The rewarde of Wickednesse Discoursing the sundrye monstrous abuses of wicked and vngodlye worldelinges: in such sort set downe and written as the same haue beene dyuersely practised in the persones of Popes, Harlots, Proude Princes, Tyrauntes, Romish Byshoppes, and others. With a liuely description of their seuerall falles and finall destruction. Uerye profitable for all sorte of estates to reade and looke vpon. Nevvly compiled by Richard Robinson |
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 | The rewarde of Wickednesse |  |
O foulest
fuery, that raging hell doth guide,
O worse then wrath, or endlesse wicked life
O swarming plages, yt passeth flesh to bide,
O doubtful dome of Plutos broiling strife.
O Stigion spew thy flames to ende this life.
O iust rewarde I saye, of wicked deedes:
O greatest mischiefe, among these paddels rife,
O come make haste, you flames of glowing gleedes.
O worse then wrath, or endlesse wicked life
O swarming plages, yt passeth flesh to bide,
O doubtful dome of Plutos broiling strife.
O Stigion spew thy flames to ende this life.
O iust rewarde I saye, of wicked deedes:
O greatest mischiefe, among these paddels rife,
O come make haste, you flames of glowing gleedes.
You Gods that sit in seates of passing blisse,
whose Ioyes my endles paines surmounteth farre:
Doe you consent for to rewarde mee this,
that whylome was in Greece, the Lampe, and Starre?
What meant you first to make and then to marre?
I am the worke of all your whole consentes:
No brute nor fame, of Earthly woman barre,
woe worth my fate, full sore it mee repentes
whose Ioyes my endles paines surmounteth farre:
Doe you consent for to rewarde mee this,
that whylome was in Greece, the Lampe, and Starre?
What meant you first to make and then to marre?
I am the worke of all your whole consentes:
No brute nor fame, of Earthly woman barre,
woe worth my fate, full sore it mee repentes
O worthye Dames, lende mee your listening eares,
refraine your Citherons, and pleasaunt Lutes also:
With Virginalles, delighting many eares,
from out your heartes, let thought of Musicke goe.
Perhaps you daine, that I shall will you so,
but meruaile not, ne at my wordes take scorne:
It is your partes though you were ten times moe,
to helpe my plainte, with teares that I was borne.
refraine your Citherons, and pleasaunt Lutes also:
With Virginalles, delighting many eares,
from out your heartes, let thought of Musicke goe.
Perhaps you daine, that I shall will you so,
but meruaile not, ne at my wordes take scorne:
It is your partes though you were ten times moe,
to helpe my plainte, with teares that I was borne.
Caste of your Golden Rayes, and ritche attyre,
put on the mourners weedes, seeme to lament:
Hide your painted faces, that sette mens heartes on fire,
learne this of mee, your bewtye soone is spent.
You maye by mee your wicked liues lament,
from spowting Conduites let gushe the floods of feares
Let scalding sighes from broyled heartes be sent,
your iust rewarde for wickednesse appeares.
put on the mourners weedes, seeme to lament:
Hide your painted faces, that sette mens heartes on fire,
learne this of mee, your bewtye soone is spent.
from spowting Conduites let gushe the floods of feares
Let scalding sighes from broyled heartes be sent,
your iust rewarde for wickednesse appeares.
Although it doth abashe eache daintye Dame
to reade of mee, or yet to heare mee read:
I am the marke for you to shun like shame,
disdaine me not though hygh you beare your head.
You that of Husbandes all this while bee sped,
bee true to them in all your conuersation:
Beware take heede, defile no time theyr bed,
among the Gods it's great abhomination.
to reade of mee, or yet to heare mee read:
I am the marke for you to shun like shame,
disdaine me not though hygh you beare your head.
You that of Husbandes all this while bee sped,
bee true to them in all your conuersation:
Beware take heede, defile no time theyr bed,
among the Gods it's great abhomination.
I was in bewtye passing all the rest,
and so by nature as curious made and wrought:
That if in mee there had beene grace possest,
to match the Gods I might haue well beene thought.
But vertue is the bewtye, Ladies all,
and not your painted faces and shining glee:
No greater mischeefe can among you fall,
then for to feede your ficle prophane eye.
and so by nature as curious made and wrought:
That if in mee there had beene grace possest,
to match the Gods I might haue well beene thought.
