Authoris in auxilium invocatio.  
YE sacred nymphs whose steps do trace  
with fleers too and fro,  
Ye sisters fair whose princely grace  
to bathing Fountes do go.  
Assist and aid the slender mind,  
whose earnest will is bend  
By painful toil to him assign  
your fancy to content.  
Minerva's Lamp, dame Pallas clear,  
or Triton's touch stone true  
Exile from breast all childish fear,  
with wisdom me endue.  
To breath and blast in thundering verse,  
such dainties as be rare,  
Or iunckets fine, such to rehearse,  
as Stewards few prepare.  
Condect with pearl, adorned with stone,  
environed with Gold:  
Ablasing Glass to look upon,  
or pleasant to behold.  
Direct Thalia quivering quill,  
Sicelides come me  
Ye ternall sisters (if ye will,)  
assist me to reply.  
Guide trembling joints, guide fancy free,  
to show her simple skill,  
And Phoebus' chief help speedily,  
my promise to fulfil.  
So shall I pass, this toiling clog,  
and finish your desire,  
So shall I scape the loathsome log,  
and unto joys aspire.  
Come near, we yield to thy request,  
〈◊〉 granted shall it be.  
I thank ye dames that your behest,  
vouchsafes to pleasure me.  
I greet you all farewell a while,  
I thank you everyone,  
This friendly Banquet to compile,  
myself shall take upon.  
FINIS.   

Demosthenes the Master of the Banquet, Sosia his Steward.  
FRiend Sosia listen and attend,  
what news I shall relate,  
To this my phrase this audit tend,  
and mark thereof the state.  
I have decreed for to convive,  
the muses every one,  
With dainty meats, but first I'll shrive  
myself to thee alone.  
I walking through the prate or green,  
of Helicone that spring,  
These Lanterns bright did view a queen,  
her mate a princely King.  
He decked with flamed shining beams,  
or brightness of the Sun,  
And from her eyes large silver streams,  
supposed were to run.  
The Queen the regal King did call,  
and termed him, Phoebus' bright,  
And after them ensued all,  
the muses to my sight.  
Sicelides did formest trace,  
their robes as green as grass,  
And next Pyerides took place,  
as clear as crystal glass.  
Sicelides their scutchins bare,  
upon their humers hie,  
Which wisdom seemed to declare,  
surmounting starry sky.  
Aetherion Globes or circuits round,  
Pyerides did hold,  
Containing sciences profound,  
be set with glistering Gold.  
These sights delighted much my mind,  
so that I greedy was,  
With serious toil the place to find,  
through which their feet did pass.  
In dumps I tended to and fro,  
the semits were obscure  
Yet last I pressed for to go,  
where fancy did procure.  
And Fancy Fancy like did lead,  
to complish her request,  
And brought me strait unto a bed,  
where I did seem to rest:  
So decked with pleasant Odours sweet,  
a pleasure for to smell,  
That sure I did suppose it meet,  
a season their to dwell.  
Thus sanune yielding to delight,  
I fell in slombring sleep,  
And waking, dames with Torches bright,  
my corpse did charyly keep.  
The one a fading Rose did bear,  
dame heautie was her name:  
The other Fortune as you hear,  
a blind and fickle dame  
With that in Trance my spirits were gast  
and Torchlight did amaze  
My lively senses almost past,  
that staring I did gaze,  
Scarce breathing breathless was my heart,  
and grief did so assail,  
That sure I doubted pinching dart,  
against me should avail,  
Then of a sudden, beauty's Rose,  
was faded to the stalk,  
And Lady Fortune, with her gloze,  
constrained was to walk.  

O formose puer, numum ne crede colori. Cicero. pares cum paribus facilime congregantur. Alias, Similes habent labra lactucas.  For on the wale fair written was,  
that beauty is but vain,  
Which adage as it came to pass,  
made beauty to reframe.  
Than likewise in an other place,  
dame Fortune was defined:  
With nipping cuts for to deface,  
her pomp and lofty mind.  
Ensculpted brief, if that the blind,  
the blind do seem to lead,  
The proverb true needs must I find,  
more fools are brought to bed.  
Thus winding not from midst my thrall,  
wherein I cheyned was,  
Into a princely court or hall,  
by wandering, I did pass:  
The roof whereof was ivory bone,  
the pillars beaten Gold,  
The windows decked with pearl & stone,  
full costly to behold.  
In midst whereof a Bath did spring,  
which did my heart inflame,  
So rather that than any thing,  
I would have taste the same.  
Thus still desire did press to prove,  
the thing it would attain,  
And eke my greedy mind did moon,  
therein to take some pain.  
I fainted like a feeble hound,  
and coveted to drink,  
But yet the liquors did rebound,  
when lips were at the brink.  
Like Tantalus I had despair,  
which lives in doleful pain,  
Who when the waters proch him fair,  
they ebb as fast again.  
Thus gazing sometime here and there,  

Chastitas, Sapientia, Scientia.  in midst of all my grief,  
Three Nymphs of sudden did appear,  
which did me much relief.  Sosia. 
My Leech if this be manifest,  
which you protest as true,  
I wonder much how you were blessed,  
such wondrous sights to view,  
Spied you in midst of Crystal stream,  
three Ladies passing glee?  
I doubt your worship did but dream,  
effigies such to see.  Demost. 
If Titan's Chariot chase the sky,  
throughout Aurora's race,  
Then this as true none can deny,  
I was in present place.  Sosia. 
Then by request might boldness crave,  
a pardon at your hand,  
With smiling face, & countenance grave,  
their names to understand.  Demost. 
Relation made approach me nigh,  
I grant to thy request,  
And final thus I do reply,  
because I love thee best.  
Dame Sapience, first, them chasted Queen,  
possessed the second rain,  
And Lady Science to be seen,  
last peared very plain,  
Each offered me a precious gift,  
most wondrous to behold,  
But Science one my head did lift,  
a crown of perfect Gold  
This done such music did abound,  
as gast my senses all.  
So that incontinent to ground,  
in Trance my corpse did fall.  
Then at the latter pinch and ebb,  
of this my mortal life,  
When sisters black had shred my web,  
I longed for a wife.  
The Muses hearing this my moan,  
consented unto me  
That verdict given of every one,  
strait wedded should I be,  
Then, who could like me should me have,  
and whom I lykt again,  
This they decreed, to keep from grave,  
the body nigh hand slain.  
These golden darlings marked me well,  
with fired eyes so rife,  
And pointed Science last to dwell  
with me, for term of life  
Content was pleased, she gave her troth,  
I coupled faith and hand,  
That while the air did feed us both,  
her husband would I stand.  
Then lead we were in sacred wise,  
into the Temple sweet,  
Where Vesta by her wont guise,  
did hath our tender feet.  
Thus were we married, know the case  
and this take by the way,  
My wedding Banquet in this place,  
I purpose here to day:  
Therefore such Cates as costly be,  
I charge thee to prepare,  
And thus much more attend to me,  
three dainty dishes rare.  Sosia. 
far fet they say and dearly bought,  
fine daintrels doth delight,  
Now every corner must be sought,  
to please their appetite  
I run, I trace, I fiske and jette,  
I range from street, to street  
To kill with Hawk, or catch with neat,  
such wild foul as I meet.  
Trudge Sosia, trudge, festine with speed,  
thy pillars do prepare,  
But Lixa, see the hounds ye feed,  
against we course the Hare.  
I know not I, what Cates to buy,  
for dainties common be  
Such divers meats, unfeignedly,  
as serveth each degree.  Demost. 
I pray thee zealously my friend,  
search out the very best,  
For péerles dames I do intend,  
shall be my pointed gest.  
Both Phessaunt, Plover, Lark, & Quail,  
with Rabbit, Succours young,  
Of dainties these let me not fail,  
with other rares among.  
As Marchpaine, Cheese & Ginger green,  
with sucket pleasant sweet,  
Blauncht Almonds, as in court is seen,  
for princely Ladies, meet.  
Stewed Proynes, conserve of Cherries red,  
Pears, Biscuits, Sugar fine,  
With nectar dulce, since I am wed,  
by voice of Muses nine,  Sosia. 
