fast your lawlesse loue to tame And further to allay your heate vnlesse you daily spinne This distaffe laden full of flaxe your fare will be but thinne This sayd the distaffe in she throwes and bad him thus adieu My tale is tolde you knowe your taske nowe worke as pleaseth you Alberto at these sorrie newes straight to this choller waxe Shall I from martiall exercise fall nowe a spinning flaxe Shall I that liu'd at libertie in prison thus be pend Shall I be sys'd of meate and drinke that late so much did spend And shall a Ladie foyle me thus whose hart the stoutest quaild There with he stroue to breake the doores but small his force auaild His griefe but gréene with termes of hate he blam'd this Ladie oft And supperlesse so went to bed which was not very soft But in respect of other plagues he thought the hardnesse small Who tyred with tormenting thoughts a sléepe did quickly fall When he had sleapt the night away and cares digested well Sharpe hunger so assayld this Lord as he to spinning fell His goutie and yll shapen thredes so moued him to smyle That well he likt the exercise his sorrowes to beguile At dinner time dame Barbaras mayde was to Alberto sent To share his lowance like his worke to whome this courtoll went And rudely calles to sée the yarne he had that morning sponne Alberto eger of his meate deliuerd what was donne By Saint Marie quoth this queane your buswiuerie is good And after she had frumpt him well she fetcht his sorrie foode A wéeke or more these hungrie meales in worth Alberto tooke In hope of grace which came so slowe as he his hope forsooke Sée yet desire of libertie sée nowe the fruites of néede Sée here how théeues their fellowes peche sée sée how hope doth féede Alberto for dame Barbara sendes to whom he shewes at large The wanton wager words and workes as I haue giuen in charge And how that Vdislao would ere long attempt the like Which straunge discourse the Ladie did into a wonder strike Oh God quoth she what cause giue I men should suspect my life I neuer clim'd beyonde my reach I am a louing wife And comes there yet another Lord that would my vertues staine Well let him come he shall abide hard penance for his paine This sayde she wild the gaylor sée Alberto spinne apace His newes thus recompenced were whome nowe I leaue a space To shewe what rumor in the court in euery corner roung Some say Albertos ioyes were such as loth to part he soung Vlrico oft his image viewd to sée what hue it bare And all the while it yealowe séemd he liu'd in perilous feare But when it turnd to white againe what so the courtiers say He knewe Alberto had the foyle and he had won the lay The other competitor thought his fellowes ioyes too great So that to haue a share with him he posted till he sweate And posting thus he at the length Vlricos castle spyde And making then more haste then spéede post haste he thether hyde Who safe arriu'd where he did wish to make his welcome more He had an errant readie stampt yea two or thrée in store He first commended to this dame her husbande 's happie health His speciall credite with his prince his fame and heapes of wealth And how on causes of his owne into these coastes he came And how he heard in happie time his friend Vlricos name And also how not farre from thence did dwell his Ladie faire And howe he bounde by courtesie to sée her did repaire The Ladie smiled in her mynde to heare this currant scuse And yet dissembling what she thought she friendly did him vse Yea courteously she crau'd he would his causes yet adiourne And at his friend Vlricos house with her awhile soiourne Her gentle offer to accept this Lord was nothing nice And yet ere longe her courtesse he bought at too hie price Well both contented as it séemd into the castle goe Where as faire Barbara glads her friend with welcomes great in shoe She talkt she walkt shee satt she stoode as likt this gallant best Yea many a straunge discourse did passe betwéene her and her guest In sinc to towle this lord in loue a sighing shée began And asked how Alberto farde as if shée lou'de the man The lord Vdislao did take this motion in good part Who smyld and said in secrete thought Alberto had her heart And for to strike her in a mase quoth hée I wott not well Since last he vew'd these countrye costes where as my frend doth dwel Faire Barbara as though she feard this lords welfare did faine And is hée not quoth shée returnde vnto your court againe This lure thus throwne to worke some hope in Vdislaos breast The Lady broke the prattle off and fell to feast her guest The lusty Hungarian lord likt well her kindnes showne Yet still he for aduauntage stayde to make his passions knowne Whose subtiltie when shée espide t'imbolden him the more Against her will her eyes dâ—d séeme more wanton then of yore And trained thus to treate of loue at length his tongue found scope She made it nice yet not so straunge but he might féede on hope Hée féeding still on showe of grace was loth to leaue the féeld She faring as shée likt his talke by péece meales gan to yéeld In fine she fainde how that his sute had wonne her to agrée And how shée would sometime that night her louers lodging sée Untill which time this frolicke lord committed her a Dio A fainde good night shée likewise gaue and wild her seruannts shoe Him where he should that night be lodgde whose lodging was prepard Next chamber to the prison where Alberto hardly farde Well Vdislao went to bedde full fraught with secrete ioy And still he lookt when his faire dame would kepe her promist foy But all in vaine he gapt for grace she glad he had him catcht Yet sée the fond conceites in loue in hope the night he watcht He hard no noyse no mouse could steare but streight in thought he smild O welcome Lady quoth his heart but when he was beguild He Sopor blamd for charging her with to much drowsie sléepe But of his faultes and wager fond at all he tooke no kéepe Wel al this night with fancies tost no sléepe lodgde in his breast When morning came this comfort came to set his heart at rest Dame Barbaras mayde brought him a réele and yearne Alberto made She tould him he should reele the same for that he had assaide To robbe her Lady of good fame to her then life more deare If he refusde to doe his taske he should haue sorrie cheare Loke you for neither meate nor drinke before your worke be donne And syr quoth shée t' incourage you the thread Alberto sponne Hée is your neighbour fare you well I can no longer stay These sorrie newes Vdislao nie out of his wittes did fray
by this time the open ayre hath purged it but if before this time I my selfe am infected it smally helpes to throwe away this poore braunch and so your counsel is out of season and yet for the same I courteously thancke you Well quoth Frizaldo snuffinge at this aunsweare you were best to perfecte your delighte to weare a Rose with your Rosemarie meaninge the first letters of those two flowers aunsweared her louers name Roberto Rinaldo These woordes stroake poore Giletta dead and yet shée pretily dissemblinge her knowledge of Frizaldoes minde found out meanes to cutte off those crosse speaches with argumente that méetely well contented him But poore wench so soone as shée was bestowed alone in her Chamber solitarinesse wroughte a freshe remembraunce of Frizaldoes doubtfull woordes but yet after shee had a space bewayled her Fortunes shée wisely entered into the consideration of her owne estate and waying howe greatly that Frizaldo was fauoured of her friendes and on the contrarie parte Rinaldo of small accompte shée concluded to please all her friendes and contente both her louers to vse this policie Frizaldo whom shee smally esteemed shée mente to féede with courteous delayes Rinaldo whom in déede shée honoured shée determined in heart to loue and in showe to hate thinking by this meanes that she should extinguish quench Frizaldos ielous suspicion which in very déede contraried her imagination For although he liked Gilettas intertaynment yet hee continually feared her affection towardes Rinaldo yea hée eyed her with such mistrust as that shée could hardly finde occasion to acquainte her Rinaldo with this deuise notwithstanding hopinge of fauourable time to execute her purpose shée continued her fained good will towards Frizaldo but Rinaldo shée would neither sée send nor write vnto Who wonderinge at this insolencie and straungenes althoughe hée had hardly recouered his empayred health yet hée aduentured abroade to learne the cause of this soudaine alteration But his ouermuch temeritie and makinge hast herein had wroughte wofull waste of his life had not God wonderfully saued him For repayringe vnto the place of his wonted ioy and accustomed comforte hée found his mystresse dallying with a fresh gallant On him shée would not vouchsafe to looke Yea if on occasion hée saluted her by the name of his mystresse very disdainfulâ—y and scornefully or not at all shée aunsweared him On him shée frowned with a curst countenaunce On his enimie shée fleared with a delightsome fauour with him shee would not speake with his enimie shée continually talked Which vnfriendly welcome was far worse God wot to Rinaldo then his late sicknes But worst of al he digested the report of the Courtiers who inferring on their familiaritie gaue out for certainty that Segnior Frizaldo should marie with mystres Giletta These newes poore Rinaldo was like ynough to credite himselfe seing such apparaunte proofe thereof yea hée credited them so farre as hée could not away with any thought of hope In so much that scorning both Courte and companie as one forsaken of himselfe hée forthwith went vnto his chamber wheras passionately discoursinge on his harde Fortunes which plaint hée powdred with a thousand sighes by chaunce hée fastned his eye on the Iewel which Giletta had bestowed on him and with litle lust reading the posie thereof supposinge she had falsified her vowe toucht with the proofe of his wretchednes hée forthwith wrote these vnder written Uerses For faithfull loue the hate I finde in lue My vowe performde the false of her behest The small reward I reape for seruice true Her ioy to sée mée plunged in vnrest Doth force mée say to finde an ende of paine O fancie die thou féedest hope in vaine I sue for grace shée smyles to sée my smart I pleade for peace shée séekes to sowe debate My sowre her swéete my griefe doth glad her hart I fawne shée frownes I loue and shée doth hate Sith soe I say to finde an ende of paine O fancie die thou féedest hope in vaine Starue thou desire which kéepeth life in loue And so my thought from showring woe shall cease But loue aliue while fancie hope may moue A lyuing death my sorrowes will increase Wherefore I say to finde an ende of paine O fancie die thou féedest hope in vaine My fancies dead I end of woes should finde My eyes nay seas God wot of brackish teares Would leaue to loue whom loue hath made so blinde My thorned thoughtes no more should foster feares But oh aye mée for to proroge my paine My fancies liue and féedeth hope in vaine Doe what I can I pray on plighted troth A simple thinke shée will not breake this bonde I vowe to loue I will not false my othe But ah I finde her false and I too fonde Wherefore good death at once delay my paine My fancies liue and féedeth hope in vaine Roberto Rinaldo Unto these Uerses Rinaldo set a very sollem note and the nighte following hée bestowed himselfe vnder Gilettas chamber windowe where playing on his lute hée very mournefully sounge this passionate inuentioÌ„ of purpose like vnto the Swanne that sings before her death to bid his mystresse adieu for euer Good Giletta hearing this sorrowfull farewell much lamented her seruants estate yet durst shée not at that instant any wayes comfort him The cause was Segnior Frizaldo was then in her chamber who knew very well that it was Rinaldo that with his sollem musicke saluted mystresse Giletta yea hée knew by the ouer often chaunging of her couler how notwithstanding her dissimulation she greatly sorrowed Rinaldos distresse and therefore he thought best during his discomforture by some slye policie at once to ouerthrow him with distrust and vntil the execution of this treachery he thought best to giue him this bone to gnaw vppon First to shew his credite to be admitted into her chamber at that time of the night Next to proue his authoritie hée called Giletta by the name of his subiect Who duetifully aunswered him with the title of her souereigne which done quoch hée looking out of the window it is for you sake faire Lady wée are presented with this swéete musicke although your vnknowen welwiller maketh show of the sorrowes hée suffers not yet courtesie wills you to intercept his paines with thankes Poore Rinaldo hearing Frizaldos tongue made no stay for Gilettas thankes but returning to his chamber as one that had foregone his senses a while in sighes he vttered his plainte And after his sorrowe was somewhat eased quoth hée alas good Giletta thy exchaunge is very hard to leaue to be Rinaldos mystresse to become Frizaldos subiect But Rinaldo worse is thy hap that thou must serue her that is subiect to thy mortal enimie thy thraldome is intollerable thy tornients without end with violent death dispatch both thy seruitude and sorrowes so shalt thou force them to pittie that now triumphe at thy miseries In this sort Rinaldo continually raged at his fortunes Well how euer Rinaldo fared
