¶ The Castle of pleasure. ¶ Desire. ¶ beauty. ¶ Pleasure. ¶ The conveyance of a dream how Desire went to the castle of pleasure/ Wherein was the garden of affection in habyted by beauty to whom he amerously expressed his love upon the which supplication rose great strife disputation/ and argument between pity and disdain. ¶ Coplande the printer to the author. ¶ Your mind considered/ & your good intent Th'effect regarded/ in every manner case your circumstance/ and labour diligent Who will construe/ is of great effycace your sentences morally tenbrace Concerneth reason of ●auryate gravity young tender hearts/ tal●cte with amity ¶ your arge also flowering in vyrent youth So to bestow is greatly to commend Books to indite of matters right uncouth Ensample giving to all such as pretend In thou'rtart of love their minds to condescend In terms fresh/ their courage to endue Not with rude toys/ but elegant and new ¶ yet been there many that little regard your pleasure's castle inhabit with beauty And I am sure would give but small reward For this your labour/ and studious dyte But had ye compiled some manner subtlety Lucre to get/ their neighbour to beguile They would allow it a perfit discrete style ¶ th'author. ¶ My book of love/ belongs to no such art But to the pleasure/ is his hole affection Of gentle people/ which liketh to take part In pleasant youth/ with amorous dilection Honour regarded/ in clean circumspection laying a part▪ all wilful vain desire To comfort them that burn in loving fire ¶ Coplande. ¶ Books of love innumerable printed be I mean of ladies/ and many a hardy knight Without regard of sensual nycete In love exployting/ truly with all their might But love of gold/ these days blindeth the sight Of men and women/ having their delight Only for meed to do their appetite. th'author. ¶ Enprynt this book/ Coplande at my request And put it forth to every manner of state It doth no good dying still in my chest To pass the time some will buy it algate cause it is new/ compiled now of late At least way young folk/ will gladly seek recure Beauty to get in the tour of pleasure. ¶ Coplande. At your instance/ I shall it gladly impress But the utterance I think will be but small Books be not set by their times is passed I guess The dice and kardes/ in drinking wine and and ale Tables/ cayles/ and balls/ they be now set a sale Men let their children use all such harlotry That buying of books they utterly deny ¶ Finit prologus ¶ En passant le temps sans mal pencer. turning & traversing histories unsteadfast In Ouydes books of transformation It was my fortune and chance at the last In overtorning of the leaves to see in what fncyon Phoebus was inflamed by inspiration Of cruel cupid to him unmerciable Which of him was worthy no commendation Showing himself always deceivable Therefore I would gladly if I were able The manner plainly and in few words disclose How phoebus and cupided togyer were companable first it to show I will me dispose ¶ Phoebus' set on pride and haut in courage Spoke these words of great audacity cupid thou boy of young and tender age How mayst thou be ●o bold to compare with me These arrows becomes me as thou mayst clearly see Wherewith I may wound both man and best And for that at all creatures be subject to the So moche is thy power less than mine at each feast Well well said cupid it liketh you to geste This said/ he ascended to the mount pernassus On the height his arms shortly abroad he keste And said I trust I shall this in haste discuss. For a proof he took forth of his arowy quiver A golden dart with love right penetrable Made sharp at the point that it might enter With it he struck phoebus with a stroke right lamentable It to resist he was weak and unable The stroke of his power who can or may resist But he must obey/ and to love be agreeable Constrained by cupyde which may strike whom he list Another dart he took soon in his fist Contrary to thoder ledyn blunt and heavy With this he struck Phoebus' love or she wist So that the more he desired the more she did deny ¶ Her name was Daphnys which devoid of love By dame sans mercy which made him to complain cupid in sundry wise his power died prove On th'one with love on thoder with disdain Thone did i'll thoder would obtain Thone was glad thoder was in woe Thone was pencyfe and oppressed with pain Thoder in joy cared not though it were so By fere and disdain she did him overgo Like to an hare she ran in haste He followed like a greyhound desire wrought him woe But all was in vain his labour was but waste. The night drew nigh the day was at a side My heart was heavy I much desired rest When without comfort alone I did abide saying the shadows fall from the hills in the west Each bird under bough drew nigh to their nest The chimneys from far began to smoke Each householder went about to lodge his gest The stork fearing storms took the chimney for a cloak Each chamber and chest were soon put under lock Curfew was rung lights were set up in haste They that were without for lodging soon did knock Which were plain pcedentes the day was clearly paste ¶ Thus a sleep I fell by a sudden chance When I lacked light alone without comfort My sore study with sloth died me enhance Mine eyes were heavy my tongue without disport Caused many fantasies to me to resort My heart was moche musing my mind was varyaunt So I was troubled with this ungracious sort That my heart & mind to sloth shortly died grant About the which whiles I was attendant Suddenly came Morpheus & at a brayed Not afraid but like a man right valiant Couragyously to me these words he said. ¶ Morpheus. ¶ Well known