THE most famous and Tragical HISTORY of Pelops and Hippodamia. Whereunto are adjoined sundry pleasant devices, Epigrams, Songs and Sonnettes.  
Written by matthew Grove.  
Imprinted at London by Abel jeffs dwelling in the Forestreete without Creeplegate, near unto Grubstreete, 1587.   

¶ To the right Honourable, Sir Henry Compton knight, Lord Compton of Compton hole, R. S. wisheth long life with increase of honour.  

AS Moses once by law then made  
Was taught to swim and not to wade  
Arrived (by God) at Prince's place,  
Whom Pharaos' daughter took to grace.  
And brought him up, and taught him so,  
Who proved at length as well ye know:   

So I by chance this Pamphlet here  
Did save sometime from water clear,  
And took it up and brought to light,  
To be defended through your might.  
And so your Honour's favour find,  
According to the Author's mind.   

Four year and more I did him nurse.  
Although no whit it cost my purse,  
Yet driven at length at cost to be,  
Because your Lordship should it see,  
Yet no such cost as shall appear,  
But mend my purse within the year.   

Th'author sure I do not know,  
N●whet●er he be high or low,  
Or now alive, or else be dead:  
But this in few words may be seed.  
Hoping your honour accept it will,  
According to the Authors skill.   

And for my part still shall I pray,  
That God your Lordship bliss always.   
R. Smith.   

❧ The Author's Epistle.  
WHen I had compiled (right honourable) this little treatise, and barbarous Manuel, containing the History of Pelops and Hyppodamia, with sundry Songs and Sonnets, (being none other in deed then such as at leisurable times happened to my mind, and not of purpose invented) I stood in doubt whether I were better presume to publish this my travail, or in covert wise to keep it close. At length I assured myself although it would bring but little pleasure to the Readers if it were published, yet l●sse would it be to any man if I kept it close. To this end, to this point and issue I resolved myself for a season, and minded in deed to bring it to light But the while (as it were by a vision) another doubt and new disturbance happened to my mind, that for so much as by often reading and perusing of the same, I found my doings to be but rude, yea and as it were almost in vain, I was in doubt I say, (right Honourable) weighing and considering these enormities, whether to set abroach this my new wine, being but of ill colour, and worse ●ast, upon mine own head, or mine own adventure: seeing so many serpent's tongues ready in the way, and the teeth of so many barking dogs ready to bite: on the one side cometh Zoilus or Theogninus, and bring with them a railing rout of sycophantical brabblers: then thought I best on the other side to arm myself against these my mischievous enemies with the title of some honourable, that might defend me from all such slaunderous assaults. And seeing that you by just defcent and noble parentage, are such a one as against whom I know for certainty by right such men cannot be by envy moved, I am so bold as under your shield to publish this my work. Therefore these two things I crave of your honour, which both I trust of so gentle heart as heath within your breast shall not be denied. The one is this, that for so much as more boldly then advisedly I enterprise under your name to show the skill of my tender quill (being so small) I here desire your Lordship to pardon my rash doings. And the other is this: for so much as this simple volume is given you of a mere good will, I desire you to accept it as a token and none otherwise than it is in deed. To be praised or extolled above the merits of the same, I do not desire. My pains herein taken I would not esteem, so that I might obtain the benevolence of the readers: yet if it happen so that of the better sort I stand well liked of, let Momus mop and mow, till I bid him stay. Thus trusting that this simple token you will not despise, I end, unwilling any further to molest you, yet the while beseeching God to preserve you in Galens' health: and in time to endue your Lordship with Nestor's years, and Xerxes' wealth.  
(⸫) Your Lordships to command to his power, Matthew Grove.   

The argument of the History following.  
ONomaus was king of Archandia, unto whom it was told by the Soothsayers, that whonsosuer his only daughter Hipodamia did marry, he should die, she coming to her ripened years, he proclaimed a prize of running with Charwis, that whosoever did vanquish him therein, should marry Hippodamia, and have the Realm with her, but the vanquished should die. Many of the Wooers were slain: at last Pelops promised privily to Myrtilus that if he should win the prize, Myrtilus should lie with Hipodamia the first night to Whereupon he made the Axletree of wax, by reason whereof in the course the Chariot fell down, which Onomaus then perceyuing, slew himself, and Pelops enjoyed the Lady, and Myrtilus requiring that which was promised, Pelops threw him into the Sea, which ever after was called mare Myrtonum.   

The most famous and tragical history of Pelops and Hippodamia.  

THere stretcheth long a Realm in Greece,  
of antic bruit and fame,  
Whose memory remaineth yet,  
Arcadia it we name.  
Which title Archas son of jove,  
bestowed on that land:  
Who ruled there with Regal crown,  
and golden mace in hand.  
There is the fen of Lernea,  
where Hydra monster great  
With hundred hissing Serpents heads,  
retained there her seat.  
Till Hercules enforced was  
with strength the fiend to gripe,  
And Erymanthus river there,  
his surging course doth keep.  
Where once the sceptre help in throne  
Omaus with his might,  
One of the sons of dreadful Mars,  
the furious God of fight:  
Which wight of Parge sisters three,  
such grace he 'gan obtain,  
That they did all forbear to cut  
or shred his threan in twain.  
Whereby he drew his vital web,  
until the silver hears  
'Gan grow upon his aged skull,  
for cause of many years.  
He only Hippodame had,  
his daughter damsel fair.  
Which by descent and due desert,  
should stay his lawful heir.  
Who guided was in seemly life,  
by learned Sages store.  
And as she doth increase her days,  
so virtues hath she more.  
She was her father's only joy,  
the fortress of his life  
She left was only of his stock  
then sole without a wife.  
In somuch that the greatest care  
and study of the king,  
Was aye in virtues lore to train  
and this his daughter bring.  
Which virtues she conceived so,  
and printed in her heart,  
As fast as learned Patrons could  
instruct her them by art.  
Which caused her in flaming years,  
to bear the worthy fame:  
And ne to have among the rest,  
her mate, a courely dame.  
But that she did excel and shade  
the shape of every wight  
As much as Luna with her horns  
surpassed a star by light.  
These virtues and the like so rare  
enforced the father old  
With zealous care his daughter and  
her state for to behold,  
And to provide that damage small  
hereafter should annoy  
The tender corpse by any means  
of this his only joy.  
For which intent he did retain  
with him in Court always  
A number seen in Magic art  
and prone for such assays:  
Which by their learned skill forshew  
unto the king and his  
Those things that long shall after fall  
of evil hap or bliss.  
Which men Omaus king 'gan will  
in presence for to come,  
Which do approach, their duty eke  
with bended knee soon down,  
Do listen then to hear their charge:  
to whom the king 'gan say.  
My tried friends, ye learded peers,  
in whom my trust doth stay,  
As heretofore ye faithful have  
been unto me and mine,  
In all aspects and great affairs,  
so now your ears incline:  
You all do know our daughter dear,  
our Hippodame mild,  
Who seemeth now in youthly years,  
a most virtuous child,  
And shunneth yet each sinful lore,  
as far as I can know,  
Whereby to me no little joy,  
through her I say doth grow:  
Yet doubting now dame Fortune's wheel,  
which whirieth very strange,  
I ask your aid, for to prevent  
and stop a sudden change.  
For Fortune frail not surely stays  
her steps still in one place,  
But turneth as the wind, whereby  
I stay in doubtful case.  
What if that she should be infect  
with Venus' wanton sport,  
Or other like: or if that she  
should any ill report,  
That may unwished come to pass?  
I silly wight in woe,  
Might wail the case of this my child,  
herself which noyeth so:  
For youth is frail, and tendeth not  
sometimes to sage advise,  
And shunneth that which they perceive  
Those men which do seem wise,  
For to embrace: for they whom that  
old Senex staff hath smite,  
In sadness, not in youthly pranks  
do study and delight.  
But youth doth tread the path to sin●…  
and erst t'obtain that still,  
Which they perceive doth please the flesh,  
hap either good or ill.  
And you do know, there nothing is  
that frail flesh pleaseth more,  
Than that which doth depend on vice,  
whereof there reigneth store.  
And I remember Venus son  
who with his shaft and bow  
Doth often peérce the hearts of those  
who like pangs did ne know  
Alas if that should light on her,  
as likely sure it is,  
Unwares to me then might I say  
adieu my joy and bliss.  
For that blind boy doth cast his dart,  
not on the meanest fort,  
As soon as on those stately Peers,  
that places have in Court.  
For why they drive their time in ease  
and idly spend the day  
They feed on dainty dishes race  
and rest on down for aye,  
There is no pleasure but they taste  
as may content the heart  
Which are the causes that he doth  
so soon throw them his dart.  
For if thou banish idleness,  
thou breakest then the bands  
Which Cupid doth with flight devise  
to tangle both thy hands  
If she should chance to fix her mind  
in love with one that is  
Inferior in degree to her  
which match were far amiss,  
I should be loath, therefore my friends  
of this her destiny,  
I will that ye ensearch forthwith,  
and it reveal to me,  
To this intent I may provide,  
for to prevent the same,  
If it should happen for to be  
impairing to her fame.  
Yet willingly I would that she  
should join with one in love  
As meet is in degree, which doth  
from him all vice remove,  
For this I know the time will be  
if that her years endure,  
Needs she must knit herself to one  
in wedlock joy most pure.  
Wherefore repair to th'used place  
and with our God's assent  
As touching Hippodamia,  
to know their high intent.  
And take the fairest goat that may  
within this town be found  
Him offer up in sacrifice,  
to them, whose laud doth sound  
Above the stars, who rule the globe  
who sit above the starry sky,  
And know such things as erst were pa 〈…〉,  
and those to come pardie.  
Then they all on their bowed knees,  
unto the earth doe-fall  
And one of them doth answer then  
and thus in name of all,  
O king, if that we would not grant  
now to thy hest and thee,  
Unworthy we were of our 〈◊〉,  
true subjects ne were we.  
If that by Magic are we may  
satisfy thee in this,  
We are right glad that by the same  
we thee asferre such bliss.  
And now there doth remain no more  
but th'while to love I pray,  
To further that our enterprise,  
which fortune doth assay.  
This Onomaus king was of  
and held the Payn 〈…〉 law,  
He kn●w not then the huing God  
ne kept himself in awe:  
Wherefore he 'gan 〈…〉 a place  
as best he had in thought,  
Where he and erst his subjects more,  
to feigned Gods they sought.  
Herein were altars many store.  
where when in smart they fall,  
They offer up their Sacrifice,  
and to their Gods they call.  
The cause is say they (for why)  
they offer up such gift  
And offerings brent for Sacrifice  
is for a proper shift,  
For this they thought, sith that so far  
of distance were the skies,  
Their voice might scarce be heard, or else  
so high as skies arise,  
Yet often they do prayers howl  
unto their gods above:  
To this intent when loud they cry,  
they might by chance have love:  
And eke on altars them to move  
