❧ The reward of Wickedness Discoursing the sundry monstrous abuses of wicked and ungodly worldelinges: in such sort set down and written as the same have been diversely practised in the persons of Popes, Harlots, Proud Princes, tyrants, Romish bishops, and others. With a lively description of their-severall falls and final destruction. very profitable for all sort of estates to read and look upon.  
¶ Newly compiled by Richard Robinson, Servant in household to the right Honourable Earl of Shrowsbury.  
A dream most pitiful, and to be dreaded  

Of things that be strange,  
Who loveth to reed:  
In this Book let him range,  
His fancy to feed.    

❧ To the Worshipful, Gilbert Talbote, Esquire, second Son to the Right Honourable Earl of Shrowsburie. etc. Richard Robinson Wisheth the fervent fear of God, Increase of Virtue, Worship and Honour, with Good success, and many joyful years.  
FOr as much as the little creeping Creatures of the Earth, do teach every reasonable person to use some kind of trade, whereby for his travail in the Summer, he may in the blustering blasts of Storming Hiemps, be relieved by the sweat of his brows, when nothing else is to be reaped upon the soil, but only monstruous and huge drifts of Snow: Which is daily put in use by the little Dormous, who in the Sommer-time, ceaseth not from traveling, till she be fully persuaded to have sufficient store in her Cabin, to defend the hungry time of winter: Likewise the crawling Ant, toileth from the first show of Sir Phoebus' face in the morning, till the black Mantels do obscure the blazing beams of the same: The Squirrel that lightly Leaps from Branch to Branch, is ever occupied, as appeareth by the great store of Nuts, that she heapeth together in Summer time, to encounter the barren season: The fearful Fly is not forgetful of the same, but carrieth his travails to the warm hollow reed, wherein he dwelleth holsomely, and Banquets merrily of his late travails: (What shall I say, of the busy Bee) whose curious skill in building of her Lodge, and knowledge in Flowers and Herbs, in choosing the Good, and leaving for the Spider the ill, never ceasing, but always in travail, hoping in winter to rest and enjoy the fruits of her travail: immediately upon the sudden, is not only spoilt of this the fruits of her great toil, but commonly slain for the lucre thereof: (Even so) Right Worshipful, as I am not only taught to abandon Idleness, as well by the holy Scriptures, as also by these creeping Creatures: So am I doubtful, lest after my travail, I shall reap the harmless Bees reward: Except, (as my trust is) your Worship do seem by your courtesy, to protect as well me, as this little portion of my labour: For me thinks that I hear already Envy whet his Teeth, whose shoulder-blade would long ago, have been bathed in my blood, if secret thwacks could have touched my guiltless Carcase: Yet notwithstanding I see the blazing brand in his fist, to fiere the great Cannons upon me: for already false Report his Trumpeter, soundeth up his forging Trump of Detraction, whose honest nature is neither content with that which he wisheth himself, nor yet pleased if he might have or obtain, that which other men desire. Many mofriendes this chafing Champion hath, whose Cankered minds, and proud stomachs, would not much stick to take in hand to Lift with Atlas: To wrestle with Samson, or take the club from Hercules. But disdaining further to speak of Envy, and his said friends, which hateth every man, and every man him, & them, being nothing doubtful of Momus, Zoilus, nor sycophants wl●elps: I am as well content to bear with their barking, as many worthy Clerks heretofore have done, and do daily. So that it may please your Worship, to take in good part this simpletravaile of mine, which to eschew Idleness, and specially i● such times as my turn came to serve in watch of the Scottish Queen, I then every night collected some part thereof, to th'end that now it might the better appear, that I used not altogether to sleep: Though one time I chanced among many watchful nights, to take a slumber, which incited me to compile this fiction of Poetry, as more largely appeareth in my Prologue: And though it be a Drowsy Dreaming piece of work, neither garnished with Rhetoric, Eloquence, Curious terms, nor pleasant matter, to purchase praise of dainty Dames, and fantastical Knights of Cupid's court: (As it is not painted with these properties) so I am assured that your worship doth not mislike the want thereof. And for that it was thus begun and ended in my Lord your Father's house: my singular good Lord and Master, for whom, and my good Lady my Mistress, I and all mine, daily pray, as we are many ways bond to do: Do nothing mistrust, but that your worship will the rather take in good part the same, not weighing the gift; but the good will of the giver. And so your worship doth as well bind me and mine, to rest yours, to our power, as also thereby, my poor piece of travail from the spoil of Slander, and the bloody butcher Envy, by the same, guard and keep, for otherways, my said enemies will not stick to reward my pains with the poor harmless Bee. Thus I cease, and rest.  
¶ Your worships poor beseecher. Richard Robinson.   

❧ The Author to the Reader.  
AS Idleness the daughter of destruction, is to be abandoned of all men, that love to lead the life of good and honest members of a common wealth: so is it as convenient that every man yield account to his country of his Zeal and good will that he aught by duty to bear unto the same, by some virtuous or Godly work, for good example sake: In consideration whereof (Gentle reader) as well to profit my country (to my power) as also to eschew Idleness: I have attempted this my second work unto the place of thy indifferent judgement, not mistrusting, but thou wilt as thankfully accept the same, as I have willingly vouchsafed to bestow my travail, to pleasure thy delight in reading hereof. And though it be escaped my hands, not altogether so well plained and polished, as I purposed it should have been: Attribute I pray thee, the cause to the busy lives, that all my Lord my masters men do lead in the service of our Sovereign Lady, the Queen's Majesty: Sigh the protection of the Scottish Queen was committed to my said Lord in charge, whose true and dutiful service therein, to his Prince both night and day: as well by the travail of his Honours own Person, as also all them that serve him: I doubt not but FAME hath told it to all the Princes in EUROPE and noble subjects: as it were to be a Mirror to the rest, that shall serve in credit of their Prince, from age to age, no little to the increasing of his honour, and all his: (which God maintain). And I, being one of the simplest of a hundredth in my lords house, yet notwithstanding, as the order there is, I keep my watch, and ward, as time appointeth it to me: at the which times, gentle reader, I collected this together, feigning that in my sleep MORPHEUS took me to PLUTO'S Kingdom in a Dream: The which device, I mistrust not, but thou shalt think well of: Notwithstanding I know that the papist will gnash his teeth at me: The wanton Dames will scold at me: The Covetous worldlings will disdain me. The vain glorious persons in Authority, will envy me: False accusers will abhor me, Traitors will utterly detest this my simple work. Another sort there is, which I named not yet: As the Cobbler, and ZOILUS: Whose nature is to play hissing HIDRA'S part, rejecting the virtuous labours of painful persons, Lying Idle themselves like Buzzing Drones, devouring up the sweet travail of the busy Bees, (but for these I pass not.) Scythe the most noble and famous writers of the world, have not yet hitherto escaped the d●●t of their abominable tongues. Wherefore Ilothe longer to bestow the time so ill, as to speak of their beastly behaviour against the skilful. Beseeching thee once again gentle Reader, that I may reap at thy hands, but the reward of my good will, which shall not only content my travail: But also bind me another time, to present some other novelty, more fit to ●eede thy fantasy. Hoping in the mean while, thou wilt in my absence stand an indifferent friend. Thus wishing to thee and thy, as to myself and mine: I bid thee far well.  
From my Chamber in Sheffield Castle. The nineteeen. of May. 1574. ¶ Thy Friend. R. Robinson.   

❧ The Author to the Book.  

THY woeful plaints, thy rueful face, and careful countenance shoe,  
To all the world: be not tongue-tied, reveal abroad the woe  
That is among the silly souls, in Pluto's ugly lake,  
For wickedness done on the Earth, how love doth vengeance take.  
Blush not my book, to thunder forth, the torments thou hast seen,  
Tell wilful wits, and hateful hearts, what just deserved teen:  
In Pluto's pit they shall abide, that headlong plunge in sin,  
Be not abashte to tell the best, what plagues be there within.  
And whom thou saw in sink of sorrow, bewail and toil in grief,  
Why and wherefore, for whom, and what, they bide in this mischief.  
And why thou mournest, tell the cause, and wherefore thou art sad,  
Not doubt thy tears, and travail both, may thousands make full glad,  
Except the Cobbler give to carp, that always loves to cavil,  
Or sect of sycophants stur up, (Zoilus) that drnnken javel.  
To stamp and scorn against thy talk, that thou art charged withal,  
For to reward thy sugared gift, with bitter stinking gall.  
(But if they do) no force, no harm, their wonted use is known,  
The difference both of them, (and thee) Report hath justly blown.  
And doubt not but the learned, love, thy company to have,  
And hissing Hydras venimde sting, shall daily from thee save.  
And when the skilful heads shall scan, the tale that thou must tell,  
I charge thee, pardon crave of them, it doth become thee well.  
And if they do demand, from whence thou came, or what's thy name,  
The Just reward of wickedness, my Lords I am the same,  
(Say thou) which came from Plutos-Pit, whom Morpheus led with him,  
In drowsy Dream, to see the souls, Rewarded there for sin.  
Which sights, so rare and seldom seen, as in my dream I see,  
Good Lords, and Ladus, with the rest, shall strait revealed be,  
And doing duty, thus no doubt, but thou shalt be embraced,  
Of such as do of honour, or of virtuous learning taste.   
FINIS.  
I Quoth Richard Robinson.   

❧ The Book to the Author.  

AND must I needs be packing hence, about such news to bear,  
Which shallbe to the most, these days, an inward grief to hear?  
Why know'st thou not, that worldlings wish, to dwell on earth for aye,  
And may not bide, but them abhor, which say they must away?  
How shall I scape the cruel judge, that is corrupt with gold,  
Or crafty Carls and Muckscrapes now, that all from poor men hold?  
The Tyrant he will whet his shoulder-blade, the proud will present puff,  
The wanton Dames will scold at me, the Roister strange will snuff.  
Piers Pickthank and Tom tell-tale, will devise a thousand ways,  
Tibbe Tittivilly, that lowering Lass, some ill on me will raise.  
Whoremongers, they and all their mates, I doubt will stone me strait,  
Flatterers, Filchers, and Sclanderers both, I look but when they sight.  
Rend Rackers, that do fleece the poor, and Baillives false untrue,  
With bragging Officers forgetting God, that Conscience bid adieu.  
Murder, Treason, Theft and Guile, may not abide my face,  
The greatest number at these days, will hurt me in each place,  
And lusty Youth, stark stamping mad, willbe to hear these news▪  
Wherefore I grieve these Dreams to tell, ifte were in me to choose,  
Thinkest thou they'll credit Dreams these days, that Christ will scarce believe?  
Not, not, I doubt it overmuch: then blame not me to grieve.  
But had thou pend some pleasant songs, of Venus' smiling boy,  
I not mistrust but almost all, would clap their hands for joy.  
Or any thing, but that which doth, reprove men's filthy vice,  
No doubt among the most, it would have been of greatest Price.  
But speed, as speed may, abroad I will attempt in haste,  
Either of thanks, or else rebukes, the tone or other taste.  
The virtuous sort I not mistrust, the wicked here I warn,  
The wise in christ, will thank me much, the fool will laugh me scorn.  
And now the pains & plagues below, where Charon rows the barge,  
As Thaucthour hath commanded me, I shall declare at large.  
And if I chance to speak amiss, thy pardon here I crave,  
Repentance at the sinner's hand, Is all Christ seeks to have.   
FINIS.   

¶ Richard Smith in praise of the Author.  

YOU Muse's all of Thespyas, with sacred Songs that sing,  
Now stay your steps give ear a while, and hark what news I bring.  
Your Son that lately did indite with sacred silver quill,  
In Forest here is fled away, unto Parnassus' hill.  
Where he among the Muses there, and Ladies of great Fame,  
Contrites the time both day and night, in service of the same.  
Beholding of these Goddess face, with beauty shining bright:  
Like to Diana with her train, Resplendishing by night.  
Ambrosia is his food, sweet Nectar is his drink,  
What pleasures are not reaped there, that mortal heart can think?  
I do him deem in deed, to be sir Orpheus Fe●●▪  
Who made the stones to understand, and senseless Trees to hear.  
The savage Beasts of sundry kind, came thrusting in a throng,  
And went out of the wilsome woods, to hear his sacred song.  
Such grace the Muses give to some, for to delight the ear,  
And to allure the mortal minds, enchanted as it were.  
A Diamond for dainty Dames: For Peers a precious Pearl,  
This Robinson the Rubi read, a jewel for an Earl.  
Such Pearl can not be bought I know, for all the Gold in Cheap,  
The graces hear have powered their gifts together on an heap.  
Such gifts can not be grafted no doubt, without some power divine:  
Such cunning hid in one man's head, as Robinson in thy.  
If I might view thy pleasant Poems, and sonnets that excel,  
Then should I not thirst for the floods of Aganippe's well.  
Thou proffered prize at Olimpias, and got the chiefest game,  
And through the school of cunning skill, hast scaled the house of Fame.  
Where thou on stage alone, dost stand Triumphantlye,  
About thy head a Garland gay, of lively Laurel Tree.  
Which that these Noble Nymphs thought good for blazing their renown,  
In token of this learned Lore, adorned with that Crown.  
If I should pen this praise, as thou dost well deserve.  
It were a volume for to make, and time ●● would not serve.  
For what needs water to be brought, to power into the Seas,  
Or why do I with Pen contend about this Robin's praise?  
Whom ●●umpe of truth hath blown abroad, that hills and Dales resounds▪  
With Eccoes from the earth below, up to the sky reboundes.   
FINIS.  
¶ Quoth Richard Smith, Clark●.   

❧ The Prologue.  

IN December when days be short and cold,  
And irksome nights amid the storms 'gan roar,  
That flocks from fields forsake their fold,  
And Birds from swelling floods do shrink to shore,  
The plough doth rest that cut the soil of yore.  
And toiling Ox in cabin close doth stand,  
That wont was to travail painful land●:   

And when the haughty hills and ragged rocks,  
In mantles white be clothed round about:  
When fowls and beasts, aswell by herds as flocks,  
Seeks smoking springs, hot thirst to doubt,  
Whose flames doth force the frozen banks throughout,  
To yield their flintish ribs, to gushing floods of rain,  
And locked streams at large to set again:   

When every Tree the ardent colours lost,  
And brave depainted looks of fragrant smells.  
When bragging Boreas thus the soil had tossed,  
That Hart and Hind did quake in fields and fells,  
With Bull and Bear for cold both cries and yells.  
And shrowling makes each thing that life doth bear,  
To stand with shaking limbs, the storms to hear.   

On either side the hills when blasts do rise,  
As sharp as thorns the naked skin doth hit,  
And Saturn to the earth doth show his frozen eyes,  
Whose wrath doth pinch each creature to the quick,  
Which often doth cause both young and old fall sick,  
With cough, and cold, and stopping rheums also,  
Quotidians, fevers, diseases many more:   

And when Aeolus his prison had unlocken,  
And all the reckless rout let run at large▪  
Whose rushing rage each pleasant branch hath broken  
Whereof before Dame Flora had the charge,  
On Tiber stirs neither boat nor Barge.  
Tryta● sounds her trump, and Neptune gins to frown,  
The sailor strikes from mast the sails a down.   

When young and old their bones with clot do load,  
And hoods unto their heads do buckle fast:  
And when the Boy doth rest that bore the goad,  
And keeps the chimneys end till Hyemps' storms be past,  
When men do doubt their winter stuff to last,  
And careful cattle with open jaw doth crave,  
Their keeper's meat their carcase for to save.   

When men delight to keep the fire side,  
And winter tales incline their ears to hear,  
When merry mates be met, that will abide,  
Each ●illes his pot of Nutbrown A●e or Bear,  
As is the trade of Ale knights every where,  
To toss the pots and ply the flitting bowls,  
Then pay their pennies, and pacl●e with drunken nolls.   

In this season it was my lot to fall,  
Among a mask choose for the ●●nce,  
Some reeled, some fell, some held them by the brickwall,  
Some sang, some chid, and swore gog's precious bones,  
(Quoth one to me) friend camest thou from saint Jones?  
what penance hast thou done, thou art so lean & pale▪  
Not force (quoth another) he shall fill his pot of Ale.   

Content (quoth I) and thereto I agreed,  
Fill pot Hostess of Pery, Ale, or Bear:  
My head it recreated after study,  
To shut forth the time, though rustical they were,  
Thus walked th● Kanikin both here and there,  
Till the wife cried to bed for saving of hi● fire,  
Contented (quoth I) for that was my desire.   

The shot was gathered, and the fire raked up,  
Each man to his lodging began for to draw:  
Some stackering stumbled as mad as a Tup,  
Some crept under the mattress into the straw.  
Another sort began to plead the common law.  
I looked about and saw them so dight,  
Put out the candle and bade them goodnight.   

My drowsy heart thus being at his rest,  
took no care for the cold, all sorrows were passed:  
So late it had been at the good Ale feast,  
That the world for ever I thought would last.  
In mine ear thunders no sound of winter's blast.  
I thought none ill, my head was laid full saft,  
All cark and care my wandering spirit had la●t.   

Not lying thus one hou●e by the clock,  
Me thought the chamber shone with Torches bright,  
And in the haste at door I heard one knock,  
(And said what) slug, why sleepest all the night?  
I starting up beheld one in my sight,  
Dashed all in golden rays, before me did appear,  
(And said) I am a God, behold that standeth here.   

Mine ears were filled, with noise of Trumpets sound,  
And dazzled were mine eyes, my sense was almost gone▪  
But yet amazed my knee veiled to the ground,  
And said hear Lord, thy will and mine be one,  
What is thy mind, more ready there is none,  
To ride to run, to travel here and there,  
By land and seas half worthy if I were.   

But ●●●st to know thy name I humbly thee beseech,  
Forgive my rudeness this of thee to crave,  
He answering said▪ with m●eke and lowly speech,  
Morpheus is my name▪ that always power have,  
Dreams to show in Country, Court, or Cave.  
In the heavens above, or Pluto's kingdom lo,  
It's I that have the power each thing t'unfolde and sho●▪   

And know (quoth he) that every night and day,  
Who shutteth up his eyes, his head to feed with sleep,  
His wandering spirit attends on me alway,  
To trudge and travel, where I shall think it meet,  
As well to mount the skies, as in the secrets deep,  
As swift as thought, what God hath greater power,  
Then all that is or was, to show thee in an hour?   

And whether will't I go, Lord Morpheus (quoth I)  
I here am priest thy will for to obey.  
With an earnest looks (quoth he) I will that by and by,  
To Pluto's kingdom with me thou take thy way.  
Though frayed I were, I dared not well say nay.  
With him I went that irksome place to see,  
Where woeful spirits full sore tormented be.   

And going by the way these words he said,  
Be of good cheer, me thinks thou lookest pale,  
Pluck up thy heart and be no deal afraid,  
Although thou go into this ugly vale.  
And thus or he had fynisht half his tale,  
Cerberus barckt that griselie hound of hell,  
The earth did quake to hear him howl and yell.   

When Morpheus heard this cruel barcking Cur▪  
For Mercuries rod he send with all the haste,  
This wondering porter charmed he might not stir,  
Till he● and I throughout his office past,  
So to the second ward we came at last.  
Where Wrath kept the walls, and Envy the gates,  
Associate with Pride and whoredom their mates.   

With cruel countenance terrible to s●●,  
These horrible officers fixed their eyes,  
Filthy to behold monstrous and ugly,  
They gathered to the gates like swarms of Bee●,  
Gnashing their teeth, ask who were these,  
That dared be so bold Pluto's kingdom to enter,  
Or within their office so rudely to venture.   

I am Morpheus (quoth he) mine authority you know,  
As well in the heavens as also here,  
My nature and quality is dreams for to show,  
Therefore give place, and let me come near.  
These words scarce said, but the gates opened were.  
So to the third ward we came by and by,  
Not far from that place where great Pluto did lie.   

The ward as I said where Pluto then lay,  
Was fortified with tyrants for the nonce,  
Some crying, swore yea, and other some nay,  
Renting each others flesh from the bones,  
Some flung firebrands, and other some flung stones.  
With howling and crying terrible to hear,  
What plague could be thought that was not present there?   

The chief Captains of all this rablous rout, 
The greatest vices on earth be chief Captains in Hell.   
Were Oppression of the poor and ●ake Private gain,  
With a sort of their kin that looked full stout,  
That in that vale for ever must remain.  
There was Peter Pickthank and Privy disdain,  
Tom Tell-tale was appointed in a Turret to watch,  
Laurence Lurcher a Bailiff to snatch and to catch.   

There was Darkness and Ignorance linked in a chain, 
Let us abhorred these vices and cruel crimes.   
With Error and free-will, Arrogance, and Selfeloove,  
Forgetfulness of God, and Transgression did remain,  
With Mistrust and Superstition, which might not remove  
Hypocrisy the King in a turret above.  
With Lucre, Cruelness, and bloodshed his brother,  
Domination, and Fullness, Abundance, and other.   

Pomp he sat puffing as though he were mad,  
Simony under hand began to convey, 
Confusion doth de●o●● wickedness.   
Iniquity and Sophistry, with countenance full sad,  
Sat with Murder, and Tyranny cursing the day,  
Certainly to see it was a tragical play,  
To behold abomination, what torments she had,  
(with the rest) whereat Confusion was glad.   

Many thousands there were that I omit,  
For want of time fully to describe,  
To tell truth the number passeth skill and wit,  
To be named of me, that howled there and cried.  
When these loath some leyds, had Morpheus espied,  
They flew on heaps to know from whence he came,  
Who answered thus I am a God no man.   

And what's thy name (quoth they) Morpheus answered he  
Whom Pluto doth admire, and honour both I trow,  
And Proserpina your Queen, mighty though they be,  
And Minos your judge will do the same I know.  
I am the God that always dreams doth show.  
I am free this way to guide and lead each man,  
without demand to know from whence I came,   

Then up start Peter Pickthank by and by,  
These news to Pluto in haste he ran to tell,  
And almost mad, with open jaws 'gan cry,  
My Lord (quoth he) there's strangers come to hell,  
What ●l●e (quoth Pluto) is not all things well?  
Yea Sir (quoth he) its Morpheus that is here,  
Then Pluto answered, why bidst him not come near?   

The third wa●de opened then at large,  
The Palace then approaching in our sight,  
Where raging furies of woeful souls had charge,  
To torment thousand ways, both day and night,  
Miserable darkness there was without light,  
Grasping and groping, great discord and strife,  
Weeping and wailing, and blasphemous life.   

The stinking smoke that from that dungeon rose,  
Corrupts the skies, and clowdeth all with shade,  
The thundering blast that from that furnace blows,  
A double pain, the silly spirits hath made▪  
With rueful plaints to hear in every glade.  
That i● the sorrows half were pend I see,  
In tears there would be drowned many an eye.   

But when we came this ugly God before,  
Hail (quoth Morpheus) thou God of darkness great,  
Hail Proserpina here Queen for evermore,  
Long may thou hold thy place and seat,  
I am come (quoth he) my custom for to pleat,  
Thou knowest of old that wont I am to see,  
As well thy kingdom, as mighty Ioues on high.   

By Styx (quoth he) thy ancient custom old▪  
I will not break, but as thou hast before,  
In all my regiment, I will thou shalt be bold.  
To do all things as thou wast wont of yore,  
But look of me thou seem to crave no ●nore.  
Except you two, who is my gates within,  
To pray for pardon it profits not a pin.   

Then answered Morpheus I never thought to crave▪  
The pardon of the prowdst that in thy soil donth rest,  
Nor yet the greedy Tyrant toombde in grisly grave▪  
Nor any such that poor-men hath oppressed.  
For guileful gluttons to speak I thought it least.  
All these with other more, I know must stay with thee,  
How wickedness rewarded is that's all I wish to see.   

Content (quoth Pluto) and commandment he gave,  
To all his offyc●●● his kingdom through,  
▪ That Morpheus and I should licence then have,  
Each place for to search in Hill, Dale, and Clowgh,  
In thick or in thin, in smooth or in rough,  
In hot or in cold where ever it be,  
The wickeds reward we should both hear and see.   

This said, we departed from that filthy puddle,  
And forth we passed, the left side that cave,  
Where we found a greater and crueler trouble,  
Then all this while I knew any to have,  
For one among many we heard rail and rave.  
With a woeful voice▪ me thought it said this,  
Come see alas the reward of wickedness.   

