The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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[To play at Dice is but good sporte] |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
[To play at Dice is but good sporte]
An other Dittie, after that, made by the same man (after a sorte) in defence of Cardes and Dice, as followeth.
To play at Dice is but good sporte,
So it be vsed in good sorte:
But who delights in Cardes and Dyse,
In deede, I cannot count him wise:
For he that playes, till all be gone,
With Robin Hoode and little John,
May trace the Wooddes: for wise men say,
Keepe somewhat till a rayny day.
So it be vsed in good sorte:
But who delights in Cardes and Dyse,
In deede, I cannot count him wise:
For he that playes, till all be gone,
With Robin Hoode and little John,
May trace the Wooddes: for wise men say,
Keepe somewhat till a rayny day.
But will you, therefore, generally
Disprayse the Dyce so spightfully?
What thing so good, that now is vsde,
But by a foole may be abusde?
I speake not this vnto that ende,
That you should thinke I would defend
Dyce playing vniversallye,
But onely used moderately.
Disprayse the Dyce so spightfully?
What thing so good, that now is vsde,
But by a foole may be abusde?
I speake not this vnto that ende,
That you should thinke I would defend
Dyce playing vniversallye,
But onely used moderately.
For who so long dooth vse the Dyce
Till he thereof hath knowen the price:
I meane, till almost all be gone:
Then marke this, straight way, such a one,
Beginnes to learne to cogge a pace:
Whereby he dooth so much disgrace
The Cardes and Dyce, that men doo feare
To play, for Coggers euery where.
Till he thereof hath knowen the price:
I meane, till almost all be gone:
Then marke this, straight way, such a one,
Beginnes to learne to cogge a pace:
Whereby he dooth so much disgrace
The Cardes and Dyce, that men doo feare
To play, for Coggers euery where.
But if that Coggers all were barde,
And cleanly cutters of a Carde,
And euery Gamster would play square:
Then some men would hope well to fare.
And then would few so much despise,
As now they doe, both Cardes and Dyse:
For neyther Cardes nor Dice be naught,
If men would vse them as they ought.
And cleanly cutters of a Carde,
And euery Gamster would play square:
Then some men would hope well to fare.
And then would few so much despise,
As now they doe, both Cardes and Dyse:
For neyther Cardes nor Dice be naught,
If men would vse them as they ought.
For how can Cardes or Dice hurt those,
That care not whether they win or lose?—
But who doe so? such men these are
As play no more then they may spare:
And when they come to any Game,
They make a pastime of the same;
But hab or nab, speede well who may,
And merrily so will spend the day.
That care not whether they win or lose?—
But who doe so? such men these are
As play no more then they may spare:
And when they come to any Game,
They make a pastime of the same;
But hab or nab, speede well who may,
And merrily so will spend the day.
And what is lost too, farewell it,
Neuer chafe nor freate a whit.
And they that vse play in this sorte,
With Cardes and Dyce make preaty sporte.
Then, therefore, since both Cardes and Dyce
Be good for some men, as I say:
Who dooth abuse them, is not wise,
Nor worthy, in my minde to play.
Therefore, as I begone, I ende,
Moderate play I doe defend.
Neuer chafe nor freate a whit.
And they that vse play in this sorte,
With Cardes and Dyce make preaty sporte.
Then, therefore, since both Cardes and Dyce
Be good for some men, as I say:
Who dooth abuse them, is not wise,
Nor worthy, in my minde to play.
Therefore, as I begone, I ende,
Moderate play I doe defend.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |