FLOWERS OF EPIGRAMS, OUT OF sundry the most singular authors selected, as well ancient as late writers.  
Pleasant and profitable to the expert readers of quick capacity:  
By Timothe Kendal, late of the University of Oxford: now student of Staple Inn in London.  Horatius. 
Aut prodesse volunt, aut delectare poetae  
Aut simul & jucunda, aut idonea dicere vitae.  
IMPRINTED AT LONDON in Paul's Churcheyarde, at the sign of the Brazen Serpent, by John Shepperd. 1577.   

¶ The names of all such Authors out of whom these Flowers are selected.  
Names. 
Folio.  ANgelus Politianus. 
38  Antonius Muretus. 
48  Ausonius. 
49  Andreas Dactius. 
54  Angerianus. 
57  Bruno. 
39  Buchananus Schotus. 
87  Cynthius joan. Baptista. 
40  Caelius Rhodiginus. 
55  Claudius Roselettus. 
85  Claudius Claudianus. 
86  Dardanius. 
35  Erasmus Roterodamus. 
47  Flowers out of certain Greek authors. 
60  Georgius Sabinus. 
55  Gasper Visinus. 
23  Gualterus Haddon. 
90  Hieronymus Balbus. 
46  Henricus Stephanus. 
87  joannes Baptista Pigna. 
94  joannes Secundus. 
58  jovianus Pontanus. 
82  jacobus Rogerius. 
86  joannes Parkhurst. Norwicem. 
94  Martialis. 
2 
ex eiusdem Xenijs. 
22    Nicolaus Bartholomeus. 
46  Pulix. 
1  Pictorius. 
26  Rogerus Ascham. 
111  Strosa. 
48  Textor. 
41  Theodorus Beza. 
70  Thomas Morus. 
76  T. Kendal. 
113  Vallambertus Aualon. 
59   
FINIS.   

To the right honourable the Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester, Baron of Denbigh, master of the Queen's majesties horse, Knight of the noble order of the Garter▪ chief Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and one of her highness most honourable privy Counsel: Timothe Kendal wisheth happy health with increase of honour.  
THe honour of your person (Right honourable) doth not so much daunt me with astonishment, as the marvelous mildness of your courteous nature doth minister encouragement to presume and perform the dedication of this my little labour to your honours happy hands. Wherein are to be seen the sundry devices of divers the best writers, as well antic as neoterique, of Epigrams: a proper kind of study doubtless, & as with pleasure, so with profit in plentiful manner accompanied. Who knoweth not that your honour is a special Patron of learning and learned men? accepting most courteously their simple Poesies, whose Garden plots are not so gaily garnished either with such plenty or such variety as others be, that have more skill both to make choice of those flowers that have the sweeter and more fragrant smell, as also to pick out such as for their fairness and comely change of colour breed special love & liking in the eyes of the beholder. This being unto me an assured and also a sufficient encouragement, I felt in myself the sudden motions of mistrustfulness somewhat appalled, and the fire of confidence and hope kindling in me, in so much that shaking off all manner cogitations of fond fear and bashfulness, I yielded my will and my work wholly to bring that to accomplishment which I had purposed upon a special opinion of your honour's worthiness conceived: trusting that this my Manuel shall obtain as good place in the dedication, and as much grace in the acceptation (according to the measure of the matter) as the volumes of such as have discovered their skill in things of greater importance. Which in hope it shall be as I wish, I cease any longer to molest your Lordship with my unpolished Epistle: beseeching the almighty and the most highest to bless you with health, long life, increase of honour, and all flourishing felicity.  
Your honours most humble always to command, Timothe Kendal.   

To the courteous and friendly Reader.  Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem testa diu. 
THE Verse of Horace the Poet (right courteous reader) which I myself, by myself, have proved true: for having enured myself in my green and growing years, to reading of Poetry (an art in my mind and censure both princely and pleasant) in riper years I could neither by fair means be alured, nor foul mines procured, from embracing thereof, so greatly therewith was I linked in love. Well might I bear and forbear, refrain and abstain for a season, but by and by in the turning of an hand, with the tracing ape should I break the dance, and fall a scambling for Nuts. Naturam expellas furca licet usque recurrit. And surely far discrepant always have I been from the opinion of those that deem Poetry to bring naught else, but only a certain naked and vain delectation to the life of man: which unworthy and false accusation is well and wisely confuted of Strabo inveighing against Eratosthenes, who seemed to apply himself to be a maintainer and defender of that false and impudent slander: wherefore of me thereof needeth no refutation. Now (courteous reader) if I should take in hand to pen and paint forth the praise of Poetry, and Poets inventions, I fear me too long my labour would last: only thus much I dare boldly affirm, that no where shalt thou find profit and pleasure better linked together, than in the worthy works of prudent Poets. For Flaccus sayeth. 
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci.  
The price and the praise he gaineth alone,  
Who profit & pleasure both knitteth in one.  Wherefore sundry the most learned of all ages, of all lands and languages, have bestowed no small labour in the most laudable practice of Poetry. For example: among the Italians, Bembus, Pontanus, Flaminius: Among the French men, Borbonius, Salmonius, Muretus: Among the Germans, Eobamnus, Stigilius, Sabinus: Among the Scots, Bucchananus: whom Carolus Vtenhovius prettily praiseth in his distichon, writing thus (in I Sanna. H Francast. A Flam. H Vid. A Nauger. P Bemb. Italos: Mich Hosp. Adr Torneb. Io Aurat. Gallos': & Georg. Buchan. Scotum.) 
Tres Italos Galli senos vicere, sed unum  
Vincere Scotigenam non valuere novem.  
Three Frenchmen did Italians six  
for learning great excel:  
But from them all one Scot alone  
doth hear away the bell.  Now (courteous reader) of all sorts of Poems, & Poesies, none (me thinketh) are more pithy and pleasant, than pretty, short, witty, quick and quipping Epigrams: in the which kind of writing Marcus Valerius Martialis is counted chiefly to excel. Wherefore out of him (as sundry other most singular authors) have I translated and taken sundry short, proper, pithy & pleasant verses, and Epigrams, for thy no little profit, and great delectation: marry this I must let thee understand, that as well out of Martial as the rest, I have left the lewd, I have chosen the chaste: I have weeded away all wanton and worthless words: I have pared away all pernicious patches: I have chipped & chopped of all beastly boughs and branches, all filthy and fulsome phrases: Which I think none will mutter at and mislike, but such as delight more to draw of the dregs, than drink of the delicate liquor. I do give them unto thee by the name of Flowers of Epigrams, out of sundry the most singular authors selected. For the which, if thou shalt think well of me, and thank me, I shall (God willing) shortly as convenient leisure shall serve, either augment these, or publish more for thy delight and profit. In the mean time take these in good part (I beseech thee) which were made of me.  
Cum mihi vernarent dubia lanugine malae.  
VALE.   

W. Seymour gentleman of Gray's Inn: in commendation of the author.  

WE seldom see, but that a bore respect  
That takes regard, but to apply his thought:  
As many times, may work to good effect  
As deeper drifts, with more disorder wrought:  
For in attempts, where proof is to ensue,  
It never skills so greatly, to invent,  
Or by device, to frame a fetch anew,  
As with regard, to order our intent.   

For proof we see the practice and devise,  
Of such as have the cure of health in hand,  
By trains of sweet, who often the taste entice  
To brook the sour, wherein the help doth stand.  
Wherein, as well, in manner of the cure,  
As in the means, the skill is truly tried:  
For that unless the sweetness should allure,  
How should the sour, make profit unapplide?   

This is the cause, that moves me to commend  
And praise the pains, that well I see were meant:  
And as I like the labour of my friend,  
So I allow the drift of his intent.  
Who seeing sorts of sundry minds to call,  
And having will, to work in all aright:  
Not fit means, he witted to win them all,  
Than thus to train, to profit, by delight.    

George Whetstone's gentleman in the author's commendation.  

RAre is the work, that liketh every mind,  
when sundry minds, on sundry judgements feed:  
In flowers fools (like Spiders) poison find:  
The wise (as Bees) win honey from a weed.  
Even so of books (in print that clothed are)  
The most of them, most sorts of men peruse,  
And of such sorts, some sorts of them prepare  
With skilless scoffs, the writers to abuse:  
Not force for that: the foe himself doth hit  
That checks a work, which he can not amend:  
Then sure my friend (this needful book that writ)  
Small needs to fear the frumps that fools do lend.  
For why? his pains, yields fruits of such emprise,  
As him commends, and doth content the wise.   

Formoe nulla fides.    

E. G. TO THE READER.  
LIke as the spring by nature's course doth breed  
The sundry sorts of flowers of pleasant hue:  
And clotheses the earth with herbs that thence proceed,  
Sweet for their scent, and pleasant to the view:  
Whereon the mind of man is fixed fast,  
revived now, dulled by the winter past:  
So in this spring, that earthly things doth cheer,  
Kendal sends forth the flowers that he hath got,  
Of Epigrams, by plucking here and there  
Of learned men, from many a Garden plot.  
Smell of his flowers, resort unto this field,  
The Gardens be of price that these do yield.   

Abraham fleming upon T. K. his translated Epigrams.  
A Work with skill beegonne  
Deserves to be commended:  
But double praise (no doubt) is won  
When skill the same hath ended.  
Such skill in many scant  
Doth prove them most unskilful:  
Self-will they wed, whiles wit they want,  
Like fondlynges vain and wilful:  
But as their skill deserves  
Mere folly to be named:  
So where from wit will never swerves,  
There skill her fort hath framed.  
And such a one is he  
(His travel giveth trial:)  
Whose skill amidst so many mists  
Hath planted an espial.  
Whose skill hath scattered quite  
The clouds of Poet's pen,  
And hath by glistering leams of light,  
To blind and eyeless men  
Their covert skill laid out  
in letters darkly shown,  
And paired away the barks of doubt,  
And knots of knacks unknown.  
This labour hath lain dead  
(No marvel) many years:  
But now revived, and to be read  
In English, as appears,  
From foreign phrase of speech  
far fet, and also sought,  
By one in years (I grant) but young,  
Whose wit the same hath wrought:  
But yet with judgement fraught  
and skill on doubts to skan.  
Now let me tell what I have thought.  
The work commends the man.  
Labôri ancillatur laus.   

A. W. gent. to the courteous reader, in commendation of these flowers.  
Fresh flowers, civet, musk, & ambergris,  
Excel in smell, each one in his degree:  
Yet of them all if thou shouldst take a fleece,  
As author's flowers so sweet all would not be.  
Those all delight the nose with sugared smell,  
These all delight the mind with learning well.  
The sent of those, doth perish soon and vade,  
Of flowers, civet, musk, & Ambergris:  
But flowers which Kendalls cunning here hath made  
Still flourish shall: of work a princely piece  
His youth hath framed: now reader lend him praise  
Which spent for thy delight his tender days.  
Oublier ne doy.   

AD T. K. AMICUM LECTISSIMUM G. L. CARMEN.  
SI non alma suis virtus contenta trophaeis  
Splenderet radijs nobilitata suis:  
Si non suspensas hederas frondésque virentes  
Temneret illaeso cella superba mero:  
Te canerem Kendalle, tuum mea penna cothurnum  
Toll●ret, & Musam ferret ad astra tuam.  
Sed quia luce suae virtus micat aurea famae,  
Nec cupit ad titulos nomina magna suos,  
Tu virtute tua propria tu laud nitesces,  
Magnificum virtus inclyta nomen habet.  
Sat virtus ornata sibi, sibi praemia virtus  
Porrigit, & proprio lumine lumen habet.  
Testis adest locuples, librum modo perlege, cernes  
Quam renitet radijs coelica diua suis.   

EIUSDEM AD EUNDEM Carmen Sapphicum.  
HOrtulos multi coëmunt, coëmptos  
Floribus gratis decorant, ut inde  
Colligant suaveis redeunte veris  
Tempore flores.  
Bella res certè simul & probanda,  
Hinc enim cresount falubres odores,  
Hinc vigent herbae atque inimica nostris  
Pharmaca morbis.  
Hortus en lautus tuus iste Kendal  
Floribus cultus varijs renitet  
Et suos gratis animis legenti  
Fundit odores.  
Hoc tuo flores capiemus horto  
Quos suis vates prius inserebant  
Exteris hortis, tua verò fecit  
Cura Britannos.  
Nos tuòs ergo recolemus hortos,  
Hinc Rosas, suaeveis Violas, Acanthum  
Colligat pubes digitis Britanna  
Quotidianis.   

FLOWERS OF EPIGRAMS: out of sundry the most singular authors selected.  
Out of PULIX an ancient Poet. Hermaphroditus speaketh.  
WHile great with me my mother went,  
uncertain what I was:  
She asked the gods what she should have,  
a lad, or else a lass.  
Quoth Mars, thart with a maiden sped:  
Not so Apollo said,  
It is a man: quoth juno then,  
'tis neither man nor maied.  
My mother's time of travail came,  
her throws and thrutches past:  
A mongrel Herkinalson, she  
did bring me forth at last.  
And asking the forenamed three,  
what should my destiny be:  
To die by dint of deadly sword,  
affirmed juno she:  
He will be hanged on a tree,  
quoth Mars as I suppose:  
And I do think said Phoebus then,  
in lake, life he shall loose.  
Their verdicts none were vain, it came  
as each did say to pass:  
And how behold: ('tis strange I tell,)  
a certain brook there was,  
Oreshadowed with a tree, that had  
full many a levy branch:  
In climbing up this tree, my sword  
fell out, and gored my paunch.  
The bows in falling, caught my feet,  
my head felt in the ford:  
So man, maied, neither both, was I  
hanged, drowned, and killed with sword.   

EPIGRAMS OUT OF MARTIAL.  

TIMOTHE KENDAL to the Reader.  
MArtial is much misliked, and lothde,  
of modest minded men:  
For lewd lascivious wanton works,  
and words which he doth pen.  
In deed, fond filthy speeches foul,  
fair manners much defile:  
Wherefore the learned do but well,  
to count his verses vile.  
Yet though his verses some be vile,  
yet some do much avail:  
And though his matters some be fond,  
yet some of folly fail.  
His works are like a garden good,  
with weeds much overgrown:  
Lo reader here the fragrant flowers,  
the weeds▪ away are thrown.  
The best bereft, the beastly left:  
lo reader here to thee,  
The dainty Marrow offered is:  
let this thy breakfast be.  
Accept this simple Marrowbone,  
for breakfast I thee pray:  
So mayest thou better cheer obtain,  
of me an other day.   

Of a Lion, that offended his keeper.  
A Trustless beast, a Lion fierce,  
with churlish chaps did bite  
And hurt his master, which him kept,  
because he did him smite.  
But plagued he was as he deserved,  
for that his cruel part,  
For sith he strookes refused with hand,  
struck dead he was with dart:  
Now how should men which reason have,  
and rulers disobaie,  
Be punishte, when we brutish beasts,  
for disobedience slay.   

Of a Tiger and a Lion.  
A Tiger of the Hyrcan flock,  
so tame, that he would stand  
Between his master's legs, and eke  
most loving lick his hand.  
Thus tame I say, yet did he flaie,  
a Lion huge and sore:  
A thing so strange as never erst,  
was hard the like before.  
No such thing durst he enterprise,  
in woods when wild was he:  
Now brought with us to live, his mood  
more raging fierce ye see.   

Of Leander.  
WHat time Leander lusty lad,  
his Lady went to see:  
When as with waltering waves out worn,  
and wearied quite was he:  
He said: Now spite me not (ye seas,)  
Leander spare to spill?  
When I have seen my Lady once,  
then drown me if you william.   

Of Gemellus, and Maronilla.  
GEmellus, Maronilla feign,  
would have unto his wife:  
He longs, he likes, he loves, he craves,  
with her to lead his life.  
What? is she of such beauty brave?  
nay none more foul may be:  
What then is in her to be liked  
or lovd? still cougheth she.   

Of Arria, and Paetus.  
Chaste Arria when she gave the blade,  
unto her Paeto true:  
All painted and begored with blood,  
which from her side she drew.  
Trust me (said she) my gored guts,  
do put me to no pain:  
But that which thou my PEA must do,  
that grieves and grieves again.   

To Fabulla, vainglorious.  
OF beauty brave we know thou art,  
and eke a maid beside:  
Abounding eke in wealth and store,  
this ne may be denied.  
But while to much you praise yourself,  
and boast you all surmount:  
Ne rich, ne fair, Fubulla, nor  
a maid we can you count.   

To Caecilianus for the gender, and declination of Ficus.  
CAecilian when I Ficus said,  
thou didst me flout therefore:  
And badst me rather Ficos say,  
and Ficus use no more.  
We call that Ficus which on trees,  
we dately see to spring:  
And thy diseases Ficos name,  
for likeness of the thing.   

To Fidentinus.  
THou deemst thou art a Poet fine,  
And wouldst be thought so Fidentine,  
By books, and Epigrams of mine.  
So Eagle of herself is thought,  
To be well toothed, though stark naught,  
Having of horn & bone teeth bought.  
So to herself Lycoris she,  
Doth seem of beauty brave to be,  
Because her cheeks men painted see.  
So thus as you a Poet are:  
You may be bushed, when you are bore.   

To Laelius.  
WHen Laelius thou thyself dost nought,  
thou carpest Verses mine:  
Leave Laelius either my to carp,  
Or publish some of thine.   

To Nevolus, a Lawyer.  
WHen every man doth speak, than still  
thou speakest Nevolus:  
And thinkest thou passing well dost pled,  
when thou dost prattle thus.  
The veriest pelter piled may seem,  
to have experience thus:  
Behold now all are silent hushed,  
now speak thou Nevolus.   

To Flaccus.  
FLaccus, Diodor goes to law,  
and hath for gout no rest:  
He gives his lawyer naught I think,  
his fingers are oppressed.   

Of Scevola.  
IF millions many gods would give,  
of goodly glittering gold:  
Should not then Scevola be esteems,  
and highly be extolled?  
O then how would I live (quoth he)  
whereat the Gods did smile:  
And gave him his request: but then  
his joys he 'gan exile.  
Then ragged gown like pelting patch,  
our Scevola could use:  
With patch on patch like loutish lob,  
he cobbled often his shues.  
His table then he did neglect,  
and course far pleased him best:  
With worldly cares he was so toast,  
that scarce he took his rest.  
Then must I live he often said,  
or else the Gods me take:  
And so with wealth 'gan cares increase,  
and him more careful make.   

To Aelia.  
AS I remember Aelia,  
four teeth thou hadst of thine:  
One cough did 'cause thee spit out two,  
one, two an other tyme.  
With safety now still mayest thou cough,  
hawk, him, spew, spit and spawl:  
For now to lose or cough away,  
remaineth naught at all.   

To Fidentinus.  
'tIs told and bruited all abroad,  
mine old friend Fidentine:  
That thou reportest all abroad,  
my books for to be thine.  
If thou wilt grant them mine to be,  
I'll gratis send them thee:  
But if thou call them thine, buy them,  
that mine they may not be.   

To Sabidius.  
I Love thee not Sabidius,  
I can not tell thee why:  
I can say nought but this alone,  
I do not love thee, I   

Of Cellia.  
FOr fire deceased thou dost not weep,  
if Gellia sole thou be:  
But look when cometh company,  
the tears than gush from thee.  
She nought lamenteth Gellia;  
that seeks for laud and praise:  
But she who sorroweth inwardly,  
'tis she that wepes always.   

To Fidentinus.  
THe book which thou dost read▪ it is  
friend Fidentinus mine:  
But when thou ill dost read it, then  
begins it to be thine.   

Of Diaulus, a Physician.  
DIaulus a Physician late,  
but now he buries men:  
Look what so now Diaulus doth,  
the self same did he then.   

Against Olus,  
THy beard is white, thy bush is black,  
how comes it shall I tell?  
With colours thou mayest paint thy head,  
thy beard thou canst not well.   

To Flaccus.  
FLaccus thou knowest not Epigrams,  
no more than babes or boys:  
Which deemst them to be nothing else,  
but sports and trifling toys:  
He rather toys, and sports it out,  
which doth in Verse recite  
Fallen Tereus' dinner, or which doth,  
Thyestes supper writ:  
Or he which tells how Dedalus,  
did teach his son to fly:  
Which telleth eke of Polyphem,  
the Shepherd with one eye.  
From books of mine, are quite exempt,  
all rancour, rage and gall:  
Not player in his peevish weeds,  
hear pranking see you shall:  
Yet these men do adore (thou sayst)  
laud, like and love: in deed,  
I grant you sir those they do laud,  
perdie but these they reed.   

Against Caecilianus.  
WHen not six thousand pound,  
Caecilian did enjoy:  
Aloft he hoisted was,  
in Chariot like a Roye.  
When that through Fortune's grace,  
he doubled had his store:  
Behold he went on foot,  
even like a peisaut poor.  
The game and gain thou haste,  
and yet to lose dost feign?  
Tell truth, jest Fortune frown,  
and make thee fall again.   

Against Gargilianus.  
WIlt have me call thee bountiful,  
when gifts thou dost bestow  
On widows old, and signior chuffs,  
that do in substance flow▪  
Nothing may more dishonest be●,  
than these thy subtle shifts:  
How canst thou call Gargilian,  
these guiles of thine thy gifts?  
So by the hook the floating fish,  
is brought unto his have:  
So by the subtle secret bait,  
the silly beast is ta'en.  
What 'tis to give and to bestow,  
I will declare to thee,  
If thou already dost not know:  
Gargilian give to me.   

Of Philaene.  
PHilaene never letteth tears,  
but from one eye to fall:  
And would ye know how so it is▪  
she hath but one in all.   

Against Attalus.  
Friend Attal, thou derlamest well,  
thou pleadest causes well:  
The Histories do pass thou mak'st,  
thy Verses do excel.  
Thou makest merry Poems, and  
thy Epigrams are fine:  
In Grammar, and the course of Stars,  
thy knowledge is divine,  
Both well thou singest Attalus,  
and dancest light withal:  
Thy art doth pass to play on harp,  
or toss the Tennis ball.  
When naught thou dost is well, yet all  
thou dost thou thinkest right:  
Will't thou I tell what one thou art:  
Ardelio, Thraso like.   

Against Posthumus.  
WHat shall I say this same to be?  
thy garments all and some  
Do smell of Myrrh, and save of Myrrh  
no scent doth from thee come.  
This Posthumus do I suspect,  
that still thou smellest well:  
But Posthumus he smells not well,  
who always well doth smell:   

Against Zoilus.  
BY reason of his Coverled  
foore sick doth Zoilus lie:  
He sickness feigns, to show his clotheses  
of costly purpledye▪  
Brave bed he hath cared curious fine▪  
and painted fair and gay:  
What doth his feigned sickness, but  
his substance vain bewray:  
What needest thou Phisiti● us tell?  
they do but thee delude.  
Will't thou be well: take to thee then  
my homely mantel rude.   

Of Sertorius.  
SErtorius, nothing finisheth,  
all things he doth begin.  
When as Sertorius drinks, likewise  
he makes none end I win.   

Against Apicius.  
THy tongue Apicius taunteth none,  
by it no man is stung:  
Yet Porringers, and Platters both,  
complain still of thy tongue.   

To Fabianus.  
THou being honest, pure, and poor,  
true both in tongue, and heart▪  
Why dost thou ●●udge in town to devil,  
and from the 〈◊〉 start▪  
Thou canst not play the broking band,  
nor yet the reveller:  
Thou canst not cite for to appear  
the guilty trespasser.  
Thou canst not boast and brag it out,  
thou canst do none of these:  
Canus, and gra●●● fire Glaphyrus,  
thou canst not praise and please.  
Wherefore a miser poor thou liust,  
naught gains thy goodness thee:  
Be good, and never shalt thou sure  
like Philomelus be.   

Of Caerelia, and Gellia.  
Being a girl, Caerelia calls  
herself an aged dame:  
And Gellia she an aged trot,  
herself a girl doth name.  
Ne may the one Colinus nor  
the other be aloud:  
The one she is ridiculous,  
the other curious proud.   

Of his abiding in the country.  
WHen I in country foil sweet, sappy, rest:  
how I do spend & pass the time away,  
If thou do long in few to have expressed,  
attentive be, and mark what I shall say.  
First served on knees, the Majesty divine:  
my servants next & ground I overlook:  
To every man his task I do assign,  
when this is done, I get me to my book.  
For comforts cause, I rub my corpse with Oil:  
for exercise I wrestle now and than,  
With straining arms a crash: & tired with toil  
I merry make, (indebted to no man)  
I powder, quasse, sing, play, bath, sup, & sleep,  
sometime by night, to study close I creep.   

To Cinna.  
MIthridates did often ming  
strong poison with his wine:  
Because no poison pestilent  
should 'cause him for to pine.  
So Cinna thou hast wrought a fetch,  
(by supping always ill:)  
That famine none shall fret thee, that  
no hunger shall thee kill.   

Against Calistratus.  
I Am I grant, and still have been  
Calistrat poor, what then?  
Yet do the deeds of mine not lurk  
in dark oblivions Den:  
My works are read the world throughout:  
and this ('tis said) is he:  
And that, that divers death denies,  
that life hath granted me.  
But gorgeous Mansion house of thine,  
doth glister all with gold,  
Thy Coffers crammed with coin, are worth  
whole thousands to be sold.  
Great store of Land, and goodly ground  
thy Plough rears every year:  
Of goodly weighty flezed sheep  
whole thousands thou dost shear.  
Lo thus am I, and thus art thou:  
but thou canst never be  
As I am, of the common crew  
each one may be like thee.   

Against Gellia.  
WHile of thy gentry thou dost boast,  
and praisest stock of thine:  
To match with one of calling good  
forsakes thy fancy fine.  
Tush none without some Senator  
my husband I will have  
Thou saidst, now see at last thou hast  
a carriar common slave.   

To Quintianus.  
IN cutting cruel cold December,  
When each to other gifts do tender:  
Save books nought then I gave to thee,  
At home most homely made by me.  
Perchance thou deemst me in thy mind,  
Therefore a sneek bill, snudge unkind:  
I hate (I do protest) thee drifts,  
And guileful givings of these gifts.  
These gifts are always fish hooks like:  
Bait touched, strait taken is the Pike.  
When as to rich the poor gives naught,  
Then Quint should he be liberal thought.   

To Aulus, against Mamercus.  
MAmercus by no manner means,  
may broughe and framed be  
To use and rule his tongue aright,  
so cankered cursed is he.  
Though thou didst pass in piety  
the constant Curius quite:  
Although thou Nerua didst surmount,  
for calm and quiet spirit:  
Although for gentle meekness mild  
thou Druso didst excel:  
Although for honesty to Mar●▪  
thou mightst be likened well.  
Although thou didst Mauricus match  
for equity and right.  
Although thou couldst as Regulus  
with filled phrase delight.  
Though pleasant Paulus thou didst pass  
to make a merry jest.  
His rusty teeth, with rane our f●e●,  
yet still would bite the best.  
Perchance thou Aulus dost him deem,  
a man of wicked tongue:  
But him a wretch deem I, which is  
misliked all men among.   

To Gellia.  
WHen so thou sendest me an hare,  
my Gellia still thou ●aist  
I shallbe seven days after fair:  
thus still with me thou playst.  
My Gellia if thou do not mock:  
if truth thou do declare:  
I dare be bold to say that thou,  
didst never eat an hare.   

That we should benefit our friends.  
THe crafty thief from battered chest,  
doth filch thy come away:  
The debtor nor the interest,  
nor principal will pay.  
The fearful flame des●rdies the goods,  
and letteth naught remain:  
The barren ground for seed received,  
restoreth nought again.  
The subtle harlot naked strips,  
her lover to the skin:  
If thou commit thyself to seas,  
great danger art thou in.  
Not that thou givest to thy friend,  
can fortune take away:  
That only that thou giust thy friend,  
thou shalt possess for aye.   

Against Posthumus.  
I Mind what thou hast done for me▪  
and will remember eke  
Always: why hold I then my peace,  
and Postume dost thou speak?  
When any I begin to tell,  
thy goodness what it is  
Towards me, tush strait they say  
himself erst told us this.  
Believe me two to many are,  
this same for to express:  
One will suffice, if I shall speak,  
than Posthume hold thy peace.  
Though thou be frushing frank, although  
great gifts thou give, pardie  
Yet perish all those gifts of thine  
by thy garrulity.   

Against Candidus.  
THy farms are proper to thyself,  
thy gold and silver white  
Thy proper, proper to thy Plate,  
and crystal glasses bright.  
Thy pleasant wines of sundry forts,  
thine proper to no doubt:  
Thy proper wit: and proper to  
thy heart and courage stout.  
All doubtless proper that thou hast:  
what said I all? I lie.  
Thy wife she is not proper, for  
she common is pardie.   

To Rufinus.  
I Grant, I can it not deny,  
thou sure hast goodly land:  
Fat farms, and tenements thou hast,  
and liings in thine hand.  
And debtor divers own thee much,  
much coin thou hast abroad:  
Rich Plate of Gold and silver both,  
thy table still doth load.  
Inferiors thine Rufinus yet,  
disdain thou never a dell.  
Moore than hast thou had Didymus,  
and more hath Philomela.   

Against Matrinia.  
I Like no Beldames, I  
Matrinia dost complain?  
I Beldames love: but thou art none.  
stark dead thou dost remain.  
I can well fancy Hecuba,  
of Neob like alone:  
Before the one be made a dog,  
the other made a stone.   

Of Fishes engraven.  
BY Phidias art thou fishes seest,  
engraven feat, and trim:  
Put water to them, and they will  
whip, skip, frisk, frounce and swim.   

Against Ligurinus.  
NO man with thee will willing me●t▪  
and each mis takes him to his feet  
Whereso thou Ligurine dost come:  
thy presence shinnies both all, and some▪  
Will't know why thirs from thee they start?  
a Poet prattling pert thou art.  
This vice is vile all men among:  
the Tigers rob of her young,  
The Dypsas scourse with scalding heat,  
the Scorpion that with tail doth threat,  
These moniters fell are not so fear●  
as thou art, where that thou art heard:  
For who I pray thee suffer can  
as thou are such a troublous man?  
To him that standeth thyu dost reed,  
so eke to him that sits indeed.  
To him that runs thou art reciting,  
to him thou readst that is a shuting.  
Washing at Baines, there I thee here.  
I can not swim, where thou a●t near.  
To meals I hast, me dost thou nay.  
at table placed, thou goest thy way.  
All weary when I go to bed,  
molesting me, thou shak'st my head.  
What harm thou dost now wilt thou see?  
though honest, good, and just thou be,  
Yet for this fault, none like of thee.   