now with soaking sighes to one I sue for grace Whose presence when I do approch she stâ—aight doth shunne the place My sight my sighes my teares nor truth Her stoanie heart can moue to ruth Yet loue that liues by hope a fresh enforsed mée to proue With pen to pleade what bashfull tongue dismayed was to moue But loe in vaine to her I write For loue my guerdon is despight I serue a froward saint a Tigers whelpe I â—roe Shée smiles to sée mée wade in smart her wish my wretched woe And yet in truth shée blamelesse is My onely fault inforceth this She is but instrument my selfe the very cause Why I consume with cureles griefe for scorning Cupids lawes Wherefore sith loue is sworne my foe Diuorce mée death from lingring woe And then for others héede this sillie boune I craue That I vppon my timelesse tombe this Epitaphe may haue The thing that causde mee here to lie Was scorning loue at libertie Epilogus FOr wantons héede héere wrayed is the thrall Of louing wormes how both they fréese and frie How swéetest thoughtes are sawst with bitter gall How care them cloyes that liue in ielousie What yll successe stolne marriages ensue How forst consentes â—ield beare a louing hart How sugred woordes to late faire Ladies rue How vaine they striue that louers séeke to part How enuious tongues are apt to sowe debate How fancie bringes the stoutest mindes in awe How louers wrongde from loue do fall to hate How ramping rigges regard no modest lawe How lingring loue doth oft mislyking moue How gallants giftes fond women oft allure How pride ease preferre mens thoughtes to loue How lawlesse lust all mischiefe puts in vre How scorneful dames the set mens sutes at nought Of such as seru'd are glad to séeke reliefe How louing thralles from setters frée are taught To shunne the snares that snarled them in griefe And to conclude in euery Page is wrayde A lightning ioy a life of lacke is loue Who loueth least which proues is best appaide For womens mindes as wether cockes will moue Wherefore these toyes who liste to read aright Shall finde Loues woes not how to loue I write FINIS The Arbour of Vertue A VVORKE CONTEIning the chaste and honourable life of a Bohemian Ladie to the which is adioyned the complaint of two Hungarian Barons that wagerd the spoile of her Chastitie ¶ VVherein are the seuerall prayses of certaine English Ladies and Gentlewomen being the translation collection and inuention of George Whetstons Gent. Formae nulla fides To the right Honourable and vertuous Lady Iana Sibilla Greye now of Wilton George Whetstons wisheth a longe and happie life RIght honourable and vertuous Ladie I find that our chiefest and greatest incouragement vnto vertue is to heare the memorie of the vertuous continued with the carefull reportes of worthy writers for that such testimonie is both a president for our liues and also foreshewes after death our fames Likewise it as necessarie to register the liues of the leaude that the terror of their punishments and infamie may feare vs to offend So that moued with these consideraetions among a number my leasurable labours I haue faithfully though not curiously translated the modest and noble life of a Boemian Lady with the fall of two Hungarian barons which vnaduisedly wagered the spoyle of her chastitie Which simple toyle of mine as a testimonie of the reuerent dutie I owe vnto you vnder the title of the Arbor of Vertue I humbly present to your Ladiship to the intent that when you are wearied with the dispatch of necessarie cares and causes you may recreate your honourable minde with the mylde report of this Ladies good behauiours Wholy assured that as you liuely present her vertues you wil likewise both defend her fame and my honest indeuour with the countenaunce of your regarded name From my lodging in Holborne the .15 of October 1576. Your honours during life to dispose George Whâ—tstors The Argument of the following discourse of Lady Barbaraes vertuous behauiours A Boemian knight named Vlrico married a vertuous Lady called Barbara Vlrico being a little nipt with pouertie woulde faine haue supplyed his want by seruice in the warres which aduenture he long delayed through the iâ—alous suspicion of his wiues behauiour notwithstanding his imaginations quieted by the direction of a cunning Negromancer named Pollacco hee craued intertainment of the king of Hungarie the king vouchsafing his request imployed him in the warres against the Turke the warres ended Vlrico laden with honour returned vnto the kings court where one day the Lord Alberto the Lord Vdislao and he reasoned of womens behauiours The Hungarian barons helde opinion there was no woman so chaste but might be won to wantonnesse Vlrico in his Ladies behalfe reasoned to the contrarie In the end they grewe into this heate of argument that both the Lordes wagered their landes to his that if he durst abyde the triall that the one of them within two monethes woulde obtaine bodily delight with his wife Vlrico accepted of their lay the wager beeing set downe in writing the King and Queene were both witnesses of the match Alberto gaue the first aduenture in these louing affaires to winne her to wantonnesse The Lady finding his humour by policies as a theefe that sought to rob her honour caused him to be imprisoned where to bridle his wanton affections she made him to spin for his victuals Alberto in hope of libertie discouered to the Lady the whole wager and how that the Lord Vdislao would come about that enterprise who in very deede shortly visited her castle whome she likewise made foorth comming and in penaunce of his offence hee reelde the thread Alberto spon the King and Queene hearing of their successe had the Lady in high estimation awarded Vlrico the lande and banished the barons for their slaunderous opinion The Arbour of Vertue AS supreme head of Hungarie a king there whilcome reign'd Coruinus hight whose worthy force a worlde of praises gain'd What law iustice once had made throgh rule he neuer broke He cherisht friendes he chast his foes with many a sturdy stroke Ymou'd through zeale with clattering armes he stoupt S. Mahomes pride The Turkish crue from Christian boundes he chast on euery side This noble prince vnto his spouse a gallant Lady chusde A matrone in her mayden yeres such modestie she vsde By whom she had thrée valliant sonnes thrée vertuous daughters eake Which worthy ympes in wisdomes lore did liue without their like Besides with haps to heape his ioyes his subiectes gréede so well That foes could finde no hollowe hearts against him to rebell As vassell to which noble king there was a Boeme knight A valiant and a ventrous Lord Vlrico was he hight In prime of force he plyde the warres his parents purse to ease His parents dead he home returnd his tenants pence to fease But small was left to pray
when no sute nor seruice could procure My stragling loue to stoupe vnto his lure By néede inforst his dotage then hée reft And so with losse my wanton pleasures left When mystes of luâ—â—e were cleared from his eyes Disdaine forthwith transformd his loue to hate Fye on my life and lewdnes lowde hée cries Hée heaues mée vp to filthie Faustines state A Layis byrde for Masseline a mate A filth a flurt a bitch of Megraes kinde A rigg a rampe and all that came to minde But when I heard my blame hée blased thus Impatient I began to stampe and stare To waile to wéepe to wring my handes I woâ—s To freate to fume to teare my golden heare In fine as madd as euer was March hare I vowde to reaue Valperga of his life Which I performde aye me through péeuish strife While sporte was quicke I did Giazzo moue To slay this Lord in grace which whilome stoode But disposest to winne his owne swéete loue Unciuil wretch accoyde through sullen moode Hée blasde mée forth as byrde of Layis broode Leaue off quoth hée I loth thy heauie chéere Valpergas tongue shall buy this bable deare With which suffisde I fell to kisses straight And shewde my selfe more gamesome then of yore To tyce him on I laide this wanton baite But hée which long Valperga held in store Within his heart my hatred did abhore Yet nay the lesse my loue hée so did like As still hée said hée stayde for time to strike But when I found what fine delayes hée vsde All sweld with wrath quoth I the prouerbe saith Proferde seruice is euer more refusde And offerde loue is quited syld with faith Without the hooke the baite no poyson hath Yet haplie hée for all his wiles may proue My péeuish hate oore wayes my passing loue And in disdaine the secrete gates I bard Where in and out Giazzo earst did goe I tould him plaine his market cleane was mard I ment my faultes vnto my lord to showe If which suffisde I would no more do so To faine with chaunge I did Giazzo pray With kindnes showne contented for to stay Nigh tyred hée my gréedie lust to glut Full wel appayde for trueth my fayâ—ings tooke Hée tooke no héede how often-times is shut In sugred baite a fowle and filthie hooke How hate is hidde full oft with friendly looke Ne how the lewde when grace is not their stay Refuse no meane to worke their foes decay Euen such a filth I forst confesse I was I vsde this showe to chase my foes mistrust Thereby to worke his fatall ende alas When least hée thought I would haue béene vniust Such cankered hate my murdrous heart did rust Unto which ende I for Valperga send With yll for good to quite his faithful frend I knew the force of new reuiued loue How péeuish hate more perfect made the same I likewise knew newe friendship how to moue With pleasaunt lookes y mixt with pretie blame I checkt him first for foyling of my fame Perdona moy ore showes againe with viewe Deare dame quoth hée I yeld your tale is true Euen so quoth I and smiling vsde these wordes Confessed crimes doth open penaunce chuse What plague you please quoth hée your thrall accordes That hée or you shall execution vse Such power quoth I I meane not to refuse Yet hoping that those faultes you will amende I pardon all