THE Hold of Humility: Adjoined to the Castle of Courtesy.  
Compiled by james Yates Servingman.  
Captious Conceits,  
good Reader do dismiss:  
And friendly weigh  
the willing mind of his,  
Which more doth write  
for pleasure then for praise,  
Whose worthless works  
are simply penned always.  
LONDON Imprinted by john Wolf, dwelling in Distaff Lane, near the Sign of the Castle.   

To the Courteous construers of indifferent judgement.  

I See a sect, which lean to false report,  
And find some cause to cavil in disdain:  
I wish they would leave off that friendless sort,  
And not triumph in vaunts which are but vain.  
Their doubtful dooms delighting in disdain,  
Might frustrate be from folly, trust me true,  
And not with contempt, the simpler sort to view.   

To Courteous construers, I do this commend,  
Which with good will, do weigh the willing mind,  
Indifferently their judgement to extend,  
And yield report according as they find:  
And so shall I at no time be behind  
To use my pen, and practise with my pate,  
In willing sort my fancies to relate.   

A homely Hold for present I prefer:  
Requesting those which do the same expect,  
With Courtesy their judgement to infer.  
For I presume all will not it reject  
But favour find, my endeavour to protect,  
From truthless tongues, which ●a●tl● tales but feigned  
And glory great when others are disdained.   
No dolour to disdain. james Yates.   


The Hold of Humility. 1582.  

AS fixed mind desire hath,  
more novelty to see;  
And wanton wits are soon enticed  
with such toys as they be:  
So (truth to tell) I must not feign,  
that we●e no honest part:  
I am as ready as the best  
to practise such an art.  
Small practice sure I think will serve.  
for nature hath us taught:  
For to forsake that which is good,  
and take that which is nought.  
In deed more ready for the worst,  
then seek the best to choose:  
For nature is an enemy,  
her Imps for to abuse.  
The frailty of our present Time  
is much for me to write:  
And silence seldom gets dispraise●  
when tatlinge moves despite.  
For little said, a small amends  
will serve to counterpoise:  
When too much mischief doth arise  
by talkers tattling noise.  
But whist, me thinks I here a voice  
which doth command me stay:  
And tells me flat in few words,  
I am out of my way.  
O Youth what should become of thee  
if Aid were not thy guide:  
What way wouldst thou have wandered heerens  
how soon wouldst thou go wide?  

Aid command's Youth to follow him.  Come follow me quoth father Aid  
let us this Hold go see:  
To view each parts and how it stands.  
in state and eke degree.  
So forth we went through forest thicke●  
and many craching briars:  
Yet did we make no force of them,  
such were our due desires.  
And when we had thus past the worst,  
at length that place we found:  
The which did much delight our minds,  
an● pleasure did abound.  
For lo, we saw this passing Hold,  
so finely frmaed in seat:  
As in my mind I straight did muse  
to see a thing so great.  
So huge and monstrous of height  
with Towers on each side:  
That gave it sure a goodly grace,  
as did report my guide.  
The Situation of the same,  
upon a pleasant green:  
Where Tellus banks so brave did show,  
as like may not be seeney  
An entry of Trees did grow,  
so straight up to the sky:  
As made me marvel very much,  
to see their length so high.  
And m●●ted round, where pleasant springe●,  
do yield a rare delight,  
And him that gets a sip thereof  
I count a happy wight.  
Parnassus' Hill where Muses keep,  
and joyful notes abound:  
May not compare now with this Hold,  
or pleasant ●er●le ground.  
Apollo if he were in place,  
to take a view thereof:  
Would presently, commend the same,  
I know I do not scoff.  
The cost which Caesar did bestow,  
within the walls of Rome:  
Is not coequal unto this,  
as I suppose by doom.  
When we approached near this Hold. 
Resistance. Porter to the Hold.   
there did a Porter stand:  
Whose name Resistance (sir) was called  
a great club in his hand.  
For Grimnesse sure he might be Mars ●  
or Hercules indeed:  
Who did command us for to stay,  
whereto we both agreed.  
He asked us, wherefore we came,  
and what was our intent:  
We up and told him all our mind,  
and whereto we were bend.  
Quoth Aid, we are both strangers we  
desirous for to see:  
This noble place the which is called  
the Hold of Humility.  
Then strait Resistance gave us leave.  
to pass his watched place:  
But in my days I never saw,  
so couched a crabtreed face.  
Resistance sure he might well be,  
his face did show the same:  
His gesture thereto was alike,  
as nature well can frame.  
Thus onward still withouten stoppe●  
or any whit denial:  
When we had past Resistance hard,  
we further put in trial.  
And ventero●ly we did presume  
to come unto the gate:  
Where as we met an other wight  
of meek and comely state●  
Who asked us from whence we came  
and what was our intent:  
We said, to see this noble Hold,  
our minds were fully bend.  
Sir may we be so bold (quoth Youth)  
for to demand your name,  
He gently disclosed to us  
what was the very same.  
My name is Salutation,  
which never doth disdain:  
The traveling wight wh●ch worthy is,  
All times I entertain.  

Youth.  And as I was a going in  
by chance cast up mine eye:  
And looking up upon the gate  
this verse I did espy.    

The verses upon the gate of the Hold of Humility.  

I Am humility, the hold,  
the humble to receive:  
The stubborn I renounce them quite,  
the froward I do leave.  
Approach not nigh you currish earls,  
lest that my battering shot:  
discharged be to coil your coats,  
and make your stomachs hot.   


Aide.  O Master Salutation  
these verses carry fire:  
Their sense is aligant and tart,  
their meaning I inspire.  
And when I came within The Hold,  
how lik'st thou this quoth Aid?  
Sir, I am even Ravished, 
You●h●   
my senses be dismayed.  
Dismayed, why? Because I am  
in Paradise I think: 
Ayd●.   
Oh God what crystal glimmering shows  
do make my eyes to wink.  
As Gold surmounteth Copper base;  
or silver passeth t●nne:  
So do these sights (which I do see)  
which are the house within.  
Whilst Salutation, Aid and I.  
were looking round about:  
I heard a door which opened  
from whence there issued out,  
Another wight of comely hu●,  
at which I stood apal●ed:  
And was Desirous for to know  
by what name he was called.  
And as it seemed he did one hear,  
for why? he answers made:  
What be these wights, which ask my name,  
or what Sir, is there trade?  
Quoth Salutation unto him,  
they are both strangers (they)  
Resistance gave them leave to pass  
hither (as they do say).  
I Sir (quoth we) strangers we are,  
but may we know your name:  
It is Sir Gratulation  
of truth the very same.  
The Captain I am of this Hold, 
Gratulation Captain of the Hold.   
commanding every man:  
(That is within my government)  
to show you what they can.  
But by what means (I pray you t●ll)  
did you find out this way.  

Youth.  I shall declare, the cause is such:  
I minded was to stray,  
And like a youngling lost myself,  
in forest thick unknown:  
And crying out with ruthful voice,  
to have my misery known.  
By God's assignment (as I must,  
of force c●nfesse in deed:)  
Came then unto my father Aid,  
to help me at my need.  
And to be short, I did declare,  
unto him all my mind:  
How that I was affectioned  
some Noveltic to find.  
Why then quoth Aid, come on thy way,  
rise up and go with me:  
And I will show you a castle cal'd●  
by name of Courtesy.  

Gratulation.  And were you at the castle (Sir)  
the better now apaid:  
You are as welcome to this place,  
as can with tongue be said.  
For I am (Sir) solemnly sworn,  
this Hold I do maintain:  
To help the Castle when they need,  
or do command my pain.  
But Sirs, since that you come from thence●  
you be most welcome sure,  
And though you are strangers to me,  
yet what I can procure,  
You shall command unfeignedly  
sirs, with a willing heart.  
Then Aid and I both gave him thanks,  
and took it in good part.  
Forthwith he called a servant out,  
whose name was Diligence, 
Diligence ser●uant to Gratu●lation.   
And gave him charge in any wise,  
as he would scape offence:  
To show us what we did Desire  
within the Hold to see:  
And charged him in any wise  
from us two not to be.  
He well obeyed his Master's hest,  
he to●ke great pains in deed:  
To show us every place within,  
that might our pleasures ●eede.  
Truly Diligence delighted much,  
to signify and tell:  
To burnish out his Master's praise,  
it seemed he loved it well.  
So up and down from place to place,  
by Diligence directed:  
He was not slow to show us all,  
no labour he detracted.  
But thus in brief to cut it off,  
and make relation small:  
Of any sight that ever I saw,  
it passeth most of all.  
Then Aid and I, when we had seen  
enough to please our mind:  
We asked Diligence if he could  
his Master for us find  
That we might yield him thanks,  
for this his friendship showed:  
And always resting to requite  
the Courtesy bestowed.  
Then Diligence did bring us both  
to Gratulation kind:  
Who asked us if we had found,  
the thing to please our mind.  
I sir quoth we, we have that found,  
and seen we never saw:  
And if we may stand you in stead,  
we swear by faithful law,  
You shall command us at all times,  
and so we mind to part:  
Protesting yours for to rest,  
with faithful fixed heart.  
And truly of your gentleness,  
we shall not let to tell:  
Sith you have entertained us,  
with faithful mind so well.  
And thus adieu, high love of all  
be your chief guide and trust:  
For we will homeward take our way,  
as needs of force we must.  

An information given by Aid unto Youth.  Quoth Aid to me, my Youth mark this,  
in each time, state and season:  
For to requite where pains are took,  
me thinks it were good Reason:  
Should we departed and nothing give  
to Diligence (O fie)  
Since he hath taken all the pains  
to feed and please our eye.  

Youth.  I was forgetful of the same,  
of Truth I must confess:  
I thank you for remembering it  
my duty to express.  
So then I called Diligence,  
and gave to him Reward:  
Who gave us thanks with open mouth,  
that easily might be heard.  
So we departed from this Hold,  
and did retire then back:  
Unto the place from whence we came,  
where I was in a wrack,  
And Agony of pensive mind,  
in place where I was lost:  
And howling lay, with yelling voice,  
as one whom fortune tossed.  
Quoth Aid (my Youth) I found you here, 
Aid.   
and here I will you leave:  
And follow you this path before,  
and then you shall perceive,  
Your homeward way from whence you came  
it doth Direct aright:  
And I will to my Cottage poor,  
to rest my Aged sprite.  
Until such time as fatal Mors,  
bereaves my drudging days:  
Unto whose pleasure I submit,  
not using of delays.  
Oh father Aid my only guide,  
my faithful Trust and stay: 
Youth.   
And is it thus now come to pass,  
that you will needs away?  
Who hath since first our meeting here,  
so faithful to me been:  
As ever was the trusty zeal, 
Queen D●●truer than A●neas.   
of Dido that was Queen.  
Whose loyal heart was firmly fixed,  
to false AEneas he:  
That stole away in truthless sort,  
to force her Misery.  
So truth to tell I do believe,  
since thus you do depart:  
It will occasion be of grief,  
and wounding to my heart.  
But Aid will not be frustrate quite,  
if urgent cause require:  
But Aid will be a mean to help,  
the simple that Desire,  
Some knowledge of this wayward world,  
which tosseth up and down:  
Like furious fretting foaming floods,  
when Neptune gins to frown.  
Perchance some mutal mind will Muse  
and murmur at this case,  
And say, what foolish fond Device  
hath feigned such a place.  
To which demand I do reply,  
the faithful fixed heart:  
Did study for to find out this,  
by Aids good skill and art.  
Humility, a Hold in deed,  
for those that humble be:  
A place prepared for repass  
In modest sort we see.  
Where Godly graces grafted are,  
with Imps of virtuous race:  
The buds do burnish on the branch  
with gallant goodly grace.  
Which joys the heart of every wight,  
Whom Nature's form hath framed:  
Whose lowly life, with lenity,  
deserves not to be blamed.  
The Loyal lore that links in love,  
of force ●oth merit fame:  
The good and well disposed mind  
is worthy of the ●ame.  
But Amorous ●ayes of Youthful youth  
respecteth not with care:  
The truthless troth, and friendless fraud  
that some full closely bare.  
No s●und no● sober counsel can,  
their wilful mind affray:  
Esteeming it as speeches vain,  
wherein there is no stay. 
An exhortation   
Wherefore (O Youths) mark now a Youth,  
something to staidness bend:  
Which spies that romers range in rags:  
and lurk in deep lament.  
Who finds that likely Fortune is,  
a fond incertain Dame:  
Which heaps more hazzardes to the heart,  
than thought can think the same.  
Who sees the stout and lusty bloods,  
full quietly abide:  
When as the hot and furious force,  
is let out from their side.  
I not commend the fickle friend,  
that falls out for a straw:  
Nor that will wrangle for a Rush,  
ne deal so like a daw.  
For he that swears by wounds and blood,  
and looks so like a Bull:  
When as he comes to do the seat,  
his heart is in his skull,  
And hottest men of many words  
are slew enough in deeds:  
And some will faint that show good face  
when but their finger bleeds.  
And he that doth provoke so much.  
the sober man to fight:  
If he be entered in his a●te,  
the lustiest blows will sinite.  
A proverb old, in England here,  
the still sow eats the draff:  
And some do weep which have small cause●  
when some again do laugh.  
I must needs now declare a thing.  
which co●es within my mind:  
How some for to out●ace the world,  
will seem the world to blind.  
And since of Castle and the Hold,  
I did at large display:  
Now somewhat of this crafty world  
I briefly mind to say.  
For I am privileged in deed,  
since Aid hath taken leave:  
A little to disclose my mind,  
for that I do perceive,  
The s●ily falsehood now a days  
that rests within the land:  
As trust me it was never more,  
the truth to understand.  
The counterfeating crooks to catch,  
and simple to allure:  
The faithless fond and filthy fraud,  
that daily is in ure.  
When as that one shall come to you,  
and say he is right sad,  
And heartily sorry in his minde●  
for ill lucks that you had.  
And by my troth I tell you true,  
I would I could know how:  
To help you in this your distress,  
I make to God a vow.  
Another comes professing eke,  
for to remain a friend:  
And never to exempt his faith,  
until his days do end.  
And saith, if I eke in stead may stand,  
I pray you to be bold:  
But when in deed there cometh need,  
his doings then are cold.  
Oh noble flattering flearing world,  
oh guileful glowing heat:  
Oh subtle sound, of truthless tongues,  
that truth doth near repeat.  
Not knowing how for to dissemble,  
not knowing then to live:  
But God for his great mercy's sake  
such filthy facts forgive.  
And root the vipers from their vain,  
of stinging at unwares:  
By whom the simple silly soul,  
is caught in doubtful cares.  
And thus the Author makes an end,  
desiring each good mind:  
To think the best of this his work,  
so further shall they find.   
The end of the Hold of Humility. 1582.   

A farewell framed to the Hold of Humility.  

THe due Desire, that I have to commend,  
Humility, I can not well express:  
Because that Pallas will not to me lend,  
Her cunning quill, therefore I do digress,  
From curious verse, to feed such fancy fine,  
Where to some men their minds do now incline.   

But pardon prayed, Presumptis● pusheth me,  
And bashlesse Boldness biddeth me proceed,  
And Hope at hand my thinks doth let me see,  
That small Disdain, shall come by this my deed:  
Wherefore if I should loiter or not write,  
Small were Experience, and les●e were my delight.   

But lo behold my thinks I can not tell,  
How for to frame, as I before expressed:  
Well (as I think) it should be a farewell,  
A farewell be it, and so farewell, I rest  
From this device, and others take in hand  
To gratify, and so it understand.   
Finis.   

A dialogue between Age & Youth, Declaring how vain a thing it is to Presume on Youth, and how we must all yield to Age.  Age. 
I Am for to be loved, for why?  
you must me prove:  
You youthful lads, that youthful are,  
it doth you much behove.  
For I am grisseled Age,  
who striketh you with ache:  
And make you yield though with ill will,  
your bones I do so shake.  Youth. 
It is not grisseled Age  
that Youth can now restrain:  
Nor make me subject to your yoke,  
ne will I yet refrain,  
My youthful Toys that now I Youth,  
will use in your despite:  
For why? Sir Age you have no force  
to banish my delight.  Age. 
Have I no force, to pull thy pride?  
well one day thou shalt see,  
That I will make thee for to stoop  
and yield thyself to me:  
And shake as I do now,  
when hoary hairs appear,  
To make thee leave of youthful toys,  
and dallying with thy dear.  Youth● 
Nay Age it is not thou,  
can make me leave to toy:  
For why? therein is my delight,  
I hold it for my joy.  
For I have most delight,  
to talk with Venus' Dames:  
For Cupid oft doth me move,  
by force of fiery flames.  Age. 
Those fiery flames that Cupid sends,  
and do in thee abound:  
Thou wilt at length (I know) them leave,  
incertain is their ground.  
For why? who can withstand  
when Age doth lay his yoke?  
Yield therefore now most willingly  
to bear my staying stroke,  Youth. 
To yield myself to thrall,  
nay Age that shall not be:  
It is not thou that can me hurt,  
I force not much of thee.  
For I will thee withstand  
in spite Sir of thy nose:  
And run my race in youthful wise,  
as I do well suppose.  Age. 
I do not Sir say nay,  
but thou mayst run a race:  
Yet unto me thou must now bend,  
in spite Sir of thy face.  
For I can make thee come  
to Crouches, if that thou  
Be not cut off by swinging wise:  
I make to God a vow.  Youth. 
To Crouches, what are they?  
I bid thee do thy worst:  
I force thee not, do what thou can,  
to me do as thou dorst.  
For I am youthful Youth,  
I force thee not a mite:  
Thy grisseled face, is not in mind,  
thou art not in my sight.  Age. 
I am not in thy sight,  
till I do make thee shake:  
As I will do it one day sure,  
if life do not forsake.  
Then shalt thou see that I,  
have altered thy will,  
To bridle fond affection,  
wherein thou standest so ill.  Youth. 
To bridle my Affection,  
thou shalt it find but vain:  
Thy purpose shall not come to pass,  
thou canst it not attain.  
For I will hold thee off,  
so long as I have life:  
My youth I know thou canst not quail,  
I find myself so rife.  Age. 
Though youth in thee doth so abound,  
yet I Age will take place:  
And make thee woeful weary, I,  
when as I do thee chase.  
And though thou seem'st to run at large,  
at length you shall come home:  
And be as I am, silly Age,  
and counted as a Mome.  Youth. 
Though thou art counted as a Mome,  
yet wisdom doth me guide:  
That I have ●eights to shift thee off,  
and put thy yoke aside.  
And though thou wouldst so feign  
now catch me in thy trap:  
I am so light and quickly gone,  
I rest not in thy lap.  Age. 
Although thou rest not in my lap,  
yet I can catch thee in:  
And make thee subject unto me,  
when as I do begin.  
With ache and pai●e to rouse thy Corpses,  
that youth did once profess:  
Such is the Strength sir, of my stroke,  
when as I do oppress.  Youth. 
Alas good Age thy strength of stroke,  
I feel upon me now:  
It lieth so heavy on my bones,  
it makes me for to bow.  
And though I held thee off with talk,  
that was but vain:  
Yet now I feel that Age can strike  
with grievous ache and pain.  Age. 
O lusty youth, is courage past,  
can you no more hold off?  
I thought at length you would come home,  
for all you did so sconce,  
And yield yourself to me,  
that now have trapped you in,  
Although before that you did say,  
you forced me not a pin.  Youth. 
Those vaunts were all in vain,  
my words they were but wind:  
But thine were true, as I full well  
unto my grief do find.  
Wherefore you youthful ladd●s,  
that seem to put Age by:  
You may as well presume to climb,  
unto the lofty sky.  
FINIS.   