But vertue is the bewtye, Ladies all,
and not your painted faces and shining glee:
No greater mischeefe can among you fall,
then for to feede your ficle prophane eye.
For once I had my selfe such prophane lookes,
twirlde out with eyes that were celestiall like,
Whose sparckling twinche were sharper then the hookes,
cast in the streame with baite for Fishe to bite.
A thing immortall seemed I to bee,
but yet corrupt with maners that were nought,
As painted Tombes, with bones bee inwarde filthy:
so outward I, but inwarde vices wrought.
twirlde out with eyes that were celestiall like,
Whose sparckling twinche were sharper then the hookes,
cast in the streame with baite for Fishe to bite.
A thing immortall seemed I to bee,
but yet corrupt with maners that were nought,
As painted Tombes, with bones bee inwarde filthy:
so outward I, but inwarde vices wrought.
And to her selfe bewayling thus alas,
in eyther hande an Ore, shee laboureth sore:
At length shee was espide where I and Morpheus was,
then calde shee vs that stoode vpon the shore.
Come neare good Morpheus, straight shee gan to rore,
thou seest my paines, thou knowst not yet my name:
In Stigion lake I bide for euermore,
the wife of Menelaus I am the verye same.
in eyther hande an Ore, shee laboureth sore:
At length shee was espide where I and Morpheus was,
then calde shee vs that stoode vpon the shore.
thou seest my paines, thou knowst not yet my name:
In Stigion lake I bide for euermore,
the wife of Menelaus I am the verye same.
And Hellen loe I am that heare abide,
within this ryuen Boate, inuironde as you see:
As iust reward for fleshlye lust and pride,
which scapeth not, but heare rewarded bee.
Many a worthy wight lost his life for mee,
and dyed all berayde and slorried all in blood:
Therefore I praye thee yet come neare and see,
the tormentes I abide within this hellishe flood.
within this ryuen Boate, inuironde as you see:
As iust reward for fleshlye lust and pride,
which scapeth not, but heare rewarded bee.
Many a worthy wight lost his life for mee,
and dyed all berayde and slorried all in blood:
Therefore I praye thee yet come neare and see,
the tormentes I abide within this hellishe flood.
Alas vneth my hande can holde the pen,
my sight deuoured is with greeuous teares,
When I but thinke howe that I sawe her then.
that once did leade the crewe of Uenus peares,
No honest heart but it would rewe her state.
that hearde and sawe as much as wee that tide:
But all alas to greeue it is to late,
the Gods ordeine that shee shall there abyde
my sight deuoured is with greeuous teares,
When I but thinke howe that I sawe her then.
that once did leade the crewe of Uenus peares,
No honest heart but it would rewe her state.
that hearde and sawe as much as wee that tide:
But all alas to greeue it is to late,
the Gods ordeine that shee shall there abyde
Amid a Sea that boyleth fierye floods,
with mixed blood flyes vp and downe the Skies,
Where lurking Rockes with hautie dreadfull muds
on euerye side appeared in our eyes.
About the which moste venemous serpentes flyes,
huge storming blastes this wicked streame doth moue:
What sparkes of gleides rise vp like swarmes of Bees,
and furies fell theyr wicked partes doe prooue.
with mixed blood flyes vp and downe the Skies,
Where lurking Rockes with hautie dreadfull muds
on euerye side appeared in our eyes.
About the which moste venemous serpentes flyes,
huge storming blastes this wicked streame doth moue:
What sparkes of gleides rise vp like swarmes of Bees,
and furies fell theyr wicked partes doe prooue.
For in a Boate berent on euerye side,
(and as I sayde) shee sittes, in euery hand an Ore:
And striueth styll betweene the winde and Tyde,
nowe haling from the Rockes, and by & by from shore.
The choyse is harde, when this refuge is best,
to toyle amid these flaming fluddes as shee:
Or else t'ariue amid the Serpentes nest,
for on the lande with blades the Tyrantes bee.
(and as I sayde) shee sittes, in euery hand an Ore:
And striueth styll betweene the winde and Tyde,
nowe haling from the Rockes, and by & by from shore.
to toyle amid these flaming fluddes as shee:
Or else t'ariue amid the Serpentes nest,
for on the lande with blades the Tyrantes bee.
Which rounde about this plaguie Stigion pit,
in battaile raye and armour blacke doe stande:
Cut throtes, as egar as any Fishe of byt,
that alwayes watche to see her come to lande.
