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IHNS  
By Edm. Sp.  
Dedicated to the right Honourable, the Lady Compton and Mountegle.   dragon rampant 
LONDON, Printed by H. L. and are sold by G. Lathum.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, the Lady Compton and Mountegle.  
MOST fare and virtuous Lady; having sought opportunity by some good means to make known to your Ladyship, the humble affection and faithful duty, which I have always professed, and am bound to bear to that House, from whence ye spring; I have at length found occasion to remember the same, by making a simple present to you of these my idle labours; which having long sithence composed in the raw conceit of my youth, I lately among other papers lighted upon, and was by others, which liked the same, moved to set them forth. Simple is the device, and the composition mean, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather, because of the simplicity and meanness thus personated. The same I beseech your Ladyship take in good part, as a pledge of that profession which I have made to you; and keep with you, until with some other more worthy labour, I do redeem it out of your hands, and discharge my utmost duty. Till then, wishing your Ladyship all increase of honour and happiness, I humbly take leave.  
Your La. ever humbly; Ed. Sp.   

PROSOPOPOIA: OR Mother Hubberds Tale.  

IT was the month, in which the righteous Maid,  
That for disdain of sinful worlds upbraid,  
Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,  
Into her silver bower the Sun received;   

And the hot Syrian dog on him awaiting,  
After the chafed Lions cruel baiting,  
Corrupted had th' air with his noisome breath,  
And poured on th' earth plague, pestilence, and death.  
Among the rest, a wicked malady  
Reigned amongst men, that many did to die,  
Deprived of sense and ordinary reason;  
That it to Leaches seemed strange and geason.  
My fortune was amongst many other more,  
To be partaker of their common woe;  
And my weak body set on fire with grief,  
Was robbed of rest, and natural relief.  
In this ill plight, there come to visit me  
Some friends, who sorry my sad case to see,  
Begun to comfort me in cheerful wise,  
And means of gladsome solace to device.  
But seeing kindly sleep refuse to do  
His office, and my feeble eyes forgo,  
They sought my troubled sense how to deceive  
With talk, that might unquiet fancies reave;  
And sitting all on seats about me round,  
With pleasant tales (fit for that idle stound)  
They cast in course to waste the weary hours:  
Some told of Ladies, and their Paramours;  
Some of brave Knights, and their renowned Squires;  
Some of the Fairies, and their strange attires;  
And some of Giants, hard to be believed,  
That the delight thereof me much relieved.  
Among the rest, a good old woman was,  
Height Mother Hubberd, who did far surpass  
The rest in honest mirth, that seemed her well:  
She when her turn was come her tale to tell,  
Told of a strange adventure, that betided  
Betwixt the Fox and th' Ape by him misguided;  
The which for that my sense it greatly pleased,  
All were my spirit heavy and diseased,  
I'll writ in terms, as she the same did say,  
So well as I her words remember may.  
Not Muses aid me needs hereto to call;  
Base is the style, and matter mean withal.   

¶ Whilom (said she) before the world was civil,  
The Fox and th' Ape disliking of their evil  
And hard estate, determined to seek  
Their fortunes fare abroad, lyeke with lyeke:  
For both were crafty and unhappy witted;  
Two fellows might no where be better fitted.   

The Fox, that first this cause of grief did found,  
'Gan first thus plain his case with words unkind.  
Neighbour Ape, and my Gossip eke beside  
(Both two sure bands in friendship to be tied)  
To whom may I more trustily complain  
The evil plight, that doth me sore constrain,  
And hope thereof to found due remedy?  
Hear then my pain and inward agony.  
Thus many years I now have spent and worn,  
In mean regard, and basest fortunes scorn,  
Doing my Country service as I might,  
Not less I dare say than the proudest weight;  
And still I hoped to be up advanced,  
For my good parts; but still it hath mischaunced.  
Now therefore that no longer hope I see,  
But froward fortune still to follow me,  
And losels lifted high, where I did look,  
I mean to turn the next leaf of the book:  
Yet ere that any way I do betake,  
I mean my Gossip privy first to make.   

Ah! my dear Gossip (answered then the Ape)  
Deeply do your sad words my wits awhape,  
Both for because your grief doth great appear,  
And eke because myself am touched near:  
For I likewise have wasted much good time,  
Still waiting to preferment up to clime,  
Whilst others always have before me stepped,  
And from my beard the fat away have swept;  
That now unto despair I gi'en to grow,  
And mean for better wind about to throw.  
Therefore to me, my trusty friend, aread  
Thy counsel: Two is better than one head.   

Certes (said he) I mean me to disguise  
In some strange habit, after uncouth wize,  
Or like a Pilgrim, or a Lymiter,  
Or like a Gipsen, or a juggeler,  
And so to wander to the world's end,  
To seek my fortune, where I may it mend:  
For worse then that I have I cannot meet.  
Wide is the world I wot, and every street  
Is full of fortunes, and adventures strange,  
Continually subject unto change.  
Say my fare brother now, if this device  
Do like you, or may you to like entice.   

Surely (said th' Ape) it likes me wondrous well;  
And would ye not poor fellowship expel,  
Myself would offer you t' accompany  
In this adventures chanceful jeopardy.  
For to wax side at home in idleness,  
Is disaduentrous, and quite fortunelesse:  
Abroad where change is, good may gotten be.   

The Fox was glad, and quickly did agreed:  
So both resolved the morrow next ensuing,  
So soon as day appeared to people's viewing,  
On their intended journey to proceed;  
And over night, what-so thereto did need,  
Each did prepare in readiness to be.  
The morrow next, so soon as one might see  
Light out of heaven's windows forth to look,  
Both their habiliments unto them took,  
And put themselves (a God's name) on their way:  
When-as the Ape beginning well to weigh  
This hard adventure, thus began t' advice;   

Now read Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,  
What course ye ween is best for us to take,  
That for ourselves we may a living make.  
Whither shall we profess some trade or skill?  
Or shall we vary our device at will,  
Even as new occasion appears?  
Or shall we tie ourselves for certain years,  
To any service, or to any place?  
For it behoves ere that into the race  
We enter, to resolve first hereupon.   

Now surely brother (said the Fox anon)  
You have this matter motioned in season:  
For every thing that is begun with reason  
Will come by ready means unto his end:  
But things miscounselled must needs miswend.  
Thus therefore I advice upon the case,  
That not to any certain trade or place,  
Nor any man we should ourselves apply;  
For, why should he that is at liberty  
Make himself bond? Sigh than we are free horn,  
Let us all servile base subjection scorn;  
And as we be sons of the world so wide,  
Let us our father's heritage divide,  
And challenge to ourselves our portions dew  
Of all the patrimony, which a few  
Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,  
And all the rest do rob of good and land.  
For now a few have all, and all have naught,  
Yet all be brethren ylike dear bought:  
There is no right in this partition,  
Ne was it so by institution  
Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature,  
But that she gave like blessing to each creature  
As well of worldly livelihood as of life,  
That there might be no difference nor strife,  
Nor aught called my or thine: thrice happy then  
Was the condition of mortal men.  
That was the golden age of Saturn old,  
But this might better be the world of gold:  
For without gold now nothing will be got.  
Therefore (if please you) this shall be our plot,  
We will not be of any occupation.  
Let such vile vassals borne to base vocation  
Drudge in the world, and for their living droyle  
Which have no wit to live withouten toil.  
But we will walk about the world at pleasure  
Like two free men, and make our ease a treasure.  
Free men some beggars call; but they be free,  
And they which call them so more beggars be:  
For they do swink and sweated to feed the other,  
Who life's like Lords of that which they do gather,  
And yet do never thank them for the same,  
But as their due by nature do it claim.  
Such will we fashion both ourselves to be,  
Lords of the world, and so will wander free  
Where so us listeth, uncontrolled of any:  
Hard is our hap, if we (amongst so many)  
Light not on some that may our state amend;  
Seldom but some good cometh ere the end.   

