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 EDITED BY 
 
 J. PAYNE COLLIER. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED. 
 
 1866.
 
 Annex 
 
 5015713 
 
 CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 
 
 1. LAMENTATION AGAINST LONDON. 1548. 
 
 2. PASQUIL'S PALINODIA. 1619. 
 
 3. RESPUBLICA, AN INTERLUDE. 1553. 
 
 4. LADY PECUNIA, by RICHARD BARNFIELD. 1605. 
 
 5. MIRROR OF MODESTIE, by T. SALTER. 
 
 6. PASSION OF A DISCONTENTED MIND. 1602 
 
 7. ENCOMION OF LADY PECUNIA. 1598. 
 
 8. NEWS FROM THE LEVANT SEAS. 1594. 

 
 INTEODUCTION. 
 
 IN spite of the progress of the Reformation, and the positive 
 injunctions of the public authorities, it appears that the Citizens 
 of London were long averse to the publication and reading of the 
 Bible in English within the limits of their jurisdiction. The 
 consequence was that they incurred the hostility of all the friends 
 of the pending change in religion, and various works were pub- 
 lished against them. One of these, and certainly one of the 
 most virulent, is reprinted in the following sheets : it is by a 
 member of the Reformed Church, who was probably resident 
 abroad for greater security ; and it seems probable that it was 
 printed either at Nuremberg, or at some other foreign town, 
 where the typographer could not be reached : it bears the date 
 of 1-548, but is in all respects anonymous, and we are not aware 
 that it has been suggested that any particular individual was the 
 writer of it. 
 
 The obstinacy of the city upon the point, whether the Scrip- 
 tures should or should not be read in English, had not, of course, 
 been overcome when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne ; and on 
 the 1st January 1559, she was obliged to give commandment to the 
 Lord Mayor and Aldermen, that in every parish church within 
 the boundary of London " the parson or curate should read the
 
 11 
 
 epistle and the gospel of the day in the English tongue :" Stow, 
 whose authority we are quoting (Annales, p. 1075, edit. 1605), 
 adds that the order was " observed in most parish churches of the 
 city ;" but he does not inform us that such was the case in all, as 
 he probably would have done had there been no exceptions. 
 
 The writer in our hands is very bold and unmeasured in his 
 denunciations, especially against the magnates of the city ; and 
 threatens, in another work, to expose their names, if they did not 
 abandon the gross vices of which he accuses them. We do not 
 know whether he was driven to this extremity. 
 
 In the course of his work he inserts many particulars, reli- 
 gious, historical and local, some new, and others well known. 
 He mentions Standish, Frith, etc., by name ; and the sale of 
 pardons in Lombard Street, which is likened to the sale of pies in 
 Soper Lane (now called Queen Street), is a curious topographical 
 illustration. The author's style of writing is not unfrequently, as 
 with his polemical contemporaries, a mixture of the familiar with 
 the forcible ; and the positions are elaborately supported by scrip- 
 tural quotations and allusions. 
 
 It is unnecessary to dwell upon misprints : they will be looked 
 for in a production put forth under such disadvantages ; but 
 although foreign, as well as English, compositors were most 
 likely employed, the types appear to hav been either cast in this 
 country, or formed after home models. We have only found 
 occasion to insert a few missing letters, and they are placed 
 
 between brackets. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 The lamenta- 
 
 for some certain greate 
 vyces used therin. 
 
 PSAL. LXX. 
 
 Let them be abashed and ashamed, that feke after 
 my fowle ; let them be put to flight and shame, that 
 wyll me evyll. 
 
 f 
 
 Imprinted in the yere of our Lord 
 M. D. XLVIII.
 
 THE LAMENTATION OF A CHRISTEN 
 
 AGAYNST THE CYTIE OF 
 
 LONDON, &c. 
 
 Lorde God, Father of mercy, and God of all con. 
 folation ! what herte cannot lamente to fe the Tefta- 
 ment of thy onely Sonne, our full and onely redemer, Jefus 
 Chrift, thus refused and troden under fote ; yea, all thogh 
 God hathe given oure moft Soveraygne Lorde, Kynge 
 Henry the Eight, fuche an herte to fet yt forthe with his 
 moft Gratioufe Prevyledge ? Yet the great parte of thefe 
 inordinate riche ftyfnecked cytezens will not have in their 
 howfes that lyvely worde of our fouls, nor fuffre their ser- 
 vantes to have it ; neyther yet gladly reade it, or hear it 
 redde ; but abhoreth and disdayneth all thofe which wolde 
 lyve according to the Grofpell. And, in fteade there of, they 
 fett up and mayntayne Idolatrye and other innumerable 
 vices and wickednesses of man's invencyon, dayly com- 
 mitted in the Cytie of London, no reformacion or redreffe 
 ones ftudied for, wherby to expulfe vice, and encreafe vertu ; 
 nor no pollitique invencion for the common welth. No, no, 
 their heades are fo geven to feke their owne particular 
 welthes oneli, that thei paffe not of no honeft provyfion for 
 the poore, which thinge, above all other infidelityes, fhall be 
 our damnacion. As apereth Math, xxv, where Chrift 
 faithe : " I was hungrye and ye gave me not to eate, I was
 
 4 The lamentation of a Chriften 
 
 thirftie and ye gave me not to drinke, I was ficke and in 
 prifon, and ye vifited me not", etc. For not doynge thefe 
 things mail Chrift faye, "Go, ye curfed childrene, into ever- 
 lafting fyre, prepared for the Devell and his Angels." Reade 
 the text, and there ye mall fe what fhal be layed agaynft 
 you at the greate daie of the Lorde. And there ye mall 
 alfo fe, that ye mail not be enquired of many vayne, folifhe, 
 and fuperfticiouse things of your owne invencions, and of 
 your popifhe prieftes of Baal, whether ye have done them 
 or not. No, no, they fhalbe greatly to your dampnacion. 
 
 Oh Lorde Code ! how is it poffible for this cytie to ex- 
 pulfe vice and feke after virtue, feynge they will not receave 
 thi gofpell, which is the worde of everlaftynge life, and that 
 onely thing that leadeth us into all truth? No, Lorde, they 
 cannot be contented, not onely to denye the receit thereof, 
 but alfo the greateft parte of the feniours or aldermen, with 
 the multitude of the inordinate ryche : even as the Jewes 
 cryed out againft Chrift, takinge parte with the highe 
 prieftes, faing, Mat. xxvii, " Crucifie him," even fo doth the 
 riche of the citie of London take parte, and be fully bent 
 with the falfe prophetes, the Bifhops, and other ftrong, 
 ftoute, and fturdie prieftes of Baall, to perfecute unto dethe 
 all and everie godly perfon, which either preacheth the 
 worde or fetteth it forth in writinge (if thou deliver them 
 not from their wicked fnares), even as ded theyr fore fathers, 
 the mooft wycked, cruell, and ftonyherted Byfhoppes, 
 fcribes, and Pharyfees, by thy fervantes the prophetes, 
 and alfo thapoftles, Matth. xxiii. 
 
 Oh Lorde God ! how blind be thefe cityzens, whych take 
 fo great care to provyde for the deade, whych thynge is not 
 commanded them, nor a vayleth the deade, no more then
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 5 
 
 the piffmg of a wrenne helpeth to caufe the fee to flow at 
 an extreme ebbe, but ys the worke of man's owne inven- 
 cion and ymaginacion, accordinge to the faynge of the pro- 
 phete reherfed in Math. xiii. In vaine worfhippe and ferve 
 they me with the invencions and imagynacions of men. 
 Thus follow they theyr own imagynacyons, provydynge for 
 the deade uncommaunded, and leave provydynge for the 
 poore lyving, which the Scripture moft erneftly teacheth 
 and commaundeth, as aperith in the Prophete Efay Iviii, 
 Rom. xiii, 15, Luke xiv, Deut. xv, 2 Cor. ix, Prov. xxi. 
 And that which fhalbe layde to your charges, as is afore- 
 faide, for not doinge. And the rewarde of everlafting life 
 to them which to their power have provyded to do for the 
 wydowe and fatherleffe, which is to be underftoode of all 
 povertie, as prifoners, and thofe that be abrode. 
 
 Oh Lorde God ! how is yt poffible for thys people to 
 praife the aright, or to feke thy glorye, whych when they 
 be in trouble or plaged rightfulli of ye, either be drought, 
 moifture, or peftilence, or anie fuch like, whiche do not as 
 the Children of Ifrael ded : when they fawe their owne 
 iniquitie, repented ande forfoke theyr idolatrye, wyth all 
 theyr falfe goddes, and onely called to the Lorde God of 
 Hoftes, and fo obtained? As apereth in Judicum iii, iiii, vi, 
 x, xi, etc., and in many other places of the Bible. And 
 feinge Chryft our redemer teacheth us in the vi of Math., 
 where he fayth, When ye praie, faye, O father which arte 
 in heaven, et cet. And further he faith alfo, Mat. xi, Come 
 unto me, all ye that labour ande are loden (meaning with 
 finne) and I will refrefhe you. O ! what a mercyfull promes 
 is thys made to us wretches by him that is all holy, all 
 mighty, all mercyfull, and wyll fulfyll all his promyfes, even
 
 6 The lamentation of a Chrijlen 
 
 as he is God alone ? How madde, yea, how wicked, be we 
 then, to go, to feke, call, or to crye to any other then to him 
 alone ? Seinge he forbiddeth us in fo many places of his 
 holy Testament, fainge, I will have none other Goddes in 
 my fyght ; I am a Jealoufe God, Exo. xx. 
 
 But, alas ! thefe fticknecked citizens will not comme to 
 thys onely mediatoure both God and man, but when they 
 feale themfelves worthily plaged, which commeth of them 
 onely, then will they run a gaddyng, yea, a whorehuntyng, 
 after their falfe prophetes, through the ftreates ones or twyfe 
 in the weke, crienge and callyng to creatures and not to the 
 Creator, wyth ora pro nobis, and that in a tonge whych the 
 greateft parte understondeth not, unto Peter, Paule, James, 
 and Johan, Marye, and Martha, et cet. ; and I thynke wythin 
 fewe years they wyll (wythout thy greate mercy) call upon 
 Thomas Wolfey, late Cardynale, and upon the un holy (I 
 fhould faye) holy mayde of Kent. Why not [as] well as 
 upon Tho. Becket ? What he was I neade not write, yt 
 is meately well knowen. The fainge of the Prophete Efaye 
 xxix, recited by Math, in the xv chapter, is verified in this 
 people : Wyth their lippes they honoure me, but their hertes 
 are farre from me. Yea, they beate their breth against the 
 ayer, as S. Paul faith, I Co. xiiii, and that in vaine. Oh 
 Lorde God ! confounde them wyth all their falfe prophetes 
 and fuper sticioufnes, for they minifh thy glorie as moch as 
 in them lyeth. What is their gadding with ora pro nobis 
 unto creatures, of them which fhould onely praie unto ye ? 
 Is it ought elles but abhomination ? No, furely. And the 
 cytie never fpeadeth fo evell, as when they fo ronne a whore 
 hountinge. And no mervell, for they feke a wronge waye. 
 Oh, wicked peopel ! do not ye fe that both th'appost. and
 
 againjl tJie Cytie of London. *j 
 
 ang. refufed to be worshipped of men, but wold have all 
 the glory e given to God, as apereth in the iii of the Actes ? 
 alfo in the xiiii of the Actes, when the priestes, with the 
 people of Listra, wold have done sacrifice to Barnabas and 
 Paule. But when th'apoftles and Barnabas and Paule harde 
 that, they rent their clothes, and ranne in amonge the peo- 
 ple, crienge and fainge, Syrs, why do ye this ? We are mor- 
 tall men like unto you, and preache unto you that ye mould 
 turne from thefe vanitees unto the living God. These be 
 th'apoftles wordes : reade the chapter, and ye mall fee. Alfo 
 St. Johan fel downe at the fete of the angel which opened 
 unto hym the fecretes of God, and wold have worfhipped the 
 angel ; but the angel forbade him, fainge, Se thou do it not, 
 for I am thy fellow fervant, Apoc. xix. Here ye fe that 
 both the apoflles and aungels refufed to be worfhiped, but 
 wolde have all the glorye given unto God, when thei ware 
 here upon earth. Whether they do not likewyfe nowe feke 
 all the glory to God, and not to themfelves, judge thow, 
 gentle reader. And think ye not that if the bleffed virgin 
 Marie, were nowe upon earth, and fawe her fonne, and onely 
 redemer, thus robbed of his glori (which glory ye blinde 
 citezens geve unto hyr) wolde not me teare her clothes, like 
 as ded the apoftles ? Let the godly learned judge it. 
 
 Now mall ye heare what happened unto the people of 
 Juda, as appereth in the xliiii of Jeremye, for fekinge their 
 owne invencions, and for offringe oblacions with their fore 
 fathers, kynges ande heades, unto the quene of heaven, 
 whych was the mone, temptinge the Lorde fo farre, that the 
 Lord myght no longre fuffre the wickednes of theyr inven- 
 cions. Thus fayeth the prophete: Ye have fene the myferie 
 that I have brought upon Jerufalem, and upon all the cyties
 
 8 The lamentation of a Ckrijlen 
 
 of Juda, fo that thys daye they are defolate, and no man 
 dwellinge there in, and that becaufe of the greate blafphe- 
 myes which they committed in it, they went backe to do 
 facrifice and worfhippe unto ftrange Goddes, etc. And 
 furthermore, the faide prophete fayeth in the fame Ixiiii 
 Cha., Purpofely have ye fet up your good meanynge, ande 
 haftely have ye fulfylled your owne intent. What followed 
 in the ende ? verely, deftruccion. Reade the ende of the 
 fame chapter, and thou fhalt fe. 
 
 O, moft dere brethren ! for Chriftes fake, geve credence 
 unto the Prophete ; ande not to the Prophete onely, but alfo 
 unto the Holy Ghofte, whych fpake in the Prophete, and 
 then loke upon your felves how jointly ye agre wyth the 
 fayde people of Juda. They called the mone the quene of 
 Heaven, and ye call the Virgin Marie the quene of Heaven: 
 even as the one is quene of Heaven, fo is the other. Yet be 
 ye worffe then the people of Juda. For their fautes weare 
 written for your example. And where as they called upon 
 one quene of Heaven, yet call upon many. Howe manye 
 quenes of Heaven have ye in the letany ? Oh, deare 
 brethren ! be no longer deceyved wyth the falfe prophetes, 
 youre Byfhops, and theyr membres. Oh, ye cytezens ! be 
 ye fo blynde that ye fe not, that this is blafphemy to God, 
 and a minifhinge of the honor dew to Chriftes bloude, to 
 call upon the creatures of God created? To patche and 
 peace them with hym, as to patche the potte with the 
 potter ? And as though he ware a mercileffe God, and 
 wold not heare but for theyr fakes ? Yea, and yet knowe 
 not you whether thei hear you or not, as the likelihode is 
 thei do not, ; for ye have no promes of them, but of Chrift 
 ye have. As apereth Johan xiiii, Mat. xvii, where he faith :
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 9 
 
 Afke and ye fhall have, feke and ye fhall fynde, knock and 
 it fhall be opened unto you, etc. Thus leave ye waye cer- 
 tayn for the uncertayn, ye patche him with hys creatures 
 becaufe ye beleve not in hym, nor have that faith in hym, 
 which is of valoure before God. Yea, ye thinke he feeth not 
 the fecretes of your hertes. Oh, unwife peple ! fhall not he 
 that made the hert, knowe the fecretes thereof. Pfal. xciiii. 
 Well, I exhorte yowe, in the name of the lyvynge God, to 
 repent betime, fall from your accuftomed ydolatry, and 
 leave cryenge to your quenes of Heaven, ande call onely 
 upon the name of the Lorde whych made all, the God of 
 Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob ; and ferche the Scripture, and 
 ye fhall fe how often he hath plaged the chyldren of Ifraell 
 for their ydolatrye and whoredome, and all for our enfample. 
 Repent, I fay ones againe, lefte the Lorde, geve you wholy 
 up to your owne luftes, as he ded the heythen, Rom. i, and 
 vifyte you wyth the plages of Egipte, which ye have already 
 ryghtfully deferved. He is a mercyfull God, and fuffereth 
 longe, but when he ftryketh felleth to the grounde. 
 
 Nowe to lament your blinde provyfyon for the deade. 
 Alas ! it is more then blyndnes it felf, for manifeftly ye cafl 
 Chrifles merites afyde in feking health for the foules of 
 youre frendes departed, by providing an ydle lyfe for an 
 unlearned preft or two of Baall, truftinge in theyr praiers, 
 as though thefe preftes had overplus of righteoufneffe more 
 then ferved them felves. Ye wyll faye, no, we truft to be 
 faved by Chriftes paffion. I utterly denye your trufte ; it is 
 vaine and falfe, and without hope, or elles ye wold not feke 
 fo many fuperftycious waies. For Chryft is the onelye 
 waye to the Father, and is alone fuffycyent for all, Heb. ix. 
 
 C
 
 io The lamentation of a Cliriftcn 
 
 Yea, although Chryfte be fuffycyent, yet ye wyll have a 
 preft to fmge for you alfo, as it weare for a waretack. 
 
 Oh, ye difpifers of the bottomleffe mercy of God, yea 
 whorehounters and robbers of Goddes glorye ! Is Chryft a 
 peced God, or a patched Redeamer ? doth not the fcripture 
 faie, there is none other name under heaven, wherin we 
 maye be faved ? Act. iiii, xiii. Howe mad be ye then, to 
 feke or call uppon anyother ! The great fubftance which 
 ye beftowe upon chauntryes, obbities, ande fuch other lyke 
 dregges of that abhominable whore of Rome, whyche moft 
 commenly ye geve for iii caufes (as ye faye) is all lofte. 
 
 Firft, that ye will have the fervices of God maintained in 
 the churche to Goddes honour, and yet by the fame fervice 
 is God difhonored, for the fupper of the Lord is perverted, 
 and not ufed after Chriftes inftitucion, Mat. xxvi, Marc, xiiii, 
 Luke xxii, I Corint. xi ; and fo is that holy inftytucyon 
 turned into a vayne superftycious cerymoniall maffe (as they 
 call it) which maffe is become an abominable idoll, and of 
 all idoles the mofte greateft ; and never mail ydolatrye be 
 quentched, where that ydol is ufed after Antichriftes infti- 
 tucyon. Daniel ix, Mat. xxiiii ; whiche, no doubt, fhalbe 
 reformed, when the tyme is come that God hath appointed, 
 even as it is ufed already in diverfe cityes of Germainie. Yea, 
 although all the Antichriftes in the whole worlde wolde faye 
 the contrarye, and all their difciples wyth them : yea, al- 
 though they ftudie to fet all the Princes of the earth to 
 gether by the eares, to let that and foche like godly redreffe, 
 as it is their olde caft, yet he fytteth in Heaven that laugh- 
 eth them to fcorne, and he shall make theyr wyfdome 
 folyshnes, I Cor. i. 
 
 The feconde caufe is for redeaminge your foules and your
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. \ I 
 
 frendes, whych is alfo abhomynable. For who foever will 
 feke redempcyon, juftifycacyon, falvacyon, or to be made 
 righteoufe by the lawe, he is gone quyte from Chrift, and 
 hys merytes profyte hym not. Reade the thyrde chaptre 
 to the Romaynes, and the iii to the Hebreus, the iii to the 
 Galath., and alfo Efaye liii, I Cor. i ; and ther ye shall fee. 
 Perchaunce, ye will faie, ye feke no foche thinge thereby. 
 Oh, ye unwife and open dyffemblers, wherefore then do ye 
 it ? Ye faye, like as the idolatoure nowe adaies doth, yf he 
 fet a candle before an image and idolle, he fayth, he doth 
 not worshippe the image, but God whome it reprefenteth. 
 For (faye they) who is fo folysh as to worshyppe an image ? 
 As who shuld faye, none. I anfwere : wherfore doth God, in 
 fo manie places of the Scripture, forbidde us to worshippe 
 idolles or images, as Exo. xx, Deut. v. Sapi. xiii, xiiii, and 
 throughout all the Prophetes, but that he knewe that ye 
 wolde worshyppe them wyth youre forefathers ? Even fo 
 ye, by caufe ye have not full truft in Chriftes merites, ye 
 grope after vayne waretackes. If thou wylt fet a candle 
 before the image of God, thou muft be diligent dayly to 
 helpe thyne neighbour, acording to thyne eftate ; whych 
 thing I have touched before. 
 
 The iii caufe of youre good intent is, that the profites of 
 your goodes maie come to the preftes, as though they ware 
 the peculyar people of God, and onely beleved ; as in dede, 
 to thofe whiche preache the Gofpell be the people bound to 
 geve a fufficient lyvyng. For the workman is whorthye of 
 hys rewarde, Mat. x, I Tim. v. But not that their prayer 
 can helpe the dead, no more then a man's breth blowynge 
 in the fayle can caufe a great shippe for to faile. So is this 
 alfo become abhominacion ; for thofe be not Chryftes mynyf-
 
 1 2 The lamentation of a Chrijlen 
 
 ters, but the minysters of a rable of uncommaunded tradi- 
 tions and popishe ceremonies. Ande thus ye be the main- 
 teyners of a fort of lusty lubbars, which be well able to 
 laboure for their lyvynge, and strong ynoughe to gett it 
 with the fwet of their faces, as the Scrypture teacheth them, 
 Genefis iii, I Thefalo. iiii. And thus be ye maintayners of 
 their ydlenes, and leave the blynde, the lame, and the pre- 
 foner unholpen, whiche the Scripture commaundeth you to 
 helpe, except it be on the Sondayes, with a fewe halfpens, 
 or by pennymeale, whych helpeth lytle or no thynge. 
 
 But unto thofe blynde guides ye wil geve vi, vii, viii, 
 yea, xii pounds yearly to one of them, to fynge in a chaun- 
 trie to robbe the lyvynge God of hys honoure. 
 
 Ye wyll faye unto me, what arte thou, that calleth thefe 
 thinges uncommaunded tradycyons and popyshe ceremon- 
 yes, feynge the Kynge's Grace forbyddeth them not, and 
 ufeth parte of them hym felfe ? I anfwere, that ye ufe 
 manye thynges contrary to the Kyng's injunccyons. And 
 yf it be that God, through the Kynge, hath caste out the 
 Devell out of this realme, and yet both he and we fuppe of 
 the broth in which the Deveil was foden, and that God hath 
 yet not opened the eyes of the Kynge to fet all thynges in 
 right frame, and utterly to breake downe the ferpent, as 
 Ezechias the kinge dyd, 4 Reg. ix ; and as Kynge Afa dyd, 
 2 Chro. xiiii, take it thus, that even your iniquytye wyth 
 callynge upon vayne Goddes, and fekynge falvacion by a 
 wronge waye, is the veri caufe that God clofeth up the eies 
 of the Kynge, as of one that heareth and understandeth not, 
 and feeth and perceyveth not. 
 
 But for the reverence of Christe's merites, where as ye 
 have walked fome in verye fimple ignorance, and fome in
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 13 
 
 obstynate or wylfull ignorance, and groped in tymes paste 
 after a wronge waye, darke, croked, harde, and endles, now 
 feke the ryght, treu, and onely waye, which is light, streyght, 
 and eafy to fynde, that is to fay, Christ the onely Meffias, 
 and redreffe thefe thinges, eafy to be done. Turne your 
 chauntries and your obbities from the profite of thefe beare- 
 wolves whelpes, whiche can neyther helpe the foules of your 
 frendes departed, nor yet yours, after God hath taken you 
 from this life ; and Scripture ye have none to encorage you, 
 but only your owne inventions : and against you are places 
 innumerable, and fpecially Rom. xiiii ; where the Apoftle 
 fayth, what foever is not of fayth is fynne : your chauntries 
 and ceremonies are without Code's worde, and fo muft thei 
 be without fayth ; ergo, they be fmne. Beftowe them ther- 
 fore from hence forwarde uppon the treu image of Chrifte, 
 whych is uppon the poore, the fycke, the blinde, the lame, 
 the prefoners, etc. 
 
 Oh ye Cytezens ! yf ye wolde turne but even the profytes 
 of your chaunteries and your obbittes to the fyndynge of 
 the poore, with a pollitique and godly provyfion, where as 
 now, London beyng one of the flowers of the worlde as 
 touchinge worldlye ryches, hath fo manye, yea, innumerable 
 of poore people forced to go from dore to dore, and to fyt 
 openly in the ftretes a-beggynge ; and many not able to do 
 for other, but lye in their howfes in moft grevous paynes, 
 ande dye for lacke of ayde of the riche, to the greate fhame 
 of the, Oh, London ! I faye, yf ye wolde redreffe thefe 
 thynges as ye be bounde, ande forowe for the poore, fo 
 fhoulde ye be wythout the clamor of them, which alfo crieth 
 unto God agaynft you, and whych he well heareth ; and then 
 where as now ye have an houndreth extreme poore people,
 
 14 The lamentation of a Clirijlen 
 
 fhall not be one ; and in fo doing your owne goodes fhal not 
 be a witneffe againft you at the greate day of the Lorde, as 
 yt wilbe againft your forefathers for not providing for the 
 poore. Befydes that, what a joye fhall it be to fe your 
 bretherne well provided for ? 
 
 Ye abufe your riches, fpecially you that come to thoffice 
 of the Cytie, for ye fpende unmeafurably. Uppon whome? 
 even uppon them that have no neade, as uppon the nobles 
 and gentlemen of the courte, uppon the aldermen and other 
 riche commoners, which have as greate nead of your feaftes 
 as hath the fee at the hygheft of the fpringe tyde of the 
 piffinge of the wrenne, the pore forgotten, except it be with 
 a feu fcrappes and bones fent to Newgate for a face. Alaffe, 
 alaffe ! how litle is it the Lord knoweth : I thinke in my 
 judgement, under Heaven is not fo lytle provyfyon made 
 for the pore as is in London, of fo riche a cytie. 
 
 Well, the poore well feleth the bournynge of Do6lor 
 Barnes and hys fellowes, which laboured in the Lorde. 
 For, accordynge to their office, they barked uppon you to 
 loke uppon the poore, fo that then fome relefe they had ; 
 but now, alaffe ! they be colde, yea, even thofe which faye 
 they be the favorrers of the Gofpel. It is a token that youre 
 foundacion was buylded upon the fande, for that God hath 
 fuffred youre Prophetes to bee brente. Though they be 
 gone, confidre it was not theyr commandement, but Goddes, 
 whofe Teftament ye have even nowe in youre very mother 
 tonge, thankes be to the Lorde therefore. In the fame ye 
 may perceyve that their abfence fhould not quenche nor 
 mollifye your love towardes your brethern. And doubt 
 not but God fhall rayfe other, that fhall fpeke with the 
 fame fprete that they ded, and with no leffe love and vehe-
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 15 
 
 mency, if inyquytie be not caufe to the contrarie. There 
 is a cuftome in the cytye, ones a yeare, to have a queft 
 called the warnmall quefte, to redreffe vices ; but alaffe ! to 
 what purpofe cometh it, as it is ufed ? If a pore man kepe 
 a whore befides hys wife, and a pore man's wyfe play the 
 harlot, they are puniffhed, as well worthie. But let an alder- 
 man, a gentleman, or a riche man kepe whore or whores, 
 what punifhment is then ? Alaffe ! this matter is to bad. I 
 faye fome of your aldermen kepe whores to the greate fhame 
 of all the reft. That weare no fhame to name them. Wher- 
 fore repent and amende, or furelie I will, yf God lende me 
 lyfe, in an other worke, name you, and other of your affynyte, 
 which be openly knowen to be common advouterers: which 
 is no lyte fhame to the heades and other rulers of the Cytie 
 to fuffre fuch abhominacion. But no marvell, though ye 
 fuffre bodely advoutrers, feinge ye your felfes are fpyrituall 
 avoutrers, calling upon vaine godes. Ye will fay I fclaundre 
 you, and brynge up falfe lies upon you. Some of you knowe 
 whether I flaunder you or not : I wold it ware a fclaunder. 
 But I fclander you fo, that except ye repent and amend 
 your living, as well ye that be fufferers of fuch vices as the 
 committers, except ye amende, I faie, and feke redreffe of 
 thys and fuche lyke, the vengeaunce of God wyll lyght 
 uppon the cytye for youre fynnes. For howe can ye do 
 juftice upon a nother and ye offende in the fame yourfelfe? 
 Yea, and how parciall be ye that punifh the pore, ande leave 
 unpunifhed thofe heades that fhoulde geve goode example 
 to the reft ? Awake, awake ! for the Lorde flepeth not, al- 
 thoughe ye thinke that he wincketh at thys geare. I ex- 
 horte you in Code's name, loke better in chofinge of your 
 heade officers. Let not ryches only caufe men to rule ; and
 
 1 6 The lamentation of a CJtriften 
 
 fpecially loke better to the chofing of your officers of the 
 lawe. How can dronkardes, whoremongers, ande covetoufe 
 parfons geve right jugement? do bryers bringe forth figges, 
 and thornes grapes ? Ande I faye unto you, the parcialyte 
 of judges fuppreffynge the pore, and aydynge the riche for 
 lucre, and in condemning the innocentes, and lettinge the 
 wycked go fre, bryngeth the vengeaunce of God upon all 
 places, as appereth in Efay. iii. Here I coulde faie fumwhat 
 more then I nowe wyll, I meane in condempninge the in- 
 nocentes. 
 
 Thynke ye that God hath not as moche to laye to the 
 charges of London for killinge hys fervantes, as he had 
 agaynst Jerufalem for killinge hys prophetes ? Yes, yes. 
 For Godde's fake, ye that be elders repent and geve your 
 felves to readinge the lawe of the Lord, that ye maye be an 
 example to the commons in godlye converfacion. And in 
 the Scriptur ye mail lerne what to do, ande what to leave 
 undone, and howe to knowe falfe prophetes, and how to 
 caft them out of your confcyens, where they have fytten a 
 long time, even in the stede of God. I meane not the 
 Byfhoppe of Rome alone, but he and all hys marke wyth 
 hym, and fpecialy his owne generacion, which are all in 
 forked cappes. 
 
 What a plage is this, that in no man's tyme alive was 
 ever any Christen Bifhoppe raininge over the Citye of Lon- 
 don, but every one worffe then other ? 
 
 I thynke theyr can now come no worffe, except the fame 
 Lucyfer that fell from Heaven come himfelfe, whyche is the 
 very father of all Popyfhe Byfhops. 
 
 Confydre, thys is for your inyquitie. Yet let the lytle 
 flocke rejoice and geve God onely thankes, that he hath
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 17 
 
 raifed other meaner membres, in the fight of the worlde 
 then Bifhopps, to preach the Gofpell, and to fet it forth in 
 wrytynge. 
 
 Now to all you, though ye be fewe in nombre, whych 
 favoure God's holy worde unfainedly, and not in worde 
 onely, but in workes alfo, fhewyng the frutes of your faith, 
 fay I thus : exortynge you for Chriftes bloude fake to be 
 dylygent in prayer onely to the everlyvinge God, that he of 
 hys owne mere mercy geve grace to the rulers of thys 
 cytye, that from henceforth they maye feke Gods glory 
 onely, the common welth and provyfion for the poore : and 
 then, doubt ye not but God fhall geve our noble kynge 
 fuch an harte that he fhall knowe, and foche eyes that he 
 fhall playnly fee, and foche eares that he fhall underftonde 
 in deade. For why ? it is the Lorde that hath the hert of 
 all prynces in hys hande, Pro. xxi. So that I faye, where 
 as he hath now banifhed out of hys realme but the veri 
 beare walfe, the whore of Babylon only, [he] fhall now alfo 
 banyfh with her all her folyfhe tradycyons and beggerly 
 ceremonyes, againft which S. Pau. wrote ad Gal. iiii., and 
 in many other places mo. 
 
 Now fhall your papiftical forte difpife this my lamenta- 
 cyon, and laugh me to fcorne. Although I knowe there is 
 no chryflen herte in thys realme, no nor in the whole worlde, 
 whiche knoweth the vyces ufed in the citie, and how lytle 
 Gods glorye is fought, how lytle the commone welth is fett 
 by, howe barelye the poore are provided for, but he wyl 
 lament wyth me. And as for the contrary parte, I wyfh 
 with all my hert repentaunce, and will continuallie my life 
 during praie unto the everliving God to drawe them to the 
 Gofpell of hys fonne Jefus Chryfte, and that they maie 
 
 D
 
 1 8 The lamentation of a CJiriJlen 
 
 come to the father by the onely waye and dore Chryfte, 
 and that they may alfo forfake theyr bydores and clyming 
 in at the windowes, wherebi they fhall never atayne to any 
 favynge helth. O LordeGod ! I befeche the[e], call them from 
 that nombre whome the Almighty fytting in Heaven laugh- 
 eth to fcorne, Pfal. xxi. The onely caufe that I wryte this, 
 is to exhorte all men, as well readers as hearers, to repent 
 betymes, ande to fall diligently to prayer, afkyng mercy, 
 that we may avoyde the plages whyche we rightfully have 
 deferved ; and no doubt we fhall not efcape them all, onles 
 we repent the foner. Remembre how he warned the city 
 of Jerufalem xi years long : and becaufe they repented not, 
 but flewe the Prophetes by whom God warned them, he 
 kept promes with them, and fcourged them according to 
 their defervinges. And he that fpake the fame to Jeru- 
 falem fpeaketh it to yow, and to all cityes, that committe 
 like iniquite as ye do. And whether ye have ferved the 
 difciples of the Lorde, like as ded the cytezens of Jerufalem 
 their prophetes, judge your felves, ande ye fhall fee that ye 
 have fhed more bloud then ever ded that mofte fynfull 
 Jerufalem, even of them that taught you Gods truth. Well, 
 I can no more, but befeche the Lord God, that he wyll 
 geve fuche grace to fome, that in the time of hys wrath he 
 maye finde x ryghteous perfons in this cytie, whereby the 
 wrath and vengeaunce of God may be turned from it, which 
 is lyke to come fhortly uppon us, or uppon our childeren, 
 for our fmnes and oure forefathers. For we have deferved 
 a M. times more plages then ever ded Tire and Sidon, 
 or Sodoma and Gomora, were it not for the great mercy of 
 God, I thinke, we had founde it fo or this tyme. For we 
 have an example of thefe cities, and they be written for
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 19 
 
 oure learninge to avoid fuch vices. Yea, no doubt, the vices 
 committed in thee, oh London! are as evell as ever ware in 
 any of the foure cyties afore named. And furely I thinke, 
 yf they had herd the preching that hath bene in London 
 this xiiii or xvi yeares pafl, that they had repented and 
 forfaken their iniquitye. For I faye unto youe that the 
 gofpell was never more fmcerelye preached in the tyme of 
 the Apoftles, then it hath bene of late in London : nor 
 never more godly expoficions uppon the fcripture, and that 
 a greate nombre, whereby to drawe us to Chrift Jefus. For 
 why ? the fame fprete, even the very holye Ghofte whych 
 fpake in the Apoftles hath fpoken in men now to us. 
 
 But alas! as the Prophete fayth, Efay xxix, we have 
 eares and heare not, eyes and fee not. 
 
 See ye not, nor yet perceive ye, how the blynde prophetes 
 have led you, even now in our tyme ? Have ye not flayne 
 the fervauntes of the Lorde, onely for fpeakynge agaynft 
 the autoritye of the falfe Byfhoppes of Rome, that mon- 
 ftruoufe beaft, whom now ye your felves do, or fhuld ab- 
 horre ? I meane all his lawes beynge a contrary to Chrift, 
 and not his body, and yet ye fe that a fewe yeares paft ye 
 brent them for heretiques abhominable which preached, or 
 wrote against his ufurped power ; and now it is treafon to 
 uphoulde or maintayne any parte of his ufurped power, and 
 he fhal dye as a traytoure that fo doth, and well worthy. 
 So faye I unto you, there fhalbe yet thinges preched unto 
 you, and ye fhall be inftrucled by wryters of thinges which 
 ye be not yet able to heare ; and whofoever preacheth or 
 writeth it (if the Lorde defend him not out of your handes) 
 he fhall dye for it : and yet out it will at the length, though 
 all the develles in hell faye naye to it, and fo fhalbe re-
 
 2O The lamentation of a Chrijlen 
 
 formed. Ande even this followyng is one of the chefest 
 things. 
 
 Oh ye cytezens ! wyll ye never geve your felfes to the 
 readynge of the fcripture, whereby ye maye knowe the lawe 
 of the Lorde, to avoyde the everlastynge damnacion, which 
 is ordayned for the devell and his angels ? Wyll ye ever 
 be ignorant of Godes commaundement ? Exodi. xx, faynge, 
 I will have none other Gods in my fyght, and that ye 
 neyther bowe your felfe, nor ferve any thing as God, that is 
 in earth benethe, or in heaven above, or in the water under 
 the earth. And do ye not yet fe how thys whore of Baby- 
 lon hath altered the fupper of the Lorde, which was infti- 
 tuted to have the bleffed paffion in continuall remembraunce, 
 and for a perpetuall memorye of thankes gevinge : which 
 we fhuld receive with all reverence and meaknes of hert, 
 gevinge thankes unto God onely for the benefyte which we 
 have receyved and obtayned through Chrifbe's dethe, which 
 this fupper fygnifyeth, and that we beleve as verely as we 
 eate the breade and drinke the wine, which norifheth the 
 body and is feane with our corporall eye, and fpiritualli re- 
 prefenteth the very body of Chrift : even fo verely as we 
 have tafted, eaten and feen this holy fupper or Sacrament 
 of thanks gevinge ; even fo verelye to beleve that Chrift 
 dyed for our fmnes, and that his bloud onely hath pacyfied 
 the father's wrath, and fo hath fett us at peace with God. 
 For he hath payed that which laye not in me nor in no man, 
 but onely in hym that was bothe God and man, and by 
 none other meanes myght man be redemed, and fo to ac- 
 knowledge that he is deade and hath fhed his bloude for 
 our fynnes, and is ryfen for our rightwyfneffe. 
 
 Thus I, feynge my fynnes buryed in Chrifte's woundes,
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 21 
 
 muft ever more be thankful to the everliving God onely. 
 And thus to eate his bleffed body, and to drinke his bloude 
 fpiritually in fayth, is God's inftitucyon, Math, xxvi, Marc, 
 xiiii, Luc. xxii, I Corinth, xi : where he fayth, as ofte as ye 
 fhall eate of this breade and drinke of this cuppe ye fhall 
 fhew the Lorde's death till he come. 
 
 And Saynte Auftyn fayth, what prepareth thow thy teth 
 and thy belly? beleve and thow haft eaten. Which agreeth 
 with the words of our Saviour Chrift, faing : The flefhe 
 profiteth nothynge, it is the fpryte that quyckeneth; Johan 
 in the vi chapter. But the inftitucion of Antichrifte is 
 clean contrary to thys ; for by his inftitucion thou mufte 
 fall downe uppon thy knees, holdinge up thy handes as to 
 God. In dede, it is that Bysfhoppe of Romes God, which 
 they muft fee with theyr corporall eye, becaufe they have 
 no hope in the lyvynge God through the fpyrituall eye. 
 
 And thus hath he chaunged the holy memory of Chrifte's 
 death, in to the worfhippynge of his God, made of fyne 
 flower, and all to bringe him felfe and his members alofte, 
 and in the reputacion of the world above all degrees of 
 men ; yea, above Kinge and Emperour, and therby to fitt 
 in the confciences of men, above God and his worde, even 
 in the very temple of God, where God alone fhoulde fitt. 
 And by his inftitucion of this his God is he crept up in 
 to this ufurped power. 
 
 Oh Antichrift, the begynner of this Idoll, which is heade 
 of all Idolles after thyne inftitucyon ! Doth not God fay, 
 as afore is fayde, Exo. xx, Thou fhalt not worfhyppe 
 any fymilytude that is in heaven, erth, or in the waters 
 under the earth ? And thou, contrari to the everlyving 
 Goddes commandement, hath feduced the people to honore
 
 22 The lamentation of a CJiriJleu 
 
 thy God. I tel the gentle reader ones again, it is the 
 greateft Idoll under heaven as it is ufed in his maffe, and a 
 God of the makynge of Antichrift, as is faid, whiche maffe 
 is after his inftitucyon an heape of folifhe ceremonies with- 
 out fignifications, to avaunce and fet out his God to the 
 blearynge of the eyes of the fymple. Ande thu fhalt fee, if 
 thou wilt reade the xviii chapter of the Apocal., callinge to 
 God onely to open thyn eyes, all the trifhtrafhe that Anti- 
 christ hath folde us, whiche be the onlye implementes of the 
 maffe of Antichrift : I mean not the Antichrift of Rome 
 onely, but alfo of all other Popyffhe Byfhoppes, with 
 all theyr brethern in Antichrist. And in the fayde xviii 
 chapter thou fhalt fee the fall not onely of the whore 
 alone, but alfo of her merchaundyfe the fame tryfhtrafh 
 with her. For even as the whore is fallen in England 
 already, thankes onely be geven to God therfore, and yet 
 her trishtrash remayning for our iniquities fake, even fo 
 I faie, in the faide xviii chapter thou shalt fee that her 
 marchaundyfe muste followe, when the tyme is come that 
 God hath appoynted. No doubt our unthankfulneffe fake, 
 ande the gevinge of glorye unto men, whych shulde be 
 geven onely unto God, is the caufe of the longe remainynge 
 of the premiffes. The wordes of the xviii chaptre be thefe : 
 Alas, alas, the greate citie Babilon, that myghty cytie ! for 
 at one hour is her judgement come, ande the merchants of 
 the earth shall wepe and wayle in them felves, for no man 
 wil bye their ware any more, the ware of gold and filver, 
 and precious stones, nether of pearles, and raynes, and pur- 
 ple, and fkarlet, and all thynne woddes, and braffe, ande 
 yron, and finamom, and odours, and oyntmentes, ande 
 frankencenfe, and wyne, and oyll, ande fyne flower, and
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 23 
 
 sowles of men. This fine flower have they made the chef- 
 este of all theyr tryshtrashe, and a cloke or a cloude to 
 shadow all the reste. Rede the chapter, and thou shalt 
 perceive more. 
 
 I praie ye, jentle reder, judge, weare not the pardoners 
 merchantes to them ? Yee, it is well knowen that theyr 
 pardons, and other of theyr tromperye, hath bene bought 
 and fold in Lombardstrete, and in other places, as thow 
 wylt bye ande fell an horffe in Smithfelde. Yea, ande at 
 Easter, when thou shouldst come to the fupper of the Lord 
 to receyve the Sacrament of thankes gevynge, then muste 
 thou receive the God of Antichryst without fignificacion or 
 Godly instruction ; yea, and thou must bye it, ande paye 
 for it, as men fom time bought pyes in Soper Lane. Yea, 
 ande thou must paye for his God or thou have it : yea, I 
 have harde of pore men, for lack of two pens, been put from 
 receyvynge of theyr God, and for lack of paying the parfon 
 or vicare his dewtie many have been put from it. 
 
 Ande more I tell the[e], reader, the bodye of our Saviour 
 Jefus Christ can not be eaten wyth teth, it must be eten 
 with faythe as is a forefayde. 
 
 Ande further marke thys well : that thyinge that hath 
 beginninge or endinge can not be God, nor ought to be 
 worshypped as God. So can thys Sacrament no more be 
 God, then was the pafcall lambe. For God ys wythout 
 begynnynge and endynge, and fo is not the God of Anti- 
 christ, for he is made manye tymes be a fynnefull ipocryte. 
 
 Well, then it hathe a begynnynge, ande maye peryshe 
 ande moulde a waie, and the lytle moufe wyll eate it, if he 
 maye come by it. And the wyne wyll waxe fower and 
 stinke, as doth theyr holy water in the founte by longe
 
 24 The lamentation of a Chriften 
 
 kepinge, whiche hath bene the destruction and deth of in- 
 numerable childerne : when as two or thre droppes of 
 water taken out of it by the prestes handes and cast uppon 
 the childe weare fufficyent, and the childe never neade to 
 be taken out of hys clowtes. Now to my purpofe agayne. 
 Oh thou blynde man! can the body of Chryst peryshe by 
 any maner of meanes ? As to waxe fower, or that any 
 maner of beastes maye eate the bodye of Chryst ? No, 
 furely, God forbydde. For he (as concernynge hys God- 
 heade) was from the begynnynge, and fhall be with out 
 endynge, as manyfeftlye it appeareth in Johan, the fyrfte 
 chapter. The worde was in the begynnynge wyth GOD, 
 etce. But thys marke well, that even as the paffeover lambe 
 was a fygne, a token ande in remembraunce to put the 
 Chyldern of ISRAEL -in memory of their corporalye or 
 bodely delyveraunce, and alfo that Meffias fhulde come to 
 be flayne for theyr fmnes, paying theyr raunfome, and de- 
 lyveryng them from everlaftyng dethe : which moved the 
 faithfull of them to be thankfull to God, for that they be- 
 leved as verely as they dede eate of the lambe whych they 
 had flayne, even fo verely had God delyvered their fore- 
 fathers from the plages whyche fell upon the wicked un- 
 belevers. And alfo that a Redemer fhuld come whyche 
 God the Father had promifed, by the mouth of his Pro- 
 phetes. And thus dede they bothe eate Chryftes body and 
 drynke Chryftes bloude in faith fpiritually, many yeares 
 afore Chryfte was borne: even fo the Sacrament of thankes 
 gevinge is to us a figne, a token, a fpirituall memorye of 
 our fpirituall deliveraunce. For the faythfull beleved even 
 as verelye as they fee and eate it, fo do they acknowledge 
 the benefytt whych they receave in, ande through the im-
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London, 25 
 
 mortall God, and whych the fame holy Sacrament repre- 
 fenteth, ande no doubte the very bodye of Jefus Chryft is 
 fpyritually in ande wyth us in the receivinge of the Sacra- 
 ment, if it be refayved with the fayth afore fayde. Even 
 lyke as he is amonge two or thre whych be gathered to- 
 gether in hys name as it is his godly promes, Ma. xviii. 
 Thus ye maie fe that the fame faith which faveth us, faved 
 the olde fathers ; for they beleved throughe the outwarde 
 fygne that a redeamer fhulde come, and we, through the 
 memory of thys holy Sacrament of thankes gevynge, beleve 
 that he is come, and hath fulfylled all that was of him 
 prophecied. And thus both thei and we eate the holy body 
 of Chrift fpiritualie in one fayth. 
 
 And farther underftond, reader, that unto all belevers 
 the ceremonye of eatynge the pafhcale lambe ceaffed im- 
 mediatlye when Chryft had chaunged it in to a Maundye 
 of thanckes geving. For why ? the next daie was fullfylled 
 by the death of Chryft that thynge whyche the pamcale 
 lambe to them ded reprefent. 
 
 Thou faieft it is a Sacrament, which I both graunt and 
 writ. If it be a Sacrament, as it is in dede, then it is a 
 fygne of fome holyer thinge then it felfe is. Ande beynge 
 a fygne of a holyer thinge then it felfe is, fo can it not be 
 God, for what fygne or token wilt thou have holier then 
 God ? None. Ergo, then, it is not God hym felfe, but fome 
 fygne, token, or remembraunce of fome benefyt whych we 
 have through hym, and thys holy fygne putteth us in re- 
 membrance for the fame to be thanckefull to the Lorde. 
 
 Thou wylt faye it is God hym felfe, even flefh, bloude, 
 and bones ; yea, and fenewes therto, as Mafter Standys, 
 one of your wife falfe prophetes, preached of late amonge 
 
 E
 
 26 The lamentation of a Chriften 
 
 you ; but yet denie I that for all hys ungodly learnynge. 
 For how can it be a Sacrament of God and God hym felfe 
 alfo, feynge there can be nothynge holyer then God ? And 
 againe, if it be GOD that is prefent, thou foole, what nedeth 
 the of anye Sacramente or fygne of that thynge whych is 
 prefent it felfe ? 
 
 As touchynge this matter Johan Fryth, the fervaunt of 
 the LORDE, whome ye and youre falfe prophetes have 
 burned, whofe bloude, with others, cryeth vengeance againft 
 your Bysfhoppes. He (I faye) hath writen invyncibly in 
 this matter, whofe worke I exhorte all thofe whiche favoure 
 the free paffage of the Gofpell unfaynedly to reade and to 
 ftudie. For it is ag[r]eing to the touchftone of Gods worde, 
 and to the olde auncient doclours, as appereth by the 
 fame boke of his. And I exhorte you in Gods name, yf 
 there be anie Chriftian printer in London, to prynte moo 
 of thofe workes, for there can never be to many of them. 
 
 Feare not man although death followe, feing Chrift faieth, 
 he that lofeth his lyfe for my wordes sake mall fave it. 
 Mathewe in the xx chapter. And confidre that neither 
 Winchefter nor London, nor the reft of the Bisfhoppes, the 
 veffelles of Gods Juftice without repentaunce, have no 
 power to deftroie but the bodie onelye: wherfore feare them 
 not. But feare hym onelye that can kyll both bodye and 
 foule, as apereth in the fame xx chap. For if thou wilt 
 live godly in Chrift, thou muft neades fuffre perfecution. 
 And truly he is not worthy to be a membre of the body, 
 that will fuffre no dyfpleafure with the heade. Therfor, 
 bleffed are they that fuffre perfecucyon or anye trouble for 
 ryghteoufnes fake ; that is, for Chriftes fake. 
 
 And in this matter I faye, with the fayde Johan Fryth,
 
 againjl the Cytie of London. 27 
 
 that it is no pointe of our dampnacion nor falvacyon. If I 
 beleve it not it dampneth me not. But to have the abfence 
 of the benefyttes of his deathe and paffion in my hert may 
 be caufe of my dampnacion ; and in belevynge of the fayde 
 benefytes, of ande through hys dethe, fhalbe my falvacion, 
 beinge repentaunt for my fynnes. 
 
 But one thynge I will tell the, and marke it well, for it is 
 trewe. Though beleve he is there lyke Antichrift, and like 
 his petye membre Standifh faythe, ande fo worfhippe it as 
 God, I tell the that it is damnable. For thou arte com- 
 maunded in the firfte table of the commaundementes, that 
 thou fhalt not worfhippe any thynge that is made after 
 anye fymylitude or lykenes that is in heaven or earthe, as 
 I have afore fayde. 
 
 God is a fprete, and wilbe honored in fprete and veryte : 
 I faie your blynde and bloudy Byfhoppes, or rather butchers, 
 difhonour not onely the Sacrament, but the God of al Goddes 
 alfo, in mynyftrynge the fame. And fo do all preftes that 
 other figne or faye the popyfh maffe which they call a faery - 
 fyce, and therby wold have Chriftes bodye daylye crucy- 
 fyed, where, as he offred up his holy body uppon the croffe 
 for our fynnes ones for ever, ande never shalbe offred again 
 whyle the worlde endureth, but hath inftituted the holye 
 fupper or Sacrament of thankefgevynge, as afore is fayde, 
 to put us in contynuall memory of that oblacion and facri- 
 fice, that we shulde beleve our finnes to be forgeven onely 
 for Chriftes fake through his death, and fo to be thankfull : 
 whych holye thynge, as ye fe, is tourned into a popyfhe 
 maffe, and is to the people a domme, yea, no thing els 
 but a deade ceremonye. 
 
 Wherfore I will exhort all preftes that wylbe of Chriftes
 
 28 The lamentation of a Chrijlen 
 
 congregation, to fle and geve over that abhominable mafs- 
 inge, which is a blafphemy to Chriftes bloude, in that they 
 make of it a facryfice. What facryfice can that be where no 
 bloude is shedde ? Wherfore, in Chriftes name, all you (I 
 faye) that wolde be of Chriftes churche, forfake thys whore 
 with all her abhominable rabies, ande rather begge with 
 Chrift, then welthelye to lyve with the prefles of her God 
 Beell ; and feare not, but God shall provyde both clothyng 
 and foode fufficient for the bodye. , 
 
 Confider the lylye dothe not fpynne, yet was Salomon 
 never fo gorgiouflie apparelled. Mat. vi. Who clothed the 
 lilie, ded not our heavenlye father clothe it ? And be not 
 ye worth manye fparrowes ? Well, then, we fe that yure 
 heavenly father both clothed and fedde all creatures ; and 
 shall not he alfo clothe and feade yowe which feke his glorie 
 and truft in him ? Yes, yes, doubt not. And furely ye can 
 not remaine as ye do, but ye mufte be partakers of ther 
 idolatry e. 
 
 Perchaunce thou wilt faye, I could be contented to live 
 porely to followe Chrifte, but I feare the Byfhoppes blefs- 
 ynge, which is a fayre fyre. Set afore the[e] the deth of 
 Chrift for prechynge his fathers will, and before hym the 
 Prophetes, ande after hym his Apoftles, and at this daye hys 
 chofen fervauntes, ande confydre, as afore is fayde, that the 
 devyllyfhe Byfhopes, the veffelles of Godes Juftyce, can but 
 deftroye the bodye onelye, and that God will rayfe it up 
 agayne at the great daye of the Lorde, even as he is ryfen. 
 And confidre, that alwayes it was the Bysfhoppes and the 
 hyghe preftes that put Chrift and hys Apoftles and his 
 chofen fervauntes to deathe ; and by theyr devellyshe 
 feducynge ever blynded the Prynces and other head rulers
 
 againjl t/ie Cytie of London. 29 
 
 to geve ther confent ther unto. Math, in the xxi ande in 
 the xxvi chapter. 
 
 O ye Babylonyfhe Bisfhopes and generacion of Vipers ! 
 where have ye your auctory te ? or how dar ye be fo bold to 
 kyll a man for his faith, whych Chrift never ded nor hys 
 Apoftelles ? For it is a gyfte which no man can eyther 
 geve another, or yet hym felfe. No, no ; it is the gyft of 
 God onely. Ande that muft be geven a man before he can 
 eyther do or thynke goode ; for all that is done without 
 fayth is fynne. Roma, in the xxiiii, and Hebr. xi. 
 
 No, nor ye put no man to death for Chriftes fake, but for 
 that no man shuld either preache, teache, or wrytte Chryft 
 aryght, which he can not do, but he shall by force be con- 
 strained of the Holye Ghoft to wryte agaynft your pompe, 
 pryde, vyle lyvinge, and againft your abhomynable fedufmg 
 of the people, leadynge them in an endleffe mafe of dyrtye 
 tradicions and folyfhe ceremonyes. 
 
 And why cannot a man fet forthe Chrift but he muft 
 write agaynft you ? Even by caufe ye be the verye Anti- 
 chriftes. No, I faye, it is not poffible for anye man fent of 
 God, either to preache or wryte, but he must open hys 
 mouthe against that moost wycked, abomynable, and de- 
 testable Antichrift of ROME, as agaynste the enemy of 
 Chryft, which be you, falfe Bysfhops, falfe Prophetes, that 
 beare the falfe figne of the new lawe and the olde lawe, 
 with stoute, stronge, and sturdie Archedeacons, Deanes, 
 and Chanons of Cathedrall Churches, and other your pyty- 
 membres prestes of Baall. Ande he that openeth not his 
 mouthe againft you can not truly fet out Chrift, and that is 
 the caufe why ye feke theyr deathes. 
 
 Ye bewytch Kinges and other rulers, and burne theyr
 
 3O The lamentation of a Chrljlen 
 
 laboure[r]s, I meane the labourers of the fervauntes of God, 
 whyche crye againft your iniquytie, faying, they teache 
 fedycyon, and caufe rebellyon agaynft the higher powers. 
 
 Oh ye chylderne of Satan ! all that reade their workes 
 maye beare recorde with them againft your lyes. Who 
 teacheth fo moche the obedyence towardes the hygher 
 powers, as God onely in them doth whych preache or 
 wryte the Gofpell ? Yea, hath not GOD through theyr 
 preachinges brought your kyngedome under the temporalle 
 powers, whyche many yeares hath ufurped over them ? 
 Ande becaufe ye wolde not be under the obedyence whych 
 the fcrypture teached hath coste manye a thoufande mens 
 lyves, ande fom prestes amonge. And thys poynte I wyfhe 
 unto all Kynges that wyll not willfully be blinde, to beware 
 of you, crafty and wilye Bifhoppes. Although they will 
 not confidre the injuries that they have done to Chriftes 
 churche or congregacyon in perfecutynge them unto deth, 
 for trulye preachynge and wrytynge Godes glorye, and 
 minyshynge the glorie of Antychryft : although, I faye, that 
 the Kynges of the earth and other high powers will not 
 confider Chriftes caufe, yet let them confidre their owne, 
 what and howe tiranoufly the Bysfhoppes kingdome hath 
 ufed their progenitours Kynges of Englonde ? Agaynft 
 whome they ware ever the heades and the beginners, the 
 foundacyon ande the very origynall, of all mifcheve. Reade 
 theftoryeofWylliamRufus, and Kynge Henry the Secounde, 
 howe he was ufed by Thomas Becket ; Kynge Johan, how 
 he was ufed of and by Stephen Lanckton Bysfhoppe of 
 Canterbury, whyche wyll pytye any Chryften herte to 
 heare, afwell for the wicked ufmge of the goode Kynge 
 anoynted of GOD, as of the bondage and thrauldome that
 
 again/I the Cytie of London, 31 
 
 he brought the whole realme in. But fuche is the charitye 
 of Bisfhoppes, as well in all other realmes where they maye 
 beare rule, as in Englond. 
 
 And though it appere that fome of the troubles which 
 chaunced to the Kynges of Englonde in tymes paft came 
 by Abbotes of thefe fyllthye Monasteryes, ryghtfully de- 
 pofed nowe of late, yet came the grounde from the forked 
 merchauntes. For be thow fure, never came any dyfpleafure 
 to anye Prynce in Englonde, or elles where, for fekynge 
 any Godly redreffe ande Goddes glorie, but the originall 
 and maintayners of the fame ware thefe forked cappes- 
 Above all the membres of Antichryft, I faie, beware of 
 them, all you that wyll not willfully be blind. They be the 
 verye right and chefe wolves that Chryft fpeaketh of, Mat. 
 vii, callyng them wolves in fhepes clothynge. What is that, 
 fhepes clothinge ? No doubt the worde of God, under the 
 pretence of the whych worde they come to confounde the 
 worde, as moche as lyeth in them. Theyr acctes appere 
 to them that will not wyll fullye be blynded. Full well 
 knowe they, yf they fhuld not come under a pretence 
 of holynes, and fpeciallie with a pretence of the worde of 
 God, of the churche of GOD, of the doctrine of Chrift, of the 
 olde true lerning of feaven or eyght hondreth yeares olde, 
 etce, that no man wold beleve them. Yet for all theyr 
 outward meakenes ande holines, they be withyn ravening 
 wolves, accordinge to Chrifts fainge in the place above re- 
 herfed ; as their actes and charitye hath appered of late 
 yeres uppon the fervauntes of GOD. And Chrift here 
 sheweth us howe we should knowe them. Read the places, 
 and ye shall fee them defcrybed, as appereth, I Timo. i and 
 ii, and 2 Timot. iii, and I Joan ii and iiii. And yf ye will
 
 32 The lamentation of a Chriftcn 
 
 geve no credite to it, your own bloude uppon your heades, 
 accordinge to the fayenge of the Prophete Ezechiell in the 
 iii chapter. 
 
 How is thys to be lamented, feynge the Kynges grace 
 hath fet out injunccions, that all vycars, perfons, and 
 curates, shal purely, and fyncerely preache the Gofpell, 
 and leave their owne dreames, and yet, not with stondyng 
 thefe injunccions, whofoever preacheth the Gofpell aright, 
 but even the very text whych the Holye Ghoft wrote, ande 
 cryeth againste the calling uppon any faving helth through 
 the wayes and workes of mans invencions, againft the which 
 all the Prophetes crie, as is afore faide ; he, I faie, that fo truly 
 labourethe in the vineyarde of the Lorde, the Bysfhoppes 
 will either hange him or bourne him or prevelie murther 
 hym. And, uppon the contrarye parte, let them never fo 
 openly preache their owne dreames, yet maye no man 
 trouble them, nor faye black is their eie. And no marvell ; 
 for Chrifte had promyfed them no trouble or croffe in this 
 worlde, which preache not, but perfecute hys worde. 
 
 Thus be ye theves and robbers of all Chrystyanytye, 
 stealynge from us the fpyrytuall fode of our foules. Yea, 
 a thoufande tymes worfe be ye, then the thefe that robbethe 
 uppon the hyghe waye for neade. And yet fo bewitchc 
 you the higher powers and the riche of the worlde, that 
 they cannot efcape your robberye ; and no marvell, for the 
 worlde wyll love his owne, as Chrift fayeth Johan xv. 
 
 O ye develles, ye blinde guides, and feducers of the peo- 
 ple ! howe of late bewitched you the Parlament Houfe ? 
 Even by your invencions and develifhe ftudie have ye 
 caufed a6les and decrees to be made, fo clean contrarye to 
 the lawes of the lyvinge God, that I faye unto you, the
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 33 
 
 verie beare wolfe, that abhominable whore of Rome, never 
 made fo cruell a6les. He never made it dethe for a prefte 
 to marye a wyfe : but ye shame not onelye to feparate 
 them that be maryed, fo contrarye to GODDES worde, 
 whyche faythe, let no man feparate that which GOD hath 
 couplede, Mathewe xix, but have alfo made it deathe. 
 
 Oh generacyon, worfe then the vyper ! Dothe not 
 Saynte Paul faye, let everye man that hath not the gyfte 
 of chaflyte take hys wife, I Cor. vii. Here is no parfon ex- 
 cepted ; and that the Apoftels had wyves the Scripture is 
 playne. As Saynt Peter, wyth other, Mat. viiii. Ye will 
 faye ye have the gifte of chaftitye. Well, the chaftytye of 
 the moste part of you that procured thofe wicked actes is 
 meately well knowen, and therefore make ye it no abhomi- 
 nacion to kepe whores. Ye abhore the remedy ordayned 
 of God, ande maintayne the remedy of Sathan, as appereth 
 by Winchesters gardyn. Well, ye Bysfhoppes and ye 
 Chanons of the Churche of Beell, ye (hutters up of Codes 
 worde, accordynge to hys owne Prophetic, Mat. xxiii, Luc. 
 xi. to you I can faye no more ; but though the worlde or 
 worldlye people laugh uppon you, yet will the vengeaunce 
 of God lyght uppon your forked cappes, and cathedrall 
 churches of Beel, one daye, and that fhortelye, excepte ye 
 amende betymes. Ys not your aurycular confeffyon alfo 
 abhominable ? Yes ; and that one of the mode fylthyeft 
 thynges ufed uppon earth, as hath playnlye appered by the 
 feates of your chaplaynes in dyverfe places of Englonde of 
 late, and fome withyn thys two yeares. I coulde name the 
 preftes and the places alfo ; but I will paffe it over with 
 fcylence, trustyng in the Lord the hygher powers mall ones 
 fe the myfchefe that commeth therof and redrefs it. 
 
 F
 
 34 The lamentation of a Chrijlcn 
 
 What an abhomynacyon is it that I fhuld go poure oute 
 my vyces in the eare of an unlearned buzarde, and fpecyally 
 for a woman, wherby Syr Johan knoweth when to be fped. 
 Yea, if fhe will not graunt to hym, he will not fhame to 
 threaten her to open her vice, ande fo for feare she mufte 
 agree to his abhomynable defyre. 
 
 What a blindnes is it to thinke my finnes forgeven me, 
 when a Preeft of Antychryft (as the mofte parte be) hath 
 wagged two or thre fyngers over my head ? David fayth : 
 I confeffed my fynne unto the Lorde, ande he harde me 
 ande forgave me, Pfal. xxii. The Ifraelites when they had 
 offended the Lord God, and after earneftly repented, callynge 
 to the Lorde onelye for mercy, brynginge forth the frutes 
 of repentaunce, ware in contynent delivered from their 
 adverfaries, as appereth Judicum viii, ix, and in many other 
 places of the Byble. 
 
 This was before anye auriculare confeffion was knowen, 
 for that no doubt was the invencion of Antichryft of Ro. 
 And one chefe caufe was to betray princes, and other 
 greate men. For what noble man was it in Chriftendome 
 that fpake agaynfte forked cappes many yeares long, but 
 the Bysfhoppe of Rome had hys confeffion with all fpeade, 
 and fodenly they would bewitche the Prynce of the Realme, 
 and fordge fome matter agaynfte hym, and fo of force he 
 fhuld be made a traitour, ande fo fuffre dethe. I thinke 
 thys matter be manyfeft ynough to many men, as well in 
 Englonde as elles where. Well, thys vyle thynge was not 
 from the begynnyng, neyther shall it contynewe to the 
 ende. Even as youre inordynate poffeffyons ware not of 
 your heavenly Fathers plantynge, nor fowing, and therfore 
 mufte be plucked up by the rotes with youre compa-
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 35 
 
 nyons and bretherne in Antychryfte, Abbottes, as is afore 
 fayde. 
 
 Some wyll faye it maye be well ufed, which I utterlye 
 denye. It fhall, nor can never be well ufed, fo longe as 
 preftes maie kepe whores without daunger of dethe, whiche 
 burthen maye ryghtfullye be laide uppon them, feynge 
 they abhorre matrimonie inftituted of God : againft whiche 
 fynne was no remedy but deth in the olde lawe, where as 
 thefte was but rendrynge double. For this ande foche lyke 
 thyngs be ye lerned, ye rulers, left the Lord be angrie, 
 Pfal. fecundo. 
 
 Agayne, I faye it fhall never be well ufed of al preftes, as 
 longe as they shall grope our partyculare fynnes whyche 
 is not neceffarie. For why ? yf I be repentaunt, and 
 erneftelye minded never to fall to myne accuftomed fynne 
 againe, I doubte not but I am forgeven, without the prefte, 
 for Chriftes fake onely. Ande yf I have not that repent- 
 aunce, even from the bottome of my herte, ande beleve not 
 that I am forgeven for Chryftes fake, as is afore fayde, all 
 the preftes in Engelond faye I, nor yet the beare wolfe of 
 ROME, can forgeve me. Thus ye maye fe where in con- 
 fyftethe confeffyon for the offence to God warde. 
 
