Ane treatise callit the court of Venus deuidit into four buikis: newlie compylit be Iohne Rolland in Dalkeith, 1575: Edited by the Rev. Walter Gregor |
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| 4. | THE FOURT BUIK. |
 | Ane treatise callit the court of Venus |  |
111
THE FOURT BUIK.
First doun thay kest Moyses Pentateuchon,
with his storyis, and Paralipomenon,
Iudith, Hester, Ruth, Regum in dite,
The Epistillis of Paul, the sayingis of Solomon
With Lirais glois vpon the writ Cannon
The Machabeis with storyis Infinite:
The new Testament profound and eik perfite:
Peter, and James, the Apocalips of Iohne:
And all Propheitis in Prophecie did write.
with his storyis, and Paralipomenon,
Iudith, Hester, Ruth, Regum in dite,
The Epistillis of Paul, the sayingis of Solomon
With Lirais glois vpon the writ Cannon
The Machabeis with storyis Infinite:
The new Testament profound and eik perfite:
Peter, and James, the Apocalips of Iohne:
And all Propheitis in Prophecie did write.
In ciuill Law thay kest downe Bartholus,
Alexander de Imola, and Baldus:
The Coddis, Decreis, Decretales, and Iason:
The Institutis, Digestis, and Angelus,
The Inforciat, and Panormitanus,
With vther diuers difficill to expone,
Quhilk wrait in Law baith Ciuil and Cannon
Quhais warkis was sa done compendious.
In that behalf thay ar Maisteris allone.
Alexander de Imola, and Baldus:
The Coddis, Decreis, Decretales, and Iason:
The Institutis, Digestis, and Angelus,
The Inforciat, and Panormitanus,
With vther diuers difficill to expone,
Quhilk wrait in Law baith Ciuil and Cannon
Quhais warkis was sa done compendious.
In that behalf thay ar Maisteris allone.
In argument togidder all thay go
In questionis baith in Contra and Pro:
Allegeand writ be greit authoritie,
Of Homeir, Gower, and als of Cicero:
Appellatiounis fra Plautus to Plato.
Quhilk in the syis maid greit diuersitie.
Sum was Infect with parcialitie,
Quhais alegeance was oftimes to and fro,
Thocht the Chancellar greit laubours thair did dre.
In questionis baith in Contra and Pro:
Allegeand writ be greit authoritie,
Of Homeir, Gower, and als of Cicero:
Appellatiounis fra Plautus to Plato.
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Sum was Infect with parcialitie,
Quhais alegeance was oftimes to and fro,
Thocht the Chancellar greit laubours thair did dre.
And so efter diuers disputatioun,
Greit argumentis, and preexcogitatioun
Of baith the Lawis, furth socht fra end to end.
The assise fand be gude consideratioun,
Vestais estait, and hir conuersatioun,
The mony gre did Dame Venus transcend,
Be verteous prerogatiues weill kend.
Quhairfoir thay gaif Vesta dominatioun.
Abone Venus all thair with greit commend.
Greit argumentis, and preexcogitatioun
Of baith the Lawis, furth socht fra end to end.
The assise fand be gude consideratioun,
Vestais estait, and hir conuersatioun,
The mony gre did Dame Venus transcend,
Be verteous prerogatiues weill kend.
Quhairfoir thay gaif Vesta dominatioun.
Abone Venus all thair with greit commend.
Sayand, howbeit al folkis heir on liue,
Hes not fra GOD the greit prerogatiue
Of abstinence, and clene virginitie,
For and sa war na seid war successiue,
The warld war tume of all kin folkis beliue:
And efter vs war na posteritie.
Bot GOD allone ordanit not sa to be:
He ordanit sum be of kind genitiue,
And fill the warld efter thair qualitie.
Hes not fra GOD the greit prerogatiue
Of abstinence, and clene virginitie,
For and sa war na seid war successiue,
The warld war tume of all kin folkis beliue:
And efter vs war na posteritie.
Bot GOD allone ordanit not sa to be:
He ordanit sum be of kind genitiue,
And fill the warld efter thair qualitie.
Ȝit than we find Vesta in hir estait,
Richt verteous, worthie Inuiolait.
Precious, perfit, verray constant, and clene,
Richt glorious, with strenth weill roborait,
Contrair the flesche daylie at the debait,
With all hir force perfitlie dois refrane,
Fra temptatioun thairof als dois abstene.
For that ilk point scho is deificait:
Howbeit ilk ane the same may not sustene.
Richt verteous, worthie Inuiolait.
Precious, perfit, verray constant, and clene,
Richt glorious, with strenth weill roborait,
Contrair the flesche daylie at the debait,
With all hir force perfitlie dois refrane,
Fra temptatioun thairof als dois abstene.
For that ilk point scho is deificait:
Howbeit ilk ane the same may not sustene.
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Bot nottheles the Assyse fand agane,
That Desperance had faillit far in plane
Contrair Venus, into sa far as he
Did lichtlie hir with wordis void and vane
Richt dispiteous language of greit disdane.
Thinkand richt weill thay wald not that ouirse,
But punischement with all austeritie:
That nane sould preis to play the counterpane,
Quhat euer he war of hie or law degre.
That Desperance had faillit far in plane
Contrair Venus, into sa far as he
Did lichtlie hir with wordis void and vane
Richt dispiteous language of greit disdane.
Thinkand richt weill thay wald not that ouirse,
But punischement with all austeritie:
That nane sould preis to play the counterpane,
Quhat euer he war of hie or law degre.
Thocht Dame Vesta, scho be ane greit Goddes
All repleit with vertew and worthienes,
As it effeiris weill to hir facultie
Thay wald not thoill Venus haif lichtlines,
Nor repudie, rebuik, nor ȝit distres
Be na kin wicht, and ouir all specialie
Of Desperance, considderand that he
Was hir vassall, and held hir as Maistres
Vmquhile afoir, and had thairfoir his fee.
All repleit with vertew and worthienes,
As it effeiris weill to hir facultie
Thay wald not thoill Venus haif lichtlines,
Nor repudie, rebuik, nor ȝit distres
Be na kin wicht, and ouir all specialie
Of Desperance, considderand that he
Was hir vassall, and held hir as Maistres
Vmquhile afoir, and had thairfoir his fee.
Howbeit sum time for none expeditioun
Of his erandis, quhair he had affectioun,
And micht not cum sa sone to his Intent,
Nor put his billis to ferme executioun,
Incontinent with sair forthocht felloun,
Agane Venus he grew in matilent,
Be orgweill minde, and thocht Impacient,
Melancholie, and wilfull contemptioun,
He lichtlyit hir as Inobedient.
Of his erandis, quhair he had affectioun,
And micht not cum sa sone to his Intent,
Nor put his billis to ferme executioun,
Incontinent with sair forthocht felloun,
Agane Venus he grew in matilent,
Be orgweill minde, and thocht Impacient,
Melancholie, and wilfull contemptioun,
He lichtlyit hir as Inobedient.
And turnit sa far intill hir clene contrair,
That he but dowt was drint into dispair,
Be greit wanhope quhilk causit him fall in pleid
Agane Venus, and all hir Ladeis fair:
Quhill now at lait, he is cawcht in the snair,
Of scharp Iustice, and in perrell of deid,
Bot gif in haist that thair be found remeid.
For wit Venus how he standis in danger,
Without mercie but baid of will his heid.
That he but dowt was drint into dispair,
Be greit wanhope quhilk causit him fall in pleid
Agane Venus, and all hir Ladeis fair:
Quhill now at lait, he is cawcht in the snair,
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Bot gif in haist that thair be found remeid.
For wit Venus how he standis in danger,
Without mercie but baid of will his heid.
Thairfoir gif this mater pas to rigour,
It will be said we all hes tint the flour
Of womanheid and we be merciles.
Thay will it lay contrair Venus honour,
And scho or we be the caus of Murther,
The greit defame and schame we get expres.
