The most wonderful and pleasant History of Titus and Gisippus, whereby is fully declared the figure of perfect friendship, drawn into English metre.  
By Edward Lewicke.  
Anno. 1562.  

aristotel.  
friendship is a virtue, 
Aristo,   
For all men to take hold,  
Frendshypp joined with virtue,  
Passeth silver and gold.   

As fire and heat 
Seneca.   
Are in separable alway  
So are the hearts of friends  
From day to day.    


THere was in the city of Rome,  
A noble man hight fulnius:  
A Senator of great wisdom,  
One of the chiefest the truth is thus.  
He had a son named Titus,  
An apt child could not be found,  
(As witty men did their discus)  
For learning, going on the ground.   

Fulnius love did so abound,  
To Titus for his native grace:  
That to athens he sent him round,  
Because he should learning embrace.  
Whereof Athenes was the best place.  
With one Chremes, Titus did host,  
Who had a son so like of face  
To Titus that Chremes 〈◊〉.   

Knew not his son, his mark was lost?  
For their statures and age were one,  
Their garments both a like did cost,  
On all the earth lo there were none:  
So like of beauty blood and bone.  
Gysippus height Chrimes sons name:  
Together still would they have gone,  
To school, to meals, to play or game.   

Their wills & wits both, like did frame,  
In ove doctrine they did delight,  
What one did tone, the very same,  
The other loved with all his might,  
In learning they were justly pight,  
For yer that they much time did spend,  
In Athenes was not many a wight,  
Would in learning with them contend●.   

At last when God by death did send,  
For Chremes, in his ancient age,  
Gysippus goods was without end,  
He was of noble parentage,  
And eke a proper parsonage:  
Wherefore his friends did him allure,  
And still provoke to marriage,  
Saying thereby you may be sure.   

Your progeny shall long endure,  
To your great honour and comfort,  
Thus daily they did him procure.  
But Gisippus (for to be short,)  
To their counsel would not resort:  
For he was wedded to study,  
Philosophy was all his sport,  
Except Titus, his friend onelse:   

Whom he so loved, that (well nigh)  
For other things he did not care.  
Titus also (a good cause why)  
Would for Gisippus his life spare,  
Such friendship hath been seen but rare.  
Gisippus fearing that a wife,  
Should cause their friendship soon to ware,  
Which he had liefer lose his life.   

Then with his friend to fall at strife:  
Fearing left through marriage also,  
Which caused him to be penife,  
Philosophy he should forego,  
(And leave his school alas for woe)  
Which thoughts made him for to abstain  
As much as in him lay to do,  
His kinsemens' advise to refrain.   

But yet they did him so constrain,  
By calling on so importaunt,  
That needs he must (though to his pain  
Seing they cried incessant)  
To all their requests throughlie grant:  
Titus also did him desire,  
That he would not be repugnant,  
But do as they did him require.   

Or else said he their fervent ire,  
Against you always shallbe bend,  
As furious as the fretting fire:  
Therefore it is expedient,  
(Dear friend Gysippus) to content  
Yourself: and set your heart at rest,  
choose you a wife by mine assent,  
Even such a one as you like best.   

Gysippus with this meek request,  
To his friend Titus did agree:  
What need much talk to be expressed,  
His friends a maiden did foresee,  
No meeter match they thought mought be  
Then she, for such a worthy wight,  
In beauty bright, peerless was she,  
Sophronia this maiden hight.   

When they and her friends had full right  
The covenant of this marriage knit,  
Gysippus then to have the sight  
Of this lady they thought it fit,  
And said also, that best were it,  
For him, this maiden to behold,  
Whom when he saw in shape and wit,  
Like him, his joys could not be told.   

He loved her so that oft he would  
Resort unto her secretly,  
Leaving Titus his lover old  
Behind, applying his study.  
Yet at the last he did descry,  
himself, and told Titus his mind.  
How that her gentle courtesy.  
And beauty clear, had him inclined.   

