and guilt life God knowes is short â—…certaine of the same â—…inke on time so vainlie spent â—…ight make vs blush with shame 〈◊〉 sleepe let vs awake â—…d rise from sin at last 〈◊〉 time it is for to repent â—…r former follies past youth hath taken horsse â—…d posteth day by daie â—…ite and summon pale face death â—…th speed to come away â—…th is the true refuge â—…e onely perfect health dooth deserue to be embrast â—…fore all worldlie wealth â—…th is the thing most deare â—…e best thing to be had a thing that God hath giuen â—…herewith to make vs glad â—…an with his estate â—…ntented is we see 〈◊〉 those that lie asleepe in graue â—…ey well contented be graue is a strong fort â—…herein our selues we shut 〈◊〉 the assaults of yrkesome life â—…d broiles of Fortunes cut The dead we know doo rest as in a hauen of ease Where those that liue doe saile inâ—… of rough and raging seas Death is vnto the euill a whip of smarting paine And to the good a sweet reward of euerlasting gaine THe common custome is to flatter them that liue And of the dead reprochfull words and ill reports to giue But sure the fault is great to speake ill of the dead Who harme them not but quietlie doe rest within their bed As no man is so good but better might haue beene So no man liues that is so bad but worsser name might win For as there is some cause a man for to dispraise So in the same some vertue dwels that his renowme might raise And therefore of the dead I wish to speake the best And praise the vertues which they 〈◊〉 and let their vices rest â—…s our course direct â—…ile perfect mind we haue set our compasse toward Christ â—…o onely must vs saue â—…im from henceforth now â—…r onely studie be pleasant muse our cheese delight â—…r ioy and libertie â—…s not care at all â—…r worldlie matters vaine for the bodie so the soule â—…th Iesus Christ remaine â—…e soule and bodie both â—…ll at the iudgement daie â—…ed be and sentence heare â—…ich Christ himselfe shall say â—…h grant ô father deare 〈◊〉 Christ his sake thy sonne â—…e vnto our endlesse ioy life that is to come Amen FINIS The spiriâ—… God moâ—… on the waâ—… God saâ—â—â— the light 〈◊〉 goâ—… did câ—… the light daâ—… and the dâ—… night The light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beforâ—… the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moone waâ—… created The water in the clouds 〈◊〉 be waters of the sea riuers 〈◊〉 That is the region of the â—…yre and all â—…hat is about us 〈◊〉 God calleth â—…he dry land â—…he earth â—…he gathering â—…ogether of â—…aters called 〈◊〉 the seaâ—… The earth 〈◊〉 bâ—…d 〈◊〉 of God â—â—ght â—…orth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd hearb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forth â—…heir fruite 〈◊〉 in their â—…nd before 〈◊〉 moâ—…n 〈◊〉 starres 〈◊〉 created These lighâ—… were the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Both fisâ—… and foule 〈◊〉 beginâ—… wherin 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…fly the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…hat is God â—…ue them po â—…er to increse â—…n 8 12. The creâ—…tioÌ„ Adam in field of â—…asco 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 same he was â—…ught into â—…se sinned and the sam day after mid-day he was thrust outâ—… Method usb The propagation of maâ—… is the blessing of God Gen. 8. 20. 9. Gods great liberalitie to man taketh aâ—… waie al excuses of mans ingratitude That is the 〈◊〉 the moon â—…he stars â—…nets The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Goâ—… est shew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tra 〈◊〉 the sin Adâ—… the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…as the fulfil 〈◊〉 and perâ—…tion of all 〈◊〉 worâ—…â—…if God had 〈◊〉 ended his work in mercy the 7. day abated hâ—… hard iudgement against mankind for Adams sin his work haâ—… not bin complet ne perâ—… insomuch as the principâ—… creature for whoÌ„ he madâ—… all things wâ—… lost for wheâ—… the final caâ—… of any thinâ—… faileth the worke is not complete 〈◊〉 perfâ—…t
