commendation O that menne knewe what gaie garlande is gotten by the goodnesse of vertue then the inferior sort would not striue wrastell to putte on the wretched wreath of vice For as right renoume is the true reward of well dooyng So open reproche followes as a shadowe the bodie that is readie to doe harme The good that is dooen emong the thankefull is not onely redoubled againe with good will but like wise linketh in a chaine of loue the hartes of those that receiues it And thei are priuie rich that can by bountie purchace many debtars deserue many blessynges and make many people be beholdyng vnto them A number of glosyng and glorious worldlinges that by bragges of boūtie offer good turnes to saell with a signe and showe that thei maie be bought for a little or nothyng but on a sodaine thei rather looke who can doe theim good then remember to whō thei haue offered the saell and commmoditie of their marchandice Sutche fine fellowes and petie foggars are the frothe and scome of the sea that welters with the waues and not the Honie and Creame of the yearth that ought to be preciously made of And lo for a proofe of praise sutche yonkars can promesse more in an howre then thei minde to performe all their life tyme thinking with bare woordes to winne freendes and followers where naked woorkes of Nature nourisheth nothyng but hollownesse of harte For proofe and example thereof let the thristie looke for drinke and finde his hope deceiued at the well hedde of comforte he flynges awaie his bottle beates his breast with repētance falles in misliking for euer or seekes some other faire fountain to coole and quenche the flaming furnaies of the stomacke An other sorte there are but no greate number whiche without boste bragge or businesse are glad to finde an occasion to pleasure their freende by woorde deede trauaill or charges And these are the Salte of the worlde that seasoneth the life of manne with sweete sauor and giueth good tast at the death to the soule before god There is no one man so mightie so strong valiaunt or wise but needes the aide of an other and happie are the handes hedde and bodie from whom helpe proceadeth It breedeth merrie thoughtes causeth sweete sleepes shaketh of displeasure to woorke a common commoditie or a priuate benefite whiche goodnesse and noble Nature is in some that I knowe But for feare of fallyng into a kinde of adulation therein nor in the discourse of the worlde I goe no farther confessyng that who soeuer listeth to write hath coppie and store of matter enough to treate vppon when willyng mynde leades the penne and honest iudgement shall skilfully scan the maners of menne their sondrie inclinations their quallities and callinges and the disposition of the worlde And for that my capacitie reacheth not farre and discoursyng of greate thynges maie bryng my small knowledge out of compasse I haue bente my studie to treate of cōmon causes as familiar with the wise learned in these our daies as weakest fancies in other seasons hath been with the ignoraunte people embraced And because many writers haue but sleightly touched both in Chronicle and otherwise the affaires of warre the honour of Soldiours the cause and beginnyng of Nobilitie the erection of Haraldes the names of Gentlemen that well haue deserued the goodnesse that Calamitie bryngeth and the fame that noble life attaineth vnto I haue taken this troublous taske in hande not onely to woorke truely for the daiely hire that good report giueth but to showe plainly my honeste meanyng in the thynges named that bothe laboure and long studie hath brought me too Not thinking but your honourable insight and acquaintaunce with these matters needes none of my discourses but because I promised in the booke of my Chipps a matter vnfit for your honour to looke on to presente an other worke whiche hath been long of commyng out and I feare is ouer simple with all this greate laisure to merite thankes Notwithstandyng the paines hath been greate and desire to dooe well not little yet the barenesse of the woordes and weakenesse of the matter I dread will either lose my thankes or driue me in disgrace And yet I might saie that the matter nowe presented though not well written maie claim a greate consideration and merites as mutche fauour as any thyng that euer passed from my penne The iudgemente whereof can not escape the compasse of your honorable knowledge and albeeit that with diuers deuises and bookes dedicated to sondrie good and greate personages I haue wandered a while after the fauour of this worlde and the good Fortune that diligence might haue brought yet nowe wearied with ouermutche labour in gaddyng about for the purchasyng of freendshippe hardely to bee gotten and as daungerous to bee kepte am driuen to retire to my firste Fortresse and holde where helpe is to bee had and succour is to bee sought because my second practise neither purchased prefarment nor paied for the paines and paper that I thinke well bestowed And though verely some thinke that good turnes comes rather in generall cases by Fortune affection or fauoure then by diligence studie or desarte I a dresse my laste woorkes where I truste a noble mynde shal bee iudge of my labours and so further my happ and fauour in the worlde that no hatefull Fortune nor people shall hinder my hope Thus hopyng the woorkes by help of your protection presented shall haue as many fauourers as readers and no more readers that mislikes the matter then liketh to write an other discourse as well meante I shadowe my self vnder the sheelde of youre honoure so dwellyng in that saffetie staiednesse of mynd whiche is a beautie to hoarie heares I wishe you what beste can bee imagined of honoure wealthe knowledge credite and worldly felicitie Praiyng with all that the blessed deawe of heauen multiplie and keepe moiste the manifold graces of your well desposed mynde From my lodging the xv of October 1579. Thomas Churchyard in all that he maie at your honorable commandmente To the freendly reader AS it is a thing sufferable and daiely seene that eche man fauors those personages whose nature qualitie or condition agreeth together so I hope albeit I am but a small Soldiour I maie boldly write of Marciall affaires and men of warre without dislikyng of any because suche matter or menne are fittest for my penne to be honoured withall and neerest the compasse of my knowledge and profession Yet albeeit that some of the malicious sort doe maruell at my boldnesse herein I let them babble and aunswere the quiet people of milde and sounde iudgemente that I thinke the beste tyme I can bestowe is to further the fame of the honest nexte to the prefarmente of my countries commendation And that before all other thynges excepte the honouryng of Prince and publike state a true writer ought of duetie to haue in admiration and reuerēce the valliaunt Soldiours and
sure I sawe good hope here in Sowre was the sweete and suger tournd to gall I sonke where hope was held vp by the chin And in dispaire I likely was to fall This goodly feeld this ley alone would be This soile would not be hedged in by me False Fortune fround and flang from me in haste And with a freake left faithfull freend disgraste Who can haue hold of Fortune when he liste She flitts so faste and flies somtymes so farre She will not come like hauke that stoups to fiste When man thinks best she mounts as hye as starre â–ª And at a brunt leau 's louers in the duste O Fortune strange thou art of little trust O daintie happe O Deastnie I thee blame For thou art she that tourns to greef my game All other harms and former wrongs of myne The scourges greate and plag's of forraine soile Were small to this that Deastnie doeth assigne Wherein at home I take an open foile All cares of minde all coste and charge abroad Not halfe so muche doeth sillie conscience load All whiche good Lorde and all the blame of this And ground of greef God wotte blinde Fortune is I blame no more though present death I found By this rebuke and charmyng checke of chance Yea though by this I haue a curelesse wound And scarre remains where Cupids darte did glance In cloked cares I hide the hurts I haue And burthen beare till bodie be in graue As one whose ghost with gronyng waests awaie Whose cold conceits warme life doeth cleane decaie So cease good pen and bid the worlde farewell No further verse nor line my hande shall write This is my laste this toulls the passyng bell Of vitall breath and wished