with a thought was brast.
And fell vnto the ground, wherfore
Omaus seéing this:
Drawes out his goring knife or sword
with force he ne doth misse
To stabbe hymselfe nye to the hart,
such frenzie tooke him then,
As scarce oppressed Hercules,
when Iunos wrath began.
The only prize is giuen to
young Pelops, and the name
Of Ʋictor doth remayne to hym
and Fama shewes the same.
[Page] The persed corps is taken vh,
and as the guyse is there,
Vnto the temple of their Gods
to burning him they beare.
But Pelops takes the readie waye
to Hippodamia shéene:
Where as she stood on plated stage,
to seé and to be seéne,
His bonet vailed, humblie he
gan say hir on this wise,
Due reuerence once being done
hys face toward the skyes,
Oh rare seéne sparke of beuties flame,
oh Matron of the crue,
Panthora thou, whose face doth stayne
bright Phebus golden hue.
Sith that the [...]oas aboue haue shewed
to me such dignity,
To beare the prize of winning theé,
by true authority.
To whom I render thanks for this
I come now for to clayme
And aske my right, for sith by Lawe,
I woon thée in thys playne,
I iudge theé mine, your Fathers hest
doeth testifie the lyke.
Then she whose roseall hue was staynde
and hyd on euery cheéke,
[Page] By spring of christall teares, at last
this wise to him gan say,
Sir Pelops thou of Phrygia Prince
in whom vertue doeth stay,
Sith that by armes I am your own,
I thereto doe agreé,
As lawe requires: yet as thou art
a knight, this graunt to me
I may a while deplore the death
of my vnhappy sire
Who causer is of his owne fall
by this his fond desire.
For nature bynds the child to wayle
this day let me haue sway
To morow I for to commaund,
am thine, and then alway
And that I may those obsequies
and rytes which appertayne
To funerals fulfil, and then
thine owne I doe remaine,
Til Atropos my vitall twine
entends to cut in twayne,
If thou in heart agreé also,
and therefore I require
Theé for to rest thy weary corps
and me haue my desire.
Then he replete with ioy, doth wend
vnto the Pallace cleere,
[Page] And Hippodame tendes the corps
which layd is on the beére,
With woful hart and dreary playnt,
the Ladyes rest doe wayle,
The king, but more bicause this wight
so much her mone doeth vayle.
The triumph thus imixt is with
huge sadnes and some ioy,
As some lament, so some reioyce,
and thus they spend the day
Til Omaus dead inioys the flame
as worthy as may be,
After the vse of Arabia
as authors testifie.
But oh, prince Phaeton forsakes
with weary horse the hil,
Descending down Olympus tops
below to stay, vntyll
By holes distinct, the time is set
t'aduance hymselfe againe.
Then evry wight betakes him selfe,
to bed of releast payne,
And though that Pelops throwes himselfe,
on bed for shewe of rest
Yet sleépes he not, so much with ioy,
his heart is ouerprest.
He hates this night, and hopes for day
He thinks it long to seé,
[Page] Til that dame Hippodame she might
his spoused mate once be.
Who now her tender corps in bed
hath hid in couert wise,
Of whom likewise Somnies with stright
[...]a [...]ne approach their eyes.
Whom dalor rules, and woe restraynes
she wayles the haplesse hap
Of her vnlucky Father, which
Fortuna dyd entrap.
Yet thinketh she her sorrowes large,
now for to be the lesse
Sith that for losse of father, she
an husband shal possesse.
These thoughts consume and driue the night
tyl Sol doeth shewe hys hue
And Terra glad thereof, doth now
forsake her watrye dewe.
Then might you sée dame storas arte
depaynted aye on gréene
How herbs start vp their heds aboue
the ground for to be séene.
Ech feathered fowle disdayns yt bush
the trée is pearch for night,
And resting boghs do séek their prais
in fields where they are pight.
And likewise as in siege each wight,
is stirring here and there,
[Page] Some doing this, some doing that,
all busie euery where,
For this day comes in which they minde
with mirth and ioy to kéepe.
The mariage of two princes yong,
which now forsake the sléepe.
The nobles of the Realm make hast
and say, its time that they
Ordeine themselues the temple to
therefore to come away.
Oh if that Clio would accept,
to shewe her worthy art
In bookes to wryte the order that
that day was kept with hart.
Then might you see a triumph, as
if Alexandrus were
With all his iolilyke royaltie,
in place among them there.
But to procéed, they sease the church
when trumpets sound the blast
Where both they ioyn in one ere that
the day was demi past.
Euen as it did behoue such Péeres
where both they crowned be
The king and Quéene of Archadie
great ioy it was to sée.
Mens minds wer not so fangled thē
as now they doe appeare
[Page] Therefore eche solemne thing was done,
more rudely as I heare
But leaue we them to celebrate
those things we haue in hand
And reuert to the Pallace, where
no wight doeth idle stand.
But there prepare of costly cates
a banket rare to sée,
As thogh the muses nine themselues
inuyted guests should be.
What shuld I say by al thing which
present dyd there abound,
It suffized then the very ground
and floore for to surround:
No heart could wish but there it was
as dyd thereto pertayne
No tonge can shew els what did lack
but there it was full playne
The diuyne rites performed then
they both retyre at last,
For Sol now in hys woonted roome,
Meridyan is plast.
Where they consume the time at meate,
two houres large or more,
The noble men attending aye
and waytyng them before.
Both Dukes and Earles with such lyke,
and Barons of hye prise,
[Page] Eche one in office dyuersly
as best was to deuise.
This dinner done, the armory
beginneth for to sound,
Which to the land of Pelops, and
Hippodame doth redound
There Orpheus scholers shewe,
their masters skyll and arte
Then youthly knights betake themselues
all things els s [...]c apart
T [...] daunce and rayse the dames
or Nimphes almost in sight.
And so in pleasure they consume
the tyme vntyll the night,
The king departs the hall hymselfe,
as fast as he can hye,
Which Myrtilus as prone therfore,
doeth suddenly espye.
And thus he sayes, sir Pelops now,
sith that you doe obtayne
This dame and eke the Realme, by my
industry and my payne,
I reade you for to kéepe your hest,
the time is present now
The night drawes on, therfore I pray
remember wel your vowe
But he these words doeth thunder out,
oh caytyffe borne to ill,
[Page] Oh myser most, dishonour such
woulost thou me bring vntil:
Oh traytor vil [...], dissembler thou
thou shalt haue thy reward.
Because mine honor, and thy faith
thou diddest not regard
For thy desart and vsage aye,
example thou shalt be,
To other that commit such crime,
what euer hap to me.
Now Pelops calles to other, which
he studeth best to trust,
And painteth out this hap to them
of Myrtilus vniust.
Who being bound they throw on horse,
vnto the sea they ride:
There plunge they in this Venus child
with this reproch that tide.
Lye there thou Lecher, thou wouldst fayne
asswage thy foule desire,
On her who is thy Leege, on whom
thou oughtst no shame require.
And yet because that by this help,
yaung Pelops gate the game,
In memorie of him he would
that sea to be are his name.
This done, they all returne againe,
vnto the woonted place
[Page] But in the Citie they disguise
themselues with hidden face,
And maske vnto the Court, where that
they spend much time in play,
Not knowen whothat they were, vntill
they threwe their maske away,
Which done the Quéene departs the hall,
each wight departs to rest,
King Pelops wishing nothing lesse,
is thereto likewyse prest.
Where they content, both take their ease,
as both they dyd require,
And Pelops hath the onely wight,
whom most he did desire.
FINIS.
Epigrams and Sonets.
Of the most famous, renowmed, and thrice happie Realme of England.
OH fertile soyle, thou l [...]ttle lande,
that Anglia hath to name,
Vnto whose bankes and lymits set
Brutus of perfect fame
With forced shield gan turne his arme
vnto thée now I say,
These worde to thée, in whom the waues
of hony swéete doe stay.
In whom the floods of milke doe runne,
and [...] [...]e doth flowe,
Like l [...]n [...] our Lord to his elect,
did promyse long agoe.
If euer thou hadst cause to laugh,
or ioyfull to be séene,
They clay thy hands, and thanke the God
t [...]ue thee such a Quéene.
W [...]ues doe ascend and mount
vnto the very skyes,
And there doe moue the mighty Ioue,
to turne to thée hys eyes.
With louely hand to poure on thée,
the seedes of this his grace
And plentie causeth of all things
to abound in euery place.
[Page] Within thy compasse cut thou canst
not truely witnes this,
Before her dayes that like in thée
there was such cause of blisse.
Nor aye there is none other cause
by wit which thou canst finde
That mooued God to throw on thée
such plenty thus assignde.
But her, before her dayes, in bookes
full playne its to be séene
What war, what strife, and slaughter great
in thée at once hath béene.
What scarcitie with thée there was,
what penury each thing,
For want of grayne, the lack of foode
dyd to thy bowels bring.
The moued Gods by some thy fault,
what euer sinne it were,
Did thée inforce the horror huge,
and wrack of warre to beare.
By reason when the people faynt,
and tyred could not toyle,
To tyll this land, wherby almost
it was vnfertile soyle.
But now sith none there is in sight,
oh thanke thy God therefore,
And wish her life that is the cause
of this thy perfect store.
[Page] Who here in presence prayeth plain,
vnto the Lord aboue,
At whose request, and whose behalfe,
he poures on thée such loue,
Yet thinke not (litle Realme) that it
is for thine owne assent,
Thy sinne is sore, it is for her,
or els thou mightst be shen [...].
Her vertues shine as bright as stars
as cléere as Phebus chéefe,
The port of hir doth stayne the moon
a Phenix by her life.
For chastity Lucretia
ne could that Romish dame
Aspire to her, though while she liued
she had the only same.
Let prudent Pallas pause a space
and then for to eschue
Let [...]lio muse to paint the gifts,
which Ioue doth her endue:
Who worthy is to rule and raigne
besides her kingdomes thrée
Ouer the globe which we account,
all Chaos for to be.
What shuld I say, what shal I write
but land the royall race
Of her who by her passing port
staynes Iuno [...]s very face.
[Page] Elizabeth whose name compact,
doth stand of letters nine,
The effect thereof and meaning true
in fewe words to define.
