townes it drawes to ground at length Refuse therefore suche mate to matche though faire she be of face For inward vice with colours spreade doth outward vewe disgrace No credit giue to other men to choose a wife of fee For oft that other men displeasth may pleasaunt séeme to thée If loue be linckt and mate be curst and bende hir frowning brow Applie thy tongue to sugred spéeche that she may leaue to crow Exhort perswade desire entreat and praye hir still to be Embrace hir corps in louing armes and friendly amitie And swéetely kisse hir cherrie chéekes with gentle giftes hir deck And close thy handes most louingly about hir Iuorie neck Thus séeke all sayes hir sore to salue by good and honest way If this help not but froward fem will stiffely stande astray Then pleasant spéech suppresse and faine a sower vnsauerie looke As though thou wouldst deuour the walles and hang the house on hooke With bitter words beswindge this dame let no perswasion lack Let homely stripes sometimes on fall on yong vnrulie back But modest be thy strokes to strike let reason rule thy rate If fewe serue not hir hart to help thou mayest repent to late Take faythfull spouse of humble hart and graft in godly grace Graue wise discréete lernd méeke and one that beautie beares in face Who doth forgo hir deerest friendes and parents leauth eche one Hir selfe by troth shée fréely plight to husbands powre alone In kylling cares both sicke and whole shée faythfull is to thée Shée is thy ioy and comfort swéete though rich or poore thou bée Shée will obey at all commaundes in stormes and cruell smart In mirth in griefe in pouerishment shée bydes and takes hir part If fierce disease shall crase thy corps hir wylling helpe she dightes She cherisheth thée she sweetely speakes shée watchth both dayes and nightes When crooked age shall créepe on thée with stealing steps so blife Shée still prouides shée runnes and goes to heale thy sicklye life Of bodies two one corps is made so linckt in lotted loue Which streming stormes and bitter blast can not by paines remoue Yea after death shee life doth lende when pale thou rotst in grounde In sonnes by hir thy formed face may alwayes plaine be founde So that thy corps and shape be forme with long retayned name Doe florish fresh as springs the flowre to thy long byding fame But who so lapt in lyuing lewde with harlots vile remaine These fruits doth lose with name and fame and spends his goodes in vaine Defame shall eke abridge his dayes corruption corps shall slay And lyuers lewde sure God will iudge no doubt another day When as the vyle and stinking Goates shall passe to endlesse woe To fierie forkes and flames of hell in Limbo lake byloe By proofe these rules of mariage I doe not surely know But men of more experience the same to me did sho Which I for thée my tried friend by paine of simple quill Haue rudely set in this poore verse for want of cunning skill Fewe care for the soule all for the body WHen as the crased corps in groning bed doth lie The skilfull art of phisicks cure is sought for by and bie Which right prescribeth rules that thou must needes obserue By passing paines which thou doest kéepe though thou therefore shouldst sterue Such bitter brunts thou bearst thy bodies health to haue But who will take a little toyle his sicklie soule to saue No carnall men in cares are carnally ybent All gape for gaine there is no God but God make vs repent To his Friend Tho. Howell WHere oft the flouds doe floe vpon the beaten banck Their sandes debarre the grasse to groe to spread his Aprill spranck And where the sonne doth march vpon the greened grasse In time it will the pasture parch as though it neuer was So where the sonne bright friends my Howell hauntes to hit There vsed lyfe in present winds will kéeper cleane forget Their daylie flouds of talke shall ouerflow thy grasse That kéeper hath obliuious walkt as though he neuer was And reason tis I meane why shouldst thou kéeper kéepe Since thou mayest lose in keeping him that nothing can but sléepe For sléepish dumps me shut from taste of cunning stile Nor can I boult my rudenesse out which lies on rustie file Yet holde in mindefull moode our auncient amitie For faithfull friends giue present salue for all the cares that be An aunswere NOt floing floudes the féeble banck that frets Nor swelting heat whose flames y e pastures fry Nor slipprie sande which faint foundation lets Thy Howell once maye cause from thée to wry Ne shall the show of shining sunne bright friend By vsed lyfe or phrase of filed talke Haue powre to put my kéeper out of minde Whose tryed truth may not obliuious walke And where thou seemst to say that sluggish sléepe Hath shut thée forth from tast