A poore knight his pallace of priuate pleasures Gallantly garnished, with goodly galleries of strang inuentio[n]s and prudently polished, with sundry pleasant posies, [et] other fine fancies of dainty deuices, and rare delightes. Written by a student in Ca[m]bridge. And published by I.C. Gent.

A poore Knight his Pallace of priuate pleasures . Gallantly garnished , with goodly Galleries of strang inuentions and prudently polished , with sundry pleasant Posies , & other fine fancies of dainty deuices , and rare delightes .

Written by a student in Cambridge . And published by I. C. Gent.

Imprinted at London , by Richarde Jones , and are to bee solde at his shoppe ouer agaynst Sainct Sepulchers Churche . 1579.

I. C. To the Reader of the poore Knight his Posies .

GEntle Reader , the feare of Ignomynie & shamefull reproch , hath caused the Author of these Posies to withholde his name from the same , whom for this time I haue thought not much amisse , to collour & set forth in the name of the poore Knight , & I do duly protest vnto thee , that without my great intreaty , these fewe Posies had not as yet come vnto thy hand ▪ Wherfore , if that any thing in the same be acceptable , and worthy of commendacion , attribute the same vnto the poore Knight , which shal be both ioyfull vnto mee , and no small incouragement to him . But if on the contrary , any thinge demerit blame , I submit my selfe to beare the reproch , ( which was the publisher of the same , ) desiring to quite him , and set him free , which is the Author : least by his discouragement we should lose that , which hereafter wee looke for . But by the way ( gentle Reader ) I doo admonish thee , that in the first three Posies , thou take Iudgement to thy reading , least with the Spyder thou finde poyson , where the painfull Bee may gather Honny : For although the name seeme somewhat vayne , ( yet the outwarde apperance doth not iudge the matter , according to the Prouerbe : Cuculus non facit monachum : The matter is delectable , and requireth to bee red with Iudgement . Thus I ende , desiring thee to accept ( my freend ) the poore Knight his Posies in good worth .

From my Chamber in Grayes Inne . I. C.

The letter of the Author to J. C. concerning these Posies . IN Sommer tide , and gallant prime , when troes doo bud and blow , And when as Ver with ha we●e hue , in euery feelde doth show . When as eche groue bedect with clothes , ●●st meete for his degree , Did make a shade to all the Nimphes , in sile●●t woods that bee . When as Don Phoebus schorchinge beames , with scalding heate did burne , And when as hoary Winters head , his hue did change and turne . When Neptune graunted fauour free , to A●●ion his loue , As well roughe Boreas boysterous blastes ▪ as Tritons hart to moue , Beeing voide of all solace and mirth , I layd mee downe to sleepe , In weary woods betaking mee , vnto the Fawnes to ke●pe . Where neither Philomelas noa●e , nor fragrant smell did want , To set mee in that pleasant pathe , or finish my intente : And as I walkte that pleasant way , the tedious time t' expell , Beholde I saw I know not where , a thing tha● liked mee well . And they to whom I did commit , my body to defend , Did shew mee this at whose request , this vision I haue pende . And vnto you gentle I. C. beeing pend , I send the same , To reade , to race , to blot , to burne , the faul●s that merit blame , For why ? sith first you did commaund him , whose deny was gone , Yea him I say whom to this taske ▪ you should command alone . Accept this Posie which I send , vnperfite though it bee , And call to minde those gentle word●s , which once you spake to mee . And spurd mee forth which erst was bent , no such attempt to gin , But answered thus : t is good to sleepe beeing wrapt in a whole skin . But then hard by the Temple Bar , you sayd you did expect , The somme of that which now in somme , is brought into effect . And for your owne sweet selfe I writ , the sequell that I send , And wish you well to shew the same , to foe 〈◊〉 yet to freend . And least perchance ere you beware , some chance to spie the same , I thought it good by good aduise , for to detai●e my name . Thus fare you well my freend I. C. commend mee to your brother , For whom before three Monthes be ronne I will prepare an other . From his Study , yours as his owne .

The vale of Venus , with all the wayes and footpathes vnto her Forte , beeing scituate in the same . The Argument . The Autor penneth , wherof he hath no proofe , But as in dreame , so doth his knowledge come : Hee warnes all those whose case it doth behooue , To flie these panges , or els to taste of some , Which hee displayeth , as proper vnto Loue : The wofull state , of those which run that race , By others fate , which hertofore did prooue , Whom hee by heapes , hath brought into this place : But if that loue do bring no pinching payne , The Autor sayth , hee will recant agayne . WHen as my dazled eyes , by Sopor were opprest , God Morpheus with his fethered limmes would let mée take no rest , But with his wonted guise , did féede my minde with dreames , And shewed to mée , faire Helicon , with all the siluer streames . The mansion of the dames : with euery Laurell trée , With Herbers , Brookes , and pleasant flowres , that on Parnassus bée , From firy Phoebus throne , to Pluto his pudled Denne , Yea all that lay in Neptunes gulfes , and in Leerna Fenne . Nothing was then concealed , each God in his degree , From Iupiter and Iuno● right , vnto the Furies thrée : My Angell then was bent , to visite euery place , For why , hée sayd that it was long , since hée did run that race : And though that weary way , were tedious steppes to mée , Yet thought I not my labour lost , such strange delights to sée . Within a valley low , there stoode a Castle hye , Which by the might of Phoebus beames , did glister in mine eye . No man could passe therto , to foe nor yet to fréend , But that hee should assure himselfe , some hill for to assend : For why ? before the walles , ( which were exceeding good ) By Natures free munition , foure hugy hilles there stood , Which seemed a great defence to feare the foming foe , Menacinge feare to faynting hartes , and to the dastard woe . And yet about the hilles great beaten pathes there were , Which did the store of passengers vnto that place declare . Wherwith I was amazde , this strange deuise to sée , Yet durst I not demaund my God , what building it should bee . But when hee did perceiue , how trembling I did stand , Feare not ( quoth hée ) ( and therwithall hee tooke mee by the hande ) For lo that shining place beeing situate in the vale The Castle and the fortresse strong , of Venus men doo call . The Valley where it stands , hath Smyrdo vnto name , By whole consent of heauenly Gods , allotted to this dame . The Father of the Gods , with Iuory staffe in hand , Hath giuen vnto his Daughter déere , this swéete and fertill lande . And euery forrain coast , doo yéeld her homage due , Some sacrifice vnto her shrine , her wrath fo● to eschue , Beholde the hilles ( quoth hée ) which compasse in thesame , And beare in minde if that thou canst in order euery name . The first vnto the North , is called Change of Ioy , For hee that entreth on the same , is entred to annoy . The second Ficklenesse , the second chance in loue , Now hot , now cold , now quicke , now dead : as many men doo prooue . The thirde is Apetite , as red as raging fire , Such is the chance of louers poore , to vanquish their desire . The fourth is Crabbed Care , imployd with ●●réekes of red , Vpon this Mount alas I rue , lay many Cap●iues ded . My guyde there stayd , but I des●rous of the same , Did aske of him why euery Hill , inioyd that proper name . Within eche Hill ( quoth hée ) a furious Fée●d doth rest , And in the hill hath digged a Denne , to bee his nightly nest . The Mountes enioy the name , and doth that title win , As doth that hellish hound inioy , which hath his Den therin . None entreth to the Forte , which will displayne to fight , With him which stands , with club in hand ▪ and challeng it by right . And none shall passe the Mount , but hée shall him withstand , And hee shall quite him passing well , that shall not feele his hand . Yea Hercules him selfe , which erst had bin at Hell , And bound the barking Cerberus , which in the Lake did dwell : Could not resist these strokes , nor warde these battering blowes , But yeelded him to Crabbed Care , as well his toombe forshowes , And dying on the Mount , with fire it is suspected , Hee hath his Tombe and Monument within that hill erected . For none can come to Loue , or to her Castle rare , But that hee must ascend them all in order as they are . Good syr ( quoth I agayne ) I pray declare to mee , What is the cause that in this place so many pathes there bee ? For if the case were such , as you haue erst declared , The passage should bee perilous and much for to be feared . Morpheus replyde agayne , I finde none other cause , Why such resort of mortall men , vnto her tent shee drawes , But that shee dooth delight the minde of man and beast , And tickleth forth the willing minde , vnto Dame Venus neast . For first in Saturns dayes , when men did simply liue , Shee shewed forth that was vnknowen , and preceptes shée did giue . In Venus trade and did instruct them in such sorte , That euer since to Venus Vale , they cease not to resorte : Yea since those flourishing dayes , shee fed their fansies so , And opened vnto them the doore , which erst they did not know . That now in euery Region , a costly shryne she hath , From whence vnto her Mansion , there lyeth a beaten path : A path I say she hath , which comes from euery place , For to conduct those passengers , which ronne in Cupids race . Lo see the path of Troy , where Troylus lyeth dead , And see where good Diophoebus by Greekes is murdered . Corebus with the loue , vnto Cassandra borne , Among the rest do couched lye , on carking care forlorne . There Paris hath a Tombe , far distant from the rest , A gorgious Tombe no doubt it was , excelling all the best . Vpon ech ende therof a furious Feend doth lye , The one doth sound a dolefull Trumpe vnto the cloudy skye : Wherwith ech place resounds , as well the vale as hill , The other shouteth oft and shrickes , with trembling voyce and shryl . And with his rauening mouth doth neuer cease to teare , The ●●nes of Paris which longe since , vpon the Mountaine were . Oh syr ( quoth I to Morpheus ) what meane those dolefull mones , And what meanes hee , that often shrykes and féedes vpon the boues ? The one ( quoth hee ) who sounds , his Trumpe vnto the sky , It is Defame which will not let , yonge Paris fact to die . The other Enuie hight : whose cankred minde doth fret , And with Defame agaynst the Knight , his hand and tooth hath set . But muse not then ( quoth hee ) though Paris lyeth here , For through Defame and Enuies force , his facte is euery where . The Troyans lye by heapes , next vnto them is Greece , Where lyeth the Dame which did betray her fathers golden Fléete . And Laodomia in like care doth rest her heauy head , Because her loue and only ioy , Proteselaus is dead . Here Cephalus entred is , and wayleth still with care , For that hee killed his Procris deare , before hee was aware : Hee wisht full ofte as Acteon did hartely wish thesame , That hee had neuer knowne his Bowe , nor vs●d the hunters game . One thing in Grecian Path , did make mee for to muse , And for my ignorance of thesame Morpheus di● mee excuse . Two gorgious Tombes there were , the one agaynst the other , ( It seemed at first vnto my eyes , as Castor and his brother ) Aboue these tombes there stood a woman faire and bright , And not far of with franticke sworde , there st●d a raging knight . And all did seeme to wayle , and mourne most ●iteously , Except the armed knight which smilde , when as the rest did cry . My Morpheus saide , the Quéene , faire Chtemnestra hight , Which with Aegistus kild her spouse , which came from Troian fight . Orestes then in rage , for Agamemnons death , Did shed Aegistus vitall blood and stopt his mothers bre●th . Orestes then returnde vnto his sence againe , Did rule in Agamemnons steed , and in his rou●ne did raine : So hee began to smile , when all the rest were slayne , And they beeing payd for duty due , in Crabbe● Care remaine . Within this Grecian path , while that wee t●●ied still , Beholde foure birdes which orderly , did fly about the hill . The Nightingale complainde , the Lapwing fled for feare , The Swallow shée no doubt was swifte , the Phesant lyude in care , In care all foure they nest , in care they do remaine , The Father , Wife , and silly childe , with sister there complaine . Now haue wée past from Greece , and vnto Carthage came , Where Hanniball among the rest , did win immortall fame . From Dido vnto Thrace , from Phillis vnto Rome , Where Porcia with Lucrecia , be linked in one Tombe , And Camma lyeth behinde , as faythfull as the best , But these haue almost passed Care , and come to perfite rest . Orestilla lyeth there where Cataline doth couch , Tarpeia lyeth by Tatius , for gold doth make them touch . Pompeia lyeth there , whom Clodius seekes to couer , And eke Terentia Tullyes wife , about the hill doth houer . A thousand more there were , which on that mount did sléepe , Whom Crabbed care with other féends vpon the mount did kéepe . But as we passed those Tombes , of all the Roman rout , And when bychance wée had espide religious persons out : One Monument there was , excelling all the rest , The forme so strange can not depart out of my fearfull brest . The Tomb● did crosse the path , when none beside did so , Whose lefte side séemed a man to bee , the right a woman show : A monstrous key of length , her left hand alwayes beares , And on her head of glistering golde , a triple Crowne shee weares . And with a glauncing looke , and with a stretched right hand , Shee doth receiue a liuely youth , which naked there doth stand . Oh sir ( quoth I to him ) which was my carefull guide , In all the Mount the like to this , I haue not séene beside . Quoth Morpheus this is shee which all the Church beguilde , Whom all men thought to bee a man , till that shee had a childe . Pope Ioane shee hath to name , whom once within the Lake , I shewed vnto Robinson , as our viage wee did make . Her tombe did crosse the path , because the passers dye , When as they saw her shamefull fact , to her reproche should cry . The young man it is hee , which was her Minion euer , For whom vpon this Hill for aye , with care they shall perseuer . The Roman path wee lefte , when wee had vewed at will , The Roman Knights and Monuments , which were within that Hil. From thence to Babilon , where Thi●be did complaine , Because that valiant Piramus , through her default was slaine . Then did the Theban path appeare within my sight , And Hemon with Antigona , did well inioy their right . There Cadmus shrined was , Hermione ius● harde by Whose tombes were garnished with golde , where crawling serpents ly● Semeles there was layd , next to her fathers side , For whom her deare twise borne Bacchus most carefully prouide . And Ino with her childe , is taken from the sea , And in the Mount with Athamas , haue long time béen all thrée . Creusa , creons childe , which was yonge lasons deare , Whom scorching fire consumed from yert● , hath her abiding heare . But yet one tombe there was , among the The●an route , Which till I had perceiued well , did make mee stand in doubt : For why hard by the same , did flow a litle flood , Where many women washt their hands , imbrued with liuely blood . It was Agaue the Quéene , which Pentheus had rent , Because that hee disoayned the feastes , of Baccus to frequent : And yet her only sonne , about her tombe remayne , The partes of him whom shee and hers , with cruell hand had slayne . And many more there were , whose tombes I would haue seene Which for their long antiquity , with mos●e be couered cleene . Verona path we lest , where Romeus doth lye , Where Iuliet with Iconia , inioy a place the rby . Gualfrido lyeth in Venis , Barnardo doth the same , And eke Arestons only childe which Gnesia hath to name . All Germany I thinke , eche towne that therin was , Had captiues there , which tediousnesse , do cause mee to let passe : At last my guide did smile , and thus to mee hee sayd , Loe here what English prisoners , in Crabbed care are stayd . Great heapes of valiant knights , of noble youthfull peeres , Which in the feelde most Martially haue broken many speres : Among the which I spied , those which I will not name , Least that my pen through my default , perhaps should purchace blame . Both Abbots , Friers and Monkes , and all that learned rout , Hermites and holy Hipocrites , which now bee rooted out . In care nere Venus vale , they had a place to lye , Wheras they haue their monuments whereas they chanced to die . Among the which I romed : desirous for so see , If any of those learned Clarkes , were knowen before of mée . Wherof perhaps I could , rescite you many a one , Which liued in ioy , but now in care , do make a dreadfull mone . At last I spied out Bond , that fat and lazy Frier , Which died wheras faire Astoloth would graunt to no desire . This Champion liued by loue , as Larkes do liue by leekes , He wept , hee wailde , he sighed so much , hee could not see for chéekes . Of Ireland and of Wales came many a carefull wight , And out of Cornwale valiantly came Labeale I soundes knight . From path to path wee went , as Morpheus did giue leaue , Hée showd mee all that did beseeme , my knowledge to conceaue . At last wee entered in , the valley by the hill , And left the lofty mount of Care , which wee had vewde at will . And loe , into the vale , when as wée were discended , And come vnto the Castle wall , as Morpheus had pretended● Vpon the Castle strong , and in Dame Venus Forte , Her cumly shape and rosiall hew , was drawne in séemely sorte . And in her hand shée helde , an Iuory Combe most clere , And by the ayde of Phoebus beames did kembe her golden heare . Wherat I was amazde , but Morpheus helpeth mee out , And with his sweete and sugred spéeche , assoylde me of my doubt . The Iuory Combe ( quoth hee ) which Venus hath in hand , In trymming of her christall haire , will let thee vnderstand , That those which doo delight , to run in Venus vale , Will trim themselues , as some brush ware , before it come to sale . For as Dame Venus doth , so all her darlings do , This is the cause quoth hee againe , why shee is pointed so : The Castle gate wee did approche and would not stay , The Porters let God Morpheus passe , but mee they thrust away . Sir boy quoth one to mee ( a grim and vgly knaue , ) Come not so nye , stand backe in time , and seke thy selfe to saue . To whom God Morpheus sayd , my freend , content thee still , That hee should passe vnto this place , it is my minde and will . Commaund not mee quoth hee , and therwith gan to raue , Quoth Morpheus then from Heauen and Hell , authority I haue . I am the God of dreames , which passe through euery vale , Resist not then , let him approche into the Castle wall : The knaue when hee perceiued , that it was so indéede , Of with his cap and crowching low , hee let mee in with spéede . Affuction kept the gate , as fearce as Satyre wylde , And Doubt was his companion , yet hee was somwhat milde . The Porters prison was bedecked all with greene , And chaunging coulers now and then , were often to be séene . Out of the narrow grates did Cleopatra prye , And beckned with her trembling hand to valiant Antony : Naera with Car●●n● which waited on this Dame , With Ply●s poyson made an ende , and ●er● do ●epe their shame . Whom often Cleopatra 〈◊〉 , and often them imbrace , And ioyning 〈◊〉 , they do lament their 〈◊〉 and heauy case . And as I pryed by chaunce , I saw a damsell morne , With 〈◊〉 weedes and La●●rs spots , 〈…〉 to much forlorne . Quoth Morpheus 〈◊〉 thou see , wheras that cay●i●●e lyes , Much like the wretched Crocodill , 〈◊〉 now how shee cryes . That is Pandare his Nice , and Calcas only childe , By whose deceits and pollicies , young Troylus was beguilde . ●hee is kept in affliction where many other are , And veweth Troylus lying dead , vpon the Mount of Care. Shee wepte , shee sighed , shee sobd , for him shee doth lament , And all too late , yea to to vaine , her facte shée doth repent : How could that stedfast Knight , ( quoth I ) loue such a dame ? Morpheus replied in beauty bright , shee bare away the fame : Till that shee had betrayd , her Troylus and her dere , And then the Gods assignd a plague , and after set her here . An other wretched wight , within Affliction kept , Who for her false periured faith , lamented sore and wept . Eriphile , shée it was , and spronge of Grecian blood , ( Yet all the Grecian pollicyes , could neuer do her good ) Who for desire of coyne betrayd her louing make , And now shee must content herselfe , a traytresse due to take . Kinge Pretus wife is here , alas alas what tho ? Affliction helde her in so fast , shee is like to die for woe . Galatea shee poore soule , must holde her selfe content , Which sayne would wepe if other-could , preuaile which do lamente , What should I say , a thousand moe , with in this prison were , Whom neither time nor memory , will suffer to declare . But all that therin were , haue sayd their ioy apart , And giue themselues to vtter plaints , imbrued with swelling smart . From thence wee marched forth vnto a litle Lake , The spring was swift although but small , the course did neuer slake , Leander here did row , here Helena did dwell , Achilles loueth Polixena , and drinketh at this Well . Here Aeolus daughter deere , here Silla Nisus daughter , And here Pasiphae 〈◊〉 drinke , and neuer thirsted after . One thing was very strange , which at this Well was seene , Within the brooke in 〈◊〉 aray there stood a gallant queene . And on the banke a Bull , with guilted hornes did stay , Which when shée would haue issued out , did stop her in the way . Wherat I wondred much , and greatly was dismayde , And asking Morpheus of that 〈◊〉 , hee quickly to mee sayd : The Quéene shee Diece hight , which was King Lycus wife , A Theban borne in Nicteus daies , the sates did graunt her life . Who through a ielious minde : and false surmised loue , Such discorde in the Theban Court , this diuelish Dame did moue . That if young Amphion , and Zetus his dere brother , Had not brought reskew happely : this Bull had slaine their Mother . Whose iclosie the Gods , in such dïspleasure tooke , That they haue placed this roringe Bull , to keepe her in the brooke An other Dame there was , which at this Well did liue , Which neuer ceast for to assay to fill an empty Siue . And when the cause therof , on Morpheus I did aske , Hee sayd the Gods allotted it , to be the Ladies taslie . Which all in vayne bestowed , ( vnto her pinchinge payne ) Her loue vpon Narcissus faire : which in the woods complayne : Neare to the litle Lake , a Dungeon grounded was , As blacke as pitche throughout the which , this runninge streame did passe Dispaire did kepe the same , which was both stout and strong , A wafull wretch whose greedy gorge , delighted much in wrong . Poore Captiues in distresse , hee keepeth many a one , Whose flintie hart doth oft reioyce , when other make their mone . Hipsiphale which loued , king Peleus Nephew deare , Erigone which hanged her selfe : hath purchast house roome here . Here Dianeira lyeth which kilde her selfe for wo , And Hero which on fominge floods , her life sought to vndo . Euadne hath a place , Di●●aire deo loue her well , With thousands more within that place , which were to long to tell . Among the rest one stood , ready to come away , But that Dispaire through fayned tales , did cause her for to stay . Quoth Morpheus , see the Queene , that weare● the mourning gowne , Shee fled from ri●●h Pigmalion , and built vp Carthage towne . This salse Report ( quoth hee ) a foe vnto good ●ame , Hath pla●de his part vpon that wight , which neuer descrude the same For in the court of chastitie , her deedes be fresh and new , A crowne of Glory shee deserues , i● that shee ●ad her due . For Poets say , shee loued , Aeneas Knight of T●oy , And when hee priuily fled from thence , her selfe shée did distroy . But ta●ling Poets lye , Aeneas was vnknowne , And Troyan seede in Carthage to●●e , by him was neuer sowne . Iarbas griyed with loue , and could not her attayne , ( For once shee made a faithfull vow , that chast shee would remayne ) Laide séege vnto the towne , Dame Dido to mollest , But shee to saue her plighted othe , to die did thinke it best . And with a glittering blade , shee banisht breathing life , This was the constant ende of her , which was Sicheus wife . This sayd , wée left Dispaire , and all his raging traine , ( With watery teares for Didos sake , my Morpheus did complaine . ) Wée past the gallant court , and entered very far , Vnto the place where Venus sate , while Cupid went to war . There Ceres kept with her , and Bacchus did the same , And Mars stoode waiting at the doore , desirous of the game . The house was full of Clyents , eche corner had great store , God Morpheus as his custome was , hee entred in before . Whom when Dame Venus saw , shee quickly gan to rise , Saluting him with cumly cheare , and in most curteous wise . My Lord ( quoth shee to him ) how doth my auncient sire , And how doth Neptune in the seas , and Pluto in the fire . While Morpheus tolde his tale , I vewed among the rout , To see if some acquainted freend , by chance I could finde out . No Englishmen were there , of Wales a worthy bande , Whom , when they came to greet mee well , I could not vnderstande . Wherby no doubt I lost , the truth of euery case , And many a harty welcominge vnto that princely place . But if my Cuntry men , had layne in Venus Uale , Then might I haue discribed at large , the trueth of euery tale . Thus while I pryed about , in euery vacant place , And while I saw God Morpheus , was still with Venus grace . And Venus did perceiue mee , to Morpheus thus shée sayd , My Lorde the presence of this lad , doth make vs sore dismayde . Feare not ( quoth Morpheus then ) there is no cause to doute , For hee which is within your Court , can neuer issue out . Wherwith I trembled sore , for feare hee sayd to true , I wept , I wailde , and thus I sayd , I haue my wages due . Then Venus sat her downe , among her Lordly peeres , And Mars his souldiers guarded her , with Billes , with Bowes and spéeres . I asked Morpheus then , whither Cupid did resorte ? Hee sayd that hee was marchte to feelde , against Dianas court . Whom I would faine haue seene , but time did it deny , And Morpheus sayd t is time to goe , the starres be in the sky . But yet hée promised mee , against another day , For to addresse himselfe agayne , to shew mee all that way . Wherwith hee pluckt mee backe , and said , come let vs go , I was preparde with willing minde , for why I wisht it so . The way wée past before , wee entred in againe , Where fearce Affliction and Doubt , as Porters did remaine . By Care and Appetite , Ficklenesse and Change of Ioy , By euery Path , and euery Tombe , wée past the former way . ( Quoth Morpheus now adue ) till Cupids Host do fight , Then will I haue thee to the feelde , and shew thee all that sight . Wherwith I wakte and saw , what folly I had seene , And what in vision did appeare , as it had perfite beene . Parnaslus now is gone , and Helicon his streame , And though this Treatise bee not true , yet sure it is a dreame .