So on a time he had assigned,  
To have his friend Titus with him,  
To see Sephronia so kind,  
Which to Gysippus seemed trim,  
And as well shaped in every limb.  
When Titus came in her presence,  
His will above his wit did swim.  
To see her good entelligence.   

And how at their engredience,  
She did Gisippus entertain,  
With courtesy and reverence.  
With rare and sober talk right plain,  
So well placed and not in vain,  
The sweet and pleasant countenance,  
That in her visage did remain,  
With lovely looks and temperance.   

So that he fell into a trance,  
Beholding of her sweet visage.  
And sore abashed at the chance,  
That friendship could it not assuage,  
Nor yet Philosophy the rage?  
Of pricking with blind Cupid's dart,  
For in beholding her image,  
Her beauty pierced him to the heart.   

But yet he showed not his smart,  
Till they to their lodgings were gone:  
Then Titus drew himself apart,  
His misery for to bemoan:  
And when he was himself alone,  
Upon a bed there down he lay,  
For other help he looked none,  
But only death his care to stay.   

There cursed he the time and day,  
That he into this world was borne,  
O death said he, fetch me away, 
The complaining of Titus.   
would god I were with tyrants torn,  
O that Rhynos with his sharp horn,  
Would rid me of my misery:  
Oh cursed Titus and forlorn, 
Rhinos is a certain beast in the countreise of India having a sharp horn growing out of the nostrils of his nose, and an other in his neck, this beast is as big as an Elephant and is naturally an enemy to the Elephant.   
Why swervest thou so sore awry.   

Oh traitor Titus well worthy,  
For thy treason to Gysippus,  
A miserable death to die.  
Thus wept and wailed poor Titus.  
No man in the cause that could descus,  
Nor whereof his care did depend,  
But always Titus would say thus,  
Would god my life were at an end.   

With that the salt tears would descend,  
Down by his cheeks like floods of rain,  
The deep sights from his heart would wend,  
Which well declared his mortal pain.  
But at the last for to be plain,  
For lack of sleep and sustenance,  
So feebleness did him constrain,  
To keep his bed this was his chance.   

He was so hurt with Cupid's lance,  
That nought his pains mought pacify.  
When Gysippus (to his grievance)  
Heard that Tytus was like to die,  
He ran in all haste by and by,  
God knoweth with a woeful heart,  
But yet he looked cheerfully,  
To comfort him as was his part.   

But when he saw the colour swart.  
Which had been like the ruddy rose,  
Titus said he, whence cometh your smart,  
Dear friend to me see you disclose.  
And though that I do spend and lose,  
My goods and lands your care to slake,  
My life from me will I depose,  
Dear Titus for your only sake.   

Then Titus as his heart had brake,  
The tears afresh he did renew.  
Which made Gisippus heart to ache,  
Seing more dolour still ensue.  
Dear friend said he no more rescue,  
Nor hide your mortal pains from me:  
But show that I may them subdue,  
If any help for you may be.   

Thus wise Titus constrained he,  
Which all blushing and ashamed,  
Talking with great difficulty,  
Shamefastly holding down his head.  
My most dear loving friend he fed, 
The words of Titus to Gi●sippus.   
Withdraw your gentle courtesy,  
Let no more tears for me be shed,  
But slay me rather where I lie.   

Or otherwise on me hardly,  
Take vengeance most writched villain  
And of all other most worthy,  
I am to suffer death and pain,  
For whereas God of nature plain,  
In one likeness hath both us made,  
So had he trapped in one train,  
Our wills that we in weal should wade.   

So that the like recourse and trade,  
Of concord that hath been between  
Us two, ye and so steadfastly laid,  
I do suppose hath never been,  
The like in lovers ever seen:  
Yet notwithstanding all this love,  
This faith this trust is wasted clean,  
A woman's look hath gone above.   

Alas what wicked sprite did move,  
Your mind to bring me in presence,  
Of her whom ye (as I can prove)  
Beholding beawtye and prudence,  
Can not withhold by no defence,  
Your mind from ravishing with lust,  
Alas where was your sapience,  
That you in such things would me trust.   

