is but his minde A discourse of the true steps of manhood A discourse of the honor of a Souldior A discours of an olde Souldier and a yong A discourse and commeÌ„dation of those that can make Golde A discourse and rebuke to rebellious mindes A discourse of hospitalitie and consuming of time and wealth in London A discourse of misfortune and calamitie A discourse of law and worthy Lawyers A discourse of the only Phenix of the worlde A praise of that Phenix and verses translated out of French The tragedy of Shores wife much augmented A discourse of the ioy good subiects haue when they see our Phenix abroad The tragicall discourse of the haplesse mans life The adue the writer made long agoe to the worlde A discourse of a fantasticall Dreame A tragicall discourse of a dolorous Gentlewoman A tragicall discourse of a Lord and a Lady translated out of French I hope you look not that I should place euery Knight Lady in their degree for I must of necessitie follow my matter The bookes that I can call to memorie alreadie Printed are these that followes FIrst in King Edwards daies a book named Dauie Dicars dreame which one Camell wrote against whome I openly confuted Shores wise I penned at that season Another booke in those daies called the Mirror of Man In Queene Maries raigne a book called a New-yeares gift to all England which booke treated of rebellion And many things in the booke of songs and Sonets printed then were of my making Since that time till this day I wrote all these workes The booke of Chips dedicated to sir Christopher Hatton after Lord Chancellor The booke called Chance dedicated to sir Thomas Bromley L. Chancellor then The booke called my Charge to my L. of Surrye The booke called my Change in verse and proes dedicated to all good mindes The booke called my Choice dedicated to the L. Chancellor sir Christopher Hatton The book of the siege of Leeth and Edenbrough Castell The booke of sir William Druries seruice dedicated to sir Drue Drury The booke called the golden Nut dedicated to the Qu. Ma. The book of receiuing her highnes into Suffolk Norfolke The booke before of her highnes receiuing into Bristow The booke of the Earthquake to the good Deane of Paules The book of the troubles of Flanders to sir Francis Walsing The book called the scourge of rebels in Ireland to my Lord Admirall The booke called a rebuke to Rebellion to the good olde Earle of Bedford The book of a Sparke of freendship to sir Walter Rawley The book of Sorrows to D. Wilson when he was Secretary The booke of the winning of Macklin to my Lord Norrice The book called the Worthines of Wales to the Qu. Ma. The book giuen her Maiestie at Bristow where I made al the whole deuises The deuises of warre and a play at Awsterley her highnes being at sir Thomas Greshams The Commedy before her Maiestie at Norwich in the fielde when she went to dinner to my Lady Gerningâ—ms The whole deuises pastimes and plaies at Norwich before her maiestie The deuises and speeches that men and boyes shewed within many prograces The book of King Henries Epitaph and other princes and Lords to Secretary Wolley The book of my Deer adue to M. Iohn Stannop The book called a handfull of gladsome verses to the Qu. M. at Wodstocke The book called a pleasant coâ—ceite a new yeeres gift to the Queenes Maiestie These workes following are gotten from me of some such noble freends as I am loath to offend Aeneas tale to Dydo largely and truely translated out of Virgill which I once shewed the Qu. Ma. and had it againe A book of the oath of a Iudge and the honor of Law deliuered to a Stacioner who sent it the L. cheefe Baron that last dyed A book of a sumptuous shew in Shrouetide by sir Walter Rawley sir Robart Carey M. Chidly and M. Arthur Gorge in which book was the whole seruice of my L. of Lester mencioned that he and his traine did in Flaunders and the gentlemen Pencioners proued to be a great peece of honor to the Court all which book was in as good verse as euer I made an honorable knight dwelling in the black Friers can witnes the same because I read it vnto him A great peece of work translated out of the great learned French Poet Seignior Dubartas which worke treated of a Lady and an Eagle most diuinely written on by Dubartas and giuen by me to a great Lord of this land who saith it is lost An infinite number of other Songes and Sonets giuen where they cannot be recouered nor purchase any fauour when they are craued A new kinde of a Sonnet IN writing long and reading works of warre That Homer wrote and Virgils verse did show My muse me led in ouerweening farre When to their Stiles my pen presumde to goe Ouid himselfe durst not haue vaunted so Nor Petrarke graue with Homer would compare Dawnt durst not think his sence so hye did flow As Virgils works that yet much honord are Thus each man sawe his iudgement hye or low And would not striue or seeke to make a iarre Or wrastle where they haue an ouerthrow So I that finde the weakenes of my bow Will