liues delite This warns the worlde and bids the wise beware Of doubtfull chance the onely cause of care O faithfull freends yet shed some teares for me That through mishap my wretched ruine doeth se. FINIS A Pirates Tragedie beyng a gentleman of a verie good house Made at the request of Maister Peter Caroe Capitaine of Laughlin in Irelande and fette out to shewe the miserable life of a Rouer whose wretched desire of other mens goodes bringes open shame and a violente death WHen slumbryng slepe with maiger hande Can touche myne eyes that slouth doeth daunt When all my limmes repos'd did stande And so some reste to me did graunt Me thought I sawe a wretched wight With wringyng handes to make his mones He rather seemd a ghostly spright That gaspyng lyes and grouelyng grones With horie beard and scorched face With poudred hedde and heare vnshorne With hackes and hewes in euery place He seemed like a man forlorne His sappe and sauerie sent was past His youthfull daies worne in decaie His mellowed yeres were gone to wast His blowmyng spryng was blowen awaie His lippes and cheeks were pale and thinne His hollowed eyes were sonke in hedde His fleshe was frette nought left but skinne His marrowe dried that youth had bredde His teeth and gummes like harowes stoode His furrowed face like ploughed lande His vaines did want their wonted bloode His sinewes shronke like knottes did stande A Sea mans cappe on hedde he ware A slidyng stoppe of Friers graie A checker Kaep bothe thinne and bare To furnishe vp his queint araie A gables ende his girdle made His shurte besmerde with Pitche and Tarre Close by his side a rustie blade This carle in youth a man of warre A Pilotes compasse he did holde To shewe what science he profest The skill whereof had made hym bolde To saile the seas bothe East and West This wight with faultryng tonge I saie Gan curse the prancks his youth had plaied And then a loude withouten staie With double sighes these wordes he saied Woe worthe the yere the month the daie The season tyme and instant howre When first I formed was in claie And tooke my shape in yearthly bowre Woe worthe the wight that ioyned fast My parents handes in wedlockes rest Would poison had been my repast When first I suckt my mothers brest Oh would the Nurse that bound my hedde Had brus'd my braine with bloodie pawe Or that my Font had boild with Ledde When I came bounde to Christian lawe Oh would the bandes my bane had bin That swadled me in tender age Oh would the cloutes I battelled in Had been bewitcht with Cyrces rage Thou cradell that rockte me a sleepe I wishe thy couche had been my graue And who so taught me first to creepe Some vengeance vile on hym I craue When I these thynges had seen and heard And throughly waied this wofull sight It me appald and made afeard Yet ruyng on his wretched plight I askt hym then from whence he came What cause constraind hym thus to waile What life he ledde and what his name What strange mishappes did hym assaile Here at a while he held his peace With wringyng handes he wipte his eyes Then my desire did more encrease To knowe the cause of all his cryes Why staiest thou thus why doest thou pause Thou sprite thou man thou grisly ghoste Why standst thou still shewe me the cause What troubles now torment thee moste Oh meruaile sir no whit ê™ he Muse not to see me in this case I was a man as now you be Whiche haue mispent my youthfull race In Ladron lande my birthe I tooke Thalassilestis once I hight Bothe name and soule I well maie brooke My life from them deriu'd a right From noble stocke by true discent Vnworthie I my race doeth rise Good lande I had but not content Desire to clime did blinde myne eyes My home and soile I set at nought My mynde was bent to wander still To Court I came and there I thought To winne bothe worlde and wealth at will. This recknyng rashe was made in hast Myne hoste was absent you maie see Then recken twise least false thou cast Thus Prouerbes old doe counsell thee First looke then leape and doe not spare Or els thy shinnes maie chance to bleede He sure shall reape the croppe of care Of rashe attemptes that sowes the seede Who shootes before he see his marke No meruell though he shote a side In seas vnknowen who brynges his barke Without a compase saileth wide Who climes the Alpes withouten guide No meruaile though he misse the waie In Laberynth who so is tide If Dedall helpe not there must staie O happie you that learne by me And my mishappes your harmes to shunne Thrise happie thei that can for see The rocks whereon my barke hath runne In Court thus plast my self I gaue With wanton lookes eche where to gase All Pecokes plummes appered braue Bewitch'd I was with glorious blase With hardned harte I held that haunt In hope those ioyes would neuer blinne I thought no change of chaunce might daunt Or stoppe the course I did beginne But hoela sir t was tyme to staie My braue attire and wanton braggs When all my lande was sold awaie And rents were rapt on
A generall rehearsall of warres called Churchyardes Choise wherin is fiue hundred seuerall seruices of land and sea as Sieges Battailes Skirmiches and Encounters A thousande Gentle mennes names of the beste sorte of warriours A praise and true honour of Soldiours A proofe of perfite Nobilitie A triall and first erection of Heraldes A discourse of calamitie And ioyned to the same some Tragedies Epitaphes as many as was necessarie for this firste booke All whiche workes are dedicated to the honourable sir Christopher Hatton knight vize Chamberlain Capitaine of the Garde And one of the Quéenes Maiesties priuie Counsaile Written by Thomas Churchyard Gent. 1579. ¶ Imprinted at London by Edward White dwellyng at the little North-doore of S. Paules Churche at the signe of the Gunne To the right honourable my most assured freend sir Christopher Hatton Knight vize chamberlaine to the Queenes Maiestie and one of her highnesse priuie Counsaill Thomas Churchyarde wisheth as greate good Fortune and worldly felicitie as he desireth heauenlie blessyng IF the ground yeld not corne the Tree beare fruite the flower keepe sent and sauour we hold them as waste and in a shorte season forget their former goodnesse So freendes waxyng faint of memorie feble in duetie and negligent of that becomes them fall at length out of fauour and lose the blessed benifite of freendshippe For the penne hedde or hande that hath vsed honeste exercises once liyng idell doeth not onely purchace suspition but also breedeth muche misliking and makes menne forgotten where moste thei would be remembred So right honourable consideryng these causes I ought to be occupied in my accustomed maner of writyng least that tyme and slouth the corrupter and cankerar of good conditions weare me cleane out of credite and compell me to forthinke the idelnesse I haue vsed Yea albeit the matter be but barraine I seeke to bryng forthe yet a duetifull wel willar ought to bee doyng the beste in his power that the best maie be taken and gathered of the good will that still hath a desire to bryng forth some acceptable fruite And truely though my senses are simple to sift and search out suche matter as were meete for the personage to whom this is offered Yet I can not want good store and copie of causes to write of in this crooked age where no one thing is streight and vpright but a noble mynde that neither stoupes to the mutabilitie of fortune nor boweth doune to the wickednesse of this waiward worlde To treate of the whiche vnder correctiō I haue a great desire For the common people haue clapped on sutche newe Natures and are so finely transformed from the olde fashion of goodnesse as a perfite iust man is as hard to finde emong them as a Phenix out of Arabie Yet was there neuer more curiositie of woordes nor lesse constancie in deedes for now is he accoumpted no bodie that can not deceiue a multitude And the more finelier he can behaue hym self the more affection is borne hym so that the plaine meanyng is ouermatched with the connyng cōueiance of muffled mischeef And the outwarde show of simplicitie disceiues the inward iudgement so mutche that the subtell Foxe goes vnspied and the simple Sheepe is led to the slaughter For with artificiall courtezie and double dessembled countenaunce plaine people are carried from them selues and made the bonde slaues of those wolues that priuelie deuoures thē The little Antes ronnes not so faste out of the Moule hill as the fauners with flattrie followes their heeles that thei minde to ouer reache and wrest to their profite And who is so diligent as the deceiuer and so readie to attende waite as the wilie worldlyng VVho first can fishe out mennes maners inclinations and after feede their humours accordyng to their infirmities And in deede these craftie men pleasars haue more mynde of Mammon then of God of vanitie then of vertue For like vices on a stage thei serue in a State and helpe to fill out a bare matter with a bad laughter These are the wiely Spannyels of the worlde that can not be beaten frō the heles of nobilitie These are the turning weather cockes that seldome standeth stil. And these are the cunnyng Clarkes who neuer came in vniuersitie and yet are fine maisters of Art. And who licketh vp the crommes that falleth from the table of good fortune but these whinyng whelpes that priuely can bite and openly can faune For the dissembler getts more by doublenesse then by plaine dealyng more by good lucke then by good maners As some of the Sages affirme that conning creepes alwaies in fauour And blinde affection is the onely father that begettes the children of good chance and brynges the fauoured to prefarment And all the reste are but bastardes of beggarie begotten out of season borne in haste VVhich babes for want of blessyng are become wanderars of this worlde pilgrims of the yearth and blossomes of a blasted tree But the graue and wise holde opinion a man maie as well seeke to clime to the cloudes as come by commoditie till the cause and ground of all goodnesse call hym to the doale and deale hym an almes For neither shifte nor snatchyng will helpe where portions are deuided and lotted out to the pleasure of the giuer In plentie he tombleth that is prefarred to any place or benefite by this celestiall order and appointment of the almightie But some shreude serchers of secretes holde opinion that Sathan is princeps mundi and the mucke of this moulde vndeseruedly falles in their lappes that least is thought worthie of so greate aboundance And the poore are the personages that in the other worlde for their pacience here shal be placed beyonde our common exspectation It maie be moste likely For riche's is a readie instrument and a pleasaunte pipe to make men dance after the deuells Tabber And pouertie is the perfite pathe to lead men to felicitie Yet there nedes no argument to descipher the one from the other For in bothe estates a manne maie doe well but the riche hath better meane to doe good then the poore If those that are fleetyng in the flood of good fortune looke backwarde on the little brookes that feedes the Sea with water and followes the tides by continuall recourse the onely cause of the swellyng of the Seas and pride of the streames For if euery small spryng were stopte eche large Riuer kepte in and all kinde of Fountaines restrained from their course a seconde Sea would bee seen on the lande or the fulnesse of the firste would begin to decline So that the repaire of people to any place procures vaine glorie loftie lookes ambicious myndes and maintaineth mutche pompe and sutche as withdrawe them selues frō wilfull seruitude neither flatter their owne iudgementes to farre nor filles vp the flood to faste There is no more to bee saied but in this worldly Theater euery man plaies one parte or other that either is worthie rebuke or merites
men of worthy value For thereby the beste are knowne and reape the reward of wel doyng and the worst will blushe in the beholdyng of the vertues of other when the burthen of their owne vices coÌ„dempneth theim as idell drones of the common wealth And surely in myne opinion the nexte waie to make a nomber of meete members to the state wee dwell in is to giue them that deserue as mutche renowne as can bee clapped on their shulders and followe with infamie the base mynded fellowe so farre that he shall scarcely knowe in what soile he maie hide his hedde The noble Romains in the tyme of their greatnesse of courage and conquestes were regestred not onely in golden bokes and monumentes but also were made in a maner halfe gods and more then men in any kinde of condition or respecte The Lacedemonians Athenians and other nations a nomber did striue so by vertue one to excell an other that the whole worlde to this daie dooeth ryng of their glorie And happie was he in those daies that either deserued well hym self or might finde by fine inuention and iuste cause good matter to aduaunce any one of singulare learnyng or manhoode But now euery manne is so couetous and greedâ—e of fame for his owne woorkes that fewe or none can spare any dragme or sparke of credit to an others praise and good report by which generall ambitioÌ„ and naughtinesse of nature all good studies and noble enterprises are drowned in disdaine and little or nothyng is suffered to florishe but that whiche Fortune preferreth or the fonde affectioÌ„ of a multitude will commende A custome so perillous and cankred that I feare will ruste and corrupte all good sciences and bring in obliuion better matter then I speake of or can bee remembered Yet some hope is left to the wise and well doer because the honest and rieppest menne of iudgement are glad to embrace and welcome the labours of well disposed people and painful exercises of the learned But now to what ende make I this florishe and recitall of abuse in any since I want power to reforme any one persone enuious of others reputation Wherefore without further recitall of needelesse causes I will followe the substaunce of the matter here intended to bee written of requiryng the readers to admit I praised them selues if any be praise worthie for some warlike exercises in the whiche consaite of theirs thei will be the better contented to beare with the commendation of others For if euery one were a Soldiour in deede that readeth this volume I knowe but a fewe would be angry to heare of their owne glory and deseruinges Thus committyng this discourse to the iudgement of the wise I commende you to the Almightie And fall to my matter FINIS Churchyardes Choise IN the renoumed raigne of that noble prince Kyng Henrie the eight whose famous memorie shall laste whiles this worlde standeth All Cheualrie was cherished Soldiours made of and manhoode so muche esteemed that he was thought happie and moste valiaunt that sought credite by the exercises of Armes and dissipline of warre Whiche did so animate the noble mindes of men that in a maner he was counted no bodie that had not been knowen to bee at some valiaunte enterprice And euery simple subiecte was giuen to the aduaunsement of his Countrey As the burnyng of Treporte the winnyng of Tornay Bullaine and sonderie other places dooeth manifestly declare The iourneis into Scotlande and victories there would wearie you to reade of and beareth yet recorde what greate honor was in our kyng and courage in our people So that in this fortunate season the whole worlde did resounde of our worthinesse and forward desire of seruice And then beganne M. Nicholas Malbie to fauour the warre and take therein suche paines and delight that in Kyng Edward the sixte his daies the first yere of his raigne maister Nicholas Malbie was at Gines a Clarke of the victualles in a reasonable good credite vnder Maister Wauller then a speciall officer And the second yere he was a light horseman vnder capitaine Crayer in the seruice of the Frenche Kyng where was muche seruice at that presente And in this tyme there was a practise for the takyng of Arras which the noble men of Fraunce had deuised in this sorte The nobilitie put them selues in Peisauntes apparell colourablie to become prisoners to the Englishe horsemen And so marched a foote toward the gates of Arras as though the Englishe horsemen of the Emperours side had brought in certaine prisoners from the Frenche but one Peter Androwes a false traitour to the Englishe seruyng in Fraunce beeyng made priuie to this practise disclosed the matter to the Burgonions before Mounsire Vandiuill of Graueline wherupon a greate nomber issued out of the toune and so a hotte skirmishe was begonne and ended to the greate losse of the Burgonions side and so the Frenche disapointed of their purpose retired awaie From thence capitain Crayer and his companie were commaunded to Heddyng where thei tooke diuerse greate booties and made many spoiles to the greate benefite of all the Englishe horsemen I had forgotten how that the Duke de Vandome before these exploites entered the