the clue of worldly cares should threed of life vntwiende Dispiesd the night abbord the day and hated houre of birth Thought skorne of foode cleane forsoke the pleasures of the earth Would faine haue loft both speach breath â–ª and loekt when hartes would burst Beleeude they were in mothers wombe or els in cradell curst Though drousie dreede did death desire and griefe sought quick dispatch There was no parting from the place till daye dischargde the watch Wee cannot paye our borrowde breath before th appointed howre The ende of strife nor staye of state standes not in peoples powre The Gods that guides the heauens hie to secrete doth beholde The fine and fleeting feeble course of earth and massie molde The hart may heaue the breast may bloe the body sighe and swelt The face by open sines may show of priuie pashons felt But all these stormes haue litle force to ridde mans wretched dayes As by these parties plaine I proue throw torment sondrie wayes Well those from whom the Gods restraine the skope and vse of will Must bende the backe and vowe the ioynts to beare the burthen still And yet no toile nor griefe so great â–ª but finds at length some eas There followes after swelling flouds a quiet calmie Seas By meane of suite and labours long and gracious Prince in deede A sweeter soile these prisnars found that better bloud did breede But kept a part as Fortune shapt and so in silent shade As place and time did licence graunt a fresh complaint they made Of croked chaunce and straung exstremes that sondred faithfull harts Whose sugred loue was euer mixt with baell and bitter smarts And neuer after like to meete nor set ne eye nor vewe The one apon the other Lord a matte mitch to rewe Long in the broile of this conflict and battell of the minde They paste their time with bare beliefe of better hap behinde And wearing oute with waylings longe their weary life God wot And finding hauen choked vp where passage should be got At ancker vnder watch and warde in tossed barke they laye From whens there was no quiet means nor hope to scape awaye The Lady now for laste farewell betoke her selfe to teares And of dispaire in persed brest a double porshon beares Her hollow cheeks and daesled eyes declaerde her death was neere And bade her keepers to prepare both shrowding sheete and Beere For nature did denie her life her hart was tainted soe That cankred thought should comeful sone and make an ende of woe Her coulour changde her cheerefull lookes and countnaunce wanted spreet To sallow ashes turnde the hue of beauties blossoms sweete And dreery dulnes had bespred the wearishe body throw Ech vitall vaine did flat refuse to do their dutie now The bloud forsoke the wonted course and backward gan retyre And laft the lims as cold and swarfe as coells that wasts with fyre The moisture taken from the tree the leaues drops downe apace When sap dries vp and faills the roote the branches loes their grace Some bowes you see do flourish fayre and groes a goodly height And some by frost and cold ayre nipt and so are blasted streight As eury fruite and floure in field do yeld to sodaine claps So all that breathes with liuing soule are subiect to mishaps How should this dame desire to liue that hourely wore away Who would not shedde some teares to see this tender twig decay What stony hart could suffer more and bere with eeuen hand The weary weight of worldly woes and whiske of whipping wand And when she saw her houre aproch and death his dutie craue And she amid her chiefest prime must go to greedy graue She toke of worlde a noble leaue and calling for a frende Who liueth yet and can report how she did make her ende She saide with loude and comely voice O world I thee forsake I haue bin here a pilgrime longe and now my leaue I take Of all thy Pompe and pleasures vaine that makes my sences blinde Whose glorie doth beginne with paine and ends with griefe of minde In dongon deepe of deinty thoughts thou holdest eurye wight And feeds their foolish fancies still with toyes and trifles light Thy prisnar was I borne to be and Adams children all Like captius here condemde to die must suffer for his fall But nowe the chains and lothsome lincks that lay on shoulders weake And all the bands and cloggs of care in sheuers small shall breake And I from cage shall mount to skies more swift than bird with winge And flicker like a simple doue where shining Angels singe I bringe a badge and liurye both that my good maister CHRIST Did leane for such as beares his Crosse through foggs of worldly miest Yea shaking of â–ª this sinfull soile me thincke in Cloudes I see Amonge the perfite chosen Lambs a place preparde for mee Here is no home nor harbring house but cabbens built on sande That eurye pirrie puffeth downe or still on props doth stand Our Fathers spreetes posses in peace the