â—…nd seekest other waies these things for to obtaine 〈◊〉 fond and frantike is thy wit so feeble is thy braine Which way thou car'st not how rather than come to me Being the well and fountaine spring of all good things that be I also readie am on thee for to bestow Each good that is if thou but aske I must my kindnesse show Such is my loue to thee not changeable but sure I loued thee before thou wast which loue shall stil endure When thou a sinner wert and wickednesse didst vse To giue my bloud and life for thee the same did not refuse Thou art now iustifide by shedding of my bloud And reconciled by my death wherein thou art made good For I that knew not sin was yet made sinne for thee That thou mightst be the righteousneâ—… of th'onlie God in mee And I doe thee assure it did me greatlie please To beare thy sin and wickednes thy weakenes and disease â—…ou but trust in me â—…d stedfastlie beleeue â—…re shal no torment paine or smart â—…r any sinne thee greeue 〈◊〉 through my special grace â—…nd mercies great in store â—…omise thee I will henceforth â—…inke on thy sinne no more 〈◊〉 in the deepe alow â—…nd bottome of the Sea â—…ue all thine iniquities â—…or euer throwne awaie â—…y doost thou toile and moile â—…nd after shadowes run â—…d shun'st the waie that leads to me â—…hich am Gods onlie sonne 〈◊〉 the giuer sure â—…f true felicitie â—…d yet for it be very few â—…hat seeketh vnto me â—…utie allureth much â—…nd rauisheth the mind â—…d drawes vnto it flockes of men that louing seeme and kind â—…dlo behold and view nothing more faire to see â—…an I and yet not one there is will be in loue with me In honourable stiles doe many take delight And of ancient nobilitie doe claime descents by right And yet nothing there is of ancient high degree In title stile or chiefe descent that goeth before me For while I am the sonne of God most glorious And mother mine a virgine was and my name is Iesus Which name was giuen to me not vnaduisedly Nor at aduenture and by chance as names are commonly Nor was it giuen by man but by an angel sent To tell of my Natiuitie the purpose and intent And vnder heauen there is none other name but this Giuen vnto men their soules to saue from all their trespasses How hapneth it therefore that scarsely on the ground Can any one that willing is to ioyne with me be found â—…his societie â—…hich I so much desire 〈◊〉 not for me but for your good â—…hat I the same require 〈◊〉 the Monarch cheese of heauen of earth all â—…y then are you so loth and shamde to come when I you call â—…m most rich indeed and ready for to giue â—…th great and many benefites to all in saith that liue â—…reatly doe desire and very faine would haue â—…titions made that I might giue to such as on me craue â—…t now alas behold not one that vnderstands â—…ow for to aske nor come to me to craue ought at my hands â—…m the wisedome cal'd of God my father deare â—…nd so I am in very deed and yet for loue ne feare â—…ill any mortall wight vouchsafe to seeke me out â—…o aske me counsell of that thing whereof he is in doubt I am the brightnesse great of fathers glorie mine And of his heauenlie maiesty the image most diuine And yet no man thereby of what estate or gree The more to honour mooued is nor yet to reuerence me I am a pleasant friend a trustie friend also To him that willing is to be my friend and with me go I doe bestow my wealth my riches and my store On them I loue with willing mind what can be asked more And yet none goes about to enter in with me To this sweet amiable league of friendships high degree I am the only waie that vnto heauen doth lead And yet but very few there be that vse my pathes to tread Why doe the ignorant bâ—…tred people blind Not trust in me seeing I am the only truth to find 〈◊〉 then doost thou refuse â—…y promise to beleeue â—…e is so saithfull as I am â—…d none may more thee greeue 〈◊〉 sithe I am of life â—…e author and of breath â—…t meane you then by leauing me 〈◊〉 follow after death 〈◊〉 your only light 〈◊〉 darkenesse is in me 〈◊〉 yet will wilfull foolish men 〈◊〉 darkenesse rather be 〈◊〉 the perfect rule 〈◊〉 liuing righteouslie 〈◊〉 then doost thou seek other formes 〈◊〉 square thy life thereby â—…ely am alone â—…e pleasure sweet and true â—…hout all gall or bitternesse â—…iected yet of you 〈◊〉 the peace of mind â—…nd comforter likewise â—…ll afflicted consciences â—…hen stormie troubles rise â—…y then doe not these men â—…hat vexed be in mind â—…e vnto me for their releefe â—…hich they are sure to find If Lyons wilde and dumbe themselues can thankefull show To such as any benefite vpon them did bestow Or if the Dragons fierce haue gratefull learn'd to bee Or mastife curs their masters know and fawne when they him see If Eagles loue returne to such as keepe them well And Dolphins likewise kindnesse 〈◊〉 as you your selues can tell If other beastes likewise depri'ud of reasons sence Can to their benefactors vse both loue and reuerence Why wilt thou then ô Man thy selfe set forth to be More brutish than the sauage beastâ—… denying loue to me Seeing that to thy vse and onely for thy sake All things that be yea thou thy selfe of nothing did I