ryme called ryding rime and that is suche as our Mayster and Father Chaucer vsed in his Canterburie tales and in diuers other delectable and light enterprises but though it come to my remembrance somewhat out of order it shall not yet come altogether out of time for I will nowe tell you a conceipt whiche I had before forgotten to wryte you may see by the way that I holde a preposterous order in my traditions but as I sayde before I wryte moued by good wil and not to shewe my skill Then to returne too my matter as this riding rime serueth most aptly to wryte a merie tale so Rythme royall is fittest for a graue discourse Ballades are beste of matters of loue and rondlettes moste apt for the beating or handlyng of an adage or common prouerbe Sonets serue aswell in matters of loue as of discourse Dizaymes and Sixames for shorte Fantazies Verlayes for an effectuall proposition although by the name you might otherwise iudge of Verlayes and the long verse of twelue and fouretene sillables although it be now adayes vsed in all Theames yet in my iudgement it would serue best for Psalmes and Himpnes I woulde stande longer in these traditions were it not that I doubt mine owne ignoraunce but as I sayde before I know that I write to my fréede and affying my selfe therevpon I make an ende FINIS VVyll is dame bevvties chiefe Iustice of Oyre and terminer Common Bayll There is in deede suche a kinde of feuer Lenuoye Such a sect there is that desire no longer lyfe theÌ„ vvhiles they are in loue Astolf being the goodliest personne in the vvorlde founde a dvvarfe lying vvith his vvife * Apeece of golde like the Crusado * The chiefe Cittie in Cyprus * The gouernour of Famagosta * The generall of the Turkes The foure to che bearers that came in vvith the Actor The Actor had a token in his cap like to the Mountacutes of Italie The token that he dyd vveare in his cappe The Montacutes and capels in Italye do vvere tokens in their cappes to be knovven one from another * Venetian hotes * Knovv not * Good quaâ—â—â—ies * Am not * Lacke * As vvho should say These thinges are mistical and not to bee vnderstoode but by Thaucthour him selfe Another misterie Another misterie Another misterie Another similitude Hope is euer contrary to a louers Passion à definito Poetes Astronomers definition Painters description Common peoples opinion The Authors definition Prince Nobilitie Prelacie Lawyers Merchants Husbandmen CoÌ„munaltie Haughty harts ☞ Caesar Pompey Montacute Earle of Salisbury Borbon Borbons Epitaph Aristotle Cicero Auicene Greedy minde Miser Vnthriftes Praters Felons Hope is cup-bearer to war. Flushyng frayes fleesing of Flaunders Aerdenburgh Tergoes * The Prince of Orenge his name is Guillam of Nassau ☜ Ramykins * A Coronel of the kings side (a) An Iland so called which was sore spoyled by our countrymen (b) A Coronel of the kings side whiche was gouernour of Middelburgh next before MouÌ„tdragon * A towne in Holland * Christmas The frute of fansie The pleasauntest village as I thinke that is in Europe (a) forbidden (b) the Greene captaine (c) a prouerbe (a) protestauÌ„ts (b) The Iland wherein Flushing doth stand (c) Rigged vp and fully furnished (d) a Towne (e) a Riuer (f) Lusty gallants (g) The admiral of flushing (h) Iulian de Romero (i) The castellane of Anwerp (k) A Riuer Hope is the herbenger of mishappe * footemen ☜ ☞ * A coronell of the kings side ☜ Prince Nobilitie Prelacie Lawyers Merchaunts The first supose grownd of all the suposes An other supose Another supose An other supose A dottish supose An other supose Erostra Du. ex improuiso Dulipo is espied by Erostrato The seruants come in An other suppose Pasi subito improuiso venit An other suppose Another suppose Another suppose A stoute suppose A pleasant suppose A true suppose A shamelesse suppose A needelesse suppose An other suppose A shrewde suppose An other suppose Another suppose Another plain and homely suppose Erostrato exit A knauishe suppose Lawyers are neuer weary to get money A gentle suppose A crafty suppose A right suppose The first suppose brought to conclusion * Fygure The courte liuely painted A glasse for yong women ArgumentuÌ„ â maiore Bacchus Bacchus was the God whom they most honored in Thebes Neuer Sworde Lamenting Exile an exceding griefe to an honest mynde All exyles are like bondmen Hope the help in miserye Fuw frends in miserye Smal causes may moue the needy to contend The dames did loue Polynice and hate Eteocles One of the furies Rehersall of olde grudges doâ— hâ—â—der al reconcilition (b) Cruell or vengeable Truth pleadeth simply when falssehood vseth eloquence (c) Crown 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sundrye men sundry minds Onely rule Wil not Tullyes opinyon Youth seeth not so much as age Ambition doth destroye al equalytte doth maynteyne al things If the head be euill the body cannot be good Content to riche Riches are but