and to descende in sight Though farre vnfit and mates vnmeete with mortall men to fight Too late alas we wish his life too soone deceiues vs Death Too little wit we haue to seeke the dead agayne to breath UUhat helpelesse is most carelesse be as Natures course doth show For death shall reape what life hath sowen by nature this we know UUhere is that fierce Achilles fled where is king Turnus shroude UUhat is become of Priamus state where is Periander proude Hector Hanno Hanniball dead Pompei Pirrhus spild Scipio Cyrus Caesar slayne and Alexander kild So long there Fortune fast did flow and charged Fame to sound Till frowning Fortune foild by fate which fawning Fortune found Shun Fortunes feakes shake Fortune of to none is Fortune sound Sith none may say of Fortune so I Fortune faithfull found Behold where Fortune flowed so fast and fauoured Saunders lure Till fickle Fortune false agayne did Saunders death procure Loe clothed cold in cloddes of clay in drossie dust remaine By fate return'd from whence he came to his mothers wombe agayne UUho welnigh thirtie yeares was Iudge before a Iudge did fall And iudged by that mighty Iudge which Iudge shall iudge vs all The heauens may of right reioyce and earth may it bewayle Sith heauen wan and earth hath lost the guide and arke of vayle The gayne is much our losse is great their mirth our mone is such That they may laugh as cause doe yeld and we may weepe as much O happy he vnhappy we his hap doth aye encrease Happy he and haplesse we his hap shall neuer cease We liue to dye he died to liue we want and he possest UUe bide in bandes he bathes in blisse the Gods aboue him blest Beyng borne to liue he liued to dye and dyed to God so playne That birth that life that death doe shew that he shall liue agayne His youth to age his age to death his death to fame applied His same to time his time to God thus Saunders liued and dyed O happy life O happier death O ten times happy he Whose hap it was such hap to haue a Iudge this age to be Oh ioyfull time Oh blessed soyle where Pallas rules with wit O noble state O sacred seate where Saba sage doth sit Like Susan sound like Sara sad with Hesters Mace in hand With Iudithes sword Bellona like to rule this noble land I had my will you haue your wish I laugh reioyce you may I wanne now much you gayne no lesse to see this happy day Wherein I dyed wherein you liue oh treble happy cost Wherein I ioyed in glory great wherein you triumph most Kneele on your knees knocke hard your brests sound forth the ioyfull drome Clap loude your handes sound Eccho say the golden world is come Reioyce you Iudges may of right your mirth may now be such As neuer earst you Iudges had in England mirth so much Here Cuma is here Sibill reignes on Delphos seate to sit Here she like Phaebus rules that can Gordius knot vnknit I liued to Nature long inough I liued to honour much I liued at wish and died at will to see my countrey such As neither needes it Numas lawes nor yet Apollos sweard For mauger Mars yet Mars shalbe of this our Queene afeard O pearelesse pearle O Diamond deare O Queene of Queenes farewell Your royall Maiestie God preserue in England long to dwell Farewell the Phaenix of the world farewell my soueraigne Queene Farewell most noble vertuous Prince Mineruas mate I weene No Iewell Gemme no Gold to giue no Pearles from Pactolâ—s loe No Persian Gaze no Indian stone no Tagus sandes to show But faith and will to natiue soyle a liue and dead I finde My hart my minde my loue I leaue vnto my Prince behinde Farewell you Nobles of this land farewell you Iudges graue Farewell my felowes frendes and mates your Queene I say God saue What rise in time in time doth fall what floweth in time doth ebbe What liues in time in time shall dye and yeld to Parcus webbe The Sunne to darcknesse shalbe turn'd the starres from skyes shall fall The Moone to bloud the world with fire shalbe consumed all As smoke or vapour vanish straight as bubbles rise and fall As cloudes doe passe or shadow shiftes we liue we dye so all Our pompe our pride our triumph most our glory great herein Like shattering shadow passe away as though none such had bin Earth Water Ayre and Fire as they were earst before A lumpe confused and Chaos call'd so shall they once be more And all to earth that came from earth and to the graue descende For earth on earth to earth shall goe and earth shalbe the end As Christ ascended vp the cloudes so Christ in cloudes shall come To Iudge both good and bad on earth at dreadfull day of dome From whence our flesh shall rise agayne euen from the drossie dust And so shall passe I hope vnto the Mansion of the iust FINIS Lodowicke LLoyd 33. His good name beyng blemished he bewayleth FRam'd in the front of forlorne hope past all recouerie I stailes stand tabide the shocke of shame and infamie My life through lingring long is lodg'd in lare of lothsome wayes My death delayed to keepe from life the harme of haplesse dayes My sprites my hart my witte and force in deepe distresse are dround The onely losse of my good name is of these griefes the ground And since my mynde my wit my head my voyce and toung are weake To vtter moue deuise conceiue sound forth declare and speake Such pearsing plaintes as aunswere might or would my wofull case Helpe craue I must and craue I will with teares vpon my face Of all that may in heauen or hell in earth or ayre be found To waile with me the losse of myne as of these griefes the ground Helpe Gods helpe saints helpe sprites powers that in the heauen do dwel Helpe ye that are aye wont to waile ye howling houndes of hell Helpe man helpe beastes helpe birdes wormes that on the earth doth toyle Helpe fish helpe foule that flockes and feedes vpon the salt sea soyle Helpe Eccho that in the ayre doth flee shrill voyces to resound To waile this losse of my good name as of these griefes the ground FINIS E. O. 34. Of Fortunes power POlicrates whose passing hap caus'd him to lose his fate A golden ring cast in the seas to chaunge his constant state And in a fish yet at his bourd the same he after found Thus fortune loe to whom she takes for bountie doth abound The mizers vnto might she mountes a common case we see And mightie to great miserie she sets in low-degree UUhom she to day doth reare on hye vpon her whirling wheele To morow next she dingeth downe and casteth at her heele No measure hath she in her giftes she doth reward ech sort The wise that counsell haue no more then fooles that maketh sport She vseth
before The daunce of Death which all must runne on row The howre wherein onely himselfe doth know If man would minde what burdens life doth bring what grieuous crimes to God he doth commit what plagues what perill thereby spring with no sure howre in all his daie to sit He would sure thinke as with great cause I doe The day of death is happier of the two Death is the doore whereby we draw to ioye Life is the lacke that drowneth all in paine Death is so dole it seaseth all awaie Life is so lend that all it yeeldes is vaine And as by life in bondage man is brought Euen so by Death is freedome likewise wrought wherefore with Paule let all men wishe and praie To be dissolued of this foule fleshly masse Or at the least be arm'd against the daie That they be found good souldiours prest to passe From life to death from death to life againe And such a life as euer shall remaine FINIS D. S. 51. If thou desire to liue in quiet rest Giue eare and see but say the best IF thou delight in quietnesse of life Desire to shun from braules debate and strife To liue in loue with God with friend and fo In rest shalt sleepe when others can not so Giue eare to all yet do not all beleeue And see the ende and then doe sentence giue But say for truth of happie liues assinde The best hath he that quiet is in minde FINIS W. Hunis 52. Beyng forsaken of his frend he complayneth WHy should I linger long to liue In this disease of fantasie Since Fortune doth not cease to giue Thinges to my minde most contrarie And at my ioyes doth lowre and frowne Till she hath tourned them vpsidowne A frend I had to me most deare And of long time faithfull and iust There was no one my hart so neare Nor one in whom I had more trust whom now of late without cause why Fortune hath made my enemy The grasse me thinkes should grow in Skie The Starres vnto the earth cleaue fast The water streame should passe awrie The windes should leaue their strength of blast The Sunne and Moone by one assent Should both forsake the firmament The fish in ayre should flie with finne The foules in floud should bring forth fry All thinges me thinkes should erst beginne To take their course vnnaturally Afore my frend should alter so without a cause to be my foe But such is Fortunes hate I say Such is his will on me to wreake Such spite he hath at me alway And ceasseth not my hart to breake with such despite of crueltie wherfore then longer liue should I. FINIS E. S. 45. Prudence The historie of Damacles and Dionise WHo so is set in Princely throne and craueth rule to beare