XXII. In fields abroade
1
In fields abroad, wher Trumpets shryl do sound,
wher glaues & shilds, do giue & take the knocks,
wher bodies dead, do ouerspred the groūd:
& friends to foes, are common butchers blocks,
A gallant shot, wel managing his peece,
in my conceit, deserues a golden fleece,
2
Amid the seas, a gallant ship set out,
where in nor men nor yet munitions lacks,
in greatest windes that spareth not a clout,
but cuts the waues in spight of wethers wracks,
would force a swain that coms of cowards kinde,
to change him selfe and be of noble minde.
3
VVho makes his seat a stately stamping stead,
whose neighes & playes are princely to behold,
vvhose courage stout, vvhose eies are fiery red,
vvhose ioynts vvell knit, vvhose harnes all of gold
doth vvell deserue to be no meaner thing,
then Perciā knight whose horse made him a king.
4
By that bedside vvherè sits a gallant Dame,
vvho casteth of hir braue and rich attyre,
vvhose petecote sets forth as faire a frame,
as mortall men or gods can vvell desire,
vvho sits and sees his pettecote vnlast,
I say no more the rest are all disgrast.
FINIS.