borowed ware More care to loose than plesure to posses Small glory for a rebel to see his owne countrey spoyled Kyll Promisse Age must be helped by youth Venus made him blynde for giuing sentence against hir Great follye to accuse the gods A thankles office to foretell a mischiefe No greater honor than to dye for thy countrey Death indeed yeldeth more pleasure than lyfe Comaundements Any messeÌ„ger is welcome that bringeth tydings of aduancement Cesers tears We harken somtimee willingly to wofull news * would not She sheweth the frutes of true kyndly loue The duty of a childe truly perfourmed She giueth him a staffe and stayeth hym hir self also Iustice sleepeth A Glasse for brittel Beutie and for iusty limmes A mirrour for Magistrates (a) The Hill where poetes fayne thâ—t the Muses sleepe (a) A true exposition (b) Querweening There are to many of them in euery countrey A Misterie (a) Sir William Morgan of Pencoyde (a) bettâ—â— (a) best beloued (b) in good worth (a) Fadom a half three ho. (b) When all sayles are takeÌ„ downe (c) You be to soone (d) It is not good tide (e) the Duke (a) vnknowen (a) It is good tide that know I well (b) Lusty gallants Yorke and Herle (a) care (a) A Small bote The ayre of that Countrie did by all likelyhood seeme colder to him than the streetes of Venice (a) as who sayeth She vvas an Egiptian Angelica refusing the most famous knights in the vvhole vvorlde chose at last Medoro a poore seruing man.
to vse that for a Spurre which I had heere appoynted for a Brydle I can none otherwise lameÌ„t it but to say that I am not the first which hath bene misiudged Truely gentle Reader I protest that I haue not ment heerein to displease any man but my desire hath rather bene to coÌ„tent most men I meane the diuine with godly Hymnes and Psalmes the sober minde with morall discourses and the wildest will with sufficient warning The which if it so fall out then shall I thinke my selfe right happie And if it fall out otherwise I shall yet neuer bee ashamed to become one of their corporation which reape floutes and reprehension for their trauayles But bicause these Posies growe to a great bundell and thereof also the number of louing lynes exceedeth in the Superlatiue I thought good to aduertise thee that the most part of them were written for other men And out of all doubt if euer I wrote lyne for my selfe in causes of loue I haue written tenne for other men in layes of lust For I counte greater difference betweene loue and lust than there is diuersitie betweene witte and wisedome and yet witte and I did in youth make such a fray that I feare his cosen wisedome will neuer become freendes with me in my age VVell though my folly bee greater than my fortune yet ouergreat were mine vnconstancie if in mine owne behalfe I shoulde compyle so many sundrie Songs or Sonets I haue heard of an honest plaine meaning Citizen who being ouercharged with many matters in the lawe and hearing of a common solicitor of causes in the Citie came home to comfort his wife and tolde hir that he had heard of one which dwelt at Billingsgate that coulde helpe all men Euâ—n so good Reader I was a great while the man which dwelt at Billingsgate For in wanton delightes I helped all men though in sad earnest I neuer furthered my selfe any kinde of way And by that it proceedeth that I haue so often chaunged my Posie or worde For when I did compile any thing at the request of other men if I had subscribed the same with mine owne vsuall mot or deuise it might haue bewrayed the same to haue beene of my doing And I was euer curious in that behalfe as one that was lothe to bewray the follies of other men And yet as you see I am not verie daungerous to lay my selfe wide open in view of the worlde I haue also sundrie tymes chaunged mine owne worde or deuise And no meruaile For he that wandereth much in those wildernesses shall seldome continue long in one minde VVell it were follie to bewayle things which are vnpossible to be recouered sithence Had I wist doth seldome serue as a blasone of good vnderstanding And therefore I will spende no more wordes in this Preface but I pray thee to smell vnto these Posies as Floures to comfort Herbes to cure and VVeedes to be auoyded So haue I ment them and so I beseech thee Reader to accept them Farewell T.B. In prayse of Gascogines Posies WE prayse the plough that makes the fruitelesse soyle To bring forth corne through helpe of heauenly might And eke esteeme the simple wretches toyle VVhose painefull handes doe labour day and night VVe prayse the ground whereon the herbes do grow VVhich heale or helpe our greeues and mortall paine Yea weedes haue worth wherein we vertue know For natures Art nothing hath made in vaine VVe prayse those floures which please the secrete sense And do content the tast or smell of man The Gardners paynes and worke we recompence That skilfull is or aught in cunning can But