 And as touchinge thy neighboure, thou muft reconfyle 
 thy felfe to hym whome thou haft offended, and make refty- 
 tucyon to thy power ; and yf thow be not able to make re- 
 compence with goodes, thou oughtefte to offre hym thy 
 bodye. And even as thou art bounde fo to do, fo is he 
 bounde to fhewe the[e] mercy. But [do] thou thy dewtye, 
 and thus everye neyghbour to reconcyle eche to other, is the 
 ryght confeffyon chaunfinge betwene brethern or neighbors, 
 as apereth in Johan the vii chapter, ande in Mathew the vii 
 chapter.
 
 36 The lamentation of a Chrijlen 
 
 Thou, Bysfhoppe, ande thou, falfe Prophete, wylt fay that 
 it is ordayned of GOD, ande wilt bringe in chefely for the[e], 
 that Chryfte fent the tenne Lepers to the preftes : whyche 
 ferveth as moche for confeffion, whych we make to a Prefte, 
 as to laye an onyon to my lytle fynger for the tothe ache. 
 To you blynde guydes that be ignorantly blynde fpeke I, 
 and not to thefe that be willfully blinde. Let them be ftill 
 blinde, yet I exhorte all Chriftians to praye for them that 
 they maye fee. But wilt thou knowe the trewe caufes why 
 Chryft fent thofe Lepers, a bove all other whyche he healed, 
 and none other, to the Preftes ? reade the xiii and the xiiii 
 chapter of Levi. ande there (halt thou fee that it was ap- 
 poynted of GOD, that no parfon, ones havynge the lepprie, 
 should come amonge the congregacyon of the whole, tyll 
 he was clenfed. And for a certainte that he shulde be fyrft 
 whole, the preft had the overfyght, and kept hym certayne 
 dayes for a tryall, to be fure that he was whole, before he 
 wolde fo admitte hym. And when the Preftes founde hym 
 whole in dede, then dede they admitte him, after he had 
 offred the oblacion commaunded in Moifes law, to go abrod 
 among the whole : and for becaufe Chryft wold not breke 
 the law, but was the fulfiller of the lawe, fent he them to 
 the Preftes, not to fhewe theyr fmnes (for they mewed none 
 during the hole time of Moyfes lawe) but for the caufe afore 
 fayde. An other caufe that he fent them was, that the 
 Preftes fclaundred Chrifte, faying that he blafphemed ; 
 Math, ix, Luc. v, Johan v. Therfor Chrift bad them offre 
 the oblacyon commaunded in Moyfes lawe, for a wytneffe 
 agaynft theyr infydelytie ; for they of force muft confeffe 
 that Chryft healed them. For why ? They admitted them 
 for cleane, and receyved the oblacion, and yet fclaundered
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 37 
 
 they Chryft, fo fettinge them felves wythout all excufe of 
 theyr moofte worthye ande wilfull dampnacyon. 
 
 Chryfte ded not onely fende the tenne Lepres, but alfo 
 other Lepres that he healed. But let them fynde that ever 
 Chryfte fent any other that he healed to the Preftes, as the 
 fycke of the palfeye, the difeafed of the blouddy flyxe, the 
 poffeffed with devels, and foche other lyke ; which not with 
 ftandynge ware fmners as well as the Lepers, and had 
 neade of remyffion of their fynne as well as they, then let 
 me die for it. 
 
 O ye Antychriftes ! ye your felves maye fee how lytle thys 
 text of the Lepers ferveth for aurycular confeffion. Woo be 
 to youe, ye wrefters and wrythers of Gods holy worde ! I 
 coulde bryng in as good auctoryte agaynfte the reft of your 
 wicked decrees, but I wyll defer it to the makyng of an 
 other worke, which fhalbe fhortly if the Lord lende me lyfe. 
 Yf not, I doubte not but he fhal rayfe other that fhall ac- 
 complysh that which I have begon ; for doubte nott but 
 Codes chofen will with the Scrypture fyght agaynfte your 
 wycked decrees ; yea, although their bloud be shedde ther- 
 fore. Yea, as moche joie have they to fet forthe the glorye 
 of God, and to bryng theyr brethern to the knowledge of 
 your blynde errours, ande to teache them the waye to avoyde 
 them, callinge them to Chryft ; even as moche joye, I faie 
 and with as free a hert, as ye have to rob Chryft of hys 
 honoure, geving part to hym, and parte to the creatures by 
 him created ; yea, and moche more then ye have in mayn- 
 taynynge of your kingdome in pompe and pride, and in 
 sheding of the bloude of innocentes. For we knowe that the 
 Lord hath promifed us none other rewarde in thys life. 
 And ye have made wonderous goode provyfyon for the
 
 38 The lamentation of a Cltrijlcn 
 
 fame. FOR who foever shall preache Chryft, or write Chrift, 
 aright, he is incontynent in the net eyther of fellonie, treafon, 
 or hearefye, or in all thre. But at the grete daye of the 
 Lorde, at the ryfynge of all flefhe, ye generacion of vipars 
 shall fe that thofe shalbe founde faythfull bothe to the 
 Kyng of the body onely, and alfo to the, Kynge of bothe 
 bodye and foull. And then ye shall be found in deade, 
 fellons, traytours, and heretyques, both agaynft GOD and 
 man, ande foche wyll ye be fo longe as ye poffeffe your in- 
 ordynate RICHES that wycked Mammon. 
 
 GOD geve the KlNGE an hert to take that wicked Mam- 
 mone from you, as he may rightfullye do wyth the confent 
 of the Commones, by a6le of Parlament, fo that it maye be 
 dyfpofed to CODES glory e, and the commone welthe, as 
 to take him felfe a porcyon for a knowledg of obeyfaunce, 
 and for the maintainyng of hys eftate. The reft pollityquely 
 to be put unto a commone welthe. Fyrft dyftrybuted 
 among all the townes in Englond, in fommes according to 
 the quantyte and nombre of the occupyars, where mofte 
 nead is. And all the townes to be bound to the King, that 
 his grace may have the money at hys neade to ferve him. 
 And alfo a politique way taken for provyfyon for the pore 
 in everye towne, with fome parte to the manages of yonge 
 parfons that lacke frendes. Wayes ther are ynough, who fo 
 lufteth to ftudye for them. 
 
 Yet, one thing wolde I wifhe ; that all men wolde take 
 you even as ye are, that is even lyke as the vipar, above all 
 other beaftes, wormes, or ferpentes, is moft fulleft of poifon 
 for certayne qualities in him, even fo ye, above all the 
 membres of Antichrift, be the mofte fulleft of poifon, fwifteft 
 to shedde bloude, the greateft perfecuters of Chriftes con-
 
 agaynjl the Cytie of London. 39 
 
 gregacion ; yea, and ye have ever done moft myfchefe in 
 shutting up of Codes word from the people, above al other 
 knightes of the Romysh Churche. Well, your wicked 
 Mammon, your inordinate riches was not of our heavenlie 
 Fathers plantynge ; therfore it mufte up by the rotes, with 
 the riches of your other brethern of the Romyshe Churches, or 
 Church malygnant, which of late ware ryghtfully plucked up. 
 
 If thou wilt reade the ftoryes of the thre kynges a fore 
 fayd, thou wilt faie it is hyghe time to pull from them the 
 wycked Mammon. In the fame ftories ye fhall fee what 
 knavery hath ever bene pra<5lyced of the Bysfhoppes, above 
 all other impes of Antychryft, as well agaynft the kinges as 
 agaynft the preachers, teachers, and writers of Chriftes gof- 
 pell, mofte lyke unto the vypar, as afore is fayde. Under- 
 ftonde alfo what the propertye of a vipar is : fhe deftroieth 
 her make, or male, in the concepcyon ; and the thinge con- 
 ceived (I meane the yonge in the lyttirynge or forth bring- 
 yng) deftroieth the damme. So Bysfhoppes, who kings 
 mak lordes of beggers, be commonly the fyrfte that procure 
 them dyfpleafure, as appereth by the ftoryes of thefe kings 
 aforefayed. Yea, they have put mo kyngs to treble then 
 ever came to light. For why it muft neades be trew that 
 Chrift faieth of them : the chyldern of thys worlde be 
 wifer in theyr generacyon, then the chylderne of lyght be 
 in theyrs. 
 
 What think ye of the northe ? Surelye, in my judgement 
 (I wyll fpeake no farther) but it was theyr owne invencion, 
 and the Bysfhoppes ware the very orygynall grounde ande 
 foundacyon of the fame infurectyon, uproare, and tumulte. 
 Well, although Chryfte dothe faie, ye be fo wyfe in youre 
 generacion, yet maketh not it againft thefe wordes, that
 
 40 The lamentation of a Chriften 
 
 your wyTdome will prove folifhnes. I Cor. i. Whyche GOD 
 graunte maye be fhortlye, that the pore felye lambes maye 
 preache and teache the gofpell, and that the reft, which yet 
 be without, may efpie your dyfceyte, and fle from your 
 dyrtye tradycyons, and followe theyr owne fhepherd, which 
 fo lovinglie gave his life for them. 
 
 I knowe the Papyftes and their flocke fhal fclaunder- 
 oufly report that I am agaynft the Sacrament, which am 
 dyrectlye with it after Chriftes inftitucion, and full agaynfte 
 the inftitucion of the Rome Bysfhoppes, as ye mall perceive, 
 yf ye marke and pondre my fentence aright. Or els they 
 will fay I am an anabaptift, which opinions of them that are 
 againft the fcriptur (as they have diverfe) I utterly abhorre, 
 which opynions nead not here to be touched. 
 
 Your old craft is alfo to fclaunder us, faynge we be 
 caufers of infurreccyon : in which poynt, even as I therin 
 now fhall mew my mind, fo have all thofe done which la- 
 boured in the vineyard, of whom ye have borned a great 
 nombre. I acknoweledge and geve to underftond, to all 
 that fhall either read this my worke, or heare it red, that all 
 kinges and rulers have theyr au6lhorytie and powers of 
 God, and they that refifte them, or thofe which of them be 
 fent, refyft God, Rom. xiii, and fo feaketh his own damna- 
 cion. Yea, although a kyng be a tyraunt, we may not re- 
 fyfte hym. Yea, ande althoughe a king fhuld be fo wicked 
 to make ales or lawes even directly againft Gods lawes, as 
 dede kinge Darius, Daniel vi. Ande alfo the high preftes 
 and pharifees forbidding Peter and Johan to preach Chrift, 
 Act. iiii. Yet may we not with fift and fwerd, etc., refift 
 them, nor be avenged of them, no more then dede Da- 
 niel and the other children refift Darius : or Johan and
 
 agaynft the Cytie of London. 41 
 
 Peter the preftes and pharifees ; or Chryfte pylate, Mathexvi. 
 But, gentle Reader, marke that even as we may not refift 
 them with fift, fweard, or weapon, etc., but to our dampna- 
 cion, even like wife may we not obferve theyr wicked lawes, 
 nor confent or agree unto them with hert or mouthe, under 
 paine of the felfe fame dampnacion : but rather fuffre deth, 
 then eyther to refyfte them bodely wyth ftrength of hande, 
 or confent and agree unto their wicked lawes and aftes in 
 hert or mouthe ; after the example of Daniell, CHRIST, the 
 Apoftles, Prophetes, Martyres, et cetr. And after the ex- 
 ample of the mother with her feven fonnes, Mach. vi, whych 
 example is wrytten for our learning, with many fuche like. 
 
 And marke thys ; that even as all fubje6les be bounde to 
 the higher powers, and to be ruled by them in all things, as 
 lawes, decrees, and fuche other grounded uppon fcrypture, 
 and not to refifte in paine of dampnacion ; fo muft the 
 hygher powers be ruled by the fcrypture, ande make no 
 lawes contrarie to the fcrypture, in payne of like dampna- 
 cyon unto them. For that is the onelie touchftone, whych 
 trieth all thynges, and whych mufte governe all thynges. 
 
 Thus I end my Lamentacion, befeachyng God, through 
 his fonne Jefus Chrift, to drawe you from all your old 
 idolatrye, fornycacyon, and advoutrye : from perfecuting 
 Chrift in his faintes, from your inordynate covetuoufnes, 
 ande from youre evell fuppreffynge of the pore. And geve 
 you grace, that nowe, at the laft, ye maye repente, and be- 
 leve the gofpell in embrafynge the fame, fekynge GODES 
 glorye onelye and the commone welthe, as in tymes pafte 
 ye have done youre owne : and dylygentlie to provide for 
 the pore, whiche, above all other thynges, fhalbe demaunded 
 of you at the greate daie of the Lord, as afore is fayde. 
 
 G
 
 42 The lamentation of a Cliriften, etc. 
 
 And thus doing, doubt not but the plages whych ye have 
 ryghtfullie deferved, God of his bottomeleffe mercie will 
 turne them from you, as he ded by the Ninivites, whych 
 repented when they were warned by Jonas the Prophete. 
 Yf not, loke for no leffe plages then Jerufalem and other 
 cityes had for their inyquitie. 
 
 Awake, therfore, and repent, ande turne to the Lorde yet 
 in tyme, and he will turne to you. That graunt the Lorde 
 of all lordes and father of mercye ! Amen. 
 
 The grace of God (through our Lorde Jefus Chryft) be 
 wyth you all.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 
 THIS very lively, clever, and amusing production, of which we 
 never heard of more than three copies, and those of different 
 dates (1619, which we have used, 1620, and 1634), must have 
 been written under the cheerful inspiration of the " cup of 
 Sherry" which it celebrates. It is too long to have been struck 
 off at a heat, and we can easily suppose, that the author dipped 
 his nose in his glass, as often as he dipped his pen in his standish. 
 
 Who or what the writer may have been we have no means of 
 ascertaining ; but the poem is, perhaps, as good as Ben Jonson 
 would have composed in the vigour of his youth, or Fletcher 
 poured out in the exuberance of his fancy. Near the commence- 
 ment we learn, that whoever wrote it had previously made an 
 attack upon the citizens of London and their proverbially frail 
 wives, for which he certainly made no amends here. The main 
 fault is some violence in the exercise of the imagination, for we 
 are called upon to believe that the poet, not merely conducted 
 his Muse (such as she is described by the ancients) in open 
 day through the streets of London and Westminster, but carried 
 her to a tavern, there treated her with " something to drink," 
 and finally so elevated her spirits, that of her own accord, and 
 without request or challenge, she gratified a jovial company by 
 a joyous song in praise of Sack and Sherry. 
 
 There is no note of authorship from beginning to end, but we
 
 11 
 
 are quite sure that the effusion proceeded from a practised pen : 
 Sir John Davys or Sir John Harington were, either of them, at 
 one time, capable of it ; but the last died seven years before the 
 date of the earliest known edition of the tract, and the first was 
 engaged, after his return from Ireland, upon the republication of 
 his Nosce Teipsum, 
 
 The local and temporary matters adverted to in the succeeding 
 pages, the repair of Cheapside and the decay of Charing Crosses, 
 the building of the New and the rivalry of the Old Exchanges, 
 etc., are of considerable interest, and bring us acquainted with 
 various other points that more or less require elucidation. Not 
 the least curious stanzas are those which relate to the many dif- 
 ferent kinds of wine then usually consumed, and the manner in 
 which they were preserved or adulterated. The only tavern 
 specifically named is the Mermaid, and that in a part of the 
 poem especially deserving attention. Some misprints will be 
 easily detected and corrected, and some terms used by the writer 
 may not be clearly understood : what is meant by " Yesso" (p. 24) 
 unless it be yeast, we cannot conjecture. The tune of "the 
 Tinker," to which the Muse's song is " turned," was popular in 
 the reigns of James and Charles, if not earlier. We might sup- 
 pose that lines to that tune would be found in " The Tinker 
 of Turvey" (1630), or, as the same piece was more anciently 
 called, " The Cobbler of Canterbury" (1590 and 1608), not long 
 since reprinted by the Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries as 
 presents to his friends. However, such a tune is not there either 
 
 used or mentioned. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 PASQUILS PALINODIA, 
 
 AND 
 
 His progresse to the Taverne ; 
 
 Where, after the furvey of the SELLAR, 
 You are prefented 
 
 with 
 A pleasant pynte of Poeticall Sherry. 
 
 Nulla placere diu, nee vivere carmina pojfunt 
 Quce fcribuntur aqucs potoribus, 
 
 HORAC. Ad Meccenatem. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 Printed by THOMAS SNODHAM, and are to be fold by 
 
 Francis Parke at his fhop in Lincolnes-Inne 
 
 gate, in Chauncerie Lane. 
 
 1619.
 
 APPROBATIO. 
 
 Innocuos cenfura potefl permittere lulus, 
 Lafciva eft nobis pagina, vita proba eft. 
 
 Sic cenfeo 
 M. VALERIUS MARTIALIS.
 
 THE PRINTER TO THE READER. 
 
 ENTLEMEN, / under/land that the AUTHOR is fo 
 farre out of patience, to heare that this Pasquill is 
 prejl for the publicke view, which was intended onely for the 
 private fatisfaction of his peculiar friends, that hee will not 
 greet the READER fo much as with a letter of commendations ; 
 yet conjidering that in thefe dayes we are altogether carryed 
 away with fashions, and that it is quite bejide the cujlome to 
 put forth a Poem without a dedicatorie preamble, let mee, I 
 pray you, make bold, for want of a better fcholler, tofalute the 
 courteous Reader with a few words of complement. Who the 
 Author is I know not ; and therefore on his behalf e I will be 
 filent ; yet I heare that hee is of the minde of that merry 
 Huntfman, which would neither give nor fell his hare, but 
 when hefaw the Travailer gallop away with her, and that hee 
 was out of hope to have her againe, he cryed out, Take her, 
 Gentleman, I will beflow her on you. Concerning the Poem, 
 although I fliall be thought to be futor ultra crepidam, yet in 
 my opinion, it is a tollerable Pint of Poeticall Sherry ; and if 
 the Mufes feller afford no worfe wine, it will make Sacke 
 better refpec~led, and go e downe the merrier. 
 
 What the peeviJJi, puritanical^ and meager Zoilift, out of 
 his malitious humour, JJiall calumniate, itfkils not, for as the 
 proverbe is, Aut bibat, aut abeat. This difli was not dreft 
 to fet his dog-teeth on worke, and therefore if he like not thefe 
 lettice let him pull backe his lips ; for as the Poet faith, 
 
 Non lux, non cibus eft fuavis illi, Virg. de 
 
 Nee potus juvat, aut fapor lysei, Livore. 
 
 Nee si pocula Jupiter propinet, &c.
 
 He was borne with teeth, and grynd when he firft came into 
 the world ; he feedes upon fnakes, drinks fmall-beere and 
 vinegar, keepes no good company, lives without charitie, and 
 dyes without honeftie : hie finis Zoili. Notwithjlanding, for 
 the ingenious and candidous Readers, and all tliofe fat ho- 
 nejl men which are of a franke andfociable difpojition, I dare 
 be bold to promife, that this dijh of drinke will not be diftaft- 
 full unto any of their Jlomackes ; for as they have bodies of a 
 better conftitiition, fo are their minds more fairely qualified, 
 and their judgements freer from corruption : and therefore to 
 their tajle is this Pinte of Poetrie dedicated, which if itfeeme 
 pleafant to their palate, let mee be well pay 'd for prefenting 
 them with it in paper, and I reft fatisfied. 
 
 LIBELLUS AD LECTOREM EX MARTI ALE. 
 
 Rumpitur invidia quidam, charijjime Lector, 
 
 quod me turba legit, rumpitur invidia, 
 Rumpitur invidia, quod fum jucundus amicis, 
 
 quod conviva frequens, rumpitur invidia ; 
 Rumpitur invidia, quod amamur, quodque probamur, 
 
 rtimpatur, quifquis rumpitur invidia. 
 
 Non minimum euro: nam coznce fercula noftrce, 
 malim convivis quam placuijfe locis.
 
 PASQUILS PALINODIA; 
 
 OR, 
 
 HIS PYNTE OF POETRIE. 
 
 LOE ! I the man whofe mufe whilorne did play 
 A home-pipe both to country and the citty, 
 Am now againe enjoyn'd to fing or fay, 
 And tune my crowde unto another ditty : 
 
 To comfort moone-fac'd cuckolds that were fad, 
 My Mufe before was all in homes yclad, 
 But now fhe marcheth forth, and on her backe 
 She weares a corflet of old jlierry facke. 
 
 Therefore it is not as in dayes of yore, 
 
 When bloud-fhed and fierce battailes were her fong, 
 
 And when her trumpets did tantara rore, 
 
 Till all her murth'ring fouldiers lay along ; 
 
 A milder tune fhe now playes on her firings, 
 
 And Carrots to good company fhe fings, Th , ,. 
 
 To all good fellowes that are wife infeafon : tion. 
 
 Liften awhile, and you fhall know the reafon. 
 
 Long had fhe chaunted for the horned crew, 
 And reap'd no praife nor penny from their hands, 
 Nor cup of drinke, which is a Fidlcrs due, 
 (As every good companion underftands)
 
 Paf quits Palinodia ; or, 
 
 And therefore unregarded being dry, 
 My Mufe grew melancholy out a-cry, 
 And angry forth fhe runs into the flreetes, 
 Curfmg each churlifh cuckold which fhe meetes. 
 
 When I beheld her in that moody vaine, 
 Which wont to be fo blythe and full of fport, 
 After her I ran, to call her home againe, 
 Leaft fhe might chaunce to meete fome man of fort, 
 Some wealthy tradefman that had been cornuted, 
 Of whofe large homes it muft not be difputed, 
 And in this crabbed humour fall to rayle, 
 And fo he had to Counter, without bayle. 
 
 When I my fallen Mufe had overtooke, 
 I gan reprove her for her wilde behaviour, 
 And charg'd her to returne, as fhe did looke 
 Ever to be receiv'd into my favour : 
 But fhe, as mad as is in March a hare, 
 Did like unto a Bedlam fbampe and ftare, 
 And for an houre her patience was fo weake, 
 And rage fo preft her, that fhee could not fpeakc. 
 
 At laft, when paffion was a little fway'de, 
 And that the raynes of fury gan to flack, 
 A thoufand curfes on the head, fhe faid, 
 Of every cuckold, that cries What de'e lacke ! 
 May all their homes grow vifible to fight, 
 May they prove jealous, and their women light, 
 And care not who looke on, that all may geerc, 
 And laugh aloud when their rams-heads appeare.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. j 
 
 And may difcredit, fcorne, and fowle difdaine 
 
 Light on the homes of every Englifli goate ! 
 
 Ungratefull churles, that reward my paine 
 
 Not with fo much as with a fmgle groat : 
 Have I wip'd off the fcurrilous difgrace 
 Which every varlet caft upon their face, 
 And righted all their wrongs, yet none fo kinde 
 As with faire words to (hew a thankefull minde ? 
 
 If I had chroniceld the hungry rats 
 Which eate up corne, and make provifion deare, 
 Or regiftred what price a cade oifprats, 
 And pickfd herrings, bare in fuch a yeare ; 
 What grim-fac'd collier flood upon the pillory, 
 And who did march moft bravely at th'artillary, 
 Or how men walk'd on Thames the laft great froft, 
 Then, I am fure, my paynes had not been loft. 
 
 But I have labour'd to redeem their fame, 
 And lift their heads to honour with my pen, 
 Difolv'd all clouds that did obfcure the fame, 
 And ranck'd them with the worthiefl forts of men : 
 I crown'd their horns with bayes, and grac'd them more 
 Then ever any Mufe hath done before, 
 And yet no cuckold from the forked rankes, 
 Puts out his weathers- face to give me thankes. 
 
 If for their wives I had my lampe-oyle fpent, 
 And in their fervice drawne my inke-horne dry ; 
 Thofe loving creatures would, withall content, 
 Have fought me out my love to gratifie ;
 
 Pafqitils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 Kiffes and confers had falne with my wifhes, 
 And many other delicates in difhes ; 
 And even the pen, that writ in their defence, 
 Should have beene guilded for my recompence. 
 
 Hapleffe was I to leave thofe gentle foules, 
 Poore wonnes, that fuffer more then all men fee, 
 And take the part of perverfe/0&?r;z0/.r, 
 Void of good nature, love, and courtejie. 
 Now I perceive my error, and repent 
 That I againft them was fo vehement ; 
 And that the world may know that I am turned, 
 Here I doe wifh thofe bitter lines were burned. 
 
 For now I finde those doves are innocent, 
 And that the cuckold chiefly is in fault, 
 Whofe ftubborne carriage, and fterne regiment, 
 Makes upright women many times to halt : 
 For when a man is of a fowre condition, 
 Churlifh and froward in his difpofition, 
 It thrufts fuch things into a woman's minde, 
 As fhe nere dream'd on, if he had beene kinde. 
 
 And blame her not, for fhe is not otjleele, 
 Nor made of iron, braffe, or fuch hard mettle ; 
 Neither fo fenceleffe that fhe cannot feele 
 When fhe is us'd as tinkers doe a kettle. 
 She is a tender thing, refin'd and pure, 
 And harm rough handling cannot well endure, 
 But like a Vemce-glajfe, she breakes afunder, 
 When boiftrous man will drive to keep her under.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 9 
 
 Let the mad cuckold ponder his wives cafe 
 In equall ballance juftly with his owne, 
 And he shall finde that she doth onely trace 
 His crooked footfteps ; for if she but frowne, 
 Or fomewhat sharpely fpeake a word or two, 
 When good occafion moves her fo to doe, 
 Then ftraight he calls her half a dozen whores, 
 And to the Taverne gets him out of doores. 
 
 And what is then his prattle with his mates, 
 
 His fellow drunkards, fitting or'e the pot ? 
 
 There he begins the ftory, and relates 
 
 What an infernall fury he hath got, 
 An everlaftingy^?/*/, thats never quiet, 
 But checks him for his company and ryot. 
 Why bang her well, quoth one, for by this quart, 
 If (he were my wife, I would breake her heart. 
 
 Well, quoth another, fill a cup of Sacke, 
 And let ally r colds be damb'd as deepe as hell ; 
 Abridge her maintenance, and from her backe 
 Pull her proud clothes, for they doe make her fwell. 
 And thus in divelifh counfell there they fit, 
 Till with old Sherry they have drown'd their wit ; 
 Then druncke,at mid-night, home the knave doth creep, 
 And beats his wife, and fpues, and fals afleep. 
 
 There lyes the beaft untill hee rife againe 
 Next day at twelve, when being not halfe well, 
 A haire of Bacchus dog muft cure the paine 
 In which by laft nights furfeiting hee fell : 
 
 B
 
 io Paf quits Palinodia ; or, 
 
 Then he at Taverne, as hee did before, 
 Drincks himfelfe drunck that day and many more ; 
 And in this thriftles courfe his glaffe doth runne, 
 Till he runnes out at heeles, and be undone. 
 
 And what excufe doth then the bankrupt frame 
 
 For his profufe and prodigall expence ? 
 
 Mary, forfooth, his wife did caufe the fame, 
 
 Againft whofe fcolding tongue there's no defence : 
 For when a man at home cannot be merry, 
 Hee's forc'd to runne abroad to drinck old Sherry. 
 Thus fhee, poore turtle, wrong and (lander beares, 
 Who fits meane while at home in griefe and teares. 
 
 Shall this moft falfe and flandrous accufation 
 
 Be currant for the man, and his abufe ? 
 
 And fhall a woman fuffer condemnation, 
 
 And not be heard to fpeake in her excufe ? 
 It is too great a wrong, and moft unjuft, 
 The weaker to the wall fhould thus be thruft, 
 And when fhe hath a more indifferent caufe 
 To be deny'd the favour of the lawes. 
 
 Shall a vaft unthrift with a falfe pretence 
 Wrong his poore wife, and be exempt from blame ? 
 And fhall a woman, which hathjuft offence, 
 And forc'd by dogged ufage to her fhame, 
 If fhe another friend doe entertaine, 
 To give her fome content, and eafe her paine, 
 Shall fhe be cenfur'd with difgracefull fpeeches, 
 And he ftand cleere becaufe he wears the breeches ?
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. \ i 
 
 Awake, great Mars ! for fure thou art afleepe, ta ars was t 
 
 Or fuch injuftice thou would'ft not let paffe. firfl. cuckold 
 
 There was a time when thou didft love to keepe 
 And in a corner kiffe a pretty laffe : 
 
 And therefore, if within thy fiery breft 
 
 Any quick fparke of warlike courage reft, 
 
 For old acquaintance fake doe women right, 
 
 And let them not be overthrowne with might. 
 
 But Mars is deafe, and juftice will not heare, 
 And lawes are partiall againft womens fide ; 
 And for becaufe the cruell lawes are cleere, 
 When women in another case are try'de, 
 
 That by their booke they fhall receive no favour, 
 
 Which unto wicked men is oft zfaviour, 
 
 They now fuppofe it is a great offence, 
 
 If they be heard to fpeake in their defence. 
 
 But they fhall fpeake, you forked unicornes, 
 And you fhall heare them to your fmall content ; 
 And in defpight of your ambitious homes, 
 He (land as Champion for the innocent : 
 
 And fo difplay your bafeneffe and difgrace, 
 
 That children fhall deride you to your face, 
 
 And towne and countrie both fhall notice have, 
 
 That every cuckold is a foole or knave. 
 
 Peace, idle Mufe ! quoth I, and be content : 
 Thou art too bitter, vehement and loud ; 
 Thefe rayling words will make us both be fhent, 
 For cuckolds are growne mighty rich, and proud,
 
 1 2 Paf quits Palinodia ; or, 
 
 And wife-men thinke it is the part of fooles 
 
 To be too bufie medling with edge-tooles : 
 
 And therfore be advis'd, I doe implore thee, 
 
 Leaft with their horns, for barking, they doe gore thee. 
 
 I care not for their greatneffe, fhe reply'de, 
 
 Nor doe I feare them though their horns looke high, 
 
 For prefently let come what will betyde, 
 
 Into the citty fhall my journey lye ; 
 
 Where I will ring all cuckolds fuch a peale, 
 As fhall quite fhame them in the common-weale. 
 Well then, faid I, if nought will bring thee backe, 
 Yet ere thou goe, lets drinke a pinte of Sack. 
 
 For now I faw that in this raging fit 
 
 To ufe perfwafion was but further folly, 
 
 And that her paffion had exil'd her wit, 
 
 And drown'd my Mufe fo deepe in melancholy, 
 That for to cure her was no other charme, 
 But with a cup of Sack to make her warme, 
 And heate her braines ; which, as all poets finde, 
 Doth quicken wit, and qualifies the minde. 
 
 Betwene the Mufes and the God of wine, 
 
 There is a league of kindeneffe, peace and love ; 
 
 There confanguinity doth them combine, 
 
 Being begotten both by lufty Jove : 
 
 So that no Mufe, well bred, and truely borne, 
 Her naturall brothers companie can fcorne, 
 And by their crownes their amity is feene, 
 One wearing lawrell, th'other ivye greene.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 1 3 
 
 And this to be the reafon, I fuppofe, 
 That every joviall/0^ loves loves good liquor : 
 It is the Heliconian butt, that fweetly flowes 
 With fprightly Sack, which makes invention quicker ; 
 And hee's no lawfull fonne unto the Mufes 
 That loves fmall beere, and better drinck refufes, 
 Nor can a watrifh wit the lawrell win : 
 His Mufe is lancke, and his conceit is thin. 
 
 And not alone have poets thefe conditions, 
 Merry conceited lads, and like their mothers, 
 But all their fervants, rymers and mujitions, 
 And red-fac'd trumpetters, with many others, 
 
 Which have with crochets ftuft their pericranions, 
 Are ftill reputed to be good companions : 
 And for this reafon, which is here prefented, 
 My Mufe to fee the taverne was contented. 
 
 Yet to the cittie faine me would have gone, 
 
 Yeelding a reafon for to draw me thither ; 
 
 As that their wine was better, ten to one, 
 
 Neere to tti exchange, where marchants meet together : 
 But I, halfe jealous, where great numbers be, 
 That fome grand cuckold me might chance to fee, 
 And in this heate of furye fall to Jarre, 
 Drew her along at laft through Temple-Barre. 
 
 Keepe in your heads, my neighbours of the Strand, 
 And looke not out untill my Mufe be paft ; 
 Your wives are good, for ought I underfland, 
 And you may be no cuckolds, and they chad ;
 
 14 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 Yet leaft my Mufe might chance for to difcry 
 Something might ftirre her bile as fhe walkes by ; 
 For peace-fake, I entreate you every one, 
 You would pull in your heads till fhe is gone. 
 
 Fairely we marched on, till our approach 
 Within the fpacious paffage of the Strand 
 Objected to our fight a fommer-broach, 
 Ycleap'd a May-pole, which in all our land 
 No citty, towne, nor ftreete, can parralell ; 
 Nor can the lofty fpire of darken-well, 
 Although he have the vantage of a rock, 
 Pearch up more high his turning weather-cock. 
 
 Stay ! quoth my Mufe, and here behold a figne 
 Of harmleffe mirth and honeft neighbourhood, 
 Where all the parifh did in one combyne, 
 To mount the rod of peace, and none withftood : 
 Where no capritious conftables difturbe them, 
 Nor juftice of the peace did feeke to curbe them, 
 Nor peevifh Puritan in rayling fort, 
 Nor over-wife church-warden fpoyl'd the fport. 
 
 Happy the age, and harmeleffe were the dayes, 
 (For then true love and amity was found) 
 When every village did a May-pole raife, 
 And Whitfon-ales and May-games did abound ; 
 And all the lufty yonkers in a rout, 
 With merry laffes daunc'd the rod about : 
 Then friendfhip to their banquets bid the guefts, 
 And poore men far'd the better for their feafts.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 1 5 
 
 Then raign'd plaine honeft meaning, and good will, 
 And neighbours tooke up points of difference : 
 In common lawes the Commons had no (kill, 
 And publique feafts were Courts of Confcience. 
 Then one grave ferjant at the Common pleas 
 Might well difpatch the motions at his eafe, 
 And in his owne hands though he had the law, 
 Yet hardly had a clyent worth a ftraw. 
 
 Then lords of caftles, mannors, townes, and towers, 
 Rejoyc'd when they beheld the farmers flourifh ; 
 And would come downe unto the fommer-bowers 
 To fee the country-gallants dance the morris ; 
 
 And fometimes with his tennants handfome daughter 
 Would fall in liking, and efpoufe her after 
 Unto his ferving-man ; and for her portion 
 Beftow on him fome farme, without extortion. 
 
 But fince the fommer-poles were overthrowne, 
 And all good fports and merryments decayd, 
 How times and men are chang'd fo well is knowne, 
 It were but labour loft if more were faid : 
 And therefore He be filent ; for I hold 
 They will not mend although their faults be told, 
 Nor is it fafe the fpur-gal'd world to pricke ; 
 For fhee's a lufty jade, and jades will kicke. 
 
 Alas, poore May-poles \ what fhould be the caufe 
 That you were almoft banifh't from the earth ? 
 You never were rebellious to the lawes ; 
 Your greateft crime was harmeleffe honeft mirth :
 
 1 6 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 What fell malignant fpirit was there found, 
 To caft your tall Piramides to ground ? 
 To be fome envious nature it appeares, 
 That men might fall together by the eares. 
 
 Some fierie zealous brother, full of fpleene, 
 That all the world in his deepe wifedome fcornes, 
 Could not endure the may-pole fhould be feene 
 To weare a cox-combe higher then his homes : 
 He tooke it for an idol I, and the feaft 
 For facrifice unto that painted beaft ; 
 Or for the wooden Trojan Affe of finne, 
 By which the wicked merrie Greeks came in. 
 
 But, I doe hope, once more the day will come 
 That you fhall mount and pearch your cocks as high 
 As ere you did, and that the pipe and drum 
 Shall bid defiance to your enemy ; 
 And that all Fidlers which in corners lurke, 
 And have beene almoft ftarv'd for want of worke, 
 Shall draw their crowds, and at your exaltation 
 Play many a fit of merry recreation. 
 
 Leede And thou, my native towne, which was of old, 
 
 (When as thy bon-fiers burn'd, and May-poles flood, 
 And when thy waffall-cups were uncontrol'd) 
 The fommer-bower of peace and neighbourhood ; 
 Although fmce thefe went down, thou ly'ft forlorn 
 By factious fchifmes and humors over-borne, 
 Some able hand, I hope, thy rod will raife, 
 That thou maift fee once more thy happy daies.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 1 7 
 
 And now conceive us to be come as farre 
 As the perfpicuous fabrick of the Burfe, 
 Againft which frame, the old Exchange makes warre, 
 Mifdoubting that her trading would be worfe 
 By the ere<5tion of that ftately front, 
 Which cryes What lack ye? when men looke upon't : 
 But for thy takings, Greftiam, take no care, 
 Thou wilt have doings whilft thou haft good ware. 
 
 Whil'ft coaches and caroaches are i'th world, 
 And women take delight to buy fond babies, 
 And o're the ftones whilft ladies will be hurld, 
 For which their horfes are ftill kept i'th ftables ; 
 And whilft thy (hops with prettie wenches fwarm, 
 Which for thy cuftome are a kinde of charme 
 To idle gallants, thou fhalt ftill be fure 
 To have good utterance for thy furniture. 
 
 And therefore be not envious, nor confpire 
 Againft thy yonger fifters fmall beginnings : . 
 Thou art fo rich thy trade cannot retyre, 
 And fhe fo poore thou need'ft not feare her winnings. 
 
 If ought doe raife her head (as who can tell ?) 
 
 It is her lowlineffe will make things fell ; 
 
 Her fole humility will vent her wares, 
 
 For if men wil not climbe, fhel'e come down flayers. 
 
 If fhe this open courfe had kept before, 
 And out of fight her mops had not withdrawne, 
 Doubtleffe her takings would have been much more 
 For points, gloves, garters, cambrick-fmocks, and lawn : 
 
 c
 
 1 8 PaJ 'quits Palmodia ; or, 
 
 The man of trade which doth the world begin, 
 Seldome growes rich if he keepe (hop within : 
 For by this meanes no cuftome can be gotten, 
 And ere he fell his wares, they will be rotten. 
 
 And, therefore, let a tradefman that would thrive, 
 Firft get a fhop in fome faire flreet of taking ; 
 My next advice is, that he fairely wive, 
 For fuch a toy is many a yong-mans making ; 
 Then, let his fhop be ftuft on every fide 
 With new additions to increafe vaine pride, 
 And he fhall fee great gallants with huge broaches, 
 Light at his dore from male and female coaches. 
 
 The Burfe of Brittaine left behinde our backe, 
 Wee now aproach the croffe, ycleaped Charing; 
 A weather-beaten peece, which goes to wracke, 
 Becaufe the world of charitie is fparing. 
 
 Hang downe thy head, O Wcftminfter! for fhame, 
 And all you lawyers which paffe by the fame, 
 Blum (if you can) and are not brazen faced, 
 To fee fo faire a monument difgraced. 
 
 The Crofle in j} oe you no |- f ee h ow London hath repaired 
 Cheape-fide. // n 
 
 And trim d \\erjifter, with great charge and colt ? 
 
 And though her head was from her moulders pared, 
 Yet me is now reftor'd, and fairely croft. 
 
 Brave Free-men, I applaud you for this thing, 
 And will one day your further praifes fing ; 
 Mean while my Mufe in commendation tels, 
 You keepe your wives moft neate, and all things elfc.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie, 19 
 
 It is a fhame, you Gowrid-men of the laiv, 
 For tis with you that I muft put the cafe, 
 Although I know you doe not care a ftraw 
 What I doe tell you ; yet unto your face 
 
 I fay, it is a fhame, and ill befits 
 
 That you fhould fell your fhreds of law and writs 
 
 At fo deere rate, to many a poore mans loffe, 
 
 And not beftow one fee to mend this Croffe. 
 
 For many pious a6ts and monuments 
 The citie will for ever be commended ; 
 Many faire colledges, with goodly rents, 
 From zeale of kings and bifhops are defcended ; 
 
 And many private men, our ages wonders, 
 
 Have unto famous hofpitals beene founders : 
 
 But where furvives that worke of charitie, 
 
 That from a lawyer drawes his pedigree ? 
 
 Redeeme your fame, you law-full barrifters, 
 And let the world fpeake better of your zeale. 
 The commons fay, which are no flatterers, 
 That halfe the riches of the common- weale 
 
 Is in your hands, or will be if you live, 
 
 Becaufe you alwaies take, and nothing give ; 
 
 And that your fees, which certaine were of old, 
 
 Are now uncertaine, like a coppi-hold. The jr yneSi 
 
 And yet, they fay, you are fo honeft growne, 
 You will not take your fee to plead a caufe : 
 Though once you had a fee, you now have none, 
 That fmgle word accords not with the lawes :
 
 2O Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 It muft come fhowring in a golden flood, 
 Or fome of you will doe a man fmall good ; 
 And whatfo ere men give, you'l not forfake it, 
 Becaufe you know that by the law you take it. 
 
 Thus doe the vulgars talke, and you can tell 
 
 Whether this fame be true, or elfe a Iyer ; 
 
 But howfoere it be, you may doe well 
 
 To let poore Charity come neere your fire, 
 
 And warme her felfe, that men no more may hold 
 
 The charity of lawyers to be cold : 
 
 It will mens love with admiration draw, 
 
 To fee fome Gofpell joyn'd with common-law, 
 
 And for the firft good worke of your devotion, 
 When next you trample to the fpacious Hall, 
 Let Charing-crojfe entreat you heare her motion, 
 That for your fuccour by the way doth call : 
 
 Build up her ruynes, and reftore her glory, 
 
 Which time and graceles hands made tranfitory ; 
 
 And let her be as faire to looke upon 
 
 As is the ftately Croffe at Abington. 
 
 Profit and honour certainely will fpring 
 Both to your foules and calling by this fight : 
 Into your mind good motions it will bring, 
 As you paffe by, to doe your clyents right ; 
 
 To your vocation will arife from hence 
 
 A good report, and greater reverence, 
 
 When with a croffe fhe's top'd, and faire carv'd under, 
 
 THIS IS THE LAWYERS WORKE (good Reader, wonder).
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 2 1 
 
 To leave conceits that vanifh as a dreame, 
 And which our age fhall fcarce report as true, 
 Let us proceede to our intended theame, 
 For now to Weftminfter wee neerer drew ; 
 
 Which when I did confider, and withall 
 
 Into what danger we were like to fall 
 
 If we went thither, I began to thinke 
 
 It were not beft to goe fo farre to drinke. 
 
 The reafon why thus farre I did proceed, 
 
 And traine my Mufe along from Temple-Barre, 
 
 Was to avoid the obje<5l which did breed 
 
 The raging paffion that did reafon marre ; 
 
 Therefore, I thought, the further I convaid her 
 From fight of cuckolds, which fo furious made her, 
 She would be fooner pleas'd, becaufe we finde 
 That out of fight is quickly out of minde. 
 
 But when I now conceav'd, that it might prove 
 
 As dangerous to goe forward as retyre, 
 
 (And that, like to a flounder, I did move 
 
 Out of the frying-pan into the fire) 
 
 Becaufe through Weftminfter wild courtiers range, 
 And if there be no cuckolds it is ftrange : 
 Forward I durft not goe, but turned back, 
 Greatly perplexed where to drinke our Sack. 
 
 Whilft thus I walk't, much troubled and difmayde, 
 A voyce I heard which from a window fpake, 
 And cal'd, Come hither (fo I thought it faid) 
 And thereupon my fpirit gan awake,
 
 22 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 And upward I did lift mine eyes to fee 
 If that I knew the place, or who was he 
 That did me call, when by \hejigne I found 
 It was a fhop whofe wares lay under ground. 
 
 It is a place whereas old Sherry Sacke 
 
 Is kept in durance in a dungeon deepe, 
 
 Attended by young beagles at his backe, 
 
 Whofe yawling throats will never let him fleepe ; 
 
 But when that he would take his reft they fpowte him, 
 And grievoufly they hoope and pipe about him, 
 And for to let him bloud they never ftint, 
 Into a gallon, pottle, quart, or pint. 
 
 There lyes he pris'ner to the God of drinke, 
 
 Entomb'd within a coffin, like a barrell, 
 
 Becaufe hee was fo forward, as I thinke, 
 
 With good ftale Englifh-beere to picke a quarrell : 
 For hee no fooner came upon our fhore 
 And met March-beere, which he nere faw before, 
 But ftraight perforce they two muft try a fall, 
 Where both were caft, and fpewd againft the wall. 
 
 Which thing when Bacchus heard, he for them fent, 
 And Sacke condemn'd to dungeon darke as night, 
 Becaufe he was fo bold and infolent 
 On Englifh ground againft March Beere to fight : 
 Beere by his doome was barreld up alive, 
 Becaufe that with a ftranger hee would ftrive, 
 But was committed to a lighter vault, 
 For in his owne defence he made th' affault.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 23 
 
 Not farre from Sherry Sacke in prifon lye 
 
 Many brave^/r//j, for the like offence, 
 
 Whom Bacchus ufeth with great tyranny, 
 
 And for their liberty will not difpence, 
 Untill the cruell jaylo ur, with his fpawne 
 Of little currs, in peeces hath them drawne, 
 And many hundred times hath let them blood, 
 Which he fophifticates, as he thinks good. 
 
 In dreadfull darkneffe Alligant lies drownd, 
 Which marryed men invoke for procreation : 
 Next unto him brifke Clares is faft bound, 
 Which addes to venifon more acceptation : 
 Another corner holds pale colour' d White, 
 Which to fee Jordane doth a man incite ; 
 And feeble Renijli on the rack there ftrives, 
 And calls for helpe to merchants and their wives. 
 
 Strong hoop'd in bonds are here conftrain'd to tarry, 
 Two kinfmen neere allyde to Sherry Sack, 
 Sweet Malligo, and delicate Canary, 
 Which warme the ftomacks that digeftion lacke : 
 They had a page whom, if I can make meeter, 
 He let you know, they call'd him See mee Peter, 
 But being found, he did no great offence, 
 Paying his fees, he foone was drawne from thence. 
 
 Farre in the dungeon lyes a dainty youth, 
 
 With his fweet brother, as their names make knowne, 
 
 Unlawfully begotten in the fouth, 
 
 And therefore are cal'd Baftards, 'white and browne.
 
 24 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 For love to thefe have women been convicted, 
 And ftill unto them fome are fo addi6led, 
 Although with other drinks their minds are pleafed, 
 Yet without Baftard they are never eafed. 
 
 Within the utmoft limits of this cell, 
 Surrounded with great hogs-heads like to burft, 
 Old Mufcadine, without his egges, doth dwell, 
 And Malmfey, though laft nam'd, yet not the worft : 
 Yet thefe are better us'd then all the reft, 
 For feldome doe the beagles them molleft 
 But in a morne, for then our ufe is moft 
 To call for thefe, and drinke them with a toft. 
 
 Compaft with fetters, thefe and many more 
 
 Tumble in darkneffe one upon another, 
 
 And never are in quiet, till ^\\&fcore 
 
 Kept by fazjaylors wife, an aged mother, 
 
 Hath drawne them dry ; and then again they vent them, 
 And in another cafe a new torment them ; 
 Porters. And fometime cruell Sarajins doe roll them, 
 
 Which are fo ftubborn, that none dare controule them. 
 
 Yet none of all thefe are more hardly ufed 
 Then is that true good-fellow Sherry -Sack. 
 If you fhould heare how much he is abufed, 
 You needs muft weepe, or elfe remorfe you lacke ; 
 Trodden with feete, fold like a flave, rackt, jumbl'd, 
 Let bloud, drawn dry, and by fell porters tumbl'd, 
 And leaft al thefe bafe wrongs fhould not provoke him, 
 With Yeffo they him purge, with Lime they choake him.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 25 
 
 Thus colde and comfortleffe is he confin'd 
 Unto a hideous cave, refembling hell, 
 Whereas the Suns bright beames yet never fhin'd, 
 Nor can he heare cocke crow, nor found of bell, 
 Nor know how time doth paffe ; for all his light 
 Is from a candle, both by day and night, 
 And all the company which doe frequent him, 
 Are onely nimble fpirits that torment him. 
 
 Late in the night, when moft men are afleepe, 
 And few are stirring but theeves, catts, and crickets, 
 Into the vault the Jaylor downe doth creepe, 
 Where how he deals with bung-holes and vt\\.\\ fpickets 
 I cannot tell ; yet fome men doe relate, 
 He makes thefe ftrangers prove adulterate ; 
 And thats the cause, when women thereof tast, 
 They fall to lewdneffe and become unchast. 
 
 For to beget a wife well featur'd childe, 
 
 Some have prefcrib'd that men muft ufe good dyet ; 
 
 With unfound meate the body is defilde, 
 
 And with bad wine the humours made unquiet : 
 
 Good wine doth breed good bloud, which makes me 
 thinke, 
 
 If wives are naught, tis long of naughty drinke ; 
 
 For Woman is by kinde a vertuous creature, 
 
 If vicious potions doe not change her nature. 
 
 From thefe c\ofe-feller jumblings doe arife 
 Great harmes, and much annoyance to mans body ; 
 For falfe impoftur'd wines doe hurt the eyes, 
 And turne a wife man oft into a noddy : 
 
 D
 
 Invadunt ur- 
 bem vino. 
 
 Troinovant. 
 
 26 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 Within the braine vile excrements they gather, 
 Which unto moft difeafes are the father ; 
 As deafeneffe, rheums, coughs, gouts, and distillations, 
 Convulfions, palsies, itch, and inflamations. 
 
 Thefe are the caufe of quarrells and debate, 
 
 Wrath, wounds, diforder, luft, and fornication ; 
 
 For note, how long men drinke immaculate 
 
 And honeft wine, without fophiftication, 
 So long mad paffion is ftayde reafons flave ; 
 But when the drawer once doth play the knave, 
 And make his wine dimoneft, and turne whore, 
 Then prefently the Boyes begin to rore. 
 
 And now I call to minde a pretty tale, 
 
 My tutor told me when I was a boy, 
 
 Of fome old fouldiers (if I doe not faile) : 
 
 He cald them Greekes, that facked the towne of Troy. 
 The facking was by bafe compounded Sacks, 
 Which laid the Trojans senceleffe on their backs ; 
 And ever fince, good fellowes for the fame, 
 True Trojans and mad Greekes have had to name. 
 
 Where Troy did fland I almoft have forgot, 
 Unleffe it was where London now is feated, 
 For sure no Trojan better lov'd the pot, 
 Nor with ol&fack hath oftner beene defeated, 
 
 Than hath our Citty-Trojan; yet I gather 
 
 It flood about the He of Tenet rather, 
 
 For (as I well remember) he did say, 
 
 The ifland Tenedos ftood in the way.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 27 
 
 But let the poets place it where they will, 
 
 And tell of doughty warriors clad in steele, 
 
 How ftiffe Achilles did ftout Hector kill, 
 
 And drag'd his body beaftly by the heele. 
 Thefe are but fi<5lions, for the truth is plaine ; 
 The Trojans were but drunk, there was none flaine : 
 And what wife man will fay they were not drunk, 
 To fight ten yeares about a reftie punke ? 
 
 But when the fouldiers were with Sack suppreffed, 
 And fome of them lay weltring in their goare, 
 And fome, on beds and benches fowlie dreffed, 
 So gap'd for breath, that one might heare them fnore, 
 And all the drunken Trojans were asleepe, 
 In their difgorged pickle laid to sleepe, 
 Homewards the merry Greekes returned finging, 
 Yet having little cause to boaft their winning. 
 
 For hereupon blinde Homer tells a fable 
 
 Of wonders that befell in their retire ; 
 
 How Circe, with a potion execrable, 
 
 Converted them to hogs be-dawb'd in mire, 
 And how the Syren with her pleafant laies, 
 Sung fweetly unto them whom she betraies : 
 Whereas the morall is, that wine compounded 
 At Mermaide, into fwine thofe Greeks confounded. 
 
 Tis not the virgin liquor of the grape 
 
 That turnes a man into a filthy fwine, 
 
 A goate, an asse, a lyon, or an ape; 
 
 Such beaftly fruits fpring never from the vyne.
 
 28 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 Brifk blufhing Claret, and faire maiden Sherry, 
 Make men couragious, loving, wife, and merry : 
 It is adulterous wine that playes the puncke, 
 And robs men of their reason, being drunke. 
 
 By this time, I fuppofe, you may conjecture 
 What this darke dungeon is ; and that the houfe, 
 Of which my Mufe hath read fo long a Ie6lure, 
 Is nothing but Zifchoole where men carroufe, 
 And learne to drinke ; a little common-wealth, 
 Where every man is free to drinke a health, 
 And none denide that can difcharge the fcore : 
 In briefe, it is a Taverne, and no more. 
 
 The ftrangers there captiv'd you well difcover, 
 As being with them doubtleffe well acquainted, 
 And therefore vainely to recite them over, 
 My Mufe of furpluffage would be attainted ; 
 Yet of their Jaylor I muft needes complaine, 
 Which doth with fo great ftricl:neffe them reftrain, 
 That without money none their fight comes neer, 
 And then attir'd in pewter they appeare. 
 
 The bufh did wag, the dog did make his tayle, 
 When firft my Mufe and I approach'd the wicket ; 
 The Drawers bid us welcome and al-haile, 
 And afk't what was our pleafures with the /picket ? 
 I cald for their directions, how to finde 
 From whence the voyce was to mine eares inclin'd, 
 When fkraight anon a nimble Mercurie 
 Brought us up ftaires among good companie.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 29 
 
 It was the day, of all dayes in the yeare, 
 
 That unto Bacchus hath his dedication, 
 
 When mad braynd Prentifes, that no men feare, 
 
 O'rethrow the dens of bawdie recreation ; 
 
 When tailors, coblers, plaift'rers, fmiths and mafons, 
 And every rogue will beate down barbers bafons : 
 Whereat Don Conftable in wrath appeares, 
 And runs away with his flout halberdiers. 
 
 It was the day whereon both rich and poore 
 Are chiefely feafted with the felfe fame difh, 
 When every paunch, till it can hold no more, 
 Is fritter-fild, as well as heart can wifh ; 
 
 And every man and maide doe take their turne, 
 And toffe their pancakes up for feare they burne ; 
 And all the kitchin doth with laughter found, 
 To fee the pancakes fall upon the ground. 
 
 It was the day when every kitchin reekes, 
 
 And hungry bellies keepe a jubile, 
 
 When Flefli doth bid adew for divers weekes, 
 
 And leaves old Ling to be his deputie ; 
 Though carnall libertines are fo inclin'd, 
 That ftill they love to taft what is confin'd, 
 For all their humors are fo violent, 
 They'll rather faft at Eafter than in Lent. 
 
 It was the day when pullen goe to block, 
 
 And every fpit is fil'd with belly tymber, 
 
 When cocks are cudgel'd down with many a knock, 
 
 And hens are thrafht to make them fhort and limber ;
 
 D Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 When country wenches play with ftoole and ball, 
 And run at Barly-breake untill they fall : 
 And country lads fall on them, in fuch fort 
 That after forty weekes they rew the fport. 
 
 And on this day, the feaft to magnifie 
 Of merry Bacdms, which did heare refide, 
 Within this Taverne met a company 
 Of true, kinde, honeft hearts, quite void of pride ; 
 That good companions and good husbands are, 
 And know both how to fpend and how to fpare ; 
 That can be merry and yet never quarrell, 
 Nor drowne their wits and reafon in a barrell. 
 
 Ille liquor do- 
 cuit voces in- 
 fleclere cantu. 
 
 Qui canit arte 
 canat, qui bi- 
 bit arte bibaL 
 
 ParnafTus. 
 
 Caftalius. 
 
 Fruftra poeti- 
 cas fores com- 
 pofui pepulit 
 
 And heare with many welcomes were received 
 My Mufe and I, and fell to drinking Sherry, 
 Where after fome few cups, as I conceived 
 So it fell out, my Mufe grew paffmg merry, 
 And from her fallen humour which did raignc, 
 She was tranfported to a better vaine, 
 And gan to fmg, like to a joviall drinker, 
 In praife of Sack, and turn'd it to the Tinker. 
 
 Come hither, learned fifters, 
 
 and leave your forked mountaine, 
 I will tell you where is a well 
 
 doth far exceed your fountaine ; 
 Of which, if any poet 
 
 doe tafte in fome good meafure, 
 It ftraight doth fill, both his head and quill, 
 
 with ditties full of pleafure,
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 
 
 And makes him fing, Give me Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 to make the Mufes merry. 
 The life of mirth, and the joy of the earth 
 
 Is a cup of good olde Sherry ! 
 
 Tis not the God of Phyficke, 
 
 nor his Apothecary, 
 Nor all his drugs that ftand in juggs, 
 
 with potions ordinary, 
 That now fhall be regarded, 
 
 or had in any wonder : 
 His urinall againft the wall, 
 
 he now may piffe afunder. 
 For we have found old Sack, old Sack, boyes ! 
 
 which makes a Tick man merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 It is the true NepentJies 
 
 which makes a fad man frollicke, 
 And doth redreffe all heavineffe, 
 
 cold agues and the chollicke : 
 It takes away the crutches, 
 
 from men are lame and cripled, 
 And dryes the pose and rheums of the nose, 
 
 if it be foundly tipled. 
 Then let us drinke old Sack, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us found and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 It is the river Lethe, 
 
 where men forget their croffes, 
 
 Apollo. 
 
 Exultatio ani- 
 mae et corporis 
 vinum. 
 
 Facit ad ju- 
 cunditatem 
 corporis, ad 
 vitse sequita- 
 tem, et bonos 
 mores. 
 
 Liberal fervi- 
 tio curarum 
 animum, et
 
 Pafquils Palinodia ; or, 
 
 aflerit vegetio- 
 rem, et auda- 
 ciorem, in om- 
 nes conatus 
 facit 
 
 In prselia tru- 
 dit inermem. 
 
 Omnis animi 
 afperitas dul- 
 ciori fucco mi- 
 tigatur, lenit 
 tranfitum fpi- 
 ritus, ac moli- 
 ores efficit 
 ineatus. 
 
 Bibant et fu- 
 roris fui non 
 recordentur. 
 Qui bene bibit 
 bene dormit. 
 
 Multae aliae 
 oneffunt, qui- 
 bus in penuria 
 homines utun- 
 tur, tamen in- 
 ter omnes hoc 
 vinum tenet 
 primas, quia 
 datur nobis ad 
 neceffitatem, 
 ad fanitatem, 
 et ad hilarita- 
 tem. 
 
 And by this drinke they never thinke 
 
 of poverty and loffes : 
 It gives a man frefh courage, 
 
 if well he fup this Nectar, 
 And cowards soft it lifts aloft, 
 
 and makes them ftout as Heflor, 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us ftout and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 It is the well of Concord, 
 
 where men doe take up quarrells ; 
 When love doth lacke, by drinking Sacke 
 
 they draw it from the barrells. 
 If drunkards are unruly, 
 
 whom Claret hath enflamed, 
 With a cup or two, this Sacke can doe, 
 
 they fleepe, and fo are tamed. 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us kinde and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 The Broth with barly fodden, 
 
 compares not with this licker, 
 The draymans Beere is not fo cleere, 
 
 and foggy Ale is thicker : 
 Matheglin is too fulfome, 
 
 cold Cyder and raw Perry, 
 And all drinks (land with cap in hand 
 
 in prefence of old Sherry.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie. 33 
 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us blythe and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 No fiery red-fac'd Claret, 
 
 attended with his Barrage, 
 No Reni/Ji wine that's pifling fine, 
 
 nor White, that cooles the courage ; 
 No bafe begotten Bajlard, 
 
 nor bloud of any berry, 
 
 Can raife the braine to fuch a ftraine, Ho ? Y inum 
 
 acuit mge- 
 nor make the heart fo merry. nuum. 
 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us blythe and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 The Citizen loves fidling, 
 
 that he may frifke and caper ; 
 The Scholler lookes upon his bookes, 
 
 and pores upon a paper ; 
 The gentle bloud likes hunting, 
 
 where dogs doe trace by fmelling ; 
 And fome love hawks, fome groves, and walks, 
 
 and fome a handfome dwelling. 
 Yet all thefe without Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! Sacke fapit 
 
 makes no man kindely merry. omnia. 
 
 The knot of harty friendfhip Vinum dicitm- 
 
 is by good Sacke combyned ; 
 They love no jarrs, nor mortall warrs, 
 
 that are to Sacke inclined ;
 
 34 
 
 Pafquils Palinadia ; or, 
 
 Sine Cerereet 
 Sacco friget 
 virtus. 
 
 Ut cor per 
 triftitiam con- 
 trahitur et tor- 
 pefcit, ita per 
 vini laetitiam 
 laxatur et 
 titillat. 
 
 Rugaque fron- 
 ds abit. 
 
 In vino veri- 
 tas. 
 
 Nor can he be difhoneft, 
 
 whom facke and fugar feedeth ; 
 
 For all men fee, hee's fat and free, 
 and no ill humour breedeth. 
 
 Then let us drinke old Sack, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 That makes us fat and merry. 
 
 The life, &c. 
 
 A quart of Sacke well burned, 
 
 And drunke to bed-ward wholly, 
 I dare be bold doth cure the cold, 
 
 and purgeth melancholly ; 
 It comforts aged perfons, 
 
 And feemes their youth to render, 
 It warmes the braynes, it fils the vaines, 
 
 and frefli bloud doth ingender. 
 Then let us drinke Sack, old Sack, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us warme and merry. 
 The life, &c. 
 
 Sacke makes a faithfull fubject 
 
 that doth no treafon ftudy ; 
 Nor doth he thinke, when he takes this drink, 
 
 of plotting murthers bloudy : 
 He loves his king and country, 
 
 from whom he never ftarted ; 
 The great black Jack, well fild with Sack, 
 
 doth make the Guard true-hearted. 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes 
 
 which makes true fubjects merry. 
 The life, &c.
 
 The Pynte of Poetrie, 
 
 35 
 
 Eluit curas et 
 ab imo animum 
 movet. 
 
 Aliquando in 
 exultationem et 
 libertatem eft 
 animus extra- 
 hendus, triflif- 
 que fobrietas 
 removenda 
 paulifper. 
 
 No care comes neere this fountaine, 
 
 where joy and mirth furpaffes, 
 And the God of drink ftands up to the brink, 
 
 all arm'd in Venice glaffes, 
 And calls upon good fellowes, 
 
 that are both wife and merry, 
 That about this fpring they would dance and fing, 
 
 And drinke a cup of Sherry. 
 Then let us drinke old Sacke, old Sacke, boyes ! 
 
 which makes us wife and merry ; 
 And about this fpring, let us dance and fmg, 
 
 and drinke a cup of Sherry. 
 
 Thus fung my Mufe, and thus the ftormes were laid, 
 
 And fhe grew debonaire and fairely calme. 
 
 When any Mufe with rage is over-fwaid, 
 
 Let poets learne it is a foveraigne balme 
 
 To wet their pipes with good facetious Sherry, 
 
 Which makes them jocond and moft fweetly merry. Fsecundl cah - 
 
 J ces quern nor 
 
 And thus I brought her home, wher now fhe refts. 
 Tlie fcaft is done, y'are welcome all, my guefts. 
 
 A liquando infanire jucundijfimum eft. 
 
 quern non 
 fecere difer- 
 tum? 
 
 FINIS.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 - 
 
 WE apprehend that on the ensuing pages is given one of the 
 most remarkable early dramatic relics in our language : it is en- 
 tirely a political, historical, and religious Moral, or Morality, as 
 such pieces were then called ; the main purpose being to enforce 
 and illustrate the manner in which the Reformation had ruined 
 the state and condition of England at the time when Mary- 
 ascended the throne. The construction is ingenious, and the 
 characters are all either merely representative or purely alle- 
 gorical : in " The History of the English Drama and Stage" pre- 
 fixed to the edition of Shakespeare (6 vols., 8vo., 1858, vol. i, 
 p. 5), it is stated that in this piece the queen herself was intro- 
 duced in the character of Nemesis ; but it will be seen that this is 
 not exactly the case, for Nemesis speaks of Queen Mary as a 
 distinct personage, whose wrongs and sufferings, arising from the 
 misconduct of Avarice, Insolence, Oppression, and Adulation, she 
 came to revenge. 
 
 Who the author may have been, we have no means of knowing ; 
 but we feel confident that he was a priest, .from the many allu- 
 sions to the state of the Church, and to the degree in which the 
 clergy had been oppressed and impoverished. It is certain that 
 the play was a Christmas performance, and that it was got up 
 
 a
 
 11 
 
 and acted by youths perhaps from one of our public schools. 
 We are not responsible for the latinity of various passages, be- 
 cause we print them precisely as they stand in the manuscript 
 possibly after various re-transcriptions. 
 
 The very year of the performance is given, but if it had not 
 been mentioned, the use of the expression " by the arms of 
 Calais" (p. 33), would have shown that it was anterior to the 
 resignation of that place to the French ; and the statement that 
 the steeple of St. Paul's was still standing would have fixed the 
 date anterior to 1561. (Stow's Annales, 1605, p. 1055.) How- 
 ever upon this point, there could hardly have been any ques- 
 tion, from the mere character and object of the representation. 
 
 The early proverbs introduced by the author are numerous and 
 curious ; and the minute particulars he supplies, even as to the 
 state and change of the coinage in the realm, are remarkable. 
 The songs and music are now and then injudiciously inserted for 
 the mere sake of variety : one of them is, no doubt, the same as 
 a song in praise of Money in Lupton's drama printed in 1578 : 
 see Extracts from the Stat. Beg., ii, 50. 
 
