[The Courte of Vertu contaynynge many holy songes, Sonettes, psalmes and ballettes] [by John Hall] |
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A maruaylous dreame of the Author:
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 | [The Courte of Vertu |  |
A maruaylous dreame of the Author:
Anno .1561.
VVhen
in the lyon Phebus had,
Obteynde the seuententh grade,
And on the bulles necke, Ioue ridyng
The twyns for to inuade.
Obteynde the seuententh grade,
And on the bulles necke, Ioue ridyng
The twyns for to inuade.
And Saturne slow had in the Crab
Then entred one degree,
Mars from the waterman regrest,
The goate agayn to see.
Then entred one degree,
Mars from the waterman regrest,
The goate agayn to see.
And Uenus by coniunction,
Wyth Phebus late had lyne,
By backward course as she returnde
In Leone the sygne.
Wyth Phebus late had lyne,
By backward course as she returnde
In Leone the sygne.
And Mercury the messenger,
In May last past, was sent,
By myghty Ioue, from out the bull,
And nowe in vyrgyn went.
In May last past, was sent,
By myghty Ioue, from out the bull,
And nowe in vyrgyn went.
Dyrectly walkyng through that sygne.
The balance to pervse,
And in September turne and shew
To Phebus all the newes.
The balance to pervse,
And in September turne and shew
To Phebus all the newes.
[135]
Diana, rydyng on the ramme,
Dyd on her brother looke:
Wyth tryne aspect, as wyth the lyke
Dame Uenus late she tooke.
Dyd on her brother looke:
Wyth tryne aspect, as wyth the lyke
Dame Uenus late she tooke.
Intollerable was the heate,
That Titans burnyng beames
Gaue on the earth when he put foorth
His bryght and shynyng leames,
That Titans burnyng beames
Gaue on the earth when he put foorth
His bryght and shynyng leames,
Which parching heat, had made ye corne
Eche where to change hys hewe,
Whych warning gaue, that husbandmen
Wyth sythes and sycles newe.
Eche where to change hys hewe,
Whych warning gaue, that husbandmen
Wyth sythes and sycles newe.
Should nowe prepare to cut and bynd,
And in theyr barnes preserue,
Suche necessary foode as myght,
For wynters nede well serue.
And in theyr barnes preserue,
Suche necessary foode as myght,
For wynters nede well serue.
What was the cause I leaue to say
But sodeynly that nyght,
Suche tempest rose of wynd and rayne,
And lyghtenyng in syght.
But sodeynly that nyght,
Suche tempest rose of wynd and rayne,
And lyghtenyng in syght.
With thunder strokes most terrible,
And hasty stormes of hayle,
As though God wyth destruction,
Would then the world assayle.
And hasty stormes of hayle,
As though God wyth destruction,
Would then the world assayle.
When .iii. long howres this sturdy storme
Had hys continuance,
It dyd asswage, and gan to go,
In farre other dystance.
Had hys continuance,
It dyd asswage, and gan to go,
In farre other dystance.
136
And the deepe nyght approchyng fast,
From prayre to slepe I fell,
And suche a dreame to me apperde,
As strange is for to tell.
From prayre to slepe I fell,
And suche a dreame to me apperde,
As strange is for to tell.
Me thought I stoode vpon a hyll
Where I hard by myght see,
In a lowe playne of all estates,
A multitude to bee.
Where I hard by myght see,
In a lowe playne of all estates,
A multitude to bee.
Where euery sort and eche estate,
Dyd stryue and muche contend,
The gredy gayn of gold to wyn
Theyr hunger had none end.
Dyd stryue and muche contend,
The gredy gayn of gold to wyn
Theyr hunger had none end.
So muche to gold theyr loue aperde,
That nought els myght be founde,
To wyn or please, or to haue fame,
Or in wealth to abounde.
That nought els myght be founde,
To wyn or please, or to haue fame,
Or in wealth to abounde.
There saw I kyngs and rulers great
By tyranny to reigne:
Wheras the great consumde the small,
And wysedom dyd disdeyne.
By tyranny to reigne:
Wheras the great consumde the small,
And wysedom dyd disdeyne.
Theyr subiects when they had opprest
By heapyng of muche golde:
They straight became ambicious,
Yea arrogant and bolde.
By heapyng of muche golde:
They straight became ambicious,
Yea arrogant and bolde.
Theyr own realms could not thē cōtēt,
Theyr spendynges to discharge:
But they must conquere others ryght,
Dominions to enlarge.
Theyr spendynges to discharge:
But they must conquere others ryght,
Dominions to enlarge.
[136]
And so wyth bloudy victory,
Great terrour and dystresse,
Of many poore, at last by force
They others lande posseste.
Great terrour and dystresse,
Of many poore, at last by force
They others lande posseste.
Which notwythstandyng of .iii. heyres
Was not inherited:
But was agayne wyth losse and shame
Forgone and home rendred.
Was not inherited:
But was agayne wyth losse and shame
Forgone and home rendred.
And others as ready agayne,
Wyth lyke them to acquite,
As they before weare for to wynne,
And conquere others ryght.
