PREFACE 
 
 THE following pages were printed by the late 
 Provost of Worcester College, Dr. Daniel, 
 on his private press about the year 1903, and 
 were found among his papers complete, except 
 for a title-page. They contain thirty-six 
 unpublished poems by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord 
 Keeper of the Great Seal from 15-5-8 till his 
 death in 15*79. He appears to have given them 
 the general title 6 The Recreations of My Age \ 
 They are here printed from a manuscript volume 
 belonging to the Rev. Maurice Howard Marsden, 
 Rector of Moreton in Dorset. There is 
 another manuscript of them, which seems to have 
 been unknown to Dr. Daniel, among the papers 
 of Mr. J. H. Gurney, of Keswick Hall, near 
 Norwich [Hist. MSS. Commn^ 12th Report, 
 
Preface 
 
 App. pt. ix, p. if 4, published in 1891). Sir 
 Nicholas was father of the greater Francis Bacon, 
 Lord Verulam. 
 
 By the desire of Dr. DaniePs family and 
 friends, a title has now been prefixed, printed 
 at the Clarendon Press by Mr. F. Hall, the 
 Controller, who has followed the pattern of one 
 of Dr. DaniePs latest title-pages, that of Wind 
 along the Waste (1902). It is hoped that these 
 pages will prove acceptable as the last possible 
 production of a famous Press. One hundred 
 and thirty copies are printed. 
 
 November^ 1919. 
 
The Recreations of His Age 
 
The Recreations of his <iAge 
 
 Of the kindes and frutes of good and yll, 
 
 TS* NO WEN good devyded into three, 
 
 Profytt, delighte, and honeftye ; 
 And yll alfoe hathe three of name, 
 Whiche all menn call, lofle, payne, and fhame, 
 Whofoe the good by payne achyves, 
 The payne pafTethe, the good revyves : 
 Wholoe the yll by pleafure attaynes, 
 The pleafure fades, the fhame remaynes : 
 Thus payne for good bringethe longe fame, 
 Pleafure for yll bringethe longe fhame. 
 
 O man lewde lufte bringethe theis ylles, 
 
 * Councell it damnes, his mynde it kylles, 
 Vertue it voydes, manners it marres, 
 Vice it nurfethe, his ftrengthe it ftarues, 
 His wytte it dulles, and with forrowe endes, 
 A number of naughtes to manne it fendes. 
 
 Agayn&e Lufte. 
 
The "Recreations of his Age 
 
 Of Fortune and wifdome. 
 
 AS flbrtune good vayne pleafure breedes, 
 Soe pleafure fonde to follye leades : 
 ffor fortune blindes ioe wifdomes ftate, 
 That fewe be wife and fortunate : 
 Therefore when fortune fawnethe mofte, 
 Lett reafon then rule the hole rofte : 
 fflyeinge this fonde fooliflhe devife, 
 Better happye then to be wife. 
 
 Of talke and fellowejhippe. 
 
 AS tree by frute and goulde by fyer, 
 Soe fhewed by talke is hartes defyer : 
 Thye nature aye is knowen alfoe 
 By choyfe of mates reformers to : 
 For as thye talke and fellowes be, 
 Soe thee inclined all menne maye fe : 
 Yea filthye talke and fellowes lewde 
 Make the wife fooles and the good fhrewde : 
 And fellowes good and honefte fpeche 
 To make naughte good is the befte Leeche. 
 Amonge the thornes and thiftelles thycke 
 Harde to goe foe, but fome will pricke : 
 Therfore if thowe louefte honeftee, 
 By vfe of theis, lett menn it fee. 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Perilles folloiueinge fortune by 
 Enuye and Malice. 
 
 LIKE as the tree of frute mofte puer 
 To fave from fpoyle requires mofte cuer, 
 And as the grape of fwetefte tafte 
 The Waf pe and bee dothe cheifelye wafte, 
 Even foe the man that hat he great e ftore 
 Of fortunes giftes mufte thinke therefore. 
 Like ftore of menn there lyes in wayte 
 Of wafpye kinde feekeinge fuche bayte : 
 And thoughe that wealthe can malice fence, 
 Envye thereof take the his Eflence : 
 ffbr flye envye hathe mofte delighte 
 On the happye to fpighte his fpighte. 
 Theis vices twooe are tormentours 
 That poore and riche vexethe at all howers : 
 The envyous freates beinge negle&e 
 And malice threat by wealthe deiecte. 
 Therefore councell woulde I my brother 
 To fave for thone and difpife thother. 
 
 Agaynjie Idlenes. 
 
 WHAT bringethe rufte to Iron fmothe ? 
 Whye ftynkethe water that dothe not moue ? 
 Whye dothe the grounde that fertell was 
 Bare thorne and thiftell in ftede of graffe ? 
 What bredethe mothe, what bredethe moulde 
 
 (?) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And thoufandes like here lefte vntoulde ? 
 
 Noe caufe but this when all is fought e, 
 
 Negle&e throughe flothe thinges lye vnwroughte. 
 
 Likewife of man bothe bodye and mynde 
 
 By noe one thinge fuche hurte dothe fynde 
 
 As they doe by flowe Idlenes, 
 
 Of all lewde vice the cheife foundres. 
 
 Noe canker can Iron eate foe fore 
 
 But Idlenes healthe hurtes muche more : 
 
 Nor noe grownde growe foe wylde for tylthe 
 
 As mannes mynde rude by Idle fylthe. 
 
 The mothe the moulde in manners growe 
 
 By fuche fhrewed feedes as it dothe fowe. 
 
 The mynde well wroughte ftill forthe dothe bringe 
 
 Some vertuous frute as his offpringe. 
 
 The Idle mynde whiche flefhe and lufte 
 
 Beinge vnwroughte nedes followe mufte 
 
 His fleftielye frute mufte nedes oute blowe : 
 
 Suche Carpenter fuche chippes you knowe. 
 
 A witte whiche earfte quicke and lharpe was 
 
 Throughe Idlenes is dulle as AfTe, 
 
 And memorye not exercifed 
 
 Growes flipperye, this is ofte tryed. 
 
 The Idle mann is foe tender 
 
 That ftrenghte thereby is full (lender. 
 