Well seemed the Ape to like this ordinance:  
Yet well considering of the circumstance,  
As pausing in great doubt a while he stayed,  
And afterwards with grave advisement said;  
I cannot my lief brother like but well  
The purpose of the complot which ye tell:  
For well I wots (compared to all the rest  
Of each degree) that Beggar's life is best:  
And they that think themselves the best of all,  
Ofttimes to begging are content to fall.  
But this I wot withal, that we shall run  
Into great danger, like to be undone,  
Wildly to wander thus in the world's eye,  
Without Passport or good warranty,  
For fear lest we like rogues should be reputed,  
And for care-marked beasts abroad be bruited:  
Therefore I read, that we our counsels call,  
How to prevent this mischief ere it fall,  
And how we may with most security,  
Beg amongst those that beggars do defy.   

Right well, dear Gossip, ye advised have,  
(Said then the Fox) but I this doubt will save;  
For ere we farther pass, I will devise  
A Passport for us both in fittest wize,  
And by the name of Soldier us protect;  
That now is thought a civil begging sect.  
Be you the Soldier, for you likest are  
For manly semblance, and small skill in war:  
I will but wait on you, and as occasion  
Falls out, myself fit for the same will fashion.   

The Passport ended, both they forward went,  
The Ape clad Soldierlike, fit for th' intent,  
In a blue jacket with a cross of read,  
And many slits, as if that he had shed  
Much blood through many wounds therein received,  
Which had the use of his right arm bereft;  
Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,  
With a plume feather all to pieces tore:  
His breeches were made after the new cut,  
All Portugese, lose like an empty gut;  
And his hose broken high above the heeling,  
And his shoes beaten out with travelling.  
But neither sword nor dagger he did bear,  
Seems that no foes revengement he did fear;  
In stead of them a handsome bat he held,  
On which he leaned, as one fare in eld.  
Shame light on him, that through so false illusion,  
Doth turn the name of Soldiers to abusion,  
And that which is the noblest mystery,  
Brings to reproach and common infamy.   

Long they thus travailed, yet never met  
Adventures, which might them a working set:  
Yet many ways they sought, and many tried;  
Yet for their purposes noon fit espied.  
At last, they chanced to meet upon the way,  
A simple husbandman in garments grey.  
Yet though his vesture were but mean and base,  
A good yeoman he was of honest place.  
And more for thrift did care then for gay clothing:  
Gay without good, is good heart's greatest loathing.  
The Fox him spying, bade the Ape him dight  
To play his part, for lo he was in sight  
That (if he he erred not) should them entertain,  
And yield them timely profit for their pain.  
Eftsoones the Ape himself 'gan to uprear,  
And on his shoulders high his bat to bear,  
As if good service he were fit to do;  
But little thrift for him he did it to:  
And stoutly forward he his steps did strain,  
That like a handsome swain it him become.  
When-as they night approached, that good man  
Seeing them wand'ring loosely, first began  
TO inquire of custom, what and whence they were?  
To whom the Ape, I am a souldiere,  
That late in wars have spent my dearest blood,  
And in long service lost both limbs and good,  
And now constrained that trade to over-give,  
I driven am to seek some means to live:  
Which might it you in pity please t' afford,  
I would be ready both in deed and word,  
To do you faithful service all my days.  
This iron world (that same he weeping says)  
Brings down the stoutest hearts to lowest state:  
For misery doth bravest minds abate,  
And makes them seek for that they wont to scorn,  
Of fortune and of hope at once for lorne.   

The honest man, that heard him thus complain,  
Was grieved, as he had felt part of his pain;  
And well disposed, him some relief to show,  
Asked if in husbandry he aught did know,  
To plough, to plant, to reap, to rake, to sow,  
To hedge, to ditch, to thresh, to thatch, to mow;  
Or to what labour else he was prepared?  
For husband's life is labourous and hard.   

When-as the Ape him heard so much to talk  
Of labour, that did from his liking balk,  
He would have slipped the collar handsomely  
And to him said; Good Sir, full glad am I,  
To take what pains may any living wight:  
But my late maimed limbs lack wont might  
To do their kindly services, as needeth:  
Scarce this right hand the mouth with diet feedeth,  
So that it may no painful work endure,  
Ne to strong labour can itself enure.  
But if that any other place you have,  
Which asks small pains, but thriftiness to save,  
Or care to overlook, or trust to gather,  
You may me trust as your own ghostly father.   

With that the husbandman 'gan him avize,  
That it for him was fittest exercise  
Cattles to keep, or ground to oversee;  
And asked him if he could willing be  
To keep his sheep, or to attended his swine,  
Or watch his mares, or take his charge of kines?   

Gladly (said he) what ever such like pain  
You put on me, I will the same sustain:  
But gladliest I of your fleecy sheep  
(Might it you please) would take on me the keep.  
For ere that unto arms I me betook,  
Unto my Father's sheep I used to look,  
That yet the skill thereof I have not lost:  
Thereto right well this Curdogg by my cost  
(Meaning the Fox) will serve, my sheep to gather,  
And drive to follow after their Belwether.   

The Husbandman was meanly well content,  
Trial to make of his endevourment,  
And home him leading, lent to him the charge  
Of all his flock, with liberty full large,  
Giving account of th' annual increase.  
Both of their Lambs, and of their woolly fleece.   

Thus is this Ape become a shepherd swain,  
And the false Fox, his dog (God given them pain)  
For, ere the year have half his course outrun,  
And do return from whence it first begun,  
They shall him make an ill account of thrift.   