much more prayse to Gascoignes penne is due VVhose learned hande doth here to thee present A Posie full of Hearbes and Flowers newe To please all braynes to wit or learning bent Howe much the minde doth passe the sense or smell So much these Floures all other do excell E.C. In prayse of Gascoignes Posies IN gladsome Spring when sweete and pleasant shoures Haue well renued what winters wrath hath torne And that we see the wholesome smelling Floures Begin to laugh rough winters wracke to scorne If then by chaunce or choyce of owners will VVe roame and walke in place of rare delightes And therein finde what Arte or natures skill Can well set forth to feede our hungrie sightes Yea more if then the owner of the soyle Doth licence yeelde to vse all as our owne And gladly thinkes the fruites of all his toyle To our behoofe to be well set and sowne It cannot be but this so great desart In basest breast doth bâ—eede this due regarde VVith worlde of thankes to prayse this friendly part And wish that woorth mought pay a iust rewarde Good Reader then beholde what gallant spring This booke brings forth of fruites of finest sortes Be bolde to take thy list of euerie thing For so is ment And for thy glad disportes The paine was tane therefore lo this I craue In his behalfe that wrote this pleasant worke VVith care and cost and then most freely gaue His labours great wherein great treasures lurke To thine auayle let his desartes now binde thee In woorde and deede he may still thankfull finde thee M.C. commending the correction of Gascoignes Posies THe Beares blinde whelpes which lacke both nayles and heare And lie like lumpes in filthie farrowed wise Do for a time most ougly beastes appeare Till dammes deare tongue do cleare their clozed eyes The gadde of steele is likewise blunt and blacke Till file and fire do frame it sharpe and bright Yea precious stones their glorious grace do lacke Till curious hand do make them please the sight And so these floures although the grounde were gay VVhereon they grew and they of gallant hew Yet till the badde were cullde and cast away The best became the worse by such a crew For my part then I lyked not their smell But as they be I like them pretly well R.S. In prayse of Gascoignes Posies THe pleasant plot wherein these Posies gâ—â—w May represent Parnassus springs indeede VVhere Pallas with hir wise and learned crew Did plant great store and sow much cunning seede That Goddesse then on whom the Muses wayte To garde hir grounde from greedie gathrers spoyle Hath here ordeynde by fine and close conceyte A greene knight chiefe and master of the soyle Such badge beares he that beautified this booke VVith glorious shew of sundrie gallant flowers But since he first this labor vndertooke He gleand thereout to make the profite ours A heape of Hearbes a sort of fruitfull seedes A needefull salue compound of needlesse weedes Appendix All these with more my freend here freely giues Nor naked wordes nor streyne of straunge deuise But Gowers minde which now in Gascoigne liues Yeeldes heere in view by iudgement of the wise His penne his sworde himselfe and all his might To Pallas schoole and Mars in Princes right T. Ch. In prayse of Gascoignes Posies THough goodnesse of the
gold needes no mans praise ye know And euery coyne is iudgde and found by weight by stamp or show Yet doth the prayse of men giue gold a double grace And makes both pearls and Iewels rich desirde in euery place The horse full finely formde whose pace and traine is true Is more esteemde for good report than likte for shape and view Yea sure ech man himselfe for all his wit and skill If world bestow no lawde on him may sleepe in silence still Fame shewes the value first of euerie precious thing And winnes with lyking all the brute that doth the credit bring And fame makes way before to workes that are vnknowne And peoples loue is caried ther where fame hir trump hath blown A cunning workman fine in Cloyster close may sit And carue or paint a thousand things and vse both art and wit Yet wanting worldes renowne may scape vnsought or seene It is but fame that outruns all and gets the goall I weene The learned Doctors lawd that heales where other harmes By cōmon prayse of peoples voyce brings pacients in by swarmes A goodly stately house hath seldome any fame Till world behold the buildings through and people see the same The Flowers and Posies sweete in better price are held VVhen those haue praysde their vertues rare that haue their odor smeld So by these foresayd proofes I haue a pardon free To speake to write and make discourse of any worke I see That worthie is of prayse for prayse is all we get Present the worlde with labors great the world is in your det It neuer yeeldes rewarde nor scarce iust prayse will giue Then studie out to stand on fame and striue by fame to liue Our olde forefathers wise saw long before these dayes How sone