The Works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount ... Edited by Douglas Hamer |
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 | The Works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount |  |
56
HEIR FOLLOUIS THE TESTAMENT, AND COMPLAYNT OF OUR SOUERANE LORDIS PAPYNGO, KYNG IAMES THE FYFT. QUHILK LYITH SORE WOUNDIT, AND MAY NOT DEE, TYLL EUERY MAN HAUE HARD QUHAT HE SAYIS. QUHAREFOR, GENTYLL REDARIS, HAIST ȜOW, THAT HE WER OUT OF PAINE.
COMPYLIT BE SCHIR DAUID LYNDESAY OF THE MONT, KNYCHT,
ALIAS, LYONE KYNG OF ARMES.
Suppose I had Ingyne Angelicall,
With sapience more than Salamonicall,
I not quhat mater put in memorie;
The Poetis auld, in style Heroycall,
In breue subtell termes Rethorycall,
Off euerilke mater, tragedie, and storie,
So ornatlie, to thare heych laude and glorie,
Haith done Indyte, quhose supreme sapience
Transcendith far the dull Intellygence
With sapience more than Salamonicall,
I not quhat mater put in memorie;
The Poetis auld, in style Heroycall,
In breue subtell termes Rethorycall,
Off euerilke mater, tragedie, and storie,
So ornatlie, to thare heych laude and glorie,
Haith done Indyte, quhose supreme sapience
Transcendith far the dull Intellygence
Off Poetis now in tyll our vulgare toung;
(For quhy) the bell of Rethorick bene roung
Be Chawceir, Goweir, and Lidgate laureate.
Quho dar presume thir Poetis tyll Impung,
Quhose sweit sentence throuch Albione bene song?
Or quho can now the workis cuntrafait
Off Kennedie, with termes aureait?
Or of Dunbar, quhilk language had at large,
As maye be sene in tyll his golden targe?
(For quhy) the bell of Rethorick bene roung
Be Chawceir, Goweir, and Lidgate laureate.
Quho dar presume thir Poetis tyll Impung,
Quhose sweit sentence throuch Albione bene song?
Or quho can now the workis cuntrafait
Off Kennedie, with termes aureait?
Or of Dunbar, quhilk language had at large,
As maye be sene in tyll his golden targe?
Quintyng, Mersar, Rowle, Henderson, hay, & holland,
Thocht thay be ded, thar libells bene leuand,
Quhi[l]kis to reheirs makeith redaris to reiose.
Allace for one, quhilk lampe wes of this land,
Off Eloquence the flowand balmy strand,
And, in our Inglis rethorick, the rose,
As of Rubeis the Charbunckle bene chose:
And, as Phebus dois Synthia presell,
So Gawane Dowglas, Byschope of Dunkell,
Thocht thay be ded, thar libells bene leuand,
57
Allace for one, quhilk lampe wes of this land,
Off Eloquence the flowand balmy strand,
And, in our Inglis rethorick, the rose,
As of Rubeis the Charbunckle bene chose:
And, as Phebus dois Synthia presell,
So Gawane Dowglas, Byschope of Dunkell,
Had, quhen he wes in to this land on lyue,
Abufe vulgare Poetis prerogatyue,
Boith in pratick and speculatioun.
I saye no more: gude redaris may discryue
His worthy workis, in nowmer mo than fyue,
And, speciallye, the trew Translatioun
Off Uirgill, quhilk bene consolatioun
To cunnyng men, to knaw his gret Ingyne,
Als weill in Naturall Science as Deuyne.
Abufe vulgare Poetis prerogatyue,
Boith in pratick and speculatioun.
I saye no more: gude redaris may discryue
His worthy workis, in nowmer mo than fyue,
And, speciallye, the trew Translatioun
Off Uirgill, quhilk bene consolatioun
To cunnyng men, to knaw his gret Ingyne,
Als weill in Naturall Science as Deuyne.
And, in the courte, bene present, in thir dayis,
That ballattis, breuis lustellie and layis,
Quhilks tyll our Prince daylie thay do present.
Quho can say more than schir Iames Inglis says,
In ballatts, farses, and in plesand playis?
Bot Culrose hes his pen maid Impotent.
Kyde, in cunnyng and pratick rycht prudent;
And Stewarte, quhilk disyrith one staitly style,
Full Ornate werkis daylie dois compyle.
That ballattis, breuis lustellie and layis,
Quhilks tyll our Prince daylie thay do present.
Quho can say more than schir Iames Inglis says,
In ballatts, farses, and in plesand playis?
Bot Culrose hes his pen maid Impotent.
Kyde, in cunnyng and pratick rycht prudent;
And Stewarte, quhilk disyrith one staitly style,
Full Ornate werkis daylie dois compyle.
Stewart of Lorne wyll carpe rycht curiouslie;
Galbreith, Kynlouch, quhen thay lyst tham applie
In to that art, ar craftie of Ingyne
Bot, now, of lait, is starte vpe, haistelie,
One cunnyng Clerk, quhilk wrytith craftelie,
One plant of Poetis, callit Ballentyne,
Quhose ornat workis my wytt can nocht defyne:
Gett he in to the courte auctoritie,
He wyll precell Quintyng and Kennetie.
Galbreith, Kynlouch, quhen thay lyst tham applie
In to that art, ar craftie of Ingyne
Bot, now, of lait, is starte vpe, haistelie,
One cunnyng Clerk, quhilk wrytith craftelie,
One plant of Poetis, callit Ballentyne,
Quhose ornat workis my wytt can nocht defyne:
Gett he in to the courte auctoritie,
He wyll precell Quintyng and Kennetie.
58
So, thocht I had ingyne, as I haue none,
I watt nocht quhat to wryt, be sweit sanct Ihone;
(For quhy) in all the garth of Eloquence,
Is no thyng left bot barrane stok and stone:
The Poleit termes ar pullit, euerilk one,
Be thir forenamit Poetis of prudence;
And, sen I fynd non vther new sentence,
I sall declare, or I depart ȝow fro,
The complaynt of ane woundit Papingo.
I watt nocht quhat to wryt, be sweit sanct Ihone;
(For quhy) in all the garth of Eloquence,
Is no thyng left bot barrane stok and stone:
The Poleit termes ar pullit, euerilk one,
Be thir forenamit Poetis of prudence;
And, sen I fynd non vther new sentence,
I sall declare, or I depart ȝow fro,
The complaynt of ane woundit Papingo.
Quharefor, because myne mater bene so rude
Off sentence, and of Rethorike denude,
To rurall folke myne dyting bene directit,
Far flemit frome the sycht of men of gude;
For cunnyng men, I knaw, wyll soune conclude
It dowe no thyng bot for to be deiectit:
And, quhen I heir myne mater bene detractit,
Than sall I sweir, I maid it bot in mowis,
To landwart lassis quhilks kepith kye & ȝowis.
Off sentence, and of Rethorike denude,
To rurall folke myne dyting bene directit,
Far flemit frome the sycht of men of gude;
For cunnyng men, I knaw, wyll soune conclude
It dowe no thyng bot for to be deiectit:
And, quhen I heir myne mater bene detractit,
Than sall I sweir, I maid it bot in mowis,
To landwart lassis quhilks kepith kye & ȝowis.
HEIR ENDIS THE PROLOUG. AND FOLLOWIS THE COMPLAYNT.
Quho clymmis to hycht, perforce his feit mon faill;
Expreme I sal that be Experience,
Geue that ȝow pleis to heir one pieteous taill,
How one fair Bird be faitell violence
Deuorit was, and mycht mak no defence
Contrare the deth, so failȝeit naturall strenth:
As efter I sall schaw ȝow at more lenth.
Expreme I sal that be Experience,
Geue that ȝow pleis to heir one pieteous taill,
How one fair Bird be faitell violence
Deuorit was, and mycht mak no defence
Contrare the deth, so failȝeit naturall strenth:
As efter I sall schaw ȝow at more lenth.
One Papyngo, rycht plesand and perfyte,
Presentit was tyll our moist nobyll kyng,
Of quhome his grace one lang tyme had delyte:
More fair of forme, I wat, flew neuer on wyng.
This proper bird he gaue in gouernyng
To me, quhilk wes his simpyll seruetoure,
On quhome I did my delygence and cure
Presentit was tyll our moist nobyll kyng,
Of quhome his grace one lang tyme had delyte:
More fair of forme, I wat, flew neuer on wyng.
This proper bird he gaue in gouernyng
To me, quhilk wes his simpyll seruetoure,
On quhome I did my delygence and cure
59
To lerne hir language artificiall,
To play platfute, and quhissill fute before.
Bot, of hir Inclynatioun naturall,
Scho countrafaitit all fowlis, les and more:
Off hir curage, scho wald, without my lore,
Syng lyke the Merle, and crawe lyke to the coke,
Pew lyke the Gled, and chant lyke the Lauerock,
To play platfute, and quhissill fute before.
Bot, of hir Inclynatioun naturall,
Scho countrafaitit all fowlis, les and more:
Off hir curage, scho wald, without my lore,
Syng lyke the Merle, and crawe lyke to the coke,
Pew lyke the Gled, and chant lyke the Lauerock,
Bark lyk ane Dog, and kekell lyke ane ka,
Blait lyke ane hog, and buller lyke ane bull,
Gaill lyke ane goik, and greit quhen scho wes wa,
Clym on ane corde, syne lauch & play the fule;
Scho mycht haue bene ane menstrall agane ȝule.
This blyssit bird wes to me so plesande,
Quhare euer I fure, I bure hir on my hande.
Blait lyke ane hog, and buller lyke ane bull,
Gaill lyke ane goik, and greit quhen scho wes wa,
Clym on ane corde, syne lauch & play the fule;
Scho mycht haue bene ane menstrall agane ȝule.
This blyssit bird wes to me so plesande,
Quhare euer I fure, I bure hir on my hande.
And so befell, in tyll ane myrthfull morrow,
In to my garth I past me to repose,
This bird and I, as we wer wount aforrow,
Amang the flowris fresche, fragrant, and formose.
My vitale spretis dewlie did reiose
Quhen Phebus rose, and raue the cloudis sabyll,
Throuch brychtnes of his beamys amyabyll.
In to my garth I past me to repose,
This bird and I, as we wer wount aforrow,
Amang the flowris fresche, fragrant, and formose.
My vitale spretis dewlie did reiose
Quhen Phebus rose, and raue the cloudis sabyll,
Throuch brychtnes of his beamys amyabyll.
Without vapour was weill purificate
The temperat air, soft, sober, and serene.
The erth be Nature so edificate
With holsum herbis, blew, quhyte, reid, & grene;
Quhilk eleuate my spretis frome the splene.
That day Saturne nor Mars durst not appeir,
Nor Eole of his coue he durst nocht steir.
The temperat air, soft, sober, and serene.
The erth be Nature so edificate
With holsum herbis, blew, quhyte, reid, & grene;
Quhilk eleuate my spretis frome the splene.
That day Saturne nor Mars durst not appeir,
Nor Eole of his coue he durst nocht steir.
That daye perforce behuffit to be fair,
Be Influence and cours celestiall;
No planete presit for to perturbe the air,
For Mercurious, be mouyng naturall,
Exaultit wes, in to the throne tryumphall
Off his mantioun, vnto the fyftene gre,
In his awin souerane signe of virginee.
Be Influence and cours celestiall;
No planete presit for to perturbe the air,
For Mercurious, be mouyng naturall,
Exaultit wes, in to the throne tryumphall
Off his mantioun, vnto the fyftene gre,
In his awin souerane signe of virginee.
60
That day did Phebus plesandlie depart
Frome Geminie, and enterit in Cancer;
That daye Cupido did extend his dart;
Uenus, that daye, coniunit with Iupiter;
That daye Neptunus hid hym lyke one sker;
That daye dame Nature, with gret besynes,
Fortherit Flora to keyth hir craftynes;
Frome Geminie, and enterit in Cancer;
That daye Cupido did extend his dart;
Uenus, that daye, coniunit with Iupiter;
That daye Neptunus hid hym lyke one sker;
That daye dame Nature, with gret besynes,
Fortherit Flora to keyth hir craftynes;
And retrograde wes Mars in Capricorne,
And Synthea in Sagitter assesit;
That daye dame Ceres, goddes of the corne,
Full Ioyfullie Iohane Upponland applesit;
The bad espect of Saturne wes appesit,
That daye, be Iono, of Iupiter the Ioye,
Perturband spretis causyng to hauld coye.
And Synthea in Sagitter assesit;
That daye dame Ceres, goddes of the corne,
Full Ioyfullie Iohane Upponland applesit;
The bad espect of Saturne wes appesit,
That daye, be Iono, of Iupiter the Ioye,
Perturband spretis causyng to hauld coye.
The sound of birdis surmontit all the skyis,
With melodie of notis Musycall;
The balmy droppis of dew Tytane vpdryis,
Hyngande vpone the tender twystis small.
The heuinlie hew and sound Angelicall
Sic perfyte plesoure prentit in myne hart,
That, with gret pyne, frome thyne I mycht depart.
With melodie of notis Musycall;
The balmy droppis of dew Tytane vpdryis,
Hyngande vpone the tender twystis small.
The heuinlie hew and sound Angelicall
Sic perfyte plesoure prentit in myne hart,
That, with gret pyne, frome thyne I mycht depart.
