[The banquett of dainties: for all suche gestes that love moderatt dyate.]

Demosthenes the Mayster of the Banquet , Sosia his Stewarde . FRiend Sosia listen and attend , what newes I shall relate , To this my phrase this audit tend , and marke thereof the state . I haue decréed for to conuiue , the muses euerie one , With daintie meates , but first I le shriue my selfe to thée alone . I walking through the prate or gréene , of Helicone that spring , These Lanterns bright did vew a quéene , hir mate a princely King . He deckt with flamed shyning beames , or brightnesse of the Sunne , And from hir eyes large siluer streames , supposed were to runne . The Quéene the regall King did call , and termd him , Phoebus bright , And after them ensewed all , the muses to my sight . Sicelides did formest trace , their robes as gréene as grasse , And next Pyerides tooke place , as cleare as Christall glasse . Sicelides their scutchins bare , vpon their humers hie , Which wisedome séemed to declare , surmounting starrie skie . Aetherion Globes or circuits rounde , Pyerides did holde , Contayning sciences profounde , be set with glistering Golde . These sights delited much my minde , so that I gréedy was , With serious toyle the place to finde , through which their féete did passe . In dumps I tended to and fro , the semits were obscure Yet last I pressed for to goe , where fansie did procure . And Fansie Fansie lyke did lead , to complish hir request , And brought me straight vnto a bed , where I did séeme to rest : So deckt with pleasaunt Odours swéete , a pleasure for to smell , That sure I did suppose it méete , a season their to dwell . Thus sanūe yelding to delight , I fell in slombring sleepe , And waking , dames with Torches bright , my corps did charely kéepe . The one a fading Rose did beare , dame heautie was hir name : The other Fortune as you heare , a blynde and fickle dame With that in Traunce my sprites were gast and Torchlight did amase My lyuely sences almost past , that staring I did gase , Scarse breathing breathles was my heart , and griefe did so assayle , That sure I doubted pinching dart , against me should auayle , Then of a sodaine , beauties Rose , was faded to the stalke , And Lady Fortune , with hir glose , constrayned was to walke . O formose puer , numum ne crede colori . Cicero . pares cum paribus facilime congregantur . Alias , Similes habent labra lactucas . For on the wale fayre written was , that beautie is but vayne , Which adage as it came to passe , made beautie to reframe . Than likewise in an other place , dame Fortune was definde : With nipping cuts for to deface , hir pompe and loftie minde . Insculped briefe , if that the blinde , the blinde do séeme to lead , The prouerbe true néedes must I finde , moe fooles are brought to bed . Thus winding not from midst my thrale , wherein I cheyned was , Into a princelie court or hall , by wandring , I did passe : The roufe whereof was Iuorie bone , the pillors beaten Golde , The windowes deckt with pearle & stone , full costly to beholde . In midst wherof a Bath did spring , which did my heart inflame , So rather that than any thing , I would haue tast the same . Thus still desire did presse to proue , the thing it woulde attaine , And eke my gréedie minde did mone , therein to take some paine . I faynted like a feble hound , and coueted to drinke , But yet the liquors did rebound , when lippes were at the brinke . Lyke Tantalus I had dispayre , which liues in dolefull payne , Who when the waters proch him fayre , they ebbe as fast agayne . Thus gasing sometime here and there , Chastitas , Sapientia , Scientia . in midst of all my griefe , Thrée Nymphes of sodaine did appeare , which did mée much reliefe . Sosia . My Leach if this be manifest , which you protest as true , I wonder much how you were blest , such wondrous sightes to vew , Spied you in middest of Christal streame , thrée Ladyes passing glée ? I doubt your worship did but dreame , effigies such to sée . Demost . If Titans Chariot chase the skie , throughout Auroraes race , Then this as true none can denie , I was in present place . Sosia . Then by request might boldnesse craue , a pardon at your hande , With smiling face , & countnance graue , their names to vnderstande . Demost . Relation made approch me nie , I graunt to thy request , And finall thus I doe replie , bicause I loue thée best . Dame Sapience , first , them chasted Quéene , possest the second rayne , And Lady Science to be séene , last peared verie plaine , Ech offered me a precious gift , most wondrous to beholde , But Science one my head did lift , a crowne of perfect Golde This done suche musicke did abounde , as gast my sences all . Soe that incontinent to grounde , in Traunce