heard that he was dead desperately put her selfe all alone in a barke which being transported by the winde to Suse in Barbary From thence she went to Thunâ—s where finding her frend Martuccio aliue and in great auctoritie she bewrayed her selfe vnto him who marrying her shortly after returned with her very rich to Lippare Wherein is plainly set forth the force of loue and the stedfast affection of those that loue faithfully with a perfect example of the ficklenes of fortune who neuer abideth custome but euery day altreth her estate aduaunsing one and ouerwhelming an other and somtime greatly abasing them whome she mindeth to bring to a better state NOt farre from Cicilia there lieth a litle Iland named Lippare the inhabitants wherof are chiefly maintained by marchaundise nauigation In this Iland a virgin of verie good parentage named Constance was borne and brought vp who for her beawtie and vertuous behauiour was well beloued and greatly desired of many in mariage but specially of one Martuccio Gomitto a comely and courteous young man not very welthy but well skilled in the arte he professed to whom this virgin did likewise beare so good affection that she neuer thought her selfe well without his company wherof when Martuccio was assured purposing to make her his wife he demaunded her fathers good will which he denied him saying he would bestow his daughter vpon one that should be well able to maintaine her to the end she might be a comfort to him in his old age Martuccio greatly grieued to sée him selfe reiected and in a maner despised for his pouertie prepared a litle vessell and furnishing it with all things fit for his purpose hauing also drawne diuers of his frends and kinsfolke to take parte with him he made a vow neuer to returne agayne to Lippare till he were rich wherefore departinge from them he began to practise pâ—racy on the borders of Barbarie pilling and spoyling all that he found too weake to resist him wherein fortune was very fauorable vnto him if he could haue taken the time whilest it serued But he and his companions not contented that they were in short time become very rich in séeking to get more they were all taken by certaine Saracins who shutting them vp vnder their hatches caried them to Thunes where they were committed to prison and long after kept in great miserie whereupon newes was brought to Lippare for certaine by many credible persons that all they that were in the litle barke with Martuccio were drouned Which Constance hearing who was grieued without measure at his sodaine departure she greatly lamented amongst the rest and determining to liue no longer because her hart would not serue to make away her selfe by any violent meanes she sought to find some new necessity to hasten her desired ende For which purpose going one euening forth of her fathers dores towardes the sea side she found by chaunce a fisherbote in the hauen somwhat distant from the other shippes which by meanes that the owners were newly arriued was furnished with mast saile and oaers which Constance perceauing presently entred into it and hauing a litle skill in nauigation as most of the women of that Iland haue she lanched into the déepe and casting ouerbord the oaers and rudder and all things else wherewith the bote might be guided hoised her saile and committed all to the mercy of the winde thinking it would either ouerwhelme the bote being vnbalaced and without a pilote or else driue it vpon some rocke and so breake it all to peeces and so being vnable to auoide the daunger when she would must of necessity be drowned In this mind weping bitterly she wrapped her clothes about her head and layd her downe vnder the hatches But it fell out coÌ„trarie to her expectacion for the gentle Northwest wind did blow so full and freshly that by the next night after she went a bord the barke it brought her within a hundred myles of Thunes into a hauen neare to a towne named Suse The young virgin felt not whether she were on land or in the sea for whatsoeuer happened she neuer lifted vp her head nor neuer thought to lift it vp againe By good happe as the barke stroke vpon the shore there was a poore seaâ—aring woman hard by laying forth her fisher mens nets to drie in the sunne who marueiling greatly to see it runne on ground with full saile and thinking that the fishermen were a sléepe within she went a bord the barke and finding no body there but this poore desolate virgin that was theÌ„ fast a sleepe wondring greatly at so straunge a case and perceauing by her garmentes that she was a Christian she called her diuers times so loude as she could and when she had waked her she asked her in Latin howe it was possible for her to come thither all alone in that litle bote The virgin hearing her owne country language doubting that some contrary blast had brought her back againe to Lippare started vp sodainlye and looked rounde aboute her But not knowing the countrie and yet séeing her selfe on land she asked the poore woman where she was who aunswering her sayd My daughter thou art now neare to Suse in Barbarie The poore virgin hearing this storie that the had so well escaped the daunger of the seas and fearing to fal into the hands of these barbarous people that would abuse her not knowing what was best to do she sate her downe on the botes side and wept bitterly The good old woman séeing what sorrowe she made greatly pitied her case comforting her all that she might and intreated her to go with her into a litle house she had vpon the shore which at last after long and earnest perswasion she was contented to do and being there the old woman so â—â—nely flattred her that in the end she told her by what meanes she was ariued there The good old woman knowing by this meanes that she had fasted long and must therefore néedes be a hungred set before her such simple fare as she had and intreated her so much that she got her to eate a litle Constance being now somewhat refreshed asked the old woman what she was who aunswered that she was of the Trappany and that her name was Chereprise and serued certaine Christian fishermen dwelling in that countrie The young virgin though she were greatly gréeued yet hearing Chereprise named her mind gaue her straitwayes that she had heard the name before not knowing any cause that should moue her thereunto and began now to hope she knewe not what and did no more desire to dye as she was wont to do desiring the old woman without enquiring any further of her estate to haue compassion on her youth and geue her councell howe she might keepe her selfe from receauing any iniurie which the good old woman promised her to do Wherefore leauing her alone in the house she went with all spéede to take vp her nets