So, styll amang those herbis amyabyll
I did remane one space, for my pastance:
Bot wardlie plesour bene so variabyll,
Myxit with sorrow, dreid, and Inconstance,
That thare in tyll is no contyneuance.
So, mycht I saye, my schorte solace, allace,
Was dreuin in dolour, in one lytill space.
I did remane one space, for my pastance:
Bot wardlie plesour bene so variabyll,
Myxit with sorrow, dreid, and Inconstance,
That thare in tyll is no contyneuance.
So, mycht I saye, my schorte solace, allace,
Was dreuin in dolour, in one lytill space.
For, in that garth, amang those fragrant flouris,
Walkyng allone, none bot my bird and Ye,
Onto to the tyme that I had said myne houris,
This Bird I sett vpon one branche me bye;
Bot scho began to speill, rycht spedalie,
And in that tree scho did so heych ascende.
That be no waye I mycht hir apprehende.
Walkyng allone, none bot my bird and Ye,
Onto to the tyme that I had said myne houris,
This Bird I sett vpon one branche me bye;
Bot scho began to speill, rycht spedalie,
And in that tree scho did so heych ascende.
That be no waye I mycht hir apprehende.
61
Sweit bird, said I, be war, mont nocht ouer hie;
Returne in tyme; perchance thy feit may failȝe;
Thov art rycht fat, and nocht weill vsit to fle;
The gredie gled, I dreid, scho the assailȝe.
I wyll, said scho, ascend, vailȝe quod vailȝe;
It is my kynd to clym, aye, to the hycht:
Off fedther and bone, I watt weill, I am wycht.
Returne in tyme; perchance thy feit may failȝe;
Thov art rycht fat, and nocht weill vsit to fle;
The gredie gled, I dreid, scho the assailȝe.
I wyll, said scho, ascend, vailȝe quod vailȝe;
It is my kynd to clym, aye, to the hycht:
Off fedther and bone, I watt weill, I am wycht.
So, on the heychast lytill tender twyste,
With wyng displayit, scho sat full wantounlie.
Bot Boreas blew one blast, or euer scho wyst,
Quhilk braik the branche, and blew hir, sodantlie,
Doun to the ground, with mony cairfull crye.
Upon ane stob scho lychit, on hir breist;
The blude ruschit out, and scho cryit for a preist.
With wyng displayit, scho sat full wantounlie.
Bot Boreas blew one blast, or euer scho wyst,
Quhilk braik the branche, and blew hir, sodantlie,
Doun to the ground, with mony cairfull crye.
Upon ane stob scho lychit, on hir breist;
The blude ruschit out, and scho cryit for a preist.
God wat gyff than my hart wes wo begone,
To see that fowle flychter amang the flouris,
Quhilk, with gret murnyng, gan to mak hir mone.
Now cumyng ar, said scho, the faitall houris;
Off bitter deth now mon I thole the schouris.
O dame Nature, I pray the, of thy grace,
Len me layser to speik one lytill space
To see that fowle flychter amang the flouris,
Quhilk, with gret murnyng, gan to mak hir mone.
Now cumyng ar, said scho, the faitall houris;
Off bitter deth now mon I thole the schouris.
O dame Nature, I pray the, of thy grace,
Len me layser to speik one lytill space
For to complene my fait Infortunate,
And so dispone my geir, or I depart;
Sen of all conforte I am desolate,
Allone, except the deth, heir with his darte,
With aufull cheir, reddy to peirs myne hart.
And, with that word, scho tuke one passioun,
Syne flatlyngis fell, and swappit in to swoun.
And so dispone my geir, or I depart;
Sen of all conforte I am desolate,
Allone, except the deth, heir with his darte,
With aufull cheir, reddy to peirs myne hart.
And, with that word, scho tuke one passioun,
Syne flatlyngis fell, and swappit in to swoun.
With sory hart, peirst with compassioun,
And salt teris distellyng frome myne Eine,
To heir that birdis lamentatioun
I did aproche, onder ane hauthorne grene,
Quhare I mycht heir and se, and be vnsene;
And, quhen this bird had swounit twyse or thryse,
Scho gan to speik, sayng on this wyse:
And salt teris distellyng frome myne Eine,
To heir that birdis lamentatioun
I did aproche, onder ane hauthorne grene,
Quhare I mycht heir and se, and be vnsene;
And, quhen this bird had swounit twyse or thryse,
Scho gan to speik, sayng on this wyse:
62
O fals Fortune, quhy hes thov me begylit?
This day at morne quho knew this cairfull cace?
Uaine hope in the my reasoun haith exilit,
Hauyng sic traist in to thy fenȝeit face.
That euer I wes brocht in to the court, allace
Had I in forrest flowin, amang my feris,
I mycht full weill haue leuit mony ȝeris.
This day at morne quho knew this cairfull cace?
Uaine hope in the my reasoun haith exilit,
Hauyng sic traist in to thy fenȝeit face.
That euer I wes brocht in to the court, allace
Had I in forrest flowin, amang my feris,
I mycht full weill haue leuit mony ȝeris.
Prudent counsell, allace, I did refuse,
Agane reassoun vsyng myne appetyte:
Ambitioun did so myne hart abuse,
That Eolus had me in gret dispyte.
Poetis of me haith mater to indyte,
Quhilk clam so heych, and wo is me thairfore,
Nocht doutyng that the deth durste me deuore.
Agane reassoun vsyng myne appetyte:
Ambitioun did so myne hart abuse,
That Eolus had me in gret dispyte.
Poetis of me haith mater to indyte,
Quhilk clam so heych, and wo is me thairfore,
Nocht doutyng that the deth durste me deuore.
This daye, at morne, my forme and feddrem fair
Abufe the prude Pacoke war precellande,
And now one catyue carioun, full of cair,
Baithand in blude doun from my hart distelland,
And in myne eir the bell of deith bene knelland.
O fals warld, fy on thy felycitie,
Thy Pryde, Auaryce, and Immundicitie.
Abufe the prude Pacoke war precellande,
And now one catyue carioun, full of cair,
Baithand in blude doun from my hart distelland,
And in myne eir the bell of deith bene knelland.
O fals warld, fy on thy felycitie,
Thy Pryde, Auaryce, and Immundicitie.
In the I see no thyng bene permanent;
Off thy schort solace sorrow is the ende;
Thy fals Infortunate gyftis bene bot lent.
This day, ful prude; the morne, no thyng to spend.
O ȝe that doith pretende aye tyll ascend,
My fatale ende haue in rememberance,
And ȝow defende frome sic vnhappy chance.
Off thy schort solace sorrow is the ende;
Thy fals Infortunate gyftis bene bot lent.
This day, ful prude; the morne, no thyng to spend.
O ȝe that doith pretende aye tyll ascend,
My fatale ende haue in rememberance,
And ȝow defende frome sic vnhappy chance.
Quhydder that I wes strickin in extasie,
Or throuch one stark Imagynatioun,
Bot it apperit, in myne Fantasie,
I hard this dolent lamentatioun.
Thus dullit in to desolatioun,
Me thocht this bird did breue, in hir maneir,
Hir counsale to the Kyng, as ȝe sall heir.
Or throuch one stark Imagynatioun,
Bot it apperit, in myne Fantasie,
I hard this dolent lamentatioun.
Thus dullit in to desolatioun,
Me thocht this bird did breue, in hir maneir,
Hir counsale to the Kyng, as ȝe sall heir.
63
HEIR FOLLOWIS THE FIRST EPYSTYLL OF THE PAPYNGO DIRECT[IT] TO KYNG IAMES THE FYFT.
Prepotent Prince, peirles of pulchritude,
Glore, honour, laude, tryumphe, & victor[i]e
Be to thy heych excellent Celsitude,
With Marciall dedis dyng of memorie.
Sen Atropus consumit haith my glorie,
And dolente deith, allace, mon ws depart,
I leif to the my trew vnfenȝeit hart,
Glore, honour, laude, tryumphe, & victor[i]e
Be to thy heych excellent Celsitude,
With Marciall dedis dyng of memorie.
Sen Atropus consumit haith my glorie,
And dolente deith, allace, mon ws depart,
I leif to the my trew vnfenȝeit hart,
To gydder with this Cedull subsequent,
With moist reuerent Reconmendatioun.
I grant, thy grace gettis mony one document,
Be famous Fatheris predicatioun,
With mony notabyll Narratioun
Be plesande Poetis, in style Heroycall,
Quhov thow suld gyde thy Seait Imperiall.
With moist reuerent Reconmendatioun.
I grant, thy grace gettis mony one document,
Be famous Fatheris predicatioun,
With mony notabyll Narratioun
Be plesande Poetis, in style Heroycall,
Quhov thow suld gyde thy Seait Imperiall.
Sum doith deplore the gret Calamiteis
Off diuers Realmes Transmutatioun;
Sum pieteouslie doith treait of Tragedeis,
All for thy graces Informatioun:
So I intend, but adullatioun,
In to my barbour rusticall indyte,
Amang the reste, schir, sum thyng for to wryte.
Off diuers Realmes Transmutatioun;
Sum pieteouslie doith treait of Tragedeis,
All for thy graces Informatioun:
So I intend, but adullatioun,
In to my barbour rusticall indyte,
Amang the reste, schir, sum thyng for to wryte.
Souerane, consaue this simpyll similytude
Off officiaris seruyng thy Senȝeorie:
Quho gydis thame weil gettis of thy grace gret gude;
Quho bene Iniuste degradit ar of glorie,
And cancillat out of thy memorie,
Prouidyng, syne, more plesand in thare place:
Beleue, rycht so sall God do with thy grace.
Off officiaris seruyng thy Senȝeorie:
Quho gydis thame weil gettis of thy grace gret gude;
Quho bene Iniuste degradit ar of glorie,
And cancillat out of thy memorie,
Prouidyng, syne, more plesand in thare place:
Beleue, rycht so sall God do with thy grace.
64
Considder weill, thow bene bot officiare
And wassall to that kyng Incomparabyll;
Preis thov to pleis that puissant prince preclare,
Thy ryche rewarde salbe Inestimabyll,
Exaultit heych, in glore Interminabyll,
Abone Archangels, virtus, potestatis,
Plesandie placit amang the Principatis.
And wassall to that kyng Incomparabyll;
Preis thov to pleis that puissant prince preclare,
Thy ryche rewarde salbe Inestimabyll,
Exaultit heych, in glore Interminabyll,
Abone Archangels, virtus, potestatis,
Plesandie placit amang the Principatis.
Off thy vertew Poetis perpetuallie
Sall mak mentioun, vnto the warld be endit:
So thov excers thyne office prudentlie
In heuin and erth thy grace salbe commendit:
Quharefor, afeir that he be nocht offendit,
Quhilk hes exaultit the to sic honour,
Off his peple to be one Gouernour,
Sall mak mentioun, vnto the warld be endit:
So thov excers thyne office prudentlie
In heuin and erth thy grace salbe commendit:
Quharefor, afeir that he be nocht offendit,
Quhilk hes exaultit the to sic honour,
Off his peple to be one Gouernour,
And, in the erth, haith maid sic ordinance,
Under thy feit all thyng terrestryall
Ar subiect to thy plesour and pastance:
Boith fowle, and fysche, and bestis pastorall,
Men, to thy seruyce, and wemen, thay bene thrall:
Halkyng, hountyng, armes, and leiffull amour
Preordinat ar, be God, for thy plesour:
Under thy feit all thyng terrestryall
Ar subiect to thy plesour and pastance:
Boith fowle, and fysche, and bestis pastorall,
Men, to thy seruyce, and wemen, thay bene thrall:
Halkyng, hountyng, armes, and leiffull amour
Preordinat ar, be God, for thy plesour:
Maisteris of Museik, to recreat thy spreit
With dantit voce and plesande Instrument:
Thus may thov be of all plesouris repleit,
So in thyne office thov be deligent.
Bot, be thov found sleuthfull, or negligent,
Or Iniuste in thyne exicutioun,
Thov sall nocht faill deuine puneissioun
With dantit voce and plesande Instrument:
Thus may thov be of all plesouris repleit,
So in thyne office thov be deligent.
Bot, be thov found sleuthfull, or negligent,
Or Iniuste in thyne exicutioun,
Thov sall nocht faill deuine puneissioun
Quharefor, sen thov hes sic capacitie
To lerne to playe so plesandlie, and syng,
Ryde hors, ryn speris with gret audacitie,
Schute with hand bow, crosbow, and culueryng,
Amang the rest, schir, lerne to be ane kyng:
Kyith, on that craft, thy pringnant fresche ingyne,
Grantit to the be Influence Diuine.
To lerne to playe so plesandlie, and syng,
Ryde hors, ryn speris with gret audacitie,
Schute with hand bow, crosbow, and culueryng,
Amang the rest, schir, lerne to be ane kyng:
Kyith, on that craft, thy pringnant fresche ingyne,
Grantit to the be Influence Diuine.
65
And, sen the Diffinitioun of ane kyng
Is for to haue of peple gouernance,
Addres the first, abufe all vther thyng,
Tyll put thy bodye tyll sic ordinance,
That thyne vertew thyne honour may auance.
For quhov suld Prencis gouerne gret regionis,
That can nocht dewlie gyde thare awin personis?
Is for to haue of peple gouernance,
Addres the first, abufe all vther thyng,
Tyll put thy bodye tyll sic ordinance,
That thyne vertew thyne honour may auance.