my corps did fall . Then at the latter pinch and eb , of this my mortall lyfe , When sisters black had shredde my web , I longed for a wyfe . The Muses hearing this my mone , consented vnto mée That verdit giuen of euery one , straight wedded shoulde I bée , Then , who coulde lyke mée shoulde mée haue , and whome I lykt agayne , This they decréed , to kéepe from graue , the body nighe hand slayne . These golden darlings markt mée well , with fired eyes so ryfe , And poynted Science last to dwell with mée , for terme of lyfe Content was pleasde , she gaue hir troth , I coupled fayth and hand , That whyle the ayre did féede vs both , hir husbande would I stande . Then leade we were in sacred wise , into the Temple swéete , Where Vesta by hir wonted guyse , did hath our tender feete . Thus were we married , know the case and this take by the way , My wedding Banquet in this place , I purpose here to day : Therefore such Cates as costly be , I charge thée to prepare , And thus much more attend to mée , thrée daintie dishes rare . Sosia . Farre fet they say and dearely bought , fine daintrels doth delite , Nowe euery corner must be sought , to please their appetite I runne , I trace , I fiske and jette , I raunge from stréete , to streete To kill with Hauke , or catch with nete , such wild foule as I meete . Trudge Sosia , trudge , festine with spéede , thy pillors doe prepare , But Lixa , sée the hounds ye féede , against we course the Hare . I knowe not I , what Cates to buy , for dainties common be Such diuers meates , vnfainedly , as serueth ech degrée . Demost . I pray thée zelously my friende , search out the verie best , For péerles dames I doe intend , shall be my poynted gest . Both Phessaunt , Plouer , Larke , & Quail , with Rabbet , Succors yong , Of dainties these let me not fayle , with other rares among . As Marchpaine , Chéese & Ginger gréene , with sucket pleasaunt swéete , Blauncht Almondes , as in court is séene , for princely Ladyes , méete . Stewde Proynes , conserue of Cherries red , Peares , Biskets , Suger fine , With nectar dulce , since I am wedde , by voyce of Muses nine , Sosia . What Iunckets call ye these I pray , no dainties can they séeme , For vulgar sort from day to day , as common them estéeme . They serue as foode for to sustaine , the hungrie corps withall , So that the Nimphes from them refraine , as we refrayne from gall . For sacred powers of starrie skie , their natures doe consist , Nauing at pleasure pleasauntly , to hath them where they list . And sequent then for to conclude , if they be soules aboue , What whight their fauors to delude , with earthly Cates would proue , Therefore indeuour to inuent , by cunning arte and skil , Some daintie dish incontinent , thy promise to fulfil . For naughtes auayleth to prouide great things of small effect , Stay , stop therfore , pause and abide , this zelous zeale reiect . Demost . Thy iudgement soundeth to the eare , with reason firme in déede , And therefore gréedy more to heare , I pray thée to procéede . Sosia . Where foolish iudgement rooteth déepe , and fondnesse beareth fruit : There witlesse will is brought a sléepe , by fansies féeble sute . Sus Miueruam . And then the prouerbes proufe is found . Sus doth Mineruam teach , Therefore with bended knée to grounde , graunt pardon learned leach . For what I woulde , I can not say , and what I can , I may not , Therefore without longer delay , procéede with spéede and stay not . Demost . Why licence francke is graunted frée , let pardon thée suffice , Set dread a part , and shewe to mée , the sprigges of thy deuise . Sosia . Where ignorance doth lead the route , and guide the ensigne frée : There oftentimes it comes aboute , that bloudie fildes we sée . And therefore as you pardon graunt , so pardon I request , He is vnwise that seemes to vaunt , on that he knoweth least . For wisedomes loare to take in hande , for Cookes it is vnfit , And wisemen as you vnderstande , will knowe before they knit . Demost . Then tratting néede constraines to way , a salue with posting spéede : Harke , Sosia marke this present day , I pray thée to procéede . Vnto my place , consisting still , mention for to frame Whereby I may complet my will , and bring about the same . And I shall to the Temple hie , the muses to implore To ayde my wracked fantasie , that then I might adore . Sosia . Thy seruaunts will is readie bente , to graunt to thy desire : Beholde progresses doe relent , and homewarde I retire . Demost . Adew , farewell , farewell , adew , Valeto Sofia mi , Adew , adew , my friende so true thy busenesse doe appli . Sosia . Farewell , in this though I be blinde , yet I may drawe my bowe , In such a sorte to please thy minde , and kill the craftie Crowe .