 The original contemporaneous manuscript is the property 
 of Hudson Gurney, Esq., who, more than thirty years ago, gave 
 the editor leave to have it transcribed. Here and there it is 
 slightly defective ; but there can be little doubt how some words, 
 or parts of words, ought to be supplied, and we have, as usual, 
 
 placed them between brackets. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 A merye eiiterlude entitled 
 Respublica, made in the 
 
 yeare of our Lorde 1553, and the 
 
 first yeare of the moost prosperous 
 
 reigne of our moste gracious sove- 
 raigne Ouene Marye the first. 
 
 partes anD names 
 of tfoe platers, 
 
 THE PROLOGUE, a poete. 
 
 AVARICE, alias POLICIE, the vice of the plaie. 
 
 INSOLENCE, alias AUTHORITIE, the chief galaunt. 
 
 OPPRESSION, alias REFORMATION, an other gallaunt. 
 
 ADULATION, alias HONESTIE, the third gallaunt. 
 
 PEOPLE, reprefenting the poore Commontie. 
 
 RESPUBLICA, a wydowe. 
 
 MISERICORDIA' 
 
 VERITAS 
 
 JUSTICIA fowre Ladies - 
 
 PAX 
 
 NEMESIS, the Goddes of redreffe and correction, a goddeffe.
 
 THE PROLOGUE. 
 
 FIRST helth and fucceffe, with many agoode newe yeare, 
 Wiffed unto all this mofte noble prefence heare. 
 I have more tentreafle youe, of gentle fufferaunce, 
 That this our matier may have quyet utteraunce. 
 We that are thactours have our felves dedicate 
 With fome Chriftmas devife your fpirites to recreate ; 
 And our poete trufteth the thinge we fhall recyte 
 Maye withowte offence the hearers myndes delyte. 
 In dede no man fpeaketh wordes fo well fore pondred, 
 But the fame by fome meanes maye be mifconftrued ; 
 Nor nothinge fo well ment, but that b){ fomme pretence 
 Ytt maie be wronge interpreted from the anchors fence : 
 But let this be taken no wurfe then yt ys mente, 
 And I hope nor we, nor owre poete fhalbe fhente. 
 
 But nowe of thargumente to towch a worde or twayne ; 
 The name of our playe ys Refpublica certaine ; 
 Oure meaninge ys (I faie not, as by plaine ftorye, 
 But, as yt were, in figure by an allegorye) 
 To fhewe that all commen weales ruin and decaye 
 From time to time hath been, ys, and fhalbe alwaie, 
 Whan infolence, flatterie, oppreffion, 
 And avarice have the rewle in theire poffeffion. 
 But thoughe thefe vices, by cloked collufyon, 
 And by counterfai6le names, hidden theire abufion, 
 Do reigne for a while to common weales prejudice, 
 Pervertinge all right and all ordre of true juftice, 
 Yet tyme trieth all, and tyme bringeth truth to lyght, 
 That wronge maye not ever ftill reigne in place of right ; 
 For whan pleafeth God fuche common weales to reftore 
 
 B
 
 2 The Prologue. 
 
 To theire welthe and honoure wherin thei were afore, 
 He fendeth downe his moofte tendre compaffion 
 To caufe truth goe abowte in vifitation. 
 Veritee, the daughter of fage old father Tyme, 
 Sheweth all as yt ys, bee ytt vertue or cryme : 
 Than dooeth Juftice all fuche as common weale oppreffe, 
 Tempered with mercye, endevoure to fuppreffe. 
 With whome anone is lynked Tranquillitee and Peace, 
 To common weales joye and perpetuall encreace. [plaie ? 
 But fhall boyes (faith fome nowe) of fuche highe mattiers 
 No, not as difcuffers, but yet the booke dothe faie 
 Ex ore infantium perfecifti laudem ; 
 For whan Chrifle came rydinge into Hierufalem, 
 The yong babes with tholde folke cryed owte all and fomme, 
 Bleffed bee the man that in the Lordes name doth comme ! 
 Soo for goode Englande fake, this prefente howre and daie, 
 In hope of hir reftoring from hir late decaye, 
 We children to youe olde folke, bothe with harte and voyce, 
 Maie joyne all togither to thanke God and rejoyce, 
 That he hath fent Marye, our Soveraigne and Quene, 
 To reforme thabufes which hithertoo hath been ; 
 And that yls whiche long tyme have reigned uncorrecle 
 Shall nowe forever bee redreffed with effe6le. 
 She is oure mofl wife, and moft worthie Nemefis, 
 Of whome our plaie meneth, tamende that ys amyffe : 
 Whiche to bring to paffe that fhe maye have tyme and fpace, 
 Leat us, booth yong and olde, to Godde commend her grace. 
 Nowe, yf yowe fo pleafe, I wyll goe, and hither fend 
 That fhall make youe laughe well, yf ye abide thend. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 ACTUS PRIMI SCENA PRIMA. 
 
 Avaryce. Now goddygod every chone, bothe greate and 
 
 fmale, 
 
 From higheft to loweft goddiggod to yowe all. 
 Goddiggod, what fholde I faie, even or morne : 
 If I marke howe the daie goeth, God geve me forrowe. 
 But goddiggod echone, twentie and twentie fkcore 
 Of that ye moft longe for : what wolde ye have more ? 
 Ye mufte perdonne my wytt, for I tell youe plaine, 
 I have a hive of humble bees fwarmynge in my braine ; 
 And he that hath the compace to fetch that I muft fetche, 
 I maie faie in counfaile, had nede his wytte to flretche. 
 
 But nowe what my name is, and what is my purpofe. 
 Takinge youe all for frendes, I feare not to difclofe, 
 My veray trewe unchriften name ys Avaryce, 
 Which I may not have openlye knowen in no wife ; 
 For though to mofte men I am founde commodius, 
 Yet to thofe that ufe me, my name is odius : 
 For who is fo foolifhe, that the evell he hath wrought 
 For his owen behouff, he wolde to light fholde be brought ? 
 Or who had not rather his ill doinges to hide, 
 Thenne to have the fame bruted on everye fyde ? 
 Therefore, to worke my feate, I will my name difguife, 
 And call my name Polycie in ftede of Covetife. 
 The name of Policie ys praifed of eche one, 
 But to rake grumle fede Avaryce ys a lone. 
 The name of Policie ys of none fufpe6led :
 
 4 A merye entrelude entitled Rcfpublica. 
 
 Polycie is ner of any cryme detected. 
 
 So that under the name and cloke of Policie, 
 
 Avarice maie weorke fa6r.es and fcape all jeloufie. 
 
 And nowe ys the tyme comme that, except I be a beafte, 
 
 E'en to make up my mouth and to feather my nefte : 
 
 A tyme that I have wayted for a greate longe fpace ; 
 
 And nowe maie I fpede my purpofe, if I have grace. 
 
 For, heare ye, firrha, our greate graund Ladie Mother, 
 Noble Dame Refpublica, fhe and none other, 
 Of the offalles, the refuse, the ragges, the paringes, 
 The baggage, the trafhe, the fragmentes, the fharinges, 
 The od endes, the crummes, the driblets, the chippinges, 
 The patches, the peces, the broklettes, the drippinges, 
 The fliettance, the fcrapinges, the wilde waies and ftraies, 
 The fkimmynges, the gubbins of booties and praies, 
 The glenyngs, the cafualties, the blynde excheates, 
 The forginge of forfay6les, the fcape of extraictes, 
 Thexceffe, the wafte, the fpoile, the fuperfluites, 
 The windefalles, the fhriddinges, the flycynges, the petie fees, 
 With a thowfande things mo which fhe maye right well lacke, 
 Woulde fyll all thefe fame purfes that hange att my bakke : 
 Yea, and tenne tymes as manye moo bagges as thefe, 
 Which fholde be but a flea bytinge for hir to lefe, 
 That if I maie have the grace, and happe to blynde her, 
 I doubte not a fhewete Ladye I fhall fynde hir. 
 To hir ytt wer nothing, yet manye a fmale makith a greate, 
 And all thinge wolde helpe me what ever I maye geate. 
 
 Full lytle knowe men the greate nede yt I am yn ; 
 Doo not I fpende dailie of that that I doo wynne ? 
 Then age cometh on, and what ys a lytle golde 
 To kepe a man by dredc that is fcble and olde ?
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 5 
 
 No man therefore blame me, thoughe I wolde have more ; 
 The worlde waxeth harde, and ftore (thei faie) is no fore. 
 Nowe the chaunce of theves, in goode houre be ytt fpoken : 
 Owte, alas ! I feare I lefte my cofer open. 
 I am furelye ondoone : alas ! where be my cayes ? 
 It ys gone that I have fwette for all my lyve daies. 
 Wo worthe all whorefon theves, and fuche covetous knaves, 
 That for theire wyndinge fheete wolde fcrape men owt of 
 theire graves. [Exeat. 
 
 ACTUS PRIMI SCENA SECUNDA. 
 ADULACION, INSOLENCE, OPPRESSYON. Intrant Cantantes. 
 
 Adulation. Oh, noble Infolence! if I coulde finge as well, 
 I wolde looke in heaven emonge angells to dwell. 
 
 Infolence, Sing? how doo I fmg, but as other manye doe? 
 
 Ad. Yes, an angels voice ye have to herken unto. 
 
 Ins. Yea, but what availeth that to highe dignitie ? 
 
 Opp. By his armes, not a whitte, as farre as I can fee. 
 
 Ins. Or what helpeth that thinge to fett a man a lofte ? 
 
 Opp. Byhiswoundes, not a flrawe,fo have I tolde yowe ofte. 
 
 Ad. No, but ye are one of fuche goodlye perfonage, 
 Of fuche wytte and beawtye, and of fage parentage, 
 So excelente in all poyntes of everye arte. 
 
 Ins. In dede, God and nature in me have done theire parte. 
 
 Ad. That yf ye will putte yourfelfe forward to the moofte, 
 Ye maie throughowte the whole lande rewle all the rofte. 
 Howe faie you, Oppreflion ? ys ytt not even fo ? 
 
 Opp. Thou faieft foothe, Adulacion, fo mowte I goe. 
 If he wer dispofed to take the charge in hande, 
 I warraunte hym a chive to rewle all the whole lande.
 
 6 A merye entrehide entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Ad. Lo! maifter Infolence, ye heare Oppreffion. 
 
 Ins. I thanke boothe hime and thee, goode Adulacion, 
 And long have I dreamed of fuche an enterpryfe ; 
 But howe or where to begynne I cannot devife. 
 
 Opp. Wherefore fervefrendesbut your enterpryfe toallowe? 
 
 Ad. And than muft youe fupporte them, as thei mufte 
 maintayne youe. 
 
 Opp. And wherefore do friendes ferve, but to fett youe yn. 
 
 Ad. Ye fhall have all my healpe whan ever ye beginne. 
 
 Ins. But we maie herein nothing attempte in no wyfe, 
 Withoute the counfaile of our fownder Avaryce. 
 
 Ad. He mufte directe all this geare by his holye goofte. 
 
 Opp. For he knowith whatt ys to be done in eche coofte : 
 He knoweth where and howe that money is to be hadde. 
 And yonder he cometh, me thinketh, more then half madde. 
 
 \Intrat AVAR. 
 
 ACTUS PRIMI SCENA TERTIA. 
 AVARICE, INSOLENCE, OPPRESSION, ADULACION. 
 
 Avar. It was a faire grace that I was not undooen clene : 
 Yet my kye was fafe lockt under nyne lockes I wene ; 
 But een as againft fuche a thing my harte wyll throbbe, 
 I founde knaves abowte my howfe readye me to robbe. 
 Theare was fuche tooting, fuche looking, and fuche priing, 
 Suche herkenynge, fuche ftalking, fuche watching, fuch 
 
 fpyinge. 
 
 What wolde ye, my maifters ? we looke after a catte : 
 What make ye hereabout ? we have fmelled a ratte. 
 Nowe a wheale on fuche nofes, thought I by and by, 
 That fo quicklye canne fente where hidden golde dothe lye.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 7 
 
 But had I not comme when I dyd, withowte all failles, 
 I thinke theye had digged up my walles with theire nailes. 
 Ins. Let us fpeake to hym, and breake his chafing talke. 
 Avar. Suche gredineffe of money emonge men dothe 
 
 walke, 
 
 That have yt they will, eyther by hooke or by crooke. 
 Opp. Let us call to hym that he maye this waye looke. 
 A var. Whether by right or by wronge, in feith, fome 
 
 care not : 
 
 Therefore catche that catche maye hardely, and fpare not. 
 Ad. All haille cure founder and chief, Mr. Avaryce! 
 Avar. The devyll ys a knave an I catche not a flyce. 
 Ad. When ye fee your tyme, looke this waieyour frendes 
 
 uppon. 
 
 Avar. I doubte not to fkamble and rake as well as one. 
 Ad. Heare bee that wolde faine bee defiples of your arte. 
 Avar. I wilnot bee behinde to gette a childes parte. 
 Ad. Nowe if ye have done, I pray youe looke this waye 
 
 backe. 
 Avar. Whoo buzzeth in myne eare so? what, ye fawe- 
 
 cye Jacke ! 
 Ad. Are ye yet at leyfure with your good frendes to 
 
 talke ? 
 A var. What claweft thowe myne elbowe ? pratlinge mer- 
 
 chaunt, walke. 
 
 Ye flaterabundus yowe, youe flyering clawbacke youe. 
 Youe, the crowe is white youe ; youe, the fwanne is blacke, 
 
 youe. 
 Youe, John holde my ftafe youe ; youe, what is the clocke 
 
 youe ; 
 Youe ait aio youe, yowe negat nego yowe.
 
 8 A merye entrelude entitled Rejpublica. 
 
 Ad. I mervaile yowe fpeake to me in fuche facion. 
 Avar. Whi troubleft thowe me, then, in my contem- 
 plation ? 
 
 Ad. I came of right good love, not myndingyoue to lett. 
 Avar. Thowe ner camft to anie man of good love yett. 
 Ad. And thefe mennes myndes yt was I fliolde foo dooe. 
 Avar. As falfe wretches as thyne owen felfe, and falfer 
 
 tooe. 
 Ins. et Opp. We have been loving to yowe, and faithfull 
 
 alwaye. 
 
 A var. For your owne profittes, and not myne, I dare faie : 
 And een verai youe three it was, and others none, 
 That wolde have robbed me not yet haulf an howre gone. 
 Ins., Opp., Ad. We never robbed any manne, later or 
 
 rather. 
 Avar. Yes, manye a tyme and ofte your owne veraie 
 
 father. 
 
 Opp. And to yowe have we borne hartie favors alwaie. 
 Avar. And I warraunte you hangd for your labours 
 
 one daie. 
 
 Opp., Ad. Even as oure God we have alwaie honored youe. 
 Avar. And een as your God I have aie fuccoured youe. 
 Opp. Wee call youe our fownder, by all holye halowes. 
 Avar. Founder me no foundring, but beware the galowes. 
 Ins. I pray you leave thes wordes, and talke frendlie 
 
 at lafte. 
 Avar. Content ; at your requeft : my fume is nowe well 
 
 pafte. 
 
 And, in faith, what faithe our frende Adulacion ? 
 Ad. I wonder at your roughe communycacion, 
 That ye wolde to me ufe wordes of fuche vehemence.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 9 
 
 Avar. Feyth, manne, I fpake but even to prove your 
 
 pacyence, 
 That yf thowe haddeft grunted or ftormed thereat. 
 
 Ad, Naie, fewe times doe I ufe fuche lewde manier 
 
 as that. 
 Avar. Comme, fhake hands ; and for ever we twoo bee 
 
 at one. 
 
 Ad. As for grutche in me there fhall never remaine none. 
 Avar. Nowe, Mr. Infolence, to your ghoftelye purpofe. 
 Ins. We accordyd a mptier to youe to difcloffe. 
 Avar. I underftande all youre agreemente and accorde, 
 For I laie in your bofome when ye fpake the worde ; 
 And I like well the advife of Oppreffion, 
 And eke of Flatterie, for your progreffion. 
 
 Ins. If there were matier whereon to worke, I care not. 
 Avar. Ye fhall have matier enoughe ; bee doinge, fpare 
 
 not. 
 Ins. What ! to come to honour and welthe for us all 
 
 three ? 
 Avar. Ah! than ye coulde be well content to leave 
 
 owte me. 
 
 Ins. No ; for I knowe ye can for yourfelfe well provyde. 
 A var. Yea, that I can, and for twentye hundreth befyde. 
 Ad. Oh! wolde Chrifte, good fownder, ye wolde that thing 
 
 open. 
 Avar. Bones, knave, wilt thowe have ytt, ere yt can be 
 
 fpoken ? 
 
 Opp. For the paffion of God, tell ytt us with all fpede. 
 A var. By the croffe, not a worde : here is hafte made 
 
 in dede ! 
 
 Ins. Yes, good fwete Avarice, difpatch, and tell att once. 
 
 C
 
 IO A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Avar. Naie, then, cutte my throte; ye are felowes for the 
 
 nonce. 
 
 Will ye have a matier before ytt canbe tolde ? 
 If ye will have me tell ytt, ye mail your tonges holde : 
 Whifte, filence, not a worde ; mum, leatte yor clatter feafe. 
 Are ye with childe to heare, and cannot holde yor peafe ? 
 So, fir, nowe : Refpublica, the ladie of eftate, 
 Ye knowe nowe latelye is left almooft defolate : 
 Hir welthe ys decayed, hir comforte cleane a goe, 
 And fhe att hir wittes endes what for to faie or doe. 
 Faine wolde fhe have fuccoure and eafemente of hir griefe, 
 And highlye advaunce them that wolde promife reliefe. 
 Suche as wolde warraunte hir fpirites to revive 
 Mowght mounte to highe eaftate, and be moft fure to thrive. 
 
 Ins. So. Ad. Well faide. Opp. hah ! Avar. What is 
 this hum, hah ? Ins. Onne forth. Ad. Goe too. Opp. 
 Tell on. Avar. Bodye of me ! Ad. Mum, hum. Avar. 
 What faid ye? Ins. Hake. Ad. Tuff. Opp. Hem. Avar. 
 Who haken tuffa, what faid ye ? Opp. Nothing. Ins. Not 
 a word. Avar. Nor yowe neither ? Ad. Mum. Avar. 
 Dyd ye fpeake or not ? Ins. No. Opp. No. Ad. No. 
 Avar. Nor yet doo not ? Ins. No. Opp. No. Ad. No. 
 Opp. No. Ins. No. Ad. No. Avar. That, that, that, that, 
 that, that. 
 
 Sir, I entend Dame Refpublica taffaile, 
 And fo to crepe in to bee of hir counfaille. 
 I hope well to bring hir in fuche a paradife, 
 That hir felfe mall fue me to have my fervice : 
 Than fhall I have tyme and poure to bringe in youe three. 
 
 Opp. Do this owte of hande, founder ; and first fpeake 
 for me.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 1 1 
 
 Bring me in credyte that my hande be in the pye : 
 An I gett not elbowe rowme emong them, let me lye. 
 
 Avar. Naie, fee an Oppreffion, this eager elfe, 
 Bee not fene more covetous then covetous felfe. 
 Softe, be not fo haftie : I praie youe, fir, fofte a while ; 
 Youe will over the hedge ere ye come att the ftile. 
 
 Opp. I wolde fayne be fhouldering and rumbeling emonge 
 them. 
 
 Avar. Naie, I will helpe javels as (hall wrong them. 
 
 Ad. I praie youe, goode foundre, let not me be the lafte. 
 
 Avar. Thowe fhalte be well placed where to thrive verai 
 fafte. 
 
 Ad. I thanke youe, Mr. Avarice, with all my harte, 
 
 Avar. And when thoue arte in place, fee thowe plaie 
 
 well thie parte : 
 
 Whan ye clawe hir elbowe remembre your beft frende, 
 And lett my commendacions be ever att one ende. 
 
 Ad. I warraunte youe. Ins. And what fhall [I] be left 
 cleane owte ? 
 
 Avar. No, fyr, ye fhall bee chiefe to bring all things 
 
 aboute : 
 
 Ye fhall emonges us have the chiefe preeminence, 
 And we to youe, as yt were, oughe obedience. 
 Ye fhalbe our leader, our captaine, and our guyde ; 
 Than mufte ye looke a lofte with thandes under the fide. 
 I fhall tell Refpublica ye can beft governe : 
 Bee not ye, than, fkeymifhe to take in hand the ftern : 
 Than fhall we affifte you as frendes of perfitte trufte, 
 To doe and undoe, and commande what ye lufte; 
 And when youe have all att yor owne will and pleafure, 
 Parte of your lyvinges to your frendes ye maie meafure, 
 And punifhe the proudefte of them that will refifte.
 
 12 A merye entrehide entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Opp. He that ones wincheth fhall fele the waite of 
 
 my fifte. 
 
 Ad. Yea, we mufte all holde and cleve together like burres. 
 Avar. Yea, fee ye three hang and drawe together like 
 
 furres. 
 
 Opp. And fo fhall we be fure to gett ftore of money, 
 Sweter than fugar. Avar. Sweter then enie honey. 
 
 Ins. Verai well fpoken ! this geare will right well accorde. 
 Ad. Did not I faye ye were worthie to be a lorde ? 
 Avar. I will make Infolence a lorde of highe eaftate. 
 Ins. And I will take uppon me well, bothe earelye and late. 
 Opp. But, Infolence, when ye come to the encrochinge of 
 
 landes, 
 
 Ye maie not take all alone into youre handes. 
 I will looke to have parte of goodes, landes, and plate. 
 Ins. Ye fhall have enoughe ; eche bodye after his rate. 
 Ad. I mufte have parte, too; ye mufte not have all alone. 
 Ins. Thowe fhalte bee laden tyll thye fhoulders fhall 
 
 cracke and grone. 
 
 Ad. I praie youe, lett me have a goode lordfhip or twoo. 
 Ins. Refpublica fhall feede the, tyll thowe wilte faie hoo ! 
 Ad. And I mufte have goode mannour places twoo or 
 
 three. 
 Ins. But the chiefe and befte lordfhip mufte remaine 
 
 to me. 
 
 Opp. Maffe ! and I will looke to be ferved of the befte, 
 Or els fome folke, fome where, fhall fytt but in fmale refte. 
 Ins. I mufte have cartels and townes in everye fhiere. 
 Ad. And I chaunge of howfes, one heare and another there. 
 Ins. And I mufte have paftures, and townfhips, and 
 
 woodes.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 1 3 
 
 Opp. And I mufte needes have ftore of golde, and other 
 
 goodes. 
 Ins. And I muft have chaunge of farmes, and paftures 
 
 for fhepe, 
 With dailie revenues my luftye porte for to kepe. 
 
 Avar, I wolde have a bone here rather then a grote, 
 To make thes fnarling curres gnawe owte eche others throte. 
 Here, be eager, whelpes, loe ! to yt boye ! box him ball ! 
 Poore I maie picke ftrawes ; thefe hungri dogges will 
 
 fnatche all. 
 Opp. Eche man fnatche for hymfelfe : by goffe, I wilbe 
 
 fpedde. 
 
 Avar. Lacke who lacke (hall, Oppreffion wilbe corne fedde. 
 Is not Dame Refpublica fure of good handlinge, 
 Whan theis whelpes, ere thei have ytt, fall thus to 
 
 fkambling ? 
 
 And me, their chiefe founder, thei have e'en fyns forgotte. 
 Ins. Thowe fhalte have golde and filver enoughe to 
 
 thy lotte. 
 
 Refpublica hath enoughe to fill all owre lappes. 
 Ad. Than, I praie youe, fir, leate our fownder have fome 
 
 fcrappes. 
 Avar. Scrappes, ye doultifhe lowte ! fede youe your 
 
 founder with fcrappes ? 
 Yf youe were well ferved, youre head wolde have fome 
 
 rappes. 
 Ad. I fpake of good will. Ins. Naie, fight not, good 
 
 Avarice. 
 
 Opp. What enie of us getteth, thoue hafte the chiefe price. 
 Avar. Than what ever ye do, ye will remember me ? 
 Ins., Opp., Ad. Yea. Avar. Well, fo do than, and I for- 
 geve youe all three.
 
 14 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Ins. But when doe wee enter everye man his charge ? 
 Avar. So foone as I can fpye Refpublica att large 
 I will bourde hir, and, I trowe, fo wynne hir favoure, 
 That (he fhall hire me, and paie well for my laboure : 
 Than wyll I commende the vertues of youe three, 
 That fhe fhall praie and wifhe under our rewle to bee. 
 Therefore, from this houre bee ye all in readinesse. 
 
 Opp. Doubte not of us ; thowe feefte all oure gredinesse. 
 Ins. If ytt bee at midnight, I come att the firft call. 
 [ Thei go foorthwarde, one after other. 
 Ad. Doe but whiftle for me, and I comme foorth with all. 
 Avar. That is well fpoken: I love fuche a towarde twygg. 
 
 [He whijlleth. 
 Ad. I come, fownder. Avar. That is myne owne good 
 
 fpaignell rigg. 
 
 And come on backe againe all three, comme bakke agayne. 
 Ins. Oure founder calleth us backe. Opp. Retourne 
 then amaigne. 
 
 ACTUS PRIMI SCENA QUARTA. 
 AVARYCE, A'DULACION, INSOLENCE, OPPRESSION. 
 
 Avar. Come on, firs, all three : and firft to youe, beft 
 
 be trufte, 
 What is your brainpan ftufte with all ? wull, or fawe duft ? 
 
 Ad. Why fo? Avar. What is your name? Ad. Flatterie. 
 
 Avar. E'en fo juft. 
 
 Ad. Yea, or els Adulacion, if youe fo lufte. 
 Either name is well knowne to mannye a bodye. 
 
 Avar. An honeft mome! ah, ye dolt, ye lowte, ye nodye! 
 Shall Refpublica here youre commendacion 
 By the name of Flatterie or Adulacion ?
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. \ 5 
 
 Or when ye commende me to hir, will ye faie this ? 
 
 Forfouthe, his name is Avarice or Covetife. 
 
 And youe, that fholde have wytte, yft your difcretion 
 
 Bluntlye to goe forth and be called Oppreffion ? 
 
 And youe, Infolence, doe ye thinke yt wolde well frame, 
 
 If ye were prefented to hir under that name? 
 
 Ins. I thought nothing thereuppon, by my holydome. 
 
 Opp. My mynde was an other waie, by my chriftendome. 
 
 Ad. That thing was left parte of my thought, by saincte 
 Denie. 
 
 Avar. No, Marie; your myndes were all on your halfe 
 
 penie. 
 
 But, my Maifters, I muft on myne honeftie paffe, 
 And not ronne on heade, like a brute beafte, or an affe : 
 For is not Oppreffion eche where fore hated ? 
 And is not Flaterie openly rabated ? 
 And am not I, Avarice, ftyll cryed owte uppon ? 
 
 Ad. Yes ; I coulde have tolde youe that a greate while 
 
 agone, 
 
 But I woulde not difpleafe youe. Avar. And youe, Infolence, 
 I have harde youe ill fpoken of a greate waie hens. 
 
 Ad. In my confciens, the Devill hym felfe dothe love youe. 
 
 Avar. But chaungeynge your yll name, fewer mail reprove 
 
 youe: 
 
 As I myne owen felfe, where my name is knowen, 
 Am right fore affailed to be overthrowen ; 
 But dooing as I wyll nowe, countrefaicte my name, 
 I fpede all my purpofes, and yet efcape blame. 
 
 Ins. Lett us, then, have newe names eche manne with- 
 oute delaye. 
 
 Avar. Els will fome of youe make good hanging fluff 
 one daie.
 
 1 6 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Opp. Thowe muft newe Chriften us. Ins. Firft, what 
 fhall my name be ? 
 
 Avar. Faithe, fir, yor name fhalbe Mounfyre Authoritie. 
 
 Opp. And for me, what ys your determinacyon ? 
 
 Avar. Marye, fyr, ye fhalbe called Reformacyon. 
 
 Ad. Nowe, I praie yowe, devife for me an honeft name. 
 
 Avar. Thowe arte fuche a beafte, I cannot for veray 
 fhame. 
 
 Ad. If ye thinke good, lett me be called Policie. 
 
 Avar. Policie ! A rope ye fhall. -Naye, Hipocrifie. 
 
 Ad. Fy! that were as flay,nderous a name as Flatterye. 
 
 Avar. And I kepe for myfelfe the name of Policie. 
 But if I devife for thee, wilte thowe not fhame me ? 
 
 Ad. Naie,I will make the[e] prowde of me, or els blame me. 
 
 Avar. Well, than, for this tyme thy name fhall be 
 Honeftie. 
 
 Ad. I thanke youe, Avaryce. Honeftie, Honeftie ! 
 
 Avar. Avaryce, ye whoorefone ? Policy e, I tell thee. 
 
 Ad. I thanke youe, Polycye. Honeftie, Honeftie ! 
 Howe faie youe, Infolence ? I am nowe Honeftie. 
 
 Avar. We fhall att length have a knave of youe, Honeftie. 
 Sayde not I he fholde be called Mounfier Authoritye? 
 
 Ad. Oh, frende Oppreffion ! Honeftie, Honeftie ! 
 
 Avar. Oppreffion ? hah ? is the Devill in thye brayne ? 
 Take heede, or in faithe, ye are Flatterye againe. 
 Policie, Reformacion, Authorytie. 
 
 Ad. Hipocrifye, Diffamacion, Authorytie. 
 
 Avar. Hipocrifye, hah ? Hipocrifie, ye dull affe ? 
 
 Ad. Thowe namedfte Hipocrifie even nowe, by the maffe. 
 
 Avar. Polycie, I faide : Policye, knave, Polycye. 
 Nowe faye as I fayd. Ad. Policie, knave, Policie.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 17 
 
 Avar. And what callest thowe hym here ? Ad. Dyffa- 
 
 macion. 
 
 Avar. I tolde the he fhoulde be called Reformacion. 
 Ad. Veraye well. Avar. What ys he nowe ? Ad. De- 
 formation. 
 
 Avar. Was ever the Jike affe borne in all nacions ? 
 Ad. A peflell on hym ! he comes of the Acyon. 
 Avar. Come on, ye fhall learne to folfe : Reformacion. 
 Sing on nowe. Re. Ad. Re. Avar. Refor. Ad. Refor- 
 macion. 
 
 Avar. Policie, Reformacion, Authorytie. 
 Ad. Policie, Reformacion, and Honeftie. 
 Avar. In faithe, ye affe, yf your tong make enie moo trips, 
 Ye fhall bothe be Flatterie, and have on the lips. 
 And now, Mounfyre Authoritie, againfte I youe call, 
 Ye mufte have other garmentes, and foo mufte ye all. 
 Ye mufte, for the feafon, counterfaite gravitee. 
 
 Ins. et Opp. Yes ; what els ? Ad. And I muft counter- 
 faite Honeftie. 
 
 Avar. And I muft tourne my gowne in and owte, I wene ; 
 For thefe gaping purfes maie in no wyfe be feen. 
 I will tourne ytt e'en here : come, helpe me, Honeftye. 
 Ad. Here, at hand. Avar. Why, how nowe ? plaie the 
 
 knave, Honeftie ? 
 
 Helpe ! what doeft thowe nowe ? Ad. Icounterfaicte Honeftie. 
 Avar. Why than come thowe : helpe me, my frende Op- 
 
 preffion. 
 
 What helpe calle youe that ? Opp. Fytt for your Difcrecion. 
 Avar. Oh! I shoulde have fayde, helpe, fir Reformacyon. 
 Opp. Yea, Marye, fir ; that is my nomynacion. 
 Avar. And whan yowe are your robe, keape yt afore clofe. 
 
 D
 
 1 8 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Opp. I praie youe, Maifter Policie, for what purpofe ? 
 Avar. All folke wyll take youe, if theye piepe under 
 
 your gowne, 
 
 For the verieft catif in countrey or towne. 
 Now goe ; and when I call, fee that ye readie be. 
 
 Ins. I will. Opp. And I wyll. Ad. And fo will I, Honeftie. 
 
 \Exeant. 
 
 Avar. Well, nowe will I departe hens alfo for a fpace ; 
 And to bourde Refpublica, waite a tyme of grace, 
 Wherever I fynde hir a tyme convenient, 
 I shall faie and dooe that maie bee expedient. 
 
 \Exeat Avar. 
 
 ACTUS SECUNDI SCENA PRIMA. 
 RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Refpublica. Lorde ! what yearthlye thinge is permanent 
 
 or ftable, 
 
 Or what is all this worlde but a lumpe mutable ? 
 Who woulde have thought that I, from fo florent eftate, 
 Could have been brought fo bafe as I am made of late ? 
 But as the waving feas doe flowe and ebbe by courfe, 
 So all thinges els doe chaunge to better and to wurfe. 
 Create cyties and their fame in tyme dooe fade and paffe ; 
 Nowe is a champion fielde where noble Troie was. 
 Where is the greate empire of the Medes and Perfans ? 
 Where bee tholde conqueftes of the puiffaunt Grecians ? 
 Where Babilon ? where Athennes ? where Corinth fo wyde ? 
 Are they not confumed with all their pompe and pryde ? 
 What is the caufe heareof mannes wytte cannot difcuffe ; 
 But of long contynnuance the thing is founde thus.
 
 A merye Entrelude entitled Refpubliea. 19 
 
 Yet by all experience thus muche is well feen, 
 That in common weales, while goode governors have been, 
 All thing hath profpered ; and where fuche men doe lacke, 
 Common weales decaye, and all things doe goe backe. 
 What mervaile, then, yf I, wanting a perfe6le ftaigh, 
 From moofte flouriming welth bee falen in decaye ? 
 But lyke as by default quicke ruine dothe befalle, 
 So maie good governemente att ons recover all. 
 
 \Intrat AVAR, cogitabnndus et ludibundus. 
 
 ACTUS SECUNDI SCENA SECUNDA. 
 AVARICIA, RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Avar. Alas, my fwete bags ! howe lanke and emptye 
 
 ye bee ; 
 
 But in faithe and trawthe, firs, the fawlte ys not in mee. 
 Res. Well, my helpe and comforte, oh Lorde ! mufte 
 
 comme from thee. 
 
 Avar. And my fwete purfes heare, I praie youe all, fee, fee, 
 How the litle foole[s] gafpe and gape for grumble fede. 
 Res. Iff ytt be thei will, Lorde ! fend fomme redreffe with 
 
 fpede. 
 Avar. But in faithe, goode fwete fooles, yt fhall coft me 
 
 a fall, 
 
 But I will fhortelye fill youe, I, ftoppe yor mouthes all. 
 Res. Oh ! that ytt were my happe, on frendelye frendes to 
 
 light. 
 Avar. Hahe ! who is that fame that fpeaketh yonder in 
 
 fight ? 
 
 Who ist ? Refpubliea ? Yea, by the Marye maffe. 
 Res. Than might I bee againe as well as ere I was.
 
 2O A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Avar. Hide up thefe pipes nowe ; I praie God fhe bee 
 
 blynde : 
 
 I am halfe afraide lefte (he have an yei be hynde. 
 We muft nowe chaunnge our coppie : oh, Lorde ! whowe 
 
 I fraie, 
 
 Left she fawe my toyes, and harde whatt I dyd faie. 
 Res. Is there no good manne that on me wyll have 
 
 mercye ? 
 
 Avar. Remember now, my name ys Maifter Policie. 
 All thing, I tell yowe, mufte nowe goe by policie. 
 
 Res. Herke ! me thinke I heare the name of Polycye. 
 Avar. Hooe calleth, confcience ? heare am I, Polycie. 
 Res. I praie youe comme to me, if youe bee Policie. 
 Avar. Yea, forfouth, yea, forfouthe, my name ys Polycye. 
 Res. I am fore decaied throughe defalte of Polycye. 
 Avar. Yea, mooft noble Refpublica, I knowe that well, 
 And doe more lament yt then enie tong can tell ; 
 For an if goode Policie had had youe in hande, 
 Ye had nowe been the wealthieft in anye lande : 
 But good Policie hath long been putte to exile. 
 
 Res. Yea, God wotte ye have been bard from me a 
 
 greate while. 
 Avar. Yea, I have been putte backe, as one cleane of 
 
 shaken, 
 And what can a man doe, tyll he be forthe taken. 
 
 Res. Well ; I fele the lacke of your helping hande, by 
 
 the roode. 
 Avar. Alacke! noble Ladye, I woulde I coulde doo youe 
 
 goode. 
 
 Res. Yes, Policie, ye might amende all if youe lufte. 
 Avar. Yea, feithe, I durfte put mifelf to youe of trufte ; 
 But there be enoughe that for youe coulde shifte make.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 2 1 
 
 Res. Yet none like to yowe, if yowe woulde yt undertake : 
 And I will putt mifelfe whollye into your handes, 
 Metall, graine, cataill, treafure, goodes, and landes. 
 
 Avar. Well, I will take fome paine ; but this to you be 
 
 knowen, 
 I will doe ytt, not for your fake, but for myne owne. 
 
 Res. Howe faie ye that, Policie ? Avar. This to yowe be 
 
 knowen ; 
 
 I will doe all for your fake, and not for myne owen. 
 Res. I thanke youe, Policie. Avar. Naie, I thanke youe, 
 
 Ladye, 
 
 And I truft ere long to eafe all oure maladie. 
 Will ye putte yourfelfe nowe wholye into my handes ? 
 Res. Order me as youe wyll. Avar. Treafure, goodes, and 
 
 landes ? 
 Res. Yea, every whitte. Avar. Well, I thanke youe ons 
 
 againe. 
 But nowe, that youe maie thinke my dealing trewe and 
 
 plaine, 
 
 And becaufe one cannot doe fo well as mannye, 
 Yea muft affociate me with mo compaignie : 
 And firft, by my will, ye mall fette up Honeftie. 
 
 Res. Mary, withe all my veraie harte ; but where is he ? 
 Avar. Veray hard to fynde ; but I thinke I coulde 
 
 fetche hym. 
 Res. Call hym ftraight waies hither : fee that nothing 
 
 lett hym. 
 
 Avar. It were beft if I mall goe fett men for the nones, 
 To make but one viage, and bring them all att ones. 
 
 Res. Whome more then hym ? Avar. Ye mufte ftablifh 
 Authoritie.
 
 22 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Res. That mufte needes bee doen. Avar. And eke Re- 
 
 formacion. 
 Wee fowre will rewle things of another facion. 
 
 Res. Polycye,! praie youe, goe fette all thefe ftraight waye. 
 
 Avar. Yes ; for this your prefent cafe maie byde no delaye : 
 I will goe and come wyth all feftinacion. \Exeat. 
 
 Res. I like well this trade of adminiftracion. 
 Policie for to devife for my comoditie : 
 No perfon to be advaunced but Honeftye : 
 Then, Reformacion good holfome lawes to make, 
 And Authorytie fee the fame effefte maie take. 
 What common weale fhall then be fo happie as I ? 
 For this (I perceive) is the drifte of Policie. 
 And beholde where he is retourned againe, feens 
 He shewith himfelfe a man of muche diligence. 
 
 \Intrat AVARICE, ad ducens INSOL., OPPR., et ADULAC. 
 
 ACTUS SECUNDI SCENA TERTIA. 
 
 ADULACION, AVARYCE, RESPUBLICA, INSOLENCE, 
 OPPRESSION. 
 
 Ad. I will doe hir double fervice to another. 
 
 Avar. Ye double knave ! youe, will ye never be other ? 
 
 Ad. She shall have triple fervice of me, Honeftye. 
 
 Avar. Ye quadrible knave ! we ye ner ufe modeftie ? 
 Thowe dronken whorefone, doeft thoue not fee, nor perceive, 
 Where Refpublica ftandes readie us to receyve ? 
 
 Res. What talke have theye yonder emong themfelves 
 togither ? 
 
 Ad. I have fpied hir nowe : fhall I firft to hir thither ? 
 
 Avar. Softe, lett mee prefent yowe. Res. I weene thei 
 bee in feare.
 
 A merye entrehide entitled Refpublica. 23 
 
 Polycye approche, and bring my goode frendes nere. 
 Avar. Come on, my deare frendes, and execute with 
 
 good wyll 
 
 Suche offyce as eche of youe shall be putt untyll. 
 Dame Refpublica yt ys that for youe hathe fent : 
 Comme on, frendes, I will youe unto her greace prefent. 
 Ins., Opp. To ferve her we are preaft with harte and 
 
 whole entent. 
 Avar. Madame, I have brought youe thefe men for whom 
 
 I went. 
 
 Res. Policie, I thanke youe : ye have made fpiede fpede, 
 Therefore ye be double welcome ; and welcome, frendes, 
 
 in dede. 
 
 A var. Madame, your grace to ferve we all are fullye bente. 
 Ad. And, Madame, ye fhall fynde me double diligente. 
 Res. That is fpoken of a goode harte : but who bee ye ? 
 Ad. Forfouthe, Madame, my name ys Maifter Honeftie. 
 Res. Honeftye ? well faide. Avar. Madame, this is 
 
 Honeftie. 
 
 Ad. Yea, forfouth, and pleafe your grace, I am Honeftie. 
 Avar. Madame, he is for youe: on my woorde regarde hym. 
 Res. Yes ; and with large preferment I will rewarde hym. 
 Ad. I thanke your Grace; and I will for youe take fuche 
 
 paine, 
 That ere I deferve one, ye fhall geve me twayne. 
 
 Avar. Honeftie, yor tong tripth. Res. Howe faide ye ? 
 
 take fuche paine ? 
 
 Ad. That ere ye geve me one I will deferve twaine. 
 By your lycence, Madame, to take awaie this mote. 
 
 Avar. Naie, Honeftie will not fee a wemme on your cote. 
 Nowe, unto youe I commende Reformacion.
 
 24 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Res. Of hym is no fmall nede nowe in this nacion. 
 
 Opp. Well, nowe that ye bydde me abufes to redreffe, 
 I doubte not all enormitis fo to repreffe, 
 As (hall redowne to your wealth and honour att length. 
 
 Res, There to fhall Authoritee ayde youe with his ftrength. 
 
 Avar. Yea, for Authoritee to governe ys moofte fytte. 
 
 Ins. Yf ye, Dame Refpublica, doe me fo admytte, 
 I doubte not to hamper the proudefte of them all. 
 
 Res. And emong youe deftroye Avarice. Ad. Hem ! 
 
 Ins. et Opp. We fhall. 
 
 Res. Vanquishe Oppreffion and Adulacion ; 
 For thofe three have nighe wrought my defolacion. 
 
 Avar. Hemm ! firs, hem ! there, kepe your gownes clofe 
 
 afore, I faie : 
 
 Have ye forgotten nowe what I tolde youe one daye ? 
 Thefe is another, too, that wolde be chaced hens. 
 
 Res. Who is that ? Avar. Lucifers fonne, called Infolence. 
 
 Res. Ye faie truth ; and manye naughtie ones moo then he. 
 
 Ins. & Opp. If ye dare trufl us. Ins. All'. Opp. All 
 fhall reformed bee. 
 
 Res. I thanke youe ; and I trufte youe, for my mainten- 
 
 nance, 
 Too bee adminifter for your goode governnance. 
 
 Ins. Than, withowte feare or care ye maie yourfelfe repofe. 
 
 Opp. And lett us alone withall fuche mattiers and thofe. 
 
 Res. Than, I leave youe heare on our affaires to con- 
 foulte. [Exeat RES. 
 
 Ins. Whan youe pleafe in God's name. Opp. We mufte 
 bothe fifte and boulte. 
 
 Ad. She is gonne. Avar. Well then, firs, lett us make 
 
 no delaye, 
 But abowte our markett departe eche manne his waye.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 25 
 
 Ad. Naie, firft lett us fmg a fong to lighten our hartes. 
 
 A var. Then are ye like for me to fmg but of three partes. 
 Canne Avarice hart bee fett on a merie pynne, 
 And fee no gaine, no profitte att all, coming in ? 
 
 Ins. We mall have enoughe to drive awaie all forowe. 
 
 A var. Than fmg wee on down viage, and fain6le George 
 the borowe. 
 
 Cantent. Bring ye to me, and I to ye, &c. \EtJlc exeant. 
 
 ACTUS TERCIA SCENA PRIM A. 
 RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Res. The goode hope that my myfters have putt me in, 
 To recover rewive that in me dothe beginne, 
 Hathe fo recomforted my fpirites and myne harte, 
 That I feale muche eafemente of my greate greefe & fmarte. 
 Nowe I doe leffe woonder that loft men, life to fave, 
 Ferre from lande dooe laboure againfte the roring wave ; 
 For hope, I fee, hathe mightie operacion 
 Againfte the mortall fting of drouping defperacion. 
 Nowe, if I might but heare what Policie hathe wrought, 
 Or fomeone good thing that my frendes to paffe had browght, 
 I woulde putt no doubtes but all thing fhoulde foone bee 
 
 well. 
 Loe, where cometh Honeftie : he wyll the truthe tell. 
 
 ACTUS TERCII SCENA SECUNDA. 
 ADULACYON, RESPUBLYCA. 
 
 Ad. Three hundred pounde by yeareand a goode manor 
 place ! 
 
 E
 
 26 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Well, yt ys metely well in fo fhorte tyme and fpace ; 
 More will come right fhortelye ; this geare dothe gailiewalke. 
 Bones ! here is Refpublica, what ufe I fuche ta[l]ke ? 
 I feeke ladie Refpublica. Res. Loe, I am' here ; 
 And welcome Honeftie, what doe my frendes moofte deare ? 
 
 Ad. Certes, madame, we refte nor daie, nor night, nor 
 
 howre 
 
 To practife and travaile for your welth and honoure ; 
 But, O Lorde ! what a prudente man ys Policie, 
 What a depe heade he hathe, to devife and to fpie. 
 
 Ees. He is fyne in dede. Ad. Alfo Reformacion, 
 Howe eareneft he is in his opperacyon. 
 
 Res. I thinke of hym no leffe. Ad. Nowe than Authoritee, 
 The ftowteft in his offyce that ever I dyd fee. 
 I will no farther prayfe them, madame, for doubtleffe 
 They ferre formounte all praife that my tong can expreffe : 
 Ye maie bleffe the tyme ye mette with fuch as thei bee. 
 And I doe my poore parte. Res. I doubte not, Honeftee ; 
 And condinge rewarde fhall ye all have for your paine. 
 
 Ad. I have fcarce an howfe wherin myfelfe to mayn- 
 tayne. 
 
 Res. Honeftie fhall not lacke. Ad. I doe not crave 
 
 nor care : 
 
 We fhall take but fcraps and refufe that ye maie fpare. 
 We will not encroche the peoples comoditie, 
 We fhall take onlie that maie come with honeftie. 
 
 Res. Chriftes bleffmg have ye. But loe, yonder cometh 
 People. 
 
 Ad. I had thought as foone to have mette here Paules 
 fteeple.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 27 
 
 ACTUS TERCII SCENA TERTIA. 
 PEOPLE, ADULACION, RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Peo. Whares Rice pudding cake ? I praie god fhe bee in 
 
 heale. 
 Ad. Who ? Rice pudding cake ? Peo. Yea, alife dicle 
 
 Commonweale. 
 Ad. I knowe hir not. Peo. Maffe, youe lieft valeflye in 
 
 your harte. 
 
 She is this waie. Che wart a falfe harlot youe arte. 
 Ad. I knowe Refpublica. Peo. Yea, marie, whare is fhee ? 
 Ad. She is buifie nowe. Peo. Maffe, ere iche goe chill 
 
 hir zee ; 
 
 For this waie fhe came. Res. Lett my People come to mee. 
 Ad. God forbydde els. Come on, People: is this fame 
 
 fhee? 
 Peo. Yea, malkin, ift. Res. People, what wolde youe with 
 
 me nowe ? 
 
 Peo. Marye, miflrefs madame my ladie, howe doe youe ? 
 
 Res. Even fo fo, People. I thanke youe with all my harte, 
 
 And I hope for better. Peo. Than lett poore volke ha 
 
 zome parte. 
 
 Vor we ignoram people, whom itche doe perzente, 
 Wer ner zo I polde, zo wrong, and zo I torment. 
 Lorde Jhefe Chrifte, whan he was I pounft and I pilate, 
 Was ner zo I trounft as we have been of years late. 
 
 Ad. How fo ? who hath wrought to youe fuche extre- 
 
 mytee ? 
 
 Peo. Naie, to tell how zo, paffeth our captyvytee. 
 Res. It paffeth anie mans imaginacion.
 
 28 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Peo. You zai zouth ; yt paffeth anie mans madgemafon, 
 Vor we thynke ye love us as well as ere ye dyd. 
 
 Res. My love towardes youe, my People, cannot be hydde. 
 Peo. And we thinke ye woulde faine wee poore volke 
 
 did well. 
 
 Res. And better then ere ye dyd, if howe I coulde tell. 
 Peo. And we thinke ye woulde we zelie poore volke 
 
 fholde thrive ? 
 
 Res. Yea, doubtles, as anye lyke creature alive. 
 Ad. What neede ye of hir goode will towardes yowe to 
 
 doubte ? 
 Peo. Peace thowe with zorowe ! and let me tell my tale 
 
 owte. 
 Res. Saie on, my good People ; let me heare all your 
 
 mynde. 
 
 Peo. Sum vei we ignoram people beeth no zo blinde, 
 But we paffeive ther falleth of corne and cattail, 
 Wull, shepe, woode, leade, tynne, iron, and other metall, 
 And of all thinge enoughe vor good and badde. 
 And as commodieus vor us as er we hadde, 
 And yet the price of everye thing is zo dere ; 
 As thoughe the grounde dyd bring vorth no fuche thing 
 
 no where. 
 
 Res. In dede, I have enoughe if yt be well ordered ; 
 But fewe folke the better yf I bee mifordered. 
 
 Peo. Nai, now youe zai zouth ; e'en thicke fame waie 
 
 goeth the hare : 
 
 111 ordering 'tis hath made bothe youe and wee threde bare. 
 Ad. What naughtie folkes were thei ? can yowe their 
 
 names reade. 
 Peo. Yea, that I fcan, a whole meffe of om' for a neade.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 29 
 
 There is, vorfte and voremoofte, Flatteree, ill a thee, 
 A flypper, fuger mowthed howrecop as can bee. 
 He fliereth on youe, and beareth us faire in hande, 
 And therewhile robbeth bothe youe and we of cure lande. 
 Than cometh the fovvre, roughe, crabbed childe, Oppreffion : 
 He tumbleth whom a luft oute of poffeffion. 
 Than ys there the thirde, I cannot member his name : 
 What call ye thieke fame felowes, God geve them a fhame ! 
 That beeth ftyll clymbing up a lofte for promydence, 
 And cannot be content with theire ftate. Ad. Infolence ? 
 Peo. Yea, thieke fame is he, zoryleffe. Res. Naie, 
 
 Infolence. 
 Peo. Well, hele roile all the rofte alone, cha harde yt 
 
 zaide, 
 
 Or els make the beft of them agafte and afraide, 
 And zuche goode men as coulde and woulde ordre youe 
 
 well, 
 
 He is fo copped, he nil not fuffre to mell : 
 If theye nylnot be rolde then hence oute of favoure, 
 Yea, and perhaps corrupte om zore vor their laboure. 
 Yet he and thother twaine weorke all after the vice 
 Of chafor, yet tone name tother is Covetife. 
 Thieke hongri howrecop hathe fuche a policate wytte, 
 That he teacheth them to rake and fcrape up eche whytt ; 
 And zo thefe vowre (but it fhall never come owt for me) 
 Volke thinke will never ceafe to fpoile bothe youe and me : 
 Vor fometime thei face us, and call us peafon knaves, 
 And zwareth, Goddes bones, thei will make us all flaves ; 
 Tharevore chwas befiraunce your ladidome to zee, 
 And to geve youe warning. Res. Heare ye this, Honeftye? 
 Peo. Well, and God emend all, and abee zo good a 
 
 clerke.
 
 3O A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Ees. Heare ye this, Honeftie ? Peo. Though tynkers 
 
 fholde lacke worke. 
 
 Res. I am putte in comforte, all shall shortelye emende. 
 Ad. Itt ys in goode waie alreadye ; els God defende. 
 Res. Loe, People, heareft thowe this ? bee of good cheare. 
 Peo. Yea, iche heare his vaire wordes ; but what beeth 
 
 we the neare ? 
 
 Res. People, underflande ye that this ys Honeftee. 
 Peo. Whare a bee trowe ? maffe, cha zeen zome, as zmothe 
 
 as hee, 
 Have be triall bee vound valfe flatterers to bee. 
 
 Res. I take this man for no fuch : this ys Honeftee. 
 Peo. A gaye fmoult fmirking howrecop 'tis, zo mot 
 
 I thee. 
 
 Res. Well, credite my words, People : this ys Honeftee. 
 Peo. Whan I fynde ytt, chil believe yt. Res. 'Tys 
 
 Honeftie. 
 
 Peo. Ifcrye hym mercye than. Res. He and Authorytee, 
 Joignyng with Policie and Reformacyon, 
 Travaile to reftore tholde welth to this nacion. 
 
 Peo. Whoughe ! than, chil warte all within twoo years as 
 
 plentye 
 
 As 'twas eny tyme within thefe yeres twyfe twentye. 
 But how maye we knowe, and fee that this thyng ys trewe ? 
 Ad. Ye fhall prove att length by theffe&e that fhall enfue. 
 Peo. Nai, and we fhall alwaie be ferved but with fhales, 
 Than, chil beleve e'en ftill, that vaire woordes beeth 
 
 but tales. 
 
 Ad. The thing alreadie to fuche forwardnes ys browght, 
 That muche to your benefytte ys alreadie wrought. 
 
 Peo. Yea ! what any goode ac"be have ye alreadye doone ?
 
 A mcryc entrelude entitled Refpublica. 3 1 
 
 Ad. It ys but yong daies yet, thinges are but nowe 
 
 beegone : 
 
 The frewte of our dooings cannot fo foone appeare ; 
 But, people, ye shall feele ytt within feven yeare. 
 Ye knowe it is no fmale weorke from fo greate decaie. 
 
 Res. People, he faith truthe. Ad. To fett all in good 
 
 ftaighe, 
 Therefore bee ye quiet, and hope for a goode ende. 
 
 Peo. Yes, chil tarie laifure ; and take what God shall 
 fend. 
 
 Res. Than People, let us twaine departe in quietneffe ; 
 For this talking here, maye hinder theire buifmeffe. 
 
 Peo. Come on : I chil waite avore youe, and bee your 
 manne. \Exeant. 
 
 Ad. And I will to my fealows as fafte as I canne. 
 Bee thei gone ? fare well theye, God fende them bothe the 
 
 pippe ; 
 
 But in feith, People, I will, have youe on the hyppe : 
 I wilbe even with youe for your brode carping. 
 Ah, ye peafaunte wretche, on us foure to bee harping ! 
 And yet mufte wee our mattiers handle defcretelye, 
 Or els I feare yt will ende not veraye fwetelye. 
 But nowe I wolde Avarice, or els Infolence, 
 Or OpprefTion, were heare rather then fix pence. 
 And loe ! where Avarice comth, a woulff in the tale, 
 (As the proverbe faithe). What doth he after hym hale ? 
 
 ACTUS TERCII SCENA QUARTA. 
 AVARYCE, ADULACION, OPPRESSION. 
 
 Avar. Come on, fwete bags of golde ; come on with a 
 good will.
 
 32 A merye entrelude entitled Refptiblica. 
 
 I on youe foo tendre, and ye foo frowarde ftyll ? 
 Come forewarde, I praie youe, fwete bags : ah, will ye foo ? 
 Come, or I mufte drawe youe whether ye will or noo. 
 I knowe your defire, ye woulde faine bee in my cheft ; 
 When the bealie is full, the bones woulde bee at reaft. 
 Bee contente awhile, I will couche youe all up foone, 
 Where ye fhalnot bee fpied neither of fonne nor mone. 
 What nowe, brother Honeftie ? what prye ye this waie ? 
 Is there eni thing here that ys yours, can ye faie ? 
 Looke of[f] from my baggs : yt ys a pretye matier. 
 Ye can fee no grene cheefe, but your teethe wyll watier. 
 
 Ad. In nomine patris ! haft thowe gotte all this fyens ? 
 
 Avar. Whi, thinkeft thowe I have fett ydle fens I went 
 
 hens ? 
 Naie, I have filled my lytle purfes too, eche one. 
 
 Ad. Haft thou fo in dede ? thowe arte a felowe alone. 
 
 Avar. With olde Anngelotsand Edward es, I thinke I have. 
 Come forthe ! how faie ye fir ? pepe oute, ye litle knave. 
 Howe thinke youe by this bunting ? is he full or no ? 
 And his felowes all dothe not theire fkinne flretche for wo ? 
 Now theife litell buttons, no bygger then twoo nuttes, 
 Have they not plaied gluttons, and filled well theire guttes ? 
 
 Ad. But looke! who cometh yonder, puffing and tuffing? 
 
 Avar. Come the Devill, yf hym lufte, flaring and muffing. 
 
 ACTUS TERTII SCENA QUINTA. 
 
 OPPRESSION, AVARICE, ADULACION. 
 
 Opp. In all my whole life was I never werier. 
 
 Avar. Come nere, on Goddes halfe, the mo knaves the 
 
 merier. 
 Where have ye lofte your breathe ? in fome cofer dyvinge ?
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refptiblica. 33 
 
 Opp. Shouldring emonges them for a peice of a lyvinge. 
 Ad. And what, are yowe nowe in any goode hope to 
 
 thryve ? 
 
 Opp. Feithe, if I lufte, I maie were myters fowre or fyve ; 
 I have fo manye haulfe biffhoprikes at the leafte. 
 
 Ad. By tharmes of Callis, than, and I a verye beafte. 
 Avar. Why ! what haft thowe gotten to thie (hare in 
 
 this fpace ? 
 Ad. Three hundred pound by the yeare, and one manor 
 
 place. 
 Avar. Ah ! the paffhen of God, three hundred pound 
 
 and no more ? 
 
 Ad. Is not that faire for hym that had nothing before ? 
 Avar. What, three hundred pound by years? call the 
 
 Honeflee ? 
 
 Call thee a knave ? thowe fhameft our fraternitee. 
 Three hundred pounde ? if fome man had been in thie 
 
 romme, 
 A thoufande pounde a yeare ere this tyme might have 
 
 comme. 
 
 Three hundred pounde a yeare ? againfte our next metinge, 
 Geate more, or I (hall geve [thee] a homlye greetinge. 
 Ad. He here hathe flytched the biffhoprickes alreadie. 
 Avar. Yea, I cann himm thanke ; he hathe been fome- 
 
 whatt fpedie. 
 
 Opp. But yet have I left many a goode gobbet looce : 
 Chaunge thowe for the reaft ; geve a fether for a gooce. 
 Ad. Didst thowe with anie one of them make fuche ex- 
 
 chaunge ? 
 
 Opp. Yea, I almofte leaft them never a ferme nor graunge. 
 I tolde them Refpublica at their wealth dyd grutche, 
 
 F
 
 34 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 And the fyfte pennie thaye had was for them to muche : 
 
 So Authoritee and I did with theim foo choppe, 
 
 That we lefte the beft of them a threde bare bifhopp. 
 
 To fome we left one howfe, to fome we left none : 
 
 The befte had but his fee place, that he might kepe home. 
 
 We enfourmed them, and we defourmed them, 
 
 We confourmed them, and we refourmed them. 
 
 Ad. And what gave ye theim in your permutacons ? 
 
 Opp. Bare perfonages of appropriacions, 
 Bowght from Refpublica and firfte emprowed, 
 Than at the highefte extente to biffhops allowed ; 
 Leate owte to theire handes for fowrefcore and nyneteen 
 yeare. 
 
 Avar. Loe, cofyn Honeftee, loe ! doo ye heare this geare ? 
 Faith, youer Maffhip will thrive att the latter lammas. 
 
 Ad. I nowe graunte myfelfe to have been a very affe. 
 But all ys not yet gonne, in cace I have good lucke. 
 
 Opp. No ; there is yet enoughe left, for a better plucke ; 
 For fome of them were aged and yet would not dye, 
 And fome woulde in no wyfe to owre defyres applye ; 
 But we have roddes in pyffe for them everye chone, 
 That they fhalbe flyced, yf we reigne, one by one. 
 
 Avar. And howe dyd all frame with our Mounfire 
 Authoritee. 
 
 Opp. Att length he wonne the full fuperiorytee. 
 
 Ad. But the rude groffe people at hym repyneth fore, 
 And againfte us all foure with a wyde throte dothe he rore. 
 But fofte, peace ! me thinketh I here hym hem and hake : 
 If we mete here, all foure, we fhall fome ordre take.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 35 
 
 ACTUS TERCII SCENA SEXTA. 
 INSOLENCE, ADULACION, OPPRESSION, AVARICE. 
 
 Ins. What, myne olde frends, all three ! by my truthe, 
 
 firs, well founde. 
 Ad. et Opp. Feith, fyr, mofte hartelye welcome into this 
 
 grownde. 
 Ins. Bones, what have we here? Avar. A hah! Ins. 
 
 Bags of money, I trowe. 
 Avar. Have we ? Naie, I have ; but none for youe that 
 
 I knowe. 
 
 Loe, fir, thus might an honefte man come to his harmes : 
 I will lye downe on them, and kepe theym in myne armes. 
 Ins. Hafte thow gotte all this ? I mifelfe have not fo 
 
 muche. 
 Avar. Than have ye whole townes and caftells. I have 
 
 none fuche. 
 
 Yet will ye not denie, I judge in my fanfie, 
 That ye gotte theym by the drifte of me, Policie. 
 
 Ins. I confeffe that. Opp. All my lands are fcarce fo 
 
 muche woorth. 
 Avar. Thei were leffe when I, Policie, firfte fett yowe 
 
 foorth. 
 
 Ad. He hathe purfes with golde : woulde I had fo manie ! 
 Avar. It were pittie that fuche a gooce fhoulde have enie. 
 Youre good Maffhip appointed me to crummes and fcraps, 
 But Policie wyll lyve by his neighbours, perhaps : 
 But thus, I fee, youe woulde polle me an ye wifte howe ; 
 Therefore I will goe hoorde, that I make God a vowe. 
 I will make yt fure under myne doores and mine lockes,
 
 36 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica, 
 
 And who but looketh that waie fhall fyt in niene ftockes. 
 
 Ins. Naie, fyrfte declare to us howe thowe didft all this 
 geate. 
 
 Avar. For your learning I will youe a fpe6lacle fette ; 
 But fyrft gette ye from me, and ftande a goode waie hence : 
 This shall not lye within your reache by youre lycence. 
 Naie, yet farther, left ye take my bagges for bluddinges ; 
 For fuche hongrye dogges will flabbe up fluttifhe puddinges. 
 
 Ad. Is yt well, nowe ? Avar. Yea ; nowe hardelie ftand 
 
 there ftill, 
 
 And the names of my baggs to youe declare I will. 
 Firfte and foremofte, this bagg is my veraie cleare gaine 
 Of leaffes encroched and forthwith folde againe. 
 This bag is myne intreffe of thys yeares uferie, 
 And this is of mattiers bolftred upp with perjurie. 
 This is bribes above my ftipende in offecis : 
 This fifte I have by felling of benefices : 
 This ys my rentes that my clerkes yearelye render me, 
 To be and contynue in offyce under me. 
 This fame I got by fe<5lourfhipp of my mother. 
 A vengeaunce on hir, old witche, for fuch an other ! 
 This bag have I kepte of other fec[t]ourfhips whole, 
 Whiche the madde knaves woulde had fcattred by penie dole. 
 This is of churche goods fcraped upp withoute a lawe ; 
 For which was as quicke fcambling as ever I fawe : 
 Of their plate, theire jewels, and copes, we made them lowtes 
 Stopping peoples barking with lynnen rags and clowtes. 
 Thei had thalter clothes, thalbes, and amices, 
 With the fmdons in which wer wrapte the chalices. 
 This nyneth hath beguiled the king of his cuftome : 
 This tenth of felling counterfai6le wares hath come.
 
 A merye Entrelude entitled Refpubliea. 37 
 
 Now this eleventh is of tallowe, butter, cheefe, 
 Corne, raweclothes, leather, by ftealth fent beyond feas. 
 This twelfth is of graine, bell meatall, tynne, and lead, 
 Conveighed owte by crekes whan Refpubliea was in bed. 
 This thirteenth I filled throughe facing owte of dawes, 
 Bothe from landes and goodes, by pretence of the lawes. 
 Thus thefe thirteen fmale jobbes are myne by policie : 
 All men mufte fhifte for a poore lyvinge honeftlye. 
 If er I beftowe them, yt fhalbee the nexte lent 
 To the prioure of Prickingham and his covent. 
 
 Ad. Well, now we maie come nere ; may we not, if we luft? 
 
 Avar. Ye are nere enoughe : oute of my reache I dare 
 youe truft. 
 
 Ad. Well, nowe lett us fmg, yf ytt pleafe Authoritee ; 
 To refrefhe oure fpirites yt ys reftorytee. 
 
 Ins. I reeke not for compaignie fake to fmg once more. 
 
 Avar. I have leffe minde to fing nowe then I had before : 
 Than had I no lufte to fmg becaufe I was bare ; 
 And nowe howe to kepe that I have gotte I doe care. 
 
 Opp. Solace we mufte nedes have whan that we are werie. 
 
 Ad. It prolongeth the life of manne to bee merye. 
 
 Avar. An if ye fmg fo muche, Honeftie, withoute faile 
 Thrifte and youe at length, I feare, will make a bataille. 
 But goe too, fmg on, yf there be no remedie : 
 An ye looke at my bags, ye marre my melodie. 
 
 (Cantent^) Hey, noney, nony, houghe for money, &c. 
 
 Opp. Now, abought profitte devide we ourfelves abrode. 
 
 Avar. Yea, and heare ye, maifters ? While tyme is laie 
 
 on lode : 
 
 Confider ye have but a tyme of hey making, 
 And harveft is not inned withowte peines taking.
 
 38 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Nowe, tyme will not tarye, and therefore take good hede ; 
 Defpache while tyme ferveth and all your matie[r]s fpede : 
 Tyme hath no reine nor bridle, but renneth a pace. 
 
 Ins. Marke Policie's woordes, firs ; excellent in our cace. 
 
