GREENES VISION .

After I was burdened with the penning of the Cobler of Canterbury , I wared passing melancholy , as grieuing that either I shold be wrong with enuy , or wronged with suspition . But when I entred into the consideration , that slander spareth not Kinges , I brookt it with the more patience , & thought , that as the strongest gustes offend lesse the low shrubs than the tall Ceda●s : 〈◊〉 the blemish of report would make a lesse scarre in a cottage than in a pallace : yet I could not but conceit it hardly , and so in a discontented humor I sat me down vpon my bed-side and began to cal to remembrance what fond and wanton lines had past my pen how I had bent my course to a wrong shore , as beating my brains about such vanities as were little profitable , ●owing my se●d in the sand and so reaping nothing but thornes and thistles . As this I recounted ouer the follies that youth led me vnto , I stept to my Standish that st●●● hard by , and writ this Ode .

Greenes Ode , of the vanitie of wanton writings . THough Tytirus the Heards swaine , Phillis loue-mate felt the paine , That Cupid fiers in the e●e , Till they loue or till they die , Straigned ditties from his pipe , With pleasant voyce and cunning strip●● Telling in his song how faire , Phillis eie-browes and hir haire● How hir face past all supposes : For white Lillies : for red Roses . Though he sounded on the hils , Such fo●d passions as loue wils , That all the Swaines that foulded by , Flockt to heare his harmonie , And vowed by Pan that Tytirus Did Poet-like his loues discusse , That men might learne mickle good , By the verdict of his mood , Yet olde Menalcas ouer-ag'd , That many winters there had wag'd . Sitting by and hearing this : Said , their wordes were all amisse . For ( quoth he ) such wanton laies , Are not worthie to haue praise● Iigg●s and ditties of fond loues , Youth ●o mickle follie mooues . And tould this old said saw to thee , Which Coridon did learne to me , T is shame and sin for pregnant wits , To spend their skill in wanton fits . Martiall was a bonnie boy , He writ loues griefe and loues ioy . He tould what wanton lookes passes , Twixt the Swaines and the lasses . And mickle wonder did he write , Of Womens loues and their spight , But for the follies of his pen , He was hated of most men : For they could say , t' was sin and shame For Schollers to endite such game . Quaint was Ouid in his ●ime , Chiefest Poet of his time . What he could in wordes rehearse , Ended in a pleasing verse● Apollo with his ay-greene baies , Crownd his head to shew his praise : And all the Muses did agree , He should be theirs , and none but he . This Poet chaunted all of loue , Of Cupids wings and Venus doue● Of faire Corima and her hew , Of white and red , and vaines blew . How they loued and how they greed , And how in fancy they did speed . His Elegies were wanton all , Telling of loues pleasings thrall , And cause he would the Poet seeme . That best of Venus lawes could deeme . Strange precepts he did impart , And writ three bookes of loues art . There he taught how to woe , What in loue men should doe , How they might soonest winne , Honest women vnto sinne : Thus to tellen all the truth , He infected Romes youth : And with his bookes and verses brought That men in Rome nought els saught , But how to tangle maid or wife , With honors breach throgh wanton life : The foolish sort did for his skill , Praise the deepnesse of his quill : And like to him said there was none , Since died old Anacr●on . But Romes Augustus worlds wonder , Brookt not of this foolish blonder : Nor likt he of this wanton verse , That loues lawes did rehearse . For well he saw and did espie , Youth was sore impaird thereby : And by experience he finds , Wanton bookes infect the minds , Which made him straight for reward , Though the censure seemed hard , To bannish Ouid quite from Rome , This was great Augustus doome : For ( quoth he ) Poets quils , Ought not for to teach men ils . For learning is a thing of prise . To shew precepts to make men wise , And neere the Muses sacred place , Dwels the virtuous minded graces , T is shame and sinne then for good wits , To shew their skill in wanton fits . This Augustus did reply , And as he said , so think I.

AFter I had written this Ode , a déepe insight of my follies did pearce into the center of my thoughtes , that I felt a passionat remorse , discouering such perticuler vanities as I had soothed vp withall my forepassed humors , I began to consider that that Astrea , that virtue , that metaphisicall influence which maketh one man differ from an other in excellence béeing I meane come from the heavens , & was a thing infested into man from God , the abuse whereof I found to be as preiudicial as the right vser thereof was profitable , that it ought to be imployed to wit , in painting out a goddesse , but in setting out the praises of God : not in discouering of beauty but in discouering of vertues : not in laying out the platformes of loue , nor in telling the déepe passions of fancy , but in perswading men to honest & honorable actions which are the steps that lead to the true and perfect felicity : the serpent is then therefore an odious creature , for that he sucketh poyson from that Odorifferous flower , from whence the painefull Bee gathers her sweete Honnie . And that Lapidarie is holden a man woorthlesse in the worlde , that will wrest the secret operation of the Diamond , to a deadly Aconiton : And such schollers deserue much blame , as out of that pretious fountaine of learning will fetch a pernitious water of vanitie : the trees that growe in Indea haue rough banks , but they yéeld pretious gummes : and the stones in Sicillia haue a duskie couller , but being cut they are a orient as the sunne : so the outward phrase is not to be measured by pleasing the eare , but the inward matter by profiting the mind : the puffing glorie of the loftie stile shadowing wanton conceipts is like to the skin of a serpent that contriues impoysoned flesh , or to a panther that hath a beautiful hide but a beastly paunch : for as the flowers of Egipt please the eye but infest the stomach , and the water of the riuer Orume cooleth the hand but killeth the heart , so bookes that contriue scurilitie , may for a while breed a pleasing conceit and a merrie passion : but for euery dram of mirth , they leaue behinde them in the readers mind , a Tunfull of infecting mischiefs , like to the Scorpion , that flatters with his head and stings with his taile . These premisses driue me into a maze , especially when I considered , that wee were borne to profit our countrie , not onely to pleasure our selves : then the discommodities that grew from my vaine pamphlets , began to muster in my sight : then I cald to minde , how many idle fancies I had made to passe the Presse , how I had pestred Gentlemens eyes and mindes , with the infection of many fond passions , rather infecting them with the allurements of some inchanted Aconiton , then tempered their thought with any honest Antidote , which consideration entered thus farre into my conscience .

