¶ The pitiful Histori● of two loving Italians, Gaulfrido an● Bernardo le vain: which arrived in the country of Grece, in the time of the noble Emperor Vespasian.  
And Translated out of Italian into English meeter by john Drout, of Thavis' Inn Gentleman.  
Anno. 1570.  
Imprinted at London by Henry Binneman, dwelling in Knightrider street, at the sign of the Mermaid.    

To the gentle Reader. W. W.  
FRom fancies fond, from fickle pates,  
from wandering wits and wild,  
Proceeds such vain and foolish toys  
as folly hath compiled.  
For why? the sound of horned Pan  
that Faunus lifts on high,  
Is all the music that they can,  
no other notes they ply.  
Of Phoebus some they favour seek,  
some Pallas grace do crave:  
And some the sacred sisters aid  
do seek and sue to have.  
But this (our Drout) yet most in grace,  
not seeking glory vain,  
Of friendship for his country's sake  
hath put himself to pain:  
To make it known unto this Land  
which Gospel doth profess,  
What godly love with them did stand  
which could not God confess.  
Such certain shows of friendship true  
alas why should they die?  
Why should they not abroad be known  
sigh friendship dead doth lie?  
A shame it is for Christians, such  
as do Christ's name profess  
In word and tongue, to babble much  
and follow nothing less:  
Therefore let Drout tell forth his tale,  
and let his story pass,  
Let Heathen make the Christian pale,  
in whom true friendship was:  
Let Momus fret, let Zoilus rail,  
the honest will be glad,  
When they shall here what honest truth  
each one to other had:  
And wish that we would do the like,  
in word and deed agree,  
That of our faithful friendly acts  
some work compiled might be:  
To give example unto those  
that knowledge ours do want,  
To shun the ill, the good to choose,  
And faithful friendship plant.  
This is thy mind, O Drout I know,  
this is good purpose thine,  
Of friendship true to make a show  
in this unfriendly time.  
Pass not therefore though Midas prate,  
and Assishe judgement give,  
For why● the years of Nestor thrice  
thou and thy work shall live.  
Finis.  
qd W. W.   

R. W. To the Reader.  
LEt not the foolish carping sort  
of Zoilus fret and fume  
At him, which for to sit in seat  
he doth not once presume,  
Where Haywood sits, & Googe doth pour  
their thundering verse amain,  
And Studley to, inferior naught  
unto the other twain.  
If that our Drout doth look for praise  
he is not to be blamed,  
His work deserves no less: if some  
(which might full well be named  
In this my muse) should tickle bore,  
as doth our Author here:  
That it were well and princely done  
(though rotten were the gear)  
Some man would say: but thus much I  
dare boldly here affirm  
Him worthy praise, if so I may  
my simple sentence term:  
Good Reader then, even as he hath  
with good will wrought the same:  
So let him have some recompense  
of praise for all his pain.  
Finis.  
qd R. W.   

T. F. To the Reader.  
ALthough commonly all men covet news,  
As well the learned, as the vulgar train:  
Yet divers things the common sort refuse,  
Which to understand they cannot attain.  
They therefore which in such case show their zeal,  
Declare their good will to their native soil,  
Such strange Histories to reveal,  
Nothing regarding their labour and toil.  
This translator therefore of mere good will,  
According as the History doth move,  
To good effect hath showed his learned skill,  
Declaring ensample of steadfast love:  
Whereby we may discern as in a glass,  
That love unfeigned can not be broken:  
As in these two lovers it came to pass,  
Whose deeds portend an evident token:  
The like in our age seldom seen or found,  
The more of all men to be lamented,  
Which desire that true love might so abound,  
That vile flattery might be prevented.  
Finis.  
qd T. F.   

T. Smith to the Reader.  
Sith every man endeavoureth  
to get a crown of fame,  
By setting forth fine Tragedies  
for to augment their name,  
Why should not this our author then  
(seek for some part of praise)  
Which hath set forth this pretty Book  
for thee thereon to gaze?  
Where thou with ease mayst read the same  
which he with cruel toil,  
Hath turned volumes huge full oft,  
all for his country soil:  
Wherefore (good reader) give to him  
some recompense of pain:  
For equal labour (men do say)  
deserveth equal gain.  
If that Translation his be not  
accounted good to be,  
Mine must be called in again  
as far as I can see▪  
But this (our Drout) he hath his done  
in every point so well,  
That for the changing of this speech  
he only hears the bell.  
The Italians they themselves do love  
and daily praise our Drout,  
Who hath so aptly turned to verse,  
verbatim thorough out.  
If that of men to us unknown  
he can get such a praise,  
Then aught not we his countrymen  
a greater fame to raise?  
We aught in deed, but yet we seek  
each one to bear a name:  
So that the Students young can have  
no praise to ease their pain.  
But if this Drout be worthy praise  
(and as he is in deed)  
Seems not but for to give him praise  
to pay him for his meed.  
Finis.  
qd T. S.   

¶ The Preface to the Reader.  
