The pilgrimage to paradise, ioyned with the Countesse of Penbrookes loue, compiled in verse by Nicholas Breton Gentleman

THE PILGRIMAGE TO PARADISE , IOYNED WITH THE Countesse of Penbrookes loue , compiled in verse by NICHOLAS BRETON Gentleman .

Coelum virtutis partia .

At Oxford printed , by IOSEPH BARNES , and are to be solde in Paules Church-yeard , at the signe of the Tygres head . 1592.

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE , VERTVOVS , AND WORTHY LADIE , THE LADIE MARY Countesse of Penbrooke , continuall health with eternall happinesse .

RIGHT noble Lady , whose rare vertues , the wise no lesse honour , then the learned admire , and the honest ferue : how shall I , the abiect of fortune , vnto the obiect of honour , presume to offer so simple a present , as the poeticall discourse of a poore pilgrimes trauaile ? I know not how , but , with falling at the feete of your fauour , to craue pardon for my imperfection : who hath redde of the Duchesse of Vrbina , may saie , the Italians wrote wel : but who knowes the Countesse of Penbrooke , I thinke hath cause to write better : 〈◊〉 if she had many followers ? haue not you mo seruants ▪ and if they were so mindfull of their fauours ▪ shall we be forgetfull of our dueties ? no , I am assured , that some are not ignorant of your worth , which will not be idle in your seruice : that will make a title , but a tittle , where a line shall put downe a letter : and if shee haue receiued her right in remembrance , you must not haue wrong in being forgotten : if shee were the honour of witte , you are the comfort of discretion , if shee were the fauourer of learning , you are the mainteiner of Arte , and if she had the beauty of Nature , you beautifie Nature , with the blessing of the spirite : and in summe , if she had any true perfection to be spoken of , you haue many mo truly to be written of : which among all , the least able to iudge of , and of all , the very least worthy , in your fauour to write of , your poore vnworthy named poet , who by the indiscretion of his youth , the malice of enuy , and the disgrace of ingratitude , had vtterly perished ( had not the had of your honor reuiued the hart of humility ) will not so bury in the graue of obliuion , but that your deserued fame , shall so sounde in the eares of honourable hearts , that , if I spake , more then I maie , the Iudgement of the wise , and the tongues of the learned , I know will no lesse clecre me of flattery , then wish , a minde of more perfection , to be emploied in your seruice : to conclude , I beseech you so sauour my labour , as to looke on the worke , thinke not of the ruines of Troie , but helpe to builde vp the walles of Ierusalem ▪ which figure ▪ if it seeme obscure , let the poore pilgrime , that seeketh Paradise , finde heauen the better by your fauour : to the comfort of which , committing vnder heauen , the hope of my heartes happinesse , with humble prayer , for your eternall prosperitie , I rest in no lesse bounden duety , then humble seruice .

Your Lad●…shippes vnworthy named poet NICHOLAS BRETON .

To the Gentlemen studients and Scholers of Oxforde .

GENTLEMEN , I am perswaded , yee will thinke it not a little f●…lly in me , to haue entred into so great a presumption , as , before the ●…ies of so many discreet iudgements , to aduenture the presse , with the simple fruites , of my imperfect labours . Yet when , I remember , that vertue is the honour of all artes , and that my Muse hath not altogether straied , from the straine of that diuine humor , I will rather hope of your vndeserued fauours , then looke for my desart in the contrary : the occasion , that made me first enter into this action , was to acquaint , the honest mindes of vertuous dispositions , with the heauenly Meditations , of an honourable Lady , the weake discourse whereof , farre short of her worthines , in true worth truely we●…de , I haue heere rather aduentured to the correction of the learned , then els where woulde haue passed to the commendation of the ignorant giue me then leaue , with this booke to honour her : and for all other I will be ready to carie them after any of you , in witnes whereof , I haue hereto subscribed my name , this 12th of Aprill . 1592.

A poore well willer to your worthines . NICHOLAS BRETON .

GEntlemen there hath beene of late printed in london by one Richarde Ioanes , a printer , a booke of english verses , entituled Bretons bower of delighes : I protest it was donne altogether without my consent or knowledge , & many thinges of other mens mingled with few of mine , for except Amoris Lachrima : an epitaphe vpon Sir Phillip Sydney , and one or two other toies , which I know not how he vnhappily came by , I haue no part with any of them : and so I beseech yee assuredly beleeue .

TO MY HONEST TRVEFRIENDE Master Nicholas Breton .

IT is a needelesse thing ( friend Breton ) in these our daies to reuiue the olde art of louing , seeing there are already so many courts of Venus , so many Palaces of pleasure , so many pamphlets or rather huge volumes of wanton loue and daliance . This were to put fire to flaxe , and to offer soft bleeding harts as sacrifice to Cupids bowe and arrowes . But I mistake your meaning , the onely title of your booke is Loue , and the obiect Heauen . Loue is the name , but God is the marke and matter at which it aimeth . This Loue quelleth and killeth Loue , and yet is Loue , not the Loue of Martha , but the Loue of Mary who loued much , who loueth Christ . This Loue made Mary Magdalens teares , and maketh the best Mary liuing to ascende to Ierusalem and there to seeke her louer in the Temple . But finding him not among the Doctors shee taketh the wings of an Eagle , & in her sacred thoughts flieth aboue the Sunne , neuer ceasing to seeke , till shee haue founde her Louer . Loe heere is Loue , and heere is labour , but the labour is light , where the Loue is great . ●…or the hart there onely liueth , where it loueth . Maruell not therefore if this louelie Lady become a pilgrime vpon earth , and passe the sea , and wildernesse of this worlde , till shee enioyeth her Loue . But , to be short ( friend Breton ) because this booke of yours touching the Loue and pilgrimage of that pearelesse Lady is as a christal of truthes wel knowen vnto me , I am both in respect of your selfe whom I loue and fauour , and also in duty towardes her , whom I serue and honour , most willing to subscribe vnto it . Your wit , pen , and art therein sounde well together . The song is sweete , the ditty sweeter , but that rare Phoenix is the sweetest Phoenix , whom your wit pen and art can but well shadow with all your Muses : for as an image is but an image , and the tincture of any thing is not the substance thereof , so the coulours of her honours are ▪ in your booke , but the life of her vertue is in her selfe .

Your friend in true kindnes , Iohn Case , M. D.

Gulielmi Gageri legum 〈◊〉 in Nicolai 〈◊〉 DVM , Non vr●…t Liuor , non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Quem non Segnities , non Fastus , & Ardor 〈◊〉 , Non capiat nitidis 〈◊〉 Lib●…do 〈◊〉 Non aduers●… premant , non vit●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Recto quaerentem ●…e , 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 Mirandum plané cantas , sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Vt sit mirandus qui cauit , & 〈◊〉 . In eiusdem 〈◊〉 SIC Peregrina●…tem singis , sic pingis Amante●… , Vt Peregrinantis 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ore fauete omn●…s , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nobilis , & vulg●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Quae ●…ibi Musarum talem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Bret●…ône , & tantam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Quae Dea ? non hominem vox 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Non miror sacro quód sacra fonte fluant . MIraris ( re●… 〈◊〉 ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bretonus 〈◊〉 tam 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Inuitante canit , canit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Multa hinc tam facilè , & tam 〈◊〉 culta 〈◊〉 . Qui canit inui●…â , canit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Aut nihil , aut nihili , 〈◊〉 , vel 〈◊〉 ▪ Esto Minerua tuis Dea 〈◊〉 lati●… Athenis , Et tibi vel 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Some scoffe at all that write , write not at all , Some write , but to finde fault with them that writer Some ballat-makers scorne , and scorne by right , Except they wince , because they feele the gall . At timers some ( ô poore worde ) cast their gall , Cast gall and all in such minde well they might : Some through melancholy , or riuall spite , All Poets sdeigne , or some no Poets call . Avaunt such scoffing , sin default , scorning spirits , Or let our writers , ballat-makers , rimers : In her owne mony pay Lycambes merits . Poets fly higher , then such pety climers , Let this suffice , that Breton is a Poet , Shee saide it , we subscribe it , his bookes shewit . Mira. 〈◊〉 ▪

IN NICOLAI BRETONI EANdem peregrinantem & amantem 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Henrici Pricei . QV Aemod●… 〈◊〉 iter , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , quid h●…c est ? Hoc est . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…er Huic in dux Brettons via , comes illa , qui●… hoc est ? Hoc est . In portu est 〈◊〉 co●… esq su●… . Ad Lectorem . BElla Maro cecinit , lasciuam Naso 〈◊〉 Dissimili h●…c canitur miles , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Non animalis homo est quem sic in praelia ●…rudit Non est lasciuus virgini●… huius amor . Transi●…us est animae per mille pericula carnis , Diuinique nou●…m tradit amoris opus . Idem ad Authorem . SIT pietas 〈◊〉 , Deus est virtutis 〈◊〉 Tali●… dum recolis , viue Bretone , vale . Sol gloria lucis . FINIS .