Greenes trouble of minde .

FAther of mercie , whose gratious fauour is more pliant to pardon , then wee to become penitent , who are more willing to shadowe the contrite heart with remission , then we to offer our selues with hartie repentance : I heere in the humbleness of heart , pro●●ra●e my selfe before the throne of thy maiestie , vphoulden with mercy and loue , as one blushing at the blemish of my vile and detestable offences , wherewith I haue purchased the burthen of thy wrath , being so heauie a load , that the shoulders of my poore diseased conscience , being ready to sinke vnder so heauie a weight , destitute of any meane to support the same , or to cure the passion of such a maladie , but by the salue that growes from the death of thy bitter passion , who camst into the world , not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance .

When I doe ( great Physition of our déepest misdéeds ) but glaunce mine ●ye at the obiect of my sinne , and Sicco pede passe them ouer as faults of course , and follies of youth : yet I am pierced with so sharpe a passion , that I cannot conceale the greef of my conscience , but it bursteth foorth in sighes and groanes , insomuch that I thinke life an enemie to my weale , and I wish the beginning of my dayes had béene the hower of my departure .

But when with a strict insight , I say , Redde rationem villicationis , and take a straight accompt what the déedes of my youth haue beene , how full of vanitie , and fond conceited fancies , oh then what a fearefull terror dooth torture my minde , what a dungeon of dollours lyes open to swallow me ? As the Scorpion stings deadly , and the Uipers bites mortally , so dooth the worme of my conscience grype without ceasing . And yet O Lord , a deeper miserie , for when with a foreséeing consideration I looke into the time to come , wherein the secret coniecture of my faults and offences , shall be manifested and laide to my charge , and that I know Stipend●um peccati mors , Oh then whether shall I flie from thy presence , shall I take the wings of the morning and absent my selfe ? can the hideous mountaines hide me , can wealth redéeme sinne , can beautie counteruaile my faults , or the whole world counterpoyse the ballance of mine offences ? oh no , and therefore am I at my wits end , wishing for death , and the end of my miserable dayes , and yet then the remembrance of hell , and the torments thereof driue me to wish the contrarie . But when I couet long life , and to see more dayes then this imagination wrings me , I thinke , as I was conceiued in sinne and from my birth inclined to ill : so the sequell of my dayes will growe a Malo in penis , and the longer the woorse , the more yeares , the more offences : for the life of man is as the Panther , the longer he liues the more spots hee hath in his skinne , and the Onix , the longer it is kept , the more stroakes it hath . So our nature is so corrupt , that we renew not our bill with the Eagle , but growe blacker and blacker with the Halciones .

When I ruminate on these premisses , then I loath the length of more dayes , fearing least the aptnesse of my corrupt flesh , through the rebellion thereof , against the spirit , heape greater plagues vpon my poore soule . What shall I doe then Lord , thus distrest on euery syde , hauing no hope of comfort left me , but feare and dispaire . If I séeke to man , I know the strength of Sampson , the pollicie of Achitophell , the wisdome of Salomon , to bee vaine in this respect , for all haue synned , and are within the compasse of my miserable condition : being payned with this maladie , to whome shall I flie for medicine ? euen to the swéete Phisytian of all sycklie soules , to thée that canst with a word cure all my sorrowes , to the kinde Samaritan , that wilt powre wyne and Oyle into my woundes , set mee on thine owne beast , and take care for the saluing of my hurt● , that canst say , thy sinnes are forgiuen , and I am whole .