Now, when-as Time flying with wings swift,  
Expired had the term, that these two iavels  
Should tender up a reckoning of their travels  
Unto their master, which it of them sought,  
Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,  
Ne witted what answer unto him to frame,  
Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,  
For their false treason and vile thievery.  
For, not a lamb of all their flocks supply  
Had they to show: but ever as they bred,  
They slew them, and upon their fleshes fed:  
For that disguised dog loved blood to spill,  
And drew the wicked shepherd to his william.  
So betwixt them both they not a lambkin left,  
And when lambs failed, the old sheep's lives they rest;  
That how t' acquit themselves unto their Lord,  
They were in doubt, and flatly set aboard.  
The Fox then counselled th' Ape, for to require  
Respite till morrow, t' answer his desire:  
For times delay new hope of help still breeds.  
The goodman granted, doubting naught their deeds,  
And bad next day that all should ready be.  
But they more subtle meaning had than he:  
For the next morrow's meed they closely meant,  
For fear of after claps for to prevent.  
And that same evening, when all shrouded were  
In careless sleep, they without care or fear,  
Cruelly fell upon their flock in fold,  
And of them slew at pleasure what they would:  
Of which, when as they feasted had their fill,  
For a full compliment of all their ill,  
They stole away, and took their hasty flight,  
Carried in clouds of all-concealing night.  
So was the husbandman left to his loss,  
And they unto their fortunes change to toss.  
After which sort they wandered long while,  
Abusing many through their cloaked guile;  
That at the last they 'gan to be descried  
Of every one, and all their sleights espied.  
So as their begging now them failed quite;  
For noon would given, but all men would them wite:  
Yet would they take no pains to get their living,  
But seek some other way to gain by giving,  
Much like to begging, but much better named;  
For many beg, which are thereof ashamed.  
And now the Fox had gotten him a gown,  
And th' Aape a cassock side-long hanging down;  
For they their occupation meant to change,  
And now in other state abroad to range:  
For, since their soldier's Pass no better sped,  
They forged another, as for Clerks, booke-redd.  
Who passing forth, as their adventures fell,  
Through many haps, which needs not here to tell;  
At length, chanced with a formal Priest to meet,  
Whom they in civil manner first did greet,  
And after asked an alms for God's dear love.  
The man straightway his choler up did move,  
And with reproachful terms 'gan them revile,  
For following that trade so base and vile;  
And asked what Licence, or what Pass they had.  
Ah (said the Ape, as sighing wondrous sad)  
Its an hard case, when men of good deserving  
Must either driven be perforce to starving,  
Or asked for their Pas by every squib,  
That list at will them to revile or snib:  
And yet (God wot) small odds I often see  
Betwixt them that ask, and them that asked be.  
Nevertheless, because you shall not us misdeem,  
But that we are as honest as we seem,  
Ye shall our Passport at your pleasure see,  
And then ye will (I hope) well moved be.  
Which when the Priest beheld, he viewed it near,  
As if therein some Text he studying were;  
But little else (God wot) could thereof skill:  
For, tead he could not Evidence, nor Will,  
Ne tell a written word, ne writ a letter,  
Ne make one tittle worse, ne make one better:  
Of such deep learning little had he need,  
Ne yet of Latin, ne of Greek, that breed  
Doubts amongst Divines, and difference of Texts,  
From whence arise diversity of Sects,  
And hateful heresies of God abhorred:  
But this good Sir did follow the plain Word,  
Ne meddled with their controversies vein,  
All his care was, his service well to sane,  
And to read Homilies on holidays,  
When that was done, he might attended his plays;  
An easy life, and fit high God to please.  
He, having over-lookt their Pass at ease,  
'Gan at the length them to rebuke again,  
That no good trade of life did entertain,  
But lost their time in wand'ring lose abroad,  
Seeing the world, in which they bootless bode,  
Had ways enough for all therein to live;  
Such grace did God unto his creatures given.   

Said then the Fox; Who hath the world not tried,  
From the right way full eath may wander wide.  
We are but Novices, new come abroad,  
We have not yet the tract of any troad,  
Nor on us taken any state of life,  
But ready are of any to make priefe.  
Therefore, might please you, which the world have proved,  
Us to advice, which forth but lately moved,  
Of some good course, that we might undertake:  
You shall for ever us your bondmen make.   

The Priest 'gan wax half proud to be so prayed,  
And thereby willing to afford them aid;  
It seems (said he) right well that ye be Clerks,  
Both by your witty words, and by your works.  
Is not that name enough to make a living  
To him that hath a whit of Natures giving?  
How many honest men see ye arise  
Daily thereby, and grow to goodly prize?  
To Deans, to Archdeacons, to Commissaries,  
To Lords, to Principals, to Prebendaries;  
All jolly Prelates, worthy rule to bear,  
Who ever them envy: yet spite bites near.  
Why should ye doubt then, but that ye likewise  
Might unto some of those in time arise?  
In the mean time to live in good estate,  
Loving that love, and hating those that hate;  
Being some honest Curate, or some Vicker,  
Content with little in condition sicker.   

Ah! but (saith th' Ape) the charge is wondrous great,  
To feed men's souls, and hath an heavy threat.  
To feed men's souls (quoth he) is not in man:  
For, they must feed themselves, do what we can.  
We are but charged to lay the meat before:  
Eat they that list, we need to do no more.  
But God it is that feeds them with his grace,  
The bread of life poured down from heavenly place.  
Therefore said he, that with the budding rod  
Did rule the jews, All shall be taught of God.  
That same hath jesus Christ now to him wrought,  
By whom the flocks is rightly fed and taught:  
He is the Shepherd, and the Priest is he;  
We but his Shepherd swains ordained to be.  
Therefore herewith do not yourself dismay;  
Ne is the pains so great, but bear ye may;  
For not so great as it was wont of yore,  
Its now adays, ne half so strait and sore.  
They whilom used duly every day  
Their service and their holy things to say,  
At noon and even, besides their Anthems sweet,  
Their penny Masses, and their Complynes meet,  
Their Diriges, their Trentals, and their shrifts,  
Their memories, their sing, and their gifts.  
Now all these needless works, are laid away;  
Now once a week upon the Sabbath day,  
It is enough to do our small devotion,  
And then to follow any merry motion.  
Ne are we tied to fast, but when we list,  
Ne to wear garments base of woollen twist,  
But with the finest silks us to array,  
That before God we may appear more gay,  
Resembling Aaron's glory in his place:  
For fare unfit it is, that persons base  
Should with vile clothes approach God's majesty,  
Whom no uncleanness may approach nigh:  
Or that all men which any master serve,  
Good garments for their service should deserve;  
But he that serves the Lord of hosts most high,  
And that in highest place, t' approach him nigh,  
And all the people's prayers to present  
Before his throne, as on ambassage sent  
Both to and fro, should not deserve to wear  
A garment better, than of wool or hair.  
Beside, we may have lying by our sides  
Our lovely Lasses, or bright shining Brides:  
We be not tied to wilful chastity,  
But have the Gospel of free liberty.   