it is and noised for a troth Though perchance it hath not attained yet to your audience How Desire in mind hath made a solemn o'th' beauty to serve without resistance So to continue he doth right well prepense During his life with love steadfast and sure In perfit love to keep one continuance It is his mind to do her such pleasure. ¶ On fervent love he set holy his mind Love is his pleasure yet love putteth him to pain Moche rule I ensure you hath nature and kind In him as is possible in one to remain He would fain have release and dare not yet complain Howbeit to such a point he is now brought That either to show his mind he must shortly be fain Or else his joy is clearly sold and bought. ¶ For the which it is done me to understand That he will shortly now express his intent And this they say he will take on hand To go to her presence wherefore be diligent And walk with me and be obedient And I shall soon know how he shall speed I must of duty hold me content So ye support me alway when I have need ¶ The mountain of courage ¶ This said suddenly by a chance repentyne I was ascending a goodly mountain About the which the son over each side did shine Whereof the colour made my heart right fain To see the golden valleys both fair and plain But when I to the top was nigh advanced None of my joints could together contain For joy my heart leaped and my body danced. ¶ What call ye this hill I pray you tell This is the mountain of lusty courage This hath been inhabited of many a rebel As unkindness/ enmity/ disdain/ and dotage But now they be destroyed by mercy all apparage So that now adays here dwelleth none yet disdain hath gotten a more stately advantage For in the castle of pleasure she troubles many one. ¶ Now goodly justes here on they exercise By thactyfnes of many a champion And these well gargaled galeryes they did devise To th'intent that ladies might have prospection And to such as were worthy grant love & affection And also when their lust were their courage to use To dance amongs them they took a direction As they might well and not themself abuse ¶ When I adverted of these galeryes the quadrant fashion The marvelous mountain so well made plain Me thought that sith the incarnation Was never seen a more goodly mountain For joy my heart leped I was so fain Of it I was so joyous and so well appade I could in no wise my mind refrain To such time this as praise of it I made O puissant courage chief cause of comfort Thou mayst well be nigh the castle of pleasure O hill thupholder of all doughty disport Of martial manhood thou art the treasure Out of thy banks is gotten the bre That causeth the pastimes of perfit prows O mountain god grant the long to endure Sith thou art lantern of lasting lustynes. ¶ So forth we walked on that goodly hill To that we came to the banks side To see the fair castle than we stood still And to see the running river there we died abide To have a low water we tarried the tide The name of this water then thus he did express To destroy changeable & people oppressed with pride They call this water the laver of lowliness On the stones of steadfastness rennes this water clear To overcome folks changeable & proud of heart & mind Such men shall be put in right great danger For than swelleth the water contrary to his kind So that they can not the stepping stone find By the mean whereof they be troubled so sore With the wild waves wavering with the wind That for lack of help they are right soon forlore. ¶ But blessed be god we came in good season Well pass this same I trust we shall in haste Be not flowyshe but arm you with reason How ye shall get over in mind afore well cast To be to forward ye may soon make waste So forth we went in patient humility And when I this water was well passed I looked back and said this in brevity. O lowly laver sliding over the stones of steadfastness O rial river which proveth perfitly All proud people that delights in doubleness Thou drownest them in thy streams right shortly Thou hast a more praysable property Then ever had the well of helycon The mother of meekness conserve the perpetually Sith thou art the mother water of virtues many one ¶ So when I toward the castle directed my look Which then was not from me a full stones cast I remembered that I had red in many a book That in this place of pleasure were many a stormy blast notwithstanding I thought all perils had be past When I saw of this castle the royal gates Yet afore I knew that pleasure could not last There as disdain is in favour with estates ¶ This royal castle was on each side quadraunt Gargaled with goodly greyhounds & beasts many one The tyrannous tiger the strong & mighty elephaunt With a castle on his back which he bore alone The lions syry eyes with rubies there shone The golden grephyn with clees of azure The unicorn allow with a rueful moan Stood there as desolate of lively creature. ¶ The walls were allecting of adamantes The windows of crystal were well fortified And as I was looking on these elyphauntes On the gates two scriptures I espied Them for to read my mind than I applied Written in gold and yndye blue for folks furtherance They betoken two ways as after well I tried These scriptures as I remember thus swooned i substance ¶ Who as in to this place will take his entering Must of these ways have free election if he list be lusty leap dance and sing Or if in worldly wealth he set his affection In honour riches or prosperous invention He shall be conveyed if he will so ensue else to the scripture underneath let him give intention which is set out in letters of yndye blue. ¶ Who so doth set his pleasure