 Befides to mann it dothe forthe bringe 
 
 111 yrkefomenes mofte lothelome thinge. 
 
 (4) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Thus mynde and witte delighte and ftrenghte 
 By Idlenes be lofte at lenghte. 
 
 In commendacion of the meane efiate. 
 
 THE fuerefte ftate and befte degree 
 Is to poflefle mediocritye. 
 By proofe we finde in everye ftorme 
 The hier tree the forer torne : 
 The Seas rageinge with furges hye 
 When the meane fludes refte quietlye. 
 Agayne we fee the thorne and fhrubbe 
 As thinges vyle all menn vppe ftubbe : 
 And where the brookes be over fmale 
 Menn ftoppe them vppe, and therewithall 
 The lowefte hedge menn mofte downe treade, 
 The weake to wall ioynes in eche ftede. 
 Efchewe to creepe, feeke not to flye, 
 To lowe for the Crowe, to hye for the Pye, 
 Bene twooe extremes, and extremes all 
 ffrom vertues bowndes to vyce doe fall, 
 fflye them therefore as poyfon ftronge 
 And finge the meane as mofte fwete fonge. 
 The mightie man the greate eftate 
 With thoufande cares cumbers his pate, 
 Whiche the wife man of meane degree 
 ffor his eftate nede not fbrefee : 
 ffor their exceffe makethe of vayne 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Ofte nedefull thinges pompe to maynetayne. 
 
 And madde he is that makethe nede 
 
 Of not nedefiill vayne pompe to fede. 
 
 {for thofe vayne nedes are nedefullye 
 
 To be forefene as neceflarye, 
 
 Wherewith his brayne he ofte perplexethe 
 
 When the meane man noe fuche thinge vexethe. 
 
 His meate his flepe his other refte, 
 
 Care dothe cumber his daylye gefte : 
 
 And what rewarde for this agayne 
 
 But cappe and knee of Selye menne ? 
 
 Whiche whoe foe geves or elfe dothe take 
 
 Of gayne or loffe noe compte can make. 
 
 But nowe one telles me in myne eare 
 
 That this gaye man hathe muche gaye geare : 
 
 Plentye he hathe of menn and horfe 
 
 And dayntye meates to franke his Cors, 
 
 Venus at will beddes of delighte 
 
 Prefte all to farve his appetyte, 
 
 And appetyte ftill to content e 
 
 Is meriefte lyfe that can be fpente. 
 
 This tale and lyfe tendes all to one, 
 
 Apparance muche Exiftence none. 
 
 ffor he that fetts ffelicitye 
 
 In appetytes Satietye 
 
 Withoute makeinge diftinction 
 
 When it is rulde by Reafon 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And when onelye by lufte and will 
 
 Suche appetyte for to fullfille 
 
 Hat he righte greate nede of the rable, 
 
 The monfter is foe variable. 
 
 But where reafon rulethe the rofte 
 
 She is full ferved with muche lefle cofte 
 
 And muche lefTe care as you mall fee 
 
 In poyntes mofte dere to eache degree. 
 
 Good meate and drinke the meane ft ate hafe 
 
 Inoughe to keepe healthe in good cafe. 
 
 The mightie hathe mche dayntye ftore 
 
 Phificke mufte heale ofte natures fore. 
 
 The meane is cladde from hurte of ayer, 
 
 The mightie is madde that his clothes fayer 
 
 Be marde with mothes and lofte with lyei nge, 
 
 When the faulte is in his muche byeinge. 
 
 As to the rowte of Sarveinge menne 
 
 Of ffortye they vfe well fcante tenne : 
 
 The refte doe naughte that greate men takes, 
 
 But eate and drinke and fill the Jakes. 
 
 A breede of theves for to faye trothe, 
 
 A nurce of Idlenes and flothe. 
 
 The meane mans menn fnarre grudge or fnufe, 
 
 Doe all their thinges with fpede to profe : 
 
 And fewe well wroughte knoweinge to doe 
 
 Will farve them felves and mayfter toe. 
 
 Sounde flepe alfoe withoute dreameinge 
 
 (7) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 ffor natures eafe to man dothe bringe 
 Not furfettes chere but the meane dyett, 
 Nor beddes fofte but the bedde quyett. 
 Venus delighte and tickelinge Lufte 
 By choyfe and change nedes followe mufte 
 Their wanton lyfe and greate excefle : 
 But what is that but beftelynes ? 
 The Cowe the Sowe the Bull the Bore 
 Have for like lufte like choyfe like ftore. 
 But natures dve whiche it dothe crave 
 Of Venus rightes the man maye have : 
 And to excede natures defyer 
 Is to feeke heate where nedes noe fyer. 
 Thus you fee their pompe and pryde 
 Standes by exceffe from reafon wyde : 
 Whofe countrye ftate is povertye 
 Dwellinge throwe wante in miferye : 
 Whiche to difTwade I iudge but vayne, 
 Menn flyeinge it as deadelye payne. 
 Wherefore by righte I maye conclude 
 Of thre eftates twooe are efcheude, 
 As twooe extremes by reafons lore, 
 And the meane ftate is fett before, 
 Whoe bringes and bredes the is Juells three, 
 Saftye, Quiette and Libertye. 
 
 (8) 
 
The "Recreations of his Age 
 
 AgaynHe a mynde not contented, 
 
 NOTHINGE in earthe foe good I fynde 
 As in a mann a contented mynde. 
 Fewe thinges with this doe fame alone, 
 And without this all fames as none. 
 This breedes and makes in euerye ftate 
 Longe life to haue mirthe for his mate : 
 And wante of this makes carke and care 
 Shrewed lyfe and fhorte thorowe his ioyes rare. 
 
 Agaynjle Amhityon. 
 
 WHIE woulde the Knighte a Barron bee? 
 Whie woulde the Barron an Earles degree ? 
 Whie woulde the Earle a Duke become ? 
 Whie woulde the Duke a Kinges rome ? 
 And yet a Kinge not foe contente 
 But feekes increafe of govermente. 
 fFor hardde it is a Kinge to fynde 
 That with one Realme contentes his mynde. 
 And yet more hardd the truthe to tell 
 To fynde one that one governes well. 
 Nowe in this tumblinge tofleinge ftate 
 There is fmale refte I am fuer of that, 
 And faftye none but daunger muche. 
 Nowe mufeinge what fhoulde foe moue fuche 
 
 (?) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Noe caufe of this can I invente 
 But by delire mynde difcontente. 
 
