Poems of John Stewart of Baldyneiss From the MS. in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh: Edited by Thomas Crockett |
 | Poems of John Stewart of Baldyneiss |  |
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Ane abbregement of roland furiovs translait ovt of Ariost, togither vith svm rapsodies of the authors ȝovthfvll braine, And last ane schersing ovt of trew felicitie, composit in scotis meitir be J. Stewart of Baldynneis.
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[Sir, haifing red ȝour maiesteis maist prudent]
TO THE RYCHT EXCELLENT RYCHT HICH AND MYCHTIE PRENCE IAMES THE SEXT KYNG OF SCOTLAND His maiesteis most humyll Seruant J. Stewart of Baldynneis wishith long And most prosperous reigne In the continewall fauor And feir of God.
Sir, haifing red ȝour maiesteis maist prudentPrecepts in the deuyn art of poesie, I haif assayit my
Sempill spreit to becum ȝour hienes scholler; Not that
I am onnyvayis vorthie, Bot to gif vthers occasion (seing
My Inexpertnes) to publiss thair better leirnyng. I grant
In deid I haif meikill errit, Not onlie in electing of ane
So small and fectles subiect, As als be the Inept orthographie
And Inlegebill scribling of my Imprompt pen, Bot maist of
All in pithles and vnplesand framyng of the sam, Quhairin
I haif playit the part of ane ȝoung and Imperfyt prentes,
Quho at his first Interprys of schaiping takith not in
Hand the fynnest stuff Bot rather sum slycht cloth to
Susteine the sklents and manks of his cunnyngles clipping;
Remitting all to the courtassie, correction, and protection, of
ȝour maiesteis visdome, Not doutting bot ȝour grace
Vill accept this my vitles vork of ȝour grayt clementie
As my maist gratius Maister And cheifest lod Star;
Quhilk vith all humelitie I present to ȝour Royall
Defens, Quhair vpon I setle my self and firmlie anckers my
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lettir, Because I knaw ȝour Precelling prudence
Nether takith plesour in prolixt and paintit speitche,
Nor ȝit becums It me to pretend thairto vith my litle
langage altogither destitud of onnie eloquence: So,
kissing ȝour maiesteis hands vith maist ȝelus and
Humyle hart, I pray the eternall god to bestow on ȝour
Grace all guid and necessar giftis till his glorie and
ȝour hienes veill and contentment. At Innermey.
ȝour maiesteis most humyll
And perpetuell Seruant,
J. Stewart of Baldynneis.
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ROLAND FURIOVS.
THE DERECTIONE TO HIS BVIK.
HVICTAIN.
fall humyllie first befoir his Royall feit,Quhois semblance sueit I hoip vill not reiect the,
And I derect the to his Prudent spreit,
Quhilk is repleit vith pouer to protect the;
Gif he correct the, Poets sall respect the,
Thocht I neglect the, And thy propos spill:
Of his guidwill Than pray him rycht erect the,
Sa nane sall gect the, that hes onnie skill.
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THE INTRODVCTION.
No vonder thocht I stand in dout,Quho dois begin to sound and sing
My vaeik and friuole versis out
To ane Maist mychtie Prudent king.
Quho sall toyne vp my tribill string
And mak my feiblit Muse to ryis?
To holie mont Quho sall me bring,
Quhair all the sacred nymphs applyis?
Helas, no vigor in me lyis
To correspond synceir guidwill.
Quhow dar I than my dull deuyis
Present befoir his Prencelie skill?
Quhair vyise Minerua stabill still
Dois serwe, Sall I ane ragment send?
To Quhom obeyis the forkit hill
My pithles speitche sall I pretend?
To him on Quhom the Gods dois spend
All grace, Quhat gift sall I prouyd?
And Quhom this yle from end till end
Expects for Cheif and Natiwe gyd,
Befoir Quhois face all fois sall slyd
Of the Grayt Rychtius God of all,
Quho to the ground sall doune deuyd
Of Rome the strong redouttit vall,
Quhom all the Vorld sall Monarck call,
Quhow sall I clip his Person heir?
My sempill sycht is dim and small
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I laik sutche pretius vordis deir
As vith My PATRON may compair,
My lispan leid may not vpsteir
Vork vordie for his visdom Rair.
ȝit his maist peirles pen preclair
May best my propos mak perfit,
And of his Pitie pardone spair,
So to his grace I turne my dyt.
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THE DEDICATION.
MAIST Mychtie Monarck that in erth dois Ring,And to my verse the cheif support expres,
My souueran lord, My Maister, and my King,
Renounit gloir of all this vorld, I dres
Vnto ȝour grace, the cunnyngles succes
Of this my dyt, But eloquence repleit,
And far vnvorthie, Iustlie I confes,
To be presentit to ȝour pregnant spreit;
The Quhilk so full of Helicon dois fleit
In euerie precept pithie and perfyt,
That I dar skairs presum my pen to weit
In sounding out my toynles dull Indyt:
ȝit as the lyon beiris na dispyt
At sempill beists their gesteur for to sie,
Lykuayis, perhaps, ȝour hienes vill delyt
To reid my rym, And syn appordon me.
I not presum to tuitche the Laurell trie,
Nor till ascend the hautie hich degreis
Of VRANIE: My harping may not hie
Lyk Brycht Appollos vith his schyning eis.
No, no, not sa I kneill vpon my kneis,
Doune falling flat befoir his Regale face;
I may not flychter Quhair the PHENIX fleis,
Bot happie var I all my lyfis space
Vith sum conceit for to content ȝour grace.
Vill dois presum to clym Pernassos bank,
Bot Pouer may not occupie the place,
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And dytters douce deseruith now sic thank
Be curius caruing of thair cunnyng verse,
That for to do I dout, quho neuir drank
In fontan fair quhill PEGASVS did perse.
Bot ȝelus thocht constrains me ȝit to scherse
Sum sempill subiect for my bass Ingyn,
To sport ȝour hienes vith my ruid reherse,
In hoip of pardon thocht sum stots I tyn.
Gif better var, I better suld propyn
Vith better vill Nor now; ȝour grace may knaw
I laik Appelles perfyt pensile fyn
At my desyre this dyt derect to draw:
I schame the sequele so subuert to schaw,
Var not I treist assuirritlie to find
ȝour Royall breath vith fauor for to blaw
Till help my vingles valtring In the vind.
Thocht Momus than vith greif agains me grind,
His tanting toyes sall do my style no tort,
I feir ne storm, gif ȝe the ancker bind,
Bot suir sall saeill to the preparit port.
In hoip heirof to propos I resort,
And in this hoip I sall my harp vpbend,
Vith hoiping hart ȝour maiestie to sport.
Gif to my hoip the Gods sic hap me send,
My hap and hoip sall purches bothe commend
In happie penning of this sequent cace,
Quhilk I beseik ȝour celcitude defend
Be douce distelling of sum drop of Grace;
Than sall It pertlie occupie the place,
Thocht it be framd vith my vnferdie fyle;
Ane onlie vew, Sir, of ȝour Gratius face
Sall all ourgilt the mateir I compyle.
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SONNET.
Sene vyce oft tyms dois breid be ydle thocht,And I my self Imployd vith litle thing,
Sum myrrie sempill subiect haif I socht
for occupation Instantlie to sing
Vnto ȝour grace, Quhois courtassie bening
So vill accept, I hoip, this meteir myn
Amongs the grawe effeirris of Ane king
As vattir vaeik to mix ȝour mychtie vyn:
Vey not the versis of my dull Ingyn,
Bot schers the center of my secret thocht,
And vith the sueitnes of ȝour Muse deuyn
Reuis this vork, quhilk I haif Raschlie vrocht,
And of ȝour meiknes Al my miss amend,
And not vith me ȝour seruitour offend.
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THE INVOCATION.
FAIR HEAVENLIE MVSES, Muife me now ane quhyleVith Sacred furie, filling vp my vaine.
Thow lustie lady, Queine of Cypris yle,
Hich heyiss my saeils, And mak my passage plaine;
Dycht and derect my dytment but disdaine,
The quhilk Intends to steir ane staitlie stour.
ȝour Paladein Roland, beild to Charlemaine,
I introduce, And all his dintis dour.
Martche, Mychtie MARS, now from thy birnist bour
Vith clincking sourd, cled in thyn armeur cleir;
Present thy puissant person at this hour,
That heauen, and erth, and hell, and all may heir
This pert pelmell, quhilk present sall appeir.
Thow fyrie vulcane, to my sute Inclyn,
My sensis schairpe, And viwelie tham vpsteir,
And all the roust Roub from my blont Ingyn.
Stout Pucelle Pallas, pouss me to desyn
His grawe attempts in monie dyuerss land
for Angelique, Quhais personage deuyn
Did Intertene him In King Cupids band:
Bot nether force of his victorius hand,
Nor firm effection, feruent and Inteir,
Of hir againe ane spark of fauor fand;
The Bird he bruiks not, thocht he beit the Breir.
The histoir Is lamentabill to heir,
Mad he becam for veirray teinfull noy,
Thocht he surpast all vthers far but peir.
Thus I begin the mateir to convoy.
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THE . 1 . CANT.
Queins Venus Sone, The subtill smyling boy,(Quhois valȝant valor vincus may ilk vycht),
Schot at this Roland ferslie vith esmoy
Ane feddrit flan, Quhilk in his brest did lycht,
And throch myd center of his hart did dycht,
Ane proper part to place tuo heauenlie eis,
Quhilks meid him thrall for all his mundan mycht
And humylie sute for mercie on his kneis:
No vonder vas, sen celest spreits aggreis,
All to this God of deuetie Inclynd:
Neptunus, dompter of the raging seis,
And prudent Pluto, both he hes constrynd:
Lord Ealus for all his haughty mind,
And bludie Mars, be Cupid beine supprest:
Grayt Iupiter he monie tyms hes pynd:
So Roland, randert vincust vith the rest,
Quho dyuers dochtie deids did manifest,
for till obtein his peirles ladie fair,
In Tartarie triumphantlie Increst
His famus fame. As mychtie Monarck rair,
Sum did him prayse, Sum thocht him but compair:
Throch India, And all the Orient,
Thay celebrat his acts heir and thair;
He onlie hes the vog armipotent.
To france Againe quhan he returning vent,
Persauing Paris seidged, that staitlie toune,
Be Numeds, Mors, and Espangols consent,
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Conductit all be Agrammant thair boune,
Quhair he In force of armie did confyd
Of france to raif the Sceptor and the Croune,
Quhill Roland stout abaittit all his pryd,
Thair brasche of battell boldlie did he byd,
And in the valor of his hardie hand
Has hich Renoun Inritchit vonder vyd
Abowe his prayse obteind In forran land:
As lyon louse thair did his luik command,
His strenth surmonts so furius and fell,
That strengest steile mycht not his straik gainstand
The loud alarum, quhan his dints did knell:
As sillie Scheip dar not the volf Rebell,
So fants his fois, And from his fechting fleis;
At euerie Chok his courage dois excell:
Quho byds the danger, suddan deth he dreis:
His arms victorius hich auanst: Quho seis,
Bids all beuar, the thudding cums so soir;
And as thay speik, extinguist ar thair eis,
Doune skelps the sourd, And dois thair lyf deuoir:
As terrefeit haeir, that rins the honds befoir,
So troups gois hence, Quhair he begins to fume;
Quhair ans he hits, Remeid thair is no moir,
Deid at ane dint thay gaet no vther dume:
As lustie falcon litle larks dois plume,
So harneis flew, Quhair DVRANDAL discends.
Vas no defens, To flie thair vas no tume,
Gif he approtchd, Bot lyfs constryndlie ends:
The mortall cryis occurd quhair he Intends.
Plaine vas that part; All past and gaif him place.
Nocht suld ȝe heir about him, quhair he bends,
Bot hiddius schouts, cair, clamor, and alace,
His armeur, hands, his vapnis, and his face,
Bebathd in bluid of Campions about.
He cleifs, he cuts, he peirsis, and dois chace.
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Or lyk bold bubs, quhilk Boreas breath blaws out,
Or boustius Bombards, Quhan thay keinlie crak,
So Roland Rangeit all the Chiftans stout
Vith na les noyes; so staluartlie he strak,
Sum left his scheild, And schortlie turnd his bak;
Sum In Cauerne did creip to be assuird,
At euerie motion feiring ay thair vrak,
for dammest dreid thay thocht his dints Induird.
This pithie Paladeine hes sic prayse procuird
In schairpe persute of his disconfeit fais,
Quhom valȝantlie he in this sort InIuird,
Tham chaceing thence In hirns, in hols, and brais;
for suiftlie so amongs the prese he gais,
As fyrflacht fell from firmament fast flew,
Quhan mychtie Iowe his bittir blasts did rais,
And all the proud contemmyng Gyans slew:
The Bairdit horssis Mycht mak na Reskew
Vnto thair Ryders, all In harneis drest,
Bot both Renuerst, Quhan Dyrandal he drew;
The one Lyis slaine, The vther plaine opprest.
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THE . 2 . CANT.
NOW NYMPHS IMMORTALL, draw my dyt modest,And in my spreit sum pregnant propois spair,
That I may sing with suggurit sang celest
That heme of beutie brychtest but compair,
The speciall perle surpassing maist preclair,
The daintie dame, quham I dar not desyn,
The tuynkling star so far Resplendant fair;
I meine the peirles ANGELIQVE deuyn,
Quha vincust all, And vill navayis Inclyn.
The king, the knycht, the suldior, and the slawe,
The auld, The ȝoung, And all ar peirst vith pyn,
Hir perfyt persone gif thay ons persawe;
Thay birne, thay birst, thay duyn, Thay raidge, thay rawe,
firm fettrit fast, And finds no force to flie;
Contending all, be keine combat thay craw
The douce Regard of hir celestiall ie.
Comte Roland best and boldest first did drie
Diseise, vith dolor dalie deip distrest,
Quhill his maist martiall fortitude hir frie
from Orient soile bereft from all the rest;
His confort than And courage bothe Increst.
Bot as the Clouds ar not ay constant cleir,
So pane profound his plesour all supprest,
And cair consumd his former Iocund cheir,
At Mont Pyrens leissing this ladie deir,
Be accident as ȝe sall vnderstand.
At tym quhan his mishap arryuit heir,
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Of hardie men, the best in onnie land,
for to Reuenge the former Ancient feed,
Quhilk Agramant did raschelie tak in hand,
To vrak his Realme, And put his men to deed.
Quhan Roland cam, grayt diligens vas meed
To do him honor at his first reuoy;
Him to resiwe the speciall prences geed
Vith na les myrth alacretie and Ioy
Than Hector entring vith triumphe in Troy,
Or Mychtie Cesar vith his laurels greine;
So Raeid the Comte, suspecting na annoy,
Vith glorious face, And courtas aufull eine.
Bot Rennault Raidged as tygar full of teine,
Vith brows vpbend, At bargan vold he be;
Of Angelique he vas so vincust cleine,
That he haid rather in ane moment die
Than this fair ladie vith Lord Roland sie;
Quhilk bred betuix tham ane Immortall baill.
And sen that nane this mateir mycht aggrie,
King Charlemaine did circumspectlie daill:
The battele being radie till assaill,
Vith the aggrement baith of ȝoung and auld,
fair Angelique from Roland did he vaill,
Quhill that his Armie haid gifn battell bauld,
Concluding all Duke Bauiers suld hir hauld,
In to his tent vith tender tretment drest,
And Immolest according as scho vauld,
Quhill of his Camp sum suir succes did rest:
Syn of the knychts The victor and the best
Be dochtines fell force of fois to dant
He promesis thay suld be suir possest
for Recompance vith this precelling sant.
The Comte heirto At the kings vill did grant,
Sen keine combat mycht so the mateir mak,
Not being suir als quhair scho saif mycht hant
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Helas, for than succedit all his vrak,
for at deray Quhow soone the vangard gois,
On horse scho lop, And did hir Iournay tak,
And vald be thrall, scho thocht, to none of thois.
This lustie dame obteine culd na repois
for hote persute of euerie vordie knycht;
Hir person peirles, And hir face formois,
Oft hir constrains to tak the feirfull flycht.
And now supposing till escaipe be slycht,
At this hir voyage vtheruayis did chans,
for In the vod befoir hir visage Rycht
Ane knycht scho spyde on fute in armeur glans;
Than dreid of dainger varps hir in ane trans,
As tender faune vithin ane darnit den
Quhan It persaifs the Leopard Auans,
Or compast Close about be craft of men;
for Rennault heir scho did perfytlie ken,
Quha scherst his Bayard bendit from his hand,
Bot to his feit his ȝeill did suiftnes len
fast for to rin fra he the fairrest fand;
He plaints, he cryis, scho vill not stay nor stand,
Bot fleis in feir as from ane Serpent fell,
Scho gifs hir horse both brydle, chak, and vand,
And muifs hir heils, his speid for to compell:
It is vncertan to my toung to tell
Quhilk of the tuo maist feruent ȝelus beine,
Scho for to flie, or he to Intermell,
Thay both assay so schairplie to preueine:
As Daintie Daphne, fleing Phebus scheine
Vith lustie lyms so luiflie, squair, and quhyt,
Quha vas transformit In the laurell greine,
Quhan he approtchd hir persone maist perfyt,
So Rennault, Raidgeing vith na les delyt,
Sped vith sic speid, Quhill scho vas skairslie frie.
Bot Strong ferragus, In the sammyng plyt,
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Quho In the battell haid sic drouth done drie,
That to the Reuar thair to drink he past,
Quhair scho cam suddan, schoutting for supplie
Vith trembling hands And feirfull hart agast.
The Sarrasin, vith bittir brag and blast,
Hint out his sourd, for he perfytlie knew
The maikles beutie, Quhilk Sic glem did cast
And vith the rest haid done his hart subdew.
He turnit stoutlie Rennault to persew,
So tham betuix bauld bargan did begin;
The plaits and malȝeis from thair harneis flew
Be birnist brands in bristing to the skin,
The fyre outbryms from steile all battrit In
Vith stabill strenth of strong Redoubling dints,
Quhilks far About tham meid ane hiddius din,
As hamers beitting on the firmist flints.
In this mydtyme fair Angelique not stints,
Bot forduart ryds als suiftlie as scho may,
Throch dens and dails maist priuelie scho mints
And left all passage plaine for grayt effray;
for gif ane bird from buse bend In hir vay,
In veirray deid scho suirlie dois suppon
That Rennault Ryns to gif hir ȝit assay,
Quhilks maks hir start at euerie stok and ston:
Grayt dreddor dreing desolat alon,
Scho vilsum vauers vandring vext vith vo,
Hir mirthles mynd, molestit, making mon,
Distrest vith storms, Is tossed to and fro.
Ane day and nycht contineuall ryds scho so,
Quhill scho persaived ane bocage growand greine,
Decorit fair be lustie Reuers tuo,
Quhair It vas priuie situat betueine,
And circuat, so that It mycht skairs be seine,
Be seimlie hils, And blomit brais about,
Quhilks meid the vattir, cleir as christall cleine,
Souche softlie sueit from euerie springing spout:
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On tender tuists vith flurise freschlie spred.
Heir Angelique, no dainger doing dout,
from horse discends, And till Repois hir sped.
Ane place scho spyis perfyt be Nature cled
Vith Rosis reed, Meduart, And mergeleine,
And couerit so vith leifs of branchis bred,
That nane thairin Mycht be persawed or seine.
Heir gois scho In, quhair smell aboundant beine
Moir sauorus sueit than sempill style may schaw;
Heir scho reposis, closing vp hir eine,
Heir for ane space No persone dois hir knaw;
Heir byds scho blist now, Quhair no storm dois blaw;
Heir do I viss scho mycht Remaine for ay,
Heir than my lyns No longer vold I draw,
Quhilks heir ar poust to tell ane New effray.
Ane Mychtie Noyes Resounds about the spray,
As Men and horse thair haid arryuit beine,
Scho than astonist did hir sleiping stay,
Vprais scho, priuie spying, and hes seine
Ane lustie knycht all harneist on the greine,
Quhilk as ane Darnit Lark did mak hir ly
Attending quhat the accident mycht meine,
Schairs durst scho sob, so subtile dois scho spy.
Vpon The reuer on the bank neir by
Sad Sat he doune, And stupifact as seimd;
One of his hands supporting did apply
To eise his heed, Quhilk full of dolor beimd;
So stairing still he not ane vord expreimd,
Vith peirsit spreit transport in thocht profound,
As sensles vycht from all guid fortoune fleimd,
Quhill bittir birsting baill did so abound,
That sorrow sueld behuifit out to sound
Ane Maist afflictit pitifull lament,
As till extract be force from deedlie vound
The grose And long Intollerabill tent:
Than sychs As fume from Etna Mont out vent,
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Than vith ane voce Maist sorroufull and lent,
Than he began Redoubling oft alace,
Vith sobs and suerfs ourquhelmit all the space.
“I thocht,” Sayis he, “that both dois birne and freis
My blaiknit brest, Quhilk may No mirth Imbrace.
O Thocht Inchantit be my vickit eis,
O frounyng Thocht, Thocht fauor fremdlie fleis,
O Thocht, that thinks all vther thochts bot vaine,
Except the Thocht, Quhilk vith my Thocht aggreis,
To think on hir, Quha Thochtles maks the paine.
This onlie thocht dois all my Thochts constraine,
This onlie thocht dois gnaw my hart in tuay,
This onlie thocht, Quhilk I may not Refraine,
Dois duyne my dayis In deedlie deip decay.
I souck the sour, schersing the sueit assay,
I fructles feid on fruct Maist fresche and fair,
I dalie dy, ȝit deth he dois delay
To dryfe his dart, And end my dull dispair,
Dispair consums me confortles in cair,
Cair dois ourcum my corps Vith cair confound,
Confound I am, My mychtis may na mair,
Mair ȝit I may, My luif dois Mair abound,
Abounding Luife of all my greife is ground,
Ground find I non, Quhair onnie grace dois grow,
Grow sall I ay Assuirritlie And sound,
Sound thocht I sterue my fauor firm sall flow,
flow as scho vill, ȝit sall I biet the low,
Low quhilk combuirs My ardent douce desyre,
Desyre not douce bot stiff as bendit bow;
Bow of king Cupid so inflams the fyre.
fyre feruent fell, Quhow sall I the expyre?
Expyre the cause, Than sall I pass the paine;
Paine may not pass Except I find my hyre;
Hyre haif I lost, The certantie is plaine,
for scho is reft, Quha dois beraif my braine:
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I die for duile, Thow Roland reuls the gaine,
Vith velth at vill of all my vorldis vis:
My mad mishap All Recompance dois mis,
Hir fragrant flour fair virginale I meine;
for euir, helas, Thow hes bereft me this.
O Cumlie chast virginetie Maist cleine,
Resembling rycht the Recent Rose sereine,
Quhilk sueitlie smels In guidlie garding fair,
So naturall douce vpon the branchis greine;
The tender dew, the snawe, And holsum air,
And Phebus face, Adorns It growand thair,
fresche vith maternall moisture Rubie Reed.
The dams and luifers thinks It most preclair,
Sum In thair brest, Sum to decoir thair heed;
Bot being puld, It soone begins to feed
from former fairnes of so suggurit sap,
Syn vnto Gods And men both lothsum meed
Gif It be borne In ane puir pastors cap.
The virgin So quha dois hir vorschip vrap
Vith venus vyce degraths hir hie Renoune.
for quhat auails formosetie or hap
Quhan that hir honor Is suppressit doune,
The cheif Charbunckle of hir cumlie croune,
Quhilk suld preseruit be moir pretius deir
Than helth or lyf? for luifers ar not boune
Hir till esteme, Quha laiks this perle but peir,
for than conuert Is all hir cair and cheir
To plesoure him, In quhom hir lust all lyis;
Quho first did peirce hir fontan fair Inteir,
To him subdewd hir bodie haill applyis.
Quho sall Remeed, helas, my endles cryis?
Quho sall assuaidge my sorrow that so suels?
My bodie blaiknes, And my bluid vpdryis,
for the, O fair, Quhais pulchritud precels.
Sall I the leiwe for teils that tratlers tels?
That may I not, Deth sall me first deuoir.
22
To liewe my freinds, my cuntrie, and grayt gloir,
Sall I persawe thy Peirles face no moir?
Hes thow na thocht of thy Circassian king?
Vill Thow not ons Thy Seruiteur Restoir,
Quho deirlie luifs the by all erdlie thing?
ȝis, I beliwe Thy beutie sall me bring
from noy to Ioy, In spyt of fortoune feed.
In hoip heirof, Althocht scho me maling,
I sall continew thyn vnto the deed.”
This pitius Plaint In Ampill sort vas meed
Bie Sacripant, The pert And puissant Prence
Of Circassie, Quhom vehement luif did leed
from Orient far, Almaist deprywed of sence.
Sen tym that Roland vith hir haid past hence,
Both day And nycht he diligent did Ryd
In hir persute, puft vp vith proud pretence,
As Duke Pirothous fumit At that tyd
Quhan the Centaurs Perforce bereft his bryd.
And quhair scho vent he so derectlie drest,
That to the camp quhilk Charlemaine did gyd
He first Arrywed, Quhair thay to him exprest
Quhow all the battell vas be hir molest,
And quhow The king Impeschit vas so long
Be the contention creuall Quhilk Increst
Betuix the tuo Redouttit Chiftans strong,
And quhow scho haid eschewit tham among
for feir to be the cheifest victors gaine.
Thus haid he passit, Schersing throche the throng,
And follouit Rycht from part to part so plaine,
Quhill heir he chanst Reposing to remaine
Quhair fortounes So Supports his cairfull cheir
That all the clamor of his vexit braine
His lustie ladie tentelie dois heir.
Scho knaws him veill, And seis his luif Inteir,
Quhilk partlie muifs hir stonie hardnit hart;
Apollo semel Ridet In the ȝeir.
23
His vords, his teirs, his sychs, And all his smart,
And thocht Scho vold not Condiscend at all
for to gif place to luifis Gouldin Dart,
ȝit scho conceits, quhat euir mycht befall,
To chois him now for ane conductor tall.
for Quho that ar In vattir to the chin
for sum supplie perauenture may call,
So scho quha vas this vildernes vithin
Vnto sum Reuth And fauor dois begin,
To serwe hir turne, And for na langer space.
from buse heirfoir vith douce and soubir din
Scho represents hir fair excellent face,
As Goddes brycht Appeiring In that place,
And vith ane sueit And amiabill smyle
Scho visheth till his truiblit thochtis pace,
And cals the hiest to record quhow vyle
Scho ay esteimd hir persone to defyle,
So that of hir he not consauit rycht,
for Roland neuir mycht be luife exyle
Hir Chastitie, Nor ȝit na vther knycht.
The blind long tyme depryuit of his sycht,
Nor the condamnit Captiwe for to die,
Not vith Sic Ioy resaifs thair former mycht
As Sacripant, Quhan he did suddane sie
The veirray viwe formosit figure frie
Of Angelique, hir continance, And grace,
Hir gentill gesture, And precelling ie,
And all the beuteis of hir fragrant face.
Vith feruent fauor Rins he to Imbrace
His luif, his ladie, And his goddes deir,
And scho resaifs him kyndlie in that place
Vith modest myrth, And gratius cumlie cheir.
Sum small Rehersall of his luife Inteir
And former pains, Quhilk he for hir possest,
Scho dois Recompt, Quhairbe to mak appeir
That thankfull mynd In to hir part did lest;
24
In his Protection to be saif and suir,
lyk as lord Roland dochtelie supprest
All accident that mycht hir fame InIuir,
So that hir madinhead flurissing scho buir
for thocht, and deid, Inuitiat and frie.
It mycht be trew, Thocht sum not think it suir;
He credet gaife, for Quho that luifers be
To graytter douts thair fancie vill aggrie
Than to beliwe thair ladie speiking plaine?
And thus he thinks, “O happie tyme to me,
That Roland slippit hes his tyme so vaine;
Sic forton fair he sall not find againe.
I vill not tarie sutting hir consent,
Nor langer frustrat Sall I not remaine;
Pass I this time, I euir may repent.
My stamp sall first vpon the Seale Imprent,
Hir close conclawe I sall at plesour vse,
Thair is no thing may ladeis moir content,
Thocht for the fassone thay mak sum excuse.
Stay vill I not my propois for refuse,
Bot sall Incarnat my Intent till end.
Quho taks his tym, he may vith Reson ruse,
Quhan tym occurs, Quhilk tymlie tym dois send.”
Bould boudin so vith boult And bow bakbend
Quhan till assault he lustelie began,
All vas Impedit quhilk he did pretend;
so lo, Ane Chiftan Quhyt as onnie Suan,
Vith proud appirans of sum mychtie man,
Cled all In armeur fete and ritchlie dycht,
Cam ferslie ryding throch the forrest than
Vith perlit helm, As siluer schyning brycht,
And pannache quhyt hich set In sing of mycht.
kyng Sacripant, Preparing to defend,
Did leice his armet at this suddan sycht,
And on his cursor hautelie did bend;
Vith sum manass began he to contend,
25
The vther na les coueting commend
To battell bould Rycht hardelie arrayt.
The spurs And speirs no longer vas delayt,
Vith horrabill hurle thay so conIoin perfors,
As Ramping lyons miting haid assayt,
Quhill bakuart foundert both thair hardie hors.
Doune falls the king, And mycht not Rais his cors,
Deed vas his steid, Quhilk on him lourdlie lay.
The vther varior, haifing gifn the vors,
Vith victorie dois spur And ryd auay.
The Prence supprest haid not ane vord to say
To his fair ladie, Quha befoir him stands,
And so tormentit he behuift to stay
Beneth his horss, Quhill that hir tender hands
Supplid him vp, And lowsd the sadle bands.
His grayt Regrait Prolixt var to defyn,
Quhill scho sum confort him to tak commands,
And vith hir speitche dois metigat his pyn.
“ȝour horse it vas,” sayis scho, “quhilk did declyn;
Repoise and fuid to him vas neidfull moir
Than the combat; lat not ȝour courage tyne,
I knaw ȝour valeur veill in tym befoir;
All that is lost ȝe schortlie may restoir;
fume neuir so, Sir, for ane sempill fall,
ȝon lustie galland conquest hes na gloir:
In my conceit, the mateir is so small,
for sic ane chance Nane may ȝow vincust call,
The honor rather vith ȝow dois appeir,
Quho keips the camp, And as ane brasin vall
Mycht byd him now Gif he var present heir.”
As scho to confort dois hir man thus steir,
Ane proper page cam galoppan vith speid,
And tham Inquyrd, as he approtchit neir,
Gif thay haid seine ane knycht all quhyt in veid.
“ȝis, as ȝe sie, he dung me doune in deid,”
Sayis Sacripant, “I neuir thold sic schame,
26
I ȝow Request to lat me knaw his name.”
“The name,” sayis he, “appruifs the famus fame,
Quhilk I vill schaw, And put ȝow out of dout:
Ane virgin fair Immaculat but blame
Hes Reft ȝour vorschip vith hir courage stout;
Quhair Scho Intends the hardiest may lout.
This Is the puissant PRADAMENT but peir;
Scherss heir and thair And all this vorld about,
Nane sall ȝe find may matche my ladie cleir.
Sir, fair ȝe veill. Remaine I may not heir.”
And schortlie so his vay frome thame he past.
king Sacripant, vith ane confoundit cheir,
And face Inflamd, stuid stupifact agast;
he neuir heid sic bittir bailfull blast
As be thir news now duilfullie he dreis.
The moir he thinks, The moir his care did cast
Ane feruent furie from his glowing eis;
for dolor deip Almaist he Raidgeing deis,
Because ane maidin raueist hes his gloir
At part Imprompt Quhair as his ladie seis,
Quhilk maks his mone agment the larger moir.
At last, persauing no Remeed thairfoir,
Vpone the horse Quhilk Angelique possest
He did ascend vith spreit perturbit soir,
And hir in crouppe behind him hes he drest;
And superceids to tym of better rest
The sueit Iouissans of his appetyt.
So Ryding thus vith vexit hart molest
Againe Impeschit vas his douce delyt.
Ane murmor raise: My author dois Indyt
That be appirans all the forrest rang:
Sum space heirefter thay persawed perfyt
Ane cursor gross, And all his harneis hang
In fynnest gould brycht garnist ritche and lang;
Ouer dyks and dens, Ouer stanks, and reuers fair,
He braying bends, And sturdelie doune dang
27
Sayis Angelique, “gif that my eis be clair,
ȝon is the strong redouttit dochtie steid,
The bralling bustius BAYARD but compair.
It Bayard Is, I knaw him veill In deid,
My self sum tym In Albrack did him feid;
Heir he repairs In proper tym And place
As haifing sum cognossans of our neid.
My Irkit horse he may Induir na space
To beir vs baith, It var ane happie cace,
Gif that ve mycht ȝon cumlie cursor fang.”
The king discends, And dois begine to chace,
And syn approtching, softlie dois he gang
To catche the brydle, Bot ane loftie bang
The steide presents vith his tuo heils behind,
for he vold turne moir ferdie quhan he flang
Than flame of fyrflacht fleing vith the vind;
At his Reuolts the rockis raird and dind,
Ane mont of mettall mycht tham not Induir.
O Sacripant, Thow happelie did find
Thy fortoune now that from his stricking stuir
So hes eschewit saif vntuitchit suir;
for haid he hit the rycht, vas no Remeed
Throch all the forgit harnes Quhilk thow buir;
Bons flesche And bluid haid bruist beine to the deed:
ȝit Memor graitfull did not in him feed.
for former fauor, Quhilk the Dame haid schawne,
Vith humaine semblance vntill hir he geid
As kyndlie hond, Quhilk haid his maister knawne;
So In hir hand haifing the brydle drawne,
He stabill stands, And dois no stirage mak;
Scho vsis him at plesour as hir awne,
for he sum certane Iudgement did contrak.
Now Sacripant his tym did vyislie tak,
for as the ladie Interteind the steid,
He lychtlie lop abowe his puissant bak,
And suirlie sat veill horsit now In deid.
28
Vpon hir haiknay Ryding at deuyis,
Quhill thay persawed ane armit man vith speid
Auance behind tham vith dispytfull cryis;
For yre and greif his flesche Inflamit fryis.
At the first sycht fair Angelique him knew,
Hir tender heart for feire began to ryis,
And dreid did dim the glansing of hir hew:
Duke Aymon sone It vas, Quho did persew
To Schers his ladie, And his Bayard bald,
Ewen he Quhom Scho did ofbefoir eschew,
The hardie Rennawlt, as I partlie tald,
To quhom hir hart as yce vas frosin cald,
Thocht he hir luifit as his lyf and mair:
To him In speciall vill scho navayis fald,
Bot Rather die, hir haittrend is so sair.
The cause heirof var langsum to declair,
Quhilk did proceid of springing fontans tuo.
Not syndrie far thay ar in Arden fair,
Diwers effect thair liquor vorkis so,
Ane feruent freind becums ane fremmit fo,
To teist the one: The vther dois compell
Ane hardnit hart all haittrend to forgo,
And in the lusts of luiflie raidge to swell.
Knycht Rennault heirof (as my text dois tell)
Did deiplie drink, And Angelique againe
Hir drouthe did quenche At the Inuyous vell.
Befoir that tym, thay say scho suffert paine
for Rennawlts luife, Quho than did hir disdaine,
And now thay cheingeit var throche euerie poir.
So, seing him, scho lyks no moir remaine,
Behind thame rynning as ane brymmyng boir;
Maist feruent dois scho Sacripant Imploir
To flie vith hir, And him no langer byd.
“Esteme ȝe than I may ȝow not restoir,
So sclenderlie do ȝe in me confyd?”
Sayis he againe, “I sall abaite his pryd.
29
Or quhow I was ȝour onlie beild that tyd,
Quhan Agrican vith Armie grayt ȝow socht?
Incontrar him And all his camp I focht
Vith nakit persone, gif ȝe rycht recorde.”
Ane vord till him againe scho ansuerd nocht,
for Rennawlt now so nar approtching schorde
That dout of dainger hes hir langage smorde.
The superbe Persons both thay do prepair
Vith martiall mycht contending to be glorde,
As my nixt cant the maner sall declair.
30
THE . 3 . CANT.
O creuall luif, quho corresponds so rairTo matche tuo mynds vith mutuall desyre,
One thou ourcums, consumyng tham vith cair,
The vther plaine permitting till Impyre.
Thy fickill fancie, And thy feruent fyre,
Dois fram be gaeise of thy tuo blindit eis.
Paine as ve pleis, Repentance is the hyre,
Thocht ve suld serwe the constant on our kneis.
ȝe sie quhat dolor dalie Rennawlt dreis
for hir quha cuirs not of his cair ane myt;
And monie mo disdanit duyning deis,
Vith dew reward quho neuir ar requyt.
The lairge prolixit histoir quhilk I dyt
In this preambill lets me to remaine;
I prosequit: Stout Rennawlt in dispyt
To Sacripant thir vords exprimit plaine,
“false commoune theif, Quhow dar thow in disdaine
So for to steill my ladie, And my steid?
Thow meschant mereits not sic nobill gaine;
I sall beraiwe thame baith be dochtie deid.
Defend the, trateur, And discend with speid.”
The vthers courage hich exceld als far.
“foule feibill beist,” sayis he, “thow dowbill leid,
And is dissemblit as ane theif, And var.
I the defy. Do quhat thow dow or dar,
Betuix vs tuo now sall approuit be
Quho bendid boldest Bragin may debar
31
As byting barbats quhan thay disaggrie
Vith ardent raidge, And furius fyrie eine;
Or boustius buls ar terrabill to sie,
Quhan thay to bargan boldlie baeittit beine;
So to combat conIoins the knychtis keine.
Bot the Circassian forcit vas to lycht,
for Bayard haid so guid ane natrall meine,
He vald not reullit be In ryding rycht,
Bot beirs his heid vpon his counter tycht,
And rauets bakuart quhan he suld persew.
The spurs nor bit navayis him danton mycht
for to molest his maister, Quhom he knew.
The king, persauing that he so vithdrew,
Maist firelie from him did doune discend.
Ane martiall faet than mychtie did renew
Conform to thair magnificent commend.
Quhyls hiche, Quhyls low, The skelping sourds did bend,
Quhyls thay rebat, And quhyls thay scharplie schair.
As quhan Vulcanus dois his force extend
Vith hammer flasting fyrflacht in the air,
Vp hich to Iowe making the thunder rair,
So stronglie strak the steitlie chiftans stout,
Quhyls schort, Quhyls long, And quhyls thay seime to spair,
Quhyls thay auance, And quhyls thay lychtlie lout,
Quhyls couerit close, And quhyls thay stretche tham out,
Quhyls heir, Quhyls thair, Thay skip from part to part,
Quhyls stif thay stog, And quhyls thay bent about
To schaw tham maisters of the fensing art.
The knycht of clairmont vith couragius hart
On Sacripant Ane ackwart dint did ding,
Quhilk all astonist meed his arme to smart;
As bruckill glass he did aschunder bring
His targe of steil, Quhill all the rocks did ring,
Quhilk quhan the craintiwe Pucelle haid espyit,
Vith vo all vext hir hands began to vring,
And doutfull dreid hir beutie brycht vpdryit;
32
Quho seis his deth, And may find no remeed,
So scho to Rennawlt feird to be applyit,
Gif langer scho remanit in that steed;
To Rennawlt quhom scho haits vnto the deed,
Als far as he hir luifit in effect.
Heirfoir besyd tham Scho no moir abeed,
Bot turns hir horse And taks hir vay derect
Throch thikkest vods And vildernes eiect
from euerie passage maist frequentit plaine,
Vith vofull visage spying ay suspect
That Rennawlt rins In hir persute againe.
Bot now approtchis hir profoundest paine,
Quhilk till Indyt dois all my mynd molest,
My reuthfull hart from sychs may not refrain
for to record quhow duilfullie vas drest
This lustie dame, bereft of quiet rest
Now be ane hermet, cause of all hir cair;
Quho meting hir vas vtterlie opprest
Vith Cupids dart As I sall heir declair.
The Subtill hermet mycht resist na mair,
Bot deiplie did greine vound of luife Induir;
Thocht feir did feed hir former fauor fair,
Hir luiflie luiks did all his lusts alluir,
And so constraind his aidgeit brest combuir
In feruent force of furius fumyng fyre,
That Bersabe in bathe I ȝow assuir
Inflamd no moir king Dauid vith desyre:
Bot he vas eildit, And his ase did tyre
Till Imitat hir passing paise be speid,
Vith nigromance heirfoir he did conspire
To satisfie his vitius vilan deid.
His conIurations, And his bakwart creid,
Vith circumstans of monie circle round,
In ceremonius maner did he reid,
Quhill vickit spreits Infernall did abound
from Plutos darckest dungeon maist profound;
33
Quho brocht this dame in danger to be dround:
Hir horse he reuld vith violent effect
Throch Neptuns deips Till ane disert derect
Be this decetfull hermets fraud and slycht;
In the quhilk part he suirlie did expect
for till obteine at vill hir beutie brycht.
And so hir horse to dant Scho haid na mycht,
Bot in the seis perforce he gois coak,
And scho in vo bewrapt ane vereid vycht
To saif hir self sat Suirlie on his bak,
As Iupiter fair Europa did tak
Throch bullering strems his strese for to restoir,
Quhan as Mercurius priuelie did mak
Hir velthie troups for till approtche the schoir
Be the command of gentill Iowe befoir,
Hir beutie so his godheed meed decay,
That in ane bull he did transform his gloir,
And throch the seis so suame vith hir away.
Now Angelique Induring sic effray
Be spreit Inspyrit in hir raidgeing horse,
Hir haer disparplit, And hir ritche array
Spred lyk ane quheile about hir cumlie corse,
Vith pitie perst Protheus haid remorse
To sie this ladie So Impeschd vith pyn;
Both Egeon And Doris did thair forse,
And all the rest of Marin Nymphs deuyn,
To cause the Iaws thair tumbling cours Inclyn;
Bold Boreas And Eurus did abstrak
Thair bubbing blasts, And Tryton vith his tryn
Supplide to hold hir on hir horsis bak.
“I var to blame gif sic ane beutie vrak,”
Sayis Mychtie Neptun, “Quhair I mak repair.”
“And it to me var both grayt schame and lak
for to torment hir vith Intemperat air;”
Quod Eolus. “My pith now sall I Spair,
34
At part apoynt So lands hir haiknay thair,
Quhan Phebus cours till Occident applyis;
All dririe droukit doutsum in deuyis
Quhat for to do in that disert alon
Scho stairing stands But motion, and espyis,
As Image formit of the marbile ston,
Quhair hiddius rocks obscuirlie did depon
Thair feirfull fronts abowe that perrelus part.
All kynd of confort being from hir gon,
Vith stupifact distressit quaking hart
Sich mycht scho not, so suffocat vith smart,
Bot all besueld in sorrow dolor dreis;
Quhill at the last trebusching out did start
Ane fluid of teiris from hir reuthfull eis.
Vith hands vpheld than falling on hir kneis,
Hir trublit toung outbirsts vith grayt lament
Agains the malheur of hir destineis,
Beginning thus hir pitifull complent;
“O mychtie Iowe, Quhy art thow crewall bent
My martrit mynd for to molest so soir?
I vofull vretche, quhois vorldlie veill is spent,
May not resist thy malice ony moir.
It not accords vith graytnes of thy gloir
Contrare ane catiwe dourlie to contend;
Thy gratius godheid humyllie I Imploir,
Prolong not lyfe bot Suddan deth me send.
I dalie dies ȝit deth vill navayis end
My lothsum lyfe Quhilk till agment my cair
So situat is, And sorroufull suspend,
As Phaeton vithin Apollos chair
Throch feirfull monsters hurlling heir and thair,
Quhill thow quho reuis abowe the heauenis hie
Thy thudding thunder did vpon him spair.
O Iupiter, extend the lyk to me.
35
Vith sauuage beists heir to persawe me rent,
Cause tham approtche vith speid and lat me die
for to dissolwe my duill Incontinent.
Quhat now awails the beutie excellent
Quhilk thow O Nature did on me dispon?
Of that grayt gift I lairgelie may repent.
for It am I not raueist from my tron?
My bruther Argail lykuayis lost and gon,
To quhom Inchantit harneis not awaild,
And als my father Mychtie Galafron,
To battell kein be Agrican appaild,
All for the beutie quhilk thow in me saild.
Vold god I haid in Ethiopia thair
Beine bred and borne, Quhair fairnes all is faild,
And not in ynd ane maikles maede preclair.
O Philida, thow happi vas and fair,
Quha fed thy flock in pouertie and rest,
Bot I vith Lucrece may lament in cair
My onlie beutie dois my lyf molest.
from part to part I pass persewd and drest
In duyning dolor Quhilk I dalie drie.
And ȝit this thing deteins me maist supprest,
I feir my honor quyt extinguist bie;
for thocht I haif obseruit chastetie,
ȝit vandring as ane volsum vagabound,
Report perhaps vill attribute to me
That sum hes fauor in my fancie found;
for meschant mouths of this malitius mound
Of proper prettick vill vith pert pretens
Prepair sum propos of ane sempill ground
Quhair thay may purches place and audiens;
Agains the quhilk auaillis no defens,
Bot to gif liars liwe ane space to lie;
And than vith tyme, As smell of sueit Incens,
Treuth sall triumphe Immaculat and frie.
36
for preseruation of thair vomanheed,
That nane occasion sic vnseimlie sie,
As ons may muife thair famus fame to feed.
for as the recent rubie Rosis reed
May not abyd all bitter blasts that blaws,
So the renoune of beutie lyith deed
Quhan vickit toungs be sum appirans schaws
That vitius liwing honestie ourthraws,
Quhilk causis beutie odius to bie,
And our estait In dalie dainger draws
To disposses vs of our vorschip hie;
Quhairof gif men thair self ons victors sie,
Thocht thay do flatter for ane space and fengȝie,
Thay think ve ar als copius and frie
To all the rest of that decetfull mengȝie;
Thair teirs distels bot onlie to distengȝie
Our Chastetie Quhilk cheiflie suld precell.
As to my self I sall vith reson rengȝie
Thocht thay suld raidge lyk Cerberus in hell:
And gif that fortoune creuallie compell
My cairfull corps heir but delay to die,
ȝit sall my spreit vith daintie Diane duell,
Quhilk is the onlie hoip reconforts me.”
Lyk as the luiflie lustie Emelie
Did celebrat ane sacrafice maist dew
To this Chast goddes, sutting sum supplie
The theban knychtis both for till eschew,
So scho deuote vith palle And blanchit hew
Hir gost commends in Dame Dianas hands,
Attending tym quhan Deth suld hir persew.
Vith trimbling hart And fixt regard scho stands,
And syn, reteiring sumpart from the sands,
Beneth ane rock abowe the sam scho spyis
The foirsaid hermet bound in Cupids bands,
To quhom vith speid for sum supplie scho cryis,
And said, “O father venerabill vyis
37
Sic teinfull terror on my bodie lyis,
It Interrupts my toung for till explaine
Quhow I in dreid and dolor dois remaine,
As Daniell vith lyons meed repair.
Bot thow Art send to help me vp againe,
As Habacuc vas heysit be the hair;
It me reiosis to persawe the thair.
O holie man, I hartlie the exhort
Of mercie cum and metigat my cair,
for I sustenit hes na litle tort,
Arrywing heir at this vnhappie port.”
And so vith sychs and teirs scho schortlie schew
The summe of thair hir sorroufull resort,
Quhan touarts hir dissimulat he drew,
Be apparance sembling deuotion trew,
As Godlie Ierom, Paull, or Hilaire heir,
And vith perfyt remonstrances anew
He meed his subtill sanctitude appeir.
“Delay ȝour duill my tender dochter deir;”
This hypocreit did rycht demurlie say,
“I haife grayt pitie of ȝour cairfull cheir,
And to persawe ȝour sorroufull array:
Bot sen ve ar Incertane euerie day
Of erdlie Ioy quhilk is so friuole vaine,
Now lat ȝour courage on sum confort stay,
And tak in patience this ȝour present paine;
Quhan vo is past, veill vill returne againe.
As plesis fortoune, so ve most Induir.
My cumlie chyld, all plesour is prophaine
Heir in this vorld, And no thing stabill suir.”
As fraudfull fouller dois the foule alluir
for to be catchit at his craftie call,
So all this speitche peruert vas till procuir
Place till obteine his plesour sensuall.
for in effect the forme did eftir fall
Quhan till Intretment doucelie he began,
38
Syn kyndlie kyssit as ane amorus man,
Quhill that his hand beneth hir vestment than
He hamlie threw, And menit till Imbrace,
As did the Iudgeis to the Chast Susan,
Quhill Scho repulst him vith ane blusching face.
So than persawing till obteine na place
Be dailling douce at hir disdainfull pryd,
In sort sinister ȝit he suttit grace,
Disclosing thair ane beuget at his syd,
Out of the quhilk he did ane phiole slyd
Vith liquor plinist till repress the eine,
And vith ane sparking drop thairof did hyd
The brychtest percing torches to be seine;
The fairest lamps that luife possest, I meine,
The heauenlie eis that chiftans did coak,
Quhilks far preceld thois of the grecian queine,
Quha brocht both Troy and Troians all to vrak.
This foirsaid liquor sic effect did mak,
That sueitlie syn in sleiping sound scho lyis,
So that this vitius vieillard now mycht tak
Of hir his plesour At his awne deuyis.
He kist, he claps, he braist, he tuitchd, he spyis
Hir glansing gorge, And curall lyps perfyt,
Hir cristall paps, As proper perls of pryis,
So dour, so douce, and so transparant quhyt,
far fairer formyt Nor my Muse may dyt,
Vith rubie heeds vpraeist as berreis round,
And tham betuix ane distance of delyt,
Quhair euerie vaine vith beutie did abound.
Hir seimlie skin so sklender soft and sound,
As collorit lileis fresche and flurist fair,
In this disert Inhabitable ground
But molestation he perusis thair.
Bot feiblit corps mycht not vith vill repair;
Do quhat he vold, his Standhard did declyn.
He sayeit all meins, Quhill that he mycht na mair
39
His Roncin sueire the first assault did tyn,
Trebusching doune quhill nether spur nor vand
Mycht onie farder pouse him fordwart; syn
He lurks and lyis, And vill not ryd nor stand.
The moir he spurd, The moir refuse he fand,
He neuir start Nor onie stirage meed,
Thocht oft he hyst him vith his harskie hand.
He dammest drouppit doune againe as deid
Vith panchie mouth als haw as onie leed,
And all his hyd most lyk ane skrimplit ront;
No chap nor chak mycht mak him lift his heed,
His bruisit bit vas vorne so rustie blont;
In vain he forst him to that flowing font,
In vaine he schaiks the brydile to and fro,
In vaine he vrocht for he vold neuir mont,
And vainlie vaine he lang tormentit so,
Quhill hir besyd at last he sleipit tho,
Till now occurs ane new mishap againe
Quhilk varps this ladie, all Inwolwed in vo,
from deip distres to dowbill duill and paine.
So is the cours of friuoll fortoune vaine,
Quha seyndill schoirs vith single sorrow schort,
Bot communlie quhan scho begins disdaine
Cair till agment is all hir game and sport,
As in this cace be pruife I sall report.
And in effect the forme heirof to tell,
Ane litle space from propos I resort
for to dilat quhow that the sam befell.
In hebude yle sum tym ane king did duell,
Quho had ane dochter so surpassing fair,
That be hir beutie brycht quhilk did precell
In the sie landis, as scho meed repair,
Cacht vas Protheus in the fettrit snair
Of ardent luife Amyds the frostie strems;
So that is vattrie brest Inflamit thair
for fauor feruent all in fyrie glems,
40
Hir seing singlie valkand at the schoir,
That of hir madinheed he hir frilie lems,
And left hir so vith chyld but proces moir:
Quhairvith hir father greuit vas so soir,
He kild his dochter but paternall stay,
Quhilk meed this pastor of Neptunus stoir
Becum his mortall ennemie for ay.
Strong ourks And Phoks And monsters euerie day
from seis he send his peuple till annoy,
Quhilks brocht his kingdom greatlie till decay.
Thay did not onlie bestiall distroy,
Bot men and vyfs mycht not thair lyfs InIoy,
Brochs, touns, and citeis, var beseidged about,
And euerie ane constraind to keip tham coy,
for to preserwe tham from this maryn rout.
Enarmed all thay dalie stuid in dout,
Thair fertill feildis var dishantit lang,
Quhill schersing help heirfro to be brocht out
Vnto thair god thay did deuoilie gang.
The reyttis done, The oracle than rang
This subsequent respons apertlie plaine,
That the remeed of this maist vofull vrang
Vas till assuadge Protheus great disdaine
In offring him ane virgin fair againe
from ane till ane, Quhill that is raidge did stay,
Na les of beutie than the former slaine;
So ans contentit vold he be for ay.
The fairest faces suffert first decay
Be sentence said in this mischiwos sort,
Ane beutie brycht present vas euerie day
To this Protheus, till abstract his tort,
Quhilks all susteind ane miserabill mort;
Ane hiddius ourk tham duilfullie deuord.
This law did lang thir landis lest athort.
O lustie ladeis, heir ȝour deth is schord,
for gif ȝour beuteis in thir bounds abord,
41
No mercie may thir menis mynds remord;
Vpon the riuage schers thay nycht and day
Sum fremmit face the perrell till assay;
Sum thay obteine be slycht, And sum be gaine,
Sum thay alluir, And sum thay raife away,
Vith this maist creuall coustume to be slaine;
Thay bussie pass both hautie hill, and plaine,
Sic neidfull prey for till prepair and find,
Quhill quhair the beutie peirles did remaine,
Ewen hir vith quhom the hermet vold haif sind,
Thay cam at last, And did hir firmlie bind.
O diwelische dome for sutche ane seimlie sant,
O frowart fortoune fickle, false, and blind!
Sall now ane monster hir devoir and dant
Quha from the Caldest Caucasus caust hant
Great Agrican to heittest part of ynd:
Hir that the half of Scythia meed vant
Thair lyfs for luife: And fers ferragus pynd:
Hir that the puissant Sacripant constrynd
To leife his velthie kingdome and renoune:
And vordie Roland till rin by his mynd,
And all the Orient turnit vpsyd doune?
So singlie now sall scho in sorrow soune
Bot one to giwe hir confort or relife.
Thay led hir captiwe bound vnto thair toune,
Quhill tym occurrit of this mad mischife;
Than to the monster vas scho brocht in brife,
Quhan thay of pitie haid sum space hir spaird,
Quhair all the peuple, follouing hir in grife,
Vith veping eis vpon hir beutie staird.
Quho may exprime the pitifull regaird,
The cair, the plaint, the clamor, and the mone,
Quhilk to the hichest heauenis percing raird,
Quhan scho vas cheingȝeit to the stabill stone,
Abyding deth bot help of onie one?
for routh I meruell nor the riuage rawe.
42
for verray vo I most the mateir lawe.
Quhat tygar veyld Or Serpent in the grawe
May sie or think, but pitie and lament,
fair Angelique all nakit as ane slawe
Link till ane rock to be deuord and rent?
O gif thy luifers knew, thay vold not stent
To giwe the ayde, Thocht vith extremest deed
Ten thousand tyms Thair bodie vold be bent
Vith hardie hart to mak the now remeed.
43
THE . 4 . CANT.
My plume Imprompt Quho sall perfytlie leedQuhilk so converts from curssit cair to cair?
Quho sall derect my dull forwayit heed
Vith douce Indytment deulie to declair
The grivous gronyngs And the sorrow sair
Of Roland rycht, to quhom I turne againe,
Quho dalie deis in dolor and dispair?
No kynd of rest may in his brest remaine
for egar grife quhilk grwsse in euerie vaine.
O Melpomene, now ayde my daȝed dyt,
And vith thy teirs fill vp my emptiwe braine,
His percing passions till explaine perfyt,
The scorching sychs, the sorrow, and the syt,
Quhilk so vith suerfs oursets his hardie hart,
All distitude of confort and delyt.
Sen tym his ladie did from him depart,
Nocht may remeed this deedlie dolorus dart,
Except Inspection of hir fragrant face.
for sorrow sad he seims to suelt and smart,
That so hir lost, Saying full oft “alace”!
In till his bed he turns from place to place,
Quhyls vp, Quhyls doune, Quhyls hither thair and heir,
Lyk as the schadow befoir Phebus face
Of tuynkling vattir casting clairlie cleir,
Or as the nocturne beams quhilk dois appeir
But rest ay reilling throch the glansing sky.
So Roland raidgeing for his ladie deir
44
Quhyls vold he birst out vith ane reuthfull cry,
And quhyls vith sobs supprest vold hold his pace,
Quhyls vold he fant, Quhyls vold he freise, and fry,
And quhyls vith teirs bebathe he vold his face,
Quhill pinching paine did pousse his speitche ane space
Vith tein, vith terror, torment, and dispyt,
Him self both cursing and his cairfull cace,
To froune, and fume, And in this form to flyt:
“O Thow my onlie darrest douce delyt,
And chefe berawar of my captiwe braine,
Vo vorth the tym that euir I did the quyt;
Vold God that hour I rather haid beine slaine,
for all the force of mychtie Charlemaine
Vas not of strenth to tak the from my hand.
Quhy vas I than so friuoll And so vaine
To rander the althocht he did command?
Quhy vold I not be battell first gainstand?
Quhy vold I not all force for the defy?
Quhy vold I not vith the haif left the land?
Quho mycht or sould haif keipit the as I?
No rycht excuse in to my part may ly.
My onlie luife, My ladie, and my lust
Gois single athort, quhilk maks my flesche to fry,
In my defalt disturbit soir I trust.
I viss my hart haid to the deth beine thrust
Quhan I departit from thy persone puir.
My lyfs releife, I haif occasion Iust
To die for dolour quhilk thow dois Induir.
As meikest lambe gois in the vods obscuir
Bot keipar suir vith vickit volfis fell,
So vanders thow, Quhois beutie vill alluir
Sum vith the flour of thy first fruite to mell;
Quhilk flour I sparit at thy chast repell,
Quhilk flour beraifs me of all erdlie thocht,
Quhilk onlie flour so maks my sorrow suell,
flour dew to me for I it darrest bocht;
45
Hiche vith the Gods quhilk mycht haife giwene me blis,
O famus flour vnto decay now brocht,
Quhow sall I liwe for to remember this?
This onlie flour was all that I did wis,
And vissing it I fretit nycht and day,
Now duilfull day to me that did it mis.
Mishappie man am I for euir and ay,
O vofull vycht, quhois veill is vent away.
for gif this fair fresche flour so feidit bie,
Doung doune in deipest doungeon of decay
Than do I stand, And rather craifs to die.