The Argument . The Gods in Heauen assembled all to feast , In midst of glee Dame Venus telles her fate : Wherat the Gods in order bee addrest , Against her foes , for to maintaine her state . The worlde set wide , the fight therin shal be , Dianas force with wauering hands doth fight : But blody Mars , with Venus doth agree , And Dians troupe at last is put to flight . Whom Cupid chase when shee to woods doth flye , And Venus sonne , returnes triumphantly . Of Cupid his Campe . ON Friday at night I layd mée downe , with slepe to take my rest , And as in wonted guise before , so was I now addrest : With slumbring sléepe to take my leaue , of Phebus glittering bemes , Till Morpheus should bedecke my head , with fantasies and dreames . And as I lay , so did I looke , with looking long dismayde , With sodayne sightes my dazeled eyes did make my hart afrayd : For why within my 〈◊〉 eare , mée though a trumpe did sound , The noyse wherof did seene so strange , it ●ast mee flat on ground . Strait way there did appeare to mee , a vision where I lay , Most strange to tell ( so much this sight my courage did dismay ) An aged Sire whole glistering face with h●ary heares bede●t Did sore appale my dreadfull hart , that scant I could erect . My lingring lymmes , in weried wise I couched one in place , And glaunced oft with leering lookes , to vew his cumly face . His limmes were fethered on eche part , and winged on eche syde , Wherwith hee tooke his spéedy flight : at last hée mee espyde . And thus hée sayth with whirling voyce , make haste do not delay , Qyrde vp thy loynes , addresse thy selfe , to walke this tedious way . Wherwith as one berefte of wittes , and of my sences cleane , I was amazd but did not know , what these his words should meane . Feare not ( quoth hee ) stand not in doubt , for Morpheus is my name , Which led thee forth to Venus Vale when as thou vewedst the same And as by promise I was bound , so now I come agayne , To leade thee where thou mayst beholde Diana with her trayne . In Martiall feelde beeing ready bent , agaynst Dame Venus sonne , But let vs goe least or wee come , the battell bee begonne . My Lorde ( quoth I ) I thanke you much , for this your double payne , Make haste ( quoth hee ) let vs depart , make haste quoth hee againe . Then went wee forth to lofty skyes , our iorney wee did take , Vnto Appollos curious Tente , for hee a feast did make To all the Gods and Goddesses where Iupiter did sit , Within a golden chayre of state , and for his honour fit . Then entred Mars and toke his place , whereas hee thought it best , And Mercury most welcome there , vnto Apollo his feast . But gentle Ceres was not come , nor Baccus was not there , And til they came al things were whist , the Gods could make no chere , Neptune bespangled all with skales , ascended to the sky , And Protheus as his custome is , did sounde couragiously . Then Tartar Lake began to flash , and Cerb●●s gan to yell And all the Feends did homage due , when Pluto came from Hell. And Pan came forth , with Oaten pipe the shepheards all gan play , The sheepe stood still and gazed on him , as hee past by the way : Saturnus with his withered legges , had almost come to late , But that the Maister of the feast , regarded his estate . Thus euery one did take his place , in order as they came , Yea all the Gods and Goddesses , did likewise doo thesame . The Table where these guestes did sit , was rounded round about , That where the noblest seat there was , t would make one for to dout . Apollo bearing great goodwill vnto the Muses nyne , To them when as hee thought it best , a roome hee did assyne . Then Iu●o sate by Iupiter , which did her make abide , And Pallas twixt God Mercury , and sweete Apollos side . Dame Ceres with her curious cost , behaued her selfe so well , That shee and Baccus at that feast , do beare away the bell . Musitions sounded orderly Proserpine would not heare , Though Orpheus with his warblinge Harpe , did thinke to finde her there Arion with his siluer sound , did prayse the Delpins loue , And with his quauering melody , did all the Sages mooue . And Amphion that Theban wight , did streeke his stroke so euen , That Pan is risse from Bacchus campes , and dance about the Heuen . Then glauncing forth my rowlinge eye , by chaunce it came to passe , That I espyde at first vnknowne , whereas God Vulcan was . Who in the kitchin curiously , did worke his wonted feate , And kindled coales most cunningly , to roste Apollos meat . The seruiters at instant feast , were laureat Poets all , Who ready were at becke to bow , when as the Muses call . There Hom●● with his ●●led Pen , a graue and worthy wight , Among them all did beare the sway , inioyinge it by right . Hesiodus was not behinde , whom Pan esteemed much , With Laureate Euripides , and many other such . The Romans flocked there by heapes , olde Ennius bare the sway , Whose merits with antiquity , the learned ought to way There witty Virgill did his best , and Naso there did serue , And many moe there were at hand , whose merittes same deserue . Then Morpheus sayd , loe where he stands that worthy Chauser hight The cheefest of all Englishmen , and yet hee was a knight . There Goure did stand , with cap in hand , and Skelton did the same , And Edwards hee , who while hee liude , did sit in chaire of fame . Thus euery thing past merely , and Pan good sporte did make , For Baccus with his sugred tales , had made his brayne to ake . Then when the Gods had feasted well and good pastime had made , T was Cherill his course to come in place , and vse the Amners trade : Who caryed forth the Amners hutch , vnto the Porters gate And fréely gaue vnto the poore , which were preparde therat . At last when as the Gods had washte , and rune did well betide , Iuno and Pallas , with the nyne , withdrew themselues aside . Then entred in among the Gods , a Dame of cumly cheere , Although besyrent with scalding sighes , shee mourning did appéere , T was Venus with her smiling lokes , which came from Smyrdo 〈◊〉 And to the Gods which sat at feaste , thus shée began her tale .

Venus Oration to the Gods. REnowmed Lordes , to whom my tale I tell , And worthy Gods , which rule the Heauen and The ●●uds the brookes , the furious féends of Hell , And euery thing , that in these subiectes bee : Bende downe your eares , and listen vnto mée , Harke and giue eare , regard my plaint and tale , Whom you haue placed , to rule in Smyrdo vale . From time to time , since that you gaue mee powre , Within my Court to sit as Iudge of might : You Gods doo know , that neither day nor howre , My minde hath been , to swerue from trueth and right , ( For all that I doo , I know is in your sight ) And all my actes , with trueth haue been approoued , By Iustice lawes , whom I haue alwayes loued . Loe now you Gods , regarde my piteous mone , Lende mee your hands , which doo your ayde implore : Rebellious wights , out of my tente be gone , And vow till death , neuer to serue mee more . Diana shee , which went long time before , Hath armde her selfe , with bended bowe in hand , By force to driue , my sonne and mee from land . ¶ And thus shee sayd , but salted sighes , would let her say no more , And trickling teres ran down by stremes , wherof she had great store And flatling fell before the Gods , and mighty Ioue his throne , And ofte shee dubled forth these wordes , regard my piteous mone . Wherwith the Gods began to wéepe , and euery one was moued , For Venus in that parte of heauen , of all the Gods was loued . At last the Father of the Gods , tooke vp his louing daughter , And kissed her with louely lippes , these wordes hee vtred after . Ah Venus , Venus , take good cheere , Dian shall not preuaile , Wee will resist her martial might , when as shee shall assaile . And Cupid hée , whom shee detests , shall lead thy hoste to feeld , And I my selfe will wend with thee , to make her for to yéeld . Yea all my mates and faithfull frends , I hope will bee content , Perdy my Lorde ( quoth euery one ) wee yeeld to this intent . Then Mars began to smil● , and then , the Gods did rise together : And euery one in cumly sorte , did welcome Venus thyther . Then Mercury did sound the trumpe , that all the 〈◊〉 did ringe● The noyse therof , great feare no doubt , to all the earth did bring . Then Pelion gan to shake for feare , and Ossa trembled sore , Olimpus with the mighty Alpes did neuer s●before . But mighty Mars did shake his ●●d , hée 〈◊〉 and ran for ioy , And kissing Venus oft hée sayd , thy foes I will distroy . By this the Gods he furnished , and armed ●t all neede , And Ioue himselfe rides first in ranke , vpon a barbed ●eede , The Go●te suffiseth for his badge , whose milke hée loued well , When milde Meliss● gaue him sucke , which then in Crete did dwell . Then Mercury doth sound agayne , and all the Gods assemble And as before , so Heauen a●d earth beginneth againe to tremble , Amonge the gods which present were , olde Priasus did resort , Who wi●h Dianas Champions , did thinke to make some sporte . A garden spade this God did bring , euen as his custome was , Bedeckt with crownes of smelling flowre● , hée rid vpon an asse . The Gods rid on before apace , for Venus made great haste , And Pryasus was left behinde , hee could not ride so fast . His Asse did trot so harde ( alas ) and put him to such paine , Hée thought the iorney was to longe , and turned backe agayne . Then Morpheus turnd himselfe and sayd , it is no time to stay , To follow them vnto the Campe , let vs no more delay . Wherfore I thankte him much that time , for longe I wisht to sée , The royall tentes of Cupids Court , with all their dignitie .