 AgaynBe Couetoufnes, 
 
 WHAT is the caufe the gredye manne 
 With care to gett waxethe pale and wanne ? 
 Haueinge enoughe whye craues he more ? 
 Whye dothe defier growe with his ftore ? 
 A like difeafe to my thinkeinge 
 As where thirfte growes by muche drinkeinge. 
 Whye makes he wante where plentye is 
 And haueinge thinges their vfe doe mifle ? 
 Hee feekes with payne and keepes with care, 
 Hee hordes and hydes and makethe rare. 
 Thinges of that kynde fhoulde common bee, 
 Changeinge nature in hur degree. 
 And yet by profe he fees at eye 
 Thinges gotten thus fpente willfullye. 
 Noe caufe of this can I inuente 
 But thorowe defyre mynde difcontente. 
 
 AgaynBe Iaufte. 
 
 HIE dothe the man that hathe a wyfe 
 Loueinge and fayer and chafte of lyfe 
 
 Loue an other, withoute fuche caufe 
 
 That fettes by him not twooe good ftrawes ? 
 
 Whie dothe the Queyne and common drabbe 
 
 (10) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Whiche bringethe fhame lolTe payne and fcabbe 
 Delighte thee more then a wyfe good 
 Whiche bringes the impes of thine owne blode ? 
 This breedes a frende, (he breedes a foe, 
 This bringes to thee, me pluckes thee froe, 
 This ficke and hole feekes thee to pleafe, 
 Thother never but for hur eafe. 
 Wherefore agaynfte reafon and righte 
 Done fuche as foe fett their delighte. 
 Noe caufe of this can I invente 
 But by lewde lufte mynde difcontente. 
 
 HE marchantes wiflie the Lawyers trayne 
 
 -i- For hafarde fmale and certeine gayne. 
 The Lawyer dulled with fute and ftrife 
 Wiflhethe to lyue the marchantes lyfe : 
 The Countrye mann in towne woulde dwelle 
 To haue all thinges prouyded well. 
 The countrye healthe for ftinkeinge ftreete 
 To chaunge the townefmenne thinkethe meete. 
 To marrye the mayde thinkethe longe, 
 But the wyfe finges an other fonge. 
 Thoman to rule a man woulde bee. 
 The man for eafe wiflhethe hur degree. 
 Eache age and ftate wiflhethe a change 
 Vnknowen for knowen, the whiche is ftrange. 
 
 Agaynfte Inconftancye. 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Noe caufe of this can I inuente 
 But mynde vnftayed ftill difcontente. 
 
 The conclujion. 
 
 TO ende I iudge pleafure but fcante 
 Where eache others cafe dothe wifhe and wante. 
 ffor pleafante lyfe there fyndes fmale grace 
 Where wifhe and wante takethe fuche place. 
 Whiche eache man maye eafelye efchewe 
 Geueinge nature noe more then due, 
 Whoe with fewe thinges is well contente 
 By witte in mirthe pleafantelye fpente. 
 Thus by playne profe it dothe appere 
 That thinges of all mofte wiflhed for here,. 
 Honor I meane wealthe nor bewtye 
 Nor ftate of lyfe nor noe degree 
 Can geve a man a pleafante lyfe, 
 His mynde for more feekeinge with ftryfe. 
 ffor fuche feekeinge puttethe to flyghte 
 Solace and mirthe mannes cheife delighte. 
 Agayne fome menne we daylye fee 
 Of everye forte ftate and degree 
 Of thinges whThed for haveinge fmale ftore, 
 Liueinge contente feekinge noe more, 
 Prolongeinge their dayes with mirthe and ioye, 
 Noe Lorde the lyke Csefar nor Roye. 
 
 (IX) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Wherefore for man nothinge I fynde 
 Soe good as a contented mynde. 
 
 Of hope feare and perfwacion. 
 
 'THO hope the befte or feare the worfte 
 
 Whiche is better harde to iudge iufte : 
 For hopeinge good and happeninge foe 
 Longe looked for ioye releuethe fmale woe : 
 And hopeinge good happeninge mifcheife 
 Suche happe befides hope increafethe greife : 
 Feareinge the worfte if it foe chaunce, 
 Then greife is growen by feares continuaunce, 
 Feareinge the worfte happeninge the befte, 
 Tyll that happe happed feare bredde fmalle refte. 
 Synce hope and feare inquyettes thye harte 
 Vfe thou therefore the contrarye parte. 
 Perfwade the worfte in thinges to come 
 As befte releife in myne opinyon : 
 Perlwadeinge the worfte chaunceinge not foe : 
 Then fodenn ioye redublethe greate woe : 
 Periwadeinge the worfte if the worfte come, 
 Yet payne is pafte by that perfwacyon. 
 To conclude therefore he filde repentes 
 That perfwades the worfte in all euentes. 
 
The "Recreations of his Age 
 
 The Brengthe of Education. 
 
 IF the falfe ffoxe geefe and the gredye woolfe flieepe 
 By payne in bringeinge vppe maye be taught e to keepe, 
 What excufe for thee then if thye childe lacke nurture 
 Synce thou feefte Education chaungethe nature ? 
 
 Agaynfte occajion of Euell. 
 
 AS caufer of the fmoke is the kindeler of the fyer, 
 Euen foe is wanton talke the caufe of yll defyer : 
 And as in this foe in the refte if thou wilte fle yll, 
 Fie then all occafion that belongethe thereuntyll. 
 
 An Ode of Horace turned at the defer of 
 my Ladye his Lo: ivyfe. 
 
 THE rightefte courfe in lyfe to keepe 
 Is not to prefTe alwayes to runne 
 With fayles vppe hoyfte in the mayne deepe, 
 Nor yet for feare the ftorme flioulde come 
 The crooked more to nere to creepe. 
 
