Certain selected histories for christian recreations vvith their seuerall moralizations. Brought into Englishe verse, and are to be song with seuerall notes: composed by Richard Robinson citizen of London

¶ Certaine selected Histories for Christian Recreation .

¶ The argument .

¶ Christe beyng borne , the Angelles reueile the same with glad tidinges vnto the poore shepherdes . The starre seen in the Easte . The Sages repare with their presentes , to doe homage vnto the Sauiour of the worlde .

To the tune of La bonetta . IF Angels voice , did first reioyse In spiritus concordia : To shepherdes poore , singing euermore Deo in excelsis gloria . Christ God & man , eche christian Of due , muche more this daie , Ought dedicate , in blisfull state , Thy birthe with glorie aie . If wisemen three , brought presentes free Their true loue also to declare : The first brought golde , the second was bold , With Mirrhe hym to prepare . The thirde Insence , with full pretence , Thei mekely offred thus all three , Christe God and man , to worship than , In Bethleem borne truely .

¶ The Moralization . OF these giftes thus , we maie discusse , As skilfull writers duely scan : Golde first of all , Treasure to call , Of wisedome in Christe tokenyng than . Mirrhe doeth include , a harte indude , With true repentaunce aye . Insence eke tells , deuotion dwelles , In mynde with stedfast staye . In token true , of honour due , Their Sauiour Christe chefe Kyng vnto , These giftes gaue thei , whereby we maie , Our Christian duetie shewe . This solempne feast , let euery geast , Biden in Christes faithe and feare : To Christes birth , newe men forthwith , In loue and life appeare . Golde , Mirrhe , Insence , from conscience , Of synne and vice , bare and deuoyde , To Christ our Kyng , thus for to bryng , Let our care alwaies be employde . Let faithe stedfaste , man whiche thou haste ▪ Receiued by Baptisme , In promise made , neuer to fade , As golde giue this to hym . Let hope of heale , in vs preuaile , By Christe whiche hym in name professe ▪ That he maie haue , our soules to saue , This Mirrhe giue more and lesse . Let loue likewise , our due comprise , Bothe towardes God , and also man : To Christe Iesus , we rightly thus , Doe bryng our Insence than . Bis. With one cleare voyce , thus to teioyce , In Christes birthe then doe all wee , That beare Christes name , practise the same , Henceforthe perpetually . And let vs praie , in faithe alwaie , That Christe our Sauiour , His Churche our Queene , & realme from tene Preserue maie euermore .

Finis .

The argument .

Mannes praier is a melodie to God , whiche although it haue some good successe in the worlde , yet there is now and then a whistelyng charmer stirred vp to bereue and spoyle vs of this enioyed felicitie .

To the tune of La bande la shaft . Ehouah vouche thy ioyfull spirite , Eche Christian harte to ioye this daie , As by a Starre thou didst vizite , Kynges in the Easte them to displaie , The birthe of Christe at Bethleem , A Sauiour vnto mortall men . Minerua and you Muses nyne , Assist me with your sacred aide : Some solempne song to frame with tyme , From ioyfull harte to be conuaide , With thankfull voyce to celebrate , Christes birthe now to commemorate . Tiberius Emperour once did raigne , In Musicke muche delighted he : Who huntyng on a tyme certaine , Did heare a noyse of melodie . A Harper t was harde by did plaie , Whereat this prince amasde did staie . And tournes his horse vnto that place , Approchyng nere a riuer long : He did discrie where then there was , The Musician plaiyng his Harpe vpon , The tenour of whose song was this , Mans praier to God a melodie is . The Emperour ioyfull this to heare , Demaunded the Musician tho , Why he so pleasantly plaied there , My Lorde saieth he that will I showe , These thirtie yeres and vpwards I , Haue vsed here this harmonie . Suche grace and vertue in my noyse , The Goddes by fate haue graunted me : That fishes from this riuer reioyse , To come to hande and taken bee , So that relieue I did with all , My self , my wife , and children small . But out alacke this Harper saies , Good sir it hath chaunste contrary : Vnto my mynde within fewe daies , A charmer came whiche chearfully , On the further bancke did whistle so , That he hath fecht the fishe me fro . And therefore gracious Lorde saieth he , As you are potent Emperour , And sole prince of this Imperie , I humblie craue your good succour , For to expell and banishe hence , The charmer and his euill pretence . Tiberius courteous aunswere gaue , Frende by no meanes but one I maie : Thy case redresse , a hooke I haue , Of golde within this Casket gaie , ●olde here of me the same doe take , And to this rodde with baite faste make . Then vse the sleight that longs thereto , On warblyng Harpe to plaie adrest , The fishes friskyng to and fro , Vpon the baite them selues will rest . And when thou feelest them feede on faste , Drawe vp the fishe on lande them caste . So shalt thou hereby frustrate quite , This subtill charmer of his praie , If thou demainest thee thus a right , Confused he shall walke his waie , The Harper did this hest fulfill , And fecht vp fishe euen at his will , A meanyng hereof Morall wise , My muse in modest maner showe , Who this Tiberus Emperour is , The Riuer and Harper also . With Fishe and Charmer who thei be , Discribed in auncient historie .

