The Prologue  

AMids the twins when 〈…〉  
Fair Cythera, and jout beingue.  
Last over went by his course right,  
That he with them had conjoining:  
Commodiously mitigating,  
●ath Mars and Satur's malice great,  
Which in thè Crab but lately met.   

Likewise Lucina, than her decte,  
With each planet diligently,  
Herself to join with like aspect,  
Beginning first with Mercury:  
To jupiter consequently,  
With Soland Cythera in haste,  
With Saturn then, and Mars at last,   

Almighty God that all hath wrought,  
Thus through their course most natural,  
Within three signs together brought,  
These stars that cr●atykes men call:  
In these three were these planets all,  
The Crab, the Twins the horned Bull,  
Of wonders thus his works are full.   

At this time as for my solase,  
To bany she pensive heaviness:  
I went abroad the time to pass,  
When thought my soul did sore oppress:  
Calling my muses to to release,  
My soul, which did in sorrow smart,  
Who aye were wont to ease my heart.   

The Muses nine I mean which teach,  
And Christian poets illuminate,  
〈…〉 with pen or mouth they preach,  
〈◊〉 virtuous and most godly rate:  
Of grace and knowledge they the gate  
Do open in most gentle wise,  
To all that goodness exercise.   

The first of these is virtue fair,  
Which some men do Arete call.  
The second faith which doth repair,  
To saving health as principal.  
The third place lady hope have shall.  
The fourth is love: and wisdom five,  
Which do with grace right well revive.   

Deign temperance the sixth muse is.  
The seventh is dame patience.  
The eight a lady full of bliss.  
To constancy in good pretence.  
The ninth of good experience,  
Is meekness, or humility,  
The purchasers of God's mercy.   

To these as I before have said,  
I made my plaint still as I went,  
desiring them of help and aid,  
Else am I all in pieces rend:  
For ignorance most pestilent,  
With her son error me assail,  
And would against my soul prevail.   

At least (quoth I) dear helps alas,  
Let come Arete, and dame Spes:  
bringing with them dame Charitas,  
That they my heart may bring to ease.  
And take from me my great disease:  
This ugly grief vile ignorance,  
And in her stead knowledge advance.   

At last I sat down on a green,  
Unto a bank leaning my back:  
But Phoebus' beams so hot did shine,  
That it constrained me to take,  
The shade under the fresh green brake.  
Not far from me then straight I spied,  
A grove which was there hard beside:   

Where as each bird, with the sweet noise  
That nature gave them to endure,  
Began my heart for to rejoice,  
Their notes my thought were so demure:  
Which in short space did me procure,  
My thoughtful heart for to apalle,  
That I into a sleep 'gan fall.   

But in this slumber as I lay,  
My spirit received no quiet rest.  
Wherefore I waked again straightway,  
So sore encumbered was my breast:  
Which sought thereof to be relest.  
Thus on my muses 'gan I crave,  
Take pity on your simple slave.   

But then a fresh I heard again,  
The birds that sang so sweet a note,  
To whom I said with glad heart fain,  
Now Christ his blessing on your throat:  
And to my mind it came I wot,  
With laud and praise for to advance,  
In them the Lords high ordinance,   

O God (quoth I) omnipotent,  
We render the with hearts so pure,  
All laud and praise with good intent.  
Thy handy works do me allure,  
That my heart can right well endure,  
For ever in this place to dwell.  
And strait again on sleep I fell.   

But sure I had not rested long,  
Yer that into a dream I fell.  
I saw my thought the flowers among  
Fair ladies three, which did excel  
The praise that any tongue can tell,  
approaching towards me full fast,  
For soothe I was right sore aghast.   

Me thought they compaste me about,  
Standing as in a syrcle train,  
The midlemoste without all doubt,  
Did far excel the other twain,  
Them to behold my heart was fain:  
Forsooth it was a seemly sight,  
My heart therein did much delight.   

As I did earnestly behold,  
These ladies three that wear so bright.  
From care my heart began unfold:  
For I received perfect sight,  
That madame hope so full of might,  
Was one of that same ladies three,  
That so about had compassed me.   

Of whom I had the knowledge found,  
By reading of the word of God.  
As I beheld her in that stound,  
Her head at me she 'gan to nod.  
Then from my heart the heavy load,  
Consumed away, with all my thought:  
For hope was come whom I had sought.   

Then up to her my hands I cast,  
And kneeled down upon the ground:  
Welcome (quoth I) my hearts repast,  
That I have sought, now have I found.  
The healer up of this my wound.  
That justice hath so fiercely made,  
With thought, that sharp and cutting blade.   

She took me then in her arms twain,  
And thus to me she sweetly said.  
Be strong (quoth she) stand up again,  
Oh man why shouldst thou be a●●ayde,  
For God hath made me for thine aid:  
To thee we are sent from above,  
Both virtue, hope, and also love.   

To love then did I turn my face,  
And unto her I bowed my knee.  
And gently she did me embrace,  
Be of good cheer O man (quoth she:)  
For here is also come to thee,  
(According to thy prayer true)  
Arete or lady virtue.   

When I had heard how they had said,  
That lady virtue was in place,  
My heart forfothe was sore dismayed,  
And colour rose straight in my face:  
And down I fell before her grace,  
desiring her benevolence,  
To pardon my rude negligence.   

That lady than did me behold,  
And stepped and caught me by the hand.  
Be not dismayed (quoth she) be bold,  
And up upright before me stand:  
For I do the to understand,  
That I am come down from above,  
And brought with me both hope and love.   

To hope and love than did she call,  
And thus began her tale to tell.  
Mark well (said she,) for show I shall,  
How men from them do me expel,  
And against their lord God rebel:  
Esteeming me but of small price,  
And wholly give themselves to vice.   

The lord did ordain me for man,  
That I should richly him endue.  
Why do they thus forsake me than,  
And sin and vice so much ensue?  
Forsooth, because they be untrue,  
Regarding their own wit and will,  
And will not hark god's word until.   

God's word, no no, alas therefore,  
There is no thing I dare w●ll say,  
That worldly men do more abhor,  
He that hath wit perceive it may:  
Their outward works do them bewray,  
For when gods word bids them amend,  
With reason they the●r vyc● defend.   

And to be brief now each estate,  
Doth seek all m●anes vice to maintain:  
And are with meat great debate,  
So that I do not rightly reign.  
At me the most part have disd●yne:  
All save a few do me resist,  
Which seweat, the elect of Christ.   

And thou O man mark what I say,  
To the I will my mind declare:  
That thou mayst now perceive the way,  
Of worldly m●n, and how they far:  
That afterward thou mayest prepare  
Thyself to do and work my will,  
In that which I say the until.   

Their pride they name now cleanlynes,  
And avarice is policy:  
So do they name wrath manlynes,  
And love they call vile lechery,  
Naming envy good memory.  
They call gluttony far honest  
And sloth they call natural rest.   

Extortion lawful getting,  
Idolatry catholic faith,  
Usury is witty winning,  
Vice is virtue as each man sayeth:  
But in the truth who now him stayeth?  
rebellion is common wealth,  
And manly shift, robrie and stealth.   

Oppression is good governance,  
Crueines is severity,  
The prodigal their deeds advance,  
And call it liberality.  
And Sodoms' sin is chastity,  
Among those which count marriage sin,  
Whose wickedness will never blin.   

Some live in wilful poverty,  
And beggars have the proudest heart.  
Thus wade they in hypocrisy,  
And idleness for the most part,  
Which causeth virtue to depart:  
For idleness the mother is,  
Of all mischief and things amiss.   

It is a thing ay incident,  
That each man hath felicity,  
On some one thing the mind is bent,  
In wisdom's school, or in folly:  
And do their minds wholly apply,  
That they may it attain and get,  
Whereon their heart is fyxte and set.   

The covetous delight in gold,  
The lecher in his fleshly lust.  
The proud would have all men behold,  
Their painted sheath of dung and dust:  
The slothful sleep, and slumber must,  
The wrathful and the envious noye:  
Whose whole delight is to destroy.   

The glutions love their paunch to fill.  
The drunkards do delight in drink:  
And each of these to have their will,  
No cost nor charge to great they think:  
Thus in a fancy all men sink,  
And each man's care is to aspire,  
Unto his lust and hearts desire.   

Some study in Astronomy,  
delighting to behold the stars,  
Some in music and harmony,  
And cosmography some prefers.  
Some in figures, some in numbers.  
Some do delight philosophy,  
To know on earth each herb and tree.   

The fowlers have their whole delight,  
To devise engines birds to take:  
Such as in fishing have a sight,  
They angles and their net●es will make,  
And take great pain for fancies sake.  
The falconers hawk is his pleasure,  
The hunter will good hounds procure.   

In all things either good or ill,  
That man doth follow or embrace,  
Felicity they have and will:  
Their hearts desire for to purchase.  
Then happy are they which by grace,  
Love virtues supernatural,  
Which brightly shineth above all.   

Ye happy are those men I say,  
That have in virtue their delight:  
For in their sorrow they will pray,  
For help and aid to God almyghte,  
And in their mirth their faith most right,  
Doth cause them noty psaimes to sing,  
And spiritual songs to his praising.   

As vice doth cause delight in sin,  
To follow all iniquity,  
And alway seeketh ways to win,  
men's souls in wretched vylaynie:  
So virtue in the contrary,  
Doth by all means herself behave,  
The soul of man to bless and save.   

O than you that my servants be,  
In me have all your exercise.  
And as ye do delight in me,  
So look that y● do enterprise,  
All good things virtuous and wise:  
That by your badge it may be seen,  
That I am your lady and queen.   

Such as in carnal love rejoice,  
Trim songs of love they will compile,  
And sinfully with tune and voice  
They sing their songs in pleasant style,  
To Venus that same strumpet vile:  
And make of her a goddiss oere,  
In lecherte that had no perc.   

A book also of songs they have,  
And Venus court they do it name,  
No filthy mind a song can crave,  
But therein he may find the same:  
And in such songs is all their game.  
Whereof right divers books be made,  
To nuryshe that most filthy trade.   

I will that my servants therefore  
Shall be as apt me for to serve,  
In praise of God sin to abhor▪  
And from me Virtue not to swerver.  
That they may godly fame deserve,  
Of good men here, and after this  
To reign with God in heaven bliss.   

As prayer in sadness is meet:  
In mirth so godly songs to sing,  
For Christian men to this is fit.  
I charge thee therefore with this thing:  
That thou thine exercise do bring,  
To make a book of songs holy,  
Godly and wise, blaming folly.   

To which book godly men may add,  
(From time to time as they see cause,)  
Right sober songs godly and sad,  
Compiled of gods holy laws:  
Of virtue and wise old said saws,  
That may to goodness men procure,  
While here their life days do endure.   

As thou wilt therefore at thy need,  
Have hope and love and also me,  
See thou accomplish this with speed:  
My sisters twain thereto agree.  
And then they warned me all three,  
That in this thing I should not stay,  
But make that book without delay.   

My cunning small though than I knew,  
In each degree my wit full weak:  
Though lack of learning eke I rue,  
Yet of excuse I durst not speak:  
But granted my poor head to break,  
About such exercise, as she  
So straightly had commanded me.   

At that instant they did me kiss,  
And friendly did from me depart,  
To heaven they went all iwis,  
And left me with an heavy heart:  
So their departure made me smart.  
And in that thought I waked thore,  
marveling at my dream full sore.   

In songs therefore sith I must wade,  
According as my dream me ●oulde,  
I will delight to tread the trade  
That lady virtue said I should:  
As blind bayard none is so ●oulde,  
And first for lady virtues sake,  
A song in her praise will I make.   

And then in more proceed I will,  
As God shall give me of his grace.  
My wit is rude, and small my skill,  
To stand and supply such a place.  
Yet must I needs walk in the trace,  
That virtue did assign me in,  
Therefore in her praise I begin.    

The Court of Virtue.  

¶ The praise of virtue.  

ALL men that will walk in Gods divine ways,  
To virtue they must give honour and praise:  
For virtue is she by whom they possess,  
All good fame and praise that love godliness.   

There never was man that won godly fame,  
But doubtless dame virtue was cause of the same.  
Though Abram by faith, was only made just,  
By virtue that faith the was known and discussed.   

Ye Isaac and jacob, were counted like wise,  
Both faithful and just in their exercise.  
The patriarchs all from Adam to Christ,  
With prophets and kings, that sin did resist.   

By virtue the praise of faith did obtain:  
Which yet to this day, doth dure & remain.  
Ye Christ by the virtue, that in him was sent,  
Above all the holy, that holiest have been,   

To be true Mesias, his flock did him know:  
Which to this day doth his foes overthrow.  
And he his disciples than charged each one,  
To follow the steps that he so had gone.   

Likewise his Apostles, that since his time was,  
The martyrs and saints, to whom he gave grace,  
Their light did so shine, before the world here:  
That by their true virtue, well did appear,   

That they were true servants, of Christ their good lord,  
Whom truly their lives, did preach and record.  
Let virtue therefore be had in all prise,  
Which still to goodness, doth good men entice.   

And well doth reward, all such as her serve,  
And keepeth nought back, that they do deserve:  
But with goodness still, doth richly augment,  
All such as unto her service be bend.   

And never doth leave them, ne yet forsake,  
Till ended be all, that they undertake.  
She never doth seize, to spur them forward,  
Till they be in bliss of heavens' reward.   

Which is the whole thing they seek for and sue,  
That serve in the court of Lady virtue.  
And still for her sake, do suffer and bide,  
The stumps and the mocks, of such as deride.   

Ye hatred and scorn, and all kind of spite,  
Of such as in vice and sin do delight.  
But virtue doth teach, to suffer this rage,  
That we may still pass on in our pilgrimage.   

Considering that we but strangers are here.  
And wander still toward our country dear.  
And make ou● selves light, from burden and load,  
Sith in this vain world, is no sure abode.   

No marvel though then the world doth them hate,  
And ever be still with them at debate:  
For Christ unto his hath made it well known,  
The world shall aye love and favour his own.   

And those from the world and sin that remove,  
It is not possible, the world should them love.  
The cause as sayeth Christ, of all this whole strife:  
Is that from the world they differ in life.   

For as in this world no man's life is sure,  
The virtuous life shall eternally dure.  
Though here they be murdered and (seen for to die)  
Of such as all virtue and goodness deny.   

Then how can we count them short time to live,  
To whom lady virtue reward doth, give.  
Whom as saith Gelasius, ought still to be.  
From terror and dread, and wrath ever free.   

Her consolation where she doth bestow,  
In rich or in poor, in high or in low,  
From bondage of sin she doth them free make:  
Lo thus are her servants safe for her sake.   

Among the good roots that deeply beset,  
Virtue sayeth Tully, the chief praise doth getie:  
The which by no kind of violence may  
Be hurt or destroyed, by night or by day.   

From wanton desires her servants flee all.  
And follow still justice, as sayeth saint Paul:  
Faith love and unity well doth accord,  
In them which with clean hearts ●onor the Lord.   

Lactancius also would all men remember,  
That they the true honour to virtue do render.  
With sensing or prayer she honour hath none,  
Nor yet with an Image, of wood or of stone:   

But only with good will and purpose true,  
This honour to virtue, always is due:  
For he that in Christ's faith doth not remain,  
In no wise to virtue may appertain.   

Virtue refraineth wrath without measure,  
And also abstaineth from carnal pleasure:  
The fruits of the spiritie, as true godly love,  
Patience, and peace, and joy from about.   

bounteousness, goodness, and long sufferance,  
Gentleness, faith, and modest, temperance.  
Soberness, continence, and chastity:  
All these in virtues court officers be.   

Therefore the queen virtue, it may well beseem,  
To were a most high and rich diadeine.    

¶ The praise of faith. Hebre. 11.  

IF I shall enterprise to make,  
A due praise unto faith:  
I can in no wise better that,  
Which written is of Paul,  
In his epistle to the jews:  
mark therefore what he saith,  
though not each word, yet will  
I here recite the sum of all.   

Faith is a perfect confidence,  
Of things that hoped are,  
And a most constant certainty.  
Of things which are not seen.  
For thereby did the father's old,  
(As scripture doth declare,)  
Obtain a just and good report,  
That long time since hath been.   

And we through faith do understand,  
God did the world ordain,  
By Christ his son the blessed word,  
That no beginning had.  
By it also how things were wrought,  
We do knowledge obtain:  
Things that are seen by things not seen,  
Were ordained and made.   

By faith also (as we do read,)  
The righteous man Abel,  
Did offer up a sacrifice,  
More plentiful than Cain:  
And thereby had a witness true,  
(As holy write doth tell,)  
That he was just: Though he be dead,  
His fame doth still remain.   

By faith Enoch, translated was,  
That death he should not see,  
And was not found: for god therefore  
Had taken him away.  
Before which time he won the name,  
A righteous man to be,  
Because he did the will of god,  
And pleased him night and day.   

But sure without a lively faith,  
It can be in no wise,  
That any man by any mean,  
The living god should please:  
For all that come to god believe,  
(And their faith exercise,)  
That he rewardeth them that seek  
Him, with eternal ease.   

By faith Noah (being warned of god,)  
Vnsene things did eschew,  
Prepared an ark, and saved his folk,  
As holy scripture saith.  
Whereby he did ccondemne the world,  
That sin did still ensue:  
And became heir of righteousness,  
According unto faith.   

By faith our father Abraham,  
When he first called was,  
To go into a place most strange,  
Did by and by obey.  
Which place though he, inherit should,  
As after came to pass:  
When he went forth he knew it not,  
Nor no part of the way.   

By faith into the promyste land,  
I say he did remove,  
A strange country where he did long,  
In tabernacles dwell:  
And so did Isaac and jacob,  
Heirs with him from above.  
All these did for a city look,  
Which God had builded well.   

Through faith Sara received strength,  
When she was now past age,  
To conceive and bring forth a son,  
That perfect was and pure:  
Because she judged the promiser  
Both faithful, true, and sage.  
Lo thus by faith there sprang great health,  
Where thought was no recure.   

And therefore sprang there forth of one,  
That dead was to esteem,  
As many folk in multitude,  
As are stars in the sky:  
And as the sand on the sea shore,  
Her offspring then did seem,  
The which without number to be,  
No creature can deny.   

These died in faith, yet the promise  
None of them did receive:  
But seeing it as afar of,  
They did right well believe,  
That as many as so it saw,  
And to the same did cleave,  
Saluting it by liuly faith,  
None evil should them grieve.   

These faithful men the father's old,  
As truth was did confess,  
That they strangers and pilgrims wear,  
Upon this earthly vale.  
For they that see such things before,  
Of truth declare no less,  
But that they do a country seek,  
Right high above this dale.   

Also if they had minded once,  
The country whence they came,  
They had leisure to turn again,  
To that which they did love:  
But now it shows they did desire,  
A thing of better fame,  
That is to say a heavenly soil,  
With God the lord above.   

Wherefore the living God himself,  
esteemeth it no shame,  
To be called the God of these,  
And such like godly men:  
For he a city excellent,  
Hath builded for the same,  
And thinketh nothing ill bestowed,  
That may well pleasure them.   

Who so the text will farther read,  
To follow there shall find.  
That Isac, jacob, and joseph,  
And Moses did the like:  
By faith how the red sea went back,  
Contrary to his kind:  
As on dry land how Israel  
did pass through that dry dyke.   

The Egyptians when they the like  
Would seem to enterprise,  
They lacking faith wear drowned all,  
As for their t●st reward.  
By faith the walls of jerico,  
Did fall down in like wise,  
No force or engyn of the wars,  
Against it once prepared.   

The harlot Rahab in like wise,  
Now she did save her life,  
And perished not with them that did  
Resist the will of god:  
When she the spies received well,  
In peace without all strife:  
For she beleude, that god would plague,  
That country with his rod.   

What should be said of Gedeon,  
Of Barach, and Samson:  
jephte, David, and Samuel,  
And eke the prophets all.  
Who did by faith great realms subdue  
And mighty kingdoms won:  
They turned their enemies to flight,  
And gave their foes a fall.   

By faith some stopped the lions mouths,  
Some quenched the rage of fire:  
By faith some wrought out righteousness,  
Some promise did obtain.  
Some scapie the sword, some were made strong,  
Whom weakness erst did tire:   

And women did their dead receive,  
To perfect life again.   

Some racked wear, and would not void  
The danger of that woe,  
Knowing that they should rise again,  
Possessing better joy.  
With mocks and scorns and prisonment,  
Lo some were tried so:  
Some were stoned, some were tempted,  
Thus did the world them noye.   

Some hewed were a sunder quyghte,  
Some with the sword were slain:  
Some in the skins of sheep and goats  
disdained not to go,  
In trouble and necessity,  
They were content to reign  
In mountains, deserts, and in dens,  
By faith this could they do.   

These, was the world not worthy of,  
Yet did it them despise.  
Though they did all (through lyuly faith)  
Obtain a good report:  
Yet did they not that time receive,  
That God did them promise:  
That we with them, and they with us,  
might joinctly have comfort.   

For Christ that holy promise was,  
The fruit of all our faith:  
Without whom none can saved be,  
No neither we nor they,  
For in him all fulfilled is,  
That holy scripture saith:  
Ye Christ is he in whom both we  
And they our faith do stay.   

For which all honour laud & praise  
To God ascribed be,  
To the father, and to the son,  
And to the holy spirit:  
In unity, and trinity.  
One God and persons three,  
As hath been, is and shallbe still,  
For ever so be it.    

¶ The praise of hope, out of many places of scripture.  

HOpe (the medicine against dreadful despair)  
If we should praise as doth her well behove,  
As holy Paul we need had to repair,  
to the third heaven: or else God from above  
to sound his voice, to one that he doth love:  
as in the holy mount Moses did here,  
And to Elias likewise did apere.   

Or as the most blessed Apostles three,  
At Olivet, even Peter, james, and john,  
Where they the glory of the Lord did see,  
Transfigured that holy mount upon:  
Beside which sight, they heard this voice each one:  
This is mine only son and word so bright,  
In whom I fix and set my whole delight.   

Who so I say might once have such a sight,  
Should afterward lack no knowledge nor skill,  
To praise dame hope, that lady pure and bright:  
In whom all good men have of joy their fill.  
Who could without despair suffer the ill,  
That in this world we daily see and bide,  
If blessed hope stood not on our right side?   

Our spiritual foes that daily us asaulte,  
As is the fiend, the flesh, and world also,  
With ignorance and error eke so halt,  
Behind, before, we no where lack a foe,  
So that if hope once banyshte were us fro,  
Alas who could of gods favour be sure,  
That daily seethe his own ways so unpure?   

What man doth as god hath commanded plain,  
That we should do, or else perish in hell?  
Sith none therefore can there unto attain,  
(For all do disobey, sin and rebel:  
How can we think in heaven then to dwell,  
If blessed hope do not our faith direct,  
That we in Christ are unto bliss elect.   

In all the storms of Satan's cruel rage,  
Wherewith he seeketh man's soul to destroy.  
If in our souls good hope did not assuage,  
The sorrows that do seek the same to noye,  
And comfort them with quietness and toy,  
Assuring them that do their whole good will,  
That Christ our lord will all our want fulfil:   

Without this hope I say who could Endure.  
The boisterous brunt of this most mortal fight,  
Our enemies are no babes I you assure,  
But very strong in respect of our might:  
Wherefore we ought to pray both day and night,  
To god our lord, that he would grant us aye,  
That blessed hope with us continue may.   

How apt are we from comfort to decay,  
If we her help had not in our distress.  
Sith she in Christ doth cause us for to stay,  
And to be bold not fearing our weakness.  
Sith our captain in his great manliness,  
Is able still our foes for to withstand,  
If we in him that battle take in hand.   

As saith saint Paul hope is the geft of god,  
In which we are made safe in all our need,  
And takes away of care the heavy load,  
An armour strong, and spiritual indeed,  
An helmet sure, wherewith we may proceed  
Against the powers of darkness and of hell,  
For heavenly things that we may wrestle well.   

In it we ought to joy and to rejoice,  
As to the Romans he doth farther say:  
And Peter also, with a fervent voice,  
Saith that we ought without all doubt and stay,  
To yield a reason of our hope always.  
Hope is the mean that men to God draw near,  
without the which none faithful may apere.   

Who without hope can truly love the lord?  
Who without hope can serve god in true fear?  
Who without hope can cause his life tacorde  
To virtues lore, and filthy sins forbear?  
Who without hope can pray in true manner?  
Who without hope can yield god laud and praise?  
Who void of hope will walk in Christian ways?   

The blessed martyrs, by the hope and trust,  
That they had in the glorious life to come,  
Did from this world withdraw their mind & lust:  
And gladly suffered cruel martyrdom,  
By fire, by sword, and briefly all the sum,  
No kind of death or torment did despise,  
That wicked worldings could for them devise.   

By hearing scripture true hope doth proceed,  
And otherwise can lightly not be had,  
Confounded shall they never be in deed,  
Whom perfect hope hath once with joy made glad:  
Which takes away all doubtful dread so sad.  
Whose hope in Christ therefore doth stay and rest,  
We may well call them faithful folk and blessed.   

What so before time written is sayeth Paul,  
It written was us to instruct and learn:  
That we through comfort of the scriptures all,  
And patience: might perfectly deserve  
The perfect hope, to hope in God eterne.  
Lo thus doth God in scripture us procure,  
Through hope in him of heaven to be sure.   

We know sayeth Paul that tribulation,  
Doth bring forth patience, that goodly grace,  
And patience doth render forth anon  
Experience, the which doth hope purchase:  
Which blessed hope who so that may embrace,  
She never will confound them with no shame,  
But bringeth forth a life free from all blame.   

This pure and perfect hope that we declare  
The gift is of the Lord and at his will,  
Which none can get by worldly wit nor care:  
But with this hope god his elect doth fill,  
With whom she doth continue ever still:  
Not by man's will, but by god's mercy pure:  
This blessed hope with good men doth endure.   

The God of hope therefore replenish us,  
With peace and joy, and with a lively faith,  
And make us rich in hope of Christ jesus,  
And t'holy ghost, whose power all mistrust stayeth,  
Which is our comfort as the scripture saith.  
This Trimtie be praised now therefore,  
As hath been, is, and shallbe evermore.    

¶ The praise of Godly love or charity out of 1. Cor. 13. & john. 4.  

OF Charity or godly love  
To make a perfect praise,  
This godly love to praise I say,  
In order good and due.  
I took to me gods word, and wrote  
What the holy ghost says,  
In divine john and holy Paul:  
whose words are very true.   

Attend therefore ye Christians dear,  
And lovers of the Lord,  
Hark and give ear unto the truth,  
And blessed word of life:  
And pray to god for perfect love,  
Your lives thereto accord,  
That ye may live in christian peace,  
Free from all servile strife.   

By office of a lively faith  
What ever we receive,  
Or by the office of our hope,  
What so we do retain:  
By charity or godly love,  
To gods truth if we cleave:  
The fruit thereof we must apply,  
To render well again.   

As faith the first preferment hath  
our souls to justify,  
(For by the same we only do  
receive our saving health:)  
So love of virtues is the chief,  
Whereby we edify,  
By it we work the will of god,  
And seek our neighbours wealth.   

Though I could speak saith Paul with tongues  
Of men orangels bright,  
And had no love: then were I like  
Unto the sounding bras,  
Or like the ●ynklyng simbales sound,  
A short and vain delight:  
Which being gone, men straight forget  
What manner noise it was.   

Ye though that I could prophesy,  
And secrets understand,  
All knowledge, or such mighty faith,  
As could mountains remove,  
And set them in the oc●an seas,  
Or in some other land:  
For all these yet I were nothing  
If that I had not love.   

If I did all my goods bestow  
To feed therewith the poor,  
Or give my body to the fire,  
Therein consumed to be,  
And finally all that I can,  
Till I could do no more:  
If I be destitute of love,  
It doth not profit me.   

Love suffereth long, is courteous,  
And never doth envy,  
Love never dealeth frowardly,  
Nor venomously swell.  
Love seeketh not her own, thereby  
To deal dishonestly.  
Love unto wrath provoketh not,  
But always thinketh well.   

In evils love doth not rejoice,  
Nor joy in wickedness,  
But alway doth rejoice in truth,  
And suffereth all things well:  
believeth all, and hopeth all,  
And doth endure no les.  
Thus love in goodness doth exceed,  
All that our tongues can tell,   

Though prophesying do fail, & serve  
No use in any case,  
And tongues to speak, & knowledge to  
As once they shall I say:  
(After this life these have no use,)  
Yet love shall then in place,  
Remain, with gods elect in joys,  
And never fall away.   

Our knowledge is but unperfect,  
So is our prophesying,  
When perfectness doth come in place,  
Vnperfectnes must flee:  
For when I was a child, my talk  
Was then childish talking:  
Mine understanding in like case,  
All then was chyldyshly.   

And as a child also that time  
I did imagine plain:  
But then so soon as manhood came,  
My childishness was gone.  
Now see we but as in a glass  
By speech most dark and vain:  
But then shall we see face to face,  
When let there shall be none.   

My knowledge now unperfect is,  
Then shall it not be so,  
Then shall I know as I am known,  
By rule of right belief.  
Faith hope and love do now abide  
Away they will not go:  
And of all those after this life,  
Love shall abide as chief.   

Saint john divinly counsels us  
One an other to love,  
For every one that loves sayeth he,  
Of God is truly borne.  
For love doth ever surely come  
From God the lord above:  
Such as love not, do not know god,  
But rather do him scorn.   

In this the love of god to us  
Doth perfectly apere.  
He (but not we) did truly love  
And pain for us did take:  
For he into this world did send  
His only son so dear,  
That for our sins he might thereby  
A full agreement make.   

Wherefore (my loving brethren dear)  
If god so loved us,  
That we should one another love,  
W● certainly are bound:  
If we love one an other then,  
Our love doth plain discuss,  
That god in us doth dwell and reign,  
And hath a perfect ground.   

For god is love, and who so doth  
In love abide or dwell,  
Dwells in god and god in him,  
Thus love in us is sure:  
That in the day of judgement just  
We should in hope excel.  
For in this world we are like him,  
By love perfect and pure.   

By this we know the godly love,  
That there in is no fear:  
It casteth out all fear and doubt  
Wherein is painfulness.  
Where ●●●or i● the perfect love  
In nowise can be there,  
For love doth always fix her self  
On peace and gentleness.   

If we love god, he loud us first,  
Then whereof can we boast?  
But who so sayeth he loveth God,  
And doth his brother hate:  
He is a liar verily,  
And none of Christ's host:  
And thereby doth provoke the plague  
To light upon his pa●e.   

For how can he that loveth not  
His brother in this life,  
Whom he may with his eyes behold,  
At all times when he will:  
How can he with the living god  
Be other then at strife?  
Or love him which he can not se●  
By nature or by skill?   

Therefore hath Christ commanded v●▪  
That he which loveth god,  
By perfect love as he forbears  
All that god doth abhor:  
That he also his brother love,  
All hate is him forbade.  
All honour praise and laud to god  
For this now ever more.   
Amen.   

¶ The praise of Godly wisdom out of the book of wisdom, called Sapientia. cap. vi.  

THe worthy wise king Solomon  
inwysdoms exercise,  
The godly wisdom doth commend,  
And praise her on this wise.  
wisdomis a much better thing,  
Then strength orforce to fight:  
a wise man is more worth also,  
Then strong men of much might.   

This wisdom O ye mighty kings  
See that ye con and learn,  
To you sith judgement on this earth  
Is given to decern.  
give ●are to her I say all you,  
That rule the multitude,  
Which in much people have delight.  
And all things should conclude.   

The god that gave you power & strength  
That lord I say most high,  
Shall search out all that ye invent,  
And your works truly try.  
How that ye being officers  
Under his kingly throne,  
Ye did not judgement execute  
As unto him is known.   

And if ye have not kept the law  
Of ryghtiusnes I say,  
Nor have not done his blessed will  
By walking in his way:  
Full horribly and that right soon  
To you he shall apere,  
And right hard judgement shall they have  
By power that govern here.   

His mercy sure he will extend  
Unto the innocent,  
But such as bear authority,  
Shall have sore punishment,  
For god which is the lord of all,  
By judgement just and right  
Shall stand in awe of no man's power,  
Though he be of great might.   

For he made both the great and small,  
And cares for them alike:  
But they that be of greatest power  
The more he will them strike.  
Ye kings each one take heed therefore,  
See that ye ponder this,  
And guide your feet by wisdoms school  
That ye go not amiss.   

All such as observe righteousness,  
Shall judged be thereby,  
Such righteousness who so will learn  
Shall answer readily.  
On wisdoms lore I say therefore  
Set all your love and lust:  
To nurture so ye shall attain,  
In season due and just.   

For wisdom is a noble thing.  
Which will not fleet nor move,  
And will be seen full easily  
Of all that do her love:  
Such as unfeignedly her seek,  
She will prevent them so,  
That they shall have her in their sight.  
In each place where they go.   

Who so will wake to her betime  
Shall have no great travail,  
For at his door he shall her find,  
She will him never fail.  
Right perfectly they understand  
That do think her upon,  
And they that watch for her shallbe  
Right safe and that anon.   

For she always doth go about  
And seeketh every where,  
For such as for her school be meet,  
And do god love and fear:  
Before th●ir eyes right cheerfully  
Her self she doth forth show,  
And meeteth them diligently,  
Because they should her know.   

The faithful and the just desire  
Of reformation,  
Is the beginning and the ground  
That wisdom buildeth on.  
The busy care for wysdom● lore  
Is love and pure prudence,  
And love doth also keep the laws,  
And that with diligence.   

To keep the laws is perfectness,  
And rightly doth accord.  
An uncerrupt life maketh man  
Familiar with th● lord.  
See that your joy in royal seats  
And sceptres be not set,  
Ye kings that do the people rule,  
By mighty power and great.   

But set on wisdom your delight,  
All foolish things abhor:  
That ye may reign in glory great  
With god for ever more.  
O love the light, all ye that rule  
The congregation:  
And I will make of wisdom now  
A declaration.   

What wisdom is, how she came up,  
I will you tell this tide,  
The mysteries of god the lord.  
From you I will not hide:  
But I will seek her out in deed,  
That all men shall it see  
Ye from the first original  
Of her nativity.   

And bring the knowledge of her light.  
And show you all the ground.  
And as for keeping back the truth,  
In me shall not be found:  
Ne yet will I have aught to do  
With envy nor disdain.  
For why such men in no wise may  
To wisdom aperteyne.   

Where many wise men have abode  
The world may joyful be:  
And where as kings by wisdom rule,  
Their realms have equity.  
O aprehende her nurture then,  
Let wisdom be your food:  
And at my words your council take  
For it shall do you good.   

I am a mortal man myself  
After the common trade,  
And am of that same very kind,  
With him that first was made:  
And form in my mother's womb  
In flesh there was I wrought,  
And ten months had my nutriment  
Of blood that there was brought.   

Where through the fruitful seed of man  
I had my substance thus,  
In which the appetite of sleep,  
Is most commodious.  
When I was borne I took like air,  
As do all others lo:  
I fell on earth which was my kind  
In weeping and in woe   

I wrapped was in swaddling clothes,  
And brought up with great care:  
For why no king can in their birth  
Have other kind of fare.  
For all men in this wretched world  
As well the king as slave,  
In entrance, and in going forth,  
No kind of difference have.   

Considering in my mind how that  
The most rude multitude  
did nothing differ from my birth,  
Nor death which doth conclude.  
I me bethought therefore how I  
Might in my being here,  
Above the kind of common men  
Right excellent apere.   

For wisdom pure to understand  
Therefore was my desire,  
The spirit of wisdom came to me  
As my heart did require,  
By whom I set more price and joy  
Then by great kingdoms fair:  
The royal seats or riches great  
With her shall not compare.   

And precious stones I never did  
Compare to her I say,  
For gold is gravel in her sight,  
And silver is but clay.  
Wealth and beauty I weighed not,  
But took her for my light:  
The beams of wisdom none can quench  
That shineth aye so bright.   

By her all things I did possess,  
All good things came to me,  
The riches without number is  
That in her hands still be.  
But yet in childish ignorance  
I could not make discourse,  
Of all good things how wisdom is  
The mother and the nurse.   

But now sith I unfeignedly  
Have learned what she is,  
Partakers other men to make  
Of her I will not miss.  
Her riches and her treasure great  
From you I will not hide:  
Which passeth all infinitely  
That is in this world wide.   