 The golden meane whofoe loues well 
 Shall fafe and free thereby efchewe 
 The lothefome howfe with filthe and fmelle 
 And envious fpighte the which is due 
 To fuche as in the Pallace dwell. 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 The greate proude Pyne eache wynde dothe fhake, 
 The loftier tower mounted on hye 
 The greater falle on grounde dothe make : 
 The Lighteninge brime fallen from the Skye 
 The mountaynes huge with flames dothe take. 
 
 A mynde well taughte ftandes fuer and falle, 
 When fortune fiownes hopeinge of better : 
 And when (lie fmiles it makes noe halle, 
 Knoweinge that Jove oft with his Septer 
 Brynges and removes the winters blafte. 
 
 Althoughe nowe ill not ever be 
 
 With lowringe looke and with bowe bente, 
 
 Thoughe Phebus nowe dothe threate greate woe, 
 
 Or it be longe with harpe full Jente 
 
 His mirthe (hall force all feare thee froe. 
 
 In ftormye tymes have courage ftoute, 
 And in forewyndes fayleinge at will 
 Gather in thye fayles with wynde puffed oute, 
 And thus thou flialte throwe rede and will 
 Rvnne the righte race withoute all doute. 
 
 HIS worldes madde maikerye I intende to difgrace 
 
 Pluckeinge of the viler and the difguileinge gere 
 
 The Prologe to the majke of myndes. 
 
 to) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 From this merye malkers foe as their open face 
 Maye to the beholders euidentelye appeare, 
 Whereby vyce and vertue all naked as it weare 
 Shall fingeleye and fimpelye be open to thyne eye, 
 Whiche dilguifeinge hadd hydd in this madde malkerye. 
 
 The malkerye of bodyes deuifed for delighte 
 Dothe the beholders eye but oute of knoweledge bringe, 
 But this flye malke of myndes wherof I meane to wryte 
 Bothe bleres and blyndes the beholders vnderftandeinge, 
 Whiche breedes blynde error the mofte peftilente thinge, 
 For foe fhall vice for vertue and vertue for vice 
 Haue the beholders eftymacion and pryce. 
 
 Agayne the mafke of bodyes hathe his game place fmale, 
 
 His mafkers but fewe, his beholders fomewhat moe : 
 
 But for the malke of myndes the worlde vniuerfalle 
 
 Semes game place finale inowe and with the leafte alfoe 
 
 The mafkers are foe manye, and yet agayne loe 
 
 The beholders but fewe that vnderftandes theis artes, 
 
 With fuche fhrewde flilye wyles they vfe to playe their partes. 
 
 But manye blynde beholders of this malke there bee, 
 Whoe feethe but perceyues not the malkers fyne fedtes : 
 Eache malker a beholder, foe maye you ofte fee : 
 And all this at one tyme to feuerall refpedes 
 Of error and ignorance, fuche are the effectes 
 
 (i<0 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Whiche beinge cleane baniffhed oute of eache manns mynde 
 Woulde make eache thinge appeare accordinge to his kynde. 
 
 This error in decerninge growethe mofte of this, 
 
 That fome vice and vertue in femblance are foe nere 
 
 That the one for the other full ofte taken is. 
 
 And to this tryme maiker the more like the more dere : 
 
 For hereof he fhapes all his difguifeinge gere 
 
 Soe fynelye foe craftelye that he that takes noe hede 
 
 Shall quickelye amongefte theis fpynne a foliftie threde. 
 
 When the prodigall liberall and the wylye wyfe 
 
 Thippocryte religious and the rafhe femes corageous, 
 
 When couetoufnes is colored with frugalityes vyce, 
 
 When the flothefull quyette and the playne outerageous, 
 
 When licence for libertye is daylye taken by vs, 
 
 Is it anye wonder trowe ye thoughe theis malkers excel), 
 
 When fuche madde maikeinge aparell becomes them foe well ? 
 
 Theis thinges well to decerne deuide and difcouer, 
 
 Althoughe it be hardd and will muche prouoke offence, 
 
 Yet will I it affaye thereby to moue other 
 
 My wante full to fupplye bothe in worke and in fence : 
 
 Of a malke ftrayte waye to make is not my pretence, 
 
 But yet to guide the goer I will doe my befte, 
 
 And in bonis you knowe voluuTe fat eft. 
 
 C7) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Qualytyes belongeinge to Jundrye perfons. 
 
 LYBERALITYE in Nobles, in Lawyers eloquence, 
 Scyence in fpirituall menn, in Marchantes credence, 
 Comelynes in womenn, in hulbandemenn frugalitye, 
 Thus to eache of theis belonges fuche a qualytye. 
 
 A Carolle, 
 
 CHORVS f \ GRATYOUS Lorde, ohe fauyor dere, 
 I M Our onelye hope and all our chere, 
 Our prefente ayde in euerye woe. 
 Our hole defence agaynjle eache foe. 
 With handes heued vppe and 'with bowed knee, 
 With harte deuoute yelde wee to thee 
 Honor and thankes glorye and prayfe 
 Bothe here and hence nowe and alwayes. 
 
 ALL that be here finge and reioyfe, 
 Prayfe and geue thankes with worde and thoughte, 
 With ftrynge well ftrayned, with cherefull voyce, 
 With tune well tymed as muficke oughte, 
 To him that all hathe wroughte and boughte, 
 Our protector our kinge our lorde, 
 Prayfe we thus him with one accorde. 
 
 O gratyous &c. 
 
 Fyrfte not beinge thou madefte vs bee, 
 Then our beinge Lorde thou didefte blyfle 
 
 (18) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 With witte with fhape with foueranytye 
 Pafleinge the refte that here made is, 
 Placeinge vs then from fynne cleane free 
 In ioye eterne : wherefore fynge wee. 
 
 O gratyous &c. 
 
 O vnkynde manne O ftonye harte, 
 Beinge thus blefte what fiirye fell 
 Coulde moue thy mynde fro god to parte, 
 Leaueinge this blyfle feekeinge for hell, 
 Whiche for offence happed to Angell, 
 But godds mercye to thee is more 
 Then to Angell : fynge thus therefore. 
 
 0 gratyous &c. 
 