For quhov suld Prencis gouerne gret regionis,
That can nocht dewlie gyde thare awin personis?
And, geue thy grace wald leif rycht plesandlie,
Call thy Counsale, and cast on thame the cure;
Thare Iuste Decretis defend and fortyfie.
But gude counsale may no Prince lang indure:
Wyrk with counsale, than sall thy work be sure.
Cheis thy counsale of the moste Sapient,
Without regarde to blude, ryches, or rent.
Call thy Counsale, and cast on thame the cure;
Thare Iuste Decretis defend and fortyfie.
But gude counsale may no Prince lang indure:
Wyrk with counsale, than sall thy work be sure.
Cheis thy counsale of the moste Sapient,
Without regarde to blude, ryches, or rent.
Amang all vther pastyme and plesour,
Now, in thy adolescent ȝeris ȝeing,
Wald thov, ilk day, studie, bot half one hour,
The Regiment of princelie gouernyng,
To thy peple it war ane plesand thyng:
Thare mycht thov fynd thyne awin vocatioun,
Quhov thov suld vse thy sceptour, swerd, & croun.
Now, in thy adolescent ȝeris ȝeing,
Wald thov, ilk day, studie, bot half one hour,
The Regiment of princelie gouernyng,
To thy peple it war ane plesand thyng:
Thare mycht thov fynd thyne awin vocatioun,
Quhov thov suld vse thy sceptour, swerd, & croun.
The Cronecklis to knaw I the exhorte,
Quhilk may be myrrour to thy Maiestie:
Thare sall thov fynd boith gude & euyll reporte
Off euerilk Prince, efter his qualytie:
Thocht thay be dede, thare deidis sall nocht dee.
Traist weill, thov salbe stylit, in that storie,
As thov deseruis putt in memorie.
Quhilk may be myrrour to thy Maiestie:
Thare sall thov fynd boith gude & euyll reporte
Off euerilk Prince, efter his qualytie:
Thocht thay be dede, thare deidis sall nocht dee.
Traist weill, thov salbe stylit, in that storie,
As thov deseruis putt in memorie.
Request that Roye, quhilk rent wes on the rude,
The to defend frome dedis of defame,
That no Poyte reporte of the bot gude:
For princes dayis Induris bot ane drame.
Sen first kyng Fergus bure ane Dyadame,
Thov art the last king, of fyue score and fyue,
And all ar dede, and none bot thov on lyue:
The to defend frome dedis of defame,
That no Poyte reporte of the bot gude:
For princes dayis Induris bot ane drame.
Sen first kyng Fergus bure ane Dyadame,
Thov art the last king, of fyue score and fyue,
And all ar dede, and none bot thov on lyue:
66
Off quhose number fyftie and fyue bene slane,
And, moist parte, in thare awin mysgouernance.
Quharefor, I the beseik, my Souerane,
Consydder of thare lyuis the circumstance,
And, quhen thov knawis the cause of thare mischance,
Off vertew, than, exault thy salis on hie,
Traistyng to chaip that faitale destanie.
And, moist parte, in thare awin mysgouernance.
Quharefor, I the beseik, my Souerane,
Consydder of thare lyuis the circumstance,
And, quhen thov knawis the cause of thare mischance,
Off vertew, than, exault thy salis on hie,
Traistyng to chaip that faitale destanie.
Trait ilk trew Barroun as he war thy brother,
Quhilk mon, at neid, the and thy realme defende:
Quhen, suddantlie, one doith oppresse one vther,
Lat Iustice, myxit with mercy, thame amende.
Haue thov thare hartis, thov hes yneuch to spend:
And, be the contrar, thov arte bot kyng of bone,
Frome tyme thyne hereis hartis bene from the gone.
Quhilk mon, at neid, the and thy realme defende:
Quhen, suddantlie, one doith oppresse one vther,
Lat Iustice, myxit with mercy, thame amende.
Haue thov thare hartis, thov hes yneuch to spend:
And, be the contrar, thov arte bot kyng of bone,
Frome tyme thyne hereis hartis bene from the gone.
I haue no laser for to wryt at lenth
Myne hole intent ontyll thyne Excellence,
Decressit so I am in wyt and strenth,
My mortall wounde doith me sic violence.
Peple of me maye haue experience:
Because, allace, I wes Incounsolabyll,
Now mon I dee, on[e] Catyue myserabyll.
Myne hole intent ontyll thyne Excellence,
Decressit so I am in wyt and strenth,
My mortall wounde doith me sic violence.
Peple of me maye haue experience:
Because, allace, I wes Incounsolabyll,
Now mon I dee, on[e] Catyue myserabyll.
HEIR FOLLOWIS THE SECUNDE EPISTYL OF THE PAPYNGO, DIRECTIT TO HIR BRETHER OF COURTE.
Brether of court, with mynd precordial,
To the gret god hartlie I commend ȝow.
Imprent my fall in ȝour memoriall,
Togidder with this cedul that I send ȝow.
To preis ouer heych I pray ȝow not pretend ȝow:
The vaine ascens of court quho wyll consydder,
Quho sittith moist hie sal fynd the sait most slidder.
To the gret god hartlie I commend ȝow.
Imprent my fall in ȝour memoriall,
Togidder with this cedul that I send ȝow.
To preis ouer heych I pray ȝow not pretend ȝow:
The vaine ascens of court quho wyll consydder,
Quho sittith moist hie sal fynd the sait most slidder.
67
So, ȝe, that now bene lansyng vpe the ledder,
Tak tent in tyme, fassinnyng ȝour fingaris faste.
Quho clymith moist heych moist dynt hes of the woder,
And leist defence aganis the bitter blast
Off fals fortune, quhilk takith neuer rest,
Bot, moste redouttit, daylie scho doun thryngis,
Nocht sparing Papis, Conquerours, nor kyngis.
Tak tent in tyme, fassinnyng ȝour fingaris faste.
Quho clymith moist heych moist dynt hes of the woder,
And leist defence aganis the bitter blast
Off fals fortune, quhilk takith neuer rest,
Bot, moste redouttit, daylie scho doun thryngis,
Nocht sparing Papis, Conquerours, nor kyngis.
Thocht ȝe be montit vpe abone the skyis,
And hes boith kyng and court in gouernance,
Sum was als heych, quhilk now rycht lawly lyis,
Complanyng sore the courtis variance.
Thare preterit tyme may be experience,
Quhilk, throuch vaine hope of courte, did clym so hie,
Syne wantit wyngis, quhen thay wend best to flie.
And hes boith kyng and court in gouernance,
Sum was als heych, quhilk now rycht lawly lyis,
Complanyng sore the courtis variance.
Thare preterit tyme may be experience,
Quhilk, throuch vaine hope of courte, did clym so hie,
Syne wantit wyngis, quhen thay wend best to flie.
Sen ilke court bene vntraist and transitorie,
Cheangyng als oft as woddercok in wynd,
Sum maikand glaid, and vther sum rycht sorie,
Formaste, this day, the morne may go behyind,
Lat not vaine hope of court ȝour reasone blyind;
Traist weill, sum men wyll gyf ȝov laud, as lordis,
Quhilk wald be glaid to se ȝov hang in cordis.
Cheangyng als oft as woddercok in wynd,
Sum maikand glaid, and vther sum rycht sorie,
Formaste, this day, the morne may go behyind,
Lat not vaine hope of court ȝour reasone blyind;
Traist weill, sum men wyll gyf ȝov laud, as lordis,
Quhilk wald be glaid to se ȝov hang in cordis.
I durst declare the myserabilitie
Of diuers curtis, war nocht my tyme bene schort;
The dreidfull cheange, vaine glore, and vilitie,
The painfull plesour, as Poetis doith reporte,
Sum tyme in hope, sum tyme in disconforte,
And how sum men dois spend thair ȝouthed haill
In court, syne endis in the hospytaill:
Of diuers curtis, war nocht my tyme bene schort;
The dreidfull cheange, vaine glore, and vilitie,
The painfull plesour, as Poetis doith reporte,
Sum tyme in hope, sum tyme in disconforte,
And how sum men dois spend thair ȝouthed haill
In court, syne endis in the hospytaill:
Quhov sum in court bene quyet cou[n]salouris,
Without regarde to commoun weill or kyngis,
Castyng thare cure for to be Conquerouris;
And, quhen thay bene heych rasit in thare ryngis,
How cheange of court tham dulfully doun thringis;
And, quhen thay bene frome thair estait deposit,
Quhov mony of thare fall bene rycht reiosit:
Without regarde to commoun weill or kyngis,
Castyng thare cure for to be Conquerouris;
And, quhen thay bene heych rasit in thare ryngis,
How cheange of court tham dulfully doun thringis;
And, quhen thay bene frome thair estait deposit,
Quhov mony of thare fall bene rycht reiosit:
68
And quhou fonde fenȝeit fulis and flatteraris
For small seruyce optenith gret rewardis;
Pandaris, pykthankis, custronis, and clatteraris
Loupis vp frome laddis, sine lychtis amang lardis;
Blasphematours, beggaris, and commoun bardis
Sum tyme in court hes more auctoritie,
Nor deuote Doctouris in Diuinitie:
For small seruyce optenith gret rewardis;
Pandaris, pykthankis, custronis, and clatteraris
Loupis vp frome laddis, sine lychtis amang lardis;
Blasphematours, beggaris, and commoun bardis
Sum tyme in court hes more auctoritie,
Nor deuote Doctouris in Diuinitie:
Quhov, in some countre, bene barnes of Baliall,
Full of dissimilit payntit flatterrie,
Prouocande, be Intoxicat counsall,
Prences tyll huredome and tyll hasardrie:
Quho dois in Prencis prent sic harlotrie,
I saye for me, sic peirte prouocatouris
Sulde puneist be abufe all strang tratouris.
Full of dissimilit payntit flatterrie,
Prouocande, be Intoxicat counsall,
Prences tyll huredome and tyll hasardrie:
Quho dois in Prencis prent sic harlotrie,
I saye for me, sic peirte prouocatouris
Sulde puneist be abufe all strang tratouris.
Quhate trauers, troubyll, and calamitie
Haith bene in courte within thir houndreth ȝeris:
Quhat mortall cheangis, quhat miseritie:
Quhat nobyll men bene brocht vpon thair beris:
Tra[i]st weil, my freinds, follow ȝow mon ȝour feris:
So, sen in court bene no tranquillytie,
Sett nocht on it ȝour hole fielycite.
Haith bene in courte within thir houndreth ȝeris:
Quhat mortall cheangis, quhat miseritie:
Quhat nobyll men bene brocht vpon thair beris:
Tra[i]st weil, my freinds, follow ȝow mon ȝour feris:
So, sen in court bene no tranquillytie,
Sett nocht on it ȝour hole fielycite.
The courte chea[n]geith, sumtyme, with sic outrage,
That few or none may makyng resistance,
And sparis nocht the prince more than the paige,
As weill apperith be experience.
The Duke of Rothasay mycht mak no defence,
Quhilk wes pertenand Roye of this regioun,
Bot dulefully deuorit in presoun.
That few or none may makyng resistance,
And sparis nocht the prince more than the paige,
As weill apperith be experience.
The Duke of Rothasay mycht mak no defence,
Quhilk wes pertenand Roye of this regioun,
Bot dulefully deuorit in presoun.
Quhat dreid, quhat dolour had that nobyll kyng,
Robart the thride, frome tyme he knew the cace
Off his two Sonnis dolente departyng:
Prince Dauid deyid, and Iames captyue, allace,
Tyll trew Scottis men quhilk wes a cairful cace.
Thus may ȝe knaw, the courte bene variand,
Quhen blude ryall the cheang[e] may not ganestand.
Robart the thride, frome tyme he knew the cace
Off his two Sonnis dolente departyng:
Prince Dauid deyid, and Iames captyue, allace,
Tyll trew Scottis men quhilk wes a cairful cace.
Thus may ȝe knaw, the courte bene variand,
Quhen blude ryall the cheang[e] may not ganestand.
69
Quho rang in court more hie and tryumphand
Nor Duke Murdoke, quhil that his day indurit?
Was he nocht gret Protectour of Scotland?
Ȝit of the court he was nocht weill assurit.
Itt cheangit so, his lang seruyce wes smurit;
He and his Sonne, fair Walter, but remede,
Forfaltit war, and put to dulefull dede.
Nor Duke Murdoke, quhil that his day indurit?
Was he nocht gret Protectour of Scotland?
Ȝit of the court he was nocht weill assurit.
Itt cheangit so, his lang seruyce wes smurit;
He and his Sonne, fair Walter, but remede,
Forfaltit war, and put to dulefull dede.
Kyng Iames the first, the patroun of prudence,
Gem of Ingyne, and peirll of polycie,
Well of Iustice, and flude of Eloquence,
Quhose vertew doith transcende my fantasie
For tyll discryue, ȝit, quhen he stude moste hie,
Be fals Exhorbitant conspirat[i]oun
That prudent Prince wes pieteouslie put doun.
Gem of Ingyne, and peirll of polycie,
Well of Iustice, and flude of Eloquence,
Quhose vertew doith transcende my fantasie
For tyll discryue, ȝit, quhen he stude moste hie,
Be fals Exhorbitant conspirat[i]oun
That prudent Prince wes pieteouslie put doun.
