Three morall Treatises no lesse pleasaunt than necessary for all men to reade, whereof the one is called the Learned Prince, the other the Fruites of Foes, the thyrde the Porte of rest [by Thomas Blundeville] |
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 | Three morall Treatises |  |
To the Queenes highnes
Of
all the bookes that euer Plutarke wrote,
More mete is none, when they haue time & space,
For Prynces all to rede and well to note:
Then this, whiche heare I offre to your grace.
More mete is none, when they haue time & space,
For Prynces all to rede and well to note:
Then this, whiche heare I offre to your grace.
For lyke as he, the good doth iustly praise,
The euill their faultes, so, plainlye dothe he tell,
And whilst he doth consider both their wayes:
He shewes wherein a Prince ought most texcell.
The euill their faultes, so, plainlye dothe he tell,
And whilst he doth consider both their wayes:
He shewes wherein a Prince ought most texcell.
That is to saye in learnynge, wytte, and skill,
To tame affectes, and folowe reasons lore,
Whose steppes doe fle the wayes of froward will:
And treades the pathes of iustice euermore.
To tame affectes, and folowe reasons lore,
Whose steppes doe fle the wayes of froward will:
And treades the pathes of iustice euermore.
And though this Boke, your highnes oft hath redde,
In Grekyshe prose as Plutarke did it wright:
My rurall muse, for that, yeat, had no dredde
In Englysh verse, agayne the same tendight.
In Grekyshe prose as Plutarke did it wright:
My rurall muse, for that, yeat, had no dredde
In Englysh verse, agayne the same tendight.
Presuminge of the fauor whyche she fownde,
When that she sange, what fruites of foes might ryse
And that your grace, gaue eare vnto the sownde
Of suche rude ryme, as she did then deuyse.
When that she sange, what fruites of foes might ryse
And that your grace, gaue eare vnto the sownde
Of suche rude ryme, as she did then deuyse.
Wherfore now harke my liege and souraigne Quene
What Plutarke sayeth of Prynces good and badde
Who yf he were alyue to Iudge: I wene,
Of all the Quenes in honour to be had,
Your learninge, and your vertues pondred well,
He would your grace, should onely beare the bell.
What Plutarke sayeth of Prynces good and badde
Who yf he were alyue to Iudge: I wene,
Of all the Quenes in honour to be had,
Your learninge, and your vertues pondred well,
He would your grace, should onely beare the bell.
Your maiesties most humble Subiecte Thomas Blondeuille.
The learned Prynce.
The
Cyrens once made greate request,
That Plato wolde vouchsafe to wright
such lawes, as he for thē thought best,
Their state therby, to rule vpright.
That Plato wolde vouchsafe to wright
such lawes, as he for thē thought best,
Their state therby, to rule vpright.
But Plato tho, dyd cleane refuse,
So hard a thynge to take in hande,
Who knewe, they woulde good lawes abuse
Which had such welth within their lande.
So hard a thynge to take in hande,
Who knewe, they woulde good lawes abuse
Which had such welth within their lande.
For nothing is more hard tentreate,
More proude, ne worse to deale wythall,
Than is that man, in wealthye state
Which thinkes to stande, and fearth no fall.
More proude, ne worse to deale wythall,
Than is that man, in wealthye state
Which thinkes to stande, and fearth no fall.
Wherfore it is to harde for suche
As others rule, and beare the swaye,
To suffer lawes to rule to muche,
Lest than, their power should sone decaye.
As others rule, and beare the swaye,
To suffer lawes to rule to muche,
Lest than, their power should sone decaye.
For reason as their Cheffe to take,
They doe abhorre: lest Princely might,
They should then forced be to make
A slaue: to Iustice trueth and ryght.
They doe abhorre: lest Princely might,
They should then forced be to make
A slaue: to Iustice trueth and ryght.
As men alas which doe not knowe,
What Sheopony the Spartan duke
Sayd to his wife with voyce full lowe,
When she obiected this rebuke.
What Sheopony the Spartan duke
Sayd to his wife with voyce full lowe,
When she obiected this rebuke.
For whereas he dyd fyrst of all
To royall power, Tribunos adde:
She sayd thou bryngst thy Sonne, in thrall,
To leaue lesse powre, then thou hast hadde.
To royall power, Tribunos adde:
She sayd thou bryngst thy Sonne, in thrall,
To leaue lesse powre, then thou hast hadde.
No rather yet, then aunswerde he
I shall hym leaue so muche the more
For nowe his powre shall stronger be
Then euer myne was heretofore.
I shall hym leaue so muche the more
For nowe his powre shall stronger be
Then euer myne was heretofore.
And thoughe this Prynce hymselfe depryud
Of that whiche he to geue thought good:
As thoughe small brookes he had deryud
Out of a goulffe, or flowinge floud:
Of that whiche he to geue thought good:
As thoughe small brookes he had deryud
Out of a goulffe, or flowinge floud:
Remyttynge yet the riguor greate
Of royall powre whiche none can beare
He dyd auoyde all enuyouse hate:
And leadde his lyfe cleane out of feare.
Of royall powre whiche none can beare
He dyd auoyde all enuyouse hate:
And leadde his lyfe cleane out of feare.
Yf reason gotte by wysedomes lore
Assist the Prynce: she gardes his health,
For ryddynge thill awaye before
She leaues the good tencrease his wealth.
Assist the Prynce: she gardes his health,
For ryddynge thill awaye before
She leaues the good tencrease his wealth.
But many Kynges that folyshe are
To masters rude that karue in stone
And haue no arte, I may compare
So lytle diffrence is or none.
To masters rude that karue in stone
And haue no arte, I may compare
So lytle diffrence is or none.
For they their Images do Iudge
Then best to make: when that they shape
them arms & thighes with legges most hudge
and ougly mouthes full wyde to gape.
Then best to make: when that they shape
them arms & thighes with legges most hudge
and ougly mouthes full wyde to gape.
Unprudent kinges euyn so I saye
By frowning lokes, bigge voyce, disdayne,
and keping closse in, all the daye,
Great maiestye do thinke tattaine.
By frowning lokes, bigge voyce, disdayne,
and keping closse in, all the daye,
Great maiestye do thinke tattaine.
Like Images in outward showe
UUhich do pretend some goodly one
Yeat inwardlye if you wyll knowe
they onely are but earth or stone.
UUhich do pretend some goodly one
Yeat inwardlye if you wyll knowe
they onely are but earth or stone.
In one thinge yeat they disagree.
For Images throughe that their waight
and heauy poyse, fast stablisht bee:
Ne do they moue but stande vp straight.
For Images throughe that their waight
and heauy poyse, fast stablisht bee:
Ne do they moue but stande vp straight.
UUhere foolishe kynges vntaught I saye
For that within they are not sounde
Ne truly waide they swarue and swaye
and oftimes fall vnto the grounde.
For that within they are not sounde
Ne truly waide they swarue and swaye
and oftimes fall vnto the grounde.
For why vnles to place thou wylt
In suer wise, thy Principall:
UUhat euer shall theron be buylt:
In breffe must nedes to ruyne fall.
In suer wise, thy Principall:
UUhat euer shall theron be buylt:
In breffe must nedes to ruyne fall.
But as the Craftsman should forsee
His rule be right and trulye made
UUithout all fault before that hee
In any woorke do further wade:
His rule be right and trulye made
UUithout all fault before that hee
In any woorke do further wade:
A Prince likewise ought first to kno
Hymselfe to rule and rightlye guyde
And then to frame his subiectes so
As in good rule they may abyde.
Hymselfe to rule and rightlye guyde
And then to frame his subiectes so
As in good rule they may abyde.
For whye it is a thinge vnmete
A feble man to take in hande
to set vp others on their fete
UUhen he himselfe can scantly stande.
A feble man to take in hande
to set vp others on their fete
UUhen he himselfe can scantly stande.
Ne likewise can it decente be
That he should teache whiche hath no skill
Or order men in eche degre
In whom doth raigne disorder still.
That he should teache whiche hath no skill
Or order men in eche degre
In whom doth raigne disorder still.
Ne should that man commaunde of right
UUhich reasons rule doth not obaye
Though fooles him count of greatest mighte
UUhich subiecte is no kynde of waye.
UUhich reasons rule doth not obaye
Though fooles him count of greatest mighte
UUhich subiecte is no kynde of waye.
The kynge of Perce, did all men take
To be hys slaues and lyue in thrall
His wife excepte whom he should make
His will tobaye, aboue them all.
To be hys slaues and lyue in thrall
His wife excepte whom he should make
His will tobaye, aboue them all.
But some perhappes would nowe demaunde
UUho ought to rule a Prynce or Kynge?
The lawe as Quene, who doth commaunde
Both Gods and men, as Poets synge.
UUho ought to rule a Prynce or Kynge?
The lawe as Quene, who doth commaunde
Both Gods and men, as Poets synge.
I meane not that whiche is exprest,
In bokes of paper, wodde, or stone,
But reason graft within his brest,
To guyde his doinges euerychone.
In bokes of paper, wodde, or stone,
But reason graft within his brest,
To guyde his doinges euerychone.
The Kynge of Pearce was wont to haue
A chamberlane whome day by day
UUhā mornyng came he strayght charg gaue
That he to him these wordes shoulde saye.
A chamberlane whome day by day
UUhā mornyng came he strayght charg gaue
That he to him these wordes shoulde saye.
Aryse thou Kynge and slepe no more
But carefull be to do ryght sone
Suche nedefull thynges as heretofore
Mesoromasdes woulde haue done.
But carefull be to do ryght sone
Suche nedefull thynges as heretofore
Mesoromasdes woulde haue done.
But Kynges that wyse and learned are
Haue alwayes one within theyr mynde
More prompt to tel them of theyr care
Then any man that they can fynde,
Haue alwayes one within theyr mynde
More prompt to tel them of theyr care
Then any man that they can fynde,
Polemon sayde that Cupyde was
A seruaunt to the Goddes aboue
From place to place with spede to passe
To seke what dyd yonge laddes behoue.
A seruaunt to the Goddes aboue
From place to place with spede to passe
To seke what dyd yonge laddes behoue.
But one more rightly yet might saye
Gods ministers that Prynces bee
To take the charge of men alwaye
And eke their wealth to well forsee.
Gods ministers that Prynces bee
To take the charge of men alwaye
And eke their wealth to well forsee.
That like as God do lette them haue
Those godly giftes which they enioye
Some part euyn so they still shoulde saue
And wiselye ought the rest temploye.
Those godly giftes which they enioye
Some part euyn so they still shoulde saue
And wiselye ought the rest temploye.