of learned lore From out they muse as from a Fountaine déepe Doth flowe the fruites of Ladie learnings store Thy wyt thy workes thy verse and stately stile Thy wayes thy déedes who well doth scan vew Shall finde therein nought forste with rustie file Though I want skil to giue thée praise thats dew Our lincke of loue and friendship fixt so fast Thy Howell howldes whylst lim life shall last The vanitie of riches THe stately Pallace princely pight the hoord of glistering Golde The patrimonie largde of landes cannot from sicknesse holde Nor can they cure the crased corps or glad the minde at all For who hath most of such a store the more he feares as thrall Gold is the father to the flock of flatterers by lot It is the summe of griefe or woe who bath or hath it not For who it hath he quakth in feare lest fortune rob his thrift Who hath it not laments bicause he knowes not how to shift Wherefore of riche or poore I iudge as wisedome small I hent In best estate is he with his that liues alwayes content An Epitaph made vppon the death of the right Honorable the Lady Gartrid late Countesse of Shrewisburie THe steling sting of gasping death that byth by fatall force To bring vnto the wailed graue this Countesse courteous corse Had thought to thrust his spitefull speare to wounde this Fem to die And quite to dim this glorious Gem the flower of courtesie And cloth hir corps in shrowding shéete to woorke hir endlesse wo But O thou death thou art deceaude for that is nothing so Nor canst thou mar or stop the trumpe that soundes hir during fame More health then harme more blisse then bale to hir by thée there came For she hath light in lasting life of endlesse ioyes ywis So where thou thoughst to spoute thy spite thou hast hir brought to blisse So enuie gaue thée not the power thy malice madde to fill But thou hast done this Countesse good vnwares against thy will For nowe hir noble name shall byde in sounder soueraigntie And
faithfull loue whose want breedes mine anoy Remember yet the friendly wordes ypast betwéene vs twaine Forget him not for loue of thée that sighes in secret paine I oft doe séeme in companie a gladsome face to beare But God thou knowst my inward woes and cares that rent me there And that I may gush out my griefe in secret place alone I bid my friends farewell in hast I say I must be gone Then hast I fast with heauie hart in this my dolefull case Where walkes no wight but I alone in drowsie desart place And there I empt my laden hart that swelde in fretting mone My sighes and plaint and panges I tell vnto my selfe alone What shall I say doe aske me once why all these sorrowes bée I aunswere true O foe or friend they all are made for thée Once knit the linck that loue may last then shall my dolors cease It lies in thée and wilt thou not the yeelding wight release O would to God it lay in me to cure such griefe of thine Thou shouldst not long be voide of helpe if twere in powre of mine But I would run and raunge in stormes a thousand miles in paine Not fearing foyle of friends to haue my Countnance whole againe And wilt thou then all mercilesse more longer torment mée In drawing back sith my good helpe is onely whole in thée Then sende me close the hewing knife my wyder wounde to stratch And thou shalt sée by wofull griefe of life a cleane dispatch When thou shalt saye and prone it true my hart entirely loude Which lost the lyfe for Countnance sweete from whome he neuer moude Write then vpon my mournefull toombe these verses grauen aboue Here lies the hart his truth to trie that lost his life in loue Loe saue or spill thou mayst me nowe thou sitst in iudgement hie Where I poore man at barre doe stande and lowde for life doe crie Thou will not be so mercilesse to slea a louing hart Small praise it is to conquer him that durst no where to start Then heale the hart that loues thée well vntill the day he die And firmely fast thy fayth on him thats true continually Then shall I blesse the pleasant plot where first I sawe thy face And say the Gods haue thée indude with giftes of goodly grace Whose vertues mixt with pittie great hir Counsell sought to saue Who being voyde of hir good helpe long since had line in graue I. K. at his Friends departure AGainst necessitie there is no lawe they say But shall such néede bereaue perforce my dearest friend away No stroke doth fall so fell But wisedome yet may ware So though my hope must néedes begon yet this doth crushe my care That he is onely gone Utilitie to gaine And still I Ho to sée him well in ioy returnde againe His friends that freshely fare will not his hart refell God sende thée safe thy soules desire to please thee passing well Then shall I yet reioyce that thou departst