Als, Iames the secunde, Roye of gret renoun,
Beand in his superexcelland glore,
Throuch reakles schuttyng of one gret cannoun
The dolent deith, allace, did hym deuore.
One thyng thair bene, of quhilk I maruell more,
That Fortune had at hym sic mortall feid,
Throuch fyftie thousand, to waill him by the heid.
Beand in his superexcelland glore,
Throuch reakles schuttyng of one gret cannoun
The dolent deith, allace, did hym deuore.
One thyng thair bene, of quhilk I maruell more,
That Fortune had at hym sic mortall feid,
Throuch fyftie thousand, to waill him by the heid.
My hart is peirst with panes for to pance,
Or wrytt, that courtis variatioun
Off Iames the thrid, quhen he had gouernance;
The dolour, dreid, and desolatioun,
The cheange of court, and conspiratioun;
And quhov that Cochrame, with his companye,
That tyme in courte clam so presumpteouslye.
Or wrytt, that courtis variatioun
Off Iames the thrid, quhen he had gouernance;
The dolour, dreid, and desolatioun,
The cheange of court, and conspiratioun;
And quhov that Cochrame, with his companye,
That tyme in courte clam so presumpteouslye.
It had bene gude, tha beirnes had bene vnborne,
Be quhome that nobyll Prince wes so abusit:
Thay grew, as did the weid abufe the corne,
That prudent Lordis counsall wes refusit,
And held hym quyet, as he had bene inclusit.
Allace, that Prince, be thare abusioun,
Was, fynalie, brocht to confusioun.
Be quhome that nobyll Prince wes so abusit:
Thay grew, as did the weid abufe the corne,
That prudent Lordis counsall wes refusit,
And held hym quyet, as he had bene inclusit.
Allace, that Prince, be thare abusioun,
Was, fynalie, brocht to confusioun.
70
Thay clam so heych, and gat sic audience,
And with thare Prince grew so familiar,
His Germane brother mycht get no presence;
The Duke of Albanie, nor the Erle of Mar,
Lyke baneist men was haldin at the bar,
Tyll, in the Kyng, thare grew sic mortall feid,
He flemit the Duke and patt the Erle to dede.
And with thare Prince grew so familiar,
His Germane brother mycht get no presence;
The Duke of Albanie, nor the Erle of Mar,
Lyke baneist men was haldin at the bar,
Tyll, in the Kyng, thare grew sic mortall feid,
He flemit the Duke and patt the Erle to dede.
Thus, Cochrame with his catyue companye,
Forsit thame to flee; bot ȝit thay wantit fedderis.
Abufe the heych Cederis of Libanye
Thay clam so hie, tyll thay lape ouir thair ledderis;
On lawder bryge syne keppit wer in tedderis,
Stranglit to deith, thay gat none vther grace,
Thair king captyue, quhilk wes ane cairful cace.
Forsit thame to flee; bot ȝit thay wantit fedderis.
Abufe the heych Cederis of Libanye
Thay clam so hie, tyll thay lape ouir thair ledderis;
On lawder bryge syne keppit wer in tedderis,
Stranglit to deith, thay gat none vther grace,
Thair king captyue, quhilk wes ane cairful cace.
Tyl putt in forme that fait Infortunat[e],
And mortall cheange, perturbith myne ingyne.
My wytt bene waik, my fyngaris faitegate,
To dyte, or wryt, the rancour, and rewyne,
The Ciuyll weir, the battell Intestyne;
How that the Sonne, with baner braid displayit,
Agane the Fader, in battell, come arrayit.
And mortall cheange, perturbith myne ingyne.
My wytt bene waik, my fyngaris faitegate,
To dyte, or wryt, the rancour, and rewyne,
The Ciuyll weir, the battell Intestyne;
How that the Sonne, with baner braid displayit,
Agane the Fader, in battell, come arrayit.
Wald god that prince had bene, that day, confortit
With sapience of the prudent Salomone,
And with the strenth of strang Sampsone supportit,
With the bauld oste of gret Agamenone.
Quhat suld I wys, remedie wes thare none:
At morne, ane king with sceptour, sweird, and croun;
Att ewin, ane dede deformit carioun.
With sapience of the prudent Salomone,
And with the strenth of strang Sampsone supportit,
With the bauld oste of gret Agamenone.
Quhat suld I wys, remedie wes thare none:
At morne, ane king with sceptour, sweird, and croun;
Att ewin, ane dede deformit carioun.
Allace, quhare bene that rycht redoutit Roye,
That potent prince, gentyll king Iames the feird?
I pray to Christe his Saule for to conuoye;
Ane greater nobyll rang nocht in to the eird.
O Atropus, warye we maye thy weird,
For he wes myrrour of humylitie,
Lode sterne and lampe of libiralytie.
That potent prince, gentyll king Iames the feird?
I pray to Christe his Saule for to conuoye;
Ane greater nobyll rang nocht in to the eird.
O Atropus, warye we maye thy weird,
For he wes myrrour of humylitie,
Lode sterne and lampe of libiralytie.
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Duryng his tyme so Iustice did preuaill,
The Sauage Iles trymblit for terrour;
Eskdale, Euisdale, Liddisdale, and Annerdale
Durste nocht rebell, doutyng his dyntis dour,
And of his Lordis had sic perfyte fauour:
So, for to schaw that he aferit no fone,
Out throuch his realme he wald ryde hym alone.
The Sauage Iles trymblit for terrour;
Eskdale, Euisdale, Liddisdale, and Annerdale
Durste nocht rebell, doutyng his dyntis dour,
And of his Lordis had sic perfyte fauour:
So, for to schaw that he aferit no fone,
Out throuch his realme he wald ryde hym alone.
And, of his court, throuch Europe sprang the fame
Off lustie Lordis aud lufesum Ladyis ȝing,
Tryumphand tornayis, iustyng, & knychtly game,
With all pastyme accordyng for one kyng.
He wes the glore of princelie gouernyng,
Quhilk, throuch the ardent lufe he had to france,
Agane Ingland did moue his Ordinance.
Off lustie Lordis aud lufesum Ladyis ȝing,
Tryumphand tornayis, iustyng, & knychtly game,
With all pastyme accordyng for one kyng.
He wes the glore of princelie gouernyng,
Quhilk, throuch the ardent lufe he had to france,
Agane Ingland did moue his Ordinance.
Off Flodoun feilde the rewyne to reuolfe,
Or that most dolent daye for tyll deplore,
I nyll, for dreid that dolour ȝow dissolfe,
Schaw how that prince, in his tryumphand glore,
Distroyit was; quhat nedeith proces more?
Nocht be the vertew of Inglis ordina[n]ce,
Bot be his awin wylfull mysgouernance.
Or that most dolent daye for tyll deplore,
I nyll, for dreid that dolour ȝow dissolfe,
Schaw how that prince, in his tryumphand glore,
Distroyit was; quhat nedeith proces more?
Nocht be the vertew of Inglis ordina[n]ce,
Bot be his awin wylfull mysgouernance.
Allace, that daye had he bene counsalabyll,
He had obtenit laude, glore, and victorie.
Quhose pieteous proces bene so lamentabyll,
I nyll at lenth it put in memorie.
I neuer red, in Tragidie nor storie,
At one Iornaye so mony nobyllis slane,
For the defence and lufe of thare Souerane.
He had obtenit laude, glore, and victorie.
Quhose pieteous proces bene so lamentabyll,
I nyll at lenth it put in memorie.
I neuer red, in Tragidie nor storie,
At one Iornaye so mony nobyllis slane,
For the defence and lufe of thare Souerane.
Now, brether, marke, in ȝour rememb[e]rance,
Ane Myrrour of those mutabiliteis:
So may ȝe knaw the courtis inconstance,
Quhen prencis bene thus pullit frome thair seis.
Efter quhose deith quhat strainge aduersiteis,
Quhat gret mysreule, in to this regioun rang,
Quhen our ȝong prince could noder spek nor gang.
Ane Myrrour of those mutabiliteis:
So may ȝe knaw the courtis inconstance,
Quhen prencis bene thus pullit frome thair seis.
Efter quhose deith quhat strainge aduersiteis,
Quhat gret mysreule, in to this regioun rang,
Quhen our ȝong prince could noder spek nor gang.
72
During his tender ȝouthe and innocence,
Quhat stouith, quhat raif, quhat murthur, & myschance.
Thair wes not ellis bot wrakyng of vengeance,
In to that court thare rang sic variance.
Diuers rewlaris maid diuers ordinance:
Sum tyme our Quene rang in auctoritie,
Sum tyme, the prudent Duke of Albanie.
Quhat stouith, quhat raif, quhat murthur, & myschance.
Thair wes not ellis bot wrakyng of vengeance,
In to that court thare rang sic variance.
Diuers rewlaris maid diuers ordinance:
Sum tyme our Quene rang in auctoritie,
Sum tyme, the prudent Duke of Albanie.
Sum tyme the realme was reulit be regentis,
Sum tyme, Lufetenentis, ledaris of the law.
Than rang so mony Inobedientis,
That few or none stude of ane vther aw.
Oppressioun did so lowde his bugyll blaw,
That none durst ryde bot in to feir of weir:
Ioke vponeland, that tyme, did mys his meir.
Sum tyme, Lufetenentis, ledaris of the law.
Than rang so mony Inobedientis,
That few or none stude of ane vther aw.
Oppressioun did so lowde his bugyll blaw,
That none durst ryde bot in to feir of weir:
Ioke vponeland, that tyme, did mys his meir.
Quho was more heycht in honour eleuate,
Nor was Margareit, our heych & mychtie princes?
Sic power was to hir appropriate,
Off king and realme scho wes gouernores.
Ȝit come one cheange, within ane schorte proces;
That peirle preclare, that lusty plesand quene,
Lang tyme durst nocht in to the court be sene.
Nor was Margareit, our heych & mychtie princes?
Sic power was to hir appropriate,
Off king and realme scho wes gouernores.
Ȝit come one cheange, within ane schorte proces;
That peirle preclare, that lusty plesand quene,
Lang tyme durst nocht in to the court be sene.
The Archebischop of sanctandrus, Iames Betoun,
Chancellare, and primate in power pastorall,
Clam, nyxt the kyng, moste heych in this regioun.
The ledder schuke, he lape, and gat one fall.
Auctoritie, nor power spirituall,
Ryches, freindschip mycht not, that tyme, preuail,
Quhen dame Curia began to steir hir taill.
Chancellare, and primate in power pastorall,
Clam, nyxt the kyng, moste heych in this regioun.
The ledder schuke, he lape, and gat one fall.
Auctoritie, nor power spirituall,
Ryches, freindschip mycht not, that tyme, preuail,
Quhen dame Curia began to steir hir taill.
His heych prudence preualit hym nocht ane myte,
That tyme the courte bair hym sic mortall feid.
As presoneir thay keipt hym, in dispyte;
And, sum tyme, wyst not quhare to hyde his heid,
Bot, dissagysit lyke Ihone the raif, he raid.
Had nocht bene hope bair hym sic companye,
He had bene stranglit be malancolye.
That tyme the courte bair hym sic mortall feid.
As presoneir thay keipt hym, in dispyte;
And, sum tyme, wyst not quhare to hyde his heid,
Bot, dissagysit lyke Ihone the raif, he raid.
Had nocht bene hope bair hym sic companye,
He had bene stranglit be malancolye.
73
Quhat cummer & cair wes in the court of france,
Quhen kyng francose wes takin presoneir.
The Duke of Burboun, amyd his ordinance,
Deit at ane straik, rycht bailfull brocht on beir.
The court of Rome, that tyme, rane all aureir,
Quhen Pape Clement wes put in strang presoun,
The nobyll Citie put to confusioun.
Quhen kyng francose wes takin presoneir.
The Duke of Burboun, amyd his ordinance,
Deit at ane straik, rycht bailfull brocht on beir.
The court of Rome, that tyme, rane all aureir,
Quhen Pape Clement wes put in strang presoun,
The nobyll Citie put to confusioun.
In Ingland, quho had greter gouernance
Nor thare tryumphand courtly Cardinall?
The commoun weill, sum sayis, he did auance
Be equale Iustice, boith to gret and small;
Thare wes no Prelate to hym paregall.
Inglismen sayis, had he roung langer space
He had deposit Sanct Peter of his place.
Nor thare tryumphand courtly Cardinall?
The commoun weill, sum sayis, he did auance
Be equale Iustice, boith to gret and small;
Thare wes no Prelate to hym paregall.
Inglismen sayis, had he roung langer space
He had deposit Sanct Peter of his place.
His princely pompe, nor Papale grauitie,
His palyce ryall, ryche, and radious,
Nor, ȝit, the flude of Superfluitie
Off his ryches, nor trauell tedious,
Frome tyme dame Curia held hym odious,
Preualit hym not, nor prudence moste profound:
The ledder braik, and he fell to the ground.
His palyce ryall, ryche, and radious,
Nor, ȝit, the flude of Superfluitie
Off his ryches, nor trauell tedious,
Frome tyme dame Curia held hym odious,
Preualit hym not, nor prudence moste profound:
The ledder braik, and he fell to the ground.
Quhare bene the douchty Erlis of Dowglas,
Quhilkis ryallie in to this regioun rang?
Forfalt and slane; quhat nedith more proces?
The Erle of Marche wes merschellit tham amang,
Dame Curia thame dulefullie doun thrang;
And, now of lait, quho clam more heych, amang vs,
Nor did Archebalde, Umquhyle the Erle of Angous?