UUe see the ample heauen howe he,
UUith liquid armes do thearth embrace:
UUho first sent downe the sedes whiche she
UUith fruit bringes forth in euery place.
UUith liquid armes do thearth embrace:
UUho first sent downe the sedes whiche she
UUith fruit bringes forth in euery place.
Some growe by raine, and some by winde,
By glittringe starres some norissht are
And some the Moone wyth moystures kinde
To foster vppe, hath onelye care.
By glittringe starres some norissht are
And some the Moone wyth moystures kinde
To foster vppe, hath onelye care.
And finallye the louelye Sonne
UUhose shyning beames adorneth all
His frendly course doth dayly ronne
And shewes like loue to great and small.
UUhose shyning beames adorneth all
His frendly course doth dayly ronne
And shewes like loue to great and small.
These godly gyftes yeat can we not
Ne rightlye vse ne well enioy
Onles also it be oure lot
To haue a Prynce Iustice and Ioy.
Ne rightlye vse ne well enioy
Onles also it be oure lot
To haue a Prynce Iustice and Ioy.
For Iustice is of lawe the ende
And lawe the Prynces woorke I saye
The Prynce gods lykenes doth portende
UUho ouer all muste beare the swaye.
And lawe the Prynces woorke I saye
The Prynce gods lykenes doth portende
UUho ouer all muste beare the swaye.
And neadith not the skilfull hande
Of Phidias, or Policlette,
Of Miron eke or suche lyke bande
Of those that Carue and colours sette.
Of Phidias, or Policlette,
Of Miron eke or suche lyke bande
Of those that Carue and colours sette.
For he himselfe by vertue canne
Hymselfe to God moste lyke descrye
An Image pleasinge eurye manne
And noble to beholde with eye.
Hymselfe to God moste lyke descrye
An Image pleasinge eurye manne
And noble to beholde with eye.
And lyke as God in heauen aboue
The shyninge Sonne and Moone doth place
In goodliest wise as beste behoue
To shewe his shape and lyuelye grace:
The shyninge Sonne and Moone doth place
In goodliest wise as beste behoue
To shewe his shape and lyuelye grace:
Suche is that Prynce within his lande
UUhych fearinge God, maintayneth ryght,
And reasons rule doth vnderstande,
UUherin consistes his porte and might.
UUhych fearinge God, maintayneth ryght,
And reasons rule doth vnderstande,
UUherin consistes his porte and might.
And not in Scepter, or in Crowne,
In thunder bolt, or glyttringe swerde,
wherby some thinke tobteyne renowne
Synce than, they shoulde be greatlye ferde.
In thunder bolt, or glyttringe swerde,
wherby some thinke tobteyne renowne
Synce than, they shoulde be greatlye ferde.
UUheras in dede, for that they seme
That none to them maye haue accesse:
They are enuied, and wise men deme
Suche porte to be greate foolishnesse.
That none to them maye haue accesse:
They are enuied, and wise men deme
Suche porte to be greate foolishnesse.
For God offended is wyth those
His thundringe power that imitates:
But he delightes in suche as chose
In clemency to be hys mates.
His thundringe power that imitates:
But he delightes in suche as chose
In clemency to be hys mates.
And doth promote them more and more
And of his owne benignytye:
Doth make them partners of his lore
Of iustyce, trueth, and equitye.
And of his owne benignytye:
Doth make them partners of his lore
Of iustyce, trueth, and equitye.
UUhiche thinges in dede are more deuyne
Than fyar, light, or phebus course,
Than starres that rise or downe declyne
Ye endles life it selfe, is worse.
Than fyar, light, or phebus course,
Than starres that rise or downe declyne
Ye endles life it selfe, is worse.
For why longe life is not the cause
That God moste happy counted is
But prince of vertue is the clause
UUheron dependeth all his blis.
That God moste happy counted is
But prince of vertue is the clause
UUheron dependeth all his blis.
UUhen Alexander sorye was
For Clytos death whome he had slayne:
Then Anaxarke, suche wofull cas
To mittigate: to hym gan sayne.
For Clytos death whome he had slayne:
Then Anaxarke, suche wofull cas
To mittigate: to hym gan sayne.
To Clito hapt but Iustice tho,
UUhich doth assiste the goddes alway
That what soeuer Princes do,
Should rightfull seme without denaye.
UUhich doth assiste the goddes alway
That what soeuer Princes do,
Should rightfull seme without denaye.
UUhich sayinge was ne right, ne good,
For where the kinge bewaild his cryme:
This semd to egge him in lyke moode,
To do like act an other tyme.
For where the kinge bewaild his cryme:
This semd to egge him in lyke moode,
To do like act an other tyme.
But if for men it lawfull were
Such thinges texamyne as them liste:
Full quickly then, it would appeare
That Iustice doth not Ioue assiste.
Such thinges texamyne as them liste:
Full quickly then, it would appeare
That Iustice doth not Ioue assiste.
For Iustyce euyn it selfe to be,
Almightye Ioue we ought to take:
A lawe of most antiquitye
UUhich neuer dyd the trueth forsake.
Almightye Ioue we ought to take:
A lawe of most antiquitye
UUhich neuer dyd the trueth forsake.
The old men also plainlye saye
It passeth Ioue his poure and might
UUhen ladye Iustice is awaye:
A kyngdome for to rule vpright.
It passeth Ioue his poure and might
UUhen ladye Iustice is awaye:
A kyngdome for to rule vpright.
UUho as Hesyode hath vs tought
A virgyn is immaculate,
A shamefast maide, which neuer wrought
But modestlye wyth eurye state.
A virgyn is immaculate,
A shamefast maide, which neuer wrought
But modestlye wyth eurye state.
And hereof kinges surnamed are
Right reuerent, and dredefull aye:
For those in whome doth dwel least feare,
Ought to be feared moste I saye.
Right reuerent, and dredefull aye:
For those in whome doth dwel least feare,
Ought to be feared moste I saye.
But it behoues muche more a kynge
To feare to do, then suffer ille,
For of the one the other sprynge,
So do so haue is Iustice wille.
To feare to do, then suffer ille,
For of the one the other sprynge,
So do so haue is Iustice wille.
This Princely feare a Prynce lykewyse
Should alwayes haue: Unwares that lest
To hym, for lacke of carefull eyes:
UUith wronges his subiectes be opprest.
Should alwayes haue: Unwares that lest
To hym, for lacke of carefull eyes:
UUith wronges his subiectes be opprest.
For so the dogges that watche the folde
UUhen they the cruell wolfe do heare:
Not for themselues which are full bolde,
But for their charge haue onely feare.
UUhen they the cruell wolfe do heare:
Not for themselues which are full bolde,
But for their charge haue onely feare.
Epamynond the Theban knight
His subiectes tendinge feastes and playe
UUould all alone both day and night
Kepe watche and warde and oftymes saye,
His subiectes tendinge feastes and playe
UUould all alone both day and night
Kepe watche and warde and oftymes saye,
That he dyd aye lyue soberlye
And watchfull was to that intente
That others myght more quyetlye
Be dronke, and slepe, as they were bente.
And watchfull was to that intente
That others myght more quyetlye
Be dronke, and slepe, as they were bente.
UUhen Cezar hadde at vesque towne,
to Cato yeuen the ouerthro:
the reste vnslayne, then Cato downe
Did call: vnto the sea to go.
to Cato yeuen the ouerthro:
the reste vnslayne, then Cato downe
Did call: vnto the sea to go.
And hauinge sene them safelye shipte
and wysht them well to passe the sea:
as one with fewer cares beclipte,
Retourned home himselfe to slea.
and wysht them well to passe the sea:
as one with fewer cares beclipte,
Retourned home himselfe to slea.
By which ensample Cato heare,
Doth teache all Princes that be wise,
Of what, they should haue greatest feare,
And what againe, they should despise.
Doth teache all Princes that be wise,
Of what, they should haue greatest feare,
And what againe, they should despise.
But on the other part beholde
Clearchus cruell kinge of Ponte,
Howe lyke a Serpente layde in folde
In chest closse shut to slepe was wonte.
Clearchus cruell kinge of Ponte,
Howe lyke a Serpente layde in folde
In chest closse shut to slepe was wonte.
Full lyke Taristodeme therefore
UUho in his dyninge chamber hadde
A closette with a fallynge dore
And eke with beddynge fynelye cladde.
UUho in his dyninge chamber hadde
A closette with a fallynge dore
And eke with beddynge fynelye cladde.
UUherin his concupyne and he
UUere wont all nyght to take their rest,
And to thintente that none should se
Ne come to vexe them in their nest:
UUere wont all nyght to take their rest,
And to thintente that none should se
Ne come to vexe them in their nest:
The mother of the damsell should
The stayer cleane from thence remoue
And set it, theare against they would
come downe next mornynge from aboue.
The stayer cleane from thence remoue
And set it, theare against they would
come downe next mornynge from aboue.
Howe moch thynke you would this man flee
A Palays, Courte, or Feastynge place
UUhich of hys chamber as you see
A prison made to kepe his grace.
A Palays, Courte, or Feastynge place
UUhich of hys chamber as you see
A prison made to kepe his grace.
Thus trew kynges haue no feare in dede
But aye for those, on whom they raigne:
But Tyrantes for theym selues haue drede
Lest for their vice they shoulde be slaine.
But aye for those, on whom they raigne:
But Tyrantes for theym selues haue drede
Lest for their vice they shoulde be slaine.
The greater powre, the greater feare,
The more to rule, that they obtayne:
The more as foes to them appeare,
UUherby they growe in more disdayne.
The more to rule, that they obtayne:
The more as foes to them appeare,
UUherby they growe in more disdayne.
UUyth matter apt all shapes to take
And subiect aye to sondry chaunge
Of god some would a mixture make
and hyde hym theare which is full straunge.
And subiect aye to sondry chaunge
Of god some would a mixture make
and hyde hym theare which is full straunge.
But Plato sayith God dwelles aboue
And there fast fixt in holy sawes:
From trueth he neuer doth remoue
Ne swarues from natures stedfast lawes.
And there fast fixt in holy sawes:
From trueth he neuer doth remoue
Ne swarues from natures stedfast lawes.
And as in heauen lyke to a glasse
The sonne his shape doth represente:
In earth, the light of Iustyce was
By hym ordeynd: for lyke intente.
The sonne his shape doth represente:
In earth, the light of Iustyce was
By hym ordeynd: for lyke intente.
UUhich shape all wyse and happy men
To counterfete employe theyr payne
Full busuly wyth wysdomes pen
The chefeste blis therby tattaine.