countrie that wee craue We are but strangers far from hoem that nothing certayn haue Tâ—ese wear her words and many moe which follows as she spoek I dâ—d â—â—o she by bryttell lyfe O Lord thy wrath prouoke For which I now repent me soer and trusting to receaue Fâ—â—e pardon for my former fautes â—ar sowll shall body leaue My â—aynt and feble vessayll frayll so fears thy Iustice great That hyt appealls from curs of law vnto thy mercy Seat. I am but worms meat wel I wot all Fleash is nought but gras To Earth and ashes out of hand must all my pleasures pas I want the force thou hast the myght to stryue with Death and Hell Thou art the Rock the corner Stoen the Fountayne and the Well From whom the Springs of lyfe must â— and vnto whom again The thyrsty soulls and hongry Harts for help do trodg a mayn Who hath byn washed in thy Blood is whiter than the Snoe O let the streams and floed of grace with fauour on me floe In Booke of lyfe let wryt good Lord my name among the rest That ordaynd wear ear world was made to sleepe in Abrams brest Blot out the bleamish of my brow that at the latter day May strike the conâ—hens with dispayre and cloked crimes bewray Gâ—ue boldnes to the bashfull sprite that fears from hens to flitte Mâ—ke hope and fayth now ferm to see great God in glory sitte With closed hand than brest she knockt so gaue a sighe and stayd And then conceiud some inward ioy with cherefull face she sayd Do mourne no more O trembling soule that knowes not wher to staye Come from the kaytiffe carrayue corps and cabben made of claye And looke vpon the Lamb of God whose death thy randsome payd That blessed babe the virgins Sonne that borne was of a mayd Come silly byrd out of the den where naught but darknesse is And looke on
euen so it fareth now by me I wincke at things that I would not behold And see those faule that profites mee no whit I heare likewise that I can wishe vntold I shoote with them that neuer marke may hit But me beleue yet winne the game I would Among that sort that giueth aem to sit I like not sure I rather wishe to bet Than loke apon and lay on near a sied Set doubts a part it is good sport to get But he that winns must hazard needes abide I leaue you there I would so make my game It wear halfe won before the match wear tride And make him thincke that hits the marke is wide And say himselfe he roueth out of frame I pray you now who would not do the same To gaine thereby or els at least to saue Than graunt me this dissemble sure he must As I may do or in time pasâ—e I haue And made some blind that better saw than I And sawe full oft that I would not perceiue When that thereon did life or daunger lye And yet I lookt and leered by your leaue What might befall and sought to shun the shacke And as I fled ill Fortune followd faste Whan she would strike I scaped many a knocke By douking downe I knew so well her cast With cap and knee her fauour sone I wan So in a while she toke me as her man. But whan I thought most hold of her to take A way she wente the whirle winde in her taile Yet with her frends fayre wether did I make Whose helpe was good wheÌ„ world began to faile And if you aske how I acquainted was With such sure props that holds vp house and all And how that I could bring such things to passe To keepe me vp whan diuers sought my fall His fall not great it cannot be I trow Whose climinge vp was neuer much you know This by the way I speake yet aunsweare loe To you I make that this demaundes of mee To Courte I came whear I could hear and see As others did and with the strong I stoode As world did wag I wound my barke about And leaâ—d me there wher I could find most good In deede this was the way to beare it out And there I founde of eurye sort ynow Would I be braue I knew wher mates were had Would I be stout I saw who would not bow Hie lookes was he that stil I saw go throw That shippe made way that all the sailes could beare Small sprite sate low with finger in his eare Great curtchie crept full hie among the best He made them laugh that lokt as he would sweare He carryed coales that could abide no geast Plaine life the lowt was litle set by theare Fine taunting tongues brought many a foole in feare Make loue the meeke was ready at a call Faine would be seene was fisking eurye where Set forth to sale was markt beyonde them all Uaine glorie smield and loekt for much a doe New fanglenes shaekt off old frendship past Fien faule at foote could whine and bite you toe Proude blind consait would not be placed last Small witte would laugh at wiser than him selfe Disdaine that dwarfe loekt like a piuishe elfe Straunge nature fround when homely folkes sate downe Full purse found frendes that came but late to towne Set by himselfe would not salute but fewe Small worth made boest still mouth was all the shrewe Tell all that blabb