She loues the Muses nine, she leues
their wisdome passinglie:
She loues the sugred skil, she loues
their lawes assuredly.
Let ech true subiect on his knée
with thankful heart stil pray
For to preserue this noble Quéene,
in vertues lore alway.
The queene of England, realme also
of France and Ireland
Whom God protect from all annoy
by his most mighty hand.
And graunt her subiects her to serue
inheart with one accord:
While she doth raigne here ouer vs,
as long as please the Lord.
And when that Atropos shal cut
and shred her webbe in twaine,
In skyes with him to ioy a place,
for euer to remayne.
The Author being minded to write, but la [...] king an argument, made this following, thinking wherof he were best to write.
VVHen Phebus in the azure Skye
Gan mount with horses tracyng hye,
Then was my mynd bent to endite,
Some pretty toy with pen to write.
Of quyls I had in place good store,
With inke and paper méete therfore
But arguments I wanted aye
That might conduct on the way
At length when zelous study had
Pretence to write of good or bad,
As aye my mind dyd geue me skill,
It selfe reprooued mine owne wil.
I wil of kings goe tel the raigne,
How they in throne doe hie remayne.
That doth sur passe my base estate
Some other thing Ile imitate
Ile write of priestes, but with those
It is mad medling in a glose.
Of good men I wil somewhat shewe,
But fewe such on earth I know
Then wil I wryte of such therfore,
As doe geue almes vnto the poore.
It is rare vsed in each place,
Ergo I wil omyt that case.
Of fasting something Ile declare
But let that goe it is so rare.
Ile write of rich mens huge destre,
The more they haue, more they require.
[Page] But shal I talke of a blast of wynde?
Then women Ile not leaue behinde.
Of naughtypacks Ile paynt the showe,
That argument would ouerflowe.
Of whordome then shal I deuise
A volume large that would comprise.
I wyll then flatter euery man,
But many men that science can.
Then wyl I lye, Ile cog and face,
Nay that is vsed in euery place.
Shall I tel trueth, it is too rawe,
A blacke Swanue I neuer sawe.
Oh Ioue what world is this to sée?
Amendment no way found may be.
Omnium rerum vicissitudo.
Warre bringeth pouertie,
Pouertie bringeth peace.
Peace bringeth riches,
Riches bringeth pride,
Pride bringeth warre.
Warre bringeth pouerty, &c.
VVHereas by martiall power and might,
the Citie vanquisht stayes,
And ouerrun by forraine foes
denyeth such assayes.
Then pouertie pursues with payne,
and pyncheth euery wight.
[Page] With gréedie gripes to shewe his strength,
and eke outragious spight,
By pouertie each man is forst,
to asswage his hautie heart,
And hold himself content with peace
all horror set apart.
Then aye as authors witnesse doe,
small things for to encrease,
And grow ful great, as long as that
each wight enioyts the peace.
So that by peace it followes then
a man may soone obtayne
The sand of golden Pactolun,
and eke the siluer vayne
Then if a man enioyes the pelfe
of riches pleasant molde,
He fals in pride, th'unhappy clog,
too high his head to holde.
Wherby he spurns against such as
his betters farre are borne:
Then wat pu [...]sues this peace again
in former place to torne
So doth this world flit alway,
ne constant doth abyde,
And fortune whirleth very strange,
on rounded stoole to glide.
Wherfore I deem ech toyling wight
that traceth on the ball,
[Page] Farre better aye had béene vnborne
ne troubled there at all.
The louer being demaunded wherefore he went alwaies in black attire, in cōmen datiō of the same, made answere to his Lady on this wise,
SIth that each man with brauery,
in colours doth him dight,
Such as may please his mistresse eye,
and answere her delight,
Some choose the gréene, the white some weare,
some tawney light or sad:
And some in yealow garnisht are,
in purple some be clad.
Some orient red, some watchet dye
some one, some diuers take,
And weare the same most curiouslie
for their fayre mistresse sake.
And wheras I doe serue and sue
and seéke to haue the grace
Of her that with her liuely hue
staynes all that comes in place.
To know a reason you request
what thing I should desire
That only I aboue the rest
in blacke my selfe attire.
[Page] The black and browne doe seldome change,
they fixe their louely grace,
When other colours light and strange,
doe vade within short space.
The yealow soone it waxeth pale,
the russet keepes small stay▪
The tawny eke wil soone be stale,
the purple wil decay.
The white wil soyle, the gréene wil stayne
so wil the louing blew:
The red wil change with litle payne,
and take another hewe.
And so the grace is shortly gone,
their beuty soone decayes,
But black is black, and alwayes one,
and serues at all assayes.
And so the heart that you doth serue
what fortune so betide,
From trueth profest wil neuer swerue
but constant still abyde,
Beside all this these colours light,
doth nothing els declare,
But what their fancy and delight
doth will, the same they weare.
As virgin white and wel beséene,
the hopeful russet bewe,
The pleasant yelow, youthfull gréene,
and eke the faithful blewe.
[Page] Thangry red, the men forsake
in tawney chuse their weede.
And thus in colors they them shape
as folly doth them leade.
Of colors as is their attire,
so fléeting is their minde
They loue, they leaue, despise, desire,
[...]o stckle as the winde
But sober black presents a mind,
whom fully makes not fayne,
Dame prudēce there may fauor find
and lodge with all her trayne.
And as vnchanging is the hewe
and eke vnmedled die,
So constant is the heart and true
that vnder it doth lie.
And thus for this I weare the blacke
you may right wel bel [...]ue
And not for that I mourn, or lack
but that which you may géeue.
Oh were the happy houre at hand,
come were that ioyfull day
When you my faith wil vnderstand,
and trueth vprightly way.
And so release my paynfull sute,
to lie possest in place,
To reape the long desired fruite,
and ioy the wished grace
[Page] With colours then let them depart,
whose fancy flits alwayes
While I in black with stedfast heart
doe serue you all my dayes.
The louer hauing daunced with his Lady, in the end thereof speaketh these words.
MAdam, sith that you doe vouchsafe
to daunce about with me
I render harty thanks, and though,
vnworthy now I be,
To kisse your tender palme with mouth
yet doe I naythelesse,
Remaine your seruant stil in heart,
and place of thrall possesse.
The answere to the same.
GOod sir, whereas you say that you
vnworthy are with me
To daunce, your pleasure and
your tongue doe both agrée.
You may say what you list, but this
I knowe to be most true,
No dame there is within this place,
condigne to match with you.
Much lesse am I that meanest am
inferior to them all,
[Page] A worthy dame t'aspire to you
to daunce within this hal:
Stoupe not so lowe to kisse my hand
for if that you doe please,
I am your owne what so betide
your thraldome to release.
And thinke that you haue gotten cut
and in this presence found
A seruant true, as like that which
dame fame did once refound
Vnto Penelope the faire
which was Vlisses wife.
What would you more, I am your owne,
in heart whilest I haue life.
Omne mundum positum est in malign tatem.
COmplayning I ne can refraine
with measure iust my tongue,
But he vnlose with mingled tunes,
must make a dolefull song.
And say as [...]ullie said, when he
the Romans did accuse,
O maners, o time, because that they
all goodnes did refuse.
There was not sith the world was
a worser time than this
In which the Lady Virtus doeth
of preseats alway misse.
[...] [...][Page] The assembly huge of Reprobates
doth more and more encrease.
And treadeth downe the simple soules,
by their most heauy prease.
Which when my mind did know, foorthwith
by feare I dyd refrayne,
This tale not méete yet for such as
doe virgins pure remayne.
The restlesse estate of a Louer, written to a frēd of his, whrein he craueth to haue some good councel to ease his greefe.
MY frend, the care that I sustayne
and life I leade at all,
I send in paper here, as by
these lines perceiue you shall.
The sluggish bed and drowsie place
I always doe detest
Sith I therin with weary limmes
enioy no quyet rest.
Before that Phebus shewe his beams
in morning I arise
On field to fare then forth I passe,
as is my common guise.
Where of the lusty flowers gréene,
and ye alow fresh of hewe,
As by and ouer them I passe.
I take the perfect vewe.
[Page] Which colours two (though vading aye)
I like and euer shall,
For in the field while they remayne
they passen colours all.
Directly then vnto some hil,
or mountaine fast me by,
In beaten path I take my course,
and way as it doth lie.
Where long I scale with féeble legs
my selfe vp for to get.
By reason though of troubled heart
I puffe and sometime swet.
[...]et stint I neuer till that I
on highest place may stand
[...]nd top therof, me round about,
for to behold the land
The sweling sea with surging waues
also such foules as flie
And euery thing that of the land,
or ayer comes me by.
The gréene forrest which vnto me
doth séeme most fayre of all,
And euery fearefull beast thereof
to you which I name shal.
The mighty hart, his make the hind
the buck and eke the doe.
On side of hil there resteth, and
the swift amazed Roe.
[Page] The nimble long ear'd hare that swift
before the hound gan run,
The litle crarknut squirel erst
on tree, that pretie bun:
And further more I sée by me,
the wilie subtile foxe.
The balstone or the grey doth chase
and beate from clinie rocks.
Oh but at length I doe perceiue,
as wished with the rest,
A pallace pure of pleasure, and
the place that likes me best.
And as in ioy (by sight therof)
in dumpe there stil I stay
At length vnto my selfe these words,
with warbling tongue I say.
Within thy walles and chambers fayre
a perfect place of blisse,
My dearest frend, the w [...]ght that hath
my heart, enclosed is.
Where oft I wish my wretched corps
in couert for to be,
So that no wight my sodayne shape
or presence knew but she.
Transformed from my proper hew,
and changed in such wise,
As for our sureties both she could
her selfe then best deuise.
[Page] A pretie little hound on her
with faithful heart to fowne,
I stand content so that my minde,
were present to her knowen.
A chirping mouse in hole to créepe,
in caue or hollow wall:
When that in bed she thinks to rest,
my louing noyce were small,
A linnet in a wretched cage,
before her for to sing
With shrillish notes I would ne stay
nor stent of warbuling.
A Phillip Sparow on her fist
or elswhere to be fed,
At her owne hands twice euery day
with chosen crums of bread.