Wyth lyke them to acquite,
As they before weare for to wynne,
And conquere others ryght.
There sawe I iudges in lyke case,
Whose mynde dyd whole depende,
For hym to doo that most wold geue,
And plentyfully spende.
Whose mynde dyd whole depende,
For hym to doo that most wold geue,
And plentyfully spende.
For brybes & giftes bare all the sway,
In matters of the lawe,
For gayne of golde, and for no ryght,
All matters dyd they drawe.
In matters of the lawe,
For gayne of golde, and for no ryght,
All matters dyd they drawe.
All officers I dyd beholde
From moste vnto the least:
Whych without brybes had no regard,
To any mans request.
From moste vnto the least:
Whych without brybes had no regard,
To any mans request.
Yea offices were solde and bought
And not for vertue gaynde:
But all for gould, thus went the world,
For gould were all retaynde.
And not for vertue gaynde:
But all for gould, thus went the world,
For gould were all retaynde.
137
A foole as sone should haue to doo,
To rule a common weale:
As should the wyse: vnles by mede
He dyd his offyce steale.
To rule a common weale:
As should the wyse: vnles by mede
He dyd his offyce steale.
Yet some desyre (I not denye)
Of gold was to this ende:
The glutton gutte of Epicure,
To fyll full and extende,
Of gold was to this ende:
The glutton gutte of Epicure,
To fyll full and extende,
For in some place no dronkard can
So ofte yll rule repayre.
Nor yet frequent the tauerne more,
Then shryfe Iustyce or Mayre.
So ofte yll rule repayre.
Nor yet frequent the tauerne more,
Then shryfe Iustyce or Mayre.
The spectacle of all excesse,
And mysrule to infect,
Was sene of them that ought of due,
Suche vyces to correct.
And mysrule to infect,
Was sene of them that ought of due,
Suche vyces to correct.
The ryche dyd poore men vndermynd,
To make them trauell sore:
And yet drue backe beneuolence,
And wages not the more.
To make them trauell sore:
And yet drue backe beneuolence,
And wages not the more.
But rather dyd wythdrawe the due,
They ought to haue of ryght:
For pryuate gayne thus waded they,
Wyth all theyr powre and myght.
They ought to haue of ryght:
For pryuate gayne thus waded they,
Wyth all theyr powre and myght.
To promyse or to counant made,
There no man had regarde:
For gayne of golde all thynges vndyd,
Theyr doynges well declarde.
There no man had regarde:
For gayne of golde all thynges vndyd,
Theyr doynges well declarde.
[137]
No lease so good had any man,
Nor bonde so surely made:
But golde was able to vndoo,
And vtterly to quade.
Nor bonde so surely made:
But golde was able to vndoo,
And vtterly to quade.
Who had no gold, vnable was,
Hys owne ryght to retayne:
Ne without gayne no kynde of force
Myght permanent remayne.
Hys owne ryght to retayne:
Ne without gayne no kynde of force
Myght permanent remayne.
Ryght many that good science had
Upryghtly wyth to lyue:
To tauerne and to typple fell,
Therto them selues to gyue.
Upryghtly wyth to lyue:
To tauerne and to typple fell,
Therto them selues to gyue.
Estemyng gayne therby to ryse,
Muche more abundantly,
Then by the former trade they vsde,
With lyuyng decently.
Muche more abundantly,
Then by the former trade they vsde,
With lyuyng decently.
And dyuers artes theyr trade did leaue,
Wyth hurt of common weale:
Forstallyng corne and victuals all,
Uyle gayne therby to steale.
Wyth hurt of common weale:
Forstallyng corne and victuals all,
Uyle gayne therby to steale.
The cobler, tynker, and the smyth,
Theyr labour gan to leaue:
More gold to gayne by phisykes art,
And therwyth dyd deceaue.
Theyr labour gan to leaue:
More gold to gayne by phisykes art,
And therwyth dyd deceaue.
So leapt foorth Loy the loyterer,
That no man myght hym let,
To be a priest or mynister,
An ydle gayne to get.
That no man myght hym let,
To be a priest or mynister,
An ydle gayne to get.
138
Wyth gold some bought theyr benefice
In hope more gold to reache:
Whych to attayne is all theyr cure,
For nothyng els they preache.
In hope more gold to reache:
Whych to attayne is all theyr cure,
For nothyng els they preache.
Unlearned though they latine lappe
Before the symple folcke,
As yf a sowe should spyn and twyst
Of from a lynnen rocke.
Before the symple folcke,
As yf a sowe should spyn and twyst
Of from a lynnen rocke.
The byshops once confirmde in see,
Regarded idell thryft:
To preache or teache they toke no care,
For golde was all theyr dryft.
Regarded idell thryft:
To preache or teache they toke no care,
For golde was all theyr dryft.
The superstitious hipocrite,
Styll helde antiquitie,
In hope to gayne if change may hap
To buylde iniquitie,
Styll helde antiquitie,
In hope to gayne if change may hap
To buylde iniquitie,
Eche varlet in hys brauery,
Affyrme may what he lyste:
Yea openly agaynst the lawes,
They dayly doo resyst.