What junkets call ye these I pray,  
no dainties can they seem,  
For vulgar sort from day to day,  
as common them esteem.  
They serve as food for to sustain,  
the hungry corpse withal,  
So that the Nymphs from them refrain,  
as we refrain from gall.  
For sacred powers of starry sky,  
their natures do consist,  
Naving at pleasure pleasantly,  
to hath them where they list.  
And sequent then for to conclude,  
if they be souls above,  
What white their favours to delude,  
with earthly Cates would prove,  
Therefore endeavour to invent,  
by cunning art and skill,  
Some dainty dish incontinent,  
thy promise to fulfil.  
For noughts availeth to provide  
great things of small effect,  
Stay, stop therefore, pause and abide,  
this zealous zeal reject.  Demost. 
Thy judgement soundeth to the ear,  
with reason firm in deed,  
And therefore greedy more to hear,  
I pray thee to proceed.  Sosia. 
Where foolish judgement rooteth deep,  
and fondness beareth fruit:  
There witless will is brought a sleep,  
by fancies feeble suit.  

Sus Miveruam.  And then the proverbs proof is found.  
Sus doth Mineruam teach,  
Therefore with bended knee to ground,  
grant pardon learned leech.  
For what I would, I can not say,  
and what I can, I may not,  
Therefore without longer delay,  
proceed with speed and stay not.  Demost. 
Why licence frank is granted free,  
let pardon thee suffice,  
Set dread a part, and show to me,  
the sprigs of thy devise.  Sosia. 
Where ignorance doth lead the rout,  
and guide the ensign free:  
There oftentimes it comes about,  
that bloody fields we see.  
And therefore as you pardon grant,  
so pardon I request,  
He is unwise that seems to vaunt,  
on that he knoweth least.  
For wisdoms loare to take in hand,  
for Cooks it is unfit,  
And wisemen as you understand,  
will know before they knit.  Demost. 
Then tratting need constrains to way,  
a salve with posting speed:  
Hark, Sosia mark this present day,  
I pray thee to proceed.  
Unto my place, consisting still,  
mention for to frame  
Whereby I may complete my will,  
and bring about the same.  
And I shall to the Temple hie,  
the muses to implore  
To aid my wracked fantasy,  
that then I might adore.  Sosia. 
Thy servants will is ready bent,  
to grant to thy desire:  
Behold progresses do relent,  
and homeward I retire.  Demost. 
Adieu, farewell, farewell, adieu,  
Valeto Sofia mi,  
Adieu, adieu, my friend so true  
thy busenesse do appli.  Sosia. 
Farewell, in this though I be blind,  
yet I may draw my bow,  
In such a sort to please thy mind,  
and kill the crafty Crow.  
Exit Sosia.   

Demosthenes' quaerimonia.  Demost. 
Where ebbs, and flows of painful grief  
in seely ship did toss  
Of late my ghost, now misbelief  
defines mine endless loss.  
In thraldoms thore (I) rule the roast,  
in fluctes of blissless woe,  
A pillar or a propping post,  
my pleasure I forego.  
Yet though my fancy nought can vail,  
nought trickling tears do show,  
But when that wilful cares assail,  
I catch the overthrow.  
Therefore since nothing is so dure,  
but labour can attain,  
As Poems do my breast assure,  
I mind to take the pain.  
And this I know he is unmeet,  
that will not taste the sour,  
To be a guster of the sweet,  
in moment of an hour.  Scientia. Chastitas & Sapientia. 
Dear spouse, what senseless rage doth bind,  
thy wits in such a maze?  
Or else what fogs of misty mind,  
do cause thee thus to gaze?  Demost. 
Dear dame, whose virtues manifold,  
do penetrate the sky,  
To view thy glistering eyes of Gold,  
no man so glad as I.  
As Science once, embrace, embrace,  
with stretched arms thy dear,  
And then he will define the case,  
of this his heavy cheer.  Scientia. 