THE PILGRIMAGE TO PARADISE . FROM all those courses of a vaine conceit , Where vertue proues , her honor hath no place , Vnto the Sunne , of that bright shining heighte : Where all the graces haue their highest grace , My Muse is weande , by wisedomes sounde aduise , To make her pilgrimage , to paradise . Which pilgrimage , is not , as poets faine , Nor pieuish people , blindely doe conceiue : A kinde of walke , that worldly wealth may gaine , Whereby the deuill , doth the worlde deceiue : But , t is a walke , of onely vertues will , And to be founde , but by the spirits skill . Now , they that must this trauaile take in hande , Are onely fiue , ech differente in theire nature , Which , with consent , doe all contented stand , To yeeld theire seruice , to one onely creature : By whom they are vnto theire comforte led : And , as hee fares , are found , aliue or dead . Now , lies this walke , alonge a wildernes , A forrest , ful of wild , and cruell beastes : The earth vntilde , the fruit , vnhappines , The trees all hollow , full of howletes nestes , The aier vnholsome , or so foule infected : as , ●…ardely restes , that may not be reiected . But , to goe on with my intended tale , Fiue seruants , ledde , by one chiefe lord there were : which , all were sworne in either blisse , or bale , Their masters fortune , faithfully to beare : And so resolu●…de , to see , their seruice done , On gods good speed their trauaile thus begonne . The lorde and Master , first the Muses called , And bad them stay , their straying kinde of Musing : whose pure conceite , their spirits so apalled , As , made them haue , their humors in refusing : And make their state , but on that only story , That was the grace , of their eternall glory . Then gaue a charge to euery one , aparte , To keepe the compasse of a true conceite : what euery one , should haue for her desart , That , to her hope , coulde keepe the high waie streight : And then his seruants , soundely did aduise , How they shoulde finde the path to paradise . The first , his charge , was onely , but to see , what best might please , & what might worst offend : what obiects might but all as abiects be , what harme to scape , what honour to attende : A farre , neare hand , each side , before , behinde , How best to guide a pure , and perfect minde . The seconde calde , his charge was but to heare , In sweetest sounds , which was the soundest sweete : what graces might , in Musickes grounde appeare , And where the honors of the humors mee●…e : what carefull notes , doe comfort best conclude , while Sitens songes , doe but the soule delude . The third then calde , was charg'd to take the sent , Of euery flower and herbe , within the fielde : which might but grow , whereas their graces went , what sauoure might , the sweetest profit yeelde : And what might hurt , least that the braine displeased , The body might perhaps be all diseased . The fourth then calde , did take his charge , to tast , Of euery fruite , that should become their foode : what beast might nourish , and might sweetest last , And , in their trauaile most might doe them good : How sweete with sower , might best be tempred so , As , tone , the tother might not well forgoe . Then came the fifte who tooke his charge to feele , The grauelde causey from the hollow grounde : How best the toe , might trust vnto the heele , when settled faith had surest footing sounde : And so by leasure finde , where sweetely lies , The louely path , that leades to paradise . When thus ech one , had learned what to doe , Instructed by the guide vnto their grace : Weying the worth , they were , to walke vnto , Wishing , & longing , to beholde the place . Onwards they passe , but with two poore attendauntes , And , ( on the earth ) but with two poore defendauntes . Their cariage was , but an vnwildy trunke , Wherein to neare their trash , was laied their treasure , With weight whereof , their shoulders often thruncke , Before they came , vnto their place of pleasure , But let that passe , vntill the time be cumme . To make the reckening of a Roial summe . But , to goe on as I did first intend , To tell the course , of these resolued creatures , To take a trauaile , that should neuer ende , A note , aboue the reache of earthly natures , Lo , thus it was , at least , as he did write , That , seemde he winckt not , when he hit the white . Along the walke , the walke , alas , to long , Amidde the haples hils , and dolefull dales : where sighes & sobs , doe sound but sorrows song , while sweetest truthes are crost by sorie tales : And darkest cloudes , are clapt before the sunne , This wary creatures , haue their waie begunne . A path vnpleasant where no pleasure was , That earthly people easely might perceiue : A passage harde , and narrow for to passe , But for the life , that of his life tooke leaue : To passe the lake where death , & sorrow lies , And kill them both , to come to paradise . Wherein , no sooner , were they all set forth , with resolution , neuer to returne : There did appeare a light of little worth , A mocking loie , whose end was but to morne : Vpon the left hand , of this selly creature , Venus , faire painted , with her finest feature . Who , wanting nothing , that might wel adorne , A cunning dame , to compasse her desire : with looke askaunce , as if shee had in scorne , A meaner hope , them might a heauen aspire : with straunge deuises of a world of toies , would stoppe his passage to his further loies . And vp shee standes a tipto , in her state , As , if the earth , too base were for her feete : with such a glaunce , as if shee had in hate , That lesse , then Monarches , should her presence meete : when , with such smiles , so neare this walke she went , As made them wonder what the vision ment . When he , that first had taken charge to view , What might their trauaile hinder or auaile : Finding , that in his sight a dimnes grew , whereby the cleerenes of his sence might faile : Feeling the humor , grow vnto an Itche , Beganne to feare the wonder was a witch . When of the sodaine , holding vp his hande , Betwixte his sight , and this same perlous thing : Hauing no leasure , on his thoughtes to stande , what issue would , of this , ill humor spring : wente on alonge and kepte his walke aright , Vntill this vision vanisht out of sight . When , on the right hand fourthwith did appeare , Diana , shee , of whom the poets writ : A dame of state , yet with such smiling cheere , As shewd , where kindenes , did with honor sit : who , with her nimphes , appareld all in white , Did seeme to pure an obiect for his sight . When fearing , that the poets did not faine , That did set forth Diana for diuine : when in her Beauty was so bright a vaine , As , seemde , that Phoebus on her face did shine : Betwixt his sight , and this conceiued sunne , Helde vp his hande , ere any hurte was donne . And thus betwixt first Venus , then Diane , Onwardes he goes , his right intended way , And noting well what he had vndertane , And , that a stoppe might cause to longe a staie , Keeping the path , looking on neither side , He followes on his best beloued guide . When , walking on , his hoped happy way , Vpon the left hande rose a sodaine sounde , which might haue beene a most vnhappy staie , But , that a sodaine remedy was found , For he that knew her Musicke was a charme , His hearing stopt , for feare of further harme . And , this was he that had the charge to heare , And harken soundly to each secret sounde . what noise might not by any meanes cum neare , And where the Muses , soone woulde be a ground , who hauing heard but how her harpe was stronge , would not vouchsafe the hearing of her songe . But , when shee saw how hardly shee was vsed , Her Beauty first barde from the walke of blisse , And then her Musicke so in skorne refused , As idle noise , wherein no honor is , Awaie shee went all angry as shee was , And left the poore man , o●… his waie to passe . When , one the right hand of the sodeine rose , An other sound , but of a deeper sweete , Where sure Diana , with her Nimphes had chose , The ground of grace where all the Muses meete , To shew the world the heauenly harmony , Where Nightingales , doe make a company . When hee that heard the sweetnes of the sound , Fearing what hurt might quickly growe vpon it , If once his Muse , vnhapply might be drownde , In worldes delight , ere , wit had ouergonne it . The hearing stopt , of his vnworthy sence : Of such a sound , of such an excellence . But when Diana plainly gan to find , That , one of all the world had warning tooke ? For comming neere vnto Acteons kinde , And that her siluer sound was so forsooke , Away shee went , but yet , with this sweet blessing , Vertue is plac'd where pride may not be pressing . When these were gon , that might haue stopt●… his waie , Had he not kepte the course of better care , A new devise , againe to breede his staie , Came Flora forth , with all his fairest ware , Laying abroad the ward●…ope of her wealth , Her fairest flowers , and ●…ittest herbes for health . But he that had the charge to take the sente , Of euery sauoure , both the sower and sweete , Knowing what best might comforte , or contente , How , weedes were all , to tread but vnder feete , The ho●…some sauoure to his seruice vsed , And faire flourd weedes , as poison foule refused . But when that Flora , saw her great disgrace : Withered with griefe , she shrunke into the ground , And , ( as it seemed ) displeased with the place , For that , so little fauour their she found , She lets him goe , vntill anone he met , An other Lady , with another let . And this was she , of whom the Poets writ , Ceres the Princes of the Pesaunts treasure , Who , both fortast , and eke for hunger fit , Did onely worke , but for the bellies pleasure , Who , with a cornu copia , sweetely dight : would staie the spirit , with the flesh delight . But he that had the charge , to take a tast : Of every fruit , whereon , they were to feede , what soone would rot , and what would longest last , And what would proue , the sweetest foode indeede . Vpon his lippe his little finger plas't : As if her gift were vtterly disgras't . Not , that the present seemed of no price , But , that their comforts were of other kinde : And that , ( God wot ) it was a base deuise , with belly pleasures to abuse the minde : which Ceres seeing , parted in a rage , And left the pilgrime , to his pilgrimage . Which , selly creature , softly going on , Encountred with more crosses , then before : A world of fooles , and deuils many a one . In shape of men , in shape , and somewhat more : which labourd sore , to make some stoppe , or stay , To hinder loue , in hitting vertues waie . But , he , whose charge , was charily to feele , what grounde was best to grounde his footing on : spurnde with his toe , and kickt of with his heele , Their stumbling stones , till all the stops were gone : which , when they saw , his blisse they could not balke , They tanne away , and left him to his walke . By which good howre , when heauens had happly tried , How constant care , his passage , truely past : And in the harte , no vile desire did bide , while patient will , was with discretion plac't : They rockt the rules , of natures sence asleepe , while Angels songs , the soule did waking keepe . But , waking wit , that had no will to rest , Till ioie might come , vnto her iourneies sende : And that the spirit , was not fully blest , Till humble faith , might see her heauenly friende : Awakte this pilgrime , from his pensiue vaine , And set him sweetely on his waie againe . When , passing on , they fell into a wood , A thicket full , of brambles , thornes , and briers : A graceles groue , that neuer did man good , But wretched sendinges of the worldes desires : where Snakes , and Adders , & such venu●…d things , Had slaine a number , with their cruell stinges . Some , Metamorphosde , like Acteon , were , Diana smiling at their lewde desires : Some , Semitawres , and some , more halfe a Beare , Other halfe swine , deepe wallowing in the miers : All beastly mindes , that could not be reformed , were to the shapes of their owne shame transformed . There might he see , a Monky with an Ape , Climing a tree , and cracking of a Nut : One sparrow teache an other how to gape , But , not a tame one , taught to keepe the cut : And many a lacke daw , in , his foolish chat , while parets prated of they knew not what . But , when shee saw , humilities affection , wonne from the world to seeke for heauenly fauour , And