with burned flesh intend,  
The smoke whereof in little while  
might unto them ascend.  
And thus although no voice might be  
so high as skies inclined.  
Yet by the incense thereof, they  
might understand their mind:  
For smoke (they say) goes upward still,  
and riseth with the wind.  
These wisemen to the temple go,  
with haste for to fulfil  
The hest of Onomaus king,  
and search for good and ill.  
They bring with them the kid his death  
which resteth to receive,  
And one of them with p 〈…〉 recing knife  
doth force him life to leave.  
And wring out the blood also,  
depriving him his skin,  
They prayers say, which they suppose  
doth cause the Gods to blinne.  
Then kindle they the fire, and throw  
the Goat into the same.  
For to consume to ashes aye  
by violence of flame.  
They mark the divers colours that  
in waste do flee therehence,  
The rainbow hue, to deem thereby  
of Gods the high pretence.  
Some on Saturnus call, and some  
on jupiter do cry,  
Some on Mars, and some on Sol.  
yea some on Mercury,  
Some on Venus, some to Luna  
make their vocation.  
No god there was but him they had,  
in appellation.  
As diversly their minds were set,  
so diversly they call  
Each one unto his god to prove  
which happiest would befall  
So they consume the time until  
the flesh is almost spent,  
Then deem they what shall happen, as  
they think is Ioues intent,  
And other gods: then pray they one  
which oldest was of all,  
To show them first what he did think  
should afterward befall.  
But he with pause doth stay, as though  
some doubt he did perceive,  
His rolling eyes cast up,  
and musing he doth leave  
And said: my friends and fellows dear  
shall I now tell in deed,  
This case, or as I think thereof?  
the more haste the worst speed.  
I well perceive by th'azure hue,  
that painted aye the flame,  
And by the string that held the heart  
of this our killed lamb,  
With other signs but evil news,  
for us aye to declare,  
It certain is when Hippodame  
in marriage link doth far,  
Our king must l●se his life perforce  
whether he will or no,  
Such froward destiny for him  
the Gods have grant to shoe.  
And was not aye the very like  
revealed to you all,  
Alas, this cruel sudden chance  
my mind doth much appall.  
How say my friends? but now such fear  
hath strike them to the heart,  
That they have now scarce power to speak  
or him thereof impart.  
At length they causoe him understand  
that they did know full well  
The same, but that they gave to him  
the pre-eminence to tell  
And first declare the same, for he,  
was oldest them among,  
For reverence ouht be given  
to th'old men, of the young:  
They all devise the mean whereby  
they may this express  
Unto Omaus, which doth expect  
an answer more or less:  
And then that aged father doth  
his tale again renew,  
Full bend to wail their own state,  
as after doth ensue.  
Alas what hay had we (quoth he)  
this art for to assay,  
Why d●d not we bestow our minds  
or wits another way?  
I muse wherefore each wight with tongue  
doth this our dark estate  
Most happy call, when us they mind  
and when of us they prate,  
And blab that we each thing do know  
and ken each destiny,  
And eke the knots of fortune's land  
can undo by and by.  
Alas if that we tell a man  
his present froward fate,  
Then are we sure of him to have  
and purchase peevish hate.  
And although his desire be  
to know the very same,  
Yet nay the lesse if it be sharp  
he giveth us the blame,  
Again, or else if we conceal,  
and do not tell the truth  
Then are we sure and certain that  
the wrath of God ensueth.  
Thus on each side the doubt is plain  
the peril is more great,  
We are in worse case than they whom  
the destintes do threat.  
As now when that we do foretell  
this hap unto the king,  
Who knows what he in raging fits  
will do, or else what thing  
With mischief shall be done by him,  
perhaps in that his ire,  
He will pretend to slay us than  
to quench his burning fire.  
As though that we were cause thereof  
ourselves this do we know  
Nor cannot ay unless we should  
more sacrifices show  
To deem thereby our froward fate  
but now the time doth haste  
That we must wend unto our king,  
and spend no wind in waist.  
I would to jove that we might stay,  
until to morrow day,  
And then to yield our answer up  
the while we would assay  
By incense sweet the destiny  
that happen should to us.  
Then each doubt and each fearful poyat  
we would ourselves discuss,  
But now there is no remedy,  
Omaus king doth stay  
Ere this time long in closet tilt  
to hear what we can say.  
He thinks it long till that we come  
to tell to him this spite,  
Come let us go, the gods us shield,  
and secure with their might.  
Thus pass they on their way until  
unto the hall they come,  
From thence they pass the chambers large,  
and go through many a room,  
Until the privy chamber they,  
approach, wherein the king  
Remained then, whom they salute  
as best with their liking.  
Then how they down their knees to th'earth,  
than one of them 'gan say  
O sovereign king our liege and Lord  
thus much we do thee pray,  
Sith thou dost will that we reveal  
such things we know to thee,  
To pardon us, what ever that  
of us shall spoken be.  
That being grant, we boldly then  
our minds may whole express  
And open thee each darkened point,  
as thou erst wouldst no less,  
Which he 'gan grant thus much, and says  
some perverse news I feel,  
Because ye doubt mine ire, alas  
I dread dame Fortune's wheel.  
pardie I think if that my chance  
were happy me to save  
There were 〈◊〉 need that pardon thus,  
of me you you should 〈◊〉.  
Oh tell the same, than they again  
the Gods that rule the sky,  
And turn the rounded globe, whose power  
and whose authority  
Thou mayst ne gainsay once,  
to us thus they declare,  
That when thy daughter Hipodame  
in wedlock bands doth far  
(Which now in ripened years doth wax)  
that thou shalt lose thy lise,  
The very day most sure ●r which  
see given stars a wif●.  
Thus much we ●●a●ued have, thus much  
the perverse dest● y  
Of thee for her by offerings brent,  
we know assuredly  
Provide therefore, it happen shall,  
as sure as jove doth reign  
As true as son of Mars thou art  
in skies which did remain  
●●en he as foaming boar that whets  
his tusks against the fight,  
o'th' rage with pusfed face, and erst  
with swelling eyes for spite.  
His ire permits his tongue to tell  
the grief he bides with pain.  
So vanquish he with fury was,  
in dump doth so remain,  
At length when memory he found  
his sparkling eyes at last.  
Vpthrowen, this tale with warbling tongue  
among them be outcast,  
Oh jove what cruel hap is this,  
what devilish destiny,  
What horror doth invade my breast?  
because that I must die.  
And must I die in deed for that  
as yet I never knew  
I never knew my face before  
what after should ensue  
Oh fortune, fortune, which no treads  
her steps still in one place,  
But wavering here and there most frail,  
as doubtfully doth trace  
Why deals not she as equally  
the golden gifts she hath,  
But setteth some to top on high  
and some treads underneath.  
Oh Hippodame is this the gift  
and recompense I have  
Because that I thee trains thus  
in Courtly place so brave▪  
Is this the fruits I reap of thee,  
who in thy childish years  
Didst show come thy sire such hope,  
and sprang me silver hears:  
Alas, alas, that thou shouldst be  
the causer of my grief,  
Which wa●t the only joy to me  
and fortress of my life.  
The staff whereby I teaned, when  
I fell in any smart,  
As often as I thought on thee,  
full light was then my heart  
Oh A●sculap revive my corpse  
that passeth now to woe,  
Come Cl●o help my parched pains  
and hapless hap to show.  
There was not since the world began  
a wight that felt such grief  
As now I feel, or had such cause  
to wail his noyed life.  
Can there be any greater pain  
or torment can you tell,  
Bethought by furious fiery friends,  
that lurk below in hell,  
I read that Ixion is tuxned  
there, and tossed on high,  
For promise broke, or whirling wheel.  
so for desert pardie,  
Sisyphus doth on shoulders bear  
the stone to top of hill,  
Which rolling down again, he doth  
renew his painful ill.  
Amid the lake with thirsty jaws  
old Tantalus therein  
Pursues the waves the water stream  
doth wet and wash his chin.  
And when to him now oft deceived  
it doth yet promise make  
Then flits the flood the fruit at mouth,  
his famine doth forsake.  
I read also how Titius heart,  
to flying foul is pray,  
And Danaus' daughters fill in vain  
their watery vessels aye.  
And all these feel such pangs and pains  
for some their just desert  
But I as guiltless now abide,  
it for to péerce my heart.  
If for desert I felt the same  
less grief it were to me  
But once being come t'expulse the same,  
I find no remedy.  
Thus finish he his wailing style  
commanded erst with speed  
The Soothsayers for to avoid,  
which willingly for dread  
Consent, misdoubting much that he  
in fury fond some fact  
To them would do, whereby their gréese,  
they should for nought exact.  
Omaus then be takes hunselfe,  
and goes in covert wise,  
To garden plot, where by himself,  
he wails with watty eyes,  
There doubts he what were best to do,  
what remedy to find  
What wile for to coin out that might  
deceive fortune unkind.  
At last he thinks to slay and did  
his daughter of her life,  
For so much as she was the spring  
wherehence doth flow his grief  
And better it to be that she  
in Charon's boat should w●●d  
Then he, who being dead 〈…〉  
his destiny to end.  
For sith that jove appointed hath,  
this destiny to take,  
Effect when ever that she did  
her sole estate forsake.  
If she were 〈…〉 ne before that time  
by no means he can see,  
Through her desert this hap to pass  
then no such hap to be.  
And so himself quit for to leave  
then stayeth be a while,  
At last he doth revoke those words  
and them from mind exile.  
And poureth out this plaint again,  
ah miser, did I say  
That I with baysterous hand should pierce  
and Hippodame slay,  
I do recant those words again,  
in no wise it may be,  
She is mine only child, which by  
my wife was left to me.  
Shall I imbrue my hands with blood  
or that do in my rage,  
Which I did never yet commit  
shall I thus stain mine age?  
No, no, and more than that,  
she is my only child,  
Then she once dead, Arcadia  
hath few the crown to wield,  
If I were dead also, therefore  
I'll search some witty wile.  
Whereby I may the churlish snares  
of dame fortune beguile.  
And from these parched pinching pains  
myself for to beguile,  
And thereby for to save her life  
for if that she should die,  
I glad would be myself to wend  
with her, then by and by:  
And what that I did speak before  
I utterly deny.  
In arbour he consumes the time,  
at length he doth arise,  
As Musa puts into his mind,  
a shift he can devise,  
Which he thinks best, this is the same:  
he mindeth to ordain  
A prize to run with chariots swift  
in field upon the plain,  
And who so finds the chance  
the swiftest pace to trace,  
(And vanquished the king) thereby  
for to depart the place  
Shall wed this dame, and when the life  
of this king is in hand,  
T' enjoy Arcady realm, and erst  
the king thereof to stand:  
But on the other side, if that  
Omaus gives the foil,  
The vanquished to lose their lives  
for venturing in the broil.  
Thus he decreed in mind, thereby  
if happy that he be,  
To win the prize, if contrary,  
his own death for tosée.  
And now when that he doth perceive  
he found no better way,  
He hies him into Palace strait,  
to publish this for aye.  
And then in deed he calleth in  
one which most mée●e he found,  
For such assays, whom he can will  
with trump in hand to sound  
In every place within the Realm,  
the Cities of the land,  
Proclaiming to each wight these words  
or like, which next do stand.   