shoot no shaft beyond my length I troe For reason learnes and wisdome makes me know Whose strength is best and who doth make or marre A little Lamp may not compare with Starre A feeble head where no great gifts doo grow Yeelds vnto skill whose knowledge makes smal shew Then gentle world I sweetly thee beseech Call Spenser now the spirit of learned speech Churchyards good will THE EARLE OF MVRTONS Tragedie once Regent of Scotland and alwaies of great birth great wisedome great wealth and verie great power and credite yet Fortune enuying his estate and noblenes brought him to lose his head on a Skaffold in Edenbrough the second of Iune 1581. MAke place for plaints giue rowme for plagued men Step backe proud mindes that praise your selues too much Let me appeale to some true writers pen That doth the life and death of Princes touch For my miâ—hap and fatall fall is such That gazing world which heares my woefull end Shall maruaile much to see such matter pend The restles race that mortall men doe runne Seemes smooth to sight yet full of scratting breers Here is no rest nor surety vnder Sunne Sowre is the taste of flowers that sweete appeares Our gentle ioyes are in our tender yeares For as the Childe to wit and reason growes So iudgement comes and seedes of sorrow sowes Our wanton time doth steale away with sport But when that care hath crept in curious braines Long griefe beginnes and pleasure is but short For heart and head is vert with fancies vaine Then hord brings hate and gold breeds greedy gaine Desire of which with pompe and glory great So boiles in brest it makes mans browes to sweat Ambitious minde the busie
mourning chéere to part from them God knowes For children finde small comfort héere when hence the mother goes If God moue not the Princes minde to pittie their estate Now as the Ladie did at large about her Babes debate Uppon her déere bought iewell than shée cast her onely thought Yea for whose sake and great good will shee was in trouble brought And pausing on this matter through a heauie sigh she gaue O good sir Knight sayd shee to one a thing of you I craue Commend me to my worthy friend and bid him comfort take And hope in God and Princes grace though I doe world forsake He may doe well and freedome get but mée hee shall not méete Till from the caue of pampred flesh departes his groning spréete Whiles life I had I honoured him and safely kept my vow As life did bind mee his in all so death doth loose mée now From him and all my worldly ioyes but though my friend I leaue On high where dwells a greater freind if hope not mée deceauâ— I trust to sée his babes and him and though much griefe it is To leaue them heere in bitter bale yet note I goe to blisse Where is no mind of combrous cares nor cause of sorrow knowne O tell him that aboue I hope these stormes shall be ore blowne And as a scroule is â—apped vp yea so shall all thinges héere When soule shall be immortall made vnto our view appeere No sooner of the soule shée spoke but sodaine chaunge beganne In lookes and limmes of deadly showâ— with colour pale and wan The eyes did stare the bodie stretch the strength and force did faile The teeth they chattered in the Cheekes the handes did quake and quayle The mouth did some the head did shake the flesh it quiuered fast The feet waxt cold the face did sweate full swift the pulses past The heart did heaue and beat in breast the breath like earth did sent At eares and nose the stiffled Ghost and vitall life sought vent Though gasping breath brought passioÌ„s on and gripâ— hâ—r heart full hard Yet showd she through those sharpe assaults to â—rend a great regard And calling for a boâ—e of Kinges among them chose shee one In which was set by cunning Art a rich and precious stone Hold carrie this quoth shee good Sir to my deere noble Knight He can remember what that stone presents vnto his sight The other token that I send it is a waightie ring Best likt and dearest bought God wot of any earthly thing And when you shall giue him this gift desire him well to minde The little Impes the pretty soules the babes I leaue behinde And bid him bring them vp in feare of God and Prince I saie Lâ—e that is all I doe require of him my dying daie I haue no gold to send my Babes but blessing I them giue Which God confirme with grace good storâ— as long as they shall liue O yet there is another ring which loe my lone must sée Where is my picture death I meane and tell my friend from mee That I as colde and sencelesse too shall be in little space As is that shaddow dum and deaffe and spritelesse shape of face This done shée turnde her head aside and bad them all farewell Twere good quoth shee in signe of death I heard the passing bell For such as liue may pray the while and know when bell doth toule Into the bowells of the earth the bodie parts from soule Yet meete they shall when trumpet sounds and that the dead arise And both together shall ascende I hope to starrie skies With this beganne the