Wist you not that our winds were just?  
Forgot ye quite our like nature,  
Which thing ye ought to have discuss?  
This is the cause I you ensure  
Of this mischief that I endure.  
Your trust have trapped me in the rays,  
That issue from her eyen demure,  
Remembering eke her virtuous lays.   

Which pierceth my heart a thousand ways  
So that of all things I desire,  
Sharp death to end my doleful days,  
Confusion eke to be my hire.  
Sith I against you did conspire,  
Such treason so unnatural:  
Desiring so justly your ire,  
Shame and reproach perpetual.   

Unworthy am I for to call  
Or say Gisippus is my friend,  
Sith friendship in me is so small,  
With those words Titus made & end,  
The sighs that from his heart did wend  
So heavy were and so profound,  
The tears from his eyes descend,  
As he to salt drapes mought redound   

Gysippus then with cheerful sound,  
And with a lovely countenance,  
Not raging rashly in that stound,  
Although he sorrowed at the chance: 
The answer of Gisippus to Titus.   
But with a friendly affiance.  
embracing him and soothly said,  
Why Titus is this your grievance,  
That you so long from me have stayed?   

I have (it can not be denayed)  
Offended as I here confess,  
In that which you did me enbrayde,  
I acknowledge my foolishness.  
Dear friend Titus, ye are faultless,  
For truth it is that I forgot,  
(In f●we words briefly to express,)  
The unity of our estate.   

For what I love you do not hate,  
But love it in as high degree:  
Our constellation or fate  
Is one, I know it so to be.  
Therefore the fault lies all in me,  
(No man the contrary can prove,  
Sith that I caused you to see,  
Sophronia whom I do love.)   

Sith that ye have so stoutly strove,  
Against the power of Cupid's might,  
Which hath so many nobles drove,  
And slain them quite in his despite?  
Think you (dear friend) my wit so light,  
That I know not how that venus,  
Will wound those, against whom she fight,  
With deadly dent? yes yes Titus.   

Have ye not well strove that have thus,  
Resisted such a great Gods,  
Almost to death for Gysippus?  
Was not this very nobleness?  
What friendship could you more express,  
Then to withstand such violence?  
Am I so virtuous to distress,  
Or stop the heavenly influence.   

Preordinate by providence,  
Divine? what were (if I so thought)  
My time of long and large expense,  
What were my learning dearly bought,  
Or yet the wisdom I have sought?  
In deed Titus I loved the maid,  
As much as any wise man mought,  
And had my heart unto her slayde.   

I was of her better paid.  
Then of all my treasure and land,  
But yet what though, what may be sa●●,  
Sith that your love (I understand)  
Doth far surmount if it were scanned,  
A 'bove the compass of nature?  
I know you can not slake the band  
Of venus, it is knit so sure.   

What shall I judge, a mind unpure,  
That you do this of wanton lust?  
Nay Titus I will not procure,  
Such things against you so unjust,  
Dear friend in this you may me trust.  
For how should I of right contend,  
Except that good reason should rust,  
And so our friendship come to an end:   

Sith that we never yet did spend,  
One word in malice day nor night:  
So to be still else god defend,  
And bring the error soon to light.  
Nay nay Titus I have done right,  
The providence of god only,  
Hath wrought this thing with his great might  
That she should be your own lady   

For such love entereth not but by,  
A disposition divine,  
Into a wise man's memory:  
I can it no ways else define.  
Whereat if I should now repine,  
I should seem stout and obstinate,  
Against that god doth determine,  
And rights from you to separate.   

Which never shall early nor late,  
Be found in me therefore I say,  
Dear friend Titus and loving mate,  
Let not this chance your mind dismay.  
Put sorrow from you quite away,  
Rejoice now and no more be sad,  
Let not this woe your wealth decay,  
For certainly I am right glad   

That such a wife is to be had, 
In those days not withstanding any ceremony done at the church, the marriage was not confirmed un till night that the husband had put a ring on the bride's finger, and loosed the girdle of her virginity, & each of them promised loyalty one to another.   
And that it is my chance to find,  
Her, with whom your life may be lad,  
In joy according to your mind,  
Whereby you may increase your kind,  
To the comfort of your lineage,  
I have to you my right resinde,  
Of her: therefore your old courage.   