¶ The Moralization . CHriste to Tiberius is comparde , Which loueth to heare the melod●● ▪ Of praier vnto hym prefarde , And doeth delite huntyng to bee . To saue the soule by Sathan sought , His spoyle to make and bryng to nought : This Riuer with the Fishe therein , Resembled are the Worlde vnto , And people fraught with odious synne , The poore man plaiyng there also , ●che Preacher is with sacred lore , That drawes vp fishe to heauenly shore . But then a Charmer steppeth there , The Preachers harpe which doth disturb● In triple trade doeth he appere , To caste the soules in slepe absurde , And whom to sleepe he can not win , As Ianglers vaine he hems them in . And if he make no Ianglers vaine , Enuie in hym yet vigor hath , To lure these soules for to abstaine , And quite forsake the perfecte path , That either thei become abiecte , Or neuer the wiser in effecte . Wherefore needes must the golden hooke , Bee had of euery Preacher here , ●or Goddes deuine grace must thei looke , That thei maie fishe in faithe and feare , ●uche comfortable noyse to make , Bothe Charmer and the fishe to take . Where sith in faithe we Christe professe , God graunt we thereof frutes maie giue , With praier to hym and neuer cease , Elizabeth our Queene long liue , Vs to protecte by grace deuine , And gaine celestiall ioyes in fine .

Finis .

¶ The Argument .

¶ Amongst the children of this worlde , all are not of one seede and generation , and therefore puttyng apart the bondwoman and her children , from the freewoman and her issue , thei are to be reputed accordyngly .