To thée I come ( ouer heated with the thirst of sinne ) for water , that may spring in me a Well of lyfe : I am heauie loaden , and I will lay the burden on thy back , for thou art a promised mediatour for the penitent vnto God the Father . It is thou that seekest the wandring sheepe , and bringest him home on thy shoulder● : thou wilt not loose that groate , but findest it with ioy , thou weepest in the neck of thy repenting Sonne , and killest the fat Calfe for his welcome : thou hast cryed out in the Streetes , Were your sinnes as red as Scarlet , I le make them as white as Snowe , and were they as Purple , I will make them as white as Wooll . These proclaimed promises is comfort , this heauenly voice is consolation , whereby I am reuiued , and my conscience lightned of the follies of my youth : nowe haue I found the true and onely phisition for my long diseased soule , euen he that came to heale the penitent . Giue me grace Lord , then to take perfect handfast of these comfortable sayings : stretch foorth thy hand , and I will with Peter spring into the water● for thou wilt vphould me : let me touch with faith the hem of thy Uesture , and then I shall enioy the true working of that most singular medicine , thy death & bitter passion , who sufferedst for our sinnes , and on the crosse criedst Consumatum est , to take away the punishment due for our transgression : oh thy mercy is infinite whereby thou callest vs , thy loue vnsearchable , whereby thou fauourest vs , and thy wisdome incomprehensible , whereby thou guidest vs : all these doo appeare to be imparted towards me , in that thou stirrest vp in my heart a loathing of my sinne , and that the follies of my young yeares are odious in my remembrance . Sith then O Lord thou hast toucht me with repentance , and hast called me from the wildernesse of wickednesse and extreame dispaire , to place me in the pleasant fields of sinc●ritie , truth and godlinesse , and so shadowe me with the wings of thy grace , that my minde being frée from all sinfull cogitations , I may for euer kéepe my soule an vndef●●ed member of thy church , and in faith , loue , feare , humblenesse of heart , praier , and dutifull obedience , shew my selfe regenerate , and a reformed man from my former follies .

BEing in this déepe meditation , lying comtemplating vpon my bed , I fell a sl●epe , where I had not lyne long in a slumber , but that me thought I was in a faire medowe , sitting vnder an Oake , vi●wing the beautie of the sunne which then shewed himselfe in his pride : as thus I sat g●sing on so g●rg●ous an obiect● I spied comming downe the Meade , two ancient men , aged for their foreheads were the Calenders of their yeares● and the whitenesse of their haires bewrayed the number of their dayes● their pace wa● answerable to their age , and In diebus illis , hung vpon their garments : their visages were wrinckled , but well featured , and their countenance conteyned much grauitie . These two ould men came to me , and sat downe by me , the one of the right hand , and the other on the left : looking vpon them earnestly , I espyed written on the ones brest Chawcer , and on the others Gower : Chawcer was thus attired as néere as I can describe it .

The description of sir Geffery Chawcer . HIs stature was not very tall , Leane he was , his legs were small , Hosd within a stock of red , A buttond bonnet on his head , From vnder which did hang I weene , Siluer haires both bright and sheene , His beard was white trimmed round , His countnance blithe and merry found , A Sleeuelesse Iacket large and wide , With many pleights and skirts side , Of water Chamlet did he weare , A whittell by his belt he beare , His shooes were corned broad before , His Inck horne at his side he wore , And in his hand he bore a booke , Thus did this auntient Poet looke .

Thus was Chawcer attired , and not vnlike him was Iohn Gower , whose description take thus .

The description of Iohn Gower . LArge he was , his height was long , Broad of brest , his lims were strong , But couller pale , and wan his looke , Such haue they that plyen their booke , His head was gray and quaintly shorne , Neately was his beard worne . His visage graue , sterne and grim , Cato was most like to him● His Bonnet was a Hat of blew , His sleeues straight of that same hew● A surcoate of a taw●●e die , Hung in pleights ouer his thigh , A breech close vnto his dock , Handsomd with a long stock , Pricked before were his shoone , He wore such as others doone , A bag of red● by his side , And by that his napkin tide , Thus Iohn Gower did appeare , Quaint attired as you heere .

Sitting as a man in a maze at the view of these two ancient Poets , as well at the grauitie of their lookes , as the strangenesse of their attire . At last sir Geffrey Chaucer start vp , and leaning on his staffe with a smiling countenance , began thus to breake silence . My friend quoth he , thy countenance bewray thy thoughts , and thy outward lookes thy inward passions : for by thy face I see the figure of a discontented minde , and the very glaunce of thine eyes is a map of a disquieted conscience . Take héede , I tell thée sorrowes concealed are the more sower , and gréefes smoothered , if they burst not out , will make the heart to breake : I confesse it is best to bee secretarie to a mans selfe , and to reueale the inwarde thoughts to a stranger is more follie , yet I tell thée , better brooke an inconuenience then a mischiefe , and be counted a little fond , then too froward . Therefore if thy gréefe be not to priuate , or so néere to thy selfe , that thou wilt not bewray it to thy shirte : manie festring sores launched are the sooner cured , and cares discouered are the sooner eased : thou hast heere two , whome experience hath taught many medicines for yong mens maladies , I am sir Geffrey Chaucer , this Iohn Gower , what we can in counsaile , shall be thy comfort , and for secrecie we are no blabs . H●ering sir Geffrey Chaucer thus familiar , I tooke heart at grasse to my selfe , and thought nowe I might haue my doubt well debated , betwéene two such excellent schollers : wherevpon putting of my hat with great reuerence , I made this replie .