Take unto you and your visage  
all to be wept, wash it right clean,  
For now the day of our marriage  
approacheth nigh, therefore sum mean,  
Let us (this time and that between)  
Devise, how that you may attain,  
Your whole desires which have been,  
The only patron of your pain.   

Mark well, this is mine advice plain,  
You know well that our shape is so,  
That in like garments of us twain,  
Few men do scant know who is who.  
Although that we together go.  
Much les a part and liklye dight  
Shall they desearne each of us two,  
And brifelye of us judge the right.   

Also ye know that until night,  
The marriage is not confirmed,  
That they their truths have plainly plight,  
And that a ring there prepared,  
On her finger be fastened,  
Her girdle then must be untied,  
And then may they two go to bed,  
And perform the parts of a bride.   

This means for you I will provide:  
Until that day be past and gone,  
In sum close place you shall abide,  
Being prepared for you alone.  
When night is come featly anon.  
To her chamber yourself convey,  
Of maids nor wives there is not one,  
that for our shap shall you bewray.   

Then quickly do yourself unray,  
And uno bed, boldly prepare,  
Your ring on her finger assay.  
Louse her girdle and do not spare,  
But yet be circumspect and aware,  
That no fond thing in you appear,  
Whereby you may augment your care,  
Now friend Titus be of good cheer.   

Let no things be for you to dear,  
Take good refections and solace,  
For to amend your lothly lere,  
Your wan and pale coloured face,  
That it be not in any case,  
The cause of your discovering.  
I know within this little space,  
That you your purpose thus having.   

My friends will hate me and thinking  
Me to disgrace my family.  
But let god work I care nothing,  
Though I be had in obloquy,  
Increasing your felicity.  
At those words Titus then began  
To moon, as on my fantasy,  
He though Gysippus spoke not than   

But thought he did a vision scan,  
As one adremed in a sleep,  
Lay still as an abashed man.  
But when he saw Gysippus weep,  
And tears by his cheeks down did step,  
perceiving love in explicable:  
He gave him thanks which groanings deep,  
For his kindness incomparable.   

And said it were more reasonable,  
That such unkind wretches as I,  
Should perish with some death notable▪  
Than that you should sustain thereby,  
Any reproach or injury.  
Eftsone Gysippus did protest:  
And kissed Titus' lovingly,  
Saying dear friend be you at rest.   

For look what things I have protest,  
feign would I have accomplished,  
And thereto will I do my best,  
At those words Titus perceived,  
That his friendship was not feigned,  
And start up then as one not sick,  
But from sleep he had waked,  
his blood resorted sum what quick.   

For good eats then he did not stick,  
But took things his health to restore,  
So that shortly he waxed trick,  
In figure as he was before,  
To health was turned all his sore,  
Short tale to make, the marriage drew,  
The widdinge weeds, Gysippus wore,  
Of costly coloured, cloth of hue.   

And did as unto him was due,  
His friends he accompanied,  
The damuseles house they did cusue,  
Where they were ioyouslye feasted.  
Gysippus was entertained,  
So lovingly of his fair maid,  
That all the people there praised,  
To see that sight were well apaid.   

And each unto his fellow said,  
(Praising the virtue and beauty,  
Wherewith those parsons were arrayed.  
And eke their gentle courtesy)  
That never erst they could espy,  
Their virtues rare, so excellent,  
In any creatures save only,  
Those two which then were there present   

What need much talk for to be spent,  
The wedding day away did pass.  
Their friends also, away they went,  
The bride eke as the custom was,  
Was brought with many a lovely lass,  
To a chamber most freshly dight,  
Gysippus then returned as,  
He told Titus he would that night.   

