The vvorkes of a young wyt trust vp with a Fardell of pretie fancies, profitable to young Poetes, preiudicial to no man, and pleasaunt to euery man to passe away idle tyme withall. Whereunto is ioyned an odde kynde of wooing, with a Banquet of Comfettes, to make an ende withall. Done by N. B. Gentleman |
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[The Dream] |
 | The vvorkes of a young wyt |  |
[The Dream]
[_]
Now by that tyme this discourse was full finished, it grue somewhat late in the nyght: wherevppon I growing somewhat drousy, had rather desire to rest then write any more: wherupon my Muse left me, and I layd me down to sleep, and being a sleepe, I sodaynly fell into a most straunge dreame, which in the morning, awake, I cald to mynde, and as I could, I put it into verse, in order as followeth.
A peece of a Preface before the dreame.
Straunge are the sights that some in sleepe shall see,and straunger much, then haue been seene by day,
For proofe whereof you heere shall heare of me:
as I of late halfe in a slumber lay,
A most strange dreame I sodaynly fell in:
which dolefull dreame, (marke well) did thus begin.
The dreame followes.
20
In
lucklesse land (a wofull tale to tell)
where neuer griefe of any pleasure grue,
Where dire disdayne and foule despight doo dwell:
and of such churles a currish kinde of crue,
It was my hap (me thought) not long agoe,
to trauayle through the wildernes of woe.
where neuer griefe of any pleasure grue,
Where dire disdayne and foule despight doo dwell:
and of such churles a currish kinde of crue,
It was my hap (me thought) not long agoe,
to trauayle through the wildernes of woe.
And walking long about this wildernes,
at last vnto a huge great Heth I came,
Which Heth was cald the Heth of heauines,
and sure me thought might right wel beare that name:
For on the same I could see no such thing,
as any way, myght any comfort bring.
at last vnto a huge great Heth I came,
Which Heth was cald the Heth of heauines,
and sure me thought might right wel beare that name:
For on the same I could see no such thing,
as any way, myght any comfort bring.
The ground al bare, without or hedge or tree,
saue here and there a Breere or Nettle bush:
No fruite nor floure, nor hearbe that I could see,
nor Grasse almost, but here and there a rush:
And Mosse, and Bents, and full of ragged stone,
and dwelling houses neare it nere a one.
saue here and there a Breere or Nettle bush:
No fruite nor floure, nor hearbe that I could see,
nor Grasse almost, but here and there a rush:
And Mosse, and Bents, and full of ragged stone,
and dwelling houses neare it nere a one.
Well, walking long vpon this Heth alone,
at last I stayd, whereas I heard me thought,
The voyce of one that made a piteous mone,
and this he sayd, too long I wretch haue sought
For some relief, but now too late I see,
there is no hope of comfort left for me.
at last I stayd, whereas I heard me thought,
The voyce of one that made a piteous mone,
and this he sayd, too long I wretch haue sought
For some relief, but now too late I see,
there is no hope of comfort left for me.
And therefore home I back wardes will returne,
and draw my dayes in dole out as I can:
And stand content perforce to wayle and mourne,
in endlesse griefe (aye me) poore wretched man,
And with that woord, he fetcht a sigh so deepe,
as would haue made the hardest hart to weepe.
and draw my dayes in dole out as I can:
And stand content perforce to wayle and mourne,
in endlesse griefe (aye me) poore wretched man,
And with that woord, he fetcht a sigh so deepe,
as would haue made the hardest hart to weepe.
Now hearing thus this waylfull voyce, at last
I cast about his person to espie,
And by and by, with looke more halfe agast,
al skinne and bones, as one at poynt to die,
This woful wight (me thought) in pitious plight,
plodding alone, appeared to my sight.
I cast about his person to espie,
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al skinne and bones, as one at poynt to die,
This woful wight (me thought) in pitious plight,
plodding alone, appeared to my sight.