A description of Cupid . GOd Morpheus was more swift than those , which with Dame Venus came ( Or els by right he should not seeme for to inioy his namen . ) Wherfore by his assent wée past , Dame Venus and her trayne , With speedy pa●● vnto the tentes , where Cupid did remayne . Who deygned I my poore request , to ease mee of my charge , And with his pl●●sant tales of truth , described the God at large . Whom when 〈◊〉 vewde I was amazde , and all abasht with feare , Wherat my guide began to smile , and thus hee did declare . Within that tente and cumly couch , whose couering seemeth red , A grisly ghost beholde , by whom the mighty Gods bee led . Whose power exceedeth Mars his might , whose strength the rest dot● tam● Yea none in heauen , in earth nor hell , that can resist the same . Alas my Lorde ( quoth I againe ) this seemes most strang and rare , Should all the Gods which rule in skyes , of one boy stand in feare . In deede ( quoth hee ) this withered wight , doth so mollest their braine , That those which bee of féebled age , hee turnes to boyes agayne . For why in trickes of childish yéeres , hee causeth them to stay , Neglecting duties of great waight , delighting nought but play . My God ( quoth I ) to know all things , I greatly doo desire , What is the cause that Venus sonne , is naked without attire , ( Quoth Morpheus ) hee that liueth in loue , in folly passe his dayes , And has that hath but halfe an eye , may set his wauering wayes . Ah silly wight , ah shaddow poore , ( for flesh in him is skant ) And as hee seemeth to bee blinde , 〈◊〉 brow so doth hée want . Hée is a type , ( quoth Morpheus then ) you know well what I meane , And too much lust , and lechery , hath made him very leane . Not lust alone , but care and thought , which doth perplex his minde For to much lust may bée a cause , why Cupid seemeth blinde . For those which liue in louers lawes , regarde not what they doo , And ofte they thinke to bathe in blisse , but sinke in wretched woe . A brow hee wants , for by the same , his souldiers 〈◊〉 deuine , Wherto the motions of the harte , doo purpose to declyne . And as the brow doth beare the badge , that bringeth death or life , So they that badge doth hate and shun , which séeme to tel some strife , But oh my God , why hath hée wings , adioyned to eche side , Because that Cupid changeth ofte , and neuer long abide . A bowe is bent within his hand , two quiuers at his backe , Well may hee shoote , and wide enough , that doth his eye sight lacke . It is not so among the Gods , as men suppose to bée , Hee shootteth ofte , but nere in vaine , so stedfast holdeth hee . That leane and naked boy , with force his mighty foes doo quell , That blinde and winged Champion , doth shoote excéeding well . And though hee browlesse seeme to bée , yet doth hee pearce the brain Through skin and bone , hee hits the hart , wheras his Dart remain . Then maruell not , though all the Gods , doo yéeld for want of might , Sith none haue force for to resist , the strength of such a knight . Both man and beast , both sish and foule , and all that life doth beare , Are subiecte vnto Cupids bowe , which all the Gods doth feare . The quiuers which thou doost behold , which stand this God in stead , The one is full of golden shaftes , the other full of lead . The golden strike , the seruent wights , which pas their daies in lou● The leade doth wound the brasen harts , wh● no complaint can mou● Poliphemus with Stenobia young Phedra felt the golde , Galatea Belerophon , with the lead were stricken colde . This while wee talked at leysure , loe , wée heard the trumpet sound , Wherby we knew the Gods were come , from skyes vnto the ground And as they had pretended erst , did set themselues in ranckes , To march with Venus to the Campe , who yeelded them great thanks And sounding out , God Mars his trumpe , to set them in aray , They marched forth vnto the féeld , wheras their foes did stay , But fréendly Morpheus had mée first , for to discribe at large , The order of God cupids campe , the which I will discharge . And if it please my Angell then , to call mee to that sight , I will discribe Dianas hay , which did befall in fight .

A description of Cupid his host . THe Gods béeing met & Venus sonne , béeing garnished in this wise , By whole consent to vanquish her , which did his lawes dispise , Mars is assended vp the Couch , to guide the horses right , And Cupid stands with bow in hand , to send forth euery knight , Then Venus layd her heauenly head , vpon God Mars his lap , And sayd my Lorde , wee trust on you , to gouerne well our hap . The cheefest Captaine of the rout , Audacity was named , Whose safe conduct of all the host , deserues not to be blamed . With him hée led forth Pollicy , Cupid his only stay , These vndertooke by Mars his will , to guide the host that day . The second Captaine , curtesy , a valiant host did leade , Who had Delight adioynde to him , to helpe him at his néede . The Captayne graund , did bid them both , the right wing to p●ssess● , And alwayes to attend the same , to driue a way distresse . And on the lefte side , ietted Rage , with cruell Tyranny , Which were as aydes vnto the host , led by Audacity . I haue not here rescited those , which petty Captaynes were , Only my Morpheus charged mee , the chéese for to declare . But this I saw , that Idlenesse , did beare a worthy sway , That Drunkennesse and Drowsinesse , did set them in aray . Dissention ran from host to host , and Riot stood not still , But all adioynd their helping hands , and furdered with good will I let passe all the Souldiers names , the labor were to long , And yet my booke would not containe , the names of all the throug . Thus euery thing beeing finished , ech Souldier standing still , Beholde a proclamation , was made by Cupids will . Which offered giftes aboundantly , to any souldier there . To vndertake in Dians tente , a message to declare . And greete her hartely from him , which blinded bare the bow , Commaunding her to yéelde in time , and quiet peace to show . Or els with di●t of martiall blade , hee would dispatch her quite , And teache all other to beware for to resist his might . Desire a champion of great pride , whose force deserued fame , Before the Gods , and Venus faire , on knée did aske the same . Which when the Gods had graunted him , and Cupid gaue consent , Hee tooke his leaue of all the trayne , and forth to Dian went. Come let vs go ( quoth Morpheus then ) this greeting for to here , I am content my Lord ( quoth I ) to attend both here and there , To vew Dianas Court ( quoth hee ) for to discribe the same , To heare the answere to Desire , to know the Captaines name . For shee was ready furnished , of Souldiers at her will , And euery court garnished , with Captaynes of great skill . Desire , who longed to tell his tale , approcht this Dame vnto , With duty done for curtesie , had chargde him so to doo . But sith my Angell bad mee first , for to discribe her traine , And sith to sound a true report my Morphes tooke such paine . I thinke it most conuenient , seeing time doth serue so fit , Before Desire haue tolde his tale , for to discouer it .

A discription of Diana and her army . IVst by Eurota flowing streame , where many Lanrelles grow , A pleasaunt place , which all the Nimphes , of Dians traine do know . Beholde God Morpheus offered mee , a place to vew at will , The safe returne of Dians traine , which her hest doth fulfill . From out the shade this Goddesse came , from cha●ing of the Bore , With bow in hand so ready bent , and well ●●drest therfore . Her couch was couerd al with white , white Harts thesame did draw Whose swiftnesse pleasde Diana well , to bring the Beare in awe . For solely in the woods shee kept , in groues shee did remaine , And Acteon hath his tale to tell , although vnto his pai●e . Within the Couch kept Modesty , as ruler of her will , Where Prayse & Honner were as guides , to hold the helme with skil . A crowne shée weares of precious price , bed●cte in ritch aray , Whose pleasant lookes , in séemely sorte , her nature did bewray . Thus while from wood shée did returne , vnto the féelde to fight , And when her host assembled was against Dame Cupids might . Beholde the Captaines do discharge , the duty that they owe , And euery one his good intent , to Dians hos● doe show . The rout by Chastitie is swayde , the Misterisse of the rest , Who set the Souldiers in aray , as shée estéemde it best . There Constancy is called to ayde , and help● them at a néede , And Tempetance is well estéemde ; as Dian hath decréede . Sobriety hath sage Aduise , to counsell Dian well , And Labor stands against his foes , their sloth for to expell . Fidelity a faithfull freend , within the wood doth stay , Who seekes to spoyle the forraine foe , as h●e passe by the way . For Dian hath commaunded him , to rest within the wood , And campe himselfe most orderly , iust by Furota stood . With whom Dame Thisbe takes a place , wher is Pandor his Néete , And Phedra shee which somtime was , Duke Theseus wife of Greece , And if I should resite them all , which couched by this brooke , My pen would saynt in halfe the way , in wrighting of this booke , But sithe I haue discribde the tente , as bréefely as I may , And as my Morpheus would giue leaue , the same for to display . Behold Desire presents him selfe , before this Dame on knee , And from the saint , wh●m hee did serue , th●se voyces vttered hee ,

Desire his message vnto Diana . REnow●●ed Dame , whose fame the 〈◊〉 containes , Whose glistering face throughout the world appeare : Cupid my Lorde , in martiall feel●●●●●ines , And sent mee out my me●●ag● to doo : Whose valiant force , the Gods themselues d●●st feare , Cupid I say in whom such ioy I finde , Hath sent mee forth , to know thy willing minde . Hee craues of thee that iustice 〈◊〉 request , That thou doo yeeld , and let thy army go : Thy false attempts the Gods themselues detest , And euery one , is sworne thy future foe , Eche one is bent to worke thy greefe and woe . With glittering blade , to seethy blood 〈◊〉 , If thou disdaine , as recreant to yeelde . And Mars himselfe , with Venus is ascended , Into the Couch , where Cupid ●raweth his bow : But yet my Lorde , thus much hath thee befrended , If thou wilt yeeld , then hee will mercy show : This for thy sake on thee hee doth bestow . But if thou nill , hee will dispatch thee quight , Both thee and thine , by dint of bloody fight . Accept therfore his mercy and good will , And deigne to shew , obedience for the same : Pitty thy selfe , doo not the army spill , Least all the world report this to thy shame : And none that liueth , my louing Lord will blame . Consider this , and thinke vpon the paine , And speake thy minde , that I may returne againe . ¶ Thus when Desire had tolde his tale , to Dian and her traine , Diana quickly answered , Sir knight returne againe . Let Cupid doo his worst hee can , his force I doo not feare , Ne will I yeeld vnto his lawes , nor none that with mee are , Wherwith a lofty shout and noyse , vnto the skye was raysde , And Dians courage and good will , of all the rout was praysde , Desire beeing hot with raging hate , did thus reply againe , I doo lament the rufull lot , of them which shal be slaine . For loe as doth the rau●●ing 〈◊〉 , the shéepe in strength excell , So Cupid with his martiall 〈◊〉 these stately wordes can quell . That neither Captaine shall be left● , nor souldier for to fyght , Of all this rout , whose hands bee piest , against my Lord his might . Then Modesty , Dianas guide , in her behalfe did say , Although wee die in Dians cause , our deathes we do not way . This sayd , Desire returnd againe , and vnto Cupid went , And shewed at large , Dianas wordes , as of her whole intent . And that within the silent wood , wheras Eurota flow , Fidelity did holde his campe , their force to ouerthrow . And added this that neither Mars , with all his waighty stroke , Nor all the Gods should bring her necke , vnder God Cupids yoke . Then cupid sent Desire before , the Amb●●sh for to tame , Or els perforce to scatter them , before the army came . Desire doth séeke to bee reuengde , of his appointed foe , And wandring in the Laurell woods vnto Eurota goe . Wheras Fidelity was prest , his force for 〈◊〉 withstand , And in defence of Dians right , did fight longe hand to hand . But what could Thisbe then resist , when Pyram came in sight , Or when as worthy Troylus came , how could Dame Cressid fight . Phedra shee was content to yéelde , Desire did force her so , And from Dianas faithfull freend , to Cupids campe to go . What shall I say , Dianas host , which in the wood did stay , Was sore abasht , Fidelity was chased quite away . And many yéelded recreant , not able to deny , Desire perforce did force them so , eyther to yeeld or dye . But rather then Dame Cressid would , so quickly séeme as dead , Shee vowed her selfe from Troylus true , to flattering Diomede . So that the periured Grecian , or els the Troyan knight , Should haue Dame Cressid vnto loue , yea both if so it might . Thus while Desire do cleare the coast , and make the passage free , The host marcht on into the féeld , with thundring harmony . The noise wherof do beate the skies , and eke from thence reboundes , And Mars his musicke in the seeld , aloft Tantara soundes . The souldiers set them selues in rankes , the winges to succor go , Audacity by Mars his will , hee had commaunded so . But Dian and her worthy traine , when as her fréend was fled , And for the losse of all those freends , with fury was much led , And oft repeating worthily , my harts take chéere ( quoth shée ) My life for yours , continue still , so shall you victors bée . The souldiers fought so valyantly , the Captaines did so well , That cupid gan to Crouch for feare , and Dian did excell . Audacity then shooke for feare , when chastity withstood , And Constancy shee followed fast , to see the forrain blood . And if God Cupids pollicy , a reskue had not found , Both Venus and her darlings deare , had ●●●lyng fell to ground . But Pollicy came rushing in , and sent forth mighty Ioue , Who then discended from the skyes , to serue the God of loue . Who vanquished Dame Dians host , and made them for to tremble , And sundry kindes of vgly shapes , hee 〈◊〉 not to dissemble . Aurora loued the snowy Bull , and L●d● word the Swan , And Io lickt her fathers face , which then was pale and wan . For as the Woolfe among the lambes , so Ioue among the host , I meane among Dame Dians flocke , of whom shée vaunt and bo●●● But when as Fame had sounded forth , and Brute had blased his wil , That Ioue did vanquish worthily , with Pollicy and Skill . Then Danae fled her way for feare , vnto Acrisius Towre , Till Iupiter through Pollicy discended in a showre . Achilles then began to rage , before that Troy was sackte , And craued of Pollicy his guide , the armur that hee lackte . Who armed him corragiously , in Maydens feate aray , Till Derdanna swelling wombe , his pollicy did bew●ay . And Licomedes was deceiude , the father of the May , And therfore could not stop the step● , of young Achilles way . Then Clodius rushed in in haste , Pompeya for to quell , Bedect like to the vestall Dames , wheras his loue did dwell . Thus Cupid was incorraged , with all his warlike trayne , Diana which was erst aloft , is now beat downe agayne . And all the Gods and Souldiers the , did play their parts so well That Cupid is extolde to heauen , and Dian fell to Hell. Medusa Gorgon hearing this , to Pallas alter fled , Hoping by her assisting hand , in time to bee releeued . Whom mighty Neptune through deceit , intangled in such sort , That shée forsook Dianas campe , and fled to Venus Court. Then Phedr● whom desire had brought , from Dian and her traine , Ceased not in Cupids cause to fight , till Hyppolite was slayne . With Pollicy came Gluttony , and Idlenesse his mate , And Drowsinesse hee followed fast , for feare hee came to late . Antonius resisted long , Queene Cleopatras host , But yet at last through Gluttony , did yee●● to her request . When Constancy had seene the force and hauocke of their foes , Shee vowed , both life and lands , and fame , in Dians cause to lose , Rather then Cupid should preuaile , vnto their vtter shame , And all Dame Dians valian●wights , accorded in the same . And ioyning harts and hands in one , that battered Cupid so , That hee was neare constraind againe , out of the feeld to go . There Temperance stood stifly too , and Labor laid on lode , Sobriety did helpe at neede , when they in danger stoode . But yet alas , this wished ioy , was soone brought to an ende , For Curtesy came rushing forth , and brought Delight his freend . For to reuenge this fresh assalt of Dian and her traine , And to renew the wonted state , of Cupid once againe . With him came Duke Protesilaus , with him came Alcyde stout , Hee sought for Laedomia , this found Dianeira out . Hector vanquished Andrqmache , that worthy wight of Troy , And Pryamus with Hecuba , did liue in perfit ioy . Thus when Dianas Souldiers , began to slip away , Through Curtesy , a thousand fled , to Cupid in one day . And few there were , which would remain , with Dian to abide , But yeeld them selfe vnto Delight , betide what might betide . Who pardned euery one of those , which came with free consent , And did remit eche ones offence , before hee did repent . Then Pluto posted out for rage , which did this while abide , And kept the winge with Cruelty , which lay on the left side . Who sent forth tryple Cerberus , that deuillish dogge of Hel , To fetch away Proserpina , which then 〈◊〉 Greece did dwell . Then Appius swelled with rage , Virginia to deflowre , Achilles spryte did rage from Hell , Polixina to deuowre . Lucrecia was tooke in trip , Rage was her forrain foe , Apollo cursed Cassandra faire , for Rage bid will him so . Thus cruell Rage , with Curtesy , and with his freend Delight , With fond Desire , and Pollicy , which weare God Cupids might . Haue chased away Dianas force , that shee her selfe must flye , Or yeeld to those , whose bloody harts , would cause her for to dye . And to a pleasant vally hard by ( her trayne beeing very small , ) Shee did conuay herselfe , by flight , as wofull of her fall . Quoth Morpheus marke this well my freend , and note her trayne I pray Which when I purposed for to doo , their backes were turnd away . So was I much vnable left , their names for to rescite , Which taried with Diana faire , when shée was put to flight . And so my guide himselfe , could not their names vnto mee shew , But this hee had mée publish forth , the Souldiers were not few . Whom Cupid with his louely rout , perswade with might amayne , But yet Diana fled so fast her foes returnd agayne . And vnto Cupid his curious tent , they went for to returne . With bibbing Baccus and his mate , a while for to soiorne . But as they gan for to returne , to their appointed 〈…〉 , Beholde they saw a virgin pure , which gallantly did come , ( Although to late ) to ayd her deare , which then had lost the day , But Theseus stepped from the rout , and stepped in her way . Oh then ( quoth I ) vnto my guide , whom keepes hée in the tent , T is Hellena , which too to late , vnto Dame Dian went. ( Quoth Morpheus then ) whose chastity , was won by Theseus might , Who when ten yéeres had run their race , was tooke in Dians fight . Thus while my God did end his talke , Cupid at pallace is , With all his souldiers banketting , with heauenly ioy and blisse . The feast indured , very long , the triumphe was not small , These ioy their goodly victory , the other rue their fall . At last a trumpet gan to sound , and Preco sayd his will , That Venus did commaund them all , no captiue for to kill . But that with ioy , eche one should wend , and with his prisoner play , Till Beauty should commaund them all , to walke an other way . Then euery God departed forth , vnto his heauenly seate , And led with him such prisoners , as hée did thinke it méete . Then Mars with Iron armes did kisse , his darling and his déere , And that without suspicion , for Vulcan was not there . And after sayd adew my déere , then shée from couch discended , And tooke God Morpheus by the hand , sith fate haue mée bef●●nded . My Lord ( quoth shee ) reioyce with mee , & thanke the heauenly might , And you shall wend no further now , but rest with me this night . With whom my God departed thence , beckning his hand at mee , As who should say , goe pack away , I cannot come to thee . Wherwith my Angell left mée cleane , and Sopor did the same , And I to former sence and wit , at Natures pleasure came .