To the same Ligurinus.  
THe supper of Thyestes, whether  
Phoebus God divine  
Misliked I know not, Ligurine  
but sure we like not thine.  
Thy fare is fine and good, thy ●ates  
as curious as may be:  
Considering how thy tongue doth walk,  
yet all mislikes we see.  
I care not for thy dainty meats:  
I do mislike each mess:  
What I would have thee do dost ask?  
what? marry hold thy peace.   

To Aemilianus.  
IF poor thou be Aemilian,  
thou shalt be poor always:  
For none but wealthy worldlings are  
enriched now adays.   

To Labienus.  
WHen Labienus all alone  
I saw thee sit of late▪  
Three men me thought I saw: I was  
deceived by thy pate.  
One patch of hear there standeth here,  
another standeth there:  
Deformed thy scalp: the locks do grow  
I know not how, nor where.  
In midst of all, thy sconce is bald:  
there allies are to see:  
Wherein not half a grass doth grow,  
so bald, and bore they be.  
When as the Emperor deals his dole,  
thy sconce then profits thee:  
Others one Basket have of bred,  
for thy part thou hast three.  
Thou like unto king Geryon art:  
If Hercules thee spy  
In Phillip's Porch, (take heed I say)  
dead art thou by and by.   

To Lupercus.  
FOr that thou suppest oftentimes  
and never callest me:  
Lupercus I have found a way,  
How to be even with thee.  
I will be angry though thou send,  
call, and request me still:  
What will I do, dost ask of me?  
What? marry come I william.   

To Faustinus, against an evil Physician Hermocrates.  
BOth washed and supped Andragoras,  
with us in health and sound:  
Yet in the morn Andragoras,  
stark dead in bed was found.  
Wouldst know of such so sudden death,  
what should thoccasion be?  
Hermocrat the Physician  
in slumber he did see.   

Against Phoebus.  
WIth ointment made for nonce, thy pace  
all over Phoeb is died:  
And all thy sluttish scurvy scalp  
a painted hear doth hide.  
No Barber thou dost need at all  
thy head to not, and pole:  
A Sponge or painting pencil Phoeb,  
will better shave thy nole.   

Against the envious.  
Room lauds, & loves, & reads my works,  
and sings them every where:  
Each fist doth hold me clutched fast,  
each bosom me doth bear.  
One blusheth ●o, as red as fire,  
anon as pale as clay:  
Anon he looks astonished,  
as one did him dismay:  
Sometime he mumping mocks and moes,  
sometime he doth repined:  
Ymarrie, this is that I would:  
now please me verses mine.   

To Marianus.  
THou knowest one lurketh thee to ●ueth.  
and he that lurks a lo●t  
To lucre bend: thou knowest his drift,  
and where he goes about.  
Yet him thine heir thou didst ordain  
in will thou madest last:  
And madman like didst will that he  
should in thy room be p●a●t.  
He sent thee gifts in deed: but how?  
he sent them with the hook:  
And can the fish the fisher love,  
that for his death doth look?  
Trowest thou this Fox will for thy death  
take any inward thought?  
Not, not: if thou wilt have him weep,  
than Marian give him naught.   

Of the the●e Cilix.  
A Thief that Cilix had to name,  
to rob an Orchard sometime came▪  
In all the garden great was naught  
save Priapus, of Marble wrought.  
What doth me he, (greedy of pray,)  
but hales the hugy stone away.   

To Lupus.  
Pensive thou art, and prosperous:  
take heed jest fortune blind  
know Lupus this, jest she thee call  
churl gratelesse, and unkind.   

To Rufus.  
A Certain man not long ago,  
Gave me the gaze friend Rufus so,  
As if some foolish fencer I  
Had been, or one that went to buy.  
With eye, and finger, when that he  
Had looked long, and marked me:  
Art thou (quoth he) art thou declare,  
That famous pleasant Poet rare,  
That men each-where do Martial call,  
Whose jests do joy both great, and small?  
I somewhat smiling, told my name,  
And said I was the very same.  
Why then (quoth he) so ill art clad?  
Because I am a Poet had  
I answered. All this is true,  
Friend Rufus which I tell to you.  
Good Rufus send some clotheses therefore,  
That I may shamed be no more.   

To Amianus.  
A Serpent fell thou hast engraud,  
in ●iluer bull of thine  
Of Mirons making: poison sure  
thou drinkst thou drinkst no wine.   

Against Olus.  
Foul filthy faulty folks there are:  
what's Olus that to thee?  
What matters it thou honest, what  
vile vicious varlets be.  
Matho at Dice plays all his co●●e:  
whatts Olus that to thee?  
Not thou therefore shalt feel the pains,  
of poor estate, but he.  
Sertorius revels out the night:  
whatts Olus that to thee?  
So thou mayest snorting sound step.  
and still in quiet be.  
Much money Titus, Lupus owes:  
whatts Olus that to thee?  
When thou indebted art to none,  
but art from all men free.  
For all this Olus yet there is,  
that doth pertain to thee:  
And that unto thy charge and care,  
of duty doth agreed.  
Thy gown to gauge for coin doth lie,  
this to thee Olus is:  
And for a farthing no man now  
will credit thee, and this.  
Thy wife doth make thee carry horns,  
this to thee Olus is:  
Thy daughter now a dowry great  
requires of thee, and this.  
Much more beside I could declare  
what doth pertain to thee:  
But Olus what pertains to thee,  
doth nought pertain to me.   

To Castor.  
CAstor, thou every thing dost buy:  
Cell every thing thou wilt pardie.   

To his Muse.  
Five books had been sufficient:  
or six, or seven in deed:  
And to much to: why then my Muse  
to sport dost thou proceed?  
Fie, fie, forbear, and make an end:  
my fame abroad is spread:  
And no man talked of more than I  
my books each where be read.  
And when the stones of Messala  
shall lie, and be forlorn:  
When Marble stones of Licinus  
to powder shall be worn,  
Yet every mouth shall speak of me:  
and many a geste with him  
Shall carry to his country cost,  
my works and poems trim.  
I ended. Lo, then spoke one of  
the sacred sisters nine,  
Which had her bosom and her locks  
besmeerd. with ointments 〈◊〉.  
Canst thou, canst thou ungraceful churl  
(quoth she) find in thy heart:  
To play as thou hast purposed,  
so fond a thankless part?  
Canst thou forsake thy pleasant toys,  
and trifles that excel?  
How better canst be occupied  
when thou ar● Idle, tell?  
In lofty style will rather choose  
fierce tragedies to writ?  
Or else of blows, and bloody blades  
hadst rather to indite?  
Then every scowling schoolmaster  
would read with harshie voice  
Thy verse, than neither lad nor lass  
would in thy style rejoice.  
The frowning sage, and sour severe  
these kind of things do writ,  
Who miserably spend their time  
in study day and night.  
Use rather thou thy Roman jests,  
and pleasantly repeat  
Thy saws, and as for them, let them  
of what they list entreat.  
Although with s●klender Oaten pipe  
thou seemest pardie to sing:  
Thou dost surpass the Trumpet, loud  
that in the ears doth ring.   

To Priscus.  
DO ye demand a wealthy wench  
why that I will not wed?  
I nill be bound for to obey,  
my wife at every stead.  
The matrons (Priscus) to the man  
must still inferior be:  
Else shall they not be equal, nor  
like man and wife agree.   

To a married couple, that could not agreed.  
SIth that you both are like in life,  
(a naughty man, a wicked wife:)  
I muse ye live not void of strife.   

Of Fabius, and Chrestella.  
HIs wives still buries Fabius▪  
Christella contrary  
Her husbands buries: none they match  
withal, but strait they die.  
Now Hymen 'cause these conquerors  
together both to link:  
That so one Bear may bear them both  
to their sepultures' brink.   

Against Gallicus.  
WHen me thine Heir of all thy lands  
to make thou didst swear  
By all the gods, that rule above,  
and by thine hoary hear,  
I thee beleud: for willingly  
who will himself forswear?  
And still in hope to speed, with gifts  
I did thee feed and cheer.  
Among my gifts a Boar I sent,  
great, fat, a weighty one:  
As huge and monstrous mighty big,  
as that of Calidone.  
Thou strait way didst sand for, and feast,  
the rich and eak the poor:  
All Rome doth belch and surfeit yet,  
with eating of my Boar.  
Myself the giver (who would think?)  
the better naught did far:  
I nothing had, ne rib ne rump  
did fall unto my share.  
Friend Gallicus what should I hope  
thy land to gain of thee?  
When that no morsel of mine own,  
thou wouldst give to me.   

Of Priscus, his banquet.  
THe learned Priscus books bewray  
what banquet is the best:  
In pleasant style is much declared,  
In lofty much expressed.  
But sure with learning great declared  
there is both all and some:  
Will't know what banquet is the best?  
where Minstrels none do come.   

Against Cinna.  
AN Astrologian Cinna said  
that quickly thou shouldst die,  
Thy fate he did foretell thee thus:  
and sure he did not lie.  
For whilst thou didst fear thou shouldst  
leave much behind to spend,  
Thou reveling didst roist it out  
and mad'st of all an end▪  
Not one year fully was expired  
but all was gone wellny:  
Declare me Cinna now, is this  
not quickly for to die?   

To Condilus.  
THat thou so long a serua●a● libft  
why Condil dost complain?  
A master's grief thou 〈…〉 know,  
nor yet servants gain.  
Thy hard and homely couch doth yield  
thee quiet sleep and rest:  
When Caius lo lies brood awake  
with cramping cares oppressed.  
For fear thy master dare not, but  
salute whom so he meets:  
When thou mayst jet with cap on crown,  
and careless strut the streets.  
One comes to master thine and saith  
give that thou ow'st to me:  
And stays him in the street, and none  
so Condil doth to thee.  
Thou fearest a pat on pate, or else  
a wherret on the ear:  
But groaning he with gre●●, and gout,  
his fatal fine doth fear▪  
Speak Condil, hadst not rather now  
still have a servants place  
Then be a master, and remain  
in Caius cursed case:   

Against Aphe●.  
AS often as I behold thy wife,  
when as with thee I 〈◊〉,  
Thou lowering Apher bendst thy brow,  
as though than didst 〈◊〉.  
What fault? tell what offe●●e 〈…〉  
thy wife fo● to 〈◊〉  
The sun, the stars, the thrun●ed thrones  
with silver pearl and gold,  
And eak the gods themselves 〈◊〉  
what should I turn aside,  
And flap my hand on face▪ as through,  
some Roman grim I spied  
A whoreson fell was Hercules,  
yet Hilas we might see:  
With pretty Ganymede to play,  
M. still had licence free.  
If thou wilt have thy guests to wink,  
and not thy wife to see:  
Let Phineas blind, and Oedipus,  
thy guests then Apher be.   

Against Crispus.  
THou sayst thou art as much my friend  
as any man can be:  
But now, to prove this true thou sayst,  
what dost thou Crisp for me?  
I would have borrowed coin of thee,  
thou didst me deny,  
What time thou hadst as much as well  
could in thy coffer lie.  
When gavest thou me a bushel tell,  
of Beans or any grain?  
When as to blow thy fertile ground  
thy ploughman took the 〈◊〉?  
When gavest thou me a Frock of Frise  
my corpse from cold to 〈◊〉?  
Or when of silver half a pound  
didst thou unto me sand?  
Naught else I see, whereby I may  
believe my friend thou art:  
But that before me oftentimes  
thou gerdest out a fart.   

To Phileros.  
Seven wives of thine now Phileros  
in ground engraved be:  
The ground to none so bountiful,  
as Phileros to thee.   

To himself.  
MArtial, the things that do attain  
the happy life, be these I find▪  
The riches left, not got with pain,  
The fruitful ground, the quiet mind:  
The equal friend, no grudge no strife,  
No charge of rule nor governance,  
Without disease the healthful life,  
The household of continuance.  
The mean diet, no delicate fare,  
True wisdom joined with simpleness,  
The night discharged of all care,  
Where wine the wit may not oppress.  
The faithful wife without debate,  
Such sleeps as may beguile the night,  
Content thyself with thine estate,  
Ne wish for death, nor fear his might.   

Otherwise.  
THe things which cause 〈◊〉 life me thinks  
most full of bliss to be,  
Are these: when goods from friends do fall,  
and we from labour free.  
When fertile field grows fast abroad,  
and mind is void of strife:  
And merry John by toasting fire,  
may sit with jone his wife.  
When corpse is sound and strong with all,  
and wisdom rules the mind:  
And friends in frenships' faithful knot,  
a faithful heart doth bind.  
When fare is good, though not of cost,  
and night with pleasure priest,  
Not drowsy head, but merry mind,  
doth cause a quiet rest.  
To be as heart could wish or crave,  
thy state content withal:  
Not fear, nor wish for fatal day,  
but come when come it shall.   

Against Carmenion.  
SIth that Carmenion you do crack  
of Corinth that you are  
A citizen, and so say all,  
I marvel how you dare  
And with what face and honesty  
call me your brouher: why?  
You know in Spain that I was borne  
eke there I devil pardie.  
What do we look alike? no sure:  
and why it shall appear:  
Thou wanderest trixsie trimsie fine,  
with crisped and curled hear.  
But all disordered lie my locks  
after the Spanish guise:  
Thou dost with ointments rid thine here,  
rough are my legs, and eyes.  
An amorous flattering tongue hast thou,  
speaking nice, neat, and fine:  
Not half so womanish as thine,  
is daughter's tongue of mine.  
Look how the Dove doth differ from  
the chiefest bird of all:  
Look how the Dear doth differ from  
the Lion strong and tall:  
So differ we: wherefore I say,  
Carmenion, brother thine  
Cease me to call hereafter, jest  
I call thee sister mine.   

To Gallus.  
IF so my grief will do thee good,  
I will be up and dight,  
Before Aurora do appear  
and chase away the night.  
I will about, when plunging puffs  
upturneth towns and towers:  
I'll bide the brunts of frost and snow  
and hideous hissing showers.  
But if no better thou a whit,  
if naught at all thou gain  
By this my troublous toil and grief,  
and griefly pinching pain,  
Spare thou my tired ghost, and from  
these torments make me free:  
Which help not Gallus thee a whit,  
but hurt and hinder me▪   

To Philenis  
Dost ask with plaster on my chin  
why that I walk about?  
Philenis mine I do not mind  
to kiss thee out of doubt.   

To Cherimon.  
SIth like a Stoic, Cherimon,  
thou praisest death so much:  
Thou wouldst be praised, and wondered at,  
as though there were none such.  
What makes thee death desire so much?  
thy broken pitcher pot▪  
Thy homely rascal har●h, that burns,  
with fire seldom hot.  
Thy mat●e, and eke thy bedstead bore,  
with stinking Cimex fret:  
Thy cuckold cal●oke cold, wherein  
thou still art feign to jet:  
O what a stout courageous man  
is this? how manly bold?  
That loves no dregs of Vinegar,  
nor holm, nor brownbread old,  
Well go to: if upon a bed  
of dowl thou shouldest lie:  
And if thy couch were costly clad  
with clotheses of purple dye.  
Then, then, full often wouldst thou wish  
thrice Nestor's years to live:  
Not time than wouldst thou loose, but still  
thyself to pleasure give.  
An easy thing in penury,  
this life for to despise:  
Who can bear torment patiently,  
'tis he that's counted wise.   

To Parthenope.  
THy chaps and jaws Parthenope,  
a cruel cough doth grieve:  
To help thee, the Physician  
unto thee still doth give  
Nutkernels short, fine honey sweet,  
and cracknels of the best,  
And all such things as children please,  
and make to be at rest.  
Yet notwithstanding all this gear,  
thou coughest still pardie  
You are a crafty knave, you cough  
to far deliciously.   

Against Zoilus.  
HE did not term thee Zoilus right,  
who termed thee vicious elf:  
If he should term thee truly, he  
should term thee vice itself.   

To Vacerra.  
A Flatterer, and a slanderer,  
Also a crafty cossener,  
A trifler vain, a whoremunger,  
A fine foincasting fenceplaier,  
All these Vacerra though thou be:  
I muse, yet money wants with thee.   

To Polla.  
WHy Polla me dost garlands send  
so fair, so fresh, so fine?  
Send rather me some Roses rubbeth  
with lily hands of thine.   

Of Legeia.  
IF Legeas years and hears agreed:  
Then just three years of age is she.   

Of Affricanus.  
AS rich as Croesus Africa is:  
for more yet hunts the chuff:  
To much to many, Fortune gives,  
and yet to none enough.   

To fabulus. Of Themnon.  
FAbullus friend dost ask me, why  
hath Themison no wi●e?  
He loves to be in quiet, free  
from bate, and brawling strife.   

Against Thelesinus.  
WHen that no gauge nor pawn I bring,  
and of thee coin do crave:  
I can not help thee strait thou sayest:  
gauge ground and thou shalt have.  
So thou no credit giust at all,  
unto me Thelesine:  
Thine old companion, and thy friend,  
but trustest ground of mine.  
Lo Carus hath thee guilty found,  
and banished must thou be:  
Wouldst have me bear thee company?  
nay, call my ground to thee.   

To julius.  
IF thou wilt eschew bitter adventure,  
And avoid the gnawing of a pensive heart:  
Set in no one person all wholly thy pleasure,  
The less shalt thou joy, but less shalt thou 〈◊〉.   

To Phoebus.  
WIth hide of Kid, thine head in 〈…〉,  
to cover baldness thine:  
He quipt thee home, who ●olde thee Phoeb▪  
thy sconce was clouted fine.   

To one diversly conditioned.  
FAtile, and froward art thou sure,  
fawning, and also fell:  
With thee I can not live, nay bide,  
nor yet without thee devil.   

Against Zoilus.  
BLack head, red beard, short feet thou hast▪  
and purblind eke thou art:  
'tis ten to one, but Zoilus thou  
dost harbour harm in heart.   

Otherwise.  
Black head, read beard short feet thou hast,  
and eke thou art purblind:  
Thou woorkst a wonder Zoile, if thou  
hast any good in mind.   

Against Policarnus.  
TEn times in twelve months thou art sick  
or oftener, Policarme:  
And this thy sickness never thee,  
but friends of thine doth harm.  
For after health recovered still,  
thy friends thou asked gifts:  
For shame be sick but once a year,  
and leave these guileful shifts.    

EX. XENIIS, ET APOPHORETIS, MARTIALIS.  

Wheat flower.  
THe profits great, none may repeat  
of flower so fine perdie:  
Sigh for the Cook, and Baker both,  
it serves to occupy.   

Lettuce.  
SIth that our ancients used to eat,  
Lettuce when all was done:  
I muse why every meal of us,  
with Lettuce is begun.   

Leeks often cut.  
STrong scenting Leeks of Tarentine,  
when so thou cranched haste:  
Be sure to kiss thy lass with lips,  
together clinched fast.   

The Dormouse.  
I sleep out all the Winter sharp,  
and fattest than am I:  
All which time nought but slumbering sleep  
doth make me fat pardie.   

The Conie.  
THe little Conie loves to scout,  
In Berries, that are digged out:  
By these our foes in elder days,  
Have learned many secret ways.   

The Ringdove, or Stockdove.  
THe Stockdoves secret parts,  
make lumpish, dull, and dead:  
Shun him to eat, if thou wilt be  
with lively courage sped.   

The Peacock.  
THou wonder'st when he spreads abroad,  
his wings that glistering look:  
And canst thou find in heart, to give  
him to the cruel Cook?   

The Swan.  
WIth warbling note, he tuneth verse.  
The Swan doth sweetly sing  
Before his death, cracing a long  
the stream with feathered wing.   

A shellfish, in Latin Murex.  
(Churl as thou art) with our blood,  
thy clotheses are purple died:  
Yet this is not sufficient,  
we made are meat beside.   

The Gogion.  
ALthough in Venice feasts they make,  
and still have dainty cheer▪  
Yet with a Gogeon they begin,  
their suppers lightly there.   

The Hare.  
Amongst birds the ●hrushe is be●t,  
and bears away the bell:  
Amongst beasts the Ha●e is best,  
and doth the rest excel.   

Does.  
THe tusk the Boar doth well defende●  
the horn the Heart doth shield:  
Poor s●●ie Does what else are we,  
but preys to Dogs in field▪   

Wine of Tarentum.  
AVlon hath wools most excellent,  
and Grapes most goodly fine:  
Take thou the ponderous weighty fells,  
give me the precious Wine.   

Sweet oil or ointment.  
NOr wine nor ointment leave thine heir:  
let him possess thy pelf  
For his part and these o●her give  
all only to thyself.   

Chests made of ivory.  
IN coffers these put nothing else  
save yellow 〈◊〉 gold:  
Chests homely rude less precious,  
may silver serve to hold▪   

〈◊〉  
SMall dice and nu●●es, feme tri●ing ●oyes,  
and things of slender price:  
Yet these have made boys but tockes smart  
with rods, not once▪ nor twice.   

The comb, to the bald pate.  
WIth boxen comb, thick toothed sharp,  
that given is to thee.  
What wilt thou do: when as no hear  
is on thy head to see.   

Otherwise.  
WHat wilt thou do▪ with comb thick toothed ●o?  
when as no hear upon thy head doth grow.   

The Coffer wherein books are laid.  
Tie streict, bind hard thy books in me:  
jest that with Moths consumed they be.   

Light, pertaining to the chamber.  
THy Candle bright, of chamber thine  
the secrets all I know:  
Do what thou list, I still am whist,  
No secrets I do show.   

A Candlestick of wood.  
THou seest that wood I am, unless  
thy light thou do well watch:  
A Candle great shall I become,  
the flame if once I catch.   

Bellows.  
FResh frisking youth be packing hence,  
Mild age agrees with me:  
Boys bellows best beseem, and sires  
that frosty herded be.   

A medicine by rubbing to make the teeth white.  
TEll? what hast thou to do with me?  
fair girls and maidens aught  
Me for to use: I trim 〈…〉  
made, counterfeit, and bought.   

A Lantern of Horn.  
A Lantern bright (incloasing light)  
the way I show thee best:  
The candle in my bosom put  
doth shroud, and safely rest.   

A fly flap of peacocks plumes.  
THe tail of princely Peacock prove,  
that glistering fair doth show,  
May serve to flap the filthy flies  
upon thy meat that blow.   

The Parrot.  
I Prating Parrot am, to speak  
some strange thing▪ learn ye me:  
This of myself I learned to speak,  
Caesar all-hail to thee.   

The Nightingale.  
Fair Philomela howls, for fact  
Of Tereus' filthy king:  
A maid she could not speak, a bird  
she loud and shrill doth sing.   

The Pye.  
A Chattering Pie am I, and do  
salute my master thee:  
If me thou sawest not, thou wouldst sure  
deem me no bird to be.   

Cups of Crystal.  
WHen thou dost fear to break these cups,  
than dost thou break them still:  
Bold hands are ill to hold these cups,  
and fearful hands are ill.   

A Girdle.  
NOw long am I, but when with child  
thy belly shall bear out:  
Than gerdle short I shall be made,  
and scant thee come about.   

Hay.  
WHen feathers want, to stuff thy couch  
with hay thou mayst be sped:  
Pale care doth seldom come to couch  
on hard and homely bed.   

Leander.  
LEander bold, in weltering waves  
cried, spare me now ye Seas  
Until my lady I have seen,  
then drown me, if you please.   

The Tumbler.  
NOt for himself, but for his lord,  
the tumbler hunteth free:  
Which clasped in mouth doth bring unhurt  
the Leveret unto thee.   

The Ram.  
WIth Butcher's knife thou carved haste,  
the Ram his tender throat:  
Deserved he this which unto thee  
so often gave his coat?   

The Hawk.  
A Ravener fowl of foul he was,  
now faulckoners servant he:  
He birds beguiles yet gaineth not  
the birds that taken be.   

A Cook.  
'tIs not sufficient for a Cook  
a Cook for to be tried:  
A Cook must know his masters mouth,  
and appetite beside.   

A baker of fine Cakes, or like things.  
A Thousand sweet delicious knacks  
he formeth fine, by skill:  
For him alone they busy be▪  
doth toil and labour still.    

PICTORIUS.  

To Leonellus. Submission.  
THy mounting mind doth still aspire,  
thou still dost boast and crack:  
And Leonel thou wouldst be  
Magister totum fac.  
And whilst thou ●owtst thus put with pride,  
and deemst thou dost excel  
All else beside, thou drivest thyself,  
to deepest pit of hell.  
Ah, yet at length submit thyself,  
let Pride thee not be guile:  
dear shalt thou be to Christ if tho●t  
seem to thyself as, bi●e▪   

Sorowyng for the dead▪  
THou weepest still, thou skrechest shrill,  
thou halest from head thine hears:  
Thy face all torn with scratching claws,  
like S. Ihons' face appears.  
Dost think thy so●ne●●●p●rted hence,  
may thus again he had▪  
To sorrow for the dead, ●s but  
Grief unto 〈…〉 ad▪   

To Titus. Naughtiness borne withal.  
I Mused what should be the cause,  
why men do nothing fear  
Nor shame to do offences, such  
as heinous do appear:  
When ●o I heard a voice which spoke,  
the words whereof were such:  
Ah, wicked deeds and cursed crimes,  
are cockered to to much.   

To A man thankeles.  
FOr kindreds sake and courtesy,  
thou often dost require:  
For friendships cause and amity,  
again thou dost desire.  
And comfort none thou dost receive,  
of friend, nor yet of brother:  
And why? because thou wilt not do  
for one good turn, another.   

To Sextus. Pity: alms.  
Proud Palaces with battlements,  
thou hast erected high:  
Thy farms and manner houses, stored  
with every thing do lie.  
Thou dost abound in beds of town,  
thy fare is passing fine:  
Thy clotheses are costly to thy back:  
all passing that is thine.  
Upon thyself, thy goods and coin  
thou spendest evermore:  
Dost ask how bet they may be spent  
how? marry on the poor.   

To Baptista Castellus.  
ALL men (as well the rich as poor)  
of force must one day die:  
And more are rich men hurt by store,  
then poor by penury.  
Goods, seldom (they) do bring to God:  
a Cable shall go in  
Much sooner through a Nedels' eye,  
then Dives heaven win.   

To Zoilus. Weeping tears.  
A Shipwreck thou hast made of late:  
from blubbering tears refrain:  
Lost goods, by ●oud lamenting cries,  
may not be got again.  
Thy breast is Zoyl a sink of sins:  
thou still hast gone astray:  
Wherefore wail Zoilus for thy sins,  
tears wash men's sins away:  
But thou dost laugh my words to scorn:  
no force, laugh if thou please:  
Yea laugh thy fill, sweet honey still  
the sickly doth displease.   

To Homer. an Hyprocite.  
I Can not choose but praise thee, that  
thou earnest art in Prayer:  
And that unto the Temple thou  
so often makest repair.  
That Idleness thou dost eschew,  
which breeds a loathsome life:  
That thou wilt not be seen to talk,  
with any other's wife.  
That thou dost not in usury  
nor honour vain delight:  
Yet Homer, all thing is not gold  
that shines and glisters bright.   

To Zeno. Castigation.  
HE is not still an enemy  
that makes to smart, and smites:  
Ne is he still a faithful friend  
that pleaseth and delights.  
far better sure it is to have,  
sour Zeno us to love:  
Then he that seeks by flattery fair,  
for to allure and move.   

To Caper. taunts. backbityngs.  
THou dost complain, thy fate  
unlucky still to be,  
Because that Fabius froward fool  
bites, blames, and slanders thee.  
Caper content thyself,  
who is reproached, he  
No miser is, the sycophants  
themselves the misers be.   

To Criticus. Children must be instructed.  
SOft clay, may formed and framed be  
how and to what you will,  
The tender wax, to any shape,  
is priest and pliant still:  
So youth in tender years may be  
instructed how you list,  
And how they frame themselves in youth,  
so lightly they persist.  
Wherefore in virtue, Criticus  
instruct thy child betime:  
To no admonishment their ears  
the graver sore incline.   

To Quirinus.  
men's faces divers are and strange:  
so are their hearts likewise:  
And what lies hidden in the heart,  
none may discern with eyes.  
For some you see that gentle seem,  
and courteous outwardly:  
When scorching hatred in their heart  
doth burn incessantly.  
Some Damon's dear, in face appear,  
and Demons dire in chest:  
So seld or never still you see,  
the brow bewrays the breast.  
And friend Quirinus, Calaber  
the king doth favour thee,  
Yet mayest thou he assured of this,  
none more thy foe then he▪  
Perchance my boldness some will blame,  
no force, I care not, I:  
Nothing may lurk or be concelde,  
where friendship firm doth lie.   

To Visus. a backbiter.  
FOr that I did refuse,  
Vrsus to answer thee  
About Religion.  
thou musest much a●me.  
I give no holy things to dogs,  
a carping currish wight,  
Not better than a cur I count,  
which still doth bark and bite.   

To Philenius. a flatterer.  
THe Mallarde when she sees the Hawk,  
in haste she hies away:  
When horned Heart beholds the Dog,  
no longer doth he stay.  
So friend Philenius, sugared words  
eschew, as enemies dart:  
The fawning flatterer worse than foe,  
doth smite, and make to smart.   

To Petrus. love dissimuled.  
Unless some worthy work in verse,  
I do present to thee:  
Thou sayest all love and friendliness,  
shall cease, twixt thee and me.  
Even when you please, I am content,  
a Fly for such a friend:  
Lewd is the love that doth not last,  
but starting; taketh end.   

To Arnus. Surfeit.  
Dost ask with sundry sicknesses,  
why men are vexed so:  
By divers dainty dishes sure,  
diseases divers grow.  
Our elders that one dish did use,  
did healthful still endure:  
Then scant ten herbs in field were found,  
an hurt or sore to cure.  
Now hills, and woods, and seas are sought:  
all places more, and less:  
And eke we practise Magic art,  
and such like devilishness.  
And yet our sores exceed our salves,  
and needs it must be so:  
For men will rather loose their lives,  
than gluttony forego.   

To Marius. Armour and weapon against the devil.  
AGainst the sly deceipts,  
of Satan tyrant fell▪  
My Marius, wouldst thou know  
how to be fenced well:  
First curet thine must be,  
All pride for to expel:  
Thy helmet, as thyself,  
To love thy next as well.  
Thy buckler that must be,  
A chaste unspotted breast:  
Use patience for thy brigandine,  
when Fortune doth molest.   

To Cosmicus. Curiosity in decking the body.  
WIth odours sweet of Syria soil,  
thy garments all do smell:  
If corpse thou wash not thrice adaie,  
thou thinkest it is not well.  
Thy bush of hear is braided brave  
and friseled wondrous fine:  
Not spot or mole doth once deform,  
the comely corpse of thine.  
Do these beseem a servant, of  
the living Lord of light:  
Not man that sets so by himself,  
can please the Lord a right.   