and delight His fervent heart to conjoin steadfastly On the love of beauty a blossom right wite Or on any of her ladies let him ententyfely Be content his mind and courage to apply To such as to conduyt all folks lieth in wait For none can without their leave pass them by Nor yet attain to beautes high estate This said my mind mused greatly Which of these ways I was best to take Whereby I called to remembrance shortly How Hercules of age but tender and wake New at years of discretion his mind sore broke when he saw two ways the one of utue the other of pleasure And of the night it caused him right oft to wake By cause he knew not the way of pefyte measure. Yet such was his fortune right happy was his chance Which took the way so much praysable This to pleasure and wealth doth men advance This other doth induce one to be amiable I am hereby much troubled my mind is unstable what remedy shall I find to make my mind steadfast I will endeavour me to reason to be conformable All my wits searched I trust it so to cast ¶ This golden scripture is right moche pleasant And hath dampened the eyes of men many one I am sore troubled to which way should I grant Sith I am now here in manner as man alone This love lasteth when all riches is gone Therefore I think it best with it to be content considering that few their misfortune will moon That have more faces than hearts as daily is evident. ¶ My mind thus established I was about to praise This palace precious and castle right comfortable When I had chosen the surest of these ways So than I was brought on an even table For to go to beauty I was than agreeable And the rather because of morpheus desire Which said that to him company was deceivable This castle then thus praised I inflamed with loves fire ¶ O precious palace of princely pulchrytude Walled with admantes which draweth by violence According to thy power and thy stones fortitude All things of iron/ so this castle by influence Draweth to him hearts as I saw & did prepense Therefore o castle jesus the preserve Lest by some pery we might be driven hens For during life and health I intend the to observe. ¶ When I was entered in to this rial place comfort me welcomed with an hearty semblance saying what would ye that ye came to his place Come forward and be not afraid yourself to advance To speak with desire I did me hither enhance She said desire is but a little past I shall you to him bring if ye have good utterance I trust ye shall by my good help to see him in haste. So forth we walked within this base court green Ye shall see here she said many goodly pastimes Ye shall have such joy as oft hath not be seen ●●●utynge dancing ballads and rhymes ●●●gynge piping ye shall see at sundry times All manner of gaming ye shall see excercised And upon all quarrels troubles and crimes Right solemn justes be here oft enterprised But what way will ye take I had forgot all this while Whether will ye to the hall or to beauty now express For here the ways parts I wos like you to beguile In Beauties presence I would fain be doubtless Athen ye must be conveyed by my sister kindness In deed sir I had like to have served you gently But see where she goeth let us make short our process For to her presence bring you now will I ¶ Good sister kindness I pray yond convey This gentleman which saith would speak with desire At your request I can not say him nay If it were in me to give him an hole empire But is he I pray you inflamed with loves fire That after desire he goeth so fast apace tush this matter speed I heartily you require And I shall tell you that in an other place. ¶ Well good enough go ye about your business Sir for comfort sake ye be right heartily welcome Then comfort to the gate did her redress For sorrow whereof I was in manner dumb I was so mased yet when my mind was come I thanked her in my hartyest manner possible beseeching god to send her such a some As might recompense double and tryble. ¶ What moved you to come in to these parties And I pray you by whom were ye hither brought That ye have passed so well the jeoperdyes By the mean of Morpheus as now I hither sought For I would have entered in though dear I hadit bought One cause was fantasy I can not it deny Sir hither be ye welcome as heartily as can be thought And I trust in haste ye shall see fantasy ¶ This said I was nigh the garden of affection Which appeared to my sight both gay and glorious Enuyronde with emyraudes to it a free protection The pereing diamond the amatiste amorous The steadfast Saphyr the blue turks right precious With many other stones I lack cunning them to show Me thought it a new paradise delicate and delicious It shone so freshly and bare so great avewe. ¶ But where is Morpheus I marvel that I him lack He was here with me not very long agone By that I had this said I suddenly looked back I saw him and an other stand talking alone I pray you who is this I have not seen such one It is fantasy to ye may see that folks of a quayntaunce Where soever they meet the one will other moan As these two do now without variance. ¶ kindness than steppeth forth with a merry countenance Said sister fantasy why talk ye with this man Ye had need be wise lest there happen such chance As I fear not but well enough ye can Well well said fantasy why do ye fear me than But sister fantasy ye must let this man enter your ward To speak with desire for his colour is pale and wan Therefore to his return good sister be his safeguard ¶ The fere ye not but I will him well heed Ye would be gone well do and keep your charge Lest there be some that of your help hath need For there is many one that would