THE PARADISE OF DAINTY DEVISES.  
Containing sundry pithy precepts, learned Counsels and excellent Inventions: right pleasant and profitable for all estates.  
Devised and written for the most part, by M. EDWARD'S, sometime of her majesties Chapel: the rest by sundry learned Gentlemen, both of Honour and Worship, whose names hereafter follow.  
AT LONDON, Printed by Robert Walde-graue, for Edward White, dwelling near the little North-door of Paul's Church, at the sign of the Gun. Anno. 1585.   

¶ The names of those who wrote these devices.  

Saint Barnard.  
E. O.  
Lord Vaux, the elder.  
W. Hunis.  
jasper Heiwood.  
F. Kindlemarshe.  
D. Sande.  
M. Yloop.    

¶ To the right honourable Sir Henry Compton Knight, Lord Compton of Compton.  
RIght Honourable, and my very good Lord (presuming upon your courtesy) I am bold to present unto your honour, this small Volume, entitled, The Paradise of dainty devices, being penned by diverse learned Gentlemen▪ and collected together through the travail of one both of worship and credit, for his private use: who not long since departed this life, which when I had perused over, not without the advise of sundry of my friends, I determined by their good motion to set them in Print, who thereunto greatly persuaded me, with these and like words. The writers of them, were both of honour and worship, besides that, our own Countrymen, and such as for their learning and gravity, might be accounted of among the wisest. Furthermore, the ditties both pithy and pleasant, as well for the Invention as Meeter, and will yield a far greater delight, being as they are, so aptly made to be set to any song in five parts, or song to Instrument. Which well considering, I purposed not to forsake so good an occasion, beseeching your honour to accept in good part, chief for the Authors sakes: who though some of them are departed this life, yet their worthy doings shall continue for ever, for like as the shadow followeth the body, so praise followeth virtue, and as the shadow goeth sometimes before, and sometimes behind, so doth praise also to virtue: but the later it cometh, the greater it is, and to be the better esteemed. Thus fearing to offend your Honour with these my rude speeches, I end, wishing your Lordship many years of joy.  
Your good Lordships wholly to command H. Dizle.   

The Paradise The translation of the blessed S. Bernard's Verses, containing the unstable felicity of this wayfaring world.  

Cur mundus militat, sub vana gloria, cuius prosperitas est transitoria?  
Tam cito labitur, eius potentia quàm vasa figuli, quae sunt fragilia.   

WHy doth each state apply itself to worldly praise?  
And undertake such toil, to heap up honour's gain.  
Whose seat though seeming sure, on fickle Fortune stays,  
Whose gifts were never proved, perpetual to remain,  
But even as earthen pot, with every fillip fails,  
So Fortune's favour flits, and Fame with Honour quails.   

Plus crede litteris, scriptis in glacie quàm mundi fragilis, vanae fallaciae,  
Faellax in praemiis, virtutis specie, quae nunquam habuit, tempus fiduciae.   

Think rather firm to find, a figure graven in Ice,  
Whose substance subject is, to heat of shining Sun,  
Then hope for steadfast stay, in wanton worlds devise,  
Whose feigned fond delights, from falsheades forge do come,  
And under virtues veil are largely dealt about,  
Deceiving those, who think their date will out.   

Magis credendum est viris fallacibus, quàm mundi miseris prosperitatibus,  
Falsis insaniis & voluptatibus, falsisque studiis & vanitatibus.   

The trifely truthless tongue of rumours lying lips,  
Deserves more trust than doth the highest happy hap,  
That world to worldlings gives, for see how honour slips,  
To foolish fond conceits, to pleasures poisoned sap,  
To studies false in proof, to arts applied to game,  
To fickle fancy's toys, which wisdom deemeth vain.   

Dic ubi Solomon▪ olim tam nobilis, vel ubi Sampson est, dux invincibilis,  
Veldulcis jonathas, multum amabilis, vel pulcher Absalon, vultu mirabilis.   

Where is the sacred king, that Solomon the wise?  
whose wisdom former time of duty did commend,  
where is that Samson strong, that monstrous man in size?  
whose forced arm did cause the mighty pillars bend,  
Where is the Peerless Prince, the friendly jonathas:  
Or Absalon whose shape and favour did surpass.   

Quò Caesar abiit? celsus imperio, vel dives splendidus, totus in prandio,  
Dic ubi Tullius, clarius eloquio, vel Aristotelus, summus ingenio.   

where is that Caesar now, whose high renowned fame?  
Of sundry conquests won, throughout the world did sound:  
Or Dives rich in store, and rich in richly name,  
whose chest with gold, and dish with dainties did abound,  
where is the passing grace of Tully's pleading skill?  
Or Aristotle's vain, whose pen had wit and will.   

O esca vermium, o massa pulueris, o ros, o vanitas, cur sic extolleris?  
Ignoras penitùs utrum cras vixeris, fac bonum omnibus, quam diupoteris.   

O food of filthy worm, oh lump of loathsome clay,  
O life full like the dew, which morning soon doth waste,  
O shadow vain whose shape, with Sun doth shrink away,  
why gloriest thou so much, in honour to be placed?  
Sith that no certain hour of life thou dost enjoy,  
Most fit it were, thy time in goodness to employ.   

Quem breve festum est, haec mundi gloria, ut umbra hominum, sic eius gaudia,  
Quae semper subtrahit aeterna praemia, & ducunt hominum, ad dura devia.   

How short a banquet, seems the pomp of high renown?  
How like the senseless shape of shivering shadows thin?  
Are wanton worldly toys, whose pleasure plucketh down,  
Our hearts from hope, and hands from works, which heaven should win,  
And takes us from the trod, which guides to endless gain,  
And sets us in the way, that leads to lasting pain.   

Haec mundi gloria, quae magnipenditur, sacris in litteris, flos foeni dicitur,  
Vt levi folium, quod vento rapitur, sic vita hominum, hac vita tollitur.   

The pomp of worldly praise, which worldlings hold so dear,  
In holy sacred book, is likened to a flower,  
whose date doth not contain, a week, a month, or year,  
But springing now doth fade again within an hour,  
And as the lightest leaf, with wind about is thrown,  
So light is life of man, and lightly hence is blown.  
FINIS.  
My luck is loss.   

1. Our pleasures are but vanities.  

BEhold the blast, which blows the blossoms from the tree,  
The end whereof, consumes and comes to nought we see:  
Ere thou therefore, be blown from life that may not last,  
Begin for grace to call, for time misspent and passed.   

Have mind on brittle life, whose pleasures are but vain,  
On death likewise bethink, how thou shalt not remain:  
And fear thy Lord to grieve, which sought thy soul to save,  
To sin no more be bend, but mercy ask and have.   

For death who doth not spare, the kings on earth to kill,  
Shall reap also from thee, thy pleasure, life and will:  
That life which yet remains, and in thy breast appears,  
Hath sown in thee such seeds, you ought to weed with tears.   

And life that shall succeed, when death is worn and passed,  
Shall spring for ever then, in joy or pain to last:  
Where death on life, hath power ye see, that life also,  
Hath mown the fruits of death, which never more shall grow.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunis.   

2. Who waighteth on this wavering world, and vieweth each estate, By trial taught shall learn it best. to live in simple rate.  
AMid the vale the slender shrub, is hid from all mishap,  
when taller tree that stands aloof, is rend with thunder clap:  
The turret's tops which touch the clouds, are beat with every blast,  
Soon shivered are their stones with storm, and quickly overcast.  
Best bodied tree in all the wood, for timber beam is found,  
And to the axe the stunrdiest oak, doth yield and fall to ground:  
The highest hill doth soon feel, the flash of lightnings flame,  
And soon decays the pomp and pride, of high renowned name.  
Of all the Heard the hunteman seeks, by proof as doth appear,  
with double forked arrow head, to wound the greatest dear:  
The haughtiest head of all the drove, enjoyest the shortest life,  
And stains the slaughter house with blood▪ at prick of Butcher's knife,  
Thus what thing highest place attains, is soon overthrown,  
What ever Fortune sets aloft, she threats to throw it down.  
And though no force resist thy power, and seek thee to confound,  
Yet doth the poise of weighty things, decline itself to ground.  
For restless type of rowlling wheel, example hath it tried,  
To heavy burden yield it must, full soon and slip aside:  
What veils the rich his bed of Down, the sighs for sleepless thought,  
what time in couch of flock, the poor, sleeps sound and feareth nought  
At homely board his quiet foot, his drinks in treen be ta'en,  
when oft the proud in cups of gold, with wine receive their bane:  
The bed, the board, they dread in doubt, with train to be oppressed:  
when fortune frowns, their power must yield, as wire unto the wrist.  
who so thou be that sits allow, and tread the valleys path,  
Thou needs not fear the Thunder bolts of mighty jove his wrath:  
If Icarus had not presumed too high, to take his flight,  
He had not yet been drowned in Seas, that now Icarian height,  
If Phaeton had not enterprised, to guide his father's seat,  
His fires had not inflamed the world, nor been destroyed with heat:  
But who so climbs above the mean, there is no hope of stay,  
The higher up, the sooner down, and nearer his decay.  
Then you that here in pomp are placed, to guide the golden mace,  
Let Crown and Sceptre both obey, the mean of virtues race:  
For neither shall renowned virtue, see the pit of hell,  
Nor yet in tomb of Marble stone, she shall abide to dwell.  
And in that tomb full bravely decked, when that she shall departed,  
God send her rest and all things well, according to desert:  
But from Sepulchre flies she hence, beyond the skies above,  
And glistering in the blissful stars, she reigns with mighty jove.  
FINIS.  
jasper Heiwood.   

3. The perfect trial of a faithful friend.  
NOt stayed state, but feeble stay, not costly robes, but bare array,  
Not passed wealth, but present want, not heaped store, but slender scant  
Not plenties purse, but poor estate, not happy hap, but froward fate:  
Not wish at will, but want of joy, not hearts good health, but heart's annoy.  
Not freedoms use, but prisoners thrall, not costly seat, but lowest fall:  
Not weal I mean but wretched woe, doth truly try the friend from foe:  
And nought but froward fortune proves, who fawning feines, or simply loves.  
FINIS.  
M. Yloop.   

4. Being asked the occasion of his white head, he answereth thus.  

WHere sighing sighs, and sorrow sobs,  
Hath slain the slips that Nature set,  
And scalding showers, with stony throbs,  
The kindly sap from them hath fet,  
what wonder then though that you see,  
Upon my head white hears to be,   

Where thought hath thrilled and thrown his spears,  
To hurt the heart that harmeth him not,  
And groaning grief hath ground forth tears,  
Mine eyen to stain, my face to spot,  
what wonder then, though that you see,  
Upon my head white hears to be.   

When pinching pain himself hath placed,  
There peace with pleasures were possessed,  
And where the walls of wealth lie waste,  
And poverty in them is priest,  
what wonder then though that you see,  
Upon my head white hears to be.   

Where wretched woe will wean her web,  
Where care the clue can catch and cast,  
And floods of joy are fallen to ebb,  
So lo, that life may not long last,  
what wonder then though that you see,  
Upon my head white hears to be.   

These hears of age are messengers,  
which bid me fast, repent and pray:  
They be of death the Harbingers,  
That doth prepare and dress the way,  
wherefore I joy that you may see,  
Upon my head such hears to be.   

They be the lines that lead the length,  
How far my race is for to run:  
They say my youth is fled with strength,  
And how old age is weak begun:  
The which I feel, and you may see,  
Upon my head such lines to be.   

They be the strings of sober sound,  
Whose Music is harmonical:  
Their tunes declare a time from ground,  
I came, and how thereto I shall:  
Wherefore I joy that you may see,  
Upon my head such strings to be.   

God grant to those that white hears have,  
No worse them take then I have meant:  
That after they be laid in grave,  
Their souls may joy their lives well spent,  
God grant likewise that you may see,  
Upon your head such hears to be.   
FINIS.  
W.H.   

5. Beware of had I witted.  
BEware of had I witted, whose fine brings care and smart,  
Esteem of all as they deserve, and deem as deemed thou art:  
So shall thy perfect friend, enjoy his hoped hire,  
And faithless fawning foe shall miss, th'effect of his desire:  
Good will shall have his gain, and hate shall heap despite,  
A faithless friend shall find distrust, and love shall reap delight:  
Thyself shall rest in peace, thy friend shall joy thy fate,  
Thy foe shall fret at thy good hap, and I shall joy thy state:  
But this my fond advise, may seem perchance but vain,  
As rather teaching how to lose, then how a friend to gain:  
But this not my intent, to teach to find a friend,  
But safely how to love and live, is all that I intend:  
And if you prove in part, and find my counsel true,  
Then wish me well for my good will, 'tis all I crave adieu,  
FINIS,  
My luck is loss.   

6. M. Edwardes May.  

WHen May is in his prime, then may each heart rejoice,  
When May bedeckes each branch with green, each bird strains forth his voice:  
The lively sap creeps up, into the blooming thorn,  
The flowers which cold in prison kept, now laughs the frost to scorn:  
All Nature's Imps triumphs, whiles joyful May doth last,  
When May is gone of all the year, the pleasant time is past.   

May makes the cheerful hue, May breeds and brings new blood,  
May marcheth throughout every limb, May makes the merry mood:  
May pricketh tender hearts, their warbling notes to tune,  
Full strange it is, yet some we see, do make their May in june:  
Thus things are strangely wrought, whiles joyful May doth last,  
Take May in time, when May is gone, the pleasant time is past.   

All ye that live on earth, and have your May at will,  
Rejoice in May, as I do now, and use your May with skill:  
Use May while that you may, for May hath but his time,  
When all the fruit is gone, it is to late the Tree to climb:  
Your liking and your lust, is fresh while May doth last,  
When May is gone, of all the year, the pleasant time is past.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

7. Fair words make fools feign.  

IN youthful years, when first my young desires began,  
To prick me forth, to serve in court, a slender tall young man:  
My father's blessing then, I asked upon my knee,  
UUho blessing me with trembling hand, these words 'gan say to me:  
My son, God guide thy way, and shield thee from mischance,  
And make thy just deserts in Court, thy poor estate to advance:  
Yet when thou art become, one of the Courtly train,  
Think on this Proverb old (quoth he) that fair words make fools feign.   

This counsel gravely given, most strange appears to me,  
Till tract of time with open eyes, had made me plainly see:  
What subtle sleights are wrought, by painted tales devise,  
When hollow hearts with friendly shows, the simple do entice,  
To think all gold that shines, to feed their fond desire,  
Whose shivering cold is warmed with smoke, in steed of flaming fire:  
Sith talk of tickle trust, doth breed a hope most vain,  
This proverb true by proof I find, that fair words make fools feign.   

Fair speech always doth well, where deeds ensue fair words,  
Fair speech again always doth evil, that bushes give for birds:  
Who hopes to have fair words, to try his lucky lot,  
If I may counsel, let him strike it while the Iron is hot.  
But them that feed on clods, in steed of pleasant grapes,  
And after warning often given, for better luck still gapes:  
Full loath I am, yet must I tell them in words plain,  
This proverb old proves true in them, that fair words make fools feign.   

woe worth the time, that words so slowly turn to deeds,  
woe worth the time that fair sweet flowers, are grown to rotten weeds:  
But thrice woe worth the time, that truth away is fled,  
Wherein I see how simple hearts, with words are vainly fed.  
Trust not fair words therefore, where no deeds do ensue,  
Trust words as skilful Falconers do, trust Hawks that never slew:  
Trust deeds, let words be words, which never wrought me gain,  
Let my experience make you wise, and let words make fools feign.   
FINIS  
M. Edwardes.   

8. In his extreme sickness.  

WHat grieves my bones, and makes my body faint?  
What pricks my flesh, and tears my head in twain?  
Why do I wake, when rest should me attaint?  
When others laugh, why do I live in pain?  
I toss, I turn, I change from side to side,  
And stretch me oft, in sorrows links betid.   

I toss, as one betossed in waves of care,  
I turn, to fly the woes of loathsome life?  
I change, to spy if death this corpses might spare,  
I stretch to heaven, to rid me of this strife.  
Thus do I stretch, and change, and toss, and turn,  
While I in hope of heaven, my life do burn.   

Then hold thee still, let be thy heaviness,  
Abolish care, forget thy pining woe:  
For by this means, soon shalt thou find redress,  
When oft betossed, hence thou to heaven must go.  
Then toss and turn, and tumble frank and free,  
O happy thrice, when thou in heaven shalt be.   
FINIS  
L. Vaux.   

9 Eor Christmas day. Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice, In Christ's birth this day rejoice.  

FRom virgin's womb this day did spring,  
The precious seed that only saved man:  
This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing,  
Since on this day salvation first began.  
This day did Christ man's soul from death remove,  
With glorious saints to dwell in heaven above.   

This day to man, came pledge of perfect peace,  
This day to man, came love and unity:  
This day man's grief, began for to surcease,  
This day did man receive a remedy,  
For each offence, and every deadly sin,  
With guilty heart, that erst he wandered in.   

In Christ's flock, let love be surely placed,  
From Christ's flock, let concord hate expel:  
Of Christ's flock, let love be so embraced,  
As we in Christ, and Christ in us may dwell.  
Christ is the author of unity,  
From whence proceedeth all felicity.   

O sing unto, this glittering glorious king,  
O praise his name, let every living thing:  
Let heart and voice, like Bells of silver ring,  
The comfort that, this day did bring.  
Let Lute, let Shawm▪ with sound of sweet delight.  
The joy of Christ's birth this day recite.   
FINIS  
F. Kindlemarshe.   

10. For Easter day.  

ALL mortal men this day rejoice, in Christ that you redeemed hath,  
By death with death sing we with voice, to him that hath appeased God's wrath:  
Due unto man for sinful path, wherein before he went astray,  
Give thanks to him with perfect faith, that for mankind hath made this glorious day.   

This day he rose from tomb again, wherein his precious corpse was laid,  
Whom cruelly the jews had slain, with bloody wounds full ill arrayed:  
O man be now no more dismayed, if thou henceforth from sin do stay,  
Of death thou needest not to be afraid, Christ conquered death for this his glorious day.   

His death prevailed had no whit, as Paul the Apostle well doth write,  
Except he had uprised it, from death to life by godlike might:  
With most triumphant glittering light,  
This day his glory shined I say, and made us bright as sun this glorious day.   

O man arise with Christ therefore, since he from sin hath made thee free,  
Beware thou fall in sin no more, but rise as Christ did rise for thee:  
So mayest thou him in glory see, when he at day of doom shall say,  
Come thou my child and dwell with me, God grant us all to see that glorious day.   
FINIS  
jasper Heiwood.   

11. For Whitsonday.  

COme holy Ghost eternal God, and ease the woeful grief,  
That through the heaps of heavy sin, can no where find relief:  
Do thou O God redress,  
The great distress,  
Of sinful heaviness.   