Affyrme may what he lyste:
Yea openly agaynst the lawes,
They dayly doo resyst.
Thus gayn of gold hath made the lawes
Uoyde, and of none effect,
The godly preachers rayled on,
And theyr doctrine reiect.
Uoyde, and of none effect,
The godly preachers rayled on,
And theyr doctrine reiect.
Thus is theyr golde or Mammon vile
Theyr onely lorde and God:
For it they onely seke and serue,
Though Christ haue it forbod.
Theyr onely lorde and God:
For it they onely seke and serue,
Though Christ haue it forbod.
[138]
The laboryng man would for his payn,
Be wagde with double hyre,
Or els would loyter, and not worke
At any mans desyre.
Be wagde with double hyre,
Or els would loyter, and not worke
At any mans desyre.
For whiche at last some did pretend
To make a quick redres:
But all their dedes did rather turne
Unto double distres.
To make a quick redres:
But all their dedes did rather turne
Unto double distres.
For as the common saying went,
Who so a tree would fell,
Hard to the roote must put his axe,
If he wyll doe it well:
Who so a tree would fell,
Hard to the roote must put his axe,
If he wyll doe it well:
And not begyn small toppes to shred,
And let the stock alone:
For so mo twygs wyll growe agayne,
Lo thus dyd poore men grone.
And let the stock alone:
For so mo twygs wyll growe agayne,
Lo thus dyd poore men grone.
The pryce of fermes must fyrst fal down
Unto their ancient rate,
Or els ye shall reforme to ryght
No degree or estate.
Unto their ancient rate,
Or els ye shall reforme to ryght
No degree or estate.
If ye meane right, first base the pryce
Of that whiche is your owne:
So howe to mende after that rate
Shall easyly be knowne.
Of that whiche is your owne:
So howe to mende after that rate
Shall easyly be knowne.
But whylst your selues wil not debate
Your rentes and gredy gayne,
Your study of amendement
In others is but vayne.
Your rentes and gredy gayne,
Your study of amendement
In others is but vayne.
139
Of takers and commyssioners,
There myght one see a sort,
For gayne of gold begyle theyr prince
And his subiectes extort.
There myght one see a sort,
For gayne of gold begyle theyr prince
And his subiectes extort.
Of all thyngs would they double take,
And sell the resydue:
Thus bothe to prince and people to,
These wretches were vntrue.
And sell the resydue:
Thus bothe to prince and people to,
These wretches were vntrue.
In lyke sort bayliffes playd theyr part
In gettyng gold with wrong:
And somners whyche causde many one
To syng a sory song.
In gettyng gold with wrong:
And somners whyche causde many one
To syng a sory song.
These could make one wryte double serue
As many mo as nede:
And for a brybe the same discharge:
Thus falshode hath decrede.
As many mo as nede:
And for a brybe the same discharge:
Thus falshode hath decrede.
All marchants ther me thought I saw
Wyth many a subtyll shyfte,
The gredy gayne of gold to wyn,
By false and theuysh dryfte.
Wyth many a subtyll shyfte,
The gredy gayne of gold to wyn,
By false and theuysh dryfte.
So saw I crafts men leaue theyr art,
And fall to husbandry:
Leases ouer theyr neyghbors head,
To that intent they buye.
And fall to husbandry:
Leases ouer theyr neyghbors head,
To that intent they buye.
Whiche made the rent of lands to ryse,
From fyue vnto a score:
Suche great enormitie as thys,
Euen Nature doth abhore.
From fyue vnto a score:
Suche great enormitie as thys,
Euen Nature doth abhore.
[139]
Unlawfull gayne and vsury
That execrable vse
I sawe frequented commonly:
Whyche was a great abuse.
That execrable vse
I sawe frequented commonly:
Whyche was a great abuse.
Ryght many heyres full rychely left
Were therby cleane vndone,
By craft and guyle therin conteynd,
Wyth crafte thus haue they done.
Were therby cleane vndone,
By craft and guyle therin conteynd,
Wyth crafte thus haue they done.
Some gasyng vp vpon the sterres,
Wyth vayne deludyng Iapes,
Deceaued many symple folkes,
And mocked them lyke apes.
Wyth vayne deludyng Iapes,
Deceaued many symple folkes,
And mocked them lyke apes.
Theyr learnyng in Astronomye,
Was scarsely worth a myte:
Although of it was all theyr boste
To blynde the peoples syght.
Was scarsely worth a myte:
Although of it was all theyr boste
To blynde the peoples syght.
The dyuels arte they do frequent,
And therwith tell muche newes:
The christen flocke thus they peruert,
Wyth moste hatefull abuse.
And therwith tell muche newes:
The christen flocke thus they peruert,
Wyth moste hatefull abuse.
For chyldren now are scarsly borne
But streyght they wyll apply,
Theyr goodes to spend on such as bost
They can well domifye.
But streyght they wyll apply,
Theyr goodes to spend on such as bost
They can well domifye.