that the soule , by wisdome ▪ ●…ound direction , In sacred flowers , should finde the sweetest sauour , Shee raisde him vp , and badde him there receiue , The true delightes , should not the soule deceiue . When lifted vp , by that faire hande of loue , That brought the hart an vnknowen happines , And euery seruant , sweetly did approue , A blessing in their Masters blessednes , with silent thoughtes , they humbly did attende , The words , that did their comfort comprehende . Poore wretch quod shee , thy faithfull patient hart , the highest powers in pitty doe regarde : where true repentance pleades for no desart , But , bounties grace , where mercy giues rewarde : The heauens haue harde , thy humble happy praier , To helpe thy hope , and keepe thee from despaire ▪ The labour , that thy loue hath tane in hande , Thy trauaile , minding , neuer to retire : The happy staie , whereon thy hope doth stande , where humble praier , but pitty doth aspire : Haue got thee grace in mercies glorious eies , To finde the path that leades to paradise . This is the 〈◊〉 , that patience onely treades , where life doth goe on pilgrimage to loue : whose humble hart , the holy spirite leades , vnto the height of blessed hopes behoue : whom graces garde , till perils al be past , And faith resolu'de , doe finde her rest at last . Since thou hast scapte the vaunt of Venus vaine , And not presumde Diana to approch : Since Flora coulde no further fauour gaine , Nor Ceres coulde thy carefull thought encroch : Since fooles , and deuils , all are driuen awaie , Bide but a night , and thou shalt see the daie . Since thou hast scapte the way of wretchednes , where shameles mindes to shamefull shapes are turned ▪ And founde the waie of fairest blessednes , where hart enflamde , with vertues fire hath burned : Keepe on the path , and turne on neither side , Grace to thy hope will be a happy guide . Thinke it not longe , to cumme to heauen at last , Nor linger time to hinder happy speede : Feare not the sunne , though skies be ouercast , And let a candell stande the night in steede , So marke the light , that liues in vertues eies , And loue shall leade thee straight to paradise . Feare not the foes , nor forces thou shalt meete , For thou shalt meete with monsters , many a one : But faith resolu'de treds fortune vnder feete , where vertue comes , will vices all be gone : Hell cannot hurt , whom heauenly powers defend , where grace begins ▪ hope makes a happy end . Lo neere at hand , he that would hurt thee most : An ougly Monster , full af all corruption : By whose illusion , many soules haue lost , Their liuely hopes , by lowdenes interruption . A Lier , Theife , and master of all evill , The sier of sinne , the fiend●… of hell , the deuill . Seauen are his heades , as many are his tailes , Ec●… head a tongue and every taile a sting , And woe to them , with whom his tongues prevailes , within the compase of his tails to bringe . But skorne his wordes , or quite him with disgrace , and thou shalt kill , or make him fly the place . His body is the very sinke of sinne , Into which hole , all hellish filth doth runne . A plague of pride , presumption did beginne , An endles plague , that was in pride begunne , where every head the body standes in steed , with poisoned soules , the filthy paunch to feede . His swordes , are wordes , with which he is to fight , whose forces can but faithles hartes offende , For , if hee looke , but once at vertues light , He faintes for feare , and feeles his forces ende , But heare him speake , and neuer feare his spight , when vertue laughes at vanities delight . His greatest head , and that doth gape most wide , Is proude Ambition , swallowing worldly wealth : which faithles soules , infectes , with filthy pride , Killing the spirit , for the bodies health : Vpon which head , he beares a triple crowne , That , ( Vertue sees ) is neere his tumbling downe . In which great head , his tongue is all vntruth , Lies , to bewitch the worlde vnto his will : The ease of Age , and high conceit of youth : are greatest groundes of his vngratious skil : To gouerne states , is such a stately thinge : what slaue is he , that would not be a king ? And thus the villaine , would the world perswade , To prowde attemptes that may presume to high , But earthly ioies , wil make him proue a ●…ade , when vertue speakes of loues diuinity : where humble hart , doth to that heauen aspire , where is no place for any proude desire . The seconde heade , is wicked avarice , Choking it selfe , with trash , in steade of treasure : whose tongue , is treason that can best deuise , To hurte the spirite , with the bodies pleasure : But talke of vertues ioie in Misery , And he wil pine to death in penury . The thirde foule head , is filthy Gluttony , Deuouring more , then it can well disgest : Leading the harte , to loathsome villany , And of a man doth make an ougly beaste : But , answere him with fasting , and with praier , The very wordes , will kill him with their aier . The fourth bad head , is beastly slothfulnes , Sleeping , and snorting , like a filthy swine : Loosing the time in loathsome Idlenes , Dreaming , of that , which neuer was diuine : But answere him , with vertues carefull watching , He faintes , and falls , to finde his ouermatching . The fifte vile heade , is filthy lechery , which leades the hart , to hateful wickednes : His tongue , a forge of fancies treachery , To bring the soule , to all vnhappines : But , answere him , with vertues chaste desire , And , he will bite his very taile for ire . The sixte is enuy full of malice fraught , Feeding on Snakes , that faine would vertue stinge : which , where they finde their forces come to nought , Into his mouth , they backe their poison bring : But say how patience , leades to paradise , He frets , and fumes , and in impatience dies . The seuenth is murther , most accursed head , whose tongue is blasphemy , all dide in blood : which , with the harts of harmeles creatures feade , Lappes in the broath of an Infernall foode : But , saie how vertue doth for vengeance crie , And dead he falles , or els awaie doth flie . Now , beare these heauenly lessons all by harte , And take these bookes to benefite thy minde : In each of which is hidde a secret arte , whose proper vse , maie profite in his kinde : But chiefly doe this holly booke peruse , where speciall comfortes , maie thy spirit chuse . When , hauing giuen into his humble hande , Seuen sundry bookes , whereonto vse his wit : And last , the staie , whereon the state did stande , Of happy life , where heauenly loue doth sit : The holy booke , of vertues blessed vaine , Home shee returnes vnto her heauen againe . Which , when the pilgrime humbly did beholde , Carying in minde , the comforts of his hart : which , to his faith , her fauour did vnfolde , To keepe the soule , from an Infernall smart : Against the fury , of this fiende of hell , Onwardes he goes , God speede his passage well . When , not to stand , on circumstance too long , He meetes anon with this same monster thing : who , by illusion , of the Sirens song , would seeke , a worlde , in bondage how to bring . Turning himselfe , into a thousand shapes , To feare fond children , and to cosen Apes . And first , he looks , like to a fiery light , which would consume , what so did crosse his waie : But , soone was donne , the force of his despight , where vertue came , he had no power to staie , And then , he would become a speaking birde , But , God once namde , he durst not speake a worde . And by and by , he would become a Beare , To feare young children with a foolish noise : But , when a man , a beast , can neuer feare , He found it prou'de , olde children were no boies : when , by and by , he woulde become an Ape , Oh beastly thing , too neare a humaine shape . But , when that vertue founde the vile effect , Of Apish humors , with the Monckish mindes , Shee wholy did , the vermins iestes reiect , And forst him seeke , for shapes of other kindes : when all his sleightes , could doe him little boote , For , vertue knew , the deuil by his foote . No , though into an Angell faire of light , He coulde transforme him selfe , for to deceiue : Yet coulde he not his foote keepe out of sight , But , vertue coulde his filthy clawe perceiue : So by his foote , shee plainely did descrie him , Bidding auaunte , foule fiende , shee did defie him . When , as the pilgrime lifting vp his eies , To heauenly powers from hell for to defende him : Sweete Christ once namde , awaie the Serpent flies , And , for awhile vnable to offende him : Til , once againe , the heauens had giuen him leaue , To doe his worst , sweete vertue to deceiue . When , in the shape whereof before I spake , with his seuen heads , the wicked Serpent standes : with such a sounde , as made the earth to shake , As , halfe the worlde , were subiect , to his handes : when first , his head , of pride began to speake , And , to this pilgrime , did this poison breake . Thou little wretch , quod he , of lesser worth , In humaine shape I know not what to name : whom honors spirit , neuer coulde bring forth , To seeke the fortune of imperial fame : How didst thou fal into this forlorne path , wherein the worlde so little pleasure hath . Where , see the ground of euery secret griefe , which mortifies the body with the minde : Subiect to euery crosse , and for reliefe , Pitty , the whole , that thou must hope to finde : Patience a paine set downe , life , but a death , where care , and sorrow draw a sickely breath . Where eies must be embased to the ground , Their pleasing humors , barred to beholde : And bended knees , to cappe , and courtzy bounde , while bared head , must bide the bitter colde : The minde must stoupe , the hande must loose his strength , The hart must droupe , and life must yeelde at length . Is this the reach , of Reasons noble wit ? To see a world , and seeke for nothing in it , In such a chaire doth charie humor sit ? To know a worke of worth and not beginne it : who could of power conceiue , the kingly pleasure , would no conceit with such a comfort measure . Humility ? a iolly creeping thought , Patience , a prety purgatory : Sorrow , a fit , for the phisitian wrought And death , a gentill ende of misery . Fasting and praier , al the spirits pleasure , Notes for a King , to looke vpon at leasure . No , stoupe no thought , seeke only to subdue , Set no conceit , in honor with a crowne : In begger minde , true conquest neuer grew , The village , is a cotage to the towne : The Monarchy , doth shew , the noble minde , He hath no life , that cummes of lower kinde . What slaue wil serue , that easely may commaunde ? what sence wil stoupe , that may be set alofte ? who wil desire , that needes not to demaunde ? who loues the boordes may haue his bedde made softe ? Or who regardes , the rascall beggers teares ? That may haue Musicke to contente his eares . What poore conceit , wil begge for crummes of bread ? May haue his table furnisht all with cates ? Or breake his hart with hammers of his head ? May passe his humors , with his pleasing mates : Faire , wise , rich , learned , valiant , young , and olde . Power is the hande , doth at commandement holde . And so he stopt , but swelling with such pride , As if his braine , woulde haue with poison burst : To whom , the pilgrime , presently replied , Avaunt foule fiende , and Monster most accurst : Thou hate of heauen , and greatest hagge of hell , what wicked tale hast thou presumde to tell . Wretched , blasphemous spirit of presumption , Ougly in shape , and horrible in sence , Thou cursed substance of the souls consumption , The heauens displeasure , and the worlds offence , That knowst no worth , & art not worth the knowing , Rot in thy roote , ere thou haue further growing . Thou wicked witch , fonde fortunes first deuiser , To bring a desperate spirit to defame , And by illusion , first the soules surpriser , That heares thy wordes , and wil beleeue the same , How durst thou once presume so neere this path , where hatefull humor , neuer passage hath . Thou grounde of griefe , heere is the grounde of grace , Thou foule infection , heere is fairest health , Thou crosse of crosses , heere is comfortes place , Thou pitties want , and heere is pitties wealth , Thou dire impatience , dole ▪ and deadly strife , Curst be the death , that stoppes the waie of life . Whose blinded eies , are barde all blessed light , whose crooked knees , are crampt for crafty creeping : whose triple crowne , in vertues humble sight , will