faint world would fail deserts and cold would wax our prayse And knowing that disdeyne for toyle did rather rise Than right renowne whose goldē buds growes vp to starry skies Betooke their labors long and euery act they did Vnto the Gods from whose deepe sight no secret can be hid And these good gracious Gods sent downe from heauens hie For noble minds an endlesse fame that throw the world doth flie VVhich fame is due to those that seeke by new deuice To honor learning euery way and Vertue bring in price From Knowledge gardeyn gay where science sowes hir seedes A pretie Posie gathered is of Flowers Hearbes and VVeedes The Flowers by smel are found the hearbs their goodnes showes The VVeedes amid both hearbs flowers in decēt order growes The soft and tender nose that can no weedes abide May make his choise of holesome hearbes whose vertues well are tride The fine and flowing wittes that feede on straunge delites May tast for seasning daintie mouthes the bitter weede that bites The well disposed minde and honest meaning man Shall finde in floures proude Peacoks plumes and feathers of the Swan The curst and crabbed Carle that Posies flings away By this perhaps may find some cause with prettie floures to play The kinde and louing worme that woulde his ladie please My light on some such medcin here shal do them both much ease The Lad that lykes the schoole and will good warning take May snatch some rules oute of this booke that may him doctor make The hastie trauayling head that flies to foreyne place May wey by this what home is woorth and stay his rouing race The manly courage stoute that seeketh fame full farre Shall find by this how sweete is peace and see how soure is warre This Posie is so pickt and choysely sorted throw There is no Flower Herbe nor VVeede but serues some purpose now Then since it freely comes to you for little cost Take well in worth these paynes of him that thinkes no labor lost To do his countrie good as many others haue VVho for their toyles a good report of worlde did onely craue Grudge not to yeeld some fame for fruites that you receyue Make some exchaunge for franke good will some signe or token leaue To shew your thankfull harts For if you loue to take And haue a conscience growne so great you can no gift forsake And cannot giue againe that men deserue to reape Adieu we leaue you in the hedge and ore the stile we leape And yet some stile or verse we after shape in ryme That may by arte shewe you a Glasse to see your selues in tyme. Thus wish I men their right and you that iudge amisse To mend your minds or frame your Muse to make the like of this G.VV. In prayse of Gascoigne and his Posies REader rewarde nought else but onely good report For all these pleasant Posies here bound vp in sundrie sort The flowers fayre and fresh were set with painefull toyle Of late in Gascoignes Garden plot a passing pleasant soyle Now weedes of little worth are culde from out the rest VVhich he with double paine did work to gleane the bad frō best The state is very straunge and fortune rare in vse VVhose heauie happe he neither helpes nor blazeth their abuse In thundring verse he wrayes where highest mindes be thrall VVhere mischeefe seekes to rayse it selfe by force of others fall He pluckes the visour of from maskes of peeuish pride And wrayes what sowre in sweet pretēce the coustly corts cā hide In euerie gallant flower he setteth forth to show Of Venus thralles the hap the harme the want the weale the woe He finely findes their faultes whose welth doth foster wrong VVho toucheth sinne without offence must plainly sing his song His loftie vaine in verse his stately stile in prose Foretelles that Pallas ment by him for to defende hir foes VVherwith to Mars his might his lustie limmes are knit A sight most rare that Hectors mind should match with Pallas wit. By proofe of late appeared how so reportes here ran That he in field was formost still in spoyle the hynmost man. No backward blastes could bruse the valour of his thought Although slie hap forestoode his hope in that he credite sought In fortunes spight he straue by vertues to aspire Resolude when due deserts might mount then he should haue his hire Thus late with Mars in field a lustie Souldiour shewde And now with peace in Pallas schoole he freendly hath bestowde On thee this heape of flowers the fruites of all his toyle VVhereof if some but simple seeme consider well the soyle They grew not all at home some came from forreyne fieldes The which percase set here againe no pleasant sauour yeeldes Yet who mislyketh most the worst will hardly mend And he were best not write at all which no man will offend P.B. to such as haue heretofore found fault with Gascoignes Posies GAynst good deserts both pride and enuie swell As neede repines to see his neighbour ritche And slaunder chafes where vertues prosper well As sicke men thinke all others health to mitch Such filthie faultes mens harts ofttymes inflame That spight presumes to stayne the worthies