To counterfete employe theyr payne
Full busuly wyth wysdomes pen
The chefeste blis therby tattaine.
But nothing can this habit brede
In vs so sone, as reasons lore
Got out of wysdoms schole in dede:
To guyde our doynges euer more
In vs so sone, as reasons lore
Got out of wysdoms schole in dede:
To guyde our doynges euer more
UUhen Alexander hadde well tryde
The prompt wytte of Diogenes
And sene his stoutnes great besyde:
He marueyled, and sayde, doutles:
The prompt wytte of Diogenes
And sene his stoutnes great besyde:
He marueyled, and sayde, doutles:
If I not Alexander were,
I woulde become diogenes,
As one that vertue woulde fayne leare:
But princely powre dyd hym oppresse.
I woulde become diogenes,
As one that vertue woulde fayne leare:
But princely powre dyd hym oppresse.
UUhich would not graunt him time tapply?
The thinge so muche estemed aye
For lacke whereof he did enuy?
The Cinickes scrippe, and pore araye.
The thinge so muche estemed aye
For lacke whereof he did enuy?
The Cinickes scrippe, and pore araye.
UUherewith he sawe the Cinicke made
At all assayes more stronge and stoute:
Than he hymselfe when to inuade
Of horse and men had greatest route.
At all assayes more stronge and stoute:
Than he hymselfe when to inuade
Of horse and men had greatest route.
Thus in desiar and good will
Diogenes the kinge might be
And yeat in dede remayning still
In princelye state and highe degre.
Diogenes the kinge might be
And yeat in dede remayning still
In princelye state and highe degre.
Yea, he, more nede had in this cas
To be diogenes aryght:
In that he Alexander was
An emprour great of powre and might.
To be diogenes aryght:
In that he Alexander was
An emprour great of powre and might.
UUho hadde in fortunes seas to stryue
UUith cruell stormes and rockes besyde
UUheron his shippe might easlye dryue
Onles he had the better guyde.
UUith cruell stormes and rockes besyde
UUheron his shippe might easlye dryue
Onles he had the better guyde.
For priuate men of lowe degre
That others can offende no waye
Thoughe they taffectes oft subiect be
Their greues yeat are but dreams I saye.
That others can offende no waye
Thoughe they taffectes oft subiect be
Their greues yeat are but dreams I saye.
But whereas powre is ioynd vnto
Euill ordred life, thear thinke it true
That such affectes will cause also
Great grefe in dede for to ensewe.
Euill ordred life, thear thinke it true
That such affectes will cause also
Great grefe in dede for to ensewe.
The chefest fruit that Dionise
Dyd of his empyre take: it was,
(He sayde) what he dyd than deuise,
UUith spede to haue it brought to passe.
Dyd of his empyre take: it was,
(He sayde) what he dyd than deuise,
UUith spede to haue it brought to passe.
A thyng most peryllouse therfore
It is, vndecent thynges to wyll:
UUhen he that wylleth, euermore
Hath powre, the same for to fulfyll.
It is, vndecent thynges to wyll:
UUhen he that wylleth, euermore
Hath powre, the same for to fulfyll.
For powre doth malice quickly moue,
UUith euyll affectes the mynd to streke
As enuy, wrath, aduowtry, loue,
Mens goodes also, and lyues to seke.
UUith euyll affectes the mynd to streke
As enuy, wrath, aduowtry, loue,
Mens goodes also, and lyues to seke.
And then the worde nys soner sayde,
But wo to hym that is suspect
Toffende in that to hym is layde,
For sentence there, must take effect.
But wo to hym that is suspect
Toffende in that to hym is layde,
For sentence there, must take effect.
Of nature, such as searchers be:
Do hold that after thunder clapp
The lyghtnyng coms, yeat do we se
The same before we heare the rapp.
Do hold that after thunder clapp
The lyghtnyng coms, yeat do we se
The same before we heare the rapp.
The bludd lykewyse before the wound
To vs most commonly appeares:
For sight doth mete the light, wheare sound
Is fayne to come euin to our eares.
To vs most commonly appeares:
For sight doth mete the light, wheare sound
Is fayne to come euin to our eares.
In kyngdoms so, some men we fynde
Taue suffred care, thaccused were
And sentence yeuen to wrath inclynde
Before due profe of cryme appeare.
Taue suffred care, thaccused were
And sentence yeuen to wrath inclynde
Before due profe of cryme appeare.
For wrath nought hable is twithstand
The powre of malice when she list,
As is the anker fixt in sande
UUhich can the cruell sea resist.
The powre of malice when she list,
As is the anker fixt in sande
UUhich can the cruell sea resist.
Onles that reason with her wayght
Presse downe such powre, and kynges abyde
To marke the sonne, in greatest hayght
Howe he hymselfe doth wysly guyde.
Presse downe such powre, and kynges abyde
To marke the sonne, in greatest hayght
Howe he hymselfe doth wysly guyde.
For when he mownted is aloft
To Cancers ryng, he semes to stay,
In that he goeth so fayre and soft
UUherby he doth assure his way.
To Cancers ryng, he semes to stay,
In that he goeth so fayre and soft
UUherby he doth assure his way.
But this by dayly profe we knowe
UUhere powre and malyce do abyde:
There, malyce nedes, her selfe must showe,
And can her face no long tyme hyde.
UUhere powre and malyce do abyde:
There, malyce nedes, her selfe must showe,
And can her face no long tyme hyde.
If those that haue the fallyng yll
At any tyme take colde I say,
They can not stand but stagger styll
UUhich playnely doth theyr grefe bewray.
At any tyme take colde I say,
They can not stand but stagger styll
UUhich playnely doth theyr grefe bewray.
Euyn so thunlearned sort you see
UUhen fortune chaunce them to addresse
To honor, wealth, and hyghe degree,
They shewe full sone their folishnesse.
UUhen fortune chaunce them to addresse
To honor, wealth, and hyghe degree,
They shewe full sone their folishnesse.
For why no soner vppe, but lo
They readye are agayne to fall,
For fortunes whele they do not kno
UUhich turneth rounde as doth the ball.
They readye are agayne to fall,
For fortunes whele they do not kno
UUhich turneth rounde as doth the ball.
To trye if that an emptye potte
Be sound or cracked anye wheare
Let fill the same, and eurye plotte
That faultye is will sone appeare.
Be sound or cracked anye wheare
Let fill the same, and eurye plotte
That faultye is will sone appeare.
Euyn so corrupted myndes that are
Not hable princelye power tabyde,
To broken pottes I may compare
That flowe with anger wrath and pride.
Not hable princelye power tabyde,
To broken pottes I may compare
That flowe with anger wrath and pride.
But why should these thinges heare besayde
Sithe lesser crymes and faultes most small
To noble Prynces haue ben layde
By suche as haue them noted all.
Sithe lesser crymes and faultes most small
To noble Prynces haue ben layde
By suche as haue them noted all.
To Cymon wyne, to Scipio
Much slepe as faultes obiected weare:
Lucullus noted was also
For that he loued costly cheare.
Much slepe as faultes obiected weare:
Lucullus noted was also
For that he loued costly cheare.
Howe happye than is Britan lande
UUhich dothe enioye so noble a Quene
As reasons rule doth vnderstande
UUherby no vyce in her is sene.
UUhich dothe enioye so noble a Quene
As reasons rule doth vnderstande
UUherby no vyce in her is sene.
For why she fearith God aboue
UUhose lawe is written in her harte
So good affectes in her to moue
As wicked thoughtes haue there no parte.
UUhose lawe is written in her harte
So good affectes in her to moue
As wicked thoughtes haue there no parte.
A wyse and learned Quene is she
And wholly bent to maintaine right,
Ne wrathfull tyrante can she be
In clemencye which doth delyght.
And wholly bent to maintaine right,
Ne wrathfull tyrante can she be
In clemencye which doth delyght.
UUho sekes her lawes and ordinaunce
To execute with Iustyce aye
All vertuous men she doth auaunce
And chaste the proude that nill obaye.
To execute with Iustyce aye
All vertuous men she doth auaunce
And chaste the proude that nill obaye.
Of speche full meke, and mylde of cheare
To whome all poore men haue accesse,
UUhose plaintes she willinge is to heare
And eke their wronges for to redresse.
To whome all poore men haue accesse,
UUhose plaintes she willinge is to heare
And eke their wronges for to redresse.
UUhat care she hath her subiectes all
And Realme to make both riche and stronge
By dedes appeare it doth and shall
In wordes I nede not to be longe,
And Realme to make both riche and stronge
By dedes appeare it doth and shall
In wordes I nede not to be longe,
But only wysshe and dayly craue
Of god to graunt, that ouer vs
Long tyme of raigne her bygones haue
UUhich is so good and gracious.
Of god to graunt, that ouer vs
Long tyme of raigne her bygones haue
UUhich is so good and gracious.
Finis.
The fruytes of Foes. Newly corrected and cleansed of manye faultes escaped in the former printing. Anno domini. M.D.LXI.
Roger Ascham Secretory to the Queenes maiestie, for the latin tongue, in praise of the booke.
Of
English bokes, as I could find,
I haue perused many one:
Yet so wel done vnto my mind,
As this is, yet haue I foūd none
I haue perused many one:
Yet so wel done vnto my mind,
As this is, yet haue I foūd none
The woordes of matter here doe rise,
So fitly and so naturally,
As heart can wishe or witte deuise
In my conceit and fantasie.
So fitly and so naturally,
As heart can wishe or witte deuise
In my conceit and fantasie.
The woordes well chosen and well sette,
Doe bryng suche light vnto the sense:
As if I lackt I woulde not lette,
To bye this booke for forty pense.
Doe bryng suche light vnto the sense:
As if I lackt I woulde not lette,
To bye this booke for forty pense.
To the Queenes highnes
Such
Newyeres giftes as most mē do prepare
To geue your grace, it passeth far my powre.
For golde ne pearle, ne such lyke costly ware,
Can I possesse: sith fortune styll doth lowre.
To geue your grace, it passeth far my powre.
For golde ne pearle, ne such lyke costly ware,
Can I possesse: sith fortune styll doth lowre.
As she on me hath hereto euer done,
UUhich had me brought at length to great distresse
But that the hope, which in your grace alone
I alwayes fixt: my griefes did oft redresse.
UUhich had me brought at length to great distresse
But that the hope, which in your grace alone
I alwayes fixt: my griefes did oft redresse.
UUhich hope I say, euen now doth make me bolde
Your royall state, with this so small a queyre
For to present: yea more, that hope me tolde,
From this day forth, I should no more dispeire.
For loe, (saith she) the golden worlde at hande,
And Iustice raignes again within this lande.
