lette not these thynges departe at no tyme from thyne eyes But kepe my lawe and counsels all by the in any wyse So shall it be eternall lyfe the soule for to embrace Thy mouthe shall be replenished wyth vertue and wyth grace Then shalte thou be rightâ— sure to walke ful boldely in the waye Thy feete shall neuer slyppe from the by nyght nor yet by daye If thou dost stepe at any tyme thou nedst not be afrayed But swetely stepe and take thy reste for god wyl be thyne ayde And thoughe that the vngodly me rushe in with vyolence Thou shalt not be afrayed at all for god is thy defence The lord wil staÌ„d fast by thy syde and helpe the at thy nede And kepe the safe and suffer not thyne enemies to procede And such as woulde to other men do good wyth all their herte And haue therto sufficient to let is not thy part And if thy selfe thou able be thy neyghboure to releue Helpe him with such as y u maist spare and gladly to hym gyue Refuse not to do good to them to whome it doth belonge â—â—â—yle that thy ryght hand able is to do it them amonge And if thy frend do aske of the say not gette thou thy waye To morrowe come agayne to me or els some other daye And then I will gyue the y u sayste where as thou mayst it nowe Even out of hande and if thou wylte thys god doth not alowe InteÌ„d not to thy neyghbours hurt where he no harme hath ment And wher to liue in rest and peace he settes his whole entente Striue not my sonne w e any maÌ„â— where as he doth no woo Nor folowe thou the vniust man but hye the fast him froo For whye the way of scorners all the Lorde doth cleane deteste And for to talke wyth symple men the Lorde is pleased beste Create scarcitye the lord doth seâ—â—â— wher wycked men abyde But he doth blesse the godly men and shall for them prouide The lord shall laugh at skornefull men and meeke them to their face But to the lowly he wyll gyue hys goodnes and hys grace The wyse wyth their possessyons in honoure shall remayne But shame is the promocion that folyshe men obtayne Argumen Cha. iiii Howe sagely and howe fatherly he doth vs here aduise That we from euil our hertes refraine and study to be wise YE children heare your father noâ— how he doth you exhort Take hede y t you do wisdomâ— lernâ— which shalbe your confort And I wyl gyue you good reward and therwythe wyl you fyll If you wyll not forsake my lawe but study therein styll For when I was the onelye sonne of both my parentes dere And tenderly beloued was of father and mothere Then he taught me full louyngely and vnto me dyd preache And thus he sayde full oftentymes as I wyll you nowe teache Se that thou dost receiue sayd he my wordes into thy breste And kepe theÌ„ wel so shalt thou lyue in perfite ioie and reste In vnderstadynge busilye apply thy selfe alwaye Let not the same depart from the by nyght nor yet by daye And wysedome neuer suffer thou from the for to digresse If thou loue hyr she shall preserue and kepe the from distresse The chiefest point of wysedome is that thou do take in hande Before al goodes wysdome to gette and learne to vnderstande Make much of hyr she shall the promote to power and might And if thou hyr embrace she shall to honour brynge the ryght For she wyl make thyne head truly both good and gracious And w e a crowne shall garnysh it that is full glorious My son therefore embrace w t spede the wordes I say to the So that thy yeares in ioye and peace on earth prolonged be The wayes of wysedome vnto the I shall make fayre and playne And in the pathes of equitye shall leaue the to remayne So that thou mayste walke wel in them haue none hinderaunce And when y u runst thou shalt not fal nor haue an euyl chaunce Of wisedome theÌ„ sure hold take y u and do not lette hyr god In kepynge hyr thou shalt surely defended be from woo And in the path come not my son of the vngodly trayne Nor walke thou in the wycked waye of them whose lyfe is vayne FroÌ„ the yll trade of naughty men departe thou cleane asyde And se that thou go farre from them and kepe the styll awyde They can not steepe tyll they have done some harme or els mischefe Nor take their reaste tyll they have wrought to some maÌ„ wo or griefe For they do eate the bytter breade of wyllfull wyckednes And drynke the wine of coÌ„men spoyle and all vngodlines The pleasauÌ„t pathes of godly meÌ„ appeare bothe lyght and gaye And to al men more bryght do shyne then doth the lyghtsome daye But the yll waye of wycked men to darckenes is comparde Wherin men fall or they beware or els do scape ful harde My sonne marke well my wordes thâ—â—â—â—e that I do to the tel And to the same thyne eares enclyne and vnderstande them well And se that froÌ„ thy faythful minde thou letst them not departe But kepe them styl ful stedfastly in the mydst of the herte For they are lyfe vnto al those that chaunceth them to fynde And health of body eto al suche as beare them in theyr mynde My son also kepe well thyne herte for therin resteth lyfe And put from the a frowarde mouth and lyppes that causen stryfe And let thine eyes w t diligence behold that which is ryght And eke thyne eye lyddes loke before directly in the lyght Marcke well thy pathes lest y t thy fete happe sodainly to slyde So shall thy gate be sure inoughe whether thou go or ryde Turne not asyde on the left hande For yet vnto the righte But kepe away from wyckednes thy fete wyth all thy myght The perfite pathes the Lord doth knowe that lede the way of lyght The wycked wayes the lord also considereth aryght But such as walke in godlines the lorde wyll kepe and saue And all theyr iourneys prosperre so that they none harme shall haue Argumen Cha. v. All harlottes â—e thine honour saue thy peâ—es spende not in vaine Of thine owne fâ—oure enioy the fruite straunge loue also refraine Mi son giue eare that with spede my wisdome folow y u With good preteÌ„ce to wisedoms scole thine eares se that y u bow So that thou dost regard alwaye my ryght and good counsell And y u thy lyppes may nurtour kepe lyke wyse in speakynge well The flattrynge lyppes of wyckâ—â—â— horeâ—â— may well compared be To hony combes whych do distyll as we do often see Whole wordes appeare vnto thine eares as smoth as any oyle But y u art lyke w tout good hede to take the shame and foyle An in the ende the pleasure paste assured mayste thou be The bitter taste of wormewood shall more pleasaunt seme to the. And so likewise more
