She neuer passeth more for it till hunger doth request The Cat will watch and wayte till she the Mouse hath got And then when she hath fedde her fill a dewe she careth not The Scriuener that takes painâ— with painfull penne to please Espieth not his labour wayed so much the more disease That company which keepeâ— for a long time together By time grows strange as euer they were at first time comming hether The booke that newe is made is more esteem'd of price And better liked on by some then workes of deepe deuice Wherefore the way to haue a thing esteemed well Is secretly to keepe the same and not abroade to tell For why I well perceiue examples put before That friendship failes when fancy findeâ— new liking for her store Wherefore to learne to keepe in secret silent brest It is a poynt of wisedome sure in whom so ere it rest Thus is Desire fedde thus is Desire strange Thus doth Desire giue vs fill and makes our friendes to change Verses written vnto one which had wrote A Curious Commendation of his happie Exchange VVHy dost thou vaunt before thou knowe Why dost thou bragge before thou trie All is not golde that is of glittering shewe Nor trust not that which pleaseth the eye For in the same deceiyte doth rest As proofe doth make it manifest For since thou wrot'st that glorious stile In praise of thy so good exchange A frowarde fit some did compile Which vnto thee did seeme full strange That at the first it did befall Such rough repulse to sleepe withall Wherefore I counsell thus doe giue To frame thy nature now to abyde And see that thou discreete doe liue And fainte nâ—t though some fondly chide For why thou worst so much before You knowe my minde I le say no more Verses written for a requisite remembrance of the earth quake which happened on wednesday the 6. of Aprill 1580â— betwene 5. and 6. of the clocke at night of the same day WHen man doth least accompt of this his end And as he thinkes doth safely sit at rest Then suddenly or euer he be ware Doth Death aproch his corps for to inuest And in a moment all his pompe and pride And glory vaine is quickly laide a side His house the which he takes for his Defence â— And as it were dâ—th make a sure gâ—eunde Presuming that it standeth firme and fast Foundation such not likely to confound By any chaunce except tâ—e ground do fall The which high Ioue hath ready at his call Oh gratious God how wonderful are thy workes Thy secretes not known to mind of man Thou send'st vs signes and tokens of thy wrath And if with grace we rightly do them scanne We may thus thinke and also vnderstand Thy iudgemente day is very ny at hand Yet mercifully thou doest vs all forewarne And wouldest not that we should sinke in sinneâ— But penitently thy mercy for to craue And leaue such leawdnesse as we do beginne Too much to vse alas the more the ruth And God will scourge no doubt for our vntruth Oh sudden mâ—tion and shaking of the earth No blustering blastes the weather calme and milde Good Lord the sudden rarenesse of the thing A sudden feare did bring to man and childe They verely thought as well in field as Towne The earth should sinke and the houses all fall downe Well let vs print this present in our heartes And call to God for neuer neede we more Crauing of him mercy for our misdeedes Our â—infull liues from heart for to deplore For let vs thinke this token doth portend A scourge nere hand if we do still offend Yet neuer was Gods word more diligently Preached vnto vs then it is at this day But out alas what boote is it to heare And presently forget what they do say For he which layes his hand vpon the plowe And turneth backe shall speed you know as how The wantonnesse and lewdnesse now adayes Is much to write therefore it is but vaine To seeme at large the same for to expresse The grauer sorte do much of it complaine And wish there were amendment of ill life Which euery where alas is too too rise Pride is too pearte and falshood florisheth much Deceipte is deepe good Lord how it is vsed Enuy is rife blaspheming doth not want Wel in effect each thing is now abused Lord graunt we may conuert and that with speede For well we know wâ— neuer had more neede Let vs not linger and driue from day to day We haue beene warned sufficiently we know The Lord is angry and not without good cause And though he do but signes vnto vs shew Well let vs thinke if we do thus exceede In sinne so ryfe we shall it feele in deede Amend your liues for the kingdome of God is at hand Mat. 3. None good but God Verses written vnto his friend W. C. of not and nor NOt boysterouse winds of AEolus force caÌ„ stir the hardy rockes Nor wooden wedges can preuaile to cleaue the knotty blocks Not absence he to frendly heartes can any breach procure Nor spiteful spite can do much hurte where frieÌ„dship doth assure Not frowning lookes of frowarde Mars that can my pen restraineâ— Nor doubtfull speach can me reuoke in