For it is said that wemennis tendernes
In hart can not thoill men haif displesour.
And speciallie thair deith for to purches.
It will be said we all hes tint the flour
Of womanheid and we be merciles.
Thay will it lay contrair Venus honour,
And scho or we be the caus of Murther,
The greit defame and schame we get expres.
For it is said that wemennis tendernes
In hart can not thoill men haif displesour.
And speciallie thair deith for to purches.
Heirfoir lat vs amang vs all deuise
Considerand the man in perrell lyis:
Quhat is the best to saif Venus honour
We will send doun the Chancellar of the syis
To Rhamnusia, quhair scho sittis, & blandyis
For grace in time gif we may fang fauour,
And put not all of to the latter hour.
That the man get be vs na preiudyis,
Nor in na part for to haif displesour.
Considerand the man in perrell lyis:
Quhat is the best to saif Venus honour
We will send doun the Chancellar of the syis
To Rhamnusia, quhair scho sittis, & blandyis
For grace in time gif we may fang fauour,
And put not all of to the latter hour.
That the man get be vs na preiudyis,
Nor in na part for to haif displesour.
With humbill hart and hauingis dolorous,
Lawlie langage, and fassounis fauorous,
In sober wise this we may say hir till,
With greit requeist and minde richt desirous,
Sa prayand hir for to be pieteous:
Sayand but dout that he is cum in will,
And in all sort the samin sall fulfill.
Beseikand hir for to be gracious
And take the best, and set on syde all euill.
Lawlie langage, and fassounis fauorous,
In sober wise this we may say hir till,
With greit requeist and minde richt desirous,
Sa prayand hir for to be pieteous:
Sayand but dout that he is cum in will,
And in all sort the samin sall fulfill.
Beseikand hir for to be gracious
And take the best, and set on syde all euill.
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And swa his life to be saif and his gude.
And ask mercie for the greit Mansuetude
In wemen bene, as scho expedient
Thinkis to dispone, efterwart scho may dude,
Quhidder scho will of his life him denude:
Or saif his life gif scho will stand content.
Into ane bill this man be to hir sent.
Sa in ane voice heirupon we conclude,
The bill was maid: with it Thisbe is went.
And ask mercie for the greit Mansuetude
In wemen bene, as scho expedient
Thinkis to dispone, efterwart scho may dude,
Quhidder scho will of his life him denude:
Or saif his life gif scho will stand content.
Into ane bill this man be to hir sent.
Sa in ane voice heirupon we conclude,
The bill was maid: with it Thisbe is went.
On humill wayis and maneris womanlie,
Richt Chancellarlike kneilland vpon hir kne,
To Rhamnusia the missiue represent
Fra the Assise with curage courteslie
Sayand Madame sen Iuge heir now ȝe be,
Vnto ȝour grace to schaw ȝow thair entent.
To that effect this bill hes to ȝow sent,
To wit ȝour will, caus the mater is hie:
Prayand to send to thame auisement.
Richt Chancellarlike kneilland vpon hir kne,
To Rhamnusia the missiue represent
Fra the Assise with curage courteslie
Sayand Madame sen Iuge heir now ȝe be,
Vnto ȝour grace to schaw ȝow thair entent.
To that effect this bill hes to ȝow sent,
To wit ȝour will, caus the mater is hie:
Prayand to send to thame auisement.
With all honour the bill scho did resaif.
As Nobill Nimph, and Ladie most suaue:
Red it to end secretlie hir allone,
Quhais text scho did considder and consaue:
With mature minde and countenance richt graue
Richt perfitlie of all thay did propone:
Thinkand richt weill they couet na vltioun:
Thair minde erair was the mannis life to haif,
[N]or him to tine be exterminioun.
As Nobill Nimph, and Ladie most suaue:
Red it to end secretlie hir allone,
Quhais text scho did considder and consaue:
With mature minde and countenance richt graue
Richt perfitlie of all thay did propone:
Thinkand richt weill they couet na vltioun:
Thair minde erair was the mannis life to haif,
[N]or him to tine be exterminioun.
Venus beheld the bill geuin Thisbe
To Rhamnusia, and reidand quietlie:
Scho said Madame, ane thing I ȝow requeir
Of that ilk bill quhat may the tennour be,
Gif it be ony preiudice to me,
I ȝow protest, the Text that I may heir.
Glaidlie Madame said she as suld effeir,
Swa in all pointis that ȝe thairon agre.
I stand content (quod Venus) with glaid cheir.
To Rhamnusia, and reidand quietlie:
Scho said Madame, ane thing I ȝow requeir
Of that ilk bill quhat may the tennour be,
Gif it be ony preiudice to me,
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Glaidlie Madame said she as suld effeir,
Swa in all pointis that ȝe thairon agre.
I stand content (quod Venus) with glaid cheir.
Traistant richt weill be perfite knawleging,
Ȝe will not thoill, nor bid me do na thing,
That my honour faid in ony sort,
Or displesour ony to me Inbring,
Na than (said scho) I war na way conding
Of ȝow to bruik office I say at schort.
Bot all is for ȝour plesour and confort.
Than said Venus reid furth but tarying,
I am content sa ȝe keip ȝour report.
Ȝe will not thoill, nor bid me do na thing,
That my honour faid in ony sort,
Or displesour ony to me Inbring,
Na than (said scho) I war na way conding
Of ȝow to bruik office I say at schort.
Bot all is for ȝour plesour and confort.
Than said Venus reid furth but tarying,
I am content sa ȝe keip ȝour report.
The court was Coy, commandit was silence,
Vnder all pane thay suld gif audience.
Rhamnusia the bill scho gaif in deid.
To Fremmitnes, Iustice Clerk in presence
Of all the court, bad hir reid the sentence,
To Dame Venus, for scho dowtles but dreid,
Was weill appayit sa Fremmitnes did proceid.
In the missiue with all hir diligence
Of the trew Text, this way began to reid.
Vnder all pane thay suld gif audience.
Rhamnusia the bill scho gaif in deid.
To Fremmitnes, Iustice Clerk in presence
Of all the court, bad hir reid the sentence,
To Dame Venus, for scho dowtles but dreid,
Was weill appayit sa Fremmitnes did proceid.
In the missiue with all hir diligence
Of the trew Text, this way began to reid.
Missiua Rhamnusiæ missa ab Assisa.
Sen we for fault of personis mair prudent
Be ȝow elect Madame ar present heir,
In greit laubouris, and vncouth argument,
As Assisouris the mater to mak cleir
Bot it is as contrarious and austeir,
To the rigour and we it put dowtles,
Wemen for ay salbe callit merciles.
Be ȝow elect Madame ar present heir,
In greit laubouris, and vncouth argument,
As Assisouris the mater to mak cleir
Bot it is as contrarious and austeir,
To the rigour and we it put dowtles,
Wemen for ay salbe callit merciles.
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De Desperance (as GOD forbid he do)
The lak and schame, and all defamatioun,
To Dame Venus but dowt it will cum to:
And caus Ladeis to get blasphematioun:
And be haldin of the les reputatioun:
Baith odious, and snell as ane serpent.
Quhairfoir as now we schaw ȝow our entent.
The lak and schame, and all defamatioun,
To Dame Venus but dowt it will cum to:
And caus Ladeis to get blasphematioun:
And be haldin of the les reputatioun:
Baith odious, and snell as ane serpent.
Quhairfoir as now we schaw ȝow our entent.
We find Vesta in the far hier estait
Than Dame Venus, be mony suir questioun,
In that behalf Venus may not debait
In ony sort be na comparisoun.
Bot sa far as Venus gat detractioun
Be Desperance, sayand of hir all euill,
As to that point, we put him into will
Than Dame Venus, be mony suir questioun,
In that behalf Venus may not debait
In ony sort be na comparisoun.