Science is bound to yield by right,  
unto her friendly Lord,  
And therefore see, with all my might,  
to this I do accord,  
Disclose therefore, thy secrets all,  
take time while time may be,  

Meridies.  For Phoebus' mean doth nigh hand call,  
provision for to see.  Demost. 
Provision that, needs must I wail,  
to think upon the same,  
For all my senses do me fail,  
when dainties you do name.  
Where shall I find, a dainty dish?  
where shall I any buy?  
For dainties none of flesh nor fish,  
in all the world I spy.  Sapience. 
Great store, and plenteous plenty is  
contained every where,  
Rejoice therefore we will not miss,  
approach dame Wisdom near.  Demost. 
O blissful Nymph, O Lamp of trust,  
O glistering Diamond bright,  
In whom I hope and ever must,  
the perfect Lantern light.  
I thank thee thrice and ten times thrice,  
I grate thee evermore,  
That wisdom thine, through thy devise,  
hath salude my present sore,  Chastity. 
Where Science knits a perfect knot,  
there Sapience taketh place,  
And chasted life devoid of spot,  
doth govern all the race.  
The sincere path, the rule of life  
by me prescribed is,  
The comforte-true of man or wife,  
the endless state of bliss.  
But briefly show what grievous sore,  
doth pester in thy mind,  
That transingly still more and more,  
no sistaunce thou dost find:  Demost. 
Consider jewels precious dear,  
my purpose and intent,  
Is to convive, attend and hear,  
the Muses with assent.  
And Cates delicious to provide,  
I think it very fit,  
But more I seek, the more as wide,  
the mark I can not hit.  Sapience. 
Learn well & mark, print in thy mind,  
what Juvenal doth wright,  

Juvenal. Rara avis in terris, nigroque simillima Cygno.  By friendship true which rare I find,  
as nigred Swaunne to sight.  
And this, examples do approve,  
yet one I will declare,  
As principal somewhat to move,  
thy clogged breast with care.  
In friendship fraud is this ye know,  
for Pompey was a friend,  
And Fraud gave Caesar such a blow,  
that Friendship had no end.  
For rattling speech with great disdain,  
did frame such sore debate,  
That where as love was wont to reign,  
ensued deadly hate.  
With roaring rage the Cannon's rent,  
and Martial feats to try,  
Betwixt them both they did convent,  
in twinkling of an eye.  
Here Pompey led his valiant host,  
here marched he a main,  
There valiant Caesar seemed to boast,  
himself with all his train.  
Here Pompey gave the onset free,  
him Caesar did withstand,  
Here julius was constrained to flee,  
himself with all his band.  
Pompeius' followed for a space,  
and then did back retire,  
Reporting that a boy to chase,  
was last he did desire.  
When Pompey thought he had the best,  
and doubted nought at all,  
Then Caesar as a saucy gest,  
for bloody war did call.  
His ensign boldly to display,  
he priest with spear and shield,  
Bestowing in a comely ray,  
his army in the field.  
Of haughty mind, of courage stout,  
of stomach stiff and bold,  
By whom his soldiers had no doubt,  
the conquest for to hold.  
When word came to Pompeius' ear,  
how every case did stand,  
With lively hope devoid of fear,  
he took his charge in hand.  
As manly as Beterophon,  
fierce Caesar's might to try,  
A Knight in stole Armigeron,  
on him to live or die.  
The Trumpets sounded out full shrill,  
the onset was begun,  
No word was there but slay and kill,  
from morn till glead of Sun.  
Pompeius' feet began to fail,  
his knees to earth did bend,  
Yet valiantly he did not quail,  
but forward bid to tend.  
Declaring that the ground did quake,  
friendly his manhood to salute,  
And questing them to take,  
the words he did impute.  
The soldiers greedy of their prey,  
set all at-sire and seven,  
And fought so cruel that same day,  
the strokes did sound to Heaven  
The vewers of this dreadful fight  
compared it to be,  
Coequal to the clipsed sight,  
that in the ail we see.  
But fickle Fortune changed at last,  
by turning of her wheel,  
Pompeius' state, that now aghast,  
compelled he was to reel.  
To him, whom once he did restore,  
exiled from his reign,  
That now with sceptre in his Thore,  
he bore the sway again.  