and take you for my frende And when I sawe him eager of delight A sighe I fetcht and did Giazzo name Valperga said Giazzo to his might UUas sure his friend quoth I I thinke in name But ah his déedes will neuer proue the same And though I loth to sowe seditious strife Yet néedes I must for safegard of thy life In sooth swéete friend thy daungerous state I rew This trayterous mate to moue thine ouerthrowe By guile God wot with mée in frendship grew Betwixt vs friends he first did hatred sowe Hée forged faultes to kéepe mée still thy foe And yet my heart for al that hée could say Did loue thée well although my tongue said nay Which when hée smeld puft vp with furie straight Hee vowde thy death for robbing of his ioy Which bloudie wordes did force mée to vnfraight This bitter speach Auawnt thou peeuish boy Thy filthy sight Bianca doth annoy Beléeue mée Lord this tale is very true Beginne with him before hée do with you These forced wordes did rayse a soare mistrust Or haply else Giazzo might a smoakte But yet hée vowde to féede my filthie lust With bloudie blade his trayterous breath to choake And leaue hée toke hée said to strike this stroake But loe hée went forthwith to Mantua Unto his friend these secretes to bewray Which treason when Giazzo vnderstoode Who can auoyde quoth hée a strompets hate And thundring out the stormes of furious moode UUith tearmes of scorne hée did Bianca rate Out filth quoth hée twixt friends which sowes debate And in despight a libel hée inuents UUhich Lords to you Bianca here presents ¶ An Inuectiue written by Roberto Sanseuerino Earle of Giazzo against Bianca Maria Countesse of Celant WHo euer sawe a thorne swéete grapes to yéeld Or sower slowes vppon a vine to growe UUho euer heard coward first in féeld The foreward wight soonste feard with sight of foe UUho euer knew in time of any minde Good fall to bad or kitt to flée from kinde If proofe ne peares who may Bianca blame UUhose father rose to wealth by filthie fraude Her mothers life y shrinde with endles shame Whose grandam was in drowping dayes a bawd Shée onely left of all this beastly store Must néedes be worse then parents were before What marueile then if shée did flée by night And sent a horne vnto her Lord and fere To blow the death of all his braue delight That gadding moode shee learned of sa mere UUho lightly vailde at ery wanton whoope How could shée then but to Valperga stoope Ne can shée chuse but proue the Prouerbe true UUon with a word and lost with one yll looke Giazzo knowes Bianca séekes for newe Hée whilome was a vowell in her booke Giazzo wrought Valperga out of grace Giazzo scornd Valperga hath his place Yet both in lashe at length this cressed leaues And Megra like pursues their loue with hate Such is the fruite of ruffians roages and théeues UUhich framde her heart when shée was formde by fate Her fathers liue Scappardone being dead And diuers séedes doth diuers natures breede O happie man Giazzo scornes her loue Valperga blest that knowes her murdrous minde UUee haue ynough her truth let others proue And rest content with what wée left behinde UUe suckte the swéete let others drinke the draffe UUée eate the corne what skilles who chewes the chaffe The Countesse of Zeland continueth in her complaint NOw gallants iudge if it with honour stands For any Lord a Lady thus to rate Or blase with scorne their
pleasure at her hands If it ne grées with glory of their state Helpe to excuse Biancas deadly hate Who now beginnes such bloudy newes to blase As endlesse shame her infamie will raise Or giue her leaue to vse what cloake she may For once report wil much inlarge her misse In womens moodes there is no meane they say They scorned loue so huge their liking is Of force as great their hate must be ywis What folly then Giazzos mynd did blame To think my wrath would ceasse through open shame How could he wene my friendship for to force By ringing out the lewdnesse of my life Sith shame compelles the bad to fall to worse Where discord is new wrong increaseth strife Reuenge is sought where iniuries are rife Wast then the way to reaue my wrangling hate Inuectiues vile to set vpp on my gate O no God wot my mightie litle hart Was well nye burst my blame was blased so These rymes I soung with notes of musickes art Bianca namde in euery wanton shew â–ª Constraind me wretch from Pauie for to go To Mantua then I did my iourney take Where open house I kept for credits sake And placed there according to my will With bloudie hate my murdrous hart was bent Giazzo Lord Valperga eake to kill A thousande feates of murder I inuent As many feares my purpose did preuent I loth yet would and willing stoode in awe Such brunts they byde that venter breach of lawe Till vice vertue hath vanquisht in the féeld Then reason lawe rule feare and all adew Their minds their harts to nought but folly yéeld In spoile they sport they laugh at mischiefes new The proofe of which alas to late I rewe For when my feare my furie put to flight I liuing dyde till I had wrought my spight And sith this acte to doe my minde did mase This traine I laide to tyce a trustie frend In place of vene I gallants gaue the gase Their bonets vaild Bianca streight did bend Through friendly showe a bon iour for to send To parle oft I did my selfe apply Before I trust by talke each youth to try In making loue they prettie prattle vsde But nought it vaild to hault before the lame For I of yore with wylie woordes abusde As children brent doe after dread the flame At sugred speache I made a sporting game But ah ay mée to worke mine ouerthrow Untimely came to Mantua dom Pietro This capitaine stoute went flaunting too and fro Till loe ill lucke mée wretched hée espyes My gallant port beséemde a countesse show My beautie then my braue arraye hée eyes While blinded loue into his fancie flyes And stryuing hée doth cause his fire increase Thus warres he founde when most hée hoapte of peace Unarmed yet to match with Cupids force With Conges kinde hée wrayde his louing moode Next sighes he sends to moue mée to remorse Then paintes his pen thus straunge his fancies stoode My yea would saue my nay should shead his blood Quicke aunsweare make Dom Pietro hath decréede To liue in ioy or else to die with spéede These lines receiude I spyed my nouis heate Who lookt and lackt the recompence of loue UUhich scorne in mée did cause him more to sweate Hée sight I smilde his ioy my noy did moue Which thwarting showes past hope inforst him proue If that his lute soone might his passions showne Could force his swéete his hard mishap to mone But when I sawe his loue did still increase As hée one night lamenting layes did yell My gates were ope in signe and show of peace In came this Lord in minde his griefe to tell But loe abashte he first to blushing fell In chamber frayes of both my selfe the best This onset gaue to cheare my chosen guest Biancas breach of chaste and modest lawe May séeme full straunge to you my louing Lord To ope my gates to one I neuer sawe UUhen knowen friends so falsifie their word Dread not quoth he Dom Pietro doth accord From sorrowes frée yet frée Biancas slaue To like but what his loue desires to haue I aunsweard soone with sugred showes full ofte Such Lords as you faire Ladies still beguiles But suites obtainde they sillie soules are scofte Then choice in chaunge your loue and faith exiles Not so in mée quoth hée I want such wiles For proofe commaund what seruice pleaseth you The which performde then thinke Dom Pietro true In hoape quoth I your wordes and déedes are one I first will trust your faith then after taste To quite your loue Bianca is your owne Dom Pietro straight did execution haste And bashfull earst his best beloude imbraste UUith sugred wiles I so this gallant wrought As sure I was a Goddesse in his thought Assurde of which to sawce his swéetest sport A sighe I fetcht and squemish faynde to bee UUoe worth quoth I Giazzo lewde report Valpergas scorne two Earles of hie degree Their traytrous tongues so sore haue slaundred mée That death I wish but destnie will not soe And they triumph that wrought my timelesse woe Dom Pietro then did bluster forth this speach Ah verlets vile from natures lawe which swerâ—e Ere longe I sure your traytrous tongues will teach To slaunder her whom duetie wills you serue And then hee vowde with spéede their flesh to carue Soone shall they proue quoth hée if I doe faine And you shall sée if déedes and woordes are twaine I glad of which yet sad I seemde in showe And sighing said looke to your selfe my sweete Your hurt my death in hart I loue you soe UUhich friendly wordes his furie more did heate Fare well quoth hee till I haue wrought this feate This hand and blade their babling toÌ„gues shal worme UUhich wordes with deedes he cruel did performe For loe one night hee did foreshaule their way But weaklie armde Valperga was intrapte Giazzo blest was absent at this fray Oore wayde with force Valperga was intrapt That ah his death vntimely there hée rapt Who dying cryde Dom Pietro did the déede Streight hew and crie to search him out doth spéede Hée found forth with vnto the Duke was brought And paintes at large my loue and lothsome hate The suite of friendes in grace Dom Pietro wrought To salue my misse repentaunce came to late Good Ladies yet note well my fall and fate My wealth my weades my swéete delights to shoe Intice not warne without the sauce of woe But listen well vnto my filthie fall Payse blisse with bale swéete life with sower end And you shall finde my ioy oore wayde with thrall Of fréedome rest in prison closely pend Distrest vnhelpt forsooke of kinne and frend Yea more then straying so fowle my follies ware As gould ne vayld to cleare my clowdes of scare Ne could I wretch take well in worth my woe My former swéete did so increase my sowre My homely cheare my costly cates did show My prison vile of yore my princely bowre My laughing friends by foes
that then did lowre Controwld and scornde who thousands did commaunde Once craue and haue denyde now eche demaunde My lothsome couche presenteth to my vewe My beds of doune with thought of swéete delights Thus day and night my wilfull harme I rewe Ech thought of grace my conscience guilt affrights Yet loth to die against repentaunce fightes Till due desert by lawe and Iustice lead Did dome my misse with tosse of my poore head The which in place I ready am to pay Acknowledging my faultes before you all God graunt my life with such effect you way As you may be forewarned by my fall Of lawlesse loue the end is bitter gall I now haue sayd and for their witnesse crye How so I liude I do repentant dye The Argument for Cressids complaint THE inconstancie of Cressid is so readie in euery mans mouth as it is a needelesse labour to blase at full her abuse towardes yong Troilus her frowning on Syr Diomede her wanton lures and loue neuerthelesse her companie scorned of thousandes sometimes sought her beggerie after brauerie her lothsome leprosie after liuely beautie her wretched age after wanton youth and her perpetuall infamie after violent death are worthy notes for others heede to be remembred And for as much as Cressids heires in euery corner liue yea more cunning then Cressid her selfe in wanton exercises toyes and inticements to forewarne all men of such filthes to persuade the infected to fall from their follies to rayse a feare in dames vntainted to offend I haue reported the subtile sleites the leaud life and euill fortunes of a Courtisane in Cressid name whom you may suppose in tattered weedes halfe hungerstarued miserably arrayde with scabs leprosie and mayngie to complaine as followeth Cressids complaint YOu ramping gyrles which rage with