Then Titus he stepped in full light,  
Anon to bed he did prepare,  
The maid assoon eke as she might,  
Lay down by Titus naked bare,  
Not knowing of the subtle stare,  
But thought it had been Gisippus,  
Then Titus ending all his care,  
Demanded of her saying thus.   

Sophronia flower of Venus,  
Do you love me and not disdain,  
That in this bargain between us,  
I shall your husband still remain?  
In health and wealth, in joy and pain?  
Wherewith she smiled all blushing,  
Her maidenhead like to refrain,  
With eyes half laughing, half mourning.   

To his reqnestes she affirming,  
eftsoon he asked her also,  
If that she would receive his ring,  
Anon she did consent thereto,  
Her girlde than he did undo,  
His ring he put upon her hand,  
What else he did, non, but they two  
knew that, yet this I understand.   

That all the treasure in the land,  
Can not have pleased him half so well,  
As did the loosing of the band,  
Which made him suffer pains of hell.  
When morrow came, the truth to tell.  
Gisippus thought expedient.  
That people knew what had befell.  
Wherefore buy his own appointment.   

For all the noble men he sent,  
Home to his place of habitation,  
Where Titus came for this intent,  
In break his mind with an oration,  
And after their good recreation,  
He said to them, my dear friends all, 
The oration of Titus to 〈◊〉 Ath●●ensis.   
Ye no●●●s of this famous nation,  
A wondrrous thing declare I shall.   

What is in Athenes now befall,  
To your perpetual prick and praise▪  
Of love, whose power is mystical,  
Wherefore he ought to take always,  
Great comfort fith in those your days,  
Such love among you doth remain,  
As hath been seen in no countrayse,  
So well approved with ease and pain.   

For what more praise is their certain,  
Then constance and benevolence.  
Without whom no kingdom may rain,  
Void of much inconvenience:  
Where constance hath the preminence,  
The country is in much solace,  
Through it they have alway defence,  
And comfort in each heavy case.   

What need I tarry longer space,  
In this contectinge mine intent,  
You know from Rome unto this place  
I was by my dear parantes sent.  
And straight to Chremes house I went,  
Where that I found by adventure,  
Gisippus propre and prudent.  
Of mine own age this is most sure.   

We were so like of mood demure,  
That none of his friends neither mine,  
(It was so hard and so obscure,)  
Could say to us (lo) this is thine,  
But as we showed by sum sine,  
Our personages to declare:  
What mutual love eight years or nine,  
Hath been between us every where?   

Ye your own selves the witness are,  
Which have beheld and seen us both,  
This to affirm right well I dare,  
Yet certainly I would be loath,  
To speak such things should make you wroth,  
But for my part by your licence,  
I will declare the very troth,  
Desiring you of patience.   

When that (by divine providence)  
My father died who left to me,  
Possessions such, that in expense,  
Few with me mought compared be,  
Being eke of so high degree:  
Also I being called home,  
By my friends whom (right well know ye  
Are of the noblest men in Rome.   

And men also of ripe wisdom▪  
Offering me the highest dignity:  
But when they saw I would not come,  
At their requests they marveled why.  
And wild my mother instantly,  
(To whose beck nature hath me bend)  
In her letters to certify,  
Me, that thereby I mought relent.   

Whose blotted bills with tears be spent,  
Accusing me of unkindness,  
For my being so long absent,  
From her, sith she is comfortless,  
I say (in few words to express)  
Can not withhold or pull me back,  
From Gisippus, although riches,  
I was behest never to lack.   

But liesier to be clothed with sack  
I had, than part from such a friend,  
For wordly wealth oft winds to wrack,  
But faithful friendship hath none end,  
I can not from his presence wend,  
Except he thereto will agree:  
As long as I have breath to spend,  
His servant gladly will I be:   

Ye more gladly I promise ye,  
Then of Rome to be the consul,  
My love requited well hath he,  
In saving me from death so dull,  
And of all other most painful,  
No death that may be so cruel,  
Though one were torn with bear or bull,  
No paygnes more dreadful are in hell.   