Which who so use, they joy with god  
In friendship and great love:  
And in his sight excepted are,  
Through wisdom's gifts above.  
God hath me granted wisdoms talk  
In form conu●nient,  
To handle all which he to me  
Hath graciously lent.   

For he it is that to wisdom  
Doth lead and introduce,  
And teacheth how that in her kind  
Men shall her rightly use.  
In him are we, and all our words,  
Our wisdom, and our skill:  
Our knowledge, and our science all,  
Our works, and all our will.   

For unto me he given hath,  
The knowledge and the trade  
Of all those things, so that I know  
How that the world was made:  
And by his wisdom hath me taught  
Astronomy to know,  
The elements, with all their powers,  
And wonders which they show.   

How times do both begin and end,  
The mydste of times I see:  
How times altar and do succeed  
Each one in his degree.  
I know the order and the end  
And course or every year,  
The dispositions of the stars  
To me do well appear.   

In natural philosophy  
I have the perfect art,  
I know the nature of each beast  
One from other apart:  
How some be gentle in their kind,  
How some in fury rage:  
I know the cause, and how one may  
By wisdom them assuage.   

I know the winds of every coast,  
Their nature's hot or cold:  
And by that art send ships with sails  
To Ophir for much gold,  
What man's imagination is  
Some wise some fond and vain:  
By Adam's line, and wisdoms lore,  
The difference showeth plain.   

I know the natures and degrees  
Of each plant in his kind,  
All herbs, & roots that grow on earth  
Their virtue I can find.  
And how they differ in degree  
In quality and power:  
All secret and unsought knowledge.  
Doth spring in wysdom's flower.   

Which he hath given unto me  
That all this world hath made,  
He taught me how to use this flower  
That dures and doth not fade.  
In her is spirit to understand  
In holy exercise,  
In knowledge great she doth abound,  
And all things that are wise.   

I say that with almighty God  
All only she is one,  
subtle and full of gentleness,  
And gracious alone.  
She is courteous and discrete  
quick, undesiide, and plain:  
Sweet, and doth love all that is good,  
Rejecting that is vain.   

She is sharp, yet forbiddeth not  
To do rightly and well:  
Kind, sure, and free, and to be brief  
In virtue doth excel.  
In all things she is circumspect  
Whereof she taketh cure:  
All knowing spirits she doth receive,  
That are both clean and pure.   

For wisdom doth in nimbleness  
All other things excel,  
And thereby through all things to pass  
She doth attain full well.  
For of the living god she is  
The breath of power doubtless,  
The cleans of almighty god  
Thereby she doth express.   

Therefore can no defiled thing  
Come once within her sight,  
For she the very brightness is  
Of everlasting light.  
She is the mirror undefiled  
Wherein all good men see,  
The Image of almighty god  
In his great majesty.   

And for so much as she is one,  
All things are hers as due:  
And being steadfast in her self,  
She doth all things renew.  
Among the multitude of folk  
She doth herself convey,  
And entereth into holy souls  
In them to bide and stay.   

She maketh god prophets and friends,  
The truth to preach and tell:  
For god doth love none but such men,  
With whom wisdom doth dwell.  
The son and stars may not compare  
With her in light I say:  
For why her light doth far exceed  
The brightness of the day.   

For be the day never so bright,  
Yet night approacheth fast,  
To quench the beauty of the same  
And pats it out in haste:  
But wisdom can not be subdued  
I say by wickedness,  
Nor in her sight to blemish her,  
Can bide no foolishness.    

¶ An example of a contemplative mind in the service of God, out of the xxv. Psalm.  

THe noble king David by name,  
Having the spirit of truth,  
Who ever truly served God,  
Even from his very youth:   

He knowing that by humbleness  
He soonest should aspire,  
To have his prayer heard of God,  
And obtain his desire.   

disdained not upon his knees  
Himself to prostrate low,  
For sith the heart must humble be,  
Let outward members know   

That they shall not themselves refrain,  
Their duty to express:  
My knees therefore shall do their due,  
So shall my hands no less.   

Mine eyes shall upward also turn  
The heavens to behold,  
With stretched hands and bowed knees  
My prayer to unsoulde.   

My voice I will not silent keep,  
But will express with tongue,  
The meaning of a faithful hat,  
And sing it in a song.   

Debating with himself this thing,  
Directing all aright:  
In this wise he began to sing  
To god with all his might.    

Ad te dominum levaui.  

TO the oh lord I lift my soul,  
My god I trust in thee:  
O suffer not mine enemies  
To triumph over me.   

Ne yet let such as in thee trust.  
Rebuke or shame sustain:  
But rather confound scornful men,  
That spitefully disdain.   

To the I pray my king and god,  
O show to me thy way:  
And teach thy paths O lord to me  
Thy name that I may praise.   

O lord lead me to speak thy truth,  
And learn me to be just:  
Mine only god and saving health,  
All day in thee I trust.   

Forget not lord but call to mind  
Thy tender mercy pure,  
Let not thy loving kindness slack  
That ever hath been sure.   

Forget my sins, remember not  
The frailness of my youth:  
For thy goodness and mercy lord,  
Think upon me with ruth.   

O righteous lord with friendliness,  
vouchsafe to show thy might:  
Whereby thou shalt the sinner's teach●  
To walk thy way a right.   

The simple thou dost teach & guide  
Thy perfect ways to know,  
And thou dost such instruct aright  
As humble be and low.   

Thy ways O lord are merciful,  
Thy faithfulness is bend,  
To all that keep thy covenant,  
And faithful testament.   

For thy name's sake therefore O lord●  
Be merciful to me,  
And to my sins that are so great  
And mine iniquity.   

Who so therefore doth fear the lord,  
He will him show I say:  
His high and his divine precepts,  
His pure and chosen way.   

His soul shall ever be at ease  
His ways shall prosper well:  
His seed also shall still possess  
The land, therein to dwell.   

The lord his secrets doth show forth  
To such as fear him still,  
Declaring them his testament,  
His covenant and will.   

O lord my god to the therefore,  
I will mine eyes direct,  
And pray to thee till thou hast loosed  
My feet out of the net.   

O turn thee unto me therefore  
Now for thy mercy's sake,  
Consider lord my misery  
How I am desolate.   

The sorrows of my heart are great,  
Right sore they do me grieve:  
O rid me from these troubles all,  
For in thee I believe.   

O look on mine adversity,  
And my great misery:  
forgive me all my sins also  
Where I offended thee.   

Consider how mine enemies  
Are many and pervearte,  
That towards me maliciously  
Are bend with hateful heart.   

Oh preserve thou my soul therefore  
Within thy keeping just:  
And let me not confounded be,  
For in thee do I trust.   

Let just dealing and innocent,  
O god still with me dwell:  
And from all vile adversity  
deliver Israel,    

¶ An example how that we should always be thankful unto almighty God for his benefits, out of the xxxiiii. psalm of David.  

AS in our straits of need  
We all are glad and fain,  
Some comfort at the hands of god  
By prayer to obtain.   

So when we have received  
Of god our whole desire,  
That we should therefore thankful be,  
Good reason doth require.   

For who so benefits  
At mortal men receive,  
If afterward the giver doth  
Ingratitude perceive:   

The same will straight withdraw  
His liberality,  
From such a stubborn block head beast,  
As can not friendship see.   

If vile ingratitude  
To men be such a crime,  
That it will friendly love keep back,  
Against an other time:   

What beastly dogs are they?  
How can we call them less?  
That for great kindness of the lord,  
Do pay unthankfulness?   

Which asketh nought of us  
But honour laud and praise,  
For all the good he doth bestow  
On us a thousand ways.   

Wherefore that noble king,  
And prophet of the lord  
David, who did after God's heart  
Agree and well accord,   

God's glory doth express,  
In doing of his due:  
And for the benefits of God  
His heart declareth true:   

Not only in himself  
To flee ingratitude,  
But other also to instruct  
That are unlernde and rude.   

In dark oblivion  
God's goodness for to hide.  
Or to forget his benefits  
Did never him vetyde.   

His harp he took in hand,  
And thus began to sing:  
That with gods honour laud and praise,  
All Israel did ring.    

Benedicam dominum.  

I Will unto the lord  
Be giving thanks always,  
My mouth and tongue shall ever be  
A speaking of his praise.   

My soul shall make her boast,  
In God the lord of might,  
That poor oppressed men may here  
The same, them to delight.   

Together let us now  
In honour do our parts,  
His name to praise and magnify,  
With meek and humble hearts.   

For when I him besought,  
He heard my prayer so,  
That he did straight deliver me,  
From all my care and wo.   

Receive therefore the light,  
And to him draw you near:  
And so without all shamefastness  
Your faces shall appear.   

For I poor man made once  
To him my plaint and moon:  
He heard me cry, and did me rid,  
From troubles every one.   

His angel pitched hath  
His tent about his sheep,  
I mean all such as fear the lord,  
In safety them to keep.   

His friendship prove and see,  
And take thereof a taste:  
For they that trust in him are sure  
Most happy at the last.   

O fear the lord all ye  
His saints of him elect:  
For such as fear him lack nothing.  
He doth them well protect.   

The lions oft do lack  
And hunger for their food:  
But they which seek the lord, shall want●  
Nothing the which is good.   

Ye children all I say  
Come hearken to my voice:  
I will you teach to fear the lord,  
And in him to rejoice.   

If thou to live in joy  
And see good days be fain,  
Thy lips & tongue from guile & wrons  
See that thou do refrain.   

See that thou do none ill,  
In goodness never cease:  
But see thou seek and follow fast  
On quietness and peace.   

The lord doth fix his eyes  
On just men lovingly,  
And to their prayers openly  
He doth his ears apply.   

contrariwise the Lord  
Doth bend his countenance,  
Of from the earth ill men to move  
And their remembrance.   

But to the just the lord  
Doth so incline his ●are,  
That when they pray he will them rid  
From all trouble and fear.   

The Lord is nigh to such  
As are in heart contrite,  
And he will save such as be meek,  
And of an humble spirit.   

Though just men's troubles be  
Both manifold and great,  
The lord from care will make them free,  
When they do him entreat.   

Their bones he will defend,  
And keep so free from crime:  
That not so much as one of them  
Shall break at any tyme.   

Misfortune or ill hap,  
The wicked men shall kill,  
And such as do the just men hate,  
Shall perish in their ill.   

The Lord will save the souls  
Of all that do him serve,  
And all that put their trust in him  
Shall not in peril swerver.    

¶ An example that God heareth all such prayers as are made with a faithful heart, out of the liiii Psalm.  

EVery good phisicien,  
That doth a medcyne prove  
To take effect in curing well,  
Is stricken straight with love,   

Not only to give god the praise  
For his virtue and grace:  
But doth the same in writing put,  
To comfort all his race.   

That all which after follow him  
In that most godly art,  
May prove the like and praise the lord  
In like case for their part.   

Noble king David in such wise  
Doth godly jove bestow,  
By writing medicines for the soul,  
That other men may know.   

As if they doubt at any time  
How he did health obtain,  
He did the same declare abroad  
In writing to remain:   

That when to others like distress  
Here after may betide,  
With clean hearts that they may prepare,  
And like medicines provide.   

But I will never teach (quoth he)  
In dark or doubtful way,  
But such as I in practice did  
By perfect proof assay:   

And of myself probatum est,  
Such medicines I bring:  
And in example to you all  
In this wise will I sing.    

Deus in nomine tuo.  

O God I call to thee for help  
In my distress and need  
For thy name's sake, & in thy strength,  
Avenge my cause with speed.   

For strangers full of tyranny  
Against me rise and rave:  
Such folly she folk as fear not God  
Do seek my life to have.   

But lo God is my help at need,  
Yea only it is he,  
That doth my soul uphold and save,  
From their iniquity.   

And evil shall the lord reward  
Upon mine enemies,  
And in his truth destroy them all  
That virtue do despise.   

With offerings of an heart most free,  
Now will I praise thy name:  
Because O lord my comfort sty●●  
Consisteth in the same.   

For thou lord didst delyvet me,  
From troubles manifold:  
So that upon my foes mine eye  
Doth his desire behold.   

For this to give glory to god  
Shall be my hearts delight,  
To the father, and to the son,  
And to the holy spirit:   

As it from the beginning was.  
And at this time is sure,  
And as it shall world without end  
Continue and endure.    

¶ An example that the thankful age gave praise to god, for all his benefits given to his creatures, out of the lxv. Psalm of David.  

I Heard a preacher once declare,  
Two parts to be in prayer,  
The one to god in all our need  
For succour to repair,   

And ask of him with steadfast saith  
All whereof we have need:  
For Christ hath surely promised,  
That thereof we shall speed.   

The second part of perfect prayer  
Is giving thanks and praise,  
To God for all his benefits.  
That we receive always.   

This is the lively sacrifice,  
The living God to please:  
As prayer of the penitent,  
His anger doth appease.   

And sure (quoth he) the very cause  
That god oft will not here,  
Is that men for his benefits  
Unthankful do appear.   

For when we pray in time of ned●  
For plenty of our food,  
How can we think that God to us  
Will give aught that is good?   

If we in time of plenty be  
Unthankful and ingrate,  
To give him praise and honour both,  
According to the rate?   

Yea I may also farther say,  
This living without awe,  
Ingratitude doth cause the lord  
His goodness to withdraw.   

And surely David in this Psalm  
Likewise doth well declare,  
That to praise God we never should  
Any time cease or spare.   

But for the goodness which god doth  
On mortal men bestow,  
In praise of his most holy name,  
Some thankful psalm to show.   

How men shall with a faithful hart●  
God's holy name agnize,  
He doth instruct all Christian men  
By singing in this wise.    

Te decet hymnus deus in Zion.  

TO the O god in Zion still  
Great praises are in store:  
To the also they vow and, kep●  
Their promise ever more.   

My prayer lord sith thou dost hear●,  
And art my whole comfort:  
All flesh to the for succour shall  
In their due time resort.   

My misdeeds and my wickedness  
Against me doth prevail,  
Oh to my sins be merciful,  
That thus do me asayle.   

For they are blessed whom thou dost chose,  
And in thy house retain:  
Or dost elect, within thy court  
To dwell and to remain.   

For he shall lead a pleasant life  
Within thy holy place:  
Thy temple shall him satisfy  
With goodness and with grace.   

For wonders great thou dost declare  
In truth to teach us right:  
O god of our salvation  
In the is our delight.   

Of all things how thou art the hope  
It can not be discussed:  
All that on earth or sea remain,  
In the do hope and trust.   

Thou girded haste thyself also,  
With mighty strength and power,  
And hast the mighty mountains sets  
As they stand at this hour.   

Thou of the sea stillest the waves,  
Their roaring and their rage,  
The madness of the multitude  
Thou also canst assuage.   

The outmost dwellers on this earth,  
Thy signs do see and fear:  
By the morning and evening stars,  
Thy praises do appear.   

The earth eke how thou visitest  
With good it for to bless,  
And bringest plenty on the same,  
We knowledge and confess.   

For the river of god doth flow  
So full of water pure,  
That on the earth plenty of corn  
For man he doth procure.   

The furrows he doth water so  
That clotts do break in piece,  
Sweet drops of rain doth soften them,  
And causeful great increase.   

The year thus doth he crown & bless  
With plenty and goodness,  
The clouds do drop great fatness down  
Engendering plenteousness,   

The dwellings in the wilderness  
Are fat in like manner:  
The little hills on every side  
Do pleasantly appear.   

The folds with sheep, the vales with corn,  
So ratify this thing:  
That in thy praise for very joy,  
All people laugh and sing.    

¶ An example how happy and blessed they are that faithfully fear god, out of the. Cxii. Psalm.  

such good historiographers  
As write the deeds of men,  
Of kings & lords, some good some ill,  
That reigned now and then:   

As they do write of evil men  
In rebuke and dispraise,  
That living men may learn to flee  
And void such wicked ways.   

So do they praise and much commend  
Such men as lived well,  
The worthy and the noble acts  
Wherein in they did excel.   

That others they might so provoke  
To follow in like wise,  
To win the spurs of godly fame  
By virtues exercise.   

So David to provoke all men  
To godliness and grace,  
Doth use the like, that all men may  
The fear of god embrace.   

In faith how that the fear of god  
All goodness still doth bring,  
He used in an holy Psalm  
In this wise for to sing.    

Beatus vir qui timet.  

THe man is blessed and happy which  
Doth fear the Lord aright,  
And to keep his commandments,  
Doth set his whole delight.   

His strain or seed upon the earth  
With might shall be increste,  
Thus shall the kind of faithful men  
Eternally be blessed.   

For riches joy and plenty great  
His house shall win and gain,  
His just dealing and righteousness  
For ever shall remain.   

For to the godly in darkness  
great light there doth arise:  
Which showeth love and mercy both  
In virtuous exercise.   

A good man sure is merciful  
And dareth where is need,  
And doth discreetly way his worde●▪  
Before they do proceed.   

And such a man for no distress  
From god will move or flee:  
Wherefore his righteousness shall have  
Eternal memory.   

Of ill tidings or heavy news,  
Such one is not afraid:  
His heart doth stand fast and believe,  
The lord to be his aid.   

His heart I say is stablished,  
And will not shrink, until  
That he upon his enemies  
Hath his desire and will.   

He from his store abundantly  
Disperseth to the poor:  
For righteousness are all his works  
And doings ever more.   

With honour shall his horn or strength  
Exaited be on high:  
Which when the ungodly behold,  
They will the same envy   

Which in their hate shall gnash their teeth  
And so consume away:  
Thus in their own lust wicked folk  
Shall perish and decay.    

¶ An example of the praise of God, for his omnipotency. out of the, Cxiii. Psalm.  

King David knowing well,  
How virtue did excel  
All other worldly thing:  
Did chief in God's fear,  
All wickedness forbear,  
That may gods anger bring.   

For god is of such power,  
That nothing at no hour  
Can him withstand or bide:  
For he may work his will  
All mortal men until,  
At every time and tide.   

Therefore we are all bound,  
That dwell in this world round,  
To praise the living lord:  
And in that lord of might  
To set our whole delight,  
And in his holy word.   

Wherefore this noble king  
Studied above all thing  
His duty to walk in,  
To sing God's laud and praise,  
He maketh no delays,  
But thus he doth begin.    

Laudate pueri dominum.  

YE servants praise the lord,  
And with hearty accord  
See that ye do the same:  
Look that ye render store  
Of praises ever more,  
Unto his blessed name.   

His name that we should praise  
He is worthy always,  
Even from the rising time  
Of the son fair and bright:  
Until it be in sight,  
That down he doth incline.   

The lord is high of might,  
There is no kind of wight,  
That can with him compare:  
His gloris certainly  
Above the heavens high  
Remain and ever are.   

Who is like unto him,  
Or will presume to climb  
Where he so high doth dwell?  
Yet is this lord so meek,  
To behold and take keep  
Of earth and heaven well:   

Who doth the simple take  
Out of the myery lake,  
To set them up again:  
He takes out of the dust  
All that in him do trust,  
To rid them from their pain.   

So that he may them set  
Among the princes great,  
By his great power and might:  
The princes all among,  
Which govern do the throng  
Of people day and night.   

He doth redeem also  
The woman from her woe,  
That barren long hath been:  
A mother full of bliss  
Of children now she is,  
Her household may be seen.    

¶ An example how David praised God, for his delivering of Israel, by great miracles, out of Egypt. Out of the. C. xiiii. Psalm.  

WHo so in Exodus will read,  
Shall see what wonders god there wrought:  
From Egypt when as he did lead  
His people, and from thence them brought.   

What miracles by Moses hand,  
To Pharaoh was expressed plain:  
That he thereby might understand,  
No more gods people to restrain.   

And how God by his mighty power  
And stretched arm did bring them thence:  
And how the red s●a did devour  
King Pharaoh for his recompense.   

And how God did in wilderness,  
provide his people drink and meat:  
So that they lacked in their distress,  
No kind o● thing to drink or eat.   

Which David bearing well in mind  
Did with a Psalm give god the praise:  
And doth thereto all good men bind,  
With godly heart lo thus he says.    

In exitu Israel de Egypto.  

FRom Egipte land when Israel,  
(where they long time wear thrall & bond)  
From among people strange and fell.  
When juda 'gan to scape the hand:   

This juda than I say was made  
His holy people and his flock,  
And Israel was in like trade  
Becomde his lordship all the stock.   

Which when the raging sea beheld,  
It fl●d as one should it desire:  
And jordan ●● like case did yield,  
And backward did turn, and retire.   

The mountains at the sight of this,  
Can not be still but skipte like ramines:  
The little hills eke would not miss,  
But leapt like the playing lamines.   

If one might ask what ailed thee  
Thou sea, that thou didst so forbear?  
And jordan what cause might there be,  
That drove the back in such a fear:   

Ye mighty mountains in like case,  
Why skipped you like rams I say?  
Ye little hills, why from your place  
●an ye to leap as lambs do play?   

All the whole earth it shall behove,  
When jacobs' God shall be present,  
To tremble shake and much to move,  
And in his sight him reverent.   

For at his will he turned though  
The hard rock in to water clear,  
Converting hard flint stones also  
To springing wells as did appear.    

¶ An example of prayer against idolatrous tyrants, that set up false worship, in the reproach of God's true worship. Out of the. Cxv. Psalm.  

IF unto us poor mortal men  
No praise is due of very right,  
How are they mockte and blinded then,  
How far are they from perfect sight?   

That to a stock or dead Image  
Will give such laud as god should have?  
How vain is he how doth he rage  
That doth God's glory so deprave?   

The which sin and most vile offence.  
David did so abhor and hate,  
That he a Psalm in God's defence  
Compiled hath: that each estate   

May understand how far awry  
They wandered be from righteousness,  
The living God that do deny,  
By an Image or false likeness.   

And therefore doth all men exhort  
To fear● the lord and in him trust:  
Which is a true and sure comfort  
To all that in his hope are just.   

His harp in hand he therefore took,  
And on his knees this noble king  
(As it is in the Psalter book)  
This holy Psalm began to sing.    

Non nobis Domine.  

NOt unto us lord, not to us  
But to thy holy name always,  
For thy mercy & truth done thus,  
Ascribed be all laud and praise.   

These heathen folk that faithless be,  
Why should they say to us in spirit?  
Where is their God let us him see,  
In whom these Christians have delight   

For their false Gods their chief & best,  
Are nothing but silver and gold:  
The hands of men both most and least,  
Have forged them out of the mould.   

Yet have they for their idols made  
Mouths, wherewith they can speak nothing  
And eyes also whereof the trade,  
Is to be blind from all seeing.   

Such ears also in them are wrought  
As hear nothing that one can tell:  
And noses which are likewise nought,  
For they with them can nothing smell.   

Vain hands have they and feet also,  
For with their hands they handle not:  
Nor with their feet they can not go,  
Nor sound no voice out of their throat.   

Wherefore such as do Idols make,  
Do their own works resemble just,  
And they also that do them take  
For Gods, or have in them their trust.   

Let Israel then in the lord  
Set all their trust and confidence:  
And araon's house thereto accord  
For he is their most sure defence.   

All ye that fear the lord aright,  
Trust in him well be not afraid:  
For he will surely show his might  
To succour you and be your aid.   

The lord will not forget doubtless,  
But have us in his mind full well,  
The righteous houses he will bless  
Of Araon and of Israel.   

Ye that do fear the lord therefore,  
Are blessed both the great and small:  
The lord increase you more and more,  
Both you and eke your children all.   

For sith ye are his chosen sort,  
And have the lord whole in your thought,  
He will you bless with great comfort,  
Both heaven & earth that made of nought.   

The heavens and the firmament  
Are his and at his holy will:  
But the round earth he hath forth lente  
The sons of mortal men until.   

The dead O lord that are gone hence  
Can not in grave express thy ways:  
Nor such as down are in silence,  
Can honour thee or give the praise.   

But we O lord that be alive  
Thy praise will spread and ramifye,  
And in our hearts due thanks contrive  
Unto thy name eternally.    

¶ An example of prayer from a repentant heart out of the. Cxxx. psalm.  

Sith in this world all men do fall  
And none from sin is free and clear:  
It doth behove we study all,  
In humbleness for to appear.   

For in this life we daily see,  
By stoutness none can win nor gain,  
But rather it in each degree  
Doth purchase woe and cruel pain.   

Who is so fond if he offend,  
To stand himself to justify?  
And rather doth not kneel and bend  
Till he have pardon and mercy?   

The noble prince David therefore,  
Knowing the fruits of humbleness:  
Did from his heart power forth great store,  
Of tears and contrite gentleness.   

Because he would all men should learn  
The like to do in their great need:  
He showeth how his heart did yearn,  
Till he had felt mercy in deed.   

Himself prostrating in due wise  
For sorrow of his grievous sin,  
In prayer was his exercise:  
Thus doth his humble suit begin.    

De profundis clamavi.  

FRom care of heart that cave so deep,  
So hath my soul my sins abhorred:  
Repentantly I humbly creep,  
And call to thee for help O lord.   

O lord witsafe my voice to here,  
I thee beseech to bow thine ears.  
Suffer my prayer to appear,  
Poured forth to thee with piteous tears.   

For if thou wilt for evermore  
Our wickedness lay by thy side,  
Or keep a note of them in store:  
Oh lord who then may 〈◊〉 abide.   

Thy mercy lord then make us taste,  
Which is to thee most natural:  
That graciously forgive thou mayst,  
And raise them which by frailty fall.   

This made me on the lord to wait,  
My soul also on him to bide:  
His promise is without deceit,  
And from his word he will not slide.   

My soul hath more earnest delight  
Upon the lord to watch and stay,  
Than watchmen, which wake all the night  
And long right sore till it be day.   

Let Israel the Lords elect,  
(The just that godly be and wise,)  
Have to the lord their whole respect:  
For mercy is his exercise.   

This Israel I say he shall,  
All wickedness from them expel,  
From sins he shall redeem them all,  
Though they be more than tongue can tell.   

Glory be to our god above,  
The father which of might is most,  
And to the son as doth behove,  
And also to the holy ghost:   

As it from the beginning was,  
And yet doth to this time extend,  
And shall be still as time shall pass  
For ever more world without end.    

¶ An example that as well penitent prayer, as joyful thanks and praise, have their due time and place, out of the. Cxxxvii. Psalm.  

AS each thing hath his due time her●,  
On this earth where we go:  
So is their time for joy and glee,  
And eke for care and woe.   

For as we joy in time of wealth,  
Praising the lord therefore:  
So in the time of pensyunes,  
Of mirth we make no store.   

In one subject two contraries  
Can never well agree:  
Both mirth and woe at once in one  
A strange thing were to see.   

It would be thought a great madness,  
In joy to wail and wring:  
Neither can it be counted les  
In sorrow for to sing.   

As when the jews in Babylon  
Where they were captive all,  
Commanded were to play and sing,  
Of such as made them thrall.   

Which vain request of their great foes,  
These miserable jews  
Would not accomplish in no wise,  
But did the same refuse.   

They hanged aside their instruments  
And laid their songs away,  
And knew it was not time to sing:  
But rather for to pray,   

That god would them deliver once,  
From that their bondage vile:  
Wherein they had been punished  
A long and weary while.   

But after three score and ten years,  
When God them home had brought,  
With holy psalms to praise his name,  
They diligently sought.   

And in remembrance of the woe,  
And bondage, where they were,  
And joy of their deliverance,  
They song as ye shall here.    

Super flumina Babilonis.  

ONce as we by the rivers sat  
That run in Babylon,  
With bitter tears wailing our woe,  
When we thought on Zion:   

We laid a side our thankful tunes,  
Of honour laud and praise,  
And hung our haps on wylow trees,  
That grew there in those days.   

Therefore our foes which to that land  
As captives did us bring,  
(The more our sorrows to augment,)  
Required us to sing.   

Commanding us with spiteful scorn  
And great derision:  
Sing us (quoth they) some Hebrew songs  
Of your blessed Zion.   

As though it were convenient  
Contrary to gods will,  
Such vain precepts of wicked men,  
To fellow or fulfil.   

In such a land gods laud to sing  
With songs of his sweet word:  
Where Images the honour have  
That due is to the lord.   

If ever we jerusalem  
So from our minds consume:  
We wish our right hands might forget  
Our haps to touch in tune.   

And that our tongues within our mouth  
May cleave we are content,  
When we should utter any thing,  
That mind may us invent:   

Thy praises o jerusalem  
If we prefer not still,  
Before the most or greatest joy  
That hap may us until.   

These edomites our enemies  
Oh lord remember them,  
Their wickedness when they destroyed  
Thine own jerusalem.   

Among themselves thus 'gan they say,  
Our city to confound:  
Destroy and sack it, down with it,  
And raze it to the ground,   

And thou O daughter Babylon,  
(Well worthy of no les)  
Thy mirth shall turn to misery,  
And thy joy to distress.   

And he shall be a happy man  
That with such like again  
Shall the reward, as thou didst us,  
With great reproof and pain.   

Ye blessed shall he be in deed  
That shall reward the once,  
In taking of thy sucking babes  
And dash them to the stones.    

¶ An example of God's praise, for his great care over his elect, in disappointing their enemies & delivering them. out of the. Cxl. Psalm.  

WHat can the mortal man  
invent devise or skan,  
Against the will of god?  
Or how can we withstand,  
Of god the heavy hand,  
His mighty plague and rod?   

What need we then to care,  
What wicked men prepare,  
With craft us to destroy?  
Sith god the Lord of all,  
Can bring us out of thrall,  
And turn our care to joy?   

The noble king David  
The like thing hath proved,  
That who so fear the lord,  
There shall no wight prevail  
Though they do us assail:  
With works of god abhorred.   

For in his time of need  
He prayed with all speed,  
To god for help and aid:  
As it doth follow here,  
And right well doth appear,  
What he therein hath said.    

Eripe me domine.  

Deliver me O Lord  
According to thy word,  
Lord let me not be shent.  
On me some pity have,  
From subtile weights me save,  
Of enemies violent.   

In heart they think mischief,  
And seek to do me grief:  
Their tongues they whet so sharp  
As aders venom vile:  
That they may us begnyle,  
Full wicked wiles they warp.   

Keep me O lord therefore,  
From enemies ever more,  
Which wicked be and ill:  
Thy help let me not want,  
For they would me supplant,  
From doing of thy will.   

These proud men they have set  
For me a privy net,  
Where I should out and in:  
Yea and in my pathway  
My soul for to betray,  
They lay both snare and begin.   

Lord therefore have I said  
Thou art mine only aid,  
Lord here my deep desire:  
O Lord thou art my wealth,  
O God my saving health,  
Grant me that I require.   

Let not these men unpure  
On me take their pleasure,  
destroy their ill intent:  
They are so proud and halt.  
That they themselves exalt,  
Therefore let them be shent.   

I mean such men as be  
Of their great subtlety,  
At no time unpreparde:  
Lord in their own deceit,  
Wherewith they laid such weyke,  
〈◊〉 their own feet be snared.   

Let coals of fire fall down,  
And cast them on their crown,  
And throw them into hell  
From whence how for to rise  
There is no tongue so wise,  
That can them read or tell.   

Let nothing prosper well  
On earth where such men dwell,  
Reprove their rich renown:  
To mischief they be wunte.  
With plagues therefore them hunt  
And headlong throw them down.   

I know the lord will wound,  
And utterly confound,  
All men to pride adicte:  
And will avenge in deed  
The poor that stand in need,  
And are thus sore afflict.   

The righteous verily  
Shall praise and magnify  
Thy holy name therefore:  
The hearts of pure pretence,  
Shall dwell in thy presence,  
Good lord for ever more.    

¶ An example how to praise God for his almighty power, and gentleness. Out of the. Cxlv. Psalm.  

AS he that would set forth to men,  
The praise of some good king,  
To cause his subjects him to love:  
And obey in all thing,   

Doth show to them his great goodness,  
His power and all his might  
That thereby he may cause all folk,  
In him to have delight:   

And also that his enemies  
The more may stand in fear,  
And where perhaps they would rebel  
To cause them to forbear:   

So David doth god's glory show,  
And power omnipente,  
To make hard hearts that fear not god,  
To soften and relent.   

That they might come in unity  
Of God and of his law,  
And leaveth no good means unsought,  
Them to entice and draw.   

That uniformly mortal men,  
Which in this world do dwell:  
Might all agree praising the lord,  
And in virtue excel.   

Which if ye stay or stand in doubt  
How to begin this game,  
Take here a Psalm, which will instruct  
And lead you in the same:    

Exaltabo te deus.  

O God that art mine only king,  
I will thee magnify:  
and so set forth thy laud & praise  
To dure eternally.   

From day to day even every day,  
Great thanks I will thee give,  
And praise thy name for ever more,  
While I have time to live.   

Great is the Lord and marvelous,  
And worthy of all praise:  
There is no end of his greatness,  
Or magnificent ways.   

From time to time for ever more  
Each generation  
To others shall thy power declare,  
And thy works every one.   

And as for me mine only talk  
Shall worship still thy name,  
Thy glory and thy wondrous works,  
And praise the for the same.   

Men of thy works so marvelous  
To speak shall have delight:  
And always shall be talking of  
Thy greatness and thy might.   

Of thine abundant kindness we  
Will keep memorial,  
And sing of thy great righteousness  
From henceforth all men shall.   

For thou O lord art gracious  
Yea merciful and meek,  
Long suffering and of great goodness  
To them that do him seek.   

To every man liberally,  
The lord doth show his love,  
And over all his goodly works,  
His mercy still doth move.   

And they express thy glory great,  
Thy kyngoome and thy power:  
To men that all these might be known  
At every time and hour,   

Thy kingdom everlastingly  
A kingdom is right sure,  
Thy lordship shall from age to age  
Eternaly endure.   

For in his deeds he faithful is,  
(What so he take in hand)  
His works he all holy and just,  
Both upon sea and land.   

The lord upholdeth all that are  
In danger for to fall,  
Them that be down he lifteth up  
When they on him do call.   

The eyes of all on thee O lord  
Do wait and put their trust,  
And thou dost give to them their meat  
In season due and just.   

Thou openest thy holy hand,  
Thy power and thy good will,  
All living things plentifully,  
Therewith that thou mayst fill.   

The lord is righteous in his ways,  
His works be holy all:  
And he is nigh to faithful men,  
When they on him do call:   

Such as fear him, he will fulfil  
To them their whole desire.  
He will them here and help also  
When they do him require.   

All such as love and fear the Lord,  
Them still preserveth he:  
And he will scatter all abroad  
Such as ungodly be.   

My mouth shall speak & praise the lord  
And that abundantly,  
Let all flesh thank his holy name  
With laud eternally.    

¶ The ninth chapter of Ecclesiasticus: or book of jesus the son of Sirach.  

¶ The argument  
OF iclousie who so will hear,  
unto my tune hark & draw near,  
how ye shall of the harlots vile  
esch●●● the sleight the fraud and guile.   

What mischief and what hurt they do  
To such as hearken them unto,  
How vain and vile adultery is  
How fond they are that walk amiss.   

How we should keep, an old friend true  
And never change him for no new,  
How for to lead a godly life,  
In holiness without all strife.   

How that a king by wisdom's lore  
Should rule and govern evermore,  
How each man should in his degree  
See that his work well used be.   

And how the foolish talkative  
Are the most wicked folk on live,  
To jesus Sirach give good ear  
Which tells his tale in this manner.    

Ecclesiast. Cap. ix.  

BE not over thy wife jealous,  
but without strife keep well thy house:  
Lest that she show some point of ill,  
Or wicked sleight the for to spill.   

Nor tangle not thy power nor life:  
With a false whore which maketh strife:  
Lest she redound within thy strength,  
And so confound thy soul at length.   

Behold not women vain & nought,  
Which upon men set all their thought:  
On such I say set not thy care,  
Lest they betray thee in their snare.   

Abstain and flee her wicked way,  
That loves to geste scoff dance & play,  
To her consent not in no wise,  
Though she the tempt and oft entice.   

Look not to long upon a maid,  
Lest with her form thou be dismayed.  
Much less on harlots than have mind  
Nor on women of such ill kind:   

Lest thou decay before thine age,  
And so consume thine heritage.  
In towns and cities do not gaze,  
As one whose wits were in amaze:   

Nor wander not in every street,  
Lest with ill men perhaps thou meet.  
Chief of all turn thy face fro,  
The woman gay which worketh wo.   