Come comfort the afflicted thoughts, of my consumed heart,  
O rid the piercing pinching pains, of my tormenting smart:  
O holy Ghost grant me,  
That I by thee,  
From sin may purged be.   

Thou art my God, to thee alone I will commend my cause,  
Nor glittering gold nor precious stone, shall make me leave thy laws:  
O teach me then the way,  
Whereby I may,  
Make thee my only stay.   

My lips, my tongue, my heart and all, shall spread thy mighty name,  
My voice shall never cease to sound, the praises of the same:  
Yea every living thing,  
Shall sweetly sing,  
To thee (O heavenly king.)   
FINIS  
F. Kindlemarsh.   

12. No pleasure without some pain.  

SUUeet were the joys, that both might like and last,  
Strange were the state, exempt from all distress,  
Happy the life, that no mishap should taste:  
Blessed the chance, might never change success,  
Where such a life to lead, or state to prove,  
UUho would not wish, that such a life were love.   

But O the sowrie sauce of sweet unsure,  
When pleasures fly, and fly with waist of wind:  
The trustless trains, that hoping hearts allure,  
When sweet delights, do but allure the mind.  
When care consumes, and wastes the wretched wight,  
While fancy feeds, and draws of her delight.   

What life were love, if love were free from pain?  
But O that pain, with pleasure matched should meet:  
Why did the course, of Nature so ordain,  
That sugared sour, must sauce the bitter sweet?  
Which sour from sweet, might any means remove,  
What hap, what heaven, what life were like to love?   
FINIS  
W. Hunis.   

13. Who minds to bring his Ship to happy shore, Must care to know the laws of wisdoms lore.  

MY friend, if thou wilt credit me in aught,  
To whom the truth, by trial well appears:  
Nought worth is wit, till it be dearly bought,  
There is no wisdom, but in hoary hears:  
Yet if I may, of wisdom oft define,  
As well as others have of happiness:  
Then to my words, my friend thy ear incline,  
The things that make thee wise, are these I guess.   

Fear God, and know thyself in each degree,  
Be friend to all, familiar but to few:  
To light of credit, see thou never be,  
For trial ought, in trust doth treason show:  
To others faults, cast not to much thy eye,  
Accuse no man of guilt, amend thy own:  
Of meddling much, doth mischief ought arise,  
And oft debate, by tickle tongue is sown.   

What thing thou wilt have hid, to none declare,  
In word or deed, beware of had I witted:  
So spend thy good, that some thou ever spare,  
For friends like Hawks, do soar from empty fist:  
Cut out thy coat, according to thy cloth,  
Suspected persons, see thou always flee:  
Believe not him, that once hath broke his troth,  
Nor yet of gift, without desert be free.   

Time quickly slips, beware how thou it spend,  
Of wanton youth, repentes a painful age:  
Begin nothing, without an eye to th'end,  
Nor bow thine ear, from counsel of the sage:  
If thou to far, let out thy fancy slip,  
And witless will, from reasons rule outstart:  
Thy folly shall at length be made thy whip,  
And sore the stripes of shame shall cause thee smart.   

To do to much for old men is but lost,  
Of friendship had to women comes like gain:  
Bestow not thou on children to much cost,  
For what thou dost for these, is all in vain:  
The old man or he can requite, he dies,  
Unconstant is the woman's wavering mind:  
Full soon the body thy friendship will despise,  
And him for love, thou shalt ungrateful find.   

The aged man is like the barren ground,  
The woman like the reed that wags with wind:  
There may no trust in tender years be found,  
And of the three, the boy is most unkind:  
If thou have found a faithful friend in deed,  
Beware thou lose not love of such a one:  
He shall sometime stand thee in better steed,  
Then treasure great, of gold or precious stone.   
FINIS.  
jasper Heiwood.   

14. Of the unconstant stay of Fortune's gifts.  

IF Fortune be thy stay, thy state is very tickle,  
She bears a double face, disguised, false and fickle:  
This day she seems to smile, to morrow will she frown,  
What now she sets aloft, anon she throweth down:  
Fly Fortunes sly deceit, let Virtue be thy guide,  
If that you do intend, in happy state to abide.   

Upon the settled rock, thy building surest stands,  
Away it quickly wears, that resteth on the sands:  
Dame Virtue is the rock, that yields assured stay,  
Dame Fortune is the sand, that scoureth soon away:  
Chose that is certain, let things uncertain pass,  
Prefer the precious gold, before the brittle glass.   

sly Fortune hath her sleights, she plays upon the pack,  
Look whom she favours most, at length she turns to wrack:  
But Virtue simply deals, she shuns deceitful train.  
Who is by Virtue raised up, shall never fall again:  
Stick fast to Virtue then, that gives assured trust,  
And fly from Fortune's frekes, that ever prove unjust.   
FINIS.  
F. K.   

15. Promise is debt.  

IN my account, the promise that is vowed,  
Among the good, is holden such a debt:  
As he is thought, no whit to be allowed,  
That setteth light, his promise to forget:  
And for my part, I will not link in love,  
With fickle folk, whose fancies ought remove.   

My happy gain, I do esteem for such,  
As few have found, in these our doubtful days:  
To find a friend, I think it be as much,  
As to win a fort, full fraught of noble praise:  
Of all the goods, that there may be possessed,  
A faithful friend, I judge to be the best.   

O friendly league, although to late begun,  
Yet time shall try, our troth as well employed:  
And that we both, shall see that we have done,  
Such fastened faith, as can not be destroyed:  
By envious rage, or slanders bitter blow,  
That always seeks the good to overthrow.   
FINIS.  
R. Hill.   

16. No words, but deeds.  

THe wrong is great, the pain above my power,  
That yields such care, in doubtful dens to drown:  
Such hap is hard, where Fortune doth so lower,  
As friendly look, is turned to froward frown.  
Is this the trust, that faithful friends can find?  
With those that yet have promise broke?  
By deeds in doubt, as though no words can bind,  
A vowed friend, to hold him to his yoke.   

O faithless friend, what can assure your mind?  
That doubts so soon, before you have cause why?  
To what hard hap, doth Fortune here me bind,  
When words nor deeds, can no where satisfy:  
What can I write? that hath not oft been said,  
What have I said? that hath not been affirmed:  
What not approved? that aught to be assayed,  
Or what is vowed? that shall not be performed.   

Cast of mistrust, in haste no credit give,  
To this or that, that breedeth friends unrest:  
No doubt at all, but trust me if I live,  
My deeds shall prove, that all is for the best:  
And this believe, the sea shall cease to flow,  
The sun to shine, within the settled sky:  
All things on earth, shall leave to spring and grow,  
Yea every foul, shall want his wings to fly.   

Ear I in thought, shall seem once to retire,  
If you my friend, remain as I desire:  
Now lose no time, but use that while you may,  
Forget not this, a Dog shall have a day.   
FINIS.  
R. D.   

17. He desireth exchange of life.  

THe day delayed, of that I most do wish,  
wherewith I feed, and starve in one degree:  
With wish and want, still served in one dish,  
A live as dead, by proof as you may see:  
To whom of old, this Proverb well it serves,  
While grass doth grow, the silly horse he starves:  
tween these extremes, thus do I roam the race,  
Of my poor life, this certainly I know:  
tween would and want, unwarely that do pass,  
More swift than shot, out of the Archers vow:  
As Spider draws her line all day,  
I watch the net, and others have the prey.   

And as by proof, the greedy Dog doth gnaw,  
The bared bone, all only for the taste:  
So to and fro, this loathsome life I draw,  
With fancies forced, and fed with vain repast:  
Narsissus brought, unto the water drink,  
So aye thirst I, the more that I do drink.   

Lo thus I die, and yet I seem not sick,  
With smart unseen myself, myself I wear:  
With prone desire, and power that is not quick,  
With hope a fit, now drenched in disprayre:  
Trained in trust, for no reward assigned,  
The more I hast, the more I come behind.   

With hurt to heal, in frozen Ice to fry,  
With loss to laugh, this is a wondrous case:  
Fast fettered here, is forced away to fly,  
As hunted Hare, that Hound hath in the chase:  
With wings and spurs, for all the hast I make,  
As like to lose, as for to draw the stake.   

The days be long, that hang upon desert,  
The life is irk of joys that be delayed:  
The time is short, for to requite the smart,  
That doth proceed, of promise long unpaid:  
That to the last, of this my fainting breath,  
I wish exchange of life, for happy death.   
FINIS.  
L. Vanx.   

18. Of the instability of youth.  

WHen I look back, and in myself behold,  
The wandering ways, that youth could not descry:  
And mark the fearful course, that youth did hold,  
And met in mind, each step youth strayed awry:  
My knees I bow, and from my heart I call,  
O Lord forget, these faults and follies all.   

For now I see, how void youth is of skill,  
I see also his Prime time and his end:  
I do confess my faults and all my ill,  
And sorrow sore, for that I did offend:  
And with a mind, repentant of all crimes,  
Pardon I ask for youth, ten thousand times.   

The humble heart, hath daunted the proud mind,  
Eke wisdom hath given ignorance a fall:  
And wit hath taught, that folly could not find,  
And age hath youth, her subject and her thrall:  
Therefore I pray, O Lord of life and truth,  
Pardon the faults committed in my youth.   

Thou that didst grant the wise king his request,  
Thou that in the Whale, thy Prophet didst preserve:  
Thou that forgavest the wounding of thy breast,  
Thou that didst save, the thief in state to starve:  
Thou only God, the giver of all grace,  
Wipe out of mind, the path of youths vain race.   

Thou that by power, to life didst raise the dead,  
Thou that restorest the blind to perfect sight:  
Thou that for love, thy life and love out blead,  
Thou that of favour, madest the lame go right:  
Thou that canst heal, and help in all assays,  
Forgive the gilt, that grew in youths vain ways.   

And now since I▪ with faith and doubtless mind,  
Do fly to thee, by prayer to appease thy Ire:  
And since that thee, I only seek to find,  
And hope by faith, to attain my just desire:  
Lord mind no more, youths error and unskill,  
And able age, to do thy holy will.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

19 Most happy is that state alone, Where words and deeds agree in one.  

BY painted words, the silly simple man,  
To trustless trap, is trained now and than:  
And by conceit, of sweet alluring tale,  
He bites the baits, that breeds his bitter bale:  
To beauties blaze, cast not thy roving eye,  
In pleasant green, do stinging Serpents lie:  
The golden Pill, hath but a bitter taste,  
In glittering glass, a poison rankest placed,  
So pleasant words, without performing deeds,  
May well be deemed, to spring of darnel seeds:  
The friendly deed is it, that quickly tries,  
Where trusty faith, and friendly meaning lies:  
That state therefore, most happy seems to be,  
Where words and deeds, most faithfully agree.   

My friend if thou wilt keep thy honest name,  
Fly from the blot, of barking flanders blame:  
Let not in word, thy promise be more large,  
Then thou in deed, art willing to discharge:  
Abhorred is that false dissembling brood,  
That seems to bear, two faces in one hood:  
To say a thing, and not to mean the same,  
Will turn at length, to loss of thy good name:  
Wherefore my friend, let double dealing go,  
In stead whereof, let perfect plainness flow:  
Do thou no more, in idle words exceed,  
Then thou intends, to do in very deed:  
So good report, shall spread thy worthy praise,  
For being just, in word and deed always.   

You worldly wights, that worldly doers are,  
Before you let, your word slip out to far:  
Consider well, what inconvenience springs,  
By breach of promise made, in lawful things:  
First, God mislikes where such deceit doth swarm,  
Next, it redoundeth unto thy neighbour's harm:  
And last of all, which is not least of all,  
For such offence, thy conscience suffer shall:  
As barren grounds, brings forth but rotten weeds,  
From barren words, so fruitless chaff proceeds:  
As savoury flowers, do spring in fertile ground,  
So trusty friends, by trial soon are found:  
To shun therefore, the worst that may ensue,  
Let deeds always, approve thy sayings true.   
FINIS.  
F. K.   

Who will aspire to dignity: 20. By learning must advanced be.  

THe poor that live in needy rate, by learning do great richesses gain,  
The rich that live in wealthy state, by learning do their wealth maintain:  
Thus rich and poor, are furthered still,  
By sacred rules of learned skill.   

All fond conceits of frantic youth, the golden gift of learning stays,  
Of doubtful things to search the truth, learning sets forth the ready ways▪  
O happy him do I repute,  
Whose breast is fraught with learning fruit.   

There grows no corn within the field, that Ox and plough did never till,  
Right so the mind no fruit can yield, that is not lead by learnings skill:  
Of ignorance comes rotten weeds,  
Of learning springs right noble deeds.  
Like as the Captain hath respect, to train his soldiers in array,  
So learning doth man's mind direct, by virtues staff his life to stay:  
Though friends and Fortune waxeth scant,  
Yet learned men shall never want.   

You imps therefore in youth be sure, to fraught your minds with learned things,  
For learning is the fountain pure, out from the which all glory springs:  
Who so therefore will glory win,  
With learning first must needs begin.   
FINIS  
F. Kindlemarsh.   

21. Man's flitting life finds surest stay: Where sacred virtue beareth sway.  

THe sturdy rock for all his strength, by raging seas is rend in twain,  
The marble stone is pierced at length, with little drops of drilling rain:  
The Ox doth yield unto the yoke,  
The Steel obeyeth the hammer stroke.   

The stately stag that seems so stout, by yalping hounds at bay is set,  
The swiftest bird that flees about, is caught at length in fowlers Net:  
The greatest fish in deepest brook,  
Is soon deceived with subtle hook.   

Yea man himself, unto whose will, all things are bounden to obey,  
For all his wit and worthy skill, doth fade at length and fall away:  
There is nothing, but time doth waste,  
The Heavens, the Earth, consume at last.   

But virtue sits triumphing still, upon the throne of glorious fame,  
Though spitful death man's body kill, yet hurts he not his virtuous name:  
By life or death, what so betides,  
The state of virtue, never slides.   
FINIS.  
M. T.   

22. Nothing is comparable unto a faithful friend.  

SIth this our time, of friendship is so scant,  
Sith friendship now, in every place doth want:  
Sith every man, of friendship is so hollow,  
As no man rightly knows, which way to follow:  
Cease not my Muse, seize not in these our days,  
To ring loud peals, of sacred friendships praise.   

If men be now, their own peculiar friends,  
And to their neighbour's friendship none pretends:  
If men of friendship, show themselves so bare,  
And of their brethren, take no friendly care:  
Forbear not then my Muse, nor fear not then,  
To ring dispraise, of these unfriendly men.   

Did man in friendship know the mighty power?  
How great effects, it worketh every hour:  
What store of hidden friendship it retains,  
How still it poureth forth abundant gains:  
Man would with thee, my Muse in these our days,  
Ring out loud peals, of sacred friendships praise.   

Friendship relieveth man's necessity,  
Friendship comforteth man's adversity:  
Friendship augmenteth man's prosperity,  
Friendship prefers man to felicity:  
Then ring my Muse, ring out in these our days,  
Ring out loud peals, of sacred friendships praise.   

Of friendship, groweth love and charity,  
By friendship, men are linked in amity:  
From friendship springeth all commodity,  
The fruit of friendship is fidelity:  
Oh ring my Muse, ring out in these our days,  
Peal upon peal, of sacred friendships praise.   

That man with man, true friendship may embrace.  
That man to man, may show a friendly face:  
That every man, may sow such friendly seeds,  
As friendship may be found in friendly deeds.  
And join with thee my muse in these our days,  
To ring loud peals of sacred friendships praise.   
FINIS.  
F. Kindlemarsh.   

Golden precepts.  

PErhaps you think me bold that dare presume to teach,  
As one that runs beyond his race, & rows beyond his reach,  
Sometime the blind do go, where perfect sights do fall,  
The simple may sometimes instruct, the wisest heads of al.   

If needful notes I give, that unto virtue tend,  
Me thinks you should of right, vouchsafe your listening ears to lend:  
A Whetstone cannot cut, yet sharps it well we see,  
And I though blunt, may whet your skills, if you attentive be.   

First these among the rest, I wish you warily heed,  
That God be served, your prince obeyed, & friends relieved at need:  
Then look to honest thrift, both what and how to have,  
At night examine so the day, that bed be thought a grave.   

Seek not for others goods, be just in word and deed,  
For got with shifts, are spent with shame, believe this as thy creed  
Boast not of Nature's gifts, nor yet of parent's name,  
For Virtue is the only mean, to win a worthy fame.   

Ere thou dost promise make, consider well the end,  
But promise past be sure thou keep, both with thy foe and friend:  
Threat not revenge to much, it shows a cravens kind,  
But to prevail, and then forgive, declares a noble mind.   

Forget no friendships debt, wish to requite at least,  
For God and man, yea all the world, condems the ungrateful beast:  
Bear not a friendly face, with heart of judas kiss,  
It shows, a base and vile conceit, and not where valour is.   

Fly from a fawning flirt, and from a cogging mate,  
Their loves breeds loss, their praise reproach, their friendship breeds but hate,  
Seek not to lose by wiles, that law and duty binds,  
They be but helps of Bankrupts heads, and not of honest minds.   

The motions of the flesh, and Collar's heat restrain,  
For heaps of harms do daily hap, where lust or rage doth reign:  
In diet, deed and words, a modest mean is best,  
Enough sufficeth for a feast, but riot finds no rest.   

And so to make an end, let this be borne away:  
That virtue always be thy guide, so shalt thou never stray.   
FINIS▪   

¶ In praise of the Snail.  

THe deep turmoiled wight, that lives devoid of ease,  
Whose wayward wits are often found, more wavering than the seas:  
Seeks sweet repose abroad, and takes delight to roam,  
Where reason leaves the Snail for rule, to keep a quiet home.   

Leap not before thou look, lest harm thy hope assail,  
Hast havoc makes in hurtful wise, wherefore be slow as Sail:  
Refrain from rash attempt, let take heed be thy skill,  
Let wisdom bridle brainsick wit, and leisure work thy will.   

Dame reason bids I say, in things of doubt be slack,  
Lest rashness purchase us the wrong, that wisdom wills us lack:  
By rashness divers have been deadly overcome,  
By kindly creeping on like Snail, duke Fabe his fame hath won.   

Though some as swift as hawks, can stoop to every stolen,  
Yet I refuse such sudden flight, and will seem slow as Snail:  
Wherefore my pretty Snail, be still and lap thee warm.  
Save envies frets maugre their fumes, ther● few shall do thee harm.   

Because in some respect, thou holds me to be wise,  
I place thee for a President, and sign before mine eyes:  
Was never any yet, that harm in thee could find,  
Or dare avow that ever Snail, wrought hurt to humane kind.   

I know dame Physic doth, thy friendly help implore,  
And crau's the salve from thee ensues, to cure the crazed sore:  
Sith Physic then allows, the virtues in degree,  
In spite of spite I wear thee still, that well contenteth me.   
FINIS.   

21. Remember thy end.  

TO be as wise as Cato was, or rich as Croesus in his life:  
To have the strength of Hercules, which did subdue by force or strife.  
What helpeth it when death doth call,  
The happy end exceedeth all.   