Exit Sosia .

Demosthenis quaerimonia . Demost . Where ebs , and flowes of painfull griefe in siely ship did tosse Of late my ghost , now misbeliefe defines mine endlesse losse . In thraldomes thore ( I ) rule the rost , in fluctes of blissless woe , A pillor or a propping post , my pleasure I forgoe . Yet thoughe my fansie naught can vaile , naught trickling teares doe showe , But when that wilfull cares assaile , I catch the ouerthrowe . Therefore since nothing is so dure , but labour can attayne , As Poems doe my breast assure , I minde to take the payne . And this I knowe he is vnméete , that will not tast the sower , To be a guster of the swéete , in moment of an hower . Scientia . Chastitas & Sapientia . Deare spouse , what senslesse rage doth bind , thy wittes in such a maze ? Or else what fogges of mistie minde , do cause thée thus to gaze ? Demost . Deare dame , whose vertues manifold , do penetrat the skie , To vewe thy glistering eyes of Golde , no man so glad as I. As Science once , imbrace , imbrace , with stretched armes thy deare , And then he will define the case , of this his heauie cheare . Scientia . Science is bounde to yéeld by right , vnto hir friendly Lorde , And therefore sée , with all my might , to this I doe accorde , Disclose therefore , thy secrets all , take time while time may bée , Meridies . For Phoebus meane doth nigh hand call , prouision for to sée . Demost . Prouision that , néedes must I wayle , to thinke vpon the same , For all my senses doe me fayle , when dainties you doe name . Where shall I find , a daintie dish ? where shall I any buy ? For dainties none of fleshe nor fish , in all the worlde I spie . Sapience . Great store , and plenteous plentie is contained euerie where , Reioyce therefore we will not misse , approch dame Wisdome neare . Demost . O blisfull Nimph , O Lamp of trust , O glistering Diamond bright , In whome I hope and euer must , the perfect Lanterne light . I thanke thée thrice and ten times thrice , I grate thée euermore , That wisedome thyne , through thy deuise , hath salude my present sore , Chastitie . Where Science knits a perfect knot , there Sapience taketh place , And chasted lyfe deuoyde of spot , doth gouerne all the race . The sincere path , the rule of lyfe by me prescribed is , The comforte-true of man or wyfe , the endlesse state of blisse . But briefly shewe what grieuous sore , doth pester in thy minde , That transingly still more and more , no sistaunce thou dost finde : Demost . Consider Iewels precious deare , my purpose and intent , Is to conuiue , attend and heare , the Muses with assent . And Cates delicious to prouide , I thinke it verie fit , But more I séeke , the more as wyde , the marke I can not hit . Sapience . Learne well & marke , print in thy minde , what Iuuenal doth wright , Iuuenal . Rara auis in terris , nigroque simillima Cygno . By friendship true which rare I finde , as nigred Swaunne to sight . And this , examples doe approue , yet one I wil declare , As principall somewhat to moue , thy clogged breast with care . In friendship fraude is this ye knowe , for Pompei was a friende , And Fraude gaue Caesar such a blowe , that Friendship had no ende . For ratling speach with great disdaine , did frame suche sore debate , That where as loue was wont to raigne , insued deadly hate . With roaring rage the Cannons rent , and Martiall feates to trie , Betwixt them both they did conuent , in twinckling of an eye . Here Pompei led his valiaunt host , here marched he a mayne , There valiaunt Caesar séemed to bost , himselfe with all his trayne . Here Pompei gaue the onset frée , him Caesar did withstand , Here Iulius was constraynd to flée , himselfe with all his band . Pompeius followed for a space , and then did backe retire , Reporting that a boy to chase , was last he did desire . When Pompey thought he had the best , and doubted naught at all , Then Caesar as a sausie gest , for bloudie warre did call . His ensigne boldely to display , he prest with speare and shielde , Bestowing in a comely ray , his armie in the fielde . Of hautie minde , of courage stoute , of stomack stiffe and boulde , By whome his souldiars had no doubt , the conquest for to houlde . When worde came to Pompeius eare , howe euerie case did stande , With liuely hope douoyd of feare , he toke his charge in hande . As manly as Beterophon , fierce Caesars might to trie , A Knight in stole Armigeron , on him to liue or die . The Trumpets sounded out full shrill , the onset was begunne , No worde was there but slay and kill , from morne till glead of Sunne . Pompeius féete began to faile , his knées to earth did bende , Yet valiauntly he did not quaile , but forwarde bidde to tende . Declaring that the grounde did quake , friendly his manhood to salute , And questing them to take , the wordes he did impute . The souldiars gréedie of their pray , set all at-sire and seauen , And fought so cruell that same day , the strokes did sounde to Heauen The vewers of this dreadfull fight compared it to bée , Coequall to the clipsed sight , that in the ayle we sée . But fickle Fortune chaunged at last , by turning of hir whéele , Pompeius state , that nowe agast , compeld he was to réele . To him , whome once he did restore , exiled from his raigne , That nowe with scepter in his Thore , he bare the sway agayne . This prince as soone as he did sée Pompeius once his friend , For friendship his did straight decrée , of him to make an end . But first in courtious sort and skill , he friendly did him gréete , And for to cloake his spitefull will , he met him in the stréete , Then feasting him with rost meat frée , he beat him with the Spit , And sent him forth most Iudasly , as he supposed fit . To shewe him pleasure to his paine , as it did well appeare , For on the water he was slayne , which murthering did not feare , And straight presented for a gift , to Caesar , Pompeius head , Thus fickle Fortune driue the drift , that chaunge of choyse did lead . Here friendship fléeted by disdaine , for Pompei proued true , Which for his trust messe full plaine , bad fading lyfe adue . And whome he counted least his foe , and for his chiefest frinde , By wilfull hap it chaunced soe , did kill him in the ende . Ouidius . En ego , non paucis quondam munitus amicis : Dum slauit velis aura secunda meis : vt fera nymboso tumueruut aequora vento : In medijs lacera puppe relinquor aquis . And Ouid sayth if riches flowe , and honour thou obtayne , Soe long the winde with thée wil blowe , and friends to thée remayne , But when the day is ouercast , with clouds from Fortunes throne , Then will false friends from thee flée fast , and leaue thee all alone . Therrfore a daintie dish it is , a trustie wight to finde , Which in a tempest will not misse , to proue to the full kinde , True , Lodwicke sléepes in tombe of stone , his carcas wrapt in leadde , And Alexander true is gon , subiect to earthly bedde , Nowe counterfets , which friendly beare , two faces in one hoode , With cloakes dissembling doe appeare , to sucke our friendly bloude . In stead of loue , there hatred growes , where truth shoulde take a place , Their sweltring waues & scourges flow , of spitfull Fortunes face . The strongest Oke is seldome sure , and soonest ouerthrowne , The friend which friendly did indure , at last away is blowne . The brother pareth for to glose , his brother to beguile , And friends are chaunged ofte to foes , within a little whyle . Thus therefore for bycause I know , and likewise plainely sée Thy Banquet thinne , I will bestow this daintie dish on thée . That séeke abroad and seldome finde , a trustie friend in déede , To whom thou mayest declare thy minde , when time requireth néede . Demost . Of dainties all I must consent , this daintie for to bée , For friendships Bow is seldome bent , the proufe we daylie sée . I thanke thée Sapience from the heart , if it lie in my lotte , Thy gentlenesse which heales my smart , shall neuer be forgot . Sapientia , And I doe muse what diligence , as children doe bestowe , Their parents for to recompence , with honor that they owe . For dutie due , is fledde away , and humblenesse is gon , And true obedience at this day , is colder than the stone . Vnbrideled youth , hath no delite , dame Vertue to imbrace , But still indeuour with their might , hir braunches to deface . Goe vewe abroad in euerie coast . and séeme a childe to traine In Godly lyfe , and all is lost , within a yeare or twaine . As Ploughmen rude they doe prepare , king Neroes séede to sowe , Whose deuslish fansie had the care , his mothers wombe to know . And trayned hir euen as the shéepe , are trayned to their bayne , Who falling in a slombring sléepe , with bloudie knyfe was slayne . For Nero slit hir secret wombe , to sée if he coulde spie , The tender cell , or chatrie Tombe , where he was wont to lye . Such small regarde had