To the tune of Sondaie Mornyng . APollo with thy sacred lore , My sclender skill and penne direct , The birthe of Christe still to adore : With solempne sacred songe select , Dame Pallas with thy Nimphes be preste , To further this my thirde requeste . A noble kyng sometymes did raigne , With witte and wealthe , endued was he : A Queene he had , with whom certaine , He liude a tyme , though vicious shee . Three sonnes by straunge seede procreate , Digressyng had , base borne by kynde , On her the fourth sonne he begate , More greater comfort to his mynde . It chaunced that when Atrapos , Of fatall life bereft this Kyng : The Queene with her sonnes did dispose , The funeralles accomplishyng . In yearth with pompe the corps to laye , With stately tombe enshrinde for aye . Whiche doen beholde within short space , These sonnes emong them did contende : Who should succede in fathers place , In fine yet did thei condiscende . Vnto an auncient knight to goe , Whiche Secretarie was of late : To the dead Kyng , and hym thei doe , Commit their case to arbitrate . The knight when he with pacience heard , Them and their case considered well : To them he thus his mynde declared , My Lordes doe yeelde to my councell . Your purpose then shall well proceed , This saied thei , hereunto agreed . My sentence so assigne you shall , The buried corps againe vp take : ●nd that you gree emongst you all , Your bowes and shaftes prepard do make To shoote thereat incontinent , And who so pearceth deepest in , The same I deeme by myne assent , Bothe regal croune and realme shall win . All fowre sonnes hereto did agree , The buried corps and take from ground , Thei binde it faste vnto a tree : Eche one to giue his deepest wounde . The first the kyngs right hande did hitte , Wherefore it was awarded fitte . That he as onely heire and Lorde , Of Fathers lande proclaimed should bee , The secondes shafte with fleshe begorde , Through fathers mouthe did perce truly ▪ Wherefore to haue the soueraigne swaie , And cheef rule of his Fathers lande , More certainly he ought thei saie , Of twaine the firmer lot to stande . The thirde his harte did penitrate , By reason whereof thought it was , That he without strife or debate : Should cheefly rule in Fathers place , But when the fourth sonne should prepare , To shoote he shrikte with wofull care . Criyng alacke , this lucklesse daie , I doe lament , heare thus to see , Thy corps oh Father can he saie , Of thy sonnes wounded now to bee . The Goddes defende that liue or deade , My Fathers corps , I perishe should : This saied , hym in his Fathers steade , To raigne as Kyng the nobles would . The other three sonnes were dismist , From all and euery rule or swaie , My muse no longer now desist , The Morall hereof to displaie . ●his Kyng wise noble and wealthie , To Iesus Christe compared maie bee : Moraliztion . ●hiche did mankinde his spouse ordaine , But she in tyme did violate : ●he sacred bedde with whoredomes staine , After straunge Goddes a miscreate . ●onceiued and brought forthe sonnes three , Pagants , Iues and Papiste secte : ●hereof the first did wounde truely . The Kinges right hande with shaft infecte . ●hē thei ( Christes doctrine whiche doth sit , At right hande of his Father deare : ) ●●d quite forsake his seruaunts smite , With sondrie woundes vpon yearth heare . As persecutyng Pagans fell , Enemies to Christe and his Gospell . The seconde sonne eke putatiue , The Kyng of Kynges more deepely perst , When as the Iewes to hym did giue , Vineger and Gall to quenche his thirst . The thirde moste wicked sonne of three , With poysoned shafte did nothyng spare : To wound Christes harte the King most hie , The Papists doe this sonne declare . While thei doe striue with might and maine , Christes faithfull flocke on yearth to quell : Which should one corps and soule containe In frutes , in frutes of the Gospell . How haue thei whet their arrowes sharpe , To pearce Christes & his members harte . The fourthe sonne now define I thus , That wailde and would not shoote at all : Because he sawe so mischeuous , Pretence of sonnes vnnaturall . Eche Christian true the fourth sonne is , Whiche feareth God and would none ill : If he doe ill , to sacrifise , In righteousnesse he hath good will . Suche a one my songe doeth signifie , In sacred throne celestiall : Shall raigne with Christe in Maiestie , At the laste daie Iudiciall . For whiche in faithe and feare lett s praie , That Christe from ill preserue vs maie . And as we subiectes all are bounde , For our noble Queene Elizabeth : Our praiers to God with ioyfull sounde , Let vs directe , in health and wealth . That it would please the Kyng of Kynges , Christe our anker , marke , and staye : Her to preserue in all good thyngs , And prosper vs her subiectes aye ▪ Finis .

The Argument .

¶ The life present procureth either fauour , and grace at the handes of God , if we retourne in tyme , either els neglectyng tyme , purchaseth vs his heauie indingnation , bothe now and in the worlde to come .