 Avar. And tyme hathe this one ungracious propertee, 
 To blab at length, and open all that he doothe fee. 
 Than, a daughter eke he hath called Veritee, 
 As unhappie a longtongued girle as can bee : 
 She bringeth all to light, fome fhe bring to fhame. 
 She careth not a grote what manne hath thanke or blame : 
 Yf men be praife worthie, fhe dothe fo declare them ; 
 And if otherwyfe, in faithe, fhe dothe not fpare them. 
 
 Opp. We will feather oure neftes ere tyme maye us efpie, 
 Or Veritee have poure 'our doinges to defcrye. 
 
 Avar. Remembre this verfe, Utjintomniafalva, 
 Fronte capillata, poft hec occafio calva. 
 
 Opp. Make me underftande that fyne rag of rhetorike. 
 
 Avar. Loe, here a fyne felowe to have a biffhopricke ! 
 A verfe of Latynne he cannot underftande, 
 Yet dareth he prefume boldelye to take in hande 
 Into a deanerie or archedeaconrye to choppe, 
 And to have the liveloode awaye from a bifhopp. 
 
 Opp thei verfe, and leave thys perfuafion. 
 
 Avar. Forfouthe, fir, yt was of the goddeffe Occafyon. 
 She weareth a greate long tuffet of heare beefore, 
 And behinde hathe not one heare, neither leffe nor more : 
 Whereby is taught youe, that when Occafyon ys 
 Ye mufte take yt be tyme, or of your purpofe myffe. 
 
 Ad. Than, while occafion doeth nowe ferve foo well, 
 I praie youe geve eare to one thing that I muft tell. 
 
 Ins. et Opp. What ys that ? Ad. Mounfire, yf ye heare 
 People mumbling,
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 39 
 
 Ye mufte ftorme, and fharpelye take hym up for (tumbling. 
 Ye woulde not thinke what he faid a litle while fens 
 Of us to Refpublica, in myne owne prefence. 
 
 Ins. Whan I mete theym nexte I fhall tell them bothe 
 my mynde. 
 
 Avar. And Policie, to helpe youe, wyll not be behinde. 
 
 Ad. Gentle Refpublica was foone pacified, 
 But People was fturdie, and woulde not be qualified. 
 
 Avar. Alas! good poore felie fowle, beare heare faire 
 
 in hand, 
 And ye maie wynne hyr as youe luft to ufe hyr land. 
 
 Opp. But of Goddeffe Occafion one lytle more. 
 
 Avar. Marye, fir, even as I woulde have faid before, 
 She ftandeth with winged feete on a rolling whele, 
 To take flyght or anie graffe maie growe on hir hele. 
 And even while we ftand jangling in this prefence, 
 I dare faie fhe is flowen twife twentie fcore myle hence. 
 
 Opp. Yea, cockes bones, than adew. Ins. Farewell. Ad. 
 And I am gone. \Exeant currentes. 
 
 Avar. Feithe and have after, as fafte as I can, anon. 
 Now, my Goddamighties, as I dyd hither tugg youe, 
 So will I on my backe to your lodging lugg youe ; 
 And fure yf ye can be quiet there and lye ftyll, 
 I will fhortelye bring youe moo felowes, fo I wyll. 
 I have a good benefyce of an hundred markes : 
 Yt is fmale policie to give fuche to greate clerkes ; 
 They will take no benefice but thei muft have all, 
 A bare clerke canne be content with a lyving fmall : 
 Therefore, fir John lacke Latten, my frende, fhall have myne, 
 And of hym maie I ferme yt for eyght pounds or nyne : 
 The refte maie I referve to myfelfe for myne owne fhare,
 
 4O A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 For wee are good feeders of the poore, fo wee are ; 
 
 And we patrones are bounde to fee (I doo youe tell) 
 
 The churche patrimonie to bee beftowyd well. 
 
 Other od corners befydes thefe I have mannye, 
 
 Which with all good fpeede fhall encreace your compaignie. 
 
 Come on nowe, therefore. In feith, I doo greate wronge 
 
 To promife youe lodging, and kepe youe thens fo long. 
 
 [Exeat. 
 
 ACTUS QUARTI SCENA PRIMA. 
 RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Res. O lorde ! what maie yt meane to bee thus borne in 
 
 hand, 
 
 And yet none emendement to fele nor underftand ? 
 People dothe dailie and hourelye to me reforte, 
 Chalenging my promife of relief and comforte. 
 I reporte to hym, as my rewlers doe to me. 
 People ftill affirmeth that they devourers bee : 
 The more I doo hym chere, the more he dothe difpaire. 
 I faie his wealth doeth mende, he faithe it dooeth appaire. 
 What fhoulde I judge of this ? maie it be credible, 
 Or by anie reafon maye yt be poffible, 
 
 That fuche fowre as thofe in whome I have putt my trufte, 
 Shewing fuche face of frendfhip, fhoulde be men unjufte ? 
 I will knowe if People feele yet anye redreffe 
 Of his former fors, and of hys rufull diftreffe. - 
 We fhall meete foone, I doubt not, and talke to gether ; 
 And loe ! as I woulde wifhe, he approcheth hether. 
 
 \Intrat People.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 41 
 
 ACTUS QUARTI SCENA SECUNDA. 
 RESPUBLICA, PEOPLE. 
 
 Res. Wellmette, People: what place goe ye nowe untoo? 
 
 Peo. I cham at the fertheft, to zee how yowe doo. 
 We twayne muft eft whiles come fifike either other ; 
 Vor wee beethe your children, and youe beethe our mother. 
 
 Res. And howe doo youe mend now in your thrifte and 
 your purfe ? 
 
 Peo. As zoure ale in fommer, that is ftill wurfe and wurfe. 
 
 Res. People, what fholde I faie ? Peo. Naie, maffe, Is 
 
 cannot tell ; 
 
 But we ignorams all woulde faine ye fhoulde doe well : 
 And how fele you yourfelfe ? better then ye dyd, trowe ? 
 
 Res. Till God fend better happe rather decaie then growe : 
 This bringeth me in a conceipte of zeloufye, 
 Rather than muche good : woulde I fpeake with Policie! 
 
 Peo. Was not he drowned, trowe, laft yeare, whan con- 
 fcience was ? 
 
 Res. I fee hym yonder appere: this cometh well to paffe. 
 
 Peo. Is this fame he ? Res. Yea. Peo. An ich hearde 
 
 not you zo zaie, 
 Shoulde zware a had bee deade, orels cleane renne awaye. 
 
 ACTUS QUARTI SCENA TERTIA. 
 AVARICE, RESPUBLICA, PEOPLE. 
 
 Avar. O moofte noble Ladie! that I have not of late 
 Made to youe relacion how ye ftande in ftate, 
 Hath not been of negligence, nor to werke by ftelthe, 
 
 G
 
 42 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 But of my depe ftudies devifmg for your wealthe. 
 
 Res. To heare the truthe thereof I wisfhed youe to fee. 
 
 Peo. Dooeth youe ftudd your braines, mace gentman, 
 
 praie youe tell me, 
 For our Ladie Rice pudding cakes commoditee ? 
 
 Avar. I devife what I canne for the profperitee 
 Of thys ladie Refpublica, and hyr People. 
 
 Peo. That lye, ere this, is flowen as ferre hens as Polle 
 
 fteple. 
 
 Is praie God ye ftudde not, as cha hard of zome elfes, 
 That ftuddie for the common profytte of theire owne felfes. 
 
 Avar. To ftudie for bothe your welthes I am a debter. 
 
 Peo. Vaye than, as goode ner a whitt as ner the better. 
 
 Avar. I doo nothing but compace therefore, withowte 
 doubte. 
 
 Peo. I vey then, the ve[n]t to ferre a coumpace abowte, 
 For zome good might ha bee doone in all this feafon. 
 
 Avar. So there is, if to perceive ytt ye had reafon. 
 
 Res. Truelie, I fele mifelfe hitherto wurfe and wurfe. 
 
 Peo. And Is vele the fame, bothe in my grounde and 
 
 my purfe. 
 
 Vive or zixe yeare ago chad vower kine to my paile, 
 And att this prezent houre cham fcarce woorthe a good 
 
 cowe taile : 
 
 And that tyme chad a widge, and hir vole, and tenne fhepe, 
 Nowe Is can geate nothing my zelfe and my wife to kepe : 
 Than an chad I bee with the kinges maffe counftable 
 Choulde zette myfelfe woorth pretelye, and zo chwas hable : 
 Now vor lacke of a fallet, whan my lyege hath neade, 
 Cham vaine to take an hatte of Gods good on my heade. 
 And vor God, my dame, this ys but fmall amendement.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 43 
 
 Is comporte me to youe : how thinketh youre judgement ? 
 Coumpacing ka ? Jentman, call ye this fame coumpacing ? 
 And whom fhall we twaine thanke, youe, for this coum- 
 
 pacinge 
 
 Avar. No, fir. Peo. Nowe by the compace that God 
 
 coumpaced ! 
 Res. Blame have they of God and man, that this hath 
 
 coumpaced. 
 Peo. A fmall coumpace more nowe maie zoone coumpace, 
 
 by throod, 
 To make fowertie thowfaunde volk heare growe throughe 
 
 their hood. 
 
 Avar. That is theire owen faulte, not the faulte of Policie. 
 Res. God above he knoweth whofe faulte it is, and not I. 
 Peo. But did not yche daylie geve youe warning ? Res. 
 
 Doubteleffe. 
 Peo. And dyd not iche plaine me to youe ? Res. I 
 
 graunte no leffe. 
 Peo. And whan ich made my mone, what woulde to 
 
 me tell ? 
 Res. As my hope was, that att length althing fhoulde 
 
 bee well. 
 
 Peo. Coumpacing ka ? Res. People, I put trufte in other. 
 Peo. Valfe bezeivers of zembitee, by Godds mother. 
 Avar. Well, fuffer me then for my declaracion 
 To fett Authoritee and Reformacion, 
 That ye maie bothe heare, and charge them as well as me. 
 
 Res. With all my harte, goode Policie, let ytt fo bee : 
 I praie youe call theim hither, if thei maie bee gotte. 
 Peo. Anche heare em, Is can tell where thei faie true 
 
 or not.
 
 44 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 ACTUS QUARTI SCENA QUARTA. 
 AVARICE, INSOLENCE, RESPUBLICA, OPPRESSION, PEOPLE. 
 
 Avar. The fowleft open mowthed wretch that eare ye 
 
 harde. 
 Ins. Couldeft thowe by no meanes make the peafaunte 
 
 afearde ? 
 
 Avar. No ; but anon I trowe we fhall his Maffhip trym. 
 Conveighe hir awaie, and than all wee three chide hym. 
 But whifte and come apace. Res. I here Policies voyce. 
 Avar. That I mette youe fo well I doe muche rejoyce : 
 Ladye Refpublica woulde youe come hir before. 
 Ins. Madame, God ye fave. Opp. And preferve for ever 
 
 more. 
 
 Res. This is happie happe, ye come foo foone tigither. 
 Avar. As I went I mette them bothe twaine hafting 
 
 hether. 
 Res. Never in better tyme. Ins. Madame, what is your 
 
 will ? 
 
 Opp. Is there eni thing that youe woulde faie vs untill ? 
 Res. People cryeth owte, and I am muche agrieved 
 That we fele oure felves in nothing yet relived. 
 
 Opp. No ? that is not true ; mannie declare I canne. 
 Res. Even in briefe woordes I praie youe doe yt than. 
 Peo. Praie youe, lett me fpofe with this fame new comme 
 
 gentman. 
 Ins. No, fir. Peo. Maffe, but chil fpeake, anche can fpie 
 
 my tyme whan. 
 Opp. Firfte, youre prieftes and bisfhops have not as thei 
 
 have had.
 
 A merye Entrdude entitled Refpublica. 45 
 
 Res. When they had theire lyvinges men were bothe 
 
 fedde and cladde. 
 Opp. Yea, but they ought not by fcripture to be calde 
 
 Lordes. 
 Res. That thei rewle the churche with fcripture well 
 
 accordes. 
 Opp. Thei were prowde and covetous, and tooke muche 
 
 uppon theim. 
 Peo. But they were not covetous that tooke all from 
 
 theym ? 
 Opp. The coigne eke is chaunged. Peo. Yea, from zilver 
 
 to droffe, 
 
 (Twas tolde us) vor the befte ; but poore wee bare the loffe. 
 Whan chad with zwette of browes got up a fewe fmale 
 
 crummes, 
 
 At paiing of my debtes ich coulde not make my foummes. 
 My landlorde vor my corne paide me zuche fommes and 
 
 zuche, 
 
 Whan he fhould hate vor rent, yt was but haulfe zo muche : 
 Zixpence in eche milling was i-ftrike quite awaie ; 
 Zo vor one piece iche tooke, cha was vaine to paie him 
 
 twaie. 
 
 One woulde thinke twer braffe, and zorowe have I els, 
 But ichwin moofte parte ont was made of our olde bells. 
 
 Ins. Yet if ye marke ytt well, for one peice ye have three, 
 Whiche for you People is no fmale commoditie. 
 
 Peo. Well, I nill medle in this fame matier no more ; 
 But Is recke not an twer zilver as twas avor. 
 
 Opp. People, ye mall att lengthe finde ytt all for the beft. 
 Peo. Cha harde our parifhe clarke faye, Dinum efte, 
 jufllum wefte.
 
 46 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Res. Undoubtedly I fele many thinges are amiffe. 
 
 Peo. Yea, I fcan tell moo things, yet an me lufte, by Jiffe. 
 Thei have all the woodes throughout the realme deftroyed, 
 Which might have ferved long yeares,beeing well emploied : 
 And than the greate cobbes have zo take the refte to hire, 
 That poore volke cannot gett a fticke to make a fire : 
 Than their great grazing hath made flefhe fo dere, I wotte, 
 That poore volke att fhambles cannot beftowe their grotte. 
 
 Res. I lamente yt People ; alac ! what maie I doe ? 
 I mifelfe I feare mail comme to ruine toe. 
 Policie, what coumforte ? Whan will youe eafe my fmarte ? 
 
 Avar. Ye are as fafe even nowe, but for your falfe harte, 
 As any ladie of your name in Chriftendome. 
 
 Peo. If iche had zo zaide, chad lied by my holidome. 
 
 Res. Ye heare what People faith, which feleth as I doe. 
 
 Avar. But rude Peoples words will ye geve credyte vnto ? 
 Will ye judge yourfelfe after his foolifhe jangling ? 
 Ye wer well enoughe tyll he begonne his wrangling. 
 
 Ins. Will ye beleve People, that hath no manier of fkill 
 To judge, or to defcerne what thing is good or yll ? 
 He is fo headftrong, he mufte bee bridled with lawes. 
 
 Peo. Thoughe zome bee ftarke bedlems, yet wife volkes 
 beeth no dawes. 
 
 Ins. We have ofte founde People moofte difobedient 
 To orders moofte requifyte and expedient. 
 Who fuche a mainteynour of wrong opinions, 
 As People in all countries and dominions ? 
 Ye oughte, therefore, to rebuke hym att all houres 
 For difcowraginge anie minifters of yours. 
 
 Opp. Ye mufte tarrye tyme, ere we can your pourpofe 
 ferve.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 47 
 
 Peo. Ye, and than while the graffe fliall growe, the horfe 
 (hall flerve. 
 
 Ins. Doe ye not fee this, by all experience plaine, 
 That men from defeafes recover againe, 
 Doe, after fycknes pafte, remaine a long tyme weake. 
 
 Res. People, herke : Authoritee dooth good reafon fpeake. 
 
 Ins. So ye, thoughe oppreffed with longe adverfitee, 
 Yet doubte not are towarde wealthe and profpiritee. 
 
 Res. Loe, People, to hope a while longer mall bee beft. 
 
 Peo. Well, then cham perfwaged to doo att your enqueft. 
 
 Ins. Madame, miftrufte not us, your painfull minifters. 
 
 Avar. Never had ladie more watchefull officers. 
 
 Opp. For my parte, I will fware the gofpell booke uppon, 
 That if the lawes I have made fhoulde everye one 
 Redowne to myne owne fmguler comodytee, 
 Theye coulde not be frendelier framed then thei bee. 
 
 Ins. Therefore repofe yourfelfe, Madame, a while and 
 
 winke : 
 Ye are in better cafe towarde then youe can thinke. 
 
 Avar. We (hall heare remaine, and geve People good 
 
 counfaile, 
 Quiet for to be tyll Policie maie prevaile. 
 
 Res. He will doe well with your goode informacions. 
 
 Peo. Yea, vei, chil volowe their goode exaltacions. 
 
 Res. Than I leave youe all heare to God. I will departe. 
 
 [Exeat RES. 
 
 Peo. Now, howe deftru6lions to membre in my harte. 
 
 Avar. Deftructions ? ye mifer ! Ins. Ye pefaunt ! Opp. 
 Ye lowte ! 
 
 Ins. [You] naught els doe but rage, and rave, and crye owt. 
 
 Opp.' And cannot tell on whome ? Avar. No more then 
 can a da we.
 
 48 A merye entrelnde entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Opp. Crow againft your betters ? Ins. And murmoure 
 
 againft the lawe ? 
 
 Leate me heare thee prate as thou hafte doone hearetofore. 
 Avar. Or trouble Ladie Refpublica anie more. 
 Opp. Thou canft not fee, thow wretch, canft thow whan 
 
 thow arte well ? 
 Avar. Ift parte of thie place with fuche highe matiers 
 
 to mell ? 
 Ins. Doethe yt become the to barke with fuche a wide 
 
 throte ? 
 
 Avar. And to have an ore in everye bodies bote ? 
 Ins. If thowe dooe foe againe, yt (hall with the be wurfe. 
 Opp. We fhall wring and pinche the bothe by bealie and 
 
 purfe. 
 Ins. I wolde advife youe, frende, to grunte and grone no 
 
 more. 
 
 Opp. Doe the like againe, and thoue fhalte rue yt ful fore. 
 Avar. It were beft for youe, freend, all mourmouringe to 
 
 ceafe. 
 Peo. Bum vei than, chil een goo home, and vaire holde 
 
 mi peace. 
 
 Ins. Dooe foo by my reade, and fall to honefl laboure. 
 Avar. Hens! home and be quiete, and thou fhalte fynde 
 
 favour. 
 Peo. Then chil byd youe vare well. Opp. No woords, 
 
 but hens apace. 
 This was doone as fhoulde bee. Avar. This was doone in 
 
 right place. 
 Peo. But howe, one worde erche goe : yele geve volks 
 
 leave to thinke. 
 Opp. No, marie, will we not, nor to looke but winke.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 49 
 
 Peo. Yes, by giffe, but chil loe ; naie loe thare ; thought 
 
 is free, 
 
 And a catt, they zaith, maie looke on a king, pardee. [Exeat. 
 Ins. Nowe where doo wee bee come ? I home. [Exeat. 
 
 Opp. And I abrode. [Exeat. 
 
 A var. And I muft fee what feete abought my doore have 
 
 trodde. [Exeat. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA PRIMA. 
 
 MlSERICORDIA. 
 
 Mis. Wherin appeareth the gracioufneffe of God, 
 More then ynfinitelye to excede mans goodneffe, 
 But that he kepeth backe the fharpe ftroke of hys rod, 
 Whan man woulde rage in moofte furious woodenes ? 
 
 Scarce anie emendes maie mannes eagreneffe appeace ; 
 Yea, and thoughe he forgeve, he wilnot foone forgette. 
 Towarde true penitens Gods wrath e foorthwith doothe ceafe, 
 And he their paft fmnes behind his backe dooeth fet. 
 
 Of long fufferaunce he is with weakneffe to beare, 
 While anie hope of emendment dooethe remaine ; 
 And thoughe he plague fynners to call them home by feare, 
 Yet his mercye and grace are ai readie againe. 
 
 His grievous difpleafure dureth not for ever, 
 And why ? Quia miferationes ejus : 
 Whiche to fhewe he chieflie delighteth ever, 
 Manentfuper omnia opera ejus. 
 
 H
 
 50 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 It grieveth hym fore whan he mufle neade take veaun- 
 
 geaunce ; 
 
 His delite and glorie ys mercie to practyfe, 
 His tender compaffion on treue repentaunce 
 He hath ftill from the beginning fowte texcercife. 
 
 The maffe of this worlde in his mercie did he frame, 
 The fkie, thearthe, and fea, his mercye replenifhed : 
 In his mercye dyd he after redeame the fame, 
 Whan els remedileffe yt muft have peryfhed. 
 
 In his mercie was Ifraell delivered 
 
 From the gyptian thraldome and captivitee ; 
 
 In his mercye the fame throughe the red fea was led, 
 
 And through wilderneffe to a lande of libertee. 
 
 Syth that tyme all commonweales he hath protected ; 
 And to fuche as withe earneft prayer have made mone, 
 Me, Compaffion, he hath quickelye directed, 
 To revive and recover theym everie one. 
 
 Now laftely hath he harde the moofte doulfull lament 
 Of wofull Refpublica, his derling moofte dere : 
 Therefore me Compaffion with fpede he hathe fent, 
 Hir moofte forowfull herte to recoumforte and chere. 
 
 I tarrye hyr commynge that I maie hir falute : 
 And loe, me thinketh, I fee hir appere in place, 
 Of frendfhipp devoyde, and of fuccoure deftitute. 
 I will heare hir, and than geve wordes of folace.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 5 1 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA SECUNDA. 
 RESPUBLICA, MISERICORDIA, AVARYCE, ADULACION. 
 
 Res. O Lorde ! hafte thowe for ever clofed up thine eare ? 
 Wilt thowe never more the defolates praier heare ? 
 Wilt thow ftyll torne awaie thy face from my diftreffe ? 
 Wilt thowe cleane forfake me and leave me comfourtleffe ? 
 The fecret figthes and fobbes and praiers of myne harte, 
 Shall thei not for ever thyne yeis to me converte ? 
 I graunte that myne offences have fo muche deferved, 
 But for whome, fave fmners, ys thye mercie referved ? 
 
 fo, which hithertoo hafte been jufte. 
 
 Defpaire, Lorde, I wilnot, nor thie goodneffe miftrufte ; 
 Lo[oke] downe on my deftreffe, and for thye glorie fake, 
 Thoughe I bee ill worthie it, mercye on me take. 
 
 Mis. Now will I fpeake to hir. Res. Who maketh me 
 afearde ? 
 
 Mis. No, I will thee comforte. God hath thi praier harde. 
 And now, Refpublica, bee of good hope and trufte. 
 
 Res. O Lorde ! nowe doe I fee that thowe arte ever jufte. 
 
 Mis. I am fent to recomfourte thee, Refpublica. 
 
 Res. O Ladie Compaffion, Mifericordia ! 
 
 Mis. What faie ye to me ? What, wooman ! can ye not 
 
 fpeake ? 
 
 I am come downe all youre forowes at ons to breake. 
 Speake, wooman. Res. Mifericor. Mis. Owte comforta- 
 
 blye, 
 Ye fhall have nowe no more caufe to fpeake defperablie. 
 
 Res. My harte in Godds mercie is fo delated, 
 That my veraie fpirite to heaven is elated.
 
 52 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 ladie Compaffion ! welcome verament : 
 
 Ever bee God prayfed that youe to me hathe fent. 
 
 Mis. Now that I have put youe in fure hope of reliefe, 
 
 1 mufte goe fett Veritee to trye owte all your griefe. 
 Veritee fhall open how your decaie hath growne, 
 And then the caufers thereof fhalbe over throwne. 
 
 Res. Who bee the caufers thereof I cannot defcerne ; 
 But yonder cometh one of them, that doe me governe. 
 
 Mis. What is his name ? Res. Policie. Mis. Policie is 
 
 goode ; 
 He dooeth worke youe manie good thinges of likelihood. 
 
 Avar. A vengeaunce upon hym, and God geve hym his 
 
 curfe ! 
 
 I am befieged nowe of everye cutpurfe : 
 I can goe no where now, in citie neither towne, 
 But Piers Pickpurfe plaieth att organes under my gowne. 
 
 Mis. What talketh he ? Avar. Who fpeaketh yonder, 
 Refpublica ? 
 
 Res. What, of the pickpurfe ? Avar. Forfouth, Dame 
 
 Refpublica, 
 
 I faide, an we had twoo pielouries mo twer ner the wurfe, 
 For yt is a light thing nowe to mete Piers Pickpurfe. 
 God preferve youe, right faire ladie, and Chrifte youe fave ! 
 Who are yowe ? and what woulde ye in this countrie have ? 
 
 Res. This fame is the ladie Mifericordia, 
 Sent from God purpofely. Avar. Unto youe, Refpublica ? 
 
 Mis. Yea. Avar, Than mufte ye needes bee mooft 
 
 hartelie welcome : 
 
 We had ner more nede of youe, by my holydome. 
 There bee in this countrye, which but ye coumforte [fend], 
 Are full like to make bothe a madde, and a fhorte end.
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 5 3 
 
 Mis. I will goe to doo that I faid, Refpublica, 
 And returne with fpede. Res. Swete Mifericordia ! 
 
 [Exeat Mis. 
 
 Avar. Good Mifericordia now, and ladie moofte deare : 
 Chrifte blifter on your harte ! what make youe heare ? 
 Res. Come backe, Policie. Avar. I come. Res. Whither 
 
 woulde ye nowe ? 
 
 Avar. Conveigh mifelfe hens honeftlye, if I wifte howe. 
 Res. Whan come ye, Policie ? what looke ye ? fomething 
 
 lofte? 
 
 Avar. Anon. If I tarie yt will tourne to my cofte. 
 Res. Ah, frende Policie! Avar. Yea. Res. Now fhall I 
 
 bee in bliffe, 
 
 Thanks to God. Avar. We muft finde provifion for this. 
 Res. Hah ? Avar. Dyd not I er tell youe that God would 
 
 youe fave ? 
 Yee maie fee nowe what it is goode rewlers to have. 
 
 Res. Ye faietrewth : but looke yonder cometh Honeflie. 
 Avar. Praie God, Amen ! Res. Yes, looke els. Avar. 
 
 What newes bringeth he ? 
 
 Ad. I fhoulde fpeake a woorde in theare of Policie. 
 If I maie not fo, I will fpeake ytt openlie. 
 
 Res. I have not feen youe a greate while, Honeftie. 
 Ad. O noble Ladie Refpublica ! well yowe bee. 
 Res. All fhalbee now : fuch newes I have to me brought. 
 Ad. I heare yt toulde for trouth, Policye, all wilbee 
 
 nought. 
 
 Res. Heareft thoue anie joyfull newes abrode, or not ? 
 Ad. Yea ; I heare certaine newes, which are bothe brym 
 
 and hotte : 
 There is newe ftertt up a ladye cald Veritee.
 
 54 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Res. Than am I all fafe, and fure of profpiritee. 
 How was yt fpoken ? Ad. Thus in Laten, groffe bluntc : 
 Mifericordia et veritasfibi obiiiaverunt, 
 That is, Mercye and Truthe are bothe mett together. 
 
 Res. Than will yt not be long ere thei bothe come hither. 
 
 Avar. Hither ! How fo ? Res. Yea, bothe Mercie and 
 Very tee. 
 
 Avar. A pefte on them bothe, faving my charitee ! 
 But fofte, brother Honeftie ; ye might miftake ytt, 
 Of whiche Veritee waft, trowe youe, that thaye fpake ytt. 
 
 Ad. Of the generall Veritee, olde Tymes dawghter. 
 
 Avar. Feith, they were not our frendes that firfte hither 
 
 brought hir 
 
 Olde Tymes doughter ? that fhuttle brained, tall, long man 
 That nere ftandeth ftill, but flyghth as faft as he canne, 
 Muche like as he fwymmed or glided uppon yce ? 
 
 Ad. Yea. Res. For all that, of wife men he is thought 
 moofte wife. 
 
 Avar. I knowe hym, he carrieth a clocke on his heade, 
 A fand glaffe in his hande, a diall in his foreheade. 
 
 Res. Ye faie truthe, Policie ; the fame is veraye he. 
 
 Avar. Old Tyme the evefdropper. I knowe hym, pardee, 
 An auncient turner of houfes upfide downe, 
 And a common confumer of cytie and towne. 
 Old Tymes doughter (quod he ?) I fhrewe his naked harte ! 
 Manie of my frendes hathe he brought to paine and fmarte. 
 Compaffion and that Trueth come hither to yowe ? 
 
 Res. Mercie, before ye came, promifed fo right nowe. 
 
 Avar. It is no tyme now, Honeftie, to be idle. 
 
 Ad. Some thing brueth ? Avar. It is tyme for us to bridle. 
 Well, goe your waies afore in all hafte, Honeftee,
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 5 5 
 
 And tell Reformacion and Authoritee, 
 That bothe theis ladies in all goodlye facion 
 Mufte be enterteyned here in this nacion. 
 Madame Refpublica, ift not your pleafure foo ? 
 
 Res. What els ? in all the hafte, Honeftee, fee ye gooe. 
 
 Avar. Saie ferther, that I wolde we fowre anon might mete 
 Her[e], or where thei will, fave in the open ftrete. 
 And here youe, Honeftie ? Ad. What nowe ? Avar. A 
 
 litell nere. 
 
 Provyde in anie wife that Veritee come not heare : 
 Let Infolence and Oppreffion kepe hir hens. 
 
 Ad. We fhall all three therein doe cure beft diligence. 
 
 Avar. Byd them well remembre the worlde will waxe 
 
 quaifie : 
 
 Some of us ere long maie happe leape at a daifie, 
 Or put owte the i of Mifericordia, 
 And withowte an i plaie een plaine truffing corda. 
 
 [Exeat AD. 
 
 Res. Polycye, what is it that ye talke there fo long ? 
 
 Avar. I fend inftructions that thei maie not doe wrong. 
 
 Res. Sende ye aught to hym,that maie not be tolde to me ? 
 
 Avar. Shoulde we with ev'y trifling trifle trouble ye ? 
 Well then, ye looke for theis twoo ladies [fure]. 
 
 Res. I trufte thei wilnot faile on me to doe theire cure. 
 
 Avar. I tolde you ever, dyd I not, that your welthe 
 woulde frame ? 
 
 Res. I (hall rewarde your paines, or els I were to blame. 
 
 A var. Than befte I goe now ftreght to my felowes & fee. 
 
 Res. That things nedeful for us maie not unreadie bee. 
 Doo foo, I praie youe. Avar. Fare ye well, Refpublica, 
 Till I fee youe nexte. \_Exeat.~\ Res. Nowe, Mifericordia,
 
 56 A merye entrelude entitled Refpiiblica. 
 
 Whan fhall bee thy pleafure, bring hither Veritee. 
 Behoulde ! een with the worde fpeaking where thei bothe bee. 
 
 [Intrant Mis. et VERITAS. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA TERTIA. 
 MISERICORDIA, VERITAS, RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Mis. I dare faie Refpublica thinketh the tyme long. 
 
 Ver. Who can blame hir, having endured fo much wrong ? 
 But as meate and drinke, and other bodylye foode 
 Is never founde to bee fo pleafaunte, nor fo goode, 
 As whan fretting hongre and thrifte hathe pincht afore ; 
 And as health after fickenes is fweeter ever more, 
 So after decaye and adverfytee ever come 
 Welth and profperitee fhalbe double welcome. 
 
 Mis. How nowe, Refpublica ? Have I not been long 
 hens ? 
 
 Res. Come ye firft or lafte, ye bliffe me with your pre- 
 fence. 
 
 Mis. As I was commaunded, I bring you Veritee, 
 To helpe youe, youre people, and theire pofteritee. 
 
 Ver. Dere Jewell, Refpublica ! I dooe youe embrace. 
 
 Res. I thanke your goodneffe, and fubmitte me to your 
 grace. 
 
 Mis. Embrace Veritee for ever, Refpublica, 
 And cleve faft to hir. Res. Yes, Mifericordia. 
 
 Mis. Nowe pleafe yt yow to declare, fifter Veritee, 
 How fhe maie recover hir olde profperitee, 
 Hir honor, hir wealth, hir riches, hyr fubftaunce, 
 Hir commons, hyr people, hir ftrength, and hyr puiffaunce. 
 
 Ver. All this wilbee recovered incontinent, 
 And to better ftate alfo, by good governement.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 57 
 
 Res. No ladie of my name upon yearth, I efteme, 
 Hath had better administers then myne have been : 
 Policie, Reformacion, and Authoritee. 
 
 Mis. Thefe three bee veray good. Res. And the foure, 
 Honeftee. 
 
 Ver. But what if thefe which have had youe and yours 
 
 to kepe, 
 Have been ravnyng woulves in the clothing of fheepe ? 
 
 Res. If I hard not youe, Verytee, fuche fentence geve, 
 By no mans perfwafion I coulde ytt beeleve. 
 
 Ver. Ah ! good Refpublica, thow hafte been abufed. 
 Whom thowe chofeft, are vices to be refufed : 
 Whom thow calft Honeftee ys Adulacion, 
 And he that in pretence was Reformacyon, 
 Is in dede Oppreffion and houge violence. 
 Whom thowe calft Authoritee is prowde Infolence : 
 Than he that was Policie, the chiefe manne of price, 
 In dede is mooft ftinking and filthie Avarice ; 
 He firfte enveigled thee, and his purpofe to frame, 
 Cloked eche of thefe vices with a vertuous name. 
 
 Res. Benedicite ! is this a poffible cafe ? 
 
 Ver. Ye fhall fee yt proved trewe before your owne face : 
 Thei fhalbe convinced beefore youe one by one. 
 
 Res. O Lorde ! what mervail if my thrifte wer well nighe 
 
 gon? 
 But what redreffe fhall I have hereof, and whan ? 
 
 Mis. Suche as maie bee moofte fitte, and as foone as 
 
 we can. 
 
 Juftice and peace are appointed to defcende : 
 Thone to kepe youe quiete, thother youe to defende. 
 As foone as wee fowre fifters togither fhalbe mette, 
 
 I
 
 58 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 And ordre for yor eftablifhment (hall bee fett. 
 By the eternall providence yt is decreed fo. 
 
 Res. O mooft mercifull lorde ! all prayfe bee thee unto. 
 
 Mis. I will leave youe here with my fyfter Veritee, 
 And learne of their coming wyth all celerytee. 
 
 Ver. Ye nede not. For I knowe thei bee nowe veray nere ; 
 And beholde they begynne alreadie to appeare. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA QUARTA. 
 PAX, JUSTITIA, VERITAS, MISERICORDIA, RESPUBLICA. 
 
 Peace. Nowe ons againe in God leat us twoo fyfters kiffe, 
 In token of cure joynyng to make a perfytte blyffe. 
 
 Juft. And nowe leate us never bee foondred any more, 
 Tyll we maie Refpublica perfe<5telye reftore. 
 
 Ver, Leat us meete theym, fifter Mifericordia. 
 
 Mis. And unto theire fight prefent Refpublica. 
 
 Jujl., Pax. All haile, moofte deare fyfters, Mercye and 
 
 Verytee ! 
 And all hayle Refpublica, with all fmcerytee ! 
 
 Res. O ye ladies celeftiall ! howe muche am I bounde 
 With thankes to fall flatte before youe on the grownde, 
 That ye thus vouchfalve a forlorne creature, 
 By youre heave[n]lye protection to recure. 
 
 Juft. I, Juftice, from heaven am come youe to vifytte. 
 
 Pax. And I, Peace, for ever with yowe to enhabite. 
 
 Mis. And all wee fowre fyfters, to thutmoofte of our poure, 
 Shall reftore, eftablifhe, and defend your honnour. 
 
 Jujl. We fhall firfte reftore your mofte happie eaftate, 
 And fuppreffe all them that had made youe defolate. 
 
 Ver. Verytee fhall all trueth open as ytt ys.
 
 A merye entrehtde entitled Refpublica. 69 
 
 Jnft. I, Juftice, (hall redreffe what er is founde amiffe. 
 
 Mis. I, Mercye, where the membre maie recured bee, 
 Shall temper the rigoure, and flake extremitee. 
 
 Pax. I, Peace, whan thuncurable is clene cutte awaie, 
 And thyll made goode, mail flourifhe for ever and aie. 
 
 Res. And I, which cannot otherwife your goodnes deferve, 
 Shall your holfome directions dewlie obferve. 
 And what yf Infolence mail come, or Avarice ? 
 
 Ver. Deteft them, abhore them, and refufe theire fervice. 
 I doubte not but thei wilbe ftyll haunting hither, 
 Tyll we fowre mall theim foure take here altogither. 
 
 Mis. Nowe, filters, goe wee, and Refpublica with us, 
 To bee newe appareled otherwyfe then thus. 
 
 Jujl. Come on, Refpublica, with us to wealth from woe : 
 Godde hathe geven us in charge that yt mufte bee foo. 
 
 Ver. The blisful renovacion ye mall reigne in 
 Mufte from hensfoorthe nowe immediatelye begynne. 
 
 Cantent. The mercye of God. Et exeant, &c. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA QUINTA. 
 
 AVARICE, ADULACION. 
 
 Avar. Suche gredie covetous folke as nowe of daies been, 
 I trowe, before thefe prefent daies wer never feen ; 
 An honeft man can goe in no place of the ftrete, 
 But he mall, I thinke, with an hundred beggers mete. 
 Geve for Goddes fake, geve for Saincle Charitee, 
 Geve for cure Ladies fake, geve for the Trenitee : 
 Geve in the waye of your good fpeede ; geve, geve, geve, geve ! 
 Finde we oure money in the ftrete doo theye beeleve ? 
 If I had not a fpeciall grace to faie naye,
 
 60 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 I wer but undooen emongft them in one daie. 
 But who cometh yond ? Honeftee ? He cometh in hafte. 
 Ad. I feke Policie. Avar. Here, boye. Ad. All is in 
 
 wafte. 
 Avar. Howe fo ? Ad. We ftrive againfte the ftreame all 
 
 that we doo. 
 Avar. Wherein? Ad. That Veritee come not this place 
 
 untoo ; 
 For wotte ye what ? A var. I fhall, whan he have fpake the 
 
 woorde. 
 
 Ad. Juftice and Peace too, with full confent and accorde, 
 Are come downe from heaven, and have kyfte together. 
 Avar. God geve grace that theye twayne alfo come not 
 
 hither ! 
 
 Ad. As Mercye and Truethyzfo' obviaverunt, 
 So Jufticia et Pax ofculatce funt. 
 Avar. Is yt trewe ? are they come ? Ad. And have kift 
 
 together. 
 
 A var. Than carry e yn apace, for feare of fowle weather. 
 Have they kyffed together? Ad. Yea. Avar. What 
 
 nedeth that ? 
 Men fhoulde kyffe woomen. And what poin6le bee theye 
 
 att ? 
 
 Ad. All the foure fifters, I doo youe tunderftaunde, 
 Have alreadie taken Refpublica in hand. 
 Theye fowre progreffe with hir in everye border, 
 And marre all that ever we have fette in order. 
 
 Avar. And what doeth Infolence ? or what faieth he to 
 
 that ? 
 
 Ad. He ftampeth, he ftareth, and fnuffeth fore thereat. 
 Avar. I advife him to ftorme, and to fhewe himfelfe ftowte.
 
 A merye Entrelude entitled Refpublica. 61 
 
 They bee weemen, and perchaunce maye bee faced owte ; 
 And Peace is an honeft ladie and a quiete. 
 
 Ad. Veritee and Juftice are not for oure dyete. 
 Avar. Then, Mercy e ys a goode one : I like her well. 
 Ad. Yet oft turnth fhe hyr face awaie, and will not 
 
 mell. 
 
 Avar. Well, fall backe, fall edge, I am ons att a poinfle, 
 If Refpublica come, tadventure a joyn6le. 
 
 Ad. She is frefhe and gaye, and flourisfheth who but fhe ? 
 Avar. Who brought yt to fuche paffe, will I tell hir, 
 
 but wee ; 
 
 Or els making thefe newe ladies of hir werie, 
 Wee fhoulde thrihumphe and reigne. Ad. Oh ! never fo 
 
 merye. 
 
 Avar. Well, goe to our compaignie; I will remaine here : 
 I maie, perhaps, fee Dame Refpublica appere. 
 I wilbe in hande with hir, and make a goode face. 
 
 Ad. And what fhall I doe ? Avar. Geve warning in the 
 
 meane fpace, 
 
 That Infolence fhrinke not, but plaie the ftowte man. 
 Ad. That I knowe he will doo for ons ; I knowe he can. 
 Avar. And that you all three be preft to come hether, 
 Whan nede fhall require we laye our heades together. 
 Whye, arte thowe heare yet ? Ad. I am gon with all my 
 might. \Exeat. 
 
 Avar. And, loe, where Refpublica appereth in fight. 
 
 \Intrat RES. 
 
 She is nowe att hyr nymphes bearing vpp hir traine ; 
 I will ftande afyde, and lyften a woorde or twaine.
 
 62 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA SEXTA. 
 RESPUBLICA, AVARYCE. 
 
 Res. O Lorde ! thy mercies fhall I fmg evermore, 
 Whiche dooeft foo tenderlie thie hande maide reftorc. 
 But what creature woulde fufpicion have had 
 That my late adminifters had been men fo bad ? 
 Or who woulde have thowght them counterfai6les to have 
 
 been, 
 
 That had harde their woordes, and their countennance feen ? 
 And chieflye Avarice, which dyd the matier breake. 
 
 Avar. That woorde towcheth me: now is tyme for me 
 
 to fpeake. 
 
 Res. I thought hym Policie, as jufte and true as ftele. 
 Avar. I am gladde that by me ye doo fuche good- 
 
 neffe fele. 
 Res. And that my wealth dyd growe, as it hath growne 
 
 of late. 
 
 Avar. I ever tolde ye, youe fhoulde growe to this eaftate. 
 Res. Thowe tell me? Avar. Yea, I tolde youe foo in 
 
 veraie dede, 
 
 And highlie I rejoyce yt doeth fo well fuccede. 
 And falva fejla dies upon youe, Madame! 
 I am glad ye have gotte a newe robe, fo I am. 
 What fain6le in the callender doe we ferve to daye, 
 That ye bee fo gorgeouflye decked, and fo gaye ? 
 Res. In rejoycing that I fhalbe cleane ryd of thee. 
 Avar. Naie, by this croffe, ye fhall never be rydde for me. 
 Res. And of thy compares. Avar. Well, leate them doo 
 as thei lufte,
 
 A merye entrelude entitled Refptiblica. 63 
 
 I will ryde uppon Jyll, myne owne mare, that is jufte. 
 Other waies I fhall doe yowe fervice of the befte. 
 
 Res. Thowe wicked wretche, darefte thowe with me to 
 jefte ? 
 
 Avar. What ! I now fee, honores mutant mores, 
 But as femeth here, euro in meliores. 
 
 Res. The[e], and all thy fervice, I doe from me exile. 
 
 Avar. Is that the highe rewarde ye promift me ere 
 
 while ? 
 
 Is not this a wife wooman and mynded to thrive, 
 That woulde me, Policie, owte of the countrie drive ? 
 
 Res. Thee and thy coumplices from me I fhall owte cafte. 
 
 Avar. Than, I praie youe, paye us for our paines that are 
 pafte. 
 
 Res. Ye fhalbe paide. Avar. Ons, I have doone the beft 
 
 I canne ; 
 
 Authorytee alfo he hath plaied the man : 
 Reformacion hath doen his parte, I canne tell. 
 If ye myftruft Honeftie, feith ye doo not well ; 
 And as for Avarice, he is conveighed quite, 
 I bed hym gette hym hens, or I woulde hym endyte. 
 I, Policie, have made hym to plucke in his homes : 
 I fware I woulde els laie hym on prickels and thornes, 
 Where he fhoulde take no reft neither daie nor night ; 
 So he had as liefe bee hanged as come in fight. 
 
 Res. I maie faie with Job, howe vainelie doe ye cheare me, 
 Whan all the words ye geve frome truth doeth difagree : 
 And with the wifeman I maie mooft juftlye faye this, 
 Jujlce tamen non luxit in nobis ; 
 Or els with the prophet, in moofte forowfull moode, 
 The fruicte of our juflice is tourned into wormwoode,
 
 64 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Well, the beft of youe is a deteflable vice, 
 
 And thow for thie parte arte moofte ftinking Avarice. 
 
 Avar. Jefu ! when were youe wont fo foule moothed to bee 
 To geve fuche niecknames ? Ah, in feith ! Dame Veritee 
 Hath had youe in fcooling of late : well, in Gods name, 
 I am forie for yowe, een forie, that I am. 
 I wiffe I have wrowte to fett youe in goode ftate, 
 And watched for that purpofe bothe earelie and late ; 
 And I wis if yowe woulde abyde my framynge, 
 And not thus to have fall to checking and blamynge, 
 I woulde ere long of yowe made fuche carpenter weorke, 
 That ye fhoulde have faide Policie had been a clerke ; 
 Naie, youe fhoulde have feen how I woulde have youe 
 compa6le. 
 
 Res. Yea, no doubte, ye woulde have doone fome great 
 and fyne acle. 
 
 Avar. I woulde have browght haufe Kent into Northum- 
 
 berlande, 
 
 And Somerfettfhiere fhoulde have raught to Cumberlande ; 
 Than woulde I have ftretche the countie of Warwike 
 Uppon tainter hooks, and made ytt reache to Barwike : 
 A pece of the Bisfhoprique fhoulde have come fouthwarde. 
 Tut, tut ! I tell yowe, I had wonderous feates towarde. 
 
 Res. God hath placed me alreaddie in the beft wife. 
 
 Avar. Yea, but yet not haulfe fo well as I coulde devife. 
 But no force ; well than, I fee ye will none of mee. 
 
 Res. No. Avar. Than, ye can be content I departe 
 from ye. 
 
 Res. Yea. Avar. Well, yet and ye praie me, I will tar- 
 rye ftill. 
 
 Res. No. A var. Well, fpeake me faire, and woo me yet, 
 and I will.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 65 
 
 Res. No ; hens, avaunt. Avar. Have I had of youe fuche 
 
 a clogg, 
 And now byd me avaunte, and make me a dogg ? 
 
 Res. Hens at ons. Avar. Naie, tut ! and ye will ha us, 
 
 ha us. 
 Res. Owte of my prefence ! Avar. Well then, ye wilnot 
 
 ha us. 
 Res. No, avoide, I charge the. Avar. Than nedes de- 
 
 parte I mufte. 
 
 Adieu, in feith I woulde have fervyd youe of trufte ; 
 But fens Refpublica hathe putt me to exile, 
 Where maye I goo kepe mifelfe fecrete for a while ? 
 Is there never a goode chaplaine in all this towne, 
 That will for a while hide me under his gowne ? 
 Never a goode farmer ? Never a goode merchaunt manne ? 
 Well, I will goo picke owt fome corner yf I canne ; 
 But firft will I monifhe my fellowes of this geare : 
 An we fcape this plounge, I care not for the next yeare. 
 
 \Exeat. 
 
 Res. Nowe will I to Juftice and thother ladies three, 
 And praie that thefe vices maie all fuppreffed bee. 
 
 \Intrat PEOPLE. 
 
 But loe ! heare cometh People, I will nowe torne againe, 
 And firfte knowe of his goode ftate by a woorde or twaine. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA SEPTIMA. 
 RESPUBLICA, PEOPLE. 
 
 Res. What ftandith he prying ? Dareth he not entre ? 
 Peo. Shoulde vaine zee my ladie ; but Is dare not venter. 
 Res. Shrinke not backe from me, but drawe to me, my 
 deare frend. K
 
 66 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Peo. Chill virft knowe an ye bee alone, zo God me mende. 
 
 Res. Come, here bee non but thie Trends, me beleve. 
 
 Peo. Well, than chil bee zo bolde to peake in, by your leve. 
 
 Res. How happeneth that thowe haft fo long been me 
 froo ? 
 
 Peo. Marie, chill tell yowe : as foone as ye were agoe, 
 Hither cam a zorte of courtnalls, harde men and zore ; 
 Thei fhaked me up, chwas ner zo rattled avore : 
 Theye veil all upon me catche, a woorde that might catche, 
 Well was hym that at me, People, might geat a fnatche. 
 Choulde have been at home rather then a newe grote, 
 Iche maie zedge to yowe, Is fearde pulling owte my throte. 
 They bade me pieke me home, and come att yowe no more, 
 An iche did, thei zwore Is fhoulde bee corroupt therefore. 
 Zo thicke prowte howrecop, what call ye him ? Res. In- 
 folence. 
 
 Peo. Yea, even thickefame, he vaire popt me to filence. 
 
 Res. And howe ys it with youe now ? better then yt was ? 
 
 Peo. All beginneth now to come gailie well to paffe. 
 Wee heare of your good vortune that goeth abowte, 
 Howe ye beeth permounted, which makithe all us proute ; 
 And iche am hable fens to bie me a newe cote, 
 And Is, thanke God, chave in my purfe a zilver grote. 
 I wis iche cowlde not zo zai thefe zixe yeares afore : 
 Who ever cawfed yt, ill thanke have they therefore. 
 
 Res. Thei wilbe heare foone ; byde youe theim here for a 
 traine. 
 
 Peo. Maffe, but I nynnat : woulde ye have om fqwatte owt 
 ons braine ? 
 
 Res. They fhallnot doe the[e] harme the value of a poin6le. 
 
 Peo. Then, an youe zaie the woorde ichill jeoperde a joncle.
 
 A nierye cntrelnde entitled Refpublica. 67 
 
 Res. If thei but offer thee wrong, the fhall fmarte there- 
 fore. 
 
 Peo. Naie, will ye bee zoo goode to tye om up a vore ? 
 And what fhalche zai to om ? Res. Nothing but bee a 
 
 bayte, 
 
 Till take theim all here foodainelie I maie awayte. \Exca.\ 
 Peo. Well, ytt fhalbe doo. Choulde laugh, and bothe my 
 
 handes clappe, 
 
 To zee Ricepuddingcakes envies take in a trappe ; 
 And azee, praie, if zome of om com not yonder. 
 Choulde my ladie had byd ner zo lytle longer. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA OCTAVA. 
 INSOLENCE, ADULACION, OPPRESSION, PEOPLE, AVARICE. 
 
 Ins. Where is Avarice, ho we ? He doeth not now appere. 
 Ad. He bydde me monifhe youe that we might all mete 
 
 here. 
 Opp. But fee where People ftandeth. Ad. What doth he 
 
 here now ? 
 
 Opp. Abought litle goodnes, I dare my woorde avowe. 
 Ins. Let us fpeake unto hym. People, wherefore & why, 
 Like a loytring lofell, ftandefte thowe heare idelye ? 
 Opp. Thowe comeft to Refpublica to make fome mone. 
 Ad. Or els fome complainte. Peo. You all fee cham 
 
 here alone. 
 
 Ins. Ye mufte have filver money, mufte ye, jentilman ? 
 Youe cannot be content with fuche coigne as wee can. 
 Opp. We mufte burne woode and cole, mufte ye, all of 
 
 pleafaunce, 
 Burne turves or fome of thy bed ftrawe with a vengeaunce.
 
 68 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Ad. Ye mufte eate freafhe meate bowght from the fham- 
 
 bles, muft ye ? 
 
 Eate garlike and onnyons, and rootes or graffe, and lufte ye. 
 Ins, In feith, I will whippe youe for this, ye peafaunte 
 
 lowte. 
 Ad, And twygge youe. Ins. Ere an other yeare come 
 
 abowte. 
 
 Ad. But fee where Avarice cometh, rennyng veraie faft. 
 
 \Intrat AVAR. 
 Avar. I have trodde and fcudde tyll my winde is almofte 
 
 pafte, 
 Yet my mates are not where. Ins. et Ad. We bee heare, 
 
 come of late. 
 
 Avar. Be there not, trowe we, honefter men in Newgate ? 
 Ins. No woordes of reproche, brother myne, I reade youe. 
 Avar. None but Goddigod eve, and Goddigod fpede youe. 
 Fare ye well againe, an ye bee faling owte nowe. 
 
 Ins., Ad. We mynde yt not. Avar. Twere more neade 
 
 to looke abowte youe. 
 Ins. Howe goethe all ? tell us. Avar. My ladye is waxte 
 
 froward : 
 Our names be all knowen, fo there is araie towarde. 
 
 Ins., Opp. God fpede us well. Avar. Ons I am thruft 
 
 owte of fervice. 
 Ad. Alas ! what maie I doe ? Ins., Opp. Tell us thie beft 
 
 advife. 
 Avar. Naie I cannot have youe, whan I woulde none of 
 
 yowe all ; 
 
 Therefore fhifte for your felves, eche one for me youe mail. 
 Ad. Naie, for the palhe of God, tell us what befte to doo : 
 Ye knowe I was ner flake to reftore youe untoo.
 
 A merye entrelnde entitled Refpublica. 69 
 
 Avar. Theis ladies, that are come for Commonweales 
 
 reliefe, 
 Prepare to vveorke us woo, and doo us all mifchiefe. 
 
 Ins. Naie, by his precious populorum I fhwere, 
 Not the prowdeft of them all can hurte me a heare. 
 
 Opp. If they ofifre of us to make theire gawdes or toyes, 
 Theie (hall [find], I trovve, we are no babes nor boyes. 
 Avar. To prevaile againfte them with force I doo defpaire. 
 Ins. Bee that as bee maie. Ad. I will fall to fpeaking 
 
 faire : 
 
 Butte of all this trouble we maiethanke People, this wretche. 
 Opp. Feith, vilaine, if we fcape, thow fhalte an halter 
 
 ftretche. 
 Ad. But what remedie therwhile ? Avar. Feith, all wilbe 
 
 nawght. 
 Ad. Tell us what to doo. Avar. I will. Thei come ; wee 
 
 are caught. 
 Ad. Whether (hall I renne ? Avar. Nowe fing a fong, 
 
 Honeftie. 
 
 Ad. I am paft fmging now. Avar. Yes, one fong, Ho- 
 neftie. 
 
 Haye, haie, haie, haie ! 
 
 I wilbe merie while I maie. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA NONA. 
 
 VERITEE, JUSTICE, AVARICE, RESPUBLICA, ADULACION, 
 MISERICORDI A, PEACE, PEOPLE, INSOLENCE, OPPRESSION. 
 
 Ver. Heare theye bee all fower. This is an happie 
 
 chance. 
 Avar. Take eche manne a ladie, firs, and leate us goo 
 
 daunce.
 
 70 A merye entrehide entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Res. I, leafte People heare for a traine to holde them talke. 
 Alas ! that I coulde tell which waie befte hens to walke. 
 Avar. What bee thes faire ladies, and whether will theye, 
 
 trowe ? 
 
 Juft. We areft youe, firs, all fowre as ye ftande in a rowe, 
 Not fo hardie in your hartes oure arefte to gaine faie. 
 Avar. Naie, we are content, if ye let us gooe oure waie. 
 Juft. Noo, not a foote : we mufte firfte your reckeninge 
 
 take. 
 Avar. I nere bought nor folde with yowe reckeninge to 
 
 make, 
 
 Nor I knowe not who yowe bee. Juft. Juftice is my name. 
 Avar. Where is your dwelling? Juft. In heaven, and 
 
 thens I came. 
 
 Avar. Dwell ye in heaven, and fo madde to come hither ? 
 All our hucking here is howe we maie geat thither. 
 
 Juft. I bring heaven with me, and make it where I am. 
 Avar. Then, I praie youe, lett me bee your prentife, 
 
 Madame : 
 
 I wilbe at your becke. Juft. Ye fhall ere ye departe. 
 Avar. I woulde learne howe to make heaven with all 
 
 my harte. 
 
 Well, as for Ladie Mifericordia, 
 I remembre I fawe yowe with Refpublica. 
 
 Ad. Youe, if youe foo pleafe, maie doo much goode in 
 
 this lande : 
 
 Mannie att this howre dooe nede your goode helping hande. 
 Avar. And ye cam downe from heaven too, I judge. 
 
 Mis. Yea, fure. 
 
 Avar. Why, what folke are ye that cannot heaven 
 endure ?
 
 A meryc cntrelndc entitled Refpublica. 7 1 
 
 And what maie I call you, ladie ? Pax. My name is Peace. 
 
 Avar. Ye have long dwelte with us ; wee have been long 
 in peace. 
 
 Peace. Call ye it peace, firrha, whan brother and brother 
 Cannot bee content to live one by an other ? 
 Whan one for his howfe, for his lande, yea, for his grote, 
 Is readie to ftrive, and plucke owte an others throte ? 
 I will in all fuche things make perfecte union. 
 
 Avar. Than goode night the laweiers gaine, by fain6le 
 
 Tronnion : 
 
 Weftminfter hall might goo plaie, if that cam to paffe. 
 Feithe, we muft ferve youe with a fuperfideus. 
 
 Ver. Well, leave vaine pratling, and nowe come aunfwere 
 to mee. 
 
 Avar. I mufte heare firft what ye faie, and who ye bee. 
 
 Ver. I am Dame Veritee. Avar. What! the dawghter 
 of Tyme ? 
 
 Ver. Yea. Avar. I knowe my Mr. your father well, a fyne. 
 Welcome, faire ladie, fwete ladie, litle ladye, 
 Plaine ladie, fmoothe ladie, fometyme fpittle ladye ; 
 Ladie longtong, ladye tellall, ladie make bate. 
 And, I befeche youe, from whens are ye come of late ? 
 
 Ver. I am fproong owte of the earth. Avar. What ! ye 
 doo but jefte. 
 
 Ver. The booke faieth, Veritas de terra orta eft. 
 
 Avar. Happie is he which hath that garden platte, I trowe, 
 Owte of which fuche faire bloffomes doe fpring and growe ; 
 Yet this one thing I faye. Ver. What ? Avar. Ye are 
 
 frende to fewe, 
 Preft to open all thinges, and mennes manniers to fhewe. 
 
 Ver. If ye bee true and jufte, that is your benefite.
 
 72 A merye entrelude entitled Rcfpublica. 
 
 Avar. True or untrue, jufte or unjuft, it is your fpite, 
 And gladde ye are to take other folke in a tryppe. 
 
 Y we and than your owne felfe on the whippe, 
 
 Well, ye might bee honefte of your tonge if yowe woulde. 
 Ver. If your a6les were honeft, ye did but as ye fhoulde. 
 Avar. Who chargeth me with the cryme of anie vice ? 
 Ver. Thowe calft thiefelfe Policie, and arte Avarice. 
 Avar. Naie, I defie youre mallis. I am Policie. 
 Afke of my felowes here, am not I Policie ? 
 
 Ver. Ladies, will ye all fee hym openlie tried ? 
 Juft. If he bee an yll one, leate hym bee defcryed. 
 Ver. What hafte thowe in thie bofome ? Avar. Nothing, 
 
 I, truelie. 
 
 Ver. Nothing truelie gotte, faie : fhewe ytt foorth openlie. 
 Avar. What fhoulde I fhew foorth ? Ver. That bag in 
 
 thie bofome hid. 
 Avar. It lieth well : I thanke youe as muche as thoughe 
 
 I dyd. 
 Ver. Naie, come on ; owte with ytt. A var. Loe ! here tis 
 
 for your fanfie. 
 
 Ver. Give it me. Avar. Yea, naie, I defie that, Polycye. 
 Ver. Open yt. Avar. Yea, that eche bodie might bee 
 
 catching. 
 
 Somes teeth, I thinke, water een fens to bee fnatching. 
 Ver. We mufte nedes fee what yt is. Avar. Tis a bag 
 
 of rie. 
 Ver. Rye ! what rye ? Avar. A bag of rie. Ver. Suche 
 
 as men do eate ? 
 Avar. A bag of rye floure, a greate deale better then 
 
 wheate. 
 Ver. Let us fee what rye ytt is ; poore it owte in hafte.
 
 A merye Entrelude entitled Refptiblica. 73 
 
 Avar, Yea, fhall ? I trowe not. In dede foo might wee 
 
 make wafte. 
 
 Ver. There is no remedie, powre ytt owte in my lappe. 
 Avar. Naie, if there be no choyfe, I will ufe myne owne 
 
 cappe. 
 Ver. So, a bag of rye qd thou ! Avar. Yea, fo God me 
 
 fpede. 
 
 Ver. Thoue faieft even trueth, tis a bagg of rye in dede, 
 Voiree, perjuree, pitcheree, patcherie, 
 Pilferee, briberee, fnatcherie, catcherie, 
 Flatterie, robberie, clowterie, botcherie, 
 Tromperye, harlotrie, myferie, tretcherie. 
 
 Avar. There is twoo, an pleafe youe, a litle foreerie, 
 Witcherie, bauderee, and fuche other grofferee. 
 
 Ver. And howe gotfte thowe all this in thye poffeffion ? 
 Avar. Pardon me, and I will make my confeflion. 
 The worlde is harde, and the bag ys but veraie fmall, 
 I gotte it where I colde to goe on beg[ging] with all. 
 A plaine true deling manne, that loveth not to fteale, 
 And I durft not bee bolde to crave of common weale. 
 Ver. Now doe of[f] thi gowne, and tourne the infide 
 
 owtwarde. 
 
 Avar. Leate me alone, and an angell for a rewarde. 
 Ver. Come of at ons. Whan ? come of. No more gaw- 
 
 dies nor japes. 
 Avar. Mufte I nedes whipp over the chaine like jacke a 
 
 napes ? 
 
 Res. Owte, in the vertue of God ! what doo yee here fee ? 
 Avar. All this had been lofte, Refpublica, but for me. 
 Res. O Lorde ! where haft thou dragged up all thefe 
 purfes ? 
 
 L
 
 74 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Ver. Where he hathe had for theim manie thowfaunde 
 
 curfes. 
 Res. Where haft thowe gotten them ? tell trueth, and do 
 
 not lye. 
 Avar. Where no honeft manne coulde have gotten theym 
 
 but I: 
 
 In blinde corners where fome would have hourded theim, 
 Had not I take theym with the manier, and bourdened 
 
 theym. 
 Res. And whither was yt thine entent to conveigh theim 
 
 now ? 
 Avar. I hidde them, that I might bring theim fafelie 
 
 to youe. 
 
 I durft not beare theim openlie, to God I vowe, 
 I wis ye have harde me blame pickepurfes or nowe ; 
 And this is all yours. Ver. It is hers in veraie dede. 
 Avar. With fufferaunce I coulde gette mo to helpe hirnede. 
 Ver. Howe faie ye, Refpublica, nowe to Policie ? 
 Res. I ner fufpe6le hym, nor hadde hym in zelofie. 
 Ver. Een fuche like counterfai6les fhall all the reft appere. 
 Sirs, doe of your utmoft robes, eche one even heare. 
 Now what thefe are yee fee plaine demonftration. 
 
 Res. Infolence, Oppreflion, Adulacion ! 
 O Lorde, howe have I bee ufed thefe five yeres pafl ! 
 
 Pco. Naie, Is ner thought better of om iche by Goddes vaft. 
 Vey, Madame my Ladie, fuche ftruflioners as thefe 
 Have ofte made youe beeleve the moone was a grene chefe. 
 Ver. Nowe ye fee what thei are, the punifhement of this 
 Mufle bee referred to the goddeffe Nemefts : 
 Shee is the moofte highe goddeffe of correccion, 
 Cleare of confidence, and voide of affeccion. 
 She hath powre from above, and is newlie fent downe
 
 A me rye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 75 
 
 To redreffe all owtrages in cite and in towne : 
 
 She hathe powre from Godde all practife to repeale, 
 
 Which might bring annoyaunce to Ladie Commonweale. 
 
 To hir office belongeth the prowde toverthrowe, 
 
 And fuche to reflore as injurie hath browght lowe. 
 
 Tys hir powre to forbidde and punifhe in all eaftates 
 
 All prefumptuous immoderate attemptates. 
 
 Her cognifaunce, therefore, is a whele and wings to flye, 
 
 In token hir rewle extendeth ferre and nie : 
 
 A rudder eke fhe bearethe in hyr other hande, 
 
 As dire6lrie of all thinges in everye lande. 
 
 Than pranketh fhe hir elbowfe owte under hir fide 
 
 To keape backe the headie, and to temper theire pride. 
 
 To hir, therefore, dere fifters, we mufte nowe reforte, 
 
 That fhe maie geve fentence uppon this nawghtie forte : 
 
 She knowith what is fytteft for theire correction ; 
 
 Nemefis mufte, therefore, herin geve direction. 
 
 Juft. Than, People, while we ladie Nemefis doo fett, 
 All thefe offenders in thie cuftodie wee fett, 
 Theim to aprehende, and kepe tyll wee come againe. 
 
 Peo. An ye geve me toritee, chill kepe om, that is plaine. 
 
 Ins., Opp. Shall People kepe us, of whom we have been 
 lordes ? 
 
 Peo. Stande ftill, or by Jiffe bynde youe vafte with 
 
 chord es. 
 Naie, firs, ich ha youe nowe in my cuftoditee. 
 
 Avar. Maffe, I wilbe gone for myne owne comoditie. 
 
 Peo. Zoft ! whether wilte thow ? nilt thowe not bee roylled ? 
 Stande ftyll, fkitbraind theaff, or thy bones fhalbe coilled. 
 Yond bee thei commyng, nowe che warte, that will tame ye. 
 A zee! arte thow gon too ? come backe, and evill a thee.
 
 76 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTI SCENA DECIMA. 
 
 NEMESIS, RESPUBLICA, MISERICORDIA, VERITAS, JUSTICE, 
 
 PAX, PEOPLE, INSOLENCE, OPPRESSION, ADULACION, 
 
 AVARICE. 
 
 Nem. Come foorth, Refpublica, our derling moofte dere. 
 
 Res. At youre woorde, moofte gracious ladie, I am here. 
 
 Nem. Are thefe your truftie men, that had youe in go- 
 vernmente ? 
 
 Peo. Thefkitb[r]aines nold not we roilled ner fens ye wente. 
 
 Nem. People, whie aret thow bafhefull, and ftandeft foo 
 
 farre ? 
 Bee of goode chere nowe ; and I warraunte thee come ner. 
 