By that he ended had his ghostly sermon,  
The Fox was well induced to be a Parson;  
And of the Priest eftsoons 'gan to inquire,  
How to a Benefice he might aspire.  
Marry there (said the Priest) is art indeed.  
Much good deep learning one thereout may read,  
For, that the groundwork is, and end of all,  
How to obtain a Beneficial.  
First therefore, when ye have in handsome wise  
Yourselves attired, as you can device,  
Than to some Noble man yourself apply,  
Or other great one in the world's eye,  
That hath a zealous disposition  
To God, and so to his religion:  
There must thou fashion eke a godly zeal,  
Such as no capers may contrayre reveal:  
For, each thing feigned aught more wary be.  
There must thou walk in sober gravity,  
And seem as Saintlike as Saint Radegund:  
Fast much, pray often, look lowly on the ground,  
And unto every one do courtesy meek:  
These looks (naught saying) do a Benefice seek,  
And be thou sure one not to lack ere long.  
But if thee list unto the Court to throng,  
And there to hunt after the hoped pray,  
Than must thou thee dispose another way:  
For there thou needs must learn, to laugh, to lie,  
To face, to forge, to scoff, to company,  
To crouch, to please, to be a beetle stock  
Of thy great Masters will, to scorn, or mock:  
So mayst thou chance mock out a benefice,  
Unless thou canst one conjure by device,  
Or cast a figure for a Bishopric:  
And if one could, it were but a schoole-trick.  
These be the ways, by which without reward  
Live in Court be gotten, though full hard.  
For nothing there is done without a fee:  
The Courtier needs must recompensed be  
With a Benevolence, or have in gage  
The Primilias of your Parsonage:  
Scarce can a Bishopric for pass them by,  
But that it must be gelt in privity.  
Do not thou therefore seek a living there,  
But of more private persons seek elsewhere,  
Whereas thou mayst compound a better penny,  
Ne let thy learning questioned be of any.  
For some good Gentleman that hath the right  
Unto his Church for to present a wight,  
Will cope with thee in reasonable wise;  
That if the living yearly do arise  
To forty pound, that then his youngest son  
Shall twenty have, and twenty thou hast won:  
Thou hast it won, for it is of frank gift,  
And he will care for all the rest to shifted;  
Both, that the Bishop may admit of thee,  
And that therein thou mayst maintain I be.  
This is the way for one that is unlearned  
Living to get, and not to be discerned.  
But they that are great Clerks, have nearer ways,  
For learning sake to living them to raise:  
Yet many eke of them (God wot) are driven,  
TO accept a Benefice in pieces riven.  
How sayst thou (friend) have I not well discoursed  
Upon this Common place (though plain, not wourst)?  
Better a short tale, than a bad long shriving.  
Needs any more to learn to get a living?   

Now sure and by my halidom (quoth he)  
Yea great master are in your degree:  
Great thanks, I yield you for your discipline,  
And do not doubt, but duly to incline  
My wits thereto, as ye shall shortly hear.  
The Priest him wished good speed, and well to far.  
So parted they, as either's way them led.  
But th' Ape and Fox ere long so well them sped,  
Through the Priests wholesome counsel lately taught,  
And through their own fare handling wisely wrought,  
That they a Benefice betwixt them obtained;  
And crafty Reynold was a Priest ordained;  
And th' Ape his Parish Clarke procured to be.  
Than made they revel rout and goodly glee.  
But ere long time had passed, they so ill  
Did order their affairs, that th' evil will  
Of all their Parishners they had constrained;  
Who to the Ordinary of them complained,  
How foully they their offices abused,  
And them of crimes and heresies accused;  
That Pursiuants he often for them sent:  
But they neglecting his commandment  
So long persisted obstinate and bold,  
Till at the length he published to hold  
A Visitation, and them cited thither:  
Than was high time their wits about to gather;  
What did they then, but made a composition  
With their next neighbour Priest for light condition,  
To whom their living they resigned quite  
For a few pence, and ran away by night.  
So passing through the Country in disguise,  
They fled far off, where noon might them surprise,  
And after that long strayed here and there,  
Through every field and forest fare and near;  
Yet never found occasion for their turn,  
But almost starved, did much lament and mourn.  
At last, they chanced to meet upon the way  
The Mule, all decked in goodly rich array,  
With bells and bosses, that full loudly rung,  
And costly trappingss, that to ground down hung.  
Lowly they him saluted in meek wise;  
But he through pride and fatness 'gan despise  
Their meanness; scarce vouchsafe them to requited.  
Whereat the Fox deep groaning in his spirit,  
Said, Ah! sir Mule, now blessed be the day,  
That I see you so goodly and so gay  
In your attires, and eke your silken hide  
Filled with round flesh, that every bone doth hide.  
Seems that in fruitful pastures you do live,  
Or Fortune doth you secret favour given.   

Foolish Fox (said the Mule) thy wretched need  
Praiseth the thing that doth thy sorrow breed.  
For well I ween, thou canst not but envy  
My wealth, compared to thy own misery,  
That art so lean and meager waxed late,  
That scarce thy legs uphold thy feeble gate.   

Aye me▪ said then the Fox) whom evil hap  
Unworthy in such wretchedness doth wrap,  
And make the scorn of other beasts to be:  
But read (fare Sir, of grace) from whence come ye?  
Or what of tidings you abroad do hear?  
News may perhaps some good unwitting bear.   

From royal Court I lately come (said he)  
Where all the bravery that eye may see,  
And all the happiness that heart desire,  
Is to be found; he nothing can admire,  
That hath not seen that heaven's portraiture:  
But tidings there is noon I you assure,  
Save that which common is, and known to all,  
That Courtiers as the tide do rise and fall.   

But, tell us (said the Ape) we do you pray,  
Who now in Court doth bear the greatest sway.  
That if such fortune do to us befall,  
We may seek favour of the best of all.   

Marie (said he) the highest now in grace,  
Be the wild beasts, that swiftest are in chase;  
For in their speedy course and nimble flight  
The Lion now doth take the most delight:  
But chiefly, joys on foot them to behold,  
Enchaste with chain and circulet of gold:  
So wild a beast so tame ytaught to be,  
And buxonie to his bands is joy to see.  
So well his golden Circlet him beseemeth:  
But his late chain his Liege unmeet esteemeth;  
For so brave beasts he loveth best to see  
In the wild forest ranging fresh and free.  
Therefore if fortune thee in Court to live,  
In case thou ever there wilt hope to thrive,  
To some of these thou must thyself apply:  
Else, as a thistle-downe in th' air doth fly,  
So, vainly shalt thou to and fro be tossed,  
And loose thy labour and thy fruitless cost.  
And yet full few that follow them I see,  
For virtues bore regard advanced be,  
But either for some gainful benefit,  
Or that they may for their own turns be sit.  
Natheless, perhaps, ye things may handle so,  
That ye may better thrive then thousands mo.   

But (said the Ape) how shall we first come in,  
That after we may favour seek to win?   

How else (said he) but with a good bold face,  
And with big words, and with a stately pace,  
That men may think of you in general,  
That to be in you which is not at all:  
For, not by that which is, the world now deemeth  
(As it was wont) but by that same it seemeth.  
Ne do I doubt but that ye well can fashion  
Yourselves thereto, according to occasion:  
So far you well, good Courtiers may ye be;  
So proudly neighing, from them parted he.   

Than 'gan this crafty couple to devise,  
How for the Court themselves they might aguize:  
For thither they themselves meant to address,  
In hope to found their happier success;  
So well they shifted, that the Ape anon  
Himself had clothed like a Gentleman,  
And the sly Fox, as like to be his groom,  
That to the Court in seemly sort they come.  
Where the found Ape himself uprearing high  
Upon his tiptoes, stalketh stately by,  
As if he were some great Magnifice,  
And boldly doth amongst the boldest go.  
And his man Reynold with fine counterfesaunce  
Supports his credit and his countenance.  
Than 'gan the Courtiers gaze on every side,  
And stare on him, with big looks basin wide,  
Wondering what mister wight he was, and whence:  
For he was clad in strange accoutrements,  
Fashioned with huient devices never seen  
In Court before, yet there all fashions been:  
Yet he them in new fangleness did pass:  
But his behaviour altogether was  
Alla Turchesca, much the more admired,  
And his looks lofty, as if he aspired  
To dignity, and sdeigned the low degree;  
That all which did such strangeness in him see,  
By secret means 'gan of his state inquire,  
And privily his servant thereto hire:  
Who, throughly armed against such coverture,  
Reported unto all, that he was sure  
A noble Gentleman of his regard,  
Which, through the world had with long travel fared,  
And seen the manners of all beasts on ground;  
Now here arrived, to see if like he found.   