 Throwe feas drye fhodde whoe made thee pafle ? 
 With couered cloudes whoe did thee faue ? 
 In deferte place where noe foode was 
 Whoe Angells foode made thee to haue ? 
 From the drye rocke whoe drinke thee gaue ? 
 Seeinges god thus dothe preferue his, 
 With harte and voyce wee thus him blyfle. 
 
 O gratyous &c. 
 
 Yet beyonde all O Lorde is this, 
 
 That thou lhouldefte fende thyne onelye fonne 
 
 Eternall god from heauenlye blyfle 
 
 In this vyle worlde manne to become, 
 
 to) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Throwe marine to dye for manns ranfome, 
 Seekeinge manns lyfe whoe foughte his deathe : 
 Wherefore finge wee whiles thou giuefte breathe. 
 
 O gratyous &c. 
 
 For theis thye giftes and thoufandes moe 
 Eache heauenlye gofte, eache earthelye wyghte, 
 Eache fowle, eache fifhe, eache beafte alfoe, 
 The Sunne, the Mone, the ftarres foe brighte, 
 All thinges vnfene, all thinges in fighte 
 Bothe here and hence with one accorde 
 Inceflantelye lawde thee ohe Lorde. 
 
 O gratyous &c. 
 
 Of a Scoller and his boye, 
 
 ASCOLLER difpofed to eate broyled meate 
 Tooke a colde peece and badde his boye heate it : 
 Whiche by miftakeinge the boye ftrayte did eate. 
 What, quothe his maifter, I badde thee not eate it, 
 But heate it with an H. I trowe thourte madde. 
 And eate it with my teethe Sir me thoughte you badde. 
 
 A prayer of a Penytente. 
 
 IF the iufte mann feaven tymes eache daye 
 Ohe Lorde dothe fall, what fhall I faye ? 
 Of all iniufte mofte {infull manne 
 My falles my fautes whoe nvmber canne ? 
 
 (10) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And therewith Lorde foe greate they be 
 That to difpayer they woulde force me. 
 
 But that of grace thou hafte me taught e 
 Mercye is more then all my naughte, 
 Aud that thou wilte with readye care 
 Here aye all fuchc as in thye feare 
 Doe call for helpe and mercye crye 
 With harte contryte repentantelye. 
 
 ffaythe geven to this thus taughte by grace 
 Dothe breede good hope in difpayers place, 
 Styll fturringe me mercye to crave 
 Where for thafkeinge I maye it have, 
 As by thye worde thou doefte me teache 
 Where aike and have thy Sonne dothe preache. 
 
 Agayne ohe Lorde whoe canne compare 
 Thye free geven giftes and thofe not rare, 
 Provokeinge love eache daye and tyme, 
 With their rewardes of fynne and cryme, 
 But with moyfte eye and hevye harte 
 Mufte nedes repente his finfull parte ? 
 
 Repentaunce thus grounded of love 
 And hope of faythe dothe me nowe move 
 On knees to fall and mercye crye : 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Mercye ohe Lorde mercye mercye : 
 ffrom iuftice Lorde I doe appeale 
 To thye mercye myne onelye weale. 
 
 My Lorde my god my Savyour dere, 
 My hope my trufte and all my chere, 
 fforgett forgive all my offence, 
 And graunte by grace me afliftance 
 Thye benefittes foe to remember 
 That love for love I maye thee render. 
 
 Graunte foe to call thy lawe to mynde 
 And threates for fynne that there I fynde, 
 That thereby feare maye dwell in mee 
 Provokeinge aye all fynne to flee, 
 And that this feare ioyned with love 
 Oute of my harte never remove. 
 
 This love for love and feare of threate 
 Graunte gracyous lorde to growe foe great e, 
 That thoughe I flyde I doe not falle, 
 And if I doe mercye to calle, 
 And not to dwelle in filthye fynne, 
 Nor yet to have delighte therein. 
 
 Graunte that as frayle I mail committe 
 Strayte waye throwe grace 1 repente it, 
 
 (ix) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And as I daylye doe offende, 
 
 Soe graunte I maye daylye amende, 
 
 And ftoutelye ftande with harte and mynde 
 
 Agaynfte the fleffhe the worlde the fende. 
 
 Graunte that noe daye doe fcape me free 
 But with handes vppe and on my knee 
 I geve thee thankes and mercye crye 
 With harte and mynde vnfaynedlye, 
 Voweinge eache daye amendemente flylle, 
 Prayeinge for grace it to fullfylle. 
 
 Graunte that my thoughtes my wordes and deedes 
 
 Maye growe all oute of graces feedes, 
 
 And foe pafle my lyfe and dayes, 
 
 I farveinge thee, walkeinge thy wayes : 
 
 And thus to thee I me betake : 
 
 Keepe me O Lorde for thy Sonnes fake. 
 
 An Englifhe Jme. 
 
 Morninge T ORDE for my flepe and refte this nighte 
 Prayer. X—/ And for this grace preferueinge mee 
 In bodye founde in mynde vprighte, 
 Honor and prayfe I geue to thee, 
 But not as thinges that worthye bee, 
 But as the befte that man can doe, 
 And fuche as thou commandefte toe. 
 
 (*3) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And as ohe Lorde the lighte of daye 
 Dothe teache myne eye my foote to guyde, 
 Soe graunte the lighte of thy grace maye 
 Dire&e my mynde that it not flyde, 
 Or if I fall or wander wyde, 
 Graunte grace to rife and not to lye, 
 Nor yet to take delighte therebye. 
 
 And as from flepe to worke I rife 
 
 And clothe my bodye agaynfte the ftorme, 
 
 Soe mot thy fperit my mynde vprife, 
 
 Clotheinge the fame bothe euen and morne 
 
 With vertue that will not be worne, 
 
 But mendes by vfe him that it weares, 
 
 And thee to feme manns mynde ftill fteares. 
 
 And thoughe with harte and hope to haue 
 Theis giftes ohe Lorde I afke of thee, 
 Yet of deferte noughte can I craue 
 But all of grace whiche thou geuefte free, 
 As by thy worde thou hafte taughte mee : 
 Whereto trufteinge as is mofte fytte 
 I mee to thee whollye commytte. 
 