Is still beset on euery side with perill and with feare High trees by stormy windes are shakt and rent vp from the ground And flashly flackes of lightning flames on turrets doe rebound When little shrubes in safetie lurke in couert all alow And freshly florish in their kinde what euer winde doe blow The cruell kyng of Scisile who fearing Barbares handes was wont to singe his beard himselfe with coale and fire brandes Hath taught vs this the proofe wherof full plainely we may see Was neuer thing more liuely touched to shew it so to bee This kyng did seeme to Damacles to be the happiest wight Because he thought none like to him in power or in might who did alone so farre excell the rest in his degree As doth the Sunne in brightnesse cleare the darkest starre we see wilt thou then sayd this cruell kyng proue this my present state Possesse thou shalt this seate of myne and so be fortunate Full gladly then this Damacles this proferd honour tooke And shooting at a Princely life his quiet rest forsooke In honours seate then was he plast according to his will Forthwith a banquet was prepard that he might feast his fill Nothing did want wherein twas thought that he could take delite To feede his eye to fill his mouth or please the appetite Such store of plate I thinke in Greece there scarsly was so much His seruitures did Angels seeme their passing shape was such No daintie dish but there it was and thereof was such store That through out Greece so Princely cheare was neuer sene before Thus while in pompe and pleasures seate this Damacles was plast And did begin with gladsome hart ech daintie dish to tast At length by chaunce cast vp his eyes and gan the house to vew And saw a sight that him enforst his Princely state to rew A sword forsooth with downward poinct that no stronger thred Then one horse heare that peised it direct vpon his hed Wherewith he was so sore amas'd and shooke in euery part As though the sword that hong aboue had stroke him to the hart Then all their pleasures tooke their leaue and sorrow came in place His heauy hart the teares declard that trickled downe his face And then forthwith with sobbing voyce besought the king of grace That he would licence him with speede to depart out of that place And sayd that he full long enough had tried now with feare What tis to be a happie man and princely rule to beare This deede of thine oh Dionise deserues immortall fame This deede shall alwayes liue with prayse though thou didst liue with shame Whereby both kinges be put in mynde their daungers to be greate And subiectes be forbid to climbe high steppes of honours seate FINIS M. Edwardes 55. Fortitude A young man of Aegipt and Valerian EChe one deserues great prayse to haue but yet not like I thinke Both he that can sustaine the yoke of paynes and doth not shrinke And he whom Cupids couert craft can nothing moue at all Into the hard and tangled knots of Venus snares to fall Besturre you then who so delightes in vertues race to runne The flying boye with bow ibent by strength to ouercome As one did once when he was yong and in his tender dayes Whose stoute and noble deede of his hath got immortall prayse The wicked Romaines did pursue the silly Christians than What time Valerian Emperour was a wicked cruell man who spared not with bloudy draughtes to quench his owne desire Dispatching all that stuck to Christ with hot consuming fire At length a man of tender yeares was brought before his sight Such one as nature seemed to make a witnesse of her might For euery part so well was set that nothing was depraued So that the cruell king himselfe would gladly him haue saued So loth he was to see a worke so rare of natures power So finely built so sodainly destroyed within an hower Then meanes he sought to ouercome or win him at the lest To slip from Christ whom he before had earnestly profest A bed prepard so finely dect such diuers pleasaunt smells That well it might appeare a place where pleasure onely dwells By him
to time doe quite consume and vade from time to clay But my true heart and seruice vowde shall last time out of minde And still remayne as thine by dome as Cupid hath assignde My faith loe here I vow to thee my troth thou knowest right well My goodes my freendes my life is thine what neede I more to tell I am not mine but thine I vowe thy hestes I will obay And serue thee as a seruaunt ought in pleasing if I may And sith I haue no flying winges to see thee as I wishe Ne sinnes to cut the siluer streames as doth the gliding fish Wherefore leaue now forgetfulnesse and send againe to me And straine thy Azured vaynes to write then I may greeting see And thus fare well more deare to me then chiefest friend I haue UUhose loue in hart I minde to shrine till death his see doe craue FINIS M. Edwardes ¶ He complayneth his mishap SHall rigour raigne where ruth hath run shall fansie now forsake Shall fortune lose that fauour wonne shall not your anger slake Shall hatefull heart be had in you that friendly did pretend Shall slipper thought and faith vntrue that heart of yours defend Shall Nature shew your beautie faire that gentle seemes to be shall frowardnesse your fansies heire be of more force then she shall now disdaine the dragge of Death direct and lead the way shall all the Impes vpon the yearth reioyce at my decay Shall this the seruice of my youth haue such reward at last shall I receiue rigour of ruthe and be from fauour cast shall I therefore berent my heares with wightes that wish to dye Or shall I bathe my selfe with teares to feede your fickle eye No no I shall in paine lye still with Turtle Doue most true And vow my selfe to wit and will their counsels to ensue Good Ladies all that louers be and that to be pretende Giue place to wit let reason seeme your enemies to defende Least that you thinke as I haue thought your selfe to striue in vayne And so to be in thraldome brought with me to suffer paine FINIS W. Hunnis ¶ No foe to a flatterer I Would it were not as I thinke I would it were not so I am not blinde although I winke I feele what windes doe blowe I know where craft with smiling cheare creepes into boldned brest I heare how fayned speeches speakes fayre where hatred is possest I see the serpent lye and lurke vnder the greene alowe I see him watche a time to worke his poyson to bestowe In friendly looke such fraude is founde as faith for feare is fled And friendship hath receiu'de such wound as he is almost dead And hatefull heart with malice great so boyles in cankred minde That flatterie flearing in the face had almost made me blinde But now I see all is not golde that glittereth in the eye Nor yet such friendes as they professe as now by proofe I trie Though secret spight by craft haue made a coate of Panters skin And thinkes to finde me in the shade by sleight to wrap me in Yet God be praysed my eye is cleare and can behold the Sunne UUhen falshood dare not once appeare to ende that he begunne Thus time shall trie the thing amisse which God saue shortly sende And turne the heart that fayned is to be a faithfull friende FINIS W. Hunnis His comparison of Loue. THe spider with great skill doeth trauell day by day His limms no time lye still to set his house in staie And when he hath it wrought thinking therein to raigne A blast of winde vnthought doth driue it downe againe The proofe whereof is true to make his worke indure He paines himselfe a newe in hope to dwell more sure And in some secret place a corner of a wall He frameth himselfe apace to build and rest withall His pleasure sweete to stay when he to rest is bent An vgly shamble Flee approcheth to his Tent And there intendes by force his labours great to winne Or els to yeeld his corse by fatall death therein Thus is the spiders nest from time to time throwne downe And he to labour prest with endles paine vnknowne So such as louers be like trauell doe attaine Those endlesse workes ye see are alwaies full of paine FINIS W. Hunnis A Louers ioye I Haue no ioye but dreame of ioye and ioy to thinke on ioye A ioye I withstoode to finish mine annoye I hate not without cause alas yet loue I know not why I thought to hate I cannot hate although that I should dye A foe most sweete a friend most sower I ioy for to embrace I hate the wrong and not the wight that workt my woefull case What thing it is I know not I but yet a thing there is That in my fancie still perswades there is no other blisse The ioyes of life the pangues of death it makes me feele eche daie But life nor death this humor can deuise to weare awaye Faine would I dye but yet in death no hope I see remaines And shall I liue since life I see a course of sory paines UUhat is it then that I doe seeke what ioye would I aspire A thing that is diuine belike too high for mans desire FINIS F. K. Euill to him that euill thinketh THe subtill sâ—ily slightes that worldly men doe worke The freendly shewes vnder whose shade most craft doth often lurke Enforceth me alas with yernfull voyce to say UUoe worthe the wilie heads that seekes the simple