abide Wherewith I blusht and said againe oh Sir I pardon craue Accuse me not for slipping so my matter to depraue But giue me leaue to raunge a while by foolish fancie fraught So shall you pleasure me no small since that my wittes be naught But since I did digresse so much I ten times praise this Dame Whose Chastitie and vertuouse life deserues eternall Fame Her steppes are steady like the rocke her fortresse is so stronge As no assault of Cupids Crue shalt enter in by wrong And as the pleasant meades refresh the flying foules in aire So doth Dame Chastnesse comforte giue to those that might dispaire Which suffer many Derisious floutes and mokes of â—ilâ—e and vitious kinde Yet sure the chaste and constent life all forrowes do vnbinde A rich rewarde by Due desert to see such culling mates Be tinged about the towne in Cart and pulled by the pates When Chastnesse resteth like a Queene In high Magnificence With reuerence done of honest sorte and scapeth such offence As maketh them oft times ashamd and shrinke their headee in hold And chaunge in colours blacke and blew as though they were acolâ— But Truth to say they are a colde in this chast honest lore They are more hote in Venus flames then honestie in store Reuoke recant relent with speeds least Time do come to late I speake not to the honest Dames but to the viciouse mate For why I neede no honest warne then should I be too bold And I were worthy to be blam'd so much for to vnfolde Oh worthie wightes you sporte your mindes with sadde and sober sightes Oh gloriouse Chastnesse how she shines oh blest and happie wightes O sacret Dame by Ioue ordayn'd to be in heauenly place Where as no spot of spotted life thy seate shall once deface But with a heauenly body thou shalt there remaine for Aye Where Angels sitte in seemely sight which neuer shall decay Why then who would not liue a life as Chast as Chast might bee For they shall haue as promise is eternall blisse you see Where contrariwise we purchase death and flashing flames of fire In Plutoes pit to spend our Time if grace we not require There shall we see the broyling brands and fendes of vgly hue There shall we heare lamenting cries with Torments that renewe Upon such mates whom Carnall Lust in life of fleshly will They had not grace for to repent but did perseuer still To greate confusion of their soule in euerlasting fire Wherefore God graunt we may be Chaste for to avoyde his Ire And that we treads Dame Chastnesse steps and on her so repose As we in end may purchase heauen when vitall life we lose And there to rest in heauenly blisse and see our glorious God Which hath authoritie vs to scourge for our offences od Whe plagues yâ— Cupid knights with paine and Bacchus drunken mates And such as giue their minde to lust in end with scourge he rates But Chastitie he doth alowe as vertue excellent Who so doth frequent the same shall neuer sure repent O Chastitie how is thy seat ordained in heauenly throne Assigned there by mighty Ioue whereas there is no moane For as Sainte Matthew doth discusse a Chaste and honest mayde Shoulde be content to welcome death and be no whit afraide For why saith he tis glory greate to dye a virgin pure So shall they gaine a precious place which euer shall indure Her name shall grauen be in gold or els in Marble stone Which shall be extant to the worldâ— although that she be gone Behold you Dames whose chastitie doth merrite well the same And trust me by your due Deserte doth winne you endlesse fame You get renowme immortall sure for Time withouten minde You doe as much as may be donne or in that way assign'd Wherfore keepe fast that key so rare the which no Smith can make But onely he which on the crosse did buy it for your sake Whose guiltlesse blood you know was shedde though he did not offend The cruell Iewes him to torment their mallice did extend O onely sweete and Sauiour greate of all the world so wâ—â—e How didst thou suffer paine for vs with speare thrust in thy side And all was for our sinfull liues the which we followe still But Lord graunt that we may conuert and if it be thy will And with a true and faithfull heart as Marie Magdalen she Did her repent of sinful life euen so Lord graunt may we And bring sweete oyntments to thy seate and