Hornbyes hornbook Iudge not too rashly, till through all you looke; if nothing then doth please you, burne the booke. By William Hornbye, gent.

HORNBYES HORNBOOK . THe Horn-booke of all books I doe commend , For the worlds knowledge , it doth comprehend . There is no book vnder heauens copious cope , Of mightie volume , large and full of scope , Composde of the pure quintissence of wit , But sure the Horn-booke full containeth it . What euer can be written , read , or said , Are first of letters fram'd , composde , and made ; Each word , and sentence are in order set , Deriued from the English Alphabet . Of all chiefe learning , litrature and Art , The Horn-booke is the ground , which doth impart A world of Science ; and great Art and skill Comes from the Horn-booke be it good , or ill ; And I haue reason to colland the same , Because t is sounding somewhat neere my name . The Rtoritian , and the great Logition ; Th' Arethmatition , and the black Magition ; The learn'd Phisitian , and the quaint Musitian ; The grounded Grecian , and the sound Hebritian , Which mount Parnassus * * Vni●ersity . Hill ; and not to seeke In English , Latin , Hebrew , and in Greeke . And all that deeply politick are found , Had first their knowledge from the Horn-bookes ground ▪ Great learned Preachers of Diuinitie , Which with the heauens haue neare affinitie ; Profound sound Doctors of the Morrall Law , First from the Horn-booke did their reason draw . And from Christs Cradle , to his bloody Crosse , In Christ-crosse-row is Character'd each losse , And great affliction that to man doth fall ; Being taught by Patience how to beare withall . There 's an old saying to be vnderstood , And yet ( in deed ) is not so old , as good : In my beginning God be my good speed , In grace and vertue that I may proceed . So vertue is the Alpha of Gods grace , How we should run th' Omega of our race . And what is Patience but a vertue pure , Which to the end all Crosses doth endure : He that hath Patience , is a perfect man , And well is skild the Christ-crosse-row to skan : Patience is euen the ground , from whence proceeds All goods conceits , and charitable deeds . And charitie is euen the firme foundation , On which a man doth found his soules saluation . Then to conclude , these vertues first doe flow From the Originall , the Christ-crosse-row . The little Infant that receiues his birth , To passe his pilgrimage vpon the earth , Takes first a respite , and a time to grow , Before he comes vnto the Christ-crosse-row ; And at his Baptisme , euen from the Font , Receiues the Crosse of Christ vpon his front , In signe that he should neuer shame , nor feare , The Crosse of Christ and Christian life to beare . For three or fower yeares space , like to a lamb , He spends his time in sporting , and in gam : His wanton courage somewhat then to Coole , His Parents puts him to a petty Schoole . Then after that , he takes a pritty pride , To weare the Horn-booke dangling by his side : And was it not well arm'd with plate and horne , T' was in great danger to be rent and torne : For in his sport , sometimes he falleth out With his Schoole-fellow , so they haue a bout At Buff , and counter-buff ; the Horr-bookes then Are all the weapons for these stout tall men ; As t is agreeing with their childish yeares , They briefely fall together by the eares For a small cause , their quarrell doth begin , Euen for a Point , a Counter , or a Pin , And as a trifle small their friendship brake ; Euen so a toy , them friends againe doe make : For they ( good Lads ) in mallice cannot sleepe , Within their brests they anger neuer keepe ; So to their sports they fresh againe doe fall , As if they had not fallen out at all : The good nature and disposition of Children . For he to learne yet , cannot well betake him , But finding toyes , & sports , sits down to lake him With Top , and Top-stick , and his Eldern-guns , And neuer thinks of time , how fast it runs ; And thus with such like lakings , childish play , He many times doth passe the time away , Vntill his Tutor with an awfull hand , Not sternely tho but with a mild command , Makes him affect his booke , not with a twig , But with a Nut , an Almond , or a Fig. And hauing so the childs affection won ( He saith ) sweet Lad come , and thy Horn-book con. And so the A.B.C. he first is taught ; From that to spelling , he is after brought ; And being