And calculate what shall become
Hereafter of that chylde:
Wyth vanitie for gayne of gould
Thus was that place defylde.
Hereafter of that chylde:
Wyth vanitie for gayne of gould
Thus was that place defylde.
140
When things were lost or stolne by theues
These hypocrites dyd gase,
Upon the sterres, and sometymes told
That dyd the people mase.
These hypocrites dyd gase,
Upon the sterres, and sometymes told
That dyd the people mase.
For easy sure by suche deceyght,
Among the people rude
It is, with counterfeatyng face,
Them to mocke and delude.
Among the people rude
It is, with counterfeatyng face,
Them to mocke and delude.
And hatefull wytches euery where,
With hurtfull wordes and charme,
Both men and cattell dyd destroy,
Committyng endlesse harme.
With hurtfull wordes and charme,
Both men and cattell dyd destroy,
Committyng endlesse harme.
And thys they dyd, that dayly men
Myght seke that trade vnto:
The grysly grefes by wytches done,
By wytche crafte to vndoo,
Myght seke that trade vnto:
The grysly grefes by wytches done,
By wytche crafte to vndoo,
And in thys wyse some gayned so,
That nought were worthe of late,
That they could buy and trymly buylde,
At thys present estate.
That nought were worthe of late,
That they could buy and trymly buylde,
At thys present estate.
And some for gayn wyth the lyke arts,
Diuyne and prophecie,
And promyse many thyngs to come
By suche fals trechery.
Diuyne and prophecie,
And promyse many thyngs to come
By suche fals trechery.
From crowned kyng to pesant poore,
No degree or estate,
Escape could, that they would not be,
With them bold to checke mate.
No degree or estate,
Escape could, that they would not be,
With them bold to checke mate.
[140]
Noble princes that diademe
And scepters iustly beare,
To Iudge theyr endes most hatefully,
These dyuels doo not feare.
And scepters iustly beare,
To Iudge theyr endes most hatefully,
These dyuels doo not feare.
Suche trayterous kynd of prophesies,
Wherin they closely mell,
And dayly doo the same frequent,
A strange thyng were to tell.
Wherin they closely mell,
And dayly doo the same frequent,
A strange thyng were to tell.
For which cause some by coniuryng,
The wycked spirites rayse,
And trouble all the elementes
In these moste hatefull dayes.
The wycked spirites rayse,
And trouble all the elementes
In these moste hatefull dayes.
Howe they doo offer sacrifice
Unto the fende of hell:
Sometyme of theyr owne flesh & bloud
Whyche therfore they doo quell.
Unto the fende of hell:
Sometyme of theyr owne flesh & bloud
Whyche therfore they doo quell.
And how they cast theyr soules away.
In most damnable wyse,
By felowshyp with damned sprites,
Is knowne vnto the wyse.
In most damnable wyse,
By felowshyp with damned sprites,
Is knowne vnto the wyse.
I sawe also lyke fugitiues,
Ryght many foorth dyd straye,
With beastly gaudes & makyng shiftes,
With fonde and theuyshe playe.
Ryght many foorth dyd straye,
With beastly gaudes & makyng shiftes,
With fonde and theuyshe playe.
Of these many were Iuglers lewde,
And some had apes and beares,
And some had foolyshe puppet playes.
And therby great gayne reares.
And some had apes and beares,
And some had foolyshe puppet playes.
And therby great gayne reares.
141
Some throw a houpe would trimly daunce,
And some with hoby nagge
For gayne of gold wold play trim tricks,
With turne round kycke and wag.
And some with hoby nagge
For gayne of gold wold play trim tricks,
With turne round kycke and wag.
And many mynstrels there I sawe,
Whych money to attayne,
For eche mans fansy had a song,
Though they were naught and vayne.
Whych money to attayne,
For eche mans fansy had a song,
Though they were naught and vayne.
Yea popysh songes for popyshe folke,
And eke for men demure,
They wold haue songs that framed were
Out of the gospell pure.
And eke for men demure,
They wold haue songs that framed were
Out of the gospell pure.
And fylthy songes for fylthy folke,
That therin had delyght,
And gold to wyn they would not shunne
To doo all thynges vnryght.
That therin had delyght,
And gold to wyn they would not shunne
To doo all thynges vnryght.
And some agayn by palmestry,
Mens fortunes would disclose:
As beggers throng vnto a dole,
So many went to those.
Mens fortunes would disclose:
As beggers throng vnto a dole,
So many went to those.
And gaue them money liberally,
To tell them lying tales:
Of which these wreches haue great store
When they vndoo theyr males.
To tell them lying tales:
Of which these wreches haue great store
When they vndoo theyr males.
To these vayne women much resort,
The chiefe cause is to heare,
Howe many husbandes they shall haue
As it dothe oft appeare.
The chiefe cause is to heare,
Howe many husbandes they shall haue
As it dothe oft appeare.
[141]
And robbe theyr husbands on this sort
Suche lewde men to reward?
So muche to change and gayn therby,
It semeth they regard.
Suche lewde men to reward?