make And with my precious bloud redeemed thee haue I From sin from death from hell pâ—… and that most willingly And if the oxe doth know his owner that him sed The asse likewise his maisters crib that standeth him in stead Why doost not thou vnkind and churlish man to mee Acknowledge me to be the same that hath redeemed thee am alone to thee all things that thou would haue And I alone will furnish thee with all things thou canst craue Why runnest thou about gadding from place to place To seeke elsewhere thy benesit distrusting of my grace Why busiest thou thy selfe in many needlesse waies And dost frequent the companie of skornefull wicked straies As I am mercifull so easie to intreat Thou wretched man seeke vnto me despaire not though I threat Yea sith I am the iust reuenger of thy sin Why therefore art thou not afraid me to offend therein I can euen with a becke cast downe thy soule to hell And yet my iudgements searest not nor all the thrents I tell Wherefore thou foolish man if thou so wilfull be Headlong to run vnto thy death by thy forsaking me Blame but thy selse therefore and blame not me at all For thou thy selfe the author art of thy decaie and fall For what can I doe more seeing th' excessiue loue That I thee bare with tender care can no whit thee remoue O flintie harted man with rockie stonie brest Which
HVNNIES RECREATIONS Conteining foure goâ—… lie and compendioâ—… 〈◊〉 courses 〈◊〉 Adams Banishment Christ his â—…râ—…b The lost Sheepe The complaint of old Age. Whereunto is newly adioyned these two notable and pithâ—… Treatises The Creation or first Weeke The life and death of Ioseph Compiled by William Hunnis one of the GentlemeÌ„ of hir Maiesties chappel and maister to the children of the same Printed by P. S. for W. Iaggard and are to be sold at his shoppe at the east end of S. Dunstons church 1595. The Muse to hir Author W WHy fearest thou this gift to giue though gift of gifts be small I If loue and zeale thy gift surmount No cause of feare at all 〈◊〉 Let loue with guist the triall make and so it shall appeare I If troth be foreman of the quest wiâ—… 〈◊〉 iâ—… passeth cleere A And wâ—…y to whom the gift is giuen such one as loue doth hold M More deere than gem of richest pricâ—… or wall of beaten gold H HVmble thy selfe in awfull sort and doubtlesse thou shalt find V Vnto thy choise a patron such to thy desired mind N Now fare thou well be of good cheere blush not ne be afraid N Nor care for frowne of frumping soâ—… remember what is said I It may so fall yer it be long I will be heere with speed S Such thing to bring as best shall fit thine humour for to feed â—…o the right Honourable sir Thomas Heneage knight one of â—…ir Maiesties priuy counsel Vizechamberlen to hir Highnesse and tresuror of hir Maiesties chamber prosperous health long life with much increase of honor Where spring is small great streams may not be â—…ail Yes as it is doe make the owner glad I one me compels a cup thereof to bring If honor please to tast of this poore spring And dip your â—…p a little in the sâ—…ne My ioy were great though boldnesse â—…ris blame Heere I present vnto your honors view â—…timely fruit as in my orchard grew No better choise therein that I could find Nor other thing that fitted to my mind 〈◊〉 better yeare some better fruit may grâ—…w â—…uch as shall be are yours my selfe also The Creation of the World How Heauen and earth the light and skie The Sun the Moone and starres so hie How beasts and fowles how Fish Man Created was of God and whan The worke of the first day HeÌ„ God which no beginning had the heauen earth gan frame â—…d void and emptie it beheld â—…ith darkenesse on the same â—…nd on the waters which he made â—…at then aloft did stand â—…d ouerwhelm'd the earth so farre â—…s yet appeard no land forth â—…en at his word there light came â—…iuided from the shade â—…d so the Euening and the morne â—…y him one daâ—… was made The worke of the second day THe firmament he framd and fiâ—… betweene the waters so As part aboue * the same did rest the other part * below And gaue a name therto and said it heauen * shall called be The euening and the morning ekâ—… the second day you see The worke of the third day THe third day at his holy hest the waters vnderneath Compelled were togither goe in one place of the earth And then the land appeared dry which * Earth was called tho And bad it should bring forth grâ—… ingendring seed to gro * hâ—… And fruitful trees of sundry sorâ—… that seed might still retaine And bring forth fruit ech after kiâ—… that on the earth remaine Thus eu'ry thing came so to passe