Bot sa far as Venus gat detractioun
Be Desperance, sayand of hir all euill,
As to that point, we put him into will
Of ȝow Madame, as Iuge, and to Venus.
Hang, heid, and draw, do with him as ȝe pleis,
Beseikand hir and ȝow to be gracious,
And fra malice ȝour minde with mercie meis.
This we desyre for to deuoyid deseis
In time cumming, and euer he do siclike,
He salbe brint euin as ane heretike.
Hang, heid, and draw, do with him as ȝe pleis,
Beseikand hir and ȝow to be gracious,
And fra malice ȝour minde with mercie meis.
This we desyre for to deuoyid deseis
In time cumming, and euer he do siclike,
He salbe brint euin as ane heretike.
[A]nd gif Venus be obstinate in this case:
[OMITTED] nan solist be gracious also,
[OMITTED] saif his life, of hir mercie and grace
And find ane freind quhair that scho had ane fo
And win ane wicht to weill that was in wo,
And deliuer the drery of distres:
That wemen sall not be callit merciles.
[OMITTED] nan solist be gracious also,
[OMITTED] saif his life, of hir mercie and grace
And find ane freind quhair that scho had ane fo
And win ane wicht to weill that was in wo,
And deliuer the drery of distres:
That wemen sall not be callit merciles.
For weill we wait, or Venus wist him de
In hir defalt, sa that he cum in will:
For all the faltis and the greit velanie
That euer he said, throw wilfulnes by skill.
Scho leuer gif ten thousand crounis him till,
To saif his life, we knaw sa hir kindnes,
That scho on force can not be merciles.
In hir defalt, sa that he cum in will:
For all the faltis and the greit velanie
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Scho leuer gif ten thousand crounis him till,
To saif his life, we knaw sa hir kindnes,
That scho on force can not be merciles.
For ȝour honour Madame this we requeir,
With ȝour answer as ȝe expedient
Thinkis for to gif and Lady Venus heir.
Als prayand hir for to be pacient,
As we beleue the criminall dois repent.
Beseikand heir ȝour gracious excellence,
Quhair that we faill, that ȝe wald find defence.
With ȝour answer as ȝe expedient
Thinkis for to gif and Lady Venus heir.
Als prayand hir for to be pacient,
As we beleue the criminall dois repent.
Beseikand heir ȝour gracious excellence,
Quhair that we faill, that ȝe wald find defence.
Finis Missivæ.
Venus heirand this pieteous petitioun,
Send fra the syse on sa gude ane fassoun,
Ane richt greit thing hir minde it mitigait.
Scho said Madame, I sweir ȝow be my Crown
I am mair blyith than geuin me ten Mulȝeoun
Of fine reid gold in hand weill numerait:
For I lang eir was sa hie stomachait
At Desperance for his greit rebellioun:
That in this warld his deith I maist couait.
Send fra the syse on sa gude ane fassoun,
Ane richt greit thing hir minde it mitigait.
Scho said Madame, I sweir ȝow be my Crown
I am mair blyith than geuin me ten Mulȝeoun
Of fine reid gold in hand weill numerait:
For I lang eir was sa hie stomachait
At Desperance for his greit rebellioun:
That in this warld his deith I maist couait.
And sen my sisteris on the sise hes said,
That Desperance is cum in will, and maid
To make ane mendis as I expedient
Thinkis to be tane: thairof I am richt glaid,
For weill I wait his stomake is stormestaid,
Becaus he is put in ane Merriment
Of all the Court with the Assise consent.
Bot I war laith my honour war degraid
For thair requeist, howbeit I be pacient.
That Desperance is cum in will, and maid
To make ane mendis as I expedient
Thinkis to be tane: thairof I am richt glaid,
For weill I wait his stomake is stormestaid,
Becaus he is put in ane Merriment
Of all the Court with the Assise consent.
Bot I war laith my honour war degraid
For thair requeist, howbeit I be pacient.
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And quhen I heir of the Assise sentence,
That Desperance is cum in Repentence:
And put in will, and schawin befoir the Iuge,
Pronuncit be the sutouris Eloquence,
Than is dew time with materis to dispence,
And faltis ouir se quhilkis he committit huge.
And gif I pleis him to repell or luge,
Is not all that put in benouolence
Of me, gif I will take him in refuge.
That Desperance is cum in Repentence:
And put in will, and schawin befoir the Iuge,
Pronuncit be the sutouris Eloquence,
Than is dew time with materis to dispence,
And faltis ouir se quhilkis he committit huge.
And gif I pleis him to repell or luge,
Is not all that put in benouolence
Of me, gif I will take him in refuge.
First call the syse, and heir thair diffinitioun:
All that thay make put it to executioun.
And quhat I say it sall stand firme and stabill,
But obstakill, generall or reuocatioun.
Impediment, or appellatioun?
Incontinent past Tisbe furth but fabill:
Schew the Assise with fassoun fauorabill:
How that Venus tuik gude consideratioun
Of thair writtingis, & thocht thame acceptabill.
All that thay make put it to executioun.
And quhat I say it sall stand firme and stabill,
But obstakill, generall or reuocatioun.
Impediment, or appellatioun?
Incontinent past Tisbe furth but fabill:
Schew the Assise with fassoun fauorabill:
How that Venus tuik gude consideratioun
Of thair writtingis, & thocht thame acceptabill.
And sa schortlie come the Assise anone.
All that thay did the Chancellar did propone,
[Fi]rst to the Iuge, and sine to the sutour:
[Qu]hais text beliue quhen that scho luikit on,
In fremmit termes scho did it sone expone:
That Desperance was found ane Forfaltour,
Ane rank Rebell, and als ane Trespassour
Aganis Venus, and bene ane felloun fone
Till all hir Court, and eik ane greit Tratour.
All that thay did the Chancellar did propone,
[Fi]rst to the Iuge, and sine to the sutour:
[Qu]hais text beliue quhen that scho luikit on,
In fremmit termes scho did it sone expone:
That Desperance was found ane Forfaltour,
Ane rank Rebell, and als ane Trespassour
Aganis Venus, and bene ane felloun fone
Till all hir Court, and eik ane greit Tratour.
Ȝit not the les becaus he did repent,
And in all sort was cum obedient,
The Assise thinkis thay couait not his deid.
To that effect Ilkane with ane consent,
Thay haif him put in Venus merciment:
Quhat scho best pleis, to do him fauour or feid:
To quarter him, to hang him, or to heid:
Thay knawand weill that Venus is pacient,
In this behalf scho will get him remeid.
And in all sort was cum obedient,
The Assise thinkis thay couait not his deid.
To that effect Ilkane with ane consent,
Thay haif him put in Venus merciment:
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To quarter him, to hang him, or to heid:
Thay knawand weill that Venus is pacient,
In this behalf scho will get him remeid.
To the nixt point that the Assise hes done:
Thay find Vesta mair Triumphant in throne,
In greit degreis, nor is Ladie Venus.
Quhairfoir thay will that Vesta be abone
In all estait, for Venus be na tone
May be hir peir throw warkis verteous.
Not for to say, Venus is velanous:
Bot that hir warkis may na les be vndone
Nor of befoir, bot Vesta is mair Famous.
Thay find Vesta mair Triumphant in throne,
In greit degreis, nor is Ladie Venus.
Quhairfoir thay will that Vesta be abone
In all estait, for Venus be na tone
May be hir peir throw warkis verteous.
Not for to say, Venus is velanous:
Bot that hir warkis may na les be vndone
Nor of befoir, bot Vesta is mair Famous.
Than Vesta hard scho was put to honour
Abone Venus, be Interloquutour
Of the Assise furth geuin be thair sentence.
Scho did protest that hir Court nor hir Bour
In time cumming suld haif na displesour
Into na sort, nor Inconuenience,
Vilipensioun, lichtlines, nor offence
Of Venus Court preiudice nor rigour:
And thairupon tuik notis and Instrumentis.