wanton lust Beholde in me the bitter bloumes of chaunge Forworne with woe who wallowes in the dust And lepre like is double mayld with maynge For my desart this fortune is not straunge Disdaine my life but listen to my mone Without good héede the hap may be your owne Though now I am anoynted with annoy My hyde bepatcht with scabs of sundry hewe I sometime was the star of stately Troy With beautie blist my venes as Azures blewe No fault in me but that I was vntrue In Priams court who did not Cressid like In lue of loue who gaue she not the gleake Where I was lou'd I séemed alwayes straunge Where litle waide I won with gleames of grace My gadding mynd had such delight in chaunge As seldome twice the best I did imbrace And once beguild with beautie of my face With ebbes of griefe did fall his flouds of ioy He su'd and seru'd but Cressid then was coy I did intice king Priams sonnes to loue And did repine the poorest should go frée My thralls for grace a thousand wayes did proue On whom I smyld a happie man was he The wisest wits were thus bewitcht by me But as the hawke in mewe at randome liues Yet diet kéepes her gorge as seldome greues So I that liude with store of foode at large When hunger pincht on lustie youthes I prayd If boystrous lads my gorge did ouercharge For tyring meate the deintie boyes were wayde Thus with a meane my prime of pride was staide Then was I faire my traine with oyle was strickt My feathers freshe were dayly prunde and prickt No toy no gaude ne straunge deuise I sée Though not the first the same I second had Glad was the youth that fastned ought on me Of braue array in chaunge I still was clad My cost to sée the courtly dames were mad They did repine the péeres should Cressid loue When rascals scarce to them did liking moue Such fancies straunge were figurd in my face As few there were but my good will did moue I traind them on with outward shew of grace My garter one another had my gloue My colours all did weare in fine of loue But where in hart I lou'd and liked best He euer wore the spoyle of all the rest Syr Diomede got both brooch and belt of cost The which in right to Troilus belongs An eyesore sure to him that lou'd me most Who might repine but not reuenge his wrongs Least notes of hope were turnd to desperate songs The rest did loue as courtiers do in showe But he good soule did pine away with woe Yet cruell I did smile to sée his smart Who somtime warmd his woes with slender hap Which fréesd againe with frownings ouerthwart And when with ioy he pratled in my lap With péeuish speach I would his pleasures snap For wronging whom the Troians did me paint In hart a fiend in face and forme a Saint Then iudge you may my beautie bare great sway Which thus inthrawld by loue a Princes sonne My state no lesse that durst his sutes denay A world it was to heare what praise I wonne A wonder more how soone my pride was donne My forme did fade my beautie prou'd a blase Or as a toy which forced fooles to gase Declining yet I had a present shift A painted face did please a gasinge eye But surfled stuffe prou'd no induring drift My slibber sauce when wanton girles espie With open mouth the same in court they cry Poore Cressid then no sooner came in place But fortie frumpes were framed by her face Some said that I a passing picture drue Some would haue drawen the figure of a sot The crabtréeface would haue mée mend his hue Some in my chéeke did faine to cleare a spot And all to rub my starche away godwot If messellike my painting so they pilde They smylde and said my silke no colour hilde My selfe did laugh to sée my painting clearde The straung defects that withered age did bring A horseface then a tawnie hyde appearde A wrinkled mumpes a foule mishapen thing A sea of hate where liuely loue did spring Thus beauties beames to clowdes of scorne to chaunge So soone mée thought was sure a myrrour straunge Yet so I preast amid the Courtly crew Who once espyde a fresh the sport begon Some said I lookt now of a passing hew A scarfe some cryde to kéepe goodface from sunne Thus was I scornd when youthful pride was don Some wild me learne anew my A.B.C. With backward reade from H. to skip to B. But as the Hawke to gad which knowes the way Will hardly leaue to cheake at carren crowes If long vnserude she waites and wants her pray Or as the horse in whom disorder growes His iadish trickes againe wil hardly loose So they in youth which Venus ioyes do proue In drouping age Syr Chaucers iestes will loue My self for profe whē wanton yeres were worne When lookes could yeald no loue but lothsome hate When in my face appeard the forme of scorne Whē lust for shame with me might sound debate Although I did turne tayle to foules of state At vauntage yet with baser byrdes I met On kytes I
Giletta was not frée from sorrowes for good soule shée thought it hie time to acquaint her seruaunt with the continuance of her loue and although shée had attempted many wayes yet shée found no currant opportunitie for discouerie thereof till in the end shée determined by letters to deliuer the Embassage of her minde to which effecte shee one day wrote these lines following MY Good seruaunte I cannot but sighe to thinke on thy sorrowes who inferring on my straungnesse hast my faithfull loue in suspicion and yet I cannot blame thée that knowest not what necessitie inforceth my coynesse Alas I liue in the gase of Ielous distruste who with Lynxes eyes watcheth my behauiour so that of force I am forst to rarrie a shew of hatred where in heart I loue But of this assure thy selfe althoughe Frizaldo whose familiaritie woorketh thy feare weareth both my gloue and Garter yet Rinaldo hath and shall haue my heart So that swéete friend from hencefoorth hauing my constancie thus warranted when most I lowre contrary my lookes with smiling thoughtes And thus till more fortunate time do perfect our wished desires thy louing Mystresse wisheth thée well to fare Giletta de Bologna When good Giletta had thus ended her letters for that shée durst not trust Rosina her wayting woman with the deliuerie of them whom shée knewe to be too well affected towardes Frizaldo to woorke him such an iniurie shée determined to be the Embassadour her selfe to accomplish which deuise shee made an apple hollowe wherein shée bestowed this letter which shée closed so cunningly that none by the outward show could perceiue the inward charge thereof But oh the force of ielosie Frizaldo for that he could not alwayes be present to eye Gilettas behauiour wonne her waytinge woman to watch her so narrowly as shée might bée able to yeeld accompt of all her doinges This trayterous mayde to her mystresse so trustily performed his request as although Giletta practised this deuise in her secrete closet yet through the cranell of a wall shée had notice thereof so that the night following shée came to the fingering of this apple and finding these louing lines in the body thereof shée forthwith went to Frizaldo to whom shée deliuered both the letter and apple but he that foreknew Gilettas loue towards Rinaldo was rather glad then sadde of these newes For by this meanes he spyde occasion presently to ouerthrowe Rinaldo with despaire To further which villanous trechery as néere as he could he counterfeted Gilettas hand and then in stéede of her courteous lines in her name hée wrote this vncomfortable letter RInaldo thy dissembling hath wrought my displeasure although I will not shew how nor wherein thou art vniust yet know thou I know so well thy villanies as no excuse shall remoue mee from reuenge And if my vnpleasaunt lookes any way offende thée assure thy selfe my heart tenne times more abhorreth thee thereof let this my hand writing be a witnes which I my selfe deliuer to this ende that thou mayst at once end both thy hope and vnregarded sute by her that hates the more then shee loues herselfe Giletta de Bologna When Frizaldo had made an ende of this letter hée bestowed it in the apple and wild Rosina to laye the same where shée found it the next day hée brought Giletta where of force shée must sée her louing Rinaldo and of purpose seemed carelesse of her behauiour that she might haue opportunitie to salute her sorrowful seruaunt Poore Giletta vnacquainted with this treacherie simplie deliuered Rinaldo the apple saying the vertue in the fruite was of force to end his sorrowes Herewith shée hasted after Frizaldo without either aunswere or thankes at her seruauntes hands who receyuing this courtesie beyond all hope as one amased at so soudaine a ioy it was longe ere hée tasted this apple and finding a letter inclosed therein I can hardly report the one halfe of his delight But this I am assured for his faire mystresse sake he a hundred times kist both the seale and superscription before he aduētured to take knowledge of the hidden message therein but when hée ripped it open and found the forecited newes alas poore man his late swéete motions so increased his sowre passions that if it were possible for anye to taste more miseries his fare excéeded the torments of Hell. Ah God quoth hée how may it so swéete a face should bée matcht with so cruel a hart such heauenly lookes with such hellish thoughts so faire a creature with so foule conditions and so modest a countenaunce with so mercilesse a minde O Giletta what meanest thou so to ecclipse thy honour darken thy vertue and spoile thy wonted report of pitie by murthering of thy faithfull friend Hadst thou no feare of infamie no thought of former vow Might not remorse of conscience withdrawe thée from disloyaltie Madest thou no more accompte of loue then like vnto a garment at thy pleasure to put off and on Couldest thou doe Rinaldo such iniurie as to let another deuoure the fruites of his toyle Wouldest thou suffer Frizaldo to reape the crop of loue that Rinaldo sowed with sighes wéeded with faith did nourish with teares and ripened with continual seruice Suppose I admitt the force of thy second loue in excuse of all these wronges with what face couldst thou triumphe in my miseries Yea desire my death that loued thée so deare Trust mée cruell Giletta if thine owne writing had not béene witnesse I would neuer haue thought thee inconstāt nor had not thine own hāds deliuered the instrument of my destruction I would hardly a credited thy letters but on so certaine a proofe in vayne it were to hope Ah God how rightly didst thou hit my fortune when as thou saidst thy apple woulde ease my sorrowes in deed I found in it my death only death must cure my grief And sith so subtily thou prophesiedst my destruction since it agréeth with thy wil thy wretched desire shal foorthwith be wrought In this desperate mynde Rinaldo hasted vnto the riuer of Poo where by the shore side he sawe a simple man to whome he deliuered a scroll wherein was written Giletta false of faith Rinaldo nipt so nye That lo he chose before his time in stremes of Poo to dy Whiche verses he requested the poore man to deliuer at the Lorde de Bolognas castle to maistresse Giletta and then without vsing any other speache he lept into the riuer The poore man halfe amazed at this wilful acte foorthwith hasted vnto the Lorde de Bolognas castle where after he had deliuered the writing to Giletta he shewed for certaintie he saw Rinaldo drowne him self The newes was vnwelcome vnto euerie hearer saue only to Frizaldo that trayned him into this mischiefe but especially to Giletta this tydinges was too too grieuous she weapt she waylde she blamed her and his vnlucky fortune Frizaldos iealousie her friendes vntowardnesse and chiefly her owne nycenesse as
hard fortunes Ah good Rinaldo quoth she whersoeuer thy body lies in thought I so perfectly beholde thy image as in euery mournefull tale my thinkes I heare thy tong Woe worth thée Frizaldo to coole whole iealous distrust I vsed shewe of hate where in heart I loued and yet Rinaldo thou art not blamelesse in that when as I made thée priuie to the cause of my straungnesse thou wilfully afterwards didst drowne thy selfe â–ª Herewith Rinaldo to make Giletta partaker of his newe conceiued ioyes could not choose but discouer him self whome when she perfectly knewe And liues Rinaldo yet quoth she and therwithal imbracing her best beloued with very ioy fell into a swoone Rinaldo séeing his Lady and loue to faint spared for no kisses to fetch her againe She being reuiued and the heate of their ioyes somwhat qualified I want skill to will to shewe what desire the one had to delight the other but this I am assured they in such sort ouerwent the night that morning willed them away ere eyther of them had thought of former sorrowes or sought to worke for future ioyes But as it is sayde the womans vnt is more readier theÌ„ the mans in practises that answereth their liking experience here makes proofe of no lesse For when Giletta espied Rinaldo in a browne studie with debating which way they might best easiest and soonest perfect their 〈◊〉 delightes she comforting him with a pretie smyle willed him to commit that charge vnto her but in any case she warned him to liue a while vnknowne Rinaldo faithfully promised to obey her direction who after he had giuen and taken a hundred loth to depart kisses foorthwith posted vnto the next vncouth place and Giletta secretly conueyed her self vnto her chamber Who the next day forsooke her mourning wéedes with a chearefull countenance she bid her friendes Buon giorno who reioycing to sée her so pretily comforted applyed them selues vnto such exercises and persuasions as they thought would best worke her contentation Especially Frizaldo who after it was giuen out Rinaldo was drownd was so muche of Giletta misliked as that she could neyther abide his sight nor would patiently heare his name now seeing her stormie anger somwhat appeased by litle litle renued his louing suite Giletta nowe to worke sure bicause he should no more suspect fraude in her ouermuch familiaritie made the matter somewhat strange yet not so strange but that Frizaldo might picke out incouragement to continue his bootlesse suite Who refusing no aduauntage charged her and double charged her with importunate persuasions she at euery assault séemed somewhat to relent yea in the end she was content patiently to heare his request if she chaunced to crosse him with froward language she wold comfort him with some fained good looke Gilettaes father seeing some likelyhoode of the match he long desiered I meane betweene Frizaldo and Giletta his daughter furthered Frizaldos desire in what he could in so much as coueting a spéedy dispatche he one day inioyned his daughter to giue him a direct answere off or on Giletta modestly answered the promise she made Rinaldo was such a corsie to her conscience through the feare of infamie as althogh she had sufficieÌ„tly tried by trying liked Frizaldos honest and faithfull loue yet she feared to giue hir willing consent to that she hartily wished Why quoth her father your promise died with Rinaldo though he desperately dispatcht his life neither law of God nor Nature can forbid you marriage and to make you the more willing to that I wish there shal be proclamation made that if Rinaldo within one moneth come in make clame to Giletta he shuld be indifferent-heard if not Frizaldo to haue her as his lawful wife by this means quoth he the clattering tongs that thou fearest would note thee of inconstancie well persuaded of his death by reason of his absence will sure be staid Giletta thus proffered what she had thought to haue requested set nicenesse aside fayning her fathers persuasions to haue conquered her vpon this condition yealded to marrie Frizaldo The Lord de Bologna made no delay but presently vpon this coÌ„sent assured Frizaldo to his daughter Giletta caused proclamation to be made This news wrought ioy on al sides Rinaldo laught to heare this proclamation for that he knew how to prouide sowre sauce for Frizaldos sweet delights Giletta smilde to see how wiâ—elâ—ly she had won her fathers consent to haue Rinaldo who she knew was ready to make clame Gilettas frends reioyced to see her sorowes appeased but Frizaldo aboue the rest triumphed in shew he made no account of the prouiso in his assurance For why he thought a dround man wold hardly clame his right the kind intertainment of his maistresse so laded him with ioy as that he bad iealouzie go trudge distrust adieu and al other hinderances auaunt one while he inuites his friends another while he makes choice of martiall calengers champions for iusting turne barriers c. Now he coÌ„sults with carpet knights about curious masks other delightful shewes anon he runs vnto the tailers to sée his apparell made of the straungest costliest fashion thus was he occupied in prouision of brauerie against his marriage day he had no thought how Rinaldo wold be aueÌ„ged of his trecherie ouerthrow him in combat weare his wéedes marrie his wife and vse his prouision of plesure for the honor of his own wedding he wold not sée secret hate that lay hid in Gilettas louing lookes as the snake lurkes in the swéet grasse his blinde affection made him forget the villanie he had offered Rinaldo so that pricke of conscience could moue him to no repentance For hauing reacht the height of his desires he made her the instrument of his destruction by whose dishonest seruice he attained this shew of preferment I meane Rosina Gilettas waiting woman who séeing the preparation for her maistres marriage began to loure on Frizaldo the reasoÌ„ was at such time as he was out of Gilettas fauor to currie friendship with her he tolde this daÌ„sel in respect of her curtesies in despight of her maistres iniuries he would marrie her which faire promise this fouly falsed might very wel force the poore wench to frowne Which Frizaldo seeing likewise saw without wise foresight a hindraÌ„ce to his desires deuising how to repaire this breach of amitâ—e he called to mind what smal trust was in a womans secrecie waying what mischiefe he had executed to compasse his louing affaires now to perfect the successe he long looked for he concluded in acquitall of the poore wenches courtesies to shorten her life O wretch spoyled of pitie rest of humanitie catyfe more cruell then any Tygre howe couldest thou professe to loue with so blâ—ndy a mynde especially to acquite her with such crueltie that spoyled her credit to do thée courtesie But why weare I time to wonder at thy vnnaturall
hate although 〈◊〉 heart do loue Yea farre from wish our woordes must menace mone And yet this shew of force must néedes séeme straunge Unto vs both twéene whome was neuer strife But let it helpe I neuer meane to chaunge But kéepe my vowe vnfallsed as my life These simple shiftes wée silly wenches worke To quenche or coole our ielous friends suspect Whose Lynxes eyes in euery corner lurcke To tric and spoy what worketh our defect Thus farewell friend I wil be short with thée Thou knowest my loue in darkest cloudes will shine And though in show my woordes from woorkes agrée Yet thinke I am and euer wil be thine ¶ The reiected louer with earnest desire pursues the sight of his disdainfull Mystresse THe dampe of doâ—le hath chaoked my delight Sharpe frumpes 〈◊〉 frostes doth nip my silly ioy My glymering grace is darkned with despight Yea sullen thoughtes my souereigne so accoy As mistes of scorne still falleth on my faith My cleare conceiptes are clowded oore with care And yet my heart aye mée no power hath To shunne the storme that sheweth all this scare O straunge effectes of blinde affected loue To haunt the yll whereby our mischiefes moue Much like the flye that buzzeth by the flame And makes a sport to sée the candle light Till she vnwares be sindged in the same And so with death doth buy her fond delight Or as the mouse that frisketh by the trap At length is mou'd to medle with the bayt Which weaues God wot the web of her mishap The bridge doth fal and she is baind with weight Such swéete conceits inticing sorrowes bréede To sterue with woe when ioy makes fare to féede With which effectes I finde my fancies witcht I féele the flame yet can not shun the fire Th' inticing trap I sée on treason pitcht And yet the bayte to byte I haue desire But O yll hap to worke my harmes increase Both mischiefes want the forerecyted force I finde no death â–ª my sorrowes to appease And so my state then other misers worse But sure my fault or fate ordaines it so And therfore I do take in worth this woe A Gentlewoman falsely deceiued with faire wordes forsweareth hereafter to be wonne with flattering promises GIue me my worke that I may sit and sowe And so escape the traines of trustlesse men I finde too true by witnesse of my woe How the faire wordes with faithles works they blen Much Syren like with swéete inticing call We sillie dames to witch and wrap in thrall O cruell friend whose false of faith I rue Thou forcest me to count all men vniust For if that vowor othe might make one true Thou vsedst such as well might force to trust But I betrayd by too farre trusting thée Wil hencefoorth take faire words euen as they be I will be deafe though thousands sue for grace My sight as dym if lights in silence plead Salt teares no oath within my hart shall place For this shall be my song and dayly reade Poore I that liu'd in thraldome linckt of yore Vnbound at length will learne to loue no more The pitious complaint of Medea forsaken of Iason liuely bewraying the slipperie hold in sugred words A Mid the desart woods I rue and shew my fate Exild O wretch froÌ„ courtly ioyes bereft of princes state O loue from whence these plagues procéede For seruice true is this thy méede What vaileth now my skil or sight in Magiches lore May charmed hearbs suffice to help or cure my festred sore A salue I shapt for others smart My selfe to ayde I want the Arte. I made the wayward Moone against the Sunne to striue And gastly ghostes from burial graues ful oft I did reuiue To counterchaunge the same with death In flowre of youth some yealded breath What future harmes insude I shewd to other wights And wanted skil for to preuent my present pensiue plights Why did I leaue my natiue soyle In forreine land to haue the foyle Thy loue O Iason false to winne I sparde no paine Although Medeas loyaltie be guerdoned with disdaine The goulden fléece thou wert to blame To beare away I wonne the same But lordly lookes full oft and slippry seruice eke To harmelesse Ladies haue béene vowde to catch the suters séeke And then depart from plighted othe Their sugred woordes yéelde sealdome trothe Where be the carelesse vowes feareles othes thou sweare WheÌ„ I imbarkt froÌ„ Colches coast the mountaine waues did teare Where is thy faith for goulden fléece To crowne mée Quéene of famous Greece Might not thy traytrous mind in lue of friendships lore Forsake me wretch among my friends but that with saile and ore Thou me conuaydst to place vnknowne Amonge wyld beastes to make my moue Who gainst their sauage kinde do worke me wretch no yll But séemes for to lament my case or else the Gods y will. My lothed life should lengthned bée To guerdon my iniquitie ¶ The forsaken louer pretilie nippeth his Ladies inconstancie for that as he thought shee matched with his baser in accompt wherein coulerablie he discouereth both their names THe Gallie slaue which stilâ— doth stirre the ore If haplie hée his wished hauen espies With restlesse toile doth plie to be on shore Haile in a maine my mates hée chéerely cries But when with rough repulse from blissefull bay Hée is inforst on seas againe to stray Unhappie wight then drownde in déepe despaire Powres forth his plaintes with flouds of brackish teares â–ª With whome I now do claime a partie share â— Imbarkt in hope where will the stearne did wylde Thy faith was guide which falsed me beguylde My sailes of sighes my tackle framde of trust With blisse and bale thus armed was my barke Now vaunst on high now throwne downe to the dust Now fraught with ioy now forst to care and carke Yet quiet calme at length of friendships lore Did séeme to guide my shiuered ship to shore And entring in the narrowe brooke of blisse Triumph quoth I dame Fortune hath the foyle The mends is made that quiteth euery misse Aduentrous boy now reape thy fruits of toyle But trust to top of Fortunes fickle whéele Thy faith did slide and I began to réele For bitter blastes of rage and déepe disdaine My ankers lost my ship so sore they shooke That I againe was glad broad seas to gaine To scape the flats within thy blisselesse brooke And whilste in hope I winde and weather waite A baggish banke I sawe to passe thy straight Agrieud wherat through hate I houng the lip And sayd too true that waues and women grée Which saues the boate and spoiles the gallant ship So Ladies loue lightes oft in base degrée And then I vow'd from which I will not swarue To haunt you both no more then néede shal serue The louer attributeth his curelesse wound to chaunce by louing long LOng haue I lost my libertie Alas through loue long haue I so Long haue I stoode in ieopardie In louing