Eache Butcher holdes a mortall Axe in hande,
for to reuenge the blood shee caused shed:
The which for truth, when as I vewde and scande,
with heapes of woe, to Morpheus thus I saide.
in battaile raye and armour blacke doe stande:
Cut throtes, as egar as any Fishe of byt,
that alwayes watche to see her come to lande.
Eache Butcher holdes a mortall Axe in hande,
for to reuenge the blood shee caused shed:
The which for truth, when as I vewde and scande,
with heapes of woe, to Morpheus thus I saide.
Alas (quoth I) this greeues mee most of all.
to see her fate, whose bewtye Clarkes commende:
Mee thinke the Gods that sit in seates supernall,
some mercye should at length and pitye sende.
Eache one (quoth Morpheus) who seemeth to offende,
according to theyr deedes without respect
Haue here rewarde for wickednesse in t'hende,
as pleaseth Pluto, or whome hee hath elect.
to see her fate, whose bewtye Clarkes commende:
Mee thinke the Gods that sit in seates supernall,
some mercye should at length and pitye sende.
Eache one (quoth Morpheus) who seemeth to offende,
according to theyr deedes without respect
Haue here rewarde for wickednesse in t'hende,
as pleaseth Pluto, or whome hee hath elect.
And as these wordes were sayde, wee hearde hir crye,
(O Paris, Paris,) for euermore woe bee the time
Thy faigning face, it was my chaunse to spye,
or that it was thy lucke to looke on mine.
Thou steynde my name, alas so did I thine,
my mischiefe hit by thee, by mee the like thou had:
O wicked Hellen, this all men maye define,
And Paris for thy part, thy fortune was as bad.
(O Paris, Paris,) for euermore woe bee the time
Thy faigning face, it was my chaunse to spye,
or that it was thy lucke to looke on mine.
Thou steynde my name, alas so did I thine,
my mischiefe hit by thee, by mee the like thou had:
O wicked Hellen, this all men maye define,
And Paris for thy part, thy fortune was as bad.
O worthye Troye, happye had thou binne.
if sleepie Nurse had strangled mee in bed:
Then bloodye mischiefe had scaped all my kinne,
and noble Hector had neuer lost his head.
Many a worthy man had liude, that nowe is dead,
Troy had florisht still, whose walles are sact full loe:
Menelaus had neuer yet polluted bed,
and if the Gods my death had poynted so.
if sleepie Nurse had strangled mee in bed:
Then bloodye mischiefe had scaped all my kinne,
and noble Hector had neuer lost his head.
Troy had florisht still, whose walles are sact full loe:
Menelaus had neuer yet polluted bed,
and if the Gods my death had poynted so.
All Greece vnto this daye, doth curse the time,
with many a famous Prince of noble birth.
So Paris, thou art likewise curst of thine,
for thou and I were troubles to the earth.
Alas therefore nowe chaunged is our mirth,
the bloodshed in our cause doth vengeaunce crye:
Therefore take heede you Dames of mightye birth,
to t'hende of all beginninges, euer cast your eye.
with many a famous Prince of noble birth.
So Paris, thou art likewise curst of thine,
for thou and I were troubles to the earth.
Alas therefore nowe chaunged is our mirth,
the bloodshed in our cause doth vengeaunce crye:
Therefore take heede you Dames of mightye birth,
to t'hende of all beginninges, euer cast your eye.
For, had I neuer painted vp my face,
nor shot the boultes of wanton whirling eyes:
Had grace and vertue dwelled in that place,
then had I saued al the liues of these.
For when a man the lookes of women sees,
hee lyeth at watche, to see her cast the darte:
Hit whome it happes, (hee is no man that flees,)
then blame him not, that doeth defende his part.
nor shot the boultes of wanton whirling eyes:
Had grace and vertue dwelled in that place,
then had I saued al the liues of these.
For when a man the lookes of women sees,
hee lyeth at watche, to see her cast the darte:
Hit whome it happes, (hee is no man that flees,)
then blame him not, that doeth defende his part.
For thou alas good Paris not to blame,
(nor none but I) that cast my secreate lookes
So sleightfullye, to tyse thee with the same,
before the Gods I wisht none other bookes.
I caste him sugred baites, I catche on bitter hookes,
or else the suite had Paris neuer take:
I layde him letters, in secreate holes and noukes,
for to attempte the venture for my sake.