Graue Lawreats , the tipes of Englands excellence for Poetry , and the worlds wonders for your wits , all haile , and happily welcome , for your presence is a salue for my passions , and the inward gréefes that you perceiue by my outward lookes , are alreadie halfe eased by your comfortable promise : I cannot denie but my thoughts are discontent , and my sences in a great maze , which I haue damd vp a long while , as thinking best to smoother sorrow with silence , but now I will set fire on the straw , and lay open my secrets to your selues , that your swéet counsailes may ease my discontent . So it is , that by profession I am a scholler , & in wil do affect that which I could neuer effect in action , for faine would I haue some taste in the liberall sciences , but Non licet cuibis adire Corinthum , and therefore I content my selfe with a superficiall insight , and only satisfie my desire with the name of a Scholler , yet as blinde Baiard wil iumpe soonest into the mire , so haue I ventured afore many my betters , to put my selfe into the presse , and haue set foorth sundrie bookes in print of loue & such amourous fancies which some haue fauoured , as other haue misliked . But now of late there came foorth a booke called the Cobler of Canterburie , a merry worke , and made by some madde ●ellow , conteining plesant tales , a litle tainted with scurilitie , such reuerend Chawcer as your selfe set foorth in your iourney to Canterbury . At this booke , the grauer and greater sorte repine , as thinking it not so pleasant to some , as preiudiciall to many , crossing it with such bitter in●ectiues , that they condemne the Author almost for an Atheist . Now learned Lawreat , héere lyes the touch of my passione : they father the booke vppon me , whereas it is Incerti authoris , and suspitiouslye slaunder me with many harde reproches , for penning that which neuer came within the compasse of my Quill . Their allegation is , because it is pleasant , and therfore mine : because it is full of wanton conceits , and therfore mine : in some place say they the stile bewraies him , thus vpon supposed premisses they conclude peremptorie , & though some men of accoumpt may be drawne by reason from that suppose , yet that Ignobile Vulgus , whose mouthes will not be stopt with a Bakers batch , will still crie , it was none but his : this father Chawcer hath made me enter into consideration of all my former follies , and to thinke how wantonly I haue spent my youth● in penning such fond pamphlets , that I am driuen into a dumpe whether they shall redound to my insuing credit , or my future infamie , or whether I haue doone well or ill , in setting foorth such amourous trifles , heerein resolue me , and my discontent is doone .

At this long period of mine , Chawcer sat downe & laught , and then rising vp and leaning his back against a Trée , he made this merry aunswer . Why Greene quoth he , knowest thou not , that the waters that flow from Pernassus Founte , are not tyed to any particular operation ? that there are nine Muses , amongst whom as there is a Clio to write graue matters , so there is a Thalis to endite pleasant conceits , and that Apollo hath Baies for them both , aswell to crowne the one for hir wanton amours , as to honour the other for her worthy labours : the braine hath many strings , and the wit many stretches , some tragical to write , like Euripedes : some comicall to pen , like Terence : some déepely conceited to set out matters of great import : others sharpe witted to discouer pleasant fantasies : what if Cato set foorth seueare censures , and Ouid amorous Axiomes , were they not both counted for their faculties excellent ? yes , and Ouid was commended for his Salem ingen●i , when the other was counted to haue a dull wit , & a slow memory : if learning were knit in one string , and could expresse himself but in one vaine , them should want of variety , bring all into an imperfect Chaos . But sundry men , sundry conceits , & wits are to be praised not for the grauity of the matter , but for the ripenes of the inuention : so that Martiall , Horace or any other , deserue to bee famoused for their Odes and Elegies , as wel as Hesiode , Hortensius , or any other for their deeper precepts of doctrines . Feare not then what those Moroste wil murmure , whofe dead cinders brook no glowing sparkes nor care not for the opinion of such as hold none but Philosophie for a Subiect : I tell thée learning will haue his due , and let a vipers wit reach his hand to Apollo , and hee shall sooner haue a branch to eternize his fame , than the sowrest Satyricall Authour in the worlde . Wee haue heard of thy worke to be amorous , sententious , and well written . If thou doubtest blame for thy wantonnes , let my selfe suffice for an instaunce , whose Canterburie tales are broad enough before , and written homely and pleasantly : yet who hath bin more canonised for his workes , than Sir Geffrey Chaucer . What Green ? Poets wits are frée , and their words ought to be without checke : so it was in my time , and therfore resolue thy selfe , thou hast doone Scholler-like , in setting foorth thy pamphlets , and shalt haue perpetual fame which is learnings due for thy endeuour . This saying of Chawcer chéered mee vntill olde Iohn Gower rising vp with a sowre countenance began thus .

Iohn Gower to the Authour .