Verses which were presented unto the Patron of this book at new years Time. 1578.  

I Read (right worthy Sir)  
an extant open thing:  
Of the rare show of Courtesy,  
in Artaxzerxes' King:  
Who passing through his realm,  
great men for very love,  
With presents rare, presented him  
there good will for to prove.  
Whose gifts were o● great price,  
to show their walth and port:  
The strangest things that could be got,  
of every kind and ●or●e.  
Which when the King received,  
great thanks to them extended:  
Their loyal heart, to duty bend,  
most Princely he comm●nded.  
But (ah) a silly soul  
whom poverty near pined:  
Be thought him to present his Prince,  
as duty hath assigned.  
Not having wolth at will,  
ne jewels that were trim:  
took up his handful of water fair,  
came running towards him.  
And offered t● his Grace,  
as Token to Forshow:  
Though wealth he wanted, yet of good will,  
his duet●e for to know.  
But note the courteous kind,  
of this most prudent Prince:  
This present base, not to reject,  
nor once it to convince.  
But took it gratefully,  
●or that he did behold,  
The true intent, of simple soul,  
whom duty made so bold.  
So Si●, I earnestly  
request this at your hand:  
My small present for to esteem,  
next this to understand:  
My boldness to excuse,  
that saucily thus aspire,  
To write so pertly unto you,  
before my state be higher.  
And thirdly for to bear,  
my rudeness which hath raised:  
A matter here before your face,  
unworthy to be praised.  
But forced by good will,  
something for to present:  
Esteeming not the thing itself,  
but simple true intent.  
The meaning void of fraud,  
composing void of guile:  
For Grossum Caput gives no leave,  
fine verses to compile.  
But Trial hath me Told,  
Experience hath me shown:  
That Artaxzerxes kind in you,  
is easy to be known.  
The which did set me on,  
to show my true intent:  
Some verses (Sir) this new year's ●ime,  
unto you to present.  
For if that I had skill,  
according to my mind:  
A matter that were worth the sight,  
your worship then should find.  
But what need●s all these words,  
as Preface now before:  
To signify a long discourse,  
to trouble more and more.  
But God grant you your health,  
his favour and his aid:  
To shield you from each feigned friend,  
and make your foes dismayed.  
God grant accomplishment,  
of that you most desire:  
In what so ever as it be,  
from heart I do require.  
God grant that Envy may,  
be void of her intent:  
Not to prevail at any time,  
although that she be bend.  
God grant Dissimulation  
may shine like Crystal clear:  
That unto you each double heart,  
may easily appear.  
God grant that Deep Deceit,  
at no time do prevail:  
God grant as much as he can grant,  
God grant no thing do quail.  
But all may prosper well,  
approaching still to Fame:  
Whose worthy works, have merited  
high praises to his name.  
Whose happy hel●ing hand  
relieving those that need:  
Doth win the way to make you live,  
●or ever more in deed:  
Whose daily deeds in use  
abroad do so resound:  
As passeth my Capacity,  
or wisdom to expound.  
Perchance your worship will  
condemn me in this sort:  
And think I writ in flattering wise,  
to make a long report.  
Not so (I do protest)  
for why? I you assure:  
In that offence I guiltless am,  
my conscience it is pure.  
And as I scorn the use,  
of flattering flearing fraud:  
So will I not, while I do live,  
neglect to give you laud.  
Desiring still of God,  
as erst I did before:  
Your joy to join with new year now,  
and many other more.  
Thus (Sir) I humbly end,  
desiring God of grace:  
Your worship long for to preserve,  
in happy state and case.  
And when your fatal days,  
of force must yield to clay:  
Then for to rest, in heavenly place,  
that never shall decay.  
Finis.    

Other verses presented unto him, at newyears time.  

Cleanthes' he, whom learning's lore  
held in such estimation,  
●s for to find himself at school,  
he used this occupation:  
At morning soon, and evening late,  
he water tankards brought  
Unto those houses of such men,  
by whom he vantage caught.  
For being poor, unable was  
to keep in place of price:  
Until he found, by taking pain,  
profit in his device.  
Whereby he kept himself at school,  
good letters to attain:  
And although he was very poor.  
yet this way found he gain●.  
And when he had sufficient,  
according to his will:  
He then presented to those men,  
some works of better skill.  
Which showed in him a due Desire  
his duty to reserve:  
And also eke an earnest zeal,  
there favours to conserve.  
Even so unto your worship now,  
my simple verse I send:  
My duty bids me be so bold,  
the same for to commend,  
Unto your courteous true aspect,  
to construe of the same:  
The which is meant for mere good will,  
more than for any fame.  
For I have not Cleanthes skill,  
deep matters to impart:  
But such as com● from simple head,  
and eke a faithful heart.  
Which caused me this new years Time  
newly the same to write:  
They new ar● of invention,  
yet not new of delight.  
Impute it not good Sir, for want  
of willingness in me:  
But want of learning is the cause  
no better verse you see.  
I cannot gloze with gallant phrase,  
my bringing up was plain,  
And simple sense enforceth me  
to write in simple vain,  
Which I present unto your view,  
as heretofore is said,  
And although not seemly set out,  
yet willingness well weighed,  
Shall countervail the want of skill  
that aptly here might be:  
But of an Ape impossible  
it is a tail to see.  
The Lord preserve your worship long,  
in health, in wealth, and peace,  
And grant all things you take in hand,  
may have there due increase.  
The Lord prevent each fawning foe,  
and faithless meaning mind:  
Who under show of simpleness,  
work mischief in their kind,  
God grant unto you glad new year,  
with long and joyful life:  
And likewise I do wish the same  
unto your worthy wife:  
Whom you and her the Lord preserve:  
so humbly I am b●und,  
To give you thanks (Sir) while I live,  
for friendship I have sound.  
Resting at your commandment. james Yates.    

Verses on friendship.  

Under the Cope and glittering hue of heaven,  
Are all the joys allotted by decree:  
Yet is there none, that may compared be,  
Unto a friend that never is uneven:  
But doth remain all one in constancy.   

But for such friended, as are but friends in sight,  
They do deceive, incertain is their trust,  
They prove untrue, they moulder like the dust:  
But ah, a friend that stands in friendly right,  
He is a friend, as needs confess I must.   

Now if one find a faithful friend in deed,  
Then keep him still, as jevell that is rare,  
Be sure on this, to have on him a care:  
For why? he will remain a friend at need:  
As Trial tells, and Truth doth well declare●    

Verses on false Report.  

OH God how false report, doth win a man Defame,  
And closely carpeth at his life, to bring him unto blame.  
It lowering lurks in Den of Dire Disdainful Dole,  
And spies a time to peep abraod, as fire burns the coal.  
No wight so wise of will, so sober in his deeds;  
No one so happy in this world, but false report him feeder.  
For each day that he riseth fr●m slumbering sleeping bed,  
And thinks to spend, the cheerful day devoid to Anger led:  
Th●● ere that drousic night, approach to take his due,  
He hears some false report in hand, which makes his heart to rue.  
But he that bends his ear to every ●atling tale,  
Shall never be without a cause to busy him with bale.  
A●d he shall have conceits to couple with his will,  
And some fond fancy put in use, to feed his humour still.  
Wherefore a head that's staid with steady ●amed brain,  
Is worth a Massy Mount of muck that worldlings seek to gain.  
For riches flieth lose, where Rashness rules the ●and,  
And Right & Reason is cut off, where Rigour seems to stand.  
But unto false Report, that fables feign and find,  
Esteem of them no other ways, but blasts of bootless wound.  
Put finger in thy ear, and hark not to there tale●:  
For they are motions moved by those that love to hear of bales.  
So shall each state stand fast, and steady on his ground,  
He shall not be accounted wise, that folly doth confound.  
So shall he sow in ease, and reap again in joy,  
So shall he win the wished hap that wresteth down annoy,  
Wherefore I count him wise, that bridle can his brain,  
And not too rashly run in rage, though cause doth him constrain.    

Verses unto his Muse.  

MUse not my mind of worldly things,  
Thou seest what care to some it brings.  
The merriest mind from folly free,  
Sometimes conceives discourtesy,  
Which is the occasion oft of Ire,  
Through froward will which kindles fire.  
But if thou wilt live well at ease  
And worldly wights seek for to please:  
Then frame thy nature to this plight,  
In each respect to deal upright.   

Thou seest my Muse, how fancy ●edes,  
And what Desire in some it bre●des;  
Thou seest that those, which have been well,  
Have not the skill thereof to tell:  
But t●inke to get a better place  
When as they work their own Disgrace  
For why? from heaven, they change to hell  
In deep despite for time they dwell,  
So is our fickle fancy fraught,  
Whom can we blame but tickle Thought.   

The silly bird that dreedes no ill,  
But singes with joyful notes full shrill:  
Is by the craft of birders art  
Ketcht to her pain, and careful smart.  
For why? the lime her wings doth charge,  
Who er● tofore did fly at large,  
And then she resteth as we see,  
To try the birders Courtesy:  
Euenso, if some do thee entrap,  
Thou must needs stay to try thy hap.   

Wherefore who well can them content,  
Have seldom cause for to repent.  
For if thou well do feel thyself,  
Change not that life, for worldly pelf.  
You know the ease of quiet mind,  
Is happiest gift by jove assigned.  
Admit that riches do increase  
And then the quiet life surcease:  
What is't the better for the gilt,  
When fretting fumes, sweet rest have spilled.   

To have both wealth, and quiet vain,  
Oh happy wights that it attain:  
Oh golden days of quiet state,  
When fortune gives no crabbed mate  
And on the other side I say,  
O cursed life that every day,  
Doth not escape from furious fits,  
Which heats the heart, & wounds the wites.  
The merry mean I hold for best,  
Oh happy wights, that it invest.   

Th● labouring man, with bread and drink,  
lives merrier in mind I think,  
Then some which feed on dainty fare,  
Whose Corpses sufficed, yet have great care:  
For sure that meat digests not well,  
Where merry measure doth not dwell.  
Oh Life most happy still I say,  
That lives at rest and hath to pay,  
And lieth down with quiet mind,  
The rest to take that jove asign'd.    

Verses upon the troubles of this World.  

OH troublesome world the worker of w●e & bale,  
Of bitter biasces, of storms that stint no strife;  
Oh hazards hard, which heap up such a gale  
In furious wise, that grief is greedy rife.  
In vain with worldly wealth is any wight endued:  
If that by mighty jove it be not still renewed.   

The cares are great to cause the mind to muse,  
Of this and that, that happeneth oft awry:  
The Fates be fond, that doth us oft abuse,  
Wherein consisteth a great perplexetie.  
For whilst with joys we seek to have relife,  
In mean tune comes some cause of double grief.   

Thus sharply shaped are shimmering shows that shine,  
To blear the eyes that very fame would see:  
Such pleasant sights whose aspect doth incline,  
No wight to woe, nor moves to misery,  
To cark, to care, to grief, nor to disease.  
Oh happy wight whom Fortune so doth please.   

But for to tell for truth, now which be they,  
My wit is small, and cunning it is less.  
I cease to speak, my sense serves not to say:  
For if perchance, I should not name aright,  
They would me deem some mome or doltish wight.   

But this to say, the wight that most doth spend  
His Time in joy, hath some time care among.  
The world is such the best for to offend,  
To reave their rest that would be free from wrong,  
So some do spend the Wicked World in fears,  
Which for one joy doth bring a M● cares.    

Verses in declaration of a friend written at the request of P. W.  

MY Muse did move me my pen in hand to take,  
In skilless wise unsteady to e●dyte,  
But sith it is here written, for your sake:  
Accept it well and construc it aright.  
For of a friend, I do intend to treat,  
What is a friend, right well I can repeat.   

For to declare by just probation true,  
What is a friend, and what a friend should be:  
A friend stands firm in causes old or new,  
He flitteth not as fickle friends we see,  
He keeps his oath, he fosters eke no guile,  
He laugheth not with face of crafty wile.   

A friend is fraught, with faith and fastened stay;  
A friend keeps close, that is to him disclosed;  
A friend hears not, that may his friend betray,  
But he declares, unto his friend Deposed;  
A friend in woe which saileth not at need:  
A friend so found, I call a friend in deed,   

A friend doth mourn, and languish in his heart;  
A friend laments, when as his friend doth fall;  
A friend doth muse, to help his friend in smart.  
A friend doth mark, and to his mind doth call,  
How to Disnull the dolours of Disdain,  
which he perceives do put his friend to pa●ne.   

Lo, this my friend, if that thou find by Trial  
That firm and f●st is kept a vow once made:  
Thou canst not then, procure a wrong Denial,  
But that he is a friend, of friendly trade.  
If such you find, keep him and be not strange:  
For fickle friends, for every folly change.   

I hope this shall suffice to satisfy,  
This your request, I writ it not for gain,  
But glad if that herein I do descry  
Such words as do lay open very plain,  
The friendly facts, of those whose friendly lore,  
Doth win them praise: and so of this no more.    

Verses upon Hope, declared by Motion and Answer.  

Motion.  
My hope, is help,  
which lends my mind relief:  
Though care be cause,  
Some times, to force my grief.  
Answer.  
As grief doth gripe,  
and moves the heart to mean:  
So hope is helped,  
by privy thoughts alone.  
Motion.  
By thought alone,  
is that soon helped indeed?  
Ten thousand thoughts,  
shall then my fancy feed.  
Answer.  
Well, if thou think  
with fastened mind and stays  
Thy thought will help  
in thinking what there may:  
Motion.  
With time comes thinges●  
unlike at first to prove:  
So hope of Time,  
when dolours do thee move.  
Answer.  
Such counsels good,  
I take in friendly part,  
And yield you thanks,  
with willing mind and heart.    

Verses written at the Departure of his friend W. ● When he went to Devil at London.  

THe absence's of a friend,  
is grief unto the heart:  
The presence of him worketh ●oy●  
and putteth back the smart:  
So will (my only Will)  
the absence now of thee,  
Doth make me wail in woeful wise,  
to think that it should be.  
But when thy friendly Corpses,  
shall present be to view:  
Then shall I joy, as now I mourn,  
that absence makes me rue.  
But well, I must content  
my doleful mind with this:  
We subject are to fortune's lore,  
as certain true it is.  
Yet this I do persuade,  
that absence hath no force:  
A faithful friend, to make unkind,  
that were without remorse.  
I do not think that Will,  
will so his friend forget:  
But will remain in former will,  
and be not over set,  
By any light conceit,  
which doth procure unrest,  
To bring disdain, whereas delight  
should build within the breast.  
No no, I am disposed  
to speak this by the way:  
But Trust me Will, believe me now,  
I doubt not as I say.  
For I am firmly fixed,  
thy friendship will not fail,  
Although that absence might procure  
the same for to prevail.  
Well, for a vauntlesse vow,  
accept this at my hand:  
As I have been so will I be●  
good Will so understand.    

Verses sent unto Master P. W. to Cambridge.  

IF gratulations (Sir)  
from secret faithful heart,  
May at your hands, accepted be  
and taken in good part;  
Or if a barren verse,  
wherein doth rest no skill,  
May yield unto you such delight  
as Motions moved by Will:  
Then Sir: as Time outweares  
the length of every life,  
Which bringeth some in happy bliss,  
and some in dole and strife:  
So Time oft takes in hand  
a matter of erection,  
And though at first it seem unlike,  
in fine it hath perfection.  
When this considered is,  
me thinks it hath a grace:  
Which oft delights the doleful mind,  
and yields it some solace.  
And though Sir I presume  
to take in hand the pen,  
I know full well to whom I write●  
and what conceive I then?  
I straight persuade myself,  
as Trial hath me told:  
That there doth rest in Courteous br●s●,  
receipts ten thousand folo.  
Which weighed? who would not then,  
enforce his doltish brain,  
To write his verse, to such a one,  
who never will disdain,  
The baseness of the same,  
though sound it do of pain;  
Whose ●aten pipes do joy such mates,  
as handle Flail and Saw.  
Your friends are all in health,  
your foes God grant them foil:  
And fig for those that wish you ill,  
let grumbling snudge go moil.  
A letter I you sent,  
wherein I did discharge:  
To write effect of your request,  
and father's speech at large,  
Concerning Master B.  
who now in Cambridge Town.  
By favours letter there received,  
God grant he so sit down,  
As when he riseth up:  
all wildness be exiled,  
Which is the ground of graceless gree●e,  
where mischief seems to build.  
Thus Sir I rest your own,  
with true and faithful heart:  
Craving of God that you may live,  
a life devoid of smart.    

Other verses written unto him when he was at I●swich: With a Caveat which was in Print, sent at the same Time.  

IF will do wish, not want can hold me back,  
Although I find my cunning is but small:  
Or if I should Discourse what I do lack,  
As I have cause, if well to mind I call:  
Then might I cease, and be content to stay,  
The skilless verses which I oft display.   

I feign would frame some cunning in my ●●●le,  
And Poet like to notify my mind:  
I have desire such matter to compile  
As may content, although in Truth I fond  
I want Dame learning, which is the chiefest thing  
Praise to procure, and credit for to bring.   

But what mean I to be obedient  
Unto oblivion, so vile a thing?  
Why do I cease so long for to present,  
That to withhold, which I of right should bring?  
Belike it is, because the changed state,  
Hath changed my Muse, and put in fear of rate.   

Some other matter Differing from the first,  
Avoiding sadness works a sudden fear,  
A sudden change, from that which was the worst,  
Doth suddenly discharge the mind of care,  
And on the sudden seemeth such delight,  
As moveth mirth more than I can recite.   

But Sir, if I should break my inward heart,  
In secret sort, as I do it invest,  
I must have Time for that I would impart.  
But I do hope that this among the rest,  
Shall simply serve as Token which I send,  
My Truth and troth to you for to commend.   

With vows to vaunt, the loyal love I bear,  
To you, and all that is Sir of your name:  
It were but vain for I Dare justly swear  
You do I hope, so construe of the same.  
My duty done to you and all the rest:  
I you commend to him which is the best.   
provider for all men: who always prosper your proceed   

A caveat convenient for younkers to see:  
How fickle Dame Fancy, doth change her degree.  