Abone Venus, be Interloquutour
Of the Assise furth geuin be thair sentence.
Scho did protest that hir Court nor hir Bour
In time cumming suld haif na displesour
Into na sort, nor Inconuenience,
Vilipensioun, lichtlines, nor offence
Of Venus Court preiudice nor rigour:
And thairupon tuik notis and Instrumentis.
Considerand (quod scho) as all men seis,
I am preferrit richt far in greit degreis,
And all my Court abone Venus estait:
Howbeit this man for falt of greit suppleis
Be rank Inuy, as is liklie now deis.
Ȝic I desyre my Court be separait
Fra ȝow, and ȝouris, and be exonerait:
That this Court turne me to na preiudice,
Bot to haif place our self ay to debait.
I am preferrit richt far in greit degreis,
And all my Court abone Venus estait:
Howbeit this man for falt of greit suppleis
Be rank Inuy, as is liklie now deis.
Ȝic I desyre my Court be separait
Fra ȝow, and ȝouris, and be exonerait:
That this Court turne me to na preiudice,
Bot to haif place our self ay to debait.
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That it maybe to all men richt weill knawin,
That I am Nimph, and Quene ay of my awin:
And als preferrit richt far abone Venus:
Requyrand ȝow ȝe Scribe, sic may be schawin,
Quhen all this brybe & boist is quite ouir blawin
In auenture gif sic castis cautelous
Be raisit agane throw Ingyne odious,
The prothogoll heirof I wald haif drawin
In writ, for cost to be my Vidimus.
That I am Nimph, and Quene ay of my awin:
And als preferrit richt far abone Venus:
Requyrand ȝow ȝe Scribe, sic may be schawin,
Quhen all this brybe & boist is quite ouir blawin
In auenture gif sic castis cautelous
Be raisit agane throw Ingyne odious,
The prothogoll heirof I wald haif drawin
In writ, for cost to be my Vidimus.
The Iuge thocht it than richt expedient,
That scho said thair all was conuenient,
And hir desyre consonant to resoun.
Baith the Assise and Iuge with ane consent
Thay bad that scho suld haif hir Instrument,
And all hir sawis thay ratifeit but chessoun,
[A]nd did affirme the same in that sessoun,
[Q]uhairat Venus was verray discontent
That Vesta gat sa sone hir peticioun.
That scho said thair all was conuenient,
And hir desyre consonant to resoun.
Baith the Assise and Iuge with ane consent
Thay bad that scho suld haif hir Instrument,
And all hir sawis thay ratifeit but chessoun,
[A]nd did affirme the same in that sessoun,
[Q]uhairat Venus was verray discontent
That Vesta gat sa sone hir peticioun.
Than Venus wox sa wraith at Desperance,
Throw Vestais sawis, and hir allegeance,
Incontinent vnto the Iuge scho said.
Madame, it is not ȝit far fra remembrance,
This man suld be put to the ordinance
Of me, and in my will the syse him maid:
And fra my will he may na way ewaid.
And throw my will he man stand to his chance.
The Iuge grantit, and than Venus was glaid.
Throw Vestais sawis, and hir allegeance,
Incontinent vnto the Iuge scho said.
Madame, it is not ȝit far fra remembrance,
This man suld be put to the ordinance
Of me, and in my will the syse him maid:
And fra my will he may na way ewaid.
And throw my will he man stand to his chance.
The Iuge grantit, and than Venus was glaid.
Incontinent Dame Venus loud did cry
On the Schiref that standis at hand heir by
Do ȝour office as effeiris to ȝour stait,
Bind ȝe his handis, let that be done in hy
The Schiref said that can I not deny,
Sen sa he is conuict and maid chakmeit.
Swyith said Venus, se that ȝe handill him hait.
And than fra hand in the Court rais the skry
That Desperance was deid without debait.
On the Schiref that standis at hand heir by
Do ȝour office as effeiris to ȝour stait,
Bind ȝe his handis, let that be done in hy
The Schiref said that can I not deny,
122
Swyith said Venus, se that ȝe handill him hait.
And than fra hand in the Court rais the skry
That Desperance was deid without debait.
But baid (quod scho) gar cast him in presoun,
Still to remane without ony ransoun,
Quhill forther mair, quhen euer I best pleis.
My priuilege put to executioun.
For his greit wraith, and rampand rebellioun.
Aganis my Court, was nathing wald him meis
Now sall he sit with hunger and diseis.
Quha will, quha Nill, intill ane deip dungeoun
Quhair he sall haif greit cald with litill eis.
Still to remane without ony ransoun,
Quhill forther mair, quhen euer I best pleis.
My priuilege put to executioun.
For his greit wraith, and rampand rebellioun.
Aganis my Court, was nathing wald him meis
Now sall he sit with hunger and diseis.
Quha will, quha Nill, intill ane deip dungeoun
Quhair he sall haif greit cald with litill eis.
And sa in haist but baid his handis was [bound]
To that effect to ly in to the ground
Of presoun deip euer vnto the deid.
Than Esperance was strikkin with sic stound
Of puir pietie, maid in his hart sic wound,
Seand his feir fall in sic felloun feid,
Thocht in him self, allace is na remeid:
Sall Desperance sa schortlie be confound,
Thocht he and I throw play fell in bawch pleid?
To that effect to ly in to the ground
Of presoun deip euer vnto the deid.
Than Esperance was strikkin with sic stound
Of puir pietie, maid in his hart sic wound,
Seand his feir fall in sic felloun feid,
Thocht in him self, allace is na remeid:
Sall Desperance sa schortlie be confound,
Thocht he and I throw play fell in bawch pleid?
Lamentatio Esperantiæ.
Wa worth the time that euer I him saw:
Wa worth the hour that first I did him knaw
Wa worth the tide that euer we twa met:
Wa worth the day that euer it did daw,
To se my friend into sic thrift and thraw,
And for my saik in sorrow all ouir set:
Allace allace is na remeid to get,
Wa worth the toung that euer persewit sic Law,
To se his handis into ane cord thus plet.
Wa worth the hour that first I did him knaw
Wa worth the tide that euer we twa met:
Wa worth the day that euer it did daw,
To se my friend into sic thrift and thraw,
And for my saik in sorrow all ouir set:
Allace allace is na remeid to get,
Wa worth the toung that euer persewit sic Law,
To se his handis into ane cord thus plet.
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I was to hait sa sone for to complane:
I was vnwise that his falt culd not lane:
I was vnkinde throw heit of sawage blude:
I was to sone ouir strikin with disdane:
I was to pert to put my friend to pane.
Allace, allace, now mingis my mane and mude.
I was but hap, I was of grace denude:
I was but wit my will culd not refrane,
Bot tine my feir, his life, and all his gude.
I was vnwise that his falt culd not lane:
I was vnkinde throw heit of sawage blude:
I was to sone ouir strikin with disdane:
I was to pert to put my friend to pane.
Allace, allace, now mingis my mane and mude.
I was but hap, I was of grace denude:
I was but wit my will culd not refrane,
Bot tine my feir, his life, and all his gude.
Now will Ilkane hald me abhominabill:
[N]ow will thay call me of his deith culpabill:
[No]w will ilkane fra my cumpanie fle:
Now will thay hald my deidis detestabill:
Now may I bruik with greit barret and baill,
Like ane fond fuill fulfillit with Fantasie.
Allace, allace, hard is my destenie.
Now call thay me ane Tratour tressonabill.
Of my brother caus I had na pietie.
[N]ow will thay call me of his deith culpabill:
[No]w will ilkane fra my cumpanie fle:
Now will thay hald my deidis detestabill:
Now may I bruik with greit barret and baill,
Like ane fond fuill fulfillit with Fantasie.
Allace, allace, hard is my destenie.
Now call thay me ane Tratour tressonabill.
Of my brother caus I had na pietie.
Now may Ilkane be me exempill tak,
That causit my feir sa schortlie ga to wraik.