 Peo. I nil come no nere ; cha not bee haled up with ftates, 
 But Is cannot bee fichaunte enoughe emongft my [mates]. 
 
 Nem. Come nere whan I bydde thee. Peo. Marye, but 
 
 I ninnat : 
 I nam not worthye to perke with yowe, no, I nam not. 
 
 Nem. Well, Refpublica, are thefe youre late governours^ 
 Whom ye tooke for faithfull and truftie counfailours ? 
 
 Res. Yea, forfouth, Madame. Avar. Thefe three bee, 
 
 but I am none ; 
 For I was difcharged nigh haulfe an howre agone. 
 
 Nem. Come, firfte ftande foorth, thou Adulacion. 
 
 Ad. Speake agoode woorde for me, Ladie Compaffion. 
 
 Peo. Naie, fhe fhall not nede ; I chill fpeake for the mifelfe. 
 Madame, take goode hede, for this is a naughtie elfe. 
 
 Ad. Naie, Madame, the caufe of all this was Avarice ; 
 He forged us newe names, and dyd us all entice. 
 
 Opp. Wee neither dyd, nor coulde, weorke but by his 
 advife. 
 
 Ad. Becaufe I gotte no more, he chidde me ones or twife.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 77 
 
 Ins, Madame, onlye Avarice made us all to fall. 
 
 Avar. Yea? Falle to preaching ? Naie, then will I tell all. 
 Madam, ere I had taught thefe merchauntes enie while, 
 Thei were conynger then I all men to beeguile ; 
 And Veritee fawe myne were fmall purfes and baggs, 
 Tottering loofe abought me like windfhaken rags, 
 But he that fhoulde have bagged that Infolence dyd whine, 
 Mufte have made a poke to putt five or fix fhiers in ; 
 He mufte have made wide facks for caftells, townes, and 
 
 woodes : 
 The canveffe to make them of were woorth ten tymes my 
 
 goodes. 
 
 Than Oppreffion here, to feather well his neafte, 
 Cared not of theire livelood whom he difpoffefte : 
 Bisfhops, deanes, preftes, ye, poore folke from the Spittle, 
 Landes with churche and chappie, all was for him to litle. 
 Poore I did not foo ; I fcraped but lytle crummes, 
 And here and there with odde endes patched up my fummes. 
 Flatterye gotte his thrifte by counterfaicte honeftie, 
 Yet, by thefe tenne bones, I bydde hym ufe modeftie. 
 Therefore, fpare not hym, he will ner come to goode paffe, 
 But I maie welbe mended, by the Marie Maffe. 
 
 Mis. Ladie Nemefis, now have yee occafion, 
 And matier to fhewe youre commiferacion : 
 It is much more glorie, and ftandith with more fkyll, 
 Lofte fhepe to recover, then the fcabye to fpill. 
 
 Juft. But howe fhall this redreffe bee well profecuted, 
 If Juftice with mercye fhalbee executed ? 
 Streight Juftice mufte fuche greate enormitees redreffe : 
 Severitee mufte putt men in feare to tranfgreffe. 
 Juftice mufte geve eche manne that he dothe deferve.
 
 78 A merye entrelude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 Mis. If offendours were not, wherefore might mercye 
 
 ferve. 
 
 Avar. Stike harde to it, goode fwete Ladie Companion ; 
 We are els undoone, by cockes bytter paffion. 
 
 Mis. Veritee, how faie youe ? Have I not fpoken well ? 
 Ver. Mercie in one place with Juftice fometyme maie 
 
 dwell 
 
 And right well agree togither : howe faie youe, Peace ? 
 Pax. Where althing is well emended I doo encreace. 
 Nem. Ladies, we have harde all your defcrete advifes, 
 And eche one fhall have fome parte of youre devifes : 
 Neither all nor none fhall tafte of feveritee, 
 But as theye are nowe knowen throughe Ladie Veritee, 
 So fhall theye receyve cure mercie or our ire, 
 As the wealthe of Refpublica fhall beft require. 
 Now, Adulacion, what faieth youe in this cafe ? 
 
 Ad. Nought in myne excufe, but fubmitte me to your 
 
 grace ; 
 
 Onelie this I promife, if I maie mercye fynde, 
 Utterlye for ever to chaunge my wicked mynde. 
 I nere fought afore myne owne private gayne fo muche, 
 But I will ferther Commonweales tenne tymes fo muche. 
 Nem. Well, thou maieft become a worthie fubjecle, yt 
 
 ys plaine. 
 
 Ad. Els yeknowe at all tymes howe to reache me againe. 
 Nem. Thowe mighteft fwerve of frailtee, thow mightft doo 
 
 too pleafe, 
 Thow mightft doo for feare, thow mightft doo too lyve in 
 
 eafe, 
 
 Well, uppon thie promyfe for ons wee pardon thee : 
 Goo, and fee that from hensfoorthe thou bee perfei6le ho- 
 ne ft ee.
 
 A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 79 
 
 Ad. So long as fhall pleafe God to geve me life & heale, 
 I fhall moofte duelie ferve God and the commonweale. 
 Avar. Nowe to thee, Avarice, have att thye petticote. 
 Nem. Now the plague of commonweales, as all men doo 
 
 note, 
 
 Come foorthe, Avarice : to fpare thee wilbe no boote. 
 Thou muft bee plucked upp een bye the veraie roote, 
 Becaufe thowe fcrapedft up what ever thow mightft geate. 
 Avar. In dede, I thanke God there is no man in my 
 
 debte. 
 Nem. And becaufe thowe caughtft yt by wrong contri- 
 
 bucion, 
 Thowe fhalte, firfte and formoofte, make reftitucion. 
 
 Avar. Leat me than, with pardon, goe hens abowte yt 
 
 lightlye. 
 
 Nem. No ; ye fhall have helpe to fee it doon uprightlye. 
 People, take this felowe. Avar. Godde fave me from this 
 
 plounge ! 
 Nem. That he maie bee preffed as men doo preffe a 
 
 fpounge, 
 
 That he maie droppe ought teverye man hys lotte, 
 To the utmoofte ferthing that he hath falflie gotte. 
 
 Peo. An ye bydde me, chill fqueafe hym as drie as a 
 
 kyxe. 
 Avar. Naye, by the pafhe of Godde, I fhall then die of 
 
 the flixe. 
 
 Nem. Naie ; thowe fhalte deliver hym to the hedd officer 
 Which hathe aucthoritee juftice to mynifter. 
 
 Peo. Chil lyver hym to the counftable, and come againe. 
 Nem. Now, Juftice, for thefe twoo that doe here remaine, 
 Becaufe the faulte of Infolence is hainous and greate, 
 Lucifer's owne faulte tafpire to the higheft feate ;
 
 8o A merye entr elude entitled Refpublica. 
 
 And becaufe Oppreffion hath wronged men fo fore, 
 
 That he fpoiled innocents of all thei had, and more, 
 
 People fhall deliver them unto fafe cuftodie, 
 
 Where thei maie no farther anoye anie bodie. 
 
 Whan the tyme maie ferve texamine and trie their caufe, 
 
 Call them bothe before you, and judge them by the lawfe. 
 
 Peo. And fhalche carie awaie thefe fame twoo men alfo ? 
 
 Nem. Yea ; goe deliver them to an officer ; goe. 
 Now, dearling Refpublica, ye are in tholde good eaftate, 
 And they taken awaie that fpoiled youe of late : 
 Nowe cleve to thefe ladies from heaven to youe dire6le ; 
 They from all corruption will youe fafe prote6le. 
 Well, I muft go hens to an other counteye nowe, 
 That hathe of redreffe the like cafe that was in youe. 
 I leave youe for thys tyme, immortall thanks to geve 
 To Godde and your foveraigne which doo youe thus relieve. 
 
 Res. Thankes be to thee, O Lorde ! which haft this worlde 
 
 wrought, 
 And haft me to this ftate from utter ruine brought. 
 
 Pax. Now leat us all together, bothe with harte and voice, 
 In God and in Quene Marie moofte joyfullie rejoyce. 
 
 Ver. Praying that hir reigne, moofte gracioufle begonne, 
 M[ay] long yeares endure, as hithertoo yt hath doone. 
 
 Mis. Praie wee forre hir Counfaille to have long life and 
 .healthe. 
 
 Juft. Theire foveraigne to ferve. Pax. And to mainteine 
 Comonwealthe. 
 
 Omnes. Amen ! 
 
 Cantent, et exeatit. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 ? 
 
 INTKOMJCTION. 
 
 THE original edition of this production, which came out in 1598, 
 is extremely rare ; and the impression of it in 1605, which we 
 have here reprinted, is unquestionably unique : it alone exists in 
 the library at Bridgewater House, and many years ago the liberal 
 and accomplished owner of it gave leave for its reproduction. 
 
 The value of it is both positive and negative positive as re- 
 gards its own merits, and negative as it may be said to establish 
 Shakespeare's claim to certain disputed poems in the collection 
 known as " The Passionate Pilgrim." This important negative 
 value was first proved in the edition of Shakespeare's Works, 
 8vo., 1858, vol. vi, p. 674. 
 
 Barnfield's " Encomion of Lady Pecunia" first appeared, as we 
 have stated, in 1598 : " The Passionate Pilgrim" came out in 
 1599 ; and it was found to contain several pieces which had pre- 
 viously been given by Barnfield, or, more strictly speaking, which 
 W. Jaggard, the printer, had inserted in the " Encomion of Lady 
 Pecunia." Thus it was made to seem as if Barnfield had the 
 prior claim to poems which, in the following year, are met 
 with in " The Passionate Pilgrim." When, however, Barnfield 
 in 1605 published the second edition of his " Encomion of Lady 
 Pecunia," under the altered title of " Lady Pecunia or the Praise 
 of Money," he omitted the doubtful pieces which had found their 
 way into " The Passionate Pilgrim" in 1599. They are of such 
 
 a
 
 11 
 
 indisputable excellence, that he could not have disclaimed them, 
 had they been really his ; and the "inevitable inference is that they 
 are by Shakespeare. This fact constitutes the negative value of 
 the poetical tract we now reproduce, more than two centuries 
 and a half after its original publication. Of its merits, as a 
 poem of the age of Shakespeare, Spenser, Jonson, Daniel, and 
 Drayton, we need say nothing, because the application of half an 
 hour to the perusal of the tract will enable the competent reader 
 to judge for himself. 
 
 Barnfield commenced author in 1594, when his " Affectionate 
 Shepherd" made its appeai-ance ; and the last we hear of him is 
 in 1605, when he republished his " Encomion of Lady Pecunia," 
 altering all the parts which applied to Queen Elizabeth, and 
 rendering it a vehicle for gross flattery of her successor. It 
 is very possible that it introduced him to some profitable post, in 
 which he no longer needed the aid of his pen. Poverty is often a 
 more effectual spur than glory : if Barnfield had been rich, we 
 should certainly have wanted both the first and second editions 
 of his "Encomion of Lady Pecunia." On a future occasion we 
 propose to reprint the earliest impression, for the sake of exact 
 comparison : Shakespeare's share in it will then be seen in its 
 original shape, and a copy is before us while we write. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 LADY PECUNIA, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE PRAISE OF MONEY. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 A Combat betwixt Conscience 
 and Covetousnesse. 
 
 TOGITHER WITH, 
 
 Cfte complaint of IPoetrp for tfje treaty 
 of Liberality, 
 
 Newly corrected and inlarged by RICHARD BARNFIELD, 
 Graduate in Oxford. 
 
 Printed by W. I. and are to bee fold by John 
 
 Hodgets dwelling in Paules Churchyard a 
 
 little beneath Paules Schoole. 1605.
 
 THE AUTHOR'S FIRST EPISTLE 
 DEDICATORY. 
 
 T ED by thefwift report of winged Fame, 
 
 Withjllver trumpet founding forth yoiir name, 
 To you I dedicate this merry Mufe, 
 
 And for my patron I your favour chufe: 
 
 She is a lady,JJie mujl be ref petted ; 
 
 She is a qiieene, JJie may not be neglected. 
 
 This is the JJiadow, you the fiibftance have, 
 Which fubftance noiv this JJiadow feems to crave. 
 
 RICHARD BARNFIELD.
 
 TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS. 
 
 ENTLEMEN, being incouraged through your gentle 
 acceptance of my Cynthia, I have once more ventred on 
 your curtefies ; hoping to find you (as I have done heretofore) 
 friendly. Being determined to writ of fomething, and yet 
 not refolded of anything, I confidered with myfelfe, if one 
 Jlwuld write of Love (they will fay) everie one writes of Love : 
 if of vertue, why, who regards vertue : to be JJiort, I could 
 tJdnke of nothing, but either it was common, or not at all in 
 requeft. At length I bethoght my felfe of a Subjeft, both new 
 (as having never been written upon before) and pleajing (as I 
 thoght) becaufe Mans Nature commonlye loves to heare that 
 praifed, with whofe prefence he is mojl pleafed. 
 
 Erafmus (the glory of Netherland, and the refiner of the 
 Latin Tongue) wrote a whole Booke in the praife of follye. 
 Then, if fo excellent a Scholler writ in praife of vanity, why 
 maye not I write in praife of that whicJi is profitable f There 
 are not two Countreys wJiere Gold is ejleemed lejfe than in 
 India, and more then in England : the reafon is, becaufe the 
 Indians are barbaroiis, and our nation civill. 
 
 I have given Pecunia the title of a Woman, both for the 
 termination of the word, becaufe (as Women arc)fliec is lovd
 
 iv To the Gentlemen Readers. 
 
 of men. The braveft voyages in the World have been made 
 for Gold : for it, men have ventured (by Sea) to the fur theft 
 paries of the earth. In the purfule whereof Englandes 
 Nejlor and Neptime (Hawkins and Drake) loft their lives. 
 Upon the deaths of the which two, of the firft I writ this : 
 
 The waters were his winding fheete, the fea was made his Toombe, 
 Yet for his Fame the Ocean Sea was not fufficient roome. 
 
 Of the latter this : 
 
 England his Hart, his Corps the Waters have, 
 And that which raifd his Fame became his grave. 
 
 The Praetorians (after the death of Pertinax) in the elec- 
 tion of a new Emperour more efteemed the money of Julianus, 
 then either the vertue of Severus, or the valour of Peffennius. 
 Then, of what great eftimation this Lady Pecunia both hath 
 beene in the world, and is at this prefent, 1 leave to your 
 Jtidgement. But what f peak I fo much of her praife in my 
 Epiftle, that have commended her fo at large in my Booke ? 
 to the reading whereof (Gentlemen) I refer you.
 
 LADY PECUNIA 
 
 OR 
 
 THE PRAISE OF MONEY. 
 
 I SING not of Angellica the faire, 
 (For whom the Palladine of Fraunce fel mad) 
 Nor of fweet Rofamond, old Cliffords heire, 
 (Whofe death did make the fecond Henry fad) 
 But of the faireft faire, Pecunia, 
 The famous Queene of rich America. 
 
 2. 
 
 Goddeffe of Gold, great Empreffe of the Earth, 
 O thou that canft doo all thinges under Heaven ! 
 That dooft convert the faddeft mind to mirth, 
 (Of whom the elder age was quite bereaven) 
 
 Of thee He fmg, and in thy praife He write. 
 
 You, golden Angels, helpe me to indite. 
 
 3- 
 
 You, you alone can make my Mufe to fpeake, 
 And tell a golden tale, with filver tongue : 
 You onely can my pleafmg filence breake, 
 And add fome mufique to a merry Songue ; 
 But amongft all the five, in muficks art, 
 I worft can brooke the Counter-tenor part.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 
 
 4- 
 
 The meane is beft, and that I meane to keepe, 
 
 So (hall I keepe my felfe from that I meane ; 
 
 Left with fome others I be forc'd to weepe, 
 
 And cry peccavi in a dolefull fcsene. 
 
 But to the matter which I have in hand, 
 The Lady Regent, both by Sea and Land. 
 
 5- 
 
 When Saturne liv'd, and wore the kingly Crowne, 
 (And Jove was yet unborn, but not unbred) 
 This Ladies fame was then of no renown, 
 (For gold was then no more efteemed then lead) ; 
 Then truth and honefty were only us'd, 
 Silver and Golde were utterly refus'd. 
 
 6. 
 
 But when the Worlde grew wifer in conceit, 
 
 And faw how men in manners did decline, 
 
 How Charitie began to lofe her heate, 
 
 And one did at anothers good repine, 
 
 Then did the aged firft of all refpe<5l her, 
 
 And vowd from thence-forth never to reject her. 
 
 7- 
 
 Thus with the world her beauty did increafe, 
 And many futers had me to obtaine her : 
 Some fought her in the wars, and fome in peace ; 
 But few of youthfull age could ever gaine her : 
 Or if they did, fhe foon was gon againe, 
 And could with them but little time remaine.
 
 Lady Pecimia. 
 
 8. 
 
 For why againft the nature of her fexe, 
 (That commonly defpife the feeble olde) 
 Shee loves old men ; but yong men fhe reje6ls, 
 Becaufe to her their love is quickly colde : 
 
 Olde men (like husbands jealous of their wives) 
 Lock her up faft, and keepe her as their lives. 
 
 9- 
 
 The young man, careleffe to maintaine his life, 
 Neglects her love (as though he did abhor her) 
 Like one that hardly doth obtaine a wife, 
 And when he hath her once, he cares not for her : 
 Shee, feeing that the yong man doth defpife her, 
 Leaves the franke hart, and flyes unto the mifer. 
 
 10. 
 
 He entertaines her with a joyfull hart, 
 And feemes to rue her undeferved wrong ; 
 And from his prefence fhe mall never part, 
 Or if fhe doe, he thinks her abfence long : 
 And oftentimes he fends for her againe, 
 Whofe life without her cannot long remaine. 
 
 n. 
 
 And when he hath her in his owne poffeffion, 
 
 He locks her in an yron-barred cheft ; 
 
 And doubting fomewhat of the like tranfgreffion, 
 
 He holds that yron-walled prifon beft. 
 
 And leaft fome rufty ficknes fhould infect her, 
 He often vifits her, and doth refpe6l her.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 
 12. 
 
 As for the yong man (fubje<5l unto fmne) 
 No marvell thogh the Divell doe diftreffe him 
 To tempt mans frailty, which doth never linne, 
 Who many times, hath not a Croffe to bleffe him : 
 But how can he incurre the heavens curffe, 
 That hath fo many croffes in his purfe ? 
 
 He needs not fear thofe wicked fprights that walke 
 
 Under the coverture of cole-blacke night ; 
 
 For why, the divell ftill a croffe doth baulke, 
 
 Becaufe on it, was hangde the Lord of Light : 
 But let not myfers truft to filver Croffes, 
 Leaft, in the end, their gaines be turnd to loffes. 
 
 14. 
 
 But what care they, fo they may hoord up golde, 
 Either for God, or devill, or heaven, or hell ? 
 So they may faire Pecuniaes face behold, 
 And everie dale their mounts of money tell. 
 
 What tho to count their coine they never blin, 
 Count they their coin, and counts not go[l]d their fin ? 
 
 15- 
 But what talke I of fmne to Ufurers, 
 
 Or looke for mendment at a myfers hand ? 
 
 Pecunia hath fo many followers, 
 
 Bootleffe it is her power to withftand. 
 
 King Covetife, and Warineffe his wife, 
 The parents were that firfl did give her life.
 
 Lady Pecunia. g 
 
 1 6. 
 
 But now unto her praife I will proceed, 
 Which is as ample as the world is wide. 
 What great contentment doth her prefence breed 
 In him, that can his wealth with wifdome guide : 
 
 She is the Soveraine Queene of all delights ; 
 
 For her the lawyer pleads, the fouldier fights. 
 
 17- 
 
 For her the merchant ventures on the feas, 
 
 For her the fcholler ftuddies at his booke ; 
 
 For her the ufurer (with greater eafe) 
 
 For filly fifties layes a filver hooke ; 
 
 For her the townefman leaves the contry vilage, 
 For her the plowman gives himfelfe to tillage. 
 
 1 8. 
 
 For her the gentleman doth raife his rentes, 
 For her the fervingman attends his mayfter : 
 For her the curious head new toyes invents ; 
 For her to fores the furgeon layes his playfter. 
 In fine, for her, each man, in his vocation, 
 Applies himfelfe in every fev'rall nation. 
 
 19. 
 
 What can thy hart defire, but thou mayft have it, 
 If thou have readie money to disburfe ? 
 Then, thanke thy fortune, that fo freely gave it, 
 For of all friendes the fureft is thy purffe. 
 
 Friends may prove fals, and leave thee in thy need, 
 But ftill thy purffe will be thy friend indeed. 
 
 C
 
 io Lady Pecnnia. 
 
 20. 
 
 Admit thou come into a place unknowne, 
 And no man wots of whence, or what thou art ; 
 If once thy fayre Pecunia fhe be fhowne, 
 Thou art efteemd a man of great defart, 
 And placed at the tables upper end, 
 Not for thine owne fake, but thy trufty friende. 
 
 21. 
 
 But if you want your Ladies lovely grace, 
 And have not wherwithall to pay your fhot, 
 Your hoftis prefently will ftep in place, 
 You are a ftranger (fir) I know you not : 
 
 By trufting divers, I am run in det ; 
 
 Therefore, of mee nor meate nor bed you get. 
 
 22. 
 
 O, who can then expreffe the worthie praife, 
 Which faire Pecunia juftly doth defarve ! 
 That can the meaneft man to honour raife, 
 And feed the foule that ready is to ftarve. 
 Affection, which was wont to be fo pure, 
 Againft his golden fiege may not endure. 
 
 23- 
 
 Witneffe the trade of mercenarie finne, 
 (Or occupation, if you lift to tearme it) 
 Where faire Pecunia muft the fuite beginne ; 
 (As common-tride experience doth confirme it) 
 Not Mercuric himfelfe, with filver tongue, 
 Can fo inchaunt as can a golden Songue.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 1 1 
 
 24. 
 
 When nothing could fubdue the Phrygian Troy, 
 (That cittie throgh the world fo much renowned) 
 Pecunia did her utterlie deftroy, 
 And left her fame in dark Oblivion drowned : 
 And manie citties fmce, no leffe in fame, 
 For love of her have yeelded to their fhame. 
 
 25- 
 
 What thing is then fo well belov'd as monie ? 
 It is a fpeciall comfort to the mind ; 
 More faire then women are, more fweet than honie ; 
 Eafie to loofe, but verie harde to finde. 
 
 In fine, to him whofe purfe begins to faint, 
 
 Golde is a God, and filver is a Saint. 
 
 26. 
 
 The time was once, when Honeftie was counted 
 A demie-god, and fo efteem'd of all, 
 But now Pecunia on his feate is mounted ; 
 Since Honeftie in great difgrace did fall. 
 
 No ftate, no calling now, dooth him efteeme ; 
 
 Nor of the other ill doeth any deeme. 
 
 27. 
 
 The reafon is, becaufe he is fo poore : 
 (And who refpedts the poore, and needy creature ?) 
 Still begging of his almes, from doore to dore ; 
 All ragd, and torne, and eeke deformd in feature. 
 
 In countenance fo changde, than none can kno him, 
 So weake, that every vice doth overthrow him.
 
 12 Lady Pecunia. 
 
 28. 
 
 But fayre Pecunia, (moft divinely bred) 
 
 For fundrie fhapes doth Proteus felfe furpaffe : 
 
 In one land Ihe is futed all in lead, 
 
 And in another fhe is clad in braffe ; 
 But ftill within the coaft of Albion, 
 She ever puts her beft apparell on. 
 
 29. 
 
 Silver and golde, and nothing elfe is currant 
 In England : in faire Englands happy land, 
 All bafer fortes of mettals have no warrant, 
 Yet fecretlie they flip from hand to hand. 
 
 If any fuch be tooke, the fame is loft, 
 
 And prefently is nailed on a port. 
 
 30. 
 
 Which, with quick-filver being flourifht over, 
 Seemes to be perfect filver to the fhow : 
 As woemans paintings their defects doe cover, 
 Under this falfe attire fo do they go. 
 
 If on a wollen cloth thou rub the fame, 
 
 Then wil it ftraight beginne to blufh for fhame. 
 
 31- 
 
 If chafed on thy haire till it be hot, 
 
 If it good filver be, the fcent is fweet : 
 
 If counterfeit, thy chafing hath begot 
 
 A ranke-fmelt favour, for a Queene unmeete : 
 Pecunia is a Queene for her defarts, 
 And in the decke may go for queene of harts.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 13 
 
 32. 
 
 The queene of harts, becaufe fhe rules all hearts, 
 And hath all harts obedient to her will : 
 Whofe bounty fame unto the world imparts ; 
 And with her glory all the world doth fill : 
 
 The queene of diamonds fhe cannot be. 
 
 There was but one ; Eliza, thou waft fhee ! 
 
 33- 
 
 And thou waft fhe, O facred foveraigne ! 
 
 Whom God did ayde with his Al-mighty hand : 
 
 Bleffmg thy people with thy peacefull raigne, 
 
 And made this little land a happy land : 
 
 Thy peace on earth begun, in heaven made pure, 
 There cround with lafting joy : 6 joy moft fure ! 
 
 34- 
 
 The time was once, when faire Pecunia, here, 
 
 Did bafely goe attyred all in leather ; 
 
 But in Elizaes raigne it did appeare 
 
 Moft richly clad ; in golde, or filver either : 
 Nor reafon is it, that her golden raigne 
 With bafer coyne eclipfed fhould remaine. 
 
 35- 
 
 And as the coine fhee did repurifie, 
 From bafer fubftance, to the pureft mettels ; 
 Religion fo did fhee refine befide 
 From papiftrie, to truth ; which dayly fettles 
 
 Within the peoples harts ; though fome there be, 
 That cleave unto their wonted Papiftrie.
 
 14 Lady Pccunia. 
 
 36. 
 
 No flocke of fheepe, but fome are ftill infected : 
 No peece of lawne fo pure, but hath fome fret : 
 All buildings are not ftrong that are errected : 
 All plants prove not that in good ground are fet : 
 
 Some tares are fown amongft the choiceft feed ; 
 
 No garden can be cleans'd of every weede. 
 
 37- 
 
 But now more Angels, then on earth yet weare 
 Her golden impreffe, have to Heaven attended 
 Hir virgin-foule ; now, now fhe fojornes there, 
 Tafting more joyes then may be comprehended. 
 
 Life, fhe hath changde for life (oh countleffe gaine !) 
 An earthlie rule for an eternal raigne. 
 
 38. 
 
 Such a Succeffor leaving in her ftead, 
 
 So peereleffe worthie, and fo royall wife, 
 
 In him her vertues live, though fhe be dead : 
 
 Bountie and zeale in him both foveranize. 
 To him alone Pecunia doth obay, 
 He ruling her that doth all others fway. 
 
 39- 
 
 Bounty, that when fhe fickned, cras'd and fainted, 
 And when fhe left the earth had almoft died, 
 Hoping with her in heaven to have bin fainted, 
 And mongft the reft an angels place fupplyed, 
 This king hath cherifht, and his life affured, 
 And of a long confumption Bounti's cured.
 
 Lady Pecunia. \ 5 
 
 40. 
 
 Plenty and Peace upon his throne attend, 
 
 Health and Content upon his perfon wait ; 
 
 Conqueft and Fame his royaltie defend : 
 
 May all good planets fmile upon his (late, 
 
 By whom all-drooping-vertues are revived, 
 And dying-bounty made againe long lived ! 
 
 41. 
 
 The hand of Heaven ftill take him to his keeping, 
 Him in no danger, in no doubt forfaking : 
 A thoufand of his Angels guarde him fleeping, 
 And all the hoaft of heaven protect him waking ; 
 That he in fafety, peace and reft, may raigne, 
 Whilft the two poles the frame of heven fuftain ! 
 
 42 
 
 But now to her whofe praife is here pretended, 
 
 (Divine Pecunia) fairer then the morne, 
 
 Which cannot be fufficientlie commended ; 
 
 Whofe fun-bright beautie doeth the worlde adorne. 
 Adorns the world, but fpeciallie the purffe, 
 Without whofe prefence nothing can be worfe. 
 
 43- 
 
 Not faire Hgefione (King Priams fifter) 
 
 Did ever fhew more beautie in her face, 
 
 Then can this lovelie lady, if it lift her 
 
 To fliew her felfe ; admyr'd for comely grace : 
 
 Which neither age can weare, nor tyme conclude, 
 For why, her beautie yearlie is renude.
 
 1 6 Lady Pecunia. 
 
 44. 
 
 New coine is yearlie ftamped in the Tower ; 
 
 But thefe faire daies of joy addes alteration : 
 
 In faire Elizaes raign none had that power ; 
 
 But kingly glorie clothes her new in fafhion, 
 
 Ads beautie to her beames, by adding more 
 Then grayeft haires in life ere faw before. 
 
 45- 
 
 Stand forth who can, and tell, and truelie faie 
 
 When England, Scotland, Ireland and France, 
 
 He ever faw Pecunia to difplaie 
 
 Before thefe daies : O wondrous happie chance ! 
 Nor doth Pecunia onelie pleafe the eie, 
 But charmes the eare with heavenlie harmony. 
 
 46. 
 
 Like to another Orpheus fhe can plaie 
 Upon her treble harpe, whofe filver found 
 Inchants the eare, and fteales the hart awaie, 
 That hardlie the deceit thereof is found. 
 
 Although fuch muficke fome a fhilling coft, 
 Yet is it worth but nine-pence, at the moft. 
 
 47- 
 
 But Ireland alone this muficks found, 
 
 Being clad in filver, challenge for their coine. 
 
 What though amongft us much thereof be found, 
 
 Authoritie no fubject dooth injoyne 
 
 Above his worth to countenance the fame : 
 Then men, not coin, are worthy of that blame.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 17 
 
 48. 
 
 Had I the fweet inchaunting tongue of Tully, 
 
 That charmd the hearers like the Syrens fong, 
 
 Yet could I not difcribe the prayfes fully 
 
 Which to Pecunia juftly doth belong : 
 
 Let it fuffice, her beauty doeth excell, 
 
 Whofe praife no pen can paint, no tongue can tel. 
 
 49- 
 
 Then how fhall I defcribe, with artleffe pen, 
 The praife of her whofe prais al praife furmounteth ? 
 Breeding amazement in the mindes of men, 
 Of whom this prefent age fo much accounteth. 
 Varietie of words would fooner want, 
 Then ftore of plentious matters would be fcant. 
 
 50. 
 
 Whether yee lift to looke into the Citty, 
 (Where money tempts the poore beholders eye) 
 Or to the countrey townes, devoyde of pitty, 
 (Where to the poore each place doth almes denie) 
 All things for money now are bought and fold, 
 That either hart can thinke, or eie behold. 
 
 5*. 
 
 Nay more for money (as report doth tell) 
 Thou mayft obtaine a pardon for thy fmnes ; 
 The Pope of Rome for mony will it fell, 
 (Whereby thy foule no frnall falvation winnes). 
 But how can he (of pride the chiefe beginner) 
 Forgive thy fmnes, that is himfelfe a finner ? 
 
 D
 
 3 Lady Pecunia. 
 
 52. 
 
 Then, fith the Pope is fubje6l unto fmne, 
 No marvell tho divine Pecunia tempt him 
 With her faire beauty ; whofe good-will to winne 
 Each one contends ; and (hall wee then exempt him ? 
 Did never mortall man yet looke upon her, 
 But ftraight way he became enamourd on her. 
 
 53- 
 
 Yet would I wifh the wight that loves her fo, 
 And hath obtain'd the like good-will againe, 
 To ufe her wifely, left fhe prove his foe, 
 And fo, in ftead of pleafure, breed his paine. 
 She may be kifft, but fhe may'not be dipt, 
 Left fuch delight in bitter gall be dypt. 
 
 54- 
 
 The juyce of grapes, which is a foveraigne thing 
 To cheere the hart, and to revive the fpirits, 
 Being ufde imoderatly (in furfetting) 
 Rather difpraife then commendation merits : 
 Even fo Pecunia is as fhe is ufed, 
 Good of her felfe, but bad if once abufed. 
 
 55- 
 
 With her the tenant payes the landlords rent, 
 
 On her depends the ftay of every ftate ; 
 
 To her rich preffents every day are fent, 
 
 In her it refts to end all dire debate : 
 
 Through her to wealth is raifd the country boor, 
 From her proceeds much profit to the poore.
 
 Lady Pecunia.. 19 
 
 56. 
 
 Then, how can I fufficiently commend 
 
 Her beuties worth which maks the world to wonder ? 
 
 Or end her praife, whofe praifes have no end ? 
 
 Whofe abfence brings the ftouteft ftomach under ? 
 Let it fuffice, Pecunia hath no peere, 
 No wight, no beauty, held more faire, more deere, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 THE AUTHORS PRAYER TO PECUNIA. 
 
 GREAT Lady, fith I have compilde thy Praise 
 (According to my fkill) and not thy merit, 
 And fought thy Fame above the ftars to raife, 
 (Had I fweet Ovids vaine, or Virgils fpirit) 
 
 I crave no more but this for my good-will, 
 That in my want thou wilt fupply me ftill.
 
 THE COMBAT BETWIXT CONSCIENCE AND 
 COVETOUSNESSE IN THE MINDE 
 
 OF MAN. 
 
 NOW had the cole-black steeds, of pitchie night, 
 (Breathing out darknes) banifht cheerfull light, 
 And fleepe (the fhaddow of eternall reft) 
 My feverall fences wholy had poffeft, 
 When loe ! there was prefented to my view, 
 A vifion ftrange, yet not fo ftrange, as true. 
 Confcience (me thought) appeared unto me, 
 Cloth'd with good deeds, with truth and honefty, 
 Her countenance demure and fober fad, 
 Nor any other ornament me had. 
 Then Covetoufneffe did incounter her, 
 Clad in a caffock, like a ufurer : 
 The caffock it was made of poore men['s] fkinnes, 
 Lac'd here and here with many feverall fmnes : 
 Nor was it furd, with any common fur, 
 Or if it were himfelfe he was the fur. 
 A bag of money in his hand he held, 
 The which with hungry eie he ftill beheld. 
 The place wherein this vifion firft began, 
 (A fpacious plaine) was cald the Mind of Man. 
 The carle no fooner Confcience had espyde, 
 But fwelling like a toad, (puft up with pride)
 
 A Combat, etc. 21 
 
 He ftraight began againft her to invey : 
 Thefe were the words which Covetife did fay. 
 
 Confcience (quoth he) how dar'ft thou be fo bold, 
 To claime the place that I by right do hold ? 
 Neither by right, nor might, thou canst obtaine it ; 
 By might (thou knowft ful wel) thou canft not gain it. 
 The greateft princes are my followers : 
 The king in peace, the captaine in the wars ; 
 The courtier, and the fimple countreyman, 
 The judge, the merchant, and the gentleman : 
 The learned lawyer, and the politician, 
 The fkilfull surgeon, and the fine phyfician. 
 In briefe, all fortes of men me entertaine, 
 And hold me as their foules fole foveraigne ; 
 And in their quarrell they will fight and die, 
 Rather than I fhould fuffer injurie. 
 And as for title, intereft, and right, 
 He prove its mine by that, as well as might. 
 Though Covetoufneffe were used long before, 
 Yet Judas treason made my fame the more ; 
 When Chrift he caufed crucifide to bee, 
 For thirtie pence man folde his mind to me : 
 And now adaies, what tenure is more free, 
 Than that which purchas'd is with gold and fee ? 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 With patience have I heard thy large complaint, 
 Wherein the Divell would be thought a saint ; 
 But wot ye what the saying is of olde ? 
 One tale is good untill anothers tolde. 
 Truth is the right that I muft ftand upon, 
 (For other title hath poore Confcience none.)
 
 22 A Combat betwixt 
 
 Firft I will prove it, by antiquitie, 
 
 That thou art but an upftart unto me : 
 
 Before that thou waft ever thought upon, 
 
 The Mind of Man belonged to me alone. 
 
 For after that the Lord had man created, 
 
 And him in bliffe-full Paradice had feated, 
 
 (Knowing his nature was to vice inclyn'd) 
 
 God gave me unto man to rule his minde, 
 
 And, as it were, his governour to be, 
 
 To guide his mind in trueth and honesty. 
 
 And where thou sayft that man did fell his foule, 
 
 That argument I quicklie can controule. 
 
 It is a fained fable thou doft tell : 
 
 That which is not his owne he cannot fell. 
 
 No man can fell his foule, although he thought it : 
 
 Mans foule is Chrifts, for he hath dearely bought it. 
 
 Therefore, ufurping Covetife, be gone, 
 
 For why, the minde belongs to me alone. 
 
 COVETOUSNESSE. 
 
 Alas, poore Confcience, how thou art decay'd ! 
 
 As though of fenfes thou wert quite bereavd. 
 
 What wilt thou fay, that thinks thou canft not erre, 
 
 If I can prove my felfe the ancienter ? 
 
 Though into Adams mind God did infufe thee 
 
 Before his fall, yet man did never ufe thee. 
 
 What was it elfe but avarice in Eve, 
 
 (Thinking thereby in greater bliffe to live) 
 
 That made her taft of the forbidden fruite ? 
 
 Of her defier was I not the roote ? 
 
 Did fhe not covet (tempted by the Divell) 
 
 The Apple of the Tree of good and evill ?
 
 Confcience and Covetoufneffe. 23 
 
 Before that man ufed Confcience (he did covet : 
 Therefore by her tranfgreffion here I prove it, 
 That Covetoufneffe poffeft the mind of man 
 Before that any Confcience began. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 Even as a counterfeited precious ftone 
 Seemes to be far more rich to looke upon, 
 Then doeth the right ; but when a man comes neer, 
 His bafenes then doeth evident appeare, 
 So, Covetife, the reafons thou doft tell 
 Seeme to be ftrong ; but being weighed well, 
 They are indeed but onely meere illufions, 
 And doe inforce but very weake conclufions. 
 When as the Lord (fore-knowing his offence) 
 Had given man a charge of abftinence, 
 And to refraine the fruit of good and ill, 
 Man had a Confcience to obey his will ; 
 And never would be tempted thereunto 
 Untill the woeman me did worke man woe, 
 And made him break the Lords commaundement, 
 Which all mankind did afterward repent. 
 So that thou feeft thy argument is vaine, 
 And I am prov'd the elder of the twaine. 
 
 COVETOUSNESSE. 
 
 Fond wretch ! it was not Confcience, but feare 
 That made the firft man (Adam) to forbeare 
 To taft the fruit of the forbidden tree, 
 Left, if offending he were found to be 
 (According as Jehovah faide on hie) 
 For his fo great tranfgreffion he mould die. 
 Feare curbd his minde : it was not Confcience then,
 
 24 A Combat betwixt 
 
 (For Confcience freely rules the harts of men), 
 
 And is a godly motion of the mind 
 
 To everie vertuous a<5lion inclind, 
 
 And not enforc'd through feare of punifhment, 
 
 But is to vertue voluntary bent. 
 
 Then (fimple trul) be packing prefently, 
 
 For in this place there is no roome for thee. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 Aye me (diftreffed wight) ! what fhall I doe ? 
 Where fhall I reft ? or whither [fhall] I goe ? 
 Unto the rich ? (woes me) they do abhor me : 
 Unto the poore ? (alas) they care not for me : 
 Unto the olde-man ? hee hath me forgot : 
 Unto the young-man ? yet hee knowes me not : 
 Unto the prince ? hee can difpence with mee : 
 Unto the magiftrate ? that may not be : 
 Unto the court ? for it I am to[o] bafe ; 
 Unto the countrey ? there I have no place : 
 Unto the city ? thence I am exilde : 
 Unto the village ? there I am revilde : 
 Unto the bar ? the lawyer there is bribed : 
 Unto the warre ? there confcience is derided : 
 Unto the temple ? there I am difguifed : 
 Unto the market ? there I am difpifed. 
 Thus both the young and olde, the rich and poore, 
 Againft me, filly creature, fhut theyr doore : 
 Then, fith each one feeks my rebuke and fhame, 
 He goe again to Heaven, from whence I came. 
 
 This faid, me thought, making exceeding mone, 
 She went her way, and left the carle alone ; 
 Who, vaunting of his late-got vi6lorie,
 
 Conference and Covetoufneffe. 25 
 
 Advanc'd himfelfe in pompe and majeftie : 
 Much like a cocke, who having kild his foe, 
 Brifks up himfelfe, and then begins to crow. 
 So Covetife, when Confcience was departed, 
 Gan to be proud in mind, and hautie harted ; 
 And in a ftately chaire of ftate he fet him, 
 (For Confcience banifht) there was none to let him, 
 And being but one entrie to this plaine, 
 (Whereof as king and lord he did remaine) 
 Repentance cald, he caufd that to be kept, 
 Left Confcience fhould returne whilft as hee flept. 
 Wherefore he caufd it to be watcht and warded 
 Both night and daie, and to be ftrongly guarded. 
 To keepe it fafe thefe three he did intreat ; 
 Hardneffe of hart, with Falfhood and Deceat : 
 And if at anie time fhe chauncd to venter, 
 Hardneffe of hart denid her ftill to enter. 
 When Confcience was exilde the Minde of Man, 
 Than Covetife his government began. 
 This once being feene, what I had feene before, 
 (Being only feene in fleep was feene no more) 
 For with the forrow which my foule did take 
 At fight hereof foorthwith I did awake. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 26 
 
 THE COMPLAINT OF POETRY FOR 
 THE DEATH OF LIBERALITY. 
 
 "YlfTEEP hevens now, for you have loft your light : 
 
 Ye, Sun and Moone, beare witnes of my mone. 
 The cleere is turnd to clouds, the daie to night, 
 And all my hope, and all my joie is gone ! 
 
 Bountie is dead, the caufe of my annoie ; 
 
 Bountie is dead, and with her dide my joie. 
 
 2. 
 
 ! who can comfort my affli6led foule, 
 
 Or adde fome end to my increafmg forrowes ? 
 
 Who can deliver me from endleffe dole ? 
 
 (Which from my hart eternall torment borrowes) : 
 
 When Bountie liv'd, I bore the bell awaie ; 
 
 When Bountie dide, my credite did decaie. 
 
 3- 
 
 1 never then did write on[e] verfe in vaine, 
 Nor ever went my poems unregarded ; 
 Then did each noble breaft me intertaine, 
 And for my labours I was well rewarded ; 
 
 But now good wordes are ftept in Bounties place, 
 Thinking thereby her glorie to difgrace.
 
 The Complaint of Poetry, etc. 27 
 
 4- 
 
 But who can live with words in thefe hard times, 
 (Although they came from Jupiter himfelfe ?) 
 Or who can take fuch paiment for his rimes, 
 (When nothing now is fo efteem'd as Pelfe ?) 
 
 Tis not good words that can a man maintaine ; 
 
 Words are but winde, and wind is all but vaine. 
 
 5- 
 
 Where is Mecsenas, learnings noble patron, 
 (That Maroes Mufe with Bountie fo did cherifh ?) 
 Or faire Zenobia, that worthy matron, 
 (Whofe name, for learnings love, fhal never perifh ?) 
 What tho their bodies lie full low in grave, 
 Their fame the world, their fouls the heavens have. 
 
 6. 
 
 Vile Avaricia, how haft thou inchaunted 
 The noble minds of great and mighty men ? 
 Or what infernall fury late hath haunted 
 Their niggard purfes ? (to the learned pen). 
 
 Was it Auguftus wealth, or noble minde, 
 
 That everlafting fame to him afmde. 
 
 7- 
 
 If wealth ? why Crcefus was more rich then he, 
 
 (Yet Croefus glorie with his life did end) : 
 
 It was his noble minde that moved mee 
 
 To write his praife, and eke his acl:s commend. 
 Who ere had heard of Alexanders fame, 
 If Quintus Curtius had not pend the fame ?
 
 28 The Complaint of Poetry 
 
 8. 
 
 Then, fith by me their deeds have beene declared, 
 (Which elfe had perifht with their lives decay) 
 Who, to augment their glories, have not fpared 
 To crowne their browes with never-fading bay, 
 What art deferves fuch liberality, 
 As doth the peerleffe art of poetrie ? 
 
 9- 
 
 But Liberalitie is dead and gone, 
 And Avarice ufurps true Bounties feat. 
 For her it is I make this endleffe mone, 
 (Whofe prayfes worth no pen can well repeat). 
 Sweet Liberality, adiew for ever, 
 For Poetrie againe fliall fee thee never. 
 
 10. 
 
 Never againe fhall I thy prefence fee, 
 
 Never againe fhall I thy bountie taft ; 
 
 Never againe fliall I accepted be, 
 
 Never againe fhall I be fo embrac't : 
 Never againe fhall I the bad recall, 
 Never againe fhall I belov'd of all. 
 
 ii. 
 
 Thou waft the nurfe whofe bounty gave me fucke, 
 Thou waft the fun whofe beames did lend me light ; 
 Thou waft the tree whofe fruit I ftill did plucke, 
 Thou waft the patron to maintaine my right ; 
 Through thee I liv'd, on thee I did relie, 
 In thee I joy'd, and now for thee I die.
 
 for the Death of L iberality. 29 
 
 12. 
 
 What man hath lately loft a faithful friend, 
 
 Or husband is deprived of his wife, 
 
 But doth his after-daies in dolour fpend, 
 
 Leading a loathfome difcontented life ? 
 
 Dearer then friend or wife have I forgone, 
 Then, marvell not although I make fuch mone. 
 
 13- 
 
 Faire Philomela, ceafe thy fad complaint, 
 And lend thine eares unto my dolefull dittie : 
 (Whofe foule with forrow now begins to faint, 
 And yet I cannot move mens hartes to pittie). 
 Thy woes are light compared unto mine : 
 You watrie Nimphes, to me your plaints refigne. 
 
 14. 
 
 And thou, Melpomene (the Mufe of Death), 
 
 That never fmg'ft but in a dolefull ftraine, 
 
 Sith cruell Deftinie hath ftopt her breath, 
 
 (Who whil'ft me liv'd was Vertues Soveraigne) 
 Leave Helicon (whofe bankes fo pleafant be) 
 And beare a part of forrow now with mee. 
 
 15- 
 
 The trees (for forrow) mead their fading leaves, 
 
 And weepe out gum in ftead of other teares : 
 Comfort nor joy no creature now conceives, 
 To chirp and fing each little bird forbears. 
 
 The fillie fheepe hangs down her drooping head, 
 And all becaufe that Bounty me is dead.
 
 30 The Complaint of Poetry 
 
 1 6. 
 
 The greater that I feele my griefe to be, 
 
 The leffer able am I to expreffe it : 
 
 Such is the nature of extremity, 
 
 The heart it fom-thing eafes to confeffe it : 
 
 Therefore He wake my mufe amidft her fleeping, 
 And what I want with words fupplie with weeping. 
 
 Weepe ftill, mine eies, a river full of tears 
 To drown my forrow in, that fo molefts me ; 
 And rid my head of cares, my thoughts of fears, 
 Exiling fweet Content that fo detefts me. 
 But ah (alas) my teares are almoft dun, 
 And yet my griefe it is but new begun ! 
 
 1 8. 
 
 Even as the Sunne, when as it leaves our fight, 
 Doth fhine with thofe Antipodes beneath us, 
 Lending the other world her glorious light, 
 And difmall Darkneffe onely doeth bequeath us ; 
 Even fo fweet Bountie, feeming dead to me, 
 Lives now to none but fmooth-tongd Flatterie. 
 
 19. 
 
 O Adulation ! canker-worme of Truth, 
 The flattering glaffe of pride and felf-conceit, 
 (Making olde wrinkled age appeare like youth) 
 Diffimulations mafke, and follies beate : 
 Pitty it is that thou art fo rewarded, 
 Whilfl Truth and Honeftie goe unregarded.
 
 for the Death of Liberality. 31 
 
 20. 
 
 O ! that nobility it felfe fhould ftaine 
 In being bountifull to fuch vile creatures, 
 Who, when they flatter moft, then moft they faine, 
 Knowing what humour beft will fit there natures. 
 
 What man fo mad that knowes himfelfe but poore, 
 And will beleeve that he hath riches ftore. 
 
 21. 
 
 Upon a time the craftie foxe did flatter 
 
 The foolifh pie (whofe mouth was full of meat) : 
 
 The pye, beleeving him, began to chatter 
 
 And fmg for joy (not having lift to eate) ; 
 
 And whil'ft the foolifh pye her meate let fall, 
 The craftie foxe did runne awaie with all. 
 
 22. 
 
 Terence defcribeth under Gnatoes name 
 
 The right condition of a parafite ; 
 
 (And with fuch eloquence fets forth the fame, 
 
 As doeth the learned reader much delight) 
 Showing that fuch a ficophant as Gnato, 
 Is more efteem'd then twentie fuch as Plato. 
 
 23- 
 
 Bountie, looke back upon thy goods mifpent, 
 
 And thinke how ill thou haft beftowd thy mony ; 
 
 Confider not their words, but their intent ; 
 
 Their harts are gal, although their toongs be hony. 
 They fpeake not as they think, but all is fained, 
 And onely to th' intent to be maintained.
 
 32 The Complaint of Poetry 
 
 24. 
 
 And herein happie I arcade the poore ; 
 No flattering fpaniels fawne on them for meate : 
 The reafon is, becaufe the countrey boore 
 Hath little inough for himfelfe to eate : 
 
 No man will flatter him, except himfelfe, 
 And why ? becaufe he hath no ftore of wealth. 
 
 25- 
 
 But fure it is not Liberality 
 
 That doth reward thefe fawning fmel-feafts fo ; 
 
 It is the vice of Prodigalitie 
 
 That doth the banks of Bountie overflo. 
 
 Bountie is dead, yea, fo it needs muft be, 
 Or if alive, yet is (he dead to me. 
 
 26. 
 
 Therefore, as one whofe friend is latelie dead, 
 I will bewaile the death of my late friend, 
 Upon whofe tomb ten thoufand teares ile filed, 
 Till drearie Death of me fhall make an end : 
 Or if (he want a toomb to her difart, 
 Oh ! then, ile bury her within my hart. 
 
 27. 
 
 But (Bounty) if thou love a tombe of ftone, 
 Oh ! then feeke out a hard and ftonie hart ; 
 For were mine fo, yet would it melt with mone, 
 And all becaufe that I with thee muft part. 
 Then, if a ftonie hart muft thee interr, 
 Goe finde a ftep-dame, or a ufurer.
 
 for the Death of Liberality. 33 
 
 28. 
 
 And fith there dies no Wight of great account, 
 
 But hath an epitaph compos'd by mee, 
 
 Bounty, that did all other far furmount, 
 
 Upon her tombe this epitaph fhall be : 
 
 Here lies the Wight that learning did maintaine, 
 And at the laft by Avarice was flaine. 
 
 29. 
 
 Vile Avarice, why haft thou kild my deare, 
 And robd the world of fuch a worthy treasure ? 
 In whom no fpark of goodneffe doth appeare, 
 So greedie is thy mind, without all meafure. 
 
 Thy death from Death did merit to releafe her, 
 The murtherers deferv'd to die, not Caefar. 
 
 30. 
 
 The merchant's wife, and tender-harted mother, 
 That leaves her love, whofe fonne is preft for war, 
 (Refting the one, as woefull as the other) 
 Hopes yet at length, when ended is the jarre, 
 To fee her husband, fee her fon againe : 
 Wer it not then for Hope, the hart were flaine. 
 
 But I, whose hope is turned to defpaire, 
 Nere looke to fee my deareft deare againe ; 
 Then Pleafure fit thou downe in Sorrowes chaire, 
 And for a while thy wonted mirth refraine. 
 
 Bounty is dead, that whylome was my treafure ; 
 
 Bounty is dead, my joy and onely pleafure. 
 
 F
 
 34 The Complaint of Poetry 
 
 32. 
 
 If Pythias death of Damon were bewailed, 
 
 Or Pillades did rue Oreftes end ; 
 
 If Hercules for Hylas loffe were quailed, 
 
 Or Thefeus for Pyrithous teares did fpend ; 
 
 Then doe I mourne for Bounty being dead, 
 Who, living, was my hand, my hart, my head. 
 
 33- 
 
 My hand to helpe me in my greatefl need, 
 
 My hart to comfort me in my diflreffe, 
 
 My head, whom only I obeyd indeed : 
 
 If fhe were fuch, how can my griefe be leffe ? 
 
 Perhaps, my words may perce the parcae's eares : 
 If not with words, lie move them with my teares. 
 
 34- 
 
 But ah (alas) my teares are fpent in vaine, 
 (For fhe is dead, and I am left alive) 
 Teares cannot call fweet Bountie back againe : 
 Then why doe I againft Fate and Fortune ftrive, 
 And for her death thus weep, lament, and crie, 
 Sinth everie mortall wight is borne to die ? 
 
 35- 
 
 But as the wofull mother doeth lament 
 Her tender babe with cruell Death opprefl ; 
 Whofe life was fpotleffe, pure, and innocent, 
 (And therefore fure it foule is gone to reft) 
 
 So Bountie, which her felfe did upright keepe, 
 Yet for her loffe love cannot chufe but weepe.
 
 for the Death of Liberality. 35 
 
 36. 
 
 The loffe of her is loffe to manie a one ; 
 
 The loffe of her is loffe unto the poore, 
 
 And therefore not a loffe to me alone, 
 
 But unto fuch as goe from doore to doore. 
 Her loffe is loffe unto the fatherleffe, 
 And unto all that are in great diftreffe. 
 
 37- 
 
 The maimed fouldier comming from the war, 
 The woefull wight whofe houfe was lately burnd, 
 The fillie foule, the wofull travelar, 
 And all whom Fortune at her feet hath fpurnd, 
 Lament the loffe of Liberalitie : 
 Its ease to have in griefe fome companie. 
 
 38. 
 
 The wife of He6lor (fad Andromache) 
 Did not bewaile her husbands death alone ; 
 But (fith he was the Trojans onely ftey) 
 The wives of Troy (for him) made aequal mone. 
 
 Shee fhead the teares of love, and they of pitty ; 
 
 She for her deare dead lord, they for their citty. 
 
 39- 
 
 Nor is the death of Liberalitie 
 
 (Although my griefe be greater than the reft) 
 
 Onely lamented and bewaild of me, 
 
 (And yet of me fhe was beloved beft) 
 But fith fhe was fo bountifull to all, 
 She is lamented both of great and fmall.
 
 36 The Complaint of Poetry 
 
 40. 
 
 O ! that my teares could move the powers divine, 
 That Bounty might be called from the dead, 
 As pitty pierc'd the hart of Proferpine, 
 Who, (moved with the teares Admetus fhed), 
 Did fend him backe againe his loving wife, 
 Who loft her owne to fave her husbands life. 
 
 41. 
 
 Impartiall Parcae, will no prayrs move you ? 
 Can creatures fo divine have ftonie harts ? 
 Hapleffe are they whofe hap it is to prove you, 
 For you refpect no creatures good defarts : 
 
 Atropos ! (the crueldft of the three) 
 
 Why haft thou tane my faithfull friend from me ? 
 
 42. 
 
 But ah ! me cannot (or fhe will not) heare me ; 
 Or if fhe doo, yet may not fhe repent her ? 
 Then com (fweet death) O ! why doft thou forbeare me ? 
 Aye me ! thy dart is blunt ; it will not enter. 
 
 Oh ! now I know the caufe and reafon why : 
 
 1 am immortall, and I cannot die. 
 
 43- 
 
 So Cytheraea would have dide, but could not, 
 When faire Adonis by her fide lay flaine ; 
 So I defire the Sifters what I mould not, 
 For why (alas) I wifh for death in vaine. 
 
 Death is their fervant, and obeys their will ; 
 
 And if they bid him fpare, he cannot kill.
 
 for the Death of Liberality. 37 
 
 44- 
 
 O ! would I were as other creatures are, 
 
 Then would I die, and fo my griefe were ended ; 
 
 But Death (againft my will) my life doeth fpare, 
 
 (So little with the Fates I am befrended) 
 
 Sith, when I would, thou dooft my fute denie : 
 Vile tyrant, when thou wilt I will not die. 
 
 45- 
 
 And Bounty, though her body thou haft flaine, 
 
 Yet (hall her memorie remaine for ever : 
 
 For ever (hall her memorie remaine, 
 
 Whereof no fpitefull Fortune can bereave her. 
 Then forrow ceafe, and wipe thy weeping eie, 
 For fame mail live when al the world fhal die. 
 
 A COMPARISON OF THE LIFE OF MAN. 
 
 MANS life is well compared to a feaft, 
 
 Furnifht with choice of all variety : 
 
 To it comes Time ; and as a bidden gueft 
 
 He fits him downe in pompe and majefty. 
 
 The three fold age of Man the waiters be : 
 Then with a earthen voyder (made of clay) 
 Comes Death, and takes the table cleane away. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 A REMEMBRANCE OF SOME ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 LIVE Spenfer ever in thy Fairy Queene, 
 Whofe like (for deepe conceit) was never feene ; 
 Crownd mayfl thou be, unto thy more renowne, 
 (As King of Poets) with a Lawrell Crowne. 
 
 And Daniell, praifed for thy fweet-chaft verfe, 
 Whofe Fame is grav'd on Rofamonds blacke herfe, 
 Still mayft thou live, and ftill be honoured 
 For that rare worke, the White Rofe and the Red. 
 
 And Drayton, whofe well-written Tragedies 
 And fweet Epiftles foare thy fame to fkies ; 
 Thy learned Name is equall with the reft, 
 Whofe ftately Numbers are fo well addreft. 
 
 And Shakefpeare, thou whofe hony flowing vaine, 
 (Pleafmg the World) thy Praifes doth containe. 
 Whofe Venus, and whofe Lucrece (fweet and chafh) 
 Thy Name in fame's immortall Booke have plac't, 
 Live ever you, at leaft in Fame live ever : 
 Well may the Body die, but Fame die never. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 WHAT follows is a reprint of one of the rarest, and, on some 
 accounts, one of the most curious, tracts in our language : only a 
 single perfect copy of it is known ; and it importantly illustrates 
 the opinions and manners of the time when it was published. It 
 is said to have been licensed in 1578 (Lowndes, Bibl. Man., edit. 
 1863, p. 2180), but we have not succeeded in finding the entry in 
 the Stationers' Registers ; where, however, under the date of 3 Oct. 
 1580, we meet with a memorandum relating to the same author's 
 " Contention between three Brethren, the Whoremonger, Drunk- 
 ard, and Dice-player" : that piece came out with the date 1580 on 
 the title-page, and it was reprinted, without any author's name, 
 in 1608. Salter's " Mirror of Modesty" was never reprinted ; 
 but in 1584, Robert Greene published a small work with pre- 
 cisely the same title, which relates merely to the history of 
 Susanna and the Elders. To it we shall hereafter direct attention. 
 Salter's production is of an entirely different character, and 
 is devoted to the education and management of young ladies in 
 the middle of the reign of Elizabeth, entering into particulars 
 more or less minute and interesting. The author was a rigid 
 puritan, and the advice he gives, and the pictures he furnishes, 
 are strongly coloured by his religious notions. 
 
 a
 
 11 
 
 The whole is somewhat loosely written, and it was very care- 
 lessly printed : the punctuation is so faulty, as to make it quite 
 clear that the author (according to the custom of that day) 
 never looked at the sheets as they came from the press. Some of 
 the literal errors (which we have, as usual, left as we found them) 
 curiously illustrate misprints in Shakespeare ; as, for instance, 
 near the bottom of p. 38, where shawefull is put for " shameful!." 
 In Ant. and Cleop., A. n, Sc. 2, " smell" is misprinted swell; and 
 we know that the letters m and w were not unfrequently con- 
 founded by old compositors. Of a different description is the 
 blunder on p. 26, where Sapirnes is given as a proper name, when 
 it is merely a blunder for " sapience." Of the author nothing is 
 recorded, but we may speculate that he was a divine, who, how- 
 ever, made fewer references to, and quotations from Scripture 
 than might have been expected. The style of his later work 
 was more coarse and direct than that of his earlier performance, 
 but they were meant for different classes of readers. This also, 
 on some future occasion, we hope to be able to reprint. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 A Mirrhor mete 
 for all Mothers, Matrones, 
 
 and Maidens, intituled the 
 
 Mirrhor of Modestie, 
 
 no leffe profitable and 
 
 pleafant, then necef- 
 
 farie to bee read 
 
 and pra6li- 
 
 fed. 
 
 a pretie anfc pttfjie Dialogue also, 
 
 betweene Mercurie and Vertue. 
 
 Imprinted at London for Edward White, at the little 
 
 Northdore of Paules at the Signe of 
 
 the Gun.
 
 To the right vertuous Matrone, and fmguler good 
 Ladie Anne, wife to the right worfhipfull fir Thomas 
 Lodge, knight, E. W. wifheth long life, and profperous 
 eftate. 
 
 TTAVING a long tyme debated with my felf (my very 
 good Lady), after the copie of this Pamphlete was 
 come into my handes, too whom I might beft dedicate 
 the fame, your L. at lafte came to my remembraunce, as 
 the Ladie too whom I did knowe my felf to be fo greatly 
 beholden, by many received curtefies, that I could not but 
 confeffe myfelf bound to be mindfull of requitall, to the ut- 
 termofbe of my power ; and therefore notyng the title that 
 it beareth, beyng the Mirrhor of Modeftie, I knewe none fo 
 worthie (at leafte to whom I was indetted of duetie) as 
 your Ladifhip to be patroneffe hereof, becaufe that the 
 vertue, whereof it beareth the title, dooeth fo glorioufly 
 fhine in you, as verie envie her felf cannot but confeffe 
 (muche rather a right demyng mynde) that it is your de- 
 farte to have it, bothe for affirmyng that whiche is con- 
 teined therein (by your life) to be laudable, and alfo to 
 incorage other by your fupporte to followe your ftepps, to 
 attain to your atchived fame. Wherfore, although the gift 
 be far unable to gratifie the leaft part of the favour I have 
 
 B
 
 found, yet I have boldly prefumed to prefente it unto you, 
 as beyng affured (confideryng your courteous nature) of 
 courteous acceptation ; and the rather becaufe it is a Mirrhor 
 to teache Maidens to be modeft, whereof you have alwaies 
 been a miftreffe, and therefore maye the better judge if it 
 bee well wrought, by perufyng it at your befte leafure : 
 whiche not doubtyng but ye will dooe, I ceafe from fur- 
 ther troublynge you with my duetifull commendations, and 
 daiely interceffion to the Almightie for the happie eftate 
 and profperitie of your Ladifhippe, that am your worfhippes 
 mofte bounden. 
 
 E. W.
 
 The Epiflle to all Mothers, Matrones, and Maidens 
 of Englande. 
 
 TN fceyng, right honourable Mothers and vertuous Ma- 
 trones, the greate abufe that, by the default of good bryng- 
 ing tip, many of our EngliJIte Maidens doe daily runne into, 
 to the greate reprocJie of their parentes, hartes greef of their 
 kinsfolke, infamie of their perfones, and (whiche is mojle to 
 be lamented) loffe of their foules, I thought it no lejfe then my 
 bounden duetie to take in hande this little worke, intituled the 
 Mirrhor of Modcjlie, to the ende that by looking in the fame, 
 bothfuche Mothers and Matrones, as have charge of children 
 and youth under them, maie knowe the onely ready meanes, 
 by the helpe of Gods grace, fo to inftrucJe them, as no doubte 
 greate amendemente will infue : and alfo all Maidens and 
 yonge children them f elves fee the direcJe and JlraigJit pathe 
 to perpetuall felicitie ; wherefore what fo ever herein is writ- 
 ten, I befeehe you as frendly to accepte, as it is willyngly 
 offered. For, trujl me, not of pride or vain glorie (as thinking 
 my f elf the onely fufficiente manne to write upponfo worthie 
 a matter) have I made this enterprife, but I have dooen it, 
 parte for recreation, parte for good will, on Jwpe to fee 
 amendement ; and, that whiche is the chief e/ie parte, to pro- 
 voke fome farre better able then I, by feyng my little volume
 
 IV 
 
 fo freendly accepted, to take in hande a larger and pithier 
 peece of woorke, touchyng the fame fence and meanyng. My 
 requejle, therefore, is Jimple, to judge faithfully, to reape wil- 
 lyngly, to keepe, and hartely to obferve all that whiche follow- 
 eth, to your owne profite, my comfort, and Gods high glorie : 
 to whom be all honour, majcftie and power, for ever and ever. 
 
 Amen.
 
 The Mirrhor of Mode/lie, meete for all Mothers and 
 
 auncient Matrones to looke in, to decke their yong 
 
 daughters and maidens myndes by. 
 
 Made by T. S. 
 