DRaw near you Imps of youthful race,  
respect my words a while:  
Beware in Time, turn from that place,  
where Fancy most doth smile.  
Let not the show of smile looks,  
encourage thee to lust:  
Lest thou be took, with poisoned hooke●  
where most thou puttest thy Trust.  
Dost thou not see, it is not rare,  
to use deceitful ways:  
For if thou rightly wilt compare,  
and mark well the delays,  
Th●n shalt thou find such crafty vain,  
such soothing void of truth:  
As puts each honest heart to pain,  
and turns their mirth to ruth.  
The modest mind which marks the lore●  
and state of this our time:  
Doth inwardly in heart deplore,  
t● construe of each crime,  
Committed thorough folly fond,  
The mother of Debate:  
Which makes no account to keep the bond,  
of Truth, or trusty state.  
Yet mark how foolish wanton Will,  
by Fancy brought a sleep,  
Will seem to play the noddey still●  
in danger more to creep:  
When as by proof sufficient,  
it plainly doth appear,  
How Lewdness leans to their intent,  
and it some will not hear.  
Though in their ears it sounded be,  
eke each day in their s●ght:  
They blinded are they can not see,  
and why then shall I write?  
For soothe because they sens●esie seem  
being lulled so in lust,  
And ye● they Prudently esteem  
the facts of some unjust:  
And in their heart do sacrifice,  
profoundly and devout,  
As though in deed that might suffice,  
to bring their fetch about.  
Alas, a lack, I mourn, I wail,  
I sigh, I sob to see:  
That foolish fancy should prevail,  
to win the chief degree:  
In mortal minds which are but clay,  
and flesh the worms to feed,  
And like a shadow doth decay  
most true it is in deed.  
Then ere thy breath be spent and passed,  
revoke thy childish toys:  
And give thou over yet at last,  
that most was once thy joys.  
For why? fond Will ● thou canst not have,  
that solely to thyself:  
When others may in time it crave  
as gained with their pelf.  
Thou art of years to know, this well,  
The Hawk whose gorge is full,  
Lakes more delight to shake her bell,  
then on the lure to pull:  
Even so conceive this in thy thought,  
for why? thou mayest it see:  
The newest things are soon bought,  
and are still wont to be.  
Then thus consider in thy mind,  
Where thou thy fancy frames:  
Give leave let Nature ●howe her kind●,  
but publish out no names.  
For Nature she, can not digress,  
I speak not this to feign,  
But even the truth for to express,  
to those who to that vain,  
Do seem so much for to apply,  
their study in their heart:  
God grant in fine such do not try,  
a close unhidden smart.  
And thus adieu, I leave this verse,  
to scanned be of some:  
Which often times do words rehearse●  
when as they might be mume.    

Verses written upon this word, who doth refaine to feign, declared unto him privately by his friend, whom he answereth thus.  

WHo can refrain where flattery heareth sway,  
Who doth not Sir Dissemble? for sooth the upright mind,  
Who hath the harmless heart? not virtuous men I say,  
Who mindeth most mistrust? the lewd, and truthless kind,  
Who favours friendless fraud? the fickl flearring friend,  
Who most rebuketh vice? those that wish godly end.   

A loathsome lise it were if idleness were maintained,  
A brutish kind of trade, to favour a filthy fa●t,  
A mischievous meaning man for most part is disdained,  
An innocent to s●ay were but a cowards act,  
A prattler much to be, declares but simple sense,  
A drunkards draft, to drink, you grant to be offence.   

Well Sir, as for offence, offenders we are all.  
Aswell the rich as poor, the wise as is the fool:  
God grant we may have grace for mercy still to call  
And with repentant hearts, to set a godly dole  
In place where we may see, and willing to amend,  
As we by nature ready are, God's goodness to offend.    

Verses written upon a dream which was dreamt on Sunday night, the x. of April, and written unto Mistress F. W.  

WHen darksome night approached was●  
and Phoebus ceased to shine:  
Then went I to my ●asing bed,  
to rest this corpse of mine.  
Wherein laid down (before I slept)  
according to my use:  
I craved pardon for my faults,  
abounding in abuse.  
Thus when I had bequeathed myself  
unto high love to keep:  
My heavy eyes enforced me  
str●ight ways to fall asleep.  
Then Morpheus he was courteous bend, 
Morpheus God ●● th● Dreamest   
to merry make my mind:  
And unto me this Sundays night  
a pleasant part assigned.  
For lo, behold, one of my friends,  
my thought thus told to me:  
That modest mistress F. W. shoul●  
most wealthy married be,  
Unto a proper Gentleman,  
whose Parents are of fame:  
And he himself by due deserte●  
doth merit even the same.  
Whose virtuous life from infancy,  
hath won him such renown,  
As Trust me friend, I want the skill,  
in order to set down.  
Well friend quoth I, a thousand thanks  
for this thy happy tale:  
This may prevent the perverse pangs  
of bitter beyling bale.  
Wi●h that I waked from slothful sleep,  
and to myself did say:  
I crave of God with all my heart  
that james may see that day.  
And as this dream of my delight  
did friendless fear reject:  
So I do wish, if you so please,  
that it may take effect.  
And thus I ●nd, my duly done,  
yourself I do commend,  
Unto the heavenly Lord of hosts,  
who always you defend.    

Verses upon fear and Fury.  

Fear is a foe, as fury is a friend,  
And self conceit is worker of much harm;  
Disdainful doubts, d●e bring a man to end;  
And careful cold doth never keep man warm.  
Mistrustful minds have every hour care,  
As much as they can well uprightly bear.   

The qui●t mind is never troubled much●  
But tries to take each thing in sober sort:  
When fr●wa●d fancy fretteth, and doth gruteh  
To see herself contemned in her sport.  
Well, vain it is here much for to reveal,  
In close conceit I will the rest conceal.  
Till Time doth serve, according to my mind,  
And opportunity to open my intent:  
I see, yet seem as though that I were blind,  
I joy likewise, when as I might lament,  
I frame myself to use such play and sport,  
As others do, which to the place resort.   

Sighing is sign of sadness,  
As mirth is show of gladness.    

Verses upon this Theme. Silence breaketh many Friendeshippes. Written unto his friend G. P.  

IF Silence friendship break,  
then silent for to be:  
Is even the way to lose a friend,  
as seemeth unto me.  
For when I called to mind  
how long my pen did rest,  
From writing to him which deserves,  
as well as doth the best:  
Then said I to myself,  
I am too silent I,  
That to my friend of all this time  
nothing I do descry.  
I do consider thus,  
he is of courteous kind:  
He will ha●e no ill conceit  
I hope within his mind.  
For I must needs confess,  
I have not idle Time:  
So much as I had he●●etofore●  
to write each thing in run.  
I am enforced now,  
to bend both wit and will:  
For to discharge, that is my charge,  
and rest in favour ●till.  
The which God grant I may,  
for that is my Desire:  
The only sore I seek to salve,  
the right I do require.  
The more of it I muse,  
the more I have good cause,  
To try which way, and what to d●e,  
to po●der and to pause,  
To print in private breast,  
and secrets to conceal:  
For why? it is a folly vain,  
each action to reveal.  
But whether do I wend?  
I run beyond my reach:  
What do I mean to write so much.  
as though that I should teach?  
O no, I not so mind,  
but this is my intent:  
Some verses to my very friend,  
my thinks I must present.  
And thus I you commend  
unto the Lord of all,  
Who ready is to hear and help,  
those that on him do call.    

Verses written in a solitary suppose of a doubtful Dump.  

I Sadly sitting in a Dump,  
devising what to write:  
My Muse could not, asorde me tha●,  
which should yield me delight:  
Because she saw I was disposed,  
in solitary so●te,  
With matter void of pleasant glee,  
to make a plain report,  
Of private passione which procure,  
the inward woe and pain,  
The secret causes of contempt,  
the doleur and disdain,  
The lingering hope that faintly feeds  
the minds of many wights,  
That pass their time in place,  
where grow but few delights.  
And yet we se●, it happens so,  
that in the midst of smart:  
They find some causes of conceit,  
which do● rejoice their heart.  
And trust me true that is the way,  
to mitigate the ill:  
Which other wise, might be the cause●  
of wounding of their will.  
To be disposed from delight,  
is mean to move or moon;  
To construe of each cross conceits,  
is guider unto groan:  
Wherefore to use indifferently,  
the causes of ill luck,  
Is mean to move no inward hate,  
upon our th●ught to suck.  
We see by due examples showed  
the changes of our time;  
We see there's none so warily lives,  
that always voideth crime;  
We see who most doth frame himself  
to sober sort of life:  
Is forced though against his will,  
to try and taste of strife.  
The most of all that we do find,  
as hinderers of good hap:  
Are crooked causes which do come,  
our state for to entrap.  
The dainty days of due delight,  
whereon some trust repose:  
Incertain are, nothing so sure,  
as life and them to lose.  
The featured face which flourisheth,  
in beauty blazing brave:  
Shall wrimpled be when hoary Age,  
commands it unto grave:  
The golden hair which glittereth  
and shows so by in hew:  
Shall lodged be in clods of clay,  
and kept from worldly view.  
The listening ears which do delight,  
in tales reporting pleasures:  
Shall become deaf, and brought to ground,  
when death doth find his leisure.  
The truthless t●ngue which doth agree.  
to flatter and to feign:  
Shall feed the worms as it hath fed,  
a number with disdain.  
The pleasant nose which takes repast,  
to smell each pleasant sent:  
Shall lose the profit of the same,  
and unto death relent.  
The fingers that can finely frame,  
to strike the joyful Lu●e:  
Shall cease from pleasure of the same,  
when Death doth Life confute.  
The feet which wont were to go,  
and unto mirth resort:  
Must be content to rest at home,  
and leave off former sport.  
The wanton wight which takes delight,  
to cut it with his blade:  
By tract of Time grows from that use,  
when Age doth him invade.  
The Preacher (he) which feeds his flock,  
with ghostly counsel pure:  
Must yield to death and be content,  
his pangs for to endure.  
The wise and worthiest wight of all  
that ever lived here:  
Must be content to yield to Death,  
as plainly doth appear.  
Thus to conclude, we may be bold  
each one of nature's frame:  
Shall taste of Death, when mighty jove  
assigned hath the same.    

Verses sent unto his friend, B. M.  

IN all thy deeds be circumspect,  
Thy secrets not disclose:  
But unto such in whom thou dost,  
a faithful trust repose.  
And if thou hast a faithful friend,  
be loath him to offend:  
Account tho● not of flattering friends  
thy ears to such not bend.  
Serve God with faithful fixed faith,  
and frame thy life so just:  
As that thy carnal motions do,  
not move thee unto lust.  
Conceive and way well thine estate,  
take not too much in hand:  
Frame thy expenses as thou mayst,  
live free from others band.  
In doing this with just regard,  
thou shalt avoid much blame,  
And every one that marks thy use,  
will praise thee for the same.    

Verses written for one, who espying his friend's favour and countenance to be altered from the former fashion, to satisfy his request, he wrote as followeth.  

I See and daily spy, by open view too plain,  
That those which once esteemed of me, begin me to disdain  
And much I muse thereat: but my ill luck is cause,  
I stand in doubt and dampish dread, and sometime in a pause,  
I sigh, I sob, I wail, I knock upon my breast,  
I toss me here, I toss me there, as one that takes no rest:  
I look like silly soul, with ruthful running eye,  
And cast my head oft times aback good countenance to espy:  
But Lord how coy it seems, and squeamish to the show,  
I never thought that courteous kind such malice once woul● owe.  
Oh Fortune fickle Dame, in whom remains no trust,  
Whose wavering chances are no staithe ground upon for ius●,  
As thou procurest friends, so thou procurest foes;  
As thou makes ●ich, so thou makes poor even as thy pleasure grows  
As now to day to laugh, to morrow for to weep,  
And those that wake in pleasure sweet, at length in danger sleep  
Thus upside down thou rollest the whirling wheel of chance,  
And I account them happiless, that most thou dost aduaūc●●  
As for my only state I blame thee oh of right,  
For sure none the causer was, but thou of this my spite:  
Thou broughst my liking first, and I was well esteemed,  
And had a countenance void of hate, & solely I was deemed,  
To be in presence more, than ever since I was:  
But now a chance against me unhappily doth passs.  
For why? I dare not half so boldly now aspire,  
I dare not once presume, to warm me by the fire,  
I dare not Parle now, so bold as I was wont,  
For if I do, the answer comes both sharp, both tart and blunt:  
And head is hanged down, and eyes do look aside,  
And faces of the other sort are made as they would chide.  
Wherefore you flattering flirt, Dame fortune by your name,  
A vengeance take thy truthless trade, for thou didst cause the same:  
But though in thy despite, yet will I use my coy,  
And never soak my heart with care, although they seem so coy:  
For they are but thy fittest I know it very well,  
When pleasantness is so disposed, such things he can expel:  
To which most happy time I trust, but not to thee,  
For thou art still of flitting kind and evermore wilt be.    

Verses declaring how each Desire Is satisfied in Time.  

THe hungry soul that wants  
of food his Corpses to fill:  
Is forced forth through pining plaint  
to remedy his ill:  
And if by happy lot,  
he lighteth in such place,  
Whereas is food abundantly  
to help his doleful case:  
Then you shall see this swain,  
whom hungers hate had hi●t,  
When he in Time hath had Desire  
doth scorn that oft he missed:  
The w●ght that keeps in Court●  
and views the gallant shows  
Of Prince's Palace dearly decked  
whose eyes it daily knows:  
esteems not so much  
the sight, though it be rare,  
As he esteems a new fond toy  
where on his eyes may stare.  
What is the cause of this?  
because that he is filled,  
And hath enough even of the sight  
As much as he hath willed.  
The Goldsmith that doth work,  
upon the Diamond rare:  
Doth not so much esteem the sight,  
as sequel doth declare.  
The Painter that doth make,  
with pencil in his hand,  
Some passing piece of Portraiture,  
like lively shape to stand:  
At first time when he went  
with will to learn that art,  
Desire was a mate of his,  
and would not draw a part:  
And mark how he (by Time)  
of it hath had his fill:  
He passeth more for greedy gold  
than he esteems his skill.  
Thus is Desire at length  
by Time brought into ure:  
The Painter pleased is with Coin,  
as well as Portraiture.  
The Gentleman that keeps  
a Hawk for his delight,  
And taketh pleasure for to view  
the swiftness of her flight,  
With spannelles for to ranger  
the game aloft to spring:  
At length we see, he wearily  
accounteth of the thing.  
The greedy Lion eke  
that roareth for her pray.  
Is never satisfied until  
Some faultless things she slay:  
And then when she hath fed,  
and fullness her invest,  
She never passeth more for it,  
till hunger doth request.  
The Cat will watch and wait,  
till she the Mouse hath got:  
And then when she hath fed her fill,  
a dew, she careth not.  
The Scrivener that takes pain●  
with painful pen to please:  
Espieth not his labour weighed,  
so much the more disease.  
That company which keepe●  
for a long time together.  
By time grows strange, as ever they were  
at first time coming hither.  
The book that new is made  
is more esteemed of price:  
And better liked on by some  
then works of deep device.  
Wherefore the way to have  
a thing esteemed well:  
Is secretly to keep the same  
and not abroad to tell.  
For why, I well perceive,  
examples put before:  
That friendship fails, when fancy finder  
new liking for her store.  
Wherefore to learn to keep  
in secret silent breast:  
It is a point of wisdom sure,  
in whom so ere it rest.  
Thus is Desire fed,  
thus is Desire strange:  
Thus doth Desire give us fill,  
and makes our friends to change.    

Verses written unto one which had wrote A Curious Commendation of his happy Exchange.  

WHy dost thou vaunt, before thou know?  
Why dost thou brag before thou try?  
All is not gold, that is of glittering show,  
Nor trust not that which pleaseth the eye:  
For in the same deceiyte doth rest,  
As proof doth make it manifest.   

For since thou wrot'st that glorious style  
In praise of thy so good exchange:  
A froward fit some did compile,  
Which unto thee did seem full strange;  
That at the first it did befall,  
Such rough repulse to sleep withal.   

Wherefore I counsel thus do give,  
To frame thy nature now to abide,  
And see that thou discreet do live,  
And faint n●t though some fond chide:  
For why? thou worst so much before.  
You know my mind, I'll say no more.    

Verses written for a requisite remembrance of the earth quake which happened on wednesday the 6. of April. 1580● between 5. and 6. of the clock at night of the same day.  

WHen man doth least account of this his end.  
And as he thinks doth safely sit at rest:  
Then suddenly or ever he be ware,  
Doth Death approach, his corpse for to invest,  
And in a moment all his pomp and pride  
And glory vain, is quickly laid a side.   

His house the which he takes for his Defence ●  
And as it were d●th make a sure g●eunde:  
Presuming that it standeth firm and fast,  
Foundation such not likely to confound  
By any chance, except t●e ground do fall:  
The which high jove hath ready at his call.   

Oh gracious God how wonderful are thy works,  
Thy secrets not known to mind of man:  
Thou send'st us signs, and tokens of thy wrath,  
And if with grace we rightly do them scan,  
We may thus think, and also understand,  
Thy judgement day is very nigh at hand.   

Yet mercifully thou dost us all forewarn,  
And wouldst not that we should sink in sinne●  
But penitently thy mercy for to crave,  
And leave such lewdness as we do begin  
Too much to use, alas the more the ruth,  
And God will scourge no doubt, for our untruth.   

Oh sudden m●tion, and shaking of the earth,  
No blustering blasts, the weather calm and mild:  
Good Lord the sudden rareness of the thing  
A sudden fear did bring, to man and child,  
They verily thought, as well in field as Town,  
The earth should sink, and the houses all fall down.   

Well let us print this present in our hearts,  
And call to God, for never need we more:  
Craving of him mercy for our misdeeds,  
Our sinful lives from heart for to deplore.  
For let us think this token doth portend,  
A scourge near hand, if we do still offend.   

Yet never was God's word more diligently  
Preached unto us, than it is at this day:  
But out alas, what boot is it to hear,  
And presently forget what they do say.  
For he which lays his hand upon the plough,  
And turneth back, shall speed you know as how.   

The wantonness and lewdness now adays,  
Is much to write, therefore it is but vain  
To seem at large the same for to express:  
The graver sort do much of it complain,  
And wish there were amendment of ill life,  
Which every where alas is too too rise.   

Pride is too pearte and falsehood flourisheth much,  
Deceit is deep, good Lord how it is used:  
Envy is rife, blaspheming doth not want:  
Well, in effect each thing is now abused.  
Lord grant we may convert, and that with speed,  
For well we know, w● never had more need.   

Let us not linger and drive from day to day,  
We have been warned sufficiently we know;  
The Lord is angry, and not without good cause,  
And though he do but signs unto us show:  
Well let us think if we do thus exceed  
In sin so rife, we shall it feel in deed.   Amend your lives for the kingdom of God is at hand. Mat. 3. None good but God.  

Verses written unto his friend W. C. of not, and nor.  

NOt boisterous winds of AEolus force can stir the hardy rocks  
Nor wooden wedges can prevail to cleave the knotty blocks.  
Not absence (he) to friendly hearts can any breach procure,  
Nor spiteful spite can do much hurt where friendship doth assure.  
Not frowning looks of froward Mars that can my pen restraine●  
Nor doubtful speech can me revoke, in verse to show my vain.  
Not want of good will ready priest shall be one let or cause,  
Nor yet the fear of any man shall make me for to pause.  
Not Time to tarry to devise some pleasant thing to write,  
Nor yet to prove for to be fine, my verse for to indite.  
Not that I think my friend he will for rashness laugh at me,  
Nor that I stand in doubt, if that this thing he take in gree.  
Not that I am a Poet brave for to declare my mind,  
Nor that I have a curious head some pleasant thing to find.  
Not that my friend is scrupulousse, but friendly be will take,  
Nor that he is of Momus sect to mock that I do make.  
Not that I know my friend will now accept my ragged verse,  
Nor I think he will reject that which I do rehearse.  
Not that the Time doth let me now some farther words to use,  
Nor that I mean in any thing my friend for to ab●   

In stead of gifts to thank thee for,  
Take Yates his gift of not and nor.    

Verses written upon the captious conjecture of one who not offended.  

THe state of worldly wights is strange,  
And nutall minds, do pass my skill:  
The good have bad, for their exchange,  
By cogitations wrong to will.  
The injury hath small repay,  
Where majesty doth bear the sway.   

The supreme rule supporteth much,  
Me thinks it saith, why I am he:  
Men know my nature to be such,  
As scant my like is known to be,  
For where I may I crop, I lop:  
I make them stoop and vow their topp●.   