colde in earth and claye But that I was restored vnto breath By one that séemde lyke Pellycane to playe Who shed his blood to giue me foode alwaye And made me liue in spite of sorrowe styll Sée how my dreame agrees now with this byll His feebled wittes forgotten had there whyle By whome and howe he had this letter first But when he spyde the man then gan he smile For secréete ioye his heart dyd séeme to burst Now thought he best that earst he compted worst And louingly he dyd the man embrace And askt howe farde the roote of all his grace Sée sodaine chaunge sée subtile swéete disceipte Behold how loue can make his subiectes blinde Let all men marke hereby what guilefull baite Dan Cupide layeth to tyse the louers minde Alacke alacke a slender thread maye binde That prysonor fast which meanes to tarrye styll A lytle road correctes a ready wyll The briefe was writte and blotted all with gore And thus it sayde Behold howe stedfast loue Hath made me hardy thankes haue he therefore To write these wordes thy doubtes for to remoue VVith mine owne blood and yf for thy behoue These bloody lynes do not thy Cares conuert I vowe the next shall bleede out of my heart I dwell to long vpon this thriftlesse tale For Bartholmew was well appeasde hereby And féelingly he banished his bale Taking herein a tast of remedy By lyte and lyte his fittes away gan flye And in short space he dyd recouer strength To stand on foote and take his horse at length So that we came to London both yfere And there his Goddesse tarryed tyll we came I am to blame to call hir Goddesse here Since she deserude in déede no Goddesse name But sure I thinke and you may iudge the same She was to to him a Goddesse in his thought Although perhaps hir Shrines was ouerbought I maye not write what words betwéene them past How teares of griefe were turnde to teares of ioye Nor how their dole became delight at last Nor how they made great myrth of much anoye Nor how content was coyned out of coye But what I sawe and what I well maye write That as I maye I meane for to endite In louely London loue gan nowe renew This blooddye Letter made it battle much And all the doubtes which he in fansies drew Were done away as there had bene none such But to him self◠he bare no body grutch Him selfe he sayde was cause of all this wo Withouten cause that hir suspected so O louing Youthes this glasse was made for you And in the same you may your selues behold Beléeue me nowe not one in all your crew Which where he loues hath courage to be bold Your Cressides climes are alwaies vncontrold You dare not saye the Sunne is cleare and bright You dare not sweare that darkesome is the night Terence was wise which taught by Pamphilus Howe courage quailes where loue be blinds the sence Though proofe of times makes louers quarelous Yet small excuse serues loue for iust defence These Courtisanes haue power by pretence To make a Swan of that which was a Crowe As though blacke pitche were turned into Snowe Ferenda She whome heauen and earth had framde For his decaye and to bewitche his wittes Made him nowe thinke him selfe was to be blamde Which causeles thus would fret himselfe in fittes Shée made him thinke that sorrowe sildome sittes Where trust is tyed in fast and faithfull knottes She sayd Mistrust was méete for simple sottes What wyl you more shée made him to beléeue That she first loued although she yonger were She made him thinke that his distresse dyd gréeue Hir guiltlesse minde and that it might appeare Howe these conceiptes could ioyne or hang yfere She dyd confesse howe soone shée yeelded his Such force quod she in learned men there is She furder sayde that all to true it was Howe youthfull yeares and lacke of him alone Had made hir once to choose out brittle glasse For perfect Gold She dyd confesse with mone That youthfully shee bytte a worthlesse bone But that therein she tasted déepe delight That sayde shée not nor I presume to write Shée sware and that I beare full well in minde Howe Dyomede had neuer Troylus place Shée sayd and sware how euer sate the winde That Admirals dyd neuer know hir case She sayd againe that neuer Noble Face Dyd please hir eye nor moued hir to change She sayd hir minde was neuer geuen to range She sayd and sayd that Bracelettes were ybound To hold him fast but not to charme his thought She wysht therewith that she were déepely drownd In Ippocrace if euer she had sought Or dronke or smelt or tane or found or bought Such Nectar droppes as she with him had dronke But this were true she wisht hir soule were sonke And to conclude she sayde no printed rymes Could please hir so as his braue Triumphes dyd Why wander I She cou'red all hir crimes With déepe disceipt and all hir guiles she hyd With fained teares and Bartholmew she ryd With double gyrthes she byt and whyned