Your royall state, with this so small a queyre
For to present: yea more, that hope me tolde,
From this day forth, I should no more dispeire.
For loe, (saith she) the golden worlde at hande,
And Iustice raignes again within this lande.
Your maiesties most humble seruant. Thomas Blundeuille.
The fruites of Foes.
By
Plutarks lore of mortal foes,
Learne ye yt list some fruit to take,
For fruits inough, he doth discloes
UUherof I wil, you partners make
Learne ye yt list some fruit to take,
For fruits inough, he doth discloes
UUherof I wil, you partners make
In olde time past, mē only sought,
The hurtfull beastes, their foes to kyll,
Of other spoyle, they nothyng thought,
But so to saue themselues from ill.
The hurtfull beastes, their foes to kyll,
Of other spoyle, they nothyng thought,
But so to saue themselues from ill.
But others came then afterwarde,
UUhose sleight was such, those beastes to slay:
As they thereto had small regarde,
Except they myght obtaine some pray.
UUhose sleight was such, those beastes to slay:
As they thereto had small regarde,
Except they myght obtaine some pray.
Their fleshe to eate, they vsde therfore,
And with their wolle, themselues to cladde,
Their milke and galle they kept in store:
To heale suche griefes, as sicke men hadde.
And with their wolle, themselues to cladde,
Their milke and galle they kept in store:
To heale suche griefes, as sicke men hadde.
And of their hydes, they harnes made,
Themselues to arme, on euery syde:
That they might aye in safety wade
Against all force, that might betyde.
Themselues to arme, on euery syde:
That they might aye in safety wade
Against all force, that might betyde.
Loe thus by foes, no hurt to take,
It did not them at all suffise,
Except they might such great gaine make:
As they themselues could best deuise.
It did not them at all suffise,
Except they might such great gaine make:
As they themselues could best deuise.
If thou therfore, without some hate,
Here cannot liue in quiet rest:
Inuent some way of such debate,
To leaue the worst, and take the best.
Here cannot liue in quiet rest:
Inuent some way of such debate,
To leaue the worst, and take the best.
No tylman can by arte deuise,
Eche tree to spoyle, of nature wilde:
Nor huntsman eke, be he right wise,
Can tame eche beast, that roons in fyelde.
Eche tree to spoyle, of nature wilde:
Nor huntsman eke, be he right wise,
Can tame eche beast, that roons in fyelde.
UUherfore they haue right wisely founde,
The meane tapply such beast and tree,
To other vse, which doth redounde,
Unto their great commoditee.
The meane tapply such beast and tree,
To other vse, which doth redounde,
Unto their great commoditee.
The water of the sea, we see,
Is salte, and hath vpleasante taste:
Yet cheffly thence, I say haue wee,
The fishe, our foode, which we do waste.
Is salte, and hath vpleasante taste:
Yet cheffly thence, I say haue wee,
The fishe, our foode, which we do waste.
Yea, more then that, thinges of great price,
The shipps by sea to vs do brynge,
Both pleasant silke, and holsome spice,
And many other nedefull thinge.
The shipps by sea to vs do brynge,
Both pleasant silke, and holsome spice,
And many other nedefull thinge.
The brightnes of the flaminge fire,
Appearing in the Satirs sight:
Straight waies, so kindled his desire,
That it timbrace, he toke delight.
Appearing in the Satirs sight:
Straight waies, so kindled his desire,
That it timbrace, he toke delight.
Prometheus, then loude can crie,
Beware he saide imbrace none suche,
For that it hath the propertie:
To burne all those, that doth it tuche.
Beware he saide imbrace none suche,
For that it hath the propertie:
To burne all those, that doth it tuche.
It was not made to colle, and kisse,
But heate, and light, alwaies to yelde:
The very meane also it is:
UUhereby craftes men, their artes doe welde.
But heate, and light, alwaies to yelde:
The very meane also it is:
UUhereby craftes men, their artes doe welde.
Hereby therfore, we may perceiue,
That of our foe right perilous,
In this our lyfe we may receiue,
Suche fruites as be commodious.
That of our foe right perilous,
In this our lyfe we may receiue,
Suche fruites as be commodious.
For though some thynges be very ill,
To those, to whom they appertaine,
Yet vsde they may be, with suche skyll:
As losse shall easily turne to gaine.
To those, to whom they appertaine,
Yet vsde they may be, with suche skyll:
As losse shall easily turne to gaine.
As loe for proofe, some sickly corse
For easementes sake, sekes quiet rest.
UUhere some againe, to win their force,
To trauell oft, do thinke it best.
For easementes sake, sekes quiet rest.
UUhere some againe, to win their force,
To trauell oft, do thinke it best.
Diogenes and Crates chaunce,
Do well declare, how banishmentes
And losse of goodes, doe some auaunce
To knowledge great, which them contentes.
Do well declare, how banishmentes
And losse of goodes, doe some auaunce
To knowledge great, which them contentes.
UUhen Zeno heard, that tempestes gret,
In raginge sea, his ship had lost:
He mourned not ne yet did fret,
But made as though it lytle cost
In raginge sea, his ship had lost:
He mourned not ne yet did fret,
But made as though it lytle cost
And thus gan say, to fortune tho,
Howe dearely doest thou me entreate:
Me thus to force, againe to go,
In wysedoms schoole, to fynde a seate.
Howe dearely doest thou me entreate:
Me thus to force, againe to go,
In wysedoms schoole, to fynde a seate.
Some beastes we see, such stomakes haue
As serpentes cause full soone disgeast,
Both woode and stone, they also craue
Suche kynde of foode, them hurteth least.
As serpentes cause full soone disgeast,
Both woode and stone, they also craue
Suche kynde of foode, them hurteth least.
But some againe, so deinty bene
That they oft loth, the finest bredde,
And purest wine, that can be sene:
UUherwith they myght be alwayes fedde.
That they oft loth, the finest bredde,
And purest wine, that can be sene:
UUherwith they myght be alwayes fedde.
Euen so fares fooles, that frendship ioyes,
Do aye destroye, but to the wyse:
Of hatefull strife and spightfull toyes,
Great wealth, and gaine, dothe oft aryse.
Do aye destroye, but to the wyse:
Of hatefull strife and spightfull toyes,
Great wealth, and gaine, dothe oft aryse.
UUherefore, me thinkes, where in thy foe
Doth seme to geue the greatest grief:
Thou mayst thereof, receiue also
Muche greater gayne to thy reliefe.
Doth seme to geue the greatest grief:
Thou mayst thereof, receiue also
Muche greater gayne to thy reliefe.
And if thou aske, how that may be,
I saye to thee, consider then,
UUhat care he hath, thy workes to se,
UUith whom, to whom, what, where, & when.
I saye to thee, consider then,
UUhat care he hath, thy workes to se,
UUith whom, to whom, what, where, & when.
UUith Linx his eyes, he doth beholde,
Thy lyfe, thy frende, and seruaunte aye,
Thy dedes, and thoughtes right manifolde,
Thy name to harme, if that he maye.
Thy lyfe, thy frende, and seruaunte aye,
Thy dedes, and thoughtes right manifolde,
Thy name to harme, if that he maye.
Thys profyt eke, by foes we haue
Our frendes oft tymes, we doe not minde,
They may be sick, and layde in graue,
Unwares to vs, lyke men vnkinde.
Our frendes oft tymes, we doe not minde,
They may be sick, and layde in graue,
Unwares to vs, lyke men vnkinde.
But of oure foe, both day and night
UUe thinke and dreame, such is our choyse,
His grief, or bane, to haue in sight:
UUhich onely doth, our mindes reioyce.
UUe thinke and dreame, such is our choyse,
His grief, or bane, to haue in sight:
UUhich onely doth, our mindes reioyce.
If thou be sick, or much in det,
Falne out with wife, with mayde, or man,
Yea, no mishap can thee beset:
But, it, thy foes, eft sone knowe can.
Falne out with wife, with mayde, or man,
Yea, no mishap can thee beset:
But, it, thy foes, eft sone knowe can.
Lyke rauening birdes, that putryd fleshe,
And not the sounde, far of can smell,
So they thy illes, to spye be freshe,
And all thy griefes, with eye full fell.
And not the sounde, far of can smell,
So they thy illes, to spye be freshe,
And all thy griefes, with eye full fell.
UUhat greater gaine may be than this,
Hereby to learne, in suche a sort
Our life to leade, as none there is:
That ill therof may once report.
Hereby to learne, in suche a sort
Our life to leade, as none there is:
That ill therof may once report.
For as sicke men that wary be,
In meates and drinkes, that may offende:
In wordes and dedes, euen so doe we
Take hede that they the best pretende.
In meates and drinkes, that may offende:
In wordes and dedes, euen so doe we
Take hede that they the best pretende.
UUherby we come in schole to dwell,
Of customes good, and excellent,
For reason rules thaffections fell:
UUherto our myndes be alwaies bent.
Of customes good, and excellent,
For reason rules thaffections fell:
UUherto our myndes be alwaies bent.
Yea, through long time, and exercyse,
It bredes in vs, such stedfastnes:
That learne we can none other guise,
But aye to liue in holynes.
It bredes in vs, such stedfastnes:
That learne we can none other guise,
But aye to liue in holynes.
The townes that long haue bene beset,
UUith enmies stout on euery side:
Haue derely learnde, by losses gret,
To kepe good watche in euery tide.
UUith enmies stout on euery side:
Haue derely learnde, by losses gret,
To kepe good watche in euery tide.
And eke their lawes and ordinaunce,
To execute with iustice aye
The humble sort for to aduaunce:
The proude to chast, that nyll obay.
To execute with iustice aye
The humble sort for to aduaunce:
The proude to chast, that nyll obay.
Euen so fare those that forced bee,
Through spightfull foes, both negligence,
And slouthfulnes alwaies to flee
UUhereby they liue without offence.
Through spightfull foes, both negligence,
And slouthfulnes alwaies to flee
UUhereby they liue without offence.
For custome shall them bring with spede,
To suche a trade of doyng well,
That if they goe as reason lede:
In errour none, they can long dwell.
To suche a trade of doyng well,
That if they goe as reason lede:
In errour none, they can long dwell.
UUhen minstrels of one sute and bande
In open place doe musicke make:
UUithout all feare, and care they stande,
And to their play, no hede doe take.
In open place doe musicke make:
UUithout all feare, and care they stande,
And to their play, no hede doe take.
But when their skyll, they doe compare
UUith straungers, that professe lyke art:
They sharpe their wittes, and haue great care,
That euery one may doe his part.
UUith straungers, that professe lyke art:
They sharpe their wittes, and haue great care,
That euery one may doe his part.