breake thy necke , and rest in better keeping , whose hart subdued , by hande of heauenly strength , Must liue in paine of neuer ending length . Calst thou the rage of wil , the rules of wit ? Is all the world , ought els but vanitie ? who in the chaire of chaunging choise doth sit , Knowes nothing of diuine humanity , Nor in conceit , can comfort truly measure , That knows , not pride , the plage of high displeasure . Humility , high Angels happy thought , while patience , is the deuils purgatory : Sorrow a fit , for faithes phisitians wroughte , while high heauens mercy , endes worldes misery , Fasting , and praier , happines procuring , while true repentance is but hope enduring . Then stoupe foule pride , whom heauens did full subdue , Know that thy crowne is cumming tumbling downe : Vertue doth see how by Illusion grew , The worldes disgrace , to grace thee with a crowne : Monarch of mischiefe , such is all thy minde , Nor hath he life , that cummes of such a kinde . His seruice , freedome , that made thee a slaue , His seate alofte , that makes thee lie full lowe : His wante a welth , that sees thee nothing haue , His boorde a bed , that makes thee watch for woe : His almes sweete , that saues the beggers teares , while thou hast naught , but cries to fill thine eares . A poore conceite , that starues for lacke of crums , And yet will tell the worlde of delicates : who ofte for hunger feedst vpon thy thumbes , when death and sorrowe , are thy hellish mates : Faire , wise , riche , learned , valiant , olde , and young , Take heede of pride , and of his poisned tongue . And with that worde I knowe not how it fell , But , downe the crowne , came tumbling on the grounde : when as the head , with anger seemde to swell , Like an Aposthume , of a poisoned wounde : which breaking inwarde , of the sodaine shroncke , Into the body , oh most beastly troncke . The heade of pride thus suddainely consumde , Or , shroncke into this filthy sincke of sinne : The second head , foule Auarice presumde , with wicked wordes , the miser mindes to winne : Ah , begger , worme , and needy wretch quod he , what dost thou thinke , that will become of thee . Hath patience bred in thee this poore conceite , That colde and hunger be thy harts content ? Doest thou not see , how manie thousandes waite , In honors fielde , vpon the golden tente ? Or knowest thou not , power , wisedome , wit and pleasure , All , haue their Essence , in the golden treasure . What face so faire , that is not grac't in golde , what wit of worth , but hath in golde his wonder ? what learning , but , with golden lines doth holde , what state so high , but gold will bring him vnder ? what thought so sweete , but gold doth better season , And what rule best , but in the golden reason . Be lorde of landes , and cram thy chest with coine , Feare nought but neede , mony will make a friende : Let conscience learne , the cunning to purloine , wit without welth , hath but a wofull ende , The golden scepter , and the golden crowne , Doth make the subiect on his knees come downe . The grounde is fat , that yeeldes the golden fruite , The study high , that hits the golden state : The labour sweete , that gets the golden suite , The reckning right , that makes the golden rate : The hap is sure , that golden hope doth holde , And rich is gaine , that serues the god of golde , And with that worde the wicked thing did cease , when presently the pilgrime thus replied : Oh cursed cancker , crosse of conscience peace , whose hatefull harte , doth all ill humors hide : Thou kindling cole of an Internall fire , Die in the ashes , of thy dead desire . Impatient spirite liuing all by spoile , Drunke like the dropsy , and yet euer drye : Consumde with care , and tired out with toyle , Seeminge to liue , and yet dost ever die , How du●…st thou so the name of god blaspheme , To giue to drosse so great a Diademe . Thou stone-colde hart , with hungri●…g after coine , My care in heauen , doth seeke my hartes content , Thou scrapst for pelfe , I seeke not to purloine , In vertues field , I seeke but mercies tent , When wisdome , findes , in power of highest pleasure , The world , al trash , compard to heauenly treasure . Fowle is the faire that hath her gold in grace , worthines the wit , that hath in wealth his wonder : vnlearned liues , put gold in honors place , wicked the state , that will to coine cume vnder : Base the conceite , that seasonde is with golde , And begger , rules , that such a reason holde . Thou plodst for landes , I seeke a liuing place , Thou fearste but neede , I , mony make no fri●…de : Thy conscience , cunning , and my care is grace , Thy wits welth , wo , my harts wish , heauen at ende : Thy golde is drosse , and vertue is my crowne , where hartes submission , puls ambition downe . Earth giues thee golde , heauens giue me higher grace , Men study wealth , but Angels wisedomes state : Laboure seekes pence , loue hath a higher place , Death makes thy reckening , life is all my rate : Thy happe is hell , my hope of heauen doth holde , God giue me grace , die deuill with thy golde . And with that worde , the head beganne to shrincke , The face dead pale , and hollow grew the eies : And so , at laste , did all , and wholy sincke , Into that hell , that heade of Auarice : when vp did start the heade of Gluttonie , Vomiting out theese wordes of villany . Poore 〈◊〉 begger , whereon dost thou feede , well fare the mouth , that feedes the belly full ▪ what staruing humor , standes thy wit insteede , The want of victuaile , makes the body dull ▪ I finde it true no triumph to a feast , the belly full the bones will be at rest . Some feede their eies withstaring on the starres , And starue the body to content the minde : Some with their wittes will be so long at warres , They grate on crusts , when other men haue dinde , But let the franticke so their humor please , Giue me the life , of meate , and drinke and ease . When that the earth , doth giue vs pleasing foode , what reason is it nature shoulde refuse it : If reason finde , what wil doe nature good , what bootes to haue it , if we doe not vse it : Then let me feede , while I haue power to eat , The mouth was made to giue the body meat . Oh , when the tongue is pleased with a tast , The stomacke feeds , vntil the hart do laugh , And then a cuppe with a carowsing cast , And then a health out of a frindely quaffe : Then workes the braine in such a blessed wise , As if the body were in paradise . When thinking more to speake , his mouth ranne ouer , with beastly humors , loathsome to beholde , And in such sort , as he coulde not recouer , Till that he did , his filthy sence vnfolde , when stopping so , the pilgrime gan replie , Die ougly venum in thy villany . Thou filthy , fat , and ouerfoggy flesh , Foule bagpipe-cheekes , eies starting from the head , whom heauenly humors neuer can refresh , That all in hel , hast made thy hateful bedde , Heauens let me fast , from such a loathsome feast , where to much feeding makes a man a beast . Earth fill thine eies , heauens feede my humble hart , Drosse fil thy belly , Grace content my minde , Of worldly lunckets take thy pleasing part , Grace , giue my soule , one crum , & I haue dinde , So with thy frensies , doe thy fansie please , Heauens be my rest , whom earth can neuer ease . Earth feedes of earth , heauens giue the spirit foode , Nature corrupted lost the key of reason , The body knowes not of the spirits good , Vse is abuse , where truth is ●…aust with treason , Then role , and tumble in thy beastly ●…iot , The dish of mercy , be my spirits diet . Oh , when the tongue is toucht with cruel fire , The stomacke feedes , of an infernal flame , A cuppe of coles to quench a foule desire , A cureles hatt , consuming in the same : Then workes the spirit with such woful cries , As , proues in hel , was neuer paradise . When , this same filthy hedde of Glotony , Beastly bedight with his abhorred diet : Choked with venum of such villany , As , breedes the ground of natures most disquiet ▪ Soncke backe into the belly of the beast , which , of such spirites , made his speciall feast . When started vp the head of slouthfulnes , with ougly clawes picking his gummy eies : who with the noddes of natures heuines , Did in few wordes , this filthy speech deuise , what humor , wretch , doth thee so waking keepe , That thou canst feede vpon so little sleepe . Sleepe is the pride of ease , the height of pleasure , The Nurse of nature , and the rule of rest : The thoughtes attonement , and the sences treasure , The bedde of loue , that likes the body best : Against vnrest the only remedy , And onely medicine to ech mallady . And , therewithall vnwilling more to speake , Such heauy qualmes his harte had ouercome : with stretching yawnes , as if his Iawes would breake , Hee stopt his speech , as wholy stroken dumme : when , nodding of his heade from side to side , To his deafe eares , the pilgrime thus replied . Thou cursed serpent , grounde of al disgrace , By Idlenes begetting Ignorance : which dost the sprigges of fairest rootes deface , with lothsome course of lifes discountenaunce : And makst a pleasure of the spirits paine , Die in thy dreame , and neuer wake againe . Sleepe is the soules disease , the mindes despight , The curse of Nature , and the crosse of rest : The thoughtes disquiet , and the darkesome night , wherein the spirit , likes the body lest : A losse of time and reasons malladie , where death is found but sorrowes remedy . The watching virgins kindely were receiued , when such as slept did loose their happy houre : In dreames , the sences often are deceiued , when waking wits finde shadowes haue no power : Then sleepe thy last , where life hath neuer place , God graunt my soule , to watch , & praie for grace . When thus the head of hateful slouthfulnes , was soncke into the filthy sincke of sinne : The harmeful head of al vnhappines , Did lechery , this loathsome tale beginne : Alas poore pilgrime , childe of chast desire , Hast thou bin burnt thou canst not bide the fier ? A gentle iest , a man to be a maide , what minsing humor doth the sences measure ? That Nature can of beauty be afraide : And loose her prime , before she know her pleasure , Fleshe hath no fauour in diuinity , Nor Nature , pleasure in virginity . The childe , that knowes not how to make his choice , Must be a babe , so babishe let him bee : But he that knowes , how better to reioice , will seeke a worlde , where sweeter thoughtes agree : No , thinke of loue , to be that pleasing thought , That , for his will , sets all the worlde at nought . What figure findes not loue out of a face ? what humors notes he not , in euery heare ? In beauties eies , what stars doth he not place , what roses in her cheekes , doth she not beare ? what hony in her lippes , and sweeter worth ? In her faire ground but he can gather forth . It whets the wit , and doth embolden will , And maketh Arte to worke beyond her selfe , It maketh nature , study reasons skill , And in her humors , play the pretty elfe : It bringeth fancy to a deinty feast , And makes a man , that woulde be els a beast . What deinty glaunces passe from eies to eies ? when sweete conceites , are secretly conceiued , what comfortes can the kissing hearts deuise ? where kinde effectes of fauour are receiued : Age can reporte , and youth doth daily prooue , There is no comforte to the course of loue . And with that worde , did ende his wicked charme , Vnto which sounde , the pilgrime gan reply , Thou hatefull head , and grounde of euery harme , Venum , compounded all of villany : A foule infection of the fairest creature , Die in the filth , of thy corrupted nature . Thou sleepy slouth , that figurste out the swine , with groueling humors , tumbling on the grounde , That canst not thinke , vpon a thought diuine , But liu'st in dreames , where all deceits are founde : How durst thou speake in that foule thoughts defence , which breedeth nothing , but the soules offence . Vertue and vice , were neuer friendes in deede , Diana knowes , that Venus is no maide , But faith , that doth on heauenly blessing feede , Of foolish beauty , maie be well afraide : when Natures pleasure in virginity , Shewes , flesh hath fauoure in diuinity . Equality is but a childish humor , He is alone , that keepes the lofty seate : what voice is hard ? where al are in a rumor , Or who is seru'd ? where euery one is great ? why , patience is the paterne of a villaine , That neuer came neare to a Kings pauilion . And with that word she fed