battell fierce betwéene her life and death Like Ghost shée lay whiles heart did grone and mouth gepte wide for breath Then sayd shee Lord into thy handes I doe commend my spréeâ— And so her selfe closde vp her eyes and hid her head in sheet And went awaie like infant young cleane voyde of storme or rage Or like a bodie falls a sléepe that cannot speake for age Thus breathlesse lay this Lady now like weightie lump of clay That earst had life and feeling force and past like floure away But when the newes of this was brought vnto her Playffeers eares With roaring voyce and blubbred eyes there gushed out such teares That witnest well with outward signes what woe heâ— felt within And truely tolde when shée did ende his delour did beginne Be rest of sleepe and robde of rest hée romed vp and downe And cast of wéedes of worldly pompe and clapt on mourning Gowne No ease nor pleasures could possesse nor féele the taste of meate Resolude to pine and staâ—â—e himselfe his griefes they were so great No councell could him comfort long and still alone he drue To mourne to mâ—ane to houle and cry and make complaint anâ—e And worne away with woefull sighes when sorrow helped not At length the life must be sustaynde with some reliefe yée wot But how he takes this mischiefe yet and how the matter goeth It passeth farre my reach and wit to iudge I tell you troth His Ladie gene as you haue heard when dayes and yeares were spent In thraldome long yet after that was better fortune seâ—t For into Princes grace againe hee came by blessed chaunce And so he liues in open Worlde where vertue may aduaunce Both him and many thousandes more that Noble liues doe leade And wisely walke with vpright mindes and steps of honour treade Loe héere you Dames of high renowne a Ladies death set out Whose life for faith full few shall finde that seekes wide world about To God and Prince repentaunt sure to worlde a mirrour bright Wherefore with tongue and true report resounde her prayse a â—ight FINIS Syr Symon Burley complains to him that knowes what sorrow meanes Sir Simon brought vp at Schoole with the Prince of Wales and Aquitayne Into Galatia to coÌ„duct Don Petro King of Castell Sir Simon was sent as one of chiefest for that purpose Hee appeased an vprore in the Citty of London The Dutches of Burbon prisoner and did raunsome Sir Simon Burley One Pascall was sent from the K. of Nauarhether for sauiour and Kinge Richarde made Sir Simon answer the Ambasdor the Earl of Salisbury and other in presence Kinge Richarde sent him to conclude a mariage and the Duke of Tasson was sent hither with Sir Simon from the king of Beam Almaine aboute this matter He was Lorde Chamberlain The Earle of Oxford called duke of IrelaÌ„d fauored much 〈◊〉 Simon The band that the duke made against the king the duke of Yorke the Earle of Salisbury the earle of Arundell the earle of Northumberland the earle of NottinghaÌ„ the archbishop of Canterburie A noble of euery 〈◊〉 in England was the taxe that the naughty duke sayd the king did demaund The Duke of Glocester and Duke of York with others maligned those the king fauoured King Richards best friends were by traytors frowardly handled The Bishop of Canterbury accusde him of sacrilege conuaying money ouer the Sea by night to the king of Beam The Prince of Orâ—nge M. Candeler maister of the assuraunces in the Royall Exchange is aliue witnesse to this M. Iosephe Loupo his Brother Peter two excellent musitionâ— are aliue witnesse to this in like sorte For poisning her maister A right figure of death A patterne of Death
found me aliue Long was the talke of manie a farlye thoe Long did I looke for that which did not come But all those blasts in sine did ouerbloe I listned long to heere the sound of drumme Yet though I had the great good will of some God would not thâ—ell for one mans sake alone That broyles should cause a million make their mone When birde is limde farewell faire feathers all The fish in net maie bidde the sea adiew When world beholds a man is neere his fall It leaues him there and follows fancies newe When all is saide the olde prouerbe is true Who cannot swimme must sincke there is no boote Who hath no horse of force must goe on foote Thus â—yed to clogge and pende in prison fast My hope decaide my hart did heauie waxe So souldiers came and brought me foorth at last The butcher then began to whâ—t his axe All was on flame the fire was flowne in flaxe There was no choise I must a size abide Prooue foule or cleane and by my Peeres be tried To Edenbrough the captiue man was brought Along the fieldes where flockes of people were The sight of whom did trouble much my thought But when in deede I was ariued there Both streetes and stalles and windows euery where Were stuffed full to giue on me the gaze But that might not my manly mind amaze Yet neither one nor other small nor great Did me salute So turnde the moodes of men That colde deuice nay rather raging heate Could not appall my princely courage