Of instrumentes, and eke of stringes,
They seke where they maye haue best choyce,
And oft doe proue, how with suche thinges
May best agree, both hande and voice.
They seke where they maye haue best choyce,
And oft doe proue, how with suche thinges
May best agree, both hande and voice.
Euen so it fares with him, whose lyfe
And honour bothe, muche spighted is
By those that sekes, with hatefull strife
Hys thinges to blame that be amis.
And honour bothe, muche spighted is
By those that sekes, with hatefull strife
Hys thinges to blame that be amis.
Full ware is he in busines,
And eke foresees therof the ende,
For when we erre: malitiousnes
Regardes the foe, more than the frende.
And eke foresees therof the ende,
For when we erre: malitiousnes
Regardes the foe, more than the frende.
UUhen Carthage was all torne and rent,
And Greece subdude, the Romaines thought
Themselues full safe, their foes thus shent,
They were all gladde, and feared nought.
And Greece subdude, the Romaines thought
Themselues full safe, their foes thus shent,
They were all gladde, and feared nought.
But Scipio did then repreue,
In perill most be we (quoth he)
UUhen no foe is, that may vs greue,
UUhose feare should make vs slouth to fle,
In perill most be we (quoth he)
UUhen no foe is, that may vs greue,
UUhose feare should make vs slouth to fle,
One asked once Diogenes
How he might best reuenged bee
Of all his foes, both more and les,
That from all care he mighte be free.
How he might best reuenged bee
Of all his foes, both more and les,
That from all care he mighte be free.
Diogenes right wisely tho
To him gan saye, no dent of knife
Can greue so much thy cruell fo:
As for to see thy perfit lyfe.
To him gan saye, no dent of knife
Can greue so much thy cruell fo:
As for to see thy perfit lyfe.
UUhat grudge, what griefe, the common sort
Conceiues to see, the goodly horse
And coursing dogges, which but for sport,
To kepe: their fees do litle force.
Conceiues to see, the goodly horse
And coursing dogges, which but for sport,
To kepe: their fees do litle force.
UUhat playntes, what sighthes, & dolfull sownds
Their spightfull breastes to heauen do yelde,
To see their pleasant garden growndes,
Or store of corne to growe in fielde.
Their spightfull breastes to heauen do yelde,
To see their pleasant garden growndes,
Or store of corne to growe in fielde.
How much more then, would they lament,
To see their foe to be full iuste?
In worde and dede, to vertue bent,
Of sober life, and free from lust.
To see their foe to be full iuste?
In worde and dede, to vertue bent,
Of sober life, and free from lust.
And eke to budde out of his brest,
That fraighted is, with holynes
Such domes, and councels, as are best,
To ease eche heart in heauynes.
That fraighted is, with holynes
Such domes, and councels, as are best,
To ease eche heart in heauynes.
The tonges of them, that conquerde bee,
Are bounde from speache, saith Pindarus:
And yet these wordes, as you shall see,
To all be not approbrious.
Are bounde from speache, saith Pindarus:
And yet these wordes, as you shall see,
To all be not approbrious.
But only do suche men reproue,
As nedes must yelde, vnto their foes,
In all those vertues, that behoue,
A perfit man for to disclose.
As nedes must yelde, vnto their foes,
In all those vertues, that behoue,
A perfit man for to disclose.
For suche thinges saith Dimosthenes
Do binde the tonge in torment aye,
And stoppes the mouth of them doutles
That thinkes more ill, then they dare saye.
Do binde the tonge in torment aye,
And stoppes the mouth of them doutles
That thinkes more ill, then they dare saye.
Enforce to shewe thy selfe therfore,
Sith in thy power it doth consist:
Thy lyfe to guide by vertues lore,
Their wicked tonges for to resist.
Sith in thy power it doth consist:
Thy lyfe to guide by vertues lore,
Their wicked tonges for to resist.
And when thou wouldst faine put thy foe,
In great dispaire, take not the waye
By haynous wordes, as others doe,
His name to persecute I saye.
In great dispaire, take not the waye
By haynous wordes, as others doe,
His name to persecute I saye.
Ne beastly man, ne filthy foole
Doe thou hym call, but rather seke,
In suche a sort thy selfe to schoole,
That none thy doynges maye misleke.
Doe thou hym call, but rather seke,
In suche a sort thy selfe to schoole,
That none thy doynges maye misleke.
Be true thy selfe, in woorde and dede
Be modest styll, and chast also
Shewe curtesy in tyme of nede
To suche as haue with thee to do.
Be modest styll, and chast also
Shewe curtesy in tyme of nede
To suche as haue with thee to do.
And if it shoulde so come to passe,
That nedes, thy foe thou must reproue
For any fault: yet in that case,
See first thy selfe thou doe wel proue.
That nedes, thy foe thou must reproue
For any fault: yet in that case,
See first thy selfe thou doe wel proue.
Examine eke with diligence,
Thine in ward partes if they be free,
From all suche vice and negligence:
as in thy foe, thou semste to see.
Thine in ward partes if they be free,
From all suche vice and negligence:
as in thy foe, thou semste to see.
For els perhaps thou maist geue cause,
To some ill tonge, that standes thee by:
UUith voyce full soft, to saye this clause,
Recited in a Tragedie.
To some ill tonge, that standes thee by:
UUith voyce full soft, to saye this clause,
Recited in a Tragedie.
Beholde I saye this foolishe man,
That takes in hande the woundes to cure
Of other men: and yet nought can
His owne redresse, I you assure.
That takes in hande the woundes to cure
Of other men: and yet nought can
His owne redresse, I you assure.
But if he call thee ignoraunt,
Learne wisedome then by industrie
Thy faynty heart, if he doe taunt
Let stoutnes shew thou wilt not flie.
Learne wisedome then by industrie
Thy faynty heart, if he doe taunt
Let stoutnes shew thou wilt not flie.
If he thee checke for lecherie,
Auoide eche sparke of filthines,
Out of thy breast full spedilie,
and learne to liue in holines.
Auoide eche sparke of filthines,
Out of thy breast full spedilie,
and learne to liue in holines.
More foule or grieuous nothing is
Then for a man suche faultes to checke
As all the shame therof ywis
Againe shall turne vpon his necke.
Then for a man suche faultes to checke
As all the shame therof ywis
Againe shall turne vpon his necke.
For as rebounde of glittering light,
The feble sight doth moste offende:
Euen so most grieuous is the spight,
UUhich trueth beates back, frō whence it wende.
The feble sight doth moste offende:
Euen so most grieuous is the spight,
UUhich trueth beates back, frō whence it wende.
The mistie cloudes vnto the winde,
that blowes Northeast, doe aye resort,
The wicked life euen so we fynde
To her doth drawe all ill report.
that blowes Northeast, doe aye resort,
The wicked life euen so we fynde
To her doth drawe all ill report.
If any man in Platoes sight
Had vilye done, straight thence would he,
And softly say, may any wight,
Such one as he, me force to be?
Had vilye done, straight thence would he,
And softly say, may any wight,
Such one as he, me force to be?
But when thou haste with wordes of ire
Thy foe yprict, for his offence:
Beholde thy self, and eke desire
Thy lyfe tamende, with diligence.
Thy foe yprict, for his offence:
Beholde thy self, and eke desire
Thy lyfe tamende, with diligence.
Of spightfull wordes so shalt thou drawe
Muche fruite, to thy greate welth and gaine
Though some it thinke, ne right ne lawe,
To vse such wordes, of great disdayne.
Muche fruite, to thy greate welth and gaine
Though some it thinke, ne right ne lawe,
To vse such wordes, of great disdayne.
The common sort, do laughe, and smyle,
UUhen any balde or crooked man,
Do others taunt, and oft reuyle,
For such defectes, as themselues han.
UUhen any balde or crooked man,
Do others taunt, and oft reuyle,
For such defectes, as themselues han.
UUhat greater scorne, then woulde it bee,
If thou suche faultes shouldst reprehende:
As one with worse, might aunswer thee
UUhich thou in no wyse couldst defende.
If thou suche faultes shouldst reprehende:
As one with worse, might aunswer thee
UUhich thou in no wyse couldst defende.
As once, did Leo Bizantine,
UUhen one that had a crooked backe,
Hym cast in teeth his bleared eyne
alas (quoth he) this is no lacke.
UUhen one that had a crooked backe,
Hym cast in teeth his bleared eyne
alas (quoth he) this is no lacke.
A humaine thing this is, I say,
But why alas canst not espye:
Howe on thy backe thou bearest alway,
That goddesse fell, dame Nemesye?
But why alas canst not espye:
Howe on thy backe thou bearest alway,
That goddesse fell, dame Nemesye?
Aduouterer, see none thou call
UUhilst fouler lust in thee dothe raigne:
Ne yet reproue the prodigall,
If auarice thy lyfe dothe staine.
UUhilst fouler lust in thee dothe raigne:
Ne yet reproue the prodigall,
If auarice thy lyfe dothe staine.
Alemeon when he did reuile,
Adrastus, king: of kin thou art
(Quoth he) vnto that woman vile:
UUhiche carft with knife, her husbandes hart.
Adrastus, king: of kin thou art
(Quoth he) vnto that woman vile:
UUhiche carft with knife, her husbandes hart.
Adrastus then, him aunswerd loe,
UUith that whiche did him touche at quicke
Suche beastly wrathe in thee did floe
Thy dame to slea ere she were sicke.
UUith that whiche did him touche at quicke
Suche beastly wrathe in thee did floe
Thy dame to slea ere she were sicke.
UUhen Dyonise did Crassus skorne,
For that he wailde, his Lampreys cas,
By crewell death, then all forlorne,
UUhiche in his ponde, long fostred was.
For that he wailde, his Lampreys cas,
By crewell death, then all forlorne,
UUhiche in his ponde, long fostred was.
Then Crassus said, rebuke not mee
Sith that from thee no teares did fall
The death to see, of thy wiues three
Nor felst no grief, therby at all.
Sith that from thee no teares did fall
The death to see, of thy wiues three
Nor felst no grief, therby at all.
UUho so delightes to checke or taunt,
No rybalde, knaue, or foole must bee:
UUith bragging woordes, hymself to vaunt,
But rather should from vyce be free.
No rybalde, knaue, or foole must bee:
UUith bragging woordes, hymself to vaunt,
But rather should from vyce be free.
UUherfore, none semes more bound tobay,
Apollos woorde (thine own self know:)
Then those that are most prompt alway
To rayle, to iest, to mocke, and mowe.
Apollos woorde (thine own self know:)
Then those that are most prompt alway
To rayle, to iest, to mocke, and mowe.
