[The banquett of dainties: for all suche gestes that love moderatt dyate.]

Demoſthenes the Mayſter of the Banquet, Soſia his Stewarde. FRiend Soſia liſten and attend, what newes I ſhall relate, To this my phraſe this audit tend, and marke thereof the ſtate. I haue decréed for to conuiue, the muſes euerie one, With daintie meates, but firſt yle ſhriue my ſelfe to thée alone. I walking through the prate or gréene, of Helicone that ſpring, Theſe Lanterns bright did vew a quéene, hir mate a princely King. He deckt with flamed ſhyning beames, or brightneſſe of the Sunne, And from hir eyes large ſiluer ſtreames, ſuppoſed were to runne. The Quéene the regall King did call, and termd him, Phoebus bright, And after them enſewed all, the muſes to my ſight. Sicelides did formeſt trace, their robes as gréene as graſſe, And next Pyerides tooke place, as cleare as Chriſtall glaſſe. Sicelides their ſcutchins bare, vpon their humers hie, Which wiſedome ſéemed to declare, ſurmounting ſtarrie ſkie. Aetherion Globes or circuits rounde, Pyerides did holde, Contayning ſciences profounde, be ſet with gliſtering Golde. Theſe ſights delited much my minde, ſo that I gréedy was, With ſerious toyle the place to finde, through which their féete did paſſe. In dumps I tended to and fro, the ſemits were obſcure Yet laſt I preſſed for to goe, where fanſie did procure. And Fanſie Fanſie lyke did lead, to compliſh hir requeſt, And brought me ſtraight vnto a bed, where I did ſéeme to reſt: So deckt with pleaſaunt Odours ſwéete, a pleaſure for to ſmell, That ſure I did ſuppoſe it méete, a ſeaſon their to dwell. Thus ſanūe yelding to delight, I fell in ſlombring ſleepe, And waking, dames with Torches bright, my corps did charely kéepe. The one a fading Roſe did beare, dame heautie was hir name: The other Fortune as you heare, a blynde and fickle dame With yt in Traunce my ſprites were gaſt and Torchlight did amaſe My lyuely ſences almoſt paſt, that ſtaring I did gaſe, Scarſe breathing breathles was my heart, and griefe did ſo aſſayle, That ſure I doubted pinching dart, againſt me ſhould auayle, Then of a ſodaine, beauties Roſe, was faded to the ſtalke, And Lady Fortune, with hir gloſe, conſtrayned was to walke. O formoſe puer, numū ne crede colori. Cicero. pares cum paribus facilime congregantur. Alias, Similes habent labra lactucas.For on the wale fayre written was, that beautie is but vayne, Which adage as it came to paſſe, made beautie to reframe. Than likewiſe in an other place, dame Fortune was definde: With nipping cuts for to deface, hir pompe and loftie minde. Inſculped briefe, if that the blinde, the blinde do ſéeme to lead, The prouerbe true néedes muſt I finde, moe fooles are brought to bed. Thus winding not from midſt my thrale, wherein I cheyned was, Into a princelie court or hall, by wandring, I did paſſe: The roufe whereof was Iuorie bone, the pillors beaten Golde, The windowes deckt with pearle & ſtone, full coſtly to beholde. In midſt wherof a Bath did ſpring, which did my heart inflame, So rather that than any thing, I would haue taſt the ſame. Thus ſtill deſire did preſſe to proue, the thing it woulde attaine, And eke my gréedie minde did mone, therein to take ſome paine. I faynted like a feble hound, and coueted to drinke, But yet the liquors did rebound, when lippes were at the brinke. Lyke Tantalus I had diſpayre, which liues in dolefull payne, Who when the waters proch him fayre, they ebbe as faſt agayne. Thus gaſing ſometime here and there, Chaſtitas, Sapientia, Scientia.in midſt of all my griefe, Thrée Nymphes of ſodaine did appeare, which did mée much reliefe. Soſia. My Leach if this be manifeſt, which you proteſt as true, I wonder much how you were bleſt, ſuch wondrous ſightes to vew, Spied you in middeſt of Chriſtal ſtreame, thrée Ladyes paſſing glée? I doubt your worſhip did