Here followeth the Proclamation.  

IF there be any wight that minds to try  
By course of charets on the field shplayve,  
And eke before the rout of chivalry  
Worthy seem to have reward for pain,  
It stays the will of O 〈…〉 grace,  
That they approach within these thirty days  
Unto the Court, where they shall find in place  
Himself sole priest to try in these assays,  
'Gainst comers all, and who so vanquished is  
On field by him, shall soon t● enjoy his life:  
But who so over runs the king with bliss  
Shall espouse Hipp●dami● to his wife:  
And furthermore, the Realm for to enjoy,  
After the death of One mau● king.  
To him without disturbance or annoy  
Of any man, and to his children after him.   

Tubicen goes and passeth fro,  
he sounds in every place  
The news, and at the last returns  
and is one in joyous case,  
Because that this his toil,  
and turns is so past,  
The commons muse full fast on this,  
and are with fear aghast,  
Not knowing what the cause should be  
of this so sudden change,  
But for the most part they impute  
this hap to fortune strange.  
And as the vulgar people must,  
the nobles joy again,  
For each of them doth think by fight  
this Lady to obtain.  
Then might you see the knight concur  
on heaps, to have a sight  
Of Hippodam unto the court  
t'encourage them to fight  
And they who that vile dastard hearts  
before time did possess,  
In hope to win this Lady bright,  
them now to run do press.  
So much the form of women doth  
enforce men for to do,  
Like as they never did before,  
ne like again would so,  
Unless it were their enterprise  
as authors old did show  
And they that learned are indeed,  
the very same do know.  
The lusty gallants of the Court,  
that proper are and tall  
Do mind to venture now themselves  
and hazard life and all.  
The choosing is of coursers brave,  
that trimly treads the way  
And well is he that hath the best  
the chief to prove that day.  
There trim they up the charets light  
which put in readiness  
Each thing that they shall neéd in field  
themselves they see to dress.  
The king also himself, his horse  
provided he doth see,  
His charets all which lightest and  
most meet were thought to be.  
In these affairs they do consume  
and spend the thirty days  
Ordaining, and each one himself,  
to try in these assays,  
Thus all things set in order due  
as best were to devise▪  
Among the troop of chyvallers,  
one Pelops doth arise,  
And viewing aye the seemly port  
of Hippodame bright  
He minds to try himself to win  
her if he may in fight.  
There was that time one Myrtilus  
of feigned faith a wight,  
Who ruled the chariot of the king  
and drove the horses right.  
To him doth Pelops think to wend  
there some mean to devise  
Whereby he may prevent the king,  
and blear the lookers eyes.  
And thinks with gelt to overcome  
this miser's feeble mind  
Or by some other way, he cares  
not what, so he may find  
The mean to be Arcadian king  
whereby he should enjoy.  
This dame, and every thing he would  
without let or annoy.  
And searching aye the Palace large  
to find this Myrtilus  
He cometh to his chamber, where  
at length says to him thus.  
My friend, thou knowest that in field  
the combat we shall see,  
And veutrous wights to bear the fame,  
amongst the chivalry,  
And as I one do mind with force,  
to show myself in fight  
To prove if luck will happen me  
to win that Lady bright.  
Yet natheless by thy device  
if I might win the same  
I should reward thy venevolence  
advancing of thy fame.  
But Myrtilus with feigned show  
of friendship to his Lord  
Doth answer thus, in no wise I  
may unto thee accord.  
Think not that I for this thy gloze  
of promise fine, will show  
Me disobedient to my liege  
to whom I service owe.  
Advancement ne I crave of thee  
my painful service may  
Preferment get me of our king  
wherefore thus much I say  
Forsake this place, and now desist  
with talk to trouble me.  
Then he which to obtain his will  
no mean or way did see,  
Being almost in despair of hope  
doth hope yet once again.  
To try the wight which said him nay,  
although it were his pain:  
Oh Myrtilus if that I may  
by any means aspire,  
To win the prize, and specially,  
if thou helpest my desire,  
Thou shalt be sure to match in bed  
with Hippodamie dear,  
If thou canst find the wile to bring,  
to lucky end this gear.  
We are as friends, what need these words  
and circumstance of style?  
Each thing shall common be with us  
what ever hap the while.  
What though that thèu dost play this prank  
art thou the first that hath  
Been erst unfaithful to his Lord,  
for scant or else for scathe.  
Let musing go, though this seem strange  
yet think if king I be  
I will reward this thy desert,  
as thou in time shalt see.  
Would it not move a frozen heart  
yea flinted for to bow,  
To have in arms such damsels as,  
are rare I make a bow?  
Think therefore on the night that thou  
in bed with her shalt have,  
Who stains each courtly dame that shines,  
for beauty's gift so brave.  
Now Myrtilus even as thou wilt  
to me thine answer show,  
If thou wilt not, I must go seek  
some other wight to know  
That may me aid, and think not but  
if able that I be:  
This thy unkindness I'll requite  
what ever hap to me.  
Then he that stood so stiff 'gan turn  
and unto Pelops say  
More for the brunt of Cupid blind,  
than any thing for aye,  
If that thou list thy hest to keep,  
performed as thou dost vow  
I'll stand content to pleasure thee,  
as much as I may show.  
If thou canst be content, that I  
as thou hast said before,  
Shall lie with her, I will provide  
that thou needest doubt no more  
For I will make the axletree  
the chariot which doth bear  
Of wax, which by force of a crack  
most suddenly shall tear  
Whereby unto the ground the knowest  
the chariot needs must fall:  
In so much as the axletree,  
doth bear the charge of all.  
Which being done, the course is lost  
then all the prize is thine,  
And therefore in the wedding night,  
let pleasure first be mine.  
Thou know'st the king at each course doth  
with changed chariot run,  
And thenrenewe his course again,  
as first it was begun:  
Beware that thou do not presume  
to run, till thou dost see  
The first course and the second too  
expired for to be:  
Then valiantly forth press thyself  
for I will ready stand,  
To offer him his waxed room,  
which next shall come to hand.  
Then Pelops proud of this good hap  
gramercy says my friend  
As now I have no more to say,  
for this thy council kind,  
But farewell once, for Phaeton  
descends Olympus down,  
And Phoebus shuns Proserpina,  
his foe, that hellish hound.  
And I will erst departed from thee  
those things for to provide  
tomorrow which within the lists,  
in fight I shall have need  
Adieu again then trudgeth he  
as fast as he can fly,  
Unto his chamber, where that he  
doth call to gods on high  
For help, but chief to Venus' mild  
to whom young Paris gave  
Before the rest for love of Nymph  
the golden apple brave.  
And sith that Luna with her black  
and darkened horned hut,  
Doth cause the sparkling stars in skies  
their places to renew.  
He thinks it best to climb his bed  
in sleep to spend the night,  
That in the day betimes he might  
be ready for to fight  
The time thus doth consume & wear  
the night doth vade away  
And Phoebus getting th'upper hand,  
Proserpina doth fray  
He shows himself as chéeftain now  
with chariot in the sky,  
With twice two prancing horses that  
shows his authority.  
The small birds by their chirping lay  
do show the time to wake,  
And sluggish bed the drowsy place,  
a time for to forsake  
For as the day appointed is  
to have with him for sight,  
Of things that appertain to day  
so likewise is the night  
Appointed him things to be done  
which appertain to light.  
Therefore each wight doth stir  
himself for ●o prepare,  
Into the field, and valiantly  
his armès for to declare  
Among the rest Omaus doth  
make ope his drowsy eyes,  
Unwilling he to keep his bed  
doth suddenly arise.  
In mind to make th'adventure short  
to lose or else to win.  
Wherefore he hasteth first himself  
the array for to begin.  
Those youthful seemly knights  
who by their great desire  
Were pricked forth to try themselves  
no less: haste did require.  
They thinking long the time to be  
themselves to field do haste  
And spend not jangling here & there  
the day which is far passed  
When it was known by sound of trump,  
the king at point to be,  
A number priest in order brave  
a man might then espy  
For to attend upon the king,  
yea rather on the wight  
For whose sake now each one doth know  
to be this broil and sight  
The king as chief and challenger  
first marcheth on the way,  
With all the crew of noble men  
him after in array,  
Some with their helms beset  
with plumed feathers high,  
Some on their horses heads for show  
do put the like perdie,  
Which waveth with the wind:  
the third but in degree  
Doth Pelops ride in perfect hope,  
but none so brave as he  
The charets make a cheer show,  
the trumpets sound would move  
The heart of any wight, yea sure  
the very gods above  
So shrill a note with puffed cheeks,  
those men with breath do sound,  
That from the earth it flies to skies,  
from skies again to ground.  
The horses ears are filled with that  
they snort, and staring stand,  
They prancing jest, to show themselves  
which best might tread the land.  
But Hippodame whose face hath set  
each heart on flamed fire,  
Doth follow now with troops of dames  
in sad and black attire.  
Not as she went the prize to see,  
with joy or to behold  
But as though that she went to mourn,  
Oh wight of perfect mould.  
Those Ladies that attend her train,  
in like suit go they all,  
As though they wailed some their friend,  
which lately took a fall.  
Thus pass they forth with measured steps  
till they come to the place  
Where they appointed are to stand  
as judges of the case.  
Within the lists might no man come  
unless they mind to try  
Themselves, or footmen which attend  
the king and Princess nigh,  
Each one in order takes his room  
where he himself would stand,  
To run his course, and take his lot  
which comes next to his hand.  
What should I say, the trumpets blow  
the blast of battle brave,  
Each one doth hope by fortune good,  
himself to quite and save.  
And now the time is come at point  
when first the king doth say  
He that doth mind his chariot first  
with mine for to assay,  
I will that he come show himself,  
than forth one yodeth fast  
And says I am the wight, sir king,  
to whom first lot is cast.  
Then there remains no more, but both  
let run their charets light  
As swift almost as Iphicus  
were there be seen in sight.  
But lo the king hath won the prize,  
as all men thought before  
The trumpets sound their warbling notes  
for joy of that therefore,  
Then needs the law must rigour take  
which sight did much appall  
And dread the lookers on, so that  
there's none amongst them all  
That venture durst scarce for to run  
but musing there they stand  
At length the second takes like charge,  
and enterprise in hand.  
Alas, he follows the other clean,  
and taketh self-same end.  
For lozing aye the prize, he doth  
give life it to amend.  
Now Myrtilus oh caitiff vile,  
is ready for to bring  
With traitorous face the chariot waxed  
with speéd unto the king.  
Which taken gratefully,  
the course doth then renew,  
By Pelops Prince of Phrygia,  
in order to ensue.  
But lo, ere that demi the way  
the course had overpast  
That brittle axle-tree of wax  
even with a thought was braced.  
And fell unto the ground, wherefore  
Omaus seeing this:  
Draws out his goring knife or sword  
with force he ne doth miss  
To stab himself nigh to the heart,  
such frenzy took him then,  
As scarce oppressed Hercules,  
when junos' wrath began.  
The only prize is given to  
young Pelops, and the name  
Of Victor doth remain to him  
and Fama shows the same.  
The pierced corpse is taken up,  
and as the guise is there,  
Unto the temple of their Gods  
to burning him they bear.  
But Pelops takes the ready way  
to Hippodamia shéene:  
Where as she stood on plated stage,  
to see and to be seen,  
His bonnet veiled, humbly he  
'gan say her on this wise,  
Due reverence once being done  
his face toward the skies,  
Oh rare seen spark of beauty's flame,  
oh Matron of the crew,  
Panthora thou, whose face doth stain  
bright Phoebus' golden hue.  
Sith that the ●oas above have showed  
to me such dignity,  
To bear the prize of winning thee,  
by true authority.  
To whom I render thanks for this  
I come now for to claim  
And ask my right, for sith by Law,  
I won thee in this plain,  
I judge thee mine, your Father's hest  
doth testify the like.  
Then she whose roseal hue was stained  
and hid on every cheéke,  
By spring of crystal tears, at last  
this wise to him 'gan say,  
Sir Pelops thou of Phrygia Prince  
in whom virtue doth stay,  
Sith that by arms I am your own,  
I thereto do agree,  
As law requires: yet as thou art  
a knight, this grant to me  
I may a while deplore the death  
of my unhappy sire  
Who causer is of his own fall  
by this his fond desire.  
For nature bynds the child to wail  
this day let me have sway  
To morrow I for to command,  
am thine, and then always  
And that I may those obsequies  
and rites which appertain  
To funerals fulfil, and then  
thine own I do remain,  
Till Atropos my vital twine  
intends to cut in twain,  
If thou in heart agree also,  
and therefore I require  
Thee for to rest thy weary corpse  
and me have my desire.  
Then he replete with joy, doth wend  
unto the Palace clear,  
And Hippodame tends the corpse  
which laid is on the beére,  
With woeful heart and dreary plaint,  
the ladies rest do wail,  
The king, but more because this wight  
so much her moan doth veil.  
The triumph thus imixt is with  
huge sadness and some joy,  
As some lament, so some rejoice,  
and thus they spend the day  
Till Omaus dead enjoys the flame  
as worthy as may be,  
After the use of Arabia  
as authors testify.  
But oh, prince Phaeton forsakes  
with weary horse the hill,  
Descending down Olympus' tops  
below to stay, until  
By holes distinct, the time is set  
t'advance himself again.  
Then every wight betakes himself,  
to bed of released pain,  
And though that Pelops throws himself,  
on bed for show of rest  
Yet sleépes he not, so much with joy,  
his heart is overpressed.  
He hates this night, and hopes for day  
He thinks it long to see,  
Till that dame Hippodame she might  
his spoused mate once be.  
Who now her tender corpse in bed  
hath hid in covert wise,  
Of whom likewise Somnies with stright  
●a●ne approach their eyes.  
Whom dalor rules, and woe restrains  
she wails the hapless hap  
Of her unlucky Father, which  
Fortuna did entrap.  
Yet thinketh she her sorrows large,  
now for to be the less  
Sith that for loss of father, she  
an husband shall possess.  
These thoughts consume and drive the night  
till Sol doth show his hue  
And Terra glad thereof, doth now  
forsake her watery dew.  
Then might you see dame storas arte  
depainted aye on green  
How herbs start up their heads above  
the ground for to be seen.  
Each feathered fowl disdayns that bush  
the tree is perch for night,  
And resting boghs do seek their prais  
in fields where they are pight.  
And likewise as in siege each wight,  
is stirring here and there,  
Some doing this, some doing that,  
all busy every where,  
For this day comes in which they mind  
with mirth and joy to keep.  
The marriage of two princes young,  
which now forsake the sleep.  
The nobles of the Realm make haste  
and say, its time that they  
Ordain themselves the temple to  
therefore to come away.  
Oh if that Clio would accept,  
to show her worthy art  
In books to write the order that  
that day was kept with heart.  
Then might you see a triumph, as  
if Alexandrus were  
With all his iolilyke royalty,  
in place among them there.  
But to proceed, they seize the church  
when trumpets sound the blast  
Where both they join in one ere that  
the day was demi past.  
Even as it did behove such Peers  
where both they crowned be  
The king and Queen of arcady  
great joy it was to see.  
men's minds were not so fangled them  
as now they do appear  
Therefore each solemn thing was done,  
more rudely as I hear  
But leave we them to celebrate  
those things we have in hand  
And revert to the Palace, where  
no wight doth idle stand.  
But there prepare of costly cates  
a banquet rare to see,  
As though the muses nine themselves  
invited guests should be.  
What should I say by all thing which  
present did there abound,  
It sufficed then the very ground  
and floor for to surround:  
No heart could wish but there it was  
as did thereto pertain  
No tongue can show else what did lack  
but there it was full plain  
The divine rites performed then  
they both retire at last,  
For Sol now in his wonted room,  
meridian is placed.  
Where they consume the time at meat,  
two hours large or more,  
The noble men attending aye  
and waiting them before.  
Both Dukes and Earls with such like,  
and Barons of high prize,  
Each one in office diversly  
as best was to devise.  
This dinner done, the armoury  
beginneth for to sound,  
Which to the land of Pelops, and  
Hippodame doth redound  
There Orpheus' scholars show,  
their master's skill and art  
Then youthly knights betake themselves  
all things else s●c apart  
T● dance and raise the dames  
or Nymphs almost in sight.  
And so in pleasure they consume  
the time until the night,  
The king departs the hall himself,  
as fast as he can high,  
Which Myrtilus as prone therefore,  
doth suddenly espy.  
And thus he says, sir Pelops now,  
sith that you do obtain  
This dame and eke the Realm, by my  
industry and my pain,  
I read you for to keep your hest,  
the time is present now  
The night draws on, therefore I pray  
remember well your vow  
But he these words doth thunder out,  
oh caitiff borne to ill,  
Oh miser most, dishonour such  
woulost thou me bring until:  
Oh traitor vil●, dissembler thou  
thou shalt have thy reward.  
Because mine honour, and thy faith  
thou didst not regard  
For thy desert and usage aye,  
example thou shalt be,  
To other that commit such crime,  
what ever hap to me.  
Now Pelops calls to other, which  
he studeth best to trust,  
And painteth out this hap to them  
of Myrtilus unjust.  
Who being bound they throw on horse,  
unto the sea they ride:  
There plunge they in this Venus child  
with this reproach that tide.  
Lie there thou Lecher, thou wouldst fain  
assuage thy foul desire,  
On her who is thy Liege, on whom  
thou oughtest no shame require.  
And yet because that by this help,  
yaung Pelops gate the game,  
In memory of him he would  
that sea to be are his name.  
This done, they all return again,  
unto the wonted place  
But in the City they disguise  
themselves with hidden face,  
And mask unto the Court, where that  
they spend much time in play,  
Not known whothat they were, until  
they threw their mask away,  
Which done the Queen departs the hall,  
each wight departs to rest,  
King Pelops wishing nothing less,  
is thereto likewise priest.  
Where they content, both take their ease,  
as both they did require,  
And Pelops hath the only wight,  
whom most he did desire.    
FINIS.   

Epigrams and Sonnets.  

Of the most famous, renowned, and thrice happy Realm of England.  

OH fertile soil, thou l●ttle land,  
that Anglia hath to name,  
Unto whose banks and limits set  
Brutus of perfect fame  
With forced shield 'gan turn his arm  
unto thee now I say,  
These word to thee, in whom the waves  
of honey sweet do stay.  
In whom the floods of milk do run,  
and 〈…〉 〈…〉 e doth flow,  
Like l●n● our Lord to his elect,  
did promise long ago.  
If ever thou hadst cause to laugh,  
or joyful to be seen,  
They clay thy hands, and thank the God  
t 〈…〉 we thee such a Queen.  
W 〈…〉 ve do ascend and mount  
unto the very skies,  
And there do move the mighty jove,  
to turn to thee his eyes.  
With lovely hand to pour on thee,  
the seeds of this his grace  
And plenty causeth of all things  
to abound in every place.  
Within thy compass cut thou canst  
not truly witness this,  
Before her days that like in thee  
there was such cause of bliss.  
Nor aye there is none other cause  
by wit which thou canst find  
That moved God to throw on thee  
such plenty thus assigned.  
But her, before her days, in books  
full plain it's to be seen  
What war, what strife, and slaughter great  
in thee at once hath been.  
What scarcity with thee there was,  
what penury each thing,  
For want of grain, the lack of food  
did to thy bowels bring.  
The moved Gods by some thy fault,  
what ever sin it were,  
Did thee enforce the horror huge,  
and wrack of war to bear.  
By reason when the people faint,  
and tired could not toil,  
To till this land, whereby almost  
it was unfertile soil.  
But now sith none there is in sight,  
oh thank thy God therefore,  
And wish her life that is the cause  
of this thy perfect store.  
Who here in presence prayeth plain,  
unto the Lord above,  
At whose request, and whose behalf,  
he pours on thee such love,  
Yet think not (little Realm) that it  
is for thine own assent,  
Thy sin is sore, it is for her,  
or else thou mightst be shen●.  
Her virtues shine as bright as stars  
as clear as Phoebus' chief,  
The port of her doth stain the moon  
a Phoenix by her life.  
For chastity Lucretia  
ne could that Romish dame  
Aspire to her, though while she lived  
she had the only same.  
Let prudent Pallas pause a space  
and then for to eschew  
Let ●lio muse to paint the gifts,  
which jove doth her endue:  
Who worthy is to rule and reign  
besides her kingdoms three  
Over the globe which we account,  
all Chaos for to be.  
What should I say, what shall I write  
but land the royal race  
Of her who by her passing port  
stains juno's very face.  
Elizabeth whose name compact,  
doth stand of letters nine,  
The effect thereof and meaning true  
in few words to define.  
She loves the Muses nine, she leaves  
their wisdom passingly:  
She loves the sugared skill, she loves  
their laws assuredly.  
Let each true subject on his knee  
with thankful heart still pray  
For to preserve this noble Queen,  
in virtues lore always.  
The queen of England, realm also  
of France and Ireland  
Whom God protect from all annoy  
by his most mighty hand.  
And grant her subjects her to serve  
inheart with one accord:  
While she doth reign here over us,  
as long as please the Lord.  
And when that Atropos shall cut  
and shred her web in twain,  
In skies with him to joy a place,  
for ever to remain.    