verse to shew my vaine Not want of good will ready prest shall be one let or cause Nor yet the feare of any man shall make me for to pause Not Time to tarry to deuise some pleasant thing to write Nor yet to proue for to be fine my verse for to indite Not that I thinke my friend he will for rashnesse laugh at me Nor that I stand in doubt if that this thing he take in gree Not that I am a Poet braue for to declare my minde Nor that I haue a curiouse head some pleasant thing to finde Not that my friend is scrupulousse but friendly be will take Nor that he is of Momus sect to mocke that I do make Not that I know my friend will now accept my ragged verse Nor I thinke he will reiect that which I do rehearse Not that the Time doth let me now some farder wordes to vse Nor that I meane in any thing my friend for to abâ— In steade of giftes to thanke thee for Take Yates his gifte of not and nor Verses written vpon the captiouse coniecture of one who not offended THe state of worldly wightes is straunge And â—utall mindes do passe my skill The good haue bad for their exchaunge By cogitations wrong to will The iniury hath small repay Where maiestie doth beare the sway The supreame rule supporteth much Me thinkes it saith why I am hee Men know my nature to be such As scant my like is knowne to be For where I may I croppe I loppe I make them stoupe and vowe their toppâ— But Iustice sittes with sword in hand And Equity with ballance right The cause and truth to vnderstand To deale by equall Doome vpright For sure the Gods they
shewe their wâ—lth and porte The straingest things that could be got of euery kinde and â—orâ—e Which when the King receaued great thankes to them extended Their loyall heart to duetie bent most Princely he commâ—nded But ah a silly soule whom pouertie nere pined Be thought him to present his Prince as duetie hath assigned Not hauing wolth at will ne Iuels that were trimme Tooke vp his handfull of water faire came running towardes him And offered tâ— his Grace as Token to Forshow Though welth he wanted yet of good wil his duetâ—e for to know But note the courteouse kinde of this most prudent Prince This present base not to reiâ—ct nor once it to conuince But tooke it gratefully â—or that he did beholde The true intent of simple soule whom dutie made so bold So Siâ— I earnestly request this at your hand My small present for to esteeme next this to vnderstand My boldnesse to excuse that saâ—cely thus aspire To write so pertely vnto you before my state be hyer And thirdly for to beare my rudenes which hath raised A matter here before your face vnworthie to be praised But forced by good will something for to present Estéeming not the thing it selfe but simple true intent The meaning voyd of fraud composing voyde of guyle For Grossum Caput giues no leaue fine verses to compile But Tryall hath me Told Experience hath me showen That Artaxzerxes kinde in you is easie to be knowne The which did set me on to shewe my true intent Some verses Sir this new yearâ—s â—ime vnto you to present For if that I had skill according to my minde A matter that were worth the sight your worship then should finde But what needâ—s all these wordes as Preface now before To signifie a long discourse to trouble more and more But God graunt you your health his fauour and his aide To sheelde you from each fayned friende and make your foes dismaide God graunt accomplishment of that you most desire In what so euer as it be from heart I do require God graunt that Enuie may be voyde of her intent Not to preuaile at any time although that she be bent God graunt Dissimulation may shine like Christall cleare That vnto you each double hearte may easely appeare God graunt that Deepe Deceipte at no time do preuaile God graunt as much as he can graunt God graunt no thing do quaile But all may prosper well approching still to Fame Whose worthie workes haue merrited high prayses to his name Whose happie helâ—ing hand releeuing those that neede Doth winne the way to make you liue â—or euer more in deede Whose dayly deedes in vse abroade do so resounde As passeth my Capacitie or wisdome to expounde Perchaunce your worship will condemne me in this sorte And thinke I write in flattering wise to make a long reporte Not so I doe protest for why I you assure In that offence I guiltlesse am my conscience it is pure And as I scorne the vse of flattering flearing fraude So will I not while I do liue neglecte to giue you laude Desiring still of God as erst I did before Your ioy to ioyne with new yeare now and many other more Thus Sir I humbly ende desiring God of grace Your worship long for to preserue in happie state and case And when your fatall dayes of force must yeeld to clay Then for to rest in heauenly place that neuer shall decay Finis Other verses presented vnto him at new-Yeeres time CLeanthes he whom learnings lore held in such estimation â—s for to