Behold (gentle Reader) how I have depainted and set forth unto thee this woeful history of two Italians (all for thine ease as I hope) which by thy diligent reading thou shalt find them nothing at all inferior (concerning true amity) to the two Turtles Titus and Gisippus, and that thou shalt think them worthy to be received into the troop: or to be committed amongst the crew which are already rehearsed of master Vnderdonne: also I have as great admiration (as ever he had) what they should be that do not rejoice to hear of the unspeakable freindshippe and amity which was between Orestes and Peliades, Theseus and Pirithous, Achilles and Patrocles, Nisus and Euryalus, Castor and Pollux, Damon and Pythias Achates and Aeneas, Alexander and Ephestio, Celius and Patronius, C. Lelius and Scipio Affricanus, Darius and Megabisus, and last of all, that be not glad to hear of our Gaulfrydo and signor Bernardo, who for true amity may be annexed and adjoined with the rest. Wherefore (gentle Reader) I considered with myself that I was one of the most that could do lest, for the which cause, I would very gladly have yielded up wholly this story (being but lately come forth) to some other of my acquaintance which might have done it far better (than possible I have done at this time.) But being in a manner partly coacted by a special friend of mine (to bewray this my small skill unto thee) I took it upon me the boldlier: In hope when as thou shouldest (at thy leisure) confer the one with the other, than thou wouldest judge favourably, and correct friendly: and to say with Terence, that Nihil est iam dictum, quod non sit dictum prius. Thus leaving of to trouble thee any further, I commit it to the correction of the learned. Vale.  
Read ere thou judge, then judge thy fill▪  
But judge the best, and mend the ill.   

To the right worshipful sir Francis jobson knight, Lieutenant of the tour, john Drout wisheth long life, with continual felicity.  
WHEN AS I had perused and diligently read over this pitiful history, and sundry times given my whole endeavour to the well marking of the same (right worshipful sir) I considered with myself, first how profitable it would be to those, which be desirous to learn the Italian speech: again pondering in my mind, how pleasant a thing it is for to read this hidden history, (which not without little pain) I have translated out of Italian into English verse, very plainly, for those which shall mean to give their whole endeavour and industry to the attaining of so pleasant a language. Wherefore being wholly bend and purposed to have this my simple translation of so notable a tragedy published: I thought it good for divers considerations to bestow this the first fruits of my travel, upon your worship, rather than upon any other man, first because of the great affection, and continual good will, which your worship and my good Lady your bedfellow (which lately deceased (have borne to my dear parents, who I pray God long to continued, and for many more benefits, the which (for brevities sake) I do pretermit: for consideration whereof I have the more boldlier attempted to dedicated this my little and simple volume to your worship, having a good hope and trust that you will have me excused for my rude boldness, and accept my good will herein signified. Thus leaving you, and all yours to the tuition of almighty God, who increase you with continual worship, grant you long life, with eternal felicity, I bid you farewell.  
Your worships to command, john Drout.   

Galfrido and Bernar●● le Vain.  
NOw boisterous Boreas hath left off  
his puffing blasts to blow,  
Now have the soming seas their will  
to ebb or for to flow:  
The troubled sailor he doth laugh  
to see the waves at rest,  
The merchant he triumphs for joy,  
and thinks the Gods have blest  
Him careful man: whose careful head  
is troubled how to keep  
Unruly bark of his, from wrack  
of such as daily creep  
From shore to shore, still practising  
how they might get the gain  
Of such things as the merchant he  
hath won with cruel pain.  
Doth not the thievish rover sport  
when he at anchor lies,  
Which lately with outrageous cries  
his ending day espies?  
Doth he not think that Neptune God  
hath rid him out of thrall?  
Or did not that Aeneas vile,  
which Captain was of all  
The land and goods that Dido queen  
was able for to make:  
Was he not glad at sudden calms  
(think you) and so to take  
His harbour where he might it find,  
or where it was assingde  
By mighty Gods above, or else  
by mother his so kind?  
What fearful nations did invade  
Achilles' woeful wight,  
When hushing waves ten in a row  
did overrun him quite?  
Did he not cut the waters salt  
the foaming seas apace,  
When as the cruel nipping wind  
was wholly in his face?  
Were not companions his sore to ylde  
upon the raging flood?  
But when that they arrived to Troy,  
than they did think it good  
That they had laborde so in storms,  
for then in wether clear  
They canvas may their biscuit hard,  
and tipple up the beer,  
Which lay all hard a seven-night's space,  
(as Ovid he doth tell:)  
So may they tayre their bacon black,  
and feed of it full well,  
For Sailors they can feed apace  
in weather fair or fog,  
And will not stick (in hunger theirs)  
to eat a barking dog.  
But now each man they may rejoice  
that Lady Ver is near,  
Now may they see with glimmering eyes  
once Phoebus to appear:  
How Estas he with comely grace  
full trimly doth display,  
And how that Tellus floorisheth  
through aid of lusty May:  
In pleasant month of this (my friends)  
each man doth joy by kind,  
And every man doth practise what  
were best to please his mind.  
As Gaulfrid here (th'Italian Books  
do show his name to be)  
Doth seek and search in rotten boats  
strange countries for to see.  
And coming to the land of Grece,  
where Turrets high do stand,  
Where houses shining all of golds  
be placed (as well I scanned)  
By chance, as fortune would it have,  
he entered in at one,  
Where he found Barnarde le vain  
then sitting all alone:  
A kinsman and a friend of his,  
whom then he did not know:  
The Gods themselves (I think forsooth)  
they would it should be so.  
Gaulfrydo he whose smirking looks  
and lively cheer at last,  
Bewrayed the one t'other then  
ere four words they had passed.  
To see the joy of loving friends  
when they together met,  
Thomas Nestor's life twice told I had  
I should them not forget.  