But justice sits with sword in hand,  
And Equity with balance right:  
The cause and truth to understand,  
To deal by equal Doom upright:  
For sure the Gods they will not see,  
That worngfull judgement given be.   

Then press in place, thou guiltless mind●  
Whose modest mood deserves no blame:  
God will all misbelives unbind,  
And try thy truth with worthy fame:  
And like as Laurel keeps the hue:  
So truth the falsehood shall subdue.   

conceive no cause of ponsive thought.  
In Nature good, each small is great:  
The wise themselves, have wisely taught,  
More than my pen can here repeat:  
Wherefore I cease, I stay to tell,  
Hoping in end all shall be well.    

Verses written upon a Question.  

I Being once occasioned Comparisons to use:  
A friend of mine, a question put, to answer or refuse.  
The which was this: What thing was that, which longest doth remain  
In nappy bliss, but a● the lasti●●asteth of some pain.   

Where with I grew astonished, an answer straight to make:  
For why quoth I, deliberation in this I had need ●ake,  
Yet as my simple head a simple reason can render,  
I hope you will accept it well, though it be small and slender.   

Then (Sir) I thus confess, as reason would I should,  
To tell my mind I am content, to speak the best I could.  
The happiest thing (quoth I) is God's eternal grace,  
For that is that which doth remain and stays in happy case.   

For else I know no thing, that happy can be counted,  
No worldly wealth, no Tower high, that to the sky is mounted,  
No faith of any friend, for why it shall decay:  
We see it is like fortune's wheel, which turneth every way.   

In faith my friend (quoth he) you have me full resolved,  
It seems you trust not much the world, from it you are dissolved.  
The fragrant flourishing feats, and gallant glozing glee,  
Is like a blast or puff of wind which blows the leaf from tree.   

Esteem it as it is, and weigh and ponder thus,  
That minds of men change every hour as fancy doth discuss:  
But ah, the changlesse state that ever shall endure,  
Is Gods eternal bliss on high, of this we may be sure.    

Verses written upon Desire, to unload the mind.  

THe Bird that builds her nest, doth order due observe,  
And therein takes her rest, her younglings to preserve:  
As nature doth ordain each thing by course of kind,  
So she doth them maintain till seekers do them ●ind.   

Like so where worldly woes do daily still increase,  
And luckless chances show that sorrows will not cease  
Till happy kap doth hit, and course doth turn and change,  
And good luck come to those, to whom she hath been strange.   

Where want doth weave the web, there scant doth pleasure grow,  
Wher● good success doth ebb, there ill success doth flow,  
Where Patience perforce in spite must used be:  
Unhappy is that course, such hapless hap to see.   


●●●all difference between pleasantness & joyfulness.  As pleasantness doth vade, and dieth like the flow●e:  
So joyfulness consumes within one silly hour.  
Or what doth boot it now in mirth for to abound,  
When as we bend and bow to sorrows solemn sound.   

The head oppressed with dumps, the heart doth heavy make,  
And wayward chances come, our joys away to take.  
And as the Imp that's green, i● tender for the knife:  
So mirth is seldom seen, whereas such cares be ri●e    

Verses which signify the ease, How meddling lest, doth not displease.  

THe busy heads, whose harebrain wits,  
With causeless cause will have to deal●:  
Do often show but foolish fits,  
For nothing they can close conceal.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

The Roister and the quarrelling fool,  
That stands upon his guard of strength:  
May meet with one that shall him cool,  
And overcome his pride at length.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle least, doth not displease.   

The prattler (he) cannot abstain,  
Ne yet keep in his tongue from prate:  
O blame him not for 'tis his vain,  
He takes a glory in that rate.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

'tis vain to put our hand in fire,  
Or in a fray to take a part,  
When as no cause doth so require,  
Perchance he comes unto his smart.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

The proverb often thus doth show,  
Which warneth us in this respect:  
Hear much but little seek to know,  
That any tumult may erect.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

By busy pates strife and Debate,  
Rancour and Rage be reared upright:  
Envy, Disdain and cruel hate,  
Are put in ure by such a wight.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

So may you well be bold of this,  
The love of each man thou shalt winne●  
And have likewise eternal bliss,  
For quiet state you lived in.  
All you that mean to live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.   

Of meddling lest I thus define:  
The happy state in it doth rest,  
And like a jewel it doth shine,  
Among all jewels of the best.  
All you that then will live at ease,  
To meddle lest doth not displease.    

Verses written upon Saint james his day.  

OH Blesse● saint, whose glorious name doth shine  
Throughout the world with fame and honour eke:  
Whose wisdom rare, and modest life divine,  
Do ●hew thyself to be both just and me●ke.  
Thou follow'ost Christ, thou never waste to seek:  
God grant I james may ever do the like,  
That james may joy with james that was so pure,  
In heavenly throne, which ever shall endure.   

O Lord Direct and guide my steps like his,  
With harmless heart to tread so true a tra●e:  
Then shall my steps be steady and not miss,  
But by good life to win thy heavenly place.  
With courage bald to come and view thy face.  
For that I have sincerely run the race,  
And lived upright in thought, in word and deed,  
And in excess of sin do not exceed.   

O Lord if I may justly this approve,  
Then let me have according to desert:  
Reject me not but for thy tender love,  
Reverse the rage of sins internal smart.  
And I protest to laud thee with my heart,  
O Lord I crave from sin do me convert:  
That when my life no longer here may be.  
My soul may rest in heaven above with thee.   
FINIS.  
None good but God quoth james Yatis.    

THE Chariot of Chastity, Drawn to publication by Dutiful Desire, Good will, and Commendation.  
Also A Dialogue between Diana and Venus.  
With Ditties devised at sundry idle times for Recreation sake: Set down in such wise as ensueth, by james Yatis.  
LONDON Imprinted by john Wolf, dwelling in Distaff Lane, near the Sign of the Castle. 1582.   

To the virtuous and his approved good Mistress, Mistress Elizabeth Reynowls, wife unto his approved good Master and friend Master Henry Reynowls Esquire.  
COnsidering with myself (worshipful Mistress) the due desert proceeding to your person, the perfect proof of pure pretence, in supporting and holding up of virtuous exercises: was and is the occasion to incourag me of presenting this unto your view. I am though unskilful yet not unmindful of your deserts, which if I should take in hand to pen, I were like him which boldly and p●rtly adventured to tread the Maze, And being in, could not find the way out again, but by long time and instruction. So if I should begin to write, I must have both long time, and also instruction in learned lore. This my present unto you (being simply penned Entitled The Chariot of Chastity) hath been by forgetfulness kept from my sight, and long hath lingered in the lodge of Laziness. But when requisite remembrance had deemed of Delay: Then presently persuasion induced me to publish the same. But I stood in doubt whether I might present it unto you: weighing the insufficiency of the device, but being imbouldened by true meaning, I was encouraged, and as I have presented unto your worship's husband, my simple Castle, making him patron of the same: So I thought it good to unite you together. Selecting you for Patroness of this my present, wishing unto your Mistrishippe as duty binds me, flourishing fe●●citie in this life, and in the world to come Heavenly happiness.  
Your servant to command, James Yates.   

Verses on the name of Mistress Elizabeth Reynowls.  

E Experience of your Courtesy imboldeneth me to write,  
L Long might you li●e in loyal love, unto your faithful make,  
I I crave of jove for to uphold your days still in delight,  
S Sending his blessing on each thing, that which in hand you take  
A Advancing virtue, in●amouse vice you ever did forsake:  
B Bearing a zeal to sober minds, well given, void of ill,  
E Extolling good and godly works to them you have respect:  
T The modest Matrons you frequent which scorn at wanton Will,  
H Haughty hearts & pompiouse pride you always did reject.   

R Regarding much the virtuous chase of Diana & her Dames,  
E Expelling wild & wanton works, which vaunt of Venus' hue:  
Y Yielding no whit unto the blaze of Cupid's flashing flames,  
N Noting such matters as you find by trial to us true,  
O Omitting not to do each thing in time and season due,  
W Wisely weighing what doth want, and it for to renew,  
L Lending relief, in time of need, to those that want the same●  
S Sure due desert doth well deserve to have immortal fame.  
No favour to fortune.    

To the Courteous and Friendly Reader.  
GEntle Reader, I shall thee pray with courtesy to view this simple work, & not to deride or scorn it because the baseness of it deserveth the same: for them thou dost utterly abash me, and make so to blush, as boldness to attempt the like, shall not so easily be found. Thou mayst account me more willing than witty, but judge uprightly and weigh my well willing mind with courtesy, and say this I pray thee (in my behalf) that my meaning was to please and not offend, as he that knoweth thy thought (& mine) doth know it full well, & therefore sith I mean well, I pray thee with willing mind receive it well, so shall I be desirous to endeavour myself still daily more & more to the accomplishment of my well willing mind & earnest determination, such as hearty affection would set more unto the view, but that skillesnesse doth hold me back, & shutteth up the gates of knowledge against me, & will not suffer me to have abode within that excellent place, to the which is due such praise as my tongue hath not utterance to commend. But gentle Reader (to be short & knit up the matter) I pray thee accept it (as it is) and bear an indifferent mind to judge with modesty & not rashly to condemn me: let me not have chaff in stead of corn; that is scorns and mocks for good wills sake: but with a will receive it well, & if thou well receive it, my will shall not want to do thee pleasure, at all times.  
Farewell, james Yatis.   

The Authors Verdict of his Book.  
THou little Book, that thus presumes  
to range in open view:  
Thou shalt but get to me dispraise,  
and busy heads renew,  
To set these wily wits awork  
some foolish faults to find:  
We see it is the worldly course,  
some thereto give their mind.  
I might have kept thee still at home,  
but friends did me require,  
To give thee leave to go abroad,  
I granted their desire.  
And what by that now shall I get,  
a mock of some I know:  
It is the state of worldly wights  
their flouts for to bestow.  
And as the Merchant's mart for Coin:  
So Momus mocks for spite,  
Whose jolting toys would be disnuld  
of every honest wight.  
Of truth my Book I do believe  
thou shalt not so go free,  
But that there will some doubtful speech  
be spread abroad of thee.  
God send thee luck and me no ill,  
and so adieu, farewell:  
But I presume that unto me  
thou something haste to tell.   

The Book to the Author.  
WHat verdict do you give of me●  
what words be these you use?  
What follies fond do foster forth  
these ill compacted news:  
Why, stay yourself for to surmise,  
the worst of me I pray?  
For none so ready fault to find,  
as Bayard blind some say:  
Whose faults shall scanned be as thus  
with wise men well I wots:  
They will say, thou fool thou findest a faul●  
yet seeks to amend it not.  
But this I say in your behalf:  
your youth and simple skill,  
Cannot accomplish that you would,  
although you have good will.  
But truly (Author) do not think  
that I shall get thee blame:  
For in good sooth to tell my mind,  
thou not deservest the same.  
I know thy mind was bend to please  
and none for to offend,  
I know thou hadst a care to bring  
me thus unto an end.  
I know thy friends requsted the●  
that I abroad might go:  
I know full well as true it is  
that truth is very so.  
I know it is not Braveries brag,  
to boast or vaunt of praise:  
Or Lucre's craft, for profits gain,  
that thus me first did raise.  
I know that he requested ●t,  
who is thy very friend:  
Which hath requited all this pain●●,  
and will do to the end.  
Wherefore if worldlings vainly judge  
as commonly they use:  
You must contented seem to rest  
sith so they will abuse.  
And marvel not if I be blamed,  
when works of greater skill,  
Have had such hateful speeches given,  
as trust me 'tis to ill.  
But I shall so myself behave,  
and manner so my mood:  
As none shall judge amiss of me,  
except be Robin Hood.  
And if that none do judge but he,  
I do not greatly care:  
I shall him answer well enough  
as time doth me prepare.  
In mean Time humbly I end,  
myself I do commend,  
Unto all those that wish me well,  
being loath them to offend.  
FINIS.  
Trial tells the Truth.   


The Chariot of Chastity. A Careful Commendation thereof, written at the request of a very Friend.  
OF all the happy gifts of God,  
bestowed on mortal wights,  
Dame Chasteness is a gift most rare.  
wherein God most delights.  
For Chastity doth purchase ●ame,  
And heavenly place above:  
Where Angels sing in joyful wise,  
as scripture plain● doth prove.  
All such as to their mates be true,  
with faithful heart entire:  
Have place ordained in heavenly throne,  
for to avoid hell fire.  
But if that truthless troth be tried,  
unseemly and unmeet:  
That is no Matrons life I trow,  
n● wisdoms lore discreet.  
Although blind Cupid move thy mind,  
some peevish parts to play:  
Dame Chasteness if she be at hand,  
will straight such use allay.  
Though Beauty hath endued the●,  
if Chasteness stand aside:  
That is but Beauty to the world,  
Which can not long abide.  
Yet Beauty is a blazing bait, 
Beauty 〈◊〉 brittle.   
to please each Amorous eye:  
Whom Cupid's knights do oft frequent,  
experience doth it try.  
The which all Amored folk delights,  
●●d causeth much debate,  
And forceth furious fretting fumes●  
and deep disdainful hate.  
O God when some behold and see  
the pleasures that abound,  
In such fond ●oyes and culling tricks,  
they say they are unsound:  
They are not for a Matron's mood,  
Lucretia did not use.  
But firmly did her faith observe,  
til● life did her re●use.  

W●●t will not de●elish Desire attempt.  What though that vile Tarqvinius he●  
by force did her as●ay:  
She never joyed afterward,  
but sought her own decay.  
Quoth she, shall I remain defiled,  
unto my loyal love?  
No sure, some way to end my dayes●  
I do intend to prove.  
I fe●le such painful passions,  
which do bereave my rest:  
As with this blade now in my hand,  
I mean to pierce my b●est.  
Wherefore this blade assuredly  
shall end my loathsome life:  
So shall I then be free from fear,  
and void of this my strife.  
Lo thus the Matron slew herself,  
because she would not have:  
A body for her spouse unchaste,  
but brought it to the grave.  
Oh Virgins let this be a glass,  
to show you honest life:  
Remember how that Chastity,  
did rest in her most rife.  
It is the greatest praise (pardie,)  
that any wight can get:  
It adorneth sure your life so brave,  
as pearl on you were set.  
You shine in world like Crystal cleare●  
your praise is rife in mind:  
You duly do deserve such fa●e,  
as is for you assigned.  
You show no wanton countenance,  
you tattle not at large:  
You hold no part of Cupid's farm:  
you do deny his charge.  
You lean to Chasteness steadfastly,  
as Rock and bulwark strong:  
You spend the day in virtuous use,  
as doth to her belong.  
For idle sports decline from praise  
they hold no part thereof:  
But cogingly do spend the Time,  
with many a girding scoff.  
And if they chance to catch one in,  
who will come of in gifts:  
They Care not so they may it have,  
though he be put to shifts.  
Their conscience is large (God knows)  
and hands are open still:  
For to receive, what given is,  
such is their greedy will.  
Yet for all that they may be chaste,  
I do none here reprove:  
He knoweth all their secret thoughts,  
that sits in heaven above.  
There is none can hide their guile from him,  
he knoweth all so well,  
As sure it passeth me to think,  
or eke my tongue to tell.  
I know for tru● as scripture saith,  
a chaste and virtuous life,  
Shall flourish like the Olive tree,  
whose leaves are ever rife.  
She shall accepted be of th●se,  
that Tread her honest trace:  
And not disdained but much in price,  
a certain sure case.  
But wanton wildness snuffs in nose,  
to see her given so:  
And often wisheth in her mind,  
her steps to overthrow.  
And Cupid's knights, do scorn this Dame,  
because she not repairs,  
Unto his Court, to be as one  
of not sufficed heirs.  
And Venus frowns to see her so,  
high minded to abarre:  
And wisheth her to be untrue,  
that breach might make a jar.  
Such is the counsel of that court●  
light wantonness of kind,  
Inducing her to love one or two  
that pleaseth most her mind.  
Yea three or four are not ●nowe,  
for some whose mind doth range,  
They have no blood within their Corpse,  
to make them blush for change.  
But constant Chasteness simple stande●,  
and shrouds her head for shame:  
She marvels much to see their minds,  
so fixed on that game.  
Oh what a thing it is to think,  
of twenty evils priest:  
That come of too much lavishness,  
disturbance, and unrest.  
Pity this ●ase good Matron's grave,  
lend Aid it to disnull:  
Help, help, for trust me it is Time  
such vices down to pull.  
And if you know within your Town  
one person of that set,  
Dame Chasteness saith you should not leave  
until you out her get.  
Oh virtuous Dame how is thy mind,  
given up to Constancy:  
Alas how should I pen thy praise,  
I know not well perdie.  
But sooth to say, the flying Fame,  
that is as swift as wind,  
Hath bruited abroad sufficiently  
of Chasteness and her kind.  
One night Sir Morpheus did me lead,  
and then unto me showed:  
How Lucrece sat in heaven above  
her seat was there bestowed.  
And although she her life did end  
in such a desperate wise:  
Yet thou mayst see she hath a room,  
above here in the skies.  
There saw I eke Zenobia  
that Gracious Queen so Chaste:  
Sitting aloft in heavenly Throne  
which never aye shall waste.  
And Etifriga sometime our Queen  
in England here did reign,  
I did behold her where she sat,  
ask Morpheus if I feign.  
A multitude of Matrons sure  
was there as I did see:  
Yet Morpheus told not me the names  
but only of these three.  
For why (quoth he) I do not mind  
to tell thee any more:  
If thou canst learn their names thyself,  
then keep them for thy store:  
And writ of them as thou thinkest good,  
(but what should need so much)  
So bustly to take in hand,  
It would but get thee gruch.  
I answered him with words most mild.  
and seemly countenance sure:  
I thank you that you would vouchsafe  
these three to put in ure.  
And when these words I spoken had,  
sir Morpheus did departed,  

Morpheus departeth  And I awaked from my sleep,  
and marvelled in my heart,  
What wight he was, and how I came  
unto those joyful sights,  
To view the place and to behold  
those glorious heavenly wights:  
And now to tell the full thereof  
that I in sleep did see,  
I will assay with simple skill  
which resteth now in me.  
My thought I was thither by him led,  
since he is God of Dreams:  
Conveyed by him as I thought  
unto the lofty heavens.  
Where I beheld most glorious Dames  
which shined like the Sun:  
For by their Chaste and Virtuous life  
that heavenly place they won.  
There might I view the angels face,  
there might I hear such songs:  
As did rejoice me very m●ch,  
as right thereto belongs.  
There is no weeping any Time,  
but only mirth and joy:  
Who would not then live Chaste to gain,  
a place void of annoy.  
They shall behold our glorious God  
sitting in heavenly seat:  
There shall be such joys as do pass●  
my tongue for to repeat.  
There shall they live a life for Ay  
which never shall surcease:  
Alas we live here mortally,  
our life doth soon decrease.  
We need not boast, we are like grass●  
which withereth with the sun:  
Alas how tickle is our life,  
how soon hath death it won.  
Our life is frail, our days no stay,  
for us to lean unto:  
Incertain is each thought we think,  
or what we else can do.  
Well, if thou be esspoused once,  
and linked with wedlocks chain:  
Convert thou not to others use,  
least hateful be thy gain.  
For look what order thou dost use,  
the same thou shalt embrace:  
When as thou comest before that judge,  
that judgeth each man's case.  
Beware no wantonness be seen,  
O maiden some so pray:  
Live as thou wouldst intend to live  
in life for lasting aye.  
love only one in secret thought  
as heart and only dear:  
So shall thy life be Chaste in deed,  
this sentence is most clear:  
Yea clear, most clear, as clear may be  
which shineth like the sun:  
Bruited abroad by flying Fame  
which never shall be done.  
Beauty is but a blazing bait,  
in high respect of this:  
Yet Beauty pleaseth minds of men,  
as certain true it is.  
Beauty is glorious in Attire,  
according to her hue,  
Alluring the eyes of men  
upon her for to view.  