The Author being minded to write, but la● king an argument, made this following, thinking whereof he were best to write.  

WHen Phoebus in the azure Sky  
'Gan mount with horses tracing high,  
Then was my mind bend to indite,  
Some pretty toy with pen to write.  
Of quyls I had in place good store,  
With ink and paper meet therefore  
But arguments I wanted aye  
That might conduct on the way  
At length when zealous study had  
Pretence to write of good or bad,  
As aye my mind did give me skill,  
Itself reproved mine own wil  
I will of kings go tell the reign,  
How they in throne do high remain.  
That doth sur pass my base estate  
Some other thing I'll imitate  
I'll write of priests, but with those  
It is mad meddling in a gloze.  
Of good men I will somewhat show,  
But few such on earth I know  
Then will I write of such therefore,  
As do give alms unto the poor.  
It is rare used in each place,  
Ergo I will omit that case.  
Of fasting something I'll declare  
But let that go it is so rare.  
I'll write of rich men's huge destre,  
The more they have, more they require.  
But shall I talk of a blast of wind?  
Then women I'll not leave behind.  
Of naughtypacks I'll paint the show,  
That argument would overflow.  
Of whoredom then shall I devise  
A volume large that would comprise.  
I will then flatter every man,  
But many men that science can.  
Then will I lie, I'll cog and face,  
Nay that is used in every place.  
Shall I tell truth, it is too raw,  
A black Swanue I never saw.  
Oh jove what world is this to see?  
Amendment no way found may be.   

Omnium rerum vicissitudo.  
War bringeth poverty,  
Poverty bringeth peace.  
Peace bringeth riches,  
Riches bringeth pride,  
Pride bringeth war.  
War bringeth poverty, etc.   

WHereas by martial power and might,  
the City vanquished stays,  
And overrun by foreign foes  
denieth such assays.  
Then poverty pursues with pain,  
and pincheth every wight.  
With greedy gripes to show his strength,  
and eke outrageous spite,  
By poverty each man is forced,  
to assuage his haughty heart,  
And hold himself content with peace  
all horror set apart.  
Then aye as authors witness do,  
small things for to increase,  
And grow full great, as long as that  
each wight enjoyts the peace.  
So that by peace it follows then  
a man may soon obtain  
The sand of golden Pactolun,  
and eke the silver vain  
Then if a man enjoys the pelf  
of riches pleasant mould,  
He falls in pride, th'unhappy clog,  
too high his head to hold.  
Whereby he spurns against such as  
his betters far are borne:  
Then what pursues this peace again  
in former place to torn  
So doth this world flit always,  
ne constant doth abide,  
And fortune whirleth very strange,  
on rounded stool to glide.  
Wherefore I deem each toiling wight  
that traceth on the ball,  
far better aye had been unborn  
ne troubled there at all.    

The lover being demanded wherefore he went always in black attire, in comen dation of the same, made answer to his Lady on this wise,  

SIth that each man with bravery,  
in colours doth him dight,  
Such as may please his mistress eye,  
and answer her delight,  
Some choose the green, the white some wear,  
some tawny light or sad:  
And some in yellow garnished are,  
in purple some be clad.  
Some orient red, some watchet die  
some one, some divers take,  
And wear the same most curiously  
for their fair mistress sake.  
And whereas I do serve and sue  
and seek to have the grace  
Of her that with her lively hue  
stains all that comes in place.  
To know a reason you request  
what thing I should desire  
That only I above the rest  
in black myself attire.  
The black and brown do seldom change,  
they fix their lovely grace,  
When other colours light and strange,  
do vade within short space.  
The yellow soon it waxeth pale,  
the russet keeps small stay▪  
The tawny eke will soon be stolen,  
the purple will decay.  
The white will soil, the green will stain  
so will the loving blue:  
The red will change with little pain,  
and take another hew.  
And so the grace is shortly gone,  
their beauty soon decays,  
But black is black, and always one,  
and serves at all assays.  
And so the heart that you doth serve  
what fortune so betide,  
From truth professed will never swerver  
but constant still abide,  
Beside all this these colours light,  
doth nothing else declare,  
But what their fancy and delight  
doth will, the same they wear.  
As virgin white and well beseen,  
the hopeful russet hew,  
The pleasant yellow, youthful green,  
and eke the faithful blue.  
Thangry red, the men forsake  
in tawny choose their weed.  
And thus in colours they them shape  
as folly doth them lead.  
Of colours as is their attire,  
so fleeting is their mind  
They love, they leave, despise, desire,  
●o stckle as the wind  
But sober black presents a mind,  
whom fully makes not fain,  
Dame prudence there may favour find  
and lodge with all her train.  
And as unchanging is the hew  
and eke unmeddled die,  
So constant is the heart and true  
that under it doth lie.  
And thus for this I wear the black  
you may right well bel●●ue  
And not for that I mourn, or lack  
but that which you may give.  
Oh were the happy hour at hand,  
come were that joyful day  
When you my faith will understand,  
and truth uprightly way.  
And so release my painful suit,  
to lie possessed in place,  
To reap the long desired fruit,  
and joy the wished grace  
With colours than let them departed,  
whose fancy flits always  
While I in black with steadfast heart  
do serve you all my days.    

The lover having danced with his Lady, in the end thereof speaketh these words.  

MAdam, sith that you do vouchsafe  
to dance about with me  
I render hearty thanks, and though,  
unworthy now I be,  
To kiss your tender palm with mouth  
yet do I natheless,  
Remain your servant still in heart,  
and place of thrall possess.    

The answer to the same.  

GOod sir, whereas you say that you  
unworthy are with me  
To dance, your pleasure and  
your tongue do both agree.  
You may say what you list, but this  
I know to be most true,  
No dame there is within this place,  
condign to match with you.  
Much less am I that meanest am  
inferior to them all,  
A worthy dame t'aspire to you  
to dance within this hall:  
Stoop not so low to kiss my hand  
for if that you do please,  
I am your own what so betid  
your thraldom to release.  
And think that you have gotten cut  
and in this presence found  
A servant true, as like that which  
dame fame did once refound  
Unto Penelope the fair  
which was Ulysses wife.  
What would you more, I am your own,  
in heart whilst I have life.    

Omne mundum positum est in malign tatem.  

Complaining I ne can refrain  
with measure just my tongue,  
But he unlose with mingled tunes,  
must make a doleful song.  
And say as ●ullie said, when he  
the Romans did accuse,  
O manners, o time, because that they  
all goodness did refuse.  
There was not sith the world was  
a worse time than this  
In which the Lady Virtus doth  
of preseats always miss.  
The assembly huge of Reprobates  
doth more and more increase.  
And treadeth down the simple souls,  
by their most heavy press.  
Which when my mind did know, forthwith  
by fear I did refrain,  
This tale not meet yet for such as  
do virgins pure remain.    

The restless estate of a Lover, written to a friend of his, wherein he craveth to have some good council to ease his grief.  

MY friend, the care that I sustain  
and life I lead at all,  
I send in paper here, as by  
these lines perceive you shall.  
The sluggish bed and drowsy place  
I always do detest  
Sith I therein with weary limbs  
enjoy no quiet rest.  
Before that Phoebus show his beams  
in morning I arise  
On field to far then forth I pass,  
as is my common guise.  
Where of the lusty flowers green,  
and ye allow fresh of hew,  
As by and over them I pass.  
I take the perfect view.  
Which colours two (though vading aye)  
I like and ever shall,  
For in the field while they remain  
they passen colours all.  
Directly then unto some hill,  
or mountain fast me by,  
In beaten path I take my course,  
and way as it doth lie.  
Where long I scale with feeble legs  
myself up for to get.  
By reason though of troubled heart  
I puff and sometime sweat.  
●et stint I never till that I  
on highest place may stand  
●nd top thereof, me round about,  
for to behold the land  
The sweling sea with surging waves  
also such fowls as fly  
And every thing that of the land,  
or air comes me by.  
The green forest which unto me  
doth seem most fair of all,  
And every fearful beast thereof  
to you which I name shall.  
The mighty hart, his make the hind  
the buck and eke the do.  
On side of hill there resteth, and  
the swift amazed Roe.  
The nimble long eared hare that swift  
before the hound 'gan run,  
The little crarknut squirel erst  
on tree, that pretty bun:  
And further more I see by me,  
the wily subtle fox.  
The balstone or the grey doth chase  
and beat from clinie rocks.  
Oh but at length I do perceive,  
as wished with the rest,  
A palace pure of pleasure, and  
the place that likes me best.  
And as in joy (by sight thereof)  
in dump there still I stay  
At length unto myself these words,  
with warbling tongue I say.  
Within thy walls and chambers fair  
a perfect place of bliss,  
My dearest friend, the w●ght that hath  
my heart, enclosed is.  
Where oft I wish my wretched corpse  
in covert for to be,  
So that no wight my sudden shape  
or presence knew but she.  
Transformed from my proper hue,  
and changed in such wise,  
As for our sureties both she could  
herself then best devise.  
A pretty little hound on her  
with faithful heart to fowne,  
I stand content so that my mind,  
were present to her known.  
A chirping mouse in hole to creep,  
in cave or hollow wall:  
When that in bed she thinks to rest,  
my loving noise were small,  
A linnet in a wretched cage,  
before her for to sing  
With shrillish notes I would ne stay  
nor stint of warbuling.  
A Philip Sparrow on her fist  
or elsewhere to be fed,  
At her own hands twice every day  
with chosen crumbs of bread.  
A little Robin that doth hop  
about with reddish breast:  
Or else if jove would me convert,  
a black flea in her nest.  
In faith with force ne could I find  
or think once in my heart,  
The pretty naked soul from out  
her sleep once for to start.  
But that mine eyes at leisure might  
her seemly corpse behold:  
Of God that rules the rounded ball,  
none other thing I would.  
Thus when my weary plaint  
and wishes all have say:  
Thy me home, because the night,  
approached to my pain.  
Where I consume the day, until  
I see the mantled night:  
Which come on bed, for show of rest,  
I spend until the light,  
And then my course to mountain hie  
again Idde renew  
Of every thing as yesterday,  
to take the perfect view  
Lot here my friend I send to you  
the pattern of my pain,  
I crave nothing but of your hands  
an answer sage again.  
And as in pleasure you have been  
to me a faithful friend,  
So likewise in distress and grief  
to show yourself so kind.  
Some good advice let me receive  
of that thy grateful hand,  
Whereby I may direct my path  
as surest for to stand.  
The while I will attempt with lines  
and letters for to move,  
The frozen heart of that good saint  
me to requite with love.  
If tok ens may ne boot, or that  
none other thing prevail,  
Then will I go and yield myself  
what so ere doth me assail,  
And present plead for grace, but now  
for once let this suffice.  
My Muse and I with slender quill,  
to indite will now devise.    

The Lover writeth to a Gentlewoman, by treaty to cause her to love him, if he may possible.  

Madam, like as the drop that falls,  
upon the marble stone,  
Doth péerce the same though not with strength  
but with oft fall thereon.  
So now though that the spark of fire  
be small within my breast,  
Yet every day its like to be  
still more and more increased.  
Unless that ye vouchsafe to give  
to me the oil of grace,  
For to prevent the same, before  
it take a root and place.  
Therefore these lines which I here send,  
do pray to have relief,  
To flow from you, to him that is,  
your servant during life.  
For sith that Cupid with his dart  
hath hit the mark that he  
Did shoot at with his blunted bolt,  
which stock he made of me:  
And sith there is no creature that  
can rid me fro my grief,  
But only you, Oh Lady mine,  
or cure my noyed life,  
I send you here with faithful mind,  
a present, though but small,  
Now take my hand, and eke my heart,  
yea take my life and all,  
To pleasure you ill that ye list  
ne never to deny,  
Let me enjoy the name and place,  
your siruant to supply:  
Let this suffice till that I know  
the tenor of your mind,  
Whether ye list to give long life  
or death unto your friend.  
One of these two you may prevent,  
for both rest in your hand,  
If that you list Panthora mild,  
sith I in hope do stand:  
And as I do perceive the cause  
of joy or else of grief  
I'll say it doth proceed from you  
be it of death or life.  
Go pass to her ye printed lines,  
that doth possess my heart,  
If that you cause me to receive  
some comfort of my smart,  
I shall rejoice, but if ye give  
to me a froward style,  
I shall be prone, and with good will  
from life me to exile.   

By him that hath been here before  
your own, and so is now:  
And for to be your own he hath  
yplight a faithful vow.    

Here the Lady writeth an answer to the letter of her Lover, persevering in her stubborness: nothing ruing his faithful heart.  

YOur lines sir, that you sent  
to me but of late days,  
I have perusoe, as meet I thought  
to be for such assays,  
And si●h that you request  
to have an answer ayne,  
I stand content to do so much,  
sith you in hope remain,  
To put you out of hope,  
think not I am so fain,  
To grant so soon unto your hest  
that were but folly plain:  
Go choose and take your make  
some elsewhere to be found.  
I am not one that will so soon  
in any band be bound.  
And you to be as free,  
as erst you were before,  
Leave of I pray you by my read  
and trouble me no more.  
Yet say not natheless  
that I the causer stay  
And am the weaver of your woe,  
that were no likely way.  
Though that your pleasure were  
to forge such feigned style  
And by the silver hook to catch  
the fish that fears no guile.  
The love is very hot  
for which a man would kill  
Himself, I know it very well  
that is a painful ill.  
Though Pyramus that wight  
with sword did péerce his heart,  
For Thisbie, and she likewise did  
of like death take a part.  
They two are dead in deed,  
they two be laid in stone,  
We never shall find out by sight,  
their like now they are gone.  
Now doubt I whether that  
the like love flow from you  
Therefore content yourself that while,  
I must needs say adieu.   