both And made him loue where he had cause to loth These be the fruictes which grow on such desire These are the gaines ygot by such an art To late commes be that séekes to quenche the fire When flames possesse the house in euery part Who lyst in peace to kéepe a quiet hart Flye loue betimes for if he once oretake him Then seeld or neuer shall he well forsake him If once thou take him Tenaunt to thy brest No wrytte nor force can serue to plucke him thence No pylles can purge his humour lyke the rest He bydes in bones and there takes residence Against his blowes no bucklar makes defence And though with paine thou put him from thy house Yet lurkes hée styll in corners lyke a Mouse At euery hole he créepeth in by stelth And priuilye he féedeth on thy crommes With spoiles vnséene he wasteth all thy welth He playes boe péepe when any body commes And dastardlik he séemes to dread the drommes Although in déede in Embushe he awaytes To take thée stragling yf thou passe his straites So séemed now by Bartholmews successe Who yeelded sone vnto this second charge Accusing styll him selfe for his distresse And that he had so languished at large Short worke to make he had none other charge To beare loues blowes but styll to trust hir tale And pardon craue because he bread hir bale And thus he lyude contented styll with craft Mistrusting most that gaue least cause of doubt He fledde mishappe and helde it by the haft He banisht bale and bare it styll about He let in loue and thought to hold him out He séemde to bathe in perfect blisse againe When God he knowes he fostred priuie paine For as the Trée which crooked growes by kinde Although it be with propping vnderset In trackt of time to crooked course wyll twinde So could Ferenda neuer more forget The lease at
fresh Samon or any suche good dishe he followeth to the house and either with some newes or some stale iest he will be sure to make himselfe a geast Ero. In faith and I will séeke there for him Du. Then muste you néedes finde him and when you haue done I will make you laughe Ero. Whereat Du. At certaine sport I made to day with master doctor Ero. And why not now Du. No it asketh further leysure I pray thée dispatche and finde out Pasiphilo that honest man. Dulipo tarieth Erostrato goeth out Scena ij DVLIPO alone THis amorous cause that hāgeth in cōtrouersie betwene Domine doctor me may be compared to thē that play at primero of whō some one peraduēture shal léese a great sum of money before he win one stake at last halfe in anger shal set vp his rest win it after that another another another till at last he draw the most part of the money to his heape the other by litle litle stil diminishing his rest til at last he be come as néere the brinke as earst the other was yet again peraduēture fortune smiling on him he shal as it were by péece meale pull out the guts of his fellows bags bring him barer than he himselfe was tofore so in play continue stil fortune fauoring now this way now that way til at last the one of thē is left with as many crosses as God hath brethren O howe often haue I thoughte my selfe sure of the vpper hande herein but I triumphed before the victorie And then how ofte againe haue I thoughte the fielde loste Thus haue I béene tossed nowe ouer nowe vnder euen as fortune list to whirle the whéele neither sure to winne nor certayne to loose the wager And this practise that nowe my seruaunte hath deuised although hitherto it hath not succeeded amisse yet can I not count my selfe assured of it for I feare still that one mischance or other wyll come and turne it topsie turuie But looke where my mayster commeth Damon comming in espieth Dulipo and calleth him Scena iij. DAMON DVLIPO NEVOLA and two mo seruants DVlipo Du. Here sir Da. Go in and bid Neuola and his fellowes come hither that I may tell them what they shall goe about and go you into my studie there vpon the shelfe you shall find a roule of writings which Iohn of the Deane made to my Father when he solde him the Grange ferme endorced with bothe their names bring it hither to me Du. It shall be done sir Da. Go I wil prepare other maner of writings for you thā you are aware of O fooles that trust any mā but themselues now adaies oh spiteful fortune thou doest me wrong I thinke that from the depth of Hell pitte thou haste sente mée this seruaunt to be the subuersion of me and all mine Come hither sirs and heare what I shal say vnto you go into my studie where you shall finde Dulipo step to him all at once take him and with a corde that I haue laide on the table for the nonce bind him hande and foote carie him into the dungeon vnder the stayres make faste the dore bring me the key it hangeth by vpon a pin on the wall Dispatche and doe this geare as priuily as you can and thou Neuola come hither to me againe with spéede Ne. Well I shall Da. Alas how shall I be reuenged of this extreme despite if I punishe my