The rich may well the poor relieve, that rulers may redress each wrong:  
The learned may good counsel give, but mark the end of this my song.  
Who doth these things, happy they call,  
Their happy end, exceedeth all.   

The happiest end, in these our days, that all do seek, both small and great:  
Is either for fame, or else for praise, or who may sit in highest seat.  
But of these things hap, what hap shall,  
The happy end exceedeth all.   

A good beginning oft we see, but seldom standing at one stay:  
For few do like the mean degree, then praise at parting some men say.  
The things whereto each wight is thrall,  
The happy end exceedeth all.   

The mean estate, that happy life, which liveth under governance:  
Who seeks no hate, nor breeds no strife, but takes in worth his happy chance.  
If contentation him befall,  
His happy end exceedeth all.   

The longer life that we desire, the more offence doth daily grow:  
The greater pain it doth require, except the judge some mercy show.  
Wherefore I think and ever shall,  
The happy end exceedeth all.   
FINIS.  
D. S.   

24. He persuadeth his friend from the fond affects of love.  

VUhy art thou bound and mayest go free, shall reason yield to raging will?  
Is thraldom like to liberty? wilt thou exchange thy good for ill?  
Then shalt thou learn a childish play, and of each part to taste and prove:  
The lookers on shall judge and say, lo this is he that lives by love.   

Thy wits with thoughts, shall stand at stay, thy head shall have but heavy rest,  
Thy eyes shall watch for wanton praies, thy tongue shall show thy heart's request:  
Thy ears shall hear a thousand noise, thy hand shall put thy pen to pain,  
And in the end, thou shalt dispraise, thy life so spent, for such small gain.   

If love and list might ever cope, or youth might run in reason's race,  
Or if strong suit might win sure hope, I would less blame a lovers case:  
For love is hot, with great desire, and sweet delight makes youth so fond,  
That little sparks will prove great fire, and bring free hearts to endless bonds   

First count the care, and then the cost, & mark what fraud in faith is found,  
Then after come, and make thy boast, & show some cause why thou art bound:  
For when the wine doth run full low, you shall be feign to drink the lies,  
And eat the flesh full well I know, that hath been blown with many flies.   

We see where great devotion is, the people kneel and kiss the cross,  
And though we find small fault of this, yet some will gilded a bridles boss▪  
A fool his babble will not change, not for the sceptre of a King,  
A lovers life is nothing strange, for youth delights none other thing.   
FINIS.  
Tho. Churchyard.   

25. Wanting his desire, he complaineth.  

THe sailing ships with joy at length, do touch their long desired port,  
The hewing axe the oak doth waste, and battering Canon breaks the fort:  
Hard hagred hawks stoup to the lure, wild colts in time the bridle tames,  
There is nothing so out of ure, but to his kind long time it frames.  
Yet this I find in time, no time can win my suit,  
Though oft the tree I climb, I cannot catch the fruit.   

And yet the pleasant branches oft, in yielding wise to me they bow,  
When I would touch they spring, soon are they gone I wot not how:  
Thus I present that fleeting flood, the Tantalus in hell below,  
would God my case she understood, which can full soon relieve my woe.  
Which if to her were known, the fruit were surely mine,  
She would not let me groan, and browse upon the rind.   

But if my ship with tackle torn, with rented sails must needs retire,  
And stream and wind have plainly sworn, by force to hinder my desire:  
Like one that strikes upon the rocks, my weary wrack I should be wail,  
And learn to know false fortunes mocks, who smiles on me to small avail.  
Yet sith she only can, my rented Ship restore,  
To help her wracked man, but once I seek no more.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

28. Try before you trust.  
IN friends are found a heap of doubts, that double dealing use,  
A swarm of such I could find out, whose craft I can accuse:  
A face for love, a heart for hate, these feigned friends can bear,  
A tongue for troth, a head for wiles, to hurt each simple care.  
In humble port, is poison part, that plainness can not spy,  
Which credits all, and can not see, where stinging Serpents lie:  
Through hasty trust, the harmless heart, is easily hampered in,  
And made believe it is good gold, when it is Led and Tin.  
The first deceit that bleres mine eyes, is feigned faith professed,  
The second trap is grating talk, that gripes each strangers breast:  
The third deceit is greeting words, with colours painted out,  
Which bids suspect to fear no smart, nor dread no dangerous doubt.  
The fourth, and last is long repair, which creeps in friendship's lap.  
And daily haunts, that under trust, deviseth many a trap:  
Lo how false friends can frame a fetch, to win their will with wiles,  
To sauce their sleights with sugared sops, and shadow harm with smiles,  
To serve their lusts, are sundry sorts, by practice divers kinds,  
Some carries honey in their mouths, and venoume in their minds:  
methinks the stones within the streets, should cry out in this case,  
And every one that doth them meet, should shun their double face.  
FINIS.  
D. S.   

27. A Lady forsaken complaineth.  
IF pleasures be in painfulness? In pleasures doth my body rest,  
IF joys accord with carefulness? A joyful heart is in my breast:  
If prison strong be liberty? In liberty long have I been,  
If joys accord with misery? who can compare a life to mine.  
Who can unbind that is sore hound? who can make free that is full thrall,  
Or how can any means be found, to comfort such a wretch withal:  
None can, but he that hath my heart, convert my pains to comfort then,  
Yet since his servant I became, most like a bondman have I been.  
Since first in bondage I became, my words and deeds were ever such,  
That never once he could me blame, except from loving him too much.  
Which I can judge no just offence, nor cause that I deserve disdain,  
Except he mean through false pretence, through forged love to make a train  
Nay, nay, alas, my feigned thoughts, my friended and my feigned ruth,  
My pleasures past my present plaints, show well I mean but to much truth.  
But since I cannot him attain, against my will I let him go,  
And lest he glory at my pain, I will attempt to cloak my woe:  
Youth, learn by me, but do not prove, for I have proved to my pain,  
What grievous griefs do grow by love, and what it is to love in vain.  
FINIS.  
M. D.   

28. Finding worldly joys but vanities, he wisheth death.  
forlorn in filthy froward fate, wherein a thousand cares I find:  
By whom I do lament my state, annoyed with fond afflicted mind.  
A wretch in woe, and dare not cry,  
I live, and yet I wish to die.  
The day in dole, that seemeth long, to pass with sighs and heavy cheer:  
And with these eyes I view the wrong, that I sustain by living here.  
Where my mishaps as rise do dwell,  
As plagues within the pit of hell.  
A wailing wight I walk alone, in desert dens there to complain:  
Among the savage sort to move, I flee my friends where they remain.  
And pleasure take to shun the sight,  
Where erst I felt my great delight.  
A captive clapped in chains of care, leapt in the laws of lethal love:  
My flesh & bones consumed bare, with crawling griefs full strange to prove.  
Though hap doth bid me hope at least,  
UUhiles grass doth grow, yet starves the beast.  
A sieged fort with foreign force, for want of aid, must yield at last,  
So must my wearied pined corpse, submit itself to bitter taste:  
Of crawling care that cracks my breast,  
Till hope of death, shall break my rest.  
FINIS.  
F. M.   

¶ A reply to M. Edwardes May.  

I Read a Maiyng rhyme of late, delighted much my ear,  
It may delight as many more, as it shall read or hear:  
To see how there is showed, how May is much of price,  
And eke to May when that you may, even so is his advice.  
It seems he meant to May himself, and so to use his skill,  
For that the time did serve so well, in May to have his will:  
His only May was ease of mind, so far as I can guess,  
And that his May his mind did please, a man can judge no less.   

And as himself did reap the fruits, of that his pleasant May,  
He wills his friend the same to use, in time when as he may:  
He is not for himself it seems, but wisheth well to all,  
For that he would they should take May, in time when it doth fall.  
So use your May, you may, it can not hurtful be,  
And May well used in time and place, may make you merry glee:  
Modest Maying meetest is, of this you may be sure,  
A modest Maying quietness, to Mayor's doth procure.   

Who may and will not take, may wish he had so done,  
Who may and it doth take, may think he took to soon:  
So join your May with wisdoms lore, and then you may be sure,  
Who makes his May in other sort, his vurest may procure.  
Some May before May come, some May when May is past,  
Some make their May too late, and some do make post hast:  
Let wisdom rule I say your May, and thus I make an end,  
And May, that when you list to May, a good May God you send.   
FINIS.  
M. S.   

30. Having married a worthy Lady, and taken away by death, he complaineth his mishap.  
IN youth when I at large did lead, my life in lusty liberty,  
When heavy thoughts no one did spread, to let my pleasant fantasy:  
No fortune seemed, so hard could fall,  
This freedom then, that might take thrall.  
And twenty years I scarce had spent, when to make full my happy fate  
Both treasures great were on me cast, with lands and titles of estate:  
So as more blest than I, stood than,  
Eke as me thought was never man.  
For of Dame Fortune who is he, could more desire by just request,  
Then health, with wealth, and liberty, all which at once I this possessed:  
But masking in this jolly joy,  
A sudden sight, proved all a toy.  
For passing on these merry days, with new devise of pleasures great,  
And now & then to view the rays, of beauties works with cunning feat:  
In heavenly hews, all which as one,  
I oft beheld, but bound to none.  
And one day rolling thus my eyes, upon these blessed wights at ease,  
Amongst the rest one did I see, who strait my wandering look did seize:  
And stayed them firm, but such a sight,  
Of beauty yet saw never wight.  
What shall I seek to praise it more, where tongues cannot well praise the same,  
But to be short to lovers lore, I strait my senses all did frame  
And were it wit, or were it chance,  
I won the Garland in this dance.  
And thus where I before had thought, no hap my fortune might increase,  
A double bliss this chance forth brought, so did my Ladies love me please:  
Her faith so firm, and constant such,  
As never heart, can praise too much.  
But now with torments strange I taste, the fickle stay of fortune's wheel,  
And where she raised from high to cast, with greater force of grief to feel:  
For from this hap of sudden frown,  
Of Prince's face she threw me down.  
And thus exchange now hath it made, by liberty a thing most dear,  
In hateful prison for to fade, where sundered from my loving fear:  
My wealth and health, stands at like stay,  
Obscurely to consume away.  
And last when humane force was none, could part our love wherein we lived,  
My Lady's life alas is gone, most cruel death hath it bereaved:  
Whose virtues, her, to God hath won,  
And left me here, a man undone.  
FINIS.  
F.G.   

31. A worthy ditty, song before the Queen's Majesty at Bristol.  

MIstrust not troth, that truly means, for every jealous freke,  
In stead of wrong, condemn not right, no hidden wrath to wreak:  
Look on the life of faultless life, how bright her virtues shine,  
And measure out her steps each one, by level and by line.   

deem each desert by upright guess, whereby your praise shall live,  
If malice would be matched with might, let hate no judgement give:  
Enforce no fear with wresting wits, in quiet conscience breast,  
Lend not your ears to busy tongues, which breedeth much unrest.   

In doubtful drifts wade not to far, it wearies but the mind,  
Seek not to search the secret hearts, whose thoughts are hard to find:  
Avoid from you those hateful heads, that helps to heap mishap,  
Be slow to hear the flatterer's voice, that creepeth in your lap.   

Embrace their love that wills you good, and sport not at their praise,  
Trust not too much unto yourself, for feeble are your stays:  
How can your seat be settled fast, or stand on steadfast ground.  
So propped up with hollow hearts, whose surety is unsound,   

Give faith to those that fear for love, and not that love for fear,  
Regard not them that force compels to please you every where:  
All this well weighed and borne away, shall 'stablish long your state,  
Continually with perfect peace, in spite of puffing hate.   
FINIS.  
D. S.   

32. An Epitaph upon the death of Sir Edward Saunders Knight, Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer.  
YOu Muses wear your mourning weeds, strike on the fatal drum,  
Sound Triton out the trump of fame, in spite of Pareas doom:  
Distill Parnassus pleasant drops possess Pierides place,  
Apollo help with doleful tune, to wail this woeful case▪  
UUring hard your hands, wail on your loss, lament the fate that fell,  
With sobs and sighs to Saunders say, oh Saunders now farewell:  
UUhom Phoebus fed with Pallas pap, as one of Sibyls seed,  
Lo here where death did rest his corpse, the vermin foul to feed.  
UUhom Imps of jove with Nectar sweet, long in Libethres noursht,  
Behold how dreadful death him brought, to the whence he came first:  
Lycurgus he for learned laws, Radamantus race that ran,  
another Nectar for advice, Zalucus fame that won.  
A Damon dear unto his friend, in faith like Photion found,  
A Cato that could counsel give, to Prince a subject sound:  
Not Athens for their Solon sage, not Rome for Numa wail,  
As we for Saunders death have cause, in floods of tears to sail.  
Nor Sparta card for Chilos death, nor proud Prienna priest,  
To weep for Bias as we wail, our Saunders late possessed:  
His learned paths, his talents rare, so now by death appears,  
As he that Solomon sought to serve, in prime and youthful years,  
His counsel sad, his rules, his Laws, in country soil so wrought.  
As though in Cuma he had been, of sage Sibilla taught:  
His virtuous life was such I say, as virtue did embrace,  
By virtue caught in virtues school, to grow in virtues race.  
Might tender babes, might orphans weak, might widows rear the cry,  
The sound thereof should pierce the clouds, to scale the empire sky:  
To bid the Gods to battle bend, and to descend in sight,  
Though far unfit, and mates unmeet, with mortal men to fight.  
Too late (alas) we wish his life, too soon deceives us Death,  
Too little wit we have to seek, the dead again to breath:  
What helpless is, most careless be, as Nature's course doth show,  
For death shall reap what life hath sown, by nature this we know.  
Where is that fierce Achilles fled, where is king Turnus shroud?  
What is become of Priamus state, where is Periander proud?  
Hector, Hanno, Hannibal, dead, Pompey, Pyrrhus spilled,  
Scipio, Cyrus, Caesar slain, and Alexander killed.  
So long there Fortune fast did flow, and charged Fame to sound,  
Till frowning Fortune foiled by fate, which fawning Fortune found:  
Eat Fortune's feakes, shake Fortune of, to none is Fortune sound,  
Sith none may say of Fortune so, I Fortune faithful found.  
Behold where Fortune flowed so fast, and favoured Saunders lure,  
Till fickle Fortune false again, did Saunders death procure:  
Lo clothed cold in clods of clay, in drossy dust remain,  
By fate returned from whence he came, to his mother's womb again,  
UUho well-nigh thirty years was judge, before a judge did fall,  
And judged by that mighty judge, which judge shall judge us all:  
The heavens may of right rejoice, and earth may it bewail,  
Sith heaven wan, and earth hath lost, the guide and ark of veil.  
The gain is much, our loss is great, their mirth, our moan is such,  
That they may laugh as cause do yield, and we may weep as much.  
O happy he, unhappy we, his hap doth aye increase,  
Happy he, and hapless we, his hap shall never cease.  
We live to die, he died to live, we want and he possessed,  
We bide in bands, he baths in bliss, the Gods above him blest:  
Being borne to live, he lived to die, and died to God so plain,  
That birth, that life, that death do show, that he shall live again.  
His youth to age, his age to death, his death to fame applied,  
His same to time, his time to God, thus Saunders lived and died:  
O happy life, O happier death, O ten times happy he,  
Whose hap it was, such hap to have, a judge this age to be.  
Oh joyful time, Oh blessed soil, where Pallas rules with wit,  
O noble state, O sacred seat, where Saba sage doth sit▪  
Like Susan sound like Sara sad, with hester's Mace in hand,  
With judith's sword Bellona like, to rule this noble land.  
I had my will, you have your wish, I laugh, rejoice you may,  
I wan now much, you gain no less, to see this happy day.  
Wherein I died, wherein you live, oh triple happy cost,  
Wherein I joyed in glory great, wherein you triumph most.  
Kneel on your knees, knock hard your breasts, sound forth the joyful drum,  
Clap loud your hands, sound Echo say, the golden world is come.  
Rejoice you judges may of right, your mirth may now be such,  
As never erst you judges had, in England mirth so much.  
Here Cuma is, here Sibyl reigns, on Delphos seat to sit,  
Here she like Phoebus' rules, that can Gordius knot unknit.  
I lived to Nature long enough, I lived to honour much,  
I lived at wish, and died at will, to see my country such.  
As neither needs it Numas laws, nor yet Apollo's sword,  
For maugre Mars yet Mars shallbe of this our Queen afeard.  
O peerless pearl, O Diamond dear, O Queen of Queen's farewell,  
Your royal Majesty God preserve, in England long to dwell.  
Farewell the Phoenix of the world, farewell my sovereign Queen,  
Farewell most noble virtuous Prince, Minerva's mate I ween.  
No jewel, Gem, no Gold to give, no Pearls from Pactol●s lo,  
No Persian Gaze, no Indian stone, no Tagus sands to show.  
But faith and will to native soil, a live and dead I find,  
My heart my mind, my love I leave unto my Prince behind,  
Farewell you Nobles of this land, farewell you judges grave,  
Farewell my fellows, friends and mates, your Queen I say God save.  
What rise in time, in time doth fall, what floweth in time doth ebb,  
What lives in time, in time shall die, and yield to Parcus web.  
The Sun to darkness shallbe turned, the stars from skies shall fall,  
The Moon to blood, the world with fire shallbe consumed all.  
As smoke or vapour vanish strait, as bubbles rise and fall,  
As clouds do pass, or shadow shifts, we live, we die so all.  
Our pomp, our pride, our triumph most, our glory great herein,  
Like shattering shadow pass away, as though none such had been.  
Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, as they were erst before,  
A lump confused, and Chaos called, so shall they once be more.  
And all to earth, that came from earth, and to the grave descend,  
For earth on earth, to earth shall go, and earth shallbe the end.  
As Christ ascended up the clouds, so Christ in clouds shall come,  
To judge both good and bad on earth, at dreadful day of doom.  
From whence our flesh shall rise again, even from the drossy dust,  
And so shall pass I hope, unto the Mansion of the just.  
FINIS.  
Lodowicke LLoyd.   

33. His good name being blemished, he bewaileth.  

Framed in the front of forlorn hope, past all recovery,  
I stailes stand tabide, the shock of shame and infamy:  
My life through lingering long is lodged, in lare of loathsome ways,  
My death delayed to keep from life, the harm of hapless days:  
My spirits, my heart, my wit and force, in deep distress are drowned,  
The only loss of my good name, is of these griefs the ground.   

And since my mind, my wit, my head, my voice, and tongue are weak,  
To utter, move, devise, conceive, sound forth, declare, and speak:  
Such piercing plaints, as answer might, or would my woeful case,  
Help crave I must, and crave I will, with tears upon my face:  
Of all that may in heaven or hell, in earth or air be found,  
To wail with me the loss of mine, as of these griefs the ground.   