find himselfe at schoole he vsed this occupation At morning soone and euening late he water tankards brought Unto those houses of such men by whome hee vauntage cought For being poore vnable was to keepe in place of price Untill he found by taking paine profit in his deuice Whereby he kept himselfe at schoole good letters to attaine And although he was very poore yet this way founde he gainâ— And when he had sufficient according to his will He then presented to those men some workes of better skill Which shewed in him a due Desire his duetie to reserue And also eke an earnest zeale there fauours to conserue Euen so vnto your worship now my simple verse I send My dutie bids me be so boulde the same for to commend Unto your courteous true aspect to construe of the same The which is ment for meere good will more then for any fame For I haue not Cleanthes skill deepe matters to impart But such as comâ— from simple head and eke a faithfull hart Which caused me this newe yeeres Time newelie the same to write They newe arâ— of inuention yet not newe of delight Impute it not good Sir for want of willingnesse in me But want of learning is the cause no better verse you see I cannot glose with gallant phrase my bringing vp was plaine And simple sense inforceth me to write in simple vaine Which I present vnto your view as heeretofore is saide And although not seemely set out yet willingnesse well weighed Shall counteruayle the want of skill that aptly heere might bee But of an Ape impessible it is a tayle to see The Lorde preserue your worship long in health in wealth and peace And graunt all thinges you take in hand may haue there due increase The Lord preuent each fauning foe and faithlesse meaning minde Who vnder shew of simplenesse worke mischiefe in their kinde God graunt vnto you glad new yeere with long and ioyfull life And likewise I doe wish the same vnto your worthie wife Whome you and her the Lorde preserue so humblie I am bâ—und To giue you thankes Sir while I liue for friendship I haue sound Resting at your commandement Iames Yates Verses on friendship VNder the Cope and glittering hue of heauen Are all the ioyes allotted by decree Yet is there none that may compared be Unto a friend that neuer is vneuen But doth remaine all one in constancie But for such friendeâ— as are but friends in sight They doe deceiue incertaine is their trust They proue vntrue they moulder like the dust But ah a friend that standes in friendly right He is a friend as needes confesse I must Now if one finde a faithfull friend in deede Then keepe him still as Ieuell that is rare Be sure on this to haue on him a care For why he will remaine a friend at neede As Triall telles and Trueth doth well declareâ— Verses on false Report OH God hovv false report doth vvinne a man Defame And closely carpeth at his life to bring him vnto blame It lovvring lurkes in Den of Dire Disdainefull Dole And spyes a time to peepe abraod as fire burnes the coale No wight so vvise of vvill so sober in his deedes No one so happy in this vvorld but false reporte him feedeâ— For each day that he riseth frâ—m â—lumâ—ring sleeping bed And thinkes to spend the cheerefull day deuoyde to Anger led Thâ—â— ere that drousic night approach
like a shadow doth decay most true it is in deede Then ere thy breath be spent and past reuoke thy childish toyes And giue thou ouer yet at last that most was once thy ioyes For why fond Will â— thou canst not haue that solely to thy selfe When others may in time it craue as gayned with their pelfe Thou art of yeares to know this well The Hauke whose gorge is full Lakes more delight to shake her bell then on the lure to pull Euen so conceyue this in thy thought for why thou maiest it see The newest things are soonest bought and are still wont to be Then thus consider in thy minde Where thou thy fancie frames Giue leaue let Nature â—howe her kindâ— but publish out no names For Nature she can not digresse I speake not this to faine But euen the truth for to expresse to those who to that vaine Doe seeme so much for to apply their studie in their hearte God graunte in fine such do not trie a close vnhidden smart And thus adue I leaue this verse to scanned be of some Which often times do wordes rehearseâ— when as they might be mume Verses vvritten vpon this vvord vvho doth refaine to faine declared vnto him priuatly by his friende vvhome he ansvvereth thus WHo can refraine where flatterie heareth sway Who doth not Sir Dissemble for sooth the vpright mind Who hath the harmles heart not verteouse meÌ„ I say Who mindeth most mistrust the lewd and truthles kind Who fauours friendlesse fraud the fickl flearring friend Who most rebuketh vice those that wish godly ende A lothsome lise it were if idlenesse were maintained A brutish kinde of trade to fauour a fâ—lthie faâ—t A mischieuous meaning man for most part is disdayned An innocent to sâ—ay