but dreame, effigies ſuch to ſée. Demoſt. If Titans Chariot chaſe the ſkie, throughout Auroraes race, Then this as true none can denie, I was in preſent place. Soſia. Then by requeſt might boldneſſe craue, a pardon at your hande, With ſmiling face, & countnance graue, their names to vnderſtande. Demoſt. Relation made approch me nie, I graunt to thy requeſt, And finall thus I doe replie, bicauſe I loue thée beſt. Dame Sapience, firſt, thē chaſted Quéene, poſſeſt the ſecond rayne, And Lady Science to be ſéene, laſt peared verie plaine, Ech offered me a precious gift, moſt wondrous to beholde, But Science one my head did lift, a crowne of perfect Golde This done ſuche muſicke did abounde, as gaſt my ſences all. Soe that incontinent to grounde, in Traunce my corps did fall. Then at the latter pinch and eb, of this my mortall lyfe, When ſiſters black had ſhredde my web, I longed for a wyfe. The Muſes hearing this my mone, conſented vnto mée That verdit giuen of euery one, ſtraight wedded ſhoulde I bée, Then, who coulde lyke mée ſhoulde mée haue, and whome I lykt agayne, This they decréed, to kéepe from graue, the body nighe hand ſlayne. Theſe golden darlings markt mée well, with fired eyes ſo ryfe, And poynted Science laſt to dwell with mée, for terme of lyfe Content was pleaſde, ſhe gaue hir troth, I coupled fayth and hand, That whyle the ayre did féede vs both, hir huſbande would I ſtande. Then leade we were in ſacred wiſe, into the Temple ſwéete, Where Veſta by hir wonted guyſe, did hath our tender feete. Thus were we married, know the caſe and this take by the way, My wedding Banquet in this place, I purpoſe here to day: Therefore ſuch Cates as coſtly be, I charge thée to prepare, And thus much more attend to mée, thrée daintie diſhes rare. Soſia. Farre fet they ſay and dearely bought, fine daintrels doth delite, Nowe euery corner muſt be ſought, to pleaſe their appetite I runne, I trace, I fiſke and jette, I raunge from ſtréete, to ſtreete To kill with Hauke, or catch with nete, ſuch wild foule as I meete. Trudge Soſia, trudge, feſtine with ſpéede, thy pillors doe prepare, But Lixa, ſée the hounds ye féede, againſt we courſe the Hare. I knowe not I, what Cates to buy, for dainties common be Such diuers meates, vnfainedly, as ſerueth ech degrée. Demoſt. I pray thée zelouſly my friende, ſearch out the verie beſt, For péerles dames I doe intend, ſhall be my poynted geſt. Both Pheſſaunt, Plouer, Larke, & Quail, with Rabbet, Succors yong, Of dainties theſe let me not fayle, with other rares among. As Marchpaine, Chéeſe & Ginger gréene, with ſucket pleaſaunt ſwéete, Blauncht Almondes, as in court is ſéene, for princely Ladyes, méete. Stewde Proynes, conſerue of Cherries red, Peares, Biſkets, Suger fine, With nectar dulce, ſince I am wedde, by voyce of Muſes nine, Soſia. What Iunckets call ye theſe I pray, no dainties can they ſéeme, For vulgar ſort from day to day, as common them eſtéeme. They ſerue as foode for to ſuſtaine, the hungrie corps withall, So that the Nimphes from them refraine, as we refrayne from gall. For ſacred powers of ſtarrie ſkie, their natures doe conſiſt, Nauing at pleaſure pleaſauntly, to hath them where they liſt. And ſequent then for to conclude, if they be ſoules aboue, What whight their fauors to delude, with earthly Cates would proue, Therefore indeuour to inuent, by cunning arte and ſkil, Some daintie diſh incontinent, thy promiſe to fulfil. For naughtes auayleth to prouide great things of ſmall effect, Stay, ſtop therfore, pauſe and abide, this zelous zeale reiect. Demoſt. Thy iudgement ſoundeth to the eare, with reaſon firme in déede, And therefore gréedy more to heare, I pray thée to procéede. Soſia. Where fooliſh iudgement rooteth déepe, and fondneſſe beareth fruit: There witleſſe will is brought a ſléepe, by fanſies féeble ſute. Sus Miueruam.And