At length to the place we chanced for to hit,  
Where Allecto had charge to rule and dispose,  
There we beheld one lying in a pit,  
Sodden in sorrows from the top to the toes.  
Their pains for to paint in meeter or prose,  
Doth pass my skill, the lest to describe,  
Though Tessiphon herself my pen now should guide.   

But what I saw in this my drowsy dream;  
And who they▪ were▪ as now to mind I call,  
Why and wherefore to you I shall proclaim,  
That thus they lost the joys supernal,  
And have possessed the woeful place infernal▪  
Lend me your ears for now my tale begins▪  
How wicked wights rewarded be for sins.   
FINIS.   

¶ The reward of wickedness.  

¶ HELEN tormented for her treason to her Husband, and living in fornication ten years, whose words follow.  

O Foulest fury, that raging hell doth guide,  
O worse than wrath, or endless wicked life  
O swarming plagues, that passeth flesh to bide,  
O doubtful doom of Pluto's broiling strife.  
O Stigion spew thy flames to end this life.  
O just reward I say, of wicked deeds:  
O greatest mischief, among these puddels rife,  
O come make haste, you flames of glowing gleedes.   

You Gods that sit in seats of passing bliss,  
whose Joys my endless pains surmounteth far:  
Do you consent for to reward me this,  
that whilom was in Greece, the Lamp, and Star?  
What meant you first to make and then to mar?  
I am the work of all your whole consents:  
Not brute nor fame, of Earthly woman heart,  
woe worth my fate, full sore it me repentes.   

O worthy Dames, lend me your listening ears,  
refrain your Citherons', and pleasant Lutes also:  
With Virginalles, delighting many ears,  
from out your hearts, let thought of Music go.  
Perhaps you deign, that I shall will you so,  
but marvel not, ne at my words take scorn:  
It is your parts though you were ten times more,  
to help my plaint, with tears that I was born.   

Cast of your Golden Rays, and rich attire,  
put on the mourner's weeds, see●●e to lament:  
Hid your painted faces, that set men's hearts on fire,  
learn this of me, your beauty soon is spent.  
You may by me your wicked lives lament,  
from spouting Conduits let gush the sloods of tears  
Let scalding si●hes from broiled hearts be sent,  
your just reward for wickedness appears.   

Although it doth abash each dainty Dame  
to read of me, or yet to hear me read:  
I am the mark for you to shun like shame,  
disdain me not though high you bear your head▪  
You that of Husbands all this while be sped,  
be true to them in all your conversation:  
Beware take heed, defile no time their bed,  
among the Gods it's great abomination.   

I was in beauty passing all the rest,  
and so by nature as curious made and wrought:  
That if in me there had been grace possessed,  
to match the Gods I might have well been thought.  
But virtue is the beauty, Ladies all, 
Virtue is the beauty of man and woman.   
and not your painted faces and shining glee:  
Not greater mischief can among you fall,  
then for to feed your fickle profane eye.   

For once I had myself such profane looks,  
twirlde out with eyes that were celestial like,  
Whose sparkling twinche were sharper than the hooks,  
cast in the stream with bait for Fish to bite▪  
A thing immortal seemed I to be,  
but yet corrupt with manners that were naught▪  
As painted Tombed, with bones be inward filthy:  
so outward I, but inward vices wrought.   

And to herself be wailing thus alas,  
in either hand an Ore, she laboureth sore:  
At length she was espied where I and Morpheus was,  
then called she us that stood upon the shore.  
Came near good Morpheus, strait thee 'gan to roar,  
thou seest my pains, thou know'st not yet my name:  
In Stigion lake I bide for evermore,  
the wife of Menelaus I am the very same.   

And Helen lo I am that hear abide,  
within this riven Boat, invironde as you see:  
As just reward for fleshly lust and pride,  
which s●apeth not, but hear rewarded be.  
Many a worthy wight lost his life for me,  
and died all berayed and ●lorried all in blood:  
Therefore I pray thee yet come near and see,  
the torments I abide within this hellish flood.   

Alas uneath my hand can hold the pen,  
my sight devoured is with grievous tears▪  
When I but think how that I saw her then.  
that once did lead the crew of Venus' pears,  
No honest heart but it would rue her ●late.  
that heard and saw as much as we that tide:  
But all alas to grieve it is to late,  
the Gods ordain that she shall there abide   

Amid a Sea that boileth fiery floods,  
with mixed blood flies up and down the Skies,  
Where lurking Rocks with haughty dreadful muds  
on every side appeared in our eyes.  
About the which most venomous serpents flies,  
huge storming blasts this wicked stream doth move:  
What sparks of gleides rise up like swarms of Bees, 
A description of the place where she toweth in a riven Boat in Stigion   
and furies fallen their wicked parts do prove.   

For in a Boat berent on every side,  
(and as I said) she sits, in every hand an Ore:  
And striveth still between the wind and Tide,  
now haling from the Rocks, and by & by from shore.  
The choice is hard, when this refuge is best,  
to toil amid these flaming floods as she:  
Or else t'arrive amid the Serpent's nest,  
for on the land with blades the Tyrants be.   

Which round about this plaguy Stigion pit,  
in battle ray and armour black do stand:  
Cutthroats, as eager as any Fish of bit,  
that always watch to see her come to land.  
Each Butcher holds a mortal Are in hand,  
for to revenge the blood she caused shed:  
The which for truth, when as I viewed and scanned,  
with heaps of woe, to Morpheus thus I said.   

Alas (quoth I) this grieves me most of all, 
The Gods have no respect of people.   
to see her fate, whose beauty Clerks commend:  
Me think the Gods that sit in seats supernal,  
some mercy should at length and pity send.  
Each one (quoth Morpheus) who seemeth to offend,  
according to their deeds without respect  
Have here reward for wickedness in t'hende,  
as pleaseth Pluto, or whom he hath elect.   

And as these words were said, we heard her cry, 
The one fornicator destroyeth the other experience telleth.   
(O Paris, Paris,) for evermore woe be the time  
Thy feigning face, it was my chance to spy,  
or that it was thy luck to look on mine.  
Thou steind my name, alas so did I thy,  
my mischief hit by thee, by me the like thou had▪  
O wicked Helen, this all men may define,  
And Paris for thy part, thy fortune was as bad.   

O worthy Troy, happy had thou been▪ 
What mischief doth not a wicked woman breed?   
if sleepy Nurse had strangled me in bed:  
Then bloody mischief had scaped all my kin,  
and noble Hector had never lost his head.  
Many a worthy man had lived, that now is dead,  
Troy had flourished still, whose walls are sact full lo:  
Menelaus had never yet polluted bed,  
and if the Gods my death had pointed so.   

All Greece unto this day, doth curse the time, 
●n y●● bargain where no man ●innes. etc.   
with many a famous Prince of noble birth:  
So Paris, thou art like wise cursed of thy,  
for thou and I were troubles to the earth.  
Alas therefore now changed is our mirth, 
It is an old proverd take heed is a fair thing.   
the bloodshed in our cause doth vengeance cry:  
Therefore take heed you Dames of mighty birth,  
to t'hende of all beginnings, ever cast your eye.   

For, had I never painted up my face,  
nor shot the bolts of wanton whirling eyes:  
Had grace and virtue dwelled in that place,  
than had I saved all the lives of these.  
For when a man the looks of women sees,  
he lieth at watch, to see her cast the dart:  
Hit whom it haps, (he is no man that flees,)  
then blame him not, that doth defend his part.   

For thou alas good Paris not to blame,  
(nor none but I) that cast my secret looks 
Old pleasure● breed new sorrows.   
So sleightfullye, to tyse thee with the same,  
before the Gods I wish: none other books.  
I cast him sugared baits, I catch on bitter hooks,  
or else the suit had Paris never take:  
I laid him letters, in secret holes and noukes,  
for to attempt the venture for my sake.   

And what was he that would not take in hand, 
Wickedness destroyeth it se●e.   
to hazard all, at that time for my sake,  
Whose match on earth, did never go nor stand,  
then blame him not such enterprise to make?  
O Ladies be witty, and quietness make,  
and dread the Gods you worthy Graecian Dames▪  
For here she lies within this flaming lake,  
bewrapt in woe, to quite her youthful games.   

My Pageant though I played in open sight,  
and that the world did manifestly know:  
I would not wish that you by secret night,  
or closer craft should use your Husbands so.  
The Gods above all sleightye secreates show,  
to every ear and eye, be strait revealed:  
You hear it read in Scripture long ago,  
that naughty acts were never yet concealed.   

And then when Fame h●●●●unded up her trumps, 
A sin & a shame before the Gods and men also.   
and published all your deeds and filthy life:  
Then shall confusion put you to your jumps,  
your Husbands shall disdain to call you wife.  
Your friends shall blush to hear you named,  
your foes rejoice in every coast about:  
To call you mothers, Children are ashamed,  
lo this besure, it ever falls out.   

And finally the Gods from joy and bliss,  
shall cast you into Stigion lake to fry:  
As pleaseth Pluto so your sorrows is,  
mark well my words, I do allege no ly●.  
And then it is to late for to repent or cry,  
your woeful Strikes rejoiceth hell to hear:  
(As for my part) unhappy wretch I try,  
whose just reward thou seest plain appear.   

When foulest thought of treason to your mates, 
Mark you worthy Matrons the counsel of woeful Hell●●.   
shall prick your ●ickle minds as some it doth:  
Yet let this one thing pierce your peevish pates,  
that like the slipp●● ice so glideth from you youth.  
And sith there is nothing of greater truth,  
through lewdness loose not then your noble names.  
be most assured, mischief straight insuth,  
alas therefore, take heed you worthy Dames.   

And scorn no deal, my rueful plaints to hear,  
if hap be on your sides, I may such warning be  
To every one that is posse●t with fear,  
that by my fate like danger for to flee.  
Therefore as oft as folly feeds your eye,  
spend time in reading books, that worthy Clarks have pend:  
In steed of Lu●es and other harmony,  
your willing ears a while to learning lend.   

So Cupid and his Lore you shall forget, 
The virtuous and godly Wives be shrined among the Gods for ever.   
with all such drifts as he and his do drive:  
Of slander and reproach you shall escape the net,  
and Fame with golden trump shall sound your virtuous  
Thus winning noble name, your lines shall end, line,  
so virtuously that after vital breath,  
The Gods their Angels for your spirit shall send,  
to devil with them in bliss, thus Scripture saith.   

And with these words cast almost on the shore,  
the woeful wretch with toiled weary bones,  
With all the haste in flood doth say the Ore,  
that headlong Boat and all, doth flee at once.  
Where hissing Serpents swarm as thick as hail,  
that likewise waited in their subtle kind  
With whetted stings this Lady to assail,  
for to reward her loathsome lustful minds.   

And as we did perceive she wished that we,  
to every worthy wight report should make,  
How fornicators in hell rewarded be,  
and how the Gods upon them vengeance take.  
For strait alas amid that ugly lake,  
her hand she putteth up, and bad farewell:  
Thus endless pains her former talk 'gan slake,  
more news of her, I am not able to tell.   

For why, the hissing of the wicked worms,  
with foam of surging lakes, that rores against the rocks  
And furious thondering flames, that boils and brommes,  
beside the fowls of many filthy flocks,  
On Helmettes, Bills, yield many mortal knocks,  
with thumping of the Cannons cruel shots:  
The noise of Chains, and wrench of bands and locks,  
with smorid smoke, of boiling Pitch in Pots.   

As fearful dance of attorneys builded high, 
The Innocentes blood shed w●lfullye, craveth vengeance.   
and fall of Turrets, that slayeth man and child:  
With widows, whose fatherless children do cry,  
their plaints alas, all Joy of hope exiled.  
To hear them groan, whom mortal weapon spoiled,  
with crash of staves, that then in pieces flow:  
A voice cried vengeance (on them that were defiled  
with spilling guiltless blood) that might not do thereto.   

Another voice, went hurling up and down,  
woe, woe, to such as strife stir up or brew:  
And specially by wars, to sack both City and Town, 
● voice.   
lay waste the soil and plough, where Oxen drew.  
From mirth to mourning, all to change a new,  
wives and children, spoiled before each others face:  
The causers ever, the first themselves that rewe,  
and woe still be to you, that have so little grace.   

These sounds of sorrows, that rose so many ways,  
bereu'de us Helen, poor wretch in flaming Seas.   
FINIS.   

❧ The Books verdict upon Hellen.  

WHo heard me tell this tale, that doth their eyes withhold,  
Or that their colours doth not pale, to hear it read or told?  
Is any heart so hard, that would not melt to here?  
You Ladies do you not regard, the fall of beauties peer?  
And have you locked up, salt flooddes within your eyes?  
Why have you kissed Medusa's cup? Your hearts why do they frees?  
Hath Lethea Lake bewitched all you that living be?  
Nor hath not pity never twicht your hearts to mourn with me?  
Perhaps you do disdain to hear such tidings told:  
But yet you may be glad again, I say both young and old.  
Ulysses wife doth lose no fame nor honour here:  
Not, Not, nor any one of those, that live in godly fere.  
Nor yet the good Alcestis, doth catch no blot nor stain:  
Nor Griseld doth not lose the leastof Hippos happy gain,  
I am assured this, that Cleopatra wins  
Through Fame a triple bliss, lo now my tale begins.  
For Creseid she is one, whose face may blush to hear,  
Of Helen's life, that now is gone, ungracious Circe's peer.  
In beauty Venus' match, Arcynos' worse by much:  
Medea's sleights she had to catch, whom pleased me to touch.  
isaiah it's such as these, that Sinon's shifts do use:  
And virtuous studies seem to lose, on wanton toys to muse.  
I mean such reckless dames, that play Sylenos part:  
To win such merry pleasant games, as teach sir Cupid's art.  
Lo these are they and such, that aught with shamefast look,  
To be abashed when they shall touch, or view this simple book.  
Sigh Helen's faults are known, and yours in secret hid:  
Take heed lest you be overthrown, as Helen hath be teed.  
And blame her vices all, but woeful chance bewail:  
For while I live even so I shall, if sorrow might prevail.  
And sith it was your haps, so worthy a Dame to have:  
To warn you from such after claps, as turn you might to scathe.  
Whose face did stain the rest, of all that earthly were  
Adorned in every joint and dressed, most like dame Beauties peer.  
Therefore from sacred breast, what scalding sighs straight ●ende,  
Let not your crystal eyes have rest, to think of Helen's end.  
With Niob bathe your face in tears, for Helen's sake,  
Unto the Gods call, cry, for grace, for to escape the lake,  
Where Helen thus with pains, in riven boat doth row.  
In fiery seas she still remains, because she was untrue.    

❧ Pope Alexander the sixt rewarded for his wickedness and audible life, with his college of Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots, Moonckes, Freers',▪ and Nuns, with the rabble of greasy Priests, and other members of Idolatry and superstition. etc.  

O Hell, O Hell, deserved long ago,  
and raging Furies that bear immortal spite,  
What do you mean, why spare you any woe,  
that should increase our pain, & pleasure our delight?  
Where is your wonted wrath, accustomed to thro'  
among the souls unto your charge committed:  
Come do your worst, consume us all aro,  
dispatch us straight, let's be no longer ●litted.   

Thou filthy flood of Limbo's lurking lake,  
From choked pit, come belch abroad thy flames:  
Why come you not you Furies for to take  
a greater vengeance, I call you by your names.  
Spew out Phlegethon, thy furious fiery flake,  
O hell why vomitst not thy greatest gorge of all:  
Once give consent a final end to make  
of us, that do your wrath so gladly call.   

Come ugly shapes from old sepulchres sent,  
come filthy Fowls from loathsome boiling puddle,  
Come monstruous Grypes', that Tyrius guts hath rend,  
some Judge of Spirits, come, come increase our trouble.  
Come Prince of darkness, give thy fearful judgement,  
O hell unfold thy gates, and let the flaming steam  
Make haste to increase our punishment,  
Dispatch us once, out of this endless trouble.   

O vile Idolatry, the Prince of perdition,  
the way thou directes to everlasting pains:  
O filthy moment, and wicked superstition,  
O blind doctrine, Interpreter of dreams.  
O rotten relics with all your addition,  
fie upon you all, sith thus it comes to pass.  
Falsehood in the end hath no remission,  
as witness our devilish detestable maze.   

And with these words, he cast his head a wry,  
among the shaveling greasy chuffhead Friars:  
And seeing Morpheus standing present buy,  
the saucy sort of Priests with Monks and Nuns appears  
At which this Pope began to roar and cry,  
alas (quoth he) behold where Morpheus stands:  
He will proclaim abroad that hear we lie,  
that rule of h●ll, and heaven did take vppo'ns'.   

What shall we do (quoth he) best call him hither,  
it hayneth so there is none other shift:  
Let's say we came for Souls, they answered altogether, 
The Tres is known by his fruit.   
and that we mean to make a general shrift.  
Let not be known the cause wherefore and why,  
hast out of credit thereby our Laws be brought:  
And si●h of custom we wonted were to lie,  
to tell truth now, at all it profits nought.   

But while the rout of Satan's bond and flock,  
ad este themselves to gloase and paint this lie:  
(Moegera comes) and cast her fiery block,  
among the heap that all in flames doth fly.  
Then on their Captain, the shorlinges call and knock,  
but all in vain, he could not help himself.  
His sins had tied him faster than the rock,  
he might not part out of that woeful delfe.   

Then fast upon Saint Francis 'gan they cry,  
me thought as it were a mad Matins they song:  
They were so pricked with pains they had no time to lie,  
the parish was beguiled, the seronde peal not r●ng.  
Some song Sanctamaria Ora pro nobis,  
with Sensars' & Candlesticks they broke cache others face:  
The Pope swear God's flesh Pax vobis,  
who lost but his labour there was so small grace.   

Some cried on Saint james, and some on Saint john,  
and some on Saint Austen, Saint Laurence and Leo.  
On Saint Peter with his Keys, cried many a one,  
but among the whole rout I herded not Laus deo.  
Such ray was never heard, what ever they meant,  
the noise shaken the clouds that hung in the Skies:  
With nails and teeth, each others flesh they rent,  
that Echo reports the fearful plaints and cries.   

But when they see that Morpheus kept his place,  
this cursed Captain fast upon him cried:  
And said come Morpheus and view our woeful case,  
behold how I and all my mates be fried. 
☞   
Not longer lain the truth they might for woe,  
and Maugre of their wills Pluto them compelled: 
The Traitor & the thief: both confess the truth when they see no better.   
Wherefore and why, they urged were to shoe,  
and so at length, these words to him he telde.   

I was (quoth he) a Pope and of my name,  
the Sixt I was and Alexander height.  
But for to hear my life, no man may bide for shame,  
that hath the dread of God before his sight.  
But lend a while thy listening ears to me,  
and I shall frieght thy head in bearing of the lest:  
Sigh my reward thou dost so perfit see,  
to tell the truth at length I call it best.   

In learned Schools I had been trained long, 
Theodore Borgia 〈◊〉 may ●ope and called Alexadr● and surnamed the ●i●te.   
and hoist by fortune's wheel, I was a lofty height:  
Yet still my heart in high Ambition hung,  
my head for higher state, still practised sleight.  
From high to heart, I gaped every hour,  
first called Theodore Borgia of birth and line:  
A Cardinal I thought not of greatest power,  
yet see my fortune in my later time.   

(For as I said) from height to heart, yet heart of all,  
I thought to sit, unworthy though I were:  
There was so many watching for the ball,  
whose eyes by devilish art, I did deceive and blear.  
Many being of mightier birth and blood,  
of greater fame than I by far away,  
Would have prevented me with many a snub,  
because I sought the seat, and Papalsea.   

And when I saw I could not reach the mark  
and I wanted power and friendship too:  
With conjuration I 'gan to play my part,  
and craf●●lye their minds I altered new.  
Through Nigrom ●ncie and Invocation, I  
called up a Devil with whom I did confer:  
Touching my suit, ' ●●●o answered by and b●,  
to grant him his request, he would exalt me heart.   

Thus being conversant with devils leng,  
their aid and help I●raued every day:  
They answered me with speech of pleasant tongue,  
to do their best they would not stick nor stair,  
But first I must both covenant and vow, 
The promise to the Devil.   
in presence of the filthy Prince of darkness:  
That all his Laws infernal I should allow,  
and thereunto addict myself by practice.   

Which granted was, and not denied at all, 
Mons Caballus ●● a secret house to work kna ue●●e a little with●●● Rome.   
to Mons Caballus, a place not distant far,  
In a clear day this Prince infernal  
I met, so close no living body war,  
In a Chambre there, himself he did present  
in Rich apparel, and Golden rays to see,  
Three crowns upon his head, Oucht with stones Orient:  
like stately robes hath not been seen with eye.   

A seemly face presenting middle age,  
a stature meet as might be thought in mind:  
His countenance showed, a person very sage,  
whose will to mine, by cruel oaths I joined. 
A protonotary is understand the greatest writer or C●ar●e in whose likened th● devil she●d him ●●●f●.   
Thus corporate like ● protonotary,,  
or of the world the greatest Prince of all:  
What was it then that I called unto memory:  
but it was granted me without denial?   

For there he granted me my hearts desire,  
and said I should be Pope the next that was:  
W●n●● with the Phenixe set my heart on fire,  
such haste I made to ●ee it brought to pass.  
Then with a gladsome heart I wished to know, 
Behold the fruits of our holy Father the Pope.   
the time of my 〈◊〉:  
And how I should in state of conquest go,  
because I bore a deadly hate to italy.   

He answered me with great disobeyed and said, 
The deceit ●●● & doubt full promise' made by   
a leaven and eight I should be Pope of Rome:  
But see at length, how I was q●itie and paid,  
it prou●de not so when all was said and done.  
I made account to prospero nineteen year, 
●he devil to the Cardinal.   
and glad I was as any man might be:  
I thought to make them stoop both far and near,  
but yet I was deceived, the Devil failed me.   

Innocens of that name the tenth died strait,  
then by the most elections, placed was I:  
In the chair of Pomp, I stretchte myself on height,  
for Pope I was proclaimed by and by.  
Then Alexander the sirt I had to name,  
and all for Solemnisation of degree:  
Thus reckless Rome agreed to the same,  
both Rich and Poor, then wished it so to be,   

Thus was the Mitre, with the Triple crown,  
ouchte round about with stones of worthy price,  
(Set on my head) in chair of stately Rome,  
igraven subtelly by curious crafty vice.  
Arrayed in robes of glearing beaten Gold,  
with Pearls depotherid here and there in sight:  
And at my feet in hands did Cardinals hold,  
a Rose of finest metal costly dight.   

I tread on Tissue, each foot I set on ground,  
above my head was born a shrine of gold:  
Each knee fallen to the earth, to hear my voice or sound,  
who went at liberty, that I bade take or hold?  
Kings and Princes, with noble peers I brought  
in fear and awe so much, they dared not rout,  
Them and their countries I sacked & brought to naught  
to me and mine that would not bow and stoop.   

All Italy in my wrath I rent and shook,  
all Christian Princes I vexed night and day:  
I banish Kings, their regal seats I took,  
who dared to me, so hardy do or say.  
Honoured like a God I was in every steed.  
Who spoke against my Laws that scaped death?  
All faithful men with sword and fire I rid,  
alleging that they lived out of the Christian faith.   

A leaven years the Tyrant thus I played 
tyrants prospero not long.   
and eight months, then sick I fallen at last:  
I warred feeble, my courage quite decayed,  
I pined away and Atropos made haste.  
Thus I kept my bed long space and time,  
the cause thereof I gladly wished to know:  
So at the length I called a man of mine,  
that of my secreates many times did know.   

Modena was his name that best I trust, 
Pope's Manckes Friars. etc. in steeds of gods word studied Cicuration Necromancy & other cursed a●s.   
into my Waredroabe, my keys withal I sent:  
There lay a Book within a Cupboard thrust,  
of Necromancy in Servius first frequent.  
When as my servant into my Waredroabe came,  
(A Pope he found) all decked in Rich array:  
That seemed as he thought a very earthly man,  
Of whom afraid, my servant came his way.   

And all a freight to me he tells this tale,  
which drew me in a maze and musing mind:  
Yet after a while, I called my man by name,  
and sent him once again the book to find.  
This book with gold and precious stones was bound,  
I never loved Christ's Testament half so well:  
Of Nygromancie there was contained the ground,  
throughout the earth there was not any such.   