A little Robin that doeth hop
about with reddish brest:
Or els if Ioue would me conuert,
a blacke flea in her nest.
In faith with force ne could I finde
or thinke once in my heart,
The prety naked soule from out
her sléepe once for to start.
But that mine eyes at leysure might
her séemely corps behold:
Of God that rules the rounded ball,
none other thing I would.
[Page] Thus when my weary playnt
and wishes all haue sayn:
Thie me home, because the night,
approched to my paine.
Where I consume the day, vntil
I sée the mantled night:
Which come on bed, for shew of rest,
I spend vntil the light,
And then my course to mountain hie
againe Idde renew
Of euery thing as yesterday,
to take the perfect vewe
Lot here my frend I send to you
the patterne of my payne,
I craue nothing but of your hands
an answere sage againe.
And as in pleasure you haue béene
to me a faithfull frend,
So likewise in distresse and gréefe
to shew your selfe so kinde.
Some good aduice let me receiue
of that thy gratefull hand,
Wherby I may direct my path
as surest for to stand.
The while I wil attempt with lines
and letters for to moue,
The frozen heart of that good saint
me to requite with loue.
[Page] If tok ens may ne boote, or that
none other thing preuaile,
Then wil I goe and yéelde my selfe
what so ere doth me assaile,
And present plead for grace, but now
for once let this suffice.
My Muse and I with slender quill,
to endite wil now deuise.
The Louer writeth to a Gentlewoman, by treatie to cause her to loue him, if he may possible.
MAdame, like as the drop that falles,
vpon the marble stone,
Doeth péerce the same thogh not with strength
but with oft fall thereon.
So now thogh that the sparke of fire
be small within my brest,
Yet euery day its like to be
stil more and more increast.
Unlesse that ye vouchsafe to giue
to me the oyle of grace,
For to preuent the same, before
it take a roote and place.
Therefore these lines which I here send,
doe pray to haue releefe,
To flow from you, to him that is,
your seruant during life.
[Page] For sith that Cupide with his dart
hath hit the marke that he
Did shoote at with his blunted bolt,
which stocke he made of me:
And sith there is no creature that
can rid me fro my gréefe,
But onely you, Oh Ladie myne,
or cure my noyed life,
I send you here with faithful minde,
a present, though but small,
Now take my hand, and eke my heart,
yea take my life and all,
To pleasure you il that ye list
ne neuer to denie,
Let me enioy the name and place,
your siruant to supplie:
Let this suffice till that I knowe
the tenour of your minde,
Whether ye list to giue long life
or death vnto your fréend.
One of these two you may preuent,
for both rest in your hande,
If that you list Panthora milde,
sith I in hope do stand:
And as I doe perceiue the cause
of ioy or else of gréefe
Ile say it doth procéede from you
be it of death or life.
[Page] Go passe to hir ye printed lynes,
that doth possesse my heart,
If that you cause me to receiue
some comfort of my smart,
I shall reioyce, but if ye giue
to me a froward stile,
I shall be prone, and with good will
from life me to exile.
By him that hath bin here before
your owne, and so is nowe:
And for to be your owne he hath
yplight a faithfull vowe.
Here the Ladie writeth an aunswere to the letter of hir Louer, perseuering in hir stubburnesse: nothing ruing his faithfull heart.
YOur lines sir, that you sent
to me but of late dayes,
I haue perusoe, as méete I thought
to be for such assayes,
And si [...]h that you request
to haue an answere ayne,
I stand content to do so much,
sith you in hope remayne,
To put you out of hope,
thinke not I am so fayne,
[Page] To graunt so soone vnto your hest
that were but folly plaine:
Goe chuse and take your make
some elswhere to be found.
I am not one that wil so soone
in any band be bound.
And you to be as free,
as erst you were before,
Leaue of I pray you by my reade
and trouble me no more.
Yet say not naythelesse
that I the causer stay
And am the weauer of your woe,
that were no likely way.
Though that your pleasure were
to forge such fayned stile
And by the siluer hooke to catch
the fish that feares no gile.
The loue is very hot
for which a man would kill
Himselfe, I know it very well
that is a painful ill.
Though Pyramus that wight
with sword did péerce his heart,
For Thisbie, and she likewise did
of like death take a part.
They two are dead in déede,
they two be layd in stone,
[Page] We neuer shal finde out by sight,
their like now they are gone.
Now doubt I whether that
the like loue flowe from you
Therfore content your selfe yt while,
I must néedes say adue.
By her that loues not aye,
To spend her words inwast
Wherfore she sends but few lines
To thee, farewell in hast.
The letter of a friend of a wounded Louer, wherein hee goeth about to disswade him from this louelie follie.
MY frend your parched letters are
late hapned to my hand
And them with eye I haue perusde,
and euery sentence scande.
Wherby I doe perceiue that you
doe languish still in paine,
And now according to request,
I write to you againe.
That I with dreary plaint accuse
and wayle the haples hap
Wherin blind Cupid Venus sonne
did lately you entrap.
[Page] But yet small remedie I find,
if she so froward be
As in your letters you report,
and shewe the same to me.
But that ye doe refraine from loue
me thinketh that the wight
That lerning hath might wel preuēt
and stop such peeuish spight.
Loue is not of such force & strength,
as farre as I can showe,
But if it be by learning you
better then I doe know.
Then fixe your mind some elswhere aye,
where you may reape the fruite
For which you haue so toyled long
by painfull suite.
But if you cannot soone withdraw,
from her your yelded hart
And thereby to exile your selfe,
from this your snared smart.
Then wander hence away into
some Countrey farther off,
If you can aye forbeare a while
this soyle to dwell aloofe,
And there with troupe of chiualrie
to exercise your selfe
In feates of armes, thereby to shun,
of loytring loue the elfe.
[Page] Such facts wil cleane exile, & driue
from out your mazed minde
These pranks, insomuch yt they shal
no place hereafter finde.
The Adage old doth shew vs plaine,
and as I haue heard say,
Long out of sight, clean out of mind,
and I beléeue it aye.
Then if that you attempt some way,
and worke some wittie wile,
By fauor of your frends to fare
a litle in exile,
And cut the calmed seas, the land
to treade at th'other side
You soon then wold leue of your loue
which now in hart you hide.
And if your heart doth not assent,
in forrain fields to trace,
Thē in some town within this realm
you must finde out some place,
For you that haue the store of welth,
may leade your life as best
To court it out with other braue,
and royst among the rest.
In Court great knowledge is,
to which you may aspire,
If that you list with zelous paine
to applie your whole desire,
[Page] And in the Court also you shall
perceiue some condigne dame,
That may extinguish clean the print
and sparke of the other flame.
In time to come perhaps also,
I say you shall reioyce,
And laugh to see this link, the which
you left haue by my voyce.
Perchāce yt gods haue you preseru'd
vntil some better end,
Then may you ioy by right with me
that standeth for your frend.
But if you mind not aye to passe,
into some other land:
Nether to serue in princely Court,
in Courtly roome to stand.
Then fixe your earnest minde
to aspire to knowledge hie
By studie of the common lawes,
a Councelor to supplie.
And leaue such fondly toyes
wherin you now doe frame
And trace your steps, yt more to tred
your present woe and paine.
And giue the common law the fame,
when each trade doth decay,
The prouerb old as you know wel
doth likewisy to vs say;
[Page] No fishing to the sea there is,
nor seruice to a king.
No such game as the trade of lawe
doeth to our coffers bring,
The trade of Lawe doth fill to brinke
from bottome boysterous bags
They royst in silke, when other range
the stréete in rented rags.
Now iudge your selfe which of the twaine
doeth giue shewe best to be.
With one of them I would that you
in heart could aye agreé.
If that you like not aye the change
of dames within the court:
For Countrey prilles your youthfull life
with them to lead in sport.
Or if you more esteeme the sight
of her that wayes not you:
More then the gilt that Law doth get
by learning to ensue.
I know not what thing I shall say,
but wayle the froward fate,
Which vnto you the Gods haue graunt,
to purchase peéuish hate.
Thus now adue my frend, marke well
these lines which I doe send,
And sometime let me heare from you,
how that you doe entend,
The Louer writeth once more to his friend, as doeth followe after.
THe paines that you haue taken sir,
an answere to indite,
Vnto my letter that I sent
with thankes I here requite.
Not able any other way by gifts
to recompence the same.
But with my pen a few lines
in paper here to frame.
Whereas you say I should refraine,
and keépe my selfe from loue,
That were too hard, sith loue it selfe
hath forst the Gods aboue.
What moued Iupiter to turne
himselfe to take the shape
And forme of Bull, but only loue,
for dame Europas rape?
And for because (my frend) you say
loue is not of great strength,
As farre as knowledge geueth you,
it shall appeare at length
Did not loues law enforce that Ioue
to turne in Eagle strange,
When that Asterion he could
accept into his grange,
[Page] He tooke on him the forme of swanne,
as Leda when he had,
Vnder his feathred wings and brest,
in safetie for to shade.
A Satyre strange, he forst him selfe,
that Iupiter by name
Saturnus sonne, to the intent
he might Necteis clame,
In forme of golden showre when that
to Danae he could clyme
In towre strong, for pleasure then
with hir to ioy a time.
Thus lose did he his former face,
as loue did oft compell,
Besides him other gods also,
which all I can not tell.
But if that Poets tales seéme true,
then did Neptunus turne,
And had the face of other beasts,
a Ramme sometime to forme,
Sometime a lustie horse to be,
fometime a fish to play,
As of a Dolphin take the hue
as loue did beare the sway.
And did not earst Apollo take
the shape of Rauen blacke
Sometime a shepheard in the fielde
to bring his lust to sacke?
[Page] No god was frée, sith all the shape
of chaunged formes gan take,
Of beastes or birdes, and oftentimes
of foule of fish of lake.
Then say not that loue hath no force,
the prouerbe thus doeth say,
Amor vincit mundum, and then
nothing so strong doth stay.
And where as you do giue aduice
me to withdrawe my minde,
And fixe my heart some elsewhere, that
I may some fauour finde.