The one embraced, the other kissed,  
they weep for joy in place:  
Gaulfrydo could not speak because  
all smyred was his face,  
With drivelling drops of lukewarm tears  
which trickled down a pace  
His paled face: his friend in deed  
as fast did pour again  
His dryry tears: incontinent  
then said Barnard le vain,  
The day hath been, O cousin mine,  
that friends we have been both,  
As we are now (for aught I know  
and that we both were loath  
The one the other to displease,  
as reason wild us so,  
Whilst Babes we were, we went to school  
together you do know,  
What did I ever in my life  
whereby that I your foe  
Should counted be: or that I have  
not been as true to thee  
As ever thou or any man  
could ever be to me?  
Let women's tears exiled be,  
say to them all adieu.  Gal. 
Not, not, my friend, of forged tears  
I think I have but few,  
I would to God that thou hadst been  
but half so true to me,  
As I have been in every thing  
a royal friend to thee:  
Thou wouldst not have hoist up  
thy sails to every wind,  
Not knowing I (poor wretched wight)  
in what place thee to find:  
Nor yet thou wouldst once have left  
me in a country rude,  
Among the ravening sort of wolves  
which sought for to detrude  
Me (silly wretch) from country mine,  
whereas my mother bore  
And kept me, from my cradle young,  
(her grief it was the more,)  
Ne yet thou wouldst once have made  
thy loitering boy to pull  
The udder which doth guide the ship,  
or else to hall the skull  
The which hath beaten foaming seas  
a thousand times twice told,  
In Hiems ragged, gagged frosts  
when it was bitter cold,  
Thou little thoughtest on thy friend  
when thou on hatches low  
Didst sleep thy fill, all for thine ease  
it was, that I do know,  
All void of care thou wast in pup,  
alone there didst thou sit  
Like prince on throne, the master he  
belike did thee permit,  
When mates of thine, each one were fain,  
to gather on a flock,  
Because that surging Seas did rise,  
and took them to their cock:  
Their little pretty frisking boat  
which tottereth up and down,  
In hope to find some ease when as  
they should espy the town,  
Whereas they might have some refuge,  
and succour for to save  
Their wearied corpse, which only thing  
it was that they did crave.  
But when that darkened clouds were gone,  
and all things else did clear,  
Then mate to mate each other called,  
and said, ho mate what cheer?  
And if you be all well, and as  
I hope you be, with speed  
Set up your sails (thus do you say)  
to go we had but need?  
Then every man doth hale and pull  
the Halliards all a row:  
Behold thy foresail it is up,  
now Auster do thou blow  
A huffing jail: and by and by  
because thou wouldst be gone,  
The foretop and the main top sail  
thou placest even anon:  
Yet must thou have thy spirit sail out,  
all only to be blown,  
Thy Myssen yet must not be left  
behind, to well is known.  
Thy roaring cannons and thy chens  
be laid on every side,  
Yea bases, fowlers, quarter slings  
which often hath been tried:  
Thy Fakens, Taucknets, minions all  
a row thou hast them laid,  
Calever and thy hargabus,  
which lately hath been made  
All only for to keep me from  
thy rotten Oyster boat,  
Though little I have said (my friend)  
full well I could it note.  
But for all that, thou seest how good  
the Gods have been to me,  
To let me once approach the coast  
where as I might thee see.  Bar. 
Alas why dost thou me suspect  
of such a heinous crime,  
It was not long of me (in faith)  
that I went at this time,  
Full sore against my will it was  
that I should leave behind  
Me, thee, who as a Pythias  
continually I find:  
It was not the cruel tyrant Turks  
which only did us chase,  
From all along the fiery Seas  
till we did come in place,  
Where as a mate of ours did sound  
four hundred fathoms deep  
In brackish Seas: so at the last  
we chanced for to creep  
To this same village town, whereas  
you found me all alone:  
Whereas I have acquaintance small,  
not being known of one.  
But every day since I came forth  
still thought I on thy name,  
I thought upon our country rude,  
still praying for the same,  
Because I knew thy blessed corpse  
had there his lodging place,  
In hope again that thou wouldst look  
my Picture on the face,  
Which hangs in chamber thine bedecked,  
then wouldst thou have in mind  
(I would suppose) Barnarde le vain,  
which unto thee did bind  
With faith and truth, a loving friend,  
and faithful for to be,  
So long as that the gods should grant  
Osselly mine to see.  
Not sooner had Aurora come  
but up I would me high  
Into the highest place of ship,  
and there I would descry  
The tumbling whales, the Dolphin's huge  
as I in Bark did stand.  
If wishes would have then prevaylde  
I would have been on land,  
At Brownbread crust with Galfrydo,  
then for to have the wine  
That lay in ship (which Bacchus brewed)  
or else the biscuits fine.  
Thus would I view and daily think  
that thou wouldst after high,  
Now would I think unto myself  
thy ship for to espy.  
But all for naught the longer I  
did gaze in open air:  
The farther still thou wast from me  
so much more was my care,  
When as I had in memory  
our parents that be dead,  
Our mother's kind which pampered us  
and long ago had fed  
Both thee and me with milk so sweet,  
then was I like a stone  
Then was my heart even like to burst  
my senses they were gone,  
My lights, my lungs, so vexed were,  
that none had thought that I  
Should ever have scaped such trembling fits  
but presently should die,  
On salt sea floods they minded all,  
and purposely were bend,  
To hung a warrant on my neck,  
and straight for to have sent  
Me to the boat that Charon guides,  
the ferry man of hell:  
For they supposed that I would not  
any longer with them devil.  