was cald a royster than Fals semblauÌ„ce thriude that could ii faces beare Happy was hee that was a torncoets man They sped not worst that counterfaited wear Do as world did draue of the longest time Hee had the lands that was Dick shifters ear He caughte the byrdes that best could set the lime Yet broken shins some gate that vsde to clime Spite spornde at those that better sped than he All busie heads could not on shoulders bide They met full oft that seldome could agre Who fell so sone as witte â—ermatcht with pride Who rose but such as roffled forth their yeares Yet chaunge of suites brought many in the breares White Plumes cost pens apparel pickt the porse All worne in Courte was not in City paide Sharpe set said oft backe cloutes made belly worse Bare cloake he ware whose credite was decaide Catch nought poore knaue could Courte and Courtiers corse Spend all sate still and loked like a maide Hope well made spoile and waited for a day Vnthrift would sweare and dice it all away Tosse blade would snuffe and shake a Swinish head Dare do loke bigge as butcher in his shoppe Saue groet smeld out where honger might be sped Proude would not speake that sate not at the toppe When Lortch was out some knew not where to dyne Who kepes the barre was asked eury houre Some spake full fayre to get a cuppe of wyne God saue you sir wilt please ye take a floure A sweete red Rose he had that kept good cheare And many a cappe and curtchie to the ground An ofâ—ar still was made of all the yeare Old stagers knew where such a frend was found Yong frie might fast for any thing they gate New commers walkt abrode for taking cold Full pauntch did martch as he had bin a state Who lookes like mee thoughte he that chippings sold When Christmas roobes wear broesht and that day worne Well was that man mighte bid that saint good morne Beare rule stoode stiffe and kept his betters out Bold face thrust in throw thickest preace and thronge Hoffe haue at all full hye could hold the snout Speake as he thought was not in fauour longe Finde fault the foole would flier in echmans face Ritch rueld the roste lacke frends felt all the wrong Bare life knew not to whom to show his case Wast all the wield might sing a heauy song Hoyst vp in hast forgate from whence he came Hie office skornde to loke backe how he climde Hogge Norton breede disdainde to know their dame Pried feard no fall till foote full fast was liemde Snatch skratched all and gaue his fellowes none Neede likt the plaets and gnawed bare the bone Mountch present crept in corners all alone Hauoke was made where meate was litle seene Vnworthie of breede fardewel God saue the Queene Spoile would not spare his charges was but small Make feast fild in the king did pay for all Seeke helpe speake faire yet sloely speede his suite Giue bribs was hard his money told his tale Lacke nought had more but want could finde no fruite Neede blew his nailes and looked very stale Skill for a shift was glad to teach for pens Old hangars on would not be beaten thens Witte did inuent but wealth bare all the bruite Boldnes did speake when bashnes was full muite Cunning wrought much but craft beyonde him crept Poets made rymes but roysters praises rept UUisedome would waite on many a wodcocke oft Old broems were good but new al cleane they swept Loue ease sate
but long two leages I lost To ease my horse he bade me oft a light But I thereat seemde dumme and deaffe as post Of stomacke stoute the way oft times he crost And soughte to take my bridle by the raine That sleight I found and so he lost his paine Had I turnde backe the peysants wear at hand Who mounted were on better horse than I A village neare there was within that land Whear loe my gide would haue me needs to lye Not so my frend I aunswearde very hye Where at he knew the padde in straw was founde So toke the ball and stroke it at rebounde Thou canst not scape ê™ he then light a downe Thou art but dead thy life here shalt thou lose And therewithall the carle began to frowne And laide his hand apon my Lether hose Throw siâ—es he made the towne by this aroes And some by warres that lately loste their good Sought to reueng the same apon my blood My gied leapt vp apon the horse I roode And flang away as fast as he could driue Downe was I haeld and on my face they troode And for my roebs the tormenters did striue My gide did crie O leaue him not aliue An English churle he is his tongue doth shoe And gold he hath good store full well I knoe They stript me streighte from doblet to my short Yet hose they laâ—te vntoutcht as God it would No powre they had to do me further hort For as the knife to throte they gan to hold To saue my life an vpright tale I told They hearing that laid all their weapons downe And askt me if I knew saint Quintains towne I past thereby whan to the Spawe I went