right instructed for to spell , He learn's his Sillables and Vowels well . Then with due teaching he doth well consider By 's Masters rule how he may put together . The Horn-booke hauing at his singers end , Vnto the Primer he doth next ascend ; When his capacitie , againe doth alter From that , he goes into the holy Psalter ; Then next to that , into the Booke of Bookes The sacred Bible modestly he lookes ; As in a glasse , where he may plainely see Both what he is , and what he ought to bee . How that he was conceiu'd-and borne in sin , Since his first breath to draw , he did begin : There he may see that he 's a mortall man , Subiect to sin , and hard resist it can ; There is a soueraigne salue most gratious sent To heale sick soules which truly doe repent ; There he may see , that sin originall Came first from Eue and Adam by their fall ; Before the Masculine I here prefer The Feminine , because she first diderr : The woman with inticements did begin To draw old Father Adam vnto sin ; And since her first disease , it still infects Vnto this day a number of her sects . There he may see by the first Adams fall , A second Adam did redeeme vs all With bis most dearest blood , shed on the Crosse , The greatest gratious blessing that e're was . And as the Prouerbe old doth teach vs , so We first must creepe , before we well can goe : So from the Horn-booke we must first incline , Before we can attaine to things diuine . Diuine or humaine , or in what degree Of Art and knowledge , what so e're it be ; And as the Bible is the well of preaching , Euen so the Horn-booke is the ground of teaching ; Yet ●e not hold my argument so strong , To doe the Accidence one iot of wrong . A second worthy ground there is in truth Of learning , apter for more able Youth : But yet he cannot vnto this attaine , Before the Horn booke doth direct him plaine ; By skill , good will , and times experience , He enters straight into the Accedence : There 's the true ground Gramarians ground vpon , To clime vnto the Hill of * * Vniuersity . Hellicon : To that , they 'r brought with charge & large expences , To know their Monds , their Cases , & their Tences : By that th' ar learn'd to scan and proue a Verse ; And also how to Conster , and to Perse ; Then with the Latin Abcee they begin , And so from step to step , more skill doe win : Puriles next is vsde in Schollers making , In which Youth gather profit by paines taking . By viewing Cato , there they may rehearse For good examples , many a golden verse ; Ouids lasciuious booke , in 's ●rt to loue , Is good to reade , but not so good to proue . Tully for eloquence doth beare the bell , For a sweet stile , he doth the rest excell . Corderus Dyalogues doth true relate Good presidents for youth to i●mitate . Terence a worthy booke , and ready meanes Timboulden boyes , by acting of his Sceanes . In Ouids Metamorphosis is had Diuers examples , that are good and bad : There Phaeton through pride did get a fall , A goodly president for pride to all ; For he beyond his skill , needs would assay , That which turn'd quickly to his owne decay . Acteon , for his longing , and his lust After chast Dyna , was transformed iust . Narcissus that proud selfe-conceited Else , Louing his shadow , fondly lost himselfe . There may they find Diana's dignitie , For simple purenesse , and pure chastetie : With diuers more examples I could write , But time will not permit me to recite . Virgell , a booke that doth exceed the rest ; And Horace , equallized with the best . By these good meanes , and Gods assisting grace , They run the happy Helliconian race ; If God preserue their labours , and their health , They proue good members in a Common-wealth As Musterd-seed of all the seeds that be , Simile . Is the least graine : but yet by proofe we see , The flittering foules of heauen may liue & breed In those large branches that from it doe spread ; And though it be ( indeed ) a graine but small , Yet doth it beare a sound round price withall . Euen so the Horn-booke is the seede and graine Of skill , by which we learning first obtaine : And though it be accompted small of many , And haply bought for two pence , or a penny , Yet will the teaching somewhat costly be , Ere they attaine vnto the full degree Of Schollership and Art : for at a word , It first doth hatch the * * Vni●ersitie chollers Helliconian bird , Learning ; a pretious Iem I