were but a cowardes acte A pratler much to be declares but simple sense A drunkardes draught to drinke you grauÌ„t to be offence Well Sir as for offence offenders we are all Aswell the riche as poore the wise as is the foole God graunt we may haue grace for mercy stil to call And with repentant hearts to set a godly dole In place where we may see and willing to amend As we by nature ready are Gods goodnesse to offend Verses vvritten vpon a dreame which was dreamed on Sundaie night the x. of April and written vnto Mistresse F. W. WHen darkesome night approched wasâ— and Phoebus ceast to shine Then went I to my â—asing bed to rest this corps of mine Wherein laide downe before I slept according to my vse I craued pardon for my faultes abounding in abuse Thus when I had bequeath'd my selfe vnto high loue to keepe My heauy eyes inforced me strâ—ight waies to fall asleepe Then Morpheus he was courteous bent to merry make my minde And vnto me this Sundayes night a pleasant parte assignde For lo beholde one of my friendes my thought thus tolde to me That modest mistresse F. W. shoulâ— most welthie married be Unto a proper Gentlâ—man whose Parentes are of fame And he himselfe by due deserteâ— doth merrite euen the same Whose vertuous life from infancie hath wonne him such renowme As Trust me friend I want the skill in order to set downe Well friende quoth I a thousand thankes for this thy happy tale This may preuent the peruers pangues of bitter beyling bale Wiâ—h that I wak'd from slothfull sleepe and to my selfe did say I craue of God with all my heart that Iames may see that day And as this dreame of my deliâ—ht did friendlesse feare reiect So I doe wish if you so please that it may take effect And thus I â—nd my duely done your selfe I doe commend Unto the heauenly Lord of hostes who alwayes you defend Verses vpon feare and Fury FEare is a foe as fury is a friend And selfe coÌ„ceipt is worker of much harme Disdainefull doubts dâ—e bring a man to end And careful cold doth neuer keepe maÌ„ warme Mistrustfull mindes haue euery houre care As much as they can well vprightly beare The quiâ—t minde is neuer trobled muchâ— But tries to take each thing in sober sorte When frâ—waâ—d fancy fretteth and doth gruteh To see her selfe contemned in her sporte Well vaine it is heere much for to reueale In close coÌ„ceipt I will the rest conceale Till Time doth serue according to my minde And opportunitie to open my intent I see yet seeme as though that I were blind I ioy likewise when as I might lament I frame my selfe to vse such play and sporte As others doe which to the place resorte Sighing is signe of sadnesse As myrth is shevve of gladnesse Verses vpon this Theame Silence breaketh many Friendeshippes Written vnto his friende G. P. IF Silence friendship breake then silent for to be Is euen the way to loose a friend as seemeth vnto me For when I call'd to minde how longe my pen did rest From writing to him which deserues as well as doth the best Then saide I to my selfe I am too silent I That to my friend of all this time nothing I doe discrie I doe consider thus he is of courteous kind Hee will haâ—e no ill conceipt I hope within his minde For I must needes confesse I haue not idle Time So much as I had heâ—â—etoforeâ— to write each thing in rune I am inforced nowe to bend both wit and will For to discharge that is my charge and rest in fauour â—till The which God graunt I may for that is my Desire The onely sore I seeke to salue the right I doe require The more of it I muse the more I haue good cause To try which way and what to dâ—e to poâ—der and to pause To print in priuate brest and secrets to conceale For why it is a folly vaine each actâ—on to reueale But whether doe I wend I run beyond my reach What doe I meane to write so much as though that I should teach O no I not so minde but this is my intent Some verses to my very friend my thinkes I must present And thus I you commend vnto the Lord of all Who readie is to heare and helpe those that on him doe call Verses written in a solitary suppose of a doubtfull Dumpe I Sadly sitting in a Dumpe deuysing what to write My Muse could not asorde me thaâ— which should yeelde me delight Because she saw I was dispos'd in solitarie soâ—te With matter voyd of pleasant glee to make a plaine reporte Of priuate passione which procure the inward wo and paine The secret causes of contempt the doleur and disdaine The lingring hope that faintly feedes the mindes of many wightes That passe their time in place where grow but few delightes And yet we seâ— it happens so that in the mid'st of smart They finde some causes of conceipâ—e which doâ— reâ—oyce their heart And trust me true that is the way to mittigate the ill Which other wise might be the causeâ— of wounding of their will To be disposed from delight is meane to moue or