Quhilkis ryallie in to this regioun rang?
Forfalt and slane; quhat nedith more proces?
The Erle of Marche wes merschellit tham amang,
Dame Curia thame dulefullie doun thrang;
And, now of lait, quho clam more heych, amang vs,
Nor did Archebalde, Umquhyle the Erle of Angous?
Quho with his Prince wes more familiar,
Nor of his grace had more auctoritie?
Was he nocht gret Wardane and chancellar?
Ȝit, quhen he stude vpon the heychest gre,
Traistyng no thyng bot perpetuitie,
Was suddanlie deposit frome his place,
Forfalt, and flemit: he gat non vther grace.
Nor of his grace had more auctoritie?
Was he nocht gret Wardane and chancellar?
Ȝit, quhen he stude vpon the heychest gre,
Traistyng no thyng bot perpetuitie,
Was suddanlie deposit frome his place,
Forfalt, and flemit: he gat non vther grace.
74
Quharefor traist nocht in tyll auctoritie,
My deir brother, I praye ȝow hartfullie:
Presume nocht in ȝour vaine prosperitie;
Conforme ȝour traist in God alluterlie;
Syne, serue ȝour Prince, with enteir hart, trewlie;
And, quhen ȝe se the court bene at the best,
I counsall ȝow, than draw ȝow to ȝour rest.
My deir brother, I praye ȝow hartfullie:
Presume nocht in ȝour vaine prosperitie;
Conforme ȝour traist in God alluterlie;
Syne, serue ȝour Prince, with enteir hart, trewlie;
And, quhen ȝe se the court bene at the best,
I counsall ȝow, than draw ȝow to ȝour rest.
Quhare bene the heych tryumphant court of troye?
Or Alexander, with his twelf prudent peris?
Or Iulius, that rycht redoutit Roye?
Agamenone, moste worthy in his weris?
To schaw thare fyne my frayit hart aferis.
Sum murdreist war; sum, poysonit pieteouslie;
Thare cairfull courtis dispersit dulefullie.
Or Alexander, with his twelf prudent peris?
Or Iulius, that rycht redoutit Roye?
Agamenone, moste worthy in his weris?
To schaw thare fyne my frayit hart aferis.
Sum murdreist war; sum, poysonit pieteouslie;
Thare cairfull courtis dispersit dulefullie.
Traist weill, thare is no constant court bot one,
Quhar Christ bene king, quhose tyme interminabyll
And heych tryumphant glore beis neuir gone.
That quyet court, myrthfull and Immutabyll,
But variance, standith aye ferme and stabyll.
Dissimilance, flattry, nor fals reporte
In to that court sall neuer get resorte.
Quhar Christ bene king, quhose tyme interminabyll
And heych tryumphant glore beis neuir gone.
That quyet court, myrthfull and Immutabyll,
But variance, standith aye ferme and stabyll.
Dissimilance, flattry, nor fals reporte
In to that court sall neuer get resorte.
Traist weill, my freindis, this is no fenȝeit fare:
For quho that bene in the extreme of dede,
The veritie, but doute, thay sulde declare,
Without regarde to fauour or to fede.
Quhill ȝe haue tyme, deir brother, mak remede.
Adew for euer, of me ȝe get no more,
Beseikand God to bryng ȝow to his glore.
For quho that bene in the extreme of dede,
The veritie, but doute, thay sulde declare,
Without regarde to fauour or to fede.
Quhill ȝe haue tyme, deir brother, mak remede.
Adew for euer, of me ȝe get no more,
Beseikand God to bryng ȝow to his glore.
Adew, Edinburgh, thow heych tryumphant toun,
Within quhose boundis rycht blythfull haue I bene,
Off trew merchandis the rute of this regioun,
Moste reddy to resaue court, king, and Quene.
Thy polecye and Iustice may be sene:
War deuotioun, wysedome, and honestie,
And credence tynt, thay mycht be found in the.
Within quhose boundis rycht blythfull haue I bene,
Off trew merchandis the rute of this regioun,
Moste reddy to resaue court, king, and Quene.
Thy polecye and Iustice may be sene:
War deuotioun, wysedome, and honestie,
And credence tynt, thay mycht be found in the.
75
Adew, fair Snawdoun, with thy touris hie,
Thy Chapell royall, Park, and tabyll rounde.
May, Iune, and Iuly walde I dwell in the
War I one man, to heir the birdis sounde,
Quhilk doith agane thy royall roche redounde.
Adew, Lythquo; quhose palyce of plesance
Mycht be one patrone in Portingall or France.
Thy Chapell royall, Park, and tabyll rounde.
May, Iune, and Iuly walde I dwell in the
War I one man, to heir the birdis sounde,
Quhilk doith agane thy royall roche redounde.
Adew, Lythquo; quhose palyce of plesance
Mycht be one patrone in Portingall or France.
Fair weill, Falkland, the fort[e]race of fyfe;
Thy polyte Park, vnder the lowmound law,
Sum tyme in the I led ane lustye lyfe;
The fallow deir, to see thame raik on rawe.
Courte men to cum to the, thay stand gret awe,
Say[a]nd, thy burgh bene, of all burrowis, baill,
Because in the thay neuer gat gude aill.
Thy polyte Park, vnder the lowmound law,
Sum tyme in the I led ane lustye lyfe;
The fallow deir, to see thame raik on rawe.
Courte men to cum to the, thay stand gret awe,
Say[a]nd, thy burgh bene, of all burrowis, baill,
Because in the thay neuer gat gude aill.
HEIR FOLLOWIS THE COMMONYNG BETUIX THE PAPINGO, AND HIR HOLYE EXECUTOURIS.
The Pye persauit the papingo in paine.
He lychtit doun, and fenȝeit him to greit.
Sister, said he, alace, quho hes ȝow slane?
I pray ȝow, mak prouisione for ȝour spreit;
Dispone ȝour geir, and ȝow confes compleit.
I haue power, be ȝour contritioun,
Off all ȝour mys to geue ȝow full remissioun.
He lychtit doun, and fenȝeit him to greit.
Sister, said he, alace, quho hes ȝow slane?
I pray ȝow, mak prouisione for ȝour spreit;
Dispone ȝour geir, and ȝow confes compleit.
I haue power, be ȝour contritioun,
Off all ȝour mys to geue ȝow full remissioun.
I am (said he) one Channoun regulare,
And, of my brether Pryour principall.
My quhyte rocket my clene lyfe doith declare;
The blak bene of the deith memoriall.
Quharefor I thynk ȝour gudis naturall
Sulde be submyttit hole in to my cure:
Ȝe knaw, I am ane holye Creature.
And, of my brether Pryour principall.
My quhyte rocket my clene lyfe doith declare;
The blak bene of the deith memoriall.
Quharefor I thynk ȝour gudis naturall
Sulde be submyttit hole in to my cure:
Ȝe knaw, I am ane holye Creature.
76
The Reuin come rolpand quhen he hard the rair,
So did the Gled, with mony pieteous pew,
And fenȝeitlye thay contrafait gret cair.
Syster (said thay) ȝour raklesnes we rew;
Now best it is our Iuste counsall ensew,
Sen we pretend to heych promotioun,
Religious men, of gret deuotioun.
So did the Gled, with mony pieteous pew,
And fenȝeitlye thay contrafait gret cair.
Syster (said thay) ȝour raklesnes we rew;
Now best it is our Iuste counsall ensew,
Sen we pretend to heych promotioun,
Religious men, of gret deuotioun.
I am ane blak Monk, said the ruclande reuin.
So said the gled, I am ane holy freir,
And hes power to bring ȝow quyke to heuin.
It is weill knawin, my conscience bene full cleir;
The blak Bybill pronunce I sall perqueir.
So tyll our brether ȝe wyll geue sum gude;
God wat geue we hes neid of lyues fude.
So said the gled, I am ane holy freir,
And hes power to bring ȝow quyke to heuin.
It is weill knawin, my conscience bene full cleir;
The blak Bybill pronunce I sall perqueir.
So tyll our brether ȝe wyll geue sum gude;
God wat geue we hes neid of lyues fude.
The Papyngo said: father, be the rude,
Howbeit ȝour rayment be religious lyke,
Ȝour conscience, I suspect, be nocht gude.
I did persaue, quhen preuelye ȝe did pyke
Ane chekin frome ane hen, vnder ane dyke.
I grant, said he; that hen was my gude freind,
And I that chekin tuke, bot for my teind.
Howbeit ȝour rayment be religious lyke,
Ȝour conscience, I suspect, be nocht gude.
I did persaue, quhen preuelye ȝe did pyke
Ane chekin frome ane hen, vnder ane dyke.
I grant, said he; that hen was my gude freind,
And I that chekin tuke, bot for my teind.
Ȝe knawe the faith be ws mon be susteind:
So be the Pope it is preordinate,
That spirituall men suld leue vpon thair teind:
Bot, weill wat I, ȝe bene predestinate,
In ȝour extreme, to be so fortunate,
To haue sic holy consultatioun.
Quharefore we mak ȝow exhortatioun,
So be the Pope it is preordinate,
That spirituall men suld leue vpon thair teind:
Bot, weill wat I, ȝe bene predestinate,
In ȝour extreme, to be so fortunate,
To haue sic holy consultatioun.
Quharefore we mak ȝow exhortatioun,
Sen dame Nature hes grantit ȝow sic grace
Layser to mak co[n]fessioun generall,
Schaw furth ȝour syn in haist, quhil ȝe haif space:
Syne, of ȝour geir mak one memoriall.
We thre sall mak ȝour festis funerall,
And, with gret blys, bury we sall ȝour bonis,
Syne trentalls twenty trattyll all at onis.
Layser to mak co[n]fessioun generall,
Schaw furth ȝour syn in haist, quhil ȝe haif space:
Syne, of ȝour geir mak one memoriall.
We thre sall mak ȝour festis funerall,
And, with gret blys, bury we sall ȝour bonis,
Syne trentalls twenty trattyll all at onis.
77
The reukis sall rair, that men sall on thame rew,
And crye Conmemoratio Animarum.
We sall gar cheknis cheip, and geaslyngis pew,
Suppose the geis and hennis sulde crye alarum.
And we sall serue Secundum Vsum Sarum,
And mak ȝow saif: we fynd sanct Blase to borgh,
Cryand for ȝow the cairfull corrynogh.
And crye Conmemoratio Animarum.
We sall gar cheknis cheip, and geaslyngis pew,
Suppose the geis and hennis sulde crye alarum.
And we sall serue Secundum Vsum Sarum,
And mak ȝow saif: we fynd sanct Blase to borgh,
Cryand for ȝow the cairfull corrynogh.
And we sall syng, about ȝour sepulture,
Sanct Mongois matynis, and the mekle creid,
And, syne, deuotely saye, I ȝow assure,
The auld Placebo bakwart, and the beid.
And we sall weir for ȝow the murnyng weid,
And, thocht ȝour spreit with Pluto war profest,
Deuotelie sall ȝour derigie be addrest.
Sanct Mongois matynis, and the mekle creid,
And, syne, deuotely saye, I ȝow assure,
The auld Placebo bakwart, and the beid.
And we sall weir for ȝow the murnyng weid,
And, thocht ȝour spreit with Pluto war profest,
Deuotelie sall ȝour derigie be addrest.
Father (said scho) ȝour facunde wordis fair,
Full sore I dreid, be contrar to ȝour dedis.
The wyffis of the village cryis, with cair,
Quhen thai persaue ȝour muow ouirthort thar medis:
Ȝour fals consait boith duke & draik sore dreidis.
I maruell, suithlie, ȝe be nocht eschamit
For ȝour defaltis, beyng so defamit.
Full sore I dreid, be contrar to ȝour dedis.
The wyffis of the village cryis, with cair,
Quhen thai persaue ȝour muow ouirthort thar medis:
Ȝour fals consait boith duke & draik sore dreidis.
I maruell, suithlie, ȝe be nocht eschamit
For ȝour defaltis, beyng so defamit.
It dois abhor my pure perturbit spreit
Tyll mak to ȝow ony confessioun.
I heir men saye, ȝe bene one Ypocrite,
Exemptit frome the senȝe and the sessioun.
To put my geir in ȝour possessioun,
That wyll I nocht, so help me dame nature,
Nor of my corps I wyll ȝow geue no cure.
Tyll mak to ȝow ony confessioun.
I heir men saye, ȝe bene one Ypocrite,
Exemptit frome the senȝe and the sessioun.
To put my geir in ȝour possessioun,
That wyll I nocht, so help me dame nature,
Nor of my corps I wyll ȝow geue no cure.
Bot, had I heir the nobyll Nychtingall,
The gentyll Ia, the Merle, and Turtur trew,
My Obsequees and feistis funerall
Ordour thay wald, with notis of the new.
The plesand Pown, most angellyke of hew,
Wald god I wer, this daye, with hym confest,
And my deuyse dewlie be hym addrest.
The gentyll Ia, the Merle, and Turtur trew,
My Obsequees and feistis funerall
Ordour thay wald, with notis of the new.
The plesand Pown, most angellyke of hew,
Wald god I wer, this daye, with hym confest,
And my deuyse dewlie be hym addrest.
78
The myrthfull Maueis, with the gay goldspink,
The lustye Larke, wald god thay war present.
My infortune, forsuith, thay wald forthink,
And conforte me, that bene so Impotent.