Those which mor● account of beauty than have respect to Chastity, are often rewarded contrary to their expectation.  Mark this I say you Cupid's knights,  
esteeming Beauty so,  
That it may happen for to hit  
to bring you unto wo.  
Was not strong Samson (he) beguiled  
when harlot clipped his hair:  
Was not the valiant Hercules  
also ketched in snare?  
Did not Poor Paris buy it dear  
for Hellina so fine:  
When all the Trojans felt the smart  
as Terror did assign.  
Did there not rise Achilles' wrath  
upon him silly man.  
Which did conclude, in bloody broil  
a woful cause to skan.  
Did not the vicious Sodomites  
and Gomorians feel the smart:  
Because they had not grace to turn;  
and from sin to convert.  
No preaching could them reform  
till fiery flames from high:  
Did down ●●scend, them to destroy  
O ruthful misery.  
What was the cause? their fleshly lives,  
their vile and vicious deeds:  
They follow not Dame Chasteness steps,  
whom Riot only feeds.  
But if they had addicted been  
to chasteness and good life,  
They had not felt the furious force  
of their deserved strife.  
But they were given riotously,  
to pleasure and to pride:  
It is impossible well to live,  
where grace doth want to guide.  
Oh Chasteness thou the flower of grace,  
the Imp of joy so dear,  
The Lantern light of life so pure,  
which shines like Crystal clear.  
The prop, the pillar, and the stay,  
which holds up honest life:  
The hope of heaven the hap of joy,  
which ever shall be rife.  
Oh God what beneficialness,  
by Chasteness doth ensue:  
Much more than I with tongue can tell,  
or pen can well renew.  
Or if I had Dame Pallas Aid,  
or Poets learned style:  
Yet trust me true I were too weak,  
her praise for to compile.  
Wherefore of Poets thus I crave,  
such pardon to attain:  
Since that but skillesnesse doth lead  
in verse to show my vain.  
For surely I not presume  
in glorious title brave:  
But from my heart devoid of guile,  
pardon of them I crave.  
For to proceed as simple wit,  
shall lend me simple skill:  
Where nothing wants but learning she,  
to aid my ready will.  
The horse although his force be small,  

Abase comparison.  yet if he have desire,  
Is worthy simply of great praise●  
though he lie in the mire.  
Even so I must confess to you,  
I have an earnest will:  
To praise this worthy gift in deed  
though simple be my skill,  
Wishing I had been learned in school,  
among the learned sort:  
Then should I with less tediousness,  
have made this my report.  
But truly I lament the loss,  
of that I most desire,  
Which to recover by no means,  
I can not well require.  
But Lord it is a world to see,  
how foolish fickle youth:  
Accounts the school a purgatory,  
a place of pain and ruth.  
And never are in quiet mind.  
till absent thence they be:  
Youth only mindeth play and sport,  
apparently we see.  
But when that Time hath brought our yeared  
and some experience gained:  
Then they lament the loss of Time ●  
which once they so disdained.  
A lamentation made to late,  
is loathsome to invest:  
For to receive the loss of Time,  
is pensive to the breast.  
What mean I thus to spend my Time.  
so fond to recite:  
I see 'tis want of learned lor●,  
to guide me now aright.  
Me thinks I hear one say to me, 
A suppositious   
go too, go on, proceed:  
Of former matter to entreat.  
for this is more than need.  
Praise thou Dame Chasteness, as thou shouldst,  
Digress not so aside:  
And to thy matter directly go,  
and in it do abide.  
Wherewith I blushed and said again, 
Answer   
oh Sir I pardon crave:  
Accuse me not for slipping so,  
my matter to deprave.  
But give me leave to range a while,  
by foolish fancy fraught:  
So shall you pleasure me no small,  
since that my wits be nought.  
But since I did digress so much,  
I ten times praise this Dame:  
Whose Chastity and virtuous life,  
deserves eternal Fame.  
Her steps are steady like the rock,  
her fortress is so strong:  
As no assault of Cupid's Crew,  
shalt enter in by wrong.  
And as the pleasant meads refresh,  
the flying fowls in air:  
So doth Dame Chasteness comfort give,  
to those that might despair.  
Which suffer many Derisious flo●tes and mokes,  
of wild and vicious kind:  
Yet sure the chaste and constant life,  
all sorrows do unbind.  
A rich reward, by Due desert,  
to see such culling mates:  
Be tinged about the town in Cart,  
and pulled by the pates:  
When Chasteness resteth like a Queen,  
In high Magnificence:  
With reverence done of honest sort,  
and scapeth such offence.  
As maketh them oft times ashamed,  
and shrink their heads in hold:  
And change in colours black and blue,  
as though they were acold:  
But Truth to say they are a cold,  
in this chaste honest lore:  
They are more hot in Venus' flames,  
than honesty in store.  
Revoake, recant, relent with speed,  
lest Time do come to late,  
I speak not to the honest Dames,  
but to the vicious mate.  
For why, I need no honest warn,  
than should I be too bold:  
And I were worthy to be blamed,  
so much for to unfold.  
Oh worthy wights you sport your minds,  
with sad and sober sights:  
Oh glorious Chasteness how she shines,  
oh blessed and happy wights.  
O sacred Dame, by jove ordained,  
to be in heanenly place:  
Where as no spot, of spotted life,  
thy seat shall once deface.  
But with a heavenly body thou,  
shalt there remain for Ay:  
Where Angels sit in seemly sight,  
which never shall decay.  
Why then who would not live a life,  
as chaste, as chaste might be:  
For they shall have as promise i●,  
eternal bliss you see:  
Where contrariwise we purchase death,  
and flashing flames of fire:  
In Pluto's pit to spend our Time  
if grace we not require.  
There shall we see the broiling brands,  
and fiends of ugly hue:  
There shall we hear lamenting cries,  
with Torments that renew.  
Upon such mates, whom Carnal Lust  
in life of fleshly will:  
They had not grace for to repent  
but did persever still.  
To great confusion of their soul  
in everlasting fire:  
Wherefore God grant we may be Chaste  
for to avoid his Ire,  
And that we tread Dame Chasteness step●,  
and on her so repose:  
As we in end may purchase heaven  
when vital life we lose.  
And there to rest in heavenly bliss  
and see our glorious God:  
Which hath authority us to scourge  
for our offences odd.  
Who plagues the Cupid knights with pai●●●  
and Bacchus drunken mates:  
And such as give their mind to lust  
in end with scourge he rates.  
But Chastity he doth allow  
as virtue excellent:  
Who so doth frequent the sam●  
shall never sure repent.  
O Chastity how is thy seat  
ordained in heavenly throne,  
Assigned ●here by mighty jove,  
whereas the● is no moan.  
For as Saint Matthew doth discuss,  
a Chaste and honest maid,  
Should be content to welcome death  
and be no whit afraid.  
For why, saith he tis glory great,  
to die a virgin pure:  
So shall they gain a precious place  
which ever shall endure.  
Her name shall graven be in gold,  
or else in Marble stone:  
Which shall be ertant to the world  
although that she be gone.  
Behold you Dames whose chastity  
doth merit well the same:  
And trust me, by your due Desert,  
doth win you endless fame.  
You get renown immortal sur●,  
for Time withouten mind:  
You do as much as may be done,  
or in that way assigned.  
Wherefore keep fast that key so rare  
the which no Smith can make:  
But only he which on the cross  
did buy it for your sake.  
Whose guiltless blood you know was shed,  
though he did not offend:  
The cruel jews him to torment  
their mali●ce did extend.  
O only sweet and Saviour great  
of all the world so wide:  
How didst thou suffer pain for us,  
with spea●e thrust in thy side.  
And all was for our s●●full lives  
the which we follow still:  
But Lord grant that we may convert  
and if it be thy will.  
And with a true and faithful heart  
as Marie Magdalen she:  
Did her repent of si●sul life,  
even so Lord grant may we:  
And bring sweet ointments to thy seat,  
and look thee in the face:  
And hope to rest with the● in bliss  
which never shall imbace,  
But shall remain time out of mind,  
as truth doth well relate:  
In place where as is nought but joy,  
and at no time Debate.  
What say you to this, Dames so chaste,  
what say you to this news?  
Live chaste, live chaste, and then be sur●  
you live without abuse.  
For chasteness is much honoured  
in every place with Fame:  
And Castnesse of each man hath praise  
as worthy of the same.  
But where as Beauty riotously  
with fleshly will endued:  
Doth not regard her chastity,  
mark then what is ensued.  
For Cupid's knights spying that vent,  
do thither straight repair:  
And think it is a match obtained  
by foolish speaking fair.  
And when that once they find the haunts  
with entertainment good:  
Then stay they still to spend their Time ●  
in fleshly giddy mood.  
And use such pranck● as please them best●  
too much for shame to write,  
Or more than wisdom would permit  
should come unto the light.  
It were but vain to meddle much  
or gloze in glorious sort:  
It were but vain to praise and pra●e  
or make a brave report.  
It were but vain to seem to deal●  
in place of great unrest:  
It were but vain to pinch the mind●,  
and busy much the breast.  
It were but vain to go beyond  
our own knowledge and skill:  
It were but vain to meddle wher●  
we shall but get us ill.  
Wherefore (my friend) sith I have now  
performed as you see:  
That your request which long ago●  
you did make unto me,  
In writing of Dame Chastity  
according as you willed:  
Accept of it in friendly wise,  
your request is fulfilled.  
Desiring you of this device  
●o judge with equal mind,  
At all t●●es for to pleasure you,  
you ready me shall find.  
Although in deed I simple am  
for to perform the same:  
Yet willingness of my true heart●  
shall clear me from the blame.  
That finding wits devising still  
to move debate and strife:  
I'll say no more, but God amend  
their lewd and wicked life.  
The end of the Chariot of Chastity.   

A Dialogue between Diana and venus: Declaring what can be alleged of either side for confutation.  Venus 
THe gallant Youths with bold attempt,  
my Darlings will defend:  
they'll press in place with glittering blade,  
their blows abroad to lend.  Diana 
The modest Matrons then for me,  
my honour will uphold:  
By civil sort, and honest life,  
which shines as bright as gold●.  Venus 
Thy life, nay, nay, 'tis not like mine,  
I swarm in pleasure so:  
As that no day doth pass my hands,  
but new delights I know.  Diana 
Well, well, I force not for delights,  
of those thy Courtly train:  
I do defy such pleasures as,  
in end do prove but vain.  Venus 
Oh, I am Lady of the world,  
each one to me consents:  
They lust, they love, to like my law,  
I know 'tis their intentes.  Diana 
Thy law is Transitory sure,  
but mine remains for Ay:  
No discord doth arise by me,  
all illness I do stay.  Venus 
Dost thou condemn me now of ill,  
by flat and open speech:  
Declare and show thy mind at full,  
I heartily beseech.  Diana 
Within your court I daily view,  
much riot there abroach:  
With odious oaths to please your Imps,  
and dallings that approach.  Venus 
And your Imps, are circumspect,  
they will not look aw●ye:  
Because you are a Goddess Chaste,  
no illness you●e espy.  Diana 
No illness, yes I see too much,  
I would it were not used:  
I pray to jove for to reform,  
the fa●tes that are abused.  Venus 
Abused, why, in what respect?  
you'll count my lust a vice:  
Perchance you will condemn my baite●●  
that yunkers do entice.  Diana 
Condemn? yea, and eke defy,  
I loath to see thy trade:  
I spite thy state, I scorn thy use,  
that ever it was made.  Venus 
To scorn my use, it is but vain,  
a fig for such a flirt:  
Now gup you honest Goddess you,  
you never do no hurt.  Diana 
Well, well, no doubt the mighty God,  
that doth us goddesses guide:  
Will pay with pain: I'll say no more,  
no longer I'll abide.  Venus 
To prove persuasions now with me  
you shall but lose your time:  
Farewell, adieu, be honest still,  
to Riot I will climb.   

Ditties devised at sundry idle times for Recreation sake,  written by james Yatis. 

Dame Practice brings experience,  
Experience knowledge gains:  
Dame Idleness hath ill conceits,  
And loves To take no pains.   

Idleness is evilly    

A thanksgiving unto God for the happy, peaceable, and most glorious Reign of our singular Sovereign and Lady, Queen Elizabeth.  

WIth humble hearts and faithful minds,  
assemble all and pray,  
And sing high laud, unto our God,  
whose goodness to display,  
Surmounts the sense of mortal he●de●  
to glorify the same:  
With such deserts as rightly longe●,  
unto his blessed name.  
Oh England, joy thou little I'll,  
in prayers do not cease:  
Both day and night give laud to God,  
for this thy happy peace,  
Enjoyed under Peerless Prince,  
Elizabeth thy Queen:  
Whose quiet reign declares that God,  
his blessing would have seen,  
Upon her grace and eke her realm,  
the which O Lord preserve:  
With Seemly sceptre in her Throne,  
thy Gospel to conserve.  
From foreign foe, and faithless friends,  
from all that mischiffe works:  
Lord break the brood of envies wiles,  
in secrecy that loorkes.  
Lay open to her Princely view,  
all those that faithless be  
In thought against her Majesty,  
Lord let her highness see.  
We must confess unfeignedly,  
we have deserved thy ire:  
We daily lord, be prompt to sin,  
small goodness we require.  
Yet have compassion on our land,  
and do the same defend:  
From those which under show of friends,  
their malice do pretend.  
Unto our Queen which reigned hath,  
this three and twenty years:  
In peaceable tranquillity,  
as well to us appears.  
God grant Her highness Nestor's years  
over this Realm to Rain,  
Amen, Amen, for jesus sake,  
amen: we do not feign.   

God preserve with joyful life, our Gracious Queen Elizabeth.    

In the Commendation of a Godly and Virtuous Matron.  

AS I alone did walk in fields,  
I heard a thundering voice:  
Which did descend from lofty skies  
whereof I stood in choice,  
For to conjecture with myself  
what voice should be the same:  
It answered me as I it heard,  
I am the flying fame.  
Which farther said, take pen in hand  
and prove thy simple skill:  
To blaze abroad a Matron's life  
whose mind doth mean no ill. 
The truth tries itself & needs no commendation   
Her Virtuous life adorned is  
with Godly zeal and grace:  
Lucrece if she were alive  
she could it not deface.  
No day doth pass this Matrons hands  
in any idle sport:  
She to the Church to serve her God  
in due time doth resort.  
If any wight shall purchase heaven  
for Godly life well spent:  
Fame told me that should be she,  
high jove did so assent.  
And to conclude, if grafts of grace  
do grow in any wight:  
Then in the Hind you may be ●olde  
they shine with virtue bright.  
Thus much as Fame commanded me  
I have here put in ure:  
With hearty prayers to the Lord  
her life may long endure.   

Heavenly Happiness is Due to the Hind.    

In the Commendation of a Dame, Whose name is Elected with Fame.  

IF skill did rest within my head,  
or Poets cunning art:  
Then would I prove to write her praise  
agreeing to her part.  
But Ladies if you do deride  
and scorn a willing mind:  
Dame wisdom doth not teach you that,  
but Momus mocking kind.  
For soothe the gallantest of you all,  
that be of Diane's flock:  
May seem to let her have a room  
without despite or mock.  
For why? her favour is as sweet,  
her Beauty is as sa●ce:  
As any Dame in Diane's Court,  
I rightly may compare.  
Yea Chaste she lives I tell you true  
in spite of Cupid's ire:  
A Virtuous praise she doth deserve  
if duty may require●  
Foelix was not more faithfuller  
unto his friend in heart:  
Then she is true unto her make,  
her virtue hath desert.  
Which long the Lord preserve and keeps  
with his defending hand:  
From faithless friends and fawning foes  
whose trust doth truthless stand.   

Praise is a preferring of the party: though needless.    

In the Praise of a virtuous Gentlewoman.  

IF Virtue praise gain by desert:  
Or constant stay, or faithful mind:  
Good Ladies let me in this part  
Some thing Declare for faithful kind,  
Let not my pen rebuked be,  
Though simple skill do rest in me.   

But give me leave for to declare  
And speak my mind without offence,  
Such duty I unto her bear,  
As trust me this is my petence:  
To write some thing although I see,  
unableness which rests in me.   

A Lady I obey and serve  
With heart and mind and only will:  
Who hath done more than I deserve,  
For which I am her servant still,  
To wish her well since wealth is small.  
And wishing is the most of all.   

But if that wishing could advance,  
My wishing should not come behind:  
But wishing is a tickle chance,  
Although we wish yet want we find.  
Wherefore to wish it is but vain,  
When as we wish and not attain.   

If Courteous nature be on ground  
It is in her I dare depeses:  
Whose grafted Imps of grace are sound,  
As virtuous buds at large disclose.  
Whose fragrant life, like Woodbine flower  
May seem to deike a Matron's bower.   

I shall not need to name her name:  
But privately in fostering breast:  
I mean ●or to observe the same  
With former mind, and so I rest.  
Whose life I wish, whose joy I crave,  
Till breathe from corpses death doth deprave.    

In the praise of fennel and Woodbine.  

IN garden brave, when as I viewed and saw  
There every herb, that nature had bedecked,  
And every flower so fresh and red as Haw:  
I stood in choice of which I should elect:  
Yet coul● I none there find that did me please,  
So much as two, by whom I have found ease.  
And fennel first for sight hath done me good,  
Whose water Styled did ease my pricking eyes,  
reviv'd my heart & cheered my fainting blood,  
And made me laugh when head was full of cries.  
What say you no●, can you expulsse my clause,  
May I not praise? yes sir when I have cause.   

Yes sure this herb I like and like against  
And if I had a garden as some have,  
I would much plant, and take therein great pain,  
To have in store for such as will it craue●  
Yet some will say, that fennel is to flatter:  
They over reach, their tongues too much do clatter,   

The Woodbine leaf, is good to ease the thorte,  
Or pain in mouth that comes by ●romnies in drinker  
I have it tried, I do not lie, for note:  
Seethe thou the leaves in water as I think,  
And wash thy mouth and thou shalt find such ●as●,  
As will no doubt the former pain appease.   

For these same two, I pray to God from heart,  
Their hews may stand, in happy s●ate and prime,  
And boisterous winds may blow from them apart,  
Who do good, though fis●ily they climb.  
As help I find, so help I ought to praise,  
That help may help, when help shall need always.    

Of a friend in prosperity, and a foe in adversity.  

THat morning which so brave doth shine  
with Phoebus' glistering face:  
●are darksome night approached is,  
a shower doth it disgrace.  
And yet Sir Phoebus' gallant hue  
in morning did display:  
Who seemed to promise by aspect,  
to burnish out the day.  
Even so of double hearted friended  
I rightly do compare:  
Which show a pleasant face until,  
〈◊〉 friend be caught in care:  
And then as dimming of the Sunn●.  
doth change the former hue:  
So doth a double faced friend,  
return again a new,  
From faithful friendship which as he.  
by promise should not do:  
But those that can dissemble Sir,  
they know what long● thereto  
But whilst thou art in prosperous state,  
and void of Fortunes lower:  
Then will they seem to be thy friends.  
in pleasant words each hour.  
But when Adversity that wretch,  
hath caught thee in his snare:  
Their friendship is forgotten then,  
of thee they have no care.  
Wherefore who trusts a smiling face,  
may chance to be beguiled:  
And he that toucheth pitch they say,  
shall therewith be defiled.    