then the prouerbes proufe is found. Sus doth Mineruam teach, Therefore with bended knée to grounde, graunt pardon learned leach. For what I woulde, I can not ſay, and what I can, I may not, Therefore without longer delay, procéede with ſpéede and ſtay not. Demoſt. Why licence francke is graunted frée, let pardon thée ſuffice, Set dread a part, and ſhewe to mée, the ſprigges of thy deuiſe. Soſia. Where ignorance doth lead the route, and guide the enſigne frée: There oftentimes it comes aboute, that bloudie fildes we ſée. And therefore as you pardon graunt, ſo pardon I requeſt, He is vnwiſe that ſeemes to vaunt, on that he knoweth leaſt. For wiſedomes loare to take in hande, for Cookes it is vnfit, And wiſemen as you vnderſtande, will knowe before they knit. Demoſt. Then tratting néede conſtraines to way, a ſalue with poſting ſpéede: Harke, Soſia marke this preſent day, I pray thée to procéede. Vnto my place, conſiſting ſtill, mention for to frame Whereby I may complet my will, and bring about the ſame. And I ſhall to the Temple hie, the muſes to implore To ayde my wracked fantaſie, that then I might adore. Soſia. Thy ſeruaunts will is readie bente, to graunt to thy deſire: Beholde progreſſes doe relent, and homewarde I retire. Demoſt. Adew, farewell, farewell, adew, Valeto Sofia mi, Adew, adew, my friende ſo true thy buſeneſſe doe appli. Soſia. Farewell, in this though I be blinde, yet I may drawe my bowe, In ſuch a ſorte to pleaſe thy minde, and kill the craftie Crowe.

Exit Soſia.

Demoſthenis quaerimonia. Demoſt. Where ebs, and flowes of painfull griefe in ſiely ſhip did toſſe Of late my ghoſt, now miſbeliefe defines mine endleſſe loſſe. In thraldomes thore (I) rule the roſt, in fluctes of bliſteſſe woe, A pillor or a propping poſt, my pleaſure I forgoe. Yet thoughe my fanſie naught can vaile, naught trickling teares doe ſhowe, But when that wilfull cares aſſaile, I catch the ouerthrowe. Therefore ſince nothing is ſo dure, but labour can attayne, As Poems doe my breaſt aſſure, I minde to take the payne. And this I knowe he is vnméete, that will not taſt the ſower, To be a guſter of the ſwéete, in moment of an hower. Scientia. Chaſtitas & Sapientia. Deare ſpouſe, what ſenſleſſe rage doth bind, thy wittes in ſuch a maze? Or elſe what fogges of miſtie minde, do cauſe thée thus to gaze? Demoſt. Deare dame, whoſe vertues manifold, do penetrat the ſkie, To vewe thy gliſtering eyes of Golde, no man ſo glad as I. As Science once, imbrace, imbrace, with ſtretched armes thy deare, And then he will define the caſe, of this his heauie cheare. Scientia. Science is bounde to yéeld by right, vnto hir friendly Lorde, And therefore ſée, with all my might, to this I doe accorde, Diſcloſe therefore, thy ſecrets all, take time while time may bée, Meridies.For Phoebus meane doth nigh hand call, prouiſion for to ſée. Demoſt. Prouiſion that, néedes muſt I wayle, to thinke vpon the ſame, For all my ſenſes doe me fayle, when dainties you doe name. Where ſhall I find, a daintie diſh? where ſhall I any buy? For dainties none of fleſhe nor fiſh, in all the worlde I ſpie. Sapience. Great ſtore, and plenteous plentie is contained euerie where, Reioyce therefore we will not miſſe, approch dame Wiſdome neare. Demoſt. O bliſfull Nimph, O Lamp of truſt, O gliſtering Diamond bright, In whome I hope and euer muſt, the perfect Lanterne light. I thanke thée thrice and ten times thrice, I grate thée euermore, That wiſedome thyne, through thy deuiſe, hath ſalude my preſent ſore, Chaſtitie. Where Science knits a perfect knot, there Sapience ta keth place, And chaſted lyfe deuoyde of ſpot, doth gouerne all the race. The ſincere path, the rule of lyfe by me preſcribed is, The comforte-true of man or wyfe, the endleſſe ſtate of bliſſe. But briefly ſhewe what grieuous ſore, doth peſter in thy minde, That