For hap, it may, saith Sophocles,
That whilst they taunt, as them likes best:
To them again, is said doubtles:
That whiche to heare, they couet lest.
That whilst they taunt, as them likes best:
To them again, is said doubtles:
That whiche to heare, they couet lest.
In tauntyng thus our foes, we finde
No litle fruit, but more we gaine,
UUhen they likewise, with wordes vnkinde,
Our faultes to taunt, do not refraine.
No litle fruit, but more we gaine,
UUhen they likewise, with wordes vnkinde,
Our faultes to taunt, do not refraine.
Anthistines said well therfore,
That lyfe, in safety to encloes
Man ought to haue alwaies in store:
Right perfit frendes, or bitter foes.
That lyfe, in safety to encloes
Man ought to haue alwaies in store:
Right perfit frendes, or bitter foes.
For faithfull frendes wyll vs reforme
UUhen that we erre: our foes againe
UUyll so muche rayle, and out of forme,
That nedes from vyce, we must abstaine.
UUhen that we erre: our foes againe
UUyll so muche rayle, and out of forme,
That nedes from vyce, we must abstaine.
But syth that now true frendship is
Of free speche spoylde, and flattry bent
To chatte, and prate of thynges amysse
Good counsels eke must nedes all stent.
Of free speche spoylde, and flattry bent
To chatte, and prate of thynges amysse
Good counsels eke must nedes all stent.
And therefore nothing now remaines
For vs to doe: but to abide,
The trueth to heare, to our great paynes,
By spightfull foes, that nought wyll hyde.
For vs to doe: but to abide,
The trueth to heare, to our great paynes,
By spightfull foes, that nought wyll hyde.
UUhen Telephus his festred wounde
Could no wise heale: with thenmies speare
UUhich first him hurt louelyfe, him bound,
To launce the same without all feare.
Could no wise heale: with thenmies speare
UUhich first him hurt louelyfe, him bound,
To launce the same without all feare.
Euen so must they of force agree
To byde reprofe of spightful foes:
UUhere wanteth frendes their faultes to see,
And frankly wyll thesame disclose.
To byde reprofe of spightful foes:
UUhere wanteth frendes their faultes to see,
And frankly wyll thesame disclose.
Nor in this case, we should behold
Our foes intent, when they so rayle,
But if such thinges as they haue tolde,
Be true in vs, or els doe fayle.
Our foes intent, when they so rayle,
But if such thinges as they haue tolde,
Be true in vs, or els doe fayle.
Prothemeus of Thessalie
A grieuous sore had in his breast:
UUhiche one that was his enemie,
Did cure by chaunce againste his heast.
A grieuous sore had in his breast:
UUhiche one that was his enemie,
Did cure by chaunce againste his heast.
For when he thought to haue him slain,
By dent of sword he brake the sore,
UUhich festred was to his great pain,
And so hym helde for euermore.
By dent of sword he brake the sore,
UUhich festred was to his great pain,
And so hym helde for euermore.
Euen so full oft it comes to passe,
That wordes yspoke for ill intent,
Do greatly helpe, some one that was
His fault tamend: ful negligent.
That wordes yspoke for ill intent,
Do greatly helpe, some one that was
His fault tamend: ful negligent.
But most men when they are reuilde
Haue no regarde, if with such vice,
As is them tolde, they be defilde:
But sekes reuenge, by lyke aduice.
Haue no regarde, if with such vice,
As is them tolde, they be defilde:
But sekes reuenge, by lyke aduice.
UUhere reason would that suche as are
By foes rebukte, for their offence:
Should afterward thereof beware,
And seke redresse with diligence.
By foes rebukte, for their offence:
Should afterward thereof beware,
And seke redresse with diligence.
Yea, more then that, without desart,
Though they vs check, for any thing:
To seke yet then, it is our part,
The cause wherof the same did spring.
Though they vs check, for any thing:
To seke yet then, it is our part,
The cause wherof the same did spring.
And eke to feare lest eare we thought,
UUe haue the same or such lyke don
For one suspect, hath many brought
To shame, and great derision.
UUe haue the same or such lyke don
For one suspect, hath many brought
To shame, and great derision.
As thargiue kyng sir Lacydes,
Because he was so nice of gate
And eke his heere would finely dresse
UUith finger aye, was poynted ate.
Because he was so nice of gate
And eke his heere would finely dresse
UUith finger aye, was poynted ate.
And cald a man effeminat,
The lyke to Pompey dyd befall,
For that he vsde his hedde to scrat:
UUhen he no hurt, dyd thinke at all.
The lyke to Pompey dyd befall,
For that he vsde his hedde to scrat:
UUhen he no hurt, dyd thinke at all.
For none did more then he, despyse
Such wanton lust and tendernes,
UUho aye was bent to enterprise:
Thynges great of weight and hardines.
Such wanton lust and tendernes,
UUho aye was bent to enterprise:
Thynges great of weight and hardines.
So Crassus eke to tell you plaine,
Suspected was through suche lyke tale,
For that he did as some men fayne,
Frequent full oft, a maide vestale.
Suspected was through suche lyke tale,
For that he did as some men fayne,
Frequent full oft, a maide vestale.
And yet in dede his connyng nas,
For any hurt or ill intent:
But certain land to bye, in cas,
He could obtayne her free concent,
For any hurt or ill intent:
But certain land to bye, in cas,
He could obtayne her free concent,
Posthumia through mirth and playe,
And hauntyng oft without respect
Mens company, her name I saye
UUith infamy dyd sore infect.
And hauntyng oft without respect
Mens company, her name I saye
UUith infamy dyd sore infect.
For whiche she cited was tappere,
As one that had in lecherie:
Abusde her selfe, with kinsfolkes nere:
And yet she dyd no villany.
As one that had in lecherie:
Abusde her selfe, with kinsfolkes nere:
And yet she dyd no villany.
UUhom though that Spurius, whiche hight
Manutius, then bishop hye,
Of that ill fame, did cleane acquight,
He warnde her yet thus fatherly.
Manutius, then bishop hye,
Of that ill fame, did cleane acquight,
He warnde her yet thus fatherly.
Posthumia, sith that thou haste,
In holy workes, thy lyfe aye ledde,
Lest wanton talke, thy name may waste
I counsell thee haue lykewyse dredde.
In holy workes, thy lyfe aye ledde,
Lest wanton talke, thy name may waste
I counsell thee haue lykewyse dredde.
Themistocles, none ill had wrought,
UUhen he so often letters sent:
To Pawsanye, yet some folkes thought
To traye the realme, was his intent.
UUhen he so often letters sent:
To Pawsanye, yet some folkes thought
To traye the realme, was his intent.
If any man thee charge therefore,
UUith thynges vntrue in euery part,
Be negligent no whit the more,
Nor lightly let them from thee start.
UUith thynges vntrue in euery part,
Be negligent no whit the more,
Nor lightly let them from thee start.
But take good hede, lest thou or thyne,
Hath geuen some cause, of suche ill fame,
UUhiche once founde out, thy selfe enclyne,
To learne, thencefoorth to flee the same.
Hath geuen some cause, of suche ill fame,
UUhiche once founde out, thy selfe enclyne,
To learne, thencefoorth to flee the same.
For such ill happes as comes vnwares
Do oft times teache, what is for vs,
Most mete to doe, in such lyke cares,
As Merop saith in writing thus.
Do oft times teache, what is for vs,
Most mete to doe, in such lyke cares,
As Merop saith in writing thus.
UUhen fortune did me cleane depriue
Of that, whiche I estemed most:
To muche more wit I did arriue
Albeit full dere it did me cost.
Of that, whiche I estemed most:
To muche more wit I did arriue
Albeit full dere it did me cost.
By maisters then of cheaper price
UUhiche be our foes, why should we steke
In thynges vnknowen to take aduyce,
UUhiche with such cost we sometyme seke.
UUhiche be our foes, why should we steke
In thynges vnknowen to take aduyce,
UUhiche with such cost we sometyme seke.
For they in vs doe knowe and see
A thousande thynges, whiche frendes reiect,
Because by loue they blinded bee,
UUhere foes are full of great respect.
A thousande thynges, whiche frendes reiect,
Because by loue they blinded bee,
UUhere foes are full of great respect.
UUhen Hierons foe did hym reproue,
For that his breth did sauer ill:
Then to his wife, and best beloue,
UUith spede went he to chide his fill.
For that his breth did sauer ill:
Then to his wife, and best beloue,
UUith spede went he to chide his fill.
And sayde to her, why hast thou not,
To me declarde this fault of myne?
Because (quoth she) I thought god wot,
That all mens brethes had bene as thine.
To me declarde this fault of myne?
Because (quoth she) I thought god wot,
That all mens brethes had bene as thine.
Thus may you see, that frendes most deare
Our faultes nought can, so soone out fynde
As foes that aye, both farre and neare:
Fayles not to kepe suche thynges in mynde.
Our faultes nought can, so soone out fynde
As foes that aye, both farre and neare:
Fayles not to kepe suche thynges in mynde.
One vertue more, and that full goode
By foes also we maye obtayne:
UUhiche is, our tonges in angry moode,
By reasons bytte for to refraine.
By foes also we maye obtayne:
UUhiche is, our tonges in angry moode,
By reasons bytte for to refraine.
For vertues such wyll not be hadde,
Except we learne in tyme to tame,
Our fierce affectes, and rageing madde,
UUherby oftimes, we come to shame.
Except we learne in tyme to tame,
Our fierce affectes, and rageing madde,
UUherby oftimes, we come to shame.
As loe, beholde, the wrathfull man,
For lacke of wyt and temperaunce,
His foolish woordes, to stay nought can:
UUhereof doth spring muche variaunce.
For lacke of wyt and temperaunce,
His foolish woordes, to stay nought can:
UUhereof doth spring muche variaunce.
This fault therfore, as Plato sayes,
Both god and man, dothe chast doubtles:
For that the rest at all assayes,
It doth excede in peuishnes.
Both god and man, dothe chast doubtles:
For that the rest at all assayes,
It doth excede in peuishnes.
But silence is, without all harme,
And tonges to heare, that lewdly raue
UUith stoutnes such, it selfe doth arme:
As Socrates was wont to haue.
And tonges to heare, that lewdly raue
UUith stoutnes such, it selfe doth arme:
As Socrates was wont to haue.
Yea rather more as Hercules
For as they say, no wordes of spight,
Coulde once offende his hardines:
But as a flye them wayde so lyght.
For as they say, no wordes of spight,
Coulde once offende his hardines:
But as a flye them wayde so lyght.