 An Englijhe Jmme, 
 
 Eueninge T ORDE for thy grace geven me this daye 
 prayer. JL-# With humble thankes I honor thee, 
 
 14) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 And for my fynnes I pardon praye 
 With harte contryte vppon my knee : 
 I knowe noe daye fhoulde pafTe me free, 
 But that I oughte for my releue 
 Mercye to crave and thankes to geue. 
 
 Defende me Lorde by grace this nighte 
 ffrom all aflautes of foe and fende, 
 And thoughe daye lighte doe fayle my lighte 
 Yet lighte of grace fayle not my mynde : 
 And as thou doefte graunte this by kynde, 
 Soe this to alke with voyce and thoughte 
 With cappe and knee I knowe I oughte. 
 
 Graunte Lorde that as I flepe to wynne 
 Put of my clothes and all the refte, 
 Euen foe my mynde vnclothed of fynne 
 Maye refte throughe grace within my brefte, 
 Soe as noe dreame maye fyle my nefte : 
 And thus to thee I mee betake 
 Bothe when I flepe and when I wake. 
 
 Ofjacke and Gylle. 
 
 OF Jacke and Gylle the maryage is as fyne 
 As of the colde water and the hotte wyne : 
 Jacke louethe his Gylle as hotte as anye fyer, 
 But Gylle louethe hur Jacke with a watrye defyer : 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 A matche well made, for flioulde bothe alyke burne 
 Soe mighte their flames their howfe to perill turne. 
 
 Of a Judge and a Theefe. 
 
 ACORRUPTE Judge fayde to an arrante theefe, 
 Whye fhouldefte thou not dye by lawe of the lande, 
 Beinge cafte by twelue of an open mifcheife ? 
 I ame a clarke quothe he, and doe vnderftande. 
 Arte thou foe ? quothe the Judge, then tell me this, 
 What difference betwene Fur and Latro is : 
 Ohe quothe the theife thofe differ as farre 
 As dot he your highe benche from this our lowe barre. 
 
 Otherwife in parte. 
 
 Ohe Sir betwene them theis differences are : 
 
 Thone fittes on the benche, thother ftandes at the barre. 
 
 Made at Wymbleton in his Lo: greate fickenes 
 in the la fie year e of Quene Marye. 
 
 CALLEINGE to mynde my wyfe mofte dere 
 Howe ofte you have in forrowes fadde 
 With wordes full wyfe and pleafante chere 
 My dropeinge lookes turned into gladde, 
 Howe ofte you have my moodes to badde 
 Borne patientlye with a mylde mynde, 
 Affwageinge them with wordes righte kynde : 
 
 m 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Remembringe to myne owne good manne 
 A tryed mynde with carke and care, 
 Howe ofte you have, howe well you canne 
 With modefte mirthe of witte not bare 
 Refrefflieinge me, and howe you are 
 Gladde by all meanes like a good wyfe 
 To breede and keepe a pleafante lyfe : 
 
 Thinkeinge alfoe with howe good will 
 
 The Idle tymes whiche yrkefome be 
 
 You have made Ihorte throwe your good ikill 
 
 In readeinge pleafante thinges to me, 
 
 Whereof profitte we bothe did fe, 
 
 As wittenes can if they coulde fpeake 
 
 Bothe your Tullye and my Senecke : 
 
 Seinge alfoe daylye at Eye 
 In my fickenes bothe greate and longe 
 Your care of mynde payne of bodye 
 Sekeinge alwayes to make me ftronge, 
 Soe as excepte I fhoulde faye wronge 
 I mufte nedes faye and with good harte 
 You have well played a good wyves parte : 
 
 Calleinge to mynde theis your kynde dedes 
 And herewithall wiflheinge there mighte 
 Suche frute fpringe oute of theis your fydes 
 As you mighte reape ftore due of righte 
 
 (*7) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Strayte wante of power appered in fighte 
 Affirmeinge that I foughte in vayne 
 Jufte recompence for foe greate gayne : 
 
 Then reafon to my comforte fayde 
 
 That wante of power will fhoulde fupplye, 
 
 Yf endevor gave his hole ayde 
 
 To thinke and thanke righte hartelye, 
 
 And fayde fliee knowes as well as I 
 
 That vltra pojfe non eft effe, 
 
 To doe your befte therefore addrefle ye. 
 
 In doeinge this I hadd refpe&e 
 
 As reafon woulde to your delight e, 
 
 And knoweinge that it dothe reie&e 
 
 Suche thinges as in mofte womens fighte 
 
 Thoughe vayne in dede femes mofte of mighte, 
 
 Therefore for you I coulde not fynde 
 
 A more depe thinge then frutes of mynde. 
 
 A mynde I have fuche as it is 
 And frutes thereof bothe yonge and olde, 
 Not pretyous muche nor all amhTe, 
 But as they be loe here them holde : 
 I wiffhe them better a hundrethe folde : 
 Ye recreatyons of bothe myne ages 5 
 Goe and farve hur as humble Pages. 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 In this farveinge your cheife chardge is 
 To councell and refreflhe hur mynde 
 All that you can, and befides this 
 To vfe fuche meanes as I maye fynde 
 Hur here and hence aye alike kynde : 
 And when bothe theis you ceafle to doe, 
 Oute of fervice I chardge you goe. 
 
 Of a Fryer and a Marryner. 
 
 Soe fore with tempeftes rage 
 That naughte was able 
 Ancre nor Cable 
 The daunger to afTuage. 
 
 The ftiippemenne weare 
 Strycken by feare, 
 With faruente deuotyon 
 They cryed, Alas, 
 Their ill lyfe was 
 The caufe of godds motyon. 
 
 Amongefte this forte 
 To their comforte 
 A Frier ther was douteles 
 Whoe willed them all 
 
 (*5>) 
 
The Recreations of his 
 
 On knees to fell 
 
 And ftrayte their finnes confefle. 
 
 For as he fayde 
 
 Heuyer then leade 
 
 The Prophett callethe fynne, 
 
 A Corke vnmeete 
 
 Here in the deepe 
 
 To carye when we fwyme. 
 
 To be confefled 
 
 Eache man ftrayte prefled : 
 
 The Fryer was thorowelye wroughte, 
 
 Confeflinge menne, 
 
 Abfolueinge them, 
 
 Soe muche a calme they foughte. 
 