And towardes me (me thought) he drewe so neere,
as I mought plaine ech part of him descrye:
And viewing wel his sad and mournfull cheere,
with heauie looke, leane face, and hollowe eye:
With Lathlike legges, and carkas worne to bones,
I heard hym fetch ful many greeuous grones.
as I mought plaine ech part of him descrye:
And viewing wel his sad and mournfull cheere,
with heauie looke, leane face, and hollowe eye:
With Lathlike legges, and carkas worne to bones,
I heard hym fetch ful many greeuous grones.
And downe he sate vpon a ragged stone,
and sighd, and sobd, in such a piteous sort:
As (credit me) of but halfe his mone,
it were a world, in kinde to make report.
But to be short, his bitter teares did showe,
his heauy hart abode a world of woe.
and sighd, and sobd, in such a piteous sort:
As (credit me) of but halfe his mone,
it were a world, in kinde to make report.
But to be short, his bitter teares did showe,
his heauy hart abode a world of woe.
Well, with this sight in mynde I heauy greue,
yet heauy so, I thought to go and see,
What he myght ayle, and yet to tell you true,
his onely syght had halfe appauled me:
Yet neerthelesse, with much adoo, at last
vnto the place whereas he sat, I past.
yet heauy so, I thought to go and see,
What he myght ayle, and yet to tell you true,
his onely syght had halfe appauled me:
Yet neerthelesse, with much adoo, at last
vnto the place whereas he sat, I past.
And comming to the place whereas he sat,
I spake to him, and tooke him by the hand:
My friende, quoth I, I pray thee tel me what
may cause thee thus in such sad plight to stande
Alas, quoth he againe, with heauy cheere,
what doo I ayle? fond wretch what doost thou heere?
I spake to him, and tooke him by the hand:
My friende, quoth I, I pray thee tel me what
may cause thee thus in such sad plight to stande
Alas, quoth he againe, with heauy cheere,
what doo I ayle? fond wretch what doost thou heere?
My seely selfe am driune by destinie,
in doleful dumpes to spend my weery dayes:
In places, voyde of pleasaunt company,
Opprest with griefe, a thousand sundry wayes:
But how camst thou vnto this luckelesse land,
And to this place where now I see thee stand.
in doleful dumpes to spend my weery dayes:
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Opprest with griefe, a thousand sundry wayes:
But how camst thou vnto this luckelesse land,
And to this place where now I see thee stand.
I wayle thy case, but thou wilt wayle it more,
ere that thou doest get out hence againe:
Heere is no salue to heale the smallest sore,
nor any helpe to ease the lyghtest paine:
But whosoeuer heere doth catch a griefe,
let him be sure to die without reliefe.
ere that thou doest get out hence againe:
Heere is no salue to heale the smallest sore,
nor any helpe to ease the lyghtest paine:
But whosoeuer heere doth catch a griefe,
let him be sure to die without reliefe.
Heere is no comfort for the heauy hart,
nor sparke of ioy, to cheere the mourning mynde:
Causes enow, to breede an endlesse smart.
but healing helpes, but fewe or none to finde.
Heere nothing is, but sorrow, care, and griefe,
and comfort none, nor hope to finde reliefe.
nor sparke of ioy, to cheere the mourning mynde:
Causes enow, to breede an endlesse smart.
but healing helpes, but fewe or none to finde.
Heere nothing is, but sorrow, care, and griefe,
and comfort none, nor hope to finde reliefe.
Aie me (thought I) what kynde of speeche is this,
how might I doe, to get me hence againe?
With that quod hee, come wretched wyght I wis,
thou little knowste as yet (god wot) the paine
That thou art lyke, and that ere long to knowe,
For thou shalt come into a world of woe.
how might I doe, to get me hence againe?
With that quod hee, come wretched wyght I wis,
thou little knowste as yet (god wot) the paine
That thou art lyke, and that ere long to knowe,
For thou shalt come into a world of woe.