UUhat thynge therefore more graue may be,
Then styll to be, whilst foes do rayle,
As when we woulde take hede to fle:
Some fearefull rocke, wherby we sayle
Then styll to be, whilst foes do rayle,
As when we woulde take hede to fle:
Some fearefull rocke, wherby we sayle
Besydes all this, thou shalt thus leare,
Thy brawlynge wyfe, and chydinge frend
Thy brothers faultes with ease to beare,
Howe muche soeuer they offend.
Thy brawlynge wyfe, and chydinge frend
Thy brothers faultes with ease to beare,
Howe muche soeuer they offend.
I only speake of these, I say,
Because I do my selfe assure,
Thy parentes woordes and stripes alway,
UUithout all grudge thou wilt endure.
Because I do my selfe assure,
Thy parentes woordes and stripes alway,
UUithout all grudge thou wilt endure.
For what intent dyd Socrates
His frowarde wyfe, Zantip by name
At home retayne, but patientnes
To learne: abrode to vse the same.
His frowarde wyfe, Zantip by name
At home retayne, but patientnes
To learne: abrode to vse the same.
Muche better wert suche pacience
To learne by suffryng aye thy foe:
UUhose spightfull woordes with ill pretence
Do count as wynde, and let them goe.
To learne by suffryng aye thy foe:
UUhose spightfull woordes with ill pretence
Do count as wynde, and let them goe.
In enmitie, thus you may see,
That pacience mylde hath greatest grace
But frendship sekes simplicitee
And frendly dedes doth most embrace
That pacience mylde hath greatest grace
But frendship sekes simplicitee
And frendly dedes doth most embrace
Nor it deserues so great a prayse
Thy faithfull frende to gratefie:
As it is foule when nede assayes
Of frendly helpe, hym to denye.
Thy faithfull frende to gratefie:
As it is foule when nede assayes
Of frendly helpe, hym to denye.
Our foes offence if we set lyght,
UUhen iust reuenge in vs doth lye:
It demed is in eche mans sight
A dede, whiche doth our vertue trye.
UUhen iust reuenge in vs doth lye:
It demed is in eche mans sight
A dede, whiche doth our vertue trye.
But most renowne to him is due,
UUho, as his owne, his foes disgrace
UUith wofull heart doth wayle and rue,
And hym to helpe doth hast a pace.
UUho, as his owne, his foes disgrace
UUith wofull heart doth wayle and rue,
And hym to helpe doth hast a pace.
And eke his prompt to doe no lesse
UUhen that he seeth his wife or chylde,
His man or maide in great distresse
And praying ayde with woordes full mylde.
UUhen that he seeth his wife or chylde,
His man or maide in great distresse
And praying ayde with woordes full mylde.
For stony heartes haue they ywis
That would not praise so great a grace:
And thinke him worthy all mens blisse,
That mercy suche wyll than embrace.
That would not praise so great a grace:
And thinke him worthy all mens blisse,
That mercy suche wyll than embrace.
UUhen Cesar made the Pictures faire,
Of Pompey to be set againe,
That downe were caste out of their chayre,
Muche praise thereby he did than gayne.
Of Pompey to be set againe,
That downe were caste out of their chayre,
Muche praise thereby he did than gayne.
For Tully sayde, O worthy wight,
By tendring thus, thy foes renowne
Thou haste thyne owne, so well yplight:
As neuer power shall throwe it downe.
By tendring thus, thy foes renowne
Thou haste thyne owne, so well yplight:
As neuer power shall throwe it downe.
UUherefore I say thy mortall foe
UUhich doth deserue to haue great laude
Depriue thou not vniustly tho:
By spyghtfull meanes, or wicked fraude.
UUhich doth deserue to haue great laude
Depriue thou not vniustly tho:
By spyghtfull meanes, or wicked fraude.
Sythe that the more thou doest him prayse,
The greater prayse thou shalt obtayne,
Besides beliefe, when to dyspraise
Thou shalt disposed be agayne.
The greater prayse thou shalt obtayne,
Besides beliefe, when to dyspraise
Thou shalt disposed be agayne.
For no man than, wyll iudge or deme,
That thou doest hate his personage:
But rather as doth best beseme,
Dost hate his vice, and yll vsage.
That thou doest hate his personage:
But rather as doth best beseme,
Dost hate his vice, and yll vsage.
The best yet is, that by this way
Non enuye shall in vs remayne:
Ne shall we grudge to heare men say
Our frende to be full iust and playne.
Non enuye shall in vs remayne:
Ne shall we grudge to heare men say
Our frende to be full iust and playne.
Or all men els texcell and passe,
In this or that good qualite,
UUherat the spightfull hearte alas,
UUoulde freat, and ryght sore moued be.
In this or that good qualite,
UUherat the spightfull hearte alas,
UUoulde freat, and ryght sore moued be.
UUhat vertue than more profitable
Or goodly, may our myndes retayne
Than this, wherby, we be made hable:
To purge the venome of disdayne.
Or goodly, may our myndes retayne
Than this, wherby, we be made hable:
To purge the venome of disdayne.
In common weales, some ill decrees,
Ill custome doth so well approue
That thoughe therby some lose their fees:
Yet none with ease maye them remoue.
Ill custome doth so well approue
That thoughe therby some lose their fees:
Yet none with ease maye them remoue.
In enmite lykewyse we see
Be many faultes, as hatefull spight,
Of others grieues right gladde to bee
Besides suspect both daye and night.
Be many faultes, as hatefull spight,
Of others grieues right gladde to bee
Besides suspect both daye and night.
The callinge eke of wronges to minde,
And many other hurtfull vyce,
As frawde, and guyle, and meanes to finde,
To traytours traynes our foe tentyce.
And many other hurtfull vyce,
As frawde, and guyle, and meanes to finde,
To traytours traynes our foe tentyce.
UUhich thinges full oft to vse with foes
UUe take it as none ill doutles:
And whilst our mindes we so dispose,
Our faultes remaine without redresse.
UUe take it as none ill doutles:
And whilst our mindes we so dispose,
Our faultes remaine without redresse.
For if we neuer vse tabstaine,
Against our foes such partes to play:
Ill custome shall vs eke constrayne,
Our frendes to dresse in like aray.
Against our foes such partes to play:
Ill custome shall vs eke constrayne,
Our frendes to dresse in like aray.
Pithagoras did men denye,
To hunt, to hawke, or birde to slea
And fishe in net would often bye,
To cast againe into the sea.
To hunt, to hawke, or birde to slea
And fishe in net would often bye,
To cast againe into the sea.
No bruit beast eke, of gentle race
UUould he haue slayne in any wise
Lest fierce affectes we should imbrace
Through such a cruell exercise.
UUould he haue slayne in any wise
Lest fierce affectes we should imbrace
Through such a cruell exercise.
More goodly, yet it were to flee
Such euill affectes throughe sufferaunce
And shewing oft our selues to bee
Right iust to foes in variaunce.
Such euill affectes throughe sufferaunce
And shewing oft our selues to bee
Right iust to foes in variaunce.
So shall we vse no kynde of guyle
Ne fraude with frendes in their affares
But shall be playne and thinke it vyle
One worde vnkinde, to speake vnwares.
Ne fraude with frendes in their affares
But shall be playne and thinke it vyle
One worde vnkinde, to speake vnwares.
UUhen Scaurus at the lawe did sewe,
Domitius his mortall foe:
Domitius a slaue vntrewe,
Had then with him that fled him fro.
Domitius his mortall foe:
Domitius a slaue vntrewe,
Had then with him that fled him fro.
UUhiche slaue forthwith to Scaurus went,
His maysters secretes, to disclose,
But Scaurus seeyng his intent:
His eares full fast, dyd stop and close.
His maysters secretes, to disclose,
But Scaurus seeyng his intent:
His eares full fast, dyd stop and close.
And nought would heare against his foe,
By suche a wretche, as woulde hym tray,
Yea, more he bound hym fast also:
And home agayne hym sent straight way.
By suche a wretche, as woulde hym tray,
Yea, more he bound hym fast also:
And home agayne hym sent straight way.
UUhen Cato lykewyse matter sought
Against Muren to fortefie
Thaccusement late before hym brought,
He nothyng dyd maliciously.
Against Muren to fortefie
Thaccusement late before hym brought,
He nothyng dyd maliciously.
For suche as after hym dyd goe,
(As was the wont) to heare and see:
If that selfe day, dyd aske hym tho,
The matter shoulde discussed be:
(As was the wont) to heare and see:
If that selfe day, dyd aske hym tho,
The matter shoulde discussed be:
To whom when he had once sayde nay,
They by and by did all depart,
And thought it true whiche he did say,
Suche faith of hym was in their hart.
They by and by did all depart,
And thought it true whiche he did say,
Suche faith of hym was in their hart.
But Simond saith, as euery larke,
Of force must haue his coppid creast:
So natures gifte, yf ye well marke,
Some spight doth brede, in eche mans breast.
Of force must haue his coppid creast:
So natures gifte, yf ye well marke,
Some spight doth brede, in eche mans breast.
For whiche emongest light frendes, it were
Right good, as Pyndar doth suppose:
Of ill affectes, our myndes to cleare
by powring them into our foes.
Right good, as Pyndar doth suppose:
Of ill affectes, our myndes to cleare
by powring them into our foes.
And as a sinke our foes temploy
Our filthy faultes to kepe in store,
The stenche wherof might els annoy
Our faithfull frendes, and grieue them sore.
Our filthy faultes to kepe in store,
The stenche wherof might els annoy
Our faithfull frendes, and grieue them sore.
In Syo sprang one tyme suche strife
That all the towne in factions twaine
Deuyded was: then was in lyfe,
Onomadem, a man full playne.
That all the towne in factions twaine
Deuyded was: then was in lyfe,
Onomadem, a man full playne.
And curteous eke to euery wight,
UUho chaunced on that side to be
That wan the fielde by force of fight,
To whom he gaue this counsell free.
UUho chaunced on that side to be
That wan the fielde by force of fight,
To whom he gaue this counsell free.
Expell not all (quoth he) your dede
That did resist: but some retayne,
Lest lacke of foes, may hatred brede,
Emongst our selues, vnto our payne.
That did resist: but some retayne,
Lest lacke of foes, may hatred brede,
Emongst our selues, vnto our payne.
Hesiode sayth, wheras lyke arte
Nigh neighbored, or kyndred is
The good successe of eyther parte,
Eche one tenuye it wer amisse.
Nigh neighbored, or kyndred is
The good successe of eyther parte,
Eche one tenuye it wer amisse.
But yf you can none other waye
From spight abstayne, accustome than
The welthy state and good araye
Of those your foes, to curse and ban.