tranſingly ſtill more and more, no ſiſtaunce thou doſt finde: Demoſt. Conſider Iewels precious deare, my purpoſe and intent, Is to conuiue, attend and heare, the Muſes with aſſent. And Cates delicious to prouide, I thinke it verie fit, But more I ſéeke, the more as wyde, the marke I can not hit. Sapience. Learne well & marke, print in thy minde, what Iuuenal doth wright, Iuuenal. Rara auis in terris, nigroque ſimillima Cygno.By friendſhip true which rare I finde, as nigred Swaunne to ſight. And this, examples doe approue, yet one I wil declare, As principall ſomewhat to moue, thy clogged breaſt with care. In friendſhip fraude is this ye knowe, for Pompei was a friende, And Fraude gaue Caeſar ſuch a blowe, that Friendſhip had no ende. For ratling ſpeach with great diſdaine, did frame ſuche ſore debate, That where as loue was wont to raigne, inſued deadly hate. With roaring rage the Cannons rent, and Martiall feates to trie, Betwixt them both they did conuent, in twinckling of an eye. Here Pompei led his valiaunt hoſt, here marched he a mayne, There valiaunt Caeſar ſéemed to boſt, himſelfe with all his trayne. Here Pompei gaue the onſet frée, him Caeſar did withſtand, Here Iulius was conſtraynd to flée, himſelfe with all his band. Pompeius followed for a ſpace, and then did backe retire, Reporting that a boy to chaſe, was laſt he did deſire. When Pompey thought he had the beſt, and doubted naught at all, Then Caeſar as a ſauſie geſt, for bloudie warre did call. His enſigne boldely to diſplay, he preſt with ſpeare and ſhielde, Beſtowing in a comely ray, his armie in the fielde. Of hautie minde, of courage ſtoute, of ſtomack ſtiffe and boulde, By whome his ſouldiars had no doubt, the conqueſt for to houlde. When worde came to Pompeius eare, howe euerie caſe did ſtande, With liuely hope douoyd of feare, he toke his charge in hande. As manly as Beterophon, fierce Caeſars might to trie, A Knight in ſtole Armigeron, on him to liue or die. The Trumpets ſounded out full ſhrill, the onſet was begunne, No worde was there but ſlay and kill, from morne till glead of Sunne. Pompeius féete began to faile, his knées to earth did bende, Yet valiauntly he did not quaile, but forwarde bidde to tende. Declaring that the grounde did quake, friendly his manhood to ſalute, And queſting them to take, the wordes he did impute. The ſouldiars gréedie of their pray, ſet all at-ſire and ſeauen, And fought ſo cruell that ſame day, the ſtrokes did ſounde to Heauen The vewers of this dreadfull fight compared it to bée, Coequall to the clipſed ſight, that in the ayle we ſée. But fickle Fortune chaunged at laſt, by turning of hir whéele, Pompeius ſtate, that nowe agaſt, compeld he was to réele. To him, whome once he did reſtore, exiled from his raigne, That nowe with ſcepter in his Thore, he bare the ſway agayne. This prince as ſoone as he did ſée Pompeius once his friend, For friendſhip his did ſtraight decrée, of him to make an end. But firſt in courtious ſort and ſkill, he friendly did him gréete, And for to cloake his ſpitefull will, he met him in the ſtréete, Then feaſting him with roſt meat frée, he beat him with the Spit, And ſent him forth moſt Iudaſly, as he ſuppoſed fit. To ſhewe him pleaſure to his paine, as it did well appeare, For on the water he was ſlayne, which murthering did not feare, And ſtraight preſented for a gift, to Caeſar, Pompeius head, Thus fickle Fortune driue the drift, that chaunge of choyſe did lead. Here friendſhip fléeted by diſdaine, for Pompei proued true, Which for his truſt meſſe full plaine, bad fading lyfe adue. And whome he counted leaſt his foe, and for his chiefeſt frinde, By wilfull hap it chaunced ſoe, did kill him in the ende. Ouidius. En ego, non paucis quondam munitus amicis: Dum ſlauit velis aura ſecunda meis: vt fera nymboſo tumueruut aequora vē to: In