then For I did looke as I did nothing ken Yet knew the whole that some in secret bore So passed through the thronge what would ye more A russet cloake a garment rude and bare For such a state make what of mee they would With foule felt hat and robes but base I ware That people might my great disgrace beholde Alas poore lambe thy life was bought and soulde No force of weedes to couer clott of claye Morton was dead full longe before that daie Now Lawyers flockte and swarmde in ilke a place Now Lords repaird and Lardes came daily in Now learned heads did long debate my case Now did in deed my sorrowes all beginne Now was the time that I must lose or winne For I appeard before the iudgement seate And there maintainde my right with reasons great Made good defence to many matters sure Spake boldly still and did but iustice craue My pleading there did foure long houres endure And Lawyers then to me good leasure gaue But to what end did I long pleading haue I was condemnd the world would haue it so A thing there was but that the Lord doth know And I that héere confesse my former gylt A murther than was laide vnto my charge Which I concealde yet saw a Kings bloud spilt A fowle offence for which there is no targe Nor could not claime therefore to goe at large But byed the sence and censure of the lawes For fowle God wot and filthy was my cause The iudgement was a heauy thing to héere But what they did I could not call againe The sentence past too late my selfe to cleere Once iudgd to die condemnd I must remaine As silly shéepe in shopp must needes be slaine Then to the pot or pit our flesh must passe All flesh is dust vaine ashes earth and grasse Then thought I on some friend that absent was And spoke some words but askâ— not what they were So from the bench to prison did I pas And for to die did make me ready there The Preachers came and shed full many a teare To bring my soule in perfect patience than And make me die a faithfull christian man In secrete sort the Preachers there I told Great things of waight that in my conscience lay And so confest what right and reason would But thereon pawsde I would no further say Aske what they pleasde I did but troth bewray Whereat I knockt my troubled trembling brest And so desirde the Preachers let me rest O brethren mine your doctrine likes me well Qd. I good men bestow some praiers now In your beliefe looke that you daily dwell As you beganne so still continue through The bloud of Christ hath washt my blotted brow As white as snow I haue no doubt nor feare Shall be my sinnes that red as scarlet were The Preachers glad to bring my soule to rest Brought Scripture in and did the text vnfold And many a place and sentence they exprest Towardes the death to make my body bolde O my good Lord you may not now behold The pompe quoth they and glory that is past But you must thinke on that which aye shall last Both wealth and friends and worldly wisedome to Are banisht quite and blush to come in place When soule goes hence those things haue nought to doe With man that is then newly borne in grace The light of day hath darkenes still in chase The heauenly thoughts doe hate all earthly things And faith to clowdes doth flie with flittring wings They praide with me and wipt their wéeping eies My heauy sprite stood troubled sore that tide And as the sighes from panâ—ing heart did rise My groaning Ghost O Abba father cride The sobs flew forth the â—eares I could not hide As babe doth wéepe when he beholds the rod So then I feard the wrath of my good God Full soone reformde I was in godly wise Gaue ore the world forgot all earthly thing Heaud vp my hands and heart vnto the skies To God that did this plague vppon me bring And then I sued and sent vnto the King To scape the coard by losse of life and breath For heading was for me more Nobler death He graunted that and sad for my mishap He let me goe where God and man assignd Now euery fault lay open in my lap Each small offence came freshly to my minde The secret sinnes that we in conscience finde A muster made and passed for their pay Before great God that doth all things bewray The wrong I did to simple people plaine Bad heart â—orethinke the fury of mine ire The gréedy thirst of glory rule and gaine Made soule afeard of hote infernall fire My selfe I blamde for fleshly fond desire But falling thus full prostrate on my face From heauens hie I felt a sparke of grace Which warmd my sprites that waxed faint and cold The last conflict that in this life we haue Then comfort came and made weake body bold Care not for death for life mounts vp from graue Qd. knowledge then when Christ the soule shall saue With that I flong behinde all fearefull dread So cald for booke and many a Psalme did reade In lesse then halfe the time that I haue spoke Me thought I talkt with God whose face did shine Who from a cloude discende as thinne as smoke And entred in my breast by power diuine O mortall man said he come thou art mine Be strong and stout to fight the battell throw