So muche to change and gayn therby,
It semeth they regard.
These knaues would whyster in theyr eares
And would dysclose eche marke,
That on theyr bodyes these folkes had
In secrete place or darke.
And would dysclose eche marke,
That on theyr bodyes these folkes had
In secrete place or darke.
O mystresse ye haue suche a mole
Or marke in suche a place:
And suche a wart I know it well
By lookyng on your face.
Or marke in suche a place:
And suche a wart I know it well
By lookyng on your face.
Upon your belly is a marke,
A wart vpon your brest,
And on your foote a lyttle mole,
(I know them most and lest.)
A wart vpon your brest,
And on your foote a lyttle mole,
(I know them most and lest.)
And more then thys iwys I know,
If all I should you tell:
Then would ye blushe and be abasht,
Therfore I wyll not mell.
If all I should you tell:
Then would ye blushe and be abasht,
Therfore I wyll not mell.
But wyll be sylent in all thynges,
Saue that you do require,
In whych I shall my mystresse fayre,
Accomplyshe your desyre.
Saue that you do require,
In whych I shall my mystresse fayre,
Accomplyshe your desyre.
Lo streyght these folks are mad in lust
And most beastly affection,
To heare these lyes of crafty theues,
O most hatefull infection.
And most beastly affection,
To heare these lyes of crafty theues,
O most hatefull infection.
142
How long shall suche consumyng mothes,
And hatefull caterpyllers,
Be suffred thus to hurt and spyll,
The fruits of honest lyuers,
And hatefull caterpyllers,
Be suffred thus to hurt and spyll,
The fruits of honest lyuers,
How longe shall they be maynteyned,
And scape all punyshment?
Suche theues I mean as gather gold,
By craftes that they inuent.
And scape all punyshment?
Suche theues I mean as gather gold,
By craftes that they inuent.
From shyre to shyre, from towne to towne
And styll from place to place,
These theues dyd fleete vnpunyshed,
And none dyd them deface.
And styll from place to place,
These theues dyd fleete vnpunyshed,
And none dyd them deface.
The rable rude of ruffyen roges,
Dyd furnyshe vp the trayne
Of such as lyude by robbery,
Gold to gette or obtayne.
Dyd furnyshe vp the trayne
Of such as lyude by robbery,
Gold to gette or obtayne.
Of these some cut the poore mans purse,
An other dothe conuaye:
And worse then this they cut mens throtes
To gette that wycked pray.
An other dothe conuaye:
And worse then this they cut mens throtes
To gette that wycked pray.
Some in a bushe would closely lurke
For thys most fylthy gaynes,
And wyth a club most murderously,
Knocke out the true mans braynes.
For thys most fylthy gaynes,
And wyth a club most murderously,
Knocke out the true mans braynes.
But others in more stoute order
In companyes would wayght,
Of suche as trauayle by the way,
To make theyr golden bayght.
In companyes would wayght,
Of suche as trauayle by the way,
To make theyr golden bayght.
[142]
Stand sayth the these, and streyght his mate
Sayth, Delyuer thy purse:
Lo thus they snatche that others get,
Among them to disburs.
Sayth, Delyuer thy purse:
Lo thus they snatche that others get,
Among them to disburs.
There sawe I also rat catchers,
And suche as teethe dyd drawe,
Lyke fugitiues and vagabundes,
Contrary vnto lawe.
And suche as teethe dyd drawe,
Lyke fugitiues and vagabundes,
Contrary vnto lawe.
Cloke ouer many shyftyng mates,
That lyue by rape and spoyle.
Among that flocke I you assure,
They kept a shamefull coyle:
That lyue by rape and spoyle.
Among that flocke I you assure,
They kept a shamefull coyle:
And many wyth a pedlers packe,
To sell bothe pynnes and lace,
Resorted to eche cockbeld fayre:
Onely but for a face.
To sell bothe pynnes and lace,
Resorted to eche cockbeld fayre:
Onely but for a face.
To make folk thinke they come to sell,
Where they come but to steale:
What nede I say, how hurtfull these
Be to a common weale?
Where they come but to steale:
What nede I say, how hurtfull these
Be to a common weale?
When some of these were spyde & take
And before Iustyce brought:
Then theyr moste wonder was of all,
What wyckednes gold wrought.
And before Iustyce brought:
Then theyr moste wonder was of all,
What wyckednes gold wrought.
For golden brybes there myght a man
See false theues lette slyp go:
And where no gold was, pickery
Enough was them to slo.
See false theues lette slyp go:
And where no gold was, pickery
Enough was them to slo.
143
Where golde bare rule wylful murder
Was made but chaunce medlye,
And chaunce medlye was murder made:
Where golde was but skantye.
Was made but chaunce medlye,
And chaunce medlye was murder made:
Where golde was but skantye.
Thus lyfe & death, yea payne and ease.
Hong all on wycked mede:
For the attaynyng of the same,
All mens maners agrede.
Hong all on wycked mede:
For the attaynyng of the same,
All mens maners agrede.
For gredyly they gryped it.