Now may thay say, lo quhair ȝone Tratour gais
Pointand thair hand with mony skorne & knax
Quhair euer I gang to my greit schame and lak.
Ȝone ilk is he that his awin brother slayis:
Sa of my freindis I fang me felloun fais.
Allace, allace, to be brint at ane staik
To saif his life, I wald not cuir twa strayis.
That causit my feir sa schortlie ga to wraik.
Now may thay say, lo quhair ȝone Tratour gais
Pointand thair hand with mony skorne & knax
Quhair euer I gang to my greit schame and lak.
Ȝone ilk is he that his awin brother slayis:
Sa of my freindis I fang me felloun fais.
Allace, allace, to be brint at ane staik
To saif his life, I wald not cuir twa strayis.
Quhat causit me sic thing to take on hand?
Quhat causit me my brother to ganestand?
Quhat causit me to deith him to persew?
Quhat causit me sic faltis I to him fand?
Not bot wodnes, and wanting of the wand.
That men callis wit; and thairfoir now I rew.
Allace, allace, I was not traist nor trew.
I had leuer now be deid nor lewand.
All game and gle fra me euer adew.
Quhat causit me my brother to ganestand?
Quhat causit me to deith him to persew?
Quhat causit me sic faltis I to him fand?
Not bot wodnes, and wanting of the wand.
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Allace, allace, I was not traist nor trew.
I had leuer now be deid nor lewand.
All game and gle fra me euer adew.
Vnto the beist I may compairit be,
Efter hir birth in furiositie,
And greit wodnes scho it deuoris thair.
Agane quhen scho is in stabilitie
Scho wantis hir birth and lukis about to se,
And findis it deid: than scho dois rout and rair:
Quhan na remeid is than scho makis cair.
Allace, allace, this may be said be me,
Vndid my feir, allace for euermair.
Efter hir birth in furiositie,
And greit wodnes scho it deuoris thair.
Agane quhen scho is in stabilitie
Scho wantis hir birth and lukis about to se,
And findis it deid: than scho dois rout and rair:
Quhan na remeid is than scho makis cair.
Allace, allace, this may be said be me,
Vndid my feir, allace for euermair.
Finis Lamentationis.
Sa all the syse was verray discontent.
That Venus was sa scharp and Impatient.
At Desperance, quhilk was put in hir will:
Ilkane thinkand thay did richt sair repent,
That thay him put sa far in merciment.
Considerand ouir sair scho was him till.
Ȝit than thay fand ane wit mouit of skill,
Quhilk was that thay wald Venus make content
Be sum new burd, and hir plesour fulfill.
That Venus was sa scharp and Impatient.
At Desperance, quhilk was put in hir will:
Ilkane thinkand thay did richt sair repent,
That thay him put sa far in merciment.
Considerand ouir sair scho was him till.
Ȝit than thay fand ane wit mouit of skill,
Quhilk was that thay wald Venus make content
Be sum new burd, and hir plesour fulfill.
This be quhilk was on the Assise Chancellar,
To Esperance in quiet scho said thair.
Into all haist sone on thy kneis sit doun
Befoir Venus, as Ladie most preclair:
Humblie prayand, for hir grace singular,
For to grant grace and life to thy Munȝeoun,
Thocht thow and he fell in ane strange opinioun
Thow traistit not suld fallow sic dangear,
Or dout of deith, or perpetuall presoun.
To Esperance in quiet scho said thair.
Into all haist sone on thy kneis sit doun
Befoir Venus, as Ladie most preclair:
Humblie prayand, for hir grace singular,
For to grant grace and life to thy Munȝeoun,
Thocht thow and he fell in ane strange opinioun
Thow traistit not suld fallow sic dangear,
Or dout of deith, or perpetuall presoun.
125
And sa sall he be saif or ellis nocht,
And as scho said swyith Esperance hes wrocht,
But mair delay fell doun vpon his kne
Befoir Venus, with all deuoir he docht.
Sayand Madame, for him that was all bocht,
My petitioun that ȝe wald grant to me.
For ȝour greit reuth, and sweit benignitie.
Ȝe wald grant grace, for grace I to ȝow socht,
Mak Desperance quite of Captiuitie.
And as scho said swyith Esperance hes wrocht,
But mair delay fell doun vpon his kne
Befoir Venus, with all deuoir he docht.
Sayand Madame, for him that was all bocht,
My petitioun that ȝe wald grant to me.
For ȝour greit reuth, and sweit benignitie.
Ȝe wald grant grace, for grace I to ȝow socht,
Mak Desperance quite of Captiuitie.
As ȝe ar flour of all Feminite,
Grant him his life, and mak him anis fre.
And I promit vnder all hiest pane
That may Incur or be laid vpon me
That he sall not eschew away, nor fle.
Bot quhen ȝe pleis to enter him agane.
Prayand ȝour grace that I wirk not in vane.
Than said Venus, as thow will sa salbe.
Scho grantit grace, than Esperance was fane.
Grant him his life, and mak him anis fre.
And I promit vnder all hiest pane
That may Incur or be laid vpon me
That he sall not eschew away, nor fle.
Bot quhen ȝe pleis to enter him agane.
Prayand ȝour grace that I wirk not in vane.
Than said Venus, as thow will sa salbe.
Scho grantit grace, than Esperance was fane.
Ȝit said Venus, I say this with restrictioun:
I grant him grace, bot vnder the conditioun,
In time to come that he brew na mair baill,
Vnder all pane of the greitest punitioun,
That may be had, with haistie executioun:
And na proces of Law sall him awaill.
For remembrance of this memoriall
That I haif said, I will he find cautioun.
(Quod Esperance) that sall I be but faill.
I grant him grace, bot vnder the conditioun,
In time to come that he brew na mair baill,
Vnder all pane of the greitest punitioun,
That may be had, with haistie executioun:
And na proces of Law sall him awaill.
For remembrance of this memoriall
That I haif said, I will he find cautioun.
(Quod Esperance) that sall I be but faill.
Than Venus gart ane nobill Nimphe but mair
Callit Confort, baith plesand and preclair,
Fair of fassoun, benigne with all bewtie
Dissolue his handis quhilks richt fast bundin war
And maid him quite of all his greit dangeir.
Quhair he befoir was fast scho maid him fre:
Sayand gude schir, now blyith and merie be:
Quhair ȝe befoir was sicker in the snair,
I sall ȝow put to ȝour awin libertie.
Callit Confort, baith plesand and preclair,
Fair of fassoun, benigne with all bewtie
Dissolue his handis quhilks richt fast bundin war
And maid him quite of all his greit dangeir.
126
Sayand gude schir, now blyith and merie be:
Quhair ȝe befoir was sicker in the snair,
I sall ȝow put to ȝour awin libertie.
Gif he was blyith, it neidis not now to speir:
Than said Venus, ȝit ȝe sall gar him sweir.
That he keip all promisis that is said.
Schir said Confort, ȝe man lay ȝour hand heir
Vpon this buik, and with ane aith austeir,
Ȝe man mak fast that salbe to ȝow laid.
Ladie Venus ȝe sall neuer degraid,
In word, nor deid, nor neuer do hir deir.
So sweir the same (quod he) I am richt glaid.
Than said Venus, ȝit ȝe sall gar him sweir.
That he keip all promisis that is said.
Schir said Confort, ȝe man lay ȝour hand heir
Vpon this buik, and with ane aith austeir,
Ȝe man mak fast that salbe to ȝow laid.
Ladie Venus ȝe sall neuer degraid,
In word, nor deid, nor neuer do hir deir.
So sweir the same (quod he) I am richt glaid.
For and ȝe do (quod Confort) but debait
Agane Venus rais ony rank riat
In time to cum, it will caus sturt fra hand
Anis in hir girne and ȝe be laqueat
Or in ony point be dissimulat,
I ȝow assure ȝour pardoun will not stand,
Bot haistie deith, tinsall of life and land.