WEll hath Chawcer said , that the braine hath sundrie strings , and the wit diuerse stretches : some bent to pen graue Poems , other to endite wanton fancies , both honoured and praised for the height of their capacitie : yet as the Diamond is more estimated in the Lapidaries shop than the Topace , and the Rose more valued in the Garden than Gillyflowers : So men that write of Morall precepts , or Philosophicall Aphorismes are more highly estéemed , than such as write Poems of loue , and conceits of fancie . In elder time learning was so high prized that Schollers were companions for Kings , & Philosophers were fathers of the Commonwealth , vpholding the state with the strength of their precepts : their wits were then imployed either to the censures of virtue , or to the secrets of nature : either to deliuer opinions of Morall Discipline , or conclusions of natural philosophy , being measured by the grauity of their sayings , not the wantonnes of their sentences : And so long were poets titled with many honors as long as their poems were vertuous , either tending to suppresse vanitie with Hesiod , or to aduance arms and vallour with Homer . But when they began to wrest their sonnets to a wrong vse , then they were out of credite , and for an instaunce of their follies , Ouid there graunde Captaine , was rewarded with bannishment . They which considred that man was born to profit his countrey , sought how to apply their time , and bend their wits to attaine to perfection of learning , not to inueagle youth with amours , but to incite to vertuous labours : some in their Academies , taught the motion of the Starres , the count of the heauens , some the nature of trées , plants , hearbs and stones : others deciphered the secret qualities of beasts , birds , & fouls , others , writs of Aconomical precepts , some of policy , some of gouernement of Common wealthes , and how the Citizens should followe vertue , and eschewe vice : others deliuered instruction for manners . Thus all generallie aim●d at an vniuersall profit of their countrey , and how to kéepe youth from any touch of idle vanities . None in their writings discoursed either of loue or hir lawes : for Venus then onely was holden for a wandring planet , not honored for a wanton Go●desse . Philosophers were dunces in loues doctrine , and held it infamous for to be tainted with the blemish of fond fancy : much more to pen down any precepts of affection , if then Ethnik philosophers , who knewe not God , but by a naturall instinct of vertue sought so carefully to auoid such vanities , & only bent the sum of their wits to their countries profit : them how blamworthy are such as endeuour to shew their quicke capacities in such wanton woorkes , as greatly preiudice the state of the commonwealth . I grant ther is no weed so il , but som wil gather , no stone so crasd , but some wil choose : nor no book so fond but some wil fauor : but Vox populi vox Dei the most & the grauest wil account it vaine and scurrulous . Therefore trust me , Iohn Gowers opinion is : thou hast applied thy wits ill , & hast sowed chaffe & shalt reape no haruest . But my maister Cha●cer brings in his workes for an instance , that as his , so thine shal be famoused : no , it is not a promise to conclude vpon : for men honor his mere for the antiquity of the verse , the english & prose , than for any déepe loue to the matter : for proofe marke how they weare out of vse . Therfore let me tel thee , thy books are baits that allure youth , Syrens that sing sweetly , and yet destroy with their notes , faire flowers without smel and good phrases without any profite .

Without any profite ( quoth Chawcer ) and with that hee s●art vp with a frown : no Gower , I tell thée , his labours , as they be amorous , so they be sententious : and serue as well to suppresse vanity , as they seem to import wantonnes . Is there no meanes to cure sores , but with Corasiues ? no helpe for vicers , but sharpe implasters ? no salue against vice , but sowr satyr●s ? Yes , a pleasant vaine , quips as ni● the quicke as a graner inuec●●ue , and vnder a merry fable can Esope as wel tant folly , as Hesiode correct manners in his Heroicks . I tell thée this man hath ioyned pleasure with profite , & though his Bee hath a sting , yet she makes sweet honny . Hath he not discouered in his workes the follies of loue , the sleights of fancy , and lightnesse of youth● to be induced to such vanities ? and what more profit can there be to his countrey than manifest such open mischiefes , as grew from the conceit of beauty & deceit of women : and all this hath he painted down in his pamphlets . I grant quoth Gower ) the meaning is good , but the method is bad : for by aming at an inconuenience , he bringeth in a mischiefe : in séeking to sppresse fond loue , the swéetnes of his discourse allures youth to loue , like such as taking drink to cool their thirst , feele the tast so pleasant , that they drinke while they surfeit . Ouid drewe not so many with his remedie of Loue from loue , as his Ars Amandi bred amorous schollers , nor hath Greenes Bookes weaned so many from vanity , as they haue wedded from wantonnesse . That is the reason ( quoth Chawcer ) that youth is more prone vnto euil than to good , and with the Serpent , sucke honny from the sweetest sirops , and haue not Poets shadowed waightie precepts in slender Poems and in pleasant fancies vsed deepe perswations ? who bitte the Curtizans of his time and the follies of youth more than Horace , and yet his Odes were wanton . Who more inuaied against the manners of men than Martiall , and yet his verse was lasciuious ? And had hee not better ( quoth Gower ) haue discouered his principles in some graue sort as Hesiode did or Pindaris , than in such amorous & wanton manner : the lightnesse of the conceit cracks halfe the credite , and the vanitie of the pen bréeds the lesse beleefe . After Ouid had written his Art of Loue , and set the youth on fire to imbrace fancy , he could not reclaime them with Ot●a si tollas periere cupidinis arcus .

The thoughts of young men are like Bauins , which once set on fire , will not out till they be ashes , and therefore doe I infer , that such Pamphlets doe rather preiudice than profite . Tush ( quoth Chawcer ) all this is but a peremptorie selfe conceit in thine owne humour for I will shew thee for instance , such sentences as may like the grauest , please the wisest , and instruct the youngest and wantonnest , and they be these : first , of the disposition of women .