from mée To set thy selfe in sounder sort as once I hope to sée When as thou shalt take rode within the Hauen of blis Till then to beare with patience the chiefest helpe it is God sende thée well to doe in due delight to dwell God send thée that thou most desirst Mine owne good Ho farewell H. his aunswere to his Friend K. PErforce though Pilate bée which hastes thy Ho. away From pleasant porte where still behinde his Iem of ioy doth stay Yea though the furious floodes his beaten barke doe waste Which gaping gulfes oft threatneth sore to swallow vp in haste Yet distance none so great nor plundge of present paine Shall cause me once my friend forget whilst lyfe in lim shall raigne Whose stedfast truth well tryed whose golden giftes of grace Whose manlie minde whose friendship firme who liues and will not brace Let fortune worke hir worst and spoute hir spightfull spight In welth in wo in ioy in care yet I in thée delight To whome ten thousande thankes I yéelde for thy good will And where thou woulst me one good hap I wishe thée twentie still Farewell O Titus true whose lyke were harde to finde Farewell for faith a Phoenix firme O curteous Keeper kinde A Poesie EXpend my words which soule w t hart doth write Let that be loude which loues thee passing well In space comes grace as worthie wits recite Soule hart and hand thou hast no more I tell Attend on God and waite his will to worke Be sober wise discréete in time and place Estéeme a friend where earnest hart doth lurke Trie ere thou trust and shonne no pooremans case Higher who clims the déeper downe he fell But set my broken barke in calme to starte Reiect no right lose not a heauen for hell Applie to purchase praise by due desarte Deride no wight the best good ayde may mend Beware betime be wise in courtesie Use time and place as may to vertue tend Right thus thou mayst thy praise amount on hie No wight no welth no hart but thou alone Enforceth me at times to ioy and mone To his C. MY wofull hart with pinching paine oprest My carefull corps yclad with heauinesse My restlesse lims that takth no quiet rest Doe wishe for death the ende of déepe distresse Why should I then prolong my dayes in paine Why doe I seeke to heale my helthlesse hart Or why doth lyfe in lanquisht limes remaine And still increase my bitter bale and smart When hart when hands when corps soule to die Doe willing yeelde as lothing lenger lyfe And death alone is ende continuallie Of worldly woes of cursed care and strife Which fiercely flow on me to worke my spight Since I of force must now for go thy sight Whose face to vewe was onely my delight To his fayned Friends THough some perchaunce there bée That would me gladly spot Yet shall they neuer sée Such chaunce to light my lot Ne yet their craftie wayes So closely clokte shall winne To them but little prayse If once I doe beginne Hereafter comes not yet Yeâ—â—â—ce a time I trust Will serue wherein to méete With such as be vniust Wherefore these words I vse I nothing néede to tell Nor you theron to muse Who knowes my meaning well A Poesie IN morning still when thou dost rise sée that in minde thou haue To spende the day which doth ensue as bed should be thy graue Another THere nothing is that nature here hath wrought Shall not consume and turne at last to nought FINIS A farewell to his Friend T. Hooper WHen as the soking sap crept vp on spraies that budde And blosomde branch with goodly gréene gan cloth the naked woode When Winters horie frostes milde March enforst to flee Then came my golden faithfull friend and swéetely chéered mée Whose face at first to vewe mée musde full wounderous For I assone had thought to sée of Troy king Priamus He cheerde my drooping hart in heauie â—ap that stoode With him
If I had Tullies tongue and thousand wittes thereto If Chaucers vaine if Homers skill if thousande helpers mo Yet tongue nor wyt nor vaine nor skill nor helpe at all Can well descrie your due desarte in praise perpetuall Therefore my skillesse Muse doth ende his tale to tell As one that wanteth might to will O Noble Fem farewell Your Honors T. Howell To the curteous and gentle Reader Iohn Keeper student THe tender graffe that growes in groue that tooke the stock but late Frō slender spraies his leaues he shootes but small and young of rate Which length of time will strengthen strong his yerely fruites to beare Whose braunch then buddes in stronger stem least frowarde wight it teare So Howelles hart and hardie hande hath plight his pen to set And graft this braunch the fruites whereof are young and tender yet Late roote it tooke in seemely soyle which now beginnes to spring And eke on twigges so trimly growne doth now his profites bring Small gaines