At which his woordes more halfe amazde in minde,
I drouping stood, as one at poynt to dye:
And therewithall (me thought) I gan to fynde,
more inward griefe, then now I can descrie.
In which sadde plight as I a whyle dyd stande,
he rose (me thought) and tooke me by the hande.
I drouping stood, as one at poynt to dye:
And therewithall (me thought) I gan to fynde,
more inward griefe, then now I can descrie.
In which sadde plight as I a whyle dyd stande,
he rose (me thought) and tooke me by the hande.
And ledde me on, along this peuishe plaine,
vntill at last we came vnto a hill.
And there forsoothe, me thoughte we stayde agayne,
wherewith quoth he, awhile now staye heere stil,
And view the heapes of harmes that day by daye
doe fall to men, to bringe them to decay.
vntill at last we came vnto a hill.
22
wherewith quoth he, awhile now staye heere stil,
And view the heapes of harmes that day by daye
doe fall to men, to bringe them to decay.
And there (me thoughte) he shewde me firste a knight,
a gallant youthe, and sprong of noble race,
That went to warres, and being foilde in fighte,
was captiue tane, vnto his great disgrace,
And being had, downe streight the hill was ledde,
bounde hande and foote, and hanginge downe his hedde.
a gallant youthe, and sprong of noble race,
That went to warres, and being foilde in fighte,
was captiue tane, vnto his great disgrace,
And being had, downe streight the hill was ledde,
bounde hande and foote, and hanginge downe his hedde.
Whyther hee wente, that shall you know anon,
For I in order meane eche thing to show,
And therfore well, when this same knighte was gon,
there came a sight of rouers on a row,
Late tane at sea, and there no remedy,
were brought perforce vpon three trees to dy.
For I in order meane eche thing to show,
And therfore well, when this same knighte was gon,
there came a sight of rouers on a row,
Late tane at sea, and there no remedy,
were brought perforce vpon three trees to dy.
They once dispatcht, I saw a battel foughte,
a town was sackte: and man and childe was slaine,
The weemen there the souldiours besought
to saue their childrens liues, but all in vaine:
They still were slaine, and they that fledde away,
ranne downe the hill (me thought) an other way.
a town was sackte: and man and childe was slaine,
The weemen there the souldiours besought
to saue their childrens liues, but all in vaine:
They still were slaine, and they that fledde away,
ranne downe the hill (me thought) an other way.
Thus gazyng long, I caste mine eies about
vpon the hill, (me thought) an other way,
And there (me thought) I saw a lusty route
of gallante youthes, cladde all in riche araye,
And suddenly (me thought) a fray began,
and one againste an other fiercely ranne.
vpon the hill, (me thought) an other way,
And there (me thought) I saw a lusty route
of gallante youthes, cladde all in riche araye,
And suddenly (me thought) a fray began,
and one againste an other fiercely ranne.
Anon (me thought) one had his eyes thruste out,
an other loste a legge, and half a hande,
The thirde was shrowdely wounded rounde about,
another loste both legges, and could not stand,
Some slayne outright, and they that could, away
ranne downe the hill, and so gan ende the fray.
an other loste a legge, and half a hande,
22
another loste both legges, and could not stand,
Some slayne outright, and they that could, away
ranne downe the hill, and so gan ende the fray.
These youthes thus gonne, (me thought) I saw hard by,
a table stande, and thereon cardes, and dise:
To which (me thought) came gallants presently,
and drew their bagges, and to it with a trise
Anon (me thought) some chafde lyke men half madde,
and lost almoste eche crosse of coine they had.
a table stande, and thereon cardes, and dise:
To which (me thought) came gallants presently,
and drew their bagges, and to it with a trise
Anon (me thought) some chafde lyke men half madde,
and lost almoste eche crosse of coine they had.