O god eterne, Convert this cair from me
As plesis the in onie vther pyn,
Sic deedlie dolor dow I navayis drie
But disperation and my saule to tyn.
Quhair art thow now, O lustie ladie myn,
My onlie help, And confort from all cair,
Moir dar to me than dytment may defyn?
Quhair slyds thy self so seimlie sueit and fair
But thy awne trusty Rolands pert repair
Plaine to protect thy proper persone suir?”
So said he, Syn in sorrow syching sair
Inclusit held the duill he did Induir
Vith cairfull corps consumd in canckerd cuir,
Quhill Morpheus displayed his slummering scheild
Abowe his brest, Quhilk partlie did alluir
His hawie hart And veping eis to ȝeild;
Ȝit thocht he sleips, his sleiping is no beild
from his consauit coustumabill cair.
He dremd he vas in ane fair fertill feild
At plesour sporting vith his luife preclair,
Bot barran both this feild becam and bair
Be bittir blast he thocht that boreas blew,
And vith that storme he lost his ladie fair,
And quhair scho gois no maner of vay he knew.
Vith reuthfull cryis he socht and did persew
46
Bot ay from him he thocht scho did eschew,
So that he cud hir navayis comprehend.
Ane vther voce, as he did wauering vend,
Pronuncit syn this sentence sad and Schort:
“Thy veilfair, Roland, now is at ane end,
Moir in this erth thow sall not Ioy nor sport.”
Now vith this vord from sleip he did resort,
His former vois beginning to renew:
“Helas,” thinks he, “my ladie suffers tort,
Quhill I hir sie no solace sall Insew;
The reed, the quhyt, the purpur, greine, and blew,
Heir I renounce, And euerie color fair,
for vofull vychts vold veir no variant hew;
Blak cleithe sould catifs cleine ourcum vith cair.”
from bed he bends, for he mycht byd na mair;
Blak vas his targe, blak vas his speir, and scheild,
And all in blak he dois him self prepair,
Vith truibill, teine, and trauell, tosd and teild.
Throche fellect fois that fumit fast in feild
Both grime and griwous but regard he gois
for till obteine his brychtest blisfull beild,
That sant celest supassing maist formois,
Desyring all thair knawledge to disclois,
Gif in thois bounds they haid hir beutie seine.
Thrie nychts and dayis he neuir did repois,
Bot tryis and spyis thair camp vith restless eine;
The narrest touns that syn adiacent beine,
The hils, the vails, the vods, and vildernes,
He bussie socht as Tygar full of teine
In dalie duyning dolor and distres.
Throch all the parts of france he past expres,
And throch Auuergne and Gasconie also,
Throch Prouance als he did his Iournay dress,
To Britannie and monie cuntreis mo,
Returning syn to Pycardie; thairfro
47
Quho may exprime the bussie sute and vo,
The langsum labor, And the vrgent paine,
Quhilk he susteind In stormie vind and raine,
The cumber clamor, And contineuall cair,
Vith tuynkling teirs from his tormentit braine,
All for the absence of his ladie fair?
It tedius var derectlie to declair
His vilsum vayis vent be sie and land,
Vith exploitis precelling but compair
Vrocht vith his vordie valȝant valurus hand.
Go, reid the histoir, ȝe sall vnderstand
Quhow from distres Olimpe he did restoir
first to hir Croune, And nixt quhan he hir fand
Round quhair ane monster cam hir to devoir,
Than hich abowe thois peuple grew his gloir,
Quhan thay beset him furius round about.
for as the Ours, The Sangleir, or the Boir,
Bald at the bay He stuid amyds the rout;
Nane durst assaill except vith skirll and schout,
Or stand adrich And at him dartis suak,
lyk hunters quhan the lyon Ischis out
for dreid of dainger fleing fast abak.
His sourd so snell Als thick did clinck and clak,
Quhair euir he verts his force And awfull face,
As Schour of hailstains rappan on the thak,
Or drums redoubling battell in that place.
Than no defens auaillit all the space,
His stalwart strenth so stoutlie did surmont,
Quhill euerie Chiftan tuik the feirfull chace.
Be onlie thraw of his victorius front
Both heir and thair At vill he dois tham hont,
And quhair he cums thair keinlie did he kill.
Nane docht Induir quhair Durandall did dont,
Not thow O Hector, Nor the fers Achill.
48
THE . 5 . CANT.
As painfull Pilgrim Pressing to fulfillHis Irksum Iournay passing to and fro
In dririe nycht, So I agains my vill
Dois stot and stummer in my mateir low:
I haif no vay quhairbe derect to go,
Bot as the vycht quho vanders vilsum blind
This vork of myn behuifs me schers it so;
Quhyls heir, Quhyls thair, Quhyls fordwart and behind,
The historie all Interlest I find
Vith syndrie sayings of so great delyt,
That singlie most I from the rest out spind,
As the vnskilfull prentes Imperfyt
Quho fyns the gould frie from the laton quyt.
No vonder thocht my vittis vaueruill;
In flowing feild of sic profound Indyt
My minschit meitir may bot mank and spill.
Ȝit as the painter stairing stedfast still
Vith trimbling hand his dracht perfyt to draw,
So Indevoir I vith my sklender skill
for to do better than my breath may blaw.
Accept guiduill, for I guidwill sall schaw
To fram so furth as I haif done Intend.
fair Angelique vas linckit as ȝe knaw
Close till ane rock hir vofull lyf to end,
As alabast statue Solitar suspend
Vith stabill eis Attending onlie deed.
The Ourk approtching be Protheus send
49
Quhan ewen abow hir at that Instand steed
knycht Rodger keine, on Hypogriphe quho flew,
Cam pricking doune but feir of onie feed
And did this dam vith diligence reskew.
Thocht palle perturbit vas hir heauenlie hew,
Hir glistring eis the dochtiest so dants,
That vith ane blink scho Rodger did subdew,
Sic seid of luife hir persone seine Implants,
Quhilk nakit vas, And no perfectione vants,
Resparsit vith hir gouldin hairs perfyt,
As Phebus beams in guidlie garding hants
On recent rosis And fresche lileis quhyt.
“Quhat crewall hart Inuenemit vith dispyt,”
Sayis he, “hes bound the to this frostie stone?
O doucest dame, thy body of delyt
Vith luiflie leessis sould be link alone.”
Hir cumlie corps, as he did thus propone,
for seimlie schame reed sprinklit mycht be seine,
lyk vermell paintit on the Iwore bone,
Or cramsie silk in satine quhyt and cleine.
His royall ring giwen be his ladie scheine
The sam he placit on hir fingar fair;
Quho It possest Inwisebill thay beine,
Quhan in thair mouth thay buir this ring preclair;
It haid also ane vther virtew rair,
All sorcerie It did extinguise plaine,
So that be It one harmles mycht repair
Of varlow vitche or vickit visione vaine.
The peruers brunnell be his subtill braine
This Ring befoir from Angelique did steile,
And the magnifique Bradamant againe
Reft it from him, Auld Atlant till asseile,
Quhan he Inchantit held hir luifer leile
This foirsaid Rodger captiwe In ane tour.
Syn, quhan his former fortitude did feile
Be byding lang in vickit Alcins bour,
50
Be prudent Melisse, Quha from thence him brocht;
And he preserwed it ay vnto this hour,
Quhill torche of luif now in his hart so vrocht,
That fyre heirof throch all his bodie socht,
And him vpkendlit in ane glowing gleid;
This nakit figure so bereft his thocht,
Quhair ewerie beutie did his fancie feid.
So Rodger raeid, Reiosing as I reid,
Vith this Diana dressit him behind
On Hypogriphe, auancing hich vith speid,
As falcon fair suift fleing in the vind,
Espying quhair sum proper part to find
To raipe the fruite of this his conquest gaine.
Sic birnand brands his bowdin brest did bind,
The moir delay, The moir Agments his paine;
Vith luiflie luiks quhilk he culd not refraine
Oft blinks he bak, And softlie did hir kis;
And seing syn ane situat plesand plaine,
Vith Iofull hart doune he discends in this,
Quhilk montans circuat round as he culd wis
And flurist treis quhairon the birds did sing,
Resembling rycht ane Paradice of blis,
And in the myds ane fontan fair did spring.
from Hypogriphe that did tham hither bring
Thay lycht, And left him linkit at ane staik.
Now Rodger heir single vith this ladie ȝing,
Vncled befoir him quhytter than the laik,
No vonder thocht fair Bradamant his maik
pass from his mynd be sutche ane seimlie sycht.
Quho mycht refraine now for this ladie saik
To mont aloft vith all his members tycht?
Not thow Ȝenocret froisin sillie vycht,
This traine of luif thy continence vold rawe.
Than Rodger birning for hir beutie brycht
So bendit beine, he mycht not byd to crawe
51
Bot be bald battrie vold the blockhouse tak.
The percebill primp port he did persawe,
Quhairof preparing till vpclose the chak,
Both scheild and corslat from him did he suak,
His haberȝsone and harneis all vith speid,
Quhilk as ane barrier held his baȝon bak;
No meruell thocht the fortres schouk for dreid.
Now Angelique eschaming at this neid
Vith eis derectit on hir bodie quhyt
The ring quhilk vrocht so monie vondrus deid
Scho did persawe; And raueist with delyt
Scho knew it veill: And als it vas not quyt
Of vertew great quhilk in it did consist;
from hand till hand scho subtelie perfyt
In till hir mouth it catchit or he vist.
As fyrie glem extinguist at ane flist,
Or glance of Phebus glorius gouldin face
Maist suddan schaddowit vith ane cloud of mist,
So scho evanist from him in that place.
He sychit soir full oft And said “alace,”
far circumvenit quhair he did confid.
Thair did he gaise, Thair did he plaine ane space,
And scho valks vandrand void of vordie gyd,
Quhair vayis vas vilsum vithin voddis vyd,
As Naturall Nymphe, Or lucine lampe of lycht,
Quhill scho approtchd sum Pastors thair besyd,
Quho gaif hir fuid And clothing as thay mycht.
Thocht hir Array did laik the Rubeis brycht
In former fassone set on silks anew,
Quhilk scho vith perle and pretius stonis pycht
Vmquhyle possest of euerie sort and hew,
Quhyt, purpur, sanguine, cramsie, broune, and blew,
Orange, Incarnat, ȝallow, reed, and greine,
Ȝit in this habit pastorall scho schew
The countinance of Emperese Or Queine.
52
Neera brycht, And Calista formois,
Nane of ȝow all so beutifull hes beine
As scho quha heir amongs the schiphirds gois.
In this estait now finds scho maist repois,
In this estait now valks scho saif and frie,
In this estait scho singlie dois reiois;
lang may scho liwe in this estait for me.
Hir sacred Ring Scho dois posses and sie,
Quhilk from Inchantment is preseruatiwe,
And quhan scho lyks Invisebill to bie,
Scho harmles hants, No persone may hir griwe.
Now for ane space from hir I tak my liwe,
And to Comte Roland vill returne againe,
Confessing oft sic mateir till Imbriwe
Vaeik is the vigor of my viddrit vaine.
53
THE . 6 . CANT.
Quhair luife dois Reule No Resone may refraine,Luife for na stres vill lawe his ladie deir,
Thocht dew desert for fauor find disdaine,
Ane luifer leile vill constant perseueir,
As be the sequell plainlie sall appeir
Of hiche renownit Roland quhom I sing;
Quhom nether vinter sesone of the ȝeir,
Great painfull perrels, Nor contrarius thing
Mycht ons againe from former sute him bring;
Bot day and nycht vith ardent deip desyre
for till obteine his luiflie ladie ding
He trauell tuik And at no tym vold tyre,
for force and flame of luifis feruent fyre
So brint in bosume of his secret thocht,
That nether vit nor pouer mycht Impyre,
Bot ay his fancie flowing vas afflocht.
In euerie part Insatiantlie he socht,
Both far, and nar, feild, forrest, hill, and plaine;
As Saddest ceres, Quhan tuo firs scho brocht
To Vulcans fyre, Quhilk did tham so constraine
Incendit thair ay birning to remaine,
Than for na panis did hir persone spair,
In chariot set, Quhilk Serpents but disdaine
Drew eueriquhair, To schers hir dochter fair
Throch buss, And bra, broks, burns, And bankis bair,
Throch all the erth, And seis from end till end;
Sin in this vorld quhan scho culd schers na mair,
54
So Roland na les villing did pretend
To find againe the Rubie of Renoune
Throch Italie vith vonderfull commend;
Quhan he all france haid compast vp and doune,
As Mychtie Monarck boldlie did he boune,
All Almanie he past apertlie plaine
By monie valey, vildernes, and toune,
And all the seis of libia And Spaine;
To Castillon both new and auld againe
He restles raeid on Bridedor his steid:
Thir vayis I wat he neuir vent in vaine
Vith ydle hand Bot doing dochtie deid,
Thocht Inexprimit as thay did succeid,
To lycht vitnes neuir cam his ak,
for quhy him self so secret vas I reid,
Thocht lairge he did, he neuir amplie spak,
So that the most part is obscuird abak
Of all his vorschip vin this vinter last.
Bot quhan brycht Tytan did his cours vptak
Abowe the Bull vpdrying stormes past,
And Ȝephir suawe vith bonie bousum blast
Reuerts againe the blomit branchis greine,
Quhan herbs and flours aboundant dois vpcast
Sueit sauorus smell in sop all soupit scheine,
The pruifs Immortall than of Roland beine
Vpspringing vith the verduir of the ȝeir.
Now as he pansiwe raeid vith stabill eine
In entring at ane forrest did he heir
Ane reuthfull cry. Vith speid he spurd to speir
The menyng of that pitifull complent.
Ane horssit knycht than till him did appeir,
And in his armes ane proper pucelle gent,
Quhamvith perforce trottane away he vent.
Scho quhyns, Scho schrinks, Scho vreyis, Scho vips for vo,
And vith maist dolorus semblant and lament
Imploirs the Comte to saif hir from hir fo.
55
for scho resemblit Angelique preclair,
His onlie luife And goddes vexit so;
He seis hir vult, He seis hir ȝallow hair,
Hir heawenlie eis precelling bot compair,
Quhilk from myd ceinter of his brest in baille
haid reft his hart; No longer mycht he spair,
Vith horrabill voce the knycht he dois appaille,
And full of furie feruent till assaille
Drew Durandall As ane Inraidgeit man.
Bold Bridedor, that did him neuir faille,
As thunder thuds vith quhiddrand reard he ran.
The one dois flie, The vther ferss began
To follow fast As euir falcon flew.
The rocks, The reuers, and the forrests thane,
Resoundit all for din and clamor new.
Vith great manasse ay did he pert persew,
Bot ȝit culd not to his desyre attaine,
for suift as vind the vther dois eschew,
Quhill till ane palice he did Roland traine,
Quhair lang he schersit thair his luif in vaine,
for be Inchantment to him did appeir
That in that building scho haid done remaine.
Quhyls vp, Quhyls doune, he seis hir thair and heir,
Vith pitius speitche Saying, “approtche my deir,
Speid and supplie thy onlie paramour.”
Beliwe ȝe veill that than he vas not sueir,
Bot butt and ben he bends from bour to bour,
Vp turnpyks, turats, And from tour to tour,
He restles ran all resonles begyld.
Vithin thois vals vyd vandrand euerie hour
The Iwill Inchantor so deteind him syld,
Vith monie mo of staluart knychts so styld,
As Ariost in hich and vordie verse
The circumstance moir copius hes compyld
Than I may retche vith rasche and ruid reherse.
Stout Sacripant And fell ferragus ferse
56
The false Illusion lykuayis did them perse,
Thay all presumit till obteine hir thair.
Quhan thay ascend, thay sie hir dounvart fair,
Quhan thay cum doune, thay sie hir vp againe,
And ay approtching, thay find void and bair
The part quhair scho apperit to remaine:
Quhow soone thay Irkit or consawed disdaine,
To tham againe appeird hir fragrant face
And socht supplie; than mycht thay nocht refraine,
Bot dois commence thair coustumabill chace.
So thay abaid all vitchit in this place
Be Atlants nigromancicale Inwent,
Quhill Angelique persawed thair cairfull cace,
As I sall schaw in maner subsequent.
57
THE . 7 . CANT.
Precelling Spreits of Iowe the dochters gent,Apollos Sisters that on Pernass sports,
from fragrant feilds Quhair freschlie ȝe frequent
Supplie me vith ȝour pithie prompt reports.
Ȝe that all cunnyng creaturs conforts
Sum polite propos for my pen prepair,
Quhilk now againe to Angelique resorts.
Blaw in my braine Sum of ȝour holsum air,
Quhilk flows about the famus fontane fair
Of the renownit heauenlie helecone,
Vith dytment douce derectlie to declair
The present plat Quhilk pithles I compone.
I haif exprest quhow Angelique alone
from dochtie Rodger in disert hir drest,
And to sum pastors thair besyd hes gone,
Quhair for ane space this ladie tuik sum rest,
Quhill feruent ȝeill hir hautie hart possest
for to returne in hir paternall land.
Concluding so Scho did esteme it best
That ether Roland, quho vold stoutlie stand,
Or Sacripant, hir luifer at command,
In this hir vilsum voyage lairge and lang
Sould hir conduct, That thair maist hardie hand
Hir persone passing mycht preserue frome vrang.
Ane horse scho fand the schiphirds thair amang,
Syn sped hir throw the flurist feildis fair
By monie citie, toune, And castell strang,
58
Thame haifing all lyk egale in compair.
for nane scho vold in speciall elect,
Bot onlie socht thair conwoy, And na mair,
from perrels plaine hir pertlie to protect,
Refelling all thair fauor in effect.
As brasin bow quhilk vill not bendit bie,
Hir staitlie spreit vill not to luif derect
for onie cair hir cumbrit corps may drie.
So veying thame in equale ballance frie,
Scho schortlie past both forrest, hill, and plaine,
Quhill Scho approtchd be verray chance to sie
The part quhair all the knychtis did remaine,
Most bussie sutting vith perturbit braine
Ane fenȝeit figure be Inchantment drest.
Rycht veill scho spyis the friuole visione vaine,
And all the maner quhow thay var molest,
for quhy hir ring all sorcerie supprest,
Quhilk in hir mouthe schortlie did Inclois.
Amongs tham spying syn as lyks hir best,
And frie of feir Invisebill scho gois,
Long space auysing quhom for gyd to chois.
for this effect the vordiest conding
Scho dois desyre among the sort of thois
That Sold obey hir best in euerie thing.
Scho knew Comte Roland of all knychtheed spring
for to defend hir vas maist strong and stout;
Bot Sacripant hir awne Circassian king
Ay at hir vill Scho mycht him turne about;
By all the rest heirfoir scho socht him out
Hir cheif Conductor for to be erect,
for quhan Scho finds hir fred againe of dout,
As plesit hir scho mycht him ay reiect;
Bot gif scho vold Comte Roland ons elect,
His feruent flame effectionat and fell
Of veirray force behuift to tak effect;
No vayis Nor vaeills his panis mycht expell,
59
for frustrat fauor vith refuise befoir,
That kyndlie Cupid knew scho keine vold kneill
The douce desyrit dint but proces moir.
To Sacripant heirfoir as gleme of gloir
Scho turning than from mouth hir ring abstraks;
Hir portrature him perst throch euerie poir,
In hir persute vith speid he passage taks.
Scho presuppond the rest haid turnd thair baks
And not persawed hir quhair scho did appeir;
Bot Sic ane glance of lycht hir beutie maks,
As Phebus face Quhan it dois scheine most cleir;
Than all the knychts began as Boirs to beir
To horse and harneis dressit but delay.
Now in this palice no thing sould ȝe heir
But hiddius din for diligence that day.
Quho mycht be formest, formest sprent away;
Gif Roland raeid, ferragus ferslie ran,
And Sacripant Quho thocht no tym to stay
Vith speid he spurrit As ane furius man.
Ane suddan chace thus meruelus began,
So that thay did fair Angelique constraine,
All in ane troupe approtching to hir thane,
To place the ring vithin hir mouth againe.
And from hir former thocht scho dois refraine,
Now nane of thir vith hir scho craifs to bie,
Desyrus navayis oblist to remaine,
Bot rather of tham all alyk go frie.
Ȝit Scho ane space abaid besyd to sie
Thair countinance; As hongrie honds agast
Quhane hontit haeir escaips be turnyng slie,
So stuid thay stairing quhan hir presence past:
Or as blind pilots plast behind the mast
To spy the Pol, And may no thing persawe,
Als stupifact full monie vayis thay cast
In hir persute, Quha smyld to sie tham rawe.
Thane fers ferragus, Quho mycht hautie hawe
60
Began agains the vther tuo and strawe,
Reuerting to thame so vith manlie mycht.
“Desist,” sayis he, “sute not my ladie brycht,
Reteir or doutles ȝe sall schortlie die,
for certanlie I vill admit no knycht
for compaignon to scherse my luife vith me.”
Ȝit thocht he buir his glorius heed rycht hie,
Ane helm he laikit be ane former wow
Nane to posses Quhill that he conquest frie
The helmet fyn on Aufull Rolands brow.
The Comte he cryis, “maist beistlie bodie thow,
Var not it mycht sumpart my honor spot
To chasteis the so but ane Armet now,
I sould thois vords ding bakuart in thy throt.”
The proud espangol Ansuerd, “Thow dois dot
To cair for it Quhairof no cuir I tak,
for but ane helm, I sall in euerie Iot
Agains ȝow tuo Approwe quhat euir I spak.
Die sall ȝe both Or schortlie turne abak.”
“Helas,” quod Mychtie Roland to the king,
“Spair him thy helm that I may vork his vrak,
And all this folie from his furie bring.”
Sayis Sacripant, “that var ane fulische thing,
My force is na les vordie than thy awne
To dant the daftnes of ane fole maling.
Gif him thy helm, It sall be schortlie schawne.”
Subioins ferragus, “folis both veill knawne,
Gif plesit me ane heid peice to posses,
I mycht albeit of baith ȝour bragin blawne
Bereft ȝour helms And meed ȝour courage les.
Bot on my heed I neuir ane sall dres
Quhill that my solempn vow accomplist beine
In the obtening of the helme expres
Quhilk Roland beirs. The Staitlie paladeine.”
The Comte than Smyling sayis, “Art thow so keine
61
Quhilk vmquhyls he at Aspermont in teine
To Argolant sone did Quhan the helm he gat?
No, no, not so, Bot rather veill I vat,
Gif thow beheld him ons in to the face,
Vith speid thow vold repent the of thy plat.”
from heid till heile all trimbling in that place,
The vanteur Spangard vousting all the space,
Sayis, “I cognosce be pruif the contrare plaine,
for tym hes beine quhan Roland purchest pace
At my sourd poynt, Quhilk did him so constraine
That in my vill not onlie did remaine
His foirsaid helm (Quhilk than I vold not tak)
Bot all his armeur mycht haif beine my gaine,
Gif I haid plesit disposses his bak;
So than as now my vow vas not coak,
Quhilk seing him I esie may fulfill.”
The Pithie Paladine Than but patience spak,
“false smatchet smaik, knaiwe, loune, loud liar still,
Quhat part or cuntrie chancit this In till?
Vith vapnis quhan haid thow sic martiall mycht?
I am that man of quhom thow vaunts at vill,
Suppoist be the far from thy present sycht.
Tak gif thow dar my birnist Armes brycht,
Quhilk on this trie betuix vs I append,
Not crawing vantage to mainteine my rycht,
Bot bairheed both Quho may meist sall be kend.”
Out Durandal than hints he vith ane bend,
And furius fers As flame of feruent fyre
The fell ferragus forst him to defend.
No hasard mycht his hardiment exspyre,
Vith austeir luik birnand for Inwart yre,
His sourd he drew, And with his tairge him cled.
Thair dochtie hands than draife vith deip desyre
Schairpe sousing skelps So splentis skattrit spred.
As Bustius Boir In vildernes lang fed
62
Quhilk finds him self at strait and heitlie bled,
Bends vp his birss And vill the bargan byd,
So fers ferragus fumyng at that tyd
Claife all aschunder quhair his glawe did lycht;
He ryfs, he breaks, And percis to the hyd
The nails and mailȝeis forgit fyn and brycht.
Bot as ane tour maist vicht and suirlie pycht,
That byds the brasche, And may not branglit bie,
Als strong and stabill vas the Paladein knycht,
Or lyk ane rock firm situat in the sie,
Sustening stres of stormie stouris hie,
Not caring force of wattrie bowdin Iaws;
So he resists, And strak als egarlie
As quhan seuerest thuds of Boreas blaws
On flurist flours And all thair blossoms maws.
So hakkit heir hard hammerit harneis flew,
Quhair dintis dour of Durandal he draws,
Sic schairing schairpe strong steile soone sparplit schew.
Great vonder vas thair vraithe so vod to wew,
Bot Sacripant in this myd tym addrest
To schers his maistres as ane luifer trew,
Tham leifing both in maner thus molest,
So that alon fair Angelique did rest
Than present thair this spectacle to spy,
Vnseine in sort as I haif els exprest.
And farder ȝit desyrus for to try
Quhat thay vold do gif that the helm tham by
Var from thair sycht conwoyit in this cace,
Sen ether vther for it did defy,
In sport scho thocht to tak it for ane space.
Heirvith possest ane quhyle in to that place
Abaising on thair boldnes did scho byd,
Syn from tham both reuerting thence hir face
But saying vord vith diligence did ryd,
Supposing alwayis so for to prouyd
63
The knychtis keine so plinist var vith pryd,
And in sic raidge and rancor restles strawe,
That far thairfra thair luife haid done tham lawe
Or thay did miss the foirsaid helmet fyn.
ferragus first for it began to crawe,
And start abak, Saying, “our tym ve tyn,
Sen that the guerdon for the quhilk ve pyn
The vther knycht be slycht hes taine away.
He being past, quhat gains the victor syn?
O Subtelie hes he delt vith vs tuay.”
The Comte for vraith haid not ane vord to say,
Quhan on the brainche he did his eis erect,
Bot vith The spangard tuik the radie vay
To chace the knycht Quhom thay did both suspect.
It langsum var to schaw ȝow in effect
Quhow thay at last dissouering fordwart sped:
The Comte he chancit on the trasse derect
Quhilk The Circassian vith his horse haid tred:
The ladeis vent againe ferragus fred,
Quhill he approtchit quhair scho did repois,
At ane fair fontan cleir And cumlie cled
Vith holsum herbs and flurist flours formois.
The Sarrasein than raueist did reiois,
Hir till obteine he sped at vtter mycht,
Bot but delay the ring scho did vpclois
In till hir mouth And wanist from his sycht.
Departing thair scho loist the armet brycht,
Quhilk, schersing hir, ferragus did obteine,
And buir it ay quhill that the paladein knycht
Reft it againe, And slew This pagan keine.
O vofull vandrit now this ladie scheine,
That so haid loist the helm, for haist to flie.
Scho sayis, “helas, I vtherwayis did meine
Than meed this meschant spangard speid to me.
I onlie tuik it till mak tham aggrie,
64
In randring it vnto The Comte als frie
As ofbefoir he did the sam posses.”
Lamenting so Scho did hir Iournay dres
Derectlie to the Orient againe
Alon but gyd, And plainlie dois profes
In vontit sort to beir luife at disdaine.
65
THE . 8 . CANT.
Perturbit Prence Opprest vith pansiwe paine,Thy dochtines And dolor do I dyt.
Quho sall supplie me promplie till explaine
Thy duyning dayis denud of all delyt,
Vith puissant peirles exploitis perfyt
Vrocht all this tyme vnto this hich commend?
I do bot mix the poppill vith guid quhyt,
The one, or vther, ether till Intend.
Ȝit sen I haif Sic perrels past and pend
In the saif conduict of his Grace to pass,
Quho pouer hes my propos to defend,
Thocht skairse it vey the valeur of ane fass,
The rest I sall compact it in ane mass
Vith nales speid than this my pen may sprent.
My versis vauers, And my braine is bass,
Lang bendit byding at this lybell bent,
Quhilk new effect againe dois represent.
Ane vther helm the Compte hes done prouyd,
And in his ladies quest so bussie vent
That in no part he permanent vold byd.
Sueit vas the seson, And the feildis vyd
At Instant tym did all In flouris fleit,
Quhan that approtching Paris he did ryd,
Beseidgeit than about in euerie streit,
Quhair vondrus signe of his magnanime spreit
Appirit plainlie at his passing by.
Quhat potent prowess in him vas repleit
66
Throch all the camp vprais the cairfull cry,
And euerie man amaȝed vas about,
Quhan that the Valȝant Alciode did ly
Deed bullerand in his bluid all busching out
At the first dint of this our Chiftan stout.
The companeis did than till armeur rin
On horss and fute vith monie suddan schout
And syndrie vapnis for to hold him In,
As quhan ane troup of porcks vith hiddius din
from hautie montan dounvart dois discend,
Vith grewous gruntling quho may formest vin,
Quhan volf or tygar from cauern dois bend,
And taks thair ȝoungling quhilk may not defend,
Bot plains and quhryns vith pitius bruit and beir,
Quhilk girls the rest maist egarlie to tend
for sum reuenge: So all the peuple heir
Agains The paladeine pertlie dois compeir,
Befoir, behind, and vpon euerie syd;
Thay boist and strick Quhill in his hawbert cleir
Ane thousand vapnis fastnit at that tyd:
Bot he, quho boldlie did the bargan byd
Vith glansing glawe in till his dochtie hand,
The grossest speirs aschunder did deuyd
As sempill reids: Soone than the formest fand
The pesant vecht of his victorius brand,
Guuernd be vigor of his hardie hart,
Quhilk at assay did stout and stabill stand
But onie feir of force or fyrie dart.
Both hoit and pertlie in till euerie part
Amongs the preise he proudlie did persew,
Quhill heaps of men vnto the deed did smart,
And all the feilds in bluid bebathit schew.
Vith trimbling terror than vas skrychs anew
for till eschew this varior of renoune.
Heeds, spalds, arms, thies, and legs, dissouerit flew
from metelit bluidie bodies tumbling doune;
67
Mycht the redoubling dochtie dints defend,
Quhair he as Mars on Brededor did boune
Vith thundring sourd quhilk thiklie did discend.
Sum part heirof in my first cant I pend
for Introduction: Bot I laik the loir
To schaw at lenth his martiall commend
Obtenit heir vith hich Immortall gloir.
for as fell thunder dois strong montans toir,
And maks the erth and firmament to quell,
Renwersing rocks vith ruid and rumling roir,
And passand throch the elements pelmell,
So force and furie of this knycht vas snell
Amongs the rout mertchant from place to place.
Sum did he kill, And sum he did compell
fast for to flie from his audatius face.
As litill lambe, The quhilk haid sein percace
The Radgeing lyon In ane bocage greine
Ryfe and deuoir hir mother in that place
Vith bluidie mouth And fyrie creuale eine,
Vill, till eschew the bittir beist in teine
As it best may, fast skip away vith speid,
Absconding it in busse not to be seine;
So all this barborus sort dismayde vith dreid
Did flie confustlie at this Instant neid.
Sum quyts his sourd, And sum dois leif his lance,
And sum abiects thair helm And harneist veid
In vods and strenths vith speid for till awance,
Tham self conwoying from this crewale chance.
And he, firm following fast as fyrflacht fell,
Vith bluidie brand amyds the rout did glance,
Quhill nane of all appirit to rebell.
This being done heir mycht he no moir duell
for deip and ancient vond of amorus smart,
Quhilk so aboundant in his brest did suell
That it constraind him in the sute depart
Of hir againe quha did posses his hart.
68
Be mychtie merit in till ewerie part
Obtenit he, And euir moir and moir
His hautie honor deulie did decoir.
It var prolixt gif I at lenth vold tell
Quhow his miraculus mycht did weill restoir
The pudic lustie virgin Isobell,
Quha doloruslie did vith the brigans duell
In close cauerne, quhill that he brocht hir out
And vincust all thois bludie boutchers fell,
Quho lyk bold barbats bendit him about.
(Bot to declair mair amplie of this rout,
As Ariost my author dois report,
Sum lyncht, Sum gleyid, Sum haid ane keppand snout,
Vith luik obscuir And phisnomie detort.)
O, In quhat neidfull tym did he resort,
And saift the valȝant ȝerbin from the deed,
Doune dompting all that multitude at schort,
Quhilks buir this Strong renownit knycht at feed.
At Instant hour in dowbill sort remeed
He randrit him, for quhy this ladie fair,
Quham he from brigans dochtelie did leed,
Vas onlie luif vnto this prence preclair,
Quho than resauit now this beutie rair.
O, quhow audatius terrabill and keine
Did he vith Mychtie Mandricard repair.
O strange and crewall combat tham betueine.
Thay both abound in to sic prydfull teine,
That thair maist pithie speris vith ane crak
At the first chok fla spelkit on the greine;
So it behuift for at that suddan clak
Thair bodies bold no thing recuild abak.
And now thir tuo dois vapinles remaine,
for Mandricard na sourd in hand vold tak
Be solempn vow from his presumptius braine,
Quhill Durandall he haid obtenit plaine.
69
He hang it frilie for the victors gaine
Vpon ane trie quhill pruif thair prowess schew.
Thair ardent yre did moir and moir renew,
And thay haif no thing bot thair hardie hands
To end combat: So vechtie newels threw
Brawe birnist plaits breaking thair boucklit bands:
Lang battrit both thir knychtis bold but brands,
Quhill Interlest thay strictlie strawe at last,
And ether vther stiff as steile gainstands;
Thay suak and poulsis to and fro full fast.
As Iupiter Strong Antheon did cast,
To do the lyk This Pagan did suppone,
Bot all in vaine; Our Chiftan not agast
Sat stabill suir As strenthie vall of stone,
And brest to brest so bruist him euerie bone,
Quhill of his brydle he no cuir did tak,
Quhilk Roland hintit from his horse anone,
Supposing soone to cause him fall and wrak.
Bot ȝit the vther be him stoutlie stak,
And pertlie puls the Comte, quho vold not fald,
So that his girddis vas constraind to crak.
The freinles horse no langer tarie vald,
Bot hence he rinnis vith his maister bald:
The vther knycht behuiffit to prepair
Againe his sadle: So as I haif tald
Thay did dissouer now but proces mair.
Bot the precelling Paladeine preclair
In sutting him vith diligence did tend
Quhair thair occurs sic cursit canckerd cair,
That for ane space my spreit abhorrs to pend.
70
THE . 9 . CANT.
I turne againe the fatall veird till endOf Angelique, Quha dois to luife resist,
Quhois fyrie force the fellest may offend,
Thair dournes dompting vith his amorus mist.
The strongest men, deificat and blist,
Hes law Inclynit till his luiflie laws.
O, than excuise this ladie or scho vist
Quha nar approtching to the dainger draws.
Ȝit I except all thois quho reson knaws
And may protect tham be that puissant scheild;
Thocht we be veak, as pruife maist amplie schaws,
Grace may guuerne ws for to vin the feild.
Bot we sould not our self esteme for beild
To beir this Mychtie monarck at disdaine;
Quho pryds tham so perchans may suddan ȝeild,
Quhan thay suppois at fredome to remaine.
Exemples monie occupies my braine
This till appruife be pretticks plainlie past,
Bot tham I pass, And onlie vill explaine
Quhow thrallit vas this ladie at the last;
Quhilk all rebelling brests may mak agast,
That dois agains the links of luife contend;
Thocht one thair be quho sits in hichest mast,
Ane traine may cum to mak his flycht discend.
Sum vill perhaps think this ourpertlie pend,
Quhois musing mynds my menir may not meis;
I cair no thing thocht Rurall Pan offend,
Gif I do veill my Brycht Apollo pleis,
71
Hich to Pernasse, thocht vthers it deiect,
And euerie courtas cunnyng reidar eis,
Quhan he vith proper gillit pen correct
All miss sall mend, Quhilk I haif done neglect.
Thir vrigling werse Than plaine sall pass perfyt,
Quhilk to my mateir tends againe derect,
Indewlie daschit be my dullit dyt.
The lustie Peirles Angelique maist quhyt,
Of gyd now quyt, Bent in hir Iournay ryds;
Quha of hir ring hes vonderful delyt,
And be great vertew of the sam confyds
To pass alon saife quhair hir father byds;
for quhan scho lyks no creature hir knaws.
So quhylis seine, And quhyls vnseine, scho slyds
Throche flurist feilds And seimlie schaddowit schaws,
Detesting vyce of all venerian laws,
Quhill that the Amorus goddes fround for yre,
And Cupid keine vith wraith his visage thraws
So for to sie ane vorldis vycht Impyre.
He and his mother both thay do conspyre
Abowe this dame to be superior,
And hir Inflamd vith furius feruent fyre,
Quhilk spred hir throche all parts Interior
for luife onlie of ane Inferior,
Quho in the vod lay vondit to the deed,
And was no valȝant vordie verior
To beir the croune of laurell on his heed.
O Angelique, quhais fame begins to feed,
The quhilk sa lang hes flurist far and fair,
I do lament thir lothsum lyns to leed
Of thy betrappit persone in this snair.
Thy luifers all And Chastetie preclair
Quhy sould thow for ane sempill suldart lois?
Quhair is thy prudence now to mak the spair
Thy vanton will so schortlie to disclois?
Thow puls the vyd And leifs the fragrant rois;
72
The gouldin lyn, helas, quhy dois thow lois
To catche ane frog And tyns the perle but peir?
The Troiane Creseid thow presentis heir,
Quhais treuth to Trustie Troyalus vas pycht;
Scho for ane king did chainge hir luifer deir.
Bot thow elects ane vofull sempill vycht,
Quhois puir oppressit persone deedlie dycht
Vith pitius ie thy presens dois espy,
As Tisbie did Sir Pirramus hir knycht,
Quhair Scho persawed him deedlie bleiding ly.
73
THE . 10 . CANT.
FAIR ANGELIQVE No longer may defyThe schot seueir quhilk thrals hir hautie hart;
The lord of luife victoriuslie dois cry
On all the gods to sie this ladie smart,
Quha pullith holsum herbs in euerie part
To stem the bleiding of hir luifer new,
Imploying all hir diligence and art
At vtter mycht his lyf for to reskew,
Reiosing so in his sanguinian hew
As Philles of Demophoon haid delyt,
Or Ariadne quhan Scho pitie schew
On Theseus from deth his lyf to quyt.
Quhat sall I say? Quhat sall I do Indyt?
Moir amorus vas not Medea seine
Of gentill Iasons luiflie vult perfyt,
Quhan Scho beheld the beutie of his eine,
Nor vas this ladie, deiplie vondit greine
Of this diseissit deedlie manglit man,
All brint in baile. As Dido duilfull queine,
Quhan scho socht counsele at hir sister An
Concerning both the cumlines and clan
Of hir Ene, Quhomvith scho thocht to mell,
So Angelique Is vext as scho vas than
Vith restles thochts And may thame not expell.
Both hote and cauld, Vith feuir new and fell,
In syndrie sorts assoupit dois scho smart,
And ȝit hir sorrow all in ȝeill did suell
74
Moir pain for him than for hir propir part
Vith dowbill pains Scho painfull dois posses,
And moir and moir Ingrawed the fyrie dart
As he in bewtie moir did conueles;
The lyf maist chast, the quhilk scho did profes,
Hir faithfull freinds, hir fredome, and hir fame
Scho lossis quyt for luife of him expres,
This Ganymede that Medor hecht to name.
Syn at the last laying asyd all schame,
Sic pinching paine did poulse hir percit hart,
Quhill for to sute scho did esteme na blame
Ane suggurit syrop till assuadge hir smart.
So dammest vas scho vith the foirsaid dart,
That be support of sum puir pastors thair
Scho tenderlie convoyd him from that part,
And in ane bowhouse vith him meed repair
Tuo moneths space, quhair scho no pains did spair
Him to restoir, And quhan his vonds decayt,
As snaw dissolwes, So scho consumd in cair,
Persauing him vith beuteis all arrayt.
Scho duils and duyns that he so lang delayt
To crawe the banquet quhilk prepaird abeed,
And be all moyens possibile assayt
Quhow that scho mycht in luifis leice him leed.
The curling ȝallow hair vpon his heed
Scho Interteind vith hir maist tender hand,
And stairing on his beutie quhyt and reed
All stupifact as statue dois scho stand.
No velth awails except scho fauor fand,
Hir ferturit flesche dois for effection fry,
Constraind to say, “I am at ȝour command,
Virk as ȝe vill I do ȝow mercie cry;
luif, langor, lust, and all dois on me ly
Beset vith sorrow as ȝour eis may sie
Sen first I did ȝour portrateur espy;
75
O puissant Paladeins, thocht ȝe peirles bie,
Now serwes for nocht ȝour fortitude and mycht;
The great distres and dolor ȝe did drie
Vas ay disdaind bot now estemde maist lycht.
O Roland stout, Thou rather lose thy sycht
Than to persawe quhow this succes Increst.
O valȝant king of circassie this nycht
Thow art depryuit of all erdlie rest;
Thy vasall lyf It may no longer lest,
Thow art bot deed for veirray amorus yre.
Renounit Rennawlt, vith great paine opprest,
lost is the sueit sould slaik thy deip desyre.
ferragus, flammyng all in luifis fyre,
Quenchd is the spring that may thy murning meise.
Sic pitifull spreit thy ladie dois Inspyre,
That Medor to hir fragrant garding geise
And dois hir prime Rose be the ruit vpreise;
At plesour planting in hir fertill feild
He saws his seid, And eits the fruite at eise,
Quhilk neuir man befoir him self haid teild.
Quhyls in his armes Scho dois hir bodie ȝeild
Vith rosie reed gilting hir visage quhyt,
And quhyls hir mouthe abyds bebathd and beild
On his tuo lips preportionat perfyt.
Quhyls scho resaifs, And quhyls scho dois requyt
The luiflie sound assaultis soft and sueit;
As tender delicat daseis of delyt
Vith bodies Ionit plesandlie thay meit;
Thir persone both vith proper sports repleit,
Bair of all baile, Abounding into blis,
In luiflie liquor lustelie did fleit
And onlie raueist vith the Ioy of this.
So Medor now possessith at his vis
Bot onie merit or occasion Iust
The Recompans Quhilk campions did mis,
76
He fauor finds, Thay die for luife and lust,
The hiche triumphe quhilk did thair stait decoir
Is disapoynt And of na grace may gust,
For Medor gains the guerdone and the gloir,
Quho hes his ladie radie him befoir
In euerie thing bent till assuadge his smart.
He onlie reuls hir thochts but proces moir,
Hir saull, hir lyfe, hir bodie, and hir hart.
In tym Quhan Cupid thus delascht his dart,
Sueit vas the sesone seimlie to be seine,
The feilds annamelit vas in euerie part
Vith dyuers hews be lustie flora queine,
All bogs thay blumd, And vods vas growand greine,
Quhairin thir luifers dalie meed repair;
Quhyls vnder schaddow solitar thay beine,
Quhair birds outbirstit doulcest verblis rair,
Quhyls in the dails, the dens, And midows fair
besyds the fontans, And the plesand parks.
And as thay pass sum vacant tym thay spair
To Interleice vith craftie curius varks
Thair names in syphers in the tender barks,
Vith sum deuysis formd in facund dyt;
And Angelique vith hir awne hand thame marks
In signe of stedfast ametie perfyt.
And to decoir this dalie douce delyt
The nuptiall band bound vp vas tham betueine,
Vith na les plesour to thair appetyt,
Althocht that thair na pompe Imperiall beine
Than Mychtie Mars vith venus did conveine,
Quhan Subtile vulcan did tham both arraist
In craftie net, Syn throche the heawenis meed seine,
Quhan Phebus cam, Quhow thay lay Interlaist.
So thir tuo luifers luifinglie Imbraist,
Quhair brycht Apollo mycht thair persons spy,
Quho glanst abowe hir gowldin hairs Intraist
In silkin threid lyk Iris In the sky.
77
Bebathd in bliss, As luifers oft hes beine,
Quhill Cleir Aurora darknit clouds schot by,
Vpwarping vyd the firmament sereine
Vith purpure sprayings from portis christalleine.
Quhan pastors sped thair floks vnto the plaine,
Vith monie sang And Interlude betueine,
Thay glaidlie go to glansing feilds againe.
Thair vas ane spelunc quhair thay did remaine,
Quhan lampe of day maist vehement hote did scheine,
Tham seruing so As it, quhilk in the raine
Did eise The TroIane And The Cartage queine.
The litile lambis bendit on the greine,
As thay best mycht thir luifers to content,
Pan And his troupe thair seimlie did conveine
Vith plesand pyping And vith quhissils quent.
Vith dulcorat voce celestiall and lent
fair Philomela And dame Progne flew
In suawe soft souching of the Ȝephir vent,
Quhilk fresche amongs the blomit brainchis blew.
Both Driades, And Demigods anew,
Vith Echo schill, And Nymphis monie one,
All till agment this mirth sum solas schew.
That day from seis outIscht the great Triton
for to salute lord Phawnus In his tron,
Magnific set in his Robbe royale doune.
And flora franklie did fair gifts dispon,
Expressing thair hir puissant ritche renoune,
Quha buir parfumd ane odoriferus croune,
Vith varient cumlie colors hich auanst,
Sum Reed, And greine, Quhyt, Blew, And Purpour, Broune;
As topas scheine Or diamonts thay glanst.
The vyfs, The schiphirds, And thair barnis danst,
Cled in thair cleine and costliest array,
Vith Iofull harts thay lop and no thing panst,
Blyth as Dameta Or Menalcas gay.
Not Tyterus did on his quhissill play
78
Nor Coridon sang not so sueit I say
for till alluir Alexis luife formois.
O Paladeins, As Tantalus ȝe lois
This recreation turning to ȝour noy,
And Medor lyk the knycht Clariadus gois,
Quhan he did Meik Meliades conwoy
from fontan quhair thay haid conweind vith Ioy.
Not thow quho famus Helena possest
Obteind sic plesour As this sempill boy
In his Renounit Angelique modest.
His fortoune so be accident Increst,
That he surpast lord Amadis of france,
In rewling thus ane beutie Immolest,
Quhilk did abowe fair Oriane auance.
for till depaint at lenth thair full plesance
My langage laiks all Ciceronian dyt;
I neuir smeld sic luiflie recompance.
Heirfoir to vichts venerian I quyt
To form in verse virgilian perfyt
Thair facund fassons, And thair freindlie cheir,
Thair kynd conceits, And dalie douce delyt,
In firm effectione feruent and Inteir.
Now quhan thay so haid left Ingrauit heir,
As I haif said, dictums perfyt Indent,
That in thois parts maist plainlie mycht appeir
In thousand sorts thair amorus consent,
Quhilk proper poyntit pensile haid done prent
On fontans, Rocks, Cauerns, And plesand treis,
To schaw thair stabill permanent Intent
Maist patentlie to all beholders eis;
The Curius knots so circuat quho seis
In monie vayis about the letters plet,
Thairbe the bands of Cupid notifeis,
Quhilk haid thair amorus hartis Interknet:
And heir abowe vas sum flour panseis set,
79
That in that proper place haid luifers met,
And offrit Venus thankfull sacrafyis.
Now from this part to pass thay Interpryis,
Thair Iournay tending to the Orient bent,
Quhair hir Imperiale kingdome velthie lyis,
That Medor mycht posses hir royale rent.
Bot hir great vorschip vold Befoir scho vent
Present the pastors vith sum recompance,
Quho haid declaird thair seruiable Intent
In euerie thing mycht haif done hir plesance.
Ane Braslat rair, Quhilk gloriuslie did glance
Vith diamonts decorde And Rubeis fyne,
Quhilk Roland gaife hir In remembrance,
Scho randrit tham the sam In ane propyne.
Vith humyle thanks the Pastors did Inclyne
And knelit law to kis hir cumlie hands,
And scho againe vith sembelance deuyne
hir freindlie freindchipe to tham recommands.
So Scho departs vith Medor from thais lands,
Ascending vp the hautie great montaine,
Quhilk to thois pastorall parts approtching stands,
And dois deuyd the famus france from spaine:
for thay consult vithin thair amorus braine
In Valence Or In Barcelone to byd,
Quhill thay the portage of sum schip mycht gaine,
Quhilk did derectlie to the Orient gyd.
Thay pass the hicht, syn on the vther syd
Beneth the mont thay spy the seis appeir.
Alongs the riuage Iofullie thay ryd,
Bot ȝit or thay to Barcelone cam neir,
Ane furius fole did Interchainge thair cheir,
Quho on the grawell As ane sow did ly;
And lyk ane Mastiu Or Malicious Beir
He raidgeit on thir luifers that cam by.
80
THE . 11 . CANT.
Perplexit Pen againe to paine apply,
Denunce the teirs that from thy dyt distels.
Now for ȝour ayde Ramnusia I cry
To reule arycht the rancor Intermels.
This trublous teine my tyrit toung compels
To dry for drouth that I may not declair,
Vithin this goulf, Quhair source of sorrow suels,
My sensis so suffuscat ar vith cair.
Vold god Bocace mycht in my place repair
This tragedie perfytlie to compyle;
Or Reuerent Ouid vold the sammyng spair
In Metamorphois of his steitlie style.
for lyk as myrth dois mak the visage smyle,
Or plesand lycht reiosis moir the ie
Than deip perbrouilȝeit dungeons dark and vyle,
So vanton verse moir aptlie dois aggrie
To pouse the pithles spreit vith sum supplie,
Quhilk I posses, laiking the curius vaine,
Than mirthles mateirs that amaȝis me,
And doubill duls my dolorus dullit braine.
Ȝit sen the burding dois on me remaine
To sport My Prence, Quhois courtasie bening
May mak me aide, As meed the gowldin graine,
Quhilk did Eneas to his Iournay bring,
I Indeuoir the remanent to sing
Of Rolands fall in furie at the last.
Help at this neid, O greiȝlie ghests maling,
Vith spedie pen to mak this propose past,
Compact in breiff this bailfull bittir blast,
Quhilk dois my style renwerse in disaray,
And all my sensis na les maks agast
Than Nabuchodonosors great decay.
The Monarck Ninus that in preson lay,
Of croune bereft, And captiwe to the deed,
The puissant Cyrus, king of perse, I say,
Quho vincust Cresus, Syn did lose his heed,
Great Alexander poysand but remeed,
Nor Mychtie Cesar, Quho vas schortlie slaine,
Skairse represents so lairge of fortouns feed
As Our Comte Roland quho did lose his braine.
O friuole fortoune fikile false and vaine,
Quhy dois thow vex this vorld vith sic annoy?
Thow hich exalts law to deiect againe,
Thy quheile ay tumbling vith decetfull toy.
All that suppons maist suirlie till InIoy
Thy hawtie vauering hairis vith the vind,
Vith subtile smyle oft tyms thow dois distroy,
And for reuard presents thy pow behind;
No force auails thy fikilnes to bind.
Dame Indiscreit, I sute of the no grace;
Thow art my fo, for I culd neuir find
No kynd of fauor in thy fenȝeit face.
His maiestie hes pouer in this cace
Vith sueit regarde Thy sournes till assuadge,
Quhois Royale feit Maist humylie I Imbrace
To saif me from thy rancor and thy radge.
Thy course Inconstant in till euerie adge
Pruife dois recorde, Thocht I not specifie.
Great Baiacet that turk thow did Incadge,
Quhom Tamberlan maist duilfullie meed drie
Ane extreme slawrie till that he did die;
The one thow did from bass estait awance,
And dang the vther doune from hich degrie,
So is the coustume of thy fatall chance.
for to record that potent king of france,
Quho in the sporting of his manlie spreit
Vnto the deed vas percit vith ane lance,
Is pruife that thow in variance dois fleit.
King Alexander is exemple meit,
Quho reuld abowe the Antique Scottis keine;
The hardie force quhairvith he vas repleit,
Nor ȝit the prudence quhilk did in him scheine,
Could not eschew the rigor of thy teine,
Bot creuallie be the he vas forlorn
In picking of his horse as mycht be seine
Abowe the rock thair situat at kingorn.
for, as the rose annexit to the thorn,
So is thy plesour vith sum paine prepaird:
Or as the vyde Increscis vith the corn,
So thow perturbs the cheifest but regaird:
Quho valks at vill vithin thy vauering ȝaird,
And dois delyt to smell thy suggurit gall,
Vith suddan storm his stait sall not be spaird;
Bot as Pompey Or hardie Hanniball
So sall occur In fin thair fatale fall.
The strong redouttit dochtie Darius,
Quho lang did dant his mychtie nychtbours all,
Be venim of thy visage varius,
Quhan force of fois he fand contrarius,
New battell thryse he bauldlie did conveine,
Bot ruittit out he vas as Arius;
first did he lose his kingdome and his queine,
His mother, guids, And childrine all vas seine
In the possession of his enemie;
Syn lost his lyf, And mycht na vayis obteine
At his last breath so meikile laser frie
As natiwe freind Or seruiteur to sie,
Bot in his chariot vondit to the deed
He thocht it did his painfull spreit supplie,
Quhan till his fo his last regrait he meed.
Queine Semerame Thow lang did velthie leed,
Quha in hir courage disaguisde hir kynd,
Bot all thy fauor turnit in to feed
At hir last battell vith the king of ynd.
Dame Panthasile, quhais hich magnanime mynd
Dill thrall the boldnes of the grecians stout,
Thocht for ane space thow prosperus Inclynd
Vith blast of fame to sound hir praisis out,
In tragedie aluayis thow brocht about
Hir proud attempt And mychtie mundan gloir;
Scho and hir ladies All that seimlie rout
Did vincust die, Quhilk dewlie I deploir.
Ȝenobia, Quham beuteis did decoir,
Hir profund prudence Nor hir hardie hand
Mycht not resist thy malice onie moir
fra ans scho did Aurelius gainstand,
Quho brocht hir captiw from hir natiwe land
And till triwmphe abowe this cairfull queine
Hir persone fixit at ane chariot band
And drew hir so throch Rome apertlie seine;
O crewall fortoune, noysum vas thy teine;
Thocht scho presumd all Asia to gyd,
Thy recompance maist freuch and friuole beine:
So all are serwed that dois in the confyd.
Thy slipprie solas dois als schortlie slyd
As yse dissolues vith flam of feruent fyre:
Thy douce delyt vith dolor is dewyd,
Quhan we beliwe to find our harts desyre:
Vith fikile fassone so thow dois Impyre
Quhill euerie stait may sie the facill flot:
Thow gifs no gaine to him quho merits hyre,
Bot at thy lust dois attribute the lot:
Thou maks the giltie sum tyme seime but spot,
And guid desert in to the dust dings doune:
Vit valkith oft in till ane raggit cot,
And folie set vp in ane veluet goune:
Ane laird be the becums ane meschant lowne,
Ane lowne againe be the is meed ane laird:
So In all things thow art ay blindlie bowne
To rycht nor resone haifing no regaird.
Thow rakles rins, As rasche and restles baird,
Both vp, and doune, befoir, and now abak;
I knaw no puissant erdlie pomp prepaird
Thy friuole frailnes firmlie to coak.
Gif ether visdome, force, or vordie fak,
Mycht haif rebellit quhaire thy baile is boune,
Than Roland haid be the susteind na lak,
Bot euir hichlie borne the palmie croune;
Quhom thy deceit degressis na les doune
Nor Hector, traillit At Achylles steid,
Vas changeit from that hector of renoune,
Quho umquhyle reft Achylles of his veid.
Impolist pen to Propose new proceid,
Returne to text And dyt of Roland rycht.
He most Induir, And I most schaw Indeid,
This alteration quhilk did on him lycht.
Now eftir that this Strong redouttit knycht
Be ampill pruife all vthers did precell,
Quhill all the vorld abaisit of his mycht,
At last in schersing Mandricard so fell
He seis ane christall reuere douce distell
About the bordour of ane mydow fair,
Quhair flouris fresche maist sauoruslie did smell,
And monie seimlie frondise trie preclair,
Obumbrat all this situation rair.
Doune he descends amyds the blossoms greine
for to refresche him in the temperat air;
Sen dayis tuo he haid in trauell beine
In sutting of the foirsaid Sarraseine.
Bot heir depryuit vas he of repois,
And all his confort turnit in to teine,
Quhan that his vofull eine haid done disclois
The viwe handwreting of his onlie chois,
Ingrauit thair on monie growand graine;
for this vas ewen the veirray place formois,
Quhair scho and Medor vont vas to remaine.
In thowsand wayis that part did all explaine
Thair schyphert nams, As I haif schawne befoir,
Bot euerie lettir bruist his bailfull braine,
And percit throch his vondit hart als soir
As duilfull deedlie dart him to deuoir.
Vith monie vayis maist cairfullie he socht
till schift the sorrow that so did him schoir,
And not to credit sic ane noysum thocht,
Efforcing him vith feirfull spreit afflocht
for to beliwe that Scho, of hir guid grace,
In his remembrance haid thois vordis vrocht,
Him so surnaming Medor in this place;
Or that sum vther Angelique percace
So in this sort haid done thair luif furthschaw.
Bot full assuirit vas he ȝit alace,
for the characters suirlie did he knaw,
Quhilk his awne ladie vsit ay to draw,
Bot could navayis him self beliwe at all.
So vith opinions he the treuth did thraw,
As doutfull trust did in his fancie fall
Him self to suadge vith sum assurance small.
Bot as hote collis vith sum vattir cold
first seims to slaik, ȝit eftiruart thay sall
Vpblais in fyre moir feruentlie and bold,
Ewen so the moir that he extinguise vold
His glowing greif, the sam the moir did ryis.
As feltert foule, quhilk glew Or girn dois hold,
The moir scho flychters, Scho the faster lyis,
The moir also that he did deip dewyis
This mortall pansiwe terror till eschew,
The moir profound his paine did him suppryis,
Quhilk force nor visdom mycht navayis reskew.
In this estate approtching neir he drew
Till the cawerne, Abowe ane fontane cleir,
Quhair vodbind and vyn brainchis linkit threw
Ane plesand tortur at the entress heir,
Decoring all this proper part so deir
To both the foirsaid luifers euerie day;
for quhan fair Phebus vith his heit seueir
Did brymlie byrne, heirin Imbrast thay lay;
Quhairfoir thair nams both in and out I say
Heir drawne vas ofter than in onie place.
Vith cake, vith coll, And pensile scharp alway,
Both heir, and thair, vas schawne thair happie cace.
The Cairfull Comte vith sad deiectit face
full monie luiflie dictums heir did vew
Be Medor vrocht, Quhilks at the sammyng space
Als recent fair and viwelie formit schew
As Instantlie thay haid beine forgit new.