lowe Countrey with an armie and aboute Bottes Bulwarke and other partes nere vnto Saincte Homers did greate harme whiche I sawe being then a soldiour on the Emperors side and vnder Mounsire de Rues grand maister of Flaunders And after that Heddyng was besieged by MouÌ„sire de Rues and wonne in a short space at whiche seruice was capitaine Matson M. Richard Bingham Willyam Hinde and one capitaine Plonket with a nomber of other gentlemen not here named And at the winnyng of Torwain these Englishmen that serued the Emperour were in like sort From Heddyng captain Crayer with his bande were sent three leagues further into the frontires to a place called Farsine whiche borders vpon the Countie of S. Poule where there was a Castell of the Emperours called Countie in the whiche was a bande of footemen and an other of horsemen who daiely skirmished with the Englishe horsemen but alwaies the losse returned to the Burgonions side and capitain Crayers bande gatte greate honoure in so muche that the borders where the Englishemen serued stoode in as good securitie as though a nomber of other bandes had been there to haue aided the Englishe horsemen In deede there were suche soldiours in capitaine Crayers bande the Malbies beeyng as then ryng leaders emong theim as hath not been seen seruyng any where at that season for so small a companie and so greate value of courage and conducte From this place this bande was placed in garrison at Mottrell where mouÌ„sire Vilboun was gouernour at whiche toune the twoo brethren desired the leadyng of xxiiij of that bande and wente with theim twelue leagues into the Burgonion Pale to a riche village called Drues and spoiled the same of all their cattell and riches and brought awaie from thence eight rich prisoners
of kynges and Iudges of faultes liue after your labour without trauaill prouide for kynges in a cōmon name Take awaie vice Fauour women Helpe Children Keepe councell of the Prince and of hym aske your apparell and stipende and if any deny let hym be accounted presumptuous and slaunderous If any shall doe you iniurie let hym acknowledge hymself giltie of empairing the Empire But take you heede least you defile suche worship and suche priuiledge gotten by iuste trauaill of warre either by dronkennesse baudrie or any other vice neither that we giue vnto you should redounde vnto praise or peace whiche is to bee taken of you If perhaps you shall exceede vs and our successours Kynges of the Romains for euer hereafter These before rehearsed woorde for woorde as I might I translated out of Latine findyng therein a marueilous commendation of Soldiours and so is thereby to be perceiued that in all ages tymes and publique gouernementes Kynges and mightie Monarkes tooke care as muche for their men of warre as for their commonweale and to bring thē in harte if any dispaire or mislike should growe through flacknesse of lookyng vnto The Princes of their princelie benyngnitie and mere good will borne to Marshall people inuested them with titles names and honoures suche as alwaies pluckes vp mannes courage and procures thousandes to valliauncie and seruice For who will not venter boldly a season when thei knowe for ten yeres toile and hazard he shal bee honoured sitte at ease liue without daunger and remaine in a perpetuall priuiledge neither subiecte to the mallice of leaude people nor worldlie wante whose plague persecuteth many millions of menne and throwes doune in the duste the praises of suche as otherwise should shine like the Sunne before the eyes of all nations And as those Kynges and Conquerours many hundred yeres agoe ordained by decree and vertue of a Lawe that Soldiours should bee made honourable and possesse greate contentation of mynde ▪ So fell it out from tyme to tyme their seruices were considered And that Soldiour like kyng and triumphant conquerour Kyng Henry the eight hauyng triall of Soldiours and a warlike harte to shewe the honour belongyng to that profession and to followe his noble predecessours Made a Lawe as ye maie read in the Statutes that Soldiours might weare what thei listed And further to the comforte of all menne of warre he left no one worthie soldiour vnrewarded in what place so euer of his dominion or affaires the Soldiour had been emploied In Fraunce our neere neighbours makes so greate accounte of Soldiours namely those that thei call Soldado Vetche that the greatest Dukes or Princes in the feelde Courte or Toune encounteryng a Soldiour salutes hym with courtesie takes hym to his Table and vseth hym with suche entertainement and reuerence that it is a worlde to beholde And when seruice is to bee seen either in battaill or at an assaulte The greatest Duke or noble man thinkes hym self happie to bee ioyned with a knowne Soldiour and commonlie bothe old and yong of their nobilitie are foremoste in the fighte and laste that will retire It is a thyng incredible emong some ignoraunt persones to be tolde how Soldiour-like and manlike in all poinctes thei behaue themselues and how little accompte thei make of life when death muste bee sought by seruice and thereby their honoure and libertie of Countrey is to be preferred The Spanyardes a Nation not inferiour to any yet named ioyne so in amitie at their meetyng make suche courtesie and shewe suche fastenesse of freendshippe especiallie emong soldiours that euery one in presence embraseth his companion and in absence lett es fall good report of the absent Yea their loue and constancie by custome and ceremonies knittes theim in suche an vnion that no straunger can separate and thei giue so greate place on to an other that it is hard to knowe by their gestures and vsages whiche is the better of them And thei haue their owne soldiours in suche a likyng that no people in the worlde shal be suffered to reape any peece of their glorie The Italians Soldiours of greate antiquitie and of no lesse vallue with moste humilitie and Ciuill maner enterchaungeth their talke yeeldyng for one gentle worde twentie good tearmes smothe speeches and philed phrases And happenyng to come together either in seruice or otherwise thei agree like brethren and departe without quarrell And their greate menne and mightiest in power if thei repaire where Soldiours are shewes theim selues of little aucthoritie as a manne might gesse by their courtesie Refuseth to take any thyng vpon theim where the Marshall man approcheth and seemeth to bee at the disposition of suche as haue serued so great is the reputation of a soldiour emong them The Scottes menne a stoute and manly people beginnyng to take a sauour in the warre seekes sondrie soiles to serue in and haue greate delite to bee in the companie of soldiours and proue them selues worthie of commendation in any place thei repaire And for that thei would become famous and attain to some experience and credite thei shunne no kinde of seruice that is offered and all the sortes of gentilitie emong them esteemeth muche a Soldiour Whiche is a signe that at the length soldiours wil come to their auncient dignitie and admiration where the sound of Dromme or Trompet maie bee heard Now to speake of our owne Nation were superfluous although many haue serued well and sondrie are yet in the excersices of warre beeause I haue named before diuerse thynges wherein our countrey menne haue wonne desired fame and renoume yet for argumentes sake and to enlarge this volume Further matter maie bee treated of neither hurtfull to the hearers that fauoureth well doyng nor hatefull to any when nothyng shal bee touched but that whiche is necessarie for the aduauncement of vertue Our soueraigne Ladie by Gods prouidence to make vp the matter I bryng for a testimonie of greate regard to soldiours consideryng whom thei are she hath holpen in some sort and respecte and what good thinges haue passed emong suche Soldiours as her highnesse heard well of or had intelligence giuen her to vnderstande the worthinesse of those that had well deserued Dooe but examine how many since her noble raigne of Soldiours haue had Leases gotten liuynges been preferred to gouernemente and gone from Courte with full handes that beganne with emptie purses And then tell the worlde openly what secrete suites were passed and what open wrong thei doe them that bountifully bestowed good giftes where any good cause appeared Admitte some by the reporte of their freendes stole awaie the benefites from the fountaine hedde yet looke to the reste of thynges that worthely fell out and you shall see the beste sort of Soldiours worthely rewarded and noblie vsed What care wee though some sillie soules or seruiceable Soldiours watche at receipte or are not spoken for by meane of some hinderars of good happe Yet since other some and many in nomber haue