A persuasion patiently to suffer Affliction.  

TO mortal wights what praise more due,  
then patiently to bear:  
Such crosses and afflictions,  
as Time doth bring with care.  
For sure it is a happy thing,  
for those that can uphold,  
And Patiently to bear ill haps:  
that Fatal Fates unfold.  
So shall they find it best in end,  
as sequel just doth try:  
And eke advance their name with praise,  
Experience doth not lie.  
But as for such as seem● to rave,  
for loss of worldly muck:  
They are unhappy in that case,  
I pity much that luck.  
For truth to tell I ma● be bold:  
I know not which is he,  
That Patiently doth bear his loss,  
for aught that I can see.  
But that he saith ●y on this hap,  
the world doth frown on me:  
I am not lucky unto it,  
oh spitful misery.  
What mortal man can more be plagued,  
then have such losses still:  
What sorrow comes by this despite,  
alas it is too ill.  
What brawls do broil within my head,  
what gripping griefs do nip:  
What yerkes of worldly loss I feel,  
which smarteth like a whip.  
But worldling thou content thyself,  
remember Christ did take:  
A piercing spear into his side,  
and all was for thy sake.  
And canst not thou provoke thy mood,  
to bear a little smart:  
And take thy cross and follow Christ,  
to win thee heavens Desert.  
And patiently with penitent mind,  
unto the Lord to pray:  
That he would of his goodness great,  
defend thee night and day.  
Wherefore this my advise I give  
in sickness or in health:  
In loss of fame in loss of friends,  
or loss of worldy wealth●  
Or loss of losse● that haplessly,  
unto thy state may fall:  
In any loss lose not the Lord,  
but on him still do call,  
That it would please him thee to se●d,  
in midst of hardest hap:  
A merry heart to praise his name,  
and joyful hands to clap.    

How Time erecteth and destroyeth.  

When Musing mind had fancy ●edd●  
to cogitate of Time,  
And I beholding then such things  
as pleasant, were in prime,  
And that the thing is come to pass,  
which I near thought should 〈◊〉:  
Then strait way to myself I said,  
behold now may ye see,  
How Time hath wrought, by Tract of Time,  
such things as to the show,  
Did seem unlikely for to be,  
as very well I know,  
For there are some of low degree,  
and Progeny but base:  
Are now come up and set aloft,  
did not Time do this case?  
Yes surely believe me now,  
for Time can mountains move:  
And Time doth work much things that seem,  
unlikely for to prove.  
Within my time I have oft seen,  
great things and many strange:  
And daily do still more and more,  
as Time doth work a change.  
For Time will soften flint so hard,  
by Time some do aspire,  
To win the thing to please the mind,  
and get their hearts desire.  
And if their hearts Desire be got,  
thank hap and Time therefore:  
If these same two do fail our friends,  
our purpose Gets no more.  
As Time hath brought many full lieu  
that were full high in hap:  
So Time diffused hath their state,  
that Fortune did bewrap.  
She altered hath most Famous things  
that some set up for Fame:  
And did not think of Time I thinks  
when they began the same,  
But thought it should remain for aye  
and Time could not deface:  
Such Monuments as they set up  
to get a goodly grace.  
But sooth to tell, Time with her Time  
can every thing bestow:  
And those that are so high aloft  
she can bring down full low.   

Time is Tickle.    

Of a smiling Countenance beguiling the world.  

A Goodly house that seemeth brave  
and pleasant to the sight,  
With walls set out in goodly form  
and windows trim of light,  
May chance within for to have  
a crack which is unseen,  
And yet the world knows not so much  
nor workman as I ween.  
Even so forsooth such flearing mates  
that show a smiling face:  
I may compare them as before,  
for why? mark well this case.  
Thou sees● them laugh and smile on thee,  
but what doth rest in heart?  
A mock or tawine behind thy back,  
I know some play that part.  
And yet they'll look so faithfully  

A Parasites part.  and seem so true to thee,  
And proffer out such sugared words  
and show such courtesy,  
I mean in this, by speaking fair,  
but not in deeds Perdieu ●  
Wherefore take heed trust not their show  
there may be Treachery.  
An Apple seeming brave t● view,  
may faulty be within:  
And Pewterers may play thee false,  
by putting lead in Tin.  
And he that writes, may place A. H.  
where as A. G. should s●rue:  
But Truth to tell A. F. were best,  
for some do it deserve.  
And under fresh and fragrant Rose  
may lie a loathsome Toad:  
For to infect that flower brave  
by having there abode.  
Wherefore I count them happy sure  
that do not trust the use:  
Of Fickle flattering flearing friends,  
in them doth rest abuse.  
Let these examples put before  
suffice to show the kind,  
Of Truthless troth, which ready is  
in each deceitful mind.   

No Foe to a Flatterer.   

When as occasion moveth,  
To answer it behoveth.   

WHen urgent cause doth move,  
who can withhold his hand:  
The Worm when she is trodden on  
doth seem for to withstand.  
The Owl of ugly hue,  
doth think her birkes are best:  
The miser pincheth at his ●●ast,  
although he bids his guest.  
The winds that rise in skies  
do threaten surges sore:  
And tattling tales do move Debate  
where none was meant before.  
The valiant Champion Stout,  
which hath a Victor's mind:  
Doth think there's none so good as he,  
until by proof he find.  
The fop and fawning fool  
doth like his babble so: 
An old saying: The fool will not leave his Babble for the Tower of London.   
As for the Tower of great price,  
he will not let it go.  
The Scholar young in school,  
may prove a learned Clerk:  
The whelp by Nature's kind we see●  
is given for to bark.  
The Scholar though but young  
hath wrote this verse to those,  
Which pleaseth for to answer him  
in Meeter or in prose.  
But truth for to unfold,  
some love to pr●ttle much:  
And find three faults, yet mend not one,  
yea Min●relles oft be such.  
At every dog which barks,  
if one should throw a stone: 
If one should throw a stone at every Cur that barks, his Arm must needs be weary.   
Perchance in end he would have wished  
to let such Curs alone.   

Hard hap causeth sorrow,  
and breedeth disrest:  
Where grief is not absent  
notes solemn are best.   

LIke as the Carrion crow  
doth cry against the rain?  
So I which do foresee my grief  
begin for to complain.  
Or as the snared Hare,  
lies tumbling in the net:  
So I lie tumbling in my woe,  
which I cannot forget.  
For why, no noisome news  
doth glad the heart of man:  
But doth revoke his pleasures all  
on sorrows for to skan.  
I see how spiteful Care  
doth look out of her bower:  
And Fortune with her smiling face  
beginneth for to lower.  
The misty clouds of grief●  
do dim my clearest sight:  
And hapless hap doth take the place  
to work my deep despite.  
The sweet and pleasant sentes,  
which I was wont to taste:  
Be clean dismissed and put away,  
my pleasures all do waste.  
The fine and flagrant smells,  
which did me recreate:  
Be noisome savours unto me,  
and work me much Debate.  
Sir Phoebus' glistering hue,  
seems nothing in my eyes:  
For why, I weep and spend the day,  
with sorrowing sobs and cries.  
No marvel though I writ,  
with pensive pen in hand:  
No marvel though I wail in deed●,  
when things be rightly skand.  
And mark now which be they,  
that do oppress me most:  
Deride me not, though plain I tell,  
you heads of finest cost.  
Lo thus I do begin,  
they are in number three:  
The first of them, is loss of friends,  
the next discourtesy.  
The third is not believe,  
the spitfullest of all:  
Which grives me more than former two,  
and bitter seems as gall.  
But well, what remedy,  
Plain patience is the best:  
For why by her, we daily see,  
is got most quiet rest.  
What doth it boot the ship.  
to sail against the wind:  
She must abide, for Time and Tide,  
else tarry still behind.  
Or else perchance she drinks,  
for enterprise so bold:  
And lays her ribs in foaming seas,  
of waters wan and cold.  
What doth it eft prevail,  
to strive to reach the sky?  
In my conceit, it were but vain,  
lest some for it do cry.  
Wh●t though that smile words,  
hath led me on the bit?  
Some froward speech shall lose the bond,  
if lucky chance so hit.  
A Proverb long a go,  
tells Fair words makes fools feign:  
Which Sentence tries itself in me,  
the more hath been my pain.  
I stand to try my Chance,  
as Fortune will alotte:  
To see if that she white th●e read,  
or dim it with a blot.  
And if she be so kind,  
to take the blot away:  
Then will I sing, some joyful song,  
in praise of that good day.  
But if that it be so,  
the blot do still remain:  
What remedy but Patience she,  
must medicine be ●or pain:  
But if that spite will spit,  
her spite in furious wise:  
Let all the spites do what they will,  
or what they can surmise.  
For by my Troth I am,  
as the condemned wight:  
Which thinks his ●i●e is past release,  
and void is of delight.  
So I am void of joy,  
yet laugh I with the best:  
And smile it out in pleasant hue,  
as well as do the rest.  
But what of that, I know  
there's many a smiling face:  
Bears heavy heart, in Careful Corpses,  
which causeth their disgrace.   

Some laugh outwardly,  
Yet sorrow inwardly.    

A Glass for Amorous Maidens to look in, friendly framed as a caveat for a light believing Maiden: which she may take as a requisite rebuke, if she modestly meditate the matter.  

FIE, Maiden fie, that Cupid's flames●  
within you so abound:  
To trust the tattling tales of some,  
whose words prove oft unsound?  
Should every knave entice you so,  
to talk with you at will?  
What be your wits so simple now,  
and of such little skill?  
As you can not discern in mind,  
who leads you on the bit?  
Fie, fie for shame, now leave it off  
it is a thing unfit.  
I promise you it grieves me sure,  
because I am your friend:  
That every jacke should talk with you, 
Let jacke be a jacke I pra● you.   
and it is to no end.  
But for to feel and grope your mind,  
and then they laugh in sleeve:  
And say it is a gentle maid,  
how she will men believe.  
Thus do the knaves so cog and foist,  
and count you as a fool:  
And say your wits they be so ●ase,  
as you may go to school.  
Wherefore love no such fleering jacks,  
and give to them no ear:  
And think this lesson to be true,  
which I have written here.  
For well in Time you shall it find,  

Good counsel would not be refused.  to breed in you unrest:  
Wherefore to leave it of at first,  
I think it were the be●t.  
Give not your mind to be enticed,  
to hear each tattling tale,  
Where constant heads do not abide,  
what Hope doth there avail:  
You will not warned be I see,  
until you have a nip:  
You know the horse which draws in cart●  
is ever nigh the whip.  
But when too late, you do repent,  
repentance will not serve:  
Wherefore foresee, in time I warn,  
from folly fond to swerver.  
Take heed I say in time therefore,  
so shall your state be blest:  
And I shall cease, to write so much,  
my pen shall take his rest.    

A praise of friendship.  

OF all the jewels under heaven,  
firm friendship is the best:  
Oh happy man, that finds the same,  
yea twice and double blest.  
A trusty friend is hard to find  
as Sages old do tell:  
But flattering friends attend at hand  
some profit out to smell.  
And when for greediness of gain  
his friend he doth forsake:  
That friendship is not faithful fixed,  
but as the lurking Snake  
Lies hidden up in leaves so green,  
to sting a man unwares:  
Even so a fawning friend is found  
to leave a man in cares.  
But fa●thfull friendship saith to him  
thou dost declare thy kind:  
Thou show'st thy nature and thy mood,  
and eke thy truthless mind.  
O faithful friendship, high in hap  
thou dost no time Dissemble:  
Thou swervest not in time of need,  
though foes could make thee tremble,  
Thou standest like a steady rock,  
though friend be linked in chains:  
And if thou mayst expulse his thralls  
thou thinkest it happy pains.  
And to redress him of his grieves,  
and liberty to get:  
Such i● thy faith and constancy  
as charge no time can let.  
Such is a faithful friend indeed,  
but for a friend by shows:  
He is a friend but flatteringly  
as well his conscience knows.  
A faithful friend is never tried  
till one be near the brink:  
And that his friend is like to fall,  
and i● he then do shrink:  
That friend will bear the name no more  
of faithful friend I say:  
But counted as a fleeting friend  
wherein there is no stay.  
There are many kinds of friends god knows,  
more than I can well name:  
There are friends in words and not in deeds,  
and friends that fail with shame.  
And friends by former promise true  
till stone is rolled on neck:  
And then Good-bye, they cannot stays  
but feed thee with a beck.  
Such is the friendship of this world:  
O Lord a faithful friend,  
Is rare to find, and dainty sure  
to have unto the end.  
For faithful friends were never more  
in scarcity then now:  
Nor never harder for to find,  
to God I make a vow.  
For I myself not long a go,  
by ranging wise did try,  
What seeds were sown in friendship's ground,  
and where the chafed did lie.  
And as the trial tells the truth,  
even so I have found out:  
To settle things within my thought,  
which I tofore did doubt.  
For why? that friend that laughs on thee  
is not a friend in heart:  
But outwardly he seems thy friend  
and inwardly thy smart.  
And sucks thee as the lurking Drone  
which doth beguiled the E●e:  
So he lies lurking in his den  
some spite to work to thee.  
And yet with rauning smiling looks,  
he laughs upon thee so:  
To blear thy eyes, as who should say  
he cannot be thy foe.  
But trust him not for his fair looks,  
ne for his glozing vain:  
But utterly detest such mates,  
as flatter, fleare, and feign.  
The greatest hay that God doth send,  
is faithful friends to have:  
Whose constant stay doth not decline,  
till vital breath deprave.  
Alas some kind of friends I know.  
when state impoverished sore:  
Do scornfully look of that hap,  
and know their friends no more.  
But faithful friendship doth not use  
to fleet and fall away:  
He saith I am a faithful friend,  
and so I mean to stay.  
He doth not say it so in words,  
but deeds approve it true:  
A faithful friend is faithful still,  
as we may daily view.  
Wherefore of faithful friendship here,  
this little Epigram:  
By urgent cause did move my mind,  
and so it hither came.  
And as of it in skilless wise  
I some thing here have said:  
So of just Dealing and Constancy,  
shall somewhat be displayed.  
As I do hope no grudging mind  
shall murmur at the same:  
But if they do, the faults not mine,  
for those that haunt that game,  
Constantly leave, although they know  
they offer open wrong:  
Well what of that, the time shall try  
their trusty truth ere long.  
But this I say, who so doth find  
a friend that is a friend:  
Then use him so as thou mayst have  
his friendship to the end.    

A Praise of Just Dealing.  

TO live in world and not deal just,  
a heinous fault it is:  
A crime which God doth not allow  
to come in seat of bliss.  
For why? to live Deceitfully  
is loathsome in the sight,  
Of sacred God that on high  
a judge of. Prudent might.  
Be just in all thy dealings sure,  
so shalt thou purchase Fame:  
And win the p●aise of every wight,  
as worthy is the same.  
For dealing just doth carry laud  
in thought of honest mind:  
And lauding just willbe allowed,  
as truth hath it assigned.  
Press not among Deceitful mates  
thy honest name to lose:  
Ne leap thou yet in dangerous place  
lest thou thyself dost bruise.  
But leap upright, and serve thou not  
ne lean no more then just:  
For if thou wrongfully be spied  
deceitfully to thrust:  
Then shalt thou lose thy credit quite  
not coming in the place:  
Where as just dealing doth abide,  
but rooted out of race.  
In dealing just thy doings shall  
so prosper and uphold:  
As all the world will lend thee praise,  
on it thou mai●t be bold.  
And God will bless thee in the same,  
and furtherance thee send:  
For who so justly seems to deal,  
doth never God offend.  
For why● the just and honest man,  
his hands are clasped still:  
He takes no bribes for to make good,  
a matter which is ill.  
He saith, if bribes that I should take,  
I do not then deal just:  
I do offend my maker sore,  
of truth confess I must.  
I shall be called unto account,  
before the living God:  
Who dealeth as we give desert,  
his dealing is not odd.  
And if I wre●ch have not dealt just,  
what answer shall I make:  
Oh how can I excuse myself,  
but fault upon me take.  
Thus saith the just and honest man,  
thus pondereth he in mind:  
Thus must it be and thus it is,  
so God hath it assigned.  
And since by him commandment is,  
no lucre for to take:  
My hands they shall be clasped so,  
unjust life none to make.  
I came not of a scrupulous kind,  
lo thus just dealing says:  
Although that I derided be,  
of those that use that ways.  
I do defy them with my heart,  
they shall not lodge with me:  
But be accounted as they are,  
for aught that I can see.  
The righteous m●n doth them exclude,  
and putte● them out of min●e:  
He doth eschew their company,  
he forceth not their kind.  
He saith I am as ill as they,  
if I uphold their state:  
Wherefore with willing heart I swear,  
O Lord I them do hate.  
God let me never live (saith he,)  
unjustly for to deal:  
But grant me grace for justness I  
may unto thee appeal.  
And when I shall yield up my life,  
a just account to make:  
How that with justice I have dealt  
all bribery to forsake.  
For doubt we not, our heavenly God  
hath mercy still in store:  
And hath abundance to supply,  
our want though it were more.  
But God forbidden we should presume,  
upon fond hope in vain:  
It is the way to purchase hell,  
remission none to gain.  
For he that sinneth still in hope,  
offends the holy ghost:  
And he that doth offend that God,  
shall vengeance feel with most.  
For why the sin against that God,  
as Scripture doth declare:  
Is more offensive than the rest:  
So Paul doth witness bear.  
Wherefore God grant we not offend,  
in no respect with will:  
But with a heart unfeignedly  
ask pardon for it still.  
And crave of God, with faithful heart,  
his mercy may us guide:  
That when our life shall yield to death,  
we may with him abide.  
And there to laud thy name with praise,  
which ever shall endure:  
Grant this O Lord for Christ his sake,  
whose blood made us all pure.    