The swyft Swallow, in prattick most prudent,
I wate scho wald my bledyng stem, belyue,
With hir moste verteous stone restringityue.
The lustye Larke, wald god thay war present.
My infortune, forsuith, thay wald forthink,
And conforte me, that bene so Impotent.
The swyft Swallow, in prattick most prudent,
I wate scho wald my bledyng stem, belyue,
With hir moste verteous stone restringityue.
Compt me the cace, vnder confessioun,
The Gled said, proudlye, to the Papingo,
And we sall sweir, be our professioun,
Counsall to keip, and schaw it to no mo.
We the beseik, or thow depart ws fro,
Declare to ws sum causis reasonabyll,
Quhy we bene haldin so abhominabyll.
The Gled said, proudlye, to the Papingo,
And we sall sweir, be our professioun,
Counsall to keip, and schaw it to no mo.
We the beseik, or thow depart ws fro,
Declare to ws sum causis reasonabyll,
Quhy we bene haldin so abhominabyll.
Be thy trauell thow hes Experience,
First beand bred in to the Orient,
Syne, be thy gude seruyce and delygence
To Prencis maid heir in the Occident:
Thow knawis the vulgare pepyllis Iugement,
Quhare thow transcurrit the hote Meridionall,
Syne, nyxt the Poill, the plage Septemtrionall:
First beand bred in to the Orient,
Syne, be thy gude seruyce and delygence
To Prencis maid heir in the Occident:
Thow knawis the vulgare pepyllis Iugement,
Quhare thow transcurrit the hote Meridionall,
Syne, nyxt the Poill, the plage Septemtrionall:
So, be thyne heych ingyne superlatyue,
Off all countreis thow knawis the qualiteis,
Quharefore I the coniure, be God of lyue,
The veritie declare, withouttin leis,
Quhat thow hes hard, be landis, or be seis,
Off ws Kirkmen, boith gude and euyll reporte,
And quhov thay Iuge, schaw ws, we the exhorte.
Off all countreis thow knawis the qualiteis,
Quharefore I the coniure, be God of lyue,
The veritie declare, withouttin leis,
Quhat thow hes hard, be landis, or be seis,
Off ws Kirkmen, boith gude and euyll reporte,
And quhov thay Iuge, schaw ws, we the exhorte.
Father, said scho, I, catyue Creature,
Dar nocht presume with sic mater to mell.
Off ȝour caces, ȝe knaw, I haue no cure:
Demand thame quhilk in prudence doith precell.
I maye nocht pew, my panes bene so fell,
And, als, perchance, ȝe wyll nocht stand content
To knaw the vulgare pepyllis Iugement.
Dar nocht presume with sic mater to mell.
Off ȝour caces, ȝe knaw, I haue no cure:
Demand thame quhilk in prudence doith precell.
I maye nocht pew, my panes bene so fell,
And, als, perchance, ȝe wyll nocht stand content
To knaw the vulgare pepyllis Iugement.
79
Ȝit, wyll the deith alyte withdrawe his darte,
All that lyis in my Memoryall
I sall declare, with trew vnfenȝeit hart;
And first I saye to ȝow, in generall,
The commoun peple sayith ȝe bene all
Degenerit frome ȝour holy prematyuis,
As testyfeis the proces of ȝour lyuis.
All that lyis in my Memoryall
I sall declare, with trew vnfenȝeit hart;
And first I saye to ȝow, in generall,
The commoun peple sayith ȝe bene all
Degenerit frome ȝour holy prematyuis,
As testyfeis the proces of ȝour lyuis.
Off ȝour peirles, prudent predicessouris
The beginnyng, I grant, wes verray gude.
Apostolis, Martyres, Uirgines, Confessouris,
The sound of thair excellent Sanctitude
Was hard ouer all the warld; be land and flude
Plantyng the faith be Predicatioun,
As Christe had maid to thame Narratioun.
The beginnyng, I grant, wes verray gude.
Apostolis, Martyres, Uirgines, Confessouris,
The sound of thair excellent Sanctitude
Was hard ouer all the warld; be land and flude
Plantyng the faith be Predicatioun,
As Christe had maid to thame Narratioun.
To fortyfie the faith thay tuke no feir,
Afore Prencis precheing full prudentlie;
Of dolorus deith thay doutit nocht the deir,
The veritie declaryng feruentlie;
And Martyrdome thay sufferit pacientlie.
Thay tuke no cure of land, ryches, nor rent:
Doctryne and deid war boith equeuolent.
Afore Prencis precheing full prudentlie;
Of dolorus deith thay doutit nocht the deir,
The veritie declaryng feruentlie;
And Martyrdome thay sufferit pacientlie.
Thay tuke no cure of land, ryches, nor rent:
Doctryne and deid war boith equeuolent.
To schaw at lenth thair workis wer gret wounder;
Thare myracklis thay wer so manifest;
In name of Christe thay halit mony hounder,
Rasyng the dede, and purgeing the possest,
With peruerst spretis quhilks had bene opprest.
The crukit ran, the blynd men gat thare Ene,
The deiff men hard, the lypper war maid clene.
Thare myracklis thay wer so manifest;
In name of Christe thay halit mony hounder,
Rasyng the dede, and purgeing the possest,
With peruerst spretis quhilks had bene opprest.
The crukit ran, the blynd men gat thare Ene,
The deiff men hard, the lypper war maid clene.
The Prelatis spowsit wer with pouertie,
Those dayis quhen so thay flurisit in fame;
And with hir generit Lady Chaistitie,
And dame Deuotioun, notabyll of name:
Humyll thay war, simpyll, and full of schame.
Thus, Chaistitie and dame Deuotioun
War principall cause of thare promotioun.
Those dayis quhen so thay flurisit in fame;
And with hir generit Lady Chaistitie,
And dame Deuotioun, notabyll of name:
Humyll thay war, simpyll, and full of schame.
Thus, Chaistitie and dame Deuotioun
War principall cause of thare promotioun.
80
Thus thay contynewit, in this lyfe deuyne,
Aye tyll thare rang, in Romes gret Cietie,
Ane potent Prince was namit Constantyne,
Persauit the kirk had spowsit pouertie.
With gude intent, and mouit of pietie,
Cause of Diuors he fande betuix thame two,
And partit thame, withouttin wordis mo.
Aye tyll thare rang, in Romes gret Cietie,
Ane potent Prince was namit Constantyne,
Persauit the kirk had spowsit pouertie.
With gude intent, and mouit of pietie,
Cause of Diuors he fande betuix thame two,
And partit thame, withouttin wordis mo.
Syne, schortlie, with ane gret solempnitie,
Withouttin ony Dispensatioun
The kirk he spowsit with dame Propirtie,
Quhilk haistayle, be procliamatioun,
To pouertie gart mak narratioun,
Under the pane of peirsyng of hir eine,
That with the kirk scho sulde no more be seine.
Withouttin ony Dispensatioun
The kirk he spowsit with dame Propirtie,
Quhilk haistayle, be procliamatioun,
To pouertie gart mak narratioun,
Under the pane of peirsyng of hir eine,
That with the kirk scho sulde no more be seine.
Sanct Syluester, that tyme, rang Pope in rome,
Quhilk first consentit to the mariage
Off propirtie, the quhilk began to blome,
Taking on hir the cure, with heych corrage.
Deuotioun drew hir tyll one heremytage,
Quhen scho considerit lady propirtie,
So heych exaultit in to dignitie.
Quhilk first consentit to the mariage
Off propirtie, the quhilk began to blome,
Taking on hir the cure, with heych corrage.
Deuotioun drew hir tyll one heremytage,
Quhen scho considerit lady propirtie,
So heych exaultit in to dignitie.
O Syluester, quhare was thy discretioun?
Quhilk Peter did renounc[e] thow did resaue.
Androw and Ihone did leif thare possessioun,
Thar schippis, & nettis, lyinnes, and all the laue.
Off temporall substance no thing wald thay haue,
Contrarius to thare contemplatioun,
Bot, soberlye, thare sustentatioun.
Quhilk Peter did renounc[e] thow did resaue.
Androw and Ihone did leif thare possessioun,
Thar schippis, & nettis, lyinnes, and all the laue.
Off temporall substance no thing wald thay haue,
Contrarius to thare contemplatioun,
Bot, soberlye, thare sustentatioun.
Ihone the Baptist went to the wyldernes;
Lazarus, Martha, and marie Magdalane
Left heretage and guddis, more and les;
Prudent Sanct Paule thocht propertie prophane;
Frome toun to toun he ran, in wynde and rane,
Upon his feit, techeing the word of grace,
And neuer was subiectit to ryches.
Lazarus, Martha, and marie Magdalane
Left heretage and guddis, more and les;
Prudent Sanct Paule thocht propertie prophane;
Frome toun to toun he ran, in wynde and rane,
Upon his feit, techeing the word of grace,
And neuer was subiectit to ryches.
81
The gled said: ȝit I heir no thyng bot gude.
Proceid schortlye, and thy mater auance.
The Papyngo said: father, be the rude,
It wer to lang to schaw the circumstance,
Quhow propertie, with hir new alyance,
Grew gret with chylde, as trew men to me talde,
And bure two dochteris, gudlie to behalde.
Proceid schortlye, and thy mater auance.
The Papyngo said: father, be the rude,
It wer to lang to schaw the circumstance,
Quhow propertie, with hir new alyance,
Grew gret with chylde, as trew men to me talde,
And bure two dochteris, gudlie to behalde.
The eldest Dochter named was ryches,
The secunde Syster, Sensualytie;
Quhilks did incres, within one schorte proces,
Preplesande to the Spiritualytie,
In gret substance and excellent bewtie.
Thir Ladyis two grew so, within few ȝeris,
That in the warld wer non mycht be thare peris.
The secunde Syster, Sensualytie;
Quhilks did incres, within one schorte proces,
Preplesande to the Spiritualytie,
In gret substance and excellent bewtie.
Thir Ladyis two grew so, within few ȝeris,
That in the warld wer non mycht be thare peris.
This royall Ryches and Lady Sensuall
Frome that tyme furth tuke hole the gouernance
Off the moste part of the stait spirituall,
And thay, agane, with humyll obseruance,
Amorouslie thare wyttis did auance,
As trew luffaris thare ladyis for to pleis:
God wate geue, than, thare hartis war at Eis.
Frome that tyme furth tuke hole the gouernance
Off the moste part of the stait spirituall,
And thay, agane, with humyll obseruance,
Amorouslie thare wyttis did auance,
As trew luffaris thare ladyis for to pleis:
God wate geue, than, thare hartis war at Eis.
Soune thay forȝet to study, praye, and preche;
Thay grew so subiect to dame sensuall
And thocht bot paine pure pepyll for to teche.
Ȝit thay decretit, in thare gret counsall,
Thay wald no more to mariage be thrall,
Traistyng surely tyll obserue Chaistytie;
And all begylit, quod Sensualytie.
Thay grew so subiect to dame sensuall
And thocht bot paine pure pepyll for to teche.
Ȝit thay decretit, in thare gret counsall,
Thay wald no more to mariage be thrall,
Traistyng surely tyll obserue Chaistytie;
And all begylit, quod Sensualytie.
Apperandlye, thay did expell thare Wyffis,
That thay mycht leif at large, without thirlage,
At libertie to lede thare lustie lyffis,
Thynkand men thrall, that bene in mariage:
For new faces prouokis new corrage.
Thus, Chaistytie thay turne in to delyte:
Wantyng of Wyffis bene cause of appetyte.
That thay mycht leif at large, without thirlage,
At libertie to lede thare lustie lyffis,
Thynkand men thrall, that bene in mariage:
For new faces prouokis new corrage.
Thus, Chaistytie thay turne in to delyte:
Wantyng of Wyffis bene cause of appetyte.
82
Dame Chaistitie did steill away for schame,
Frome tyme scho did persaue thare prouiance.
Dame Sensuall one letter gart proclame,
And hir exilit Italy and France:
In Inglande couthe scho get none ordinance:
Than to the Kyng and courte of Scotlande
Scho markit hir, withouttin more demande.
Frome tyme scho did persaue thare prouiance.
Dame Sensuall one letter gart proclame,
And hir exilit Italy and France:
In Inglande couthe scho get none ordinance:
Than to the Kyng and courte of Scotlande
Scho markit hir, withouttin more demande.
Traistyng in to that court to get conforte,
Scho maid hir humyll supplycatioun.
Schortlye, thay said, scho sulde get na supporte,
Bot bostit hir with blasphematioun:
To preistis go mak ȝour protestatioun.
It is, said thay, mony one houndreth ȝeir
Sen Chaistitie had ony entres heir.
Scho maid hir humyll supplycatioun.
Schortlye, thay said, scho sulde get na supporte,
Bot bostit hir with blasphematioun:
To preistis go mak ȝour protestatioun.
It is, said thay, mony one houndreth ȝeir
Sen Chaistitie had ony entres heir.
Tyrit for trauell, scho to the preistis past,
And to the rewlaris of religioun.
Off hir presens schortlye thay war agast,
Sayand, thay thocht it bot abusioun
Hir to resaue: so, with conclusioun,
With one auyce, decretit, and gaue dome,
Thay walde resset no Rebell out of Rome.
And to the rewlaris of religioun.