seruant according to his diuelishe deserts I shall heape further cares vpon mine owne head for to suche detestable offences no punishment can séeme sufficient but onely death and in such cases it is not lawful for a man to be his owne caruer The lawes are ordeyned and officers appoynted to minister iustice for the redresse of wrongs and if to the potestates I complayne me I shall publishe mine owne reproche to the worlde Yea what should it preuayle me to vse all the puinishments that can be deuised the thing once done can not be vndone My daughter is defloured and I vtterly dishonested how can I then wype that blot off my browe and on whome shall I séeke reuenge Alas alas I my selfe haue bene the cause of all these cares and haue deserued to beare the punishment of all these mishappes Alas I should not haue committed my dearest darling in custodie to so carelesse a creasure as this olde Nurse for we see by common proofe that these olde women be either péeuishe or pitifull either easily enclined to euill or quickly corrupted with bribes and rewards O wife my good wife that nowe lyest colde in the graue now may I well bewayle the wante of thée and mourning nowe may I bemone that I misse thée if thou hadst liued suche was thy gouernement of the least things that thou wouldest prudently haue prouided for the preseruation of this pearle A costly iewell may I well accompte hir that hath béen my chéefe comforte in youth and is nowe become the corosiue of mine age O Polynesta full euill hast thou requited the clemencie of thy carefull father and yet to excuse thée giltlesse before God and to condemne thée giltie before the worlde I can count none other but my wretched selfe the caytife and causer of all my cares For of al the dueties that are requisite in humane lyfe onely obedience is by the parents to be required of the childe where on the other side the parents are bound first to beget them then to bring thē foorth after to nourish them to preserue them from bodily perils in the cradle from daunger of soule by godly education to matche them in consort enclined to vertue too banish them all ydle and wanton companie to allow them sufficiente for their sustentation to cut off excesse the open gate of sinne seldome or neuer to smile on them vnlesse it be to their encouragement in vertue and finally to prouide them mariages in time cōuenient lest neglected of vs they learne to sette either to much or to litle by thēselues Fiue yeares are past since I might haue maried hir when by cōtinuall excuses I haue prolonged it to my owne perdition Alas I shoulde haue considered she is a collop of my owne flesh what shold I think to make hir a princesse Alas alas a poore kingdome haue I now caught to endowe hir with It is too true that of all sorowes this is the head source and chiefe fountaine of all furies the goods of the world are incertain the gaines to be reioyced at and the losse not greatly to be lamented only the children cast away cutteth the parents throate with the knife of inward care which knife will kill me surely I make none other accompte Damons seruants come to him againe Scena iiij NEVOLA DAMON PASIPHILO SIr we haue done as you hadde vs and here is the key Da. Well go then Neuola and séeke master Casteling the iayler he dwelleth by S. Antonies gate desire him too lend me a
And flée the fielde when combate should be callde Ete. This truce assureth thée Polynices And makes thée bolde to giue such bosting wordes So be thou sure that had this truce not bene Then long erethis these handes had bene embrude And eke this soyle besprinkled with thy bloude Po. Not one small drop of my bloude shalt thou spill But buy it deare against thy cankred will. Ioc. O sonnes my sonnes for pittie yet refrayne Ch. Good Gods who euer sawe so strange a sight True loue and frindship both be put to flight Po. Yelde villein yelde my right which thou witholdst Ete. Cut of thy hope to reigne in Thebane walles Nought hast thou here nor nought shal euer haue Away Po. O aultars of my countrie soyle Ete. Whome thou art come to spoyle and to deface Po. O Gods giue eare vnto my honest cause Ete. With forreine power his countrie to inuade Po. O holy temples of the heauenly Gods. Ete. That for thy wicked déedes do hate thy name Po. Out of my kingdome am I driuen by force Ete. Out of the which thou camst me for to driue Po. Punish O Gods this wicked tyrant here Ete. Pray to the Gods in Greece and not in Thebes Po. No sauage beast so cruell nor vniust Ete. Not cruel to my countrie like to thée Po. Since from my right I am with wrong depriued Ete. Eke from thy life if long thou tarie here Po. O father heare what iniuries I take Ete. As though thy diuelishe déedes were hid from him Po. And you mother Eteo. Haue done thou not deseruest With that false tong thy mother once to name Po. O deare Citie Eteo. When thou ariuest in Greece Chuse out thy dwelling