And yet for all these miseries  
that I have waltered in,  
To charge me with ungratefulness  
me think you do not lin:  
But if thou be'st a friend to me  
as thou dost say thou art,  
Seem not to lay them to my charge,  
but let them all departed  
Quite from thy heart: behold, these words  
he had no sooner spoke,  
But for to work him injury  
vile fortune doth provoke.  
Now doth she turn her tottering wheel  
she looketh crabbed sour,  
Now doth she bend her cursed brows  
now doth she pout and louvre,  
Now may you see this fickle dame  
the Chameleons part to play.  
How she will change in sundry forms  
a thousand times a day,  
How she doth play the wether cock  
that turns with every wind,  
To some she will be foolish stout,  
to other some as kind:  
O that she can so flatter men  
with granting their desire,  
And will not suffer them to cleave  
to that they do aspire.  
To whom in all their life almost  
her friendship doth she show:  
But when he thinks him best of all,  
hath then his overthrow?  
I pray you did she ever yet  
advance a man on earth,  
Which wholly put his trust on her  
had not untimely death?  
Hath she not taken many men  
on high from glimmering gleam?  
Did she not slay king Priam's babes  
and spoil him of his realm?  
Doth she not play such pretty pranks  
continually with some?  
Yes that she doth: When that they think  
their blessed state is come.  
But see the chance that ha●ned now  
even in the self same street  
Where they did host, two enemies  
at that same time did meet,  
Who when they saw each other, 'gan  
their shivering blades to draw:  
And to be short, the one did thrust  
the other through the maw,  
The guts, the lungs, the intrayls all,  
but straight away he went  
That did the faete: But messengers  
immediately were sent  
With elbow blades, and rusty bills,  
to bid him come and dine  
In jail, where as perchance he should  
find little store of wine  
For to digest the weighty bolts.  
Thus came they in a rout,  
Tom with a club, Dick with a spit,  
two proper men and stout.  
They seek as men should look a hare,  
to let the greedy hound,  
Have now a snatch, and then a snatch  
to bring her to the ground.  
But all for naught, they found him not  
which only did the fact:  
In no place could they him espy,  
but back again they packed,  
Where as they saw in midst of street  
Galfrido looking out  
From window high (who marveling  
what made them so to shout  
And make a noise (with cries so shrill.)  
they did him strait espy,  
That he should be the murderer,  
some there began to try:  
Upon the which, they entered in,  
the host they first espied,  
Moore bones they made not with him there,  
both hand, and foot they tied  
Him seely man (without offence)  
with halters good and strong,  
Which fitter were for these same knaves  
that did him open wrong:  
Then up they do ascend on high  
where as these two did walk,  
They meant no guile, they thought no hurt,  
no such thing did they talk,  
They took them both, like seely lambs  
in arm in arm they went  
To prison strong, whereas their Host  
was fully that way bend.  
Such comely persons to behold  
as they along did go,  
Would make a man as hard as flint  
to melt, myself I know:  
But for to think what piteous looks  
they showed as they went,  
Again to see what smiling cheer  
the one the other lent,  
To see what wondrous changes was  
between these troubled three,  
Thomas that I lived seven hundred years  
the like I should not see.  
Assoon as they to prison were  
committed one by one,  
The multitude diminished,  
then were they left alone  
Among the rusty jangling chains  
where vermin doth abound  
In dungeon deep (where light as yet  
some think they have not found)  
Where Toads do keep, and adders devil,  
where as with ugly paw  
And greedy corpse, the serpent foul  
in fetters he doth gnaw  
The silly soul which is bewrapt  
in many tangled snares,  
The simple man, whose troubled head  
is fixed with many cares:  
I think the foul infernal fiends  
not half so ill do devil,  
Nor they that devil in Tartar deep  
inhabit such a hell.  
I think, not Tantal, Pelops son  
so cruelly was pained,  
As these same three, the which my muse  
already here hath feigned:  
Nor Titios' (in judgement mine)  
did ever feel such pain,  
Nor he that brought to mountains top  
the stone that fell again,  
Ne yet the tired Byllices  
that hales the buckets twain  
In drawing water, which returns,  
as Poets they do fain:  
Thomas Prometheus stands so still  
At cruel pinching rack,  
With hand and foot beset so wide  
till all his bones do crack.  
Though these same troubled souls themselves  
such spiteful pain endure,  
Yet may they naught at all compare  
with these (that I am sure)  
For painful pangs: but Fame she hath  
now sounded far and near  
This miserable cursed chance:  
but when that they did hear  
Which were their mates, the hollow sighs  
yea every man did fet,  
The trickling drops of many tears  
to shed they nothing let:  
They howl and cry full piteously,  
and evermore they band  
That cruel cursed Eastern wind  
which brought them to the land.  
They tear their herish mantles grey,  
they pull in pieces fast,  
Their galley breeches all a row,  
they were so sore aghast:  
Who so had seen the Mariners  
their seely flesh to tear,  
Himself would think but that they had  
been void of every care:  
They lost their senses all at once,  
their faces all were pale  
And wan, to see the fortune that  
these men should come in jail,  
Not being yet one hour ago  
since that they came on shore:  
If by their hearts they might have come  
I think they would have tore  
In pieces small, they were so vexed  
that instant present time,  
That none had thought that ever they  
the shrouds again would climb:  
Nor yet have sailed away with bark,  
they were in such a case:  
Some drew no breath, why? they were dead  
three hours in that place:  
They were as wild as hares that be  
ybred in bushes thick,  
Or else the Roe which hedges high  
to leap he doth not stick.  