mone To consâ—â—ue of each crosse conceipts is guyder vnto grone Whereâ—ore to vse indifferently the causes of ill lucke Is meane to moue no inwarde hate vpon our thâ—ught to sucke We see by due examples shewed the chaunges of our time We see ther 's none so warely liues that alwayes voydeth cryme We see who most doth frame him selfe to sober sorte of life Is forced though against his will to try and tast of strife The most of all that we do finde as hinderers of good happe Are crooked causes which do come our state for to intrappe The daintie dayes of due delight whereon some trust repose Incertaine are nothing so sure as life and them to lose The featured face which florisheth in beawtie blasing braue Shall wrimpled be when hoary Age commaundes it vnto graue The golden hayre which glittereth and showes so by in hewe Shall lodged be in cloddes of clay and kept from worldly view The listening eares which do delight in tales reporting pleasures Shall become deafe and brought to ground when death doth find his leasure The truthlesse tâ—ngue which doth agree to flatter and to faine Shall feede the wormes as it hath fed a number with disdaine The pleasant nose which takes repast to smell each pleasant sent Shall lose the profit of the same and vnto death relent The fingers that can finely frame to strike the ioyfull Luâ—e Shall cease from pleasure of the same when Death doth Life confute The feete which wonted were to goe and vnto mirth resorte Must be content to rest at home and leaue off former sporte The wanton wight which takes delight to cut it with his blade By tract of Time growes from that vse whein Age doth him inuade The Preacher he which feedes his flocke with ghostly counsell pure Must yeelde to death and be content his pangues for to endure The wise and worthiest wighte of all that euer liued here Must be content to yeelde to Death as plainely doth appeare Thus to conclude we may be bold each one of natures frame Shall taste of Death when mightie Ioue assigned hath the same Verses sent vnto his friend B. M. IN all thy deedes be circumspect Thy secretes not disclose But vnto such in whom thou dost a faithfull trust repose And if thou hast a â—aithfull friend be loth him to offend Accounte thoâ— not of flattering friendes thy eares to such not bend Serue God with faithfull fixed faith and frame thy life so iust As that thy carnall motions do not moue thee vnto lust Conceaue and way well thine estate take not too much in hand Frame thy expences as thou maist liue free from others band In doing this with iust regarde thou shalt auoyd much blame And euery one that markes thy vse will praise thee for the same Verses written for one who espyinge his friends fauour and countenance to be altered from the former fashion to satisfie his request he wrote as followeth I See and dayly spy by open viewe too plaine That those which once estem'd of me begin me to disdaine And much I muse thereat but my ill lucke is cause I stand in doubt and dumpish dreed and somtime in a pause I sigh I sobbe I waile I knocke vpon my brest I tosse me here I tosse me there as one that takes no rest I looke like sillie soule with ruthfull running eye And cast my head oft times abacke good countenance to espy But Lord how coy it seemes and squaimish to the showe I neuer thought that courteouse kind such malice once woulâ— owe. Oh Fortune fickle Dame in whom remains no trust Whose wauering chaunces are no â—taytâ— grouÌ„d vpoÌ„ for iusâ— As thou procurest friendes so thou procurest foes As thou makes â—ich so thou makes poore eueÌ„ as thy pleasure growes As now to day to laugh to morrow for to wâ—epe And those that wake in pleasure sweet at length in dauÌ„ger sléepe Thus vpside down thou roulest the whirling wheele of chauÌ„ce And I accompt them happilesse that most thou dost aduauÌ„câ—â— As for my onely state I blame thee oh of right For sure none the causer was but thou of this my spite Thou broughst my liking first and I was well esteemed And had a contenaunce voyd of hate sâ—lely I was deem'd To be in presence more then euer since I was But now a chaunce against me vnhappely doth passs For why I dare not halfe so boldely now aspire I dare not once presume to warme me by the fire I dare not Parle nowe so bolde as I was wont For if I doe the aunswere comes both sharpe both tarte and blunt And head is hanged downe and eyes doe looke aside And faces of the other sorte are made as they woulde chide Wherfore you flattering flurt Dame fortune by your name A vengeance take thy truthles trade for thou didst cause the same But though in thy dispight yet will I vse my coy And neuer soake my heart with care although they seeme so coy For they are but thy fittesâ— I knowe it very well When pleasantnesse is so disposed such thinges he can expell To which most happy time I trust but not to thee For thou art still of flitting kind and euermore wilt be Verses declaring how each Desirâ— Is satisfied in Time THe hungery