Sentences collected out of the Authours bookes . Quid leuius bruto ? ●ulmen , quid fulmine ? flamma , Quid flamma ? mulier , quid muhere ? nihil . 1 BE not ouertaken with the beautie of women , whose eies are fram'd by art to enamour , and their hearts by nature to inchant . 2 Women with their false teares know their due times , and their sweete woordes pearce deeper than sharpe swordes . 3 Womens faces are lures , there beauties are baites , their lookes nets , their wordes charmes , and all to bring men to ruine . 4 A hard fauored woman that is renowmed for hir chastitie , is more honorable than she that is famous for her beutie . 5 She which houldeth in her eie most coynes , hath oft in her heart most dishonesty . 6 A woman may aptly bee compared to a Roase , for as we cannot enioy the fragrant smell of the one without prickkles : so wee cannot possesse the vertues of the other , without some shrewish conditions . 7 Though Women haue small force to ouercome men by reason , yet haue they good fortune to vnder-mine men by policie . 8 Womens paines are more pinching , if they bee girded with a frumpe , than if they be galled with a mischiefe . 9 The ready way to fier a woman to desire is to crosse them with disdaine . 10 Some women haue their loues in their lookes , which taken in with a gase , is thrust out with a wincke . 11 Womens eares are not theeir touchstones but their eies , they see and make choyce , and not heare and fancy . 12 Women oft resemble in their loues the Apothecaries in their Art , which choose the wéeds for their shops , when they leaue the flowers in the field . 13 Euerie looke that women lend is not loue , nor euerie smile in their face is n●t a pricke in their bosome . 14 Womens hearts are ful of hoales , apt to receiue , but not to reteine . 15 The Clossets of womens thoughts are euer open & the deapth of their heart hath a string that stretcheth to their tongues end . 16 A woman is like Fortune standing vppon a Gloabe , winged with the feathers of ficklenes . 17 Womens heartes are the Exchequers where fancye yéelds vp hir accounts . 18 Women , be they chast , be they curteous , be they constant , be they rich , renowmed , honest● wise : yet haue they sufficient vanities to counteruaile thier vertues . 19 Womens excellency is discouered in their constancie 20 As the glittering beames of the Sunne when it ariseth , decketh the Heauens : so the glittering beautie of a good wife adorneth the house .

How saiest thou Gower , quoth Chawcer to these sentences ? are they not worthie graue eares , and necessarye for young mindes ? is there no profit in these principles ? is there not flowers amongst weedes , and sweete aphorismes hidden amongst effeminate amours ? Are not these worthie to eternize a mans fame , and to make the memoriall of him lasting ? I cannot denie quoth Gower , but the sayings are good , both pleasant and Satyricall : but if they had beene placed in an other humor , how much more had they beene excellent ? for is not a Diamond placed in gould , more pretious , then set in Copper ? and sentences in a matter of import , higher valued , then thrust in amongst vaine trifles ? If ripe wits would consider , what glory redounds by déepe studies , they would neuer busie their braines about such superficiall vanities . Tushe , quoth Chaucer , it behooues a Scholler to fit his Pen to the time and persons , and to enter with a déepe insight into the humours of men , and win them by such writings as best wil content their fancies , I tell thée . Omne tulit punctum , qui miscuit vtile dulci : What , a pleasant tale stuft full of conceit , breedes delight to the eare , and pierceth into the thoughts : Demosthenes when he could not perswade the Athenians with his long and learned Orations , drew them to withstand Phillip with a merry Fable . And Alcibiades wrought more amongst his Souldiers with his pleasant allusions , then with all his graue exhortations : for proofe Gower thou shalt heere me tell a tale for the suppressing of iealousie , which tell mee how thou likest when thou hast heard it . With that hee sat him downe , and so did Gower : and I in the midst was verie attentiue .

Chawcers tale of Iealousie .

THere dwelled in Grandchester hard by Cambridge , a man called Tomkins , a Wheele-wright he was , and such a one as liued by his art , who being a young man and vnmarried , held it a religion euery sunday to frolike it in the Church yarde : his doublet was of leather , russetted after the best fashion , faire trust afore with a doozen , and a half of Pewter Buttons : A Ierkin of Graye Carley , with a tagd welt of the owne , and because his dublet was new , his sléeues hung down verie properly : a round slop of white , with two guards about the pocket hole , gra●st with a lock stock , that for wearing at the knee were fen●st with two peeces of a Calues skinne : his Ruffe was of fine Lockeram , stitcht very faire with Couentrie blew : a Gréene Hat fresh from the Haberdashers , tyed vp before , and a brooch of Copper , wherein Saint George sate very well mounted .

Thus Tomkins came ruffling amongst the wenches to the Churchyard , where he was alwayes foregallant of the Countrie gambals , performing his charge with such a grace , that the proudest wench in all the parish would fauour him with her Napkin . The Bee flies so long amongst the flowers , that at last he lights on one : and Tomkins could not touche the fier so oft , but he must warme , put Flare and Fire together , and they will flame : and so proper a Squire could not court it so oft among so many faire maides , but at last he was caught by the heele , and ouer the shooes forsooth in loue , and with whome ? with a Maide that euery daye went to sell Creame at Cambridge .