A praise of Constancy  

THe constant wight which doth possess,  
that heavenly gift so rare:  
Is happy sure and blessed of God,  
to have it to his share.  
For constancy is such a gift,  
as doth surmount the rest:  
And much commended for the kind,  
of rareness in the breast.  
To have a ●ickle mind you know,  
it maketh oft Debate:  
And causeth much contentious tricks,  
which Constancy doth hate  
Wherefore I count him happy sure,  
that doth that gift embrace:  
He is much bound to thank the Lord,  
for that his happy case.  
For Constancy is such a gift,  
as sure it doth excel:  
All riotous tricks and wanton toys  
Constancy doth expel.  
For why such bragger's as do run.  
upon their giddy will:  
Are in the end sufficed with pain,  
and have on it their fill●  
And peradventure wish they would,  
their mind had Constant been:  
And not so rashly for to range,  
in their devices thin.  
For Rashness doth no whit prevail,  
when raging winds do b●●●●e:  
The safest way to guide thy ●●●ppe,  
is sail to bear a low.  
Experience tells and makes a proof  
you see the silly snail:  
By stealing steps will get aloft,  
and doth to top prevail.  
When Rashness lieth under foot,  
and crieth O my bone●:  
And doth repent him of his haste,  
with griping grievous groans.  
I may well lay if that he had,  
with Constancy him priest:  
Then Rashness had not caused his hurt,  
to breed his great unrest.  
For Rashness is not Constancy  
but giddiness of brain:  
And misseth staying of his side  
and furthers forth his pain:  
And heapeth more mishaps on head  
then pleasures do abound:  
That getteth giddy brains (I say)  
by Rashness so unsound.  
To be a Constant friend is rare:  
a Constant lover true,  
Deserveth praise among the best  
and worthy is in view.  
In every thing to use this Dame  
me thinks is passing sure:  
And those that do not her inue●●  
have not a life so pure,  
As I would wish (of God) they had  
or eke I had my sel●e:  
For trust me true, the vain of it  
cannot be bought with pelf.  
But God must be the giver (he)  
of such a gift so high:  
As passeth captious head of man,  
in heavens it doth lie.  
And when with earnest zeal we pray,  
God doth us not reject:  
But bends his heavenly ears to hear,  
and hath of us respect.  
Oh heavenly wights that do embrace  
this heavenly gift always:  
No Rash advice doth pass your hands,  
all Illness you do stay.  
But with a mild and modest mind  
you ●oster every doubt:  
And take those chances well in worth  
which time doth bring about.  
What wished hap can better be,  
or what can please you more?  
But for to wish and have at will,  
where plenty is in store.  
This plenteous place, that I do mean,  
is up above in sky:  
It rests in s●ate invisible,  
yea frustrate from the eye.  
Yet not so hard for to attain  
if deeds according be:  
A life well led in Godly fear,  
doth win that place we see.  
●f Anchor hold, and Cable strong,  
be fastened on with faith:  
That hold shall not relent the Hold,  
as holy Scripture saith.  
Wherefore if Constancy be placed  
within thy breast so pure:  
Give laud to God whose heavenly gifts  
for ever shall endure.    

A presumptuous Poesy for Pontifical pates.  

LV●ifer was once an Angel bright,  
And had his room aloft in starry sky:  
But hawt Disdain, did put him thence to flight,  
Thrown down he was as truth doth testify,  
And from an Angel, a Devil now is he:  
Captain of Hell, and ever more shall be.   

Which under him hath a cursed crabbed crew,  
For to torment all such whose due Desert:  
Hath gained the same, most ugly things to view,  
And hath delight to pay their pains with smart.  
The Proud (so vain) is hated for that vice:  
A Deadly Sin disdained of the wise.   

Medusa she, preferred so her Pate,  
Prodigally with Golden lace to bind  
Her hair on head: but mark the final Fate.  
As she had wreathed the same in curious kind:  
Even so the Snakes did wind about her head,  
Tormenting her until that she was dead●   

A right reward for such a proud Pretence ●  
Oh due Desert, rewarded very well,  
Oh Peevish pride, thou art of much offence,  
Thy Guerdon abides in howling hell,  
Where Lucifer chief general of the band,  
Is ready there to shake thee by the hand.   

High jove no doubt will not abide the vain  
Of vaunting heads that glory without cause:  
Which inwardly do seem for to Disdain  
Each simple soul. But stay a while and pause,  
Behold their end, and tell me how they speed,  
And you shall see their good success in deed.    

Written upon the departure of Care.  

AS Cruel Care  
Wear doth away,  
And pinching pains  
Refrains their place,  
And inward woes  
Grows to decay:  
So mirth we ●inde  
Mind to solace.   

The quiet life  
Strife doth refrain,  
When heavy heart  
smart doth endure:  
Then wailing wo●s  
Show out their pain,  
And glad if they  
May find s●me cure.   

We may be bold,  
Cold is delight,  
Where sour sorrow  
borrow doth a room?  
She brings the brain  
Disdain and spite,  
With grief to pass  
As some do doom's.   

Who sadly sets  
Lets not to have  
Most fearful fits  
Wits to a dull.  
Who marks each cares,  
Wears to his grave,  
To Fatal fine  
Resign he will.   

With merriness  
Express thy state:  
And seek for joy  
Annoyed to kill,  
And let thy mind  
find to Probate  
Such mirth as may  
Defray each ill.   

So shalt thou be  
Free from the care  
Of Froward Fate  
Hate to procure.  
Thy mood and mind  
Find shall that state:  
Doubts will appease,  
Ease to endure.   

Care is costly.    

Written upon Chance.  

SOme Times a chance doth chance,  
by chance to please the mind:  
Some times again, a chance doth chance,  
that no such chance we find.  
If luckily there chance  
a chance to thy delight:  
Then I am sure that such a chance,  
is joyful in thy sight.  
If contrary wise a chance,  
do chance to bring thee smart:  
Then I am sure that such a chance,  
is doleful to thy heart.  
Yet must we be content,  
as well in chance of care:  
As we are pleased in chance of mirth,  
or chance that brings no fear.  
For chances have their chance,  
like chances as they be:  
And chance will chance as chance doth please,  
and so much chance for me.  
Who seems to wrest with chance,  
may chance for to repent:  
That chance hath so unkindly chanced.  
to chance to his lament.  
Then is it best Perchance,  
to be content with chance:  
Whether if doth Decrease thy stat●,  
or do thy state advance.  
And ●ith of chance there is  
such chance of tickle state:  
In modest sort receive thy chance,  
as well of mirth as hate.  
For trust me touching chance,  
it chanceth now a days:  
That such as gape for chance of Laude,  
they chance upon Dispraise.    

It is a difficult matter to please many.  

HOw should a man his usage frame?  
to please each kind of wight,  
The froward and the fickle friend,  
I see he takes delight.  
In overthwarting of the use,  
of those he doth not love:  
For where Affection is not firm,  
what will not malice move.  
Let one endeavour what he can,  
to satisfy their vain:  
Yet shall he have behind his back,  
some speech to his disdain.  
The more a man is moved to show,  
some favour for his friend:  
The more he seemeth to be quoy,  
and faileth in the end.  
what hap more heard then sue and serve,  
and yet to want good will:  
What pain more pinching to the mind,  
then wronged, yet doth no ill.  
What grief more great then secretly,  
to be exclamed upon:  
What hell more hateful than untruth  
where faithfulness is gone.  
What folly more than fleare and faun,  
yet altogether feigning:  
What Deed more Devilish then Despite,  
and always still Disdaining.  
From such as do frequent the same●  
the Lord my friend defend:  
And eke convert the fond intent,  
of those that do offend.    

Yatis his song written presently after his coming from London.  

Why should I laugh without a cause?  
Or why should I so long time pause?  
My hateful haps for to declare,  
Sith Cruel! causes breeds my Care,  
And Devilish Disdain within my breast,  
Molesteth me with great unrest?  
Agree I must to Froward Fate  
And be content with this my state:  
Hoping in end all may be well,  
For proverbs old thus doth us tell.   

The Rolling stone, doth get no moss:  
The ranger much doth nought but toss,  
In places fit for madding minds,  
Till youthful years the folly finds.  
But when that Age doth call them back,  
And youthful tricks do find the lack:  
Then do we think our youth ill spent,  
Which in our Age we do repent.  
But such is youth, and youthful toys,  
To follow fickle foolish joys.   

How Fortune turns, we need not Muse,  
For daily we may see in use,  
How some are in great favour cast●  
Yet in the end are out at last.  
And small account of them is made,  
Such is the guise of Fortune's trade:  
To place aloft, and to bring low,  
Even as her favour seems to grow.  
For who so marks shall see in deed,  
Fortune to fail when most they need.   

Content is best to please the mind  
By seeking yet some men do find.  
By crouching low, to hy estates,  
Is good for ●o avoid their hates:  
But he that hath so stubborn heart,  
As wilful will, will not convert:  
He is not wise in my conceit,  
So much to stand in foolish sleight.  
The bowing Reed withstands the blast,  
When stubborn oak is overcast.   

If in this world we mean to live,  
Such courteous speech than we mu●● give,  
As we may win the hearts of those,  
Which otherwise would be our foes,  
For smile looks do not avail,  
When friendship favour seems to quail.  
The want whereof, doth us molest,  
With pinching pangs in private breast.  
Yet from our heart let us require,  
We may have patience in our ire.   

To pleasure such as we are bound,  
That unto them our hearies be sound.  
And that no feigned speech be heard,  
Lest all our doings so be marred.  
For smiling looks and hollow hearts,  
Be often times the cause of smarts.  
But we must needs commend of Right,  
All such as in the truth delight.  
And say from heart and so consent,  
It is a heaven to be content.    

Of wailing, and not prevailing.  

I Wailing,  
Yet not prevailing,  
In sorrow sailing,  
alas, I mourn:  
Such is the spite  
To dim delight  
In me poor wight,  
almost forlorn.   

But God of grace  
Grant me solace  
Within short space,  
to ease my grief:  
And send release  
Where woes increase,  
I cannot cease  
to crave relief.   

For if the heart  
Feels inward smart  
Without Desert  
Death it desires:  
The grief of mind  
Much woe doth find  
Their life resigned,  
So some requires.    

A Sonnet declaring what infortunate chances do happen by trusting to the slippery stone.  

I Climbed aloft and thought not of my fall,  
For slippery sto●e alas did me beguiled:  
I fell so hard upon the hardy hall,  
As breathe from Corpses was almost clean exiled.  
Lo, what it is to yield to wanton will,  
Whose want of wit to sorrow proves at last:  
Who would a●spire may wish he had sat still,  
And so avoid perchance an over cast.  
Yet youthful toys of giddy youth are such,  
Not for to care until the present time  
That grief they feel, and then lament they much,  
That fond they so Rashly seemed to climb:  
Wherefore the mean, who so observes in breast,  
Shall surely see he wins a quiet rest.    

A Sonnet of a slanderous tongue.  

OF all the plagues that rain on mortal wights,  
Yet is there none like to a slanderous tongue:  
Which brings Debate, and fills each heart with spites,  
And Enemy is, aswell to old as young●  
In my conceit they do more hurt I swear  
Then stinking Toads that loathsome are to sight:  
For why? such tongues cannot conceal and bear,  
But utter forth that which works most Despite.  
They do more hurt, then ca●ting Mooles in mead,  
Which do turn up the black earth on the green:  
Their poisoned speech doth serve in little stead,  
They practise spite, as daily it is seen.  
O Lord I pray from singleness of heart,  
Such slanderous tongues; reform, and eke convert.    

Written at the Request of E. L. Unto F. S. which he had Selected for his Mistress.  

IF I a Poet were, or that vain I could find,  
I would declare some part of simple skill:  
To show abroad the lowly courteous kind,  
Which seems to be within my Mistress will.  
Accepting so my service in good part,  
Although as yet it is not my Desert.   

But lo, as Time I say, each thing doth try,  
Even so shall Time declare I will not swerver:  
But always will my service so apply,  
As that I may your favour still deserve,  
Which is the thing I chiefly do Desire,  
No worldly wealth at your hands I require.   

And as you find my service to be true:  
So I do trust your favour shall remain,  
Which taketh joy your presence for to view,  
And glad if I through Diligence may gain  
The loving countenance of your friendly face,  
Which glads my mind, and ye●ld●s my heart solace.   

You courteously did yield to my request,  
And gave me leave you Mistress for to call:  
Which thing to praise, my pen shall do his best,  
Although my skill unable be, and small.  
But Ladies all, a praise you may assign,  
Yea and give place unto this Mistress mine.   

And if you be desirous for to know  
My Mistress name, or eke Sir what she is:  
Her Christian name gins with F. (I trow,  
Her surname. S. or else I am amiss.  
But I will swear and vow Permafoy,  
She is as fair, as was Hellina of Troy.   

Alas my pen unable is to write  
The virtues all that seem in her to be.  
Oh mighty jove which yieldest heavenly light,  
Grant her long time her happy days to see.  
And though my verse be not framed as the best,  
Yet I am hers, and so I mean to rest.   

Still and will:  
Till death me kill.    

The Careful Complaint of a Dolorous Dame.  

YOu Virgins pure of heart, come mourn in doleful wise,  
Help me to sing this heavy song, let plaints ascend the skies.  
Oh pity you my hap, that now doth live in thrall,  
Who erst tofore was void of it & played with pleasures ball●  
But those which once were well, and could not thereof see●  
Must taste some sorrow for their mirth, and so it is with me.   

The fall of stately Troy, did not so much men grieve,  
As doth the fall of my good ●ap in thraldom now to live.  
Nor yet the AEtna hills burns not more worse with fire:  
Then I do burn in flames of fear, yet void of my Desire.  
Wherefore Oh wail with me, Oh wail you worthy Dames,  
Desire o● God I may have help to quench my fretting flames.   

Oh if I had the skill of Dedalus his art,  
With wings I would devise to fly to void me of this smart.  
Or if that I could rule, as juno (Goddess she:)  
Then would I make them feel of grief, that so agreeveth me.  
But since it may not be, I waste my life in tears,  
With soaking sighs I spend the day, and so my life it wears.   

If pity planted were, within his cruel breast,  
Then he might soon redress my grieves and yield me quiet rest.  
He cancel can my cares, he can enforce my joy,  
He may surcease all these my wrongs which breeds my great Annoy,  
But where as boisterous Winds, do bear such force & sway  
It is in vain to hoist your sail lest that the ship decay.   

You know the sailing ship must tarry wind and tide,  
She can not sail, why then no doubt of force she must abide:  
So I that would feign go, do want a right release,  
Wherefore I see I must abide though sorrows do increase.  
My joys they vade away, and whither doth my will,  
The greenness of my young delights, is fear with inward ill.   

Well, well, what remedy, sith chances so do fall,  
But Patiently them for to bear, and be content withal.  
Yet still I hope the best, though present help I want,  
For why? it rests in jove his power some pleasure for to plant  
Within my bruised breast, that almost is consumed,  
With greedy grief, and cruel care, that hath me so perfumed.   

Care is costly.    

An Epitaph upon the death of Master Poolies' wife of Badly.  

YOu Dames leave off your bootless tears,  
Whose vain complaints can do no good,  
Since cruel Death hath forced your fears,  
And strooken such a noble blood.  
And though you wail and weep your fill,  
Yet you can not revive your will.   

For if high jove doth so permit,  
That dreadful Death shall strike with dart,  
It is in vain to mourn for it,  
Sith he can joy, and he can smart:  
He can grant life, he can grant death's  
He can bereave each Prince of breath.   

This worthy Matron wrapped in clay,  
Was wise to Master Pooly she:  

She was sister unto my Lady Wentworth.  Whose noble race for to display,  
My wit unable is I see.  
Alas my pen is nothing rife,  
For to Declare her virtuous life.   

Wherefore 'ttwere vain to pen her praise,  
Sith it abroad in world is known.  
Alas, that death did end her days,  
And hath her life so overthrown.  
Wherefore to mourn, it is in vain,  
Since you no more her can attain.    

Given unto Mistress F. W. when she Went to wait.  

TO wait on Noble Dames,  
much attendance it doth craue●  
And searcheth out in each respect,  
the service that you haus.  
Attendance you must dance,  
in chamber all the day:  
And not to walk abroad in fields,  
if truth Report doth say.  
Except my Lady go,  
than you must wait on her:  
Or else to keep the chamber still,  
and not abroad to stir.  
And when she plays at cards,  
down kneel you must on knees:  
An so to ●it there all the Time,  
until she win or lose.  
Oh God this is no life,  
of Pleasure as I think:  
To wait in chamber all the day,  
till sleep do make you wink.  
But Peradventure you  
do think Preferment there:  
Will hoist you up to be aloft,  
and set you void of care.  
I do not I, say nay,  
for it is like to be:  
And I as glad as any one,  
that happy day to see.  
Thus gentle Mistress mine,  
The Gods keep you in rest:  
And grant such pleasures to abound,  
as sorrows not molest.    

Of one who had viciously spent his Patrimony.  

IF shrieking plaints of bitter breast,  
may pierce the lofti● sky:  
Or heavy haps of Fortune's lore,  
that happen so awry:  
Then come draw ny, good minded wills,  
and mark this mournful verse:  
Lend willing ears to hear short tale,  
the which I shall rehearse.  
It chanced so by wanton will,  
a man that was in Prime:  
Whose witless race, did not regard,  
for substance of his time●  
But vainly he did spend his wealth,  
in hugling pleasures sweet:  
Yea not regarding honest lore,  
ne sober life discreet.  
He was worth thousands by report,  
this man in London soil:  
Who there doth spend, his doleful days,  
ashamed of his foil.  
His younger Brother now is come,  
by taking honest Pain:  
For to disspend by land a year,  
an hundred pound certain.  
Oh Shameless Savage elder thou,  
what shame falls to thy share:  
Sweet minching Dames have pulled thee so,  
as clothes are scant to wear.   

Happy is he whom other men's harms do make to beware.    

The wounded wight thus complaineth.  

NO joy I feèle since care doth gripe my heart,  
No hapless hap, could happen more amiss:  
Then for to live in place of fear and smart,  
And spend my days where as no pleasure is.  
Such is the hap I see for me assigned,  
And for such hap, I wish my life resigned.   

I being well and void quite of this snare,  
Can not take heed, but headlong run therein,  
Must for such haste, content myself with care,  
And take my hap, sith I did it begin.  
For where I was, I lived and was well eased,  
Yet not content, my mind was not so pleasded,   

If I were there, and absent from this place,  
I do believe, I would not fast return:  
Sith I do feel my coming works disgrace  
Within my mind, and makes my heart to burn.  
As pleasant springs, which springe in others soil  
Must quench the heat, which in my breast doth boil.   

Unto which springs, God grant I may repair  
To cool my heat, and set my heart at rest:  
To ease this mind, now dying in Despair,  
And help to joy my heart which is oppressed.  
I crave this sum, with wet and watery eyes  
With soaking sighs, and shrieking voice to skies.   

'tis wisdom some do tell,  
To know when we are well:  
And so to rest Content,  
Lest that we do repent.    

Not Beauty but Bounty.  

THe Prime of years delights in Beauty's blaze,  
And much esteems the seemly show thereof:  
The pleasant hue enforceth many a gaze,  
To feed the eye on Dames, that love to scoff.  
But who can tell what gain such Fancy breeds,  
Or what reward for due Desert they get.  
With fruitful grain, we see there comes up weeds,  
And gazing eyes are soon over set.  
Yet truth to tell, it is a bait Perdieu ●  
Which doth entice the wisest wights of all:  
For well we see, experience doth not lie,  
They ready are to come when so they call.  
But I must say, though Beauty likes it least,  
Dame Bounty sure, in my conceit is best.   

Dame Bounty sure in my conceit is best,  
And so of truth I may uphold for true:  
For Beauty serves for to entice a guest  
To spend his Coin, as well some do it view●  
When Bounty bids expense ●o shut his door,  
And opens hers for to prepare with spe●de,  
With liberal hand to give unto the poor  
And meanest souls, which stand in greates●●eede.  
Doth Beauty so? no, no, I think not much,  
For all is scant to prank her up in pride:  
Some vain Desires we see are always such,  
To have delight in bravery to abide.  
To shine in show like Phoebus' beams so bright,  
Which solace sends to every worldly wight.   

Which solace sends to every worldly wight,  
And yet perchance great ruth thereby doth fall:  
Some foolish fond will drink their own Despite,  
That proves in taste as bitter as the gall.  
But let such mates as meddle in that lore,  
Abide the smar●, and feel the worst for me:  
Yet some are grieved to see what grief therefore,  
Is got unwares, a mean to misery.  
For trust me true, who more esteems the hue  
Of Beauty's badge, than Bounties liberal hand:  
Hath not the hap that Good luck might renews  
Nor half the skill the case to understand.  
Nor yet doth see the charge, the coil and cost,  
That Beauty brings, yet in the end is lost.   