paste whych now are out of mynde To be renued in our dayes the lorde hath so assinde Lo thus this carefull scourge doth steale on vs vnware Whiche when the fleshe hathe cleane forgote he doth againe repaire When I in thys vayne searche had wandred fro my witte Beholde I sawe a royall throne where iustice shoulde haue sytte In stede of whom I sawe with fierce and cruel mode Wher wrong was set that cruel beast and dranke the gyltles bloude Then thought I thus the day the lorde shall syt in dome To vewe hâ—◠〈◊〉 chuse the pure the spotted haue no rome Yet by suche scourges sent that eche agreued mynde Lyke brute beastes that in their rage and fury by their kinde His erroure may confesse when he hath wresteled long And with suffraunce maye him arme the sure defence of wronge For death that of the beste the carren doth deuoure Unto the noble kynde of man preseÌ„ce the fatall houre The perfecte fourine that god hath geuen either to man Or other beast dissolue it shall to earth where he began And who can tell if that the soule of man assende Or wyth the body of it dye and to the groude descende Wherfore ech gready herte that ryches â—â—kes to gayne Gather may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that springet 〈◊〉 his payne A â—â—cane conuenient wealth I meane to take in worthe And wyth an hande of largest in measure poure it forthe For treasure spent in lyfe the body doth susteyne The heyre shal wast the hoorded gold amased with muche payne Ne may foresyght of man suche ordre gyue in life For to foreknowe who shall enioye theyr gotten goodes wyth stryfe Domine deus salutis uicae O Lorde vpon whose wyll dependeth my welfare To call vpon thy holy name sins day nor night I spare Graunte that the iuste requeste of thys repentaunt mynd So perce thyne eares y e in thy sighte some 〈…〉 fynd My soule 〈…〉 full with griefe 〈◊〉 paste My restles bâ—dye doth consume and death approcheth faste Lyke them whose fatall threde thine hand hath cutte in twayne Of whom there is no farther bruite whyche in theyr graues remaine Oh lorde thou haste me caste headlonge to please my foo Into a pytte all bottomeles wher as I playne my woo The burden of thy wrathe it doth me sore oppresse And sondry stormes thou hast me seÌ„t of terrour and distresse The faythful frendes are fledde and banished from my syght And suche as I haue helde ful deare hath set my frendshyp lyght My duraunce doth perswade of fredome suche dispaire That by the teares y t bayne my brest myne eye lyght doth â—ppayre Yet dyd I neuâ—â— care thyne ayde for desyre With humble hert stretched haÌ„des for to appeare thyne ire Wherfore dost thou forbeare in the defence of thyne To shewe suche tokens of thy power in syght of Adams lyne Wherby eche feble hert with fayth myght be so fedde That in the mouth of thine elect thy mercies might be spredde The fleshe that fedeth wormes can not thy loue declare Nor such set forth thy faieth as dwel in the lande of dispayre In blynde endured hertes lyght of thy lyuely name Can not appeare ne caÌ„ not iudge the bryghtnes of the same Nor blasted may thy name be by the mouthe of those whom death hathe shitte in silence so as they 〈…〉 The lyuely 〈…〉 that in thys worlde delyght Nor be the trumpe y t muste resownd the glory of thy might Wherfore I shall not cease in chiefe of my distresse To calâ—on the tyl that the slepe my wery bones oppresse And in the morning eke when that the slepe is fledde With flouddes of salte repentaunte teares to washe my restles bedde Wyth in thys careful mynde burdened wyth care and grefe Why dost thou lorde appaese that shoulde be hys relefe My wretched state beholde whoÌ„ death shall strayghte assayle Cast not from the thaflicted styll that neuer dyd but wayle The breade lo of thyne ire hath trode me vnder feete The scourges of thyne angry hande hath made death seme full swete Lyke as the roringe waues the sonken shyppe surrounde Greate heapes of care dyd folow me And I no succoure founde For they whom no mischaunce coulde from my loue deuide Are forced to my greater grefe frome me theyr face to hyde Inte domine sperauf In the lorde haue I hoped let me not fele the blame At any time I the beseche of disapoynted shame But me defende and kepe deliuer as I truste Now throughe thy mighte w eout the which there may no man be iust Geue eare and rydde me sone my fortresse before me In whose defence thou shalt me saue if I defended be For thou are wont to be myne holde and my succour And for my 〈◊〉 be thou both my guyde and 〈◊〉 fortour Thou shalt vntangle me from snares that they have hydde To take me with for wythout the my selfe I can not rydde Into thy cure I shall betake my simple sprite Thou hast and shalt deliuer me most iust in thy behyght Alowed I haue not them that fettes their endes in vayne Mine onely hope bothe all and some in the doth sure remaine Let me oh lorde enioye thy mercies oft assayde By troubles for thou didest regard wherin my life was stayed And hast not suffred me with enmyes power be paynde But rather hast thou set at large my steppes that were restraynde Rewe oâ—â—ne now oh good lord at handâ— my daâ—â—nâ—â—r loo Mine eye my life 〈◊〉 my fleshe alas doth freâ—â— for woo Moste of my dayes and yeres in troubles wasted are My strength decaieth my bones do quaile such mischefe me doth marre Dreade of my many foes hath made my frendes to swarue And they me abhorre wythout cause of whom I good deserue I am cast as forgote as dede in death doth steruâ— As a brokeÌ„ potte of whoÌ„ the shardes for