(nor none but I) that cast my secreate lookes
So sleightfullye, to tyse thee with the same,
before the Gods I wisht none other bookes.
I caste him sugred baites, I catche on bitter hookes,
or else the suite had Paris neuer take:
I layde him letters, in secreate holes and noukes,
for to attempte the venture for my sake.
And what was hee that would not take in hande,
to hassarde all, at that time for my sake,
Whose matche on earth, did neuer goe nor stande,
then blame him not suche enterprise to make?
O Ladies bee wittye, and quietnesse make,
and dread the Gods you worthy Grecian Dames:
For here shee lyes within this flaming lake,
bewrapt in woe, to quite her youthfull games.
to hassarde all, at that time for my sake,
Whose matche on earth, did neuer goe nor stande,
then blame him not suche enterprise to make?
and dread the Gods you worthy Grecian Dames:
For here shee lyes within this flaming lake,
bewrapt in woe, to quite her youthfull games.
My Pageant though I playde in open sight,
and that the world did manifestly knowe:
I woulde not wishe that you by secreate night,
or closer craft should vse your Husbandes so.
The Gods aboue all sleightye secreates showe,
to euerye eare and eye, bee straight reuealde:
You heare it read in Scripture long agoe,
that naughtye actes were neuer yet concealde.
and that the world did manifestly knowe:
I woulde not wishe that you by secreate night,
or closer craft should vse your Husbandes so.
The Gods aboue all sleightye secreates showe,
to euerye eare and eye, bee straight reuealde:
You heare it read in Scripture long agoe,
that naughtye actes were neuer yet concealde.
And then when Fame hath sounded vp hir trumps,
and publisht all your deedes and filthy life:
Then shall confusion put you to your Iumpes,
your Husbandes shall disdaine to call you wife,
Your friendes shall blushe to heare you namde,
your foes reioyce in euery coast about:
To call you mothers, Children are ashamde,
loe this besure, it euer falleth out.
and publisht all your deedes and filthy life:
Then shall confusion put you to your Iumpes,
your Husbandes shall disdaine to call you wife,
Your friendes shall blushe to heare you namde,
your foes reioyce in euery coast about:
To call you mothers, Children are ashamde,
loe this besure, it euer falleth out.
And finallye the Gods from ioye and blisse,
shall cast you into Stigion lake to frye:
As pleaseth Pluto so your sorrowes is,
marke well my wordes, I doe alleadge no lye.
And then it is to late for to repent or crye,
your woefull Scrikes reioyseth hell to heare:
(As for my parte) vnhappye wretche I trye,
whose iuste reward thou seeist plaine appeare.
shall cast you into Stigion lake to frye:
As pleaseth Pluto so your sorrowes is,
marke well my wordes, I doe alleadge no lye.
And then it is to late for to repent or crye,
your woefull Scrikes reioyseth hell to heare:
(As for my parte) vnhappye wretche I trye,
whose iuste reward thou seeist plaine appeare.
When fowlest thought of treason to your mates,
shall pricke your fickle mindes as some it doth:
Yet let this one thing pearce your peeuishe pates,
that like the slippie yse so glideth from ye youth.
And sith there is nothing of greater truth,
through lewdenesse lose not then your noble names
Bee most assured, mischiefe streight insuth,
alas therefore, take heede you worthy Dames.
shall pricke your fickle mindes as some it doth:
Yet let this one thing pearce your peeuishe pates,
that like the slippie yse so glideth from ye youth.
through lewdenesse lose not then your noble names
Bee most assured, mischiefe streight insuth,
alas therefore, take heede you worthy Dames.
And scorne no deale, my rewfull plaintes to heare,
if hap bee on your sides, I maye such warning bee
To euerye one that is possest with feare,
that by my fate like daunger for to flee.
Therefore as ofte as follye feedes your eye,
spende time in reading bookes, that worthy Clarks haue pende:
In steede of Lutes and other harmonie,
your willing eares a while to learning lende.
if hap bee on your sides, I maye such warning bee
To euerye one that is possest with feare,
that by my fate like daunger for to flee.
Therefore as ofte as follye feedes your eye,
spende time in reading bookes, that worthy Clarks haue pende:
In steede of Lutes and other harmonie,
your willing eares a while to learning lende.
So Cupid and his Lore you shall forget,
with all such driftes as he and his doe driue:
Of sclaunder and reproche you shall escape the net,
and Fame with golden trumpe shal sound your vertuous liue.