wittes may clime To touch the toppe of highest thinges with praise Which Nestor scarce attainde in all his dayes Young coltes beares price before olde restie iades young twigges stande faste when taller trees decay The budding rose exceedes the flower that fades youth waxeth ripe whilest age doth were away Then iudge aright and praise him for his paynes That prooues his theame in praising youthly braynes G. A. In commendation of the Author LEt hoarie heares who longe in painfull soyle with heauie hande haue sowed Experience seede At haruest reape in guerdone of their toyle the name and fame of wisdome for their meede But yet for witte let youth receaue the praise As this our Youth doth flowe in these our dayes N. Skr. In the praise of his frende THough wanton will did wrangle late with witte though Soldior braulde though Schollar cauil stil Manillas mone though no man pittie it nor woman-like so lose a praise of will Though counsell then that came from phisickes lore Doth yealde as yet no salue to heale his sore Yet died not witte he did but make his will I not deny but then he might be sicke His addle head may were a kercher still for then his braine was touched to the quicke But who so lookes shall see him here aliue And well perceaue how youth can him reuiue Mistres Marie P. In commendation of her seruaunts worke TO praise the wight whose déedes deserue no lesse were but to throwe my wordes into the winde For eache that sees his worke must needes confesse vnlesse they swarue contrarie to their kinde That he deserues farre more then I can tell his workes his wordes his deedes deserue so well R. W. gent. To his frende A N. LOe for my frende I here doe breake my vow who earst haue sworne in silence for to rest But for because my frende constraines me now both vowes and othes I doe accounte as iest And say and sweare as I haue done of yore that such Greene wittes haue seldome beene before I. Io. Gent. IN verse to write the praises of my frende I wante the skill of learned Poets olde Whose pregnante witte in Virgill may be pende and not by me his filed phrase be tolde Reade gallante youthes this booke which he hath wrot not for his owne but your delight God wot I. H. To his frende A. N. TO say of trothe that this my frende doth well and in the ende his doinges should proue badde My name his fame I should both by and sell and nether winne but both of vs be sadde So that to praise him further then I say I neither can ne will ne must nor may YOVTHES VVIT OR THE WIT OF GRENE YOVTH WITH THE CASTELL OF Conceites Choose Gentlemen mez-Dames which of these two shall best like you Two louers being together in the night the Man died for ioy the Maide for griefe Whereof ensued the death of other two IN the citie of Cessenna not long since was dwelling a riche marchant named Affranio who had two children a Sonne and a Daughter Néere vnto him was dwelling an other marchant named Gerardo who had likewise a Sonne and a Daughter and as betwene the fathers there had of long time bene great familiaritie so did acquaintance growe and increase betwene their children specially betwene their Daughters For Camilla the Daughter of Gerardo by meanes of her brothers absence who was resident at Rome where he had continued a long time as factor for his father hauing no bodie to kéepe her companie in his absence resorted diuers times to Cornelia who her father being dead was then only Mistres of the house which her brother Hannibal as sole inheritour of all his goodes did hold and enioy after his decease The continuall conuersation of these two gentlewomen as it ingendred betwene them such perfect amitie as could neuer be dissolued so did it kindle a new fire in the hart of Hannibal which by the contemplacion of Camillas bewtie so increased from time to time and in the end toke such déepe roote that it could not possiblie be remoued This straunge passion so tormented the mind of the poore gentleman who had neuer before bene acquainted with the like that neglecting all his necessarie affaires he applied his whole care and studie to please and pleasure his beloued Camilla who vtterly ignorant of his griefe shewed him no better countenaunce then she did commonly to all other young gentlemen of her acquaintance which Signor Hannibal perceiuing and not satisfied therewith would faine haue made his meaning more apparant crauing such comfort as the necessitie of his cause required but the feare he had to offend and so to lose the fauour whereof he was assured by her continuall presence did still deteyne him and would neuer suffer him to prosecute his purpose Thus hanging betwene hope and dispaire th one pricking him forward the other pulling him backe imagining now one thing now an other thing and neuer resoluing fully vpon any thing he became at last so melancolike with musing imagining on this matter that losing his appetite to meate and desire to sléepe at the last he grew sicke and by litle and litle wasted away as snow against the sunne Cornelia séeing her brother thus pained applied her selfe like a naturall sister to prouide him all things that she thought méete for the recouerie of his health by Phisicke or otherwise but his disease procéeding of no natural cause could neither be discerned nor cured by any Phisitiā were his skill and experience neuer so great only their opinion was for the most part that it procéeded of some passion of the mind which Cornelia vnderstanding who could by no meanes imagine vppon what occasion he should be so disquieted to vnderstand the truth she lay continually vpon him vsing all the perswasions that possibly she might to make him reueale vnto her the cause of this his grieuous malladie which at the last he did with much a do telling her that it was only for the loue he bare to her frend Camilla which he had sought by all meanes possible to suppresse but could not being continuallie renewed by the dayly contemplacion of her celestiall bewtie Cornelia hearing these wordes vttered by her sicke brother with grieuous sighes and great aboundaunce of teares knowing that it was then no time to reproue his folly but rather to prouide a remedie for thextreame mischiefe whereunto he was so vnhappely fallen comforted him with swéete wordes exhorting him to plucke vp his spirites and séeke some meanes to remedie his griefe Whereunto he replied that he knew not how to ease him selfe vnlesse it would please her to discouer his affection to her frend Camilla and persuade her to take some pitie vpon him Cornelia that loued her brother as her owne life gaue him her promise that when opportunitie should serue she would satisfie his desire and make his estate so well knowen to her in whom his only hope of helpe consisted that
the aliaunce that Hannibal soughte to haue with him which vpon what occasion I know not he greatly misliked and would in no wise geue his consent therunto perswading his Father very earnestly for diuers causes that he thought reasonable to breake of this match and in no wise to suffer it to go forward wherin the old man folowinge his Sonnes aduise did in all things as he desired him and answered Hannibals frends accordingly when they came to know his resolution in the matter The two louers vnderstanding how contrary to their expectacion al things were fallen out as it is our humane nature to desire that which is most denyed vs more desirous now then at any tyme before to be together and frely to enioy each other Camilla said to her beloued Hannibal what are not we handfast can we be put a sonder with a safe conscience no verely and therefore to make the matter more assured as I may very well without offence to Godward I will this night admit you to my bed wherefore if about midnight you will repaire to my Fathers house my maide that is alredie priuy to all that hath passed betwene vs shall geue her attendaunce at the back gate to let you in when you come whereunto Hannibal verie glad of so good an offer willingly consented and when the hower was come went with all speede to the place appoynted and was priuely conducted by the