But when my man the Wardroabe entered  
again, he found the Pope iawsting up and down:  
Although he were afraid, yet manly ventured,  
and feigned himself, as though he sought a gown.  
But terribly this Pope with sparkling look,  
(said to my man) my friend what dost thou here?  
Where at he shrank forgetting of the book,  
almost he lost his wind for very dread and fear.   

With trembling flesh anon thus answered he: 
The answer of the messenger to the ●●●u, and the answer of the vi●●on again.   
for the Pope I come to fetch a Gown (he said)  
What Pope? (quod vision) you have no Pope but me,  
and I am he, that aught to be obeyed.  
With this my man returned back again,  
and what he saw revealed in mine ear:  
Which when I herded did much augment my pain,  
for death at hand, I known would strait appear.   

Then sickness did increase, each hour more and more,  
and at the length, time 'gan to draw so nigh:  
One like a messenger rapping at the door,  
with open mouth away dispatch 'gan cry▪  
With this the doors abroad 'gan fly,  
and rushing in he comes to speak with me:  
First word he said: haste haste dispatch (quoth he)  
the time is come, from death thou canst not flee.   

Then Jobiected ●o his charge full sore,  
the former promise that he made to me: 
The Pope is deceived by the devils crafty promise   
How I ought to live eight year by covenant more:  
And if a leaven and eight observed be  
(Quoth he) again my sayings you have mistaken,  
eleven years eight months was all I meant:  
My promise to observe I have not yet for saken,  
of eleven years eight months not one doth want.   

Full glad I would have craved a longer time,  
but all was vain to speak him fair at all:  
With cruel looks, he answered thou art mine,  
thou shalt with me, into the lake inf●rnall.  
And thus he turned his back and went his way,  
then strait my Corpse, did yield up vital breath:  
My woeful spirit he took with him that day,  
where now I am tormented with double death.   

Lo, what it is to work by Conjuration,  
or to deal with devils by wicked art?  
Behold the end of all abomination, 
A fair warning for Loniurers & Enchanters. etc.   
am I not well rewarded for my part?  
A Guerdon meet is Hell, for such as I,  
that sought so much to sit in stately seat:  
(Now who is Pope) unhappy wretch I try,  
that am prepared for Satan's hook a bait.   

Lo Morpheus: thus I did begin and end, 
The saying is, a good beginning make a good ending.   
I left my Son with all my heaps of treasure:  
Through all the world, there was not one his friend,  
poor and rich still sought his great displeasure.  
I left his Sister (whom both we two)  
as oft as pleased us did use and take, 
Godly acts of our holy father the Pope's do●●g●s.   
carnally each night and day we knew,  
a common Concubine, I did my Daughter make.   

And with these words, Megaera cometh flying,  
a thousand new de●ised plagues she brings:  
Take hear (quoth she) your just reward for lying,  
and there withal great flames of fire flings.  
This done, she than departs a pace,  
to put in use her wanted cancarde nature:  
A death it was for to behold her face,  
or else to view her ugly monstrous stature.   

Where at the rabble of all this reckless rank,  
immediately like bedlams swear and stare▪  
Into the hollow hole of gleydes they sank,  
where furious fiends, their flesh in pieces tare.  
Thus they vanished, and fled out of our sight,  
with careful cries, our ruthful ears they filled:  
The pit with clouds of fearful irksome night,  
and dreadful darkness round about was held.   

Yet many we beheld, with offerings and oblations  
that approached nigh, for hast they headlong came:  
Friar Rush bore the Cross, Clarke of the sessions,  
a member of their Church, the Popes own man: 
Friar Rush   
thousands came knip knap, pattering on Beads,  
Friars monks and Nuns, came after with haste,  
As vowed Pilgrims, came Wives widows & Maids,  
of the holy Popes works the fruits for to taste.   

Whom when I saw, their state I did bewail,  
with tears I stéepte a thousand times my face▪  
Alas, they sought that might not them prevail,  
the Pope their God, was in a woeful case.  
He broiled in fire, and endless woe and pain,  
and all his sect, they tasted of the same:  
For worldly pleasure, Hell is all their gain,  
Beside on earth an everlasting shame.   

Would God thought I, in this my dreary dream,  
my country men, were present now with me:  
To view the plagues, where Papists do remain,  
that then they might that filthy fashion flee.  
And turn to Christ, which suffered for their sake,  
the bloody butchering Pope for to detest:  
In health and wealth. their prayers for to make,  
to God of might that granteth our request.   

But while that thus, I waylde the want of faith,  
away (quod Morpheus) Let's pack and get us hence:  
Why hearest thou not one gasping for his breath?  
yea (quoth I) but know not well from whence  
The woeful noise doth come, nor where it is,  
give me thy hand (quoth he) and be not frayed:  
It is some Spirit rewarded for his miss,  
Whose careful cries, his wicked life bewrayed.   

¶ His name his life, his acts that did complain,  
All at few words hereafter do remain.    

¶ The books verdict upon this wicked Pope.  

O God how worthy is thy name? Thou art our Lord and King.  
As many as confess the same, to joy thou dost them bring.  
And such as do thy name deny, and rob the of thy glory:  
Thou dost confounded them by & by, and dash them out of memory.  
All secreates thou dost know full well, no man can hide from thee:  
And all that in the earth doth devil, or in the heavens be.  
Or in the Seas or stony rocks, from far thou dost behold  
The fowls that scale the skies by flocks, and more than can be told.  
Th'infernal lake quakes at thy voice, each fiend doth howl and yell:  
And thundereth out an odious noise, when they of the hear tell.  
O filthy tyrant then to thee, (I speak) that took in hand  
Among us all a God to be, to rule both Sea and land.  
And heaven where the Lord doth sit, and hell where now thou art:  
Not doubt thou hadst but little wit, to play that thievish part.  
It is to Alexander that, with open mouth I cry:  
Woe worth the time he spared not, to lead the flock awry.  
Lo, where he is that ruled the roast, and every kind of feast:  
Whose v●unting tongue would boast, he was a Father blest  
As well within the holy throne, as low in Stygian Lake:  
And that he could both up and down, bring whom he pleased to take.  
Twenty hundredth thousand souls, at Mass he could remove:  
With sealing of his Bulls and scrolls, or wagging of his Glove.  
So could he pull them down from God, when pleased him again:  
As thick as flaky snow abroad, or misty dropping Rain.  
And thus the wolf devoured our good, & made us slaves & drudges  
Sacked our countries, spoiled our blood, and made us live like snudges.  
Killed our souls and bodies two, deflowered wives and maids:  
And kept from us Christ's testament new, and gave us bells and baides.  
Old rotten rellickes, stocks, and stones, and Ceremonies blind:  
With stinking pardons for the nonce, to feed our foolish mind.  
Thus with his Gods both deaf and dumb, he tyste us from the Lord:  
Which sent from heaven Christ his son, as scriptures do record.  
Whose precious blood hath made us free, from hell and all her sting  
And hellish Pope from thy and thee, which God his people wring.  
I irk to name him any more, and faint within my breast:  
Vengeance doth upon him roar, the Lord hath thee detest.  
Thy just reward among thy mates, with lasting pains is quit:  
In flashing flames bewail their states, in doleful dread they sit.  
Yet would they say that with a mass, they could Phlegethon quench:  
And all the souls that damned were, deliver with a blench.  
And yet themselves lie broiling there, in fire past the crowns:  
And with their Idols sweat & swear, though here they sat in thriss  
Me think them fools that had such skill, in fetching souls from hell:  
And be compelled against their will, in careful Cave to devil.  
Sigh Italy had cause to joy, at this vile tyrants death:  
What cause have we to thank the Lord, that are restored to faith:  
From bondage now are set atlarge, and wolves delivered fro:  
And therefore duty giveth charge, our thankful hearts to sho.  
Let's lift our hands with joyed heart, that living be this time:  
That Gods true word in every part, may flourish still and shine.  
Let Alexander save himself, with all his holy skill:  
For with his rellickes and such pelf, he may do what he will.  
Not doubt he lieth there for sport, to pass the time away:  
Or else to view the great resort, shalt Ladies Psalter say.  
Perhaps that Purgatory pains, he will to blisle convert:  
The silly souls that there remains, shall taste no more of smart.  
Fie on him fie, and all his mates, the heavens curse him yet:  
Of flaming hell he is the gates, and guide to Stygian pit.  
His stinking Mas●es let him take, and Ceremonies blind:  
Doom Gods a thousand though he make, according to his mind.  
Yet he and they do perish all, the scripture proves it plain:  
So do as many shppe and fall, as to his loare do lean.  
But let us build upon the rock, of Christ's Gospel pure:  
So we with him amongst his flock, for ever shall endure.  
Where as one God and people three, be praised day and night:  
And where we shall for ever be, always within his sight.    

❧ Young Tarquin rewarded for his wickedness.  

Away with all your plaints and bloobering tears,  
Your careful cries shut up in silence quite:  
For here behold such cruelness appears,  
Of all the rest but I no wight hath felt the like.  
Hell shows her force on me with double spite,  
No pain to mine, nor none so worthy blame,  
As I deserve, I well confess the same.   

O pride, pride, of mischief root and all,  
woe worth the time I thee delighted so:  
Thou made me climb until I catched the fall,  
Not only to my shame, but also endless wo.  
Through pride, I lost both love, and honour long ago,  
Pride ruled me so much, no goodness I regarded▪  
Therefore for wickedness behold I am rewarded.   

Of noble line and race, descerded I,  
And a Ruler was, and Ruler mighe have been,  
But yet my heart in wretchedness dialye:  
I feared not God, nor forced his laws a pin,  
I ran my race always in deadly sin.  
I clean forgot myself, and eke from whence I came,  
I rather thought myself a God then mortal man.   

For who, had that, which I did lack or want,  
Of gold or silver or stones of precious price?  
For my body, costly apparel was not scant,  
Nor nothing else that pride might well entice,  
Thus virtue decayed, but still increased vice.  
To pamper up the paunch, the filthy flesh fulfil,  
I wholly gave myself with earnest heart and will.   

Which caused me to acumilate each hour,  
Upon my head more plagues than can be named:  
The Gods agreed their vengeance for to pour  
On earth for ay: my name I stained and shamed,  
Thus may you hear how I am Justly blamed.  
To my dispraise, and to the praise of some,  
That by my loss to honour & great praise have ●oome.   

Sigh Morpheus thou art here, and brought thy friend with thee  
Be witness of the woe that Tarquin bideth here:  
Sigh Poets have pend the wicked life of me,  
Of my reward thou mayst report well bear.  
For the purpose none more meeter than thou here:  
It is no council that all the world doth know,  
Nor yet forgot, that was done long ago.   

Fie on rapine, through guileful treason wrought,  
Fie on the swelling flesh that soul and body kills:  
Fie on filthiness, whose end is ever naught,  
And fie on folly, that all good manner spills.  
Take heed all you that follow fleshly wills.  
Of me proud Tarquin made a mirror clear:  
So may you shun the pains I suffer here.   

Behold, when I did Lucrece find in bed, 
☞   
Through harmful sleight premeditate before,  
With naked sword in hand to her I said:  
Consent to me (quoth I) else shalt thou live no more:  
Thy tender flesh this Lainche shall e●rue full sore:  
Then will I slay the worst thy house within,  
I'll make report you were committing sin.   

Which words did ravish so her noble sense and wit,  
That tremblingly she quakes, as doth the Aspen Lea●e:  
Fear straight compelled her quakinglye to sit,  
Like as she would departed with vital breath,  
The naked Sword in sight, still threatening present death,  
Thus I ravished a Lady both virtuous and chaste,  
Wherefore I am compelled, (alas) these sorrows to taste.   

Whereat each tongue did talk to my dispraise,  
And for the same, I banished was for ever:  
(Sigh then) all my posterity ay evermore decays.  
Lo thus the Gods their vengeance do deliver:  
Bewailed be the day that then I did come thither.  
Among my wicked deeds, this only was the worst,  
Therefore I was and am for evermore accursed.   

I am a sack of sorrow in this sink  
And stinking p●dole wherein you see me lie:  
Whose faults with mine respondent pend with ink,  
Were ever heard or scanned with learned eye?  
As vice to my reproach, so virtues Fame doth fly  
Tooth ' praise of Lucretia and example of all such.  
As of her do delight, and of me do read much.   

For when this wilful act committed was▪  
And I had fed my lust this noble matron on:  
Then for to live, nothing she loved less,  
With wring hands, Alas she maketh moan,  
Come Atropos (quoth ●●ee) make haste that I were go  
And crying still, come Clotho come make speed,  
Of Lucrece life, untwine the fatal thread.   

Then pardon craved she of Collatine 
Collatine was the husband of Lucrece.   
And of her father Spurius by and by:  
I have made offence, woe worth the wicked time,  
Thus weeping said this Lady ruefully:  
I hearing this from thence departed speedily.  
And left in woeful plight, this Dame drowned up with tears,  
Whose virtues, in women full rarely now appears.   

But all you Ladies, Wives, and Maids each one,  
Of what degree or yet estate you be:  
Not doubt although Lucretia be go,  
As mirror may remain, this ●●orye when you see.  
So may you learn the gift of chastity,  
What love you aught your husbands for to bear,  
In spending of her days, the proof doth plain appear.   

O wretched wight (quoth he) how dare I show my face?  
The earth doth threat this wilful act of mine:  
It is, and willbe judgde I wanted grace,  
Thus losing honour, I steind my ancients line.  
At all that bear my name, the people do rep●●e.  
Yea the very stones that in the streets do lie,  
Into the Heavens, upon this crime do cry.   

Then wished she Ipolas happy chance,  
Or Virgineas end, or Dido's long ago:  
(Quoth she) thereof this deed, false Taquine should not vance,  
That now for ever, shame abroad shall b●o●.  
And shall my husband w●●te him served so?  
That shall he not, (quoth she) a sword she took,  
In blattering blood, the vit all breath forsook.   

Lo Morpheus, alas, now have I told thee all,  
And of my being here, the cause wherefore and why.  
Now mayst thou think, my grace was very small,  
That in my life could not for mercy cry.  
But wickedness cra●es vengeance, to the sky.  
And not without a cause the Gods do punish hate,  
And so they do all them that live in whoredom state.   

But Morpheus, Morpheus. sith thou seest my lot,  
A blessed deed it is, the same for to declare:  
From Rich and Poor, I pray the hide it not,  
Proclaim how wicked men rewarded are.  
From Pride and whoredom, wish thy friends beware▪  
The time is short on earth they have to devil,  
But endless torments ever bide in hell.   

If mortal men did know, what pain is hear,  
Then would they loath the world they love so well:  
Their pomp, their Pride, and all their glittering gear,  
To punish the paunch, some fear would sure compel.  
All treason and fleshly fraud, for to expel.  
All tyrants trades no doubt, they would forego,  
And if they felt the lest of this my woe.   

But he that blinded is, with ease and wealth,  
Their ravished hearts hath dulled their wits as lead:  
God's fear is go, and each man for himself,  
To purchase pelf the worldling toils his head.  
The Child forgettes his Father being dead.  
To taste of death himself, no deal mistrust,  
Till grizlye ghost do blow, that needs away he must.   

Alas how vain is all thing on the earth,  
What care to catch, what fear to keep it still:  
What sorrow it sets, where should be joy and mirth,  
Engendering hate, there as should be good will.  
Provoking wrath, The very spirit to spill.  
And yet behold how every man doth watch,  
And with the trout the choking hook doth catch.   

And thus far well now get you hence from me,  
You know my mind, deal in it as you will:  
My wicked act, and just reward you see,  
And how my pain increaseth ever still.  
Away (quoth he) behold down yonder hill  
Allecto comes with flaming flashing wings,  
For pride & whoredom, a thousand plagues she brings.   

Then straight departed we and left him there,  
And wandering up and down, those smoky pits:  
Me thought a rueful voice, as it a woman were,  
Fast buy, declared what plagues she felt by ●ittes.  
To hear her plaint I almost lost my wits.  
On whoredom still she cried, woe worth that wicked sin,  
That mortal flesh so much delighteth in.   

But when I called to mind the lead wherein,  
I saw Tarquinus lie, with flames of Brimstone whose:  
In mids whereof, he stood up to the chin,  
All blubberid with blisters, alas not free one spot,  
And how with sodden Pitch, his body all was blot.  
Two fiends shot thunder bolts, at him on either side,  
Whereat he dowkes, his careful face to hide.   

Thus in this furnace, amid these boiling heats,  
He standeth to the Chin, but when he dowketh so:  
And thus the fezing darts, oft in his visage beats,  
The fear thereof increaseth double woe.  
Thus Tarquin was rewarded, and so were thousands more.  
That had their facts declared to their face,  
Which was to late as then, to cry for grace.    

❧ The reward of Medea for her wicked acts, and false deceiving of her father, slaying of her children and her own Brother, and working by enchantment. This history is marvelous tragical, and a good example for Women.  

O Dreadful Styx, boil up thy poisoned floods,  
and cruel Cacus torments new devise:  
Give sentence Minos of their guiltless bloods  
that murderers hands have shed in any wise.  
You furies fell, why do you yet despise  
with greater plagues my pains for to increase,  
And for to see the blood of Innocents arise,  
whose mouths from crying vengeance never cease?   

And where she stood, her head she cast awry,  
In woeful plight as ever wretch might be,  
And so by chance at length did Morpheus spy,  
whose open jaws, gryed straight to him and me.  
Saying Morpheus come and bring thy friend with thee,  
a greater news to learn thou shalt in haste▪  
Of all thou hast perused with thy eye,  
I worthy am the greatest grief to taste.   

I know thou camest from place where Helen rows,  
in th'●rkesome lake where doubtful Dragons be,  
And yet her wicked life and mine God knows  
are not to be compared, although that she,  
For certain years lived in adultery,  
and betrayed her husband, good noble Menelaus,  
Set Greece and Troy at great mortality,  
shed blood, sacked Cities, banished godly laws.   

(Yet this her fact, not half like mine alas)  
why doth not hell brayed out her stinking breath?  
And my deserts much worse than Helen's was,  
(Hell spew thy spite) devour me once with death.  
Will neither ruth, nor spite, stir up your hearts?  
will none of those once m●●ue you to dispatch,  
But will you always play such cruel parts?  
more wishing death, more ●●gering life I catch.   

(Quoth Morpheus) what is thy name declare it,  
where wast thou born, why art thou plagued tell?  
(Quoth she) again, no more I will not spare it,  
Make haste (quoth he) I may not tarry well.  
A'the which, with grievous striking yell,  
she did describe her wicked crimes and name,  
I am (quoth she) so punished here in hell,  
that passeth wight with tongue to tell the same.   

My name is Medea (quoth she) most true,  
daughter I was to Oetes that worthy king:  
Which had the Ram where fleece of gold ygrewe,  
the greatest jewel of any earthly thing.  
Which was my fathers, and in his keeping,  
watched with a Bull, that was of worthy might,  
And a Dragon with mighty poisoned sting,  
that stoutly kept this Ram both day and night.   

Many a worthy Prince and champion stout,  
had lost their lives in venture giving,  
Which never brought their purpose yet about, 
An old saying, all covet, all lo●e.   
nor no man to this day but jason living.  
Devoured they were by the ravening of these two,  
he lost his life, that thought to win his shoes:  
These beasts so violently did all men pursue,  
that for to die might neither will nor choose.   

Which was my Father's chief of exaltation,  
he flourished in wealth no Prince his like:  
Dread he was of every land and Nation,  
he forced no strength of all his ●o●s a mite.  
And yet of treasure all, he set his chief delight  
on me his Daughter dear, that sought his grief:  
I quite my Father's love with mortal spite,  
I played the whore, the murderess and the thief.   

Hark now Morpheus, what a part I played,  
by my Father dear my Brother and my Child:  
And what a noble queen I afterward betrayed,  
with many more by wicked art I broiled.  
And other some I banishte and exiled,  
by devilish ways as women should not do:  
For why they aught with mercy to be mild,  
and not their wicked wills for to pursue.   

Behold how I did nature quite forsake,  
for this I did as true as here I am:  
When jason came this conquest for to make,  
(false traitor I) through me the fleece he wan▪  
For art of wicked Charm I strait began,  
for jason sake my Parent to betray:  
Dismayed my Father silly Aged man,  
abandoned his house, with jason ran away.   

By incantation: I brought it so to pass,  
that jason slew both Bull and grisly Beast:  
Achieved all things as his desire was,  
for of my Brother I caused him possessed,  
That in the Regal seat, should crown & sceptre 〈◊〉.  
in Colchis' Land it booted not to rest:  
For why my Father so great an host did rear.  
with fleece to fly, we thought it was the best.   

For why hard by my Father followed fast,  
But to escape his hands, hark what I did:  
I killed my Brother, his arms and legs I cast  
Throughout the field whereas my Father rid▪  
Which when my Father saw, so ill betide,  
and knew his son thus martyrred for to be:  
With woeful cheer to get them up strait hide▪  
together (alas) each chopped piece laid he.   

Then down his Aged face, doth tumble tears apace▪  
and up in arms the Martyred head doth get:  
O Son most dear, alas (quoth he) for grace,  
and many a kiss on deadly mouth doth set.  
And then with nails, his face he rents and tears,  
that down the purple streams of blood do flee:  
And ready death within his face appears,  
but still he cried, (alas) dear son for thee.   

To tell but half the morning that he made,  
no doubt your eyes like conduct spouts would run,  
For very woe he pulleth out a shoulder-blade,  
to slay himself for sorrow of his son.  
But yet his men and servants chaunste to come,  
my careful Father there they did prevent:  
Or else no doubt more mischief had been done▪  
and all through me, accursed and disobedient.   

Then after storms of many woeful plaints,  
persuaded by such men as witty were:  
Like as Apelles Agamemnon, paints,  
I may compare my Father's dreirye cheer:  
Then in mean while, that he was stayed there,  
with speed from Colchis jason, and I did pass  
For my Brother's funeral, he builded Altars fair  
to Sacrifice upon, as then the manner was.   

Lo by my Father thus I played the the thief,  
'gainst nature and womanhood my Brother slew▪  
And used witchcraft against the true belief,  
and like a Traitress, away with jason flew.  
Haste thou ever hard of any so untrue?  
To play like part I think did never none:  
Nay Morpheus yet more mischief did I brew,  
for after this I murdered many a one.   

Through Necromancy, Aeson being old,  
from crabbed crooked Age, I made him young again:  
Lively and lightsome, active and bold,  
and purely purged in every Pulls and vain.  
And Trees being dead I made bear fruit again,  
which increased my credit, more than ever it was:  
Through false craft, I caused peleus be slain,  
by his Daughter's hands I brought it so pass.   

Whom I made believe, as Esondid.  
that peleus their Father should youth achieve:  
And told them plain in doing as I bid,  
he should be altered new, not feeling pain nor grief.  
Thus I illuding them, they thought it true,  
(So did peleus himself) that time good man:  
That being slain from age to youth a new,  
he should be changed by kill of a Ram.   

(The truth was nothing so) it was my fetch,  
to 'cause his Daughters, their Father's blood to shed:  
An old Ram I bad them slay and wittily to watch,  
that no man saw, when they to work proceed.  
But (quoth I) look that your Father bleed  
in one vessel, and with this Ram at once:  
And doing thus, I said that by and by with speed,  
their Father should arise with youthful flesh and bones.   

These silly Sisters and Daughters to this man,  
believed well this subtle tale of mine▪  
And as I bade, they slew an aged Ram,  
and so they did their Father dear in fine.  
believing faithfully by power divine,  
that their old Father should be made young:  
(Alas) which was not so, but only craft of mine,  
to make an end of him whom I had hated long.   

Thus exited I, by craft their work alas,  
and dead lieth their father bleeding fast.  
But hark, Morpheus hark, how it then came to pass,  
mischief hath ever her due reward at last.  
I thought this wicked deed, that thus was done and passed,  
would best have pleased jason, than my Lord:  
Which chaunste not so, for he with all the hast  
fled from me quite, and all my acts abhorred.   

And so to Corinthe, to Creon, Then the King  
he took his way as strait as thing might be:  
Who had a Daughter called Cruso, (beauties darling)  
whom jason married, and so refused me,  
Whereat Dame Fame sound up her Trumpet high,  
each living ear was filled with the same:  
Which made me broil as hot, as gleyde might be,  
till I had spilled this tender noble Dame.   

Which through Magic, and vile Conjuration,  
A coffer I invented with divers Jewels more:  
subtly contrived of a strange fashion,  
with the which to Creuso, I made my sons to go,  
To present the same, that lively Lady toe,  
who gratefully received it, but yet (alas) beguiled:  
For through my art, when as it was undo,  
there flew forth fire, that burnt both man and child.   