beholde how this aduenture happeneth regard the circumstance of this hazard way well what difficulty is aboute the matter and marke the chiefe points and groundes of aduantage that breedeth busines and bringeth forth a combate Then must be noted a simple Souldier or mercenary man may not challenge a Captaine a meane Captaine or Centurion may not challenge a Corronell a Corronell though leader of a regiment may not challenge a Lord Marshall of the Field a Lord Marshall hauing charge of life and death may not challenge the Lord Lieutenant of the Army Aâ—d all these not onely in time of seruice for auoiding of mutiny but at all seasons are bound and ought to keepe themselues from brawling yea though any one be neerely touched and seeking the combat except a lie hath passed a slander is receiued a blow be giuen a mans name and credite be foiled and a quarrell be sought so narrowly that no man can auoide And yet all these degrees as their office and honour is one after another may without reproche refuse in euery place the daungering of their liues by priuate quarrell not meeting one another by chance whereon may busines growe looke what so euer be passed villany excepted There is no kinde of preiudice to any partie but mallice may surcease and society may reuiue friendship and quietnes should of all hands be sought Now of matter ministred in despight spoken to strike dead good name vttered for offence and brauery let fall to disgrace any person and maintained with threatnings daring and other open iniuâ—ies a number the case of quietnes is altered and surely no nature can so easely disgest those extremities but shall finde occasion of dislike and a great motion of quarrell Then must be considered the cause of those spéeches the persons credite that spake it in what presence and place the iniury was offered for some places are of such honour that no dishonestye may bee suffered in and some person that speakes iniuries in base company out of honourable presence the speakers meane calling aunsweres himselfe for wise men ought to make no more account of a badde fellowes babble then of the barking of an olde dog whose teeth are gone and can not bite An all the common kinde of iniuries are but as men do imagine them as scoulding of a coâ—queane railing of a ruffian taunting of a tosseblade frumping of fine fellowes and the brags and threatning of a varlette all these shamelesse rabble and sencelesse sort of shadowes are of so small substaunce and credite that their voices makes but a noise in the aire like a thunder cracke that neither brings raine nor argues any constant winde and weather There is besides these ordinary causes and crooked conditions of people a number of naughty natures that neuer will be quiet in countenaunce nor wordes but either with skrowling like conquerors or skorning like vices on a stage they striue with counterfaite courage to ouercome Lions and to be more terrible then Tigres snuffing and puffing as all the worlde were too little to containe their great lookes and disdainefull monstrous manners And their tongues are so talkatiue and filled with follies that none may speake but themselues on whose prowde presumptions are many mad disputes wilfully begon and moste wickedly ended To contend with those glorious Images is as a man shoulde sound a Trumpet at the roaring of euery bul Thus with extraordinary manners new fangled fancies olde stubburne nature and fresh fine cunning that wisedome condemneth a good minde may be ouerreached and a quiet man may be brought in some quarrelous brabble for the sight and sufferaunce of these shadowes whose substance is all in boasting and the society or contention with such counterâ—aite conquerors is an open enemy to all the good dispositions of men and a priuy worker of disquietnes to those that beholdes and heares any peece or iote of those vices before rehearsed for nothing bréedes more mislike or offendeth so much euery company as the continuall brags and audacious manners of the vnbrideled multitude who are neuer free from quarrels voide of villany nor without naughty brabbles a number Come now to generall occasions in Court Countrey towne and so foorth but principally of Court we ought to haue greatest regard where not only the Prince hold residens with a continuall maiestie but likewise by absolute power commaunds obedience restraynes Courtiars many wayes from offering of iniuries For plainely to speake in Chamber of presence or any place neere or about a Princes pallace mens tongues are tyed either to kéepe silence or ciuilly with reuerence to vse comly wordes méete for such a place and voyde of villanye or vicious intents chiefely of quarrels that may moue mischiefe and stirre vp disquietnes among the gentle Bees assembled together in a Hiue for the honoring of their king and publique profite of their estate The Court is no Cocke-pit to croe in no shraep for cocking no seat to be saucy in no