Alas can I withdrawe my thought,
or els auert my heart
From hir whose picture still I fynde
within my brest impart:
No no, or else and shall I graunt
to wander in exile,
And drudge about as one vnknowne,
thus desolate the while:
I can not aye endure that trade,
and where agayne you say,
I should me trie in feats of armes,
and so driue loue away,
For once from sight cleane out of mynde,
prouerbially you speake.
That is most true of such as would
there vowed promise breake,
[Page] My heart, aye giues me power inough
in foraine lands to wende,
And ouer surging seas to glyde
t'arriue at the other ende.
Yea if I had a thousand liues,
I would them venter all
For hir, if that at my returne
reward for payne might fall.
Or where to serue in princely court
your hest doth me aduise,
He that aduentures such affaires
had néede be verie wise
In court though that great dignitie
be to be gotten aye,
I haue no minde to such attempts
for things that I shall say.
In court at times to dice and carde,
a man must venture oft,
His winnings one time will be small,
his losings come aloft,
A man must not denie to play
an hundred pound or twaine,
If that he mynde to beare a name,
though nothing else he gaine:
And other exercises store,
which when a man doth meéte
With such as stand more than his match
his winning goes to fleéte.
[Page] The Court a sit place is in deéde
for such as know no ende
Of wealth, and such as heape vp more
than they may yerely spende.
Such lustie laddes n [...]de take no dread
how that the [...]se or win,
Their tenants toytl, they know not how
their worldly wealth comes in.
And some by parents wise haue nowe
such order in their land
And Bounds well set, that they ne [...]de
about it fyle their hand.
And where you thinke in court there is
such store of damsels fayre,
Though they were like the Muses [...]ine,
that trece aboue the ayre:
Yet if that Enthinimias
in court did aye remaine
More beautie she should showe by sight,
than any other twayne
Though that she be a countrey prill,
no weight thereof doth stand,
Thinke you that some those Courtly dames
are not of countrey land?
Yea though that they haue changed place,
and eke their wonted guise,
Yet countrey Ladie▪ they are still,
as farre as I deuise.
[Page] If that you knowe the contrary,
suppose that if this dame,
(Though stubborne she) were set in court,
should she not beare the name
To be a Courtier eke most fit:
small is the difference
Nowe put [...]ff you, if that ye [...]st
to giue intelligence
And also of your other choyce,
I like much as the rest.
The studie of the common lawes
I ne account as best:
To bend my mynde vnto that side,
I thinke it follie playne,
The way is long and tedious,
so much more is his paine
That trieth it, and if such store
of gold be got thereby,
I wish some frend that hath no welth
his minde thereto apply:
But as for me, I thanke the Gods
that blessed me such wise,
I greatly ne (as Prouerbes say)
do neéde to rub mine eyes.
And this I know for certaintie,
that he which linkes in ioue,
To earnest studie any t [...]me
his minde can neuer moue.
[Page] None of your choices thrée I like
but pensiue do remaine.
My sorow groweth more and more
I feéle the worser paine.
And where yon raise request to kno
how that I do entend
The copy of my letter aye,
and hers before I send.
Therby you may perceiue and seé
how small she doth esteéme,
The cankred care wherby I crie,
and stand at very brimme,
Of Stigian lake, yet do I mind,
ere many daies be past,
T'assay againe, for many men
say Loue comes not in hast.
Yet will I pause a while,
and think on evrie poynt,
At length when I perceiue my time
Ile venter out a ioynt.
And then renue my painful sute,
which now doth stand begun
It wil be long ere that I ende
the féeble fooles are wun,
With litle care as I haue learnd
thus fare you wel from T.
Where oft to giue me councel good
I wish you for to be.
The lamentation of a louer beeing refused, shewing no hellish torments to be lyke his, wherwith he accuseth his Ladies crueltie, & yet at lēgth praieth to haue releefe.
COme on thou hart yt long hast slept in wo [...],
Reuiue thy selfe thy haples hap to shew,
Yeé sences all closde vp with couert care,
Vnlose your selues my sorowes to declare:
Thou tongue that tyed art by string of paine
Be prest to shew the woe where I remaine,
Thou hand yt long hast staid stretch out at last,
To shew the present greéfe and sorowes past,
Of him that dying liues and wisheth death,
Thogh dead in hart yet alway draweth breath
A thousand times for woe who stil doeth crie,
And wisheth death each day and cannot die.
Though Ixion nayled on the whirlmg wheéle,
Which hellish stubs & irksom pains doth feele,
Though Tantalus amyd the lake therein
Parsues yt waues which wet & wash his chin,
And when to hun deceiude it promise makes
Thē fleets yt flood, his dryth and thirst ne slakes
Thogh yt the treé with aureal fruit doth stand
By him, and when he reacheth out his hand
Thē flies yt stock on which the fruit doth grow
So bides he paine, and feeles excessiue woe.
[Page] Though Titus heart did lie a perfect pray
To flying foules, this payne he bides alway,
Though Danaus daughters fyll in vayne
The watry vessels, and in toyle remayne,
Yet none of these for greéfe may ay compare
With me, for Clio may not yet declare
Ne paynt eche parched paine, wherby I pyne,
Though she had all the helpe of Muses nyne,
Or else expresse with slender quill in hand,
That eche wight might it fully vnderstand.
Such dangrous dread doth double in my brest
For hir, who reweth not this my vnrest:
Ah frosen heart, ah wight of marble moulde,
Ah fem as fierce as Tygre to beholde,
Oh wolfe of visage fell, who wouldest deuoure
Ech simple lamb, that ioyes but slender powre,
Theé to the noble Lyon to compare,
Were folly plaine sith he this vertue rare
Enioyes, who neuer doth delight, with force
To teare the sely beast yt yeldeth to his might,
But then [...]s victor to returne away,
And somewhere else to seéke a condigne pray.
But thou whose mouth delighteth stil to feade,
Art not content my corps on ground to tread,
But ay to rent and teare my giltlesse hart
In péeces small by this my woe and smart.
If that thy pleasure be to feéde on me,
So say, ile pull my heart to giue it theé,
[Page] Thereby for to asswage thy hot desire,
Thereby of life to extinguish out the fire.
What wouldst thou more to do thy bodie good?
I would on dagger fall to spill my blood,
Or else with lancing kniues to cut my flesh,
To make thereof for theé a daintie dish.
Then grant and yeéld to this my one request,
I wish no more to breéd my quiet rest.
When Cupid shot at me first with his dart,
And by the blow did péerce my tender hurt,
I knew no salue to cure my sore againe,
But thereby did remaine pensiue for paine,
Till Amor now by sleight the meane did find,
To rid the same if thou ne grow vnkind.
Rue then thou frozen har [...] and stomacke dire,
With friendlie woords grant now yt I require.
Let me inioy soone, eke the place possesse
Thy selfe, and thereby my wo redresse,
So me for to requite with loue againe,
Sith I in hart thine owne shal still remaine,
Till sisters threé shall rid my vitall twine,
Thy loue let me haue aie, for thou hast mine.
Grant this ye gods that glide on starrie skie,
And guide that Chaos ball most equally,
What ioy were this to me that am a thrall,
If thou thy mate wouldst me once frendly call,
Sith I so oft haue trauaile spent in wast,
To reape the wished frute now at the last.
The Louer hauing written manye times, almost past hope, yet doeth renew his playnt againe.
ALthough that here before my déere
I written haue in wast:
And sent my lines to thée in vaine
expressing sorowes past.
Yet hope doth hag me to encline
with pen once for to paynt
The staggering staffe wherby I stay
and shew to thée my playnt.
And thogh that yet thou alwais haue
béen ruler of my care
Yet now at length a gentle wight
doe thou thy selfe declare.
If any sparke of mercy stay
now flaming in thy brest
Then say the word that pr [...]t may,
and bring me wished rest.
Let not the guiltles ghost g [...]ue vp
the cynders to the soyle
But let your mercy be [...]ayde
to helpe him geue the fayle.
To hatefull hap, let not my corps
to Charon bréery [...],
By passage ouer Stigian take,
a burthen aye to sée.
[Page] Let not the wight that now enioyes
halfe yéeres to runne his race
So soone depart from terra gréen,
in Tartar to haue place.
Sith you may giue him light yt now
in darkenes doth remaine,
Sith you may giue him fréedome yt
in thraldome stayes for payne.
Thinke on the faithful hart
of him that sayd thée so:
Thinke on the meaning true of hym
that wandreth stil in woe.
Think earst [...]n him that doth not ay
estéeme his borowed life:
To pleasure you if you vouchsafe
to remedy his gréefe.
And now sith that you vnderstand,
the secrets of my mind
Let this suffice I say, vntil
an answere be assignde.
And though that many sundry times
I trauayled in was [...]
I waigh it not so that I may
haue mercy at the last.
By him that states in hart your owne,
as long as life doth last
And if that loue be after life,
your owne when life is past.
The louer being denied, yet singeth this song being constant, with hope to obteine hir at the last that may reward him for his paine.
THough surging seas do compasse me,
Of carking cares on euery side,
Yet trust I once to range most frée,
And to the ioyfull valley glide,
And [...]ke the wight for to obtaine,
That may release me from my payne.
Though she sayes nay to my request,
And doth deny my true desire,
Disdayning aye to bréed my rest,
Whereby I fréeze amid the fire,
Yet trust I once for to auart
Thus stubborne sternnesse from her hart,
My lady cals it follie plaine,
With toong such hardned knot to knit,
As all the teeth with helpe of braine,
Shall ne be able to vnc [...]t,
She wrappeth wily wit so sure,
It to obtayne its very dure.
She doubts least that I meane awry,
She feareth least my hart be fraile.
[Page] She thinks I loue not faithfully,
But outwardlie hir to assaile,
She thinketh aye my toong to flée
In words, with hart ne to agrée.
Oh that Cassandras gift were plaine,
And woorthy skill for her to gesse,
If that I list in hart to faine,
Contrary to that I professe,
Then should be seene the great good will,
I beare to her, and shall do still.
Yet I ne blame that silly wight,
Though circumspect alway she be,
Vnfaithful loue hath brought much spight,
The proofe whereof we dayly see,
By such as thinke contrary aye,
In hare to that which toong doth say.
Yet I am none of those I vow,
I loue hir truly in my hart,
As is my thought the same I show,
In outward words with wo and smart,
Wherefore these words I say certayne,
That iustly I should her obtayne.