Behold not much the great beauty,  
Of any one unknown to thee:  
For in time past such fools have been,  
Which with their fond eyes as I ween▪   

Did so regard the beauty fair  
Of strangers where they did repair:  
That they decayed through their desire,  
Which burned like the flaming fire.   

Wherefore women adulterous,  
Should only be regarded thus,  
As most vile dung dirt mire & clay,  
That each man treads on in his way.   

For such as on them wonder had,  
Were by their beauty tangled mad.  
All wisdom they from them did cast:  
So hot of fond love was the blast.   

Led thou therefore a godly life:  
Covet thou not thy neighbour's wife.  
Sit not with her at any stead:  
Lie not with her upon a bed.   

No talk with her make thou at wyne●  
Lest thy heart should to her incline.  
Thereby making thy blood to fall:  
And so destroy thy life and all.   

Forsake not thou a good old friend:  
For such a new is hard to find.  
For a new friend is like new wine:  
Which is not good till it be fine.   

But when the wine is old and pure,  
Then mayst y● drink him with pleasure,  
Desire not the honour therefore,  
That sinners' gain and keep in store.   

If thou didst their destruction know,  
Which will them once all overflow:  
To such honour thou wouldst not haste.  
Nor of their vain wealth wish to taste.   

Of one thing more warn thee I will,  
Abstain from such, whose power may kill.  
For if with such thou makest strife,  
He may soon take from thee thy life.   

Foresee and shurne each casualty:  
So shalt thou scape all jeopardy.  
Take good heed of an ill neighbour,  
Lest with some craft he thee devour.   

With wise men be in company,  
So shalt thou gain great honesty.  
Let just men be thy gests always,  
joy in gods name and give him praise.   

Be courteous gentle, good and kind,  
Have gods fear ever in thy mind.  
Let all thy works and talk be bend,  
Upon the lords commandment.   

Each good crafts man should set his will  
His work to frame by discrete skill.  
Which being set before men's eyes,  
Shall cause him to be counted wise.   

For each work brought to gorgeous end,  
Doth cause all men it to commend,  
A prince that rightly govern will,  
Like wise of wisdom should have skill.   

So well he should wisdom decern,  
That at his talk others might learn.  
Him that doth many fond words use,  
A wise man's part is to refuse.   

For such in town and in city.  
Do kindle strife and vylainy,  
They neither weigh cause, time, nor place:  
In them is neither wytie nor grace.  
They are past shame I say, therefore  
Refuse such men and them abhor.    

¶ The manner of true and perfect prayer instituted by our saviour jesus Christ, the only son of God, the wisdom of the father, and second person in trinity.  

THe sixth of matthew if ye read  
example ye may find.  
What prayer is and how to use  
the same in perfect kind.   

For Christ our only mercy seat,  
So sound hath us taught,  
That in his gospel we may find,  
Not else where to be sought.   

When thou dost pray saith Christ our Lord  
See that thou do refuse,  
The vain glory that hippocrites  
Do in their prayers use.   

For they will in the synagogues,  
Their prayers to appear,  
In open streets or in such place,  
As most men may them here.   

For which their foolish vainglory,  
That would of men be heard,  
The praise of men which they desire,  
Is only their reward.   

But at such time as thou wilt pray,  
Into thy chamber go,  
A faithful and a contrite heart  
Prayer must Issue fro.   

And when thou hast closed thy door,  
And shut out worldly care,  
And vain thoughts of this wretched world  
Thy prayer then declare.   

Unto thy god and father dear,  
Which is in secret still:  
Seing the bottom of each heart,  
Each thought, each work and will.   

Who will reward thee in such wise  
That it shall well appear,  
That he hath heard thy hearts request,  
Most like a father dear.   

But in thy prayer babble not  
With many words and vain,  
As Heathen men which think thereby  
their purpose to obtain.   

It is the heart and not the lips  
Whereby thou mayst aspire,  
Thy suit to god for to attain,  
And to have thy desire:   

The heart I say both clean and pure  
Must be the very mean,  
For lips do but provoke gods wrath  
Where hearts be found unclean.   

For god doth know before you speak●  
Your need and all your lack,  
And will you keep it you be just,  
That nought shall go to wrack.   

And err thou pray bethink thyself,  
Who did the hurt or grieve,  
Refrain thy wrath in continent  
And lovingly forgive   

If thou forgive not other men,  
Their trespasses and crime,  
Think not that god will thee forgive,  
Thy faults at any time.   

contrariwise if thou forgive,  
Such as did the unright,  
God by his promise will thee here  
And show the mercy bright.   

And where thou hast done any hurt,  
It is not worth the while  
To pray before thou make amends,  
And thyself reconcile.   

But when thou art prepared thus,  
In all points as I say:  
With pure heart in most humble wise.  
On this sort see thou pray.    

Pater noster.  

O Lord that art our only god  
And father of us all,  
In heaven which art resident,  
To thee we cry and call.   

Thy holy and thy blessed name,  
That we may sanctify:  
Grant that we may for ever use  
The same.   

Oh let thy kingdom down descend,  
And always us protect:  
That we may reign in peace and joy  
Which are thine own elect.   

Thy worthy will let it be done  
Of worldly wretches here:  
As it in heaven ever is  
Among thy saints most dear.   

Our daily bread give us this day,  
Our bodies to sustain:  
And to our souls thy blessed word,  
Thy truth still to maintain.   

Both for the body and the soul,  
Relieve us with thy store:  
That we thereby may taste thy grace,  
This day and ever more.   

Our trespasses & our great sins,  
Redeem and clean forgive,  
As we forgive and mercy take,  
On them that do us grieve.   

O lord into temptation  
Above our strength and power,  
Do not lead us at any time,  
Lest Satan us devour.   

But with thy grace defend us still,  
Let not thy goodness cease:  
But from all evils us defend,  
deliver and release.   

For only to thee doth belong  
The kingdom very right,  
The power and glorious majesty,  
For ever so be it.    

¶ The abridgement of our Christian belief, written as some suppose into xii Articles, by the xii holy apostles of our saviour jesus christ.  

THe xii apostles of jesus our lord,  
After their holy preaching a long time,  
And setting forth of gods most holy word,  
Preaching repentance from all sin and crime  
Yet not withstanding all their diligence,  
Mistaking of god's word did make offence.   

For many heresies did then arise,  
And mysbele●e in god our lord above,  
By mistaking, and worldly wit like wise,  
Which made from true faith many to remove.  
For carnal reason walketh still astray,  
And unto faith doth always disobey.   

These holy preachers therefore thinking best  
In this turmoil to set order and stay,  
Did then devise both unto most and least,  
Of true belief a brief and perfect way,  
That all men might, as well the young as o●lde.  
Sun learn the same and in memory hold.   

Sith than the holy ghost hath taught us thus,  
It doth behove that we diligently,  
Do learn the same to know and to discuss,  
And keep each part thereof most faithful,  
Wherefore the sum of it I will rehearse  
As here doth follow in this kind of verse.    

Credo in deum patrem.  

I Do believe with steadfast true intent  
In God the father which is of all might,  
Who made heaven earth and all their whole content  
The night the day the darkness and the light.  
And I believe in jesus Christ our lord.  
His only son thee verlasting word.   

Which of the holy ghost conceived was,  
And of the most pure virgin Mary borne,  
And under Ponce Pylat as came to pass  
Suffered, and on the cross was rent and torn.  
And being dead, was buried in the end,  
And also down into hell did descend.   

And the third day according to scripture.  
He rose from death to perfect life again:  
And up to heaven he ascended sure,  
On god the father's right hand to remain:  
Till at the last he once again shall come,  
Both quick and dead to judge by rightful doom.   

I also believe in the holy ghost,  
And in the church of christ catholical,  
And of the saints the communion most,  
The forgiveness of mine offences all,  
And this our flesh shall rise again at last.  
And I believe eternal life to taste.   
Amen.   

¶ The song of praise and thanksgiving of blessed Mary the virgin, mother of our lord and saviour jesus christ, after the salutation of the Angel Gabriel, and of Elizabeth mother of blessed john baptist. written. Luke the j Chapter.  
Magnificat anima mea.  

My soul truly  
Shall magnify  
The lord, and him honour:  
So shall my spirit  
joy and delight  
In god my saviour.   

His eyes he stayed  
On his handmaid,  
In poor and low degree,  
And kindreds all  
From henceforth shall  
Know me blessed to be.   

For he whose might  
Excelleth right  
Hath exalted my ●ame:  
Doing to me  
Great things and high,  
And holy is is name.   

His mercy sure  
Doth aye endure,  
And doth not waste nor wear:  
In kindreds all  
Continual  
That do him love and fear,   

He in his power,  
Hath at this hour  
His arm put forth at length:  
The proud abowght  
Bringeth to nowght,  
What so their hearts inventh.   

He putteth down  
From their renown  
The mighty and the strong:  
And doth up set  
In honour great  
The meek that suffer wrong.   

And he doth still  
Both feed and fill  
All those that hunger pain:  
And doth them good  
When without food  
The rich empty remain.   

He hath in mind  
His mercy kind,  
His folk to help and save:  
His servants well  
Even Israel,  
That for his mercy crave.   

As he like wise  
Did once promise,  
To Abraham before:  
Our father's old  
that faith did hold,  
And their seed evermore.   

Glory and praise  
And laud always.  
Unto the trinity:  
With one accord  
Praise we the lord  
One god and persons three.   

As hath been aye,  
And at this day  
Continueth as yet:  
And shall extend  
World without end,  
For ever so be it.   
Finis.   

¶ The song of praise and thanks giving of holy Zachary, father of saint john baptist, being restored to his speech, which was taken from him at the vision of the angel, written, Luke the first chap.  
Benedictus dominus deus.  

BLessed now be  
The almighty  
Lord God of Israel,  
His people which  
Visiteth much  
Redeeming them full well.   

A mighty horn  
Of salvation  
That hath to us raised,  
Even in the house  
So righteous  
Of his servant David.   

As he spoke by  
The mouths holy  
Of his Prophets, each when,  
That aye have been  
Among us seen,  
Sense the world first began.   

Which said that we  
Should saved be,  
From our enemies all:  
Who ever that  
Hath us in hate  
Either the great or small.   

To perform right  
His mercy bright,  
That he sometime did grant  
Our forefathers.  
And remembers  
His holy covenant.   

His oath once sworn  
For to perform,  
Unto our father dear:  
Even Abraham  
That when time came  
To us it might appear.   

That from our foes  
We being loose  
And clean delivered:  
We might serve him  
From time to time  
Without all seruy●e dread.   

In holiness  
And righteousness  
With perfect ways and pure,  
For evermore  
His face before  
While our life days endure.   

And thou O child  
That art so mild  
Shalt be called the prophet  
Of the most highest,  
And his son christ  
To show his glory great.   

The lord of grace  
Before his face,  
Thou child shalt go I say:  
For to prepare  
And eke declare  
his pure and chosen way.   

To give knowledge  
Of this the pledge  
Of their salvation:  
his people's sin,  
That they are in.  
The clean remission.   

Through the mercy  
Tender and free,  
Of god, whereby the day  
Springeth so bright  
Even from the height,  
Doth visit us always.   

From deaths shadow,  
And darkness low,  
Such as sit to release:  
their feet each tide  
With light to guide,  
Into the way of peace.   

Glory and praise  
And laud always  
Unto the Trinity,  
To the father,  
And the son dear,  
And to the ghost holy.   

As hath been aye,  
And at this day.  
Continueth as yet:  
And shall be still  
With right good will  
For ever so ●e it.   
Finis.   

¶ The song of praise and thanks giving of holy Simeon at the circumcision of our Lord jesus christ. Luke. ij.  
Nunc dimittis.  

THy servant now  
permit mayst though,  
For to departed O lord  
In quiet peace,  
from strife to cease,  
According to thy word.   

Mine eyes, our wealth  
Thy saving health  
have seen now through thy grace,  
Of thee prepared  
to be declared,  
Before all people's face.   

To be a light  
Still shining bright,  
Guiding the gentiles well:  
And for to be  
the great glory  
Of thy flock Israel.   

Let every tribe  
Glory ascribe  
Now to the deity.  
As hath been, is,  
And shall not miss  
To be continually.   
Amen.   

¶ The r. commandments of almighty God written, in ij. tables of stone with the finger of God. The first table containing iiij precepts concerneth our duty towards God: The second table containing the other ujpreceptes concerneth our duty towards our neighbour. written in the xx. Chapter of Exodus, and in the v. Chapter Deuteronomium.  
Argument.  

The living God our only Lord  
That all things with his word hath made,  
And (as the scripture doth record)  
Doth govern all in godly trade,  
And knoweth how apt man is to stray  
And all good things to disobey.   

With his finger (for man's behove)  
In tables twain of stone did write  
Commandments ten, his heart to move  
From guile and wrong to truth and right:  
In godliness to guide his ways  
They follow here note what he says.   

I Am thy Lord and God alone  
From Egypt land that▪ brought the right.  
Beholding thy distress and moan:  
From house of bond I freed thee quite.  
Wherefore thou shalt I say to thee  
None other Gods have before me.   

Thou shalt no graven Image make,  
Nor picture be it great or small,  
Or figure that thy mind may take,  
In heaven earth or waters all:  
Nor honour them, that shalt not thou,  
Nor unto them ne kneel nor bow.   

For I thy God and only Lord  
A jealous God am of such sin,  
And father's faults I have abhorred  
Upon their children and their kin:  
In kindreds iij. or iiij. or more  
I visit them that hate me so.   

Which justice yet doth me not stay  
From meekness, mercy, nor from grace:  
Which I extend to them always  
My holy laws that do embrace:  
To thousands though none can deserve,  
That I command if they observe,   

The holy name thou shalt not use  
Of me thy lord and God in vain,  
Unlawful oaths thou shalt refuse,  
Swear not for false or filthy gain:  
The Lord will thee not hold ungylt  
His name in vain if take thou wilt.   

Remember that in any wise  
the Sabaoth day thou sanctify,  
six days thou shalt thee exercise,  
And labour for necessity:  
The seventh day the Sabaoth is  
Of god almight the lord of bliss.   

Therefore this day bear well in mind  
No kind of work that then thou do,  
Unto which law thy son I bind,  
Thy daughter shall it keep also,  
Thy man thy maid and eke thy beast:  
In fine within thy gate thy jest.   

For in six days the lord created  
Heaven, earth, sea, and all of nought,  
The seventh day take his rest he did:  
Wherefore the lord that all hath wrought,  
The Sabaoth day did sanctify,  
And blessed it perpetually.   

Thy father and thy mother dear  
See that thou reverently honour,  
Let none ingratitude appear  
In thee to them, but them soccour:  
So in the land long shalt thou live,  
Which thy lord God to thee shall give.   

Thou shalt not kill note thou it well.  
Also thou shalt no wedlock break.  
I say also thou shalt not steal.  
Nor witness false thou shalt none speak.  
Against thy neighbours, them to wrong:  
But live uprightly them among.   

And to conclude of this take heed  
What my laws chiefly do require,  
Not only to forbear the deed,  
But also from the hearts desire,  
Of that thy neighbour doth possess,  
Of any thing in more or less.   

particularly to recite,  
Thy neighbours house covet thou not:  
Nor yet his wife, his hearts delight,  
His man or maid which is his lot:  
His ox or ass or aught of his,  
Covet thou not, think well on this.    

¶ The praise of God the father son and holy ghost. written in an holy Hymn, by the worthy fathers Augustine and Ambrose.  
Te Deum laudamus.  

O God of might  
As it is right  
We yield the la●de and praise.  
With one accord  
To be the Lord  
We knowledge thee always:   

The earth throughout  
And all about  
Thy worship doth express:  
Thou dost appear  
A father dear  
In everlastingness.   

To thee do call  
The Angels all  
And cry with a loud din:  
The heavens high  
eternally  
And all the powers therein.   

Both Cherubin  
And Ceraphin  
Do in thy praise rejoice:  
And thus always  
Express thy praise  
With an incessant voice.   

Holy, holy,  
Thou art holy,  
Lord God of Sabaoth:  
Thy majesty  
And thy glory  
Fylles heaven and earth both.   

The glorious sect  
Of thine elect  
Apostles every one:  
Thy praise doth show,  
All in a row  
And honour thee alone.   

The Prophets all  
Do on the call  
So goodly in their kind:  
That fellow ship  
Doth not let slip  
To keep thy praise in mind.   

The noble array  
Of martyrs aye  
Thy praise doth still express:  
The Church holy  
Where ever it be  
The like praise doth confess.   

infinitely  
Thy majesty  
O father doth endure:  
And thy Son still  
We honour will,  
Only so true and pure.   

The holy ghost  
Our comfort most,  
We do confess to be:  
Thou christ jesus,  
Mesias true  
Art the king of glory.   

Thou art ever  
Of the father  
The everlasting son:  
Which we confess  
Both more and less  
That in this world do won.   

When for our sake  
Thou didst take  
On thee man to restore:  
The womb so clean  
Of the Virgin  
Thou didst not abhor.   

When thou the dart  
Of death so sharp  
Didst vanquish and deprive:  
Thou didst unlose  
Thy bliss, to those  
That truly d● believe.   

On the right hand  
(We understand)  
Of the father so dear,  
(In glory great)  
There art thou set  
Till the last day appear.   

Then we believe  
judgement to give,  
That thou from thence shalt come,  
Most righteously  
Our judge to be  
And judge us all and some.   

Thy servants pray  
Thee day by day,  
Of thee some help to have:  
Whom with thy blood  
Precious and good,  
Thou didst redeem and save.   

Make them indeed  
To be numbered  
With thy holy saints all:  
For evermore  
Thy face before  
In glory eternal.   

Thy people save.  
Which on the crave:  
And bless thine heritage,  
Govern them still,  
To do thy will,  
Ever from age to age.   

For we daily,  
Thee magnify  
And worship still thy nam●  
And still intend  
World without end,  
To continue the same.   

Vouchsafe we pray  
O lord this day,  
From sin us to defend:  
For on thine aid  
Our faith is stayed,  
And ever doth depend.   

Mercy O lord,  
Have mercy Lord,  
Show us thy mercy just:  
On us let light  
Thy mercy bright,  
As we in thee do trust.   

And since always  
My trust and stay,  
In the lord is fixed:  
Oh grant that I  
Eternally  
Be never confounded.   

To the father,  
And his son dear,  
And to the holy ghost,  
Glory and praise  
give we always,  
As we are bounden most.   

As was and is,  
And shall not miss,  
To be each time and when:  
For ever more  
Laud and honour  
To our lord god. Amen.    

¶ To his friend E. H. at whose request, the author drew into metre, the song of the three children, which were put into the hot burning oven, which were called properly in the Hebrew tongue, Ananias, Asarias, & Misael: whose names Nebucadnezer changed into Cidrach, Misach, and Abednago, in the Chaldey tongue. Written, Daniel. in.  

MY loving friend,  
Your boon and mind,  
Doth seem to me this tide,  
As Phaet on vain,  
Should once again  
The son his chariot guide:   

Who foolishly  
Immediately  
May set the world on fire,  
Till jove almight  
Most just and right  
Do slay him in his Ire.   

Or one unwise  
Should enterprise  
To make or cause tapere,  
From flint stones dure  
Sweet fountains pure  
Of water's crystal cler●.   

Yet for to choose  
Or once refuse,  
Your most friendly request,  
Is not in me  
Nor can not be  
At any time possessed.   

Therefore take well  
This small cantle  
Of my due and good will,  
Though momus sect  
Then it reject,  
No force it shall not skill.   

BLessed be thou  
O lord god now  
The god of our fathers:  
For thou always  
Art worthy praise  
And of all great honers.   

The name holy  
Of thy glory,  
Worthy to be praised,  
Still in worlds all  
Continual  
Is to be magnified.   

Be thou blessed  
In every stead  
Of thy temple holy:  
Which dost us move  
All things above,  
To set up thy glory.   

More than worthy,  
Thou art truly  
Of laud and praise each day:  
Wherefore ever  
We will prefer  
And set the up for aye.   

Blessed alone  
In thy high throne  
Be thou in thy kingdom:  
Thee above all  
We still bless shall,  
In world of worlds to come.   

Blessed be thou  
That lookest throw  
The deep: and yet dost sit  
The Cherubes on,  
Worthy alone  
Of praise, deserving it.   

The firmament  
And heavens hent  
Thee praise which art worthy,  
(For thy favour)  
Of all honour  
Unto eternity.    

Benedicite omnia opera Domini domino.  

OYe works all  
In general  
Of god the living Lord,  
See that his praise  
Ye show always  
Set up and it record.   

Ye angels bright  
And heavens light  
And waters all above  
The firmament:  
With one consent  
Praise him as doth behove.   

The lord his powers,  
Son Moon in course,  
Tell and show forth his praise:  
And never let  
Him up to set  
In his due laud always.   

O all ye stars,  
Dew, and showers,  
O all ye winds of God,  
His praise tell ye,  
Him magnify,  
As in his word he bod.   

Heat and fire,  
Winter, summer,  
Ye dews and frosts hore:  
Ye frost and could,  
His praise be bold  
To set forth evermore.   

O Ice and snow,  
His praise forth show,  
Him laud and magnify:  
Ye nights and days,  
With the like praise  
Laud him eternally.   

Light and darkness  
His praise express,  
lightening and clouds I say:  
Let the earth speak  
And his praise break  
Forth, for ever and aye.   

Mountains and hills  
With your good wills,  
Herbs, grass, & all green things  
Welles, seas, and flood  
Of him speak good,  
And declare his praisings.   

Ye whales that live  
And all that move,  
In floods and waters clear:  
All souls of thair  
Likewise repair,  
To make his praise appear.   

Bestes and cattles  
His praise forth tell,  
Ye children of men pure:  
Let Israel  
In praise excel  
For ever to endure.   

With one accord  
Praise ye the lord,  
That the lords servants are:  
Spirits and souls just  
His praise sing must  
Him set up and declare.   

Let holy men  
Praise him each when,  
And humble men of heart,  
With good pretence  
Ever from hence,  
From his praise never start.   

Ananias  
Azarias  
And misael prefer  
His praises great,  
And him up set  
For ever and ever,   

Which hath from hell  
Us saved well,  
And clean delivered:  
And hath our breath  
Kept safe from death,  
And also hath us rid.   

From burning flame  
Amydste the same,  
And made the heat retire:  
When we did crave,  
He did us save  
In the midst of the fire.   

Unto the lord  
Let us record  
Both praise and thanks therefore:  
His heart is kind,  
For we do find  
His mercy evermore.   

O all men right  
That are contrite,  
Speak good and praise the lord,  
For he truly  
Is almighty,  
And of all gods the God.   

O give him praise  
With thanks always,  
Whose mercy doth extend.  
And doth endure  
Remaining pure,  
Ever world without end.   

Praise glorious  
Ever let us  
Magnificently moste,  
give the father,  
And the son dear  
And to the holy ghost.   

From beginning  
Continuing  
And now doth persever:  
And shall do aye  
From day to day  
For ever and ever.    

Numeri xiii  
¶ Sing this as, The dawning day begins to glare. etc.  

LEt now thy power be great O lord,  
Like as thy lips did once repeat:  
And as we find it in thy word,  
Thy sufferance long, thy mercy great.   

For as thou dost our sins forgive  
And trespasses, when we repent:  
So are we sure no man on live  
From sin is free and innocent.   

And of their father the misdeed  
Thou visitest upon the child,  
His generation and his seed,  
In four degrees therewith defiled.   

But now oh lord be gracious  
Unto thy flock and their offence:  
And of thy mercy bounteous  
Remember not our negligence.   

Thy people as thou didst forbear,  
From Egypt into wilderness,  
We the beseech in like manner,  
That we may taste thy gentleness.    

two. Esdras i  
¶ Sing this as O lord our god we turn to thee. etc.  

Lord god that in the heavens high  
Dost keep thy residence:  
Thou art a god of terrible  
And great magnificence.   

Thou that hast kept thy covenant  
And mercy eke in store,  
For them that love thee, and observe  
And keep thy holy lore,   

Oh let thine ears be attendant,  
And mark what I do say:  
And let thine eyes be vigilant,  
Behold me when I pray.   

For I am bend both day and night  
To pray before thy face:  
That to thy servant Israel  
Thou wilt give health and grace:   

And to forgive them all their sin,  
That they did thee transgress:  
For in the person of them all  
Their faults I do confess.   

For I myself among them all  
Do in the number sit:  
My father's house hath not been free  
But did like sin commit.   

Corrupted have we been, in that  
Thy laws we have not kept:  
Thy will and thy commandments  
Because we did reject.   

Yet call to mind thy word O lord  
By Moses that was said,  
Thy servant whom thou didst command  
For to proclaim thine aid.   

The punishment that thou hast made  
For our transgressions,  
Is for to scatter us a broad  
Among the nations.   

But thou hast said and promised  
That if we turn again,  
Observing thy commandments  
And in thy laws remain:   

That though we scattered were abroad  
Never so far about,  
Yea in the utmost parts of all:  
Thou wouldst yet find us out.   

And gather us from thence again,  
In●o the very place,  
That thou us gave to dwell therein  
Of thy bounty and grace.   

O hear us now thy servants lord  
And people of thy land,  
That were delivered by thy power  
And by thy mighty hand.   

O lord now let thine ears attends  
To mark what we require:  
For thee to serve and fear thy name,  
Is now our whole desire.    

Tobias xiii  
¶ Sing this as The. 6. of Matthew, If ye read. etc.  

O Lord our God for ever more  
Thy greatness doth extend,  
Thy power, thy kingdom & thy might  
For ever without end.   

For after scourges health Ensues,  
And pleasure after pain:  
And unto hell when thou hast brought,  
Thou bringest out again.   

Whereby thou hast instructed us  
That we may understand,  
That there is none by any means  
That may escape thy hand.   

give thanks therefore unto the lord,  
Ye children of the just,  
Before the Heathen let his praise  
Be showed and discussed.   

For therefore hath he scattered you,  
His wondrous works to show,  
Among the Heathen, and the folk  
That did him never know.   

That they may know and eke confess  
That other there is none  
That is a god omnipotent,  
But our good God alone.   

Which hath us made for our misdeeds  
His chastisement to take:  
And will us save and help again,  
For his own mercy's sake.   

Then pray to him with fear & dread,  
And ponder well this thing:  
And magnify in all your works  
The everlasting king.   

For I will praise him in the land  
Of my captivity:  
For he did show the sinful folk  
His mighty majesty.   

O turn you unto God therefore  
Ye sinners, and do right,  
Ye may be sure with mercy then  
That he will you requite.   

And as for me, so will I do  
In soul and with my voice  
For why my god is only he  
In whom I will rejoice.   

O praise the lord all ye that be  
His chosen and elect,  
In io●full days give him the thanks  
That still doth you protect.    

Tobias iii  
¶ Sing this as the form of perfect prayer beginning, The vi of matthew.  

O Lord god thou art righteous,  
Thy judgements all are true:  
Thy just ways & thy faithfulness  
Doth mercy still ensue.   

Be mindful now O lord on me,  
And plague not for my sin.  
Nor have no mind of my misdeeds,  
Ne of mine elders kin.   

For we to thy commandments  
Wear not obedient:  
wherefore among all nations,  
Thou hast us captive sent.   

And scattered haste us them among,  
That daily us deride:  
For dreadful death, & most vile shame,  
Doth ever us betide.   

In which thou hast declared O lord,  
Thy judgements great and high:  
We did not as thou didst command,  
Nor walked innocently.   

And therefore now O living lord  
My prayer shall be still,  
That thou command & deal with me  
According to thy will.   

Receive O lord my spirit in peace,  
To thee I do it give:  
For it is more expedient  
For me do die then live.    

judith. 16.  

ON tabrets to the lord let us  
our thankful songs begin,  
Upon the simbals let us  
sing a new song unto him.   

With joyful thanks his name to praise,  
And call upon the same:  
It is the lord that wars doth cease,  
Yea the lord is his name.   

Which pitched hath his tents of strength  
His people all among:  
Us to deliver from the hands  
Of all our enemies strong.   

For from the mountains of the north  
Came the Assyrian,  
And many thousands might we see,  
Within his army than.   

His multitude had shut the streams  
In all our coasts throughout,  
And with his horsemen covered were  
The valleys all about.   

My marks & bounds he said he would  
Consume with burning fire,  
To kill my young men with the sword  
Was also his desire:   

To brain my sucking babes, and give  
Mine infants for a pray.  
My maidens and my virgins pure  
He thought to drive away.   

But through the lord omnipotent  
Such grace we understand,  
Of their purpose they are deceud,  
Even by a woman's hand.   

For with the hands of young men strong  
He truly was not slain:  
Nor they that were of Titan borne  
To kill him took no pain.   

Nor giant great: but Indith lo  
Daughter of Merari.  
For with her face she scattered them  
And with her great beauty.   

Her widows clothes, her morning weed,  
She 'gan them to forbear:  
And did on such as she was wonie  
On holy days to wear.   

To help the woeful Israelites,  
Whom jeopardy had hent:  
Her virtuous face she did anoint,  
With ointment excellent.   

And with an hove she trimde her hear,  
Her work thus could she weave:  
She ware a linen stole also,  
Thus did She him deceive.   

Her slypers ravished his eyes,  
Her beauty eke his mind:  
And through his neck his own sword went  
Such end lo did he find.   

The Persians wear in doubt & fear  
At her audacity,  
The Medes did marvel very much,  
Her boldness such to be.   

The humble folk rejoiced then,  
They joyde that erst did cry:  
And they did fear that bragged before  
And fain were now to fly.   

Our women's sons than killed them,  
Like slaves they ran away:  
The servants of the lord my God  
Thus caused them to stray.   

A song of praise unto the Lord  
To sing I will procure:  
Thy glory lord and strength also  
Invincible and pure.   

For each thing that thy hand hath made  
Doth serve thee in his kind:  
Thou didst command & strait it was,  
Thy word so strong we find.   

Thine holy spirit thou sentest out,  
And straight ways it was made:  
For nothing can resist thy word,  
Which dures and doth not fade.   

For mountains they shall moved be  
With water from their springs,  
And in thy sight hard things shall melt,  
As wax and liquid things.   

And yet to them that do thee fear  
Thy mercy doth extend:  
From the first time to this present,  
And ever without end.    

job i  

Out of my mother's womb  
All naked came I lo:  
And naked shall I turn again,  
To earth that I came fro.   

The Lord gave at the first,  
As his good pleasure was,  
And at his will did take again,  
As it is come to pass.   

The lord his holy name  
Be praised now therefore,  
As it hath been, as it is now,  
And shall be evermore.    

Proverb. thirty.  

O Lord two things I the require,  
that thou me not deny,  
but that I may the fruit thereof  
receive before I die.   

The first shall be that vanity  
Thou wilt from me restrain,  
And eke the lips that lust to lie,  
To flatterglose and fain.   

The second that thou make me not  
To poor in any wise,  
Ne yet to rich: but mean living,  
Of necessary size.   

Lest when I am to full of wealth  
I thee forget and say:  
What fellow is the lord? when I  
Forgotten have thy way.   

And like wise lest that poverty  
constrain me out of frame,  
And me provoke to steal O God  
And to forswear thy name.    

Ecclesiasticus xxiii  
¶ Sing this as, I am the man whom God. etc.  

OH lord I the desire  
Of thine abundant grace,  
That pride & scornful countenance  
Appear not in my face.   

Thy goodness now extend,  
Oh for thy mercy's sake,  
Disdain and all doluptuousnes  
Witsafe from me to take.   

The filthy fleshly lusts  
That to our bodies lean,  
Destroy thereof the fiery rage,  
And make me chaste and clean.   

Of pity oh good Lord  
extinct in me this fire:  
And let my mind be mundifyd  
Of each unclean desire.   

Oh leave me not I say  
To mine own lust and will:  
Thine aid do not from me withdraw,  
But be my succour still:   

Lest wanting of thy help,  
I run in error blind:  
And fall into unshamefastness,  
And obstinate of mind.   

Oh be thou my fortress,  
That I may praise thy name:  
So shall I other men exhort  
Also to do the same.    

¶ The song of Esechia, Ego dixi in dimidio. etc.  
isaiah xxxviii  
¶ Sing this as, I am the man whom God. etc.  

Unto the gates of hell  
I went I should have wend,  
Amid my days when as I thought  
My years were at an end.   

With in myself I said,  
I never shall again  
Visit the Lord (the lord I say)  
In this life while I reign.   

I never look again  
Before men to appear,  
Nor to behold no worldly wights  
That have their dwelling hear.   

Mine age is folded up  
Together at this day:  
As one should from the shepherd poor  
His cottage take away.   

And through my sins my life  
Is cut of and undo,  
As when the wevers work is done  
His web he cuts ato.   

This pining sickness will  
My life in sunder rend,  
For in one day I well perceive  
My life shall have an end.   

Until to morrow yet  
I thought to live so long:  
But he my bones hath bruised sor●  
Most like a giant strong.   

For in one day thou wilt  
Mine end bring on me lo:  
As swallows chatter in their lay,  
Then 'gan I to do so.   

I cried like the crane,  
And mourned as the dove:  
Directing ever more my eyes  
On height to him above.   

O lord than said I though  
This sickness doth me press:  
O ease thou me for in thy power  
It is, the same to cease.   

What shall I say, the lord  
His pro●●s made to me,  
And he himself performed hath  
The same as we may see.   

All while I live therefore,  
It shall not from my mind,  
My bitter life, and how therein  
I found him good and kind.   

Beyond their years I see  
O lord that men may live,  
Which I to all men will declare,  
And knowledge will them give.   

In those prolonged years  
How I in joy do reign:  
And that thou causedst me to sleep  
And gave me lice again.   

My pensi●nes behold,  
As bitter was as gall:  
And for my health I longed sor●  
Out of that woeful thrall.   

Thy pleasure was to save  
Me from the filthy lake:  
For thou O lord hast all my sins  
Out trowne behind thy back.   

For hell gives thee no praise,  
Nor death magnificence:  
And in their grave none praise thy truth,  
That parted be from hence.   

The lord hath wrought my health,  
Our songs we therefore sure  
Will always sing within thy house,  
While our life days endure.    

jeremy ix  
¶ Sing this as, I am the man whom God. etc.  

O Who will give my head,  
Of water perfect store:  
And to mine eyes a well of tears  
To flow for ever more?   

So should mine outward act  
Express mine inward pain,  
To weep and wail both night and day,  
My people that are slain.   

Would God I had elsewhere  
A cottage in some place,  
That from the people I might be  
A far distance and space.   

That I might leave my folk  
And be from their resort,  
Adulterers because they be  
And eke a shrinking sort.   

Like bows they bend their tongues,  
Wherewith they shoot out lies:  
And grow on earth, for why the world  
Doth always truth despise.   

From wickedness they go  
To wickedness again,  
And will not know me saith the lord,  
Nor in my laws remain:   

One from an other now  
abstain and shurnish must:  
For no man in his brother may  
With safety put his trust.   

Men do their brethren seek,  
To wrong and under mind:  
Disembling still they practise guile,  
No truth in them I find.   

Their tongues they exercise,  
To lie and eke to feign:  
And mischief so they may commit,  
They force not for great pain.   

Why do I then remain,  
In this despitfull throng?  
Which do dissemble, and nought else  
But falsehood them among.   

They will not know the lord,  
But wander still awry:  
Therefore thus saith the lord of hosts,  
I will them melt and try.   

For what should else be done  
To such a people vile:  
Whose tongues are like to arrows sharp,  
To utter fraud and guile.   

For with their mouths they speak,  
As though they meant but peace:  
To hurt their neighbour privily  
Yet will they never cease.   

Should I not punish them  
For this thing (sayeth the lord)  
Or should not I avenged be  
Of people so abhorred?   

I shall them cause therefore  
On mountains to lament:  
The deserts and the pleasant plains  
To mourning shall be bend.   

For burned shall they be,  
Their cattle and their store:  
Of bird or beast there shall no voice  
Be heard there any more.    

jeremy. 17.  
¶ Sing this as, The sixth of matthew if ye read. etc.  

O Lord I shall be whole in deed,  
It I be healed of thee:  
If thou witsafe now me to save▪  
Then shall I saved be.   

Thou art my prayer and my praise,  
I have none other fort:  
To give thee thanks for all my help,  
To the I must resort.   

Behold those men that say to me  
In mockage and in scorn,  
Where is the word of God say they?  
Let it come us before.   

Though not withstanding when I led,  
Thy flock in godly train,  
Into thy ways by violence  
I did them not constrain.   