mans decay The bird that dreades no guile is soonest caught in snare Eche gentle harte deuoyde of craft is soonest brought to care Good Nature soonest trapt which giues me cause to saie woe worthe the wilie heades that seeke the simple mans decay I see the serpent vile that lurkes vnder the greene How subtilly he shrowdes himselfe that he may not be seene And yet his fosters bane his learing lookes bewray woe worthe the wilie heades that seekes the simple mans decay Woe worth the feyning lookes on fauour that we doe waite woe worth the feyned friendly heart that harbours deepe deceipt woe worthe the Uipers broode oh thrise woe worthe I say All worldly wilie heades that seekes the simple mans decay FINIS M. Edwardes ¶ He assureth his constancie WIth painted speech I list not proue my cunning for to trie Nor yet will vse to fill my pen with guilefull flatterie UUith pen in hand and hart in brest shall faithfull promise make To loue you best and serue you moste by your great vertues sake And sure dame Nature hath you deckt with giftes aboue the rest Let not Disdaine a harbour finde within your noble brest For Loue hath led his Lawe a like to men of eche degree so that the Begger with the Prince shall Loue as well as he I am no Prince I must confesse nor yet of Princes line Nor yet a brutish Begger borne that feedes among the swine The fruite shall trie the tree at last
hue May breedes and bringes new bloud May marcheth throughout euery lim May makes the mery mood May pricketh tender hartes their warbling notes to tune Full straunge it is yet some we see do make their May in Iune Thus thinges are straungely wrought whiles ioyfull May doth last Take May in time when May is gone the pleasaunt time is past All ye that liue on earth and haue your May at will Reioyce in May as I doe now and vse your May with skill Use May while that you may for May hath but his time UUhen all the fruite is gone it is to late the Tree to clime Your liking and your lust is fresh whiles May doth last When May is gone of all the yeare the pleasaunt time is past FINIS M. Edwardes 7. Fayre wordes make fooles fayne IN youthfull yeares when first my young desires began To pricke me forth to serue in court a slender tall young man My fathers blessing then I asked vpon my knee UUho blessing me with trembling hand these wordes gan say to me My sonne God guide thy way and shield thee from mischaunce And make thy iust desartes in Court thy poore estate to aduaunce Yet when thou art become one of the Courtly trayne Thinke on this Prouerbe old quoth he that faire wordes make fooles faine This counsell grauely giuen most straunge appeares to me Till tract of time with open eyes had made me plainly see UUhat subtill sleightes are wrought by painted tales deuise UUhen hollow hartes with frendly shewes the simple do entise To thinke all gold that shines to feede their fond desire Whose shiuering cold is warmde with smoke in steed of flaming fire Sith talke of tickle trust doth breed a hope most vaine This prouerb true by proofe I find that fayre wordes make fooles faine Fayre speech alway doth well where deedes insue faire wordes Faire speech againe alway doth euill that bushes giue for birdes Who hopes to haue fayre wordes to trie his luckie lot If I may counsell let him strike it while the Iron is hot But them that feed on cloddes in steed of pleasant grapes And after warning often giuen for better lucke still gapes Full loath I am yet must I tell them in wordes plaine This prouerb old proues true in them that faire wordes make fooles faine Wo worth the time that wordes so slowly turne to deedes Wo worth the time that fayre sweet flowres are growne to rotten weedes But thrise wo worth the time that truth away is fled UUherein I see how simple hartes with wordes are vainely fed Trust not fayre wordes therefore where no deedes do insue Trust wordes as skilfull Falkners do trust Haukes that neuer flue Trust deedes let wordes be wordes which neuer wrought me gaine Let my experience make you wise and let wordes make fooles faine FINIS M. Edwardes 8. In his extreame sickenesse WHat grieues my bones and makes my body faint UUhat prickes my flesh and teares my head in twaine UUhy do I wake when rest should me attaint UUhen others laugh why do I liue in paine I tosse I turne I chaunge from side to side And stretch me oft in sorrowes linckes betide I tosse as one betost in waues of care I turne to flie the woes of loathsome life I chaunge to spie if death this corpes might spare I stretch to heauen to rid me of this strife Thus do I stretch and chaunge and tosse and turne UUhile I in hope of heauen my life do burne Then hold thee still let be thy heauinesse Abolish care forget thy pining woe For by this meanes sone shalt thou find redresse When oft betost hence thou to heauen must goe Then tosse and tourne and tumble franke and free O happie thrise when thou in heauen shalt be FINIS L. Vaux 9. Eor Christmas day Reioyce reioyce with hart and voyce In Christes byrth this day reioyce FRom virgins wombe this day did spring The precious seed that onely saued man This day let man reioyce and sweetly sing Since on this day saluation first began This day did Christ mans soule from death remoue With glorious sainctes to dwell in heauen aboue This day to man came pledge of perfect peace This day to man came loue and vnity This day mans griefe began for to surcease This day did man receiue a remedy For ech offence and euery deadly sin With gilty hart that erst he wandred in In Christes flocke let loue be surely plaste From Christes flocke let concord hate expell Of Christes flocke let loue be so embraste As we in Christ and Christ in vs may dwell Christ is the authour of vnity From whence proceedeth all felicitie O sing vnto this glittering glorious king O praise his name let euery liuing thing Let hart and voyce like Belles of siluer ring The comfort that this day did bring Let Lute let Shalme with sound of sweet delight The ioy of Christes birth this day resight FINIS F. Kindlemarshe 10. For Easter day AL mortall mēn this day reioyce in Christ that you redemed hath By death with death sing we with voyce to him that hath appeasde Gods wrath Due vnto man for sinfull path wherein before he went astray Giue thankes to him with perfect faith that for mankinde hath made this glorious day This day he rose from tombe againe wherein his precious corse was layd Whom cruelly the Iewes had slaine with bloudy woundes full ill arayd O man be now no more dismaid if thou hencefoorth from sinne do stay Of death thou needest not to be afrayde Christ conquered death for this his glorious day His death preuayled had no whit as Paule the Apostle well doth write Except he had vprised it from death to life by godlike might With most triumphant glittering light This daie his glory shined I say and made vs bright as sunne this glorious day O man arise with Christ therefore since he from sin hath made thee free Beware thou fall in sinne no more but rise as Christ did rise for thee So mayest thou him in glory see when he at day of doome shall say Come thou my child and dwell with me God graunt vs all to see that glorious day FINIS Iasper Heiwood 11. For Whitsonday COme holy Ghost eternall God and ease the wofull griefe That through the heapes of heauy sinne can no where find reliefe Doe thou O God redresse The great distresse Of sinfull heauinesse Come comfort the afflicted thoughtes of my consumed hart O rid the pearcing pinching paines of my tormenting smart O holy Ghost graunt me That I by thee From sinne may purged be Thou art my God to thee alone I will commend my cause Nor glittering gold nor precious stone shall make me leaue thy lawes O teach me then the way Whereby I may Make thee my onely stay My lippes my tongue my hart and all shall spread thy mighty name My voyce shall neuer cease to sound the praises of the same Yea euery liuing thing Shall sweetly sing To