Though long it be ere I arriue
The ioyfull hauen to possesse,
[Page] Though long I wretch doe weare the giue
And carefull clog of heauinesse,
Yet hope I once to seé that day
To haue my loue and none say nay.
The Ladie by often intreatie being vanquished with loue, doth write a comfortable letter to her Louet.
DEsist my Philo frend, to plunge
or welter still in paine,
Where flowing aye the noysome waues,
of woe alwayes remaine.
Leaue off to waile or mourne for that
which thou didst déepe desire.
Sith I am prest with zelous care,
to extinguish out the fire,
And the vnwasting coale that lyes,
now hid within thy brest,
In couert wise, and by my meanes
to bring thée cause of rest.
Desist with pen to paint the paine,
which compast thee ech side,
Or dolefull tunes to shewe the gréefe,
in which thou didst abide.
Leaue off that blacke attire, wherein
thou vsest for to goe,
A perfect hewe (as same report)
[Page] and stgne of wicked woe,
And fall to mirth, to ioy with her,
that comes to ease thy smart.
Thy earnest suite hath found a place
to lighten on my hart.
Though once restraynd by force I fled
and thereto would not bowe,
For reasons rough, this one among
the rest I doe allowe
In bookes I readen haue ful oft,
and others many a time:
Of maydes deceiued by wyly wyghts
and led in loathed crime.
For Sathan meaneth most deceit,
when Angels shape he takes,
The fish is trapped soonest with,
the siluer hooke in lakes.
I doubted aye the like, vntil,
that I enioyde the gift,
Which once Cassandra held, that had
béene aye a present shift.
For to discerne and know thereby
the secrets of thy mind
If that I should thée faithfull, or
a playne dissembler find.
For this you know as wel as I
this is the greatest care
Of maydes, how they bestow themselues,
[Page] in louely bands to fare.
And how they knit themselues in league.
though loue be very strong:
And not for pleasure small to sing
alway a mournfull song.
But sith that I by proofe perceiue
thy meaning true to be,
And without fraud I stand content
herein to pleasure thée:
Then aye persist in stedfast faith
for euer to endure.
And me in heart to be thine owne,
to finde thou shalt be sure.
Now fare thou wel my only care,
my stedfast staffe of ioy:
The only comfort of my life,
whom Ioue kéepe from annoy.
By her that loues thee aye,
more better than her hart:
If theu consent to yeeld thereto,
till death shall aye depart.
The ioyfull louer hauing by earnest sute obtained her whom he loued, made this ditue following.
COme on ye louers that long haue rest in wo,
Leaue off your sobs so tearing,
[Page] And helpe my ioyfull hap to shew
A face of laughter bearing:
Come on all ye I say agayne,
Your Ladyes fauour which obtayne,
And let vs all sing.
For wée haue past the greatest ieopat dy that might
Haue wrought vs any wo or gréefe
Nowe we arriue the hauen chéefe
And passe the sea of spyght.
Though Cupides arow piercde my tēder hart
And brought to me such payning,
Yet now exiled is my smart,
My deare I thus obtayning,
I ioy with hyr that ioyes with me,
I loue no wight so well as she,
For like this ioy knew I neuer non before that day
In which these words were to me showne
Come on my deare, thou art myne owne,
I will thée loue alway.
What words of cōfort were these now thinke you all
To bring such libertie to me,
When I had liued long in thrall,
At last that day set to sée,
I ne remember now my woe,
Which me compassed long agoe,
Therefore let vs sing.
[Page] For I am recompenced wel for this my payne,
I haue the wight that I loue best,
Hir words do bryng to me such rest,
I wish none other gayne.
Ye Gods yt rule the rounded ball grant this to me
I aske vnfaynedly,
If I loue byr with faythfull mynde,
As I loue hyr, let hyr loue me,
And not the contrary,
Let hyr ne growe in heart vnkynd,
And then may I sing,
And purpose truely to loue hyr alwayes in my heart
What euer hap shall aye befall,
Yea though I lose my life and all,
Till death vs two depart.
Tempus rerum edax.
NOthyng there is but aye,
at length doth vanish cleane,
For tyme doth weare away,
such things as earthly bene.
The Rose for all his hue,
the skarlet Gillowfloure,
The Vyolet so blewe,
doe vanish in one houre.
The trée that groweth bigge,
and windeth euery way,
[Page] Doth once rot euery twigge,
when time sayes nowe, decay.
The wight that hére is borne,
at last doth lose his breath,
Though many wayes he turne,
and would not méete with death.
The marble stone most sure,
that lyeth; vnder féete,
Can not alwayes endure,
but goeth once to fléete.
The king that sits in throne,
with golden mace in hand,
At length shall be as none,
but earth on him to stand.
The house wherein we trust.
though hard as flint it be,
At length shall weare to dust,
a heape of stones to sée,
The castel set on hic,
on hill that standeth stout,
Its séene that time doth trye,
and beat the sollage out.
The church that coured is
with lasting lead aboue,
At length time doth ne misse,
his beautie to remoue,
A doore of brasse strong made
of yron or such like,
[Page] Time causeth once to glad,
and with decay it strike.
The rock that standeth strong,
amyd the foaming flud,
Though that it lasteth long
time beateth it to mud.
The sea bankes that are bie,
and seene from land to land,
Time wasteth vtterlie,
aye farther for to stand.
The Gun that by his strength
can turrets ouerthrowe,
Time doeth consume at length
his power and might to shewe.
The hil that stretcheth long,
and casteth out his side,
As time doeth come more strong,
then he in fall doeth glide.
The starres that in the skie,
most thick set doe remaine,
Doe fade immediatlie,
when time doth come with main.
The sunne that shines so bright,
shall lose his comely grace,
And shewe no sparke of light,
as time doeth take his place.
The moone that wandreth fast,
and shineth on the land,
[Page] Must needes decay at last
when timely power is scande
The world of compasse round,
in fashion of a ball,
At length shall not be found
when time consumes it all.
Nothing there resteth stil
but consumes by and by,
When time doeth shew his will
then vades the earth and skie.
The Louer being willed of his Ladie to attire himselfe in blacke and blewe, demaunded the reason, to whome she made this answere folowing by a letter.
BEcause that you (my deare) request
to know herein my will:
Wherefore that you in blacke and blewe,
should aye attire you stil.
The black is said by right report,
most constant to remaine:
And ne to change that colour sad,
for any other graine.
The blewe presents the wearers minde
and eke a louing hart:
Be tokening louely lyking still,
not soone aye to depart.
[Page] Then ioyne these two in one, and if
thy rayment touch the blacke,
Imixt with blewe a lace or like
my loue ne fet it lacke.
For as the blacke presents a face
of faythfull trust to stay,
So doth the blewe aye represent,
a louing heart alway.
And for a token of true loue,
my ioy I send to thée
Enclosed here those colours two,
weare thou the same for me,
Wherein is tyde a slight present,
in recompence of thyne,
A tablet wrought, I giue it thée,
it is no longer myne:
As often as you weare the same,
for my sake and for me,
Then wish me well, for be thou sure,
I wish the lyke to thée.
The Louer writeth to his Ladie, wherein he condiscendeth to weare the colours that she willeth him for hir sake.
IN colours two sith you request
I should my selfe attyre,
[Page] As blacke and blew, I stand content
to answere your desire,
For where as black presents a mind
whom folly makes not fayne.
A colour fit it is for me,
changing for none other grayne.
If blewe a louing minde present,
and eke a faithfull hart,
It is for me that ne doth minde,
from constant loue to start.
But by the gift that you me sent,
I can not recompence
Inough, though daily I apply
thereto my full pr [...]nce.
Yet though I haue no gift to giue,
that worthy is of thée.
In place of other yet let this
suffice now sent from me:
And though it be a gift but light,
or recompence but small,
I giue my hand, I plight my faith,
I send my hart and all.
That kéepe vntill I do repayre
to thée, though it belong,
My selfe to ioy in armes of loue,
and sing a ioyfull song.
Farewell my ioy, farewell my life,
farewell my hart to thée,
[Page] Farewell thou wight to whom I wish
more good then erst to me.
To him that was disappointed of his woman and louer.
TO freat thy selfe in frantike wise,
to beate thy senslesse brayne,
To clyme where nothyng hangs for thée,
to fish where slowes no gayne,
Me thinkes it booteth not at all:
desist with spéede therefore
The enterprise thou hast in hand:
this saw hath bin of yore,
That hard it is for to conuert
a womans vowed mynde,
Such sterne and stubborne kynde of God
to them is so assignde.
Hir loue not bent is towards thée,
whom thou dost fix in hart,
An other doth with ioy possesse
the wight that bréedes thy smart.
Yet for to ease thy mynde, here is
enclosde I sende to thee
In token of beneuolence,
a wreath of willow trée.
The louer writeth in the praise of his Ladie wherein he doth compare hir to a Laurel tree that is alwaies greene.
LIke as the Bay yt bears on branches swéet
The Laurel leaf that lasteth alway gréene
To change his hue for weather dry or wée [...],
Or else to lose his leafe is seldome séene.
So doth my deare for aye continue still,
As faythfull as the louing Turtle doue,
Rewarding me according to my will,
With faithfull hart for my most trustie loue,
And sith the time that we our loue began,
Most trustie she, yet hath endured aye,
And changeth not for any other man.
So constant she of fayth in heart doth stay.
Wherefore vnto that trée I hir compare,
That neuer loseth leafe, no more doth she
Lose tried trueth, how euer that she fare,
But alwayes one by loue in hart to me.
Thē bost I on this brāch of Bayes most pure,
Sith that so swéete I finde it at my hart,
And loue while that my life shall aye e [...]re,
And till that death our bodyes two shall part.
The pretie birth of a childe.
IT fortund late a Frenchman for to dwell
In England, where himselfe he quited well.
[Page] And tooke an Ihishwoman to his wife,
Hauing by her a childe of perfect life:
Now if this child beginning shall retaine
Of fathers side, a Frenchman he is plaine,
But contrary, if of the mother he
Shall take the spring, he Irish is to sée.
But some say, that he shalbe of the land
Where he was borne, thē english shal he stand.