To Pamphilus. friendship.  
IF thou do bid me range abroad,  
by sa●de, or else by seas:  
To pleasure thee, I will be pressed:  
I nill regard mine ease.  
Not monstrous beast with grashing chaps,  
in desert that doth bide,  
Shall me deter: nor rumbling waves,  
of Occian sea so wide.  
Ice, scorching heat of Summer hot:  
storms, that so fierce are thought:  
Rocks, rattling hail, rain, all will I  
contemn and set at naught.  
Perchance thou deemst I speak and prate,  
to to outrageously:  
Tush Pamphil, what a friend can do,  
no tongue can speak perdie.   

Repentance.  
IF thou wilt have me dame, that thou  
repentst thee of thy sin:  
To sin a fresh in wonted wise,  
see thou do not begin.  
What beast is he, which being washed  
in waves of flowing flood.  
Will strait go haske himself afresh●  
in dirt, and dabbling mud.   

To Propertianus. a niggard.  
WHo not vouchsafes himself to help,  
(Philenis miser he,)  
Dost think Propercian he will give,  
they land he 〈◊〉 thee?  
Who will deceive him 〈◊〉 doubt  
an other will beguile:  
Not credit is for to be given,  
unto a miser vile.   

To Lazarus. Vice in honour.  
Dost marvel why mine anger is,  
so great as now it is:  
My soul loathes Lazarus to live,  
in such a world as this.  
Who pointed are to punish sin,  
themselves sin openly:  
This man he spends the orphans goods,  
this keeps them wrongfully.  
Now judges bribed are each where,  
now hands are gresde apace:  
Now now suborned witnesses,  
all things in piteous case.  
In fine, my loving Lazarus,  
who is not bend to vice:  
They count him now a coxcomb fool,  
a noddy, nothing wise.   

To Paulus B. Of an harlot.  
BEcause Elisia laughs on thee,  
Paul therefore thou art glad:  
To joy in ones own misery,  
a mischief to to bad.  
Perchance she flattereth thee, and saith  
she never will thee leave:  
Ah, never credit harlot smooth,  
she always doth deceive.   

To Ponticus. Examples.  
Away with thine admonishements  
and speech so pleasant fine:  
Much move examples Ponticus,  
small move those words of thine.  
An easy matter for to speak,  
but for to do, 'tis hard:  
Do as thou sayest, else what thou sayest,  
we will not we regard.   

To Marianus. Stable abiding.  
THou haste begun the path to shun,  
that leads to vice, 'tis well:  
And for because thou haste done so,  
my joy no tongue can tell.  
But yet remember this byth' way,  
not he that doth begin:  
But who persevers to the end,  
shall glories garland win.   

Lithernes'.  
IN days of old were champions stout,  
That lusty, long in health held out:  
For why? of them was slurging sloth,  
And gluttony avoided both:  
Now dainty dishes hasten death,  
And beds bereave our body's breath.   

To Larius. Infirmities.  
THe grievous gouce puts thee to pain:  
From women, cares, and wine refrain:  
This sickness sore, and grief of thine,  
May bring to pass, that law divine,  
Can never bring to pass in thee:  
A new man this male make thee be.  
This grief thee unto God may win:  
With dolors joys do oft begin.   

To Maximus. a M●se●.  
THis is thy cast still, Maximus,  
th●● is jest evermore:  
Because thou wilt not spend thy goods,  
thou spersed to feed the poor.  
Ah caitiff ●arle, how art thou witched  
with blind desire of gain:  
Knowest not that carking covetousness,  
brings hell and ho●lyng pain?  
The carl charletts the poor to pine,  
and saves his paltry pelf,  
What seeks he but to spa●e his goods,  
and quite to spill himself?   

Lust unsatiate.  
Black Proserpina hath never sucked,  
of humane blood her fill:  
The dry unsatiable ground,  
doth thirst for moisture still.  
And though thou cast (and never cease)  
whole forests in the fire:  
It says not ho, for more it calls,  
more still it doth desire.  
So greedy lust unsatiate,  
doth not contented bide,  
Until it hath destroyed the corpse,  
and eke the soul beside.   

To Ollus Patience.  
NE tears avail the ●ieke, indence  
nor those, in grave now d●d:  
Ne piercing plaints when ship is sunk,  
stand Mariners 〈…〉.  
So fades no whit thy fury Oll,  
when thou dost rage and roar:  
But rather through thy grievous as groans,  
augments it more and more.  
What thou dost suffer take in worth,  
and hear with patiented mind:  
What thou dost bear against thy will,  
more lodesome shalt thou find.   

To jacobus Melitus. Detraction.  
LEad still a godly life,  
well still thyself behave:  
Yet thee shall wicked tongues  
reproach, and eke deprave.  
It is the pastime and delight  
Of Zoyles, at good men still to spite.   

To Vincentius Novatus. shunsloth.  
IF thou Vincentius carest for  
the health that still doth last:  
Then far from thee continually,  
see sluggish sloth thou cast.  
When basking slothful in the sun,  
the fiend his foe doth see:  
Then then with mighty hand always  
to weapon runneth he:  
But whom he sees to labour priest,  
them lets he still alone:  
He labour loathes, and loves the lusk.  
to ease and pleasure prove.   

To Flaccus. Extortioners, Cormorauntes.  
ONe silly drop of water asked  
the glutton greedy gorche  
With humble suit, to suage the heat  
that so his tongue did scorch:  
Yet never robbed he as I reed,  
the poor of aught himself to feed.  
If that be cause he would not give,  
thus plagued the rich man was  
With torments such in hell, what sh●ll  
become of them (alas)  
That nothing give, but still oppress  
poor widows, and the fatherless.   

To Marullus. almsdeeds.  
Dost fear that God will angry be,  
and turn away his face from thee  
Marullus mine? I will there tell  
a way, how to be safe and well.  
Thy face turn thou not from the poor:  
God, like for like, pays evermore.   

The good man feareth naught.  
IF fortune do but bend the brow,  
and ner so little strike:  
Thou out of courage strait art dashed,  
I never saw the like.  
And yet thou countest thyself for good:  
but by no reason sure:  
For goodmen they with manly hearts,  
do all mishaps endure.  
Let murdering Mars be modie mad,  
let fire and flame destroy:  
Let fretting famine pine and pain,  
let mischiefs all annoy.  
With stout courageous minds, all things  
good honest men sustain:  
Knowing that hereby, only they,  
their haven and heaven obtain.  
By miseries and dangers great,  
by death itself, we go,  
Unto the sweet celestial coast,  
where pleasures all do flow.   

To Doinisius Feb. The holy Scripture.  
ALl things the fragrant field doth feed,  
according unto kind:  
The bird hath seed: the ox hath straw:  
the dog his pray doth find.  
Even so the sacred Bible book,  
for every kind and sort  
Hath store of food and nourishment,  
that list thereto resort.  
Here tender babes have milk and pap:  
here ripe of years have bred:  
Here also wanteth not repast  
for age with hoary head.  
Yet hereof small account is made,  
the cause may soon be known:  
Each one doth seek to feed his ears,  
and let his heart alone.   

To Archemedorus. A Cussoner.  
Pears, Birds, to julius thou dost sand,  
all things both great and small:  
And lord, and king, and little god,  
thou always dost him call.  
What means all this Archemedore?  
what thinkest to get by this?  
To cousin hoary hears, perdie  
not easy thing it is.   

To Linus. Vice.  
GO thou where Phoebus' scorching burns,  
or go where Borias reigns:  
Go hide thyself in dampish dens,  
where darkness black rentaines.  
Go where and to what place thou willbe,  
thy sins will follow thee?  
By change of place, this certain is,  
vice cannot changes be.  
If thou be faulty, from thy mind  
all vice abandon clear:  
And Linus lead another life,  
and devil not other where.   

To one very timorous.  
NOw Does we may call desperate,  
and Hearts courageous bol●e:  
For Does, and Hearts, less timorous  
than thee a thousand fold.  
To be afraid where is no fear,  
is sign of dastardy:  
And soon the faint of courage fall  
in snares of Satan sly.  
Against all danger, and mishap,  
the chiefest thing no doubt  
Is for to have a prudent head,  
and heart courageous stout.  
Fear not the coming of mishap,  
but when that it is come:  
Then stick unto thy tackling stout,  
and bear both all and some.   

To Katherine.  
THe rumour goes, and told it is  
(mine own good Katherine)  
That thou dost blaze my name abroad,  
and laud the deeds of mine.  
Use measure in thy words, and leave  
thy lauding so of me:  
Whom women laud are seldom liked,  
but still suspected be.  
And for thou shalt no ill misdeem,  
nor me unthankful call:  
I thank thee here, let this suffice  
in recompense of all.  
A Virgin rare renowned thou art.  
now wilt thou know of me  
What best and most beseems a maid:  
aye blushing read to be.    

B. DARDANIUS.  

A lively description of Hope.  
THou that on tottering globe dost stand,  
art thou a Gods▪ tell  
Or else a mortal creature borne?  
a gods. Very well.  
Whence sprung, or how begotten, speak?  
of darkness spring did I  
What nurse did feed and give thee suck?  
that did credulity.  
Who at thy back behind thee bides?  
joys, which do glad and ch●re.  
And what is he, that still so pale  
doth go before thee? fear.  
Aloft up to the lofty heavens,  
thy looks why dost thou cast?  
I do behold the heavens, whereas  
I hope to devil at last.  
But tell me now, what doth deform  
thy face so fair and bright?  
I vexed am when my desires,  
are void and frustrate quite.  
By staff why dost thou stay thyself?  
while hope doth feed my mind:  
Old crooked age with stealing steps,  
encroacheth on by kind.  
Why reelst thou staggering to and fro?  
hope still doth slippery stand:  
The thing which oft I think to hold,  
doth slip out of my hand.   

The Description of justice.  
WHat heights thy name, thou gods tell?  
my name doth justice height.  
Why look'st thou fell? tears, plants, nor bribes  
may make me go from right.  
Born of what stock? of Gods above.  
thy parents names descry?  
Measure my sire, my mother trust,  
my nurse was penury.  
A babe who lulde thee in her lap?  
fair Prudence noble dame.  
By whom dost thou the guilty know?  
judgement doth show the same.  
Why bears thy left hand balances:  
thy right a shining blade?  
The one doth ponder causes just:  
to plague the sword is made.  
So few why are there thee to aid?  
good men are vanished quite.  
Who doth thee still associate?  
poor plainness pure and bright.  
Why is thy one ear open wide:  
thy other closed fast?  
The good, they always must be heard:  
the bad, they must be cast.  
Why in apparel art thou poor?  
who will be just and right,  
Shall never while he lives, become  
a rich and wealthy wight.   

Verses of Dardanus, sent to Dominicus Saulus.  
SOme men for gifts, give glistering gold  
and some give precious stones:  
Some ivory, costly glasses some  
wrought curious for the nonce.  
Some gifts do give of graven work,  
and husbandmen do bring  
Nuts, cornailes, apples, pears, & plumms,  
and many a pretty thing.  
But sith I want the fertile ground,  
where all these things should grow:  
And sith my fields with golden streams  
of Pactol, do not flow,  
I can not thee such presents give:  
but in the stead of them,  
I verses send unto thee here:  
I have nor gold nor gem.  
But if thou say they are no gifts,  
but trifles worthy naught:  
I pray thee what of Irus poor,  
to Croesus may be brought?   

The song of S. Jerome in the deseit.  
THou stranger, lo with ragged stones  
I beat and bounce my breast:  
I wail my sins, my grievous synns  
wherewith I am oppressed.  
I do lament my lewd led life,  
and former oversight:  
(Ah blessed and triple blest again,  
the pure unspotted wight.)  
If gronyngs great, get grace at God,  
and loud lamentyngs, love:  
I hope my piteous piercing plaints,  
shall God to mercy move.  
All tising talk I do avoid,  
from envy I depart:  
And shun I do occasions all,  
that weak the manly heart.  
Wherefore I have beta'en myself,  
in desert here to devil:  
Among a rout of ravening beasts,  
fierce, furious, frantic fell.  
And what though in this wilderness  
no wight will come and see  
Me grisly wretch: yet here always  
my God remains with me.  
No man that loveth God a right  
(in woods or deserts wide)  
But hath sufficient company  
and comfort to beside.  
Here chittering birds do chirp and chant,  
in heat here pleasant shade:  
Here want not crystal quivering springs,  
wherein to wash and wade.  
A pittance here sufficeth well:  
I banquets set not by:  
And here, because I wish for nought,  
I nought am wanting, I  
Here hunger is the only sauce,  
that likes my stomach best:  
Here nothing me mislikes: enough  
sufficeth as a feast.  
Here fruit brings forth the fertile soil,  
Vntoylde and eke untild:  
In stead of bed I lie on leaves,  
wherewith the woods are filled.  
With blot or blame, I none defame,  
alone here as I devil:  
Nor gnawing envy hurteth me,  
I here do live so well.  
No glory, nor ambition vain  
do here torment my mind:  
I glory but in God alone,  
and him I hope to find.  
Here Venus prinked up in pride  
and pranked, fine and gay  
Doth never come: no lust doth last,  
but hence departs away.  
In pleasant shade when so I please,  
I sleep and take my rest:  
No thundering trump nor thumping thief,  
my slumbryngs here molest.  
My mind is not on money set,  
I do not heap nor hoard:  
Alone I seek to please my God,  
and to embrace his word.  
All things beside the word of God,  
are even as drizsling mist:  
Fond, vile and vain, of none effect,  
let men say what them list.  
Oft times here comes and fauns on me,  
fierce Lions furious fell▪  
And divers dreadful beasts besides,  
that in the woods do devil.  
And still the Lord doth lend me help  
'gainst death and dangers all:  
I stand in dread of nothing I,  
for on the Lord I cal●.  
Yet here among these raggy rocks,  
and beasts of cruel mood:  
Where fountain water is my drink,  
where herbs do serve for food.  
Here sensual pleasure doth assault,  
to win me by her might:  
But still with reason I resist,  
and chase her from my sight.  
But thou which liuste at pleasure thine,  
and all things haste at will:  
Which soft dost lie, which dost with cates  
and wine thy beallie fill.  
Ah wretch with heat of filthy lust,  
what torments dost thou try?  
When she for to assault thy mind,  
with hasty steps doth high.    

ANGELUS POLITIANUS.  

To Pamphilus.  
THou send'st us wine: we want no wine,  
my Pamphil trusty friend▪  
Will't send us what we want & wish?  
then thirst my Pamphil send.   

To his Lady beloved.  
IN rage thou turnest me away,  
again thou dost me take:  
Thou hard at heels dost follow me,  
yet me thou dost forsake.  
Kind art thou, courteous eke,  
yet cankered, cursed again:  
Thou wilt, and wilt not: me thou louste,  
and me thou putst to pain.  
Thou promiss mak'st, and it forsak'st:  
in deep despair I pine,  
Yet live in hope: Ah Tantal would  
my state were like to thine.  
A painful plague in crystal streams,  
to be a thirst and dry:  
But what a plague to be a thirst,  
sweet Nectar standing by?    

BRUNO.  

A true saying.  
ONce wooden Chalices there were,  
Then golden priests were every where:  
Now golden chalices there be,  
And wooden priests each where to see.   

To Omellia.  
THou maruelest Omellia much,  
why none do seek and sue  
To match with thee: what is the cause  
I now will tell thee true:  
If any man Omellia,  
should match and link with thee:  
Thy husband's mother, not his wife,  
thou wouldst reputed be.   

A jest of a certain harebrained husband.  
A Certain husband wild did hate his wife:  
And used to coil her coat, with ●udgill rife.  
One said to him, beat not thy wife so sore:  
Then bumping blows good words will do much mo●●  
Now after this, the husband harebrained beast,  
With Bible book still bounced her on the breast:  
They say good word wildo much good said he:  
If good, good words will do: than here they be.   

Against Hugo.  
HVgo doth laud no man at all,  
nor no man loveth he:  
He thinketh, others to d● praise,  
the chiefest praise to be.  
What gets he now by hating thus?  
all men him hate indeed:  
And boys call Hugo black, and say  
of Hugo black take heed.   

Of a Fool that found a Crab-fish.  
BY fortune once in summer time,  
when sun did fry and flame,  
From native brook (where he was bred)  
a crab fish crawling came.  
And while he frisking played on bank,  
gay glistering green with grass:  
He was up taken, by a man,  
that there by him did pass.  
This wight that found him was a fool,  
and had no crab-fish seen:  
Wherefore he thrust his hand in haste,  
his clasping claws between.  
The crab did pinch and pierce him sore,  
wherefore he cast him quick  
Into the flood: and said withal,  
I'll teach you sir to prick.  
The crab pert flappeth fast his tail  
and in the waves doth spring:  
See said the fool, the plucking pangs  
of death how sore they sting.   

A jest of a Thief.  
A Certain Thief found guilty, both  
of theft and perjury:  
Was judged to have his tongue cut out  
with knife, most cruelly.  
O, said the thief unto the judge,  
your pointed purpose stay:  
O, save my tongue, with carving knife  
and cut mine ears away.  
Two ears for one tongue I will loose:  
well, quoth the judge, agreed:  
And sent for executioner,  
to cut his ears with speed.  
Now when the executioner came,  
his hat from head he threw:  
And hears there did appear, but ears  
he there had none to view:  
(For he had lost his ears before)  
each laughed to see his wile:  
And having thus deceud the judge  
the thief himself 'gan smile.    

CYNTHIUS JOANNES BAPTISTA.  

To Diana Ariosta.  
IN brow, in breast, in beauty brave,  
in skill, and noble name:  
chaste Cynthia thou resemblest right  
Diana, peerless Dame.  
In this alone ye are not like,  
hearts wild she killed still:  
Hearts mild thou kill'st: she killed with bow,  
with look but thou dost kill.   

Of Niobe.  
YOU ●●●●●●unt brutes be packing hence,  
altreche ye pensive wights:  
And mourn with me whom sorrow fell,  
torments both days and nights.  
Brats 7. and 7 by me were borne,  
and brought into the light:  
Of 7. and 7. (ah wretch) again  
the Gods have refte me quite.  
I melted into tears, and now  
transformed to Marble stone:  
I drop forth tears: so as in life  
I mourn, now life is gone.  
Learn here ye mortals all, what 'tis  
with strutting pride to swell:  
And what likewise, for to despise  
the Gods, in heaven that devil.   

Of his strange love.  
IN fire I frieze, in Frost I fry:  
How so, wouldst know? a lover I   

To Renata, a noble Dame.  
FOr princely pomp, and riches great,  
queen juno bears the bell:  
Pallas for skill: for purity  
Diana doth excel.  
For beauty brave doth Venus pass:  
Renata learned well,  
Rich, chaste, of beauty brave beside,  
all four doth far excel.   

Vesbia.  
THree Furies (here tofore)  
have always been in hell:  
But now that Vesbia she is there,  
there furies four do devil.    

TEXTOR.  

Prayers for the dead, nothing profit.  
THou sowest ●n sand, thou ploust the plash,  
thou anglest in the air:  
If so thou goest about to help,  
the soul deceased by prayer.   

An Epitaphe.  
I Laughed, I weep I was, but now  
I nothing am become:  
I played, but now I cease to play:  
I sang, but now am domme.  
I waked, I sleep: I studied once,  
but lo I now am still:  
My flesh I fed and pampered once,  
but now the worms I fill:  
I welcomed all sometime, but now  
to all I bid adieu:  
I caught, but now am caught myself:  
now slain, which sometime slew.  
Once fought I, now I peace enjoy:  
I life enjoyed all right,  
Of right again I must therefore  
yield unto Mors his might:  
I yield, and yield I must of force:  
earth was I once certain,  
Earth, dust, and now at last I am  
earth, dust, become again.  
Earth, dust, now nought at all: wherefore  
world vain adieu to thee:  
And sith I needs must hence away,  
worms welcome you to me.   

To his Friend.  
THou want waste often to demand,  
when we should foes become:  
And when the knot of friendship should,  
between us be undone.  
Can Flint or Marble hard be made,  
as yielding Butter soft?  
Or can the lumpish Ox be made,  
to mount and soar aloft?  
Can wolves and Lambs agreed? or can  
the scrawling Crab creep right?  
Or can the Night, as gladsome Day  
become so clear and bright?  
Can Cat forbear to catch the Mouse?  
can Hen and Kite agreed?  
Can Day be dark? or can the Night  
as clear Aurora be?  
Can Crows be made both fair and white,  
and Swans both foul and black?  
Can cold congealed Ice, be hot?  
can Winter coldness lack?  
Can Fire then Water be more cold?  
or can the Hare, delight  
To play and dally with the Dog?  
can aught be empty quite?  
Can Wind from blowing be restrained?  
can surging Seas be still?  
Can floating Fish forsake the ford?  
can Death leave of to kill?  
Can Fox and Hen, both in a Pen  
agreed together well?  
Can peace abide with buttering blows?  
can love with discord devil?  
Can seas be waterles and dry?  
can hills be dales without?  
Can woods be void of trees? or skies,  
devoid of stars throughout?  
Can one lone Emot drink the seas?  
can God be from an high?  
Can God have ever any end?  
can mortals shun to die?  
Can ragged rocks be precious stones?  
can Iron Gold excel?  
Can drowsy drunkenness esteem,  
sage sober manners well?  
Can fame be hushed and silence keep:  
can drabs their tattle cease?  
Can Venus' vicious vile be chaste,  
and leave, her beastliness?  
When thou canst bring these things to pass,  
each one both more and less:  
Or seest them to be brought to pass,  
then shall our friendship cease.   

To the Pope.  
IF that thou wilt not save thy flock,  
from wolves devouring throat:  
At lest be not a wolf thyself,  
clad in a sheepskin coat.   

To spiritual pastors.  
AS pastor pure, preserve thy flock,  
have Argus eyes to watch:  
Jest that the fiend the wolf of hell,  
do thee and thine dispatch.  
Thou oughtest their wool and fleece to shear:  
to shear, but not to shave:  
Have Argus eyes I say again,  
thy flock to shield and save.  
No marvel now, though sickly sheep,  
and sore deseasd we see:  
For who as nowadays (God knows)  
but wolves their keepers be.   

A woman.  
A Woman fawns, and doth entrap,  
a woman wageth war:  
She guiles▪ the body she doth blind,  
the members she doth mar.  
She febles force, she draws a man,  
she burneth up the bones:  
She fawns, gives, asks, she likes, she loathes  
she merry makes, she moans.  
She wasteth wealth, though purse be stuffed,  
she crosses makes the same:  
She fights, she throws down mighty walls,  
strong Castles she doth tame.  
She posies bears: she glasses hath:  
as pert as any Pie:  
She smells, she kisseth, and her corpse  
she loves exceedingly.  
She tufts her hear▪ she frotes her face,  
she idle loves to be:  
She mincing jets: to virtue slow,  
but prove to vice is she.   

How to get friendship.  
Give much, but little ask again,  
take heed thou nothing take:  
If much thou give, and little ask,  
if gifts thou do forsake  
Among the common people thou,  
shalt bear away the bell:  
And thick and threefold friends will flock,  
with thee to bide and devil.  
But if thou nothing give at all,  
than friends will from thee fly:  
If much thou ask, then shalt thou be  
repulsed by and by.  
If much thou take, then covetous  
and carl they will thee call:  
Take nought, ask little, part from much,  
and friends have sure ye shall.   

The properties of certain birds. Of the Peacok.  
WHen Argus with his hundred eyes,  
Hermes had conquered q●●ght  
By sweet melodious harmony,  
and Musyckes' heavenly might.  
Then juno took his watchful eyes,  
and bravely by and by,  
She placed them in my train, where now  
they shine as sun in sky.  
My name heights Peacock commonly,  
I take a great delight  
In setting up my plumes aloft,  
that bravely glister bright.  
I haunt where princely buildings be,  
I loath the Cottage base:  
I have a fearful feendlike note,  
a thevish softly pace.  
My flesh as hard as hard may be,  
from Samos I'll I came:  
juno doth me defend and keep,  
and junos' bird I am.   

The Eagle.  
FRom all the flock of flying fowls  
I bear away the bell:  
I mount up to the clustering clouds,  
I fear no lightnyngs fell.  
Ioues jolly armiger am I,  
as Poet's pens have told:  
Among all feathered fowls am I,  
the goodliest to behold.  
Gay gallant golden Ganymede,  
(in talents clinched fast)  
I carried unto jove on high,  
of whom he was embraced.  
No bird, no fowl there is, that dare  
compare with me to fly:  
The Eagle only servant is,  
to thundering jove on high.   

The Swan.  
A Swan my name doth height:  
from foreign cost I came:  
Dame Venus Chariot I direct,  
and Venus' bird I am.  
Among the Gods I am beloved,  
like Siren sweet I sing:  
I joy to chant, before I feel  
of Death the dreadful sting.   

The Voulter.  
I Called am the Voulter black:  
I claw mine enemy  
With crooked cruel cratching claws:  
a filthy foul am I  
My food is fulsome carrion foul,  
with every carcase dead  
That tumbled lies in stinking ditch,  
I love for to be fed.  
With every writer's pen pursued,  
dispraised still am I:  
The foulest foul I counted am,  
of all the fowls that fly.  
Yet for the sense of smelling sure,  
no foul surpass me can:  
The Lion, Libarde, Egle, I  
surmount, and also man.   

The Partridge.  
Among all other birds,  
most mestfull bird am I:  
Among all feathered fowls,  
I first complain and cry.  
All in the night both g●●nes and snares,  
are laid poor soul for me:  
Man spares no pain, but labours still  
that I may taken be,  
Wouldst know the cause why I am sought,  
of every Fouler sly?  
The cause is this, among all birds,  
the finest flesh have I  
Thou seest the crafty carrion crow,  
Is never cared for:  
Because his flesh is fulsome vile,  
all men do him abhor.  
But I am soft and delicate,  
and therefore me they get▪  
And for a princely dish am I,  
before great princes set.   

The sparrow.  
THe feathered sparrow ca●d am I,  
in swet● and plaasaunt spring  
I greatly do delight, for than  
I chitter, chirp, and sing.  
I take delight in garnished groves  
to seek my living still:  
And though but little bird I am,  
yet sing I sweet and shrill.  
Now thou that great and mighty art,  
despise and set not light  
By little ones: small ones oft-times  
subdue the great of might.    

NICOLAUS BARTHOLOMAEUS LOCHIENSIS.  

Of a drunkard going home from the Tavern.  
A drunkard drinking all the day,  
At night did homeward take his way:  
The drink his bladder burdened so,  
That he must let his water go.  
Thereby he leaned him to the wall,  
By chance a shower as then did fall:  
He thoroughly drunk, and tippled well,  
Did dame he piste the rain that ●elt:  
His mate that with him than did go,  
(Much musing why he tarried so)  
Asked him tooth wall he did cleave.  
And said, wilt never pissing leave?  
(Quoth he) so long as God shall please,  
I here must piss, and take mine ease.   

To one having a very read nose.  
IF thou didst ply the pot no more,  
than thou dost ply thy book:  
Then would not nose of thine so red  
and fiery flaming look.    

HIERONYMUS BALBUS.  

To Guido.  
IN sign of trusty friendship true,  
my Guido trusty friend:  
Both Verses fine, and apples fine,  
unto us thou didst send.  
As apples fine delight the mouth,  
so Verses please the mind:  
The first in taste, the second graeft,  
most pleasant we did find.  
Thy apples pass the glistering gold▪  
thy Verses pearls excel:  
Thy gifts from either gold, or pearl,  
quite bear away the bell.  
Not better apples than were thine,  
might king Alcinous send:  
And Verses thine so excellent,  
God Clarius might not mend.   

To Marianus.  
THou enemy to muses nine,  
thou foe to learned dames:  
How darest thou Poets pure despise,  
and seek to foil their fames?  
Orpheus' Poet excellent,  
with song and sugared voice:  
Can tame the hellish hound, and make  
both stones and beasts rejoice.  
Arion fingering fine his Harp,  
with cunning skilful hand:  
Was by a Dolphin saved from seas,  
and brought unto the land.  
Amphion by his eloquence  
and sugared speeches mild:  
Brought to a civil form of life,  
rude barbarous people wild.  
Now if so thou proceed and speak,  
'gainst Poets that excel:  
Moore hard art thou then ragged stones,  
and beasts in woods that devil.    

ERASMUS IN HIS CHILIADES.  

Of a sheep that fostered a wolf.  
WIth milk of mine I fed a wolf,  
not of mine own accord,  
(But thereto forced:) for wolves you know,  
of sheep are still abhorred.  
When I had brought him life, at last  
my life he reft from me:  
Lo, for no gifts nor benefits,  
may nature changed be.   

Again of the same.  
WIth milk of mine own, a wolf I did feed,  
compelled thereto of my shepherd indeed:  
When long I had fed him, by him I was spilled,  
lo nought willbe nought, say & do what thou wilt.   

Best never to be borne.  
WHat path list you to tread?  
what trade will you assay?  
The courts of plea by brawl and bate,  
drive gentle peace away.  
In house for wife and child,  
there is but cark and care:  
With toil and travel enough,  
in fields we use to far.  
Upon the Seas lies dread:  
the rich in foreign land  
Do fear the loss, and there the poor  
like misers poorly stand.  
Strife with a wife, without  
your thrift full hard to see:  
Young brats a trouble, none at all  
a maim it seems to be.  
Youth fond, age hath no heart,  
and pincheth all to nigh:  
Choose then the leifer of these two  
no life, or soon to die.   

Metrodorus mind to the contrary.  
WHat race of life run you?  
what trade will you assay?  
In Court is glory got, and wit  
increaseth day by day.  
At home we take our ease,  
and beak ourselves in rest:  
The fields our nature doth refresh  
with pleasures of the best.  
On seas great gain is got:  
the stranger, he shallbe  
Esteemed having much, if not  
none knows his lack but he.  
A wife will trim thy house,  
no wife then art thou free:  
Brood is a lovely thing, without  
thy life is lose to thee.  
Young blods be strong, old sires  
in double honour devil:  
Do way the choice, no life, or soon  
to die, for all is well.    

STROZA.  

Of Scaurus, a rich man and covetous.  
SCaurus hath sundry villages,  
rich farms and manners brave:  
Much land, fat Oxen, store of coin:  
he hath what he can have.  
Yet still he scrapes with tooth and nail,  
more, still he doth desire:  
With carking caring covetousness,  
his mind is set on fire.  
Fabritius better lives than he,  
a poor contented wight:  
Whom neither greedy gathering,  
nor usury doth delight.    

ANTONIUS' MURETUS.  

Against Venus.  
IF Venus, (as the lying rout  
of babbling Poets sing)  
If she out of the surging seas  
and weltering waves did spring.  
How can this come to pass, that she  
should burn that so was borne?  
By flanckering flame of fiery love,  
to cinders men are worn.  
Ah, gripping grief: what hopest thou for  
poor Lover silly wretch?  
Thou from the midst of flowing streams,  
hot scalding fire dost fetch.   