To the tune of Beckinghams Galliarde . YE sacred Nimphes of Hellicon , By Ioues almight decree : Vouchesafe once more to looke vpon , This fourth solempnitie . Caliope with thy christall voyce my Musicke adiuuate , From ioyfull harte with Thankfull mouth , Christes birth to celebrate In tyme to watche , in tyme to wake , While candle lasts to come , Vpon this theame , I here doe make , This admonition , Tyme let vs spende , well till the ende , Of howre glasse bee out runne . Liue here must wee in full pretence , To giue no libertie : To synne by will or negligence , Our light to dampnifie . As Alexander sometyme kyng of Macedonia lande : Decreed in Courte a Candle should Bee light and burnyng stande . And sent his Heralds to eche place , And coaste where he bare swaie : With trumpetts blast , his will to blase , To subiects all . That thei Which had tānsgrest , should come in prest To Courte without delaie , If any subiecte had transgrest , Gainst Alexander kyng , Let hym appeare , his case redrest , Should bee in eche suche thyng . So that before the kyng he came , Whiles candle light did caste : And if he tarried paste that tyme , His labour was but waste . And who soeuer had doen offence , And came not in due tyme , To hym plaine death for negligence , The kyngs will did assigne , Of better and wourse , some had recourse , To th courte giltie of crime . The storie telles a nomber greate , Appearde before the kyng : The Candle castyng light and heate , Had pardon for eche thyng . A nomber greate there were also , To come at all refused , On those the kyng the penaltie , Without redemption vsed . And some that while the Candle burnde , In commyng staied so longe : The Candle out , that thei retournde , With woe and wailyng songe , We Christians here , how to appere , Eche one maie learne emong .

¶ The Moraliziation . CHriste is this Alexander Kyng , That swaies the sacred sworde : We subiectes his here all liuyng , If wee doe feare this Lorde . As he is fauourable , and with Mercie full repleate : So mercifull doeth he appeare , To synners small and greate . Not limityng a tyme onely , Of life to mortall men , But lends vs sacred lore , whereby He maie our hartes lighten , With Candle light of deuine might , Let vs take due tyme then . And let vs come when Christe , doeth call While Candle light doeth last , Then pardon we procure vs shall , Before the tyme bee past . So shall we blessed light enioye , And Christes pardon aye : And feare no worldly foes annoye , That would seeke our decaie . With humble faithfull Englishe harte , To Christe praie we eche one , Our roiall Queene for to imparte : His blessed light vpon : And vs to stande with lamps in hande , By hym in ioyfull throne .

Finis .

¶ The Argument .

Mannes life is likened to a continuall warfare , and conflicte with Sathan . The Serpente and the Tode fightyng together , the Serpente beyng reserued by helpe of man , sheweth example of gratitude . The Tode that sought the Serpentes destruction , hath in fine his due guardon .

To the tune of Flearyng fancie , syngyng the iiii . and v. line of euery verse alike . TO encrease in Christe our comfort still , Reuailed vs by sondrie meanes , Though scripture fraught with sacred skill , Doe farre surmount all humane dreames ●mongst a sorte of pithie theames , This prophane storie merits praise , Christes combate & conquest which bewraies . Caesar Augustus liuyng than , A noble knight his subiect was : ● valiaunt worthie gentleman , Who ridyng once as he did passe , A Forest through , by happe alasse , A Tode with Serpent fightyng sawe , Eche others bloud deadly to drawe . With tried force a tyme fought thei , The Tode hauyng the masterie , This gentle knight did straight assaie , In Serpents quarell happe to trie . Wounded the same Tode greuouslie , But not without a mortall wounde , Hym self escaped and fled the grounde . The Serpent also thence did flee , And when in place this worthie knight , Alone thought beste his wounde to see , From stately steede alacke did light . His inwurde partes with poyson dight , He founde where did encrease his greef , And homewards rides to haue releef . Where long tyme languishyng in paine , So that his will and Testament : For to bee made , he did ordaine , Prepared to dye incontinent , Yet when as by the fire feruent , For comfort further laied he was , And that dispaire in hym had place . Euen then beholde the Serpent late , In whose defence this greef he cought , Was entered in at this knights gate , And seen by seruants , straight thei sought To shewe their maister thinkyng nought , Of suche a happe then did he will , The Serpent should be brought hym till , The knight when he the Serpent sawe , The same it was did well agnise , In whose defence through ouerthrawe , Hym self to feight did enterprise , Against the Tode though ieoperdies , Of death thereby his life pursewed , Yet as he was with witte endewed . Commaunded all his seruaunts there , That thei should not the Serpent noye , Saiyng , daunger none I feare , He will me doe but rather ioye . The Serpent then did hym employe , In open presence them emong , To sucke the poyson with his tong , Whereof takyng sacietie , Out of the house forthwith he ran , And purged his stomacke presently , Of poyson in hym taken than , And to the wounde a freshe he came , Sixe tymes by course till he did voide , The poison suckt , the knight emploide . Hym self Milke to administrate , Vnto the Serpent , then beholde , The Tode entered the knights gate , Whiche late with poison deade and colde , Did wounde this courteous knight so bolde In purpose came aduenged to bee , Of knight and Serpent presently . The knight when as he hereof hearde , Vnto his seruaunts all did saie , Sirs nought dismaie be not afearde , This is the Tode without all naie , Whom I did wounde this other daie , In defence of this Serpent heare , For whose sake eke my wounde I beare . So that I will if this Serpent , By any meanes my healthe restore , He shall escape incontinent , And if you loue my life therefore , This Tode destroye withouten more , The seruaunts hearyng what he saied , With swordes & staues on Tode then laied . By meanes whereof the Tode thei kilde , The Serpent hereat ioyfull was , And thankfully his due fulfilde , As gratefull , and touchyng the case , Tourned aboute his feete apace , Where thus departyng this Serpent , The knight was healed incontinent .