Help Gods, help saints, help spirits & powers, that in the heaven do dwell,  
Help ye that are aye wont to wail, ye howling hounds of hell:  
Help man, help beasts, help birds & worms, that on the earth doth toil,  
Help fish, help foul, that flocks and feeds upon the salt sea soil:  
Help Echo that in the air doth flee, shrill voices to resound,  
To wail this loss of my good name, as of these griefs the ground.   
FINIS.  
E. O.   

34. Of Fortune's power.  

POlicrates whose passing hap, caused him to lose his fate,  
A golden ring cast in the seas, to change his constant state:  
And in a fish yet at his board, the same he after found,  
Thus fortune lo, to whom she takes, for bounty doth abound.   

The miser's unto might she mounts, a common case we see,  
And mighty to great misery, she sets in low-degree:  
UUhom she, to day doth rear on high, upon her whirling wheel,  
To morrow next she dingeth down, and casteth at her heel.   

No measure hath she in her gifts, she doth reward each sort,  
The wise that counsel have, no more, than fools that maketh sport:  
She useth never partial hands, for to offend or please,  
Give me good Fortune all men says, and throw me in the seas.   

It is no fault or worthiness, that makes men fall or rise,  
I rather be borne fortunate, then to be very wise:  
The blindest man right soon, that by good fortune guided is,  
To whom that pleasant Fortune pipes, can never dance amiss.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

36. Though triumph after bloody wars, the greatest brags do bear, Yet triumph of a conquered mind, the crown of fame shall wear:  

WHo so doth mark the careless life, of these unhappy days,  
And sees what small and slender hold, the state of virtues stays:  
He finds that this accursed trade, proceedeth of this ill,  
That men be given too much to yield, to their untamed will.   

In lack of taming witless will, the poor we often see,  
Envies the rich, because that he, his equal can not be:  
The rich advanced to might by wealth, from wrong doth not refrain,  
But will oppresseth weaker sort, to heap excessive gain.   

If Fortune were so blind, to give to one man what he will,  
A world would not suffice the same, if he might have his fill:  
We wish, we search, we strive for all, and have no more therein,  
Then hath the slave, when death doth come, though Croesus' wealth he win.   

In getting much, we get but care, such brittle wealth to keep,  
The rich within his walls of stone, doth never sound sleep:  
When poor in weak and slender house, do fear no loss of wealth,  
And have no further care but this, to keep themselves in health.   

Affection may not hide the sword of sway, in judgement seat,  
Lest partial favour execute, the law in causes great:  
But if the mind in constant state, affection quite do leave,  
The higher state shall have their rights, the poor no wrong receive.   

It is accounted greater praise, to Caesar's lofty state,  
Against his vanquest foes, in wars to bridle wreckful hate:  
Then when to Rome he had subdued, the people long unknown,  
Whereby as far as land was found, the same abroad was blown.   

If honour can self will refuse, and justice be upright,  
And private state desires but that, which good appears in sight:  
Then virtue shall with sovereign show, to every eye reveal,  
An heavenly life, a wealfull state, a happy common weal.   

Let virtue then the triumph win, and govern all your deeds,  
Your yielding to her sober hests, immortal glory breeds:  
She shall uprear your worthy name, shining into the skies,  
Her beams shall blaze in grave obscure, where shrived carcase lies.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

37. Of perfect wisdom.  

WHose will be accounted wise, and truly claim the same,  
By joining virtue to his deeds, he must achieve the same:  
But few there be, that seek thereby, true wisdom to attain,  
O God so rule our hearts therefore, such fondness to refrain.   

The wisdom which we most esteem, in this thing doth consist,  
With glorious talk to show in words, our wisdom when we list:  
Yet not in talk, but seemly deeds, our wisdom we should place,  
To speak so fair, and do but ill, doth wisdom quite disgrace.   

To bargain well, and shun the loss, a wisdom counted is,  
And thereby through the greedy coin, no hope of grace to mis:  
To seek by honour to advance, his name to brittle praise,  
Is wisdom which we daily see, increaseth in our days.   

But heavenly wisdom sour seems, too hard for them to win.  
And weary of the suit they seem, when they do once begin:  
It teacheth us to frame our life, while vital breath we have,  
When it dissolveth earthly mass, the soul from death to save.   

By fear of God to rule our steps, from sliding into vice,  
A wisdom is, which we neglect, although of greater price:  
A point of wisdom also this, we commonly esteem,  
That every man should be in deed, that he desires to seem.   

To bridle that desire of gain, which forceth us to ill,  
Our haughty stomachs Lord repress, to tame presuming will:  
This is the wisdom that we should, above each thing desire,  
O heavenly God from sacred throne, that grace in us inspire.   

And print in our repugnant hearts, the rules of wisdom true,  
That all our deeds in worldly life, may like thereof ensue:  
Thou only art the living spring, from whom this wisdom flows,  
O wash therewith our sinful hearts, from vice that therein grows.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

38. A friendly admonition.  

YE stately wights, that live in quiet rest,  
Through worldly wealth, which God hath given to you:  
Lament with tears and sighs from doleful breast,  
The shame and power, that vice obtaineth now:  
Behold how God doth daily proffer grace,  
Yet we disdain repentance to embrace.   

The suds of sin do soak into the mind,  
And cankered vice, doth virtue quite expel:  
No change to good, alas can resting find,  
Our wicked hearts, so stoutly do rebel:  
Not one there is, that hasteth to amend,  
Though God from heaven his daily threats down send:   

We are so slow to change our blameful life,  
We are so priest, to snatch a luring vice:  
Such greedy hearts, on every side be rife,  
So few that guide, their will by counsel wise:  
To let our tears lament the wretched case,  
And call to God for undeserved grace.   

You worldly wights, that have your fancies fixed,  
On slipper joy, of terraine pleasure here:  
Let some remorse, in all your deeds be mixed,  
Whiles you have time, let some redress appear:  
Of sudden death, the hour you shall not know,  
And look for death, although it seemeth slow.   

Oh he no judge, in other men's offence,  
But purge thyself, and seek to make thee free:  
Let every one, apply his diligence,  
A change to good, within himself to see:  
O God direct our feet in such a stay,  
From cankered vice, to shun the hateful way.   
FINIS.  
R. Hill.   

39 Sundry men, sundry affects.  

IN every wight, some sundry sort of pleasure I do find,  
Which after he doth seek, to ease his ioyling mind▪  
Diana with her training chase, of hunting had delight,  
Against the fearful Dear, she could direct her shot a right.  
The lofty years in every age, doth still embrace the same,  
The sport is good, if virtue do assist the cheerful game.   

Minerva in her chattering arms, her courage doth advance,  
In trial of the bloody wars, she giveth lucky chance:  
For safeguard men embrace the same, which do so needful seem,  
That noble hearts their chief delights, in use thereof esteem.  
In warlike games to try or ride, the force of arms they use,  
And base the man we do attempt, that doth the same refuse.   

The silver sound of Musics cords, doth please Apollo's wit,  
A sentence which the heavens advance, where it deserves to sit:  
A pleasure apt for every wight, relief to careful mind,  
For woe redress, for care a salve, for sadness help we find.  
The sovereign praise of Music still, doth cause the poets feign,  
That whirling Spheres, and eke the heavens do harmony retain.   

I heard, that these three powers, at variance lately fell,  
UUhiles each did praise his own delight, the other to excel:  
Then fame, as an indifferent judge, to end the case they call,  
The praise pronounced by her to them, indifferently doth fall.  
Diana health and strength maintain, Minerva force doth tame,  
And Music gives a sweet delight, to further others game.   

These three delights to haughty minds, the worthiest are esteemed,  
If virtue be annexed to them, they rightly be so deemed:  
With joy they do revive the wit, with sorrow oft oppressed,  
And never suffer solemn grief, too long in mind to rest.  
Be wise in mirth, and seek delight, the same do not abuse,  
In honest mirth a happy joy, we ought not to refuse.   
FINIS.  
R. Hill.   

40. Of a friend and a flatterer.  

A Trusty friend is rare to find, a fawning foe may soon be got,  
A faithful friend bear still in mind, but fawning so regard thou not.  
A faithful friend no cloak doth crave, to collar knavery withal,  
But sycophant a gun must have, to bear a port what ere be fall.  
A nose to smell out every feast, a brazen face to set it out,  
A shameless child or homely gest, whose life doth like to range about:  
A fawning foe while wealth doth last, a thief to rob and spoil his friend,  
As strong as oak while wealth doth last, but rotten stick doth prove in the end.   

Look first, then leap, beware the mire,  
Burnt child is warned to dread the fire▪  
Take heed my friend, remember this,  
Short horse (they say) soon curried is.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes,   

41. Of sufferance cometh ease.  
TO seem for to revenge each wrong in hasty wise,  
By proof of guiltless men, it hath not been the guise:  
In slanders loathsome brute, where they condemned be,  
With ragelesse mood they suffer wrong, where truth shall try them free.  
These are the patient pangs, that pass within the breast,  
Of those, that feel their cause by mine, where wrong hath right oppressed:  
I know how by suspect, I have been judged awry,  
And granted guilty in the thing, that clearly I deny.  
My faith may me defend, if I might loved be,  
God judge me so, as from the guilt, I know me to be free:  
I wrote but for myself, the grief was all mine own,  
As, who would prove extremity, by proof it might be known.  
Yet are they such, that say they can, my meaning deem,  
Without respect of this old troth, things prove not as they seem.  
Whereby it may befall, in judgement to be quick,  
To make themselves suspect therewith, that needed not to kick.  
Yet in resisting wrong, I would not have it thought,  
I do amiss, as though I knew, by whom it might be wrought:  
If any such there be, that herewithal be vexed,  
It were their virtue to beware, and deem me better next.  
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

43. All things are vain.  
ALthough the purple morning, brags in brightness of the Sun,  
As though he had of chased night, a glorious conquest won:  
The time by day, gives place again, to force of drowsy night,  
And every creature is constrained, to change his lusty plight.  
Of pleasures all, that here we cast,  
We feel the contrary at last.  
In Spring, thou pleasant Zephyrus, hath fruitful earth inspired,  
And never hath each bush, each branch, with blossoms brave attired:  
Yet fruits and flowers, as buds and blomes full quickly withered be,  
When stormy winter comes to kill, the summers jollity.  
By time are got, by time are lost,  
All things wherein we pleasure most.  
Although the Seas so calmly glide, as dangers none appear,  
And doubt of storms, in sky is none, king Phoebus shines so clear:  
Yet when the boisterous winds break out, and raging waves do swell,  
The silly bark now heaves to heaven, now sinks again to hell.  
Thus change in every thing we see,  
And nothing constant seems to be.  
Who floweth most in worldly wealth, of wealth is most unsure,  
And he that chief tastes of joy, do sometime woe endure:  
Who vaunteth most of numbered friends, forego them all he must,  
The fairest flesh and lively blood, is turned at length to dust.  
Experience gives a certain ground,  
That certain here, is nothing found.  
Then trust to that which aye remains, the bliss of heavens above,  
Which Time, nor Fate, nor Wind, nor Storm, is able to remove.  
Trust to that sure celestial rock, that rests in glorious throne,  
That hath been, is, and must be still, our anchor hold alone.  
The world is but vanity,  
In heaven seek we our surety.  
FINIS.  
F. Kindlemarshe.   

44. A virtuous Gentlewoman in the praise of her love.  

I Am a virgin fair and free, and freely do rejoice,  
I sweetly warble sugared notes, from silver voice:  
For which delightful joys, yet thank I courteous Love,  
By whose almighty power, such sweet delights I prove.   

I walk in pleasant fields, adorned with lively green,  
And view the fragrant flowers, most lovely to be seen:  
The purple Columbine, the Couslippe and the Lily,  
The Violet sweet, the Daizie and daffodil.   

The wood-bines on the hedge, the red Rose and the white,  
And each fine flowers else, that rendereth sweet delight:  
Among the which I chose, all those of seemeliest grace,  
In thought, resembling them, to my dear lovers face.   

His lovely face I mean, whose golden flowering gifts,  
His everliving fame, to lofty sky uplifts:  
UUhom loving me I love, only for virtues sake,  
When virtuously to love, all only care I take.   

Of all which fresh fair flowers, that flower that doth appear,  
In my conceit, most like to him I hold so dear:  
I gather it, I kiss it, and eke devise with it,  
Such kind of lovely speech, as is for lovers fit.   

And then of all my flowers, I make a garland fine,  
With which my golden wire hears, together I do twine:  
And set it on my head, so taking that delight,  
That I would take, had I my lover still in sight.   

For as in goodly flowers, mine eyes great pleasure find,  
So are my lovers gifts, most pleasant to my mind:  
Upon which virtuous gifts, I make more repast,  
Then they that for love sports, the sweetest joys do taste.   
FINIS.  
F. K.   

45. Oppressed with sorrow, he wisheth Death.  
IF Fortune may enforce, the careful heart to cry,  
And gripping grief constrain, the wounded wight lament:  
UUho then alas to mourn, hath greater cause than I,  
Against whose hard mishap, both heaven and earth is bend.  
For whom no help remains, for whom no hope is left,  
From whom all happy hap is fled, and pleasure quite bereft:  
Whose life nought can prolong, whose health, nought can procure,  
Whose passed proof of pleasant joy,  
Mischance hath changed to griefs annoy.  
And lo whose hope of better day,  
Is overwhelmed with long delay.  
Oh hard mishap.  
Each thing I plainly see, whose virtues may avail,  
To ease the pinching pain, which gripes the groaning wight:  
By Physics sacred skill, whose rule doth seldom fail.  
Through labours long inspect, is plainly brought to light.  
I know, there is no fruit, no leaf, no root, no rind,  
No herb, no plant, no juice, no gum, no metal deeply mind:  
No Pearl, no precious stone, ne Gem of rare effect,  
Whose virtues, learned Galen'S books, at large do not detect.  
Yet all their force can not appease,  
The furious fits of my disease:  
For any drug of Physics art,  
Can ease the grief that gripes my heart.  
Oh strange disease.  
I hear the wise affirm, that Nature hath in store,  
A thousand secret salves, which wisdom hath out found:  
To cool, the scorching heat, of every smarting sore,  
And healeth deepest scar, though grievous be the wound.  
The ancient Proverb says, that none so fostered grief,  
Doth grow, for which the Gods themselves, have not ordained relief:  
But I by proof do know, such proverbs to be vain,  
And think that Nature never knew, the plague that I sustain.  
And so not knowing my distress,  
Hath left my grief remediless.  
For why, the heavens for me prepare,  
To live in thought, and die in care.  
Oh lasting pain.  
In change of air I see, by haunt of heathfull soil,  
By diet duly kept, gross humours are expelled:  
I know that griefs of mind, and inward hearts turmoil,  
By faithful friends advise, in time may be repelled.  
Yet all this nought avails, to kill that me annoys,  
I mean to stop these floods of care, that overflow my joys:  
No none exchange of place, can change my luckless lot,  
Like one I live, and so must die, whom Fortune hath forgot.  
No counsel can prevail with me,  
Nor sage advise with grief agree:  
For he that feels the pangs of hell,  
Can never hope in heaven to dwell.  
Oh deep despair.  
What lives on earth but I, whose travail reaps no gain,  
The wearied Horse and Ox, in stall and stable rest:  
The Ant with summers toil, bears out the winter's pain,  
The foul that flies all day, at night returns to rest.  
The Ploughman's weary work, amid the winter's mire,  
Rewarded is with summers gain, which yields him double hire:  
The silly labouring soul, which drudges from day to day,  
At night his wages truly paid, contented goeth his way.  
And coming home, his drowsy head,  
He coucheth close in homely bed:  
Wherein no sooner downe he lies,  
But sleep hath strait possessed his eyes.  
Oh happy man.  
The Soldier biding long, the brunt of mortal wars,  
Where life is never free, from dint of deadly foil:  
At last comes joyful home, though mangled all with scars,  
Where frankly, void of fear, he spends the gotten spoil.  
The Pirate lying long, amid the foaming floods,  
With every flaw in hazaed is, to lose both life and goods:  
At length finds view of land, where wished Port he spies,  
Which once obtained, among his mates, he parts the gotten prize.  
Thus every man, from travail past,  
Death reap a just reward at last:  
But I alone, whose troubled mind,  
In seeking rest, unrest doth find.  
Oh luckless lot.  
Oh cursed caitiff wretch, whose heavy hard mishap,  
Doth wish ten thousand times, that thou hadst not been borne:  
Since fate hath thee condemned, to live in sorrows lap,  
Where wailings waste thy life, of all redress forlorn.  
What shall thy grief appease? who shall thy torment stay?  
UUilt thou thyself, with murdering hands, enforce thy own decay:  
No, far be thou from me, myself to stop my breath,  
The Gods forbidden, whom I beseech, to work my joys by death.  
For lingering length of loathsome life,  
Doth stir in me such mortal strife:  
That whiles for life, and death I cry,  
In death I live, and living die.  
Oh froward fate.  
Lo here my hard mishap, lo here my strange disease,  
Lo here my deep despair, lo here my lasting pain:  
Lo here my froward fate, which nothing can appease,  
Lo here how others toil, rewarded is with gain.  
With luckless, lo I live, in loss of labours due,  
Compelled by proof of torment strong, my endless grief to rue:  
Is which, since needs I must, consume both youth and age,  
If old I live, and that my care no comfort can assuage.  
Henceforth I banish from my breast,  
All frustrate hope of future rest:  
And truthless trust to times reward,  
With all respects of joys regard.  
Here I forswear.   

47. Where reason makes request, there wisdom ought supply. With friendly answer priest, to grant or else deny.  

I Sigh, why so? for sorrow of her smart,  
I mourn, wherefore? for grief that she complains:  
I pity, what? her oppressed heart,  
I dread, what harm? the danger she sustains.  
I grieve, whereat? at her oppressing pains,  
I feel, what force the fits of her disease,  
Whose harm doth me and her, a like displease.   

I hope, what hay? her happy healths retire,  
I wish, what wealth▪ no wealth, nor worldly store:  
But crave, what craft? by cunning to aspire  
Some skill, whereto? to salve her sickly sore.  
What then? why then would I her health restore  
Whose harm me hurts, how so? so works my will:  
To wish myself and her, like good and ill.   

What moves thy mind, whereto? to such desire,  
Ne force, ne favour, what then? free fancy's choice:  
Art thou to choose? my charter to require,  
Each Lady's love, is fed by custom's voice,  
Yet are there grants, the evidence of their choice.  
What then, our freedom is at large in choosing,  
As women's wills are froward in refusing.   

Wots she thy will? she knows what I protest,  
Damned she thy suit? she dangered not my talk:  
Gave she consent? she granted my request,  
What didst thou crave? the root, the fruit, the stalk,  
I asked them all, what gave she, cheese, or chalk?  
That taste must try, what taste? I mean the proof,  
Of friends, whose wills withhold their bow aloof.   