nothing more can serue I hearde the assembles saye and threaten woo and stryfe As thoughe it semde by one consente I were not worthy life But I oh lorde in the settynge my sure beliefe Dâ— knowe thou art what me befall my god and hole reliefe My â—â—me is in 〈…〉 shal ensue Deliv◠〈…〉 ntes power which doth my lyfe pursue Shewe yet thy frendly chere vnto thy simple slaue Accordynge to thy natyue ruthe thou me defende and saue Imputed for no mocke lorde let it be to me That in my neede myne onely healpe I seke onely at the. The wicked hath the mocke and holde theyr peace in hel Buried mought althey be now of further helpe that tell And let that mouth be dombe that wountes his lyppes to lyes Speakynge slaunders of the iust maÌ„ wyth proude disdainefull cryes What plenty and what wealth hast thou layd vp for those That honour the that hope in the for whom thou dost disclose All openly at eye 〈◊〉 full many a no 〈◊〉 That Adams line 〈◊〉 much and lerne â—hreâ—r to drede Thou dost bestowe them ryght afore thy looke and face
Whych is debarde from wycked meÌ„ they may not haue that grace Where thou dost them defend from threates of mighty power FroÌ„ venim tonges thou dost theÌ„ hyde within thy pleasaunt bower Farre aboue all landes thy mercies I have founde And wondrous worckes in my defeÌ„ce as citye walled rounde I haue thought me or thys farre caste out of thy syght But yet euen then thou heardeste my voyce my prayer day and night Love ye therfore the Lorde hys goodnes whych do taste The symple for he doth defend rewardes the proude as fast Be of good cheare all ye that hope of 〈◊〉 good turne For he wil 〈◊〉 stil your hertes that trust in his returne Miserere mei deus For thy greate mercies sake haue mercy lorde on me For thy goodnes do cleane away my greate impuritie My misdeades put away and eftsoneâ— make me cleane From synne and all impuritie the for to serue agayne For nowe I do confesse my faultes done vnto the And myne offence is neuer froÌ„ the presence of myne eye To the euen I to the have done thys fore offence And this misedede I shew my fault not ferynge thy presence But if thou wylt vouchsafe of thys me now to ease And geue thy worde to me I shal not the displease Then named shalt thou be a god both iusâ—â—â—â—â— true Most constaunte 〈◊〉 promises not chaunging them a 〈◊〉 Yea then I say thou shalt be counted iuste in dede Condemning them that wil not turne and call for helpe at nede All thynge is knowen to the and nothyng from the hydde Even how of synne I hadde no lacke when I was conceyued For why to it also my mother was in thrall And when that I conceyued was by hyr I hadde my fall And though it were not small which by hyr then I hadde Yet in the trouth is thy delight whyche wisedome make me glade If thou oh lord wylt clense and purge me fro my sinne With I sope washte I shal be cleane a newe life to begynne If thou wilte putte awaye my synne and me rencâ—â—e Then shal I be that was once blake as wâ—yte as is the knewe When thou shalt me reioyce and drawe to mirth agayne Then wyl my bones be voyde of wo which thou somtimes didst paine Thy face for thy names sake do turne from mine offence And for thy mercyes greate I craue preserue me now from thence Oh Lorde make cleane myne herte that I in me reserue And y t thy sprite wythin my brest alway may me preserue For thy benignitie forsake me not or lorde He take away thy blessed spirite lest that I be abhorde But rather graunt to me â—â—e confort of thy hande Arâ— wyth thy sprite as principal 〈◊〉 me to wythstand If that thou wylt thys graunte then inâ—ers shall I tell Their life how that they shal appoint in ioye 〈…〉 o well And those that ouerthrowen and thral to sinne be made They shall repent and turne agayne by seynge of my trade Oh aucthour of myne health from murder make me free Thy rightuousnes mi mouth shal tel and praise it certaynly Release my tonge oh Lorde wherof thou hast the cure That then it may declare abrode thy prayse and eke thy power If that I shoulde applye in presence for to brynge The outward sacrifice oh lord it woulde please the nothynge He yet wylt thou regard as thoughe thou hadst respecte The offeryng y e the heate doth 〈◊〉 whych we to the direct The sacrifice wherwyth the lorde is pleased son It is the sprite 〈◊〉 peniâ—â—nt that 〈…〉 none It is the herte of trouthe with dolour stroken sore Thou canste not Lorde despise these twayne no not for euermore To Sion lorde alwayes declare thy gentlenes Ierusalem the walles therof againe may haue redresse The sacrifices then shalbe pleasaunte to the Whych shall declare as tokens true our inwarde puritie I meane the purged offeryng and eke oblation On aulters wheÌ„ we calues shal laye thy name to call vpon Againste nigardy and riches No wyght in thys worlde that wealth can attaine Unlesse he beleue that all is but vayne And loke howe it commeth so leue it to god As tydes vse theyr tymes to ebbe and to floo Thys mucke on the molde that men so desyre Doth worcke them much woo and moue them to ire With griefe it is gote with care it is kepte Wyth sorowe sone loste that longe hath bene repte And wo worth the man that fyrste dolue the molde To fynde out the myne of syluer or golde For when it laye hydde and to vs vnknowen Of stryfe and debate the seede was not sowen Then lyued men well and held them content Wyth meate drinke and cloth wythout any rent Their houses buâ—â—â—ore to 〈…〉 selues in For casâ—eâ—s and toures were then to begyn No towne had his wall they feared no warre Nor enemyes hoste to seke them affare So ledde they their lyues in quiet and reste Tyll hoorde began hate from east vnto weste And golde for to growe a lorde of greate price Whych chaunged the world from vertue to vyce And turned all thynge so farre from his kynde That howe it should be is â—orne out of mynde For 〈◊〉 beare nowe the 〈◊〉 and the brute And onely â—he cause of all our pursuite Whych maketh amonge vs suche 〈…〉 And shall tyl we seke