You marvel I perceive right well,  
What person owth me such malice,  
Or who dare be so fierce and fell,  
To attempt such an enterprise,  
(rejecting nature's preindice)  
Against me being a Roman,  
And of the noblest blood certice,  
Who think ye then would me have slain:   

I perceive ye would know full feign,  
Who wrought me such cruel despite,  
It was love, yea, I tell you plain,  
Which (as your poets do recite)  
Did wound your gods with loves delight, 
The description of the mighye power of love.   
Made jupiter chance his figure,  
Like a bull or swan full white,  
Or to sum other things obscure.   

The same love which (I am full sure)  
Made Hercules spin on a rock,  
sitting among maidens demure,  
Wearing next to his skin a smoke,  
And upon that a woman's frock,  
Yea though he were so puissant,  
That through his strength & sturdy stroke,  
He could slay Monster and Giant.   

The same love which made assemblaunt,  
The Grecien lords in fields of Troy,  
With geldings gay, & glaives gallant  
Which did the Traianes sore annoy  
In ten years Greeks did them destroy,  
And beat their city down to ground,  
perpetually ended their joy,  
Their honour never shall resound.   

The same love I say did me wound,  
suddenly with such vehemence,  
(Against whose assaults may be found,  
No help (no comfort nor defence)  
That in short space with violence  
Of fervent torments I had died,  
Had not gysippus' resistance,  
The band of my sorrow untied.   

I see you would feign have descried,  
Who I so loved: without delay,  
With truth you shall be certified,  
It is (I will it not denay)  
Sophronia the lady gay,  
Whom Gisippus had chose to wife,  
And whom he loved I dare say,  
As much as he did his own life.   

But when he saw that Cupid's knife,  
Had hurt me with a healthles blow,  
Most friendly then, to end my strife,  
perceiving (as I trust you do.)  
That god's provision wrought it so,  
Through his divine almighty grace,  
That she should be my wife, whereto  
He gladly giving room and place.   

True friendship he did more embrace,  
Then woman's love thereto forced,  
And not constrained by Cupid's mace,  
(From whom no way is to be fled)  
As I was, wherefore he granted  
To me, his right in the damosel,  
And even I Titus did her wed,  
Her shamefastness I did expel.   

I lay with her, this mark ye well,  
confirming the matrimony.  
At those words they began to swell,  
And looked most disdaynefullye,  
Upon Gisippus by and buy.  
Then Titus spoke to them saying,  
Leave of your fretting and fury,  
Leave your spiteful menacing.   

Leave (I say) your murmuring,  
Leave of your grievous countenance,  
For Gisippus hath done nothing,  
That shallbe to your hindrance.  
But your honour he doth advance.  
For well he knew, that he mought find,  
Another maiden that (perchance)  
Mought be more better to his mind.   

But such a friend to him inclined,  
Having respect to mine estate,  
So like to him in every kind)  
As I was, was not ventilate.  
Also the maid doth not abate,  
Or take dispergement in her blood,  
For (no dispraise to my dear mate)  
Her marriage now is even as good.   

And better if ye understood,  
All that doth to me appertain,  
For I exceed her in livelihood,  
And pass her in possessions plain.  
The noblest men that doth remain,  
In Rome and in all italy,  
Did will mine alliance very vain,  
Wherefore ye ought to magnify.   

Gisippus, and be not auctrie  
With him, but to exto (I say)  
his kindness towards me, whereby  
you, and your city safely may  
Be descended, and kept away:  
I say he hath well deserved,  
A monument of gold so gay,  
To be set up and honoured.   

His love ought to be remembered,  
For good that it may to you bring  
But if you be not persuaded,  
Devising any evil thing,  
To him after my departing,  
I make avow to the creature,  
And maker of each thing living,  
That with the invincible power.   

Of Romans, to your dishonour,  
Perpetual reproach and blame,  
I will resort for his succour,  
In such wise that your fatal fame,  
Shall sound in all grease to your shame.  
Therewith all them that were present,  
Dissembled their malice with game,  
As though they had been well content.   