as God before did say fruit The earth brought herb tree with that still engender may The worke of the fourth day ANd that there shuld a diâ—…'reÌ„ce be betweene the daies and nights God bad that in the firmament there should be placed * lights which shuld remain froÌ„ tim to time appointed signes to be â—…s day from day and yeare from year in order as we see The sun he made the day to rule the moone the night to guide â—…nd shining starres in heauen he set whose light doth aye abide The worke of the fift day THis mightie maker then gan say let waters now forth briâ—… â—…ch * creaturs as with life may 〈◊〉 and fowle to fly with wing Vpon the earth and in the face of heauen or starrie skie Strait way both fish foule was madâ—… in kind â—…o multiplie God* blessed both bad them grâ—… the fish the sea to fill And feathered foule vpon the earth their kind increasing still The worke of the Sixt Day Now let y e earth bring forth said Goâ—… each liuing thing by kind As cattel beasts worm that creepâ—… his power the same assign'd Thus wheÌ„ God saw his handy woâ—… was good and pleasd him well Let vs make man like vs said he the rest of all t'xcell To haue the rule of fish and soule of cattell and the earth And euery creeping thing on grouÌ„â—… that liues and draweth breath And in the image of himselfe did* God create 〈◊〉 â—…han Both male and female form'd he thâ—… but first he made the man And* blessed them the earth to fil their sex still to renew â—…nd gaue them power vpon the earth the same for to subdue 〈◊〉 And said behold I haue you* giueÌ„ of euery hearbe to eate â—…nd euery tree wherein is fruit likewise to be your meat 〈◊〉 Also to euerie beast on earth and euery bird that flies haue â—…nd creeping worme green herb shal to feed vpon likewise 〈◊〉 Al what he said so came to passe and he the same did see â—…ch kind of thing that he had made was good so for to be The hallowing of the sabboth day The fower flouds of Paradise gay How in the same man had his seate The tree forbidden him to eate How Adam named Creatures al How Eue was made that first did fall And how that mariage did begin Betweene them twaâ—…ne yer they did sin THus was the heauens y e earth y e seâ—… and creatures all therein In six daies made and in the seuenth did God our God begin To* rest from all his labours doneâ—… and sanctified the same To be a day of rest to man therein to praise his name God made 〈◊〉 plant in field y e groâ—… before 〈◊〉 it was And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…efore it grew 〈◊〉 â—…uery other grasse And â—…s before that any raine vpon the earth was found Or any man to haue in vse the tillage of the groud A mightie mist 〈◊〉 vp from off the eaâ—… 〈◊〉 Bewatered the 〈◊〉 the earth and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The man that of the earth was made a liuing soule became By breath of life that God did breath in nostrils of the man And from the first god planted had a garden faire to see Wherein he set this man he made the keeper for to be And froÌ„ y e earth god made to spring all fruitfull trees so plac't As both might well the eie delight and please the
truth and thou by fault shalt iudged be and tride Adam Adam hold vp thy hand this is thy iudgement day Adam O Lord vouchsafe to licence dust a little more to say â—…ehold how prostrate I doe lie before thy blessed face â—…ehold my fearefull quiuering hart most humbly crauing grace â—…ehold the sobs greeuous grones my inward soule doth make â—…nd let not perish thou hast made for thy great glories sake â—…f needs thou wilt thy iustice shew by iudgement to proceed â—…hen let the party made th' offence be punisht for the deed 〈◊〉 was not I the fruit first toucht nor pluckt it from the tree 〈◊〉 was the woman thou me gau'st my helper for to be â—…he pluckt it off and tasting it she gaue it me and said â—…ehold how faire and sweet it is to eate be not afraid â—…he first did eate and after I did eate thereof also â—…raue with all humilitie thou wilt no rigor show GOD. And wouldst thou now thy self exâ—… and put on hir the blame Whereas you both offenders be and guilty of the same When she a rib was in thy side I gaue the charge to thee And bad thee eate of euery fruit saue onely of that tree And now is she bone of thy bone and flesh of thine also Not fleshes twaine but both one flâ—… togither for to go So both are guiltie of the crime whereof thou art Accusde And ofspring yours shall in like foâ—… thereof not be excusde But woman why didst thou this dâ—… your selues with death to greeuâ—… WOMAN O Lord the serpent me deceiu'd whose wordes I