 T7OR as muche as the weakeneffe of our nature is fuche, 
 -- as wee are more inclined and prone to imitate and 
 followe thofe thynges that bee hurtfull unto us, then those 
 that bee good and profitable, in my judgemente, there is 
 nothyng more meete, efpecially for young maidens, then a 
 Mirrhor, there in to fee and beholde how to order their 
 dooyng : I meane not a chriftall Mirrhor, made by handie 
 arte, by whiche maidens now adaies dooe onely take de- 
 light daily to tricke and trim their treffes, ftandyng tootyng 
 twoo howers by the clocke, lookyng now on this fide, now 
 on that, lead any thyng mould bee lackyng needefull to 
 further pride, not fufferyng fo muche as a hare to hang out 
 of order : no, I meane no fuche Mirrhor ; but the Mirrhor I 
 meane is made of an other maner of matter, and is of 
 muche more worthe then any chyrftall Mirrhor ; for as the 
 one teacheth how to attire the outwarde bodie, fo the other 
 guideth to garnifhe the inwarde mynde, and maketh it 
 meete for vertue, and therefore is intituled a Mirrhor, 
 meete for Matrones and Maidens, for matrones to knowe 
 how to traine up fuch young maidens as are committed to 
 their charge and tuiflion, and for maidens how to behave 
 them felves to attaine to the feate of good fame. For al-
 
 6 The Mirrhor of Modejiie. 
 
 though that a nomber of them before whom this Mirrhor 
 maie come, be braunches fprong from fo vertuous a tree, 
 or brookes difcendyng from fo fweete a fountaine, as there 
 is no doubte but the braunches and brookes will bee like 
 unto the breeders ; yet (the more pitie) we fee oftentimes 
 proofe to the contrary, the caufe whereof can not bee 
 thought to proceade but by wante of good inftru6lion. As 
 it is not onely evident to bee feen in menne that are reafon- 
 able, but in thynges that are reafonleffe ; yea (not ftraiyng 
 from my example) in plantes, for thei, by wantyng the con- 
 tinuall care and diligence that is neceffarie for them, are 
 feen to lacke their naturall force and vertue, and finallie 
 become wilde. Likewife, the horfe, by default of well 
 teachyng and trainyng up, will lofe a great parte of his gal- 
 lant majeftie r whereto naturally he is inclined. So that by 
 how muche the more the likelihoode of any maiden is of 
 vertue, by fo muche the more ought there a care and dili- 
 gence to bee had in confervyng her, as a thyng precious 
 and of greate valour ; and therefore I wifhe all mothers and 
 matrones not to be fo careleffe, as not truftyng any other 
 thyng that thei have, of little or no estimation at all, but 
 under the fafegarde and fure keepyng of carefull and 
 truftie folke, will nevertheleffe committe their children, at 
 adventure, to the tuiffion of fuche, as either by too daintie 
 an entreatie, will corrupt their tender myndes, or by too 
 importunate a rudeneffe, drive them into undecent fearful- 
 neffe, yea, peradventure into difdain and hate of fuche 
 thinges as ought to be followed and loved. Therefore, con- 
 cerning the matrone to whom any yong maiden is to be 
 committed, (I faie) fhe ought, what fo ever fhe be, to be 
 grave, prudent, modeft, and of good counfell, to thende
 
 The Mirrhor of Mode/tie. 7 
 
 that fuche maidens as Hie hath in tutyng maie learne her 
 honefte and womanlie demeanoure ; and fure fhe ought efpe- 
 ciallie, and above all thinges, beware that their tender 
 minds, replenifhed with devine beautie and bountie, be not 
 corrupted by feing undecent demeanours, Touchyng the 
 maiden defirous of good fame, if fhe beyng by nature of 
 beautifull forme, in deckyng her felf by a christal Mirrhor, 
 will be fure not to fuffer (as before I faid) fo muche as a 
 fpot, if fhe efpies it upon her face, the beautie of whiche is 
 mofte fraile, and fadeth like a flower in fhort fpace, how 
 ought her minde, in whiche is reprefented the true image of 
 God, to be kept not onely from greate fpot of finne, but 
 from the left that is. Likewife fuche garmentes as be gal- 
 lantly garnifht with golde, whiche (notwithftandyng, how 
 gorgeous fo ever they be to the eye, are but durt and 
 droffe) wee fee bothe mothers and miftreffes to be fo curious 
 as, fo nere as they can, they will not permit fo muche as a 
 mote to remaine upon them ; and yet, God he knowes, thei 
 be fo necligent and careleffe over their daughters and 
 maidens (the mofte parte of them), as thei never regarde or 
 refpect their behavioures, to the ende that if thei be bad, 
 thei maie amende them, or if good, fo continewe them ; but 
 as though the care of their well teaching and traynyng up 
 did not appertaine or belonge to them, they let them paffe. 
 But alas ! what mould I talke of mothers, yea or of fathers, 
 feyng that, for the mofte parte, although they them felves 
 be wife and grave of judgement, yet their vertue and pru- 
 dence is overcome and blynded by affection ? therefore I 
 thinke it more meete and convenient for parents to fet their 
 children forthe to be taught ; but under whom ? under every 
 one that beares the name of a teacher ? Noe ; but in that re-
 
 8 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 
 
 fpe6t they are to doe as if they were to make choife of fome 
 painter, to take in hande to drawe their owne picture, to 
 doe the whiche there is no doubt but thei would feeke and 
 ferche out, fo nye as thei could, hym that is mofte famous 
 and excellent in that art : and fo ought they to doe, and 
 with muche more care in fekyng fuche as thei will commit 
 their children unto to be inftru6led, becaufe by their in- 
 ftru6lion and trainyng up, they are for ever to be made or 
 marde. Now, to the ende ye maie knowe the miftreffe 
 meete to take charge over children, I will difcribe her unto 
 you by particuler qualities, and fo forthe orderly the quali- 
 ties meete to bee taught every maiden. 
 
 Firfte, fhe that doeth take upon her too traine up any 
 young maiden ought to be indewed with fo finguler pru- 
 dence, as that (whiche others can hardly perceive in longe 
 continuance of tyme) fhee, taught by the lookes and beha- 
 vioure of the maide, may fone difcerne, and fee what is to 
 be hoped, and what feared in her ; and fo preventing at the 
 beginning, by brief and expedient remedies, that whiche fhe 
 feareth, fhall with milde and prudent inftru6lions, nourifhing 
 that whiche fhe hath good hope of, bring her in fhort time 
 to perfectneffe. Moreover, for fo muche as there is greater 
 daunger in that whiche is feared, then profite in that whiche 
 is hoped, our Matrone ought before all thynges carefully to 
 cut from her harte all that whiche fhe feareth in her to bee 
 evil ; imitatyng therein the wife and experte labourer, who 
 never foweth corne in any grounde, before he hath firft 
 diligently purged and rooted up fuche evell weedes, thornes 
 and brambles, as are over growne therein : whiche dooen, 
 yet fhe maye not leave her care and diligence, but after 
 that fhe hath taken from her harte the mofte that fhe can
 
 The MirrJwr of Modeftie. 9 
 
 all that whiche hindereth in her the augmentation of vertue, 
 and therein hath fowen the fedes of the fame, and feen it 
 fpring, her feconde care fhalbee to take heede, leaft (as 
 often tymes yong and tender plantes, not ftaied with firme 
 and ftrong proppes, fhaken with the bluftryng windes, doe 
 fall to the earth, lofe their vigor, and in the ende wither and 
 dye) the vertue that hath taken a little roote in her harte, 
 being fhaken fomtymes by tempeftes of affections, and riot 
 havyng firme and fure proppes to ftaie it, doe perifhe. 
 Whiche thyng that it maye come to paffe in fhort fpace, 
 will fufficiently appere to hym that is in doubt, by confider- 
 yng that not onely in youth, when the feedes of vertue are 
 newe to men in their mindes, but alfo in ripe age, when as 
 vertue doeth florifhe and increafe, there is greate neede of 
 fuche, as by their wifedome and inftruftion maye fuftaine 
 and governe them, untill fuche tyme as vertue hath taken 
 depe roote in them, and then (as wee fee a ftrong and 
 fturdie oke to ftande ftiffe and immovable againft the 
 bluftrous blaftes of fierce windes) fo in their hartes, how 
 boifterous fo ever the tempeftious blaftes of humaine affec- 
 tions doe blowe, it is not to be doubted but vertue will 
 abide without movyng, or rootyng out. Now, becaufe it hath 
 been faied before, that a wife and prudente matrone ought 
 to knowe that whiche is to bee feared, and likewife hoped 
 for in a maide, fhe fhall come to the fame by grave and 
 wife counfaile, and by ufing the like pollicie that Ulijfes did 
 (who, for to gette knowledge of Achilles beyng trained up 
 in companie of Licomedes daughters in womens attire) 
 among many other gallant knackes meete for maidens, did 
 make fhewe of weapons meete for knightes ; whereon Achilles 
 had no foner caft his eyes, but prefently he leaft the triflyng 
 
 c
 
 io The Mirrhor of Modeftie. 
 
 toyes of women, and fell to handlyng of them, by whiche 
 UHJfes knew hym. Thus she shall fone perceive whereto 
 she is inclyned, yet shall she not prefent unto her any vicious 
 thyng, in blamyng or deteftyng it, but shall fette before her 
 the contrary vertues,geving high commendacion to the good, 
 and utter difpraies to the bad. Alfo our good matrone shal 
 give her to underflande, how goodly a beautie and gallant 
 ornament chaftitie is in a young maiden ; and if it apperes 
 that she lenes her eare unto fuche praies, and by femblance 
 defiereth not onely too feeme fuche a one, but to bee fuche 
 a one, the fignes wilbe evident that her harte hath in hor- 
 roure the contrarye crymes. But if our matrone perceive 
 by fignes that fhe is bent otherwife then wifely, and pru- 
 dently, (takyng occafion the moft advifedly fhe can) fhee 
 fhall difcource untoo her the lives of fome renowned ladies 
 who lived vertuouflye, and thereby purchafed immortall 
 fame and renowne. But before I paffe any farther, I will 
 ftaye too fhew the ufe of many unwife fathers, who beyng 
 more daintye and effeminate in followyng their pleafures, 
 then wife and diligent in feekyng the profite of their daugh- 
 ters, doe give them, fo fone as they have any underftandyng 
 in readyng, or fpellyng, to cone and learne by hart bookes, 
 ballades, fonges, fonettes, and ditties of daliance, excityng 
 their memories thereby, beyng then moft apt to retayne 
 for ever that whiche is taught theim, to the fame maner of 
 order, for the hartes of youth are therein to bee compared 
 to newe veffelles, whiche for ever will keepe the favour and 
 taft of that licore where with it is firft filled and feafoned : 
 therefore I would wish our good matrone to eshew fuche ufe 
 as a peftilent infection ; for no doubt the weake age of 
 youth, and evell converfation of manye, geves copious and
 
 The MirrJior of Modeftie. 1 1 
 
 aboundant matter enough to evill, and muche more then 
 wife parentes would wifh, I am fure without neede to bee 
 taught it fo longe tyme before. But in fteede of fuche bookes 
 and lacivious ballades, our wife matrone fhall reade, or 
 caufe her maidens to reade, the examples and lives of godly 
 and vertuous ladies, whofe worthy fame and bright re- 
 nowne yet liveth, and ftill will live for ever, whiche fhee 
 fhall make choice of, out of the holy Scripture, and other 
 hiftories, both auncient and of late dayes ; whiche bookes 
 will not onely delight them, but as a fpurre it will pricke 
 and incite their hartes to follow vertue, and have vice in 
 horror and difdaine : yea their mindes by that meanes, not 
 onely of those that are growen to ripenes of yeres and 
 ftrength of nature, but alfo thofe of tender and young age, 
 wilbe come noble and magnanimous thereby; for you fhall 
 never repeate the vertuous lives of any fuche ladies as 
 Claudia, Portia, Lucretia, and fuch like were, but you fhall 
 kindle a defire in them to treade their fteppes, and become 
 in tyme like unto them, and too difdayne and have in hor- 
 rour thofe that to the contrarye pas the courfe of their lives 
 in wickedneffe. And not onely fhall our maiden bee for- 
 bidded to reade anye fuche bookes or ballades as maie 
 make her mynde (beeying of it felf verie delicate) more 
 feeble and effemynate, but alfo from all thofe thynges that 
 any waie maie make her unworthie of a laudable reputa- 
 tion : emong whiche, it is not to be thought how hurtfull 
 and daungerous the acquaintance and famyliaritie of yong 
 goffopes is, who under coverture of jentillitie, gallant attire, 
 and cofbly ornamentes, or (whiche is mofte infectious) under 
 fained religion and honeftie, doe hide corrupte and wicked 
 maners ; and yet fuche as are evill maie eafely bee knowen,
 
 1 2 The Mirrhor of Modeftie. 
 
 when the aucthoritie of greate perfonages fupporte them, 
 and even as a difeafe is then mofte contagious, when thofe 
 that are infected have a colour lively, and mofte likely to bee 
 healthfull. So vice^ hide under gentillitie and honour, and 
 covered with the vifor of falce femblance and feined ho- 
 neftie, doeth hurte muche more then when the evill life, or 
 leude behaviour of fuche perfonages are difcovered and 
 made manifeft. But I thinke it not neceffarie to admonifhe 
 our matrone after the maner of fome, to bee fo ftrickte to 
 her maidens, as to withdrawe them from the acquaintaunce 
 and familiaritie of children, how bee it that thei be of like 
 age, although that in the fame age the feede of fynne no 
 doubt fpringeth, and the fruite thereof in little time ripen- 
 eth, and increafeth too aboundantly : whiche thyng the 
 learned and grave doctor of greate aucthoritie SainEl Jerome 
 fhewith by example of a fhameleffe harlot, who, more bru- 
 tifhlie then any reafonleffe beafte, would make boofte and 
 vauntyng bragges of her lafcivious life ; faiyng, that fince fhe 
 could remember in her yongeft yeres, the filthie pleafure of 
 flefhe was not daintie unto her. Oh horrible bragge ! oh 
 execrable boofte, and mofte damnable life ! Well, our pru- 
 dente matrone, to remove fuche deteftable dangers from her 
 yong maidens, fhall in no wife permit them to have ac- 
 quaintaunce with kitchine fervauntes, or fuche idle hous- 
 wives, as commonly and of cuftome doe thrufte theim 
 felves into the familiaritie of thofe of good callyng, and un- 
 der colour of freendlineffe, doe oftentymes woorke greate 
 mifchief, and are therefore to bee avoided and fhonned as 
 infectious difeafes. For fure there is no one thing fo unfemely 
 for a yong maiden of good callyng, or more hurtful to her 
 good fame and name, then to bee feen and heard emong
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. \ 3 
 
 fuche as I before mentioned, tattlyng and tellyng of fool- 
 ifhe tales by the fire fide.; but in ftede thereof, I meane of 
 tellyng or hearyng of fables told in fuche companie, our 
 matron fhall caufe them that are committed yonge into her 
 governement, to propounde, in the companie of womanlie 
 maidens, and fo nere as me can in her owne prefence, 
 pithie queftions and grave fentences, to pofe one an 
 other, and fometymes tell the lives of godlie virgines, 
 and the matrone her felf to delighte them, who of necef- 
 fitie ought to be ftored with ftudied demaundes, and 
 wittie argumentes, fhall modeftly entermeddle her felf 
 emong them, and to them in whom (he fees any defarte, 
 she shall, to incourage the other, yeelde commendation, 
 and fo make them all ftrive to attaine to the like. And it 
 would not bee amiffe, feyng that the continuall prefence of 
 her that is a maiftres, by her greate gravitie and vertuous 
 ufage, doeth rather ingender in a good minde affedlion of 
 reverence, then occafion of bold wantonneffe, the whiche 
 more appeareth in youth, then in ripe age, if she made 
 choife, emong many, of fome modeft and well behavoured 
 maiden, who not onely by vertuous demeanour shall give 
 the refte occafion to imitate her vertue, but alfo bee unto 
 them recreative, and delightfull in grave and weightie 
 caufes ; for there be fome things whiche fometymes dooe 
 feeme unto fome verie sharpe and noyfome, although that 
 of nature delightfull, and of their proper objecle doe de- 
 light the fences, and dooe move with fmguler pleafure 
 that age more than any other, whiche thyng, if it be truthe, 
 as it certainly feemeth, how muche ought our Matrone to 
 take heede, that it happens not in thofe thynges, in whiche 
 there is no delight at all. Well, as a wife Matrone should
 
 14 The Mirrhor of Modeftie. 
 
 (feeyng that in children, the ftrength of underftandyng 
 cannot bee fo greate, as thei maie alwaies bee troubled 
 with grave matters) this our Matrone shall (at leaft if she 
 will doe well) entermedle honeft mirthe with grave matter. 
 And alfo if at any tyme there bee any maiden worthy of 
 correction, lette the miftreffe rather incline in her chaften- 
 yng to mildneffe then madneffe, favor then furie, and 
 rightly ufe the part of a good Phifition, who, to cure yong 
 children of their corporall maladies, doe give them worme- 
 wood, or fuche like bitter thyng, annointed over with honie, 
 to .the ende that thei, deceived by the upper fweetneffe, 
 maie fwallowe donne the wholfome bitterneffe, and thereby 
 receive helpe of their difeafe. More over, our good matrone 
 shall shewe to her maidens a modeft merie countenaunce 
 continually ; and if thei dooe evill rebuke them in fuche 
 fort, as although it be not with bitter wordes, or sharpe 
 ftripes, yet thei shall well knowe thei have offended greatly, 
 refervyng crueltie for the lafte remedie ; and yet the fame 
 to be then alfo of little induraunce, leaft that whiche 
 should ferve for a remedie, ufed to often, becomes fcorned 
 and nothyng eftemed, as the olde Proverbe is, To mucJie of 
 any tJiinyg is good for nothyng. 
 
 Befides, when any maiden is driven into a tremblyng 
 feare by her miftreffe fodaine fharpe frownyng, as no 
 doubt fome, beyng of milde and gentill natures, will be 
 fone, our goode matrone mail prefently chaunge her fower 
 lowryng into a fweete fmylyng, and with gentle and ver- 
 tuous informations, and cherefull promifes put her out of 
 feare ; for in no wife I would wifhe any too be over preffed 
 by feare, by caufe thereby manie become even fimple like 
 fooles. And whereas fome parentes bee of opinion that it is
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. \ 5 
 
 neceffarie for maidens to bee fkilfull in Philofophie Morall 
 and Naturall, thinkyng it an honour unto them to be 
 thought well learned, I, for my part, am the contrarie, 
 becaufe that by the fame, they are made to underftande 
 the evelles immynente too humaine life ; yea, therby is 
 opened unto them the inclynations and proneneffe, whiche 
 naturallie, even from our cradles, wee have unto vice, 
 whiche knowledge is not requifite to be in young women. 
 Likewife, the examples of evill and wicked men, the cor- 
 rupt lives and lewde cuftomes of thofe that have conversa- 
 tion with us, the heapes of pleafures, paftymes, delightes, 
 and recreations, and the deceites and guiles of our ghoftlie 
 enemie, from the whiche we fee how the warie wife men 
 can hardlie defende hym felfe (I leave the young and 
 tender virgine) with the protection and armoure of greate 
 learning : too whiche, or againft whiche, if I mould flatly 
 anfwere, that the evell ufe of learnyng hath more often 
 tymes beene caufe of discommodytie and domage, then 
 the right and laudable ufe of it hath beene of profitte and 
 benyfite, I fhould perad venture be fufpe6led of fome for 
 fuche a one as did the fame to the derogation, flander, and 
 reproofe of learnyng, whiche thing I utterly denie, and yet 
 I can alledge infinite examples to prove my propofition : as 
 firfte, Roome, the chiefe citie and feate of the worldly 
 empire, and victorious over all nationes, I can approve, 
 and bryng in aucthoritie, that it hath been fixe hundreth 
 yeres and more without the knowledge of letters, and alfo 
 that from thence all philofophers by publicke proclamations 
 were exiled, as corruptors of good and vertuous life. Con- 
 trariwife, when the ftudie of philofophie and eloquence 
 flourifhed therein, it lofte libertie, and finallie fell into the
 
 1 6 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 
 
 fervitude and obedience of one man. Alfo the citee of 
 Athens (whiche above all other was named to have gotte 
 the glorie and renowne for learnyng and teachyng of wife- 
 dome to the worlde) at fuche time as the Accademia, the 
 Portico, and the Lido, was moft celebrated by the frequen- 
 tation of noble and famous philofophers, fell into servitude 
 and fubjection ; and therefore in the fame the ufe of elo- 
 quence was prohibited, as a ruine and peftilence to the 
 publique weale, and maime to lawe and juftice, 
 
 Likewise, Sparta might be brought in, for that a long 
 tyme, whiles it had eloquence in horrour and hate, thinking 
 the ufe of it more meete for effeminate and wanton idle 
 men, then for couragious and warlike champions, it florifhed 
 as chief of all Grece with greate glorie ; but becaufe I have 
 taken in hande to inftructe a Chriftian maiden, laiyng 
 afide al other examples, I might bring in the example of 
 our Saviour, that rocke of infallible veritie, who utterly 
 blamed the wifedome of the worlde, as enemie to good 
 life and religion. But my intent is not, neither was it 
 ever, to attribute fuche evill as fpringeth from the mallice 
 of wicked men and their corrupte nature, to the facred 
 ftudie of learning, to whiche I have given my mynde, fo 
 muche as in me laye, all my life tyme. But my purpofe is 
 to prove that in a vertuous virgine and modeft maiden 
 fuche ufe is more daungerous and hurtfull, then neceffarie or 
 praife woorthie. Some perhaps will alledge that a maiden 
 beyng well learned, and able to fearche and reade fonderie 
 authors, maie become chafte and godlie by readyng the 
 godlie and chafte lives of diverfe : but I anfwere, who can 
 deny, that, feynge of her felfe, (he is able to reade and 
 understande the Chriftian poets, too wete, Prudentio, Pros-
 
 The Mirrhor of Modeftie, 1 7 
 
 pero, Juvenco, Paivlino, Nazianzeno, and fuche like, that 
 fhe will not alfo reade Lafcivious bookes of Ovide, Catullus, 
 Properties, Tibullus, and in Virgill of Eneas, and Dido ; 
 and amonge the Greeke poettes of the filthie love (if I maie 
 terme it love) of the Goddes themfelves, and of their 
 wicked adulteries and abhominable fornications, as in 
 Homer and fuche like ; and to the fame alfo (feyng that 
 Parents will be fo ambicious, as they will take delight to 
 fee their daughters difpute in Philofophers Schooles) who 
 can warrant that when it feemes good unto her, that fhe 
 will not as well defende the perverft oppinions of the Epi- 
 cure, as the fame of Zeno and Chryfippus. There be fome 
 that, amonge a few learned ladies, will alledge peradventure 
 Cornelia to be excellent, fhee that was mother unto the 
 twoo Gracchi, noble Citezens of Rome ; and yet that ladie 
 as it is knowen that fhe taught her fonnes to be no leffe 
 fedicious and violent, then eloquent and learned, so 
 taught fhe her daughter (as fome grave authors have 
 judged) to put her husbande to deathe, in whom the mag- 
 nificence and majeftie of that empire confifted. Unto the 
 ladies of Lelius was no greater commendacion given then 
 they could fpeake wifely in their mother tonngue. Like- 
 wife Portia, the wife of Brutus, was not halfe. fo muche 
 commended for having learned of her father the doctrine, 
 and decrees of the ftoicall philofophers (whiche neverleffe no 
 auncient author affirme[s]) as fhe was for keepyng loyaltie 
 and faithe to her husbande, and for beyng of a patient and 
 noble mynde, a meete vertue for the daughter of Cato, who 
 was her father. As touching Mantinea, AJfiothea, and 
 Lafthemia (I leave to talke of Leontium, that defended 
 flefhlie pleafure againft Theophraftus), who chaunged their 
 
 D
 
 1 8 The Mirrhor of Mode/lie. 
 
 womanlie attire, and entered manlike in to the schooles of 
 Plato, and there, among amorous and lafcivious youth, dis- 
 puted of the movyng of Principles and of Caufes, or 
 Damma, who taught to the world the doctrine of PitJia- 
 goras, her father, or Afpatia, or Diotima, or Thargelia, who 
 wer famous in the ftudie of Philofophie : they, I faie, never 
 got fo muche fame by their learnyng as thei did defame 
 for their unhoneft and loffe livyng. And I, fure, fuppofe 
 there is no manne of reafon and underftandyng, but had 
 rather love a Mayden unlearned and chaft, then one fus- 
 pected of difhoneft life, though never fo famous and well 
 learned in philofophie. Wherefore, I wish all parentes too 
 beware and take heede how they fuffer their young 
 daughters, beyng fraile of Nature, to be bolde difputers ; 
 and, to the ende I maie not be thought naked of examples 
 to prove the contrairie, I maintaine (feyng it behoveth 
 mee more to contende with aucthoritie then reafon) that 
 where thefe obftinate defendoures of learning to be meete 
 and neceffarie in women can bryng in one example, I will 
 alledge a nomber to the contrarie. For the hiftories, as 
 well ancient as of thofe of late daies, are full of the noble 
 fafts and renowmed deedes done by rare and excellent 
 ladies, whiche, as well for their noble courage and magna- 
 nimous harts, as for their chaft and vertuous lives, have 
 beene, and for ever wilbee, mofte famous and renowmed in 
 the worlde, and yet had no learnyng : as it hath beene 
 feene, bothe in Sparta, Rome, Perjia, PJweia, Chios, A rgina, 
 and dyvers other places, whofe names have beene cele- 
 brated in tyme paft, and to our tyme prefent have leaft 
 behinde them more matter to wright on touchyng their 
 vertue, then ever either Erinna, Sappho or Corinna did
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie, 19 
 
 write them selves of excellent and famous men. And who 
 is it that will denie that it is not more praies and honnour 
 too doe noble deedes, then to write of them fure, I thinke, 
 none. I am, therefore, of this advife, that it is not mete 
 nor convenient for a maiden to be taught or trayned up in 
 learnyng of humaine artes, in whome a vertuous demeanour 
 and honeft behaviour would be a more fightlier ornament 
 then the light or vaine glorie of learnyng. For in learnyng 
 and ftudiyng of the artes there are twoo thynges finallie 
 propofed unto us ; that is, recreation and profitte : touchyng 
 profitte, that is not to bee looked for at the handes of her 
 that is geven us for a companion in our labours, but rather 
 every woman ought wholelie to be active and deligent 
 about the governement of her houfholde and familie ; and 
 touchyng recreation, by learnyng that cannot bee graunted 
 her without greate daunger and offence to the beautie and 
 brightneffe of her mynde. Seyng, then, that the governe- 
 ment of eftates and publike weales are not committed into 
 the handes of women ; neyther that it is lawfull or con- 
 venient for them to wright lawes, by whiche men fhould 
 bee ruled and governed, as Draco, Licurgus, and Numa 
 Pompilius did ; neither as profeffours of science and facultie 
 to teache in schooles the wifedome of Lawes and Philofo- 
 phie ; and feing alfo that in fuche ftudies as yeldeth 
 recreation and pleafure there is no leffe daunger that they 
 will as well learne to be fubtile and fhameleffe lovers, as 
 connyng and fkilfull writers of Ditties, Sonnetes, Epi- 
 grames, and Ballates, let them be reftrained to the care 
 and governement of a familie, and teache them to bee 
 envious in followyng thofe, that by true vertue have made 
 little accompte of thofe that, to the prejudice of their good
 
 2o The Mirrhor of Mode/tie. 
 
 names, have beene defirous to bee reputed Diotimes, Afpa- 
 ties, Sapphoes, and Corinnes. For fuche as compare the 
 fmall profit of learnyng with the greate hurt and domage 
 that commeth to them by the fame shall fone perceive (al- 
 though that they remaine obftinate therein) how far more 
 convenient the Diftaffe and Spindle, Nedle and Thimble 
 were for them with a good and honeft reputation, then the 
 fkill of well ufmg a penne, or writyng a loftie vearce with 
 diffame and difhonour, if in the fame there be more erudi- 
 tion then vertue. Moreover, who is hee that will doubte 
 that the Maide will not become perfitte and well accom- 
 plished (how be it that it be harde to be beleved, feyng 
 that now adaies they bee wedded and committed to the 
 government of a housholde fo young) whiche in companie, 
 and by the inftru6lion of manie bothe wife and vertuous, 
 and by longe experience have beene taught the manner, 
 how to governe a housholde wifely : fure, I will never con- 
 difcende that any Maiden, furmounting in her felfe the 
 eftate of an active wife, or for too name her by one woorde 
 economically should, by climyng up the ladder of naturall 
 Philofophie, being fo difficile, adventure to get to the con- 
 templation of fuche thynges, as rather of idle menne, 
 whiche have bin many yeres exercifed in readyng, is to bee 
 defired then hoped for. But for fo muche as the hope of 
 fuche thynges are obtained with fo greate daunger, and 
 that in all other faculties, which are to bee got by praclife 
 and knowledge (having to make choife) fuche are foner 
 chofen, that thei are informed to have fmall knowledge 
 and greate experience, then thofe that have great know- 
 ledge and fmall praclife, I thinke it neceffarie that maidens 
 bee committed no otherwife, under the care and charge of
 
 TJic Mirrhor of Mode/lie. 2 1 
 
 a wife and prudente matrone, who by long ufe is become 
 fkilfull and expert, then if to bee tranfported into a 
 ftraunge and farre countrie, and would commit our goodes 
 and marchaundize to a wife and experte mariner, makyng 
 little accompte of hym that onely by information of the 
 Aftrolabie, or the Gardes of Ptolomie, doe promife us 
 (havyng never travailed from home) fure favegarde. It ought 
 to fuffice that a maiden, beyng become wife, by the inftruc- 
 tion and teachyng of her prudent miftres, doeth give good 
 hope that in tyme, when occafion fhall ferve, me will be fuf- 
 ficient to governe a houfholde and familie difcretely. And 
 yet notwithftandyng al this, I would not have a maiden 
 altogether forbidden, or reftrained from reading, for fo 
 muche as the fame is not onely profitable to wife and ver- 
 tuous women, but alfo a riche and precious Jewell ; but I 
 would have her, if fhe reade, to reade no other bookes but 
 fuche as bee written by godlie Fathers to our inftruclion 
 and foules healthe, and not fuche lafcivious fonges, filthie 
 ballades, and undecent bookes as be mofle commonly now 
 a daies fette to fale, to the greate infection of youth, the 
 names of whiche to recite would require a long tyme, and 
 fo write a greate volume, beyng more pleafaunte then pro- 
 fitable, long then learned, gallant then godlie. Wherefore 
 leavyng theim as unworthie to bee mentioned, I would 
 have our maiden, I meane her that will attire her minde by 
 this Mirrhor, to reade (if fhe delight to bee a reader) the 
 holie Scripture, or other good bookes, as the bookes of Plu- 
 tarcke, made of fuch renowmed and vertuous women as lived 
 in tyme pafte, and thofe of Boccas tendyng to the fame 
 fence, or fome other nerer to our tyme ; and lette her in 
 readyng confider what fhe reade : for in theim fhe fhall not
 
 22 The Mirrhor of Mode/tie. 
 
 onely reade woordes, whiche, if thei bee not garnifhed with 
 good examples, be naught worth, but alfo godly deedes 
 and holie enterprifes of vertuous virgines and worthie 
 women, by whiche fhe maie increafe and augmente her 
 vertue by immytatyng their lives. Lette her reade, I faie, 
 and with the fame print in her minde, the lives of fuche 
 noble ladies as lived in Troie, Sabina, Phocia, Argiva, and 
 Rome ; for no doubte she shall learne greate example of 
 pitie to her countrie by Megeftona, Aretaphila, Policreta, 
 and by Judith and Hefter; and true love and loialtie to 
 their husbandes by Lucres, Portia, and Camma: in fomme, 
 to make an ende of ftrangers, she shall finde example of 
 vertue, religion, and holineffe in a number of Virgines, 
 as in Cicile, Agathe, Theodore, Barbara, and infinite other 
 who, with the prife of their bloudes, did fuffer incredible 
 tormentes for the profeffion of a godly faithe. And, above 
 all, for delight, if fhe love to bee delighted in vertue, let her 
 reade that worthie booke of Martyres, compiled by that 
 famous Father and worthie man of God, maifter Foxe. 
 Now, to returne to our matrone, I would wiflie her to frame 
 in the mindes of them that fhe takes to governe, a true 
 religion and pietie, avoidyng wholie fuperftition, as a capi- 
 tall peftilence. I truft that at this prefente, in whiche tyme 
 efpeciallie among us here in Englande where the Gospell 
 is fo freely and fincerely preached, I neede not to declare, 
 from the beginnyng to the ende, where in the one is dif- 
 ferent from the other, I meane true religion from falce 
 fuperftition ; for fo muche as I thinke there bee but fewe, at 
 leaft of any age, that are ignoraunt how religion is a vertue 
 which confifteth in mediocritie, the which even as it hath on 
 the one fide impietie, whiche is one of the extremities, so
 
 The Mirrhor of Mode/lie. 23 
 
 hath it on the other fide fuperftition, no leffe pernitious 
 then impietie. Whiche thing I would wifhe our matron to 
 make manifeft to our maiden, emong other thinges apperti- 
 nente to a Chriftian : alfo fhe mail inforce her to be humble 
 and lowly of harte, becaufe that humilitie is not onely a 
 Chriftian and civile vertue, but the verie foundacion and 
 pilloure of all Chriftian and civile vertues ; for it ingen- 
 dreth in us the knowledge of our felves (as muche as our 
 weakeneffe maie or can comprehende), and therefore it wil 
 give her the underftandyng of Gods fapience, bountie, and 
 puiffance (whiche fhe ought to know to be infinite, not 
 only in creatyng the whole world by admirable ordynance 
 of nothyng, and fillyng and garnifhing it with greate va- 
 rietie of all thinges, but in confervyng it in the fame beyng 
 by eternall and devine Providence) ; and it will not only 
 fhewe her that all that whiche maie be in a yong maiden, 
 but all that whiche maie be in kinges and emperours, and 
 all that whiche was in them that in tyme pafte fprounge 
 out of the Lido, Portico, or Accademia, with fame and re- 
 nowme to bee wife, in comparifon of that whiche God maie 
 or can, and efteeming all that whiche by anie maner of 
 meanes maie in us have the name of bounty and goodneffe, 
 compared to that of God, is mofte abhominable wicked- 
 neffe. And to doe this our wife matrone (hall fet before her 
 all that whiche maie be learned by godlie men, and by 
 dailie inftru&ions fhall teache her that our Saviour Chrifte 
 came not into the world to be ferved, but to ferve ; and that 
 he faid to his Apoftles, that were at ftrife for the higheft 
 place, that he whiche was greater then the other mould be 
 inferiour, and that he whiche humbled hym felfe mould be 
 exalted : whiche is, that they onely were lifted up that
 
 24 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 
 
 knewe them felves. Whiche devine vertue hath not onely 
 beene laudable amonge Chriftians, but in Socrates it was 
 a figne of fmguler wifedome in that he rightlie adjudged 
 him wife which knewe him felfe to knowe nothyng : and no 
 doubt our maiden maie eafely attaine to this vertue, if our 
 matrone doe but carefully inftru6l her, to take heede, not 
 onely too thofe that bee more noble then her felf, and more 
 mightie or more riche, but (whiche is of more greater im- 
 portaunce) to thofe that bee the moft vertuous and wife, 
 and not unto the wanton and wicked, as the worlde com- 
 monlie ufe : by whiche she shall finde and reape double pro- 
 fite and commoditie, for (he knowyng that in the worlde 
 there bee manie noble ladies, and riche dames inferiour to 
 her, shee shall abate in her felfe that whiche before was in 
 her of hautineffe and arrogancie, a vice fure noyfome ; and 
 takyng heede to the vertuous, shall fo muche as it lieth in 
 her, indevour her felf to attaine to the fame vertue, whereof 
 she knoweth she hath want. Likewife our matrone shall 
 shewe to our maiden how foule, filthie, unfemely, and dif- 
 orderly a thyng it is for any woman to learne every daie of 
 an other woman (beeyng abroade, and feyng theim that are 
 braveft attired) how to tricke and trim up them felves after 
 the mofte neweft and gallanteft fashion, to fette out their 
 bodilie beautie, and will not, but as careleffe, have respe6le 
 to the femely and comely vertues and precious ornamentes 
 of the minde, for which, wife and worthie women are highly 
 accompted of. But now adaies it femeth to fome, and that 
 to the mofte parte, that it is a godly ornament, and a brave 
 fettyng out to a yong maiden, if fhe, emong the reft can, 
 fhewe her felf to be an excellent fine finger, or a cunnyng 
 plaier uppon inftrumentes ; whiche thyng, although it bee
 
 The Mirrhor of Modeftie. 25 
 
 confirmed by fome gallant glofyng reafons, I for my part 
 doe not onely difcommende, but judge that a thing of no 
 little daunger, which ought in all women to be efchewed. 
 For as muficke, if it be ufed to a laudable and good inten- 
 tion, hath no evill in it, but deferveth a place emong the 
 other artes, the whiche, appertainyng properly to menne, be 
 called liberall ; yet notwithftandyng, under the fhadowe of 
 vertue (as for the mofte parte all other artes and faculties 
 bee foolifhely acknowledged for vertues) it beareth a fwete 
 baite, to a fowre and fharpe evill. Therefore, I wifhe our 
 maiden wholie to refrain from the ufe of muficke ; and fee- 
 yng that under the coverture of vertue, it openeth the dore 
 to many vices, fhe ought fo muche the more to be regarded, 
 by how muche more the daunger is greate, and leffe appa- 
 rent. I muft confeffe that the ufe of finging and delicate 
 plaiyng uppon inftrumentes and fweete harmonic is necef- 
 farie, but for whom ? For thofe that bee overworne with 
 greef, forowe, trouble, cares, or other vexation, have neede 
 of recreation ; as Agamemnon in Homer, and Saule in the 
 holie Scripture, by the harpe and fweete fyngyng of David, 
 who therewith pacified his fierce and furious pafiions, and 
 revoked them to a milde and quiete fpirite. But in fteade of 
 ufyng it to fo good an intention, it is converted to a poifon, 
 for it is onely at bankettes and feaftes, to whiche, as if the 
 delicious and fweete meates did not fufficiently effeminate 
 the myndes of men and women, the .excellenteft mufitians 
 are called, where to the fweete accordes of fondrie inftru- 
 mentes, often tymes artificiall lafcivious fonges are ad- 
 joyned ; therby, no other wife, then as dryed wood beyng 
 laied on the fire, with little blowyng will kindle and burne, 
 to kindle in their hartes the flames of leude affections, that 
 
 E
 
 26 The Mirrlior of Modeftie. 
 
 are not yet ftrongly ftaied up by vertue, and by fuche newe 
 devifes to burne theim. It is faied, that from the falfe 
 fweeteneffe of the Sirens fonges Uliffes, a prince famous 
 emong the Grekes, and faied to be nourifhed with heavenly 
 foode, in the verie bofome of Sapirnes, Jupiters doughter, 
 could hardly efcape ; and fhall wee, then, without feare, 
 give fo muche truft to a young maiden daintely and ten- 
 derly trained up, that fhe, not onely by hearyng, but by 
 learnyng fo wanton an Arte, will not become wanton and 
 effeminate ? 
 
 Plato verie wifely did thinke it a thing of greate import - 
 aunce, emong the cuftomes of citizens, to fette doune what 
 maner of muficke citizens might ufe. Of whiche the Citie 
 of Lacedemon yeldes ample witneffe, whiche (wholie abhor- 
 ryng all fuche muficke as might make their mindes feeble 
 or effeminate) choofe the fame whiche, yeeldyng a manlie 
 and a magnanimuous founde, made men couragious, hotte, 
 and defirous of immortall glorie, and defended itfelfe in 
 fuche wife many yeres from corruption. Likewife Licurgns, 
 a prince of greate wifedome and learnyng, would not but, in 
 tyme of warre and in battaile, have any muficke, and the 
 fame was fuche, as animated and incited the myndes of 
 men to the defence of their Countries and Common weales, 
 and did moderate the immoderate movynges of the bodie, 
 to the ende that, by jufte meafure and due order, thei might 
 march againft their -enemies : where the daintie muficke, 
 whiche we now adaies commonly and onely ufe for delight, 
 did feme unto hym (as truely it is) able to engender in the 
 hartes of men the contrarie, how bee it that thei bee of 
 valiaunte and noble courage ; and therefore did banifhe 
 fuche muficke as would make hardie menne cowardes.
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 27 
 
 And not onely in that Citie (in whiche by a long tyme 
 fuche pleafure had no place, as brought other Cities, yea, 
 onely the fame that was the Empire of the whole worlde to 
 ruine) but in Athens alfo, in whiche all other fortes and 
 kindes of delightes and pleafures have been invented, as of 
 lowable Artes and Sciences, the fame was prohibited. 
 Alcibiades, feelyng in his mynde a merveilous fweete ac- 
 corde of divine harmonic by the facred ftudie of philo- 
 fophie, difdained, as of a noble courage, this daintie Arte ; 
 the whiche, to our greate hurte and hinderaunce, by so 
 muche the leffe it is unknowen to us, by fo muche the more 
 it delighteth and pleafeth us. But to the ende it maie not 
 feeme that I have, of a determined and fette purpofe, under- 
 taken to beate muficke doune, I graunt it neceffarie unto 
 thofe that can not, or have not wherewith better to imploye 
 or paffe out their idle tyme ; and yet furely, in my minde 
 and judgemente, Pltilip of Macedon did very wifely reprove 
 his fonne Alexander, in faiyng that he had profited too 
 muche in muficke, and was therein become to excellent ; 
 and that to other it might feme meete to bee a muficion, 
 and not to a prince. And, therefore, no doubte it were 
 more meete for a civile citizen, or a modefte maiden, muche 
 more any honourable perfone, too bende their eares unto 
 muficions and fyngers, thinkyng the harkyng unto theim 
 more conveniente, (and yet the fame to bee but for recrea- 
 tion) then thei theim felves to be harkened unto by idle 
 and wanton folke. I wifhe our maiden, not onely to learne 
 all maner of nedle woorke meete for a maiden, but alfo all 
 that whiche belongeth to the Diftaffe and Spindle; not 
 thinkyng it unfeemely to any, of what eftate or degree fo 
 ever, feeyng that Anguftus Ccefar, prince and monarche of
 
 28 The Mirrhor of Modeftie. 
 
 the worlde, was willyng to have his daughter and niece 
 fkilfull in the fame. And, whiche is more, to the ende, that 
 (he beeyng become a married wife, maie knowe the office 
 and duetie of houfholde fervauntes, lette her note, and 
 looke how aptly and cleanly thei keepe the chambers, and 
 other like places ; how thei dreffe meates ; and without 
 any difdaine or arrogancie, how thei laye leven, and other 
 neceffaries meete for a houfwife to knowe : and lette her be 
 prefent at every thing that belongeth to houfholde affaires, 
 for then will it bee thought that fhe, beeyng a wife, will 
 approve fuche a one as all wives ought to bee ; that is, 
 fkilfull in all houfhold bufmeffe, when in their youthe thei 
 feeme readie too learne all that which belongeth to a 
 maiden. Now for fo muche as fome vertues, the whiche, 
 beyng in a noble dame, indeede, or one of greate eftate or 
 callyng, doe feeme of fmall praies, and yet if they be not in 
 her, doe often tymes caufe them to ronne in too greate re- 
 proache, let them in this maner of lyving have a care, 
 havyng that whiche is needefull, to the maintenaunce and 
 well ordering of their lives in eftimation, that, fo accuftomed 
 and ufed, thei not onely feace to defire, but difdaine and 
 abhorre all that whiche maie provoke and move theim too 
 glotonie. And fure it would not be amis if to deteft that 
 vice (as alfo I have faide in all other, and above all in that 
 whiche is contrarie to chaftitie) fhe learneth by lookyng 
 in this Mirrhor to abhore and difdaine all foule and un- 
 feemely ufages ; even as Pallas did, by feyng in a chriftall 
 Mirrhor, or, as fome wright, a clere ronnyng ryver, how 
 unfeemely her cheekes fwelled when fhee plaied upon her 
 winde inftrument called a flute ; and feyng how evill it was 
 for one of her callyng to have a face fo difformed, fhe vio-
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 29 
 
 lently threw it from her, and brake it upon the grounde, 
 renouncyng quite the ufe of it, and all fuche like. More- 
 over, I would in no wife have our maiden a liar, but alwaies, 
 if (he offendeth, to confeffe the offence truelie, rather then 
 faine by falcehoode a vertue ; for the confeflion of fmne is 
 occafion of penitence, but the fimulation of vertue is the 
 alteration of the harte to arrogancie, and whiche is mofte 
 dangerous : as a fickeneffe beyng manifeft is to be cured, 
 and as the fained health giveth no occafion of curyng the 
 maladie that is fecret, fo the offence beyng manifeft and 
 healed by conveniente remedies, geveth occafion of good- 
 neffe, but the diffimuled or fained vertue, with out any re- 
 medie applied, nourifhed the contrarie evill. Alfo I would 
 wifhe our modeft maiden to be kept from the companie of 
 many ; for alwaies there is more to be feared in a greate 
 companie then in a fmall : and if anie be infe6led of a 
 greate and grevous difeafe, it is fo muche the more dan- 
 gerous and contagious ; and if in a multitude there be anie 
 mifchief to be accorded, or depraved manners to be amended, 
 they be alwaies more difficill and harde to be ended then 
 in a fmall, or little nomber : for fo muche as evill increafeth 
 by the ufage of divers, and therefore it were good for our 
 maiden to live, if it were poffible, in the companie mofte 
 commonlie of one onely, and yet fo to efchew the multitude 
 as not too have theim in horrhor. I woulde alfo wifhe her 
 to bee inftructed and taught to be frendlie and affable to 
 all, and to honnor them, and to be courteous to them, 
 alwaies graunting to other the higheft plafes, and that not 
 onely to them that be her equalles but to her inferiores, to 
 thende that, fuche feyng her greate courtefie to be com- 
 mendable, maie by example of her vertue have pride in
 
 3O The Mirrhor of Modcjlic. 
 
 hate as a mofte pernitious evell. Befides, I would not have 
 her, that will attire her minde by this Mirrhor, to be a bab- 
 bler or greate talker, but to confider that alwaies muche 
 babbling and fpeaking is occafion of many faultes, not 
 onely in youth, in whiche, more then in other age, it be- 
 hoveth to learne, but alfo in thofe of ripe yeeres and gra- 
 vitie, which ought to be inftructors and teachers of good 
 demeanors. I therefore wifhe her diligentlie to harken to all ; 
 but, efpecially being in the companie of grave and wife 
 women, I wifhe her to be attentive to heare that whiche 
 they faie, and fhe not to fpeake to often ; for as fhe that 
 fpeaketh often is in danger to faile, fo fhee that hereth 
 much is in poffibilitie to become more wife and learned : 
 whiche thinge, to the ende it maie happen to our maiden, I 
 would wifhe her to take heede and note that whiche is 
 uttered to the praies or difpraies of any, and thereafter to 
 frame her life ; whiche thing fhee maie eafely difcerne by the 
 jeftures and behaviours of the hearers, who alwaies with 
 cherefull countenances are accuftomed to rejoyce at that 
 whiche is good, contrarie with a fower and fharpe looke, and 
 as it were with grief, thei accorde to that whiche is evill, 
 and tolde without refpe6le of place, tyme, perfone, or of 
 fuche thinges as they talke of, or of them felves. In this 
 wife fhee mail make election and choife of that whiche fhe 
 ought to keepe filent, fetting a law to her felf, to doe the 
 one and efchue the other ; for fhe ought to know that the 
 ufe of the toung is to be ufed foberly and difcretly, for to 
 that ende nature, that wife workewoman, ordained the tong 
 to bee inclofed as with a hedge within twoo rowes of teeth, 
 where contrarie fhee hath leaft our eares open, the one to 
 be readie to heare, and the other flowe to fpeake. There bee
 
 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 3 1 
 
 manie excellent examples to bee noted, and worthie to be 
 printed in the memorie of every man and woman, out of 
 manie ancient woorkes, but among the reft out of Erafmns 
 his golden booke, the whiche he hath leaft written full of 
 the vices and vertue of the toung : there bee manie to bee 
 taken, and therefore having cited the booke by name, I 
 doubt not but our matrone will caufe our maiden to reade 
 it, on hope wherof I leave to rehearce the wordes in this 
 volume. Touchyng her apparell, that I am willing to 
 teache and inftru6te, feeyng that the fame is one of thofe 
 thinges whiche are named indifferent, and for fo muche as 
 ufe onely makes it to feme diverfly good and bad, I wish 
 her not to be envious of others ; neither she by her pompous 
 attire, or over riche ornamentes, to give other caufe to envie 
 her, and her felf to bee thought arrogant and ambitious ; for 
 it is no leffe dangerous to bee envied, then it is to bee en- 
 vious, but to bee alwaies modeftly arraied. Now, becaufe 
 it hath bin faied before, that she should carefully efchewe 
 the companie of acquaintaunce, efpecially and before all, 
 that of kitchine maides, and light goffepes, I thinke it goode 
 here to counfaile her againe to ufe her in fuche forte, as in 
 her countenance and behaviour, that it appeare not [to] any 
 to precede of a proude or arrogant harte ; but lette her en- 
 termedle in their offices and affaires with a modefte gra- 
 vitie, garnished with pleafant and milde humilitie ; alwaies 
 bearyng in minde how muche the converfation of fuche 
 tattlers as are more readye too fpeake that whiche thei 
 ought not, then too harken to that whiche thei ought, is 
 greatly to bee feared, thei beyng evermore accuftomed to 
 bee more bufie in the reprovyng others faultes, then readie 
 to amende their owne. Befides all this, I would wishe our
 
 32 The M irrJwr of Mode/lie. 
 
 well adorned maiden to bee friendly and affable, so nere as 
 she can, unto all, in yeeldyng honour and reverence to the 
 good to obtaine their love and good likyng, and not to 
 difdaine or reje&e the evill to incurre their hate. Alfo, I 
 muft give remembrance to efchewe one faulte that is daun- 
 gerous, unfemely, and more peculiar in yong age then in 
 any other, the whiche, becaufe it covereth it felf, as it were, 
 under the coverture of a fuche nere vertue, as is bothe laud- 
 able, and a goodlie ornamente, is difficile of the mofte parte 
 to be avoided ; and it confifheth onely in an unfeemely and 
 foolifhe fhamefaftneffe, the whiche, oftentymes paffyng 
 under the habite of cuftome and nature, doeth continue 
 poffeffion in ripe yeres, with occafion of greate reproofe. 
 For truely, as too muche boldneffe (beeyng a thing more 
 conveniente for thofe that, to reprove vice, ufe the partes of 
 divers perfonages in Comedies and Tragedies, then for a 
 modefte or milde maiden) is to bee fhonned and efchewed 
 as a fault infamous : fo to the contrary, too muche fearful- 
 neffe or fhamefaftneffe, where it is needeleffe, is a pointe of 
 greate follie, fitter for babes to ufe, then fuche a one as I 
 wifhe our maiden to bee, that delighteth to decke her 
 minde by this Mirrhor : therefore, reftrainyng thefe twoo 
 extremities, if any commit offence proper to yong age, let 
 them be shamefaft onely in acknowledging their faulte, 
 and not otherwife ; and fo, not beeyng obftinate in deniyng, 
 thei shall shewe greate figne of amendemente. And, fure, 
 there cannot bee a greater chafticemente, then the fame 
 that fuche a one shall conceive. Likewife, where it behoveth 
 her to shewe her vertue, she shall bee readie,.but not to[o] 
 bolde, and by a fodaine blushing, whiche immediately will 
 overfpread her lillie cheekes with roseate read, she shall
 
 The M irrhor of Modeftie. 33 
 
 shewe that she beareth in her breafte a reverente harte, 
 farre feparated from infamous and reprochfull shame. In 
 fuche wife, I faie, she shall with a cherefull countenaunce, 
 and a well tempered gravite, caftyng her eyes to the yearth, 
 shewe of her felf that whiche, nevertheleffe, although she 
 knowes it will redound to her praife and commendation, 
 she would willingly diffemble, and faine not to care for. 
 With this commendable confidence, when it behoves her 
 through requeft to recite any Pfalme, or other fpirituall 
 fong, or godlie fentence, fhe fhall fet her felf forthe to doe 
 it with a milde refufall, yet altogether voide of undecent 
 affectyng, which thyng the mofte parte of people can hardly 
 efchewe ; and yet her prudente matrone, to the ende that 
 our maiden maie bee ftill in doubte of this affectyng, fhall 
 holde her in fufpecte of her refufe. Of whiche thyng, in 
 my judgement, there nede no other advifement then the 
 fame which other have written. Emong the Lacedemonians, 
 beeyng otherwife menne vertuous, and of a fevere difci- 
 pline, uncorrupted in all other laudable cuftomes, this 
 vice have been noted and marked ; and that onely in Arif- 
 totle cheefly, who, in difdainyng fumptuous apparell, fought 
 ambicioufly therby to purchafe fame and renowne of mag- 
 nanimitie, and fo in that difdainyng, he fhewed hym felf to 
 bee proude and arrogant ; whiche thyng Plato wittely re- 
 proved in Diogenes, who whiles that, by an importunate 
 feveritie, he did treade under his feete the coverlettes that 
 he fawe liyng uppon Plato his bedde, farre more riche and 
 coftly then it feemed to hym conveniente for a philofopher, 
 faied that he trode under his feete the pride and ambicion 
 of Plato. But Plato verie readely and with greate modeftie 
 aunfwered and faied, O Diogenes, thou treadeft -uppon my 
 
 F
 
 34 The Mirrhor of Modejlie. 
 
 pride with a farre more hautie and loftie pride then myne 
 is, fo that many oftentymes by reprovyng glorie doe feeke 
 it. The whiche as it ought not to be defired vicioufly, so 
 ought it not to be refufed with too great an opinion of 
 vertue, becaufe that in vertuous woorkes extremities be 
 alwaies vicious. Thei doe truely diflike that doe truely 
 poffeffe this vertue ; otherwife thei are not without affeclyng, 
 although at the firfte fhewe it femeth otherwife. And, 
 therefore, let our maiden learne to diflike thofe thinges 
 with judgemente whiche fhee ought not to like, or if me 
 ought to like, yet at the leaft to make little fhowe thereof, 
 and that not with travell, but with a milde and courteous 
 countenance. And havyng oportunitie to doe anie thing 
 by whiche anie praies or commendacion is to be wonne, she 
 shall neither diflike it, nor like it, more [than] it behoveth her ; 
 for from thence it will fpring that she, making others to beleve 
 that she, by deniyng that for commendacion, whiche others 
 doe attribute unto her, shee will bee thought to deceive and 
 merite muche more. Now, as touchyng feaftes and paf- 
 times, I would not wishe our maiden, or at leaft our ma- 
 trone to fuffer our maiden in her tender yeeres to frequent 
 or haunt theim ; by reafon that by the fame it happens too 
 manie as it happened to Atalanta, whofe neare obtayned 
 viftorie was hindered by the glifteryng showe of three 
 golden balles, whiche she ftaied to gather up, whiles her ad- 
 verfarie over ranne her and wanne the garlande, which 
 otherwife she her felf had gained. Harde it is to faie how 
 much more efficacie the apparence of evill deedes hath in 
 the hartes and mindes of youth, then the fame of laudable 
 examples showen a farre of. And therefore, to the ende 
 that in fo gallant a race oure maiden maie not fee anie
 
 The Mirrhor of Modeflie. 35 
 
 thing to hinder or ftaie her atchiving to the ende, let her 
 
 leave the haunt of feaftes and banketes, and companie of 
 
 light hufwives, and only fettle her minde to take recreation 
 
 and pleafure in walking the gardens and pleafaunt or- 
 
 chardes at convenient tyme and dewe leifure. But let fee : 
 
 whither am I gone ? Truft me, the great defire that I have 
 
 to adorne and deacke oure maiden, or better to faie, to ripen 
 
 fuche vertues as are beginning to budde in her, hath tranf- 
 
 ported me beyonde my marke : muche like to him, that 
 
 walking by the waie, beyng in deepe confideration with 
 
 him felf touchyng his urgent affaires, and forgetting him 
 
 felf, doeth often paffe the place that he appointed to goe 
 
 unto ; fo I at this inftaunt fee my felf ftrayed beyonde the 
 
 limittes that I had fet to wright of this matter : therefore, 
 
 makyng an ende, I praie God, who onely can doe muche 
 
 more then anie counfell or humaine pollecie maie imagine, 
 
 fo to guide the mindes of all mothers, matrones, and 
 
 maidens, as they maie farre excell in their lives the 
 
 order that I have fett doune in thefe leaves ; 
 
 and then no doubt but, after this life, 
 
 they shall in the life to come 
 
 have fruition of heavenlie 
 
 felicitie. 
 
 FINIS, qd THOMAS SALTER. 
 Ne ga ne la.
 
 A PRETIE PITHIE DIALOGUE 
 
 betwene Mercuric and Vertue. 
 Made by T. S. 
 
 MERCURIE. 
 
 The goddefs Vertue hath praied me by her Letters to 
 make my prefente repaire unto her : whereto I willynly 
 accorde, onely to underftande her pleafure ; that ended, I 
 mufte make fpedie retourne toward Jupiter. 
 
 VERTUE. 
 
 Haile, heavenly Mercuric! Vertue faluteth thee, andyeeld- 
 eth mofte hartie thankes, in that thou vouchfafeft to come 
 unto me ; whereby I maie bee perfwaded that I am not yet 
 forfaken of all the gods. 
 
 MERCURIE. 
 
 I partely underftande your meanyng : wherefore bee brief, 
 good Vertue, and faie thy minde, for I am commaunded by 
 Jupiter not to be long abfent from hym. 
 
 VERTUE. 
 
 Why, is it not lawfull then for me, neither maie I be per- 
 mitted to make [known] my calamitie and oppreffion ? Who 
 mall I have to bee revengers of my caufe and injuries, if li- 
 bertie and facultie bee denied me to have acceffe unto Ju- 
 piter ? onely, I faie unto thee, Mercurie, whom I have alwaies 
 accompted of as my brother, and as fuche a one have ho-
 
 A pretie pit/lie Dialogue. 37 
 
 noured and reverenced thee, Oh, I mofte miferable ! to 
 what place fhall I flie ? To whom fhall I have recourfe ? 
 Of whom els, or in what place, fhall I from henceforth afke 
 fuccour, helpe, and comforte ? Truely, beeyng fo poorely 
 apparelled as I am, and evill intreated bothe of gods and 
 men, and in this wife difdained and abandoned, even 
 almofte to my beyng cherifhed, or imbraced of none, it 
 were farre better for me to bee a blocke then a goddeffe. 
 
 MERCURIE. 
 
 Well, Vertue, declare breefly thy caufe of calamitie, whiles 
 I am attentive and inclined to heare thee. 
 
 VERTUE. 
 
 Alas ! feeft thou not how naked I am, miferably cafte 
 doune, and well nere honored or eftemed of none ? Whiche 
 evill hap and inconvenience is happened unto me by the 
 boldneffe, impietie, and injurie wrought againft me by the 
 proude and arrogante goddeffe Fortune. I will tell thee, 
 Mercurie, as I was extolled and lifted up in greate honour 
 and reputation in the Elizian feeldes, emong the excellent, 
 modeft, and famous perfonages, Socrates, Plato, Demofthenes, 
 Cicero, Archimedes, Policlet, and many other fuche like fpi- 
 rites devine, the whiche duryng their life time did above all 
 thynges religioufly love and honour me ; and as alfo in 
 thofe places, fo pleafaunte and delectable, many famous, 
 valiaunte, and triumphaunte kynges, princes, and worthies 
 of fonderie countries, by multitudes come runnyng to im- 
 brace me, and yeelde me all kinde of honour and duetifull 
 falutation, beholde ! there came towardes me in greate hafte 
 that impudent and infolent goddeffe Fortune, my capitall 
 and perpetuall enemie ; who, garded and incompaffed with 
 greate companies of armed men, no leffe filled with boofting
 
 38 A pretie pithie Dialogue. 
 
 bragges, and fwolne with pride, then readie to burfte with 
 greefe, envie, and difpight (to fee me fo honoured) ad- 
 vaunfed her felf to difplace me, criyng a farre of, mofte 
 arrogantly and furioufly, in this maner : Why, howe nowe, 
 miftreffe many better, ladie of little, and regente of right 
 naught ! is there no reverence to bee fhowen, neither knowe 
 you fo muche your maners, as to give place too your bet- 
 ters ? To fpeake a truthe, I nothyng moved indeede at 
 her commyng ; neither did I, or any of mi companie, paffe 
 for her : wherefore fhe proceaded forthe, and proudely 
 faied, Why, gentlewoman, will you not fturre ? Is this the 
 humilitie you fhewe to the high prefence of gods ? Is this 
 the reverence and honour thou yeeldeft unto them, thou 
 prefumptuous callott that thou art ? Credite me, Mercuric, 
 I was greately greeved with fo undeferved an injurie ; 
 wherefore, fomewhat moved in mynde, I thus aunfwered. 
 Why, proude goddeffe, it is not all thy loftie wordes, neither 
 the power thou booftethof,that can make me either an abjecl, 
 or naught worthe. Befides, I am not mynded (how bee it 
 that we are bounde to bowe to our fuperiours) to bowe or 
 bend unto thee, leaft I mould ronne therby into difhonour 
 and infamie. 
 
 This fhorte and fharpe aunfwere fo vexed Fortune, that 
 furioufly inflamed (without other occafion given), fhe forth- 
 with ftepped forward, and, as one inraged, ran violently 
 upon me, breathyng againft me a thoufande funderie in- 
 juries and fpightfull reprooffes, whiche I here paffe over, 
 with the contumelious and shawefull woordes that she 
 vomited out at her firfte commyng, to the prejudice of 
 myne honour. Wherefore, Plato, beeyng moved by her 
 infolencie, beganne, contrary to they earthly goddeffes fanfie,
 
 A pretie pitltic Dialogue. 39 
 
 to difpute, and alledge many thinges intreatyng of the 
 duetie of fuperiores, what thei ought to bee in their voca- 
 tions and administrations ; but me, impaciente at fuche de- 
 monftration, to breake of his talke, fodainly faied with a 
 loude voice : Oh ! a voide, a voide from before my face and 
 prefence this bolde prattler, for it is not appertinent for 
 fervauntes to entermeddle with the eftate of fuperiours. 
 Cicero alfo, greeved at the wrong doen unto me, beganne to 
 minifter many examples, tending to the perfection of 
 kynges, princes, and magiftrates, how they ought to admi- 
 niftrate juftice, helpe the poore people, and in all thinges 
 fhowe them felves mainteiners of honnor and vertue. But 
 (alas !) at the fame time alfo, out of a companie of armed 
 men, Marke Anthonie ftepped forth, armed to the advan- 
 tage, and with a crewell ftroke of his gantlet hurt Cicero in 
 the face ; whiche feing, all my frendes beyng aftonied, 
 fearing a farther evill, faved them felves by flight, becaufe 
 being unarmed, thei fuppofed them felves to[o] weake to 
 withftande fo greate a nomber armed and weaponed, and 
 whiche were exercifed warrelike in fpoiles, rapes, and mur- 
 ders. I beyng then miferably forfaken and leaft of all my 
 frendes, thofe unkinde and cruell warriours tooke mee and 
 tore of my garmentes piteoufly, and finallie having caft me 
 into a ryver harde by all bemired with mudde, thei, with 
 greate joye, triumphing for fuch viclorie over me, went their 
 waies fingyng, fhowtyng, and daunfyng. Whereof to certifie 
 Jtipitcr, and declare unto him every thing as it paffed, as 
 fone as I had leifure I came hether. It is now a moneth 
 and more fmce, that I have everie daie ftaied to bee let in 
 at the gate, praiyng the refidewe of gods, at their commyng 
 forth and going in, to be mine aiders. But, alas ! they ever
 
 40 A pretie pithie Dialogue. 
 
 more fed me with excufes ; for either they faie they are 
 bufied aboute the making of cowcombers and gourdes to 
 fpring in their time and feafon, or elfe to painte and give 
 gallant gaie winges to bees and butterflies. Alas ! what 
 fhould I faie ? will they alwaies be bufied aboute fuche 
 nedeleffe bufmeffe, and never efpie tyme and leifure to 
 preferre my fute ? But fhall I ever remaine fhut out from 
 amonge theim, like one difdayned and contempned ? He- 
 las ! it is long fince gardeners tooke care and charge over 
 cowcumbers, fearyng leaft by default of wateryng they 
 would wether and drye up, and yet notwithftanding no one 
 of the gods or men have anie care or remembraunce of me 
 and mine affaires. Wherefore, deare Mercuric, againe I 
 mofte heartelie praie, intreate, and befeche thee (beyng 
 trouchman and herault to the gods) to take this my juft 
 and pitiefull caufe in charge. I come to thee for refuge, 
 and humbly unto thee I complaine, as to hym in whome 
 my truft and hope is, befeching that thou wilt take fuche 
 order, that whiles I am uncharitably forfaken and feparated 
 from the gods, I be not alfo had in derifion and ignomie 
 amonge men : for if I fhould, it woulde bee a greate difho- 
 nour, fhame, and flaunder to theim to fee me, who ought to 
 be a chief among them, fo little regarded and fmallie 
 accounted of. 
 
 MERCURIE. 
 
 Helas ! Vertiie, I have harde of all thy inconvenience, 
 but fo it is, that I can no wayes yeelde thee remedie ; for 
 whiche I am hartely forie, confidering the auntient and 
 neare amytie betwene us : for hereof I advertife thee, thou 
 haft taken in hand to[o] hard and dificile a thing to prevaile 
 againft Fortune, fey \ng that Jupiter himfelf (feafing to
 
 A pretie pit hie Dialogue. 41 
 
 fpeake of the other gods), how be it that he knowes him 
 felf greately bounde unto thee for manie received beny- 
 fittes, yet hath he not Fortune onely in more honnour and 
 reverence then thee, but he alfo feareth her force and puif- 
 fance. For it is fhe that helpt the gods to mount up to 
 the heavens, and, when it pleafeth her, by her force fhe 
 againe can caft them doune: therefore, deare Vertue, if 
 thou be wife and wilt be ruled by good counfell, withdrawe 
 thy felf from hence, and goe kepe companie with the fimple 
 and bafe gods ; and there, as one unknowen, doe remaine 
 until the hate and wrath conceived by Fortune againft thee 
 be quencht. 
 
 VERTUE. 
 
 Ah ! then, I fee how it will enfue. I mufte nedes retourne 
 and hide my felf for ever, as one difdained and rejected 
 of all. 
 
 MERCURIE. 
 Vertue, adiew. 
 