medijs lacera puppe relinquor aquis.And Ouid ſayth if riches flowe, and honour thou obtayne, Soe long the winde with thée wil blowe, and friends to thée remayne, But when the day is ouercaſt, with clouds from Fortunes throne, Then will falſe friends from thee flée faſt, and leaue thee all alone. Therrfore a daintie diſh it is, a truſtie wight to finde, Which in a tempeſt will not miſſe, to proue to the full kinde, True, Lodvvicke ſléepes in tōbe of ſtone, his carcas wrapt in leadde, And Alexander true is gon, ſubiect to earthly bedde, Nowe counterfets, which friendly beare, two faces in one hoode, With cloakes diſſembling doe appeare, to ſucke our friendly bloude. In ſtead of loue, there hatred growes, where truth ſhoulde take a place, Their ſweltring waues & ſcourges flow, of ſpitfull Fortunes face. The ſtrongeſt Oke is ſeldome ſure, and ſooneſt ouerthrowne, The friend which friendly did indure, at laſt away is blowne. The brother pareth for to gloſe, his brother to beguile, And friends are chaunged ofte to foes, within a little whyle. Thus therefore for bycauſe I know, and likewiſe plainely ſée Thy Banquet thinne, I will beſtow this daintie diſh on thée. That ſéeke abroad and ſeldome finde, a truſtie friend in déede, To whom thou mayeſt declare thy minde, when time requireth néede. Demoſt. Of dainties all I muſt conſent, this daintie for to bée, For friendſhips Bow is ſeldome bent, the proufe we daylie ſée. I thanke thée Sapience from the heart, if it lie in my lotte, Thy gentleneſſe which heales my ſmart, ſhall neuer be forgot. Sapientia, And I doe muſe what diligence, as children doe beſtowe, Their parents for to recompence, with honor that they owe. For dutie due, is fledde away, and humbleneſſe is gon, And true obedience at this day, is colder than the ſtone. Vnbrideled youth, hath no delite, dame Vertue to imbrace, But ſtill indeuour with their might, hir braunches to deface. Goe vewe abroad in euerie coaſt. and ſéeme a childe to traine In Godly lyfe, and all is loſt, within a yeare or twaine. As Ploughmen rude they doe prepare, king Neroes ſéede to ſowe, Whoſe deuſliſh fanſie had the care, his mothers wombe to know. And trayned hir euen as the ſhéepe, are trayned to their bayne, Who falling in a ſlombring ſléepe, with bloudie knyfe was ſlayne. For Nero ſlit hir ſecret wombe, to ſée if he coulde ſpie, The tender cell, or chatrie Tombe, where he was wont to lye. Such ſmall regarde had he vnto, his tender mothers breaſt, That beaſtly nature made him doe, the thing ſhe doubted leaſt. Euen lyke I ſay at preſent ſtint, the worlde is neuer other, So that the childrens breaſt as flint, is ſtonie to the mother. For when the parents taking paine, at laſt doe waxe full olde, The children wiſh to haue them ſlayne, that they might haue their Golde. Now plaine deceit, hath choſe a ſeate, now falſhoode rules the lande, Nowe loue is colde, now children threat, their parents to withſtande, How manie buddes of humaine ſéede, howe manie ſonnes remaine, That will about their fayres procéede, to cauſe their fathers gayne? Nay euery man is fully bent, his propper Cheſtes to fill, So that they care not with aſſent, if that their father ſpill. Where ſpring the braunches of the trée, where Iſaac was the roote? Where ſhall you finde a ſimile to ſet by him his foote. If any aunſwere in this caſe, then nuſquàm he muſt ſay, For well I knowe that Phoebus face, doth foſter none to day. For plyant was he at a becke, and readie at a call, To take a Faggot one his necke, to ſacrifice withall. And when as Abraham did declare, howe Iſaac néedes muſt die, Moſt willingly he did prepare, and woulde hint not denie. But paciently he toke the croſſe, and knéeled on his knée, Beleuing that this mortall loſſe, was but a fonde decrée. What children nowe woulde pleaſed bée, if this you ſhould requeſt? Or who