The Argument . In Beauties Pallace met , as Cupid had ordaynd , The Captayne with his crowne , and captiue led away : All strife , debates , and iarres , which erst before remaind When Beauty sat as Iudge , were ended in that day . And Hymeneus hee , exhorte them all to wed , But those which can liue chaste , he do exempt therfro , So Cupid is content , to rest him in his bed : And Dian chose her path , in wandring woods to go . Let Dian take her deare , and Cupid his delight , For Beauty sate in throne , to pleasure euery wight . Iustice and Iudgement , pleaded at Beauties Barre . YEt once agayne , before the yéere was spent , I did returne vnto my wonted wise : When as the Sun , to the woods a shade had bent , Whose smell , and hew , my fancy did suffice : Wheras I couched , and couered both my eyes , And drowsie sléepe , did soone arest my hart , And wished rest , did binde eche weary part . And loc as erst , my fethered Angell came , And bad mee come , and wait in wonted sorte : Doubt not ( quoth hee ) to vndertake the same , For as I haue , so will I bee thy forte , And eke thy guide , to bringe thee to that porte : Wheras ( be bolde ) no danger shall in sewe , Giue credit now as thou hast found mee true . Wherwith I rise , and gladly passed forth , Not knowing whence , nor whither I should goe : But followed him , whose counsell was much worth , To ease my paine , and rid mee of all woe : No loue of freend , nor dread of frowning foe , Abasht my minde , or strooke my hart in feare , For drowsie sleepe had cleene expeld all care . My God went fast , whose steps were neuer slow , And guided mée vnto a fertill Fen : Where many shrubs , of sundry sortes did grow , A place no doubt , vnknowne to mortall men : Which when I saw , I was amas●d then , And gladly would , haue knowne the place his name , But that I durst , not aske my guide the same . Within the Fen , there stood a Castle faire , Most strongly built , most cumly to beholde ; The top wherof , assended to the aire , And euery part , was gilted with pure golde : My guide vnasked , the circumstances tolde , Beauty ( quoth hée ) within this place doth dwell , Who veweth this Fen , and rules it passing well . Wherby I saw , that which I did not know , And did perceiue the end of his intent : At last hee dayned , his purpose for to show , What was the cause , and why that way hée went : Wherfore to him I yeelded my consent , And forth wee past , as hee did thinke it good , Into the place , wheras this Castle stoode . No sooner did wée enter in the same , But loe a trumpe , did sound within my eare : And euery one , gaue eare to sounding fame , And noted well , what newes hee did declare : Yea all those knights , which in the Castle were , Attended well what newes there should befall , From her which was the Iudge , and Quéene of all . The Preco sayd that all which were assembled , With free consent , their Captiues should rescyne : ( Wherat no doubt , the feruent louers trembled ) Till Phebus beames , began in morne to shine : Till Lucifer from his loue should decline , To him which had , Dame Beauties birds in store , And kept them cleane , full many yeeres of yore . To him therfore , the prisoners were committed , Who kept them well , as Beauty did request : And euery knight , a pleasant place hath fitted , Where hee alone , that silent night might rest ▪ To sport him selfe , as hee should thinke it best , But blame them not , though some were wery then , Which came that day vnto that ioyfull Fen. But when Dame Nox hath couered euery thing , And Cinthia , by Phebus is sent out : Which to the world , most ioyfull light doth bring , And aydeth those , whom Phebus left in doubt : Euen so I gesse that most of all this rout , Haue yeelded vp , when Sopor seeme ●o ●●ll , I neede not gesse , when Morpheus shewd mee all . And those likewise , which in the Closet kept , ( Excepting some ) did lay them downe to rest : Who sighed sore , while that the other slept , And wayled the losse , of them whom they loued best : Of whom that night , there passed many a iest , Which if I should rescite them as they came , It were enough sor to discorse the same . Next to the gate , faire Iuliet did lye , And in ●he Court young Romeus did stay : F●ire 〈◊〉 gaue leue , to peke and pry , 〈…〉 sfyd , when wilt thou come away . Windowes ( quoth hee ) I would assend faire May , I looke to see , the place where erst I came , But Tibalt hee , hath closed vp the same . Then mighty Ioue came slidinge downe from Heauen , And thought to fall , within young Danaes lap : But yet behold , the tyles were not layd euen , And hee his head , against the stenes did rap : And on the ground , hee did complaine his hap . Alas ( quoth hee ) this fall hath made my paine , Then looke ( quoth I ) before you slide agayne . Then Orpheus gat leaue to come from Hell , To chéere vp her , which was his whole delight : Which in the Luke , with Tartur kinge did dwel , Whose Harpe did sound , almost the silent night : Pluto saw that , hee thought hee did not right , But with his might , hee troubled Orpheus minde , Who fled for feare , and left his Harpe behinde . Then Priamus out of the gardaynes came , Into the place wheras young Lotis lay : Who while shee slept , did thinke it was no shame , In silent night , with her to sporte and play : His Asse brayd out , for feare hee ran away . And durst not bide , her curtesie to try , Wherat the Nimphes did laugh exceedingly . Then Tethis sonne , began his forme to change , In sundry sorte , as well hee could deuise : A cunning art , a worke which seemed most strange , Whose firy flames , out of his mouth did rise : The Iayler fered , and stopped both his eyes , Then Pr●teus hee , vnto Pomona went , Which turnd him selfe , euen for thesame intent . Neptune saw that , and causde Triton to sound , And Eolus for him did rayse the weather : Hée sought so longe at last his loue hée found , And Alcion said , my Lord your are welcome hyther : I will not say , how that they went togeather , But yet beholde , the kéeper spied their play : The God for feare , did bréechlesse run his way . Thus merily wée passed all the night , For Morpheus was , contented in the same : But yet mee thought , there was one passing sight , Wherat my guide , did finde good sport and game : Which to let passe , I thinke I were to blame , I feare no foes , the truth I doo not feare : For this I saw , which now I shall declare . When Clodius , vnto Pompeia wente , And Vestall omnes , had tooke him in the ●rip : They all at once trust him in continent , And in their vse , began this youth to whip : And what though hee alowe did hang the lip , They sent him forth , and this charge did him giue , To come no more , so long as hee should liue . And thus the night , hath run her timely race , And Lucifer , hath left Auroras bed : Don Phebus now , begin to take his place , And with this Dame , doth rest his heauenly hed : His burning beames , do stand vs all in shed , And Cinthia sayth : adue , my brother come : Vnto whose rule , I must yeeld vp this rome . The morning came , the Preco sound againe , And chargeth all , in place for to appere : Where Beauty doth in Iudgement seal remaine , Their direfull doome , or ioyfull newes ●o here : They were content , and Morpheus did draw nere , But Pryapus , when all were in the pla●e , Sadled his Asse , and rid away a pace . For why hée sayd , such fate did him betide , And such erployts , that night by him were done : For feare this God , alas could not abide , That neede hee must , Dame Beauties iudgement shun : For well hée knew , before it was begun , That hee by her , should iustly bée condemned , And for his feare of all the Gods contemned . When Preco had tolde forth his sounding tales , And all the knights , which came from Cupids war : Addrest them selues , out of these gréeuous gales , To pleade their case , before Dame Beauties Bar : Pretending there , either to make or mar , Then Beauty sate , iust Iudgement for to giue : To trust , to saue , to die and eke to liue . There all the Gods , assembled were in place , And dainty Venus , sate by Beauties side : To heare eche plead , and way of euery case , And eke to know , what ende there should betide , To euery one , that captiue did abide , The kéeper stands , and cryes Lordings giue rome : Stand from the Bar , and let the prisoners come . Thus euery thing was brought to perfite stay , The prisoners all doo tremble where they stand : The trusty kéeper , hée make no delay , But dooth resigne them to Dame Beauties hand : To haue eche case , with wisdome duly skande , When all was whist , and statutes red at large : The Cryer gan his dutie to discharge . Then Lemnon knight , and of the Ciclops chéefe , Iudgement did craue , and Beauty graunt the same : I will quoth hee , you graunt mee some reléefe , For mighty Mars , hath put my wife to shame : Wherat the Gods did finde exceeding game , And when they saw what thing hee went about , Be whole consent , they hoyst the blacksmith out . Amphy●rion did craue a full deuorce , For Ioue hee sayd , with him had bin vnkinne : Then Ioue stood vp , and asked some remorce , And sayd hee would , content his troubled minde , Yea Beauty then , did craue some grace to finde : Hee was content , and mighty Ioue therfore , Did vow himselfe , neuer to serue so more . So great complaints , against this God were brought ▪ That at the last from bench hee slipt away : Iuno was wroth , and due reueng●●nt sought , Of those which had deceiued her of her pray : Shee rage and fret , shee curseth day by day , But Beauty sought , to recompence the wronge , Whom hee had made , to singe the Cookoes songe . I let passe all , till Menelaus came , And did complaine , because hee lost his peece : The Troian knight , hee only sought to blame , Which had conuayed , this Diamond from Greece : More losse then hee , which lost the golden fleece , The greefe wherof , did hazard much his helth , For that the knight , had tooke this Dame by stelth . Oenone then did heare this great complaint , And fiatling ●ell , vpon her tender knee : Lo worthy kinge beholde thy wished Sainte , Hath stole away , my loyall knight from mee : With trickling teares , these voyces vttered shee , And wisht the Iudge , her sentence to declare , To asswage her paine , and rid her of her care . Then Beauty sayd , sith Paris hath delt so , And left this dame , which cherished him before : ( When as his sire , did séeke to worke his woe , ) Who vnto him two children hath ybore : Oenone liues , thy losse for to deplore , Cherish thy babes , which for their fathers cry , Defame hath vowed , his fact shall neuer dye . And as for her which hath this acte committed , The blood of them , whose bones at Troy do stay : Reuengment craues , the Gods haue it permitted , Wherfore ( quoth shée ) let her be led away : But whither it was , I cannot truly say , Yet Morpheus sayd , that Robinson should tell , As well her paine , as where this Lady dwell . Then Menalaus was sory for his make , Whose tricklinge teares , the Troians did inuie : Who in the feeld , had perished for her sake , So did the Greekes , which buried there doo lye : And with consent , they ceased not to cry , Wo worth the time , that Hellen came to Troy , Wo worth that knight , which stole the wretch away . Then Troylus true , stept vp among the rout , And offered vp the bill of his complaint : How that by chaunce , hee found his Creslid out , Whose shrine he serued , whom he had made his saint : For as hee sayd , Beauty had drawen constraint , Wherfore hee craude , true sentence for his doome : That Cressid might possesse deserued roome , But Diomed when as hee hard the truth , Hee gate ( Perforce ) to parle in his cause : Who moued the bench , with Pitty , Mone , and Ruth . And sayd that shee , had neuer broke the lawes : But yeelded there , where néede so strongly drawes , Doo what shee could , Perforce compeld her so : When shee was driuen , from Troy to Greece to go . Knight Troylus then , remoued the sute agayne , Vnto a place , wheras the ground was sure : And by aduise , hee ceased not to complaine , With hot assault , hee sewed her a periure : But Diomed scant able to indure , Let fall the sute vnto Dame Beauties pleasure , To end in haste , or to defer to leysure . Then Calcas hee , which was her louing Sire , Did offer Mynes , and glistering gobs of golde : To spare his childe , the Iudge hee did require , But yet alas , Beauty would not beholde : Nor yet giue eare , vnto the tale hee tolde , But iudged her which was the Prophets daughter A Leper vile , and so shée liued after . And as for him , which was the Troian knight , With louely lookes , shee often gaue good cheere : Though for her sake , hee ended in the fight , Yet truth shall try , it plainly shall appéere : That his desertes , so long as man liue here , Shall pearce the clowdes , for euery man shall shew That hee was iust , and to his Lady true . Achilles then came trembling forth of Hell , And brought with him Polixina the bright , Whom hee did craue , because hee loued so well , And should haue had if Paris had doone right : But Beauty shee , desired the Grecian knight , To stay his hand , and hold his liuely breath : Contenting him , by faire Polixines death . Orestes came into his former rage , Which Pirrus felt , before Dame Beauties har : The Iudge did rise , his fury to asswage , And did demaund the cause of all that iar : Nestor auoucht , before hee went to war , Hermione was young Orestes right , Wherfore my thought the Iury set him quite . Leander cryed and craued to haue the law , And Hero shee , began with sobs to waile : Of Neptunes force , they both did stand in awe , They labored much , but yet could not preuaile : They daily sought , but yet therin did faile , Neptune ( quoth hee ) doth loue my Dame so deare , That through his force , I am driuen backe by feare Then Neptunes loue , began therat to frowne , And for his sake , Dame Hero did inuy : And did not cease , to seeke to put her downe , In Neptunes lap , shée often times did cry : Whose silly teares , her louers loue did try , And hee content , to please this gallant Dame : At her request , reu●nged him of thesame . And on the Seas , hée taught this silly knight , And sonke his boate , within the flowing floods : Where hee was drowned , and quesned by dispight This did the God to doo his lady good : But shee alas , being fed with furious moode , Cast vp his corpes , which Hero did espye , And fell from Towre , and with her loue did dye . Amulius brought in his brothers childe , Whom hee had lockt within the vestall caue : Accusing Mars , which had that Dame beguilde , And caused her lose , the life that shee would saue : But Mars in wrath , this spéedy sentence gaue , That Illias Impes , should worke Amulius shame : Who after that had tasted of the same . Then Minos wife came raging all in ire , And Beauty asked , her purpose and intent : That speckled Bull ( quoth shée ) I doo desire , The Gods gan laugh , and yéelded her consent : Forthwith from thence , to Dedalus shée went , But Beauty should , and did this fact detest , And sent forth Ire , to gnaw king Minos brest . Then Theseus fréend , shee stood on Naxus I le , And cryed alowd vnto the powres aboue : Whom Baccus caught , and brought from long exile , And in the ende , did choose her for his loue : Whose rufull mone , Dame Beauties hart did mooue , But all the Gods sent Theseus into Hell : Whose paynes were more , then any toung can tell . Then Alpheus did Arethusa chase , And left his course , euen as hée thought it best : Diana shée , did stay her of her race , And yet deceiued this long desiring guest : And sith in her , shée saw a faythfull brest , By Beauties will , shée changed her forme away : Into a spring , which in her name did stay . Then Cepheus childe , fearing the monsters might , Cride to the Gods , vpon her mothers pride : But Perseus hart , relented at the sight , And truly vowde , no longer to abide , Till for her sake , the monster hée had tryde : And on conflicte , hee ended breathinge life , And Beauty gaue , this damsell for his wife . Apollo hée , which gaue Cassandra wit , To tell all things , which after should insew : Before the bar , wheras the Iudge did sit , His whole complaint in open pleaded shew : Hee sayd that shée , had neuer prooued true , Wherat the Iudge , did ware exceeding wanne : And longe amazde , at last shée thus beganne . Sith you ( quoth shée ) which gaue to her this gifte , Can not obtayne , the troth which shee did plight : T is good for you to vse some other shifte , Her false attempt , some other way to quite : Wherfore the God , thus said in open sight , The wordes shee spake , no Troian shall beléeue , But eche mans minde , they shall molest and gréene . A thousand more , to long for to repeate , Came thronging in , the Iudgement for to heare : Such preace was made , before Dame Beauties seat , Of those which came , their matters to declare : That if I should name all that did appeare It were to much , the labour were to long , My pen would faint , and say it had great wrong . Sardanapalus , somtime Thassirian kinge , With strange attire hée entered into place : Vpon his head a helmet hee did bring , And in his hand , hée held a glistering glasse : In Queenes attire , this foole bedecked was , A rout of Hoares , and Concubines hée led , Which while hee liude his greedy humors fed . But Beauty blusht , and bid him packe away , And Venus smilde as one which likte it well : Arbactus came of him to make a pray , Whose wicked vse in presence hée did tell : Whose life in pompe , and pleasure did excell , Then Beauty sayd procure his timely death : Arbactus went , and stopt his fatall breath . What should I say eche one which did complayne , Hath out of hand , a iudgement and redresse : The Crier hee is gathering of his gaine , Eche ●●●icer is busied with no lesse : The inhabiters , prouide for gallant guesse . And eueryone , prepareth passing chéere , But euery thing is solde exceeding deere . Since Saturns dayes , and golden yéeres ypast , Since Ioue his birth , and all his brethren ●eere : If ought were done , whose fame till now doth last , You may suppose that it was truly there : Yea euery thing in order did appere , And euery iar , that present time was ended , And eche offence , by iudgement was amended . And since that time , I truly must confesse , All strife is doone , Dian loues no debate : Shée liues no more in woods and wildernesse , But euery one hath choose a cherefull mate : And some so much this life of hers do hate , That for the feare of Cupids cursed checke , They yeeld to bow , and come at euery becke . Then maruell not , though Cupid rule alone , And though eche wight is ready to obay : For surely now Dianas host is gone , Her troupe is small , which in the woods doo stay : When Cupid comes , eche one doth run his way , Yet some there bee , I can it not deny , Which liue with her , with whom they meane to dye . There Pitty stood , and pleaded many a●ase , The blinded boy , had wisht him so to doo . And often times , the Iudge to him gaue place , As well for freend , as eke for forrain foe : For sure shee thought , most meete for to doo so , That freend and foe , might ioyne them both in one , And as they ought , worship Cupid alone . Thus euery thing , béeing brought to purfit end , And euery one contented with the same : Then mighty Ioue , from lofty clowdes did send , His trusty knight , which vnto Beauty came : Who merily began the Court to blame , For that it stayd , and did defer so long : While Vulcan thought , the kitchin had some wrong . For when as Ioue from of the bench did part , Whose eares did glow , to heare so many cry : The sore complaints , did mone his tender hart , With spéedy pace hee mounted to the skye : And caused his cookes with Vulcan for to try , Till all delights for Beauties trayne did stay : For whom hee sent and wisht to come away . Then Beauty risde , and thus she gan to say , My noble Lords , and Ladyes of estate : Much are you bound , for this your happy day , Your harty thankes to yeeld vnto your fate : For that this Court , hath banished debate . Then marke what hee , which is ordainde to speake , Shall brefely say , and then the Court shall breake . From of the bench , a cumly Lord did rise , Which vnto all dit pleasantly appéere : And vnto Heauen , hee fixed his stedfast eyes , Whose couler came , which did increase his chéere : Whose voyce was such that euery man might here . And at the last ( making no long delay ) With filed speech thus hee began to say . Himenae his Oration . REnowmed Lordes giue eare , and marke what I shall say , Which now haue séene the whole exploires of all this lucky day . I Hymenaeus hight whose force you do obay , In whom ( twise happy may you bee ) if you do rightly stay . Now therfore sith ech case , hath bin discoursed at large , And sith the Iudge , by Iustice rule her duty did discharge . Leaue of those wanton toyes of loue , beeing vsed amisse , And loue the lawes of wedlocks bond , which much more séemely is . And you which long haue erred , and wandered to and fro , Reuoke your selues , and stay your race , and cease for to doo so . For holy bée the lawes , which wedlocke doo maintaine , And duty must perforce be giuen , to those which there remaine . To range abrode in woods , as many vsde before , Beséeme the brutish beast to doo , then vse that vse no more . Let Iuno serue for Ioue , sufficing for his wife , And let not Neptune with his mate , dispise to lede his life . If Hypolite the chas't , can leade his life so still , Why should not P●●edra suffer him , to doo after his will ? What ill affectes bée these , cut of those Impes I pray . Which may both bring the ●oote and stocke , with branches to decay . And thus I end in bréefe , as e●st I haue begonne , Desiring you to set your selues , in wedlockes lawes to ronne . ¶ This sayd hee ceast , and setled downe agayne , And Beauty rose , and vttered all her minde : Requesting them that they would take the payne , To wend with her , as Ioue had then assi●de : They did consent as duty did them binde , But ere they went , beholde what did betide : To mee poore soule , which did that sight abide . For as I looked , on euery thing that fell , I did neglect , wheras my guide did goe : And glauncing lookes , within that place did dwell , With speedy pace , came running mee vnto , Who drew mee forth , euen as a furious foe : Who straightly said , thy iudgement ●s ; halbe geuen , Bee sure to dye , God bring thy soule to Heauen . Hée drew mee forth , and vrged mee to goe , Yea Mauger all my force and all my might : Alas sayd I , what meane you to doo so , Take some remorse , and cease to worke your spight : Doo well ( quoth hee ) if that thy case bee right , Wherfore I wept , but yet alas in vaine , And on my guide , I ceast not to complayne . I sweat for feare , I tremble for to tell , My haire stood vp , my sences were agast : My reddy blood , this terror did expell , Before that time , which in my cheekes was plaste : And yet my foe did draw mee forth in haste , Who told the Iudge , where hee had found mee out , When all the throng began topreace about . And when they saw , what nouelty had hapt , Then euery one , began to shout and cry : And on my head , their tender handes they clapt , And sayd good Sir , you are welcome hartely : Wherwith I thankte them for their curtesie , When teares and swet , ran down my face by stremes They awakte mee out of this dreadfull dremes . So since that time I neither saw my foe , Nor yet my guide , which then was slipt away : Nay can I tell , if they to skyes did goe , As Beauty had pretended all that day : Of this nor that , no more I haue to say , But when I wakte , I went from silent shade : For darkesome night , the earth did then inuade . And here beholde , I breefely will conclude , For why ? my pen is weary of her toyle : But yet I pray , beare with these termes so rude . And for my payne , yeeld not my worke ●he foyle : Now gentle Muse , vnto thy Caue recoyle , I yeeld thee thankes , for this thy gentle hart : Thy Maister hee , hath playd his wished parte . And though not so , as hee hath wisht to doo , Yet for his skill , hee hath displayde his due : Hee craues remorce , if that it chaunceth so , That any crime , therof there should insue : Or if his pen , hath writ more then is true , Iudge you which haue , run in this tedious way , The Author doth expect what you will say .