That Beauty brings, yet in the end is lost.  
O Lord why then do worldlings so delight  
In that which is aswell a Care as Lost,  
The gain they got, a simple clerk may wright.  
Oh Bounty thou, that Bountifully dost give  
Of cost full free, and never dost repine:  
Poor Simple I, am thine while I do live,  
Fall back, fall edge till Fall my Fatal fine ●  
I will remain thy servant ready priest,  
Yea ready sure at thy command to be●  
Though Beauty blaze, yet Bounty is the best,  
And liked of for liberality.  
Bounty doth give when Beauty doth retain,  
To Prank herself with Pride, that is but vaine●   

To Prank herself with Pride, that is but vain.  
For that's the way ●or to maintain her gloss:  
What forceth she though others feel the pain,  
She sure is, the tasteth of no loss.  
Doth Bounty bind her Bounteous liberal hand,  
Or doth she force of coin to keep in store?  
No, no in deed, if truth be justly skand,  
She rather lets it fly at lose the more●  
The Bounteous Dame esteemeth not the shows  
Of Beauty's blaze, that glistereth to the eye:  
Some say Deceit doth rest therein they know,  
Experience tells, and trial doth it try.  
Wherefore to say now as my Theme doth move,  
Not Beauty sure, but Bounty I do prove.   

Not Beauty sure, but Bounty I do prove.  
In this respect perchance I ●hall offend  
T●e Beautiful Dame, to malice I shall moue●  
Because I seem her for to discommend,  
And do prefer Dame Bounty in her place,  
But bear with me my Theme pertains thereto  
You gallant Dames whose hue Declares your grace●  
Conceive no ill for writing as I doe●  
For of my truth, if Theme had thus been saide●  
Not Bounty Sir, but Beauty bears the bell:  
I must have then her praise at full displa●d,  
To write wherein Dame Beauty doth excel.  
I hope I have no Courteous Dame offended,  
For God doth know I never so intended.    

A presumption of the Courtesy of Fortune.  

THough Fortune frown, & look with lowering face  
Upon my state to move me to despite;  
Though she oft seem to gall me with Disgrace,  
And is the cause of dimming my delight:  
Yet I presume, as she doth work annoy,  
In doubl● wise she can advance my joy.   

And though I am thus spent with pensive breast,  
Constrained to lodge the looks of lowering hue  
In sullen soil, although enforced to rest,  
And kep● in place where sorrow doth renew:  
Yet as the bird doth joy at her release,  
So will I joy when cares begin to cease.   

No wight I know but subject is to Fate,  
Sith Destiny from birth ordains it so:  
What happy wight that never feeleth hate,  
Or finds the place where Pleasure still doth flow.  
Which place confused hath ever been to me,  
And still refrained that pleasant place to see.   

Before my eyes I view great heaps of hap,  
Which big do seem, and yet I take n● hold:  
I see how some are lulled in Fortune's lap,  
And wrapped warm for ●eare of catching cold.  
But I at large unbraced am, you see,  
And open lie to take in Misery.   

Well, as I said, I do presume on this,  
That Fortune's face at length will change her frown:  
And all such cares from me she may dismiss,  
Which heretofore my pleasant state did drown  
In wretched waves, which moved me to mourn,  
And often say: fie of that life forlorn.    

Of Hope.  

TO live in Hope is help,  
But Hope which feeds too long:  
And brings no help vn●ll Distress,  
Is rooted in among.  
¶ Then fie of linger Hope,  
That feeds our fancy so:  
Yea fie ●f Hope again I say,  
When Hope brings help to wo.  
¶ I hope, I hope in deed,  
I hope what may befall:  
I hope perchance more than is cause,  
'tis that which marreth all.  
¶ Yet such are musing minds,  
To make of Hope a God:  
Which say we Hope all shall be well,  
And nothing shall be odd.  
¶ But ah, that helpless Hope,  
'tis that which I do blame:  
Which hateth help, and heapeth woe,  
Oh fie on that for shame.  
¶ Yet ●till to Hope some be,  
In bondage and in thrall:  
By whom they Hope for to have helpe●  
When so it doth befall.   

Hope is help.    

Of a happy exchange.  

Leave of to muse my friends,  
for to behold my state:  
I lived once in deep Disdain,  
my heart did burn in hate.  
The tedious toiling time,  
of my turmoiling days:  
Brought sorrow inwardly to 〈◊〉  
wh●●●●●ttes a thousand ways,  
M●le●te● so my mind,  
bereft s● my rest:  
As often times I did account,  
myself to be unblessed.  
And pondering with myself,  
how usual constraint:  
In●orced me to seek some mea●●,  
my grieves for to depaint.  
Then see how ●ortune ●on●,  
for me did put in ●re:  
A ●aling out not by Desert,  
for me she did procure.  
Whereby I had just cause,  
each thing considered right,  
To shake off bells whose sound w●● 〈◊〉,  
and prove another flight.  
And see if that I could,  
provide so for my ill:  
As that contempt of my conceit,  
did not offend me still.  
Not like the mounting Dorre,  
which buzzeth up on hy:  
And falleth Down (an h●mely ta●●)  
and all to be, doth lie.  
For some do change in hope,  
of better hap and place:  
Yet find it works such is ill luck,  
a lamentable case.  
But I may vaunt and say,  
more than I could before:  
I have my pleasure but too much,  
and what doth youth wish more.  
Some profit eke withal,  
is matched for her mate:  
The countenance of cheerful hue,  
me thinks doth bless by state.  
The quietness of mind,  
the fearful fear excluded:  
The fond surmises of my head,  
with odious oaths deluded.  
So much doth me rejoice,  
that all things past and done:  
As to myself oft times I say,  
me thinks I heaven have won.  
For those which always have,  
been penned in private pain:  
When as they have release thereof,  
they double think their gain.  
Lo thus I do conclude,  
in this my skilless style:  
And thank the Lord whose goodness great,  
hath helped my exile.    

Of the mutability of this world.  

OH wavering world, unconstant and unkind.  
Oh drudge to droyle and drivel to the mind.  
Oh toil, oh pain, oh how by travel tossed:  
Oh waves of woe, that work so for the most.  
Oh hard to please, and ready to offend,  
Oh quick to sin, and slowly to amend.  
Oh prompt to speak, our friend for to disease,  
Oh slack to help, but quickly to displease.  
Oh ears to hear each tattling tale us brought,  
Oh tongue to taunt whereby is mischief wrought.  
Oh gruppilouse minds desirous to have gain,  
Oh hazards hard, which harbours in the brain.  
Oh how we are by ●ickle Fancy led,  
Oh how we seek to have our humour fed.  
Oh how we hark and listen unto tales,  
Oh ignorance, how she brings us unto bales.  
Oh how we sigh, when as we feel the smart,  
Oh how before we think not of that part.  
Oh how this world, by mutability,  
Doth often change and brings much misery.   

Many worldlings be wilful.    

It is a vain thing to molest the mind with fortune's Inconstancy.  

MUse not a whit, though Fortune frown,  
And turn thy joy unto despite:  
She setteth up, she pulleth down,  
She moveth care, she brings delight.  
Thus to and ●ro  
this Dame doth tosse●  
To overthrow  
Our wealth to loss   

From wealth to loss, is cause of grief,  
And cause of grief procures pain:  
And pain is that would have relief,  
And where ●eliefe, doth still refrain.  
What think you th●,  
Some sigh and say:  
Oh fie on woe,  
And woeful stay.   

And woeful stay, that only is,  
The wretched wringer of the wit:  
The thing that life would ●aine Dismiss,  
If jove would so allow of it.  
Where Reason fails,  
And Will is judge:  
What then Prevails,  
But Wrath and Grudge.   

But wrath and grudge? what life is that,  
Who would Desire there to be?  
The silly Mouse doth dread the Cat,  
Because she fears her Cruelty:  
Even so annoys  
Which daily grow:  
Bereaves the joys  
Of some I know.   

Of some I know, that daily fa●●  
The sour sauce of sorrows still:  
And yet with grief they take repast,  
And make a mirth of every ill.  
For that's the way,  
As wisdom shows:  
For to allay  
Dame Fortune's blows.   

Dame Fortune's blows which coopled are  
With overthwartes that glut the mind:  
And in the stomach make such war,  
As life doth wish it were Resigned.  
Yet only this  
Remembering still:  
A time there is  
To end all ill.    

He being very sick, and finding great courtesy at his betters hands, thereupon writeth.  

LEt truth Report, what Trial finds,  
Conceal no praise where it is due:  
Be bold to laud such courteous minds,  
As that disdain not for to view,  
As well the simple as the best,  
With sickness when they be oppressed.   

Not like the Proud Ambition's wights  
Which scorn the simple for their race:  
Where wisdom guides, there are no sights,  
For molestie supplies the place,  
And pity pricks their ruthful eyes,  
To pity him in cares that lies.   

And Doubtless sure for their reward,  
High jove some heavenly hap will send:  
Besides, their Fame, which is Preferred  
Throughout the soil where life doth lend.  
And for my part while life doth well,  
I will not let the same to tell.   

As knoweth God  
Which sits on high:  
Who every secret thought  
Doth spy.  
If I dissemble  
Or do feign,  
God graun● good hap  
I near attain.    

A Question unto true Meaning.  

WHere hast thou been so long,  
Truemeaning to me tell?  
Abroad in world to seek and search  
where Faithfulness doth dwell.  
What hast thou found him out,  
and where he keeps his hold?  
I, He keeps a marish place,  
that is both moist and cold.  
Who bringeth him his food?  
firm friends which never fail:  
And what is that they bring to him?  
Plain proof, which shall prevail.  
Why doth he keep away?  
because men should him crave:  
He saith that few now Desire  
his company to have.  
Who is the cause thereof?  
Dissembling deep delight:  
Who doth allure the minds of men  
to swerver from faithful right.  
And doth Dissembling drive  
Firm faithfulness away?  
I. I. Truemeaning marks it well,  
he seethe it every day.  
Let Flearing flattery faun,  
Truemeaning is but plain:  
Yet Truemeaning and faithfulness  
were never found to feign.  
Truemeaning cannot gloze,  
ne Faithfulness deceive:  
Wherefore Truemeaning and Faithfulness  
of Dissembling take their leave.    

Written unto Master S. H.  

IF wealth agreed unto my willing mind,  
To gratify you as I do Desire:  
Then trust me true some present you should find  
For recompense, but this I you require,  
For to accept these verses here in place,  
Which simple be, and worthless in their grace.   

I cannot choose exaction moving me,  
But writ I must, yet briefly I intent:  
I am Disposed (belike) that you should see  
A few verses which I do commend  
To your construction, uprightly for to Deem:  
Then courteously see that you them esteem.   

It were a fault to flatter with a friend.  
A fault, nay sure a villainy, that's more:  
Where Trusty troth abids not to the end,  
Nor promise kept, as it was made before.  
If breach thereof be proved, than I say,  
Such well deserve to be ●ut from the way.   

Where faithful friendship walketh void of  
And firmness fixed, fond flattery to reject: (guile  
And Deep dissembling, with her glozing style  
Is put apart, where Trust doth whole protect.  
Which Trust God grant until our days do end●  
Trusty to be, unto a faithful friend.   

No foe to a flatterer.    

A fancy upon fortune  

SIth Fortune doth assign,  
My joys they shall untwine,  
And cares they shall combine,  
I must contented stand:  
Sith that she is my foe,  
Good luck to overthrow,  
And hapless hap to show,  
I take it at her band.   

I take it at her hand,  
Perforce than I must stand,  
For to abide her band,  
Until she me release:  
Her subject and her thralled,  
Her vassal at her call,  
Her innocent and all,  
So must I hold my peace.   

Though wrong I do sustain,  
Alas it is in vain  
For me for to complain,  
When Fortune knits her face:  
But bear it well in heart,  
Although it be a smart,  
In faith without Desert,  
More grievous is my case.   

But God that sits on hy,  
And guides the cloudy sky,  
And doth each secret spy,  
Respect this ruthful tale.  
Remember those in care,  
Whose back is feign to bare,  
Until their eyes do stare,  
And yet they not avail.   

How long will Fortune fret,  
How long shall I thus set,  
How long shall sorrows get,  
For to bereave my joy?  
How long shall pleasure stay,  
How long shall mirth delay,  
How long shall I thus sway,  
In depth of mine annoy?   

Will Fortune never smile,  
Will Fortune wrong compile,  
Will Fortune still exile?  
O now I hope and trust,  
That fortune will me pleasure,  
Though not with wit or treasure,  
But quiet life and leisure,  
Lo thus I hope and must.    

A vow prefixed.  

AS tract of Time, doth try each trade●  
And Trial doth disclose the truth,  
And truth is seen where proof is made,  
And proof explaineth joy or ruth:  
So modest mind is bend to bear,  
The mirth, the moan, the w● and care,   

The mirth w● easily can uphold,  
The more indifferently to taste:  
The woe is neither ho●e nor cold,  
The cares be as the cause is placed.  
Lo one my friend, and three my foes,  
My pensive pen doth new disclose.   

To take each chance and act upright,  
To hear● each speech that shall be told:  
To laugh when cause is of delight,  
To smile when Fancy things behold.  
Thus to behave and frame thy mind,  
Shall make thee see when some are blind.   

The silly soul that droils in dirt,  
And drinks the dregs of deep Disdain:  
Whose simple mind doth think no hurt,  
By Patience doth experience gain:  
And closely doth convey a smile,  
To cheer his mind, between each while.   

Thus neither for to fear the brunt,  
Nor yet to care for too much toil:  
But patiently to take thy wont,  
Till tract of Time do give the ●oyle.  
And like as trees their Blossoms shed,  
So cares be past when man is deade●   

Patience is profitable.    

A quiet life is sure a world of wealth, A mean to mirth, a preparative for health.  

WHat's that hath cha unged thy state, my friend to me declare,  
What's that hath eased thy fear and toils of former trade,  
What's that which makes thee now at liberty from care?  
Doth pleasure now possess the place, which grief did once invade?  
No, 'tis a quiet life, whi●h is the world of wealth,  
A mean to move us unto mirth, a preparative to health●   

For where Dissension digs, there Sorrow sows her s●ede●,  
Where fearfulness is found, there pleasantness is void:  
Where soaking sighs be sunk: what passions then it breeds,  
I me report to those, which be with those extremes anoy'd.  
For sure ● quiet life is even the world of wealth,  
A mean to move us unto mirth, & preparative to health.   

The heart which haunted is, with daily dreadful doubts,  
Is in a prison penned in pain, procuring still unrest:  
And when their happens joy, 'tis deemed for Fortune's flouts,  
As oft it is her property slily to smile and jest.  
But sure a quiet life is even a world of wealth,  
A mean to move us unto mirth, a preparative to health.   

The shepherd poor and base, amidst his flock of sheep,  
Is joyful for to see, his number safe an● well:  
He eats with merry cheer, and joyfully doth sleep,  
He thinks that trade of life, doth others far excell●  
For sure a quiet life, is even the world of wealth,  
A mean to move us unto mirth, a preparative to health.   

What booteth Midas muck, where Nero is at hand,  
Whose pining trad● doth rear but ruthful rage,  
Is there a quiet life, how might one understand?  
No, no, it is a hateful hap until it doth assuage.  
But sure a quiet life, I count the world of wealth,  
A mean to move us unto mirth, a preparative to health.   

To live in quiet state, each Godly mind Desires,  
To sue and serve the Lord his gifts of grace to gain:  
To ask his heavenly help, 'tis most that some requires,  
To way the worldly woes, is but a mean to pain.  
Then sure a quiet life, I deem the world of wealth,  
A m●ane to move us unto mirth, a preparative to health.    

His farewell to Fear.  

FArewell Fond Fear which did my mind dismay,  
Whose peevish pangaes procured my private pain:  
The soaking sighs thou didst in stomach lay,  
Oft caused my mind to construe of disdain.  
But since I see that thou didst me deceive,  
Fond Fear farewell, of thee I take my le●ue.   

I feared thee Fear, and why? because I hil●d  
Thy fearful fits as Master of my mind:  
I stood in awe to do what so thou willed,  
And was content to stoop unto thy kind.  
But since I see that thou didst me deceive,  
Fond Fear farewell, of thee I take my leaue●   

Yet God forbidden true fear I should exempt:  
The fear of God before mine eyes to be,  
If I neglect, I count it but contempt,  
A graceless gift, from sin it were not free.  
But when I saw Fond Fear did me deceive,  
Fond Fear farewell, of thee I take my leave.   

What lingering life led I with doubtful days,  
What heavy haps by thee were brought to pass:  
I feared thee Fear in hope to purchase praise,  
But when I saw thy truth like tickle glass,  
Then quoth I thus thou shalt not me deceive,  
Fond fear farewell, of thee I take my leave.   

God grant to those, with whom Fond Fear will be,  
A patiented mind to suffer all their Ills:  
That Hope may help, and Comfort let them see:  
And Time may turn the world unto their willes●  
But I say still, since Fear did me deceive,  
Fond Fear farewell, of thee I take my leave.    

Of the burning of the ears.  

IF Talls so often told,  
may move us to believe,  
That truth of force in them doth rest:  
then let it not me grieve,  
That I do credit give  
unto the saying old:  
Which is, when as the ears do burn●,  
some thing on thee is told.  
Then trust me now for true,  
in me it is approved:  
For why, my ears have burnt so hot  
as I thereby am moved,  
To write as hear you see,  
for to foreshow my case:  
That unto fables fond and vain,  
our nature giveth place.  
For if the right ear burn,  
than thus the saying is:  
No good on thee that time they speake●  
but sure how true it is,  
I leave it for to judge,  
to those that know the same:  
For if I intermeddle far,  
I shall but purchase blame.  
Well, when the left ear burns,  
then do they speak thee good:  
But surely I count them both  
a tale of Robin hood.  
Believe them who that list:  
for I will leave the same,  
To him which is the righteous judge,  
and Prince of peerless Fame.    

A sorrowful Libel Exhibited to I●ue.  

OH mighty jove, whose power is infinite,  
Which can release each captain bound in thrall:  
Vouchsafe O God, to hear me which lament,  
And send redress to ease me of this gall.  
Let me not thus in thraldom still be bound,  
Since thou art he can ease me of my wound:  
But send me help from heavenly throne above,  
Where thou hast store,  
For grief much more,  
If that thou please from me it to remove.   

I do confess Oh God withal my heart,  
I have deserved this grief, though it were more:  
Yet I do hope thou wilt release my smart,  
And ease my thrall which grieveth me so sore.  
Have mercy Lord, for all my sinful lore.  
The Righteous man doth often times transgress,  
As still I do (O Lord) I do confess:  
Yet this I hope, thou wilt not have respect  
Unto my Sins  
Which never lins,  
Nor holy Lord thy vassal to reject.   

Send liberty O Lord, when thou shalt please  
Unto me now a wretch all wrapped in woe,  
And grant Good Lord unto me now some ease,  
Oh hear me Lord, for now my grief is so,  
As it is thou must make it from me go,  
Or else my life will soon be laid in grave,  
Which dolour (she) would gladly so it have.  
Yet Lord of help, let help extend a pace,  
And grant relieve  
To ease my grief,  
For Lord I rest in lamentable case.