Consumed to dust this Lady fresh and gay,  
burnt all the pallas five yards within ●he ground:  
Urged jason himself to flee away,  
or else with fire he had been straight confounded.  
Many a woeful heart I made within that stound,  
the Clouds themselves, bewailing tears let fall.  
The rocks and hills broke out their plainting sound,  
beside the guiltless blood, that did for vengeance call.   

Of noble jason thus the heart I slew,  
who thought to be revenged of mine iniquity:  
Towards me when I perceyu'de he drawn,  
my two sons left alive, without compassion or pity,  
Which were both tender, well made, and witty,  
of my body begotten, and naturally born,  
For malice to their father jason, amid the City,  
I cut their throats (and made their bodies torn,   

With wild horses) up and down the street,  
beside much mischief more than this be sure.  
In all this stinking vale, yet did thou never meet  
with any wretch that did like grief procure.  
But who so ever means, in wickedness to bide,  
or lead a tyrants life, in th'end shall have reward,  
According his deserts, this cannot be denied▪  
Though mortal flesh thereto have no regard.   

And then (quoth she) thou knowest my name and why  
that I am thus torment in Stygian pit,  
O that witches and Conjurers known so well as I,  
of Jove's mighty doom that doth in heaven sit,  
Then would they mend, if they had grace or wit,  
To serve the Lord would set their whole delight:  
And disobedient children would their folly flit,  
assur edly the Lord at length doth smite.   

And with these words her pains increaste so sore,  
(But that she said) report good Morpheus thus:  
Or else a● all we herded her say no more,  
but that she shrieked as one that torment is.  
Thus seeing the reward of her wicked deeds,  
We stayed a while her torments to behold:  
Which at a moment, both day and hour breeds,  
much more than can by any tongue be told.   

To see the staring devils with fiery spears, 
The torments of Stigion.   
on Dragon's backs with poisoned pumples pight:  
As at a Quintan, at Medea, each Tyrant bears,  
and through her runs, that trickling blood appears.  
Then from the scalding heart, by violence out tears,  
Hot flames of fire, at wounds on every side,  
Monsters with horns, and loathsome louped ears,  
Ran on this wretch, with gnashing teeth they cried.   

The blood by murder, this wicked wretch had shed,  
thundered vengeance, whose terrible noise,  
Heapte double pains upon her wretched head,  
and filled that dreadful vale, (alas) with woeful noise.  
Innumerable of Witches, out of their Cabins rose,  
with screming scrikes, they yielded loud and high.  
Hot Pitch and Brimstone, each one on other throse,  
A hell itself, me thought it was to see.   

Each one in hand, begrypte a Butcher's knife,  
the blades in flesh on every side they hide:  
The throat, the Guts, or next to rid the life,  
the mortal wounds they make on every side.  
Then strait with thundering throat Megaera cried,  
come, Cacus, come, bring double pain and woe:  
Let wickedness in endless flames be fried,  
come, come, the Gods have sixte it so   

At which came Cacus, and Clouds of fire shakes,  
more fearful far than blast of storming wind  
Each pit boiled up, the craggy mountain quakes,  
all crawling creeps, the Snakes of Serpent's kind.  
Not greater grief, no damned sprite could find,  
For out of flash, to gleydes of glowing coal,  
From pain, to pain, from place to place assigned,  
and all to toil and tear the woeful soul.   

And thus we left this late rewarded Dame,  
and so adrestour selves, to crooked Charon's boat,  
Where many a wandering spirit, had passage by the same,  
through boiling broth, three times as sulfer hot,  
With much a do, at length we passage goat,  
and down the smoking banks, we crept on knee,  
Till at the length by chance it was our lot,  
two men to see tormented woefully.    

❧ The books verdict upon Medea.  

HEr cause who can bewail, that played this butcher's part:  
As from her father dear to steal, that loved her in his heart,  
Her brother thus to slay, the Parents hearts to kill:  
And with a stranger run away, to feed her fleshly will.  
The guiltless blood to suck, of Creuso worthy Dame:  
And all at once upon a rock, to waste in fiery flame.  
Beside, her Children dear hath wound with mortal knife.  
The smiling Babes her body bear, bereft their tender life.  
What eyes can stint from floods, whose ears do understand  
To call to mind the guiltless bloods, shed by this woman's hands:  
What harm by witchcraft done, it passeth tongue to tell:  
Or any heart to think the some, or hand to pen it well.  
(Alas) who would have thought, that in a woman's breast:  
Dame nature would have let been wrought, to breed so much unrest:  
But hard it is to trust, what ever that she be:  
That to her father is unjust, she means the same to thee.  
But lo you cruel Dames, that love your wills so much:  
I speak it now to all your shames, if there be any such.  
Medea now is go, that all the bate did brew:  
Take heed among you there be none, with her to prove untrue.  
You witches all take heed, you see how God rewards:  
And what appointed is your meed, that devilish acts regards.  
Leave of your invocation, your crossings and your charms:  
(Alas) it is abomination, and doth increase your harms.  
You parents it is time, to look your younglings to:  
Lest with this Prince, you say in fine, hearts case and child adieu.  
Keep in your daughters straight, best counsel I can give:  
Lest that perhaps she catch a bait, that both your hearts may grieve.  
And bring them up in fear, and godly books to reed:  
And then be sure that thou shalt hear, that well thy chide shall speed  
And banish wily will, from out thy daughter's place:  
His sleyghtie shifts will thousands spill, you know he wanteth grace  
Let bouldenesse banished be, lay liberty aside:  
And look you never do agreed, to paint them up in pride.  
And so you shall rejoice, your daughter's days to see:  
With Helchias lift up your voice, with praise as glad as he.  
Thus farewell Virgins all, God guide you in his way:  
I doubt not but Medea's fill, your tender hearts shall fray.  
And sith she broils in hell, whereas release is none:  
There I am sure that she shall devil, it helpeth not to moon.  
I cannot weep therefore, to think what parts she played:  
She lost her soul for evermore, her name is quite decayed.  
Take heed, her gains you see, the Gods not one do spare:  
For this or that, look what they be, rewarded well they are.    

❧ The words of tormented Tantalus, being rewarded for his extortion and covetousness: Oppressing of the poor people of his Country: And for other wicked acts.  

IF any here have cause for to complain,  
What may I do that pined am for food?  
I wish and want, I crave but all in vain,  
I see the tempting fruit, and so I do the ●●ood:  
Whereof to eat and drink, I wish none other good,  
If all the world were mine, sharp hunger gnaws me so,  
To have my belly ●ilde, all this I would forego.   

No joy nor pleasure, half doth glad the heart,  
Nor greatest thing that mind hath thought most sweet:  
Though all were mine, in every place and part,  
And that each man were kneeling at my feet,  
Like pleasure to this woe, was not compared yet.  
For hunger passeth all, who knew his part with me,  
No death so bad, as living thus to be.   

But wickedness wanteth not his just reward. 
Gregor.   
All you that bear rule therefore  
How you come thereby, it's best you have regard:  
And being mighty, how you use the poor.  
Yóur own infirmities remember evermore.  
Beware of covetousness, it's a sly and slieghtye bait▪ 
Bernar.   
The father of hypocrisy, and forger of deceit.   

And ambition is a privy poison,  
It's also a pestilens, covered close:  
The nourish of envy, the fountain of treason, 
Plutar.   
The mouth of make bate, to all men's loss,  
The blinder of hearts, as the world now goes.  
Making of remedies, diseases great store, 
Herm.   
And of pure salves, many a great sore.   

But he that seeks above the rest to be,  
And gapes to reach the highest star aloft: 
Tullius.   
Not doubt many times forgetteth equity,  
And also Justice, it plain appeareth oft,  
Who desireth glory, that fortune hath not skofte▪  
Though lulde a while, within her fichle lap,  
At length she leaves him cadgde within her cruel trap.   

But all to late alas I do confess,  
My wicked crimes, wherefore I suffer now.  
In time and space, I would not find redress.  
To God nor man, I would not bend nor bow:  
No man's Judgement but mine own I would allow.  
Repent that life, I thought I had no need,  
For as on earth, I thought each where to speed.   

Though for my help, confession come to late, 
August.   
Yet in time, confession is a remedy:  
It confoundeth vices, restoreth virtues to each estate.  
devils it vanquisheth, in greatest extremity:  
The Gates of Paradise, it openeth most freely.  
God's vengeance ceaseth, if man confess betime, 
Ambros.   
But so to do, the grace was never mine.   

Sigh confession is the life of a sinner, 
Barnar.   
A glory to good men, and necessary to thoffender.  
He that will not confess, whereof he was beginner,  
His grace with mine may be called slender.  
But happy is he that goods ill got doth tender  
To them again, from whence they came at first,  
be sure otherways they stand to God accursed.   

(Alas) how vain is pleasure, that most so much embrace? 
August.   
With what diligence, and expectation men  
Do seek this worldly wealth, that bideth but a space?  
Sliding stilye hence, no time appointed when,  
Wherefore I wish you all, God's hasty wrath token:  
Boast not to day, what thou will't do to morrow, 
Hier●●.   
Or that the Sun go down, thy mirth may turn to sorrow.   

Set little by richesse, and rich shalt thou be, 
Chrisost.   
Set jest by renown, and fa●ne shall love thee best:  
Care not for afflictions, take them quietly,  
Let reason rule thee, so shalt thou be in rest.  
He that escapes the wrath of mighty ●oue is bless,  
But they that wicked are, no doubt must plagued be,  
What needeth better proof, or trial but by me. 
●●n●●a.    

For judgement without mercy is ever due 
jacobus.   
To them that be unmerciful to the poor:  
But sure mighty men, do think God's word not true,  
They think to line, and dure for evermore,  
As I myself did, Alas I cry therefore.  
My wicked deeds, my woe do still increase,  
And puts me out of doubt, my pains shall never cease.   

One day deemeth another from time to time 
Plinius.   
Of this, or that, as things do chance to fall:  
But the last day giveth judgement, declaring every crime  
When each man is compelled to make accounts for all,  
Then sweet worldly wealth, doth taste like bitter gall.  
Who hath sustained wrongs, for vengeance then shall cry.  
Th'oppressors of the poor, shall perish by and by.   

And with these words, he snatch that the tree,  
The fruit whereof, declined to his lip:  
Which on the sudden, from his mouth 'gan flee,  
And s●oodes with swelling waves upon his chin do hit.  
Yet might he not attain thereof one bit.  
But starving stands, between these two for food:  
Disguised for want of meat, this careful caitiff stood.   

And looking back by chance he Morpheus spied  
(And me) that stood upon a bank above:  
To whom straight way he shouted, hold and cried,  
Come near good Morpheus and see the pains I prove.  
And warn all them, to whom thou bearest love,  
my wicked life, that once I led to flee:  
Bid them restore the goods got wrongfully.   

And what's thy name quoth Morpheus would I know?  
From whence thou came, of whom thou art descended?  
And why thou dost endure this cruel woe,  
What hast thou done, the Gods be thus offended?  
My acts (quoth he) might well have been amended.  
But when I was on earth, and had the world at will, Lactaneius  
I never thought to dye, but to have lived still.   

I am the son of jupiter, a God of mighty fame,  
And born of Plote, as witness writers old,  
And at my birth had Tantalus to name,  
Lord of many a country. I was a Captain bold,  
But the cause of my plague the Poets have mistolde.  
Yet Morpheus thou shalt here the cause wherefore and why  
The Gods award me here to wail and cry.   

Some think the Gods took vengeance ●or my son,  
Young Pelops, whom when I wanted meat,  
And that the Gods unto my house did come,  
Because some say I slew him for to eat,  
The Poets therefore thought that I this fleeing bayfe,  
Was judged by the Gods always to want & wish:  
(As still I do) but yet the cause was this.   

For in my country none but I the chief:  
Subject unto me they were both far and ni●.  
Who was so hardy but ●a●ger of his teeth,  
I plucked him on his knees, and if he looked awry?  
But (alas) of wicked counsel each hour may I cry,  
Which put it in my head, the poor for to subdue  
In Phrigia where I ruled, which now full sore I rue.   

What could be thought, that earthly man might please,  
To pomp the paunch, or feed the greedy eye?  
(Nothing at all) but by the land or seas,  
With a word of my mouth, I had it by and by.  
I thought to mount above the starry sky.  
A woeful chance betide, the causers of my smart,  
Which counselled me to play, the tyrants part.   

Alas, alas, what grace had I vile wretch,  
To paul, and spoil, my subjects as I did? 
Repentance to late.   
Out of reason, their rents I did both rack and retch:  
And another sort from house and ground I rid:  
Compelled them to bandone family and kindred,  
I banished whom me list, each man was glad to please  
Both me and mine, that thought to live at ease.   

I never had enough, ne could I be content  
To take the world as all my elders did:  
I famishte the country with fines and double rent.  
Esteeming not the mite, that poor men to me offered,  
I gaped for gobs of Gold, which greedily I coffred.  
Money was my desire, get it how I might,  
Of Rich or Poor, all one, as well by wrong as right.   

But Morpheus, now to tell the sum and all, 
Wicked counsel.   
I will not leave the lest, for thus it is:  
My servants through their counsel were principal,  
That thus I was corrupt, I cry therefore alas,  
They fed me with fables, to bring their purpose to pass.  
And in my name the poor they spoiled quite,  
To me unknown, when I received no mite.   

Thus many a score, that served me that time,  
That were of base degree, and of the simplest sort:  
By title of my name, aloft began to climb,  
And sought for seats of greater fame and port:  
To spoil my subjects they thought it but a sport.  
The simplist knave I had, that any office bear,  
Was honoured of my Subjects, as I myself it were.   

For their own advantage as it did appear,  
To pick them thanks, within mine ears they whisper,  
Keep down the dunghill knaves (quoth they) in dread & fear  
The Churls be rich, let's purge them with a glister:  
The poorest widow, be sure they never missed her.  
The fatherless, (alas) a begging out they thrust,  
Who paid not all & more, a packing needs they must.   

And so my subjects hearts (alas) I lost,  
My honour eke decayed, each tongue declared my crime:  
Thus I purchased hate of them that loved me most,  
And bore the name, for worst of all my line:  
Thus were the poor oppressed, each day by me and mine.  
A thousand hungry souls, within one year made I,  
For meat and drink, the country through to cry.   

I was corrupt with covetise, I never had enough,  
For all my worldly treasure, yet ever was I needy,  
As fast as I spoiled, all the country through,  
Yet with the Cormorant, I gaped always greedy,  
Therefore the reward of my wickedness came speedy.  
For my extortion and famishing of the poor,  
Behold how I am quit, with like for evermore.   

Morpheus, move thy acquaintance to take good heed  
Whom they appoint and put in authority,  
Let them be sure, they shall answer with speed,  
For extorting the poor, and other enormity:  
Although they mistrust not, any transformitye.  
But always do think, on the earth for to devil,  
Unlookte for comes death, and rewards them full well.   

Who hated I so ill, as them which loved me best?  
Who gained at my hands, but such as taught me guile?  
Those that wished me worship, I ever loved lest:  
My practice was alway, my country for to spoil,  
By mean whereof I did my name defile,  
And such as would in mine affairs have died:  
Most churlishly, of thanks I have denied,   

Thus on this world, a God I always made, 
Too many of this condition at these days.   
Wherein I thought to devil for evermore:  
At my pleasure and will, the Country did invade:  
Passing not a pin for the curses of the poor.  
If he filled not my bags, I thrust him out of door,  
As for mercy, at my hand, it booted not to crave,  
They did but stir my choler, more cruelly to ●aue.   

I loved vainglory most, he was my counsel chief, 
There wants no pickthanks.   
And private gain of whom I spoke before,  
And other such, as tear my subjects with their teeth,  
As a Dog a bone, they used my people poor,  
Of Te●●ales and Pickthanks, I always had great store,  
Whose whispering tales, were Gospels in mine head,  
And thus in steed of truth, with falsehood was I fed.   

My shoulders laden were, with worldly muck,  
And yet mine eyes desired what I see:  
Though all the world were laid upon a rock  
It never might have satisfied mine eye,  
If more than enough, had half contented me,  
I might have lived, in honour all my days,  
And of the poor have won immortal praise.   

B●●●ye of worldly muck, fie on it twenty times, 
P●ulu●.   
To mutual envy, most men it doth provoke  
And vaineglorye, doth teach a thousand careful crimes,  
In every mischief, these twee, do ever strike a stroke,  
A deceitful sweetness, That binds to Satan's yoke 
August.   
An unfruitful labour, a continual dread and fear,  
A dangerous advancement, The author of despair.   

Uaineglory always, without repentance endeth.  
Whose beginning without providence is:  
Provokes the Gods to wrath, the people it offendeth.  
Who gloreth in this globe, that thinks he doth amiss? 
Such there are.   
He g●peth like a gu●ton, for glory to be his,  
Whose eyes be fixed into the Skies on high,  
And wisheth wings above the Sun to flee.   

What greater follic can be then to covet riches, 
Diog●.   
It torments the mind, and breaks the quiet sleeps,  
It vexeth the heart, and mirth away it twitchis.  
Many miserable thoughts, in the conscience it keeps,  
It shakes up the stomach, making sowers of sweets,  
It shorteneth the life, as the Philosopher sayeth,  
It makes Children, & kinsfolk, wishers of your death.   

It keepeth from doing Godly charitable deeds; 
Horae.   
It causeth the party not cherish himself,  
Being never friendly to any man that needs,  
Dispatching each man of their perfide health,  
Lo, these be the fruits of this vile worldly pelf,  
Which causeth man, to live a miser's life,  
Whose end is destruction, to man, maid, and wife.   

And with these words, the woeful silly wretch  
His Jaws ope cast, that boiled and burnt with heat:  
And withered starven arms, with violence do stretch, eat,  
In hope to catch the slieghty tempting bait,  
Which hangs on flattering bows, that flatters him to  
And to his mozid mouth declines the barked is full dry,  
When the hungry soul, would eat, away the fruit doth fly.   

And flood on every side, swells up with boiling waves,  
Wherein he stands an inch above the Chin:  
Whose cruel thirst to drink, no little cra●es,  
But when to taste, poor soul he doth begin,  
It blencheth out of sight, as it had never been.  
Then touched fruit, doth beat him on the teeth,  
Appointed by the Gods, to work him double grief,   

With face deformed, all quaking standeth he,  
Ten times worse than death, the caitiff looks:  
Naught else upon his legs, but skin and bones to see,  
Each finger of his hand, as bore as angling hooks,  
His belly as thin, as out of season flowkes.  
Much like a shadow of the Moon he stands,  
With rueful cheer, doth wring his careful hands.   

And after a while, amid his torments great,  
(Quoth he) O Marcus Curius, blessed be thy days. 
Marcus Curius.   
Thou wast indifferent, thou dealt not with deceit▪  
Thou wanst thy subjects hearts, & wanst immortal praise:  
Thou wast a loving captain, to men at all assays.  
For to thy people thou wast a Parent dear,  
As by thy noble acts, among them did appear.   

Thou didst divide the soil, by just and equal line,  
And to each man, thou forty acres gave:  
Which ground before allotted was for thy.  
●●●▪ like, for like, with lest thou would but have,  
The faithful hearts of men, was all that thou didst crave.  
Therefore thy just reward, is with the Gods on hy●,  
And through the earth, thy same, abroad doth fly.   

And wride his head, and Morpheus strait beheld,  
Thou knowest my name (quoth he) I pray y● get the hence  
To leave my talk, by thirst I am compelled:  
The hungry worm, doth also work me vengeance.  
Sigh of my deeds thou hast true intelligence,  
Declare it to thy friends, how ever they regard it,  
How I for my wickedness of Pluto am rewarded.   

That will I do (quoth he) the best I may or can,  
To all the world divolgat shall it be,  
My voice shall thunder it out unto each man,  
The reward of wickedness that now I see:  
Do so (quod Tantalus) and there with all doth he  
Betwixt the fruit and guileful fountains vain,  
Watching wisheth food to ease his hungry pain.   

And thus we both depart, and went our way,  
This dreirye doubtful Miser, left we there,  
Whose thirst increaseth grief, to see the prey  
That heart would have, in sight doth ay appear.  
Straight came Allecto, And she began to swear:  
(quoth she) thou oppressor, thy hunger still increase,  
To reward thy wickedness, hope not to have release▪   

Not sooner from the valley were we go,  
But in our ears we heard a careful cry,  
Which said (alas) in Pluto's kingdom none  
Sustaineth half the plagues that I do taste and try,  
Fie one worldly works, fie upon them fie.  
(Quoth Morpheus) to me, make haste, we will go see,  
Who it is that plains and ●ones so grievously.    

❧ The books verdict upon Tantalus.  

THe monstrous Camel, that stamping beast, & cake the sluggish Ass  
And baiard bold, I may compare to many men alas▪  
Which with the Camel bears away, the massy pack of pelf,  
Yet twice as slow as sluggish Evangelists, but only for themself.  
The loathsome load of wished wealth, the hearts hath so bewitched:  
That justice, friendship, pity, and love, away is from them twitched.  
With brags they boldly leap & plunge, nothing they do mistrust:  
As Baiard doth, till at the length, to yield to harm they must.  
These Beasts me think do well present, the qualities of such,  
That with the Camel, drug and draw, of worldly wealth so much.  
As Tantalus the Phrigion did, the Camel's part that played.  
Whose mind from Midas muck, in time, no counsel could have stayed.  
His Beastly heart bear that away, that body nor bones could do:  
As some such Camels at these days, are lately start up new.  
Within the circuit of our soil, which members bear of men,  
Whose customs in their country is, to beastly now and then.  
For often their greedy paunch devours, their neighbours house & ground,  
Yea Pastures, Parks, whole fields, & Towns, & all that may be found.  
Which passeth beast, or beastly bones, of worldlings for to bear:  
Although their hearts docrave as much, as both they see and hear.  
They hook and hold, with tooth and nail, by slight of wily brain,  
That which we see, each time and tide, doth waste like snow in rain.  
Goods are ill got, which causeth loss, of endlesseioy and bliss,  
To purchase pains, where lasting grief, and torment ever is.  
Mark this well you mighties whom, the Lord appointesto rule,  
Lend not your ears in any wise, to Peter Pickthanks school.  
His flattering fetch doth rob you all, offamous honour due,  
Whose painting pencils evermore, reproachful colours hew.  
And causeth curses of the poor, whose plaints the Lord doth hear,  
redressing straight their care & grief, throughout the earth each-where  
VThat Camel then more covetous, what Ass more dull of wit,  
What boulder Bayara can be found, to keep the loathsome pit,  
Then are these muckserapers at these days, that swallow up the poor,  
Which have to much, yet not content, but proule for more & more?  
Whose gluttons eyes are never filled, till gaping chaps be full  
Of suddy soil, and slimy slitche, where at this while you pulll:  
And then your woeful souls bewail, the days your carcase spends▪  
In wickedness, and never could find any time to mend.  
But words are wound, what will you more? No virtue is regarded:  
Be as be may, the day will come, your works will be rewarded.   
FINIS.   

❧ The reward of an Ambitious and vain glorious counsellor, called Vetronius Turinus: For his wicked life among them that he might overcome, and for his Pride: whose words follow in the mids of his torments.  

PEace Tantalus hold still thy plainting chaps.  
Bewail no more thy state, thy lot is light enough,  
And if thou knew of my mischaunsed haps,  
And how I am torment, within this stinking clough.  
Contented would thou be, where now thou art not so,  
And if thou felt but lest of this my endless woe.   

Fie of the face of fortunes smiling looks,  
Whose sly deceit is sugared baits to cast:  
The foolish sort to catch upon her hooks,  
That erst from smiling mouth, the judas kiss had taste.  
And such as she hath set the hext of all,  
She most delights to give the greatest fall.   

Who sits so sure as in the simple seat?  
Who is so Rich, as he that reason doth content?  
Who escapes the hook, that leaps at every bait?  
Who meddles much at last that is not shent?  
Or yet who deals with craft that is not spied?  
Who hath not all men's wrath, that evermore hath lied?   

The sure path I never found as yet,  
Which was to set all worldly things at naught.  
With Phaeton, I thought above the stars to sit,  
On worldly wealth was evermore my thought. 
Isiodorus.   
But custom teacheth all things shall little be,  
That to the show seems great, too worldly eye.   