To I. C.

IF it had not been , gentle I. C. for your earnest intreatie , whose wordes might commaunde mee , I assure you , that these three trifles had not come vnto the handes of any reader , for feare of infamy , which I doubt that they shall incurre , by meanes of the vnskilfull reader . But beeinge perswaded that they shall neuer bee red of any , ( you only excepted , and your louing Brother ) I haue taken the paine , ( which for your cause , 〈◊〉 accompt but a sporte ) for to set them downe in the forefrunt . Partly for that they fight all vnder one Ensigne : Partly for that the other which follow , bee written vnto sundry persons . Let mee therfore gentle I. C. intreate you to kepe these close , lest they come to the handes of them which may for the publishing of them , bee by right moued with mee . Fare you well .

The lyfe and death of Maister , T. Cicero , who was slayne , beeinge 63. yeares of age . NO legend lye , no fable fond , no tatling tale I tell , No treasure of Thalias Schoole , my shop hath for to sell : Come Chapmen come , come vew and sée , and bargain for the best , And see the hap of him , whose hand , held Rome in perfit rest . Whose yll reward for paines beeing past , when as you doo perceiue , Although they moue not watery streames , to wéepe yet giue me leue For when I writ with painfull pen , that which I had begun , The teares distild from watery eyne , whence flowing floods did run . And sorrowed down my moistned chéekes , repleat with greuous mone , And seas●ed sighes with salted Seas , I vttered many a one . And thus my Muse amazde my minde , and kept my hart in feare , Since first I tooke my quiuering quill , his actes for to declare . In Italy an auncient Towne , that once Arpinum hight , Which erst the Volscian kinges inioyed , by title truth and right . Yet after subiect vnto Rome , as custome did constraine , Somtime there was , and yet perhaps , to this day do remaine . Herin did Olbia hide her selfe , a Matron pure and milde , And to her Tullius ioyfull spouse , brought forth a louely childe . A blessed babe whose noble stocke , neuer brought vnto decay , ( Of auncient Volscian kinges hee came , as writers did bewray . ) Did claime and challenge rightfully , that which long time was lost , And hope did make the hartes reioyce , within Arpinum coste . In youth ( as well beseemeth youth ) in schoole hee spent his daies , Who wan renowme vnto the same , and to it purchast praise . And happy might that Maister bee , which such a scholler taught , Who to the seede that hee did sow , such great increase hath brought . And one thing doth reuiue my hart , and fill my minde with ioyes , In gallant youth with Poets arte , hee publisht many toyes . Wherby I iudge that Poets skill , in youth is not condemned , Nor practise of such painfull workes , in it should bee contemned . For what can more reuiue the hart , or sharpen dulled wit , Or els to recreate the minde , few studies bee so fit . As Poetry wherin I finde , that Plato did delight , While youth did last as erst did hée , of whom my Muse doth wright . When ryper yeeres gan run their race , and tender times wer spent , With humain artes beeing furnished , and not therwith content . To ciuill law hee lent a time , where hee long time did stay , And while hee liued through Roman rout , did beare the price away And ioyned true Philosophy vnto the law an aide , A helpe to those vndoubtedly , which in that trade are staide . Wherof how much hee pend with skill , your witnesse I implore , ( If all his workes had come to light ) which haue his workes in store At last when courage gan to pricke , and strength his minde did moue And martiall feates did put him forth , the force of Mars to proue . With shining sword , and battering blowes , his golden spurs did win By dint of blade in Scillas séege , by chance hée entered in . Whose péerelesse prowesse of youthfull yéeres , delighted Scilla so , That hee by graunt permitted him , in peace to Rome to goe . And line among his faithfull fréends , to couch himselfe in rest , Eche thing was free for him to vse , euen what hée fancied best ▪ Where while hée vsed his former vse , which erst did seeme him good , And for his freend in open plea , his frettin● foes withstood . Lo Sextus Boscius is accused , by Scilla and his traine , And Tully must come tell his tale , to set him frée againe . Wherwith the Tyrant gan to swell , but him for to preuent , Hee doth abstaine from royall Rome , and vnto Athens went. And practised the Roman ●●ing , annexed with the Greeke , That Athens neuer since that time , in her containd the like . For at that time though Rome did rule , yet Athens did excell , In knowledge of the Sciences , where all the Artes did dwell . Till Tully tryed and found the truth , which hée in time reuealed . And found out arte , in natiue speeche , which long had bin concealed . Which Apollonius tolde before that then the crowne did beare , And purchast praise in Orators , which then in Athens were . Alas ( saith hee ) I rue your case ( you Grecians ) and decay , Fo● that which once was left to you , Tully shall take away . Now Scilla draweth to his ende , and death hath paid his due , And Tully did returne to Rome , which crst hée did eschue . From thence to Cicilye hee went , beeing Questor of the same , And did the duty meete for him , which in that office came . So well hée ruled , that fréend and foe , his is wisdome did content , His perfit time , beeing brought to end , againe to Rome hee went. In tracte of time the consulship , was giuen vnto his lot , Which hee discharged worthely , true iustice not forgot . His counsaile and his grauity , his duty did discharge , His wisdome and authority , did shew exceeding large . Hee caused Ca●elyne to trudge , whose flight his ma●●● did wound , And by his pollicy , hee kept the Cittie safe and found . And they which threatned fire and sword , with slaughter to their soils Doo groueling grone vpon the ground , wheras they haue the soile . And hee triumphing of his hap , as did beseeme his might , Is called Pater Patriae , by Iustice law and right . The first also which wan that name , beeing neuer heard before , The good estate to natiue soyle , hee sought for to restore . His wife was named Terentia , in whom hee was beguilde , Of whom hee had young Cicero , and Tullia the milde . A freend hee was to verity , no fayned wordes to vtter , Ne would hee speake dissemblingly , nor glose in any matter . As well appeard in Clodius fact , for then in Rome there were The sacred Dames which vowed themselues , the vestall weeds to bere A law there was and well obserued , that none but women should , Doo rites and homage in that place , for so Dame Vesta would . Within that place Pompeia kept , which was then Caesar his wife , Whom Clodius with vnlawfull lust , did loue with all his life . And when no way hee could attaine , his pleasure to possesse , To offer wrong to Caesars bed , his hart was in distresse . But yet hee did attempt this feate , bede●t in maydes aray , And with the vestalles offered rites , and duties all that day : In hope Pompeia to imbrace and vanquish in the night , But after when this famous fact was publisht in the light : The Vestals thinke they had great wrong and strait an action draw , Accuūng Clodius they doo craue , the rigor of the law . Then Clodius to award this blow , and to driue back this dome , Protest that ●ee that present day , was not in roiall Rome . And for his witnesse brings out him , of whom my Muse doth wright , But Tully sticking to the truth , layeth out the cause aright . That Clodius that present day ( which Clodius did denye ) Met him in Rome , which many more , affirmed stedfastly . Thus Clodius all inwrapt in care , of golde did make a fréend , Who set him free from Iudgment bar , and did the Iudges blinde . Whose flattering face and priuy bribes , did soone corrupt the law , And fauour of all noble men , from Tully did withdraw . Who persecuted Tully so , as well with w●rdes as might , That hee perforce constrayneth him to fly from Rome by night . And as an exixe sixteene monethes , in exile did remayne , Till hée by Pompyes good successe , was called home againe . Whom Clodius ceast not to assaile , and sharply to inuade . Till Milo stopt his liuely breath , by force of glittering blade . When Clodius had his true desert , and Tullies foes where gone , Then fortune fauoured his successe , which erst had cause to moue . And Crassus is become his fréend , which erst did him inuye , And Caesar did maintaine his case , which long did looke awry . And who so good a freend to him as Pompye through whose plea , His goods which Clodius did consume , to him restored bee . And when as death with dauncing Dart , did end by Crassus race , Cecylia ceast was giuen to him , the Parthians for to chase . Who ruled the prouince in such sort , that Parthia cease to fight , And Tully was ordained at Rome , to triumph by his right . But discorde mooued betwéene the péeres , hée did refuse the same , And gladly did prefer the weale , before his praise of fame . But wo is mee with battering blowes , the state of Rome decay , And Caesar sekes by dints of sworde , to take thesame away . What shall I say , no feare of foes , appaled Tullies hart , No fréendship hath withdrawne his minde , to leue the rightest part . But Pompye slaine , and Cato dead , and Tully quited free , Hee left the sworde which erst was wont , his whole delight to bee . And Soly sought his Cuntries wealth , and Homer to maintaine , And that which long was hid before , by skill hée made most plaine . So that throughout the Roman coast , wh● spake of Tully then , Might iustly say that hée was borne , to profit other men . For as hee did deserue great fame , by profit to the weale , Euen so the lawes of Eloquence , hee iustly did re●eale . And hath a title of renowne , drawne out of learnings lore , Which many Greekes in Grecian soyle , could not attaine before . But yet alas I rew to tel● , I tremble all to late , That cursed slippery Fortunes wheele , inuieth all mens estate . Who erst had raisde him to the Mount , of pleasure and delight , Who had renowmed his famous fact , where Titan giueth light . Who had exalted all his deedes , with honor and renowne , Doth now begin with boysterous stormes , to beat him cleane adow● Terentia prooueth most vntrue , whose faith should not haue swerued , With whom hee made a cleane diuorce , as well her déedes deserued , Then poore estate began to pricke , and panges of pinching death , By yll successe of Fortunes spite , did stop his daughters breath . Antonius then began to rage , the greatest greefe and smart , Who seekes the state of Roman seate , by all meanes to subuert . Octauius is appald with feare , the Egiptians flockt by rout , And all the Senate quake fordread , and make their praiers deuout . The Tyrants trayne and grisly ghost , could not olde Tully quell , Nor cause his tongue to stay from talke , Antonius facte to tell . But might ( alas ) expelleth truth , as plainly did appeare , When force laide waite to trip the iust , then Tully fled for feare : To him whom erst hes had preserued , whose ayde hee did implore , His helpe hee sought , whom hee had helpt , and fostered long before , Who through his ayde then ruled as Prince , and Caesar ouer all , But harke alas , I rue to tell , what hap did him befall . Octauius thyrsty of the Crowne , inflamed with heate of wealth , Neglecting Tullyes small request , hee did not way his health . And for a true ( oh cursed wretch , ) hée yeelded to his foe , The wished pray of Tullyes life , which hee desired so . The Sparrow hatcht the Coockoes birde , which soone did sée his ende , Hee fled alas vnto his foe , whom hée esteemde his freend . Oh diuelish deede , oh lucklesse lot , oh day of dolefull dome , Oh hellish hound , vnworthy wretch , to rule in royall Rome . Hath cursed care bewitcht thy braine ? hath pride or péeuish pelfe , Made thée betray him whom thou oughtst , regard more then thy selfe Alas alas , run Tully run , the bargain now is made , Thy blood must make great fréends of foes , oh trickes of tigers trade . Antonius seekes to lay thee flat , t is time to packe away , When sounding fame this true report , to Tully did bewray . To Seas hee hent , whose washinge waues did cause him to returne , For why , I thinke the fatall Dames , his dedly wound had sworne . Whom Antony did neuer cease , with hasty speede to chase . Till hee by Fortunes crooked blast , had won him in his race . And sent Popili●s ( whom long since , Tully had saued from shame , ) To stop his breath whose stony hart , accorded to the same . From whom hee tooke both hands and head , and le●t the carcasse still And brought to Antony his Lorde , his greedy ●orge to fill . Who caused them on Senate top , for to possesse a place , Where Tully ●ft had tried his wit in many a worthy case . Whose 〈…〉 eche one 〈◊〉 , which pas●ed to and fro , And sent forth many sobb●● and teares , for greefe of Tullyes woe . That now not only Romans wayle , but all the world lament , And cease not for the losse of him , to curse his foes intent . Vt voce sic vultu ac vita .