A bonnie Lasse she was , verye well tucket vp in a Russet Petticoate , with a bare hemme , and no fringe , yet had shee a Red Lace , and a Stomacher of Tuft Mockado , and a Partlet cast ouer with a prittie whippe , and drest she was in a Kerchiffe of Holland , for her Father was a Farmer , her girdle was greene , and at that hung a large Leather Purse with faire threaden Tassels , & a new paire of yellow gl●ues , tufted with redde rawe Silke verie richly : and forsooth this Maides name was Kate , her did Tomk●ns loue , insomuch that many lookes past betweene them , and many wooings , that at last hee brake the matter to her , and she that was old enough to giue an answere , said● if he could get her Fathers good will she was content . At this Tomkins strooke the bargaine vppe with a kisse , and sought opertunitie to meet with her Father to breake the matter vnto him . At last , Fortune so fauoured , that her Fathers Axletree broake as hee was carrying manure to the ground , wherevpon he was faine to pul foorth his horses , and in all post hast to send for Tomkins , and forsooth Kate must be the woman to fetch the Wheele-right : Away she goes , and as she went smug'd her selfe vp with her harding Aporne , and comes to Tomkins honse , whome shee found lus●●e at his worke , she saluted him , & he down with his Axe and gaue her a welcome , she did her message , and he left all workes and went with her . Assoone as he came to her fathers house , he went about his worke , and made him a newe Axeltree : when hee had done , hee was bidden come in and drinke , and her father drew foorth his pnrse and pleased him for his paines . Tomkins , that thought nowe to bewray the matter , putting his Axe vnder his arme , desired the old man hee might haue a woord with him , to whome hee discoursed the whole matter as concerning his Daughter . Hee heard him like an olde Foxe , and considered Tomkins was a yong man and a thriftie , and had a good occupation , and therefore hee could not haue a fitter matche . Wherevpon , after some pratle betwéene them , all was agréed , and the marriage day was set downe : Against which , the Tailor of the Towne had worke enough for the Bride and Bride-groomes apatell , and many a Goose and many a Pig lost their life against that day . Well , on a Sunday it was , and the maids flockt to Kates fathers house , striuing to make the Bride handsome , who had a fresh Gowne of home-spun Cloath , and was very finelie dizond in a little Cappe , and a faire paste : the Glouer sould two doozen of two peny Gloues , which she gaue to her friends , and I warrant you Tomkins house was as full of lustie Gallants , that tooke care to set out their Bridegroome all new from top to toe , with a paire of greene Garters tyed crosse aboue the knee , and a d●zen of Crewell Points that set out his hose verie faire . Thus with a branche of Rosemarie marched Tomkins to the Church , where Kate and he met : and there , to be bréefe , they were marryed : well that daye was past with dauncing and Honney moone it was for a moneth after , Tomkins did little worke , for he had enough to do to looke on his faire wife : yet shee went as she was woonte when she was a Maide to Cambridge with her Creame : but Tomkins on a day , considering that Schollers were mad fellows , began to be ieaiious , least some of them might teach his Wife Lodgick , so that he cut hir off from that vaine , and tyed hir to hir Distaffe , and caused hir to sit by him as hee wrought .