in some mustie Moores Po. I must departe and parting must I prayse Oh deare mother the depth of your good will. Ioc. O sonne Eteo. Away I say out of these walls Po. I can not chuse but must thy will obey Yet graunt me once my father for to sée Ete. I heare no prayers of my enemie Po. Where be my swéete sisters Eteo. And canst thou yet With shamelesse tong once name thy noble race That art become a common foe to Thebes Be sure thou shall them neuer sée againe Nor other friend that in these walls remaine Po. Rest you in peace O worthy mother myne Ioc. Howe can that be and thou my ioye in warre Po. Hence forth n'am I your ioyne yet your sonne Ioc. Alas the heauens me whelme with all mishap Po. Lo here the cause that stirreth me by wrong Ete. Much more is that he profereth vnto me Po. Well speake darest thou come armed to the fielde Ete. So dare I come wherfore dost thou demaunde Po. For néeds or thou must ende this life of mine Or quenche my thirst with pouring out thy bloud Eteo. Ah wretch my thirst is all as drie as thine Ioc. Alas and welaway what heare I sonnes How can it be deare children can it be That brethrens heartes such rancour should enrage Eteo. And that right soone the proofe shall playnely shew Io. Oh say not so yet say not so deare sonnes Po. O royall race of Thebes now take thine ende Cho. God shield Eteo. O slow sluggish heart of mine Why do I stay t'embrew these slothfull hands But for his greater griefe I will departe And at returne if here I finde my foe This hastie hande shall ende our hote debate Eteocles here goeth out by the gates Electrae Po. Deare Citizens and you eternall Gods Beare witnesse with me here before the worlde How this my fierce and cruell enimie Whom causelesse now my brother I do call With threates of death my lingring steps doth driue Both from my right and from my countrey soyle Not as beséemes the sonne of Oedipus But as a slaue an abiect or a wretche And since you be both pitifull and iuste Vouchsafe O Gods that as I part with griefe So may I yet returne with ioyfull spoyle Of this accursed tyraunt and he slayne I may recouer quietly mine owne Polynice goeth out by the gates Homoloides Io. O wretched wretch Iocasta wher is founde The miserie that may compare to thine O would I had nor gasing eyes to sée Nor listning eares to heare that now I dread But what remaines saue onely to entreate That cruell dole wold yet so curteous be To reaue the breath out of this wofull brest Before I harken to some wofull newes Rest you here dames and pray vnto the Gods For our redresse and I in that meane while Will shut my selfe from sight of lothsome light Iocasta goeth into hir Pallace Cho. O mightie God the gouernour of Thebes Pitie with spéede the payne Iocasta bydes And eke our néedes O mightie Bacchus helpe Bende willing eare vnto our iust complaint Leaue them not comfortlesse that trust in thee We haue no golde nor siluer thée to giue Ne sacrifice to those thine aultars due In stéede wherof we consecrate our harts To serue thy will and hestes for to obey VVhyles the Chorus is thus praying to Bacchus Eteocles returneth by the gates called Electrae Actus 2. Scena 2. ETEOCLES CREON. SInce I haue ridde mine enmie out of sight The best shall be for Creon now to sende My mothers brother that with him I may Reason consulte conferre and counsell bothe What shall be best to vse in our defence Before we venter forth into the fielde But of this trauayle loe he me acquites That comes in haste towards these royall towres Here Creon attended by foure gentlemen commeth in by the gates Homoloydes Cre. O mightie king not causelesse nowe I come To finde that long haue sought your maistie So to discharge the duetie that I owe To you by comforte and by counsell bothe Ete. No lesse desire this harte of mine did presse To send for thée Creon since that in vaine My mother hath hir words and trauayle spent To reconcile Polynices and me For he so dull was his caparitie Did thinke he could by dread of daunger winne My princely heart to yéeld to him his realme Cre. I vnderstande the armie that he brings Agaynst these walles is such that I me doubte Our cities force may scarce the same resist Yet true it is that right and reason both Are on our side which bring the victorie Oftetimes for we our countrey to defend They to subdue the same in armes are come But what I would vnto your highnesse shewe Is of more weight and more behoues to know Ete. And what is that oh quickly tell it me Cre. A Gréeke prisner is come vnto my hands Ete. And what sayth he that doth so much importe Cre. That euen alredy by their ranks in raye And streight will giue assault to these our walles Ete. Then must I streight prepare our Citizens In glittring arms to march into the fielde Cre. O Prince and pardon me thy youthfull yers Nor sée them selfe ne let thée once discerne What best behoueth in this doubtfull case For Prudence she that