By her that loves not aye,  
To spend her words inwast  
Wherefore she sends but few lines  
To thee, farewell in haste.    

The letter of a friend of a wounded Lover, wherein he goeth about to dissuade him from this lovely folly.  

MY friend your parched letters are  
late happened to my hand  
And them with eye I have perused,  
and every sentence scanned.  
Whereby I do perceive that you  
do languish still in pain,  
And now according to request,  
I writ to you again.  
That I with dreary plaint accuse  
and wail the hapless hap  
Wherein blind Cupid Venus son  
did lately you entrap.  
But yet small remedy I find,  
if she so froward be  
As in your letters you report,  
and show the same to me.  
But that ye do refrain from love  
me thinketh that the wight  
That learning hath might well prevent  
and stop such peevish spite.  
Love is not of such force & strength,  
as far as I can show,  
But if it be by learning you  
better than I do know.  
Then fix your mind some elsewhere aye,  
where you may reap the fruit  
For which you have so toiled long  
by painful suit.  
But if you cannot soon withdraw,  
from her your yielded heart  
And thereby to exile yourself,  
from this your snared smart.  
Then wander hence away into  
some Country farther off,  
If you can aye forbear a while  
this soil to dwell aloof,  
And there with troop of chivalry  
to exercise yourself  
In feats of arms, thereby to shun,  
of loitering love the elf.  
Such facts will clean exile, & drive  
from out your mazed mind  
These pranks, insomuch that they shall  
no place hereafter find.  
The Adage old doth show us plain,  
and as I have heard say,  
Long out of sight, clean out of mind,  
and I believe it aye.  
Then if that you attempt some way,  
and work some witty wile,  
By favour of your friends to far  
a little in exile,  
And cut the calmed seas, the land  
to tread at th'other side  
You soon then would leave of your love  
which now in heart you hide.  
And if your heart doth not assent,  
in foreign fields to trace,  
Then in some town within this realm  
you must find out some place,  
For you that have the store of wealth,  
may lead your life as best  
To court it out with other brave,  
and roist among the rest.  
In Court great knowledge is,  
to which you may aspire,  
If that you list with zealous pain  
to apply your whole desire,  
And in the Court also you shall  
perceive some condign dame,  
That may extinguish clean the print  
and spark of the other flame.  
In time to come perhaps also,  
I say you shall rejoice,  
And laugh to see this link, the which  
you left have by my voice.  
Perchance that gods have you preserved  
until some better end,  
Then may you joy by right with me  
that standeth for your friend.  
But if you mind not aye to pass,  
into some other land:  
Nether to serve in princely Court,  
in Courtly room to stand.  
Then fix your earnest mind  
to aspire to knowledge hie  
By study of the common laws,  
a Councelor to supply.  
And leave such fond toys  
wherein you now do frame  
And trace your steps, that more to tread  
your present woe and pain.  
And give the common law the fame,  
when each trade doth decay,  
The proverb old as you know well  
doth likewisy to us say;  
No fishing to the sea there is,  
nor service to a king.  
No such game as the trade of law  
doth to our coffers bring,  
The trade of Law doth fill to brink  
from bottom boisterous bags  
They roist in silk, when other range  
the street in rented rags.  
Now judge yourself which of the twain  
doth give show best to be.  
With one of them I would that you  
in heart could aye agree.  
If that you like not aye the change  
of dames within the court:  
For Country prilles your youthful life  
with them to lead in sport.  
Or if you more esteem the sight  
of her that ways not you:  
More than the gilt that Law doth get  
by learning to ensue.  
I know not what thing I shall say,  
but wail the froward fate,  
Which unto you the Gods have grant,  
to purchase peéuish hate.  
Thus now adieu my friend, mark well  
these lines which I do send,  
And sometime let me hear from you,  
how that you do intend,    

The Lover writeth once more to his friend, as doth follow after.  

THe pains that you have taken sir,  
an answer to indite,  
Unto my letter that I sent  
with thanks I here requite.  
Not able any other way by gifts  
to recompense the same.  
But with my pen a few lines  
in paper here to frame.  
Whereas you say I should refrain,  
and keep myself from love,  
That were too hard, sith love itself  
hath forced the Gods above.  
What moved jupiter to turn  
himself to take the shape  
And form of Bull, but only love,  
for dame Europa's rape?  
And for because (my friend) you say  
love is not of great strength,  
As far as knowledge giveth you,  
it shall appear at length  
Did not loves law enforce that jove  
to turn in Eagle strange,  
When that Asterion he could  
accept into his grange,  
He took on him the form of swan,  
as Leda when he had,  
Under his feathered wings and breast,  
in safety for to shade.  
A Satire strange, he forced himself,  
that jupiter by name  
Saturnus son, to the intent  
he might Necteis claim,  
In form of golden shower when that  
to Danae he could climb  
In tower strong, for pleasure then  
with her to joy a time.  
Thus lose did he his former face,  
as love did oft compel,  
Besides him other gods also,  
which all I can not tell.  
But if that Poet's tales seem true,  
then did Neptunus' turn,  
And had the face of other beasts,  
a Ram sometime to form,  
Sometime a lusty horse to be,  
fometime a fish to play,  
As of a Dolphin take the hue  
as love did bear the sway.  
And did not erst Apollo take  
the shape of Raven black  
Sometime a shepherd in the field  
to bring his lust to sack?  
No god was free, sith all the shape  
of changed forms 'gan take,  
Of beasts or birds, and oftentimes  
of foul of fish of lake.  
Then say not that love hath no force,  
the proverb thus doth say,  
Amor vincit mundum, and then  
nothing so strong doth stay.  
And where as you do give advice  
me to withdraw my mind,  
And fix my heart some elsewhere, that  
I may some favour find.  
Alas can I withdraw my thought,  
or else avert my heart  
From her whose picture still I find  
within my breast impart:  
No no, or else and shall I grant  
to wander in exile,  
And drudge about as one unknown,  
thus desolate the while:  
I can not aye endure that trade,  
and where again you say,  
I should me try in feats of arms,  
and so drive love away,  
For once from sight clean out of mind,  
proverbially you speak.  
That is most true of such as would  
there vowed promise break,  
My heart, aye gives me power enough  
in foreign lands to wend,  
And over surging seas to glide  
t'arriue at the other end.  
Yea if I had a thousand lives,  
I would them venture all  
For her, if that at my return  
reward for pain might fall.  
Or where to serve in princely court  
your hest doth me advise,  
He that adventures such affairs  
had need be very wise  
In court though that great dignity  
be to be gotten aye,  
I have no mind to such attempts  
for things that I shall say.  
In court at times to dice and card,  
a man must venture oft,  
His winnings one time will be small,  
his losings come aloft,  
A man must not deny to play  
an hundred pound or twain,  
If that he mind to bear a name,  
though nothing else he gain:  
And other exercises store,  
which when a man doth meet  
With such as stand more than his match  
his winning goes to fleéte.  
The Court a sit place is in deed  
for such as know no end  
Of wealth, and such as heap up more  
than they may yearly spend.  
Such lusty lads n●●de take no dread  
how that the 〈…〉 se or win,  
Their tenant's toytl, they know not how  
their worldly wealth comes in.  
And some by parents wise have now  
such order in their land  
And Bounds well set, that they ne 〈…〉 de  
about it file their hand.  
And where you think in court there is  
such store of damsels fair,  
Though they were like the Muses ●ine,  
that trece above the air:  
Yet if that Enthinimias  
in court did aye remain  
More beauty she should show by sight,  
than any other twain  
Though that she be a country prill,  
no weight thereof doth stand,  
Think you that some those Courtly dames  
are not of country land?  
Yea though that they have changed place,  
and eke their wont guise,  
Yet country Lady▪ they are still,  
as far as I devise.  
If that you know the contrary,  
suppose that if this dame,  
(Though stubborn she) were set in court,  
should she not bear the name  
To be a Courtier eke most fit:  
small is the difference  
Now put ●ff you, if that ye 〈…〉 st  
to give intelligence  
And also of your other choice,  
I like much as the rest.  
The study of the common laws  
I ne account as best:  
To bend my mind unto that side,  
I think it folly plain,  
The way is long and tedious,  
so much more is his pain  
That trieth it, and if such store  
of gold be got thereby,  
I wish some friend that hath no wealth  
his mind thereto apply:  
But as for me, I thank the Gods  
that blessed me such wise,  
I greatly ne (as proverbs say)  
do need to rub mine eyes.  
And this I know for certainty,  
that he which links in jove,  
To earnest study any t●me  
his mind can never move.  
None of your choices three I like  
but pensive do remain.  
My sorrow groweth more and more  
I feel the worse pain.  
And where yond raise request to know  
how that I do intend  
The copy of my letter aye,  
and hers before I send.  
Thereby you may perceive and see  
how small she doth esteem,  
The cankered care whereby I cry,  
and stand at very brim,  
Of Stygian lake, yet do I mind,  
ere many days be past,  
T'assay again, for many men  
say Love comes not in haste.  
Yet will I pause a while,  
and think on every point,  
At length when I perceive my time  
I'll venture out a joint.  
And then renew my painful suit,  
which now doth stand begun  
It will be long ere that I end  
the feeble fools are won,  
With little care as I have learned  
thus far you well from T.  
Where oft to give me council good  
I wish you for to be.    

The lamentation of a lover being refused, showing no hellish torments to be like his, wherewith he accuseth his Lady's cruelty, & yet at length prayeth to have relief.  

COme on thou heart that long hast slept in wo●,  
Revive thyself thy hapless hap to show,  
Yeé senses all closed up with covert care,  
Unlose yourselves my sorrows to declare:  
Thou tongue that tied art by string of pain  
Be priest to show the woe where I remain,  
Thou hand that long hast stayed stretch out at last,  
To show the present grief and sorrows past,  
Of him that dying lives and wisheth death,  
Though dead in heart yet always draweth breath  
A thousand times for woe who still doth cry,  
And wisheth death each day and cannot die.  
Though Ixion nailed on the whirlmg wheéle,  
Which hellish stubs & irksome pains doth feel,  
Though Tantalus amid the lake therein  
Parsues that waves which wet & wash his chin,  
And when to him deceived it promise makes  
Then fleets that flood, his dryth and thirst ne slakes  
Though that the tree with aureal fruit doth stand  
By him, and when he reacheth out his hand  
Then flies that stock on which the fruit doth grow  
So bides he pain, and feels excessive woe.  
Though Titus heart did lie a perfect pray  
To flying fowls, this pain he bides always,  
Though Danaus' daughters fill in vain  
The watery vessels, and in toil remain,  
Yet none of these for grief may ay compare  
With me, for Clio may not yet declare  
Ne paint each parched pain, whereby I pine,  
Though she had all the help of Muses nine,  
Or else express with slender quill in hand,  
That each wight might it fully understand.  
Such dangrous dread doth double in my breast  
For her, who rueth not this my unrest:  
Ah frozen heart, ah wight of marble mould,  
Ah fem as fierce as Tiger to behold,  
Oh wolf of visage fell, who wouldst devour  
Each simple lamb, that joys but slender power,  
Thee to the noble Lion to compare,  
Were folly plain sith he this virtue rare  
Enjoys, who never doth delight, with force  
To tear the silly beast that yieldeth to his might,  
But then ●s victor to return away,  
And somewhere else to seek a condign prey.  
But thou whose mouth delighteth still to feed,  
Art not content my corpse on ground to tread,  
But ay to rent and tear my guiltless heart  
In pieces small by this my woe and smart.  
If that thy pleasure be to feed on me,  
So say, i'll pull my heart to give it thee,  
Thereby for to assuage thy hot desire,  
Thereby of life to extinguish out the fire.  
What wouldst thou more to do thy body good?  
I would on dagger fall to spill my blood,  
Or else with lancing knives to cut my flesh,  
To make thereof for thee a dainty dish.  
Then grant and yield to this my one request,  
I wish no more to breed my quiet rest.  
When Cupid shot at me first with his dart,  
And by the blow did péerce my tender hurt,  
I knew no salve to cure my sore again,  
But thereby did remain pensive for pain,  
Till Amor now by sleight the mean did find,  
To rid the same if thou ne grow unkind.  
Rue then thou frozen har● and stomach dire,  
With friendly words grant now that I require.  
Let me enjoy soon, eke the place possess  
Thyself, and thereby my woe redress,  
So me for to requite with love again,  
Sith I in heart thine own shall still remain,  
Till sisters three shall rid my vital twine,  
Thy love let me have aye, for thou hast mine.  
Grant this ye gods that glide on starry sky,  
And guide that Chaos ball most equally,  
What joy were this to me that am a thrall,  
If thou thy mate wouldst me once friendly call,  
Sith I so oft have travail spent in waist,  
To reap the wished fruit now at the last.    

The Lover having written many times, almost past hope, yet doth renew his plaint again.  

ALthough that here before my deer  
I written have in waist:  
And sent my lines to thee in vain  
expressing sorrows past.  
Yet hope doth hag me to incline  
with pen once for to paint  
The staggering staff whereby I stay  
and show to thee my plaint.  
And though that yet thou always have  
been ruler of my care  
Yet now at length a gentle wight  
do thou thyself declare.  
If any spark of mercy stay  
now flaming in thy breast  
Then say the word that pr 〈…〉 t may,  
and bring me wished rest.  
Let not the guiltless ghost g●ue up  
the cinders to the soil  
But let your mercy be 〈…〉 aid  
to help him give the fail.  
To hateful hap, let not my corpse  
to Charon bréery 〈◊〉,  
By passage over Stygian take,  
a burden aye to see.  
Let not the wight that now enjoys  
half years to run his race  
So soon departed from terra green,  
in Tartar to have place.  
Sith you may give him light that now  
in darkness doth remain,  
Sith you may give him freedom that  
in thraldom stays for pain.  
Think on the faithful heart  
of him that said thee so:  
Think on the meaning true of him  
that wandereth still in woe.  
Think erst ●n him that doth not ay  
esteem his borrowed life:  
To pleasure you if you vouchsafe  
to remedy his grief.  
And now sith that you understand,  
the secrets of my mind  
Let this suffice I say, until  
an answer be assigned.  
And though that many sundry times  
I travailed in was●●  
I weigh it not so that I may  
have mercy at the last.  
By him that states in heart your own,  
as long as life doth last  
And if that love be after life,  
your own when life is past.    