By hooke or crooke eche where:
And to be briefe none other thyng
Authoritie could beare.
By hooke or crooke eche where:
And to be briefe none other thyng
Authoritie could beare.
For God nor kyng none dyd regarde
In respect of the same:
And other ende saue onely it,
Had neyther worke nor game.
In respect of the same:
And other ende saue onely it,
Had neyther worke nor game.
For some there were with testyng tricks
That laughter coulde prouoke:
And golde to gayne wyth thys theyr art,
They had a ready stroke.
That laughter coulde prouoke:
And golde to gayne wyth thys theyr art,
They had a ready stroke.
Some were so vayne to laugh at suche
That measure cleane they mys,
As though they had wyth myrre & wyne
Dronke Gelothophilis.
That measure cleane they mys,
As though they had wyth myrre & wyne
Dronke Gelothophilis.
Yea wyse men wold them surely deme
Cleane gone besyde theyr wyttes,
If they should see them gape and laugh,
And gygle so by fyttes.
Cleane gone besyde theyr wyttes,
If they should see them gape and laugh,
And gygle so by fyttes.
[143]
Corne, lether, leade, wood, and salte hydes
By stealthe some dyd conuaye,
For priuate gayne they brake the lawes,
To common wealthes decay.
By stealthe some dyd conuaye,
For priuate gayne they brake the lawes,
To common wealthes decay.
Suche wayes to wyn, and goulde to gayn,
No othes but they were sworne:
Thus as they myght the lorde hym selfe,
Wyth othes was all to torne.
No othes but they were sworne:
Thus as they myght the lorde hym selfe,
Wyth othes was all to torne.
Some by the foote, some by the handes
Some by the head, and harte:
Some by hys guts, some by hys eyes,
Some by his deathe and smarte.
Some by the head, and harte:
Some by hys guts, some by hys eyes,
Some by his deathe and smarte.
Some by the fayth they owe to God,
Would sweare and falsly lye:
And some as God should be theyr iudge,
Dyd vse theyr falshode slye.
Would sweare and falsly lye:
And some as God should be theyr iudge,
Dyd vse theyr falshode slye.
Eche science eke in theyr degree,
I sawe tosse and turmoyle,
Falsly to wyn they counterfete,
In theyr trauayle and toyle.
I sawe tosse and turmoyle,
Falsly to wyn they counterfete,
In theyr trauayle and toyle.
True workmanshyp was turnde to slyght,
Wyth falshode to beguyle:
The trusty trade eche man refusde
For gayne of gold so vyle.
Wyth falshode to beguyle:
The trusty trade eche man refusde
For gayne of gold so vyle.
No man myght at hys worde be trust,
For vnder sugred talke,
Deceyt was ment and subtiltie,
In falshode thus they walke.
For vnder sugred talke,
Deceyt was ment and subtiltie,
In falshode thus they walke.
144
Eche man to hys inferiour
A cruell Cyclops semde:
The great the small dyd quite consume,
Wherfore hell I it demde.
A cruell Cyclops semde:
The great the small dyd quite consume,
Wherfore hell I it demde.
With balance false, and weyghtes vntrue
And measure of lyke cyse,
Eche one an other dyd deceaue,
And truthe all dyd despyse.
And measure of lyke cyse,
Eche one an other dyd deceaue,
And truthe all dyd despyse.
The husbandman and other lyke,
Dyd benefyces buye:
Wherby the man should lyue that taught
The people faythfully.
Dyd benefyces buye:
Wherby the man should lyue that taught
The people faythfully.
So were the people all vntaught,
And blyndly were they led,
Whyche made them irreligious,
For fayth was from them fled.
And blyndly were they led,
Whyche made them irreligious,
For fayth was from them fled.
Thus simony and sacrilege,
And all extortion,
Was laufull gayn, naught came amys,
That profyte hanged on,
And all extortion,
Was laufull gayn, naught came amys,
That profyte hanged on,
Wyth colour of symplicitie,
And fayned holynesse.
Me thought I sawe muche gold was got.
Oh wofull wyckednes.
And fayned holynesse.
Me thought I sawe muche gold was got.
Oh wofull wyckednes.
False wytnes, whordome and excesse
Were vsde for gayn of golde:
And fynally all wyckednesse,
For lucre was extolde.
Were vsde for gayn of golde:
And fynally all wyckednesse,
For lucre was extolde.
[144]
Great murder, theft, and robbery,
Thys gredy hunger bred:
Rauyn, dysdeyne, and periurye,
For golde was commytted.
Thys gredy hunger bred:
Rauyn, dysdeyne, and periurye,
For golde was commytted.
I well perceaue no kynd of folke,
There were, but all were bent
To brybes and to vnlaufull gayne,
Wyth moste wycked intent.
There were, but all were bent
To brybes and to vnlaufull gayne,
Wyth moste wycked intent.
What shall I say, yf I should here
Theyr whole deceytes reherse?
An huge long boke I myght well fyll,
Wyth thys my ragged verse.
Theyr whole deceytes reherse?