the ryght way agayne When mariage was made for vertue and loue Then was no diuorce goddes knotte to remoue When iudges would suffer no brybbes in their syght Their iudgementes were then accordynge to ryght When prelates had not possessions nor rent They preached the trouthe and truly they went When men dyd not flatter for fauoure nor mede Then kynges herde the trouth and howe the worlde yede And men vnto honour throughe vertue did rise But all thys is 〈◊〉 〈…〉 aâ—y myâ—â—â— For mony 〈◊〉 all and 〈◊〉 a god 〈…〉 â—ot to be for Châ—â—â—â—â—â—bode And bade thâ—â—â—â— should take nothyng in hande But for the lordes loue and wealth of the lande And willes vs full oft that we should refrayne From wrestyng hys wyll to make our owne gayne For couetous folke of euery estate As hardly shall enter wythin heaven gate As thorowe a nedles eye a camell to crepe Why do these mad men then hoorde vp and kepe Yea more then may serue theâ— selues to suffyce As though â—â—fite blysse shoulde that waye aryâ— But if they woulde 〈◊〉 to synke in their brâ—â—â— What trouble of mynde what vnquiet reste What mischiefe what hate thys money doth brynge They woulde not so toyle for so vile a thynge For they that haue muche are euer in care Whyche way to wynne and how for to space Their slepes be vnsound for feare of the thiefe The losse of a lyttle doth worke them much griefe In sekynge their lacke they want that they haue And subiecte to that which should be their slaue They neuer do knowe whyle ryches do raygne A frende of effeâ—◠〈…〉 that doth fame For flatterers sake where 〈◊〉 doth dwell And 〈◊〉 at the loureth they bide them farewell The poore doâ—â— them curse as oft as they want In hauynge so muche to make it so skante Theyr children sometyme do wyshe them in graue That they myght possesse that ryches they haue And that whyche they wynne wyth trauaile and strife Oft tymes as we see doth cost them theyr lyfe Lo these be the fruites that ryches brynge forth Wyth many other moo which be no more worth For money is cause oâ—â—â—â—ther and thefâ— Of battell of bloddesheddâ— whych should god weâ—â—â—â—â— Of rauyne of wrotâ—â—â— of false wytness 〈…〉 Of treason conspired 〈◊〉 and eke of forwâ—â—â—â—nge And for to be shorte and knytte vp the knotte Fewe mischefes at al that money makes not But though it be ill when it is abused Yet neuertheles it may be well vsed Nor I do not fynde that men be denide For sufficient thynges them selves to prouide Accordynge as god hath put them in place To have and to holde a tyme and a space So it be wel wonne and after well spente For it is not thâ—â—â—s 〈◊〉 that â—ntent And 〈…〉 〈…〉 skyll 〈…〉 meâ—e to vse at 〈◊〉 wyll As priestes shoulde not take promotions in hande To lyue at theyr case lyke lordes of the lande But onely to fede gods flocke with the trouthe To preache and to teache wythout any slouthe Nor folkes shoulde not nede greate ryches to wynne But gladely to lyue and for to flee synne Hys will for to worcke that is theyr soules health And then may they thynke they lyue in much wealthe For in this vaine worlde 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 in nothyng but 〈◊〉 mischiefâ— and synne Temptation vntrouâ—â—â— contention and 〈◊〉 Then lette vs not 〈◊〉 by so vile a lyfe 〈◊〉 But lyfte vp oure 〈◊〉 and loke throughe our fayth Beholdynge his mercies that many tymes sayth The iuste men shall lyue by their good beleife And shall haue a place where can be no griefe
me also all Magistrates the people kepe in awe And iudges geue their sentences according to the lawe And suche as do vnfaynedly loue me I loue agayne And wheÌ„ they cal great haste I make to ridde them out of payne All wordly goodes be geuen to me to do with them my will And I have power whom that I liste with ioye on earth to fill And I likewise of heauenly giftes haue plentie and great store With me dothe grace celestiall remaine for euermore No treasure in the worlde so voyde comparde may iustely be Unto the fruite and perfecte welthe whiche do procede from me The tried golde and siluer fyne whiche dothe on earth remaine And stones of price vnto the same may well be compted vaine And in the wayes of righteousnes to walke is my delight And in the place where iudges do accordyng vnto right I do also the godly men throughe mercye to me call And plentuously do them enriche with grace celestiall With god I haue bene hetherto and was eternally Before the earthe was created my father stode I bye I was begotte longe tyme before the waters dyd surrownde The earth or that the myghty hylles were setled on the grounde I was lykewyse before the flouddes had made them selues away Or that the earth or lyttle hylles were brought vnto theyr staye And when y t god y e heaueÌ„s dyd make I was euen then at hande And wheÌ„ the depes he dyd commauÌ„d not to surround the lande And when also the fyrmament he made as we nowe see And running sprynges of water pure commaunded for to be And when that he vnto the seas assygned a certayne place And willd the flouddes not to excede theyr bondes in anye case And when likewise the earth he made immoueable to stande I was wyth hym and to eche thynge dyd put myne helpinge hande I dyd reioyce and daye by day I dyd delyght in men Greate pleasure eke I had to be in company of them Wherefore my sonnes enclyne youre hertes and herken vnto me Moste bleste he is that in my wayes delyteth for to be And doth the same kepe fayethfully as I to hym haue taught And spedlye maketh haste to voyde the thynge whych semeth naughte Geue eare geue eare I say mi sonnes and learne for to be wyse He is a fole and wycked man that doth the same despise And happye is the man that doth heare me wyth good intent And he also whose watchfull eyes on me are alwayes bente For he that hath obtayned me of perfite blysse is sure And God to hym the lyfe wyll gyue that euer shall endure And who that doth agaynst me synne doth bryng his soule to care Mine enemies shal of dredeful