Thus did the Ape at first him credit gain,  
Which afterwards he wisely did maintain  
With gallant show, and daily more augment  
Through his fine feats and Courtly compliment;  
For he could play, and dance, and vault, and spring,  
And all that else pertains to revelling,  
Only through kindly aptness of his joints.  
Besides, he could do many other points,  
The which in Court him served to good stead:  
For, he amongst Ladies could their fortunes read  
Out of their hands, and merry leasings tell,  
And juggle finely, that become him well:  
But he so light was at legier-demaine,  
That what he touched, come not to light again;  
Yet would he laugh it out, and proudly look,  
And tell them, that they greatly him mistook.  
So would he scoff them out with mockery,  
For he therein had great felicity;  
And with sharp quips joyed others to deface,  
Thinking that their disgrace did him grace:  
So whilst that other like vein wits he pleased,  
And made to laugh, his heart was greatly eased.  
But the right gentle mind would bite his lip,  
To hear the lavell so good men to nip:  
For though the vulgar yield an open ear,  
And common Courtiers love to gibe and fleare  
At every thing, which they hear spoken ill,  
And the best speeches with ill meaning spill;  
Yet the brave Courtier, in whose beauteous thought  
Regard of honour harbours more than aught,  
Doth loathe such base condition, to backbite  
Any's good name for envy or despite:  
He stands on terms of honourable mind,  
Ne will be carried with the common wind  
Of Courts inconstant mutability,  
Ne after every tattling fable fly;  
But hears, and sees the follies of the rest,  
And thereof gathers for himself the best:  
He will not creep, nor crouch with feigned face,  
But walks upright with comely steadfast pace,  
And unto all doth yield due courtesy;  
But not with kissed hand below the knee,  
As that fame Apish crew is wont to do:  
For he disdains himself t' embase thereto.  
He hates soul leasings, and vile flattery,  
Two fithy blots in noble Gentry;  
And lothefull idleness he doth detest,  
The cankerworm of every gentle breast:  
The which to banish with fare excercise  
Of knightly feats, he daily doth device:  
Now menaging the mouths of stubborn steeds:  
Now practising the proof of warlike deeds,  
Now his bright arms assaying, now his spear,  
Now the nigh-aymed ring away to bear;  
At other times he casts to sew the chase  
Of swift wild beasts, or run on foot a race,  
Ten large his breath (large breath in arms most needful)  
Or else by wrestling to wax strong and heedful,  
Or his stiff arms to stretch with Eughen bow,  
And manly legs, still passing to and fro,  
Without a gowned beast him fast beside;  
A vein ensample of rhe Perfian pride,  
Who after he had won th' Assyrian foe,  
Did ever after scorn on foot to go.  
Thus when this Courtly Gentleman with toil  
Himself hath wearied, he doth recoil  
Unto his rest, and there with sweet delight  
Of Music's skill revives his toiled spirit;  
Or else with Loves, and Ladies gentle sports,  
The joy of youth, himself he recomforts:  
Or lastly, when the body list to pause,  
His mind unto the Muses he withdraws;  
Sweet Lady Muses, Ladies of delight,  
Delights of life, and ornaments of light:  
With whom he close confers with wise discourse,  
Of Nature's works, of heaven's continual course,  
Of foreign lands, of people different,  
Of kingdoms change, of diverse government,  
Of dreadful battles, of renowned Knights;  
With which he kindleth his ambitious sprights  
To like desire and praise of noble fame,  
The only upshot whereto he doth aim:  
For all his mind on honour fixed is,  
To which he levels all his purposes,  
And in his Prince's service spends his days,  
Not so much for to gain, or for to raise  
Himself to high degree; as for his grace,  
And in his liking to win worthy place,  
Through due deserts and comely carriage,  
In what-so please employ his personage,  
That may be matter meet to gain him praise;  
For he is fit to use in all assays,  
Whither for Arms and warlike amenaunce,  
Or else for wise and civil governance.  
For he is practised well in policy,  
And thereto doth his courting most apply:  
To learn the enterdeale of Princes strange,  
To mark th' intent of Counsels, and the change  
Of States, and eke of private men somewhile,  
Supplanted by fine falsehood and fare guile;  
Of all the which he gathereth what is fit▪  
TO enrich the storehouse of his powerful wit,  
Which through wise speeches, and grave conference  
He daily eekes, and brings to excellence.   

Such is the rightful Courtier in his kind:  
But unto such the Ape lent not his mind;  
Such were for him no fit companions,  
Such would descry his lewd conditions:  
But the young lusty gallants he did chose  
To follow, meet to whom he might disclose  
His witless pleasance, and ill-pleasing vein.  
A thousand ways he them could entertain,  
With all the thriftless games that may be found,  
With mumming and with masking all around,  
With dies, with cards, with balliards far unfit,  
With shuttle cocks, mis-seming manly wit,  
With courtesans, and costly riotize,  
Whereof still somewhat to his share did rise:  
Ne, them to pleasure, would he sometimes scorn  
A Panders coat (so basely was he borne):  
Thereto he could fine loving verses frame,  
And play the Poet often. But ah! for shame,  
Let not sweet Poets praise, whose only pride  
Is virtue to advance, and vice deride,  
Be with the work of losels wit defamed,  
Ne let such verses Poetry be named:  
Yet he the name on him would rashly take,  
Maugre the sacred Muses, and it make  
A servant to the vile affection  
Of such, as he depended most upon,  
And with the sugry sweet thereof allure  
Chaste Lady's ears to fantasies impure,  
To such delights the noble wits he led  
Which him relieved and their vein humours fed  
With fruitless follies, and unsound delights.  
But if perhaps, into their noble sprights  
Desire of honour, or brave thought of arms  
Did ever creep, then with his wicked charms  
And strong conceits he would it drive away,  
Ne suffer it to house there half a day.  
And when so love of letters did inspire  
Their gentle wits, and kindly wise desire  
That chief doth each noble mind adorn,  
Than he would scoff at learning, and eke scorn  
The Sectaries thereof, as people base,  
And simple men, which never come in place  
Of world's affairs, but in dark corners mewed,  
Muttred of matters, as their books them showed,  
Ne other knowledge ever did attain,  
But with their gowns their gravity maintain.  
From them he would his impudent lewd speech  
Against God's holy Ministers often reach,  
And mock Divines and their profession:  
What else then did he by progression,  
But mock high God himself, whom they profess?  
But what cared he for God or godlinsse?  
All his care was himself how to advance,  
And to uphold his courtly countenance  
By all the cunning means he could device;  
Were it by honest ways, or otherwise,  
He made small choice: yet sure his honesty  
Got him small gains, but shameless flattery,  
And filthy brocage, and unseemly shifts,  
And borrow base, and some good Lady's gifts:  
But the best help, which chiefly him sustained,  
Was his man Reynolds purchase which he gained.  
For he was schooled by kind in all the skill  
Of close conveyance, and each practice ill  
Of cozenage and cleanly knavery,  
Which often maintained his master's bravery.  
Besides, he used another slippery slight,  
In taking on himself in common sight,  
False personages, fit for every stead,  
With which he thousands cleanly coosined:  
Now like a Merchant, Merchants to deceive,  
With whom his credit he did often leave  
In gage, for his gay Masters hopeless debt,  
Now like a Lawyer, when he land would let,  
Or cell fee-simples in his Master's name,  
Which he had never, nor aught like the same:  
Than would he be a Broker, and draw in  
Both wares and money, by exchange to win:  
Than would he seem a Farmer, that would cell,  
Bargains of woods, which he did lately fell,  
Or corn, or cattles, or such other ware,  
There-by to cousin men not well ware;  
Of all the which there come a secret fee  
To th' Ape, that he his countenance might be.  
Besides all this, he used often to beguile  
Poor suitors, that in Court did haunt some while:  
For he would learn their business secretly,  
And then inform his Master hastily,  
That he by means might cast them to prevent,  
And beg the suit the which the other ment.  
Or otherwise, false Reynold would abuse  
The simple Suitor, and wish him to choose  
His Master, being one of great regard  
In Court, to compass any suit not hard,  
In case his pains were recompensed with reason:  
So would he work the silly man by treason  
To buy his Master's frivolous good will,  
That had not power to do him good or ill.   