To Margaris'.  
WHen so it rains, and Phoebus' rays  
are covered all with clouds:  
Then every thing remaining sad,  
in silence pensive shrouds.  
Therefore muse not my Margaris',  
though sad thou dost me see:  
Behold mine eyes rain tears, and thou  
my son art gone from me.   

To Corellius.  
A Baker, Butcher and a Bawd,  
a Cobbler and a Cook,  
Thou art: a Merchant, Lawyer to  
well skilled in thy book.  
All these Corellius though thou be,  
yet poor thou art pardie:  
And none in all the city lives,  
like thee in misery.  
How can this be be Corellius?  
I muse and marvel to,  
When as thou canst so many things,  
Yet nothing canst thou do.   

Of Pontilianus.  
WHen flaming Phoebus with his heat,  
doth cause the ground to chink,  
Strait ways Pontilian thirsty cries,  
boy hither high with drink.  
When so it rains, lo now saith he,  
God warns us to carouse:  
Which all about the ground doth so  
with sleet and showers souse.  
So gulling thus, in sun nor showers  
his drink is not forgot:  
And somewhat still he hath to say,  
why he should toss the pot.    

AUSONIUS.  

An exhortation unto modesty.  
MEn say, that King Agathocles  
once fed in potter's plate:  
And charged oft with Samian clay,  
his Tables where he sat.  
'Mong which his chargers all of Gold,  
he served in would see:  
And so together he would minge,  
his pride and poverty.  
Whereof this cause he gave. Lo I  
possessing princely place  
Of Sicily: late was son unto  
a Potter poor and base.  
Learn hence your rooms to reverence ye  
that clime to honour fast,  
And beggar brought to honour's seat,  
remember what thou wast.   

Of the Picture of Rufus, a vain Rhethorician.  
THe Rhethoricians statue this,  
that Rufus had to name:  
Look even what Rufus was himself,  
this Image is the same.  
Tongles and witless, cold and deaf,  
a stone that can not see:  
A Rufus right: one difference yet,  
more soft was Rufus he.   

Of a woman that would have poisoned her husband.  
A Wife, a wicked woman that  
a noughty life did live,  
Unto her jealous husband did  
foul filthy poison give.  
She deeming that alone, not of  
sufficient force to be  
To rid him quickly: longing sore  
his quick dispatch to see,  
Quicksilver with the poison mings,  
deeming of both the force,  
Would quickly bring him to his grave,  
and make him soon a corpse.  
These parted, poison strong do make,  
(What man the same would think)  
But put together they preserve,  
Who so thereof doth drink.  
Now while together twixt themselves,  
these poisons both do strive:  
He voids from him the deadly bane,  
and so remains alive:  
What care both God on earthly souls?  
he dead reviveth man.  
And when the fates will have it so,  
two poisons profit can.   

To one that painted Echo.  
THou wiltles wight, what means this mad intent,  
To draw my face and form, unknown to thee?  
What meanest thou so for to molesten me?  
Whom never eye beheld, nor man could see.  
Daughter to talking tongue, and air am I,  
My mother nothing is when things are weighed,  
I am a voice without the body's aid.  
When all the tale is told and sentence said,  
Then I recite the latter end afresh,  
In mocking sort and counterfeiting wise:  
Within your ears my chiefest harbour lies,  
There do I won, not seen with mortal eyes.  
And more to tell and farther to proceed,  
I Echo height of men below in ground:  
If thou wilt draw my counterfeit indeed,  
Then must thou paint (O Painter) but a sound.   

An Epitaphe of Anitia.  
THe things that many years,  
can scantly bring about,  
Anitia hath accomplished, yet  
not fully twenty out.  
An infant she hath sucked, a maid  
she quickly fell in love:  
She linked, conceived, brought forth, & did  
the pangs of child-birthe prove,  
And made a mother, now at last,  
death hence did her remove.  
Who rightly can the fates accuse?  
she lived hath the years,  
Each age's function to perform,  
as plain by proof appears.   

Of a Hare taken by a Dog-fishe.  
THe scenting hounds pursued,  
the hasty Hare of foot:  
The silly beast to scape the Dogs,  
did jump upon a root:  
The rotten scrag it burst,  
from cliff to Seas he fell:  
Then cried the Hare, unhappy me,  
for now perceive I well  
Both land and sea pursue,  
and hate the hurtless Hare:  
And eke the dogged sky aloft,  
if so the dog be there.   

Of Miron an old dotterel, that would have lain with Lais.  
OLd Mi●on, Lais wanton wench  
to lie with him, besought:  
Fine Lais she, did put him back  
and set his suit at naught.  
He knowing sure it was his age,  
that she did so despise:  
His hoary head (all over straght)  
with blacking dark he dies.  
And so with wonted visage he,  
but not with wonted hear  
For to renew his wonted suit,  
goes to his Lays dear.  
But she comparing head of his  
and face together well:  
Perchance this same is Miron mine  
quoth she: I can not tell.  
So she (uncertain what he was)  
disposed to sport and play:  
In dallying wise thus 'gan she speak  
and to her lover say:  
Why foolish fellow fond quoth she,  
why dost thou this require?  
The thing thou dost demand of me,  
I erst denied thy sire.   

Translated out of two Greek authors: Plato and Scatilius.  
A Wretched caitiff, in despair.  
went forth with throtling cord  
To make away himself: by hap  
he found a golden hoard:  
He joyful 'twas his happy chance,  
this hidden hoard to find:  
Forsook his purpose, took the gold  
and left the rope behind.  
The owner when he came, and saw  
from thence his ruddocks refte:  
For sorrow hung himself with rope,  
that there behind was left.   

Of Venus in armour.  
DAme Pallas Lady Venus viewed,  
clad brave in armour bright:  
Let Paris judge (come on quoth she)  
together let us fight.  
See, see, quoth Venus how she brags:  
a proud disdainful dame:  
Thou know'st I smocklesse conquered thee,  
peace Pallas, fie for shame.   

The same otherwise.  
IN complete Pallas saw,  
the Lady Venus stand:  
Who said, let Paris now be judge,  
encounter we with hand.  
Replied the Goddess: what?  
skornste thou in armour me:  
That naked erst in Ida mount,  
so foiled and conquered thee?   

Of the picture of Rufus a vain Rhethoritian, of whom there is an Epigram before.  
THis Rufe his Table is,  
can nothing be more true:  
If Rufus hold his peace, this piece  
and he are one to view.   

Of the picture of the same Rufus.  
WIth visage fair, that can not speak,  
wouldst know what one I am?  
I Marry: I am Rufus he  
the Rhethoritian.  
What, can not Rufus speak himself?  
he can not: tell me why?  
The Image of this Image, for  
he is himself perdie.   

Of the Table wherein Rufus was painted.  
THe portraiture of Rufe this is,  
which here you see:  
Much like the same in deed: himself  
but where is he?  
Himself in stately chair is placed:  
what doth he there?  
nought else but what you see him do  
in Table here.   

Of the picture of king Croesus, translated out of the first book of Greek Epigrams.  
THy picture Croesus' king that didst  
for riches all excel:  
Uncivil rude Diogenes  
beheld beneath in hell.  
And viewing it aloof, he laughed  
as though his heart would break:  
At last (when he had laughed his fill,)  
he thus began to speak.  
O foolish Croesus, what avails  
now all thy paltry pelf?  
Sigh now thou poorer art, then poor  
Diogenes himself.  
For what was mine I bore with me,  
when silly Croesus' poor  
Thou penniless didst pack from hence,  
for all thy hugy store.   

Of the drink DODRA: Which is made of nine things.  
I Dodra height: How so? nine things  
do go to making mine:  
Which they? juice, water, honey bread,  
spice, herbs, salt, oil and wine.   

Against two sisters of divers conditions.  
WE muse and marvel Delia much,  
(and that with cause) to see  
That there such difference is betwixt,  
thy sister she and thee.  
She chaste doth seem (unchaste indeed)  
because of her array:  
Thou chaste indeed, dost seem unchaste,  
for garments thine so gay.  
Though thou be spotless pure in life,  
thoug she have honest weeds:  
Yet garments thine dishonest thee,  
and her her noughty deeds.   

Of a sluggard.  
THe lusk in health is worse far,  
than he that keeps his bed:  
'tis twice so much that he devours  
of bear, of beef and bread.   

Of the rich and poor man.  
HE is not rich which plenty doth posces:  
Ne is he poor, that nothing hath at all:  
And of them both the pooremans' need is less,  
as by the sequel proved see you shall.  
The rich of Precious stones doth stand in need:  
the poor of grain to help him in distress:  
So sith the poor & rich both want, indeed  
of both their needs that poremans' need is less.   

Of his dear deceased.  
THree graces fair there were: but while  
my Lesbian did remain  
Four were there: and now she is gone,  
there are but three again.    

MICHAEL TARCHAMOTA MARULLUS.  

To Neaera.  
MY sweet, you ask what life I live:  
Even such a life as you me give,  
Distressed, doleful, bard from rest,  
As bad as well can be expressed:  
This is the life for certainty,  
That you my dear do give to me.  
You do demand my dear beside,  
What mates a days with me abide:  
Cares, sickness pale, and grief of heart,  
Pain, twitching throws, & scalding smart,  
Sighs, sobs, and tears, and great unrest,  
As bad, as well can be expressed.  
Companions these and mates of mine,  
These you my dear to me assine.    

ANDREA'S DACTIUS.  

Of himself, and his friend.  
LIke as the bough doth bud and branch▪  
knit to his body fast:  
And plucked away, doth soon decay,  
dry, wither, die and waste.  
Even so by thee I stand, or fall,  
I live or die by thee:  
For unto thee I am the bough,  
and thou the stock to me.    

JOANNIS BAPTISTA PIGNA.  

Of Naijs.  
WHen as the Sun doth shine,  
if Naijs hide her face:  
Then Phoebus dies, and all the fields  
lament in doleful case.  
When as the Sun doth shroud,  
if Naijs fair appear,  
Then darkness dies, and all the fields  
rejoice with gladsome cheer.    

CAELIUS RHODIGINUS.  

How a man should prepare to die.  
GOod end if thou desire, than well  
to live thyself apply:  
A happy life if thou desire,  
remember still to die.   

Piscarius his Epitaphe.  
WHo under this same Marble cold,  
engraved lies express?  
A Fisher great, in war a Mars,  
and one that loved peace.  
What caught he fish declare me? no.  
what then I pray thee tell?  
Towns, cities, kingdoms, kings themselves  
haught, stout, that did excel.  
How caught this Fisher these, declare  
by what devised nets?  
By counsel deep, by courage great,  
by strength that all things gets.  
Who conquered this stout Duke at last?  
Mars, Mors, two Gods of might:  
What was the cause that them constrained?  
vile envious hellish spite.  
They hurt him naught, for still doth live  
his fame and glory bright:  
Which is of force, both Mars and Mors,  
and all to put to flight.    

GEORGIUS SABINUS.  

Of the discord of Princes.  
TWo thrushes fallen at variance  
together fierce do fight:  
Each seeks the other for to foil  
by struggling, strength, and might.  
The Hawk (their cruel enemy)  
beholding them at square:  
In cruel clutches caught them both  
and them to pieces tare.  
So christian princes while they be  
between themselves at bate,  
In comes the tyrant Turk, their foe,  
and spoils them of their state.   

To a Lass, lamenting of her mother the loss.  
IN wailing the departure, of  
thy loving mother dear:  
In raging sort why dost thou rend  
and hale from head thine hear?  
O spare thy locks (thou lewd)  
and cease to pull thy pace:  
Dost think by baldness piled,  
thy dolour to abate?   

Of a Painter: A pleasant and merry jest.  
A Painter once (that was  
a Zeuxis for his skill)  
Had children foul, deformed, black  
and of complexion ill.  
His wife spoke to him thus in sport,  
upon a certain time:  
Why dost thou plant so naughtily tell,  
and paint so fair and fine?  
O wife (quoth he) you know I plant  
in darkness all the night:  
But paint I do when Phoebus' rays  
do cast a radiant light.   

A merry jest of a scattergood.  
WHat time a certain skattergood,  
within his gates by night  
Did entering see a pilfering knave,  
something to steal and pike.  
Thou art besnerd here in the night,  
to look for aught (quoth he)  
For I myself when Phoebus' bright  
doth shine, can nothing see.   

A jest of a jester.  
A Scoffer fine was wont sometime,  
in jest to every wight:  
Still to rehearse Menalcas verse,  
(of whom doth Maro writ.)  
I'll make that none with talking tongue,  
henceforth thou shalt abuse:  
This verse of Vergil still in sport,  
and jesting he would use.  
But so it chanced at the last,  
for many a knavish part:  
He was compelled by throtling cord,  
of death to bide the smart.  
And brought to place where he should bide,  
the pinching pangs of death:  
The halter tide, the hangman horsed  
prepared to stop his breath.  
The hangman putting o'er his head,  
the halter as they use:  
Said: I'll make that none by talking tongue  
henceforth thou shalt abuse.    

ANGERIANUS.  

To the Rose.  
THou Rose so fair dost quickly fade,  
so form fades quickly sure:  
Then thou fair Rose, & beauty brave  
a like time do endure.   

To his Image.  
MY portraiture so lively wrought,  
tell me who fashioned thee?  
How passing right resemblest thou,  
the countenance of me.  
Thou lookest pale, pale eke look I:  
thou blind, I also blind:  
(Ay me) no mind hast thou at all,  
I likewise have no mind.  
No life hast thou, no life have I:  
thou dumb canst nothing speak,  
(Ay me) my tongue ne talks at all,  
I dumb and speechless eke.  
No heart doth harbour in thy breast,  
I heartless am again:  
Thou bidest unaccompanied,  
so likewise I remain:  
Of fading paper thou compact,  
that quickly doth decay:  
My body eke but brittle bark,  
unsteadfast still doth stay.  
Thou as a shadow of my corpse,  
enduerst but little time:  
A fading shadow follows still  
likewise the corpse of mine.  
Thou feeble, soon dost fade and fail:  
long may not I remain:  
To dust and powder thou must pack,  
and so must I again.  
Both like as like may be, but thou  
liust merrier far than I:  
Thou liust and louste not, love makes me  
a wretch to live perdie.   

Of his love Caelia.  
THe fire doth tame the iron hard,  
hard flint the waters pierce:  
Warm blood doth break the Adamant,  
as sundry books rehearse:  
But she whom I do serve (more hard:  
then these repeated three)  
Then Iron, Flint, or Adamant,  
more rocky hard is she.  
For ne my fire that burns in breast,  
ne tears from eyes that fall,  
Nor spinning blood from sanguine veins,  
may make her rue her thrall.   

Of jove.  
A Swan, a Bull, a Satire wood,  
and gold, was jove above:  
For L for E. for A. and D.  
with whom he was in love.   

To the Reader.  
ALthough not thee, I please myself,  
thou reader mayest be gone:  
Sufficient if the writers works,  
do please himself alone.   

Of himself.  
THou laughst, thou lowrst (both glad & sad)  
thou both dost rest, and range:  
Such is the life a lover leads,  
thou louste, 'tis nothing straying.    

JOANNES SECUNDUS.  

Three Evils.  
Which are three ills that mischief men,  
to know dost thou desire?  
Have here in few my friend expressed,  
the Fem, the Flood, the Fire.  
The rich old man, of himself.  
WHen young I was, then poor I was▪  
now in my latter days,  
With riches I abound: (aye me)  
unhappy wretch both ways.  
When as I knew some use of goods,  
I wanted evermore:  
And now I know no use of goods,  
of goods I have great store.   

Of a Dwarf.  
A Dwarf upon a Pismyers back  
did get him up to ride:  
He deemed a tamed Oliphante  
he did as then bestride.  
But while he did advance himself  
to bold upon his back,  
He tumbled down, and had a fall  
that made his guts cry quacke.  
When as the Dwarf was thus unhorsed,  
each laughed, both great and small:  
Why laugh you masters quoth the dwarf?  
what? Phaethon had a fall.   

Love is uncurable.  
AN herb is found each hurt to help:  
all sores have salves we see:  
Alone the wound that Cupid gives  
can never cured be.    

SIMON VALLAMBERTUS AVALON.  

To a covetous old Carl.  
ALthough thy hoary silver hears,  
as white as Lilies show:  
Although thou Pylius pass in years,  
that lived long ago:  
Although the teeth (which thou hast bought)  
nor crust can eat nor crumb:  
Although unto the brink thou art  
of Stygian boat now come:  
Yet naytheles whole Coffers crammed  
with coin, thou still dost crave:  
And bags big bolne with money much  
thou still desirest to have.  
O doting sire, these heaps of coin  
requires not Charon fell:  
One silly penny for his fare  
contenteth Charon well.   

Of Codrus.  
INto a princely Palace proud  
(built brave with Marble stone)  
With ragged tattered torn attire  
poor Codrus would have gone.  
So nakt (quoth one) ye come not here:  
quoth Codrus no, and why?  
The gods are nakt, and none but nakt  
must go to heaven perdie.   

To Pansophus.  
THough Pansophus thou pleasest none  
no marvel 'tis, and why?  
Thou pleasest overmuch thyself  
proud Pansophus pardie.   

To a niggard.  
ALL thing is dear thou sayst,  
wine, vittayl, corn, and grain:  
Yet miser vile well stored thou  
with all thing dost remain.  
So thou to no man dear,  
selst dear unto the poor:  
Alack thou sayst all things are dear,  
dear must I cell therefore.  
Ah, cell thou miser as thou mayst  
and shun thou Usury:  

Charus.  So shalt thou be to all men dear  

Carus.  and dear to none perdie.   

To a backbiter that was bald.  
BAldsconse, I nothing have  
unto thee for to say:  
But sure I laud thy locks which are  
gone from thy head away.   

To Achilles Combanus.  
BRight Glory raynging here and there,  
to seek the shining bower  
Where Virtue dwelled, happed on thy house,  
of Virtue fragrant flower.  
And so when Glory did perceive,  
that Virtue dwelled with thee:  
Here will I rest (quoth he) thy guest,  
I will Combanus be.    

OUT OF GREEK EPIGRAMS.  

How to use riches.  
Use riches those thou haste,  
as though thou shouldest die:  
Again as though thou shouldest live,  
thy goods spend sparynglie.  
A prudent man is he,  
which this consideyng well:  
Doth still observe and keep the mean,  
which all thing doth excel.   

Against riot.  
Great store of houses for to build,  
great store of men to feed:  
To come to pining penury,  
the very path in deed.   

Man's misery.  
I Wept when I was borne,  
and now at point of death  
I likewise weep, and weep I shall  
while body beareth breath.  
O wretched mortal man,  
weak, woeful, pensive, sad:  
Come life or death (thou liust a wretch)  
no comfort to be had.   

Wiving twice.  
HIs first wife dead (and laid in grave)  
who doth a second take:  
To try the seas again, himself  
a shipman he doth make.   

Wedlock.  
Virginity surpasseth: yet  
if all should virgins be,  
Our life were vain, and none for to  
succeed us should we see.  
Take therefore thou a wife,  
and when that thou dost die  
Leave to the world and thee an heir,  
and shun adultery.   

Of a Thracian lad.  
A Thracian boy well tippled all the day,  
Upon a frozen spring did sport and play:  
The slipper Ice with hefte of body's sway,  
On sudden brake, and swapped his head away:  
That swum aloft, below the carcase lay.  
The mother came and bore the head away:  
When she did bury it, thus 'gan she say,  
This brought I forth in flame his heirce to have,  
The rest amids the flood to found a grave.   

Pity and compassion.  
A Fisher fishing on the shore,  
with angling pole in hand:  
By hap a dedmans' drowned scalp,  
drew up unto the land:  
With dreary look when long he had  
beheld the sconce he found,  
(With pity pricked) he took it up  
to grave it in the ground.  
By Digging deep it was his hap,  
a hoard of gold to find:  
Lo never unrequited goes,  
compassion courteous kind.   

To Orestes preparing to kill his mother.  
WHere showst thou in thy swords through paunch,  
or pap so tender soft?  
The bellic bred and brought thee forth,  
the pap did feed thee often.   

A proverb.  
Between thy upper lip,  
and of the cup the brink:  
Do many things fall out,  
the which thou wouldst not think.   

How death is hastened.  
WHoso he be that loathing life,  
desireth soon to die:  
Three things must follow (which are these)  
Baines, wine, and Venery,   

Three things both hurt and help.  
bains, women, wine: these three  
do shorten life certain:  
Baines, women, wine: these three  
do lengthen life again.   

Nothing hid from God.  
THou Caitiff though thou do conceal,  
thy crimes from men below:  
Yet them to God thou must reveal,  
whether thou wilt or no.   

Feigned friendship.  
NOt he so much annoys and hurts  
that says I am thy foe:  
As he that bears a hateful heart,  
and is a friend to show.  
Warned of my foe, I shun my foe:  
but how should I take heed  
Of him that feigns himself my friend,  
when as he hates in deed?  
Most sure a wretched foe is he,  
which friendship firm doth feign:  
And seeks by all the shifts he can,  
his friend to put to pain.   

To much brings loathsomeness.  
TO much of any thing is nought:  
yea always prove you shall  
That to much even of honey hurts,  
and bitter seems as gall.   

Against stepdames.  
TO deck his stepdame's tomb with flowers  
and garlands, comes the son:  
Sure thinking now (that with her life)  
her hatred had been done.  
The tomb down tottering on him falls,  
and kills him by and by:  
Lo lifeless toumbs of stepdames cursed,  
learn cankered cruelty.   

Of the contempt of Fortune.  
MY resting road is found,  
vain hope and hap adieu:  
Lout whom you list with change,  
Death shall me rid from you.   

A controversy between Fortune and Venus.  
WHile Fisher fished at waters side,  
for fish that there did swim:  
A rich man's daughter him beheld,  
and fell in love with him.  
So that she linked with him to live,  
now he that was before  
Base, barren, bore, and beggarlike,  
doth now abound with store.  
Dame Fortue by smiling 'gan say,  
I pray you which of us  
Now mistress Venus (you or I)  
was 'cause this happened thus.   

Otherwise  
WHile Fisher cast his line,  
the hovering fish to hook:  
By hap a rich man's daughter on  
the Fisher cast her look.  
She fried with frantic love,  
they married eke at last:  
Thus Fisher was from low estate,  
in top of treasure placed.  
Stood Fortune by, and smiled:  
how say you (dame) quoth she,  
To Venus? was this conquest yours,  
or is it due to me?   

The seven sages names, sayings, and countries, in seven verses.  
THe Cities 7. whereas the 7. wise masters rare  
Were borne, their names, and sayings 7.7. verses shall declare.  
Cleobulus of Lindia said, a mean doth all excel.  
Wise Pittacus of Mittelen, said, measure bears the bell.  
Chilon of Lacedaemon said, take heed thyself to know.  
Of Corinth Periander said, to anger be thou slow.  
Sage Solon the Athenian said, for aye respect the end.  
Wise Thales of Milesium said, naught promise' to thy friend.  
Last, Bias of Priaenium said, all things to mischief bend.   

The report of the multitude not to be regarded.  
SOlace and comfort thou thyself:  
naught peoples talk esteem:  
One man deems well of thee, of thee  
an other ill doth deem.   

Or thus.  
SOlace and comfort thou thyself,  
care naught what people prattle:  
This man talks well with thee, that man  
against thee still doth tattle.   

Of a fool.  
THe frisking flees that feed on ●leshe by night,  
a fool in bed, did trouble, twinge & bite:  
The fool put out the candle: nay (quoth he)  
I'll match ye, now no more you shall me see.   

Of a foolish Astronomer.  
WHile Thales looked round about,  
to view the stars in sky,  
He headlong fell into a ditch:  
and there did grovelling lie.  
A beldame coming after him  
beheld him how he fell,  
A country wife that went to fetch  
fair water at a well.  
When as she came unto the ditch  
where lurden like he lay  
She mocked him: and with trembling voice  
she thus began to say.  
Fie foolish fealow as thou art,  
why dost thou view the sky?  
Why staarst on Stars that stately stand  
and lettest mean matters ●ye?  
The fates of other men to show  
I deem thee far unmeet,  
When buzzard blind thou canst not see  
what is before thy feet.   

When Women profit.  
ALthough all women kind be naught,  
yet two good days hath she:  
Her marriage day, and day of death  
when all she leaves to thee.   

Of Castor's Nose.  
WHen Castor digs, a spade  
his Nose is unto him:  
A Trumpet when he sleeps:  
a Scythe and Sickletrim  
When as he gathers grapes:  
an Anchor when he sails:  
A Coulter when he ploughs  
that cuts and never fails:  
When as he taketh fish  
a fishhooke all the while:  
And when he would have flesh  
his Nose a fleshhooke vile:  
When as he graves in wood,  
a graving knife: and when  
He prunes and dresseth trees  
a graffing knife as then:  
A chipaxe, look when as  
the Carpenter he plays:  
A passing picklock, when  
to open locks he says.  
And what so Castor doth,  
he can not miss his snout:  
His nose must be the tool,  
his work to bring about.   

Of a foul wife.  
THe wretch that married hath,  
a dowd, an ugly dame:  
Shall still have night, though day be bright,  
and fiery Phoebus' flame.   

To one, having a long nose.  
STand with thy snout against the sun,  
and open wide thy chaps:  
And by thy teeth we shall decern,  
what 'tis a clock, perhaps.   

Of a deaf judge, a deaf plaintiff, and a deaf defendant.  
BY hap a man that could not hear  
that borne was deaf by kind,  
Another cited to the court,  
much like himself to find,  
Whose hearing sense was quite bereft:  
the judge that of the case  
Should give his verdict, was as deaf  
as deafest in the place.  
To court they came: the plaintiff prayed  
to have his unpaied rent:  
Defendant said, in grinding I  
this weary night have spent.  
The judge beheld them both awhile,  
is this (at last quoth he)  
Of all your stirred strife the cause?  
you both her children be.  
And therefore her to help and aid  
look that you both agreed.   

Of Marcus a sluggard.  
MArcus a sluggard sleeping, dreamt  
a long race that he rund:  
For fear he so should dream again,  
long after sleep he shunned.   

Against one very deformed.  
TO paint the mind 'tis counted hard,  
the corpse to paint 'tis light:  
But now in thee so foul deformed,  
it falls contrary quite.  
For nature thine doth plain bewray,  
the manners of thy mind:  
And therefore how thy mind is bend,  
but easy 'tis to find.  
But now thy foul misshapen limbs,  
how may they painted be?  
And portrayed out? when every man  
doth loath to look on thee.   

Against a drunkard.  
WIth sweet perfumes, & flowers, my grave  
do you not gratify:  
Wine, fires, upon a stone to spend,  
'tis cost in vain perdie.  
Alive give you me these, not dead:  
with ashes wine to minge,  
What is it mortar but to make,  
not wine to me to bring.   

Of drunkenness.  
LIke men we still are meek, at night,  
when we have typled well:  
But when we rise at morn at hur'st,  
then are we fierce and fell.   

Otherwise.  
AT night when ale is in,  
like friends we part to bed:  
In morrow grey when ale is out,  
then hatred is in head.   

Again of the same.  
MEn having quaffed,  
are friendly overnight:  
In dawning, dry,  
A man to man a spirit.   

Against a miser.  
ALL call thee rich, I call thee poor,  
goods make not rich perdie:  
This prudent Apollophanes,  
could tell as well as I  
If thou thy riches use thyself,  
thy riches thine are then:  
But if thou save them for thine heir,  
they are for other men.   

Of Chrisalus covetous.  
Rich Chrisalus at point of death,  
doth mourn, complain and cry:  
Was never man as he so loath,  
to leave his life and die.  
Not for because he dies himself,  
his death he doth not force:  
But that his grave must cost a groat,  
to shroud his carrion corpse.   

Of a rich miser.  
A Miser's mind thou haste,  
thou hast a prince's pelf:  
Which makes thee wealthy to thine heir,  
a beggar to thyself.   

Of Aulus, avarus.  
Rich Aulus counting what a charge,  
his daughter was to him:  
Did throw her in the sea, to see  
where she could sink or swim.   

The same otherwise.  
AVlus daughter twenty shillings charge,  
each year was unto him:  
He drowned her: asked wherefore:  
he said she would undo him.   

Of Asclepiades, a greedy carl.  
ASclepiad that greedy carl,  
by fortune found a Mouse:  
(As he about his lodging looked)  
within his niggishe house.  
The chiding chuff began to chafe,  
and (sparefull of his cheer:)  
Demanded of the silly beast,  
and said, what mak'st thou here?  
You need not stand in fear (good friend)  
the smiling Mouse replied:  
I come not to devour your cates,  
but in your house to bide.   

A long beard makes not a Philosopher.  
IF so a long down dangling beard,  
do make a prudent man:  
The bearded beast that heights the Goat,  
may be a Plato then.   

To one lame and loutish.  
THy limbs are lame, so is thy mind:  
thy outward form bewrays  
Thy properties, how inwardly  
thou art disposed always.   

Cassander his Epitaphe.  
SIth that a mortal borne thou art,  
in danger still to die:  
Account of nought as though thou shouldst,  
live here continually.  
For all must pack: of slippery life,  
uncertain is the stay,  
Death will us by the shoulders shake,  
no help, we must obey.  
Cassander here lies refte of life,  
fast grasped in his grave:  
Yet for his wisdom he deserved,  
for ever life to have.   

Timocritus his Epitaphe.  
TImocritus a warrior stout,  
Lo, lies engraved here:  
Mars spares not valiant champions stout,  
But dastards that do fear.   

Aristomenes.  
THou messenger to jove on high,  
thou Eagle swift of flight:  
On Aristomenes his tomb,  
declare why dost thou light?  
By this I give to understand,  
that as all birds I pass:  
So he did all men far surmount,  
while here a live he was.  
The fearful Doves do haunt the tombs  
which heartless dastards hide:  
But where are buried champions bold,  
I love for to abide.   

Calimachus.  
THe frowning fates have taken hence  
Calimachus, a child  
Five years of age: ah well is he  
from cruel care exiled:  
What though he lived but little time,  
wail naught for that at all:  
For as his years not many were,  
so were his troubles small.   

Old age longed for, yet loathed.  
Each one doth seek and wish for age,  
all while it is away:  
And few do come for to be old,  
which for old age do pray.  
When age yet comes, each doth ●t loath,  
and all do it detest:  
So still we loath our present state,  
deeming the absent best.   

Death everywhere.  
HEre buried lies a Mariner:  
and here a Corydon:  
So on the sea, and one the land,  
death riddeth, all is one.   

It matters not where a man die.  
IT makes no matter where thou die:  
the way to heaven on high  
From every country is a like,  
be it far of, or nigh.   