¶ The Moralization . THe morall hereof to define , First the Emperour here comparde , To our heauenlie Father we assigne , The same of duetie best referde , The Knight also whereof you heard , Our Sauiour Iesus Christe doeth meane , The Tode declares Sathan certaine . The Serpent man is termed well , First for the poyson of his synne , Next for the medicen to expell , Poyson receiued hym self within , As for Christes Image eke in hym , For man against the Deuill ought feight , To vanquishe hym by deuine sleight . Because there is none other wight , But thou oh Christe our Sauiour , Whiche in defence of man doeth fight , Against Sathan the Tode therefore , When mankinde was through synne forlore , Christe sought for vs against Sathan , And in our right hym ouercame . Albeit not in one place onely , He wounded was but sondrie greef , As well in hym self feele did he . As in his members greate mischieef , He suffered doen for their relieefe , Man if thou be thankfull therefore , Haue Serpents helpe for him in store . That is to saie , thou oughtest vizite , Christe in his members greeued here , In pouertie or other plight , Miserable if it appere , Them to releeue as needes require : And what thou so doest vnto them , Take it for well rendred againe . But if the Tode retourne doe make , After firste sight harme to renewe , In Christe to thee then courage take , And seeke the meanes hym to subdewe , Then certainly eche firme vertue , In Baptisme firste receiued by thee , Obserued shall bryng full remedie . So shalt thou Sathan vanquishe quite , And purchace peace perpetuall , Of bodie and soule with Angells bright , In perren ioyes celestiall , Whiche to enioye God graunt vs all , That after our combate yearthly here , Conquerours with Christe we maie appere .

Finis .

The argument .

¶ Mannes life is a waifaryng or trauillyng . To finde forthe three felicities , but in steade of gropyng for the sweete , here we taste of the sower , neither attaine wee our desired porte of rest in this life , but in the worlde to come .