vpon her Snakes , As if her heart , did like none other foode : where to the pilgrime soone this answere makes , Vngratious grifte , and voide of heauenly good : Feede on thy Snakes , vntill the poison fill thee , And thine owne cancker with corruption kill thee . Equality is childrens blessednes , where many brethren are but one in loue : The voice hard sweete , whose sounde is holinesse , And God wel seru'd , where graces glory proue : And he that patience paternes for a villaine , shal neuer know the King of heauens pauilion . Thou neuer readst the booke of Christ his Crosse , Nor canst endure so sweete an A B C : But , thou art bounde to liue with labours losse , where al the woes of al the worlde maie be : God giue my spirit , grace , to seeke no more , Then goe the waie , his Sainctes haue gone before . When , ( as it seemde ) the venum wrought so sore , within the hart , as poisned so the heade , As shrinking downe , it sight , and spake no more , But with the rest the filthy body fedde : when started vp the head of Murthring wrath , As newly cumme , from out , summe bloody bath . Who grating of his teeth with knitting brow , Shaking his fist , as if he mente to fight : Thou patch quod he , where art thou plodding now ? hath patience thinkst thou , such a princely might : That shee can thee against my force defende , And bring thee safely to thy Iourneies ende ? My life is most , to lay me downe in blood , I can endure no daunting of mine eie : I onely loue to feede on bloody foode , whom I once cease on , they are sure to die : How durst thou then approch so neere my sight , whose fury standes withal the worlde to fight ? Poore patient hartes are tost from post to post , when bloody swordes doe walke the worlde with wonder : Poore patience many a patrimony lost . while will resolu'de , put wit and reason vnder : Patience is oft from princely seate puld downe , while bloody mindes , do brauely beare the crowne . Pitty is knowen sometime to marre a citty , And Anger , oftentimes is cause of quiet : Sometime as good be wilful as be witty , when bloody dishes make a dainty diet : what armes of honor ? to a bloody field ? where Angers hande , makes patient harts to yeelde . When ( as it seemde ) halfe stuffed vp with blood , Stopping his tale the pilgrime thus replied : Choke vp thy throat , with that foule butchers food , That neuer couldst the sounde of mercy bide : But dost consume the hart of many a creature , Die in the fury , of thy filthy nature . Fret , fume , and chafe , I feare not of thy force , I plod with patience , where thou canst not cumme : My patience hath , such power in her remorse , As furies sences , quickely wil benumme : And by her prowesse , stoutly so defende me , That thou , nor thine , nor ought els offende me . Then lie , and bath , and tumble in thy bloode , And stare , & stampe , til thou hast donne thy worst : Thy foule adherents , I haue all withstoode , And thou , art but a spirit all accurst : who though thou makst a number know thy might , Where patience cums , thou hast no power to fight . Poore patient harts , are tost from paine to peace , When bloody swords , do breede but hellish woes : And patience patrimony is no leace , But in a grounde , where grace & wisedome growes : And patience sits with an Immortal crowne , where tiraunt heads to hel are beaten downe . Pitty must be the princesse of a citty , And Anger breedeth nothing but disquiet : wilful is good , so that the wil be witty , where bloode is bard , the dish of mercies diet : what Armes of honor , to that heauenly fielde , where patience force , makes angers fury yeelde . At which last worde , the ●…retting furious head , Fel with the rest , into that sincke of sinne : And with the body fel downe stroke as dead , when patience did this pilgrimes ioy beginne : with praysing heauens , & vsing humble praier , To comforte hope , and keepe of al dispaire . When leauing so the ougly Monster slaine , Onwardes she leades him on his happy way : where ioiful pleasure after feare of paine , Had set his sences at so sweete a staie : That now , he thought , no Monster could offende him , He had such proofe , that patience woulde defende him . But when the heauens that pitty haue of nature , And know that sences , woulde be gladde of rest : Although the spirite , waking keepe the creature , Vnto such worke , as like the wisedome best : Into their garde , did will the Angels take him , Vntill they wilde the spirite shoulde awake him . BVT when the spirite little time coulde spare , Vnto the harte , to giue the sences rest : And reason founde , that vertues happy fare , was in the hande , where with the soule is blest : He wilde the sences from their sleepe arise , And follow patience to their paradise . When hauing past the path along the wood , They came vnto a shore , neare to a sea : where lofty ▪ waues did threaten little good , when rockes with patience make a drowning plea : where stormes , and tempests , flawes , and rocks , and sands , The perils shew , wherein the sea man standes . With patience heere this pilgrime must Imbarke , within a shippe the buonauenture named : when in the Mappe he founde out many a marke , whereby conceite his course most happly framed : And to be shorte with a resolued minde , They hoist vp sailes , God sende a merry winde . When as they founde the tide would tary none , And little wit , it was to loose the winde , what grounde was best to cast their ancker on , And how they might their surest passage finde : To scape the rockes , and to auoide the sandes , And keepe their carriage , out of pirots handes . And so , along the surging seas they slide , Till passing by capa di buon speranza , Not farre from thence , they did intende to ride , Till , some sweete winde that vertue ben auanza : woulde bid them hoice their sailes and to be gone , Towardes the heauen , they were to hope vpon . Where , after sounding , casting ancker out , And striking saile , and winding vp the cable , Setting in order all thinges rounde aboute , As well as such young Mariners were able : with such good thoughtes as might the time beguile , They fell to walke vpon the boordes awhile . And riding but a while anone they spied , A fisher man ▪ all in his boate alone , with euery billow tost from side to side , As made them leare his last farewell anone : when moued , with the pitty of good nature , They calde aboo●…de this selly wretched creature . But , for I did but little time bestow , Amidde the fielde to seeke for honors fame : And fortune sought , my 〈◊〉 ouerthrow , Before my ha●… had entrance to the same : I lefte that life , and to the seas I gat , where , how I liu ▪ d I neede not tell you that . I thinke your selues can te●… as wel as I , If not , alas , it is no ease to learne : So many labours in the life doe lie , As are not in a daie for to dis●…erne : A daie , a month , nor many a yeare , God wot , As I could tel , if I haue not forgotte . First I did learne to set my compasse right , And by my compasse , how my course to run : To marke each point , as wel by day , as night , By night , to marke the stars , by day the sunne : Then take the Mappe , to looke for rockes & sandes , Of which ful ofte , the shippe in daunger standes . Then narrowly to looke to euery leake , And when the winde , did serue to hoise my sailes : To sounde the depth , where se as beginne to breake , And strike my saile , when once my sea roome failes : To Arme my fightes , and plant mine ordnaunce so , I might not stande , in fea●…e to meete my foe . Then did I learne , to stande and guide the sterne , And now and then to helpe to hoise vp ancker : And otherwhiles the cunning to discernce , To dresse hir sides to keepe hir from the cancker , My termes of arte , and patient to be painefull , And how to hope to make my voiage gainful . To lie ful colde , and harde , and fare full thinne , To frame my carkas to vnkindest natures , To beare of stomes , and in a calme beginne , To learne to kill the little creeping creatures , To eate a fusty cake , and teinted fish , And one fresh morfell , make a deinty dish . To make no conscience , so there came in gaine , when siluer crosses , keepe of many a curse , A pitteous case to see the Merchant slaine , For his owne goods to fil the pirots purse , To sweare , and stare , vntil we come on shore , Then rifty tufty , each one to his skore . The Master , he , sometime would fall asleepe , The Masters mate to much ●…pon the can , The boson , he , his cabin tooke to keepe , And in the cookerome , there the rie begare , when all and some , in halte a dronc●…en swowne , would leaue the shippe , to sincke , themselues to drowne ▪ But , when I saw the kinde of life was such , The griefe to great for any true good minds : The labour sore , the sorrow was to much , To seeke for that which but repentance finds , I left the shippe , with manie a sorrie note , And tooke me sweetely to my little boate . And heere , my trade is poore , yet ful of peace , And peace is riches , though my trade be poore , The sea is large , whose landlorde makes no lease , I toile for fishes , and I seeke no more , when stormes arise , vnto the heauen I high me , And in the sunne-shine , set me downe and drie me . But , for I see the barke , wherein you ride , Of Buonaventure hath the blessed name , And patience is a pure a perfect guide , Vnto the fauour of eternal fame , I hope the course , is good that you intende , Heauens bring you happly , to your Iournies end . This poore mans tale when thus the pilgrime harde , He did along his company entreate , Promising him , a pilgrimes poore rewarde , Besides his hope , his comfort woulde be great , If heauens did fauoure vertues enterprise , Humbly to passe , the path to paradise . But , when the fisher harde that fairest worde , Of paradise once sounding in his eare : He gaue consent , and hoist his boat a boarde , And casting of , al sorrow , care , and feare : They hoist vp sailes , windes seru'de what would you more , Onwardes they goe , God sende them well a shore . When leauing Scilla to those selly guides , That careles are to keepe their course aright : By cu●…st Charibdis , on he smoothly slides , Till by good happe they had a land in sight : To which they made , with might & maine as fast : As windes woulde serue , and got to shore at last . Yet , let me tel you , ere they came a shore , As through the Ocean they did make their way : Tempests arose , and many a winde blew sore , That threatend , ofte the course of their decay : Besides the pirots , that they put to flight , which chrost their course with many a cruell fight . One where they saw wrakes lie without reliefe , An other , whales tumbling in the waues : An other while , vnto their deadly griefe , Stormes threaten sore , the fishes maws their graues , Yet , when the worst , of all these illes were past : Safely arriu'de they came to shore at last . Where , wethring of themselues against the sunne , First praising God , by his almighty power , That guided them since first their course begunne , And brought them safely to that happy howre : The hart laide downe , the sences all to rest , while Angels watch , the waking spirit blest . BVT , when the spirit had but little time , To giue the sences leaue to take their rest , Nor was the laboure little for to clime , The fiery ashes , of a Phoenix nest : Hee bad them sweetely from their sleepe arise , And set them in their path to paradise . Where , walking on , they met on their rigt hande , A worlde of people , making pitteous mone , Some lost their goods , some other lost their lande , Their parents , some , and some , their friends were gone : Not one , of all , but some way were oppressed , when all , and some , in some , were al distrested . The Courtier , hee , complainde , of loues disgrace , The souldier , he cried out , of lacke o●… paie , The lawier , lacke of hearing of his case , The client , how his coine went to decaie : The merchaunt , of the losse of his aduenture , The prentice of the bandes of his Indenture . The landlorde , of his tenaunts beggery , The passinger of lacke of amity : The tenaunt , of the landlordes misery , The begger , all , of lacke of charity : The church men , of their small possessions , The laie men , of the church transgressions . Now , on the left hande , went an other crue , A hatefull sort , of hellish company : which , to their welth , and wortheles honor grue , By wicked workes , of wofull villany : which , by the trades of Machauile instructed , were by the deuill , to his hel conducted . One , he blasphemde , and murthred many an othe , An other , made of honesty , a iest : An other made a tush , at faith , and troth , An other boasted of a bloudy feast : And some , in power , how will did gouerne reason , And other , of their pollicy in treason . The Courtier , boasted of this braue attire , what lordshippes , he had laid vpon his backe : The souldier bragde what townes he set on fire , How many citties he had helpt to sacke : The lawier , of his quidities , and quirkes , The client , of the knowledge of his ierkes . The landlorde , of his tenants slauery , And , how hee kept the pesauntes all in awe , The tenant of his cunning knauery , when , with his landlorde , he could go to law : The Merchant , how his gaines were brought about , The prentice , how , he got his freedome out . The church men , they wente boasting on their tenthes ; And twenties too , and yet they would haue more , The Laie men , of their laying lines at lengthes , And how a chalke , did make a pretty skore : The passinger , offained amity , The begger , of the bagge of charity . After all these , vpon the right hand went , A selly foole , for so I tearme him right , with wringing hands , that seemed to lament , Some crossing humor , to a vaine delight : For , loue forsooth , & nought but loue it was , That made a woman make a man an Asse . Of Venus frailty and of Cupids blindenes , He cried out , oh , that euer they were borne , And of his mistris , more , then most vnkindnes , That did so much , his truest seruice skorne : Yet , still , he lou'de her , and he did so loue her , It was his death , he neuer coulde recouer . And then he sight , and sobde , and hong the head , And wept , and wailde , and cast vp both the eies , And in a trance , as if a man were dead , Or did some dying kinde of fit deuise : Vntill he walkte , and then he cried oh loue , That euer louer shoulde such sorrowe proue . And then he redde his verses and his ●…imes , wherein he praisde her to to , out of reason , And then he sight to thinke how many times , he watcht , the day , the night , the hower the season : To finde some fruite , of her deserued fauoure , But al his flowers , were we●…des that had no sauour . And then farewell , and then againe farewell , And farewell loue , and farewell louely sweete : And farewel sweete , where loue doth sweetly dwel ; And farewell dwelling , for loue sweetenes meete : And farewell meeting , with loues stately store , And farewell loue , for hee coulde liue no more . And thus the pilgrime , let the poore man goe , To loose his will , and seeke his better wits : which he had lost with following fancy so , Vnto the fury of those franticke fits : That in his hart , had wrought that mallady , that he must die , there was no remedy . Now on the left hande went another creature , Or rather spirit , in an ougly shape : Hollow dead eies , and most ilfauourde feature , Mopping , and Mowing , like an olde she Ape : which in the fury of youthes frenzy , To crosse loues Ioie , is called Ielousy . Cursing that euer Venus was so faire , Or Cupid had the power to bende his bow : Or euer worde , had passage through the Aier , From fansies tongue , to beauties eares to go : when tickling humors , in Affections brest , By feare of loies is Ielousies vnrest . Then winckt , and pinckt , and leerde and honge the lippe , And seemde to start , at euerie sodaine breath : And grounde her teeth , as though some priuy nip , within her head , did fret her hart to death : when , out she mumbled , most vnhappy loue , That makst the minde , these passions to approue . But when the pilgrime saw her Agony , And , in what taking , wretched thing , she was : Little contented , with such company , He giues her leaue vpon her way to passe : And keepes his course , vntil an one he came , Vnto a citty , needles is the name . Where entring in , on each side of the gate , He found it poorely al with beggars garded : And by the forefront of that feeble state , He thought smal wealth where poore were so rewarded : Til entred further , in the streetes he founde , A worlde of wealth in euery streete abounde . I meane such welth , as worldly people chuse , To make the comfort of their chiefest kinde : And such a bait as wicked spirites vse , To blinde the sight of a bewitched minde : In euery shoppe , or siluer golde or wares , To starue the poore , & fill the rich with cares . When notinge wel , by ettery doore he went , He saw each house was with a plage infected : where , though they liu'de content with discontente , were in the rules of better cares reiected : For , though the poison did not kill at first , Yet did they swel , vntil at last they burst . One house was plaged with a wicked master , An other , with a most accursed dame : An other with a childe that was a waster , An other , with a seruaunt out of frame : The richmen , most , were plaged with disease , The pooremen , with smal vermin , and fleas . The Counsaile , graue , as best beseemde their place , The Courtiers , gallant , full of fine conceite : The Ladies , faire , and full of honours grace , The seruantes , wise , that humbly did awaite , Nothing amisse , that nature coulde deuise , To please the humor of Affections eies . And , let me not , to slightly ouerpasse , The pleasing ground of euery priuate grace : where euery sence , so sweetely pleased was , As brought the wits into a wondrous case : And such a case , as had not vertue ben , To garde their sence , they had ben ouerseene . To see the presence of a princely Queene , To marke the course , of graue discretion care : To note the sightes , that are but seldome seene , where youthes desartes , in beauties fauoure are : To heare the musicke of most siluer voices , And finde the restes , wherein the song reioices . To see what pleasure , power hath in her hande , To heare how youth , can courte his kinde desire , To see , how wisedome doth in power commaunde , And finde , how beauty sets the hart on fier : while humble seruauntes , shewe their diligence , Are not these notes , for sweete experience ? To see how vertues are in honor placed , To see the aged all with reuerence serued , To see the humble , by their seruice graced , And beauties fame by faithfull loue preserued : To see peace , plenty , wisedome , honour , loue : Are these not pleasures , for the hart to proue ? Now heere the pilgrime did beginne to feare , Some of his seruants , woulde be stolne awaie , Either the Sente , the rast , the Eie , the Eare , Or els the Feeling woulde be forst to staie : Yet , for they sware , their seruice to his will , He fearde the lesse , to leade them from their ill . And , when he sawe , what perill was in greatnes , while idle thoughtes , in youthfull humors sit , And , what a folly , was in to much featenes , where beauties wonders did but blinde the wit : And what long suites , did gaine but little grace , And last , what daungers doe possesse the place . With humble praier vnto the powers on high , To blesse that prince and all those princely peeres , which in the honour of discretions eie , were calde the wonders of these latter yeeres : From care , and cost , fancy , and wisedomes folly , He tooke his walke vnto a waie more holly . WHere ere they came , they came yet by the way , Vnto a Campe , on rather , kingly fielde : where , many a stop , did feare too long a stay , Such choice of honors , did such humors yeelde : where horse and foote , were so in order planted , As , no direction , in discretion wanted . The chiefe commaunder , in his stately tente , with noble mindes of Martiall men attended : For euery doubt of euery ill intent , with strongest gardes , of watche and warde defended : whose graue discretion rulde by sounde aduise , Performde the plot of many a rare deuise . To see the carefull Collonels directed , Ech to his quarter , and his regiment : And how ech Captaine , valiauntly effected , The wonder grace of warlike gouernement : To see the true discharge , of euery office , And then the honor of aduentures seruice . To note the greate prouision euery waie , For victuaile first , munition , armor , shot : For forrege for their horse for grasse , and hay , And such prouaunte , as cheapest may be got : For euery grounde , for euery quarterfit , Are not the workes , for euery simple wit . To heere the drummes and 〈◊〉 the larum strike , The horses neie , and then , the trumpets sounde , To see the horsemen charge vpon the pike , And then the pikemen laie the horse on grounde : To heare the Canons roar , the small shot rattle , And see their triumph , that doe winne the battaile . To marke the ordring of a court de garde , To note the rules in walking of the rounde , The scintinels , and euery watch , and warde , And of the mines , and working vnder grounde : To marke the planting of their Ambuscados , And in the night , their sodaine canuassados . To see a Citty sende her bullets out , Against the force , of all her cruell foes , To see her wals , all fortified about , To beare the force of all their cruell blowes : To make her foes , perforce their siege to raise , And through the world to winne a wonder praise . Are heere not sights of force to staie the eie ? Or soundes , of power , for to in chaunt the eare , Nay , maie not wel the hart be drawen awry , From all conceites , to keepe his compasse there : Sure , so it had , had not the spirit still , Preseru'de the sences from a secretill ▪ For , then againe , to see a citty sackte , Her buildings ruinde , and her people slaine : Her wals , al razed , and her castles crackt , And al her welth , but in a woful vaine : Her olde men mourning , and her young men dying , The mothers , weeping , and their children crying . To see her streetes , alrunne with streames of blood , Her houses , burning , all in flames offier : To see her state , that al in honor stoode , Yeelde to the forces , of their foes defire : Her roial strength , become a ruful storie , And death , & sorrow , ende of al her glorie . To see the fielde , with dead men ouer spread , To see the aire infected al with smoake : To see , the valiaunt Caualieros dead , And many a soldiour hurt with many a stroake , To see the steedes , lie tumbling on the earth , And through the campe a Sickenes or a dearth . To see the soldiour starue , with lake of foode , And , in his march , to die with lacke of drincke : To see the rich men liue on poore mens bloode , And one close humor , at an other wincke : To see each Captaine , euerie waie anoied , And , by disorder , all the campe destroied . Did make the pilgrime willing to depart , The place so ful of daunger and distresse : where wits might worke but woful was the Arte , where one mans health , bred many heauines : And therefore making there but little staie , He followes patience on another way . AND on they walke , vntil anone they came , Vnto a Church not built of lime or stone : But that true Church , of that Immortal fame , That is worldes wonder , and heauens loue alone : whose head , is Christ , whose Martirs are his pillers , And al whose members , are his wordes wel-willers . The gate , is Grace , Contrition , is the key , The locke , is loue , the porter , Penitence , where humble faith , must heauenly fauour stay , Till pitty talke , with vertues patience , while Angels sighes , the sinners waie deuise , To haue his entraunce into paradise . Which is in deede , the plot of al perfection , Drawne by the compasse of diuine conceite , whose line , is life , laide by his loues direction , who makes al flesh vpon the spirite waite , whose flowers are fruites , of faithes eternal fauour , Sweete to the soule , in euerliuing sauour , Here sorrowes teares , doe quenche the heate of sine , And fire of loue , doth kindle life againe : Heere doth the grounde of glory first beginne , And , heere is vertue , in her highest vaine : Heere , is , in some , the state of honours story , And of all goodnes , the eternall glory . And heere is , lo , that heauenly paradise , whereto the pilgrime , made his pilgrimage : where sa●…red hi●…rcy first did solempnize , The spirite to the fleshe in mariage : And here the hart did finde his spirit blest , To bring the sences to eternall rest . Gloria in excelsis Deo . IN this 〈◊〉 plot of reasons highest pleasure , The heaunly cour●… , of the high king of kings : where sacred spirits , haue their speciall treasure , And sweetest comfort , of contentment springs : God bring your sences , by your harts desire , To feele the comfort of his kingly fier .