Off hir presens schortlye thay war agast,
Sayand, thay thocht it bot abusioun
Hir to resaue: so, with conclusioun,
With one auyce, decretit, and gaue dome,
Thay walde resset no Rebell out of Rome.
Sulde we rasaue that Romanis hes refusit,
And baneist Inglande, Italye, and France,
For ȝour flattrye, than wer we weill abusit.
Pass hyne, said thay, and fast ȝour waye auance.
Amang the Nonnis go seik ȝour ordinance;
For we haue maid aith of fidelytie
To dame Ryches and Sensualytie.
And baneist Inglande, Italye, and France,
For ȝour flattrye, than wer we weill abusit.
Pass hyne, said thay, and fast ȝour waye auance.
Amang the Nonnis go seik ȝour ordinance;
For we haue maid aith of fidelytie
To dame Ryches and Sensualytie.
Than paciently scho maid progressioun
Towarde the Nonnis, with hart syching ful sore.
Thay gaif hir presens, with processioun,
Ressauand hir with honour, laud, and glore,
Purposyng to preserue hir euer more.
Off that nouellis come to dame Propertie,
To Ryches, and to Sensualytie,
Towarde the Nonnis, with hart syching ful sore.
Thay gaif hir presens, with processioun,
Ressauand hir with honour, laud, and glore,
Purposyng to preserue hir euer more.
Off that nouellis come to dame Propertie,
To Ryches, and to Sensualytie,
83
Quhilks sped thame at the post, rycht spedalye,
And sett ane seage, proudlye, about the place.
The sillye Nonnis did ȝeild thame haistelye,
And humilye of that gylt askit grace,
Syne gaue thair bandis of perpetuall peace.
Ressauand thame, thay kest vp wykketis wyde:
Than Chaistytie walde no langer abyde.
And sett ane seage, proudlye, about the place.
The sillye Nonnis did ȝeild thame haistelye,
And humilye of that gylt askit grace,
Syne gaue thair bandis of perpetuall peace.
Ressauand thame, thay kest vp wykketis wyde:
Than Chaistytie walde no langer abyde.
SO, for refuge, fast to the freris scho fled,
Quhilks said, thay wald of ladyis tak no cure.
Quhare bene scho now? than said the gredy gled.
Nocht amang ȝow, said scho, I ȝow assure.
I traist scho bene vpon the borrow mure,
Besouth Edinburgh, and that rycht mony menis,
Profest amang the Systeris of the schenis.
Quhilks said, thay wald of ladyis tak no cure.
Quhare bene scho now? than said the gredy gled.
Nocht amang ȝow, said scho, I ȝow assure.
I traist scho bene vpon the borrow mure,
Besouth Edinburgh, and that rycht mony menis,
Profest amang the Systeris of the schenis.
Thare hes scho found hir mother Pouertie,
And Deuotioun, hir awin syster carnall.
Thare hes scho found faith, hope, and charitie,
Togidder with the verteous Cardinall.
Thare hes scho found ane Conuent ȝit vnthrall
To dame Sensuall, nor with ryches abusit,
So quietlye those ladyis bene Inclusit.
And Deuotioun, hir awin syster carnall.
Thare hes scho found faith, hope, and charitie,
Togidder with the verteous Cardinall.
Thare hes scho found ane Conuent ȝit vnthrall
To dame Sensuall, nor with ryches abusit,
So quietlye those ladyis bene Inclusit.
The Pyote said: I dreid, be thay assailȝeit,
Thay rander thame, as did the holy Nonnis.
Doute nocht, said scho: for thay bene so artalȝeit,
Thay purpose to defend thame with thair gounnis.
Reddy to schute, thay haue sax gret Cannounnis,
Perseuerance, Constance, and Conscience,
Austerytie, Laubour, and Abstynance.
Thay rander thame, as did the holy Nonnis.
Doute nocht, said scho: for thay bene so artalȝeit,
Thay purpose to defend thame with thair gounnis.
Reddy to schute, thay haue sax gret Cannounnis,
Perseuerance, Constance, and Conscience,
Austerytie, Laubour, and Abstynance.
To resyste subtell Sensualytie,
Strongly thay bene enarmit, feit and handis,
Be abstynence, and keipith pouertie,
Contrar ryches and all hir fals seruandis.
Thay haue ane Boumbard, braissit vp in bandis,
To keip thare porte, in myddis of thare clois,
Quhilk is callit Domine custodi nos,
Strongly thay bene enarmit, feit and handis,
Be abstynence, and keipith pouertie,
Contrar ryches and all hir fals seruandis.
Thay haue ane Boumbard, braissit vp in bandis,
To keip thare porte, in myddis of thare clois,
Quhilk is callit Domine custodi nos,
84
Within quhose schote thare dar no Enimeis
Approche thare place, for dreid of dyntis doure.
Boith nycht and daye thay wyrk, lyke besye beis,
For thare defence, reddye to stand in stoure,
And hes sic watcheis on thare vtter toure,
That dame Sensual with seage dar not assailȝe,
Nor cum within the schote of thare artailȝe.
Approche thare place, for dreid of dyntis doure.
Boith nycht and daye thay wyrk, lyke besye beis,
For thare defence, reddye to stand in stoure,
And hes sic watcheis on thare vtter toure,
That dame Sensual with seage dar not assailȝe,
Nor cum within the schote of thare artailȝe.
The Pyote said: quhareto suld thay presume
For to resyste sweite Sensualytie,
Or dame ryches, quhilkis reularis bene in Rome?
Ar thay more constant, in thare qualytie,
Nor the prencis of Spiritualytie,
Quhilkis plesandlye, withouttin obstaikle,
Haith thame resauit in thare habitakle?
For to resyste sweite Sensualytie,
Or dame ryches, quhilkis reularis bene in Rome?
Ar thay more constant, in thare qualytie,
Nor the prencis of Spiritualytie,
Quhilkis plesandlye, withouttin obstaikle,
Haith thame resauit in thare habitakle?
Quhow lang, traist ȝe, those ladyis sall remane
So solyter, in sic perfectioun?
The Papingo said: brother, in certane,
So lang as thay obey correctioun,
Cheisyng thare heddis be electioun,
Unthrall to ryches, or to pouertie,
Bot as requyrith thare necessitie.
So solyter, in sic perfectioun?
The Papingo said: brother, in certane,
So lang as thay obey correctioun,
Cheisyng thare heddis be electioun,
Unthrall to ryches, or to pouertie,
Bot as requyrith thare necessitie.
O prudent prelatis, quhare was ȝour prescianis,
That tuke on hand tyll obserue Chaistytie,
But austeir lyfe, laubour, and abstenance?
Persauit ȝe nocht the gret prosperitie
Apperandlye to cum of propertie?
Ȝe knaw gret cheir, gret eais, and Ydelnes
To Lychorie was mother and maistres.
That tuke on hand tyll obserue Chaistytie,
But austeir lyfe, laubour, and abstenance?
Persauit ȝe nocht the gret prosperitie
Apperandlye to cum of propertie?
Ȝe knaw gret cheir, gret eais, and Ydelnes
To Lychorie was mother and maistres.
Thow rauis vnrockit, the rauin said, be the rude,
So to reproue ryches or propertie.
Abraham and Ysaac war ryche, and verry gude;
Iacobe and Iosephe had prosperitie.
The Papingo said: that is verytie.
Ryches, I grant, is nocht to be refusit,
Prouidyng, alwaye, it be nocht abusit.
So to reproue ryches or propertie.
Abraham and Ysaac war ryche, and verry gude;
Iacobe and Iosephe had prosperitie.
The Papingo said: that is verytie.
Ryches, I grant, is nocht to be refusit,
Prouidyng, alwaye, it be nocht abusit.
85
Than said the Rauin one replycatioun,
Syne said; thy reasone is nocht worth ane myte,
As I sall preue, with protestatioun,
That no man tak my wordis in dispyte:
I saye, the temporall Prencis hes the wyte,
That in the kirk sic Pastours dois prouyde,
To gouerne saulis that not tham selfis can gyde.
Syne said; thy reasone is nocht worth ane myte,
As I sall preue, with protestatioun,
That no man tak my wordis in dispyte:
I saye, the temporall Prencis hes the wyte,
That in the kirk sic Pastours dois prouyde,
To gouerne saulis that not tham selfis can gyde.
Lang tyme efter the kirk tuke propertie,
The Prelatis leuit in gret perfectioun,
Unthrall to Ryches or Sensualytie,
Under the holy Spreitis protectioun,
Orderlye chosin be electioun,
As Gregore, Ierome, Ambrose, and Augustyne,
Benedic, Barnerd, Clement, Cleit, and Lyne.
The Prelatis leuit in gret perfectioun,
Unthrall to Ryches or Sensualytie,
Under the holy Spreitis protectioun,
Orderlye chosin be electioun,
As Gregore, Ierome, Ambrose, and Augustyne,
Benedic, Barnerd, Clement, Cleit, and Lyne.
Sic pacient Prelatis enterit be the porte,
Plesand the peple be predicatioun.
Now dyke lowparis dois in the kirk resort,
Be Symonie and supplycatioun
Off Prencis be thare presentatioun.
So sillye Saulis, that bene Christis scheip,
Ar geuin to hungre gormande wolfis to keip.
Plesand the peple be predicatioun.
Now dyke lowparis dois in the kirk resort,
Be Symonie and supplycatioun
Off Prencis be thare presentatioun.
So sillye Saulis, that bene Christis scheip,
Ar geuin to hungre gormande wolfis to keip.
No maruell is, thocht we Religious men
Degenerit be, and in our lyfe confusit:
Bot sing and drynk, none vther craft we ken,
Our Spirituall Fatheris hes ws so abusit:
Agane our wyll, those treukouris bene intrusit.
Lawit men hes, now, religious men in curis;
Profest Uirgenis, in keipyng of strong huris.
Degenerit be, and in our lyfe confusit:
Bot sing and drynk, none vther craft we ken,
Our Spirituall Fatheris hes ws so abusit:
Agane our wyll, those treukouris bene intrusit.
Lawit men hes, now, religious men in curis;
Profest Uirgenis, in keipyng of strong huris.
Prencis, prencis, quhar bene ȝour heych prudence
In dispositioun of ȝour Beneficeis?
The guerdonyng of ȝour Courticience
Is sum cause of thir gret Enormyteis.
Thare is one sorte, watand, lyke houngre fleis,
For spirituall cure, thocht thay be no thing abyll,
Quhose gredie thristis bene Insaciabyll.
In dispositioun of ȝour Beneficeis?
The guerdonyng of ȝour Courticience
Is sum cause of thir gret Enormyteis.
Thare is one sorte, watand, lyke houngre fleis,
For spirituall cure, thocht thay be no thing abyll,
Quhose gredie thristis bene Insaciabyll.
86
Prencis, I pray ȝow, be no more abusit,
To verteous men hauyng so small regarde.
Quhy sulde vertew, throuch flattrye, be refusit,
That men, for cunnyng, can get no rewarde?
Allace, that euer one braggar, or ane barde,
Ane hure maister, or commoun hasarture,
Sulde in the kirk get ony kynde of cure.
To verteous men hauyng so small regarde.
Quhy sulde vertew, throuch flattrye, be refusit,
That men, for cunnyng, can get no rewarde?
Allace, that euer one braggar, or ane barde,
Ane hure maister, or commoun hasarture,
Sulde in the kirk get ony kynde of cure.
War I one man worthy to weir ane croun,
Aye quhen thare vakit ony beneficeis,
I suld gar call ane Congregatioun,
The principall of all the preliceis,
Moste counnyng clerkis of Uniuersiteis,
Moste famous fatheris of religioun,
With thare aduyse, mak dispositioun.
Aye quhen thare vakit ony beneficeis,
I suld gar call ane Congregatioun,
The principall of all the preliceis,
Moste counnyng clerkis of Uniuersiteis,
Moste famous fatheris of religioun,
With thare aduyse, mak dispositioun.
I sulde dispone all offices Pastorallis
Tyll Doctours of deuynitie, or Iure,
And cause dame Uertew pull vp all hir salis,
Quhen counnyng men had in the kirk moist cure;
Gar Lordis send thare sonnes, I ȝow assure,
To seik science, and famous sculis frequent;
Syne, thame promoue that war moste sapient.
Tyll Doctours of deuynitie, or Iure,
And cause dame Uertew pull vp all hir salis,
Quhen counnyng men had in the kirk moist cure;
Gar Lordis send thare sonnes, I ȝow assure,
To seik science, and famous sculis frequent;
Syne, thame promoue that war moste sapient.
Gret plesour war to heir ane Byschope preche,
One Dane, or Doctour in Diuinitie,
One Abbote quhilk could weill his conuent teche,
One Persoun flowyng in Phylosophie.
I tyne my tyme, to wys quhilk wyll nocht be.
War nocht the precheing of the beggyng freris,
Tynt war the faith amang the Seculeris.
One Dane, or Doctour in Diuinitie,
One Abbote quhilk could weill his conuent teche,
One Persoun flowyng in Phylosophie.
I tyne my tyme, to wys quhilk wyll nocht be.
War nocht the precheing of the beggyng freris,
Tynt war the faith amang the Seculeris.
As for thare precheing, quod the Papingo,
I thame excuse: for quhy? thay bene so thrall
To Propertie and hir ding Dochteris two,
Dame Ryches and fair lady Sensuall,
Thay may nocht vse no pastyme spirituall;
And in thare habitis thay tak sic delyte,
Thay haue renuncit russat and roploch quhyte.