soule that wantes of foode his Corpes to fill Is forced forth through pining plainte to remedie his ill And if by happie lotte he lighteth in such place Whereas is foode abundantly to helpe his dolefull case Then you shall see this swaine whom hungers hate had hiâ—t When he in Time hath had Desire doth skorne that ofte he mist The wâ—ght that keepes in Courtâ— and viewes the gallant shewes Of Princes Pallace deerely dect whose eyes it dayly knowes â—steemeth not so much the sight though it be rare As he esteemes a new fond toy where on his eyes may stare What is the cause of this because that he is fill'd And hath enough euen of the sight As much as he hath will'd The Goldsmith that doth worke vpon the Diamond rare Doth not so much esteeme the sight as sequell doth declare The Painter that doth make with pencell in his hand Some passing peece of Portracture like liuely shape to stand At first time when he went with will to learne that art Desire was a mate of his and woulde not drawe a part And marke how he by Time of it hath had his fill He passeth more for greedie gold then he esteemes his skill Thus is Desire at length by Time brought into vre The Painter pleased is with Coyne as well as Portracture The Gentleman that keepes a Hauke for his delight And taketh pleasure for to view the swiftnesse of her flight With spannelles for to raungeâ— the game alofte to spring At length we see he wearily accompteth of the thing The greedy Lyon eke that roareth for her pray Is neuer satisfied vntill Some faultlesse thingâ— she slay And then when she hath fed and fulnesse her inuest
our dayes no stay for vs to leane vnto Incertaine is each thought we thinke or what we els can doe Well if thou be esspoused once and linck'd with wedlockes chaine Conuert thou not to others vse least hatefull be thy gaine For looke what order thou dost vse the same thou shalt imbrace When as thou comest before that Iudge that Iudgeth each mans case Beware no wantonnesse be seene O mayden some so pray Liue as thou wouldst intend to liue in life for lasting aye Loue onely one in secret thought as heart and onely deere So shall thy life be Chaste in deede this sentence is most cleere Yea cleere most cleere as cleere may be which shineth like the sunne Bruted abroade by flying Fame which neuer shall be done Beautie is but a blazing bayte in high respect of this Yet Beautie pleaseth mindes of men as certaine true it is Beautie is glorious in Attyre according to her hue Alluring the eyes of men vpon her for to view Marke this I say you Cupids knights esteeming Beautie so That it may happen for to hit to bring you vnto wo. Was not strong Sampson he beguilde when harlot clipt his hayre Was not the valiant Hercules also ketched in snare Did not Poore Paris buy it deere for Hellina so fine When all the Troyans felt the smart as Terrour did assigne Did there not rise Achilles wrath vpon him silly man Which did conclude in blooddy broylâ— a wosull cause to skan Did not the vitious Sodomites and Gomorians feele the smarte Because they had not grace to turne and from sinne to conuert No preaching could them reforme til fiery flames from hye Did downe â—â—scend them to destroy O ruthfull miserye What was the cause their fleshly liues their vile and vitious deedes They follow not Dame Chastnesse steppes whom Ryot onely feedes But if they had addicted beene to chastnesse and good life They had not felt the furiouse force of their deserued strife But they were giuen ryotously to pleasure and to pride It is impossible well to liue where grace doth want to guyde Oh Chastnesse thou the floure of grace the Impe of ioy so deere The Lanthorne light of life so pure which shines like Christall cleere The proppe the piller and the stay which holdes vp honest life The hope of heauen the hap of ioy which euer shall be rife Oh God what Beneficialnesse by Chastnesse doth insue Much more then I with tongue can tell or pen can well renew Or if I had Dame Pallas Ayde or Poets learned stile Yet trust me true I were too weake her praise for to compile Wherefore of Poets thus I craue such pardon to attaine Since that but skillesnesse doth leade in verse to shew my vaine For surely I not presume in gloriouse title braue But from my heart deuoyde of guile pardon of them I craue For to proceede as simple witt shall lend me simple skill Where nothing wantes but learning she to aide my readie will The horse although his force be small yet if he haue desire Is worthie simply of great praiseâ— though he ly in the myre Euen so I must confesse to you I haue an earnest will To praise this worthie gifte in deede though simple be my skill Wishing I had beene learn'd in schooâ—e among the learned sorte Then should I with lesse tediousnesse haue made this my reporte But truly I lament the losse of that I most desire Which to recouer by no meanes I can not well require But Lord it is a world