An huge long boke I myght well fyll,
Wyth thys my ragged verse.
If some of them in theyr desyre,
Theyr gredy wyshe myght haue,
All that they touche shold turne to gould,
As Midas once dyd craue.
Theyr gredy wyshe myght haue,
All that they touche shold turne to gould,
As Midas once dyd craue.
Who sterued had because his meate,
Dyd all to golde conuert,
If Bacchus had not then wytsaft
That sentence to reuert.
Dyd all to golde conuert,
If Bacchus had not then wytsaft
That sentence to reuert.
Who taught hym then for remedy,
Pactolus to washe in,
Whyche is a streame in Lydia,
Wyth golden grauell fyne.
Pactolus to washe in,
Whyche is a streame in Lydia,
Wyth golden grauell fyne.
I musyng muche at theyr vsance,
It caused me to feare,
(Theyr mynds so beastly semde to be)
That Circe had ben there.
It caused me to feare,
(Theyr mynds so beastly semde to be)
That Circe had ben there.
145
Who feygned was, that she by craft
Of sorcerye coulde change,
Bothe formes & myndes of mē to beastes
Whyche was a matter strange.
Of sorcerye coulde change,
Bothe formes & myndes of mē to beastes
Whyche was a matter strange.
For neuer tygre was more fierce,
Then some dyd there appere,
No swyne so fylthy nor so drunke,
Nor glutton nothyng nere.
Then some dyd there appere,
No swyne so fylthy nor so drunke,
Nor glutton nothyng nere.
In lechery they passe the Goate,
And in theyr pompous pryde:
The Lyon stoute they muche excede
And that on euery syde.
And in theyr pompous pryde:
The Lyon stoute they muche excede
And that on euery syde.
The subtyll foxe, the rauenyng wolfe,
The enuyous serpent,
The gredy Gryppe, the hasty Hounde,
His game that fayne would hent,
The enuyous serpent,
The gredy Gryppe, the hasty Hounde,
His game that fayne would hent,
The cruell beare, the foolyshe asse,
The harmefull mockyng ape,
The gryffon, or the Antilope.
Or Bygorne that dothe gape.
The harmefull mockyng ape,
The gryffon, or the Antilope.
Or Bygorne that dothe gape.
The goryng Bull, the buttyng ramme
The scratchyng cat wyth clawe,
In beastly actes may not compare,
Wyth those that there I sawe.
The scratchyng cat wyth clawe,
In beastly actes may not compare,
Wyth those that there I sawe.
O God (quod I) what place is thys?
Is hell more odious?
My heart in great perplexitie,
My clamor made I thus.
Is hell more odious?
My heart in great perplexitie,
My clamor made I thus.
[145]
Ye Muses nyne my comfort swete,
Take pitie and drawe nere,
Coequally by one consent,
Lette come Arete dere.
Take pitie and drawe nere,
Coequally by one consent,
Lette come Arete dere.
That she thys doubt may me dissolue,
And that she may me learne,
Howe I may knowe what place is this,
And all this folke decerne.
And that she may me learne,
Howe I may knowe what place is this,
And all this folke decerne.
Of mercy oh my dere delyght,
Arete I thee calle:
Approche vnto thy seruant poore,
Or peryshe els I shall.
Arete I thee calle:
Approche vnto thy seruant poore,
Or peryshe els I shall.
O dulcet dere Arete fayre,
Thy promys nowe fulfyll,
With me made when that I me bound
To serue thee at thy wyll.
Thy promys nowe fulfyll,
With me made when that I me bound
To serue thee at thy wyll.
Wyth thys me thought a thunder clap
Made all the earth to shake:
That I abasht and muche afrayde
Dyd tremble sore and quake.
Made all the earth to shake:
That I abasht and muche afrayde
Dyd tremble sore and quake.
Wherwith me thought Arete bryght,
From heuen dyd descende:
As swyft as is the arrow flyght,
The ayre can she rende,
From heuen dyd descende:
As swyft as is the arrow flyght,
The ayre can she rende,
My seruant dere quod she to me,
What happe is thee befall,
That thou in suche lamentyng wyse
To me dydst crye and call?
What happe is thee befall,
That thou in suche lamentyng wyse
To me dydst crye and call?
146
Was Satan lyke to vanquyshe thee,
Or dryue thee to dispayre?
Or what myght cause thy voyce so shrill
Thus to deuyde the ayre?
Or dryue thee to dispayre?
Or what myght cause thy voyce so shrill
Thus to deuyde the ayre?
My dyamonde moste dere, quod I,
Myne onely luste and wyll,
Is that thou lose me from thys doubt,
Through openyng of my skyll.
Myne onely luste and wyll,
Is that thou lose me from thys doubt,
Through openyng of my skyll.
What name myght haue thys present hyll
Where desolate I stande?
What kynde of folke are they alow,
And of what vncouth lande?
Where desolate I stande?
What kynde of folke are they alow,
And of what vncouth lande?
That valey lowe should seme to be,
Some vyle vnhappy soyle:
What hyll is thys, where thought so strang
My mynde doth thus turmoyle?