This Epitaph following of P. Ramus the Poore knight , hath often tolde mee , to bee a freendes of his in Cambridge , and not of his owne indightinge , which if it bee , I craue pardon of the Author , and I loue it to the consideration of the Reader . An Epitaph vpon the death of the famous Phylosopher , P. Ramus , who was murdered in the persecution of Fraunce , 26. Augusti . Anno Domini . 1572. Etatis circiter . 57. YE Ladyes faire of Hellicon , come helpe for to deplore , The losse of him who while hee liude , your Alters did adore . The baw , the branch , which bare such frute , whose tast & plesant sauor , Did moue the harts , of all the impes , which sought to win your fauor . Who plighted paine to Hellicon , in Parna● was his pleasure , Who drunke of Aganippas well , in Thespias was his treasure . By sundry sortes hee sought to clyme , the Mount which merit fame , No thorne this was , but fruitfull tree , his faults declare the same . Oh would you could permit the pen , and quiuering quill to wright , Wherwith olde Homer did discourse , the toyle of Troian fight . Or els from of Carmes●as bed , Apelles raise againe , To hew his tombe cunning hand , whom denting death hath slain Fye Poets , fy : fy , fy , for shame : vniust you seeme to bee . To pen the praise of bush and shrub , and to let pas this tree . Who yeelded frute to euery one , of sweete & sugred sauor , Now winters blast hath blown him bare , shal none requite his labor If Virgils verse I could atchiue , his renowme to declare , No Textor his toyle , should quaile my Muse , or put my mind in feare Or for to yen olde Ramus proise , then blessed wight I were . If I of him as hée could doo , while hee was liuing here . A Iem , a ioy , a freend to France , yet France to him a foe , A Lampe of light , to those which seeke , to Parnas Hill to goe . What should I say , a péereles perle , and of a precious price . A teacher to the silly soule , a Iudge amongst the wise . A Spectacle to studients , to youth a perfit glasse , A rescue to Religion , when discorde mooued was . A light to good Logicions , a pen to Tullies praise , A Pilot vnto passengers , which bée to saile those seas . A Mirror to Philosophy , an ayd to them which bee , Minded to feede vpon the frute , which grow vpon this tree Thus while he liued in skilful schooles , and taught most perfit waies , The roote , the stock , which bare this branch , did win immortal praise And while he sought to clere the springs , being stopt with filthy mier His pai●es did purchase publicke foes , as paiment for his hier . And while hee sought the truth to tell , by proofe to try the same . Alectos shaked her snaky snout , and from Cocitus came , Whose grisly ghost did moue the mindes , of those whom furyfed , How tumults stirred their libels lost , such frute Alectos bred . Olde Ramus hee , whose tongue was truth , whose pen did puchase fame , By straight edict must silent rest , his pen must doo the same . His paper hath no liberty , his pen may not display , That which his Muse in learned stile , is now forbid to say . His auditors who willingly , his lectures did frequent , By publike charge they must abstaine in feare of punishment . Till mighty Ioue which raised vp , this bow , this branch , this tree , Sent siluer ●●wes , and christall springes , his comfort for to bee . By whom this branch did blow againe with bloomes that were most bright , With ●●led pen and reasons rule , hee put his foes to flight . The combat was proclaimed on hye : olde Rumus must begin , In liftes his manhood for to try , his foes b●e entred in . Not one nor twaine , but many foes , assembled were togeather , To lanche the barke into the waues , against the stormes & wealthe●● Olde Ramus hée whose worthy wit , whose force to few was knowne , Ariueth in porte , but in the seas , his foes bee ouerthrowen . And they which made this fire for to consume this florishing trée , Through heate of kindled coales , them selues to ashes wasted bee . The pit with Pretus wife did dig , Belerephon to intray , As pleased the fates to winde their clew , returnd to her mishap . Euen so Don Phoebus dained at last , his glittering beames to show , Erpulsing Winters hoary head , with boysterous-windes that blow , And Ramus gates which earst were lockt , ●ee now vnbard againe , Frée passage is permitted there , where bondage did remaine . The learned route frequented him , the Muses did him fauor , The graces sought by gracious meanes , ●or to requite his labor . The bowes did flourishing fruitfully , while sommer did remaine , When season came hee yeelded fruit , and France did reape the gaine . And eft olde Ramus sayd : come , come , come learne if that you will , I haue the key that doth vnfolde , and openeth vnto skill . Grammarians , come and learne I pray : come Re●ors come ( quoth hée ) In Logickes art I will you teache , so shall you perfite bee . Oh happy place , oh ioyfull man , which hast such ware in sight , Twise happy France , if France had knowen , to vse thy fruites aright Oh blessed man whose listning eare , might heare thy dubled voyce , What cause had they which were thy freends , of thee for to reioyce . Thus while the skyes were cleare , while calme did beare the sway , Olde Ramus wan his fame and praise , which shall remaine for aye . And pend his frute in volumes great , which all the learned know , The g●ine they reape , which taste his frute , the paine hee did bestow What cause haue they that studients bée , and taste his frutes aright ? For him and his to yeeld great praise , vnto the Lorde of might . But as they haue cause to reioyce , so may they weepe and waile , Though d●lefull d●●pes , & trickling tea●es , his cause will not auaile . Waile , w●ile , & w●●pe they may : for why the tempest raised on hye , When foes did frowne then winde did wrest , & frute did scattered lye The tree was digged vp by the roote , the branch was lopped low , And France disdayned at the frute , which on this tree did grow . When hundreds which professed the Lord , with hart , with déed , with word With these was Ramus put to death , & m●rdred with the sword , When noble péeres and Gentilmen : when men of martiall might , By bloody hands and ●inty harts , ( alas I rue that wight : Partaker of such misery ) by those of Tigers traine , Whom pittie neuer seemde to mooue , for Christ his cause were slain . Then Ramus hée , that Lampe of light , of learning in our daies , Did ende his life , and purchast fame , which shall remaine alwaies . Whose death although his foes did wish : which haue therto consented , Yet all the world no doubt the losse , of him haue long lamented . In Christ hee liued , in Christ hée died , with Christ hée doth inioy , A place no doubt for which hée died , which nothing can anoy . As then his life deserued fame , his death deserueth more , Then cease the losse of such a life , yee Muses to deplore . And graunt to him his guerdon due , which all his déedes doo merit , I meane within your Courts of fame , his méede hée may inherit . Vt voce sic vultu ac vita .

An Epitaph vpon the death of P. Starling , Somtime Schoolemaister of Bury Schoole . CEase sighing now , and thinke no more of care , Goe grisly ghost , goe tell thy heauy hap : Come dolefull Dames , cast of these weedes you ware , Reioyce with mee , which lye in ioyfull lap : Where ioy it selfe , longe since did keepe and dwell . Cease from your plaints , and harke what newes I tell . The prety birde , which you haue fostered longe , Which buylt her neast , within the Iuory tree : Which did delight your eares with sugred song , Though from her kinde , those notes dissending Bee ▪ Hath now of late , built vp her neast on hye , And sunge her songe , within the lofty skye . For while hée serued , with sheeld of learned lore , And wan such thinges as furnished his nest : Iudge you ye Dames , which knew this bird before , Might not hee well compare him with the best : In learnings lap , and vertues brants br●d hee , Oh happy wight , what gifte could better bée . And euery day , vpon Parnassus hill , Hee tought his young , most sweetly to recorde● His pleasant tune , eche vacant place did fill , His ioyfull notes did please the liuing Lorde : A constant hart , in him was truly tryed , Thus Starling liued , thus Starling lately died . And in the clowdes hée doth possesse his place , When as the Dames , his fatall clew had spun : Vntimely death did win him in his race , And stopt the steps , which hee did thinke to run : Yet sith in heauen , hée doth inioy his blisse , Hée liueth in place , where perfit pleasure is . Vt voce sic vultu ac vita .

An Epitaph on the death of M. Sharpe , of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge . IF wailyng would preuaile , if we would vaunt at will , Or if th● faries three , were linked all in one : To helpe them for to mone , whose greefe haue banisht skill , Then happy wee the case , of him which made this mone . But sith the penūue hart , ma● linger where it lye , And sith the dolefull doome● will not release the hue : While that I ●eade my life , I will not cease to cry , And waile with them which say , my owne good Sharpe adue . And waile with them which say , my owne good Sharpe adew , Adew farewell , adew vnto thy clampe of clay : Whom when thy breath forsooke , to that which should insew , A proo●e o●●eruing life most glorious for aye , No panges which wicked feare , could breake thy hart in sunder , But ●●edfast in thy trust , Christ Iesus was thy stocke : To whom in all thy woe ( which caused the wicked wonder , ) Thou only calest for ayde , to him which was thy rocke . Thou only callest to him for ayde , which was thy rocke , To whom thou yeeldest life , hoping for sweeter gaine : Whole vse is not disceite , the faithfull for to mocke , Rewarding iust with life , the wicked with their paine . The foolish liue in sinne , the wicked asketh woe , Their woe is burning f●er , whose flame shall euer last , Then happy maist thou bee which passed thy time so : Whom tempestes could not shake , nor billowes make agast , Whom tempestes could not shake , nor billowes make agast , Such was thy faithfull trust , such was thy trusty faith : That what soeuer affliction his silly corpes did taste , Lord Iesus , come , assist mee , yet often times hee sayth : And yeelded vp the ghost , to him which framed all , When as few 〈◊〉 were run , such was his fatall lot : And after ●●●●full study , this to him did befall , Who for his life once lost , a double life hath got . Who for his life once lost , a double life hath got , The 〈…〉 hawty skyes , hsi spirit doth inioy : The other here in fame , the which nothing can spot , Which Momus can not breake , nor Zoylus destroy . Then sith it hapneth so , and sith our Sharpe d●th ●iue , And sith hee doth enioy , a life which last for aye : Great cause haue wee , great praise , to mighty Ioue to giue , And to our Sharpe farewell , ten thousand times to say . This Epitaph before of Maister Sharpe , hee made in such greefe of minde , that hee had small or no regard to the measure of the Verse . The poore Knight therfore desireth pardon .

Foure of the poore Knights complaints made as hee hath declared , in great greefe of harte , applyed to sundry theames . The fyrst complaynt . 〈…〉 haue I wept alone , for sorrow and for care , 〈…〉 hath long been plunged in paine , gréefe , and distresse : 〈…〉 yee fatall Dames , and helpe for to declare , 〈…〉 waile with mee which weepe , the fate of my successe , 〈…〉 Fortunes crooked chance , hath broke my dolefull hart , 〈…〉 it selfe hath sworne , to worke my greefe and smart : 〈…〉 that heauy hap , which all men ought to weepe , 〈…〉 soule is prisoner still , and care my hart doth keepe . And yet any greefe finde no auayle , I sulke in seas without a sayle : I 〈◊〉 about with euery winde , My he li●e is an vnquiet minde . A wofull fate . No loue nor louers lawes , hath caught my hart in snare , No want of worldly wealth , hath bred so great anoy : No losse of Fortunes gifte , hath clad my hart with care , No feare of dinting death , hath banisht perfite ioy : No frowning force of foes , which doth my life inuade , Nor want of worthy blood , this heauy hart hath made : T is none of these I vow , nor none of these shall bee , Which haue increast my woe , and banisht ioyfull glee . But that which hath renewde my mone , It stickes far nearer to the bone . Whose gripes of greefs , will make mee ●ry , With sorrowing sighes till that I dye . Alas the while . So shall I quickly fade , and perish quite away , Which now I gladly wish , and oft haue wisht before : That this my brittle slesh might perish vnto clay , And that within the ground , my bones might lys in store : How happy should I bee , how ioyfull man were I , Oh gentle death come strike , that I may fade and die : For life is present death , and death would bring mee life , And ende my wofull dayes , which I consume in strife . Graunt this good liuing Lorde I pray , That as I wish , euen so I may : Ende this my life , and ende my care , That in this place I may haue share . Graunt this O Lord.

The seconde complaynt , which plainly bewray the matter of the first . Onus aetna grauius . IF Ossa Mount , and Pelion hill , were cast vpon my backe to beare , And I as strong as Atlas hy , which in his badge the stares did weare Or if my taske by payne of death , alotted were to cleane the sea , Or if to passe by Stigian flood , to vew wheras the blessed bee . I thinke of truth , and as I gesse , So shall the truth it selfe come try : Not halfe the paine I should sustaine , Come gentle death and let mee dye . For since I left my staggering state , and did the crable milde 〈◊〉 ●● And since to sucke my mothers brest , I did my minde therfro 〈◊〉 Yea since the time by mothers deth , I spent my dayes in care & 〈◊〉 And since that time I thanke my God : of other frends I found rele●●● As now I doo and longe haue done , Yet this by proofe I plainly see : I finde it so , no care and woe , Like to a troubled minde can bee . A troubled minde is cause of payne , a quiet spirit reuiueth ioyes , A quiet minde increaseth myrth , a troubled minde thesame did royes Then if the Ioue would kil the cause , y● care no doubt should fade away , And yet my care cannot depart , while that the troubled minde doth stay . And thus I dare in bréefe conclude , No ●arking care that euer I finde : Vpon the mould , I dare bee bolde , Is like vnto the troubled minde .

The thirde complaint . Sit erracti medicina confessio . AH , ah , my hart , my hart , my hart , my hart . What pincking panges ? What danger doost thou féele ? I see my freends , haue lefte to take my part , My hart , my hart , can not my gréefe conceale : My pen hath sworne , my matter to re●eale , Perforce my hands , these scribled lines did write , And wished some meanes my trespasse to requite . What shall I say ? what shall I take in hand ? My minde is dull , my braine is battered ●ore , My eyes bée dimme , where trickling teares doo stand : My soule hath sobbed , my hart can sighe no more , But now beholde , your mercy and implore : I craue for grace , and pardon 〈◊〉 my cr●me , Condempe mee not , before my a●●otted time . But try agayne , and sée what frutes shall flow , No labor lost , no trauell shall bee spent : Bee willing then , some mercy for to show , To him that hath , a minde for to repent : 〈◊〉 ●ot of the frutes , of such a good intent , And when the like , you shall in mee detect , Then shake your hand , and pay mée for neglect . And this is all , and more then all I thinke , Yea this is all I purposed to wright : Then saue the ship , which voyde of hope must sinke , And lye a pray , vnto the Ocians might : The day in sighes , in teares I spend the night , Then stay my teares , release mée of my paine , I haue confest , and doo recant againe .

The fourth complaint of this , and of the thirde I can set no true cause of wrighting , for the poore Knight hath denyed to tell it . Pyraustae interitus . AS doth the Fly , whose life the fier maintaines , Giue vp the breath , when fier is take her fro : Or as the worme , within the snow remaines , Yeeld vp the life , when shee from snow doth go : Alas the while , so happeneth it to mée , For heat and colde , haue been my great delight : What greefe is this , that I must distant bée ? From out the place , wherof I haue my might ? Come denting death , come strike the ende of strife , Pyraustae shee , is weary of her life . Farewell to thée , which gaue mée breath and blood , Farewell to thee , which did maintaine my state : Farewell to thée , in whom my pleasure stood , Farewell to thee , which diddest prolonge my fate : For why ? the snow is melted with the sunne , And flashing fier , is quenched out with raine : The fate● haue sayd , short bee thy daies to runne , From whence thou camest ▪ thou shalt returne againe : Come ●enting death , come strike the ende of strife , Pyraustae shee , is weary of her life . So goeth my time , so runs my fickle race , And all is gone , nothing is left in store : Imbrued with teares , I must bewayle my case , I wish for death , what should I looke for more : For sith the aydes which did prolonge my strength , Bee ●led from feelde , and banished from c●ust , With willing hart , I yéeld to him at length : Which come to call whom I desired most . Come denting death , come strike the ende of strife , Pyrausta shee , is weary of her life .

More of the poore Knights Posies , of sundy matters , and writ to sundry persons .

A letter to William Th. who sending to him for a looking glasse , writ vnto him this letter , with the Glasse following . The Letter . TO blame my selfe , or pinch mee to the quicke , To rub the bare , which faine would ranckled lye : To raise the mier , within the water thicke , Is all in vaine , experience plainly t●ice : To warne of that , as Horace did in Rome : Erhorting thee from that which I should vse , That guerdon dew , vnto my share would come : Which for his hier , Se●la could not refuse , Erhorting those , which then in Rome did stay , To sober life : when hee a Ruffian was : Loe euery one , with ready tounge would say , Scilla , Scilla , seeke to amend thy case : Amend thy life : a good e●ample giue , So wee by thee shall better know to liue . So wée by thee , shall better know to liue , Whose life wee seeke , whose wordes wee doe not way ▪ If I to thee , the like to this should giue , And thou my hier , with like accompt should pay : Then were I well rewarded for my paine , And had enough alotted to my taske : But this I know , thou neuer wilt disdaine , For to performe , the sum that I shall aske : Then sith I trust , to tryall of good will , Peruse the same , which I to thee haue sent : Which would I could delate with so much skill : As hee which first moued mee to this intent , But here , to him , to thee , to his , to thine : And as to thee , euen so to mee and mine . And as to thee , euen so to mee and mine , For thee I doo , accompt among my owne : And as my owne , from thee shall not decline , But ioyne in one , whose séedes in one bée sowne : So read thou this , which cummeth from thy frend , But as thou reade , remember my good will : And way this well , which I for thee haue pende , As for a glasse , to stand before thee still : And when thou vewest , thy formall face therin , Though I bée gon , and happely out of minde . Thus for to muse , on mee thou maist begin , God rest thy soule , my friend which wert so kinde : And after if thou canst perceiue thy spot , To looke in this , my Glasse disdaine thou not .

The looking glasse of the poore Knight , to W. Th. IN him which made and framed all , repose thy hope and trust , Who as hee made thée out of clay , can turne thee vnto dust . In him I say which guideth all , the Heauen , the earth the sea , 〈…〉 thy hope , in whom I hope , eternall life to see , 〈…〉 euery thing , yet neuer seene of any , So is hee present euery where , as hath appeard to many . Yet hee which clears his hart from spot , an● purge his minde from yt Hee seeth the Lord : hee knoweth the Lord. ●ee doth the Lord his will . In him to put thy confidence , as loyall duty charge . Forget not for to put thy hope , in him ( which holds the large And lofty sky within his hand ) do not his hust neglect , For godly duty at thy hands , hee solely doth expect . Which if thou doost hee will thee blesse , yea in most bounden sort , And bring thy ship through wallowing waues , vnto the happy port . Then after duty done to God : ( sweet William ) keepe in minde , The straight and lincked knot of loue , which natiue soyle doth binde . To whom thou owest thy life , thy land , toy body and thy blood , For whom thou oughtest to spend thesame , if it may doo her good . For what can bee more neare the skin , or sticke more nere the bone , Then ioy with parents , when they ioy , & mone when as they mone . And loe thy cuntry doth maintaine , both thee and all thy kin , Thy life their land , thy ioy their hope , and all that is therin . Herin thou oughtest not to forget , thy parents of good fame , And seeke for them , as they for thee , for to increase thesame . Doo duty to thy elder Sire , and loue thy yonger brother , And holde vpright the falling staffe , of thy gray hedded mother . Whose hoary haire doth smile for ioy , whose fainting feete renew , The running race with liuely blood , with fresh and pleasant hew . And thou in whom her hart doth rest , do walke that wished way , Oh ioyfull stockes ( saith shee ) whose imp●s doth keepe you from decay Now learne ( my Will ) thy duty done , to God and parents then , To shun those wicked waies , which ought to bee dispysed of men . First fly from pride , whose puffed cheeks , wil bring thy hart to pain , Eschue the Pope , with all his pelfe , for why hee is but vaine . Whose bellowing Bulles in Basan bred , haue rored against the light , And cleane apposed their wicked waies , against the Lord of might . Whose great confusion and decay , no doubt is neare at hand , Although hee clime the suprem head , of euery christian land , In riot run no rechles race , regard thy good estate , And way thy welth , for riot hath acquainted many a mate . Where riot rules within the sh●p , there Whoredome holds an Ore , And Sloth doth holde the sickle belme , while Enuy row to shore . There Cruelty doth turne the sayle , and these the Ancor cast , There Gluttony sleepes vnder hatch : and Sicknes comes in fast . Blaspheming of the liuing Lord , with Riot shakes his hand , And false attempts with Flattery , doo sinke the ship in sand . When Riot lieth , and all his mates , the sea doth make her pray , And swalloweth quick those passengers , which walke that wery way In youth my freend , while yeeres be green , beware of Circes charme And stop thy cares when Sirens sing , whose noates pretendeth harme . For why the baite which fishers vse , were of to great a price , If that the pleasant taste therof , the fish did not intice . And subtill foulers would accompt , their labor lost in vaine , If that the draught of simple birdes , did not requite their paine . Bee not to bolde to trip thy selfe in Cressids subtill traine , For hee that reche his foot so far , can not returne againe . And wanton wordes may rule thy will , and turne thy wit away , And wise men often bee to seeke , in that they ought to say . This is the glasse , the which I sent , thy cumly face to vew , Till other glasses may be bought : and thus my freend adew .