extremes thus doe I rome the race Of my poore life this certainely I know Tweene would and want vnwarely that doe passe More swift then shot out of the Archers vow As Spider drawes her line all day I watch the net and others haue the pray And as by proofe the greedy Dogge doth gnaw The bared bone all onely for the tast So to and fro this lothsome life I draw UUith fancies forst and fed with vayne repast Narsissus brought vnto the water drinke So aye thirst I the more that I doe drinke Loe thus I dye and yet I seeme not sicke UUith smart vnseene my selfe my selfe I weare UUith prone desire and power that is not quicke UUith hope a loft now drenched in disprayre Trayned in trust for no reward assignde The more I hast the more I come behinde UUith hurt to heale in frozen Ise to frie UUith losse to laugh this is a wonderous case Fast fetred here is forst away to flie As hunted Hare that Hound hath in the chase UUith winges and spurres for all the hast I make As like to lose as for to draw the stake The dayes be long that hang vpon desart The life is irke of ioyes that be delayed The time is short for to requite the smart That doth proceede of promise long vnpayed That to the last of this my fainting breath I wish exchaunge of life for happy death FINIS L. Vanx 18. Of the instabilitie of youth WHen I looke backe and in my selfe behold The wandring wayes that youth could not descry And marke the fearefull course that youth did hold And met in mynde ech step youth strayed awry My knees I bow and from my hart I call O Lord forget these faultes and folies all For now I see how voyde youth is of skill I see also his Prime time and his ende I doe confesse my faultes and all my ill And sorrow sore for that I did offende And with a minde repentaunt of all crimes Pardon I aske for youth ten thousand times The humble hart hath daunted the proude minde Eke wisedome hath geuen ignoraunce a fall And wit hath taught that follie could not finde And age hath youth her subiect and her thrall Therfore I pray O Lord of life and truth Pardon the faultes committed in my youth Thou that diddest graunt the wise king his request Thou that in the Whale thy Prophet diddest preserue Thou that forgauest the wounding of thy brest Thou that didst saue the theefe in state to sterue Thou onely God the giuer of all grace Wipe out of minde the path of youthes vayne race Thou that by power to life didst rayse the dead Thou that restorest the blind to perfect sight Thou that for loue thy life and loue out blead Thou that of fauour madest the lame goe right Thou that canst heale and helpe in all assayes Forgiue the gilt that grew in youthes vayne wayes And now since I with faith and doubtlesse minde Doe flie to thee by prayer to appease thy Ire And since that thee I onely seeke to finde And hope by faith to attaine my iust desire Lord minde no more youthes errour and vnskill And able age to doe thy holy will FINIS L. Vaux 19. Most happy is that state alone Where wordes and deedes agree in one BY painted wordes the silly simple man To trustlesse trap is trayned now and than And by conceipt of sweete alluring tale He bites the baytes that breedes his bitter bale To beauties blaze cast not thy rouing eye In pleasaunt greene doe stinging Serpentes lye The golden Pill hath but a bitter tast In glittering glasse a poyson ranckest plast So pleasaunt wordes without performing deedes May well be deemed to spring of Darnell seedes The frendly deede is it that quickely tries Where trusty faith and frendly meaning lies That state therfore most happy seemes to bee Where wordes and deedes most faithfully agree My frend if thou wilt keepe thy honest name Flie from the blot of barking flaunders blame Let not in word thy promise be more large Then thou in deede art willing to discharge Abhorred is that false dissembling broode That seemes to beare two faces in one hoode To say a thing and not to meane the same Will turne at length to losse of thy good name Wherfore my frend let double dealing goe In stead wherof let perfect plainnesse flow Doe thou no more in idle wordes exceede Then thou intendes to doe in very deede So good report shall spread thy worthy prayse For being iust in word and deede alwayes You worldly wightes that worldly doers are Before you let your word slip out to farre Consider well what inconuenience springes By breache of promise made in lawfull thinges First God mislikes where such deceipt doth swarme Next it redoundeth vnto thy neighbours harme And last of all which is not least of all For such offence thy conscience suffer shall As barren groundes bringes forth but rotten weedes From barren wordes so fruitlesse chaffe proceedes As sauerie flowers doe spring in fertill ground So trusty frendes by triall soone are found To shunne therfore the worst that may ensue Let deedes alway approue thy sayinges true FINIS F. K. Who will aspire to dignitie 20. By learnyng must aduaunced be THe poore that liue in needy rate by learnyng do great richesse gayne The rich that liue in wealthy state by learning doe their wealth maintayne Thus rich and poore are furthered still By sacred rules of learned skill All fond conceiptes of franticke youth the golden gift of learning stayes Of doubtfull things to search the truth learning sets forth the ready wayes O happy him do I repute UUhose breast is fraught with learning fruite There growes no corne within the field that Oxe and plough did neuer till Right so the mynde no fruite can yeld that is not lead by learninges skill Of ignoraunce comes rotten weedes Of learning springes right noble deedes Like as the Captaine hath respect to trayne his souldiours in aray So learning doth mans mynde direct by vertues staffe his life to stay Though frendes and Fortune waxeth scant Yet learned men shall neuer want You impes therfore in youth be sure to fraught your myndes with learned thinges For learning is the fountaine pure out from the which all glory springes Who so therfore will glory win With learning first must needes begin FINIS F. Kindlemarsh 21. Mans flittyng life findes surest stay Where sacred vertue beareth sway THe sturdy rocke for all his strength by raging seas is rent in twaine The marble stone is pearst at length with little drops of drilling raine The Oxe doth yeld vnto the yoke The Steele obeyeth the hammer stroke The stately stagge that seemes so stout by yalping houndes at bay is set The swiftest bird that flees about is caught at length in foulers Net The greatest fish in deepest brooke Is soone deceiued with subtill hooke Yea man himselfe vnto whose will all thinges are bounden to obay For all his wit
and worthy skill doth fade at length and fall away There is nothing but time doth wast The Heauens the Earth consume at last But vertue sits triumphing still vpon the trone of glorious fame Though spitfull death mans body kill yet hurtes he not his vertuous name By life or death what so betides The state of vertue neuer slides FINIS M. T. 22. Nothing is comparable vnto a faithfull frend SIth this our time of frendship is so scant Sith frendship now in euery place doth want Sith euery man of frendship is so hollow As no man rightly knowes which way to follow Cease not my Muse sease not in these our dayes To ring loude peales of sacred frendships prayse If men be now their owne peculiar frendes And to their neighbours frendship none pretendes If men of frendship shew them selues so bare And of their brethren take no frendly care Forbeare not then my Muse nor feare not then To ring disprayse of these vnfrendly men Did man in frendship know the mightie power How great effectes it worketh euery hower What store of hidden frendship it retaynes How still it powreth forth aboundant gaynes Man would with thee my Muse in these our dayes Ring out loude peales of sacred frendships prayse Frendship releeueth mans necessitie Frendship comforteth mans aduersitie Frendship augmenteth mans prosperitie Frendship preferres man to felicitie Then ring my Muse ring out in these our dayes Ring out loude peales of sacred frendships prayse Of frendship groweth loue and charitie By frendship men are linked in amitie From frendship springeth all commoditie The fruite of frendship is fidelitie Oh ring my Muse ring out in these our dayes Peale vpon peale of sacred frendships prayse That man with man true frendship may embrace That man to man may shew a freendly face That euery man may sow such freendly seedes As freendship may be found in freendly deedes And ioyne with thee my muse in these our dayes To ring loud peales of sacred freendships prayse FINIS F. Kindlemarsh Golden precepts PErhaps you think me bolde that dare presume to teache As one y t runns beyond his race rowes beyond his reach Sometime the blinde doe go where perfect sights doe fall The simple may sometimes instruct the wisest heads of al. If needefull notes I giue that vnto vertue tend Me thinkes you should of right vouchsafe your listning eares to lend A Whetstone cannot cut yet sharpes it well we see And I though blunt may whet your skils if you attentife bee First these among the rest I wish you warely heede That God be seru'd your prince obayed freends releeu'd at neede Then looke to honest thrift both what and how to haue At night examine so the day that bed be thought a graue Seeke not for others goods be iust in worde and deede For got with shiftes are spent with shame beleeue this as thy creede Boste not of Natures giftes nor yet of parents name For Uertue is the onely meane to winne a worthy fame Ere thou doest promise make consider well the ende But promise past be sure thou keepe both with thy foe and freende Threat not reuenge to much it shewes a crauens kinde But to preuaile and then forgiue declares a noble minde Forget no freendships debt wish to requite at least For God and man yea all the world condems the vngratefull beast Beare not a frendly face with hart of Iudas kisse It shewes a base and vile conceipt and not where valure is Flye from a faunyng flurt and from a coggyng mate Their loues breedes losse their prayse reproch their frēdship breeds but hate Seeke not to loose by wiles that