 FINIS, qd T. S.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IN the lists of Nicholas Breton's productions this poem is attri- 
 buted to him, but without the slightest evidence to support the 
 position : it does not bear his name or initials, it was not even 
 published by a stationer whom he was in the habit of em- 
 ploying, and it seems hardly likely that the same pen would 
 write and print, and in the same year, this pious " Passion of a 
 discontented Mind," and " Old Madcaps new Gallimawfry made 
 into a merry Mess of Mingle-mangle." The inconsistency is, 
 however, possible, though not probable ; and the style of what 
 follows is superior to Breton's usual manner. Some of the 
 stanzas are as powerful and eloquent as any that Southwell left 
 behind him ; and were we to form a conjecture, we should be much 
 more disposed to give it to him, as a posthumous effusion, than 
 to assign it to such a money- making pen as that of the author of 
 " The Soul's Harmony," or " Wonders worth the Hearing," both 
 of which, like the work in our hands, made their appearance in 
 1602. Were we to accept the tract now reprinted as the work 
 of Breton, it would make the fourth effusion of his muse pub- 
 lished in the same year. In " The Passion of a discontented 
 Mind" there is certainly little poetry, properly so called, but 
 much religious fervour and piety. 
 
 We never saw more than a single copy of the edition we have
 
 11 
 
 used, but it was reprinted in 1621, and of that impression two 
 exemplars appear to remain to us. We apprehend that it is 
 unique in the form in which we have reproduced it. 
 
 The printer's initials, T. C., are those of Thomas Creede, one of 
 the best typographers of his day for popular productions ; but, 
 perhaps, the manuscript he used was old and illegible, and he 
 certainly made some obvious omissions and blunders : we have 
 ventured to place between brackets one or two words, necessary 
 to the sense, as well as to the versification ; but we have left 
 other errors of the press in our text such as "proceed" for pre- 
 cede in the third stanza, and " fetch" for filch in the last stanza 
 but one. These, we are persuaded, are misreadings by the old 
 compositor, which some critics of our day may like to see, if not 
 to preserve. Oversights of the kind now and then enable us to 
 correct important mistakes in other authors. 
 
 One obvious purpose of " The Passion of a discontented Mind" 
 was to counteract the effect of the looser love-literature of the 
 day ; and we know, from his own testimony, that this was an 
 object which Southwell had much at heart. Nevertheless, some 
 portions of what follows are weaker, more languid, and more 
 common-place, than what generally proceeded from his vigorous 
 intellect. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 THE 
 
 PASSION 
 
 OF A 
 
 DISCONTENTED MINDE. 
 
 L O N D ON: 
 
 Printed by T. C. for John Baily, and are to be fold 
 
 at his fhop at the doore of the Office 
 
 of the fixe Clarkes in 
 
 Chancerie Lane. 
 
 1602.
 
 THE PASSION 
 
 OF . 
 
 A DISCONTENTED MINDE. 
 
 FROM filent night, true regifter of mones ; 
 From faddeft foule, confum'd with deepeft finnes ; 
 From heart quite rent with fighes and heavy grones, 
 My wailing Mufe her wofull worke beginnes : 
 
 And to the world brings tunes of fad difpaire, 
 Sounding nought elfe but forrow, griefe, and care. 
 
 Sorrow, to fee my forrowes caufe augmented, 
 
 And yet leffe forrowfull, were my forrowes more ; 
 
 Griefe, that my griefe with griefe is not prevented, 
 
 For griefe it is muft eafe my grieved fore. 
 
 Thus griefe and forrow care's but how to grieve, 
 For griefe and forrow muft my cares relieve. 
 
 The wound frefh bleeding muft be ftancht with teares, 
 Teares cannot come, unleffe fome griefe proceed ; 
 Griefes come but flacke, which doth encreafe my feares, 
 Feares, leaft for want of helpe I ftill fhould bleed. 
 Do what I can to lengthen my lives breath, 
 If teares be wanting I fhall bleed to death.
 
 4 The Paffwn of 
 
 Thou deepeft fearcher of each fecret thought, 
 
 Infufe in me thy all affecting grace ; 
 
 So fhall my workes to good effects be brought, 
 
 While I perufe my ugly fmnes a fpace : 
 
 Whofe flaming filth fo fpotted hath my foule, 
 As nought will wafte, but teares of inward dole. 
 
 O ! that the learned Poets of this time, 
 (Who in a love-ficke line fo well indite) 
 Would not confume good wit in hateful rime, 
 But would with care fome better fubject write : 
 For if their muficke pleafe in earthly things, 
 Well would it found if ftraind with heav'nly firings. 
 
 But woe it is to fee fond worldlings ufe, 
 Who moft delight in things that vainefl be, 
 And without feare worke vertues foule abufe, 
 Scorning foules reft, and all true pietie : 
 As if they made account never to part 
 From this fraile life, the pilgrimage of fmart. 
 
 Such is the nature of our foolifh kinde, 
 
 When practiz'd finne hath deeply taken roote : 
 
 The way to penance due is hard to finde, 
 
 Repentance held a thing of litle boote ; 
 
 For contrite teares, foules health, and angels joy, 
 Moft men account a meere phantaftike toy. 
 
 Ill working ufe, devourer of all grace, 
 
 The fretting moeth that wafteth foules chiefe bliffe ; 
 
 The flie clofe thiefe that lurkes in every place,
 
 a difcontented Minde. 
 
 Filching by peece-meale till the whole be his ; 
 How many are deceived by thy baite, 
 T" account their fmnes as trifles of no waight ! 
 
 curfed cuftome ! caufmg mifchiefe flill, 
 Too long thy craft my fences hath miffe-led : 
 Too long have I bin flave unto thy will, 
 Too long my foule on bitter fweets hath fed : 
 
 Now furfetting with thy hell poifoned cates, 
 In deepe repent her former folly hates. 
 
 And humbly comes with forrow-rented hart, 
 With blubbred eies, and hands uprear'd to heaven, 
 To play a poore lamenting Mawdlines part, 
 That would weepe ftreames of bloud to be forgiven 
 But (oh) I feare mine eies are drain'd fo drie, 
 That though I would, yet now I cannot crie. 
 
 If any eie, therefore, can fpare a teare 
 To fill the wel-fprings that muft wet my cheeks, 
 O ! let that eye to this fad feaft draw neare ; 
 Refufe me not, my humble foule befeeks : 
 
 For all the teares mine eyes have ever wept, 
 Were now too litle had they all bin kept. 
 
 1 fee my fmnes arraign'd before my face, 
 
 I fee their number paffe the moathes in funne, 
 I fee that my continuance in this place 
 Cannot be long ; and all that I have done 
 I fee the judge before my face hath laid, 
 At whofe fterne lookes all creatures are afraid.
 
 6 The Paffion of 
 
 If be be juft, my foule condemned is ; 
 
 And juft he is, what then may be expected, 
 
 But banifhment from everlafting bliffe ? 
 
 To live, like curfed Came, bafe, vile, abjected : 
 He in his rage his brothers bloud did fpill, 
 I, more unkind, mine owne foules life do kill. 
 
 O ! could mine eyes fend trickling teares amaine, 
 Never to ceafe till my eternall night, 
 Till this eye-floud his mercie might obtaine, 
 Whom my defaults have banifht from his fight, 
 
 Then could I bleffe my happy time of crying ; 
 
 But ah ! too foone my barren fprings are drying. 
 
 Thrife happie finner was that bleffed faint, 
 Who, though he fell with puffe of woman's blaft, 
 Went forth and wept with many a bitter plaint, 
 And by his teares obtained grace at laft : 
 Wretched I, have falne, of mine accord, 
 Ten thoufand times againft the living Lord. 
 
 Yet cannot ftraine one true repentant teare 
 To gaine the bliffe from which my foule is banifht : 
 My flintie heart fome forrowing doth forbeare, 
 And from my fence all true remorce is vanifht ; 
 
 For heart and fence are cloyd with dregs of fmne, 
 And theres.no place for grace to enter in. 
 
 No place (deare Lord) unleffe thy goodneffe pleafe 
 To pittie him that worft deferves of any, 
 And in thy tender mercie grant him eafe,
 
 a difcontented Minde. 
 
 As them tofore haft mercie fhew'd to many ; 
 Yet none of thofe do equall me in fmne : 
 Oh ! how may I hope mercie then to winne ? 
 
 The traitor Judas, heire borne to perdition, 
 Who for a trifle did his Lord betray, 
 In equall doome deferveth more remiflion, 
 Then my defaults can challenge any way : 
 
 He fold him once, that once for gaine was done ; 
 
 I oftentimes, yet leffe then nothing wonne. 
 
 The bloudie minded Jewes, in furie mad 
 Untill on Chrift their cruell rage was fed, 
 In their fell anger more compaffion had 
 Then I, for whom his harmleffe bloud was fhed : 
 Their hellifh fpite within a day was paft, 
 My finfull fit doth all my lifetime laft. 
 
 For ev'ry ftripe that he from them did take, 
 A thoufand deadly fmnes have I committed ; 
 And ev'ry wound as deepe a wound did make, 
 As did the cords wherwith my Chrift was whipped : 
 Oh hateftill caitiffe, parricide moft vile, 
 Thus (with my fmne) his pure bloud to defile ! 
 
 O fmne ! firft parent of mans ever woe, 
 The diftance large that fevers hell and heaven ; 
 Sences confounder, foules chiefe overthrow, 
 Grafted by men, not by the grafter given : 
 
 Confuming canker, wafting foules chiefe treafure, 
 Onely to gaine a litle trifling pleafure.
 
 Happie were man if fmne had never bin, 
 Thrife happie now, if fmne he would forfake ; 
 But happier farre, if for his wicked fmne 
 He would repent, and hartie forrow make, 
 
 Leaving this droffe and flefhly delegation, 
 To gaine in heav'n a lafting habitation. 
 
 There is the place wherein all forrowes die, 
 Where joy exceeds all joyes that ever were ; 
 Where Angels make continuall harmony, 
 The minde fet free from care, diftruft, or feare : 
 There all receive all joyfull contentation, 
 Happied by that moft heav'nly contemplation. 
 
 Nowe fee (alas) the change we make for fmne ! 
 
 In ftead of heav'n, hell is become our lot ; 
 
 For bleffed faints, damned fiends we ever win, 
 
 For reft and freedome, lafting bondage got : 
 For joy, content, eternall love and peace, 
 Griefe, difpaire, hate, [and] jarres that never ceafe. 
 
 The worme of confcience ftill attendeth on us, 
 Telling each houre, each inftant we fhall die ; 
 And that our finnes cannot be parted from us, 
 But where we are, thither they likewife flie : 
 
 Still urging this, that death we have deferved, 
 Becaufe we fled from him we mould have ferved. 
 
 What greater fmne can touch a humane hart ? 
 What hellifh furie can be worfe tormented ? 
 What fmner lives that feeleth not a part
 
 a difcontcnted Minde. 
 
 Of this fharpe plague, unleffe he have repented ? 
 And yet repentance furely is but vaine, 
 Without full purpofe not to fmne againe. 
 
 And is it not then [our] plaine follie's error, 
 To covet that that brings with it contempt, 
 And makes us live in feare, diftruft, and terror, 
 Hating at laft the thing we did attempt ? 
 For never fmne did yet fo pleafing tafte, 
 But luftful flefh did loath it when 'twas paft. 
 
 Witnefs my wofull foule, which well can tell, 
 In higheft top of finne's moft frefh delight 
 Although my frailtie fuffred me to dwell, 
 Yet being paft, I loath'd it with defpight ; 
 
 But like the fwine, I fed mine owne defire, 
 That being cleane ftill coveteth the mire. 
 
 So greedie is mans beaftly appetite, 
 To follow after dunghill pleafures ftill, 
 And feed on carrion like the ravening kite, 
 Not caring what his hungry maw doth fill ; 
 But worketh evermore his wills effe6l, 
 Without reftraint, controlement, or refpecl:. 
 
 O ! why mould man, that beares the ftamp of heaven, 
 So much abafe heavens holy will and pleafure ? 
 O ! why was fence and reafon to him given, 
 That in his fmne cannot containe a meafure ? 
 He knowes he muft account for every fmne, 
 And yet committeth fins that countleffe bin. 
 
 C
 
 io The PaJJion of 
 
 This to perufe (deare God) doth kill my foule, 
 
 But that thy mercie quickneth it againe. 
 
 O ! heare me, Lord, in bitterneffe of dole, 
 
 That of my finnes do proftrate here complaine ; 
 And at thy feet, with Mary, knocke for grace, 
 Though wanting Maries tears to wet my face. 
 
 She, happy finner, faw her life miffe-led, 
 At fight whereof her inward heart did bleed, 
 To witnes with her, outward teares were fried. 
 
 bleffed faint, and 6 moft bleffed deed ! 
 
 But wretched I, that fee more finnes than fhe, 
 Nor grieve within, nor yet weepe outwardly. 
 
 
 
 When fhe had loft thy prefence but one day, 
 The want was fuch her heart could not fuftaine, 
 But to thy tombe alone fhe tooke her way, 
 And there with fighes and teares fhe did complaine : 
 
 Nor from her fenfe once moov'd or ftirr'd was fhee, 
 
 Untill againe fhe got a fight of thee. 
 
 But I have loft thy prefence all my daies, 
 And ftill am flacke to fee thee as I fhould ; 
 My wretched foule in wicked finne fo ftaies, 
 
 1 am unmeet to fee thee, though I would : 
 
 Yet, if I could with teares thy comming tend, 
 I know I fhould (as fhe) finde thee my frend. 
 
 Teares are the key that ope the way to bliffe, 
 The holy water quenching heav'ns quicke fire ; 
 The attonement true twixt God and our amiffe ;
 
 a difcontented Minde. 1 1 
 
 The angels drinke, the bleffed faints defire : 
 
 The joy of Chrift, the balme of grieved hart, 
 The fpring of life, the eafe of ev'ry fmart. 
 
 The fecond King of Ifrael by fucceflion, 
 When with Uriahs wife he had offended, 
 In bitter teares bewaild his great tranfgreffion, 
 And by his teares found grace, and fo repented : 
 
 He, night and day, in weeping did remaine ; 
 
 I, night nor day, to fhead one teare take paine. 
 
 And yet my fmnes, in greatneffe and in number, 
 Farre his exceed ; how comes it then to paffe, 
 That my repentance fhould fo farre be under, 
 And graces force, deare God, is as it was ? 
 
 Truth is, that I, although I have more need, 
 
 Do not, as he, fo truly weepe indeed. 
 
 O ! wherefore is my fleely heart fo hard ? 
 
 Why am I made of mettall unrelenting ? 
 
 Why is all ghoftly comfort from me bard ? 
 
 Or, to what end do I deferre repenting ? 
 
 Can luftfull flefh or flattering world perfwade me, 
 That I can fcape the power of him that made me ? 
 
 No, no : the fecret Searcher of all hearts 
 Both fees and knowes each deed that I have done, 
 And for each deed wil pay me home with fmart. 
 No place can ferve his will decreed to fhunne ; 
 I fhould deceive my felfe to thinke that he 
 For finne would punifh others, and not me.
 
 1 2 The Pajfion of 
 
 Our firft borne fire, firft breeder of mans thrall, 
 For one bare fmne was of perfection reft, 
 And all mankinde were banifht by his fall 
 From Paradife, and unto forrow left : 
 
 If he for one, and all for him feele paine, 
 Then, for fo many what fhould I fuftaine ? 
 
 The angels made to attend on God in glorie, 
 Were thruft from heav'n, and only for one fmne, 
 That but in thought (for fo records the ftorie) 
 For which they ftill in lading darknefs bin : 
 If thofe, once glorious, thus tormented be, 
 I (bafeft flave) what will become of me ? 
 
 What will become of me, that not in thought, 
 In thought alone, but in each word and deed, 
 A thoufand thoufand deadly finnes have wrought, 
 And ftill do worke ; whereat my heart doth bleed ? 
 For even now, in this my fad complaining, 
 With new made fins my flefh my foule is flaming. 
 
 ! that I were remov'd to fome clofe cave, 
 Where all alone retired from delight, 
 
 1 might my fighes and teares untroubled havej 
 And never come in wretched worldlings fight, 
 
 Whofe ill bewitching company ftill brings 
 Deepe provocation, whence great danger fprings. 
 
 Ill company, the caufe of many woes, 
 
 The fugred baite, that hideth poyfoned hooke ; 
 
 The rocke unfeen that fhipwrackt foules o'rethrowes ;
 
 a difcontentcd Minde. \ 3 
 
 The weeping crocodile that kills with looke ; 
 The readieft fteppe to ruine and decay, 
 Graces confounder, and helles neareft way. 
 
 How many foules do perifh by thy guile! 
 How many men without all feare frequent 
 Thy deadly haunts, where they in pleafure fmile, 
 Taking no care fuch dangers to prevent, 
 But live like Belials, unbrideled or untamed, 
 Not looking they mail for their faults be blamed ! 
 
 Alas, alas ! too wretched do we live, 
 
 That carelefly thus worke our owne confufion, 
 
 And to our wills fuch libertie do give ; 
 
 Ay me ! it is the divels meere illufion 
 
 To flatter us with fuch fenfe-pleafing traines, 
 That he thereby may take us in his chaines. 
 
 This well forefaw good men of auntient time, 
 Which made them fhunne th' occafions of foule finne, 
 Knowing it was the nurfe of every crime, 
 And, fyren-like, would traine fond worldlings in ; 
 Alluring them with fhewe of mufickes found, 
 Untill on finnes deepe fhelfe their foules be drownd. 
 
 But he is held no fotiable man, 
 
 In this corrupted age, that fhall refufe 
 
 To keepe the curfed company now and than ; 
 
 Nay, but a foole, unleffe he feeme to chufe 
 
 Their fellowfhip, and give them higheft place 
 That vildeft live, and furtheft off from grace.
 
 14 The PaJJlon of 
 
 But better tis, believe me, in my triall 
 To fhun fuch hel-hounds, fa<5lors of the divell ; 
 And give them leave to grudge at your deniall, 
 Then to partake with fuch in fmne and evill : 
 
 For if that God (in juftice) then mould flay us, 
 From hell and horror, who (alas !) could ftay us ? 
 
 Good God ! the jufh (as he himfelfe hath fpoken) 
 Should fcarce be faved, 6 terror unremoveable ! 
 What, then, mould they that never had a token, 
 Or figne of grace (foules comfort moft behoveable) 
 But graceleffe liv'd, and all good deeds did hate, 
 What hope of them that live in fuch a ftate ? 
 
 O ! who will give me teares, that I may waile, 
 Both nights and daies, the dangers I have paft ; 
 My foule, my foule, tis much for thy availe, 
 That thou art gotten from thefe ftraits at laft : 
 O joy ! but in thy joy mixe teares withall, 
 That thou haft time to fay, Lord, heare me call. 
 
 I might as others (Lord) have perifhed 
 
 Amid my finnes and damnable delights ; 
 
 But thou (good God), with care my foule hath cherifhcd, 
 
 And brought it home to tafte on heav'nly lights. 
 
 Ay me ! what thankes, what fervice can I render 
 To thee that of my fafetie art fo tender ? 
 
 Now do I curfe the time I ever went 
 
 In finnes blacke path, that leadeth to damnation : 
 
 Now do I hate the houres I have miffe-fpent
 
 a difcontented Minde. 1 5 
 
 In ydle vice, neglecting foules falvation, 
 
 And to redeeme the time I have mifle-worne, 
 I wifh this houre I were againe new borne. 
 
 But vaine it is, as faith the wifeft man, 
 
 To call againe the day that once is paft : 
 
 O ! let me fee what beft is for me than, 
 
 To gaine thy favour whilft my life doth laft ; 
 That in the next I may but worthy be, 
 Ev'n in the meaneft place to waite on thee. 
 
 I will, as did the prodigall fonne fometime, 
 Upon my knees, with heartie true contrition, 
 And weeping eyes, confeffe my former crime ; 
 And humbly begge, upon my lowe fubmiffion, 
 
 That thou wilt not of former faults detect me, 
 But, like a loving father, now refpect me. 
 
 Or, as the wife that hath her husband wronged, 
 So will I come with feare and blufhing cheeke, 
 For giving others what to thee belonged ; 
 And fay, my king, my lord, and fpoufe moft meeke, 
 
 I have defil'd the bed that thou didft owe : 
 
 Forgive me this, it fhall no more be fo. 
 
 Yet, for the world can witnes mine abufe, 
 
 He hide my face from face that witcht mine eies ; 
 
 Thefe graceleffe eyes that had my bodies ufe, 
 
 Till it be withred with my very cries : 
 
 That when my wrinckles fhall my forrowes tell, 
 The world may fay, I joy'd not, though I fell.
 
 1 6 The Pajfion of 
 
 Ev'n thus will I in forrowing fpend my breath, 
 
 And fpot my face with never-dying teares, 
 
 Till aged wrinckles, meffengers of death, 
 
 Have purchafde mercie, and remov'd my feares : 
 
 And then the world within my lookes fhall read 
 The piteous wracke unbrideled fmne hath bred. 
 
 And that which was a pleafure to behold, 
 Shalbe to me an ever-griping paine ; 
 All my mifdeeds fhall one and one be told, 
 That I may fee what tyrants have me flaine : 
 
 And when I have thus muftred them apart, 
 
 I will difplay on each a bleeding hart. 
 
 And leaft my teares fhould faile me at moft need, 
 Before the face of faith He fixe my Saviours paffion, 
 And fee how his moft pretious fide did bleed, 
 And note his death and torments, in fuch fafhion 
 
 As never man the like did undertake ; 
 
 For freely he hath done it for my fake. 
 
 If this his kindneffe and his mercie showne, 
 Cannot provoke me unto tender cryme ; 
 Then will I backe againe turne to mine owne, 
 Mine owne finne[s], caufe of this his cruell dying : 
 And if for them no teares mine eyes can find, 
 Sighs shal caufe tears, tears make my poore eies blind- 
 No farre fetcht ftory have I now brought home, 
 Nor taught to fpeake more language then his mothers ; 
 No long done poem is from darkneffe come
 
 a dif contented Mindc. 
 
 To light againe: it's ill to fetch from others : 
 
 The fong I fmg is made of heart-bred forrow, 
 Which penfive Mufe from pining foule doth borrow. 
 
 I fmg, not I, of wanton love-ficke laies, 
 Of trickling toyes to feed fantafticke eares, 
 My Mufe refpefts no flattring tatling praife ; 
 A guiltie confcience this fad paffion beares : 
 
 My finne ficke foule, with forrow woe begone, 
 Lamenting thus a wretched deed mis-done. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 Illness has unavoidably delayed the transmission of these two 
 reprints. The cost of the seven productions has been Two Shillings 
 beyond the sum entrusted to the Editor six months ago.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 WHAT follows is the production to which we alluded when we, 
 very recently, reprinted Richard Barnfield's " Lady Pecunia, or 
 the Praise of Money" from the edition of 1605. From that edi- 
 tion certain poems were excluded, that had been inserted in the 
 earlier edition of 1598, and two of them, in 1599, were assigned 
 to Shakespeare in " The Passionate Pilgrim." 
 
 " The Encomion of Lady Pecunia" (subsequently called " Lady 
 Pecunia, or the Praise of Money") was printed, as our readers will 
 see, for John Jaggard in 1598 : " The Passionate Pilgrim" was 
 printed for W. Jaggard in 1599. We may conclude that the 
 Jaggards were related, perhaps brothers, or more probably father 
 and son, and both booksellers, or, as they were then usually called, 
 " stationers." John Jaggard, prior to 1598, had obtained a manu- 
 script by Richard Barnfield, a popular poet, which was hardly of 
 sufficient length for a separate publication, under the taking title 
 of " The Encomion of Lady Pecunia." He wished it to extend to 
 eight sheets 4to., or sixty- four pages ; and for this purpose he 
 spread it over as wide a surface of paper as he could, giving, 
 for the sake of extension, no fewer than four separate title-pages ; 
 but still, when he arrived at his last sheet, he found that the 
 " copy" he had remaining would only make about six, instead of 
 eight, pages. What course does he then seem to have taken ? 
 He learned that his relative in the same trade, W. Jaggard, was 
 about to bring out some miscellaneous pieces by another poet, 
 
 a,
 
 11 
 
 Shakespeare ; and in order to complete his own undertaking, 
 which was in a more forward state than " The Passionate 
 Pilgrim," he adopted (with or without leave) from " The 
 Passionate Pilgrim" two poems, which would appropriately fill 
 his two deficient pages in " The Encomion of Lady Pecunia." 
 
 Such is our notion of the matter, strongly confirmed by the 
 fact, that when Barnfield reprinted his " Encomion" in 1605, and 
 added new matter to it, he rejected (besides others) the two 
 poems which he knew were not his own, and which he also knew 
 belonged to the great poet whom, both in 1598 and 1605, he 
 justly extolled. 
 
 The poems in question will be recognised at once on p. 44 and 
 p. 45 of our reprint ; and in order that our readers may see the 
 exact form in which they originally appeared, (a year before they 
 were inserted in " The Passionate Pilgrim") we have given them 
 precisely as they stand in " The Encomion of Lady Pecunia :" we 
 have not even corrected the corrupt punctuation as regards them, 
 though elsewhere we have not avoided that part of what we con- 
 sider the duty of an editor. 
 
 In our " Introduction" to " Lady Pecunia, or the Praise of 
 Money," 1605, by a lapsus pennce (for we cannot lay the fault 
 upon our excellent printer) we attributed the publication of 
 " The Encomion of Lady Pecunia," 1598, to W. Jaggard instead 
 of John Jaggard. There was also an Isaac Jaggard in business at 
 about the same date, and his name is at the bottom of the title- 
 page of the folio, 1623, of Shakespeare's " Comedies, Histories, 
 
 and Tragedies." 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 Cije 
 nwmfon xif ^alrp petunia, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE PRAISE OF MONEY. 
 
 qucerenda pecunia primum eft, 
 
 Virtus poft nummos. HORACE. 
 By RICHARD BARNFEILD, Graduate in Oxford. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by G. S. for John Jaggard, and are to be folde 
 
 at his fhoppe neere Temple-barre, at the 
 
 Signe of the Hand and ftarre. 
 
 1598.
 
 TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS. 
 
 ENTLEMEN, being incouraged through your gentle 
 acceptance of my Cynthia, I have once more adventured 
 on your Curtejies, hoping to finde you (as I have done herto- 
 fore) friendly. Being determined to write of fomthing, and 
 yet not refolved of any tiling, I conjidered with my felfe, if 
 one JJtould write of Love (they will fay) why, every one 
 writes of Love : if of Verttie, why, who regards Vertue? 
 To be JJiort, I could thinke of nothing, but either it was com- 
 mon, or not at all in requeft. At length, I bethought my 
 felfe of a fubjel, both new (as having never beene written 
 upon before) and pleafing (as I thought), becaufe Man's 
 Nature (commonly) loves to heare that praifed, with whofe 
 prejfence hee is moft pleafed. 
 
 Erafmus (the glory of Netherland, and the refiner of the 
 Latin Tongue) wrote a whole Booke in the prayfe of Folly. 
 Then, if fo excellent a Scholler writ in praife of Vanity, 
 why may not I write in praife of that which is profitable ? 
 There are no two Countreys where Gold is ejleemed lefs than 
 in India, and more then in England : the reafon is, becaufe 
 tlie Indians are barbarous, and our Nation civill. 
 
 1 have given Pecunia the title of a Woman, both for the 
 
 B
 
 ii To the Gentlemen Readers. 
 
 termination of the word, and becaufe (as Women are)JJiee is 
 lov'd of men. The bravejl Voyages in the World liave beene 
 made for Gold : for it Man have venter W (by Sea) to the 
 furthejl parts of the Earth; in the purfute wJierof England's 
 Neftor and Neptune (Haukins and Drake) loft their lives. 
 Upon the Deathes of the which two, of the firft I writ this: 
 
 The waters were his winding fheete, the fea was made his Toombe, 
 Yet for his Fame the Ocean Sea was not fufficient roome. 
 
 Of the latter this : 
 
 England his hart, his corps the Waters have, 
 And that which raifd his Fame became his grave. 
 
 The Prcetorians (after the deatJi of Pertinax) in the elec- 
 tion of a new Emperour, more efteemed the money of Julianus, 
 tJien either the vertne of Severus, or the valour of Peffcn- 
 nius. Then, of what great ejiimation and account this Lady 
 Pecunia both hath beene in the Worlde, and is at this prefent, 
 I leave to your judgement. But what fpeake I fo much of 
 her praife in my Epijlle, that have commended her fo at 
 large in my Booke? To the reading wherof (Gentlemen) I 
 referre you.
 
 THE PRAYSE OF LADY PECUNIA. 
 
 f" SING not of Angellica the faire, 
 *- (For whom the Palladine of Fraunce fell mad) 
 Nor of fweet Rofamond, olde Cliffords heire, 
 Whofe death did make the fecond Henry fad) 
 But of the faireft faire, Pecunia, 
 The famous Queene of rich America. 
 
 Goddeffe of Golde, great Empreffe of the Earth, 
 O thou that canft doo all thinges under Heaven ; 
 That dooft convert the faddeft minde to mirth, 
 (Of whom the elder Age was quite bereaven) 
 
 Of thee He fing, and in thy prayfe He write. 
 
 You, golden Angels, helpe me to indite ! 
 
 You, you alone can make my Mufe to fpeake, 
 And tell a golden tale with filver tongue : 
 You onely can my pleafing filence breake, 
 And adde fome mufique to a merry fongue : 
 But amongft all the five in muficks art, 
 I would not fmg the Coimter-tenor part. 
 
 The meane is beft, and that I meane to keepe ; 
 So fhall I keepe my felfe from that I meane ; 
 Left with fome others I be forc'd to weepe,
 
 The praife of 
 
 And cry Peccavi in a dolefull fcaene. 
 
 But to the matter which I have in hand, 
 The Lady Regent both of fea and land. 
 
 When Saturn Hv'd and wore the kingly crowne, 
 (And Jove was yet unborne, but not unbred) 
 This Ladies fame was then of no renowne 
 (For golde was then no more efteem'd then lead), 
 Then truth and honefty were onely us'd, 
 Silver and golde were utterly refus'd. 
 
 But when the Worlde grew wifer in conceit, 
 
 And faw how men in manners did decline, 
 
 How Charitie began to loofe her heate, 
 
 And one did at anothers good repine, 
 
 Then did the aged firft of all refpect her, 
 
 And vowd from thencefoorth never to reje6l her. 
 
 Thus with the Worlde her beauty did increafe, 
 And manie futers had fhe to obtaine her : 
 Some fought her in the wars, and fome in peace, 
 But few of youthfull age could ever gaine her : 
 Or if they did, fhe foone was gone againe, 
 And would with them but little while remaine. 
 
 For why, againft the nature of her fexe 
 
 (That commonlie difpife the feeble olde) 
 
 Shee loves olde men, but young men fhee rejects, 
 
 Becaufe to her their love is quicklie colde. 
 
 Olde men (like husbands jealous of their wives) 
 Lock her up faft, and keepe her as their lives.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 5 
 
 The young man, careleffe to maintaine his life, 
 Neglects her love (as though he did abhor her) 
 Like one that hardly doeth obtaine a wife, 
 And when he hath her once, he cares not for her : 
 
 Shee, feeing that the young man doeth defpyfe her, 
 Leaves the franke hart, and flies unto the Myfer. 
 
 Hee intertaines her with a joyfull hart, 
 And feemes to rue her undeferved wrong ; 
 And from his preffence fhe mail never part, 
 Or if fhee doo, he thinks her abfence long : 
 And oftentimes he fends for her againe, 
 Whofe life without her cannot long remaine. 
 
 And when he hath her in his owne poffeffion, 
 
 He locks her in an iron-barred cheft ; 
 
 And doubting fomewhat of the like tranfgreffion, 
 
 He holds that iron-walled prifon beft ; 
 
 And leaft fome rujly fickneffe mould infect her, 
 He often vifits her, and doeth refpecl her. 
 
 As for the young man (fubject unto finne) 
 No marvell though the Divell doe diftreffe him ; 
 To tempt mans frailtie which doth never linne) 
 Who many times hath not a Crojfe to bleffe him : 
 But how can hee incurre the Heavens curfe, 
 That hath fo many Crojfes in his purfe ? 
 
 Hee needes not feare thofe wicked fprights that waulke 
 Under the coverture of cole-blacke Night, 
 For why, the Divell ftill a Crojfe doeth baulke,
 
 The praife of 
 
 Becaufe on it was hangd the Lorde of Light : 
 But let not myfers truft tojilver Crojjfes, 
 Leaft in the end their gaines be turnd to loffes. 
 
 But what care they, fo they may hoorde up golde, 
 Either for God or Divell, or Heaven or Hell, 
 So they may faire Pecuniaes face behold, 
 And every day their mounts of money tell ? 
 
 What tho to count their coyne they never blin, 
 Count they their coyne, and counts not God their fin ? 
 
 But what talke I of fin to Ufurers, 
 
 Or looke for mendement at a Myfers hand ? 
 
 Pecunia hath fo many followers, 
 
 Bootleffe it is her power to with-ftand. 
 King Covetife and Warineffe his wife 
 The parents were that firft did give her life. 
 
 But now unto her Praife I will proceede, 
 
 Which is as ample as the worlde is wide. 
 
 What great contentment doth her preffence breede 
 
 In him that can his wealth with wyfdome guide ! 
 
 She is the Soveraigne Queene of all delights ; 
 
 For her the lawyer pleades, the fouldier fights. 
 
 For her the merchant venters on the feas, 
 For her the fcholler ftuddies at his booke ; 
 For her the ufurer (with greater eafe) 
 For fillie fifhes layes a filver hooke : 
 
 For her the townfman leaves the countrey village ; 
 
 For her the plowman gives himfelfe to tillage.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 7 
 
 For her the gentleman doeth raife his rents ; 
 
 For her the fervingman attends his maifter : 
 
 For her the curious head new toyes invents ; 
 
 For her to fores the furgeon layes his plaifter. 
 In fine, for her each man in his vocation 
 Applies himfelfe in everie fev'rall nation. 
 
 What can thy hart defire, but thou mayft have it, 
 
 If thou haft readie money to disburfe ? 
 
 Then, thanke thy fortune that fo freely gave it, 
 
 For of all friends the fureft is thy purfe. 
 
 Friends may prove falfe, and leave thee in thy need, 
 But ftill thy purfe will bee thy friend indeed. 
 
 Admit thou come into a place unknowne, 
 
 And no man knowes of whence or what thou art, 
 
 If once thy faire Pecunia fhee be fhowne, 
 
 Thou art efteem'd a man of great defart, 
 And placed at the tables upper ende, 
 Not for thine owne fake, but thy faithfull frende. 
 
 But if you want your Ladies lovely grace, 
 
 And have not wherewithall to pay your fhot, 
 
 Your hoftis preffently will ftep in place ; 
 
 You are a ftranger (fir), I know you not : 
 By trufting divers I am run in det, 
 Therefore of mee nor meate nor bed you get. 
 
 O, who can then expreffe the worthie praife 
 Which faire Pecunia juftly doeth defarve ! 
 That can the meaneft man to honor raife,
 
 The praifc of 
 
 And feed the foule that ready is to flarve ? 
 Affection, which was wont to bee fo pure, 
 Againft a golden fiege may not endure. 
 
 Witneffe the trade of mercenary fmne 
 (Or Occupation if you lift to tearme it), 
 Where faire Pecunia muft the fuite beginne 
 (As common-tride experience doeth confirme it). 
 Not Mercury himfelfe with filver tongue 
 Can fo inchaunt as can a golden fongue. 
 
 When nothing could fubdue the Phrygian Troy, 
 
 (That citty through the world fo much renowned) 
 
 Pecunia did her utterly deftroy, 
 
 And left her fame in darke Oblivion drowned : 
 And many citties fince, no leffe in fame, 
 For love of her have yeelded to their fhame. 
 
 What thing is, then, fo well belov'd as money ? 
 
 It is a fpeciall comfort to the minde ; 
 
 More faire then women are, more fweet then honey, 
 
 Eafie to loofe, but verry harde to finde. 
 
 In fine, to him whofe purfe beginns to faint, 
 Gold is a God, and filver is a Saint. 
 
 The tyme was once when Honeftie was counted 
 
 A demy god, and fo efteemed of all ; 
 
 But now Pecunia on his feate is mounted, 
 
 Since Honeftie in great difgrace did fall. 
 
 No ftate, no calling now doeth him efteeme, 
 Nor of the other ill doeth any deeme.
 
 Lady Pecunia. 9 
 
 The reafon is, becaufe he is fo poore, 
 (And who refpects the poore and needie creature ?) 
 Still begging of his almes from doore to doore, 
 All ragd and torne, and eeke deformd in feature : 
 
 In countinance fo changde that none can know him, 
 So weake that every vice doeth overthrow him. 
 
 But fair Pecunia (moft divinely bred) 
 
 For fundrie fhapes doth Proteus felfe furpaffe : 
 
 In one lande fhe is futed all in lead, 
 
 And in another fhe is clad in braffe ; 
 
 But flill within the coaft of Albion, 
 
 She ever puts her beft apparell on. 
 
 Silver and Golde and nothing elfe is currant 
 In England's, in faire England's happy land, 
 And bafer fortes of mettals have no warrant, 
 Yet fecretly they flip from hand to hand. 
 
 If any fuch be tooke, the fame is loft, 
 
 And preffently is nayled on a poft. 
 
 Which with Quick-filver being flourifht over, 
 
 Seemes to be perfe6l Silver to the showe, 
 
 As Woemen's paintings their defects doe cover, 
 
 Under this falfe attyre fo do they goe. 
 
 If on a woollen cloth thou rub the fame, 
 
 Then will it ftraight beginne to blush for shame. 
 
 If chafed on thy haire till it be hot, 
 
 If it good Silver bee, the fcent is fweete : 
 
 If counterfeit, thy chafing hath begot
 
 io The praife of 
 
 A ranke-fmelt favour, for a Queene unmeete : 
 Pecunia is a Queene for her defarts, 
 And in the decke may goe for Queene of harts. 
 
 The Queene of harts becaufe fhe rules all harts, 
 And hath all harts obedient to her will ; 
 Whofe bounty fame unto the worlde imparts, 
 And with her glory all the worlde doeth fill. 
 
 The Queene of Diamonds she cannot be ; 
 
 There is but one : Eliza, thou art shee ! 
 
 And thou art shee, O facred Sovereigne ! 
 Whom God hath helpt with his Al-mighty hand, 
 Bleffing thy people with thy peacefull raigne, 
 And made this little land a happy land. 
 
 May all thofe live that wifh long life to thee, 
 
 And all the reft perish eternally ! 
 
 The tyme was once when faire Pecunia here 
 
 Did bafely goe attyred all in leather ; 
 
 But fince her raigne she never did appeare 
 
 But richly clad, in Golde or Silver either : 
 Nor reafon is it that her golden raigne 
 With bafer coyne eclypfed should remaine. 
 
 And as the coyne she hath repurifyde 
 From bafer fubftance to the pureft mettels, 
 Religion fo hath shee refinde befide 
 From Papiftrie to Truth, which daily fettles 
 
 Within her peoples' harts ; though fome there bee 
 That cleave unto their wonted Papiftrie.
 
 Lady Pecunia. \ \ 
 
 No flocke of sheepe but fome are ftill infected, 
 No peece of lavvne fo pure but hath fome fret : 
 All buildings are not ftrong that are erected, 
 All plants prove not that in good ground are fet : 
 
 Some tares are fowne amongft the choiceft feed ; 
 
 No garden can be cleanfd of every weede. 
 
 But now to her whofe praife is here pretended, 
 
 (Divine Pecunia) fairer than the morne ; 
 
 Which cannot be fufficiently commended, 
 
 Whofe fun-bright beauty doeth the worlde adorne ; 
 Adorns the world, but fpecially the purfe, 
 Without whofe preffence nothing can be woorfe. 
 
 Not faire Haefione (King Priams fifter) 
 
 Did ever fhowe more beauty in her face 
 
 Than can this lovely lady, if it lift her 
 
 To fhowe her felfe, admir'd for comely grace ; 
 
 Which neither Age can weare, nor Tyme conclude, 
 For why, her beauty yeerely is renude. 
 
 New coyne is coynd each yeare within the Tower, 
 So that her beauty never can decay, 
 Which to refift no mortal man hath power, 
 When as she doeth her glorious beames difplay : 
 Nor doeth Pecunia onely pleafe the eie, 
 But charms the eare with heavenly harmonic. 
 
 Lyke to an other Orpheus can fhe play 
 Upon her treble Harpe, whofe filver found 
 Inchaunts the eare and fteales the hart away :
 
 12 TJte praife of 
 
 Nor hardly can deceit therein be found, 
 
 Although fuch Mufique fome a (hilling coft, 
 Yet is it worth but Nine-pence at the mofl. 
 
 Had I the fweet inchaunting tongue of Tully, 
 
 That charm'd the hearers lyke the Syren's fong ; 
 
 Yet could not I defcribe the prayfes fully 
 
 Which to Pecunia juftly doe belong. 
 
 Let it fuffice, her beauty doeth excell, 
 
 Whofe praife no pen can paint, no tongue can tell. 
 
 Then, how shall I defcribe with artleffe pen 
 The praife of her whofe praife all praife furmounteth, 
 Breeding amazement in the mindes of men, 
 Of whom this preffent age fo much accounteth ? 
 Varietie of words would fooner want, 
 Then ftore of plentious matter would be fcant. 
 
 Whether yee lift to looke into the Citty, 
 (Where money tempts the poore beholder's eye,) 
 Or to the Countrey Townes, devoyde of pitty 
 (Where to the poore each place doeth almes denye) 
 All things for money now are bought and folde, 
 That either hart can thinke, or eie beholde. 
 
 Nay more, for money (as report doeth tell) 
 Thou mayft obtaine a pardon for thy fmnes : 
 The Pope of Rome for money will it fell, 
 (Whereby thy foule no fmall falvation winnes). 
 
 But how can hee (of pride the chiefe beginner) 
 Forgive thy fmnes that is himfelfe a finner ?
 
 Lady Pecunia. 13 
 
 Then, fith the Pope is fubject unto finne, 
 No marvell tho divine Pecunia tempt him 
 With her faire beauty ; whofe good-will to winne 
 Each one contends, and fhall we then exempt him ? 
 Did never mortall man yet looke upon her, 
 But ftraightwaies he became enamourd on her. 
 
 Yet would I wifh the wight that loves her fo, 
 And hath obtain'd the like good-will againe, 
 To ufe her wifely, left fhe prove his foe, 
 And fo, in ftead of pleafure, breed his paine. 
 
 She may be kyft, but fhee muft not be clypt, 
 Left fuch delight in bitter gall be dypt. 
 
 The juice of grapes, which is a foveraigne thing 
 To cheere the hart and to revive the fpirits, 
 Being ufde immoderatly (in furfetting) 
 Rather difpraife then commendation merits : 
 
 Even Pecunia is as fhee is ufed ; 
 
 Good of her felfe, but bad if once abufed. 
 
 With her the tenant payes his landlords rent ; 
 On her depends the ftay of every ftate : 
 To her rich preffents every day are fent ; 
 In her it refts to end all dire debate : 
 
 Through her to wealth is rais'd the country Boore ; 
 
 From her proceedes much proffit to the poore. 
 
 Then, how can I fufficiently commend 
 
 Her beauties worth, which makes the world to wonder ? 
 
 Or end her prayfe whofe prayfes have no end,
 
 1 4 The praife of L ady Pectin ia. 
 
 Whofe abfence brings the ftouteft ftomack under ? 
 Let it fuffice, Pecunia hath no peere, 
 No wight, no beauty, held more faire more deere ! 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 HIS PRAYER TO PECUNIA. 
 
 GREAT Lady, fith I have compylde thy Prayfe, 
 (According to my fkill) and not thy merit, 
 And fought thy Fame above the ftarrs to rayfe, 
 (Had I fweete Ovids vaine, or Virgils fpirit) 
 I crave no more but this for my good-will, 
 That in my want thou wilt fupplye me ftill.
 
 THE 
 
 COMPLAINT OF POETRIE 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 DEATH OF LIBERALITIE. 
 
 Vimt pojl funera virtus. 
 
 L O N D ON, 
 
 Printed by G. S. for John Jaggard, and are to be folde 
 
 at his fhoppe neere Temple-barre, at the 
 
 Signe of the Hand and ftarre. 
 
 1598.
 
 TO HIS WORSHIPFULL WEL-WILLER, 
 MAISTER EDWARD LEIGH, 
 
 OF GRAVES INNE. 
 
 TMAGE of that whofe loffe is here lamented 
 (In whom fo many vertues are contained), 
 
 Daine to accept what I have now prefented. 
 
 Though Bounties death herein be only fained, 
 If in your mind fhe not revive (with fpeed), 
 Then will I fweare that fhee is dead indeed. 
 
 D
 
 THE COMPLAINT OF POETRIE FORTHE 
 DEATH OF LIBERALITIE. 
 
 ~V7~EEPE Heavens now, for you have loft your light ; 
 Ye Sunne and Moone, beare witneffe of my mone 
 
 The cleere is turnd to clouds, the day to night, 
 
 And all my hope, and all my joy is gone. 
 Bounty is dead, the caufe of my annoy, 
 Bounty is dead, and with her dide my joy ! 
 
 O ! who can comfort my afflifled foule, 
 
 Or adde fome ende to my increafmg forrowes ? 
 
 Who can deliver me from endleffe dole, 
 
 (Which from my hart eternall torment borrowes ?) 
 
 When Bounty liv'd, I bore the bell away ; 
 
 When Bounty dide, my credit did decay. 
 
 I never then did write one verfe in vaine, 
 
 Nor ever went my Poems unregarded : 
 
 Then did each noble breft me intertaine, 
 
 And for my labours I was well rewarded : 
 
 But now Good Wordes are ftept in Bounties place, 
 Thinking thereby her glorie to difgrace. 
 
 But who can live with words in thefe hard tymes, 
 (Although they came from Jupiter himfelfe ?) 
 Or who can take fuch paiment for his rymes,
 
 2O The Complaint of Poetrie 
 
 (When nothing now is fo efteem'd as pelfe ?) 
 
 Tis not Good Wordes that can a man maintaine : 
 Wordes are but winde, and winde is all but vaine. 
 
 Where is Mecaenas, learnings noble patron, 
 (That Maroes Mufe with bountie fo did cherish ?) 
 Or faire Zenobia, that worthy matron, 
 (Whofe name for learnings love fhall never perifh ?) 
 What tho their bodies lie full lowe in grave, 
 Their fames the worlde, their foules the Heavens have. 
 
 Vile Avaricia ! how haft thou inchaunted 
 The noble mindes of great and mightie men ? 
 Or what infernall furie late hath haunted 
 Their niggard purfes ? (to the le'arned pen). 
 
 Was it Auguftus wealth, or noble minde, 
 
 That everlafting fame to him affmde ? 
 
 If wealth, why Crcefus was more rich then hee ; 
 
 (Yet Croefus glorie with his life did end) ; 
 
 It was his noble minde that moved mee 
 
 To write his praife, and eeke his acts commend. 
 Who ere had heard of Alexanders fame, 
 If Quintus Curtius had not pend the fame ? 
 
 Then, fith by mee their deedes have been declared, 
 (Which elfe had perifht with their lives decay) 
 Who to augment their glories have not fpared 
 To crowne their browes with never-fading Bay, 
 
 What art deferves fuch Liberalitie, 
 
 As doth the peerleffe Art of Poetrie ?
 
 for the Death of L ibcralitie. 2 1 
 
 But Liberalitie is dead and gone, 
 
 And Avarice ufurps true Bounties feat : 
 
 For her it is I make this endleffe mone 
 
 (Whofe praifes worth no pen can well repeat.) 
 Sweet Liberalitie, adiew for ever, 
 For Poetrie againe fhall fee thee never ! 
 
 Never againe fhall I thy prefence fee ; 
 Never againe fhall I thy bountie taft ; 
 Never againe fhall I accepted bee ; 
 Never againe fhall I be fo embrac't : 
 
 Never againe fhall I the bad recall : 
 
 Never againe fhall I be lov'd of all ! 
 
 Thou waft the Nurfe whofe bountie gave me fucke ; 
 Thou waft the Sunne whofe beames did lend me light ; 
 Thou waft the Tree whofe fruit I ftill did plucke ; 
 Thou waft the Patron to maintaine my right : 
 
 Through thee I liv'd, on thee I did relie, 
 
 In thee I joy'd, and now for thee I die. 
 
 What man hath lately loft a faithfull frend, 
 Or husband is deprived of his wife, 
 But doth in after-daies in dolour fpend, 
 (Leading a loathfome difcontented life ?) 
 
 Dearer then friend, or wife, have I forgone ; 
 
 Then, marvell not although I make fuch mone. 
 
 Faire Philomela, ceafe thy fad complaint, 
 And lend thine eares unto my dolefull ditty ; 
 (Whofe foule with forrowe now begins to faint,
 
 22 The Complaint of Poetrie 
 
 And yet I cannot move mens hearts to pitty :) 
 Thy woes are light compared unto mine. 
 You waterie Nymphes, to mee your plaints refigne. 
 
 And thou, Melpomene, (the Mufe of Death) 
 That never fing'ft but in a dolefull fbraine, 
 Sith cruell Deftinie hath ftopt her breath, 
 (Who, whilft me liv'd, was Vertues foveraigne) 
 
 Leave Hellicon, (whofe bankes fo pleafant bee) 
 And beare a part of forrowe now with mee. 
 
 The trees (for forrowe) mead their fading leaves, 
 And weepe out gum in ftead of other teares : 
 Comfort nor joy no creature now conceives ; 
 To chirpe and fing each little bird forbeares. 
 
 The fillie fheepe hangs downe his drooping head, 
 And all becaufe that Bounty fhe is dead. 
 
 The greater that I feele my griefe to bee, 
 
 The leffer able am I to expreffe it : 
 
 Such is the nature of extremetie, 
 
 The heart it fom-thing eafes to confeffe it : 
 
 Therefore He wake my mufe, amidft her fleeping, 
 And what I want in wordes fupplie with weeping. 
 
 Weepe ftill, mine eies, a river full of teares 
 To drowne my forrowe in that fo molefts me, 
 And rid my head of cares, my thoughts of feares, 
 Exiling fweet Content that fo detefts me. 
 
 But ah (alas !) my teares are almoft dun, 
 And yet my griefe it is but new begun.
 
 for the Death of Liber alitie. 23 
 
 Even as the Sunne when as it leaves our fight 
 Doth mine with thofe Antipodes beneath us, 
 Lending the other worlde her glorious light, 
 And difmall darkneffe onely doeth bequeath us, 
 Even fo, fvveet Bountie, feeming dead to mee, 
 Lives now to none but fmooth-tongd Flatterie. 
 
 O Adulation ! canker-worme of Truth, 
 The flattring glaffe of Pride and felf-conceit, 
 (Making olde wrinckled Age appeare like youth) 
 Diffimulations mafke and follies beate, 
 Pitty it is that thou art fo rewarded, 
 Whilft Truth and Honeftie goe unregarded. 
 
 O, that Nobilitie it felfe fhould ftaine 
 
 In being bountifull to fuch vile creatures ! 
 
 Who, when they flatter moft, then moft they faine, 
 
 Knowing what humor beft will fit their natures. 
 
 What man fo mad that knowes himfelfe but pore, 
 And will beleeve that he hath riches (lore. 
 
 Upon a time the craftie Foxe did flatter 
 
 The foolifh Pye (whofe mouth was full of meate). 
 
 The Pye, beleeving him, began to chatter, 
 
 And fmg for joy (not having lift to eate), 
 
 And whilft the foolifh Pye her meate let fall, 
 The craftie Foxe did runne awaie with all. 
 
 Terence defcribeth under Gnatoes name 
 
 The right conditions of a Parafyte, 
 
 (And with fuch eloquence fets foorth the fame,
 
 24 The Complaint of Poetrie 
 
 As doeth the learned reader much delyght), 
 Shewing that fuch a fycophant as Gnato 
 Is more efteem'd, then twentie fuch as Plato. 
 
 Bounty, looke backe upon thy goods mifpent, 
 And thinke how ill thou haft beftowd thy mony : 
 Confider not their wordes, but their intent ; 
 Their hearts are gall, although their tongues be hony. 
 They fpeake not as they thinke, but all is fained, 
 And onely to th' intent to be maintained. 
 
 And herein happie I areade the poore : 
 
 No flattring fpanyels fawne on them for meate. 
 
 The reafon is becaufe the countrey Boore 
 
 Hath little enough for himfelfe to eate : 
 
 No man will flatter him, except himfelfe, 
 And why ? becaufe he hath no ftore of wealth. 
 
 But, fure, it is not Liberalitie 
 
 That doeth reward thefe fawning fmel-feafts fo : 
 
 It is the vice of Prodigalitie 
 
 That doeth the bankes of Bounty over-flo. 
 
 Bounty is dead ! yea, fo it needes muft bee, 
 
 Or if alive, yet is fhee dead to mee. 
 
 Therefore, as one whofe friend is lately dead, 
 I will bewaile the death of my deere frend ; 
 Upon whofe tombe ten thoufand teares He (head, 
 Till drearie Death of mee fhall make an end : 
 Or if fhe want a toombe to her defart, 
 Oh, then, He burie her within my hart !
 
 for tJie Death of Liber alitie. 25 
 
 But (Bounty) if thou love a tombe of ftone, 
 Oh, then feeke out a hard and ftonie hart ! 
 For were mine fo, yet would it melt with mone, 
 And all becaufe that I with thee muft part. 
 
 Then, if a ftonie hart muft thee interr, 
 
 Goe, finde a Step-dame, or a Ufurer. 
 
 And fith there dies no wight of great account, 
 
 But hath an Epitaph compos'd by mee, 
 
 Bounty, that did all other far furmount, 
 
 Upon her Tombe this Epitaph mail be : 
 
 Here lies the Wight that learning did maintaine, 
 And, at the laft, by AVARICE wasjlaine. 
 
 Vile Avarice ! why haft thou kildd my Deare, 
 And robd the world of fuch a worthy treafure ? 
 In whome no fparke of goodneffe doth appeare, 
 So greedie is thy mind, without all meafure. 
 
 Thy death from Death did merit to releafe her : 
 The Murtherers deferv'd to die, not Caefar. 
 
 The Merchants wife, the tender-harted mother, 
 That leaves her love whofe fonne is preft for warre, 
 (Refting the one as woefull as the other) 
 Hopes yet at length, when ended is the jarre, 
 To fee her Husband, fee her Sonne againe : 
 Were it not then for Hope, the hart were flaine. 
 
 But I, whofe hope is turned to defpaire, 
 Nere looke to fee my deareft Deare againe : 
 Then, Pleafure, fit thou downe in Sorrowes chaire, 
 
 E
 
 26 The Complaint of Poetrie 
 
 And (for a while) the wonted mirth refraine. 
 
 Bounty is dead, that whylome was my treafure : 
 Bounty is dead, my joy and onely pleafure ! 
 
 If Pythias death of Damon were bewailed, 
 
 Or Pillades did rue Oreftes ende : 
 
 If Hercules for Hylas loffe were quailed, 
 
 Or Thefeus for Perythous teares did fpend, 
 
 Then doe I mourne for Bounty being dead, 
 Who living was my hand, my hart, my head. 
 
 My hand to helpe mee in my greateft need, 
 
 My hart to comfort mee in my diflreffe ; 
 
 My head whom onely I obeyd, indeed : 
 
 If fhe were fuch how can my griefe be leffe ? 
 
 Perhaps my wordes may pierce the Parcae's eares : 
 If not with wordes, He move them with my teares. 
 
 But ah (alas !) my teares are fpent in vaine, 
 (For fhe is dead, and I am left alive) 
 Teares cannot call fweet Bounty backe againe : 
 Then why doe I gainft Fate and Fortune ftrive ? 
 And for her death thus weepe, lament and crie, 
 Sith every mortall wight is borne to die ? 
 
 But as the woefull mother doeth lament 
 Her tender babe with cruell death opprefl, 
 Whofe life was fpotleffe, pure and innocent, 
 (And therefore, fure, it foule is gone to reft) 
 
 So Bountie which her felfe did upright keepe, 
 Yet for her loffe love cannot chufe but weepe.
 
 for the Death of Liberalitie. 27 
 
 The loffe of her is loffe to many a one : 
 The loffe of her is loffe unto the poore ; 
 And therefore not a loffe to mee alone, 
 But unto fuch as goe from doore to doore. 
 
 Her loffe is loffe unto the fatherleffe, 
 
 And unto all that are in great diftreffe. 
 
 The maimed Souldier comming from the warre, 
 The woefull wight whofe houfe was lately burnd, 
 The fillie foule, the wofull traveylar, 
 And all whom Fortune at her feet hath fpurnd, 
 Lament the loffe of Liberalitie : 
 Its eafe to have in griefe fome companie. 
 
 The Wife of He6lor (fad Andromache) 
 
 Did not bewaile her husbands death alone ; 
 
 But (fith he was the Trojans onely ftay) 
 
 The wives of Troy (for him) made sequall mone : 
 
 Shee fhead the teares of love, and they of pittie ; 
 
 Shee for her deare dead Lord, they for their Cittie. 
 
 Nor is the death of Liberalitie, 
 
 (Although my griefe be greater than the reft) 
 
 Onely lamented and bewaild of mee, 
 
 (And yet of mee fhe was beloved beft) 
 But fith fhe was fo bountifull to all, 
 She is lamented both of great and fmall. 
 
 O ! that my teares could move the powres divine, 
 That Bountie might be called from the dead, 
 As pitty pierc'd the hart of Proferpine,
 
 28 The Complaint of Poetrie 
 
 Who (moved with the teares Admetus (head) 
 
 Did fende him backe againe his loving wife ; 
 Who loft her owne to fave her husbands life. 
 
 Impartiall Parcae, will no prayers move you ? 
 Can creatures fo divine have ftony harts ? 
 Hapleffe are they whofe hap it is to prove you, 
 For you refpect no creatures good defarts. 
 
 Atropos ! (the cruelft of the three) 
 
 Why haft thou tane my faithfull friend from mee ? 
 
 But ah ! me cannot (or me will not) heare me ; 
 Or if fhe doo, yet may me not repent her. 
 Then come (fweet Death) O ! why doeft thou forbeare me ? 
 Aye mee ! thy dart is blunt ; it will not enter. 
 Oh ! now I know the caufe, and reafon why : 
 
 1 am immortall, and I cannot dye. 
 
 So Cythercea would have dide, but could not, 
 
 When faire Adonis by her fide lay flaine : 
 
 So I defire the Sifters what I fhould not, 
 
 For why (alas !) I wifh for death in vaine. 
 
 Death is their fervant and obeys their will, 
 And if they bid him fpare, he cannot kill. 
 
 O ! would I were as other creatures are, 
 Then would I die, and fo my griefe were ended ; 
 But Death (againft my will) my life doeth fpare, 
 (So little with the Fates I am befrended) : 
 
 Sith when I would thou dooft my fute denie. 
 
 Vile Tyrant ! when thou wilt, I will not die.
 
 for the Death of Liberalitie. 29 
 
 And Bounty, though her body thou haft flaine, 
 
 Yet fhall her memorie remaine for ever : 
 
 For ever fhall her memorie remaine, 
 
 Whereof no fpitefull Fortune can bereave her. 
 
 Then, Sorrowe ceafe, and wipe thy weeping eye, 
 For Fame fhall live when all the World fhall dye. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 THE 
 
 COMBAT BETWEENE 
 
 CONSCIENCE AND COVETOUSNESSE 
 IN THE MINDE OF MAN. 
 
 quid non mortalia pectora cogis 
 
 Auri facra fames ? VIRGIL. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by G. S. for John Jaggard, and are to be folde 
 
 at his fhoppe neere Temple-barre, at the 
 
 Signe of the Hand and ftarre. 
 
 1598.
 
 TO HIS WORSHIPFULL GOOD FRIEND, 
 MAISTER JOHN STEVENTON, 
 
 OF DOTHILL, IN THE COUNTY OF SALOP, ESQUIRE. 
 
 O ITH Confcience (long fmce) is exilde the Citty, 
 
 O, let her in the Countrey finde fome pitty ! 
 But if fhe be exilde the Countrey too, 
 O let her finde fome favour yet of you !
 
 THE COMBAT BETWEENE CONSCIENCE AND 
 COVETOUSNESSE IN THE MIND 
 
 OF MAN. 
 
 had the cole-blacke fteedes of pitchie Night 
 (Breathing out darkneffe) banifht cheerfull light, 
 And fleepe (the fhaddowe of eternall reft) 
 My feverall fenfes wholy had poffeft, 
 When loe ! there was prefented to my view 
 A vifion ftrange, yet not fo ftrange as true. 
 Confcience (me thought) appeared unto mee, 
 Cloth'd in good Deedes, with Trueth and Honeftie ; 
 Her countinance demure and fober fad, 
 Nor any other ornament mee had. 
 Then Covetoufneffe did encounter her, 
 Clad in a caffock, lyke a Ufurer : 
 The caffock it was made of poore-mens fkinnes, 
 Lac'd here and there with many feverall fmnes ; 
 Nor was it fur'd with any common furre, 
 Or, if it were, himfelfe hee was the fur. 
 A bag of money in his hande he helde, 
 The which with hungry eie he ftill behelde. 
 The place wherein this vifion firft began, 
 (A fpacious plaine) was cald The Minde of Man. 
 The Carle no fooner Confcience had efpyde, 
 But, fvvelling lyke a toade (puft up with pryde) 
 He ftraight began againft her to invey : 
 These were the wordes which Covertife did fey.
 
 36 The Combat betweene 
 
 Confcience (quoth hee), how dar'ft thou bee fo bold 
 To claime the place that I by right doe hold ? 
 Neither by right nor might thou canft obtaine it : 
 By might (thou knowft full well) thou canft not gaine it. 
 The greateft Princes are my followars, 
 The King in peace, the Captaine in the warres ; 
 The Courtier, and the fimple Countreyman, 
 The Judge, the Merchant, and the Gentleman ; 
 The learned Lawyer, and the Politician, 
 The fkilfull Surgeon, and the fine Phyfician : 
 In briefe, all fortes of men mee entertaine, 
 And hold mee as their foules fole foveraigne ; 
 And in my quarrell they will fight and die, 
 Rather than I fhould fuffer injurie. 
 And as for title, intereft, and right, 
 He prove its mine by that, as well as might. 
 Though Covetoufneffe were ufed long before, 
 Yet Judas treafon made my fame the more : 
 When Chrift he caufed crucifyde to bee 
 For thirtie pence, man folde his minde to mee : 
 And now adaies, what tenure is more free 
 Then that which purchas'd is with gold and fee ? 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 With patience have I heard thy large complaint, 
 Wherein the Divell would be thought a faint : 
 But wot ye what ? the faying is of olde, 
 One tale is good untill anothers tolde. 
 Truth is the right that I muft ftand upon 
 (For other title hath poore Confcience none). 
 Firft, I will prove it by Antiquitie, 
 That thou art but an up-ftart unto mee :
 
 Confcience and Covetoufnejfe. 37 
 
 Before that thou waft ever thought upon, 
 
 The Minde of Man belongd to mee alone. 
 
 For after that the Lord had man created. 
 
 And him in bliffefull Paradife had feated, 
 
 (Knowing his nature was to vice inclynde) 
 
 God gave me unto man to rule his mynde, 
 
 And, as it were, his governour to bee, 
 
 To guide his minde in trueth and honeftie. 
 
 And where thou fayft that man did fell his foule, 
 
 That argument I quicklie can controule : 
 
 It is a fayned fable thou dooft tell ; 
 
 That which is not his owne he cannot fell. 
 
 No man can fell his foule, altho he thought it : 
 
 Mans foule is Chrifts, for hee hath dearely bought it. 
 
 Therefore, ufurping Covetife, be gone ; 
 
 For why, the minde belongs to mee alone. 
 
 COVETOUSNESSE. 
 
 Alas, poore Confcience, how art thou deceav'd ! 
 As though of fenfes thou wert quite bereavd. 
 What wilt thou fay (that thinkft thou canft not erre) 
 If I can prove my felfe the ancienter ? 
 Though into Adams minde God did infufe thee 
 Before his fall, yet man did never ufe thee. 
 What was it elfe but Avarice in Eve 
 (Thinking thereby in greater bliffe to live) 
 That made her tafte of the forbidden fruite ? 
 Of her defier was not I the roote ? 
 Did me not covet (tempted by the Devill) 
 The Apple of the Tree of good and evill ? 
 Before man ufed Confcience me did covet. 
 Therefore, by her tranfgreffion here I prove it,
 
 38 TJic Combat betwccne 
 
 That Covetoufneffe poffeft the minde of man, 
 Before that any Conference began. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 Even as a counterfeited precious ftone 
 Seemes to bee far more rich to looke upon 
 Then doeth the right : but when a man comes neere, 
 His bafeneffe then doeth evident appeere, 
 So, Covetife, the reafons thou dooft tell 
 Seeme to be ftrong ; but being weighed well, 
 They are, indeed, but onely meere illufions, 
 And doe inforce but very weake conclusions. 
 When as the Lord (fore-knowing his offence) 
 Had given man a charge of abftinence, 
 And to refraine the fruite of good and ill, 
 Man had a Confcience to obey his will ; 
 And never would be tempted thereunto 
 Untill the Woeman fhee did work man woe, 
 And made him breake the Lords Commaundement, 
 Which all mankinde did afterward repent. 
 So that thou feeft thy argument is vaine, 
 And I am prov'd the elder of the twaine. 
 
 COVETOUSNESSE. 
 
 Fond wretch ! it was not Confcience, but feare 
 That made the firft man (Adam) to forbeare 
 To tefl the fruite of the forbidden tree, 
 Left, if offending he were found to bee, 
 (According as Jehovah faide on hye) 
 For his fo great tranfgreffion hee fhould dye. 
 Feare curbd his minde : it was not Confcience then, 
 (For Confcience freely rules the harts of men) 
 And is a godly motion of the mynde,
 
 Confcience and Covctoufncffc. 39 
 
 To everie vertuous a6lion inclynde, 
 
 And not enforc'd through feare of punifhment, 
 
 But is to vertue voluntary bent. 
 
