A proper new sonet declaring the lamentation [of Beckles in] Suffolke which was in the great winde vpon S. Andrewes eue last, past most pittifully burned with fire, to the losse by elimation of twentie thousande pound and vpwarde, and to the number of four score dwelling houses. 1586. Tow Wilsons tune.

A proper newe sonet declaring the lamentation of Beckles in Suffolke , which was in the great winde vpon S. Andrewes eue last , past most pittifully burned with fire , to the losse by estimation of twentie thousande pound and vpwarde , and to the number of foure scoredwelling houses . 1586. To Wilsons tune . WIth sobbing sighes and trickling teares my state I doe lament Perceiuing how Gods heauie wrath against my sinnes is bent Let all men viewe my woefull fall and rue my woefull case And learne hereby in speedy sort repentaunce to embrace . For late in Suffoclke was I seen to be a stately towne Replenished with riches store and had in great renowne Yea planted on a pleasant soyle so faire as heart could wish And had my markets once a weeke well storde with flesh and fish A faire fresh Riuer running by to profite me withall Who with a cristall cleered streame about my bankes did fall My fayres in somer welth●ly for to increase my store My medowes greene and commons great what could I wish for more . But now beholde my great decay which on a sodaine came My sumptuous buildings burned be by force of fires flame A carelesse wretch most rude in life his chymney set on fire The Instrument I must confesse of Gods most heauie ire . The flame whereof increasing stil the blustering windes did blowe And into diuers buildings by disperst it to and fro So kindling in most grieuous sort it waxed huge and hie The Riuer then was frozen so no water they could come by . Great was the crye that then was made among both great and small The wemen wept and wrong their handes whose goods consumed all No helpe was found to slacke the fyre theyr paines was spent in vaine To beare theyr goods into the fieldes for safegarde they were fayne . And yet amid this great distresse a number set theyr minde To filtch and steale and beare away so much as they could finde Theyr neighbors wealth which wasted lay about the streetes that time They secretly conuayde away O most accursed crime . Thus from the morning nyne a clocke till foure a clocke at night Fourescore houses in Beckles towne was burnd to ashes quite And that which most laments my heart the house of God I say The Church and temple by this fyre is cleane consumde away . The market place and houses fayre that stood about the same Hath felt the force and violence of this most fearefull flame So that there is no christian man but in his heart would grieue To see the smart I did sustaine vpon saint Andrewes eue . Wherefore good christian people now take warning by my fall Liue not in strife and enuious hate to breed each other thrall Seeke not your neighbors lasting spoyle by greedy sute in Lawe Liue not in discord and debate which doth destruction draw . And flatter not your selues in sinne holde not Gods worde in scorne Repine not at his Ministers nor be not false forsworne For where such vices doth remaine Gods grace will neuer be And in your health and happie state haue yet some minde on me . Whose songes is changd to sorrowes sore my ioyes to wayling woe My mirth to mourning sighes and grones the which from griefe doth growe My wealth to want and scarsetie my pleasure into payne All forthe sinne and wickednesse which did in me remaine . If then you wish prosperitie be louing meeke and kinde Layrage and rancour cleane aside see malice from your minde And liue in loue and charitie all hatefull pride detest And so you shall with happie dayes for euermore be blest . And thus I ende my wofull song beseeching God I may Remaine a mirrour to all such that doe in pleasure stay And that amongest their greatest mirth and chiefest ioye of all They yet may haue a heart to thinks of Beckles sodaine fall . FINIS . T. D.