❧ A letter to Richard Ra. lyinge in his death bed . Memento mori . OH call to minde , forget not thy estate , And ponder well , within thy musing minde : Wheron thou oughtest alwaies to medita●e , That man is man , by property and kinde . Yea man is man , experience this doth try , Who flourisheth here , but yet at last shall dye . For flesh is fraile , and framde of fickle clay , Yea life is short , and breath is quickly gone : Of whom the wormes doo seeke to make a pray , When thou art dead , and couered vnder stone . And to the wombe , where thou at first did lye , Thou shalt returne , prepare thy selfe to dye . Remember death , and thinke vpon the end , Bequeath thy soule , vnto the Lord of might : And crau● of him , such mercy for to send , That when thou diest , thou maist inioy the light : Which few attaine aboue the clowdy skye , which to attaine , prepare thy selfe to dy . And faint not ( Dicke ) though denting death be nere , For why thou hast , run forth a roiall race : Pull vp thy strength , take hart and bée of chere , And 〈◊〉 thy minde , vpon that blessed place : Whose ioyfull ioyes , were neuer seene of ey● , Nor thought of hart : prepare thy selfe to dy . For euery man which liued the age before , Could not resist , the denting stroke of death : The strongest men , whose fame is kept in store , Vnto the fates , did yéeld their liuely breath : Olde Adam hée , to this could not deny , For why hee knew , that hee was ●orne to dy . The former world , to this gaue their consent , Saturnus liued , and after died againe : Yea all his stocke , with this was well content , When death doth come , none can resist his paine : Death play thy part , and life away shall fly , All must confesse , that they are borne to dy . The stately strea●s , and Turrets all of Troy , Be now cast downe , and flatling lie on ground : All Pryams stocke , the Grecians did destroy , Rare was his chance , and seldome to bee found : Alas what tho , the Turrets all on hie , Yeelded to dust , and Troians all did ●ie . ●neas 〈◊〉 , Ant●nor did thesame , 〈…〉 pursued , with all his lordly route : 〈…〉 some other die in flame , 〈…〉 hath seerched other ●ut : For when as death , this present life defie , Prepare thy felfe , for then neede shalt thou dy . Dy ( oh my Dicke ) why shouldst thou gru●th to die , What wouldest thou wish , to liue in this animy ? What is there lost , that should delight thy eye ? What is there now , that should augment thy ioy ? Then farewell life , and welcome death say I , Come , death , come , come , let vs prepare to dy . Ah welcome death ? alas what haue I sayd ? Nay welcome life , and farewell death againe : But oh my fréend , I pray be not dismaide , For where wee liue , in death wee do remaine . Then farewell death : the life it is why , Which to obtaine , let vs prepare to dye . To dy I meane , out of this deadly life , To dy I meane , out of this care and wo : To dy I meane , out of this wofull strife , To dy I meane , and free my selfe from fo: To liue to life , and dy to sin meane I , To liue in ioy , let vs prepare to dy . To liue in ioy , to liue in heauenly blisse , To liue in ioy , in mirth solace and glée : To liue in ioy , who would not dy for this , To liue in ioy , where all the Angels bee : To liue in ioy , which ioy none can ●escry , To liue in ioy , let vs prepare to dy . Prepare to dy , out of this world of woe , Prepare to dy , out of this sea of sin : Prepare to dy , to hauty heauen to goe , Prepare to dy , the heauenly life to win : Prepare to dy , to liue within the sky , Prepare to dy , I say prepare to dy . And though the paines , and pinching pangs of death , Perhaps do stinge thy silly naked hart : Bée not dismaid , feare not to yeeld thy breath , To him which can aswage thy swelling smarte And dreadfull dumpes : for of this minde am I , With Christ to liue , feare not with Christ to dy . And this thou knowest , that worldly life is vaine , And though thou liue , perhaps yet forty yeares : Confesse good Dicke , dissemble not nor fain● , Shall not those yeares , be garnished all with cares ? And yet at last , all this by proofe wee try , When death doth call , then Dicke perforce must dy . Perhaps thy freends , do sit in high renowne , And thou by them , maist haue of good estate : Perhaps thou wish to weare a Counsuls gowne , Or els to spend , thy life with ioyfull mate : Wherto beeing raised , and to this state so hye , Alas ( thou sayest ) t would greene thee for to dye . I know thy minde , thy freends oft haue I seene , Their good estate I must confesse no doubt : I know their care , which vpon thee haue beene , I know the means , which parents haue sought out : I know thy loue ( oh Dicke ) I doo not lye , But for all this , prepare thy selfe to dye . For why thou knowest , the soule it is most deare , To bee preferd , before the body vilde : Then if thou seekest for pleasures that be here , To beautifie that part which is defilde : Seeke , seeke , and search : thy dilligence apply , ●adorne thy soule : prepare thy selfe to dye . And thus I end , but one thing by the way , If God graunt life and longer dayes to thee : Thanke him therfore , to whom cease not to pray , Both for thy selfe , and then thinke vpon mée : Who for thy sake to mighty Ioue will cry , To ayde vs both , but yet prepare to dy . And thus I ende , as erst I did begin , Prepare to dy , for why thy flesh is fraile : And call to minde , that Hauen to enter in , Whose ioyfull bankes , in winter will preuaile : In winters raine , when windes do blow in say , Coch in this hauen , so shalt thou neuer dy .

The poore Knight his Paramour , written to M. Iohn Com. Phisition , and his singuler Mecaenas . Nudior Leberide . A Parramour I haue , you shall not know her name , Which neuer ceast to follow mée , since I to Cambridge came . Shee loues mee passing well , I can not her abide , And yet perforce , doo what I can , shée hangeth on my side . Shée coucheth euery night , next to my tender brest , And many times shée saith : what Will ? and let s mée take no rest . Among my deadly foes , my body shee doth kéepe , Shee kéepes the key of all my chestes , both when I wake and sleepe . I bring nothing to ende , nothing I doo begin , But ere I goe about the same , I haue her minde therin . For this her gentilnesse , I can not bée content , But wailing of my heauy hap , alas I doo lament . And vnto you I send , as to my only stay , To aske that Phisikes Art , may driue my Paramour away .

To Thomas Ro. the poore Knight sendeth greeting . Asinum tondes . THou wailes thy heauy hap & chance , thy state thou didst lament , Thou séekst the which thou canst not finde : alas bée thou contente . And builde no more vpon the sande , the flint no iuce will giue , And from the Well thou canst not fetch , thy water in a Ciue , To pull a balde man by the crowne , what vantage canst thou sée , To teache the Iron swim aboue , great wonders these should bée . To sow thy seede among the Rockes , or plow the sand for salte , The one declares a vaine attempt , the other showeth a fault . But if thy minde haue doted erst , and Glaucus change haue made , I wish thee well for to be wise , and learne a better trade . For as Vlisses profered Wine , to Poliphe●us stout , And when as Wine had won his wit , hee bored his eyes out . So shee by thee if thou continue , in this thy dotinge minde , Thou shalt preuaile as some time hée , which would correct the winds Bee ruled then and take thy rest , and marke my wordes againe , For if thou striue against the streme , thou beatest the clouds in vayn

To his freend Iohn R. YF that two euilles , bée offered to thy choice , Then take the least , as reason will thee guide : And for thy chance , thou maist with hart reioyce , That of them twaine , the least did the betide : But this I say , and councell thée beware , Which long time since , was snarled in the snare . For when I did the smoky house abstaine , Least that my eyes , with wattery streme● should flow : Beholde I chanced , in cottage to remaine , Where flaming fire , did bring the Rafters low : The stone , the tyle , and all was burnd with flame , And I alas , consumed with the same . Much like to him , which in another case , Eschued the raine , which from the skye did fall : With speedy flight , hée hastened in his race , Till hee in pit was drowned horse and all : Wherby I see , I may conclude no doubt , The least of euils , is to bée chosen out .

To his freend Bartholmew Ien. Esquilla non nascitur Rosa , IF Roses spronge of white thorne bowes , & grapes on thistles grew Or 〈◊〉 from Okes , wher Acorns hée , good Apples did insew , Then wine and frute , should not bée skant , our sences plainly tell And euery shade and pleasant groue , should yeeld a fragrant smell . But these bee wonders for to see , wee haue not heard of such , And Nature in this sodaine thance , should change her selfe too much . But yet more strang , mee thinke it is , both to my minde and eyes , That from the wet and watry seas , great flames of sfire should rise . Then way my freend , not what I speke , but what I meane hereby , What doost thou meane to heate thy selfe , in fréesing frost taly . Can fire giue forth an yt●e colde , which doth pertaine to frost , Or els to yéelde a burning flame , haue Ice their nature lost ? No , no , my freend , infected salues , can not make whole thy wound , Then walke out on the fickle floods , in steede of surest ground . For why with them which bée not sound , thou shalt corrupt thy minde , And in the dry , vnsaudry chip , no sauor thou canst finde . Then way my wordes with reasons rule , and prooue my saying true The Thistle can not beare a Grape , and thus my fréend ad●w .

To Abraham Iohnson . Nusquam tuta fides . IF Auncient writs doo beare recorde , and seeme the truth to tell , No faithfull fréendship as I finde , in mortall men doo dwell . For why ? the Father sley the Sonne , the Sonne the Father kill , Vpon the Sonne , and father eke , the mother worke her will . The Brother with the Sister iar , the daughters bane prepare , To see the Mothers finall end , and pay the fathers share . The kinsmen stands aloofe and sée , the one not trust the other , The naybors as the kinsmen all , haue banisht fayth together . The foe sees this , and gins to smile , for strife doth like him best , The rauening Coocko layes her egges , within the Sparrowes nest . And euery thing runnes out of course our time is almost spent , The night is almost néere at hand , t is time for to repent . Wherefore my freend , counsell thy fréend , as I shall counsell thée , For to prepare against that time , when direfull dome shal bée .

The poore Knight his loue , to Rich. Ron. A Lady bright I loue , which in this ●le doth dwell , I loue and not alone , for many loue her well : Her mansion where shee kéepes , few doo attaine to sée , About her place faire gates , to enter thrée times three . Yet few doo enter in , shee calles , but few doo come , Shee becks to mee and saith , shee will prepare a rome . And when I thinke to goe , with fresh assalte to proue , I enter in and search : but cannot finds my loue . And yet I sée a far , where other men doo play , And with the price I bid , to beare my loue a way . Then tell to mee my freend , and writ to mee thy minde , For louers lawes thou knowest , how I my loue may finde . And that your learning might absolue mee of this doubt , Within these written lines , her name is quoted out .

To his freend Roger Phil , Metuit cautus . THe litle lad which once hath felt the fire , Eschueth the same , and feares the flittering flame : The silly Mouse which hath escaped the wire , Will long beware for touching of the same . The simple Birde , which thinkes not of the Grin , Is tooke in snare , and made the foulers pray : The foolish fish , that swims with floting fin , Fulfilles the wish , of him which baite doth lay . Then well I sée , that which I haue not knowne , Experience makes , the disarde to beware : And they which know , not where the Hempe is sowne , Vnto their paine , bee snarled in the snare . Then would that I had knowne longe time before , That which with price , I haue most dearely bought : But now I hope , to faile therin no more , But yet I haue , the duty that I sought . For if I had , béen warned by my freend , I might haue feared , the price wherof I feele : But when I thought , therof to search the ende , i dr●nke so much , it ca●●ed my head to reele . Then where thou wisht , to know my good successe , And why I cease to sew againe for grace : Lo here I liue , in mestfull heauinesse , And of my sute , I leaue a vacant place .

To William Godf. Frontis nulla fides . IN Sommer tide , & florishing Month , when euery herb was gréene , And euery bow began to bud , most cumly to bée seene . In pleasant Herbar where I walkte , to recreat my minde , Beholde I pray , what yll successe , I chanced for to finde : Vnder a set of Margerom , which in that place did grow , For pleasant shade , and fragrant smell , when I had couched low . And Margerom had giuen mée leaue , vnder her winges to rest , I thought my selfe as neere to Heauen , as is the Egles nest . Wheras I had not couched long , but tumbling too and fro , Behold a Serpent venemous , forth from her Den did goe . And hissing foorth her venomed toung , shée stonge my brest most sore , Which doone , shée did returne againe , from whence shée came before . Take héede therfore by my yll lot , take héede therfore say I , For vnder Hony oftentime , doth cankred poison lye , And in that hed of whose faire branch , my Posie I would make , I must confesse , though to my paine , I found a stinging Snake .

To his freend Robert Dyne . Vulcanium vinculum . NO Iron chayn , nor fetter strong , no band which hand could make As thou alleage , haue halde mee back , my promise for to breake . Nor yet that ielous thought of thine , haue made mée slacke and slow , No curious charms haue touched my brayn , that make mée sloth to show He is my minde changed so much : my state is not so good , He haue my lippes I vow to thee , once sypt of Letho flood . But yet beleeue mee , gentle freend , though I so long delay , And though I breake my coucnant made , my minde doth not decay . Which oft my letters haue bewraide , which I before haue sent , As well the cause wherof I stay , as of my whole intent . The curious Artes of Parnas Hill , do aske a longer race , And hee which wish for Thespias spring , must watch for time & space And hee which once begins to goe , and fainteth with his labor , The Muses haue declarde long since : to shew to him no fauor . But all his paine is clene forgot , his labor all is lost , Loe this it is , which held mee backe , from comming to the coast . But if that God shall graunt mee leaue , this Letter is the last , Then looke for mee , and thus adew , from Cambridge in all haste .

To Maister Iobson . Qui é nuce nucleum esse , vult nucem franget . TO maske within the Front of Faire , to wear the Laureat crown To march with worthy Martial might , to purchase high renown . It is not wonne with cowards hartes : for why such slickering fame , Deserue such deedes as iustly may , demeritall the same . And first the labor must bee spent , before the end insue , And hee which seekes the sounding blast , no labor must eschue . For as wee plainly see by proofe , that hee which gapes for gaine , No daungerous death , or dint of sword , is giuen to disdaine . So hee which seekes to liue for aye , within the mouth of men , Will not refuse the strong conflict , within Leerna Fen. Had Iason left the golden fleece , when hee to Colchos went , If Aiax in the Troian toyle , at Greece had bin content : The fleece had beene at Colchos stil , Medea had bin true , And Aiax might haue held his hands , such valiant actes to shew . Had Caesar stayd in Britanny , had Brutus kept his ire , ●mpey had liued in royall Rome , and Percia kept from fire . Yea neither hee , nor this nor that , had liued so fresh in minde , But fame did force & pricke them foorth , which came of gentil kinde . Glaucus , of whom the Poets pen , haue found pastime to wright , Feared not the floods to follow her , which was his chéefe delight . Then marke the end , and way the end , the ende is cause of fame , And hee which hopes to win the end , doth neuer feare the same ,

To his freend Richard Bently . BEyond sea boy , beyond sea wilt thou wend , Christ sh●●lde my birde , and keepe my childe from care : Before thou goest , read this that I shall send , And thinke on it when wee a sunder are : For when I heard , thy ship thou didst prepare , To sulke the seas , and forrow foming flood : ( Alas my boy ) absence did make mee feare , And want of time , did streeke my minde in moode , But sith that Ioue , hath so estéemde it good . To turne thy minde , and kéepe thée heare a while , Loe if it rayne , I send to thee a hoode : To kéepe thee dry , and daungers to exyle , To keepe the dry , least raine thy clothes defile . Then way it well , which shall bee sayd of mee , And though perhaps thou doo not like the stile : Of truth I know , the matter fit for thee , First feare the Lord , which ruleth Heauen and sea : And euery thinge that mooueth in the same , Which when thou seest , let God remembred bee : And thinke on him , which euery thing did frame , The subiectes here , beholde to thee I name . For euery thing is too long to rescite , The Heauen , the Earth , the Water , and the flame : The Sunne , the Moone , the day and clowdy night , Such is his powre , such is force and might . Which when thou seest , then thus begin to muse , O Lord thou knowest , eche thing is in thy sight : It is but vayne , my sinne for to excuse , But graunt mee Lorde , thy graces so to vse . That to thy praise it may redound at last , For without grace eche thing I shall abuse : Thus thinke my freend , when thou the seas art past , Another thing I warne thee of in haste . Eche forran lande , hath many a subtill sleyght , And forrain snares , will make thee soone agast : Ech sundry place hath many a sundry bayt , Here lurketh one in Dungeon of deceit . An other there , in secret Den doth ly , The Romish Church for thee will lay great wayte : But oh my freend , from p●lting Papistes fly , Fly , fly from those , kepe not their company , Auoide those mates , wherof I haue thee tolde , For surely freend , they stinge so secretly : That if the wound , begin once to be colde , It is as hard the same for to vnfolde : As to remoue the Pope out of his place , Trust not to far , good freend bee not to bolde : Least you be sicke , before you know your case . Another thing , beware of in your race : Beware I say , of those which fawne with g●●le , Which merily will cheare you in the face : And sooth you foorth : with many a wanton smile , And heapes of wordes , they sticke not to compile . I néede not name them in more plainer sort , Which rediest bee , at all times to beguile . Eschue all such , vnto your owne comfort , Vnto their tentes , in no wise doo resorte . But when they beeke , beware least that you bow , Oh gentill freend , eschue that filthy sport : And say your freend , of this hath counselled you , Then if thou meane , his counsell to allow . And thinke on it , when you haue past the Sea , Then shall you see , and for this perceiue hew : Thou of hye Ioue , shalt alwaies blessed bee , Blessed I say , so will hee comfort thee . That though thou chance , not to returne again● ( God sheeld my childe , and keepe both thee and 〈◊〉 ) Yet shall thy srule , alofte with him remaine , And though thou chance , to soio●ne longe in Spayne : In Germany , in France , or els in Rome , Do not forget , that minde for to retaine : Which erst thou hadst , when thou therto hidst come , Remember still , the dreadfull day of dome : Be curteous still , bee sober , meeke , and wise , And hasten thee vnto thy natiue home : Ill company , see that thou doost dispise , Least that by them , some danger should arise : And if thou chance in Venice for to stay , I say no more , thou knowest what I surmise , Vnto my fréend commend mée by the way , And wish him well , to make no more delay : But to returne when time shall him permit , And this is all , thou knowest what more to say : Which vnto Pen , I meane not to commit , Thou knowest my minde , and so know I thy wit : Loe this is all , I geue vnto thy taske , And thus farewell , vnto a season fit : Whose safe returne , of mighty Ioue I aske .