place of contention nor no soile for brawlers and braggers that haue currish conditions and knowes not their duety but rather a place of royall dignity princely entertainements curteous behauiors and fine and friendly fashions that with orderly manner may set forth a Princes regality And though there some one wanting temperance rashly behaue himselfe and with warme wordes sturre the coales of a wicked quarrell mens dueties in generall by wisedome should either quench the heat thereof or cast imbers on the fire that the fury and flame should not burst out there nor be disputed of any other where to the preiudice of that place and looke what is offered in open hearing or secret whispering that may sow seedes of dissention shoulde be trodden vnder foote or passed ouer with sporting among the best iudgements for feare least a little braunch of spite doe sproute vp on some rash spéeches and grow out of order both past remedy and beyond the bounds of good manner If men in Court were as carefull to keepe peace as they are desirous to créepe in credite or common society should attende to no other purpose but to familiar behauior friendly affection brotherly loue and blessednes of life you shall behold a mutuall agreement among all kinde of creatures at their first méeting the birds with their like flées and feedes together and in theyr manner vse a kinde of reioysing when they encounter one another yea and taketh part with their fellowes against all that shall offend them flocking and crying as they may together in multitudes to shew their naturall inclination and how they al doe suffer torment by the disquietnes of one bird in their company The Bées séeing but one of their fraternity troubled or angry fly all in a swarme on euery thing offends them and vseth such fury for reuenge that they sting and hum out of measure The Beasts not onely agree in their fashion but in like sort takes one anothers part vehemently and chiefly the very Hogs
vesssayle sinkes or barke is layd a ground Where leaking ships in safety still haue gone The harbour finde when hauen haue I none Hap calles them in when I am logde at large Thus plainnes créepes in cold cocke Lorels barge Full fifety yéeres both Court and warres I tride And still I sought acquaintance with the best And serud the state and did such hap abide As might befall and Fortune sent the rest When drum did sound a souldier was I prest To Sea or Land as Princes quarrell stoode And for the same full oft I lost my bloud In Scotland long I lingered out my yéeres When Wilford liud a worthy wight indéede And there at length I fell so far in briers I taken was as destny had decreede Well yet with wordes I did my foes so féede That there I liud in pleasure many aday And scapte so free I did no ransome pay Some said I found in Scotland fauour then I graunt my pomp was more than reason would Yet on my band I sent home sundry men That els had pynd in prison pincht with cold To French and scots so faire a tale I told That they beleeud white chalke and chéese was one And it was pearle that proud but pible stone In Lawther fort I clapt my selfe by sleight So sled from soes and home to friends I past The French in hast beséegd that fortresse streight Then was I like to light in fetters fast But loe a peace broke vp the seege at last When weary warres and wicked bloudshed great Made both the sides to seeke a quiet seat From thence I came to England as I might And after that to Irland I did saile Where Sellenger a wise and Noble Knight Gaue me such place as was to mine auaile Then teasters walkt as thich as doth the hayle About the world for loe from thence I bore For seruice done of money right good store Home came I thoâ— and so to France did fare When that their King wan Meatts through fatchis fine So on the stocke I spent al voide of care And what I gate by spoyle I held it mine Than downe I past the pleasaunt floud of Ryen And so I serud in Flanders note thesame Where loe at first my hap fell out of frame For I was clapt in prison without cause And streightly held for comming out of France But God did worke through iustice of the cause And helpe of friends to me a better chaunce And still I hopte the warres would me aduance So trayld the pike and world began a newe And lookt like hauke that lately came from mue Three yéere at least I saw the Emprours warres Then homeward drewe as was my wonted trade Where Sun and Moone and al the seuen starres Stode on my side and me great welcome made But whether fayre and flowres full soone wil fade So peoples loue is like new besomes oft That swéepes all cleane whiles brome is greene and soft Well once againe to warres I drew me fast And with Lord Gray at Giens I did remaine Where he or his in any seruice past I followed on amyd the warlike traine And sometime felt my part of woe and paine As others did that Canon wel could like And pleasure tooke in trayling of the pike At length the French did Giens beséege ye wot And little