to see how foolish fickle youth Accompts the schoole a purgatorie a place of paine and ruth And neuer are in quyet minde till absent thence they bee Youth onely mindeth playe and sporte apparantly we see But when that Time hath brought our yeareâ— and some experience gayned Then they lament the losse of Time â— which once they so disdayned A lamentation made to late is lothsome to inuest For to receaue the losse of Time is pensiue to the brest What meane I thus to spend my Time so fondly to recyte I see t is want of learned lorâ— to guide me now aright Me thinkes I heare one say to me go too go on proceede Of former matter to intreate for this is more then neede Praise thou Dame Chastnesse as thou shouldst Digresse not so aside And to thy matter directly go and in it do abide Wherewith I blusht and said againe oh Sir I pardon craue Accuse me not for slipping so my matter to deprauâ— But giue me leaue to raunge a while by foolish fancie fraught So shall you pleasure me no small since that my wittes be naught But since I did digresse so much I ten times praise this Dame Whose Chastitie and vertuouse life deserues eternall Fame Her steppes are steady like the rocke her fortresse is so stronge As no assault of Cupids Crue shalt enter in by wrong And as the pleasant meades refresh the flying foules in aire So doth Dame Chastnesse comforte giue to those that might dispaire Which suffer many Derisious floâ—tes and mokes of vilde and vitious kinde Yet sure the chaste and constant life all sorrowes do vnbinde A rich rewarde by Due desert to see such culling mates Be tinged about the towne in Cart and pulled by the pates When Chastnesse resteth like a Queene In high Magnificence With reuerence done of honest sorte and scapeth such offence As maketh them oft times asham'd and shrinke their heades in hold And chaunge in colours blacke and blew as though they were acold But Truth to say they are a colde in this chast honest lore They are more hote in Venus flames then honestie in store Reuoake recant relent with speede least Time do come to late I speake not to the honest Dames but to the viciouse mate For why I neede no honest warne then should I be too bold And I were worthy to be blam'd so much for to vnfolde Oh worthie wightes you sporte your mindes with sadde and sober sightes Oh gloriouse Chastnesse how she shines oh blest and happie wightes O sacret Dame by Ioue ordayn'd to be in heanenly place Where as no spot of spotted life thy seate shall once deface But with a heauenly body thou shalt there remaine for Aye Where Angels sitte in seemely sight which neuer shall decay Why then who would not liue a life as Chast as Chast might bee For they shall haue as promise iâ— eternall blisse you see Where contrariwise we purchase death and flashing flames of fire In Plutoes pit to spend our Time if grace we not require There shall we see the broyling brands and fendes of vgly hue There shall we heare lamenting cries with Torments that renewe Upon such mates whom Carnall Lust in life of fleshly will They had not grace for to repent but did perseuer still To greate confusion of their soule in euerlasting fire Wherefore God graunt we may be Chaste for to avoyde his Ire And that we treade Dame Chastnesse
the which O Lord preserue With Seemely Cepter in her Throne thy Gospell to conserue From forraine foe and faithlesse friendes from all that mischiffe workes Lord breake the broode of Enuies wyles in secrecie that loorkes Lay open to her Princly viewe all those that faithlesse be In thought against her Maiestie Lord let her highnesse see We must confesse vnfainedly we haue deseru'd thy ire We dayly lord be prompt to sinne smale goodnesse we require Yet haue compassion on our land and do the same defend From those which vnder shew of friendes their mallice do pretend Unto our Quene which raigned hath this three and twentie yeares In peacable Tranquillitie as well to vs appeares God graunt Her highnesse Nestors yeeres ouer this Realme to Raine Amen Amen for Iesus sake amen we do not faine God preserue with ioyfull life our Gracious Queene Elizabeth In the Commendation of a Godly and Vertuous Matron AS I alone did walke in fieldes I heard a thundering voyce Which did descend from loftie skyes whereof I stood in choyse For to coniecture with my selfe what voyce should be the same It answered me as I it heard I am the flying fame Which farther said take pen in hand and proue thy simple skill To blaze abroad a Matrons life whose minde doth meane no ill Her Vertuous life adorned is with Godly zeale and grace Lucrese if she were aliue she could it not deface No day doth passe this Matrons handes in any idle sporte She to the Church to serue her God in due time doth resorte If any wight shall purchase heauen for Godly life well spent Fame told me that should be she high Ioue did so assent And to conclude if graftes of grace doe growe in