looke thee in the face And hope to rest with thee in blisse which neuer shall imbace But shall remaine tune out of minde as trueth doth well relate In place where as is nought but ioy and at no time Debate What say you to this Dames so chaste what say you to this newes Liue chaste hue chaste and then be sure you liue without abuse For chastnesse is much honoured in euery place with Fame And Castnesse of each man hath praise as worthie of the same But where as Beautie ryotously with fleshly will indewed Doth not regard her chastitie marke then what is iâ—sued For Cupids knightes spying that vent doe thether streight repayre And thinke it is a match obtain'd by foolish speaking faire And when that once they finde the haunte with entertainement good Then stay they still to spend their Time in fleshly giddie mood And vse such prancks as please them best too much for shame to write Or more then wisdome would permit should come vnto the light It were but vaine to meddle much or glose in glorious sorte It were but vaine to praise and prate or make a braue reporte It were but vaine so seeme to deale in place of great vnrest It were but vaine to pinch the minde and busie much the brest It were but vaine to goe beyond our owne knowledge and skill It were but vaine to meddle where we shall but get vs ill Wherefore my friend sith I haue nowe performed as you see That your request which long agoe you did make vnto me In writing of Dame Chastitie according as you will'd Accept of it in friendly wise your request is fulfill'd Desiring you of this deuice to iudge with equall mind At all tunes for to pleasure you you ready me shall finde Although in deede I simple am for to performe the same Yet willingnesse of my true hearte shall cleere me from the blame That finding wittes deuising still to moue debate and strâ—fe I le say no more but God amend their lewd and wicked life The end of the Chariot of Chastitie A Dialogue betwene Diana and venus Declaring what can be alleaged of eyther side for confutation Venus THe gallant Youthes with bold attempt my Darlings will defend Thei le preace in place with glittering blade their blowes abroade to lend Diana The modest Matrons then for me my honour will vphold By siuile sorte and honest life which shines as bright as golde Venus Thy life
beare Wherefore God graunt we not offend in no respect with will But with a hearte vnfaynedly aske pardon for it still And craue of God with faithfull hearte his mercy may vs guyde That when our life shall yelde to death we may with him abide And there to laude thy name with praise which euer shall endure Graunt this O Lord for Christ his sake whose bloud made vs all pure A praise of Constancie THe constant wight which doth possesse that heauenly gift so rare Is happie sure and blest of God to haue it to his share For constancie is such a gift as doth surmount the rest And much commended for the kinde of rarenesse in the brest To haue a fickle minde you know it maketh oft Debate And causeth much Contentiouse trickes which Constancie doth hate Wherefore I count him happie sure that doth that gift imbrace He is much bound to thanke the Lord for that his happie case For Constancie is such a gift as sure it doth excell All Ryotouse trickes and wanton toyes Constancie doth expell For why such braggers as do runne vpon their giddie will Are in the end suffyc'd with paine and haue on it their fill And paraduenture wish they would their minde had Constant beene And not so rashly for to raunge in their deuises thinne For Rashnesse doth no whit preuaile when raging windes do blowe The safest way to guyde thy shippe is saile to beare a lowe Experience tells and makes a proofe you see the sillie snaile By slealing steppes will get alofte and doth to toppe preuaile When Rashnesse lyeth vnder foote and cryeth O my bones And doth repent him of his hast with gryping greuouse grones I may well say if that he had with Constancie him prest Then Rashnesse had not caus'd his hurt to breede his greate vnrest For Rashnesse is not Constancie but giddinesse of braine And misseth staying of his side and furthers foorth his paine And heapeth more mishaps on head then pleasures doe abounde That getteth giddie braines I say by Rashnesse so