either followe their steppes or goe the course his owne light should leade hym And beeyng wearied with worldely affaires though yong of yeres sought sonderie waies to ease the burthen of his breaste bothe by pollicie and causes that happe hazarde might bryng to good perfection and so bendyng his studie and spirites aboute some daungerous aduenture and noble attempte He firste made a shewe as though he would haue besieged Antwarpp bryngyng a power on the spurre to amasse the worlde and in that ronnyng campe amused their wittes that sawe but into the outwarde shewes of ordinarie causes ▪ and therewith all when the brauado was made towardes Antwarppe on whiche toune the whole State depended and some of the Prince of Parmas men wente and ventered verie farre yet siue of Englishe and others a nomber scarce worthie hearyng The Prince of Parma retired and immediately vppon good direction and order besieged Mastricke a marueilous strong Toune subiect to no euill but misfortune or mannes pollicie Whiche Toune shewed it self so well and worthely that I must needes without any greate intelligence of euery particuler seruices write of the notorious matters that fell out duryng the tyme of the siege And for that the noble myndes and greate courages of menne delightes in doyng greate thynges and hearyng of mightie matters It is reason in aunsweryng their hopes and iudgementes to delate a little and make a long discourse of these Marciall affaires For suche a noble behauiour of Soldiours on bothe sides maie not bee forgotten nor bee left bare and naked from the roebes of renoume and remembraunce of the worlde The Spanyardes and others what soeuer that serued the Prince of Parma made a stoute and gallante approche to the Toune of Mastricke In whiche attempte thei of the Toune were tried and founde bothe able to resiste and willyng to defende Their scirmouches and maner of warre did to the vttermoste shewe there was no faintnesse of hart nor lacke of force to withstande a stoute enemie For euery Minute of an an howre thei offered as muche brauerie and bolde courage as any people that euer were in our daies did abide the siege set Haddyngton aparte Well now the Spanyardes placed the Campe in good order the Countrey neere about in subiection the Munition ready and all necessaries for a siege prouided for the Batterie was planted and euery Trenche garded and looked to in the moste warlike sort and maner might be deuised Notwithstandyng thei of the Toune made many sallies and issued so often that it was thought neither their courage was to be daunted nor their Toune to be wonne But the Prince of Parma myndyng onely victorie and perswadyng nothyng but hazard of life or daunger of bodie framed his Soldiours to suche a resolution of mynde that thei thought neither vamures of yearth nor walles of brasse might keepe theim from their desired conquest with whiche resolution in the face of the shott and lapps of their enemies thei lighted verie often yet scambled out of perill as the present mischeef would suffer and euery man might make shift for hym self There was to be seen betweene these twoo people suche stoutnesse of minde and practise of witte that nothyng was forgotten that might giue grace to the one or bryng good fortune to the other So in this sort a long season was spent and no small charges bestowed greately to the disquietnesse of bothe the parties and wonder of their neighbours farre or neere that daiely gaped for newes and were fedde with suche reportes as the packettes vnfolded and the Postes would make brute of And all this while thei within the Toune hoped for succour and their enemies without were but to withstande any power should approche them And made a full accoumpt either to giue battaill or winne the toune thei had besieged The Batterie was plied the Cannons wente of the wilde-fire was flong the engines of warre were occupied the soldiours were readie to assaulte and the Mine was thrust full of poulder to blowe vp the walles and all the crueltie and terrour that could bee inuented was speedily sette a broche too make the murther and bloodshed the more The people of Mastricke had made a counter Mine and in the tyme of the assaulte siue the woorkemen vnder the yearth and defended their walles moste manfully whiche was assailed with suche a furie and courage as though a mainy of Gyauntes had set vpon a fewe children or a multitude of Wolues had ronne vpon a poore and simple flocke of Shepe But yet for all this furie and dreadfull maner of approche the Soldiours assalted did shewe thē selues so valliant that the assailantes were forced after long fight at the pushe of the Pike to retire and shrinke from the breache and with greate losse of many a noble Soldiour turne their faces from their enemies and drawe them selues from daunger to the sauegard of their Trenches and gardyng of their Campe. This first assault was so stoutly withstoode that a long while after the Toune tooke some reste But the Spanyardes waiyng not their liues and waxyng angerie for this repulse made sonderie sharpe approches When many legges and armes by meane of the Mines fiue vp in the ayre as though a tempest or whirle winde had blowen a fewe feathers or gotten vnder a loose bundell of Strawe yea the Mines at one tyme were so terribly sette on fire and shaked a peeces by a nomber of barrells of pouder that you would haue thought it had Thondered or the worlde had been at an ende and the Iudgement daie had been come So pitifullie the bodies and heddes of people fiue aboute the feeldes for thereby the Cloudes were dimmed with gloumyng smoke and smother A sight moste dreadfull to behold and as a man might saie a verie helle vppon yearth where diuers bloodie wretches and Ruffians dooe dye without any hope of heauen or regarde of God. Well in this miserable maner and plight the people of Mastricke continued full many a heauie daie and weeke and yet alwaies the greatest losse fell on their enemies part who neuerthelesse became so venterous and hardie by this their hard Fortune That thei were in a maner as desperate as wilde Bulles that neither cares for Dogges nor shunneth no daunger And in deede the Prince of Parmaes power were become suche Tygers and Lyons that thei thought no force could resiste their furie nor no people could matche them in courage and valliauncie Suche was the greatnesse of their myndes and desire of worldely fame and glorie the onely sturrer vp of stoutnesse in a Soldiours stomacke and the principle poincte that a manne of warre careth for and holdeth in reputation And in this pride and gallaunce conceipte of doyng what thei pleased thei made no more of the losse of halfe a score Ensignes of menne then of a handfull of Rushes or a trusse of Hey For when a thousande or two thousande Soldiours were slaine at the assaulte or at any peece of seruice thei erected newe
maintained on bothe the parties with suche a resolute mynde and determination to winne libertie or lose life There wer after this siege some other seruices but none so greate nor none of theim I mynde to treate of as yet for that I haue bente my studie to pleasure the Readers of my booke with other fancies varietie of matter The change of matter and maner of writyng thereof I hope shall rather bryng delite then breede wearinesse For that whiche doeth presently followe is sette out purposely with a nomber of deuises to occupie tyme withall and pleasure them that hath any good disposition towardes the woorke FINIS ¶ A description or discourse that declareth how that by tastyng of miseries men become happie written for that Soldiours alwaies beares the burthen of Sorrowe and suffers more calamitie then any other people GOod readers for that calamitie and combersome chances doe seeme intollerable too beare and for our first fathers offence thei are the burthens of life and companions of man till the hower of his death I beyng often charged with the heauie fardle of misfortunes haue taken in hande to treate of a troubled mynde and shewe what blessednesse and benefite to the bodie and soule this worldly infelicitie bryngeth As the common afflictions of mankynde are many in nomber and seem at the first