So pitiful a thing is Suitor's state.  
Most miserable man, whom wicked fate  
Hath brought to Court, to sue for had-ywist,  
That few have found, and many one hath missed;  
Full little knowest thou that hast not tried,  
What hell it is, in suing long to bide:  
To lose good days that might be better spent;  
To waste long nights in pensive discontent:  
To speed to day, to be put back to morrow;  
To feed on hope, to pine with fear and sorrow;  
To have thy Prince's grace, yet want her Peers;  
To have thy ask, yet wait many years;  
To fret thy soul with crosses and with cares;  
To eat thy heart through comfortless despairs;  
To fawn, to crouch, to wait, to ride, to run;  
To spend, to given, to want, to be undone,  
Unhappy wight, borne to disastrous end,  
That doth his life in so long tendance spend.  
Who ever leaves sweet home, where mean estate  
In safe assurance, without strife or hate,  
Finds all things needful for contentment meek;  
And will to Court for shadows vein to seek,  
Or hope to gain, himself a daw will try:  
That curse God sand unto my enemy.  
For noon but such as this bold Ape unbiest,  
Can ever thrive in that unlucky quest;  
Or such as hath a Reynold to his man,  
That by his shifts his Master furnish can.   

But yet this Fox could not so closely hide  
His crafty feats, but that they were descried  
At length, by such as sat in justice seat,  
Who for the same him foully did entreat;  
And having worthily him punished.  
Out of the Court for ever banished,  
And now the Ape wanting his huckster man,  
That want provide his necessaries 'gan  
To grow into great lack, ne could up hold  
His countenance in those his garments side;  
Ne new ones could he easily provide,  
Though all men him uncased 'gan deride,  
Like as a Puppet placed in a play,  
Whose part once past, all men bid take away:  
So that he driven was to great distress,  
And shortly brought to hopeless wretchedness.  
Than closely as he might, he cast to leave  
The Court, not ask any Pass or leave;  
But ran away in his rentrags by night,  
Ne ever stayed in place, ne spoke to wight,  
Till that the Fox his copesmate he had found,  
To whom complaining his unhappy stound,  
At last again with him in travel joined,  
And with him fared some better chance to found.  
So in the world long time they wandered,  
And much want and hardness suffered;  
That them repent much so foolishly  
To come so fare to seek for misery,  
And leave the sweetness of contented home,  
Though eating hips, and drinking watery foam.   

Thus as they them complained to and fro,  
Whilst through the forest reckless they did go,  
Lo where they spied, how in a gloomy glade,  
The Lion sleeping lay in secret shade,  
His Crown and Sceptre lying him beside,  
And having doffed for heat his dreadful hide:  
Which when they saw, the Ape was sore afraid,  
And would have fled with terror all dismayed.  
But him the Fox with hardy words did stay,  
And bade him put all cowardice away:  
For now was time (if ever they would hope)  
To aim their counsels to the fairest scope,  
And them for ever highly to advance,  
In case the good which their own happy chance  
Them freely offered, they would wisely take.   

Scarce could the Ape yet speaked, so did he quake,  
Yet as he could, he asked how good might grow,  
Where naught but dread and death do seem in show.   

Now (said he) whiles the Lion sleepeth sounded,  
May we his Crown and Mace take from the ground,  
And eke his skin, the terror of the wood,  
Wherewith we may ourselves (if we think good)  
Make Kings of beasts, and Lords of forests all,  
Subject unto that power imperial.   

Ah! but (said the Ape) who is so bold a wretch,  
That dare his hardy hand to those outstretch;  
When as he knows his meed, if he be spied,  
To be a thousand deaths, and shame beside?   

Found Ape (said then the Fox) into whose breast  
Never crept thought of honour, nor brave gest,  
Who will not venture life a King to be,  
And rather rule and reign in sovereign see,  
Than devil in dust inglorious and base,  
Where noon shall name the number of his place?  
One joyous hour in blissful happiness,  
I choose before a life of wretchedness.  
Be therefore counselled herein by me,  
And shake off this vile-harted cowardree.  
If he awake, yet is not death the next,  
For we may colour it with some pretext  
Of this, or that, that may excuse the crime:  
Else we may fly; thou to a tree mayst climb,  
And I creep under ground; both from his reach:  
Therefore be ruled to do as I do teach.   

The Ape, that erst did naught but i'll and quake,  
Now 'gan some courage unto him to take,  
And was content to attempt that enterprise,  
Tickled with glory and rash covetise;  
But first 'gan question whither should assay  
Those royal ornaments to steal away.   

Marry that shall yourself (quoth he thereto)  
For ye be fine and nimble it to do;  
Of all the beasts which in the forests be,  
Is not a fit for this turn than ye:  
Therefore my own dear brother take good heart,  
And ever think a kingdom is your part.   

Loathe was the Ape (though praised) to adventure,  
Yet faintly 'gan into his work to enter,  
Afraid of cuery leaf that stirred him by,  
And every stick that underneath did lie;  
Upon his tiptoes nicely he up went,  
For making noise, and still his ear he lent  
To every sound, that under heaven blew,  
Now went, now stepped, now crept, now backward drew,  
That it good sport had been him to have eyed:  
Yet at the last (so well he him applied,)  
Through his fine handling, and his cleanly play,  
He all those royal signs had stolen away,  
And with the Foxes help them borne aside,  
Into a secret corner unespide.  
Wither when as they come, they fell at words,  
Whither of them should be the Lord of Lords:  
For th' Ape was stryfefull, and ambitious;  
And the Fox guileful, and most covetous,  
That neither pleased was, to have the rain  
Betwixt them divided into even twain,  
But either (algates) would be Lords alone:  
For Love and Lordship bide no paragon.   

I am most worthy (said the Ape) sith I  
For it did put my life in jeopardy:  
Thereto I am in person and in stature  
Most like a man, the Lord of every creature,  
So that it seemeth I was made to reign,  
And borne to be a kingly Sovereign.   