I thame excuse: for quhy? thay bene so thrall
To Propertie and hir ding Dochteris two,
Dame Ryches and fair lady Sensuall,
Thay may nocht vse no pastyme spirituall;
And in thare habitis thay tak sic delyte,
Thay haue renuncit russat and roploch quhyte.
87
Cleikand to thame skarlote and Crammosie,
With Meneuer, martrik, grice, & ryche armyne,
Thare lawe hartis exaultit ar so hie,
To see thare Papale pompe it is ane pyne.
More ryche arraye is, now, with frenȝeis fyne,
Upon the bardyng of ane Byscheopis Mule,
Nor euer had Paule or Peter agane ȝule.
With Meneuer, martrik, grice, & ryche armyne,
Thare lawe hartis exaultit ar so hie,
To see thare Papale pompe it is ane pyne.
More ryche arraye is, now, with frenȝeis fyne,
Upon the bardyng of ane Byscheopis Mule,
Nor euer had Paule or Peter agane ȝule.
Syne, fair ladyis thare Chene may not eschape,
Dame Sensuall so sic seid haith in tham sawin.
Les skaith it war, with lycence of the Pape,
That ilke Prelate one Wyfe had of his awin,
Nor se thar bastardis ouirthort the cuntre blawin:
For, now, be thay be weill cumin frome the sculis,
Thay fall to work, as thay war commoun bullis.
Dame Sensuall so sic seid haith in tham sawin.
Les skaith it war, with lycence of the Pape,
That ilke Prelate one Wyfe had of his awin,
Nor se thar bastardis ouirthort the cuntre blawin:
For, now, be thay be weill cumin frome the sculis,
Thay fall to work, as thay war commoun bullis.
Pew, quod the gled, thow prechis all in vaine:
Ȝe Seculare folks hes of our cace no curis.
I grant, said scho: ȝit men wyll speik, agane,
Quhow ȝe haif maid a hundreth thousand huris,
Quhilkis neuir hade bene, war not ȝour lychorus luris:
And, geue I lee, hartlye I me repent;
Was neuer Bird, I watt, more penitent.
Ȝe Seculare folks hes of our cace no curis.
I grant, said scho: ȝit men wyll speik, agane,
Quhow ȝe haif maid a hundreth thousand huris,
Quhilkis neuir hade bene, war not ȝour lychorus luris:
And, geue I lee, hartlye I me repent;
Was neuer Bird, I watt, more penitent.
Than scho hir schraue, with deuote contynance,
To that fals gled, quhilk fenȝeit hym one freir;
And, quhen scho had fulfyllit hir pennance,
Full subtellye at hir he gan inqueir.
Cheis ȝow, said he, quhilk of ws brether heir
Sall haue of all ȝour naturall geir the curis:
Ȝe knaw none bene more holye creaturis.
To that fals gled, quhilk fenȝeit hym one freir;
And, quhen scho had fulfyllit hir pennance,
Full subtellye at hir he gan inqueir.
Cheis ȝow, said he, quhilk of ws brether heir
Sall haue of all ȝour naturall geir the curis:
Ȝe knaw none bene more holye creaturis.
I am content, quod the pure Papingo,
That ȝe, freir Gled, and corby monk, ȝour brother,
Haue cure of all my guddis, and no mo,
Sen, at this tyme, freindschip I fynd non vther.
We salbe to ȝow trew, as tyll our Mother,
Quod thay, and sweir tyll fulfyll hir intent.
Off that, said scho, I tak ane Instrument.
That ȝe, freir Gled, and corby monk, ȝour brother,
Haue cure of all my guddis, and no mo,
Sen, at this tyme, freindschip I fynd non vther.
We salbe to ȝow trew, as tyll our Mother,
Quod thay, and sweir tyll fulfyll hir intent.
Off that, said scho, I tak ane Instrument.
88
The Pyote said: quhat sall myne office bee?
Ouirman, said scho, vnto the tother two.
The rowpand Reuin said: sweit syster, lat se
Ȝour hole intent; for it is tyme to go.
The gredie gled said: brother, do nocht so.
We wyll remane, and haldin vp hir hede,
And neuer depart frome hir, tyll scho be dede.
Ouirman, said scho, vnto the tother two.
The rowpand Reuin said: sweit syster, lat se
Ȝour hole intent; for it is tyme to go.
The gredie gled said: brother, do nocht so.
We wyll remane, and haldin vp hir hede,
And neuer depart frome hir, tyll scho be dede.
The Papingo thame thankit tenderlye,
And said: sen ȝe haue tane on ȝow this cure,
Depart myne naturall guddis, equalye,
That euer I had, or hes, of dame Nature.
First, to the Howlet, Indegent and pure,
Quhilk on the daye, for schame, dar nocht be sene,
Tyll hir I laif my gaye galbarte of grene.
And said: sen ȝe haue tane on ȝow this cure,
Depart myne naturall guddis, equalye,
That euer I had, or hes, of dame Nature.
First, to the Howlet, Indegent and pure,
Quhilk on the daye, for schame, dar nocht be sene,
Tyll hir I laif my gaye galbarte of grene.
My brycht depurit Ene, as christall cleir,
On to the Bak ȝe sall thame boith present,
In Phebus presens quhilk dar nocht appeir,
Off naturall sycht scho bene so Impotent.
My birneist beik I laif, with gude entent,
Onto the gentyll, pieteous Pillycane,
To helpe to peirs hir tender hart in twane.
On to the Bak ȝe sall thame boith present,
In Phebus presens quhilk dar nocht appeir,
Off naturall sycht scho bene so Impotent.
My birneist beik I laif, with gude entent,
Onto the gentyll, pieteous Pillycane,
To helpe to peirs hir tender hart in twane.
I laif the Goik, quhilk hes no sang bot one,
My musyke, with my voce Angelycall.
And, to the Guse, ȝe geue, quhen I am gone,
My Eloquence and toung Rethoricall:
And tak and drye my bones, gret and small;
Syne, close thame in one cais of Ebure fyne,
And thame present onto the Phenix, syne,
My musyke, with my voce Angelycall.
And, to the Guse, ȝe geue, quhen I am gone,
My Eloquence and toung Rethoricall:
And tak and drye my bones, gret and small;
Syne, close thame in one cais of Ebure fyne,
And thame present onto the Phenix, syne,
To birne with hir, quhen scho hir lyfe renewis.
In Arabye ȝe sall hir fynde, but weir,
And sall knaw hir be hir moste heuinly hewis,
Gold, Asure, Gowles, Purpour, and Synopeir:
Hir dait is for to leif fyue houndreth ȝeir:
Mak to that bird my commendatioun.
And, als, I mak ȝow supplycatioun,
In Arabye ȝe sall hir fynde, but weir,
And sall knaw hir be hir moste heuinly hewis,
Gold, Asure, Gowles, Purpour, and Synopeir:
Hir dait is for to leif fyue houndreth ȝeir:
Mak to that bird my commendatioun.
And, als, I mak ȝow supplycatioun,
89
Sen of my corps I haue ȝow geuin the cure,
Ȝe speid ȝow to the court, but tareyng,
And tak my hart, of perfyte portrature,
And it present onto my Souerane Kyng:
I wat he wyll it clois in to one ryng.
Commande me to his grace, I ȝow exhorte,
And of my passioun mak hym trew reporte.
Ȝe speid ȝow to the court, but tareyng,
And tak my hart, of perfyte portrature,
And it present onto my Souerane Kyng:
I wat he wyll it clois in to one ryng.
Commande me to his grace, I ȝow exhorte,
And of my passioun mak hym trew reporte.
Ȝe thre my trypes sall haue, for ȝour trauell,
With luffer and lowng, to part equale amang ȝow,
Prayand Pluto, the potent prince of hell,
Geue ȝe failȝe, that in his seit he fang ȝow.
Be to me trew, thocht I no thyng belang ȝow:
Sore I suspect, ȝour conscience be to large.
Doute nocht, said thay: we tak it with the charge.
With luffer and lowng, to part equale amang ȝow,
Prayand Pluto, the potent prince of hell,
Geue ȝe failȝe, that in his seit he fang ȝow.
Be to me trew, thocht I no thyng belang ȝow:
Sore I suspect, ȝour conscience be to large.
Doute nocht, said thay: we tak it with the charge.
Adew, brether, quod the pure Papingo:
To talking more I haue no tyme to tarye;
Bot, sen my spreit mon fra my body go,
I recommend it to the quene of farye,
Eternallye in tyll hir court to carye,
In wyldernes, among the holtis hore.
Than scho inclynit hir hed, and spak no more.
To talking more I haue no tyme to tarye;
Bot, sen my spreit mon fra my body go,
I recommend it to the quene of farye,
Eternallye in tyll hir court to carye,
In wyldernes, among the holtis hore.
Than scho inclynit hir hed, and spak no more.
Plungit in tyll hir mortall passioun,
Full greuouslie scho gryppit to the ground.
It war to lang to mak narratioun
Off sychis sore, with mony stang and stound.
Out of hir wound the blude did so abound,
One coumpas round was with hir blude maid reid:
Without remaid, thare wes no thyng bot dede.
Full greuouslie scho gryppit to the ground.
It war to lang to mak narratioun
Off sychis sore, with mony stang and stound.
Out of hir wound the blude did so abound,
One coumpas round was with hir blude maid reid:
Without remaid, thare wes no thyng bot dede.
And, be scho had In Manus tuas said,
Extinctit wer hir naturall wyttis fyue.
Hir hed full softlye on hir schulder laid,
Syne ȝaild the spreit, with panes pungityue.
The Rauin began rudely to ruge and ryue,
Full gormondlyke his emptie throte to feid.
Eait softlye, brother, said the gredy gled:
Extinctit wer hir naturall wyttis fyue.
Hir hed full softlye on hir schulder laid,
Syne ȝaild the spreit, with panes pungityue.
The Rauin began rudely to ruge and ryue,
Full gormondlyke his emptie throte to feid.
Eait softlye, brother, said the gredy gled:
90
Quhill scho is hote, depart hir ewin amang ws.
Tak thow one half, and reik to me ane vther:
In tyll our rycht, I wat, no wycht dar wrang ws.
The Pyote said: the feinde resaue the fouther.
Quhy mak ȝe me stepbarne, and I ȝour brother?
Ȝe do me wrang, schir gled; I schrew ȝour harte.
Tak thare, said he, the puddyngis, for thy parte.
Tak thow one half, and reik to me ane vther:
In tyll our rycht, I wat, no wycht dar wrang ws.
The Pyote said: the feinde resaue the fouther.
Quhy mak ȝe me stepbarne, and I ȝour brother?
Ȝe do me wrang, schir gled; I schrew ȝour harte.
Tak thare, said he, the puddyngis, for thy parte.
Than, wyt ȝe weill, my hart wos wounder sair,
For to behalde that dolent departyng,
Hir Angell fedderis fleyng in the air:
Except the hart, was left of hir no thyng.
The Pyote said: this pertenith to the kyng,
Quhilk tyll his grace I purpose to present.
Thow, quod the gled, sall faill of thyne entent.
For to behalde that dolent departyng,
Hir Angell fedderis fleyng in the air:
Except the hart, was left of hir no thyng.
The Pyote said: this pertenith to the kyng,
Quhilk tyll his grace I purpose to present.
Thow, quod the gled, sall faill of thyne entent.
The Rauin said: god, nor I rax in ane raipe,
And thow get this tyll other kyng or duke.
The Pyote said: plene I nocht to the pape,
Than in ane smedie I be smorit with smuke.
With that the gled the pece claucht in his cluke,
And fled his way: the laue, with all thare mycht,
To cheace the gled, flew, all, out of my sycht.
And thow get this tyll other kyng or duke.
The Pyote said: plene I nocht to the pape,
Than in ane smedie I be smorit with smuke.
With that the gled the pece claucht in his cluke,
And fled his way: the laue, with all thare mycht,
To cheace the gled, flew, all, out of my sycht.
Now haue ȝe hard this lytill Tragedie,
The sore complent, the testament, & myschance
Off this pure Bird, quhilk did ascend so hie.
Beseikand ȝow, excuse myne Ignorance,
And rude indyte, quhilk is nocht tyll auance.
And, to the, quair, I geue commandiment,
Mak no repair quhare Poetis bene present:
The sore complent, the testament, & myschance
Off this pure Bird, quhilk did ascend so hie.
Beseikand ȝow, excuse myne Ignorance,
And rude indyte, quhilk is nocht tyll auance.
And, to the, quair, I geue commandiment,
Mak no repair quhare Poetis bene present:
Because thow bene but Rethorike so rude,
Be neuer sene besyde none other buke,
With Kyng, nor Quene, with Lord, nor man of gude.
With coit vnclene, clame kynrent to sum cuke:
Steil in ane nuke, quhen thay lyste on the luke.
For smell of smuke men wyll abhor to beir the;
Heir I mansweir the; quhairfor, to lurke go leir the.
Be neuer sene besyde none other buke,
With Kyng, nor Quene, with Lord, nor man of gude.
With coit vnclene, clame kynrent to sum cuke:
Steil in ane nuke, quhen thay lyste on the luke.
For smell of smuke men wyll abhor to beir the;
Heir I mansweir the; quhairfor, to lurke go leir the.
FINIS.
| The Works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount | |