If thou desyrest any man with woordes for to delight Of him and eke of all his thinges doe prayses thou resight And if he euer any acte performed woorthy prayes Commende it much for wisemen now and fooles at all assayes Would praysed be somtime agayne with sweet and pleasant stile Delight that tentiue eares of theirs prouokyng them to smile Or tellyng of some pleasant tale though new or olde it be If it be woorth declaryng tell some woorthy history If thou perceiuest any thyng that doth his minde delight In any case disprayse it not but say the crow is white And if thy conscience be so straight thou darst not say so much Then hold thy tong saye neuer a woord for now the time is such That wysdome great it is to fayne as true the people say He cannot liue that knowes not how with both his handes so play Sometime beleeue me now it hurtes the truthe for to defend The place the people and the time in minde doo thou perpend That nought thee hurte But some there be that rather loue to prayse A man behinde his backe and take the same for better wayes They doo but wel suche kynde of prayse more thanke deserueth sure Unfayned eke and vnsuspect â–ª it seemes to be more pure For some doo vse to cosin men when as they present be True friendes whereby they might be thought â–ª whom when they absent se With bifyng words they laugh to scorn best is it to reiect Such clawyng gestes it is the vse of Gnatoes fawning sect Not few again at least some one such marchant shalt thou finde That all thynges will abroade declare that issued from thy mynde Such praiyng mates tnow there be he speakes much good sayth he And doth commend your maystership of him dispraysde you be In fewe wordes now the truth to say nothing doth more delight All kinde of men than manners good and life lead all vpright Of greater force than riches this or learning eke it semes Though euyll men be learnde or riche yet no man them estemes Nothing more odious is than vice but if thou honest be And good al men shal thee embrace at least I think none thee Wyll hate A sentence olde it is that maners lyke in all And study like is it they say that loue is fedde wythall So merry it is when knaues be mette so learnd wyth learnd remayne So haunt al kinde of beastes their herd I speake not this agayne For how can they be ioynd in loue whose mindes contrary bee When one thing for to wyll and hate frendes vse it is we see Loue lastes not longe in wicked men fooles frendship lastes not long For priuate wealth that yll men seke by right and â—ke by wrong And cruell luste to harme and hurt that yll men all possesse With pryde and wrath togither both the frendes of folyshnesse Makes fuming humors rage abrode and ioynes them by the eaâ—es That onely loue endureth long whose roote dame vertue beates Which honesty engendred hath this onely knittes the hartes Of godly â—ke and faithfull men with loue that neuer partes And more it is to be estemde Than is the loue of kinde By which the father loues the sonne and eke with louing minde â—â—he other kâ—â—smen doe imbrace for children eâ—â—yn hate Their parentes deare and fathers eâ—â— haue grudgd the childes estate The brother hath bene sene er this to worke the brothers wylâ— But neuer true Dresses yet did Pylades beguile Nor Pylades Dreâ—â— to ayde did death esteme there while But here it comes in question if by any meanes we can Procure the loue of euerychone the good and euill man For lone in many partes disperstâ— is weaker euery howre In fewe of greater force it is in two of greatest powre Denided thus in many parteâ— it vanisheth away Who byddes secke not to many mates doe therefore truely saye For harde it is to line among so great a companye With them as it doth frendes become eke conuersant to be For fyxed fayth denyes her selfe with many for to dwell With fewe her selfe the doth content wherfore beleue thou well Thou shalt not many faithfull finde loue not in any wyse The common sort nor seeke their loue for discorde thence doth ryse And pleasant peace with fewe remains the common prease forsake Of pressing men with troubles they their troublous name doe take A fewe and good choose thou thy selfe with whom to leade thy lyfe By many yeares in safe thou maiste and also voide of strife Lyke as therefore thou canst not loue so many feruently So canst thou not of such a sort be loued faithfully For who so loueth not for troth is worthy of no loue A ciuill common loue there is wherewith it doth behoue The common sorte to loue with which eche good and euill man We ought assuredly to loue which is perfourmed than When as we no mans hurt procure by wordes or else by actes When as we leade our lyfe that none may well controll our factes When we to all men curteyse be and eke with frendly fare Doe them salute with honours dewe and praysing them â—â—brace But yet at fyrst it doth â—ehoue with fewe to leade thy life If thou dostâ— seeke 〈◊〉 peace to liue and 〈◊〉 from foolishe 〈…〉 Them 〈◊〉 shun whom â—â—â—ght thou knowes it can not be perdye That we in thornes and thistles treade and scape 〈◊〉 thereby Nor care thou not a whyt if that the wicked loue not thee Thinke it ynough if he not hate ne shalt thou hated bee If thou from them doe stande aloofe such hurâ—eth not the snake But if sometime it doth thee please the company to take Of tag and rag and neighbor John let tongue in silence dwell And take good herde what thing y u saist and alwaâ—es haâ—ken well And seldome speake iâ— is the signe of one whose head is lyght So much to praâ—e be efâ— oâ—â—â—ndes that so â—oth wordes resight But such as rare and wysely speake desâ—â—ue the chiefest praise And in the pruâ—â—â—t mouth it is a goodly gift alwayes Speake yll of none behinde their baâ—ke ne yet before their face Let thys the chiefest warning bee and â—ule of chiefâ—st place Nor prâ—â—e not thou to no intent nor ydle wordes let â—all For then shall eche man laugh at thee and eke a foole thee call If thou shalt aunswere any man or if thou question finde Before thou speakest in any case recorde it in thy minde For when it once is â—â—edde from thee thou canst it not retaine The worde that once is flowne abrode can not come home againe A goodly thing also it is in talke to tell sometime The pithy sense of aged lawes and auncient poets â—â—me â–ª And now and then examples sounde â–ª in worthy stories olde Do giue the talke a greater grace if they â—lude so tolde Alwayes therfore it nedefull is on diuers bookes to reede And as the Bees now there now here on sondry floures to feede Expell thou
might know O that from heauens hye shee would descend the earth belowe And me with pleasaunt words instruct as erst I did her heare A valley long there lay betwene two hils that bounded neare A narrow path there was that shewes the trauayling wight his way This path I toke and straight I saw two shepheardes there that lay In grasse full grene agaynst the banke who bagges and bottels downe with crab tre staues wher w t they walkd desirous of renowne Began to striue who best could sing but iudge they lacked than Whose sentence shuld the strife appease and prayse the siner man As sone as they me present spyde they both me calde vnto And wild me for to syt them by and iudge who best could do Then one of them when that he had wyth oten musicke played His staring eyes on heauen cast and on thys sort he sayd O floure fayre of Dardany of Joue beloued o childe That seruest the gods wyth frothing cup of pleasaunt Nectar milde Come downe from hie now froÌ„ y e Skies a fayrer far than thee In earth remayns that vnto Joue cupbearer now shall be Him Jupiter despising thee shall take from hence and place Among the starres from enuy burst O thou in wretched case Yeld vp for griefe thy wofull goste but rather not departe Thou shalt wyth wines the Gods salnte and I enioy my harte Philetus deare wythout whose sight no kinde of thing is swete To me no not my life to haue wythout his presence mete As oft as him on horsbacke swift the Gote or Hart to chace The Fayries spie wyth loue they burnt and wysh that louely face Wyth thousand kisses for to mete as many giftes wythall And floured garlands trim him giue contending best who shall And apples fayre in baskets bring and grapes of pleasannt tast O that neglecting to be pleasd in him were not so plast O that this liuelie Impe would shewe himself alwayes at hand To ease the wretched louers griefe then hapiest should I stand No man in all the world my mate but he doth cleane despise My plaints and faithful louers sutes and hates my dolefull cries And as the shaft from bowe departes so from me fast he flies But flye not from me thus nor hate me so Philetus deare I am no cruell Canniball wherby thou shouldest me feare But worthy to be loued I am perchaunce if thou me knowe For though vpon my body rough the hoary haires they growe And though from chin with locks vnkeÌ„pt my griesly beard doth fall I am not yet yll fauoured sure for beard and bristels all Be decent eke and mete they be for fyghting folkes and strong Let maydly men haue tender skinnes the sheapheardes all among In richesse none doth me excell of beast I lacke no store A thousand kine my pasture feedes of swine full fyfty score Amongst my groue of Okes they runne my kine wyth calues do sway My lusty gotes wyth kid they swell ne want I whigge nor whay Fresh cheese and olde inough I haue take what thou likest away All mine is thine and I thine owne though cruel thou denny If thou me louedst and wouldst thy selfe somtyme come sit me by I would thee pleasaunt apples get that hangs on braunches hie wyth golden sydes like yellow waxe and red as strawberies die I would thy lap wyth fylberts fyll and nuts of diuers kinde How oft how oft mine armes should I about thy myddle winde Two thousand kisses would I giue those rosey lippes of thine Dout not swete boy but walk with me by cleared spring so fine we both wyll rest and gratefull sleepe wyth hausing armes wyll take Alurde wyth shade of hushing trees and noyse that riuers make while Greshops in the heat do chirp alas and dost thou now Despise both me and all my giftes that here to thee I vow Do not my wofull teares thee moue nor all that I can say More fiercer far than Tiger stout whose whelp is tane away More deafe than pictures made of Parus Marble stone And harder eke than are agayne the mountaynes euery chone Of Alpes hie and Diamond strong what doth thy beauty good If all men so thou dost despise wyth fierce and cruell moode And slayest the soules of woful wightes whose heartes thine owne be tride Thus wise her selfe in floures fayre the dreadfull Snake doth hide And thus wyth poyson hony myxt lay downe dis 〈…〉 asyde A monster vile and vnto God is auncient e 〈…〉 y pryde Nor be not thou wyth grace begilde or forme of fading hewe For beauty lasts but little time like flower fresh and newe Full fayre at fyrst is gone in tyme while flouring age doth last while tender skinne in face doth shine let not in vayne be past Such happy tymes but vse the giftes now graunted vnto thee While tyme doth serue for euery thing by vse commended be The tyme shall come when this thy chin wyth bristled beard beset Shall vggly seeme and eke thy face shall riueled wrinkles fret And when thy golden lockes shal tourne to ghastly gresild heares To late then shalt thou fodle bewayle the losse of youthfull yeares And oft thy selfe shalt say where is my beauty olde now gone Where is my colour fresh become both red and white in one Uayne hope alas of this thy face then shalt thou sore lament Thy chaunged cheekes and face so foule thy selfe when represent Thou shalt thy glasse perceyue but why thus waste I winde in vayne What meane I thus in barren soyle to let my seedes remayne Unhappy wretch in vayne I toyle my destnies will me so O cruell destenies that now so sore agaynst me go And chiefly now when wretched loue hath pearst my wofull hart Of greater force is lucke in loue than all the swelling part Of richesse great or noble bloud to destnies vertue â—hrall By luck in loue the prince despisde and John obtaines the ball But though more fiercer thou remainst than fearfull raging drake Or doste my loue no more esteme than weedes in fenny lake Yet thee sweete hart I serue and thee for euer shall I loue And nothing shall thee from my minde Philetus deare remoue This sayd he held his peace and thus this other gan to say Mellina passing floure of wheat and whiter farre away Than frothing fome of raging seas or Allablastar stone And boyled milke more red than are the Cherries euery one When ripe they hang or Mulbry frute while yet no blacke they weare More fayre than trees in time of spring when braunches blossomes beare More sweete than are the withred figges or wines that new be made Such lippes such brest or eyes I thinke dame Uenus neuer had What should I here commend her thies or places there that lie Such partes in practise put than speake with better will would I. Not onely here of mortall men her prayse Mellina gaynes But Gods her loue I saw my selfe a Satire take the paynes To hunt her once and when he
destnye cause not payne Whose dartes the man that neuer felt doth senslesse styll remayne What beast might euer yet be found that felt not Cupides flame All creatures vile and base we see haue tasted of the same God willing so Wherfore who seekes this loue a thing deuine He seekes for if the king and Lorde of all the world should not All things created here retaine in loues assured knot The world should straight be at an end and the elements decay That eche man loues he keepes and it defendeth eke alway But no man seekes the thing to kepe that he sets nothing by Wherfore the order of all things shall last continually For euerlasting is the loue of God that all doth guide Though all things made do fal and fade the kindes yet neuer stide For those the blessed God doth loue but not the bodies so Wherof the cruell death hath power for no man suffreth tho The thing he loues to perishe quite if he can it defende But who denies God all thing can and he can them defende But be the bodies doth not loue wherefore he lettes them die But not the kindes he so permits from their estate to 〈◊〉 What doth the potter care if thys or that hys pot be burst Turning the wheele and chalke in hand despiseth now the first A newer sort of them he makes now ouer all this same The skye the grounde the seas and aire and raging fiers flame And eke in fine the worlde it selfe by loues enduring knot So many yeares doth stande and last for if thys loue were not The elaments altogither would with bursten bondes go fyght Nor downe to earth the Heauens would shewe forth theyr blissefull light And beames so warme no seede shoulde growe and eke the fiery flame This aire his neighbor would coÌ„sume he would but out of frame His shoures on earth y t aire put downe full bare would seeme eche soile The seas should quench the 〈…〉 er quite or rather fyre boyle And waste away the fyshy seas As once when Phaeton rulde not wel the fyry foming beasts I dreading sore the monsters hie his owne good fathers heastes Beleeuing not vnhappy wretch was drownd in his desyre Then al the world therewith began to burne with blasing fyre Tyll he by force of lightning smytte came tumbling headlong downe And in the flouds his flames did quench Loue breedes in euery towne Assured peace peace worthiest is of al things here we see In time of peace do al things growe and al things liuely be Then liue men safe in safety â—ke the trauayling wight he stands And takes his iourney voyd of harme and scapes the robbers handes Then buzzing Bees in hiues be kept by good aduise and care And beastes in pastures fat are fed the ground is torne wyth share And yeldeth farre encrease in tyme then plenty beares the sway In bread and mylke and noppy drinke then euery where they play The sounding shaume doth theÌ„ prouoke to daunce the Thiase round But idiotes none do enuy peace and couet Martiall ground Such times did flow when Saturn ruld his Empire here alone O worthy age more worth than Gold but now O griefe to mone All things doth discorde vile disturbe wyth raged mocion mad And filles and feareth euery place wyth broyling tumult sad Nowe fierce we forced are to be all lawes wyth sworde to slake The furies al of hel they swarme a thousand brondes they shake A thousand snakes wythal and moue the proud hie minded Kings And common people mad to be what good to you it brings O wretches mad your death to haste wyth battes and bylbowe blade To late when as she neuer commes but mischefe this hath made That plaguy pride and hunger mad dominion for to haue O dust what makes thee proud to be whose stinking guttes in graue The filthy wormes anone shall teare why sekest thou for golde Thinkste thou for euer here to lyue O wretch O wretch bi hold How vaine how short how fleeteth sone dur life before thine eyes A graue anone shall close contayne thy bones and shall sufficâ— And if so be that loue should knitte the heartes of men in one This would not be for euery man his frend would tend vpon And all men for their partes would ayde the frend that they holde deare Assuredly nothing more good nor sweater doth appeare Than truly while we here do liue of many loued to be A safe defence are alwayes frends agaynst aduersity The mind in deubtful things they ease and helpers seke to be Thy cares and losse they lighten much they wepe and wayle wyth thee But seldome perisheth the man that thus is rich in friendes When fortune laughes vpon thy lucke and happy chaunce thee sendes Wyth thee thy profyts they embrace wyth thee they ioyful bee Wyth frendship they thy haps increase and feast in mirth wyth thee Who list therefore to leade his life in safety and in ioy Great store of frends for to retayne let him his care employ By many meanes this thing is got which as I can I shall Declare but now to know is nedefull fyrst of all Which loue the people call of minde a motion for to be For wel to wyl it is the same that men call loue we see The mind alwayes it selfe desyres the good thing for to proue And seekes the euill for to shunne these 〈◊〉 alone her moue These two therfore the causes be and loues assured ground But good in three deuided is wherof one parte is found Delighting for to be the other honest eke appeares The third vtilitie So likewise yll in three we parte fyrst hurtfull we esteme The second vile deformed is the third doth greuous seme Who so that loues refusing these or else desiring those He loues loue diuers is like as the spring from whence it flowes Not worthy praysed like to be nor worthy like disprayse Nor only differ three foresayd in generall kinde alwayes But diuers speciall kindes himself doth eche of these contayne Which kindes when as they diuers be make diuers loues agayne What so euer aydes that profit is but is not yet as one Much goods vpon the body wayght and much the soule vpon Strength beauty health actiuity these foure the body oweth These things whatsoeuer creature giues from them the profit floweth Two goods agayne the soule contaynes as maners milde and Arte Like as the soule hath vertues two the will to whome the parte Of maners all belong and minde to whome the truth to know It proper is and from the mind like diuers goods do flow The learnings nine this minde adourn which Poets Muses call Equivalent to circles nine that roule aboue vs all The wyll doth diuers goods possesse of which these foure excell Wit iustice eke and vertue strong that conquers troubles fell With her that bridleth eke our mindes and modesty doth bring From these as from the fountayne first do al the other spring Which whosoeuer seekes to know
more to get Than iust deserts y e law a brybing craft for golde a fyshing nette Eche kinde of handy craft corrupt by guile of workmens wyll The theefe to fee the Inkeper his gests thereby to kyll Besydes I many might beholde enricht by theft and guyle Though naughty beastes more meeter far to weare a rope a whyle Yet praysde to be and worshipped and feared very much The vnworthy placde in regal seate and honours dealt to such As haue but only shape of men Besyde religion fled By conetousnesse and Priests bent al to foode and Harlots bed And vnder cloke of holinesse seke priuily to gayne And pick the common peoples purse by meanes of wyly trayne While as they open heauen wyde and barre the hellish way And while they bost that they can soules where as they list conuay And wyth their Portas force the saincts to do as they are bent By this occasion left I al and from the townes I wene Accoumpting it more safe for me to liue in desert place And in this hyll to runne the rest of al my ranging race This hil whereas the altare stands of Syluester the saint Where as the Shrine and monuments of him his prayses paynt Which place though it seme rough and rude not meere to dwel vpon Yet fitte it is for saincts and such as liue in peace alone And wholly do apply their mindes the Lord to feare and loue And alwayes seeke to ioyne themselues with saincts in Skies aboue But hard perchaunce it seemes to thee and straunge it doth appere That I can liue in desert such and stony places here Where seldome any man doth come where wanting seemes to be Most things that should sustaine the life of man at libertie Yet is it not so hard in deede nor straunge it seemeth than If that the holy Ghost enspire the heart of any man Descending downe from heauens hye of God the sacred sprighte That purifies the heart from sinne and rayseth soules to light That ouerwhelmde in flesh do lye as Mercury sublimde By force of fyer is and takes a colour white ful finde This holy sprite adournes the minde and heart doth vpward moue This cutts away the worldly cares and breadeth heauenly loue Wherwith the minde inflamed once all things doth easye seeme Though neuer so sore for he that loues doth labour light esteeme Especially if any hope there be rewarde to holde For hope loue are two stroÌ„g pricks that makes vs alway bolde And not to care for any toyle wherfore continually Our daily prayers must wee make to hym that guides the skye That so thys holy sprite vouchsafe into our heartes to fall That he may plant a Godly hope and Godly loue withall Wherwith y e minde inspirde may mouÌ„t aboue the starry skye Despising much the world and ioyes that vaine doe please the eye And striue to ioyne it selfe to God with all the force and might No maruell then it is all if ayded of this sprite I here can dwell and leade a lyfe full harde so paciently Upon this stiepe and desert rocke and stony mountaine hye Yet neuer lackt I meate nor clothes vpon this loftye spyre As much as nature doth content not wanton fonde desyre A little thing doth nature serue a small thing doth content Such one as loues none ouerplus a man to vertue bent That rather seekes celestiall lyfe than fleshly fading dayes For lyfe least thou be ignorant is double in hir wayes One wherwithall the bodye lyues still followed and pursude Is thys of all the route of fooles and common people rude The people fonde that nothing knowe of any worthinesse But stouthful beasts do make their God of filthy fonde excesse This lyfe is proper vnto beastes of wilde and sauage kinde The other vnto God aboue and men of godly minde That for their great and worthy deedes doe well deserue the name Of perfect men and holly sainctes of euerlasting fame But such hye minded vertuous Impes the earth doth seldome broode The earth a mother to the naught and stepdame to the good Agui se falta vn Renglon por ligereza But now bicause I see thee bent to giue attentâ—uâ— eare Some things of this celestiall lyfe I will declare thee here Which ought well vnderstoode to please the minde of any wight Fyrst man consystes not only of fleshe but also of the spright This giueth lyfe to them that line by this we feele and moue This giues vs mind y e worthyest thing by which men wondrous proue But many doubt if that the soule doe liue the body dead Or whether it doe finishe â—o when as the lyfe is stedde Assaredly the worser sort that to the fleshe doe cleaue And bent to vice despising God doe wishe and eke beleue The soule to haue a dying day â—icause alas they feare The cruell forments for the sinnes that they committed here And therefore will alowe no hell nor Diuels for to be And so they doe persuade themselues to scape with mischiefe free An other better sort of men that synfull lyfe doe hate Prouoked with the Godly loue of vertues goodly â—iate Doe thinke the soule doth alwayes lyue and not to dye with graue Bicause they hope a glorious Crowne for their good workes to haue And make accompt of perfect blisse when death hath shot hys dart And of a better promisde lyfe for to enioy their part Of these two sortes who iudgeth best â–ª who is but the iust For euermore in doubtfull things the opinion must we trust That pleaseth best the better sort and that which follow most Such men as vertuous be and such as haue the holy Ghost More safe it is to cleaue vnto the vertuous and the iust Than fansyes of the wycked men to credite or to trust Ne must we note their number great that any thing haue sayde But in what sort they leade theyr lyfe must well of vs â—e wayde Wherefore it better is with fewe of vertuous sort to say That soules doe lyue continually and haue no dying day Than with a number of the lewde against it to replye Contending that there are no spriâ—â—s and that the soule doth dye But more bâ—cause thou shalt beleue I will declare to thee By reason good the state of soule immortall for to bee For if that God in better things doth cunning still expresse As wysedome telles and as the good and vertuous must confesse Then doubtlesse must we iudge he gauâ— the soules no time to dye Since better farre it is for them to liue continuallye Than with the fleshe to be extinct and feele a full decaye Which thus I proue if death doe take from vs the soule away If that we haue no other lyfe but in thys body here Then God may be accounted ill and shall vniust appere For thousandes euery day we seâ— that florishe prosproustye In richesse substance and renoume in raignes and Empyres hye Yet ydle lubbers vnlearnde naughâ— that synne at liberâ—ye And runne
let him go tosse the boke Of Stagerite or if he liste in Platoes workes go loke Which two are lightes to all the world whatsoeuer then it be Such like to vs that giues that terme may profitable we As to the body medcine is and eke the phisick leach And to the minde the boke likewyse is mayster that doth teach But those that profiteth the soule more profitable be And better eke bycause it is of greater dignity As is the mayster than the man the shipman than the ship Than is the cart is he that holdes the clashing carters whip But by delay or out of hand doth profit vs eche thing As to the hungred man the golde and he that golde doth bring The coke and eke the fode it selfe the like I do declare Of pleasing goods in diuers partes deuided is their share Of which the body some do please and some the soule delight But yet the pleasures of the soule he alwayes more of might And common eke to Gods and vs whereas the bodies ioy As graunted vnto brutish beastes to them a proper roy Not lawfull vnto them it is wyth ioyes of soule to mell Nor haue they all the senses fiue and only knowe they well What tast and sense of featling meanes they musick nought esteme No swete perfumes wyth princely smel to them doth pleasant seme Regard they ought the paynted lines of fine Appelles hand Or muse they on the brasen plate of comly Corinthes land Or wonder they the sight to see of shooting Circus game If ought they smel if tune or syght them please it is the same That â—aste or feeling makes as when the Lion fierce doth spye In fieldes by chaunce a cowe he leapes and liftes his maine on hye And twines and twirls his twisting tast desrous of his pray Or when the fomey horse beholdes the gadding mare astray Wyth hauty head vpheld he runnes and here and there he kickes And leapeth hedge and ditch abrode while lusty guts him prickes And causeth all the skies aboue wyth hineying noyse to shrike When meat therfore and gendring act the beastes do chiefest like And syth to them it proper is it is therfore most vile And fit for villaynes to possesse fyne wyt it doth erile To often vsde it body hurtes who therfore this obayes Is made a foole and for to serue is apter eke alwayes Than ouer others for to rule but vse them moderately And if thou minded art to know the goods of honesty Remember what before I sayd for of the minde they bee The maners milde and learning eke as I declard to thee But giue good eare what I shal say those goods that do delight While as they last do pleasant seme and after of no might Example for beholde the ioyes of song and Uenus play But that that brings the body good that profits men do say The goods therof be pleasant eke as health obtaynde doth please So profits it agayne we see that healeth eche disease And that that causeth goods of minde we well may profit name But these as sone as they be got then pleasant are the same And honest out of hand they be for all that vertue brings Doth profit much and delt her selfe aboue all other things She pleaseth most and honest is her iust rewarde and hire Is honour only due to her therfore who doth desire Much loue while he here liues to haue let eyther him deuise To please or profyt them he loues or else in any wyse Let him haue vertues good in store the which the dogged sort Shal force and eke constrayne to gyue a prayse and good report Whome though they hate yet shall they feare and fyrst of all he must Of those whome he doth seke to please marke all the manners iust For all mens wylles do not agree nor all their studies one Such seedes vnlike dame nature sowes engendring vs vpon The one doth hate that thother loues that one doth most disprayse The other lifts aboue the Skies wherof appeares alwayes That eche loue al things not a like nor al men do desyre One good that profits like to haue nor honest like requyre Wherfore we fyrst of all must learne what pleaseth best his brayne To whome we seke lest else perchaunce we laboure all in vayne In doing things of them vnliked this is not hard to knowe The talke assuredly declares the deedes from them that flowe And hidden heart al men talke most of that they most do loue And most attentiue are therto ful many things that proue His loue at home may eft be spied the plowman holdes at home The plow the goade the yoke the rake the spade to temper lome The Knight his fearful armour hath that hangs at home full bie So he whose house wyth bokes abounds a student rightfully May demed be and this I say of euery other man The hand and tong declares the heart such things as pleaseth than Who seketh frendes let him perfourme for fawning loue doth get But most men yet do gape for gayne and all mens hearts are set On gold and giftes and many frendes by gyftes obtayned be But sure such loue endureth not for when that gayne doth flee Then fayleth frendship chiefly then when hope to haue is gone But some there be though few of them that styll remayne as one And mindfull eke of frendship shewed do neuer ceasse to loue But graunt the vnthankfuls frendshyp fayle it doth not yet behoue The good and frendly man to leaue who may as rare be found As Phenix bird in all the world that breedes in Arabs ground To profyt many men and ayde wyth all his power the same This way to heauen only leades by this obtaynd the game Great Hercules and many more whose worthy fames remayne As yet wyth vs whome neuer age can cause to die agayne The gentle and the liberall man is lyke to God aboue Great sortes of men agayne there be delighting things that loue Wherby such men they most esteme that pleasant things do bring And chiefly children youth and such as are of greate liuing Do couet ioyes and pleasures seke but such loue is not true For when that pleasure once is gone then frendships eke adewe Yet sometymes sure it profyts much and many get therby Riches and many fauour get therfore let him apply His mind to please who frendship sekes so he go not astray From bondes of right and honesty but eche man profyt may And pleasure eke two sundry wayes by wordes and dede besyde But safer eke and easier it is such frendship to prouide By wordes than dedes but now t is best for to declare the way By which it may be brought to passe which thing perfourme you may If holsome counsell thou dost giue and warning hurt declare And teach how profyt may be got of euill to beware In praying Gods to send them helth and send them well to fare In askyng gratefull thynges for them in whome consistes thy care
wiues to wed Such kinde of men I can not prayse nor wise I haue them thought For wife wyth dowry helpes thee well where harlots bring thee nought A wife doth bring thee store of frendes where harlots bring thee foes A wife thou shalt in safety haue a hore wyth griefe and woes The one wil trusty styll remayne the other false alway And fearing to be cast at large she stealeth al she may And for hir selfe she heapes vp all hir state for to repaire When thou hast pluckt hir belles away and cast hir vp to aire More if thou kepest a hore thy goods are but in queasy case Of wiues are children lawful got of harlots bastards base To wed therfore it needeful is but fyttest fyrst to see The maydes estate the parents â—ke their manners what they be For oftentimes the children do their parents after take For trees according as they are like frutes are wont to make Aske counsel of hir neighbours close so that she faythfull be And if thou hauÌ„ a woman send hir whole estate to see If she be fayre if she be fowle if she be sore to knowe If she lacke wyt if she can spinne if she can knit or sowe These are the workes for them to vse and vertuous womens deedes For to eschewe all ydlenesse which chiefly vices breedes For ydlenesse the minde corrupts and leades it vnto euil To wanton lust and filthy vice and fansies of the Deuil This ydlenesse doth ouerthrowe and Cities downe doth pul For if that Lucresse had not giuen hir self to workes of wul And if the chaste Penelopey which webs had neuer wrought But both amyd their halles had syt with ydle wanton thought This might haue pleasd perchaÌ„ce amoÌ„g a thousand woers one And of the others Uirgin death should neuer fame haue gone But best it is for thee to viewe these things thy selfe alone For other men among for troth firme fayth remayneth none For al men now wyl faine and lye and truth is quite exilde Few faythful shalt thou find but if thou wilt not be beguilde If thou wouldst al things better proue then make thy selfe a spye And seeke al things thou goest about to see wyth present eye Wherfore I warne thee earnestly take hede that thou her see If that thou canst what one she is to whom thou thinkst to be In mariage ioynde least afterward in vayne thou dost lament And least it doe when tyme is past thee of thy dede repent But if perchaunce as eft it happes thou liuest in wretched case Wyth wicked wyfe deceyude by fate and frowning Junoes grace Fyrst mildly doe such one exhort swete words wyth her frequent And giue her gyfts and all that may her wayward minde content Wyth swete deceyts her ouercome now fast thy armes embrace About her neck and though shee shun cast kysses on hir face With all sweete meanes apease hir yre â–ª if this doe not preuayle Use bytter wordes be angry then and chyde hir fast and rayle Put on thy brasen face and fume and feare hir then with threttes If this doe nought procure and by thy wordes she nothing settes Trye thou the matter then with stripes and softly on the backe With bouncing blowes bebast hir well that all hir bones may cracke If thou suspect thy wife of play then kepe no lusty men Nor fellowes fayre with whom she may be prating now and then Thou art deceaued if thou dost thinke that any kinde of man Wyll faythfull be in Uenus case no men are faithfull than For the reioyseth to beguile by fraude is loue possest And vnto Uenus alwayes fraude a thing is counted best But as a chiefest thing take heede there entre not thy dore No fryer fatte ne lusty Monke nor priest of any lore Eschewe the knaues a greater plague than these can none expresse These are the dregges of euery sort and springes of folishenesse The common synke of mischiefes all and Wolues in felles of sheepe For pence and no deuocion sure to God these wretches creepe And with a colour false of truth they symple soules be guile And vnderneath religious cloke a thousande mischiefes vile A thousande haynous deedes they doe deflouring mayde and wyfe Whore hunters vile and Sodomites the seruaunts all their lyfe Of beastlinesse and belly ioye the things diuine they sell What wonders great inuent they not what dreames doe they not tell The common people to deceiue and to procure againe Hereof doth superstition ryse and thousande fansyes vainâ— Which if the gods be wyse they scorne and do refuse to vewe The Godly man doth worship God wyth earnest loue and trewe And not for gold away wyth gayne thou shalt see them denie All sacred seruice here on earth and God himself on hie TheÌ„selues therfore this flock doth serue and not the saincts aboue And profit causeth Gods to be which if thou once remoue Both temples and their alt are stones shall flat lie on the ground Nor any more amongst them al shall any God be found These iuggling mates and foxes false expell from thee therfore And take good hede that none of them do enter at thy dore Least thou do cry the Cuckees note through fayned vertue such Nor if thou any gossyps hast beleue them not to much For vnder colour of this name the Knaues do many play Take heede besyde that from thy house she often do not stray Nor let her haunt thy neyghbors house it hath bene sene ful oft That whoremasters haue hid theÌ„ selues amyd thy neighbours loft Appoynt her mates for company of chast and honest fame Let mother Bee be put from thence and euery bawdy dame And seeke thou not wyth other whores thy selfe for to relieue Nothing doth cause her more to frowne nor nothing more her grieue For nothing more reuengement seekes than when she is begilde And sees that wyth vnstedfast loue her bed is thus defilde Then all wyth ire she flames and hates then doth she eke begin To work her housband like despite then choller boyles wythin Then rageth shee like Bacchus priest whom to much wine doth prick Beleue me well she is but rare that doth not vse the trick That harlots vse when that she is deceyude of lawfull part At least if she can not in dede yet synnes she in hir heart For will with vice prouoked thus in vice will farther slide But if thou takst hir with the deede let lawes on hir be tride Be not ashamed but let the lawes be reuerencde of thee For they are as a certaine rule by which we guided bee Least thou shouldst giue a greater paine amid thy raging yre Offending God in felowing men than doth the fault require For common people neuer vse the rule of reason sage But are seducde with furies fell like beastes of brainles rage Ne hast thou lost thy liberty by marrying of a wyfe Bicause thou maist not walke y e stretes and leade a ruffians lyfe This can be calde no liberty but rather licence
nought Who so is free doth seeme to serue such is not to be sought It bringes the owner to much harme and not to can doe ill Is better sarre than haue such vice adherent to thy will How many men haue bene destroide by to much liberty How many men in safety liue with bridles dost thou se And if thy children sicknesse vexe why shouldst thou weepe or waile Go seeke in hast to make them whole if that will not preuaile And if that death will haue them needes then vse a pacient minde Thou art not in this case alone but fellowes shalt thou finde The griefe that we with many beare we better may sustaine We all are borne to this intent to render lyfe againe For of our fyrst beginning doth the fatall ende depende And certaine is the time decreed for all away to wende And either sone or latter doth eche man his graue descende To death which is of euils alt the last and finall ende Not of the valiaunt to be fearde what doth it ought auaile The deathes of them with teares y t here haue lost their lyfe to wayle Is it a thing so wretched here to leaue this foolishe life To ryd thereby our mortall corps from all vnquiet strife And for the hurly burly here eternall lyfe to win Perpetuall reast by death we gaine or eke the comming in To lyfe againe but weepe thy fill in time thy teares shall staye And all thy cares and griefe besyde from thee shall time conuaye But if thou wanton children keepe or of a greater shame O father fonde deseruing stripes then thou art most to blame And causer chiefe of all their hurt who taughtst not them to know Both maners good and vertuousneseâ— while tender yeares did grow Not yet with vices foule defaced neglecting thou the minde Diost only bring their bodies vp like beastes of brutishe kinde Hereof so many foolish geese and noughty men remaine With whom eche citie pestred is for all in age retaine The maners that they did receiue when yonger yeares were rife And eche man as he liued in youth so leadeth he his life The tender twigge at first may bowe according to thy minde But when the bowes get elder strength no more thou shalt them winde Nor from the place that yong it helde thou shalt it cause to flye So doth a childe in tender yeares eche way himselfe applye But when that elder age is come looke which way first he went That kepes he still and will not change his first conceiude intent Of custome long is nature bred and yeldes hir force alway To vse that long time hath bene kept yet ought we for to pray To God within the mothers wombe that he may giue good seede For so we shew our selues in lyfe as wee therin doe breede Whosoeuer doth come nought froÌ„ theÌ„ce will seldome vertuous proue Though manners good the schole hym teach and thousande masters moue Well maist thou nature rule sometime but neuer hir expell For she is still of greater force thau all thy guiding well Yet somthing will she altred be with vse and daily toyle So with continuall husbanding doth beare the barren soyle So Lions fierce of mighty force obey to man as king So by continuall exercise eche Arte in time doth spring Wherefore instruct thy children well while tender yeares doe grow And teach them honest wayes to walke and vertuous lyfe to know Permit them not to rampe abrode according to their will Than liberty no kinde of thing for children is more ill If thou be wyse holde fast thy raynes and warely well them guide For mortall things by naturra force are moude in vice to slide And willingly thereto they run if helpe no labour bring For without Arte