Ne yet the death of any man,  
I never did desire,  
Thou know'st right well that before thee  
My tongue was not a liar.   

Be not to me to terrible  
O lord, but me refrain:  
For thou ar●e he in whom I hope  
In peril and in pain.   

Confound me not, but confound them  
That do my life pursue:  
Nor fear me not, but make thou them  
To fear and eke to rue.   

And power on them their painful plague  
When thou shalt see the time,  
And them destroy that have thee done  
So detestable crime.    

jeremy xxxi  
¶ Sing this as On tabrets to the Lord. etc.  

O Lord thou hast corrected me  
For my sinful living,  
Though I did as a calf untame  
receive thy chastening.   

Convert me from my sin, and so  
Shall I converted be:  
Thou art my God and only Lord,  
And others none but thee.   

So soon as thou hast turned me  
From sin, I shall return:  
Before which time I have no power  
Myself for to reform.   

Which when thou madest me perceive  
And understand the same:  
I smo●e myself upon my thigh  
In my great zeal and shame.   

For shameful things sure have I done  
Oh let my youth therefore  
Confounded be, with his reproof:  
For now I them abhor.    

¶ Out of the third chapter of jeremies' lamentations.  

I Am the man whom God  
in his wrath and fury,  
hath with his rod made right expert,  
of every misery.   

He drove and led me forth,  
In darkness to endure:  
But as for light I might none see,  
So wear my ways obscure.   

He only against me  
Doth turn his hand and power,  
And layeth the same upon me still  
At every time and hour.   

My flesh and skin wax old,  
My bones are bruised all:  
He builded round, and closed me in,  
With travel and with gall.   

In darkness he me set  
As dead for ever more,  
He hedged me in and fettered me  
With heavy links and sore.   

With clamours piteously  
Though I to him did call,  
My prayer and my painful plaint  
He heareth not at all.   

My ways he stopped up  
With stones of cubike form:  
My paths are made so crookedly,  
I not where me to torn.   

As doth the cruel bear,  
Lie waiting for his pray,  
And as the lion in his hole  
To take me in my way.   

He marred hath my ways,  
In pieces he me broke:  
He altogether laid me waste,  
And brought me all to wreck.   

And when he bent his bow,  
He made his mark of me:  
The arrows of his quiver ●o  
Into my reins shot he.   

I laughed am to scorn,  
Of people in the throng:  
They make deriding songs of me,  
And mock me all day long.   

He field my hungry soul,  
With bale and bitterness:  
And wormwod was my drink also  
In my great thyrstynes.   

In pieces wear my tethe,  
In dust he did me roll.  
All good things than I clean forgot,  
No rest had my poor soul.   

Then in mind I thought  
Myself undone to be:  
For in the lord I see quod I  
There is no help for me.   

O yet remember then  
My misery and woe,  
The wormwood and the bitter gall  
And my troubles also.   

Yea some remembrance  
I trust and hope thou hast:  
For why my soul within me lord  
Doth melt away and waste.   

While I did these things thus  
Consider in my heart,  
I got some hold of hope again  
That was so long apart:   

How thy mercies oh lord  
Are not gone clean away  
And how thy loving kindness doth  
Not cease from us for aye.   

My faithfulness is great,  
And ever doth renew:  
As after the most darkest, night,  
The morning doth ensue.   

The lord quoth my soul tho,  
He is my portion:  
Therefore my faith and perfect hope  
Is fix●e on him alone.   

O how good is the lord  
To them that in him trust?  
And to the soul that seeketh him  
With fervent mind and lust?   

Lo then how good it is  
Upon the Lord to stay,  
And tarry for his saving health,  
With stillness day by day.   

How good is it for man,  
His yoke on him to take:  
And from his youth up wear the same,  
Which will him perfect make?   

Such one alone will sit  
And hold himself right still:  
Who by himself will ever dwell,  
And quiet be from ill.   

Himself he doth prostrate,  
To hark for hope with love,  
And offereth still his cheek, to them  
That smite or will reprove.   

In hope thus will he rest,  
And purely still persever:  
For god the lord will not forsake  
His chosen flock for ever.   

But though he seem sometime  
To cease of for a space:  
By multitude of mercies he  
receives again to grace.   

He suffereth sons of men  
Not from his heart to fleet,  
Nor all the prisoners on the earth  
He treads not under feet.   

He doth not judgement give  
By man's deserts in sight:  
And to condemn man in his cause,  
The lord hath no delight.   

What kind of man is he,  
How mad is such a one,  
Without the lords commandment  
That saith aught may be done?   

Out of the holy mouth  
Of God the lord most high,  
Both ill and good doth not proceed.  
What man can this deny?   

Why doth the living man  
Than grudge and murmur so?  
At his own sin let him repine  
And so commit no more.   

Behold we our own ways,  
And eke bethink us well,  
A●d turn again vn●o the lord,  
From whom we did rebel.   

To heaven let us lift  
Our hearts and hands on high:  
And to the Lord that there in is,  
On this wise let us cry.   

Dissemblers have we been  
And did thee sore offend:  
O lord let us entreat thee yet,  
That thy wrath now: may end.   

We hide are in thy wrath  
And persecuting pain,  
Without all favour and regard,  
O lord thou hast us slain.   

For in a cloud from us  
Thyself thou hidest so,  
That through the thickness of the same  
Our prayers can not go.   

For outcasts are we now,  
The Heathen us despise:  
Our enemies all on us they gape,  
And mock in sundry wise.   

And subjects are we made,  
To fear and to the snare:  
Destruction on us is come,  
And we despised are.   

Whole rivers from mine eyes  
Of tears do still increase,  
My people's hurt doth cause mine eyes  
From weeping not to cease.   

For why there is no rest,  
O lord consider this:  
O when wilt thou from heaven look,  
And mend that is amiss?   

Mine eyes have caused my heart  
Insonder for to rive:  
The daughters of my city made,  
My woe so to revyne.   

As fowlers seek to have  
The birds within their paws  
Mine enemies sharply hunted me  
And that without a cause.   

Into a pit most deep  
My life put down they have,  
Because I should not rise they laid  
A stone upon my grave.   

They powered water then  
Upon my head also:  
Now am I quite and clean undone  
To myself thought I tho.   

Yet from this pit profound  
I called to the lord,  
Which heard my plaint & pit●ous cry,  
And hath my life restored.   

When I did sigh and cry,  
And for redemption pray,  
Thou heardst my voice, and turnedst not  
Thine ears from me away.   

Thyself thou didst incline,  
Thy name when I did call:  
And unto me thus hast thou said,  
Have thou no fear at all.   

For thou O lord art he  
That did my soul maintain,  
And hast from death redeemed me  
And gav'st me life again.   

O lord avenge my cause  
On them that me blaspheme:  
Thou know'st how they would work me w●  
Against me what they mean.   

Thou knowest lord their spite,  
And all that they invent  
Against me what their lips devise,  
And their most vile intent.   

How they sit down and rise  
O lord thou dost behold  
And how all day in songs on me,  
They nothing else but scold.   

According to their works,  
Their reward them disburse:  
And give them that their har●es do fear  
That is to say thy curse.   

O lord persecute them  
With indignation,  
From under heaven root them out,  
And leave of them not one.    

Oseas xiiii  

O Lord our God we turn to thee,  
thy word we do embrace:  
forgive us our iniquity  
receive us unto grace.   

To offer then in Godly wise  
Shall be out whole intent:  
Our lips the lively sacrifice  
Of praise shall the present.   

To man for help and fortitude  
We will not seek therefore,  
And strength of horse we will conclude  
To trust in them no more.   

The works eke that our hands did make  
That vain are & must fall,  
We do determine to forsake  
No more on them to call.   

For it is thou that art our God  
And ever shalt remain:  
For mercy at thy fatherhod  
The fatherless attain.   

O that they would have this remor●●  
(Saith God) and them convert:  
I would them heal of all their sores,  
And love them with mine hear●e.   

My wrath I would from them decline,  
To them that I may be  
As d●w doth make the lily shine.  
So beautiful to see.   

Their root like unto Libanus  
Shall break out of the ground,  
And as the olive beauteous  
Their branches shall abound.   

As Libanus so excellent  
Their sweetness shall excel:  
Whereof (as all men do assent)  
Right pleasant is the smell.   

For as the c●rne under that tree  
Doth flory she well and grow:  
So are they shadowed by me  
From hurt and overthrow.   

And as the growing of the vine,  
So shall they spring in deed:  
Of Libanus as doth the wine,  
So shall their name exceed.   

Propose I will this thee unto  
O Ephraim therefore:  
From henceforth what have I to do  
With I dolls any more?   

I will thee hear and give thee grace  
And lead thee forth aright:  
And I will be to thee like as  
The green fir tree in sight.   

On me set thy foundation.  
Which am to the so kind:  
Thy lively fruits than every one  
Upon me shalt thou find.   

This understand the godlywyse  
That reap for this reward:  
The right instruct will exercise  
The same with good regard.   

The lord his ways be just and right  
The godly walk the same:  
The wicked folk do stumble guyte.  
And fall out of the frame.    

jonas. Cap. two.  

IN my trouble and pain  
to thee lord I did call,  
my plaint thou heardest plain,  
& broughst me out of thrall.   

Out of the womb of hell  
To the when I did cry,  
My voice thou heardest well,  
And holp me lovingly.   

Thou threw'st me down as dead  
Full deep into the sea,  
And made about my head  
The floods to compass me.   

The water waves in haste  
Went over me with might:  
I thought I had been cast  
Away out of thy sight.   

But yet again shall I  
Go to thy holy place:  
Which is thy church holy,  
And thank therefore thy grace.   

In deepness where I lay,  
The water sued my life:  
The weeds were wrappeth always  
About my head with strife.   

Into the hells deepness,  
Descending did persever,  
In woe and great distress  
bard in with earth for ever.   

But thou oh God my lord,  
Hast borough my life again,  
And hast my soul restored,  
From corruptible pain.   

When that my soul did faint  
Upon the lord I thought,  
My prayer and my plaint,  
Was to thy temple brought.   

Therefore they that delight  
In vanity so vain,  
For sake his help and might  
That mercy doth retain.   

But I will praise and pay  
That I him vowed have:  
And thank the lord always,  
That did me help and save.    

¶ A consideration of the unrighteousness of the vain & miserable world.  
¶ Sing this as, Of jealousy who so will hear.  

DIrectly who so now will walk  
In paths of plain & perfect way:  
whose hearts & mouths together talk  
Not glozing by deceit astray.   

That flatter none for meed nor love,  
Nor ruled by affection,  
Nor will for worldly glory move,  
Nor yet for bribes infection.   

Such men had need their counts to cast  
In what manner to thrive and gain:  
For here let them be sure and fast,  
No friendship doth for such remain▪   

Requisitly they do regard  
The joys laid up in life to come:  
And that is only the reward,  
Whereon their mind is all and sum.   

Wherefore we may with truth conclude,  
That such as love this worldly pelf,  
From heaven do themselves seclude:  
As doth that wretch who kylles himself.   

And those again that do despise  
These mundane gandes, as vile & vain:  
May well be called godly wise,  
For heavens bliss they shall obtain.    

¶ A ditty of lamentation against the dissembling and hypocritical false dealing, used of most folk in these days: that is to say, holy and honest talk, mixed with wicked and vicious deeds.  

IN summer time when flowers 'gan spring,  
and every bough bend to his kind,  
Phoebus' shone bright the birds did sing,  
as nature's order hath assigned:  
I walked to recreate my mind,  
which out of sorrow might not start:  
but said as duty did me bind,  
lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

My wits were tossed to and fro,  
That truth is preached sincerely,  
Yet wicked livers never more  
Were in this world right sikarly:  
Wherefore I wept full bitterly,  
None but God only knew my smart:  
Which me constrained loud to cry,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

None doth in his vocation walk,  
But each estate wandereth awry:  
Yet have the most part godly talk,  
And commit deeds clean contrary.  
Thus walk they in hypocrisy,  
In well doing none doth his part:  
Wherefore I cried right heartily  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

The man that is most covetise  
Will talk most against wrongful gain,  
Thinking by speaking in such wise  
His subtle purpose to obtain:  
As though perfection did remain  
In flattering tongues & minds pervert.  
This caused me to cry again,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart   

How doth the rich oppress the poor?  
punishing them that thereof tell?  
How doth the wolf the lamb devout?  
And envy in his venom swell?  
How falsely do men buy and sell?  
To speak of this it is my part:  
For sure these fruits came out of hell,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

In drunkenness they have no peer  
That conterfet most soberness,  
Their talk is often chaste and clear  
That most frequent lasciviousness,  
whoredom, adultery, and excess:  
And none can cause them to convert,  
Wherefore I cry in heaviness,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

Who reigneth now but pride alone?  
Each man in his own sight is wise,  
And grave council regardeth none:  
But rather doth doctrine despise.  
Dissimulation and lewd lies  
Is now excepted as an art:  
Which made me cry out in this wise,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

Such are most wise and honest now,  
As soonest can their friends beguile:  
Such doth the most sort best allow,  
Whose talk is fair & deeds most vile.  
Simplicity is in exile,  
And as for truth can make no mart:  
Which made me morn & cry this while,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

God's word both to and fro is toast,  
As men do with a tennis ball,  
And wrested from pillar ●o post,  
To serve men's turn for sin and all:  
But few from wickedness do fall,  
In godliness to do their part:  
Wherefore thus cry I ever shall,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

Of wax they make scripture a nose,  
To turn and wring it every way,  
With many a false and filthy gloze:  
Such as by errors walk astray  
The same do writhe souls to betray,  
And from the truth do them pervert:  
Wherefore I shall cry day by day  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

No error since Christ did ascend,  
But now it starteth stoutly forth:  
The seamles coat of Christ is tend,  
And unity is nothing worth:  
Wherefore plenty is turned to dearth,  
And many plagues shall make us smart:  
Wherefore my cry still forward goeth.  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

But sure such hearts as here have woe,  
And in this world do moan and morn,  
The lord Christ hath promised so,  
That they shall joy his face before:  
When such as here deride and scorn  
Shall suffer sorrow for their part:  
Which lewdly have themselves forlorn,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart.   

Woe be to you that here rejoice.  
Ye shall hereafter weep and wail:  
For that ye would not hear the voice  
Of God's word for your own awayle.  
Which (although heaven & earth do fall)  
Shall still remain and bide in quart:  
Wherefore my voice shall never fail,  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart   

For all the birds with merry song.  
And the bright shining of the son  
And pleasant flowers I went among,  
From woe my heart might not be won:  
To see what worldly men had done:  
For all do ride in sin his cart.  
Wherefore I end as I begun  
Lord Christ help every woeful heart,   
Amen.   

¶ A ditty named blame not my lute which under that title toucheth, replieth, and rebuketh, the wicked state and enormities of most people, in these present miserable dapes.  

BLame not my lute though it do sound  
the rebuke of your wicked sin,  
but rather seek as ye are bound  
to know what case that ye are in:  
And though this song do sin confute,  
and sharply wickedness rebuke:  
blame not my lute.   

My lute and I sith truth we tell,  
(Meaning no good man to offend)  
Methynke of right none should refel  
The godliness that we intent:  
But much rather if they have grace,  
They will our good counsel embrace.  
Then blame my lute.   

Although my lute with sentence plain  
Rebuke all such as feign and gloze,  
With flatterers and lyces vain,  
That truth to falsehood can transpose:  
Ye though we sharply speak and sing  
Against false and crafty winning,  
Blame not my lute.   

And if my lute sound in your ear  
The privy hate and lark of love,  
And how ye should slander forbear,  
Sith gods word doth ill tongues reprove:  
Though as saint james we do express  
The same, a world of wickedness:  
Blame not my lute.   

Though my lute do express and show  
That prayer and holy fasting,  
Is turned now with high and low  
To unclean talk and banqueting:  
Although we say that chastity  
Be gone, and in place lechery.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though with their own few be content,  
chastened to live with one good make:  
But rather the most part be bend  
Their constant vow for to forsake:  
Though some in Sodom rather bide,  
Then honest marriage to provide.  
Blame not my lute.   

If my lute blame the covetise,  
The gluttons, and the drunkards vile,  
The proud disdain of worldly wise,  
And how falsehood doth truth exile:  
Though vice and sin be now in place,  
In stead of virtue and of grace.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though wrong in justice place be set,  
Committing great iniquity:  
Though hypocrites be counted great,  
That maintain still idolatry:  
Though some set more by things of nought,  
Then by the lord that all hath wrought.  
Blame not my lute.   

Although each man find fault with other,  
And no man will himself accuse,  
But each man blameth his brother:  
Though he himself as great fault use.  
Though we see none their own fault find,  
Nor call repentance unto mind.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though my lute say that such as preach  
And should men lead in ways direct  
Do live amiss, though truth they teach,  
Which causeth truth to be suspect,  
Though my lute say such cause offence  
Through their great sloth and negligence.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though some god's word do still despise,  
For beggetly traditions:  
Advancing highly feigned lies  
Of men's imaginations.  
Although my lute do such accuse,  
As by errors gods word abuse,  
Blame not my lute.   

Although we see the clergy slack,  
Wrong ways by right for to redress:  
Though some also go rather back,  
Then proceed forth in righteousness:  
Although we say that avarice  
Doth stop the mouth, and choke the wise.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though offenders be borne withal,  
Although the wolves in corners lurk  
That have and will the lambs make thrall,  
And daily do their false seats work.  
Though whispering treason in the ear  
Burst out sometime without all fear.  
Blame not my lute.   

Though some also abuse the lute  
With sinful songs of lechery:  
Though some go forth as beasts brute,  
In false treason and treachery:  
Though at each sermon we may see  
Gods holy word scorned to be.  
Blame not my lute.   

Blame not my lute I you desire,  
But blame the cause that we thus play:  
For burning heat blame not the fire,  
But him that blowth the coal always▪  
Blame ye the cause blame ye not us,  
That we men's faults have touched thus  
Blame not my lute.   

Blame not my lute, nor blame not me,  
Although it sound against your sin:  
But rather seek for to be free,  
From such abuse as ye are in.  
Although we warn you to repent:  
Which grant you God omnipotent.  
Blame not my lute.    

¶ A song of the lute in the praise of God, and dispraise of Idolatry.  
¶ Sing this as, My pen obey. etc.  

MY lute awake and praise the lord,  
My heart and hands thereto accord:  
agreeing as we have begun,  
To sing out of gods holy word.  
And so proceed till we have done.   

Praise we the lord in this our song.  
And sing it Christian men among,  
That in a godly race do run:  
The which although it be not long,  
Shall be right good or it be done.   

This pleasant song shall not song be,  
To the goddess of lechery:  
Nor to nothing under the Sun,  
But praising of the almighty,  
My lute and I till we have done.   

This teacheth us David the king,  
With harp and lute give God praising,  
All men that in this world do won  
To God therefore give praise and sing,  
As my lute and I have begun.   

This lord first made all things of nought,  
And when against his law we wrought  
From heaven he sent down his son:  
Which with his gospel us all taught,  
After the which we have not done.   

Although in man wear nothing good  
Him to redeem Christ shed his blood,  
with throne's the Iu●s our lord did crown,  
He suffered death upon the rood:  
Lo thus our saving health was done.   

On this therefore we fix our faith,  
That jesus Christ (as scripture saith)  
Is only our salvation.  
Upon this rock who so him stayeth,  
Thus saith the lord it is well done.   

But one thing sore my heart doth grieve  
That hypocrites made us believe  
In Idols both of wood and stone:  
From Christ our rock they did us drive,  
Woe be to them what have they done.   

Which canker still within their hearts,  
Doth yet remain and few converts:  
For at god's word they frete and frown,  
Therefore my lute it is our parts  
Them to rebuke as we have done.   

God sent his word unto this end,  
That we our sinful lives should mend:  
And yet repenteth few or none:  
My lute therefore let us intend  
To say the truth till we have done.   

If in our song we should recite.  
Now each estate doth not upright:  
(Which will be their confusion,)  
Which know the truth and do not right.  
My lute when should our song be done.   

But to be short my hearts intent,  
Is to praise God omnipotent,  
Who of our health the thread hath spun,  
And hath his word to us now sent,  
To mend our lives till we have done.   

Man's soul to save Christ died therefore,  
Who of us men doth ask no more:  
But this lesson to learn and con,  
With love to keep his holy lore:  
In which all perfect works are done.   

Lord grant us to thy word to clean,  
That no man other do deceive:  
And in that zeal that I begun,  
Lauding our lord God here I leave,  
Be still my lute my song is done.    

¶ A ditty showing the office of all estates: warning them to repent, & walk every estate according to their calling.  

LEt heaven hark & earth give ear,  
let mountains bow with humbleness:  
let waters all their rage forbear,  
and once grow to some stableness.  
waver no more with every wind  
but once clean to a constant mind,  
In faith and love,  
for why the lord himself doth speak,  
and will you else in sunder break,  
even from above.   

Let not god speak now to deaf ears,  
Nor unto hearts made of flint stone:  
But rather with repentant tears  
Bewail your sins now every one.  
And let a godly life all new  
Show forth fruits of repentance true,  
And them express.  
That from henceforth in such new life,  
We may remain without all strife,  
In righteousness.   

Let such as show the heavenly muse  
Have godly conversation,  
Lest through their vile and great abuse  
They work abomination:  
When as in sinful ways they walk,  
Contrary to their outward talk,  
And gods true word.  
For who that sclandreth so the truth.  
Their mirth shall turn to woe and ruth  
Before the lord.   

Let kings that mountains signify,  
In justice do still their due part:  
Support no more iniquity,  
Nor maintain such as areperuart.  
See that henceforth with all your might  
Ye put down wrong & maintain right.  
Or else surely  
The lord God which is king of all,  
Your glory▪ turn to shame he shall  
Most righteously.   

Let now the wavering multitude,  
That signifyd is by the sea,  
Oh let I say this rabble rude  
Still henceforth cleave to constancy.  
And not themselves as waters show,  
Unstable for to ebb and flow:  
But still depend,  
Upon the church to learn their due,  
And serve their king with hearts most true,  
Even still an end.   

Let not the church be temporal,  
Let not rulers ●e rude and vain:  
Let no man from his calling fall,  
But each man in his state remain:  
Let not the common people deal  
With matters high of common weal▪  
For why I say,  
If one another's calling vs●,  
All equity they do refuse  
From day to day.   

Let all men now repent therefore,  
And leave their sin without delay,  
And henceforth use the same no more:  
Lest by their going thus astray,  
God's wrath in hast they do procure:  
For this their doings so unpure  
In sinful trade.  
Know that the Lord his mercy still,  
Doth offer all with right good will,  
That he hath made.   

Let men while mercy then doth last,  
Have mind of this their only mean,  
Abhor their ill life that is past:  
lifting their eyes up into heaven.  
Looking from thence for their relief:  
Which is a salve for all our grief,  
Sweet Christ jesus.  
Your hearts and ears I say attend,  
That you to bliss without all end,  
May hence ensue.    

¶ A ditty declaring the dangerous abuse of all degrees, which go astray from their vocation.  

Perform O pen I thee desire,  
The thing that we did late devise:  
Blow to this coal, kindle this fire:  
That such may know as truth despise  
That darkness shall no more them hide:  
No secret place shall they provide  
To cover guile:  
For now the light shall them bewray,  
That secretly have gone astray,  
A right long while.   

Such Princes as the poor oppress.  
Under titie of governance,  
And will no poor man's cause redress,  
But all their joy and fine pastance,  
Is how with craft in coverture,  
They may in their ill ways endure,  
And still remain.  
It shall appear at the last day,  
That they have wrongly gone astray,  
Unto their pain.   

Such prelate's as for filthy gain,  
With errors do men's souls destroy,  
And on their flock like lords will reign,  
Wherein God's word they do annoy:  
The fleece to take is all their care,  
And for the soul no food prepare,  
But venom vile.  
Such prelate's shall once know, I say,  
That they have falsely gone astray  
With fraud and guile.   

Such men of law as will for gold  
Make things seem right the which at wrong  
And will for gain with falsehood hold,  
And eke delay the time to long:  
Such as in judgement wrest the law,  
And wrongly do the sentence draw:  
Wrong to support.  
Poor innocentes for to betray,  
For bribes they go from right astray,  
In wicked sort.   

Such merchants as are not content,  
With right and reason for to win,  
But daily do false fraud invent,  
To gain by wickedness and sin,  
●nlawfull gain, and usury,  
And counterfeiting wickedly  
Much merchandise,  
In hell they shall once feel I say,  
How they by fraud have gone astray.  
In untust wise.   

Such leeches as wickedly use  
Medicines art, but not aright.  
But falsely do the same abuse,  
And to that art doth wrong and spite:  
They rob and murder where they go.  
From place to place, working much w●  
Without cunning,  
The Devil shall them fetch away,  
By such deceit that go astray,  
With false winning.   

Such as in any kind of art  
Do work both slightly and unsure,  
For to deceive with a false heart  
His neighbour, by his work unpure:  
slightly they work and all for haste,  
wherein this day is wrong and waste:  
Yea hateful wrong.  
Sith now there is no faith nor faith  
But all from truth are gone astray,  
Woe be our song.   

Such as break unity and love,  
Such as by covetise contend,  
Such as will swear & great oaths move  
Such as on whoredom do depend,  
Such as in pride do lead their life,  
Such as by wrath do live in strife,  
And great debate:  
Satan with such must make afraye,  
For their walking so far astray,  
Which god doth hate.   

God for his mercy grant therefore,  
That men may now repent their ill,  
And that they may their sins abhor,  
Wherein they walked with their will:  
It is high time for to redress,  
And to abstain from wickedness,  
For fear of pain.  
And for God's mercy call and pray,  
That we through grace from this our stray  
Come home again.    

¶ A voice from heaven to you shall come, Venite ad judicium.  

O Man amend defer no time  
but be always in readiness:  
For if thou dwell in sin and crime  
it will thee bring in great distress  
for why a voice from heaven shall come  
venite ad judicium.   

Then blessed shall that servant de  
Whom God shall find in perfect mind,  
To do his due in each degree:  
For great reward then shall be find.  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

Contrary wise the servant ill,  
That walked in offences great,  
Contrary to his masters will,  
With many stripes he shallbe beat:  
When that a voice from ●●●uen shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

For God shall come right suddenly  
In the midst of your wickedness,  
When you think least appear will he:  
From whose face none can you release.  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

Each lord and lady, King and queen,  
Before that lord must bow their knee:  
And then shall their reward be seen,  
Like as their deeds and life hath be.  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

What shall avail you then your pride,  
Your wealthy pomp and dignity:  
Your riches then must stand aside,  
And not help your necessity.  
When that a voice from heaven shall co●●,  
Venite ad judicium.   

The shining face of God the Lord,  
Your stony hearts shall then appall:  
Because that ye so much abhorred,  
His precepts evangelical.  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

Then shall ye say, woe worth the time,  
Your laws against the Lord of bliss,  
That you made in despite of him,  
And all that his true members is:  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

And you shall gnash your tethe and say,  
Lo 〈◊〉 whom w● did hate and mock:  
We see them sit in quiet stay,  
Being the l●●des elected flock.  
For now a voice from heaven is come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

And we like fools have erred still,  
O●● worldly wit is now all spent:  
To pled our cause we have no skill,  
Before the lord omnipotent:  
For now a voice from heaven is come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

The son of wisdom and of light,  
Of understanding, end of grace,  
Did give to us no kind of light:  
We are undone alas alas.  
For now a voice from heaven is come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

In pains of hell thus shall they cry  
That now do Christ his flock oppress,  
Tormented still eternally  
With devils for their wickedness:  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.   

Therefore let us defer no time,  
But be always in readiness:  
That we may all to heaven climb,  
Wi●h Christ the king of righteousness:  
When that a voice from heaven shall come,  
Venite ad judicium.    

¶ Against pride.  

YOu proud men all I say abide,  
and banish pride out of your heart:  
if climbing high ye haply slide,  
then are ye like to feel some smart.  
therefore I say in time convert  
repent and turn, for that is best,  
yet dreadful death do you areste   

Study therefore in holy write.  
And know how that lucifer fell.  
Which being once an angel bright:  
God for his pride did him expel  
Out of all light, down into hell.  
Lo here you see the fruit of pride,  
I say therefore lay it aside.   

Before your eyes fix also this,  
How Nebucadneza● the king,  
(Whose deeds in Daniel written is)  
Who praised himself above all thing,  
And gave not God his due praising  
Was made an ox and did eat hay  
Seven years, his great pride to allay.   

And king Hetod (as saith scripture)  
As he was clad in proud a●aye,  
His own honour for to procure,  
To his own praise great words did say:  
Therefore God's angel that same day  
Did strike him for his heart unwise.  
Who vn●o death was eat with lice.   

Lo if God would such kings not space  
To punish, for ambition,  
What shall we think he will prepare  
To plague our sinful nation:  
Which forsake, their vocation,  
And will in no wise pride eschew,  
Nor seek to serve sweet dame virtue.   

For Solomon in sentence play ne  
Calls favour a detaining thing:  
Yea beauty is a thing most vain,  
Wherein some have such delygh●yng:  
Which in ill case once will them bring,  
God's heavy wrath they so procure:  
Through their proud hearts vain & unpure.   

For from the course of reason true  
They seem to be unknown and strange,  
That do delight in the vain hew,  
Of beauty, that so soon will change:  
For that wherein their rude wits range,  
To much more brittle than is glass,  
And fades as doth in sieldes the grass.   

More inconstant it is also,  
That unto pride doth you provoke.  
Then wind that wandereth to and fro:  
Yea much more vain than smothering smoke  
Lo thus of vice you bear the yoke.  
Of beauty proud more vile than slyine,  
And fleeteth faster than tyme.   

A thousand things may beauty fade.  
As wise men daily see and say:  
For if a fever you invade.  
And shake you but one simple day:  
Is not your beauty gone straightway?  
Your colour shows your substance ●ust.  
Even earth and ashes dung and dust.   

If men were bend the truth to tell,  
Is beauty any other thing.  
Then colour in the skin or fell?  
Wherein some have such reiosing?  
But if as well were appearing  
Their inward parts, than might we see  
A sack, stuff full of dung filthy.   

What sight more strange may there appear,  
Unto our eyes so fantsy full,  
Then see one beautiful and clear,  
Declare itself so unfruitful?  
And cause him whose wites be not dull  
Himself to know, a dunghill dight  
As with a cloth purple and white.   

What impudence, yea what madness  
Is it in beauty to glory?  
Forsaking all sober sadness.  
For things that been transitory?  
Sith more delectabilitie,  
It is to some that see the same,  
Then those that thereof bear the name?   

I leave of here, for to recite  
What other hurts your beauty doth.  
With your apparel proud and light,  
Tempting the Irailtie of weak youth:  
Therefore use now meekness and truth.  
This old said saw may warn you all,  
That pride will surely 〈◊〉 a fall.    

¶ An invective against the most hateful vice envy. ¶ Sing this as Let now thy power he great O Lord. etc.  

ALl they that will of envy here,  
Unto my song let th●●● attend:  
If you will ●erne, then draw you near,  
Let envious men their miss amend.   

Unto my lips have good respect,  
And mark what shall from them ensue:  
Envy with blindness doth infect,  
And still dispraiseth dame virtue.   

Within this world so full of sin,  
It is a scab saith Tullius,  
If that such men as be therein  
To virtue shall be envious.   

Oh wicked world, full of envy,  
Polluted with despite and hate:  
Receive again simplicity,  
Take love, and banish all debate.   

Solomon saith in sapience,  
I will none envy nor disdain:  
banish them clean from my presence,  
Wisdom will none such entertain.   

For hateful envy is mother  
Of wicked words, fond, fierce, and fell:  
Contrary wise love doth cover  
The words which are not spoken well.   

Sith love then is the remedy  
Against envy that wicked vice:  
Take love to you continually,  
It is a treasure of great price.    

¶ Against sloth. Sing this as, Of jealousy who so will hear.  

MArke and give ear ye slothful men,  
And to my song give good respect:  
Arise out of your drowsy dell,  
To Idleness that are subject.   

Right truly said king Solomon,  
As smoke the tender eyes offend:  
So slothful men are wrath anon,  
With such as move them to amend.   

Go to (saith he) thou slothful beast,  
Go to and slumber out thy fill,  
With folded arms lie down to rest,  
According to thine idle will.   

As one that iourneyth all day long,  
So poverty shall on thee light:  
And as a soldier fierce and strong:  
Necessity shall sh●w her might.   

But who so is industrious,  
And will his labour well apply:  
His increase shall be plenteous,  
And he shall have abundantly.   

In slothful souls, thus saith the Lord,  
My wisdom it can ta●● no peace:  
Oh be converted by, God's word,  
Ye slothful men, and call● for grace.   

Who so to work no pain will take,  
Bu● lives in slou●h (thus saith S. Paul)  
His company we must forsake,  
And g●ue to him no meat at all.   

Thus saith the lord, therefore awake  
Thou that dost sleep, and stand upright:  
Stand up from death, for Christ's sake:  
And Christ the ●or● shall give thee light.    

¶ A description of avarice.  

SAint Bernard saith the chariot  
of avarice is borne,  
on four wheels of vic●s in:  
through which the poor are torn.   

The first is courag●●aynt and fond,  
The next ungentleness,  
The third contempt, of God, the fourth  
Of death forgetfulness.   

And horses two this chariot draws,  
That is as much to say,  
As Raveny and Nygardshyp:  
Which are in it alway.   

The Carter which doth drive them both,  
He is a greedy knave:  
And who so would his name were known,  
It is Desire to have,   

That Carter driveth with a whip,  
Which whip of cord●s hath twain:  
That is, Great appetite to get,  
And Loath to yield again.   

Right many of the cart have scorn,  
And them that carts do drive:  
Yet most men for to drive this cart,  
This day contend and strive.   

And they that take in most ill part,  
Of carters to bear name:  
Do drive this car●e of co●etyse,  
And much delight the same.   

And such as wear both silk and gold,  
(That strange is for to see)  
Do sue to master Avarice,  
His carters for to be.   

Where some were wont with spe●●● & shield,  
Their country to defend:  
Have laid aside their armour quite,  
And to this cart attend.   

The Clergy which should preach and teach  
If they did play their part,  
Do lay aside the word of God,  
And daily drive this cart.   

The Merchant and the learned leech,  
And eke the man of law,  
Forsake their arts, and daily do  
This cart both drive and draw.   

And they that common carters be,  
(O● moste men called so)  
Do know least how to drive this cart  
And farthest are therefro,   

Our money (as saith Seneca)  
Ought ay to be our drudge,  
To serve for our necessity,  
And at our will to trudge.   

But if we (as a lady d●re)  
Make her our sovereign:  
She will not miss to bring our souls  
Into eternal pain.   

God of his mercy therefore graun●,  
This carting we may leave,  
To love and liberality,  
That we may always cleave.   

Free from the thief and from the mo●he  
That we may hoard our store:  
Forsaking greedy avarice,  
And drive his cart no more.    

¶ A ditty of the pen inveighing against usury and false dealing.  

MY pen obey my will a while  
till I see good to end this style:  
for if all men would sin abhor  
such songs we need not to compile,  
nor my pen should write so no more.   

If all men of their word were true,  
Promise to keep and pay their due:  
What ●●de had pens to work therefore?  
But sith no white will truth ensue:  
Pens were as good to write no more.   

Pens are abused, and that daily,  
About all craft and usury:  
We may well say alas therefore.  
And yet lest we make them angry  
It seems as good to write no more.   

Yet let us show the lords intent,  
How tha● for gains nought should be lent,  
All fashod God will plague right sore.  
And yet my pen lest we be shent,  
It seems as good to write no more.   

For all in vain we speak scripture,  
To such as will in sin endure:  
For they amend never the more,  
But hate all godly counsel pure,  
That warneth them to sin no more.   

Yet if all men with such pretence,  
Should cease to show their conscience,  
They should transgress gods holy wre.  
Yet sith none will it reverence,  
It seems as good to write no more.   

The scripture thus doth specify  
In David's psalm, blessed is he,  
That dareth freely rich and poor.  
Without all gain of usury:  
Yet do they use it still the more.   

Though some for writing will us blame.  
These crafty men, whom we not name,  
These false got 〈…〉 they must 〈◊〉,  
To those of whom they got the same,  
Or else be damned for 〈…〉.   