¶ To the tune of the Sturdie rocke , syngyng the iiii . and v. line of euery verse alike . REsigne now Muses all your mone , To me amased sillie wight , Which wanderyng long , & far haue gone , Voide of releef , rest and delight , Doe comfort myne enfebled spirite , Forced in verse to verifie , No ioye on yearth of certaintie . I reade Ganterus so by name , Did wishe a place of endlesse ioye , When on a daie to passe it came , Earely to walke he did emploie , And so farre went without anoie , Till he entred a lande into , Whose kyng deceast but lately tho . It chaunced there after shorte tyme , The Nobles had intelligence , Of his manhoode , and doe encline , Their councells all with diligence , Hym as their Prince of excellence . To chuse in royall seate to raigne , Whereat Ganterus ioyed certaine . The night come on his seruaunts weight , With due attendaunce in degree , And brought hym to a chamber streight , Where stoode a bedde bedect richely , At the heade whereof he then did see , A Lyon laied , and at the foote , A Dragon dreadfully whiche lookt . Vpon the right side of that bed , An vglie Beare was couched lowe , And on the lefte side , doune were laid , Serpents and Todes in lothsome showe , Hereat Ganterus masde , would knowe , Of those his seruaunts then present , What by these strange beasts here was ment . Saiyng , is this bed ordained me , Yea soueraigne Lorde thei aunswerde so , For tofore this our kynges truely , Here lodged and died long agoe , Deuoured by these beasts here loe , Hereat Ganterus grudgyng saied , This I mislike all ill apaied . Your kyng will I not be therefore , And so departed from that place , Ariuyng to an other shore , Where eke to rule he chosen was , The night aprochte , then in like case , He was conducte to take his rest , Where was a bed with sharpe swords drest . Whereat he castyng vp his eyes . Demaunded if he should lye there , Yea Lorde , eche seruaunt certefies , Our kyngs in this bed lodged were ▪ Bereft and are of life so deare , Saieth he all saue this likes me well , Your kyng to be I list nought mell . Yet tariyng in those coastes that night , No soner was Aurora seene , But he preparde in pensiue plight , To leaue that lande and Lordship cleene , And languishyng three daies in teene , At length it was his lucke to spie , An olde man in the waie to lye . This olde man had in his right hande , A staffe , and seyng Ganterus come , Required of hym to vnderstande , Whence , and whither he would in somme And who he was to giue reason , I come from countrees farre saieth he , My name Ganterus hight truely . And whether saieth the olde man tho , Doest thou intende to take thy waie , Ganterus saied , I must now go , Three thynges to finde , whiche I ne maie , What three bee those ? th olde man can saie , Ganterus aunswered his request , Thus as to hym it seemed best . The first abundaunce without want , The seconde ioye without distresse , The thirde is light not anoyant , With ircksome and lothsome darknesse , The olde man heard him thus expresse , And saied my frende , this staffe doe take , By this waie straight thy iourney make . Then shalt thou see before thy face , A hill bothe tedious , huge and highe , To th toppe whereof is a foote pace , Whiche doeth contain vii . steppes onely , Vpon the same thy trauell trye , And when toth toppe thou doest attaine , Thou shalt beholde , and see there plaine . A Pallace princely edified , There rest , and ere thou further trie , With staffe at gate three tymes aplied , Doe knocke . The Porter by and by , Will aunswere thee , and then pardie , Shewe hym this staffe , and saie to hym . That I doe craue thyne enteraunce in , And if he then graunt thee ingresse , There shalt thou finde thy hartes desire , Then Ganterus did so doubtlesse , As he was willed of this olde sier , And to the Porter commyng nier , His staffe once seen , receiued he was , Where he found all thyngs brought to pas .