Be war thairfoir that ȝe haif na desait
(Quod he Madame) faith I sall keip my band.
Agane Venus rais ony rank riat
In time to cum, it will caus sturt fra hand
Anis in hir girne and ȝe be laqueat
Or in ony point be dissimulat,
I ȝow assure ȝour pardoun will not stand,
Bot haistie deith, tinsall of life and land.
Be war thairfoir that ȝe haif na desait
(Quod he Madame) faith I sall keip my band.
And sa beliue but mair proces or baid,
Confort causit his greit aith to be maid,
Vpon all pointis rehersit of befoir.
Than the Assise and all the Court was glaid.
Sine Esperance anone to Venus said,
Madame I wald ane thing at ȝow Imploir,
That ȝour worschip sall augment and decoir.
Micht I ȝour grace be ony sort perswaid,
I wald this man in ȝour seruice restoir.
Confort causit his greit aith to be maid,
Vpon all pointis rehersit of befoir.
Than the Assise and all the Court was glaid.
Sine Esperance anone to Venus said,
Madame I wald ane thing at ȝow Imploir,
That ȝour worschip sall augment and decoir.
Micht I ȝour grace be ony sort perswaid,
I wald this man in ȝour seruice restoir.
127
Sa ȝour grace thocht his seruice acceptabill:
I sall vphald his seruice Inceissabill
Vnto ȝour grace, with all his micht and mane
All faltis bygane of quhilkis he was culpabill
He did or said be crimes criminabill,
Be quite forȝet, ouirsene, and all forlane,
Neuer to say, nor do ȝow falt agane,
Bot euer in ȝour seruice agreabill
To leif and de with ȝow ay to remane.
I sall vphald his seruice Inceissabill
Vnto ȝour grace, with all his micht and mane
All faltis bygane of quhilkis he was culpabill
He did or said be crimes criminabill,
Be quite forȝet, ouirsene, and all forlane,
Neuer to say, nor do ȝow falt agane,
Bot euer in ȝour seruice agreabill
To leif and de with ȝow ay to remane.
Than Venus said with facound face and fassoun
Sa that I wist it war his awin affectioun,
And thairof had ane sicker assurance,
I wald not cuir to grant to ȝour peticioun:
And als him gif ane generall remissioun.
It is but dowt Madame, said Esperance.
Than (quod Venus) vnto my obseruance
I him restoir but ony collusioun,
And puttis him haill agane in ordinance.
Sa that I wist it war his awin affectioun,
And thairof had ane sicker assurance,
I wald not cuir to grant to ȝour peticioun:
And als him gif ane generall remissioun.
It is but dowt Madame, said Esperance.
Than (quod Venus) vnto my obseruance
I him restoir but ony collusioun,
And puttis him haill agane in ordinance.
Than Venus at Dame Vesta did Inqueir,
Madame, how ar ȝe pleisit of this cheir.
Than said Vesta, I can no more compell.
With me remane, owther day or ȝier
In my seruice to byid or perseueir:
Bot as thay pleis, and likis best thame sell.
Bot quha likis weill with me remane and dwell
Can not be turnit be fair wordis nor austeir,
Nor in na sort with ȝow will Intermell.
Madame, how ar ȝe pleisit of this cheir.
Than said Vesta, I can no more compell.
With me remane, owther day or ȝier
In my seruice to byid or perseueir:
Bot as thay pleis, and likis best thame sell.
Bot quha likis weill with me remane and dwell
Can not be turnit be fair wordis nor austeir,
Nor in na sort with ȝow will Intermell.
That gentill man vnfetchit he come to me,
Murnand richt sair that dolour was to se:
Of all confort he was richt desolait,
Quhan I him saw I had reuth and pietie
That he was put vnto sic pouertie.
At his requeist I purposit for debait.
Bot now sen he is gane ane vther gait.
I am content, sa he contentit be:
For in na sort his companie I couait.
Murnand richt sair that dolour was to se:
Of all confort he was richt desolait,
Quhan I him saw I had reuth and pietie
That he was put vnto sic pouertie.
128
Bot now sen he is gane ane vther gait.
I am content, sa he contentit be:
For in na sort his companie I couait.
Sa at all time I bruik my priuilage,
That it be not redact vnto thirlage,
Bot fre and frank fra all kin kind of wicht,
And ȝe Venus with ȝour Court of curage
I ȝow discharge that ȝe haif na bondage
Of me, nor mine be ȝour fals subtell slicht.
And I siclik agane to ȝow dois plicht.
In time to cum ather do na owtrage.
Thay war content, and Vesta tuik gude nicht.
That it be not redact vnto thirlage,
Bot fre and frank fra all kin kind of wicht,
And ȝe Venus with ȝour Court of curage
I ȝow discharge that ȝe haif na bondage
Of me, nor mine be ȝour fals subtell slicht.
And I siclik agane to ȝow dois plicht.
In time to cum ather do na owtrage.
Thay war content, and Vesta tuik gude nicht.
Than Rhamnusia sone scho gart cry on hie:
I will this Court as now continewit be,
To the same force, forme, effect as effeiris,
As of befoir, bruikand all libertie.
And sa thay rais Ilkane in thair degre.
And Venus taill twa Ladeis vp it beiris.
Vtheris agane the gait befoir hir steiris:
And swa thay pas with greit solemnitie
To Venus hall, baith Ladeis and Bacheleiris.
I will this Court as now continewit be,
To the same force, forme, effect as effeiris,
As of befoir, bruikand all libertie.
And sa thay rais Ilkane in thair degre.
And Venus taill twa Ladeis vp it beiris.
Vtheris agane the gait befoir hir steiris:
And swa thay pas with greit solemnitie
To Venus hall, baith Ladeis and Bacheleiris.
Than Venus gart ane sort of Ladeis ȝing
Sone Desperance vnto hir Chalmer bring:
And him vncled of all his awin vesture.
Incontinent ane vther fresche cleithing
He was withcled: and he agane randring
To Venus thankis abone all creature:
Sayand Madame, quhill my life may Indure,
I salbe ay faithfull but fenȝeing
Vnto ȝour grace but dowt I ȝou assure.
Sone Desperance vnto hir Chalmer bring:
And him vncled of all his awin vesture.
Incontinent ane vther fresche cleithing
He was withcled: and he agane randring
To Venus thankis abone all creature:
Sayand Madame, quhill my life may Indure,
I salbe ay faithfull but fenȝeing
Vnto ȝour grace but dowt I ȝou assure.
129
Weill (said Venus) thow dois me now plesour,
Howbeit befoir thow was ane forfaltour,
And to my Name was callit Desperance.
In presence heir within my hall and Bour
I the resaif into my greit fauour,
And makis the feir to my Knicht Esperance,
Thy greit honour, and worschip to auance.
Of thy auld Name I the deprive this hour:
To thy Drourie, and callis the Dalience.
Howbeit befoir thow was ane forfaltour,
And to my Name was callit Desperance.
In presence heir within my hall and Bour
I the resaif into my greit fauour,
And makis the feir to my Knicht Esperance,
Thy greit honour, and worschip to auance.
Of thy auld Name I the deprive this hour:
To thy Drourie, and callis the Dalience.
And of my Knichtis I make the ane expres,
That keipis my Bour heir now befoir witnes,
Scho callit hir Knichtis befoir hir euer ilkane:
Quhais Names was (gif I can weill thame ges)
Ȝouth, wantones, Vassalage, and Blyithnes,
Pastance, Plesance, Mirth, Merines ouir ane,
Curage, Kindnes, and Rippet, in was tane,
Fauour, Nurtour, Glaidnes, and Gentilnes,
Audacitie ane Nobill Knicht allane.