And for the feruent vonderfull delyt
That heir did to this Adonis Insew,
In verse he drew this subsequent Indyt,
Quhilk vretin vas maist plainlie and perfyt
In his awne langage, As I do suppois,
Quhairof the sentence I sall heir recyt,
Thocht I exactlie may it not disclois.
Denunce the teirs that from thy dyt distels.
Now for ȝour ayde Ramnusia I cry
To reule arycht the rancor Intermels.
This trublous teine my tyrit toung compels
To dry for drouth that I may not declair,
Vithin this goulf, Quhair source of sorrow suels,
My sensis so suffuscat ar vith cair.
Vold god Bocace mycht in my place repair
This tragedie perfytlie to compyle;
Or Reuerent Ouid vold the sammyng spair
In Metamorphois of his steitlie style.
for lyk as myrth dois mak the visage smyle,
Or plesand lycht reiosis moir the ie
Than deip perbrouilȝeit dungeons dark and vyle,
So vanton verse moir aptlie dois aggrie
To pouse the pithles spreit vith sum supplie,
Quhilk I posses, laiking the curius vaine,
Than mirthles mateirs that amaȝis me,
And doubill duls my dolorus dullit braine.
Ȝit sen the burding dois on me remaine
To sport My Prence, Quhois courtasie bening
May mak me aide, As meed the gowldin graine,
Quhilk did Eneas to his Iournay bring,
I Indeuoir the remanent to sing
Of Rolands fall in furie at the last.
Help at this neid, O greiȝlie ghests maling,
Vith spedie pen to mak this propose past,
81
Quhilk dois my style renwerse in disaray,
And all my sensis na les maks agast
Than Nabuchodonosors great decay.
The Monarck Ninus that in preson lay,
Of croune bereft, And captiwe to the deed,
The puissant Cyrus, king of perse, I say,
Quho vincust Cresus, Syn did lose his heed,
Great Alexander poysand but remeed,
Nor Mychtie Cesar, Quho vas schortlie slaine,
Skairse represents so lairge of fortouns feed
As Our Comte Roland quho did lose his braine.
O friuole fortoune fikile false and vaine,
Quhy dois thow vex this vorld vith sic annoy?
Thow hich exalts law to deiect againe,
Thy quheile ay tumbling vith decetfull toy.
All that suppons maist suirlie till InIoy
Thy hawtie vauering hairis vith the vind,
Vith subtile smyle oft tyms thow dois distroy,
And for reuard presents thy pow behind;
No force auails thy fikilnes to bind.
Dame Indiscreit, I sute of the no grace;
Thow art my fo, for I culd neuir find
No kynd of fauor in thy fenȝeit face.
His maiestie hes pouer in this cace
Vith sueit regarde Thy sournes till assuadge,
Quhois Royale feit Maist humylie I Imbrace
To saif me from thy rancor and thy radge.
Thy course Inconstant in till euerie adge
Pruife dois recorde, Thocht I not specifie.
Great Baiacet that turk thow did Incadge,
Quhom Tamberlan maist duilfullie meed drie
Ane extreme slawrie till that he did die;
The one thow did from bass estait awance,
And dang the vther doune from hich degrie,
So is the coustume of thy fatall chance.
for to record that potent king of france,
82
Vnto the deed vas percit vith ane lance,
Is pruife that thow in variance dois fleit.
King Alexander is exemple meit,
Quho reuld abowe the Antique Scottis keine;
The hardie force quhairvith he vas repleit,
Nor ȝit the prudence quhilk did in him scheine,
Could not eschew the rigor of thy teine,
Bot creuallie be the he vas forlorn
In picking of his horse as mycht be seine
Abowe the rock thair situat at kingorn.
for, as the rose annexit to the thorn,
So is thy plesour vith sum paine prepaird:
Or as the vyde Increscis vith the corn,
So thow perturbs the cheifest but regaird:
Quho valks at vill vithin thy vauering ȝaird,
And dois delyt to smell thy suggurit gall,
Vith suddan storm his stait sall not be spaird;
Bot as Pompey Or hardie Hanniball
So sall occur In fin thair fatale fall.
The strong redouttit dochtie Darius,
Quho lang did dant his mychtie nychtbours all,
Be venim of thy visage varius,
Quhan force of fois he fand contrarius,
New battell thryse he bauldlie did conveine,
Bot ruittit out he vas as Arius;
first did he lose his kingdome and his queine,
His mother, guids, And childrine all vas seine
In the possession of his enemie;
Syn lost his lyf, And mycht na vayis obteine
At his last breath so meikile laser frie
As natiwe freind Or seruiteur to sie,
Bot in his chariot vondit to the deed
He thocht it did his painfull spreit supplie,
Quhan till his fo his last regrait he meed.
Queine Semerame Thow lang did velthie leed,
Quha in hir courage disaguisde hir kynd,
83
At hir last battell vith the king of ynd.
Dame Panthasile, quhais hich magnanime mynd
Dill thrall the boldnes of the grecians stout,
Thocht for ane space thow prosperus Inclynd
Vith blast of fame to sound hir praisis out,
In tragedie aluayis thow brocht about
Hir proud attempt And mychtie mundan gloir;
Scho and hir ladies All that seimlie rout
Did vincust die, Quhilk dewlie I deploir.
Ȝenobia, Quham beuteis did decoir,
Hir profund prudence Nor hir hardie hand
Mycht not resist thy malice onie moir
fra ans scho did Aurelius gainstand,
Quho brocht hir captiw from hir natiwe land
And till triwmphe abowe this cairfull queine
Hir persone fixit at ane chariot band
And drew hir so throch Rome apertlie seine;
O crewall fortoune, noysum vas thy teine;
Thocht scho presumd all Asia to gyd,
Thy recompance maist freuch and friuole beine:
So all are serwed that dois in the confyd.
Thy slipprie solas dois als schortlie slyd
As yse dissolues vith flam of feruent fyre:
Thy douce delyt vith dolor is dewyd,
Quhan we beliwe to find our harts desyre:
Vith fikile fassone so thow dois Impyre
Quhill euerie stait may sie the facill flot:
Thow gifs no gaine to him quho merits hyre,
Bot at thy lust dois attribute the lot:
Thou maks the giltie sum tyme seime but spot,
And guid desert in to the dust dings doune:
Vit valkith oft in till ane raggit cot,
And folie set vp in ane veluet goune:
Ane laird be the becums ane meschant lowne,
Ane lowne againe be the is meed ane laird:
So In all things thow art ay blindlie bowne
84
Thow rakles rins, As rasche and restles baird,
Both vp, and doune, befoir, and now abak;
I knaw no puissant erdlie pomp prepaird
Thy friuole frailnes firmlie to coak.
Gif ether visdome, force, or vordie fak,
Mycht haif rebellit quhaire thy baile is boune,
Than Roland haid be the susteind na lak,
Bot euir hichlie borne the palmie croune;
Quhom thy deceit degressis na les doune
Nor Hector, traillit At Achylles steid,
Vas changeit from that hector of renoune,
Quho umquhyle reft Achylles of his veid.
Impolist pen to Propose new proceid,
Returne to text And dyt of Roland rycht.
He most Induir, And I most schaw Indeid,
This alteration quhilk did on him lycht.
Now eftir that this Strong redouttit knycht
Be ampill pruife all vthers did precell,
Quhill all the vorld abaisit of his mycht,
At last in schersing Mandricard so fell
He seis ane christall reuere douce distell
About the bordour of ane mydow fair,
Quhair flouris fresche maist sauoruslie did smell,
And monie seimlie frondise trie preclair,
Obumbrat all this situation rair.
Doune he descends amyds the blossoms greine
for to refresche him in the temperat air;
Sen dayis tuo he haid in trauell beine
In sutting of the foirsaid Sarraseine.
Bot heir depryuit vas he of repois,
And all his confort turnit in to teine,
Quhan that his vofull eine haid done disclois
The viwe handwreting of his onlie chois,
Ingrauit thair on monie growand graine;
for this vas ewen the veirray place formois,
Quhair scho and Medor vont vas to remaine.
85
Thair schyphert nams, As I haif schawne befoir,
Bot euerie lettir bruist his bailfull braine,
And percit throch his vondit hart als soir
As duilfull deedlie dart him to deuoir.
Vith monie vayis maist cairfullie he socht
till schift the sorrow that so did him schoir,
And not to credit sic ane noysum thocht,
Efforcing him vith feirfull spreit afflocht
for to beliwe that Scho, of hir guid grace,
In his remembrance haid thois vordis vrocht,
Him so surnaming Medor in this place;
Or that sum vther Angelique percace
So in this sort haid done thair luif furthschaw.
Bot full assuirit vas he ȝit alace,
for the characters suirlie did he knaw,
Quhilk his awne ladie vsit ay to draw,
Bot could navayis him self beliwe at all.
So vith opinions he the treuth did thraw,
As doutfull trust did in his fancie fall
Him self to suadge vith sum assurance small.
Bot as hote collis vith sum vattir cold
first seims to slaik, ȝit eftiruart thay sall
Vpblais in fyre moir feruentlie and bold,
Ewen so the moir that he extinguise vold
His glowing greif, the sam the moir did ryis.
As feltert foule, quhilk glew Or girn dois hold,
The moir scho flychters, Scho the faster lyis,
The moir also that he did deip dewyis
This mortall pansiwe terror till eschew,
The moir profound his paine did him suppryis,
Quhilk force nor visdom mycht navayis reskew.
In this estate approtching neir he drew
Till the cawerne, Abowe ane fontane cleir,
Quhair vodbind and vyn brainchis linkit threw
Ane plesand tortur at the entress heir,
Decoring all this proper part so deir
86
for quhan fair Phebus vith his heit seueir
Did brymlie byrne, heirin Imbrast thay lay;
Quhairfoir thair nams both in and out I say
Heir drawne vas ofter than in onie place.
Vith cake, vith coll, And pensile scharp alway,
Both heir, and thair, vas schawne thair happie cace.
The Cairfull Comte vith sad deiectit face
full monie luiflie dictums heir did vew
Be Medor vrocht, Quhilks at the sammyng space
Als recent fair and viwelie formit schew
As Instantlie thay haid beine forgit new.
And for the feruent vonderfull delyt
That heir did to this Adonis Insew,
In verse he drew this subsequent Indyt,
Quhilk vretin vas maist plainlie and perfyt
In his awne langage, As I do suppois,
Quhairof the sentence I sall heir recyt,
Thocht I exactlie may it not disclois.
O herbis greine, And prettie plants formois,
O limpid vattir springing suawe and cleir,
O cawe obscuir aggriabill to thois
Quho vold tham cuile in thy fresche vmber deir,
Quhair Angelique maist beutifull but peir,
In vaine desyrd be vthers monie mo,
Oft nakit lay betuix my armes heir,
I medor puir, quhom ȝe haif esit so,
May not requyt ȝow moir, Bot quhair I go
Ȝour praise sall euir stedfastlie Induir.
Lords, ladies, knychts, And lustie luifers tho,
And euerie gentle hart I will procuir
To viss ȝow veill And frie of dainger suir.
Both sone, and mone, and Nymphs ȝow saif from tort,
And neuir Pastor vith his troup InIuir
Ȝour verduir ritche, O seimlie fair resort.
Bot ay about ȝow birdis blythlie sing,
And vnmolestit be ȝour siluer spring.
O limpid vattir springing suawe and cleir,
O cawe obscuir aggriabill to thois
Quho vold tham cuile in thy fresche vmber deir,
Quhair Angelique maist beutifull but peir,
In vaine desyrd be vthers monie mo,
Oft nakit lay betuix my armes heir,
I medor puir, quhom ȝe haif esit so,
May not requyt ȝow moir, Bot quhair I go
Ȝour praise sall euir stedfastlie Induir.
Lords, ladies, knychts, And lustie luifers tho,
And euerie gentle hart I will procuir
To viss ȝow veill And frie of dainger suir.
Both sone, and mone, and Nymphs ȝow saif from tort,
And neuir Pastor vith his troup InIuir
Ȝour verduir ritche, O seimlie fair resort.
Bot ay about ȝow birdis blythlie sing,
And vnmolestit be ȝour siluer spring.
87
In toung Arabic vretin vas this thing,
Quhilk langage Roland rycht expertlie knew,
And oft he red it contrarie to vring
The veirray sentence from the mening trew.
Bot ay the moir that he did so persew,
Moir plaine and ampill did the text appeir,
Quhilk to the death his thirlit hart neir threw.
Assault of sorrow socht him so seueir,
That staring still he stuid astonist heir,
for vo almaist void of his vittis all,
Vith hawie fixit eis And cairfull cheir,
Vpon the stone As sensles stonie vall.
His chin declyning on his brest did fall,
And cloud of cair held doune his cumlie front,
Quhair left vas no audacitie to brall,
for boyling baile his boudin braine haid blont.
Great egar greif so griwous did surmont,
That he onnavayis mycht relasche his vo
Vith vofull vords as vmquhyle he vas vont;
Nor ȝit no teiris from his eine could go,
His liquid humor suffocat vas so,
As quhan in veschell vyd vith narrow throt
The vattir choks And may not flow thairfro
for great aboundance that dois in it flot.
No vonder now althocht his brest be blot
Vith dainger deip of deedlie duill in deid,
Bot ȝit his hoip could not dissolue the knot
Quhilk in his ladies loyaltie did breid.
So vith sum trust betosd and meikill dreid
He scherst his thochts to think this thocht vntrew,
(Quhairon his fancie for ane space did feid
And feruentlie dois viss it till Insew),
That sum ewillviller all thois dictums drew
for to diffame his constant ladie frie,
And be sic bittir blame his baile to brew,
That suddanlie quhan he the same suld sie
for percing paine mycht at that Instant die.
“O lord,” sayis he, “quhat vehement dispyt
hes he declaird, Quhom euir so it be.
Veill Imitat hes he hir hand perfyt
In drawing of this nochtie noysum dyt.”
So vith this feibile esperance at last
sum thing assuagit vas his former fyt,
And thus againe on Bridedor he past.
The day declynd And nycht approtchit fast;
fair tytans steids haid rune thair vtter race,
Quhois giltit hairs disparpling bak did cast
Throche asurit sky quhilk elss obscuird his face,
Till his palle sister Phebe giffing place,
Quhan that the pynit Paladeine did tend
His course na les Incertaine at this space
Than schip but rudder quhilk dois vilsum vend.
Bot ȝit or he his voyage far did spend,
from tops of houssis till him did appeir
The smok of fyrie vapeur vp ascend.
Bald barking doggis also did he heir,
And monie flokis making meikill beir,
sum routting loud, And sum did semplie blait.
Vnto the village quhan the Compt cam neir,
He lychtit doune because it vas so lait,
Quhair radelie ane boy discreit and fait
Did tak the gydment of his horse in cuir;
Sum did desarme his person of estait,
Sum loust the giltit spurris quhilk he buir,
And Sum attending stuid vpon the fluir
for till obey as plesit him command.
Now this vas ewen the verray ludging suir,
Quhair vondit Medor all his veilfair fand.
The stressit knycht All stupefact did stand,
And wold to bed but onie kynd of fuid;
Sic gripping greif about his bosom band,
That appetyt from meit vas far excluid.
for fillit full of hawie rancor ruid,
He did behold vith goustlie visage palle
The vofull vreat, quhilk friȝit vp his bluid;
Depaint on posts And vindocks of the hall,
On durs, on tabils, And on euerie vall,
Both Angelique and Medor schyphert beine,
Vith luiflie knottis Interlasit small,
In thousand sorts apertlie to be seine.
The trublit Comte could not abstract his eine
from sycht of that quhilk vrocht him greatest paine,
And tending oft to crawe quhat it sould meine,
feir for to find his feirfull thocht meed plaine
Caust him againe his lippis close restraine.
So from him self he vold the treuth oscuir
Vith trembling dreid in his perturbit braine
sum suadgement schersing be consait vnsuir.
Bot Crewall fortone at sic feid him buir,
That Scho no paine vold from his persone spair,
Bot tuik delyt this Chiftan till InIuir,
His musing mynd mischiwing mair and mair.
No thing awalit his obfuscat cair
Vith cloud of dout quhairin he held his pace,
for ane at lenth did all the trewth declair
But Inquisition of this cairfull cace;
Quhilk vas the pastor, Quho in to that place,
Be broikin sychis did persawe his vo,
And till appaise his pansiwe spreit ane space,
Began the histoir of the luifers tuo;
first quhow that Medor, deedlie vondit so,
He thair did bring at Angeliques desyre,
Quha cuird his hurt; Than quhow that scho did go,
for him consuming all in luifis fyre,
Sua that of honor thochtles or Impyre
Scho to this sempill souldart did Inclyn,
And Band wp mariage for to quenche desyre.
Thus he the histoir rycht in euerie lyn
Did so discus Quhill that hir braslat fyn
He representit at that Instant steed.
This vas the ax at last descendan syn
Vith deedlie dint quhilk did ding of his heed.
Lang speitchles lay he strukin almeist deed,
Quhill source of sorrow mycht no moir susteine,
Bot furiuslie outbirstit but remeed
Sobs from his mouth And teiris from his eine.
Bot most of all quhan solitar he beine,
Ane fluid aboundant bouting out besprent
His boudin brest all suellit vp In teine,
And both his cheaks bebathing but relent.
Deip in him now vas cauld dispair Imprent,
Ȝit from his birnand bosome fast did flow
Hote flammyng sychs quhilk neuir could be spent;
So fell and feruent vas the fyrie low,
Quhilk in his hart ay moir and moir did grow,
But onie slaiking thocht it fumit out,
his breath bot onlie did as belleis blow
To kindle all his bodie round about,
And als his eine did serue bot for ane spout
The vitale humeur from his lyf to draw.
for sorrow suir not cled vith former dout
did all his arters view aschunder thraw.
Quho may the strese Intolerabile schaw
Quhilk did this valȝant varior so torne?
leile lychtleit luifers onlie may it knaw,
Quho haples fruite of Ielousie hes schorne.
In bed he restles tumblit thus forlorne,
Quhilk did moir dour than dourest stone appeir;
Ilk softest fedder vas as poyntit thorne
To prick his persone, or the scharpest breir.
The valkryf thochtis of his cair seueir
Permits him nocht to sleip ane moment space;
Turne as he vold both hither thair and heir,
Raidge of his rancor did him ay Imbrace,
And in his torment he bethocht, alace,
That his vnkyndlie darrest ladie quhyt
Haid Interteind hir Medor in this place;
Heirfoir the sammyng (plinist vith dispyt)
He did abhorre, And from it bendit quyt.
As quhan ane pastor schersing eisment lyis
Amongs the tender flouris of delyt,
Syn at his feit ane yssing serpent spyis,
Maist quyklie and astonist vp vill ryis,
So Roland full of dolor and desdaine
Vith diligence for all his harneis cryis,
And in that ludgeing vold no moir remaine,
Bot montit on his Bridedor againe,
And vold not tarie quhill Aurora brycht
Haid spred hir siluer schaddow on the plaine,
Bot throch the feilds ryds all this vilsum nycht.
He plains, he pains, and as ane furious vycht
Blasphems the heawens, the stars, and gods deuyn,
Vith trickling teirs beblubring all his sycht,
And syching ay Insatiantlie for pyn.
Ȝea, thocht the morrow cleir arryuit syn,
But Interwall his sorrow did Induir.
from brochs and citeis far he did declyn,
Eschewing sycht of euerie creatuir,
To dern deserts And partis maist obscuir
Vith vofull vult he vandrit all the day,
But onie knawleidge quhair his horse him buir;
And with maist griwous great regraitting ay
Did fill the heawen, the air, and feilds alway.
He fround for furie, feilling in his heed
The storms of raidge pelmell about fast play.
In vinter Bald Neptunus neuir meed
Moir motion fell In fomie fluidis reed,
As tumults strong tormoyling to and fro
Of braying baile quhilk in his brest abeed,
Vith trublit tempest him tormenting so.
Than In the nycht quhan all to rest did go
He doune descendit in ane bocage greine,
Vith cairfull skrychis euir valtring tho;
And sic scharp schours of sorrow did susteine,
That sleip mycht neuir close his veping eine,
Quhairfra ten thowsand teiris did distell,
As Quhan from bourn that lang hes dammit beine
streams breaks aboundant quhilk thairin did suell.
Him self astonit could not think nor tell
Quhow possibill so monie teiris mycht
Poure from his eis, quhilks lyk ane springing vell
Did neuir stay thair rynning day nor nycht.
Than syching soir he said, “this liquor brycht
Is no moir teirs; Teirs may not end my vo,
Quhilk bot begins; And spent ar from my sycht
My teiris all. This source quhilk springis so
I knaw it is viwe vapor fleing fro
The feruent flams, quhilk birns my hart to deed,
Vp throch my soddin brest, syn out dois go
At my tuo eis, And sall draw but remeed
My lyf and dolor both at ons to feed;
Bot sen so is, Sched out thy course vith speid,
And my vnhappie dayis to end soon leed.
And ȝe, O sychs, quhairwith my cair dois feid,
Ȝe are no sychs: Sychs may not ay proceid
But onie cease As thois that I exspyre.
The moir I sych, Moir panting breath dois breid.
The lord of luife, Quho birns me all in fyre,
Maks vith his vings this vind, And will not tyre
To cause my kendlit flammes euir flow
Quhill I destroyit be both bon and lyre.
Bot O great meruell, that my hart now dow
So long Induir in luifis feruent low,
And vnconsumit vtterlie to nocht!
Bot quhom am I in quhom sic raidge dois grow?
am I that Roland quho hes vonders vrocht?
No. Roland treulie in his grafe is brocht;
His dame Ingrait hes vranguslie him slaine.
I am bot onlie his puir spreit afflocht
In vildernese heir forcit to complaine.
My desperat maist great Infernale paine
To beir record be my profoundest vo,
Quhat euerie ane may hoip for till attaine,
Quho thrallit in the links of luife dois go.”
This nycht till end Roland lamentit so,
And quhan the vermell Matutina sched
In celest hews hir adgeit husband fro,
Him lewing sleipand in his donckie bed,
And quhan the vorldis lycht began to spred
Brycht rubie sparkis throch the purpur sky,
Be destenie the Comte haid so beine led
That in the part he him persauit ly
Besyd the rock, Quhilk he befoir did spy
Vith Angelique And Medor grauit all.
for force of furie than his flesche did fry;
Be dints and stogs of dochtie Durandal
The craig and wreat he claiwe in skelpis small.
So dois he go hich radgeing in dispyt,
And suddanlie to ground renwersit all
Quhair onie trait vas of the luiflie dyt.
The sauuage pastor And his troup may quyt
Cauld cumlie vmbrage of this cawe for ay,
And that fair fontan, springand siluer quhyt
Vith restles rumor throch the sprutand spray.
Thocht recent liquor, clarifeit alway,
It spoutit out as colorit christall cleine,
Ȝit could the same in nothing quenche I say
The coler fell quhilk in him birnand beine.
Great stoks, and stons, And monie brainchis greine
Thairin he suackit, And did neuir spair,
Quhill all that vattir cleir as Saphir scheine
Vas drumlie trublit in ilk conduict clair.
Than Irkit full of suet and hawie cair
But poust he breathles on the mydow fell,
In sorrou sowpit syching sad and sair,
Concluding heir continewallie to duell.
No heit, No cauld, No raine, Nor vindis snell
Mycht mak him ons to leif againe this place,
Quhairin he lay (as dois the histoir tell)
But speitche, And euir vith affixit face
The firmament beholding all the space;
And so but meet or drink did still Induir,
Quhill that the dririe nycht haid rune hir race
Thryse cled in till hir clouddie robbe obscuir,
And quhill Apollo thryse haid montit suir
In gouldin cart to luminat the day.
And grewous rigor Quhilk his bodie buir
In feibling him It moir agmentit ay,
Quhill at the last all vincust quhair he lay
Be paine heirof out of his sens he start,
And all his Iudgement from him fled away.
Than the fourt day vorking his proper smart,
His hands outragius did his visage skart
Maist horribile, And vith ane hiddeus brall
for raidge he roird, And restles did dispart
His scheild, his gantlat, and his corslat tall;
Heir fell the brassats, Thair lyis Durandal,
Strong nails he breaks, His Cuissots aff did slyd;
His helm, His gorget, And his harneis all
In thousand peicis he disparplit vyd.
Ay moir And moir his furie did him gyd
from hour till hour, Quhill It Increscit so
That in no part he permanent vold byd,
Bot, rawand vodlie, suift and rasche did go.
His clothing all And sark he reft him fro,
And nakit schew his vombe, his brest, and bak,
Vith flyring face his mouth did morgeon tho
And syndrie sounds maist terribile did mak,
Ay clawerand loud, And not to propose spak.
Syn quhan his raidge vold reull him moir seueir,
He at ane pull vold suddanlie vptak
The greatest oike Or fir that he cam neir
As bled of buss Or berrie aff the breir.
Great rocks, cawerns, And montans all about
He meed resound, And vith ane luik austeir
Abaist the pastors, Chaceand euerie rout
That for to spy his folie Ischit out;
And quhair he cam but mercie or remeed
Vprais amongs tham ane maist feirfull schout:
Sum vith his fist lay fellit in that steed,
Sum dammest doune, Sum bruisit to the deed,
Sum gat thair brest quyt broikin, or thair bak,
fra sum he puld the arme, the leg, or heed:
Syn in his hand the bluidie boulk vold tak,
And at ane vther egarlie it suak.
Tham ranging thus vith ronklit front vpbend
He meed great heaps of this vnhappie pak,
And nane of all agains him durst pretend.
for as the veyld and furius Ours dois stend
But onie feir or sussie for to sie,
The Russians hunters tym and trauell spend
for to persew hir throche the montans hie;
Thocht than approtche hir ane great cumpanie
Of litle hounds, Quhowsoon scho blinks about,
That feibile sort all skattrit bak dois flie;
Ewen so quhan Raging Roland ruschit out
The peuple all fast fled in deedlie dout
Vith all the speid and diligence thay mycht,
And so dissowerit vas this rakless rout.
Sum closit tham In ludgeings strong and vycht,
Sum montit vp on tours or templs hicht,
And sum low spying vnder couuert lay
Of this maist sensles fole till haif ane sycht,
Quho on the feilds dismembrit euerie day
Bauld Buls And Beufils in his sport and play.
He raifs, he rugs, he bruisis, breaks, and ryfs
Vith hands, vith feit, vith nails, and teith aluay;
He byts, he stricks, he tumbls, he turns, he stryfs,
He glaiks, he gaips, he girns, he glours, he dryfs
Throw moss, and montane, forrest, firth, and plaine,
The birds, the beists, the boyes, the men, and vyfs,
Vith bruit moir hiddeus from his trublit braine
Than force of fluidis hurlland in great raine.
foull glar and dust his face all filthie meed,
Quhairin no former beutie did remaine,
And both his eis for vraith vas boudin reed,
Quhilks vp and doune ay turnit in his heed,
Vith fearce regard vpcasting all the quhyt.
Both nycht and day he in the feilds abeed,
And for to fill his houngrie appetyt
fuid quhair he mycht he reft vith great dispyt.
Suyft harts and hynds he also vold deuoir,
And to the death in rageing furie smyt
The sangler strong, The Tygar, Or the Boir,
And tham in gobbats gredelie all toir,
Thair bluid vpsucking, Quhairvith blubbrit beine
His visage quhilk appeird so bawld befoir.
far mycht he now defigurat be seine
from that Renownit vordie Chiftane keine,
Vmquhyle the beild and piller firm of france.
In this estate perbrouilȝit all vncleine
Vpon the bounds of Spaine he cam be chance,
Quhair Angelique and Medor did awance
Thair Iournay rycht alongs the riuage fair;
Bot quhan the fole beheld hir beutie glance
Hir to persew he did vith speid prepair;
Not that he knew hir persone maist preclair,
Bot as ane chyld sum bonie bird vold crawe
To sport thairwith, And kill it syn but mair,
for sic effect fast efter hir he drawe,
And Medor all astonist did he lawe,
Quhois horse lay fellit vith his fist so snell.
Bot be the ring quhilk did sic vertew hawe
The ladie fred vas from his furie fell.
This vas the fole of quhom I erst did tell
That rageit on the luifers passand by,
Vith the quhilk tuo no moir I vill me mell.
Sum spreits poetique moir perfyt than I
To paint expertlie may thair pen apply
Quhow thay did both from thence directlie dres
Quhair hir great kingdome velthelie did ly,
That Medor mycht the croune thairof posses.
I lawe also for to declair expres
His faictes all that did sic furie drie,
for Imperfyt and tedius I confes
The mateir els all manckit is be me.
Vaeik creȝit barge vpon the suelling sie
To euerie vind vill not hir saell vpbend,
So may I not expone in ilk degrie
The histoir veill As it at lenth is pend.
Quhilk langage Roland rycht expertlie knew,
And oft he red it contrarie to vring
The veirray sentence from the mening trew.
Bot ay the moir that he did so persew,
Moir plaine and ampill did the text appeir,
Quhilk to the death his thirlit hart neir threw.
Assault of sorrow socht him so seueir,
That staring still he stuid astonist heir,
for vo almaist void of his vittis all,
Vith hawie fixit eis And cairfull cheir,
Vpon the stone As sensles stonie vall.
His chin declyning on his brest did fall,
And cloud of cair held doune his cumlie front,
Quhair left vas no audacitie to brall,
for boyling baile his boudin braine haid blont.
Great egar greif so griwous did surmont,
That he onnavayis mycht relasche his vo
Vith vofull vords as vmquhyle he vas vont;
Nor ȝit no teiris from his eine could go,
His liquid humor suffocat vas so,
As quhan in veschell vyd vith narrow throt
The vattir choks And may not flow thairfro
for great aboundance that dois in it flot.
No vonder now althocht his brest be blot
Vith dainger deip of deedlie duill in deid,
Bot ȝit his hoip could not dissolue the knot
Quhilk in his ladies loyaltie did breid.
So vith sum trust betosd and meikill dreid
He scherst his thochts to think this thocht vntrew,
(Quhairon his fancie for ane space did feid
And feruentlie dois viss it till Insew),
That sum ewillviller all thois dictums drew
for to diffame his constant ladie frie,
And be sic bittir blame his baile to brew,
That suddanlie quhan he the same suld sie
for percing paine mycht at that Instant die.
“O lord,” sayis he, “quhat vehement dispyt
88
Veill Imitat hes he hir hand perfyt
In drawing of this nochtie noysum dyt.”
So vith this feibile esperance at last
sum thing assuagit vas his former fyt,
And thus againe on Bridedor he past.
The day declynd And nycht approtchit fast;
fair tytans steids haid rune thair vtter race,
Quhois giltit hairs disparpling bak did cast
Throche asurit sky quhilk elss obscuird his face,
Till his palle sister Phebe giffing place,
Quhan that the pynit Paladeine did tend
His course na les Incertaine at this space
Than schip but rudder quhilk dois vilsum vend.
Bot ȝit or he his voyage far did spend,
from tops of houssis till him did appeir
The smok of fyrie vapeur vp ascend.
Bald barking doggis also did he heir,
And monie flokis making meikill beir,
sum routting loud, And sum did semplie blait.
Vnto the village quhan the Compt cam neir,
He lychtit doune because it vas so lait,
Quhair radelie ane boy discreit and fait
Did tak the gydment of his horse in cuir;
Sum did desarme his person of estait,
Sum loust the giltit spurris quhilk he buir,
And Sum attending stuid vpon the fluir
for till obey as plesit him command.
Now this vas ewen the verray ludging suir,
Quhair vondit Medor all his veilfair fand.
The stressit knycht All stupefact did stand,
And wold to bed but onie kynd of fuid;
Sic gripping greif about his bosom band,
That appetyt from meit vas far excluid.
for fillit full of hawie rancor ruid,
He did behold vith goustlie visage palle
The vofull vreat, quhilk friȝit vp his bluid;
89
On durs, on tabils, And on euerie vall,
Both Angelique and Medor schyphert beine,
Vith luiflie knottis Interlasit small,
In thousand sorts apertlie to be seine.
The trublit Comte could not abstract his eine
from sycht of that quhilk vrocht him greatest paine,
And tending oft to crawe quhat it sould meine,
feir for to find his feirfull thocht meed plaine
Caust him againe his lippis close restraine.
So from him self he vold the treuth oscuir
Vith trembling dreid in his perturbit braine
sum suadgement schersing be consait vnsuir.
Bot Crewall fortone at sic feid him buir,
That Scho no paine vold from his persone spair,
Bot tuik delyt this Chiftan till InIuir,
His musing mynd mischiwing mair and mair.
No thing awalit his obfuscat cair
Vith cloud of dout quhairin he held his pace,
for ane at lenth did all the trewth declair
But Inquisition of this cairfull cace;
Quhilk vas the pastor, Quho in to that place,
Be broikin sychis did persawe his vo,
And till appaise his pansiwe spreit ane space,
Began the histoir of the luifers tuo;
first quhow that Medor, deedlie vondit so,
He thair did bring at Angeliques desyre,
Quha cuird his hurt; Than quhow that scho did go,
for him consuming all in luifis fyre,
Sua that of honor thochtles or Impyre
Scho to this sempill souldart did Inclyn,
And Band wp mariage for to quenche desyre.
Thus he the histoir rycht in euerie lyn
Did so discus Quhill that hir braslat fyn
He representit at that Instant steed.
This vas the ax at last descendan syn
90
Lang speitchles lay he strukin almeist deed,
Quhill source of sorrow mycht no moir susteine,
Bot furiuslie outbirstit but remeed
Sobs from his mouth And teiris from his eine.
Bot most of all quhan solitar he beine,
Ane fluid aboundant bouting out besprent
His boudin brest all suellit vp In teine,
And both his cheaks bebathing but relent.
Deip in him now vas cauld dispair Imprent,
Ȝit from his birnand bosome fast did flow
Hote flammyng sychs quhilk neuir could be spent;
So fell and feruent vas the fyrie low,
Quhilk in his hart ay moir and moir did grow,
But onie slaiking thocht it fumit out,
his breath bot onlie did as belleis blow
To kindle all his bodie round about,
And als his eine did serue bot for ane spout
The vitale humeur from his lyf to draw.
for sorrow suir not cled vith former dout
did all his arters view aschunder thraw.
Quho may the strese Intolerabile schaw
Quhilk did this valȝant varior so torne?
leile lychtleit luifers onlie may it knaw,
Quho haples fruite of Ielousie hes schorne.
In bed he restles tumblit thus forlorne,
Quhilk did moir dour than dourest stone appeir;
Ilk softest fedder vas as poyntit thorne
To prick his persone, or the scharpest breir.
The valkryf thochtis of his cair seueir
Permits him nocht to sleip ane moment space;
Turne as he vold both hither thair and heir,
Raidge of his rancor did him ay Imbrace,
And in his torment he bethocht, alace,
That his vnkyndlie darrest ladie quhyt
Haid Interteind hir Medor in this place;
Heirfoir the sammyng (plinist vith dispyt)
91
As quhan ane pastor schersing eisment lyis
Amongs the tender flouris of delyt,
Syn at his feit ane yssing serpent spyis,
Maist quyklie and astonist vp vill ryis,
So Roland full of dolor and desdaine
Vith diligence for all his harneis cryis,
And in that ludgeing vold no moir remaine,
Bot montit on his Bridedor againe,
And vold not tarie quhill Aurora brycht
Haid spred hir siluer schaddow on the plaine,
Bot throch the feilds ryds all this vilsum nycht.
He plains, he pains, and as ane furious vycht
Blasphems the heawens, the stars, and gods deuyn,
Vith trickling teirs beblubring all his sycht,
And syching ay Insatiantlie for pyn.
Ȝea, thocht the morrow cleir arryuit syn,
But Interwall his sorrow did Induir.
from brochs and citeis far he did declyn,
Eschewing sycht of euerie creatuir,
To dern deserts And partis maist obscuir
Vith vofull vult he vandrit all the day,
But onie knawleidge quhair his horse him buir;
And with maist griwous great regraitting ay
Did fill the heawen, the air, and feilds alway.
He fround for furie, feilling in his heed
The storms of raidge pelmell about fast play.
In vinter Bald Neptunus neuir meed
Moir motion fell In fomie fluidis reed,
As tumults strong tormoyling to and fro
Of braying baile quhilk in his brest abeed,
Vith trublit tempest him tormenting so.
Than In the nycht quhan all to rest did go
He doune descendit in ane bocage greine,
Vith cairfull skrychis euir valtring tho;
And sic scharp schours of sorrow did susteine,
That sleip mycht neuir close his veping eine,
92
As Quhan from bourn that lang hes dammit beine
streams breaks aboundant quhilk thairin did suell.
Him self astonit could not think nor tell
Quhow possibill so monie teiris mycht
Poure from his eis, quhilks lyk ane springing vell
Did neuir stay thair rynning day nor nycht.
Than syching soir he said, “this liquor brycht
Is no moir teirs; Teirs may not end my vo,
Quhilk bot begins; And spent ar from my sycht
My teiris all. This source quhilk springis so
I knaw it is viwe vapor fleing fro
The feruent flams, quhilk birns my hart to deed,
Vp throch my soddin brest, syn out dois go
At my tuo eis, And sall draw but remeed
My lyf and dolor both at ons to feed;
Bot sen so is, Sched out thy course vith speid,
And my vnhappie dayis to end soon leed.
And ȝe, O sychs, quhairwith my cair dois feid,
Ȝe are no sychs: Sychs may not ay proceid
But onie cease As thois that I exspyre.
The moir I sych, Moir panting breath dois breid.
The lord of luife, Quho birns me all in fyre,
Maks vith his vings this vind, And will not tyre
To cause my kendlit flammes euir flow
Quhill I destroyit be both bon and lyre.
Bot O great meruell, that my hart now dow
So long Induir in luifis feruent low,
And vnconsumit vtterlie to nocht!
Bot quhom am I in quhom sic raidge dois grow?
am I that Roland quho hes vonders vrocht?
No. Roland treulie in his grafe is brocht;
His dame Ingrait hes vranguslie him slaine.
I am bot onlie his puir spreit afflocht
In vildernese heir forcit to complaine.
My desperat maist great Infernale paine
To beir record be my profoundest vo,
93
Quho thrallit in the links of luife dois go.”
This nycht till end Roland lamentit so,
And quhan the vermell Matutina sched
In celest hews hir adgeit husband fro,
Him lewing sleipand in his donckie bed,
And quhan the vorldis lycht began to spred
Brycht rubie sparkis throch the purpur sky,
Be destenie the Comte haid so beine led
That in the part he him persauit ly
Besyd the rock, Quhilk he befoir did spy
Vith Angelique And Medor grauit all.
for force of furie than his flesche did fry;
Be dints and stogs of dochtie Durandal
The craig and wreat he claiwe in skelpis small.
So dois he go hich radgeing in dispyt,
And suddanlie to ground renwersit all
Quhair onie trait vas of the luiflie dyt.
The sauuage pastor And his troup may quyt
Cauld cumlie vmbrage of this cawe for ay,
And that fair fontan, springand siluer quhyt
Vith restles rumor throch the sprutand spray.
Thocht recent liquor, clarifeit alway,
It spoutit out as colorit christall cleine,
Ȝit could the same in nothing quenche I say
The coler fell quhilk in him birnand beine.
Great stoks, and stons, And monie brainchis greine
Thairin he suackit, And did neuir spair,
Quhill all that vattir cleir as Saphir scheine
Vas drumlie trublit in ilk conduict clair.
Than Irkit full of suet and hawie cair
But poust he breathles on the mydow fell,
In sorrou sowpit syching sad and sair,
Concluding heir continewallie to duell.
No heit, No cauld, No raine, Nor vindis snell
Mycht mak him ons to leif againe this place,
Quhairin he lay (as dois the histoir tell)
94
The firmament beholding all the space;
And so but meet or drink did still Induir,
Quhill that the dririe nycht haid rune hir race
Thryse cled in till hir clouddie robbe obscuir,
And quhill Apollo thryse haid montit suir
In gouldin cart to luminat the day.
And grewous rigor Quhilk his bodie buir
In feibling him It moir agmentit ay,
Quhill at the last all vincust quhair he lay
Be paine heirof out of his sens he start,
And all his Iudgement from him fled away.
Than the fourt day vorking his proper smart,
His hands outragius did his visage skart
Maist horribile, And vith ane hiddeus brall
for raidge he roird, And restles did dispart
His scheild, his gantlat, and his corslat tall;
Heir fell the brassats, Thair lyis Durandal,
Strong nails he breaks, His Cuissots aff did slyd;
His helm, His gorget, And his harneis all
In thousand peicis he disparplit vyd.
Ay moir And moir his furie did him gyd
from hour till hour, Quhill It Increscit so
That in no part he permanent vold byd,
Bot, rawand vodlie, suift and rasche did go.
His clothing all And sark he reft him fro,
And nakit schew his vombe, his brest, and bak,
Vith flyring face his mouth did morgeon tho
And syndrie sounds maist terribile did mak,
Ay clawerand loud, And not to propose spak.
Syn quhan his raidge vold reull him moir seueir,
He at ane pull vold suddanlie vptak
The greatest oike Or fir that he cam neir
As bled of buss Or berrie aff the breir.
Great rocks, cawerns, And montans all about
He meed resound, And vith ane luik austeir
Abaist the pastors, Chaceand euerie rout
95
And quhair he cam but mercie or remeed
Vprais amongs tham ane maist feirfull schout:
Sum vith his fist lay fellit in that steed,
Sum dammest doune, Sum bruisit to the deed,
Sum gat thair brest quyt broikin, or thair bak,
fra sum he puld the arme, the leg, or heed:
Syn in his hand the bluidie boulk vold tak,
And at ane vther egarlie it suak.
Tham ranging thus vith ronklit front vpbend
He meed great heaps of this vnhappie pak,
And nane of all agains him durst pretend.
for as the veyld and furius Ours dois stend
But onie feir or sussie for to sie,
The Russians hunters tym and trauell spend
for to persew hir throche the montans hie;
Thocht than approtche hir ane great cumpanie
Of litle hounds, Quhowsoon scho blinks about,
That feibile sort all skattrit bak dois flie;
Ewen so quhan Raging Roland ruschit out
The peuple all fast fled in deedlie dout
Vith all the speid and diligence thay mycht,
And so dissowerit vas this rakless rout.
Sum closit tham In ludgeings strong and vycht,
Sum montit vp on tours or templs hicht,
And sum low spying vnder couuert lay
Of this maist sensles fole till haif ane sycht,
Quho on the feilds dismembrit euerie day
Bauld Buls And Beufils in his sport and play.
He raifs, he rugs, he bruisis, breaks, and ryfs
Vith hands, vith feit, vith nails, and teith aluay;
He byts, he stricks, he tumbls, he turns, he stryfs,
He glaiks, he gaips, he girns, he glours, he dryfs
Throw moss, and montane, forrest, firth, and plaine,
The birds, the beists, the boyes, the men, and vyfs,
Vith bruit moir hiddeus from his trublit braine
Than force of fluidis hurlland in great raine.
96
Quhairin no former beutie did remaine,
And both his eis for vraith vas boudin reed,
Quhilks vp and doune ay turnit in his heed,
Vith fearce regard vpcasting all the quhyt.
Both nycht and day he in the feilds abeed,
And for to fill his houngrie appetyt
fuid quhair he mycht he reft vith great dispyt.
Suyft harts and hynds he also vold deuoir,
And to the death in rageing furie smyt
The sangler strong, The Tygar, Or the Boir,
And tham in gobbats gredelie all toir,
Thair bluid vpsucking, Quhairvith blubbrit beine
His visage quhilk appeird so bawld befoir.
far mycht he now defigurat be seine
from that Renownit vordie Chiftane keine,
Vmquhyle the beild and piller firm of france.
In this estate perbrouilȝit all vncleine
Vpon the bounds of Spaine he cam be chance,
Quhair Angelique and Medor did awance
Thair Iournay rycht alongs the riuage fair;
Bot quhan the fole beheld hir beutie glance
Hir to persew he did vith speid prepair;
Not that he knew hir persone maist preclair,
Bot as ane chyld sum bonie bird vold crawe
To sport thairwith, And kill it syn but mair,
for sic effect fast efter hir he drawe,
And Medor all astonist did he lawe,
Quhois horse lay fellit vith his fist so snell.
Bot be the ring quhilk did sic vertew hawe
The ladie fred vas from his furie fell.
This vas the fole of quhom I erst did tell
That rageit on the luifers passand by,
Vith the quhilk tuo no moir I vill me mell.
Sum spreits poetique moir perfyt than I
To paint expertlie may thair pen apply
Quhow thay did both from thence directlie dres
97
That Medor mycht the croune thairof posses.
I lawe also for to declair expres
His faictes all that did sic furie drie,
for Imperfyt and tedius I confes
The mateir els all manckit is be me.
Vaeik creȝit barge vpon the suelling sie
To euerie vind vill not hir saell vpbend,
So may I not expone in ilk degrie
The histoir veill As it at lenth is pend.
98
THE . 12 . CANT.
fast throch the deip vnto the port I tend,far haifing compast monie vilsum schoir.
Thow Cleo cleir, sum confort to me send
Now at the last my dytment to decoir.
I change my sang, quhilk soundit sad befoir,
from dolent dyt to Ioyfull verse againe.
Mirth nixt approtchithe eftir sorrow soir,
Thocht fortoune frowne, Scho vill not ay disdaine;
Bot I beliwe it is ane mateir vaine
for to suppone that quhirling of hir quheill
May cast vs ether in to Ioy or paine,
Bot onlie God, quho vorking for our veill,
Of his paternall fauor lats ws feill
Sum tym correction of his holie hand,
That resonles we not but reingȝie reill,
Bot in his godlie feir may stabile stand;
And be his prudence he prepairs the vand
As best accordis for the sam effect,
Quhilk his awne chosine children euir fand,
Quhan that thay did thair deweteis neglect.
As Roland now, Quho vas be him elect
The Christians from trubill to defend,
Syn did his course to vanitie derect,
for the quhilk cause God Iustlie did extend
His punisment, And him sic vodnes send
That as ane Oule he singlie meed repair
In vildernes, Of all his freinds miskend,
99
Amongs bawld beistis, Quhair he did misfair
His fortitud vith monie brainles brall,
And all his fois reiosing les and mair
To spy or heir of his vnhappie fall.
Bot our Guid God Quho rycht guuernis all
Vill veill delyuer from maist deip distres:
Quhan force and Iudgement of all men is small
In onie vayis for to prepair redres,
By expectation than his mycht expres
Maist suddanlie dissoluith strongest snair.
Heirfoir in goulf of greatest hawines
Of his refuge ve neuir sould despair.
Exempls monie mycht I heir declair
for till appruif this propose patent plaine.
The Godlie Ioseph vrappit vas in cair
Quhom all his brethir dalie did disdaine,
Ȝit thocht in presone long he did remaine,
far from his freindis, And with fremmit fois,
God meed of him ane Instrument againe
for to reconfort both the sorts of thois.
The Holie Dauid vas at poynt to lois
His lyf oft tyms be Saulis feruent feed,
Bot at the last he did obteine repois
And from distres Ane sacred king vas meed.
Quhan the Bethulians vas in dreid of deed,
God fred tham frilie from that mortall dout
Be sempill Iudith, that strak aff his heed
Quho did beseidge thair citie round about.
Quhat neids me schers sic deuyn histoirs out
To testifie of Gods eternale mycht?
This onlie subiect of Our Chiftan stout
Dois schaw the sam: for first his vigor vycht,
And exploitis abowe all vther knycht,
His great decay, And guid releif at last
I say dois giwe vs perfyt knawledge rycht
That God extoll may hichlie, And doune cast,
100
Heirfoir vith velth we sould be humyle still,
And in distres not vtterlie agast,
for God may change tham both at his guidwill:
As in great mercie he dois so fulfill
On Roland now, vith vodnes vexit soir,
That he not onlie send his sens him till,
Bot visdome, force, and vertew, meikill moir
Nor euir he did posses in tym befoir;
His former fancie from him vas excluid,
And all his strenth Imployd he to restoir
The Churche of God, quhilk in great dainger stuid
Be pert persute of Sarrasins so ruid,
Quhom he be battels bold oft pat abak,
And schew him self ane mychtie member guid
for to preserwe the Christians from vrak.
My pen omittis for till vndertak
Quhow Astolphe did to Paradice ascend,
And with the Godlie vyss Apostle spak
The maladie of Roland for till mend.
My bruisit braine dar not so hich pretend,
Bot in this beild now frie from bittir blast
I vill but moir, My longsum course till end,
Pull in my saell, And heir my anckir cast.
FINIS.
101
RAPSODIES OF THE AVTHORS ȜOVTHFVLL BRAINE.
103
TO HIS MAIESTIE.
SONNET.
THIR syndrie sequent sayings Imperfyt,So suddan scriblit be my sklender skill,
Sum recentlie, And sum of my first dyt,
I haif Insert this papir blank to fill.
Thocht source I souck not on the sacred hill,
Bot poems spill, ȝit humylie I pretend
My paine to spend, Ay hoiping suirlie still
Ȝour hienes vill My minchit meiter mend.
So condiscend, And do the same defend,
Than sall be kend Quhat vertew in ȝow lyis,
Not to despyis my sempill versis pend,
Quhilks to my end Sall ay awance ȝour pryis.
My ruid dewyis, Sir, In guid part than tak;
Gif I could better, Better sould I mak.
104
ANE PRAYER IN ADVERSETIE.
In golfe of greif I grone,
Beset vith sorrow soir:
O lord till eise my mone
Thy mercie I Imploir.
Hyd not thy face heirfoir,
Bot heir me lord vith speid,
And me to helth restoir
Now at this tym of neid.
Beset vith sorrow soir:
O lord till eise my mone
Thy mercie I Imploir.
Hyd not thy face heirfoir,
Bot heir me lord vith speid,
And me to helth restoir
Now at this tym of neid.
My dayes dois fast consume
Lyk viddrit girse vith vind:
My flesche for thochts doith fume,
My hart no rest may find.
I grant, lord, I haif sind
As did the Publican,
Bot now my vonds vpbind,
Thow sueit Samaritan.
Lyk viddrit girse vith vind:
My flesche for thochts doith fume,
My hart no rest may find.
I grant, lord, I haif sind
As did the Publican,
Bot now my vonds vpbind,
Thow sueit Samaritan.
The leuit And the Preist
But pitie ar past by,
Bot thow my bailfull breist
Cuir bleding quhair I ly.
Turne not from me, Bot spy
My saull at poynt to faill;
for help, O lord, I cry;
Thy help may mak me haill.
But pitie ar past by,
Bot thow my bailfull breist
Cuir bleding quhair I ly.
Turne not from me, Bot spy
My saull at poynt to faill;
for help, O lord, I cry;
Thy help may mak me haill.
105
My fois thay brag and bost
To sie me thus decay:
My freinds thay think me lost,
Bot ȝit my hoip sayis nay.
Sen God he is my stay,
My saull awats to sie
The hour quhan I sall say,
“God hes reliwit me.”
To sie me thus decay:
My freinds thay think me lost,
Bot ȝit my hoip sayis nay.
Sen God he is my stay,
My saull awats to sie
The hour quhan I sall say,
“God hes reliwit me.”
My pansiwe spreit in paine
Dois sych and sute for grace,
As thristie ground for raine
That drouth hes dryed lang space.
Convert my cairfull cace
To Ioy againe ȝit ons,
And lat thyn heawenlie face
Scheine ower the bruisit bons.
Dois sych and sute for grace,
As thristie ground for raine
That drouth hes dryed lang space.
Convert my cairfull cace
To Ioy againe ȝit ons,
And lat thyn heawenlie face
Scheine ower the bruisit bons.
Than sall my mirth renew,
Than sall I bathe in blis,
Than sall I thois eschew
That vickit vorkers is;
Than sall I haif my vis,
Than dascht sal bie my fois:
Quhan God sall grant me this,
Than sall my saull reiois.
Than sall I bathe in blis,
Than sall I thois eschew
That vickit vorkers is;
Than sall I haif my vis,
Than dascht sal bie my fois:
Quhan God sall grant me this,
Than sall my saull reiois.
Heirfoir, O lord, in haist
On me thy serwant spair,
Sum croms of grace at laist
fals from thy Childrins fair.
Thy buird is not so bair,
Nor ȝit my sins so large,
Bot thow hes mercie mair
To giwe me frie descharge.
On me thy serwant spair,
Sum croms of grace at laist
fals from thy Childrins fair.
Thy buird is not so bair,
Nor ȝit my sins so large,
Bot thow hes mercie mair
To giwe me frie descharge.
106
Quhilk mercie thyn compone
Vith vprycht Iustice so
To dant my fois ilkone,
That thay may lowlie go.
Thus sall the prydfull tho
In feir acknawledge the,
And I vith monie mo
Ay prayse thy maiestie.
Vith vprycht Iustice so
To dant my fois ilkone,
That thay may lowlie go.
Thus sall the prydfull tho
In feir acknawledge the,
And I vith monie mo
Ay prayse thy maiestie.
And thus I do attend
Thy guid and gratius vill:
As lyks thy visdome, send,
And so on me fulfill.
I do determeine still
At thy decrie to stand.
Now ether saif or kill,
for both lyis in thy hand.
Thy guid and gratius vill:
As lyks thy visdome, send,
And so on me fulfill.
I do determeine still
At thy decrie to stand.
Now ether saif or kill,
for both lyis in thy hand.
Ȝit sall I still abyd
In hoip, And dois the pray
The king to saif and gyd,
My erdlie beild and stay:
Defend him nycht and day,
And thy guid spreit derect
for to exalt him ay,
And all his fois deiect.
In hoip, And dois the pray
The king to saif and gyd,
My erdlie beild and stay:
Defend him nycht and day,
And thy guid spreit derect
for to exalt him ay,
And all his fois deiect.
107
ANE PRAYER AND THANKISGIWING.
O lord of lords, My God and gyd,
Maist humyle thanks I rander the,
That at all tyms hes done prowyd
So gratiouslie ay touarts me.
No recompance may in me be
To correspond the gifts of grace,
Quhilks thow of thy great mercie frie
Bestows on me in ewerie place.
Maist humyle thanks I rander the,
That at all tyms hes done prowyd
So gratiouslie ay touarts me.
No recompance may in me be
To correspond the gifts of grace,
Quhilks thow of thy great mercie frie
Bestows on me in ewerie place.
Oft haif I fund thy mychtie strenth
In my delyurance from decay:
Oft haif I knawne thy treuth at lenth
In ansuering to my hoip alway:
Thy most precelling pitie ay
Haid of me, Thocht I synnit soir,
Assuirs me certanlie, I say,
Of thy great luife, O king of gloir.
In my delyurance from decay:
Oft haif I knawne thy treuth at lenth
In ansuering to my hoip alway:
Thy most precelling pitie ay
Haid of me, Thocht I synnit soir,
Assuirs me certanlie, I say,
Of thy great luife, O king of gloir.
I am vnvordie till explaine
Thy pouer Quhilk be pruif I knaw,
Ȝit my guidwill dois me constraine
Thir lynis in thy prayse to draw.
for thocht that I may not furthschaw
The greatnes of thy gloir dewyn,
Ȝit sall I quhill my breath may blaw
Confes the vith this toung of myn.
Thy pouer Quhilk be pruif I knaw,
Ȝit my guidwill dois me constraine
Thir lynis in thy prayse to draw.
for thocht that I may not furthschaw
The greatnes of thy gloir dewyn,
Ȝit sall I quhill my breath may blaw
Confes the vith this toung of myn.
108
And Instantlie vith hart Inteir,
Sua far as in my pouer lyis,
I offer vp vnto the heir
The sacrafice of laud and pryis.
Thy mercie, lord, vill not despyis
The puir repentant painfull spreit,
Quhilk ernistlie vnto the cryis
for fauor of thy semblance sueit.
Sua far as in my pouer lyis,
I offer vp vnto the heir
The sacrafice of laud and pryis.
Thy mercie, lord, vill not despyis
The puir repentant painfull spreit,
Quhilk ernistlie vnto the cryis
for fauor of thy semblance sueit.
O lord, Remit my synnis all
In Christ quhom on I do depend:
Lat grace and mercie on me fall
My former lyf for till amend:
Derect thyn Angil to defend
My feibill force from all my fois,
Assuadge thair vraith And to me send
Pace in my dayis for till InIois.
In Christ quhom on I do depend:
Lat grace and mercie on me fall
My former lyf for till amend:
Derect thyn Angil to defend
My feibill force from all my fois,
Assuadge thair vraith And to me send
Pace in my dayis for till InIois.
Lat not my sinfull flesch so fraill,
The vorld, Nor subtile sathans slycht,
Nor ȝit the force of man preuaill
Abowe me vith thair mundan mycht.
Bot as thow art ane God of rycht,
So schaw thy self omnipotent,
And stay the prydfull in thy sycht
To vrack the puir man Innocent.
The vorld, Nor subtile sathans slycht,
Nor ȝit the force of man preuaill
Abowe me vith thair mundan mycht.
Bot as thow art ane God of rycht,
So schaw thy self omnipotent,
And stay the prydfull in thy sycht
To vrack the puir man Innocent.
Lord God of hosts, my cause defend,
And all my enemeis deface,
Preserue my lyf quhill thow me end,
Syn let me, lord, depart in pace.
In conseruation of thy grace
My sawll and bodie I resing.
Be my protector in all place,
And gyd me rycht in euerie thing.
And all my enemeis deface,
Preserue my lyf quhill thow me end,
Syn let me, lord, depart in pace.
In conseruation of thy grace
My sawll and bodie I resing.
Be my protector in all place,
And gyd me rycht in euerie thing.
109
As thow hes ay beine my releif,
Leif me not, lord, now in my eild:
Returne in glaidnes all my greif,
That I may Iofull thanks the ȝield:
Be thow my boucklar and my beild
In ewerie tym quhan I haif neid;
Stand vp for me and fecht the feild,
And from all ewill me saif vith speid.
Leif me not, lord, now in my eild:
Returne in glaidnes all my greif,
That I may Iofull thanks the ȝield:
Be thow my boucklar and my beild
In ewerie tym quhan I haif neid;
Stand vp for me and fecht the feild,
And from all ewill me saif vith speid.
In the my trust dois onlie byd,
And thow alone art my supplie:
My God, gif thow for me prouyd,
I feirles am, And suir sall bie.
Than tak my part And stand be me,
So sall I cair no vorldlie chance,
And lat me neuir suerwe from the:
I crawe no mair for Recompance.
And thow alone art my supplie:
My God, gif thow for me prouyd,
I feirles am, And suir sall bie.
Than tak my part And stand be me,
So sall I cair no vorldlie chance,
And lat me neuir suerwe from the:
I crawe no mair for Recompance.
Thow king of kings and of all thing,
Thy hienes humilie I requyr
To bliss, preserwe, and gyd Our King
And grant him lang for till Impyr.
Reule vith thy visdome his desyr
In euerie thing to guid effect,
And confound all that dois conspyr
Agains his maiestie erect.
Thy hienes humilie I requyr
To bliss, preserwe, and gyd Our King
And grant him lang for till Impyr.
Reule vith thy visdome his desyr
In euerie thing to guid effect,
And confound all that dois conspyr
Agains his maiestie erect.
All prayse be to thy holie name
from age to age for euirmoir.
Laud, honor, thanks, and endless fame
Be to the hiest God of gloir.
His guidnes ȝit sall ons restoir
His seruant frie of euerie smart,
And I vill gif him thanks thairfoir
Vith humyle adettit Iofull hart.
from age to age for euirmoir.
Laud, honor, thanks, and endless fame
Be to the hiest God of gloir.
His guidnes ȝit sall ons restoir
His seruant frie of euerie smart,
And I vill gif him thanks thairfoir
Vith humyle adettit Iofull hart.
110
TO ANE HONORABILL AND DISTRESSIT LADIE.
Ane guid and hardie hart,
To thois that dolor drie,
Consums the half of smart
And makith great supplie.
Heirfoir lat langor bie,
And on the lord depend,
So sall ȝe schortlie sie
Ȝour trubill brocht to end.
To thois that dolor drie,
Consums the half of smart
And makith great supplie.
Heirfoir lat langor bie,
And on the lord depend,
So sall ȝe schortlie sie
Ȝour trubill brocht to end.
The Isralits in thrall
Lang vexit vas vith vo,
Bot God veill fred tham all
At last from bondage So
That Pharo thair fell fo
Thair drownit did remaine,
Quhair thay againe did go
Saif fro all perrile plaine.
Lang vexit vas vith vo,
Bot God veill fred tham all
At last from bondage So
That Pharo thair fell fo
Thair drownit did remaine,
Quhair thay againe did go
Saif fro all perrile plaine.
The Vofull hester Queine,
Opprest vith miserie,
Hir cairfull cause did meine
Vnto the lord maist hie,
Quho of his mercie frie
Soone grantit hir desyre,
So that hir eis did sie
The thing Scho did requyr.
Opprest vith miserie,
Hir cairfull cause did meine
Vnto the lord maist hie,
Quho of his mercie frie
Soone grantit hir desyre,
So that hir eis did sie
The thing Scho did requyr.
111
Quhan Innocent Susan
Vas damnit to the deed,
God mychtelie began
To mak hir than remeed,
Rewengeing all hir feed
To the false Iudgeis paine,
And lyf and vomanheed
Restorde to hir againe.
Vas damnit to the deed,
God mychtelie began
To mak hir than remeed,
Rewengeing all hir feed
To the false Iudgeis paine,
And lyf and vomanheed
Restorde to hir againe.
Heirfoir vith guid Intent
Cast all thy cair now hens
On God maist radie bent
To pitie thy pretens:
Quhan that all mortall sens
Leist help can understand,
His pouer and defens
Is radiest at hand.
Cast all thy cair now hens
On God maist radie bent
To pitie thy pretens:
Quhan that all mortall sens
Leist help can understand,
His pouer and defens
Is radiest at hand.
He vill navayis ȝow lawe
In sic perplexit paine:
He bringith doune to grawe
And hich exalts againe:
The proud he dois desdaine,
Quhois force but dout sall faill,
And the meik mind humaine
At lenth be him prewaill.
In sic perplexit paine:
He bringith doune to grawe
And hich exalts againe:
The proud he dois desdaine,
Quhois force but dout sall faill,
And the meik mind humaine
At lenth be him prewaill.
Did not Iudith depart
And meed the toune remeed,
Quhan men grew fant in hart
for to susteine the feed?
Hir beutie quhyt and reed
Did Holifern alluir,
Quhill scho strack aff his heed
Be Gods assistans suir:
And meed the toune remeed,
Quhan men grew fant in hart
for to susteine the feed?
Hir beutie quhyt and reed
Did Holifern alluir,
Quhill scho strack aff his heed
Be Gods assistans suir:
112
Quhois pouer ȝow preserwe
from ewerie kynd of greife,
fro quhom now neuir suerwe,
So sall ȝe find releife;
The quhilk I hoip in breife
for to sie cum ȝow till,
And vnto thair mischiefe
That dois ȝow onie ill.
from ewerie kynd of greife,
fro quhom now neuir suerwe,
So sall ȝe find releife;
The quhilk I hoip in breife
for to sie cum ȝow till,
And vnto thair mischiefe
That dois ȝow onie ill.
113
TO HIS RYCHT INTEIRLIE BELOWIT FREIND.
The faithfull freind, In frendschip firmlie bound,
Vith constant hart dois so his treuth respect,
That chance of fortoune may navayis confound
His fidele fauor till his freind elect:
Quhilk in my part I neuir sall neglect
for onie greif that may vs tuo assaile.
In signe heirof I do thir lyns direct
Assuirring ȝow my freindschip sall not faile.
Vith constant hart dois so his treuth respect,
That chance of fortoune may navayis confound
His fidele fauor till his freind elect:
Quhilk in my part I neuir sall neglect
for onie greif that may vs tuo assaile.
In signe heirof I do thir lyns direct
Assuirring ȝow my freindschip sall not faile.
Gif ȝe be veill, Than am I veill also,
Gif ȝe be nocht, I am in hawines;
Gif ȝe be blyth, Rycht blythlie do I go;
Gif ȝe haif vo, My dolor dois Incres:
for paine or plesour I do ay posses
As I ȝow knaw in till estate to bie,
for in to mirth And also in distres
I am ewen he sall beir ȝow companie.
Gif ȝe be nocht, I am in hawines;
Gif ȝe be blyth, Rycht blythlie do I go;
Gif ȝe haif vo, My dolor dois Incres:
for paine or plesour I do ay posses
As I ȝow knaw in till estate to bie,
for in to mirth And also in distres
I am ewen he sall beir ȝow companie.
Thair is no freind except ane freind in neid
Of thair freinds paine for to susteine sum part.
The fengȝeit freind he is no freind indeid,
Bot seikith out the plesour of his hart,
And susseis not to leif his freind in smart.
Bot as to me I sall be none of thois,
for stedfastlie my freindlie hart Inwart
Sall vith ȝow duill And with ȝow als reiois.
Of thair freinds paine for to susteine sum part.
The fengȝeit freind he is no freind indeid,
Bot seikith out the plesour of his hart,
And susseis not to leif his freind in smart.
Bot as to me I sall be none of thois,
for stedfastlie my freindlie hart Inwart
Sall vith ȝow duill And with ȝow als reiois.
114
from miserie exchange ȝour thochtful hart
In plesand place of plesour to remaine;
Be not ourcum vith melancolius smart,
Hich mychtie mynds from dolor vill refraine.
The lyf is sad quhilk euir suffers paine,
Strong linckit lyons quhyls begins to loup;
Heirfoir vith courage schaw ȝow blyth againe,
Schaik aff despair, And confort ȝow in houp.
In plesand place of plesour to remaine;
Be not ourcum vith melancolius smart,
Hich mychtie mynds from dolor vill refraine.
The lyf is sad quhilk euir suffers paine,
Strong linckit lyons quhyls begins to loup;
Heirfoir vith courage schaw ȝow blyth againe,
Schaik aff despair, And confort ȝow in houp.
for God vith trubill dois his chosin try,
As gowld be fyre is brychtlie birnist cleine;
Ȝit vill he not in languor lat tham ly,
Bot gifith glaidnes efter cairfull teine.
The blaiknit trie, the quhilk in vinter beine
Most lyk ane Stock all viddrit vorne and bair,
In symmer seimlie sproutith growand greine
Vith leifs and fruite both flurist fresche and fair.
As gowld be fyre is brychtlie birnist cleine;
Ȝit vill he not in languor lat tham ly,
Bot gifith glaidnes efter cairfull teine.
The blaiknit trie, the quhilk in vinter beine
Most lyk ane Stock all viddrit vorne and bair,
In symmer seimlie sproutith growand greine
Vith leifs and fruite both flurist fresche and fair.
Thus may ȝe sie be patent pruife expres
That nixt to sorrow solas dois depend;
Heirfoir in paine ay patience posses;
In myds of greif God guid releif vill send:
Quhois grace from dolor dalie ȝow defend,
And be his prudent prouidence conwoy
Ȝour noy and myn both schortlie till ane end;
So ȝe and I sall giwe him thanks vith Ioy.
That nixt to sorrow solas dois depend;
Heirfoir in paine ay patience posses;
In myds of greif God guid releif vill send:
Quhois grace from dolor dalie ȝow defend,
And be his prudent prouidence conwoy
Ȝour noy and myn both schortlie till ane end;
So ȝe and I sall giwe him thanks vith Ioy.
115
IN NAME OF ANE AMORUS LADIE.
Perturbit is my pansiwe spreit,
Beset about vith saddest smart,
Sutch contrarieteis dois fleit,
Oppressing my perplexit part.
It veill accordis vith my hart
To luife quhair luife hes meed me thrall,
Bot Reson sayis, “pull back that dart,
And rather chose thy peregall.”
Beset about vith saddest smart,
Sutch contrarieteis dois fleit,
Oppressing my perplexit part.
It veill accordis vith my hart
To luife quhair luife hes meed me thrall,
Bot Reson sayis, “pull back that dart,
And rather chose thy peregall.”
Sen I am frie to scherse my peir,
I knaw my freinds vill so desyn;
Bot than sall I vith cairfull cheir
Drywe out my duilfull dayis in pyn,
Sen that this luifing hart of myn
Hes chosin ane Inferior,
To quhom my nature dois Inclyn
To luif as my superior.
I knaw my freinds vill so desyn;
Bot than sall I vith cairfull cheir
Drywe out my duilfull dayis in pyn,
Sen that this luifing hart of myn
Hes chosin ane Inferior,
To quhom my nature dois Inclyn
To luif as my superior.
The falcon fair in till hir flycht,
Espying furth hir plesand pray,
Quhyls on ane litle lark vill lycht
And for ane greatter foull effray.
Sir Icarus, In till his vay
Quhan he for fleing meed him boune,
So hichlie did him self assay,
His feddrum faild, And he fell doune.
Espying furth hir plesand pray,
Quhyls on ane litle lark vill lycht
And for ane greatter foull effray.
Sir Icarus, In till his vay
Quhan he for fleing meed him boune,
So hichlie did him self assay,
His feddrum faild, And he fell doune.
116
I mycht exemples monie find
for this my mening manifest:
Gods law in lykwayis dois me bind
To chose the man quhom I luif best.
for better var vith mynd at rest
So till obteine my harts desyr,
Than dalie ay in dolor drest
To reule abowe ane great Impyr.
for this my mening manifest:
Gods law in lykwayis dois me bind
To chose the man quhom I luif best.
for better var vith mynd at rest
So till obteine my harts desyr,
Than dalie ay in dolor drest
To reule abowe ane great Impyr.
The meine estate in mirrines
But dainger standith maist secuir;
The moir of mycht that we posses,
The moir of trubill ve Induir.
The prowerbe plaine doith vs assuir
Thay haif aneuch that ar content,
And suddan fall may tham InIuir
Quho clymmyng vp dois suiftlie sprent.
But dainger standith maist secuir;
The moir of mycht that we posses,
The moir of trubill ve Induir.
The prowerbe plaine doith vs assuir
Thay haif aneuch that ar content,
And suddan fall may tham InIuir
Quho clymmyng vp dois suiftlie sprent.
Bot ȝit my honor dois reclame
from this my foirsaid sentence far.
Sall I my former famus fame
So for my vanton vill debar?
Me to guwerne It better var
Be counsell of my freindis vyse,
And not to schaw my self so har
In ane venerian Interpryse.
from this my foirsaid sentence far.
Sall I my former famus fame
So for my vanton vill debar?
Me to guwerne It better var
Be counsell of my freindis vyse,
And not to schaw my self so har
In ane venerian Interpryse.
Remembring on my nobill race,
And to lat sic effection cuill,
In this contrarius state, alace,
I plungit am in painfull puill.
for sall I So in dalie duill
Doune cast my self, abiectit so
In playing schamfullie the fuill
As Medea, And vthers mo?
And to lat sic effection cuill,
In this contrarius state, alace,
I plungit am in painfull puill.
for sall I So in dalie duill
Doune cast my self, abiectit so
In playing schamfullie the fuill
As Medea, And vthers mo?
117
Na. first sall I torment in greife,
Quhill cairfull corps consume in ly,
Or that I virk sic mad mischeife.
O than quhat frantick fuill var I?
Ȝe luifers leill, that standis by,
haif reuth vpon my endles paine:
O Cupid keine, on the I cry
for to pull bak thy dart againe,
Quhill cairfull corps consume in ly,
Or that I virk sic mad mischeife.
O than quhat frantick fuill var I?
Ȝe luifers leill, that standis by,
haif reuth vpon my endles paine:
O Cupid keine, on the I cry
for to pull bak thy dart againe,
Quhilk griwouslie brings me to grawe
Vith hawie hart And mirthles mynd:
And him agains my vill I lawe
To quhom I am So far Inclynd.
Quhan sall my dayis to end be pynd?
Quhan sall my vofull veird compleit,
Quhan I efter my constant kynd
May rander vp ane faythfull spreit?
Vith hawie hart And mirthles mynd:
And him agains my vill I lawe
To quhom I am So far Inclynd.
Quhan sall my dayis to end be pynd?
Quhan sall my vofull veird compleit,
Quhan I efter my constant kynd
May rander vp ane faythfull spreit?
118
THE AUTHOR VITH DERECTION HEIROF TO THE FOIRSAID LADIE.
O happie man, thow may reiois,And on this lustie ladie muiss,
Quho vold elect the for hir chois,
And vith sic feruent hart the luiss.
Alace, ourfar scho dois abuiss
Hir freindlie fauor for thy saik.
Och vold to God Scho vold refuiss
And turne to luife ane vther maik.
As I could vis,
Concluding this,
Guid God ȝow blis,
And ay defend.
Excuse my mis,
Gif onie is:
Ȝour hand I kis
And so I end.
119
THE AUTHORS ADWYCE TO THE FOIRSAID LADIE.
Althocht the fruite dois fairest springThat hichest on the trie dois grow,
In greatest dainger dois it hing
Quhan Boreas begins to blow.
The hicher set, The sooner low,
As be experience ve sie:
The faster knet, the harder throw:
Heirfoir vith the myd meine aggrie.
120
TO ANE HONORABILL LADIE
The varians of this vorld so vaine
Vith pen quhat Poet may furthschaw?
So great diuersetie for gaine
Dois ring, And eik so litle law,
That happie ar thay quho may knaw
Ane faythfull freind from fenȝeit fo,
And from thair dowbill deilling draw
That sueitlie sayis, And thinks not so.
Vith pen quhat Poet may furthschaw?
So great diuersetie for gaine
Dois ring, And eik so litle law,
That happie ar thay quho may knaw
Ane faythfull freind from fenȝeit fo,
And from thair dowbill deilling draw
That sueitlie sayis, And thinks not so.
Thus far, Madam, I do declair,
Sen God hes plesit to restoir
Ȝour ladischip throch meikill cair,
The quhilk I vat hes vext ȝow soir,
And ay hes done ȝour state decoir
By expectation of ȝour fois;
Quhois guidnes ȝit vill grant ȝow moir
Gif dewlie in him ȝe repois.
Sen God hes plesit to restoir
Ȝour ladischip throch meikill cair,
The quhilk I vat hes vext ȝow soir,
And ay hes done ȝour state decoir
By expectation of ȝour fois;
Quhois guidnes ȝit vill grant ȝow moir
Gif dewlie in him ȝe repois.
for lyk as vofull Hester queine
Vith sorrow reuthfullie arrayit,
Quhan hir peuple sould perist beine,
And all hir kingdome cleine decayit:
So vas ȝour vordines assayit
Vith great distres deiectit doune,
Quhill God restoird ȝour velth delayit
In veill deserwit guid renoune.
Vith sorrow reuthfullie arrayit,
Quhan hir peuple sould perist beine,
And all hir kingdome cleine decayit:
So vas ȝour vordines assayit
Vith great distres deiectit doune,
Quhill God restoird ȝour velth delayit
In veill deserwit guid renoune.
121
Althocht in stormie blast of raine
Sum clouddis syle Apollo cleir,
His birnand beams moir brycht againe
Than birnist gould will fair appeir:
So thois, quho flout dois perseueir
for to resist the vinter schours,
In seimlie sesone of the ȝeir
Sall smell againe the symmer flours.
Sum clouddis syle Apollo cleir,
His birnand beams moir brycht againe
Than birnist gould will fair appeir:
So thois, quho flout dois perseueir
for to resist the vinter schours,
In seimlie sesone of the ȝeir
Sall smell againe the symmer flours.
In trubill thay ar comptit vyse,
Quho dois thair paine in patience tak;
And thay are vordiest of pryse
That suffers vo, And vill not vrak.
Ȝour fois that faschrie did ȝow mak,
Thocht monie did agains ȝow ryis,
Vith prudent hart ȝe pat abak,
And pourchast hes ȝour Interpryis.
Quho dois thair paine in patience tak;
And thay are vordiest of pryse
That suffers vo, And vill not vrak.
Ȝour fois that faschrie did ȝow mak,
Thocht monie did agains ȝow ryis,
Vith prudent hart ȝe pat abak,
And pourchast hes ȝour Interpryis.
In God heirfoir vith eis reiois,
Quho euir hes beine ȝour supplie,
And in him constantlie Repois;
He vill ay ȝour reliwar bie.
I hoip his guidnes vill aggrie
To grant the thing ȝe maist requyre,
And ȝow extoll, that I may sie
According to my harts desyre.
Quho euir hes beine ȝour supplie,
And in him constantlie Repois;
He vill ay ȝour reliwar bie.
I hoip his guidnes vill aggrie
To grant the thing ȝe maist requyre,
And ȝow extoll, that I may sie
According to my harts desyre.
122
IN THE END OF ANE LETTER TO ANE HONORABILL LADIE.
I think rycht lang heir myn alon,And has no plesour bot to reid;
Sen our depart my sport is gon.
Heirfoir I vill returne vith speid,
And wissis ȝow in verray deid
Guid helth and plesour to posses.
Now symmer craifs no vinter veid,
Bot sould melancolie suppres,
Now flora all the feilds dois dres
Vith fresche and fragrant flouris fair,
And euerie bird both moir and les
Reiosis in the temperat air.
Dam Melpomene suld not repair
Now in the signe of gemenie,
Quhan all the gratius Nymphs preclair
Bestows thair lywelic liquor frie.
Now mychtie Musis dois aggrie
To sing thair heawenlie sangis sueit,
And venus vith hir smyling ie
from Mychtie Mars now raifs the spreit.
Great Iupiter vith luif repleit
Descends now in ane gouldin schour,
That he may vith his ladie meit
123
Now Phaunus veyld vill no moir lour,
Bot gloirs in to Dam Naturs varks,
And skyis maist cleir at euerie hour
Ar perst throw schowting of the larks.
Now sprouts the proper plesand parks,
Now is the sesone maist formois,
All lewing thing to mirth now marks:
Than Now Amongs the rest reiois.
124
TO HIS FAMILIAR FRIEND IN COWRT.
Heyis not ourhich in prosperus air,Nor ȝit for stormie blast dispair,
Bot soundlie saell vith modest vind,
And sickerlie thy ancker bind:
Tyds hich dois flow, Bot ebs als fast,
Than Rychtlie row, for courts vill cast:
Great velth vill velter oft to vo,
And vo rewert in veill also,
As plesis fortoune change hir quheill
Quhyls to distres, And quhyls to veill:
Sen erdlie state is so molest,
Lat Reson reull, And do the best,
first serwing God, And nixt Our king,
Vith loyal hart Abowe all thing.
125
TO HIS MAIESTIE IN FASCHERIE.
Precelling Prence, Thy Prudent spreit Prepair
Till ouerpass thy pains in patiens;
Ane valiant hart ourcums the half of cair,
And duill dissolwes, Quhair visdome maks defens;
Durabile est nihil vehemens.
Lyk as in tym of ane tempestius blast
The greatest schour maist spedelie gois hens,
Syn skyis vill cleir quhan bittir storme is past.
Till ouerpass thy pains in patiens;
Ane valiant hart ourcums the half of cair,
And duill dissolwes, Quhair visdome maks defens;
Durabile est nihil vehemens.
Lyk as in tym of ane tempestius blast
The greatest schour maist spedelie gois hens,
Syn skyis vill cleir quhan bittir storme is past.
At first assault the souldior sould not ȝeild
That dois ane constant courage represent,
And he is boldest that abyds the feild
And be guid confort cums to his Intent.
Bot quho in sorrow dois thair self torment,
Decayis in duill, And finds no gaine thairbie;
Quhair virile visdome in the brest Imprent
Expellith greif, Syn is victorius frie.
That dois ane constant courage represent,
And he is boldest that abyds the feild
And be guid confort cums to his Intent.
Bot quho in sorrow dois thair self torment,
Decayis in duill, And finds no gaine thairbie;
Quhair virile visdome in the brest Imprent
Expellith greif, Syn is victorius frie.
Cast on The lord Thy gydment And Thy stay,
Repose in Christ, So sall Thy cair decres,
for soone sall cum that happie Iofull day,
Quhan of all dolor Thow sall find redres.
Thy Royal hart vithdraw frome pansiwenes,
And vith king Dauid Lat Thy spreit aspyre;
The lord of hosts ȝour fois vill all suppres,
And send ȝow help Conforme to ȝour desyre.
Repose in Christ, So sall Thy cair decres,
for soone sall cum that happie Iofull day,
Quhan of all dolor Thow sall find redres.
Thy Royal hart vithdraw frome pansiwenes,
And vith king Dauid Lat Thy spreit aspyre;
The lord of hosts ȝour fois vill all suppres,
And send ȝow help Conforme to ȝour desyre.
126
Liwe still heirfoir in esperance alway;
Maist plesour purchest is be pryce of paine.
Thois that Induirs the vinters scharp assay
sall sie the seimlie symmer scheine againe.
Quho sups the sour, And that vithout desdaine,
Is vordiest to haif the sueit at vill,
And thay that vold to thair desyr attaine
first fix on god, And God he vill fulfill:
Maist plesour purchest is be pryce of paine.
Thois that Induirs the vinters scharp assay
sall sie the seimlie symmer scheine againe.
Quho sups the sour, And that vithout desdaine,
Is vordiest to haif the sueit at vill,
And thay that vold to thair desyr attaine
first fix on god, And God he vill fulfill:
Quhois gratious Godheed humylie I requyre
Ȝow to preserwe, And all ȝour fois bait doune,
And send ȝow lang and prosperus Impyre
Vith ofspring, rytches, helth, and hich renoune,
Abowe all kings beiring Imperiale croune
Ay moir and moir till his eternale gloir,
Quhairtill ȝour Godlie naturale is boune,
Quhilk monie vordie vertews dois decoir.
Ȝow to preserwe, And all ȝour fois bait doune,
And send ȝow lang and prosperus Impyre
Vith ofspring, rytches, helth, and hich renoune,
Abowe all kings beiring Imperiale croune
Ay moir and moir till his eternale gloir,
Quhairtill ȝour Godlie naturale is boune,
Quhilk monie vordie vertews dois decoir.
127
TO HIS MAIESTIE THE FIRST OF IANVAR. 1582.
Long lyf and welth vith veilfair and great gloir
Be to thy Peirles Person euirmoir,
Perfyt precelling puissant prudent Prence,
Quhois manlie maners dois Thy mycht decoir,
Obtening praise be pruifis past befoir
Of monie storms apaist be thy Prudence.
Ground the on God Quho suir is thy defence,
And he but dout Ȝour harts desyre sall send,
My lyf in pledge, or this ȝeir cum till end.
Be to thy Peirles Person euirmoir,
Perfyt precelling puissant prudent Prence,
Quhois manlie maners dois Thy mycht decoir,
Obtening praise be pruifis past befoir
Of monie storms apaist be thy Prudence.
Ground the on God Quho suir is thy defence,
And he but dout Ȝour harts desyre sall send,
My lyf in pledge, or this ȝeir cum till end.
The lawrer croune of glorie Infeneit
And palme victorius vith hich praise repleit
Thy diademe for euir sall auance.
Possessor suir of Alexanders spreit,
Thy monarchie throch all this vorld sall fleit,
And God vith grace sall gyd thy Guuernance
Cair till ourcum And all contrarius chance.
Thy fois sall fall And thow triumphand ring,
for new ȝeirs gift, O maist magnanime king.
And palme victorius vith hich praise repleit
Thy diademe for euir sall auance.
Possessor suir of Alexanders spreit,
Thy monarchie throch all this vorld sall fleit,
And God vith grace sall gyd thy Guuernance
Cair till ourcum And all contrarius chance.
Thy fois sall fall And thow triumphand ring,
for new ȝeirs gift, O maist magnanime king.
I haife no Perle, Nor Royale pretious stone,
Nor gift of gould, meit for thy maiestie,
Except ane treuthfull luifing hart alone,
Quhilk sall ȝow serwe maist faythfull till I die.
Thocht mycht be small, Guidwill sall last vith me
Auance the one, The vther sall pretend
In ampill pruife apertlie to be kend
Vith Indeuoir moir feruent thane I dyt:
In sing this thing tak as the vidows myt.
Nor gift of gould, meit for thy maiestie,
Except ane treuthfull luifing hart alone,
Quhilk sall ȝow serwe maist faythfull till I die.
Thocht mycht be small, Guidwill sall last vith me
Auance the one, The vther sall pretend
In ampill pruife apertlie to be kend
Vith Indeuoir moir feruent thane I dyt:
In sing this thing tak as the vidows myt.
128
TO HIS MAIESTIE THE FIRST OF IANVAR VITH PRESENTATION OF ANE LAWRELL TRIE FORMIT OF GOULD.
.1583.
Lamp of all laud, Resawe this laurell sing
As mychtie Monarck And victorius king,
To quhom God grant all erdlie guid succes:
And lyk as thow precels in euerie thing,
So Nestors ȝeirs thy maiestie mot ring,
And all thy fois perpetuallie suppres.
Aboundant velth And vorschip ay Incres,
for new ȝeirs gift, thy hienes to decoir,
Vith my guid wiss. And thus I say no moir.
129
AT COMMAND OF HIS MAIESTIE IN PRAISE OF THE ART OF POŒSIE.
SONNET.
Laud, honor, thanks, And reuerence condingBe to thy Pregnant qualitie diuyn,
Of science source, sueit and aboundant spring,
Maist vorscipit amongs the Musis nyn.
My sclender skill thy gloir may not defyn,
Cheif chose of art thow Poesie but peir,
Nane may the teist bot vychts of quhik Ingyn,
Thow daintie Nectar to the Gods maist deir.
for lyk as Tytan in his Puissant spheir
Precels the rest vith bemes aureat,
So is thy hewenlie harmonie to heir
from suggurit lips of Poets laureat,
As pruif is plaine in versis quhilk ve sie
Perfyt composit be his maiestie.
130
TO HIS MAIESTIE THE DAY OF HIS CORONATION VITH LAURELL.
O Laureat king be Influence celest,Renount vith Iowe supreme abowe the best,
Long may the verdeur of thy vertew spring
In ȝeiris ȝing quhilk hes so hich Increst.
The Croune Imperiale be thy Birth possest
Maks manifest that Thow dois rychtlie ring,
Bot ȝit this vther secund Croune dois bring
Moir hich triumphe to thy Precelling gloir,
Deseruing now ane Doubill croune And moir.
131
IN NAME OF ANE LOYALE LADIE.
My trustie hart is setlit firme and suir,As diamant dour, Or lyk the stabile steill,
Rather to die than ons my fayth abIuir,
God hes contentit my desyr so veill.
Abowe the rest great force of luif I feill
Reule in my brest for him that dois precell,
Electit myn. No quhirle of fortouns quheill
Treuth may doune cast, quhilk in vs both doith duell.
Vith suggurit sop as Recent Rois dois smell
Ewen so resemblith my maist comlie chois,
My sensis all in solas sueit dois suell
In the beholding of his face formois:
So as the sone maks mariguld disclois,
Luik of his vult disuails my Inwart hart,
And quhan his Person absent from me gois,
Destrest I am And closit vp vith smart.
In euerie thing my luifing constant Part
Ewen as the trew Penelope sall scheine.
Cair sall I not no force of Cupids dart,
Rycht Reuld I am be Prudent Pallas queine.
Ewen as lord Phebus lyks the lawrell greine,
Contentit so for euir I Remaine;
He for his daintie dame ȝit suffers teine,
Trewth of my luif Reconforts me againe.
132
IN NAME OF SUM GUID LADIES VPON THE VATER OF FORTH TO ANE HONORABLE PERSON QUHO CONWOYT THAM TO THE SCHOIR.
Ve vyreit vichts in to lord Neptuns hands
Dois viss ȝow veill, Althocht ve be in vo;
In great destres our dolorus state it stands
Sic faythfull freinds as ȝow to part now fro;
Assuring ȝow quhair euir our bodies go
Ȝe sall Posses the thochts of our guid mynd
And pruif sall try our part perpetuall kynd.
Dois viss ȝow veill, Althocht ve be in vo;
In great destres our dolorus state it stands
Sic faythfull freinds as ȝow to part now fro;
Assuring ȝow quhair euir our bodies go
Ȝe sall Posses the thochts of our guid mynd
And pruif sall try our part perpetuall kynd.
My Ladie treulie luifs ȝow rycht Inteir,
Ȝowr maistres als, And all the rest now heir,
And hes vs to ȝour comlines commend
Vith spedie purpose Imperfytlie pend.
The Nobile Nymphs lyks not thir vauering Iaws
That hants the valeyis And the seimlie schaws,
Nor ȝit the Musis vith thair mychtie spreit
Vpon this forth hes no delyt to fleit.
Great differrence is betuix fair Helecon
And this salt sie Quhilk seik ve saell vpon.
Our petit barge is not for Cleo drest,
for var scho heir hir Prudence var supprest.
Ȝit ve presume In to this hamwart style
To ȝow thois lynis hamlie to compyle,
Desyring ȝour guid freindschip to remaine
Vnto vs all ve sall acquyt againe.
Vreat from amongs the vater Nymphs on forth,
Approtching nar the cost lyis to the north,
At houris aucht the tuentie fyft of may,
Quhan vpvart vent the birnand torche of day.
Ȝowr maistres als, And all the rest now heir,
And hes vs to ȝour comlines commend
Vith spedie purpose Imperfytlie pend.
The Nobile Nymphs lyks not thir vauering Iaws
That hants the valeyis And the seimlie schaws,
Nor ȝit the Musis vith thair mychtie spreit
Vpon this forth hes no delyt to fleit.
Great differrence is betuix fair Helecon
And this salt sie Quhilk seik ve saell vpon.
Our petit barge is not for Cleo drest,
for var scho heir hir Prudence var supprest.
Ȝit ve presume In to this hamwart style
To ȝow thois lynis hamlie to compyle,
133
Vnto vs all ve sall acquyt againe.
Vreat from amongs the vater Nymphs on forth,
Approtching nar the cost lyis to the north,
At houris aucht the tuentie fyft of may,
Quhan vpvart vent the birnand torche of day.
134
IN PRAISE OF LUIF AT THE DESYRE OF ANE NOBILE LADIE.
from Secret Seit And ceinter of my hart,
Pen inexpert, depaint sum speitche expres
In mychtie praise of that celestiall art
Quhilk vordie vychts behuifs for till profes.
Great Gods abowe And men below dois dres
All Reuerence dew vnto thy gouldin bow,
O lord of luif, lowing thy luiflie low.
Pen inexpert, depaint sum speitche expres
In mychtie praise of that celestiall art
Quhilk vordie vychts behuifs for till profes.
Great Gods abowe And men below dois dres
All Reuerence dew vnto thy gouldin bow,
O lord of luif, lowing thy luiflie low.
king priams sone The Trustie troylus stout
Did bind his brows about vith myrtle greine:
Achilles als cheif of the grecian rout
Becam thy slawe for lustie Polixeine,
And monie mo to the hes thrallit beine.
Nane may resist thy dintis douce and kynd
Bot sluggische sauls that laiks couragius mynd.
Did bind his brows about vith myrtle greine:
Achilles als cheif of the grecian rout
Becam thy slawe for lustie Polixeine,
And monie mo to the hes thrallit beine.
Nane may resist thy dintis douce and kynd
Bot sluggische sauls that laiks couragius mynd.
The Musis nyn, as Poets maks record,
Ons did the link in chains of Rosis reed:
Nymphs of Pernase accompts the for thair lord:
Mars thow maks smyll for all his feruent feed:
Thow Rings ourall, Thy force hes vincust deed,
And to be schort, scripture dois condiscend
All things in erthe Bot onlie luif hes end.
Ons did the link in chains of Rosis reed:
Nymphs of Pernase accompts the for thair lord:
Mars thow maks smyll for all his feruent feed:
Thow Rings ourall, Thy force hes vincust deed,
And to be schort, scripture dois condiscend
All things in erthe Bot onlie luif hes end.
L'enwoy to the foirsaid ladie
Quha possessit Cupid inclosit
In ane tablat of christall.
Quha possessit Cupid inclosit
In ane tablat of christall.
135
fair luiflie dame, In quham all bontie beine,
Thy proper persone dois approwe thy mycht,
Quhilk keips incloist in rock of christall cleine
This lord of luif quho dantons euerie vycht:
Thocht he be vechtie ȝit thow beirs him lycht.
Laith venus is hir bonie boy to vant,
Ȝit gifs him liwe thy vordie brest to hant.
Thy proper persone dois approwe thy mycht,
Quhilk keips incloist in rock of christall cleine
This lord of luif quho dantons euerie vycht:
Thocht he be vechtie ȝit thow beirs him lycht.
Laith venus is hir bonie boy to vant,
Ȝit gifs him liwe thy vordie brest to hant.
136
TO HIS AWIN MAISTRES.
Vith spreit opprest, Quhan I haid done depart
from my Renownit Dian maist formose,
Quhais companie did reconfort my hart,
for plesours past to panse vas my repose.
In this estate, vncertane quhat to chose,
Dame fortoune led me solitar alon
In to ane garth, Quhair fouth of flours vprose
Depaint vith hews of monie pretius ston;
from my Renownit Dian maist formose,
Quhais companie did reconfort my hart,
for plesours past to panse vas my repose.
In this estate, vncertane quhat to chose,
Dame fortoune led me solitar alon
In to ane garth, Quhair fouth of flours vprose
Depaint vith hews of monie pretius ston;
Sum Rubie Reed, And Sum lyk topas scheine,
Sum Iassink hewit, And sum as sapheir blew,
In valeis fair all cled vith emerauld greine,
Quhois blossums clein maist seimlie schaddows schew;
sum purpour fyn, And sum of cramsie hew,
Sum quhyt, Sum van, broune, blae, and violat,
Vith holsum smell my sensis to renew
All glorious gilt in glansing aureat.
Sum Iassink hewit, And sum as sapheir blew,
In valeis fair all cled vith emerauld greine,
Quhois blossums clein maist seimlie schaddows schew;
sum purpour fyn, And sum of cramsie hew,
Sum quhyt, Sum van, broune, blae, and violat,
Vith holsum smell my sensis to renew
All glorious gilt in glansing aureat.
I did espy thair perfyt properteis,
Rycht curabill for all contagius thing;
Than said I thus, “O floras tapestreis,
Great vertew rair ȝour qualiteis dois bring,
Bot ȝit, helas, no vertew sic dois spring
Vithin ȝour verdeur as may ons remeed
The maladie of luif quhilk dois me vring
Vith dalie dolor duynyng to the deed.”
Rycht curabill for all contagius thing;
Than said I thus, “O floras tapestreis,
Great vertew rair ȝour qualiteis dois bring,
Bot ȝit, helas, no vertew sic dois spring
Vithin ȝour verdeur as may ons remeed
The maladie of luif quhilk dois me vring
Vith dalie dolor duynyng to the deed.”
137
Soft vas the seson, Blomit vas the meid,
Apollo brycht his baneir so desplayt,
That Eolus durst not approtche for dreid:
Thair euerie trie agains him stuid arrayt.
Dianas troup mycht bathe tham vneffrayt
In ane depurit siluer spring past by,
Quhais christall streams maist purefeit essayt
To sound maist sueit beneth the sproutand spray.
Apollo brycht his baneir so desplayt,
That Eolus durst not approtche for dreid:
Thair euerie trie agains him stuid arrayt.
Dianas troup mycht bathe tham vneffrayt
In ane depurit siluer spring past by,
Quhais christall streams maist purefeit essayt
To sound maist sueit beneth the sproutand spray.
The osile and the mawes meed great beir,
Quhois suggurit throts did monie nots out bring,
fair Philomela also did I heir,
Quhill all the rocks did vith the Echo ring:
And vther birdis merelie did sing
On tender tuists about me quhair I sat,
And sum surmonting in the air did spring
Vith heawenlie vocis hicher eleuat.
Quhois suggurit throts did monie nots out bring,
fair Philomela also did I heir,
Quhill all the rocks did vith the Echo ring:
And vther birdis merelie did sing
On tender tuists about me quhair I sat,
And sum surmonting in the air did spring
Vith heawenlie vocis hicher eleuat.
The christall skyis vith color cleir celest
Maist cleinlie glistrit sched in siluer slops:
The bussie bies thair doucest honie drest,
Rycht blythlie buming on the flurist crops,
Decorit all vith daintie balmie drops,
As perle preclair, or Proper opals fyne,
All tuinkling on the flouris tender tops,
Quhill birnand Tytan vith his vult deuyne
Maist cleinlie glistrit sched in siluer slops:
The bussie bies thair doucest honie drest,
Rycht blythlie buming on the flurist crops,
Decorit all vith daintie balmie drops,
As perle preclair, or Proper opals fyne,
All tuinkling on the flouris tender tops,
Quhill birnand Tytan vith his vult deuyne
Drank vp for drouthe that recent liquor sueit,
Ascending in his Royal gouldine chair.
“Helas,” thocht I, “God gif I var, repleit
Vith mycht as thow, O fyrie Phebus fair,
Than suld I sie my ladie maist Preclair,
Vith quham my thrallit hart dois ay remaine;
for heir all confort turns me vnto cair
Be laik of hir, So that I most complaine
Ascending in his Royal gouldine chair.
“Helas,” thocht I, “God gif I var, repleit
Vith mycht as thow, O fyrie Phebus fair,
Than suld I sie my ladie maist Preclair,
Vith quham my thrallit hart dois ay remaine;
for heir all confort turns me vnto cair
Be laik of hir, So that I most complaine
138
That tractiwe Dictane is ane souueraine cuir
for to pull bak againe the deedlie dart
from sauuage deir, Bot I sic duill Induir,
That nothing suir may eise my painfull part.
I froune, I fant, I freise, I flam, I smart,
Vpheyst vith hoip, And drounit in despair;
The onlie Reullar of my martrit hart
Is absent now, quha may confort my cair.”
for to pull bak againe the deedlie dart
from sauuage deir, Bot I sic duill Induir,
That nothing suir may eise my painfull part.
I froune, I fant, I freise, I flam, I smart,
Vpheyst vith hoip, And drounit in despair;
The onlie Reullar of my martrit hart
Is absent now, quha may confort my cair.”
139
IN COMMENDATIONE OF HIS LUIFING FREIND.
At Nycht Sir Morpheus opprest
Vith dreidfull dreame this hart of myn;
Me thocht I vas vp hichlie drest
Amongs the mychtie Musis nyn,
Quhair Iupiter his place possest
Vith all the glorious gods celest.
Vith dreidfull dreame this hart of myn;
Me thocht I vas vp hichlie drest
Amongs the mychtie Musis nyn,
Quhair Iupiter his place possest
Vith all the glorious gods celest.
The vatrie Neptune did I sie
Vith aufull statlie stalwart Mars,
Quhom venus vith hir smyling ie
Alluird, And did his raidge dispars:
And Mercure als in his degrie
Cam vith the smythe vulcanus slie.
Vith aufull statlie stalwart Mars,
Quhom venus vith hir smyling ie
Alluird, And did his raidge dispars:
And Mercure als in his degrie
Cam vith the smythe vulcanus slie.
The brycht Apollo thair did scheine
Amyds tham vith his harpe deuyn:
And litill cumlie Cupid keine
Vith boudin Bachus set vas syn
Besyd the christall fontan cleine,
That Pegasus did perce I meine.
Amyds tham vith his harpe deuyn:
And litill cumlie Cupid keine
Vith boudin Bachus set vas syn
Besyd the christall fontan cleine,
That Pegasus did perce I meine.
Both demie Gods And Nymphis ran,
And Atropus amyds the thrang,
Quha cuts the threid that cloto span,
The quhilk lachesis draws out lang:
proud Pluto als that elresche man
Comperit vith the pastor Pan.
And Atropus amyds the thrang,
Quha cuts the threid that cloto span,
The quhilk lachesis draws out lang:
proud Pluto als that elresche man
Comperit vith the pastor Pan.
140
The prudent puissant Pallas queine
Vith gentill Iuno did I sie,
And chast Diana cled in greine
Quha causit Acteon to die,
Because he haid hir nakit seine
At bathing vith hir virgins scheine.
Vith gentill Iuno did I sie,
And chast Diana cled in greine
Quha causit Acteon to die,
Because he haid hir nakit seine
At bathing vith hir virgins scheine.
The frostie auld Saturnus snell
Austeirlie sat amongs the rest,
Quhois scharpe seueir resemblance fell
Did all the heawenlie Gods molest,
Quhois qualetie quyt did expell.
Maist gentill Iowe the forme did tell;
Austeirlie sat amongs the rest,
Quhois scharpe seueir resemblance fell
Did all the heawenlie Gods molest,
Quhois qualetie quyt did expell.
Maist gentill Iowe the forme did tell;
“Ve vill,” (sayis he), “bring to this place
Sum amiabill man discreit,
Quhois plesand speitche And cumlie face
May all our sour translait in sueit:
Than chose him at this instant space,
Quho is adornd vith euerie grace;
Sum amiabill man discreit,
Quhois plesand speitche And cumlie face
May all our sour translait in sueit:
Than chose him at this instant space,
Quho is adornd vith euerie grace;
And I my Egle sall derect
Doune from the loftie skyis cleir,
for to transport this man elect
To be deificat vp heir.”
That gratious Gods than did expect
fair Phebus vill in this effect,
Doune from the loftie skyis cleir,
for to transport this man elect
To be deificat vp heir.”
That gratious Gods than did expect
fair Phebus vill in this effect,
Quho promeissit to scherse him far,
In compassing this vorld about,
Quho mycht Saturnus baill debar.
Bot than of ȝow I haid sik dout,
That from my sleip soon did I skar
And feruentlie bids ȝow bewar.
In compassing this vorld about,
Quho mycht Saturnus baill debar.
Bot than of ȝow I haid sik dout,
That from my sleip soon did I skar
And feruentlie bids ȝow bewar.
141
ANE ANSUEIR TO THE LETTER OF ANE HONORABILL LADIE.
Now mychtie Musis, from ȝour sacred seats
Defound sum douceur in my barran braine,
My sclender skill And Indeuoir debeats.
O Naturall Nymphs, I pray ȝow not disdaine
To view the vigor of my viddrit vaine,
And vith sum liquor of ȝour lywelie springs
Supplie at neid, And mollifie againe
My lost Ingyn, that langor ay malings.
Defound sum douceur in my barran braine,
My sclender skill And Indeuoir debeats.
O Naturall Nymphs, I pray ȝow not disdaine
To view the vigor of my viddrit vaine,
And vith sum liquor of ȝour lywelie springs
Supplie at neid, And mollifie againe
My lost Ingyn, that langor ay malings.
Procelling spreits, Apollos sisters fair,
That plesandlie vpon Pernasso sports,
Renew my versis vith ȝour holsum air,
And lat me smell ȝour seimlie sueit resorts;
Confort me now that humyllie ȝow exhorts,
Prepair my purpose spedelie perfyt,
And ayd me vith ȝour pithie guid reports
Ewen for hir saik that to me did Indyt.
That plesandlie vpon Pernasso sports,
Renew my versis vith ȝour holsum air,
And lat me smell ȝour seimlie sueit resorts;
Confort me now that humyllie ȝow exhorts,
Prepair my purpose spedelie perfyt,
And ayd me vith ȝour pithie guid reports
Ewen for hir saik that to me did Indyt.
I do presum to speik Quhair Pallas spyis,
Quhair grace dois grow, And vordie vichts adoirs:
Quhair Cleo serwes My pen to hir replyis.
O Gods dewyn, that in hir guidnes gloirs,
Now vith sum Prudence perce my spreit and poirs
To pleis hir courtas comlie hautie hart,
for I persawe hir suggurit styll restoirs
My Muse, dismayd vith melancolius smart.
Quhair grace dois grow, And vordie vichts adoirs:
Quhair Cleo serwes My pen to hir replyis.
O Gods dewyn, that in hir guidnes gloirs,
Now vith sum Prudence perce my spreit and poirs
To pleis hir courtas comlie hautie hart,
for I persawe hir suggurit styll restoirs
My Muse, dismayd vith melancolius smart.
142
Immortall praise agmenting moir and moir
To dew deseruing of ȝour vertew rair,
The laurer croune of euirlasting gloir
Is grantit ȝow be wyse Minerua fair.
Perll of all Praise, that on me hes don spair
Maist vordie verse, Quhat thanks sall I resing?
Renownit Rose, my rym may not declair
The gloir quhilk ȝe to Helicon doith bring.
To dew deseruing of ȝour vertew rair,
The laurer croune of euirlasting gloir
Is grantit ȝow be wyse Minerua fair.
Perll of all Praise, that on me hes don spair
Maist vordie verse, Quhat thanks sall I resing?
Renownit Rose, my rym may not declair
The gloir quhilk ȝe to Helicon doith bring.
All Nymphs preclair, that hants thois blomit banks
And schruds amongs the semlie schaddouit schaws,
To ȝow, Madam, dois Rander humyll thanks,
Quhais hich Ingyn vorschips thair sacred laws.
Thair is No Muse ȝour ladischip misknaws,
Bot honors ȝow as Patrone principall,
The sisters thrie ȝour famus fame furthblaws,
Sibilla sayis ȝe salbe speciall.
And schruds amongs the semlie schaddouit schaws,
To ȝow, Madam, dois Rander humyll thanks,
Quhais hich Ingyn vorschips thair sacred laws.
Thair is No Muse ȝour ladischip misknaws,
Bot honors ȝow as Patrone principall,
The sisters thrie ȝour famus fame furthblaws,
Sibilla sayis ȝe salbe speciall.
Rycht loth I am ȝour prudent spreit to griwe
Vith prolixt purpose formit Imperfyt:
Excuise my Muse quhilk ruidlie dois Imbriwe,
And with the luisteur of ȝour color quhyt
Annamell all my blobit dull Indyt,
As I beliwe ȝour courtassie so vill:
Concluding thus, God giwe ȝow ay delyt,
Lyk as my seruice salbe stedfast still:
Vith prolixt purpose formit Imperfyt:
Excuise my Muse quhilk ruidlie dois Imbriwe,
And with the luisteur of ȝour color quhyt
Annamell all my blobit dull Indyt,
As I beliwe ȝour courtassie so vill:
Concluding thus, God giwe ȝow ay delyt,
Lyk as my seruice salbe stedfast still:
Ȝours als assurit quhill my lyf prolong
As steill Indurit forgit stif and strong.
As steill Indurit forgit stif and strong.
143
IN COMMENDATION OF TVO CONSTANT LVIFERS.
In dyuers volums haif I don reuolwe
Quhow constant luif hes purchest hich commend.
Be tym all thingis erdlie dois dissolwe,
Bot onlie luif for luif Sould haif no end.
Quhair luifers luif till honest luif dois tend,
Syn in effect firm fund And stabill trew,
All vordie vychts sould schortlie condiscend
To rander tham renoune for guerden dew.
Quhow constant luif hes purchest hich commend.
Be tym all thingis erdlie dois dissolwe,
Bot onlie luif for luif Sould haif no end.
Quhair luifers luif till honest luif dois tend,
Syn in effect firm fund And stabill trew,
All vordie vychts sould schortlie condiscend
To rander tham renoune for guerden dew.
Spreits of pernass, than pouss my pen ane space
To praise Quhair praise deseruit dois abound.
O brycht Apollo, vith thy schyning face,
Thy harp deuyn this subiect sueit sould sound,
That throch the heawenis hichlie mycht redound
Sutche mychtie mater vith Immortall gloir:
Of tuo I mein, Quhois ampill luif profound
Be way of vertew growith moir and moir.
To praise Quhair praise deseruit dois abound.
O brycht Apollo, vith thy schyning face,
Thy harp deuyn this subiect sueit sould sound,
That throch the heawenis hichlie mycht redound
Sutche mychtie mater vith Immortall gloir:
Of tuo I mein, Quhois ampill luif profound
Be way of vertew growith moir and moir.
The nobill nature deulie to defyn
In him And hir quhilk plainlie dois appeir
I haif guidwill, Bot sclender skill of myn
May clipse that lycht Quhilk schyns in both so cleir.
The fyrie fyn and pretious diamant deir,
Or perfyt perll Thair self preclair vill schaw:
Than vith my langage neids me navayis heir
To blaise thair praise of quhom thir lyns I draw.
In him And hir quhilk plainlie dois appeir
I haif guidwill, Bot sclender skill of myn
May clipse that lycht Quhilk schyns in both so cleir.
The fyrie fyn and pretious diamant deir,
Or perfyt perll Thair self preclair vill schaw:
Than vith my langage neids me navayis heir
To blaise thair praise of quhom thir lyns I draw.
144
for fauor feruent, And for famus fame,
for stedfast mynd, And vprycht vertew rair
His comlie front may crounit be but blame
Vith lawrell hich And Myrtle branchis fair.
In the obtening of his luif preclair
He compast hes In to his pregnant spreit
Als monie vayis vith dalie constant cair
As vilsum vas in laborinthe of Creit.
for stedfast mynd, And vprycht vertew rair
His comlie front may crounit be but blame
Vith lawrell hich And Myrtle branchis fair.
In the obtening of his luif preclair
He compast hes In to his pregnant spreit
Als monie vayis vith dalie constant cair
As vilsum vas in laborinthe of Creit.
And Scho againe of qualitie perfyt
In luif elects him for hir onlie chois,
for lyk vith lyk dois communlie delyt,
So lyklihod hes so conIonit thois
That fortouns force may not thair luif dispois,
king Cupids craft, nor venus vanton vill,
Minerua so dois in tham both reiois,
Quha hes tham linkit vith hir sacred skill.
In luif elects him for hir onlie chois,
for lyk vith lyk dois communlie delyt,
So lyklihod hes so conIonit thois
That fortouns force may not thair luif dispois,
king Cupids craft, nor venus vanton vill,
Minerua so dois in tham both reiois,
Quha hes tham linkit vith hir sacred skill.
Than Mychtie Iowe, And velthie Iuno queine,
Ȝour godlie gifts vpon thir tuo Incres:
Confound the sycht of all Inuyous eine,
That dois desyre to sie thair luif grow les:
Tham both auance And all thair fois suppres
from tym to tym perpetuall to the end:
In euerie thing grant tham ane guid succes
To perseueir in thair begun commend.
Ȝour godlie gifts vpon thir tuo Incres:
Confound the sycht of all Inuyous eine,
That dois desyre to sie thair luif grow les:
Tham both auance And all thair fois suppres
from tym to tym perpetuall to the end:
In euerie thing grant tham ane guid succes
To perseueir in thair begun commend.
Gif hich Ingyns be curius for to knaw
The persons both quhombie my pen dois meine,
Spy veill, And thay thair semlie selfs sall schaw
Be luiflie blinkis of thair amorus eine:
Thair vertew rair Or els thair beutie scheine
May tham discrywe, Bot gif ȝe ȝit forway,
Behold Rosmarie Spring and lustie greine,
Bebatht vith vapor of the morning Gray.
The persons both quhombie my pen dois meine,
Spy veill, And thay thair semlie selfs sall schaw
Be luiflie blinkis of thair amorus eine:
Thair vertew rair Or els thair beutie scheine
May tham discrywe, Bot gif ȝe ȝit forway,
Behold Rosmarie Spring and lustie greine,
Bebatht vith vapor of the morning Gray.
145
TO HIS DARREST FREIND
In signe of fauor stedfast still
vith suir guidwill Thois lyns I send;
Ȝe most amend Quhair as I spill
This litill bill In meitir pend
Vnto the end It salbe kend
That I pretend vith constant part
In Ioy and smart for to defend
Ȝour grand commend vith luifing hart.
vith suir guidwill Thois lyns I send;
Ȝe most amend Quhair as I spill
This litill bill In meitir pend
Vnto the end It salbe kend
That I pretend vith constant part
In Ioy and smart for to defend
Ȝour grand commend vith luifing hart.
My luifing hart dois veill aggrie
Vith ȝow to bie Quhair euir I go;
In veill And vo It conforts me
The freindschip frie Betuix vs tuo.
But fleing fro thair is no mo
Quhom I luif so vith firm effect.
As ȝe derect gif I say no,
Ewen as ȝour fo than me reiect.
Vith ȝow to bie Quhair euir I go;
In veill And vo It conforts me
The freindschip frie Betuix vs tuo.
But fleing fro thair is no mo
Quhom I luif so vith firm effect.
As ȝe derect gif I say no,
Ewen as ȝour fo than me reiect.
Lyk as the recent rubie rois
Is maist formois of flouris fair,
So but compair quhill lyf I lois
Ȝe ar my chois for vertew rair.
Thus I declair, And mair and mair
Sall on ȝow spair Quhat in me lyis.
As ȝe dewyis Both lait and air
To eise ȝour cair my vill applyis.
Is maist formois of flouris fair,
So but compair quhill lyf I lois
Ȝe ar my chois for vertew rair.
Thus I declair, And mair and mair
Sall on ȝow spair Quhat in me lyis.
As ȝe dewyis Both lait and air
To eise ȝour cair my vill applyis.
146
As Adamant dois yrne alluir,
So in ȝour cuir I do remaine
Vithout disdaine, subdewit suir,
Ay till induir, vnto ȝow plaine.
I am in pain Gif ȝe refraine
To quyt againe my thocht synceir,
Quhilk is Inteir, Thocht verse be vaine,
Vith bruisit braine composit heir.
So in ȝour cuir I do remaine
Vithout disdaine, subdewit suir,
Ay till induir, vnto ȝow plaine.
I am in pain Gif ȝe refraine
To quyt againe my thocht synceir,
Quhilk is Inteir, Thocht verse be vaine,
Vith bruisit braine composit heir.
147
TO HIS MAISTRES
O Rair
Preclair
Most fair,
My chois,
Repair
My cair
And spair
My lois.
O Rois
formois,
That gois
vith sort of thois, In dians rout,
Suppois
Quhat vois
Dois clois,
As fremmit fois, My hart about.
Preclair
Most fair,
My chois,
Repair
My cair
And spair
My lois.
O Rois
formois,
That gois
vith sort of thois, In dians rout,
Suppois
Quhat vois
Dois clois,
As fremmit fois, My hart about.
Restoir
To gloir
My soir,
O Deir;
My roir,
Thairfoir
Dois schoir
Deth neir:
Ewen heir
Synceir
I beir
Vith cairfull cheir In sorrow still:
But peir
Maist cleir
Vpsteir
My lyf seueir, At poynt to spill.
To gloir
My soir,
O Deir;
My roir,
Thairfoir
Dois schoir
Deth neir:
Ewen heir
Synceir
I beir
Vith cairfull cheir In sorrow still:
But peir
Maist cleir
Vpsteir
My lyf seueir, At poynt to spill.
148
TO HIS MAIESTIE.
SONNET.
Sir, vith ȝour liwe, Navayis ȝour grace to griwe,My pen procliwe Sall now Imbriwe Sum dyt
for ȝour delyt. Thocht Imperfyt I priwe,
Ȝour vertew viwe vill soon forgiwe me quyt.
Sum be ane ryt, And vthers of dispyt
Vill me Bakbyt, ȝit not ane myt I cair,
for nane thay spair Quhan thay prepair to flyt:
Blak thay call quhyt, And hes the vyt that rair
Men dois declair Thair happie skair of lair.
Sic filthie air Ay mair And mair dois spring
from mouths maling, Inding of blissing bair,
That in thair snair Thay ay misfaie all thing.
I hing hoiping, Quhan thay vrang vring my sence,
In prudence And defence of ȝow my Prence.
149
[Ane New sort of rymand rym]
Ane New sort of rymand rym,
Rymand alyk in rym and rym,
Rymd efter sort of guid Rob steine;
Tein is to purches Robs teine.
Rymand alyk in rym and rym,
Rymd efter sort of guid Rob steine;
Tein is to purches Robs teine.
This Rym I form to ȝour excellent grace,
Grace gyd ȝow ay for god ȝow hes lent grace.
Grace lent from god guwerns fra all misdeid:
Misdeid finds grace be doing almisdeid:
Deid dochtie done is Iustice to menteine,
Menteind vith mycht thocht it do to men teine.
Tein sould ve not thocht vickit men vold greif vs:
Greif ws men may: Bot ȝow to greif is greifus.
Greifus it is gif rycht be not defend;
Defend rycht ay, Not turnyng ȝour def end.
End is the but to try all men plainlie.
Liers not cairs for to mak ane plain lie,
Lieing als suyft thay lat ane li till flie,
flieing as dois ane filthie litill flie;
flie Sir from Sic And lerne to vnderstand.
Stand quhair ȝe vill, firm be ȝour vnder stand;
Stand stabill stout And kynd not contrauell.
trauell In guid As dois the Con trauell.
Trauell I tak to mak my rym Rymles;
Rymles heirfoir I sall mak my Rym les;
Less sall I rym Than in my versis former;
former verse dois also vith this form er.
Errer I grant to Poets is noysum.
Sum tym god spaird at the fluid of noy sum.
Sum vill this rym so rusti call vaine,
Vainlie proceding from my rusticall vaine;
Vaine men vith vords vill heli contend,
Contending I do to helicon tend.
Tending navayis ȝour grace to miscontent,
Content I am gif ȝe vith my mis content.
Tentie, Sir, be, And grant not all thair asking.
Asking quho gains may liwe als veill as king.
kings rairlie sould prouockit be till anger.
Anger this ȝow than vill I vreit na langer.
Langer rym may my rymyng mak vnradie.
Vnradie cocks maks men on flesche ra die.
Die not in duill, guid confort vndertak.
Tak quho vold ȝow to ewill, tham thunder tak.
Tak in guid part this rym quhilk I essey;
Assey dois sum Quho skairs can ane as sey.
Seying my chance sum tym I visie sorow;
Sorow I mak to sie fortoune so row;
Row as scho vill thair monie taks no sousie.
Sousie to laik is quho vold ane sow sie:
Sousie I haid quhan I cam by allaway;
vay vas rycht vilsum for kynmond tuik all away:
Away, Sir, vith greif, And haif compasscience.
Science I laik Bot ȝit vold compas Science.
Science and Sin begins vith ane letir.
Hirs vold sin haif ȝow Bot ȝit god sall let hir:
hir perwers persuasions ȝour grace dois refell.
fels he not fynlie quho may ane re fell.
fell is my fortoun And ewill ar my versis.
Versis I vant And vats not quhat vers is.
Is it not vousting vaine to say ve Men
Mend may all thing by help of guid vemen?
Vemen I vat vold byd vnder ȝour standard
Hardelie, Sir, gif ȝe haif ane guid stand hard.
Hard is my speitche Bot ȝit it is no fabill.
fabill veill formd is sum tym effabill.
Effabill freinds dails frilie in freindschip;
freindschip he finds quho sails in his freind schip.
Schip of ane freind veill eisis euere member.
Members veill eist ve sould thairof remember.
Remember me And do me Not foirȝeit;
foirȝeit I am debard at ȝour foir ȝeit:
Ȝeit ȝe may giwe me And sum land also;
So thocht I laik ȝe do not to all so;
So in this neid perhaps I may be seik,
Seik Sir and haill ȝour help I ay beseik,
Beseikand humlie the hewenlie god halie
Halie to sie ȝour grace ewenlie go dalie.
Dalie to sie ȝour grace is my disyre.
Disyre to do veill till eschew godis yre.
yre cheiflie owerpas at tym of dennar.
Dennar is bettir than heir dog in den nar.
Nar vord vith vord I force me to draw.
Draw tham I rather than eit ane tod raw.
Drawing tham albeit I seim navayis morall.
Moir all dois disyre, And for moir ve clamor all.
All sould presum treuthfull Iust to be,
Being als charitabill as vas the Iust tobe.
Beis bussie dois mak be thair vit honie,
Honie is holsum to be eitin vith onie.
Onie man sall not sie me kill monie.
Monie in thair Purse may not sie mekill monie.
Monie myrrie man moniles I heir men say.
Say veill I vold for I wis heir mens ay.
Ay Sir be glaid And nane ȝow may molest.
Lest may ȝe this may And monie may mo lest.
Molestit be all Quho luifs craftie lourking.
Lourking god disclois And gyd ȝow veill Our king.
Grace gyd ȝow ay for god ȝow hes lent grace.
Grace lent from god guwerns fra all misdeid:
Misdeid finds grace be doing almisdeid:
Deid dochtie done is Iustice to menteine,
Menteind vith mycht thocht it do to men teine.
Tein sould ve not thocht vickit men vold greif vs:
Greif ws men may: Bot ȝow to greif is greifus.
Greifus it is gif rycht be not defend;
Defend rycht ay, Not turnyng ȝour def end.
End is the but to try all men plainlie.
Liers not cairs for to mak ane plain lie,
Lieing als suyft thay lat ane li till flie,
flieing as dois ane filthie litill flie;
flie Sir from Sic And lerne to vnderstand.
Stand quhair ȝe vill, firm be ȝour vnder stand;
Stand stabill stout And kynd not contrauell.
trauell In guid As dois the Con trauell.
Trauell I tak to mak my rym Rymles;
Rymles heirfoir I sall mak my Rym les;
Less sall I rym Than in my versis former;
former verse dois also vith this form er.
Errer I grant to Poets is noysum.
Sum tym god spaird at the fluid of noy sum.
150
Vainlie proceding from my rusticall vaine;
Vaine men vith vords vill heli contend,
Contending I do to helicon tend.
Tending navayis ȝour grace to miscontent,
Content I am gif ȝe vith my mis content.
Tentie, Sir, be, And grant not all thair asking.
Asking quho gains may liwe als veill as king.
kings rairlie sould prouockit be till anger.
Anger this ȝow than vill I vreit na langer.
Langer rym may my rymyng mak vnradie.
Vnradie cocks maks men on flesche ra die.
Die not in duill, guid confort vndertak.
Tak quho vold ȝow to ewill, tham thunder tak.
Tak in guid part this rym quhilk I essey;
Assey dois sum Quho skairs can ane as sey.
Seying my chance sum tym I visie sorow;
Sorow I mak to sie fortoune so row;
Row as scho vill thair monie taks no sousie.
Sousie to laik is quho vold ane sow sie:
Sousie I haid quhan I cam by allaway;
vay vas rycht vilsum for kynmond tuik all away:
Away, Sir, vith greif, And haif compasscience.
Science I laik Bot ȝit vold compas Science.
Science and Sin begins vith ane letir.
Hirs vold sin haif ȝow Bot ȝit god sall let hir:
hir perwers persuasions ȝour grace dois refell.
fels he not fynlie quho may ane re fell.
fell is my fortoun And ewill ar my versis.
Versis I vant And vats not quhat vers is.
Is it not vousting vaine to say ve Men
Mend may all thing by help of guid vemen?
Vemen I vat vold byd vnder ȝour standard
Hardelie, Sir, gif ȝe haif ane guid stand hard.
Hard is my speitche Bot ȝit it is no fabill.
fabill veill formd is sum tym effabill.
151
freindschip he finds quho sails in his freind schip.
Schip of ane freind veill eisis euere member.
Members veill eist ve sould thairof remember.
Remember me And do me Not foirȝeit;
foirȝeit I am debard at ȝour foir ȝeit:
Ȝeit ȝe may giwe me And sum land also;
So thocht I laik ȝe do not to all so;
So in this neid perhaps I may be seik,
Seik Sir and haill ȝour help I ay beseik,
Beseikand humlie the hewenlie god halie
Halie to sie ȝour grace ewenlie go dalie.
Dalie to sie ȝour grace is my disyre.
Disyre to do veill till eschew godis yre.
yre cheiflie owerpas at tym of dennar.
Dennar is bettir than heir dog in den nar.
Nar vord vith vord I force me to draw.
Draw tham I rather than eit ane tod raw.
Drawing tham albeit I seim navayis morall.
Moir all dois disyre, And for moir ve clamor all.
All sould presum treuthfull Iust to be,
Being als charitabill as vas the Iust tobe.
Beis bussie dois mak be thair vit honie,
Honie is holsum to be eitin vith onie.
Onie man sall not sie me kill monie.
Monie in thair Purse may not sie mekill monie.
Monie myrrie man moniles I heir men say.
Say veill I vold for I wis heir mens ay.
Ay Sir be glaid And nane ȝow may molest.
Lest may ȝe this may And monie may mo lest.
Molestit be all Quho luifs craftie lourking.
Lourking god disclois And gyd ȝow veill Our king.
152
OF ANE FONTANE.
SONNET.
fresche fontane fair And springand cald and cleine,As brychtest christall cleir vith siluer ground,
Close cled about be holsum herbis greine,
Quhois tuynkling streames ȝeilds ane luiflie sound,
Vith bonie birkis all vbumbrat round
from violence of Phebus visage fair,
Quhois smelling leifs Suawe ȝephir maks rebound
In doucest souching of his temperat air,
And titan new hich flammyng in his chair
Maks gaggit erth for ardent heit to brist,
Than passinger, quho Irkit dois repair,
Brynt be the Son, And dryit vp vith thrist,
Heir in this place thow may refreschment find
Both be the vell, The Schaddow, And the vind.
153
QVADRAIN.
The hounter, hart, And hound,furth ryds, fast rins, loud cryis,
Vith horss, Vith feit, vith sound;
He slais, He deis, He lyis.
154
TO ECHO OF INVART HAVINES.
SONNET.
O Elresche Echo, that dois schout so schill,Quham NARCISS luif constraneth to complaine
Throch daill, throch vaill, throch forrest, Rock, And hill,
In cair consumit for his cald desdaine,
Supplie my speitche now till exprime my paine
In euerie thing coequall to thy smart,
That grewous gronyng may sum confort gaine
Be the furthschawing of my painfull part.
Sen that we sie ane boyling baill Inwart
Behuifs to break or birst the boudin brest,
I most relasche at last my hawie hart,
Quhilk duilfull death doith vith hir dart arrest.
So reuthfull cryis sum part my cair sall suadge
Quhilk holdin In vold suell me in ane radge.
155
OF AMBITIOUS MEN.
SONNET.
As dryest dust—vinddrift in drouthie day—Quhyls lychts on lords And ladies of renoune,
Quhyls on thair face And quhyls on thair array
And quhyls vpon Ane kingis statlie croune,
Ȝit as it cums sum ay are bussie boune
To cleinge it thence so that it finds no rest,
Quhill to the erth it be againe Snipt doune:
So mortall men quho dois thair mynd molest
To be in gloir coequall vith the best,
Thocht for ane space thay volt vith valtring vind,
Doune to the ground thay sall againe be drest;
for few aloft may fortouns firmtie find,
Bot ay the suyfter And moir hich thay brall,
Moir low And suddane cums thair feirfull fall.
156
VPONE THE PORTRAIT OF CVPID.
SONNET.
Luif ȝoung is paintit lyk ane prettie boyIn signe that ȝouth of him hes greatest cuir:
Vith semblant sueit he smylith sum thing moy
To schaw he dois be craft his sute alluir:
His bodie quhyt all nakit dois Induir
for his delyt but onie schame at all:
His laik of sycht Also dois ws assuir
His snappring state And Iudgement verray small:
The schaft And bow quhilk both he beirs so tall
Declairs him prompt All persons to persew:
Thay giwe him vings hich vith the vind to brall
Because he is so vauering and vntrew:
Auld painters hes this form for luif prepaird
To lerne ws vit quhan ve do luif regaird.
157
OF THE QVALITEIS OF LVIF.
SONNET.
Luif is ane aigre douce delyt and greif:Greif is in luif ane lustie langing lyf:
lyf may not last Quhair luif pretends mischeif:
Mischeif of luif is euirlasting stryf:
Stryf reuling luif, than rancor raidgeis ryf:
Ryf raidge is not, gif luifers luif abound:
Abounding luif is scharp as scharpest knyf:
knyf may not kill moir scharplie vith ane vound,
Vound deip vith vo, And schortlie haill and sound,
Sound syn to suell in syching sour and sueit:
Sueit luif heirvith dois suffer monie stound,
Stound both vith cair And confort lairge repleit:
Repleit vith luif hes bein both gods and men:
Men luif obeyis, Gods vill not luif misken.
158
[Thir verse disschyphre rycht as I tham bind]
Thir verse disschyphre rycht as I tham bind,
Or than ȝe sall no perfyt sentence find.
Or than ȝe sall no perfyt sentence find.
Ane man, Ane beist, Ane plant,
Is meid, Is Thrall, Is guid,
To Serwe, T' obey, To hant,
for God, for man, for fuid.
The bone, The flesche, The bluid,
Dois faill, Dois feid, Dois suage,
Vith tym, vith cair, vaxt ruid,
In graif, In erth, In age.
The slawe, The knawe, The page,
Dois schrink, Dois Drink, Dois play,
To serwe, To suerwe, To gage,
Ilk vycht, Ilk nycht, Ilk day.
Is meid, Is Thrall, Is guid,
To Serwe, T' obey, To hant,
for God, for man, for fuid.
The bone, The flesche, The bluid,
Dois faill, Dois feid, Dois suage,
Vith tym, vith cair, vaxt ruid,
In graif, In erth, In age.
The slawe, The knawe, The page,
Dois schrink, Dois Drink, Dois play,
To serwe, To suerwe, To gage,
Ilk vycht, Ilk nycht, Ilk day.
159
IN PRAISE OF HIS MAIESTEIS VORK.
SONNET.
Ane Sacred Sang heir Soundit is so sueitIn Gloir of God, Be Ane maist Godlie king,
That Muse of mortall men may not be meit
His dew deserwit lowing loud to sing.
Bot thow, Iehowach, Quho dois hichest ring,
And vith Thy Spreit His prencelie spreit dois gyd,
Sum holie Angill from abowe most bring
Vith heawenlie voce to spred his praisis vyd
Throch all this vorld, Ay permanent to byd;
lyk as his Person in Suprem degrie
Of royall bluid Thow hes don rycht prowyd,
To reull vith Iustice vit And mercie frie
Bot onie matche, And in to vertew best
Vp from Pernass Clymyng thy Thron celest.
160
TO THE FORMER EFFECT.
ANE VTHER SONNET.
The palme of praise And laurell of renoune,Be pruif obteind, as all may plaine persawe,
Amongs the Rubeis of thy Royall croune,
Maks The, O Monarck, Glance abowe the lawe.
The Mychtie Muse is no Subiectit Slawe
To mundan mater, Bot vith dyt celest
The Gloir of God Immortall thow dois crawe,
Quho dois deteine thy Peirles spreit possest
Vith heawenlie gifts of grace abowe the rest,
Disstelling doucelie from Thy Sacred vaine.
Quhill phebus fair in purpur Spher dois lest,
Ay sall the vertew of Thy Blissit Braine
Abound so brod that not may it distroy:
No tym sall tyn The tym Thow dois Imploy.
161
TO THE FORMER EFFECT.
ANE VTHER SONNET.
Gyf perfyt Poet vold depaint thy pryise,Pryise so surpassing ewerie pregnant spreit,
Spreit most Aspyre to Sum celest dewyise,
Dewyise celest is in the so repleit.
Repleit vith prudent Saying Sad and sueit,
Sueit Smels the Sentence of thy Sacred Muse.
Muse, than assist me vith sum mater meit,
Meit mychtie mater As his Muse dois wse.
Vse thow my Muse that I his grace may ruse.
Ruse may I not As he deserwes Nor nane;
Nane of ȝow all Bot stands agast confuse,
Confust as I to spy his vorks ilk ane.
Ilk ane he vars vithin his tender ȝeirs:
Ȝeirs sall not vaist the gloir his ȝowth vpsteirs.
162
TO THE FORMER EFFECT.
ANE VTHER SONNET.
Quhat neids to gilt the glansing gould maist fyne?Quhat neids the perfyt pretious stone to pryis?
Quhat Stream may Strenth the recent mychtie vyne?
Quhat foull may matche the Phenix in the skyis?
Quhat styll may set out Salomon moir vyis
Than be his prudent precepts may appeir?
Quhat neids to speik Quhair Pruif maist plainlie tryis,
As quho vold say Apollo Schynis cleir?
I grant in deid the charbunckill is deir,
And phebus foull, Because thay ar so rair,
Than In lykmaner lo behold him heir
Quho far Surmonts all vthers but compair,
And nane exprim may all his praise perfyt,
Except thay haid his awne deuyn Indyt.
163
QVADRAIN.
Ane king, Ane lord, Ane knycht,Dois liwe, Dois spend, Dois strywe,
Vith rycht, Vith gloir, Vith mycht,
To ring, To game, To thrywe.
164
OF TREWTH.
SONNET.
Treuth is the tuitche that euerie turne dois try,Treuth is as steill ane strong and stabill scheild,
Treuth dois the liar hardelie defy,
The trust of treuth is ane maist blissit beild,
Treuth is victorius of all fois in feild,
Treuth for na troubill sturtsum vill not tyir,
Bot treuth all treuthles trifils hes reueild,
And treuth contentis euerie trew desyir.
Quhan treuth vas tryit quho deserwed the hyir
Conserning vyn, The vemen, And the king?
Treuth vith Immortall praise than did Impyir,
Heirfoir of treuth I vill both say and sing
That treuth my treuthfull cause hes maid preuaill,
And treuth my treuthles fois hes maid to faill.
165
IN PRAISE OF HIS FREINDS VORK.
SONNET.
Ȝe laureat scholers of the Sisters nyne,That on the hautie forkit pernass hill
from Sacred source Soucks Science maist deuyne,
Giwe dew commend heir to the Authors skill,
Quhois guid desert my sempill speitche may spill.
Gif I the sam presum vold to recyt,
I langage laik, Bot ȝit hes feruent vill
Hiche till extoll his leirnit muse perfyt.
Thocht ackuart ȝoile beir him at dispyt,
Quhois coustum ay agains the best is bent,
Ȝit sall the sueitnes of his sound indyt,
Imployed in vertew, prudent spreits content,
Quhom from his ȝouth I knaw vith bonteis blist.
Lat vthers praise his volum as thay list.
166
OF ANE SYMMER HOUS.
Thow bonie bour, obumbrat all vith bews,
Quhairin my maistres vmquhyll did delyt,
Quhan flouris fair of monie heawenlie hews
Decorit all thy plesand pairts perfyt,
Thow may lament And I vith duill Indyt
for laik of hir quham now, alace, we lois:
for I reiosit in hir color quhyt,
And be the same Thow semet moir formois.
Quhairin my maistres vmquhyll did delyt,
Quhan flouris fair of monie heawenlie hews
Decorit all thy plesand pairts perfyt,
Thow may lament And I vith duill Indyt
for laik of hir quham now, alace, we lois:
for I reiosit in hir color quhyt,
And be the same Thow semet moir formois.
Quhat Nymphe or Dian Sall posses the now,
O Plesand place so desolat alon?
Thy leifs dois fead And all thy branchis bow
for verray hawie sorrow, I suppon,
Because thy ladie far is from the gon,
My solas cheiflie, And thy gloir also;
As ring quhilk lossit hes the pretious ston,
So thow dois stand, And I am vext vith vo.
O Plesand place so desolat alon?
Thy leifs dois fead And all thy branchis bow
for verray hawie sorrow, I suppon,
Because thy ladie far is from the gon,
My solas cheiflie, And thy gloir also;
As ring quhilk lossit hes the pretious ston,
So thow dois stand, And I am vext vith vo.
The lywelie luisteur of hir vult deuyn,
The quhilk I lang maist ernistlie to sie,
Vold schortlie eis this hawie hart of myn,
That for hir absence dois sic dolor drie:
And thow, o bour, maist blissit vold thow bie,
Gif thow hir presens mycht InIoy againe.
God grant me grace that happie hour to sie
Quhan I in the vith hir may blyth remaine.
The quhilk I lang maist ernistlie to sie,
Vold schortlie eis this hawie hart of myn,
That for hir absence dois sic dolor drie:
And thow, o bour, maist blissit vold thow bie,
Gif thow hir presens mycht InIoy againe.
God grant me grace that happie hour to sie
Quhan I in the vith hir may blyth remaine.
167
Thy branchis bair, that now so viddrit beine,
Sall than reuert fresche flurissit and fair,
And all thy feadit leifis grow sall greine,
Quhair chirming birdis myrthfull sall repair;
Than temperat salbie the celest air
for fauor of this lustie ladie brycht;
Syn I hir awn salbie, Denud of cair
In spying of so sueit ane semlie sycht.
Sall than reuert fresche flurissit and fair,
And all thy feadit leifis grow sall greine,
Quhair chirming birdis myrthfull sall repair;
Than temperat salbie the celest air
for fauor of this lustie ladie brycht;
Syn I hir awn salbie, Denud of cair
In spying of so sueit ane semlie sycht.
168
FOR CONFIRMING OF ANE FAITHFULL PROMEIS.
SONNET.
The suelling sie sall first rewert in fyre,And mollifeit salbie ilk dourest stone,
The erth abowe the heawenis sall Impyre,
Of sone And mone the lycht sall als be gone,
Ȝea, godis vorks decay sall euerie one,
Befoir that I the sacred oth repent,
Maist firmlie meid to ȝow my luif alone
Vith fixit faith, And euir salbie bent
As plesith ȝow to stand alway content.
O onlie reuler of my trustie hart,
So deip ȝe beine vithin the sam Imprent,
That non bot ȝow may occupie that part.
Och vold to god I mycht be pruif explaine
My Inwart treuth quhilk constant sall remaine.
169
TO HIS WEILBELOWIT COWSIN AND LUIFING FREIND.
Gif fauor firm may faythfull freindschip find,
My luifing hart of ȝow deseruith so:
Gif kynred constant kyndnes may vpbind,
God hes apoyint the sam betuix ws tuo:
Gif trustie promeis both in veill and vo
Of amitie may mak ane mutuall luif,
Than certanlie quhair euir our bodeis go
Our mynds heirfro vill In navayis remuif.
My luifing hart of ȝow deseruith so:
Gif kynred constant kyndnes may vpbind,
God hes apoyint the sam betuix ws tuo:
Gif trustie promeis both in veill and vo
Of amitie may mak ane mutuall luif,
Than certanlie quhair euir our bodeis go
Our mynds heirfro vill In navayis remuif.
Gif equall age, form, fortoune, and degrie
Of ȝow and me Agment may our guidwill,
We most fulfill than be ane suir decrie
Of nature frie Ane stabill fauor still.
In signe this bill I haif now send ȝow till
Vith sclender skill for to declair my mynd
Heirto Inclynd, And or I freindschip spill
Deth sall me kill Gif ȝe againe be kynd.
Of ȝow and me Agment may our guidwill,
We most fulfill than be ane suir decrie
Of nature frie Ane stabill fauor still.
In signe this bill I haif now send ȝow till
Vith sclender skill for to declair my mynd
Heirto Inclynd, And or I freindschip spill
Deth sall me kill Gif ȝe againe be kynd.
170
OF THE SIGNIFICATION OF COLORS.
SONNET.
The color reed of hardiment is sing:And quhyt ane lyf vnspottit dois declair:
Greine schaws that confort in the hart dois spring:
The purpur luif: Blak stedfastnes and cair:
Broune bourdsum is: And brycht Incarnat fair
In honest deling takith ay delyt:
And glansing cleir columbie maist preclair
Presents ane Royall courtassie perfyt:
The blew is trew, And sanguine hew dispyt:
Orange content: And gray dois hoip to speid:
The tannie lykith craft and to Bakbyt:
And blaiknit ȝallow is forsaikin veid.
Quhan I this sonnet of thir hews did mak,
for my estate, thocht I, aggreis the blak.
171
ANE REPLY TO ANE LETTIR DERECT FROM HIS VEILBELOUIT COUSIN.
As dewie drops distels in drowthie day
On vallowit veids all viddrit vith the vind,
That syn vith sauorus sop dois sprout on spray,
Quhill nymphis fair vith tham doith garlands bind:
Rycht so ȝour firm effection quhilk I find
My emptiwe vaine doith varp vith nectar full,
And valkith vp my Muse that erst vas dull.
On vallowit veids all viddrit vith the vind,
That syn vith sauorus sop dois sprout on spray,
Quhill nymphis fair vith tham doith garlands bind:
Rycht so ȝour firm effection quhilk I find
My emptiwe vaine doith varp vith nectar full,
And valkith vp my Muse that erst vas dull.
for sen ȝe souck Ambrosiane liquor sueit
from sacred source of the Aonian band,
My pansiwe spreit vith plesour is repleit,
And poussith me to tak my pen in hand,
first for to thank ȝow that dois stabill stand
In amitie my guidwill to requyt,
Syn for to praise ȝow for ȝour suggurit dyt.
from sacred source of the Aonian band,
My pansiwe spreit vith plesour is repleit,
And poussith me to tak my pen in hand,
first for to thank ȝow that dois stabill stand
In amitie my guidwill to requyt,
Syn for to praise ȝow for ȝour suggurit dyt.
On pindo mont Althocht I do not hant,
Ȝit spair I not to rym this ruid reply:
Bot ȝe vith vorschip may ȝour self awant,
Quho dalie dois that peirles pean spy,
Quho may arrouse ȝour brains, thocht thay var dry,
Vith the pegasien siluer celest spring,
Quhan solitar I most my wersis sing.
Ȝit spair I not to rym this ruid reply:
Bot ȝe vith vorschip may ȝour self awant,
Quho dalie dois that peirles pean spy,
Quho may arrouse ȝour brains, thocht thay var dry,
Vith the pegasien siluer celest spring,
Quhan solitar I most my wersis sing.
172
The lord of Delos do ȝour dyt decoir,
And mychtie Minerwe mot ȝour muse amend:
The Thespian Rout vith science ȝow restoir,
And Sueit Polymnia hich ȝour harp vpbend
Abowe the vell Castalia till ascend
Amyds the sisters of pernasso scheine:
Apollo Syn ȝow croun vith laurell greine.
And mychtie Minerwe mot ȝour muse amend:
The Thespian Rout vith science ȝow restoir,
And Sueit Polymnia hich ȝour harp vpbend
Abowe the vell Castalia till ascend
Amyds the sisters of pernasso scheine:
Apollo Syn ȝow croun vith laurell greine.
173
TUITCHING THE COMMODITIE OF TROWBILL.
SONNET.
Be fyrie flam the glansing gould is dycht,Be turnyng toyll teyld is the fertill ground:
So paine And troubill maks the vofull vycht
from vickit vyce in vertew till abound.
The mychtie maker of this mapamound
hes for this cause preordinit expres
Sum visitation to saif suir and sound
His chosine childrine: lyk as I confes
My pairt heirof, And thanks him not the les
In deipest dolor of my great annoy
Than gif I haid maist prosperus succes:
for veill I vat he vill me not distroy,
Bot suir I hoip in till his grace celest
That all occurs vnto me for the best.
174
TO HIS FAITHFVLL AND WEILWILLING FREIND.
HVICTAIN.
Thocht fickill fortoune froune vith furious face,In euerie cace I sall ȝour freind remaine,
Than but desdaine, Sen I do suir Imbrace
Guidwill all space, Be constant kynd againe.
No ioy Nor paine Nor absence may constraine
Me to refraine from this my freindlie vow.
As turtill dow, Quhan that hir maik is slaine,
So I complaine to laik the sycht of ȝow.
175
OF FIDELITIE.
SONNET.
fors of firm faith No fortoune may confound,for fidell faith is of itself so fair,
That faithfullie but spot it dois abound,
As Armein dois from filthines repair,
preseruing so hir fynnest furring clair
Of euerie tasche, that scho dois rather chois
The duilfull death than ons hir bodie spair
Quhair scho hir cumlie color quhyt may lois.
The dourrest nails dois not so suirlie clois
Tuo hardnit buirds conIonit both in one,
As faythfull freinds be faith affixit gois,
Quhan mutuallie thay do thair faith dispone:
Ȝea, in guid faith my faith in dout dois stand
Gif death it self may break ane faithfull band.
176
TO HIS MAISTRES.
DIȜHUICTAIN.
That vofull hour quhan I ȝour presence left,Thocht ȝe estemd the sam bot to depart,
Ȝit moir to me it bein, Quhois spreits vas reft
from all the syntirs of my troublit hart.
I neuir ȝit did find sic ioy Inwart
Be presence sueit, Quhilk peirles did me pleis,
As absence now vith scharpest schours of smart
Ten thousand vayis dois moir my mynd miseis.
As fyrie vod in feruent flamme dois bleis,
Consumit am I so vith thochtfull cair,
And laiking ȝow, Quha may my murnyng meis,
Ay duyning dies in dalie deip dispair.
O paragon of pulchritude preclair,
Quhais beutie both my bliss and baill hes bred,
lat ons thy seruant sie thy visage fair
Tormentit heir vithin my restles bed,
So lyf or death than sall I suirlie knaw,
Ewen as ȝour breath the oracle doith blaw.
177
OF AMITIE.
SONNET.
Quhat solas is so sound sinceir and sueitAs freindschip flowing from effection frie?
Quhat mundane myrth may man obtein so meit
As sutche guid hap to find for his supplie?
for freindis tuo, quhois nature dois aggrie,
Ar lyk vyn branchis linkit growand greine
About the stoupis of that kyndlie trie,
Quhilk luifinglie againe dois tham susteine.
Quhan Nobill Nisus creuallie haid seine
His captiwe freind in dainger schord to die,
for feruent luif his courage grew so keine
Oft than he cryid, “conwert ȝour glawe in me,”
Syn facht to deed, And, quhan he mycht no moir,
fell on his freind, Quhom so he luift befoir.
178
QVADRAIN.
The bird, The fische, The trie,Dois flie, Dois suym, Dois stand,
Vith vings, Vith fyns, Rycht hie,
In air, In sie, In land.
179
OF CHASTITIE.
SONNET.
O cumlie celest chastitie preclair,Quhilk hich exaltit in the heawens dois ring,
To Quhat sall I thy vertew great compair?
No charbunckill Nor vther Erthlie thing
Dois not as thow sic pretious beutie bring:
The Phenix onlie or the vermell Rois
Maist rycht resemblith to thy grace conding;
The one is rair, The vther maist formois.
for as the Rois of flouris all the chois
Maist semlie sproutith from the scharpest thorne,
So thow (I dout not) dois vith paine Inclois
All sort of thois be quhom thy blis is borne;
Quhilk sort now rair As Phenix fair is seine,
And thingis rair of greatest valeur beine.
180
OF ANE SALUTATION OF ANE HOST TO HIS HOSTES.
SONNET.
Guid day, madam, vith humyll thanks also,That me vnto ȝour ludgeing lairge did gyd.
Ȝea, skairs I knew quhan I thairin did go
Quhair I sould vend, the vallis var so vyd.
Thocht than I slippit quhan ȝe bad me byd,
Excuise my part, the falt vas not in me:
Ȝour pathed pathment meid my paessis slyd,
That I vas forst to bow vpon my kne.
Bot ȝit I thank ȝow of ȝour ludgeing frie,
I grant in deid ȝe hold ane oppine port,
Bot inexpert I am to suym the sie
Quhilk flows on bordor of ȝour brod resort,
Quhairin I vat is furnissing but dout
To serwe the turck And all his camp about.
181
THE ANSUIR OF THE FOIRSAID HOSTES.
SONNET.
Ȝour feruent folische furreour far feils,Quho for ȝour herbrie meid so meikill beir,
Be feckles tratils of his trifling teils
I thocht ȝour tryn sould haif cum greater heir.
None sutche as ȝow sould to my palice speir
Quho may be eisit soon in smallest hall,
Ȝour sthomack seruith bot for sempill cheir,
I ȝow againe sall not to banket call.
Quhan on ȝour kneis for foibilnes ȝe fall,
Ȝe say my pathed pathment meid ȝow slyd,
Bot laik of boldnes on the sam to brall
Meid ȝow to slip: Ȝe haid no strenth to byd.
Heirfoir ȝour pithles person to repois
Tak my bak chalmer for ȝour guckit nois.
182
OF THE ASSAULTIS OF LUIF.
SONNET.
The deedlie dolor quhilk I do InduirSo dois combuir my bodie all in baill,
That I laik haill And may find no recuir,
Sic sorrow suir so soir dois me assaill.
In vaill and daill all fredome dois me faill,
In seis I saill Schersing remeid thairfoir,
Bot moir And moir My vois I do beuaill,
No vattir paill may quenche my flammes soir.
My reuthfull roir maist humyllie dois Imploir
The mychtie gloir of the bold blindit boy,
Quhois dart of noy my death dois dalie schoir,
As bullering boir me brewelie till distroy,
Och, ons sic ioy to grant me or I die,
That paine I drie may pleis my ladie frie.
183
OF DETH.
SONNET.
Sen that our saull of deuyn mater meidIs closit captiwe in our corps of cair,
Quhilk, formd of erth, vnto the erth dois leid
The sammyng spreit as in ane goulf or snair,
O plesand death, Quho onlie dois prepair
The fatall key this preson to disclois,
Our saull vpsending to the heawen preclair,
Thow art great confort to all sort of thois
Quho in celestiall thingis dois reiois.
O verray deir thy deidlie dart sould bie,
for frie from paine to endles suir repois
Thow dois ws bring, Thocht we lyk not to sie
The frownyng of thy dririe visage pall,
Quhilk ay approtchis dalie to ws all.
184
QVADRAIN.
The heawen, The erth, The hell,Is fair, Is Rytche, Is ewill,
To bie, To sie, To dwell,
Vith God, Vith man, Vith dewill.
185
ANE LITERALL SONNET.
Dull dolor dalie dois delyt destroy,Vill vantith vit vaist vorn vith vickit vo,
Cair cankert causith confortles conwoy,
Seueir sad sorrow scharplie schoris so.
My myrthles mynd may meruell monie mo,
Promp peirles proper plesand perll preclair,
fair fremmit freind, firm fellest frownyng fo.
Rythche rubie rycht renownit royall rair,
Send succor soone, so suadge sall sourest sair,
Grant griwous gronyng gratious guerdon guid,
for fauor flowing from fresche faces fair
Restorit rychtlie restles rancor ruid,
Bot beutie breding bittir boudin baill
Dois dalie deedlie duynyng dartis daill.
186
OF ANE CERTANE COURTEOUR. QUADRAIN.
E CONUERSO.
Vit but veals vith vertew but vyceHe doith posses, now all may persawe.
Sit sall he still suir nocht semyng nyce;
Sie may ȝe him trew nocht leing knawe.
187
OF ANE THOCHTLES AND FRIE HART FROM VORLDLIE CAIR.
SONNET.
Thocht I in cauldest Caucasus did duell,Or quhair the son maist feruentlie dois scheine,
Or vith veyld beists of Libia maist fell,
Ȝit in ane vprycht conscience and cleine,
Not farder vexit bot vith luif I meine
Of my renownit ladie vyis and fair,
I former hassard harmles mycht susteine,
for giltles hart suir varrand is from cair.
Ane giltles hart vith Tygers may repair,
Ane giltles hart may all assauts Induir,
Ane giltles hart triumphith euirmair
Abowe all thing that vold the sam InIuir,
Ane giltles hart possessit bot vith luif
Is suir as Rock that storms may not remuif.
188
IN GOING TO HIS LUIF.
SONNET.
O siluer hornit Diane, nychtis queine,Quha for to kis Endimeon did discend,
Gif flamme of luif thow haid don than susteine,
As I do now that instant dois pretend
T' embrasse my luif, Not villing to be kend,
Vith mistie vaill thow vold obscuir thy face
for reuth of me that dois sic trauell spend.
And finding now this vissit grant of grace,
Bot lett it be thy borrowit lycht alace,
I staying stand in feir for to be seine,
Sen yndling eine Inwirons all this place,
Quhois cursit mouths ay to defame dois meine.
Bot nether thay Nor ȝit thy schyning cleir
May cause appeir my secret luif synceir.
189
OF ANE POET.
SONNET.
Thocht schollers of Caliope attaineTo douce Indyt, it drawith dour decay,
for quhan sic rage rings in thair restles braine,
Thair spreit perturbit may not sport nor play;
All vorldlie velth als from tham slyds away,
Ay thay ar puir And dois Induir desdaine,
for thocht thay paine thair self both nycht and day,
perfume of candill is thair greatest gaine.
All solitar and sad thay do remaine
Vith feruent furie for to flie aloft,
Syn for to pen thair purpois prompt and plaine
Both to and fro thay pouse the tabill oft,
And byts thair nails, And vreyis thair fingers vrang,
To thraw thair versis ether schort or lang.
190
AGAINE OF ANE POET.
SONNET.
O ȝe quhois blissit brows both circuat beineVith greine triumphall laurell fresche and fair,
Quhois suggurit lips sueit celest liquor cleine
Distels also vpon pernass preclair,
Quho sups the sacred Nectar but compair
And drinks the doucest Ambrose maist deuyn,
Quho fouth of langage laiks not to declair
The curious knawledge of ȝour hich Ingyn,
Thocht velth ȝe vant, ȝit vorschip dois Inclyn
for guerdon dew vnto ȝour guid desert.
Ȝour paine is plesour, And ȝour plesour syn
Pretends to praise be giltit pen expert.
Expert and douce ȝe varpe ȝour vordie verse,
And frilie flows in ȝour maist sound reherse.
191
TO FAME.
SONNET.
The greatest soucie nixt eternall gloir,Quhartill Ilk nobill nature sould pretend,
Is that guid name thair doings may decoir,
Quhan that the parks hes spone thair fatall end.
O famus fame, than grant me guid commend
fra tym my vofull veirie dayis be past,
for veill I vat bot trauell lost I spend
To crawe it now quhill this my lyf doith last,
Because so monie bittir bailful blast
from mouths maling maliciouslie brists out,
That but regard our guid desert thay cast
Doune in the dust, And wreyis it vrang about.
heirfoir, O fame, reserwe for me guid name,
And giwe tham schame, Quho speikith to my blame.
192
TO HIS MAIESTIE VITH PRESENTATION OF THIS VOLUME.
SONNET.
All vorldlie velth that onie hart may wis,Helth and Renoune, vith euirlasting Gloir,
Vnto ȝour Grace I Represent vith this,
Quhilk of ȝour Gratious bontie, Sir, decoir.
Ȝour praise Immortall salbie meikill moir,
My sempill gift auancing be ȝour mycht,
Than thois quho gains the glancing gould in stoir
Vith great contentment to thair blindit sycht.
Accept guid vill: Guidwill ȝe vey nocht lycht,
So in the coustom of ȝour Royall hart
Ȝour maiestie vill think it Reson rycht
My trew Guidwill to tak in to guid part,
for as ȝour vit deuyn is and profound,
So in all meiknes dois ȝour grace abound.
193
ANE SCHERSING OVT OF TREW FELICITIE.
195
[Quhan verray vereyit I vas vith vreting of verse]
Quhan verray vereyit I vas vith vreting of verse,And lang tym haid musit my metir till mend,
Profoundlie perturbit, paine throch did me perse,
Sen sentenles saying so schortlie var send
Vith rawing ruid rakles roch railling reherse
To ane prence preclair peirles Improperlie pend.
Syn said I, “sic scribling Quhy sould I so scherse?
Sum purpois mair prudent var meit till intend.”
So I papir And pen again spedelie tuk,
Not, Sir, till vneis ȝow,
Bot mening to meis ȝow,
Vith feir to displeis ȝow,
Beginnyng this buik.
196
THE PROLOG.
fair vranie, the mychtie muse celest,Me thocht appirit in my truiblit rest
Maist miscontent, And did me reprehend
for pithles poems to my prence so pend.
“Thy ryms,” (Sayis scho), “ar resonles and ruid,
Syn vith no constant sentence dois concluid.
Quhow dar thow than sic dytment dull derect
To my renownit scholer cheif elect?
Beliwis thow his godlie blissit braine
Vill tak delyt of thy fantastick vaine,
Quhilk hes sic fectles friuolteis don fram
That skairse his grace vill gaȝe vpon the sam?
And gif his hienes ons thy lyns reiect,
Ilk ane about sall giwe the monie gect:
from hand till hand thy minschit metir meed
Than sall be catchit full of fortouns feed,
And all sall say thow hes misspent thy time
In ruid rehersall of ane raggit rym:
So thow thy thanks and trauels both sall tyn,
furthschawing dulnes of thy basse Ingyn.
Bot gif thow haid my heawenlie counsell socht,
Thow sould vnto his maiestie haif brocht
Sum sentence sad compoist in statlie style,
As I haif causit cunnyng men compyle.”
“Helas, Madam,” said I, “my spreit ȝe perse
Vith dolor deip be ȝour extreme reherse.
The onlie cause quhilk meed me to compois
To ȝow Inteirlie sall I now disclois.
Abowe all thingis erdlie being bent
His celcitude synceirlie to content,
197
Quhow my desyre mycht till effect be brocht;
Quhilk sen my pouer mycht navayis furthschaw,
I tuik conceit at leist sum lyns to draw
As I best could, that his maist sacred skill
Ȝit mycht consawe ane part of my guidwill.
And this I humylie in my mynd deid meine,
Not for na vordie vark that in me beine,
Bot traisting suir his kinglie courtas hart
My Indeuoir vold tak in to guid part,
As Artaxerces kyndlie did resawe
Handfull of vattir quhilk the puir man gawe,
Or that renownit mychtie thankfull king
The radische ruit quhilk on did till him bring;
for prencelie spreits regards the Inwart thocht
And not the valeur of the present brocht,
So that thair gloir awansit moir dois ring
Be veill accepting of ane sempill thing,
propynit frilie from ane ȝelus hart,
Than gouldin gifts estemd be greattest part:
for he quho of his small thing gifis all
Sould be accompt als vordie liberall
As thay quho of thair great aboundant Stoir
Bestows ane part: So I quho hes no moir
Bot litill leirning hes don it prepair
Vith nales feruent And continewall cair
Than sort of thois quho distributs at vill
King Cresus pois Or queine Mineruas skill:
for I hawe scherst all hirns of my Ingyn
Vith quhat I mycht or could for to propyn
The sam maist humilie to My natiwe king,
In quhom all royall gratitud dois spring.
Quhy do ȝe than, helas, vith reuthles teine
My mynd manase quhilk dois maist meiklie meine?
No vonder thocht I vexit be vith vo,
Sen that ȝour speitche seueirlie schoirs me so.
I soucie litill all my trauels lost,
And cairs no thing for tanting Momus bost,
198
My sempill versis to his grace derect;
Quhairin ȝour counsell I haid don desyre,
Var nocht I durst navayis so hich aspyre;
Ȝour curious cunning And my sempill spreit
To correspond me thocht vas navayis meit,
I dark as nycht, And ȝe as tuynkling star
Or phebus brycht Surmonting me als far.
Bot now sen I ȝour glorie great dois sie,
Of pitie spair my pansiwe spreit supplie
for till eschew his maiesteis desdaine,
Quhilk vold perplex me vith profoundest paine.
Ten thowsand tyms I rather burne my buik
Than ons deserwe his miscontentit luik.”
for Iust excuse Quhan I thir vordis spak,
The mychtie Muse than did this ansuir mak:
“Sen thow declairit hes the verray trewth,
I quyt thy mis And of thy cause hes reuth,
Not doutting bot his excellence preclair
Sall na les mercie on thy mateir Spair,
for thow reclams to his maist prencelie Spreit,
Quhilk vill appaise thy hoip in euerie quheit;
To quhois correction giwe thy former buik,
Quhilk be Inspection of his luifing luik
In euerie blob sall beutifeit appeir,
As Tytan fair maks Scinthea Scheine cleir.
And gif thow vold his celcitude content,
Now schers sum sacred Subiect till Inuent
But all delay; Althocht thy Skill be small
God vill the help gif for his grace thow call,
Quhois maikles mycht may mak thy spreit to pas
Aloft abowe the forkit hich pernas.
Go to and scharp than all thy sensis blont,
Contending ons to clym the holie mont.”
Thus I awalkit, And did so pretend
To pleis My Godlie king, Quhom god defend.
199
THE SVMME OF THIS VORK.
As litill lark Althocht hir vings be smallDois hich presume to mont vp in the air,
So vold I flie Bot ȝit I feir ane fall.
Hoip bids mak to, “Stand still,” sayis dull dispair,
Ȝit clym I sall, But not vith mundan cair
for gaine of gould Or onie vorldlie gloir.
I vill ascend the vay to lyf preclair,
And first vill help of Charetie Imploir,
Nixt be the fair humiliteis guid loir
My course to labor sall derectlie tend,
Syn veretie and constance sall restoir
Me frie of vyce: Than think I weill to end,
for quhan experience hes me teitchit plaine,
Be hoip I sall felicitie attaine.
This is the summe that I intend to dyt,
God grant me grace to bind it vp perfyt.
200
THE MATEIR.
My sempill pen, Quhilk heirtofoir did sport,
Sprent vp vith speid, prepair the to report
Mair pithie purpois prudent and perfyt.
His maiestie vill the preserwe from tort:
Than vnder schaddow of his vings resort,
And Indeuoir his hienes to delyt,
for quhois guid plesour now awance thy dyt
Vith sum sentencius mychtie mateir meit,
To be reuisit vith his pregnant spreit.
Sprent vp vith speid, prepair the to report
Mair pithie purpois prudent and perfyt.
His maiestie vill the preserwe from tort:
Than vnder schaddow of his vings resort,
And Indeuoir his hienes to delyt,
for quhois guid plesour now awance thy dyt
Vith sum sentencius mychtie mateir meit,
To be reuisit vith his pregnant spreit.
I pas from ballads of poetick braine,
And from fantastick facill sayings vaine,
from Sonets als, And euerie friuoll verse;
Both myrrie ryms And roundels I desdaine.
Sum Semlie Subiect sueitlie till explaine
Vith Holie Dauid Instantlie I scherse:
Than, Sone of Dauid, help my ruid reherse,
And vith thy Sacred spreit My spreit Inspyre,
Quhilk thow send doune in toungs of flammyng fyre.
And from fantastick facill sayings vaine,
from Sonets als, And euerie friuoll verse;
Both myrrie ryms And roundels I desdaine.
Sum Semlie Subiect sueitlie till explaine
Vith Holie Dauid Instantlie I scherse:
Than, Sone of Dauid, help my ruid reherse,
And vith thy Sacred spreit My spreit Inspyre,
Quhilk thow send doune in toungs of flammyng fyre.
In this maist plesand spring tym of the ȝeir,
Quhan euerie branche all blomit dois appeir
Vith lustie leifis greine And blossoms quhyt,
Now quhan the birds on bussis maks sic beir,
And purifeit is the firmament maist cleir,
And all the ground annamelit perfyt
Vith holsum herbs And flouris of delyt,
Now quhan Apollo brycht dois vp ascend,
To scherse out trew felicitie I tend.
Quhan euerie branche all blomit dois appeir
Vith lustie leifis greine And blossoms quhyt,
Now quhan the birds on bussis maks sic beir,
And purifeit is the firmament maist cleir,
And all the ground annamelit perfyt
Vith holsum herbs And flouris of delyt,
Now quhan Apollo brycht dois vp ascend,
To scherse out trew felicitie I tend.
201
Soon be Aurora haid the heawens ourcled
Vith celest air from blak Nocturna sched
Throch percing purpur barmkin of the sky,
To this effect I bownit from my bed,
And me preparing thence derectlie sped
Quhair this foirsaid felicitie did ly,
Quhilk place precelling quhan my eis did spy,
Maist bent I vas vith ane deliberat hart
for to persew hir presence in that part,
Vith celest air from blak Nocturna sched
Throch percing purpur barmkin of the sky,
To this effect I bownit from my bed,
And me preparing thence derectlie sped
Quhair this foirsaid felicitie did ly,
Quhilk place precelling quhan my eis did spy,
Maist bent I vas vith ane deliberat hart
for to persew hir presence in that part,
Quhilk circuat vas vith christaline preclair,
Gilt all vith gould, And glansand vonder fair
Amyds ane plaine depaint vith emeraud greine,
Quhair flora valkit in the temperat air
In syndrie hewis recent brycht and rair,
Cled in hir cleir And cumlie vestment cleine,
The quhilk all balmie browdrit mycht be seine,
Braid busching out, And vith parfume repleit
As synomom, Ciuet, Or Amber sueit.
Gilt all vith gould, And glansand vonder fair
Amyds ane plaine depaint vith emeraud greine,
Quhair flora valkit in the temperat air
In syndrie hewis recent brycht and rair,
Cled in hir cleir And cumlie vestment cleine,
The quhilk all balmie browdrit mycht be seine,
Braid busching out, And vith parfume repleit
As synomom, Ciuet, Or Amber sueit.
fresche fontans sprang beneth the christall vall,
Quhilk be appirans Paradice I call,
And throche the sam transparant did appeir
Both fruitfull treis, And tender plantis tall,
And euerie flour and herb both great and small.
The port vas keipit of this clostuir cleir
Be the chast virgin Charitie synceir,
Quha audience gawe vith visage fair and meik,
Quhan so to hir I did this purpois speik.
Quhilk be appirans Paradice I call,
And throche the sam transparant did appeir
Both fruitfull treis, And tender plantis tall,
And euerie flour and herb both great and small.
The port vas keipit of this clostuir cleir
Be the chast virgin Charitie synceir,
Quha audience gawe vith visage fair and meik,
Quhan so to hir I did this purpois speik.
“O lustie ladie, I inlaik the loir
Thy dew deseruit vertew to decoir,
Quhais persone percis euerie godlie spreit,
Quha dois conduct ws till eternall gloir,
Quha rings renounit endles euirmoir.
Quhow sall my speitch salute thy semblance sueit,
O heawenlie dam, vith holines repleit?
Blist splendor brycht thy beutie dois dispars,
Repouser both of auld Saturn And mars.
Thy dew deseruit vertew to decoir,
Quhais persone percis euerie godlie spreit,
Quha dois conduct ws till eternall gloir,
Quha rings renounit endles euirmoir.
Quhow sall my speitch salute thy semblance sueit,
O heawenlie dam, vith holines repleit?
Blist splendor brycht thy beutie dois dispars,
Repouser both of auld Saturn And mars.
202
“Thocht I vith toungs of men And angels spak,
Nocht haifing ȝow I var als far to lak
As sounding brase Quhilk hes no toyne perfyt,
Or cymball bois that dois bot tinkling mak:
Thocht all my guids I to the puir did suak,
But ȝow it not auails to me ane myt:
Thocht all I knew And prophesie could dyt,
Ȝea, and be faith mycht mychtie montans muif,
Ȝit vas I no thing gif I laik ȝour luif.
Nocht haifing ȝow I var als far to lak
As sounding brase Quhilk hes no toyne perfyt,
Or cymball bois that dois bot tinkling mak:
Thocht all my guids I to the puir did suak,
But ȝow it not auails to me ane myt:
Thocht all I knew And prophesie could dyt,
Ȝea, and be faith mycht mychtie montans muif,
Ȝit vas I no thing gif I laik ȝour luif.
“Ȝour luif is courtas godlie and synceir,
Ȝour luif from all Inwy is purgit cleir,
Ȝour luif is not prouockit to desdaine,
Ȝour luif in suffering long dois perseweir,
Ȝour luif reiosis to sie treuth appeir,
Ȝour holie luif from anger dois refraine,
Ȝour luif not seikith out ȝour proper gaine,
Ȝour luif in meiknes all things dois Induir,
Ȝour luif belewes veill and hoipis suir:
Ȝour luif from all Inwy is purgit cleir,
Ȝour luif is not prouockit to desdaine,
Ȝour luif in suffering long dois perseweir,
Ȝour luif reiosis to sie treuth appeir,
Ȝour holie luif from anger dois refraine,
Ȝour luif not seikith out ȝour proper gaine,
Ȝour luif in meiknes all things dois Induir,
Ȝour luif belewes veill and hoipis suir:
“Ȝour luif, Madam, dois neuir fall away,
Thocht toungs do cease And propheseis decay.
faith, Hoip, And ȝe now Instantlie dois ring,
Bot ȝe ar cheifest of the thrie I say:
Thay both sall end Bot ȝe sall last for ay.
Ȝour onlie luif And blissing may me bring
Vp hich till heawen to god eternall king,
The flamme of luif, Quharfra ȝe do proceid;
And quhom bot ȝow I may not knaw indeid.
Thocht toungs do cease And propheseis decay.
faith, Hoip, And ȝe now Instantlie dois ring,
Bot ȝe ar cheifest of the thrie I say:
Thay both sall end Bot ȝe sall last for ay.
Ȝour onlie luif And blissing may me bring
Vp hich till heawen to god eternall king,
The flamme of luif, Quharfra ȝe do proceid;
And quhom bot ȝow I may not knaw indeid.
“long haif I beine beraweist vith desyre
for to persawe ȝour presence and Impyre:
long vishit I inspection of this place:
far haif I past and craifs no vther byre
Bot heir till entir, Quhilk I do requyre
In to maist humill maner at ȝour grace,
Imploring oft the fauor of ȝour face,
That I may sycht this plesand part abrod,
Perfyt proceding from the hiest God.
for to persawe ȝour presence and Impyre:
long vishit I inspection of this place:
far haif I past and craifs no vther byre
Bot heir till entir, Quhilk I do requyre
In to maist humill maner at ȝour grace,
Imploring oft the fauor of ȝour face,
That I may sycht this plesand part abrod,
Perfyt proceding from the hiest God.
203
“for sen that ȝe his tender dochter deir
Apoyintit is for proper portar heir,
The sam but dout maist suirlie is deuyn,
The quhilk also apertlie dois appeir
Be lustie luisteur of the vallis cleir,
Transending far my foibill dull Ingyn.
Of courtassie vnto my sute Inclyn,
That be this passage in I may repair
To scherse out firm felicitie maist fair.
Apoyintit is for proper portar heir,
The sam but dout maist suirlie is deuyn,
The quhilk also apertlie dois appeir
Be lustie luisteur of the vallis cleir,
Transending far my foibill dull Ingyn.
Of courtassie vnto my sute Inclyn,
That be this passage in I may repair
To scherse out firm felicitie maist fair.
“My ȝelus hart hir absence dois lament,
Hir for to sie my branis all ar bent
In hir maist peirles palice of commend;
Hir figure deip is in my brest Imprent,
No thing bot scho my thochtis may content,
To hir alon dois all my trauels tend;
And sen heirin scho dois hir plesours spend,
In all delyt duelling both nycht and day,
O semlie virgin, Spair me patent vay.
Hir for to sie my branis all ar bent
In hir maist peirles palice of commend;
Hir figure deip is in my brest Imprent,
No thing bot scho my thochtis may content,
To hir alon dois all my trauels tend;
And sen heirin scho dois hir plesours spend,
In all delyt duelling both nycht and day,
O semlie virgin, Spair me patent vay.
“And I awow sall euir stedfast still
till recognose thy fauor and guidwill
Vith humyll seruice suir at thy command,
And neuir sall my part Ingraitlie spill;
Gif plesith the my ardent sute fulfill,
I salbie oblist vith perpetuall band,
Thy subiect man, quhill I may gang or stand,
And vith my verse And prois in euerie thing
Thy praise Immortall I sall say and sing.”
till recognose thy fauor and guidwill
Vith humyll seruice suir at thy command,
And neuir sall my part Ingraitlie spill;
Gif plesith the my ardent sute fulfill,
I salbie oblist vith perpetuall band,
Thy subiect man, quhill I may gang or stand,
And vith my verse And prois in euerie thing
Thy praise Immortall I sall say and sing.”
Quhan I haid so accomplist my request,
The godlie maede douce Charitie degest,
Vith pitie perst in part quhair scho did stand,
No longer vold hir comlines arrest,
Bot soone awanst hir self vith visage trest,
And cacht me hartlie vith hir tender hand
In signe that scho contentit of my band,
Syn me recueillit vith ane courtas kis,
And luifinglie to me pronuncit this.
The godlie maede douce Charitie degest,
Vith pitie perst in part quhair scho did stand,
No longer vold hir comlines arrest,
Bot soone awanst hir self vith visage trest,
And cacht me hartlie vith hir tender hand
In signe that scho contentit of my band,
Syn me recueillit vith ane courtas kis,
And luifinglie to me pronuncit this.
204
“My trustie freind, thow velcum art to me,
And I reiois thy courage for to sie
So bent to pas in to this painfull pairt.
Be veill assuird thow sall hawe my supplie,
And dalie prayers for to confort the,
That schrink of sorrow nether suerwe nor smart
The Interpryse of thy magnanime hart,
Quhilk of ane nobill nature dois appeir,
Sen it dois pouse and animat the heir.
And I reiois thy courage for to sie
So bent to pas in to this painfull pairt.
Be veill assuird thow sall hawe my supplie,
And dalie prayers for to confort the,
That schrink of sorrow nether suerwe nor smart
The Interpryse of thy magnanime hart,
Quhilk of ane nobill nature dois appeir,
Sen it dois pouse and animat the heir.
“Thir proper ports to all ar patent plaine,
Al tendith heir felicitie to gaine,
All suts to sie hir semlie visage fair,
Ȝit nane resortis quhair scho dois remaine
Except be trauell, deligence, and paine,
for scho in to hir palice dois repair,
As vermell rois maist fragrant and preclair
Vith thornis scharp Incloissit round about,
Quhilk all desyrs Bot few vill pull it out.
Al tendith heir felicitie to gaine,
All suts to sie hir semlie visage fair,
Ȝit nane resortis quhair scho dois remaine
Except be trauell, deligence, and paine,
for scho in to hir palice dois repair,
As vermell rois maist fragrant and preclair
Vith thornis scharp Incloissit round about,
Quhilk all desyrs Bot few vill pull it out.
“Tuo forkit pathes heir thow may persawe,
The one quhairof I counsell the to lawe;
Thocht it hawe ampill port and passage plaine,
It ledith strecht to the Infernall grawe:
This vther rod derectlie sall the hawe,
Quhair thow may fair felicitie Attaine,
Bot in the sam first thow most suffer paine:
Thy paine at last sall plesour syn procuir,
The one vill pas, the vther ay Induir.
The one quhairof I counsell the to lawe;
Thocht it hawe ampill port and passage plaine,
It ledith strecht to the Infernall grawe:
This vther rod derectlie sall the hawe,
Quhair thow may fair felicitie Attaine,
Bot in the sam first thow most suffer paine:
Thy paine at last sall plesour syn procuir,
The one vill pas, the vther ay Induir.
“It is ane dour And Rycht difficill vay,
So vexing all that dois the sam assay,
Quhill multituds ar forsit to reteir,
Quhois pithles spreits for dolor dois decay
And feiblie feilȝeis at the first effray,
So that thay lois felicitie synceir,
for to the end thay may not perseueir,
Bot bak thay bend Quhowsoon thay torment find,
As feckles caff hence tossed vith the vind.
So vexing all that dois the sam assay,
Quhill multituds ar forsit to reteir,
Quhois pithles spreits for dolor dois decay
And feiblie feilȝeis at the first effray,
So that thay lois felicitie synceir,
for to the end thay may not perseueir,
Bot bak thay bend Quhowsoon thay torment find,
As feckles caff hence tossed vith the vind.
205
“Thay place thair hand the pithie pleuch to steir,
Syn luiks behind tham as ane tilar sueir,
Thay luif no laws Bot sic as lyks thair lust,
Bawld ar thay not Althocht thay brag and beir,
Thay dar not saill Bot quhan the sky is cleir,
Thair sensuall sensis may of no thing gust
Bot present eis, Quhilk maks tham be outthrust
from plesand palice of perfyt repois,
Quhair hants the firm felicitie formois.
Syn luiks behind tham as ane tilar sueir,
Thay luif no laws Bot sic as lyks thair lust,
Bawld ar thay not Althocht thay brag and beir,
Thay dar not saill Bot quhan the sky is cleir,
Thair sensuall sensis may of no thing gust
Bot present eis, Quhilk maks tham be outthrust
from plesand palice of perfyt repois,
Quhair hants the firm felicitie formois.