feelyng so irksome and weightie that fewe can suffer them or support them So a multitude of miseries accustometh the minde so long in the sharpnesse of sorrowes that a sounde iudgemente is made the more able thereby to abide the brunte of troubles and attende for a short season a remedie of mischeeues by proof the trothe of this is tried For let the laboryng manne or ordinarie porter that daily carries greate burthens be often vsed to lifte vp packes he shall better beare a greate Logge then an other that is fine fingered shall bee able to heaue a small peece of Timber And there is none that laboureth so sore but is sure at one tyme or other to attaine to reste and commoditie So that all sorrowes are to be compted but a sharpe sause to season the appetite and bryng the sweete and delicate dishes in suche order that it glutte not the stomacke And nowe to consider howe all pleasures are possessed and profittes take their beginnynges The verie issue and originall of those yearthly commodities springes onely from continuall care and paine and labourious vexation of bodie and mynde The greatest glories and cheefest seates of honour anywhere are gotten and compassed by this kinde of calamitie and the leaste or moste sparke of mannes delite is maintained and at the lengthe enioyed by the meane of studious labour and painfull exersices But herein to be breef paine and labour is the portion appoincted for man in his pilgrimage and thei that are moste persecuted so thei bee not tempted aboue their strength are moste to be thought in fauour with God and happiest emong men if heauenly graces and correction bee measured by the yearthly vessailes of vanitie that we carry about whiche without correction and refourmyng would growe so full of filthe and corrupte maners that thei neither could holde good liquor nor serue to any good purpose Doe you not beholde that the purest mettall with ill lookyng vnto becommeth full of cankers and ruste if it bee not scoured rubbed and roghly handled his beautie decaieth and the worthe and vallue of it is little because it hath loste his vertue and estimation So mānes corrupt Nature were it not serched with sonderie instrumentes that takes awaie the dedde fleashe and toucheth the quicke would putrifie waxe lothsome to the whole worlde and to the creature hym self that beares it in his bowelles And for the auoydyng of suche an inconuenience calamitie muste bee tasted and troubles are necessarie for the keepyng cleane of a spotted conscience and fraile bodie puffed vp with Pride and vanitie of curious conceites And so I proue aduersitie is the brynger home of good spirites and gentill wittes that wanders after worldly follies and ronnes a gaddyng beyonde the boundes of measure to the vtter confines of daunger and destructiō Yea a little trouble and tormente produceth greate goodnesse and bryngeth foorthe noble bookes and goodly workes whiche the libertie of life and wantonnesse of pleasure denies and hinders As a thyng that drawes manne frō the couetyng of Fame and true searchyng of immortalitie Mannes prosperous estate breedes but idelnesse nourisheth vice contempnes vertue and banisheth good studies and learnyng albeit some one emong the ritchest at one season or other maie looke on a booke fauor writers and giue good speeches of well dooyng Yet seldome comes any greate woorke from their handes that are in prosperitie And none in a maner but the afflicted did at any time hether to yeelde benefite to their countrey and generally knowledge the vniuersall worlde Lette Socrates Plato Aristotoles Cleantes and a nōber of poore Philosophers ye princes of education bee witnesse of that I speake from whiche Philosophers the sowres of noble Artes and Sciences did spryng and aboundantly flow The bodie pampered bedecked with beautie full of ornamentes and sett out to sale like fleashe in the Shambelles Either would bee bought quickly or will be tainted in hangyng too long in the winde So that as horses doe waxe reistie for want of good vsage and cleanest thynges taketh corruption by lacke of lokyng vnto in season Pleasure and libertie in processe of tyme makes a manne wilde if callamitie tame not the bodie bryng the minde in willyng subiection Sorrowe sadnesse and other passions of this worlde that comes by common causes puttes the wittes and iudgemente to suche a plonge secrete shifte and pollecie that all the senses openly makes a muster to defende the estimation and vpright bodie from fallyng to the whiche assemblie comes Pacience Reuerence and Modestie that the matter is so wel taken iniuries are putt vp and wronges that haue been offered woorkes in a wise hedde a worlde of deuises wherein vertue gettes victorie To beare the comfortable Crosse of persecution is the true badge of blessednesse wherby the seruaunt is seen to followe his maister and all the vices of manne be maistered or reformed by the crossyng chances of this world and vertuous operation of callamitie whiche miraculously worketh the distempered minde as the hotte Fornace tries out the Golde and the warme fire bringes in temper and makes softe the harde and coldest Waxe A deuine secret to them that are chosen and familiare example to those that glories in worldly felicitie who knowes the naturall causes of yearthlie thynges If a manne might aske wherefore was manne made sent from the highest dignitie of pleasures to this lowe dongion of sorrowes and base soile of seruitude It maie bee aunswered Adam was thruste out of Paradice for offence he had committed and for that he was formed out of the yearth on the face of the yearth he should get his foode and liuyng as a vessell ordained to
And straitly looke vnto my doyngs heere And like a Iudge in tremblyng conscience sitte I am condempd there serus ne force nor witte Out is my Lampe the oile hath loste his light And my faire daie is tornd to foule blacke night The searchyng hedds that sifts my maners throwe Will shrinke a side when I drawe neere their vewe The wievly daems that seeth my blotted browe In my behalfe will blushe and chaunge their hewe The gentill harts that others harms doeth rewe Will muche lament my life so leawdly ronne And cleane vntwiste the threede good name hath sponne The baseste dame whose faults are borne in breste Will scorne to heare my follie blasde abrode The fromppyng flocke at me will make a ieste The spitfull swarme will poult and swell like Tode My giltie mynde that bears moste heauie lode Will sinke doune right when worlde shall talke of grace And shame her self will slubber all my face The sober sorte that setts by noble brute Will shake their hedds as thei my boldnesse spie The clappyng tongs will neuer sure be mute Shreawd people all will shewe alowryng eye But still I feare the Lorde that sitts on hye Will looke more straunge on me so late disgraste Then all the worlde that here beneath are plaste The Churche wherein bothe faithe and hande I gaue Shall witnesse beare of breache of promes due The spousall bedde and marrage daie so braue Shall make me cald forsworne and moste vntrue The holie booke the old lawe and the newe Against my soule shall sure sharpe sentence giue In other worlde where sprite desiers to liue Let matrons chaste and modest wiues eche one That falshed haets and lou's their trothe to keepe In furie come and flyng at me a stone And let no wight my death bewaile nor weepe Let daies vnrest and dreadfull dreams in sleepe Pursue me still and bryng me to my graue Since God and man I so offended haue The stepps I tread shall tell me my offence The feelds I walke shall bryng my fault to minde The harms I did in worlde shall haste me hence The wealthe I wishe shall waste and weare with winde The fame I seeke shall flyng me farre behinde And all good things that vertues wiues enioye At my moste neede shall tourne to myne anoye The wise that waies my wiells in ballance right Shall see my witte want weight and be but bace The foole hymself shall finde my iudgement light In makyng choise to chopp and chaunge my cace The poore shall point at me in eurie place The riche and those that swaie and rule doeth beare With curbe of Lawe shall bryng leawde life in feare The freends I had shall frowne and shunne my sight The foes I haue shall followe me with shame The neighbour loue that pleasd me daie and night Shall now drawe backe and looke on losse of name The merrie mate and homely countrey dame And all the toune and soiâ—e where I was borne In Parishe