would yéelde ſo quietly, to graunt to your beheſt? They be not borne, nor lyue by breade, throughout the worlde I ſée, That couet rather to be dead, than leaue this worldly glée. Then farther to the whole effect, and ſearch the pithie ſtyle, And tell mée if you doe reſpect, what newes within a whyle. He was obedient, in ſo much his parents did him ſhowe, The doctrine pure, of Scriptures ſuch, whereby the Lorde we knowe, They framde his ſteps to vertues trace, they learnde him how to knit, The perfect webbe, of heauenly grace, they rulde him with a bit. They made him to ſuppreſſe deſire, his tongue they ſought to iame, Bicauſe of little ſparked of fyre, procéedeth forth a flame. They kept with rod of wiſedoms ſchoole, his childhoode in ſuch awe, That carnall blindneſſe waxed toole, ſo well he knewe the lawe. They did diſcharge their dueties right, they let him not to ſtray, But cauſde him with an humble ſpright, to wander day by day. His othes were nay, his ſwearing yée, adherent to the worde, His dealing was from craft full frée, as ſcriptures doe accorde. Demoſt. Why? then by this you ſéeme to proue, faultleſſe the childe to bée. Science Not ſo but fanſie did mée moue, both faultes to let thée ſée. For if the Colt might ſéeme to raunge, and neuer to be broken, The Bit and Brydle would be ſtraunge, this is a certaine token. And therefore ſince that euerie man, is faultie, thinke no leſſe, But that the childe, doe what he can, is but a ſinfull geſſe. Omni morbo paratur medicina,Yet if the wounde were nere ſo ſore, a ſalue is to be founde, Which though it feſter more and more, at laſt will make it ſounde. But where as ſuffrance ſéemes to raigne, all for a little eaſe, Their ſtraight inſueth grieuous paine, the former griefe to peaſe. As proufe by this we haue in hande, thy fanſie to ſuffiſe, Where parentes will not vnderſtande, their childrens wicked guiſe. But if they once begin to growe, in rypeneſſe of their ſinne, Though they their wicked haūt do know, they maintaine them therein. That rype, ſoone rotten when they bée, then fadeth duetie due, So that their folly as ye ſée, doth cauſe themſelues to rue. And therefore, ſhould they put in vre, the wiſemans ſaying mylde, So long as breath doth lyfe procure, let chaſtment rule the childe, For duetie ſlips, a good cauſe why, the parentes make and marre, Soe that this vertue certainely muſt néedes be abſent farre. Thus what by Tutours fondneſſe blinde, and nature of the ſprigge, The humble braunches ſtarke I finde vnplyant is the twigge. Therefore this daintie for a diſh, of right thou mayſt prepare, For which a man maye often wiſh, but is reperted rare, As much to ſaye, obedience flame, and inward heat is colde, So that an humble chylde by name, no man can once beholde. For fanſie leades their thoughtes aſtray, and wilfull will is bent, The righteous children for to play, with prodigall aſſent. That is as long as any note, of vertue doth remayne, They laſhe and lauiſh all a flote till it be gon agayne. The path that Ioſeph walked in, is not for them to walke, For why, their vertues verie thinne, are faded to the ſtalke. Abromnicio pleades their caſe, with ſanguine ſworde in hand, A Iuſtice diet in common place, all goodneſſe to withſtand. Thus pilgrime like, their race they runne, to no good point at all, But as the Wax againſt the Sunne, doth melt away, they fall. That ſeldome ſure or not at all, an humble childe to finde, A man may trauaile where he ſhall, let this content thy minde. And ſerue this for a ſecond meſſe, which I to thée aſſigne, Bicauſe thou doſt pretend as geſſe, to feaſt the Muſes nine. Demoſt. What ioyes vnto my breaſt aſpire? what gladneſſe nowe doth raigne? Hir ſpeach hath ſet my heart one fyre, hir talke hath ridde my payne. A daintie diſhe it is in déede, a ſeruice harde to ſée, Where as the childe