From spight abstayne, accustome than
The welthy state and good araye
Of those your foes, to curse and ban.
For lyke as gardeners good of skyll,
The garlyke stronge: by rosis soote
Do vse to set, all sauors yll,
From them to drawe, euen from the roote.
The garlyke stronge: by rosis soote
Do vse to set, all sauors yll,
From them to drawe, euen from the roote.
Our foes euen so that do receiue
Our frowarde faultes, our mindes full fell
Doe ridde of griefe, whiche we conceyue,
To se our frendes to prospere well.
Our frowarde faultes, our mindes full fell
Doe ridde of griefe, whiche we conceyue,
To se our frendes to prospere well.
UUith foes therfore we should than striue,
For honor, rule, and true got gayne,
And not to freat when that they thryue,
Or more than we, do chaunce tattaine.
For honor, rule, and true got gayne,
And not to freat when that they thryue,
Or more than we, do chaunce tattaine.
Ye rather more we should obserue
Their doinges all in euery case,
And howe they did such thinges deserue,
That learne we might them how to passe.
Their doinges all in euery case,
And howe they did such thinges deserue,
That learne we might them how to passe.
Themistocles was wont to tell
He could not slepe for thinking on
The victorie, that whylome fell
Milthiad to, in Marathon.
He could not slepe for thinking on
The victorie, that whylome fell
Milthiad to, in Marathon.
It is a slouthfull grudge and hate,
The vertues of thy foes to spight:
And none of them to imitate
Because thou thinkest they passe thy might.
The vertues of thy foes to spight:
And none of them to imitate
Because thou thinkest they passe thy might.
But where as hate thy iudgemente clere
Corrupteth not his diligence:
And industrie doth then appere,
UUhich driues away thy negligence.
Corrupteth not his diligence:
And industrie doth then appere,
UUhich driues away thy negligence.
But if he seme in Prynces hall,
Or common weale, right hygh estate
To haue hym got by seruice thrall
Or flattring meanes, reioyce thereat.
Or common weale, right hygh estate
To haue hym got by seruice thrall
Or flattring meanes, reioyce thereat.
And thinke thy selfe an happy wight,
For that thou mayst thy honest lyfe:
Compare with his in all mens sight
And win great praise withouten strife.
For that thou mayst thy honest lyfe:
Compare with his in all mens sight
And win great praise withouten strife.
For Plato saith, no golde on earth
Or vnder earth, ne precious ston:
One sparke of vertue can be worth,
UUhiche passeth all comparison.
Or vnder earth, ne precious ston:
One sparke of vertue can be worth,
UUhiche passeth all comparison.
Ne Solon eke, would chaunge his state
In vertue fixt for vain renowne
Ne did he care to be check mate
UUith noble men in euery towne.
In vertue fixt for vain renowne
Ne did he care to be check mate
UUith noble men in euery towne.
He stemed not the peoples prayse
UUhose wandryng wyttes are lyke the wynde
Nowe heare nowe there at all assayse
Their yea, with nay, full sone tonbynde.
UUhose wandryng wyttes are lyke the wynde
Nowe heare nowe there at all assayse
Their yea, with nay, full sone tonbynde.
No worthy state that semes to bee,
Can worthy be, in verye dede
Except the meanes therto perdee
Of worthy actes dyd first procede.
Can worthy be, in verye dede
Except the meanes therto perdee
Of worthy actes dyd first procede.
But lyke as loue, doth louers blynde
Euen so we spye, the faultes of foes
Much farther of, than we can fynde
The faultes of frendes before our noes
Euen so we spye, the faultes of foes
Much farther of, than we can fynde
The faultes of frendes before our noes
Reioyce not than with ioye in vayne
Because thy foe doth chaunce toffende,
Ne take no griefe without some gaine,
To se what good his workes pretende.
Because thy foe doth chaunce toffende,
Ne take no griefe without some gaine,
To se what good his workes pretende.
But ponder well these cases twayne,
His vice and vertues both I say
And first his vyce from vyce tabstaine
And therin passe him farre away.
His vice and vertues both I say
And first his vyce from vyce tabstaine
And therin passe him farre away.
His vertues than thou shalt doe well
To imitate in their degree:
And though thou canst not hym excell
Yet see thou be not worse than hee.
To imitate in their degree:
And though thou canst not hym excell
Yet see thou be not worse than hee.
Finis.
[Lyke as the mightie Oke whose rootes]
Lyke as the mightie Oke whose rootes,In thearth are fixed fast:
Is hable to withstande eache winde,
That blowes most boystrous blast.
Euen so eache frowarde Fortunes happe
That euer maie betyde:
The constant minde with vertue fraught
is hable to abyde.
To the true louers of Wisedome Iohn Asteley, mayster of the Queenes Maiestyes Iewell house, and Iohn Harington Esquier Thomas Blundeuille, greeting.
UUhilst
plutarks works, I gaue my self to rede
So pleasant fruit me thought, I could none fīd
As is in yt which rightly shewes in dede
The waie tappease, and still thunquiete minde.
So pleasant fruit me thought, I could none fīd
As is in yt which rightly shewes in dede
The waie tappease, and still thunquiete minde.
For wheras since false flattring hope with whō
I trauelde had, long tyme full painfully,
Of comforte voide, alone me leaft to rome
The barrein coste of wretched miserye:
I trauelde had, long tyme full painfully,
Of comforte voide, alone me leaft to rome
The barrein coste of wretched miserye:
In stead of helping me the seas to passe
Of worldly ioyes, amongst the happy sorte,
In ship full fraught with fortunes giftes: as was
Her vowe when first to me she did resorte:
Of worldly ioyes, amongst the happy sorte,
In ship full fraught with fortunes giftes: as was
Her vowe when first to me she did resorte:
The restles muse had made my feble brayn
The forge of care, and therein daily wroughte
Such dulfull domps & dreadful dreames as cleane
From mirth my mind vnto despaire had brought.
The forge of care, and therein daily wroughte
Such dulfull domps & dreadful dreames as cleane
From mirth my mind vnto despaire had brought.
That boke did yeld such glistring beames I say,
Of comfort great and ioyfull quietnes:
As draue those dumpes and sorowes all away
My heauy heart which helde in great destres.
Of comfort great and ioyfull quietnes:
As draue those dumpes and sorowes all away
My heauy heart which helde in great destres.
So as in dede from that time foorth me thought
I coulde not chuse but nedes contented rest
And though before vaine hope much griefe hadde wrought
Yet now to think yt al was for the best.
I coulde not chuse but nedes contented rest
And though before vaine hope much griefe hadde wrought
Yet now to think yt al was for the best.
UUhich comfort though it grateful was to me
In my conceyt yet did it not suffise:
Onlesse that you my faithfull frendes might be
Eke partners of the same some kinde of wise.
In my conceyt yet did it not suffise:
Onlesse that you my faithfull frendes might be
Eke partners of the same some kinde of wise.
For as the grief of one frende dothe decreace
His other frendes, when they therof partake
His ioye euen so he shall the more encreace
If of the same, he doth them partners make.
His other frendes, when they therof partake
His ioye euen so he shall the more encreace
If of the same, he doth them partners make.
Into our tunge therfore this litle quaire
I turned haue, and termd the port of rest
And wishe eche wight, therto for to repaire
with troubled sprite that feeles himself opprest.
I turned haue, and termd the port of rest
And wishe eche wight, therto for to repaire
with troubled sprite that feeles himself opprest.
For as the mariner, in sea whose bote
UUith cruel stormes and tempests hath been beat
And drieuē twixt whaues & feareful rocks to flote
Though al that while dispaire his mind did freat:
UUith cruel stormes and tempests hath been beat
And drieuē twixt whaues & feareful rocks to flote
Though al that while dispaire his mind did freat:
Yet whē ye winds their boistrous blowing ceace
And he to hauen is safely come at last
He than reioyceth with himself in peace
And cleane forgeates al those his daungers past:
And he to hauen is safely come at last
He than reioyceth with himself in peace
And cleane forgeates al those his daungers past:
Euen so eche man within this litle port
That shall vouchesafe at times more ydley spente
To harborough a while: himselfe to sport
UUhen he perceiues his minde to sorow bent:
That shall vouchesafe at times more ydley spente
To harborough a while: himselfe to sport
UUhen he perceiues his minde to sorow bent:
To warrant him I dare be bolde I saie
That though he be in passing heauines
Yet he thereby shall quickly learne the waie
To rid his minde of all vnquietnes.
That though he be in passing heauines
Yet he thereby shall quickly learne the waie
To rid his minde of all vnquietnes.
Ne shall he feare the losse in time to come
Of frendes, of goodes, of lyfe, or lyke distres
But lyue and dye, by helpe of reasons dome
In suche assured holde of quietnes:
Of frendes, of goodes, of lyfe, or lyke distres
But lyue and dye, by helpe of reasons dome
In suche assured holde of quietnes:
As neyther frowarde fortunes sharpe assaultes,
Nor death himself, for all his dreadfull name
Ne malice eke with all her forged faultes
Shall be of power to ouerthrowe the same.
Nor death himself, for all his dreadfull name
Ne malice eke with all her forged faultes
Shall be of power to ouerthrowe the same.
To you therefore to whom I am muche bounde
And tall the rest, lo here nowe for your sake
Of this my paine suche fruite as hath redounde
In frendly wise I doe a present make.
And tall the rest, lo here nowe for your sake
Of this my paine suche fruite as hath redounde
In frendly wise I doe a present make.
UUhose relles though it be not halfe so swete
Ne hath suche sappe of eloquence in dede
As those thinges haue whereon (as meates most mete
For deintie mouthes) you wonted are to fede.
Ne hath suche sappe of eloquence in dede
As those thinges haue whereon (as meates most mete
For deintie mouthes) you wonted are to fede.
Yet doubt I not but that vouchesafe you wyll,
To take it well in woorth, and speciallye,
Sithe Budes woordes in all this treatise styll
I folowd haue in deede moste faithfullye,
To take it well in woorth, and speciallye,
Sithe Budes woordes in all this treatise styll
I folowd haue in deede moste faithfullye,
UUhose stile I founde to be more graue then gaye
And harde to turne into our vulguer speche,
Yet as it is refuse not when you maye
To taste thereof I humbly you beseche.
For though it hap not deintye mouthes to please
UUeak stomakes yet thereby may find much ease.
And harde to turne into our vulguer speche,
Yet as it is refuse not when you maye
To taste thereof I humbly you beseche.
For though it hap not deintye mouthes to please
UUeak stomakes yet thereby may find much ease.
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