Long were they not married , but séeing his Wife was the fayrest in all the parrish , and noting that diuers of his neighbours did vse to his house , he began to wax iealious , in so much that euery looke she cast , he thought to be loue , and if she smilde it went to his heart , for hee thought it was a fauour . Thus Tomkins grew almost mad , and yet durst not wrong his Wife , because hir father was one of the cheefe men in all the parish , and beside his wife was so honest , as he could fi●de her in no fault : yet thus smoothering his owne suspition he liued in a second hell , not daring let his wife go out of his sight , and scarce trusting his owne eyes , Kate was not so simple but she could perceiue it , and gréeued , that without cause she was so wrongd , yet poore we●ch she conceald her groefe with patience , and brookt his suspition , till she might with credit reuenge : for causelesse iealousie is the greatest breache to a womans honestie : I knowe not how she dealt with the Wheele write , but a Scholler of Trinitie Hostell Vitiauit Glicerium , and made poore Tomkins looke ouer the pale like a Buck in season . Women haue their shifts , and if they be willing , they haue as many inchauntments as euer Cyrces had to turne men into hornd beasts . Still was Tomkins suspitious , but fault he could finde none , for Kate was a warie wenche , and the Scholer had taught hir Si non caste , tamen caute : But his iealousie still stucke in her stomacke , that on a time she desired the Scholer to deuise some meane how he might rid her husband of his fonde suspition , let that alone for me , quoth the Scholer , take no care , before sunday at night ●le make him singe a new songe : Kate went home , and to hir wh●ele she goes , and makes much of hir Tomkins , who vpon Friday next caryed his wife to hir fathers , and commanded hir to stay there while he went to Cambridge , and came againe , she obeyed his charge , and away goes hee towards the good towne . By the way as he went , in a dump studying on the beautie of his wife , féeding himselfe with his iealious humor , he ouertooke a Scholer , to whome he gaue the time of the day● : Welcome friend quoth the Scholer , where do you dwell ? sir quoth he , at next towne at Granchester , at Granchester man quoth hee , I am glad I met thée , now shall I laugh a little : I pray thée tell me fréend , haue you not a Wheele-wright that dwels there they call him Tomkins ? yes marrie sir quoth he , I am his next neighbor . I pray you what of him : if thou dwelst so néere , I maruel ( quoth he ) thou doost aske ? why hee marryed bonnie Kate of Granchester , that soulde Creame : and now he is the moste famous Cuckould in all the countrey . This went as colde as a stone to Tomkins heart , yet because hee would learne all , he conceald the matter , and bare it out with a good countenance , and said that although he dwelt at the next doore , yet he neuer heard so much . I le tell thée man quoth the Schol●r , for a Quarte of Wine , I le shew thée , the next time shee comes to towne , with whome she is familiarlie acquainted : Marrie quoth he , and at the next Tauerne I le bestow it on you , and to morrow comes lustie Kate to Cambridge , and if you do me so muc● fauour , i le bestow a dish of Apples on you , to e●te these winter ●uenings : the Scholer thankt him , & to the wine they went , & the next day Tomkins was appointed to come to Trinitie Hostell to such a Chamber , vppon which conclusion he did his businesse and home he went . He bare out the matter with a good face , although he was full of choller in his hart , & could not sléep , to thinke S. Luke was his Patron . But the next morning early hee had his wife make her r●ady to goe to market , for hee was not well and keepe his bed h●e would till she came againe . Kate start vp and made her selfe verie handsome , and suspected there was some thing in the winde : well , to Cambridge she must , for it was her husbands charge , and away shee went . No sooner was shee out of the dores , but vp got be and made him selfe readie , tooke the key in his pocket , and crost another way to Cambridge , that hee was seene of none , and to Trinity Hostell he goes , and found out the Scholler , who had him welcome , thankt him for his wine , and tould him you are come in a good hower , for follow me and I will shew you where your wife and a Scholler are now making merrie together . The matter before was debated amongst them how poor Tomkins should be handled . Wel the Scholer brought him secreatly to a Chamber windowe , where looking in , he might see his wife sitting vpon a Schollers lap eating of a pound of Cherries : skarce could hee keepe his tongue from railing out , but at the Schollers request hee bridled it and put it vp with patience . Well , home hee would to prouide for his wiues welcome , but the Scholer tould him hee should drinke first , and filling him out drinke , gaue him a Dormitarie potion , that after he had talked a little , he fell in a dead sleepe : then went the Scholer in and fetcht Kate out , and shewed her her husband . Merrie they were , and past away the time while it was late in the night , & then they heaued vp Tomkins on a horse backe , and carried him home to his house , vndrest him , and laid him in his bed , & though it were late , Katherine cald her mother vp , & reueald the whole mater to her . The old beldame laught , and said , the ieal●ous fool was wel serued . Wel the Scholers had good chéere made them , and away they went , and the Mother and the daughter sette vppe a watching Candle , and sate verie mann●●ly by a good fier , looking when Tomkins should wake . About midnight , the drinke left his operation , and he suddenly awoke , and starting vp , swore by gogs nownes , you arrant whore i le be reuengde vpon thee : with that his mother and his wife stept to him , and said , what cheere sonne , fie leaue such idle talke , and remember God : naye you whore ( quoth Tomkins ) i le be reuengd both on you and your knaue scholler . Daughter quoth the olde Beldam , goe for more neighbours , he begins to raue : good Sonne leaue these words , and remember Christ , with that Tomkins lookt about , began to call himselfe to remembrance , and saw hee was in his bed , with a Kercher on his head , watcht by his mother and his wife , maruelled how he should come from Cambridge , that in this mase he lay a long while , as in a trance : at last he said , alas where am I ? Marrie husband ( quoth Kate ) in your own house , and in your owne bed , sicke God helpe you , why ( quoth he ) and was I not at Cambridge to day ? at Cambridge man alas , when I came home , I found you heere , and my mother sitting by you , very sicke : and so you continued till within this hower , and then you fell into a slumber : why but quoth Tomkins , was I not at Cambridge this day , and saw thee in Trinitie hostell ? In Trinitie Hostell , trust me ( quoth she ) I was not there this two yeere , and for your being at Cambridge , God helpe you , I pray God you were able to go thether . Whie Mother ( quoth he ) make me not mad , assoone as my wife went to Cambridge , I start vp , made me readie , and went to Trinitie hostell , and there saw I hir with these eies , sitting vppon a Schollers knee , eating of a pound of Cherries . Well Husband ( quoth Kate ) and how came you home againe ? I marrie ( quoth he ) their lyes the question : I know well of my going thether , and of my being there , but of my returne , why I remember nothing . No I think so poore man ( quoth she ) for all this day hast thou beene a sick man , and full of broken slumbers and strange dreames : I will tell thee Sonne this disease is a mad bloud that lies in thy head , which is growne from iealousie , take heede of it , for if it should continue but six dayes , it would make thee starke mad , for it was nothing but an idle and a iealious fancie , that made thée thinke thou wert at Cambridge , and sawest thy wife there : and was I not then out of my bed , quoth he ? no God helpe you , quoth the Mother . Then wife quoth he , and he wept , I aske both God and thee forgiuenesse , and make a vowe , if God graunt me health , neuer héereafter to suspect thée , thou shalt go whether thou wilt , and keepe what companie thou wilt , for a iealious minde is a second hell . Thus was Tomkins brought from his suspition , and his wife and hee reconcilde .