Sun after by the appointment,  
Of all the Senators of Rome,  
Titus was sent for to frequent,  
An office fit for such a groom.  
Then he prepared to go home,  
But to departed it did him grieve,  
From Gisippus, also to whom,  
He granted gladly for to give,   

Half of his substance to achieve,  
Only to have his company.  
But Gisippus did well perceive,  
How needful and necessary,  
His counsel was to that city,  
Wherefore he would not therhens wend,  
Although above all things earthly,  
He joyed in Titus his friend.   

When Titus with his lady hend,  
All gone to Rome for their repast,  
gysippus' joys were at an end,  
His friends and fellowship did waste.  
His kinsmen spared not in haste,  
To exclude him from their counsel,  
And did prohibit at the last,  
That he should not in Athenes dwell.   

And yet with this they were not well,  
But (counting his love vain friendship)  
From all his lands they did him expel,  
Out of his robes they did him whip,  
And out of Athenes did him whip,  
Full poorly went Gisippus tho,  
Having nought but a staff and skrippe,  
And needs a begging must he go.   

Gysippus wandering to and fro,  
Can find no man him to sustain,  
This was his chance, alas for who  
Necessity did him constr●ine.  
Thus late wealthy he did remain,  
And now banished his own country,  
Never must he come there again,  
His kind heart brought him to that bay.   

He wandered he witted not which way,  
Lamentably still did he moon,  
He knew no place where he might stay,  
For hope of help he hears of none.  
At last his pleasures past and gone,  
To his great grief, he remembered,  
With Titus, for whom he alone,  
Had all those damages suffered.   

To go to Room he concluded,  
His evil fortune to declare  
To Titus, whom he supposed  
Would for him sum redress prepare  
So then with hunger cold and care.  
To Room he ran, through mud & mire,  
When he came thither poor and bare,  
For Titus' house he did inquire.   

When he saw it, he did retire,  
Because it seemed so princely,  
He was ashamed to aspire,  
Or in such raiment approach nigh,  
But stood that if Titus came by,  
Himself he mought to him present,  
Thus thinking, he and his lady  
Came walking forth incontinent.   

Gisippus was so raged and rend,  
That when Titus did him behold,  
He knew him not, but forth he went,  
Not regarding his garments old.  
gisippus' heart was then full cold.  
Thinking that Titus did him hate,  
Because no comfort show he would,  
To him which stood so at his gate.   

Then in a sorry simple state,  
Gisippus thence away did trudge.  
Cursing his chance infortunate.  
Oh lord thought he, what man would judge  
Titus to have been such a snudge,  
For whom I suffer all this smart.  
Gisippus thus at him did grudge,  
Thinking for ever to departed.   

From Room, and wander the desert  
As a beast with madness possessed,  
But yet he was well feign to start  
(Being with weariness oppressed)  
Into an old barn to take rest:  
Where he falling flat on the ground,  
Drew out his knife and thought it best,  
To give himself a deadly wound.   

But wisdom did his will so drowned,  
That from that act it did him keep.  
Until he fell into a sound,  
Or (as god would, as he did sleep)  
Into a sad and slumbering sleep,  
His knife wherewith he would have slain  
himself, down by his side did step.  
In the mean time a thief certain.   

Which was a comen Ruffian plain:  
And had both rob and slain a man,  
Thought in that barn for to remain,  
To hide himself that night. But when  
He saw a wretch bewept and wan.  
On slep and a knife by his side,  
He took the knife, and quickly than,  
Towards the dead man, he did glide.   

Into his wound, both deep and wide,  
(Which at that time did freshly bleed)  
He put the knife thinking to hide,  
His own vile act, and mischievous deed,  
And brought it all bloody with speed,  
To poor Gysippus where he lay,  
asleep, and put it (without dread)  
Into his hand and went his way.   

Sun after when that it was day,  
The dead man being found: anon  
The officers all in array,  
Made earnest search for the fellow,  
And finding in the barn upon,  
The ground, a man on sleep which ha●  
A bloody knife: suspection  
They had, thinking him to be mad.   