Thus winning noble name, your liues shall end,
so vertuouslye that after vitall breath,
The Gods theyr Aungels for your spirite shall sende,
to dwell with them in blisse, thus Scripture sayth.
with all such driftes as he and his doe driue:
Of sclaunder and reproche you shall escape the net,
and Fame with golden trumpe shal sound your vertuous liue.
Thus winning noble name, your liues shall end,
so vertuouslye that after vitall breath,
The Gods theyr Aungels for your spirite shall sende,
to dwell with them in blisse, thus Scripture sayth.
And with these wordes cast almost on the shore,
the woefull wretch with toyled wearye bones,
With all the haste in flood doth laye the Ore,
that headlong Boate and all, doth flee attonce.
Where hissing Serpentes swarme as thicke as haile,
that likewise wayted in theyr subtile kinde
With whetted stinges this Lady to assaile,
for to rewarde her lothsome lustfull minde.
the woefull wretch with toyled wearye bones,
With all the haste in flood doth laye the Ore,
that headlong Boate and all, doth flee attonce.
Where hissing Serpentes swarme as thicke as haile,
that likewise wayted in theyr subtile kinde
With whetted stinges this Lady to assaile,
for to rewarde her lothsome lustfull minde.
And as wee did perceyue shee wisht that we,
to euery worthy wight report should make,
Howe fornicatours in hell rewarded bee,
and howe the Gods vppon them vengeaunce take.
For straight alas amid that ouglye lake,
her hande shee putteth vp, and bad farewell:
Thus endles paines her former talke gan slake,
more newes of her, I am not able to tell.
to euery worthy wight report should make,
Howe fornicatours in hell rewarded bee,
and howe the Gods vppon them vengeaunce take.
her hande shee putteth vp, and bad farewell:
Thus endles paines her former talke gan slake,
more newes of her, I am not able to tell.
For why, the hissing of the wicked wormes,
with some of surging lakes, that rores against the rocks
And furious thondering flames, that boiles and brommes,
beside the fowles of many filthye flockes,
On Helmettes, Billes, yeelde many mortall knockes,
with thumping of the Cannons cruell shottes:
The noyse of Chaines, and wrenche of bandes and locks,
with smorid smoke, of boyling Pitche in Pottes.
with some of surging lakes, that rores against the rocks
And furious thondering flames, that boiles and brommes,
beside the fowles of many filthye flockes,
On Helmettes, Billes, yeelde many mortall knockes,
with thumping of the Cannons cruell shottes:
The noyse of Chaines, and wrenche of bandes and locks,
with smorid smoke, of boyling Pitche in Pottes.
As fearefull daunse of Chimneys builded hye,
and fall of Turrets, that sleyeth man and childe:
With widowes, whose fatherles children doe crye,
theyr plaintes alas, all Ioye of hope exilde.
To heare them grone, whome mortall weapon spoilde,
with crashe of staues, that then in peeces flowe:
A voyce cryed vengeaunce (on them that were defilde
with spilling guiltlesse blood) that might not doe thereto.
and fall of Turrets, that sleyeth man and childe:
With widowes, whose fatherles children doe crye,
theyr plaintes alas, all Ioye of hope exilde.
To heare them grone, whome mortall weapon spoilde,
with crashe of staues, that then in peeces flowe:
A voyce cryed vengeaunce (on them that were defilde
with spilling guiltlesse blood) that might not doe thereto.
Another voyce, went hurling vp and downe,
woe, woe, to such as strife sturre vp or brewe:
And specially by warres, to sacke both Citie and Towne,
laye waste the soyle and ploughe, where Oxen drewe.
From mirthe to mourning, all to chaunge a newe,
wiues and children, spoilde before eache others face:
The causers euer, the first them selues that rewe,
and woe still bee to you, that haue so litle grace.
woe, woe, to such as strife sturre vp or brewe:
And specially by warres, to sacke both Citie and Towne,
laye waste the soyle and ploughe, where Oxen drewe.
From mirthe to mourning, all to chaunge a newe,
wiues and children, spoilde before eache others face:
The causers euer, the first them selues that rewe,
and woe still bee to you, that haue so litle grace.
These soundes of sorrowes, that rose so many waies,
de vs Hellen, poore wretche in flaming Seas.
de vs Hellen, poore wretche in flaming Seas.
FINIS.
| The rewarde of Wickednesse | |