Who dwells in Prince's favours that knows himself,  
Or at the lest for gets not what he was?  
Who looks not high, that catcheth worldly wealth,  
Which slips away as dew upon the grass. 
Hermes.   
Fie, on it fie, it leads to endless fire,  
And mere destruction brings, on them that it desire.   

But in valleys low, the qivetst dwelling is,  
On lofty mountains, the storming blast doth blow:  
The mounting Phoenix, shall witness be of this, 
Phoenix.   
Who doth full well, the hearts of climbers show.  
Whose end with her, doth mere destruction call,  
Which doth from lofty skies, below to ashes fall.   

Who with Icarus seems to fly a loft,  
Or with the Pine, his fellows overgrowes,  
That many times, with fortune is not skofte,  
And with the Pine, be rent and spoiled of bows?  
Who standeth in conceit, with foolish fond Nessus,  
That in the end of his misfortune misses?   

But what availed the Books that I have read?  
The wicked end of none, might 'cause me to amend:  
I saw long sith, how every Tyrant speed,  
By worthy writers, whose acts had Clerkly pend.  
And their success, that in such vice abounded,  
How short they rained, and were by God confounded.   

But let me be, for so I may no doubt,  
Full well be made a mirror to each one:  
That be in Prince's favour, & make themselves so stout,  
(As I) unhappy wretch, have been not long a go.  
I had so deep a wit to purchase worldly wealth,  
In virtue a very fool, and clean deceived myself.   

And with these words his pains so much encreaste,  
That worse then mad, a thousand times he flings:  
Then to the brink of loathsome lake he pressed,  
And cried, behold, what wicked doings brings.  
Draw near good Morpheus, hearken what I say,  
And to thy friends report another day.   

I was (quoth he) advanced to such degree,  
And in the favour stood, of Alexander's grace: 
☞   
So much at last, that in all causes he  
Look mine advise, in things that doubtful was.  
My counsel lead him, ever as my list,  
Who had a s●te, I not his friend, his purpose mist.   

All men gave place, when I in counsel close,  
Unto this noble Emperor, both night and day:  
My fame each hour, increased still and rose,  
I saved whom my list, again I put away  
(Whom pleased me) and ruled me at will,  
I made both good, and bad, full glad to please me still.   

Vetronius Turinus, is my proper name, 
Uetronius Turinus.   
Chief counsellor, this famous Emperor too:  
Which bleared my inward eyes in tasting of the same,  
I could not know myself, as I was wont to do.  
Such incomparable sweetness, is found in Prince's favour,  
Whom Fortune calls so high, forgets their own behaviour.  
Such hap a while exceedeth Loios' taste,  
Whose sinatch some lickoras lips, the most do wish:  
Yet whosoever to gape, therefore doth haste  
Shall try in th'end, Serdonia, plain it is.  
For sweetest meats, sour sauce they say is best,  
This is, and evermore, was used at each feast.   

Thus I elect, and choose chief of all,  
In secret familiarity, with this noble man:  
I was so puffed with pride, I did mistrust no fall,  
Thus each man's heart, through dread and fear I won.  
A while I played the B●are, I nipped both young and old,  
I kept them so in awe, to bark none dared be bold.   

Thus every man of me did stand in fear,  
Each one with bending knees, to me did bow:  
They honoured me, ●s I the▪ emperor were,  
I gaped for such glory, as was not meet nor dew.  
Thus like a chowgh, depaint in peacocks tails,  
Amid the gulf of Cille, I hoist my rotten sails.   

And at the length this one thing blinded me,  
When every man my lawful favour sought,  
Then I began to look both stout and high,  
I spoke them fair, when inward ill I thought.  
Great bribes I did receive, and made all men believe,  
That whom my list, I could both glad and grieve.   

Thus rich I made myself, and most men poor,  
That to this noble emperor any suit procured:  
And those of whom the emperor made a store,  
Such means I wrought, that long he not endured.  
And yet a greater sleight than this I used long,  
I daily sought to wrist all men with wrong.   

Fair words I ●edde them with, and nothing else,  
On either part their money I received,  
I eat their kernels, and fed them with the shells.  
Who trusted me that scaped undeceived?  
I played the Mariner, that looketh back and rows,  
And yet with flood, his boat contrary flows.   

For where these suitors did await to know,  
By me this noble Emperor his pleasure,  
Then would I nod my head, and frindely countenance (show.  
(As who should say) abide another leisure.  
Thus of the emperor's grave determination,  
I made a trade as 'twere an occupation.   

Till at the length, all men with murmuration,  
Perceiving that I fabled with them so,  
With open jaws, made open exclamation,  
And earnest looks cast on me too and fro,  
Whereat report, a Post did send for Fame,  
Which caused her crooked Trumpets sound abroad the same   

Thus to this noble Prince's ears at length it came,  
And published all abroad, it was on every side.  
And of the same accused of every man,  
That round about me stood, and to the Emperor cried:  
O famous noble prince, incline thy ears to hear.  
Turinus wickedness, to thee shall now appear.   

Then all my former life disclosed was,  
And proved by credible people before my face:  
When the Emperor understood both more and less,  
He judged me to be led into the market place.  
Where strangers were of countries far and nigh,  
Which grieved me worse, than twenty times to die.   

In the market place, sometime where I with pride,  
Moore like a Prince then otherwise had walked the stones  
There to a stake, my limbs full fast they tied,  
With cruel engines invented for the nonce,  
Where young and old, stood round about to see,  
The fall of him, which erst did look full high.   

Then hidden malice did show his furious face,  
Whose tongues before as sweet as sugar seemed:  
(And crying said) thou Tyrant void of grace,  
The proof is plain, it was not as thou weened,  
Thou thought thou had our hearts, because we capt and knéelde,  
Which inwardly with spiteful hate we stéelde.   

Then curses black into the skies they send, 
His execution maketh people glad.   
To all the Gods where mighty jove doth sit,  
That after all this shame, I might be torn and rend,  
Within the puddle of Pluto's stinking pit.  
And there withal, their hands a pace they clap,  
Green sticks and stubble, about the stake they wrap,   

And fire thereto, on every side they set,  
Whose powdering smoke, mounts up the lofty skies,  
The flashing flame each man was prove to let,  
To th'end thereby my doubled pain might rise,  
Thus lingered life, with torments worse than death,  
By means of smoke compelled to yield my breath.   

Whereat with gladsome hearts rejoiced many a one,  
Tooth ' great reproach of all my blood and line,  
With haste a beadle Th'emperor called on,  
And straightly charged, about the stake that time,  
To sound these words in th'ears of young and old,  
With fumes lo here he dieth, that fumes hath ever sold.   

Thus confusion my guerdon quit full well,  
And paid my hire which I deserved best,  
The Gods also condemned me into hell,  
Among the wicked sort with whom I am possessed,  
of irksome Stigion whereas phlegethon's flames,  
The pomp of cruel tyrants ever daily tames.   

Lo this the lot of wicked life in th'end,  
Look to your states you that Counsellors be,  
You that persuade the nobles to offend,  
Leave of betime for my reward you see,  
Be sure whosoever in wickedness proceeds,  
In th'end the Gods do recompense their deeds.   

How sayest thou Morpheus hast thou heard the like?  
Whom hast thou known to have a fall like mine?  
Could Fortune work to me a greater spite,  
Than first to whirl me up, then cast me down in fine,  
When lest of all her wrath I did mistrust?  
From hext of Pelops turret, no help but down I must.   

Thus through the cost I got each poor man's curse,  
With shameful death, and hell at latter day:  
A dear bought treasure, thus to fill my purse,  
To loose the joys among the Gods for ay.  
These words no sooner said, so much increased his pains  
His tongue with rueful voice his perfect talk constrains.   

This sink of sorrow wherein he stands and cries,  
With pitch and Brimstone boils up like a flood,  
Where serpents with their triple heads still yelling flies,  
Whose crooked claws are bathed in his blood.  
From out whose mouths such foaming flames arise,  
Which lighteth in his face, or spouteth in his eyes.   

Each finger of his hand was turned to ugly snakes, 
A man deformed.   
His teeth were changed to worms Cerestres like:  
His legs all serpents, that daily vengeance takes,  
Upon each other, that venomly 'gan smite.  
His toes upon his feets, were filthy Toads to see,  
That swelled with poison as big as they might be,   

His heart the Captain of his sleyghtie tongue,  
Transformed in likeness of a Hedgehog kind:  
Before whose greedy mouth such riped fruit was hung,  
As monstrous beast in heart did wish to find.  
Which when he touched, they turned to Scorpions all,  
Perforce his lips from gaping chaps lets fall.   

His guileful tongue was turned to Crocadyle,  
Amid whose slighty head braced out consuming coals,  
From out whose eyes fallen drops like gads of steel,  
Wherewith sometime he trapped poor silly souls.  
And molten gold into his mouth was poured,  
Whose gasping gums most greedily devoured.   

And yet a greater grief than this had he,  
A plaguy pain above the rest no doubt:  
An horrible fiend, none such in hell to see,  
Before him stands, whose voice doth roar and shout,  
What joys among the Gods they loose that wicked are,  
This ugly Geylor to him straight did declare. 
The scripture alleged then. Psal. 84. Psal. 24. Psal. 3.    

And with the Psalms began this cruel Clerk,  
To taunt the torment wretch with grief to hear,  
Saying Turinus incline thy ear and hark:  
I am thy Curate, thou art my Parishner.  
give ear (quoth he) and mark my sayings well,  
Else shall these hooks, with care thy corpse compel.   

And then these places of scripture strait he reads,  
And shakes his Snaky head, with grinning teeth: 
Roma 8. Apoca. 22. Math 24. 1. Thes. 4. Math 25. Apoca. 7. Apoca. 4. Apoca. 21.   
And scoffs him still, with all his old done deeds,  
That then to hear, no little was his grief.  
And then this frowning Curate, braggingly 'gan host,  
And tells the wretch, what endless joys he lost.   

Thou hast lost (quoth he) mirth out of measure, 
☞   
, All liberty, all Light, all rejoicing and health: 
Esay. 43. Esay. 1. Esay. 5. Math. 11. John. 3. John. 5. Luke. 5.   
, All wealth, all joy, and glorious pleasure,  
, All honour, all power, all long of thyself.  
, With solace, and love, unity, concord, and peace,  
, Wisdom, virtuous melody, and felicities increase.   

, meekness, and beatitude, from the is fled and go,  
, And that in most glorious heavenly City:  
, Hope for no redress, be sure hear is none,  
, But ever more, unspeakable misery.  
, This Den (quoth he), is still the place of pains,  
, For thee and such, of whom the poor complains.   

, Now hast thou lost the company of Archangels,  
, With Thapostles, patriarchs, and Cherubins:  
, Powers, Thrones, Dominione, and Angels,  
, Confessors, Virgins, Martyrs, with blessed Zeraphins.  
, Where righteous spirits, cease not, but always sing.  
, Holy, Holy, Holy, God of earth, and heaven King.   

And with these words, with haste he shut the book,  
To some place else he ran to execute his spite:  
Whereat Turine cast up a woeful look.  
(Quoth he) good Morpheus take forth thy pen and writ,  
(Alas) register up my rueful wicked end.  
It may prevent much harm, & if the same were pend.   

But Morpheus ●asting down his head for woe,  
Uneth one word, could well pronounce almost,  
But said, come Robinson, I pray thee let us go,  
My heart doth w●rche to see this gr●slye ghost.  
And then he wished that all offenders see,  
How Pluto doth reward all them that wicked be.   

And thus we left Turinus in his pains,  
Whose want of grace, we both lamented much:  
And there in Jail he shakes his linked chains,  
Whose bands to break, no mortal hands may touch.  
His endless pains it boots not to be wail.  
No sacrifice to jove, can aught at all prevail.    

❧ The Books verdict.  

Lo thus to see him pulled, with raging hags of hell,  
That whilom thousands ruide, esteemed with Princes well.  
I marvel in my mind, such men should plagued be,  
Whom Fortune hath assigned, unto such dignity.  
But now I do perceive, none such the Gods will spare:  
That poor men do bereave, of money goods or ware.  
Or whom by counsel seems, to blind their Noble eyes:  
Whose judgements best esteems, and quites with double fees.  
Or such as sentence sell, by sly and cloaked craft:  
And harmless souls compel, a fruitless tree to graft.  
On these the Gods do pour, their wrath by whole consent:  
And altar in an hour, the wickeds ill intent.  
Regarding not at all, their stately high degree:  
But shortly give the fall to such as climb to high.  
Turinus now hath lost his prince that loved him best:  
And such as hate him most, joyed thus to see him dressed.  
What profits blubbered tears? The Gods have judged thee:  
How long or few years, (they know) so do not we.  
To leave thee in thy pains, of very▪ force I must:  
Not hope but this remains, a warning fair I trust▪   
FINIS.   

❧ The woeful complaint of the monstrous Emperor Heliogabalus for spending of his days in abominable whoredom.  

Sith Morpheus thou art come to take the dew  
of Pluto's kingdom where the wicked guerdon have:  
Of all the rest thou ever see or knew,  
I am the mark to guide the rest from scathe▪  
Lo how I lie, that erst did flourish brave▪  
and yet Turinus thinks he hath much wrong,  
I hear him hither, upon the furies rave,  
yet not such cause as I▪ Turinus hold thy tongue   

O how tickle is the stay of honours high?  
what doth avail a while to guide the earth?  
Th'example plain appeareth now by me,  
an Emperor once descend of noble birth▪  
My triple crown that was abundance worth▪  
my sceptre set with sapphires rich to see:  
My sword that held in fear such murt●▪  
as never yet was dewde by any eye.   

Nor yet the sound of great renowned ●ame,  
though all the world I held in fear and awe,  
That can excuse the lest of blotted blame,  
nor that the Gods at all regard a straw.  
(Not Morpheus no) who doth offend their law▪  
although he were ten times as high again:  
Upon the snap they catch him in a flaw,  
their haughty mast flies over board amain.   

Upon the rock the shaken Hull is cast,  
that prowdely hoist her sail before on high▪  
And so unwares they perish with a blast,  
the which before mistrusted not to die.  
Then from the stinking jail the spirit doth flee:  
and as the dunghill seek, hath spent his days,  
The ●●llie soul, in bale or bliss shall be,  
thus vice or virtue hath reward always.   

Unhappy wretch I was of Rome elect▪  
and by consent of all the rulers there,  
The noble Senate chose me to protect,  
but when in hand the fearful sword I bear,  
Not only Rome, but through the whole Empire,  
I quite forgot myself, and place they set me in:  
Then did my filthy nature strait appear,  
the hidden smoke, to flashing flames begin.   

For after that I had in hand to rule,  
and that my word to loose and bind had power,  
I brought the Senate to another school,  
exalting vice much higher than Pelops tower.  
The Sages grave e●pulsing every hour,  
new Lords, new laws, it did appear by me:  
Thus Rome to ruin I brought from honour,  
from virtue to vice, great shame and infamy.   

Thus first of all, when I from Syria came,  
to Rome to rule, and royal sceptre guide: 
Varius Heliogabalus.   
Heliogabalus the Roman blood may ban,  
I was a mean to say their same aside.  
Wisdom nor virtue I never might abide,  
In brute and beastly toys always I dwelde.  
All such as sin correct I did deride,  
to filthy living a thousand I compelled.   

And thus of Rome that was a mirror clear,  
from whom at first all nation's knowledge had,  
Of honour, virtue and prows the name did bear,  
in mist of filthy slander by me was lad  
Whereat the prudent men wept tears full sad,  
to see the vile abuse that then I set aloft:  
Virtuous Virgins then to fly were glad,  
vuravisht few scaped, that might be caught.   

Insatiable was my swelling lust,  
my pampered flesh to whoredom was addict:  
I looked on none but needs consent they must:  
Lo thus (alas) with vice I was afflict.  
I would the mortal lance in tender youth had sticked  
my wicked heart that wickedness desired:  
Then should not now no Pluto's fury pricked  
this soul of mine, that here in flames lieth fired.   

If Atis chance betime I had sustained,  
then had I squencht the spark that bred unrest:  
My wretched spirit, that now in hell is pained,  
among the Gods in bliss had been possessed.  
Whom now thou seest with torments still oppressed,  
and also scaped on earth, reproach and shame:  
Unhappy Rome, then had thou twice been blest,  
that now for evermore bewails the same.   

The last Assyrian King in filthy life, 
Sardanapalus the last Assyrian king lived too vile a life to be rehearsed.   
I did exceed a thousand kind of ways:  
All Rome throughout, I ravished Maid and Wi●e,  
of Virgins ever, I made them common prays.  
Thus spent I my wicked fleshly days,  
I made a Senate, of harlots and bands:  
In open sight I kept no better plays,  
then filthily to use these common jades.   

Thus houses builded I, for schools of sin,  
to aid them with I gave them largely treasure:  
The virtuous Matrons, I plucked them quickly in,  
compelling them unto this filthy pleasure:  
(Alas, alas) I passed all Godly measure,  
there was no ho, with me: who dared deny?  
But if they had, I spied such a leisure,  
that from their shoulders, I made their heads to fly.   

Into the hands of Bawds, I did commit,  
the greatest dignity of the Public weal:  
To common Rybawdes, void of grace and wit,  
I gave authority, aswell to choose as deal,  
Who had a suit to me that did prevail,  
except in Lechery he did exceed?  
The virtuous sort were ever sure to fail,  
when as the wicked at every turn did spéedr.   

Luxurious meats and drinks, I ever sought,  
a thousand ways I studied for the same:  
Upon the Public weal the lest I thought,  
to labour after lust, that was my game.  
If I should publish half by proper name,  
the life of late, I lewdly led in sin,  
The finest head it would both tire and tame,  
therefore to trouble thee, I will not now begin.   

What should I speak of noble famous Dukes, 
It is needful for Princes & noble men to call sage, wise & learned men to be of their counsel, & such as be Gentlemen, well brought vy.   
that from the Senate, by violence I put:  
Or of the sage wise Masters, that with rebukes,  
I cruelly, out of the Senate shut?  
I catched the bitter busk, and lost the pleasant Nut,  
two Carters I chose to be my counsel chief:  
I blindly drew to shoot at blanked But:  
which was the cause at length of all my grief.   

Protogenes the tone of these were called 
Protogenes & Cordius two sleeves born.   
Cordius, tother had by proper name:  
These two through Rome the common wealth forstald,  
to the loss of my honour, and great increase of shame.  
For vice flourished, and virtue waxed lame:  
Vitellus in gluttovy, always I did exceed: 
Vitellus at one supper was served with. 7 thousand fish, and. 5 thousand Fowls.   
Wanton meats for the nonce, than I 'gan frame,  
to pamper the paunch, when nature list not feed.   

What should I tell of the strange kind of Fish,  
so rare uneath no man can know them well:  
Which at one meal, ten thousand dishes,  
with as many Fowls as do the Fish excel,  
The like ere now, hath any man herded tell?  
an Emperor to lead (alas) like glutton's life?  
Young tender Maids, always I did compel,  
throughout Italy, with many a noble wife.   

And when I had sufficed by violence, 
●n abominable thing and damnable.   
my filthy flesh, yet not contented so:  
I ript their wombs in open audience,  
their tender bowels, and secreates for to shoe.  
In progress, when I did delight to go,  
with me six hundredth Chariots of harlots went:  
In steed of Sage, and noble counsels los,  
thus I my time in wickedness still spent.   

And such as chief to me I did appoint,  
and ordain greatest rule of all to bear:  
The sentence of my fame, the villains joint,  
I innocent, the suitors not the near.  
They fed me with folly they whispered in mine ear,  
Zoticus that variette, a slave and dunghill born: 
Zoticus.   
Whom of naught to nobleness, I did up rear,  
in th'end rewarded me with double scorn.   

He played by me, as Turinus did before,  
by noble Alexander, who guerdon gave:  
(So well) that fame, for evermore,  
sounds up his praise for quitting of that knave.  
What should I say, it is but vain to ra●e,  
for in time I had no grace this to prenent:  
But he that will thus much exalt a slave,  
himself shallbe the first, that shall repent.   

Because this variette, Zoticus did excel  
in all wicked vices most abominable:  
I preferred him to the greatest living that fallen,  
both Realms & Kingdoms, with countries honourable:  
To no man virtuous I seemed conformable,  
but only to such as abounded in sin:  
To these and such like, I was ever tradable.  
when each man lost, these knaves did wins.   

The Devil so kindled his stre in my breast.  
and fostered in me such detestable vice:  
Because Alexander was not slain, I could not rest.  
that was mine Awntes' son both learned and wise.  
To poison him I offered, Jewels of great price,  
because my wickedness so much he hated:  
One while treason, I conspired with spice,  
in divers drinks and meats, his death I animated.   

But now behold the guerdon and reward,  
of filthy vile and detestable life:  
And how the Gods their servants do regard,  
defending them from murders bloody knife.  
My endeful well, may warn both man and wife,  
for Alexander, whom I thought to kill:  
He scaped the snare, when I began to drife,  
the first I was myself, that in the same did sy●●●.   

For he through virtue, wan the noble hearts,  
of th'ancientancient Senate, and commons of the same:  
In whose safeguard, not one from other starles,  
but with consent, together jointly frame.  
And thus began with me, that tragicallike game:  
Tyrants can not reign, experience long hath taught:  
The Gods that suffer long, at length do blame,  
the wicked imagination, they ever bring to naught.   

For by procuring Alexander's death.  
I hasted mine own to my life agreeing:  
My wicked servants, like Traitors false of faith,  
were th'onlyonely conspirators, and causers of my dying.  
They slew my adherentes, and put me to flying.  
my familiars a thousand ways they killed  
Before my face. I standing by and seeing,  
for life dared not speak, but as a coward yield.   

But how I yielded, it's shame to make relation, 
S●m●●mir● his mother udicious woman.   
I f●ed into a privy, and there was take,  
My mother murdered on the same sort and fashion,  
Our funerals together, amid that dung we make.  
Lo my reward for filthy whoredoms sake.  
The Gods forgot me not, they quitt● me home:  
They cast me headelong into this f●ery lake,  
upon the earth for ay good fame is go.   

(Alas) Morpheus yet thou know'st not all,  
I pray thee ●ide a while and hear the rest,  
I am sure as yet, thou never heard like fall,  
of noble birth, hatched in so high a nest.  
But what prevails where vice is so possessed.  
A while I ruled, and tumbled in my sin:  
I wanted nothing, that mostrous life request,  
of fear I frustrate was, I dread not God a pin.   

Therefore mine odious corpse throughout the City,  
with hooks they drew, both up and down the streets  
With ordure field, no man of me had pity,  
haulters of ●empe were both our winding sheeets.  
Fie on him villain, they skrickt & cried like spirits,  
with clapping hands each one rejoiced to see,  
With words of great reproach the furies had delights,  
my old deserved deeds to wreak on me.   

Then to the common ●akes they dregged me,  
at the filthiest conduct down they would me cast,  
But that it was to narrow, at lest by fingers three,  
or else I had been shrined within that dung at last.  
But then tied to a mighty millstone full fast,  
into the flood of Tiber was I thrown:  
Where many a worthy ship hath past,  
the tumbling streams was made my tomb and throne.   

Lo Morpheus lo, thus was I served of such,  
that erst from nought to Prince's mates I brought:  
Behold their acts, to whom I gave so much,  
above the rest, my misadventures sought:  
But alas, the end of wickedness is nought,  
the Gods always, take vengeance at the length:  
I thought I should the fixed stars have reached.  
but yet abated was my haughty heart and strength.   

At the age of one and twenty years I died,  
and monstrous Heliogabalus they called my name:  
To my reproach, report the same hath cried,  
who herded thereof, that made not sport and game?  
And look who leads my life, shall ever taste the same,  
utter confusion, hasteth for his pray:  
Perdurable mischief, comes after fast with shame,  
and makes their passport at the latter day.   

But Morpheus, to tell thee all my beastly acts,  
an hundredth Clerks were not able to pen them:  
And again whosoever should hear of like facts,  
so detestable they are, it would but offend them.  
But I pray thee warn thy friends to amend them,  
my guilt thou hast hard, my pains thou dost see:  
To repent betime, I pray God to sand them,  
for be sure wicked deeds, are rewarded wickedly.   

