A supplication to Eldertonne, for Leaches vnlewdnes desiring him to pardone, his manifest vnrudenes.

¶ A Supplication to Eldertonne , for Leaches vnlewdnes : Desiring him to pardone , his manifest vnrudenes . GOod gentle maister Eldertonne , may I not you intrete ? To pardon Leache that he hath donne , and not with him to frete ? For I confesse and know the same , It was for lack of lewdnes : That he so blasde abrode your name , therfore forgiue his rudenes . For you maye see he is in deed , an vnrude simple man : Therfore of him take you no heed , sithe nurture none he can . A seely simple man hee is , as proof may well be made : For nomore wit he hath ywis , but to call a spade , a spade . Therefore though that your filthy rymes , he filthy name to bee : Accuse him not I say of crimes , you heare his qualitie . It was no doubt vnhomely donne , to chalenge in such case : So fyne a felow as Eldertonne , that hath so fayre a face . But though your face be neuer so riche , so precious or so gay : Yet wil he scratche it if it itche , the paines for to delay . Wherfore you ought him thankes to geue , that worketh you suche good : And not to shake him by the sleeue , to wreke your angry moode . I may wel muse and meruel much , what might be your intent : Sith that you proue your selfe one such , as truthe cannot content . You showe that Leache you doo contemne , euen by the self same reed : Wherin you doo your self condemne , I wishe you wolde take heed . You binde it vp with othes inow , in faith , in faith , saye yee : But by such frutes a man may know , the goodnes of the tree . A shame it is that you should bring , the rample of Christ I say : And eke forthwith the self same thing , so sore to disobey . For with the breache of charitie , you doo him sharply charge : And by and by outragiously , you raile on him at large . Thus Sathan also for his turne , the scriptures can out pike : And as you wel his lesson learne , so are your deedes a like . Your harte is vaine and bent to euill , your toung also is naught : How can it be then but the deuil , must rule both toung and thought . But hereby men may easely spie , how you doo Leache abuse : Sith that your quarell for to trie , by scripture you refuse . Therfore you go about I see , the scripture set aparte : Vnto your toies and vanitie , his penne for to conuart . And if in deed you could him cause , from scripture for to flie : No doubt for soth but clause by clause , much brauery should we see . Then wolde you leke then wold you laffe , as you doo make reporte : Then wold you answere euery staffe , and that in sugred sorte . In sugred sorte ? nay poisened then , I might it better call : Although it sugred semes to men , which are in sinfull thrall . A worthy worke it is doubtles , and ful of lerned skill : Wherby appeareth your shameles , and wilful wicked will . And where you write that secretly , your fault he should haue tolde ; That might not be sith openly , your selfe did it vpholde . And where as he ful skilfully , takes scriptures for his staie : You say in deed that wickedly , he vseth them alwaie . It is not streight way proued so , when that you haue it said : Except you bring a profe therto , which cannot be denaid . As if , that I should say in deed , you were an honest man : All wise men might me then deride , sith proue it not I can . I wolde now wishe you should forget , his science to deface : For honestly a man may get , his liuing in that race . Muche better then the witte to spend , a Parasite to play : The bad to please , the good to offend , and play the foole all day . And him me thinkes you should not blame , that can wel shape a hose : For he may likewise cut and frame , a case for your riche nose . To make a hose is no suche shame , to Leache in his degree : As is your nose a glorious fame , vppon your face to see . It doth become you very ill , to talke so of your taile : But you shal there your toung hold still , as fitte for tounges that raile . And if you still thus doo deny , your knauerie to forbeare : You shal therin haue victory , the garland you shall weare . But heere I must ful sore lament , the counsel you still geue : To your vile Jone , not to repent , but beastly still to liue . O wicked man darste thou be bolde , suche sinful seed to sowe ? And eke the same for to vpholde , in sinful hartes to growe ? Oh Lord shal whoredom thus preuaile ? shal men thus sinne mainteine ? Is this a christen common weale , and can such filth susteine ? O magistrates play Phinehes parte , towardes suche be not to milde : Which may procure most greuous smart , to many a mothers childe . The whoredom of one heretofore , Great plagues to many hath brought : Although the lord eftsones therfore , in him repentance wrought . What shal our lot be then Oh Lord ? which foster suche foule swine : As liue a life to bee abhorde , yet glory and ioye therein ? Repent ( O wretche ) and cal for grace , leaue of these wicked toyes : Lest Sathan reache thee sower sauce , to these thy pleasant ioyes . Now sir , if Leache , as you doe tell , semes fondly thinges to knit : It is because you cannot well , them home with reason hit . A homely cloke wold serue full wel , is there none to be had ? If Eldertonne of none heare tell , I doubt he will goe mad . But if as you doo threaten , so you fall for to bee wood : You shall streight waies to Bedlem go , to tame your madding mood . Now Eldertonne I must desire , you to hold Leache excusde : For that no reason doth appeere , why he shuld so be vsde . And sith that I thus curteously , for Leache doo you intreat : Your phrensie so to satisfy , you need no more to freat . Wherfore gentle Maiste Elderton , as I may doo you pleasure : Graunt this my supplication , which is not out of measure . And thus subscribed , The first day of June : At which time you said , Beginneth your fume . ꝙ . Willyam Fulwod .