And they that thus had lost their coine at playe,
with heauy harte gan leaue the company,
And downe the hill, (me thought) they tooke their waye,
and looking after them, so by and by
Me thought the rest were gon all euery one,
and Cardes, or Dise, or Tables, there was none.
with heauy harte gan leaue the company,
And downe the hill, (me thought) they tooke their waye,
and looking after them, so by and by
Me thought the rest were gon all euery one,
and Cardes, or Dise, or Tables, there was none.
These men thus gone (me thought) I saw alone,
a propre man of personage, but poore,
In heauy plight, goe making piteous mone,
halfe lyke a man that begde from doore to doore,
And yet a man might finde well by his face:
that he was (sure) sprong of no rascall race.
a propre man of personage, but poore,
In heauy plight, goe making piteous mone,
halfe lyke a man that begde from doore to doore,
And yet a man might finde well by his face:
that he was (sure) sprong of no rascall race.
Hee lykewise tooke his waie downe streighte the hill,
ploddinge alone, God wot in heauy plighte,
But let him goe, as I thus stayed stil,
me thought it grew somwhat darke towardes night,
And stayinge so, the wretche that stoode by me,
thus sayde to me: marke heere what thou dost see.
ploddinge alone, God wot in heauy plighte,
But let him goe, as I thus stayed stil,
me thought it grew somwhat darke towardes night,
And stayinge so, the wretche that stoode by me,
thus sayde to me: marke heere what thou dost see.
But there, I saw harde happes a thousand more,
then heere I can almost well call to minde,
But with those syghts in hart agrieued sore:
and yet in feare more such sad sights to finde,
Amazd I stood, as one more halfe agast,
to see the haps that on that hill had past.
then heere I can almost well call to minde,
23
and yet in feare more such sad sights to finde,
Amazd I stood, as one more halfe agast,
to see the haps that on that hill had past.
And standing so, alas my friend, quoth I,
what doost thou call the name of this same hill?
Hill of hard hap they call it commonly,
where none doo come, but sore agaynst their will:
Thus is it cald, quoth he, but now (alas)
thy selfe art lyke along this Hyll to passe.
what doost thou call the name of this same hill?
Hill of hard hap they call it commonly,
where none doo come, but sore agaynst their will:
Thus is it cald, quoth he, but now (alas)
thy selfe art lyke along this Hyll to passe.
And to be short, along on still we went,
and to the hill we onwardes tooke our way:
And sure I know not what the matter ment,
but the foote path (me thought) I went in, lay
Directly so, as he that made such mone,
crossed the path before me all alone.
and to the hill we onwardes tooke our way:
And sure I know not what the matter ment,
but the foote path (me thought) I went in, lay
Directly so, as he that made such mone,
crossed the path before me all alone.
Well on we went vpon this haplesse hil,
vntill at last we came vnto a vale,
Where I may say, I was agaynst my will:
for I will tell you the most dolefull tale,
Of that I saw, that euer any man,
doubtlesse did see, since first the world began.
vntill at last we came vnto a vale,
Where I may say, I was agaynst my will:
for I will tell you the most dolefull tale,
Of that I saw, that euer any man,
doubtlesse did see, since first the world began.
First there I saw darke prisons built of stone,
with yron barres, and boltes, and fetters cold:
And many a one that made a piteous mone:
that lay in them (agaynst their wils) in holde.
Among the rest (alas) a piteous sight,
me thought I saw the gallant youthfull knight,
with yron barres, and boltes, and fetters cold:
And many a one that made a piteous mone:
that lay in them (agaynst their wils) in holde.
Among the rest (alas) a piteous sight,
me thought I saw the gallant youthfull knight,
That bound, was led along the hill before,
in dungeon deepe close kept and fettered fast:
Where all in vayne his hap lamenting sore,
in sobbing sighes his lothsome life he past:
A piteous sight, beleeue me, for to see,
so braue a youth in such a state as he.
in dungeon deepe close kept and fettered fast:
23
in sobbing sighes his lothsome life he past:
A piteous sight, beleeue me, for to see,
so braue a youth in such a state as he.