“Quho dois in doubill dailling tak delyt,
Quho hes thair hart fulfillit vith dispyt,
Quho vnto Bachus Sacrifice dois mak,
Quho lyks the luif of ladie venus quhyt,
Quho knows no God Bot gould, and dois bakbyt,
Quho Seruing Mars vill limit lawis vrak,
All sic I say adrich dois draw abak
And may navayis the narrow rod ascend:
To plutos doungeon dounwart all thay tend.
Quho hes thair hart fulfillit vith dispyt,
Quho vnto Bachus Sacrifice dois mak,
Quho lyks the luif of ladie venus quhyt,
Quho knows no God Bot gould, and dois bakbyt,
Quho Seruing Mars vill limit lawis vrak,
All sic I say adrich dois draw abak
And may navayis the narrow rod ascend:
To plutos doungeon dounwart all thay tend.
“It is the bontie of ane mychtie spreit,
Vith monie guidlie qualiteis repleit
In vincusing voluptis ewell and vaine,
That for to pass this passage is maist meit.
One of this sort, in hoip to supe the sueit,
As I suppois, vill patientlie tak paine,
And from all friuoll filthines refraine,
To sie this heawenlie ladie at the last,
Quha than sall beild tham from all bittir blast.
Vith monie guidlie qualiteis repleit
In vincusing voluptis ewell and vaine,
That for to pass this passage is maist meit.
One of this sort, in hoip to supe the sueit,
As I suppois, vill patientlie tak paine,
And from all friuoll filthines refraine,
To sie this heawenlie ladie at the last,
Quha than sall beild tham from all bittir blast.
“As flamme of fyre dois mak the gould to scheine
Brycht purifeit and plesand to the eine,
Or as the perfyt gardner dois prepair
To sned his fruitfull treis and mak tham cleine,
Ewen so the passing pilgrime most susteine
In this his irksum voyage cluddie cair
To purge his spreit peruers and mak it fair,
Quhilk sould preferrit be in euerie thing
To corporall eis or mundan mirth maling.
Brycht purifeit and plesand to the eine,
Or as the perfyt gardner dois prepair
To sned his fruitfull treis and mak tham cleine,
Ewen so the passing pilgrime most susteine
In this his irksum voyage cluddie cair
To purge his spreit peruers and mak it fair,
Quhilk sould preferrit be in euerie thing
To corporall eis or mundan mirth maling.
206
“Gif vther uayis thy naturall Inclyn,
find sall thow not felicitie deuyn.
Awance heirfoir thy hart agains the hill,
Stand stabill Stout, lat not thy courage tyn,
Hold forduart rycht and thow sall sie hir syn,
Quha panis past vith plesours sall fulfill
Ten thousand vayis, And gratifie thy vill
Vith grace aboundant in till euerie sort
Moir amplir far than speitche may plaine report.
find sall thow not felicitie deuyn.
Awance heirfoir thy hart agains the hill,
Stand stabill Stout, lat not thy courage tyn,
Hold forduart rycht and thow sall sie hir syn,
Quha panis past vith plesours sall fulfill
Ten thousand vayis, And gratifie thy vill
Vith grace aboundant in till euerie sort
Moir amplir far than speitche may plaine report.
“Thow dalie dywers daingers sall Induir,
Heirfoir to Christ commit thy corps in cuir,
for subtill Sathan at his vtter mycht
Sall Soone assay to mak thy steps vnsuir,
And vglie vyce also vill the alluir
for to becum hir curssit catiwe knycht,
Extending force, Gif thow repulse hir slycht.
Than is the tym to purches hich commend,
for that assault sall all the mateir end.
Heirfoir to Christ commit thy corps in cuir,
for subtill Sathan at his vtter mycht
Sall Soone assay to mak thy steps vnsuir,
And vglie vyce also vill the alluir
for to becum hir curssit catiwe knycht,
Extending force, Gif thow repulse hir slycht.
Than is the tym to purches hich commend,
for that assault sall all the mateir end.
“The vordie valiant cheiftan of renoune
Vith boudin brest vilbe maist boldlie boune,
Quhan he beholds the feild in haȝard stand,
Be keine combat to gaine the laurell croune.
force of his fois than stoutlie till baet doune
He hardelie Imployes his dochtie hand.
Do thow the lyk, And keip to me thy band,
So god I hoip sall for thy help prouyd
In painfull pathe, And be thy gratious gyd,
Vith boudin brest vilbe maist boldlie boune,
Quhan he beholds the feild in haȝard stand,
Be keine combat to gaine the laurell croune.
force of his fois than stoutlie till baet doune
He hardelie Imployes his dochtie hand.
Do thow the lyk, And keip to me thy band,
So god I hoip sall for thy help prouyd
In painfull pathe, And be thy gratious gyd,
“Quhair fair Humilitie vill the meiklie meit,
To quham addrese the for Scho is discreit.
And from the vther peruerse path eschew,
Thocht it hawe ampill port And plesand streit.
Dame voluptie vith proud pernicious spreit
Vill Rander the persuasions anew
Till entir thair amongs hir troup vntrew,
Of quham bewar.” Than did I fordwart go
Vith luifing thanks to hir quha teitchit so.
To quham addrese the for Scho is discreit.
And from the vther peruerse path eschew,
Thocht it hawe ampill port And plesand streit.
Dame voluptie vith proud pernicious spreit
Vill Rander the persuasions anew
Till entir thair amongs hir troup vntrew,
Of quham bewar.” Than did I fordwart go
Vith luifing thanks to hir quha teitchit so.
207
And both the pathes I persauit lay
Ewen as my ladie Charitie did say:
The foirsaid Dames tuo also did stand
At euerie entres in thair best array.
Bot voluptie to tak me in hir vay
first stretchit out hir stalwart statlie hand.
“Ȝoung man,” Sayis Scho, “cum heir at my command,
for trewlie long I hawe expectit ȝow,
And ȝe ar hartlie velcum to me now.
Ewen as my ladie Charitie did say:
The foirsaid Dames tuo also did stand
At euerie entres in thair best array.
Bot voluptie to tak me in hir vay
first stretchit out hir stalwart statlie hand.
“Ȝoung man,” Sayis Scho, “cum heir at my command,
for trewlie long I hawe expectit ȝow,
And ȝe ar hartlie velcum to me now.
“To pas my plesand pathe And ampill port
I neid navayis ȝow feruentlie exhort,
Sen ȝe may spy tham vith ȝour proper eine,
So brawe and brod, all plinissit vith sport,
And als of lustie gallands great resort,
Vith dam delyt vpon my tender greine,
Quhois garments gay And continances keine,
Vith velthie vay quharin thay glaidlie gang,
Declairs ȝe heir felicitie may fang.
I neid navayis ȝow feruentlie exhort,
Sen ȝe may spy tham vith ȝour proper eine,
So brawe and brod, all plinissit vith sport,
And als of lustie gallands great resort,
Vith dam delyt vpon my tender greine,
Quhois garments gay And continances keine,
Vith velthie vay quharin thay glaidlie gang,
Declairs ȝe heir felicitie may fang.
“This vther narrow rod adiacent heir,
Quhilk full of paine And perrell dois appeir,
Accordis not for men of great degrie.
Both bair it is of ludging and guid cheir
And hes forlaittit bein this monie ȝeir.
No nobill hart may dalie dolor drie,
Quhilk is thairin, Bot from the sam dois flie,
Sum sempill sauls exceptit thairto boune,
from vorldlie veill and gloir deiectit doune.”
Quhilk full of paine And perrell dois appeir,
Accordis not for men of great degrie.
Both bair it is of ludging and guid cheir
And hes forlaittit bein this monie ȝeir.
No nobill hart may dalie dolor drie,
Quhilk is thairin, Bot from the sam dois flie,
Sum sempill sauls exceptit thairto boune,
from vorldlie veill and gloir deiectit doune.”
Than nixt the fair Humilitie did say,
Quha loulie stuid at strict and narrow vay,
“Sir, gif ȝe crawe felicitie preclair
And vold eschew perpetuall decay,
Thair entir not, Bot heir cum, quhair ȝe may
find fouth of all contentment eftir cair.
Quhan paine is past my path vill plesour spair,
Vnto the quhilk it dois derectlie tend:
That vther way mischiwouslie sall end.
Quha loulie stuid at strict and narrow vay,
“Sir, gif ȝe crawe felicitie preclair
And vold eschew perpetuall decay,
Thair entir not, Bot heir cum, quhair ȝe may
find fouth of all contentment eftir cair.
Quhan paine is past my path vill plesour spair,
Vnto the quhilk it dois derectlie tend:
That vther way mischiwouslie sall end.
208
“‘In entir at Strict passage,’ Christ dois say,
‘for port is vyd, And lairge also the vay,
Quhilk tendith to destruction but dout,
And monie thairto dois thair courss array,
Because the entres is so strait and stay,
Quhilk leeds to lyf: And few dois find it out.’
Than be not ane of that vnhappie rout,
Sen that I hawe forwarnit ȝow now heir
Vith verray vordis of Our saluiour deir.
‘for port is vyd, And lairge also the vay,
Quhilk tendith to destruction but dout,
And monie thairto dois thair courss array,
Because the entres is so strait and stay,
Quhilk leeds to lyf: And few dois find it out.’
Than be not ane of that vnhappie rout,
Sen that I hawe forwarnit ȝow now heir
Vith verray vordis of Our saluiour deir.
“Discourage not, Bot in the lord confyd,
To pas this path than rycht he vill ȝow gyd,
Quhair ȝe sall suir ȝour harts desyr iniois,
Gif ȝe vith patience his guid plesour byd.
Quhat may resist, he being on ȝour syd?
Than feir no thing force of all vorldlie fois,
Bot in this sentence lat ȝour spreit repois,
‘Thocht monie troubils on the rychtious fall,
God sall him veill delyuer from tham all.’”
To pas this path than rycht he vill ȝow gyd,
Quhair ȝe sall suir ȝour harts desyr iniois,
Gif ȝe vith patience his guid plesour byd.
Quhat may resist, he being on ȝour syd?
Than feir no thing force of all vorldlie fois,
Bot in this sentence lat ȝour spreit repois,
‘Thocht monie troubils on the rychtious fall,
God sall him veill delyuer from tham all.’”
Quhan that thir ladies so haid done concluid,
Sum part amaȝit in to dout I stuid.
As tossed schip abyding stormie blast,
Vith vindie vawes valtring on the fluid,
Quhill that the prudent perfyt pylot guid
In skilfull sort fast dois the ankir cast,
So satlit I: Syn firmlie at the last
The narrow Rod to pass I did decreit
Be Inspiration of the holie spreit.
Sum part amaȝit in to dout I stuid.
As tossed schip abyding stormie blast,
Vith vindie vawes valtring on the fluid,
Quhill that the prudent perfyt pylot guid
In skilfull sort fast dois the ankir cast,
So satlit I: Syn firmlie at the last
The narrow Rod to pass I did decreit
Be Inspiration of the holie spreit.
So thrimbling throch that port I did Inclyn
low to Salute Humilitie deuyn,
Quha me resauit luifinglie thairin
And gawe me als ane exquisit propyn,
Quhilk vas ane pretious Diamant maist fyn,
Quhairbie I cheiflie helpit vas to vin
The Interpryse quhilk I haid don begin;
for cleirlie clein it schynit brycht abrod,
Conforting me to pas the narrow rod.
low to Salute Humilitie deuyn,
Quha me resauit luifinglie thairin
And gawe me als ane exquisit propyn,
Quhilk vas ane pretious Diamant maist fyn,
Quhairbie I cheiflie helpit vas to vin
The Interpryse quhilk I haid don begin;
for cleirlie clein it schynit brycht abrod,
Conforting me to pas the narrow rod.
209
from quhence I cam to monie vilsum vayis
Vith painfull perrels plinist and effrayis,
Ȝit me behuifit tham till owergo:
Than to ane forrest rycht my vay arrayis,
Quhair as I suffert vonderfull effrayis,
for at my entrie I vas vexit so
That trimbling all I schuk for deedlie vo:
Ane Serpent louse agains me lansit fell
Moir horrible than Cerberus in hell.
Vith painfull perrels plinist and effrayis,
Ȝit me behuifit tham till owergo:
Than to ane forrest rycht my vay arrayis,
Quhair as I suffert vonderfull effrayis,
for at my entrie I vas vexit so
That trimbling all I schuk for deedlie vo:
Ane Serpent louse agains me lansit fell
Moir horrible than Cerberus in hell.
As bittir Boreas dois his bubs blaw out,
Or as Neptunus in his raidge dois rout,
This serpent so meed hiddious noyes and beir;
lyk crewall Hidra bendit he about,
Quhilk vincust vas be Hercules the stout,
And heedis nyn he groslie did vpsteir,
To me resembling, quhan he did appeir,
As that maist vickit beist all venemit,
Quhair on the huir of Babilon did sit.
Or as Neptunus in his raidge dois rout,
This serpent so meed hiddious noyes and beir;
lyk crewall Hidra bendit he about,
Quhilk vincust vas be Hercules the stout,
And heedis nyn he groslie did vpsteir,
To me resembling, quhan he did appeir,
As that maist vickit beist all venemit,
Quhair on the huir of Babilon did sit.
This serpent vyle vith sembelans seueir
Me to deuoir maist Gredelie cam neir,
As houngrie lyon furious and fell,
Bot Charitie my luiflie ladie deir
Gawe me ane potion quhilk I suppit heir.
The bittir beist than mycht no moir rebell;
In Snoring Slummer schortlie be the smell
Of this my drink He rummissit as slaine,
And left to me the passage patent plaine.
Me to deuoir maist Gredelie cam neir,
As houngrie lyon furious and fell,
Bot Charitie my luiflie ladie deir
Gawe me ane potion quhilk I suppit heir.
The bittir beist than mycht no moir rebell;
In Snoring Slummer schortlie be the smell
Of this my drink He rummissit as slaine,
And left to me the passage patent plaine.
Be singis suir I did perfytlie knaw
That this vas he quho Subtilie did draw
Ewe and hir man from paradice of blis
Be the dissoluing of the lordis law,
As leirnit Moyses dois vnto ws schaw.
O happie thryse vas I that passit this
false cursit serpent, Cause of all our mis,
Be vertew of the foirsaid bruuage meed
Of Christis bluid, doun treder of his heed.
That this vas he quho Subtilie did draw
Ewe and hir man from paradice of blis
Be the dissoluing of the lordis law,
As leirnit Moyses dois vnto ws schaw.
O happie thryse vas I that passit this
false cursit serpent, Cause of all our mis,
Be vertew of the foirsaid bruuage meed
Of Christis bluid, doun treder of his heed.
210
Quhan this deformit beist I passit so,
Again I schortlie vrappit vas in vo,
for I arryuit In ane sinteir small,
Quhair elresche esks vas creulland to and fro,
Teids, Scorpions, And vornies monie mo
Than I be name may rychtlie clip or call:
And suddanlie thay me assautit all,
Bot I resistit thair pestiferus byt
Be vertew of my diamant perfyt,
Again I schortlie vrappit vas in vo,
for I arryuit In ane sinteir small,
Quhair elresche esks vas creulland to and fro,
Teids, Scorpions, And vornies monie mo
Than I be name may rychtlie clip or call:
And suddanlie thay me assautit all,
Bot I resistit thair pestiferus byt
Be vertew of my diamant perfyt,
Quhairin vas grawen be the holie spreit
The law of god delectabill and sueit,
Quhilk from mont Sinay doune he did derect.
As lamp of lycht it meed my foibill feit
Eschew the bowllin beists quhilk I did meit:
Sprong from the former Serpent foull Infect,
Thir meschant members of his sinfull sect
My sensis all haid suffocat vith smart,
Var nocht this Iewell closit nixt my hart.
The law of god delectabill and sueit,
Quhilk from mont Sinay doune he did derect.
As lamp of lycht it meed my foibill feit
Eschew the bowllin beists quhilk I did meit:
Sprong from the former Serpent foull Infect,
Thir meschant members of his sinfull sect
My sensis all haid suffocat vith smart,
Var nocht this Iewell closit nixt my hart.
Quhan throch thir perrels I haid frilie gone,
Sum eisment of my pains I did suppone,
As pansiwe pilgrime in ane noysum nycht,
long vauering in vidernes alone,
Dois hoip for confort of his former mone
Quhowsoone Aurora dois vpwarp hir lycht:
So noles plesand vas it to my sycht
The situation of ane duelling place,
Quhilk I persawit rycht befoir my face.
Sum eisment of my pains I did suppone,
As pansiwe pilgrime in ane noysum nycht,
long vauering in vidernes alone,
Dois hoip for confort of his former mone
Quhowsoone Aurora dois vpwarp hir lycht:
So noles plesand vas it to my sycht
The situation of ane duelling place,
Quhilk I persawit rycht befoir my face.
Be Inquisition Soone I knawledge gat
Quhow labor meed his residence in that;
Than but delay vith spedie paise I vent
In great desyre for till arrywe thair at,
Blyth that I so eschewit haid combat
Of bailfull bittir beists agains me bent.
At port I cry, “O labor, mak patent,
for it behuifs me for to pas be this,
Gif I approtche the vishit part of blis.”
Quhow labor meed his residence in that;
Than but delay vith spedie paise I vent
In great desyre for till arrywe thair at,
Blyth that I so eschewit haid combat
Of bailfull bittir beists agains me bent.
At port I cry, “O labor, mak patent,
for it behuifs me for to pas be this,
Gif I approtche the vishit part of blis.”
211
This being said, Than labor me beheld
Vith skronklit front And all his foirheed beld,
And full of yre did seime his aufull ie.
Me thocht his persone pitie all expeld,
Quhilk vas robust And of the erth it smeld;
His hardnit hands vorne viddrit did I sie
But one kynd of gentill gesteur frie.
Vith egar voce And continance seueir
He Ruidlie spak this sequent purpois heir.
Vith skronklit front And all his foirheed beld,
And full of yre did seime his aufull ie.
Me thocht his persone pitie all expeld,
Quhilk vas robust And of the erth it smeld;
His hardnit hands vorne viddrit did I sie
But one kynd of gentill gesteur frie.
Vith egar voce And continance seueir
He Ruidlie spak this sequent purpois heir.
“O sempill poet, vith thy sklender skill,
I am abaishit of thy feruent vill,
Quhilk hes the pousit to this painfull part.
Thy tender nature I suppois sall spill
Thy Interpryse, Quhilk thow may nocht fulfill
Except ane space thow suffer vith me smart,
Quhilk vill Impesche the pleasour of thy hart,
Nocht hantit vith my troubilsum annoy,
Bot nurisit in daintines and ioy.
I am abaishit of thy feruent vill,
Quhilk hes the pousit to this painfull part.
Thy tender nature I suppois sall spill
Thy Interpryse, Quhilk thow may nocht fulfill
Except ane space thow suffer vith me smart,
Quhilk vill Impesche the pleasour of thy hart,
Nocht hantit vith my troubilsum annoy,
Bot nurisit in daintines and ioy.
“Thy crispit hair quharin thow dois delyt
It most conuert thin Slipperie and quhyt,
And all the beutie of thy visage cleine
Asfeadit flour thow sall forgo and quyt;
proud primping of thy persone so perfyt
In to my presence may navayis be seine.
Virk man thow veill And litill sleip susteine,
for science rairly is in silkis cled
Nor Ȝit fund out in soft and downie bed.
It most conuert thin Slipperie and quhyt,
And all the beutie of thy visage cleine
Asfeadit flour thow sall forgo and quyt;
proud primping of thy persone so perfyt
In to my presence may navayis be seine.
Virk man thow veill And litill sleip susteine,
for science rairly is in silkis cled
Nor Ȝit fund out in soft and downie bed.
“In Velthie Sort thow sall nocht drink and eit,
Bot vith great trawell sall obteine thy meit,
No yidilnes in the vill I allow,
Guid occupation sall vphold thy steit,
No guerdon treulie vill thow of me gaeit
Bot in the suetting of thy bailfull brow,
So gif be me thow pas, Prepair the now
In euerie thing for till obey command,
To plant, to beild, And for to toyle the land.
Bot vith great trawell sall obteine thy meit,
No yidilnes in the vill I allow,
Guid occupation sall vphold thy steit,
No guerdon treulie vill thow of me gaeit
Bot in the suetting of thy bailfull brow,
So gif be me thow pas, Prepair the now
In euerie thing for till obey command,
To plant, to beild, And for to toyle the land.
212
“Thy Ȝouthfull ȝeiris Insolent but thocht
Sall to my veak vnweildie age be brocht,
Induir thow sall both hounger thrist and cauld,
And quhan my troubill thus hes to the vrocht,
Sum prudent pithie precepts man be socht
from leirnit vittie vreatters of the auld,
To mak thy spreit both prompt perfyt and bauld,
As it becums to reull vith resone rycht,
And nocht according to thy vill and mycht.
Sall to my veak vnweildie age be brocht,
Induir thow sall both hounger thrist and cauld,
And quhan my troubill thus hes to the vrocht,
Sum prudent pithie precepts man be socht
from leirnit vittie vreatters of the auld,
To mak thy spreit both prompt perfyt and bauld,
As it becums to reull vith resone rycht,
And nocht according to thy vill and mycht.
“So gif thow lykis heir till entir In,
Pryd not in power of thy mychtie kin,
Bot lowlie beir thy saell agains the vind.
Obey my bidding busselie but din,
Both heir and thair to go to cum and rin,
And tak in patience quhat I on the bind.
I neid no moir to say, for thow vill find
Be ampill pruif my torment and diseis,
Gif so to pas be me it dois the pleis.”
Pryd not in power of thy mychtie kin,
Bot lowlie beir thy saell agains the vind.
Obey my bidding busselie but din,
Both heir and thair to go to cum and rin,
And tak in patience quhat I on the bind.
I neid no moir to say, for thow vill find
Be ampill pruif my torment and diseis,
Gif so to pas be me it dois the pleis.”
Quhan that this eildit man haid spoikin so,
Deip vas I than confoundit all vith vo,
In mynd reuoluing my maist cairfull cace,
Quhow it behuifit ether be him go,
Or to desist my former purpois fro.
In paine perplexit pansit I ane space,
Syn randrit me vnto his ackuart face,
As valiant souldart seing no remeed,
Bot flie vith scham or fecht vnto the deed.
Deip vas I than confoundit all vith vo,
In mynd reuoluing my maist cairfull cace,
Quhow it behuifit ether be him go,
Or to desist my former purpois fro.
In paine perplexit pansit I ane space,
Syn randrit me vnto his ackuart face,
As valiant souldart seing no remeed,
Bot flie vith scham or fecht vnto the deed.
To do him seruice I my vits applyit,
And at his call vas radie quhan he cryit.
I restles ran from place to place vith speid,
I vrocht, I brocht, I vatchit and espyit.
Both to and fro I vas vith troubill tryit,
And nane haid pitie of my dalie deid.
Syn leirnit authors amplie did I reid,
Quhilk sort of seruice I estemit sueit,
No paine thairin vas till Impesche my spreit.
And at his call vas radie quhan he cryit.
I restles ran from place to place vith speid,
I vrocht, I brocht, I vatchit and espyit.
Both to and fro I vas vith troubill tryit,
And nane haid pitie of my dalie deid.
Syn leirnit authors amplie did I reid,
Quhilk sort of seruice I estemit sueit,
No paine thairin vas till Impesche my spreit.
213
Bot so vas vext this vofull corps of myn,
Quhill it is vorne Incapabill of pyn,
As mychtie montan that be bittir blast
Hes all the erth aff skruifit, schawing syn
The flintie fronts quhilk vill navayis declyn;
So stablit dour becam I at the last,
Sic pruiff and perrels haid my person past,
Quhill mundan mirth mycht skairslie mak me smyll,
Or cair consume me vith his cankert fyll.
Quhill it is vorne Incapabill of pyn,
As mychtie montan that be bittir blast
Hes all the erth aff skruifit, schawing syn
The flintie fronts quhilk vill navayis declyn;
So stablit dour becam I at the last,
Sic pruiff and perrels haid my person past,
Quhill mundan mirth mycht skairslie mak me smyll,
Or cair consume me vith his cankert fyll.
My agill ȝouth And euerie coustume lycht
Vith pesand age vas grawe and sadlie dycht,
The griwous dolor quhilk I did Induir
Haid so diminist all my vigor vycht,
Quhill bruisit bons appirit to the sycht
Throch skrimplit skin vpon my bodie puir:
Quhilk panis all most patientlie I buir,
for till obtein contentment in the end,
Quhairtill my lyf perturbit still did tend.
Vith pesand age vas grawe and sadlie dycht,
The griwous dolor quhilk I did Induir
Haid so diminist all my vigor vycht,
Quhill bruisit bons appirit to the sycht
Throch skrimplit skin vpon my bodie puir:
Quhilk panis all most patientlie I buir,
for till obtein contentment in the end,
Quhairtill my lyf perturbit still did tend.
Quhan eildit labor haid perfytlie seine
My miserie My troubill And my teine,
Contentit vas he of the great diseis,
Quhilk in his seruice I haid done susteine.
Sayis he, “my freind, sen thow so long hes beine
My thrallit man, thy mone I mynd to meis;
To plesand part, quhilk veill thy spreit sall pleis,
I vill the schaw the perfyt passage plaine
for recompans of all thy passit paine.
My miserie My troubill And my teine,
Contentit vas he of the great diseis,
Quhilk in his seruice I haid done susteine.
Sayis he, “my freind, sen thow so long hes beine
My thrallit man, thy mone I mynd to meis;
To plesand part, quhilk veill thy spreit sall pleis,
I vill the schaw the perfyt passage plaine
for recompans of all thy passit paine.
“Quho schrinkis nocht suping the egar sour
The liquor douce deserwes in balmie bour,
Quho clyms the mont sall find discens againe,
So eftir cair sall cum the Iofull hour
To stabill sort quho stoutlie stands in stour:
No perfyt plesour pourchest is but paine.
Tak confort than, for I assuir the plaine
This thy submission vnto my Impyre
Sall now awance the to thy harts desyre.”
The liquor douce deserwes in balmie bour,
Quho clyms the mont sall find discens againe,
So eftir cair sall cum the Iofull hour
To stabill sort quho stoutlie stands in stour:
No perfyt plesour pourchest is but paine.
Tak confort than, for I assuir the plaine
This thy submission vnto my Impyre
Sall now awance the to thy harts desyre.”
214
So schawing me quhat vay that I sould go,
I fordwart past, Nocht frilie fred from vo,
for melancolius vas my mirthles mynd.
As cairfull catiwe cum from doungeon tho,
Quhair sorrow sad haid vmbeset him so,
In preson lang quhilk haid his persone pynd,
Quhill all his corporall forces far declynd
In him he finds, vith former fauor lost,
So gaȝit I as grislie elresche gost.
I fordwart past, Nocht frilie fred from vo,
for melancolius vas my mirthles mynd.
As cairfull catiwe cum from doungeon tho,
Quhair sorrow sad haid vmbeset him so,
In preson lang quhilk haid his persone pynd,
Quhill all his corporall forces far declynd
In him he finds, vith former fauor lost,
So gaȝit I as grislie elresche gost.
Syn to my self in sorrow said I so,
“Och vretchit vycht, quyt owerworne vith vo,
Quho confortles in cair consumyng still
Dryfs out thy dayis distressit to and fro,
Void of releif vith meikill greif I go,
My langor lets the lustis of my vill,
Quhilk liklie is my loththid lyf to kill;
Thocht hoip ane quhyll hes done the sam prolong,
I feir at last to sing the suanlyk song.”
“Och vretchit vycht, quyt owerworne vith vo,
Quho confortles in cair consumyng still
Dryfs out thy dayis distressit to and fro,
Void of releif vith meikill greif I go,
My langor lets the lustis of my vill,
Quhilk liklie is my loththid lyf to kill;
Thocht hoip ane quhyll hes done the sam prolong,
I feir at last to sing the suanlyk song.”
Bot schortlie thus replyit I againe,
“Quhy do I so for vorldlie vo complaine,
Sen God I knaw dois vork vnto his awne
All for the best? Than sould I nocht desdaine
At his guid plesour for to suffer paine,
for thocht vith baill I bie all owerblawne,
He vill nocht lat me vincust be dounthrawne,
Bot in the myddis of all deedlie dout
Vill find ane vay for to reliwe me out.
“Quhy do I so for vorldlie vo complaine,
Sen God I knaw dois vork vnto his awne
All for the best? Than sould I nocht desdaine
At his guid plesour for to suffer paine,
for thocht vith baill I bie all owerblawne,
He vill nocht lat me vincust be dounthrawne,
Bot in the myddis of all deedlie dout
Vill find ane vay for to reliwe me out.
“He veill dois cuir the vofull vondit soir,
from pouertie he gifithe velthie gloir,
He brings to graif, And hich exalts againe,
Ȝea, thocht he kill, he vill to lyf restoir.
In his great mycht And mercie euirmoir
My trust heirfoir sall stedfastlie remaine,
for eftir paine Be him I sall attaine
Sic trew contentment as vill neuir faill,
And in my cause triumphantlie preuaill.”
from pouertie he gifithe velthie gloir,
He brings to graif, And hich exalts againe,
Ȝea, thocht he kill, he vill to lyf restoir.
In his great mycht And mercie euirmoir
My trust heirfoir sall stedfastlie remaine,
for eftir paine Be him I sall attaine
Sic trew contentment as vill neuir faill,
And in my cause triumphantlie preuaill.”
215
Vith fixit purpois permanent and bent
Than to concluid my voyage fast I sprent;
Sen I had passit irksum labor so,
No troubill, thocht I, could stay my Intent,
And in my brest maist deiplie vas Imprent
Hir famus fame for quhom I thollit so.
from path to path vith spedie paise I go,
Quhill till ane path obscuir I cam at last,
Quhilk quhan I endit lycht of day vas past.
Than to concluid my voyage fast I sprent;
Sen I had passit irksum labor so,
No troubill, thocht I, could stay my Intent,
And in my brest maist deiplie vas Imprent
Hir famus fame for quhom I thollit so.
from path to path vith spedie paise I go,
Quhill till ane path obscuir I cam at last,
Quhilk quhan I endit lycht of day vas past.
Bot palle Lucina, blanchit nychtis queine,
Suift in hir spheir so lustelie did scheine,
That euerie part appirit patent plaine,
Quhair I approtchit, to my restles eine.
So be inspection socht I till hawe seine
Sum proper place, quhair as I mycht remaine,
for to repois vith sleip my bruisit braine,
And till eschew nocturnall vapor vak,
Quhilk mycht contagious maladie contrak.
Suift in hir spheir so lustelie did scheine,
That euerie part appirit patent plaine,
Quhair I approtchit, to my restles eine.
So be inspection socht I till hawe seine
Sum proper place, quhair as I mycht remaine,
for to repois vith sleip my bruisit braine,
And till eschew nocturnall vapor vak,
Quhilk mycht contagious maladie contrak.
Ane blomit trie vith leifis thiklie cled
I did persawe, And thair beneth me sped,
Quhilk close me couerit from the percing air,
Quhair frisit fog did serwe me for ane bed,
And smell of flours my feiblit sensis fed;
The bonie birds abowe me meed repair,
As litill vatchis on the branchis fair.
So heir I sleipit, Nocht my vill to pleis,
Bot as of resone mycht my nature eis.
I did persawe, And thair beneth me sped,
Quhilk close me couerit from the percing air,
Quhair frisit fog did serwe me for ane bed,
And smell of flours my feiblit sensis fed;
The bonie birds abowe me meed repair,
As litill vatchis on the branchis fair.
So heir I sleipit, Nocht my vill to pleis,
Bot as of resone mycht my nature eis.
Syn vp I dressit the nixt morrow brycht,
Soone be the bemes matutine gawe lycht,
lyk siluer strems, schedding the clouddis dark,
Moir cumlie cleir than christeline cleine dycht;
And in my vay againe Returnit rycht.
Skairs vas vpsprung as ȝit the chirming lark,
Quhan in the left vay marching I did mark
Of peruers peuple ane aboundant sort,
In vitious liwing making game and sport.
Soone be the bemes matutine gawe lycht,
lyk siluer strems, schedding the clouddis dark,
Moir cumlie cleir than christeline cleine dycht;
And in my vay againe Returnit rycht.
Skairs vas vpsprung as ȝit the chirming lark,
Quhan in the left vay marching I did mark
Of peruers peuple ane aboundant sort,
In vitious liwing making game and sport.
216
for on ane mychtie montane I did stand,
Quhair I behold mycht all that bailfull band,
Quhilk haid past in at plesand passage plaine.
Sum dansit vith his luif in till his hand,
Sum huirdit gould, And Sum did conques land,
Bot onie soucie of vnlesum gaine,
Sum velie var, Sum vickit, And Sum vaine,
And on ilk syd thair vay vith vals vas set
To hold tham in As fische in the hois net.
Quhair I behold mycht all that bailfull band,
Quhilk haid past in at plesand passage plaine.
Sum dansit vith his luif in till his hand,
Sum huirdit gould, And Sum did conques land,
Bot onie soucie of vnlesum gaine,
Sum velie var, Sum vickit, And Sum vaine,
And on ilk syd thair vay vith vals vas set
To hold tham in As fische in the hois net.
To velthie Bachus blyth And venus lycht
Thay sacrificit at thair vtter mycht.
Sum space I spaird tham to perfytlie spy,
And it appirit plainlie to my sycht
That all thair plesour in this vorld vas pycht.
Thay eit, Thay drink, Thay lach, Thay play, Thay ly,
Thay sueir, Thay courss, And ay “capout” thay cry,
And all thair tym Impertinent Imployis
In trifling teils, In tanting triks And toyis.
Thay sacrificit at thair vtter mycht.
Sum space I spaird tham to perfytlie spy,
And it appirit plainlie to my sycht
That all thair plesour in this vorld vas pycht.
Thay eit, Thay drink, Thay lach, Thay play, Thay ly,
Thay sueir, Thay courss, And ay “capout” thay cry,
And all thair tym Impertinent Imployis
In trifling teils, In tanting triks And toyis.
Thair nosis vas of color rubie fyne,
Veill littit vith the strongest mychtie vyne,
Thair bodies grose And dedicat to rest,
fat fowsum fersit as maist filthie suyne.
Sum all the day did dalie sit and dyne,
Sum in the nycht vnto thair solace drest,
And all fulfils thair lust as lyks tham best.
This companie, thocht I, vill neuir sie
The fragrant firm felicitie vith me.
Veill littit vith the strongest mychtie vyne,
Thair bodies grose And dedicat to rest,
fat fowsum fersit as maist filthie suyne.
Sum all the day did dalie sit and dyne,
Sum in the nycht vnto thair solace drest,
And all fulfils thair lust as lyks tham best.
This companie, thocht I, vill neuir sie
The fragrant firm felicitie vith me.
Thay pas nocht bie the happie path of grace,
Bot moir and moir thay cum to cairfull cace.
Thir peuple ar of epicurien sect,
Quho dois esteme that thay all blis Imbrace
Till Interteine thair corporall eis ane space;
Thay soucie nocht thair saulis to neglect,
Gif thay thair sensuall appetyts erect,
for thay prepois thair mundane mirth befoir
The gratious gift of euirlasting gloir.
Bot moir and moir thay cum to cairfull cace.
Thir peuple ar of epicurien sect,
Quho dois esteme that thay all blis Imbrace
Till Interteine thair corporall eis ane space;
Thay soucie nocht thair saulis to neglect,
Gif thay thair sensuall appetyts erect,
for thay prepois thair mundane mirth befoir
The gratious gift of euirlasting gloir.
217
Thay condiscend in to thair brutall braine
That efter death No pleasour dois remaine,
And thocht thay grant ane God quho creat all,
Ȝit thay suppois it is ane mateir vaine
To think that he the giltie vill desdaine,
Or ȝit the richtius to his kingdome call;
Of erth say thay his soucie is bot small,
He onlie reuls in heawene as lyks him best,
And dois dischairge his pouer of the rest.
That efter death No pleasour dois remaine,
And thocht thay grant ane God quho creat all,
Ȝit thay suppois it is ane mateir vaine
To think that he the giltie vill desdaine,
Or ȝit the richtius to his kingdome call;
Of erth say thay his soucie is bot small,
He onlie reuls in heawene as lyks him best,
And dois dischairge his pouer of the rest.
Behold this diwelische dolorus degres
And sentence mad, Quhilk thay do all profes;
As beists but reson beistlie is thair sens,
for Iudgementles is all thair cair expres
Thair blisles bodies delicat to dres,
And euerie perfyt pleasour pas thay hens
To liwe in lycht licencious Insolens.
for conscience cause than, thocht my vit vas small,
I schouttit loud this harrang to tham all:
And sentence mad, Quhilk thay do all profes;
As beists but reson beistlie is thair sens,
for Iudgementles is all thair cair expres
Thair blisles bodies delicat to dres,
And euerie perfyt pleasour pas thay hens
To liwe in lycht licencious Insolens.
for conscience cause than, thocht my vit vas small,
I schouttit loud this harrang to tham all:
“O folische fleschlie And most schamles sort,
So suelling in ȝour sensuall solace schort,
Obscuir ȝe liwe, And laiks the lycht deuyn.
Ȝour nochtie naturs coustumat to tort
No God cognoscis, Bot ȝour game and sport
Ȝour sensles sensis onlie dois Inclyn
To valk in velth vachting the vychtest vyn,
Vith euerie protigaletie repleit,
But all regarde to the suppressit spreit.
So suelling in ȝour sensuall solace schort,
Obscuir ȝe liwe, And laiks the lycht deuyn.
Ȝour nochtie naturs coustumat to tort
No God cognoscis, Bot ȝour game and sport
Ȝour sensles sensis onlie dois Inclyn
To valk in velth vachting the vychtest vyn,
Vith euerie protigaletie repleit,
But all regarde to the suppressit spreit.
“Ȝour erdlie corps, Quharof ȝe hawe sic cair,
Vnto ȝour saull ȝe sould nocht mak compair.
The one most die And putrifie in dust,
The vther is celestiall preclair.
O folis, than Refraine ane space and spair
The curst conceittis of ȝour carnall lust:
Prepair ȝour spreit perfyt vith resone Iust,
And eit and drink ȝour lyf till Interteine,
And liwe Nocht So To eit and drink, I meine.
Vnto ȝour saull ȝe sould nocht mak compair.
The one most die And putrifie in dust,
The vther is celestiall preclair.
O folis, than Refraine ane space and spair
The curst conceittis of ȝour carnall lust:
Prepair ȝour spreit perfyt vith resone Iust,
And eit and drink ȝour lyf till Interteine,
And liwe Nocht So To eit and drink, I meine.
218
“In friuoll folies Quhy hawe ȝe delyt
Moir than in firm felicitie perfyt,
Quhilk is ane trustie tresour suir celest?
Quhy do ȝe so hir qualitie dispyt,
Quha may ȝour trauels vith ane blink requyt
In randring ȝow perpetuall blissit rest?
This Iofull Iem abowe all Iowels best
Is nocht apoyntit for the vitious sort.
Heirfoir amend, I hartlie ȝow exhort.
Moir than in firm felicitie perfyt,
Quhilk is ane trustie tresour suir celest?
Quhy do ȝe so hir qualitie dispyt,
Quha may ȝour trauels vith ane blink requyt
In randring ȝow perpetuall blissit rest?
This Iofull Iem abowe all Iowels best
Is nocht apoyntit for the vitious sort.
Heirfoir amend, I hartlie ȝow exhort.
“To hart quhair constant Innocence dois ring,
Resisting stronglie euerie vickit thing,
Scho represents the beutie of hir face.
Than, sen that ȝe maliciouslie maling,
Nane may, alace, ȝour thrallit spreitis bring
To hir precelling happie peirles place.
Heirfoir considder Now, quhill Ȝe hawe space,
Quhow far ȝe varie from the rychtius vay,
And ȝit returne, thinking to die sum day.
Resisting stronglie euerie vickit thing,
Scho represents the beutie of hir face.
Than, sen that ȝe maliciouslie maling,
Nane may, alace, ȝour thrallit spreitis bring
To hir precelling happie peirles place.
Heirfoir considder Now, quhill Ȝe hawe space,
Quhow far ȝe varie from the rychtius vay,
And ȝit returne, thinking to die sum day.
“Rycht soir lament I ȝour enormall fack,
Quhilk fleis all vertew And dois vyce contrack,
for certanlie, as liefs the hiest God,
His Iudgement Iust vill vengens on ȝow tack,
Except repentance in ȝow hold aback
The griwous falling of his massie rod.
His mercie great, I grant, abounds abrod,
Quhilk gif ȝe sute, Returning to his grace,
Ȝit he vill led ȝow from that haples place.
Quhilk fleis all vertew And dois vyce contrack,
for certanlie, as liefs the hiest God,
His Iudgement Iust vill vengens on ȝow tack,
Except repentance in ȝow hold aback
The griwous falling of his massie rod.
His mercie great, I grant, abounds abrod,
Quhilk gif ȝe sute, Returning to his grace,
Ȝit he vill led ȝow from that haples place.
“for luif of him, the onlie fontane fair
Of euerie grace, Quho hes sic liquor rair,
That teisting it than sall ȝe thrist no moir,
He weill vill frie ȝow from all erdlie cair,
And heauenlie giftis lairgelie on ȝow spair.
His mychtie mercie may ȝour mis restoir.
Sute for support than at this king of gloir,
Quho did conuert the vater in to vyne;
He vill refresche ȝow vith his grace deuyne.
Of euerie grace, Quho hes sic liquor rair,
That teisting it than sall ȝe thrist no moir,
He weill vill frie ȝow from all erdlie cair,
And heauenlie giftis lairgelie on ȝow spair.
His mychtie mercie may ȝour mis restoir.
Sute for support than at this king of gloir,
Quho did conuert the vater in to vyne;
He vill refresche ȝow vith his grace deuyne.
219
“Affirm no moir in leudnes of ȝour thocht
That God regards nocht quhat on erth is vrocht,
for all is formit be his holie hand,
That his great glorie may to lycht be brocht.
He is the lord quho hes our saulis bocht,
He is the lord quho reullis at command
The fyre, The air, The vater, And the land,
The heawens, The planets, And all spreits abowe,
And things humaine be him alone dois mowe.
That God regards nocht quhat on erth is vrocht,
for all is formit be his holie hand,
That his great glorie may to lycht be brocht.
He is the lord quho hes our saulis bocht,
He is the lord quho reullis at command
The fyre, The air, The vater, And the land,
The heawens, The planets, And all spreits abowe,
And things humaine be him alone dois mowe.
“All he guuernis vith his sacred skill,
And all in all he all is stabill still,
Perfyt, Almychtie, Infeneit, and plaine,
Quho dois the Godlie vith his blissing fill,
And doune confoundis euerie vickit vill,
So that the vitious sort he dois desdaine,
And sall reuard the rychtius againe
Vith glorius guerdone of eternall rest,
Quhair thay sall sie his gratius face celest.”
And all in all he all is stabill still,
Perfyt, Almychtie, Infeneit, and plaine,
Quho dois the Godlie vith his blissing fill,
And doune confoundis euerie vickit vill,
So that the vitious sort he dois desdaine,
And sall reuard the rychtius againe
Vith glorius guerdone of eternall rest,
Quhair thay sall sie his gratius face celest.”
Vnto this foirsaid epicurien sect
Quhan I my purpois so haid done derect,
It nothing percit in thair stonie hart.
Thay all my speitche Nocht onlie did reiect,
Bot gawe me also monie tanting gect.
Say thay, “ve vill nocht suffer vith the smart.
Go hens and preitche in to sum vther part.
Our former lusts we vill navayis eschew
for onie startup teitcher of the new.”
Quhan I my purpois so haid done derect,
It nothing percit in thair stonie hart.
Thay all my speitche Nocht onlie did reiect,
Bot gawe me also monie tanting gect.
Say thay, “ve vill nocht suffer vith the smart.
Go hens and preitche in to sum vther part.
Our former lusts we vill navayis eschew
for onie startup teitcher of the new.”
As fyn phisitian, quho perfytlie sies
Quhat deedlie dolor the diseisit dries,
And dois guid consell for his helth apply,
from his fantastick folie frilie flies,
Gif that the patient in na sort aggries
His holsum precepts for till vnderly,
So passit I the great corruption by
Of thir peruersit peuple ewill Infect,
Quho cairles did thair deueteis neglect,
Quhat deedlie dolor the diseisit dries,
And dois guid consell for his helth apply,
from his fantastick folie frilie flies,
Gif that the patient in na sort aggries
His holsum precepts for till vnderly,
So passit I the great corruption by
Of thir peruersit peuple ewill Infect,
Quho cairles did thair deueteis neglect,
220
And blaming thair most obstinat Intent,
In to my Iournay forduart furth I vent,
Vith feruent ȝaill my Interpryse till end.
for sen Sic noysum trauell heiranent
To me occurrit, I the moir vas bent
for to concluid my voyge vith commend,
As pinglit horse most suyftlie dois contend
Vith louss doune heed for till Import the gloir
Throch myrie glar, Seing the mark befoir.
In to my Iournay forduart furth I vent,
Vith feruent ȝaill my Interpryse till end.
for sen Sic noysum trauell heiranent
To me occurrit, I the moir vas bent
for to concluid my voyge vith commend,
As pinglit horse most suyftlie dois contend
Vith louss doune heed for till Import the gloir
Throch myrie glar, Seing the mark befoir.
So in my passage passit I but stay,
Quhill till ane blomit frondiss bocage gay,
I did arrywe, quhair birdis blythlie sang
On prettie sproutis of this paintit spray;
Vith glittring glance in lemand fresche array
The perlie drops of dew lyk opals sprang,
fair vas the feild, furth flurist far and lang,
In smokie sops the suawe soft souber air
Vrocht vaporit vobs abowe this park preclair.
Quhill till ane blomit frondiss bocage gay,
I did arrywe, quhair birdis blythlie sang
On prettie sproutis of this paintit spray;
Vith glittring glance in lemand fresche array
The perlie drops of dew lyk opals sprang,
fair vas the feild, furth flurist far and lang,
In smokie sops the suawe soft souber air
Vrocht vaporit vobs abowe this park preclair.
Ane lodge silvestrine heir did seimlie scheine
Amids the blossoms of the giltit greine,
Quhair fair Renounit Veritie did duell,
That cumlie dame, Most purifeit and cleine,
Quha spyis perfytlie vith hir heawenlie eine
All thingis plaine, And euir dois precell
Vith victorie abowe all spreits of hell,
Quho vold confound hir vith false forgit leis,
Bot soone vith schame Scho suaks tham on thair kneis.
Amids the blossoms of the giltit greine,
Quhair fair Renounit Veritie did duell,
That cumlie dame, Most purifeit and cleine,
Quha spyis perfytlie vith hir heawenlie eine
All thingis plaine, And euir dois precell
Vith victorie abowe all spreits of hell,
Quho vold confound hir vith false forgit leis,
Bot soone vith schame Scho suaks tham on thair kneis.
Vith detfull, dew, and reuerent regaird
for to salute hir honor I prepaird,
And courtaslie scho meed me mutche supplie,
for gratious gifts scho on my person spaird,
And vith hir voce most eloquent declaird
The verray vay, Quhair I did vish to bie.
Than Ioy and bliss aboundit vnto me
To sie this dam so luifinglie Inclyne,
Syn sueitlie saying from hir lips deuyne;
for to salute hir honor I prepaird,
And courtaslie scho meed me mutche supplie,
for gratious gifts scho on my person spaird,
And vith hir voce most eloquent declaird
The verray vay, Quhair I did vish to bie.
Than Ioy and bliss aboundit vnto me
To sie this dam so luifinglie Inclyne,
Syn sueitlie saying from hir lips deuyne;
221
“My efald freind, I knaw thow dois Intend
Thy Interprys now prosperuslie till end
In passing to the happie part of blis.
Thow dochtelie hes done thy self defend
Agains the serpents vyll, And lang depend
On irksum labor till obteine thy vis.
Lairge paine and trauell hes the brocht be this,
So thow deserwes deulie for thy hyre
The sycht of fair feliciteis Impyre.
Thy Interprys now prosperuslie till end
In passing to the happie part of blis.
Thow dochtelie hes done thy self defend
Agains the serpents vyll, And lang depend
On irksum labor till obteine thy vis.
Lairge paine and trauell hes the brocht be this,
So thow deserwes deulie for thy hyre
The sycht of fair feliciteis Impyre.
“Bot all thy vrgent bussie sute and vo,
Thy Inuart ȝeill, And perrels past also
No thing auails, except I suirlie find
Thy hart affixit firm be me to go,
Nocht suerwing ons my vprycht statuts fro
for onie blastis of contrarius vind.
So gif perpetuall band vith me thow bind,
Quho hecht to name puir Veritie Synceir,
Strecht sall thow sie felicitie maist deir.
Thy Inuart ȝeill, And perrels past also
No thing auails, except I suirlie find
Thy hart affixit firm be me to go,
Nocht suerwing ons my vprycht statuts fro
for onie blastis of contrarius vind.
So gif perpetuall band vith me thow bind,
Quho hecht to name puir Veritie Synceir,
Strecht sall thow sie felicitie maist deir.
“Vith foirfathers vmquhyle I did remaine,
Bot now so monie beirs me at desdaine,
Quhill I am causit solitar reteir,
In priwie place heir sadlie to complaine,
Quhair Nane bot God hes pitie of my paine
To sie out pousit so my color cleir
from court And merkit, for gif I appeir,
The nochtie nobils me commands to flit,
In feir my sycht vnsicker mak tham sit.
Bot now so monie beirs me at desdaine,
Quhill I am causit solitar reteir,
In priwie place heir sadlie to complaine,
Quhair Nane bot God hes pitie of my paine
To sie out pousit so my color cleir
from court And merkit, for gif I appeir,
The nochtie nobils me commands to flit,
In feir my sycht vnsicker mak tham sit.
“The craftie merchant Syn InIuirs me far,
And false practiciens lyks my presens var;
The lustie luifer dois me als dispyis,
And euill laborius men dois me debar;
No liar vyll Nor theif behold me dar,
Nor ȝit the glosing lawers subtile wyis;
In land so monie lourking louries lyis
Vith ewill Inuentions for to virk me noy,
That I my self may skairslie suir conwoy.
And false practiciens lyks my presens var;
The lustie luifer dois me als dispyis,
And euill laborius men dois me debar;
No liar vyll Nor theif behold me dar,
Nor ȝit the glosing lawers subtile wyis;
In land so monie lourking louries lyis
Vith ewill Inuentions for to virk me noy,
That I my self may skairslie suir conwoy.
222
“In prudent peuple I lyk best to ring,
Quho luifs thair God, thair honor, And thair king,
And constantlie keips veill thair promeis suir.
As plantit trie be riwar dois vpspring
fresche flurist fair, Quhilk vill in Sesone bring
The fruite aboundant, So sall thay Induir
And euerie thing sall prosper in thair cuir;
Bot fenȝeit sauls sall failȝie at assay,
As pullit girs dois suddanlie decay.”
Quho luifs thair God, thair honor, And thair king,
And constantlie keips veill thair promeis suir.
As plantit trie be riwar dois vpspring
fresche flurist fair, Quhilk vill in Sesone bring
The fruite aboundant, So sall thay Induir
And euerie thing sall prosper in thair cuir;
Bot fenȝeit sauls sall failȝie at assay,
As pullit girs dois suddanlie decay.”
“Madam,” said I, “vith licence of ȝour grace,
Ȝe neid nocht duell in this dishantit place.
Ane habitatione apt in euerie thing
for ȝow I knaw, Rycht cum of royall race,
Quho blythlie vill ȝour beutie brycht Imbrace.
He is My luifing Maister And My king,
In to quhois peirles personage dois spring
Mo vertews rair than I may plaine expone,
Quhilk hiche renowns him in his Sacred trone.
Ȝe neid nocht duell in this dishantit place.
Ane habitatione apt in euerie thing
for ȝow I knaw, Rycht cum of royall race,
Quho blythlie vill ȝour beutie brycht Imbrace.
He is My luifing Maister And My king,
In to quhois peirles personage dois spring
Mo vertews rair than I may plaine expone,
Quhilk hiche renowns him in his Sacred trone.
“Bot now, O Nymphs, to my supplie Inclyne,
Sen that I hawe sum purpois to defyne
Of sutch ane hich And mychtie potent king.
Distell sum douceur in this dyt of myne
To corespond for mateir so deuyne.
And thow, my Muse, I pray the sueitlie sing
This Royall subiect trew in euerie thing,
Vpmonting me quhair Source poetick springs
Be nymble suyftnes of thy pucell vings.”
Sen that I hawe sum purpois to defyne
Of sutch ane hich And mychtie potent king.
Distell sum douceur in this dyt of myne
To corespond for mateir so deuyne.
And thow, my Muse, I pray the sueitlie sing
This Royall subiect trew in euerie thing,
Vpmonting me quhair Source poetick springs
Be nymble suyftnes of thy pucell vings.”
Sayis Veritie, “I grant his grace in deid
Be linall progress Iustlie dois succeid,
My awne most speciall palice of repair,
To Regall race, Quhom of he hes done breid;
I hecht to scheine in thair supernall seid,
Because thay scherst me vith thair bonteis rair;
So this thair Imp, Sone of Minerua fair,
I nurist hawe as my awne natiwe chyld,
To be my mundan mancione vndefyld.
Be linall progress Iustlie dois succeid,
My awne most speciall palice of repair,
To Regall race, Quhom of he hes done breid;
I hecht to scheine in thair supernall seid,
Because thay scherst me vith thair bonteis rair;
So this thair Imp, Sone of Minerua fair,
I nurist hawe as my awne natiwe chyld,
To be my mundan mancione vndefyld.
223
“Vnto his hienes laitlie did I send
Tuo cumlie dams of excellent commend:
The one is clipit Conscience maist cleine,
Quho me to pleis at pouer dois pretend;
The vther ladie vill his brest vpbend
Till vnderstand exactlie quhat I meine,
To name Scho hecht Sueit Sapience Sereine;
Thir tuo prepairis this Imperiall prence
To be my buluark, fortres, And defence.
Tuo cumlie dams of excellent commend:
The one is clipit Conscience maist cleine,
Quho me to pleis at pouer dois pretend;
The vther ladie vill his brest vpbend
Till vnderstand exactlie quhat I meine,
To name Scho hecht Sueit Sapience Sereine;
Thir tuo prepairis this Imperiall prence
To be my buluark, fortres, And defence.
“I do remaine, attending nowels bak
Quhow his ȝoung ȝeirs vith me delys to tak,
And syn sall dres me as I ansuir find.”
As arow schot maist suddane, vith ane clak
fame heir arrywed, Quhan veritie so spak.
Hir vingis suifter than the thudding vind
Throche perst the air, And erth about ws dind.
Vith schillest voce, loud clinkand as ane bell,
So scho began this sequell for to tell;
Quhow his ȝoung ȝeirs vith me delys to tak,
And syn sall dres me as I ansuir find.”
As arow schot maist suddane, vith ane clak
fame heir arrywed, Quhan veritie so spak.
Hir vingis suifter than the thudding vind
Throche perst the air, And erth about ws dind.
Vith schillest voce, loud clinkand as ane bell,
So scho began this sequell for to tell;
“O Veritie, my lustie ladie cleir,
To the great God beluiffit dochter deir,
The king of scots Saluts ȝow vith his hart.
Vyd far ourall he vishis ȝow appeir,
lyk as ȝour bems hes perst his brest inteir.
He for ȝour sorrow treulie suffers smart.
Nane of ȝour ladies vill he lat depart,
Both in his bosom closit vp thay byd
for luif of ȝow, quho cheiflie dois him gyd.
To the great God beluiffit dochter deir,
The king of scots Saluts ȝow vith his hart.
Vyd far ourall he vishis ȝow appeir,
lyk as ȝour bems hes perst his brest inteir.
He for ȝour sorrow treulie suffers smart.
Nane of ȝour ladies vill he lat depart,
Both in his bosom closit vp thay byd
for luif of ȝow, quho cheiflie dois him gyd.
“His grace elects ȝow for his ladie vyis,
for ȝour outset his maiestie ay cryis.
Repouse heirfoir all flatterers abak,
Befoir ȝour face no forgit teill lat ryis,
In haist awance his gloir abowe the skyis,
And all the vorld abaishit of him mak.
Go to, Madam, concluid the auld contrak,
Quhilk his precelling parents vith ȝow band,
Subscryuit and sealit vith thair hardie hand.”
for ȝour outset his maiestie ay cryis.
Repouse heirfoir all flatterers abak,
Befoir ȝour face no forgit teill lat ryis,
In haist awance his gloir abowe the skyis,
And all the vorld abaishit of him mak.
Go to, Madam, concluid the auld contrak,
Quhilk his precelling parents vith ȝow band,
Subscryuit and sealit vith thair hardie hand.”
224
fair veritie, vith ane maist guidlie grace,
Meik audience did rander all this space,
And, raweishit vith inwart ȝaill and ioy,
The lywelie bluid vpsprinklit in hir face.
“O villinglie,” Sayis scho, “vill I Imbrace
That Mychtie Monarck, quho sall suir distroy
All curssit catiwes, virkers to me noy.
He is discend of Godlie Iacobs seid,
for we Iacobus may for Iacob reid;
Meik audience did rander all this space,
And, raweishit vith inwart ȝaill and ioy,
The lywelie bluid vpsprinklit in hir face.
“O villinglie,” Sayis scho, “vill I Imbrace
That Mychtie Monarck, quho sall suir distroy
All curssit catiwes, virkers to me noy.
He is discend of Godlie Iacobs seid,
for we Iacobus may for Iacob reid;
“So Iacobs blissing in him sall abound;
from dew of heawen And fatnes of the ground
God sall him giwe velth of all vorldlie thing,
The peuple als And trybis sall refound
To him thair seruice, And his praise outsound.
Quho curssis him Sall cursitlie maling,
Quho blissis him Sall ampill blissing bring
Vnto thair self. And as the dustie mow
This kingis seid sall all the erth ourflow.
from dew of heawen And fatnes of the ground
God sall him giwe velth of all vorldlie thing,
The peuple als And trybis sall refound
To him thair seruice, And his praise outsound.
Quho curssis him Sall cursitlie maling,
Quho blissis him Sall ampill blissing bring
Vnto thair self. And as the dustie mow
This kingis seid sall all the erth ourflow.
“His prencelie spreit Sall pitie ay the puir,
And to the widow be defendar suir,
The fatherles of him sall fauor find,
All causis Iust his grace sall tak in cuir,
firm trew Religion stabill sall induir
Quhair he dois Regne, And no contrarius vind
Sall chainge his godlie thochts, quhilks I vill bind
Vith kinglie reull of reson so perfyt
That God And guid men in him sall delyt.