law and duetie bindes They be but helpes of Banckrupts heads and not of honest myndes The motions of the flesh and Collers heate restraine For heapes of harmes do dayly hap where lust or rage doth raigne In diet deede and wordes a modest meane is best Inough sufficeth for a feast but riot findes no rest And so to make an end let this be borne away That vertue alwayes be thy guide so shalt thou neuer stray FINIS ¶ In prayse of the Snayle THe deepe turmoyled wight that liues deuoyde of ease Whose wayward wittes are often found more wauering then the seas Seekes sweete repose abroad and takes delight to rome Where reason leaues the Snayle for rule to keepe a quiet home Leape not before thou looke lest harme thy hope assayle Hast hauocke makes in hurtfull wise wherfore be slow as Sayle Refrayne from rash attempt let take heede be thy skill Let wisedome bridle brainsicke wit and leasure worke thy will Dame reason biddes I say in thynges of doubt be slacke Lest rashnesse purchase vs the wrong that wisedome wills vs lacke By rashnesse diuers haue bene deadly ouercome By kindly creepyng on like Snayle duke Fabe his fame hath wonne Though some as swift as haukes can stoope to euery stale Yet I refuse such sodayne flight and will seeme slow as Snayle Wherefore my prety Snaile be still and lappe thee warme Saue enuies frets mauger their fumes ther◠few shall do thee harme Because in some respect thou holdes me to be wise I place thee for a Presedent and signe before mine eyes Was neuer any yet that harme in thee could find Or dare auow that euer Snaile wrought hurt to humaine kinde I know dame Phisicke doth thy friendly helpe implore And crau's the salue from thee ensues to cure the crased sore Sith Phisicke then alowes the vertues in degree In spight of spight I weare thee still that well contenteth me FINIS 21. Remember thy end TO be as wise as Cato was or rich as Cresus in his life To haue the strength of Hercules which did subdue by force or strife What helpeth it when death doth call The happy end exceedeth all The rich may well the poore relieue that rulers may redresse ech wrong The learned may good counsell giue but marke the end of this my song Who doth these thinges happy they call Their happy end exceedeth all The happiest end in these our dayes that all do seeke both small and great Is either for fame or els for praise or who may sit in highest seat But of these thinges hap what hap shall The happy end exceedeth all A good beginning oft we see but seldome standing at one stay For few do like the meane degree then prayse at parting some men say The thinges whereto ech wight is thrall The happy end exceedeth all The meane estate that happy life which liueth vnder gouernance Who seekes no hate nor breedes no strife but takes in worth his happy chance If contentation him befall His happie ende exceedeth all The longer life that we desire the more offence doth dayly grow The greater paine it doth require except the iudge some mercy shew Wherefore I thinke and euer shall The happie end exceedeth all FINIS D. S. 24. He perswadeth his friend from the fond affectes of loue VUhy art thou bound and mayest
neuer parciall handes for to offend or please Giue me good Fortune all men sayes and throw me in the seas It is no fault or worthinesse that makes men fall or rise I rather be borne fortunate then to be very wise The blindest man right soone that by good fortune guided is To whom that pleasaunt Fortune pipes can neuer daunce amis FINIS M. Edwardes 36. Though triumph after bloudy warres the greatest brags doe beare Yet triumph of a conquered mynde the crowne of fame shall weare WHo so doth marke the carelesse life of these vnhappy dayes And sees what small and slender hold the state of vertues stayes He findes that this accursed trade proceedeth of this ill That men be giuen too much to yeld to their vntamed will In lacke of taming witlesse will the poore we often see Enuies the riche because that he his equall can not bee The riche aduaunced to might by wealth from wrong doth not refrayne But will oppresseth weaker sort to heape excessiue gayne If Fortune were so blind to giue to one man what he will A world would not suffice the same if he might haue his fill We wish we searche we striue for all and haue no more therein Then hath the slaue when death doth come though Cresus wealth he win In getting much we get but care such brittle wealth to keepe The rich within his walles of stone doth neuer soundly sleepe When poore in weake and slender house doe feare no losse of wealth And haue no further care but this to keepe them selues in health Affection may not hide the sword of sway in iudgement seate Least partiall fauour execute the law in causes great But if the mynde in constant state affection quite doe leaue The higher state shall haue their rightes the poore no wrong receiue It is accompted greater prayse to Caesars lofty state Agaynst his vanquest foes in warres to bridle wreckfull hate Then when to Rome he had subdued the people long vnknowne Whereby as farre as land was found the same abroad was blowne If honour can selfe will refuse and Iustice be vpright And priuate state desires but that which good appeares in sight Then vertue shall with soueraigne shew to euery eye reueale An heauenly life a wealfull state a happy common weale Let vertue then the triumph win and gouerne all your deedes Your yelding to her sober hestes immortall glory breedes She shall vpreare your worthy name shinyng into the skies Her beames shall blaze in graue obscure where shriued carkasse lyes FINIS M. Edwardes 37. Of perfect wisedome WHose will be accompted wise and truely clayme the same By ioyning vertue to his deedes he must atcheue the same But few there be that seeke thereby true wisedome to attayne O God so rule our hartes therfore such fondnesse to refrayne The wisedome which we most esteeme in this thing doth consist UUith glorious talke to shew in wordes our wisedome when we list Yet not in talke but seemely deedes our wisedome we should place To speake so fayre and doe but ill doth wisedome quite disgrace To bargayne well and shunne the losse a wisedome compted is And thereby through the greedy coyne no hope of grace to mis To seeke by honour to aduaunce his name to brittle prayse Is wisedome which we dayly see increaseth in our dayes But heauenly wisedome sower seemes too hard for them to win And wearie of the sute they seeme when they doe once begin It teacheth vs to frame our life while vitall breath we haue UUhen it dissolueth earthly masse the soule from death to saue By feare of God to rule our steppes from sliding into vice A wisedome is which we neglect although of greater price A point of wisedome also this we commonly esteeme That euery man should be in deede that he desires to seeme To bridle that desire of gayne which forceth vs to ill Our hautie stomackes Lord represse to tame presuming will This is the wisedome that we should aboue eche thing desire O heauenly God from sacred throne that grace in vs inspire And print in our repugnant hartes the rules of wisedome true That all our deedes in worldly life may like thereof insue Thou onely art the liuing spring from whom this wisedome flowes O wash therewith our sinfull hartes from vice that therein growes FINIS M. Edwardes 38. A frendly admonition YE stately wightes that liue in quiet rest Through worldly wealth which God hath giuen to you Lament with teares and sighes from dolefull brest The shame and power that vice obtaineth now Behold how God doth dayly profer grace Yet we disdayne repentaunce to embrace The suddes of sinne doe soke into the minde And cancred vice doth vertue quite expell No chaunge to good alas can resting finde Our wicked hartes so stoutly doe rebell Not one there is that hasteth to amend Though God from heauen his dayly threates downe send UUe are so slow to chaunge our blamefull life UUe are so prest to snatche a luring vice Such greedy hartes on euery side be rife So few that guide their will by counsell wise To let our teares lament the wretched case And call to God for vndeserued grace You worldly wightes that haue your fancies fixt On slipper ioy of terraine pleasure here Let some remorse in all your deedes be mixt Whiles you haue time let some redresse appeare Of sodaine death the houre you shall not know And looke for death although it seemeth slow Oh he no Iudge in other mens offence But purge thy selfe and seeke to make thee free Let euery one apply his diligence A chaunge to good within him selfe to see O God direct our feete in such a stay From cancred vice to shun the hatefull way FINIS R. Hill 39. Sundrie men sundry affectes IN euery wight some sundry sort of pleasure I doe finde UUhich after he doth seeke to ease his ioyling minde Diana with her trainyng chase of hunting had delight Against the fearefull Deare she could direct her shot a right The loftie yeares in euery age doth still imbrace the same The sport is good if vertue doe assist the chearefull game Minerua in her chattering armes her courage doth aduaunce In triall of the bloudy warres she giueth luckie chaunce For sauegard men imbrace the same which doe so needefull seeme That noble hartes their chief delightes in vse therof esteeme In warlike games to try or ride the force of armes they vse And base the man we doe attempt that doth the same refuse The siluer sound of Musickes cordes doth please Apollos wit A sentence which the heauens aduaunce where it deserues to sit A pleasure apt for euery wight relief to carefull mynde For woe redresse for care a salue for sadnesse helpe we finde The soueraigne prayse of Musicke still doth cause the Poetes fayne That whirling Spheres and eke the heauens doe hermonie retayne I heard that these three powers at variaunce lately fell UUhiles ech did prayse his owne delight the other to