Living on the Seas.  
Shun thou the seas, which breed unease,  
and quiet live on land:  
If thou desire in happy health,  
to flourish long and stand.  
Long life the land doth always lend,  
the seas make short our years:  
Upon the seas are seldom seen,  
old men with hoary hears.   

Of Diogenes.  
A Satchel and a staying staff,  
an homely mantel: these  
Were acceptable to the life,  
of wise Diogenes.   

Opinion.  
Great force in things Opinion hath,  
thou courteous art in deed:  
What then? if otherwise men think,  
they surely will thee speed,  
As once the men of Crete unkind,  
did Philolaus slay:  
Because they falsely deemed and thought,  
he would the tyrant play.   

Epictetus.  
MY name did Epictetus' height,  
a bonde-man borne was I:  
In body lame, as Irus poor,  
a friend to Gods on high.   

To Gabriel.  
A Painter painted Phaethon,  
he painted eke the Sun:  
But no light could the Painter paint,  
when all was made and done.  
Like so renowned Gabriel,  
a Painter painted trim  
Thy face and visage, but thy mind  
could not be made by him.   

Myrons' Cow.  
THe Cow of brass that Myron made,  
(by art and cunning skill)  
If entrails she had had, she would  
have loowde both loud and shrill.   

Venus to Praxiteles.  
King Priam's son, Anchises eke,  
with my Adonis dear  
Beheld me nakt, these only three:  
Praxiteles but where?   

Of Venus in armour.  
WHy hast thou Venus tell,  
God Mars his armour on?  
Such boisterous stuff why dost thou put,  
thy tender corpse upon?  
Mars mighty thou didst conquer quite,  
stark naked, stripped clean:  
To come to men, thus armed then,  
I muse what dost thou mean.   

Of Cinyras a Fisher.  
Unto the Nymphs old Cinyras,  
hath dedicated his Net:  
To beat the brooks and firk the fish,  
old age now doth him let.  
Wherefore you fishes sport yourselves,  
and through the waters skim:  
For now that Cinyras is done,  
you safe in seas may swim.   

Biton.  
BIton all underneath this tree,  
three gifts doth offer here:  
To Pan a Goat, flowees to the Nymphs,  
to Bacchus God a spear.  
You Gods accept them thankfully.  
and make to prosper still  
His cattle Pan, his waters Nymphs,  
Bacchus his ground to till.   

Of Alcon an Archer.  
A Sire that Alcon height,  
beheld his son embraced  
Of Serpent ready to be rend:  
he took his bow in haste,  
And shot with cunning skill so strait,  
that he the Serpent killed:  
And saved his silly child, which else  
the scrawling Snake had spilled.  
Thus when the Snake was slain, his son  
eke saved from annoy:  
He hung his quiver on a bough,  
reviude with double joy.   

Timon his Epitaphe.  
MY wretched caitiff days,  
Expired now and past:  
My carrion corpse entered here,  
Is grasped in ground:  
In weltering waves of swelling  
seas by surges cast:  
My name if thou desire,  
the Gods thee do confound.    

THEODORUS BEZA VEZELIUS.  

An Epitaphe upon the death of William Budaeus, an excellent learned man of our time, who died at Paris in France. Anno. M. D.XL.XII. Cal. Septemb.  
BVaeVS only one alone,  
(of wondrous art and skill)  
Hath made the earth, the heavens, & men  
beholden to him still.  
To haughty heavens he hath bequethd  
his soul: his corpse to ground:  
And unto us he hath bequethd  
his worthy works profound.  
So poor from hence he did departed,  
for nought he left himself:  
But better far this poverty  
perdie, then worldly pelf,   

another Epitaphe of the same Budaeus.  
ALL men bewailed Budaeus death,  
the air did also moan:  
The brawling brooks eke wept, because  
Budaeus good was gone.  
So men did wail, that every where,  
were papers printed seen  
Of Verses, Threnes and Epitaphs,  
full fraught with tears of teen.  
From air so dropped the rainy tears,  
that shed was every shower:  
So that no drop remained behind,  
upon the earth to power.  
So wept the waters, that whereas  
before were Barges borne:  
There now might whirling wagons run:  
to dust the waves were worn.  
Now heaven and earth remains behind,  
these two alone except:  
There nothing was in all the world,  
but for Budaeus wept.  
But sith the heavens possess his soul,  
(and still possess it shall)  
The earth his corpse, what cause have they,  
wherefore to weep at all?   

An Epitaphe upon the death of Katherine Texea.  
WHo lieth lodged here below,  
perchance thou reader feign wouldst know:  
And I myself would gladly tell,  
but that her name I know not well.  
And marvel none at all though I,  
am thereof ignorant perdie:  
For who most learned are of all,  
wots not her name what they should call.  
For if by corpse supposed may be  
her seex, then sure a virgin she:  
But sure I wots not pondering all,  
how I woman may her call.  
For why? nor fear, nor grief, could make  
her sturdy stomach stout to quake.  
She misbehaved herself in naught,  
she freely spoke what so she thought.  
And when that silence best beseemed,  
than none than she more silent deemed.  
She never she, held dancing dear:  
she never decked nor tuft her here:  
She never used painting die:  
she never used to role her eye:  
Not wanton word would she put out:  
therefore she was a man no doubt.  
Yet sure she was no man I know,  
I not why I should name her so.  
Such heavenly hue such beauty brave,  
we never saw yet man to have.  
Both man and woman than was she:  
nay that again may no ways be.  
I have already proved this,  
that she ne man nor woman is.  
A goddess than needs must she be,  
or else a new Mineru● she:  
And though she be a Lady bright,  
yet hath she heart and manly might.  
Yet Pallas cruelty is known,  
eak vice of gods abroad is blown.  
Wherefore of force we must suppose,  
that this same Tomb doth here enclose  
Such one as every state did stain:  
men, women, gods aloft that reign.   

Written upon the grave of ANTON. PRAT. (chief Chancellor of FRANCE) which was a gross great Gorbely.  
A GREAT MAN here engraved lies.   

Of Titus Livius.  
FOr Livy late a Tomb I 'gan ordain,  
what meanest thou Apollo said, refrain:  
Such manner things become the dead (que he)  
but Livy lives, and still alive shallbe.   

To Cl. Marotus.  
Apelles' learned hand, so fine  
did paint fair Venus' Queen:  
That every one susposd that he,  
had Venus viewed and seen.  
But works of thine Marotus lewd,  
of Venus' savour so:  
That every one sure deems, that thou  
dost all of Venus know.   

A present to Truchius and Dampetrus.  
Firm fast unfeigned faithful friends,  
have used (and use always)  
Each one the other to present  
with gifts on newyear's day.  
A Custom Laudable it is,  
at every newyeres tide  
Old love with gifts for to renew,  
that friendship fast may bide.  
Now sith my Truchius trusty true  
thou tak'st me for thy friend:  
And sith my dear Dampetrus eke  
his liking me doth Lend.  
(According unto ancient guise)  
I sand unto you here  
A present small: and what though small?  
yet fit it shall appear.  
You both are Poe●s: to you both  
I verses send to view:  
I verses sand in token of  
the love I bear to you.  
Pure love hath linked you both in one,  
and sith you joined be:  
One gift to sand unto you both,  
it seemed best to me.   

Description of virtue.  
WHat one art thou thus in torn weed clad?  
Virtue, in price of ancient sages had:  
Why poorly raid? for fading goods past care:  
why double fast? I mark each fortunes far.  
This bridle what? minds rages to restrain,  
tools why beer you? I love to take great pain.  
Why wings? I teach above the stars to fly,  
why tread you death? I only cannot die.   

Against a maidenly man.  
FOr to be married yesterday,  
To Church a gallant jetted gay:  
His crisped locks waude all behind,  
His tongue did lisp, his visage shined.  
His roving eyes rolled to and fro,  
He fisking fine did mincing go:  
His lips all painted seemed sweet:  
When as the Priest came them to meet,  
(A pleasant scouse, though vought of life)  
He asked of both which was the wife?   

Of a Painter, and a Baker.  
A Painter and a Baker striude,  
which should the other pass  
To paint or bake, twixt them to judge▪  
A Priest ordained was.  
The Painter spoke (quoth he) what so  
the hugy world contains,  
Or what so Nature works, is wrought  
by Painter's art and pains.  
(Quoth Baker) this is more than that,  
Christ which the world did frame  
The Baker forms in figure fine,  
that all may see the same.  
Quoth Painter then, thou makest Christ's,  
men's bellies for to fill:  
Thy Christ's are chrusht with crasshing teeth,  
my work continues still.  
Quoth Baker then, what thou dost paint,  
doth no man good in deed:  
What we do form it serves as food,  
the hungry soul to feed.  
Quoth Painter, Bakers bake their Gods,  
men's bellies for to fill:  
Quoth Baker Painters paint their Gods,  
for Worms to gnaw and spill.  
Then quoth the judge, ho holla here,  
sufficient for this time:  
About this weighty thing to brawl,  
is sure an heinous crime.  
Both to your houses now depart,  
and still in peace agreed:  
And Painter paint, and Baker bake,  
your gods to bring to me.   

A sportful comparison, between Poets and Papists.  
LO here the cause to Francis, why  
Homerus I compare:  
Lo here the cause wherefore I think,  
that Monks like Poets are.  
Franciscus could not see one whit,  
and Homer he was blind:  
Homerus he was blind of sight,  
Franciscus blind of mind.  
Franciscus was a beggar bore,  
no bigger Homer was:  
Bore beggars both, their time they did  
in merry singing pass.  
Franciscus filled the world with lies,  
lies likewise Homer taught:  
Franciscus by his brethren,  
Homer by books he wrought.  
In secret woods and gloomy groves,  
first Poets led their lives:  
In dampish denues and deserts dead,  
Monks lived without their wives.  
Each town with monks was pestered,  
when woods at last they left:  
With Poets every city swarmed,  
they could not thence be reft.  
Still Poets sing: and moppinne monks,  
sing likewise day and night:  
And none so much as they themselves,  
do in their songs delight.  
Each Poet hath his wanton wench,  
to dandle all the day:  
For fear of failing every Monk,  
hath four to keep him play.  
The Poet laudes (and likes of life)  
full cups which flow and swim:  
The Monk if he his licker lack,  
all goes not well with him.  
The Poet with his luring Lu●e,  
his Sonnets singeth shrill:  
The Monk with pot fast by his side,  
his carroles chaunteth still.  
With divers Furies both are vexed:  
the Poet bears a spear  
With ivy decked: the masking Monk  
a golden cross doth bear.  
The Poet's crown is dressed with Ba●es,  
and mirttle branches brave:  
White shining shitten shaven crowns,  
the Popish prelates have.  
For fine, to Monk give Poetry,  
to Poet give the hood:  
And so thou shalt make both of them,  
right monks, and Poets good.   

Against stepdames.  
A stripling went with scourge in hand,  
Whereas the portraiture did stand  
Of stepdame his: in rage anon  
He fell to beating of the stone.  
The stone down on him tattereth,  
And unto death him battereth:  
Thou son in law take heed, and see  
To stepdame thine, though dead she be.   

An Epitaphe upon the death of John Caluin, poorly and plainly interred at Geneva.  
THe terror of the romish rout,  
doth lie engraved here:  
Whose loss all good men wail, of whom  
the wicked stood in fear.  
Of whom even Virtue fair herself,  
might virtue learn: now why  
So grossly graude dost reader ask  
doth learned CALVIN lie?  
While Caluin lived, dame Modesty  
did him associate still:  
And she herself here placed him,  
when Death did Caluin kill.  
O blessed grave that dost enclose,  
a guest so godly grave:  
Thou dost surpass the Marble toumbs  
and kings sepulchres brave.   

Again upon the death of John Caluin  
WHile Caluin thou didst live, alive  
I likewise loved to be:  
Aye me how I could like of life,  
to leave now life with thee.  
My life I loath, and yet I love  
to live, alone for this:  
That I may weep and wail for thee,  
whom I so sore do miss.  
Ah Beza live to weep and wail,  
to weep and wail at full  
Calvinus Death, ah farewell friend,  
Adieu, now dead and dull.  
Until in sweet Celestial cost,  
we both shall meet again  
In tears, in teen, in mourning moan,  
shall doleful Beze remain.   

Martino Luthero, antichristi Romani domitori Trophaeum.  
Room conquered all the world, and Rome  
the Pope did conquer quite:  
Rome conquered all by frolic force,  
the Pope by subtle slight.  
But learned Luther Champion stout,  
how far doth he both twain  
Surmount, who with his silly pen  
to yield doth both constrain.  
Now go to Greece, brag till thou burst  
of stout Alcides' thine:  
nought is his battering club, compared  
to Luther's pen divine.    

THOMAS MORUS.  

Of an ginger, That was a Cuckold.  
TO thee thou airy Prophet, all  
the stars themselves do show:  
And do declare what destinies,  
all men shall have below.  
But no stars (though they all things see)  
admonish thee of this,  
That thy wife doth with every man,  
behave herself amiss.  
Saturnus stands far of, men say  
that he long since was blind,  
And scantly could decern a child  
and from a stone him find.  
Fair Luna goes with shamefast eye,  
A virgin nought will see  
But such things as beseem a maid,  
and lightness all will flee.  
jove to Europa gave his heart:  
To Mars did Venus cleave:  
And Mars again did Venus serve:  
Sol would not Daphne leave  
His love: and Mercury did call  
to mind his Hyrce deer:  
Hereof it comes to pass, o thou  
unwise Astrologere,  
That when thy wife delighted is  
with lusty younker's love:  
Thereof do nothing notify  
to thee the s●arres above.   

Of Beauty. Dilemma.  
IN faith what beauty brave avails,  
at all I nothing see:  
If thou be fervent, hot, each doud  
seems fair and fresh to thee:  
If thou be out of courage, cold,  
the loveliest loathsome be:  
In faith what beauty brave avails,  
at all I nothing see.   

Against Wiving.  
A Misery to marry still,  
thus every one doth say:  
Thus say they still, yet wittingly  
we wiving see each day.  
Yea though one bury six, yet he  
from wiving will not stay,   

Again of wives.  
Griefs grievous wives are unto men,  
yet gladsome shall we find them  
And loving: if so leaving us,  
they leave their goods behind them.   

Of a Picture lively described.  
SO well this table doth express,  
the countenance of thee:  
As sure it seems no table, but  
a glass thyself to see.   

O● a Niggard departing this life.  
RIch Chrysalus at point of death,  
doth morn, complain and cry:  
Was never man as he so loath  
to leave his life and die.  
Not for because he dies, he cries,  
his death he doth not force:  
This cuts, his grave must cost a groat.  
to shroud his carrin corpse.   

The difference between a King and a Tyrant.  
Between a Tyrant and a King,  
would you the difference have?  
The King each Subject counts his child▪  
the Tyrant each his slave.   

A Tyrant in sleep, nought differeth from a common person.  
DOst therefore swell and pout with pride▪  
and rear thy snout on high:  
Because the crowd doth crouch and couch,  
wherso thou comest by?  
Because the people bonnetles  
before thee still do stand?  
Because the life and death doth lie  
of divers in thy hand?  
But when that drowsy sleep of thee,  
hath every part possessed:  
Tell then where is thy pomp and pride,  
thy port and all the rest?  
Then snorting lozzell as thou art,  
than liest thou like a block:  
Or as a carrion corpse late dead,  
as senseless as a stock.  
And if it were not that thou wert,  
closed up in walls of stone  
And fenced round, thy life would be  
in hands of every one.   

Of a good Prince and an evil.  
A Good prince what? the dog that keeps  
his flock ay safe in rest,  
And hunts the Wolf away: an ill?  
himself the ravening beast.   

Of a Thief and a Lawyer.  
A Thief cleped Clepticus,  
that did from one purloin:  
Fearing to be condemned, a pace  
his Lawyer fed with coin.  
When Lawyer his had turned his books,  
and read both night and day:  
He hooped he told him he should scape,  
if he could run his way.   

A ridiculous prank of a Priest.  
A Certain guest the goblet clenzde  
from flies, before he drank:  
And having drunk, he cast again  
the flies in goblet frank.  
And told the cause why so he did,  
no flies quoth he love I:  
But whether you them love or not,  
I can not say perdie.   

Of a waterspaniell.  
A Dog that had a Duck in mouth,  
an other gaped to catch:  
So lost he that he had, and that  
whereafter he did snatch.  
The churlish chuff that hath enough,  
and seeks an other's pelf:  
Doth oftentimes, and worthily,  
loose that he hath himself.   

A Cur by a crib, a covetous miser.  
THe cur that couching keeps the crib,  
himself doth eat no Hay:  
Ne lets the hungry horse, that feign  
thereon would feed and pray.  
The Carl (like to the cruel Cur)  
that plenty hath of pelf:  
Imparts no part to other men,  
nor spends upon himself.   

Of a Beggar, bearing himself for a Physician.  
YOu Medicus yourself do term,  
but more you are say I:  

Mendicus.  One letter more than Medicus,  
your name it hath pardie.   

Of a dishonest wife.  
OF children fruitful, fruitful, is  
Aratus wife perdie:  
For children three she brought him for the  
and with him did not lie.   

To one whose wife was nought at home.  
AT home a naughty wife thou hast,  
if towards her thou be cursed,  
Then worse is she: if courteous,  
of all than is she worst.  
Good will she be if so she die,  
but better if she die,  
And thou survive: but best of all,  
if hence in haste she high.   

Of Tyndarus.  
A Wight whose name was Tyndar, would  
have kissed a pretty lass:  
Her nose was long: (and Tyndar he  
a flouting fellow was.)  
Wherefore unto her thus he said,  
I can not kiss you, sweet:  
Your nose stands out so far, that sure  
our lips can never meet.  
The maiden nipped thus by the nose,  
strait blushed as read as fire:  
and with his gird displeased, thus  
she spoke to him in ire.  
Quoth she, if that my nose do let  
your lips from kissing mine:  
You there may kiss me where that I,  
have neither nose nor eyen.   

To Sabinus whose wife conceived in his absence.  
AN help and comfort to thy life,  
and to the age of thine:  
A goodly child is borne to thee,  
haste high, thee home Sabine.  
Haste high thee home to see thy wife,  
the fruitful wife of thine:  
And eke thy blessed new borne babe,  
haste high thee home Sabine.  
Haste high thee home in post post haste,  
thou 〈◊〉 be there in time:  
Although thou high thee near so fast.  
hast high thee home Sabine.  
Thy wife doth lie and long for thee,  
thy brat doth brawl and whine:  
Both think thou tarriest overlong,  
haste high thee home Sabine.  
Thou canst not be unwelcome home,  
when that a child of thine  
Is borne, nay gotten to thy hands,  
haste high thee home Sabine.  
Haste haste I say that yet at jest,  
at sacred Fant-devine  
Thou mayest see dipped thy dilling deft,  
haste high thee home Sabine.   

Of Fuscus a drunkard.  
A certain man in physic skilled  
to F. spoke in this wise:  
F. drink not overmuch (take heed)  
for drink will lose your eyes,  
He pausd upon this sentence given,  
and pondered what was spoke:  
And when he had bethought him, thus  
at last his mind he broke.  
I will by drinking loo●e mine eyes  
quoth he, 'tis better so▪  
Then for to keep them for the worm●  
to gnaw them out below.   

Of a King and a Clown.  
A Clown in forest fostered up,  
the City came to see:  
Then forest Faun, or Satire wood,  
more homely rude was he.  
Much people all the streets about,  
together thick did throng:  
And nothing but the king doth come,  
they cried the street along.  
The silly rustic half amazed,  
to hear so strange a cry:  
Much muzd, and tarried there to see,  
what should be meant thereby.  
At last upon a sudden comes,  
the king with sumptuous train:  
All brave bedecked with glittering gold,  
he gorgeous did remain  
On comely courser hoisted high:  
now every where the crowd  
With strained throats God save the king  
they cry, and cry aloud.  
The king, the king, O where is he,  
the Clown, began to cry:  
(Quoth one) with finger pointed out  
lo where he sits on high.  
Tush that is not the king quoth he,  
thou art deceived quite:  
That seemeth but a man to me,  
in painted vesture dight.   

Of an unlearned Bishop.  
THe Letter kills, the Letter kills,  
thus always dost thou cry:  
And nothing save the letter kills,  
thou hast in mouth perdie.  
But thou hast well provided, that  
no Letter thee shall kill:  
For thou dost know no Letter, thou  
in Letters hast no skill.   

To one light minded.  
IF that thou wert as light of foot,  
as thou art light of mind:  
Thou wouldst outrun the lightest Hare  
and make him come behind.   

A jest of a jackbragger.  
A Country clounish Coridon,  
did use abroad to roam:  
And kept a bragging Thrasos wife,  
while he was gone from home.  
When as the Soldier was returned,  
and heard this of the Clown:  
He stamped and stared, and swore gogsnownes,  
I'll be●t the villain down.  
And went well weponed into field,  
to seek his fellow out:  
At last by chance he did him find,  
raingyng the field about.  
Ho sirrah said the soldier, stay:  
you rascal villain vile  
I must you bob: the clown did stay,  
and took up stones and tile.  
Shaking his sword the soldier said,  
you slave you used my wife:  
I did so said the clown, what then?  
I love her as my life.  
O do you then confess said he?  
(by all the gods I swear)  
If thou hadst not confessed the fact,  
it should have cost thee dear.   

Against a Parasite.  
WHen Eutiches doth run a race,  
he seems to stand pardie:  
But when he runs unto a feast,  
then sure he seems to fly.   

Against Chelonus.  
WHy dost thou loath Chelonus so,  
the name of lumpish ass?  
The learned Lucius Appuley,  
an ass he sometime was.  
But thou dost differ much from him,  
(he had a learned head)  
He was a golden ass pardie,  
thou art an ass of Lead.  
A manly mind, and body of  
an ass he had, we find:  
But thou a manlike body hast:  
a doltish asselike mind.   

Of Sleep. The sentence of Aristotle  
Half of our life is spent in sleep:  
in sleep no difference is  
Between the wealth wight, and him  
that wealth doth want and miss.  
Now Croesus thou rich caitiff king,  
though huge thy substance were:  
Yet Irus poor in half his life,  
did like to thee appear.   

Desire of Dominion.  
Amongst many kings,  
scant one king shall you see  
Content with kingdom one alone,  
scant one, if one there be,  
Amongst many kings,  
scant one king shall you see  
That rules one only kingdom right,  
scant one, if one there be.   

Remedies, to take away a stinking breath occasioned by sundry meats.  
TO kill the stink of loathsome seeks,  
thou must crunch Oynions fast:  
If thou wilt not of Oynions stink,  
eat Garlic strong in taste.  
If after thou of Garlic strong,  
the savour wilt expel:  
A Marred is sure the only mean,  
to put away the smell.    

10. JOVIANUS PONTANUS.  

Upon the grave of a Beggar.  
WHile as I lyud no house I had,  
now dead I have a grave:  
In life I lived in lothsume lack,  
now dead I nothing crave.  
In life I lived an exile poor,  
now death brings rest to me.  
In life poor naked soul unclad,  
now clad in clods ye see.   

Upon the Tomb of Lucretia the daughter of Alexander .6.  
HEre lies Lucretia chaste by name,  
but Thais lewd by life:  
Who was to Alexander Pope  
both daughter, and his wife.   

Of the infelcitie of Lovers.  
THe Grasshopper in meadows green,  
among the fragrant flowers:  
With chirping cheerful chittering shr●●●,  
doth pass the tedious hours.  
And glads the goodly garnished groves,  
with lays and merry tunes:  
And slumbering under dewy grass,  
the gladles night consumes.  
She singing dies, and never feels  
the smart of Parca's knife:  
In sweet and heavenly harmony,  
she leads and leaves her life.  
O blest in life, and blest in death:  
but me aye me alas:  
Both day & night through girt with grief,  
my days in dole I pass.  
In Winter sharp, in frost and snow,  
(a crooked caitiff old)  
I lie and cry before her doors,  
quite curled almost with cold.  
Again in Summer cingyng hot,  
when Phoebus' fierce doth reign:  
Poor silly soul before her doors,  
I (grovelling) groan and plain.  
I burn in love, age wears me out,  
no day I find relief,  
No night I rest: but day and night  
still gripped with groaning grief.  
Ay wretched are the young in love,  
thrice wretched loving sires:  
The Grasshopper still happy lives,  
o Cupid's frantic sires.    

GASPAR VRSINUS.  

Of Thelesina.  
Seld Thelesina doth frequent  
the Temples of the Priests:  
And when she comes, she never but  
a pissing while persists.  
Wouldst know the cause why Ponticus,  
abroad she doth not room?  
It is her use these shavelings still,  
with her to have at home.    

ANTONIUS' GOVEANUS.  

Of Briandus Vallius.  
WHen rumbling thunder thumps are heard in●  
to save himself, all fearful Vallius flies  
Down to some cellar (where himself he hides)  
he thinks in cellars never God abides.   

A pretty prank of a modest maiden.  
ONe Furius would have kissed a maid:  
she squaimish did appear  
And in a fume gave Furius,  
a whirret on the ear.  
And therewith said, go kiss your hand,  
to kiss if you delight:  
Both hands and lips are flesh alike,  
and both alike are white.   

Of a Mounke.  
A Sort of thieves had caught a Monk,  
whereas they robbed in wood:  
They bade him preach, or yield his purse,  
in place whereas he stood.  
The Monk did yield himself to preach,  
(he durst not disobaie:)  
The thieves were silent hushed, and thus  
the Monk began to say.  
The lives, the labours eke of thieves,  
I must commend perdie:  
The toil they take, by land and lake,  
doth lead to lofty sky:  
For Christ himself by land and sea,  
did travel far and near:  
And never rested in one place,  
as doth by books appear.  
So you my masters rove and range  
abroad from place to place:  
Still still you walk your stations,  
not resting any space.  
Christ never plowde the clottered soil,  
nor used seed to sow:  
Yet did he live, and lacked nought:  
you live, and lack you? no:  
What more unto you should I say?  
to judgement brought was he:  
And he condemned was to death,  
so likewise you shall be.  
Christ likewise he was fixed on cross,  
and hanged in sight of all:  
And think you, you shall not be hanged?  
yes trust to it, you shall.  
Among the goblins black of hell,  
descended Christ below:  
And you among the grisly fiends,  
to hell must likewise go.  
Christ being thence returned again,  
on God's right hand doth sit:  
But you shall never thence return,  
once plunged in Pluto's pit.   

To Andrea's Goveanus his brother.  
I Brother, caught an Hare:  
He fell to your share:  
Who caught this Hare declare?   

Again.  
I Brother caught an Hare:  
it fell to your lot  
To eat him: so an Hare I lost,  
and so an Hare I got.   

To Zebedeus.  
NE words of men, nor yet  
the Senators decree:  
Can make thee lay away thy herd,  
so fair it seems to thee.  
The man whose beard him noble makes,  
he is not noble, he:  
But who his beard nobilitates,  
he noble seems to me.    

CLAUDIUS ROSELETTUS.  

A Lute of fir tree.  
IN Forest when I lived,  
I had no sound nor voice:  
But made a Lute (with silver sound)  
men's hearts I do rejoice.   

Against women's lightness.  
THe Plume, the Pumice stone, the air,  
in lightness do surpass:  
The Plume, the Pumice stone, the air,  
in lightness women pass.  
To Silvius, a lovely lad but lewdly lived.  
IN all thy body beauty shines,  
thy forehead shineth fair:  
Thy mouth doth shine, thy nose, thy chin,  
thy glistering golden hair.  
But Silvius (as a stinking sink)  
thy breast is foul within:  
Thy mind is spotted, spatted, spilled,  
thy soul is soiled with sin.  
Ah painted tomb stuffed full of stink:  
more loathsome naught we find  
Than he that fair hath all things, save  
his manners and his mind.   

The Back.  
SHe skirring flittereth as a bird,  
and as a beast she goeth  
Fourfooted, and yet neither she  
is counted of them both.  
She feeds & breeds her young with milk,  
she lays ne hatches eggs:  
Black leather wings, and teeth she hath,  
two lips, and also legs.   

To a towardly young man.  
ALthough the root of Virtue seem  
bitter to thee in taste,  
Yet do not spit it out, the fruit  
shall pleasant be at last.   

To a certain Barber.  
IF but to shave my beard (alone)  
I Peter sent for thee:  
Together both of purse and beard,  
why hast thou shaven me?   

Against a Churl or thankless person.  
A Country wight with pity pricked,  
(as writers erst have told)  
took up a Snake raked up in snow,  
quite curled almost with cold.  
And placed him in his bosom warm:  
again to life once brought,  
He striketh and stings the man to death,  
that for him so had wrought.  
Unthankful as thou art, even so  
thy friend thou dost requited:  
Thou givst him for a Perch received,  
a Scorpion that doth bite.   

To a Thief.  
THy feet are slow, thy speech is slow,  
thy mind and all is slow:  
But sure thy hands to filch and steal.  
they be not slow I know,  
When as thy filching fingers false,  
to pick thou doth prepare:  
Remember still what punishments  
for thieves ordained are.   

An Epitaphe, of an excellent Shipmaster, or Pilot.  
NEptune on Sea, gave luck to thee:  
Mars made thee strong on land to be.  
Now joy thou hast (with jove on high)  
above the glistering golden sky.  
Great once waste thou on sea and land,  
now great in heaven where stars do stand.    

CLAUDIUS CLAUDIANUS.  

Of a Boar, and a Lion.  
THe cruel Boar and Lion cursed,  
together fierce did fight:  
The Boar of bristles bragged, in main  
did lie the Lions might.  
Mars one, the other Cibel laudes,  
fighting in bloody broil:  
Both kept on Mountains, both were fouled  
by Hercules his toil.   

Of a poor man in love.  
ME pinching penury doth pain,  
and Cupid wounds my heart:  
I hunger can abide, but not  
of love the bitter smart.  
I live and lack: I live and love:  
want doth men sore annoy:  
But sorer much the frantic flames,  
of Cupid blinded boy.    

JACOBUS ROGERIUS.  

Under Hercules painted spinning.  
WHat brings not love to pass?  
what doth not love constrain?  
It caused stout Hercules to spin,  
by whom were monsters slain.   

Against the rich unlearned, out of Laertius.  
WHat time Diogenes, a dolt  
in purple did behold:  
I see (said he) a silly sheep,  
in fell and fleece of gold.   

Of three Grecians, writers of Tragedies.  
THree Graecian Poets tragical,  
did leave their lives and die  
Most strangely, as the stories of  
the Grecians testify.  
The first cleped Sophocles,  
(as writers sundry say)  
Was choked with kurnell of a grape,  
that in his throat did stay.  
Euripides the second (that  
from women did refrain)  
By cursed hap with cruel curs,  
was all to torn and slain.  
Now Aeschilus' the third and last,  
an Eagle from an high  
Let fall a shell upon his pate,  
which killed him by and by.    