This prince as soon as he did see  
Pompeius once his friend,  
For friendship his did strait decree,  
of him to make an end.  
But first in courteous sort and skill,  
he friendly did him greet,  
And for to cloak his spiteful will,  
he met him in the street,  
Then feasting him with roast meat free,  
he beat him with the Spit,  
And sent him forth most judasly,  
as he supposed fit.  
To show him pleasure to his pain,  
as it did well appear,  
For on the water he was slain,  
which murdering did not fear,  
And strait presented for a gift,  
to Caesar, Pompeius' head,  
Thus fickle Fortune drive the drift,  
that change of choice did lead.  
Here friendship fléeted by disdain,  
for Pompey proved true,  
Which for his trust mess full plain,  
bad fading life adieu.  
And whom he counted lest his foe,  
and for his chiefest friend,  
By wilful hap it chanced so,  
did kill him in the end.  

ovidius. En ego, non paucis quondam munitus amicis: Dum slavit velis aura secunda meis: ut fera nymboso tumueruut aequora vento: In medijs lacera puppe relinquor aquis.  And Ovid saith if riches flow,  
and honour thou obtain,  
So long the wind with thee will blow,  
and friends to thee remain,  
But when the day is overcast,  
with clouds from Fortune's throne,  
Then will false friends from thee flee fast,  
and leave thee all alone.  
Therrfore a dainty dish it is,  
a trusty wight to find,  
Which in a tempest will not miss,  
to prove to the full kind,  
True, Lodowick sleeps in tomb of stone,  
his carcase wrapped in lead,  
And Alexander true is gone,  
subject to earthly bed,  
Now counterfeits, which friendly bear,  
two faces in one hood,  
With cloaks dissembling do appear,  
to suck our friendly blood.  
In stead of love, there hatred grows,  
where truth should take a place,  
Their sweltering waves & scourges flow,  
of spitful Fortune's face.  
The strongest Oak is seldom sure,  
and soon overthrown,  
The friend which friendly did endure,  
at last away is blown.  
The brother pareth for to gloze,  
his brother to beguile,  
And friends are changed oft to foes,  
within a little while.  
Thus therefore for because I know,  
and likewise plainly see  
Thy Banquet thin, I will bestow  
this dainty dish on thee.  
That seek abroad and seldom find,  
a trusty friend in deed,  
To whom thou mayest declare thy mind,  
when time requireth need.  Demost. 
Of dainties all I must consent,  
this dainty for to be,  
For friendship's Bow is seldom bend,  
the proof we daily see.  
I thank thee Sapience from the heart,  
if it lie in my lot,  
Thy gentleness which heals my smart,  
shall never be forgot.  Sapientia, 
And I do muse what diligence,  
as children do bestow,  
Their parents for to recompense,  
with honour that they owe.  
For duty due, is fled away,  
and humbleness is gone,  
And true obedience at this day,  
is colder than the stone.  
Unbridled youth, hath no delight,  
dame Virtue to embrace,  
But still endeavour with their might,  
her branches to deface.  
Go view abroad in every coast.  
and seem a child to train  
In Godly life, and all is lost,  
within a year or twain.  
As Ploughmen rude they do prepare,  
king Nero's seed to sow,  
Whose deuslish fancy had the care,  
his mother's womb to know.  
And trained her even as the sheep,  
are trained to their bain,  
Who falling in a slombring sleep,  
with bloody knife was slain.  
For Nero slit her secret womb,  
to see if he could spy,  
The tender cell, or chatrie Tomb,  
where he was wont to lie.  
Such small regard had he unto,  
his tender mother's breast,  
That beastly nature made him do,  
the thing she doubted least.  
Even like I say at present stint,  
the world is never other,  
So that the children's breast as flint,  
is stony to the mother.  
For when the parents taking pain,  
at last do wax full old,  
The children wish to have them slain,  
that they might have their Gold.  
Now plain deceit, hath chose a seat,  
now falsehood rules the land,  
Now love is cold, now children threat,  
their parents to withstand,  
How many buds of humane seed,  
how many sons remain,  
That will about their fairs proceed,  
to cause their father's gain?  