is nature wone to giue no perfect thing For God himselfe will not permit that we with slouthfulnesse Should heauy ware but stirres vs vp with cares and busynesse And as with spurres the slothfull pricks a pleasaunt place ther lies That ryseth vp with craggey rocke amid the steamy skies Full of delight than which more bleft a place can not be founde To whom the sweete Elysius fields and Temp of Thessale grounde Doth place resigne here nigh the pole and night the starres that shine Dame vertue dwels and there enioyes a thousande pleasures fyne But vengeance crabbed is the pathes â—oth narrow and vnplaine And so be grown wyth thickes of thorne that neuer can attaine The vile and slouthfull minde to passe of earthly cares possest And few pure minde a loft doth bring whom God hath chose as blest Aboue to dwell amid the skyes full crabbed is the way To vertue sure but plaine to vice by which we sone doe stray To which we all runne easely who therefore doth intende To trade a childe in vertuousnesse must labour him to mende For without labour nothing good can well perfourmed bee The force of daily labour doth all things dispatch we see First ought you fathers to take heede aboue all other things Your children haunt no ill resort for custome alwayes brings Eche kinde of manners vnto men yea though they sainctes should be Ill company will them corrupt but chiefely let them flie From haunt of lustye youthfull brutes for youth is alwayes bent Lo vices all and filthy be all filthy talke innent For wholly is this age advicse to naughty ryots deede That they vse not the haunt therefore of yong men take good heede Thou that intendest for to kepe a childe in vertuousnesse Now vse to chide and now the rod and plaine the way expresse By which they may their feete direct in no wyse fauour showe And euer angry let them not the loue of Fathers know For nothing can more hurtful be than speake them faire vnto Then greater heart in vice they take then all things dare they doe When thou for truthe shalte take theyr wordes and makst of them to much Bewitched sore with doting loue to children fauour such Is hurtefull sure for feare alone doth make them vice to fly Not reason then and sone they synne if they be not put by With brydels harde and as they doe full oft in vices fall Done causyng them so seldome they returne if none doe call According as they bring them vp so all men children haue Besyde all this we must inuent our bodyes health to saue For health is far more worth than golde the healthy deluing loute In better state accounted is than crased kyng no doute First ought the cause be knoweÌ„ wherof such sicknesse vile are sowne In corps of men tormenting them for once the causes knowne More easely mayst thou shun theffects and causes pulde away The effectes of them that did ensue incontinent decay The causer first of each disease is chiefest nature sure As oft as vnder naughty starres the byrth she doth procure While as the childe doth inwarde take the motions of the saye Or else begot of naughty seede the cause doth eften lye Amyd the parentes of
should this aryse As faynting feete in trauaile and the akyng arme oft tryes The cause hereof is bloud resolued by force of feruent heate For to much mouing it inflames decayes in fuming sweate None otherwyse than Feuers fierce the creature pale consumes When bloud or other humor hote thorowout all the members fumes Doth lyfe support and body feedes which whylest it quickning makes The mouing force possessing all the body quiuering shakes The heate and heated bloud besyde doth brede a liuely spright As waters warmde w t beames of SuÌ„ne doe yelde a vapour light Thys spirite enclosed within the bowels Thorowe all the vaines doth ronne And nere to hir doth serue the lyfe in what she will haue donne But those in heauy sleepes that lye how should they mouing make As some doe in theyr steepes aryse and weapon vp doe take Some in the stable takes hys horse some wrytes as many say And some hath earst bene seene a sleâ—pe vpon the Lute to play It must be knowne that of the thing the Image doth remaine In vs of all that we doe see or senses can retaine Thys makes vs think we see the face that late we gased on And that we seeme to heare the wordes were vtred long agone These formes within the secrete celles inclosed in the brayne A vapour moues which to ascende the stomack doth constraine And minde deluded so doth moue the body styres thereby If the resemblance be of force that in the head doth lye But tayle of L ysart or of Snake that cut in two doth sprawle Doth will it moue Or force of minde that Greekes doe fansye call As they whom rage of madnesse moues or to much drinke arayes Or dreadfull dreames do cause to shake or happens other wayes Perchaunce amongst the knotty partes of thys deuided tayle The liuely spirite enclosde doth searche all meanes for to preuayle In breaking out and wynding partes doth wrye as best it may And striuing long through passage smal doth get at length away Or that same part of minde that feeles deuided doth remaine In tayle cut of and causeth it to turne and turne againe Yet I suppose that euery thing wherin no iudgement lyes Can feele no griefe nor nothing else that we can here deuise For chiefest force by which we feele from knowledge euer flowes who knowes iudgeth most feeles most and most reioysing knowes But fooles and doltes care lesse for all lesse harmde lesse fearing styll They feele not colde nor heate so much scarce know they good from ill Not for bicause it smartes therfore the tayle deuided shakes For nought it feeles bicause the streÌ„gth from which it knowledge takes Is not in it but in the head in better place did lye Wherfore the former cause I iudge the trouth to go more nye Lo thus therfore is mouing made by which all creatures go Yet in the reasons past before we put thys one thing to That sundry times the present good when it might be atchieued Doth nothing moue nor is desyred bicause t is not perceiued Thus knowledge semes of mouing cause or chiefest as we see For who desyres or sekes the thing he knowes not what to ber For will hâ—r selfe of proper force is altogither blinde And cannot any thing desyre without the light of minde By whom if she be not enformde she takes she vntowarde way And with the she we of good beguilde hir vertue doth decay Of mouing this shall here suffise nowe let vs seeke to knowe How liuing things doe waxe so great what causeth them to growe And why at certayne tyme they cease a fiery spirite doth raine Thou giuest lyfe to euery thing that carcasse doth contayne This heate doth liuely moisture feede as flame of Candell bright When soone withdraw himself froÌ„ vs the Oyle preserues in light Thys in the stomack boyles the meate wherof the finest spread Abrode the synowes bones and fleshe wyth pyth and bloud are bread And all the body doth encrease as plantes wyth showers of rayne And warmth of SuÌ„ne them comforting doth ryse and spring amaine If that this fyre be much of force and moysture equall here As much as heate shall seeme to nede the encrease shall great appere At length it makes an ende and stayes when spent is all the heate Which fading body fades as shewes in them whose yeares are great For wasted they lyke pyned Ehostes their aged lymmes doe crooke And stouping low wyth hollowed eye vpon the earth doe looke For fyre is gone and liuely heate and moysture doth decay Without the which no lyfe remaines as Lampes no longer may Giue out their light than oyle doth serue but leaues and darkenesse brings Then let vs now the mouing shewe of minde and whence it springs A thing both darke and harde to fynde but yet we will assay With all our force to touch the trouth as nere as well we may And fyrst of rage that boldneth men and daungers doth despyse Encreaseth strength and giueth force as much as shall suffise Which mouing all as desperate vpon our foes we flye And bloudy battaile to beginne with sworde in hast we hye The cause therof is bloud enflamde and heart that sendes out fyre And bitter galle abrode dispersd for Galle is house to yre And choller matter ministers to rage and fury blinde Hence comes that creatures lacking gal are not of wrathfull minde Embracing peace refuse to fight but they whose bloud doth burne And greater rage of heate retaine to anger sonest turne So youth and so such dronken mates whose heads hath brink diseased Upon a smallest cause doe snuffe the minde therfore displeased Doth bloud and choller myngle straight then hande for weapon calles And skirmishe comes thus cuts are carued and wounde wyde open falles For fyrst the minde offended is and vexed by miury Which troubled moues y e body straight by these it semes they lye That say the minde can neuer styre for if it neuer moue The body styll to stande and staye it alwayes doth behoue For diuers mouings doe declare a diuers mouer playne The Sunne doth ofteÌ„ change in course and shaddowes change againe What is the cause that Organs giue now one now other voice But hande y t shyftes from diuers kayes doth cause a diuers noyse The minde affection inwarde fyrst doth take and close concele And makes some part or other serue when she wyll it reucle Disclosing straight to it whatsoeuer within in secrete lyes To th ende that plame it may appere and open to the eyes None otherwyse than when the king vnto his faithfull frende Declares the secretes of hys minde and after doth it sende To be proclaimed in euery place that it may plaine appere Hence springeth loue for wheÌ„ the minde doth fansye pleasant gere She makes the heart a minister and so doth loue declare In heart loue wrath feare lust hope wyth ioye and also care As in a tower with minde doe dwell and these as there begonne By meanes