at first yong trees doe yeelde lowe things youth handleth right Of matter small the Poets young at first began to write As Horace first his trifling toyes in booke did place and plat And Virgils youth occasion tooke to praise the sielie gnat But length of lyfe shall Howell holde on stronger stem to stay By cunning skill of setled braunch to beare the bell away Then cease ye not to helpe the grounde where this good graffe doth growe Who can but giue deserued praise and thanke his Muse I trowe Which sweetely springs in sugred sap of euery grace full meete Which wife Minerue in lap hath nurst and gaue him suck so sweete Whom I doe iudge Apolloes Impe and eke our Chaucers peare What senselesse head of malice mad will seeke such branch to teare But learned wits will further forth and laude his lore thats rare For Zoils snarres and doggish snuffes no wiseman neede to care Then hope I well my Ho to plie some greater woorke to see O pittie tis this golden Muse should vade and die with thee A dewe good friends yee Readers right maintaine this braunch now shute Then will he spring in time full trim to yeelde you larger fruite Farewell The Table THe vanitie of Beautie 1 To his Friend 1 Describing his lost of libertie and crauing returne of loue 1 He accuseth his tongue 2 When he thought himselfe contemned 3 To hys Friend 3 Being sore sick aunswereth his felow enquiring whether he were willing to die 3 An admonition to his Friend 4 Vse Vertue 4 At his Friends departure 5 Of knowledge 5 Of Auarice 5 Of blinde Cupid 6 To his friend whose friendly loue he craueth 6 To D. M. 6 To his Friend being absent shewing hys good will 7 To one who after death woulde leaue his liuely picture 7 The destruction of many 8 Being destitute of money the complaint to his Friend 8 The Louer describeth his trustie loue 8 An admonition to his Friend 9 He craueth regarde of the cares he taketh 9 Desirous to requite for many giftes one to hys deare beloue 9 Time alwayes causeth some noueltie and furthereth knowledge 10 Being in extremitie the Louer bewayleth hys restlesse lyfe 10 Of miserie 10 To his Friend H. 11 To be learned 11 Flatterers 11 The prayse of vertue 11 Of counsaile 11 Of Offence 11 To one that matcht with a froward woman 12 Of Ladie Fortune 12 To his faythfull Friend 12 To a Friend requesting his opinion in mariage he aunswereth thus 13 Fewe care for the soule all for the body 15 To his Friend Tho. Howell 15 An aunswere 16 The vanitie of riches 17 An Epitaph made vppon the death of the right honorable the Ladye Gartrid late Countesse of Shrewisburie 17 Of ingratitude 18 Of death 18 Answere ▪ 19 To one that faine would speede yet doubfull to proceede 19 The Louer being in the Countrie showeth hys good wyll to his Ladie in the court 20 To his Friend R. H. 20 The Louer to his L. 20 Aunswere 21 Golde corrupteth 21 Aunswere 21 A Poesie 21 The vncertaintie of thys worlde 21 A diet prescribed to his Friend G. 22 Allution 22 The Rose 23 Of Golde 23 The Louer forsaken bewayleth his estate 23 Being betweene two doubtes he taketh aduisement 24 He sheweth hys restlesse minde tormented for want of reliefe 25 Libertie corrupteth youth 26 The languishing Louer to his Ladie 26 Bycause no aunswere was returned in long time 26 H. to K. his Friend 27 I. K. to his Friend H. 27 A Poesie 29 Another 29 The Louer whose loue begon in time of spring declares howe natures force then workes in euery thing 29 A Poesie 30 Being vexed with the care of the worlde he cōforteth himselfe 30 Of Degrees 31 That men ought to bee promoted to dignitie onely by worthie deedes 31 A Poesie 32 Another 32 The Louer to his L. 32 I. K. to his Friend H. 33 H. to his Friend K. 34 That learning and knowledge is surest riches 34 The Louer receyuing no recompence for entire loue compareth himselfe to the vnlucky Souldiour 34 E. P. 35 Aunswere H. 35 To T. A. 35 Aunswere 36 Iacke showes his qualities and great good wyll to Ione 36 The Louer almost in dispaire sheweth his great griefe and craues redresse 37 I. K. at his Friends departure 38 H. his aunswere to his Friend K. 39 A Poesie 39 To his C. 40 To his fayned Friend 40 A Poesie 40 Another 40 A farewell to his Friend T. Hooper 41 To his froward Friend 42 The opinion he hath of his Friend 43 Fraunces Flower in the commendation of the author 43 FINIS The Talbot true that is And still hath so remaynde Lost neuer noblenesse By sprinck of spot distaynde On such a fixed fayth This trustie Talbot stayth The Arbour of Amitie The vanitie of Beautie FOrme is most frayle a fading flattring showe As brickle glasse it vadth as grasse doth growe The more it comes vnto the crease of yeres The more it faylth and lesse the front apperes The flagrant flowres