In other prisons saw I many lye,
some men for debt, and some for robbery:
Some men sore sicke, almost at point to dye,
some begd in holes, in extreame misery:
And many moe in such a rufull sort,
as for my lyfe I cannot make reporte.
some men for debt, and some for robbery:
Some men sore sicke, almost at point to dye,
some begd in holes, in extreame misery:
And many moe in such a rufull sort,
as for my lyfe I cannot make reporte.
Now next me thought I saw lame Criples poore,
that limping went and begd for Christ his sake:
That had liud well, now begd from doore to doore:
and few or none, of them would pity take,
But still they went lamenting of their griefe
to many one, but could get no reliefe.
that limping went and begd for Christ his sake:
That had liud well, now begd from doore to doore:
and few or none, of them would pity take,
But still they went lamenting of their griefe
to many one, but could get no reliefe.
Among the rest, me thought I did espie
some of those youthes that fought vpon the hill,
With wodden legs, and some but with one eie,
go begging foode, their hungry guts to fill:
Lamenting there, but God wote all to late,
their froward hap, and their such wretched state.
some of those youthes that fought vpon the hill,
With wodden legs, and some but with one eie,
go begging foode, their hungry guts to fill:
Lamenting there, but God wote all to late,
their froward hap, and their such wretched state.
But let them be, then saw I more (alas)
a piteous sight, beleeue me, for to see,
With bitter teares and cries poore women passe,
more halfe bestraught, along the vale by me:
And sure me thought the mone that they did make,
with very griefe did make my hart to ake.
a piteous sight, beleeue me, for to see,
With bitter teares and cries poore women passe,
more halfe bestraught, along the vale by me:
And sure me thought the mone that they did make,
with very griefe did make my hart to ake.
Which viewing well, me thought I playne did see,
the women, that went running from the towne
That late was sackte, go to and fro by me,
with sighes and sobbes, and heddes all hanging downe,
Lamenting sore, but God wot all in vayne,
the losse of goods, and child, and husband slayne.
the women, that went running from the towne
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with sighes and sobbes, and heddes all hanging downe,
Lamenting sore, but God wot all in vayne,
the losse of goods, and child, and husband slayne.
Then saw I more some men in wretched state,
quite monilesse, and ill appareled:
That welthy were, and liude at ease of late,
now had no lodge wherein to hide their hed,
But ragde and torne, without or coyne or friend,
in beggers state, were like their liues to end.
quite monilesse, and ill appareled:
That welthy were, and liude at ease of late,
now had no lodge wherein to hide their hed,
But ragde and torne, without or coyne or friend,
in beggers state, were like their liues to end.
Among the which, (me thought) I sawe at last,
the youthes that lost their coyne at dise of late,
Now growne so poore, as had no coyne to wast,
but begging went, in miserable state:
A grieuous sight to see such youthes as they,
so sodaynly, to fall to such decay.
the youthes that lost their coyne at dise of late,
Now growne so poore, as had no coyne to wast,
but begging went, in miserable state:
A grieuous sight to see such youthes as they,
so sodaynly, to fall to such decay.
But let them go, then further saw I next,
a dolefull sight, and that did grieue me sore:
Wherewith (me thought) I was so sore perplexte,
as nought I saw (me thought) did grieue me more:
Which sight was this, (me thought) I plaine did see,
a man alone, come plodding hard by me.
a dolefull sight, and that did grieue me sore:
Wherewith (me thought) I was so sore perplexte,
as nought I saw (me thought) did grieue me more:
Which sight was this, (me thought) I plaine did see,
a man alone, come plodding hard by me.