Meanest thou good faith? what else, hopest thou to speed?  
why not, O fool untaught in carpell trade,  
Knowest not what proofs from such delays proceed,  
wilt thou like headless Cock be caught in glade?  
Art thou like Ass, too apt for burden made?  
Fie, fie, wilt thou for faint adore the shrine?  
And woe her friend, ere she be wholly thine.   

Who drew this drift? moved she, or thou this match?  
'Twas I: oh fool unware of women's wiles,  
Long mayest thou wait, like hungry hound at hatch:  
She crafty Fox, the silly Goose beguiles,  
Thy suit is shaped, so fit for long delay,  
That she at will may check, from yea to nay.   

But in good sooth, tell me her friends intent,  
Best learn it first, their purpose I not know:  
why then thy will to worse and worse is bend,  
Dost thou delight, the unkindled coal to blow:  
Or childlike lovest, in ankred Boat to row,  
what mean these terms? who sith thy suit is such,  
Know of or on, or thou affect too much.   

No haste but good, why no, the mean is best,  
Admit she love, mislike in lingering grows:  
Suppose she is caught, than woodcock on thy crest,  
Till end approves, what scornful seeds she sows.  
In loitering love, such dangers ebbs and flows,  
what help herein? why wake in dangerous watch:  
That to, nor fro, may make thee mar the match.   

Is that the way, to end my weary work?  
By quick dispatch, to lessen long turmoil:  
Well well, though loss in linger wonts to lurk,  
And I a fool, most fit to take the foil.  
Yet proof from promise, never shall recoil,  
My words with deeds, and deeds with words shall wend:  
Till she or hers, gainsay that I intend.   

Art thou so fond? not fond, but firmly fast,  
Why fool, her friends, wot how thy will is bend:  
Yet thou like dolt, whose wit and sense is past,  
Seest not what frumps, do follow thy intent.  
Ne know, how love in few of scorn is lent,  
Adieu, for sighs such folly should prevent:  
Well well, their scoffs with scorns might be repaid.  
If my requests, were fully yea'd or nayed.  
UUel well, let these with wisdoms praise be weighed:  
And in your chest of chiefest secrets laid.   
FINIS.  
My luck is loss.   

48. What joy to a contented mind.  

THe faith that fails, must needs be thought untrue,  
The friend that feigns, who holdeth not unjust:  
UUho likes that love, that changeth still for new,  
UUho hopes for truth, where troth is void of trust.  
No faith, no friend, no love, no troth so sure,  
But rather fails, then steadfastly endure.   

What head so stayed? that altereth not intent,  
what thought so sure? that steadfast did remain,  
what wit so wise? that never needs repent:  
what tongue so true? but sometime wonts to fayne,  
what foot so firm? that never treads awry,  
what sooner dimmed? then sight of clearest eye.   

What heart so fixed? but soon inclines to change,  
what mood so mild? that never moved debate:  
what faith so strong? but lightly likes to range,  
what love so true? that never learned to hate.  
what life so pure? that lasts without offence,  
what worldly mind? but moves with ill pretence.   

What knot so fast? that may not be untied,  
what seal so sure? but fraud or force shall break,  
what prop of stay? but one time shrinks aside,  
what ship so stauche? that never had a leak.  
what grant so large? that no exception makes,  
what hoped help? but friend at need forsakes.   

What seat so high? but low to ground may fall,  
what hap so good? that never found mislike:  
what state so sure? but subject is to thrall,  
what force prevails? where Fortune list to strike.  
what wealth so much? but time may turn to want,  
what store so great? but wasting maketh scant.   

What profits hope? in depth of dangers thrall,  
what trust in time? but waxeth worse and worse:  
what helps good heart, if Fortune frown withal,  
what blessing thrives against heavenly helpless curse.  
what wins desire, to get and cannot gain,  
what boots to wish, and never to obtain.   
FINIS.  
My luck is loss.   

49. Donec eris Faelix multos numerabis amicos, Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus ●pes.  

Even as the Raven, the Crow, and greedy Kite,  
Do swarming flock, where carrion corpse doth fall:  
And tiring tear with beak, and talents might,  
Both skin and flesh, to gorge their guts withal▪  
And never cease, but gather more to more,  
Do all to pull, the carcase to and fro:  
Till bared bones, at last they leave behind,  
And seek elsewhere, some fatter food to find.   

Even so I see, where wealth doth wax at will,  
And gold doth grow, to heaps of great increase:  
There friends resort, and proffering friendship still,  
Full thick they throng, with never ceasing press.  
And slily make, a show of true intent,  
when nought but guile, and inward hate is meant:  
For when mischance, shall change such wealth to want,  
They pack them thence, to place of richer haunt.   
FINIS.  
My luck is loss.   

50. Amantium irae amoris redinte gratio est.  

IN going to my naked bed, as one that would have slept,  
I heard a wife sing to her child, that long before had wept:  
She sighed sore, and sang full sweet, to bring the babe to rest,  
That would not cease, but cried still, in sucking at her breast.  
She was full weary of her watch and grieved with her child,  
She rocked it, and rated it, till that on her it smiled:  
Then did she say, now have I found, this Proverb true to prove,  
The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love   

Then took I paper, pen and Ink, this Proverb for to write,  
In register for to remain, of such a worthy wight:  
As she proceeded thus in song, unto her little brat,  
Much matter uttered she of weight, in place where as she sat.  
And proved plain, there was no beast, nor creature bearing life,  
Can well be known to live in love, without discord and strife:  
Then kissed she her little babe, and swore by God above,  
The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.   

She said that neither King ne Prince, ne Lord could live a right,  
Until their puissance they did prove, their manhood and their might:  
when manhood shall be matched so, that fear can take no place,  
Then weary works make warriors, each other to embrace.  
And leaved their force that failed them, which did consume the rout,  
That might before have lived their time, and Nature out:  
Then did she sing, as one that thought, no man could her reprove,  
The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.   

She said she saw no fish ne foul, nor beast within her haunt,  
That met a stranger in their kind, but could give it a taunt:  
Since flesh might not endure, but rest must wrath succeed,  
And force the fight to fall to play, in pasture where they feed.  
So noble Nature can well end, the work she hath begone,  
And bridle well that will not cease, her tragedy in some:  
Thus in song she oft rehearsed, as did her well behove,  
The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.   

I marvel much pardy quoth she, for to behold the rout,  
To see man, woman, boy and beast, to toss the world about:  
Some kneel, some couch, some beck, some check, & some can smoothly smile,  
And some embrace others in arm, and there think many a wile.  
Some stand a loof at cap, and knee, some humble and some stout,  
Yet are they never friends in deed, until they once fall out:  
Thus ended she her song, and said before she did remove,  
The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of love.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

51. Think to die.  

THe life is long, which loathsomely do last,  
The doleful days, draw slowly to their date:  
The present pangs, and painful plagues forepast,  
Yields grief aye green, to 'stablish his estate,  
So that I feel in this great storm and strife,  
That death is sweet, that shorteneth such a life.   

And by the stroke, of this strange overthrow,  
All which conflict, in thraldom I was thrust:  
The Lord be praised, I am well taught to know,  
From whence man came, and eke whereto he must.  
And by the way, upon how feeble force,  
His term doth stand, till death doth end his course.   

The pleasant years, that seems so sweetly run,  
The merry days to end, so fast that fleet:  
The joyful wights, of which days draws so soon,  
The happy hours, which more do miss then meet:  
Do all consume, as snow against the Sun,  
And death makes end of all that life begun.   

Since death shall dure, till all the world be waste,  
what meaneth man, to dread Death then so sore?  
As man might make, that life should always last,  
without regard, the Lord hath led before.  
The dance of Death, which all must run on row,  
The hour wherein, only himself doth know.   

If man would mind, what burdens life doth bring.  
what grievous crimes, to God he doth commit:  
what plagues, what peril thereby spring,  
with no sure hour, in all his day to sit.  
He would sure think, as with great cause I do,  
The day of death, is happier of the two.   

Death is the door, whereby we draw to joy,  
Life is the lack, that drowneth all in pain:  
Death is so dole, it seizeth all away,  
Life is so lend, that all it yields is vain.  
And as by life in bondage man is brought,  
Even so by Death, is freedom likewise wrought.   

wherefore with Paul, let all men wish and pray,  
To be dissolved, of this foul fleshly mass:  
Or at the least, be armed against the day,  
That they be found, good soldiers priest to pass.  
From life to death, from death to life again,  
And such a life, as ever shall remain.   
FINIS.  
D. S.   

51. If thou desire to live in quiet rest, Give ear and see, but say the best.  

IF thou delight, in quietness of life,  
Desire to shun, from brawls, debate and strife:  
To live in love with God, with friend and foe,  
In rest shalt sleep, when others can not so.   

Give ear to all, yet do not all believe,  
And see the end, and then do sentence give:  
But say for truth, of happy lives assigned,  
The best hath he, that quiet is in mind.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunis.   

52. Being forsaken of his friend, he complaineth.  

WHy should I linger long to live,  
In this disease of fantasy:  
Since Fortune doth not cease to give,  
Things to my mind most contrary.  
And at my joys doth lower and frown,  
Till she hath turned them upside down.   

A friend I had to me most dear,  
And of long time faithful and just:  
There was no one, my heart so near,  
Nor one in whom I had more trust.  
whom now of late, without cause why,  
Fortune hath made my enemy.   

The grass me thinks should grow in Sky,  
The Stars unto the earth cleave fast:  
The water stream should pass awry,  
The winds should leave their strength of blast.  
The Sun and Moon by one assent,  
Should both forsake the firmament.   

The fish in air should fly with fin,  
The fowls in flood, should bring forth fry:  
All things me thinks should erst begin,  
To take their course unnaturally,  
Afore my friend should alter so,  
without a cause to be my foe.   

But such is Fortune's hate I say,  
Such is his will on me to wreak:  
Such spite he hath at me always,  
And ceaseth not my heart to break▪  
with such despite of cruelty,  
wherefore than longer live should I.   
FINIS.  
E. S.   

45. Prudence. The history of Damacles, and Dionise.  
WHo so is set in Princely throne, and craveth rule to bear,  
Is still beset on every side, with peril and with fear:  
High trees by stormy winds are shaked, and rend up from the ground,  
And flashly flackes of lightning flames, on turrets do rebound.  
When little shrubes in safety lurk, in covert all allow,  
And freshly flourish in their kind, what ever wind do blow,  
The cruel king of Scisile: who fearing Barbares hands:  
was wont to sing his beard himself, with coal and fire brands,  
Hath taught us this, the proof whereof, full plainly we may see,  
Was never thing more lively touched, to show it so to be:  
This king did seem to Damacles, to be the happiest wight,  
Because he thought none like to him, in power or in might.  
who did alone so far excel, the rest in his degree,  
As doth the Sun in brightness clear, the darkest star we see:  
wilt thou (than said this cruel king) prove this my present state,  
Possess thou shalt this seat of mine and so be fortunate.  
Full gladly than this Damacles, this proffered honour took,  
And shooting at a Princely life, his quiet rest forsook▪  
In honours seat then was he placed, according to his will,  
Forthwith a banquet was prepared, that he might feast his fill.  
Nothing did want wherein 'twas thought, that he could take delight,  
To feed his eye, to fill his mouth, or please the appetite:  
Such store of plate, I think in Greece, there scarcely was so much,  
His servitures did Angels seem, their passing shape was such.  
No dainty dish but there it was, and thereof was such store.  
That through out Greece so Princely cheer, was never seen before:  
Thus while in pomp and pleasures seat, this Damacles was placed,  
And did begin with gladsome heart, each dainty dish to taste.  
At length by chance cast up his eyes, and 'gan the house to view,  
And saw a sight that him enforced, his Princely state to rue:  
A sword forsooth with downward point, that no stronger thread,  
Then one horse hear that peised it, direct upon his head.  
Wherewith he was so sore amazed, and shook in every part,  
As though the sword that hung above, had struck him to the heart:  
Then all their pleasures took their leave, and sorrow came in place,  
His heavy heart the tears declared, that trickled down his face.  
And then forthwith with sobbing voice, besought the king of grace,  
That he would licence him with speed, to departed out of that place▪  
And said that he full long enough, had tried now with fear,  
What 'tis to be a happy man, and princely rule to bear.  
This deed of thine oh Dionise, deserves immortal fame,  
This deed shall always live with praise, though thou didst live with shame  
Whereby both kings be put in mind, their dangers to be great,  
And subjects be forbid to climb, high steps of honour's seat.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

55. Fortitude. A young man of Egypt and Valerian.  
Each one deserves great praise to have, but yet not like I think,  
Both he that can sustain the yoke of pains, and doth not shrink  
And he whom Cupid's covert craft can nothing move at all,  
Into the hard and tangled knots of Venus' snares to fall.  
Bestir you then who so delights, in virtues race to run,  
The flying boy with bow ibent, by strength to overcome:  
As one did once when he was young, and in his tender days,  
Whose stout and noble deed of his, hath got immortal praise.  
The wicked Romans did pursue, the silly Christians than,  
What time Valerian Emperor was, a wicked cruel man:  
who spared not with bloody draughts, to quench his own desire,  
Dispatching all that stuck to Christ, with hot consuming fire.  
At length a man of tender years, was brought before his sight,  
Such one as nature seemed to make, a witness of her might:  
For every part so well was set, that nothing was depraved.  
So that the cruel king himself, would gladly him have saved.  
So loath he was to see a work, so rare of nature's power,  
So finely built, so suddenly destroyed within an hour:  
Then means he sought to overcome, or win him at the jest,  
To slip from Christ, whom he before, had earnestly professed:  
A bed prepared, so finely decked, such divers pleasant smells,  
That well it might appear a place, where pleasure only dwells:  
By him he laid a naked wench, a Venus' darling sure,  
With sugared speech and lovely toys, that might his mind allure.  
such wanton lovers as these he thought, might easily him entice.  
Which things he knew with lusty youth, had always been in prize:  
such ways I think the Gods themselves, could have invented none.  
For flattering Venus overcomes, the senses everichone.  
And he himself was even at point, to Venus to consent,  
Had his stout and manly mind, resisted his intent:  
When he perceived his flesh to yield, to pleasure not wanton toys,  
And was by slight almost provoked, to cast of Venus joys.  
More cruel to himself then those, that glad would him undo,  
With bloody tooth, his tender tongue, bitten quite and clean in two:  
Thus was the pain so passing great, of this his bloody bit,  
That all the fire and carnal lust, was quenched every whit.  
Do ill and all thy pleasures then, full soon will pass away,  
But yet the shame of those thy deeds, will more decay:  
Do well, and though thy pains be great, yet soon each one will cease,  
But yet, the praise of those thy deeds, will evermore increase.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

56. justice, Zaleuch and his son.  
LEt rulers make most perfect laws, to rule both great and small,  
If they themselves obey them not, it booteth not at all:  
As laws be nought but ruler's doom, containing equal might,  
So rulers should be speaking Ladies, to rule by line of right.  
Zaleuch the Prince of Locrine once, appointed by decree,  
Each lecherer should be punished, with loss of either eye:  
His son by chance offended first, which when his father saw,  
Lord God how earnest then was he, to execute the law.  
Then ran the people all by flocks, to him with weeping eyes,  
Not one among the rout there was, but pardon, pardon cries:  
By whose outcries and earnest suit, his son in hope did stand,  
That he thereby should then obtain, some pardon at his hand.  
But all in vain, for he is found, to be the man he was,  
And maketh haste so much the more, to have the law to pass:  
The people yet renewed their suit, in hope of some relief,  
Whose faces all besprent with tears, did testify their grief.  
And cried all for pity's sake, yield now to our request,  
If all you will not clean remit, yet ease the pain at least:  
Then somewhat was the father moved, with all the people's voice,  
And every man did give a shout, to show they did rejoice.  
well then (quoth he) it shall be thus, the law shall be fulfilleth,  
And yet my son shall favour have, according as you wild:  
One eye of his shall be pulled out, thus hath his lewdness got,  
And likewise so shall one of mine, though I deserve it not.  
This word no sooner was pronounced, but strait the deed was done,  
two eyes, no more were left, between the father and the son:  
Say now who can, and on my faith Apollo he shall be,  
Was he more gentle father lo? or juster judge trow ye.  
this man would not his laws belike, the webs the spiders weave,  
Wherein they lurk when they intent, the simple to deceive:  
wherewith small flies full soon be caught, and tangled ere they witted,  
When great ones fly and scape away, and break them as they list.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

57 Temperance▪ Spurina and the Roman Ladies.  
IF nature bear thee so great love, that she in thee have beauty placed,  
Full hard it is as we do prove, to keep the body clean and chaste:  
Twixt comeliness and chastity,  
A deadly strife is thought to be.  
For beauty which some men suppose, to be as 'twere a golden ill,  
Provoketh strife and many foes, that seek on her to work her will:  
Assaults to towns if many make,  
No town so strong but may be take.  
And this Spurina witness can, who did for beauty bear the bell,  
So clean a wight so comely made, no dame in Rome but loved well:  
Not one could cool her hot desire,  
So burning was the flame of fire.  
Like as when bait cast in the flood forthwith doth cause the fishes come,  
That pleasantly before did play, now presently to death to run:  
For when they see the bait to fall,  
Strait way they swallow hook and all.  
So when Spurina they did see, to him they flocked out of hand,  
So happiest dame was thought to be, that in his favour most did stand:  
Not knowing under sweet deceits,  
How Venus hides her poisoned baits.  
But when he saw them thus to range, whom love had linked in his chain,  
This means he sought for to assuage, these Ladies of their grievous pain:  
His shape intending to disgrace,  
With many wounds be scorched his face.  
By which his deed it came to pass, that he that seemed an angel bright,  
Even now so clean disfigured was, that he became a loathsome wight:  
And rather had he be foul and chaste,  
Then fair, and filthy joys to taste.  
What pen can write, or tongue express, that worthy praises of this deed,  
Me think that God can do no less, then grant him in heaven for his meed:  
UUho for to save himself upright,  
Himself hath first destroyed quite.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

58. A branch of herbs and flowers.  
IF that each flower, the Gods have framed, or shaped by sacred skill,  
Where as I would (no wrong to wish) and mine to wear at will  
Or else each tree, with lusty top, would lend me leave to love.  
With sprigs displayed to spread my suit, a wailing heart to prove.  
Upon my helm some should you see, my head advanced high.  
Some slip for solace there to set, and wear the same would I:  
Yet would I not for great delight, the Daises strange desire,  
The Lily would not like my lust, nor Rose would I require.  
The Marigold might grow for me, Rosemary well might rest,  
The Fenell to, that is more fit: for some unfriendly gest:  
Nor Cowslips would I crave at all, sometime they seem too coy,  
Some jolly youth the Gelliflower, esteemeth for his joy.  
The Lavender sometimes aloft, allures the looker's eyes,  
The Paunsie shall not have the praise, where I may give the prize.  
And thus no flower my fancy feeds, or liketh so my lust,  
As that I may subject myself, to toys of tickle trust.  
For flowers though they be fair and fresh, of sent excelling sweet,  
Yet grow they on the ground below, we tread them with our feet:  
And shall I then go stoop to such? or else go seek to choose,  
Shall flowers enforce me once to faun, for fear of friends or foes.  
Yet rather yield I to the right, as reason hath assigned,  
Mine author said there was no salve, in flowers for me to find:  
And yet perhaps some Tree there is, to shroud me from the shower,  
That with her arms may salve the soul, that yieldeth to her power.  
Where I may find some pleasant shade, to salve me from the sun,  
Each thing we see that reason hath, unto the Trees do run:  
Both men and beasts such fowls as flies, the treasures are the Trees,  
And for my part when branches fall, I wish no other fees.  
But when that storms beset me round, such succour God me send,  
That I may find a friendly Tree, that will me well defend:  
No Tree there is which yields no good, to some that doth it seek,  
And as they are of divers kinds, their uses are unlike.  
The Ewe Tree serve the Bowyers' turn, the Ash the couper's art.  
The puissant Oak doth make the post, the Pine some other part:  
The Elm doth help to hide the birds, in weary Uuinters' night,  
The briars I guess are nothing worth, they serve but for despite.  
The willow wished I far from hence, good will deserve no wrong,  
The Sallow well may serve their states, that sing so sad a song:  
The Box and Beech each for himself, above the rest doth boast,  
The Eglantine for pleasure oft, is pricked upon the post.  
The Hauthorne is so sad in price, the bay do bear the bell,  
And that these bay did bring no bliss, I like it not so well:  
As erst I do that seemly Tree, by which those bays I found,  
And wherewithal unwittingly, I took so great a wound,  
As if the tree by which I lean, doth lend me no relief,  
There is no help but down I fall, so great is grown my grief:  
And therefore at the last I crave, this favour for to find,  
when every tree that here is told, gins to grow unkind.  
The B. for beauty whom I boast, and shall above the rest,  
That B. may take me to her trust, for B. doth please me best:  
It likes me well to walk the way, where B. doth keep her bower,  
And when it rains to B. I run, to save me from the shower:  
This branch of B. which here I mean, to keep and chief crave,  
At beck unto this B. I bow, to serve that beauty brave:  
What shall I say the time doth pass, the tale to tedious is,  
though soothe to leave, yet leave I must, and say no more but this,  
I wish this B. I might embrace, when as the same I see,  
A league for life than I require, between this B. and me?  
And though unworthy, yet good will, doth work the way herein,  
And B. hath brought the same above, which beauty did begin.  
Finis.   