For though some men have been ●● this.  
In usury that did amiss,  
And have been warned of it before:  
That do repent yet few there is,  
But rather use it more and more.   

But sure in hell their bed is 〈◊〉,  
And all that use of craft the trade  
Are like the same to rue right ●ore:  
In craft and guile yet sith they w●de,  
It were as good to wryce ●● more.   

God grant as in this song is me●●,  
We may amend all and repent:  
Rooting out vice to the hard core,  
To serve the lord omnipotent,  
In love and truth for evermore.    

¶ An exhortation to wrathful men. Sing this as, I am the man whom God. etc.  

IF wrath were painted out  
In perfect lively hue,  
As could Apelles in his life,  
With colours ●yne and true.   

Or as Demosthenes.  
Deserybe it could with ●en:  
As it is ill it would appear,  
Unto these wrathful men.   

Or he that cunning had  
In me●re to recite,  
Both soul and body how it noy●s,  
As showeth holy write.   

Then should these wrathful men,  
That anger will sustain,  
Perceive the incommodities  
That therewith do remain.   

Concerning body first,  
Diseases it doth bring,  
As f●uers vile of every kind,  
Which mortally do sting.   

It causeth frenzy,  
And madness of the brayne●  
Of visage great deformyrie,  
And palscies this is plain.   

Concerning soul also,  
(The which is worst of all)  
It maketh men blaspheme their ●rendes,  
And evil them to call.   

Outrage and wicked oaths,  
And love put out of place:  
Revengement is their whole desire  
That banished be from grace.   

All benefits forgot,  
That to thee did thy friend:  
Obedience true and reverence,  
Wrath putteth out of mind.   

Whereof succeedeth oft,  
Contention full of cost:  
By trouble and unquiet mind,  
Thine appetite is lost.   

To scorn disdain and hate,  
Ye think it is no shame:  
All though nothing can hinder more,  
A good report or name.   

These wicked fruits of wrath,  
Remember he that can:  
Full little haste (as I suppose)  
To wrath they would have then.   

Hark and give ear ye men  
That thus to wrath are bend,  
Attend a while unto my tune,  
And hold yourself content.   

For as thou art a man,  
Think also so ●● he:  
With whom thou dost conceive such cause  
So wrathful for to be.   

Is it not lawful then,  
And as convenient,  
That he with thee should be as wrath,  
And as much discontent?   

Leave of your wrath therefore,  
I say to you again:  
Assure yourselves that angry men,  
Do always live in pain.   

And call to mind how Christ  
The son of God most high:  
Which in a moment by his pow●●  
His enemies might destroy.   

How did the jews him grieve▪  
Having no cause wherwre:  
His most sweet face they struck in spite  
And buffeted him sore.   

It nothing irked them,  
At him to spit in scorn,  
With witness wrong accusing him,  
And crowned him with thorn.   

His virtuous body lo.  
They haled to and fro:  
An heavy Cross on him they laid,  
The more to do him wo.   

All faultless as a lamb,  
To suffer death he went:  
They did his body all to beat,  
And yet was he content.   

They naylde him on the cross,  
This should we bear in mind:  
This suffered he of his good will,   

For Moses in this zeal,  
The Tables broke of stone:  
In which God with his finger wrote,  
His ten precepts each one.   

As David meant when he.  
Right holily did say:  
Be angry, but do not sin,  
By no manner of way.   

It was in Christ also,  
(As holy writ doth tell:)  
When he out of the temple whyp●  
Those that did buy and sell.   

Within his holy place,  
Where nothing else should be.  
But prayer to the living God,  
In secret that doth see.   

And at an other time,  
It showed in him again,  
The hypocrites when he rebuke,  
As Matthew telleth plain.   

This simple song all ye,  
That hear or do it read:  
It is enough to cause you all,  
Of wrath to take good heed.   

Of sinful wicked wrath.  
Beware in any wise:  
To all men that have wit in store,  
Let this as now suffice.   

In hearing of their faults,  
That they may mend them soon.  
And after stand at God's right hand,  
When they receive their doom.    

¶ An invective against wrath▪ Sing this as, The living God our only Lord, that. etc.  

SAlomon saith, A fool his guise,  
Is to be wrath immediately:  
But he is to be counted wise,  
That well can hide his injury,  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth  
Let not the sun rest on your wrath.   

And Plato being demanded,  
Whereby a wise man known should be:  
Said, if wise men be rebuked,  
Therewith they will not be angry.  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

By as also doth right well show,  
Of wrath the discommodity:  
Saying that it in high and low,  
To counsel is chief enemy:  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

The chiefest help against the same,  
Seneca doth describe right plain:  
Take Patience that godly dame:  
In her sight wrath can not remain,  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

Of wrathful men it is the wont  
To sow discord with each estate:  
But patience doth always hunt  
For to appease strife and debate.  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

Therefore with men replete with ire  
Use no familiarity,  
And those whom wrath soon sets on fire,  
Bide thou not in their company:  
But as saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on thy wrath.   

As saith saint james be swift to hear  
The thing that may thee edify,  
Be slow in speech in like manner,  
But slow to wrath especially:  
For why saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

By wrath as saith saint Gregory,  
wisdom is hid and out of sight,  
And puts all out of memory  
That should be done by wisdoms might.  
Therefore saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.   

My brethren here to make an end,  
I you commit to patience.  
As servants true do you intend  
To serve her grace with diligence.  
Because saint Paul doth say of truth,  
Let not the son rest on your wrath.    

¶ Against drunkenness and gluttony.  
¶ Sing this as, Of jealousy who so will hear. etc.  

ADrunken workman certainly  
By labour never getteth aught:  
A little he sets nothing by,  
But from a little comes to nought.   

For learned men how may suffice,  
Their wine in little quantity:  
So in their rest and exercise,  
It doth none incommodity.   

Woe be to those that early rise  
(The prophet saith) to make great haste,  
And drink till night (as is their guise)  
Till reason banished be at last.   

A drunkard (as saint Austen saith)  
Offendeth nature very sore,  
Casting aside both grace and faith,  
He headlong runs to hell therefore.   

The moderate use of drink and meat,  
No wise man hateth, this is true:  
But lust inordinate and great,  
Ought every good man to eschew.   

Saint Jerome saith, Cursed be they,  
That in their meat have such delight.  
That reason can not cease nor stay  
Their vile and greedy appetite.   

Saint Ambrose plainly doth express,  
A worse to serve can none invent  
Then gluttony, that ill mistress:  
desiring still, and near content.   

Nor nothing more infaciate  
Than gluttons bellies most like hell,  
For that which they received late.  
Right early they again expel.   

These farsted paunches aye abhor,  
Good continence and chastity:  
Before digestion they crave more,  
Forsaking virtue fyithyly.   

All Christians therefore I exhort,  
Voluptuous excess to forbear:  
To moderation now resort,  
And frugally live in gods fear.    

¶ Lechery rebuked. Sing this as, On tabrets to the Lord. etc.  

LIke as the fouler with his bait.  
Soon brings the bird in snate,  
So are men's souls through lechery,  
Destroyed yer they be ware.   

For lechery (God's enemy)  
With virtue is not placed:  
Of present lust a fowl delight,  
And of substance a waste.   

It blindeth men, that they think not  
On dreadful poverty:  
Which from great use of lechery,  
Long absent can not be.   

To bring a man to beggars state,  
Of harlots is the trade:  
Therefore abstain from lechery,  
Let it not thee invade.   

For if we shall consider well,  
Man's nature excellent:  
The highness and the dignity,  
That God thereto hath lente.   

It is a fowl and wicked sin,  
To use it wanton:  
Resolving it unhonestly,  
In filthy lechery.   

How honest and how beautiful  
To live contrary wise,  
In continence and temperance,  
Sobrrnes to devise.   

For lechery and sinful lust  
In youth who so doth use:  
Shall withered be with feebleness,  
In age for this abuse.   

Take heed therefore, let not your hearts  
In harlots snares be caught:  
Abstain from them, frequent them not,  
Their paths be very nought.   

The houses of such harlots are,  
Of helie the very snare:  
Their chambers unto dreadful death,  
Full well we may compare.   

For grace therefore pray we to God,  
And unto wedlock cleave:  
Of lechery and sinful lust  
That we may take our leave.    

¶ An earnest complaint against Idolatry. Sing this as, In my trouble and pain.  

Sometime that I have seen,  
To see again were strange,  
In place where I have been,  
In hope no more to range.   

In wickedness and sin,  
And in idolatry:  
Which who so use, shall win  
Helle everlastingly.   

For from the face of GOD  
There can be nothing hid:  
Who hath full oft forbade,  
That we against him did,   

To worship an Image,  
The Lord doth most abhorred:  
But in our pilgrimage,  
We honoured great store.   

That time I trust be past,  
For custom made us blind:  
And jam sore aghast,  
Lest worse be left behind.   

Beware while you have space,  
That Idol of the heart:  
lest at the last it chase,  
Your souls in hell to smart.   

Beware and take good heed:  
lest that ere ye be ware,  
Ye do so far proceed,  
That ye no more repair.   

Example ye may see:  
As Solomon doth say,  
Take time while time may be,  
For time will soon away.   

Repent therefore in space,  
While time to you is lent,  
And call to God for grace,  
With true heart and intent.   

Lest when ye would right fayn●  
There shall no grace be sent,  
As subject to hell pain  
In sorrow to be shent.    

¶ An invective against slanderoous tongues.  
¶ Sing this as, If truth may take no trusty hold. etc.  

IN sadness set with woe oppressed,  
Oft did I sigh by my constraint:  
From deepness of a pensive breast,  
Thus carefully came forth my plaint.   

O slander vile and tongues untrue,  
Unbridled lo thus ye proceed,  
And cause the careful heart to rue,  
That did no fault by word or deed.   

Not all for nought (I well perceive,)  
King David did on you complain:  
Sith nought may let you to deceive,  
And utter fruits of your disdain.   

deliver lord my soul sayeth he,  
From lips that lie for me in weight▪  
And from such tongues as ever be,  
In use with falsehood and deceit.   

What reward then may we devise,  
For tongues quoth he that speak unright,  
The hottest coals in burning wise,  
With arrows sharp and full of might.   

Among men mortal on this mould,  
I think there is no vice nor crime,  
So wicked by a thousand fold:  
As ill tongues are this present tyme.   

Which earnestly hath given me cause,  
If David meant not fire of hell,  
That I may add thereto this clause,  
With lucifer that they may dwell.   

For nothing in this life certain,  
We may so well to hell compare,  
As envious tongues that not refrain,  
To gender still both strife and care.   

For as they are a punishment,  
A hell to good men and a strife:  
So may in hell be their torment,  
When they depart out of this life.   

And as they burn till they burst out  
In wicked words and slander vile:  
In hell so may they bear a rou●●,  
From heaven having their exile.    

¶ A complaint against evil tongues  
¶ Sing this as. I am the man whom God. etc.  

WEll may the wise detest  
The fruits of tongues untrue:  
Which never cease but still provide  
Their malice to renew   

There is no time nor place,  
That may them once refrain,  
No virtuous mind nor exercise,  
That may their vice restrain.   

To slander and detract  
And ulab the same about:  
A wicked thing when they conceive,  
They straight way put it out.   

As Socrates hath said,  
No worse thing can be found,  
Then wicked tongues, from whom deceit  
And falsehood doth redound.   

What wickedness is there,  
That may compared be:  
Unto the false and filthy tongue,  
In any one degree?   

For where all other hurts  
By death are vanquished quite:  
Even after death the wicked tongues  
Do utter their despite?   

Which causeth me to think  
As Chilon did yet while:  
No sword that cutteth half so keen,  
As wicked tongues and vile.   

Of which most wicked vice,  
I never yet could find:  
Not hai●●●o much in any wight,  
As in the female kind.   

In whom it doth abound,  
With detestable rage:  
That no device nor yet constraint  
May cause it to assuage.   

O detestable tongues,  
O filthy sinks of hell,  
O wicked ounce whose hatefulness  
All other doth excel.   

Right aptly was it called,  
A world of wickedness:  
Sith nothing in this life so much  
Doth innocentes oppress.   

By painful proof I found  
Such fruit, that wrought me woe:  
For wicked tongues have caused me  
My plaint to utter so.   

Do me not blame therefore,  
That I on them complain:  
The simple worm when ye him tread,  
Will turn his tail again.    

¶ A ditty made in the time of the the swearing plague. Anno. 1552.  

O Plague possessed with mortal might.  
(so far as god doth give precinct)  
Well mayst thou move the christian right  
Upon his lord and God to think:  
And show him well by tokens plain,  
How that he shall from sin refrain.   

My flesh is frail and shakes for fear,  
My soul is strange and hath no doubt,  
And hopes for health, and seeketh where  
It may be had, to find it out,  
The scripture saith be strong in faith:  
And then be not afraid of death.   

In this my need thy help to have  
To thee O god I cry and call,  
I thee beseech my soul to save,  
From Satan sin and hell and all,  
Though I O god have done amiss:  
Thy death shall me direct to bliss.   

Then welcome plague the guide to health  
And death also the port of life.  
Sith that this change is perfect wealth,  
Out of this vale of most vile strife:  
Why should we then thus fear to die,  
And end our fatal destiny.   

Oh foolish flesh so fond and frail  
To rage's against all righteousness,  
I will that thou shalt not pervayle,  
To follow thine own filthiness:  
For I will set my whole delight,  
To fight against thee with my spirit.    

That virtue excelleth both riches and beauty.  

SIth nothing can be sure,  
that hath no perfect ground:  
how can the thing endure,  
uncertain that is found.   

What so beginning had  
Must have his fatal end:  
And nothing good or bad  
Hath other way to bend.   

All those that builders be  
Upon uncertain stay:  
Their works as we may see,  
Do vanish soon away.   

And those contrary wise  
That ground their matter well:  
Their work shall well arise.  
And perfectly excel.   

When marriage then is made  
For riches or for govide:  
If goods and riches fade,  
The love doth lose his hold.   

If beauty eke so gay  
The cause be of thy love:  
When beauty fades away.  
Thy fantsye will remove.   

For if the cause do quail  
Where one the mind is bend:  
The effect than must fail,  
What so therein is meant.   

Then virtue shall be best,  
Who so will it retain:  
All other being cest,  
She ever doth remain.   

For beauty being gone,  
Whose dwelling is not sure:  
Dame virtue still alone  
For ever will endure.   

And when gold hath his end  
The causer of much strife:  
Yet virtue shall extend,  
And garnish well the life.   

A good reward also  
To lovers doth she give:  
In keeping them from woe,  
A quiet life to live.   

If marriage then be wrought,  
On virtue building love:  
No such thing can be sought  
To stand without remove.   

Ye that will web therefore,  
On virtue set your cure:  
All contraries abhor,  
So shall your love be pure.   

For better were the time  
Of death, and of the grave:  
Then otherwise to climb,  
A wedded love to have.   

For gold doth cause and gain  
Contention and unrest:  
He that hath most, will feign  
Himself to be the best.   

And beauty oft doth breed  
Mistrust and jealousy:  
But virtue hath no sed●  
Of such iniquity.   

Then happy is the love  
On virtue which is knit,  
That still without remove  
Continue will and sit.   

Which in this life cause is  
Of praise and godly fame,  
And also after this  
Of heaven for the same.    

❧ Nomen Authoris.  

IN hope I do endure  
Of that which I intend,  
Having my fantsy sure  
No false thing to pretend.   

Hope still doth me allure,  
At their hands whom I serve,  
Like goodness to procure,  
Lo as I do deserve.    

A godly warning to put all men in remembrance of their miserable estate, and that they are subject to death and corruption. Sing this as. It truth may take no trusty hold. etc.  

REmember well ye men mortal,  
From whence ye came, & go ye shall,  
Of earth god made thy shape & form●  
And unto earth thou shalt return.   

Remember well. O man I say,  
Thou art worms mea●e and very clay:  
Thou art none other this is just,  
But earth and ashes dung and dust.   

Remember well though thou be young,  
Thou art nought but a sack of donng:  
Defer no time till thou be old,  
For of long life thou hast no hold.   

Remember well though now thou s●me  
As beautiful as king or queen,  
That when thou shalt depart and dyt,  
Thou shalt rot, stink, and putrify.   

Remember well thou dounghyll, dight  
With garments gay to please men's sight.  
Remember earth thy first estate.  
Thy lions heart it will abate.   

Remember well that thou shalt come  
At the last day unto thy doom:  
Where if thou do thyself exalt,  
In extreme pain remain thou shalt,   

Remember well I say aloud,  
Thou earth and ashes be not proud,  
Such cost on earth why dost bestow?  
Leave of thy pride be meek and low.   

Remember and in fine mark this,  
Who so of himself humble is,  
The lord will him exalt on high,  
In heaven above the sterry sky.    

The faithful soldier of Christ, desireth assistance of God against his ghostly enemies.  

HEreout O lord the right request,  
of him that feign would have redressed  
the wrongs that are so sore increst,  
with in my soul so sore oppressed.   

O lord to thee with woeful cry  
I call for grace and for mercy:  
And if thou help not, then truly  
In deadly woe remain must I   

The world, the devil death and hell.  
With great assaults against me swell:  
Lord let thy grace in me excel,  
Against their fury fierce and fell.   

O lord my God to the I pray  
Suffer me not to go astray:  
And have in mind the price and day,  
Wherewith thou didst my ransom pay.   

Oh have in mind thine own great cost  
And let not this thy pain be lost.  
In the O lord my trust is most,  
To dwell among thy holy host.   

Thou know'st wherein my help doth stand.  
wherever I be on sea or land:  
Good lord put to thy helping hand,  
Save me from hell that fierce fire brand.    

¶ An exhortation to brotherly love and unity.  

Behold it is a joyful thing,  
that brethren should continually  
together have their good dwelling,  
in concord and in unity.   

This godly love David likened  
Unto that precious unction,  
Which descended upon the head,  
And into the beard of Aron:   

Which being powered on his crown,  
Was ever more still descending:  
And from his beard it dropped down,  
Into the skirts of his clothing.   

And as this precious ointment sweet,  
Did smell all of one sweet savour:  
For Christian brethren it is meet,  
To be all of one behaviour.   

He that loves God above all thing,  
His neighbour as himself like wife,  
Fulfyls the law in so doing:  
Which Christ would have us exercise.   

For where this godly love doth bide.  
There present is the lord jesus:  
Which never from his flock will slide,  
It they in love continue thus.   

Love not the world (thus faith S. John)  
Ne any thing contained therein:  
For who so sets his love thereon,  
The love of God is not in him.   

And none can love the lord above,  
Whom with our eyes we never see:  
If we our brethren do not love,  
That always present with us be.   

Let love therefore be among us,  
And from it let us never serve:  
As we are loved of Christ jesus,  
Much more than ever we deserve.   

The dew that fell on Zion hill,  
The which descended pleasantly,  
Is nothing like this love until,  
Beloved of god eternally.   

For god from ●yme to time doth give  
To this love his holy blessing:  
For all that do with love believe,  
Shall reign in joy without ending.   

He (saith the lord) that loveth me,  
Doth keep my law and holy lore,  
And unto him given shall be,  
A crown to reign for ever more.   

Lord in this love we thee beseek,  
To set us in a quiet stay:  
That we being loving and meek,  
May reign with thee in hlies for aye.    

The just and true man complaineth, that flattery and falsehood is more regarded than truth, and rejoiceth that he is hated for the truth.  

IF truth may take no trusty hold,  
nor cleave so fast as flattering sense,  
well may thy heart poor man be cold:  
for than is gone all sure defence.   

The nightinggale must change her note,  
And of the Cucow learn to sing:  
The modest mind must learn to dote,  
Or con some other fayved thing.   

If meaning well may take no place,  
Nor dealing just have no regard:  
Thou must devise an other space,  
To feign such things as may be heard.   

Shall virtue dwell in such disdain,  
And honesty be had in hate?  
Then must we learn to gloze and feign,  
or else remain in vile estate.   

But if there be none other way,  
To purchase favour and good will:  
Better it were I dare well say,  
In vile estate to tarry still.   

What call ye then the vile estate?  
As some do judge this is the thing:  
If my superior do me hate,  
And would me to displeasure bring,   

And that also without desert:  
(If reason may the cause decern)  
And have disdain for my true heart.  
Wherefore to please I am to learn.   

Yet is mine heart determined sure.  
If truth and reason take no place:  
Of such disdain to take no cure,  
But wise men rather will embrace.   

For if wisdom were nobleness,  
As noble birth and riches is:  
Then should not truth be in distress,  
And flattery should of favour mis.   

So flattery and bland eloquence,  
Should (as they are) be counted vile,  
And truth should then make none offence  
Nor virtue reign in such exile.   

Blamed, but not shamed, the proverb is  
And truth can have none other wrong:  
So may they hap their mark to miss:  
That think themselves in falsehood strong.   

Then hated lo I must rejoice,  
And fond regard despise as vain:  
Closing my mouth stopping my voice,  
From speech in presence of disdain.    

¶ An wholesome warning for all men that bear the name of Christians, to live Christianly.  

O Hark a while unto my style,  
all ye that Christians be,  
that bear that name  
and do not frame  
your lives accordingly.   

Is Faith in syche,  
As being rich,  
(Though they do Christ profess)  
That every hour  
Do Christ devour,  
And his poor flock oppress.   

For we are all,  
As saith saint Paul,  
Membres of one body:  
Of Christ jesus,  
● round of virtue,  
And of all verity.   

Then the poor man,  
(As prove I can)  
Is Christ his member true,  
As well as he,  
What so he be,  
That riches doth endue.   

Why should ye then,  
To simple men,  
Bear such despite and hate?  
Sith they be all,  
In Christ equal,  
With you in all estate.   

Christ his kingdom,  
Was never won,  
By wealth or high degree:  
All though that here,  
Some do appear,  
To reign in dignity.   

Then let none think,  
That Christ will shrink,  
When he shall judge us all:  
Of all your wealth  
So got by stealth,  
You to account to call.   

When if he find,  
Ye were unkind,  
To your poor brethren dear:  
Then will he say,  
Go from me aye  
Into eternal fire.   

When I lacked meat,  
And fain would eat,  
In sickness thirst and cold●:  
In all my need,  
Not one good deed  
That you to me do would.   

Then will ye say,  
Without delay:  
Lord when did we thee see  
Lack any food,  
To do thee good,  
And did it not to thee?   

And he again,  
Shall answer plain,  
I truly say to you:  
Ye still oppressed,  
And much detest  
The poor my members true.   

When ye therefore  
Did them abhor  
That ●re of low degree:  
To me alone  
And other none  
Ye did that injury.   

Saint john doth prove,  
We can not love  
God whom we do not see  
If we do hate  
Our brethren, that  
Are present to our eye.   

Now call for grace,  
While ye have space,  
Your wicked lives amend:  
And so proceed  
In word and deed,  
True Christians to the end.    

¶ A short song exhorting all men to abstain from the use of false weights and measures.  

MY heart constrains my mouth to tell,  
the duty of each worldly wight,  
how they be taught in the gospel,  
one with other to deal upright:  
with even weights & balance just,  
so do we must.   

So do we must, this is no nay,  
Also with measure just and true:  
Who so doth not at the last day,  
Right sore are like for it to rue:  
When he shall go for want of breath  
Unto his death.   

Unto his death when he must go  
With painful pangs and torment strong:  
Then is he like to suffer woe,  
For that his dealing false and wrong.  
Such one is like, in extreme pain  
For to remain.   

For to remain, woe worth the while  
That any man so fond should far,  
With oaths his neighbour to beguile,  
When he should truly sell his ware.  
O wherefore then d●o ye unwise,  
Prudence despise?   

Prudence despise? that should so well  
L●ade you in Godly ways and right:  
And teach you also how to deal:  
With your neighbours justly upright.  
For he that to amend denayes,  
Thus the Lord says.   

Thus the Lord saith very certain,  
Such measure as ye meet to other,  
Such measure shall ye have again:  
How then if you deceive your brother?  
think you that God will forget this?  
No no iwis.   

No no iwis ye may be sure,  
For heaven and earth shall jointly sail▪  
But God's word shall for ever dure,  
In force and strength still to prevail,  
All false dealers for to expel  
Down in to hell.   

Down in to hell, therefore take hed●,  
And call for gods grace and mercy:  
Amend your wicked lives with speed,  
Lamenting them repentantly,  
God give us grace so to intend,  
And there an end.    

¶ A ditty declaring the stead fast hope and trust that the faithful afflicted soul hath in Christ jesus.  

LIke as certain,  
the heart would feign  
of the fountain  
obtain the spring:  
so hath my spirit  
his whole delight,  
in God almight  
above all thing.   

Mine enemies strong.  
All the day long,  
To do me wrong  
Is their intent:  
Every hour  
On me they louvre,  
Me to devour  
They do invent.   

This do I see,  
For to mine eye  
It is truly  
Always object.  
With might and main,  
Themselves they strain,  
My soul to gain  
And to infect.   

My soul therefore,  
Doth tremble sore,  
And evermore,  
Doth stand in fear:  
And all the while,  
Mine enemies smile.  
Me to beguile  
They not forbear.   

Therefore I say,  
My s●ule always,  
Rejoice and stay,  
Thyself in Christ.  
Though men extolled,  
Against thee hold,  
In Christ be bold,  
Them to resist.   

Who is alive,  
That dareth strive,  
(Strong devils five)  
Although they were:  
This can I prove  
O Lord above,  
If thou me love,  
I need not fear.   

O God of might,  
Strengthen my sprite,  
That doth delight  
Only in thee.  
O holy Lord,  
Let thy sw●●e word,  
With one accord,  
Still be with me.   

O Christ jesus,  
Ground of virtue,  
Messiah true,  
As saith Scripture:  
To thee I pray,  
Grant that I may,  
In heaven aye,  
With thee endure.    

¶ A song showing that no commodity is without a discommodity.  
¶ Sing this as, I am the man whom God. etc.  

AS I did sit and muse  
Once by myself alone,  
The wretched state of worldly wights  
The mind was fixed on:   

How no commodity  
May here with man endure,  
Without some discommodity,  
To show itself unpure.   

By fire we have great aid  
In cold us for to warm:  
Which in an hour sometime doth burn●,  
Rewarding us with harm.   

We may live certain days,  
Without both drink and meat:  
But without air not one moment,  
The lack would be so great.   

Yet sometime by his rage  
We mortal men do find,  
That trees houses and cattle eke  
Are overthrown with wind.   

The water who can lack,  
That in this world doth bide?  
Yet many one therein is drowned,  
By great abounding tide.   

The earth whereon we dwell,  
And seek great wealth to find,  
In seeking to possess the same,  
With judgement vain and blind:   

When we think to possess  
This earth that we attend,  
Behold the same possesseth us,  
In it we take our end.   

The Summer which doth reap  
Our seed, both corn and fruit,  
Alas to hot, this heat to hot,  
With men thus goeth the brute.   

And as with summers heat  
We do complain and scold:  
So do we wail on winters there,  
And blame him for his could.   

No wealth without some woe,  
No joy without some care,  
No bliss without his doleful bale:  
Thus wretched men do far.   

We seek for sugared wealth,  
As we should aye dwell here,  
The bitter gall of misery,  
Therefore doth straight appear.   

The wine that cheereth the heart,  
Doth oft times vex the brain:  
And woman made was for man's help,  
Who doth him oft great pain.   

Sometime we call for dryth,  
Some time we ask for rain:  
Some time we say we have to much,  
Of each thus we complain.   

In music we delight,  
And call for it some time:  
Whereof we soon be weary lo,  
And blame ourselves of crime.   

And judge ourselves to be  
Both vain, fond, and unpure:  
Because our mirth without sorrow,  
No long time doth endure.   

And while this dreadful care  
Had fraughted thus my breast,  
I me bethought what might be found,  
To purchase here most rest.   

And that we might let pass,  
With less disease of mind:  
These contraries that us assault,  
Of so repugnant kind.   

And temperance was the thing,  
That then came to my thought:  
A better aid in such a case,  
Is no where to be sought.   

And therein seek to find  
The will of God above:  
And do the deeds prescribed us,  
Within the law of love.    

¶ The just innocent complaineth on slanderoous tongues.  

LIke as the lark within the marlions' foot  
from solace supplanted it were with me,  
if thou lord wert not my buckler and boot:  
at whose hand I hope salvation to see.   

My hope and health lord is only in thee,  
My castle of comfort my shield and defence:  
From slanderoous tongues Lord deliver me,  
That they no just cause have through mine offence.   

So shall their deceits turn to their own shame  
Although for a time they chance to prevail:  
When truth shall be tried, and utred by fame,  
Their falsehood may faint and utterly quail.   

For they do report that I never did,  
My judgement and cause I yield unto thee,  
That out of this woe right fain would be rid,  
And never did why so sclandred to be.   

Oh merciful lord creator of all,  
I do remember men slandered thee:  
Great devil and Belzebub they did the call,  
Thy miracles daily though they did see.   

If thou see it good thy servant to try  
By slander of tongues and untrue report:  
For patience thy gift, to suffer I cry,  
Remembering thee, myself to comfort.   

For help at thy hand I only resort,  
Resolve their hard hearts and cause them relent:  
For they that love evil do always suporte  
All such as to lies and slander are bend.   

Yet if thy will wear that they might repent  
Confessing their fault, their falsehood and guile:  
To comfort somewhat the poor innocent,  
That falsehood and lies hath put in exile.   

Thy glory so should we largely express  
And teach it to men, and cause them to fear,  
Which were for this crime a perfect redress:  
For nothing so much could make them forbear.   

Thus all my whole cause to thee I commit,  
My matters with thee I always decyse:  
justly in judgement because thou dost sit,  
And righteousness is thy whole exercise.   

O lord give them grace, to leave there great crime,  
And me for to suffer, & walk without blame:  
So will I endeavour from time to time,  
To bless and to praise thy most holy name.    

The innocent slandered complaineth praying for the conversion of his enemies.  

ALL comfortless lo without any aid,  
now should I remain if God were not he,  
which in the defence of good men hath said,  
in all their distress their helper to be.   

My hope is therefore sure fixed O lord,  
That thou dost abhor all untrue report:  
And as thou dost bid in thy holy word,  
All only for help to thee I resort.   

From thee O good lord there is nothing hid,  
Provoke them by force their life to refrain:  
For they do report that I never did,  
Accepted of such as lies do maintain.   

Good lord let not them their purpose obtain,  
Which in these my days would turn me to shame  
Not that I refuse to suffer the pain,  
But only that it turn not to their blame.   

My harms be heinous when they me defame  
But yet the most harm to them doth return,  
When they upon me do report the same,  
That they can not prove, it maketh me morn.   

Lo thus am I bend in good part to take,  
The slander of tongues, remembering thee,  
Contented to suffer all things for thy sake,  
For vengeance only belongeth to thee.   

Oh merciful Lord I render therefore  
To thee condygne thanks, which art my defence  
O strengthen me then good lord ever more,  
That I may still suffer with pure patience:   

And finally grant oh merciful lord,  
That these false liars may turn and convert  
And being instructed by thy sweet word,  
They may be right sad and sorry in heart.   

To God our Creator and lord omnipotent,  
The Father, the Son, and the holy ghost,  
Three persons and one God most excellent,  
Be all praise and honour as worthy most.    

¶ The complaint of Christ our saviour against the Ingratitude of mankind.  

This of the Lord is the complaint,  
Of man, how he was sold and bought:  
And thus he said him to attaint,  
Mine own people what have I wrought?  
For towards me thou art so faint,  
And I thy love so dear have bought.  
Thy answer look thou nothing paint  
To me, for why I know thy thought:  
Have not I done all that I ought?  
Or else what have I left behind?  
Thou sterst my wrath, I hurt thee nought,  
Why art thou to thy friend unkind?   

I sought thy love it was well seen,  
When I thee made so like to me,  
Mine earthly works both quick and green,  
To thee I gave both fruit and tree:  
From Pharaoh that was fierce and keen,  
Out of Egypt delivering thee,  
I killed him and all his men,  
And the red sea in twain did fl●e:  
Which I commanded dry to be.  
The water served thee and the wind,  
From bondage so I made thee free.  
Why art thou to thy friend unkind?   

Full forty years in wilderness,  
To win thy love I did the lead,  
Toward a land of great riches,  
With Manna also I thee fed:  
To thee to show my great kindness,  
Thy kind to take I had no dread.  
I left my might, and took meekness,  
Mine own heart blood for thee I bled:  
To buy thy soul myself I led,  
And bound myself thee to unbind.  
Thus with great p●yne thy turn I sped▪  
Why art thou then to me unkind?   

For thee I ordained paradise,  
And showed to thee my Testament,  
And thou again didst me despise,  
In breaking my commandment.  
Thy sins were great in divers wise,  
For to my foes thou didst consent:  
Down I thee thrust, thou couldst not rise,  
Thy wits from thee away they went,  
A naked wretch poor, shamed, and shent:  
And as for friends thou couldst none find,  
But I which on a cross was rend,  
Why art thou to thy friend unkind?   

Thus I loved thee, but whom lov'st thou?  
I am thy friend, why wilt thou fain?  
I gave thee life, and thou me slew.  
Who parted thus our love in twain?  
Turn thee to me, bethink thee how  
Thou hast done ill, come home again.  
And thou shalt be as welcome now,  
As he that free from sin did reign,  
Think how did Mary magdalen.  
What said I to Thomas of Ind?  
I grant the bliss, why wilt thou pain?  
And art thus to thy friend unkind.   

Of friends I am the best and chief,  
Thou wilt me neither dread nor please,  
Of thy true love to see a proof,  
My love to thee would much increase,  
For thy misdeeds I suffered grief,  
And thou didst me that same disease,  
Hanged I was most like a thief.  
I suffered death thy pain to cease:  
Yet to love me thou dost not press,  
Nor bearest not my pain in mind:  
But seek'st Idols in thy disease.  
To me why art thou so unkind?   

unkind, for thou hast slain thy Lord,  
And every day dost wound him new:  
If thou be brought unto accord,  
Of covenant made, thou art untrue:  
To thy old sin thou dost resort,  
Thou lovest vice hating virtue.  
All false Idols that I abborde  
To honour thou wilt not eschew:  
But to my lively Image true,  
The poor, the halt, the lame and blind,  
To offer thou wile not ensue.  
But rather art to them unkind.   

Thrice did the fiend tempt me truly,  
And thou dost tempt me day by day,  
With syane and vice most wickedly,  
To stir my wrath thou wilt assay.  
Thou dost as who so would me buy,  
As false judas did me betray:  
For at my works thou hast envy.  
There is nothing that would thee stay,  
If thou on me might'st as I may.  
Full cruelly thou wouldst me bind:  
If I forgive thee thou sayst nay,  
Why art thou to thy friend unkind.    

¶ A ditty warning all towns and liberties to choose their governors for virtue wisdom and learning: and by all means laudable, to keep from rule the proud envious and wilful wicked men: lest the prince be dishonoured, and they themselves abused and oppressed.  
¶ Sing this as, If truth may take no trusty hold. etc.  

Where pride doth hold the helm in hand  
The ship to rule by wilful will,  
Oft times we see on rock or sand,  
Both ship and goods do jointly spill   

As Phaeton proud, most wilfully.  
His father Phoebus' chariot,  
Would press to rule, till foolishly  
He nigh spylde all, such was his lot.   

Whereby as ovid plain doth tell,  
The wrath of jove he did proveke,  
In flood of Po him down to fell,  
With dreadful dint of thunder stroke.   

The like thing may be seen ●●he day,  
In ship of public governance,  
Where only pride and will bear sway,  
Seeking all discord to advance.   

For reason there is captivated,  
Re●ect and cast cut as a slave,  
Till their own swinging doth bring the quade  
Whose end doth show how much they r●ue.   

Wherefore if I might counsel give,  
When as the matter lies in choice,  
Blind ignorance should not achieve,  
To win to rule by common voice.   

For by their rude and ●onde abuse,  
The prince they do dishonour much,  
And subjects poor they much misuse,  
Of pride and will the fruits are such.   

Then best it is for to reject,  
The blind the ignorant and rude,  
And virtues chief to respect,  
And wisely so your choice conclude.   

If that ye knew the difference,  
Between the wise and learned men,  
And rude unlearned negligence,  
Much more respect ye would have then.   

For look how far a lusty wight,  
That can do all activity,  
As go, run, wrestle, play and fight,  
Doth still surmount in each degree   

The infant young that can not go,  
But must of force be led or borne,  
So far extendeth learning lo,  
The rude and ignorant forlorn.   