¶ The Moralization . EXplane now must the meanyng here , Who this Ganterus called maie bee , Eche Christian good maie well appere , Like to Ganterus , whiche simplie , Despiseth worldly vanitie , And is from tyme to tyme enclinde , These three thyngs to seeke for and finde ; The firste aboundance as is saied , Withouten want or penurie , The seconde , ioye nothyng delaied , The thirde light from all darknesse free , And these obtained can not bee , But in the life of lastyng ioye , Our toyle thereto we must imploye . O man therefore like iourney make , With Ganterus for three daies space , By Praier first doe vndertake , By Fastyng nexte , this pilgremes race . Thirdlie , by Almose in any case , These three daies trauell till thou come , Vnto the first supposed Kyngdome . Some mundaine ioyes there shalt thou finde And people thee to intertaine , There worldly pleasures are enclinde , To chuse thee , as a prince to raigne , Puffyng thy harte with pride annoyde , But looke about thy chamber well , There stands a bedde , its death to tell . This bed mans life is likened to , Where in a short tyme he doeth lye , Neare to whiche lurcks a Lyon lo , Sathan , gainst vs his force to trye , A Dragon eke wee shall espye . And by hym coucht an vgly Beare , Whiche waite ( as death ) on vs echewhere . Todes and Serpents there also are , Thone showes , mannes giltie conscience , The other doeth his synnes declare , To accuse and condempne negligence , Of these hauyng intelligence , Wee maie doe well quicke spede to make , This worlde our Kyngdome to forsake . Then come wee to the seconde lande . Where carnall pleasures beare the swaie , ( To whom consentyng ) out of hande , Sonnes of perdition vs make thei , Then to our chamber takyng our waie , Lett s looke toth bed , rhere shall we see , The same euen hell it self to bee . The sharpe swordes there doe represent , ( For carelesse gluttons carle ) preparde , Who tastes in hell endlesse torment , To late repentyng afterwarde , The handlyng of poore Christe so harde , If wee well waie this lodgyng place , Haste vs from carnall Kyngdome apace . Then if wee will further to trie , These three thynges wee desire to finde , Lett s walke on till th olde man wee espie , Euen Iesus Christe guide of mankinde , With staffe of faithe for vs assignde , To giue vs that repentaunce pure , Whiche had ) shall our desires procure . The foote pace then wee maie ascende , Whiche leadeth vs to life sincere , Seuen stepps it hath , if we pretende , To finde those three we sought wel eare , Goe we vp these stepps ( whiche appere , The woorkes of mercie seuen to bee , Our desires then obtaine shall wee . These shall conducte vs to that place , Whiche wee looke for . But comming than To th gate where is all this sollace , We must knocke thrise with staffe in hand That is , thus muche to vnderstande , Contrition , Confession and satissisance , Must then helpe vs in th enteraunce . The Porter then to vs will stepp , Gods deuine goodnesse doeth he meane , Who after this our trauell greate , Thus furnisht will not vs disdaine , But gladlie vs will entertaine , In wealth withouten want , in ioye , And light , that last voide of all noye . For whiche the Lorde in mercie guide , Our goyngs and doyngs to directe , That from his feare we neuer slide , But that to our steps we so respecte , That his gracious gates we maie amplecte , And with Christe entertained bee , To rest in endlesse felicitie .

Finis .

¶ The constaunte course in spirituall combate and turneiment of eche faithfull Christian , against Antechrist our malignant aduersarie obtaineth in fine condigne rewarde of tranquile felicie in this worlde , and in the worlde to come , perpetuall felicities inspeakeable .

¶ To the tune of Iocundarie . MArche now my muse with martiall might , In spirituall combate conqueryng : Condigne rewarde doeth euer light , On verteous worthie trauellyng . Declare of Adonias kyng , That pretie Historie , In wealth who sometyme florishyng : Delighted muche to see , His knights at tourney practisyng , The feates of cheualrie . It happened that vpon a daie , By Proclamation made there : His knights in armour should araie , Them selues eche with shield and spere . Then by decree he did ordaine , What knight so euer could , Hym self with prowes best demaine , Haue worthie hier he should : This knowne of knights a noble traine , Came tourney for to holde . The daie of their appearaunce come , And their assembly made so : The kyng did will of those knights some , In one parte should aside go . The other halfe of them theare , He made them selues deuide , The first parte chosen streight to beare , Their armour did prouide : To lait in place of purpose wheare , The tourney should bee tride . Then gaue the kyng commaundement , Who on the parte contrary : With speare to doe his best was bent , To touche , awaie take , and carry . The armour so that doune was laied , The owner thereof presently , Out of the troupe should be conuaied : To tourney with his enemie , And for the purpose was a maied , Ordained to arme hym redily . ●hat doen encounter should her knight , Gainst hym that toucht the armour late , Whom if he foilde or put to flight , That daie he should bee decorate . With royall croune and placed bee , At table with the kyng , A certaine knight with valiancie : Conditions these hearyng , With diligence about lookte hee , Euery shielde beholdyng . Emongst them all he marked one , With apples three gilt garnisht : In greate desire that shielde alone , His greedie mynde had rauisht . And that same shield he toucht with spere , Straight waie the other knight , Who ought it , of the maide there : Did make hym self bee dight , And entereth listes withouten feare , Against the other wight . In tourney whiche loe he that ought , The armour toucht by prowesse , Behaded hym that so had sought , To cary awaie his harnesse . And as the kyng commaunded it , Of late , the conquerour ,