Nay every man is fully bend,  
his proper Chests to fill,  
So that they care not with assent,  
if that their father spill.  
Where spring the branches of the tree,  
where Isaac was the root?  
Where shall you find a simile  
to set by him his foot.  
If any answer in this case,  
then nusquàm he must say,  
For well I know that Phoebus' face,  
doth foster none to day.  
For pliant was he at a beck,  
and ready at a call,  
To take a Faggot one his neck,  
to sacrifice withal.  
And when as Abraham did declare,  
how Isaac needs must die,  
Most willingly he did prepare,  
and would hint not deny.  
But patiently he took the cross,  
and kneeled on his knee,  
believing that this mortal loss,  
was but a fond decree.  
What children now would pleased be,  
if this you should request?  
Or who would yield so quietly,  
to grant to your behest?  
They be not borne, nor live by bread,  
throughout the world I see,  
That covet rather to be dead,  
than leave this worldly glee.  
Then farther to the whole effect,  
and search the pithy style,  
And tell me if you do respect,  
what news within a while.  
He was obedient, in so much  
his parents did him show,  
The doctrine pure, of Scriptures such,  
whereby the Lord we know,  
They framed his steps to virtues trace,  
they learned him how to knit,  
The perfect web, of heavenly grace,  
they ruled him with a bit.  
They made him to suppress desire,  
his tongue they sought to iame,  
Because of little sparked of fire,  
proceedeth forth a flame.  
They kept with rod of wisdoms school,  
his childhood in such awe,  
That carnal blindness waxed tool,  
so well he knew the law.  
They did discharge their duties right,  
they let him not to stray,  
But caused him with an humble sprite,  
to wander day by day.  
His oaths were nay, his swearing ye,  
adherent to the word,  
His dealing was from craft full free,  
as scriptures do accord.  Demost. 
Why? then by this you seem to prove,  
faultless the child to be.  Science 
Not so but fancy did me move,  
both faults to let thee see.  
For if the Colt might seem to range,  
and never to be broken,  
The Bit and Bridle would be strange,  
this is a certain token.  
And therefore since that every man,  
is faulty, think no less,  
But that the child, do what he can,  
is but a sinful guess.  

Omni morbo paratur medicina,  Yet if the wound were near so sore,  
a salve is to be found,  
Which though it fester more and more,  
at last will make it sound.  
But where as sufferance seems to reign,  
all for a little ease,  
Their strait ensueth grievous pain,  
the former grief to pease.  
As proof by this we have in hand,  
thy fancy to suffice,  
Where parents will not understand,  
their children's wicked guise.  
But if they once begin to grow,  
in ripenesss of their sin,  
Though they their wicked haunt do know,  
they maintain them therein.  
That ripe, soon rotten when they be,  
then fadeth duty due,  
So that their folly as ye see,  
doth cause themselves to rue.  
And therefore, should they put in ure,  
the wiseman's saying mild,  
So long as breath doth life procure,  
let chastment rule the child,  
For duty slips, a good cause why,  
the parents make and mar,  
So that this virtue certainly  
must needs be absent far.  
Thus what by tutors fondness blind,  
and nature of the sprig,  
The humble branches stark I find  
unplyant is the twig.  
Therefore this dainty for a dish,  
of right thou mayst prepare,  
For which a man may often wish,  
but is reperted rare,  
As much to say, obedience flame,  
and inward heat is cold,  
So that an humble child by name,  
no man can once behold.  
For fancy leads their thoughts astray,  
and wilful will is bend,  
The righteous children for to play,  
with prodigal assent.  
That is as long as any note,  
of virtue doth remain,  
They lash and lavish all a float  
till it be gone again.  
The path that joseph walked in,  
is not for them to walk,  
For why, their virtues very thin,  
are faded to the stalk.  
Abromnicio pleads their case,  
with sanguine sword in hand,  
A justice diet in common place,  
all goodness to withstand.  
Thus pilgrim like, their race they run,  
to no good point at all,  
But as the Wax against the Sun,  
doth melt away, they fall.  