give money right large To have you at their pleasure always in their barge That I well know and yet they get me not And as ye said unto me heed your own charge Thus far ye well and regard your chance and lot ¶ kindness departed yet her power was present Away with fantasy enclosed in her heart Than fantasy in at the gate did sprent I leaped in after and suddenly did start When I saw me enclosed about with a covert Set full of myrt trees the apple tree appeared plain Of pyramus and Thysbe destroyed by loves dart Which made me oft to wish that I were out again ¶ Alas quoth I what sudden adventure I see this world is but uncertain I was late joyus as ever was creature And now I foly●shly have locked me in loves chain I ween I be in laborinthus where my notaurus did remain A blind cupid is this thy guerdon Makest thou folks blind dost thou so entertain Such lovers as sew to the for their pardon. ¶ I had forgotten the process of alayne I nothing regarded the verses of vyrgyll Which saith to hide colours is but vain The worst colour oft taken the fairer abides still For these that be fair oft change their will All things as they show is not in substance Which I perceived now hath done me much ill That thus from the show hath great variance What moved hath your mind why morn ye thus alone Have ye lost any friend or any other thing Nay thabsence of comfort right sore I moon Which said I should hear folks both lute & sing Thus she told me at our last parting And I can not see what way that should ensue For but if ye such pastimes to me bring To all my joy I may well say adieu. ¶ Doubt ye not but ye shall see things pleasant If ye will be content to for bear a little space For comfort about no man continually is attendaunte None earthly creature shall still stand in her grace joy reconciled after anger she followeth apace After a great pery the wether seemeth more clear There is no man that hath been in woeful case But after that prosperity is to him more dear. ¶ None earthly pleasure may be attained without pain Record the story in the tenth book of Ovid Rehearsed by Venus to make Adonis of her fain Now atalante sore set on pride Out ran all folks she would none abide They that could out run her should have her in marriage They that could not were slain none spared nor set a side This love was made equal to that anauntage ¶ Many courageous wowers did assay this jeopardy But all were destroyed she did them over go yet as hyppomentes saw her moster pulled down them by & by He said I blamed these wrong I knew not the reward so As I do now/ which works to me moche woe My fortune unprovided shall never be left alone God always helpeth bold men and fortune also I see thereby promoted men many one ¶ So venus' perceiving the fervent steadfastness Of this true lover loath that he should be lost Put in his mind as Ovid doth express To take two golden apples or three at the most To throw down one of them she taught him such a toast When he ran against his lady that she might it take So when at sundry times he had thrown down all his cost He out ran her & gate her to be his worldly make ¶ such was his fortune by his great boldness Though it were to his pain yet it gate him pleasure For Venus in conclusion doth bold lovers redress As ye may see daily in ure This said we were in a garden right pure depainted with blossoms of sundry odours Lo quoth she how say ye have ye not now pleasure To walk & know the propertes of these goodly flowers ¶ principally the primrose above flowers all With four leaves/ and the roses these be most in value Clicia was changed in to a marigold which is a memorial Of her lover the son for she doth him ensue At rising at setting among the drops of dew Narcissus was changed in to a water cress Hiachynthus in to a flower delyse as ovid doth show rehearsing of the same flowers many a proper process. This some thing pulls up my heart & increaseth my comfort Wherefore I will apply to you with due diligence Lo see here be all the flowers of love and disport I had almost forgot myself it were time I were hens I will go and now present you to eloquence Which is here by at the well of helycon Me think I see her therefore as I prepences Best is to present you now when she is alone ¶ O famous flower O lady eloquence pleaseth you to take with you this gentleman So that ye may have such pre-eminence As to him in no wise show I can I hold me well content but there is a man Named desire which would speak with my lady There about I go/ well good enough than That ye have put it of so long marvel have I ¶ Than she talked to me of blisses telling me that he was a man right eloquent Than to lean at the herbar where beauty sat at ease It pleased eloquence/ yet the bows were so bend That we could not see through/ yet fantasy was present As we well heard by her communication And showing the manner of desires intent She ordered her words much after this fashion. ¶ Fantasy. ¶ O well of womanhead to us lady and master Pleaseth your highness of your abundant grace To know how Desire in right great heaviness Required me to move you when I had space That he might speak with you & to appoint time & place When he might a wait on you & give you attendance To show you all his grief and in what woeful case He doth endure without dyssemblaunce. ¶ beauty. ¶ Ye know well fantasy I am nothing accompanied Like as I would be when he shall attain my presence Therefore as best is let this be applied Go ye and call hither your sister credence Let eloquence be nigh lest there happeth some offence For it is meet they be nigh at this great business Quoth disdain it is meet