THE COVNTESSE OF PENbrookes loue . FAIRE in a plot of earthly paradise , Vpon a hill , the Muses made a Maze : In midst whereof within a Phoenix eies , There sits a grace , that hath the world at gase : which Phoenix is but name vnto a nature , That shews , the world , hath scarcely such a creature . This true loues saint , by worthy beauty crowned , Did seeme to wish , but not expresse her will : when straunge desires , were in deuises drowned , To finde , out wonders , farthest from her wil : The worlde came in , with presents many a one , But , yet , alas , her loue could like of none . Cleare was the day , when Phaebus shonne ful bright , But , her hartes eie , did higher light aspire : Aprill , brought in , both earth , and Aires delight , But earth , nor Aire , could answere her desire : Fortune ? shee skornde , friendes ? who durst be a foe ? Seruants ? a worlde , would serue her will or no. Welth , was buttrash , and health was natures ioie , Honour , a Title , beauty , but a blast : Power , but a trouble , pleasure , but a toie , Youth , but a time , to quickely ouerpast : Learning , alas , it liueth in her schoole , wisedome , her will , knowes worldly wit a foole . Yet still she wisht , but saide not what shee woulde , when still the worlde , did worke , but still in vaine : Care with conceite , did all the best he coulde , Brought in his giftes , but bare them backe againe : when welth , helth , beauty , honor , power nor ease wit , youth , nor learning , could her humor please . Some brought in pearles , most orient to beholde , Shee knew them pearles , and so shee did regarde them : Some brought in gemmes , of diamondes set in golde , Shee knewe their worth , and so shee did rewarde them : Some brought in workes , of weomens rare deuises , Shee knew their paines , and so did giue the prices . Some brought in musicke of most siluer sounde , which all , woulde cease , if ●…hee but tucht astring : Some brought in first the fairest flowers they founde , Shee tooke them as the comforts of the spring : Some brought in this and some woulde bringe in that , But yet her wish was still shee knewe not what . The souldiers came , and brought in all their armes , Shee smilde to see , how beauty made a peace : The pesants came , and offred vp their farmes , But , shee saide loue did neuer make a lease : The merchants , came withall their mony treasure , Shee put it off , id did her minde no pleasure . The lawiers came , and laide downe all their bookes , Shee knew , that truth , was all in yea and no : The courtiers came with all their lofty lookes , But when shee lookt she made them curtzy low : The scholars came and brought in all their artes , Shee knew their practise , ere they learnd their partes . The sailers brought their Rubies from the roc●…es , But , of such toies , her treasure was to full : The shepards brought the fairest of their flockes , But shee coulde weare no cloth was made of woll : Thus euery one did bring in what they coulde , Yet still shee wisht , but knew not what shee woulde . The poets came , and brought in their inuentions , But well shee knew their fancies were but fained : The muses brouhht the truth of their intentions , which in their kindes were kindely entertained : But yet the best , with all her worthines , Toucht not the humor of her happines . But when the world , could not come neare her wish , And saw in vaine it was , her will to seeke ▪ The earth coulde yeelde no fruite , the sea no fishe , That coulde be founde , that might her fancy leeke : Some with a sigh , other , with pitteous mone , All went awaie , and left her all alone . They wil , sweete loue is but the summe of wel , Thy well , is well , wel , better , and the best : That , with thy loue , thy liuing soules may dwell , Safe , in the hope of their eternal rest : Thy rest the Ioie , the soule cannot conceiue , Thy soules , the Saintes , thy Mercy doth receiue . Thy comfort is the tuch stone of true kindenes , Thy kindenesse is , the very life of loue : Thy loue is light , all other light but blindenesse , Thy light is life , that death can neuer proue : Thy death , was life , thy life is Ioie for euer , Vnto the soules , that loue and leaue thee neuer . What was ? or is ? or , on the earth shall be , But that thou knowst , and knowst al what they are : And that they haue , their beeing but in thee , Made by thy hande , and gouerne by thy care : which thou dost prosper , comfort , or defende , And when thou wilt , shal wholy make an ende . Grast is the King , whom thou dost only crowne , And wise the wit , that only knowes thy wil , Happy the state , where thou dost blesse the towne , And blest , the hart , that thou dost keepe from ill , But yet the soule , doth in her faith approue , The life , the life , is onely in thy loue . Shall I describe thy sweete and glorious seate ? But , as thou art vnto thy seruants seene , Or shall my spirite humbly el●…e entreate ? Some Angels help , that in the heauens hath beene ? That to the world , such glory may vnfolde , Or , saie it is , too glorious to beholde . Thy throne is Iudgement , Iustice is thy sworde , Mercy and truth are still before thy face : Loue , is thy law , and wisedome is thy worde : Vertue thy loue , and Bounty is thy grace : Pitty thy state , where patience is the story , Grace is thy gift , and Mercy is thy glory . Thus in the seate of sacred excellence , With Virgins , Saints , and Angels all attended , Dost thou possesse that princely residence : Till Iudgement passe and Ioies be neuer ended : When all the host of heauen and heauens do th sing , An Alleluia , to their heauenly king . Where trembling Ioyes distill the teares of loue . And louing feare doeth bring forth blushing faces , And blushing faces , in their faith approue , Vnworthy creatures , to behold their graces . which graces doe this glorious musicke moue , The life of life , is in thy heauenly loue . Now for thy loue ; it cannot turne to hate , Thou hatest the life , that once doth alter loue It is the staie of an eternall state , A mansion house , that neuer can remoue : which , on the rocke , of true Religion standes , And neuer feares the seas of errors sandes . Now , thy Religion is the rule of life , whose chiefest blessing is the ioie of peace : where loue , cuts of the cause of euery strife , And sweete accord , doth bring out loues encrease : And loues encrease is such a ioie to see , As bringes the soule , vnto his life in thee . Alas , alas , all treasure is but trashe , where loue is banisht by the state of strife : The sweetest wine , is but as swinish wash , Vnto the water , of the well of life : No , no , the pleasures , that , the world can proue , Are all but sorrowes , to thy heaunly loue . But , let me see what fruite , thy fauour yeeldes , Or in thy loue , what happy life is founde . when sea , and lande , hils , dales , and fairest fieldes , Doe all , but in , thy blessed giftes abounde : Besides the peace , wherewith the hart is blest , To bring the soule to thy eternall rest . Thou dost not ioie to see a sinners death , But , true repentaunce pleaseth thee farre better : Yea , thou wilt helpe at latest gaspe of breath , To make the soule confesse it selfe thy debter : And where the soule , such comforts doth approue , Can there be thought a comfort like thy loue ? No , no , this worlde is full of wanton toies , which oft keepes backe , the comfort of thy care : And many waies , doth worke the harts anoies , when fortunes hope doth proue but heauy fare : Oh heauens , who knew but halfe thy blessednes , woulde hate the world with all his wretchednes . Where shew of faith doth shape but falshods cloke , when fancies teares , proue drops offonde desire : where free conceites , will yeeld to kindenes yoke , when sorrow paies , repentance for their hire : while in thy loue maie liuing faith vnfolde , Hart , may her hope , hope may her heauen behold . What shadowes here , doe ouershroude the eie ? while Masking thoughts doe March before the winde : where loues conceite , doth but illusion trie , when careles wit becometh the wilfull blinde , And Nature findes her selfe still misconceiued , where forme , for matter hath the soule deceiued . Not that my wits can touch the smallest worth , Of that high wonder worthines of thine , For , from a sinner , what can issue forth ? And who more sinner then this soule of mine ? which doth with teares of true repentance moue , thy gratious helpe to glorifie thy loue . For , as vnto the sea , a water droppe , And to the sandes a little pibble stone , And as a corne , vnto a haruest croppe , And vnto infinite , the number one : So are my Muses in their Musicke short , thy Kingly prayse of prayses to report . But , as a scholer , that doth goe to schoole , To make a letter , ere he learne to write , And as the wit , that knowes it selfe a foole , Till higher wisedome teach it to endite : So let my soule in her submission proue , Hate of the world , and honour of thy loue . For , what is heere that can content the hart ? That knowes content , or what it doth containe : what thought ●…o sweete , but brings as sowre a smart , Or pleasure such ? but breedes a further paine : what thing so good ? but proues in fine so euil , As , but for God , woulde beare men to the deuill . What is the Earth ? the labour of our life , what is the sea ? a gulfe of griezy lakes : what is the Aire ? a stuffe of filthy strife , what is the fire ? the spoile of what it takes : when these are al , whence euery thing doth springe , what is the worlde ? but euen a woful thing . What thing is man ? a cloddde of miry claie , Slime of the Earth , a slaue to filthie sinne : Springes like a weede , and so doth weare awaie , Goes to the earth , where first he did beginne : Oh heauens thinke I , when man is wholy such , what is in man ? that man shoulde loue so much . What hath the worlde , to leade the minde to loue ? In true effect , a fardel ful of toies : where , wey the pith , what euery one doth proue , The perfectst gems , are most vnperfect Ioies : Consider al , what fansie bringeth forth , The best conceite will fal out nothing worth . What worldely thinges doe follow fansie most ? welth Beutie , loue , fine diet , honor , fame : what findes affect ? both loue , and labour lost , Disdaine , disease , dishonor , death , and shame , where care , and sorrow , death , and deadly strife , Doe rule the rost , in this accursed life . What thing is Beauty ? colour quickely gon , And what is wealth ? when riches fal to rust : what thing is loue ? a toy to thinke vpon , Fine diet ? drosse , to feede a filthy lust . what worldly honour ? oft vnworthy praise , what ease ? the cause , whereby the life decaies . What is disdaine ? the skorne of proud conceit , And what disease ? the death of discontent , Dishonour next ? the fruit of foule deceite , And what is death ? but ende of ill intent , Now what is shame ? a shamefull thing to tell , And thus the world , but euen the way to hell . For beasts & birds , for fishes , flowers & trees , And al such things created for our vse : what thing is man ? to take such things as theese , By want of grace , to turne vnto abuse : Oh wretched world , when man that should be best . In beastly things proues worse then al the rest . But when I see this wretched state of man , And al the world at such a woful passe : That since the course of humane care began , More ful of wo , good nature neuer was . when this my soule , doth with her sorrow see , Lord saies my Loue , that I might liue with thee . And leauing so the world with all his woes , And looking vp to heauen & heauenly ioies , And to the grace where vertues glory goes , Noting the life , that neuer loue anoies : when in my soule , Idoe this sweetnes proue , Lord saies my soule , howe sweete art thou my loue . I see the sunne , the beauty of the skie , The moone and stars , the candles of the night , They haue their essence in thy heauenly eie , That blindes the proude , and giues the humble light , I see the raine-bow , bended by thy hand , That doth both heauen , earth , sea & heauen command . Thou gauest the sunne , the moone & stars a course , which they obserue according to thy will : Thou makest the tides to take their due recourse , And setst the earth , where it doth settle stil. Thou framdst the substance of each Element , And settst thy foote vpon the firmament . Thus doest thou sitte in glory of thy throne , with al the hoast , of highest heaues attended : who , in thine ire , hast kingdoms ouerthrowen And in thy loue hast little things defended : whose glory more , then may by man be knowen , And glory most , is in thy mercy showen . Thus dost thou sit , in honor of thy power , Calling the poore vnto thy rich reliefe , Sowing the sweete , that killeth euery sower , Giuing the salue , that healeth euery griefe : Making them liue , that long were dead before , And liuing so , that they can die no more . Thou madst the worlde and what it doth containe , Onely but man , thou madst vnto thy loue : And mans good will was thy desired gaine , Till proude attempt did high displeasure moue : Thou plagst his pride , yet when thou sawst his paine , Thou ga●…st the s●…lue , that heald the wound againe . Vngratefull man , whom thou didst onely make , In loue , to loue , and with thy loue preseruest , And for his loue , enduredst for his sake , Such death of life , as dearest loue deseruest : what cursed hart woulde to displeasure moue thee , That giuing all , askes nothing but to loue thee . Oh loue , sweete loue , oh high and heauenly loue , The onely lin●… , that leades to happy life , Oh loue , that liu●…st , for louing hartes behoue , And makst an ende of euery hatefull strife : Happy , are they , that kindely can attaine thee , And how accurst , that dare but to disdaine thee . Thy loue was cause , that first we were created , Loue is the life , that thou wilt haue vs leade : Loue is the cause , we neuer can be hated , Loue is our life , when other life is dead : Loue is thy grace , that highest good doth giue , Loue me then lorde , and I shall euer liue . And with that worde proceeding from her hart , The trickeling teares distilled downe her eies : As if her sence possest in euery part , A secret ioie that did the soule surprise : when lifting vp her handes , oh loue quod shee , My soule is sicke , she cannot be with thee . And from the mercy of thy maiesty , Beholde the sorrowes , of my wounded soule : Let pitties care of loues calamitie , My ruthfull teares , thy register enrowle : And thinke vpon the passions that I approue , For , truely , lorde , my soule is sicke of loue . And sicke it is , and so well maie it bee , A sweeter sickenes , then a worldly health : A healthfull sickenes , to be sicke for thee , where Natures want doth , proue the spirits wealth : while hart hath set her highest happines , But to beholde thee in thy holines . But , I am sicke , and sicke , in euery vaine , Sicke to the death , but not to die to thee : For why thy loue assures me life againe , And there to liue , where death can neuer be : Oh sweetest sicknes , where the soule may see , The way through death , to come to liue with thee . To liue with thee , oh euer liuing loue , Oh let me die , that I may liue no more , Till in thy loue , I may the life approue , That may confesse I neuer liu'de before : Life is but death , where , thy loue shineth neuer , Onely thy loue , is happy life for euer . My sinnes my sinnes with sorrow and with shame , Of faultes and follies couerd haue my face , Death is my due , I haue deseru'd the same , Wo to the hart , in such vnhappy case : But if repentance mercy may obtaine , Looke on me loue , and I am well againe . Vnhappy hart , that euer thee offended , Vnworthy eies , thy blessing to beholde : Vncarefull eare , that euer tale attended , But to the truth , that hath thy mercy tolde : vnfaithful soule , that euer thought did moue , From euerliuing , with thine onely loue . But , now the hartis dead to worldes delight , And eies in teares , pronounce repentance truth , The eare is deafe vntill the hart be right , To see the life , that of thy loue ensueth : The faithfull soule of pleasure is depriued , Dead , till her life , be , by thy loue reuiued . Nor , let me te●…pt that 〈◊〉 loue of thine , To hasten time , beyonde thy holy will , But only looke , vpon this soule of mine , That in thy loue may be her liuing still : Till shee may heare this ioiful ●…ounde of thee , Come away loue , and euer liue with me . But , yet my loue , me 〈◊〉 I see thee looke , As though my soule had thee displeased sore : But , hath my loue ▪ so high displeasure tooke ? That he will looke vpon my loue no more : Oh , yes , my loue will not be angry euer , And where he loues , he will be angry neuer . Then , though thou chide , yet be not angry loue , But in thy kindenes giues thy sweete correction , That humble hart maie in repentance proue , The dearest passage of thy loues direction : whose blessed ende may in this only be , To liue to die , to die to liue to thee . Me