The lover being denied, yet singeth this song being constant, with hope to obtain her at the last that may reward him for his pain.  

THough surging seas do compass me,  
Of carking cares on every side,  
Yet trust I once to range most free,  
And to the joyful valley glide,  
And ●ke the wight for to obtain,  
That may release me from my pain.   

Though she says nay to my request,  
And doth deny my true desire,  
Disdaining aye to breed my rest,  
Whereby I freeze amid the fire,  
Yet trust I once for to avart  
Thus stubborn sternness from her heart,   

My lady calls it folly plain,  
With tongue such hardened knot to knit,  
As all the teeth with help of brain,  
Shall ne be able to unc 〈…〉 t,  
She wrappeth wily wit so sure,  
It to obtain its very dure.   

She doubts least that I mean awry,  
She feareth lest my heart be frail.  
She thinks I love not faithfully,  
But outwardly her to assail,  
She thinketh aye my tongue to flee  
In words, with heart ne to agree.   

Oh that Cassandra's gift were plain,  
And worthy skill for her to guess,  
If that I list in heart to feign,  
Contrary to that I profess,  
Then should be seen the great good will,  
I bear to her, and shall do still.   

Yet I ne blame that silly wight,  
Though circumspect always she be,  
Unfaithful love hath brought much spite,  
The proof whereof we daily see,  
By such as think contrary aye,  
In hare to that which tongue doth say.   

Yet I am none of those I vow,  
I love her truly in my heart,  
As is my thought the same I show,  
In outward words with woe and smart,  
Wherefore these words I say certain,  
That justly I should her obtain.   

Though long it be ere I arrive  
The joyful haven to possess,  
Though long I wretch do wear the give  
And careful clog of heaviness,  
Yet hope I once to see that day  
To have my love and none say nay.    

The Lady by often entreaty being vanquished with love, doth write a comfortable letter to her Lovet.  

DEsist my Philo friend, to plunge  
or welter still in pain,  
Where flowing aye the noisome waves,  
of woe always remain.  
Leave off to wail or mourn for that  
which thou didst deep desire.  
Sith I am priest with zealous care,  
to extinguish out the fire,  
And the unwasting coal that lies,  
now hid within thy breast,  
In covert wise, and by my means  
to bring thee cause of rest.  
Desist with pen to paint the pain,  
which compassed thee each side,  
Or doleful tunes to show the grief,  
in which thou didst abide.  
Leave off that black attire, wherein  
thou usest for to go,  
A perfect hew (as same report)  
and stgne of wicked woe,  
And fall to mirth, to joy with her,  
that comes to ease thy smart.  
Thy earnest suit hath found a place  
to lighten on my heart.  
Though once restrained by force I fled  
and thereto would not bow,  
For reasons rough, this one among  
the rest I do allow  
In books I readen have full oft,  
and others many a time:  
Of maids deceived by wily wights  
and led in loathed crime.  
For Satan meaneth most deceit,  
when Angels shape he takes,  
The fish is trapped soonest with,  
the silver hook in lakes.  
I doubted aye the like, until,  
that I enjoy the gift,  
Which once Cassandra held, that had  
been aye a present shift.  
For to discern and know thereby  
the secrets of thy mind  
If that I should thee faithful, or  
a plain dissembler find.  
For this you know as well as I  
this is the greatest care  
Of maids, how they bestow themselves,  
in lovely bands to far.  
And how they knit themselves in league.  
though love be very strong:  
And not for pleasure small to sing  
always a mournful song.  
But sith that I by proof perceive  
thy meaning true to be,  
And without fraud I stand content  
herein to pleasure thee:  
Then aye persist in steadfast faith  
for ever to endure.  
And me in heart to be thine own,  
to find thou shalt be sure.  
Now far thou well my only care,  
my steadfast staff of joy:  
The only comfort of my life,  
whom jove keep from annoy.   

By her that loves thee aye,  
more better than her heart:  
If theu consent to yield thereto,  
till death shall aye departed.    

The joyful lover having by earnest suit obtained her whom he loved, made this ditue following.  

COme on ye lovers that long have rest in woe,  
Leave off your sobs so tearing,  
And help my joyful hap to show  
A face of laughter bearing:  
Come on all ye I say again,  
Your ladies favour which obtain,  
And let us all sing.  
For we have passed the greatest ieopat die that might  
Have wrought us any woe or grief  
Now we arrive the haven chief  
And pass the sea of spite.   

Though Cupid's a-row piercde my tender heart  
And brought to me such paining,  
Yet now exiled is my smart,  
My dear I thus obtaining,  
I joy with her that joys with me,  
I love no wight so well as she,  
For like this joy knew I never none before that day  
In which these words were to me shown  
Come on my dear, thou art mine own,  
I will thee love always.   

What words of comfort were these now think you all  
To bring such liberty to me,  
When I had lived long in thrall,  
At last that day set to see,  
I ne remember now my woe,  
Which me compassed long ago,  
Therefore let us sing.  
For I am recompensed well for this my pain,  
I have the wight that I love best,  
Her words do bring to me such rest,  
I wish none other gain.  
Ye Gods that rule the rounded ball grant this to me  
I ask unfeignedly,  
If I love by'r with faithful mind,  
As I love her, let her love me,  
And not the contrary,  
Let her ne grow in heart unkind,  
And then may I sing,  
And purpose truly to love her always in my heart  
What ever hap shall aye befall,  
Yea though I lose my life and all,  
Till death us two depart.   

Tempus rerum edax.  

Nothing there is but aye,  
at length doth vanish clean,  
For time doth wear away,  
such things as earthly been.  
The Rose for all his hue,  
the scarlet Gillowfloure,  
The violet so blue,  
do vanish in one hour.  
The tree that groweth big,  
and windeth every way,  
Doth once rot every twig,  
when time says now, decay.  
The wight that here is borne,  
at last doth lose his breath,  
Though many ways he turn,  
and would not meet with death.  
The marble stone most sure,  
that lieth; under feet,  
Can not always endure,  
but goeth once to fleet.  
The king that sits in throne,  
with golden mace in hand,  
At length shall be as none,  
but earth on him to stand.  
The house wherein we trust.  
though hard as flint it be,  
At length shall wear to dust,  
a heap of stones to see,  
The castle set on hic,  
on hill that standeth stout,  
It's seen that time doth try,  
and beat the sollage out.  
The church that coured is  
with lasting lead above,  
At length time doth ne miss,  
his beauty to remove,  
A door of brass strong made  
of iron or such like,  
Time causeth once to glad,  
and with decay it strike.  
The rock that standeth strong,  
amid the foaming flood,  
Though that it lasteth long  
time beateth it to mud.  
The sea banks that are buy,  
and seen from land to land,  
Time wasteth utterly,  
aye farther for to stand.  
The Gun that by his strength  
can turrets overthrow,  
Time doth consume at length  
his power and might to show.  
The hill that stretcheth long,  
and casteth out his side,  
As time doth come more strong,  
than he in fall doth glide.  
The stars that in the sky,  
most thick set do remain,  
Do fade immediately,  
when time doth come with main.  
The sun that shines so bright,  
shall lose his comely grace,  
And show no spark of light,  
as time doth take his place.  
The moon that wandereth fast,  
and shineth on the land,  
Must needs decay at last  
when timely power is scanned  
The world of compass round,  
in fashion of a ball,  
At length shall not be found  
when time consumes it all.  
Nothing there resteth still  
but consumes by and by,  
When time doth show his will  
then vades the earth and sky.     

The Lover being willed of his Lady to attire himself in black and blue, demanded the reason, to whom she made this answer following by a letter.  

BEcause that you (my dear) request  
to know herein my will:  
Wherefore that you in black and blue,  
should aye attire you still.  
The black is said by right report,  
most constant to remain:  
And ne to change that colour sad,  
for any other grain.  
The blue presents the wearers mind  
and eke a loving heart:  
Be tokening lovely liking still,  
not soon aye to departed.  
Then join these two in one, and if  
thy raiment touch the black,  
Imixt with blue a lace or like  
my love ne fet it lack.  
For as the black presents a face  
of faithful trust to stay,  
So doth the blue aye represent,  
a loving heart always.  
And for a token of true love,  
my joy I send to thee  
Enclosed here those colours two,  
wear thou the same for me,  
Wherein is tied a slight present,  
in recompense of thine,  
A tablet wrought, I give it thee,  
it is no longer mine:  
As often as you wear the same,  
for my sake and for me,  
Then wish me well, for be thou sure,  
I wish the like to thee.    

The Lover writeth to his Lady, wherein he condiscendeth to wear the colours that she willeth him for her sake.  

IN colours two sith you request  
I should myself attire,  
As black and blue, I stand content  
to answer your desire,  
For where as black presents a mind  
whom folly makes not feign.  
A colour fit it is for me,  
changing for none other grain.  
If blewe a loving mind present,  
and eke a faithful heart,  
It is for me that ne doth mind,  
from constant love to start.  
But by the gift that you me sent,  
I can not recompense  
Enough, though daily I apply  
thereto my full prawnce.  
Yet though I have no gift to give,  
that worthy is of thee.  
In place of other yet let this  
suffice now sent from me:  
And though it be a gift but light,  
or recompense but small,  
I give my hand, I plight my faith,  
I send my heart and all.  
That keep until I do repair  
to thee, though it belong,  
Myself to joy in arms of love,  
and sing a joyful song.  
Farewell my joy, farewell my life,  
farewell my heart to thee,  
Farewell thou wight to whom I wish  
more good than erst to me.    

To him that was disappointed of his woman and lover.  

TO fret thyself in frantic wise,  
to beat thy senseless brain,  
To climb where nothing hangs for thee,  
to fish where flows no gain,  
Me thinks it booteth not at all:  
desist with speed therefore  
The enterprise thou hast in hand:  
this saw hath been of yore,  
That hard it is for to convert  
a woman's vowed mind,  
Such stern and stubborn kind of God  
to them is so assigned.  
Her love not bend is towards thee,  
whom thou dost fix in heart,  
An other doth with joy possess  
the wight that breeds thy smart.  
Yet for to ease thy mind, here is  
enclosed I send to thee  
In token of benevolence,  
a wreath of willow tree.    

The lover writeth in the praise of his Lady wherein he doth compare her to a Laurel tree that is always green.  

LIke as the Bay that bears on branches sweet  
The Laurel leaf that lasteth always green  
To change his hue for weather dry or weet,  
Or else to lose his leaf is seldom seen.  
So doth my dear for aye continue still,  
As faithful as the loving Turtle dove,  
Rewarding me according to my will,  
With faithful heart for my most trusty love,  
And sith the time that we our love began,  
Most trusty she, yet hath endured aye,  
And changeth not for any other man.  
So constant she of faith in heart doth stay.  
Wherefore unto that tree I her compare,  
That never loseth leaf, no more doth she  
Lose tried truth, how ever that she far,  
But always one by love in heart to me.  
Then boast I on this branch of Bays most pure,  
Sith that so sweet I find it at my heart,  
And love while that my life shall aye e 〈…〉re,  
And till that death our bodies two shall part.    

The pretty birth of a child.  

IT fortund late a Frenchman for to dwell  
In England, where himself he quited well.  
And took an Ihishwoman to his wife,  
Having by her a child of perfect life:  
Now if this child beginning shall retain  
Of father's side, a Frenchman he is plain,  
But contrary, if of the mother he  
Shall take the spring, he Irish is to see.  
But some say, that he shallbe of the land  
Where he was borne, them english shall he stand.    

The words of a dame concerning her Lover, spoken to one Mistress Anne.  

IN faith go mistress Anne I have  
found out a make in deed,  
A proper man, and tall, and one  
that seems will stand in steed.  
I love him well, more than I faith,  
I wish to him his good,  
I love him like mine own dear heart  
or else my victual blood.  
For this you know that I ne love  
my blood once for to see,  
No more I do delight that he  
within my sight should be,    

In praise of his Lady.  

E ELisa dame that Carthage Queen,  
N Ne Polixena fair beseen,  
T T'aspire unto my Lady's hew,  
H Helena ne with all the crew,  
I In passing sort may not compare,  
N Nor vaunt themselves for beauty rare.  
I In circuit huge her like n● is,  
M Miron may muse and talk of this.  
I In Gréece though Apelles did frame,  
A A picture clear of Venus' dame,  
S Sertaine she doth the same excel  
Of whom these lines the name do tell.    

Of four kinds of men that may sing at didner, and other meat meals.  

THe Gentleman that hath the store  
of worldly wealth, may sing  
At meals of meat, for pleasure great  
that pleasant songs may bring.  
And next by order check, the fool  
that joys none other grain,  
May sing and garre as doth the bird  
against a shower of rain.  
The Minstrel than that fiddleth ●●ne  
at feeding times may play,  
And sing to heap into his purse  
the coin by night or day,  
But chief, though last, the old cock may  
or cockold ne be dull  
To crow and sing fond fantasies,  
to hag from horned skull.    

Of covetousness and Lechery together.  

A Purse full fraught with gold,  
as worldly miser's frame,  
Had one at codpiece point, who tied  
with niggish know: the same:  
Thus were these two together k●it,  
and joined in amity,  
A purse with pelf of covetise,  
at lace of lechery.    

A perfect trick to kill little black flees in one's chamber.  