helpe or succour found we thoe By which foule want it was my heauy lot To Paris streight with good Lord Gray to goe As prisoners both the world to wel doth knoe By tract of time and wonders charge indéede He homeward went and tooke his leaue with spéede But post alone I stoode alacke the while And country cleane forgot me this is true And I might liue in sorrow and exile And pine away for any thing I knewe As I had bakt indéede so might I brue Not one at home did seeke my griefe to heale Thus was I cleane cut of from common wealâ— Yet loe a shift to skape away I found When to my faith my taker gaue no trust I did deuise in writing to be bound To come againe the time was set full iust But to returne forsoth I had no lust Since faith could get no credit at his hand I sent him word to come and sâ—e my band He came himselfe to court as I did heare And told his tale as finely as he might At Ragland then was I in Monmouth shiere Yet when in court this matter came to light My friends did say that I had done him right A Souldier ought vpon his faith to go Which I had kept if he had sent me so Well yet my mind could neuer rest at home My shoes were made of running leather sure And borne I was about the world to rome To sée the warres and kéepe my hand in vre The French ye knowe did Englishmen procure To come to Leeth at seege whereof I was Till French did seeke in ships away to passe A little breath I toke then after this And shapte my selfe about the Court to be And euery day as right and reason is To serue the Prince in Court I settled me Some friends I found as friends doe goe you sée That gaue me words as swéete as hony still Yet let me liue by head and cunning skill I crucht I kneeld and many a cap could vayle And watched late and early rose at morne And with the throng I followed hard at tayle As braue as bull or shéepe but newly shorne The gladest man that euer yet was borne To wayt and stare among the states full hye Who feedes the poore with many a friendly eye But who can liue with goodly lookes alone Or merry words that sounds like tabers pype Say what they will they loue to keepe their owne And part with nought that commeth in their gripe You shall haue Nuts they say when ploms are ripe Thus all with shalls or shalles ye shal be fed And gape for gold and want both Gold and lead The proof thereof made me to séeke far hence To Anwerp then I trudged on the spleene And all in hast to get some spending pence To serue my turne in seruice of the Quéene But God he knowes my gaine was smal I wéene For though I did my credit still encrease I got no wealth by warres ne yet by peace Yet harke and note I pray you if you please In Anwerp towne what Fortune me befel My chance was such when I had past the seas And taken land and thereon rested wel The people iard and range a larum bel So that in armes the towne was euery where And few or none of life stood certaine there A Noble Prince I saw amid that broyle To whome I went and sware his part to take The commons came al set on rage and spoyle And gaue me charge to kéepe my wits awake The Prince for loue of King and countries sake Bad me doe wel and shed no guyltles bloud And saue from spoyle poore people and their good I gaue
to come The skréeking Owle in silent night at window clapt his winges To threaten death or badde successe of sundry doubtful thinges No ioyfull sound was heard with eare no newes of happy yeares No pleasure to the pinched heart in prison strong appeares Admit the Lute with touch of hand a heauy dumpe doth shoe A cooling comfort Musicke brings to wretches wrapt in woe No mirth with mourning moue may matche for mischiefe measure lacks And care consumes the minde of man as fire melts Uirgin Waxe In silly Sell and seuerall place these two estates did sit Whose comming out did far surmount the compasse of our wit As long they spent their tickle time in teene and terrour great So oft God wot of matters harde in head did hammers beat Now hoping that the clouds would calm and storms would stand at stay Then looking when the Planets turnd their course another way But shaken ships in Seas doe sincke when surges rise aloft And vnder waues for want of aide weake vessels welter oft So that no hope of succour seemes to come when tempests rage Except the gods draw back the plagues and winde and weather swage The present panges and parlous thoughts that pearceth troubled minds Is knowne to none but such I say that lacke of fréedome findes A prisner beares a simple port most glad to please and ply As subiect to the kéepers becke and iellouse Gailors eye Now tracing out a weary walke now whisht and quiet stands Now down on knées now to the clouds lookes vp with stretched hands Now listning after happy neweâ— now nipt with sorrowes old Now sore abasht and brought in muse now merry stout and bold Now ripe and ready for to speake now dombe and dare not store Now fearfull of each sodaine sound and clap of euery dore Now bent to beare and suffer wrong