my lady have preemynens Like as becometh her estate and nobleness ¶ Forth went fantasy to do her message Desire thought he tarried very long And sore he was moved with fervent courage He thought he would jeoꝑde though it should hap wrong And in his great trouble he called fantasy among saying ye forget ye heed not my great pain If some chance have happened her I may sing a woeful song Or else I fear me she be let by disdain. Between hope and dread thus troubled right He stepped forth with a solemn semblance Though I never attain her I will thus endure no more So than forwards he did himself advance Lo quoth disdain see ye this sudden chance Here is desire what sudden smoke caused this Draw the travers quod beauty let us here this utterance He entered and kneeled down & spoke nothing amiss ¶ The supplication made by desire to beauty. ¶ O excellent empress which guideth in your guerdon This goodly garden of amiable affection Which also granteth to true lovers pardon All obstinate people ye subdue to correction It is also in your power and election Lovers to redress under Uenus ye have most power By you they must be ordered after your direction Which in your garden should gather any flower. ¶ Pleaseth your highness to give heed and intent To this expressing of my woeful pain Late to sleep when I was diligent To me there happened a great cause to complain None earthly comfort could in me remain cupid had bewrapped mine heart so sore To search mean to sleep it was but vain I was never so troubled sith that time nor before. ¶ To me there came as I well perceived Late sent from Cupyde a golden dart right hot Which pierced me so sore when I it first received That neither salves nor surgeons could help nor be my boat They durst not search the wound it lay at mine heart rote And for that there was but one that could it remedy It pleased me not than to go to here a mote But oft on cupid it caused me out to cry. ¶ It was your love which was cause of all this I can not deny it but show it in words plain I durst to none earthy show my woe as it is To overcome this fervent love I died my busy pain But when I saw it avyled not then I was fain To labour for succour than I thought it best But yfones grace be showed none can sure health obtain Therefore trusting on pity of this point I died rest. ¶ Wherefore o lady preelecte princess On all lovers having the soveraynty I heartily beseech you my woe to redress The cause considered of my great jeopardy I trust ye neither will ne can this my request deny For I have found such grace in your eyes or this That if all the peril in the world should on it lie I could not forbear but tell you as it is. ¶ No worldly riches to you I can promise Most I can say is that ye shall be my most comfort But god which to all folks after their merits can devise Reward or punishment most equally he doth sort He is the lord of pity jusques a la mort give you reward and preserve you at all hours Of perfit love he beareth a pryncy port And to increase my joy I ask no more but yours ¶ disdain A proud presumptuous person goeth never without offence ye have well acquitted you now ye have told this tale It came of a high wit if ye well prepense Within her own garden my lady to assail Without her licence it liked you to rail On cruel cupid your pride will have a fall I trust to see you glad your bonnet to avail And among the waykest be put back to the wall Like as a sudden rebuke moche grieveth one's heart Which late hath begun to be adventurous So this caused desire sore astonied to start saying I have attempted a thing right jeopardous To attain the presence of my lady most beautyus I can make none answer nor utterly deny That but I have presumed on a love precious It in this case I blame but hope and fantasy ¶ I know no remedy what is best to be done But if pity with this princess be present I may aswell else go muse about the moan As hither to come to show mine intent As long as disdain continueth ill content Wherefore for pity I heartily call and cry That she were with beauty me think it expedient To disdain in open audience than spoke pity ¶ pity. ¶ what moveth you disdain this man this to reprove Which I am sure came in none ill intent But to express and repress his mind & fervent love Hath he any ungodly words i my ladies presence spent I perceive no pride in him me thinketh him diligent And if ye have any cause in him now speak If not▪ I assure you I can not be content That with unfitting words ye should his heart thus break disdain. Fair master I made not these words on my fingers Ween ye I would speak them & have no ground whereon But first I will say I shrew his first bringers In the parlour without the gate he might have stand alone But I will tell you my causes sith ye be such one As must have accounts/ nay thereof ye shall pardon me I will seek for an other which shall my trubles moan I will first know your rule/ what wot ye where ye be ¶ pity. ¶ Ye well enough it seemeth better than you Except to reason ye be more conformable It is my ladies power our reasons to allow I take no such thnge on me I know I am not able I have neither power ne commandment but as is agreeable To my ladies pleasure but by reasons to make argument That such reasons well weighed my mind may be stable And by contrarious reasons to search out his true intent ¶ disdain. ¶ I am content to put my cause in to my ladies hands As it shall please her I must hold me content But I own you no service I hold of you no lands To show you my cause afore my lady I consent Let her order me as she shall think convenient Why should he come without leave to her presence Answer to this as ye think expedient Me think to my lady he hath done a great offence. ¶ pity ¶ The cause considered I trust ye will say That when he came hither he minded no displeasure As to ward my lady he came for the next way And as in his words he hath ordered him by measure He neither sought hither for gold ne treasure But cupid constrained his courage to make more haste And but if ye find some other cause then this I am sure For this my lady will not him out of her favour cast ¶ disdain. ¶ Forther he hath made a great exclamation Complaining on cupyde calling him cause of his woe saying in this wise or moche after this fashion The golden dart of Cupyde constraineth melo I can not see by what mean it should be so saying he desireth my lady it to redress For than he should have sought to Uenus as many one do And have made his complaint to that excellent goddess ¶ pity. ¶ And if ye well consider he is worthy more praise That he to my lady made his supplication Than if he had compassed her by more crafty ways It cometh of a good courage & he is worthy commendation That he dare speak and trust to have no replication Again his mind fervent love was cause of this The which in him had so great operation To make him tell the troth were it well or amiss. ¶ disdain. Ween ye he be so fervent nay I warrant you he shall live If never more trouble came to his heart Ween ye without cause he would to her love give Not knowing her mind to make him so to smart He can well enough feign love Ovid laid apart De art amandi which teacheth one to love Or else the squire of venus did him in the evening start And so to cast his fantasy him suddenly did move ¶ pity. ¶ Nay his colour describeth of love the fervent fire He is not crystened that can such countenance fain jupiter which had subdued many to his empire As suddenly with love cupid did him retain And when he to danaes in a golden shower died complain His grief considered and well known for a troth She granted him love and caused him to remain What will ye have further than sure promise and oath ¶ disdain. ¶ As for promise and oath I little them regard For as it is said words is nothing but wind Was not paris false of promise and hard When to Enone he was so unkind Which by a solemn oath to her did him bind That he would marry her in all goodly haste But when the golden apple. iij. goddesses did find His judgement fulfilled his words proved but waste ¶ pity. ¶ He was inflamed but by adventure His poverty made him content his mind to express yet when of his judgement he had th'effect & pleasure None of his deeds accorded shortly nor in process But the deeds of Desire followed doubtless For according to his words he made great labour heartily requiring my lady him to redress promising her the utterest of his little power. ¶ disdain. ¶ Perchance that was more for riches than for love Or because of her great parentage he did to her sew So many one hath done as by experience I can prove Which appeareth so evidently that I need no examples show more laboureth for lucre when a thing is fallen new Than by fervent love to attain haut nobleness Which causeth oft ladies in heavy case to rue And be more ware to whom they their minds express ¶ pity. Though many one have so done can ye think in your reason That desire so intended when he hither came Consider it well and ye will think at this season It was fervent courage that brought him to his blame Which had such power in him that he less feared shame Where as if he had sued for riches he would not so have done As ye may understand & if ye regard his name Ye will say that pure love was cause of it alone. disdain. admit it was for love yet many are changeable Though long it hath continued in approved kindness Was not jason to Medea long agreeable yet after it changed he refused her in process What cruel heart had he which for her gentleness In none other wise did her recompense He regarded neither kindred nor nobleness This well considered who would to them give credence ¶ pity. ¶ ye may not blame all though some be changeable I can tell you histories of lovers right steadfast Pyramus and Thysbe continued very stable As long as life did in their bodies last When th'one was deed thoder to death did haste Love surely conjoined is a great pleasure Than why should ye all lovers out of favour cast Sith Thysbe of Pyramus had so great a treasure ¶ disdain. ¶ All these histories are not proof sufficient Sith histories of both parts are right notable Therefore with these reasons I will not be content But I will you put a question good and reportable Whether love coming by effection be more durable Or love coming by conditions heron shall be our argument Me think love coming by conditions is less variable How think ye now speak show your mind & intent ¶ pity. ¶ Me think contrary and for this reason That love coming by effection should endure a longer space Love is a conjoining of two hearts for a season Though peradventure they continue not long in a place Yet in their absence such love increaseth a pace where as if it came by condycyous it could not revive But if so were they might be in such case That they might continue together all their live. ¶ disdain ¶ yes the remembrance thereof remaineth in memory And continueth long to their great comfort In what friendly manner and how gently His love to him did at sundry times resort Fyndyge with him goodly pastimes and disport Having no lust from him to dissever Me think of such as are of this sort Love should continue and last for ever. ¶ pity ¶ More surely imprinted is and conjoined steadfastly The love by effection entereth the heart more deep Than of the other for they rest quietly where thoder oft-times breaketh many a sleep It is so penetrable and so subtilely doth creep Upon a man which maketh it so stable Where in thoder if one such corn did reap He would to her be aswell agreeable. ¶ disdain. ¶ peradventure he thinks such conditions be in none As in his love so substancy all and steadfast He weeneth she be incomparable alone So that all worldly storms can not blow down his mast Not Aeolus if he came with his most stormy blast Nor thesyphone could cause between them discord So durably he trusts that love will last He weeneth that cupid be so continual a lord ¶ pity. ¶ Consider the ground and than it dyscus Where the ground faileth can be no surance cessant causa cessat et effectus Take away the conditions where is the remembrance All is clean gone but where affection doth enhance There is no change but love perpetual No displeasure can dyspoynt their desired dalliance But be entered in the book of fame to be memorial ¶ th'author. disdain to speak was very desirous Had not credence interrupted his language Which made such haste to her lady amerrous That something she pointed because of her viage For the which she like a woman right sage Made a pause and spoke in words compendious And telling she was comen according to her message And in this wise she spoke in words effectuous ¶ Credence. ¶ It pleaseth your grace of your benevolence To direct to me by fantasy your letters myssyve Whereby I considered and right well did prepense That I without contradiction excuse or strife Should resort to your presence sith I during my live Am bound to your commandment yet have I done offence But I did it for this intent else me from life deprive That me thought it not meet to give hasty eredence ¶ beauty. ¶ I repute no blame in you ye came in good season ye have well espied your time I hold me content your excuse I allow it is grounded on reason Here hath been moche business sith ye hens went Now I will declare my pleasure sith ye be present As touching desire after whose supplication Between pity & disdain hath been a sore argument Till ye interrupted their communication ¶ pity and disdain give ye good audience And ye desire take this for an answer Sith now is common tome credence I will no lenge make delay nor defer But I command you two to cease your pleas and war And you desire I will to my favour take Sith me to please adventure so well ye dare I were to blame if I should you forsake ¶ Forther I will that ye enjoy and proceed The most part of this garden of affection if ye lack any thing ye shall have it at need And for the tender zeal amity and dilection That I have to you ye shall have protection Over me and mine during my mortal life I will moreover be subdued to your correction if it like you to marry me & have me to your wife ¶ th'author. ¶ O noble words joyous and comfortable Prudence proper pastime pleasure and provision In this good lady were right notable From dotage disdain danger and derision I ween she was preserved by some vision For the which desire of good and hearty mind Spoke these words without mysprysyon His mind expressing by words proper and kind ¶ Desire. ¶ Oprecyous princess of preelecte pulcrytude I can not compass your compassyble kindness When it hath pleased your benignity & gratytude That I might enter your garden my mind to express I am of no such ability as ye make me doubtless But sith ye have enabled me of your benignity God reward you that it hath pleased you to enhance my dignity. ¶ The eternal god reward you accordingly if any of his powers regard folks petyouse if justice be in any place acquitted duly O what world brought forth your body delicious What parents gate such one to be so amorous your countenance doth rejoice me & increaseth my mirth your virtue proveth your parentage to be of noble birth ¶ As long as the floods run with water violent As long as shadows shall about hills appear And while there shall be any stars in the firmament So long shall your love my heart and body steer your honour and name shall be expressed without fere Sith ye be not variant but stedrast and substantial Therefore god you acquit with joy perpetual. ¶ th'author. ¶ This said he was advanced by commandment of beauty To her own seat the chair of pre-eminence Where as disdain was so envious and anger That she fared as one without intelligence saying I will nolenger tarry I will go hens Sith that as soon is advanced aman of yesterday Having no good property as one that without offence Hath continued from young age in service always. ¶ Than she turned her back full skornfully And toward the gates she hied a hasty pace And from thence she was conveyed by fantasy To that she was clean without the palace Than pity said what sorry grace Where is disdain is she gone without leave For sooth that were a very heavy case yet I trust it should not many folks grieve. ¶ Noise rumour and fame went shortly all abroad Within the garden that disdain was clearly gone which caused many lovers that made long abode To complain to their ladies they went all alone They feared than nothing but made their moan And soon were sped and went out at the gate where as afore there could not have passed one Fantasy stood alway so continual thereat. ¶ which liberty increased among them such joys That me thought I heard the swooning of many an instrument Which great triumph & penetrable noise Caused Morpheus to vanish incontinent Because it was not necessary he should be present But avoid from thence where is noise and company When he was gone I waked and suddenly did sprent So astonied I knew not where I was perfitly. ¶ Morpheus vanished th'author speaketh in this wise ¶ The day was common and kest a dim light The son under clouds by weather tempestyouse Orryble thunder & lightening sore troubled my sight And therewith a beating shower a storm rigorous Waked me out of sleep it was so jeoperdouse And where as I weaned I had be waked with minstrelsy It was contrary which made my mind so troublous That I could no way rest neither sith stand ne lie Than I remembered all my dream and fantasy saying for the remembrance of this sudden change I intend to write the manner hereof right shortly That folks may consider this world is but strange ¶ yet to the window I walked a soft pace Oft sighing and sobbing with an heavy heart To see where I could espy of pleasure the palace Or of thinhabitants thereof perceive any part Either comfort or kindness which made me to smart Fantasy or eloquence which did desire further P●te with beauty was when I did thus depart I looked for their places where they stood in order▪ if I could see Credence walking in any brother I looked for all these yet I saw none alas Which brought to mind words of salomon of wisdom recorder Uavitas vanitatum & oina mundi vanitas. ¶ Where is Samson for all his great strength Or where is the sage Solomon for all his prudence death hath and will devour all at length For where is ulysses for all his eloquence Where became Crassus for his riches and opulence Where is lucre's for all her chastity Where is alexander which subdued to his obedience Moche of the world by his marcyalyte Where is Tully which had pryncypalyte Over all orators in perfit rhetoric Where be all the four doctors of divinity Where is arystotyll for all his philosophy and logic. ¶ Be not all these departed from this transitory life yet them to divers places our creator did name With equal judgement without debate or strife According to their merits he did reward or blame Therefore for your soul's health use virtue & dread shame And as to the world labour always for love That ye may perpetually rain in good fame It shall be to you all riches above As by experience oft-times it doth prove Of such as have had subgets without love them to dread From they be of power than they do their mind remove And so their masters fail when they have need ¶ And ye that will be lovers of ladies amiable ye may not be slothful but about them diligent And alway to their pleasures ye must be agreeable if ye intend their minds to content But first fix your mind there as it may be well spent Be secret and steadfast without mutability Be bold and courageous fulfil their commandment With a quick and hasty speed as ye by possibility May or can nothing is better than agility With continual presence nothing can help more For Ovid saith else your love shall not rest in tranquylyte Uanescetque absens et novus intrat amor. ¶ These reasons revolved in my remembrance When that sorrow was something modefyed Than great trouble my mind died enhance what should be cause that I had be occupied with this dream yet shortly I espied That this amorous study of Cupyde and Phoebus was cause thereof which could not be denied Therefore in mind I did plainly duscus That I would study no more and specially thus I would muse no more in the evening so late But conclude this shortly in words compendious Lest I should be as I was erst in miserable estate ¶ Uolunte ie ay mais ie ne veulx mon cuer changer. ¶ Thenuoye. ¶ Go humble style submit the to correction Be not so bold to presume to the presence Of any but such as be enuyronde with effection Let them arrect their eeres to rebuke thy negligence To them thou perteynest of due congruence Let them more curyously thy rural terms affyle How thou shouldest be amended they have best intelligence Therefore submit the to them my poor & humble style ¶ if any that be more sad delyting in gravity And if further age would again the give evidence saying they were well occupied that were troubled with the wrote not Ovid in as low style which if they prepense They may think that I to avoid of sloth the violence Made this without cloak or rethorycall language Thinking that I ought not of due convenience write the in so high style as wise stories and sage. Finis. ¶ Envoy de Robert Coplande lymprimeur. ATon aucteur/ vatan petit liuret Et luy prier/ dexcuser ton empraint Ce fault ia/ de par moy incorrect Par sa copy sowent testois constraint De divigner/ ou lencre cestott destaint Ce nonobstant/ bien ay faict mon debuoir Pour son pleasure/ dassembler ebranc et noir. ¶ Treshonoure filz/ du seigneur latimer Surnomme Nevyl/ de noble parentaige O master guillme/ en since et virtue cler Aucteur de ce/ come bon clerc et saige A vous/ ie recommaunde cest owraige De moy indign/ sinon par vostre sufferance En ce monstrant/ folle folle ignorance. ¶ Fin de Envoy. ¶ Ballad royal. THrone dhonneur/ et de magnificence Par excellence triumphant en haulteut Plain de vigeur/ et de doulce clemence Par uraye semence/ natural seigneur Henry la fleur/ et gubernateur Dengleterre/ en refulgence Dieu le guard/ de mal/ et de douleur Et honny soit qui mal ypence. ¶ R. Coplande to th'author. ¶ Take ye in gre/ o worthy master mine This rubryke french/ in verses incorrect No marvel is/ though their speech be not fine For in school nor country/ I never took effect And from your book/ let them be undeiect Without your licence/ if I did them impress Pardon I pray you/ of this my homelynesse ¶ En passant le temps sans mal pencer. ¶ Quod Coplande. ¶ imprinted at London in the Fleetstreet at the sign of the Son by Wynkyn de word.