and goodly rubie Rose The Uiolets trim and Lylies white that grose Doe not alwayes retaine their sap and sent And florishe gay with smell most redolent So though thou spring of beautie passing all And bearst the flowre and fame as principall Whose péereles view hath blasde thy forme in sight Which thou to sée in glasse takste great delight Yet time on face so faire shall forrowes plowe And writhed wrincles péere on blemisht browe That thou shalt loath to sée thy ragged hewe And hate thy forme in liuely glasse to vewe And that which thou hast most delighted on Thou shalt it hate and wishe to die anon This is most true by right experience The fayrste that euer were are sone gone hence Lo Ladie faire of forme there is no trust It soone doth slip and thou shalt réele to dust O gréedie eyes bewitcht with things so fraile That causeth retchlesse youth in loue to quaile Whose witlesse heads on fansies fonde
debate Such is the slender thréed of mortall fate To his Friende BEware my friende Liue warylie At back behinde Pale death doth prie Eche howre and space Account the last Let Lampe of grace With Oyle be fast Then shalt thou stande In ioyes to raigne When Uirgins fonde Shall knock in vaine God graunt vs all To liue so right That when he call Our Lamps giue light Describing his lost of libertie and crauing returne of loue ONce frée I was at libertie My merrie minde was voyde of woe My hart had great felicitie I passed not for Cupids bowe Thus frée most frée in ioyfull prime I passe the sportes of youthfull time Untill thy vewe as Goddesse grace In heauenly shape that did appéere Had hent my hart in captiue case Such was thy voyce such was thy chéere That thy fine forme of natures frame The Gods aboue might well inflame It Venus past in forme and face Thy corps thy lims eche part so fine Thy chéerefull chéekes thy gentle race Thy curteous hart thy wit deuine That hart did smart in heauie part My fréedome fled bounde was my hart When first I cast my carelesse eye Upon thy hue that drue the dart I little thought thou shouldest lye So déepe sunck downe in my poore hart I would full faine forgo my holde My frée estate by wit to folde As birde alurde in winters sore On limed twigges that often bée Thinkes he is frée as late before Untill he sayes his flight to flée He cries he flies in vaine he tries On twigge in bondage there he lies So I by lure of thy good grace That thought my hart at libertie Was wrapt vnwares by featurde face With most extreme captiuitie A Beautie hath me bondman made By loue sincere that shall not vade Alas my panting hart so sore That doth lament in sobbing teares Most greedie gripes doe prick and gore To groning graue my corps that weares My cares and griefes doe rack my vaines Consider thou my restlesse paines Alas most faire and péerelesse gem Haue mercy now draw pittie néere And count me not the least of them That loue thée best in hart sincéere So thou that madste my wound so wyde Shalt for the same a salue prouyde My Ladie faire ah Ladie dere Perpend in hart my dolors great And looke vpon thy prisonere Whose chaines hath through his hart yfreat And let not want of welth in place Retract thy loue to runne his race He accuseth his tongue WHy fearefull tong what menst thou thus To fayle thy maisters paines to paint In matters vaine and friuolous Thou runst at rainge néedes restraint But fewer wordes my greater paine The greater paine the sooner ende The sooner ende the better gaine For lesse offence shortst life doth lende When he thought himselfe contemned O Hart why dost thou sigh and wilt not breake O dolefull chaunce thou hast a cause thereto For thy rewarde in loue and kindnesse eake Is recompenst by hate and deadly wo. Haue I so plight my heart and minde to thée Haue I béene bent so whole vnto thy hande And others now obtaine the fruit from me Thou art vnkinde forsooth such foe to stande O dolefull hart thus plungde in pinching paine Lament no more but breake thy truth to trie For where thy comfort was and ioy did raigne Now hate returnes no newes O hart now die Lo thus the bréeding birdes their nests do builde But others take the gaines and fruites of them The crooked clowne so earth the toyling fielde But oft the crop remaines to other men Well time may come wherein my fruitlesse part So ill bestowde some others may bewaile And wish they had receiude my yeelding hart Whose louing roote tooke grounde to small auaile To his friende JN hart and minde Your owne am I Till death by kinde Shall force to die Good vertues plant Let truth take place Where that doth want There is no grace Being sore sicke aunswereth his felowe enquiring whether he were willing to die WEe flourish now but flower shall