now full reposde on right Now faine to fawne on féeble folke now setting all thinges light These passions still awakes their spryets that carefull captiues are Such smart they tast such bread they bite that feedes on loaues of carâ— Yea some are serude with change of meats yet touch they neare a dishe But sits like Tantalus in Hell and wants that most they wishe These twaine I troe were not so vsde but yet when best they sped On heauie morfâ—els mixte with mone their hungrie stomackes fed No day stoode free from Fortunes foyle no houre but nourisht feare No season serude to salue the sores of soking sorrowes there No drinke could coole the furie hote of thraldomes thirstie throte No pleasant verie nor dittie framde to dolors dolfull note No booke nor story might reuiue their drowping dead delite For through the thoughts of thirled hartes are pleasures banisht quite To slowth to sléepe and mirthlesse moodes their dompish daies enclinde As from the clue of worldly cares should threde of life vntwinde Dispiesd the night abhord the daye and hated houre of birth Thought scorne of foode and cleane forsooke the pleasures of the earth Would faine haue lost both speach breath and looke when hearts would burst Beleude they were in mothers wombe or else in cradell curst Though drousie dreed did death desire and griefe sought quicke dispatch There was no parting from the place till day discharge the watch Wee cannot pay our borrowed breath before thâ—appoynted houre The end of strife nor staie of state stands not in peoples power The God that guides the heauens high in secret doth beholde The fine and fléeting féeble course of earth and massie molde The heart may heaue the breast may blâ—e the bodie sigh and swelt The face by open sinnes may show of priuy paâ—hons felt But all the stormes haue little force to rid mans wretched dayes As by these 〈◊〉 playne I prooue through torments sundrie waies Well those from whom the Gods restraine the scope and vse of will Must bend the backe and bow the ioyntes to beare the burthen still And yet no toyle nor griefe so great but findes at length some ease There follows after swelling floodes a quiet calmie seas By meane of sute and labours long and gracious Prince indeede A swéeter soyle these Prisoners sound that better blood did breed But kept apart as Fortune shapt and so in silent shade As place and time did licence graunt a fresh complaint they made Of crooked chaunce and straunge extremes that soâ—dred faythfull hartes Whose sugred loue was euer mixt with baâ—e and bitter smartes And neuer after like to méete nor set no eye nor vewe The one vppon the other Lord a matter much to rew Long in the broyle of this conflict and battle of the mind They past their time with bare beléefe of better happ behind And wearing out with wailings long their weary liues God wot And finding hauen chooked vp where passage should be got At ankor vnder watch and ward in tossed Barke they laye From whence there was no quiet meanes nor hope to scape awaie The Lady now for last farewell betooke her selfe to teares And of dispaire in pearsed brest a double portion beares Her hollow chéekes and daseled eyes declarde her death was néere And bad her kéepers to prepare both shrowding shéete and Beere For nature did denie her life her hart was taynted so That cankred thought should come ful soone and make an ende of woe Her colour changde her chéerfull lookes and countenaunce wanted spréete To â—allow ashes turnde the hue of beauties blossomes sweete And drery dulnesse had bespred the wearish bodie throw Ech vitall vaine did flat refuse to doe their dutie now The blood forsooke the wonted course and backward ganne retire And left the limmes as cold and swarâ—e as coles that wastes with fire The moysture taken from the trée the leaues droppe downe apace When sap dries vp and fayles the roote the braunches loose their grace Some bowes you see doe florish fayre and groes a goodly height And some by frost and cold ayre nipt and so are blasted streight As euery fruite and flowre in fielde to yéelde to sodaine claps So all that breathes with liuing soule are subiect to mishaps How should this dame desire to liue that hourely wore awaye Who would not shed some teares to sée this tender twig decay What stonie hart could suffer more and beare with euen hand The wearie wight of worldly woes and whiske or whipping wand And when she saw her hourâ— approche and death his dutie crauâ— And shee amid her chiefest prime must goe to gréedie graue Shée tooke of World a noble leaue and calling for a friend Who liueth yet and can report how she did make an end Shee sayd with loude and comely voyce O world I thee forsake I haue béene here a Pilgrime long and now my leaue I take Of all thy pompe and pleasures vaine that makes my sences blinde Whose glorie doth beginne with payne and ends with griefe of minde In dungeon déepe of dayntie thoughtes thou holdest euerie wight And féedes their foolish fancie still