The wordes of a dame concerning her Louer, spoken to one Mistresse Anne.
IN fayth goo mistresse Anne I haue
found out a make in déede,
A proper man, and tall, and one
that séemes wil stand in stéede.
I loue hym wel, more then I fay,
I wish to him hys good,
I loue him like mine owne déere heart
or els my vytall blood.
For this you know that I ne loue
my blood once for to sée,
No more I doe delight that he
within my sight should be,
In praise of his Ladie.
E ELisa dame that Carthage Quéene,
N Ne Polixena faire beséene,
T T'aspire vnto my Ladies hewe,
H Helena ne with all the crewe,
I In passing sort may not compare,
N Nor vaunt them selues for beutie rare.
I In circuit huge her like n [...] is,
M Miron may muse and talke of this.
I In Gréece though Apelles did frame,
A A picture cléere of Venus dame,
S Sertaine she doth the same excel
Of whome these lines the name doe tel.
Of foure kindes of men that maie sing at didner, and other meate meales.
THe Gentleman that hath the store
of worldly wealth, may sing
At meales of meate, for pleasure great
that pleasant songs may bring.
And next by order check, the foole
that ioyes none other graine,
May sing and garre as doth the birde
against a shower of raine.
The Minstrel then that fidleth [...]ne
at féeding times may play,
[Page] And sing to heape into his pursse
the coyne by night or day,
But chéefe, though last, the old cocke may
or cockold ne be dull
To crow and sing fond fantasies,
to hag from horned scull.
Of couetousnes and Lecherie together.
A Pursse full fraught with gold,
as worldly misers frame,
Had one at codpice point, who tyed
with niggish kno: the same:
Thus were these two together k [...]it,
and ioynde in amitie,
A pursse with pelfe of couetise,
at lace of lecherie.
A perfect tricke to kill little blacke flees in ones chamber.
TAke halfe a quart of barly graine
a quart of strongest béere.
And boyle withall in earthen pot,
a pint of water cléere,
Till all these thrée consumed be
to ounces twelue or lesse,
And then the place to which you will
these fleas in heaps to presse,
[Page] Anoynt with that: this water hath
in it this vertue raw
That all the fleas will thither come:
then take a slender strawe,
And tickle them on the small ribs,
and when you see one gape,
Thrust thē the straw into his mouth.
and death he ne shall scape.
Each thing in his vocation.
THe préests ensearch for funerals,
and flatterers haunt the feast,
The surgions seeke the maimed, and
the Rauens carreyne creast.
The frailenesse of women.
AN apple winnes hir mynde,
it lost is with a nut:
Hir toung hangs filed with no edge,
yet it will quickly cut.
To his friend of the fruilenesse of dame Fortune.
VVHō fortune doth most smilingly aduance
Those sonest doth she cast vnto ye ground
Vnequall hap she holdeth still by chaunce,
For to extoll, or else defame by sound.
[Page] I reade somewhat of Polycrates ill,
Who neuer felt the fel aduersitie,
Yet dreading lest she once would work her wil,
Into the sea did throw (to satisfie
Her brittle minde) a ring of value great,
Yet fortune thoght to shew hir power & might
And forst a fish with gulching iawes to eate
The same: which geuen to the king, by sight
The ring appéerde: with maruel he at last
Was captiue tane of great Orontes king,
And strangling string about his neck yeast,
Was forst adieu vnto his life to sing.
Learne thou by this I say my gentle frend,
That riches ranke, ne yet the precious stone
Can once deferre this fortune so vnkind,
For if it might this king had not béen gone,
And for because that thou art set so bie,
And placed stayest in seate of this degrée
Vnwilling aye to lose authoritie,
I cannot chuse but now aduertise thée
To train thy selse in such wise thou maist haue
(If fortune fraile should hap to slip from thée)
Ech mans good wil, wherby he might thée saue
Frō dangers dread, which yt might haply sée,
For now a thing not rare it is in déede,
That where we wey our footesteps best to be
With slippery place then soonest doe we slide
Therefore marke wel that I haue said to thée.
The morning before the Louer went to his Ladie, made this petition to the Gods.
GOlde is a signe men say
of happy lucke and loue,
Then graunt ye Gods I pray
that rule the skie aboue,
This my request to me,
that sith that I this night
Did dreame such gold to sée
as answerd my delight,
That I may heare such newes,
of her that hath my heart,
Like as ioy stil insues
to rid me from my smart.
And Venus Goddes milde,
to whom the apple gaue
Young Paris Prince a child
a noble dame to haue
Graunt that I may by suite,
haue her I doe request:
And I wil geue the fruite,
to thée before the rest.
The foolishnes of a painter.
REpairing to a Painters place
to view such pictures rare
As he with pensil fine had framde
the fame away to beare.
[Page] Me thought I sawe such pictures there,
of beauties darlings braue,
As dyd surpasse, and condigne were
the onely brute to haue.
Whereby it séemde he far had sought▪
by sea and eke by land,
Eche passing part of womanhood,
with eye had rightly skand.
At length his wife discending downe,
a passing péece in déede,
Me thought I neuer saw hir like,
attyrde in womans wéede.
Who there dyd draw myne eyes to hir,
from pictures cleane away,
By whom was playne dame beuty then
hir banner did display.
And vewing there eche perfect poynt
which nature dyd apply,
That s [...]ly soule in co [...]ert wise,
I speake thus by and by:
Thou paynter that with curious eyes
hast séene ech courtly dame,
In mynde thereby by sight of such
a picture rare to frame,
What dydst thou meane to séeke so farre,
and hast at home a wife,
For beuty which knowes not hir peére
with woman which are chéefe,
[Page] Thou foole, if that thou list in déede,
with pensell to detrayne
A picture that all other shews
of pictures aye should stayne,
Or if thou meanst to frame a shew
of beauty catcht in net,
And such one as the gaole thereby
thy selfe thou erst might get,
Then forge the picture of thy wife,
and trauaile not for payne,
Sith she the chéefe of beauties stocke,
among vs doth remayne.
The grieuous complaint of him that had the hap to marie his mistresse.
VVHen youthfull yeres did prick me forth
in stature for to growe
A tall yong man, and towardnes,
(to call) by sight to shew,
I did request in heart to be
a seruing man a space,
Whereto my fréends dyd condiscend,
and wished me their grace.
A master méete my parents chose,
as best they thought in minde,
That should in seruice me retayne,
sith I thereto was clynd,
[Page] A gentleman of antike stocke
by alltance very good,
By pedigrée and iust discent
he came of gentle blood:
And sticken déep in yeres, this wight
a wife he had before,
A passing dame, a pleasant wench,
of beutie which had store.
They did continue many yeres,
in vertues wayes most pure
With faithful loue and amitie,
and frendships lore most sure.
In so much that there was cause gin
to neighbors round them by,
To blaze this bruite in euery place,
by fame both farre and nic,
Happy to be that aged soule,
and luckie for to stand,
That had by Gods appointed him
a wife to lead in hand,
That aye dame beuties baner braue
displaied in such wise
Withall, for vertue in no place
her like might once arise:
Wel, to ensue, dame Atropos
can shread his web in twaine,
Leauing no issue him behind
as his heire to remaine.
[Page] Whereby the right of land and lease
of siluer and of golde,
Descended solely vnto her,
for euer it to holde.
Then was this widow often sought,
in mariage league to wend,
But she refusing offers large,
to none would condiscend,
Then I remembring many times
her vertues manifold,
The séemely port, the comely grace
which she by sight did hold
But chéefly aye the worldly wealth
and riches pleasant store,
That by her husband was her left
surrounding aye the flore.
Was moued much by Cupid blinde
for to attempt with maine,
If that I might this passing wight
by any meanes obtaine.
And being daily conuersant
I wrought the matter so,
That in short time my hearts desire
I obtainde [...]o my woe.
The mariage made, most ioyfull I
in heart did aye remaine
I neuer knewe what sorrow meant
ne felt what thing was paine.
[Page] Ah pleasantly we dyd consume
two moneths and no more,
In pleasant wyse then dyd I thinke,
to sue to get some store,
Of gold if that I myght,
I knew she had the same,
And fruitful bagges, but in no wise,
I could one crowne reclayme:
And as request was made of me,
this answere by and by,
Was gin of hir in crooked wyse,
and aye most frowardly,
Good sir, I wedded not for that,
aduauncement ne you gaue
To the intent that any store
of myne you should thus craue,
And thinke to be your owne, but this
much I do to you say,
If that you stand to my reward,
your labor ile repay:
And what I giue you take,
myne offer [...]e refuse,
I was your mistresse tyll I gaue,
you licence me to vse.
Such as is yours is myne,
and myne is sure myne owne:
Then none ye haue, ne none ye get,
vnlesse frendship he showne.
[Page] But I with rage and choler mooued,
ne could my selfe refrayne,
To me it was a present death,
and earst a piercyng payne,
That I shoulde be a womans thrall,
that I should be a slaue,
That I in place of husband, should
none of her substance haue.
It mooued me in déed, so that
though cleane agaynst my vow̄,
I was constraynd by fury fell
some blowes for to bestow,
But out alas, her fréends forthwith
gan giue her fréendly ayde,
Wherby I troden downe to ground
in mynd was aye dismayde:
And she puft vp by passyng pryde,
her head was growne so hye
Aboue my pate, that able she
was it with nayles to clye,
With pot, with candlesticke, and eke
with bedstaffe of huge weight,
Both stoole and forme flang at my face,
with care thus I was freyght.
On euery fide, oh miser most:
oh caytyfe borne to payne,
Oh diuels drudge, oh frantike foole,
that marry wouldst for gayne:
[Page] When I in stable serude the horsse,
Then was I wearier aye,
On bench with clownes whole peny vp,
at treygobet to play
Than I am now beside all this,
and which doth gréeue me more,
Of hornes by hir vile whoredome strong,
accrueth to me store.
No remedy I finde the while,
for still before my face,
Roysters, ruffins, she retaynes
in bed, my rightfull place.
Wherefore a thousand tymes I wayle
my state and mysery,
A thousand tymes I call for death,
yet naythelesse can dye:
I shall liue longer than I would,
in thrall with mickle shame,
Oh God what hap had I, when first
I wedded home my dame.