vnsounde To be a Constant friend is rare a Constant louer true Deserueth praise amonge the best and worthie is in viewe In euery thing to vse this Dame me thinkes is passing sure And those that doe not her inuest haue not a life so pure As I would wish of God they had or eke I had my selfe For trust me true the vaine of it cannot be bought with pelâ—e But God must be the giuer he of such a gifte so hye As passeth captious head of man in heauens it doth lye And when with earnest zeale we pray God doth vs not reiect But bendes his heauenly eares to heare and hath of vs respect Oh heauenly wightes that doe imbrace this heauenly gifte alway No Rash aduice doth passe your handes all Ilnesse you doe stay But with a mild and modest minde you foster euery doubt And take those chaunces well in worth which tune doth bring about What wished hap can better be or what can please you more But for to wish and haue at will where plentie is in store This plenteous place that I doe meane is vp aboue in skie It restes in sâ—â—te inuisible yea frustrate from the eye Yet not so harde for to attaine if deedes according be A life well led in Godly feare doth winne that place we see If Anchor hold and Cable strong be fastned on with faith That Hould shall not relent the Hould as holy Scripture saith Wherefore if Constancie be plac'd within thy brest so pure Giue laude to God whose heauenlie giftes for euer shall indure A presumptuous Poesie for Pontificall pates LVcifer was once an Angell bright And had his roome alofte in starry skie But haweâ— Disdaine did put him theÌ„ce to flight Throwne downe he was as truth doth testify And from an Angel a Deuill now is he Captaine of Hell and euer more shall be Which vnder him hath a cursed crabbed crue For to torment all such whose due Desert Hath gain'd the same most vgly things to view And hath delite to pay their paines with smart The Proud so vaine is hated for that vice A Deadly Sinne disdained of the wise Medusa she preferred so her Pate Prodigally with Golden lace to binde Her hayre on head but marke the finall Fate As she had wreathed yâ— same in curious kinde Euen so the Snakes did winde about her head Tormenting her vntill that she was dead A right rewarde for such a proude Pretence Oh due Desert rewarded very well Oh Peeuish pride thou art of much offence Thy Guerdon abydes in howling hel Where Lucifer chiefe generall of the â—and Is readie there to shake thee by the hand High Ioue no doubt will not abide the vaine Of vaunting heades that glory without cause Which inwardly doe seeme for to Disdaine Each simple soule But stay a while and pause Behold their end and tell me how they speede And you shall see their good successe in deede Written vpon the departure of Care AS Cruell Care Weare doth away And pinching paines Refraines their place And inward woes Growes to decay So myrth we finde Minde to solace The quiet life Strife doth refraine When heauie heart Smarte doth induâ—eâ— Then wailing woes Shewe out their paiâ—â— And glad if they May finde some cure We may be bold Cold is delight Where sower sorrowe Borrowe doth a roome She brings the braine Disdaine and spite With griefe to passe As some doe doome Who sadly sets Lets not to haue Most fearefull fitts Wits to a dull Who markes each cares Weares to his graue To Fatall fine Resigne he will With merrinesse Expresse thy state And seeke for ioy Annoy to kill And let thy minde finde to Probate Such myrth as may Defray each ill So shalt thou be Free from the care Of Froward Fate Hate to procure Thy moode and mind Finde shall that state Doubtes will appease Ease to endure Care is costly Written vpon Chaunce SOme Times a chaunce doth chaunce by chaunce to please the minde Some times againe a chaunce doth chaunce that no such chaunce we finde If luckely there chaunce a chaunce to thy delight Then I am sure that such a chaunce is ioyfull in thy sight If contrarie wise a chaunce do chaunce to bringe thee smart Then I am sure that such a chaunce is dolefull to thy heart Yet must we be content as well in chaunce of care As we are pleased in chaunce of mirth or chaunce that brings no feare For chaunces haue their chaunce like chaunces as they be And chaunce wil chaunce as chauÌ„ce doth please and so much chaunce for me Who seemes to wrest with chaunce may chaunce for to repent That chaunce hath so vnkindly chaunc'd to chaunce to his lament Then is it best Perchaunce to be content with chaunce Wheather it doth Decrease thy state or do thy state aduaunce And â—ith of chaunce there is such chaunce of tickle state In modest sorte receaue thy chaunce as well of mirth as hate For