did beleeue GOD. The Serpent â—…ursed THou subtill guilfull serpent thâ—… because thou thus hast don Thou art accurst aboue all beasts that in the fields doe won Vpon thy bellie thou shalt go and dust shall be thy meat And all the daies thou hast to liue no other thing shalt eat Twixt thee and hir of enmitie I will the seeds forth sowe As that betweene thy seed and hirs continuall strife shall grow The seed of hir shall crush thy head and tread in peeces small And thou shalt tread vpon his heele but not preuaile at all The Womans Iudgement BVt Woman vnto thee I say thy iudgement shall be this Because thou hast intised man by sinne to doe amisse Thy sorrowes vvill I multiplie when thou conceiued art â—…nd thou thy children shalt bring forth with dolor paine and smart â—…nd vnderneath thy husbands povver shalt alvvaies subiect be â—…nd he shall haue the charge and rule and gouernement of thee ADam Adam hold vp thy hand this iudgement shalt thou haue Because thou hast transgrest the law that I vnto thee gaue And bent thine eare vnto thy wife to harken what she said And tane and eaten of the fruit that I to thee denaid I cursse the ground euen for thy sake and cursed shall it be In sorrow shalt thou eate thereof while life is lent to thee Wild thorne also and thistleweed it shall bring sorth and yeeld And thou shalt feed vpon the fruit that groweth in the field With painefull trauel great and strong with sweat vpon thy face Thy bread shalt eate till thou returne to earth thy former place For of the earth and from the earth thou earth doost still remaine And from the earth vnto the earth thou earth shalt go againe TO thinke what pitious more they maâ—… what clamors and what cries Such time as God theÌ„ both draue foorth from heauenlie paradise What wringing hads what folding arms what teares from blubbering eies How oft they set them downe to weepe how oft againe they rise How oft their heauy heads they reare and faces to the skies How oft each other could embrace in lamentable guise How oft deepe sighes the hart seÌ„ds forth where all the sorrow lies Might vrge vs all from them that sprang to waile with them likewise Againe to thinke how euery beast and euery fowle withall Which heretofore obedient were and came at Adams call â—…oo now from Adams presence flie as fearefull of his sight â—…nd in the woods and desarts wilde doo take their whole delight â—…o thinke whereas he was before each thing did grow by kind â—…hich he as then might take at wil to pleasure of his mind â—…e tree of life to be his meat by death no time to fall And euery creature that was made to solace him withall How he likewise deuoid of shame might children there beget And woman to bring sorth the same without all greefe and let Must now with painfull trauell sore go dig and delue the earth Yer it can yeeld him any food wherewith to feed his breath To thinke how many hundred yeares his trauell did him greeue And how each day broght sorrowes 〈◊〉 the time he had to liue Might moue with ruth a marble mind it selfe to mollifie But euen to thinke or heare of this poore Adams tragedie Christ his Crib WHat fury haunteth vs that we so much delight To staÌ„d gaze on monumeÌ„ts of auncient former sight Of pleasure what find we in sumptuous buildings new â—…uch as our ancestors before the like nere saw nor knew â—…ehold the time is such vanitie beareth sway â—…nd fancie fond the wit doth rule till both come to decay â—…or euery priuate man a modull takes in hand â—…here wit and will and wealth do meet are many platformes scand â—…ome costly buildings reare and pull them downe againe â—…nd othersome altar and change as fansie feedes the braine â—…nd some foundation laies and yer the worke be done Doth take his leaue and goeth his waie and leaues it to his sonne The sonne doth much mislike the worke the father wrought And yer his fancie can be fed consumes himselfe to nought Of other some there be hauing of treasure store Which when a worke they finisht haue yet still deuiseth more What pleasure now haue such in lieu of cost and paine For only but to seed the eie is vanitie most vaine But if you faine would see a monument indeed Then goe with me and run apace the better shall we speed I will you shew a sight more worth to view and see Then all the buildings on the earth what euer so they be And such a sight it is as all the fathers old And ancestors before their time the like did nere behold And all that liue this day and on the earth remaine Nor any after age that comes shall see the same againe Behold loe here it is a Cabin poore God knowes Beerent and torne a rustie thing vnfurnished with showes Of outward sight to see a simple thatched cot Where â—…leet snow and raine driues in a ruynde place God wot And yet within the same a blessed babe doth lie Which yeeldeth sorth as insants doe many a tender crie This babe euen at whose becke the thunder makes to quake The earth beneath in trembling sort and lofty skie to shake Euen here this insant doth being a mightie prince And soueraigne ruler of the world