And waked him of his sleep so bad,  
Saying arise thou murderarre,  
With that Gysippus was right glad,  
Thinking his death not to be far.  
Before thy Senate to the bar,  
They brought him to have his judgement  
With bills and bats like men of war,  
Yet he (poor soul) was innocent.   

Titus at that time was present  
Who beholding Gisippus well,  
Leapt from the bench incontinent.  
And down upon his knees he fell  
saying give ear what I shall tell  
Ye nobles all, and then discus,  
This heinous murder so cruel  
Committed was, by me Titus.   

For old malice (the truth is thus)  
Which I a long time did him owe,  
For things that have been between us,  
This stranger (as ye may well know,  
Is desperate (god knoweth how)  
And doth this act gladly express  
His care with death to overthrow,  
Yet certainly he is guiltless:   

Reward me for my wickedness,  
For I it is that aught to die.  
Gisippus did again profess,  
(Seing Titus was contrary  
To his aspect) and still did cry.  
To the Senators to proceed,  
In sudgement on him buy and by,  
For I said he have done the deed.   

Titus denied it in that stead:  
Thus they a long time did contend  
Each of them for the others meed:  
Who for th'offence should his life end,  
abundantly tears they did spend,  
The Senators abashed were,  
None witted whereof it did depend,  
That those two such friendship did bear.   

The very these, bichaunce was there,  
Amid the press that time standing,  
Who when he heard with snob and tear  
Those two persons thus disputing.  
Which both were guiltless of the thing:  
His heart could not make his tongue slake,  
To keep truth from discovering,  
Wherefore quite through the press he brak.   

Before the Senate thus he spoke,  
Most noble fathers every one, 
The confession of the these.   
I am approached peace to make:  
I am known to be a person.  
Which have many buy theft undone,  
Titus you know assuredly,  
Pleasure in malice he hath none,  
But is of much simplicity:   

This stranger eke which standeth by,  
Seemeth to be with care compact,  
And desperate god knoweth why,  
His wits from him being subtract:  
They both are guiltless of this act,  
The truth plainly I will disclose,  
I did that most ungracious fact,  
The man from his life to depose.   

I smote him that he never rose,  
Then to the barn Iran full right,  
Thinking to hide me from my foes:  
But when I saw this woeful wight,  
A sleep, thinking myself to quite  
A policy I thought full good  
I took his knife, and did it dight,  
Both haft & blade, in the man's blood.   

When I had done, in that mad wood,  
I brought his bloody knife again,  
This feat my reason understood  
Was best your judgement to refrain.  
But conscience now, doth me constrain,  
To put the guiltless out of doubt,  
At your judgment, will I remain  
Abiding death, though it be stout.   

The Senate then and all the rout,  
Rejoiced and took good comfort,  
In all the court, there was a shout,  
There never was a gladder sort,  
To make the tale, more brief and short,  
Gysippus was, discovered,  
Titus did their friendship report,  
The fellow, he was pardoned.   

Titus being advertised  
Of his most dear friends banishment,  
He vowed to be avenged,  
On Athenes yer long time were spent,  
So then he took incontinent,  
His friend Gysippus with him home,  
Where that the lady excellent,  
Most lovingly, bade him welcome.   

His fame was spread throughout all Rome  
With reverence, and with honour,  
For his friendship, and his wisdom,  
And for his lovely behaviour:  
Titus being a senator,  
With assistince, he did prepare,  
A mighty army to succour  
His friend and to avenge his care.   

To Athenes ferslye he did far,  
With all his soldiers on a throng,  
On his friends foes he did not spare,  
But with a courage stout and strong,  
Requited all gisippus' wrong,  
Restoring him his goods certain  
Stablishinge him, his friends among  
And so returned to Room again.   
FINIS. QVOD EDWARD LEWICK.   

Imprinted at London by Thomas Hacket, and are to be sold at his shop in Lumbarde street.