 But when they fpyed 
 
 And had well tryed 
 
 Noe calme thereby to growe, 
 
 But furges hye 
 
 Soe rageingelye 
 
 Their fhippe did ouerflowe, 
 
 Strayte waye quothe one, 
 
 Maruell is none 
 
 Thoughe water come herein, 
 
 (3o) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Seinges your fhippe 
 Ys laden yet 
 
 With the wayghte of our finne. 
 
 This Fryer lett take, 
 Within whofe pate 
 Our finnes remayne this daye, 
 And cafte him oute, 
 Whoe withoute doute 
 Shall carye it cleane awaye. 
 
 They allowed this, 
 
 The Fryer take is 
 
 And cafte into the ftreame : 
 
 Then in their fighte 
 
 The fliippe fayled lighte, 
 
 Or elfe they did foe dreame. 
 
 Of a glorious marine and a playne fi-ende. 
 
 IN wanton ryme a greate grave matter 
 A gloryous manne {hewed to his frende : 
 Whoe fayde ftrayte beinge lothe to flatter, 
 The bodye was marred with a fbnde ryme. 
 This manne then his labor lothe to lofe 
 Turnethe his madde myter into fadde profe, 
 And to be glorified above the ftarres 
 To his frendes iudgemente agayne it referres : 
 
The 'Recreations of his Age 
 
 One quothe his frende there is at this feafon 
 Made of good ryme neyther ryme nor reafon. 
 
 Of a Mayde and a Paynter, 
 
 AMERYE Mayde 
 To a Paynter fayde 
 That muche Ihe mufed to fee 
 His pictures foe fayer, 
 And his fonne and heyer 
 Soe muche deformed to bee. 
 
 ******* 
 
 ****** 
 ******* 
 
 Of John and Jone. 
 
 OF a fmale caufe grewe noe fmale ftryfe 
 Twene John and Jone then manne and wyfe. 
 John called Jone nyfe becaufe that fhe 
 In talke betwene them woulde not agre : 
 That butter and milke fhe loued well 
 And yet of Cheefe did hate the fmelle : 
 Whiche John fayde was follye as greate 
 As for the fhelle to hate the meate. 
 John fayde fhe mighte euen by lyke rate 
 Loue all the partes and the hole hate. 
 Jone towched in witt beinge thoughte wyfe 
 For natures faulte beinge called nyfe 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Thoughte if fhe mumme ftioulde thus indure 
 John to the like it woulde procure : 
 Wherefore fhe fayde, by gis my John, 
 The reafon you make is a fonde won : 
 For foe mighte I iuftelye auowe 
 Of Oxe and Sheepe knoweinge that you 
 Loue more the fatte then all the refte 
 Prouide you candell for your feafte. 
 
 Other 'wife in parte. 
 
 For thoughe that ye the fatte doe loue 
 Of Oxe and Sheepe the refte aboue, 
 Yet my John excepte you wandell 
 I knowe well you loue noe candell. 
 
 Of a Louer. 
 
 BEHOLDE myne eyes as fountaynes fpringeinge, 
 Beholde my harte as brymftone burninge : 
 Myne eyes to water my corps woulde turne, 
 My harte to aflhes my corps woulde burne : 
 Blynde Cupyde this temperature hathe wrought e 
 To be ftyll dyeinge that deathe hathe foughte, 
 A wonder to fee couched in one thus, 
 fflames of iEtna and fludes of Nilus. 
 
 (33) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Of a theefe and a harlotte. 
 
 ATHEEFE condemned by order of lawe 
 A Queyne demanded by tholde fayde falue (? fawe) 
 To make hur a good womanne and him a good manne : 
 Hereunto the theefe thus aunfwered than : 
 If a whore or an halter be the hole fhifte, 
 Dryue on Carter, it is the better drifte. 
 
 Otherwife in parte. 
 
 Well quothe the theefe 1 fee the choyfe than, 
 Eyther prefente deathe or miferable lyfe : 
 A halter my bane or a whore to my wyfe : 
 Whiche nowe well wayed by him that fhall haue me 
 As lyue you had prayed an halter not faue me. 
 
 Epifcopus. 
 
 BOTHE flieepe and flieparde to aduerte 
 As cheife fhepreve I thinke my parte. 
 
 Decanus. 
 
 THE gredye woulfe from the poore fheepe 
 By godds worde I am bounde to keepe. 
 
 Archedeacanus. 
 
 WITH foode enoughe and good alfoe 
 ffamyne and Rotte I kepe them froe. 
 
 (3+) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 Officialis. 
 
 THE Pocke the Scabbe and other fore 
 To fee well cured I fame therefore. 
 
 Summonitor. 
 
 THE fliepardes dogge which I prefente 
 To barke and byte is ofte fente. 
 
 Of a Snowe balle, 
 
 A WANTON wenche vppon a colde daye 
 With Snowe balles prouoked me to playe : 
 But theis fnowe balles foe hette my defyer 
 That I maye calle them balles of wylde fyer. 
 Whoe woulde haue thought e in this colde fnowe 
 Cupyde woulde hide his fonde fyrye towe, 
 Or that from water fhoulde breede brandes fyrye, 
 Or colde and moyfte fhoulde caufe hotte and drye ? 
 What place is free from Loues flye workeinge 
 If vnder fnowe his fyer lye lurkeinge ? 
 Noe fnowe nor thinge this fyer can quenche 
 But the like fyer of this like wenche. 
 
 Of a Jejier and a Fryer. 
 
 APERTE Marchante feekeinge to lowte 
 A feelye ffryer in a greate rowte 
 Sayde : mas ffryer I marvell muche 
 
 Or) 
 
The Recreations of his Age 
 
 Whie to the CrofTe you doe foe crowche 
 And to the Gallowes Crofles toe 
 Of the like fubftance you doe not foe. 
 Sir quothe the ffryer afmuche mufe I 
 What is the caufe and reafon whye 
 
 ^ff ^ (r 
 
 ^ff *^ *^ ^ 
 
 (3<0 
 
Grayer made by Sir N. Bacon kntghte Lorde 
 keper of the greate Seale of Engelande. 
 