too and fro Beares witnesse of their paine Their sowre sitting in secrete nookes When others laugh their lowring lookes Declares them caught in Cupides hookes And fare as men forlorne Their often making of their mone Their solemne sitting all alone In places secrete and vnknowne Still cursing they were borne Are tokens true the Peet sayth To whome these Turtles vowe their faith If fayning we may trust Certes these torments all men gréeue And therefore sure I do beléeue Their sayings to be iust Wherfore to guerdon loyall loue My deare such fancies from you moue As Enuie late did faine For truly I protest to you The heauens shall fall ere I vntrue My loyaltie will staine And time I trust will so prouide When eluish Enuie shall her hide From bale to blisse truth shall vs hide To top of Fortunes whéele Where we to banishe fell annoy Stil liue repleate with blissefull ioy Still lauding of the blinded boy Whose force we oft did féele Till time obtaines that happy day Let no conceite your mynd affray In iudging me vntrue Which blessed houre shall hap with spéede Or else my will shall want his méede And thus swéete wench adue The infortunate louer determineth rather desperately to end his sorrowes then to proroge them with bootelesse hope THe trayterous mate by law adiudg'd to dye If feare of death should worke this foule effect In hope Saunce hap his secrete to escrye Or slaunder forge to peach the vnsuspect Proroging thus his life by dallying death Besides his gilt with shame shuld stop his breath In desperate frayes where raunsome is denyde Base were the minde in hope of grace to yeald Whose courage else might daūt his enimies pride And so by force with fame to win the field For where our wrong doth worke our ouerthrow In vaine we hope to weare away our woe And why shuld I with hope persuade my thought To bath in blisse past bondes of my desart For my base hap my loue to high is sought Whom fauour none but frownings ouerthwart Alas can reape at my swéete maistresse hands I loue she hates and thus my fortune stands With withered woe my life I weare away Where often I heare thundring in my thought Through loue of her my friendes and foes to say Upon my selfe I wilfull murther wrought Then sith my death this strange report shal shape In vaine for grace till later gaspe I gape Nay wretche diuorce delayes from wished death Cut through the thred which care cōsumes to slowe Thy mounting mind despiseth seruile breath And canst thou yeald to fortunes ouerthrowe Thy dome is death by Ladies scorne decréed Néeds most thou dye then best to dye with spéede Some friend wil write on my vntimely tumbe With faithfull zeale I so my Goddesse seru'd My life my loue my liuing all and some I reaft and left before my fancie sweru'd And when my suit her mou'd to angry moode To worke amends I sacrifisde my bloud Verses of complaint deuised for a well meaning louer to moue his maistresse to pitie NOw cease good Lady cease to weaue my further woe Where scorne hath worne my ioyes to eb let pitie force them flowe To you I sue and serue to you I waile and wéepe For you my restlesse eyes doth watch when other men do sléepe To you my sighes I send which makes my heart to bléede For you my teares like Tiber streames from dazeled eyes procéede No wealth I do enioy but that I wish you part No griefe doth gaule your daintie minde but I do ease your smart To rowle in bagges of golde in choise I would detest In faith for to inioy your loue and harbour where you rest If you I might inioy I now forworne with woe To former ioyes would be restorde in spite of him sayes noe No torment then should vexe or nippe my heauie hart All gulfes of griefe shall soone be damde which drownes my ioyes in smart Of age I should triumphe and death I would defie And fortunes force I could withstand for all her crueltie In you to saue or spill in you to make or marre In you it restes to end my woes or cause my further care Twixt life and death I stand twixt hope and déepe despaire Till louing lines for pyning woe returnes a luckie share The complaint of a gentlewoman being with child falsely forsaken WHat gulfes of griefe may well receiue The teares which I in vaine do spend What faithlesse wight durst once deceiue By falsehoode foule so firme a friend With lose who wrayes how well shée lou'de When choise for chaunge his fancie moude Though reason would I should refraine His blame my shame for to bewray Good Ladies yet my pinching paine Inioynes mée here the truth to say Whose wretched plight and pensiue state Surmounteth farre Quéene Didoes fate What meanst thou wretch from ioy exilde To yeald vnto his fained teares With carelesse vowes why wert begilde And fearelesse othes the traytor sweares Ere nuptial rites whie didst thou trust His faith and yéelde vnto his lust Thou Iason false by periurde flight Thou Theseus thefte decypherest plaine I Dido wretch thou Troyan knight Here equall griefes in breast sustaine I iustly say which wordes I rue All men be false and none be true The fruites ysprong by our desire My wealth thou waste might moue thy hart To graunt the rightes which loue require And search a salue to cure my smart But sith thy faith thou doest forgoe Come death and end my wretched woe Yet Ladies all beware by mée To rue swéete woordes of fickle trust My heaped harmes let warning bée How filed talke doth proue vniust And rule your loue by reasons lore Least future plagues you do deplore Against one which wrote a slaunderous libell in dishonour of a Ladie YHacht thou wert in enuies nest Whose murthering tongue might not suffice To woorke a Ladies great vnrest But that with penne thou didst deuise Uile vice to paint in vertues place Her spotlesse life for to disgrace Whose sacred head with wisedome fraught Is guided by Dame Pallas skill Her deintie minde Minerua taught The good to loue to leaue the ill Then may it bée shée doth deserue Report from reasons lore to swerue Noe no thou wretch and Uiper vile From natures lawe which dost rebell The world doth know thy giltie gile In dungeon darcke hence forth now dwell For all men doth thy sight repine From manly actes which doest decline The heauens do frowne with earthly foode Thy carren corpes should nourisht bée Thou onely byrde of Uipers broode And bitter braunch of rankors trée A Harpie for thy filthie factes For God and man abhorres thy actes Unséene henceforth thou caitife couche Thou murtherer vile of others fame How durst thou once presume to touche The honour due vnto her name And make report that Dian chaste Faire Venus knightes in bedde imbraste Allotting to her harmelesse tongue All rusticke speach with Stentors voice Disdayning them whom loue hath stonge For that with
hath what Nature could deuise To set a glosse vpon her gallant gifts Besides all this she hath such fortune lent As both commends and doth her selfe content In praise of my L. E. R. THe pearles of praise that decke a noble dame Excéede the price of any Iuellers showe Yea beauties gifts are but a glosse of fame In vertues soyle these precious iuels growe And that the dame whome I do here commend Hath store of both my able proofe attend A passing wit is lodged in her head The which is deckt with haires of golden hewe Her modest eyes are sild with gases lead And yet they staine bright Diamonds in viewe Her words of worth doth win her toung such praise As when she speakes the wisest silent slayes Besides her shape which sightly is in showe Her mynd is with these noble gifts possest Her bountie doth beyond her beautie goe A care she hath to ease the thrall distrest Thus is she deckt and this is she I say That weares and beares these pearles of praise away In praise of my L. Cecil of Bourlegih THe cruell warres that Nature long did moue By force to plucke good Uertue from her throne Appeasd in peace to shewe the fruits of loue Of precious mould kynde faults to worke anon And hauing shapt this séemely dame of clay For Uertues helpe she sent her straight away When Uertue viewd dame Natures worthy skill With great delight she kist this Ladies face And then to shewe that Nature wisht her will She posted to her treasure house of grace Her golden shewes where she good Ladie spoyles To decke this dame thus was she both their toyles And with these gifts into the world she came Whereas she doth in worthy credite rest Yea sure her life so beautifieth her name As Enuie graunts who sildome sayes the best Her wit her wéedes her words her workes and all So modest are as slaunder yealdes her thrall In praise of Maistresse M.H. now Bridges BEautie with brags of late wild vertue yeald her thrall But soone the Gods to stay their strife a parlement did call And fame with thundring tromp was wild their subiects â—iâ—e By credite of their thrals to shew who was of gretest might Beautie against this day her prowdest shewes prepard And sure a troupe of gallant gyrles her séemely selfe did gard Their spangels wrought a gase eche dame in feathers slauntes Their straung attyres their cuts cost foreshewd their scorneful vauÌ„ts They looked all askaunce when beautie claymde her right That loe the Gods amased were to see so proude a sight Anon good Uertue comes with traine of bashfull Dames Whose modest lookes wrought more regard then Beauties blasing flames A silence now was made that they their sutes might moue Both Ladies sue for souereigne rule and thus their titles proue Proude Beautie vaunts on powre poore Uertue on desart And by your leaue for all her bragges the worst had Beauties part Her showes were blemisht much with surfling and such like Which knowne beautie through feare of foyle into a mase did strike Who gasing rounde about faire Brydges did espie Whose séemely feature forme and shape did much delight her eye And scorning other proofe she Bridges calld in place Who to sett foorth her sightly selfe apeard with vashfull grace Quoth Beautie see my â—oyle you Gods nowe iudge aright Halfe part with you quoth Uertue streight my gifts adorne this wight For bountie guides her thought which beautie farre excells And