That seldom sure or not at all,  
an humble child to find,  
A man may travail where he shall,  
let this content thy mind.  
And serve this for a second mess,  
which I to thee assign,  
Because thou dost pretend as guess,  
to feast the Muses nine.  Demost. 
What joys unto my breast aspire?  
what gladness now doth reign?  
Her speech hath set my heart one fire,  
her talk hath rid my pain.  
A dainty dish it is in deed,  
a service hard to see,  
Where as the child doth render meed,  
with lowly bended knee,  
Unto his ancient father's head,  
where silver hairs do grow,  
For children now are better fed,  
than taught, fulwell I know.  
Doth not experience flac define  
the Nurse constrained to bow?  
Unto her Cradle oftentime,  
Which right doth not allow.  
Yes, right is wrong, and wrong is right,  
unkindness cloak is kind,  
The light is dark and darkness light,  
the eyes that see be blind.  
Thus dainty twain I have, but yet  
the third is to be sought,  
Which, if that I could seem to get,  
full soon it should be bought.  Chastity. 
Neither can Gold attain the same,  
but serious pain and roil,  
Nor princely money bear the name,  
without a fervent broil.  
For coin herein doth nought prevail,  
I mean in wisdoms lore,  
The scaling of the walls t'assail,  
where Science keeps the door.  
And therefore since as Author's old,  
when they prepare to write,  
Their learned Tables do unfold,  
whereby they should indite.  
Not otherwise by course I will  
if thou with heed attend,  
Endeavour with a simple skill,  
the third dish for to end.  
I maze and muse, in what degree,  
as trusty wives do stand,  
For well I spy, and plainly see,  
few faithful in the land.  
They love a while, the proverb old  
to them may be replied,  
Their love so hot is quickly cold,  
it can not be denied.  
Where resteth faithful Sara now,  
where is Rebecca pure,  
Whose bended knees full oft did bow,  
her husband's grief to cure?  
Where is Joachim's faithful wife,  
Susanna called by name,  
Of whom dame virtues branches rife,  
did work a worthy fame.  
First Sara's purpose and intent,  
to God was to accord:  
And secondly with one assent,  
to please her faithful Lord.  
Rebecca, sought by chary charge,  
her husbands quiet ease,  
And wrought all means for to enlarge,  
a salve his ire to pease.  
susanna's care was firmly cast,  
her chasted vow to keep,  
Despising every carnal blast,  
that lulled the soul a sleep.  
For when the elders did conspire,  
their pleasure blind to have,  
By filthy lust of fleshly fire.  
which made them so to rave.  
That proching me, her hathing place,  
unto her they did run,  
With flattering style, and crafty face,  
their purpose to have done.  
The beams of grace did so inspire,  
her worthy chasted mind,  
That crackling sparks of fond desire,  
her soul could never blind.  
She rather choosed for to die,  
to please their sinful lust,  
Than to consent most toruedly,  
to break her promise just,  
Lo here the fruit of faithful state,  
lo, here both trust and hope,  
Lo, here dame virtue with her mate,  
doth seem to tend her scope.  
Doth present time the like declare,  
are women now so true,  
Unto their faith to have a care,  
and eke their duty due?  
Nay faith is fled, nay faith is dead,  
nay faith is laid full low,  
For every wight, with urgent spite,  
gives faith the overthrow.  
Now Venus doth her banquets make,  
and lust with painted book.  
Proceeds herein the pains to take,  
her darlings names to look,  
Then first approacheth to his hand,  
the married female knot,  
And nigh to her there seems to stand,  
the Maiden's crazed pot.  
So that as guider of this ray,  
the harlot Pride is chiéfe,  
And Venus as a rector stay,  
doth aid them with relief.  
Then Cupid with his bended Bow,  
dischargeth forth his dart,  
Upon those vessels weak and low,  
that taketh Venus' part.  
Thus wives do range in woeful sort,  
thus snarring they do jar,  
In leaving of their Thalame sport,  
to hunt the For a far.  
I will not say that all their might  
doth give their bodies free,  
In leaving of the perfect light,  
Of Venus' court to be.  