59 In commendation of Music.  
WHere griping grief the heart would wound, & doleful dumps the mind oppress,  
There Music with her silver sound, is wont with speed to give redress  
Of troubled minds for every sore, sweet Music hath a salve in store,  
In joy it makes our mirth abound, in grief it cheers our heavy spirits,  
The careful head relief hath found, by Musics pleasant sweet delights,  
Our senses, what should I say more, are subject unto Musics lore.  
The Gods by Music hath their prey, the foul therein doth joy,  
For as the Roman Poets say, in seas whom Pirates would destroy:  
A Dolphin saved from death most sharp, Arion playing on his Harp,  
Of heavenly gift, that turns the mind like as starne doth rule the ship:  
Oh Music whom the Gods assigned to comfort man, whom cares would nip,  
Sith thou both man & beast dost move, what wiseman then will thee reprove.  
FINIS.   

60. A Dialogue between the Author and his Eye.  Author. 
MY Eye why dost thou light on that, which was not thine?  
Why hast thou with thy sight, thus slain an heart of mine▪  
O thou unhappy Eye, would God thou hadst been blind,  
When first thou didst her spy, for whom this grief I find.  Eye. 
Why sir it is not I, that do deserve such blame,  
Your fancy, not your Eye, is causer of the same:  
For I am ready priest, as Page that serves your ease:  
To search what thing is best, that might your fancy please.  Author. 
I sent thee forth to see, but not so long to bide,  
Though fancy went with thee, thou wert my fancy's guide:  
Thy message being done, thou mightst return again,  
So Cupid Venus' son, no whit my heart should pain.  Eye. 
Where fancy beareth sway, there Cupid will be bold,  
And reason flies away, from Cupid's shaft of gold:  
If you find cause thereby, some deal of painful smart,  
Alas blame not your eye, but blame consent of heart,  Author. 
My heart must I excuse, and lay the fault on thee,  
Because thy sight did choose, when heart from thought was free:  
Thy fight thus brought consent, consent hath bred my grief,  
And grief bids be content, with sorrow for relief.  
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

61. Finding no joy, he desireth death.  

THe coney in his Cave, the Ferret doth annoy,  
And flying thence his life to save, himself doth he destroy:  
His berry round about beset, with Hunter's snares,  
So that when he to scape starts out, is caught therein unwares,  
Like choice poor man have I, to bide and rest in Love,  
Or else from thence to fly, as bad a death to prove.   

I see in Love no rest, unkindness doth pursue,  
To rend his heart out of his breast, which is a Lover true:  
And if from Love I start, as one that Love forsakes,  
Then pensive thoughts my heart doth pierce, and so my life it takes:  
Then thus to fly or bide, hard is the choice to choose,  
Since death hath camped, and trenched each side, and saith life now refuse.   

Content I am therefore, my life therein to spend,  
And death I take a salve for sore, my weary days to end:  
And thus I you require, that faithful Love profess,  
When carcase cased in his Chest, and body laid on hearse.  
Your brinish tears to save, such as my corpse shall move,  
And therewith write upon my grave, behold the force of love.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

¶ Hope well and have well.  

IN hope the shipman hoisteth sail, in hope of passage good,  
In hope of health the sick man, death suffer loss of blood:  
In hope the prisoner linked in chains, hopes liberty to find,  
Thus hope breeds health and health breeds ease, to every troubled mind.   

In hope desire gets victory, in hope great comfort springs,  
In hope the Lover lives in joys, he fears no dreadful stings▪  
In hope we live and may abide, such storms as are assigned,  
Thus hope breeds health, and health breeds ease, to every troubled mind.   

In hope we easily suffer harm, in hope of future time,  
In hope of fruit, the pains seems sweet, that to the tree doth climb:  
In hope of Love, such glory grows, as now by proof I find,  
That hope breeds health, and health breeds ease, to every troubled mind.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

He requesteth some friendly comfort. affirming his constancy.  
THe mountains hie whose lofty tops, doth meet the haughty sky  
The craggy rock that to the Sea, free passage doth deny:  
The aged Oak that doth resist, the force of blustering blast,  
The pleasant herb that every where, a fragrant smell doth cast.  
The Lion's force whose courage stout, declares a princelike might,  
The Eagle that for worthiness, is borne of kings in fight:  
The Serpent eke whose poyfoned jaws, doth belch out venom vile,  
The loathsome Toad that shunneth light, and liveth in exile.  
These these I say, and thousands more, by tract of time decay,  
And like to time do quite consume, and vade from time to clay:  
But my true heart and service vowed, shall last time out of mind,  
And still remain as thine by doom, as Cupid hath assigned.  
My faith lo here I vow to thee, my troth thou knowest right well,  
My goods, my friends, my life is thine, what need I more to tell?  
I am not mine but thine I vow, thy hests I will obey,  
And serve thee as a servant ought, in pleasing if I may.  
And sith I have no flying wings, to see thee as I wish,  
Ne sins to cut the silver streams, as doth the gliding fish:  
Wherefore leave now forgetfulness, and send again to me,  
And strain thy Azured veins to write, than I may greeting see.  
And thus far well more dear to me, than chiefest friend I have,  
Whose love in heart I mind to shrine, till death his see do crave.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

¶ He complaineth his mishap.  

SHall rigour reign where ruth hath run, shall fancy now forsake?  
Shall fortune lose that favour won, shall not your anger slake?  
Shall hateful heart be had in you, that friendly did pretend,  
Shall slipper thought and faith untrue, that heart of yours defend?   

Shall Nature show your beauty fair, that gentle seems to be?  
shall frowardness your fancies heir, be of more force than she?  
shall now disdain the drag of Death, direct and lead the way?  
shall all the Imps upon the earth, rejoice at my decay?   

Shall this the service of my youth, have such reward at last?  
shall I receive rigour of ruth, and be from favour cast?  
shall I therefore berent my hears, with wights that wish to die;  
Or shall I bathe myself with tears, to feed your fickle eye.   

No, no, I shall in pain lie still, with Turtle Dove most true,  
And vow myself to wit and will, their counsels to ensue:  
Good Ladies all that lovers be, and that to be pretend,  
Give place to wit, let reason seem, your enemies to defend.   

Lest that you think as I have thought, yourself to strive in vain,  
And so to be in thraldom brought, with me to suffer pain.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

¶ No foe to a flatterer.  

I Would it were not as I think, I would it were not so,  
I am not blind although I wink, I feel what winds do blow:  
I know where craft with smiling cheer, creeps into boldened breast  
I hear how feigned speeches speaks fair, where hatred is possessed.  
I see the serpent lie and lurk, under the green allow.  
I see him watch a time to work, his poison to bestow.   

In friendly look such fraud is found, as faith for fear is fled,  
And friendship hath received such wound, as he is almost dead:  
And hateful heart with malice great, so boils in cankered mind,  
That flattery flearing in the face, had almost made me blind.  
But now I see all is not gold, that glittereth in the eye,  
Nor yet such friends as they profess, as now by proof I try.   

Though secret spite by craft, have made a coat of Panters' skin,  
And thinks to find me in the shade, by sleight to wrap me in:  
Yet God be praised my eye is clear, and can behold the Sun,  
When falsehood dare not once appear, to end that he begun.  
Thus time shall try the thing amiss, which God save shortly send,  
And turn the heart that feigned is, to be a faithful friend.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

His comparison of love.  

THe spider with great skill, doth travel day by day,  
His limbs no time lie still, to set his house in stay:  
And when he hath it wrought, thinking therein to reign,  
A blast of wind unthought, doth drive it down again.   

The proof whereof is true, to make his work endure,  
He pains himself a new, in hope to dwell more sure:  
And in some secret place, a corner of a wall,  
He frameth himself apace, to build and rest withal.   

His pleasure sweet to stay, when he to rest is bend,  
An ugly shamble Flee, approacheth to his Tent:  
And there intends by force, his labours great to win,  
Or else to yield his corpse, by fatal death therein.   

Thus is the spider's nest, from time to time thrown down,  
And he to labour priest, with endless pain unknown:  
So such as lovers be, like travel do attain,  
Those endless works ye see, are always full of pain.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

A lovers joy.  
I Have no joy, but dream of joy, and joy to think on joy,  
A joy I withstood, to finish mine annoy:  
I hate not without cause alas, yet love I know not why,  
I thought to hate, I cannot hate, although that I should die.  
A foe most sweet, a friend most sour, I joy for to embrace;  
I hate the wrong, and not the wight, that worked my woeful case:  
What thing it is I know not I, but yet a thing there is,  
That in my fancy still persuades, there is no other bliss.  
The joys of life, the pangs of death, it makes me feel each day,  
But life nor death, this humour can, devise to wear away:  
feign would I die, but yet in death, no hope I see remains,  
And shall I live? since life I see, a course of sorry pains.  
What is it then that I do seek, what joy would I aspire,  
A thing that is divine belike, too high for man's desire.  
FINIS.  
F. K.   

Evil to him that evil thinketh.  

THe subtle s●ily slights, that worldly men do work,  
The friendly shows, under whose shade, most craft doth often lurk▪  
Enforceth me alas, with yernfull voice to say,  
UUoe worth the wily heads, that seeks the simple man's decay.   

The bird that dreads no guile, is soon caught in snare.  
Each gentle heart devoid of craft, is soon brought to care:  
Good Nature soonest trapped, which gives me cause to say,  
woe worth the wily heads, that seek the simple man's decay.   

I see the serpent vile, that lurks under the green,  
How subtly he shrouds himself, that he may not be seen:  
And yet his fosters bane, his learing looks bewray,  
woe worth the wily heads that seeks, the simple man's decay.   

Woe worth the feigning looks, on favour that we do wait,  
woe worth the feigned friendly heart, that harbours deep deceit:  
woe worth the vipers brood, oh thrice woe worth I say,  
All worldly wily heads, that seeks the simple man's decay.   
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

¶ He assureth his constancy.  

WIth painted speech I list not prove, my cunning for to try,  
Nor yet will use to fill my pen, with guileful flattery:  
With pen in hand, and heart in breast, shall faithful promise make  
To love you best, and serve you most, by your great virtues sake.   

And sure dame Nature hath you decked, with gifts above the rest,  
Let not Disdain a harbour find, within your noble breast:  
For Love hath led his Law a like, to men of each degree,  
so that the Beggar with the Prince, shall Love as well as he.   

I am no Prince, I must confess, nor yet of Prince's line,  
Nor yet a brutish Beggar borne, that feeds among the swine:  
The fruit shall try the tree at last, the blossoms good or no,  
Then do not judge of me the worse, till you have tried me so.   

As I deserve, so then reward, I make you judge of all,  
If I be false in word or deed, let Lightning thunder fall:  
And furies Fell with frantic fits, bereave and stay my breath,  
For an example to the rest, if I shall break my faith.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

Complaining of his mishap to his friend, he complaineth wittily.  A. 
THe fire shall freeze, the frost shall fry the frozen mountains hie,  B. 
what strange things hath dame nature's force, to turn her course awry:  A. 
My love hath me left, and taken a new man.  B. 
This is not strange, it haps oft times, the truth to scan.  A. 
The more is my pain,  B. 
her love then refrain.  A. 
who thought she would flit,  B. 
each one that hath wit:  A. 
Is this not strange▪  B. 
light love will change.  A 
By skilful means I here reclaim, to stoop unto my lure,  B. 
Such haggard Hawks will soar away, of them who can be sure:  A. 
With silver bells and hood, my joy was her to deck.  B. 
She was full gorged, she would the sooner give the check.  A. 
the more is my pain,  B. 
her love then refrain,  A. 
UUho thought she would flit,  B. 
each one that hath wit:  A. 
Is not this strange,  B. 
light love will change.  A. 
Her chirping lips should chirp to me, sweet words of her desire,  B. 
such chirping birds who ever saw, to preach still on one Brire:  A. 
She said she loved me best, and would not till she die,  B. 
She said in words, she thought it not, as time doth try.  A. 
The more is my pain,  B. 
her Love then refrain,  A. 
UUho thought she would flit,  B. 
each one that hath wit:  A. 
Is not this strange,  B. 
light Love will change.  A. 
Can no man win a woman so, to make her Love endure,  B. 
To make the Fox his wiles to leave, what man will put in ure:  A. 
why then there is no choice, but all women will change,  B. 
As men do use, so some women do Love to range.  A. 
The more is my pain,  B. 
her Love then refrain,  A. 
who thought she would flit,  B. 
each one that hath wit:  A. 
Is not this strange,  B. 
light Love will change.  A. 
Sith slipper gain falls to my lot, farewell that gliding pray,  B. 
Sith that the Dice doth run awry, betimes leave of thy play:  A. 
I will no more lament, the thing I may not have,  B. 
Then by exchange the loss to come, all shalt thou save.  A. 
Love will I refraigne,  B. 
thereby thou shalt gain,  A. 
with loss I will leave,  B. 
she will thee deceive,  A. 
That is not strange,  B. 
then let her range.  
FINIS.  
M. Edwardes.   

No pains comparable to his attempt.  
LIke as the doleful Dove, delights alone to be,  
And doth refuse the bloumed branch, choosing the leaflesse tree:  
whereon wailing his chance, with bitter tears besprent,  
Doth with his bill, his tender breast, oft pierce and all to rend.  
Whose grievous groanings though whose gripes of pining pain,  
whose ghastly looks, whose bloody streams out flowing from each vain:  
Whose falling from the tree, whose panting on the ground,  
Examples be of mine estate, though there appear no wound.  
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

He repenteth his folly.  

Alack when I look back, upon my youth that's past,  
And deeply ponder youths offence, and youths reward at last:  
With sighs and tears I say, O God I not deny,  
My youth with folly hath deserved, with folly for to die.  
But yet if ever sinful man, might mercy move to ruth,  
Good Lord with mercy do forgive, the follies of my youth.   

In youth I ranged the fields, where vices all did grow,  
In youth alas I wanted grace, such vice to overthrow:  
In youth what I thought sweet, most bitter now do find,  
Thus hath the follies of my youth, with folly kept me blind.  
Yet as the Eagle casts her bill, whereby her age reneweth,  
So Lord with mercy do forgive, the follies of my youth.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

No pleasure without some pain.  

HOw can the tree, but waist and whither away,  
That hath not sometime comfort of the Sun:  
How can that flower but fade, and soon decay,  
That always is with dark clouds run.  
Is this a life, nay death you may it call,  
That feels each pain, and knoweth no joy at all.   

What foodless beast, can live long in good plight,  
Or is it life, where senses there be none:  
Or what availeth eyes, without their light?  
Or else a tongue, to him that is alone.  
Is this a life? nay death you may it call,  
That feels each pain, and knows no joy at all.   

Whereto serve ears, if that there be no sound,  
Or such a head, where no devise doth grow▪  
But all of plaints, since sorrow is the ground,  
Whereby the heart, doth pine in deadly woe.  
Is this a life, nay death you may it call,  
That feels each pain, and knows no joy at all.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

The fruit of feigned friends.  

IN choice of friends what hap ha● I▪ to choose one of Sirens kind,  
Whose harp, whose pipe, whose melody could feed my ears & make me blind:  
Whose pleasant voice made me forget, that in sure trust is great deceit,  
In trust I see is treason found, and man to man deceitful is.  
And where as treasure doth abound, of flatterers there do not miss,  
Whose painted speech, and outward show, do seem as friends and be not so.   

would I have thought in thee to be, the nature of the Crocadill,  
Which if a man a sleep may see, with bloody thirst desires to kill:  
And then with tears a while 'gan weep, that death of him thus slain a sleep  
O favel false, thou traitor borne, what mischief more might thou devise:  
Then thy dear friend to have in scorn, and him to wound in sundry wise,  
Which still a friend pretends to be, and art not so by proof I see.  
Fie, fie, upon such treachery. W.H.  
If such false ships do haunt the shore,  
Strike down the sail and trust no more.   
M, Edwardes.   