he vnto , his tender mothers breast , That beastly nature made him doe , the thing she doubted least . Euen lyke I say at present stint , the worlde is neuer other , So that the childrens breast as flint , is stonie to the mother . For when the parents taking paine , at last doe waxe full olde , The children wish to haue them slayne , that they might haue their Golde . Now plaine deceit , hath chose a seate , now falshoode rules the lande , Nowe loue is colde , now children threat , their parents to withstande , How manie buddes of humaine séede , howe manie sonnes remaine , That will about their fayres procéede , to cause their fathers gayne ? Nay euery man is fully bent , his propper Chestes to fill , So that they care not with assent , if that their father spill . Where spring the braunches of the trée , where Isaac was the roote ? Where shall you finde a simile to set by him his foote . If any aunswere in this case , then nusquàm he must say , For well I knowe that Phoebus face , doth foster none to day . For plyant was he at a becke , and readie at a call , To take a Faggot one his necke , to sacrifice withall . And when as Abraham did declare , howe Isaac néedes must die , Most willingly he did prepare , and woulde hint not denie . But paciently he toke the crosse , and knéeled on his knée , Beleuing that this mortall losse , was but a fonde decrée . What children nowe woulde pleased bée , if this you should request ? Or who would yéelde so quietly , to graunt to your behest ? They be not borne , nor lyue by breade , throughout the worlde I sée , That couet rather to be dead , than leaue this worldly glée . Then farther to the whole effect , and search the pithie style , And tell mée if you doe respect , what newes within a whyle . He was obedient , in so much his parents did him showe , The doctrine pure , of Scriptures such , whereby the Lorde we knowe , They framde his steps to vertues trace , they learnde him how to knit , The perfect webbe , of heauenly grace , they rulde him with a bit . They made him to suppresse desire , his tongue they sought to iame , Bicause of little sparked of fyre , procéedeth forth a flame . They kept with rod of wisedoms schoole , his childhoode in such awe , That carnall blindnesse waxed toole , so well he knewe the lawe . They did discharge their dueties right , they let him not to stray , But causde him with an humble spright , to wander day by day . His othes were nay , his swearing yée , adherent to the worde , His dealing was from craft full frée , as scriptures doe accorde . Demost . Why ? then by this you séeme to proue , faultlesse the childe to bée . Science Not so but fansie did mée moue , both faultes to let thée sée . For if the Colt might séeme to raunge , and neuer to be broken , The Bit and Brydle would be straunge , this is a certaine token . And therefore since that euerie man , is faultie , thinke no lesse , But that the childe , doe what he can , is but a sinfull gesse . Omni morbo paratur medicina , Yet if the wounde were nere so sore , a salue is to be founde , Which though it fester more and more , at last will make it sounde . But where as suffrance séemes to raigne , all for a little ease , Their straight insueth grieuous paine , the former griefe to pease . As proufe by this we haue in hande , thy fansie to suffise , Where parentes will not vnderstande , their childrens wicked guise . But if they once begin to growe , in rypenesse of their sinne , Though they their wicked haunt do know , they maintaine them therein . That rype , soone rotten when they bée , then fadeth duetie due , So that their folly as ye sée , doth cause themselues to rue . And therefore , should they put in vre , the wisemans saying mylde , So long as breath doth lyfe procure , let chastment rule the childe , For duetie slips , a good cause why , the parentes make and marre , Soe that this vertue certainely must néedes be absent farre . Thus what by Tutours fondnesse blinde , and nature of the sprigge , The humble braunches starke I finde vnplyant is the twigge . Therefore this daintie for a dish , of right thou mayst prepare , For which a man maye often wish , but is reperted rare , As much to saye , obedience flame , and inward heat is colde , So that an humble chylde by name , no man can once beholde . For fansie leades their thoughtes astray , and wilfull will is bent , The righteous children for to play , with prodigall assent . That is as