pittie rules her noble heart where pride in Beautie dwells To loue and Lawlesse lust where beauties lures doe traine She winns a calme yet frieÌ„ndship firme with showe of chaste disdaine A meane contents her minde where Beautie is extreame What botes thée then good beautie thus to striue against the streame Shée onely shall suffice if thereto thou agrée To showe and proue by dome of Ioue the best of thée or mée I will quoth Beautie stand to that that Ioue awards Ioue waying wel their worthie worke thus beth their toile rewards Hée ruled Uertue should be alwayes best in name Yet Beautie during Bridges-like should sway in equal fame Loe thus betwéene these Dames the bloudie frayes did seace But Bridges bore the praise away for making of this peace The praise of mistresse A. C. IF Troyians stoute that fought in Hellens â–ª band Small wayd their liues their Lady to preserue What doubt what death what hell should mée withstand To worke C. will the captaine that I serus Who doth in déede as farre fayre Hellen passe As good doth bad or gold the corsest brasse For first shée hath in feauture forme and face What Hellen had or beautie could deuise And therewithall she hath so chast a grace To hold them backe with fancies fonde that frieâ— That loe they choose to pine in secrete paine Before their sutes should moue her to disdaine She showes them grace that sorrowes their amis Beyonde desert her bountie doth reward Her modest minde by vertue guided is Her sober lookes doth worke a rare regard Although in court her roume is hie shée knowes Yet likes shée not to féede on curious showes A care shée hath which showes a louing wife To loue and like but what contents her fere With these good giftes commended is her life Such one is Q. whom I haue praised here Euen shée is shée denie it who that dare That doth both kinds and vertues iewels ware In praise of mistresse A. H. VAine is the vaunt that runnes beyonde desert Small is the praise that proofe will not commend Shame is their fall that mounteth fames by arte Truth is the gard that writers doth defend And Trueth I haue my naked Uerse to clothe But skill I want this pearâ—lesse péece to praise In fairenes who doth passe the Dame in troth Whose beautie wrought the Troyans bloudye fraiâ—s Withal to showe what nature did pretend In framing her an endlesse fame to finde She wrought such meanes as vertue doth commend Her gallant shape with worthy giftes of minde What would you more then faire and vertuous both That both she is but search where shée doth liue Beyonde my reach report their telling troth This modest mayde a matchlesse praise doth giue Loe this is al though further would my will I write of her for want of able skill The saucie pesaunts present vnto his souereigne mistresse LAdy receiue thy pesaunts gift in grée Whose will is much although his worth be small A gift it is that best beséemeth thée Whose vertues hould thy beauties rare in thrall So that sith that your liue without a match Garde you your fame with this well meaning watch Thinke that you liue in gase of enuies eyes Whose sight â—oth search in secreâ—st thought of minde Thinke false suspect about you still hath spies Will forge offence where they no fault can finde Thinke déepe disdaine would blot your life with blame For that alone you weare the pearlesse of fame And yet fayre dame incountring all their
possesse in dreame that earst thou had Acquaintaunce for to craue aduentrous boy assay Thou wert not nise ne I abasht my secretes to bewray I showde thée all and some what I in vision sawe Thou wart mine owne by beauties dome vnlesse thou scorndst her law My wordes did like thée well or praises that I vsde And smyling saidst Dame beauties hest must no wayes be abusde Thus after slender sute thou knowste whom I euioyde But easily wonne as soone thou wert through sullon will accoyde And in thy wrangling rage I sawe thée raunge for newe I chafte through sight Dame beautie blamd cause Laymos was not true UUhich soone I did recant and yéelded for to haue My sute performde at beauties hands in forme as I did craue I askst a gallant gyrle which vaild at first assault I askte no faith nor none I found in whom was then the fault In him who now will learne to make his match more sure And as for thée thou dost but kinde to stoupe to euery lure The reporter This wrangling hate séemeth to be but a passion procéeding of Plasmos passing loue the which digested made his affection more perfect Neuerthelesse this following inuention wrayeth the euill fortunes of rash beléefe and cholericke reuenge after which for the most insueth repentaunce yet for that the Sonet it selfe foresheweth but a fitt of disquiet minde by loue occasioned it shal passe for mée without any preface FOwle fall thée false suspect so thriue thou ielous thought UUoe worth you both you reard the hate that all my harme hath wrought You did enuie my hap when late I liu'de in ioy You slaunder forg'd you mou'd mistrust you made my souereigne coy Shée wronged saunce offence good reason hath to hate But you no cause of filthie strife twixt friends to set debate But sith my heart did yeeld such motions to beléeue Both heart head and euery veine with fretting thoughtes to gréeue First loue renue thy force my ioyes for to consume And when desire hath blowen the cooles till all my fancies fume Then conscience guilt detect my follies day and houre And base desert exile remorse sée dreade my swéete thou soure Disdaine persuade my minde my Ladies passing loue Is chaungd to scorne from scorne to hate from hate reuenge to proue Tormenting passions eake abate my pride in showe Then scaulding sighes present my state vnto my friendly foe UUhich when shée once hath séene with wrecke of my delight Despaire end me dole with death in my swéete mistresse sight â–ª But least shée beare the blame of this my bloudy hand I craue vpon my timelesse tumbe this Epitaphe may stand Loe heare doth lie his corps Himselfe for woe who slue That Ielous thoughts his Lady blamde She euer liuing true The reporter These passionate verses wittingly lost wheras fayre Laymos might find them of likelyhoode she perceiuing his singular good loue hauing sufficient cause of quarell waxed euery day more straunger then other vntil poore Plasmos purse to make attonemeÌ„t prouided some pretie deuise that appeased her anger these louers thus reconciled it séemeth Plasmos to requite the friendship of his purse in praise whereof hée wrote these verses insuing P. Plasmos in praise of his Purse COme prettie purse the iewell of my ioy The daintie soile wherein delight is sowen Thou well deseru'st the title of a Ioy Who doth not feare whereas thy force is knowen UUho dare rebell where thou dost rule and reigne Thou foylest kinges by force of treason vile Thou clokest craft with flattrie feare or gaine UUhen Iustice should vncase his crooked guile By thée escapes the traytour and the théefe The murdrous mate which languisht late in woe Thou werst to ebb their tossing tydes of gréefe And graftest myrth where mone but late did growe To maske with pride thou art a visard fitt Thou heau'st him vp which held the plough of late Thou telst his tale which wants both Art and witt Thou wodcocke setst before the wise estate The wilie churle which wronges the wretch full oft The cousening mate whose mischiefe neuer endes Should sol fa singe in couseners cliffe aloft But that thou cloakst their craft with wealthie friends The thriftlesse childe by thée doth looke full hie UUhose sparing friends at home the plough doth hold In Court thou art the badge of brauerie UUho doth not fawne on gentle maister gold Deformed girles by thée are made full faire Dame Venus stoupes through thée to Vulcans lure The coffing churle doth match with beauties heire â–ª Such straunge consents can Lady Coyne procure UUhy stay I then swéete purse thée to embrace UUhose ayde I vsde when fortune most did lowre â–ª My clowdes of scare thou cleardst with gleames of grace My bale to blisse to swéete thou chaungst my sowre Thou saâ—'dst my life with passing loue nie pinde UUhich friendly turnes are written in my minde The reporter It is hie time to digresse from the report of Plasmos wanton deuises vnto other his inuentions touching his miseries and repentance which immediatly followed his wanton expences and for that want is the contrarie vnto wealth I thought good to plaâ—e after the praise of his purse his complaint of wante the commodities of the one and the discommodities of the other dulie considered are meanes to persuade the wise in prosperitie to haue an eye vnto aduersitie and once in fauour to make prouision for Fortunes chaunge For fewe are so happie but in their time they are visited with miserie so wel beloued but once in their life they are as deadly hated so highly fauoured but are as vnhappily scorned not withstanding all these chaunces and chaunges Coyne in the coffer is an assured friend whereas if thou haue respect but to serue thy present tourne in prosperitie thou art so ouer prodigal that when pouertie pincheth the remembraunce of thy former swéete delights doth increase thy sower passions proofe appeareth by Plasmos who being nipped with neede calleth to remembrance what pleasures he had receiued by his purse and crossed euery of the said commodities with the inconueniences occasioned by his want as followeth P. Plasmos complaint of want I Whilome writ a iest what ioyes my purse did plant But now I wray with litle lust the woes of withered want When Purse with pence did flow a thousand friends I found Now woÌ„ted wealth doth weare to ebb their freÌ„dship runnes aground When Coyne I had in claw my wronges weare doomde for right Since néede did nippe my rightfull sutes was ouerâ— ayde with might When wealth I had at wil my wished ioyes were wrought Now want doth choke those iestes with care cloyes my braynes with thought With wealth I fréedome wonne by wealth my woes did weare Through lacke restrainte of libertie doth foyle my hope with feare With Coyne I seruaunts kept which serued for mine ease By néede inforst now am I faine to pray to pay and please I ratlted then in silkes by brauerie of my bagges But pouer man now am I