Bid them fly whoredom, and vile vicious deeds,  
they are sure to lose God's kingdom for ever:  
Honest men do hate them, as nettles or weeds,  
but shame and ill report leaveth them never.  
At length their own Minions do seek their decay,  
on whom pursues death, of life the berever:  
Which makes an end of beggary, committing hell the pray,  
if they in wickedness, unto the end persever.   

And with these words this wicked wretch,  
among his torments, was toiled so sore,  
With a pitiful looks, his hand forth did stretch,  
as who say a dew, I can speak no more.  
His mother in a flaming puddle began to roar,  
each Devil put in use his terrible trade:  
With greater spite then accustomed before,  
to terrible to hear the noise that then they made.   

This monstrous Emperor in hell thus stood,  
tied fast by the members on a snaky wheel:  
Which ran about as if it were wood,  
Invironde with Bawds as black as the De'yle  
Hooked for the no●ce with hot glowing steel,  
which Butchered his bowels about his feet:  
And for to reward his wickedness we'll,  
th'infernal fire, straight way they beyte.   

Whereat anon such smoke there do●h arise,  
with lead that boils, in storms like raging seas,  
And with a twinche, a thousand Dragon's flies,  
ten times as fast as snow in windy days.  
Gripes as greedy as Wolves that seek their prays,  
and on him gnaw, that miser tied full fast:  
The cruel wheel doth bounce, and never stays,  
Lo, thus his pains for ever more doth last.   

And thus we left this wretch (that dwells in endless pain)  
A number for to view, that crying did complain.    

❧ The Books verdict.  

WHen filthy lust doth guide, and hath the helm in fist:  
Beware the wind and tide, take heed of had I witted.  
A wilful mate is he, for to direct the way:  
He doubts no peril nigh, in sailing on the sea.  
But hoist aloft he cries, it blows a merry blast:  
And so at random flies, while youthful life will last.  
At Caphars lamp they run, with hoist sail amain:  
Which seemeth like the Sun, in sight of feeble brain.  
A stolen that leads the way, to Scylla's sandy cost:  
Which drinketh every day, their blood through folly lost.  
Caribdes greedy jaws, lie gaping every hour:  
And whom she catcheth in her claws, she spares not to devour.  
But lo the prank of pride, and race that rudeness runs:  
The end of wanton works are spied, see how destruction comes,  
Mark rushing youth, how vain he spends his reckless days:  
Note well how pleasure breeds pain, a thousand kind of ways.  
If puffing pomp with gold, might ease this Prince's pain:  
Or force of armed champions bold, could help his grief again:  
Then all his scrikes and cries, had quite been hushed and styled:  
So had his ears and eyes, with worldly works been filled.  
If I should make rehearse, what his offences were:  
Although in prose or verse, it would corrupt the ear.  
The Gods abhorred his days, the world doth sound his shame:  
And vengeance vengeance many ways, agreeth to the same?  
What profits now his sport, wherein he played the beast,  
With all his bawds resort, or eke his glutton's feast.  
What now avails his crown, with precious stones beset?  
Or and he had as great renown, as mortal man might get.  
Sigh mighties know not when, the Gods will knock and call,  
Not more than other poorest men, that simplest be of all,  
Therefore look well about, keep filthy lust away:  
Beware I say the hidden doubt, that lies in secret sea.  
Let virtue guide the helm, and wisdom hoist the sail:  
So shall you void the dangers great, that might your voyage quail.   
FINIS.   

❧ The two judges for slandering of Susanna: and bearing false witness against her, be rewarded for the same most terribly.  

first to this place when happened us to hit,  
A room we found where best we might behold  
Of every side that stinking Stygian pit,  
That all the rest excelde a thousand fold,  
Stuffed full to'th top it was of young and old,  
(But as I said before) a couple there we see,  
Whose tongues behind were halde with hooks full high.   

Before their faces with trumpet hoarse and dim,  
To pouting mouth a monster fell doth set,  
Whose voice increaseth care that be the hearing in,  
With foaming jaw, his teeth begins to whet.  
His glaring eyes with sparks of fire fret,  
He casts under clouds, and stints his trumpet straight,  
And with a rattling speech declares these words on heite.   

(Quoth he) sith slander is committed to my charge,  
And that it pleaseth Pluto my service to accept,  
Within this pit mine office wide and large,  
His laws and statutes straight shall be full truly kept.  
And there withal aloft anon he leapt,  
From the gibbet cuts their tongues whereby they hang,  
And like a mad man in a rage into a furnasse flang.   

Where molten brass doth boil as red as gléedes,  
I blend with sulfer, pitch and stinking tar,  
And scalds the scoffered tongues that wounded bleeds.  
Whose firing stream may well be spied a far,  
From bottom low which mounth from height to heart.  
And dims the crystal skies, & beams of glering light,  
But that we stood so nigh else had we lost the sight.   

Tartarus hath this pit to proper name,  
Which is in hell most irksome place indeed, 
Tartarus.   
And is appointed wicked tongues to tame,  
That do delight in slanders to proceed,  
Who brueth bate that well doth after speed?  
Who stains the virtuous man by false surmised way▪  
That in the end lest penny doth not pay?   

For mighty jove that doth in heavens sit,  
To forge commands Vulcanus fast to high,  
New thundering bolts to make for every pit,  
Whereas these slanderous wretched verlottes lie.  
Who many thousands wrought, and down send by & by,  
Which bolts the cruel jailer in sturdy Bow doth set,  
And cruelly flings, with heads full sharp iwhet.   

Into the mouth and through the tongues they fli●,  
Of either of these lither slanderous mates:  
Where as consuming coals as read as serpent's eye,  
Do ever lodge as porters of the gates,  
Two serpents ever sat upon their pelled pates.  
And ever through the skull they pell the brain,  
Yet always as it wasted it still increased again.   

In shooting thunderbolts and arrows as I said,  
At these false accusers, and breeders of unrest,  
That ugly Geylor chanced hold up his head,  
And Morpheus spied, whom then he did request,  
To come and see how liars there were dressed.  
For this the place (quoth he) that slander doth reward,  
Though many thousands not the same regard.   

And then with filthy fork their jaws abroad he set,  
Within whose mouths were broods of scorpions hatched,  
Whose hunger not slacked but they might always get Some  
Some part of wicked lime, thus at his tongue they snatch:  
And yet it doth increase, their greedy guts to hatch.  
Yet they be never filled, nor he consumed no deal,  
Lo, thus they taste of woe, that slanderoous lies do tell.   

I say come near, this Jailer said again,  
And what thou seest among thy friends report:  
Though slander be torment with double pain,  
Yet every day thou seest I have resort:  
No doubt I trow, they think it but a sport.  
For else their tongues from lies they would apply,  
To mighty jove they aught for mercy cry.   

For if they do not mend in haste, be sure  
I will mine office yield (quoth he) no double:  
Else a larger dominion, I mean for to procure,  
For this is full you see, already round about:  
And now such sclanderers come, that be so stout▪  
And with so Clerkly cunning, their matter forge & feign,  
That certainly I can yield them equal pain.   

But chief who be these (quod Morpheus) would I know  
That thus above the rest, so cruelly be used?  
(Quoth he) two Judges in Israel long ago,  
That sclandered Susanna, whom they would abused,  
By fleshly deeds they thought to have misused,  
This virtuous wife and noble worthy Dame,  
Whom when she would not, accused her with the same.   

But bide a while (quoth he) themselves shall make report,  
And when thou hearest them, Judge as thou thinkest best:  
And with these words out of that filthy sort,  
With crooked hook, he halde them by the breast:  
Whom when I viewed, with hand myself I blest.  
If I should tell of their deformed looks,  
The readiest tongue, would fire to read the Eookes.   

When up they cast their eyes, & Morpheus there beheld,  
With woefuls●e look, that ever eye did view: 
Daniel. 13.   
For verysorrow with whorsy noise they yield,  
And crying said, o happy days a dew.  
Woe worth the day alas, that Father us begotten,  
And cursed be our birth, our mother slew us not.   

We two in Israel whilom Judges were,  
That all thing ruled among the jewish Nation:  
In Babylon one joachim, dwelling there,  
And then among the Jews in mighty estimation,  
By means whereof to our contentation,  
No house so fit as his, for us to lie and be,  
Of whom again no man more glad than he.   

Which joachim one Susanna took to wife,  
The only Daughter of Helchia Just:  
That lived chaste and virtuous all her life,  
Who in the Lord did ever put her trust:  
Whose ardent beauty, stirred up our lust  
So flamingly that like a gleyde we broiled,  
This noble Dames chaste life to have defiled.   

As in the thirteenth of Daniel, there it doth appear, 
Daniel. 13.   
What sleight we used burning in her love:  
To come by cur purpose, we brought her in despair,  
For thus we swear by all the Gods above:  
Except she did consent that she should hastily prove,  
For that we had her there, we said we would accuse her  
In filthy fornication we found aman abuse her.   

We stealing in before the Drcharde doors were hard,  
The rather than we thought our purpose to have had:  
But naked though she stood our talk she not regard,  
O Lord (quoth she) now am I hard bestead:  
Alas she said, these ills are both two bad.  
Yet had I rather bide these Tyrant's accusation,  
Then for to yield and work abomination.   

Which when we see with open mouths we cried,  
Fie upon this woman, an adulteress (quoth we)  
At the which all the servants hasted fast and hied,  
And up they broke the doors, and in with speed they flee:  
We accusing her, reported this we see.  
Whereat the servants sad, made sorrow for the same,  
For why before, no man could stain her name.   

Upon the morrow before the elders all,  
We falsely did accuse her there, upon the same:  
But she in prayer, upon her knees did fall,  
And called upon the Lord, in praising of his name:  
Whose ears herded well her plaint: for she from shame,  
By God delivered was: and we to thraldom brought,  
The same we had, as we this Lady thought.   

For by an Infants' mouth, stirred up by God,  
The very truth of all our thoughts revealed:  
And in a worthy sentence, divulgate all abroad,  
So that there was no jote nor title once concealed:  
And that we both, sith then have sore bewailed.  
Daniel was his name, the Prophet of the Lord,  
That saved his servant, according to his word.   

And thus we were reproved of our false intent,  
Susanna, set at liberty with joy and triple praise:  
Daniel upon us, gave his cruel judgement,  
Lo, thus at mischief ended we our days:  
The Gods condemn us, hear to lie always.  
In pains perpetual, whose endless woe no tongue  
Is able to describe, that we have suffered long.   

And world with worlds, withouten end and ends,  
Shall here bewail our wilful slanderous tongues:  
And yet on earth are some that in the same offends,  
And think the Gods forget, because they suffer long:  
(Not no Morpheus) they do revenge each wrong.  
And slander scapeth not, but hear is double quit.  
be judge, that seest us thus tormented in this pit.   

This odious vale throughout thou shalt not see,  
The like to us, our plagues so fast increase:  
Wish all thy friends therefore, like slander for to flee,  
For hear their pains lo, never have release.  
Cry therefore betime, their tongues from slander cease.  
He that from one or other their honest name doth take,  
Before the Gods a great offence doth make.   

For we unhappy wretches so much desired,  
To have the use of this said noble Dame:  
That like a gleide our inward spirits were fired,  
Our purpose to obtain, we forced no sin nor shame:  
But when we were denied, we falsely laid the blame  
Upon that virtuous wight, that never did offend,  
For our reward therefore behold the end.   

Some think their heels be hoist, where head shall never come,  
Whose eyes be bleared in glory vain & bald,  
And in their doultes conceits, they think to give the doom,  
Where they were never yet to counsel called,  
Whose purpose mist, their wilful blood do scalde.  
Their Lordly hearts manned up with beggars purse,  
Doth work the thing which afterward they curse.   

But yet at mischief the slandering tongue doth end,  
The proof is plain, if grace might guide the way:  
The Gods do still their servants true defend,  
The wicked man doth ever loose his pray:  
And in his pride comes soonest to decay.  
He falls through his own imagination,  
As here by us the end doth make probation.   

O slander, slander, alas, woe worth the time,  
That ever we from hateful heart let flee:  
By trifling tongue, those wicked darts of thy,  
To wound their states that lived virtuously.  
Take heed therefore all you that slanderers be.  
Though our fault therefore with you be not regarded.  
Assure you yet, with us you are rewarded.   

And with these words the cruel jailer strait,  
With horrible gromeling noise his trumpet sounds:  
Where at like Cadmus' seed they brawl and fight,  
With crooked hooks each one an other wounds.  
To whom comes Allecto and scowling frowns,  
With greater plagues for to reward these liars,  
And with her breath sets all on flaming fires.   

Whereat I blessed me to behold their pains,  
Ravished of my wit almost, I went away.  
Then when I thought how many here remains,  
Which practise nothing more than slander night & day●:  
Thought I 'tis best from slander that you stay.  
Accuse not true Susanna, the Lord protects her still,  
His servant he defends and you shall want your will.   

Away (quod Morpheus) I hear a marvels cry,  
It seems not far, I wonder what it is:  
With seeking up and down, at length did there espy,  
Another was rewarded for his wickedness,  
I long (quoth Morpheus) to know what noise is this,  
And so we stayed, whereas we herded one say,  
Lo wicked men your just reward for ay.    

❧ The Author to the two judges.  

WHose tongue hath been defiled with slanders heretofore▪  
That humbly weeps not like a child, with great repenting sore.  
O wicked wretches fie, your Guerdon now is quit:  
In Tartarus lo where you lie, that did in judgement sit.  
Take heed you boasting blabs, that Innocentes defile:  
You shall be whipped with cruel rods, within this little while.  
What sinful deed is this, that woman to accuse,  
That never yet was known amiss, her body to abuse?  
How dare you be so bold, your neighbours for to spoil,  
Of greater treasure than of gold, or fields of fertile soil?  
The mounts of Midas pelf, no crowns that Princes were:  
Nor yet king Alexander's wealth, to cell not half so dear  
As is the honest name, whom evil tongues devour,  
Ere now, that never yearned blame, are blotted in an hour.  
But you that slanderers be, to mind Susanna call:  
And praise the Lord, so shall you see God's vengeance on them fall▪  
For Jacob was accused, poor man that thought none ill:  
Alas how long hath spite been used, of them that want their will?  
The slandering tongue is such, if thought do wag awry:  
To win the wager he'll not grudge, thus to proclaim and cry:  
That this or that I might, and will, and pleaseth me:  
And thou. I aught to have of right, and swears it so to be.  
Thus have I done saith he, when truth is nothing so:  
Or else he saith that this I see, to work the parties wo.  
And thus accused are, it pitieth me to hear,  
Susannas that be guiltless, a thousand in a year.  
Therefore you filthy judges your end jioye to see:  
Now lie without refuge in hell eternally.  
You sprung of Cadmus' seed, your nature plain doth sho:  
But yet the Gods at length do w●●●e, all such his servants fro.  
With Joachim I do rejoice, Susanna thus to see  
Elected by God's holy voice, with Angels for to be.    

❧ Pope Ihoan rewarded for her wickedness.  

THe time that mortal men do here abide,  
Within this world that lasteth not an hour:  
If fortune chance to smile upon their side,  
Then still they strive from har to higher power.  
Content with present state not one there lives,  
But such as should live best, the worst example gives.   

Much would have more, the proverb old doth say,  
'tis true indeed, much no man doth content:  
For more and more all men do gape each day,  
They think the world will last and not be spent.  
O very fools, deceived foul you be:  
If hap be on your sides example take by me.   

To know my life, and what I was sometime,  
Who lives and sees me lie amiddes this endless woe,  
That would not doubt the like reward in fine,  
That I deserved justly long ago?  
I must confess my pain to little is,  
Though twenty times it were much worse than this.   

Hark what I say the stoutst among you all,  
Who fitteth hext that hath not cause to fear?  
Some blast doth blow that gives the grievous fall,  
It's often seen even once in twenty year,  
Though Fortune hoist the seats of some aloft,  
Yet she delights to cast them down as oft.   

Nothing more brittle is then state of man,  
Both night and day exp●●ience doth appear:  
Yet notwithstanding, who do not what they can,  
To live like Gods as long as they be here?  
Though time do teach, all things begun mast end  
No mendment yet I see of such as do offend.   

Except the Gods they thought for to displace,  
From out their seats wherein they sit on high:  
Or that from jove for to dispose the mace,  
Wherewith he rules the earth and all the sky:  
Else wots I not what all this mischief means,  
For Codrus loved of Gods, rich men disdains.   

On heaps to Pluto headlong here they run,  
Hell scarce is able the half part to hold:  
The father is torment for wronging of his son,  
And eke the son for like in triple fold.  
The mother for the daughter sustains woe:  
The daughter for the mother, and many other more.   

But how happy be they that wealth do not taste,  
And that with poverty yield thanks to the Gods?  
No doubt above the stars all such men are placed,  
They be not scourged nor whipped with our rods.  
Therefore by our harms learn to be warned,  
Else shall you be sure with us to be charmed.   

At the which words then Morpheus aloft did call,  
What art thou (quoth he) tell me thy name straight way?  
(She answered) and said: even so with speed I shall,  
If it please thee here a while to bide and stay.  
And if it be not long I am content (quoth he)  
And so with woeful plaint these words declared she.   

O Morpheus Morpheus I am that woeful wight, 
His words spoken to Mor●heus   
That once did sit in Peter's seat and place:  
A man I seemed to be alas in all men's sight,  
And yet a wicked woman the less my grace.  
I did take upon me the Gospel for to guide,  
Yet contrary both I and mine did live beside.   

And johan was I called, and of my birth a City,  
Named Maience took her proper name:  
Brought up in learned schools the more great pity,  
That grace had not been linked to the same.  
Learning I loved of all richesse under heaven,  
Till I conquered the knowledge of Sciences seven.   

I refused my country and friends every one,  
Many a Province I travailed to and fro,  
Better learned than myself I met not with one,  
Of what estate or degree he were, high or lo.  
And in all these places where ever I came,  
I was thought among the people to be a very man.   

In England once I was the country to peruse,  
From thence to Room I did return with speed,  
Within the which I did no deal refuse,  
Grammar, Sophistry, Logic, and Rhetoric, for to read.  
My fellow not found, so ready was my brain,  
Nothing wanted Morpheus, but grace I tell thee plain.   

In Lotaries' time, that Emperor was then,  
After the death of Leo by full election,  
I was choose for my wisdom above all men,  
To have the Papal dignity in my protection.  
And so was made Pope, and ruled as my list,  
Till my abomination accused me or I witted.   

For having at my will what heart could best think,  
And ruling as it were all men as pleased me:  
Then laid I away both Book, Pen, and Ink,  
The swelling flesh with them could not agree.  
I spared neither Cardinal Bishop, Monk nor Friar,  
To fulfil my desire, I passed not who they were.   

Till at the last I chanced great with Child,  
At Saint john's Lateran's delivered was I:  
And thus the Seat of Peter by me was defiled,  
Alas therefore full often to late I cry.  
afterward deposed I was, and so put down,  
And begged my bread both in Country and Town.   

At this filthy act the Gods were offended,  
And sent me to Pluto, his Judgement to try:  
Out of all the Heavens I was then suspended,  
And hear am adlotted in pains still to lie,  
Lo, now thou knowest both the cause and my name,  
Therefore I pray thee warn thy friends of the same.   

Tell women, that have fine pollytike wits,  
That except they dread the Gods with honour due:  
Whom Fortune hexte of all, with sceptre hits,  
The hurtful fall be they sure doth ensue.  
Although her nature be sometime to smile,  
It's best yet take heed she wink them not a wile.   

From valley low, when Titan mounts the Hills,  
He doth dismount as fast as rise before:  
The Phoenix scaling skies with singed quills,  
Turns to the Earth again, what needeth more?  
For floods that rise, when at the hexte they be,  
Do fall as fast again, the proof we see.   

And finally, will every kind of wight,  
As well as women themselves, to know and see:  
And that in time of wealth, they set their sight  
To view what such do want that simpler be.  
Their goods and Lands with state of noble rain,  
beauty, Youth, and all things else, shall shrink again.   

You know the nine worthies lasted but a time,  
The monstrous mounts do waste and wear away:  
Then what is it that is made of sliche and slime,  
That can upon the earth long stand or stay?  
All is but flesh which wastes like the snow,  
When life shall part, the wisest doth not know.   

Now alas, sith the world is thus unsure,  
And flesh so frail, what fools be mortal men:  
That have such hope in that for to endure,  
That strait shall slip away they know not when?  
What gains get they that win a little pelf,  
For which the Gods at last condemn himself?   

These words thus said, the rage of furious hell,  
With new invented miseries 'gan then to increase:  
That very woe and sorrow did compel,  
This new found Pope from further talk to cease.  
Within my secret heart, I pitied much her case,  
Because she was a woman, and had so little grace.   

But then to see the great Souseheaded Friars,  
With jommarnold Muncks, on heaps how fast they fell,  
Beside platterfasde Abbots, & Priests with prick ears:  
How busy they were it passeth tongue to tell.  
I think they sang for they gaped so wide,  
That to hear their service I might not abide.   

Each nowke was full of Nuns, as busy as the best,  
Properly appareled like new fashioned Players:  
Prating Pardoners, were Cooks of the Feast,  
Whose scullions were a number of beastly Soothsayers.  
Every one occupied, not one of them was idle,  
But neither with Testament nor with Sacred Bible.   

At length they fallen out what so ever was the matter,  
They fought with Sensars', and holy water Cans:  
Great Beads about each others face they clatter,  
I little thought they had been such men of their hands.  
We see them so disquiet, we stood from them afar,  
For fear of blows before that we were war.   

I saw no man there that seemed to make peace,  
The like masteries at Olympus, were never so made:  
Thick and threefold on heaps they lie like Beasts,  
Their nails were so long no man called for a shoulder-blade.  
Thus violently they disguised one of them the other,  
In such fury, that the son tormented his own Mother.   

It was a wonder to me very strange,  
To see what May games they made in that pit:  
Like Masters of Fence (great strokes they did change  
One with another) stark mad out of wit.  
A marvelous Music, a prayer most painful,  
Among Christian people nothing more dainfull.   

Whereat (quoth Morpheus) looking on me,  
Dost thou behold (quoth he) what misery is here,  
And what presumption in some women may be,  
And how to come by their purpose, full little they fear▪  
But what mischief is this, hear for to find,  
These Popes & these prelate's y● to preach were assigned?   

These are they which bear the world in hand,  
That in heaven and hell, they had evermore power:  
(As they said) so it was, and with God did stand,  
Out of hell to fetch thousands of souls in one hour.  
And no word true all was fables and lies.  
With false Doctrine and Idolatry the blearid our eyes.   

These are the Belly Gods, that outward did appear,  
To be most holy, and just always in their living:  
Which before God very Ipocrites were,  
And lived like brute Beasts, without any thanks giving.  
They plead a Privilege, to do what their list,  
As if hell and Heaven were both in their fist.   

And thus we departed and left the new found Pope,  
With her College of Cardinals, and other her mates:  
At hext of their service without vestment or Cope,  
With nails large and long, they bispte each others pates.  
So down the dales, we drew to behold,  
The manifold mischief among young and old.   

Whom then to see through many a knaggy crust,  
And brethles blast, with storms as Kasor keen:  
And scaping darts all red with cankered rust,  
We passed through, of any one not seen.  
Yet by the way a thousand sights we see,  
Of which to think, full oft● it grieveth me.   

Till at the last, we drew unto the place,  
And hurtful hole in cruel Stigion lake:  
Whereas we herded a man bewail his case.  
Not pained soul, might greater sorrow make.  
These words me thought, the woeful wretch did cry,  
Come see (alas alas) the torments where we lie.   
FINIS▪   

❧ News between the Pope and Pluto, and of the Proclamation about the Ladder twixt Hell and Heaven.  

THus leaving Helen in endless woe and pain,  
Through irksome vale from crag to crag we crept:  
Tormented spirits we heard of each side plain,  
thousands thousands, schryking cried and wept,  
Linked fast in chains, with cruel Keepers kept.  
Whose name and acts we listed not to crave,  
But passed forth to view the monstrous cave.   

Till at the length to a steep and haughty hill▪ 
Sisyphus for his desolute and vicious living.   
We chanced to come whereas me thought I see,  
One rolling up a stone that tumbleth on him still.  
Thus night and day from toiling rests not he.  
Also Duke Theseus for his tirannies,  
Bitten with ●ipers and torn with Toads in sunder,  
In a pit or puddle, that belched light and thunder.   