He that in all his life and days,  
His own affections can not rule,  
But beastly is in all his ways,  
As any salvage horse or mule.   

Or he that his house how to guide  
Or household yet could never tell,  
Can such be meet at any tide,  
A town of folk to govern well?   

Have this therefore before your eyes,  
Whom henceforth ye do chose or take,  
Virtue embrace, and vice despise,  
A right good choice so shall ye make.   

Esteem him ever as most ill,  
Which by his froward mind unjust,  
Despising law will maynteyve will,  
To lay good order in the dust.   

If any man perceive this case,  
Or have experience of this cry me,  
Virtue henceforth let him embrace,  
And take more heed an other tyme.    

¶ A brief description of wisdom and folly in governance.  

WHere wisdom beareth sail,  
In ship of common wealth,  
Like are they not to fail,  
Law, love, good hope and: health,  
justice shall there avail,  
All wrong to overthrow,  
Mending both high and low.   

In like wise and manner,  
Of folly to define,  
Right may no rule bear there,  
Debate so doth incline:  
And peace can there be none,  
Ye may thereof be sure:  
Nothing but pain and moan.  
Ever do fools procure.    

¶ A brief Description of truth and falsehood.  

Truth shall triumph and falsehood fail,  
Hope in the Lord so hath us taught:  
Of falsehood shall the cunning quail,  
Most, when she hath her malice wrought:  
As of the truth it is the guise,  
Suppresiing wrong, and then to rise.   

Why then doth falsehood make her boast,  
Of her deeds as they should endure:  
Only a while they rule the roast,  
Doubtless their buildings are not sure.  
mischief to do they men allure:  
And yet is all that they invent,  
Nothing stable ne permanent.    

¶ An exhortation to truth, faith and virtue.  

EXamyn well thine inward sprite,  
direct thy ways with perfectness:  
Make straight the things that are not right  
Vex not thy friend with unkindness.  
No lie for gain see that thou make,  
Do nothing ill for friendship sake.   

Have still in mind the truth, which saith,  
All things are vain that have an end.  
Let all thy works be done in faith,  
Like that whpch Christ doth most commend.    

¶ A description of man's life both in his own affections and virtues.  

WE may by proof behold and see,  
In this world what is man's delight,  
Lewd is our life naturally,  
Lack if we do gods holy spirit,  
Injury, hate, wrath, and despite.  
All that to pain shall us procure,  
Most we frequent and put in ure.   

In virtue y●t those that do dwell.  
occasions ill they will eschew,  
Remembering that such as do well,  
Doubtless the Lord will them endue,  
All goodness that they may ensue.  
Yea and them keep so safe and sound,  
None ill shall them hurt or embrace,  
endeavouring still just to be found.    

A friendly advertisement.  

Rejoice in him that did thee make,  
In weith and we have him in mind,  
Conceive none ill, all vice forsake:  
Health in thy soul so shalt thou find.  
And wh●re thou art a loving friend,  
Revoke it not, but stay thee there,  
Decay no love but hate forbear.   

To proved friends commit thy trust,  
And ●lee from such as fain and gloze,  
Note one thing well, and keep it just,  
No secret of thy friend disclose,  
Except counsel disdain it not,  
Repent thou mayst else well I wots.    

That self love and avarice, wear never true friends.  

Marvel not, though the fawning tongue  
All other doth exceed in guile,  
Rather think how the fowlers song  
In to the net doth birds bewyle.   

In covetise or in self love,  
S● that ye put no steadfast trust:  
lest confused your fancy move,  
Ever complaining of thunjust.    

A description of friendship.  

IN friendship true there surely is  
Of nothing lack, or scarcity,  
He which is friendly doth not miss,  
No time his friend to gratefye.   

Never therefore was friendship found,  
In self love, or in avarice:  
Contrarily it doth abound,  
Occasion showed in exercise,  
Love never doth his friend despise,  
Sure friendship knoweth not her own.  
Of this description to the wise,  
Now henceforth may friendship be known.    

An opening of the rude people's inconstancy.  

Read who so will in wise writing,  
It shall be easy to conclude,  
Commonly how the rash doings,  
Have of the most fond multitude  
Always been vain and very rude.  
Raving they do reverses certain,  
Devise of wise men to disdain.   

Have in their mind therefore this fear,  
Of their deeds be suspicious:  
Out of all doubt their fond manner  
Can not be but pernicious.  
At all times therefore let the wise  
Revoke their ways and enterprise.    

That flattery and slander are of all wise men to be taken heed of.  

RIfe in this life is rude report,  
Of such as order do disdain:  
But who so will to bliss resort,  
Avoid must all their scoldings vain:  
Regarding in his mind all whole,  
To run a pace and win the goal.   

Trust not to much the faint friendship  
In such as flatter for a gain,  
Ne yet the lewd and lying lip,  
Like one like other is certain.  
Ye therefore ought him well to prove,  
Endeavour that ye do to love.    

That a constant mind is a great pillar of bodily health.  

HEalth of body for to procure  
expedient a constant mind:  
Nothing doth better be you sure,  
Dircet you health and wealth to find:  
Remember that the life unstable,  
Is found in no man commendable.   

For custom (Aristotle saith)  
Is like to an other nature,  
So that he which him therein staith.  
Hath good assurance long to dure,  
And who the same to rent is rife,  
Regardeth neither health nor life.   

REspect ever and have regard,  
Ill men from good for to divide,  
Constantly keep both watch and ward  
Hate ill men's deeds on every side.  
Again with just men at each tide,  
Regard to dwell, and them frequent,  
Decyse with them your whole intent.   

Benevolence see you bestow  
Always on such as love virtue,  
Regard also to overthrow  
Hateful sinners, who vice ensue,  
And always company the wise:  
Make speed from vice and fools despise.    

A commendation of virtuous exercise.  

Invention of the mind ingenious  
Of godly things and of human science,  
Hath & shall be with men good & righteous,  
Noted still as a point of excellence.   

Continue still then in thy diligence.  
Let not the world pluck back thy good intent,  
And sure god will always be thy defence  
Regarding thee and thy doings decente.  
Know that the lord is still the good man's guide,  
Enuyroning his ways on every side.    

Against undecent busy meddlers in other men's vocation neglecting their own.  

REason would that in the public estate,  
Of every realm, where order would be had,  
Because thereby the better to void hate,  
All such should be esteemed to be mad,  
rudely that will his own calling forsake,  
To use others, himself a feole to make.   

Better it were that each in their degree,  
Endeavour would to follow their own art,  
Then fond as experience we may see,  
In breaking order cause the selves to smart.  
Nothing on earth, the which hath undone more,  
God for their plague hath wild it to be so.   

For certainly the uncontented mind,  
Extremely doth himself thereby torment,  
living ●o get they do many fetes find,  
Doting in all that ever they invent,  
Ever therefore to constancy be bend.    

Of fortune.  

WHo so would know what fortune is  
To Chilons' answer take go heed.  
When like demand as now is this  
To him was put, he said in deed:  
A leech right lewd, they did her find  
That trusted her: she made them blind.    

Or thus out of justinus.  

Example's great were without end,  
uneath possible to be told,  
I might unto the mind commend,  
Therein to stay if now I should:  
How changeable how frail and fond  
Is fortune for to understand.   

Which never yet made any joy  
But sorrow straight ensued the same,  
And doth herself prepare to noye  
Most when the seems to nourish fame:  
Nor never struck the sorrow stroke,  
But where she first with joy did mock.    

Of honour out of Tully.  

Honour as Tully doth wisely repeat  
In, wise men doth nourish both wisdom & skill,  
And praise in the wits doth kindle a heat,  
And also to study doth stir up the will.    

Of glory.  

IN three things it doth well appear  
Where perfect glory doth remain.  
The first is where as far and near  
The multitude in love doth reign,  
The second is as I perceive,  
Where they to good opinion cleave.   

The third is where they marvel much  
At us, and do us well esteem,  
And think us able to be such  
As they of worship worthy dame:  
And so with love and good pretence  
Do gladly give us reverence.    

Of vain glory.  
Of this vile world the vain glory  
Is a sweetness full of deceit,  
A fear fixed continually,  
Advancement biding dangers bait:  
A thing begun without foresight,  
And ends without repentance quite.   

¶ Or thus.  

By climbing high did never joy  
So swiftly yet ensue,  
As (in the falling down to woe)  
Our sorrows do us rue.  
Nor yet renown by victory,  
Doth not so much inflame:  
As doth in ruin vile reproch●  
Of folly, us to shame.    

Of grace out of S. bernard.  
In three things lo consisteth grace▪  
Right well to know as I do think,  
Of faults now paste abhor the trace,  
And present joys despise and shrink:  
desiring only things to come,  
Prepared for us all and some.   

Of temperance out of plutarch.  
WHat may we think that man to lack  
In any one degree,  
To live in joy and perfect wealth,  
And pure felicity.  
Whose virtue lo doth him discharge  
From sorrow and from fear,  
His temperance constreigneth him  
All extremes to forbear:  
And calleth him from carnal lust,  
In thought, in word and deed,  
That in rejoicing foolishly  
He never doth exceed.   

Of tale bearers out of saint Jerome.  
The tale bearer that wicked man  
Which by his sinful sleight,  
Doth minish love between true friends,  
Through his most vile deceit,  
Offendeth in much worse degree,  
Then he that would constrain  
The meat out of the beggars mouth,  
Whom hunger sore doth pain,  
For look how much the soul exceeds  
This mortal body here:  
So is the food that feeds the soul  
More precious and more dear,  
And much more ought esteemed to be,  
Then that which here doth feed  
Our carein vile, that daily doth  
Offend in word and deed.   

Of virginity.  

THe holy man faint Cyprian  
In praising of virginity.  
Sister of angels called it than,  
To vanquish lusts valiantly:  
Of virtues lo she is princes  
All good things eke she doth possess.   

A maidens speech should be therefore,  
In soberness right circumspect.  
Let bashfulness also be more  
Than eloquence in all respect,  
Appearing seld, few times and rare,  
Use well the ears, the tongue to spare.   

When that ye speak, speak so that men,  
May wonder at your shamefastness,  
When ye speak not proved that then,  
They may likewise your soberness.  
Lo these few things that I have said,  
Should be the garments of a maid.    

¶ Of Arrogancy in students.  
ALl arrogancy from study seclude,  
Lest thou remain still unlearned and rude,  
For all that the best learned man doth know,  
Would make a barren and very bare show,  
His knowing with unknowing, if were in sight,  
For why his ignorance is infinite,  
Wherefore the cumbrance of arrogancy,  
The greatest hindrance is unto study.  
For many might have come to wysdom's lore,  
If they had not thought themselves there before   

¶ Of reverence to age.  

AGe and discretion in any wise,  
Look that thou reverence, and thereto arise:  
give place and heed thereto with diligence.  
For therein consisteth great exyerience.   

For if thou wilt here an upright life live,  
At their hands thou shalt that knowledge achieve:  
With godly life, and true felicity,  
In grave judgement and worldly policy.    

¶ Of truth and falsehood. Truth doth with truth for ever consent, But falsehood with falsehood nor truth no● content.  
¶ Of Inhumanity.  

OF great rudeness it is an argument,  
And that he is both proud and insolent,  
In stout disdain that will still remain mute.  
To those that gently him greet and salute.   

Or if that we should not again for our part,  
Show the right fruit of a gentle heart,  
To wish well to them that wish well to us:  
We might well be thought beastly and barbarous.    

¶ Of constant temperance.  

Though fortune her face turn from the & fail,  
Be of good cheer, let not thy heart quail,  
For oft after mornings careful and sad,  
succeedeth evenyngs both merry and glad.    

Of truth and lying.  
As profit by lying is uncertain gain,  
Which can not long dure, nor steadfast remain:  
So damage that men by truth get among:  
Such trouble I say can not hinder long.   

Of the errors of the common rude multitude.  

Lodovicus vives in sentence plain,  
With words that be wise affirmeth certain,  
That th'opinions of people tumultous,  
Is commonly hurtful and pernicious.  
Their brains and heads so grossly understand,  
That all their judgements are foolish and fond.  
For truly the vulgar people ay is,  
Schoolmaster of errores, and things amiss.  
There is nothing upon this earth therefore,  
That in our study we should seek for more,  
Then him to bring that knowledge would obtain,  
By wisdom's rule, in which he taketh pain,  
That he eschew the judgement vain and rude  
Of the most wayward wauring multitude.   

first therefore that he than be not infect,  
It doth behove him still for to suspect,  
What so the multitude with great assent,  
Seem to allow with their common consent:  
By such wise men's rules till he them well try  
Whose measure is virtue, to prove matters by.    

¶ Against vain apparel, out of Lodovicus vives.  
Garments of profit to cover the body,  
Were first invented by necessity,  
riches and riot found garments precious,  
Which vanity formed with tricks superfluous.  
Thus in vestures the divers invention,  
Hath drawn folk to proud and foolish contention  
And brought them to toys hurtful and vain:  
For each one would now great honour attain,  
By that which showeth most our infirmity,  
Our folly weakness and great misery.   

¶ Against anger out of the same Author.  
THe angry man for his countenance fell,  
His sharp words and his deeds fierce & cruel,  
Doth ●ft lose much of his authority,  
Men from him withdraw benevolencie,  
His friends him forsake, and no man therefore  
Will gladly him meet, but all him abhor:  
Wherefore all wise men of grave experience,  
Eschew nothing more, nor more diligence  
Do use in aught, than their anger to cloak,  
And all works of ire to shun and revoke,  
In so much that they wrestle not only,  
Against their nature and infirmity,  
But spite of her beard they put her to flight.  
Ye give her the fall, and banish her quite.   

¶ Of friends, out of the same Author.  
Choose them for no friends in deed nor in word,  
That will at thy life still guessed mock or board,  
And such as pass little to scoff at each tide,  
At that which most secret thou wouldest hide:  
But yet most of all avoid shun and flee  
The friendship of such as quickly will be,  
For things of nought straight at defiance,  
With their best trends, kindred and alliance,  
Revenging also themselves much more  
Upon such as they have loved before,  
Then on those foes which they always did hate,  
And with whom they still have been at debate,  
Persuading themselves most barbarously,  
That of their most friend the small injury.  
It is to be forborn or suffered less,  
Then of their chief foe the most wickedness,  
Which vain & vile words do show forth & move  
Declaring most plain they never did love,  
Sure if they had, love would have extended,  
That they could not so much have been offend  
Make never no friends of such as be those,  
For better it were to have them for foes.   

Dulce bellum inexpertis.  
As flies oft times in candle flame.  
Do play till they be burnt and die:  
So many think the wars but game,  
With danger till the truth they try.   

Or thus.  
As Flies delight is oft to play,  
In candle flame till death they taste,  
So many will the wars assay,  
That after soon repent their haste.   

That the rich and mighty should not hate the poor and lowly.  
AS the grape beating vine lively,  
The little tree doth not despise  
That doth him bear, so should pardie,  
No great estate if they be wise,  
Dysdeyn the subject or servant,  
Whose aid of force they may not want.   

Or thus.  
Like as the vine that flourysheth,  
With lively grapes and leaves most g●●er  
The small tree never despiseth:  
That bears him up as it is seen.  
So ought no rich nor high estate.  
The poor or simple wight to hate.   

¶ Of formed fyllets and disformed foreheads.  

A Lady had a forehead fair,  
Form very feateously.  
For in the midst a tip of hear  
Came down before right properly.   

Both sides were bare and cowlyckt high.  
Wherefore she did in haste devise,  
As in her glass she late did pry.  
To form her gear after that guise.   

Her forehead clothes and other tire,  
Were altered straight unto that like,  
On both sides croaking like a wire,  
And down before a pretty pike.   

All other women great and small,  
That did this trim new trick behold,  
Old, young, yea rich and poor and all,  
Their forehead clothes so cut and fold.   

But some that fain would so be dressed,  
Dame Nature straight denied them that,  
They could not be trim like the rest,  
Their foreheads low wear like a cat.   

To that which was to some decent,  
To others did as much disgrace:  
Which caused them straight to invent,  
So pluck the hear of from their face.   

Wherefore first as the fair lady,  
Her fillet like her forehead formed,  
Some worked the clean contrary,  
Their foreheads like fyllets deformed.    

¶ Sentences of the wise  

Plato.  
OF all things the newest is best for behove,  
Save only of friendship and of friendly love.  
Which ever the elder and longer it dure,  
Is so much the better more perfect and sure,   

Seneca.  
Well may he be counted right valiant in deed  
In joy nor in sorrow that doth not exceed:  
The temperate man possesseth this treasure,  
Whose modesty moves him still to mind measure.   

Socrates.  
Socrates calls it a great point of madness,  
To be without measure in joy or in sadness.   

Plato.  
Idleness doth ignorance as her fruit render.  
And ignorance ever doth error engender.   

Aristoteles.  
Avarice doth gentleness still away chase,  
Which good liberality ay doth purchase.   

Bias.  
Of Flatterers Bias doth bid us beware,  
And saith that their speech is a honey sweet snare.   

Solomon.  
As unmeet is honour fools to assail,  
As snow in the summer, or in harnessed hail   

Plato.  
Small errors not stayed at the first but proceed▪  
Wyl grow to great and huge mischiefs in de●   

Plutarch.  
The wits which in age will excellent bide,  
By honest delights in youth will be spied.   

Chilon.  
Who can deny that man envious to be.  
That sorry is at good men's prosperity,   

Socrates.  
An ignorant fool he is without miss,  
By counsel of women that governed is.   

Aristippus.  
He is without doubt a rich man in deed,  
To borrow or flatter that never had need.   

Cicero.  
wisdom as Tully doth wisely define,  
Is knowledge in things human and devirie.   

Xenophon.  
For worldly riches be not to student,  
Sith God hath provided for each man sufficient.   

plutarch.  
For sufficient things ought no man to pray,  
〈…〉 doth God give unasked always:  
But pray that thyself mayst always be bend,  
With that which God giveth to be still content.   

Pythagoras.  
Do right in your deeds to serve God if you list,  
In works not in words doth God's worship consist   

Socrates.  
Speak ever of God while talk doth endure,  
And God in thy mouth will good words procure.   

Solon.  
The soul that is just, and purely doth mean,  
Doth never delight in matters unclean.   

Seneca.  

The good souls plant goodness whose fruit is salvation  
The wicked plant vices, their fruit is damnation.   

Trust not this world I say in no wise,  
Which never doth pay that it doth promise.    

Pythagoras  
True friendship and friends, ye surely shall find:  
Where many pure hearts are made in one mind.   

Xenophon.  
There never was friendship nor justice certain,  
Where nothing among them in common doth rain.  
To live without friends would no man be glad,  
Of all kind of wealth though plenty he had.  
Their friendship was never yet perfect and sure,  
That did become friends for profit or pleasure.   

Socrates.  
Let wise men ask counsel for that is good skill.  
Lest sometime their wits be mixed with will.  
To the wrathful man or drunkard infect,  
Or he that is to a woman subject,  
commit no secrets to any of those.  
For surely they can no counsel keep close,   

Isocrates.  
He which to others good council doth give,  
Himself to profit begins to achieve.   

Seneca.  
He (saith Seneca) is rich and wealthy,  
Which is contented with his poverty.  
None in this life live more certain and sure,  
Then those that do lack riches and treasure.   

Hermes.  
receive with patience the words of correction,  
Though they seem grievous in thine intellection.  
Discipline my son see thou apprehend,  
To grace and virtue so shalt thou extend.   

Plutarch.  
Forget soon thy wrath, quench quickly that fire,  
And to be revenged have no desire.   

Socrates.  

A man well brought up that doth so proceed,  
Increasing more virtues, is perfect in deed.   

Shame and dishonour, ill end, and damnation  
Doth light upon ●●cherous abomination.    

Socrates.  
I right good gift is eloquence,  
Which doth in truth shine brightly still:  
But used in falsehoods defence:  
It doth corrupt and work much ill.   

Pythagoras.  
They which to slander or to rob  
The dead have their delight:  
Are like such dogs in fury that  
It stones do bark and bite,   

Plutarch.  
Nothing so much dispraiseth one  
As doth a man's own praise,  
And chief when he boasteth of  
His own good deeds and ways.   

Hermes.  
He that doth good unto his friends,  
Is counted wise therefore:  
But who so doth his enemy good,  
He is a man and more.   

As well men ought that benefits  
In mind should ever cleave,  
As they are glad in time of need,  
With hands them to reccave.   

The gifts of a friend,  
Whose love is not cold,  
Ought never in mind  
To wear or wax old.   

The good will of the giver ought  
To be regarded more,  
Then is the value of the gift  
Though it be great and store.   

Seneca.  

Of wealth he shall have no,  
That can not suffer wo.   

small knowledge is in such  
As use to babble much.    

Seneca.  
The wise in deed,  
Doth nothing need.   

Hermes.  
Beware well of spies,  
And tellers of lies.   

Aristoteles.  
To delight in treasure,  
Is a dangerous pleasure.   

Seneca.  
In a liar doubtless,  
There never was goodness.    

¶ A description of dignity or true Nobleness.  

IF thou a noble man wilt know,  
A great estate and honourable,  
He is (as Chrysostom doth show)  
To vices nothing serviceable:  
But doth detest and much disdain,  
Subject to be, to vices vain.   

If thou (as Seneca doth tell)  
A man wilt in sure wise esteem,  
Or know him perfectly and well,  
What he is, and so truly dame:  
Thou must him see in fashion rare,  
That is to say naked and bare.   

Possessions let him lay aside,  
And put from him authority:  
And let nothing with him abide,  
But nature's gift and property:  
All fortunes fables in likewise  
Thou must in this thy search despise.   

In fine and last of all the rest,  
Let him put of his own body:  
And then beh●ld within his breast  
His soul, and view it certainly:  
For so shall it be truly known.  
What he hath of his very own.   

For it in me deserves no praise.  
That I of others do receive,  
For look what nature me denays,  
I can not have, but do deceive,  
As with a false and feigned sin.  
Bragging with that which is not mine.   

He that can vices overcome.  
Is then the chiefest conqueror.  
He that with virtue beareth room,  
He is a man of great honour.  
He is noble and of great might,  
That shunning wrong embraceth right.    

¶ The anatomy or particular description of a birchen broom or bosom: In the composition or making whereof, are contained iii notable justices or purgers of vices.  

A birchen bosom that ye a broom call.  
Is made of a with, a staff, and twygs small:  
By which all folk of each age and estate,  
May governed be, if nurture they hate,  
As first the small twigs do serve a good shift,  
The buttocks of boys to hoist up or life.  
From which it is sometimes needful to draw,  
Abundance of blood to keep them in awe.  
The haft of the broom like purpose shall serve,  
To shrub well their backs that stripes do deserve  
And namely such knaves that are grown so big  
That they nothing set by any small twig.  
Therefore is the staff a tool for the nonce,  
To canuys their backs, or kydgell their bones.   

Then thirdly the with will hang by the neck  
Such thieves as fear not the stripe nor the check▪  
Thus in every house iii justices reign,  
Which the birchen besom well doth contain:   

The high and the mean, and also the low,  
Thayr offices all, ought each man to know:  
By whom all such men must needs pass their way  
The rules of reason that will dysobaye,   

The highest justice the neck will out stretch,  
The low from buttocks will skin & blood fetch,  
The mean must needs shrobin the shoulders stout  
Of each stubborn varlet lubber or lout,   

The low justice now he that will reject,  
Nor his life by rule and compass direct,  
Neglecting the small, he stireth the great,  
The ha●te of the broom the shoulders ●must beat,   

By which back beating if he will not mend  
The with must him hang, and so his life end.  
Lo thus may they see that wisely behold,  
The bosom hath uses many a fold,   

Besides that for which most men do them keep,  
Namely their kitchens or houses to sweep:  
For he hath office men's vic●s to purge,  
By three justice rules, that sharply will scourge.   

For who so ever they do in hand take,  
Either good or dead they will him sure ma●●:  
Good, if by virtue from vice they will v●●y,  
Dead, if by vices they do the contrary.    

¶ The description & declaration of a monstrous child, borne in the town of Maydston in the County of Rent, in the year of our Salvation. 1561. the xxix day of September, being Say●cte Mychaell the Archangels day, between two & three of the clock in the morning,  

SIth monsters as some learned men declare,  
Do demonstrate, to us our monstrous life,  
Repentantly let us our hearts prepare,  
Sin to avoid, wherein our feet be rise:  
For why we walk devoid of love in strife,  
And for the most part council men do scorn,  
Which monstrous ways cause monsters to be borne   

Behold those eyes which monstrously strut out  
Which typeth forth our boldness to do ill,  
And where it hath no forehead without doubt,  
The lack of shame right plainly show it will:  
Such shameless grace we see frequented still,  
Whiles we stoutly our naughty ways defend,  
And seem gods word to mock and reprehend.   

It hath no neck, which may also express,  
That lack of love doth reign in every wight.  
No paps nor te●ts which signifieth no l●sse.  
But that we do regard no truth nor right:  
To nourish virtue few have now delight,  
But pride, and foolish fondeand vain attire.  
Of women chiefly now is the desire,   

Such ruffs, such rolls, such foolish tricks beside,  
More heathenlyke than any Turk doth use:  
In wicked ways thus bodily do we glide,  
And wholesome counsel most folk do refuse,  
Thus monstrously we walk in great abuse,  
As God by tokens doth to us declare,  
That painful plagues he doth for us prepare.   

A hole it hath deep in the head behind,  
Covered over with a fleshy flap,  
Thus were these parts contrary unto kind:  
Which may declare and signify perhaps,  
With feigned manners how we do us wrap,  
Appearing outward honest fair and gay,  
Corrupted inward with most wicked way.   

The buttocks also joined are in one,  
Without a twist the same for to divide,  
Yet some there were that looked it upon,  
That took great pain the matter for to hide,  
Astribing it to chance that might betide  
Unto the woman, while she therewith went,  
As hurt or bruise, so vain heads did invent.   

But who that will discreetly the same view,  
Shall find that God therein hath wrought his will  
And their surmise to be false and untrue,  
With lies that would our ears and wit so fill,  
That we should not repent us of the ill,  
That caused God thereby us to amend,  
This token great before our eyes to send.   

Presumptuous boldness in unshamefast ways,  
Is terms courage or au● acive,  
But shame to sin is counted now a days  
Great foolishness, and dollysh dastardy.  
So rife so ripe is now iniquity,  
That fearful signs must feign be us to teach,  
That no man else can do although he preach.   

Let us therefore have sufficient regard  
To these great works of God showed to us:  
Lest death and hell do shortly us reward,  
For these our sins that we committed thus,  
Let learned wits now more at large discuss,  
By these great monstrous tokens what is meant  
But in the mean space let us all repent.    

¶ An exhortation to all preachers of the Gospel, that they ought to preach as well in works as with words: if they will preach profitably, namely to the conuertion of souls to the truth.  

THe first mover from east to west.  
That turns the star●y sphere,  
Under the which the several orbs  
The wandering lights do bear.   

By endless turning in that course  
That all men do perceive,  
Contrary to their striving way,  
Which f●w folk can conceive.   

Twelve thousand times hath borne the son  
This endless hall about,  
Beshyning all our hemisphere  
With beams▪ most clear and stout.   

(Which cutting cross our horizon  
The night away did drive,  
And from this ark by glistering light,  
Did darkness still deprive.)   

Since parent's procreation  
My life did first begin,  
And nutriment performing it,  
Till that I breath did win.   

And yet in this number of days  
I never could espy,  
Or on that wight once fix my look,  
Or see him with mine eye,   

That carry could a good report  
Unto his final grave,  
Which in this life did not subdue  
The flesh when it did rave:   

Or could not with a most sharp bit  
The heady sins refrain,  
Subduing frail affections,  
As with a bridle rain.   

No though he could well prophesis  
And profitably preach:  
And as a heavenly messenger,  
The gospel purely teach,   

If life and conversation  
Doth not thereto accord,  
His labours are abandoned,  
His preaching is adhorde.   

For in bare words doth not consist  
The pure sincerity:  
But perfect works doth chief show  
The Christian verity.   

And only wit in speaking well,  
Doth show his force and might:  
But wisdom ever is expressed,  
In dealing just and right.   

Thus wit can say, but wisdom doth  
All things godly and just.  
Wit in good words, wisdom in deeds  
Is known and well discussed.   

As works then do all words exceed,  
And doing speech excel:  
Though wit may make a glorious show,  
Yet wisdom bears the bell.   

How many preachers have been stained  
That spoke eloquently,  
Which wanting wisdom, could not work  
Therewith accordingly.   

Wherefore the wise philosopher  
Unhappy did them call,  
Which had a wit, and never could  
Attain wisdom withal.   

For wit doth serve wisdom to learn,  
In each reasnable wight:  
Wherefore they are but beasts, who not  
In wisdom's school delight,   

If wisdoms work then follow not  
O● wy● what is theffect:  
To what end are these goodly words,  
If good works be reject.   

What are the fruits of lively faith?  
Which are the tokens true,  
Of those whom God in Christ our health  
With grace doth still review?   

Is it not life agreeable  
To that ye teach and say?  
How can ye otherwise with gloze  
These verities denay?   

To what end speak ye all these words  
Wherein ye so glory?  
Is't not as good of godly deeds  
To tell an history?   

Who best think you should me persuade  
Their church and faith to love?  
Or who to follow or believe  
Should the most men's hearts move?   

Of him that said, and no good did,  
Or he that held his peace,  
Walking a go●● and Christian life  
Among the 〈◊〉 press?   

Though faith by hearing come in deed,  
Which I will not deny:  
Words void of works did never yet  
Work half effectually.   

It is but like the flowers gay  
That flourish fair and green,  
And wither straight as soon as son  
Doth hot upon them shine.   

Like wytherd hay upon house tops,  
That many times doth grow:  
Which suddenly doth spring and spread,  
Making a bragging show:   

But straight for lack of perfect root  
Or ground whereon to stay,  
It wytherd is, that no man can  
His handful bear away.   

Wherefore unless ye preach with works  
The fruits of wisdom pure,  
Your witty words are vanity,  
Your ground is nothing sure.   

How some have given vile offence  
I need not here to name,  
For wise men will my meaning see  
And do but read this same.   

And who so by an others fall  
Can stay and take good heed,  
That man to be witty and wise  
We shall believe in deed.   

A builder wise upon the rock  
Christ doth him rightly call,  
That doth the gospel hear or read,  
And do thereafter shall.   

contrariwise the negligent  
That gods word understand,  
Are likened to the foolish man  
That builded on the sand.   

Of which he first was able well  
All storms for to abide:  
Where as the last unconstant was  
And subject still to slide.   

Wherefore for Christ's blood I say,  
Ye preachers all beware.  
And that your life make none offence  
See that ye set your care.   

For cursed are ye, if ye do  
Gods work negligently:  
And here I end sith ye do know  
The same as well as I.   

But he that knows his masters w●●,  
(Take this for your fare well)  
And doth it not: with many stripes  
Shall beaten be in hell.    

¶ Against the dissimulation, craft, un constancy, false dealing, greedy covetousness, untemperate eating and drinking, and incontinency of an old man, and the cause why the author & others forsook & refused the society of such one.  

O Monstrous satire  
Of insatiate mind,  
Whose filthy desire  
All virtue doth blind.   

Can neither thine age  
Nor experience,  
The vile lust assuage  
Of concupiscence:   

Can not the bald head,  
With beard and hear white,  
Once stand thee in stead  
To bridle delight?   

Can not the dim eyes  
And near four score years,  
Once make the despise  
That in thee appears?   

How shall the young man  
His ways reform then,  
As David doth scan:  
When such are old men?   

If learning nor time,  
Nor number of days,  
Can scour away crime,  
The cause of dispraise?   

Nor scripture study  
In such a long space,  
Made at hand ready  
Assistance of grace?   

How canst thou thyself  
God's messenger name?  
Sith in this vile pelf,  
Thou seemest past shame?   

But what man hath seen  
As yet other fruit,  
In such as have been  
So beastly and brute?   

With God and man to  
Dissembling to lie:  
Where all that they do  
Is hypocrisy.   

For he that will cloak  
The enemies of God,  
And say they revoke,  
(That God hath forbade)   

To shield them from law,  
And danger of crime,  
By craft for to draw  
And detract the time:   

How shall we him think  
The brydgroms true friend,  
That falsely doth shrink  
From him to the fiend?   

And that to make truce  
Between wolves & sheep,  
Good men to misuse  
That did the flock keep,   

Between saints & dogs  
What fellowship is:  
Between filthy hogs  
And children of bliss?   

Between the elect▪  
And vile reprobate?  
Between the reject,  
And blessed estate.   

Between good and bad,  
Between heaven and hell?  
Between subject sad  
And traitorous rebel?   

Then those that protest,  
Such vice to forsake,  
How can they request,  
A peace for to make?   

Making but one church  
Of virtue and vice?  
How falsely such lurch,  
Is known to the wise:   

If riotously  
To lash out and waste,  
Most prodigally  
Of dainties to taste.   

The readiest way be,  
To please God aright,  
And God's face to see  
And serve him in sprite.   

If to be careless,  
To burden one's friend,  
And to make redress  
Have never in mind,   

Borrowing frankly,  
No caring to pay:  
And sometime falsely  
To shift so away:   

If to be wandering  
So fugitiuly.  
Leaving the living  
Sure and constantly.   

Intending thereby  
With sl●yghtes to deceaue●,  
With sub●iltie sly,  
Both to take and leave.   

If bibbing of wine  
Till belching boil out,  
Be the true right line,  
To find heaven out.   

If lascivious talk,  
Provoking to sin,  
Be the way to walk  
Heaven bliss for to win.   

Then far well say I  
All works and virtue,  
We may well defy  
All good dealing true.   

But woe worth that such  
Had ever the place,  
That so and so much  
The truth do disgrace.   

Why tak'st in thy mouth  
My word saith the lord?  
That hast from thy youth  
All virtue abhorred.   

Thy life to accord,  
Dost also despise:  
mixing with my word,  
Papystry and lies.   

If these causes now,  
Be full sufficient,  
Such to dysallowe,  
And from him descent.   

Also to abstain  
Him to hide or cloak,  
His doings refrain,  
And also revoke:   

My friends I desire,  
That they bear with me,  
Though I do retire,  
And from such one flee.   

For I think the pot  
Scant whole will appear,  
Nor from filthy spots  
The water be clear.   

And rather I sure  
Had life to forego,  
Then with mind unpure,  
Affectionate so.   

With such one to bear,  
In such confusion,  
That can not forbear  
His frail affection.    

¶ A song against the sinful time wherein all things are out of order, and sin groweth near unto rypnes.  

IT is not time  
That sin and crime,  
Might cease that ye might mend?  
Can plague nor pain  
Make you refrain,  
Nor from wickedness wend?   

Shall each brother  
Malice other?  
Can nothing you persuade,  
Once to tender  
Each good member  
Whom Christ hath bought & made?   

Sith ye profess  
Of faith no less  
Than the Apostles all:  
Should you d●spyse  
Thus each good guise,  
With lives most sensual?   

Can one vessel  
At once expel  
From him both sweet and sour?  
Or can a man  
Any time when  
At once both laugh and louvre?   

As wolves wroth  
Yourselves ye cloth  
In lamb skins to seem good,  
Hypocrites subtle  
Have hearts still brittle,  
Two faces in one hood.   

Commend they will  
God's sweet word still,  
As though they loved it well:  
Yet they vary  
Most contrary  
Unto that pure gospel.   

In psalms saying  
And in praying  
They seem to have perfection:  
Yet their delight,  
Is all in spite,  
Which is a great infection.   

In wrath and pride,  
From grace they slide,  
With filthy fornication:  
Envy and hate,  
Excess, debate,  
And all abomination.   

In avarice,  
Beyond all size,  
And arrogant ambition,  
Although they feign,  
another vain,  
They maintain superstition.   

And he is well,  
That can excel,  
In vice and filthiness:  
Such strife to win  
The price of sin,  
Was never seen I guess.   

Filthy l●cur,  
Doth them procure,  
To parcialytie:  
For worldly gain,  
They all are fain,  
To work iniquity.   

They prate and pray,  
And well can say,  
To purchas them promotion,  
The world to win,  
They sustain sin,  
So vain is their devotion.   

flattering they fleare,  
Each other in there,  
To work their wicked mind.  
They slandering s●ay,  
Good men each ●ay.  
As beasts that pass their kind.   