Thus are the Sea men troubled to  
as well as other be,  
They feel as bitter pangs, or worse  
as any of the three.  
Yet reason somewhat taketh place,  
and calleth back again  
These troubled souls which lately were  
in miserable pain,  
Their wits to them be now restored,  
they have their memory,  
They do pretend to go and see  
this woeful tragedy:  
Where when they came in market place  
they saw the gallow tree,  
The scaffold where the judges seat  
appointed was to be,  
The bar, where they should pled their cause,  
if guilty they were found,  
The Sergeants with the yeoman's aid  
which stood about them round,  
Should lead them to the tree a cross  
the which the hangman made  
The day afore, in hope that he  
twice double should be paid  
For this his work, for he doth say  
that time doth him provoke,  
That now the pig is proffered  
to hold up strait the po●e:  
For what so ever that they be  
that will not when they may,  
The Proverb hath him told that when  
he would he shall have nay.  
Now every thing provided was,  
the judge himself comes in,  
The jailor he commanded was  
that he should never lin,  
Till that the prisoners were brought,  
their judgement for to have  
Aright, which they themselves that time  
most willingly did crave:  
They came full weakly God doth know,  
the one the other led,  
They looked as though that Atrapos  
had cut their fatal thread,  
Their faces showed as though they had  
lain in their grave a year,  
To look upon them steadfastly  
each one did stand in fear,  
So ugly was their look when as  
they came from dungeon deep,  
They were so faint through feebleness  
that they could scarcely creep,  
But by the stony walls, which would  
not suffer them to fall,  
Jest that perchance the stubborn bolts  
their feeble legs might gall:  
There might you see three women, that  
were quick with child in sound,  
Two men, a boy, a maid, there  
stark dead that time was found:  
You might behold the Mariners  
how they did tremble fast,  
What fervent faith they suffered  
till these same three were passed.  
Aye me alas (quoth one) that I  
should ever see the day,  
woe worth the time that I was borne  
an other he can say:  
The third he said that he was cursed  
the worse was his luck,  
When as his nurse she gave to him  
her puffed teat to suck:  
The fourth he said, I was bewitched,  
when first I handled knife,  
I think my crooked arms were cursed  
it did not rid my life.  
What wicked fortune had we when  
we scaped in the night,  
(What made us all to cry aloud,  
now gallows claim thy right)  
When we were almost drowned in  
deepest Sea by Libya?  
What evil chance had we to scape  
the straits of Africa?  
There houls the ragged boy a main  
with open throat a loud,  
His voice so shrill ascended strait  
unto the highest cloud  
That placed was in air, beset  
with stars on every side,  
Or where the glorious Phoebus runs  
his course) so loud he cried,  
With cares he was so nipped at heart,  
that all things there he cursed.  
He lived not long, incontinent  
amongst them all he burst.  
Gaulfrydo went before the judge  
all feeble as he might,  
Barnarde le Vain trudged after fast,  
he was not out of sight.  
The jailer led the inholder,  
which was in shackle strong,  
The quest did quit him by and by,  
he tarried there not long.  
Of which his careful wife was glad,  
of mirth was all her song,  
The hangman held his head aside,  
he thought they did him wrong.  
Barnarde le vain he pleaded hard.  
it did upon him lie,  
That he was guiltless of the deed  
each one began to cry:  
The judge himself could nothing find,  
ne could the rest that went  
Upon that matter, hard to scan,  
but wholly they were bend  
To set him free: And as they did  
who tarried for to hear  
Galfrydos case, like to a friend  
as here it doth appear.  
Galfrydo he was called out  
his judgement for to know,  
His heart was gone, he shaketh fast,  
he trembleth as the dow,  
To see the cruel looks, the which  
the judge did to him give.  
When jupiter was driven out  
of heaven by cruel fear  
Of Ziphoon, that giant huge,  
which did approach him near:  
At that same time, I mean, when as  
full secretly he came  
To Egypt, where in form and shape,  
was like unto a ram:  
juno she was made a Cow,  
Apollo was a crow,  
They stood not half so much in fear  
as Galfryde I do know:  
Nor yet Diana's buttocks went  
so fast a pit a pat,  
When she was driven out of heaven,  
and then become a Cat:  
Nor Venus, who doth daily make  
young men her birds to wish,  
Was not so feared (as this our friend)  
when she was made a fish:  
Ne yet the merry Mercury  
which often would have played  
On Oaten pipe, when Ibis he  
a pretty bird was made.  
They needed not once to have left  
the heavens for such a knave:  
Not more this wight he needed not  
to fear, which will not save  
Himself (as it doth seem to me)  
but granteth to the fact:  
And said unto the judge aloud,  
I only did the act.  
At which his friend all in a maze,  
began thus for to say:  
You Patrons grave and wise, give ears  
to me I do you pray:  
This man (O noble Senators)  
did never do the deed,  
It was myself I do confess,  
no longer now you need  
To toil and moil in searching forth  
this matter, which is plain.  Gal. 