death be wrapped in the snare Argumen Cha. ix From sinfulnes the sonne of god dothe call bothe younge and olde And sheweth plaine the wyckednes of haâ—lottes proude and bolde The wisdome high of god aboue equall with him in might Whiche from the first beginning was from heauen descended right And here on earthe the shape of man disdained not to take Whiche being done vnto hym selfe a princely house dyd make Wherin wer wrought of marble fyne pillers bothe large and wyde The same therby that he might cause for euer to abyde And then anone great quantitie of vitailes did he staye With wholsome metes pure good wyne his table dyd he laye And theÌ„ sent fourth his handmaides all and gaue them to their charge To bidde all men vnto his house whiche was so fayre and large And saide also full louingly yf any fole there be Let him resorte vnto myne house and come streight vnto me To synneful men he spake likewise resorte to me with spede And of my breade eate you your fill prepared for your nede And drinke the wyne before you sitte and leave your ignoraunce Walke in the trace emong the good where wisdome ledeth the daunce If than thou doest the skornefull maÌ„ admonishe to repent Thou doest nothing but work i vain for he wil not relent He yet amende his wicked life whereby he doth prouoke The iuste and euerlasting god to plage him with his stroke And in the same iniuriouse vnto thy selfe thou arte And wynneth hate for thy good wyl he setteth not a farte But if thou doste yea bytterlye rebuke hym that is wyse He wyll the loue and at no tyme thy good counsel despise The wyse man dothe aduertismente alwaye turne to the beste And by the same more ready is all vice for to deteste For who so doth the rightuous teach of this thynge may be sure He will make haste lerning to winne and therin wyll endure The feare of God the fyrste poynt is hys wysedome to obtayne Of wysedome he shall neuer mysse in whom goddes feare doth rayne To suche wyl god send ioyful dayes and wyll theyr yeres encrease And all theyr good wyll multyplye that they maye lyue in peace The wyseman doth all yll escape and nothinge doth he lacke The skornyng men great synne doth beare vpon hys wofull backe Of pratynge whores and impudent it is the mounted guyse Wyth flattryng wordes and whorish trickes to tyce in the vnwise A shameles whore of godlines doth knowe nothinge at all In open streates shee sytteth downe that men she may there call As they do passe from place to place their busines to do If anye man do want hys wytte let hym go hyr vnto To whom she wyll not stycke to say and boldely to hym tell The water that by stealthe is gotte all other dothe excell And so lykewyse the stollen breade although the same be sowre Muche sweater is then other breade at large while men deuoure But in thyne harte my louyng sone print this my saying well Whoso by her is ouercome descendeth vnto hell And who that doth contrary wise her wicked waye denye Unto his soule winth quietnes and saued shalbe thereby Argument Chap. x. The wise man with the folyshe man is here compared playne The feare of god commended is and liuing gotte with payne The wise sonne doth his father fill with gladnes and with ioye But the vnwise with sorow dothe his mother hurte and noye And treasure gotten wickedly shall profite thee nothyng But wisedome shall deliuer thee from death and from his stryng The lorde wil not his holy ones in honger to abide But the vngodly kepe he wyll from their desyre full wyde An idle hand the thrifty man doth make bothe pore and bare But yet the hande in labour quyke the neady crieth from care The wyseman doth in somer tyme hyz frutes laye vp in store That he thereby in wynter cold may helpe him selfe the more But who so that in haruest tyme a slouggardes parte dothe playe A fole him sheweth and is compelde to begge an other daye With beuty deckt is the bryght face of cuery ryghtuous one But past all shame the wicked are wyth their presumption Of wysedome eke the memory shall have a good reporte Euen so the name of
dauÌ„gerous yl of hatred and disdayne The flattrynge man and famed frend that doth nothyng but glosse Of hys deare frende vnfayethfullye the secretes doth disclose But faithfull frendes whose doinges are vpryght and also iuste In no wyse wyl bewraye the thynges committed to theyr trust And where there lackes a gouernour both politique and wyse The people whyche be vnder hym shall fall and neuer ryse But happy is that region whose ruler hath the grace The talke of godly couÌ„selours to folowe and embrace Who so is bound for stauÌ„gers dets doth bryng hym selfe to care And is compeld the same to paye Thoughe he be pore and bare But he shall lyue in quietnes and haue no feare at all Whych taketh hede by surety shyppe lest he in daunger fall A woman whych is gracious and doth apply hyr minde To vertuous schole vpon the earth is sure greate grace to fynde An idle hande can at no tyme to welthines attayne But he is sure the same to wyn that laboureth wyth payne The man in whose hert mercy works hym selfe doth profite moste For mercy from internall payne doth rydde hys symple gost The cruell man farre otherwyse with malice and debate Euen suche as ought be nere to hym doth persecute and hate Of the vaine worckes of wycked meÌ„ no profite comth at all Theyr doynges are not parmanente but sure to haue a fall But who so dothe seke ryghtuousnes and practise hyr in dede Is sure to haue eternall ioye for hys rewarde and nede And mercy doth prepare the way that leadeth vnto blysse If thou be geuen to wyckednes of death thou shalt not misse The livynge lord doth most abhorre The man whose hert is yll And onely bent to wyckednes with whole entent and wyl But he doth mooste reioyce in suche that in hys worde delite And leade theyr lyues accordyngely in simplenes of sprite A woman whych in bewtye doth all other farre amende And hath no good conditions hyr bewty to amende Unto a rynge of pure good gold