 Then (fimple trul) be packing preffentlie, 
 
 For in this place there is no roome for thee. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 Aye mee ! (diftreffed wight) what fhall I doe ? 
 Where fhall I reft ? Or whither fhall I goe ? 
 Unto the rich ? (woes mee !) they doe abhor mee : 
 Unto the poore ? (alas !) they care not for me. 
 Unto the Olde-man ? hee hath mee forgot : 
 Unto the Young-man ? yet hee knowes me not. 
 Unto the Prince ? hee can difpence with mee : 
 Unto the Magiftrate ? that may not bee. 
 Unto the Court ? for it I am too bafe : 
 Unto the Countrey ? there I have no place : 
 Unto the Citty ? thence I am exilde : 
 Unto the Village ? there I am revilde. 
 Unto the Barre ? the Lawyer there is bribed : 
 Unto the Warre ? there Confcience is derided. 
 Unto the Temple ? there I am difguifed : 
 Unto the Market ? there I am defpifed. 
 Thus, both the young, the olde, the rich and poore, 
 Againft mee (filly Creature) fhut their doore. 
 Then, fith each one feekes my rebuke and fliame, 
 He goe againe to Heaven (from whence I came). 
 
 This faide, (me thought) making exceeding mone, 
 She went her way, and left the Carle alone ; 
 Who, vaunting of his late-got vic~torie, 
 Advaunc'd himfelf in pompe and majeftie. 
 Much like a cocke who, having kild his foe,
 
 4O The Combat, etc. 
 
 Brifks up himfelfe, and then begins to crow. 
 So Covetife, when Confcience was departed, 
 Gan to be proud in minde and hauty harted ; 
 And in a ftately chayre of ftate he fet him, 
 For (Confcience banifht) there was none to let him 
 And being but one entrie to this plaine, 
 (Whereof as King and Lord he did remaine) 
 Repentance cald, he caufd that to be kept, 
 Left Confcience fhould returne, whilft as he flept. 
 Wherefore he caufd it to be wacht and warded 
 Both night and day, and to be ftrongly guarded. 
 To keepe it fafe thefe three he did intreat, 
 Hardneffe of hart, Falfliood and Deceat. 
 And if at any time fhe chaunc'd to venter, 
 Hardneffe of hart denide her flill to enter. 
 
 When Confcience was exilde the Minde of Man, 
 Then Covetife his government began : 
 This once being feene, what I had feene before, 
 (Being onely feene in fleepe) was feene no more ; 
 For with the forrowe which my foule did take 
 At fight hereof, foorthwith I did awake. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 POEMS: 
 
 IN DIVERS HUMORS. 
 
 Trahitfua quemque voluptas. VlRGIL. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by G. S. for John Jaggard, and are to be folde 
 
 at his fhoppe neere Temple-barre, at the 
 
 Signe of the Hand and ftarre. 
 
 1598. 
 
 G
 
 TO THE 
 
 LEARNED AND ACCOMPLISHT GENTLEMAN, 
 MAISTER NICHOLAS BLACKLEECH, 
 
 OF GRAVES INNE. 
 
 you, that know the tuch of true conceat, 
 (Whofe many gifts I neede not to repeat) 
 I write thefe lines, fruits of unriper yeares ; 
 Wherein my Mufe no harder cenfure feares, 
 Hoping in gentle worth you will them take, 
 Not for the gift, but for the givers fake.
 
 SONNET I. 
 
 TO HIS FRIEND MAISTER R. L. IN PRAISE OF MUSIQUE 
 AND POETRIE. 
 
 FF Mufique and fweet Poetrie agree, 
 -*- As they muft needes (the Sifter and the Brother) 
 Then muft the Love be great, twixt thee and mee, 
 Becaufe thou lov'ft the one, and I the other. 
 
 Dowland to thee is deare ; whofe heavenly tuch 
 Upon the Lute doeth ravifh humaine fenfe : 
 Spenfer to mee ; whofe deepe Conceit is fuch, 
 As, parting all Conceit, needs no defence. 
 
 Thou lov'ft to heare the fweete melodious found, 
 That Phoebus Lute (the Queene of Mufique) makes : 
 And I in deepe Delight am chiefly drownd, 
 When as himfelfe to finging he betakes. 
 
 One God is God of Both (as Poets faigne) 
 
 One Knight loves Both, and Both in thee remaine. 
 
 SONNET II. 
 
 AGAINST THE DISPRAYSERS OF POETRIE. 
 
 CHAUCER is dead, and Gower lyes in grave, 
 The Earle of Surrey long agoe is gone ; 
 Sir Philip Sidneis foule the Heavens have ; 
 George Gafcoigne him beforne was tomb'd in ftone. 
 Yet tho their bodies lye full low in ground,
 
 44 Poems in divers humors. 
 
 (As every thing muft dye that earft was borne) 
 Their living fame no Fortune can confound, 
 Nor ever fhall their labours be forlorne. 
 
 And you that difcommend fweete Poetrie, 
 (So that the fubjecl: of the fame be good) 
 Here may you fee your fond fimplicitie, 
 Sith Kings have favord it, of royall blood. 
 
 The King of Scots (now living) is a Poet, 
 As his Lepanto and his Furies fhoe it. 
 
 A REMEMBRANCE OF SOME ENGLISH POETS. 
 
 LIVE Spenfer ever in thy Fairy Qtieene, 
 Whofe like (for deepe conceit) was never feene ; 
 Crownd mayft thou bee, unto thy more renowne, 
 (As King of Poets) with a Lawrell Crowne. 
 
 And Daniell, praifed for thy fweet-chaft verfe, 
 Whofe Fame is grav'd on Rofamonds blacke herfe, 
 Still mayft thou live ; and ftill be honored 
 For that rare worke, The White Rofe and the Red. 
 
 And Drayton, whofe wel-written Tragedies, 
 And fweete Epiftles, foare thy fame to fides ; 
 Thy learned name is aequall with the reft, 
 Whofe ftately numbers are fo well addreft. 
 
 And Shakefpeare thou, whofe hony-flowing vaine 
 (Pleafmg the world) thy praifes doth containe ; 
 Whofe Vemis, and whofe Lucrece (fweete and chafte) 
 Thy name in fames immortall booke have plac't, 
 Live ever you, at leaft in Fame live ever : 
 Well may the bodye dye, but Fame die never.
 
 Poems in divers liumors. 45 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 As it fell upon a Day, 
 
 In the merrie Month of May, 
 
 Sitting in a pleafant fhade, 
 
 Which a grove of Myrtles made, 
 
 Beaftes did leape, and Birds did fing, 
 
 Trees did grow, and Plants did fpring : 
 
 Every thing did banifh mone, 
 
 Save the Nightingale alone. 
 
 Shee (poore Bird) as all forlorne, 
 
 Leand her Breaft up-till a Thorne ; 
 
 And there fung the dolefulft Ditty, 
 
 That to heare it was great Pitty. 
 
 Fie, fie, fie, now would fhe cry 
 
 Tent, tent, by and by : 
 
 That to heare her fo complaine, 
 
 Scarce I could from Teares refraine ; 
 
 For her griefes fo lively fhowne, 
 
 Made me thinke upon mine owne. 
 
 Ah (thought I) thou mournft in vaine ; 
 
 None takes Pitty on thy paine : 
 
 Senfleffe Trees, they cannot heere thee ; 
 
 Ruthleffe Beares, they wil not cheer thee. 
 
 King Pandion, hee is dead : 
 
 All thy friends are lapt in Lead. 
 
 All thy fellow Birds doe fmge, 
 
 Careleffe of thy forrowing. 
 
 Whilft as fickle Fortune fmilde, 
 
 Thou and I, were both beguilde. 
 
 Everie one that flatters thee
 
 46 Poems in divers humors. 
 
 Is no friend in miferie : 
 Words are eafie, like the winde ; 
 Faithfull friends are hard to finde : 
 Everie man will bee thy friend, 
 Whilft thou haft wherewith to fpend 
 But if ftore of Crownes be fcant, 
 No man will fupply thy want. 
 If that one be prodigall, 
 Bountifull, they will him call : 
 And with fuch-like flattering, 
 Pitty but hee were a King. 
 If he bee adict to vice, 
 Quickly him, they will intice. 
 If to Woemen hee be bent, 
 They have at Commaundement. 
 But if Fortune once doe frowne, 
 Then farewell his great renowne : 
 They that fawnd on him before, 
 Ufe his company no more. 
 Hee that is thy friend indeed, 
 Hee will helpe thee in thy neede : 
 If thou forrowe, hee will weepe ; 
 If thou wake, hee cannot fleepe : 
 Thus of everie griefe, in hart 
 Hee, with thee, doeth beare a Part. 
 Thefe are certaine Signes to knowe 
 Faithfull friend, from flatt'ring foe.
 
 Poems in divers humors. 47 
 
 WRITTEN, AT THE REQUEST OF A GENTLEMAN, UNDER 
 A GENTLEWOMANS PICTURE. 
 
 EVEN as Apelles could not paint Campafpes face aright, 
 Becaufe Campafpes fun-bright eyes did dimme Apelles 
 
 fight, 
 
 Even fo, amazed at her fight, her fight all fights excelling, 
 Like Nyobe, the Painter ftoode, her fight his fight expelling. 
 Thus Art and Nature did contend who fhould the Vilor 
 
 bee, 
 Till Art by Nature was fuppreft, as all the worlde may fee. 
 
 AN EPITAPH UPON THE DEATH OF SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, 
 KNIGHT: LORD-GOVERNOUR OF VLISSING. 
 
 THAT England loft, that learning lov'd, that every mouth 
 
 commended, 
 That fame did prayfe, that prince did rayfe, that countrey 
 
 fo defended, 
 Here lyes the man : like to the fwan, who knowing fhee 
 
 fhall die, 
 Doeth tune her voice unto the fpheares, and fcornes mor- 
 
 talitie. 
 
 Two worthie Earls his uncles were ; a Lady was his mother ; 
 A knight his father, and himfelfe a noble Counteffe brother. 
 Belov'd, bewaild ; alive, now dead ; of all, with teares for 
 
 ever ;
 
 48 Poems in divers humors. 
 
 Here lyes Sir Philip Sidneis corps, whom cruell death did 
 
 fever. 
 He liv'd for her, hee dyde for her ; for whom he dyde, he 
 
 lived : 
 O graunt (O God !) that wee of her may never bee deprived ! 
 
 AN EPITAPH UPON THE DEATH OF HIS AUNT, 
 MISTRESSE ELIZABETH SKRYMSHER. 
 
 LOE ! here beholde the certaine ende of every living wight : 
 No creature is fecure from death, for death will have his 
 
 right. 
 He fpareth none : both rich and poore, both young and 
 
 olde muft die, 
 
 So fraile is flefh, fo fhort is life, fo fure mortalitie. 
 When firft the bodye lives to life, the foule firfl dies to 
 
 fmne, 
 And they that loofe this earthly life a heavenly life fhall 
 
 winne, 
 
 If they live well : as well fhe liv'd that lyeth under heere, 
 Whofe vertuous life to all the worlde moft plainly did 
 
 appeere. 
 
 Good to the poore, friend to the rich, and foe to no degree, 
 A prefident of modeft life and peerleffe chaftitie. 
 Who loving more, who more belov'd of everie honeft 
 
 mynde ? 
 
 Who more to hofpitalitie and clemencie inclinde, 
 Then fhe ? that, being buried here, lyes wrapt in earth 
 
 below ;
 
 Poems in divers humors. 49 
 
 From whence wee came, to whom wee muft, and bee, as 
 
 fhee is now, 
 A clodd of clay : though her pure foule in endleffe bliffe 
 
 doeth reft, 
 
 Joying all joy, the place of peace prepared for the bleft : 
 Where holy Angels fit and fmg before the King of kings, 
 Not mynding worldly vanities, but onely heavenly things. 
 Unto which joy, unto which bliffe, unto which place of 
 
 pleafure, 
 
 God graunt that we may come at laft, t' enjoy that hea- 
 venly treafure ; 
 
 Which to obtaine to live as fhee hath done let us endevor, 
 That wee may live with Chrift himfelfe (above) that lives 
 for ever. 
 
 A COMPARISON OF THE LIFE OF MAN. 
 
 MANS life is well compared to a feaft, 
 Furnifht with choice of all varietie : 
 To it comes Tyme ; and, as a bidden gueft, 
 Hee fets him downe in pompe and majiftie ; 
 The three-folde Age of Man the waiters bee : 
 Then, with an earthen voyder (made of clay) 
 Comes Death, & takes the table clean away. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 11
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THIS tract contains a curious and somewhat amusing account 
 of a privateering cruise, late in the reign of Elizabeth, in which 
 the chief object was the capture of richly laden Spanish ves- 
 sels : if not unique in itself, (which we believe it is) it may 
 be said to be unique in its character ; and it follows up the 
 adventures of a gentleman of Benhall in Suffolk, of the name 
 of Glenham, who, abandoning the cultivation of his paternal 
 fields, took to a maritime life, equipped a small fleet of three 
 vessels, the Constance, the Peregrine, and the Tiger, and sailed 
 with them to the Mediterranean. He took his departure 
 from London in February 1593-4 ; but it is not quite clear at 
 what precise date he returned to England. His enterprise, in 
 this instance, does not appear to have been very successful. 
 
 He had previously been engaged in a similar expedition 
 in the year 1591, of which an account was printed by A. J. (i. e., 
 Abel Jeffes) for William Barley ; and it was considered so in- 
 teresting, as well as novel in its incidents, that a single copy 
 having been discovered about the year 1820, it was immedi- 
 ately reprinted. That production has neither name nor initials 
 upon the title-page, but at the end are two seven-line stanzas, 
 in commendation of the hero, by H. R. ; and it will be ob- 
 served that H. B. professes to have " written" the production 
 
 a
 
 11 
 
 in the hands of the reader. It is composed as if by a person 
 who had accompanied Glenham, and had witnessed all the main 
 incidents ; but we take it that the materials were derived from 
 one of the leaders of the undertaking, and that the pen of H. R., 
 whoever he may have been, was employed to draw up the history. 
 In the instance before us, he contributed no verses ; and, looking 
 at those of 1591, we can hardly regret their absence. His prose 
 is intelligible, without much pretension, but that is all the praise 
 we can bestow upon it. There seems little attempt to exaggerate, 
 and the achievements were not such as to excite the author to 
 any unusual animation. 
 
 Whether " Levane," on our title-page, were a misprint for 
 Levant, or whether the eastern portion of the Mediterranean 
 were then called " Levane" by sailors and others, we do not 
 know ; but it is, we believe, quite certain, according to the 
 registers of Benhall, that the name of the commander of the fleet 
 was misspelt Glemham in 1591, instead of Glenham, as it is given 
 in our tract. We were formerly well acquainted with the vicar 
 of that parish the Rev. John Mitford a man of fine literary 
 tastes, great scholastic attainments, and many elegant accom- 
 plishments ; and he informed us that the name was Glenham, 
 and not Glemham. We understood him to speak from his 
 Registers, but whether any members of the family still reside at 
 or near Benhall we are not informed. 
 
 J. P. C.
 
 i^etoes from tfje 
 
 Defcribing the many perrilous events of the 
 
 moft woorthy deferving Gentleman, 
 
 Edward Glenham, Efquire. 
 
 His hardy attempts in honorable fights, in great perrill. 
 
 With a relation of his troubles, and indirect dealings 
 
 of the King of Argere in Barbaric. 
 
 
 O 
 
 Alfo the caufe of his imprifonment, and hys chal- 
 
 lenge of combat againft a ftranger, mayn- 
 
 taining his Countries honour. 
 
 Written by H. R. 
 
 AT L ON D ON, 
 
 Printed for William Wright. 
 
 I594-
 
 The troublefome, yet moft hardy and honour- 
 able voyage of Edward Glenham, Efquire, 
 made this laft yeere, 1593, into the 
 Levant Seas. 
 
 'T^HAT many adventures are incident to fuch as put 
 -*- themfelves into the fervice on the feas, I doubt not 
 but is eafily conjectured by all men, as wel fuch as have 
 with perill made triall therof, as alfo thofe which neglecl; 
 fuch fervice as might therby redound to their owne honor 
 and their countries good, whereof England harboureth to[o] 
 many. Some there are which not onely refufe the adven- 
 turing of their bodies and goods for the benefit of their 
 country, but envying to heare others that have well de- 
 ferved wel fpoken of, raife to their difgrace what fcandals 
 they may to impaire their credit : as to my felfe it is wel 
 knowne, who, lately arryving in this my country, have heard 
 many unjufl reports of the worthy deferving Gentleman, 
 Ma. Edward Glenham Efquire, that I am moved in con- 
 fcience (knowing the truth of each feveral accident hapen- 
 ing unto him in his voyage) to certifie his friends, and to 
 flop the raging mouthes of the malicious. I hope the 
 wifer fort, when they fhall reade the fame, will (notwith- 
 flanding the malice and untrue reports of the envious) give 
 the praife to them that have wel deferved : on which rely- 
 ing, I refer them to the difcourfe following. 
 
 B
 
 2 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 In February 1593, the faid Ma. Edward Glenham, with 
 his fhip the Gallion Conftanee, departed from London, well 
 furnillied with men, munition and victuals, taking his courfe 
 for Darkmought, where the reft of his company was ap- 
 pointed to meete. In which voyage, before his recovering 
 the faid port, many daungers happened him ; as grounding 
 two feverall times, once at Gravefend, the other upon the 
 fand called the Black-taile. Then on the Noreheade we 
 loft a newe cable anckor, and divers times put in again for 
 Quinborow : from whence fhortlie after, accompanied with 
 the Tremocoutana of her Majefties, the Lyons Welpe, and 
 other of Ma. Watfes fleet, we paffed the Lands end, where 
 we fprong our maine maft in fuch maner, as we durft not 
 beare much fayle on it. From Margaret, where we anc- 
 kored, we fet faile the next morning, being Tuefday ; and 
 on Thurfday following were oppofite with the Berry, all 
 becalmed, where wee were difcried from the hylles neere 
 Darkmouth by fuch of our pineffes companions as expected 
 our comming. This afternoone, before we coulde recover 
 the harbourgh, a myft fel, which fo anoyde us as we could 
 not finde the harbourgh : which caufed our generall to man 
 his long boate and fkyfe, and fo, with each of them a 
 trumpet, fent them feverall wayes to finde the lande. But 
 as in diftres God fendeth comfort, fo our friendes in Dark- 
 mouth, viz., Ma. Henry Leawnore, captaine of the Peri- 
 greene, our reare admirall, caufed his boate to bee made 
 out to feeke us, with whom he brought a pylot, and fo that 
 night we came in, and there remained victualling and pro- 
 viding our pinaffes fifteene dayes ; in which time Ma. Strat- 
 ford, captaine of the Tygare, who was appoynted to beare 
 us company, came from Plymouth, certifying our generall
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 3 
 
 how his redines was fuch as hee onely expefted our com- 
 ming : which made us haften the more for Plymouth, where 
 when we were arived, wee founde no fuch matter ; his vic- 
 tuals were unfhipped, and his men unprovided. There 
 flayed we about nine dayes, and on the third of April put 
 to fea, accompanied with thefe 4 fhyps, the Gallyon, the 
 Tygare, the Perigreene, and the Charles, all well fitted for 
 fuch a voyage. This night the wind was fo contrary, and 
 the tempeft fo great, that wee were forced to put in againe 
 to Cawfoune Bay, where wee rid foure dayes, whence we 
 wayed againe, and put in at Catwater at Plymouth. 
 
 On the ninth of Aprill we haled againe into the Sownde, 
 from whence that night wee fet faile, and by contrary 
 winds were the next day enforced to put againe for Caw- 
 foune Bay, where we ridde till Thurfday following, being 
 Maundy Thurfday : thence by fhyfting of the winde were 
 we forced to put in againe under the Hand of Plimouth. 
 Tuefday in Eafter weeke, being the 17 of Aprill, with an 
 eafie gale of winde we once more put to feas, where in like 
 manner we were anoyed with outragious tempeft, which 
 wee endured two nights and two dayes, beating up and 
 downe, as loth put againe into harbourgh. The thirde day, 
 in the midft of thys ftorme fell a greevous fogge, in which 
 we loft the Tygare and the Perigreene : the next morning, 
 having a fmall cleere, wee had fight of the Charles, who 
 came up with us, but was not able to endure the feas, al- 
 though they did all they might : they put into harbourgh, 
 but the Admirall beate it out in fuch manner that Captaine 
 Stratford and the reft could not be perfwaded of our wel- 
 fare, but that we were caft away on the Gulfe, as he him- 
 felfe confeffed to our generall at their meeting at Sancli
 
 4 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 Crufe. But by the permiffion of God efcaped we thefe 
 perrils, and on the firft of May had fight of the Northern 
 Cape, having fo much winde as we could maintaine our 
 courfes : from thence we plyed for the Burlings, whither 
 our fleet had directions to meete us, where our fhallop 
 tooke a carvill, laden with pype hordes and hoopes. That 
 night in a grevious ftorme wee loft the carvill, and one of 
 our men in her, which put into Pheneche, and is now come 
 home. Continuing heere abouts, wee tooke divers carvils 
 with fifh and fuch other trafh, which we turned off againe. 
 Heere had we fight of 14 fayles of Brittons, which wee 
 gave chafe unto, ftanding in with the rocke : which Brits, 
 had our fleete beene with us, we had eafilie taken, but be- 
 ing no more but one fhip, the ods to great, we let them 
 paffe. Eighteene dayes did we ply heere, in hope of our 
 fleete, which we heard not of. 
 
 From hence we went for the South Cape, where in fight 
 of the King of Spaynes men of warre, which were twenty 
 two fayles, wee met three Flemings, who coming aborde vs 
 fhewed theyr paffes ; who, for they were fubje6ls to the 
 Denmarke king, the generall feafted with fuch viands as 
 hee had, and without taking, or fuffering any one of his to 
 take from them any maner of thing, lycenfed them to de- 
 parte : for which curtefie the mafter of one of them pre- 
 fented him with a bafket of oranges and lemons, and one 
 fmall buttaffo of wine for his owne dyet. After the parting 
 with thefe Flemings, feeing the fleete to neere us and to 
 ftande with us, wee left the Cape and plyed for Matheroufe, 
 where we came before the towne in the midft of the day ; 
 and feeing roavers within, hoping they were Brazill or 
 Indies men, home or outward bound, manned our fhallop,
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 5 
 
 which, before fhee could recover the roade, was chafed by 
 a galliot, manned of purpofe to intercept her : which we 
 efpying flood with the fhore and (hot at her, and fo ref- 
 kewed our fhallop. That night fires were made all over 
 the iland to gyve warning of our beeing on the coaft ; yet 
 that difmaied us not, but that night our fhallop entred a 
 road one the north fide of the ile, of purpofe to borde a 
 reader there, but the caftle efpying them, (hot at her, and 
 enforced her to returne backe againe. 
 
 Thus, croffed with many contrary fortunes, from thence 
 we plyed for Cape Cateene to feeke our fleet, and not find- 
 ing them, we went for San6la Crufe, where we found many 
 Englifh fhips, whom, after the fea maner, with ftore of or- 
 dinance we faluted, and were of them welcome with much 
 fhew of good will. Two dayes folowing, two of our men, 
 being on more, were imprifoned for no caufe, but a pre- 
 tended quarrell pickt of purpofe to draw fome coyne out 
 of the generals purfe. The offence objected was for a fhot 
 that fell on fhore at our comming in, which fhotte did no 
 maner of harme. This unkindnes of the Moores the gene- 
 rail tooke in fuch ill part that he vowed, if they were not 
 before night releafed, he would land his company and fetch 
 them perforce. But in the ende, through the meanesofthe 
 merchants, which rode unto the Alcayd for the fame pur- 
 pofe, they were releafed. 
 
 In this harbourgh wee refrefhed our men with such vic- 
 tuals as the country yieldeth, so that our fick and crazed 
 men becam frolick and luftie. After fome fixe dayes ftay 
 heere, we fet fayle and continued that night ; and the 
 next day about noone difcryed comming about the Cape 
 three fayles, who, for wee could not fetch, our general
 
 6 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 manned his fhallop with 20 tal men to give him notice 
 what they were : who rowing up to them made them for 
 the Tygar, the Elizabeth of Plymouth, and a prize of 
 wheat. Our fhallop comming ftill with them was, as they 
 neared the fhips, known, which fight revived them all ; 
 efpecially Captaine Stratford, who, on the report of our 
 general's good health, rejoyced much thereat, for that, as 
 you have heard, he held him for dead, and commanded 
 his flagge to bee taken from his maine top and placed in 
 his fore top. Then enquired he of our general's eftate, 
 whereof being advertifed, hee gave to every man a pyftolet, 
 and returned them to the generall ; who was as much 
 pleased to hear tidings of Mafter Stratford as one friend 
 may be to another, as their feverall joyes might witneffe 
 at their meeting. Thys night they fupped and lay toge- 
 ther abord the Admirall, and the morrow, as the wind 
 ferved, we went in again with them ; when, after fome 
 fmall ftay, the generall and he conferring together for the 
 benefit of the voyage, it was concluded the Admirall 
 should go to fea, holding it better that fhe fpend her 
 victuals where hope of dooing good was expected, than 
 in harbourgh to confume it to no purpofe. 
 
 This determined Captaine Stratforde, (albeit love of his 
 friende caufed him to play loth to depart) made aborde. 
 Our anckors wayde, and our sayles ready to be let fall, 
 a fhallop came from the more in haft, which brought word 
 of the Charles, who not three daies before was gone from 
 the Saffeea where fhe watred. This meffenger brought 
 newes by writing that fhe had taken two prizes laden 
 with wine and oyle, and being fo neare chafed by the 
 Spanish fleete, was compelled to take in her men and
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 7 
 
 cast them off. These newes of their fafety pleafed our 
 generall, who with Captain Stratford left directions that if 
 the Charles came againe into any of thofe ports, he fhould 
 not depart his company untill he met the Admirall, who 
 had appointed to feeke him at certain places betweene 
 them agreed upon. 
 
 The time, which tarieth no man, paffing away, after 
 leave taken on all fides, friend with friende, and a ringing 
 peale of ordinaunce given, we fet fayle and departed, 
 being accompanied with the Elizabeth of Plymouth, and 
 one other fmall barke late of London, called the Examiner. 
 After we had fpent fome three weekes at fea we had fight 
 of a fayle, a very tall fhip, unto whom we gave chace, 
 fhee ftanding with us. This fhyp our company made for 
 an Englifh man, until fhe came within fhot of us, on whose 
 falfe furmifes wee were unfitted. This fhip all night we 
 chaced hard, but could not obtaine her; for which difgrace 
 the generall, growing into choller with his company, might 
 not be pacified a long time. This fhip to the other fmall 
 fhips was knowne to be the Crefent of Saint Mallowes ; 
 and, as we after heard, was prest in Spaine for carrying 
 the King's money to Malta, and other his holds in the 
 ftraights. 
 
 After this unhappy chaunce we tooke a caruill, who 
 gave us notice of a frygat bound into the Straights with 
 coyne for the Pope and others, with whom the generall 
 had great defire to meet, and thereupon determined to put 
 into the Straight with the next faire wind, to lie for her in 
 the Wacke, neare Cape S. Paule, Mayoreka fyrmentura, 
 and such places as he must needs paffe. Whereon re- 
 folved, and the wind ferving them they put in, and beeing
 
 8 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 in the night as hie as Suttie, a ftrong Levant met us, and 
 enforced us to put out againe. And plying neere the 
 mouth of the Straights wee might heare the noyfe of or- 
 dinance, and imagined fome fight to be with the gallies, 
 wherein we were not deceaved ; for at that time, Merite- 
 royes, Admirall of Argile, being at the mouth of the 
 Straights, was encountered with the galleys of Genoway, 
 Malta, and Sicyle, all bound for Spaine with the Lanta- 
 nanes daughter, which went, as we have heard, to marry a 
 nobleman there. These gallies, being 25 in number, gave 
 chace to the Turkes two galleys, and ever as they could 
 come up with them and fhotte at them, by whom the 
 Turke was very much dangered : yet by lightnefs of his 
 galleys and courage of his flaves he efcaped them with 
 the loffe of one prize which he haH taken, which the Spa- 
 niards refkewed, and redeemed the Chriftians from their 
 thraldome. 
 
 These gallyes by the mercy of God we efcaped, and on 
 Friday following, which was the xx of July, at two a clock 
 in the afternoone we entred the ftraights, an attempt fil- 
 dome put in practife in a time of fuch expected danger. 
 Sonday following we had fight of three Flemings, outward 
 bound, whom we hailed and let paffe. Thus armed with 
 hope of our defired purchafe, which we hourelie expected, 
 namely, the commyng of this frygat with the Popes trea- 
 fure, whom both the generall and the whole company vowed 
 to take or dye by her fides, many a weary and fharpe 
 looke was beftowed, but could not have notice of any thing ; 
 where plying from ile to ile dooing nothing, our men land- 
 ing at Fyrmentura, as they raunged the ile, found by 
 chance the lodging of a Hermit, wherein they had many
 
 Newes from the Levane Seas. 9 
 
 toyes, as bowes, arrowes, and divers tryfles, which they 
 brought with them to fhewe us. The time which tarrieth 
 not confuming, and with the time our victuals, and having 
 all this time received no benefit in recompence of our tra- 
 vaile, it was concluded by the whole company to goe for 
 Argeere, to feeke releefe for victuals ; where in fhort time 
 after, by the favour of God lending us winde anfwerable to 
 our will, wee arrived. And of the king and chiefeft in au- 
 thority had entertainment in the beft manner. To fliew 
 the generall what extraordinary favour they could, the 
 king came aborde to fee our fhyp, for whom the general 
 provided a fumptious banquet, for which he would not 
 ftay, but taking a fmall repaft of fuch confections as the 
 generall brought for hys ftore to fea, he departed : at whofe 
 going the generall prefented him with a cup of filver, double 
 gylt, a fayre quilt of damafke with his armes imbrodered, 
 and a purfe ritchly wrought, with fiftie double piftolets in 
 it, which he thankfully accepted, rendring great thanks for 
 his gifts and cheere. During our ftay there wee had what 
 pleafed us, without any impeachment or contradiction of 
 any man, with fuch fhow of love and favour as might have 
 drawen the moft diftruftfull to have beleaved his deedes to 
 bee faithfull. But as the alluring crokidell uttereth her 
 fweete notes to entrap the fimple beleeving man, fo fyren 
 like ufed this heathen king (nay cur I may fay) his kind- 
 neffe, to no other ende but to allure the generall to returne 
 for his port with fuch prizes as hee fhould get : to the ende 
 that hee might at his pleafure worke his intended mis- 
 chiefe againft him, and caufe him pay with intereft for his 
 fained curtefie, as you mall heereafter underftand. Fyrft, 
 he relieved our victuals, as wee could wifhe, and to none 
 
 C
 
 ro Newes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 gave more friendlie entertaynement then unto us all, and 
 at the generals departure gave him, under his hand and 
 feale, authority, free libertie to fell, exchaunge, carry over, 
 and recarry at his pleafure all fuch goods as hee, or any of 
 his, fhould bring for his port without any manner of let or 
 diflurbance. 
 
 With this affurance the generall held himfelfe very well 
 pleafed, as one glad to have fome place of refuge, where fo 
 many daungers are incident to our nation, what chaunce 
 foever fhould betide him. And giving credite to him whofe 
 fayth and honour is no more to be regarded then a dog, 
 having the winde fayre, the 18 of September wee fet fayle 
 from thence. Now, the night before the admirall wayed, 
 our reare admirall beeing loofe, and thinking wee all would 
 have wayed, made fayle and turned out, and not able, the 
 winde beeing fuch, to recover the roade, plyed up and 
 downe before the harbourgh expecting our comming, who 
 in the morning wayed and came out. But fcarce were we 
 cleere of mot from the towne, when we might perceave our 
 confort in fight with a French fhip, to whome all the morn- 
 ing he had given chace, which fhip was bounde in for the 
 porte, and discharged mot for fhot to our pyneffe, carrying 
 his flag in his top, as offering defiance : which the generall 
 feeing, not knowing what fhe was, and refufing to ftrike 
 upon his fmonfe, after the order of the feas, caufed his 
 gonner to make a shot at her, which she regarded not, but 
 having the winde fayre, paffed in for her port, which eafilie 
 shee recovered without any harme at al. The French 
 Leagure there, who ufurpeth the title of confull for the 
 king, from the top of his lodging difcried what had ha- 
 pened, and as ever they have beene mortall enemies to our
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. \ \ 
 
 nation, ftomaking to fee our generall fo graced by all fuch 
 as have any authoritie in the citty, pretending to worke 
 our generall and his company fome mifchiefe, came raging 
 to the king, exclaiming in moft vile maner (according to 
 their difpightfull nature) againft us ; and craved to be re- 
 venged on fuch Englishmen as were there. 
 
 On whofe complaint, and by the fayde confuls large pur- 
 chafe with coyne, the king and his accurfed accomplices, 
 as willing to offer wrong (notwithftanding his paffed words, 
 on the league betweene her majeftie and the high Empe- 
 rour continued) fent prefently his officers abord a ship in 
 the harbourgh, and taking fome of her company, impri- 
 foned them in the Bayniard, holding them in durance for 
 no offence ; yet in the end they recovered their libertie. 
 But to our voyage : after three dayes putting from Argere 
 we came to Mayorke, where our boates gave chace to two 
 frygats, and loft them by reafon of the block-houfes, who 
 shot both at our boates and shyps. 
 
 The twenty foure of this month a greevous ftorme af- 
 failed us, in which ftorme we loft through their owne wil- 
 fulnes our conforts. In the morning after they parted with 
 us, the winde blowing fo much as we could ftand under 
 our courfes, wee efpyed a fayle and gave her chace ; but by 
 reafon of the outragioufneffe of the feas, which were fo 
 growne, wee loft her. The fourth of October another ftorme 
 oppreffed us, which wee well paffed, thankes be to God. 
 The eleventh of thys month, in the firft watch, our maifter 
 beeing on the poope, efpyed a moft wonderfull ftrange 
 fight ; for, looking very earneftly uppon fome occafion a 
 heade the shyppe, there appeared in the fea an ougly 
 forme, tumbling ftill with the shyppe ; and divers times it
 
 12 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 appeared in the likeneffe of great flames of fire. The 
 maifter being greatly amazed thereat, and thinking hym- 
 felfe might be deluded, hee prefently called one of his 
 mates, and likewife divers of the watch, who heedfullie 
 viewed the fame to their great terror, who the neerer that 
 it approched unto the shyppe, the bigger and more ouglie 
 it feemed to be. In the ende, when it was oppofite with 
 the after quarter of the shyppe, it forthwith burfh in funder, 
 like a great flame of fyre which parteth in the midds, and 
 fo, without dooing any manner of harme, thanks be to God, 
 departed. 
 
 The feaventeenth of this month, comming about Cape de- 
 gat, we defcried a fayle, unto whom all that afternoone we 
 gave chace, and about the tyme of our difcharging of our 
 firft watch comming neere unto the port of Carthagene, 
 hee flacked his fayle, and we came up with her broad fide. 
 Thys pollicy they ufed fufpecting us to be men of warre : 
 wherein they were not deceived, although their pollicie, by 
 the good forefight of our generall, was prevented, who 
 flacked their fayles of purpofe, thinking we would begin 
 with them, beeing fo neere Carthagene, from whence they 
 might have ayde of the gallies there. But the generall, by 
 the good advife and carefull working of our maifter, got 
 betweene the fhore and hym, and compelled him to beare 
 roome in the feas. We continued our chace vntill about 
 nine of the clocke, when we came with his broad fide and 
 hayled him, who aunfwered our generals demaund very 
 mildly, yet refufed to come aborde : whereuppon the ge- 
 nerall, for that the commaunder by his apparrell feemed to 
 bee fome cavaliere, called for a goblet of wine, and after 
 hee had caroufed unto him, heaved the peece over-borde ;
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 13 
 
 and fo waving him with his rappere to lee warde, our 
 trumpets founded a charge, and our ordinance and fmall 
 fhot played on them in fuch manner as warmed them all 
 well. Which charge was aunfwered by hys noyfe of trum- 
 pets, and after with a drum and fife, very valiantly. 
 Hotely continued the fight nine howres, in all which tyme 
 we had but one man hurt, and that without danger. 
 
 The night growing on, and our ordinaunce having made 
 us fuch way, as eafier entrance coulde not have beene de- 
 vifed, our generall commaunded a borde. But our men, 
 who had fhewed themfelves that day wonderfull valiant 
 and couragious, being now very weary with their long and 
 tedious fight, and having no winde, earneftly befought the 
 generall that hee woulde fpare them untill the night were 
 more onward, and the moone ryfen, in which time they 
 themfelves fhould be well eafed and refrefhed, and then 
 they would be ready to accomplifh what he commaunded. 
 In the meane while they would be carefull and diligent to 
 keepe hym from the fhore, that by no meanes hee might 
 get opportunitie to efcape from them. Heereunto the ge- 
 nerall agreed, and it was fully refolved on that they mould 
 reft and refresh themfelves, untill fuch tyme as the moone 
 was up. 
 
 But in unhappy time fpared they him, who would not 
 have loft fuch an opportunitie had hee enjoyed the like, 
 but have taken the advantage, efpecially at fea, where dan- 
 gers are infinite, as appeared by this event : for the generall 
 having called the company up, after he had given directions 
 for the fafegard of his men, entring in the night, as he was 
 determined to goe aborde, wee defcried from foure lights, 
 which were the gallyes from Carthagene, who hearing the
 
 14 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 fight at the fhore, came out, and comming firft with him, as 
 it was moft likefome his requeft, left us after they had fhot 
 two or three fhootes, and towed in this gallant. So wee 
 left him, to the great griefe of our generall, not knowing 
 what he was or fhoulde be, untill our laft arrivall at Argere, 
 when the admirall came in with his gallyes, who brought 
 with him feaven captives taken from Carthagene, and were 
 all in the towne when fhee came in. Thefe men reported 
 her to be a Byfkene, fraughted by the governour of Malta, 
 and that he was in her himfelfe, with many other cavaleres, 
 bound home uppon fpeciall commaunde from the young 
 king, and were in great hazard of fmcking, had not the gal- 
 lies come for their refkew. Twenty eight men he had 
 flayne, and there buried, and 15 hurt ; and received under 
 water in her aftermoft quarter five shot, and in her bow 
 two. 
 
 The next day we defcried three fayles more, and gave 
 them chace, and in the night came up with one of them, 
 which was devided from the reft, and was a ship belonging 
 to Ma. John Facie of Plymouth, bound for Tellone, who 
 kept us company that night, and the next morning came 
 abord the generall, where he dined, and highly contented 
 the generall with the good newes and fucceffe of our con- 
 forts, viz. our vize admirall, the Tygar, and the Perigreene, 
 reare admirall unto us. This Ma. Facye having his fraught 
 of Newe lande fishe, and our victuals waxing fcant, the 
 governour had of him 500 for his mony : who, feeing our 
 diftres of victuals, gave the generall, of his owne good will, 
 three hogsheads of byfket, which was more then hee might 
 well fpare. This night he likewife kept us company, and 
 in the morning parted. Not long after this our parting
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 15 
 
 with Ma. Facye, our company, wearied with their hard fare, 
 defired to be at home, having no remedy left to releeve us, 
 the generall greeving to returne without dooing fome good 
 to releeve us, for whom his care was more then for himfelfe, 
 though his were the charge. Before any thing was refolutely 
 determined what to doe, we difcried a fayle and gave her 
 chace, and in leffe then halfe a day came up with her, 
 whom we found to be a fly-bote of Aucufane. This fly- 
 boate the generall was unwilling to deale with, which made 
 his company the more earned to defire the fight of their 
 country ; which earneft defire of theirs hee fought with all 
 perfwafions of hope to appeafe. But they imported him 
 with fuch words of content, fo their victuals might be re- 
 leeved, as the generall could finde no fault with their rea- 
 fonable requeft. Our victuals being short, and that not of 
 the beft, for our 'porke was all rotten, our peafe and ote- 
 meale moldie and ful of wormes, our bread fpent, and our 
 fishe in fuch ftate that the worft boy had rather beg ashore 
 for better, then eate the beft there. 
 
 Thefe things confidered, the generall fent for the maifter 
 of the fly-boate, who came from Genoway, and had nothing 
 but balaft aborde: with this Fleming the generall had 
 great conference, acquainted him with his eftate, and the 
 companies great want ; which albeit he did hardly beleeve 
 at the firft, yet when hee had feene our hold and that his eyes 
 were witnefs to the generals report, tendring our eftates, 
 hee made offer to him of his fly-boate and fuch victuals as 
 he had, if hee coulde have mony for her in anie place within 
 the ftraights, to fupply his decayed ftore, and himfelfe and 
 his company to take fuch part as our generall did. Heere- 
 upon the mafter and fome others came abord of us, and
 
 1 6 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 fome of our people went into her, sharing their victuals be- 
 tweene us, which greatly releeved our men, and caufed 
 great content. Our victuals thus releeved, the generall, 
 unwilling to put into the harbourgh, as loth to lofe the 
 company of the shyppe from Genoway, bounde for prefent 
 to the king, as I have already declared, plyed againe for 
 Mayorke, where the firft night we arrived we efpyed com- 
 ming about the land a monftrous huge fayle, which bare all 
 she might in with the roade, with whom we flood, hoping 
 to be her which we expected : and before the firft watch 
 was expired came up with her, {landing in for the roade as 
 she did, and fuddainly, without any word fpeaking, or any 
 peece giving, layde her aborde, discharging our upper tyere 
 in her broad fide, and our men, ready to enter, had our 
 chaynes full : and fuddainly, as one man was abord, and 
 many other like to have beene, the shyp, whether by the 
 willing or unwilling confent of fome man of authority in 
 the ship, shered of[fj, and left one man abord ; and with fall- 
 ing of, and difcharging a cannon, our corporal was flaine 
 Handing by the generall ; our boatfone with the fplinter of 
 a quarter ftrooken on the ftomack and fore brufed. The 
 general himfelfe received a hurt in his thigh. Thys cafuall 
 fortune vexed the generall mightily. In the ende, the feas 
 growing and a great wind, fhe being a laden fhyp of a 
 1000 tunnes, bare her top fayles all weathers, when wee 
 were forced to ftrike ours; yet we gave her chace untill we 
 brought her within fhot of the Cartel of Fyrmentura, putting 
 her by her defired harbourgh of Mayorke, and had beene 
 maiflers of her, if the fhyps had continued together. Folly 
 it was to recount her wealth, for that the remembrance 
 thereof is more greevous ; but by a Genoway it was to Ma.
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 17 
 
 Hunt reported in Argere, that fhe was worth in ready mony 
 two hundred thoufand pounds, and in goods above thirty 
 thoufand. 
 
 Thys loffe received, the wind increafmg, and the feas 
 growing to a mighty ftorme, we were enforced to feeke 
 fome harbourgh ; which by great good hap (having no 
 pylot for the place) we found under Fyrmentura, where wee 
 came to anckor. That night the maifter of the fly-boate, 
 the captaine and others, came aborde and viewed our 
 fpoyle : where it was agreed that the next morning the 
 generall fhoulde make choyfe of fuch men as hee might beft 
 fpare, and goe himfelfe for Argere ; and the admirall 
 fhoulde flay out and fpend her viftuals, to fee if any better 
 hap might betide her, and againft her comming in to have 
 victuals purvayed for her. 
 
 But God, which altereth and difpofeth the determina- 
 tions of men as hee beft pleafeth, caufed a mighty ftorme 
 to arife, which raged in fuch a tempeftious manner that our 
 cable broke, and wee loft a cable and anckor. The winde 
 of[f] the fhore drave to the feaward, the fly-boate ryding 
 ftill, wee hailed with a hullock of our fore-fayle clofe abode 
 the more, and found better roade, and there againe anc- 
 kored. But after that time wee never fa we the fly-boate 
 againe, until we came for Argere. After wee had ftaied 
 out fo long as wee myght for the want of victuals, and thys 
 loffe, which you have heard, received, within foure dayes 
 after we tooke a Sattia of Tellone, bound to Ivifie to lade 
 fait, whofe merchants confeffed to the generall that they 
 had 4000 crounes in ready mony abord ; and although our 
 want of all thinges at that time was as great as any men 
 on feas might have, yet did our generall make them the 
 
 D
 
 1 8 N ewes from the Levanc Seas. 
 
 beft cheere hee coulde, and without fuffering any man to 
 enter them or to take one penny or penny-worth from 
 them, hee discharged them. Such was his dilligent care to 
 preferve the honor of his country with all our friends. 
 Thefe Frenchmen, feeing likewife our want, prefented him 
 with two hundred of breade, two bafkets of apples, and two 
 tapnets of figges, and fo departed. 
 
 Three dayes after theyr departure, earely in the morn- 
 ing, wee defcried a great fayle, and gave her chace, and 
 about two a clocke came up with her. Thys fayle was the 
 Salomon of London, which came from New-found Lande 
 laden with fifhe, whofe maifter and company came aborde 
 of us. Theyr maifter was of the generall well entertayned. 
 Of them our generall bought fixe hundred of theyr fifhe, 
 gyving them ready money for the fame. So they departed 
 for Tellone, which was their port, and wee to feeke our 
 fortune. 
 
 Our victuals of bread growing fcant, and hearing no 
 newes of our fly-boate, which difcomforted us all, though it 
 was moft difpleafmg to the generall, who, on the reports of 
 the men of Tellone, determined to have gone thither, if (he 
 had beene with us, and fo ftill refted mindfull to doe if we 
 met her againe ; and by the Salomon wrote to Maifter 
 Facye there to ftay him three hundred of fifh for his vic- 
 tuals, paying as the country payd for the fame. But our 
 evill fortune was fuch that we faw her not, till we put for 
 Argere, where we found her and our other two conforts, 
 namelie, the Elizabeth of Plymouth, and the Examiner, 
 whom the Turkes, for the moot at our going out, had py- 
 ledged in moft pittious and defpightful manner, viz., the 
 Examiner, loofmg us as you have already heard, with the
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 19 
 
 other pineffes continued at feas, in fearch of us, untill her 
 victuals were fpent, when in hope to meet our admirall, fhee 
 put for Argere, where fhee lay becalmed one whole day and 
 a night before the harbourgh. To whom at laft, in fhowe 
 of friendfhip and good will, there came a frygat and towed 
 her in, which gave the company caufe of no miftruft at all, 
 neyther dyd they thinke that they fhould have been fo 
 cruelly dealt withall there, as afterward they were. 
 
 But no fooner came they to anckour, and their fayles 
 furdeld, but the Almayne fearcher for the kinge came 
 aborde them, and with moft difpiteful words in mod vile 
 manner entreated the company, tooke all they had, and 
 imprifoned their men. Not long after the Elizabeth com- 
 ming in was fo ferved ; but the captain having more ftore 
 of coyne then the other, with bribing the dogs had favour 
 in fome better manner. The next that came in fight of 
 the towne was our fly-boat, who likewife was becalmed, 
 unto whom came a galy and a frygat, offering them great 
 friendfhip, and to tow them in, which our men being glad 
 of, brought them two newe haufiers aborde, which they had 
 no fooner poffeffion of, but the galley rowed away with 
 that they had, and they hardly recovered the other. Thefe 
 for villany, which they howrely practife, exceede thofe dogs 
 which feeke no other at any Chriftians handes but their 
 ruines, as fhall more appeare by their indirect dealings 
 which they ufed both to the general and his company. 
 
 But to the matter : the fly-boate having fhortly after a 
 fmall gale of wind, bare in for the harbourgh, nothing fuf- 
 pecting the treacherie pretended againft them. But in 
 very unhappy time arrived they there, for thys curre, which 
 awayted their comming, omitting no time, came aborde
 
 2O N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 them, nayled their hatches, ryfled the companyes cheftes, 
 and what he beft liked both of victuals and goods, that 
 tooke he with him, difpoffeffmg them of the fhip, and 
 placed them in the Examiner, whofe company, with the 
 captaine and owner, he had imprifoned. To mitigate any 
 thing what this dog had determined no entreaty might 
 ferve, but there they muft abide the pleafure of him, that at 
 his pleafure in that place worketh all thinges. Now, fir, 
 the laft that was to play his parte in this pagent was the 
 generall and his company, whofe victuals decreafing muft 
 bee releeved, or elfe we muft all perifh in the fea, beeing 
 perfwaded that the flyboate was gone for Argere, beare 
 with the fame as winde and wether would give leave ; and 
 by the permiffion of God recovered the porte : no fooner 
 came we unto the poynt of Montifyzer, and that we drewe 
 neere the harbourgh, but this caniball (Almayne) came in 
 his guidelow, accompanied by Ma. Thomas Hunt, to our 
 fhippes fide, where he talked with the generall, but might 
 not be entreated to enter the fhippe ; neither would hee 
 fuffer Ma. Hunt, by whome he might underftand any newes 
 of the ftate of our men and fhyps : but Captaine Lowe 
 borrowed the marriners boate, and, in defpight of who gain- 
 fayed them, came out unto us, and to the generall declared 
 the whole manner of their dealings. Heereupon the gene- 
 rail, mooved with choller at their villanie, with all the 
 fpeede hee could followed the Almaine, and prefently went 
 to the king, demaunding the caufe of his fo vile dealing 
 with his company ? Who, as he is by nature bafe and un- 
 hallowed, as forfaken of Chrift and fhut out from his glory, 
 fo fubtillie fmylirig on the generall, gave him good fpeeches, 
 and muzed at his choller, faying that hee wondred to heare
 
 Newes from the Lcvane Seas. 
 
 21 
 
 him fpeake fo rafhe and unadvifedly to him, beeing in 
 great authority. After fome time of parley, but to no pur- 
 pofe, the generall feeing he could have no aunfvvere of his 
 bufmes to his content, departed in fury, without bydding 
 him farewell, leaving hym to the devill whom they ferved. 
 The next day, word was fent the generall by an Englifhman 
 turned Turke, in fome favour with the king, that the Al- 
 maine,by the kings commaund, would have our fayles afhore. 
 Upon the hearing heereof,the generall commaunded hiscom- 
 panies that were afhore to repayre abord, whether alfo him- 
 felfe came, commaunding his fhippe to be provided, his 
 nettings laced, and his ordinance all out, refolutely deter- 
 mined to fmck there, if no other remedy were, before hee 
 woulde be difpofeft of his fhyp or fayles. Not long after 
 the generals comming aborde, the king fent the boatfwaine 
 of his gaily for our fayles. Whom the generall in perfon 
 aunfwered he fhould not have ; neither woulde he brooke 
 fuch difgrace at his hands, to be difpofeft of any thing in 
 his poffeffion, but would abide the hazard of what might 
 happen. Thys refolute anfwer of the general fired the 
 dogge, who was alreadie bent to profecute what cruelty he 
 could : who prefently fent for Ma. Hunt, and delivered 
 fome fuch fpeeches unto him, as for our generals better 
 fafety hee came aborde, and fo perfwaded the generall, that 
 he was content, for their fecurity that were afhore, to de- 
 liver our maine courfe and fore courfe : wherewith they 
 were content, and the raging king and his confederate gan 
 to offer more favour. Infomuch that a compofition was 
 offered both for releafe of our countrimen in prifon, and the 
 Flemings which were likewise in durance. 
 
 But his demaund being without reafon, the generall re-
 
 22 Newes from the Lcvane Seas. 
 
 fufed the offer, and made complaynt unto the Gawe, which 
 is the chiefe of the court of the Janizaries, and hath au- 
 thority above the king to reforme all matters ; who pro- 
 mifed him redreffe. But as burres enclined they together, 
 for the Gawe being brybed with gyfts from the king, de- 
 layed the generall from time to time. Yet, in the end, the fly- 
 boate was releafed, and our men paying their raunfoms freed 
 through their owne liberalitie. But as it commonly falleth 
 out, that one mifchaunce comes not without another in the 
 necke thereof, fo marke how it happened. While our men 
 remained there in durance, one of the French Lygers chiefeft 
 men entred the Bayniard where they were, and began in 
 mod oprobrious wordes to abufe the name of our mod 
 gracious Soveraigne Lady, whofe honour every fubje6l is 
 bounde in duty to maintaine : which fpeeches were then 
 aunfwered as far as the liberty of prifoners would permit, 
 and not forgotten being at liberty. Afterwards, two of our 
 men walking the ftreetes chaunced to meete this French- 
 man, and others with him, and remembring his words, not 
 able longer to forbeare him, they began, for want of other 
 weapons, to beate him with their fiftes : fo that by part- 
 taking on each fide, manie dry blowes were dealt amongfl 
 them, and the Frenchmens faces colloured all over with 
 their owne blood. 
 
 Thys conflict comming with great complaints to the 
 eares of the Conful, who wayted a time of quarrell to be 
 had againfb our men, went prefently to the king with his 
 complaint, who fent for our generall, and on him objected 
 the caufe of this quarrill, wherewith he was nothing ac- 
 quainted, neither had he heard any thing of the matter. 
 The generall, being then by one of his followers advertifed
 
 Neivcs from the Levane Seas. 23 
 
 of the trueth, and whereupon the quarrell grevve, made 
 aunfwere (being bound thereto by dutie) that if the quarrel 
 were fuch as it was reported, he would kill him with his 
 owne handes that fhould not offer his life to maintaine the 
 honour of his Miftres, whofe match the world afforded not ; 
 with other wordes in difgrace of the French Conful, who 
 being indebted to the general a 1000 dubles, the general 
 releafed him for 300, affigning him to pay the fame to a 
 victualler of the towne, unto whom hee gave his bill fo to 
 doe, and afterwards denied his owne hand wryting. Which 
 dishoneft part when the generall objected it unto him, he 
 offered his handkercher to his face. Whereat the generall 
 beeing mooved ftrooke him over the face with his fifte, and 
 craved of the king (as he was a fouldior and in place of 
 juftice) to grant him the combat againft him that main- 
 tained the fpeeches of his countriman to his Princes difho- 
 nor. But the king, who had received and felt the fweetnes 
 of gold in aboundance from the French, would not graunt 
 it ; but fayd, if the confull were content, it mold be fo. 
 And the confull being demanded if he wold accept it, re- 
 ferd it unto the pleafure of the king, who difmiffed the 
 Confull for that night. 
 
 That fame night, as it was by the Englifh-Turke unto 
 mee reported, the Conful borrowed of the merchants of the 
 citty 1300 crounes, to make up a fumme promifed to the 
 king to worke fome revenge on the generall ; and by day 
 light in the morning the fame was brought unto the kings 
 houfe. This braule highly contented the king, who had 
 the Confull, as it were, in a preffe, ftill wrying more coyne 
 from him. About eyght of the clock that morning, the 
 king fent for the generall, commaunding him to bring
 
 24 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 thofe men with him which began the fray ; which he did, 
 who, before the French mans face rehearfed his fpeeches, 
 which he coulde not denie. Yet to fhew how welcome the 
 late received gold was, contrary to all right, and to pleafe 
 him that had fo well payd for it, hee caufed our men (ac- 
 cording to the manner of the country) to have the baftina- 
 does. The generall he committed, with his kinfman Cap- 
 taine Lowe, as pryfoners to the Almaines chamber ; where 
 he remained almoft two dayes, hardly threatned by the 
 king to lofe his hande, except he would agree to become 
 friends with the Conful, who earneftly fued to the king to 
 bring it to paffe. But the generall, dreading nought his 
 threates, would not, as he affirmed, put up fo vile an abufe 
 without revenge on him, that would jufti[fi]e the dooings 
 of fo bafe an abje6l in fo difhonorable an action. But his 
 comganie, which dreaded his good, came unto him, and on 
 their knees befought him to tender both his owne eftate 
 and theirs, confidering that on his welfare depended all 
 their goods, and by his decay all our undooings was like to 
 enfue. Yet all their perfwafions might nothing prevaile 
 with him, untill Ma. Benedick Winter (whom he tenderly 
 loved, and could deny no reafonable requeft) with fuch 
 earneft entreaties befought him ; ever unto him alledging 
 theyr tyranny, and what mould betide them if any evill 
 fhoulde befall him, that, in the end after many denials, with 
 teares (landing in both their eyes, embracing one the other, 
 he yeelded unto hym, and fo to the king, who fent for the 
 Confull, and made them friends. Yet would he not for any 
 entreaty of the Confull discharge hym, untill hee had payde 
 a thoufande dubles for the blow given in his prefence. 
 Thys matter ended, the next morning the Confull fent
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 25 
 
 him the thoufand dubles he denied his hand for, whereas he 
 might for payment of three hundred have been difcharged : 
 and ever after fhewed to the generall and his company 
 wonderfull great kindnes and pleafure in all his bufines. 
 A unity made on all fides, the generall haftened what he 
 could to be cleere from thence ; and, after many troubles, 
 the firft of February we departed the roade, towards the 
 bottome of the ftraights, to feeke our better fortunes. And 
 the fecond of the fame was heaved over-borde John Greene, 
 one of thofe that had the baftinadoes, as you have heard. 
 Wednefday, the vij of this month, the winde favouring us, 
 we arrived at the lies of Averes, where we anckored that 
 night, and the next day about noone, as we wayed, the boy 
 from the top difcried a fayle, which we gave chace unto and 
 tooke, beeing a fmall Sattia laden with tuny and fardines 
 for the Duke of Savoy, and came from Laguft and was 
 bound for Leage-horne. 
 
 The 1 3 of thys month we gave chace to a mighty gal- 
 lion, of burden twelve hundred tunnes, having 56 peeces of 
 braffe, and fixe hundred paffengers and faylers, whom we 
 chaced all that day and night, and the next morning came 
 up with her, and without ftay prefently borded her, letting 
 fall our grabill into her, which beeing faflned with a hawcer 
 of foure inches, both hau[c]er and chayne, in fhering of the 
 fhyps, brake, and fo fell off to our great greefe. Betweene 
 began a moft mortall fight, they anoying us with their 
 ftones from their tops and fhyp, that hurt us many men. 
 In which unhappy fight, after wee had continued fixe 
 houres, an unluckie fhoote hurt Captaine Winter and an- 
 other gentleman, Maifter Slade, and one of our maifters 
 
 E
 
 26 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 mates, who dyed prefently. The other, being (hot in the 
 thighes, lived one of them foure dayes, the other eyght. 
 
 Twelve more at that time were wounded, whereof foure 
 more died afterward of the hurts which they received. 
 They, on the other fide, were fo galled by us, as one of 
 their guidals was filled wyth dead men, which wee had 
 flaine. Our generall in thys fight had the pomell of his 
 dagger fhotte from his backe, and had no other harme : the 
 memory of which encounter remaineth in the fides of our 
 fhyp to be feene, alfo in our maine maft a chayne, and foure 
 other peeces of yron, befides many other fhootes which dyd 
 us lyttle danger ; yet efcaped fhe away, and made what haft 
 fhee coulde into Palermo, where fhee was bound to lade 
 corne for the Pope, having in her eyght barrells of coyne, 
 as wee hearde of a merchant of Marcellus, who, being in an 
 Englifh fhyp which hee had bought, came from the bottome 
 of the ftraights, and being taken with wefterly windes, put 
 into that harbourgh, where they fawe the men buried, and 
 the moots which fhe received, and to our generall affirmed 
 that if fhe had not recovered the place in time, fhee muft 
 needes have funcke in the feas. Thys fhyp being the Popes 
 was with proceffions welcommed, wherein wee and our com- 
 pany were curfed with bell, booke, and candle. 
 
 The fecond day after this fight a greevous ftorme op- 
 preffed us, in which we loft both our pineffes and our 
 pryze : our pineffes we never fawe after, but returning from 
 Sicelia found the Sattia driving in the feas, unladen and 
 unrigged. After great turmoyle at fea, with extreame 
 foule weather, the 23 of February wee arrived in the roade 
 in Sicelya, where we rid 4 dayes repayring our decayed 
 fayles, ropes, and other neceffaries, and the fift day in the
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 27 
 
 morning, beeing Sonday, having the winde wefterly, the 
 general!, defirous to fee what fortune God would fend, 
 wayed with the determination to fearch the harbourghs of 
 the He, and finding any thing, adventure the bringing it 
 away. With this refolution, parting by the towne of Socco, 
 as wee were at fervice, a boy from the top defcried a fayle 
 to the weftward ftanding as wee did, with whome we bare 
 all we could, being calme : yet about foure of the clocke in 
 the afternoone came up with her, and hayled her, beeing a 
 Fleming, willing her to come abord. But they, ftanding on 
 theyr tearmes with us, refufed to come, and fhotte at us 
 fuch ordinance as they had, amongft which was one mur- 
 therer, laden with gads of fteele, which hurte the generals 
 boy and t[w]o men. At which difcurtefie of theirs the gene- 
 rail difcontent made our gunner to beftow a mot on them, 
 and fo more, enforcing them to come abord, with whome 
 wee founde a paffe for Genoway or Lisborne. The fhyp 
 was laden with corne, lead, glaffes, and victuals of divers 
 forts ; but bylles of lading could wee have none, nor come 
 to the fight of any. Whereupon our generall, examining 
 the companie, certaine of them confeffed that the goods 
 were belonging to merchants of Antwerpe, and bound for 
 Malta, all bretheren the owners, and that they were there 
 refident, theyr wives and children. Whereupon the generall 
 carried her for Tellone, making prize of her. Where, be- 
 fore the governour and others in authoritie, they confeffed 
 the fame : neyther was there any likely to the contrarie, 
 otherwife they would not have made away their letters and 
 bylles of lading as they did. 
 
 A matter much to be lamented it is to fee that nation fo 
 favoured of us, which, onely with their fhowes of love to our
 
 28 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 
 
 country, abufe by their alluring fpeeches the honorable in 
 authority, procuring paffes for places where they have no 
 intent to come, thereby feeking to feede and furnifh our 
 enemies with our neceffaries. Thefe things are too well 
 knowne to poore men that travayle the feas, and daily fee 
 their dooings ; which if they mould be prohibited of but 
 one whole year it would prove fuch a plague unto the ene- 
 mie, that feaven yeeres dearth in England could not make 
 greater want. But to our matter : after our bufmeffe in 
 Tellone difpatched, our generall taking care for thofe men 
 which hee had left in Argere, left the company of foure 
 good fhyps to goe for that place, contrary to the willes and 
 mindes of the company, who wearied with the many abufes 
 offred us before, coulde not be perfwaded of any better, and 
 therefore became futers to the generall to let them remaine 
 there until he might fend fome for them ; whereunto no en- 
 treaty might draw him. 
 
 Yet at the laft (through great intreaty) wee obtayned of 
 him thys graunt, not to goe in with the fhyppe, but to fend 
 for his men, which he performed : for comming within the 
 land hee anckored at Montefoyze, and fent his kinfman 
 Captaine Lowe with his mariners afhore ; who were foure 
 dayes held of with cavilations, and could not end them. 
 The king craved to have the fhip come in, but, as it pleafed 
 God to worke for us at the time, the generall was fo ex- 
 treame ficke that fewe expected his life, whom the Turks 
 which came aborde had almoft wonne to theyr defires, but 
 the company would not agree. 
 
 The next day following, a great and greevous ftorme be- 
 ganne to rife, with a very ftrong and boifterous gale of winde 
 in the north-eaft, which we were not able to endure, ryding
 
 N ewes from the Levane Seas. 29 
 
 as we dyd. Thys ftorme increafmg, the company came to 
 the generall, and required to knowe hys pleafure, and what 
 hee determined to doe, alleadging the great perrill and 
 daunger that was likely to followe, if wee tooke not fome 
 fuddaine courfe. Whom hee aunfwered that they fhould 
 forthwith put into the harbourgh, if there were no other 
 remedy. Thys aunfwere greeved our men, which were un- 
 willing to be drawne thereto : therefore they advifed him 
 the beft they could, both for his owne and theyr fafety. 
 All which avayled not, but in hee would, or ride it out, put- 
 ting all in hazard. Which our men, feeing that no intreaty 
 or perfwafion might prevayle, put cable in the houfe, and 
 fet fayle. But when it was almoft too late, for fo narrowlie 
 were wee dryven, as (if God of his mercy had not helped us) 
 wee had beene on the lee fhore : then wee repented us, and 
 very hardly doubled we the poynt. At this dooings the 
 generall, what with freating and taking colde brought him 
 felfe very lowe and weake, dooing what hee could to with- 
 ftand them, but all in vaine. 
 
 Foure dayes this ftorme endured, in which time we were 
 as hie as Cape de Gat, where fome tenne dayes we lay be- 
 calmed. By thys time had our generall recovered fome 
 ftrength, and beeing aborde, had fo wrought and perfwaded 
 the company, that, if the winde had not come fayre to put 
 us out, wee had once again gone for our men. But God, 
 working for us better then wee anie way deferved, fent us a 
 gale of winde that brought us thwart to Jeboraltar at fixe 
 of the clocke at night, where wee lay becalmed untill two 
 in the morning, ever expecting the comming of the gallies, 
 at which time it pleafed God to fend us fuch a profperous 
 gale as brought us cleere away.
 
 30 N ewes from the Levane Seas 
 
 The next day after our comming out, wee had fight of 
 the London fleete bounde in, which was the eyght of May, 
 whereof the Hercules, and one other fhyppe, under the 
 charge of Maifter Spencer of Saint Katherines, came round 
 with us ; by whom, for that he was bounde to Argere, the 
 generall wrote letters for his men, taking order with him for 
 their paffage. 
 
 Thus (gentle reader) have I acquainted thee with our 
 troubles from time to time fince our departure out of Eng- 
 land : other events which have happened fince our comming 
 out of the ftraights I omit, onely this one thing remembred. 
 It was our chaunce to meete two Flemings, laden with 
 timber, of fixe hundred tunnes the peece ; the maifler of 
 which informed our generall of a fhyp bounde for Lysborne, 
 laden at Hamborough with powder and ordinaunce, fo that 
 at my comming away there was nothing more defired of 
 our captaine then to intercept her. Which God grant hee 
 may doe. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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