O hold thy peace thou trusty friend,  
thou speakest but in vain,  
It was even I that did the deed,  
if judges right they be,  
Let this my friend go pack away,  
the law must go on me:  
Offender there must be but one,  
all you do know the same▪  
Afore you all, the murderer  
myself I do proclaim.  Bar. 
Not so my friend, but only I  
whose craysed corpse with stroke,  
In sunder quite, in midst of street,  
with bloody sword I broke.  Gal. 
I did the deed, if that you mean  
the fellow for to take.  Bar. 

Thou didst not, whereof leave of  
thy forging tales to make.  
O constant man that ever was,  
thy fame will never die,  
O noble heart that dwells in breast  
where such true love doth lie.  
At sudden sight of this the judge  
was wholly there amazed,  
Then hurly burly did begin,  
great rumours strait was raised:  
Then every man would be a judge,  
and say that it was he  
That did the deed: some verdicts were  
the other for to be.  
But God the truest searcher of  
the inward parts of man,  
The mighty judge, the Lord of all  
that possibly we can  
Or may recite, with faltering tongue  
for his he doth provide.  
When they be in their troubles great,  
as here it may be tried:  
The murderer stood by the stage  
whereas the judges sat,  
His conscience so pricked him there,  
that up aloft he gate  
Afore them all, where rudely he  
did draw his bloody blade,  
Where easily it might be seen  
how it in blood was laid:  
This vile and cankered sword (quoth he)  
and I were at the fray,  
I am the man (ye judges) that  
did bring him to a bay,  
I laid along his lazy corpse,  
I do it not deny,  
And if it were to do again,  
by God that sits on high,  
I would it do: wherefore these men  
have suffered injury,  
Abiding for my only deed  
such cruel misery.  
Upon the which the judges they  
began a new assize,  
And better for to think upon  
the matter they devise:  
The quest again begins a fresh  
upon these two to go,  
The standers by they give good ear  
the verdict for to know,  
The foreman he doth bring it in,  
he showeth very plain▪  
The matter whole: but to be sure  
they are turned back again.  
Yet once more they do come, where as  
they told the judge that he  
That last of all did come in place,  
the murderer for to be.  
The judge he did condemn him there,  
the hangman he did watch,  
He thought within himself that he  
had caught a goodly catch.  
Where when the people heard him say,  
go hence the gallows stays,  
Their wits in searching forth the truth,  
all there began to praise.  
The judges praise doth flee abroad,  
him every man doth name,  
In country, town and villages  
full rife is known his fame.  
The foresaid Mariners rejoice,  
their mates each one be glad,  
That these their heads had scaped so well:  
upon the which they had.  
The towns men with their gladsome wives  
their households whole and some,  
To take their pleasures of the wine  
if they would to them come,  
Whereas their ship did lie, which brought  
the claret, white and read,  
Their biscuit good, but mouldy cheese,  
whereof they daily fed.  
Each one attended to their wills,  
they granted their desire,  
They cloth themselves full sumptuously,  
they wear their best attire:  
The day is come, the pretty dames  
which be so free and frank,  
Do go so sagely on the way  
by two and two a rank,  
Which seemed well, but yet they would  
not bid unto the feast  
The Murderer which hanged was,  
of whom they thought on lest,  
Which was of them an oversight:  
but if they him had bid,  
He would have made them answer none,  
because that he had rid  
But lately here, one wenching jade,  
which did him leave behind,  
So that the right way to his home  
he could not after find:  
But in his stead one Tibine came,  
Amasina his wife,  
His daughter fair Charina, whom  
they loved as their life,  
Who did surmount the virgins all  
that ever was in Greece:  
I think the gods never made  
a fair or trimmer piece:  
They could not, why? because the mould  
(which was with them so rare)  
Themselves had lost: when first they made  
her roseal colour fair,  
Her princely corpse, her shoulders twain,  
her stature long and tall:  
Her little head adorned was,  
which overlooketh all:  
With gorgeous knacks of value great  
her fingers to depaint,  
Apelles ours, or Xeuxes good,  
she would make for to faint,  
The better of them both, if that  
they were on earth alive,  
This to be done in every point  
man's wit can not contrive:  
What though he took in hand to make  
dame Venus in her plight,  
Yet durst he not set to his hand  
with pencil for to wright  
Or paint at large this sumptuous dame  
whom every one doth view:  
Nay, if he should, he might perchance  
his hastiness soon rue,  
He would be rapt in amours then  
far further with this dame,  
Than ever he with Venus was,  
if I may tell you plain.  
But all this banquet while: Bernard  
he cast a glimmering eye,  
He was as glad as any man  
when her he might espy.  
Now all this while did Venus smile,  
and Cupid crafty knave:  
Sreight Bernard's heart was stroke with dart,  
and such a blow he gave,  
As none but that Charina she:  
Could help him, I am sure,  
No physics art, but she alone  
was able for to cure  
His pangs, his pangs, his fretting pangs  
which vexed him so sore:  
A worse plague hath chanced now  
than ever did before:  
Now is he driven to study hard,  
he dares not to her speak,  
His bloody heart it was so full  
that it was like to break:  
But for all that he kept them tack  
what ever that they did.  