a man may well compare The whyche a sowe in hyr foule nose continually doth beare The iuste menne do reioyce in good and holines embrace But bent vnto all filthines the wycked ronne their race And some ther be y e wyth theyr goods their neighbour doth releue And yet the same do still encrease thoughe they do largely geue And some there be contrary wyse that others robbe and pyll Of ryches greate yet for al that they be but beggers styll The soule of hym mooste blessed is and neuer shall haue nede Which in his store w e gladsome herte the hongry men doth fede And so lyke wise he neuer shall for lacke of drynke decaye That vnto hym doth reche the cuppe that trauailth by the waye The people curse most bitterly the tyller of the grounde Which in his barnes no corne at all will suffer to be founde In time of derth althoughe he haue greate plenty and great store But kepes it close euen purposelye to make the price the more But blest is he in all mens mouthes that when the corne is skant Bringeth forth his graine suffreth not the market for to wante He riseth well and in good time for good thinges that dothe call The naughty worckes of wicked meÌ„ shall sone oppresse them all Who so in hys vayne ryches dothe put confidence and truste Is sure hereof when he thynkes lest to fall into the duste Where as the iust and faythfull maÌ„ shall prospere still in peace Euen as a tre in the sprynge tyme doth budde forth and encrease And who y e doth through foly bringe hys housholde cut of frame Shal washe hys goodes in the end susteyne rebuke and shame And then at length for lacke of wytte and spoylynge that was hys Against hys wyl the wysemans nede to serue he shall not mysse The tree of lyfe or heaueÌ„ly ioye is euen the very gayne And frute that iust rightuous men shal repe for all theyr payne Finis In this chapter doth Salomon proue all thinges vaine to be Which raineth vnderneth the sunne saue onely gods trueth and veritie I Salomon Dauids soÌ„ne kinge of Ierusalem Chosen by god to teache the Iewes in his lawes to leade theÌ„ Confesse vnder the sonne that euery thyng is vayne The world is false that man is fraile and al hys pleasures payne Alas what stable fruite may Adams chyldren fynd In that they seke by swette of browes the trauell of the mynde We that lyue on the earthe drawe toward our decaye Our children fyll our place a whyle and then they fade awaye Suche chaunges makes the earthe and doth remoue for none But serues vs for a place to playe our partes vpon When that the restlesse Sunne westwarde hys course hath runne Towardes the easte he hyes as faste to ryse where he begunne When hoory Bore as hath blowen forth hys frosen blaste Then zephirus wyth hys geÌ„tle breth dissolues the yce as faste Floudes that drynke vp smal brokes and swell by rage of raine Discharge in seas whych theÌ„ repulse and swallowe strayght agayne These worldely pleasures lorde so swyft they runne theyr race That scarce our eies may theÌ„ discerne they hyde so little space What hath bene but is nowe the lyke hereafter shall What newe deuise grounded so sure that breadeth not the fall â–ª What may be called newe but suche thynges in tymes paste Hath tyme buried and dothe reuyue and tyme agayne shall waste Thynges paste ryghte worthy fame hath nowe no brute at all Euen so shal dye such thinges y e now the simple wonders call I that in Dauides seate syrte crowned and reioyce That wyth my septer rule the Jewes and teach them wyth my voyce Haue searched longe to knowe all thynges vnder the sunne To se howe in thys mortall lyfe a surety myght be wonne Thys kyndeled wyll to knowe straunge thynges for to desyre God hath graft in our gredy brestes a torment for our hyre The ende of eche trauayle fortwyth I sought to knowe I founde it vayne mixed wyth gall and burdned wyth muche wo. Defaultes of natures workes no mans hande may restore Whyche be in numbre lyke the sand vpon the salt floude shore Then vauntynge in my wyl I gan call to my mind What rules of wysedome I had taught that elders coulde not fynde And as by contraries to trye most thynges we vse Mens solyes and theyr errours eke I gan them all peruse Thereby with more delight to knowledge for to clyme But thys I founde an endles worke of payne and losse of tyme. For he to wysedomes schole that doth applye hys mynd The farther that he wades therin the greater doubte shal fynd And such as enterprice to put newe thynges in vre Of some y t sh 〈…〉 skorne their deuyse may weâ—â— them selues assure Româ—â—ensife fansies then I g 〈…〉 myne herte reuoke And gaue me to such sporting plaies as laughter might prouoke But euen such vaine delightes when they most blinded
me Alwaies me thought a smilyng grace a kynge did yll agree Then sought I howe to please my bealy wyth much wyne To fede me fatte wyth costely meates of rare delites and fyne And other pleasures eke to purchase me wyth reste In so greate choice to fynd the thyng that myght content me best But lorde what care of mynd what sodayne stormes of yre What broken stepes endured I to compasse my desyre To builde me houses fayre then set I al my cure By pryncely actes thus straue I still to make my fame endure Delicious gardens eke I made to please my syght And graft therin all kynde of fruite that myght the mouthe delyghte Lyuely sprynges by conduites from their olde course I drewe For to refreshe the fruitful trees that in my garden grewe Of cattell greate encrease I bredde in lyttle space BondemeÌ„ I hadde gaue theÌ„ wiues who serued me with their race Greate heapes of shining golde by sparynge gan I saue Furnished w t suche thynge of pryce as fittes a prynce to haue To heare fayre women synge sometyme I dyd reioyce Rauished wyth theyr pleasauÌ„t tumes and swetenes of theyr voyce Lemmans I had so fayre and of so lyuely hue That who so gased in their face myght well their beuty rue Neuer erst sate there kynge so ryche in Dauides seate Yet styl me thought for so smal gaine