That keipis my Bour heir now befoir witnes,
Scho callit hir Knichtis befoir hir euer ilkane:
Quhais Names was (gif I can weill thame ges)
Ȝouth, wantones, Vassalage, and Blyithnes,
Pastance, Plesance, Mirth, Merines ouir ane,
Curage, Kindnes, and Rippet, in was tane,
Fauour, Nurtour, Glaidnes, and Gentilnes,
Audacitie ane Nobill Knicht allane.
Compeirit sone Sensualitie thair.
Quhilk to Venus was richt cheif Cubiculair
Humanitie, Solace, and Hardines:
Sine Manlines, with Nobilnes, maid repair:
Sine sweitnes come quhilk was hir Thesaurar.
Sine Cheualrie come in with vailȝeantnes:
And Esperance come in with him Prowes:
Sine in come Lust, greit Lord and Secretair:
And at his bak come Sport and Tendernes.
Quhilk to Venus was richt cheif Cubiculair
Humanitie, Solace, and Hardines:
Sine Manlines, with Nobilnes, maid repair:
Sine sweitnes come quhilk was hir Thesaurar.
Sine Cheualrie come in with vailȝeantnes:
And Esperance come in with him Prowes:
Sine in come Lust, greit Lord and Secretair:
And at his bak come Sport and Tendernes.
Quhen Venus had hir Knichtis all in presence:
To thame scho said in oppin audience:
Heir is ane squyre the quhilk Daliance hecht,
That to my Court sum time hes maid offence:
Bot for sic thing with him I clene dispence.
And in fauour heir I resaif him richt,
And him restoris be the hand to the hicht,
That he had ay of my Court, with credence:
In signe heirof Daliance I dub Knicht.
To thame scho said in oppin audience:
Heir is ane squyre the quhilk Daliance hecht,
That to my Court sum time hes maid offence:
Bot for sic thing with him I clene dispence.
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And him restoris be the hand to the hicht,
That he had ay of my Court, with credence:
In signe heirof Daliance I dub Knicht.
Swa in hir armis than scho him thristit thryis
And swa did all the Ladeis of the Assyis:
And syne the Knichtis as thay expedient
Thocht for the time, as the vse is and gyis.
Than thay began to dance at all deuyis,
That the greit noyis flew to the firmament.
Than tuik thay in Iurnayis of Tornament.
And speir rinning, with mony Interpryis;
Bot buklar play was thair sport most frequent.
And swa did all the Ladeis of the Assyis:
And syne the Knichtis as thay expedient
Thocht for the time, as the vse is and gyis.
Than thay began to dance at all deuyis,
That the greit noyis flew to the firmament.
Than tuik thay in Iurnayis of Tornament.
And speir rinning, with mony Interpryis;
Bot buklar play was thair sport most frequent.
Bot quha had sene the Iournayis of rinning,
Greit Tornamentis, and mony speiris brekking,
Sad straikkis, and soir, without ony ransoun.
The vther part agane recountering
With greit defence, and wonder ferce riding:
It had bene fecht callit ane richt felloun.
Quha wan the feild, or greitest Campioun,
Or was Victour, I nacht decerne that thing:
Bot as me thocht Ladeis was ay dung doun.
Greit Tornamentis, and mony speiris brekking,
Sad straikkis, and soir, without ony ransoun.
The vther part agane recountering
With greit defence, and wonder ferce riding:
It had bene fecht callit ane richt felloun.
Quha wan the feild, or greitest Campioun,
Or was Victour, I nacht decerne that thing:
Bot as me thocht Ladeis was ay dung doun.
[The] bald battell, and brekking of harnes
The bricht breist plaittis with birnist brukilnes,
The braid buklaris but bald was laid on breid,
The bluntit blaidis with manlie besines,
The scheddit scheilds, deip woundis but fairnes,
The peirt persing of foirgeir into deid,
The faisit speiris, and neuer wound did bleid,
The forwrocht wichtis in verray werines,
To schaw as now war prolixt to proceid.
The bricht breist plaittis with birnist brukilnes,
The braid buklaris but bald was laid on breid,
The bluntit blaidis with manlie besines,
The scheddit scheilds, deip woundis but fairnes,
The peirt persing of foirgeir into deid,
The faisit speiris, and neuer wound did bleid,
The forwrocht wichtis in verray werines,
To schaw as now war prolixt to proceid.
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Bot to haif sene as semit be apperance,
The rank Inuy, and the foull defiance,
The greit malice, and eik the fremmit feir,
The sowr persute, and syne the resistance,
The rigorous rais with greit vultrequedance,
Ȝe wald haif traist it had bene ringand weir:
Bot neuer ane thair did ane vther deir,
Louing to GOD all endit with plesance;
Ilk man that ran he buir hame his awin speir.
The rank Inuy, and the foull defiance,
The greit malice, and eik the fremmit feir,
The sowr persute, and syne the resistance,
The rigorous rais with greit vultrequedance,
Ȝe wald haif traist it had bene ringand weir:
Bot neuer ane thair did ane vther deir,
Louing to GOD all endit with plesance;
Ilk man that ran he buir hame his awin speir.
Sine quhen the feild discomfit was and done,
The Trumpettis blew with sic kin noyis & tone
The rumour rais with ane fell reird and cry,
And bad Ilkane that thay suld pas but hone,
In all gude haist, and make him for the none,
And to thair dine suld dres thame haistelie:
Sone war thay set with mirth and melodie.
Ladie Venus was first set in hir Throne:
Sine all hir Nimphis in thair degre hir by.
The Trumpettis blew with sic kin noyis & tone
The rumour rais with ane fell reird and cry,
And bad Ilkane that thay suld pas but hone,
In all gude haist, and make him for the none,
And to thair dine suld dres thame haistelie:
Sone war thay set with mirth and melodie.
Ladie Venus was first set in hir Throne:
Sine all hir Nimphis in thair degre hir by.
Nixt in ordour was set ilk Nobill Knicht,
As the Marschell it speidfull thocht and richt,
Bot in the feild that day quha preuit best
With manlines and manifest thair micht
Venus gart sit in ane place of mair hicht,
At hir Tabill, and ay hir self neirest,
Ilk delicat but dowt was to thame drest.
For scho thame thocht gude play fuilis day & nicht
To take pastime quhen vtheris ȝeid to rest.
As the Marschell it speidfull thocht and richt,
Bot in the feild that day quha preuit best
With manlines and manifest thair micht
Venus gart sit in ane place of mair hicht,
At hir Tabill, and ay hir self neirest,
Ilk delicat but dowt was to thame drest.
For scho thame thocht gude play fuilis day & nicht
To take pastime quhen vtheris ȝeid to rest.
Swa still thay sat the coursis come bedene
In siluer werk that was baith bricht & schene.
The strang meittis mixt with the spices hait,
The confectioun sa costlie and sa clene,
At this present befoir that lustie Quene,
The deir dancers with diuers delicait,
Sa plesandlie to hir wos preparait,
In all my dayis sic neuer I saw with ene,
Thame to rehers it excedis my consait.
In siluer werk that was baith bricht & schene.
The strang meittis mixt with the spices hait,
The confectioun sa costlie and sa clene,
At this present befoir that lustie Quene,
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Sa plesandlie to hir wos preparait,
In all my dayis sic neuer I saw with ene,
Thame to rehers it excedis my consait.
And sine the drink it was sa delicious,
With smell and sauour, sa sweit and amorous:
All michtie wine I traist but dowt was thair.
Bot quhair I lay sa lang vnder the bus,
Swyith vp I rais in Name of deir IESVS,
Me thocht I wald fane had part of thair fair.
Fordward I fuir, richt faint I ȝow declair,
In hoip to haif at thame honest almous,
Becaus I was sa auld ane man and hair.
With smell and sauour, sa sweit and amorous:
All michtie wine I traist but dowt was thair.
Bot quhair I lay sa lang vnder the bus,
Swyith vp I rais in Name of deir IESVS,
Me thocht I wald fane had part of thair fair.