GEORGIUS BUCHANANUS SCOTUS.  

Of Rome.  
I Nothing muse a Shepherd doth,  
in Rome the sceptre hold:  
Sigh that a Shepherd built the same,  
(as sundry books have told)  
And sith the founder of the same,  
with Wouluishe milk was fed:  
I marvel nothing I at all,  
though Rome of wolves be sped.  
But this me thinketh wondrous strange,  
that safe a flock should rest  
In Rome with ravening murdering wolves,  
and never be oppressed.   

Against Pope Pius.  
POpe Pius heaven for money sold:  
Death will not let him stay,  
In earth: then needs to hell below,  
Pope P. must take his way.   

Fratres EXTRA MUNDUM.  
THese Omnia Munda do defile,  
with finger, tail, and tongue:  
In Mundo merito they say,  
they devil not men among.    

H. STEPHANUS.  

Of Auctus, a swilbole.  
ALone to taste, up Auctus quast  
a bull with wine full fraught:  
Ne was he yet content with this,  
but asked an other draft.  
The gobler was not washed, he said,  
and bade them fill again:  
Which done, he drinks a fresh, and lets  
no drop behind remain.  
Now that so much he doth require,  
alone to taste and try:  
How much trow you will he desire,  
attached with thirst and dry?   

Of the book which Vincentius Obsopoeus wrote of the feat of drinking.  
WHy dost the Germans teach that art,  
in which they skilful be?  
Why are so many Doctors, tell,  
made scholars unto thee?  
Gul, bib, and bull, carouse, and quaff,  
each can in Germany:  
Thou shouldst have taught them (rather then)  
the way how to be dry.   

Of Aulus.  
WHat Aulus doth I do not ask:  
but whether of these two:  
Or drink, or sleep, for nothing else  
doth Aulus use to do.   

Of Marcus.  
TO sleep his furfet vile away,  
Mark sleeps out lightly half the day.  
Some men (the cause that did not know)  
Did ask him why he sleeped so.  
Quoth he, why doth not David say?  
'tis vanity to rise ere day.   

To Ancus.  
THou drunken faindst thyself of late:  
thou three days after slepst:  
How wilt thou sleep (with drink in deed)  
when thou art thoroughly pepst?   

To a certain drunkard.  
WHo termed thee drunkard, termed thee ill:  
Moore drunk art thou, than drunkard still.   

Of Aulus.  
Look when moste sober Aulus is,  
most drunk is Aulus he.  
Again unless that he be drunk,  
he sober can not be.  
For sober still he brawls and braies,  
he tears, and on he takes:  
And like a bedlam beast, both sand  
and sea together shakes.  
But when that he hath quafte his fill,  
no coil at all he keeps:  
But casts himself upon his couch,  
and (snorting) sound sleeps.   

An Epitaphe, of a notorious drunkard.  
THe corpse clapped fast in clottered clay,  
that here engraude doth lie:  
On death-bed swore, in all his life  
that he but once was dry.  
And (surely) thou mayst credit him  
for that which he did say:  
For all the while his life did last,  
he thirsty was alway.   

To Pontifer.  
A Springal thou (in prime of years)  
a beldame old ●●est wed:  
A toothless, tough, old Mumphim●,  
with quyvering palsy sped.  
Thou thoughtst thy pelf and poked pence,  
by this device to spare:  
Thou thoughtst a maid would eat to much  
and make thy bouget bore.  
Thou art deceived: by this devise  
nought shalt thou save: I think  
Young maids they will not eat so much,  
as aged trots will drink.   

Of a jade most vile and pestilent.  
Hard iron spurs no more esteems,  
this dull and blockish jade:  
Then spurs of wool, or silken spurs,  
as soft as can be made.   

Again.  
THis jade doth seem no more to feel,  
the pricking of a spur:  
Then doth a stone, or member dead,  
the which may nothing stir.   

Again.  
THe spur that cuts and gores the gu●s  
no more doth he regard:  
Then sturdy stith, where beats the Smith,  
the battering hammer hard.   

Again.  
BY sticking spur dost seek to stir  
thy steed that will not steer:  
Thou goest about to tell a tale,  
to him that can not hear.   

Again.  
SPare spare to spur it naught avails:  
Spurs serve for other horse:  
Rick, prick, spurn, spur: pinch, punch and paunch  
thou shalt not stir a corpse.   

Again.  
THis blockish beast, as soon as he  
of any man is spied:  
Straightways he saith, behold an Ass,  
trust up in horses hide.   

Again.  
SO slowly goes this mopish jade,  
(whereon you use to ride)  
As hard and scant of Linx himself,  
his moving may be spied.   

Again.  
IF sluggish sloth had ever son or child:  
This same is he, unless I be beguiled.   

Again.  
EVen look how much the Heart excels  
the Ass to run a race:  
So much this horse of every horse  
beside is paste in pace.   

Again.  
HE seems as he were still a sleep:  
it may be so he sleeps  
As doth the Hare, who sleeping still,  
his eyes broad open keeps.   

Again.  
CVt out this cursed Cabals cods  
betime, if you do well:  
What will his offspring be, but even  
a very plague of hell.   

Again.  
WHat shall we do with this same beast?  
how shall we use him, tell?  
Him serve as Flaccus ass was served,  
and so you serve him well.    

OUT OF THE POEMS OF M. GVALTER HADDON.  

The way to live well.  
IF thou wilt lead a godly life,  
and not from virtue swerver:  
Be wary wise, and always these  
six things in mind observe.  

1  
Remember first the Lord thy God,  
which thee of naught did make:   

2  
Next mind thou Satan serpent sly,  
that seeks thy soul to take.   

3  
Next mind the shortness of this life,  
that fadeth like a flower:   

4  
Next mind thy grave, continually  
which galpes thee to devour.   

5  
Next mind thou gladsome joys of heaven:   

6  
next lasting plagues of hell:  
And so an end: mind these, and thou  
canst never live but well.    

Precepts of wedlock. The husband's requests.  
MY wife, if thou regard mine ease:  
Pray to the Lord: him praise & please.  
Displease not me (for any thing)  
Care how thy children up to bring:  
Let still thine house be neat and fine:  
Always provide for children thine:  
Be merry, but with modesty,  
Jest some men blame thine honesty:  
Let manners thine be pleasant still:  
With jacks yet do not play the gyll.  
Go in thy garments soberly,  
Let no spot be thereon to spy.  
Be merry when that I am merry:  
When I lower, sing not thou hay derry.  
The man that liked is of me,  
Let him likewise be liked of thee.  
That which I say in company,  
See thou refel not openly.  
If aught I speak that likes not thee,  
Thereof in secret monish me.  
What so in secret I thee tell  
Reveal not, but conceal it well.  
Think not strange Wives do make me warm  
When I thee hurt, show me thy harm.  
Confess when so thou dost offend:  
Chide not to bedward when we wend.  
Sleep slightly: rise betime, and pray:  
When thou art dressed, to work away.  
Believe not all thing that is said:  
Speak little (as beseems a maid)  
In presence mine dispute thou not:  
Reply not: chat must be forgot.  
The honest do associate still:  
Loth living with the lewd and ill.  
Let lewdness none thy life afford:  
Be always true of tongue and word:  
Let shame fastness thy mistress be:  
Do these, and wife come cull with me.   

The wives answer.  
Husband, if thou wilt pure appear,  
(Even as thyself) then hold me dear.  
So shalt thou please Jehove divine,  
So shalt thou make me norrishe mine.  
See that our house wherein we devil  
Be handsome, wholesome, walled well.  
And let us have what use requires:  
Make servants sweated at work, not fires.  
See that thy speech be mild and meek.  
Of froward frumps be still to seek.  
If thou wilt have me do for thee,  
Then see thou likewise do for me.  
If thou on thy friends do bestow,  
Be liberal to my friends also.  
For servants thine keep tauntyngs tart,  
Admonish gently me apart.  
And when in sport some time I spend,  
Do thou not sharply reprehend.  
And when I joy with thee to jest,  
In angry mood, do not molest.  
'tis not enough, that I love thee:  
But sometime thou must make of me.  
If I shall not of thee be ielowes,  
See thou cleave not to many fellows.  
Though thou hast toiled out the day  
At night be merry yet alway.  
Use never much abroad to roam:  
But still keep close with me at home.  
Thou saidst much, when thou wast an wooer,  
Now (we are coupled) be a doer.  
Penelope if I shallbe,  
Then be Ulysses unto me.   

Desire not to obtain, that which thou canst not gain.  
HE that will choose a wretch to be,  
A very wretch indeed is he:  
Then he that goods desires to gain  
Which by no means he may obtain  
A very wretch indeed is he:  
For he doth choose a wretch to be.   

BY VIRTUE NOT VIGOUR.  
Win even the wayward Virtue will,  
and Virtue maketh willing still.  
Force furious foaming fighteth fierce:  
But Virtue doth with reason pierce.  
In body Force his seat doth find,  
Virtue triumpheth still in mind.  
Force maketh men like beasts to be,  
But Virtue maketh men we see.  
Wherefore rude boisterous Force far well,  
For Virtue brave shall bear the bell.  
Let Force to Virtue bow and bend:  
Or Mistress on the Maid attend.   

How every age is inclined.  
THe Babe (devoid of wit and sense)  
In Cradle still doth cry:  
The Lad by lightness lewd doth lose  
his time, and runs awry.  
From 12. to 21. Youth  
runs rashly on his race:  
The Lusty Youth to lawless lust  
and riot runs apace.  
The Man still hunts for honours hie:  
the Senior serious seeks  
For wealth and coin: glad when into  
his pragged purse he peekes.   

A noble dame: I hide her name.  
FOr visage thou art Venus' right:  
Pallas for flowing brain:  
To finger fine the Harp or Lute  
Apollo thou dost stain.  
Mercurius rules thy filled speech,  
thy manners Cynthia chaste:  
O gallant goddess: juno meet  
with jove for to be placed.   

Of the Queen's Picture.  
O Pity great alas to see,  
that Virtue shining so  
With Beauty brave, must forced be  
at last away to go.   

Of the picture of Thomas Cranmer, sometime Archbishop of Canterbury.  
WEll learned, and well lived too,  
good Cranmer wast thou sure:  
Fair lucky times and lowering both,  
God made thee to endure.   

Of his own picture.  
(Fool as thou art) what dost thou mean,  
thy fading form to draw?  
A new face, or else no face, thou  
shalt have to morrow, daw.   

Of the picture of the most excellent Dame A. H.  
FOr prudency, a precious pearl:  
for face, a famous dame:  
In fine this piece in every point,  
deserveth laud and fame.   

To his Bed.  
MY bed, the rest of all my cares,  
the end of toiling pain:  
Which bringest ease and solace sweet,  
while darkness doth remain.  
My bed, yield to me slumber sweet,  
and trifling dreams repel:  
cause carking care from sobbing breast  
to part, where it doth devil.  
All mockeries of this wretched world,  
put clean from out my mind:  
Do these my bed: and then by thee,  
much comfort shall I find.   

An Answer.  
THat I may be a rest of cares,  
an end of toiling pain:  
See stomach thine be not surcharge,  
when sleep thou wouldst gain.  
If sugared sleep (devoid of dreams)  
thou likest to enjoy:  
Then live with little: and beware,  
no cares thy head annoy.  
And lastly dame thy feathered bed,  
always thy grasping grave:  
So rest by me thou shalt obtain,  
and eke much comfort have.   

An Epitapthe upon the death of Sir JOHN CHEKE.  
THe master of good manners mild,  
the glistering lamp of skill:  
Dame Natures golden work-house rare,  
now death hath rid from ill.  
Ah noble sir John Cheke is dead,  
which steadfast still did stand  
Not one to many, but to all:  
the lantern of this land.  
The gem of this our English soil:  
fell death that riddeth all  
So rich a jewel never took,  
nor take hereafter shall.    

JOHN PARKHURST, late Bishop of NORWICH.  

To the Reader.  
When reader thou dost read this book,  
With frowning forehead do not look:  
For Cato cursed, nor Curius,  
Nor frowning sour Heraclitus,  
These are not made: but if they bend  
Their eyes to see what here is pend:  
Such toys they shall be sure to find  
As will refresh the mestfull mind.   

To Torpetus.  
THy wife Torpetus brings thee nought:  
Thou musest what should let:  
Muse not: how can she bring thee aught  
When thou canst nought beget.   

An Epitaph upon the death of a Covetous Miser.  
AN earthly wight in earth,  
I studied earthly things:  
Even like a Moldiwarpe,  
to earth which always clings.  
Now earthly body mine,  
in earth with worms doth bide:  
But sinful soul (alas)  
to Limbo down doth slide.  
Waifarer hence depart,  
take heed, be warned by me:  
Remember heavenly things,  
cast earthly things from thee.   

Of Robin Bartlet falling into the hands of thieves.  
BArtlet a pleasant sconce, whose mirth  
all men did much delight:  
Riding towards London on a time,  
amongst thieves did light.  
When they had robbed him of his coin,  
quoth one (among the rest)  
My masters let us cut his throat,  
for fear we be expressed.  
Then Bartlet answered pleasantly,  
(nay do not serve me so)  
My masters if you cut my throat,  
how shall my drink down go.  
At this the thieves 'gan laugh apace,  
and from him went their way:  
So silly Bartlet saved his life,  
although his purse did pay.   

Against Battus, an evil Singer.  
WHile Battus sings, he would be thought  
such one as well could do:  
So would the bird that Cuckoo cries:  
so would the Nightcrowe to.   

To John Fox.  
SIth that thy life is spotless pure,  
devoid of fraud and blame:  
I marvel why of crafty Fox,  
my Fox thou hadst the name.   

Of an old trot Persephone, and Pyllio a youngster.  
PErsephone a beldame, hath  
an house wherein to devil:  
Young Pyllio needs must marry her,  
he says he loves her well.  
Now Pyllio she doth like of life,  
and he doth set great store  
By her fair house: what weds he her?  
no sure: her house therefore.   

To Marcellinus.  
Sometime thou wilt have wealth  
to use: and sometime not.  
Sure either thou art to much wise,  
or else to much a sot.   

Against Bossus, a Priest.  
WE must not touch a woman, we,  
thus Bossus still doth say:  
We must continually (saith he)  
serve God both night and day.  
But Bossus by his leave doth lie:  
they touch and touch again;  
Or else somany baldpate priests,  
could never sires remain.   

Of Lupercus.  
A Fruitful wench God send me, said  
Lupercus when I wed:  
I hate (said he) these barren dames,  
that never will be sped.  
He married Frances at the last,  
and so he had his prayer:  
The next day after they were linked,  
she brought him forth a pair.   

Of Molzus that cast his wife into the Sea.  
WHat time a troublous tempest rose,  
and tossed the tumbling Seas:  
Each one threw in his heaviest stuff,  
the loaded bark to ease.  
But Molzus (one among the rest)  
cast in his wife, and said,  
nought heavier than askolding wife,  
I dame there can be weighed.   

Of Lollus and Caeciliana, man and wife.  
Seldom doth Lollus dine at home,  
and not against his will:  
And that he seld may dine at home,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Seldom doth Lollus sup at home,  
and not against his will:  
And that he seld may sup at home,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Seldom doth Lollus sleep at home,  
and not against his will:  
And that he seld may sleep at home,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Seldom speaks Lollus with his wife,  
and not against his will:  
And that he may but seldom speak,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Seldom doth Lollus kiss his wife,  
and not against his will:  
And that he may but seld her kiss,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Seldom lies Lollus with his wife,  
and not against his will:  
And that he may seld lie with her,  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
Lollus doth love another's wife,  
and not against his will:  
And for to have another man  
Caecilian wisheth still.  
O what a passing concord is,  
between this man and wife?  
What so the one of them doth love,  
the other likes of life.   

To Sixtus.  
A Fair wife thou hast married, this  
doth please thee Sixtus well:  
A shrew thou married haste, doth this  
well please the Sixtus, tell?   

Of a certain Duke, and Robin Bartlet.  
A Certain Duke with Bartlet chafed,  
said, leave you knave to scoff  
And mend your manners, or I swear,  
thy head shallbe cut of.  
Quoth Bartlet, God forbidden, that were  
to me unhappy hap:  
If that my head were gone (quoth he)  
where should I set my cap.  
At this the Duke 'gan laugh a pace,  
and set his heart at rest:  
Thus all the broil and anger great,  
was turned to a jest.   

To Alexander Nowell.  
GReat Alexander all the world  
did in subjection bring:  
Rude barbarous people thou dost tame:  
thou dost a greater thing.   

To Candidus.  
Poor Proclus Martha took to wife,  
of lofty Lineage high:  
She was not Candidus his wife,  
but mistress his perdie.   

Of certain fair maidens playing with Snow.  
YOu virgins fairer than the Snow  
wherewith you sport and play:  
The Snow is white, and you are bright,  
now mark what I shall say.  
The Snow between your fingers fades  
and melteth quite away:  
So glistering gleams of beauties blaze  
in time shall soon decay.   

To Hallus.  
HAllus thine aching tooth makes thee  
that thou canst rest no night:  
With good tongue (Hallus) lick thy tooth  
and pain will vanish quite.   

In quendam.  
THou lik'st ill men, ill men thee laud.  
so Mules of mules are scraped and clawed.   

To a certain Draper.  
MEn many Draper deem,  
thou dost abound with store:  
Thy Nose is precious, full of pearls,  
Draper, canst thou be poor?   

Against Bossus.  
ALL Priests must gelded be,  
thus sayst thou Bossus still:  
They must be gelded sure thou sayst,  
the scripture so doth william.  
If Bossus thou hadst gealt thyself,  
and stones of thine cut out:  
So many bastard brats of thine,  
had not been borne about.   

Of Attus.  
IF Attus face thou do behold,  
a good man he will seem:  
But if thou do behold the rest,  
ill than thou wilt him deem.   

To papistical Prelates.  
WHy doubt you dotterel priests as yet,  
chaste honest wives to wed?  
Wedlock is good, and pleaseth God,  
adultery must be fled.   

Of the Lady jane Grace.  
Dost muse with skill of Graecian tongue, 
Graia being her surname in Latin, signifieth a Graecian.   
how Lady jane was freight?  
As soon as ever she won borne,  
she was a Graecian strait.   

Against Colt, a coltish Priest.  
SIth Colt thou playest the Colt, to kiss,  
before the face of men:  
When no man sees thee Colt (I muse)  
the Colt how playest thou then?   

Of Holus a Soldier being lame.  
OF Holus I did ask, wherefore,  
limping to war he went:  
Tush answered he, though limbs be lame,  
my mind to fight is bend,   

To John Gibbon.  
Dissolve this dark Aenigme,  
my Gibbon if you can:  
You shallbe reckoned Oedipus,  
a cunning skilful man.  
This is my riddle dark:  
no wolves in England are,  
Yet England harboures store of wolves:  
how can this be declare?   

Against Alanus.  
THou lovest Dogs,  
Dogs dost thou feed:  
But thou dost hate  
thy wife in deed.  
Thou chidest her,  
her dost thou beat:  
Her thou dost spurn,  
her thou dost threat:  
And still with her  
thou art at strife:  
Better to be  
thy Dog then wife.   

Of Diogenes.  
QVoth one unto Diogenes,  
what shall I give to thee  
And let me give thy head a box:  
an helmet answered he.   

Against Fridolinus.  
A chaste life best beseems a priest,  
thou Fridolin dost say:  
But whence hast thou thy lads and girls,  
now Fridolin bewray?   

Of ROBIN BARTLET, feigning himself deaf to get lodging, being on a time benighted.  
WHen down Dan Phoebus 'gan to duck,  
and shroud him in the West:  
When darksome night approached fast,  
and all did silent rest.  
When Aeolus king with puffed cheeks,  
'gan blow and bluster fierce:  
When dashing showers down dinging fast  
both man and beast did pierce.  
When fir●e flakes, and lightning leams,  
'gan flash from out the skies:  
When stiff, strong, struggling, sturdy storms,  
began for to arise.  
All in this hurly burly great,  
it chanced so perdie:  
That merry Bartlet was abroad,  
devoid of company.  
In riding he had lost his way,  
in great distress was he:  
For posting here and there, he could  
no town nor village se.  
But he that looks at last shall find,  
so he by Fortune saw  
At last a simple cottage poor,  
all homely thatched with Straw.  
His hands he heaves to heaven on high,  
and thanks with heart and voice  
His God that gave him this good hap,  
and greatly did rejoice.  
He cometh to this cabin course,  
and knocketh at the door:  
And strait with humble suit and moan,  
for help he doth implore.  
If any wife devil here (quoth he)  
that honesty doth love:  
Let this my piteous piercing plaint,  
her mind to mercy move.  
Then lo the goodwife of the house,  
(whose name did Florence height)  
Came to the door, and spoke unto  
poor Barrlet woeful wight.  
Away quoth she, what ere thou be,  
be sure thou comest not here:  
So late thou wanderest in the night,  
thou art a thief I fear.  
Be packing while your bone be whole:  
I thank you Bartlet said:  
(And feigned himself for to be deaf)  
I thank you for your aid.  
May horse of mine have room (quoth he)  
here likewise to remain?  
Not no quoth she: I thank you sure,  
said Bartlet here again,  
And went to Stable with his horse:  
at last he did her win  
(By thanks and gentle words) to ope  
the door, and let him in.  
All that same night he snorting slept,  
fast by the fire side:  
And all his garments soused with rain,  
by smoking fire he dried.  
When fair Aurora at the last,  
began for to appear:  
And bright Apollo with his beams,  
began to glister clear.  
Dame Florence starteth up from bed,  
and soon she slippeth on  
Her petticoat: and fetching wood,  
she maketh fire anon,  
She deeming Bartlet fast a sleep,  
eke deaf, a fart let flee:  
God morrow dame (quoth Bartlet strait)  
what speak you unto me?  
Quoth Florence what? and can you hear?  
now sure I joy therefore:  
I see my tail hath made you hear,  
which could not hear before.   

Of Caelia, and her son, now ready to die.  
WHen Caelia (sad and sorrowful)  
her son sore sick did see:  
Now when his breath began to fail,  
with blubbering tears said she  
O my sweet son, ere life be done,  
speak one sweet word to me:  
But one sweet word, my sweet sweet son,  
I do request of thee:  
The son now giving up the ghost,  
as breathe away 'gan pass:  
Cried, honey, honey, mother mine,  
(sweet honey) ah alas.  
And sounding so these sugared words,  
he died by and by:  
And cheerful thus unto the heavens,  
his soul soared swift on high.   

Of Editha, traveling in childbed.  
WHen as a new borne blessed babe,  
Editha forth had brought:  
The women said he was as like,  
his sire as might be thought.  
What is his crown bald (bore of hear)  
I pray you show, said she:  
And thus Editha signified,  
a Priest the sire to be.   

Of a certain Bishop, and his fool Philibert.  
A Certain Prelate kept a fool,  
to make him game and sport:  
This fool height Philibert: his lord  
did love him in such sort  
That he would let him lie with him,  
in bed whereas he lay:  
Not side by side, but at his feet  
this fool did couch always.  
One night the Bishop had his trull,  
in bed with him to lie:  
The fool was waking, and by hap,  
four legs he felt him by:  
Ho master (quoth the fool) I feel  
four legs: whose be they, thine?  
Yea (quoth his master) Philibert  
those legs they all be mine.  
Then Philibert strait starting up,  
unto the window hies.  
And (putting out his noddies nole)  
with Stentors voice he cries  
Monstrum horrendum come and see,  
all men, both young and old:  
My master that had two feet erst  
Hath four now to behold.   

Against Claudia.  
A Virgin thou wilt called be,  
a virgin counted eke:  
And still in praise of virgins pure,  
still Claudia thou dost speak:  
But why dost thou praise virgins so?  
thyself no virgin art:  
For thou didst bear a virgin late,  
which was no virgins part.   

To a certain friend.  
A Kerchef thou dost wear: head ache  
doth not torment thee rise:  
Nor sickness: surely thou hast felt,  
the Distaff of thy wife.   

Of an egregious drunkard.  
A Drunkard great did fall into  
a fervent fever sore:  
Whereby he felt a greater thirst,  
than erst he did before.  
He sendeth for Physicians strait:  
unto him they do give  
Both for to cure his fever, and  
his thirst away to drive.  
To whom the pained party spoke:  
Physicians, only see  
That you my fever cure, my thirst  
leave that to cure for me.   

To certain proud Papistical persons.  
SOme men do call you holy men:  
and some again do choose  
To call you Fathers: glad are you  
when they such titles use.  
But holy I can not you call,  
which holiness disdain:  
But fathers I may call you well,  
for brats you get amain.   

To Pope Paulus. 2.  
THou needst not Rome for to request,  
of Paul his stones to show:  
He hath begot a daughter la te,  
he is a man I trow.   

Of Pope jone the 8. and of the manner of making the Pope.  
POpe jone in man's apparel went,  
and feigned herself a man:  
And by this strange disguising, she  
at last the Popedom wan.  
At last she played a peevish part,  
and let her servant ride  
In saddle hers: she travailed,  
brought forth her child, and died.  
When as the Carnals (Cardinals  
I would say if I could)  
When they perceiude this filthy fact,  
they all agreed none should  
Be Pope created after that,  
unless he had his stones:  
They would not have the Popedom stained,  
with any more Pope jones.  
But now adays at Rome we see,  
this custom waxeth cold:  
What is the cause they grope not now,  
as they were wont of old?  
The cause is, now they know before,  
that they are men in deed:  
For now in every corner swarm  
their whores, and bastard breed.   

Of Lucretia which was daughter and wife to Pope Alex. 6.  
WHat makest thou Lucretia,  
with chaste Lucretia's name?  
Thou art an other Thais, thou,  
an other Lais dame.   

Of Nodosius, a Papist.  
AT pointed seasons still,  
Nodosius doth refrain  
From eating flesh: and yet from flesh,  
no day he doth abstain.  
Dost ask how this may be?  
I will explain the case:  
Dead flesh mislikes Nodosius, but  
live flesh he doth embrace.   

Of a certain youngman, and a toothless sire.  
A Youngman and an aged sire.  
at Tavern drinking sat:  
At last (well whittled both with wine)  
they fell at great debate.  
And striude about a thing of naught:  
the youngman all in ire  
Burst out and said, turd in thy teeth,  
old crooked crabbed sire.  
The old man pleasantly replied:  
turd in his teeth (quoth he)  
That hath teeth: I have none at all,  
behold, and thou shalt se.  
And so he showed his naked gums,  
where no teeth did remain:  
And thus the strife and great debate,  
did cease between them twain.   

To a proud princox.  
WHy art thou proud? stout pouting pride  
from heavenly joys on high  
Down headlong tumbled Lucifer,  
in Limbo low to lie.   

To Pigmenius.  
THou wealthy hast both house and land,  
Eke thou the Law dost understand.  
By hook and crook thou catchest still,  
In cozening craft thou hast great skill.  
Thy fingers to can filch full fast,  
(For all these) yet no coin thou haste.  
How cometh it to pass wouldst know?  
The speckled bones oft thou dost throw.   

Of Cotilus a Priest.  
NOT maids loves Cotilus: old wives  
he loves (as all may see)  
What is the cause? maids bring forth brats,  
old wives still barren be.   

Against Huberdine, an old dotterel and peevish Preacher.  
WHo preacheth nought but trifling toys,  
unto the people still:  
A prating preacher may be called,  
devoid of wit and skill.   

To Ruffina. He playeth the wooer for a friend of his, of person as pretty as a pygmy.  
Despise not this thy suitor small,  
that loves thee as his life:  
And thee desires Ruffina fair,  
to be his spouse and wife.  
In bodies deft of dapper Dicks  
great virtue oft doth devil:  
Perchance in bed thou shalt him prove  
a man, I can not tell.   

Of the unsatiable covetousness of this world.  
A Golden great ungodly world,  
this may be counted well:  
Each man loves gold: but godliness,  
who loves I can not tell.   

To Pontiana, a maid so called.  
Snow held unto the fire doth melt,  
and ceaseth Snow to be:  
So Pontiana perish those,  
that burn in love with thee.   

To Claudia.  
OF late thine hears were black, but now  
they shine, gold like unto:  
With any Painter fine of late,  
tell, hadst thou to do?   

Of Antonina.  
IN bosom hers, a dapper Dog,  
still Antonina bears:  
She lulles him, culles him, lovingly  
she lugs him by the ears.  
She would not miss her fisting cur,  
for any thing: and why?  
Forsooth when so she lets a scape,  
she cries me, fie cur, fie.   

To John Cullier.  
LIke dumb dog Hennus never barks,  
all preaching he doth shun:  
And yet thou sayest his duty still,  
by him is duly done.  
He drinks, he hunts, he hunteth whores,  
he smacks: how sayest thou? tell?  
Doth he his duty due? doth he  
perform his function well?   

Of Glaurus an old doting Priest.  
GLaurus is crooked, all for age:  
he still prepares to die:  
Yet Glaurus hath a pretty wench,  
at home with him to lie.   

To Hermannus Mennus.  
Poor have I been, and poor I am,  
and poor still shall I be:  
And Mennus lo, the cause I will,  
declare and show to thee.  

Martial.  If poor thou be Aemilian,  
thou shalt be poor always:  
For none but wealth wordlyng are,  
enriched now adays.   

Of Clitus.  
ON Saterdaie no flesh,  
will Clitus eat perdie:  
But for to steal an horse,  
on Sunday he will high.   

This Monostichon here following, was written upon the gate of the Monastery of the Benedictines, or black Monks.  
HIc intret nullus, nisi pullus sit sibi Cullus.  
No manner wight, shall enter here:  
Unless black hood on back he bear.  
Barbara vox Cullus: pro qua ponenda Latina est  
Et poterit carmen forsitan esse bonum.  
Cullus is sure a barbarous word,  
scant Latin for an hood:  
To Culus Cullus therefore change,  
so may the verse be good.  
Hic intret nullus, nisi pullus sit sibi Culus.  
No manner wight shall enter here:  
Unless he black be, you wots where.   

Of the answer of a fool to a certain Duke.  
Unto the palace of the Poop,  
there came a Duke of late:  
The Pope's fool chanced to meet the Duke  
before the palace gate:  
Where is thy master quoth the Duke?  
not far the fool 'gan say:  
For but even very now his grace,  
was with his whore at play.   

Of Rob. Bartlet, and of one that had a foul big nose, and a precious (as they term it.)  
BY fortune merry Bartlet saw  
a man with monstrous Nose:  
Beset with Rubies rich: his mind  
thus Bartlet 'gan disclose.  
Goodfellow, friend, (quoth Bartlet) when  
wast thou with goldsmith tell?  
The other musing stayed, and knew  
not what to answer well.  
I ask (quoth Bartlet) for because▪  
he cozened thee I see:  
He for a golden nose hath given  
a copper nose to thee.   