cannot be with loue reclaim'd nor mercies mine exprest Nor will perswaded be with such an hope assur'd Of heauenly ioyes and riches great ready for thee procur'd Nor can awaked be with promises diuine Not any whit be terrifide with seuere sentence mine Nor be admonished with any shame of sin But rather so egregiouslie perseuer stiii therein That thou doost sar surmount the sauage beasts in kind And doost possesse an yron hart more hard than steele to find What can pittie preuaile alas in such a place In such a peruerse froward hart becankred void of grace To saue one gainst his will and rid him from distresse Doth neither stand with wisdoms law nor yet with righteousnesse The complaint of Old-Age IN search of secret such as is beneath the sunne find Each thing by kind his course doth by natures skill to run We see the stricken deere hath caught a bleeding wound And yet by eating of an herbe becommeth whole and sound The hound a hurt receiues that greeueth him with paine By onely licking with his toong himselfe doth heale againe And if he sicklie be with inward greefe or sore He eateth grasse himselfe to purge which doth his health restore The merlings and wood doues the Partridges and Iayes Do purge their superfluitie with onely hearbe of Bayes The Pigeon and the Hen the Turtle Doue also Themselues doth cure with pellitor that on the wall doth grow The wild and sauage Bore by eating Cedria Do helpe themselues and so doe beares with hearbe Mandragora The lothsome Snake with age both feeble is blind Who slowlie slides from place to place some narrow straight to find Through which he straines himselfe thereby his skin to cast And so new health with strength sight he purchaseth at last The Lizard in his age doth change and cast his skin And sits ope eyed against the East the sun may enter in The heat whereof doth dry the humour of his eyes By which his sight againe he takes in corner where he lies The Eagle being weake much greeuous mone doth make Bicause his bill is growne so long he can no sust'nance take Yet nature hath him taught some rocke or stone to find Against the which his bill beats off and so gets health by kind When as the Pellican behols hir birds late slaine 〈◊〉 poison that the Serpent shed tormented is with paine â—…nd then doth with hir bill hir tender breast berent â—…nd so hir birds reuine againe by bloud vpon them sprent â—…he Lapwing being old to see nor flie she may â—…ntill hir birds such feathers plucke as causeth hir decaie â—…nd then with iuice of hearbs hir eies doe rid from paine â—…nd hide hir vnderneath their winges till she be whole againe â—…he Swallow in like sort perceiues hir yonglings eies â—…o be depriued of their sight foorth from the neast she flies â—…nd findeth out an hearbe that Celedoni hight â—…nd doth returne and with the same restores to them their sight â—…hus doe we see and know that nature beareth swaie 〈◊〉 creatures such as reason wants to helpe them what she may BVt now to you my friends that Physicke doe professe Which by your skill and learning greâ—… doe many greefes redresse And with the same we know you often bring to passe Sweet health againe for to restore where dangerous sicknesse was Ofhealth to write the praise I wish he could that can Health is one of the goodlyest giftes that God hath lent to man Health listeth vp the mind and makes the body light Health doth bedew the face with blouâ—… that fresh is to the sight Health makes the sinewes strong more trauell to endure And health vnto the man that 's wise great comfort doth procure What profit health doth bring to those that students be No toong can tel but such as sucke the Nectar from the tree By health the husbandman both tils and sowes the land Without the which no prince may say he able is to stand And euery man besides that liues in common wealth As some by skil and some by strength through power of noble health The same likewise supports in order as they ought And but for health all gouernments to ruine come and naught If health be done away then life is worse than death For death makes end of sorrowes all by stopping of the breath Of earthly