long as any note , of vertue doth remayne , They lashe and lauish all a flote till it be gon agayne . The path that Ioseph walked in , is not for them to walke , For why , their vertues verie thinne , are faded to the stalke . Abromnicio pleades their case , with sanguine sworde in hand , A Iustice diet in common place , all goodnesse to withstand . Thus pilgrime like , their race they runne , to no good point at all , But as the Wax against the Sunne , doth melt away , they fall . That seldome sure or not at all , an humble childe to finde , A man may trauaile where he shall , let this content thy minde . And serue this for a second messe , which I to thée assigne , Bicause thou dost pretend as gesse , to feast the Muses nine . Demost . What ioyes vnto my breast aspire ? what gladnesse nowe doth raigne ? Hir speach hath set my heart one fyre , hir talke hath ridde my payne . A daintie dishe it is in déede , a seruice harde to sée , Where as the childe doth render méede , with lowly bended knée , Vnto his auncient fathers head , where siluer haires doe growe , For children nowe are better fedde , than taught , fulwell I knowe . Doth not experience flac define the Nurse constraynd to bowe ? Vnto hir Cradell oftentime , Which right doth not alowe . Yes , right is wrong , and wrong is right , vnkindnesse cloake is kind , The light is darke and darkenesse light , the eyes that sée be blind . Thus daintie twayne I haue , but yet the thirde is to be sought , Which , if that I coulde séeme to get , full soone it shoulde be bought . Chastitie . Neyther can Golde attaine the same , but serious payne and royle , Nor princely money beare the name , without a feruent broyle . For coyne herein doth naught preuaile , I meane in wisedomes lore , The scaling of the walles t' assaile , where Science kéepes the dore . And therefore since as Authors olde , when they prepare to write , Their learned Tables doe vnfolde , whereby they should indite . Not otherwise by course I will if thou with héed attend , Indeuour with a simple skill , the thirde dish for to ende . I mase and muse , in what degrée , as trustie wyfes doe stande , For well I spie , and plainely sée , few faithfull in the lande . They loue a whyle , the prouerbe olde to them may be replyed , Theyr loue so whot is quickly colde , it can not be denyed . Where resteth faithfull Sara now , where is Rebecca pure , Whose bended knées full ofte did bowe , hir husbands griefe to cure ? Where is Ioachims faithfull wyfe , Susanna calde by name , Of whome dame vertues braunches ryfe , did worke a worthy fame . First Saraes purpose and intent , to God was to accorde : And secondly with one assent , to please hir faithfull Lorde . Rebecca , sought by charie charge , hir husbandes quiet ease , And wrought all meanes for to inlarge , a salue his yre to pease . Susannaes care was firmely cast , hir chasted vowe to kéepe , Despising euerie carnall blast , that luld the soule a sléepe . For when the elders did conspire , their pleasure blynde to haue , By filthy lust of fleshly fire . which made them so to raue . That proching me , hir hathing place , vnto hir they did runne , With flattering style , and craftie face , their purpose to haue done . The beames of grace did so inspire , hir worthy chasted minde , That crackling sparkes of fonde desire , hir soule coulde neuer blinde . She rather chused for to dye , to please their sinfull lust , Than to consent most toruedly , to breake hir promise iust , Loe here the fruite of faithfull state , loe , here both trust and hope , Loe , here dame vertue with hir mate , doth séeme to tende hir scope . Doth present time the lyke declare , are women now so true , Vnto their faith to haue a care , and eke their dutie due ? Nay faith is fledde , nay faith is dead , nay faith is layed full lowe , For euery wight , with vrgent spight , giues fayth the ouerthrowe . Nowe Venus doth hir banquets make , and lust with painted booke . Proceeds herein the paynes to take , hir darlings names to looke , Then first approcheth to his hande , the marryed femall knot , And nigh to hir there séemes to stande , the Maidens crazed pot . So that as guider of this ray , the harlot Pride is chiéfe , And Venus as a rector stay , doth ayde them with reliefe . Then Cupid with his bended Bowe , dischargeth forth his dart , Vpon those vessels weake and lowe , that taketh Venus part . Thus wyfes doe raunge in wofull sort , thus snarring