glad to royst in rotten ragges My purse me oft prelerd to play in pleasures lappe Wel may I wish but want I shal by wāt to reach such hap The reporter This complaint folowing sufficiently sheweth that Plasmos being somwhat behind hand by reason of his former vnthriftines hauing notwithstāding very proper liuing vnhappilie hit in acquaintaunce with certaine couseners who seing his sufficiente abilitie supplied his want from time to time with monie till they had wrapt him in very daungerous and cumbersome bonds so that hée had no way to winde himselfe out of their daunger but either by long leasure or sellinge some parcell of his land but by reason that it was intayled none would deale with him vntil a recouerie were had therof Plasmos hauing no experience in those causes and reposing a great confidence in one Liros one of the said companions committed the trust of his recouery vnto him who traiterously persuaded and instructed by Frenos his confederate by chaunging and counterfetting o◠déedes had purchaste all Plasmos liuing for nothing if he and his felowes eagre desire of the possession by Plasmos vntimely destruction had not decyphered their deuilish deceites But sith the circumstances be longe and in reporting them I should passe my purpose I leaue their lewdnes vnto their owne reporting who in the prime of their mischiefes worthily visited with miseries to disburden their consciences of a number of villanies hereafter shall make discourse of their owne dealinges In the meane while Plasmos hauing new knowledge of and not yet remedied their indirect practises and also being a litle before maymed on his right hande by reason of a certaine quarel that Liros had raysed betwéene certaine youthes and himselfe the said Plasmos ioyning the said mischiefes with other his euill fortunes complayneth as followeth P. Plasmos to his mishap HOw should I frame my plaint how shall I tell my tale Whom should I blame whom shall I bane as worker of my bale Sith heauen and earth are bent to bruse mée with their hate What bootes mée wretch to rage at fraude or raile on lucklesse fate Whom neuer hap did haunt but thousand harmes affraide In prime of youth vntimely death first tooke my surest ayde Then rose a lawlesse friend that likt my rouing youth Hée gaue mée will to sucke my wealth alas the more the ruth I lothed forced thrift hée liked no expence And Tutors loue not for to toile without reward of pence Which lacke to late I rue The greater mischiefe mine But yet my thought at which offence perforce doth thus repine Why scornde I merchaunts trade with baites of fraude to fish Sith craft doth onely compasse wealth and wealth is that wée wish Or placed at my booke why plide I not the same Why sought I not by morall rules my madding yeares to tame Sith rule must leade our life or els wée liue awry Why Aristotles wise precepts then did I not apply Why likt I not the Lawe where huge deceites are sowen Sith wée by lawe do hurt our foe and hold that is our owne But leapt to libertie that longe I did desire Why was my hart so set on hoygh beyond my reach t' aspire Why was I wedded so to péeuish will and pride Sith pride are will and foes to wit and witt our wayes should guide But most of all to loue why was I wretch so thrall Why sought I so by raging lust my gadding yeares to gall Sith neither loue nor lust doth yéeld a quiet rest Why made I choice of both the euills when bad was very best Ah Laymos once my loue by froward fate my foe Ah Laymos first by the I knew the workers of my woe But Liros most vnkinde both spoild of loue and ruthe Ah Liros thou doest wound my hart to thinke on thine vntruth Why did I trust thy faith or fearelesse othes thou sware Thy fayned vowes thy sugred woords of my welfare thy care Sith faith is turnde to fraude and woordes to workes vniust Why likte I wretch thy wilye tongue sith treason quiteth trust And did I thus deserue in faith thy selfe be iudge If Plasmos had did Liros lacke O no hée did not grudge To giue thée what thou wouldst yea more then thou couldst craue What cankred thought then mou'de thy minde his life and all to haue Whose murdrous marke ay mée my maymed fist can showe Although thou feardst to strike the stroake the strife thy hart did sowe And should I spare thee then of death to stand in awe O Noe my conscience bids mee strike betide what may of lawe Although the worst befall death quites but death againe And sure there is no ioy to death to such as piue in paine Why miste my hart the blowe that hitt my harmelesse wrist My hart it was that wrought offence and not my faultlesse fist My hart did trust these mates my hart did sturre this strife My hand did naught but make defence to saue my sillie life My hart deuisde the toyes which puft mée vppe with pride My hart inforst my eye to loue which manly fist defide And yet my hand not hart is plagued for others mis Too parcial sure in my conceite the heauens were in this Too parcial wretch not so t' was neither heauen nor happe But harebrainde youth which leapt the hedge and left the open gappe T' was youth which stouped first to Laymos wanton lure T' was youth that likt the wily wordes which Liros put in vre T' was youth through smal forsight that wrought poore Plasmos thral T' was youth so present want were scrud that feard no future fall T' was youth that made him maske with visard of delight Delight not so but dririe dread to shunne the merchants sight And Dread the scourge of youth for safegard of me wretch Did lodge me vp with néedie griefe while craft did play the leach In déede he playde the leach to ease my present lacke But what should serue for future store his physicke put to sacke He toylde in my behalfe God wot I durst not steare Least craftie traine should tol me in the merchants wily snare And dread did daunt me so that death I did desire Before a life of fréedome reft my hart did so aspire A tayle yet cloyde the land which should me frolike make Where Timeles trust to curtoule it did so the ioynt mistake That land will bléede to death if conscience worke no cure Such waste wrought haste for fréedomes sake to trust ere I were sure A pestleuce blowe forsooth it hurt not lande alone But spoyld my fist by filthy strife and maymd my hart with mone Of which I youth may thanke he snarld me in this snare Of force to trust or else to sterue with dread distresse and care Where Trust for best I chusd although it prou'd the worst Such backward hap doth euer haunt the man that is accurst The reporter Plasmos digression from one action of miserie vnto another yea vnto all the actions
for me them selues did fetter fast Whose baites for me them measht in beggers net Inforst men say of God loe here the might Which heales the harmd and lames the lewd in sight But I whose scare thy heauenly helpe did cleare Will daily sing with mynd with hart and voyce To thee O Lord be honour laude and feare Which foyldst my foes and madst me to reioyce Laude for thy grace and honour to thy name Feare cause thy wrath doth put the lewde to shame The reporter After that P. Plasmos had throughly passed the pikes of his troubles he foorthwith professed a newe course of life to witnesse which reformation making pouertie his excuse he sent this following farewell vnto fayre Laymos and other fine dames of his olde acquaintance â–ª which inuention he termed his farewel to wanton pleasures P. Plasmos farewell to wanton pleasures DAme Venus be content thy seruant should depart Who long hath bath'd in brauties blisse yet swam in seas of smart And willing nowe with losse to leaue his wanton sport Repentance hath reclaimed him from pleasures statly court Good loue my gouernesse thy charge that erst did raunge Is well content to carelesse youth to leaue his choice in chaunge My colours fresh and gay my pride in peacocks plumes I now resigne to Cupides thralls whose head with fancie fumes My sugred wordes that earst did wray my suites at large My scalding sighes to quench mistrust when iealousie gaue charge I will to salue their sore whome false suspect doth byte My vaunting speach I giue to those which soiourne with delight And fansie earst my friend of force I must forsake And lust my choice I leaue to those which rowes in leachers lake For wisdome rules my will and reason bids retire Least frosen feares through faythlesse loue doth followe hote desire Expence doth nip my purse my pride is pincht with paine Aspiring mynde hath caught a fall my lacke is linckt with gaine Yet losse this lesson learnd how pence my pleasure wrought Not pleasure pence but purses paine when néede the bottome sought A noddie for the nonce for faithlesse flurtes to flout Poore want was rayd in ragged clothes amongst dame pleasures rout Which picture when I sawe in fauour like my lacke Disdaine my thought did drowne my ioy despaire did bruse my backe Pure néede then prickt me foorth in faith good mistresse mine Ere scorne should worke me out of grace my seruice to resigne For if you rightly wey my want by former wealth Your selfe will iudge I can not serue without the ayde of stealth Then wrong will séeke reuenge with tryall of his bande And iustice soone will sentence giue to truce me out of hande Then conscience will accuse my coste in Venus court And warne my friendes by these my woes to shun dame pleasures sport And loth to dye will curse the causers of my smart Thus with your blame my one the shame perforce I shall depart The reporter After P. Plasmos had bid adieu to these counterfet delightes he made this ensuing recantation and sith it behoueth euery man that recanteth to shew with what errours he was led as well to discharge his owne conscience as to forewarne others of the like P. Plasmos in the saide recantation maketh discourse of loue betwixt faire Laymos and him self Wherein is discouered the subtile sleights of a cunning courtisane P. Plasmos recantation BEfore the world I here recant my life I do renounce both lingring loue and lust My wanton will with wisedome once at strife Hath lost the fielde the type of fansies trust My sugred toung bepoudred all with teares To chase mistrust from my swéete maistresse mynde With simple speach from humble sprite now weares That fauour I with my swéete Christ may finde My seattered sighes which I on earth did strowe I gather vp and sende them to the starres As messengers of my lamenting woe Twixt sine and soule so mortall is the warres Sith I repent no shame it is to wray My former life how farre from grace it swern'd Although from truth I silly shéepe did stray As good men God so I my Goddesse seru'd Her fauour heauen I reckt her frowning hell I swam in ioy when I attaind her grace I sunke in noy when she with wrath did swell Such strange effectes were shrowded in her face Saint Pandor then my aduocate I made Who pynde my purse yet fead my foolish vaine A thousand scornes with my fond sight did fade My suite in wordes such slender grace did gaine As Gods of olde my Goddesse honoured is Which sacrifice of kine and calues did craue But she inioynd in penance of my mis For fashion sake that first I yeald her â—laue With vowe of fayth my suite then must I showe But suites of lawne with toyes of déeper coste The duties were which I for grace did owe Such costly grace then found were better loste But miâ—â—es of loue did so bedim my eyes That wealth was slaue vnto my wanton thought Glad was my purse when he the toy espies Which with my loue a perfect liking wrought But I too sharpe did spurre so frée a wretch He pynde to naught to please her péeuish mynde Then lacke too late this lesson did me teach I seru'd no saint but one of Sathans kynde Who when she fawe pure néede to play his part With iealous speach gan straight to faine debate My second choice she sayde possest my heart As though pure loue had hatcht this souden hate But well I sawe despight did forge suspect And iealous speach was set to colour scorne My charge not change did frame with foule defect She fained griefe I wretch with woe forworne My plées of want then purchase little grace She wild me loue where I my wealth did waste For my nice choice she reckt her selfe too base Which here and there in change a new was plast Fonde fansie then presented to my will In desperate panges to pine away with paine Or purchase pence on top of Shooters hill If I escape my bootie grace would gaine For him that earst both hope and hap did vaunce To desperat thoughts to vayle his former blisse Blame not his mynde to cure this sorrie chaunce If ventur'd life did worke amends of misse And syth quoth I I must a martyr be Then burne to naught with blase of Cupides brands A gentler death is hanging on a trée I may escape the bowget makers hands In spight of scorne which haunts my Ladies hart Then shall I swim in seas of former grace And sorrow shall finde recompence of smart With foulded armes when I my ioy imbrace These drousie dumps which driues me to despaire Shall purged be with drugs of droynses store I glad he mad then mumping in his chaire When stéede is stolne too late shall shut the dore Thus I vile wretche led on by wanton lust A triumphe made within my wicked thought How I by hap the harmelesse threw to dust Ere I escapt or