A Dialogue between a Gentleman and his love.  A. 
SHall I no way win you, to grant my desire?  B. 
What woman will grant you, the thing you require?  A. 
You only to love me, is all that I crave,  B. 
You only to leave me, is all I would have.  A. 
My dear alas, now say not so,  B. 
To love you best, I must say no,  A. 
Yet will I not flit,  B. 
then play on the bit:  A. 
I will,  B. 
do still,  A. 
yet kill not,  B. 
I will not,  A. 
Make me your man,  B. 
beshrew me then.  A. 
The swifter I follow, than you fly away,  B. 
Swift hawks in their flying, oft times miss their prey,  A. 
Yet some killeth deadly, that fly to the mark:  B. 
You shall touch no feather, thereof take no cark,  A. 
Yet hope shall further my desire:  B. 
You blow the coals, and raise no fire,  A. 
Yet will I not flit,  B. 
then play on the bit:  A. 
I will,  B. 
do still,  A. 
yet kill not,  B. 
I will not,  A. 
Make me your man,  B. 
beshrew me then.  A. 
To love is no danger, where true love is meant.  B. 
I will love no ranger, lest that I repent:  A. 
My love is no ranger, I make God avow,  B. 
To trust your smooth sayings, I sure know not how:  A. 
Most truth I mean, as time shall well try,  B. 
No truth in men, I oft espy:  A. 
Yet will I not flit,  B. 
than play on the bit,  A. 
I will,  B. 
do still,  A. 
yet kill not,  B. 
I will not,  A. 
Make me your man,  B. 
beshrew me then.  A. 
Some women may say nay, and mean love most true,  B. 
Some women can make fools, of as wisemen as you:  A. 
In time I shall catch you, I know when and where.  B. 
I will soon dispatch you, you shall not come there.  A. 
Some speeds at length, that oft have missed,  B. 
I am well armed, come when you list:  A. 
Yet will I not flit,  B. 
then play on the bit,  A. 
I will,  B. 
do still,  A. 
yet kill not,  B. 
I will not,  A. 
Make me your man,  B. 
beshrew me then.  A. 
Yet work your kind kindly, grant me love for love,  B. 
I will use you friendly, as I shall you prove:  A. 
Most true you shall find me, I this do protest,  B. 
Then sure you shall bind me, to grant your request.  A. 
O happy thread, now have I spun,  B. 
You sing before the conquest won.  A. 
Why then, will you serve,  B. 
even as you deserve:  A. 
Love still,  B. 
I will,  A. 
yet kill not,  B. 
I will not,  A. 
Make me your man,  B, 
come to me than.  
FINIS.  
M, Edwardes.   

exclaiming upon his unkind Love, his friend replieth wittily.  M. 
WHat death may be, compared to Love?  H. 
What grief therein, now dost thou prove?  M. 
My pains alas, who can express,  H. 
I see no cause of heaviness.  M. 
My Lady's looks, my woe hath wrought,  H. 
Then blame thine eyes, that first hath sought▪  M. 
I burn alas, and blow the fire,  H. 
A fool consumes by his desire.  M. 
What shall I do than? come out and thou can:  M. 
Alas I die,  H. 
what remedy:  M. 
My sugared sweet, is mixed with gall,  H. 
Thy Lady can not do with all:  M. 
The more I seek, the less I find,  H. 
Then strive not with the stream and wind.  M. 
Her must I love, although I smart,  H. 
With her own sword, thou slayest thy heart:  M. 
Such pleasant baits, who can refrain,  H. 
Such baits will sure breed thee great pain.  M. 
What shall I do than?  H. 
Come out and thou can,  M. 
Alas I die,  H. 
what remedy.  M. 
Her golden beams, mine eyes do daze,  H. 
Upon the Sun, thou mayest not gaze:  M. 
She might reward, my cruel smart,  H. 
She thinks thou heardst a feigned heart.  M. 
she laughs to hear my woeful cries,  H. 
Forsake her then, in time be wise:  M. 
No, no, alas, that may not be,  H. 
No wiseman then, will pity thee:  M. 
what shall I do than?  H. 
Come out and thou can,  M. 
Alas I die,  H. 
what remedy.  M. 
A living death, lo thus I prove,  H. 
Such are the fruits of froward love:  M. 
O that I might her love once gain,  H. 
Thy gain would not, half quite the pain.  M. 
Her will I love, though she be coy,  H. 
A fool himself, will still annoy:  M. 
who will not die, for such a one?  H. 
Be wise at length, let her alone.  M. 
I can not do so,  H. 
then be thy own foe,  M. 
Alas I die,  H. 
what remedy.  
FINIS.  
E.S.   

The complaint of a Lover, wearing Black and Tawny.  

A Crown of bays, shall that man wear,  
That triumphs over me:  
For black and tawny will I wear,  
Which mourning colours be.   

The more I follow on, the more she fled away,  
As Daphne did full long ago, Apollo's wishful prey:  
the more my plaints I resound, the less she pities me,  
The more I sought, the less I found, that mine she meant to be.   

Melpomene alas, with doleful tunes help than,  
And sing Bis, woe worth on me forsaken man:  
Then Daphne's bays shall that man wear, that triumphs over me,  
For black and tawny will I wear, which mourning colours be.   

Droune me you trickling tears, you wailful wights of woe,  
Come help these hands to rend my hears, my rueful hap to show!  
Of whom the scorching flames of Love, doth feed you see,  
Ah a lalalantida my dear Dame, hath thus tormented me.   

Wherefore you Muses nine, with doleful tunes help than,  
And sing Bis woe worth on me forsaken man:  
Then Daphne's bays shall that man wear, that triumphs over me,  
For black and tawny will I wear, which mourning colours be.   

An Ankers life to lead, with nails to scratch my grave,  
where earthly worms on me shall feed, is all the joys I crave:  
And hide myself from shame, sith that mine eyes do see,  
Ah a lalalantida my dear Dame, hath thus tormented me.   

And all that present be, with doleful tunes help than,  
And sing Bis woe worth on me, forsaken man.   
FINIS.  
E. O.   

Finding no relief, he complaineth thus.  

IN quest of my relief, I find distress,  
In recompense of Love, most deep disdain:  
My languor such as words may not express,  
A shower of tears, my watery eye doth rain.  
I dream of this, and do define of woe,  
I wander in the thoughts of my sweet foe.   

I would no peace, the cause of war I fly,  
I hope, I fear, I burn, I chill in Frost:  
I lie a low, yet mounts my mind on high,  
thus doubtful storms, my troubled thoughts have tossed.  
And for my pain, this pleasure do I prove,  
I hate myself, and pine in others love.   

The world I grasp, yet hold I nought at all,  
At liberty I seem, in prison penned:  
I taste the sweet, more sour than bitter gall,  
My ship seems sound, and yet her ribs be rend.  
And out alas, on Fortune false I cry,  
Look what I crave, that still she doth deny.   

Both life and death, be equal unto me,  
I do desire to die, yet crave I life:  
My wits with sundry thoughts do disagree,  
Myself am with myself at mortal strife.  
As warmeth of Sun, doth melt the silver snow,  
The heat of Love, behold consumes me so.   
FINIS.  
R. Hill.   

¶ Written upon the death of his especial good friend Master john Barnaby, who departed this life at Bensted, in the County of Southampton. 25. january. 1579. Aeratis. 76.  
MIne own good father thou art gone, thine ears are stopped with clay,  
Thy ghost is fled, thy body dead, thou hearst not what I say:  
Thy dearest friends may sigh and sob, thy children cry and call  
Thy wife may wail, and not prevail, nor do the good at all.  
Though reason would we should rejoice, and trickling tears restrain,  
Yet kindliness and friendliness, enforce us to complain:  
Thy life was good, our loss the more, thy presence cheered our heart,  
Thy lack and absence turned therefore, our solace into smart.  
I found thee both a kindly friend, and friendly father too,  
Barnaby lacks breath, O cruel death, and couldst thou part us two:  
But death derides my woeful words, and to my saying saith,  
Thus foolish wight I did but right, I force no friend nor faith.  
The Lord of life and Lord of death, my threatening hand did let,  
Else when that he in cradle lay, I might have claimed my debt:  
His corpse is clad with clods of the earth, his soul doth soar on high,  
Before the throne of God above, whose servant he did die.  
And thou his friend, and she his spouse, and they his children shall,  
Behold the father, friend and mate, whose absence grieves you all:  
But he nor can, nor will return, to thee, to her, or them,  
For heaven is his, he lives in bliss, ye dwell with mortal men.  
Ye dwell in dark, and dreadful den, in prison penned are ye,  
He lives in light, and all delight, from thraldom frank and free:  
wish not that he should come to you, for than ye do him wrong,  
But wish that ye may go to him, the blessed saints among▪  
FINIS.  
H. D.   

Coelum non solum.  

IF care or skill, could conquer vain desire,  
Or reasons reigns, my strong affection stay:  
Then should my sighs, to quiet breast retire,  
And shun such sighs, as secret thoughts bewray,  
Uncomely love, which now lurks in my breast,  
Should cease my grief, through wisdoms power oppressed.   

But who can leave, to look on Venus' face,  
Or yieldeth not to junos' high estate:  
What wit so wise, as gives not Pallas place,  
These virtues rare, each Gods did yield a mate.  
Save her alone, who yet on earth doth reign,  
whose beauties string, no God can well destraine.   

What worldly wight, can hope for heavenly hire,  
when only sighs, must make his secret move:  
A silent suit, doth seld to grace aspire,  
My hapless hap, doth roll the restless stone.  
Yet Phoebe fair, disdain the heavens above,  
To joy on earth, her poor Endymion's love.   

Rare is reward, where none can justly crave,  
For chance is choice, where reason makes no claim:  
Yet luck sometimes, despairing souls doth save,  
A happy star, made Gyges' joy attain.  
A slavish Smith, of rude and rascal race,  
Found means in time, to gain a Goddess grace.   

Then lofty Love, thy sacred sails advance,  
My sighing seas, shall flow with streams of tears:  
Amidst disdain, drive forth my doleful chance,  
A valiant mind, no deadly danger fears.  
who loves a fit, and sets his heart on high,  
Deserves no pain, though he do pine and die.   
FINIS.  
E.O.   

A Lover rejected, complaineth.  

THe trickling tears, that falls along my cheeks,  
The secret sighs that shows my inward grief:  
The present pains perforce, that Love aye seeks,  
Bids me renew my cares without relief.  
In woeful song, in dole display,  
My pensive heart for to bewray.   

Bewray thy grief, thy woeful heart with speed,  
Resign thy voice, to her that caused thy woe:  
with irksome cries, bewail thy late done deed,  
For she thou lovest, is sure thy mortal foe.  
And help for thee, there is none sure,  
But still in pain thou must endure.   

The stricken dear, hath help to heal his wound▪  
The haggard Hawk, with toil is made full tame:  
The strongest Tower, the Canon lays on ground,  
The wisest wit, that ever had the fame.  
was thrall to Love, by Cupid's sleights,  
than way my cause, with equal weights.   

She is my joy, she is my care and woe,  
She is my pain, she is my ease therefore:  
She is my death, she is my life also,  
She is my salve, she is my wounded sore.  
In fine, she hath the hand and knife,  
that may both save and end my life.   

And shall I live on earth to be her thrall?  
And shall I sue and serve her all in vain?  
And kiss the steps that she lets fall,  
And shall I pray the Gods to keep the pain?  
From her, that is so cruel still,  
No, no, on her work all your will.   

And let her feel, the power of all your might,  
And let her have her most desire with speed:  
And let her pine away, both day and night,  
And let her move, and none lament her need.  
And let all those that shall her see,  
Despise her state, and pity me.   
FINIS.  
E.O.   

Not attaining to his desire, he complaineth.  

I Am not as I seem to be, nor when I smile, I am not glad,  
A thrall although you count me free, I most in mirth, most pensive sad:  
I smile to shade my bitter spite, as Hannibal that saw in sight,  
His country soil with Carthage town, by Roman force defaced down.   

And Caesar that preserved was, with noble Pompey's princely head,  
As 'twere some judge to rule the case, a flood of tears he seemed to shed:  
Although in deed it sprung of joy, yet other thought it was annoy,  
Thus contraries be used I find, of wise to cloak the covert mind.   

I Hannibal that smiles for grief, and let you Caesar's tears suffice,  
The one that laughs at his mischief, the other all for joy that cries:  
I smile to see me scorned so, you weep for joy to see me woe,  
And I in heart by Love slain dead, presents a place of Pompey's head.   

O cruel hap, and hard estate, that forceth me to love my foe,  
Accursed be so foul a fate, my choice for to prefix it so:  
So long to fight with secret sore, and find no secret salve therefore,  
Some purge their pain by plaint I find, but I in vain do breath my wind.   
FINIS.  
E.Ox.   

¶ A young Gentleman willing to travel into forreygne parts being entreated to stay in England: Wrote as followeth.  

WHo seeks the way to win renown,  
Or flieth with wings of high desire  
Who seeks to wear the Laurel crown,  
Or hath the mind that would aspire,  
Let him his native soil eschew  
Let him go range and seek anew.   

Each haughty heart is well content,  
With every chance that shall betide  
No hap can hinder his intent.  
He steadfast stands though Fortune slide:  
The Sun saith he doth shine aswell  
Abroad as erst where I did dwell.   

In change of streams each fish can live,  
Each fowl content with every air:  
The noble mind each where can thrive,  
And not be drowned in deep despair:  
Wherefore I judge all lands alike  
To haughty hearts that Fortune seek.   

To toss the Sea● some thinker a toil,  
Some think it strange abroad to roam,  
Some think it grief to leave their soil  
Their parents, kinsfolks, and their home.  
Think so who list, I like it not,  
I must abroad to try my lot.   

UUho lust at home at cart to drudge  
And cark and care for worldly trash:  
with buckled shoe let him go trudge,  
In stead of lance a whip to swash.  
A mind that's base himself will show,  
A carrion sweet to feed a Crow,   

If jason of that mind had been,  
Or wandering Prince that came from Greece.  
The golden fleece had been to win,  
And Priam's Troy had been in bliss,  
Though dead in deeds and clad in clay,  
Their worthy Fame will near decay.   

The worthies nine that wear of mights,  
By travail wan immortal praise:  
If they had lived like Carpet knights,  
(Consuming idly) all their days,  
Their praises had with them been dead,  
where now abroad their Fame is spread.   
FINIS.   

¶ No joy comparable to a quiet mind.  

IN loathsome race, pursued by slippery life,  
whose sugared guile, doth glistering joy present:  
The careful ghost, oppressed sore with strife,  
Yields ghostly groans, from painful passions sent.  
The sinful flesh, that bears him here in view,  
In steed of life, doth dreadful death pursue.   

The way he seethe, by touch of merit's grace,  
Wherein to run, alas he gladly would:  
But filthy flesh, his wretched dwelling place,  
Doth so rebel, at that which do he should.  
That silly soul, who feels his heavy need,  
Can only will, but nought perform in deed.   

Thy will through grace, doth oft desire the good,  
But all in vain, for that the fleshly foe:  
Yields forth such fruits, as sins hath bred in bud,  
And blindly sucks, the sap of deadly woe.  
Esteeming shows of fickle fancies known,  
And scorning fruit by grace, eternal sown.   

Though eye doth see, that death doth swallow all,  
Both life and lust, and every sound delight:  
Yet wretched flesh, through sin is made so thrall,  
That nought it marks, apparent things in sight.  
That might him train, to care of better grace,  
Both doth his bale, with greedy lust embrace.   

Then since desert, and all things wear away,  
That nought remain, but fruit of grace or sin:  
God build in us, such conscience, as can say,  
This fruit not mine, but sin that dwelled in me,  
For why to sin, I daily do in sight,  
that unto Christ, I may revive my sprite.   
qd Candishe.  
FINIS.   

That Love is required by disdain.  

IN search of things that secret are, my mated muse began,  
What it might be, molested most the head and mind of man:  
The bending brow of Prince's face, to wrath that doth attend,  
Or want of Parents, wife or child, or loss of faithful friend.  
the roaring of the Canon shot, that makes the piece to shake,  
Or terror such as mighty jove, from heaven above can make:  
All these in fine may not compare, experience so doth prove,  
Unto the torments sharp and strange, of such as be in love.   

Love looks a fit, and laughs to scorn, all such as grief annoy,  
The more extreme their passions be, the greater is his joy:  
thus love as victor of the field, triumphs above the rest,  
And joys to see his subjects lie, with living death in breast.  
But dire disdain let's drive a shaft, & gauls this bragging fool,  
He plucks his plumes, unbends his bow, & sets him new to school  
Whereby this boy that bragged late, as conqueror over all,  
Now yields himself unto disdain his vassal and his thrall.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

Of a contented state.  

IN wealth we see some wealthy men, abound in wealth most wealthily,  
In wealth we see those men again, in wealth do live most wretchedly:  
And yet of wealth having more store,  
Then erst of wealth they had before.   

These wealthy men do seem to want, they seem to want that most they have,  
The more possess, the more they crave, the more they crave, the greater store:  
That most they have, they think but scant,  
Yet not content, woe be therefore.   

The simple men that less wealth have, with lesser wealth we see content:  
Content are they twixt wealth and scathe, a life to lead indifferent:  
And thus of wealth, these men have more,  
Then those of which we spoke before.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

Being disdained, he complaineth.  

IF friendless faith? if guiltless thought may shield?  
If simple truth, that never meant to serve?  
If dear desire, accepted fruit do yield,  
If greedy lust, in loyal life do serve.  
then may my plaint, bewail my heavy harm,  
That seeking calm, have stumbled on the storm.   

My wont cheer, Eclipsed by the cloud,  
Of deep disdain, through error of report,  
If weary woe, enwrapped in the shroud,  
Lies slain by tongue, of the unfriendly sort.  
Yet heaven and earth, and all that nature wrought,  
I call to vow of my unspotted thought.   

No shade I seek, in part to shield my taint,  
But simple truth, I hunt no other suit:  
On that I gape, the issue of my plaint,  
If that I quail, let justice me confute.  
If that my place, amongst the guiltless sort,  
Repay by doom, my name and good report.   

Go heavy verse, pursue desired grace,  
Where pity shrined, in cell of secret breast,  
Awaits my haste, the rightful lot to place,  
And loathes to see, the guiltless man oppressed.  
Whose virtues great, hath crowned her more with fame,  
then kingly state, though largely shine the same.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

Of the mean estate.  

THe higher that the Cedar tree, unto the heavens do grow,  
the more in dangers is the top, when sturdy winds 'gan blow:  
Who judges then in Princely throne, to be devoid of hate,  
Doth not yet know what heaps of ill, lies hid in such estate.  
Such dangers great, such gripes of mind, such toil do they sustain,  
that often times of God they wish, to be unkingd again.   

For as the huge and mighty rocks, withstand the raging seas,  
So kingdoms in subjection be, whereas dame Fortune please:  
Of brittle joy, of smiling cheer, of honey mixed with gall,  
Allotted is to every Prince, in freedom to be thrall.  
What watches long, what sleeps unsure, what grief and care of mind,  
What bitter broils, what endless toils, to kingdoms be assigned.   

The subject than may well compare, with Prince for pleasant days,  
whose silent night brings quiet rest, whose steps no storm bewrays:  
How much be we then bound to God, who such provision makes,  
to lay our cares upon the Prince, thus doth he for our sakes,  
to him therefore let us lift up our hearts, and pray amain,  
that every prince that he hath placed, may long in quiet reign.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

Of a contented mind.  