The Lover.  
WHo more a wretch than he  
whom love ●ormenteth sore?  
With scorching heat of Cupid's coals  
he burneth evermore.   

Of love.  
Love is for to be liked, if  
both love (so as they aught)  
But where one loves, the other loathes,  
there love is vile and naught.   

To Hordenus.  
I Marriage mind: thou mockest me  
as much as may be thought.  
If whores I both should hunt and haunt  
what wouldst thou then say? naught.   

Of Alphus.  
NO egg on friday Alphe will eat,  
but drunken he will be  
On friday still: O what a pure  
religious man is he.   

Of him that is in debt.  
WHo owes much money, still  
he shuns all company:  
And is like to an owl  
That in the night doth fly.   

To Ponticus.  
DOst ask why (Ponticus) I call  
thee not to supper mine.  
The cause is this: thou call'st me not  
hog Ponticus to thine.   

To Minsiger.  
AS poor as Irus once thou wast,  
but now thou dost abound  
With wealth and store: by marriage thine,  
great plenty hast thou found.  
But now thy wife is dead, thy coin  
thou lashest out amain:  
Spare Minsiger le●t thou become  
as Irus poor again.   

Of Squire, an old man flewmatike.  
Squire seld or never Oysters buys,  
Squire eat no oysters will:  
Yet notwithstanding Squire spits out  
and spawleth oysters still.   

Of Cotta.  
AN whore hath Cotta to his wife,  
he knows it, and he says:  
One Lamp sufficient is to light  
ten men and ten always.   

N. NOMAN To B. Bonner.  
ALL men a naughty Bishop did thee call:  
I say thou wast the best of Bishops all.   

To a certain Papist.  
IT ill beseemeth priests to we●  
thus Papist thou dost say:  
What well beseems them (than declare)  
with whores to sport and play?   

To a wife, which set a pot full of flowers in her window.  
TO make a fragrant savour sweet,  
in window thou dost set  
Fresh flowers, and for to make them grow,  
thou stinking mire dost get:  
Wife, cast the mire away, or herbs,  
or both I thee desire:  
The flowers they do not smell so well,  
as ill doth stink the mire.   

Of a counterfeit Devil.  
BLastus a cunning Painter, (that  
Apelles passed in skill:)  
Did paint the Devil in this wise,  
in form and fashion ill.  
Monstrous, deformed to behold,  
fierce, black, and horrible:  
Daunting the hearts of men with dread,  
and fear most terrible.  
His eyes did shine like sparkling fire,  
all broad and blazing bright:  
His snout was stretched forth, his tail  
was long, and black to sight.  
His chaps were great, and galping wide,  
all ready to devour:  
With long down dangling jagged beard,  
he looked grim and sour.  
His horns were like unto the Moon,  
that glisters in the night:  
His paws were like fell Harpeyes' paws,  
that scratch and tear out qi●ght.  
In right hand stones he clinched fast,  
in left he held a book:  
And eke a payr of beads he had,  
whereon to pray and look.  
His outward garments all were black,  
even such they were to eye  
As mopish Monks, and foolish Friars,  
did wear most commonly.  
A Monk came by (by chance) and saw  
the Picture set to show:  
No where is Blastus said the Monk?  
is he at home or no?  
Ymarry Blastus answered,  
what is your will with me?  
The devils picture will you buy?  
perchance I will said he.  
But tell me Blastus said the Monk,  
why is he made so fell?  
I like him not in some respects,  
in some yet wondrous well.  
Wherefore now briefly Blastus show  
(in few declare to me)  
Why thou hast made him in such sort,  
as here I do him see?  
Then Blastus answered (and said)  
if that you do not know  
The causes why I made him thus,  
the causes I will show.  
Well (quoth the Monk) then tell me first,  
why didst thou make him black?  
Quoth Blastus, for because that he,  
doth fair conditions lack.  
Quoth Monk, why is his beard unkemd,  
and dangling down so low?  
Quoth Blastus, for because he was,  
an Hermit long ago.  
Why quoth the Monk hath he a tail?  
he moves to Lechery:  
Why hath he crooked cruel claws?  
he loves to catch perdie.  
Why in his right hand holds he stones?  
with stones Christ tempted he:  
What book in left hand doth he hold?  
Pope's holy laws they be.  
Why are such horns fixed on his front?  
like Moses he in this:  
(Yet godly Moses he doth hate,  
this sure and certain is.)  
Why is he pictured like a Monk?  
he monkery did devise:  
Monks mischievous he first brought forth,  
and noughty nuns likewise.  
The Monk no longer now forebeares,  
but for a cudgel feels:  
And Blastus to avoid the blows,  
strait takes him to his heels.  
The pursy Monk pursues him fast,  
and takes him by the hear:  
And all to thumps him with his fist,  
his nails his face doth tear.  
Better provoke the fend himself,  
than monk that raging raves:  
Poor Blastus did not know that Monks,  
were vile and testy knaves.   

An Epitaphe upon the death of KING EDWARD the 6.  
WHen EDWARD prince most excellent,  
fell cankered death did kill:  
When God did give him place in heaven,  
with Saints to so journey still,  
Good King josias came to him,  
and did him fast embrace:  
And said, ah welcome brother mine  
to happy heavenly place.   

Of Lydia.  
Seven years was Lydia linked, and lived  
with husband hers in deed:  
And all the while poor Lydia lacked  
and could no children breed.  
She of Physicians counsel asked,  
their medicines wrought but dull:  
Of Bossus priest she counsel asked,  
and strait way she was full.   

To Florianus.  
THy first wife (still thou sayst)  
brought thee no child at all:  
But sure (thou sayst) thy second wife,  
brought thee a pretty squaule.  
Indeed, a brat she did thee bring,  
yet none she did bring thee:  
For it it named thine to be,  
and yet thine not to be.   

To Haerillus.  
NO work Haerillus doth, and yet  
he labours evermore:  
How labours he? even of the gout▪  
which doth torment him sore.   

Of Hassus.  
I Did demand of Hassus, how  
his wife (sore sick) did far:  
She will come shortly well abroad  
(quoth he) I take no care.  
Now (sure) who would not Hassus deem,  
a Prophet true to be?  
The next day after (on a Bear)  
stone dead brought forth was she.   

Of Furnus a Cuckold.  
MEn say that Furnus iealowes, is  
as quick as Linx of fight:  
And oftentimes he useth eyes  
of glass, clear glistering bright.  
Now sith that Furnus hath four eyes,  
and well decerneth still:  
It makes me muse and marvel much  
why still he sees so ill.  
His wife is wicked, wanton still:  
which he doth never see:  
Fool Furnus doth not see so well,  
but sure as ill sees he.   

Of Pope Innocent. 8.  
Eight boy's Pope Nocent did ●eger,  
as many maids in all:  
O Rome, most justly mayst thou sure  
this Pope a father call.   

Of Alexander 6. and his daughter Lucretia.  
NO gelding Alexander was:  
now dost thou ask me why?  
Lewd Lucrece was his daughter, and  
his wife with him to lie.   

Against Claudia.  
TWo kisses Bossus asked of thee,  
when I in prensence was:  
(He would have given money to)  
of him thou didst not pass.  
Thou giuste no kisses openly,  
close thou dost kiss amain:  
Of kisses thou to sparing art,  
to lavish eke again.   

To David Whitehed.  
Unto me Willobey doth writ,  
that Podagra the gout  
Doth pain thee still: but Chiragra  
doth pain thee out of doubt.  
The first remaineth in the feet,  
the second in the fist:  
Thou canst not writ to me, but go  
well canst thou, if thou list.   

To Leopoldus.  
I Have thee promised much, thou ●ai●●▪  
what now declare to me?  
What I have promised I will give:  
I nothing promised thee.   

Against Gaspus, which with one draft of wine or ale would be made drunk.  
GAspus, if thou wilt not be drunk  
then mark what I shall say:  
When as thou drinkest, drink thou of  
an empty cup always.   

Against Colt a Priest.  
THose that deem Colt hath nothing done,  
they greatly are beguiled:  
He hath done somewhat, he hath played  
the colt, and got a child.   

To the Reader.  
IF so but six good Epigrams,  
in all my book there be:  
Then all is not piled paltry stuff,  
which reader thou dost see.  
But if six good thou do not find,  
refuse then all the rest:  
And let them serve to wipe thy tail  
if so thou think it best.   

To the Reader.  

SVfficient now, nay to to much  
I trifled have with thee:  
Farewell good reader: here an end:  
no more I'll troublous be.   

Ludicra per verbares saepè notat●r acerba.     

M. ROGER ASCHAM.  

The sentence which Darius King of Persia commanded to be engraven on his Tomb.  
DARIUS' the King lieth buried here:  
Who in riding & shooting had never peer.   

The graceless grace of the Court.  
TO laugh, to lie, to flatter, to face:  
Four ways in Coure to win men grace.  
If thou be thrall to none of these,  
Away good Pekegoose, hence John Cheese.  
Mark well my word & mark their deed,  
And think this verse part of thy Creed.   

A verse of Homer, translated into English, by M. Watson.  
ALL travelers do gladly report great praise of Ulysses:  
For that he knew many men's manners, and saw many cities.   

Of the herb Moly, translated out of Homer.  
NOT mortal man, with sweat of brow, or toil of mind:  
But only God, who can do all, that herb doth find.   

Of neuter.  
NOw new, now old, now both, now neither:  
To serve the worlds course, they care not with whether:   

Master Aschams lamentation for the death of master John Whitney.  
Mine own John Whitney, now farewell,  
now Death doth part us twain:  
Not Death, but parting for a while,  
whom life shall join again.  
Therefore my heart cease sighs and sobs  
cease sorrows seed to sow:  
Whereof no gain, but greater grief,  
and hurtful care may grow.  
Yet when I think upon such gifts,  
of grace as God him lent:  
My loss, his gain, I must awhile,  
with joyful tears lament.  
Young years to yield such fruit in Court,  
where seed of vice is sown:  
Is sometime red, in some place seen,  
amongst us seldom known.  
His life he lead, Christ's lore to learn,  
with will to work the same:  
He read to know, and knew to live,  
and lived to praise his name.  
So fast to friend, so foe to few,  
so good to every wight:  
I may well wish, but scarcely hope,  
again to have in sight.  
The greater joy his life to me,  
his death the greater pain:  
His life in Christ so surely set,  
doth glad my heart again.  
His life so good, his death better,  
do mingle mirth with care:  
My spirit with joy, my flesh with grief,  
so dear a friend to spare.  
Thus God the good, while they be good,  
doth take: and leaves us ill:  
That we should mend our sinful lives,  
in life to tarry still.  
Thus we well left, be better reft,  
in heaven to take his place,  
That by like life and death, at last,  
we may obtain like grace.  
Mine own John Whitney again farewell,  
a while thus part in twain:  
Whom pain doth part in earth, in heaven  
great joy shall join again.   

A golden sentence out of Hesiodus.  
THat man in wisdom passeth all,  
to know the best who hath a head:  
And meetly wise eke counted shall,  
Who yields himself to wise men's read:  
Who hath no wit, nor none will hear,  
Among all fools the bell may bear.   

A verse of Homer.  
WHat follies so ever great princes make:  
The people therefore do go to wrack.   

An excellent saying of Homer.  
WHo either in earnest or in sport,  
doth frame himself after such sort,  
This thing to think, and that to tell,  
my heart abhorreth as gate to hell.   

A saying of Adra●tus, out of Euripides.  
WHat thing a man in tender age hath most in ure,  
That same to death always to keep he shallbe sure:  
Therefore in age who greatly longs good fruit to mow:  
In youth he must himself apply good seed to sow.   
FINIS.   

TRIFLES BY TIMOTHE KENDAL devised and written (for the most part) at sundry times in his young and tender age.  
Tamen est laudanda voluntas.   

CORNELIUS GALLUS.  
Diversos diversa iwant, non omnibus annis  
omnia conveniunt, res prius apta nocet.  
Exultat levitate puer, gravitate senectus,  
inter utrumque manens stat juvenile decus.  
Hunc tacitum tristemque decet, fit clarior ille  
laetitia, & linguae garrulitate suae.   

¶ THE AUTHOR TO HIS Pamphlets and Trifles.  

BOrbon in France bears bell away,  
for writing trifles there:  
In England Parkhurst praised is,  
for writing trifles here.  
Now sith that these were learned both,  
and trifles did indite:  
Shall I now shame, of youthful days,  
my trifling toys to writ?  
Not sure I blush not: hence my book,  
let all men read thy verse:  
Grave men grave matters, sportful youth  
must sportful toys rehearse.  
Now reader lend thy listening ear,  
and after singing Lark:  
Content thyself of chatting Crow,  
some homely notes to mark.    


The Author to himself.  
T To serve thy God, thy Prince, thy soil,  
endeavour all thy life:  
I In peace delight: seek still to stay,  
the storms of sturdy strife.  
M Make much of Modesty: be meek:  
take heed to climb to high:  
O Offend not one: be true in heart:  
all filthy flattery fly.  
T Take time in time: temper thy tongue:  
from filthy talk refrain:  
H Help hapless men: & hope for heaven:  
by patience conquer pain:  
E Eat so to live, live so to die,  
die so to live again.  
KING Keep Counsel close: be fast to friend:  
and always know thyself:  
E Esteem thou lasting heavenly joys:  
pass not for worldly pelf.  
N nought tell, that close thou wouldst have kept.  
great guile in men doth lurk:  
D Delight not to deceive by craft,  
go plainly still to work.  
A Abandon vice, let virtue guide:  
vile sloth eschew and shun.  
L Learn still to know, & know to live▪  
and live to praise the Son.  
L Live in the Lord: so shalt thou live  
at last when all is done.    

A Comparison between CHRIST and the POPE.  
TO rule & reign in pompous Pride,  
naught cared Christ at all:  
The Pope by wiles and wicked war  
subdues both great and small.  
A Crown of thorn with scratching pricks  
our Christ did willing wear:  
A triple gorgeous crown of gold  
the Pope on head doth bear.  
Christ washed his poor Disciples feet  
as sacred Scripture shows:  
The Pope must have the regal kings  
come kiss his spangled toes.  
Christ like a painful Pastor pure,  
his flock did feed and fill:  
The Pope in pleasure spends his time  
and lives in riot still.  
Our Saviour Christ endured pain  
and suffered pinching want:  
The great and glorious golden world  
the Pope sufficeth scant.  
With patience Christ the Cross did bear  
and was content with it:  
The Pope on shoulders borne by men  
in solemn sort must sit.  
All worldly wealth our Saviour Christ  
contemned and set at naught:  
The Pope doth burn with love of gold  
as much as may be thought.  
Our Saviour Christ did tribute pay  
(as Scripture mention makes)  
The polling Pope the Clergy plagues  
and of them tribute takes:  
The Merchants from the temple, Christ  
expulsed and put away:  
The Pope receives them willingly,  
and keeps them still for aye.  
Our Christ in quiet pleasing peace  
did joy and take delight:  
The Pope in blood and battle brags  
and weapons glistering bright.  
An humble heart, and mildness meek  
in Christ did still abide:  
The furly Pope doth swim in silks  
and swell in pouting pride.  
Our Saviour Christ had still his hands  
all naked, plain, and bore:  
The Pope hath fingers fraught with rings  
and stones, both rich and rare.  
Our Saviour Christ regarded naught  
this roisting rich array:  
The Pope hath masking mad attire  
of gold and purple gay.  
Christ for a Colt an asses fool  
his two disciples sent:  
And on their homely mantles rude  
to ride he was content.  
The Pope on Courser hoisted high  
through Rome must prick and jet:  
Whose bridle brave and saddle shines  
with Pearl and gold befret.  
All ordinances, statutes, laws,  
that Christ did keep and will:  
All every one both more and less  
the spiteful Pope doth spill.  
Christ to the golden sky ascends  
that glittering, glorious shows:  
The Pope to Pluto plunging packs  
where fire with brimstone glows.   

Written in heaviness.  
LIke as the wounded wight  
desires the surgeons hand:  
And as the Cripple lame  
desireth legs to stand.  
And as one far on seas  
for land both longs and looks:  
And as the thirsty heart  
desires the water brooks:  
Even so my soul O God,  
doth long and look for thee:  
Aye me (alas) when shall I come  
my Saviour sweet to see?   

An old verse.  
Quod sibi quisque serit: praesentis tempore vitae:  
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur, ite, venite.   

In English thus.  
WHat so each mortal man doth sow:  
While he on earth doth bide and stay:  
Such he again shall reap and mow:  
When it is said, approach, away.   

Otherwise.  
WHat so each sows while he,  
in earth his race doth run:  
Such shall his harvest be,  
when it is said, go, come.   

To an Epicure.  
WHat profits pleasure thee to day:  
if all to morrow fail?  
Ah wretched caitiff, ah alas,  
what doth one day avail.   

A letter written to T. w. gent. when he was scholar in Oxford.  
PEnelope that peerless piece  
of whom you often reed:  
Did never love Ulysses so  
as I do you indeed.  
For why a thousand things there are  
which you have done for me:  
That if I should live Nestor's years  
could scant requited be.  
But yet I trust my chance may change  
the proverb old doth say:  
The weak may stand the strong instead:  
a dog may have a day.  
Till time that fortune turn her wheel  
till things do go aright:  
Accept my Wilmer will in worth  
till wealth may debt requited.  
On Saturday I will you sand  
some Lessons for your Lute:  
And for your Cittern eke a few:  
take leaves till time of fruit.  
And thus I end desiring you  
to let my letter lie  
Locked up in coffer close that none  
the same but you may spy.  
For like as scribblers loath to have  
good Scriveners view their lines  
So practisers mislike to have  
good Poets read their rhymes.  
Farewell my friend, and see you sand  
a letter back again:  
So shall I think I well did spend  
my paper, pen, and pain.   

Verses written to his father when he was scholar in Aeton. Scripsit admodum puer.  
WHat merit parents, such  
as do their children set  
To school, whereby they may  
both wealth and wisdom get.  
If such deserve (as sure they do)  
Perpetual praise and fame:  
Then doubtless you, O Father deer,  
do merit even the same.   

Of love.  
Love worketh wonders great,  
strange things it brings to pass:  
It maketh of a prudent man  
a very doltish ass.   

Of Boner, and his brothers.  
Foul Boner with his cursed crew,  
that loved so the Pope:  
Did divers plague and punish, with  
the rod, the rack, and rope.  
But (God be thanked) now their force,  
doth falter, fade, and fail:  
Their rods are spent, their racks are rend,  
their ropes no more prevail.   

Of Pope Alexander. 6.  
HIs Christ, his keys▪ and altars all,  
doth Alexander cell:  
Which he may do of right, and why?  
before they cost him well.   

To one of a divers and strange nature.  
Sometime a lowering look thou hast,  
sometime a laughing face:  
Now waspish, wayward: to do aught  
willing an other space.  
Mournful now, merry anon:  
now surly, sullen, sad,  
Pouting: pleasant anon again,  
part, jolly, jocund, glad.  
Thou both art like Democrit, and  
Heraclitus beside:  
Not man without thee can remain,  
nor with thee well abide.   

Of the works of Poets.  
AS in a pleasant grove,  
or goodly garden ground:  
Among sweet smelling flowers,  
some stinking weeds are found.  
Like so in Poets plots,  
both good and bad is sown:  
Be wary therefore, choose the best,  
and let the worst alone.   

How to get the love, both of God and men.  
WHo leaves, who loves, who lives, who lends:  
who spares, who spies, who speaks, who spends,  
Shall purchase to himself the love,  
of men beneath, and God above.   

Exposition.  
WHo leaves to lead a loathsome life:  
Who loves the Lazor poor to feed,  
Who lives in love, and hateth strife:  
Who lends who lacks, and stands in need.  
Who spares to spend, and waxeth wise,  
Who spies the bait, and shuns the hooks  
Who speaks the truth, and hateth lies:  
Who spends his time in sacred books.  
Him God himself in heaven above:  
And men beneath shall like and love.   

A similitude, of Idleness.  
AS water clear and clean corrupts,  
and stinks by standing still:  
So sluggish sloth doth slay the soul,  
and eke the body spill.   

What thing he feareth most.  
NOT stabbing glaive, nor sticking knife,  
Nor dart dread I, that reaveth life.  
Not Fencer's skill, no thrusting pricks,  
Not thundering threats of despirat Dicks.  
Not chilling cold, no scalding heat,  
Not grashing chaps of monsters great.  
No plague, no deadly vile disease,  
Not broiling blaze, no swallowing seas.  
Not galling griefs, no cares that crush,  
Of these I reck not of a Rush.  
An ill there is which doth remain,  
That troubles more and putts to pain:  
A fawning friend most mischief is,  
Which seeks to kill yet seems to kiss.   

How the xii. signs do govern and rule in man's body.  
THe Ram is Rex, and rules,  
above in head and face:  
The neck and throat the Bull,  
possesseth for his place.  
In arms and shoulders both,  
the Twins do reign and rest:  
The Crab is king, and keeps  
the stomach, lungs, and breast.  
The Lion king of beasts,  
doth bide in back and heart:  
The Virgin hath the guts  
and belly for her part.  
In reins, and lusty loins,  
the Balance beareth sway:  
Among the secret parts,  
the Scorpion still doth stay.  
The Archer hath the thighs,  
and Capricorn the knees:  
The legs the Watermannes,  
the feet the Fishes fees.   

Commendation and praise of Virtue.  
BY riches none are happy made,  
for riches slide away:  
Though got with sweat and labour great,  
at length yet they decay.  
Faint faltering fumbling feeble age  
decreaseth sturdy strength:  
Health sickness quails: and beauty brave  
doth flitting fade at length.  
Sweet tickling pleasure tarries not,  
nor maketh any stay:  
But in an hour, a little time,  
doth vanish quite away.  
But Virtue fair adorns the mind,  
and perfect doth remain:  
She steadfast bides, and never slides,  
and nought may Virtue stain.  
No time can Virtue fair deface,  
she after death endures:  
And us above the clustering clouds,  
a place with God procures.  
Virtue doth make us blessed, and  
a happy end doth give:  
And when we rotten bones remain,  
yet Virtue makes us live.   

The covetous carl, compared to a Mule.  
THe churlish chuff, that hath enough  
in Coffer locked and laid:  
And liveth hard, with Baken ●warde,  
a Mule may well be said.  
Mules carry coi●e, and jewels oft,  
plate, gold, and rich array,  
Great treasure: yet they droyling drudge,  
and feed on homely hay.   

To a friend.  
Live as a man, persist in doing well:  
Endeavouring ay, all others to excel.   

Christ speaketh.  
THe air, the earth, the seas, the woods,  
and all shall once away:  
Alone my word shall still remain,  
and (standing steadfast) stay.   

To himself.  
WHat likes thy mind or fancy best?  
what dost thou most desire?  
Dost covet costly buildings brave?  
or riches dost require?  
I force not these: what then wilt have?  
great store of land to ear?  
kings pleasures? or delightst thou in  
fine princely dainty cheer?  
If these should like me, I should like,  
with toil and care to be:  
For rest and riches make no match,  
they hardly do agreed.  
As Irus I should live, though I  
whole kingdoms had in hold:  
And Cre●us though I did enjoy,  
thy heaps of hourded gold.  
Bore, naked, came I hither, and  
nakt shall I hence again:  
Why therefore should I care for aught,  
or put myself to pain?  
Enjoy and mirth I'll spend my time,  
and nought shall me annoy:  
I'll laugh to scorn, the muck, the mould,  
which worldlings rich enjoy.  
What? carest thou for nothing then?  
yes, this of God I crave:  
That still I may a quiet mind,  
and healthful body have.   

To one so given to go brave. That at last he left himself like a slave.  
WIth brave outlandish strange array,  
you (lusty) long were clad:  
And sundry suits of sundry sorts,  
for sundry times you had.  
Sometime French fashions pleased you best:  
sometime the Spanish guise:  
In costly colours cutting still,  
you went with staring eyes.  
But now at last you royste in rags,  
rude, rogishe, rend and torn:  
What fashion this? or whose? declare  
is this beyond sea worn?   

To one that made his brags that he was nosed like unto king Cirus.  
THou sayest thou art hauknosed right,  
so as king Cirus was:  
Say to thou hast king Midas ears,  
who earde was like an Ass.   

Of money and land.  
THis silver, coin, and money, what?  
rust, though it glad:  
Possessions, land, and living, what?  
dust, even as bad.   

Learning,  
Learning doth all things far surpass,  
nought Learning may excel:  
What profit comes to man thereby,  
ne pen, ne tongue may tell:  
A spur to youth, that pricketh forth  
fair Virtue to obtain:  
To crooked age a great delight,  
and solace sweet again:  
A rock and refuge for the wretch,  
and for the needy poor:  
And to the rich and wealthy wight,  
of substance greater store.   

Of Time.  
Time bringeth lurking things to light,  
time secrets doth bewray:  
The privy pilfering prigging thief,  
time doth in time betray.   

Of Dice.  
THe cursed play of devilish Dice,  
The daughter vile of avarice:  
The plague of love and amity:  
The very nurse of thievery:  
The exercise of fury fell:  
And last the pathway plain to hell.   

Of women, water, and wine.  
WIne, women, water, each  
doth hurt, and put to pain:  
Wine, women, water, each  
doth help, and ease again.   

Of wemens' lightness.  
WHat more than Feathers light,  
dry leaves, and withered grass?  
Yet these in lightness women do  
surmount and far surpass.   

Again of the same.  
WHat thing is lighter than the flame?  
bright lightning. what is thought  
Then lightning lighter? wind. then wind?  
women. then women? naught.   

Of the misery of man.  
WE weeping come into the world:  
and weeping hence we go:  
And all our life is nothing else,  
but grief, pain, toil, and wo.   

To his uncle: HENRY KENDAL.  
MY trifling toys you joy to read  
and what my Muse doth writ:  
My Muse (dear uncle) joys again  
of you for to indite.  
If you mine only prop do slip,  
my Muse remaineth slow:  
The silver Swan doth seldom sing  
but Zephir mild doth blow.   

Of the Poet Lucan.  
Foul moody Mars his blustering broils,  
to see with cunning penned  
Who longs, let him his listening ear  
to learned Lucan lend.  
So well his works, do martial feats  
and warlike deeds express:  
As noble Tullie● books bewray  
the fruits of pleasant peace.  
As quiet peace is to be wished,  
and Tully to be read:  
So Lucan he that writes of war  
aught not for to be fled.   

Christ.  
WHo dies in Christ, doth live: who lives  
in Christ, from death is free:  
Where Christ doth present still appear  
there death can never be.   

Gold, not God, regarded now adays.  
THis age hunts all for hateful coin,  
for pomp and glory vain:  
Addicted none to God, and Good,  
but all to Gold, and Gain.   

Of himself.  
THe Bow that bended standeth still,  
his strength will lose and lack:  
The lusty horse is lamd, with to  
much burden on his back.  
But I, let fortune spit her spite,  
and spurning still disdain.  
Will (God to friend) contented bide  
and steadfast still remain.   

Remedies against love.  
love's rigorous rage, or abstinence  
or taming time restrains:  
If these do miss, for remedy  
alone a rope remains.   

To all men.  
Eat man, shun (o) soul slaying sin,  
serve God unto thy grave:  
Fowl filthy foolish faulty folk  
the finds of hell shall have.   

Of Dearh.  
THe regal king and crooked clown  
all one, alike, Death driveth down.   

Death spareth no kind.  
NO state in earth we see,  
but draweth to decay:  
The Lion made at last,  
to smallest birds a pray.   

Who rich, who poor.  
RIch who? who cares for nought,  
and is with small content.  
Poor who? coin caring carls  
to pelf and paltry bent.   

Labour kills love.  
IF that in toil and taking pain,  
thy pleasure thou do put:  
The fire doth die, fond fancies fly:  
Cupidos' comb is cut.   

The more a man hath, the more he desireth.  
AS riches rise, man's nature is,  
to grope and gape for more:  
Men covet most, when as their bags,  
be crammed and stuffed with store.   

To jesus Christ.  
IF ever we thou love,  
I joyful am for aye:  
If ever me thou leave,  
my soul doth sorrow stay.  
If ever me thou love,  
thrice happy then am I:  
If ever me thou leave,  
than (out alas) I die.  
If ever me thou love,  
abound I do in bliss:  
If ever me thou leave,  
than all thing do I miss.  
If ever thou me love,  
who then as I so glad?  
If ever me thou leave,  
than who as I so sad?  
If ever me thou love,  
thou ever mak'st me live:  
If ever me thou leave,  
deaths dart thou dost me give.  
If ever me thou love,  
who lives so glad as I?  
If ever me thou leave,  
who dies so bad as I?  
If ever me thou love,  
in heaven thou mak'st me devil:  
If ever me thou leave,  
thou driust me down to hell.  
Wherefore O loving Lord,  
love still to make me live:  
So shall I never leave,  
thee laud and praise to give.   

Of Pope julius. 3.  
WEll tippled at the table once  
with drink, when julius sat:  
(A man whom wicked Rome herself,  
did spite, abhor, and hate.)  
As it is said three boles at once,  
for him were ready made:  
That he three burdens might at once,  
in vessels three unlade.  
The first of all the vessels three,  
he filled with vomit vile:  
The next with piss, the other he,  
with ordure did defile.  
No man can do two things at once,  
the proverb old doth tell:  
This was a passing Pope I trow,  
that could do three so well.   

To Zoilus.  
Bark Zoilus till thy beallie break:  
Of railing thine I will not reek.   

Of an Astrnomer, and a Ploughman.  
A King sometime determined,  
an hunting for to ride:  
Of divers persons did demand,  
what weather would betide.  
A student in Astronomy,  
(there standing by) did tell  
It would be fair, so that his grace,  
might ride on hunting well.  
A Ploughman poor unto the Prince,  
'gan thus reply again:  
Believe him not sur, bide at home,  
for sure I cham twull rain.  
The king did laugh, 〈◊〉 at last  
all business set aside▪  
The king with troop, and all his train,  
doth forth on hunting ride.  
Not entered scant the wood, but strait  
upon the trees did dash.  
A pouring shower that paid them all,  
and well the king did wash.  
The prince the Ploughman praised: and said  
look thou where Stars do stand  
Poor Ploughman: and proud Astrologer,  
take thou a whip in hand.  
The like Astronomers to this  
we have in England here:  
Moore fit for to till, then tell,  
except they wiser were.   

To Zoilus.  
WHo hath bestowed upon thy brow,  
a garland brave of Bay?  
Such as can climb Parnassus' mount,  
those leaves should deck alway.  
To scoffers Zoilus such as thou,  
and such as sting with tongue:  
To stingers such a stinging crown,  
of nettles doth belong.   

Of Zenabon.  
WHile Zenabon unhappy man,  
did Venus' pleasures prove:  
His members vile were whipped away,  
by her whom he did love.   