 7> HANKES be to thee O Almightie and everlafteinge 
 god, whiche in the beginninge of thine omnipotencye did- 
 efte create mankynde of the vyle flyme of the earthe to 
 thye likenes. And then of thye mere goodnes didefte ordayne 
 him to be in a place of greate comfbrte and delighte. And 
 after beinge by his difobedience worthelye iudged from the place 
 of pleafure to a place of myferye, from the ftate of innocencye 
 to the ftate of iniquitye, from eternall ioye to eternall payne, 
 didefte of thy free mercye (to deliver him thereof) fende thy 
 onelye fonne beinge equal 1 with thee in godhede to be for our 
 fakes incarnate and foe to become equall with vs thy creatures 
 in manhoode, by whofe onelye bitter paflion and cruell deathe 
 was by thy will and goodnes foughte and wroughte the hole re- 
 demptyon and falvacion of manne, whiche by his will and illnes 
 did feeke and worke his owne diftructyon and dampnacion. Of 
 whiche wounderfull benefittes foe freelye and vniverfallye geven 
 as I (Ohe Lorde) of all mankynde the wretchydefte have my 
 parte equallye with the greatefte. And therefore am bounde 
 dayelye to thanke prayfe and honor thy mofte benynge pyetye 
 comparable with anye other, foe above all other for thy peculier 
 graces and giftes whiche thou hafte alreadye geven me and con- 
 tynuallye I fynde feleingelye thou offerefte me I am bounde to 
 doe the fame. As fyrfte for that of thy greate clemencye thou 
 didefte geve me Parentes not heathen nor infydelles as the 
 greatefte number be, but Chriftians, nor Chriftians infamed but 
 honefte, and fuche as I trufte lyved in thy feare and love, nor 
 fuche as thou vyfitefte their children to the thirde and fourthe 
 
 (37) 
 
generacion, but fuche as they and their pofteritye ihall prayfe 
 and honor thy name in all generacions. Secondarilye for that 
 thou hafte vppon my birthe geven me thy bleffed Sacramente of 
 Baptifme, whereby haveinge thy grace iuftifyed I was made a 
 member of thy mifticall bodye, and foe delivered from Adams 
 fall and the iniquytyes of my conceptyon wherein with thou- 
 fandes thou might efte have fuffered me to have periflhed with- 
 out iniuftice. Thirdelye for that I was not borne to have a 
 mynde voyde of vnderftandeinge, nor of cruell difpoficion, nor 
 a bodye deformed and vglye, or infected with fome horible di- 
 feafe, nor deftytute of fuche fences as pertayne by thine ordy- 
 naunce to a reafonable creature, whereof I fee daylye a number 
 before my face. ffourthelye for my Educatyon in that it pleafed 
 thee of thy greate benevolence to inclyne my parentes hartes 
 to fee me broughte vppe not in ignoraunce, fuperftycion, nor 
 Idolatrye, but in knowledge of thy worde, righte relygion, and 
 trewe honor. And befides in fuche humane knowledges and 
 Civill orders as are befemeinge for this worke of thy handes. 
 rryftelye for that it hathe pleafed thy provydence to fette and 
 ordayne me to be in that ftate of lyfe in this worlde, as neyther 
 for wante or penurye I might e be moved to grooche or repyne, 
 nor yet for exceffe and wealthe or vayne glorye and carefull 
 cumber that growes thereby be withdrawne from walkeinge thy 
 wayes. And befides hafte bleffed me with increafe and there- 
 with geven me fuche companyons, as 1 maye iuftelye call thy 
 giftes to my contynuall comfort e and quyett. Syxtelye and 
 cheifelye for thy infinite mercye and pittye furmounteinge all 
 thy workes and all my wickednes which hathe caufed thee foe 
 ofte to forgyve and forgette the greate and manyfolde offences 
 not of my youthe onelye, but all other fynce my byrthe by me 
 
 08) 
 
mofte vnthankefullye and grevouflye agaynfte thy devyne ma- 
 ieftye committed and done beinge clerelye vnmyndefull or 
 vncarefull of all theis thy greate benefyttes and a multitude of 
 others whiche I day lye receaved, yea and that cleane contrarye 
 to foe manye folemne promifes and vowes vppon thy gracious 
 calleinges by me earneftelye made to thy deitye. And here 
 
 0 mofle mercyfull Lorde I of all fynners the worfte and wyc- 
 kedefte for theis my manyfolde fynnes and offences doe vppon 
 my knees calle and crye to thee for mercye and forgyvenes. 
 And albeit that my offences bothe for their great enes and num- 
 ber mighte iuftelye breede in me difpayer, yet agayne the greate- 
 nes of thy mercye and pittye, and the promifes thereof made 
 to the penytente by thye fonne, whoe is verye truthe it felfe, 
 cannot but confirme me in good hope, not douteinge but as of 
 thy mere goodnes thou didefte by the deathe of thy fonne re- 
 deme me beinge then thyne enemye and a damned creature, 
 foe nowe beinge redemed and a penytente thou wilte fave that 
 whiche alreadye is foe derelye boughte. And lyke (Ohe Lorde) 
 as for my fynnes I praye for mercye, foe for all theis thy bene- 
 fittes, giftes, and graces above remembred, althoughe not as 
 
 1 flioulde, yet as by thy gracious afliftaunce I maye or ame able, 
 I yelde here from the bottome of my harte my mofle humble 
 and earnefte thankes vnto thye devyne maieftye, prayeinge and 
 befecheinge the fame, foe to endewe me and AB uxor with thy 
 grace and favor that we maye by the remembraunce of theis 
 thy benefittes of our creatyon, redemptyon, parentes, byrthe, 
 Education, ftate of lyfe, and forgivenes of fynnes breede fuche a 
 love in our hartes towardes thee, and by the remembraunce of 
 thy iuftice fuche a feare, as from henceforthe all our thought es, 
 fpeakeinges, and doeinges maye be to the honor and glorye of 
 
 (39) 
 
thy holye name. And herewith (Ohe Lorde) if it be thy wyll 
 fende vs frvte that maye honor thee, and deliver vs bothe 
 whyles we tarye here oute of the trobles of infamye and ingra- 
 titude. Amen.