fall and withered fade as frayle As yeres returnes so length of time causeth man and beast to quaile Now Lady Ver in liuely gréene doth showe hir grace in fielde Now Estas spreads the parching heate That Titans beames do yelde Now Autumne shewes the haruest sheaues that growe on fertill place Now Hiemps heapes the dyke with snow and shewes hir frostie face So first we spring in lustie youth at state of childish yéeres Now déeper wit as Estas ripes in grauer acts appéeres Then manhood makth a stabled minde none youthly prancks we haue Now hored age with stealing steps créepes in prepare thy graue And thus we fleete and fall away aswell the yong as olde Then youthfull impe trust not on yeres short life may make thée colde And thus by course and chaunge of time things mortall chaunge their way One age doth passe an other comes loe Time will all decay For thin is twist or fatall threed on mortall whéele so spoon Deathes howre may chaunce vnhoped for to lose that life hath woon Then why shoulde I once feare to die our byding is not héere But earth shall rot in earth againe till righteous iudge appéere When worlde and worldly things shall passe but God shall dure for aye Whose grace I craue with hart and soule on whome I stande and staye Now stretch my steps O Lord to run by length of time to bee That I may liue to die a right and die to liue with thée An admonition to his friende IF thou wilt be rightfull Alwayes stande thou faithfull To doe well be carefull Note friends and be thankfull Uaine talke flee and learne wit Marke wise wordes and loue it Alwayes pray and boast not Eschue pride and vaunt not Hate no man disdaine not Take time and sleepe not Each vertue traine iustlie Regarde betters wiselie Offende no Wight wronglie And declare alwaies truelie So God then will loue thee And good men will prayse thée When vertue shall clad thée All fame shall embrace thée Vse Vertue DOe well abstaine from vice obey thy parents will Remember God and learne be wise imbrace swéete vertue still Marke God before thy face vprise and pray betime No ydle howre let passe séeke grace detest all heauie crime Trie ere thou trust take héede haue God thy chiefest gaine Estéeme the time before all méede and godly lyfe retaine Alwayes let vertues rule to thy good rest If grace shall growe within thy youthfull brest At his Friends departure MY Muse which once with ioyfull voice to thee should welcome tell Alas to late as now she comes more fit to bid farewell But since my dolefull farewell must approch in welcomes stéede And eke at parture hence from me welcome should yll procéede High Ioue I praye thou mayst farewell alwayes in prosperous rase And eke in ioyes to make returne that welcome may haue place Of Knowledge WHen death is bent Yet stands thy praise For life once spent Wit fame doth raise
after death doth vertue liue O death in spight of thée For she of grace the garlande gay in goodly giftes did weare Whose flowres do now in children wise of Talbots line appéere Of Rutlandes race she noblie sprang and linkt with péerlesse pearle Of Shrewisburie who bare the name a noble worthy Earle Whome she hath left behinde among the blessed branches fine The worthy imps that sprang of them as of a vertuous Uine To poore she was a pleasant port to all a helpe she came By teares that haue beene spent for hir the poore haue shewde the same O noble hart whose Well of grace shall spring and neuer drie Who being hie didst bend thy brest vnto the poorst degrée Unto the weake shée was a strength vnto the hungrie foode Unto the rude a lamp of light vnto the wisemen good Unto the youth she was a guide vnto the aged ioy Unto the noble ornament vnto the blinde a way In towne she was a shyning starre for hir all better were In Countrie ioy at home a glasse to vewe in gladding chere Hir beautie great hir vertues greatst that sprang as flagrant flowres Alas what treasure haue we lost for all the losse is oures For she hath gainde O Death by thée but we haue shipwrack made And nowe in earth our helpe is lapt our light is turnde to shade O what a losse so many giftes of grace so lost in one For which eche wight that knew hir well cannot but greatly mone But drie ye vp your dréerie teares she liues without anoy O comely courteous Countesse now farewell O Iem of ioy Farewell O spring of vertues swéete farewell of help the store Both high and low bewaile thy want farwell for euermore Of ingratitude WHo rightly scans what thing is greatest gréefe And seekes by proofe the truth therof to trie Shall surely finde ingratitude the chéefe Surmounting farre eche other wo on hie Whose freting force when friendlie wight shal féele All mirth and ioy to care doth straight conuart Yea