Some vyle vnhappy soyle:
What hyll is thys, where thought so strang
My mynde doth thus turmoyle?
The hyll (quod she) that thou art on,
Is an hygh diuine mynde,
From whyche all worldly wyckednes,
Is separate by kynde.
Is an hygh diuine mynde,
From whyche all worldly wyckednes,
Is separate by kynde.
And as eche thynge by contraryes,
Is best knowne and decernde:
So on thys hylle the vyle estate
Of worldlynges lowe are lernde.
Is best knowne and decernde:
So on thys hylle the vyle estate
Of worldlynges lowe are lernde.
The chyldren of thys wretched world,
Be those in yonder vale,
Whyche gredyly doo payne them selues,
In sekyng paynfull bale.
Be those in yonder vale,
Whyche gredyly doo payne them selues,
In sekyng paynfull bale.
[146]
Know they not God (quod I,) nor doo
They nothyng feare hys force?
No not all (quod she) no more
Then dothe the mule or horse.
They nothyng feare hys force?
No not all (quod she) no more
Then dothe the mule or horse.
They feare God as the dyuels feare,
But fayth or loue is none:
Philargery they onely serue,
And set theyr myndes vpon.
But fayth or loue is none:
Philargery they onely serue,
And set theyr myndes vpon.
Who as the poets haue feynd doth liue
By fedyng styll of golde:
And therwith neuer satisfied
He wasteth manyfolde.
By fedyng styll of golde:
And therwith neuer satisfied
He wasteth manyfolde.
Although he dayly doo consume,
And euer styll deuoure:
Yet craueth on hys clyents styll
To fede hym euery houre.
And euer styll deuoure:
Yet craueth on hys clyents styll
To fede hym euery houre.
Whose labour eke is infinite,
Theyr hunger hath no ho
Abundance can not slake theyr thyrst,
So wycked is theyr wo.
Theyr hunger hath no ho
Abundance can not slake theyr thyrst,
So wycked is theyr wo.
Wyth hauyng is not satisfied,
The heart of auaryce:
For as the ryches doth increase,
So dothe the couetyse.
The heart of auaryce:
For as the ryches doth increase,
So dothe the couetyse.
A hell wythout all order is,
That realme where suche do wonne,
A flocke of folke vngodly bent,
In synfull pathes to ronne.
That realme where suche do wonne,
A flocke of folke vngodly bent,
In synfull pathes to ronne.
147
A packe of people sekyng gayne,
And priuate welthe prefer:
And common wealth doth none seke for,
But eche dothe it hynder.
And priuate welthe prefer:
And common wealth doth none seke for,
But eche dothe it hynder.
Eche man is there all for hym selfe,
The dyuell is for all:
Hys kyngdome onely doo they seke,
And thyther shall they fall.
The dyuell is for all:
Hys kyngdome onely doo they seke,
And thyther shall they fall.
Saynt Paule hath called couetyse
The only roote of synne:
How then can those men be but yll,
That walke so farre therin?
The only roote of synne:
How then can those men be but yll,
That walke so farre therin?
So vnrepentant is theyr hartes,
As hard as any flynt:
Nought can resolue or mollifye,
Or make them once to stynt.
As hard as any flynt:
Nought can resolue or mollifye,
Or make them once to stynt.
Great tokens from the Lord aboue,
Ryght many hath ben sent,
At London, and at Hungerforde,
And in some place of Kent.
Ryght many hath ben sent,
At London, and at Hungerforde,
And in some place of Kent.
The elementes to repentance,
Wyth dyuers tokens calles,
As hath ben sene, when fyre consumde
The piramid of Paules.
Wyth dyuers tokens calles,
As hath ben sene, when fyre consumde
The piramid of Paules.
And other places haue well felt
Theyr rage, whome I not name:
Yet se we few whose hartes relent,
Or repent by the same.
Theyr rage, whome I not name:
Yet se we few whose hartes relent,
Or repent by the same.
[147]
Whych manyfestly dothe declare,
That greater plagues then those,
God hath preparde and redy bent,
For to consume his foes.
That greater plagues then those,
God hath preparde and redy bent,
For to consume his foes.
So lytle fayth is found on earth,
Whyche sheweth certaynly,
That the last day is not farre hence,
But wyll come sodeynly.
Whyche sheweth certaynly,
That the last day is not farre hence,
But wyll come sodeynly.
Whych reprobates most damnable,
Haue cause to doubt and feare:
But Gods elect doo dayly wyshe
To see the same appeare.
Haue cause to doubt and feare:
But Gods elect doo dayly wyshe
To see the same appeare.
Farewell (quod she) I must departe,
I haue done thy request:
As swyft as thought she perst the clouds
To wynne eternall rest.
I haue done thy request:
As swyft as thought she perst the clouds
To wynne eternall rest.
And I wyth care for her absence,
And sodeyne presence change,
Awoke from sleape, much meruaylyng
At thys my sweuen strange.
And sodeyne presence change,
Awoke from sleape, much meruaylyng
At thys my sweuen strange.
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