Aeneas' following Sibil round about that den,  
Up hill from cragto crooked Torre he runs,  
His wandering limbs still treads the filthy fen,  
In hope to have in sight that always shuns.  
Also women drew water in buckets that runs.  
With very many more to long to name,  
As then me thought had plagues much like the same.   

But as we went me thought I saw a glade, 
There are more ways to hell then one.   
That made a shoe as it a passage were,  
Which was in deed of very purpose made,  
From thence to Rome erectes a mighty steer▪ 
This is the way● from Rome to Pluto.   
And Gorgon with a Club was Porter there,  
Except from Rome, in, there he might not pass,  
Or else some such as trusted in the Mass.   

This way pass souls from pains to endless bliss, 
The way that souls pass thorough between heaven and hell.   
When please the Pope to send his letters thither,  
Morpheus and I experience see of this,  
The Pope's man and we met altogether,  
Who brought Pardons packed up in a bouget of leather.  
Besides letters that to Pluto than he delivered,  
On the which Pluto looked, perused, and considered.   

Whereupon Pluto his counsel called strait,  
A filthy heap of crooked noble states,  
To here their minds because it was of weight,  
To gratify the Pope and all his holy mates,  
Send for the messenger, and so these words debates.  
My friend (quoth he) thou'rt welcome to this place,  
So are they all that love thy masters grace.   

But by the floods of dreadful flaming Styx,  
The news thy master writs do grieve my guts full sore,  
For revenge, these claws as sharp as thorny pricks,  
Shall toss and tear the spirits of many a score,  
(Ah worthy Pope) thy decay I much deplore▪  
A Cater for my Kitchine, provider of the pray,  
What marvel though I curse the cause of thy decay?   

And with these words his scowling face let's pour,  
The gushing floods and spouts of fire read,  
He gnashed his teeth and 'gan to glowte full sour,  
With belching breath, to'th messenger thus said:  
Take here an answer unto my supreme head.  
(Bid him be merry) I shall assistance send,  
To tax all such, as with him do contend.   

With a romish thanks, the messenger packeth,  
Charged with the letters that Pluto doth send,  
post horses by commission in each place he taketh,  
Until he arrived at the stairs end,  
Whereas from Limbo to Room he should ascend,  
Being a lusty Lurdaine a Friar of Saint Frances,  
Twixt Rome and hell from step to step he dances.   

Thus the Friar fled we heard no more of him,  
But strait on a stage a Trumpet sounded was,  
Whereunto assembled such souls as for sin,  
Were sent by the Pope to be punished alas,  
Who thought to be pardoned by virtue of the mass.  
Else hoping to hear of the Pope's coming thither,  
Then thinking to be released from thence altogether.   

When silence was made with much a do,  
This ill fast herald these words then declared:  
That many men to the Pope were untrue,  
And their large offerings and devotions now spared,  
For to come to God other means they prepared.  
Having no trust in the Pope nor his traditions,  
But call him the Captain of Idolatrous superstitions.   

To our Prince Pluto his letters do declare,  
That toward the North Pole God's word is so embraced:  
That no man for pardons will give money nor ware,  
(In England especially) he is utterly disgraced▪  
Except among a few here and there that are placed.  
That with their friends in nowkes and odd holes,  
Sing a mass of Requiem for all christian souls.   

Which is to no purpose the money being go,  
That maintained his grace and all his whole rout,  
His Cardinals, his abbots, his Friars, with sir John,  
His Nuns, and his Ancrees, and all be thrust out,  
His Pardnors go begging and wandering about.  
The shavelings be shrunken that once bore the sway,  
Their credit and customs be run to decay.   

And Boner that bolstered the beams of his glory,  
Lieth Sunk in the sands that onse bear the shoulder-blade:  
That many a Christian therewith made full sorry,  
A while in Christ's vineyard he cut a great glade,  
And stout Story that all the stir made. 
Story▪ Gardiner. Fecknam.   
Gardiner is wanting that was the blood letter,  
And Fecknam is fast that was the clock setter.   

Beside an infinite number within that same I'll,  
That now be decayed and worn out of mind:  
Banished is Babylon that florishter● while,  
And the way to jerusalem by the Gospel they find  
The Pope they repute to be a guide blind.  
They pass not a pin, for his blessings nor curses,  
Let him say what he will, they hold fast their purses.   

And in place of his friends are start up his foes,  
And one cruel Captain that works all the grief,  
A jewel of Christ Jesus gave Harding the blows, 
jewel. ●arding.   
Confuting his fables in spite of his teeth,  
He feeds the poor flock with Christian belief.  
Squencht is the confidence I say of our Harding,  
there's none young nor old that esteems him a farthing.   

One Barthlet we may ban throughout this whole vale:  
And so may the Pope with Candle, Book and Bell,  
In the Papal pedigrewe, he tells such a tale,  
That all Romish Rogues may roar to hear tell,  
That Christians had knowledge of the trumprye they se●●.  
For he tips up the sack, and all poureth out,  
From the first to the last, he raps the whole rout.   

(This and much more) being the just cause,  
Of the Pope's great plague and miserable want:  
(I mean of money) to maintain his laws,  
Perforce must persuade you, that here make your plaint,  
Considering God's word hath him on the taint.  
You woeful souls that in Purgatory lie,  
Must yet here remain there is good cause why.   

(Which is this) you know the Pope hath been at cost,  
To found betwixt Pluto and Rome these stairs:  
And now it is like, that his labour is lost,  
Because that his customs and credit thus wears:  
Yet he hath set Priests, monks, Nuns, and Friars.  
And the rest of his Rabble in hand for to make,  
A Ladder to reach into Heaven for your sake.   

And up it was reared▪ years long a go, 
The building of the Lader and the timber with the workmen.   
And well underset with Dirges and Masses:  
With Popish Props, thousands on a roe,  
As Pardons, Bulls, Idols, Holy water, and Ashes:  
Palms, and holy Bread, and many old Trashes,  
Lamps, Lights, Crossing and Creeping,  
And all to redress your pitiful weeping.   

Singing, and Ringing, with Bells every where,  
Sensing, and Fensing with Book Bell and Candle:  
Cursing, and Praying, of monk, Nun, and Friar,  
Night, day and hour, all thing for to handle:  
Like workmen worthy, not bunglers to Scamble.  
A building to bolt so high in the skies,  
doth crave Cunning workmen, and such as are wise.   

But lo (alas) the Pope's willing mind, 
The cause of the fall thereof.   
For money to release you of these bitter pains:  
So many thousands strove this Ladder to climb,  
That you missed the Heaven, and he his great gains:  
For bending it broke, with weight of your Chains.  
By means whereof, therein, who put trust,  
World without end, remain here they must.   

And too short it was, by full ten degrees, 
The tormented ●oules persuaded to devil for eve in pains.   
And never could reach God's glory and bliss:  
Although he, and his, were as busy as Bees,  
In th'end it would have provided but this:  
Wherefore be contented no remeedye is,  
Till the Ladder be mended, hence to dispatch ye,  
Or el● that the Pope, come himself for to fetch ye.   

The Gospel of Christ, hath thoroughly confounded,  
Not only this Ladder, of the Popes own device:  
But also destroyed all them that first founded  
The painted hells, and paper Paradise:  
Hear among us, they shall play their Price.  
Their stinking idolatry, and vile Superstition,  
As holy as they be, hear finds no remission.   

Therefore it is Pultos pleasure that you know,  
What fortune hath happened, your Father the Pope:  
He himself to Heaven, is not able to go,  
Except Saint Peter, hale him up in a Rope:  
Or that he chance to be pulled by his Cope,  
By our Lady of Walsingham, & sweet Rood of Chester  
Else his portion in Heaven, is scant worth a Testar.   

These words being said, he dismounteth the stage,  
Saying, vengeance, and torment, protect Pluto's grace:  
At the which cried out with terrible rage,  
Both young and old that were in that place:  
A sight to sorrowful, in beholding their case.  
(I mean) of all such, as put trust in the Mass,  
These News made their torments much worse than (it was.   

To see the sorrowful sort hale one another,  
Crying out on the Popes, and his shavelings there:  
The Father, the Son, the Daughter, the Mother,  
The Uncle, the Aunt, and Grandsire appear:  
To the ninth degree, thousands there were  
Both Rich and Poor, that trusted to the Mass,  
Not one of themall, but I am sure there he was.   

Some cried fie of Idols, and some of holy water,  
Some of Superstition, and some of Scalaceli:  
Other some lamented, the mumbling of Lady Psalter,  
(Alas) quoth another, this will not prevail ye,  
Now may you see, their trumprye doth fail ye.  
So it doth themselves, for lo where they lie,  
That late hoist their Gods, in Haulters full high.   

And lo (quoth he) where they he singing a Mass,  
Pope Alexander, Pope joane, and both under a stole:  
See you not the sweet blood of hails in a glass,  
Which Idol brought hither many a poor soul?  
A Pardoner me think stands by with a scroll.  
Some officer be like of Saint John's sweet Frary,  
Look who is in his books it is best you prepare ye.   

At which words such a number broke out,  
Of Caves and Sinks on every side:  
As Tippling Bibs, and Suckers of grow●e,  
Se● Sowers, and Brewbates, thither fast bide:  
Tutors, and Teltales, in every nowke cried.  
Pickethankes and Prow●ers, bear holy water,  
Their masters (being worldlings) said Confiteor, and (Misereator.   

Flattery light Lamps, to our Lady of grace,  
hypocrisy, called them up to the offering,  
Saint Anne of Buckstones was washing a pace:  
But Lucre was lifting small pennies to the Coffering.  
At shrieft they were close in every place.  
Tw●● faces in one hood, the Cross then did bear,  
Whereat abomination, began for to swear.   

Great division there seemed to be,  
All that were there▪ did knock on their breast:  
But (alas) to late for to cry then Peccavi,  
Although the Pope both Crossed and blessed,  
For when he looked back, at Ite missa est:  
When Dan Limli●ter, the Candles should out,  
All flew on a fire their College through out.   

¶ How the Ladder was amended, that lately was craish●,  
After that time truly of no man I aihste.   
FINIS.   

❧ The torment of Tyranny, and the reward for his wickedness; Being a King called Midas: Which Tirannouslye, swallowed not only his Country for Lucre sake, but his household Servants also.  

THus as we left these Romish Rogues, of whom I spoke of late,  
We chaunste ●● hear a woeful wight, that did bewail his state.  
And Tyranny his name was called, who loved to leime the poor,  
And sup the gain of sweeting brows, for to increase his store.  
This mighty mate ne mercy minds, when he on soil did devil,  
But eat up all on every side, as they that want can tell.  
The widow and the Fatherless, the Stranger that doth toil:  
His household Servitors and all, he seeketh for to spoil.  
Whom lended he his ●ares unto, but only unto such,  
As unto Pluto sacrificed their souls to gain him much?  
Till at the last his Tyranny, the air corrupt with smell,  
Whereat the Skies, did turn their hew, and Limbo 'gan to yell.  
The Mountains roar by Eccos voice, into the heavens high,  
The scrikes and cries of wronged wights, and all together fly.  
The Preachers powered tears apace, repentance still they cried,  
But all in vain, his ears were stopped, such news he might not bide.  
His stored ground, his racked rents, his herds of goats, with sheep &  
His prouling pick-thanks, made him to forget his duty clean:  
Whom when y● jove perused, and searchte his flintish pharao's heart, grain,  
Upon the snap grim Mors he sends, to stick him with his Dart.  
Who wound him so, that Atropos to line strait laid the lance,  
God's people by this Tyrant's death, from bondage to advance.  
Whose wandering ghost, to Charon's boat, with fearful grenes is go,  
To devil among the damned spirits, for other hope is none:  
Where, in a pit, a place is pitchte, a woeful chair to sit,  
In molten metal to the Crown, a place for tyrants fit.  
His officers band him round about, with bags of money thrust,  
Which never cease, with gnashing teeth, to lend him many a dust.  
Medusa is his Coke, to dress this wretch his meat,  
Which sets before him crawling Snakes, and ugly Toads to eat.  
His counsellors be retcht on length, their Guts on hooks be torn,  
Whose fowl deformed filthy tongues bewail that they were born▪  
Thus tossed & torn, with torments great, with thunderbolts bethwakt,  
On forks & fleshhooks streind & stretched, each joint from other cracked,  
And to augment this Miser's grief, with hooks they hale him out  
Upon a frozen scaffold hoist, this Tyrant looks about:  
Where hellish Hegges and Furies show a sight t'increase his pain  
Which is the joyful Eden fields, where saved souls remain.  
The blissful banks there might he see, the valleys sweet & fair,  
Where wants no flowers of noble taste, for to perfume the air.  
All kind of fruits do show themselves, and ready ripe they hang,  
Of pleasures passing man to wish, there wants no kind of thing▪  
Parnassus hill to base a bank, to be compared to this,  
Or Helicon in such respect, a wéedie pyngle is.  
Nor Cythera pearl of all the earth, is aught but counterfeit,  
Though it were decked with all the gold, that Alexander ge●.  
Thomas I had drunk and supped up, sweet Aganippe's well,  
Or G●ba●elus skilful floods, yet want I skill to tell  
The heaps of joys, this joyful field is garnished with all,  
Doth much surmount this worldly bliss, thrice more than sugar gall  
For there Sir Tellus doth not taste of Hiems' frozen face,  
Nor Boreas brags the weakest twig, stirs not within that place▪  
For Phoebus he his golden beams, disperseth here and there:  
And jupiter the silver drops from skies doth cause retire.  
(In season due) to moll fie these fields of endless bliss,  
Where none may come but such as by the Gods appointed is.  
Whose garments be as white as snow, on instruments they sing.  
And never cease, but praising God, of earth, and heaven king.  
And crowns upon their heads they were, & angels food they eat,  
Still Gloria ●● excelled sing to▪ th' Lamb upon the seat.  
There might this Tyrant well behold the poor whom he oppressed▪  
Amid these joys for evermore, appointed for to rest.  
And such as lest he did esteem, and all be rend with wrong,  
Their happy life each hour did see, and daily heard their song.  
Which when he heard, a triple pain assaults this caitiffs ghost.  
When he did way his mund●●● muck, and heavens treasure lost:  
In equal balance when he tried, how Conscience him accused,  
(Quoth he) fie on you Imps of hell, that thus have me abused.  
Meaning by the muckhill Mates, which whispered in his ear,  
And taught him how God's people poor, for gains to rend & tear.  
To ride, to run, to hale, and draw, as bondslaves every hour,  
To whip and scourge no more than all, that were within his power.  
But O (quoth he) let all the world example take by me,  
Let never greatest Prince on earth think other but to dye.  
O, fie on goods, thrice fie on gold, and ten-times fie on such  
As shall procure great mighty men, the poor by wrong to touch.  
And then he wrang his hands for woe, what hap had I (quoth he)  
To lend my ears to Dunghill Dolts, at their command to be,  
And banished from my service quite, the blood of gentle race,  
Which always counsaylde me to mind, mine honour and my grace?  
But as the Ravens seek their pray, or Wolf the spoil pursues,  
So did the Churls by means of me, each where their fury use.  
The sons of thieves & rustic Carls, might lead me as they list,  
So that the gobs of glaring gold, they brought to fraught my fist.  
Yet as they spoiled the coast abroad (from me) so did they pinch,  
So that at every elne, I scarce received half an inch.  
I pitied not the Widows cause, nor fatherless I weighed,  
Both towns and countries round about, to pastures great I laid▪  
Yet had I mines, with vineyards large, with corn and cattle store  
Yea Lordships, lands, parckes huge & wide, yet still I looked for more.  
Mules and Camels infinite, Towns and Castles great,  
Thus Fortune with her smiling looks, her worldly hooks can bait  
To catch the covetous Tyrant with, to present to Pluto's grace,  
Whose wickedness he doth reward full well within this place.  
And then he looked upon these slaves, much ill (quoth he) betid,  
You verlots born, that thus bewitched a Prince of such a pride▪  
Much ill and woe may hap to thee, thou foul deformed slave.  
And all thy mates that moved me, this mundan muck to crave.  
The child unborn curse you & yours, the hills shall sound the same,  
The stones in streets cry out on you, the skies proclaim your shame.  
The heavens abhor both you and yours: hell rend you with his jaws,  
And Furies all in Stigion streams, torment you with their claws▪  
Much more he said but what it was, for skrikes we could not tell,  
His men of trust and he that time, in torments so did yell.  
But still they bang him with these bags, like madmen in their rage  
And straight these furies with their hooks, did mount him from the stage.  
Where tumbling he in molten gold, doth walter here and there,  
Till at the length, of him nor his, we could not see nor here.  
But over the pit with letters black, this sentence there was pend  
This is the place of just reward for tyrants in the end.  
Then by and by, a thundering voice came powdering up the pit,  
(Which said) remember th'end you men, in chairs of state that sit.  
For Pluto is the jailor here, to mighty jove above:  
He pardons none but all alike, (take heed it doth behove)  
Which words did make my heart to shrink, as flowers do in June,  
So that to speak one word for life, I dared not once presume.  
But in my heart I wished all men, King Midas muck to flee,  
And specially the number that of mighty honour be.  
For they that read the poets works, shall here of Midas much,  
And how he craved all to be gold that he might feel or touch.  
But though the Poets fabled so, and I in dreams do feign,  
Yet let not tyrants better trust, but taste of Pluto's pain.    

❧ The reward that Rosamond had in hell, for murdering of her husband Albonius and living viciously in her husbands days.  

WHen from this Pope we were departed and go,  
Meaning to return, the night was almost spent:  
But there fast by we heard one cry a non,  
Which said (Alas, alas) to late I do repent,  
My wanton days, my lusty youthful toys,  
Have banished me from Angels part of joys.   

The sound there of a woman did present,  
For S●reminglie it rang among the caves,  
Which when we heard we could not be content:  
But scald the crags among the flaming waves.  
Till at the last a dungeon had we spied,  
Wherein the woman was that lately cried.   

And as we stood thereof to take the view,  
In scalding furnace whose flash doth still increase,  
A seeming noble Dame with crown and sceptre n● we  
(Among a number) ga● first of all to press,  
And said (O Morpheus) such haste why dost thou make▪  
I pray thee bide a while, yet for a woman's sake.   

Wherefore (quoth he) my presence doth no good,  
And ill I may abide, the night is almost spent:  
She hearing this, cried out as one were wood,  
Abide and bear two words, then go I am content.  
Dispatch (quoth he) for long I cannot bide,  
But first of all, thy name and cause describe.   

(O quoth she) this place prepared is,  
For wickedness the just reward to be,  
And such as live against the Gods amiss,  
Be used here with torments as you see.  
Sigh Morpheus thou all dreams dost show each where,  
Publish this abroad how we are used here.   

And let them know how Rosamonde the Queen,  
To Albonyus late wife that was sometime,  
Lieth torment here as thou hast present seen,  
For filthy life, and odious bloody crime.  
My life did crave none other end but this,  
Therefore behold reward of wickedness.   

Therefore let me to women warning be,  
To honour God the best, and next their spoused mates:  
And say that Rosamonde thus said to thee,  
Who doth not so, shall enter at these gates.  
It doth become each woman night and day,  
To hold them well content, at what their husbands say,   

You lusty bloods possessed with haughty hearts▪  
Your lofty looks correct with meaner state,  
Refuse to play these wanton wilful parts,  
From folly flee, lest you repent to late.  
Sometime I looked as high as hexte of you,  
Which is the only cause I bid all joys adieu.   

Seem not to swell a haste you word to hear,  
No vantage seek, nor quarrels frame to breed:  
An honest woman's part is ever to forbear  
The sayings of her husband, if well she think to speed.  
Where love is linkte, words cannot brew the bate,  
But where dissemblers are, few words than causeth hate.   

And lay aside your new disguised ray,  
Leave pranking of yourselves with painted face:  
From whirling heir and there your eyes profaned stay,  
be faithful Matrons found in every place.  
Who doth her spoused Mate in any case betray,  
Shall sure repent it sore, with me another day.   

For if that grace had light upon my side,  
Then had I dread before the doubtful end:  
And so escaped that which now alas I bide,  
As Guerdon meet for them that so offend.  
For through one word I herded my husband say,  
My stomach was so stout, I made him strait away.   

Which was but small and easy to be born,  
But that the wicked spirit me tempt to seek his blood,  
For even as Judas his masters death had sworn,  
Infect with like temptation, that present time I stood.  
Vengeance I invented, and vengeance have I caught▪  
To seek my husbands life, mine own destruction brought.   

Lo, this was the cause. At my Husband's return,  
From doing great Battles in countries full far:  
Being his pleasure a while for to Sojourn,  
To rest him at ease after his War:  
Let call a Triumph, and made a great Feast,  
To the which assembled all his Lords of the best.   

And being in his merriment, Thus Jested with me:  
took a Goblet with Wine, and these words then he said:  
(Drink a taunt to thy Father, Wife quoth he)  
Who before in Battle was wounded to dead.  
Thus for to say, much is not a mistress,  
Who ever doth speak it, where any grace is.   

But (alas) unhappily I, as most women be,  
Was puffed full of Pride, and mutable mind:  
I swelled as a Toad his death for to see,  
Yet spoke I him fair his senses to blind:  
O God what mischief can women invent,  
And if a man altar but once their intent.   

When I spoke him as fair as heart might devise,  
And made the greatest show of Faithful true love:  
inwardly than I did hate and despise,  
My noble Husband all Creatures above.  
Therefore I confess, it is hard for to know,  
When a woman speaks fair, if she means it or no.   

I polluted filthily my husbands bed,  
With one of his servants, whom after I made  
Most Traitorously to smite of his head,  
As he lay a sleep with his own sword or shoulder-blade.  
And so took his Treasure, and to the Seas we fled,  
There leaving my Husband wounded to dead.   

This Squires name, that did this wicked deed,  
Melchis was called a stout worthy Knight:  
In Rauenne there become to proceed  
A mighty Prince of great power and might.  
Yet for all this, with him strait I tired,  
For each day on my filthy lust beastly desired.   

Were he Gentle or simple, I spared none,  
Of one above another, I made no store:  
For shame, Fear, and Grace, from me were quite go,  
I paste not a pin were they Rich or poor●:  
My filthy flesh so wickedly was set,  
That all was but fish that came to the nett●.   

But among all the rest one noble man,  
That then of Rauenne was a governor:  
As oft as pleased him now and than,  
Had great delight to hold me as Paramour.  
On whom a while my flitting mind did run,  
As erst it had of Melchis lately done.   

For whose sake Melchis my husband new,  
Through treason framed, and vile Duplicitye,  
Within my heart his death, I 'gan to brew,  
Because at large I thought to live more viciously.  
To work the feat by sleight, and scape the blame,  
I privily poisoned wine, & made him drink the same.   

To the mids drank Melchis this Cup of Wine,  
Which made him look with colour dead and wan:  
But when he saw that Traitress heart of mine,  
With much a do these words declare he 'gan  
With rueful face. Thou wicked wretch (quoth he)  
Albonius thou through Treason slay, so hast done me.   

And there withal his hand upon me laid,  
And urged me in ●angre of my head,  
To drink the other half before I staid,  
Which was no sooner done but down we both fallen dead,  
And thus at mischief ended I my life,  
That sometime was a Famous Prince's Wife.   

Lo Morpheus, this is the sum and all:  
Now thou knowest my name, my wicked fact and deed:  
I pray thee yet what haste soever fall,  
Warn women of the like, it's not a little need.  
To their spoused mates, bid them be meek & true,  
Or tell them else confution doth ensue.   

Bid them méeken their minds with all due obedience,  
And to humble themselves to their Husbands always:  
For it is commonly seen by ancient experience,  
That none but the wilful do catch their decay.  
Though wily in working the crafty Dames be,  
Themselves they deceive in the ●●oe you may see.   

And now farewell Morpheus thou wots what I mean,  
Thou mayest say thou met with a miserable wight:  
That first procured her Husband to be slain,  
And also poisoned a valiant Knight.  
This was my act and the cause of my fall,  
Quite murder, for murder, myself last of all.   

And with these words a Tyrant with a hook,  
In tender sides, the mortal wounds he prints,  
Another on a fork this wicked woman shook,  
Nothing prevailed less, then for to cry with plaints  
A thousand naked blades in her they thrust,  
And still (quoth they) this woman was unjust.   

Me thought it was a fearful sight to see,  
Pity wrought such grief in me, I wept for woe:  
I thought that in a woman's heart, had lain more pity,  
Then for to serve her faithful Husband so.  
Why dost thou muse (quoth Morpheus) then to me?  
This is the just reward of them that wicked be.   