Till that the night with mantle black  
the splendent light had hid:  
For all that Nox was coming on,  
and Vesper after hied,  
A little while yet did they stay  
because they had espied  
The bycornd Moon: who was at hand  
to light them on their way,  
The minstrel he was called in  
some pretty jest to play:  
Then Robin hood was called for,  
and malkin ere they went:  
But Barnard ever to the maid  
a loving look he lent,  
And he would very fain have danced  
with her, if that he durst:  
As he was offering, Galfryd caught  
her by the hand at furst,  
Who being in as far as one  
he was not to be blamed:  
But this same dorr his friend abode,  
of which he was ashamed,  
There naught he said, but laughed as fast  
as any of them did:  
When they had done, he took the maid,  
a galliard he did bid:  
The minstrels play in comely sort,  
he led her twice about,  
Then her he capt, she curtsy made  
afore the open rout:  
He trips about with cinquepace,  
he caper's very quick,  
Full trimly there of seven eleven,  
he showeth a pretty trick:  
Each man they did behold him there,  
her father likes it well:  
Amasina her mother said  
that he should bear the bell.  
These words made glad the youngman's heart,  
the minstrels left to play,  
He gave to her the courtesy  
that dancers use to pay.  
They do departed, they high them home,  
they thank them for their cheer,  
The pretty maid she cometh on,  
to them she draweth near,  
With curtsies two or three she doth  
give thanks unto them both:  
But that she should them shortly see  
at home she would be loath.  
Now for her gentle courtesy  
a hundred thanks they give:  
Ere two days passed they said they would,  
if they so long did live.  
Now all the way they have no talk,  
but of these loving twain:  
Each one they joyed that these two  
were ridden of their pain.  
An old said saw it is the which  
is spoken of every one,  
The lesser grief exiled is,  
a greater comes anon.  
These troubled two they go to bed,  
where they on fancies fed,  
The one he thinks upon the maid,  
the other thinks in deed  
That he was blest when he might  
by any means devise,  
Once for to see with roving sight  
that dame before his eyes:  
They turn and toss in bed full often,  
from side to side again,  
Now one would up, the other down,  
but naught would ease their pain.  
At last the Ravens did descry  
Aurora to be near,  
Then up they go in comely wise  
each one puts on his gear:  
They hied to the wished place  
where as the virgin lay,  
Galfrydo saw she was not up,  
he went himself away,  
Barnard le vain he tarried still,  
he saw that did him please,  
He trudged home full merrily,  
his fevers did appease.  
Galfrydo whippeth out anon,  
he goeth to her round:  
Barnard he after hies apace,  
where that same time he found  
Galfrydo talking soberly  
unto the maid alone:  
Barnard he thought his part was lost,  
his love away was blown,  
Of him he thought no count was made  
he durst not show his mind  
To her, who ever loud him well,  
as by due proof we find:  
He doubts she will not grant to him  
that which he would desire,  
He durst not show his inward grief  
which burneth as the fire:  
But to his chamber strait he goes  
where up and down he walks  
In torments great, in fretting pangs,  
unto himself he talks:  
O God (quoth he) what makes my head  
to be so far at square,  
My wits be almost ravished,  
such is my grievous care.  
But to assuage that dolefulness  
that heaviness of mind,  
He taketh pen in hand to writ  
to her, some ease to find.   

Trudge little letter, thou thinkest none ill,  
Go do thy duty, all things to fulfil.   

Seignor Bernardo to his mistress Charina.  
MY Lady dear, in whom  
my life and death is set,  
Refuse me not, (I thee desire)  
my grief do not forget:  
But read and judge of this,  
as you shall think it best,  
See how the fiery flame of love  
abridgth my quiet rest,  
Ilyve, and yet do daily die,  
I wither as the flower,  
I follow death: yea death himself,  
denies to show his power.  
Fain would I speak to thee (my love)  
to show my pining woe,  
My silly senses disagree,  
each one I should do so,  
That they might take their rest,  
as they have done before,  
For that my sorrows still begins,  
and vex me more and more.  
I bathe my breast with doleful tears,  
I never cease to moon,  
I sigh as doth a wounded dear,  
into a place alone,  
Where as I do on fancies feed,  
thereby to please my mind,  
Still feigning that I see thy face,  
some ease at length to find.  
Or else that I should so become  
as one forlorn (alas)  
My hands would not forbear a whit  
to let my soul out pass.  
Turn back now (good mysteresse mine)  
regard my suit I say:  
Let not a lover young so soon  
be brought unto decay:  
Flesh me therefore now (I do say)  
good lady in this game,  
Deny me not at first, I crave,  
which never knew the same.  
All this is for thy only love,  
that my poor heart doth taste:  
Thou only art the cause, god knows,  
my piteous parts do waste,  
Let now dear dame, some mercy come  
consider of my cause,  
That am but lately brought in hold  
to taste of lovers laws:  
That all the world may say  
thou damsel haste the knife,  
Who might have slain me woeful wretch  
and yet didst save my life:  
Hereby thou winst the price,  
then print this in thy mind,  
Behold how pity pleads my cause,  
let her some favour find.  
In hope hereof my dear adieu,  
the treasure of my trust,  
The only comfort of my care  
till I consume to dust.  
Your loyal and afflicted servant Seignor Bernardo.  
Read not in spite, but take delight  
in this, which once was prose,  
Whose watered plants scarce sicate were  
till he this same did close.  
But as he hath with good will writ,  
whose heart thou haste in hold,  
So nothing let to do the like,  
whereof thou might be bold,  
To count him as thine own,  
Whose heart with thine shall rest alone.  