at large doe not detect Yet all their force can not appease The furious fittes of my disease For any drugge of Phisickes arte Can ease the grief that gripes my harte Oh straunge disease I heare the wise affirme that Nature hath in store A thousand secret salues which wisedome hath out found To coole the scorching heate of euery smarting sore And healeth deepest scarre though greeuous be the wound The auncient Prouerbe sayes that none so fostred grief Doth grow for which the Gods themselues haue not ordained relief But I by proofe doe know such Prouerbes to be vayne And thinke that Nature neuer knew the plague that I sustaine And so not knowing my distresse Hath left my grief remedilesse For why the heauens for me prepare To liue in thought and dye in care Oh lasting payne In chaunge of ayre I see by haunt of heathfull soyle By diet duely kept grosse humours are expeld I know that griefes of minde and inward hartes turmoyle By faithfull frendes aduise in time may be repeld Yet all this naught auayles to kill that me annoyes I meane to stop these floudes of care that ouerflow my ioyes No none exchaunge of place can chaunge my lucklesse lot Like one I liue and so must dye whom Fortune hath forgot No counsell can preuayle with me Nor sage aduise with grief agree For he that feeles the panges of hell Can neuer hope in heauen to dwell Oh deepe dispayre What liues on earth but I whose trauayle reapes no gayne The wearied Horse and Oxe in stall and stable rest The Ante with sommers toyle beares out the winters payne The foule that flies all day at night returnes to rest The Ploughmans wearie worke amid the winters mire Rewarded is with sommers gayne which yeldes him double hire The sillie labouring soule which drudges from day to day At night his wages truely payed contented goeth his way And commyng home his drousie hed He coucheth close in homely bed Wherein no sooner downe he lyes But sleepe hath straight possest his eyes Oh happy man The Souldiour biding long the brunt of mortall warres UUhere life is neuer free from dint of deadly foyle At last comes ioyfull home though mangled all with scarres Where frankly voyde of feare he spendes the gotten spoyle The Pirate lying long amid the foming floudes With euery flaw in hazaed is to lose both life and goodes At length findes vewe of land where wished Port he spies UUhich once obtayned emong his mates he partes the gotten prise Thus euery man from trauaile past Death reape a iust reward at last But I alone whose troubled minde In seeking rest vnrest doth finde Oh lucklesse lot Oh cursed caitife wretch whose heauy hard mishap Doth wish ten thousand times that thou hadst not bene borne Since fate hath thee condemned to liue in sorrowes lap UUhere wailynges wast thy life of all redresse forlorne UUhat shall thy grief appease who shall thy torment stay UUilt thou thy selfe with murthering handes enforce thy owne decay No farre be thou from me my selfe to stop my breath The Gods forbid whom I beseech to worke my ioyes by death For lingryng length of lothsome life Doth stirre in me such mortall strife That whiles for life and death I cry In death I liue and liuing dye Oh froward fate Loe here my hard mishap loe here my straunge disease Loe here my deepe dispayre loe here my lasting payne Loe here my froward fate which nothing can appease Loe here how others toyle rewarded is with gayne With lucklesse loe I liue in losse of labours due Compeld by proofe of torment strong my endlesse grief to rue Is which since needes I must consume both youth and age If old I liue and that my care no comfort can asswage Henceforth I banish from my brest All frustrate hope of future rest And truthlesse trust to Tymes reward With all respectes of ioyes regard Here I forsweare 47. Where reason makes request there wisedome ought supplie With frendly aunswere prest to graunt or els denie I Sigh why so for sorrow of her smart I mourne wherfore for grief that she complaines I pitie what her oppressed hart I dread what harme the daunger she sustaines I greeue whereat at her oppressing paynes I feele what force the fittes of her disease UUhose harme doth me and her a like displease I hope what hay her happy healthes retire I wish what wealth no wealth nor worldly store But craue what craft by cunnyng to aspire Some skill whereto to salue her sickely sore UUhat then why then would I her health restore UUhose harme me hurtes how so so workes my will To wish my selfe and her like good and ill UUhat moues thy minde whereto to such desire Ne force ne fauour what then free fancies choyse Art thou to chose my charter to require Eche Ladies loue is fedde by customes voyce Yet are there grauntes the euidence of their choyse UUhat then our freedome is at large in chosing As womens wills are froward in refusing Wotes she thy will she knowes what I protest Damde she thy sute she daungered not my talke Gaue she consent she graunted my request What didst thou craue the roote the fruite the stalke I asked them all what gaue she cheese or chalke That tast must trie what tast I meane the proofe Of frendes whose wills withhold their bow aloofe Meanst thou good fayth what els hopest thou to speede why not O foole vntaught in carpell trade Knowest not what proofes from such delayes proceede wilt thou like headlesse Cocke be caught in glade Art thou like Asse too apt for burden made Fie fie wilt thou for faint adore the shrine And woe her frend ere she be wholy thine Who drew this drift moued she or thou this match Twas I oh foole vnware of womens wiles Long mayest thou wayte like hungry hound at hatch She craftie Foxe the sillie Goose beguiles Thy sute is shaped so fit for long delay That she at will may checke from yea to nay But in good sooth tell me her frendes intent Best learne it first their purpose I not know why then thy will to worse and worse is bent Doest thou delight the vnkindled coale to blow Or childlike louest in ankred Boate to row what meane these termes who sith thy sute is such Know of or on or thou affect too much No hast but good why no the meane is best Admit she loue mislike in lingring growes Suppose she is caught then woodcocke on thy crest Till end approues what scornefull seedes she sowes In loytring loue such daungers ebbes and flowes what helpe herein why wake in daungerous watch That to nor fro may make thee marre the match Is that the way to end my wearie worke By quicke dispatch to lessen long turmoyle Well well though losse in lingering wontes to lurke And I a foole most fitte to take the foyle Yet proofe from promise neuer shall recoyle My wordes with deedes and deedes with wordes shall wende Till she
or hers gainsay that I intende Art thou so fonde not fonde but firmely fast Why foole her frendes wote how thy will is bent Yet thou like dolt whose witte and sence is past Seest not what frumpes do follow thy entent Ne know how loue in few of scorne is lent Adue for sighes such follie should preuent Well well their scoffes with scornes might be repayed If my requestes were fully yead or nayed UUel well let these with wisedomes prayse be wayed And in your chest of chiefest secretes layed FINIS My lucke is losse 48. What ioye to a contented mynde THe fayth that fayles must needes be thought vntrue The frend that faignes who holdeth not vniust UUho likes that loue that chaungeth still for new UUho hopes for truth where troth is voyde of trust No faith no frend no loue no troth so sure But rather fayles then stedfastly endure UUhat head so stayed that altereth not intent what thought so sure that stedfast did remaine what witte so wise that neuer needes repent what tongue so true but sometime wontes to fayne what foote so firme that neuer treades awrie what sooner dimde then sight of clearest eye UUhat hart so fixt but soone enclines to chaunge what moode so milde that neuer moued debate what faith so strong but lightly likes to raunge what loue so true that neuer learnd to hate what life so pure that lastes without offence what worldly mynde but moues with ill pretence UUhat knot so fast that may not be vntide what seale so sure but fraude or force shall breake what prop of stay but one tyme shrinkes aside what ship so stauche that neuer had a