Nay (said the Fox) Sir Ape you are astray:  
For though to steal the Diadem away  
Were the work of your nimble hand, yet I  
Did first device the plot by policy;  
So that it wholly springeth from my wit:  
For which also I claim myself more fit  
Than you, to rule: for government of state  
Will without wisdom soon be ruinated.  
And where you claim yourself for outward shape  
Most like a man, Man is not like an Ape  
In his chief parts, that is, in wit and spirit;  
But I therein most like to him do merit  
For my sly wiles and subtle craftiness,  
The title of the kingdom to possess.  
Natheless (my brother) since we passed are  
Unto this point, we will appease our jar,  
And I with reason meet will rest content,  
That ye shall have both crown and government,  
Upon condition, that ye ruled be  
In all affairs, and counselled by me;  
And that ye let noon other ever draw  
Your mind from me, but keep this as a law:  
And hereupon an oath unto me plight.   

The Ape was glad to end the strife so light,  
And thereto swore: for who would not often swear,  
And often unswear, a Diadem to bear?  
Than freely up those royal spoils he took,  
Yet at the Lion's skin he inly quooke;  
But it dissembled, and upon his head  
The Crown, and on his back the skin he did,  
And the false Fox him helped to array.  
Than when he was all dight, he took his way  
Into the forest, that he might be seen  
Of the wild beasts in his new glory sheen.  
There the two first, whom he encountered, were  
The Sheep and th' Ass, who stricken both with fear  
At sight of him, 'gan fast away to fly,  
But unto them the Fox aloud did cry,  
And in the King's name bade them both to stay,  
Upon the pain that thereof follow may.  
Hardly nath 'less were they restrained so,  
Till that the Fox forth toward them did go,  
And there dissuaded them from needless fear,  
For that the King did favour to them bear;  
And therefore dreadless bade them come to Corte:  
For no wild beasts should do them any torte  
There or abroad, ne would his majesty  
Use them but well; with gracious clemency,  
As whom he knew to him both fast and true;  
So he persuaded them with homage due  
Themselves to humble to the Ape prostrate,  
Who gently to them bowing in his gate,  
Received them with cheerful entertain,   

Thence, forth proceeding with his princely train,  
He shortly met the Tiger, and the Boar,  
Which with the simple Camel raged sore  
In bitter words, seeking to take occasion,  
Upon his fleshy corpse to make invasion:  
But soon as they this mock-King did espy,  
Their troublous strife they stinted by and by,  
Thinking indeed that it the Lion was.  
He then to prove whither his power would pass  
As currant, sent the Fox to them strait way,  
Commanding them their cause of strife bewray;  
And if that wrong on either side there were,  
That he should warn the wronger to appear  
The morrow next at Court, it to defend;  
In the mean time upon the King t' attended.   

The subtle Fox so well his message said,  
That the proud beasts him readily obeyed:  
Whereby th' Ape in wondrous stomach woxe,  
Strongly encouraged by the crafty Fox;  
That King indeed himself he shortly thought,  
And all the beasts him feared as they aught:  
And followed unto his Palace high,  
Where taking Congee, each one by and by  
Departed to his home in dreadful awe,  
Full of the feared sight which late they saw.   

The Ape thus seized of the Regal throne,  
Eftsoones by counsel of the Fox alone,  
'Gan to provide for all things in assurance,  
That so his rule might longer have endurance.  
First, to his Gate he pointed a strong guard,  
That noon might enter but with issue hard:  
Than for the safeguard of his personage,  
He did appoint a warlike equipage  
Of foreign beasts, not in the forest bred,  
But part by land, and part by water fed;  
For tyranny is with strange aid supported.  
Than unto him all monstrous beasts resorted  
Bread of two kinds, as Griffons, Minotaures,  
Crocodiles, Dragons, Beavers, and Centaurs:  
With those himself he strengthened mightily,  
That fear he need no force of enemy.  
Than 'gan he rule and tyrannize at will,  
Like as the Fox did guide his graceless skill,  
And all wild beasts made vassals of his pleasures,  
And with their spoils enlarged his private treasures.  
No care of justice, nor no rule of reason,  
No temperance, nor no regard of season  
Did thenceforth ever enter in his mind,  
But cruelty, the sign of currish kind,  
And sdeignfull pride, and wilful arrogance;  
Such follows those whom fortune doth advance.   

But the false Fox most kindly played his part:  
For, whatsoever mother wit, or art  
Can work, he put in proof: no practice sly,  
No counterpoint of cunning policy,  
No reach, no breach, that might him profit bring,  
But he the same did to his purpose wring.  
Naught suffered he the Ape to given or grant,  
But through his hand must pass the Fiant.  
All offices, all Leases by him leapt,  
And of them all what-so he liked, he kept.  
justice he sold injustice for to buy,  
And for to purchase for his progeny.  
Ill might it prospero, that ill gotten was:  
But so he got it, little did he pass.  
He fed his cubs with fat of all the soil,  
And with the sweet of others sweeting toil,  
He crammed them with crumbs of Benefices,  
And filled their mouths with meeds of malefices,  
He clothed them with all colours save white,  
And loaded them with Lordships and with might,  
So much as they were able well to bear,  
That with the weight their backs nigh broken were;  
He chaffred Chairs in which Churchmen were set,  
And breach of laws to privy farm did let.  
No statute so established might be,  
Nor ordinance so needful, but that he  
Would violate, though not with violence,  
Yet under colour of the confidence  
The which the Ape reposed in him alone,  
And reckoned him the kingdoms cornerstone.  
And ever when he aught would bring to pass,  
His long experience the platform was:  
And when he aught not pleasing would put by,  
The clock was care of thrift, and husbandry,  
For to increase the common treasures store;  
But his own treasure he increased more,  
And lifted up his lofty towers thereby,  
That they began to threat the neighbour sky;  
The whiles the Princes Palaces fell fast  
To ruin: (for what thing can ever last?)  
And whilst the other Peers for poverty  
Were forced their ancient houses to let lie,  
And their old Castles to the ground to fall,  
Which their forefathers (famous over all)  
Had founded for the Kingdom's ornament,  
And for their memories long monument.  
But he no count made of Nobility,  
Nor the wild beasts whom arms did glorify,  
The Realms chief strength and garland of the Crown;  
All these through feigned crimes he thrust a down,  
Or made them devil in darkness of disgrace:  
For noon, but whom he list might come in place.  
Of men of arms he had but small regard,  
But kept them low, and straightened very hard:  
For men of learning little he esteemed;  
His wisdom he above their learning deemed.  
As for the rascal Commons lest he cared;  
For not so common was his bounty shared;  
Let God (said he) if please, care for the many,  
I for myself must care before else any:  
So did he good to noon, to many ill,  
So did he all the kingdom rob and pill,  
Yet noon durst speaked, nor noon durst of him plain;  
So great he was in grace, and rich through gain.  
Ne would he any let to have access  
Unto the Prince, but by his own address:  
For all that else did come, were sure to fail,  
Yet would he further noon but for avail.  
For, on a time the Sheep, to whom of yore  
The Fox had promised of friendship store,  
What time the Ape the kingdom first did gain,  
Come to the Court, her case there to complain,  
How that the Wolf her mortal enemy,  
Had sithence slain her Lamb most cruelly;  
And therefore craved to come unto the King,  
To let him know the order of the thing.  
Soft goody Sheep (then said the Fox) not so:  
Unto the King so rash ye may not go,  
He is with greater matter busied,  
Than a Lamb, or the Lambs own mother's head,  
Ne certes may I take it well in part,  
That ye my cousin Wolf so foully thwart,  
And seek with slander his good name to blot:  
For there was cause, else do it he would not.  
Therefore surcease good Dame, and hence departed,  
So went the Sheep away with heavy heart.  
So many more, so every one was used,  
That to given largely to the box refused.   