the trauell was to greate Frome my desirous eyes I hadde no pleasaunt syght Nor from my herte no kynd of mirth that myght geue them delight Whych was the onely fruite I rept of all my payne To fede mine eien and to reioice my hert with al my gayne But when I made my counte with howe greate care of minde And hertes vnrest that I had sought so wastefull fruite to fynde Then was I stroken straight wyth that abused fyre To glory in that goodly wytte that compaste my desyre But freshe before myne eyes grace dyd my faultes renue What gentle callynge I had fledde my ruine to pursue What ragyng pleasures paste perill and harde escape What frensies in myne heade hadde wrought the liquore of y e grape The erroure that I sawe that their fraile hertes doth moue Whych striue in vayne for to coÌ„pare wyth hym that sittes aboue In whose moste perfite workes such craft appeareth playne That to the leste of them there maye no mortall man attayne And lyke as lyghtsome daye doth shyne aboue the nyght So darke to me dyd foly seme and wisdomes beames as bryght Whose eyes dyd seme so cleare moâ—es to discerne and fynde But will had closed folyes euen who groped lyke the blynd Yet death and time consumes all wytte and wordely fame And loke what ende that folye hathe and wysedome hath the same Then sayde I thus oh Lorde may not then wysedome cure The woful wronges hard coÌ„flictes that foly doth endure â–ª To sharpe my witte so fyne then why toke I thys payne Now well I finde thys noble searche maye eke be called vayne As slaunders lothsome brute souÌ„des folies iuge rewarde Are put to silence all by tyme and brought to finall regard Euen so doth tyme deuoure the noble blaste of fame Which shuld resouÌ„d the glory greate that doth deserue the same Thus present chaunges chace away the wonders paste Ne is the wisemans fatall threde yet lenger sponne to laste Then on thys wretched vale our lyfe I lothed playne When I beheld our fruteles paynes to compasse pleasures vayne My trauayle thus I spent hath me produced loo An heyre vnknowen shal repe y e frute that hym the sede dyd sowe But wherunto the Lorde his nature shall enclyne Who can forknow into whose haÌ„des my goodes I shall resygne â–ª But Lorde howe pleasaunte swete semeth the idle lyfe That neuer charged was wyth care nor burdened wyth stryfe And vyle the gredy trade of them that toyle so sore To leue to such their trauailes fruite that neuer swette therfore What is that pleasaunt gayne which is that swete releife That shoulde delaye the bytter taste that we fele of your griefe The gladesome dayes we passe to seke a simple gayne The quiete nyghte by broken stepes to fede a resteles brayne What hope is left vs then what conforte doth remayne Our quiete hertes for to reioyce wyth the fruite of our payne If that be true who maye hym selfe so happy call As I whose fre â— sumptuous spence doth shyne beyonde them all Surely it is a gyfte and fauoure of the Lorde Liberally to spende our goodes the grounde of all discorde And wretched hertes haue they that let their treasure molde And cary the rodde that scourgeth theÌ„ that glorâ—â—â—â— theyr golde But I do knowe by proufe whose ryches beare such bruite What stable wealth may staÌ„d in wast and heapynge of such fruite LIke as the sterneles boate that sayles with euery winde The slipper tope of worldely wealth by cruell proufe I finde Skant hath the seede wherof that nature formeth man Receiued life when death hym yeldes to earth wher he beganne The graffed plantes with payne wherof we hoped fruite To rote theÌ„ vp which blossoms spred then is our chiefe pursuite And shredde the spraies whose groth we laboured wyth payne Eche frowarde threatenynge chere of fortune makes vs plaine And euerye pleasaunte trayne of hyr reioyce our hertes agayne Aunciente walles to race is our vnstable 〈◊〉 And of theyr wether beaten stones to builde some newe deuise Newe fansies daily sprynge which fade returnyng moo And now we practice to attaine that straight we must forgo Sometyme we seke to spare that afterwardes we wast And that we trauayle for to knytte for to vniosse as faste In sobre silence nowe our quiete lyppes we close And w e vnbrideled tonges forthwith our secrete hertes disclose Suche as in folded armes we did embrace we hate Whom strayght we reconcile againe and banishe all debate My seede wyth laboure sowen suche sede produceth me To waste my lyfe in contraries that neuer shall agree From god these heauy cares are sente for our vnrestes And w e such burthens for our wealth He fraughteth styll oure breastes All that the lorde hath wrought hath bewty and good grace And to eche thyng assigned is hys propre tyme and place And graunted eke to man of all the worldes estate And of eche thinge wroughte in the same to argue and debate Whiche acte thoughe it approche the heaueÌ„ly knowledge most To search the natural course of thinges yet all is labour losse But the wandrynge eyes that longe for surety sought Found y e by payne in certayne wealth might in thys worlde be boughte Who liueth in delight and sekes no gredy thrifte But frelye spendes his goodes maye thinke it is a secrete gyft Fulfilled shall he be what so the lorde intend which no diuice of mans witte maye appayre ne yet amende Who made all thynges of noughte that Adams children might Lerne for to dreade y e lord y e wrought such wonders in their syght The grissy wonders