maid to Camillas chamber who receiued him very courteously and he imbrasing and kissing her with great affection rauished with exceding ioy through this his vnexpected pleasure his sences failing him he pittifully dyed in the armes of his deare Camilla who seing this straunge aduenture twixte feare and grefe was so grieuouslie tormented that being vnhable longe to endure it at the last she fell doune deade vpon the corpes of her beloued Hannibal The pore maide that was present behoulding this pitifull tragedie and séeing no hope of recouerie in them cried for helpe so loud as she could Claudius that lay not farre of being awakened with this sodaine clamour came running into his sisters chamber with his weapons readie drawne in his hand to see what was the cause thereof and beholding there this pitifull spectacle knowing it was the bodie of Hannibal that then lay by his sisters not stayinge to heare what the mayde would say to him presently stabbed her in with his dagger and so leauing her for dead retourned againe to his owne chamber In the morning this straunge accident being noysed throughout the whole towne and at the last coming to the eares of the Gouernour he caused the mayd to be examined that was not then fully dead and vnderstanding by her how all thinges had passed caused Claudius to be apprehended and within two days after the maid dying condemned him to be beheded wherupon he was presently executed in the place appoynted for the punishment of all offenders The two louers likewise with great lamētation were both buried in one tombe very sumptiously prepared in perpetuall remembraunce of their incomparable amitie A Prince being enamoured of a bewtifull gentlewoman perceiuing a fauowred seruant of his to be greatly tormented for the loue of the same gentlewoman geueth him leaue to enioy her and quencheth his owne heate by an other meane A Certaine Prince whose name I nede not rehearse soiorning for his pleasure in the towne of Blais had amongest all his folowers one that he specially fauoured who walking one day abroad for his pleasure beheld by chaunce a very bewtifull gentlewoman that was wyfe to a welthie merchant of the Toune and findinge in her as he thought so many good giftes as he neuer sawe in any in all his lyfe before he became so greatly enamoured of her that he could neuer be in quiet but was continualy troubled in mind practising by all meanes possible to find a remedie for his newe passion and so behaued him selfe that the gentlewoman well perceyuing his purpose being vāquished with the like affection did by her lookes and iestures geue him playnly to vnderstand that she liked wel of his frendly offers and would willingly satisfie his desire if oportunitie did serue Duringe these hopes the Prince his maister made a solemne feast whereunto were asembled all the Ladies gentlewomen of any reputation in the Cittie amongest whome this gentlewoman before spoken of was one who for her bewty neatenes in apparel and comely behauiour did as far surmount the rest as the prettie pigion doth the fowle black rauen or the fairest spring the filthiest pudle to be short there was no comparison betwene them so greatly did they differ in all thinges which the youthful Prince perceyuing and wondringe greately at such excellent bewtie as she on the other side did at his royaltie and the rare perfections that she perceyued to be in him loue by and by atached both theire hartes and inflamed them with such affection each towards other that they instantly desired a spedie end of their amorous procedings and so finely they handled the matter that before they parted it was concluded betwene them that the next night her husband being from home they would mete at her house and satisfie each other with full assurance of theire vnfained amitie The loue of this gentlewoman beinge thus remoued from the Seruant to the Maister the last stode so greatly in her grace that the first was in a maner quite forgotten her swete lookes cōuerted to rigorous regards she now set him at nought whome before she highly estemed which sodaine alteration so tormented the mind of this pore gentleman and draue him into such extreame passions that being quite altred from that he was wont to be he semed rather a deade image then a liuinge creature In these extremities he withdrue himselfe into his chamber and taking his lute in hand songe thereunto as foloweth Both loue and death are now become my foes Of libertie hath loue bereft me quite So death denyes his due to end my woes And lets me liue to worke me more despight A wretched life that lasteth all too long Since all things tornes contrary to my mind My mind is grieu'd to bide such open wrong Such open wrong as no redresse can find Yet see I well the cause of all my griefe Springs from the place where lay my most delight A small delight that lendes so bad reliefe A bad reliefe that so bereaues my right And to an other voide of like desert Yeldes that which should requite my passed paines A grieuous case a cause that cuts my hart So much the more because no helpe remaines But thus resolu'd that whilst my life shall last I will no more a womans words beleue This hurt once heald I hope my heate is past And then no more it shall my senses grieue To thinke on loue or louers wanton toyes I leaue that life to such as like it best Let them sucke sorrow from their secret ioyes I will hence forth
Therefore I déeme as I at first begon I would be mery but my myrth is done The louer by froward happe inforced to forsake loue enforceth him selfe by trauell to seeke out the forte of fame THe world is chaungd my wits are woond about fancie is forced to leaue her fond desire From vaine delites dame Vertue driues me out and wisedom will what reason doth require My wanton wits are warnd by sacred I kill to flie the follies of 〈◊〉 will I now must leaue to write of louers toyes in Cupids Court I must no longer keepe Nor sporte my selfe in wanton pleasures layes nor longer lye in fancies lappe a sléepe I now must wake and set my selfe to schoole to sée how longe that I haue lyude a foole And I must nowe some tyme in trauell spend to seeke in tyme the gallant forte of fame That when alas my lothed lyfe doth end my workes may leaue remembraunce of my name And I may showe though longe I went astraye I founde at last dame vertues heauenly waye The louer forsaken craueth speedie death A Wretched case it is to sitte and cry where none are neare to helpe the harmed harte A greater gréefe where present aide is nye and yet by spyghte is onely kept a parte But yet most gréefe when helpe is hard at call and yet alas can do no good at all In such a case loe cursed wretche I stand my heauie harte full sore for comforte cryes Yet none can get yet some is hard at hande which in despighte accursed hap denyes And some I haue which woulde somwhat content but doth in deede my sorrowes more augment The secreat cause alas for shame I hide since folly first was worker of my woe By want of witte which wisdome hath discride and I do now by secreate sorrowe showe Therefore consumde come kill me death I crye in deede resolud and well content to dye A Comparison betwene thraldome and libertie THe little birde that close in kage is pente which ladies loue to sitte and whistle by Some say doth singe but layes of deepe lament and cheareles chirpes for losse of libertie Esteeming more her mates abrode in