of other partes through al the body forth do runne But of this same in other place more playnly shal we write If God therein do fauour vs and Muses graunt vs sprite Suffiâ—eth now affections fyrst of al things else to be Wythin the minde the causes sprong of things wythout we see And after they by member bloud or other humours might Are spread abrode in euery parte and so thrust out to light For seing minde and body are ioynde the mouing nedes must be Common to both the harmes al one and chaunge in like degree Whatsoeuer thing the one perceyues the other feeleth it They both in nature doe agree so strongly are they knitte But now bycause we seeme to touch the typ of Scorpions toe Let vs my Muse of senses speake here briefly as we goe Fyue senses nature gaue to sucâ— as perfect creatures be But vnto some he delt not all which may be worthely Unperfect namde as Moles wormes and Scallops of the baye And Wilks Irchin ekâ— whom pricks incompast rounde araye Aniong these senses al the syght is thought the best to bee Bicause it is the chiefest meanes wherwith the minde doth see Declaring plaine the wondrous workes beasts that nature here doth frame such floures such fruits such her vs such such plantes such stones of name Such sundry sortes of mettalles fayre and shewing also plaine What Fyshes Proteus feedes in seas what Monsters there remaine And more than thys the stately roomes wherein the Gods doe lye The glistering globes of starres aboue and Phaebus shining hye Besydes the things that men doe heare that tongue can not displaye Thys sense therfore doth all excell and fayrest farre away In which the seate and chiefest place wherin the minde doth dwell Is thought to be for when we meetâ— or talke in presence tell Upon the others eyes we gase as man and minde and all Did there consyst who so the eyes the glasse of minde doth call Shall say the truth for pleasaunt loue in them doth fyrst gyue lyght There hate and â—iercenesse doth appere with mylde and gentle sprite There sadnesse ioy and mischief shewes with zeale and wysedome great And follye pride and feare and rage with fault and wrathfull heat But wherof doth the syght proceede the mindes let other see Of learned men I briefely shewe as I think best to be One lyfe there must be knowne to be of substance eke so fine As syght can neuer comprehende of force and power dâ—uine Which nature deales God doth giue thys feedes and makes to growe Doth breed doth moue doth heare tast doth smell see feele and knowe Which is the chiefe and greatest power most nere to saints on hye These powres she through y e body spreds in certaine partes to lye And by the eyes doth lyght let in and sundry coulers see And iudgeth playne of euery shape and all things else that be Receaueth also by the nose the smelles of sundry sort And by the eares doth vnderstande sounde noyse and great report By tongue descernes eche kinde of tast by feling knowledge brings Of hote from colde of harde from soft of rough from smothest things Companions fyue these are to lyfe and faithfull seruants sure That shewes hir all without the which she nothing coulde procure The eyes therfore as glassye made and as the Christall clâ—re Lyke as a glasse receyue the shapes that we doe looke on here By power wherof are things desernde if that the eye be sounde These sorts of things vnto the minde for as in hyghest grounde Hir stately seate in head the holdes the eye doth plainely showe Whose ymage truely shadowed there she wyse doth straight wayes knowe So wondrously she doth perceiue a sundry sort of soundes When in the helthy vnharmed eares the ayre therof reboundes For ayre of slendrest substance is and moueth by and by Which beaten with the noise doth shuÌ„ne and from the stroke doth flye And pearcyng breakes into the eares though close be kept the glasse And close the dore so fine it is that inwarde it will passe For euen the fyshe when fyâ—hers harde with poales the floudes â—â—e plashe For feare of noyse flye fast from thence and thick in nettes doe mashe For ayre to depth of seas doth pearce vp mountes the waues thereby And tempests roares w t dreadfull noyse the shipman out doth crye And vowes to offer sacred giftes As oft therfore as wee Doe finde two things togither knockte as oft as ayre we see Moued vehemently but chiefly then when through these hollowed things By narrowe straightes it passeth out thence diuers voices springs As diuers are the sortes of them as place doth fashion take In which the ayre doth sundry soundes and sundry voices make So soundes the Trumpet otherwyse by farre than shalme doth blowe And well we may the Tymbrels tune from sounde of sawtrey knowe For as by stroke of stone in streame doe many cyrcles ryse So moued the ayre w t whirling wheele doth spread in largest guise And therfore into many eares one voice doth easely passe As where a number be one syght is seene in euery glaue But how the nose receiueth smell let vs say something here A slender fume from euery thing arisyng doth appere Which broade in ayre doth spred it selfe as Frankconcense we see Or Myrrhe if that vpon the coales the powder poured bee By meanes of tongue is taste perceiude and roufe of mouthe besyde For by these twaine the taste smatche of euery thing is tryde Which pearcing straight doth touch the sense therof is taste begonne But feeling bloud and sprite procures which through the bodye runne Thys sense doe creatures all possesse and taste they all receiue But man doth better them enioye and them more right perceiue Hereof to man more wysedome doth than to the rest aryse Some thys denye and saye the things foresayde are otherwyse Alowing not that formes receyued in eyes cause syght to be Or that the ayre we neede as meane to heare or for to see For the almighty King doth giue so many powers to minde As in the world he framed things that varie in their kinde That she might al things comprehend she knowes wel what to be Hir proper kinde and more perceyues Minde al things plaine doth see And al things ponders prudently that senses to hir brings And wyth celestial trial wayes the true and vertuous things To Lyfe therefore is minde the Sunne the senses Starres doe seeme So some affirme but we make haste and leaue these things to deeme To other men for nye we come to ende of Libra here Bycause the feete of Scorpion signe do playnly now appere My sayings yet do plainly teach the soule Celestiall To be which voyd of body liues and giueth lyfe to all Discerning also euery thing as farre as God giues leaue For al things here of him their force determinde do receyue To him eternal power belongs al things doth he create And makes al things that
haue And doth remaine when death hath cast the fading corse in graue But me vnhappy wretch alas did pleasure swete deâ—eaue And fled away doth me in briars and many mischienes leaue For whilst that I in youthful yeares the â—â—ewes do oft frequent And while to feeding slepe and play my dolâ—â—sh minde was bent Nought would I lerne hating bokes did study much despise And learning scorne but now alas I see before my eyes My selfe vnlearnde of yll report in beggarly aray My strength decayde my minde appald my senses worne away Al this tyme haue I liued as he that lyes a sleepe in dreames Doth think him self awake to be deceyued by such meanes Like wordes to these doth vtter ofâ— the sâ—outhfull sâ—uggish man When age the neighbor nexte to death doth count to late as than His life led yll in youthfull yeares The greatest sort do shut the dore when Steede is stollen away And wyse they are when as to late their wittes they do assay And for Physitians faâ—â— they seeke when hope of health is gone O wretches whilst you here haue tyme looke wel thys tyme vpon For fast away the houre â—â—yes and fled can not reâ—ouâ—ne No teares can help the corse in graue nor sobbes for him to mourne That medcine only is of force which is in time applyed Therfore must vertue be embracde when youth is fyrst in pryde And then it nedeful is to to treade the perfect path of lyfe And vertuous workes to take in hand then reason must be ryfe And minde wyth councel must be rulde while yet but yong it is Least that with fonde delight deceyude it he adlong runne amysse Who so is wyse let hym in tyme wyth wisedome wel prouide For after wyttes are euermore to folly next alied And out of tyme it bringeth griefe be wayling al in vayne A hurt or losse that neuer can be brought or got agayne Besyde the wicked thirst of wealth and vile desyre of golde Must thou eschew for where a place this couetousnesse doth holde There rayne almost eche other vice as shameful periuries Ungoolinesse theft and disceyt wyth open robberies Guyles treasons and conspyracies wyth frayes and murders vile What needes it for to shew them all nothing besyde more vile Nor worse than is the couetous man that drownde in earth belowe Doth like the Mole no kinde of thing desyre loue or know Saue only riches of the earth for which he doth not feare Eche yll to work nor other God he doth acknowledge here But purse and pens his chiefe delight nor sees the vnhappy best How short the lyfe of man is here how frayle how sone deceast And how that from his bending bow death euermore doth cast His deadly shaftes that pearceth hearts of mortall men so fast And neyther spares the yong nor lernd nor yet the wealthy wyght But euery man wythout respect wyth bloudy blow doth smyte And oftentimes is neerest then when furthest of he showes And sodaine tumults then doth cause when no man of hym knowes But thou regarde not ryches here nor goods that subiect be To blinded chaunce nor let no care of such things tro 〈…〉 thee For proper vnto no man are the things which as she lykes Doth fortune giue and takes away when she vnconstant strykes Or passing doth wyth lyfe away to diuers men descend Nay other riches shalt thou seke that neuer shal haue ende On which no chauÌ„ce nor kinde of death shall euer powre obtayne These riches labour thou to get both dayes and nightes with payne For that thou shalt be truely rich and truely blest by that The others that the common sorte like fooles do wonder at And wish to haue if thou enioyest as money house and land Them vse and occupy at wyll who doth agaynst it stand But iustly yet and modestly and when thou maist or can Haue pity on the pouerty despise no needy man By this meanes shalt y e wyn thee praise and health for euer more And for this earthly baggage here the Skies aboue shalt gayne No man is he but sure a wolfe that doth not mercy showe That is not moued to see the state of others ouerthrowe But if of poore estate thou arte then beare it paciently And in good part sustayne the lotte of this thy pouerty For greater ouerthrowes hath he and greater griefe and care Whome Fortune most enriched hath and giuen the greater share And so much ouerlayd he is wyth wayght of substance great That by no meanes he can beholde the hie celestial seate For light and voyde of earthly dregges it him behoues to be That wil with minde ascend the place where as the heauens be For more a man seekes earthly state more falles he from the Skye And from the euer lasting light he farther of doth flye And eke in place where as a man his treasure vp doth hyde There lies his heart and there his mind doth euermore abyde Thus prouertie helpes many men vnburdning them therby That so wyth swifter wyngs they may vnto the heauens flye In lyke sort pride thou must auoyde the spring of stryfe and hate That with discention many times destroyes a common state wyth thys disease in auncient time was Rome nere ouerthrowne Opprest wyth rage