Churche shall laugh my life to scorne The bande once broke that God hymself hath bleste Bryngs worldly woe and cursses in by swarmes The marrage marde that God made for mans reste Turns vpside doune from happie helpe to harmes The Bridall bedde defield with lothsome charmes Breeds wicked smoke and smothryng sclanders blase On whose foule fume a worlde of people gase The knotte of loue vnknitt by hatefull cause Caulls greeffs to count and cries to clouds for aied The leuwd contempt and breache of sacred lawes Maeks eurie howre offendour sore afraied The fickle faithe that is with skurges paied Bidds falshed flie the plague that is preparde For those who looks to life with small regarde No rofflyng troupe that swashe and swill vp wine Can ward the blowes that wrathe of God sends doune No cunnyng knacks nor knackyng fetches fine Can conquer trothe and thrust hym out of toune No treasons traine can take waie true renoune No cloud can cloke the crafte that all men findes No salue but grace can heale infected mindes My hollowe harte hath loste the hope I had What dropps in now doeth doubt and daunger bryng In housbands ears I spake that made me glad With newfounde freends I talke that mak's me wryng The first good will from vertuous loue did spryng The laste delite and all that since fell out Began on luste and needs must ende in doubt Now open streats by Oule flight must I walke And secret nouks and shifts must shadowe sleight Except I care not what the worlde doeth talke And minde to frame a crooked matter streight And then though pride holds hedde a wonders height Shame plucks doune harte and mak's me blushe at laste But well awaie that signe of grace is paste Though in the teeth I haue the bridell gote And that I run beyond my riders reache I dare not syng in quere to hye a note For feare of checke and tuter doe me teache I plaie boe peepe least people me appeache I seem a sainct when deulishe thyngs I meane Yet muche adoe I haue to carrie cleane O wretched change that bryngs repentaunce ofte O bitter sweete whose taste deceiues vs all O poisoned luste that puff's vp pride a lofte O graclesse game full farcst with sugred gall O trippyng trust that swiftly giu's a fall O spitfull sport that spends thy youth in shame And bryngs thine age in horrour and deffame O greedie will that gaines but greef of minde O gnawyng worme that fretts the conscience still O wicked arte that striks the senses blinde O madde deuice that tourns from good to ill O leawd desire more hotte then Eathna hill O beastly blisse begun on balde confaite And doeth bewitche them all that bites the baite O paultryng plaie and pinishe pastyme vaine O slidyng ioye that sincks where suertie swims O perlous toye and pleasure mixt with paine O Peacocke proude that still fonde feathers trims O lustie bloud naye wanton lothsome lims That stoups to filthe and costly carrein gaie That giu's â–ª badd gold and stealls good name awaie My merrie maetts and minsyng minions fine Speaks faire a while to winne their leawd desire But wilely worlde can let me starue and pine And for reward can giue a floute or flire So lead me on and leaue me in the mire And blabb all out that hath been closly wrought O pranks of youth O painted thyng of nought O puddell foule that seems at first full faire O cause of care and source of sorrowe sowre O deadly hope and grounde of deepe despaire O pleasaunt weede and stinckyng rotten flowre O rauenyng Wolues that doeth poore wiues deuoure O smilyng theeues that robbs the chastest harte O traiterous tongs that can plaie Iudas parte You laied your trains as Foulars laies his nette You bosome Snak's your styng hath me vndoen By louyng you at length what shall I gette When you me lothe where shall the caste of ron Wo worth that wight that woyng first begon Curste be the craft that causeth clamours â—yes And
Loue is a sprite a shadowe or a ghoste A needlesse charge that seldome quitts the coste A practise bought with many a threede bare purse A wretched blisse that I and myne maie curse It is the skum and onely drosse of youth That bryngs bothe soule and bodie in decaye A kinde of taske wherein there is no truth A Courtyng trade that doeth muche crafte bewraie A wilie Foxe a wanton full of plaie A sainct to showe a Deuill God he knose That me betraied and made me freedome lose The Horse ronns farre that neuer tourns againe The beaten child is learnd to feare the rod The double minde maie fall to meanyng plaine Thei maie a mende that feels the feare of God. The clouds maie cleere that long hath threatned raine The tyme ill spent if reason will redeeme Calls home wilde witts from toyes that are extreeme Youth tak's his course and follows fancies freaks Age all reforms and sore repents tyme paste The bowe long bent ye knowe in processe weaks Hard thyngs at first maie gentill waxe at laste Who often faulls is taught to stande full faste And fewe there are but slieds or falls doune right In youth or age our iudgements are so light When witte is bought and follie throughly waied An vnce of skill is worthe a pounde of drosse Till bodie smarte the minde is neuer staied Gaine is not likte till we haue tasted losse Some saie eche one is borne to beare his crosse My heauie faults now burthens breast so sore That heare or hence I must be scourgd therefore Sweete are those stripps that breaks ne bone nor lim And yet setts sound the soule and bodie bothe Sowre are those ioyes and worldly braurie trim That doune to hell with dampned people gothe Sweete are sharpe woords that tells leawd life the trothe Sowre is sweete sause that cloyes the stomacke still Sweete are those nipps that doeth restraine the will. The pampred horse that still in stable stands Will ware a iade if spurre ne wande he taest The wildest Colt is tam'd by riders hands And so through bitte is made well traind and paest All hedstrong thyngs are not reformd in haest But when regard looks backe where blindnesse went The perrill paste bides pompe and Pride repent Greate is the scope that greedie will desiers Small gaine or grace doeth growe by gaddyng out With heauie lode the wearie leggs retiers And hartfull fraught of worldly dread and dout And sure the ground from whence all vice doeth sprout Is gaddyng geres that lovs a broad to gase Who shame sends home in greate sadde muse and mase And when in dores dame dalliance close is 〈◊〉 And noets what blot she did escape without She thinks in streate she put her name to pawne Or went abroad to plaie the bare banckrout Where wanton eyes did naught but stare about Where all a flant at full like shippe with saile Fine minions marche as braue as Pecockes taile The croked backe must bolstred be by arte The taunie skinne must shine by some trim knacke The twinklyng looks for sport must plaie their parte The perwicks fine must curle where hear doeth lacke The swellyng grace that fills the emptie sacke And iettyng pace with limes stretcht out full streight To patche out pride are matters of greate weight Then fie on all suche trashe and tromprie vile That setts forthe shaeds in Sonnie daie to shine My youth is paste I can not worlde begile Men will not looke for babes in hollowd eyen A witherd grape hangs now on rotten vien From blasted branche the berrie round is gone A doskie glasse is little lookt vpon Wherefore I vowe to weare a sorie vaile To shrowd the face that feaw or none will like And get some shell to holde in hedde like Snaile For former faults in conscience so doeth strike That I doe feare I shall my self mislike If shadowes doe not cloke defects I haue Or death dispatche and sende me to my graue Now note my tale you dames of gentill blood Now waile with me all suche as plaies my parte Now let my harms doe harmlesse people good Now bid all wivs defie this deulishe arte For my consaite is suche a deadly darte That where I goe or walke in any place Me thinks my faults are written in my face FINIS A heauie matter of a Englishe gentleman and a gentlewoman in maner of a Tragedie whiche gentlewoman called her freende the wanderyng Prince THE wandryng Prince whiche ran the restlesse race Had muche a doe to trie this froward fate And I poore man that doeth supplie his place In pilgrims porte maie waile my wofull state To Gods and men the storie now I tell That iudgement haue to marke my matter well Bothe lande and seas as farre as wandrer goes And worlde so wide my sokyng sorrowe knoes In natiue soile where long I fostred was A make I chose to leade my