any wight Then in the Hinde you may be â—olde they shine with vertue bright Thus much as Fame commanded me I haue heere put in vre With heartie prayers to the Lorde her life may long indure Heauenly Happinesse is Due to the Hinde In the Commendation of a Dame Whose name is Elected with Fame IF skill did rest within my head or Poets cunning art Then would I proue to write her praise agreeing to her parte But Ladies if you doe deride and scorne a willing minde Dame wisedome doth not teach you that but Momus mocking kinde For sooth the gallanist of you all that be of Dians flocke May seeme to let her haue a roome without dispight or mocke For why her fauour is as sweete her Beautie is as saâ—ce As any Dame in Dians Courte I rightly may compare Yea Chaste she liues I tell you true in spite of Cupids ire A Vertuous praise she doth deserue if duety may requireâ— Foelix was not more faithfuller vnto his friend in heart Then she is true vnto her make her vertue hath desert Which long the Lord preserue and keepâ— with his defending hand From faithlesse friendes and fauning foes whose trust doth truthlesse stand Praise is a preferring of the party though needelesse In the Prayse of a vertuous Gentlewoman IF Vertue praise gaine by desert Or constant stay or faithfull minde Good Ladies let me in this part Some thing Declare for faithfull kinde Let not my pen rebâ—ked be Though simple skill doe rest in me But giue me leaue for to declare And speake my minde without offence Such duetie I vnto her beare As trust me this is my petence To write some thing although I see Unablenesse which rests in mee A Lady I obey and serue With heart and minde and onelie will Who hath done more then I deserue For which I am her seruant still To wish her well since wealth is small And wishing is the most of all But if that wishing could aduaunce My wishing should not come behind But wishing is a tickle chaunce Although we wish yet want we find Wherfore to wish it is but vaine When as we wish and not attaine If Courteous nature be on ground It is in her I dare depese Whose grafted Impes of grace are sounde As vertuous buddes at large disclose Whose fragrant life like Woodbine flower May seeme to deâ—ke a Matrons bower I shall not neede to name her name But priuately in fostering brest I meane â—or to obserue the same With former minde and so I rest Whose life I wish whose ioy I craue Till breath from corpes death doth depraue In the praise of Fennill and Woodbine IN garden braue when as I view'd and saw There euery herbe that nature had bedeckt And euery flower so fresh and red as Haw I stoode in choyse of which I should elect Yet coulâ— I none there finde that did me please So much as two by whom I haue found ease And Fennill first for sight hath done me good Whose water Stil'd did ease my pricking eies Reuiu'd my heart cheer'd my fainting blood And made me laugh wheÌ„ head was ful of cries What say you noâ— can you expulsse my clause May I not praise yes sir when I haue cause Yes sure this hearbe I likâ— and like againeâ— And if I had a garden as some haue I would much plant and take therein greate paine To haue in store for such as will it craueâ— Yet some will say that Fennill is to flatter They ouer reache their tongues too much do clattâ—r The Woodbine leafe is good to ease the thorte Or paine in mouth that comes by â—romnies in drinkeâ— I haue it tryed I do not lye for note Seeth thou the leaues in water as I thinke And wash thy mouth and thou shalt finde such â—asâ— As will no doubte the former paine appeasâ— For these same two I pray to God from hearte Their hewes may stand in happie sâ—ate and prime And boysterouse windes may blowe from them apart Who do good though fisâ—ily they clyme As helpe I finde so helpe I ought to praise That helpe may helpe when helpe shall neede alwaies Of a friende in prosperitie and a foe in aduersitie THat morning which so braue doth shine with Phebus glistering face â—are darksome night approched is a shower doth it disgrace And yet Sir Phebus gallant hew in morning did displaye Who seem'd to promise by aspect to burnish out the day Euen so of double harted friendeâ— I rightly do compare Which shewe a pleasant face vntill 〈◊〉 friend be caught in care And then as dimming of the Sunnâ— doth châ—unge the former hue So doth a double faced friend returne againe a new From faithfull friendship which as he by promise should not do But those that can dissemble Sir they know what longâ— theretoâ— But whilest thou art in prosperouse state and voyd of Fortunes lowre Then will they seeme to be thy friendes in pleasant wordes each howre But when Aduersitie that wretch hath caught thee in his snare Their friendship is forgotten then of thee they haue no care Wherefore who trustes a smiling face may chaunce to be beâ—uylde And he that toucheth pich they say shall thâ—rewith be defil'â— A perswation patiently to suffer