leake what graunt so large that no exception makes what hoped helpe but frend at neede forsakes UUhat seate so high but low to ground may fall what hap so good that neuer found mislike what state so sure but subiect is to thrall what force preuayles where Fortune list to strike what wealth so much but time may tourne to want what store so great but wasting maketh scant UUhat profites hope in depth of daungers thrall what trust in time but waxeth worse and worse what helpes good hart if Fortune frowne withall what blessing thriues agaynst heauenly helpelesse curse what winnes desire to get and cannot gayne what bootes to wish and neuer to obtaine FINIS My lucke is losse 49. Donec eris Faelix multos numerabis amicos Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus â—pes EUen as the Rauen the Crow and greedy Kite Doe swarming flocke where carren corps doth fall And tiring teare with beake and talentes might Both skin and flesh to gorge their guttes withall And neuer cease but gather moe to moe Doe all to pull the carkas to and fro Till bared bones at last they leaue behinde And seeke elswhere some fatter foode to finde Euen so I see where wealth doth waxe at will And gold doth grow to heapes of great encrease There frendes resort and profering frendship still Full thicke they throng with neuer ceasing prease And slily make a shew of true intent when nought but guile and inward hate is ment For when mischaunce shall chaunge such wealth to want They packe them thence to place of richer haunt FINIS My lucke is losse 50. Amantium irae amoris redinte gratio est IN goyng to my naked bed as one that would haue slept I heard a wife sing to her child that long before had wept She sighed sore and sang full sweete to bring the babe to rest That would not cease but cried still in sucking at her brest She was full wearie of her watch and greeued with her child She rocked it and rated it till that on her it smilde Then did she say now haue I found this Prouerbe true to proue The falling out of faithfull frendes renuyng is of loue Then tooke I paper penne and Inke this Prouerbe for to write In register for to remaine of such a worthy wight As she proceeded thus in song vnto her little brat Much matter vttered she of waight in place where as she sat And proued playne there was no beast nor creature bearing life Could well be knowne to liue in loue without discorde and strife Then kissed she her little babe and sware by God aboue The falling out of faythfull frendes renuyng is of loue She sayd that neither King ne Prince ne Lord could liue a right Untill their puissance they did proue their manhood and their might when manhood shall be matched so that feare can take no place Then wearie workes make warriours eche other to embrace And leaued their force that fayled them which did consume the rout That might before haue liued their time and Nature out Then did she sing as one that thought no man could her reproue The falling out of faythfull frendes renuyng is of loue She sayd she saw no fish ne foule nor beast within her haunt That met a straunger in their kinde but could giue it a taunt Since flesh might not endure but rest must wrath succeede And force the fight to fall to play in pasture where they feede So noble Nature can well end the worke she hath begone And bridle well that will not cease her tragedie in some Thus in song she oft rehearst as did her well behoue The falling out of faithfull frendes renuyng is of loue I maruaile much pardy quoth she for to behold the rout To see man woman boy and beast to tosse the world about Some kneele some couche some becke some checke some caÌ„ smothly smile And some embrace others in arme and there thinke many a wile Some stand a loofe at cap and knee some humble and some stout Yet are they neuer frendes in deede vntill they once fall out Thus ended she her song and sayd before she did remoue The fallyng out of faythfull frendes renuyng is of loue FINIS M. Edwardes 51. Thinke to dye THe life is long which lothsomely doe last The dolefull dayes draw slowly to their date The present pangues and painefull plagues forepast Yeldes grief aye greene to stablish his estate So that I feele in this great storme and strife That death is sweete that shortneth such a life And by the stroke of this straunge ouerthrow All which conflict in thraldome I was thrust The Lord be praysed I am well taught to know From whence man came and eke whereto he must And by the way vpon how feeble force His terme doth stand till death doth end his course The pleasaunt yeares that seemes so sweetly runne The merrie dayes to ende so fast that fleete The ioyfull wights of which dayes drawes so soone The happie howres which moe do misse then meete Doe all consume as snow against the Sunne And death makes ende of all that life begunne Since death shall dure till all the world be waste what meaneth man to dread Death then so sore As man might make that life should alway laste without regarde the Lord hath led
comparable to a quiet minde IN lothsome race pursued by slippery life whose sugred guile doth glistering ioy present The carefull ghost oppressed sore with strife Yeeldes ghostly grones from painefull passions sent The sinnefull flesh that beares him here in vewe In steede of life doth dreadfull death pursue The way he seeth by touch of merites grace Wherein to runne alas he gladly would But filthie flesh his wretched dwelling place Doeth so rebell at that which doe he should That silly soule who feeles his heauie neede Can onely will but naught performe in deede Thy will through grace doeth oft desire the good But all in vaine for that the fleshly foe Yeeldes forth such fruites as sinnes hath bred in bud And blindly suckes the sap of deadly woe Esteeming shewes of fickle fancies knowne And scorning fruit by grace eternall sowen Though eye doth see that death doth swallow all Both life and lust and euery sound delight Yet wretched flesh through sinne is made so thrall That nought it markes apparant thinges in sight That might him traine to care of better grace Bothe doeth his bale with greedy lust imbrace Then since desert and al thinges weare away That nought remaine but fruite of grace or sinne God build in vs such conscience as can say This fruit not mine but sinne that dwelt in me For why to sinne I dayly doe in sight that vnto Christ I may reuiue my spright ê™ Candishe FINIS That Loue is required by disdayne IN search of thinges that secret are my mated muse began What it might be molested most the head and minde of man The bending brow of Princes face to wrathe that doth attende Or want of Parentes wife or childe or losse of faithfull friend the roaring of the Canon shot that makes the peece to shake Or terrour such as mightie Ioue from heauen aboue can make All these in fine may not compare experience so doth proue Unto the tormentes sharpe and straunge of such as be in Loue. Loue lookes a loft and laughes to scorne all such as grief anoy The more extreame their passions be the greater is his ioy thus loue as victor of the field triumphes aboue the rest And ioyes to see his subiectes lye with liuing death in brest But dire disdaine letts driue a shaft gaules this bragging foole He pluckes his plumes vnbeÌ„ds his bow setts him new to schoole Whereby this boy that bragged late as conquerour ouer all Now yeldes himselfe vnto disdaine his vassall and his thrall FINIS W. Hunnis Of a contented state IN wealth we see some wealthy men abounde in wealth most wealthely In wealth we see those men agayne in wealth do liue most wretchedly And yet of wealth hauing more store Then earst of wealth they had before These wealthy meÌ„ do seeme to want they seeme to waÌ„t that most they haue The more posses the more they craue the more they craue the greater store That most they haue they thinke but skant Yet not content woe be therfore The simple men that lesse wealth haue with lesser wealth we see content Content are they twixt wealth and scathe a life to lead indifferent And thus of wealth these men haue more Then those of which we spoke before FINIS W. Hunnis Beyng disdayned he complayneth IF frendlesse fayth if guiltlesse thought may shield If simple truth that neuer meant to swarue If deare desire accepted fruite do yeld If greedy lust in loyall life do searue then may my plaint bewayle my heauie harme That seeking calme haue stumbled on the storme My wonted cheare Eclipsed by the cloud Of deepe disdayne through errour of report If wearie woe enwrapped in the shroude Lyes slayne by tongue of the vnfrendly sort Yet heauen and earth and all that nature wrought I call to vowe of my vnspotted thought No shade I seeke in part to shield my tainte But simple truth I hunt no other sute On that I gape the issue of my plainte If that I quayle let iustice me confute If that my place emongest the giltlesse sort Repay by doome my name and good report Goe heauy verse pursue desired grace Where pitie shrinde in cell of secret brest Awaites my hast the rightfull lot to place And lothes to