doe account , Which doth all treasure in the world surmount ; It is a blessing , if it well be vsde , But to a curse it turns , if ill abusde ; Learning 's a Ladder , grounded vpon faith , By which we clime to heauen ( the Scripture saith . And t is a meanes to hurrie men to hell , If grace be wanting for to vse it well : So the Horn-book without Gods grace-guiding still May be an introduction vnto ill ; To euery one God doth a Talent giue , To trie how they can prosper , thriue and liue . That profitable seruant that hath fower , If frugall , shall haue thrice as many more ; He that hath three , his labour shall not cease ; For to inrich him with a great increase . He that hath two , with diligence and paine , Shall be requited with a double gaine ; And that same sloathfull sluggard that hath one , If fruitlesse buried , shall be sure of none . And now my Horn-booke I may rightly apply Both to the Clergie , and the Laetie , How many Pastors are there , Careles and unprofitable shepheards . that should feede Their flocke ( alas ) yet starue them in their need Which doe that worthy function much neglect For worldly causes , or some by respect , Who the regardles hirelings part doe play That care not how their sheepe doe goe astray , But leaue them all at random , here and there , For greedy Wolues to spoyle , deuower , & teare ; These ill deserue ( I say ) in such a case , Their liuings , learning , and so worthy place : These are blind guids , blind in their inward sight , Which grope at Noone-tide , with a Candle light . ( Methinks ) neglect of this their sacred function Should strike with horror , a most sharp compunction Into their Marble hearts : for there 's a woe Pronounc'd gainst those , which slip their duty so ; Who more respect the world , and worldly pelfe , Then for to profit others , or himselfe In soules saluation ; such desire to gaine The riches of this world , which are but vaine : Like Isops Cock , which of more worth did deeme A Barly-corne , then Iem of of great esteeme . These kind of scatter-graces right are found Like him that hid his Talent in the ground : For such as these I mourne , & make great mone , They better neuer had the Horn-booke knowne . Yet many a Citie , Prouident and carefull Pastors . many a Towne is blest Here in our Land , with Pastors of the best , Who take most earnest paines , and honest heed , Not for to fleece their flocks , but them to feede , And with a speciall care , and conscience cause , Reforme the wicked to religious lawes : So they which sit in Ignorance black night , They doe inlighten with their splendent light . These are true Shepheards , euen to Christs desire , And hee 'l reward them with a Heauenly hire : Blessed are they , that euer they did know The Horn-booke , and the happy Christ-crosse-row . The great graue worthy Iudges of the Land , Just Judges That doe with care and conscience vnderstand The poore mens causes , be they right or wrong , To giue the right , where right doth true belong , ( I hope ) will with my Horn-booke free dispence , Knowing that knowledge is deriu'd from thence . Before we learne , we learne to know each letter , Or else to learne to reade , is nere the better . And to all gentle Iustices of Peace , Vpright Justices . Who doe their Talents ( in their charge ) increase , In doing Iustice with a single eie , Without respect of men , or briberie , My Horn-booke very humbly I commend , Hoping that learning they will still defend . To all Schoole-founders , Schoole-founders that haue euer been Most beneficiall vnto Schollers seene , By Schooles errecting , and protecting those Vnder their fauours , which in learning growes To full maturitie ; these doe support Poore Schollers in a charitable sort , These happy Stewards haue their Talents spent Pleasing to God , and for a good intent : To these my Horn-booke likewise I commend , Knowing the Muses they doe best befrend . Lawyers and Atturnies . The busie Lawyers , and the briefe Atturneys , Which euery Term-time take most tedious iornies To toyle , and moyle , to ride through thick & thin , And all to bring their fees more roundly in ; Whose onely labours to this purpose tends , They would haue all men rathere foes then friends , Because by controuersie they doe gaine , And concord makes them beggers , they complaine . These from the Horn-book first did draw their skill , Good cause haue they to beare it great good will . A Constable's a iudicious man , A Con●●able . If he performe his Office wisely can : But if vnlearnedly he doe amisse , ( Ales ) the Horn-booke was no friend of his . The learned Poet , The learned Poet that in Poetrie Doth mount aloft vnto the loftie skie In high conceits , through diuine inspiration Who for his Art , is held in admiration ; That which I write , will grant for to be true , And giue vnto the Horn-booke praise due . The Third-bare Poet , The Thread-bare Poet. or the Ballad-maker , That of lassiuious Rimes , is full partaker , And baudy songs writes with his vnchast pen , Which stinke i' th nostrils of vertuous men : These shew the very dreggs , and froth of wit , Which an vnprofitable , and vnfit ; These did at first the Horn-booke learne in waste , Whose wits ill spent , giue euen as ill a taste . And the Pet-Poet I must not forget , The Pe● Poet. Which with good liquor doth accute his wit ; And when t is got a little into 's Crowne , He makes his Pen to gallup vp and downe ; Writing a song like vnto Smug and 's Daughter , Or some such od conceite , procuring laughter . These make braue songs , and for their greater graces , Sing them in priuat , & in publike places . To these ( I say ) as Drinke doth them imbolden , So to the Horn-booke they were first beholden . The Free-Schoole-Masters , The Fre●… Schoole Masters which paines doe take , Good Schollers fit for Cambridge to mak , Were Infants first themselues , and little Boyes , Which did delight in trifles , and in toyes , And at the Horn-booke likewise did begin , Before they doe such good preferment win ( Where youth is brought to reuerence and grace , I hold a very venerable place . ) But yet some bad and basely doe abuse it , Because they want discretion how to vse it , Knowing no meane , nor mediocritie In their correction , but extremitie . As for example , I will here be bold To tell a tale , the like was neuer told ; In the braue Historie of valliant Guy , You shall not reade the like for veritie : Nor in the Mirror of Knight-hood can be found The like ; for there huge lies doe loudly sound : This is plaine truth , I pray you note it well , It is no fained fable that I tell .

A Tale . I Still remember , when I was a Lad , Long after I the Horn-booke learned had , I passed ouer euery petty booke , In which young Schollers first doe vse to looke ; When as through care and cost , I then began To be a pretty good Gramarian . Vnto the Free-schoole I was forthwith sent By my good Parents , with a good intent , ( That learning still my mind might more adorne ; A sweet light burden , that is easie borne . ) Now I begin to tell a tale of forrow Euen of my taile : I went to Peterborrow To reape more learning , then before I had ; But yet I prou'd more backward , and more bad , By reason that my Masters strict correction , Turn'd quite from him my loue , and my affection , That vnto learning then I had no mind , To which before I greatly was inclind . Before a Christmasse time , Schollers desire libertie to play , but the euent was costly . we did conspire Against our Master , for to haue desire Of libertie , for double paines we tooke All the yeare long by toyling at our booke , With many a wofull smarting lash beside , Which our poore buttocks patient did abide . So with a generall and free consent , We shut him forth of dores incontinent ; For this did strongly for our reason stand , It was a common custome through the land , And since that others did attempt the same , If we should not doe so , it was a shame . This we resolu'd , and this we did performe , Which made him for to stare , to stamp , & storme ; But yet we car'd not for his threatning words , We stoutly stood with Pistals , Pikes , & Swords , Euen like a little Armie in the field . He could not daunt our harts , nor make vs yeeld ; Though we were boyes , yet we by this exclusion , Manly hearts in Boyes breasts . Shew'd in each one a manly resolution . Fower nights together we were prisoners kept , The boards our beds , on which we nightly slept , And for our victuals , they were neuer scant , For we found friends that did relieue our want : Yet were abundance faint and Capon-hearted , That from their businesse very basely started . Of sixtie proper Schollers that were found , But sixe of sixtie that would stand their ground ; Hearing great threats , the rest durst neuer stay , But like right Cowards ran with speed away . Had these been Marciall men , then Marciall law Would sure haue held them all in better awe , They durst not then haue run'd away at all , For feare of hanging , that might after fall . Thus were we six euen left vnto our selues , By reason of those base white-liuerd Elues : The residue like fooles , and shallow-witted , Went to their Master , and themselues submitted ; Because ( indeed ) their bumbs began to itch , They all went crouching for to saue their britch ▪ Thus they esteemed more their nether part , Then foule disgrace , which woundeth som to t'hart ▪ Some carried tokens , bribes , and petty gifts , To saue their tayles from heating by such shifts . But all this while we very stout did stand Vnto the exploit that we tooke in hand ; Nor to our Master would we yeeld a iot , Till a false pardon fondly we had got : For he like to a false pernitious Wretch , Did violate his word , and conscience stretch ; He vow'd vnto the Bishop and the Deane , For that offence he would remit vs cleane : But afterwards ( alas ) too true we try'd , That he like a perfidious villane ly'd ; We one by one were brought a little space Vnto the wofull execution place . Vnto the Bishops Bach-house we were led , Where they doe vse to make , and bake his bread ▪ Ouer that house there certaine Chambers were , Where we were brought the , with no little feare , All intricate ; and winding to and fro , As if we in a Labyrinth did goe . When I came there , my heart began to faile , To see such cost prouided for my taile : For he prouision priuily had got , Which made my brich tosting , it was so hot ; There was prepared Rods a large●elne long , Scholler whipped , peppered , and salted at Peterborow . Of tuffe-red-willowes binded very strong ; Pepper and salt he did together blend , Full halfe a pecke he on our tayles did spend : Twixt euery fower yerkes , we a handfull had On our bare bumbs , which almost made vs mad . This Tyrant-part he playd , and n'ere gaue o're , Till he had giuen vs lashes , fower times fower . Thus he had season'd well vnto his thinking , Our wofull tay les , to keep them all from stinking : And sure ( I think ) that he did vnderstand , He Haunches had of Venison in hand ; For I 'me perswaded , neuer man did know , That euer Schollers tayles were powderd so . It was no boote for to resist at all , Our strength ( alas ) and number was but small , Our fellowes did our fellowship forsake , And on our Masters side they all did take ; We force and helpe , and weapons all did lack , Which made our hinder-parts to goe to wrack . Whilst we to shut him out did vndertake , This Bach-house he a School-house then did make , And so some fifty of them there he taught , Where we to this sam doleful place were brought , I would himselfe the cruell smart had felt , Which by his deuillish sauage hand was delt , Then should he know , that our so small a falting , Neuer deserued peppering and salting . For my owne griefe , to me it was best knowne , I felt no bodies sorrow but my owne ; I was in such a wofull case , I 'me sure , That in no certaine place I could indure : My tayle did smart , I euery where was flinging , As if a swarme of Bees had there been stinging , I could not sit , nor lye , nor stand , nor goe , The salt and pepper vildly plagu'd me so . Thus haue you heard a tayle of lamentation , Euen of our tailes great griefe , and sore vexation ; As sure as I the Horn-booke first did know , So surely is he named in this Roe . This true we found to our great smart and paine : Now to my Horn-booke I returne againe . Young men and Maydens , when they first doe wed , And chastly enter in their nuptiall bed , Not suffering lust their bodies to beguile , Nor marriage rites , to spot and to defile , According to that solemne vow they make , That they each other neuer shall forsake Till death depart , come pouertie , come wealth , Come painefull sicknes , or come perfect health : To these a worthy praise belongs to either , When they in Matrimony ioyne together In a Coniunction Copplatiue most chaste , And of their neighbors Commons make no waste . To these the Horn-book proues not crosse , but when Women doe teach it vnto married men . The filthy Leacher , that on drabs and queanes , Consumes his flesh , his marrow , and his meanes , Making his body to resemble most A sinke , then temple of the holy Ghost ; Who