doth render méede, with lowly bended knée, Vnto his auncient fathers head, where ſiluer haires doe growe, For children nowe are better fedde, than taught, fulwell I knowe. Doth not experience flac define the Nurſe conſtraynd to bowe? Vnto hir Cradell oftentime, Which right doth not alowe. Yes, right is wrong, and wrong is right, vnkindneſſe cloake is kind, The light is darke and darkeneſſe light, the eyes that ſée be blind. Thus daintie twayne I haue, but yet the thirde is to be ſought, Which, if that I coulde ſéeme to get, full ſoone it ſhoulde be bought. Chaſtitie. Neyther can Golde attaine the ſame, but ſerious payne and royle, Nor princely money beare the name, without a feruent broyle. For coyne herein doth naught preuaile, I meane in wiſedomes lore, The ſcaling of the walles t'aſſaile, where Science kéepes the dore. And therefore ſince as Authors olde, when they prepare to write, Their learned Tables doe vnfolde, whereby they ſhould indite. Not otherwiſe by courſe I will if thou with héed attend, Indeuour with a ſimple ſkill, the thirde diſh for to ende. I maſe and muſe, in what degrée, as truſtie wyfes doe ſtande, For well I ſpie, and plainely ſée, few faithfull in the lande. They loue a whyle, the prouerbe olde to them may be replyed, Theyr loue ſo whot is quickly colde, it can not be denyed. Where reſteth faithfull Sara now, where is Rebecca pure, Whoſe bended knées full ofte did bowe, hir huſbands griefe to cure? Where is Ioachims faithfull wyfe, Suſanna calde by name, Of whome dame vertues braunches ryfe, did worke a worthy fame. Firſt Saraes purpoſe and intent, to God was to accorde: And ſecondly with one aſſent, to pleaſe hir faithfull Lorde. Rebecca, ſought by charie charge, hir huſbandes quiet eaſe, And wrought all meanes for to inlarge, a ſalue his yre to peaſe. Suſannaes care was firmely caſt, hir chaſted vowe to kéepe, Deſpiſing euerie carnall blaſt, that luld the ſoule a ſléepe. For when the elders did conſpire, their pleaſure blynde to haue, By filthy luſt of fleſhly fire. which made them ſo to raue. That proching me, hir hathing place, vnto hir they did runne, With flattering ſtyle, and craftie face, their purpoſe to haue done. The beames of grace did ſo inſpire, hir worthy chaſted minde, That crackling ſparkes of fonde deſire, hir ſoule coulde neuer blinde. She rather chuſed for to dye, to pleaſe their ſinfull luſt, Than to conſent moſt toruedly, to breake hir promiſe iuſt, Loe here the fruite of faithfull ſtate, loe, here both truſt and hope, Loe, here dame vertue with hir mate, doth ſéeme to tende hir ſcope. Doth preſent time the lyke declare, are women now ſo true, Vnto their faith to haue a care, and eke their dutie due? Nay faith is fledde, nay faith is dead, nay faith is layed full lowe, For euery wight, with vrgent ſpight, giues fayth the ouerthrowe. Nowe Venus doth hir banquets make, and luſt with painted booke. Proceeds herein the paynes to take, hir darlings names to looke, Then firſt approcheth to his hande, the marryed femall knot, And nigh to hir there ſéemes to ſtande, the Maidens crazed pot. So that as guider of this ray, the harlot Pride is chiéfe, And Venus as a rector ſtay, doth ayde them with reliefe. Then Cupid with his bended Bowe, diſchargeth forth his dart, Vpon thoſe veſſels weake and lowe, that taketh Venus part. Thus wyfes doe raunge in wofull ſort, thus ſnarring they doe iarre, In leauing of their Thalame ſport, to hunt the For a farre. I will not ſay that all their might doth giue their bodyes frée, In leauing of the perfect light, Of Venus court to bée. For I their Odours ſo doe ſmell, that néedes I muſt ſuppoſe, Their filthy ſhape, with hir to dwell, that vertue doth repoſe. of wedlocke many breake the hand, that lincked is ſo faſt, Shall we, ſay they, as truſtie ſtand to one whyle lyfe doth laſt. Not ſo, and why bicauſe