To Thomas Tur. by the example of Perillus , alluding to Quod tibi non vis fieri , alterine feceris . HAd not the cruell bloody kinde , imbrued it selfe with blood , No doute the life of Phallaris , might soone haue doone much good . For why ? yll manners did corrupt , and banisht ciuell kinde , And gasping thirst of humaine blood , defilde a worthy minde . Whose workes be yet this day , to see how much hee stood in awe , Of Sages wise , whom hée estéemde , which did neglect the law . Of him and of his Tortures great , all voyde of sparkes of loue , Who hath not read , and yet once red , whose harts doth hée not moue ▪ Did not Perillus bloody wretch ( whose factes my gréefe renew ) From Athens bring the brazen Bull , if Poets workes be trew ? Hoping of him which loued the same , for to obtaine the prise , Whose wordes did soone bewray his Art , and vttered his deuise . Oh noble Kinge ( quoth hée ) beholde , in Athens where I dwell , Thy fame is spred , for whyeche one , thy tyranny doth tell . The Brute wherof vnto my eare , by chaunce did come of late , As well of thee as of thy life , and of thy prosperous state . And by my trade ( oh noble Kinge ) I vse to worke in Brasse , Loe here a worke , which of good will , I offer to your grace . The like to it since Saturns dayes , was neuer wrought before . Nor as I thinke by mortall hands , can neuer bee made more . For loe , the Torture is so strange , the torment is such paine , The like to it you haue not had , nor shall not haue againe : These wordes inflamed his furious hart , which thirsted after blood , And to Perillus furiously , hée spake with raging moode . And sayd , Perillus shew the vse , cease not for to declare , And I will well reward thy paines , Perillus doo not feare . The Bull is hollow ( noble Prince ) a man therin may lye , Aslender flame beeing made with out , hée shall consume and fry . His spéech shall turne like to the noyse , that liuing bulles doth make , And for a terror to thy foes , I made it for thy sake , Possesse the same : which done , the Kinge his glosing wordes to try , First put Perillus in the Bull , where hée him selfe did die . And after him that cursed Bull , to many brought great smart , And Phallaris did ende his life , within Perillus Art. By whose cruell end , I doo perceiue that counsell wise to bée , Doo thou no worse to other men , then they all doo to thee .

To R. Baker , Virtus post funera viuit . TO tell of them whose famous factes , haue won no small renowne , Eyther with glittering blade in féelde , or els with Consuls gowne . Aswell within our natiue lande , or els in forrain soyle , My Muse doth lothe that labour great , it were to great a toyle . But yet shée daines at your request , for to discribe at large , And as the season will permit , her duty to discharge . In Vertues race guide well thy steps , in her put thy delight , For Fame doth fauor Vertues house , from whence shée takes her slight . Whose sounding Tromp doth warne all those , which seeke renowned state , To arme themselues in Vertues tent , & fight in Iustice gate . Who often sayth , chéere on my harts , your manhood séeke to try , I will preserue your déedes on liue , your fame shall neuer dy . Alcides hee , whose heauy hand , the Centaures doo lament , Whose direfull strokes the Stigian Knights , with pitteous plaints repent . Was mooued to force , by flickering fame , his faithfull fréend to fetch Whose lingering liues , the furies ferce , on whirling whéele did stretch With pricke of praise , King Peleus deare , did saile from gallant Greece And conquered the golden Ram , and stole away the Fléexe . When praise did pricke the panting hart , of Pallamedes Prince , Hée rygde his shippes , and hoysed sayle , the Troians to conuince . If Pirhus father had not ceast , the handmaydes wéede to weare , Then Homers hand had stayd his quill , which doth his actes declare . Come subtill Sinon tell the truth , what did thy hart inflame , To hazard health with forrain foes , but hope of future fame . Iyeurgus leaue thy exilde life , come home , come home againe , Nay , nay , I meane while life doth last , an exile to remaine . For though I dy a banisht wight , yet this I know most sure , That all the world shall pen my praise , while Aestas yeares indure . So fancy fed the fainting mindes , of them which liued before , That they in hope of perfit praise , Dame Vertue did adore . For nothing was estemed so much , as for to leaue behinde , To those which should succeede his roome , as was a vertuous minde . For praise did tickle toward wits , and made them search the way , To purchase fame , which should remaine , when they were shrind in clay . This caused Alexander stout , to take the war in hand , In hope to conquer all the world , as well by sea as land . And Tully with his filed toung , did seeke to purchase fame , And all the Roman Emperours , haue leaueld at the same . What should I say ? I faynt to tell , or to discourse of all , And bare remembrance of the same , doo make my pen to fall . And bid mée cease , for why ? Dame Fame haue sworne and can not ly , That shee will not permit the déedes of valiant wights to dy . Then let vs seeke to hit that marke , wherto wée should assend , I meane to win eternall life , which neuer shall haue end . For Fame in tract of time will fléete , but that shall euer last , Fame serues but for this present life , but that when life is past . So let vs trust to Vertues waies , in hope the same to try , That wee by proofe may plainly plead , that Vertue can not dy .

To his freende and kinsman I. Tin. Satius est initijs , mederi quam fini . THe Pacient which by yll successe doth beare the daungerous sore , Whose swelling smart , & painful panges , increaseth more & more Dooth seeke the Surgeons skilfull hand , his paine for to aswage , Before the wound bee festered far , to mitigate his rage . For why ? the Surgeon willeth this , before the cure bee past , Which done , hee layeth his helping hand , & heales the wound at last . When winde hath rent with raging blast , the tender stocke and trée At first if helpe begins to faile , then no redresse can bee . And hunters vse to trade their hounds , in youth to hunting game , Least that in age when time shall serue , they should neglect the same . For that which bréedeth by the bone , will hardly bee remoued , And men in age will scarsely lothe , the thing which once they loued . Then must I néedes reioyce my freend , that fortune doth reueale , That thing to mee , which thou from mee didst purpose to conceale . Fame telles to mee with sounding Trompe , that thou begins to loue , I doo beleeue , yet Fame at first , could hardly credit moue . But when as true Report was blased , Misdout was banisht quite , And thou wert sayd to sue for grace , which is a louers right . I speake by gesse , for why I lacke experience of the same , I neuer serued her whom thou seruest , nor neuer playde her game . Yet this I thinke and do confesse , that loue may well bee vsed , I know the same , I read the same , it ought not bee refused . So long as loue keepes lawfull loue , and flies from Cupids Court , Or if vnto Dame Venus Vale , it ginnes not to resorte . From whence ( my fréend ) I counsel thee , with tender loue and care , That thou abstaine , as well becomes thee to eschue that snare . And fix not thou thy fancy there , where care is banisht quite , But if thou loue , loue such a one , as may yeeld thee thy right . For if thou run in Laborinth , without Ariadnes clew , T is hap if thou finde out the doore , wherin thou didst insew . First looke , then leape : for why to leape , before thou sedst the ground Perhaps thou maist leape in the Sea , wheras thou shalt bee drownd Or els vpon some craggy Cliffe , whose stones thy head will dash , Or els vpon some pointed Speare , which in thy side will lash . Then wilt thou say , ah ha my freend , thy wordes are proued true , Then looke I pray , before you leape , and thus my freend adue .

Maister Alexander D. gaue this Theame . Multa cadunt inter calicem supremaque labrat . BE not to bold , in chance and change , is oft a sodain sight , And none doo know the victorer , while foes bee at the fight . While Saylers sulke vpon the seas , they know not where to land , And some which thinke to hap in Hauen , d● sinke within the sand . The fish which byteth on the baite , hath cleane forgot the snare , And euery thing in prosperous state , hath banisht mortall care . But yet so quickly turnes the wheele , the fates do change so sone , That good successe , do seldome come , good dayes be quickly gone . And hee which liues , can not prolonge , his yeares by halfe a day , But when time comes , say what hée will , yet must hee needes away . The corne which groweth vpon the ground , before it sh●ote to blade , Reuiues his hart , which long before , a good accompt hath made . But yet before the Haruest come , it falles and fades away , And when the Barne doth aske his right , the corne lyeth in decay . Then trust not vnto fickle fate , for why from sun to sun , I meane from Morne to Euen wee see , that diuerse things be done . And in the Moment of the time , and twinckling of an eye , Behold the man that liued in ioy , is ready for to dye . Such is our state , such is our strength , wheron wee daily trust , But if wee hope wheron wee holde , needes must we ly in dust .

The poore Knights lamentation : wherin hee earnestly bewayleth the late losse of diuers worthy Gentilmens lyues , that died of a verye strange disease , at Oxforde , in Iuly 1577. among whom died Sir Robert Bell , Lorde cheefe Baron , and Maister Nicolas Barham , Ser●ant of the Law , both Iustices of the Assise there , with other Knights and Gentlemen , beside Studients and others of all degrees , as followeth . STand still yee Féends of Limbo Lake , ye hellish hounds giue eare , Stay Theseus on thy whorling whéele , harke what I shall declare . Come plonge in pit of paynfull plight , yee Furies three I pray , Oh Pluto marke my dolefull mone , giue eare what I shall say . And rue with mee the rufull chance , and mone the yll successe , The dolefull dole , the heauy hap , the dumpes of déepe distresse . Which Oxforde Towne hath had of late , most fresh & new in minde Harke , harke , ye Dames of Stigian flood , and waile by course of kinde And though no teares of furies eyes , will ease the fatall fall , Yet plaints of you which Furies bée , may moue the minde of all . To say with mee , as I haue sayd , alas helpe to deplore , And waile the chance , like to which chance , no chance hath chanst before In Oxforde towne , or English soile , since worthy Troians time , Since Brute in coast , did seeke by fame , to clustering clowds to clime . Oh strange disease most strange to tell , and strange to call to minde , As thundring fame hath tolde for truth , as reason did her binde . Alas , alas , I rue to thinke , I tremble for to tell , My fainting hart is much apalde , my soule in gréefe doth dwell . But yet alas what hoote to mone , where teares will not a●ayle ? No gentle wordes will fence the Forte , where denting death assaile , No sugred termes will stay his stroke , no force will make him fey , No subtill sleight of mortall minde , hée wayeth no hydeous cry . No worthy actes can bannish death , or cause him to relent , No fame , no name , for good deserts no dayes in Iustice spent : Can him intreate to holde his hand , no hope of future gaine , Which might redound to common wealth , can cause him to abstaine But oft that Impe by whirling winde , is blasted to decay , And sonest beares the withered leaues , wherof most hope doth stay . Of Troian soile , let Hector say , let Pyrhus speak● for Greece , Or ioyne Achilles if you please , and Paris with his peece . Macedons Prince may tell his tale , and Caesar may discharge , That good Hamilcars eldest Sonne , by proofe may tell at large . What neede I range , sith ranging far , doth br●●de to great annoy , Sith Bell , & Barham may blaze forth , which once were Englands ioy Ah sounding Bell , ah Barham bolde , ( I meane in Iustice cause , ) Ah true maintainers of the right , and strengthners of the lawes . How oft can Westminster report , whose record can not ly , Your true deserts in Pleas of price , your worthy wits to try . How oft can al Assises say , loe Bell , loe Barham hee ? Perdy in skill of Lawiers trades , those worthy champions bée . How oft hath Bell béene sounded of , through euery Sheere & Towne ? How oft hath Barham through his deedes , atchiued high renowne ? But out alas , the Bell is broke , and Barhams toung doth stay , For Death hath strooke , whose daunting dartes eche worldling must obay . Both Iudge & Shrife , both Shrife and Clarke , yea Clarke & Cryer al Must giue accompt before the Iudge , when Christ his Cryer call . And well I hope hath Bell deserued , and Barham shal haue meede , With all the rest aloft in skyes , wheras the Angels feede . And you ye doughty Knights whose corps , be laid in mourning graue Whose bones shall long bée kept in store , a good reward shall haue . And though ye waile , yee Templers all , for them which you did know Which oft within your costly Courts , their sage aduise did show . Yet sith the Fates haue cut their clewes , sith Lachesis hath sayd , That shee would stretch her hand no more , then be you well apayde . And stay from murmering at their fate , such fatall hap had they , ( Whom God had long ordaind before , to visit in that day . ) As few haue seene or heard the like , with watery eyes lament , With salted sighes , and gushing teares ( which all in vaine be spent . ) In Oxford Town & euery where , where fame hath blown her blast , And scalding sighes in sundry brestes , haue vowed for ay to last . What shall I say ? what shall I wright ? or shall I leaue my verse ? How can my hand holde fast my pen , these dollors to reherse . Nay , nay , as great a gréefe as that , did more augment my paine , Which yet-hath lurkte , concealed fast , but can not so remaine . Euen for your sakes yée Studients all , whose gréefe increase my smart , For whom my minde was troubled sore , ( all flattery set apart ) Not mine alone , but thousands more , did see themselues agréeued , And askt on knees of mighty Ioue , your time might bee reléeued . How many harts haue wept with vs , which neuer saw that towne , How many chéekes were moistned here , with teares that ran adowne . Should Cambridge smile , & Oxforde wéepe , then Camb. were vnkind Nay , nay , my harts , your swelling smart , did beat in euery minde . And floods of teares , for you did flow , repleat with mestful mone , So Cambridge swere that Oxforde towne , shall neuer morne alone . Nay God forbid that Cambridge hart , should euer harden so , That would not send forth gushing teares , to weepe for Oxfords we . For why ? no hart was hardned so , though it were made of brasse , That would not weepe for Fraunce his fall , when feirce Affliction was And rue with Antwerpes ruinous ruthe : alas what hart had hee ? That would not say Antwerpe adew : or Fraunce , Christ fight for thee , Then who could cease ( although hee would ) your fate for to deplore ? Sith wounds that sticke more nere the bone , do breed the greter sore And though the case were far vnlike , to Fraunce and Antwerps ruthe , Yet was your case as strange to tell , as Fame hath tolde for truth , Yea though your chance were much more les , yet ought we to complain , Sith that your ioy increase our mirth , your wo doth bring our paine Then what was left for Cambridge towne , when Oxford felt the rod , But still to waile and weepe for you , and pray to mighty God : That hee when his good pleasure were , his heauy hand would stay , And with his powre as well hee can , remoue his scourge away . And cease not you , as wée for you , to Ioue for vs to call , That he would hold his stroke away , and keepe our towne from thral That you which felt his heauy hand , and wee which rued the same , May ioyne in one to laude the Lorde , and praise his holy name . And bee content to beare the blow , which hee to you hath lent , Though you had taste of bittter pangs , ( good harts ) yet be content . For why ? when God shall thinke it good , in the twinckling of an eye Hee can reuoke that hee hath sent , your constancy to try . Till then wee weepe , and pray for you , and listen what insew , Desiring Christ to stay his hand . From Cambridge thus adew .

The poore Knight his farewel to his Booke . IF Robinson , which hath no cause to feare , Did stand in dout , that hee should haue a rome : Where Cheryll keepes , that hee I say euen there , Should stand and tell , what Poets thither come : Behinde the doore , there Cheryll tels his case , And whips the dogges , out of that sacred place . If hee I say , this infamy did feare , Which hath deserued , such fame in English coast : Then farewell Booke , thy Maisters hay declare , Who thinkes himselfe , inferior vnto most : Thy Maister feares , by crooked chance and fate , To haue a place without the Porters gate . Not once to see , the Lawreat Poets place , Ne yet to speake vnto that dogged wight : Then farewell Booke , bewray thy Maisters case , Who stands in dout , to put his name to light : Least that as hee , which Cheryll hath to name , The world should seeme , to blaze thy Maisters shame . And sith thou art in yeares my eldest Sonne , Disdaine thou not , this viage to begin : From hand to hand , addresse thy selfe to ronne , And seeke good will , of euery man to win : If Momus barke , and Zoylus gin to chat , Bee of good cheare , and doo not blush at that . And if thou spéede , ere many yeares bee past , Thy brethren shall insew thy former race : If thou speed not , then shalt thou bee the last , As thou wert first , which did begin this case : Speede well , spéede yll , her of shal be an ende , Adew good Childe , commend mee to my freend . FINIS .