weare the hart of craggie flinte or stéele It scarse coulde shoonne to waile such bitter smart Who therfore séekes by paines to please the prowd Unthankefull wight compared well may bée To hym that kepes a Cur which barkes as lowde At Feaders face as when he foe doth sée Or Viper eke who long with carefull thought In wofull wombe hir tender younglings feedes By whome at last hir balefull bale is wrought Through their ingrate and most vnfriendly déedes Whose nature is to worke the place most griefe Where they in time haue had full great reliefe Of all ingrate loe héere the gotten gaine And onely hyre for well deserued paine Of Death SInce death doth leade to lyfe And lyfe is lasting ioy ▪ To stay why make men strife Where nought is but anoy Answere WHy men such strife doe sowe To staye in place of paine Where you the cause would knowe I gesse its worldly gaine And since the fleshe is fraile Eche weake and féeble wight When death doth once assaile Resistes with all their might Then blame not wealthie wights Which knowes of néede no lack But lyue in déepe delights To die though they drawe back When néedie soule in déede Of death doth stande in dréede To one that faine would speede yet doubtfull to proceede AS Cat would faine eate fishe Yet loth hir foote to wet So lyest thou still and wishe Where trauaile gaine should get That labor first brings gaine Thou seest by little Ante Who through whot Sommers paine Doth shoon colde winters wante The swéete that Bee doth suck Comes not by lying still The grapes for wine men pluck Are gote by trauailes skill The Marchant eke men know Great goods by trauaile gaines The Plowman séede doth sow To reape rewarde for paines Not wishe I say therefore But trauaile wealth doth winne Who so then will haue store By trauaile must beginne Strong monstrous mounts to réele Rough craggie rocks to rent And eke the sturdie stéele Oft trauaile makes relent For trauaile is the way Eche noble gift to gaine Use therein no delay And spare thou not for paine For who so paine doth spare To speake where he would spéede And makes eche doubt his care A dastarde is in deede The Louer being in the Countrie showeth his good will to his Ladie in the Court. THough corps in Countrie bée in Court my countnance is My ioy my care my lyfe my death mine endlesse bale or blis My pleasure pine and paine my helpe my harme also My griping griefe my greatest gaine my friend and eke my fo And doubtfull though to some to scan this case may séeme Yet you I know no wisedome want much déeper doubts to déeme Wherefore I will omit my minde at large to tell Lest by the way some watchman lay to ring the larome bell Such spightfull spiders snares I aye doe seeke to shonne As not the foolishe flie betraies but greater harmes haue done Who pufte with poyson strong like Momus mates doe still Some discorde cause and bate in place where else might grow good will But let them worke their worste looke what I haue profeste If you commaunde I will performe I spare to speake the rest And so I doe conclude and cease my ragged rime As he that skill of schoole doth want Pernasus mount to clime To his Friend R. H. WIth hatefull hawtie haunt not For dainefull dizards daunt not For witlesse vaunters faint not For truthlesse taunters taint not For spitefull spiders spare not For curious carpers care not But Hussie as thou hast begunne Holde on thy race in vertue runne The Louer to his L. THe fierie flames that fast on me doe flowe The secret sighes that wast my wofull brest The ysie colde I féele like flakes of snowe The hidden harmes that breede my great vnrest By fancies force doe cause such troublous tyde That ship now shakes which late in roade did ride Answere WHere reason rules affection fonde doth flie And bewties beames no bitter bale may breed Where wisedome will by vertues skill doth tie Cupidoes flames are quenched forth with spéed Let reason then thy will by wisedome guide So shalt thou safely shonne this trembling tide Golde corrupteth THough most where welth doth flowe Men fayning friendship showe Yet faythfull friend in déede Is knowne in time of neede Aunswere BUt nowe we féele and finde A thing to true in déede Where man be foe or friende The Golde and goods shall speede For vertues all are shut Unto the lower place And money loft is put Eche learned head to face If money none thou hast Thou art not worth a flie Thy credit cleane is past All vertues husht doe lie A learned man but poore Is counted doting foole Wise Virgill stands at dore To goe againe to schoole Yet once I hope to sée All money go for drosse And vertue high to bée To winne hir wrongfull losse A Poesie EStéeme a friend Let vertue crease In friendly minde Sometime is