The Louer by pleasant talke caused a Ladie to vnderstand how a shrew or vnhappie woman came first into the world.
LEt no man muse but this was first
the ofspring of a shrowe,
As I in lynes here subsequent,
shall cause you for to know.
[Page] When as for sinne the thunderer
loue dyd the earth surround,
And ouerwhelmed aye with waues,
eche part of heauy ground:
Deucalion onely saued was,
and Pirrha then his wife,
(As Poets say) of mortals, and
he longest ioyed life.
And whē perceiuerance did him take
that euery wyght was gone,
And that they two and no more
on earth were left alone,
Then pensiuely they tooke aduice
to Them [...]s for to wend,
To wete how mankind might again
his former life entend.
This Goddesse can reply them to,
wi [...]h answere on this wise,
If that Deucalion could find out
by sight of gréedy eyes,
His mothers bones, and him behind
they throwen for to be,
Within short tyme they should start vp
men lyuing for to be,
This maruell much dismaide the mynds
of these two séely wights,
As though that they dyd fearefull stand,
by sight of hellish sprights:
[Page] But this Deucalion beyng wyse,
perceyued at the last,
The earth mother to be of all
things that are nowe and past:
And erst to be the spring wherehence
all mortals first did flowe.
By reason then of earth he was
(by wit) he prompt dyd knowe,
And aye her bowels for to be
the sandy crushing stones:
The marble and such like also,
appoynted her for bones.
Wherefore he threwe behynde himselfe
these stones of manifold,
Which to be men immediatly
(amasde he gan behold.)
Of these came all the men that nowe
are liuyng vnder skye:
And Pirrha mylde to play her part
behynd her by and by,
Gan throw as many stones as this
Deucalion threw before,
Which streight became a troupe of dames:
of both kindes there were store.
The reason now I guesse how that
such shrewes in earth abound,
In euery place among the men,
a number to be found,
[Page] Is this, the sea replet with salt,
dyd beate agaynst the land,
And many stones within the same
of saltish tast dyd stand,
Then to ensue, when all the earth
with sea was ouerrune,
There was no land but water all
to be séene vnder Sunne.
Decreasing yet it left such stones,
remayning on the land
As saltish were, a number sure:
perhaps to Pirrhas hand
Came one of those, and made a fem:
the salt must freat alway,
Within that wight which first was made
of salted stone or clay,
Whereby to choler it prouokes
and her in rage to fall
In frantike wise: a shrewe to be
such one we alway call.
For such was Morrell slayne,
and layde in saltish bryne,
For saltish shrewes his skyn was flayne
such shrewes in it to shryne.
Offaithfull friendship.
VVHen worldly wealth doth vade & decay,
And erthly riches to erth do turn againe
[Page] Yet fréendship most stedfast and sure for aye,
Hap what hap may doth styll remayne.
May any man find the lyke of Carion
And Menalip companions aye,
Who to the death were friends? no not one,
Who kept this frendship most stedfest in stay,
There are fréends dead, and of sorts twayne,
By prouing a man may finde it true,
The one in countnance all for gaine,
The others words dead to ensue.
Some men remember Pylades,
A faithfull man, a trusty wyght,
Oh sacred fréend vnto Orestes,
Oh sparkling starre to giue vs light:
They all are gone and layd in graue,
Once we had Pilades, and once Orestes,
But them againe or like, we none shall haue,
Ne haue not nowe, to trace their progresse:
Menalip is gone, and Carion,
The sacred soules hath rapt them aye,
Their facts haue we as yet to looke vpon,
Such kept the flowre of fréendship in stay.
What daunger insueth if a man enterprise a higher place then his degree can aspire vnto.
BY fortune came a countrey clowne
to London, for to sée,
[Page] And roming vp and downe the stréetes
as best he thought to be,
Went to the court a place vnmeete
for such a carter playne,
The same tyme where for princes sport
great pastime to ordayne
Men went about: the nyght drew on,
and Luna with hir hornes,
The azure skie and element
with sparkling starres adornes.
And he thus learned of the boyes
or lackeys of the courte,
Such passing pleasure for to be,
and eke such princely sport,
Dyd mynde (if that he myght) to get
and wryng into the hall
To take the vewe, this beyish clowne
dyd nothing are appall,
Though with the sight of nobles store
his dollish eyes were fed,
But loppreth to the vpper end,
his cap vpon his head.
One of the wayters seeing this,
him by the arme can hold,
And sayd sirrha, to come so nygh
how darest thou be bolde?
Come on, if that thou list to viewe
and sée some pleasant sight,
[Page] Goe get thée out into the stréete
and stare on the moone lyght.
But he with strugglyng gan refuse,
and very long resist,
Till at the length his eare dyd fetch
somewhat at porters fist.
(I know not what it was) but he
with anger chafed much,
Dyd thinke if he were at the doore
to recompence this tuch,
So that in déede (that place attayne)
vnwares to any wight,
He gaue the porter another blow,
with all his power and might.
The fellowes séeing this, gan run
on heapes vnto the doore,
And for one blow they dyd him gyue
whole twenty, yea and more,
In so much that the foolish sot
was forst almost to cry,
When as he felt a weighty fist
to hit him on the eye.
They layd on load, but at the last
he escaped from the doore,
Thinking aye to go so far,
he venture would no more,
But to beware by this, sith that
so foolishly he would.
[Page] Nowe venture in a place to high
for his decrée so cold.
This chaunce doth often hap to such
as boldly do aspire
To highest top as they are led
by foolish fond desire:
Its often séene, that they which sit
at meat at the vpper end,
Are often placed all belowe,
and lowest thither send.
Let euery man him hold content,
and aye well pleased be,
In ech poynt, with such haps as are
most méete for his degrée.
Of parents deformed hauing a beutifull childe.
DOubling doubts & musings much I stande
To see dame natures fact, by skilfull hand,
I muse how that the trée that beares by kynde,
The red hawe, should to chestnuts be in clynde:
I muse how that yt trée should change that sute
For grapes most pure his cat sloes soure frute
This change séems somwhat strange in déed to me
Such kindly gripes vnkindly for to be.
I muse how that dame nature could with skill,
And learning large of high Pernassus hill,
[Page] Frame such a peéce on earth here for to stray
Of parents as were made of clodded clay.
I muse how that erst such a froward fyr
With drowsie wife whose loue is to the fire,
Should get a daughter damsell faire & bright,
For to display dame beauties banner bryght.
This fact departs by fame the onely deéd,
Of thundring loue, yt giues yt good their meéd
To rest with him, and pai [...]s the ill their hire.
For to descead to hell and flaming fire.
Of him that tooke a quart of wine when it was proffered by his freend, who minded to get a pottell.
ONe newly come to towne, of freénds
a number he gan meéte,
About the rest, by freéndly talke
one cheefly thus him greéte,
Vnto your welcome sir I haue,
some where a quart of wine,
Which willingly I would bestow
on you this present tyme.
Mary (quoth the other) gladly
your gentle gift I take,
The quart of wine I meane not nowe
with nay thus to forsake.
Nay quoth the other streight, you ought
for to haue offred me,
[Page] A pottell more for to requite
my gift offred to theé:
For curtesie doth will when that
one offreth theé a quart,
Thou shouldst him giue the like or more,
to shew thy gentle heart.
Beshrew me then (quoth the stranger)
for [...] thou drinkst of mine,
I will be sure before band aye,
to haue a taste of thine.
For many men most mindfully,
do often offer make,
Such things as they ne willingly,
would any time forsake.
But for a skill to get the like
under colour and face
Of curtesie where crabbed clawes
deceitfully do trace,
So nowe this quart of wine
is offred aye of theé,
To the intent that thou mightst get
a pottell more of me.
To hir the Louer writeth, being familiarlie acquainted, refused in presence to speake to him.
SIth that thy fauour once I helde
and ioyed part thy grace,
[Page] What was the cause, that this disdayne
should brge himselfe a place
In theé? at home I knowe,
and eke remember well:
Full louing tales and stories there
I often could theé tell,
And for reward I could receyue
of thée a kisse or twayne,
As iustly aye deserude of me:
in recompense of payne.
I then was bold to go with theé,
in chambers low and hie,
And in mine armes on bed of downe
haue theé thereou to lye,
Though I restrayned by forced feare
would neuer enterpryse
To taste of Venus sports, as things
ne to be séene with eyes.
Where as perhaps (as well appeard)
you willyng were thereto,
But that a doubt came in the wynde
that forst a freénd a foe.
This token you remember well,
if that you list to yeéld.
She tooke a blow below the eare,
at Mooregate by the field.
To play at cardes and tables both,
to driue the tyme away,
[Page] And other games you coulde deuise,
as time serude day by day.
An hundred toyes were to be found,
that might vs merrie make,
Then had the Moone cleane lost hyr forme,
and was ne like a cake,
I was thy darling then, also
I dyd possesse thy hart:
Eche word that stubbornly was cast
dyd cause eche other smart.
Why now, what is the cause me tell,
that this so vile disdayne,
Should theé. enforce ne to regarde
him that for theé bydes payne?
What was the cause that when you met
me with your fellowes mo,
And troupe of dames in open stréete,
you would so slyly go.
And looke awry as though not méete
I were to sée your face?
(Such fréends as we are aye before)
this was a chaunged case.
But go thy way, to choose thy féere,
euen where it likes theé best,
Ile trouble theé from hence no more,
ne theé disturbe of rest.
But as long as by sight I know,
a woman from a shéepe,
[Page] For thy sake I will then bewart,
and looke before I leape.
Of Vnthrifts.
THose men whose mindes are wolly bent
and set on pleasure vayne,
Do take no care to get the thrift,
that brings incessant gayne.
Of Whoredome.
AS aye amongst th'vntamed beastes
that range amid the wood,
Thrre is no greater raue nor than
the Wolfe of cruell moode.
And as the Puttoke doth surpasse
eche winged foule perdy,
By egernesse to skirre hir pray,
once séene with greedy eye:
So aye excelles this monstrous vice
of whoredome by hir kinde,
Eche other vice stupendious
by Sathan left behinde.
Like will to like.