cannot be contented with a wife , Nor yet liue honest by a single life . The married man may be compar'd ( indeed ) To a rich thiefe which steales , yet stands no need , And for so grieuous and so great abuse , With his best cunning cannot pleade excuse To saue himselfe ; Gods sacred Malestie Did preordaine a meanes and remedie Gainst fornication ; and to hate that vice , He honor'd Marriage first in Paradice ; To this intent , he did that honour giue , That all therein , might honorably liue , Without infringing of those nuptiall bands , By which vnited are both hearts and hands . The Bride-groome with a Ring his Bride doth wed , In signe none should perticipate his bed : And as a Ring that hath no end but round , So should no ending of their loue be found ▪ But they which other womens kindnes proue , There is a breach of Wedlocks honest loue . These doe euen Hell for a iust stipend earne , And so ( indeed ) the Horn-booke backwards learne . Both married wiues , & maidens here may look , With modest eyes vpon my Horning-booke : My Horne-bookes honesty will their's affront , If that they can vouchsafe to looke vpon t ; If they be chaste , it chastetie imbraceth ; It taunteth vices , and true vertue graceth : And though the Horn-book be my books right stile , Here 's no lasciuious lines yet , to beguile The eares of them that heare , or reade the same , Though vnto some may harshly seeme the name . The Horn-booke , if it true be vnderstood , Containeth nothing but is right and good . Then wiues and Maidens , this is my request , Befriend the Horn-booke , for it is your best . Young hopefull Gentlemen , that doe resort By Art and learning to the Inns of Court , Which doe through time and paines much vnderstand To grow great men , and Iudges of the land : All these I reuerence with a due respect , Whose labours turne vnto a good effect , ( I hope ) their splendent fauours all will shine Vpon my Horn-booke ; though that some repine And Crittick-like , doe my good meaning wrest To the worst sense , though I conceiue the best ; For ( I protest ) I thinke not an ill thought , Though I doe itterate the Horn-booke oft ; My modest Muse like to a Maid would blush , If vnaduisedly I should but rush Into a sentence sorded and vnsit , And check my Pen , to run before my wit . Hypocrosie . That man whose hart and tongue do not agree , Though pure his words , his thoughts pernitious be , The glozing speeches which he doth impart , Are characters of his deceitfull heart , His double in-side , out ward doth appeare Like to the habit , that he best might weare , As in a sute of Linsie-woolsie-stuff , Of lace , call'd ( lack of both-sides ) for his Ruff ; His Cuffs about his wrests iust of the same , And Ambodexter , fitteth right his name . Religion for a cloake he putteth on To hide his faults , when falsely he hath don , Vnto the Church he goeth most demure , As if he was extreame deuout and pure ; Vnder his arme , a Bible he doth beare , To make his luke-warme zeale more hot appeare ; When he speaks faire , he then pretends most euill , And Scripture falsely vseth ; like the deuill , Who in his Disputation went about To tempt our Sauiour , like a Tempter stout . From these more deuilish villany proceed , Then from those men that sinfull seeme ( indeed . ) These be not Hel-black Deuils , no , they are white , Which doe through holinesse , in sinne delight ; These learn'd the Horn-booke to a bad intent , Their time of learning was but vainely spent . And now ( my Muse ) I will not ouercharge , I else could write of Pallaters at large , Of Sumners , Baylifes and such knauish men , But that with them I will not foyle my pen ; Yet in their praises ( thus much ) I can tell , Euen in a word or two , and so farwell . On the worlds stage , they do the deuils part play , Which vp and downe do range to seek their pray , And dailie hunt for booties where to speed On poore mens purses most of all they feed , In taking fees they simple men abuse By vild extortion , which they often vse , For poore men they quite swagger & out sweare , Where they suppose that they can dominere ; These all are Lawyers factors , for to doe Such like imployments as they put them to . These from the Horn-books honest meaning swerue , And in their places right like knaues doe serue . Now cease ( my Muse ) in quiet silence rest , For of the Horn-booke thou hast said thy best . FINIS .