Which man me thought, seemde doubtles to be he,
that all alone, I saw go downe the hill:
And this he sayd, ah wretched wretch, (aye me)
the heauy hart, what will no sorrowe kill,
But shall I thus still pine, in endles woe?
haue destenies decreed it shalbe so?
that all alone, I saw go downe the hill:
And this he sayd, ah wretched wretch, (aye me)
the heauy hart, what will no sorrowe kill,
But shall I thus still pine, in endles woe?
haue destenies decreed it shalbe so?
What didst thou meane to leaue thy natyue soyle,
thy landes, and goods, and parents, kith and kin?
And take in hand this tough and tedious toyle,
and now abide the state that thou art in:
Hath little loue, fonde wretch subdude thee so?
to driue thee into such a world of woe?
thy landes, and goods, and parents, kith and kin?
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and now abide the state that thou art in:
Hath little loue, fonde wretch subdude thee so?
to driue thee into such a world of woe?
Yea, luckeles loue hath onely bred my bale,
the force of loue, perforce hath conquerd me:
And driune me now, into this dolefull dale,
where I can yet no kinde of comfort see:
But here am like, bereft of all delight,
to end my dayes, in dumpes of deepe despight.
the force of loue, perforce hath conquerd me:
And driune me now, into this dolefull dale,
where I can yet no kinde of comfort see:
But here am like, bereft of all delight,
to end my dayes, in dumpes of deepe despight.
I trauayle here to tire my restles minde,
that being tirde perforce might fall to rest:
But here (alas) no place of rest I finde,
but still must walke, with endles woes opprest:
Wel may I sigh, and sobbe, and waile, and weepe,
but waking woes will neuer let me sleepe.
that being tirde perforce might fall to rest:
But here (alas) no place of rest I finde,
but still must walke, with endles woes opprest:
Wel may I sigh, and sobbe, and waile, and weepe,
but waking woes will neuer let me sleepe.
Yet rest I must, there is no remedy,
but where might I goe seeke a resting place?
Oh Lord that I could finde some lodging nye,
or cotage poore, yea were it nere so base:
But well I see, since none I here can haue,
I will goe see, if I can find a caue.
but where might I goe seeke a resting place?
Oh Lord that I could finde some lodging nye,
or cotage poore, yea were it nere so base:
But well I see, since none I here can haue,
I will goe see, if I can find a caue.
And therewithal, me thought, he went away,
towardes the foote of hard happes hill hard by,
Whereas a while (me thought) I saw him staye,
with sighing sobbes lamenting rufully:
But mourning so, I wot not how anon,
I lookte aside, and he (me thought) was gon.
towardes the foote of hard happes hill hard by,
Whereas a while (me thought) I saw him staye,
with sighing sobbes lamenting rufully:
But mourning so, I wot not how anon,
I lookte aside, and he (me thought) was gon.
Which muzing at, of him that was with me,
me thought I askde whyther he might be gon.
To which he sayde, come on and thou shall see:
for I will bring thee to the place anon.
And by and by (ere I was ware) me thought,
vnto the place hee me directly brought.
me thought I askde whyther he might be gon.
To which he sayde, come on and thou shall see:
for I will bring thee to the place anon.
25
vnto the place hee me directly brought.
Where being come, me thought I gan espie,
a foule darke hole, full lothsome to beholde:
Yet nerethelesse we went in presently,
but being in, me thought it was so colde,
That all my lymmes, with colde dyd almost quake,
And euen my hart with very colde dyd ake.
a foule darke hole, full lothsome to beholde:
Yet nerethelesse we went in presently,
but being in, me thought it was so colde,
That all my lymmes, with colde dyd almost quake,
And euen my hart with very colde dyd ake.
The caue me thought was large, and somewhat rounde,
made in proportion much lyke a mans head:
Where walking long, anon me thought I founde,
sitting alone, a man almost halfe dead,
With wrinckled browes, and hollow watry eyes,
reading a booke in very dolefull wise.
made in proportion much lyke a mans head:
Where walking long, anon me thought I founde,
sitting alone, a man almost halfe dead,
With wrinckled browes, and hollow watry eyes,
reading a booke in very dolefull wise.