Fordward I fuir, richt faint I ȝow declair,
In hoip to haif at thame honest almous,
Becaus I was sa auld ane man and hair.
Swa in I come amang that companie,
Quhair thay sat at thair heuinlie Maiestie.
I ask almous for luif of IESVS deir.
Thair stude I lang, neuer ane blent to me.
[At] last ane said, quhat may ȝone fell freik be,
With the quhite berd and scarlat ene dois bleir?
Ane vther said, ald carll quhat dois thow heir?
Quhat can thow do for our vtilitie.
To rin ane rink, or ȝit to brek ane speir?
Quhair thay sat at thair heuinlie Maiestie.
I ask almous for luif of IESVS deir.
Thair stude I lang, neuer ane blent to me.
[At] last ane said, quhat may ȝone fell freik be,
With the quhite berd and scarlat ene dois bleir?
Ane vther said, ald carll quhat dois thow heir?
Quhat can thow do for our vtilitie.
To rin ane rink, or ȝit to brek ane speir?
Ane vther said, I knaw weill be his face,
He is not ane man to rin in our Barrace,
For laik of pith he is sa puir and peild.
Than said the fourt, heir he will get na grace
It war mair meit seik to sum vther place,
Quhair he war abill to get sum better beild.
And speirit my Name: I said thay call me Eild.
Swyith pak (quod scho) or ȝour bak beir a bace:
Out of this hall: ȝe ar not for this feild.
He is not ane man to rin in our Barrace,
For laik of pith he is sa puir and peild.
Than said the fourt, heir he will get na grace
It war mair meit seik to sum vther place,
Quhair he war abill to get sum better beild.
And speirit my Name: I said thay call me Eild.
Swyith pak (quod scho) or ȝour bak beir a bace:
Out of this hall: ȝe ar not for this feild.
133
All the Ladeis were verray discontent:
And grew at me wonder Impatient.
And schew Venus that I was in the hall.
Befoir hir I was brocht Incontinent:
In my contrair scho grew matilent.
Sayand, auld Carll, the foull euill the befall.
How durst thow be sa malapert with all
In my palice thy self for to present?
Swyith out of sicht, gar sling him ouir the wall.
And grew at me wonder Impatient.
And schew Venus that I was in the hall.
Befoir hir I was brocht Incontinent:
In my contrair scho grew matilent.
Sayand, auld Carll, the foull euill the befall.
How durst thow be sa malapert with all
In my palice thy self for to present?
Swyith out of sicht, gar sling him ouir the wall.
I said Madame and, it pleisit ȝour grace,
Thocht now the day and hour be cum on cace,
Into ȝour hall ȝe hald me odious;
The time hes bene I wald haif run ane race,
And brast ane speir in mid of the Barrace,
As nichtbouris did, and was als Cheualrous
In ony deidis, or Actis anterous:
I was als frak quhen I had time and space,
As ony is this day within this hous.
Thocht now the day and hour be cum on cace,
Into ȝour hall ȝe hald me odious;
The time hes bene I wald haif run ane race,
And brast ane speir in mid of the Barrace,
As nichtbouris did, and was als Cheualrous
In ony deidis, or Actis anterous:
I was als frak quhen I had time and space,
As ony is this day within this hous.
Bot the greit deidis that I tuik oft on hand
Into ȝour Court, quhen I dwelt in this land:
The rank riding, and the greit turnament
Causis me now, that I may skantlie stand,
Bot I haif bene sa lang at ȝour command,
Now for to ride I laik abuilyement:
My riding geir is all to gane and spent.
Ȝit had I geir I suld be ȝour seruand.
Ȝe knaw Madame, gude will suld be payment.
Into ȝour Court, quhen I dwelt in this land:
The rank riding, and the greit turnament
Causis me now, that I may skantlie stand,
Bot I haif bene sa lang at ȝour command,
Now for to ride I laik abuilyement:
My riding geir is all to gane and spent.
Ȝit had I geir I suld be ȝour seruand.
Ȝe knaw Madame, gude will suld be payment.
Ga way said scho, ane fell freik thow hes bene
That weill I knaw be thy beld heid and ene:
With thi gude wil thow hes done that thow may
Bot thy gude will without gude deid betwene
Is not comptit in my Court worth a prene.
Trowis thow gude will be payment? I say nay
I luif ȝou weill: sa did I ȝisterday.
Preif it than in deid with curage fra the splene.
Gude will but deid is not bot barnis play.
That weill I knaw be thy beld heid and ene:
With thi gude wil thow hes done that thow may
Bot thy gude will without gude deid betwene
Is not comptit in my Court worth a prene.
134
I luif ȝou weill: sa did I ȝisterday.
Preif it than in deid with curage fra the splene.
Gude will but deid is not bot barnis play.
Quod he Madame, I sene the day and hour,
Ȝe wald haif thollit me to byid in ȝour Bour.
(Quod scho) that is past, gude nicht now feldifair
Fair on fond fuill, thow gettis heir no fauour:
Thow art no Page for to do vs plesour.
And sa schortlie I was schot ouir the stair.
The ȝettis was closit hard on my heillis thair.
[T]hus thay me treit with tene within that Toure
[Of] all thair Feist, nor meit gat I na mair.
Ȝe wald haif thollit me to byid in ȝour Bour.
(Quod scho) that is past, gude nicht now feldifair
Fair on fond fuill, thow gettis heir no fauour:
Thow art no Page for to do vs plesour.
And sa schortlie I was schot ouir the stair.
The ȝettis was closit hard on my heillis thair.
[T]hus thay me treit with tene within that Toure
[Of] all thair Feist, nor meit gat I na mair.
At Venus Court their quite I tuik gude nicht,
Quhair I sum time was wont to be ane Knicht.
I kist the ȝettis thair neuer to come agane.
Hamewart I drew with all my mane & micht
With staf in hand, caus past was the day licht.
I fand ane fyre quhairof I was richt fane:
With Ink and pen to writ I maid me bane,
As ȝe haif hard now reid befoir ȝow richt.
Of thir Ladeis and Court venereane.
Quhair I sum time was wont to be ane Knicht.
I kist the ȝettis thair neuer to come agane.
Hamewart I drew with all my mane & micht
With staf in hand, caus past was the day licht.
I fand ane fyre quhairof I was richt fane:
With Ink and pen to writ I maid me bane,
As ȝe haif hard now reid befoir ȝow richt.
Of thir Ladeis and Court venereane.
Beseikand ȝow heirof that reidaris be,
With hartlie lufe and all humilitie,
Becaus I was baith fundeit, faint, and cald,
And culd not bring away all perfitlie,
Throw dull Ingine, and none habilitie;
Or by ressoun quhair ony thing is tald,
Throw haltand verse quhair cullour dois not hald
With all requeist excuse that ȝe wald me:
And for pennance my pen I heir vpȝald.
With hartlie lufe and all humilitie,
Becaus I was baith fundeit, faint, and cald,
And culd not bring away all perfitlie,
Throw dull Ingine, and none habilitie;
Or by ressoun quhair ony thing is tald,
Throw haltand verse quhair cullour dois not hald
With all requeist excuse that ȝe wald me:
And for pennance my pen I heir vpȝald.
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Praying ȝow all baith Ladeis ald and ȝing
Gif I haif said or forȝit ony thing
Of my awin heid into ȝour contrarie,
To grant mercie, and gif pennance conding
First fra Venus and sine fra Cupide King,
Quhair all lufaris suld leill Heretouris be.
Now last of all praying CHRIST on our kne
He wald vouchesaif till heuin vs for to bring
At our last end, Amen for cheritie.
Gif I haif said or forȝit ony thing
Of my awin heid into ȝour contrarie,
To grant mercie, and gif pennance conding
First fra Venus and sine fra Cupide King,
Quhair all lufaris suld leill Heretouris be.
Now last of all praying CHRIST on our kne
He wald vouchesaif till heuin vs for to bring
At our last end, Amen for cheritie.
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