of fury fierce that ciuill warres had blowne Flye thou thys fiende of hell if thou desyrest for to bee A friende of Gods and after death the Heauens elere to see No proude man loues the Gods aboue nor is beloued of them For God estemes the humble sort and lowly minded men And well he lykes the gentle mindes where no ambition lyes Thrustes downe y e proude suffers not to dwell with him in skyes wherfore you proude disdainful swarme what doth your pryde you gaine What helpes your great renoumed names and princely titles vaine which death in shortest time doth spoile and in the streame hath dronde Of Lethes flouds where synking lowe they neuer can be founde You seeke to please the common sort and of them praysde to hee Tell what distretion hath that state the truth of things to see They count you here as Gods to be and what doth follow then When Asses here in deede you are with outwarde signe of men Th vnskilfull sort you doe deceiue but not the Gods aboue But rather them to laughter oft and oft to wrath you moue For all your prety prankes they marke and priuie deedes they see But you O blinded Asses thinke no Gods at all to bee Nor yet beleue the Corse in graue the soule shall ryse to dome And therfore seke these present ioyes and scorne the lyfe to come A number great of beastes aliue in shape of men doe straye Hence springeth vp your errour great and cause of your decaye That with your grosse capacitie no other thing you see but bodyes grosse nor true things know but such as shaddowes bee The greatest sort delight in smoke and full with smoke they flowe O fooles what lighter thing thaÌ„ smoke what
the race of all their life in great prosperitye On the other syde we may beholde the iust opprest to be With spitefull chaunce a wretched lyfe and pyâ—ious prouertye Thus eyther God vnrighteous is that doth these things permit Or after death hath euery man as he deserueth it Or else he doth disoaine the deedes of mortall men to knowe Besides what gratious mind apperes in God what goodnesse doth he showe â–ª If this be all that he doth giue a lyfe so short and vaine That swyftly runneth to an ende and doth no time remaine The halfe wher of is spent in sleepe the rest in griefe and â—oyle And daungers great as fast doth fleete as riuers swyft in soyle Therfore go to O wretched men builde Gorgeous Churches hye And let with costly offrings great your altars pestred lye Set vp your ioyfull branche of bayes your sacred dores about with pompe of proude processyon passe let Hiâ—â—â—es be ratled out Spende frankconsenâ—e and let the nose of God be stretched wyde With pleasant smoke do this and addâ— more honour much besyde That he preserue your goodly lyfe wherin doth you torment Sometime great cold sometime heaâ— â—ow plague now famishement Now bloudy warres now sicknes great or chaunce to sorowe at Sometime the busye byting flye sometime the stynging â—nat The Chynâ—h and Flea Keioyce I saye that here you leade your lyfe With thousand painfull labours great in trauaile toyle and stryfe And after in a little space in paine you drop away And lompishe lye in lothsome vawlt to wormes a grateful praye O worthy lyfe O goodly gift of God man in this world is bredde Among the brutishe beastes and fooles and â—â—aues hys lyfe is ledde Wher stormes and flakey snowes yse and durt and dust and night And harmful ayre and cloudes mistes and windes wyth hellish syght And grief wailing raynes wher death besyde doth worke his feate Is this our goodly countrey here is this our happy seate For which we owe such seruice here vnto the Goddes aboue For which it seemeth mete wyth vowes the heauenly saynâ—ts to moue And if none other life we haue than this of body vayne So frayle and ful of fylthinesse when death hath carcasse stayne I see not why such prayses should of God resound in ayre Nor why we should such honour giue to hym in temples fayre That hath vs wretches framed here in this so wretched soyle That shall for euermore decay after so great a toyle Wherfore least God shall seeme vniust and ful of cruelnesse Shal well deseruing counted be we must of force confesse That death doth not destroy the soule but that it alwayes is None otherwise than sprite in ayre and sainct in heauen liues Both voyd of body sleepe and meate And more we must confesse That after death they liue in paynes or perfect blessednesse But let this reason thee suffise for if thou this do shewe Unto the wicked kinde they laugh no light the blinde doth knowe But thou beleue for euermore and know assuredly For ground of sauing health it is that soule doth neuer dye Exempted from the Sisters power and fatal destiny These things foretolde made euident let vs begin to tell The perfect life that makes vs like to saincts aboue that dwell By which the heauens we desyre But syth doth best appeare Contrary things when they be seene and ioyned something neere Wherfore it is conuenient first the bodies life to showe That drawes vs downe froÌ„ heauen hie to minde the earth below And makes vs like to brutish beastes contrary to the soule This life he liues though naught y t doth for stately honours prowle And seekes with al his force the fruicte of praise and glory vayne Desiring only men to please with fonde vayne glorious brayne And he that wholly doth apply himself a wealth to get By right or wrong and hath his heart vpon his riches set A two leggde Mole that alwayes doth in earth enâ—ombed lye Not casting once his eyes aloft vnto the heauens hye And be that drownde in lecherie and surfeâ—s euer lyes Regarding only fleshly ioyes doth shamefastnesse despise Runnes headlong into whoredome vile and fattes himselfe with meate A foolish man that so the wormes may haue more foode to eate Al these same vile and fylthy kindes that I haue reckned here May wel be called fleshly men for loue to flesh they beare Whose life doth differ smal froÌ„ beastes But now on the other side He that doth prayse of men depise and pomp of worldly pride Doth liue with chast and Godly minde is calde a spiritual man Bicause his sprite the body rulde and lust subdued than Doth freely guide and hath his place in hiest part of brayne Therefore the Godly life is fyrst with bridle to restrayne Fond pleasure Gluttony and lust to conquer flesh with sprite For to neglect al worldly things and only set delight On heauen heauen most to wysh and chieâ—ly to regard There is the soyle for soules and seate for vertuous men preparde There to the body layd in graue the righteous soules do clime Most glorious soules that brightly doe with glorious vertue shine And feele in euer lasting light an euerlasting ioy But chiefly let the vertuous man his time and toyle employ In learning vsing styll to reade such bokes as do entreate Of God of soule and wretched state of this our dwelling seate Of death or other honest things and let him night and day Of these both often reade and talke and wel in minde them way But wanton workes wanton words let him with head eschew Alas how sore do such affayres a vertuous minde subdew For reading is the foode of minde which if it vertuous be Doth profyt much if it be yll doth hurt excedinglye None otherwise than euyll meate doth hurt the man that chawes These thinges though they muste all be kept yet nothing more withdrawes A man from loue of filthy flesh nor leades to God more nye Than oftentimes to ponder well of life the misery Which since it is so short and full of such calamitie Seemes rather death than life to me yea worse than death to be For who is it that doth not see who doth not playne perceaue That yrksome gall and bytternesse to euery parte do cleaue If euery thing thou wel doest sift nought perfect shalt thou fynde For nature poysoned hath the partes of all and euery kind Most things haue double face ful black within and outward white And with their colour do deceyue the iudgement of the sighte If ought there be here in this life both fayre and good besyde Like smoke and mist it flyes away and doth no time abide Time suffers nothing long on earth death maketh al things vayne And turnes and tumbles vnder foote of man the proud disdayne Alas how al this worldly pompe doth quickly passe away How wauering is renoume of man how sone doth it decay Much like the bubble swelling great amyd the
his deadly darte in pale and dreadfull handes How suddainely he strikes therewith how oft he doth destroy The lusty youth and takes away our fayre and flowring ioye O fading lyfe that subiect art to thousande casualtyes O to to shorte and doubtfull state that smoke lyke from vs flyes Now this now that man drops away and thou this present day To morrowe I thus at the last we all doe passe away None otherwise than simple shéepe that Butcher hath preparde In folde to kill now these now those with knife he striketh harde To morrowe other the next day moe thus all in time they dye Tyll that by this his slaughters great the folde doth emptye lye This fading lyfe therfore despise which first beginning takes with teares his middest is toyle griefe and death conclusion makes Who wyll delyght in such a lyfe except a foolishe braine Seeke you an other lyfe to haue an other lyfe to gaine Whereas no mourning griefe or paine whereas no death is founde Thus happy state you shall receaue when carcasse comes to grounde You that haue hated sinne and God haue worshipped holylie And haue not put your confidence in things that worldly be But chast vnhurtful milde and true haue liude in pure degree But some perchance y t think how gods doe dwell in Heauens clere wold also learne some wayes or meanes if any such there were By which they might w t them haue talk and see them face to face O what a goodly thing were this and what a wondrous grace Than which no greater thing on earth I think can man obtaine But fewe deserue so great a state and honor for to gaine For many I graunt with diuels talke which easely they entice By humble prayers made to them or meanes of sacrifice Since farre they be not from the earth but in the ayre doe lye And oftentimes beholde and kéepe the people companie Yea vnto many they appere and serue them willingly And with the beautie great of youth enamoured oft they be But Gods that in the heauen dwell the things that mortall be Disdaine to knowe and wicked factes of men abhorre to sée As they that well doe vnderstande how foolishe and how vile Mans nature is how false and bolde and eke how full of guile Despiser and blasphemer of the chiefest maiestie Wherefore to haue the speache of them and see them presentlie Is labour great and seldome had bicause their eares they close To voice of men and turne away their eyes from giftes of those Which after that they be