For I their Odours so do smell,  
that needs I must suppose,  
Their filthy shape, with her to dwell,  
that virtue doth repose.  
of wedlock many break the hand,  
that linked is so fast,  
Shall we, say they, as trusty stand  
to one while life doth last.  
Not so, and why because that shame,  
is chasced from their mind,  
That shameless like their chasted name,  
they dim, and mussel blind.  
Or at the least if Venus' net,  
their fancy can not move,  
They do endeavour for to get,  
a salve for their behove.  
That is the Pehens proud to play,  
the victory to obtain,  
By which they hope an other day,  
their husbands to disdain.  
With chafing broil, and chiding checks,  
they do endeavour still,  
To clog and yoke their marits necks,  
that they might have their will.  
For one word twain, for two words three,  
they practise and intend,  
And all is for the mastery  
to purchase in the end.  
Thus as the old Cock oft doth crow,  
the Cockzill learns apace,  
With notes full shrill his voice to show,  
in every meeting place.  
For damsels deck their hearts with pride,  
and vaunt themselves so high,  
That all their care one every side,  
is virtue to deny.  
They make a gibe, and jesting stock,  
at such as do despise  
Their wicked facts, they groin and mock,  
at every good devise.  
For if their chasted life bear sway,  
till twenty years be past,  
Or one and twenty and a day,  
that number is the last,  
For banquets then of Venus' kind,  
they covet to attain,  
Then Virgin's Lamp is strucken blind,  
and chastity is slain.  
Thus wives be masters as ye see,  
and masters made the foot,  
So as before for victory,  
to strive it is no boot.  
Here as the rest hath given to thee,  
a dainty dish, so I  
To please thy fainting fantasy,  
the third will not deny.  
That seek to find a trusty wife,  
and travail thine is lost,  
For many fragile be full rife,  
but faithful few can boast.  Demost. 
A trusty friend an humble child,  
a faithful wife say ye?  
I do adjure by Marie mild,  
these verte dainty be.  
Now when it please, therefore to hear,  
the junkets I suppose,  
Most fittest for this royal cheer,  
the same I will disclose.  
First gaze I much where justice true,  
doth plead the poor man's case.  
And right is rendered, where as due  
should seem to have a place.  
For money makes them tread a wry,  
and turns the Cat in pan,  
That should pronounce the equity,  
to every kind of man.  
Then secondly much more I muse,  
where crafts men live upright,  
Their balance equally to use,  
to every simple wight,  
And last of all where shall we spy,  
the servants to fulfil,  
The seeds of service faithfully,  
to please their masters will.  
I doubt them all, yet may they be,  
when as the sea doth flame,  
Or else I think assuredly,  
few such do bear a name.  
Thus now I judge myself well sped,  
therefore I heartily pray,  
That you would take the pains to lead  
dame Science home to day.  
And I the Muses every one,  
will bid unto this feast,  
But bound to you all three alone,  
I covet for my jest.  Sapince. 
I Wisdom, Science by the palm,  
will guide unto the place,  
And sacred chasted life so calm,  
shall not absent her face.  
Make haste therefore and stay not long,  
with speed return again,  Exeunt. 
Request of Pallas us among  
to dine to take the pain.  Demost. 
Doubt not, what as your zeldus will  
requesteth for to have,  
To complish, I'll endeavour still,  
and Triton's friendship crane.  
O withering grass, O fragile shade,  
O slippery Tower high,  
Whose honour as the Hay doth fade,  
in twinkling of an eye.  
Where naughts but vanity doth dwell,  
and beams of virtue fly,  
A lurking den, a hollow cell,  
complete with misery.  
Repent, with sobbing sighs lament,  
your froward devilish Art,  
Lest suddenly that you be shent,  
of limbo taking part,  
From which repentance may you bring  
a wholesome salve and guide,  
To rest with that eternal King,  
whose glory doth not glide.  
Well, time doth wish me to prepare,  
To seek to Muses nine,  
To gust and taste of dainties rare,  
which you have heard us sign.  
And in mean season I commend  
you to the shepherd true,  
In whom salvation without end,  
doth rest, and thus adieu.  
FINIS.