TAke half a quart of barley grain  
a quart of strongest beer.  
And boil withal in earthen pot,  
a pint of water clear,  
Till all these three consumed be  
to ounces twelve or less,  
And then the place to which you will  
these fleas in heaps to press,  
Anoint with that: this water hath  
in it this virtue raw  
That all the fleas will thither come:  
then take a slender straw,  
And tickle them on the small ribs,  
and when you see one gape,  
Thrust them the straw into his mouth.  
and death he ne shall scape.    

Each thing in his vocation.  

THe priests ensearch for funerals,  
and flatterers haunt the feast,  
The surgeons seek the maimed, and  
the ravens carreyne crest.    

The frailness of women.  

AN apple wins her mind,  
it lost is with a nut:  
Her tongue hangs filled with no edge,  
yet it will quickly cut.    

To his friend of the fruilenesse of dame Fortune.  

WHom fortune doth most smilingly advance  
Those soonest doth she cast unto the ground  
Unequal hap she holdeth still by chance,  
For to extol, or else defame by sound.  
I read somewhat of Polycrates ill,  
Who never felt the fell adversity,  
Yet dreading lest she once would work her will,  
Into the sea did throw (to satisfy  
Her brittle mind) a ring of value great,  
Yet fortune thought to show her power & might  
And forced a fish with gulching jaws to eat  
The same: which given to the king, by sight  
The ring appeared: with marvel he at last  
Was captive ta'en of great Orontes king,  
And strangling string about his neck yeast,  
Was forced adieu unto his life to sing.  
Learn thou by this I say my gentle friend,  
That riches rank, ne yet the precious stone  
Can once defer this fortune so unkind,  
For if it might this king had not been gone,  
And for because that thou art set so buy,  
And placed stayest in seat of this degree  
Unwilling aye to lose authority,  
I cannot choose but now advertise thee  
To train thy self in such wise thou mayst have  
(If fortune frail should hap to slip from thee)  
Each man's good will, whereby he might thee save  
From dangers dread, which that might haply see,  
For now a thing not rare it is in deed,  
That where we weigh our footsteps best to be  
With slippery place than soonest do we slide  
Therefore mark well that I have said to thee.    

The morning before the Lover went to his Lady, made this petition to the Gods.  

Gold is a sign men say  
of happy luck and love,  
Then grant ye Gods I pray  
that rule the sky above,  
This my request to me,  
that sith that I this night  
Did dream such gold to see  
as answered my delight,  
That I may hear such news,  
of her that hath my heart,  
Like as joy still ensues  
to rid me from my smart.  
And Venus God's mild,  
to whom the apple gave  
Young Paris Prince a child  
a noble dame to have  
Grant that I may by suit,  
have her I do request:  
And I will give the fruit,  
to thee before the rest.    

The foolishness of a painter.  

REpairing to a Painter's place  
to view such pictures rare  
As he with pencil fine had framed  
the fame away to bear.  
Me thought I saw such pictures there,  
of beauty's darlings brave,  
As did surpass, and condign were  
the only brute to have.  
Whereby it seemed he far had sought▪  
by sea and eke by land,  
Each passing part of womanhood,  
with eye had rightly skand.  
At length his wife descending down,  
a passing piece in deed,  
Me thought I never saw her like,  
attired in woman's weed.  
Who there did draw mine eyes to her,  
from pictures clean away,  
By whom was plain dame beauty than  
her banner did display.  
And viewing there each perfect point  
which nature did apply,  
That s●ly soul in co●ert wise,  
I speak thus by and by:  
Thou painter that with curious eyes  
hast seen each courtly dame,  
In mind thereby by sight of such  
a picture rare to frame,  
What didst thou mean to seek so far,  
and hast at home a wife,  
For beauty which knows not her peer  
with woman which are chief,  
Thou fool, if that thou list in deed,  
with pencil to detrayne  
A picture that all other shows  
of pictures aye should stain,  
Or if thou meanest to frame a show  
of beauty catched in net,  
And such one as the jail thereby  
thyself thou erst might get,  
Then forge the picture of thy wife,  
and travail not for pain,  
Sith she the chief of beauty's stock,  
among us doth remain.    

The grievous complaint of him that had the hap to marry his mistress.  

WHen youthful years did prick me forth  
in stature for to grow  
A tall young man, and towardness,  
(to call) by sight to show,  
I did request in heart to be  
a serving man a space,  
Whereto my friends did condescend,  
and wished me their grace.  
A master meet my parents chose,  
as best they thought in mind,  
That should in service me retain,  
sith I thereto was clynd,  
A gentleman of antic stock  
by alltance very good,  
By pedigrée and just descent  
he came of gentle blood:  
And sticken deep in years, this wight  
a wife he had before,  
A passing dame, a pleasant wench,  
of beauty which had store.  
They did continue many years,  
in virtues ways most pure  
With faithful love and amity,  
and friendships lore most sure.  
In so much that there was cause gin  
to neighbours round them by,  
To blaze this bruit in every place,  
by fame both far and nic,  
Happy to be that aged soul,  
and lucky for to stand,  
That had by Gods appointed him  
a wife to lead in hand,  
That aye dame beauty's banner brave  
displayed in such wise  
Withal, for virtue in no place  
her like might once arise:  
Well, to ensue, dame Atropos  
can shred his web in twain,  
Leaving no issue him behind  
as his heir to remain.  
Whereby the right of land and lease  
of silver and of gold,  
Descended solely unto her,  
for ever it to hold.  
Then was this widow often sought,  
in marriage league to wend,  
But she refusing offers large,  
to none would condescend,  
Then I remembering many times  
her virtues manifold,  
The seemly port, the comely grace  
which she by sight did hold  
But chiefly aye the worldly wealth  
and riches pleasant store,  
That by her husband was her left  
surrounding aye the flore.  
Was moved much by Cupid blind  
for to attempt with main,  
If that I might this passing wight  
by any means obtain.  
And being daily conversant  
I wrought the matter so,  
That in short time my hearts desire  
I obtainde●o my woe.  
The marriage made, most joyful I  
in heart did aye remain  
I never knew what sorrow meant  
ne felt what thing was pain.  
Ah pleasantly we did consume  
two months and no more,  
In pleasant wise than did I think,  
to sue to get some store,  
Of gold if that I might,  
I knew she had the same,  
And fruitful bags, but in no wise,  
I could one crown reclaim:  
And as request was made of me,  
this answer by and by,  
Was gin of her in crooked wise,  
and aye most frowardly,  
Good sir, I wedded not for that,  
advancement ne you gave  
To the intent that any store  
of mine you should thus crave,  
And think to be your own, but this  
much I do to you say,  
If that you stand to my reward,  
your labour i'll repay:  
And what I give you take,  
mine offer ●e refuse,  
I was your mistress till I gave,  
you licence me to use.  
Such as is yours is mine,  
and mine is sure mine own:  
Then none ye have, ne none ye get,  
unless friendship he shown.  
But I with rage and choler moved,  
ne could myself refrain,  
To me it was a present death,  
and erst a piercing pain,  
That I should be a woman's thrall,  
that I should be a slave,  
That I in place of husband, should  
none of her substance have.  
It moved me in deed, so that  
though clean against my vow,  
I was constrained by fury fell  
some blows for to bestow,  
But out alas, her friends forthwith  
'gan give her friendly aid,  
Whereby I trodden down to ground  
in mind was aye dismayed:  
And she puffed up by passing pride,  
her head was grown so high  
Above my pate, that able she  
was it with nails to clye,  
With pot, with candlestick, and eke  
with bedstaff of huge weight,  
Both stool and form flung at my face,  
with care thus I was freight.  
On every fide, oh miser most:  
oh caitiff borne to pain,  
Oh devils drudge, oh frantic fool,  
that marry wouldst for gain:  
When I in stable served the horse,  
Then was I wearier aye,  
On bench with clowns whole penny up,  
at treygobet to play  
Than I am now beside all this,  
and which doth grieve me more,  
Of horns by her vile whoredom strong,  
accrueth to me store.  
No remedy I find the while,  
for still before my face,  
Roisters, ruffians, she retains  
in bed, my rightful place.  
Wherefore a thousand times I wail  
my state and misery,  
A thousand times I call for death,  
yet natheless can die:  
I shall live longer than I would,  
in thrall with much shame,  
Oh God what hap had I, when first  
I wedded home my dame.    

The Lover by pleasant talk caused a Lady to understand how a shrew or unhappy woman came first into the world.  

LEt no man muse but this was first  
the offspring of a shrew,  
As I in lines here subsequent,  
shall cause you for to know.  
When as for sin the thunderer  
love did the earth surround,  
And overwhelmed aye with waves,  
each part of heavy ground:  
Deucalion only saved was,  
and Pirrha then his wife,  
(As Poets say) of mortals, and  
he longest joyed life.  
And when perceiverance did him take  
that every wight was gone,  
And that they two and no more  
on earth were left alone,  
Then pensively they took advice  
to Them●s for to wend,  
To weet how mankind might again  
his former life intend.  
This Goddess can reply them to,  
wi●h answer on this wise,  
If that Deucalion could find out  
by sight of greedy eyes,  
His mother's bones, and him behind  
they thrown for to be,  
Within short time they should start up  
men living for to be,  
This marvel much dismayed the minds  
of these two seely wights,  
As though that they did fearful stand,  
by sight of hellish sprights:  
But this Deucalion being wise,  
perceived at the last,  
The earth mother to be of all  
things that are now and past:  
And erst to be the spring wherehence  
all mortals first did flow.  
By reason then of earth he was  
(by wit) he prompt did know,  
And aye her bowels for to be  
the sandy crushing stones:  
The marble and such like also,  
appointed her for bones.  
Wherefore he threw behind himself  
these stones of manifold,  
Which to be men immediately  
(amazed he 'gan behold.)  
Of these came all the men that now  
are living under sky:  
And Pirrha mild to play her part  
behind her by and by,  
'Gan throw as many stones as this  
Deucalion threw before,  
Which straight became a troop of dames:  
of both kinds there were store.  
The reason now I guess how that  
such shrews in earth abound,  
In every place among the men,  
a number to be found,  
Is this, the sea replet with salt,  
did beat against the land,  
And many stones within the same  
of saltish taste did stand,  
Then to ensue, when all the earth  
with sea was overrune,  
There was no land but water all  
to be seen under Sun.  
Decreasing yet it left such stones,  
remaining on the land  
As saltish were, a number sure:  
perhaps to pirrha's hand  
Came one of those, and made a fem:  
the salt must fret always,  
Within that wight which first was made  
of salted stone or clay,  
Whereby to choler it provokes  
and her in rage to fall  
In frantic wise: a shrew to be  
such one we always call.  
For such was Morrell slain,  
and laid in saltish brine,  
For saltish shrews his skin was slain  
such shrews in it to shrine.    

Offaithfull friendship.  

WHen worldly wealth doth vade & decay,  
And earthly riches to earth do turn again  
Yet friendship most steadfast and sure for aye,  
Hap what hap may doth still remain.  
May any man find the like of Carrion  
And Menalip companions aye,  
Who to the death were friends? no not one,  
Who kept this friendship most stedfest in stay,  
There are friends dead, and of sorts twain,  
By proving a man may find it true,  
The one in countenance all for gain,  
The others words dead to ensue.  
Some men remember Pylades,  
A faithful man, a trusty wight,  
Oh sacred friend unto Orestes,  
Oh sparkling star to give us light:  
They all are gone and laid in grave,  
Once we had Pylades, and once Orestes,  
But them again or like, we none shall have,  
Ne have not now, to trace their progress:  
Menalip is gone, and Carrion,  
The sacred souls hath rapt them aye,  
Their facts have we as yet to look upon,  
Such kept the flower of friendship in stay.    

What danger ensueth if a man enterprise a higher place than his degree can aspire unto.  

BY fortune came a country clown  
to London, for to see,  
And roaming up and down the streets  
as best he thought to be,  
Went to the court a place unmeet  
for such a carter plain,  
The same time where for princes sport  
great pastime to ordain  
Men went about: the night drew on,  
and Luna with her horns,  
The azure sky and element  
with sparkling stars adorns.  
And he thus learned of the boys  
or lackeys of the court,  
Such passing pleasure for to be,  
and eke such princely sport,  
Did mind (if that he might) to get  
and wring into the hall  
To take the view, this beyish clown  
did nothing are appall,  
Though with the sight of nobles store  
his dollish eyes were fed,  
But loppreth to the upper end,  
his cap upon his head.  
One of the waiters seeing this,  
him by the arm can hold,  
And said sirrah, to come so nigh  
how darest thou be bold?  
Come on, if that thou list to view  
and see some pleasant sight,  
Go get thee out into the street  
and stare on the moon light.  
But he with struggling 'gan refuse,  
and very long resist,  
Till at the length his ear did fetch  
somewhat at porters fist.  
(I know not what it was) but he  
with anger chafed much,  
Did think if he were at the door  
to recompense this tuch,  
So that in deed (that place attain)  
unwares to any wight,  
He gave the porter another blow,  
with all his power and might.  
The fellows seeing this, 'gan run  
on heaps unto the door,  
And for one blow they did him give  
whole twenty, yea and more,  
In so much that the foolish sot  
was forced almost to cry,  
When as he felt a weighty fist  
to hit him on the eye.  
They laid on load, but at the last  
he escaped from the door,  
Thinking aye to go so far,  
he venture would no more,  
But to beware by this, sith that  
so foolishly he would.  
Now venture in a place to high  
for his decree so cold.  
This chance doth often hap to such  
as boldly do aspire  
To highest top as they are led  
by foolish fond desire:  
It's often seen, that they which sit  
at meat at the upper end,  
Are often placed all below,  
and lowest thither send.  
Let every man him hold content,  
and aye well pleased be,  
In each point, with such haps as are  
most meet for his degree.    

Of parents deformed having a beautiful child.  

DOubling doubts & musings much I stand  
To see dame nature's fact, by skilful hand,  
I muse how that the tree that bears by kind,  
The red haw, should to chestnuts be inclined:  
I muse how that that tree should change that suit  
For grapes most pure his cat sloes sour fruit  
This change seems somewhat strange in deed to me  
Such kindly gripes unkindly for to be.  
I muse how that dame nature could with skill,  
And learning large of high Parnassus' hill,  
Frame such a piece on earth here for to stray  
Of parents as were made of clodded clay.  
I muse how that erst such a froward fyr  
With drowsy wife whose love is to the fire,  
Should get a daughter damsel fair & bright,  
For to display dame beauty's banner bright.  
This fact departs by fame the only deed,  
Of thundering love, that gives that good their meéd  
To rest with him, and pai●s the ill their hire.  
For to descead to hell and flaming fire.    

Of him that took a quart of wine when it was proffered by his friend, who minded to get a pottle.  

ONe newly come to town, of freénds  
a number he 'gan meet,  
About the rest, by freéndly talk  
one chiefly thus him greéte,  
Unto your welcome sir I have,  
some where a quart of wine,  
Which willingly I would bestow  
on you this present tyme.  
Mary (quoth the other) gladly  
your gentle gift I take,  
The quart of wine I mean not now  
with nay thus to forsake.  
Nay quoth the other straight, you ought  
for to have offered me,  
A pottle more for to requite  
my gift offered to thee:  
For courtesy doth will when that  
one offereth thee a quart,  
Thou shouldst him give the like or more,  
to show thy gentle heart.  
Beshrew me then (quoth the stranger)  
for 〈◊〉 thou drinkst of mine,  
I will be sure before band aye,  
to have a taste of thine.  
For many men most mindfully,  
do often offer make,  
Such things as they ne willingly,  
would any time forsake.  
But for a skill to get the like  
under colour and face  
Of courtesy where crabbed claws  
deceitfully do trace,  
So now this quart of wine  
is offered aye of thee,  
To the intent that thou mightst get  
a pottle more of me.    

To her the Lover writeth, being familiarly acquainted, refused in presence to speak to him.  

SIth that thy favour once I held  
and joyed part thy grace,  
What was the cause, that this disdain  
should brge himself a place  
In thee? at home I know,  
and eke remember well:  
Full loving tales and stories there  
I often could thee tell,  
And for reward I could receive  
of thee a kiss or twain,  
As justly aye deserved of me:  
in recompense of pain.  
I than was bold to go with thee,  
in chambers low and high,  
And in mine arms on bed of down  
have thee thereou to lie,  
Though I restrained by forced fear  
would never enterprise  
To taste of Venus' sports, as things  
ne to be seen with eyes.  
Where as perhaps (as well appeared)  
you willing were thereto,  
But that a doubt came in the wind  
that forced a freénd a foe.  
This token you remember well,  
if that you list to yield.  
She took a blow below the ear,  
at Mooregate by the field.  
To play at cards and tables both,  
to drive the time away,  
And other games you could devise,  
as time served day by day.  
An hundred toys were to be found,  
that might us merry make,  
Then had the Moon clean lost her form,  
and was ne like a cake,  
I was thy darling then, also  
I did possess thy heart:  
Each word that stubbornly was cast  
did cause each other smart.  
Why now, what is the cause me tell,  
that this so vile disdain,  
Should thee. enforce ne to regard  
him that for thee bides pain?  
What was the cause that when you met  
me with your fellows more,  
And troop of dames in open street,  
you would so slily go.  
And look awry as though not meet  
I were to see your face?  
(Such friends as we are aye before)  
this was a changed case.  
But go thy way, to choose thy fear,  
even where it likes thee best,  
I'll trouble thee from hence no more,  
ne thee disturb of rest.  
But as long as by sight I know,  
a woman from a sheep,  
For thy sake I will then beware,  
and look before I leap.    

Of Unthrifts.  

THose men whose minds are wolly bend  
and set on pleasure vain,  
Do take no care to get the thrift,  
that brings incessant gain.    

Of Whoredom.  

AS aye amongst th'untamed beasts  
that range amid the wood,  
Thrre is no greater rave nor then  
the Wolf of cruel mood.  
And as the Puttoke doth surpass  
each winged foul pardie,  
By eagerness to skirr her pray,  
once seen with greedy eye:  
So aye excels this monstrous vice  
of whoredom by her kind,  
Each other vice stupendious  
by Satan left behind.    

Like will to like.  

EVen as good men rejoice always  
With good men for to be,  
In company to joy with them:  
so like it is to see,  
Ill men rejoice with like to have  
their company always:  
The good with like, the ill with ill,  
do join in all assays.    

Of unwitty spending.  

ME think such wights, small wit in head retain,  
Which do consume & spend that worldly gain  
Which they have got with sweat of brow and pain  
no cause therefore:  
Such treasure then as they for long have sought  
In little time for to consume to nought,  
Such spending ay not taking any thought,  
makes rich men poor.    

Perit quicquid feceris ingrato.  

AMongst such deeds, as when that they are done  
Enforce a man for to repent therefore,  
This one thing chief remains for each to shun,  
Though there abound by knowledge many more,  
What ever thing thou dost with zealous mind,  
T'a churlish wight that adage shows such sense,  
It's lost: he will not leave his doggish kind,  
Ne never mean the same to recompense.    

The property of Reprobates.  

BY kind they that are lewd in deed,  
do joy in heart always,  
When as the good misfortune find  
and fall into decay.    

A good man.  

PErforce a perfect wight in deed,  
to be, he bears the fame,  
Which no man harms ne doth delight,  
his neighbour for to blame:  
Then it insewes, if he be good,  
we should him follow still,  
Sith we are taught to love the good  
and to abhor the ill.  
And if that virtue ought to be  
embraced of every wight.  
Then ought we all embrace that man  
that virtuous is and right.    

A perfect preservative for health.  

FOr keeping of a man in health  
there is no better way,  
Than for to eat and drink by mean,  
one mean to keep always,  
And ne surpass or change that mean  
at one time more or less,  
For measure brings a treasure tried  
in pleasure or distress.    

A stupendious desire.  

SOme men there are that do employ  
and fix their greedy mind,  
To gather riches to themselves,  
to private gain inclined:  
And though they find no end of wealth,  
yet more they do desire,  
And kindle up upon their heads,  
a flashing slain of fire.    

Old men.  

ALL living wights whom that  
old Senex staff hath smit,  
Denieth youthful slothfulness,  
and otherwise delight.    

Diversity of remembrance.  

WE all are wont (as well is known)  
to print and bear in mind,  
A lesson touching naughtiness,  
to which vice is inclined,  
Moore sooner than a godly phrase:  
so great diversicie  
Of good and ill, we always find  
fixed in our memory.    

The deceits of the Fox.  

FOr to have learned the Fox's wiles,  
and rightly understand,  
Were readiest mean them to prevent  
before they come to hand.    

Of a woman's hatred.  

THe anger of a shrew is aye,  
more grievous to some wight,  
Then is the sting of serpent strong,  
that bringeth much spite.    

Of boasting and bragging.  

HE that doth little thing perform,  
yet brags at every house:  
May be compared to an hill,  
that once brought forth a Mouse.    

A sign of anger.  

IF that he bends the br●wes  
in frowning wise to lower,  
We say that he then angry is,  
or hath an angry shower,    

The sudden falling into danger:  

NO wight there is that steppeth forth  
or traceth on the ball,  
That can from danger him exempt,  
so soon as in it fall.    

The pity of Dormice.  

OF pity this is a sign.  
And cond 〈…〉 e aye for to be known.  
How that young Oormices always seed,  
Their sires that in age are grown.  
And when that they ne able are,  
To travail for their prey,  
The young ones yet the same will get,  
And bring to rest always.    

Of imdietie of children.  

WHo can deny but virtue all  
is vanished out of place,  
When as the children ne obey  
the fathers in no case.    

The sins of Kings.  

WHen ever as the king doth sin,  
and justly love therefore,  
Doth vengeance give, to the intent  
that he should sin no more:  
We always see the plague to light,  
on commons many a one,  
As well as on the wight that sinde  
and forceth them to groan.    

Of eating of eggs:  

AT meat there met both he and she,  
among those dishes rare  
That there were set (not dainty though)  
came eggs t'augment the fare,  
(Quoth she) if that you eat this egg,  
the proverb doth ensue,  
Three shames therewith incontinent  
shall happen unto you.  
But he applying this egg,  
not printing that in mind:  
There fell a drop, there's one (quoth she)  
the other be behind.  
With that he clapped the egg into  
his mouth, the shells and all,  
There's two (quothshe) watched for the third,  
till that it doth befall.    

To him that was angry because the Cuckoo did sing before his door.  

Friend rage not with the Cuckoo,  
though he sings before thy door,  
And Cuckoo cry, ne changing aye,  
the tune he sang before.  
He cries not Cuckold, though much like,  
thy wife do thou not blame,  
For though thou thinkest he Cuckold cries,  
perhaps it is not thy name.    

Of Sugar and Salt.  

Sugar and Salt begin with like letter,  
though sugar be good, yet salt is better:  
This sugar is sweet in mouth to the taste,  
yet doth the Scripture show us at the last,  
That salt doth season all things that there be,  
and no such mention of sugar we see.    

Of hasty wiving.  

HE doth desire a wife in deed,  
and thinks it very sweet,  
That willingly would marry aye,  
each harlot he doth meet.    

Of despising of the poor.  

THough that he fallen be in decay,  
and wanteth to maintain,  
Yet it is not a godly point  
to scorn the wight in pain.    

Of harlots.  

AN harlot sure in outward show  
professeth fervent love,  
But from her heart she doth expel  
and faithful love remove.  
But certain she is craving still,  
and greedy of thy gold,  
And without that or such like gifts,  
no more touch they will hold.  
As long as thou dost fill her hand  
with money, they remain  
Thine own: but they are gone when that  
they have no hope of gain.    

Of keeping company with naughty packs.  

HE that doth cling to fellowship  
of naughty packs always.  
Its marvel if he with their blots,  
himself ne spotteth aye.    

The Proverb.  

IN age he hardly shall enjoy,  
or riches store obtain  
That could ne find in heart in youth  
to give himself to pain.    

Of anger without a cause.  

HE that doth fret for each light cause,  
or trifle in respect,  
May well be called a fool by kind,  
his folly to reject.    

Of husbandry and Scholars.  

Such as do toil to till the land,  
and husbandry maintain:  
Such as do plough and cart, abide  
ten times more grievous pain,  
Than such as do endeavour aye  
and learning sweet desire,  
And give themselves by pleasant trade  
sweet letters to aspire.    

Another Proverb.  

HE seems unwise that doth intend  
the top of house to raise,  
Before that he hath cast the sloore  
to bear the heavy poise.    

The error of the wicked.  

AS the Eagles do contemn  
at beetles for to smite,  
So rich men do, to scorn the poor,  
inheart ofttimes delight.    

Of pleading where a man's not heard.  

IT better were that every wight  
should hold his peace always,  
Than for to speak and waste his wind  
not being heard for aye:  
Yea where the people ne esteem  
his words, but count as vain,  
There were he better hold his peace,  
and take no wilful pain.    

The frailness of youth.  

YOuthly age is bend so much  
to foolish fond aspect,  
That if the masters will not once  
with tongue their faults detect.  
Another time, the worse mad  
you shall them surely find,  
If that it happen so, that  
correction be blind.    

Nothing is hid from God.  

WHat sin soever thou commit  
if it be great or small,  
If it be in most secret place,  
yet God beholds all.    

Of flattery and lying.  

Flattery bears a skill with it,  
But lying comes by mother wit.    

A faithful friend.  

Doubtless a friend he is in deed,  
and aught to be accounted sure,  
Which shows himself a friend unto  
his friend, as long as life endure.    

Of costly apparel.  

EXtreme folly it seems to be  
attired in such wise,  
To which thy base state and degree  
by much ne may arise.    

Of neighbourly aid.  

LEt it ne grievous seem to thee,  
thy neighbour to relieve,  
Sith he, if thou shouldst meet with need  
the like to thee may give.    

Of good counsel.  

GOod council see that thou obey  
at first when thou begin,  
Ne in such hazard do thou slide,  
and suddenly fall in:  
From which thou mayst not easily pull  
or draw thy foot again,  
And thus repent when it's too late,  
increasing still thy pain.    

Of him that would sight at home, and no where else.  

WIth me ne wouldst thou strive,  
ne yet division make,  
But at home on thine own dunghill,  
where all cocks proudly crack.    

Of a covetous mind.  

SO sparing he is still, and hard  
of that he doth recleame,  
That easier it is for to get  
or draw a water stream  
Out of a Flint, then for to wring  
a penny from his bag  
Where thousands lie, his best coat yet  
is but a rotten rag.    

The Proverb.  

IN brave attire who pampreth up  
his corpse for seemly sight,  
In velvet, purple, and such like,  
his purse then ways most light.    

Of wicked children.  

THe child that doth account,  
and thinketh aught for aye:  
His Parents worthy ne to be  
to whom he should obey,  
Most meet is to be expelled,  
out from the christ: n flock,  
Lest graffs we should have more to grow  
out of such wicked stock.    

Of wailing for the dead.  

WHat profiteth to wail the dead,  
and strike myself with pain,  
A man may weep till heart strings break,  
yet have not them again.    

Of parents.  

IT is not parents wit by right,  
so much the child to hate,  
Rather to see him cast away  
than roughly him to rate.    

Of such as had rather have harlots than wives  

BY wit I ne allow the use  
ne council of that wight  
Which rather would frequent the house  
of harlot's day and night.  
Then chastened for to take a wife,  
and Himeneus please:  
And rather would sustain still strife,  
than always live at ease.    

Of him that esteemeth riches more than friendship.  

Unworthy he of friendship is,  
that more esteemeth gold  
Than faithful friendship, which as long  
as very li●e doth hold.    

Of Destiny.  

NO destiny a man may scape,  
as reason doth allowe●  
And hanging is a destiny,  
as many men do know:  
Then i● a wight doth throw himself  
amid the ●urging ●ea,  
In mind thereby to meet with death,  
and drowning him to slay:  
Yea though he sight in skirmish dure,  
and brawl with such as be  
Surpassing him by manly force,  
yet thus much do we see:  
Though many ways for death he seek  
himself away to cast.  
If hanging be his destiny,  
he hang shall at the last.   
M. G.   
FINIS.   

LONDON, Imprinted by Abel Jesse's, dwelling in the Forestréete without Créeplegate near unto Grubstraete, 1587.