They f●yne a face.  
To run the race,  
As men of Christ elect:  
And yet indeed.  
They do● proceed  
With ●yues sinful infect,   

They flatter can,  
With e●ery man,  
Where gain may so be won:  
Longer than gain,  
They not remain,  
Their friendship straight is done.   

They will be meek,  
And humbly creep,  
Where they no friendship bear:  
Till their purpose,  
They may up close,  
And themstreight ways they scare   

On promise they,  
No farther stay,  
Then lucre doth extend:  
No faith nor truth,  
In age nor youth,  
But falsehood all attend.   

Much they pretend,  
Faults to amend,  
And do for common wealth:  
Where in the end  
They nought intent,  
But private gain and stealth.   

Ca me ca thee,  
This still we see,  
They wink at wickedness:  
None but the poor  
Doth wring therefore,  
And suffer the distress.   

With hearts most stout,  
They snuff the snout,  
Like swine that smell their swill,  
With haulty heart,  
And mind pervert,  
To work their wicked will.   

such they oppress  
As in distress,  
Do want both help and aid:  
Their cruel minds,  
As fierce as finds.  
By no means can be stayed.   

No faith we see,  
On earth to be,  
Nor yet justice or right:  
But bearing out  
Of falsehood stout  
By office pour and might.   

Wherefore the day,  
At hand I say,  
Of force must needs appear,  
This world to burn,  
That thus doth turn,  
To worse from year to year.    

¶ A marvelous dream of the Author: Anno. 1561.  

WHen in the lion Phoebus had,  
Obtained the seventeenth grave,  
And on the bulls neck, jove riding  
The twins for to invade.   

And Saturn slow had in the Crab  
Then entered one degree,  
Mars from the waterman regret,  
The goat again to see.   

And Venus by conjunction,  
With Phoebus late had line,  
By backward course as she returned  
In Leone the sign.   

And Mercury the messenger,  
In May last past, was sent,  
By mighty jove, from out the bull,  
And now in virgin went.   

Directly walking through that sign.  
The balance to peruse,  
And in September turn and show  
To Phoebus all the news.   

Diana, riding on the ram,  
Did on her brother look:  
With trine aspect, as with the like  
Dame Venus late she took.   

Intolerable was the heat,  
That Titan's burning beams  
Gave on the earth when he put forth  
His bright and shining leams,   

Which parching heat, had made the corn  
Each where to change hy● hew,  
Which warning gave, that husbandmen  
With scythes and sicles new.   

Should now prepare to cut and bind,  
And in their barns preserve,  
Such necessary food as might,  
For winters need well serve.   

What was the cause I leave to say  
But suddenly that night,  
Such tempest rose of wind and rain,  
And lightening in sight.   

With thunder strokes most terrible,  
And hasty storms of hail,  
As though God with destruction,  
Would then the world assail.   

When. iii, long hours this sturdy storm  
Had his continuance,  
It did assuage, and 'gan to go,  
In far other distance.   

And the deep night approaching fast,  
From prayer to sleep I fell,  
And such a dream to me apperde,  
As strange is for to tell.   

Me thought I stood upon a hill  
Where I hard by might see,  
In a low plain of all estates,  
A multitude to be.   

Where every sort and each estate,  
Did strive and much contend,  
The greedy gain of gold to win  
Their hunger had none end.   

So much to gold their love ape●de,  
That nought else might he found,  
To win or please, or to have fame,  
Or in wealth to abound.   

There saw I kings and rulers great  
By tyranny to reign:  
Whereas the great consuinde the small,  
And wisdom did disdain.   

Their subjects when they had oppressed  
By heaping of much gold:  
They strait became ambitious,  
Yea arrogant and bold.   

Their own realms could not then content,  
Their spendynges to discharge:  
But they must conquer others right,  
Dominions to enlarge.   

And so with bloody victory,  
Great terror and distress,  
Of many poor, at last by force  
They others land posseste.   

Which notwithstanding of iii heirs  
Was not inherited:  
But was again with loss and shame  
foregone and home rendered.   

And others as ready again,  
With like them to acquit,  
As they before wear for to win,  
And conquer others right.   

There saw I judges in like case,  
Whose mind did whole depend,  
For him to do that most w●lo give,  
And plentifully spend.   

For bribes & gifts bore all the sway,  
In matters of the law,  
For gain of gold, and for no right,  
All matters did they draw.   

All officers I did behold  
From most unto the least:  
Which without bribes had no regard,  
To any man's request.   

Yea offices were sold and bought  
And not for virtue gained:  
But all for gold, thus went the world,  
For gold were all retained.   

A fool as soon should have to do,  
To rule a common weal:  
As should the wise: vules by meed  
He did his office steal.   

Yet some desire (I not deny)  
Of gold was to this end:  
The glutton gut of Epicure,  
To fill full and extend,   

For in some place no drunkard can  
So oft ill rule repair.  
Nor yet frequent the tavern more,  
Then shryfe justice or Mayre.   

The spectacle of all excess,  
And misrule to infect,  
Was seen of them that ought of due,  
Such vices to correct.   

The rich did poor men undermynd,  
To make them travel sore:  
And yet drew back benevolence,  
And wages not the more.   

But rather did withdraw the due,  
They ought to have of right:  
For private gayve thus waded they,  
With all their power and might.   

To promise or to counant made,  
There no man had regard:  
For gain of gold all things undid,  
Their doings well declared.   

No lease so good had any man,  
Nor bond so surely made:  
But gold was able to undo,  
And utterly to quade.   

Who had no gold, unable was,  
His own right to retain:  
Ne without gain no kind of force  
Might permanent remain.   

Right many that good science had  
Vpryghtly with to live:  
To tavern and to tipple fell,  
Thereto themselves to give.   

Esteeming gain thereby to rise,  
Much more abundantly,  
Then by the former trade they used,  
With living decently.   

And divers arts their trade did leave,  
With hurt of common weal:  
forestalling corn and v●ctuals all,  
Vile gain thereby to steal.   

The cobbler, tinker, and the smith,  
Their labour 'gan to leave:  
More gold to gain by phisykes art,  
And therewith did deceive.   

So leapt forth Loy the loiterer,  
That no man might him let,  
To be a priest or minister,  
An idle gain to get.   

With gold some bought their benefice  
In hope more gold to reach:  
Which to attain is all their cure,  
For nothing else they preach.   

Unlearned though they latin lap  
Before the simple folk,  
As if a sow should spin and twist  
Of from a lynnin rock.   

The bishops once confirmed in see,  
Regarded idle thrift:  
To preach or teach they took no care,  
For gold was all their drift.   

The superstitious hypocrite,  
Still held antiquity,  
In hope to gain if change may hay  
To build iniquity,   

Each varlet in his bravery,  
Affirm may what he list:  
Yea openly against the laws,  
They daily do resist.   

Thus gain of gold hath made the laws  
Void, and of nove effect,  
The godly preachers railed on,  
And their doctrine reject.   

Thus is their gold or Mammon usle  
Their only lord and God:  
For it they only seek and serve,  
Though Christ have it forbade.   

The labouring man would for his pain,  
Be waged with double hire,  
Or else would loiter, and not work  
At any man's desire.   

For which at last some did pretend  
To make a quick redress:  
But all their deeds did rather turn  
Unto double distress.   

For as the common saying went,  
Who so a tree would fell,  
Hard to the root must put his axe,  
If he will do it well:   

And not begin small tops to shred,  
And let the stock alone:  
For so more twygs will grow again,  
●o thus did poor men groan.   

The price of fermes must first fall down  
Unto their ancient rate,  
Or 'tis ye shall reform to right  
No degree or estate.   

If ye mean right, first ba●e the price  
Of that which is your own:  
So how to mend after that rate  
Shall easily be known.   

But whilst yourselves will not debate  
Your rents and greedy gain,  
Your study of amendment  
In others is but vain.   

Of takers and commissioners,  
There might one see a sort,  
For gain of gold beguile their prince  
And his subjects extort.   

Of all things would they double take,  
And sell the residue:  
Thus both to prince and people to,  
These wretches were untrue.   

In like sort bailiffs played their part  
In getting gold with wrong:  
And sumner's which caused many one  
To sing a sorry song.   

These could make one write double seru●  
As many more as need:  
And for a bribe the same discharge:  
Thus falsehood hath decreed.   

All merchants there me thought I saw  
With many a subtle shift,  
The greedy gain of gold to win,  
By false and thievish drift.   

So saw I craft's men leave their art,  
And fall to husbandry:  
Leases over their neighbours head,  
To that intent they buy.   

Which made the rent of lands to rise,  
From five unto a score:  
Such great enormity as this,  
Even Nature doth abhor.   

Unlawful gain and usury  
That execrable use  
I saw frequented commonly:  
Which was a great abuse.   

Right many heirs full richly left  
Were thereby clean undone,  
By craft and guile therein conteynd,  
With craft thus have they done.   

Some gafing up upon the stars,  
With vain deluding japes,  
Deceived many simple folks,  
And mocked them like apes.   

Their learning in astronomy,  
Was scarcely worth a mite:  
Although of it was all their boast  
To blind the people's sight.   

The devils art they do frequent,  
And therewith tell much news:  
The christian flock thus they pervert,  
With most hateful abuse.   

For children now are scarcely borne  
But straight they will apply,  
Their goods to spend on such as boast  
They can well domifye.   

And calculate what shall become  
Hereafter of that child:  
With vanity for gain of gold  
Thus was that place defiled.   

When things were lost or stolue by thieves  
These hypocrites did gaze,  
Upon the stars, and sometimes told  
That did the people maze.   

For easy sure by such deceyght,  
Among the people rude  
It is, with counterfeating face,  
Them to mock and delude.   

And hateful witches every where,  
With hurtful words and charm,  
Both men and cattle did destroy,  
Committing endless harm.   

And this they did, that daily men  
Might seek that trade unto:  
The grisly griefs by witches done,  
By witch craft to undo,   

And in this wise some gained so,  
That nought were worth of late,  
That they could buy and trimly build,  
At this present estate.   

And some for gain with the like arts,  
divine and prophecy,  
And promise many things to come  
By such false treachery.   

From crowned king to peasant poor,  
No degree or estate,  
Escape could, that they would not ●e,  
With them vold to check mate.   

Noble prints that diadem  
And sceptres justly hear,  
To judge their ends most hatefully,  
These devils do not fear.   

Such traitorous kind of prophecies,  
Wherein they closely mell,  
And daily do the same frequent,  
A strange thing were to tell.   

For which cause some by conjuring,  
The wicked spirits raise,  
And trouble all the elements  
In these most hateful days.   

How they do offer sacrifice  
Unto the fiend of hell:  
Sometime of their own flesh & blood  
Which therefore they do quell.   

And how they cast their souls away.  
In most damnable wise,  
By fellowship with damned spirits,  
Is known unto the wise.   

I saw also like fugitives,  
Right many forth did stray,  
With beastly gauges & making shifts,  
with fond and thievish play.   

Of these many were jugglers lewd,  
And some had apes and bears,  
And some had foul puppet plays.  
And thereby great gain rears.   

Some throw ● hoop would trimly dance,  
And some with hoby nag  
For gain of gold would play trim tricks,  
With turn round kick and wag.   

And many mynstreis' there I saw,  
Which money to attain,  
For each man's fancy had a song,  
Though they were nought and vain.   

Yea popish songs for popish folk,  
And eke for men demure,  
They would have songs that framed were  
Out of the gospel pure.   

And filthy songs for filthy folk,  
That therein had delight,  
And gold to win they would not shun  
To do all things unright.   

And some again by palmistry,  
men's fortunes would disclose:  
As beggars throng unto a dole,  
So many went to those.   

And gave them money liberally,  
To tell them lying tales:  
Of which these wretches have great store  
When they undo their males.   

To these vain women much resort,  
The chief cause is to hear,  
How many husbands they shall have  
As it doth oft appear.   

And rob their husbands on this ●ort  
Such lewd men to reward:  
So much to change and gain thereby,  
It seemeth they regard.   

These knaves would whyster in their ears  
And would disclose each mark.  
That on their bodies these folks had  
In secret place or dark.   

O mistress ye have such a mol●  
Or mark in such a place:  
And such a wart I know it well  
By looking on your face.   

Upon your belly is a mark,  
A wart upon your breast,  
And on your foot a little mole,  
(I know them most and least.)   

And more than this iwis I know,  
If all I should you tell:  
Then would ye blush and be abashed,  
Therefore I will not mell.   

But will be silent in all things,  
Save that you do require,  
In which I shall my mistress fair,  
accomplish your desire.   

Lo straight these folks are mad in lust  
And most beastly affection,  
To hear these lies of crafty thieves,  
O most hateful infection.   

How long shall such consuming ●ot hes,  
And hateful caterpillars,  
Be suffered thus ●o hurt and spill,  
The fruits of honest iyvers,   

How long shall they be maintained,  
And scape all punishment?  
Such thieves I mean as gather gold,  
By crafts that they invent.   

From shire to shire, from town to town  
And still from place to place,  
These thieves did flecte vupunyshed,  
And none did them deface.   

The rabble run of ruffyen rogues,  
Did furnish up the train  
Of such as lived by robbery,  
Gold to get or obtaync.   

Of these some cut the poor man's purfe,  
An other doth convey:  
And worse than this they cut men's throats  
To get that wicked prey.   

Some in a bush would closely lurk  
For this most filthy gains,  
And with a club most murderously,  
Knock out the true man's brains.   

But others in more stout order  
In companies would weight,  
Of such as travail by the way,  
To make their golden bayght.   

Stand saith the thief, and straight his ma●e  
Saith, deliver thy purse:  
Lo thus they snatch that others get,  
Among them to disburse.   

There saw I also rat catchers,  
And such as teeth did draw,  
Like fugitives and vagabonds,  
Contrary unto law.   

Cloak over many shifting mates,  
That live by rape and spoil.  
Among that flock I you assure,  
They kept a shameful coil:   

And many with a peddlers pack▪  
To sell both pins and lace,  
Resorted to each cockbeld fair:  
Only but for a face.   

To make folk think they come to sell,  
Where they come but to steal:  
What need I say, how hurtful these  
Be to a common weal?   

When some of these were spied & take  
And before justice brought:  
Then their most wonder was of all,  
What wickedness gold wrought.   

For golden bribes there might a man  
See false thieves let slip go:  
And where no gold was, pickery  
Enough was them to sio.   

Where gold hare rule wilful murder  
Was made but chance medley,  
And chance godly was murder made:  
Where gold was but skantye.   

Thus life & death, yea yapne and ●ase.  
Hung all on wicked meed:  
For the attaining of the same,  
All men's manners agreed.   

For greedily they griped it.  
By hook or crook each where:  
And to be brie●e none other thing  
Authority could bear.   

For God nor king none did regard  
In respect of the same:  
And other end save only it,  
Had neither work nor game.   

For some there were with testing tricks  
That laughter could provoke:  
And gold to gain with this their art,  
They had a ready stroke.   

Some were so vain to laugh at such  
That measure clean they miss,  
As though they had with myrrh & wine  
Drunk G●lothophilis.   

Yea wise men would them surely d●●e  
Clean gone beside their wyltes,  
If they should see them gape and laugh,  
And gygle so by fits.   

Corn, leather, lead, wood, and fault hyd●●●  
By stealth some did convey,  
For private gain they broke the laws,  
To common wealths decay.   

Such ways to win, and gold to gain,  
No oaths but they were sworn:  
Thus as they might the lord himself,  
With oaths was all to torn.   

Some by the foot, some by the hands  
Some by the head, and heart:  
Some by his guts, some by his ●yes,  
Some by his death and sinarte.   

Some by the faith they own to God,  
Would swear and falsely lie:  
And some as God should be their judge,  
Did use their falsehood sly.   

Each science eke in their degree,  
I saw toss and turmoil,  
Falsely to win they counterfete,  
In their travail and toil.   

True workmanship was turned to slight,  
With falsehood to beguile:  
The trusty trade each man refused  
For gain of gold so vile.   

No man might at his▪ word be trust,  
For under sugared talk,  
Deceit was meant and subtlety,  
In falsehood thus they walk.   

Each man to his inferiors  
A cruel Cyclops seinde:  
The great the small did quite confume,  
Wherefore hell I it deinde.   

With balance false, and weights untrue  
And measure of like cyfe,  
Each one an other did deceive,  
And truth all did despise.   

The husbandman and other like,  
Did benefices buy:  
Whereby the man should live that taught  
The people faithfully.   

So were the people all untaught,  
And blindly were they led,  
Which made them irreligious,  
For faith was from them fled.   

Thus simony and sacrilege,  
And all extortion,  
Was lawful gain, nought came amiss,  
That profit hanged on,   

With colour of simplicity,  
And feigned holiness.  
Me thought I saw much gold was go●,  
Oh woeful wickedness.   

False witness, whoredom and excess  
Were used for gain of gold:  
And finally all wickedness,  
For lucre was extolleth.   

Great murder, theft, and robbery,  
This greedy hunger bred:  
ravin, disdain, and perjury,  
For gold was committed.   

I well perc●●●●●● kind of folk●,  
There were, but all were bend  
To bribes and to unlawful gain,  
With most wicked intent.   

What shall I say, if I should her●  
Their whole deceits rehearse?  
An huge long book I might well ●yll,  
With this my ragged verse.   

If some of them in their desire,  
Their greedy wish might have,  
All that they touch should turn to gold,  
As Midas once did crave.   

Who starved had because his meat,  
Did all to gold convert,  
If Bacchus had not then wytsaft  
That sentence to revert.   

Who taught him then for remedy,  
Pactolus to wash in,  
Which is a stream in Lydia,  
With golden gravel fine.   

I musing much at their usance,  
It caused me to fear,  
(Their minds so beastly seemed to be)  
That Ci●ce had been there.   

Who feigned was, that she by craft  
Of sorcery could change,  
Both forms & minds of men to beasts  
Which was a matter strange.   

For never tiger was more fierce,  
Then some did there appear,  
No swine so filthy nor so drunk,  
Nor glutton nothing near.   

In lechery they pass the Goat,  
And in their pompous pride:  
The Lion stout they much exceed  
And that on every side.   

The subtle fox, the ravening wolf,  
The envious serpent,  
The greedy Gryppe, the hasty Hound,  
His game that fain would hent,   

The cruel bear, the foolish ass,  
The harmful mocking ape,  
The griffon, or the Antilope.  
Or Bygorne that doth gape.   

The goring Bull, the butting ramm●  
The scratching cat with claw,  
In beastly ac●es may not compare,  
With those that there I saw.   

O God (quoth I) what place is this?  
Is hell more odious?  
My heart in great perplexity,  
My clamour made I thus.   

Ye Muses nine my comfort sweet,  
Take pity and draw near,  
Coequally by one consent,  
Let come Arete dear.   

That she this doubt may me dissolve,  
And that she may me learn,  
How I may know what place is this,  
And all this folk decern.   

Of mercy oh my dear delight,  
Arete I thee call:  
Approach unto thy servant poor,  
Or perish else I shall.   

O dulcet dear Arete fair,  
Thy promise now fulfil,  
With me made when that I me bound  
To serve thee at thy will.   

With this me thought a thunder clay  
Made all the earth to shake:  
That I abashed and much afraid  
Did tremble sore and quake.   

Wherewith me thought Arete bright,  
From heaven did descend:  
As swift as is the arrow flight,  
The air can she rend,   

My servant dear quoth she to me,  
What hap is thee befall,  
That thou in such lamenting wise  
To me didst cry and call?   

Was Satan like to vanquish thee,  
Or drive thee to despair?  
Or what might cause thy voice so shrill  
Thus to divide the air?   

My diamond most dear, quoth I,  
Mine only lust and will,  
Is that thou lose me from this doubt,  
Through opening of my skill.   

What name might have this present hill  
Where desolate I stand?  
What kind of folk are they allow,  
And of what uncouth land?   

That valley low should seem to be,  
Some vile unhappy soil:  
What hill is this, where thought so strange  
My mind doth thus turmoil?   

The hill (quoth she) that thou art on,  
Is an high divine mind,  
From which all worldly wickedness,  
Is separate by kind.   

And as each thing by contraries,  
I● best known and decernde:  
So on this hill the vile estate  
Of worldings low are lernde.   

The children of this wretched world,  
Be those in yonder vale,  
Which greedily do pain themselves,  
In seeking painful vale.   

Know they not God (quoth I,) nor do  
They nothing fear his force?  
No not all (quoth she no more  
Than doth the mule or horse.   

They fear God as the dyutis' fear,  
But faith or love is none:  
Philargery they only serve,  
And set their minds upon.   

Who as the poets have feynd doth li●●  
By feeding still of gold:  
And therewith never satisfied  
He wasteth manifold.   

Although he daily do consume,  
And ever still devour:  
Yet craveth on his clients still  
To feed him every hour.   

Whose labour ●ke is infinite,  
Their hunger hath no ho  
Abundance can not slake their thirst,  
So wicked is their wo.   

With having is not satisfied,  
The heart of avarice:  
For as the riches doth increase,  
So doth the covetise.   

A hell without all order is,  
That realm where such do won,  
A flock of folk ungodly vent,  
In sinful paths to run.   

A pack of people seeking gain,  
And private wealth prefer:  
And common wealth doth none seek for,  
But each doth it hinder.   

Each man is there all for him self,  
The devil is for all:  
His kingdom only do they seek,  
And thither shall they fall.   

Saint Paul hath called covetise  
The only root of sin:  
How then can those men be but ill,  
That walk so far therein?   

So unrepentant is their hearts,  
As hard as any flint:  
Nought can resolve or moll●ye,  
Or make them once to stint.   

Great tokens from the Lord above,  
Right many ha●h been sent,  
At London, and at Hungerforde,  
And in some place of Rent.   

The elements to repentance,  
With divers tokens calls,  
As hath been e'en, when fire consumed  
The pyramid of Paul's.   

And other places have well felt  
Their rage, whom I not name:  
Yet see we few whose hearts relent,  
Or repent by the same.   

Which manifestly doth declare,  
That greater plagues than those,  
God hath prepared and ready bent,  
For to consume his foes.   

So little faith is found on earth,  
Which showeth certainly,  
That the last day is not far hence,  
But will come suddenly.   

Which reprobates most damnable,  
Have cause to doubt and fear:  
But Gods elect do daily wish  
To see the same appear.   

Farewell (quoth she) I must depart,  
I have done thy request:  
As swift as thought she pierced the clouds  
To win eternal rest.   

And I with care for her absence,  
And sudden presence change,  
A work from sieape, much marveling  
At this my sweven strange.    

¶ A Poesis in form of a vision, briefly inveighing against the most hate full and prodigious Ar●es of Necromancy, witchcraft, sorcery, Incantations, and divers other detestable & devilish practices, daily used under colour of judicial Astrology.  

FRom out the Ramm● into the Bull  
As Titan last 'gan crawl:  
By order in his endless path.  
Ecliptic that men call.   

Which path doth so the zodiac,  
Just in the midst divide:  
That six degrees thereof are found,  
From it on every side.   

When day was fled, and night in plate  
As was natures request:  
I went to bed full hoping there,  
To take some quiet rest.   

Which long before I lacked so  
Through trouble of mine heart,  
That thus I made my plaint to God  
Who only knew my smart.   

almighty jove, grant now that I.  
With sleep this night beguile:  
As did Ulysses, when from care.  
He ●ased was a while.   

When most friendly Alcinous,  
Good king of Phaeacea,  
Him sent in ship till he sayid home  
To his own Ithaca.   

Who slcaping still was from the ship  
Laid forth upon the 〈◊〉:  
Which when he work, what place it wa●  
Did nothing understand.   

Until Minerva him informed,  
And gave him perfect view:  
How soon he might in presence be  
Of Penelope true,   

His wife most chaste which fortune strange  
To his great grief of mind:  
By divers luck, long time with held,  
In Homer as we sinned.   

But Philomela busily,  
Recorded so her song:  
That all my shyf●es could win no slep●,  
That would continue long.   

For as they feign the thorn so sharp,  
Did seem to touch her breast,  
For her shrill notes so pierced mine ears,  
That long I could not rest.   

Yet in short sleeps such dreadful dreams  
I 'gan to think and met:  
That when I waked beside my wit  
It had me almost set.   

Me thought I did in meadows walk  
For my sport and solas:  
Where silver drops of dew most sweet  
Did cleave to every grass.   

Whereby there ran & river fair,  
With streams so Crystal clear:  
That at the bottom might be seen  
The pe●l● stones appear.   

Above the meadow was a rock,  
And on that rock a wood:  
From which ran many pleasant springs  
Into that river good.   

Crossing the medes, they trickled down  
As life blood in the veins  
Doth from the heart till each member  
Comfort thereby attains.   

Above this woody rock there was  
A Field most pleasant green:  
Where the beauty of natures works  
Right aptly might be seen.   

There was no her be nor pleasant flower  
In such a field to know:  
But might be seen most fruitfully  
Within this field to grow.   

What should I name the Hyacinth,  
Or soot Verbasculy:  
The Clover sweet of divers kinds,  
That caulde are trifoly.   

The Brunell and the Bugle blewe,  
With fair Hieracium:  
The Synkfoyle and the Betony,  
And sweet Origanum.   

The Tutsane and Hypericon,  
Asciron, and Paunsye:  
The violet and Simphiton.  
And the doubt Daysye.   

The Harry's ease, and the patient,  
And crimson pimpernel,  
The Cammocke, and the camomile,  
And Canterbury bell.   

Rosecampany, Maudlin, and Cost,  
And London touft so red:  
Agrimony and lions tooth,  
That Children call Pysbed.   

Odoriferous Serpillum,  
And lady Traces fine:  
With yarrow, Torn twice, Strawberries,  
And Burnet good with wine.   

The Lunary, the Serpent's tongue,  
And Procerpinaca:  
The Adder grass, the Saxifrage,  
And eke Veronica.   

It hedged was with H●nysutkes,  
Or periclimenum:  
Well mixed with small Co●nus trees,  
Sweet briar, and Ligustrum.   

The white thorn, and the black● thorn both,  
With box, and maple fine:  
In which branched the Briony,  
The ivy, and wild vine.   

To long I should the time detr●●●  
And from my purpose str●y:  
If I should reckon all the things  
Within the Field so gay.   

Beside the good prospect for those,  
That know Astronomy:  
I think no platform in the world,  
Where one might more aptly.   

The rising see, and settings both,  
That Cosmike have to name:  
Acronyke to, and Helyak,  
Of stars of noble fame.   

About our artic pole ye might  
The little Bear first see:  
That called are, the guards of those  
That cunning sailors be.   

The great Bear also in the which  
Charles wain appeareth stout:  
Which with the small Bear evermore,  
Doth walk the pole about.   

Which Bears the Dragon doth involve,  
Then Boötes, and the North Crown:  
And after kneeling Hercules,  
Is seen with great renown.   

Harp, falling gryp, goat, swan, and he  
That use to drive the cart:  
The man that doth the serpent bear,  
The Eagle and the dart.   

Dolphin, forthers, and tother horse  
That flies caulde pegasus:  
The triangle, and Androwede,  
As some men do discuss.   

The zodiac with his xii signs  
Where Planets have their way:  
With all aspects that may bechance  
To any, night or day.   

The Bull's eye, with the rest of stars,  
That caulde are Hyades▪  
Might there be sent with the brood hen,  
That some name Pleiades.   

The Manger and the Asses twain,  
The lions heart, and tail:  
The virgin's spike, the scorpions heart  
And Water pot all hail.   

Whale, Oryon, and Golden yard,  
That ladies Elle some call:  
The river, hare, and both the dogs,  
As well the great as small.   

The serpent of the south, the Cup,  
The Raven, and Centaur:  
The centaurs spear, & then the wolf  
And also the altar.   

The South crown also may be sen●,  
With many other there,  
As Tricars' Constellation,  
Or berenices hear.   

The ship that Argo poets do name,  
There might a man behold:  
And many more than I can name,  
An hundred thousand fold.   

There might ye see ascensions,  
Both obliqne and right:  
No secrets of Astron●mye,  
That were not there in sight.   

And to be brief it was the joy,  
Of Lady Uranie  
Wherein to walk she did frequent  
With all her family.   

But as I climbed up the rock,  
As I had oft before:  
Of that sweet field to take the air  
Which doth man's spirits restore.   

I met a m●n in garments long  
Most decent to behold:  
His long beard grey, so was his head  
Which did declare him old.   

His countenance in soberness,  
All others did excel:  
His gate and gesture semd enough  
All vices to expel.   

For from the rule of honesty,  
In him was nothing seen:  
His outward works did explicate,  
An inward conscience clean.   

He took me by the hand, and said,  
Dear friend how far away?  
To yonder field father (I said)  
A while myself to play.   

My friend alas (quoth he) beware  
How ye henceforth come there:  
It will you else in hell confound,  
Therefore I say forbear.   

What is your name my father fair,  
(Said I) do it disclose:  
Theologus I am (quoth he)  
With thee I will not gloze.   

Why then (said I) do ye me warn,  
From yonder pleasant place?  
Because (quoth he) it late received  
A chance of great disgrace.   

How so (said I● then hark (quoth he)  
I do not use to lie:  
I will the sh●we how it befell,  
And that right orderly.   

A Heron foul, that hunger gut,  
Of all fowls at his food:  
Most ravenous, insatiate.  
And of most greedy mood.   

Hard by the doleful banks of Styx,  
That fowl infernal flood,  
To fill his gut, or take his prey,  
Still watching late he stood.   

Where at the last, a serpent young,  
Of Pluto's hateful kind,  
Came crawling out, which greedy gut  
Could very quickly find.   

And thinking it had been an ●ele,  
He cobde him up at ones:  
And with that pray away he flew  
And made thereof no bones.   

Which creeping in his belly, did  
To him such extreme pain,  
Till in this Field at last he light,  
Thinking there to remain.   

And forth with at his fundament,  
Put forth his for said meat,  
Thinking as he was wont with ecl●s  
The same again to eat.   

But being quick, the serpent straight,  
Did creep among the grass,  
Which long neck ●ould no more espy,  
N● yet find where she was.   

Wherefore to Styx he went again,  
And likewise swallowed more,  
And to this Field still took his flight,  
And there did let them go.   

Till he at last so many brought,  
Through this his frequent use,  
That now this Field is marred quite,  
Through most hateful abuse.   

And such a numbered of serpents  
In it do daily breed,  
Which on these herbs & pleasant grass,  
Continually do feed.   

That now it is not only robbed  
Of every pleasant flower,  
But hateful stench may there be fel●  
At every time and hour.   

And Uranie hath it forsook,  
With wholesome pleasant showers:  
And natural Astronomy,  
With all her favoroures.   

And true physic forsakes it to,  
For why, clouds infernal,  
Are daily blown from Lethe's flood  
To water it withal.   

Which causeth nothing there to grow  
But Superstition:  
Of learning pure, and science good  
The vile oblivion.   

astrology judicial.  
Therefore doth it possess:  
Which is a strumpet counterfeit.  
And yet nevertheless,   

Because some learned men to hy●  
Do cast their minds and love:  
That she is true Astronomy,  
Right many she doth move.   

And under colour of that name  
They use necromancy:  
With hateful incantations,  
And vile Geomancye.   

Of Magikes arts there are great store,  
And Augurs arte perdie:  
Foredeming as Aruspices,  
And some as Pyrethi.   

All witchcraft vile, and Sorcery,  
Of false phytonicus,  
Although they give themselves the name  
Of grave Philonicus.   

These are the fruits of phlegiae,  
Or Satan's wicked brood,  
That in this field the Heron shyu  
To ease him when he stood.   

Alas, (quoth I) hath this unclean  
And hateful bird done so:  
And nature's darling thus defa●t?  
To him Vae, Vae, woe wo.   

Then am I of my fantasy,  
And my pleasant delight:  
And wholesome recreation  
Robbed, and deprived quite.   

With hanging head, and bathfull face  
I turned back again,  
For grayberds counsel durst I no●  
Refuse or once disdain.   

But with most lowly reverence,  
With thanks and condign praise,  
I served him, when as we went  
Each one his sundry ways.   

But sorrowful sighing I,  
Went with my sorry news,  
Informing my familiar friends  
With whom I did peruse   

My study small, wherewith I do●  
My wit still occupy,  
And do with them communicate  
My mind continually.   

Of which some did sorrowfully  
With me this chance lament,  
And other some would not believe,  
But to the place they went.   

Nor would not here Theologus  
That friendly did them warn:  
But needs would go presumptuously,  
The matter to decearne.   

Which hath them so infected now,  
And that most divelyshly:  
They are content to grant it still  
To be astronomy.   

And necessary will it call,  
Though by the devils work,  
Under cloak of astronomy,  
These foul false faytors' lork●.   

So I be holp of grief (say they)  
Or find that which I lost:  
Or know my destiny to come,  
Why should I count it cost?   

God would not suffer (other said)  
Such things for to be wrought:  
If he did not allow the same,  
Or knew it to be nought.   

It is a good work (other said)  
Men to health to restore:  
Although it be by devils work,  
What need I pass therefore?   

To help a true man to his goods,  
Whereof he was depryude,  
By false thieves and vile barators,  
That wrongly it achieved.   

It can not be but a good work,  
Thus beastly men and fond,  
Do answer them that would instruct  
Or make them understand.   

Not regarding the law of God,  
Nor his commandment:  
That no ill thing ought to be dove,  
Upon a good intent.   

Also if God's permission,  
Were a lawful defence.  
So were it for all kind of sin,  
And most wicked offence.   

As whoredom, homicide and theft,  
With vile Idolatry:  
For treason, covetise, and pride,  
And most vile simony.   

May I not say, all these be good.  
Sith God doth them permit:  
As well as those whom ye defend.  
Oh men of beastly wit:   

His sufferance is to let your sin  
Unto full ripeness grow:  
That in the lake of sulphur he  
Most justly may you throw.   

And so declare his glory great  
Unto his flock elect:  
That do by grace these wicked arts  
Clean from their hearts reject.   

Their counsels all at God they ask,  
And do at him require,  
Their saving health, and he doth give  
To them their whole desire.   

For why one hear shall never fall  
From of their heads no time  
Without his will, which doth impute,  
To them no sin nor crime.   

For why they ask in lively ●ayth  
All whereof they have need:  
Which causeth them assuredly▪  
Of their purpose to speed.   

Therefore it must of force proceed,  
Of Infidelity:  
That ye at devils seek such help  
Through most vyie sorcery.   

As did king Saul that damned man,  
When God's spirit him forsook:  
When God would him no answer make  
For witchcraft 'gan he look.   

Which faithless shift, how much it did  
Him in his need avail  
Did well appear: he slew himself  
When foes did him assail.   

And so do ye yourselves declare,  
Of that same very sect:  
While ye at Satan seek your help,  
And do Gods power suspect.   

For as to devils here ye sought,  
As reprobates forlorn:  
So shall ye be his portion,  
Sith God ye have forswortie.   

Unless in time ye may repent,  
Which if it be gods will,  
He grant ye all that ye may hate,  
And shonny she this great ill.   

For though on prudent Solomon  
They father this their art:  
They are the works of wickedness,  
And of eternal smart   

The very cause: for why saint john  
As God did him reveal,  
Hath found their place to be in hell,  
Where torments are each deal.   

Confounded are these conjurers  
With conscience unclean:  
And all that unto sorcery,  
Or wicked witchcraft lean●.   

For in their art they do no doubt,  
The living God forsake:  
Cleaving to condemnation,  
And thereof hold do take.   

What need I here recite scripture,  
Sith all men well do know:  
That god so deadly doth it hate,  
That neither high nor low.   

The same may use, but that it will  
To Satan his soul give:  
Or if God's law observed were,  
Not one of them should live   

That charmers are, or conjurers,  
With witches sorcery:  
Or such as chosers are of days,  
Marking the birds that sly.   

For why the faithful that do fear  
God rightly and believe,  
Assuredly do know that no  
Such thing can once them grieve,   

And as for that Astrology,  
judicial that ye name:  
Let learned Caluine satisfy,  
All wise men of the same,   

But Physic and Astronomy,  
Alas is now the cloak,  
For every kind of treachery,  
That goodness doth revoke.   

For wicked wandering fugitives  
Or vagabonds most l●wde:  
Do now a days from shire to shyr●,  
With shifts both false and shrew●●.   

Under colour of Physic's art,  
And noble Surgery,  
D●lude the common multitude  
With shameful sorcery.   