And to the widow be defendar suir,
The fatherles of him sall fauor find,
All causis Iust his grace sall tak in cuir,
firm trew Religion stabill sall induir
Quhair he dois Regne, And no contrarius vind
Sall chainge his godlie thochts, quhilks I vill bind
Vith kinglie reull of reson so perfyt
That God And guid men in him sall delyt.
“I sall his suir protector stabill stand,
And leid his vayis derectlie throch the land,
In all his lyf I neuir vill him lawe,
Bot sall accompliss this my promeist band:
In signe heirof I lift my trewthfull hand.”
fame at this vord the firmament throch clawe
Vith blast of trumpet, Quhill the rockis rawe
Be hiddious noyes of the loftie sound,
Quhilk all the vorld meed hawtelie rebound.
And leid his vayis derectlie throch the land,
In all his lyf I neuir vill him lawe,
Bot sall accompliss this my promeist band:
In signe heirof I lift my trewthfull hand.”
fame at this vord the firmament throch clawe
Vith blast of trumpet, Quhill the rockis rawe
Be hiddious noyes of the loftie sound,
Quhilk all the vorld meed hawtelie rebound.
225
Syn hichlie vp Scho montit in the air,
And Veritie did vnto me declair
Quhow curssit vyce vas lourkand nar my vay,
Quham to resist Scho did vpone me spair
Of rychtiousnes ane breistplait formit fair,
And mychtelie my heed but moir delay
Vith helme of hich saluation did array;
Syn in my hand ane sourd gawe of the spreit,
And vith the gospell schod my feibill feit.
And Veritie did vnto me declair
Quhow curssit vyce vas lourkand nar my vay,
Quham to resist Scho did vpone me spair
Of rychtiousnes ane breistplait formit fair,
And mychtelie my heed but moir delay
Vith helme of hich saluation did array;
Syn in my hand ane sourd gawe of the spreit,
And vith the gospell schod my feibill feit.
Of faithfulnes Scho randrit me ane scheild,
And teitchit me the vay rycht to my beild;
Vith belt of treuth then girdit me about,
And said thairbie I vold ourcum the feild,
Quhairin Scho me commandit nocht to Ȝeild,
Bot stronglie stand vith stabill sthomack stout
In contrar vyce And all hir vickit rout,
Quham certanlie Scho said vold me persew,
And gif neid var hecht to send moir reskew.
And teitchit me the vay rycht to my beild;
Vith belt of treuth then girdit me about,
And said thairbie I vold ourcum the feild,
Quhairin Scho me commandit nocht to Ȝeild,
Bot stronglie stand vith stabill sthomack stout
In contrar vyce And all hir vickit rout,
Quham certanlie Scho said vold me persew,
And gif neid var hecht to send moir reskew.
This ladie than in all the heist scho docht
Vnto My king maist speidelie thence socht,
Quhair scho did hecht to be my firm defence,
And that synceirnes of my secreit thocht
In hir sould to his maiestie be brocht,
Quhairof I thankit oft hir excellence,
And tuik my liwe: So vas scho raueist thence
In persone of his hienes to repair,
As Iust Elias clacht abowe the air.
Vnto My king maist speidelie thence socht,
Quhair scho did hecht to be my firm defence,
And that synceirnes of my secreit thocht
In hir sould to his maiestie be brocht,
Quhairof I thankit oft hir excellence,
And tuik my liwe: So vas scho raueist thence
In persone of his hienes to repair,
As Iust Elias clacht abowe the air.
And I in path vith diligence me drest,
Quhilk gydit rycht vnto the place of rest.
Bot I persauit, as I blinkit by,
At end of the left vay, quhilk thair decrest,
Ane temple standing lyk ane filthie nest,
Quhair vglie vyce auancit did I spy:
And all hir subiects, praising hir, did cry,
“O lat ws vorschip this our goddes deir,
Quha dois content our fleschlie lustis heir.”
Quhilk gydit rycht vnto the place of rest.
Bot I persauit, as I blinkit by,
At end of the left vay, quhilk thair decrest,
Ane temple standing lyk ane filthie nest,
Quhair vglie vyce auancit did I spy:
And all hir subiects, praising hir, did cry,
“O lat ws vorschip this our goddes deir,
Quha dois content our fleschlie lustis heir.”
226
All thois, quho in that peruers path haid past,
Our craig and cleuch than catchit cam agast,
Ay feiring for to find sum mortall fall,
So strict and strainge that vay becam at last,
Quhill heir and thair it did tham heedlings cast;
Quhilk till eschew thay ferslie tendit all
To foirsaid nest, Quhilk I the tempill call,
As from mylfa suift vater doune dois rout
To break it self And quhirle the quheill about.
Our craig and cleuch than catchit cam agast,
Ay feiring for to find sum mortall fall,
So strict and strainge that vay becam at last,
Quhill heir and thair it did tham heedlings cast;
Quhilk till eschew thay ferslie tendit all
To foirsaid nest, Quhilk I the tempill call,
As from mylfa suift vater doune dois rout
To break it self And quhirle the quheill about.
fraud in this tempill valkit vp and doune,
Vith subtile luik low louring lyk ane loune,
And flatterie be him stuid narrest by,
Vith flyring face ay at his bidding boune;
foull gluttonie belt in ane furrit goune
Vas gredie cock to sessoine, rost, and fry;
And yidilnes maist sluggislie did ly,
Vnto the sone holding hir fingar out;
Vyce lykit veill of hir vnseimlie snout.
Vith subtile luik low louring lyk ane loune,
And flatterie be him stuid narrest by,
Vith flyring face ay at his bidding boune;
foull gluttonie belt in ane furrit goune
Vas gredie cock to sessoine, rost, and fry;
And yidilnes maist sluggislie did ly,
Vnto the sone holding hir fingar out;
Vyce lykit veill of hir vnseimlie snout.
Ire and Inwy heir reild vith crewall eine,
Sum band of freindschip bund vas tham betueine,
And blasphemie did schout and bittir byt,
As tygar veyld replinissit vith teine,
Quhom ladie liar vith hir lips vncleine
Did kyndlie kiss, And leirnit him to flyt;
Vith sourd oppression aigarlie did smyt
for Auarice, quho vatit on discorde;
And pryd among tham passit as ane lord.
Sum band of freindschip bund vas tham betueine,
And blasphemie did schout and bittir byt,
As tygar veyld replinissit vith teine,
Quhom ladie liar vith hir lips vncleine
Did kyndlie kiss, And leirnit him to flyt;
Vith sourd oppression aigarlie did smyt
for Auarice, quho vatit on discorde;
And pryd among tham passit as ane lord.
Heir sueirness sleipit slaw as onie snaill,
And raschnes ruidlie on the rout did raill;
Louss lecherie to quenche hir fyrie low
Throch euerie dobe hir blaidit rob did traill,
Vith ane lang rumple bucklit till hir taill,
And all about meed vith hir monie mow;
The moir scho drank, the moir hir drouth did grow;
Me thocht scho souckand vas ane lickerus ruit,
Quhairof repentance onlie is the fruit.
And raschnes ruidlie on the rout did raill;
Louss lecherie to quenche hir fyrie low
Throch euerie dobe hir blaidit rob did traill,
Vith ane lang rumple bucklit till hir taill,
And all about meed vith hir monie mow;
The moir scho drank, the moir hir drouth did grow;
Me thocht scho souckand vas ane lickerus ruit,
Quhairof repentance onlie is the fruit.
227
Amyds the rest Idolatrie did duell,
Cheif courtisane to lucefer of hell,
And sorcerie vas sittand hir besyd,
Sad and seueir as Cilla schouttand snell,
Quha of the farie fantaseis did tell;
Bakbytting bittir boldlie thair did byd,
Vith dame derisione buskit lyk ane bryd,
Als schamles Sleuthe And drousie dull dispair
Both harbrit heir, As catiwes full of cair.
Cheif courtisane to lucefer of hell,
And sorcerie vas sittand hir besyd,
Sad and seueir as Cilla schouttand snell,
Quha of the farie fantaseis did tell;
Bakbytting bittir boldlie thair did byd,
Vith dame derisione buskit lyk ane bryd,
Als schamles Sleuthe And drousie dull dispair
Both harbrit heir, As catiwes full of cair.
Ane diwelische dame, most vyle of all the rest,
Did keip the keyis of this mischiwous nest;
As vasp Or viper laidlie vas hir lyre,
Both God and man scho hawelie molest;
Vith Belgebub hir bellie vas possest,
furth spouting venime feller than the fyre
for Recompans of veill deseruit hyre;
To name Scho hecht Ingratitude But grace.
I rew the sycht of hir deformit face.
Did keip the keyis of this mischiwous nest;
As vasp Or viper laidlie vas hir lyre,
Both God and man scho hawelie molest;
Vith Belgebub hir bellie vas possest,
furth spouting venime feller than the fyre
for Recompans of veill deseruit hyre;
To name Scho hecht Ingratitude But grace.
I rew the sycht of hir deformit face.
And following hir, quha lucefer vas lyk,
The litill vinche lycht fickilnes did fyk,
And Indiscretione valkit hir befoir;
Vaine vousting barkit lyk ane currisch tyk
In bailfull bosom of this bittir byk,
Quhilks loudlie all did curssit vyce adoir,
Quha seruing hir haid mignons mo in stoir
Than I may tarie Instantlie to tell;
I nocht suppost so monie out of hell.
The litill vinche lycht fickilnes did fyk,
And Indiscretione valkit hir befoir;
Vaine vousting barkit lyk ane currisch tyk
In bailfull bosom of this bittir byk,
Quhilks loudlie all did curssit vyce adoir,
Quha seruing hir haid mignons mo in stoir
Than I may tarie Instantlie to tell;
I nocht suppost so monie out of hell.
Quhan gredie vyce beheld me going by,
Scho than on fraud hir consilor did cry
for till arreist me vith hir vickit rout.
Soone he my persone Subtilie did spy,
And causit sueirnes In my passage ly,
Syn to confound me Send thrie Chiftans out.
first flatterie did compass me about,
Than Glottonnie cam Ryding on ane Sow,
And Auarice vith bend about hir brow.
Scho than on fraud hir consilor did cry
for till arreist me vith hir vickit rout.
Soone he my persone Subtilie did spy,
And causit sueirnes In my passage ly,
Syn to confound me Send thrie Chiftans out.
first flatterie did compass me about,
Than Glottonnie cam Ryding on ane Sow,
And Auarice vith bend about hir brow.
228
At vtter mycht thay did me all alluir
for to Submit me in thair cankert cuir;
Bot Glottonnie he vas so filthie fy,
I vggit vith the discheis quhilk he buir;
My sthomack mycht Nawayis thair taist Induir:
Soone pousit I that Gredie gormand by.
Than Auarice vith gould began to try
My Inwart hart, And hecht to mak me ritche,
Bot bouw I vold nocht to that blindit bitche.
for to Submit me in thair cankert cuir;
Bot Glottonnie he vas so filthie fy,
I vggit vith the discheis quhilk he buir;
My sthomack mycht Nawayis thair taist Induir:
Soone pousit I that Gredie gormand by.
Than Auarice vith gould began to try
My Inwart hart, And hecht to mak me ritche,
Bot bouw I vold nocht to that blindit bitche.
Syn fenȝeit flattrie vith hir fasson fair
Sueit Subtill speitche did slilie on me spair;
“O Sir,” Sayis scho, “Quhy do ȝe so gainstand
Dame Auarice? Sen that ȝour purse is bair,
Of fynnest Gould scho hes aboundance mair
Than Suffice may To fill ȝour emptiwe hand.
Scho vill ȝow leirne to liwe and conques land,
And veill aggreis to sie ane Sempill eg
Content ȝour Sthomack, Or ane leuerok leg.
Sueit Subtill speitche did slilie on me spair;
“O Sir,” Sayis scho, “Quhy do ȝe so gainstand
Dame Auarice? Sen that ȝour purse is bair,
Of fynnest Gould scho hes aboundance mair
Than Suffice may To fill ȝour emptiwe hand.
Scho vill ȝow leirne to liwe and conques land,
And veill aggreis to sie ane Sempill eg
Content ȝour Sthomack, Or ane leuerok leg.
“It is hir vill that Glottonnie reteir.
Ve meine navayis for till offend ȝow heir,
Bot for ȝour proffeit gifs ȝow consill plaine,
Quhilk ȝe hawe slippit lang, as dois appeir.
Veill sould ȝe luif this glittous ladie deir,
Gif ȝe in court be myndfull to remaine,
Quhair gredie sute obtenis greattest gaine.
Sic velth of vigor in hir vorschip lyis,
That till estate Scho maks hir subiects ryis.
Ve meine navayis for till offend ȝow heir,
Bot for ȝour proffeit gifs ȝow consill plaine,
Quhilk ȝe hawe slippit lang, as dois appeir.
Veill sould ȝe luif this glittous ladie deir,
Gif ȝe in court be myndfull to remaine,
Quhair gredie sute obtenis greattest gaine.
Sic velth of vigor in hir vorschip lyis,
That till estate Scho maks hir subiects ryis.
“To Glansing Gould this ladie may ȝow bring,
And now ȝe knaw the gouldin vorld dois ring.
Gould ganis gloir, Gould makis freinds to fald,
Gould flemis fois, Gould causith glaidnes spring,
Gould cowers vyce, Gould byis all erdlie thing,
Gould pullith doune, Gould buildith as we vald,
Gould findith fuid, Gould cloithis ȝoung and ald,
Gould placith vp the fol abowe the vyis,
Gould maks the puir aloft in gloir to ryis,
And now ȝe knaw the gouldin vorld dois ring.
Gould ganis gloir, Gould makis freinds to fald,
Gould flemis fois, Gould causith glaidnes spring,
Gould cowers vyce, Gould byis all erdlie thing,
Gould pullith doune, Gould buildith as we vald,
Gould findith fuid, Gould cloithis ȝoung and ald,
Gould placith vp the fol abowe the vyis,
Gould maks the puir aloft in gloir to ryis,
229
“for Gould the subtill Schaws thair curious skill,
for Gould the murdrer dois the saikles kill,
for Gould the souldior keinlie fechts in feild,
for Gould the vickit dois obteine thair vill,
for Gould the vorld hes ay contendit still,
for Gould the Mychtie duels in sempill beild,
for Gould the Nobils hes thair tenants peild,
for Gould Dame Iustice oft at dur dois stand,
Quhair velthie Cresus cums vith Gould in hand.
for Gould the murdrer dois the saikles kill,
for Gould the souldior keinlie fechts in feild,
for Gould the vickit dois obteine thair vill,
for Gould the vorld hes ay contendit still,
for Gould the Mychtie duels in sempill beild,
for Gould the Nobils hes thair tenants peild,
for Gould Dame Iustice oft at dur dois stand,
Quhair velthie Cresus cums vith Gould in hand.
“So than acquent ȝow vith my ladie now,
And I my self to serwe ȝow vill awow:
I am no Raskall, Bot at Prencis aeir
I do frequent als teime as onie dow.
Gif heirtofoir I courtit heir for ȝow,
Ȝe haid beine better boddin in ȝour gaeir,
Bot Auarice and I we sall ȝow laeir
Ȝit till obteine sum notabill propyn,
Gif ȝe vnto ws meiklie vill Inclyn.”
And I my self to serwe ȝow vill awow:
I am no Raskall, Bot at Prencis aeir
I do frequent als teime as onie dow.
Gif heirtofoir I courtit heir for ȝow,
Ȝe haid beine better boddin in ȝour gaeir,
Bot Auarice and I we sall ȝow laeir
Ȝit till obteine sum notabill propyn,
Gif ȝe vnto ws meiklie vill Inclyn.”
“Hence, Slawe, to Sathan,” Said I, “vith thy slycht.
Tempt me no moir, for Veritie hes dycht
My cleinlie hart from coustumabill cair
Of vretchit vorldlings for this mundan mycht.
No gaine of gould sall blind me from the rycht:
My Gratious God vill for my neid prepair,
Quho feids the feibill foullis in the air.
Althocht thow vaunt to be vith prencis so,
Thow art ane perrelus freind And priwie fo.
Tempt me no moir, for Veritie hes dycht
My cleinlie hart from coustumabill cair
Of vretchit vorldlings for this mundan mycht.
No gaine of gould sall blind me from the rycht:
My Gratious God vill for my neid prepair,
Quho feids the feibill foullis in the air.
Althocht thow vaunt to be vith prencis so,
Thow art ane perrelus freind And priwie fo.
“I leirne be lustie lilies of the feild,
That dois sic cumlie smell and luisteur ȝeild,
And labors nocht vith onie vorldlie cair,
Nor ȝit vith trauell of the pleuch is teild.
God alway for thame is sic blisfull beild,
That Solomon vas nocht decoird so fair
In all his Royall rytche arrayment rair.
Sen God for herbis than dois so prouyd,
Mutche moir he vill for me, that dois confyd.
That dois sic cumlie smell and luisteur ȝeild,
And labors nocht vith onie vorldlie cair,
Nor ȝit vith trauell of the pleuch is teild.
God alway for thame is sic blisfull beild,
That Solomon vas nocht decoird so fair
In all his Royall rytche arrayment rair.
Sen God for herbis than dois so prouyd,
Mutche moir he vill for me, that dois confyd.
230
“I crawe nocht be ȝour moyen for to ryis,
O Subtill mignon for the vorldlie vyis.
As profound Goulf, so is ȝour vglie throt,
Beneth ȝour lips the asspick venime lyis,
Ȝour vickit toung dicetfullie bevryis,
Vith curssitnes ȝour bittir mouth is blot,
And all ȝour vayis vith vickit vyce is spot,
Ȝour fenȝeit hart distels the suggurit gall;
Quho dois beliwe ȝow catchis suddan fall.
O Subtill mignon for the vorldlie vyis.
As profound Goulf, so is ȝour vglie throt,
Beneth ȝour lips the asspick venime lyis,
Ȝour vickit toung dicetfullie bevryis,
Vith curssitnes ȝour bittir mouth is blot,
And all ȝour vayis vith vickit vyce is spot,
Ȝour fenȝeit hart distels the suggurit gall;
Quho dois beliwe ȝow catchis suddan fall.
“Thocht Gould ȝe praise, ȝit Gould dois great Iniuir;
Gould maks debait; Gould dois oppress the puir;
The Gouldin vorld nocht rings be gouldis glance;
Quhan Gouldles men of Gould tuik litill cuir,
The Gouldin vorld But Gould than did Induir;
As Gould abounds, Gould dois to vyce auance;
Gould bringis cair; Gould cums and gois be chance;
Thocht Gould sett vp the fol abowe the vyis,
Gould nothing helpith to his daft dewyis.
Gould maks debait; Gould dois oppress the puir;
The Gouldin vorld nocht rings be gouldis glance;
Quhan Gouldles men of Gould tuik litill cuir,
The Gouldin vorld But Gould than did Induir;
As Gould abounds, Gould dois to vyce auance;
Gould bringis cair; Gould cums and gois be chance;
Thocht Gould sett vp the fol abowe the vyis,
Gould nothing helpith to his daft dewyis.
“for Gould Midas Did die for laik of fuid;
for Gould oft tyms is sched the huirders bluid;
Of Gould proceids Insatiat desyre;
Be Gould the humyll vexis proud and ruid;
Ane vretchis Gould Ȝit did him neuir guid.
Ȝour gredie ladie, quha gifs gould for hyre,
Gyds nocht the gould; Gould ower hir dois Impyre.
for Gould hir slawes all dois suffer smart,
Ȝit Gould may nocht content thair Glittons hart.
for Gould oft tyms is sched the huirders bluid;
Of Gould proceids Insatiat desyre;
Be Gould the humyll vexis proud and ruid;
Ane vretchis Gould Ȝit did him neuir guid.
Ȝour gredie ladie, quha gifs gould for hyre,
Gyds nocht the gould; Gould ower hir dois Impyre.
for Gould hir slawes all dois suffer smart,
Ȝit Gould may nocht content thair Glittons hart.
“for thocht that Gould vnto the vretche incres,
His deip desyre to Gould is nocht the les,
Bot gredie vill agments vith gouldin pois,
And moir and moir for Gould he dois him dres,
Nocht knawing syn quho sall his Gould posses,
Nor ȝit quhow suddan he his Gould may lois.
Than Gould we sould nocht for our varrand chois,
for thocht that Chresus cam vith gould in hand,
Cyrus did him And all his Gould command.
His deip desyre to Gould is nocht the les,
Bot gredie vill agments vith gouldin pois,
And moir and moir for Gould he dois him dres,
Nocht knawing syn quho sall his Gould posses,
Nor ȝit quhow suddan he his Gould may lois.
Than Gould we sould nocht for our varrand chois,
for thocht that Chresus cam vith gould in hand,
Cyrus did him And all his Gould command.
231
“I nakit cam as vthers monie mo
In to this vorld, And nakit thence most go.
Quhy sould I than my mynd for Gould molest,
Quhilk is so slipprie, flowing to and fro,
Obteind in trawell, And outspend vith vo,
And keipit be suspitione and vnrest?
O quhow difficill is the heawen possest
Be velthie men. Moir esie is to sie
Ane Camell pas throch smallest niddill ie.
In to this vorld, And nakit thence most go.
Quhy sould I than my mynd for Gould molest,
Quhilk is so slipprie, flowing to and fro,
Obteind in trawell, And outspend vith vo,
And keipit be suspitione and vnrest?
O quhow difficill is the heawen possest
Be velthie men. Moir esie is to sie
Ane Camell pas throch smallest niddill ie.
“The greatter sort dois sute for vorldlie gaine,
Bot I vill fair felicitie attaine,
Quharbie my Ȝelous hart sall moir reiois
Than thay quho of thair vyne and cornie graine
Hes fouth of fruite. Heirfoir I do desdaine
Ȝour naturs both, Esteming ȝow my fois.
In quiet pace I vill my spreit repois
And forduart pas vnto my blissit beild.
To nether of ȝow vill my helmet ȝeild.”
Bot I vill fair felicitie attaine,
Quharbie my Ȝelous hart sall moir reiois
Than thay quho of thair vyne and cornie graine
Hes fouth of fruite. Heirfoir I do desdaine
Ȝour naturs both, Esteming ȝow my fois.
In quiet pace I vill my spreit repois
And forduart pas vnto my blissit beild.
To nether of ȝow vill my helmet ȝeild.”
To me againe replyit flattrie Syn,
“Gif ȝe vill nocht to Auarice Inclyn,
Sum vther of this companie elect:
So lecherie, maist lustie of our tryn,
To recreat that cairfull corps of thyn
Rycht ferdie is, And freindlie in effect.
Sen tym occurs, do nocht thy tym neglect
To tak thy plesour of hir sportsum play,
Befoir that eild consum thy strenth away.
“Gif ȝe vill nocht to Auarice Inclyn,
Sum vther of this companie elect:
So lecherie, maist lustie of our tryn,
To recreat that cairfull corps of thyn
Rycht ferdie is, And freindlie in effect.
Sen tym occurs, do nocht thy tym neglect
To tak thy plesour of hir sportsum play,
Befoir that eild consum thy strenth away.
“Or leirne at vousting crouslie for to crak,
His vindie vords vill the redouttit mak.
Ire And Inwy Gif thow accept for gyd,
The till InIuir than few dar vndertak.
Quho laiks ane gall Now in this vorld vill vrak.
The potent prence heirfoir, proud primping pryd,
Or ells Discord may for thy neid prouyd;
I consill the in tham to put thy trust,
for humyll men ar trampit in the dust.
His vindie vords vill the redouttit mak.
Ire And Inwy Gif thow accept for gyd,
The till InIuir than few dar vndertak.
Quho laiks ane gall Now in this vorld vill vrak.
The potent prence heirfoir, proud primping pryd,
Or ells Discord may for thy neid prouyd;
I consill the in tham to put thy trust,
for humyll men ar trampit in the dust.
232
“Als ladie liar vill the leirne to schaw
Sic things at lenth as thow did neuir knaw,
As trauelit man abaishing all dois heir
The curious carots quhilk thy breath sall blaw.
And till affirm quhat thow dois flist and flaw
Esteme Blasphemie to the tender deir,
Quhois purpois pert vill mak it plaine appeir.
Great gaine Oppression to the sall support,
Cheif gyder is he of the mychtie sort.
Sic things at lenth as thow did neuir knaw,
As trauelit man abaishing all dois heir
The curious carots quhilk thy breath sall blaw.
And till affirm quhat thow dois flist and flaw
Esteme Blasphemie to the tender deir,
Quhois purpois pert vill mak it plaine appeir.
Great gaine Oppression to the sall support,
Cheif gyder is he of the mychtie sort.
“fraud vill instruct ȝow monie precepts fyn
Be subtill knawledge of his hich Ingyn,
Vith velie vayis to virk ȝour awne effect,
Quhartill almaist this vorld dois now inclyn.
Ruid raschnes vill acquent ȝow vith our tryn,
And Indiscretion gif ȝe vill elect,
Vith ws ȝe sall ane Chiftane be erect.
The Dame Ingrate also vill teitche ȝow plaine
To find sum gaine But paine to quyt againe.
Be subtill knawledge of his hich Ingyn,
Vith velie vayis to virk ȝour awne effect,
Quhartill almaist this vorld dois now inclyn.
Ruid raschnes vill acquent ȝow vith our tryn,
And Indiscretion gif ȝe vill elect,
Vith ws ȝe sall ane Chiftane be erect.
The Dame Ingrate also vill teitche ȝow plaine
To find sum gaine But paine to quyt againe.
“Or gif ȝe vold vith bourdis myrthfull bie,
Than vith our bryd Derisione aggrie:
Hir Iolie nature is so quick and fyn
To turne in sports all thingis scho dois sie,
That heiring hir ȝe neid no dolor drie.
Heirfoir vnto hir gif ȝe list Inclyn,
Vith tricks to pleis ȝow scho no tym vill tyn,
for nane so vyislie sall thair lyf derect
Bot scho sall chak tham vith ane tanting gect.
Than vith our bryd Derisione aggrie:
Hir Iolie nature is so quick and fyn
To turne in sports all thingis scho dois sie,
That heiring hir ȝe neid no dolor drie.
Heirfoir vnto hir gif ȝe list Inclyn,
Vith tricks to pleis ȝow scho no tym vill tyn,
for nane so vyislie sall thair lyf derect
Bot scho sall chak tham vith ane tanting gect.
“O gif ȝe list Idolatrie elect,
Ȝe sall ws find all serwe to ȝour effect.
Be sleuthe ȝe sall eschew all thochtfull cair,
for it is faschrie to be circumspect.
Dame Sorcerie also vill nocht neglect
Anewch of cunnyng on ȝow for to spair;
Rycht monie things scho vill to ȝow declair
Conserning greatlie velth of ȝowr estait:
Heirfoir cum on And of hir knawledge gait.
Ȝe sall ws find all serwe to ȝour effect.
Be sleuthe ȝe sall eschew all thochtfull cair,
for it is faschrie to be circumspect.
Dame Sorcerie also vill nocht neglect
Anewch of cunnyng on ȝow for to spair;
Rycht monie things scho vill to ȝow declair
Conserning greatlie velth of ȝowr estait:
Heirfoir cum on And of hir knawledge gait.
233
“At bauld Bakbytting gif ȝe consill tak,
He vill ȝow leirne Rycht priwelie to lak
As plesis ȝow all creature on lywe.
And Dame Dispair, quham ȝe sie clad in blak,
Ȝour thochtfull hart vill schortlie setlit mak;
far best it is that ȝe to hir arrywe,
for vaine ȝe ar agains the streame to strywe
In schersing out vith dalie sorrow so
The Daintie dame quhair ȝe intend to go.
He vill ȝow leirne Rycht priwelie to lak
As plesis ȝow all creature on lywe.
And Dame Dispair, quham ȝe sie clad in blak,
Ȝour thochtfull hart vill schortlie setlit mak;
far best it is that ȝe to hir arrywe,
for vaine ȝe ar agains the streame to strywe
In schersing out vith dalie sorrow so
The Daintie dame quhair ȝe intend to go.
“Be fickilnes ȝe sall so slipprie bie,
That nane deteine may stabill grips of the.
And ydilness vill rander the also
Bothe eis and lyking, gif thow vill aggrie
To serwe hir sister Sueirnes, quham ȝe sie
Lothe that ȝe sould in trauell longer go.
Quhy do ȝe than presum to flie ws fro,
Sen that ȝe may No litill guerdon gaine
In euerie ane that dois vith vyce remaine?
That nane deteine may stabill grips of the.
And ydilness vill rander the also
Bothe eis and lyking, gif thow vill aggrie
To serwe hir sister Sueirnes, quham ȝe sie
Lothe that ȝe sould in trauell longer go.
Quhy do ȝe than presum to flie ws fro,
Sen that ȝe may No litill guerdon gaine
In euerie ane that dois vith vyce remaine?
“Vnto the luir the lustie falcone fair
Vill be reclamit from the hautie air;
The aufull lyon leirnit is to ȝeild;
No thing so Rammage Bot vill teime repair
Be douce Intreitment And thair keipers cair.
So wish I ȝow to cum in till our beild
In kyndlie vayis, Quytting to me the feild,
for ȝe most be submittit till our cuir
Be force, Gif fauor may ȝow nocht alluir.”
Vill be reclamit from the hautie air;
The aufull lyon leirnit is to ȝeild;
No thing so Rammage Bot vill teime repair
Be douce Intreitment And thair keipers cair.
So wish I ȝow to cum in till our beild
In kyndlie vayis, Quytting to me the feild,
for ȝe most be submittit till our cuir
Be force, Gif fauor may ȝow nocht alluir.”
“No false Intysment from that toung of thyn
Sall me persuad to onie of ȝour tryn,”
Say I againe, “for certainlie ȝe all
from Godis law expreslie dois declyn.
And be exempils als I mycht defyn
Quhow euerie ane obtenis mortall fall,
Quho to thois filthie vyces dois tham thrall,
Quhilks now I vill nocht tarie to declair,
for I am Irkit of my heir repair.
Sall me persuad to onie of ȝour tryn,”
Say I againe, “for certainlie ȝe all
from Godis law expreslie dois declyn.
And be exempils als I mycht defyn
Quhow euerie ane obtenis mortall fall,
Quho to thois filthie vyces dois tham thrall,
Quhilks now I vill nocht tarie to declair,
for I am Irkit of my heir repair.
234
“Betuix the blind And thois quho cleirlie sie
In spying things No litill differ bie.
To me heirfoir so full ȝe all appeir
Of filthines that far thairfra I flie.
Christ may Nawayis vith Beliall aggrie.
Quhow may dim darknes and the lycht most cleir
Accord in one? So Godis childrine deir
Vith vitious sort vill nocht consent to band.
Quho tuitchis pick vith it vill fyll thair hand.”
In spying things No litill differ bie.
To me heirfoir so full ȝe all appeir
Of filthines that far thairfra I flie.
Christ may Nawayis vith Beliall aggrie.
Quhow may dim darknes and the lycht most cleir
Accord in one? So Godis childrine deir
Vith vitious sort vill nocht consent to band.
Quho tuitchis pick vith it vill fyll thair hand.”
Quhan I so stoutlie spak for my defence,
As smuk or fume flattrie euanist hence.
Bot vofull vyce, than rageing for dispyt
That I repousit pertlie hir pretence,
Vith vilfull vickit vill and violence
Send all her subiects speidelie to smyt
My corps seueirlie, So vith suddan syt
Thay vmbeset me Scharplie in my vay,
As pirats proud persewing for thair pray.
As smuk or fume flattrie euanist hence.
Bot vofull vyce, than rageing for dispyt
That I repousit pertlie hir pretence,
Vith vilfull vickit vill and violence
Send all her subiects speidelie to smyt
My corps seueirlie, So vith suddan syt
Thay vmbeset me Scharplie in my vay,
As pirats proud persewing for thair pray.
Ire And Inwy cam crewallie vith speid
Vith birnist brands to mak my bodie bleid:
Than rawellit vousting And ruid raschnes ran:
Daft Indiscretion meed me greatlie dreid:
Vppuft cam pryd Pricking on statlie steid:
Blasphemie did me bittir byt and ban:
Discord cryde, “fy! Oppression, tak the man.”
Quod ydilnes, “soone hang him be the halse,
for ladie liar Sayis that he is false.”
Vith birnist brands to mak my bodie bleid:
Than rawellit vousting And ruid raschnes ran:
Daft Indiscretion meed me greatlie dreid:
Vppuft cam pryd Pricking on statlie steid:
Blasphemie did me bittir byt and ban:
Discord cryde, “fy! Oppression, tak the man.”
Quod ydilnes, “soone hang him be the halse,
for ladie liar Sayis that he is false.”
Than lecherie vith venime did me stang,
Quhilk almaist meed my feibill bodie mang,
Agains quhois boudin baill I did rebell.
So in debait I vas molestit lang,
Beset about vith this mischiwous thrang.
fraud present vas him self at this pelmell,
Quho at vnvars Ay gawe me dintis snell,
And be all moyens craftelie assayed
To circumweine me vith his vrinkis vrayed.
Quhilk almaist meed my feibill bodie mang,
Agains quhois boudin baill I did rebell.
So in debait I vas molestit lang,
Beset about vith this mischiwous thrang.
fraud present vas him self at this pelmell,
Quho at vnvars Ay gawe me dintis snell,
And be all moyens craftelie assayed
To circumweine me vith his vrinkis vrayed.
235
Als Sorcerie for till Inchant me Schew
false friwoll formes of Illusions new.
Balkbytting bald did at me bark and flyt,
Quhois tuskit teith vpone my bodie gnew;
The rage of his great rancor ȝit I rew,
Of Beistis veyld maist bittir is his byt.
Syn Dam Derisione, Plinist vith dispyt,
Scharp dartis keine maist ferslie at me slang,
And glaidlie leuch to sie me suffer vrang.
false friwoll formes of Illusions new.
Balkbytting bald did at me bark and flyt,
Quhois tuskit teith vpone my bodie gnew;
The rage of his great rancor ȝit I rew,
Of Beistis veyld maist bittir is his byt.
Syn Dam Derisione, Plinist vith dispyt,
Scharp dartis keine maist ferslie at me slang,
And glaidlie leuch to sie me suffer vrang.
Deip deedlie dainger dred I of Dispair,
Quha hecht to vrapt me in continewall cair,
And sleuth also, that sluggis slummerie slawe,
Vith hawie Sueirnes to me meed repair,
Quhois bodies gross from me abstractit air,
for to resist assaut of all the lawe.
Maist tyrranlyk Idolatrie did crawe
To sacrifice me in ane flame of fyre
for nocht regarding hir peruerst Impyre.
Quha hecht to vrapt me in continewall cair,
And sleuth also, that sluggis slummerie slawe,
Vith hawie Sueirnes to me meed repair,
Quhois bodies gross from me abstractit air,
for to resist assaut of all the lawe.
Maist tyrranlyk Idolatrie did crawe
To sacrifice me in ane flame of fyre
for nocht regarding hir peruerst Impyre.
Dam fickilnes vas Nymblest of the rout,
Vith hir persute Scho pat me in great dout.
That graceles Dame Ingratitude, maist fell,
Meed me to Schrink, so egar did scho schout,
Quham fast I fled, And wold nocht turne about:
Vith ackwart vult than did scho to me tell,
“Sen Instantlie I may nocht vith the mell,
Tak thair ane quheiss ȝit vith my skoullon clout,”
Quhilk dint vnluikit for meed me to lout.
Vith hir persute Scho pat me in great dout.
That graceles Dame Ingratitude, maist fell,
Meed me to Schrink, so egar did scho schout,
Quham fast I fled, And wold nocht turne about:
Vith ackwart vult than did scho to me tell,
“Sen Instantlie I may nocht vith the mell,
Tak thair ane quheiss ȝit vith my skoullon clout,”
Quhilk dint vnluikit for meed me to lout.
Dame Auarice againe cam heir derect
My nobill helmet doune for to deiect,
And flattrie false blew vind into my face,
first smelling sueit, Syn venimit Infect.
foull Glottonie vith monie tanting gect
Did birll the vyne vpon me all the space,
And offrit me full monie lairdit mace,
for he vas Navayis fierie for the feild,
Bot be alluirments villit me to ȝeild.
My nobill helmet doune for to deiect,
And flattrie false blew vind into my face,
first smelling sueit, Syn venimit Infect.
foull Glottonie vith monie tanting gect
Did birll the vyne vpon me all the space,
And offrit me full monie lairdit mace,
for he vas Navayis fierie for the feild,
Bot be alluirments villit me to ȝeild.
236
Vith greif perturbit than on euerie syd
I Birstit out so to my God and gyd;
“O Lord of hosts, in this extremaist neid
for me thy humyll Seruiteur prouyd:
perfyt my steps and lat me navayis slyd,
Bot vondruslie be thy maist dochtie deid
Doune cast my fois, And send me help vith speid:
My spreit mak strong as stiffest bow of steill,
And teitch my hart till end this battell veill.
I Birstit out so to my God and gyd;
“O Lord of hosts, in this extremaist neid
for me thy humyll Seruiteur prouyd:
perfyt my steps and lat me navayis slyd,
Bot vondruslie be thy maist dochtie deid
Doune cast my fois, And send me help vith speid:
My spreit mak strong as stiffest bow of steill,
And teitch my hart till end this battell veill.
“My vofull lyf is compast round about
Be furious fois, as lyons fearce and stout,
Quhois teith be lyk vnto scharpe poyntit speirs,
And as ane schairing sourd thair vords cums out.
Quho sall defend me in this deedlie dout
Bot onlie thow, quho all my burding beirs,
Quhois mycht the heawen, the erth, and hell, all feirs?
far from my face thair fors sall schortlie flie,
Quhowsoon thay sall vith the rebukit bie.
Be furious fois, as lyons fearce and stout,
Quhois teith be lyk vnto scharpe poyntit speirs,
And as ane schairing sourd thair vords cums out.
Quho sall defend me in this deedlie dout
Bot onlie thow, quho all my burding beirs,
Quhois mycht the heawen, the erth, and hell, all feirs?
far from my face thair fors sall schortlie flie,
Quhowsoon thay sall vith the rebukit bie.
“The litill Dauid Stoutlie did gainstand
Great gross Goliathe be thy mychtie hand,
And Gedeon vith nummer vonder small
Be thy supplie hich victorie, Lord, fand.
Apollo stabill stuid at thy command,
Quhill Iosua his ennemeis meed fall.
The Sempill Iudith till Bethulia vall
Be thy support brocht Holofernus heed,
And Ionas straingelie Saifit thow from deed.
Great gross Goliathe be thy mychtie hand,
And Gedeon vith nummer vonder small
Be thy supplie hich victorie, Lord, fand.
Apollo stabill stuid at thy command,
Quhill Iosua his ennemeis meed fall.
The Sempill Iudith till Bethulia vall
Be thy support brocht Holofernus heed,
And Ionas straingelie Saifit thow from deed.
“The humyll Hester vith hir vaeik Impyre
Thow did preserwe, And grantit hir desyre.
Thy Isralits thow saifit in the sie,
Quhair furious Pharo gat deseruit hyre.
Thois thrie, quho valkit in the flame of fyre,
And Moyses, flottand in ane cribe of trie,
Vith confort, Lord, dois lairge Incourage me
To be protectit frie from vickit men,
As Daniell vas vithin the lyons den.
Thow did preserwe, And grantit hir desyre.
Thy Isralits thow saifit in the sie,
Quhair furious Pharo gat deseruit hyre.
Thois thrie, quho valkit in the flame of fyre,
And Moyses, flottand in ane cribe of trie,
Vith confort, Lord, dois lairge Incourage me
To be protectit frie from vickit men,
As Daniell vas vithin the lyons den.
237
“The Congregation of the Nochtie sort,
Nocht feiring the, persews to do me tort.
Thay say no help is for my saull in God,
Of me thay mak thair gesting and thair sport,
My saull is vexit vith thair proud report.
for thy releif I streitche my hands abrod,
Derect my saull in to thy rychtious rod,
for lo, my saull, Lord, longith eftir the,
As hountit hart to fontans fair dois flie.
Nocht feiring the, persews to do me tort.
Thay say no help is for my saull in God,
Of me thay mak thair gesting and thair sport,
My saull is vexit vith thair proud report.
for thy releif I streitche my hands abrod,
Derect my saull in to thy rychtious rod,
for lo, my saull, Lord, longith eftir the,
As hountit hart to fontans fair dois flie.
“for as ane outcast from the vorld, Ewen so
I am Inwoluit vith continewall vo.
To the, O Lord, I lift my stressit hart,
And in thy presence pours my plaint also.
Remit my sins, Turne nocht thy face me fro,
Bot hawe compassion of my Instant smart.
Thow onlie art my beild in euerie part,
And sen my hoip all in thy hienes hings,
Saif me in Schaddow of thy heawenlie vings.
I am Inwoluit vith continewall vo.
To the, O Lord, I lift my stressit hart,
And in thy presence pours my plaint also.
Remit my sins, Turne nocht thy face me fro,
Bot hawe compassion of my Instant smart.
Thow onlie art my beild in euerie part,
And sen my hoip all in thy hienes hings,
Saif me in Schaddow of thy heawenlie vings.
“Than sall I both in hart, in toung, and deid
Thy Glorious godheed humyllie praise and dreid;
Than sall thy pouer plainlie, Lord, be knawne
Be the suppleing of my present neid;
Than in my Iournay sall I rycht proceid,
As thy renounit Veritie hes Schawne;
Than sall thy Glorie cum to me thy awne,
Quho rather lyks to keip thy vtmeist port
Than duell in palice vith vngodlie sort.”
Thy Glorious godheed humyllie praise and dreid;
Than sall thy pouer plainlie, Lord, be knawne
Be the suppleing of my present neid;
Than in my Iournay sall I rycht proceid,
As thy renounit Veritie hes Schawne;
Than sall thy Glorie cum to me thy awne,
Quho rather lyks to keip thy vtmeist port
Than duell in palice vith vngodlie sort.”
Soone be I haid this foirsaid prayer end,
Ane Statlie Dam from Veritie vas send,
Vith croune of Gould vpon hir stabill front,
In corslet cled, And hir victorious bend
Agains the vind hich vauit vith commend:
Hir persone pert did pallas far surmont.
Scho schortlie setlit all my sensis blont,
And vith hir holie hand vpheissit me,
As Christ did Petir, Sinking in the sie.
Ane Statlie Dam from Veritie vas send,
Vith croune of Gould vpon hir stabill front,
In corslet cled, And hir victorious bend
Agains the vind hich vauit vith commend:
Hir persone pert did pallas far surmont.
Scho schortlie setlit all my sensis blont,
And vith hir holie hand vpheissit me,
As Christ did Petir, Sinking in the sie.
238
This barbarus sort, dismayd vith deedlie dreid,
As feiblit fols than past abak vith speid.
The lywelie luisteur of hir vult deuyn
Doune dang all dainger, quhilk be thame did breid.
So being suir And harmles of thair deid,
As me becam, I lowlie did Inclyn.
“Immortall thanks,” Quod I, “O ladie myn,
Be to ȝour cumlie celest beutie brycht,
Quhilk far from me hes set my fois at flycht.
As feiblit fols than past abak vith speid.
The lywelie luisteur of hir vult deuyn
Doune dang all dainger, quhilk be thame did breid.
So being suir And harmles of thair deid,
As me becam, I lowlie did Inclyn.
“Immortall thanks,” Quod I, “O ladie myn,
Be to ȝour cumlie celest beutie brycht,
Quhilk far from me hes set my fois at flycht.
“for as Neptunus, lifting vp his heed
To saif Eneas Nauie from the deed,
Rebuking Euras, Nothus, And the rest,
So hes thy sycht extinguissit the feed,
Quhilk all my Aduerse partie vith me meed.
O Gif I knew thy name, my ladie trest,
That I mycht vorschip, quhill my lyf doith lest,
In priwie corner of my hart synceir
Thy plesand persone so arryuit heir.”
To saif Eneas Nauie from the deed,
Rebuking Euras, Nothus, And the rest,
So hes thy sycht extinguissit the feed,
Quhilk all my Aduerse partie vith me meed.
O Gif I knew thy name, my ladie trest,
That I mycht vorschip, quhill my lyf doith lest,
In priwie corner of my hart synceir
Thy plesand persone so arryuit heir.”
“I am,” Sayis scho, “that ladie of renoune,
Quha stronglie stands at my first purpois boune.
I nether chainge for velth of veill or vo;
All dout I do maist dochtelie ding doune.
The choisin Gem, cheif of Imperiall croune,
I comptit am, nixt Veritie to Go.
But me all vertews skairs awails ane stro;
I bind tham vp to Guuern suir and veill.
My name is Constance, firmer than the steill.
Quha stronglie stands at my first purpois boune.
I nether chainge for velth of veill or vo;
All dout I do maist dochtelie ding doune.
The choisin Gem, cheif of Imperiall croune,
I comptit am, nixt Veritie to Go.
But me all vertews skairs awails ane stro;
I bind tham vp to Guuern suir and veill.
My name is Constance, firmer than the steill.
“Dame Veritie hes hither me derect
The to preserwe from all this sort Infect,
for Scho and I consociat dois duell
In thy Guid king, quho dois ws nocht neglect,
And ws betuix vpsittis rycht erect
fair Ladie Iustice in that prencelie sell,
Quhair Great Iehoua dois all grace distell
To nuris ws thair in aboundant blis:
Ve neuir fand ane harbrie lyk to this.”
The to preserwe from all this sort Infect,
for Scho and I consociat dois duell
In thy Guid king, quho dois ws nocht neglect,
And ws betuix vpsittis rycht erect
fair Ladie Iustice in that prencelie sell,
Quhair Great Iehoua dois all grace distell
To nuris ws thair in aboundant blis:
Ve neuir fand ane harbrie lyk to this.”
239
Vith Iofull hart than I began to sing,
“O happie thryse And blissit is My king.
Be force alone of Gods eternall mycht
His maiestie most prosperuslie dois ring.
O vehementlie abowe all vther thing
Dois he Reiois in Christ, his saluior rycht.
This peirles prence, be Veritie cleine dycht,
Obtenit hes his holie harts desyre,
And God sall grant all things he dois requyre.
“O happie thryse And blissit is My king.
Be force alone of Gods eternall mycht
His maiestie most prosperuslie dois ring.
O vehementlie abowe all vther thing
Dois he Reiois in Christ, his saluior rycht.
This peirles prence, be Veritie cleine dycht,
Obtenit hes his holie harts desyre,
And God sall grant all things he dois requyre.
“The Lord vith blissings dois his grace preueine,
The Lord sall ay his rychtious cause susteine,
The Lord hes set vpon his kinglie heed
Ane croune of gould vith pretious stons to scheine,
The Lord ane lyf hes giwen him chast and cleine,
The Lord his vayis dois maist derectlie leed,
The Lord hes euir beine his strong remeed,
The Lord sall giwe him lyf both long and suir,
Ȝea, sutche ane lyf as euir sall Induir.
The Lord sall ay his rychtious cause susteine,
The Lord hes set vpon his kinglie heed
Ane croune of gould vith pretious stons to scheine,
The Lord ane lyf hes giwen him chast and cleine,
The Lord his vayis dois maist derectlie leed,
The Lord hes euir beine his strong remeed,
The Lord sall giwe him lyf both long and suir,
Ȝea, sutche ane lyf as euir sall Induir.
“Be gift of God his gloir is great alway,
Quho grace and honor lairge dois on him lay
And sall him grant felicitie to sie,
Quhilk from his hienes neuir sall decay.
The Glorious vult of God for euir and ay
Sall both his confort and protectione bie.
for quhy, My king maist stronglie dois aggrie
In God alon perpetuall to confyd,
Quhois mycht and mercie vill nocht lat him slyd.
Quho grace and honor lairge dois on him lay
And sall him grant felicitie to sie,
Quhilk from his hienes neuir sall decay.
The Glorious vult of God for euir and ay
Sall both his confort and protectione bie.
for quhy, My king maist stronglie dois aggrie
In God alon perpetuall to confyd,
Quhois mycht and mercie vill nocht lat him slyd.
“The king of kings vith his maist puissant hand
Confound all fois that dois my king gainstand.
Great God Scherse out all thois that beirs him feed,
And bruise tham vith correction of his vand.
Refuis of fruit be giwen tham from the land,
And all thair seid out ruittit but remeed
from sons of men to the extremeist deed.
Ȝea, as ane birning owen, God in his yre
Consume tham soon vith flamme of feruent fyre.”
Confound all fois that dois my king gainstand.
Great God Scherse out all thois that beirs him feed,
And bruise tham vith correction of his vand.
Refuis of fruit be giwen tham from the land,
And all thair seid out ruittit but remeed
from sons of men to the extremeist deed.
Ȝea, as ane birning owen, God in his yre
Consume tham soon vith flamme of feruent fyre.”
240
“Amen,” Sayd Constance, “for his constant mynd
Veill corresponds his Royall constant kynd.
Thois blissings all sall amplie on him byd,
Quhilk thy vnfenȝeit lippis hes defynd.
And sen thow hes so luifinglie Inclynd
Me till accept for thy assuirit gyd,
The vickit troupe thow sall sie schortlie slyd,
That to perdition vold hawe drawne the in.”
Ane horribill noyes than straingelie did begin,
Veill corresponds his Royall constant kynd.
Thois blissings all sall amplie on him byd,
Quhilk thy vnfenȝeit lippis hes defynd.
And sen thow hes so luifinglie Inclynd
Me till accept for thy assuirit gyd,
The vickit troupe thow sall sie schortlie slyd,
That to perdition vold hawe drawne the in.”
Ane horribill noyes than straingelie did begin,
for doune cam Iris in ane thundrus blast
from Mychtie Iowe, And meed tham all agast,
lyk Pandors buist beiring ane plinist purs
Vith cursing fell, Quhairvith scho suiftlie past
Amongs this sort, And opning it did cast
On euerie ane thair awne particular curs.
first Pryd, quho hich his hautie heed did turs,
Doune Snapprit on ane stok and break his nek,
for loftie luiks meed him his steps neglek.
from Mychtie Iowe, And meed tham all agast,
lyk Pandors buist beiring ane plinist purs
Vith cursing fell, Quhairvith scho suiftlie past
Amongs this sort, And opning it did cast
On euerie ane thair awne particular curs.
first Pryd, quho hich his hautie heed did turs,
Doune Snapprit on ane stok and break his nek,
for loftie luiks meed him his steps neglek.
Inwy deceist for melancolious teine,
My veilfair so perturbit both his eine,
And Ire did suelt for greif and great annoy.
Dame Auarice be hir most gredie meine
Obteind the pest, vpcatching gaine vncleine.
The ewill Quheirll vind did vousting hence conwoy.
false ladie liar held hir self than coy,
And lykit nocht apertlie to be seine,
Outrottit vas hir toung be canker keine.
My veilfair so perturbit both his eine,
And Ire did suelt for greif and great annoy.
Dame Auarice be hir most gredie meine
Obteind the pest, vpcatching gaine vncleine.
The ewill Quheirll vind did vousting hence conwoy.
false ladie liar held hir self than coy,
And lykit nocht apertlie to be seine,
Outrottit vas hir toung be canker keine.
foull Glottonnie drew on his propir deed
Vith lifting oft his hands vp to his heed.
And raschnes ruid, louping or he did luik,
Bruist all his bons And could find no remeed.
Discord vas stikit vith ane birnist bleed,
And lecherie lay duyning in ane nuik,
Both in the goir, the ripils, And the bruik.
Deiect vas flattrie vith great schame and lak.
fraud fell in Goulf quhilk he for me did mak.
Vith lifting oft his hands vp to his heed.
And raschnes ruid, louping or he did luik,
Bruist all his bons And could find no remeed.
Discord vas stikit vith ane birnist bleed,
And lecherie lay duyning in ane nuik,
Both in the goir, the ripils, And the bruik.
Deiect vas flattrie vith great schame and lak.
fraud fell in Goulf quhilk he for me did mak.
241
The diwelische dame Ingratitude most fell
Of Belgebub did suffer dintis snell,
Quhom in hir bellie scho befoir possest;
So hir awnie birth agains hir did rebell.
Bauld bittir beists meed Blasphemie to quell,
for he vas beitin, druggit, and euill drest.
Sad Sueirnes sat vith crepill feit molest,
And fickilnes from part to part did flit;
Scho gat the fyk, And knew nocht quhair to sit.
Of Belgebub did suffer dintis snell,
Quhom in hir bellie scho befoir possest;
So hir awnie birth agains hir did rebell.
Bauld bittir beists meed Blasphemie to quell,
for he vas beitin, druggit, and euill drest.
Sad Sueirnes sat vith crepill feit molest,
And fickilnes from part to part did flit;
Scho gat the fyk, And knew nocht quhair to sit.
Curst Sorcerie lay linkit lyk ane slawe
Be slycht of Sathan, quho did hir dissawe.
Dispair doung doune in doungeon duill did drie,
Quhair meschantlie scho vrakit vith the lawe.
Sleuth vilsum vas And no defence could hawe,
Ane sourd him clawe, Or he vas var to flie.
Maist suddanlie Idolatrie did die,
forquhy the Idoll that Scho did adoir
Vpon hir fell And schortlie did hir smoir.
Be slycht of Sathan, quho did hir dissawe.
Dispair doung doune in doungeon duill did drie,
Quhair meschantlie scho vrakit vith the lawe.
Sleuth vilsum vas And no defence could hawe,
Ane sourd him clawe, Or he vas var to flie.
Maist suddanlie Idolatrie did die,
forquhy the Idoll that Scho did adoir
Vpon hir fell And schortlie did hir smoir.
Nane did eschew of this vnhappie rout,
Bot euerie ane sustenit baill about,
Quhilk on tham cam maist suiftlie vith ane suak,
Quhan thay did leist of onie dainger dout.
Glaid vas my hart to heir Bakbytting schout
for vofull vengeance, that did him betak;
Vith deedlie dint he gat ane broikin bak.
The Dame also, quha ofbefoir did tant,
Scho lost hir speitche And mycht no moir bot mant.
Bot euerie ane sustenit baill about,
Quhilk on tham cam maist suiftlie vith ane suak,
Quhan thay did leist of onie dainger dout.
Glaid vas my hart to heir Bakbytting schout
for vofull vengeance, that did him betak;
Vith deedlie dint he gat ane broikin bak.
The Dame also, quha ofbefoir did tant,
Scho lost hir speitche And mycht no moir bot mant.
Me thocht Oppression forcit vas to fauld
His persone till ane Aufull lyon bauld,
Daft Indiscretion in ane rage did die,
And ydilnes for hounger, thrist, and cauld,
In vo did vander vith ane nakit spauld.
Syn Sooner than the tuynkling of ane ie
Most suddan consumation did I sie
Of vyce hir temple, And hir troup also.
Doune sank thay all, And we did forduart go.
His persone till ane Aufull lyon bauld,
Daft Indiscretion in ane rage did die,
And ydilnes for hounger, thrist, and cauld,
In vo did vander vith ane nakit spauld.
Syn Sooner than the tuynkling of ane ie
Most suddan consumation did I sie
Of vyce hir temple, And hir troup also.
Doune sank thay all, And we did forduart go.
242
I nocht reuertit thence my face abak,
In caice sic chance haid done me thair betak
As cam vpon the vofull vyf of Lot,
Quhan the fywe sinfull citeis suffert vrak
Be force of fyre, quhilk God did on tham suak.
Bot, following Constance from that part, did trot,
Quha me remembrit of the nobill not,
That nane in hand the pithie pleuch sould tak,
Syn eftir luik againe behind thair bak.
In caice sic chance haid done me thair betak
As cam vpon the vofull vyf of Lot,
Quhan the fywe sinfull citeis suffert vrak
Be force of fyre, quhilk God did on tham suak.
Bot, following Constance from that part, did trot,
Quha me remembrit of the nobill not,
That nane in hand the pithie pleuch sould tak,
Syn eftir luik againe behind thair bak.
To path pethmentit all vith siluer fyn,
Quhilk semit navay erdlie bot deuyn,
Led be my ladie Cumlie Constance cleir,
Vith Iofull cheir I rycht arrywit syn.
Ane notabill most requisit propyn
Scho of hir Gratious bontie gawe me heir,
Quhilk vas ane chengie fret vith rubeis deir,
Quhairbe Scho said that suir in euerie part
Hir vordie vertew sould Guuerne my hart.
Quhilk semit navay erdlie bot deuyn,
Led be my ladie Cumlie Constance cleir,
Vith Iofull cheir I rycht arrywit syn.
Ane notabill most requisit propyn
Scho of hir Gratious bontie gawe me heir,
Quhilk vas ane chengie fret vith rubeis deir,
Quhairbe Scho said that suir in euerie part
Hir vordie vertew sould Guuerne my hart.
Than forduart Strecht scho me commandit gang
In to that path, quhair I vold find na vrang,
Syn tuik hir liwe, returning to my king,
Hir heritabill Domicill most strang.
On euerie syd the birdis blythlie sang
In this my vay, Quhilk did me schortlie bring
Quhair I persawed ane holin fair vpspring,
And thair beneth amyds the flouris sit
Ane aget man replinissit vith vit.
In to that path, quhair I vold find na vrang,
Syn tuik hir liwe, returning to my king,
Hir heritabill Domicill most strang.
On euerie syd the birdis blythlie sang
In this my vay, Quhilk did me schortlie bring
Quhair I persawed ane holin fair vpspring,
And thair beneth amyds the flouris sit
Ane aget man replinissit vith vit.
His habit vas of color Saphir blew,
And quhyt as snow his horie haris schew,
Maist seimlie sparplit on his schoulders bak;
The quartar lang also his beird doune grew.
The sam vas he than I perfytlie knew
Vith quhom at lenth Sir Dauid Lyndsay spak.
No litill confort trewlie did I tak
In the beholding of his visage meik,
And ȝelus vas I for till heir him speik.
And quhyt as snow his horie haris schew,
Maist seimlie sparplit on his schoulders bak;
The quartar lang also his beird doune grew.
The sam vas he than I perfytlie knew
Vith quhom at lenth Sir Dauid Lyndsay spak.
No litill confort trewlie did I tak
In the beholding of his visage meik,
And ȝelus vas I for till heir him speik.
243
“O father myn, Experience preclair,
Renoune and vorschip to ȝour visdom rair,”
Said I, And lowlie did my self inclyne.
“Sen happelie I hawe done heir repair,
Sum prudent purpois, Sir, vpon me spair
To help my ȝoung and Ignorant Ingyn,
So I for euir sall be oblist thyn.”
Vith that he tuik me hartlie be the hand,
And radelie obeyit my demand.