treasures all health is to be preferd Before all thinges that eie hath seene or eare hath euer heard A Question would I aske thereby not to offend What is the cause that physicks art cannot old age defend By cunning and by skill great cures ye doo each day But age will not remoued be nor yet kept at a stay No physicks art ne drug nor potion can ye make Can force old age for to exchange the place that he doth take Age stealeth on vs so yer ye can doo vs good That suddenly it quailes the strength and dooth forestall the blood Whereby the humour fresh is brought vnto decay And gallant vigor of the mind is forst to flie awaie And looke what lustie age in yoonger yeares brought forth The same old age hath cleane defac't and made it nothing worth A thousand maladies vpon old age depend Which peecemeale wise away do pluckâ—… what fragrant youth did send Beautie is worne awaie fresh bloud is turn'd to blacke Wit is made dull the memorie lost and liuelinesse dooth lacke Age makes our sleepes vnsure our eiesight for to faile Our courage and actiuitie our strength and all to quaile The vitall heat is cold delights are driuen to shore Nourishing iuice and breathing sweet are gone for euermore All merriments and sports conceits else what ye will â—…nd to be short man from himselfe age takes and wasteth still â—…ge leaueth vnto man only of man the name â—…r what man was in times forepast now nothing like the same â—…en tell me this I pray whether it may be cald â—…ld age or rather liuing death that thus mans life hath thrald O Who is he can tell the thing that dealeth thus â—…at with such posting speed can steale our chiefest time from vs â—…d that so hastilie can taint our golden yeares â—…ith groning greefes and great annoy prouoking bitter teares â—…hat dealing may this be it is vnegall sure â—…at flouring age so so one should end no longer to endure â—…d that before we know the goodnes of the thing â—…ey ready are vs to forsake by flight of speedy wing And sooner than we knew or felt the life we craue We are forbidden by and by a longer life to haue Yet beasts of sundry kindes and fowles aloft that flie Aboue two hundred yeares doe liue before that they doo die The stag the bucke the Rauen the Elephant also So long doe liue in lustie plight and healthfullie doe shew But man alas poore man before that he may clime To fifty yeares his bodily strength doth very much decline And if that he may reach to threescore yeares or more His waining wit and
memorie is weaker than before The Thebans held a law who threescore yeares did liue If after that he then fell sicke none might him physicke giue That age obtainde say they himselfe ought not to bend Longer to liue but hasten forth vnto his iournies end Experience dooth confirme and proueth this too true That lately such as lustie were in valor strength and hue Are now through age become all crooked to behold Their heads with white bespeckled are their heat is turnde to cold The frost their beards hath caught which maketh them to thinke How that the spring of their greene age is past and still doth shrinke OFlitting youth adieu age makes all things decline O too too short a fading floure of transitorie time Which by no waie nor art can be repair'd againe The winter cold the heat hath nipt and ransackt euerie vaine O greene and sprouting yeares ô gallant youth that 's past What sweet and pleasant merry daies were spent while you did last O happy time of life how slily doth it passe And steales away making exchange for purest gold but brasse How closely is it gone and not perceiu'd at all And glides away as doe the streames which downe a riuer fall More swift it may be said than emptie clouds that flie By force of winds that tosse them rounâ—… in compasse of the skie Like dreames that passe awaie within our sleepes we see When we awake nothing there is of that we dreamt to bee The sweet and fragrant rose now delicate in sight Within short time all withered is and turnd as daie to night And so likewise of man from child to man doth grow From man againe a childe becoms old age will haue it so WHile that the little boy with top and scurge gan plaieâ—… And while the stripling goes to schoolâ—… his grammer part to say While those of further yeares phylosophie doe read And cull the bloomes of Rhetorike and figures finely spread While they themselues delight 〈◊〉 in poets fables vaine â—…nd while they range in arguments 〈◊〉 which Logicke can maintaine â—…hile they the time imploie 〈◊〉 to publish matters small â—…hough of no weight by eloquence 〈◊〉 to shew their skill withall â—…hile like