also and ye forsake the same And al my counsels ye haue hadde in mockynge and despite And also my correction haue set at naught and lyght Therefore wyll I laughe ioyfully in your destruction And mocke you whan the plage you feare shall iustely on you come And whaÌ„ y t which you fear so much full sodaynly doth fall And troubles and great heuines shall come vpon you all TheÌ„ when you do vpon me craue I wyll not heare your mynde Thoughe you seke me and that early yet shall you not me fynde And why I saye bycause that you my knowledge so abhorde And cast away agaynst my wyll the feare of God the Lorde I sayde before they dyd refuse my counsels euery one And dyd not cease for to despyse my good correction To eat the frute of their owne way the Lord shal them constrayne With y â— deuice he shal them fyll of theyr insensate brayne And for the fall of the vnwyse he shall them slaye anone And eke the wealth of foles shall be their owne confusion But who to me that geueth eare shall dwell safely I saye And haue inough and nede not feare by nyght nor yet by daye Argumentum Cha. ii It is here taughte that we shuld learne Gods wysedome to obtaine The wealth also that comth thereof is here described plaine MI son receiue y u these my wordes the which shalbe right wise And kepe thou my coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes my son I the aduise So that thine eares may euermore to wysedomes scholes enclyne Applye thyne herte to vnderstand suche thynges as he diuyne For if thou after wysedome crye and styll vpon hys craue And calleste on for knowledge gyfte bycause thou wouldest hyr haue And seke for hyr as y u wouldst seke for mony in the dust And dygge for hyr as treasure that in earth is hydde and trust TheÌ„ shalt y u right wel vnderstaÌ„de the feare of god the Lorde And of hys lawe the knowledge find accordynge to hys worde For god alone doth gyue to vs hys wisedome for to speake Out of hys mouthe doth knowledge spring and vnderstandynge eke The rightuous men he doth preserue in welfare through his might He dothe defende the innocent that walke his way aright He doth them kepe strayght in hys pathes that they go not astraye He doth directe hys holy ones to walke ryght in his waye If thou be suche y u shalt theÌ„ learne by iustice for to deale With euery man in equitye throughout the commen weale In iudgemente ryght thou shalte lykewise all other men excell And euery good path vnto the the lord shall shewe full well If wisedome enter in thyne herte and knowledge in thy spryte Then vnderstandyng good counsell shall the preserue vpryght That thou mayst so deliuerd be from euery wycked waye And froÌ„ those men y t froward thinges do alwayes speake and saye The whych do leaue y e way of light and walke in darckenes styll And which reioyce most iocundly when they have done full yll Whyche do delyte in wyckednes Whose wayes are vyle vayne Whose croked pathes ar slauÌ„derouse from them do thou refrayne That also froÌ„ the straunge woman deliuerde thou mayste be And from hys eke that is not thyne or was not wedde to the. Which speketh fayr doth forsake the husband of hys youth And doth forget the comnaunt made of God and of hys trouth Take hede hyr house enclineth fast to death as I the tell Hyr pathes are sure the ready way that leadeth doune to hell And they also that go to hyr shall not come out agayne Nor take holde of the way of lyfe I tell the thys is playne That thou mayst walke in the sure waye whereof I do the tell And kepe y e pathes of ryghtuousnes then shalt thou do ryght well For whyâ—the iuste shall euer lyue in ioye that dothe not cease The innocente remayne on earth in wealth and eke in peace But the vngodly shall be plucte out of the lande I saye And wycked men chased shalbe out of the fame for aye ArgumentuÌ„ Cha iii. Sure trust in god ought al men haue and not in their owne braine The wicked man thou shalt not feare ne yet the skorner vaine MI son forget not y u my lawe but haue it styl in sight And let thyne herte obserue my words so shalt y u walke aryght For sure they shal proloÌ„g thy daies thyne yeres and lyfe also And beyng the peace and quietnes and rydde the out of wo. Let mercy nor yet faythfulnes henceforth from the departe Bynd them about thy necke my son and wryte them in thyne herte And so shalt y u greate fauour wine of god and eke of men In vnderstandyng perfitlye expert thou shalt be then Wyth all thyne hert to god the lord put confidence and truste And leane thou not in anye wyse to thyne owne wytte and luste In al thy wayes haue thou respect vnto the lyuynge lorde He shall thy doynges order well accordynge to hys worde Be not to wyse in thy conceyte but feare god in thyne herte In haste also from wyckednes endeuoure to departe So shall thy nauyll styll my soÌ„ne continue hole and sounde Thy bones also and body shall wyth lyuely strength abounde Honoure the lorde and to him giue the best of thy substaunce And thy fyrst frutes of thyne encrease his glory to aduaunce So shal thy barnes be fylled full and that wyth plentuousnes Thy presses all shall ouerflowe wyth wyne of greate swetenes The bytter scorge of god thy lorde my sonne do not despise And when thou arte rebukte of hym faynte not in any wyse For loke whoÌ„ that y e lord doth loue hys rodde shall on hym lyght EveÌ„ as the father whypes hys sonne to knowe hym selfe aryght Yet doth the lorde neuertheles loue hys aflycted styll Euen as the father dothe hys chylde when he hath bete hys tyll Full well is he therefore I say the whych dothe wysedome fynde And vnderstandynge to obtayne doth sette hys herte and mynde For marchauÌ„dice ther is none such throughout the worlde so rounde There is no siluer nor yet golde wherin such wealth is founde More worth theÌ„ al y e gold on earth let wysedome be to the To hyr all thynge thou canste desyre compared maye not be On hyr ryght hand attendaunt is longe lyfe wyth coloure grene And honour standes on hyr left hand wyth ryches well besene Hyr wayes also right pleasaunt are whyche pleasure doth not cease Hyr pathes lykewyse are nothyng els but vnitie and peace She is a tre of lyfe to them that laye holde on hyr ryght And bleste are they that kepe hyr fast wyth all theyr power and myght In wisedome eke the lyuyng Lord full well the earth dyd founde And w e hys word y e heauens he made the earthe to compasse rounde And throughe the wisedome of the lorde the waters brake vp all The cloudes also pour downe y eraine that on the earth doth fall My son