fielde then courtly toyes that chiefest pleasure yelde But contrarie oh happy birde thinke I so luckely to light in fowlers snare As to be brought to stand in pallas hye and eke in courte to féede on princely fare And shortly there in fauor so to stande as to be fed at fairest ladies hand Would God I were a birde in prison pent so I might still beholde my heauenly Quene If that I sing one note of deepe lament that day when I my Princes grace haue séene Wring of my necke or fling me out of dore as worthie then to kepe in court no more A warning to all estates The gallant mind when store of coyne is spent by rare exploytes must seeke to purchase praise Though honor fall to some by due descent good happe doth hit a thousand sundrie wayes Yet oftentimes in seeking high renowne the hautie hart hard Fortune flingeth downe The souldiour thinkes by sword to winne his wish when oft is séene the sword doth cut him short The sea man seekes in déepest floods to fish when drowning proues a cold vnpleasant sport The marchaunt meanes to winne the world by wares when oft his cost doth yéeld him nought but cares Now some againe build castels in the ayre which many times fall tumbling on their neckes And some will seeme to sit in stately chaire which are sometime set downe with deadly checkes In sâ—â—e I find the brauest mind oâ— all is highest set but haâ—d before a fall The miserie of loue BEwrapt in woe 〈…〉 with wretched will orecome with â—ares deepe drenched in distresse Pining in paine aliue but dying still crying for helpe but finding no redresse A life I lead the Lord of heauen doth know much worse then death to mourne in sorrow so But what auailes when fates and fortune froune when moone and starres are now become my foes When from delite despite doth keepe me downe and cares my corpes do round about inclose Abide I must as destinies ordaine thus like a wretch to 〈◊〉 away in paine Or loathed life that wretched thus I lead tenne times 〈◊〉 such cursed happe to know Or cruell 〈◊〉 coâ—e cut a two the thread that draweth forth my dayes in sorrow so Oh sorrow 〈◊〉 thy soking sighes dospill me all dole adew come you good death and kill me Or else good God who from aboue dost see the secret cause of all my cutting care And knowes and hast what thing will comfort me vouchsafe some drop of mercie me to spare That so my hart that long hath bid in griefe may praise thy name for tending my releefe In wanton youth my fancy thought a while there was no state nor life so sweete as loue But now I find how well did wit beguile and I the paine of such a pleasure proue I needes must say by true experience taught I find in deede the state of loue starke naught For first the wise loue makes become a foole the souldiour stout the rich not worth a grote The learned clarke it sets againe to schoole to learne an art wherewith to cut his throate It makes the man most free become a slaue and many times an honest man a knaue The Lord of loue Cupid him selfe is blind yet shootes by ame and oft vnhappely hits He hurts the hart and quite doth dimme the mind and with vile wayes doth ouerwhealme the wits What shall I say who knew so much as I would deeme of loue a wofull misery A meane is best WHen I sometime with griefe enough beheld the gallant troupe of brauenes in their kind Some swime in silke some siluer pearle and gold and I poore soule come meanely clad behind Good Lord I thinke what kind of world is this when some so thriue some fare so farre amisse But when againe I see some lusty lad whom I my selfe haue knowne in meane estate And in respect but silly simple swads and none to kepe so high and stately gate Well yet thinke I this wil not euer last the tides doe flow but ebbe againe as fast The prouerbe says that pride wil haue a fall who hath no lands nor yet no rents I sée When money melts and fethers gin to fall wil be ful glad to come and folow me Loe this is all the sodaine ioy I haue when richly clad I sée a rascall knaue An other FRom leathed bed my lustles limmes I lifte with heauy hart with sorow not with sléepe But sigh and sobbe I sée no other shift such careful thoughts my mind in thraldome kéepes No Musickes mirth nor any sweete delight may once reuiue my ouer dulled spright Yet can I sing and how but as the swan a doleful dumpe when death is hard at hand And so perhaps poore wretch I thinke I can sing such a note as none shal vnderstand Which song perhaps shall please but
driue me in disgrace By due desarte whereon ay me to thinke From swéete delight my head begins to shrinke And coolde of care so nips my hart at roote as that except you fauoure seeme to shew No sunne can shine that wel may doe it boote with frost of feare it wil be withered so Wherfore deare dame let fauour saue the flower Whose life or death lyes only in your power Oh che dolore IF in the world there be but onely one gainst whose good hap both heauen earth are bent Whom lot hath lefte in sorrowes seate alone her thriftles time with fruitles trauell spent To waile in vaine and mourning so to dye by heauens I thinke that onely wenche am I. For natures griefes are cur'd by Phisickes arte and counsaile much doth comforte careful minde But such a pange doth pinche me at the harte as Phisick frende and all I frustrate finde So that I see the heauens for me prepare to liue in thought and pine away in care Then sith such life to some one is assignde and I that one on whome that lotte doth fall With crooked care I wil content my minde til death desirde doe make an end of all Whose long delayes I doe too long endure and know not how his comforte to procure Oh straunge disease that nature neuer knew then not to blame in leauing no redresse Oh cause accurst wherof such sorrow grew as soakes the harte that dyeth in distresse Oh harte what helpe but stil in woes to waste til death oft wishd doe end my dole at last The Louer casteth all mourning away LAment that liste I can no longer mourne the heauie thoughts that lay vpon my hart To happy ioyes the heauenly fates doe tourne and swéete conceites haue cut of sorrowes smart The feare is fled of heauenly fauour lost and hope attainde of that I wished most My most desire was seruice due rewarde my greatest feare was force of fortunes spight My prayer yet the heauenly powers haue harde that due desarte might once enioy delight Which I protest since that I now possesse my griefe no more nor ioy was euer lesse Your fauour was the thing my seruice sought and your dislike did make me doubt despight But yet my harte had stil this happy thought when rage was past remorse would lende delight Which true I finde and sing in hart therefore lamente that list for I wil mourne no more The Louer compareth his ill lucke to Philomelas ill fortune NOthing on earth remaines to shew aright the patterne true of my increasing care But Philomela with her song by night whose rueful state to mine I may compare With careful watch she preacheth in the tree when creatures all into their nestes doe creepe So from mine eyes all sweete repos doth flee when men are wonte of course to take their sleepe She with a thorne against her tender brest I with the darte of cruel loues vnrest This gentle birde her yealding voyce doth straine to wayle the wronges that Progne did endure I haples man vpon the wight complaine that causeles doth to me these woes procure And when she doth a tune so dolefull frame as wel might moue the heauens to moane her plight Oh griefe of griefes yet such as heare the same rue not her songe but therein take delight Likewise my plaints which bring from me salte teares seeme pleasaunte suites vnto my mistres eares An other THe tender budde that brauely ginnes to blow while sunnie showers yealdes comfort to the roote If that vnwares there fall a sodaine snow no sunne can serue that wel may doe it boote Except it holde but for a day and so it may haue leaue to make a liuely show My selfe the flower that flourish all too fast while fauoure flonge fayre weather in my face But now must die my pleasures ouerpast to see disdaine so driue me in disgrace By due desarte whereon ay me to thinke From swéete delight my head begins to shrinke And coolde of care so nips my hart at roote as that except you fauoure seeme to show No sunne can shine that wel may doe it boote with frost of feare it wil be withered so Wherfore deare dame let fauour saue the flower Whose life or death lyes only in your power Another THe day of my delight is ouercast And cloudes of care beginne apace to rise The sunne doth goe his course midday is past Night will insue my mistres shuttes her eyes The glistering beames whereof gaue me that light Which others haue whil'st I bewayle the night But should the sunne stande alwayes in one place Sure that contrary were vnto her kinde The warme desires that grow by her good grace Woulde burne and so conâ—ume both harte and minde The course we keepe in middle spheare is best Where rowling stil she seekes a place to rest Disdaine doth driue these clowdes of my despaire And shades the sunne from shining in the aire Another THe shafte that Cupids bowe hath shotte hath Vulcane forged in my brest The fire which made the iron whotte desire did blow and neuer rest The cooles of care which burnte was loue the steele was trust whereon he strikes The hammers hope which alwayes proue to frame the shape which best he likes Teares serue the tourne to quench the fire and fancie files the arrow head Payne payes the workemen for their hire the wounde is deepe which neuer bled Lenuoy To heale this hurte is readyest meane To shoote his arrow back againe A Gentleman dallyeth with his Lute THou knowest my Lute if thou knowest ought that Musicke stil doth couet chaunge Stale beaten stuffe is counted nought new from the stampe is counted straunge And straunge deuises stil delight such daintie wittes as diuers be Deere bought is good in euery plight farre fette for Ladyes and for me If Tigell bring vs nothing els but stil doe pleade vpon a song And play vs nought but Osnay bels then Tigell doth the Cuckow wrong Lie downe therefore my little Lute and geue me leaue a litte while From case to plucke my little Flute the time a little to beguile Thou knewst when I was wel content til midnight thee for to embrace Another now wil thée preuent and séeke to keepe thy wonted place And I who thought it did suffise with thée an houre or two to play Must now assay in other wise some sporte to finde till it be day Contente thée then and holde thee stil my Lute I pray thée doe not fume Although I séeke against thy wil another instrumente to tune And when I haue assaide my wits that I can play both true and playne Then will I visite thee by fittes and wil retourne to thee againe The Louer shewing his loyaltie and findinge no fauoure is contented to geue ouer I Maruaile why you be so straunge when once you did professe such loue Or why seeke you so sodayne chaunge sith faulte in me you cannot proue My seruice hath béene readie preast at euery becke to
deere quoth he the price amasde the elfe For two pence halfepeny he agreede at last and hangs him selfe Le home THis geare beares pricke and price my girle of all that ere I sée La feme The pricke for me sir I crie first the price I leaue for thée Corpus opes animam formam vim lumina scortum Debilitat perdit necat aufert eripit orbat The bodie wealth the minde fourme face and sight a whore Doth weaken leese kill race and steale and eke depriueth sore A Gentlewomans poesie YOung lust of loue in hoarie lockes on Ladyes loynes lay lasye knockes Olde beldames then doe you receaue the cripple knights young Ladyes leaue Aungels MIne aungels stil they be so fledge they flie or els in shippe they floate with puffed sayles Or with their legges they leape and runne awrie or driuen away by Dragons with long tayles Legges winges and shippes the deuill in dragons shins To beare away mine aungels neuer linnes A Riddle SCâ—lere vehor materna carne vescor quaero patrem meumâ— Matris meae virum vxoris meae filium Foule is my faulte that feede my fill and gorge on mothers bowels still With busie care I seeke my Sire my mothers husbande I require And such a one that man must be as is the sonne of wife to me Money still restlesse GOod money be demourant with me stil and then thou shalt be pendaunte in my purse But if thou wilt be volant at thy will or coorraunte els thy harbore will be worse Voussera still incloased in my chest whereas thou runst abroad sance any rest A fantasticall passion MY vayne is done to write in prose or verse For why I see my wittes beginne to faile Full faine I would a woefull tale reherse but sorrow so my sences doth assaile That I am forcde to say and ende in briefe I cannot wright I am so full of griefe A birde to a birder A Fowler snarlde a little birde with lymed bushe of late To whome for life libertie the prettie fowle doth prate She begges her raunsome at a price and promiseth for pay Three iewels riche The birder then so biddes her flie away Escaped thus now list quoth she Hereafter holde thine owne Trust not to much nor take no care for that which heÌ„ce is floeâ— Henceforth if thou applie thy selfe to rule thee by these three No little fowle as I shal make so greate a foole of thee The abuse of the worlde THe mournefull minde the ouerwhelmed brayne the wittes bewitchd that wearyed are with woes The pensiue harte that pines away in payne the troubled thoughts whome thousande cares enclose Doth stil I see consume my carkase so as nought but death can ridde me of this woe Long haue I hoapde too longe I finde in vaine and all in vaine it is I finde too late That pittie woulde procure some ease of payne but pride is full pufte vp with deadly hate Disdaine is growne so great with beauties grace as humble suites are all thrust out of place Humilitie is thought a sillie slaue deserte is deemde a peeuishe painfull drudge Truth thought deceate and flatterie no knaue crafte credite gaines good dealing may goe trudge This all too late to my despight I finde which makes me thus to waile and mourne in minde The Author troubled with hope and despaire TWo thinges there are that trouble much my minde the one is hope the other is despaire In hope my harte doth heauenly comforte finde and peeuish dread my pleasures doth impaire Hope to good happe doth geue me vp amayne Despaire as fast doth flinge me downe againe I hope the best and yet doe dread the worst which wretched dread sayes hope is all in vaine And hope biddes me account that dread accurst that lets my helpe my heauenly wish to game And hope assures that reason doth require although despaire deny me my desire Therefore I hope although withall I feare because I hope my hope wil banish dread Which makes despaire both day and night to beare my tossed braines within my troubled head This passion straunge twixt hope and feare I finde is that which longe hath much perplext my minde The Author troubled with loue and hate TWo things there are that much torment my mind the one is loue the other deadly hate The force of loue doth make affection blind and blinde desire doth set my wittes at bate They beate my braynes to make what meanes they may I finde in fine to worke mine owne decay I like not loue againe I loue not hate yet loue or hate I needes must take the one The choice is harde which were the better state and happy he could let them both alone For he that knew them both as well as I woulde lothe his life and gladly wish to die Loue ofte breedes hate whome luckles lots ensue and foule despight doth sore consume the harte Which seekes reuenge that honest mindes doe rue when conscience pricks doth cause repentant smarte This for my selfe as once before I sayde hath made my minde and senses so dismayde And yet alas I cannot choose but loue yet hate my selfe to see my fonde desire But cannot get my fancy once remoue that in my harte hath kindled hatefull fire But must of force my wretched minde content to liue in griefe vntill my dayes be spent Another THe longer life the more offence the more offence the greater payne The greater payne the lesse defence the lesse defence the losse of gayne The losse of gayne long life doth trie wherefore come death and let me die The shorter lyfe lesse count I finde the lesse accounte the sooner made The counte soone made the merryer minde the merrier minde doth thought euade Shorte life wel spent the same doth trie wherefore come death and let me die Come gentle death the ebbe of care the ebbe of care the floud of life The floud of life the ioyfull fare the ioyfull fare the ende of strife The ende of strife for that wish I wherefore come death and let me die Another MIstrust misdeemes amisse whereby displeasure growes And time delayde findes friends afrayde their faith for to disclose Suspecte that breedeth thought and thoughts to sighes conuarte And sighes haue sought a flood of teares where sobbes doe soake the harte This harte that meanes no harme must féede on sorrowes all Vntil such time in please the iudge the truth in question call Though cause of great mistrust before the iudge appeare My truth and mercy of the iudge I trust shal set me cleare Reporte thus runnes at large my truth for to detecte Yet truth in time shal trie it selfe and driue away suspecte Beleue not euery speech nor speake not all you heare For truth and mercy of the iudge I trust shal set me cleare Another WHat watch what woe what want what wrack is due to those that toile the seas Life led with losse of paynes no lacke in stormes to winne much restles ease A bedlesse boarde at
seas in rest may chaunce to him that chaunceth best How sundrie sowndes with lead and lines into the deepe the shipman throwes No foote to spare he tries ofte times no neare when hoe the master blowes If Neptune frowne all be vndone straightway the shippe the wracke hath wone Those dangers great doe ofte befall on those that shores vpon the sande Iudge of their liues the best who shall how vile it is few vnderstande Alack who then may iudge the game not they which haue not felte the same But those that saile in storme and winde and dayes and yeares haue spente therein Such wel may iudge since proofe they finde in rage no rest till calme againe No more may those that loue doe fayne geue iudgement of true louers payne Another ARise o noble Sidney now and heare the merry Robin singe The birdes on euery bushe and bough with warbling make the woods to ringe Dame Flora fresh in mantle gréene doth waight vpon a mayden Quéene And out are gone by breake of day a worlde of Dames to bring in May. When Phebus shines in loftie skies and Luna yealdeth vp her light T is time for waking wittes to rise and bidde adue the drowsie night Greate sleepers haue but little health the wise will walke and vse his skill The sluggarde wantes both wit and wealth and liues in néede and scareslie still Arise o noble Sidney c. The labourer findes his feeding sweete the idle heades haue idle braynes The slothfull sheepe hath simple sprites and much desires and litle gaynes The house but breedes greate cares in brest the fielde takes toyes from troubled mynde As griefe and sicknes folow rest so health through laboure must men finde Arise o noble Sidney c. As bees seeke hunny out of flowers and trauailes farre for pleasures sake So man delightes in summer bowers and for sweete things some toyle must take For needfull sleepe the bed is good whilst night be clips the world about But in the day each lustie blood on hills or dales are walkinge out Arise o noble Sidney c. Since Maye doth come so kindly in and doth reioyce both man and boy With mirthe we do this May begin in hope to end the yeare with ioy A soldier doth this daybell ringe who wisheth well to worthy wight And we poore boyes his farewell singe to worthy Sidney noble knight Arise o noble Sidney c. A Riddle A Thinge there is a frende tolde me that none can feele nor heare nor sée Which bréedeth many deadly smarte and eke with griefe consumes the harte For which is found none other ease but one the cause of the disease Now this is my desire of thee to be resolude what this may be Answere THe thinge that breedeth such a griefe as but by it finde no reliefe Is straunge yet not so straunge I trow but one by studie soone may know And at a venture this I gesse T is Loue. And why smile you I Smile to see the world so full of toyes I smile to see that toyes should so delight I smile to shew by signes such secrete ioyes as but for shame would make me laugh outright To shew such mirth as manners doe conceale and smiles in kinde can neuer halfe reueale But for I see that laughing is too light and smiling shewes a modest merry minde I will conceale my secrete sweete delight saue by a smile you may my fancie finde Then why I smile the cause be sure is this somewhat is well I say not what it is I smile to thinke what what that what may be I smile agayne at prettie iestes I finde And now I smile at secrete smiles I see I smile in signe to shew a merry minde And so I leaue to write but not to smile mirth among friendes may be alone awhile And why sigh you I Sigh to sée the world so ful of woes I sigh to thinke of secret miserie I sigh to shew that speach may not disclose I sigh and could and but for shame would crie That teares might tel such tormentes of the minde as sighes nor sobbes can neuer shew in kinde But for I sée that women vse to wéepe and gallante mindes their secrete griefe conceale I will awhile vnséene my sorrowes keepe least womanlike I doe my woes reueale Then why I sigh the cause be sure is this I say not what but somewhat is amisse I sigh to thinke that somewhat is so much as that in some there cannot be much more I sigh to thinke my secreat sorrow such as makes my harte to sigh and sobbe so sore And so I leaue to wright but sighing still to shew by sighes that sighing wil me kill Plus amour que la vie MY chaunce was good who can say nay my happe was hitte that instant time When I for solace séemde to goe to gardeâ—â—e in the springing prime Whereas me thought I saw did clime Faire gallante girles the one was such As to recount it grieues me much They climde but whether would you know trust me in truth I cannot tell Mine eyes were dazeled with the show of her which I did marke too wel For why of troth she did excell And so surpaste the other traine That they but shadowes seemed plaine The other three were Venus ioyes in whome the Goddes tooke delight She keepes them from all dire annoyes if they complaine it makes her spight She is their Patrones by right Wherefore in them she sutes her showes And nothing cares for mine God knowes But why should I graue at their gaine Minerua is the patrone deare Which shields my ladie from the paine that Venus brattes feede for their cheere These wantons thinke they haue no peere Till sturdie Mars doth lay the baight And then they crie Peccaui straight The glistering glee which they retayne the outwarde shewes of Venus ioyes The curled heare the faces plaine the fine proportion of her boyes My Lady countes them all as toyes And thinkes that trickes her passing trimme Out of their waues of woe to swimme Well since my Deare thou hast begoon in Dians sacred fieldes to walke Where all the vertues still doe woon and flowers croppe from daintie stalke There rest thou still with them to walke And let me languish still in woe For that is al I craue you knowe Another TO vaunte before the conquest gotte to triumph still fore victorie Were too too diffamous a blotte if happe should hit the contrarie So that I saide it is the wisliest done Neuer to vaunte till victorie be won And then to vaunte and double vaunte it too to triumph then it were to thee no blame For so of right thou oughtest then to dooe because thy foe of right doth beare the shame Thy triumph then doth merite nought but this with Lawrell bowe for to be crownde I wis But what deeme you him worthy for to be which triumphes still before the conquest gotte If then a iudge you will allow of me he sure
sore yet heales againe That is the cause of great despight And yet doth purchase sweete delight That healeth some of deadly smarte And strikes some other dead at harte It should be straunge what so it is But sure if I iudge not amisse T is all one with the same that I Propounded you T is loue perdie Mors mihi vita COnsumde with cares and ouerwhelmde with woes I bidde adue to such as liue in ioy Contented well my loathed life to lose as fortune stil did follow with annoy For as I féele my death drawe neareâ— on I see the smarte of all my sorrowes gone Whereby I see sweete death the ende of dole while life prolonges the wretched soule in payne The salue of death makes sickest hartes soone hole when care is found a comforte all in vaine Yet dying thus ere I be throughly dead accepte this counsaile of a carefull head Loue not to liue nor yet desire to die but liue to die so dying looke to liue Such dying life such liuing death haue I which makes me thus the world this comfort giue To dread no death but count him for our frend who bringes vs ioyes and makes our sorrowes ende The Nightingales note THe Nightingale that singes the sweetest note of any birde that flyeth in the ayre Whose choise of sounde with warblings in the throate reuiues the harte that dyeth in despayre In Aprill first recordes then sings in Maye and that mâ—onth past she singing goes awaye Which heauenly note might hold but halfe the yeare the ioy thereof woulde cloy our eares with sweete Nothing so good so rare nor yet so deare but chaunge for worse the foolish man thinkes meete So sweete and shorte is Philomelas songe and nought esteemed that lasteth once too longe But yet this songe that Philomela singes of sorrow groanes although the sounde delight Or harde mishappe wherof such mischiefe springes she but recordes the sounde of her despight So with that birde may I singe fie fie fie while others ioy in song to heare me crie Nil nisi probatum AMonge mishappes which kill a careful hart to finde a foe of an assured frend Is such a griefe as breedes that deadly smart which vntill death can neuer take his ende Oh wretched world where faith is so vniust that surest frendes are sometime harde to trust But all too late I finde the prouerbe true that frends are founde as fortune skoules or smiles But twise accurst that hollow harted crue whose flattering face the simple minde begiles And for my selfe since frendshippe such I finde I will accounte of each one in his kinde Faire wordes shal stande for open flatterie till faithfull deedes may merite no mistrust And secreat traynes shal stande for treacherie till tryall finde her dealinges not vniust But where I finde the trothe at neede I crie with such a friend I vow to liue and die The clogge of care THe clogge of care that hangs on heauie harte pulles downe the head from loftie mindes delight The sighes that grow of sorrowes secreat smarte in time consumes the wretched carcase quight But comforte yet may cut that clogge away the cause of dole whereby delights decay And then the harte will holde vp head on hie and ioy as much as it did mourne before Oh comforte come and cut of by and by that cruell clogge that cuttes my harte so sore I haue too long to carefull thoughtes bene tide my minde cannot the burthen long abide But all in vaine for comforte stil I crie my clogge of care is such I cannot goe I sée too plaine my dolefull destenie to waste my dayes in worlds of carefull woe Which makes me thus to ende my solemne songe the carefull harte can neuer holde out longe Another THe Plowman sure are ye and I the sandie field Your haruest then must needes be grosse that such a earth doth shielde The golde I meane my selfe the hutch my husbandes harte The Marte is done put vp your pipes goe whistle for your parte And let me liue at rest deuoyde of slaunders blotte Contented with my faithfull feere whome fortune did alofte For sure the Letchers loue comes euer out of time I meane not to deface my fame with such a couerte crime I am no Younckers pray I skilles am in scapes I doe detest the doting loue of Roysters and their rapes I meane to runne the race of these my poasting dayes In such a sorte that none shall check my youthfull wanton wayes Leaue then to ransacke her that careth for no chaunge Ne seeke to false her faulcones faith with haggarde hauke to raunge Vpon two Gentlewomens names MY fancie led me sodainlie as I did sitte and sow Amongst some other secrete thinges a secrete cause to know Remembring how the Poets vse Good Gentlewomen to abuse All in their ditties when they chuse Resounding fame to blow Extolling in their Sonets then The onely prayse of faithfull men They list not see how we women Passe them as I will show Harke not what Poets prattle then from reason they declinde In Platoes Schoole thou mayst it learne how frendship is definde Loue lyketh where is loyaltie Lyke loyaltie in lyke degree In wemen this is chiefe to see Peruse and you shal finde So saith he that this frendlines Only doth springe from humblenes None barreth women gentlenes Except they barre their kinde Perhappes I coulde adioyne to this where most affection dwels How there the flower of frendlines most pleasantly it smels Enritching womens goodly grace But here I neede not in this place Experience proueth well this case Aske her I say naught els Then sith it comes to vs by kinde Keepe not the secret cause to finde In Poetrie that is so blinde No true tale once it tels Sith loyaltie affection and likenes of degree On perfecte proofe from cradle vp hath linked thee to me No treasure riche nor golden mine Exchaunge shall make at any time For as I was so am I thine Reposing trust in thee Enduring so I doe pretende No chaunge to make till life doe ende Damon was neuer dearer frende So thou my Pithias be A merry conceate OVr Wilkin now will wedde the goodlyest girle I gesse That ere this countrey bredde it is that bounsinge Besse That euery iacke for ale and cakes At euery game his Lady makes He thinkes his Ladie beares the bel Pore horechit Hob And she belowtes the mome as well And there a bobbe How ere the worlde it wagges his Besse must needes be braue Gogs vish these rotten ragges are vitter vor a zlaue Then vor my Ladie zweares our Wil And therewithall he smackes his Gil. And she requites his busse againe He likes wel that He payes his Ladie for her paine That hittes her patte To beare his flaunting porte our Wilkin wanteth welth He shames to yeald the sporte and therefore seekes by stelth To maintaine this his iollie ruffe He stryketh handes with Saunder Snuffe So forth together they two trigge To make a
of teares had quencht it long ago How may I rightly tearme this straunge tormenting griefe No fire no life no death it is and yet it lackes reliefe A dialogue betweene Reason and the harte of a Louer Reason ABide a while my harte why doest thou haste away Harte I goe to seeke the louelie eyes that must my griefes allay Reason I pray thee â—arke a while my leisure will not serue Harte A feruente fire prickes me foorth and will not let me swerue Reason Alas poore harte alas how little is thy skill Thou hast not yet the sense to see the ende of all thy ill Those eyes that so thou seekest will with a glaunce or twaine To ashes soone conuerte thee quite that els mightst safe remaine These eyes they are thy foes then should they succoure thee Harte They are my frendes no foes I finde that will so frendlie be Reason Oh this deceaues me most the suttle birder so With fained notes deceaues the birdes and seekes to breed their woe Harte Thou much beguilest thy selfe or enuiest at my state The case is not as thou conceauest but as I saide of late The poore vnhappie birde vnto her death doth flie I goe to seeke those glorious eyes to purchase life thereby The contrarieties in Loue. TO me the night seemes shorte the day too long I flie from loue but follow still his trace Vnto my selfe extreame my selfe I wrong And wronged so returne to thee for grace Greate are my paines and yet they please me well I sée the best and fondly séeke the worst Desire drawes on despayre doth hope expell Twixte weale and woe thus is my case accurst I proue to runne but proue my proufe is vaine The light seemes darke the darke séemes light to me Though free yet bond I willingly remaine Youres am I most mine owne I may not be My will I wishe but dare not shew my sute Loue biddes me speake and speaking makes me mute The Louer to his bedde O Bedde o restles bedde and made for ease why doest thou not perfourme thy parte to me To me a plague why doest thou others please and please him least that most hath neede of thee I lay me downe in hope to rest awhile I prooue to sléepe and so let slippe my griefe But sower conceites my sweetest ioyes exile and lets the rest that most should lende reliefe The swelling seas when stormes and tempestes rise moue not so much as doth my troubled minde Of this or that so still it doth deuise for euery cause a new conceite to finde Amidst my care this comforte yet I haue that in my bedde when restles I remaine I may be bolde without offence to craue what likes me best although I craue in vaine And when I craue and crauing want my will May waile my wante and fréelie wéepe my fill A Louer whose ladie saide he was an vnfortunate flatterer wryteth these verses for answere thereunto IF euer wordes did wringe me at the harte My harte was grieued at that I hearde of late To let good will be barde for my desarte Desaruing loue to finde disdainefull hate Such is my happe such is my haples fate The heauens haue wilde my will must needes obay And hath no law the prouerbe so doth say Say what I can it cannot helpe a whitte All that I doe I see is done in vaine In vaine I worke in vaine I waste my witt In vaine I proue to purchase ease with paine A sillie proofe that bringes such sorte gaine Such sorte gaine for golde that geues me drosse Harde is my happe that alwayes liue by losse By losse I liue by life my selfe I lose I lose my selfe and yet I liue to loue I loue to liue and liue to like of those That feare my fraude although my faith they proue My secrete sighes my sorrowes cannot moue Her hardned harte whose beautie bindes me still To sue to serue to seeke and like her will Flatter alas I would I could doe so So should my griefe be shortlie easde thereby Truth is my trust let truthles treason goe Wordes are but winde where words no works doe try True dealinge was my Sire plaine meaning I Plaine as I am can singe a plaine songe best Best for my soule small for my bodies rest Vnfortunate there did she fitte me right A righter name she neuer gaue to none Fortune my foe death woorkes me all despight But let her spight she spightes not me alone Besides my selfe she spightes at many a one One is there yet which onely one am I That feare not fate but fortunes force defy Like he that list her false dissemblinge lookes Séeke who so will her faire entysing baites In such swete showes I sée vnsauerie hookes Which warnes my witte to shunne her sweete conceites Who hopes for happe vnhapie wretch he waightes Her cursed cuppe that will his mynde infecte And worke his woe ere he the worste suspecte Suspecte not yet though I suspend my chaunce That any chaunce can chaunge my constante mynde The hardest happe shall moste my hope aduaunce And make me hope although no happe I finde My hart hath vowde my vow her vertues binde To byde her owne and onely hers to be Whose sight lendes light whose light lends life to me The tormented louer that durst not reueale his state A Happie lyfe I led and liude at ease WheÌ„ prickt with loue I would at lardge complaine And to the flame that fedde my fond disease Geue vent at will to helpe my present paine But now aye me my wretched case is such As sâ—ase I can permit a sighe to passe To ease my hart that hath bene chardgd too much With chaunge of griefes that waxe a heauie masse I loue and yet I dare not say I leeke Tormented still I seeme to liue content Consumde with care I can no comforte seeke Such is my state so is my fancie bente But though I plaine my plaintes are much the lesse The lesse my griefe though little be my ioy Because I feele and finde this sower successe From sweete desire doth springe and spread annoy Yet let me see some comforte haue I more More then I thought to comforte me withall Amidst my griefes that growing grieue me sore This only grace vnto my lotte doth fall To write at night the wordes I feare to tell When wanting inke salte teares doe serue me well A dialogue betweene the Louer and Loue. Loue. Loue. O Loue when wast thou borne When euerie leaueles tree And parched soyle began to spring a seemly sight to see Louer Who brought thee foorth at first Lo. The nurce of all annoy Euen idlenes the plague to man and ende of all his ioy Louer Who gaue thee all this power to warre with worldlie wights Loue. An ardent hope a colde despaire that lets your chiefe delights Louer Where doest thou harbor most Lo. In young tender harts That tirant-like I still tormente with store of piercing darts Louer Yet tel who trainde thee vp