The night is almost spent (quoth he) come let us go,  
The lest of their pains passeth our help:  
I will bring thee safe to the place thou came fro,  
Be not doubtful of Cerberus that fowl currish whelp,  
Nor of any that is hear, I will answer them all:  
Be of good cheer what ever do be fall.   

Thus wandering back, we looked about,  
And or ever we witted, were at Pluto's Palace:  
At the which we herded so cruel a shout,  
As if they had all gone together in malice,  
Yet when we came near them the truth then appeared,  
It was but a triumph, and naught to be feared.   

Then after a while upon a stage full high,  
An ill fast yeoman a black Trumpet blew:  
And when silence was made, he proclaimed a cry,  
In the name of Pluto for tidings most true.  
(Quoth he) bloody Boner the Butcher comes here,  
That hath furnished our kitchen this many a year.   

Moreover (quoth he) it is Pluto's high pleasure,  
That all men prepare in the best sort they can,  
Sigh he is to Pluto and Proserpin such treasure,  
To receive him among us as becomes such a man,  
You know what his service hath been heretofore,  
Look to your duties what needs any more?   

This said, he departed strait from the stage,  
And to Pluto's Palace he then took the way.  
But then to see both man boy and Page,  
To set new deventions in order and ray,  
The half to declare, it passeth my wit,  
I am sure the like, was never seen yet.   

There was filing of fire bolts in holes and in nooks,  
Headding of daries, and pointing of spits,  
Scouring of blades, and bending of hooks,  
Mending of fireforks, and wyring new whipes,  
Barreling of Pitch, Sulphur, and Saltepeeter,  
With more than can be described in meeter.   

But for to be brief so willing they were,  
That nothing was wanting to set out the show,  
As by their diligence full well did appear,  
No man could be more welcome there I know.  
Boner (quoth one) Boner quoth another,  
Welcome as heartily as Father or Mother.   

With all things point vice, and fit for the nonce,  
Forth came Pluto, and Proserpin the Queen,  
To meet Boner the sucker of souls, flesh, and bones,  
In such order and sort as hath not been seen.  
I shall make a description as nigh as I can,  
How they went in order to meet him each man.   

First two and two came marching together,  
With a Pickeforke or Fleshooke in every fist,  
A black banner displayed that wavered in the weather,  
Which obscured the light with dark stinking mist.  
Ill fast trumpeters a number there were,  
From whose mouths flew a thunder audible to here.   

The number I known not so many there were,  
But brave and fine they were out of doubt:  
In hats like hives, and hose bumde with hear  
With rough courlde heads, they looked full stout,  
They were so lusty they seemed to be cutters,  
For they made it ten-times as big as swarfe Rutters.   

Next after these there came in a ray,  
By heaps whole swarms of Pluto's nobility,  
Which did ride upon Bears that did gape for their pray,  
That always were fed with the spoil of simplicity,  
About their necks hung double chains of gold▪  
But to ask their names I dared not be bold.   

Then came his chaplains by two and by three,  
And after them followed the great Vicar of all,  
And on his head a triple Crown ware he,  
Arrayed in robes that were full Pontifical,  
On a ramping Lion that gaped full wide,  
This greasy Prelate that present did ride.   

And then followed Pluto and Proserpin his Queen,  
Upon as strange horses as ever I see,  
For like the hot gleydes glowed their eine,  
Mighty and monstrous, long, large, and hie  
With a number of Lords, and Ladies also,  
Came after in order, beside other more.   

Cerberus was taught in the Porter's ward,  
The gutes were set open against Boner came,  
Of Morpheus, and me no man took regard,  
Their mind ran so much of this noble man.  
By means whereof without more a do,  
We gate out o'th' gates or any man knew.   

Being out of the gates we scaled a rock,  
To see if we might there spy Boner coming,  
Who in deed appeared in sight with a flock,  
That came like Bedlams headlong then running.  
Himself led the way like a Champion stout,  
On a Dragon's back that spoiled round about.   

He kept no order nor the company that he brought,  
For headelong came reeling both old and young,  
As thick as hailstones, a man would have thought,  
Whereof some cried, and othersome sung.  
But down the hill one and other came tumbling,  
With Sancta Maria, I heard them fast mumbling.   

A Banner was born with read all to spotted,  
Before this butcher that pity was to see,  
Whose arms in the mids was ruefully blotted,  
With the blood of Martyrs whom he caused to die.  
And in the shield painted as plain did appear,  
An innocent Lamb, a cruel Wolf, and a Bear.   

In a field all black, on the other side his flag,  
Was depainted a faggot that glowed like a gleed,  
And a bloody hand with a sword that did brag,  
'Gainst all that professed Christ's Gospel in deed.  
With a poasie that threatened both aged and young,  
To believe in his lore, or else how their tongue.   

But then to see what a meeting there was,  
Between Pluto, Proserpin, and Boner that time,  
For want of skill I must let it pass,  
I cannot mention th'one half in this rhyme.  
(No displeasure to the Pope) if himself had been there,  
It had not been possible to made him better cheer.   

Marry what they said, that, we did not know,  
But there was for joy such colling and kissing:  
Some laughed that teeth a foot long they did show,  
And clawde each other by the pate without missing.  
To see the triumph made with fleshhooks & spits,  
Had been able to have brought a man from his wits.   

For thunder and lightning flew fizing about.  
Darts and firebrands walked here and there,  
Bonfires were made in all hell throughout,  
For joy that Boner was coming so near.  
Whose face I frayed lest he should have spied me,  
For when he was living he might not abide me.   

Behind Morpheus I crept, till they marched by,  
And were past as far as Cerberus' ward,  
But when they were within we heard such a cry,  
As among all the sorrows before I not heard.  
They set bell on fire with making a feast,  
And all was to welcome this lately come guessed.   

What was Boner's Business that I do not knows▪  
Peradventure he went to fetch souls away thence.  
But judge as you list therein yea or not,  
I would not be with him for all the Pope's pennies.  
But if Boner's babes do think that I lie,  
Then let them go thither the truth for to try.    
❧ The end of the Reward of Wickedness.   

❧ Returning from Pluto's Kingdom, To Noble Helicon: The place of Infinite joy.  

WHen we from Pluto's Palace came, and viewed had this woe.  
(Quod Morpheus) yet I have a walk, a little way to go.  
For sith I have take all this pain, the doleful place to see,  
My friends shall know of my affairs, for that I am so nigh.  
This voyage height I long a go, performed my promise is,  
As thou thyself who ear demand, shall witness be of this.  
My Ladies looked for me long since, some uncouth news to hear.  
And how in Stigion flames they sped, that living, wicked were.  
Therefore it stands me much upon, my promise to perform,  
For that unto these worthy Dames, so firmly I have sworn.  
It nothing doth behove (quoth he) with them to balk or blooke,  
For why they do from mighty Gods, descend of Sacred stock.  
Of Mercury the only said Minerva's dearlinges dear,  
Whose mighty Muse, and learned skill, had never yet their peer.  
In Helicon their dwelling is, with Cithaeron full high,  
Parnassus for their pleasure have, when they thereto agree.  
And lo, where (Helicon) appears of truth a princely place,  
Where thou and I, these Ladies with, must comen face to face.  
At which mine eyes I lifted up: The foresaid place I see,  
Which was me thought so passing fine, as never thing might be.  
The Redrose, and the rosemary, Environed this Hill,  
In every nook the G●lyflower, himself presented still.  
The comely Banks with Daisies decked, and Primrose out of cry,  
The Violets and Cowleslops sweet, about in sight I spy.  
With other Herbs that pleasant were, which did me good to see.  
Whose fragrant smells perfume the air, that from this place doth flee,  
The Thrustel and the Nightingale, with Music sweet they Pipe,  
So pleasantly the Gods themselves to hear would much delight.  
●●●, here do yield the Crystal Springs, their trickling silver floods,  
And there pomegranate Tree with fruit, to earth doth veil his buds.  
The F●lbeard in another place, as brown as Beryes' shoe,  
●●●s●nes I spied the Orrange hang, with Quince and many more.  
What waste that wanted there (nothing) that might delight the mind▪  
But he that looked (in every place) the same should present find.  
In triple wise the Arbours cast, I made of sweetest Briar,  
Mirt with the vine, that up and down the ripest grape doth bear.  
Of Boar are Turrets dubbed round, & stairs by ar●e well wrought▪  
Tascende into the tops thereof, as fine as may be thought.  
Wherein these Ladies oft do sit, this Joyful sight to view,  
For there they may afar, behold what strangers come a new.  
And when we had perused this place, of high and mighty ●ame,  
In hexte of all these Turret tops, we spied a noble Dame,  
Adorned and decked, in comely ray, and seemly to behold,  
Her face was like an Angel bright, whose hair that steinde the gold▪  
Not curled and fruzulde her brows about, but combde in order fair,  
And on her head of Laurel made, a garland which she ware.  
Not double Ruffs about her neck, no guarded Gown ware she,  
Nor on her hands that steinde the snow, no rings there were to see.  
Her eyes stood steadfast in her head, they whirled not here and there▪  
Nor in her face you conuld espy, aught else but grace appear.  
A comely Gown she had upon, of colour sad and sage,  
As best become a worthy Dame, presenting middle age.  
To whom we drew in all the haste, our reverence for to use,  
Whom when she see, first word she said, welcome (quoth she). what news▪  
But further or I do proceed, her name I shall describe,  
And in what order that I see, her Sisters in that tide.  
Melpomina, this Lady height, the elder of the nine,  
That there among her Sisters sat, within that Turret green.  
And every Lady with a Book, in study sat full fast,  
And reading of the worthy acts, that had been done and passed.  
The works of Poets all they had, and scanning there they were▪  
Who was best worthy in his time, a Poet's name to bear.  
And Instruments in every nowke, these noble Ladies had,  
To recreate their Muses with, and for to make them glad.  
And every one appareyld like, whose face like stars did shive,  
Respondent to Melpomina, In gracious gifts divine.  
Among them were no wanton songs, nor Bacchus' banequets sought▪  
Nor new device of pranking Pride, nor sign of evil thought.  
There was no care to purchase land, nor fleessing of the poor,  
Nor renting Houses out of cry, nor hording for a store.  
There was no ●●riuing for such pelf, as worldlings now delight,  
●om Tell-tale could not there be found, that worketh all the spite.  
Nor Peter Pickthancke bear no sway, for all his crafty fetch,  
The Bai●fe Laurence Lurcher, there hath nothing for to catch.  
There is no Tyrant there, that spoils nor doth the poor man wrong,  
No taking in of Commons is, within that circuit long.  
One seeks not there another's blood, his livings to obtain,  
No privy hate, nor open wrath, among them doth remain.  
Hypocrisy doth take no place, among these worthy Dames,  
Of any Crime it is not herded, that one another blames.  
The ruggy blast of Boreas mouth, at no time taketh place,  
There Ver, and Flora, both do show their gorgeous face.  
Nor Zephyrus doth shake no branch, within that sacred Hill,  
But every thing in former state, always continueth still.  
Nor Hiems hath no power there, the flakye snow to cast,  
There is nothing that taketh taste, of cruel Winter's blast.  
And as I said ere while, hawe that we did these Lady's spy,  
(So what we said) and they to us, I'll tell you by and by.  
When we in order found them thus: Hail Lady Morpheus said,  
With Cap in hand I veiled to earth: (They bade me hele my head)  
(And welcome Morpheus) one and all, they said reioysinglie,  
Why hast thou been so long (qd they) what news hast brought with thee▪  
What news (qd Morphe) news enough, aread from whence I came  
I have performoe my promise made, as aught an honest man.  
You did request and I agreed to view vile Stigion lakes,  
And to peruse with wicked sort, what order Pluto takes.  
And how they are rewarded there, it was your wills to know,  
That did delight in evil acts to work poor people woe.  
(Quoth they that's true) & were you there? I came from thence (qd he)  
Then all at once they gave him thanks, as glad as they might be.  
With modest words tell us (qd they) what sights that you have seen  
For thanks is all you get of us, to quite your toiled pain.  
But what we can or may be bold, that honest seems to be,  
(To pleasure you) in any wise, we shall thereto agree.  
But speak, tell on, let's loose no time (quoth one) we think it long,  
Begin good Morpheus (quoth the rest) and we will hold our tongue.  
So Morpheus straight began his tale, and told them how that he▪  
Among a mask of merry mates, by chance did light on me.  
And how we passed from ward to ward, & what was done and said,  
And when we came to Pluto's place, among them how we sped.  
And whom we see, and what they did, & what their sayings was,  
Correspondent to the truth described, more and les.  
But when he told them of the Pope, that Alexander height,  
And of the Service that they sang, and used day and night:  
And what resort of Shavelings he, had with him every hour,  
The Ladies all on Laughing fell, yea, round about the Tower.  
Yet woeful for the rest they were, because they wanted grace,  
For very zeal these worthy Dames, in tears did wash their face.  
Where at when Morpheus did behold, these Ladies woeful cheer,  
(Quoth he) if I had thought on this, I would not have come hear.  
But cease your dolour yet a while, your listening ears lend me,  
And wipe away those plainting tears, which grieveth me to see.  
For certs I have, of woefulness and direful destnye told,  
Of pleasant pageants I'll rehearse, & Triumphs many fold.  
In wandering up and down the vale, to see these ugly fights,  
About the place where Pluto lay, we saw great Lamps & lights.  
With Pageands played, and Tragedies, & noise of Trumpets sound,  
Yea, Bonfires blazed, with thumping guns, that shook the trembling ground.  
Which when we hard, & did behold, we hasted fast to know,  
What was the cause, wherefore or why, those trumpets 'gan to blow.  
And coming to the Palace Gates, we need not crave them why,  
For Boner comes with open jaw, both young and old 'gan cry.  
So Morpheus set the Tale an end▪ and as I said of late,  
●ne so as Boner welcomd● was, at large descried the state.  
Where at the Ladies every one, with comely smiling cheer,  
Laid by their Books, & lawght full fast, those news of him to hear  
A ha' (quoth they) is Boner there? That's Pluto's Butcher bold▪  
Its Pluto's part to welcome him, for service done of old.  
And reason good another said, deserts must needs be quit,  
And so they are I do perceive, by you in Pluto's pit.  
Some scoste & said, he went for Souls, that long in Stigion dwelde▪  
And other some to preach and teach, a great opinion held.  
But in the fine a thousand thanks, they yielded Morpheus there:  
(And said) they would deserve his pains, if able that they were,  
And young man (quoth Melpomina) sith thou hast taken pain,  
We do confess for recompense, thy debtors to remain.  
But much I wonder how thy wit did serve these sights to see,  
Nay marvel not (quoth Morpheus then) all while he was with me.  
But otherwise in deed (not he) nor any mortal man,  
That could or might at any time, Phlegeton's fires scan.  
That's true, but what's his name (quoth one) he looks with musing mood:  
He is (quoth Morpheus) towards you all, and sprung of Robin's blood,  
Whose painful pen hath ay been priest, for to advance this place,  
As at these days, his acts full well, shall witness to your grace.  
And certainly his chirping tongue, delights to balk no truth,  
But plain song parts each where doth sing, as well to age as youth.  
Therefore sith I had promise made, this ugly place to see,  
Me thought a fit man to take, I could not find than he.  
(Quoth Vranye) with seemly looks, Good sir ye say full true.  
For had you not some body take, no man had known but you.  
And then your la●er had been lost, which now great thanks doth crave.  
Nor the reward had been known, that wicked people have.  
And sith you light upon our friend, ten times the gladder we.  
To warning of the rest we trust, these news in Print to see.  
And with these words they took their books, from Turret strait descend,  
With one accord they charged me all, to hast that this were penned.  
In verse (quoth Clio) pithily according to your Dream,  
We charge you that to all the world, your pen do strait proclaim,  
And the Reward of wickedness your Book shall have to name,  
Not better title can be found to 'gree unto the same.  
But when I hard these words in deed, so full of care I was,  
That when I should have answer made, no word from me could pass.  
My wits were waste, my sense was fled, and still I stood amazed,  
Like Hart before the Hound affright, or Bird in pitfall dasde.  
And what to say I read●es was, they gave so strait a charge,  
Yet at a venture by and by, these words I spoke at large.  
Madams (quoth I) my willing mind ay always yours hath been,  
Although the grossness of my head, deserved no praise to win.  
And more than twenty times ashamed, assuredly I am,  
That any of my barren works, your learned eyes should scan,  
Apollo's prudent worthy skill, nor Pallas active feats,  
(I never known) to promise' this, how shall I pay my debts?  
My silly ears Minerva's voice could never understand,  
Alas good Ladies would you I should take this work in hand?  
If Calliope ruled my pen, and did thereto agree,  
Then should you well and easy spy at all no fault in me.  
And sith as yet I never taste, your milk of sacred breast,  
I do beseech you every one, forget your last request.  
And place some other in my steed, this work in hand to take,  
And so you shall your little Bird a cheerful Robin make.  
And otherwise when all is done, for to acquit my pains,  
With loss of all my labour I shall purchas Cherils gains.  
What, will you so (quoth one indeed,) by this what do you mean?  
Who might for shame deny us all to take so much pain?  
What need you to allege such doubts, you are to blame (quoth she)  
Who want you to assist you with, when we thus friendly be?  
And are we not both some and all, for to erect the same?  
Who ever yet took pain for us, but won immortal Fame?  
And then she held me fast byth' hand, come Sisters then (quoth she)  
Come bring your keys undo your locks, & let this young man see  
How we exalt the studious sort, whose painful hand and quill,  
Is apt at any time to yield their fruits unto this hill,  
I hearing this, uneath one word, dared say but held me still.  
And countenance made as if I would consent unto their will.  
And so they brought us to the place, that all the rest exceeds,  
Ten times as much as in sweet May, the Cowslips stinking weed.  
And meet upon the mountain top, bolt up into the skies,  
This noble place of endless fame, most curiously doth rise,  
Whose Turrets here & there do show the cunning workman's skill,  
That first by art that stately place began on sacred hill.  
Epowdered were the Walls abroad, with stones of Onyx kind,  
The rest was Crystal, finely wrought, that like the Orient shined,  
Meet square it was on every side, as could be thought in mind▪  
Set out with Phanes, that here and there, flew up & down the wound.  
Not doors but one, where on was set, nine locks made for the nonce,  
Of finest Gold, with curious't works, outcht round with precious stones▪  
And every Sister had a key, respondent to the same,  
Which by the use of Custom old, did know their ancient name▪  
To which each Sister put her key, abroad the Gates were cas●,  
They had me come and there he hold, my Guerdon due at last.  
And as we passed through the Court, the pleasant house to view,  
Amid the same I did espy, a Laurel where it grew.  
Wherein a thousand Birds I think, or me with sweetly voice,  
On every spray the littleones sit, and gladsomely rejoice.  
Upon each Laurel twig there hang, the pens of every one,  
Whose painful hands their learned Muse, declared long agone▪  
And graved in gold was each man's name, & what their travels were  
For monuments tacquite their pains, shall hung for ever there,  
Thus when we had beheld at will the fashion of this tree,  
These Ladies bid us yet abide a greater sight to see.  
And then they brought us to a place, where all the poets be,  
In Pictures drawn by cunning art, each man in his degree.  
And as their travels did appear, to challenge praise or fame,  
Even so each one exalted was according to the same.  
Among a number some I knew, whose works full often I read,  
That pictured were in lively form, as they had not been dead▪  
The first of all, old Homer sat with visage sage and sad,  
Upon his head of Laurel made, a triple garland had.  
Then Virgil as their order is, with wan and paled looks,  
Was placed in a comely seat, of either side his Books.  
●uid next to Virgil sat, as lean as he might be,  
Whose musing mood in all respects, did with the same agree.  
And Chawcer for his merry tales, was well esteemed there,  
And on his head as well aught best, a Laurel garland were.  
All these I knew and many more, that were to long to name,  
That for their travels were reward, for evermore with Fame.  
And looking round about that house, to see and if I might  
By chance of any country men of mine to have a sight:  
At length I was espied there of Skelton and Lydgat,  
Wager, Heywood, and Barnaby Googe, all these together sat.  
With divers other English men, whose names I will omit,  
That in that place enjoy the like, of whom I spoke not yet.  
And meet behind the door I saw a place where Cherill sat,  
Art there thought I unto myself? I am like to be thy mate.  
By then we had beheld all this, the night was almost go,  
Therefore I'll take my leave of you (quoth Morpheus) every one,  
there's no remedy but departed, this youngman must away,  
Behold where ●os shows her face, and doth disclose the day.  
With all our hearts these Ladies said: & thanks we thousands give,  
And what we may good Morpheus do, it's yours even while we live.  
With veiled knee unto the ground, my leave of them I took,  
Who gently bid me all farewell, and charged me with the boo●●  
And good young man (quoth they) take pains these few news to pen,  
So shalt thou earn great thanks of us, and of all English men.  
And for our aid be sure of it, gainst Zoilus and his whelps,  
For to defend thy Book and thee, we promise' hear our helps.  
Lo hear you see, how we acquit our servants at the last,  
We 'cause them live, when cruel death hath take the vital blast.  
And here a place we will prepare, for thee among these men,  
That have immortal glory won, by painfulness of pen.  
At which most courteously, I craved, and veiled with my knee,  
And said good Ladies call again, this charge if it may be.  
Commit it to some other man, that hath much better skill,  
And better knoweth an hundredth times, to scale your learned Hill.  
Your Honours have in Th'inns of Court, a sort of Gentlemen,  
That fine would fit your whole intentes, with stately style to Pen.  
Let Studley, Hake, or Fulwood take, that William hath to name▪  
This piece of work in hand, that be more fit for the same.  
But when they heard me speak these words, they were offended sore  
We say look to thy charge (quoth they) and let us hear no more▪  
And then they whirled to the Gate, away they vanished strait,  
Which when we saw we there withal descended down the height.  
So Morpheus brought mee home again, from whence I came before,  
And bade me say me down and sleep, for I had traveylde sore▪  
But look (quoth he) unto thy charge: as thou will't answer make,  
Forget nothing that thou hast seen, in flaming Stigion Lake.  
And then he took his leave and went, no more I might him see,  
But with this travail out of hand, full sore he charged me.  
And as a man whose silly spirits, had wandered all the night,  
So in a slumber waked I, and up I got me right,  
And called for the merry mates in th'evening that were there,  
I marvel where they be (quoth I) another answered here.  
Alas it was a death to see their looks so dead and pale,  
And how both purse, & head of wit, were sacte and spoiled with ●l▪  
Some Gauged Daggers, some their Coats, when all was go & spe  
The Ale wife she would needs be paid, before that any went.  
Some had surfeit, some took cold, and some for sleep were lost,  
(What tho) when pennies were out of purse, be gone strait cried my host  
And seude his Jests by Crosselesie lane, and little wittame home,  
They need not doubt the thief byth' way, for Money had they none.  
Yet overnight he that had seen, the carping of mine Host,  
How welcome were his newcome Jests, & how the Churl could boast  
Of this and that, and fill the Pots, lay Apples in the fire,  
And now I'll drink unto you all, thus cried the Apple squire.  
Come Kate▪ go Wife, fill bowl again: joane look unto the door,  
Pipe Minstrum, make us Murth a while, God sendeth all men store:  
That like the Cyrents' song, my Host played Sinon's part,  
And made them lend their listening ears unto his guileful art.  
To every Feast he bids a Gest, fetch drink good Dame says he,  
And make this Gentleman some Cheer, you're welcome sir says she.  
And thus they bid you to the Roast, and heart of all shall sit:  
But or you part, I hold a crown, they'll beat you with the spit.  
I found their fetch, no force thought I, sith you such Cutthroats be,  
Not more than need, or force compels, no gro●te you get of me.  
And there withal my Hostess called: I paid and got me thence,  
No favour there was to be had, but for the little pennies.  
And then I called my Dream to mind, whereat strait way I went,  
To put in use the promise made, The time in study spent.  
Till I had made a final end, of this my little Book,  
To haste the same to Printers hands, all travails else forsook.  
What thanks therefore I shall deserve, God knoweth so do not I  
But as my meaning is herein, let Fame proclaim and cry.  
(be as be may) I'll take my chance, as hap shall cast the Dice,  
Sigh once I know yet hitherto, my travail paid the Price.   
FINIS.  
Quoth. R. Robinson.   

❧ Imprinted at London in Paul's Church Yard, by William Williamson.