see the guiltlesse man opprest Whose vertues great hath crownde her more with fame then kingly state though largely shine the same FINIS L. Vaux Of the meane estate THe higher that the Cedar tree vnto the heauens do grow the more in daungers is the top when sturdy windes gan blow Who iudges then in Princely throne to be deuoide of hate Doth not yet know what heapes of ill lyes hid in such estate Such dauÌ„gers great such gripes of mynde such toyle do they sustaine that often tymes of God they wish to be vnkingd agayne For as the huge and mightie rockes withstand the raging seas So kingdomes in subiection be whereas dame Fortune please Of brittle ioy of smilyng cheare of honnie mixt with gall Alotted is to euery Prince in freedome to be thrall UUhat watches long what sleepes vnsure what grief and care of mynde UUhat bitter broyles what endlesse toyles to kingdomes be assignde The subiect then may well compare with Prince for pleasaunt daies whose silent night bringes quiet rest whose steppes no storme bewraies How much be we then bound to God who such prouision makes to lay our cares vpon the Prince thus doth he for our sakes to him therefore let vs lift vp our heartes and pray amaine that euery prince that he hath plaste may long in quiet raigne FINIS W. Hunnis Of a contented minde WHen all is done and said in the ende thus shall you finde the moste of all doth bathe in blisse that hath a quiet minde And cleere from worldly cares to deeme can be content the sweetest time of all this life in thinking to be spent The bodie subiect is to fickle Fortunes power And to a million of mishaps is casuall euery hower And death in time doth chaunge it to a clodd of clay UUhen as the minde which is deuine runnes neuer to decay Companion none is like vnto the minde alone For many haue beene harmde by speeche through thinking few or none Few often times restraineth wordes but makes no thoughtes to cease And stay he speakes best that hath the skill when for to hold his peace Our wealthe leaues vs at death our kinsmen at the graue But vertues of the minde vnto the heauens with vs haue wherefore for vertues sake I can be well content the sweetest time of all my life to deeme in thinking spent FINIS L. Vaux Trie before you trust TO counsell my estate abandonde to the spoile Of forged freendes whose grosest fraude is set with finest foile To verefie true dealing wightes whose trust no treason treades And all too deare th'acquaintance be of such most harmefull heades I am aduised thus who so doth friend friend so As though to morrowe next he feared for to become a foe To
haue a feined frend no perill like I finde Oft flering face may mantell best a mischief in the minde A paire of Angels eares oft times doth hide a Serpentes hart Under whose gripes who so doth come to late bewailes the smart wherfore I do aduise who so doth frend frend so As though to morrow next he should become a mortall foe Refuse respecting frendes that courtly know to fayne For gold that winnes for gold shall lose the selfe same frend agayne The quayle needes neuer feare the foulers netts to fall If he would neuer bend his eare to listen to his call Therfore trust not to soone but when you frend frend so As though to morrow next ye fearde for to become a fo FINIS L. Vaux He renounceth all the effectes of Loue. LIke as the Harte that lifteth vp his eares To heare the houndes that hath him in the chase Doth cast the winde in daungers and in feares UUith flying foote to passe away apace So must I flie of Loue the vayne pursute whereof the gayne is lesser then the fruite And I also must loth those learing lookes UUhere Loue doth lurke still with his subtile sleight with painted mockes and inward hidden hookes To trappe by trust that lyeth not in wayte The end whereof assay it who so shall As sugred smart and inward bitter gall And I must flie such Syrian songes Wherewith that Circes Vlisses did enchaunt These willie wattes I meane with filed tongues That hartes of steele haue power to daunt Who so as Hauke that stoopeth to their call For most deserte receiueth least of all But woe to me that first beheld these eyes The trappe wherein I say that I was tane An outward salue which inward me destroyes Whereto I runne as rat vnto her bane As to the fish sometime it doth befall that with the baite doth swallow hooke and all UUithin my breast wherewith I dayly fedde The vayne repast of amorous hote desire with loytering lust so long that hath me fedde Till he hath brought me to the flaming fire In time as Phenix endes her care and carkes I make the fire and burne my selfe with sparkes FINIS L. Vaux Bethinking himselfe of his end writeth thus WHen I behold the Baier my last and posting horse that bare shall to the graue my vile and carren corse Then say I seelie wretch why doest thou put thy trust In thinges either made of clay that soone will turne to dust Doest thou not see the young the hardie and the fayre that now are past and gone as though they neuer were Doest thou not see thy selfe draw hourely to thy last As shaftes which that is shot at birdes that flieth fast Doest thou not see how death through smiteth with his launce Some by warre some by plague and some by worldly chaunce UUhat thing is there on earth for pleasure that was made But goeth more swift away then doth the sommer shade Loe here the sommer flower that sprong this other day But winter weareth as fast and bloweth cleane away Euen so shalt thou consume from youth to lothsome age For death he doth not spare the Prince more then the Page Thy house shalbe of clay a clotte vnder thy hedde Untill the latter day the graue shalbe thy bedde Untill the blowing trompe doth say to all and some Rise vp out of the graue for now the iudge is come FINIS L. Vaux Beyng in Loue he complaineth ENforst by Loue and feare to please and not offend Within the wordes you would me write a message I must send A wofull errande sure a wretched man must write A wretched tale a wofull head beseemeth to indite For what can he but wayle that hath but all he would And yet that all is nought at all but lacke of all he should But lacke of all his minde what can be greater grief That haue and lacke that likes him best must needes be most mischief Now foole what makes thee waile yet some might say full well That hast no harme but of thy selfe as thou thy selfe canst tell to whom I aunswere thus since all my harmes do grow Upon my selfe so of my selfe some hap may come I trow And since I see both hap and harme betides to mee For present woe my after blisse will make me not forget thee UUho hath a field of gold and may not come therein Must liue in hope till he haue force his treasure well to win UUhose ioyes by hope of dread to conquere or to lose So great a wealth doth rise and for example doth disclose to winne the golden Fleece stoode Iason not in dread Till Medeas hope of health did giue him hope to speede Yet sure his minde was much and yet his feare the more That hath no hap but by your helpe may hap for to restore The raging Bulles he dread yet by his Ladies charme He knew it might be brought to passe they could do litle harme Unto whose grace yeld he as I do offer me Into your handes to hap not like him for to be But as king Priamus did yeld him to the will Of Cressed false which him forsooke with Diomede to spill So I to you commende my faith and eke my ioye I hope you will not be so false as Cressed was to Troye For if I be vntrue her Lazars death I wish And eke in thee if thou be false her clapper and her dish FINIS R. L. Beyng in trouble he writeth thus IN terrours trap with thraldome thrust Their thornie thoughtes to tast and trie In conscience cleare from cause vniust With carping teares did call and crie And sayd O God yet thou art he That can and will deliuer me Bis. Thus trembling there with teares I trod To totter tide in truthes defence With sighes and sobbes I sayd O God Let right not haue this recompence Least that my foes might laugh to see That thou wouldest not deliuer me Bis. My soule then to repentaunce ranne My ragged clothes all rent and torne And did bewaile the losse it wanne With lothsome life so long forlorne And sayd O God yet thou art he that can and will deliuer me Bis. Then comfort came with clothes of ioy whose seames were faithfull stedfastnesse And did bedecke the naked â—oe that earst was full of wretchednesse And sayd be glad for God is hee that shortly will deliuer thee FINIS W. Hunnis Being troubled in minde he writeth as followeth THe bitter sweate that straynes my yelded hart the carelesse count that doth the same imbrace The doubtfull hope to reape my due desarte The pensiue pathe that guides my restlesse race Are at such warre within my wounded brest As doth bereue my ioy and eke my rest My greedy will that seekes the golden gayne My lucklesse lot doth alway take in worth My mated minde that dreades my sutes in vayne My pitious plaint doth helpe to set it forth So that betwene two waues of raging Seas I driue my dayes in troubles and disease My