ê™ I and there my pasport well was veaud If that be true said one thou shalt be sent From hens in hast and so they did conclued To towne I should from sauage country rued So in the hey they laid me all that night Yet sought my life before the day was light But as with weedes some suffrante flower groes So in that soile a blessed man was bred Which vndertoke to keepe me from my foes And saue my life by fine deuice of hed He cald me vp when they wear in their bed And bade me go with him whear he thought best Lest in that place full small should be my rest I followde on as he did lead the trace He brought me safe where I in surety stood Thus God throw him did shoe his might grace Which ioyde me more than all this worldly good The other sort â—wear butchers all for blood And daily slue such stragglars as they toek For whom they laie and watcht in many â—nock That hazard paste I found more mischieues still But none so great nor none so much to fear With toâ—le paine with sleighte of head and skill From FrauÌ„ce I came and laft al mischief thear Nowe here what fruite my natiue soile doth bear See what I reap and marke what I haue sowne And let my lucke throwe all this land be knowne First let me tell how Fortune did me call To Garnesey thoe to staye my troubled miend Whear wel I was althogh my wealth was smal And long had dwelt if destnie had assiend But as the shippe is subiect to the winde So we must chaenge as checking chaunces falls Who tosseth men about like tennis balls This chaunce is she some say that leads men out And brings them home when least they looke therefore A dalling dame that breeds both hope and dout And makes great wounds yet seldom to salues the soer Not suer on sea nor certaine on the shoer A worldly witch that dealls with wanton charms For one good turne she doth ten thousand harms A figge for chaunce this Fortune bears no shaep The people fonde a name to Fortune giue Which sencelesse soules do after shadoes gaep Great GOD doth rule and sure as God doth liue He griends the corne and sifts the meale throw siue And leaues the bran as reffues of the flowre To worke his will and shoe his mightie powre Promoshon coms ne from the East nor West Ne South nor North it faulls from heauen hie For God himselfe sets vp who he thincks best And casts them downe whose harts would clime the skie Thus earthly happs in worldlings doth not lie We trudge we runne we ried and breake our braine And backwarde come the selfe same stepps againe Till time aprotche that God will man prefarre With labours long in vaine we beat the ayre Our destnies dwell in neither moone nor starre Nor comfort coms from people foule nor fayre Small hoep in those that sits in Golden chayre Their moods their minds and all we go about Takes light from him that putts our candel out This argues now all goodnes freely groes From him that first made man of earthly mold And floâ—ds of wealth into their bosome floes That cleerly can his blessed will behold As sheppards do keepe safe their sheepe in fold And Gardnar knoes how flowrs shold watted be So God giues ayde ear man the want can se. Helps coms not sure by hap or heads deuice Though wits of men are means to worke the waxe And cunning hands do often cast the dice All these are toyes trust vp in tinkars packs No flame wil ryes till fier be thrust to flare No brantch may bud till he that made the plant With dew of grace in deede supplies the want Can earth yeild fruit til Springtime sap do shoe Can ayre be cleer till foggs and miests are fled Can seas and floeds at eury season floe Can men giue life to shapes and bodies dead Such secrets pas the reatche of mans vaine head So loke to reap no corne for all our toile Till Haruest come and God hath blest the soile The pottar knoes what vessail serues his turne And therein still he powreth liquor sweete The cooke well notes what wood is best to burne And what conceites is for the banket meete The Captaine marks what souldiour hath most spreete And calls that man to charge and office great Whan he thincks good and saruice is in heat Dare any wight presume to take the place Of worthy charge till he therto be cald Dare subiect brag before the Princes face Or striue wyth staets that are in honour stauld Dare village boest with Cittie stronglye wauld Dare children clime till they good footing find No all thing yelds to him that leads the minde He lifts aloft he flingeth downe as faste He giues men fame and plucks renowne awaye Hap doth not so for chaunce is but a blaste An idle word where with weake people playe Hap hangs and holds on hazarde eury waye And hazard leanes on doubt and danger deepe That glads but few and maketh MillioÌ„s weepe I vse this terme of hap in all I write As well to make the matter large and long As any cause or dram of great delite I take therein But