And by and by, me thought, I plaine dyd see,
the man againe whose sight I late had lost:
With booke in hande, as heauy as mought be,
at study close, with carkas lyke a ghost,
Uttring these woordes, oh curteous care I craue,
now let me see what lesson I must haue.
the man againe whose sight I late had lost:
With booke in hande, as heauy as mought be,
at study close, with carkas lyke a ghost,
Uttring these woordes, oh curteous care I craue,
now let me see what lesson I must haue.
Wherewith me thought the man with watry eyes,
and scouling browes that seemde so like a ghost,
Gan take a booke, and when in wailfull wyse,
a thousand leaues he to and fro had tost:
He aunswered this, no lesson heere I finde,
in this distresse, that may releeue thy minde.
and scouling browes that seemde so like a ghost,
Gan take a booke, and when in wailfull wyse,
a thousand leaues he to and fro had tost:
He aunswered this, no lesson heere I finde,
in this distresse, that may releeue thy minde.
With that me though the rose, and tooke his waye,
within the caue, but whyther, let that passe:
And of the rest that in the caue did staye,
let me say somewhat, of their state alas:
Some propre youthes, and some faire gallante Dames,
which well I knew, but now forget their names.
within the caue, but whyther, let that passe:
And of the rest that in the caue did staye,
let me say somewhat, of their state alas:
25
which well I knew, but now forget their names.
To these poore soules this man half like a ghost,
who as I learnde by name was called Care,
Gan lessons reede, of which I thinke the most
were, of the braine the vertues to declare:
Which whom they serude out of the caue they ran,
the rest gan follow all, the wofull man
who as I learnde by name was called Care,
Gan lessons reede, of which I thinke the most
were, of the braine the vertues to declare:
Which whom they serude out of the caue they ran,
the rest gan follow all, the wofull man
That wente before along this wretched caue,
tormented sore in great and deepe distresse:
And soughte in vaine the thinge he could not haue
vnto his grief to finde some sweete redresse,
But where think you, they founde him at the laste?
where all good hope of comforte quite was paste.
tormented sore in great and deepe distresse:
And soughte in vaine the thinge he could not haue
vnto his grief to finde some sweete redresse,
But where think you, they founde him at the laste?
where all good hope of comforte quite was paste.
Sittinge (alas) vpon a sory seate
by a poore soule close by a smoky fire
And neyther crumme of eyther bread or meate
they had (alas) nor oughte they did desire:
But weepinge sat with sighes and sobbes soo deepe,
as woulde haue made a stony harte to weepe.
by a poore soule close by a smoky fire
And neyther crumme of eyther bread or meate
they had (alas) nor oughte they did desire:
But weepinge sat with sighes and sobbes soo deepe,
as woulde haue made a stony harte to weepe.
Upon which seate in letters faire to reede
was written this in vale of miserye:
In caue of care, a dolefull denne in deede,
is sorrowes seate, and that vile wretche am I.
And that was he, righte ouer there whose hedde
did stand this solemne sentence, to be redde.
was written this in vale of miserye:
In caue of care, a dolefull denne in deede,
is sorrowes seate, and that vile wretche am I.
And that was he, righte ouer there whose hedde
did stand this solemne sentence, to be redde.
Well on this seate they sat all downe anon,
and I (me thoughte) sat downe among the rest.
But (credite me) desirous to be gon
I felte my harte with grief so sore opprest:
But credite me, desirous to be gon,
I felte my harte, with grief so sore oppreste.
But what of that? I coulde not as I woulde,
and therefore there muste byde still, as I coulde.
and I (me thoughte) sat downe among the rest.
But (credite me) desirous to be gon
I felte my harte with grief so sore opprest:
26
I felte my harte, with grief so sore oppreste.