Anacharsis the Philosopher's saying.  
LIke as the webs which spiders spin ye see,  
By subtle slight ●●●●angle, take, & tie,  
The feeble small and sooly shifts be,  
And let the bigger break away, and fly.  
Like so the laws the ●ower, mean, & poor,  
Do plague, and 〈…〉, & make to pay:  
The noble man, or ●oche enjoying store  
With small ado quite scotfree escape away.   

Otherwise, and shorter.  
AS Cobwebs catch the lesser flies,  
and let the greater go:  
So those of power, and not the poor  
the Laws do favour show.   

Precepts written to HENRY KNEVET gent.  

H Hurt not thy foe, help still thy friend:  
E Endure like DAMON to the end.  
N Neglect not virtue: vice eschew:  
R Reward the good with guerdon due.  
I In peace delight: foul discord fly:  
E Eat so to live, live so to die.   

KING Know thou thyself: soul slaying sin,  
N Nip in the head, ere it begin.  
E Endeavour not to climb to high:  
V Use not the needy to deny.  
E Exalt the highest with praises often:  
T That thou mayst mount the skies aloft.    

Precepts written in his friend RICHARD WOODWARDS prayer book, sometime his companion in OXFORD.  

R Refrain from sin,  
I In virtue grow:  
C Care for thy friend,  
H Hate not thy foe:  
A Abandon vice,  
R Regard the wise:  
D Delight in love,  
E Envy despise.   

W Wyn wealth against  
O Old age in youth:  
O Order thy tongue,  
D Declare the truth.  
W Beware pride, 'twill have  
A Always a fall:  
R Remember death▪  
D Dispatcheth all.    

Of four Beasts and the Spider.  
THe Boar in hearing us doth pass,  
the Ape in taste, the Linx in sight:  
In smell the Gripe, in feeling quick  
the Spider goes beyond us quite.   

Ite, Venite.  
GO, ah a griping word will be,  
but Come, a golden glad:  
Come shall be said tooth blessed good,  
Go to the cursed bad.   

Of the vanity of this world,  
WHat profits pomp and glory of  
the world so wicked vain?  
Sigh after death we crumbling dust  
and rotten bones remain.   

To Zoilus.  
The Fem, the Flood, the Flame  
three mischiefs Zoilus be:  
But Zoile thy tongue a mischief worse  
than these repeated three.   

Of him that marries twice.  
HIs first wife dead, and ●aid in grave,  
who doth a second seek:  
Unto a momishe mariner,  
and shipman he is leek.  
Who having book his bark and scaped,  
with peril great and pain:  
The surging swallowing swelling seas  
assays and tries again.   

Of a wife.  
TO cumbersome a clog  
a wife is unto man:  
She never doth him good,  
nor profits him, but when  
She dies, and leaves to tread  
this toilsome worldly path:  
And leaveth in her stead  
the gold she hoardward hath.   

The same and shorter.  
A Husband of his wife  
hath never profit, save  
When she doth leave her goods behind  
and goes herself tooth grave.   

Beauty and Virtue seldom coupled.  
WHhere amorous beauty brave doth bide  
doth virtue seld abound:  
The canker couching commonly  
in fairest rose is found.   

How the Papist prays.  
THe Papist prays with mouth, his mind  
on gathering wool doth go:  
Like to a jabbering Ape, which doth  
nought else but mumble and mow.   

Who takes the pains, the profit gains.  
WHo cracks the Nut, the kernel finds,  
the taste the sweet that sweat:  
The lazy Lurden lives in lack,  
and nothing hath to eat.   

Who poor.  
THe wight that lives in want, is not  
to be accounted poor:  
But he that swims in plenty rich,  
and yet desireth more.   

To one that married a foul wife for riches.  
THy wife is foul, deformed, black:  
but stored with coin is she:  
Thou marriedst for thy hands to feel,  
not for thine eyes to see.   

Of Wine.  
WIne makes men sad, and febles for●e,  
wine maketh strong and glad:  
If to much taken be thereof,  
if that a mean be had.   

Of Physicians.  
THree faces the Physician hath:  
first as an Angel he▪  
When he is sought: next when he helps,  
a God he seems to be.  
And last of all when he hath made,  
the sick diseased well  
And asks his guerdon, than he seems  
an ugly Fiend of hell.   

To an unskilful Physician.  
Achilles' with a sword did slay his foes.  
Thou killest with a herb on ground that grows  
Thee worthier than Achilles I suppose.   

Of a Fish, a Swallow, and an Hare, shot through at one shoot. an uncertain Author.  
AN Hare to shun the greedy Grewnde,  
that did him fierce pursue:  
leaped in a river, thinking so,  
to bid the Dog adieu.  
An Archer by beholding this,  
with Bow there ready bent:  
(In hope to hit him as he swum)  
an Arrow at him sent.  
By hap a Swallow skirde between,  
withal up leapt a Roche:  
And so the Hare, the bird, the fish,  
his shaft at once did broche.   

To the Reckless rout.  
NOT longer linger, leave delay:  
time swift away doth run:  
Repent betime, no man knows when,  
the latter day shall come.   

Of Wiving.  
A Marring for to marry, still  
thus all men all do say:  
Thus say they still, yet wittingly,  
men marry every day.   

Time doth all.  
THe huge great Oak was once a plant,  
a whelp the Lion fell:  
And famous learned Cicero,  
once learned his words to spell.   

Be advised ere thou speak.  
THe word that once hath passed thy lips,  
can not be called again:  
Advised be therefore how thou speak'st,  
to whom, what, where, and when.   

To one furious and full of Pride.  
IF Seneca of ancient time,  
or Terence had thee seen:  
Thou wouldst have Senecs Ajax fierce,  
and Terence Thraso been.   

To Henry Knevet gent.  
I Know not where the Poets feign,  
the Muses for to be:  
But this I know my Knevet sure,  
they tarry still with thee.   

Idem est pauperibus, divitibusque Deus.  
THe beggars, and the biggers birth,  
and end all one for ay:  
As dear to God the silly swain,  
as he that beareth sway.   

To Marks a marker of faults.  
Marks, mark what I shall say to thee,  
the truth I tell thee plain:  
If Marks thou mark me any more,  
I shall thee mark again.   

To the Pope.  
THy heart is on thy halfpenny,  
horse, harlotts, hawks and hounds:  
No reckoning of Religion made,  
where vice so much abounds.   

To a sweet mouthed minion.  
Each curious cate, each costly dish,  
your dainty tooth must taste:  
Ne licks, ne likes, your lips the meat,  
where pleasure none is placed.  
Fine venison fat must be your food,  
Lark, Partridge, Plover, Quail:  
A likerishe lip, a likerishe lap,  
as tongue is, so is tail.   

A verse wherein the numeral letters show the year of the Lord, when the Queen began her reign over this Realm.  
THe pope, eke all hIs PaVLtrIe trash  
Was banished qVIght anD clean▪  
When nobLe fair ELIzabeth  
Was CroVnD fIrst english queen.  
Novembris. 17. 1558   

A Rhyme against ROME.  
Room covetous for coin doth call:  
She empties coffer, pouche and all.  
If thou do let thy purse alone,  
From Pope and patriarchs thence be gone.  
But if with pence thou ply them still,  
And if their chests with coin thou fill,  
Absolve they will and pardon thee,  
How faulty foul so ere thou be.  
Ho, God be here: whose there?  
a maid.  
What comest thou for? to crave  
your aid.  
Hast coin? nay croslesse clean:  
then keep thee there:  
I have: how much? enough:  
then come thou near.   

To one named love.  
I Love the Love, my love:  
love me my love therefore:  
And when I leave to love my love,  
then let me live no more.   

To a common Bragger.  
THou sturdy call'st thyself: but thou  
canst better far, then fight:  
Put S away, and what thou art,  
thou than declarest right.   

A pretty similitude.  
LIke as the beggar hides his skin,  
where it is fair and white:  
And will not open any place,  
that whole may seem to sight.  
But contrary his loathsome sores,  
he shows for men to view:  
His bloody clouts, and rotten rags,  
that all might on him rue.  
So ne should we of our good deeds,  
or brag or boast at all  
Before the Lord, but show our sins,  
and so for mercy call.   

Of a certain Ruffian.  
A Smithfield Ruffian in a fray  
as fiercely he did fight:  
Was of the hand that held his sword,  
by sword dispatched quite.  
Which whipped away (in such a sort)  
as soon as he did see:  
Flinging his dagger at his foe,  
nay then take all said he.   

Of a certain Civilian.  
THou call'st thyself Civilian,  
thou art not full so much:  
If Ci. be out, as then remains  
in deed thy name is such.   

Of a Lawyer.  
THou sayst thou art a Lawyer:  
the letters two next L  
Putskie out: and then the rest declares  
thy name and nature well.   

To one that said he was a Lawyer almost.  
THou sayst thou art a Lawyer  
almost: thou dost not jest:  
Put letters two next L. away  
and then thou art the rest.   

Again, of a Lawyer.  
THou sayst that for Lawyer,  
then thee none may be better:  
Nor none so good (say I) put out  
the third and second letter.   

Riding by the way with a gentleman, and being Demanded by him, the difference between their horses, he thus answered extempore.  
THe difference dost thou ask  
between thy horse and mine?  
What difference twixt a jolting jade  
and Palfrey ambling fine.   

written to a friend, in his extreme sickness.  
MY Titus if thou hast thy health,  
then shall I greatly joy:  
As for myself, I am in health,  
if health be sick annoy.  
I pine (God help) in fever fallen:  
a wretch of wretches I:  
Farewell, unless the highest help  
my days are done, I die.   

An Epitaph upon the death of M. John Bradford.  
NO Scholar aught or must,  
above his master be:  
Who so doth serve, and honour God,  
great troubles suffers he.  
Each son the Lord doth love,  
he beats and scourgeth aye:  
Unpleasant, hard, and straight the path  
to heaven that leads the way.  
These sayings, blessed Bradford, while  
thou didst revolve in mind:  
The thundering threats of wicked wights,  
their cruelties unkind,  
Their flatteries fair, their force, their fraud,  
thou nothing didst set by:  
But didst yield up with willing heart  
thy Corpse in fire to frie.   

A prank of Pope julius 3. about a Peacock.  
A Certain Pope that julius height,  
at dinner on a time,  
Upon his table placed had,  
a dainty Peacock fine.  
Which though it were a dainty dish,  
he could not touch as then:  
Wherefore, go take this same away,  
he said unto his men,  
And keep it cold till supper tyme.  
and see in Garden fair  
I sup at night, for unto me  
as then will guests repair.  
When Supper time approached was,  
among his sumptuous meat  
And Peacocks hot, his Peacock cold  
he saw not there to eat.  
Wherefore he 'gan to lower, and pout,  
to sweated, to swell, to swear:  
Such thundering threatenings throwing out  
that all amazed were.  
A Cardinal by beholding this,  
entreating him 'gan say:  
O holy father be content,  
and this your anger stay.  
Indeed your waiters worthy are,  
for to be chid and shent:  
But sith it was against their wills,  
let pass and be content.  
Then julius Pope with foaming mouth  
and flashing fiery eyes:  
In angry mood, as he were mad,  
'gan answer in this wise.  
If God for apple only one,  
so angry were quoth he:  
That he expelled from Paradise,  
our Parents, he, and she.  
Why may not I his Vicar here,  
be moved to anger then  
For this same bird: better this bird  
than apples ten and ten.  
Although this Pope with peacocks flesh  
loved still to cram his craw:  
Yet for a Peacock thus to rage,  
he showed himself a daw.   

To a certain friend.  
Sometimes in London thou dost live:  
sometimes in Country soil:  
In Cambridge now and then: sometimes  
in Court thou keep'st a coil.  
Leave ranging thus: cease thus thyself  
still to and fro to toss:  
The restless stone, that rolleth still,  
doth seldom gather moss.   

Written under the picture of M. Thomas Becon.  
Lo reader here, his portraiture,  
as lively as may be:  
What Painters pen and pain might do,  
(good reader) thou dost see.  
The dowments of his mind divine,  
which pen might not display  
Nor Painter paint, himself doth by  
his learned works bewray.   

Of the picture of Thomas Cranmer, sometime worthy Archbishop of Canterbury.  
LEarned thou wast, and godly both,  
while Cranmer thou didst live:  
A happy and a hapless life,  
unto thee God did give.   

Of his own picture.  
MY front well framed the Painter hath,  
which he beheld with eye:  
My heart is known, to God alone,  
which holds the heavens on high.   

Again.  
MY brow the Painter hath expressed:  
God knows the secrets of my breast.   

Of four living creatures, that live by the four Elements.  
THe beast Camilion lives by air,  
the Herring doth desire  
In waves to live, the Mole in mould,  
the Spotted beast in fire. 
Salamander.    

Of Papists.  
IF murdering monsters mount the sky:  
Then Papists thither pack perdie.   

A saying of S. Cyprian.  
THei which do love themselves to paint,  
with colors strange and gay:  
They have to fear that God nill know,  
them at the latter day.   

An other saying of S. Cyprian.  
THe lewd which love to paint their locks  
with read and yellow fine:  
They do prognosticate, but how  
their heads in hell shall shine.   

Xij abuses in the life of man, collected out of S. Cyprian.  

1  
WIthout good works a prudent wight,   

2  
A sire without Religion quite.   

3  
A youth without obedience:   

4  
A wealthy wight that gives no pence.   

5  
A woman that is shameless stout:   

6  
I guide that virtue is without.   

7  
A Christian man contentious:   

8  
A poor man proud and sumptuous.   

9  
A king that ruleth not by right:   

10  
A bishop negligent and light.   

11  
Folk without discipline and awe:   

12  
Subjects that live, and have no law.    

A saying of S. Austin.  
'tIs nought on women but to look,  
'tis worse with them to chat:  
But women for to touch, perdie  
nought may be worse than that.   

An old saying.  
AN Hunter's breakfast chiefest is,  
a lawyers dinner best:  
Monks drinkyngs, merchants suppers fine  
surmount and pass the rest.   

Of Lacon.  
WHy Lacon didst thou choose thy wife,  
(quoth one) so feat and small?  
To choose the jest, I hold it best,  
(quoth he) of evils all.   

Thinking on the latter day.  
IF every man and woman would,  
think on the latter day:  
Then men would mend, and women would,  
the wantoness cease to play.   

Please, Praise, and Pray.  
BE sure not long the world will last,  
Please, Praise, and Pray therefore:  
Pray to the Lord, him praise and please,  
and care thou for no more.   

Five things white.  
Four things are wondrous white, the fift  
shines more than all the rest:  
snow, silver, Ceruse, hoary hears,  
a chaste unspotted breast.   

Three things detestable.  
THree things are detestable, vile:  
a beggar proud and high:  
An old man lewd and lecherous:  
a rich man that doth lie.   

Three things not to be lente.  
THree things a man not dareth rife:  
his horse, his fight sword, his wife.   

Three things should not be forgotten.  
THree things should be remembered,  
and printed still in breast.  
Good turns received, good precepts pure,  
and those that are deceased.   

Of Mark miserable, that hanged himself.  
MArk miser yesterday I hard,  
the hanging craft would try:  
And under three pence (caitif wretch)  
no Halter could he buy.  
I buy no Ropes so dear (quoth he)  
the price amazed the elf,  
For two pence halfpenny he agrees  
at last, and hangs himself.   

Of saying grace.  
WHo sitting down doth take his meals,  
And thanks not God in grateful wise:  
Goes as a brutish Ox to board,  
And rudely like an Ass doth rise.   

The Best are hated of the Bad.  
THe ougsum owl Ioues bird doth hate,  
the loathsome Ape doth spite  
The Lion king, the carrion Crow  
the Swan fair, silver white.   

To the carping Corrector.  
WIth kitish eyes thou canst decern,  
the 'scapes of other men:  
But when thou shouldst correct thine own,  
as blind as Bubo then.   

A staff.  
A Seemly thing in hand I am,  
old age uphold I right.  
I rule the steps, I fear the dog,  
I ease the weary wight.   

The saying of BIAS.  
BEhold thyself in Glass,  
and if so fair thou be:  
Then do thou fair and honest things  
as best beseemeth thee.  
But if deformed, fowl,  
and lothly thou appear:  
Requited that foul deformity,  
by manners fair and clear.   

To a friend.  
WHen fishes shun the silver streams:  
When darkness yields bright Titan's beams.  
When as the bird that Phoenix height,  
Shall have ten thousand mates in sight.  
When jove in Limbo low shall lie,  
And Pluto shall be placed on high:  
Then I will thee forsake my dear,  
And not before, as shall appear.   

The torment of Turnecotes.  
IN reading once a certain book  
called Pasquin in a trance:  
To find the turnecotes torment there,  
by turning 'twas my chance.  
Such as will ne hold with the hare,  
nor yet run with the hound:  
Such as like wavering whethercocks,  
with every blast turn round.  
Such as with neither, hic, nor haec,  
do love to be declined:  
But still with hoc, like neuters naught,  
that turn with every wind.  
These feigns he to be fast with cord,  
between two pillars bound:  
About the mids, so that they hung,  
and can not touch the ground.  
Upon their heads a pair of Hearts  
huge horns are surely fixed:  
Having a sail of linen cloth  
their hideous horns betwixt.  
And at their heels there hangs a bag,  
with coin and money stuffed:  
So turn these turnecotes whirling round  
with every little puffed.  
For as the wind doth rise and blow,  
and strike the streming sail:  
Their heels are heaved on high to heaven,  
than each turns up his tail.  
And as the wind doth cease to blow,  
and quiet doth remain:  
Then doth the ponderous poundstone purse  
bring down their feet again.  
So are these wretches whirled about,  
and now their heads on high:  
And strait their heels are heaved up  
unto the lofty sky.   

Translated out of Theocritus.  
CVpido Venus darling deft,  
to sweet his lips with mell  
Sore longing, came unto an Hive,  
where Bees did shroud and devil.  
And minding now with Honey sweet,  
to fill his belly full  
He thrusts his hand into the Hive,  
and fast begins to cull.  
The Bees bestir them, by and by,  
and pricked him with their styngs:  
Deft Cupid doleful doth departed,  
and takes him to his wings.  
He stamps, he stars, he taketh on:  
he knows not what to do:  
At last with tingling stinged hand,  
he comes his mother to.  
And thus begins to make his moan:  
ah mother, mother mine:  
The Bee most vile and pestilent,  
hath killed Cupid thine.  
Ah, out alas, what shall I do?  
I never would have thought  
The silly simple shiftless Bee,  
could have such mischief wrought.  
Quoth Venus smiling: what? alas,  
and doth it grieve you so?  
Content yourself, you are but small,  
yet how you strike you know.   

Precepts written to his cozen Paul Tooley.  

P PVre toward thy friend persever still:  
A Avoid all anger that is ill.  
V Upon the poor thine alms bestow:  
L Leave vice, in virtue love to grow.   

T Talk little, hear much: tell truth:  
O Obey thy better: bridle youth.  
O Obtain the love of great and small:  
L Look on the Scriptures, ponder Paul  
E Earn, learn to live, with life and limb:  
Y Yield praise to God, and pray to him.    

To all tender: Youths and young scholars.  
IF learning you neglect, in age  
you will cry, ah alas,  
Why did I not to study stick,  
in childhood while I was.   

A young scholars Poesy.  
Leave play, and love learning:  
For fear of stripes earning.   

Verses written at the request of his cozen MARY PALMER, in her prayer book called THE POMANDER OF PRAYER.  

Make much of modesty: be always meek:  
Abandon vice: for golden virtue seek.  
Regard the good: the ill set nothing by:  
Yn mind remember still that thou must die   

Please parents thine: persist in doing well:  
Aye strive to stain the rest: and to excel.  
Live, learn, & love: & always know thyself:  
Muse all on heaven: pass small on worldly pelf.  
Endeavour at the narrow gate to enter in:  
Rule so thyself immortal feign to win.    

To one that called him Spendall.  
THou spend all dost me call: I grant  
much coin I spend perdie:  
But thou dost spend thyself on whores,  
thou spendest more than I   

To a Niggard that called him unthrift.  
THou sayest I spend all, spend all still,  
and nothing use to purse:  
Thou pursest all, and spendest nought:  
I ill do: thou dost worse.   

To a certain friend.  
THou spend all dost me call:  
thou call'st me rendall to:  
I spend, rend, nothing mend thou sayest,  
yes sure, I mend my shoe.   

The nature of the Hernshew.  
THe Hearnshew though she haunt the brooks,  
and rivers eke that run:  
Yet rain and tempest she abhors,  
and seeks the same to shun  
By soaring up and mounting high:  
she shrouding still doth rest  
A fit in tops of tallest trees,  
and there doth make her nest.  
She shuns her foe the Goshawk great,  
and Hawks of other kind:  
Her hates and plagues the Hawk again,  
when that he can her find  
When as the Hawk and Hernshew fight,  
and strive aloft in sky:  
For this one thing, with might of wing,  
both strive especially  
Who may above the other get:  
if Hawk have highest place  
With earnest flight he conquers quite,  
the Hernshew in short space.  
But if the Hernshew highest get,  
she squirting down doth cast  
Her dirt and dung, the Hawk upon▪  
and spoils him so at last.   

Four properties of the dog.  
Four properties praiseworthy sure,  
are in the dog to note:  
He keeps the house, he fears the thief  
by barking with his throat.  
He plays well the Physician,  
with licking tongue he cures:  
Unto his master still he sticks,  
and faithful fast endures.   

Of Boner.  
OF Bishops all, the best some did thee call:  
Indeed thou wast the beast of bishops all.   

To a naughty Lawyer.  
WOuldst have me tell what law thou hast?  
thou hast as much as need:  
An old said saw, need hath no law.  
no more hast thou indeed.   

Translated out of an Italian writer.  
LYcoris in her bosom bears,  
two Apples fair that shine:  
Again two Strawberries she bears,  
in bosom hers divine.  
Her burly breasts two apples be,  
her nipples be two berries:  
Her apples shine as white as snow,  
Her nipples read as cherries.  
Love came and sucked her tender breasts  
and said, now milk farewell:  
My mother's breasts with milk do strowt,  
but these with Nectar swell.   

AENIGMATA. Nix.  
MOre white I am then plume of Swan:  
Daughter of Winter cold I am.  
Less hard than Ice congealed am I:  
Yet not less cold than Ice perdie.  
Thinner than Mushroom that doth grow:  
To water thin heat makes me go.  
The letter first take from my name,  
And nine in number thou dost frame.  
If this word COR thou add to me:  
The blackest bird I am to see.   

A Cherry.  
A Read skin glistering me doth hide,  
I do with juice abound:  
In stead of heart I hold a stone,  
wherein is kernel found.   

Paries.  
WIth Lime together linked am I,  
strong made with stone am I:  
I shield from shattering showers the house,  
the house I fortify.  
Take E away, and I shall be  
of Ida Shepherd then:  
The judge between the goddesses  
the wrack of Troy again,  
And eke most filthy Lecher vile.  
if PEA thou take away:  
With horns I push: walls down I rush:  
the heavens I garnish gay.   

The Snail.  
BOnelesse and footlesse quite am I,  
and quite devoid of hear:  
I have no eyes to see withal,  
but what my horns do bear.  
Where so I go, or where I touch,  
I leave a filthy slime:  
Salt fretting, doth me sore annoy:  
the tallest tower I climb.   

A Tennis ball.  
WIthout, without here smooth I am,  
yet full of hear within:  
Round like a Bowl: though feet I want,  
to run I do not lin.  
Although fine feathers light I lack,  
yet mount I do aloft:  
And look when I am stricken, than  
my strength repair I oft.   

Vespertilio.  
OF Evening dark my name I take:  
my wings are made of skin:  
As other birds I am not clothed  
with feathers light and thin.  
I only bring forth young: alone  
my dugs with milk do swell:  
All other birds want teeth, with teeth  
but I am fenced well.   

The Comb.  
Adorned with teeth on every side,  
I framed am of box:  
Let baldepate me forbear to use:  
I part the kangled locks.   

Castanea.  
IN forest fair I grow:  
eight letters spells my name:  
Take three the last away, and so  
thou scant shalt find a dame.   

Of four birds, signifying the four quarters of the year.  
THe Chaffinch shows when winter comes▪  
which sings in Winter cold:  
When chittering Swallow doth return,  
than Spring is come be bold.  
The Cuckoo chants in Summer time,  
when all things glister green:  
The bird that heights Ficedula,  
in Autumn still is seen.   

To the Reader  
TAke in good part these trifling toys,  
good Reader which I writ:  
When as I was a boy with boys,  
these toys I did indite.  
Tush, tush, they foolish are thou sayest:  
I grant, they are in deed:  
But where are thy wise wondrous works,  
now where are they to reed?   

To his cozen JOHN KENDAL.  
MY Kendal cozen dear and friend,  
all things kend of thee be:  
Of thee the Scriptures all are kend.  
is not all kend of thee?  
He which knows all, & knows not Christ  
nought knows he: this is plain:  
Ken all of Christ, which is the highest,  
and count the rest as vain.   

To his dear brother JOHN shepherd gent. of Gray's Inn.  
MY brother dear, my hope, my cheer,  
my trusty shepherd true:  
The surest shepherd I can find  
among the Shepherd's crew.  
By name thou art a shepherd sure  
a shepherd eak in deed:  
A happy shepherd I thee find  
to me in all my need.  
So long as thou my shepherd art,  
in lack I can not live:  
To pasture green, by pleasant brooks,  
thou daily dost me drive.  
Thou playst the part of pastor pure,  
thou keep'st me in the way:  
Thou wilt not let me wander wild  
in wilderness astray.  
Thou wilt not let me set my foot,  
in Popish path to tread:  
Thou dost abhor as Pluto's Pit  
his mitred monsters head.  
Persist good brother in the race,  
thou hast begun to run:  
Serve God so as thou daily dost,  
the snares of Satan shun.  
Fight like a valiant shepherd stout,  
against the Wolf of hell:  
Feed like a Pastor pure the poor,  
so as thou hast done well.  
So shall the Lord be shepherd thine,  
and pay thee double twice:  
And bring thee to the pasture pure,  
of princely paradise.   

An Epitaphe upon the death of the right wise and worthy Matron the Lady also AVENON.  
IF that a modest Matrons miss,  
should moaned be with cries:  
Then shriek and cry for her alone,  
that here engraved lies.  
If for to wail the want and loss,  
of such a Matron rare  
It be a fault, for her alone  
your cries and shreeches spar●.   

An EPITAPHE upon the death of his dear Mother, also KENDAL. Which died and lieth buried at Northaston.  
LO here she lies, whose honest life  
perpetual praise deserved:  
Lo here she lies, whose life well led  
from virtue never swerude.  
Lo here she lies, which lived in love  
still with her linked fear:  
Lo here she lies, which while she lived  
still held her children dear.  
Lo here she lies, which loved her friend,  
and hated not her fo.  
Lo here she lies, that was beloved  
of all sorts, high and low.  
Lo here she lies, that always loved  
her neighbour as herself:  
Lo here she lies, that more esteemed  
of heaven, then worldly pelf.  
Lo here she lies, which hated lies,  
and loved to tell thee tr●th:  
Lo here she lies, which gave the poor,  
both money, meat, and cloth.  
For fine, in few wilt have declared  
of every man the mind?  
Here lies ALICE KENDAL worthy wife,  
the flower of woman kind.  
Here lies her bones, hard crushed with stones  
in life lame were her limbs:  
Now dead, her soul in silver streams  
of Solace sweetly swims.   

¶ An Epitaphe upon the death of his dear father, William Kendal: which died (being cut of the stone) and lies buried at Northaston in Oxford shire.  
HEre lies he dead, with stones oppressed,  
whom stones oppressed in life:  
Ay me that he was forced to die,  
by dint of deadly knife.  
woe worth the wretch that ripped his flesh:  
yet wretch why say I so?  
Sigh needs he would such torments try,  
to end his pain and woe.  
The life he lidve, was sure no life,  
but even a death in life:  
And therefore plucking pangs he proud,  
of cutters carving knife.  
He thought by plucking pinching pangs,  
to end his pining pains:  
He thought to rid the ragged stone,  
that tide him so in chains.  
But (out alas) he rid his life,  
(o grisly gripping grief)  
He was dispatched of his life,  
and I of my relief.  
Ah farewell father mine most dear,  
in earth we part with pain:  
Northaston wants thee, wails and wepes,  
wishing for thee again.  
We want and wish: we wail and weep:  
we mourn (alas) and miss:  
Thou ne dost mourn, nor missest aught,  
now placed in heavenly bliss.  
My loss I do lament: and yet  
I joy for gain of thine:  
I lost a father, thou hast gained  
perpetual joys divine.   

An Epitaph upon the death of his dear aunt ELLEN KENDAL: which died, and lies buried at BLOXAM.  
HEre Ellen lies leapt up in earth:  
which always lived to die,  
And died to live, to live again  
in lasting joys on high.  
Ay me when (wretch) I first 'gan live,  
than 'gan she life to leave:  
I thought to reap great joy by her,  
but she did me deceive.  
She more esteemed of heaven than earth  
and therefore God did give  
Heaven unto her: she hoped for heaven,  
now she in heaven doth live.  
Ah farewell Aunt, thou gauste me life:  
I sukte thy tender breast:  
Thou didst rock me, when a babe  
in cradle I did rest.  
And have I lost thee now so soon?  
no force: great is thy gain:  
In heaven we shall with pleasure meet,  
though here we part with pain.  
Still didst thou live the Lord to love,  
and thou didst love to live  
Still with the Lord: and now the Lord  
unto thee life doth give.  
Lo, LIVE AND LOVE: this lesson learn,  
you that in earth remain:  
That when you leave to live, you may  
obtain to live again.   

THRENODIA.  
¶ A sorrowful Sonnet upon the death of Walter, late Earl of Essex.  

THe Primrose chief of princely peers,  
the Star of England bright:  
The Prince of perfect piety,  
the Diamond of delight.  
O dogged Death by direful dart,  
from England thou hast refte:  
Our solace thou hast ta●e away,  
and us in sorrow left.  
We loath to live, and yet we love  
to live, alone for this:  
That we may wail this worthies want,  
whom we so sore do miss.  
Ah farewell Earl most excellent,  
for thee doth England weep:  
The Prince, the peers, the people shreke,  
in Death to see thee sleep.  
Thy corpse is clapped in clods of clay,  
thy soul is soared on high:  
With saints above the clustering clouds  
to pearche perpetually.   

Post cineres, virtus vivere sola facit.    

¶ Imprinted at LONDON in Paul's Church yard, at the Sign of the Brazen Serpent by John Shepperd.  
Anno. 1577.  MARTIALIS. 
Dulcia defecta modulatur carmina lingua  
Cantator Cygnus funeris ipse sui.