not haue respect Unto my Sinnes Which neuer linnes Nor holy Lorde thy vassaile to reiect Send libertie O Lorde when thou shalt please Unto me nowe a wretch all wrapt in wo And graunt Good Lorde vnto me now some ease Oh heare me Lord for now my griefe is so As it is thou must make it from me goe Or els my life will soone be laide in graue Which Dollour she woulde gladly so it haue Yet Lorde of helpe let helpe extend a pace And graunt relieâ—e To ease my griefe For Lorde I rest in lamentable case I wish my death a hundreth times a day With faithfull hearte O Lorde as thou dost know I wish I wish that I were laide in clay Then thrall should cease her seede in me to sowe The winde of care should not vpon me blow The galles of greefe should cease in their despight If clâ—ddy clay had gotten once her right And I should cease to make this my complainte Which greâ—ues me still And so it will Untill high Ioue giue iudgement of restraâ—ite Marke wellmy wo marke well my mourning teares Marke well O God my supplication here Which I preferre for riddance of my feares And turne my thrall vnto some ioyfull cheere Els I do wish for to be laide on beare Let not Dame thrall ein thraldome so me blinde But graunt O God that I reliefe may finde To ease me wretch which do make all this moâ—e In sollemne wise With plaintes to skyes In euery place where as I goe alone Wherefore Oh Kinge ease me when thou think'st good I yeelde my selfe into thy heauenly handes I wish it God for Christ thy Sonne his bloud Who suffred paine vs to redeeme from bandes So now good Lord ease me from thrall which standes Within my Corpes which breedeth my decay And hourely doth my â—â—sing minde affray Haue mercy Lord some pittie on me take And graunt redresse My thralles to lesse O Lord I pray for thy greate mercyes sake The conclusion wherein is included the Authors Name I pardon craue of sober modest mindes And sory am if that I dâ— offend My will is glad 〈◊〉 happily it findes Indifferencie where iudgment doth extend Such censure as affection will permit Yelding thereto if reason iudge and wit A willing hearte is glad to gratify Those whose desertes deserue full will the same In whom consistes as tryall doth it trye Such worthie workes as merits mickle fame Muse then no whitte at this my simple booke A forde good wordes as well as on it looke Disdaine it not although it want the file Esteeme it well hereafter you shall see More wâ—rldly workes I meane for to compile Experience may bring knowledge vnto me FINIS None good but God Aide the conductor to Youth Youth declareth the occation of his iorney Goodwill the procurer of his iorney Youth committes him selfe wholy vnto Aide The end of the sentence ClemeÌ„cy captaine of the Castell Praise finally preuaileâ— except proofe be present He was pinchâ— with priuate pangues being desolate vntill â—oue sent Aide to assist him Youthes thaÌ„kâ— vnto Ayde Good will is to be wayed though welthe doth want Aydes replie vnto Youth Youth Aide Ayde Youth 〈…〉 Resistance Porter to the Holde Youth Aide Youth Ayde Oratulation Captaine of the Houlde Youth Gratulation Dilligence seruant to Granâ—â—lation An Information giuen by Ayde vnto Youth Youth Ayde Youth Queene Dido truer then Aeneas An 〈◊〉 Morpheus God of the Dreamesâ— Small differeÌ„ce betwene pleasantnes ioyfulnesse Beawtie is brittle What will not 〈◊〉 Deâ—â—â—e attempt Morpheus departeth Those which more account of beautie theÌ„ haue respect to Chastitiâ— are often rewarded contrary to their expectation A base comparison A supposition Answere The 〈◊〉 cries it selfe needes no CoÌ„mendation A Parasites parte An old saying The foole will not leaue his Bable for the Tower of LoÌ„don If one shoulde throwe a stone at euery Curre 〈◊〉 barkes his Arme must needes be weary Let Iacke be a Iacke I pray you Good counsell would not be refused She was sister 〈◊〉 to my Lady Wentworth