that ſhame, is chaſced from their minde, That ſhameleſſe lyke their chaſted name, they dimme, and muſſell blinde. Or at the leaſt if Venus net, their fanſie can not moue, They doe indeuour for to get, a ſalue for their behoue. That is the Pehens proude to play, the victorie to obtaine, By which they hope an other day, their huſbands to diſdaine. With chafing broyle, and chyding checks, they doe indeuour ſtill, To clogge and yoke their marits neckes, that they might haue their will. For one word twaine, for two words thrée, they practiſe and intend, And all is for the maſterie to purchaſe in the ende. Thus as the olde Cocke oft doth crowe, the Cockzill learnes apaſe, With notes full ſhrill his voice to ſhowe, in euerie méeting place. For damſels deck their hearts with pride, and vaunt themſelues ſo hie, That all their care one euerie ſide, is vertue to denie. They make a gibe, and ieſting ſtocke, at ſuch as doe deſpiſe Their wicked factes, they grine and mock, at euerie good deuiſe. For if their chaſted lyfe beare ſway, till twentie yeares be paſt, Or one and twentie and a day, that number is the laſt, For banquets then of Venus kinde, they couet to attaine, Then Virgins Lamp is ſtrocken blinde, and chaſtitie is ſlayne. Thus wyfes be maſters as ye ſée, and maſters made the foote, So as before for victorie, to ſtriue it is no boote. Here as the reſt hath giuen to thée, a daintie diſh, ſo I To pleaſe thy fainting fantaſie, the thirde will not denie. That ſéeke to finde a truſtie wyfe, and trauaile thyne is loſt, For many fragile be full ryfe, but faithfull fewe can boſt. Demoſt. A truſtie friend an humble childe, a faithfull wyfe ſay yée? I doe adiure by Marie milde, theſe verte daintie bée. Now when it pleaſe, therefore to heare, the Iunckets I ſuppoſe, Moſt fitteſt for this royall chéere, the ſame I will diſcloſe. Firſt gaze I muche where Iuſtice true, doth plead the poore mans caſe. And right is rendred, where as due ſhoulde ſéeme to haue a place. For money makes them treade a wrie, and turnes the Cat in panne, That ſhoulde pronounce the equitie, to euerie kinde of man. Then ſecondly much more I muſe, where crafts men lyue vpright, Their ballaunce equally to vſe, to euerie ſimple wight, And laſt of all where ſhall we ſpy, the ſeruants to fulfill, The ſéedes of ſeruice faithfully, to pleaſe their maſters will. I doubt them all, yet may they be, when as the ſea doth flame, Or elſe I thinke aſſuredly, fewe ſuch doe beare a name. Thus nowe I iudge my ſelfe well ſped, therefore I heartly pray, That you would take the paynes to lead dame Science home to day. And I the Muſes euerie one, will bidde vnto this feaſt, But bound to you all thrée alone, I couet for my geaſt. Sapince. I Wiſedome, Science by the palme, will guide vnto the place, And ſacred chaſted lyfe ſo calme, ſhall not abſent hir face. Make haſt therefore and ſtay not long, with ſpéede returne agayne, Exeunt. Requeſt of Pallas vs among to dyne to take the payne. Demoſt. Doubt not, what as your zeldus will requeſteth for to haue, To compliſh, yle indeuour ſtill, and Tritons friendſhip crane. O withering graſſe, O fragile ſhade, O ſlipperie Tower high, Whoſe honor as the Hay doth fade, in twinckling of an eye. Where naughts but vanitie doth dwell, and beames of vertue flie, A lurcking denne, a hollow cell, complet with miſerie. Repent, with ſobbing ſighes lament, your frowarde deuiliſh Art, Leaſt ſodenly that you be ſhent, of limboe taking part, From which repentaunce may you bring a holeſome ſalue and guide, To reſt with that eternall King, whoſe glorie doth not glide. Well, tyme doth wiſh me to prepare, To ſéeke to Muſes nine, To guſt and taſt of dainties rare, which you haue heard vs ſigne. And in meane ſeaſon I commend you to the ſhepheard true, In whome ſaluation without ende, doth reſt, and thus adue. FINIS.