WHen all is done and said, in the end thus shall you find,  
the most of all doth bathe in bliss, that hath a quiet mind:  
And clear from worldly cares, to deem can be content,  
the sweetest time of all this life, in thinking to be spent.   

The body subject is, to fickle Fortune's power,  
And to a million of mishaps, is casual every hour:  
And death in time, doth change it to a clodd of clay,  
When as the mind which is divine, runs never to decay.   

Companion none is like, unto the mind alone,  
For many have been harmed by speech, through thinking few or none  
Few often times restraineth words, but makes no thoughts to cease,  
And stay he speaks best that hath the skill, when for to hold his peace.   

Our wealth leaves us at death, our kinsmen at the grave,  
But virtues of the mind, unto the heavens with us have,  
wherefore for virtues sake, I can be well content,  
the sweetest time of all my life, to deem in thinking spent.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

Try before you trust.  

TO counsel my estate, abandonde to the spoil,  
Of forged friends whose grossest fraud, is set with finest foil:  
To verify true dealing wights, whose trust no treason treads,  
And all too dear th'acquaintance be, of such most harmful heads.  
I am advised thus, who so doth friend, friend so,  
As though to morrow next he feared, for to become a foe.   

To have a feigned friend, no peril like I find,  
Oft fleering face may mantel best, a mischief in the mind:  
A pair of Angels ears oft times, doth hide a Serpent's heart,  
Under whose gripes who so doth come, to late bewails the smart,  
wherefore I do advise, who so doth friend, friend so,  
As though to morrow next, he should become a mortal foe.   

Refuse respecting friends, that courtly know to fayne,  
For gold that wins for gold, shall lose, the self same friend again:  
The quail needs never fear, the fowlers nets to fall,  
If he would never bend his ear, to listen to his call.  
Therefore trust not to soon, but when you friend, friend so,  
As though to morrow next, ye feared for to become a fo.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

He renounceth all the effects of love.  

LIke as the Heart, that lifteth up his ears,  
To hear the hounds, that hath him in the chase:  
Doth cast the wind, in dangers and in fears,  
With flying foot, to pass away apace.  
So must I fly, of Love the vain pursuit,  
whereof the gain, is lesser than the fruit.   

And I also, must loath those learing looks,  
Where Love doth lurk, still with his subtle sleight:  
with painted mocks, and inward hidden hooks,  
To trap by trust, that lieth not in wait.  
The end whereof, assay it who so shall,  
As sugared smart, and inward bitter gall.   

And I must fly such Syrian songs,  
Wherewith that Circe's, Ulysses did enchant:  
These willie wattes, I mean with filled tongues,  
That hearts of steel have power to daunt:  
Who so as Hawk, that stoopeth to their call,  
For most desert, receiveth least of all.   

But woe to me, that first beheld these eyes,  
The trap wherein, I say that I was ta'en:  
An outward salve, which inward me destroys,  
Whereto I run, as rat unto her bane.  
As to the fish, sometime it doth befall,  
that with the bait, doth swallow hook and all.   

Within my breast, wherewith I daily fed,  
The vain repast, of amorous hot desire:  
with loitering lust, so long that hath me fed,  
Till he hath brought me to the flaming fire.  
In time as Phoenix ends her care and carks,  
I make the fire, and burn myself with sparks.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

Bethinking himself of his end, writeth thus.  

WHen I behold the Baier, my last and posting horse,  
that bare shall to the grave, my vile and carrion corpse:  
Then say I seely wretch, why dost thou put thy trust,  
In things either made of clay, that soon will turn to dust.   

Dost thou not see the young, the hardy and the fair,  
that now are past and gone, as though they never were:  
Dost thou not see thyself, draw hourly to thy last,  
As shafts which that is shot, at birds that flieth fast.   

Dost thou not see how death, through smiteth with his lance,  
Some by war, some by plague, and some by worldly chance:  
What thing is there on earth for pleasure that was made,  
But goeth more swift away, then doth the summer shade.   

Lo here the summer flower, that sprung this other day,  
But winter weareth as fast, and bloweth clean away:  
Even so shalt thou consume from youth to loathsome age,  
For death he doth not spare, the Prince more than the Page.   

Thy house shallbe of clay, a clot under thy head,  
Until the latter day, the grave shallbe thy bed:  
Until the blowing trump doth say to all and some,  
Rise up out of the grave, for now the judge is come.   
FINIS.  
L. Vaux.   

Being in Love, he complaineth.  

Enforced by Love and fear, to please and not offend,  
Within the words you would me write, a message I must send:  
A woeful errand sure, a wretched man must write,  
A wretched tale, a woeful head, beseemeth to indite.   

For what can he but wail, that hath but all he would,  
And yet that all is nought at all, but lack of all he should:  
But lack of all his mind, what can be greater grief,  
That have and lack that likes him best, must needs be most mischief.   

Now fool what makes thee wail, yet some might say full well,  
That hast no harm but of thyself, as thou thyself canst tell:  
to whom I answer thus, since all my harms do grow,  
Upon myself, so of myself, some hap may come I trow.   

And since I see, both hap and harm betides to me,  
For present woe, my after bliss, will make me not forget thee:  
UUho hath a field of gold, and may not come therein,  
Must live in hope, till he have force, his treasure well to win.   

Whose joys by hope of dread, to conquer or to lose,  
So great a wealth doth rise, and for example doth disclose:  
to win the golden Fleece, stood jason not in dread,  
Till Medea's hope of health, did give him hope to speed.   

Yet sure his mind was much, and yet his fear the more,  
That hath no hap, but by your help, may hap for to restore:  
The raging Bulls he dread, yet by his Lady's charm,  
He knew it might be brought to pass, they could do little harm.   

Unto whose grace yield he, as I do offer me,  
Into your hands to hap, not like him for to be:  
But as king Priamus, did yield him to the will,  
Of Cressida false, which him forsook with Diomedes to spill.   

So I to you commend my faith, and eke my joy,  
I hope you will not be so false, as Cressida was to Troy:  
For if I be untrue, her Lazars death I wish,  
And eke in thee if thou be false, her clapper and her dish.   
FINIS.  
R. L.   

Being in trouble, he writeth thus.  

IN terrors trap, with thraldom thrust,  
Their thorny thoughts, to taste and try:  
In conscience clear, from cause unjust,  
With carping tears did call and cry.  
And said O God, yet thou art he,  
That can and will deliver me. Bis.   

Thus trembling there, with tears I trod,  
To totter tied, in truths defence:  
With sighs and sobs, I said O God,  
Let right not have this recompense.  
Lest that my foes, might laugh to see,  
That thou wouldst not deliver me. Bis.   

My soul then to repentance ran,  
My ragged clothes all rent and torn:  
And did bewail the loss it wan.  
With loathsome life, so long forlorn,  
And said O God, yet thou art he,  
that can and will deliver me. Bis.   

Then comfort came, with clothes of joy,  
whose seams were faithful steadfastness:  
And did bedeck the naked ●oe,  
that erst was full of wretchedness.  
And said be glad, for God is he:  
that shortly will deliver thee.   
FINIS.  
W. Hunnis.   

Being troubled in mind, he writeth as followeth.  

THe bitter sweat, that strains my yielded heart,  
the careless count, that doth the same embrace:  
The doubtful hope, to reap my due desert,  
The pensive path, that guides my restless race.  
Are at such war, within my wounded breast,  
As doth bereave my joy, and eke my rest.   

My greedy will, that seeks the golden gain,  
My luckless lot, doth always take in worth:  
My mated mind, that dreads my suits in vain,  
My piteous plaint, doth help to set it forth.  
So that between, two waves of raging Seas,  
I drive my days, in troubles and disease.   

My woeful eyes do take their chief delight,  
To feed their fill upon the pleasant maze,  
My hidden harms that grow in me by sight:  
With pining pains do drive me from the gaze,  
And to my hope, I reap no other hire,  
But burn myself, and I do blow the fire.   
FINIS.  
I. Heywood.   

Look or you leap.  

IF thou in surety safe wilt sit,  
If thou delight at rest to dwell,  
Spend no more words than shall seem fit,  
Let tongue in silence talk expel,  
In all things that thou seest men bend,  
See all, say nought, hold thee content.   

In worldly works degrees are three,  
Makers, doers, and lookers on,  
The lookers on, have liberty:  
Both the others to judge upon,  
Wherefore in all, as men are bend,  
See all, say nought, hold thee content.   

The makers oft, are in fault found,  
The deers doubt of praise or shame.  
The lookers on find surest ground,  
They have the fruit, yet free from blame▪  
This doth persuade in all here meant,  
See all, say nought, hold thee content.   

The Proverb is not South and west,  
which hath been said long time ago,  
Of little meddling cometh great rest:  
The busy man never wanteth woe,  
The best way is, in all worlds sent,  
See all, say nought, hold thee content.   
FINIS.  
I. Heywood.   

A description of the world.  

WHat is this world, a net to snare the soul,  
A mass of sin, a desert of deceit,  
A moments joy, an age of wretched dole:  
A lure from grace, for flesh a loathsome bait,  
Unto the mind a canker worm of care,  
Unsure, unjust, in rendering man his share.   

A place where pride orerunnes the honest mind,  
where rich men joins, to rob the shiftless wretch,  
where bribing mists, do blind the judges eyen:  
where Parasites, the fattest croms do catch,  
where good vesartes, which challenge like reward,  
Are over blown, with blasts of light regard.   

And what is man? dust, slime, a puff of wind,  
Conceived in sin, placed in the world with grief,  
Brought up with care, till care hath caught his mind:  
And then till death vouchsafe him some relief,  
Day, yea nor night, his care doth take an end,  
To gather goods, for other men to spend.   

Oh foolish man, that art in office placed,  
Think whence thou camest, and whether thou shalt go,  
The haut high ekes, small winds have overcast:  
when slender weeds, in roughest weather grow,  
Even so pale death, oft spares the wretched wight,  
And woundeth you, who wallow in delight.   

You lusty youths, that nourish high desire,  
Abase your plumes, which makes you look so big,  
The Collier's Cut, the Courtier's Steed will tire:  
Even so the Clerk, the Parson's grave doth dig,  
whose hap so is, yet here long life to win,  
Doth heap God wot, but sorrow upon sin.   

And to be short, all sorts of men take heed,  
The thunderbolts, the lofty towers tear,  
The lightning flash, consumes the house of reed:  
Yea more in time, all earthly things will wear,  
Save only man, who as his earthly time is,  
Shall live in woe, or else in endless bliss.   
FINIS.  
G. Gask.   

A witty and pleasant conceit.  

WHat fond delight, what fancies strange,  
what deep despite, what sudden change:  
what stilling strife, what deep debates,  
Do run so rife, in doltish pates.   

Who views and sees, and takes no heed,  
who seeks degrees, and can not speed:  
In stead of joys, shall reap such woes,  
As breed annoys, twixt friends and foes.   

who wiving wants, and lives alone,  
when thriving scantes, is overthrown:  
who seeks to thrive, and find no way,  
May chance to strive, and mar the play.   

who spends his wealth, and wins the wine,  
Doth hurt himself, and help the swine:  
who haunts the house, where Ale is sold,  
May gain a crust, and lose his gold.   

Who spins by spite, and reels to woe,  
Who takes delight, in rolling so:  
Doth dub himself, a drowsy head,  
And brings drowsy fool to bed.   

Who rides a fit, and cannot rule,  
Who sits not soft, and keeps his stool:  
Doth both content, themselves with wrong,  
But wisemen will not use it long.   
FINIS.  
I.H.   

¶ The complaint of a Sinner. And song by the Earl of Essex upon his death bed in Ireland.  

O Heavenly God, O Father dear, cast down thy tender eye,  
Upon a wretch, that prostrate here, before thy face doth lie:  
O pour thy precious oil of grace, into my wounded heart,  
O let the drops of mercy suage, the rigour of my smart.   

My fainting soul suppressed sore, with careful clog of sin,  
In humble sort submits itself, thy mercy for to win:  
Grant mercy then, O Saviour sweet, to me most woeful thrall,  
Whose mournful cry, to thee O Lord, doth still for mercy call.   

Thy blessed will I have despised, upon a stubborn mind,  
And to the sway of worldly things, myself I have inclined:  
Forgetting heaven, & heavenly powers, where God and Saints do dwell,  
My life had like to tread the path, that leads the way to hell.   

But now my Lord, my Lodestarre bright, I will no more do so,  
To think upon my former life, my heart doth melt for woe:  
Alas I sigh, alas I sob, alas I do repent,  
That ever my licentious will, so wickedly was bend.   

Sith thus therefore, with careful plaint, I do thy mercy crave,  
O Lord for thy great mercy's sake, let me thy mercy have:  
Restore to life the wretched soul, that else is like to die,  
So shall my voice unto thy name, sing praise eternally.   

Now blessed be the Father first, and blessed be the Son,  
And blessed be the holy Ghost, by whom all things are done:  
Bless me O blessed Trinity, with thy eternal grace,  
That after death my soul may have, in heaven a dwelling place.   
FINIS.  
F. Kindlemarshe.   

The fruit that springs from wilful wits, is ruth and ruin rage▪ And sure what headless youth commits, repentance rues in age.  

I Rage in restless youth, and ruins rule my days,  
I rue (too late) my restless youth, by rules of reasons ways:  
I ran so long a race, in search of surest way,  
That leisure learned me trade, the trace that lead to lewd decay.  
I gave so large a rain, to unrestrained bit,  
That now with proof of after pain, I wail my want of wit:  
I trifled forth the time, with trust to self conceits,  
UUhilst plenties use pricked forth my time, to seek for sugared baits.  
wherein once learned to find, I found so sweet a taste,  
That due foresight of after speed, self-will esteemed waste:  
which will through wilfulness, hath wrought my witless fall,  
And heedless youths unskilfulness, hath leapt my life in thrall.  
whereby by proof I know, that pleasure breedeth pain,  
And he that evil seed doth sow, evil fruit must reap again:  
Let such therefore whose youth, and purses are in prime,  
Foresee and shun the helpless ruth, which sues misspent of time.  
For want is next to waste, and shame doth sin ensue,  
Evil speeding proof hath heedless haste, myself have proved it true:  
When neighbours next house burns, 'tis time thereof take heed,  
For fortune's wheel hath choice of turns, which change of chances breed.  
My sail hath been aloft, though now I bear but low,  
who climbs so high seld falleth soft, deadst ebb hath highest flow.   
FINIS.  
qd Yloop.   

Master Edward's his I may not.  

IN may by kind Dame Nature wills, all earthly wights to sing,  
In may the new and coupled fowls, may joy the lively spring:  
In May the Nightingale, her notes doth warble on the spray,  
In May the birds their mossy nests, do timber as they may.  
In May the swift and turning Hare her bagged belly slakes,  
In May the little sucking UUatts, do play with tender Flax:  
All creatures may, in May be glad, no may can me remove,  
I sorrow in May, since I may not, in May obtain my love.   

The stately Heart in may doth mue, his old and palmed beams,  
His state renews in May, he leaps to view Apollo's streams:  
In May, the Buck his horned tops, doth hang upon the pale,  
In May, he seeks the pastures green, in ranging every Dale.  
In May, the ugley speckled Snake, doth cast her loathsome skin,  
In May, the better that he may increase his scaley skin:  
All things in May I see, they may rejoice like Turtle dove,  
I sorrow in May since I may not, in May obtain my love.   

Now may I mourn in fruitful May, who may or can redress,  
May may is sorrow since she that may, with holds my may a fresh:  
Thus I must may in pleasant May, till I may May at will,  
with her in May, whose may my life, now may both save and spill.  
Contented hearts that have your hope, in May you may at large,  
Untolde your joys, expel your cares, and bask in pleasure barge:  
Save I alone in May, that may lament for my behove,  
I mourn in May, till that I may, in May obtain my love.   
FINIS.   

The complaint of a sorrowful Soul.  

O Sovereign salve of sin, who dost my soul behold,  
That seeks herself from tangling faults, by striving to unfold,  
What plea shall I put in, when thou dost Summons send:  
To judge the people of the earth, and give the world and end,  
When every deed and word, yea every secret thought,  
In open view of all the world, shall unto light be brought.   

So many judges shall against me sentence give,  
As by example of good works, hath taught how I should live:  
So many pleaders shall confound my careful case,  
As have in one by sound advise, sought to engraft by grace.  
So many shall that time, against me witness bear,  
As have beheld my fruitless faith, and saw my sins appear.   

Whereon whiles I do muse, in my amazed mind,  
Froward thoughts, familiar foes, most fires assaults I find:  
My conscience to my face, doth flatly me accuse,  
My secret thoughts within my ears, do whisper still these news.  
Mine avarice and bribery▪ my pride doth brag me down,  
Mine envy frets me like a file, at other folk's renown.   

Concupiscence inflames, and lusts my limbs infect,  
My meat doth burden, and my drink my weakness doth detect:  
My slanders rend my fame, ambition doth supplant,  
My greediness is not content, but makes me wail for want.  
My mirth but flattery is, my sorrows are unkind,  
Sith pleasures run me out of breath, and griefs suppress my mind.   

Behold my God, whose might, may me a freeman make,  
These were my friends, whose counsels cursed, I was content to take:  
These were the lawless Lords, whom I did serve alway,  
These were the masters whose mad hests, I did too much obey  
Behold my faults most foul, which folly first did frame,  
In loving them I should have loathed, whence breedeth all my bane.   

Now I do look aloft, with bashful blushing face,  
On glory thine, that so I may discern my own disgrace  
My many spots and great, must needs increase my gilt,  
Unless thou wash them in the blood, that for my sake was spilled.  
Forgive the faults O Lord, which I from heart repent,  
And grant my days to come, may be in thy sweet service spent.   
FINIS.  
I. Heiwood.   

¶ Alluding his state to the prodigal child.  

THe wandering youth, whose race so rashly run,  
Hath left behind, to his eternal shame:  
The thriftless title of the Prodigal son,  
To quench, remembrance of his other name.  
Mate now divide, the burden of his blame,  
with me, whom reckless thoughts enticed still:  
To tread the tracked of his unruly will.   

He took his child's part, at his father's hands,  
Of God's free grace, his gifts I did receive:  
He traveled far, in many foreign lands,  
My restless mind, would never raging leave.  
False queans did him, of all his coin bereave,  
Fond fancies stuffed my brain with such abuse:  
That no good hap could seek to any use.   

They drove him out, when all his pennies was spent.  
My lusts left me, when strength with age was worn,  
He was full fain, a Fermars' hogs to tent:  
My life misled, did reap deserved scorn,  
Through hunger huge, where with his trips were torn,  
He wished for swads, even so wished I most vain,  
In fruitless pleasure, fond to remain.   

Now to come home with him, and pardon pray,  
My God I say, against the heavens and thee,  
I am not worthy, that my lips should say:  
Behold thy handy work, and pity me,  
Of mercy yet my soul, from faults set free.  
To serve thee here, till thou appoint the time,  
Through Christ, unto thy blessed joys to climb.   
FINIS.  
I. Heiwood.