the bee they skip 〈◊〉 from bloome to blossome blowne â—…nd for their purpose sucke the fruit 〈◊〉 by sundrie authors sowne â—…hile they disposed so 〈◊〉 by studie to attaine â—…e knowledge of the liberall arts 〈◊〉 no labor doe refraine â—…d while that without end 〈◊〉 their troubled braines they beat 〈◊〉 find out euerie facultie 〈◊〉 grafted in science seat â—…ile they the Greeke translate 〈◊〉 in Latine for to goe â—…d Latine into Greeke likewise 〈◊〉 their cunning forth to shew â—…ile forren toongs they seeke 〈◊〉 their knowledge to maintaine â—…d feare not to transfret the seas 〈◊〉 and Alpes to clime with paine â—…ile they themselues acquaint with countries that be strange With forreÌ„ courts with things vnknâ—… and other things of change While they thus busie be stifle age comes stealing in And laies his crutch vpon their bacâ—… and dooth the maistrie win So much that they be driuen to maruell and to muse How that their strength so suddenly should them faile or refuse And though the same they feele yet not perswaded are That lustie gallant youth of theirs should be remoou'd so far ALas why should we then so carefullie appeare As to consume our golden age with search of trifles here As pearles and gems of price of gold and siluer pure Of scarlet silke and cloth of gold which may not long endure And wast fully consume and wilfully to spend Our golden yeares in vanities and all to no good end Againe if that those things which transitorie be â—…re lost or stolne or burnt with fire there is a meane we see â—…e same may be in time recouered againe â—…hou as poore as Codrus were â—…or Irus did remaine â—…t hope to be as rich â—…as Crassus heretofore 〈◊〉 that thy substance and thy wealth may match with Croesus store â—…t as for creeping age when Clotho hath begun â—…on hir clew thy thred to wind that Lachesis had spun â—…n neuer be reuok't againe to be vntwinde â—…no inchantment charme or force that wit of man can finde NOt Circes with hir charme nor Mercurie with his rod â—…or yet Medea with hir drugs can stay this worke of God Iupiter himselfe thy bellie full would fill â—…ith Nectar and Ambrosia which some of learned skil â—…aue writ that by such things youth still they might maintaine And banish old age in exile for euer to remaine No no it will not be though that Aurora faire Would day by daie thy bodie bath with deaw of heauenly aire No though ten thousand times sweet Venus for to please Thou paine thy selfe as Phao did to ferry Chyos seas No though Chiron himselfe should vnto thee applie All soueraigne hearbs that spring or 〈◊〉 on earth beneath the skie Nothing there is can stop the course of yeares that slide Nor keepe them from our weary backe but must the same abide In deed of tales we read and fables haue beene told How Orpheus and Amphion with other poets old Haue by their magicke art made riuers still to staie And to returne vnto those springs backeward another waie Diana stopt hir coach Phoebus his steeds so staid â—…ade his chariot still to stand 〈◊〉 listen what they said 〈◊〉 let these idle tales 〈◊〉 thought vpon no more wroght â—…f they could such things haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is said before 〈◊〉 might they bring â—…e age thou once possest keepe thee in the age thou art â—…ile life is in thy breast 〈◊〉 yet the sunne goes downe â—…d takes his beames awaie doth arise most gloriouslie â—…e next insuing day moone a waining hath â—…t afterward a change 〈◊〉 doth receiue hir former light â—…d reuolution strange â—…er growes yong againe 〈◊〉 frostie cold once spent â—…er turn'd into a spring â—…at doth vs well content yet the state of age â—…at flits awaie so fast 〈◊〉 when the summer time thereof 〈◊〉 once consum'd and past 〈◊〉 that the winter sharpe â—…th horie frost and cold 〈◊〉 the head and withered face with snow hath taken hold No hope is then at all for any spring to crie Nor yet for any Ver to come where root and stocke is drie THere resteth now but this of remedies the best Which is that death those euils shalâ—… and set the soule at rest We learne for to be wise too late when youth is gone And doe begin to muse thereof when remedie is none We then bewaile our life in vanitie mispent And doo detest those wilfull waies we did in youth frequent We curse that now in age which youth delighted in And that which then most sweet didâ—… is now most bitter sin The thoughts thereof torment our guiltie conscience sore With greefe and paine we doe lamenâ—… our youth abusde before And to our selues gan saie what treasure haue we spilt And reapt thereby vnto our selues 〈◊〉 sorrow death