thinkes , I see , that glorious seate of thine , whereto thy Saints , and Angels al assemble , And in the presence of thy power diuine , with Ioifull feare , how euen the highest tremble : And when those spirits , doe such passions proue , Shall I presume , to think vpon thy loue ? Oh sweetest loue , that carries such a force , As keepes the hart of humble hope in awe : And sweete againe , that caries such remorse , As hath cut off , the curses of the lawe : And sweetest yit , that in the soule doth proue , There is no sweete , indeede but in thy loue . Which feeds the hungry with a heauenvly bread , And cooles the thirsty from the liuing Rocke , which heales the sicke , giues life vnto the dead , And wakes the careful , with the morning Cocke : which breedes the peace , that stinteth euery strife , And giues the fountaine of the well of life . It is the key that opes the doore of grace , Vnto the care that thou hast constant proued And shewes the fauour of thy shining face , Vnto the blessed of thy deare beloued : It is in summe , the infinite sweete pleasure , Of tried faith , and true Repentance treasure . Oh ioy ofioies , what hart can comprehend thee ? Oh sweet of sweets , what sence that can conceiue thee Blest be the harts , that truly doe attend thee , And ten times blest , that in their soules receiue thee : And fairely blest , whom thou hast faithful proued , But chiefly blest , whom thou hast chiefly loued . Me thinkes I see , how sweetly thou dost ride , Aboue the heauens , vpon the Cherubs high , with all thine Angels set on euery side , with all the sound , of sweetest harmony : wheral & some , their sweetest notes do frame To sing the praises , of thy holy name . Me thinkes I see thy holy Martyrs crowned , On humble knees cast down their crowns before thee , And cry alowd , be thou alone renowned , Let heauen and earth , and all the world adore thee . when , my poore soule , with sinne oppressed sore , Can say Amen yet , though it say no more . Oh that my soule could see that sacred light , That might but leade me to thy holy will , And learne the rule , that keepes the soule aright , In perfect faith , thy precepts to fulfill : And might so neere , vnto thy hand abide , As from thy loue , might neuer steppe aside . But , what am I●… a worme , and wretched thing , Vnworthy creature , made of earth and claie : Once to presume to speake vnto my King , On whom the state , of highest heauens doth staie : Let not presumption thy displeasure moue . But in thy pitty looke vpon my loue . For I am sicke , oh sauiour sende me health , My hart is hurt , come heale my deadly wounde : And I , am poore relieue me , with thy wealth , Yea , I am dead , oh raise me from the grounde : My health , my wealth , my only resurrection , let my soule liue , but in thy loues perfection . Beholde the tear●…s , of my repentaunt truth , And wey my sorrowes , by my sighing sobbes : And in the rule , but of thy heauenly ruth , Feele my poore hart , in horror how it throbbes : And when thou seest my soule thus wo begun her , In thy sweete mercy , sweete loue looke vpon her . And from the dew of thy deare blessed loue , Let fall one droppe , vpon my dried hart : wherein my soule , such comfort maie approue , As maie asswage the rigour of my smart : And being so by thy sweete hand relieued , Maie so reioice , as neuer more be grieued . Lorde , who dare looke , against thy liuing power ? Or what doth liue ? but onely in thy loue : The sweete of sweets , where there was neuer sower , But ioies of ioies , that can no sorrow proue : Oh , purest proofe , of loue and lifes perfection , Blest be the soule , that liues by thy direction . But my hart pantes , my soule doth quake for feare , And sorrowes paine , possesseth euery part : My heape of sinnes , to heuy for to beare , Presse downe desire , with terror of desart : And , in great dread , of deepe dispaire doth crie , Grace giue me life , for in my sinnes I die . For still the flesh is subiect to offende , while yet the spirit , groneth for thy grace : But , thou hast power the weakest to defende , That vnto thee , reueale , their heauy case : Then from that hande , and mighty arme of thine , Strengthen , this weake , & wounded soule of mine . Thou that hast saide prowde Esaw was thy hate , And humble Iacob , was thy chosen loue : That dost the power of worldly pride abate , And workst the heauen of humble hartes behoue : Make Esawes life with lacobs loue agree , Or kill the flesh , the soule maie liue with thee . And from despaire , that poisned sting of death , Deliuer lorde , the sorrowes of desire : And at the latest houre , and gaspe of breath , Let humble hart , the hope of heauen aspire : where faithfull soules maie in thy fauour see , That onely loue , doth onely liue in thee . What booteth me the world for to possesse , And want the iewell of my heauenly ioie : what earths delight ? but is to me distresse , when natures health , doth proue the soules anoye : No , my sweete loue , let this poore soule of mine , Neuer haue life , but in that loue of thine . One precious droppe , of thy pure oile of grace , Power downe , sweete loue into my wounded hart : And to my faith , so turne thy louing face , That from thy fauour I maie neuer part : Looke on thy Mary with her bitter teares , That washt thy feete and wiptethe with her heares . The greater depts forgiuen the greater loue , Thy worde hath saide , and it saies euer true , when patience life , in pitties loue doth proue , In greatest mercy , greatest glory grue : where one mans ▪ sinne , procured all mens paine , And one mans grace , gaue all men life againe . Oh high creator of all creatures liuing , who nothing wantst that all thinges dost possesse : what hath the world that may be worth the giuing , Vnto the honor of thy holines : But , onely thankes , that thy true spirit moueth , In that true hart , that , thy true mercy loueth . But , still I see my loue is sore displeasde , And tels me of my great vngratefulnes , when so my soule , with sorrow is diseasde , As in my hart , findes nought , but hatefulnes : And with the teares of true repentance crieth , Lorde saue the life , that in thy mercy lieth . For , thou art loue , the euerliuing God , And onely God , and onely of the liuing , who , though thou smitst thy children with thy rod , Sweete is the care of thy corrections giuing : In which thy sweete , and kindest care correct me , But in thy mercy , neuer doe reiect me . Let neuer death against thy life preuaile , Nor euer hate , once looke against thy loue , Nor faithfull , hope thy heaunly fauour faile , But harts contrition happy comfort proue : And let the soule , euen at the dore of death , Liue by the ai●…r but of thy heauenly breath . Mine e●…es are dimme , my flesh , bare skin , and bone , My sinewes shroncke , and all my limmes are num , Mine eares are deafe , but to the sound of mone , My speech , is but , to sorrow stroken dum : My bloode dried vp , my hart with sorrow soken , Oh helpe the soule , before the heart be broken . Behold the sorrowes , that my soule doeth make , And see what torments teare my heart a sunder , where euery teare , doth other ouertake , where fearefull care , puts faithfull comforts vnder : Oh my sweete life though I be deadly wounded , Let not my faith be vtterly confounded . And Since oh king , that thou art onely able , To helpe the helples , onely but in thee , And by one crumme , from thy true mercies table , The wofull soule , may well relieued be : Of that sweete foode , oh let my faith so tast , That by thy loue , my life may euer last . What life is this , that wretches here we leade ? Caring and carking for our fleshly liues , Neuer wel fild , when we are too much fedde , where strange conceits for true contentment striues Tearing our harts , and tiring out our mindes , For that , in fine , which but repentance findes . Where kindnes proues a kinde of leude conceite , Leading the heart to lothsomnes of loue , while wisest wits on wanton humours waite , And wilfull fancies , doe but follies proue : where power & pride , so plage the world with woes , That peace and vertue , all to ruine goes . Where gold is helde a God , siluer , a Saint , And durt and drosse , are dearest in regarde : where frendship failes , and faith beginnes to faint , And curses rule , while blessed thoughts are barde : And all and some , doe in conclusion proue , wo to the world , that liues not by thy loue . Where valure proues but foolish hardines , And greatest wit , is wicked wilines , And honour gotten by vnworthines , Fils all the world with all vnhappines , while vertue sighes , at sinners wickednes , And Angels mourne , for our vngodlines . Where parents grieue at childerns stubbornes , And children smile , at parents childishnes , where masters sigh , at seruants idlenes , And seruants laugh at masters wantonnes , while faithfull soules in sorrowes wretchednes . Looke , but in heauen , to haue their blessednes . Where subtle heads , are simple harts illusion , while Tyraunt thoughts vniustly make intrusion , And outward shewes , are inward thoughts allusion , while strange delightes , are strong desires delusion : And heedles care , doeth make vp this conclusion , That lacke of grace , is all the worlds confusion . Where brightest truth , by treason often blamed is , While faithles hart , with falshood all enflamed is , And carefull age with sorrow all ashamed is , That careles youth so long at large vntamed is , That , where good nature , all ( alas ) misnamed is , The faith of honour , vtterlie defamedis . Where sore de●…aies the care of true Gentility , And strong disquiet standeth for tranquility , And vertue is of too much imbecility , where faith is found but ful of al fragility , when honors loue , that liues by hopes humility , Must walke among the beggars for ability . Oh wicked fruit , of woful hearts affection , when once the soule , is toucht with sins infection , And wil not learne , by care of thy correction , To leade a life but by thy loues direction , where in the fire , of thy bright sunnes reflexion , They maie behold the height of their perfection . But , what is Earth ? and what but earth are we ? A goodly brag begunne , and endes in dust , where old & young , & all the world may see , From whence we came , and whetherto we must : Short time we liue , no sooner dead , then rotten , And scarce welburied , but wee are forgotten . Oh Lord thou knowest , this world is all but wo , where sinne doth seeke to get the vpper hand , The flesh would faine , the spirit ouerthrow , But that , her stay doth in thy mercy stand : But , since the soule may conquer sinne by thee , Lord , let thy mercy onely sight for me . Let me but looke , vpon thy holie loue , And sucke my honie from that heauenlie hiue : wherein my soule , such sweetnes maie approue , That with that foode shee maie for euer liue : And feeding , so vpon thy sacred will , when shee is fedde , yet maie shee hunger still . Oh , bring me home , that long haue beene abroade , And leade me streight , that long haue gone astraie : And raise me vp , that haue beene ouertroade , And on thy mercie , let me onlie staie : That my poore soule , maie in thy comfort proue , Lo , what it is , to liue but in thy loue . Some wish for golde , and some for golden graces , Some wish for wit , and some for worldely pleasure , Some wish for power , and some for stately places , And some , alone , doe wish for worldely treasure : But , let my will , those wishes all displace , And wish , alone , thy fauour , and thy grace . Some in their chariots , some in horses trust , But , be thou still a strong defence to me : Some heere desire , but to possesse their lust , Let my soules loue , be , but to liue to thee : Some wish , but here , to purchase worldly fame , Let me but ioie , to glorify thy name . And not ▪ alone , in sweetest wordes to moue , The worldly eares to wonder at the same : But in my workes thy praises I maie proue , I doe but seeke the honour of thy name : That all true soules maie iustly saie with me , All that is good , directly comes of thee . Let me but tuch the garment of thy grace , I shall be healed of my sickest sore : Let me but looke vpon thy louing face , Such health will come , I shall be sicke no more : Yea , if thy ▪ mercy mi●…igate my paine , If I were dead , I shoulde reuiue againe . Forget , oh lorde the follies of my youth , And giue me not the death of my desart ▪ But of the treasures of thy heauenly Truth , Bestow an almes on my needy hart : That in the secrets , of thy sacred loue , My carefull soule , her comfort may approue . Let not mine eare one listen to the sounde , Of vaine conceits , that but deceiue the minde , Nor , let the worlde so giue my hart a wounde , That , in my soule , mine eie be stroken blinde : But , let my spirit onely make her choise , But , in thy loue , and mercy to reioice . Oh , that my waies , were all , and whole directed , Vnto the seruice of thy sacred will , And , that my faith , had in my soule effected , The happy comfort , of that heauenly skill : That , in true loue , might euer so attende thee , As , in default , might , neuer more offende thee . That I might leaue this lothsome world of ours , And chuse the honor of thy childrens awe , And in thy heauen , and with thy heauenly powers , Learne , but obedience , to thy blessed lawe : And with thy saints and holy Martyrs sing , All lawde , and glory to my heauenly king . Then , should my hart finde out my heaunly rest , And sorrow then should tuch my soule no more , But hart and soule , both in thy mercie blest , Should daie and night , thy holy name dore : And make the worlde , by some effectes to see , It is thy loue hath wrought this life in me . And with that worde , she sweetly fetch , a sigh , And then a sobbe , and then a bitter teare , As who should saie , that either death was nigh , Or els her hart , was stroken with a feare . Or els the spirit might be ouercome , That for the time , her tongue was stroken dumme . But , let it be , all blessed is the traunce , when , so the soule is ouercome with loue , That vertues choice , doth finde it is no chaunce , when humble faith doth heaunly fauour proue : And when the sences from their sleepe arise , The spirit findes the life , that neuer dies . So , when it seemde shee waked from her sleepe , Or sodaine traunce , for so I tearme it right , when such high care did so her sences keepe , That shee awakt , with glory of the light : Oh sacred loue , and sweetest life , quod shee , what happy figure hath appearde to me ? Did I beholde , that fairest shining light ? That made me shake , for feare to see thy face , And weepe for ioie , that in thy blessed sight , My sinfull soule , might come , and sue for grace : And did I see , thy loue so sweetely vse mee ? That , in thy mercy thou wouldst not refuse me . And did thy mercy so thy loue entreate ? That iustice gaue her sworde to mercies hande , And did thy mercy sit in iustice seate ? And did the iudgement in thy mercie stande ? Oh blessed loue , where mercie doth approue , The fruite of loue , is mercie , mercies loue . I must confesse my conscience did cond●…mne me , Of such offence , as I coulde not denie : And of such crime , as thou migh●…st well contemne me , when by my due , I had deseru'd to die : But when thy mercy did my sorrowe see , How in thy pitty shee did pleade for me . Beholde , quod shee , the true repentant hart , which bleedes in teares with sorrowe of her sinne : what passions haue perplexed euery part , where penitence doth pitties suite beginne : where true confession , doth submission proue , And true contrition , cries to me for loue . Beholde the faith that hath her fairest holde , Vpon the gift of thy especiall grace , Thy word of truth , that to the world hath told The faithfull soule , in heauen shall haue a place : And true repentance , shall by me obtaine , The freed ioyes from euerlasting paine . When that vile serpent , euery soules accuser , That sought to bring my comforts to decay , That ougly deuil al the worldes abuser , In furies rage , me thought did fly awaie : And to the life , but of thy mercy leaue me , who to thy seruice , sweetely did receiue me . When all thy Saintes , and martyrs came vnto me , And in their armes thine Angels did embrace me , And all were glad what comfort they could doe me , And in a seate , of paradise so place me : That al with ioie surprisde , these ioies to see , I wake and praie , the vision true may bee . For , this is it , sweete Lorde , that I would haue , The world is short , in sounding my desire , It is thy mercy that I onelie craue , Thy vertues loue , that set my hart on fire , And in thy loue , that onely liuing blisse , That world may wish , but know not what it is . FINIS .

Errata .

Pag. 8 lin. ●… . on for one . p. 11. l. 2. end for sed . l. 10. endings for sendings . p. 28. l. 19. in gold her grace , for her gold in grace . lin. 20. for worthines , read worthles . l. 21. lines , for li●…es . p. 40. lin. 18. can offend me , for offend me .