EVen as good men reioyce alway
With good men for to be,
In companie to ioy with them:
so like it is to sée,
Ill men reioyce with like to haue
[Page] their companie alwaies:
The good with like, the ill with ill,
do ioyne in all assayes.
Of vnwittie spending.
ME think such wights, small wit in head retaine,
Which do consume & spend that worldly gaine
Which they haue got with swet of browe and payne
no cause therefore:
Such treasure thē as they for long haue soght
In litle tyme for to consume to nought,
Such spendyng ay not taking any thought,
makes rich men poore.
Perit quicquid feceris ingrato.
AMongst such déeds, as when that they are done
Inforce a man for to repent therefore,
This one thing chéefe remaines for ech to shun,
Though there aboūd by knowlege many more,
What euer thing thou doest with zelous mind,
T'a churlish wight yt adage shewes such sense,
Its lost: he will not leaue his doggish kinde,
Ne neuer meane the same to recompence.
The propertie of Reprobates.
BY kinde they that are lewde in déede,
doe ioy in heart alway,
When as the good misfortune find
and fall into decay.
A good man.
PErforce a perfect wight in déede,
to be, he beares the fame,
Which no man harmes ne doth delight,
his neyghbour for to blame:
Then it insewes, if he be good,
we should him follow still,
Sith we are taught to loue the good
and to abhorre the ill.
And if that vertue ought to be
imbrast of euery wight.
Then ought we all embrace that man
that vertuous is and right.
A perfect preseruatiue for health.
FOr keeping of a man in health
there is no better way,
Than for to eate and drinke by meane,
one meane to kéepe alway,
And ne surpasse or change that meane
at one time more or lesse,
For measure brings a treasure tried
in pleasure or distresse.
A stupendious desire.
SOme men there are that do imploy
and fix their gréedy mynde,
To gather riches to themselues,
to priuate gayne inclynde:
[Page] And though they find no end of wealth,
yet more they do desire,
And kindle vp vpon their heads,
a flashing flaine of fire.
Olde men.
AL liuing wyghts whom that
old Senex staffe hath smit,
Denieth youthfull slouthfulnesse,
and otherwise delite.
Diuersitie of remembrance.
VVE all are wont (as well is knowne)
to prynt and beare in mynde,
A lesson touching naughtinesse,
to which vice is inclinde,
More sooner than a godly phrase:
so great diuersicie
Of good and yll, we alwayes finde
fixt in our memory.
The deceites of the Foxe.
FOr to haue learnde the Foxes wiles,
and rightly vnderstand,
Were readiest meane them to preuent
before they come to hand.
Of a womans hatred.
THe anger of a shrew is aye,
more gréeuous to some wight,
[Page] Then is the sting of serpent strong,
that bringeth mickle spite.
Of boasting and bragging.
HE that doth litle thing performe,
yet bragges at euery house:
May be compared to an hill,
that once brought forth a Mouse.
A signe of anger.
IF that he bends the br [...]wes
in frowning wyse to lowre,
We say that he then angry is,
or hath an angry showre,
The sudden falling into danger:
NO wight there is that steppeth forth
or traceth on the ball,
That can from daunger him exempt,
so soone as in it fall.
The pitie of Dormice.
OF pitie this is a signe.
And cond [...]e aye for to be knowne.
Howe that yong Oormice alway séede,
Their syers that in age are growne.
And when that they ne able are,
To trauayle for their pray,
The yong ones yet the same will get,
And bryng to rest alway.
Of imdietie of children.
VVHo can deny but vertue all
is vanisht out of place,
When as the children ne obey
the fathers in no case.
The sinnes of Kings.
VVHen euer as the king doth sinne,
and iustly loue therefore,
Doth vengeance giue, to the intent
that he should sinne no more:
We alwayes sée the plague to light,
on commons many a one,
As well as on the wight that sinde
and forceth them to grone.
Of eating of egges:
AT meate there met both he and she,
among those dishes rare
That there were set (not daintie though)
came egges t'augment the fare,
(Quoth she) if that you eate this egge,
the prouerbe doth ensue,
Thrée shames therewith incontinent
shall happen vnto you.
But he applying this egge,
not printing that in minde:
There fell a drop, thers one (quoth she)
the other be behinde.
[Page] With that he clapt the egge into
his mouth, the shelles and all,
Theres two (quothshe) watcht for the third,
till that it doth befall.
To him that was angrie because the Cuckow did sing before his doore.
FRend rage not with the Cuckow,
though he sings before thy doore,
And Cuckow cry, ne chaunging aye,
the tune he sang before.
He cryes not Cuckold, though much like,
thy wife do thou not blame,
For though thou thinkest he Cuckold cryes,
perhaps it is not thy name.
Of Sugar and Salt.
SVgar and Salt begyn with like letter,
though sugar be good, yet salt is better:
This sugar is swéete in mouth to the taste,
yet doth the Scripture shew vs at the last,
That salt doth season all things that there be,
and no such mention of suger we see.
Of hastie wiuing.
HE doth desire a wife in déede,
and thinks it very swéete,
That willingly would marry aye,
eche harlot he doth méete.
Of despising of the poore.
THough that he falne be in decay,
and wanteth to maintaine,
Yet it is not a godly point
to scorne the wight in paine.
Of harlots.
AN harlot sure in outward shew
professeth feruent loue,
But from her heart she doth expell
and faithful loue remoue.
But certaine she is crauing stil,
and gréedy of thy golde,
And without that or such like giftes,
no more touch they wil holde.
As long as thou doest fill her hand
with money, they remaine
Thine owne: but they are gone when that
they haue no hope of gaine.
Of keeping companie with naughtipacks.
HE that doth cling to felowship
of naughtipacks alway.
Its maruel if he with their blots,
himselfe ne spotteth aye.
The Prouerbe.
IN age he hardlie shal enioy,
or riches store obtaine
[Page] That could ne finde in heart in youth
to geue himselfe to paine.
Of anger without a cause.
HE that doth freat for each light cause,
or trifle in respect,
May wel be calde a foole by kinde,
his follie to reiect.
Of husbandrie and Scholers.
SVch as doe toyle to till the land,
and husbandrie maintaine:
Such as doe plowe and cart, abide
ten times more gréeuous paine,
Than such as doe indeuour aye
and learning sweéte desire,
And geue themselues by pleasant trade
sweéte letters to aspire.
Another Prouerbe.
HE séemes vnwise that doeth intend
the top of house to raise,
Before that he hath cast the sloore
to beare the heauie paise.
The error of the wicked.
AS the Egles doe contemne
at béetles for to smite,
So rich men doe, to scorne the poore,
inheart ofttimes delite.
Of pleading where a man's not heard.
IT better were that euery wight
should hold his peace alway,
Than for to speake and waste his wind
not being heard for aye:
Yea where the people ne estéeme
his words, but count as vaine,
There were he better hold his peace,
and take no wilful paine.
The frailnesse of youth.
YOuthly age is bent so much
to foolish fond aspect,
That if the masters wil not once
with tongue their faults detect.
Another time, the worser mad
you shal them surelie finde,
If that it happen so, that
correction be blinde.
Nothing is hid from God.
VVHat sinne soeuer thou commit
if it be great or small,
If it be in most secrete place,
yet God beholds all.
Of flatterie and lieng.
FLatterie beares a skill with it,
But lying comes by mother wit.
A faithfull frend.
DOutlesse a frend he is in déede,
and ought to be accounted sure,
Which shewes himselfe a frend vnto
his frend, as long as life endure.
Of costlie apparel.
EXtreme follie it séemes to be
attyred in such wise,
To which thy base state and degrée
by much ne may arise.
Of Neighbourlie aide.
LEt it ne gréeuous séeme to thée,
thy neighbour to reléeue,
Sith he, if thou shouldst méete with néede
the like to thée may geeue.
Of good counsell.
GOod councell sée that thou obey
at first when thou begin,
Ne in such hazard doe thou slide,
and sodenly fall in:
From which thou maist not easily pul
or drawe thy foote againe,
And thus repent when its too late,
encreasing stil thy paine.
Of him that would sight at home, and no where els.
VVIth me ne wouldst thou striue,
ne yet deuision make,
But at home on thine owne dunghill,
where all cocks proudly crake.
Of a couetous mind.
SO sparing he is stil, and harde
of that he doeth recleame,
That easier it is for to get
or drawe a water streame
Out of a Flint, then for to wring
a penie from his bagge
Where thousands lie, his best coat yet
is but a rotten ragge.
The Prouerbe.
IN braue attyre who pampreth vp
his corps for séemely sight,
In veluet, purple, and such like,
his purse then waies most light.
Of wicked children.
THe childe that doeth account,
and thinketh ought for aye:
His Parents worthie ne to be
to whom he should obaye,
[Page] Most méete is to be expelde,
out from the christ: n flock,
Least graffes we should haue more to growe
out of such wicked stocke.
Of vvailing for the dead.
VVHat profiteth to waile the dead,
and strike my selfe with paine,
A man may wéepe til heart strings breake,
yet haue not them againe.
Of parents.
IT is not parents wit by right,
so much the childe to hate,
Rather to see him cast away
than roughly him to rate.
Of such as had rather haue harlots than wiues
BY wit I ne allow the vse
ne councel of that wight
Which rather would frequent the house
of harlots day and night.
Then chastly for to take a wife,
and Himeneus please:
And rather would sustaine stil strife,
than alwaies liue at ease.
Of him that esteemeth riches more than frendship.
VNworthy he of frendship is,
that more estéemeth gold
[Page] Than faithful frendship, which as long
as very li [...]e doeth hold.
Of Destinie.
NO destinie a man may scape,
as reason doeth allowe [...]
And hanging is a destinie,
as many men doe know:
Then i [...] a wight doth throwe himselfe
amyd the [...]urging [...]ea,
In mind thereby to méete with death,
and drowning him to slea:
Yea though he sight in skirmige dure,
and braul with such as be
Surpassing him by manly force,
yet thus much doe we sée:
Though many wayes for death he séek
himselfe away to cast.
If hanging be his destinie,
he hang shal at the last.
M. G.
FINIS.
LONDON, Imprinted by Abell Iesses, dwelling in the Forestréete without Créeplegate néere vnto Grubstraete, 1587