Now it is made, yet doth he doubt  
that this will not prevail,  
Then starts he up in fury great,  
and thus begins to rail:  
O palefaced, hellish, lumpish sow,  
O grisly ghost, I say,  
What meant the hills they fell not on  
my corpse that present day  
When first I saw that Tigress vile,  
that heart of marble stone,  
That traitress rude, with whom I think  
my friend is now alone:  
O that the heavens might fall on her  
which worketh me this woe:  
I hope the earth will swallow her,  
or Boreas he will blo  
Away with blasts that Lioness,  
that no man may her see:  
I would the raging foaming Seas  
they had her for their fee.  
Or that the mighty jupiter  
when he is in his ire,  
Might throw upon her thunder bolts,  
or else consume with fire  
Her cursed corpse, which hath in it  
a poison cankered heart:  
Or that the foul infernal fiends  
of her might have a part.  
His host then being near at hand,  
heard him in raging wise,  
Who it should be he marveled,  
he could not well devise:  
But up he goes, where him he found,  
he asked him the cause,  
He doth not let, but telleth all,  
at it he doth not pause.  
Fear not my guest (the good man said)  
as yet she is not speed.  Bar. 
If that she be, the devil gnaw  
her beastly carrion head.  
But ere she be, I look to have  
a recompense of pain,  
And reason wills it so to be,  
unless she list to fayne:  
But some respect for love (I think)  
to have unfeigned part,  
And think it but a fit reward  
for such a good desert:  
But I unhappiest wight of all  
have spent my time in vain,  
In hope of succour at her hands  
Whilst other get the gain.  
As thirsty ground doth gape for thirst,  
and swalloweth in the shower,  
Even so do I poor Arpalus,  
whom Cupid's pangs devour,  
I till my soil with grievous pain,  
I lay the seed thereon,  
And others come and reap the sheaves,  
and laugh when I am gone:  
Mine is the troublous winter's toil,  
and theirs the summers gain,  
The harvest falleth unto his share  
that felt no part of pain.  
I fast while he doth feed apace,  
I thirst while he doth drink,  
I mourn whilst he triumphs for joy,  
he swims whilst I do sink:  
He gathereth in the hoped gain,  
whilst I the loss endure,  
He whole at heart, whilst I my grief  
by no means may recure,  
He shrouds himself in pleasant shade,  
I sit in open sun,  
He leaps as lambs in lusty lays,  
I lie as one undone:  
I would but her enjoy at will,  
I crave that is debarred,  
He hath (I say) who can have more?  
his service is preferred.  
Thus I procure my woe (alas)  
in framing him his joy,  
I seek for to assalue my sore,  
I breed my chief annoy.  
As sheep with will be clad full thick,  
their masters have the gain,  
And birds do build their nests in brakes,  
and put themselves to pain,  
Yet others have the fruit you see  
when that the bird is hatched,  
The nest remains, the birds are gone,  
the chickens be dispatched.  
But I think it ordained in deed  
by gryly gods above,  
That I should gape whilst others gain  
the guerdon of her love:  
But sith that woman's wicked will  
is forgetful of my woe,  
And not the mighty god's ordeinde  
my destiny to be so,  
Then must I needs complain apace,  
and curse that cruel kind,  
That in requited of my good will  
hath showed herself unkind.  
But what ever be the cause God knows,  
hereafter I intend  
To faun on them that faun on me,  
to bow when other bend:  
This one abuse shall make with speed  
me take the better keep,  
On whom I fix my fancies fast,  
with whom I wake or sleep.  Host. 
If so you do you do but well,  
it will be for your best,  
He said no more, but went away,  
he left alone his guest.  
Bernarde le Vain who when he saw  
that no man could descry  
The act which he pretended had,  
when no man there was by,  
He drew a glistering blade at once,  
he set it to his heart:  
Tilt he had done that rueful deed,  
it did not once depart.  
This done, Galfrido he comes home,  
a merry man was he,  
Charinas smile smirking looks  
had made him so to be.  
Where when he came in chamber foul  
his joys were laid aside,  
He saw his friend lie all for dead,  
the bloody sword he spied,  
Which had bereaved him of breath,  
the letter there he found,  
He red it out, when he had done  
he laid it on the ground,  
He took the blade, he after went  
in darkness for to lie,  
Since that his friend was gone afore,  
he passed not for to die.  
When as the host he heard of this,  
himself he went and hung,  
An arina she from window high,  
her comely corpse she flung.  
Ynd Tibine too, when as he he heard  
his daughter to be dead,  
De stayed not, but with a knife  
his hungry throat he feed.  
His wife, the mother to the maid,  
she ran to river round,  
Where as the crew of mariners  
that instant time she found:  
She tells to them these bloody broils  
which she that time did see,  
How blood, by blood, and death by turns  
in Greece now for to be:  
These words once spoke, she leapt in  
there she gave up the ghost.  
The Mariners they hoist up  
their sail and left the coast.  
Not twice two leagues they had not gone,  
(as many men did think,)  
But that the ship unluckily,  
there presently did sink.  
In deepest sea▪ their grave was made  
the lovers lie in town,  
Where Tibine hath a place, besides  
Charina hath a room.  
FINIS  
qd john Grout gent.    

These will be had in memory  
of all that have them seen:  
Now they be dead, let all men say,  
God save our noble Queen:  
That she may vanquish traitors all,  
which seeketh her decay:  
The good and godly so I know  
continually will pray.  
FINIS.   


OMNIA TEMPUS HABENT.  
BE   printer's or publisher's device