they doe iarre , In leauing of their Thalame sport , to hunt the For a farre . I will not say that all their might doth giue their bodyes frée , In leauing of the perfect light , Of Venus court to bée . For I their Odours so doe smell , that néedes I must suppose , Their filthy shape , with hir to dwell , that vertue doth repose . of wedlocke many breake the hand , that lincked is so fast , Shall we , say they , as trustie stand to one whyle lyfe doth last . Not so , and why bicause that shame , is chasced from their minde , That shamelesse lyke their chasted name , they dimme , and mussell blinde . Or at the least if Venus net , their fansie can not moue , They doe indeuour for to get , a salue for their behoue . That is the Pehens proude to play , the victorie to obtaine , By which they hope an other day , their husbands to disdaine . With chafing broyle , and chyding checks , they doe indeuour still , To clogge and yoke their marits neckes , that they might haue their will . For one word twaine , for two words thrée , they practise and intend , And all is for the masterie to purchase in the ende . Thus as the olde Cocke oft doth crowe , the Cockzill learnes apase , With notes full shrill his voice to showe , in euerie méeting place . For damsels deck their hearts with pride , and vaunt themselues so hie , That all their care one euerie side , is vertue to denie . They make a gibe , and iesting stocke , at such as doe despise Their wicked factes , they grine and mock , at euerie good deuise . For if their chasted lyfe beare sway , till twentie yeares be past , Or one and twentie and a day , that number is the last , For banquets then of Venus kinde , they couet to attaine , Then Virgins Lamp is strocken blinde , and chastitie is slayne . Thus wyfes be masters as ye sée , and masters made the foote , So as before for victorie , to striue it is no boote . Here as the rest hath giuen to thée , a daintie dish , so I To please thy fainting fantasie , the thirde will not denie . That séeke to finde a trustie wyfe , and trauaile thyne is lost , For many fragile be full ryfe , but faithfull fewe can bost . Demost . A trustie friend an humble childe , a faithfull wyfe say yée ? I doe adiure by Marie milde , these verte daintie bée . Now when it please , therefore to heare , the Iunckets I suppose , Most fittest for this royall chéere , the same I will disclose . First gaze I muche where Iustice true , doth plead the poore mans case . And right is rendred , where as due shoulde séeme to haue a place . For money makes them treade a wrie , and turnes the Cat in panne , That shoulde pronounce the equitie , to euerie kinde of man . Then secondly much more I muse , where crafts men lyue vpright , Their ballaunce equally to vse , to euerie simple wight , And last of all where shall we spy , the seruants to fulfill , The séedes of seruice faithfully , to please their masters will . I doubt them all , yet may they be , when as the sea doth flame , Or else I thinke assuredly , fewe such doe beare a name . Thus nowe I iudge my selfe well sped , therefore I heartly pray , That you would take the paynes to lead dame Science home to day . And I the Muses euerie one , will bidde vnto this feast , But bound to you all thrée alone , I couet for my geast . Sapince . I Wisedome , Science by the palme , will guide vnto the place , And sacred chasted lyfe so calme , shall not absent hir face . Make hast therefore and stay not long , with spéede returne agayne , Exeunt . Request of Pallas vs among to dyne to take the payne . Demost . Doubt not , what as your zeldus will requesteth for to haue , To complish , I le indeuour still , and Tritons friendship crane . O withering grasse , O fragile shade , O slipperie Tower high , Whose honor as the Hay doth fade , in twinckling of an eye . Where naughts but vanitie doth dwell , and beames of vertue flie , A lurcking denne , a hollow cell , complet with miserie . Repent , with sobbing sighes lament , your frowarde deuilish Art , Least sodenly that you be shent , of limboe taking part , From which repentaunce may you bring a holesome salue and guide , To rest with that eternall King , whose glorie doth not glide . Well , tyme doth wish me to prepare , To séeke to Muses nine , To gust and tast of dainties rare , which you haue heard vs signe . And in meane season I commend you to the shepheard true , In whome saluation without ende , doth rest , and thus adue . FINIS .