But what of that? I coulde not as I woulde,
and therefore there muste byde still, as I coulde.
And sitting there, it were a worlde to tell,
the sundry sorts of sorrowes I did see:
But credite me, if that there be a hell,
doubteles I thinke that it, if any be
Suche, and so many were the sorrowes there,
as sure the lyke are to be seene no where.
the sundry sorts of sorrowes I did see:
But credite me, if that there be a hell,
doubteles I thinke that it, if any be
Suche, and so many were the sorrowes there,
as sure the lyke are to be seene no where.
There saw I some, to teare their fleshe for grief,
some sygh, and sobbe, some beating of their breste,
Some crying out, for some sparke of relief,
some more half dead, and not one man at rest,
For dyuerse causes, some for losse of loue,
and they were wurste, that suche sore panges did proue.
some sygh, and sobbe, some beating of their breste,
Some crying out, for some sparke of relief,
some more half dead, and not one man at rest,
For dyuerse causes, some for losse of loue,
and they were wurste, that suche sore panges did proue.
Some did in vaine the losse of friendes lamente,
some losse of Lands, some husbande, and some wyfe,
Some of the welth that they in wast had spente,
and euery man quyte wery of his lyfe.
But those that wayld theyr losse of loue, alas,
of all the panges (me thought) yet they did passe.
some losse of Lands, some husbande, and some wyfe,
Some of the welth that they in wast had spente,
and euery man quyte wery of his lyfe.
But those that wayld theyr losse of loue, alas,
of all the panges (me thought) yet they did passe.
For one of them that lost theyr ladies loue,
in Iewels ware theyr Mystris Counterfeate
The sight whereof suche sodeine grief did moue,
as though before, his grief was very great,
And suche in deede as did tormente him sore,
yet sight of that, did make it ten tymes more.
in Iewels ware theyr Mystris Counterfeate
The sight whereof suche sodeine grief did moue,
as though before, his grief was very great,
And suche in deede as did tormente him sore,
yet sight of that, did make it ten tymes more.
Some other thought vpon their luckeles loue,
and then with teares would sigh, in pyteous sorte,
And diuerse wayes such sodayne panges did proue,
as for my life I cannot make reporte:
I want the skill to set out halfe in kinde,
the sundry sorrowes, that I there did finde.
and then with teares would sigh, in pyteous sorte,
26
as for my life I cannot make reporte:
I want the skill to set out halfe in kinde,
the sundry sorrowes, that I there did finde.
But this I say, I thinke there is no paine,
no kind of griefe of body nor of minde,
No secret pange, but there appeareth playne,
and euery man, that commeth there may finde:
And as I said, so now I say againe,
the panges of loue doo breede the greatest paine.
no kind of griefe of body nor of minde,
No secret pange, but there appeareth playne,
and euery man, that commeth there may finde:
And as I said, so now I say againe,
the panges of loue doo breede the greatest paine.
Well, sitting thus, aside I cast mine eye,
and there me thought, I saw a dungeon deepe,
And on the wall, was written but hard by,
this is the dungeon, that despayre dooth keepe:
Who commeth heere, till death shall pine in paine,
and once come in, gettes neuer out agayne.
and there me thought, I saw a dungeon deepe,
And on the wall, was written but hard by,
this is the dungeon, that despayre dooth keepe:
Who commeth heere, till death shall pine in paine,
and once come in, gettes neuer out agayne.
And therewithall, a doore was opened,
and one or two went in there presently,
But hauing scarcely well put in their hedde,
they wroung their handes, and made a piteous cry:
And sodaynely, did such a shriking make,
as made me start, and therewithall awake.
and one or two went in there presently,
But hauing scarcely well put in their hedde,
they wroung their handes, and made a piteous cry:
And sodaynely, did such a shriking make,
as made me start, and therewithall awake.
Finis.
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