All secret marks they will disclose,  
And things long done and passed:  
Which doth with admiration  
The people make aghast.   

In such wise, that they straight believe  
That nothing under son,  
Doth stand to hard or difficile,  
Of such men to be done.   

So that partly with Palmistry,  
Or Chyromancies gaude:  
And foolish Physiognomye,  
And wytchery that fraud.   

Unto their wicked false purpose,  
The people they allure:  
More than can any godly art,  
That perfect is and pure.   

For Bedlam bawds, & hateful whores  
This is a common shift:  
Of ruffyen thieves and murderers  
It also is the drift.   

Under such cloak their companies  
Together oft they draw:  
Free from danger of officers,  
And punishment of law.   

Alas that this might be seen to  
With justice, power, and might,  
That Uranie and Medicine,  
Again might have their right.   

That now is by extortion,  
So fraudulently kept:  
That for most true possession●rs  
The most part them accept.   

For how their Field was put them fro  
Before I have you said:  
desiring now all learned men  
In this to add their aid.   

That from the filthy fruits of hell  
It may once be purged:  
That there the right inheritors  
Again might be lodged.   

That now be fain to seek else where,  
Some wholesome place to dwell:  
Where of the wise they are accept  
And entertained well.   

Among these thoughts most troublesome,  
At last I did awake:  
Finding my body sweating sore,  
And all my sinews shake.   

Where I long time lay sighing sore,  
Thinking of this strange dream:  
wishing for some interpreter  
If any in this Realm   

Were full expert therein as was  
Ferdinand Ponzetus:  
Or Artemidor, whose surname  
Is said Daldianus.   

But as each thing doth wear by time  
So other thoughts at last,  
Abated this perplexity,  
And it began to waste.   

And I again came to myself,  
That I did shortly hear:  
The warbiing notes & song so sweet,  
Of Philomela clear.   

Which counsayld me that slothfulness  
I should from me expel:  
Wherefore I rose, and with all speed,  
I lighted a candle.   

So served my turn my tinder box,  
Which stood in my chamber:  
Then took I forth my standyshe to,  
With pen, ink, and paper.   

Where I carude forth ill favouredly  
This rough and ragged verse:  
Wherein th'effect of this my dream,  
I ●udely do rehearse.   

desiring yet my readers dear,  
To bear● it patiently:  
Sith it is but the budding flower,  
Of my poor infancy.   

Which as ripeness of knowledge grows  
I shallbe glad t'amend:  
If any man shall me inform,  
And thus I make an end.   Esay. 1●. 
When they ask council at their Gods, at their Prophets, at their soothsayers and Witches, them will I bring their counsels to nought.  Hieremie. 10. 
Ye shall not learn after the manner of the heathen, and ye shall not fear the tokens of heaven: for the heathen are afraid of such. yea all the customs and laws of the Gentiles are nothing but vanity.  Esay. 47. 
Go now to thy conjurers, and to the multitude of thy witches, whom thou hast been acquainted with all from thy youth, if they may hear thee or strengthen thee: Thou hast hitherto had many counsels of them. So let the heaven gazers & beholders of stars, come on now and deliver thee: yea and l●t them show, when these new things shall come upon thee. Behold they shallbe like straw, which if it be kyndied with fire, no man may rid it for the vehemency of the flame. And yet it giveth no synders to warm a man by, nor clear fire to sit by. Even so shall they be whom from thy youth thou hast frequented. Every one shall show thee his erroneous way, yet shall none of them defend thee.   

¶ A ditty declaring the rising and setting of the xii signs of the zodiac: one always opposite and going down at the same instant that an other riseth.  

THe Signs do rise and set  
At just instant of time,  
Each hiding himself when  
His opposyt doth climb.  
For why the Ram so soon,  
Appears not in the east,  
But straight the balance be  
Gone down then in the west.  
The Scorpion rising,  
The Bull even then doth fall:  
When twins come, the Arche●,  
On tother side the Ball  
Doth pass from us, and so  
The Crab and Goat likewise  
The Lion and the Water pot,  
Each fall when tother rise,  
The Virgin in the east,  
No sooner shows her face,  
But in West the fishes  
Them hide, and so give place,  
Thus in like order as  
One in East doth appear,  
The Opposite sign then,  
Abstaynes from tarrying here.   

Ne yet can one of them  
Declare himself so bold,  
Above the Horizon,  
His contrary behold.    

¶ A ditty made to the praise of God, by the Author, for a patient to use after health attained, who contrary to all men's expectation, was in his hands by the goodness of God cured.  
Sing this as, Of jealousy who so will hear.  

O Loving God and mighty Lord,  
My maker and my governor,  
My mouth and heart shall now accord,  
Thee to worship laud and honour.   

As Moses sung thy laud and praise,  
When through the red sea he had past,  
And Pharaoh drowned as Scripture says,  
As he pursued thy people fast.   

In many Psalms as David did  
That kingly Prophet praise thy name:  
When out of sorrows he was rid,  
He sung thy praises for the same.   

As did good king Ezechias,  
When thou didst him to health restore,  
Making him whole as erst he was,  
To live yet full fifteen years more.   

As jonas brought from point of death,  
Himself addressed by and by,  
As soon as he could draw his breath  
Thy holy name to magnify.   

And as thy Prophet Daniel,  
From lions mouth delivered,  
For joy thy praise and power did tell,  
And Darius the worshipped.   

So do I wretched sinner now,  
Having a cause as great as those,  
In this case execute my vow,  
Thy mercies great Lord to disclose.   

Thou bringest down to depth of woe,  
Such as thou mindest to correct,  
And yet thou dost not leave them so,  
But dost to knowledge them direct.   

As connyes mine, and their holes make,  
In banks where they delight to breed,  
Like order did my sickness take,  
Within my flesh so did it feed.   

Till at last I was consumed,  
And nothing left but bone and skin.  
My synncwes shrunk, my veins were fled,  
Not once possible to be seen.   

Incredible was my weakness,  
Consumed clean with pain and grief,  
But in greatest of my distress,  
Thy grace was sent to my relief.   

Wherefore while breath within my breast,  
May move, I shall thy praise declare:  
And will show forth to most and least,  
How sweet thy grace and mercies are.   

And how at need thou art hand  
To help all that in thee do trust,  
And makest us to understand.  
How faithful thou art and how just.   

My hollow caves are filled again,  
Those runnyngsores are whole and dry.  
And I in ease rid out of pain,  
In health and strength right perfectly.   

All honour praise and great glory.  
To thee therefore I still shall give:  
And will not put from memory,  
Thy grace and mercies while I live.   

But will all other folk exhort,  
By all occasions as I may:  
To trust in thee, to their comfort,  
And faithfully move them to pray.   

All honour therefore I render  
To thee God, that of might hast most,  
O Father with thy son so dear,  
And also to the holy ghost.   

As hath been is and shallbe still,  
To world of worlds for evermore,  
Where angels ever with good will,  
Do praise thee still out of their stor●.    

¶ An other ditty to the same purpose and use.  

IF any man front woe,  
And pain restored to ease,  
When grief is gone him fro,  
With sickness and disease,  
Have cause with praise,  
To laud thy name,  
And show the same,  
With thanks always.   

Then I most wretched wight,  
Of all folk most am bound,  
To cause both day and night,  
His praises to abound,  
Which at this day,  
Have had relief  
From all my grief,  
Wherein I lay.   

My pining pain and sore  
Incomparable was,  
As beasts in pain do roar,  
So did I wretch alas:  
Almost till death,  
Would me have caught,  
At me he reached,  
To stop my breath.   

For as a carcase dead,  
I lay in woe and care:  
I could not eat my bread,  
So faint was I ●nd bare:   

But now behold,  
How God my Lord,  
Hath me restored,  
A thousand fold.   

For where before his rod  
I careless was and wild,  
Forgetting my sweet God,  
With all his mercies mild  
I now am taught,  
To praise his power,  
And keep each hour  
The same in thought.   

Thus may we daily see,  
He scurgeth us for love,  
True christians to be,  
His mercy doth us move,  
And ever still,  
Doth us procure,  
Ay to endure,  
To do his will.   

Wherefore I will not cease,  
On earth here while I dwell,  
His kindness to rehearse,  
And of his mercies tell:  
And how that he,  
When hope was past,  
Yet at the last,  
Restored me.   

All godly men therefore,  
That in him hope and trust,  
Praise him with all honour,  
For he is true and just,  
And will not miss  
To help at need,  
And that with speed,  
All that are his.   

See that both day and night,  
Whether ye work or rest,  
Ye praise him for his might,  
All creatures moste and least:  
Whether ye play,  
Lie down or rise,  
Still exercise,  
His praise always.   

Whether ye sit or stand,  
Whether ye ride or go,  
On sea or on the land  
What so ever ye do.  
Whether therefore,  
Ye drink or eat  
After your meat  
And eke before   

All honour to him give,  
For he us wrought and made,  
And causeth us to live,  
Each ereature in his trade:  
And doth govern,  
As shypmayster,  
Doth guide and steer,  
His ship with stern.   

With all our might and strength,  
Let us him magnify,  
Which saveth all at length,  
That love him faithfully:  
Wherefore all thing,  
With heart and voice,  
In him rejoice,  
And this wise sing.   

Glory to the father,  
God that of might hath most,  
And to the son so dear,  
And to the holy ghost:  
As hath been y●re,  
Is and still shall  
Be over all,  
For evermore.   
Amen.   

¶ A ditty to be sung of musiciens in the morning, at their lord or master's chamber door, or else where of him to be heard.  

THe hauning day gins to glare,  
And Lucifer doth shine on high:  
And saith that Phoebus doth prepare,  
To show himself immediately.   

And the most dark tenebrous night,  
Is fain to flee and turn her back,  
Which can in no wise bbyde the light.  
But bears away her mantle black.   

Wherefore in time let us arise,  
And slothfulness do clean away:  
Doing some godly exercise,  
As servants true while it is day.   

Let us in no wise time abuse,  
Which is god's creature excellent,  
All slothful sleep let us refuse,  
To virtuous works let us be beat.   

Let us commit ourselves to Christ  
With thanks & praise him first to serve  
Which doth out deadly foes resist,  
And from all dangers us preserve.   

And then this type see that you mind,  
That like as you in night do rest:  
And in the morning yourselves find,  
Awake and ready to be breast.   

So shall our bodies sleep by death,  
And after be to life restored,  
When Christ shall come & restore breath,  
And judge us all as saith his word.   

Then meekly let us him desire,  
That it may be his blessed will,  
That we this day may well aspire,  
By grace his service to fulfil.   

So that we may do hurt to none,  
Nor of none other hurt receive  
But still be kept by Christ alone,  
That Satan never us deceive.   

But still in christian godliness,  
By grace we may ourselves prepare,  
Of all offence and wickedness,  
For to escape the net or snate.   

This grant us Lord omnipotent,  
For Christ his sake our mercy seat,  
That we may taste joys permanent,  
Before thy throne of glory great.   
Amen.   

¶ A ditty to be sung at night when men go to bed. Sing this as, In summer time when flowers 'gan spring. etc.  

Now that the day is wasted clean,  
And Phoebus doth himself absent,  
And Hesperus doth downward lean:  
And lurking night with darkness bend,   

Her mantle dark abroad to spread,  
And hide from us the welkin clear,  
The stars also are prepared,  
With glistering light now to appear.   

Therefore of force we must needs yield  
In bed to sleep and take our rest:  
Forsaking clean both street and field,  
And other works both most and least.  
Wherefore to Christ now let us call,  
In this our need us to assist,  
From dread and fear and dangers all,  
Defend our silly souls O Christ.   

O Lord defend us with thy grace,  
In this our need when we do sleep,  
Sith we are able at no space,  
Ourselves from dangers small to keep,  
O Lord that still hast waking eyes,  
And know'st no sleep nor feelest night,  
Out humble suit do not despise,  
But us defend now by thy might.   

Defend us with thy grace and power  
To help ourselves sith we ne can,  
Nor have no strength at any hour,  
The same to do so weak is man.  
O let thy power out feebleness,  
With help of grace this night supply,  
O way our myserablenes,  
And comfort us with thy mercy.   

O let us then with mind contrite  
With praise and prayer to jesus,  
Lie down to rest, and so commit  
Ourselves to him that saveth us.  
O Lord forgive us all our sin,  
And plant true faith within our breast  
And after cares that we are in,  
Let us once taste eternal rest.  
Amen.    

¶ A ditty to be sung at dinner time and meals.  
Sing this as, If truth may take no trusty hold. etc.  

AS root of tree doth of the ground,  
Take moisture named radical,  
And causeth branches to abound,  
With that he gives them over all.   

And suffereth no small twig to want,  
But naturally doth dispose  
Such as he hath plenty or scant,  
Unto the nutriment of those.   

As Nature by this industry.  
Doth cause things vegitall to grow,  
In other sort she doth apply  
On animals good to bestow.   

Among the which we men mortal,  
That form are to God's Image:  
With meat and drink nutrimental,  
We maintained are from age to age.   

The mighty maker of all things.  
His creatures leaves not destitute.  
An that they have is his giving,  
As well to man as beasts brute.   

lest therefore we appear unkind,  
Unto this God that all doth send,  
To praise his name with thankful mind  
And grateful hearts now let us bend.   

Let us not one morsel receive,  
With forgetful ingratitude:  
Lest to our own lusts god us leave,  
More wretched than brute beasts rude.   

Ne yet let us in any wise.  
Forget the needy brethren poor,  
The sick and lame do not despise,  
Nor him that goes from door to door,   

For God hath made us ministers,  
That one an others need should serve,  
Wherefore we are but murderers,  
If in our fault our neighbours starve.   

And may be to that dog compared,  
That lay upon an heap of hay.  
Spying the ox come thitherwards,  
With barking drove the same away.   

Which needs must be churly she envy  
Sith he himself no hay could eat,  
To stand at bay so frowerdly,  
And keep the poor ox from his meat.   

Let us therefore do otherwise,  
And from our bellies somewhat spare,  
In love to show some exercise,  
To brethren poor that needy are.   

For who so to the poor doth give  
Doth lend to God on usury,  
And shall receive for his relieve,  
Great gain again abundantly.   

To him therefore most gratefully,  
give honour glory thanks and praise,  
To him as one in Trinity,  
All honour be now and all ways.    

¶ An other to the same purpose.  
Sing this as, Hear out O Lord the right request. etc.  

WHen ye take food at any time,  
Your bodies to refresh with aught  
Remember Gods infinite power  
Which all hath made & formed of nought,   

Remember eke his prudent reign,  
His mercy and benignity,  
Who all his works doth aye sustain,  
And govern still continually.   

And consequently call to mind,  
His clemency and great meekness,  
Which all creatures doth feed & find,  
Yea his most foes in their distress.   

Pander also the great marvel,  
How many great gifts he ordeynes,  
Sufficient food and all victual,  
For all that this whole world contains.   

Have mind how fast we do declined,  
How apt we are still to decay,  
Which only he by power divine,  
Preserves else were we gone away.   

No man's wisdom nor angel bright,  
Were able this to take in hand,  
In any wise: or thing more light,  
The way how once to understand   

Sith of his gifts therefore we live  
Were it not cursed unkindness,  
That we due praise should him not give?  
Oh hateful vile unthankfulness.   

At thy table let soberness,  
And wisdom be with talk most chaste  
minding still his pure holiness,  
Whose gifts this time in hand thou hast   

Let bitter words and backbiting  
From thy table secluded be,  
His love to thee remembering  
Whole kindness is great towards thee.   

This place therefore contaminate,  
Not, with dispraise of any man,  
Sith thou feciste here for thine estate,  
God's favour, that no wight want can.   

Let therefore here no hate appear,  
Where God so greatly shows his love,  
But rather love thy brother dear,  
As gods great gifts here do the move.   

Lord grant us grace for evermore,  
That we thy mercies so much mind,  
That hatred our hearts may abhor,  
And never show ourselves unkind.   
Amen.   

¶ An other grace.  

ALl folk that live in lively faith,  
Confess with one accord,  
That all creatures are fed of God,  
And praise therefore the Lord.   

Lest then we show ingratitude  
And mere unthankfulness,  
By law of love grafted in our hearts,  
Let us our faith express.   

And praise the Lord for this our food  
Here present to us sent,  
And for our health which he to us  
mercifully hath lent.   

And for his word to feed our souls,  
We also ought to pray:  
So shall we never die, but live  
With God in bliss for aye.   

Through Christ his death, who in this world  
Did take our flesh therefore:  
To whom be honour, praise and laud,  
Both now and evermore.   
Amen.   

¶ A sonnet inveighing against the abuses and pride that reyg●●th among vain women.  

YE women and maids of City & country,  
Leave your lewd lightness, learn some honesty  
If an of you the truth will regard,  
Spoke with simplicity, let it be heard.   

And hear not only, but follow the same,  
Lest God discover you to your great shame.  
Remember your sins, and ruefully rue,  
Lest after this barker a biter insuc.   

In Esay the prophet there may you find,  
The plagues that for proud women God hath assigned  
The daughters of Zion (saith he in that place)  
Do trip on their toes, with counterfeit pace,   

With stretched out necks, and nice wanton ●ies  
But now will I plague them for their proud gu●se  
They would not my voice here when that I called,  
Therefore for fair hear they now shallbe bald.   

For girdles of gold, they shall have lose bands,  
Their husbands shall fall in thene●ies hands.  
Their beauty shall fade, & they shall wax done,  
Their faces shall wither, all burnt with sun.   

In stead of gay stomachers that they now wear  
They shall wear sackcloth in great dread & fear.  
Their brooches and ouches and garlands gay.  
Their partlets and pins I will take away.   

Their hooks and hedbands wherein they delight.  
Hearlace and fyllets their heads with to dight,  
Pearls & precious stones, gold wrought by man's ar●  
Gold rings & jewels, whereon was their heart.   

Their spangs & their chains, their coll●●s & hooves,  
Their vales and their glasses, & their gay gloves,  
Bonnets and taches, and slippers so thine,  
Setting forth beauty, and showing whyteskyn.   

Their smocks, their kerchers, & bracelets also,  
And every thing else I will take them fro.  
And for the sweet smell that they do now use,  
They shall have stinking that all men refuse.   

For their great riches and raiment costly,  
They shall be naked and in poverty.  
But lest ye should think this is but my mind,  
Read Esay the third, and there shall ye find.   

Whether that your life from virtue rebel,  
Or if it accord to Christ his gospel.  
For I can not think but than ye shall see,  
That ten times as proud as they were you be:   

For which ye deserve (ye can not deny)  
To be plagued ten times as much as they.  
For Christ in the Gospel plainly discussed,  
Who so doth a woman s●e, and doth he lust.   

Hath presently in adultery done sin.  
Then woe be to such as train men therein.  
For if a man's eyes to lust do him move,  
The woman doth cause it, as I can prove.   

For Christ in the gospel also doth say,  
Offences must needs be, this is no nay,  
But woe be to them, through whom they be brought,  
That is to say, such as make men do nought.   

Let women in haet then rightly record,  
If they cause not men to offend the Lord:  
Which all their whole life for nought else provide  
But paint out themselves of men to be spied.   

As men are adulterers, so are they whores,  
That these ways men's souls consumes & devours  
If they commit sin that do but desire,  
Much more do those women through their attire.   

Which curling their hear, & painting their face  
Tempt and entice men, vain love to embrace,  
To dally and dance, such women delight,  
Inventing new tricks, from morning to night:   

In pastime and play their pleasure still is,  
And all the long day to clip and kiss.  
No good will such do within or without,  
But dasse on their tail, & prick through a clout.   

And some to be small, so straineth their lace,  
That they clean deprive from colour their face  
The right course of blood, so stopping withal,  
That often they faint, and to the ground fall.   

Yet though their small waist full oft make them swoon  
Their froks must have buttocks most monstrously round  
Like dancing giants they go in the street,  
As though their hung hoops about their fine feet   

That Solomon saith right true still is it,  
That reckless women do by the way sit,  
For such as go by, they still do prepare,  
The unwise to snarl in their wicked snare.   

For women and maidens sit now adays,  
In windows and doors, their beauty to praise,  
The eyes of such women this is no nay,  
Do wound foolish men that pass by the way:   

Which is the whole cause (as seemeth to me)  
That men report of them worse than they be.  
For why the scripture doth clearly prefer,  
Our gate and behaviour to teach what we are.   

A tree by his fruit men truly shall know,  
And deeds what man is, do perfectly show.  
When such perceive men their pride to despise:  
They leave their old toys, and new tricks devise.   

The fashion is changed, but straight they will  
Have other new fangles, worse or as ill:  
When I was a obey, I now well remember,  
(Though I at that time of age were but tender)   

That women their breasts did show & lay out.  
And well was that maid whose dugs then were stout  
Which usance at first came up in the stews.  
Which men's wives and daughters after did use.   

The preachers at that, than 'gan out to cry,  
And honest men did it loath and defy:  
Wherefore they left of that foul sinful guise,  
But straight they laid down their hear to their eyes   

So as fast as god's word one sin doth blame,  
They devise other as yil as the same.  
And this variety of english solke,  
Doth cause all wise people us for to mock.   

For all discrete nations under the son,  
Do use at this day as they first begun:  
And never do change, but still do frequent,  
Their old guise, what ever fond folks do invent.   

But we here in England like fools and apes,  
Do by our vain fangles deserve mocks and japes,  
For all kind of countries do us deride,  
In no constant custom sith we abide.   

For we never know how in our array,  
We may in firm fashion steadfastly stay.  
But now to my purpose, I mind not to put,  
In no woman's head to become a slut.   

For though God to pride have given his curse,  
I 〈◊〉 slutty shenes to be much worse.  
For cleanness is virtue none can denay,  
If pride and excess be banished away.   

But change of proud raiment now daily used,  
Ought of all good women to be refused.  
This day my cassock, to morrow my frock,  
Next day my vardy gue nighest my smock.   

This day my kirtle, with partlet and gown,  
To morrow a furred cap just on my crown,  
Next day a velvet cap, or a french h●●de.  
Who can believe that such women be good?   

Some wear a chain, and some a black lace,  
And colours also to paint with their face:  
Wherewith they do make their faces to shine.  
Since god made the world such pride was near seen   

In doing of the which this is no doubt,  
The Image of God they blot and put out.  
Lo thus are they painted out to be sold,  
With many more gauds than here can be told:   

Forgetting obedience, hating God's law,  
And live with their makes, without love or awe.  
And many oppressors this day doth reign,  
That rob & pill poor men, wives to maintain.   

And fearing lest their great pride should be less,  
The poor man's cause they will never redress  
To maintain their wives that proud are & nice,  
Lewd ●ubbers sometime do rebel and rise.   

A lowie with a lord will proudly checkmate,  
And is not content with his poor estate.  
Against men of honour, the person vile.  
Proudly presumeth, woe worth the while,   

Boys against elders preferment did take,  
And at their own will would magistrates make:  
For by their apparel none can now know,  
The high estate from the most poor and low.   

Each lass like a lady is clothed in silk,  
That daily doth go to market with milk.  
Which never their port could yet maintain well.  
Unless they were whores, & their husbands steal   

Beside the undecent manner to see,  
That each one doth go in others degree,  
Vain women love not the men grave and sage,  
But rufflers that rudely ●aue can, and rage:   

Whose servant desire must always provide,  
To set forth their wives in pomp and in pride.  
For so that such women may have their will,  
They pass not although their husbdanes do spill.   

Such weep when their husbands be sick in dead,  
And turn it to laughter when they be dead.  
Wherefore such proud women are like in hell,  
To be rewarded with proud jesabel:   

Unless they repent, and shortly amend:  
Which God give them grace yet once to intend,  
That I might have cause yet once in my days:  
As much for to write to their laud and praise.   

For blessed be they that hold them content.  
With clean apparel, honest and decent,  
And women bearing of beauty the name,  
Without discrete manners joined with the same   

Solomon doth them no better allow,  
Then a gold ring in the nose of a sow.  
Therefore let old women honestly live,  
And good examples to young women give.   

That one by an others conversation,  
May learn to leave their abomination,  
That virtuous deeds in those of the City,  
May be example unto the country.   

For they of the country ever take heed,  
How they of the city do wear their weed:  
Therefore I may say, and so I say will,  
The City is first the Author of ill   

My prayer therefore shallbe day and night,  
That each part may mend and walk here aright,  
That I may report the maids of my country,  
Thanks be to God have learned honesty:  
Which God grant me grace, to see in my time,  
Thus make I an end, of this simple rhyme.    

¶ The complaint of a certain famous town for the death of an honest matron, wife to one of thinhabitants of the same, with an answer to the said complain: & in fine a general praise of all honest & virtuous women.  

Forth as I went my way of late,  
(Which was of june the xvi day)  
After my due and wont rate,  
To set my work in quiet stay:  
A sudden voice there did me fray,  
And much to muse did me constrain,  
So grievously it did complain.   

marveling then. I 'gan to say,  
What are you that do sigh and groan?  
Answer it made without delay:  
A famous town doth make this mon●,  
For such a loss as I have one:  
I think there hath in no place dwelled,  
As Christ's members have well felt.   

And why (quoth I) what is the case?  
What cause have you thus to complain?  
With grievous sighs it said alas,  
Oh cruel death full of disdain:  
Why didst thou not a while refrain?  
But like a scadell vermin still,  
Thou tak'st the good, and leav'st the ill.   

What gyrlyshe gillss, what wanton scolds,  
In me doth reign, to my great shame:  
Whom honest men that them beholds,  
Reporteth in hurt of my fame:  
Such in his rage Death will not tame,  
But modest matrons good and true,  
In all the haste he doth subdue.   

For of the best the lest of all,  
He hath not taken mannerly,  
But snatched hath the principal,  
In all my joy most cruelly,  
And turned to calamity,  
My stay, my health, and my delight,  
Which reigned in that godly wight.   

She bore such favour to the truth,  
And beneficial to the poor,  
Her goodly training up of youth:  
As maidens sober and demure,  
And honest wives some be you sure,  
To whom she was a godly light,  
And to their feet a lantern bright.   

Her good constant womanlynes,  
Her obedience in her duty,  
Her lemtie and gentleness  
Her hate of vice in like degree  
Her better sure I never see,  
Her faith was good, her life also:  
Her like there are not many ●no.   

She loved truth and godliness,  
She gave the hungry meat and drink  
She lethed vice and wickedness,  
She was without all fault I think,  
She holp the poor, and did not shrink,  
She clothed the naked and cold,  
She holp the sick many a fold.   

Thus death hath taken her away,  
That mother was of modesty:  
And none can tell the truth to say,  
The loss that I sustain thereby.  
Therefore I may well weep and cry,  
And say Alas woe worth the time,  
That brought to me this woeful crime.   

Be still thou town thus said I then,  
Beware, and hark, what I shall tell:  
Thou maynte●nest all wicked men,  
Against the good thou dost rebel,  
Yea such as preach the lords gospel.  
Therefore no doubt come is the day,  
God turns his face from thee away.   

Sith thou in time refusedst grace,  
Thou shalt be left as one confused,  
Sith thou dost wickedness embrace,  
And godliness thou hast refused:  
Before the Lord thou art accused,  
And he it is that in his wrath.  
Will take away thy friends by death.   

Therefore leave of, thus death to blame,  
And blame for it thine own offence:  
And thine inhabitants by name,   

Be of good there I say to you,  
Though I express you not by name:  
For known is your indenor true,  
To those that will set forth the same,  
So that immortal is your fame:  
Example as ye have by this  
Your sister, that departed is.   

Whose worthy praise shall never die,  
But like is to indute for ever:  
For why she lived worthily,  
And to the end she did perscuer:  
God grant us all so to endeavour,  
That we may live while we be here,  
With God in glory to appear.    

●●nen authoris.  

If any marvel, that the name  
Of town or corpse, I not rehearse:  
Hateful envy caused the same,  
Nought else kept them out of my verle.   

Hate therefore here shall have no cause  
At any person to disdain:  
Let all men flee from envies claws,  
Lest she do them some grief and pain.    

¶ An exhortation for virtuous men to perciste in virtue and to praise Christ the author of virtue, to whom be all honour and glory. Amen.  

Triplex.  
ALL virtuous men that virtue love  
in virtue still rejoice,  
and for those gifts praise Christ our lord  
with one heart mind and voice  
with one heart mind and voice.   

Contra tenor.  
ALl virtuous men that virtue love  
in virtue still rejoice,  
and for those gifts praise Christ our lord  
praise Christ our lord  
with one heart mind and voice,  
with one heart mind & voice.   

Tenor.  
ALl virtuous men that virtue love  
in vertu still rejoice,  
and for those gifts praise Christ our lord  
with one heart mind & voice  
with one heart mind and voice.   

Bassus.  
ALl virtuous men that virtue love  
in virtue still rejoice  
and for those gifts praise Christ our lord  
praise Christ our lord  
with one heart mind & voice  
with one heart mind and voice.   

For if as truth is one good thought  
Can not in us ouce grow.  
Without his grace that always doth  
his mercies to us show.   

How can there any virtuous deed  
At any time appear  
In us that are but vain and nought  
Save for his mercies dear.   

Wherefore let none of virtue boast  
As of his own pure ways,  
But mekly thank Christ for his gifts,  
And give him condign praise.   

Praise him therefore that first all made  
And form man of slime  
And doth his work most intricate  
Preserve from time to time.   

Which also when as sinful man  
By fault fell into thrall,  
Ordained Christ our saving health  
By death to heal us all.   

Immortal thanks eternal praise  
Ever now let us give  
Unto this lord of whom we are  
And of whose grace we live.   

Glory and praise for ever more.  
Therefore be to his name,  
That virtue made for men to know  
And to walk in the same.    
FINIS.   

¶ A Table after the order of the alphabet, directing the Reader by the number of the leaf to all Psalms, songs or sonnets etc. in this Book.  
AD te dominum le. 18. A birchen besom. 125 A drunken workman. 93. Against dissimulation 72. Against drunkenness and gluttony 9●. Against envy 84. Against idolatry 76. Against false dealing 87. Against flattery 102. Against necromancy, witchcraft & sorcery etc. 147 Against evil and slanderoous tongues. 95. 96. 108. 109. Against the sinful tyme. etc. 131. Against sloth. 85. Against vain apparel 119. Against unconstancy 132. Against wrath 92. 120. Age and discretion. 118. A lady had a forehead fair. 111. All arrogancy from study. 118 All comfortless lo 110. All folk that live in 165. All men that will walk 1. All they that will of envy hear 85 All virtuous men, etc. 172 anatomy of a birchen broom 125. Anger 88 92. 120. Arrogancy in students 118 As each thing hath 32 As flies oft times 120. As flies delight 120. As he that would 36. As I did sit & muse 107 As in our straits of need 20. As profit by lying. 16. 119 As root of tree doth. 163. As the Grape bearyng● vine 120. Avarice 86. 114 A voice from heaven to you shall come 81 
B  Beatus vir qui timet 26 Behold it is a joyful thing 101. Benedican dominum. 20 Benedicite omnia opera. 53. Benedictus dominus 45 Be not over thy wife jealous. etc. 38. Blame not my lute etc. 74 Blessed be thou. etc. 52 Blessed now be. etc. 45 Brotherly love and unity. 100 Busy meddlers 116. By climbing high. etc. 117. 
C  Charity. 9 Chose them for no friends etc. 120. commodities are not without discommodities 107 Complaint of a town 169 Constant mind 115. Constant temperance 119. Credo in deum etc. 43. 
D  deliver me O lord etc. 35 De profund is clamavi 31 Description of avarice 86 Description of dignity or true nobleness 124 Deus in nomine tuo 23 Dignity 124 Directly who so now will walk 71. Dream 135. Drunkenness 93 Dulce bellum inexpertis. 120. 
E  EGo dixi in dimidio dierum 61 Envy 85 Eripe me domine 35 Errors of the multitude 119 Evil tongues 96. Evening song 162. Every good phisitien etc. 22 Exaltabo te deus. 36. Examine well thin inward spirit. etc. 114. Examples great were. 116 Exhortation to wrathful men. 88 Exhortation to brotherly love 100 
F  False dealing 87. False weights and measures 104. Faith 3. 114. faith and virtue 114. Flattery and falsehood 102. Flattery and slander 115. Folly and wisdom in governance 113. Form fyllets and deformed foreheads. 121. Forth as I went my way of late 169. Fortune. 116. Friends. 120 Friendship 115. From care of heart etc. 31. From Egypt land when Israel 29. From out the ram. 148. 
G  Garments of profit. 119 Glory 117. Gluttony 93. Godly love 9 Godly wisdom 12 Grace 117. Graces at meals 163 164 
H  Health of body for to procure 115. Hear out O Lord, the right request 100 Honour as Tully do the wisely repeat 117. Hope 6. 106. Hope the medicine against dreadful despair 6 
I  I am thy Lord and God etc. 4● I am the man whom God etc. 65. I do believe with steadfast trust. 43. Idolatry 76. 94. jealousy 38. If any man from woe. etc. 160. If I shall enterprise to make. etc. 3. If thou a noble man wilt know. etc. 124. If truth may take no trusty hold. etc. 102. If unto us poor mortal men. 29. If wrath were painted out. etc. ●8. I heard a preacher once declare. etc., 23. Inconstancy of the multitude. 115. In exitu Israel de Aegypto. etc. 29. In frendeshpp true there surely is 115. Inhumanity. 119. In my trouble & pain 70 In sadness set with woe oppressed 95. In Summer time when flowers 'gan spring 72 In three things it doth well appear 117 In trouble and in pain. 70 Invention of the mind. etc. 116. Is it not time that sin etc. 132. I will unto the lord, 20 
K  King David knowing well 27 
L  Laudate pueri etc. 27 Lechery. 93 Let heaven hark & earth give care. 78 Let now thy power be great oh lord. 55 Like as certain, etc. 106 Like as the fouler, etc. 93 Like as the lark within the marlions' foot. 108 Like as the vine that flourisheth, etc. 120 Lodovicus vives in 119 Lord god that in the heavens high. 56 love. 9 
M  Mag●ificat anima. 44 Man's life. 114 Ma●●r of perfect prayer. 40 Mark & give care. 8● Marvel not though, 114 marvelous dream. 135 Monstrous child, 126 Morning song. 161 My heart constreynes my mouth to tell. 104 My loving friend. 51 My lute awake. 76 My pen obey my will. 87 My soul truly. 44 
N  Nobility. 124 Non nobis domine. 30 Not unto us lord not unto us. 30 Now that the day is wasted clean. 16● Nunc dimittis. 47 
O  Of charity or godly. etc. 9 Nf great rudeness it is. etc. 119 Of jealousy who so will hear. 38 Of this vile world. 117 O God I call to thee, 2● O god of might. 49 O god that art mine only king. 36 O hark a while, 103 O lord god y● art, etc. 57 O lord I shall be whole in deed. 64 O lord I thee desire. 60 O lord our god for ever more. 56 O lord that art our only god. 42 O lord two things I thee require. 60 O loving god and mighty lord. 158 O lord our god we turn to thee 69 O Lord thou haste corrected me 64 O man amend 81 O monstrous saty●● 130 Once as we sat in Babylo● 33 On tabrets to the lor●● 58 O plague possessed with mortal might. 97 On't of my mother's womb 59 O who will give my head 62 O ye works all. 53 
P  Pater noster. 42 Perform O pen 79 Poesis. 147 Praise of faith 3 Praise of godly love or charity 9 Praise of godly wisdom 12 Praise of hope. 6 Praise of virtue 1 Pride ●3 Pride of women 168 
R  Read who so will in wise writing 115 Reason would that in etc. 116. Rejoice in him that did thee make 114 Remember well ye men mortal 109 Reverence to age 118 Respect ever and have regard 116 Ry●e in this life is rude report. 115 
S  Solomon saith a sole. etc. 92 Saint Bernardsaith etc. 86 slanderoous tongues. 95 96. 108. Self love 114 Sentences of the wise 121 122. 123. 124. Sith in this world 31. Sith monsters as some etc. 146 Sith nothing can be sure 97 sometime that I have seen 94 Steadfast hope 106 Such good Historiographers 25 Superflumina Babilonis 33 
T  Tale bearers 118 Te decet hymnus deus in Zion 24 Te deum laudam●s. 49 Temperance 117 The angry man. 120 The dawning d●● begins to glare 11● The first mover from east to west. 127 The holy man S. Cyprian 118 The living God our only lord 47  The