enrichde with séedes that others sowe A portion small of others goodes vpon the Church bestowe Thinking that Heauen may be solde O two legged Asses blinde Thinke you that God is couetous and precious stones doth minde Or hath delight in glittering golde or needes your helpe to haue Doe you suppose that he is such as doth your fauour craue Think you that brybes can him corrupt as many men they doe No sure he is not got with golde nor giftes he looketh to When that he liues in happyest state and blessed on euery syde When his are all that earth contaynes or seas or heauens wyde How can you giue to God the things that his alreadye be Doth not he rather giue to you the things that here you sée Therfore since neither they with giftes nor vowes will moued be A matter very harde it is them presently to see Although the matter be so harde yet wyll we passe the way And what our force in this can doe by proofe we will assaye First needes we must the meanes finde out that God doth best content Who is not moude with noble bloud nor vnto riches bent No king nor Ceysar he respectts nor triumphes doth esteme Ne careth he for such as are most strong and fayrest seeme But these doth vtterly despise nor for the loue of them â—ouchsafes the prayers to beholde or present sight of men Thus must we seeke an other way by which we may obtaine Their speache and presence for to haue perchaunce my verses plaine This way meanes shall bring to light if that the Gods aboue So fayre attempts doe ayde and helpe and wyth their sprite approue The first thing is the clenlinesse of body and of minde By which man well esteemde of God doth loue and fauour finde For all vncleanesse doth he hate and doth abhorre to see So fayre and blessed is his state and of so hye degree Wherfore we must at first take heede that we be perfectly Well purged and pure from filthinee and all iniquitie Unclothed of our garments blacke and clad in comely whites Which colour best with God agrees and black with fiendishe sprites A harde thing is this same I graunt for who doth here remaine That leades his life without a fault and free from blot or staine To euery man hath nature delt some crime or vicious kinde And nothing is on earth so faire but fault therin we finde Yet are there certaine sinnes so small and to such trifling ende That in a manner nought at all the eyes of God offende Wherwith he is not greued much no sores are these nor staynes But as the little freckels that in body fayre remaines Which easely the Lorde forgiues since well perceâ—ueth â—ée How weake and frayle the nature is of such as mortall bee But great haynous crymes doe much offende the mighty state And wicked men he alwayes doth abhorre despyse and hate Nor wyll he once their prayers heare except they clense before And washe away their sinnes w t â—eares and whyte for black restore Requiring pardon for their faults with voice of mourning minde Obtaining once againe the pathes of vertue for to finde And casting of hys canckred skinne as in the pleasant spring The Serpent vseth all his skinne of olde away to â—â—ing who thus renewed departes leaues his slough in stones behinde And casting vp his head aloâ—t with proude and stately minde His breadfull hyssing doubleth oft with tong of triple kinde Thus Gods are pleased thus wheÌ„ as we rightly on them call They shewe themselues and thus to vs theyr prophecies let fall Yet must there one thing more be had vnto this perfect whight A Crymsin colour must be ioynde the beautie then is bright When as a purple redde with white well entermedled lyes What meanes this ruddy colour here sure loue it signifies For loue resembled is to fire which fyre hath reddishe flame And both a colour and an heate procéedeth from the same Therefore it néedefull is beside that we the Gods aboue Doe hartely loue for he that loues deserueth to haue loue For whosoeuer loues the Gods and liueth Christianly Can not be odious vnto them but shall rewarded bee And shall in happy state obtaine whatsoeuer he doth require But who is he that loues the Lorde the man that doth desire In filthy entisements of the fleshe and pleasures for to sleepe Or he that hath a great delight
the sacred natures hest Which wold the bred shuld brede agayn which made such ioyful rest In wedlock bed thee not to feare but rather to allure Why wilt thou nature thus withstande no hurt in Venus lure There is if hir thou lawful vse with meane and not excesse But to much vsde she strength abates and drownes the valiantnesse Destroyes the wit and shortneth life Now must we here display dame Venus soÌ„ne whose force doth cause both man and God obay Who brond withal and quiuered shafts makes all the world afrayd To whome though yet a boy and blind hath euery thing obayd That earth or sea did euer breede or heauens hie contayne O Lord what rage of flames and fyre in euery place to rayne This boy hath causd what force haste y e O quiuered Cupide now No strength thy power may once resist thy conquest makes to bow Both beast and Man and Gods aboue with dartes of thine alone His heart through pearcd full oft hath made the thuÌ„dring God to grone And diuers shapes on him to take hys lightning laide a syde And region left of starry skyes on wretched soile to slide Hath not disdainde sometime the forme of Egle swift to beare Sometime a bull with frowuing face sometimes a shepheards cheare On him to put sometime to seme a snake and now and than With flames to come in Satirs shape now golde now like a swan Neptunus also once ychanged to fluddes of Enepey While he poore wretch thy dart did feele with Salmonide he lay And oft a Dolphin would he seeme a Ram or Horse to be With all the seas he coulde not quenche the flames that burnte by thee In breast so blinde and heart of him a tale to long it were Like actes of all the Gods to shewe to thee in order here How Phebus did a hauke become and eke a Lion kende Or call to minde the woode attemptes of raging Tartares fende But vaine it is so time to spende for if I should expounde The Lordes and Ladies euerychone whom cruell loue did wounde My tale woulde runne to much at large and downe before woulde hide His glistring beames syr Titan bright the smoking wheeles should slide Amid the washing westerne waues But here I thinke it best Such things to haue sith many men haue plainely them exprest And now the truth we will declare this boy did neuer flow From Bacchus raines as Grece did faine no sure if it were so Eche man that hateth wine should loue but destny him begot Bicause in euery kinde of loue this destny knittes the knot All morttall things this desteny rules she doth to all bestow Conditions eke with fortune to and ende of lyfe doth know Of greater force than beauty is this desteny assurde Though beauty cause of burning flame hath louers linckes procurde Of greater might than golde it is though once with golde did bye Olde Saturnes sonne inclosde in towers with Danae faire to lie Familier syght and licence had full oft to talke and liue Togither both when none shall see which sliding way doth giue By which to loue we in doe come by which is Venus got All this can nothing sure preuaile if destnies fauour not By destny ioinde by destny broke the louers knot and ring By this the vile deformed slaue sometimes obtaines the thing Which rich nor faire can haue by this the faire and gentle wyfe Is of hir husbande eft despisde and more contentes his lyfe A ragged iade in house to kepe By this the wife disdaines Hir husbande faire of gentle bloud and greater ioy sustaines A lither lousy lout to haue or vnaquainted wight And if so be that loue were not by Gods aduisement right To euery man appointed here by limittes parted iust No doubt of all might one be loued and on them all should lust And euery man might safe enioy the Damsel that he likes But as the fisher doth not take the fishes all in dikes Nor foulers all the birdes do catch nor hunters all doe kill But euery one his chance doth take obtaines and hath his will So loue to euery one is delt by Gods arbitrement So doth the seruant base full oft his Lady well content So shall the bursten bleared lout and crooked father olde A blissefull girle to wyfe obtaine For as the Marchant bolde That vnderneth vnhappy starre with wares his ship doth freight And cuts the fearefull fouring seas is often spoilde of weight By loste of ship or Pirates fierce so he that flames wyth loue The starres luck agaynst him both doth seke the rockes to moue An euil name and cruel wound receyueth he agayne And efâ—e his loue to get doth he the losse of lyfe sustayne But he whome destnies fauour wel and fortune smiles vpon His heart and ioy may sone obtayne wyth quiet rest anon But sure of fewe this grace is had so good are Gods to fewe Except such one as close doth kepe his ioyes that none them knowe No trust there is at al in man disceytes are vsed vile Now euery man doth practise howe his fellow to beguile If any man vnto his frende his secretes doth disclose Then must he stande in feare of him least he his frendship lose Least he in angry moode reueale that erst in harte he hydes If free therefore thou sekest to be and safe to liue besydes Let no man knowe thy secrete deedes thy frend haue alwayes so While frendship lasts that thou foresee he once may be thy foe Which thing in profe hath eft ben knowen for fewe such frendes we see That alwayes loue and much herein ought enuy fearde to be Which euer striues the happy chaunce wyth poyson fell to stayne Take heede therfore of enuy syrs I warne you louers playne Let no man know thy minde in loue but hide this loue of thine If witte thou hast and let not thou thy fyer forth to shine A monster vile is enuy sure a plague that rageth fel A deadly hurt than which a worse is hard to finde in Hel. It hunteth vertue in euery place good dedes asunder teares Good men she hates and doth disdayne the happes of others yeares Although no man can well kepe close his owne vnfayned loue If Fates agaynst him let and nyll the enuious lightes aboue Smal force in wit of man there is where Goddes do not agree In vayne he toyles that seeketh ought when Gods against him be Yet ought we not for this to leaue our willes and wittes to strayne For he that hath the race forth runne and palme cannot obtayne Is worthy prayse and enuy all vpon the Goddes he layes Who often good men downe haue put and fooles exaiting rayse A happy man is he to whome from tower of heauens grace Is graunted whoÌ„ God guides himself whose byrth with lucky face The happy starres haue shinde vpon to him coÌ„mes ioyful loue And voyd of woe long swetenesse he wyth pleasant life may proue For loue is daynty swete and milde if