Now when high love, in whose almighty hand  
The care of Kings, and power of Empires stand,  
Sitting one day within his turret high,  
From whence he views with his black-lidded eye,  
What-so the heaven in his wide vault contains,  
And all that in the deepest earth remains,  
And troubled kingdom of wild beasts beheld,  
Whom not their kindly Sovereign did wield,  
But an usurping Ape with guile suborned,  
Had all subverst, he sdeignfully it scorned,  
In his great hart, and hardly did refrain,  
But that with thunderbolts he had him slain,  
And driven down to hell, his dewest meed:  
But him avizing, he that dreadful deed  
Forbore, and rather chose with scornful shame  
Him to avenge, and blot his brutish name  
Unto the world, that never after any  
Should of his race be void of infamy:  
And his false counsellor, the cause of all,  
To damn to death, or dole perpetual,  
From whence he never should be quit, not stalled.  
Forthwith he Mercury unto him called,  
And bade him fly with never-resting speed  
Unto the forest, where wild beasts do breed,  
And there enquiring privily, to learn,  
What did of late chance to the Lion stern,  
That he ruled not the Empire, as he aught;  
And whence were all those plaints unto him brought  
Of wrongs and spoils, by salvage beasts committed;  
Which done he bade the Lion be remitted  
Into his seat, and those same treachours vile  
Be punished for their presumptuous guile.  
The son of Maia soon as he received  
The word, strait with his azure wings he cleaved  
The liquid clouds, and lucid firmament;  
Ne stayed, till that he come with sleep descent  
Unto the place, where his prescript did show.  
There stooping like an arrow from a bow,  
He soft arrived on the graffie Plain,  
And fairly passed forth with easy pain,  
Till that unto the Palace nigh he come.  
Than gau he to himself new shape to frame,  
And that fare face, and that Ambrosial hue  
Which wonts to deck the Gods immortal crew,  
And beautify the shinie firmament,  
He doffed, unfit for that rude rabblement.  
So standing by the gates in strange disguise,  
He 'gan inquire of some in secret wize,  
Both of the King and of his government,  
And of the Fox, and his false blandishment:  
And evermore he heard each one complain  
Of soul abuses both in realm and reign.  
Which yet to prove more true, he meant to see,  
And an eye-witness of each thing to be.  
Tho, on his head his dreadful hat he dight,  
Which maketh him invisible in sight,  
And mocketh th' eyes of all the lookers on,  
Making them think it but a vision.  
Through power of that, he runs through enemies swerds;  
Through power of that, he passeth through the herds  
Of ravenous wild beasts, and doth beguile  
Their greedy mouths of the expected spoil;  
Through power of that, his cunning theeveries  
He wonts to work, that noon the same espies;  
And through the power of that, he putteth on,  
What shape he list in apparition.  
That on his head he wore: and in his hand  
He took Caduceus his snaky wand,  
With which the damned ghosts he governeth,  
And furies rules, and Tartarus tempereth.  
With that he causeth sleep to seize the eyes,  
And fear the hearts of all his enemies;  
And when he list, an universal night  
Throughout the world he makes on every wight▪  
As when his Sire with Alcumena lay.  
Thus dight, into the Court he took his way,  
Both through the guard, which never him descried,  
And through the watchmen, who him never spied:  
Thence, forth he passed into each secret part,  
Whereas he seen (that sorely grieved his heart)  
Each place abounding with soul injuries,  
And filled with treasure racked with robberies:  
Each place defiled with blood of guiltless beasts,  
Which had been slain to serve the Apes behests;  
Gluttony, malice, pride, and covetise,  
And lawlessness reigning with riotize;  
Besides the infinite extortions,  
Done through the Foxes great oppressions,  
That the complaints thereof could not be told.  
Which when he did with lothfull eyes behold,  
He would no more endure, but come his way,  
And cast to seek the Lion where he may,  
That he might work the avengement for this shame,  
On those two caitiffs, which had bred him blame.  
And seeking all the forest busily,  
At last he found, where sleeping he did lie:  
The wicked weed, which there the Fox did lay,  
From underneath his head he took away,  
And then him waking, forced up to rise.  
The Lion looking up, 'gan him avize,  
As one late in a trance, what had of long  
Become of him: for fantasy is strong.  
Arise (said Mercury) thou sluggish beast,  
That here liest senseless, like the corpse deceased,  
The whilst thy kingdom from thy head is rend,  
And thy throne royal with dishonour blended:  
Arise, and do thyself redeem from shame,  
And be avenged on those that breed thy blame.  
There-at enraged, soon he 'gan upstart,  
Grinding his teeth, and grating his great heart,  
And rousing up himself, for his rough hide  
He 'gan to reach; but no where it espied.  
Therewith he 'gan full terribly to roar,  
And chauft at that indignity right sore.  
But when his Crown and Sceptre both he wanted  
Lord how he fumed, and swollen, and raged, and panted;  
And threatened death, and thousand deadly dolours  
To them that had purloined his Princely honours!  
With that in haste, disrobed as he was,  
He toward his own Palace forth did pass;  
And all the way he roared as he went,  
That all the forest with astonishment  
Thereof did tremble, and the beasts therein  
Fled fast away from that so dreadful din.  
At last, he come unto his mansion,  
Where all the gates he found fast locked anon,  
And many warders round about them stood.  
With that he roared aloud, as he were wood,  
That all the Palace quaked at the stound,  
As if it quite were riven from the ground,  
And all within were dead and heartless left;  
And th' Ape himself, as one whose wits were reft,  
Fled here and there, and every corner sought,  
To hide himself from his own feared thought.  
But the false Fox, when he the Lion heard,  
Fled closely forth, straightway of death afeard,  
And to the Lion come full lowly creeping,  
With feigned face, and watery eyen half weeping,  
TO excuse his former treason and abusion,  
And turning all unto the Ape's confusion:  
Natheless, the royal Beast for boar believing,  
But bade him stay at ease till further preeving.  
Than when he seen no entrance to him granted,  
Roaring yet louder that all hearts it daunted,  
Upon those gates with force he fiercely flew,  
And rending them in pieces, felly slew  
Those warders strange, and all that else he met,  
But th' Ape still flying, he no where might get:  
From room to room, from beam to beam he fled  
All breathless, and for fear now almost ded:  
Yet him at last the Lion spied and caught,  
And forth with shame unto his judgement brought.  
Than all the beasts he caused assembled be,  
To hear their doom, and sad ensample see.  
The Fox, first Author of that treachery,  
He did uncase, and then abroad let fly.  
But th' Apes long tail (which then he had) he quite  
Cut off, and both ears pared of their height;  
Since which, all Apes but half their ears have left,  
And of their tails are utterly bereft.   

So Mother Hubberd her discourse did end:  
Which pardon me, if I a miss have penned;  
For, weak was my remembrance it to hold,  
And bad her tongue that it so bluntly told.   
FINIS.