University of Virginia Library

Enter Idlenis like a preest
A sirra my masteres there is much adoe
when fortune is lowring
o the passion of god I haue escaped ascouring
here hath bin heaue & shoue
this geere is not fit
in faith I haue lye in the lurch
for coussing of witt
now shall he be maried in all the haste
when wit & wisdome is ioyned to gether
then I am reiected
well it I can shift els where
so long as I am not detected
detected I cannot welbe
I am of that condition
that I cane turne into all
coullers like the commillion
althought some doe refuse me
& some leden heeled
lubber will not refraine me
& when men hath done wt h me
women will retaine me
Idlenies the say tis the mother of wise
through Idlenis fell the troynes
& the greekes wan the price
Idlenis breedeth euell thoughts
where of come il deedes
Idlenis is a cockadill & greate mischefe breedes
I giue my selfe agood reporte
my mashters you may think the best
he that loueth me shall haue smale
ioy of [the best] his rest
king amasis made alawe
& bownd his subiectes to it fast
to giue an a count whereupon
they liued the yeare last past
& if any liued Idlely
wt h out any regard
the punishment was greuious
thay did him award
but now I can escape from all such perrill
& play the perueier
here in earth for the deuell
well my masters I must be gone
this marige to se
thay that list not to work
let them follow me

Exit