life with all From whom at length I wandryng Prince did pas For causes greate that tournd my sweete to gall Suffice to thinke some fire did raise the smoke That made me flie and shunne from marrage yoke Some piuishe pranck some padde laied in the strawe That forced feers thus seurall waies to drawe A wretched happ betid's betweene them twaine That parts in haste where long the loue was bent An open plague a pinchyng priuie paine Is felt and founde where suche mishapp is sent The house decaies the credite cracks with all And doune full flatte doeth eche good Fortune fall And of renowme the propps and pillars shak's And babblyng tongs there on a wonder mak's Let sleepe some harms my muse must now awake To blase the broills that wandryng life did bryng Who goes from home and doeth a iourney take Full little knowes where doeth the saddell wryng Till bityng greefs bewraies a secret sore As sone as man setts foote on forraine shore A mischeef streight doeth meete hym full in face As welcome fitte for men from forraine place As straungers here somtymes haue gazers on And Crowes with Kietts doe seldome well agree So home bred birds from hence no soner gon In countrey straunge full sone oermatched bee First finesse coms and fram's some fashon newe To catche wilde hauks or cast tame birde in mewe Then falshed fliers and plaies the wilie Foxe With gaddyng foote that faste is in the stoxe The traular tasts more toile then tong can tell More troublous tyms than trothe maie well report Wants heuens blisse and feeleth more of hell Then all the souls that to this worlde resort The Camell bears a burthen greate you knowe The Asse likewise doeth not vncharged goe But neither beast nor nothyng name you maie Surmounts the pains of wandryng Prince I saie My deastnie drewe my daies to dolefull date Desire to see strange realms bred myne vnrest For where I thought in suretie saffe I sate Farre from my freends I found my self distrest In daunger oft and feare of mortall foe I daiely paste betweene the stryng and boe
No hazard here on yearth that men maie finde But there to me blinde deastnie had assignde My life was sought and freedome loste I long Compeld to stoupe where God was scarcly knowne Denied of right and forste to suffer wrong And plainly spoild of that whiche was my nowne In hockstars hands where lawe was made of will And hauocks mouthe I daiely hapned still Now drownd in dread and wishyng greedie graue Then feard to be a seruile galley slaue No helpe from home was lookt for any waie All hope was gone betweene good happe and mee In these extreams thus paste I many a daie Till God had sette bothe minde and bodie free And in the ende ere I did homward drawe At my nowne will Ierusalem I sawe And Sipres too with diuers kyngdoms more Whiche stately seats I had not seen before A minde I had of further toile then this But sondrie letts in that behalf I founde And as oft tyms I did my purpose mis So loe in fine I drewe me homeward round But Fortune wrought for me suche spite at home That once againe a broad I must goe rome I shapt me thoe a nerar course to hold In hope that happe the haplesse fauour wold Now sought I how to serue my countrey well And fram'd bothe witts and wealth to that delite In forraine soile the wandryng Prince did dwell From whence oft tyms to countrey did I write Yea to the cheef that here hath rule and charge To whom I showd some matters full at large For whiche I wanne greate fauour and good will So long tyme spent in right good credite still But Fortune fround at that good lucke of mine As she was wont to doe by course and kinde That froward dame ye knowe doeth still repine At eurie one that bears a noble minde A dreadfull Duke a fearfull prince I saie Sore matters there vnto my charge did laie And clapt me vp in cruell prison faste Where long I lookt for nought but death at laste A leuen months I laie in lothsome sincke Where some condempd aboad the diefinoll daie Some liu'd in lacke and staru'd for meate and drinke Some made greate shift yet could not get awaie Some were had out to suffer for offence Some had small wealth yet laie at greate expence And some were rackt and loste their lims there bye And none but glad to please the Iailours eye The fulsome smells and sauours out of frame Weare able sure to burst a Giants harte The vsage vile and other greefs to name Did farre surmount the weight of common smarte The checks the taunts and bitter bityng words Did cutte more sharpe then bloodie mortall swords The torments strange that helhounds shewd vs theare Was sure muche more then humain kinde could beare The worlde abroad knows not what prisnars feele The birde on bushe conceiu's no care of cage Who sitts a loft in topp of Fortun 's wheele Full little knowes the cause of captiu's rage Well I suckt vp of this the sweete and sowre And sought for freends and so stretcht forth my powre That out I came and homward once againe I paste in peace and scapt a scouryng plaine Here found I things as God hym self did please My wife in graue and worlde was altred cleane Then did I frame my self to liue at ease And as I might to hold a merrie meane Content with cares that tyme had ouer blowne Full bent to dwell and reste vpon myne owne Not lookt for chere in house I kept before Those spendyng daies bad spare and seeke for store But yet small while I rested here in deede But that I hard of one a noble brute A widdowe wise of gentill race and seede And suche a dame as worthie was of sute Whose wifely port and comlie maners graue With shamfast looks and glance of beautie braue Was able sure as worlds report did shoe To make from tombe the dedde to speake and goe Her famous brute so set my harte on fire That fancie flam'd on that I neuer sawe And still so hotte did burne this newe desire That witte confest in loue there was no lawe A sodaine heate and sure a thyng full strange That loue so sone could worke so sore a change To make hym like and namely in the place Where loe before he sawe ne shape nor face A powre deuine or Deastnie drewe this draught It can not come of light conceits nor toyes For as wilde birds in bushe or lime are caught And so strange handes poore sillie birde enioyes Through Deastnies lot that all appointeth here So was I caught I bye the proofe full dere For nought but smart as yet thereby doeth rise Suche Fortune falls on men from starrie Skise Where Gods doe worke men must of force giue place It hapned thus what needs more words here in Me thought in slepe I sawe a strangers face A wake I walkt as I in mase had bin In house or feeld all that I did behold Presented plaine this noble fleece of gold The wandryng Prince a Iason wisht hym than Or for that fleece to be a happie man. In spendyng daies and tyme of that deuice A chance befell as blisfull Fortune wold The preshoes Iemme and iewell dere of price That wandryng Prince doeth call the fleece of gold At dinner was where I was bidde a geast O happie house nay rather happie feast O castell good where in my Ladie satte Where but bare vewe and sight of her I gatte My gasyng eyes no soner sawe this sight But straight I saied the worlds report was true And in all poincts she was the self same wight That I had heard and more to saie to you Her grace so muche did please my inward minde That sure I thought I could not easly finde So sweete a sainct to serue and honour still If boldnesse durst present here my good will. A feare straight waies possest my senses all Of fitter matche for her then I in deede And dreadyng sore how matters forthe would fall That I might speake and others then might speede I silent stoode and stole awaie God wotte Yet hopyng still to finde a better lotte An aptter tyme a season for my sute That fancies toile should reape some thankfull frute In watchyng long and vsyng sleight of witte I fauour wan my sorrows to escrie But Fortune made me plaie vpon the bitte And want my will when hedde I held full hye I curbed was and suche a mozroule felt That in no staye nor certaine hope I dwelt Saue that accesse to her I had somtyme As on the staire I durst attempt to clime I did not preace the mountaine hye to win Nor clime the bowes and spraies of mightie trees The valley smothe I tooke greate pleasure in Or goodlie ley where haunts somtymes the Bees To sucke the flowrs that pleasant Honie makes And ley to ley I thought to hedge with stakes As feeld to feeld should better sure agree Then Skie with yearth or winde and ayre with tree Short season