Renoune and vorschip to ȝour visdom rair,”
Said I, And lowlie did my self inclyne.
“Sen happelie I hawe done heir repair,
Sum prudent purpois, Sir, vpon me spair
To help my ȝoung and Ignorant Ingyn,
So I for euir sall be oblist thyn.”
Vith that he tuik me hartlie be the hand,
And radelie obeyit my demand.
In pithie plesand speitche perfyt and schort
To me he did substanciouslie report
The first creatione be Great God of all:
Syn quhow the curssit Serpent be his tort
Did vnto syn maist Subtelie exhort
Our parents both, And thair vnhappie fall,
To death and dolor Suddanlie meed thrall:
Than of the promeist Sacred vomans seid,
Quho sould reliwe ws be his dochtie deid.
To me he did substanciouslie report
The first creatione be Great God of all:
Syn quhow the curssit Serpent be his tort
Did vnto syn maist Subtelie exhort
Our parents both, And thair vnhappie fall,
To death and dolor Suddanlie meed thrall:
Than of the promeist Sacred vomans seid,
Quho sould reliwe ws be his dochtie deid.
The homiceid fraternell did he tell
Commit be Cain on the Iust Abell:
And Quhow guid Enoch valkit vith the Lord:
And syn for syn Quhow rageing sies did suell,
And drounit all that in the erth did duell,
Except so monie as the Ark restord:
Quhow Cham vas curssit als he did record
for nocht regard of his fathers defame,
And Sem And Iaphet blist, quho cled his schame.
Commit be Cain on the Iust Abell:
And Quhow guid Enoch valkit vith the Lord:
And syn for syn Quhow rageing sies did suell,
And drounit all that in the erth did duell,
Except so monie as the Ark restord:
Quhow Cham vas curssit als he did record
for nocht regard of his fathers defame,
And Sem And Iaphet blist, quho cled his schame.
Of Babilon, that Doungeon of renoune,
And langage in diuerseteis send doune,
And Quhow that Habram did Import the gloir
Vith hardie hart for Lot his Newew boune,
Quhom he reliuit, And brocht saif to toune
Vith men and vyfs and substance lost befoir,
Quhom king of Salem meting did decoir
Than hichest preist of the Almychtie God,
And blissit him: Thus he declaird abrod,
And langage in diuerseteis send doune,
And Quhow that Habram did Import the gloir
Vith hardie hart for Lot his Newew boune,
Quhom he reliuit, And brocht saif to toune
Vith men and vyfs and substance lost befoir,
Quhom king of Salem meting did decoir
Than hichest preist of the Almychtie God,
And blissit him: Thus he declaird abrod,
244
And schew at lenthe all the subuersion syn
Of Sodomits, Quho did to syn Inclyn,
And Quhow that Isaac vith paternell hand
Vas laeid on Altar, veill he did defyn,
And quhow that Iacob meed his father dyn,
Quhan he in habit of Esaw did stand,
Quhomfra birthrycht he coft, And blissing fand.
He schew me als Quhow Iosephs great distres
Vas all conuertit till ane guid succes.
Of Sodomits, Quho did to syn Inclyn,
And Quhow that Isaac vith paternell hand
Vas laeid on Altar, veill he did defyn,
And quhow that Iacob meed his father dyn,
Quhan he in habit of Esaw did stand,
Quhomfra birthrycht he coft, And blissing fand.
He schew me als Quhow Iosephs great distres
Vas all conuertit till ane guid succes.
The hawie thraldome and prolixit paine
Of Israell he did to me explaine,
Be tyrrannie of creuall Pharo fell,
Of thair releif, And fourtie ȝeirs remaine
In vildernes, Quhair God did on tham raine
fuid celicall, And meed the rock distell
fresche vatir cleir thair drouth for till expell,
And ay alyk thair cloithing lastand new,
Quhill thay var heir, He also to me schew.
Of Israell he did to me explaine,
Be tyrrannie of creuall Pharo fell,
Of thair releif, And fourtie ȝeirs remaine
In vildernes, Quhair God did on tham raine
fuid celicall, And meed the rock distell
fresche vatir cleir thair drouth for till expell,
And ay alyk thair cloithing lastand new,
Quhill thay var heir, He also to me schew.
Of Iosua the monie battels bauld,
Quhois force meed threttie faithles kings to fauld,
Of Samgar, And Othoniell Synceir,
Of Baruc, Ruth, And Delbora he tauld,
And quhow that Gentill Iephtie firm did hauld
His solemne vow tuitching his dochter deir,
Quha sacrificit vas ane virgin cleir:
Of Gedeon redouttit stout and strang,
And Quhow his fois to death the Angill dang
Quhois force meed threttie faithles kings to fauld,
Of Samgar, And Othoniell Synceir,
Of Baruc, Ruth, And Delbora he tauld,
And quhow that Gentill Iephtie firm did hauld
His solemne vow tuitching his dochter deir,
Quha sacrificit vas ane virgin cleir:
Of Gedeon redouttit stout and strang,
And Quhow his fois to death the Angill dang
He did declair: And quhow Duck Sangor keine
Sex hundreth slew vith ane pleuch sok in teine.
Of Strongest Sampsons Strenth he schew also,
And quhow that varior be decetfull meine
Did lois the sycht of boith his aufull eine,
Syn quhow he did vnto the tempill go,
And be his force the sam doune pullit tho,
Quhairin him self thair vith his fois he smord.
Of Samuell lykuayis he did record,
Sex hundreth slew vith ane pleuch sok in teine.
Of Strongest Sampsons Strenth he schew also,
And quhow that varior be decetfull meine
Did lois the sycht of boith his aufull eine,
Syn quhow he did vnto the tempill go,
And be his force the sam doune pullit tho,
Quhairin him self thair vith his fois he smord.
Of Samuell lykuayis he did record,
245
And quhow king Saull vas vofullie deiect,
Because he did the vill of God neglect,
And mychtie Dauid, Godlie, vyss, and stout,
The holie Chiftan of the lord elect,
Vp in his tron triumphantlie erect,
Quhom God defendit dochtelie in dout
And force of all his fois ay ruittit out.
He schew me als quhow Absolon did die,
Link be the haire hich vawing on ane trie.
Because he did the vill of God neglect,
And mychtie Dauid, Godlie, vyss, and stout,
The holie Chiftan of the lord elect,
Vp in his tron triumphantlie erect,
Quhom God defendit dochtelie in dout
And force of all his fois ay ruittit out.
He schew me als quhow Absolon did die,
Link be the haire hich vawing on ane trie.
The Gloir, the substance, And the hich Ingyn
Of Salomon he deulie did defyn,
And all the curius costlie building fair
Of his magnific Royall tempill syn.
The lyfs of all the kingis, lyn be lyn,
Of Israell he did to me declair,
And quhow that Impyr captiwe past in cair
To Babilon, be keine Caldeans strang,
And fred again, quhan valiant Cirus rang.
Of Salomon he deulie did defyn,
And all the curius costlie building fair
Of his magnific Royall tempill syn.
The lyfs of all the kingis, lyn be lyn,
Of Israell he did to me declair,
And quhow that Impyr captiwe past in cair
To Babilon, be keine Caldeans strang,
And fred again, quhan valiant Cirus rang.
He nocht forȝeit lykuayis at lenth to tell
Quhow Guid Elias in dissert did duell,
Quhom Eliseus vith his ies beheld
Viwe reft till heawen: And quhow the bores fell
Vith tuskit teithe most suddanlie meed quell
The curssit tanting Childreine crying, “beld!”
Of Ieroboam be Abia expeld
Exprimit he: And all the buiks perfyt,
Quhilk Esdras And Nehemie did dyt.
Quhow Guid Elias in dissert did duell,
Quhom Eliseus vith his ies beheld
Viwe reft till heawen: And quhow the bores fell
Vith tuskit teithe most suddanlie meed quell
The curssit tanting Childreine crying, “beld!”
Of Ieroboam be Abia expeld
Exprimit he: And all the buiks perfyt,
Quhilk Esdras And Nehemie did dyt.
Of Blind Tobias than he schew also,
And quhow his sone to ved ane vyf did go,
Be Raphaell led, The Archangell of gloir,
Quho spoussit him on lustie Sara tho,
And forst the diwell thair mariage bed flie fro,
Quhilk all hir sewen first husbands did deuoir:
Syn Quhow this Angill did againe restoir
The auld Tobias till his former sycht,
Quho hichlie praisit than the lord of mycht.
And quhow his sone to ved ane vyf did go,
Be Raphaell led, The Archangell of gloir,
Quho spoussit him on lustie Sara tho,
And forst the diwell thair mariage bed flie fro,
Quhilk all hir sewen first husbands did deuoir:
Syn Quhow this Angill did againe restoir
The auld Tobias till his former sycht,
Quho hichlie praisit than the lord of mycht.
246
Of ladie Iudith the maist dochtie deid,
Vrocht vith hir vorthie hardie hand at neid,
from end till end he rychtlie did declair:
Syn quhow Queine Hester in hir cumlie veid
To King Assuerus tron did vp proceid,
Quho so confortit all hir thochtfull cair,
That he nocht onlie did hir peuple spair,
Bot stranglit als hir fo vnto the deed,
And Mardochey cheif of his consill meed.
Vrocht vith hir vorthie hardie hand at neid,
from end till end he rychtlie did declair:
Syn quhow Queine Hester in hir cumlie veid
To King Assuerus tron did vp proceid,
Quho so confortit all hir thochtfull cair,
That he nocht onlie did hir peuple spair,
Bot stranglit als hir fo vnto the deed,
And Mardochey cheif of his consill meed.
Of Iob the patience he exprimit plaine,
Quhom lois of Childreine, helth, Nor vorldlie gaine
from God eternall meed navayis declyn,
Quhois grace at last appaisit all his paine,
And him restoird the doubill till attaine
Of things possest befoir. He did defyn
The holie versis of the psalter syn,
Quhairin for euerie Accident may fall
pertinent purpois is on God to call.
Quhom lois of Childreine, helth, Nor vorldlie gaine
from God eternall meed navayis declyn,
Quhois grace at last appaisit all his paine,
And him restoird the doubill till attaine
Of things possest befoir. He did defyn
The holie versis of the psalter syn,
Quhairin for euerie Accident may fall
pertinent purpois is on God to call.
The prouerbs vyse, Quhilk Salomon did dyt,
Maist pithelie to me he did recyt:
And precepts all of Lamuell the king,
Quhairin his mother teitchit him perfyt.
He passit nocht Ecclisiastes quyt,
Quhar In schort saying sentence sad dois spring.
The Canticles maist sueitlie did he sing,
Syn did the Buik of Sapience expone,
And Sone of Cyrachs sayings euerie one.
Maist pithelie to me he did recyt:
And precepts all of Lamuell the king,
Quhairin his mother teitchit him perfyt.
He passit nocht Ecclisiastes quyt,
Quhar In schort saying sentence sad dois spring.
The Canticles maist sueitlie did he sing,
Syn did the Buik of Sapience expone,
And Sone of Cyrachs sayings euerie one.
Of all the holie prophets veill he knew,
Thair propheces also at lenth he schew,
And nocht omittit of Susane to tell,
Quham God reliwed And hir accusers slew.
“Men,” said he than, “sould nocht blame ladies trew,
Bot rather do As did Guid daniell.”
The Great destruction of the Idoll Bell
He did dilate, And of the childreine thrie,
Quhilk from the fyrie flamme escapit frie.
Thair propheces also at lenth he schew,
And nocht omittit of Susane to tell,
Quham God reliwed And hir accusers slew.
“Men,” said he than, “sould nocht blame ladies trew,
Bot rather do As did Guid daniell.”
The Great destruction of the Idoll Bell
He did dilate, And of the childreine thrie,
Quhilk from the fyrie flamme escapit frie.
247
Quhow Alexander of this vorld vas heed,
Quho in tuelf ȝeiris all his conques meed,
And of Antiochus the tyrran syn,
Quho cruciat and creuallie caust leed
The vyf vith hir sewen sones to the deed,
Because thay vold nocht to his vill Inclyn
By Godis law to eit the flesche of suyne,
He schew: And than of Machabeus stout,
Quho Iourie fred, And meed all Grece to dout.
Quho in tuelf ȝeiris all his conques meed,
And of Antiochus the tyrran syn,
Quho cruciat and creuallie caust leed
The vyf vith hir sewen sones to the deed,
Because thay vold nocht to his vill Inclyn
By Godis law to eit the flesche of suyne,
He schew: And than of Machabeus stout,
Quho Iourie fred, And meed all Grece to dout.
He did approwe be calculation rycht
Quhow our assuirit Saluior of mycht
from Habraham maist Iustlie vas discend,
And quhow his glorious holie godheed brycht
Did in the vndefylit virgin lycht,
Quhan vnto hir Guid Gabriell vas send.
His blissit birth, And quhow the vyse men kend
His ster, he schew, Syn cam him till adoir
Vith sauorus Incens, Myrrhe, and gould in stoir:
Quhow our assuirit Saluior of mycht
from Habraham maist Iustlie vas discend,
And quhow his glorious holie godheed brycht
Did in the vndefylit virgin lycht,
Quhan vnto hir Guid Gabriell vas send.
His blissit birth, And quhow the vyse men kend
His ster, he schew, Syn cam him till adoir
Vith sauorus Incens, Myrrhe, and gould in stoir:
Quhow Angils than in vorschip of this king
Did Gloria in excelsis deo sing.
And Iofull Nouels brocht of Godis grace:
Syn quhow thay did him to the tempill bring,
Quhair Simeon Said, “O Lord, quho hich dois ring,
Permit thy Seruant now depart in pace,
for both my ies persauis in this place
Thy offrit helth all peuple to restoir,
The Gentils lycht, And Israels great gloir:”
Did Gloria in excelsis deo sing.
And Iofull Nouels brocht of Godis grace:
Syn quhow thay did him to the tempill bring,
Quhair Simeon Said, “O Lord, quho hich dois ring,
Permit thy Seruant now depart in pace,
for both my ies persauis in this place
Thy offrit helth all peuple to restoir,
The Gentils lycht, And Israels great gloir:”
His sacred baptime at fluid Iordan syn,
Quhartill Sanct Ioanne most humylie did Inclyn,
Than quhow from opnit heawenis did appeir,
Lyk till ane dow, the spreit of God deuyn
On him discending, veill he did defyn:
And of that voce celestiall most cleir
Quhilk said, “this is My Sone, beluiffit deir,
In quhom I am veill pleissit. ”O report,
Most confortabill to the faithfull sort.
Quhartill Sanct Ioanne most humylie did Inclyn,
Than quhow from opnit heawenis did appeir,
Lyk till ane dow, the spreit of God deuyn
On him discending, veill he did defyn:
And of that voce celestiall most cleir
Quhilk said, “this is My Sone, beluiffit deir,
In quhom I am veill pleissit. ”O report,
Most confortabill to the faithfull sort.
248
Than of his fasting fourtie dayis but fuid,
Quhow he vas tempit, And his ansuers guid,
Of mirackils quhilk mychtelie he vrocht,
Quhow he the scrybs And phareseis gainstuid,
Quhow he Apostils meed of peuple ruid,
Quhow he contentit euerie ȝelus thocht,
Quhow mercie And nocht sacrifice he socht,
His pithie prudent parabols perfyt,
And quhow he praist the vidow vith hir myt,
Quhow he vas tempit, And his ansuers guid,
Of mirackils quhilk mychtelie he vrocht,
Quhow he the scrybs And phareseis gainstuid,
Quhow he Apostils meed of peuple ruid,
Quhow he contentit euerie ȝelus thocht,
Quhow mercie And nocht sacrifice he socht,
His pithie prudent parabols perfyt,
And quhow he praist the vidow vith hir myt,
His holie lyf And doctrine maist synceir,
And quhow his face on Thabor mont scheind cleir
As purifeit Apollo, birning brycht,
At tym of his transfiguration heir,
Quhan all his cloths did quhyt as snow appeir,
Ȝea, quhytter than the quhyttest glansing lycht,
All this Experience amplie schew me rycht:
Syn quhow vnto Ierusalem he past,
Quhair peuple palms did in his passage cast,
And quhow his face on Thabor mont scheind cleir
As purifeit Apollo, birning brycht,
At tym of his transfiguration heir,
Quhan all his cloths did quhyt as snow appeir,
Ȝea, quhytter than the quhyttest glansing lycht,
All this Experience amplie schew me rycht:
Syn quhow vnto Ierusalem he past,
Quhair peuple palms did in his passage cast,
And cumlie garments spred befoir his face,
All crying loud, “Hosanna,” all the space,
“O thow, that in the hiest heawens dois ring,
To holie sone of blissit Dauids race;
In name of God now cums vnto this place
The Godlie kingdome of This Sacred king,
Be quhom ane pace perpetuall sall ring
Hich in the heawenis vith continewall gloir.”
Than eftir this my teitchir schew me moir.
All crying loud, “Hosanna,” all the space,
“O thow, that in the hiest heawens dois ring,
To holie sone of blissit Dauids race;
In name of God now cums vnto this place
The Godlie kingdome of This Sacred king,
Be quhom ane pace perpetuall sall ring
Hich in the heawenis vith continewall gloir.”
Than eftir this my teitchir schew me moir.
Quhow Magdelene, vith ane repentant spreit,
Out pourd on him the pretious oyntment sueit,
And humylie vith the hairis of hir heed
Did veip his godlie venerabill feit
In decoration of his buriall meit,
This my Instructor patent to me meed:
Than quhow the day cam of vnlewend breed,
Quhan he in tym of his last supper syn
Did institute the sacrament deuyn:
Out pourd on him the pretious oyntment sueit,
And humylie vith the hairis of hir heed
Did veip his godlie venerabill feit
In decoration of his buriall meit,
This my Instructor patent to me meed:
Than quhow the day cam of vnlewend breed,
Quhan he in tym of his last supper syn
Did institute the sacrament deuyn:
249
Last quhow that he our onlie ransone meed
Be his bluid scheidding And most bittir deed,
In purpour garment for derision drest,
Vith ane scharpe croune of thorns vpon his heed,
And all his bodie beatin bluidie reed,
His nakit brest And prencelie face celest
Vith straiks and spitting hawelie molest,
His tender arms both bruissit blew and van,
Quhan peruers Pilot said, “behold the man.”
Be his bluid scheidding And most bittir deed,
In purpour garment for derision drest,
Vith ane scharpe croune of thorns vpon his heed,
And all his bodie beatin bluidie reed,
His nakit brest And prencelie face celest
Vith straiks and spitting hawelie molest,
His tender arms both bruissit blew and van,
Quhan peruers Pilot said, “behold the man.”
His plesand toung, Inflamit than vith paine,
Did nocht pronunce outragious speitche againe:
His heawenlie hands repeld nocht ons abak
Thois vickit sort, quho band thame vith desdaine:
His gentill hart all tuik in patience plaine,
And humylie prayit for this offensiwe pak:
Him self maist meiklie did his croce vptak,
Quhairon This lambe Immaculat of God
Vas naeld and hichlie stretchit out abrod.
Did nocht pronunce outragious speitche againe:
His heawenlie hands repeld nocht ons abak
Thois vickit sort, quho band thame vith desdaine:
His gentill hart all tuik in patience plaine,
And humylie prayit for this offensiwe pak:
Him self maist meiklie did his croce vptak,
Quhairon This lambe Immaculat of God
Vas naeld and hichlie stretchit out abrod.
Betuix tuo theifs This holie one than hang,
Quhois pretious bluid aboundantlie out sprang,
Quharvith his cumlie corps vas all besprent.
On him out raillit all that curssit thrang:
Ane aigre drink, composit fell and strang,
To quenche his drouth thay did to him present.
His nerwes And synnows vas aschunder rent:
His members all vith agonie of deathe
Than vexit stif, And schort becam his breath:
Quhois pretious bluid aboundantlie out sprang,
Quharvith his cumlie corps vas all besprent.
On him out raillit all that curssit thrang:
Ane aigre drink, composit fell and strang,
To quenche his drouth thay did to him present.
His nerwes And synnows vas aschunder rent:
His members all vith agonie of deathe
Than vexit stif, And schort becam his breath:
Than deedlie dimd his amiabill sycht,
And sueitlie saying, “it is finist rycht,”
His godlie heed Inclynd: His semlie syd
Syn throch vas perst: Bot lustie titan brycht
Held all this tym obscuir his vontit lycht,
The vaill of the great temple did deuyd,
The bureit bodies from thair graifs did slyd,
The stonis clawe, The erth did quake for dreid.
Than monie thocht him Sone of god in deid.
And sueitlie saying, “it is finist rycht,”
His godlie heed Inclynd: His semlie syd
Syn throch vas perst: Bot lustie titan brycht
Held all this tym obscuir his vontit lycht,
The vaill of the great temple did deuyd,
The bureit bodies from thair graifs did slyd,
The stonis clawe, The erth did quake for dreid.
Than monie thocht him Sone of god in deid.
250
To me heirof Experience meed report,
And syn of him quho boldlie did exhort
His bodie blist from Pilot till obteine,
Quhilk bureit vas in honorabill sort.
Bot O precelling peirles hich confort,
Quhan he againe most gloriouslie vas seine
Vpraissin viwe, our Iustifier cleine,
Quhilk Thomas hard of treuth vold nocht confyd,
Till he did graip his holie voundis vyd.
And syn of him quho boldlie did exhort
His bodie blist from Pilot till obteine,
Quhilk bureit vas in honorabill sort.
Bot O precelling peirles hich confort,
Quhan he againe most gloriouslie vas seine
Vpraissin viwe, our Iustifier cleine,
Quhilk Thomas hard of treuth vold nocht confyd,
Till he did graip his holie voundis vyd.
Both dreidfull death, all sin, And darkest hell
Now This victorious lyon dois refell,
Sprong of the godlie trybe of Iuda rycht.
O euirlasting sacrifice, quhois smell
Most sauorus sueit all terror dois expell,
This is the king of gloir, quhois onlie mycht
Confounds our fois: This is that Michaell vycht,
Quho vincust hes the furious Dragon strang,
And on the crewall Cocketrice dois gang,
Now This victorious lyon dois refell,
Sprong of the godlie trybe of Iuda rycht.
O euirlasting sacrifice, quhois smell
Most sauorus sueit all terror dois expell,
This is the king of gloir, quhois onlie mycht
Confounds our fois: This is that Michaell vycht,
Quho vincust hes the furious Dragon strang,
And on the crewall Cocketrice dois gang,
Quhois lywelie breath out breatht that puissant spreit,
Quharwith his Churche catholick is repleit,
Syn vp ascendit to the heawenis hie
Plaine to prepair that passage patent meit
for all beliwers in his persone sueit,
Quhair he hes promeist aduocat to bie
for humyll sinners of his mercie frie,
Be quhom alone The father is veill pleast,
At quhois rycht hand he royallie is seast,
Quharwith his Churche catholick is repleit,
Syn vp ascendit to the heawenis hie
Plaine to prepair that passage patent meit
for all beliwers in his persone sueit,
Quhair he hes promeist aduocat to bie
for humyll sinners of his mercie frie,
Be quhom alone The father is veill pleast,
At quhois rycht hand he royallie is seast,
from quhence againe vith maiestie and mycht
In Glorious tron, conwoyed vith Angils brycht,
Most plesandlie his Godheed sall appeir,
And suddanlie befoir his heawenlie sycht
All peuple salbie gathert, Quhom vith rycht
He sall adIudge, And be his Iudgement cleir
To heawen sall pas thois gratious sort most deir
On his rycht hand, And thois vpon the left
To dolorous doungeon doune vith diwelis reft.
In Glorious tron, conwoyed vith Angils brycht,
Most plesandlie his Godheed sall appeir,
And suddanlie befoir his heawenlie sycht
All peuple salbie gathert, Quhom vith rycht
He sall adIudge, And be his Iudgement cleir
To heawen sall pas thois gratious sort most deir
On his rycht hand, And thois vpon the left
To dolorous doungeon doune vith diwelis reft.
251
Quhan that Experience this haid done defyn,
Of the Apostils acts he schew me syn,
And quhow according to Christs promeis meed
The holie gost vpon thois Godlie tryn
Cam thudding doune In fyrie toungs deuyn,
Quho than restoird the seik, the laeme, And deed
In name of our blist Saluior and heed,
And pertlie preitchit plaine the gospell trew,
Quhilk moir and moir ay flurissit and grew.
Of the Apostils acts he schew me syn,
And quhow according to Christs promeis meed
The holie gost vpon thois Godlie tryn
Cam thudding doune In fyrie toungs deuyn,
Quho than restoird the seik, the laeme, And deed
In name of our blist Saluior and heed,
And pertlie preitchit plaine the gospell trew,
Quhilk moir and moir ay flurissit and grew.
Thocht Curssit Sathan vith his subtill slycht
Meed vickit men resist vith vorldlie mycht,
God of his prudent prouidence perfyt
Owrthrew thair force, And fred his awne at nycht,
Quhan thay var closit vp in presone vycht.
No troubill, trawell, torment, Nor dispyt
Mycht ons confound this Holie Gospell quyt:
Bot, lyk vnto the puissant Palme alwayis,
The moir Supprest, The moir it dois vprayis.
Meed vickit men resist vith vorldlie mycht,
God of his prudent prouidence perfyt
Owrthrew thair force, And fred his awne at nycht,
Quhan thay var closit vp in presone vycht.
No troubill, trawell, torment, Nor dispyt
Mycht ons confound this Holie Gospell quyt:
Bot, lyk vnto the puissant Palme alwayis,
The moir Supprest, The moir it dois vprayis.
Quhow Prudent Petir pertlie did report
The vord of God, Quhom Christ did oft exhort
To feid his scheip; And of the feruent feed,
Quhilk he susteind vith martirdome and tort;
And quhow he to Cornelius did resort
At lenth Experience mention to me meed:
And quhow Guid Stephne vas stonit to the deed:
And the conuersion als of blissit paull,
Quho namit vas befoir most vickit saull,
The vord of God, Quhom Christ did oft exhort
To feid his scheip; And of the feruent feed,
Quhilk he susteind vith martirdome and tort;
And quhow he to Cornelius did resort
At lenth Experience mention to me meed:
And quhow Guid Stephne vas stonit to the deed:
And the conuersion als of blissit paull,
Quho namit vas befoir most vickit saull,
Quhois pithie prompt epistols euerie one
from poynt to poynt he treulie did expone,
Quharin I leirnit monie lessons guid:
Of Iames And petirs vretings than anone
And all the luiffing letters of Sanct Iohne
Exprimit he: And schortlie did concluid
Vith the Catholique missiwe of Sanct Iuid:
Syn as ane falcone monting in the air
Th' apocalips he plainlie did declair.
from poynt to poynt he treulie did expone,
Quharin I leirnit monie lessons guid:
Of Iames And petirs vretings than anone
And all the luiffing letters of Sanct Iohne
Exprimit he: And schortlie did concluid
Vith the Catholique missiwe of Sanct Iuid:
Syn as ane falcone monting in the air
Th' apocalips he plainlie did declair.
252
Moir lairgelie far his knawledge did defyn,
Than I may compas vith my vaeik Ingyn.
I may nocht follow quhair he hich did flie
Most cunninglie throch euerie verse and lyn.
My Imitation of his vit deuyn
Resemblithe in this maiter meed be me
Vnto the fairest flour And litill bie,
fro quhilk quhan all is spulȝeit that scho may,
It lustie Springs And no thing mist away.
Than I may compas vith my vaeik Ingyn.
I may nocht follow quhair he hich did flie
Most cunninglie throch euerie verse and lyn.
My Imitation of his vit deuyn
Resemblithe in this maiter meed be me
Vnto the fairest flour And litill bie,
fro quhilk quhan all is spulȝeit that scho may,
It lustie Springs And no thing mist away.
Last said he syn, “all that I hawe done schaw
Is till Instruct the rychtlie for to knaw
Thy Gratious God, quho meed all things of nocht,
Quhois Iustice dois the vickit sort ourthraw,
And tham elects quho luifs to keip his law,
Imploring for his spreit to reull thair thocht
In follouing Christ, quhois pretious bluid tham bocht;
In quhom keip firm thy faith for euir fixt.
This is the summe, thocht I hawe beine prolixt.
Is till Instruct the rychtlie for to knaw
Thy Gratious God, quho meed all things of nocht,
Quhois Iustice dois the vickit sort ourthraw,
And tham elects quho luifs to keip his law,
Imploring for his spreit to reull thair thocht
In follouing Christ, quhois pretious bluid tham bocht;
In quhom keip firm thy faith for euir fixt.
This is the summe, thocht I hawe beine prolixt.
“Thow happie art, that hes done heir array
In passing first at strait and narrow vay,
for the brod entrie to perditione gois,
On thy left hand quhilk in thy Iournay lay.
The letter of pithagoras, I say,
Dois represent the pathis both of thois,
Quhilk I vill draw, And Instantlie disclois
The Epigram of Virgill on the sam,
To leirne all ȝouth heirbie thair lyf to fram.
In passing first at strait and narrow vay,
for the brod entrie to perditione gois,
On thy left hand quhilk in thy Iournay lay.
The letter of pithagoras, I say,
Dois represent the pathis both of thois,
Quhilk I vill draw, And Instantlie disclois
The Epigram of Virgill on the sam,
To leirne all ȝouth heirbie thair lyf to fram.
“‘Litera pithagore discrimine secta bicorni,
Humane vite speciem praeferre videtur:
Nam via virtutis dextram petit ardua callem
Difficilemque aditum primum spectantibus offert,
Sed requiem prebet fessis in vertice summo.
Molle ostendit iter via lata, Sed vltima meta
Precipitat captos Voluitque per ardua saxa.
Quisquis enim duros casus virtutis amore
Vicerit, Ille sibi laudemque decusque parabit:
At qui desidiam luxumque sequetur Inertem
Dum fugit appositos incauta mente labores
Turpis inopsque simull miserabile transigit euum.’
Humane vite speciem praeferre videtur:
Nam via virtutis dextram petit ardua callem
Difficilemque aditum primum spectantibus offert,
253
Molle ostendit iter via lata, Sed vltima meta
Precipitat captos Voluitque per ardua saxa.
Quisquis enim duros casus virtutis amore
Vicerit, Ille sibi laudemque decusque parabit:
At qui desidiam luxumque sequetur Inertem
Dum fugit appositos incauta mente labores
Turpis inopsque simull miserabile transigit euum.’
“This letter of pithagoras, deuyd vith hornis tuo,
Of humaine lyf it dois furthschaw the form and vay also:
for the hard vay of vertew dois at the rycht rod Insew,
Difficill entrie offring first to thois that dois it vew,
Bot gifs repois in hichest part vnto the irkit sort:
The ampill vay ane passage soft dois schaw, Bot the last port
Doune heedlings casts all cacht thairin, and be dour rocks tham rols.
for luif of vertew quho so than hard chancis vins and thols,
Both laud and honor to him self he sall prepair for gaine:
Bot he quho follows sluggisnes And luxurie so vaine,
Quhill he apposit trawels fleis vith ane Imprudent thocht,
His miserabill lyf he spends Both puir and schamfull brocht.”
Of humaine lyf it dois furthschaw the form and vay also:
for the hard vay of vertew dois at the rycht rod Insew,
Difficill entrie offring first to thois that dois it vew,
Bot gifs repois in hichest part vnto the irkit sort:
The ampill vay ane passage soft dois schaw, Bot the last port
Doune heedlings casts all cacht thairin, and be dour rocks tham rols.
for luif of vertew quho so than hard chancis vins and thols,
Both laud and honor to him self he sall prepair for gaine:
Bot he quho follows sluggisnes And luxurie so vaine,
Quhill he apposit trawels fleis vith ane Imprudent thocht,
His miserabill lyf he spends Both puir and schamfull brocht.”
Vith humyll thanks to his precelling loir,
Quhois speitche vith prudence did my spreit restoir,
To the conclusion of my course I past.
The plesand palice, plinissit vith gloir,
Stuid hich and seimlie situat me befoir,
Quhilk sutche ane glancing gleme of lycht did cast,
That all my sensis small becam agast
To spy the place preportionat but peir
Brycht Glistring fairer than the christell cleir.
Quhois speitche vith prudence did my spreit restoir,
To the conclusion of my course I past.
The plesand palice, plinissit vith gloir,
Stuid hich and seimlie situat me befoir,
Quhilk sutche ane glancing gleme of lycht did cast,
That all my sensis small becam agast
To spy the place preportionat but peir
Brycht Glistring fairer than the christell cleir.
254
The laborer long Impeschet vith distres
Lyks veill to raip the fruit of his Incres:
The souldior auld returning from the host
Thinks pace ane plesand portione to posses:
Vith Ioy the irkit pilgrim hame dois dres
far hawing compast monie cairfull cost:
The bruisit Barque vith stormie raidge betost
Glaid cums to schoir: So finding perrels past
My self reioist to sie the port at last,
Lyks veill to raip the fruit of his Incres:
The souldior auld returning from the host
Thinks pace ane plesand portione to posses:
Vith Ioy the irkit pilgrim hame dois dres
far hawing compast monie cairfull cost:
The bruisit Barque vith stormie raidge betost
Glaid cums to schoir: So finding perrels past
My self reioist to sie the port at last,
Quhair Esperance, my ladie fair and frie,
Vith blyth vpcast did hartlie velcum me
And said, “I kyndlie sall vpon the spair,
As thow hes lipnit ay be me, supplie,
for thow sall firm felicitie now sie,
My chosin maistres, cheiffest but compair,
And all the priweis of hir palice fair:
Bot first in to this Glorious garding go
The to refresche.” And I obeyit so.
Vith blyth vpcast did hartlie velcum me
And said, “I kyndlie sall vpon the spair,
As thow hes lipnit ay be me, supplie,
for thow sall firm felicitie now sie,
My chosin maistres, cheiffest but compair,
And all the priweis of hir palice fair:
Bot first in to this Glorious garding go
The to refresche.” And I obeyit so.
Quhat plesand plantis, And quhat curious knots,
Quhat holsome herbs quhois blossoms neuir rots,
Quhat fruitfull treis in to this herber grew,
Quhair blisfull birds out from thair suggurit throts
Ten thousand vayis did chainge thair cheirfull nots,
I vold discrywe, Gif eloquence I knew,
And quhow from fragrant flours of dywers hew
Ane celest smell aboundit sauorus sueit,
Quharvith the temperat air vas all repleit.
Quhat holsome herbs quhois blossoms neuir rots,
Quhat fruitfull treis in to this herber grew,
Quhair blisfull birds out from thair suggurit throts
Ten thousand vayis did chainge thair cheirfull nots,
I vold discrywe, Gif eloquence I knew,
And quhow from fragrant flours of dywers hew
Ane celest smell aboundit sauorus sueit,
Quharvith the temperat air vas all repleit.
Lyk plesand part, quhair phenix maks repair,
Or as the peirles paradice preclair
To me resemblit so this Garding greine,
for ay alyk heirin the heawenlie air
Maist purifeit Indurit suawe and fair,
And be ane famus flowing fontan cleine
The tender sproutis fresche arrousit beine,
Quhois siluer strems maist moderatlie out spred,
And all this bounds vith balmie liquor cled;
Or as the peirles paradice preclair
To me resemblit so this Garding greine,
for ay alyk heirin the heawenlie air
Maist purifeit Indurit suawe and fair,
And be ane famus flowing fontan cleine
The tender sproutis fresche arrousit beine,
Quhois siluer strems maist moderatlie out spred,
And all this bounds vith balmie liquor cled;
255
In myds quharof fair growing did I sie
Ane peirles fruit vpon ane pretious trie,
Quhois lustie luisteur dewlie did decoir
The lawe about, quhilks heir appeird to me.
for as the seimlie Ceder springing hie
Surmonts the viddrit Rammall, so in gloir
This trie preceld the rest and meikill moir.
No thing thair vas, me thocht, mycht be compair
To fruit thairof far fairest of all fair.
Ane peirles fruit vpon ane pretious trie,
Quhois lustie luisteur dewlie did decoir
The lawe about, quhilks heir appeird to me.
for as the seimlie Ceder springing hie
Surmonts the viddrit Rammall, so in gloir
This trie preceld the rest and meikill moir.
No thing thair vas, me thocht, mycht be compair
To fruit thairof far fairest of all fair.
Sayis Esperance, “this is the Iewall best
That is, salbie, or euir hes increst.
Sutche ampill profound vertew is repleit
In fruite heirof Immortall maist celest,
That quho so taists the same vith cair distrest
Sall find his sour translatit soone in sueit;
His corps, his sensis, And his troublit spreit,
Quhilk ofbefoir vith vo all viddrit beine,
Salbie againe fair beutifeit and cleine.”
That is, salbie, or euir hes increst.
Sutche ampill profound vertew is repleit
In fruite heirof Immortall maist celest,
That quho so taists the same vith cair distrest
Sall find his sour translatit soone in sueit;
His corps, his sensis, And his troublit spreit,
Quhilk ofbefoir vith vo all viddrit beine,
Salbie againe fair beutifeit and cleine.”
Than on my kne I lowlie did Inclyn,
And humylie crauit of this fruite deuyn,
The quhilk this lustie ladie randert me.
No toung thair is that may at lenth defyn
My Ioy, my blis, my veill, and confort syn,
for be my meik doune bowing I did sie
Auld Iesse sleiping at ruit of this trie:
Than knew I veill it vas the blissit fruite
Of hir, Quhom Gabriell humylie did saluite.
And humylie crauit of this fruite deuyn,
The quhilk this lustie ladie randert me.
No toung thair is that may at lenth defyn
My Ioy, my blis, my veill, and confort syn,
for be my meik doune bowing I did sie
Auld Iesse sleiping at ruit of this trie:
Than knew I veill it vas the blissit fruite
Of hir, Quhom Gabriell humylie did saluite.
This is the fruite most excellent of grace,
This is the fruite of euirlasting pace,
This is the fruit of solas and delyt,
This is the fruite quhilk dois our fois deface;
This fragrant fruit ve blythlie sould Imbrace,
for lyk as fruite meed men be banist quyt
from paradice, So in this fruite perfyt
We ar againe restorit vnto blis,
And findith velth of euerie veill at vis.
This is the fruite of euirlasting pace,
This is the fruit of solas and delyt,
This is the fruite quhilk dois our fois deface;
This fragrant fruit ve blythlie sould Imbrace,
for lyk as fruite meed men be banist quyt
from paradice, So in this fruite perfyt
We ar againe restorit vnto blis,
And findith velth of euerie veill at vis.
256
All that in me decayit vas befoir
Becam reuert vith vigor meikill moir;
My spreit and corps, quhilk long haid vexit beine,
This heawenlie fruite so viwelie did restoir,
That apt for fair feliciteis great Gloir
I vas ane veschell netifeit and cleine,
Quhom ȝeluslie I langit till hawe seine.
Ane Garitor namd Grace than hich did schout,
“The Godlie Dame to meit the Ischis out.”
Becam reuert vith vigor meikill moir;
My spreit and corps, quhilk long haid vexit beine,
This heawenlie fruite so viwelie did restoir,
That apt for fair feliciteis great Gloir
I vas ane veschell netifeit and cleine,
Quhom ȝeluslie I langit till hawe seine.
Ane Garitor namd Grace than hich did schout,
“The Godlie Dame to meit the Ischis out.”
Vith glorious glance in lemand fresche array
Out thickit fast ane companie most gay
from that supernall palice plesand pycht.
king dauids harp amongs this troupe did play,
Hich toynit vp in Godis praise alway,
And tham abowe apperit in my sycht
Ane fleing bird vith siluer vingis brycht,
Quhilk to the holie harping sueitlie sang
Thir sequent verse, and held the missour lang;
Out thickit fast ane companie most gay
from that supernall palice plesand pycht.
king dauids harp amongs this troupe did play,
Hich toynit vp in Godis praise alway,
And tham abowe apperit in my sycht
Ane fleing bird vith siluer vingis brycht,
Quhilk to the holie harping sueitlie sang
Thir sequent verse, and held the missour lang;
“Perfytlie blissit ar the puir in spreit,
for tham the heawenlie kingdom is most meit.
Perfytlie blist ar thois quho veip in vo,
for thay vith confort veill salbie repleit.
Perfytlie blissit ar the meik and sueit,
for thay Inherit sall the erth. Also
Perfytlie blissit ar all thois that go
for rychtiousnes in hounger and great thrist,
for thay salbe veill fillit as thay list.
for tham the heawenlie kingdom is most meit.
Perfytlie blist ar thois quho veip in vo,
for thay vith confort veill salbie repleit.
Perfytlie blissit ar the meik and sueit,
for thay Inherit sall the erth. Also
Perfytlie blissit ar all thois that go
for rychtiousnes in hounger and great thrist,
for thay salbe veill fillit as thay list.
“Perfytlie blist ar thay quhois harts ar cleine,
for God be tham salbe perfytlie seine.
Perfytlie blist ar makers all of pace,
for thay the Childreine of the hiest beine.
Perfytlie blist ar thois quho dois susteine
for rychtiousnes persute in one place,
for thay posses sall the Impyre of grace.
The mercifull is hichlie blist alway,
for thay obteine sall mercie but delay.
for God be tham salbe perfytlie seine.
Perfytlie blist ar makers all of pace,
for thay the Childreine of the hiest beine.
Perfytlie blist ar thois quho dois susteine
for rychtiousnes persute in one place,
for thay posses sall the Impyre of grace.
The mercifull is hichlie blist alway,
for thay obteine sall mercie but delay.
257
“Perfytlie blissit ar all sort of thois,
Quho nocht vith consill of the vickit gois.
Perfytlie blist ar thay quho helps the puir,
for thay sall suir reliwe find from thair vois.
Perfytlie blist ar thay And may Reiois,
Quho dois temptation dochtelie Induir,
Be victorie quharof thay sall procuir
Vnto thair self Nocht onlie hich renoune,
Bot als ane Glorious euirlasting croune.”
Quho nocht vith consill of the vickit gois.
Perfytlie blist ar thay quho helps the puir,
for thay sall suir reliwe find from thair vois.
Perfytlie blist ar thay And may Reiois,
Quho dois temptation dochtelie Induir,
Be victorie quharof thay sall procuir
Vnto thair self Nocht onlie hich renoune,
Bot als ane Glorious euirlasting croune.”
I may nocht follow vith my vrigling verse
This plesand birdis peirles douce reherse,
Quharvith all fillit vas the fragrant air.
Ȝit it so deiplie in my hart did perse,
That vith my sempill cunning I did scherse
Till Imitat thois heawenlie vordis fair,
Quhartill no metir mondan may compair,
for quhy, the bird that sang tham soundlie sueit
Vas the precelling puissant Holie spreit,
This plesand birdis peirles douce reherse,
Quharvith all fillit vas the fragrant air.
Ȝit it so deiplie in my hart did perse,
That vith my sempill cunning I did scherse
Till Imitat thois heawenlie vordis fair,
Quhartill no metir mondan may compair,
for quhy, the bird that sang tham soundlie sueit
Vas the precelling puissant Holie spreit,
Vnto quhois gratious mychtie Godheed brycht
Vith ȝoldin hart I did addres me rycht,
And humylie bowing doune this corps of myn
Out pourd this speitche befoir his heawenlie sycht;
“O persone thred in Deitie and mycht,
Quho gifs all guid gifts be thy grace deuyn,
Vnto my sute thy holie aeir Inclyn,
And on me now thy Seruiteur hawe reuth,
Quhom in, lord, plant ane knawledge of thy treuth.
Vith ȝoldin hart I did addres me rycht,
And humylie bowing doune this corps of myn
Out pourd this speitche befoir his heawenlie sycht;
“O persone thred in Deitie and mycht,
Quho gifs all guid gifts be thy grace deuyn,
Vnto my sute thy holie aeir Inclyn,
And on me now thy Seruiteur hawe reuth,
Quhom in, lord, plant ane knawledge of thy treuth.
“O thou, quho namd is paracletus fair,
The lywelie fontane of all grace preclair,
The fingar of God, The hoip of celest Ioy,
The feruent fyre of Charitie but compair,
Thy blissit breath vpon my branis spair,
for till expell all things may the annoy.
Be my Instructor, Saiffer, and conwoy,
And be thy power grant me to fulfill
In all my actions thy most Godlie vill.
The lywelie fontane of all grace preclair,
The fingar of God, The hoip of celest Ioy,
The feruent fyre of Charitie but compair,
Thy blissit breath vpon my branis spair,
for till expell all things may the annoy.
Be my Instructor, Saiffer, and conwoy,
And be thy power grant me to fulfill
In all my actions thy most Godlie vill.
258
“O thow, the gyd of Godis Childreine all,
God, vith the father And the Sone equall,
from that proceding full of euerie mycht,
Sewinfold disposer of gifts celicall,
for Christis cause thy gifts lat on me fall,
And purifie me vith thy bemes brycht;
Renew my mynd, And opin vp my sycht,
That I may thy felicitie persawe,
The quhilk my hart most ȝeluslie dois crawe.”
God, vith the father And the Sone equall,
from that proceding full of euerie mycht,
Sewinfold disposer of gifts celicall,
for Christis cause thy gifts lat on me fall,
And purifie me vith thy bemes brycht;
Renew my mynd, And opin vp my sycht,
That I may thy felicitie persawe,
The quhilk my hart most ȝeluslie dois crawe.”
Quhan I synceirlie so haid done Imploir,
My sensis all vas hich exaltit moir
Than vith my langage ruid I may defyn.
About me cam ane companie of gloir,
Of quhom the lyk I neuir knew befoir,
All singing thus in Godis praise deuyn;
“Gloir, visdome, reull, And pouer, all is thyn,
O holie, holie lord of Saboth hie,
Quho vas, And is, And euirmoir salbie.
My sensis all vas hich exaltit moir
Than vith my langage ruid I may defyn.
About me cam ane companie of gloir,
Of quhom the lyk I neuir knew befoir,
All singing thus in Godis praise deuyn;
“Gloir, visdome, reull, And pouer, all is thyn,
O holie, holie lord of Saboth hie,
Quho vas, And is, And euirmoir salbie.
“Thois in thy Godlie tabernacle still
Sall duell, resauit in thy holie hill,
Quhois lyfs ar blamles, And quhois vorks ar rycht,
Quho vith deceit dois nocht thair langage spill,
Bot thinkith treuth, And treulie doith fulfill
Thair promeis suir, But onie fraud or slycht;
Quho harmis none, Bot at thair vtter mycht
Guid men extols, And euill dois doune deiect,
And of thair Nychbor heirs no teils Infect.
Sall duell, resauit in thy holie hill,
Quhois lyfs ar blamles, And quhois vorks ar rycht,
Quho vith deceit dois nocht thair langage spill,
Bot thinkith treuth, And treulie doith fulfill
Thair promeis suir, But onie fraud or slycht;
Quho harmis none, Bot at thair vtter mycht
Guid men extols, And euill dois doune deiect,
And of thair Nychbor heirs no teils Infect.
“Quho for thair monie dois no occour tak,
Nor brybs accepts the Innocent to vrak,
Bot heirs the vord of God and keips it suir,
Sall nocht from ws repousit be abak.
Blist be The lord, quho dois sutche confort mak
Be the rediming of his peuple puir,
Quhom he has viseit vith ane ȝelus cuir,
And rasit vp to ws the horne of grace,
Sprong of his seruant Blissit dauids race.
Nor brybs accepts the Innocent to vrak,
Bot heirs the vord of God and keips it suir,
Sall nocht from ws repousit be abak.
Blist be The lord, quho dois sutche confort mak
Be the rediming of his peuple puir,
Quhom he has viseit vith ane ȝelus cuir,
And rasit vp to ws the horne of grace,
Sprong of his seruant Blissit dauids race.
259
“O ȝe beluiffit of the lewing lord,
Behold and praise him all vith one accord,
Quho in his house heir permanent dois duell.
lift vp ȝour hands till him hes ȝow restord.
Extoll, ȝour harts, The death he nocht abhord
for to redeme ȝour sauls from Sin and hell.
O praise him hich, quho dois all praise excell,
O praise him in his sanctuarie now,
Quho hes declaird his glorie vnto ȝow.
Behold and praise him all vith one accord,
Quho in his house heir permanent dois duell.
lift vp ȝour hands till him hes ȝow restord.
Extoll, ȝour harts, The death he nocht abhord
for to redeme ȝour sauls from Sin and hell.
O praise him hich, quho dois all praise excell,
O praise him in his sanctuarie now,
Quho hes declaird his glorie vnto ȝow.
“Praise him in his most mychtie acts alway,
Praise him conforme to his great gloir for ay,
In his magnifick praise be neuir mute,
Vith sound of trumpets praise him nycht and day,
Both violl, harp, And virginals essay
Hich in his praise, And vith veill sounding lute,
Toyne vp the Timbrell, Cymbals loud, and flute,
Vith organs great all in his potent praise,
And vith ȝour blissit mouths the sam outblaise, ‘Halleluia.’”
Praise him conforme to his great gloir for ay,
In his magnifick praise be neuir mute,
Vith sound of trumpets praise him nycht and day,
Both violl, harp, And virginals essay
Hich in his praise, And vith veill sounding lute,
Toyne vp the Timbrell, Cymbals loud, and flute,
Vith organs great all in his potent praise,
And vith ȝour blissit mouths the sam outblaise, ‘Halleluia.’”
Amyds this troupe apperit to my sycht
The famus fair felicitie most brycht
But peir perfyt in the suprem degrie,
Quhom to discrywe it lyis nocht in my mycht.
Moir cleir scho vas, me thocht, than cleirest lycht,
And vith hir lycht so far abaisit me,
That I hir self mycht nocht perfytlie sie,
Bot all astonist stuid in to that place
Ewen as the bak befoir lord phebus face.
The famus fair felicitie most brycht
But peir perfyt in the suprem degrie,
Quhom to discrywe it lyis nocht in my mycht.
Moir cleir scho vas, me thocht, than cleirest lycht,
And vith hir lycht so far abaisit me,
That I hir self mycht nocht perfytlie sie,
Bot all astonist stuid in to that place
Ewen as the bak befoir lord phebus face.
from me alhaill scho raueissit my spreit
Be hir most seimlie sembelans so sueit.
As patient, quho long hes vexit beine
Vith monie hawie maladies repleit,
Syn vith ane fyne mediciner dois meit,
Quho veill remeeds him of all former teine,
So onlie Glister of hir beutie scheine
from euerie greif did compas me vith gloir,
And ay my mirth agmentit moir and moir.
Be hir most seimlie sembelans so sueit.
As patient, quho long hes vexit beine
Vith monie hawie maladies repleit,
Syn vith ane fyne mediciner dois meit,
Quho veill remeeds him of all former teine,
So onlie Glister of hir beutie scheine
from euerie greif did compas me vith gloir,
And ay my mirth agmentit moir and moir.
260
The moir I starit on hir beutie cleir,
The moir to me scho plesand did appeir,
And moir and moir my fauor feruent grew,
Quhill all in flamme my amorus hart synceir
Mycht nocht be satiat of hir cumlie cheir.
Out throch the same hir percing bems so threw,
That onlie hir I ȝarnit to persew.
As man Idropick drouth for till expell
The moir he drinks, The moir is soir dois suell.
The moir to me scho plesand did appeir,
And moir and moir my fauor feruent grew,
Quhill all in flamme my amorus hart synceir
Mycht nocht be satiat of hir cumlie cheir.
Out throch the same hir percing bems so threw,
That onlie hir I ȝarnit to persew.
As man Idropick drouth for till expell
The moir he drinks, The moir is soir dois suell.
Vith reuerence dew than did I me prepair
low to salute hir maiestie preclair,
for quhois regarde I did sutch trawell tak.
Thus I began; “O peirles ladie fair,
Quho dois posses all blissit beuteis rair,
The quhilk sutch confort Infineit dois mak,
No baill thair vas that mycht me hold abak
from the persawing of this plesand place,
And heawenlie luisteur of ȝour luiflie face,
low to salute hir maiestie preclair,
for quhois regarde I did sutch trawell tak.
Thus I began; “O peirles ladie fair,
Quho dois posses all blissit beuteis rair,
The quhilk sutch confort Infineit dois mak,
No baill thair vas that mycht me hold abak
from the persawing of this plesand place,
And heawenlie luisteur of ȝour luiflie face,
“Vpon the quhilk I euir still vas bent,
So deip ȝe bein in to my mynd Imprent
from first vpsprutting of my ȝeiris greine,
That no thing els, Madam, mycht me content
Bot full Inspectione of ȝour persone gent,
Quhilk most of all I langit till hawe seine.
The Gouldine branche of proud Proserpine queine
I hawe refuisd, And onlie meed me boune
To spy the palmes of ȝour cumlie croune.
So deip ȝe bein in to my mynd Imprent
from first vpsprutting of my ȝeiris greine,
That no thing els, Madam, mycht me content
Bot full Inspectione of ȝour persone gent,
Quhilk most of all I langit till hawe seine.
The Gouldine branche of proud Proserpine queine
I hawe refuisd, And onlie meed me boune
To spy the palmes of ȝour cumlie croune.
“Accept me than for Seruiteur of thyn,
I the beseik, O lustie ladie myn,
And fill me vith the greatnes of thy gloir.
Most luifinglie vnto my sute Inclyn,
And lat me cleirlie sie thy vult deuyn;
Of the I crawe no vther Guerdone moir.
O thow, quho may all miserie restoir,
Considder veill quhow I esteme the deir
In place profoundest of my hart synceir.”
I the beseik, O lustie ladie myn,
And fill me vith the greatnes of thy gloir.
Most luifinglie vnto my sute Inclyn,
And lat me cleirlie sie thy vult deuyn;
Of the I crawe no vther Guerdone moir.
O thow, quho may all miserie restoir,
Considder veill quhow I esteme the deir
In place profoundest of my hart synceir.”
261
This bontius dame, me heiring all the space,
And syn persawing that I held my pace,
In plesand speitche But onie proces mair
Ane heawenlie harrang in the samming place
To me againe, of hir most guidlie grace,
Pronuncit scho vith desert voce preclair,
Quhilk I at lenth laiks langage to declair.
Ȝit in my dyt heir sall I brewelie draw
The summe quharof scho did vnto me schaw.
And syn persawing that I held my pace,
In plesand speitche But onie proces mair
Ane heawenlie harrang in the samming place
To me againe, of hir most guidlie grace,
Pronuncit scho vith desert voce preclair,
Quhilk I at lenth laiks langage to declair.
Ȝit in my dyt heir sall I brewelie draw
The summe quharof scho did vnto me schaw.
Scho sueitlie sayis, “O my beluiffit deir,
I am contentit to persawe the heir.
Thy trawels taine dois mak the ane of myne,
To quhom my plesand presence sould appeir,
Quhilk represents, Bot ȝit nocht throchlie cleir
May thow behold me in my gloir deuyne,
for quhy, that terrene caduct corps of thyne
Thy saull deteins As in ane presoune thrall
for to consawe my beuteis celicall.
I am contentit to persawe the heir.
Thy trawels taine dois mak the ane of myne,
To quhom my plesand presence sould appeir,
Quhilk represents, Bot ȝit nocht throchlie cleir
May thow behold me in my gloir deuyne,
for quhy, that terrene caduct corps of thyne
Thy saull deteins As in ane presoune thrall
for to consawe my beuteis celicall.
“Bot quhan thow sall thairfro dissoluit be,
At fredome than thow viwelie sall me sie
Vith glorious croune of gould vpon thy heed,
Quhilk for thy guerdon I sall rander frie
Vith ane quhyt garment for till honor the
At the rycht hand of him quho vincust deed,
Quhair lyk the Angils brycht thow salbe meed
And eit the pretious heawenlie Manna fyn
Moir daintie far than Nectar most deuyn.
At fredome than thow viwelie sall me sie
Vith glorious croune of gould vpon thy heed,
Quhilk for thy guerdon I sall rander frie
Vith ane quhyt garment for till honor the
At the rycht hand of him quho vincust deed,
Quhair lyk the Angils brycht thow salbe meed
And eit the pretious heawenlie Manna fyn
Moir daintie far than Nectar most deuyn.
“Sutche tresours than thow treulie sall obteine
As neuir ȝit vas seine vith mortall eine;
Ȝea, moir than aeir is habill for till heir
Of Ioy and bliss both in the sall conweine.
The hart of man may nocht consawe, I meine,
Thois pleasours great, quhilk to the sall appeir,
Prepaird for all quho plaine dois perseuir
In luiffing first thair God abowe all thing,
Thair Nychbour nixt, And veill obeyis thair king.
As neuir ȝit vas seine vith mortall eine;
Ȝea, moir than aeir is habill for till heir
Of Ioy and bliss both in the sall conweine.
The hart of man may nocht consawe, I meine,
Thois pleasours great, quhilk to the sall appeir,
Prepaird for all quho plaine dois perseuir
In luiffing first thair God abowe all thing,
Thair Nychbour nixt, And veill obeyis thair king.
262
“To mundan sort I do me nocht disclois,
Quho me to find be ritchis dois suppois,
In entring first at ampill passage plaine,
Quharbie at last both lyf and saull thay lois.
for brod and eisie is the vay that gois,
As Christ dois schaw, to euirlasting paine,
from quhilk, helas, is few that dois refraine
for to cum in at strict difficill rod,
Obeying the commandements of God:
Quho me to find be ritchis dois suppois,
In entring first at ampill passage plaine,
Quharbie at last both lyf and saull thay lois.
for brod and eisie is the vay that gois,
As Christ dois schaw, to euirlasting paine,
from quhilk, helas, is few that dois refraine
for to cum in at strict difficill rod,
Obeying the commandements of God:
“Quhartill sen thow hes borne sutche ȝelus vill,
Thy lesome chairge now sall I suir fulfill,
Resawing the for Seruiteur of myn,
And Instantlie I vill conduct the till
My peirles palice on ȝon holie hill,
The gloir quharof thocht thow may nocht defyn
Vith carnall ies, Ȝit synceir spreit of thyn
To spy that part vill think ane speciall grace,
Quhilk ons salbe thy dalie duelling place,
Thy lesome chairge now sall I suir fulfill,
Resawing the for Seruiteur of myn,
And Instantlie I vill conduct the till
My peirles palice on ȝon holie hill,
The gloir quharof thocht thow may nocht defyn
Vith carnall ies, Ȝit synceir spreit of thyn
To spy that part vill think ane speciall grace,
Quhilk ons salbe thy dalie duelling place,
“Quhair Sum thing of my priwie I sall schaw
To confort the, as thow sall schortlie knaw.”
And so scho tuik me be hir tender hand,
The quhilk I kissit, and Inclynit law
Vith humyll thanks, syn did deuotlie draw
My paissis stretcht to pas at hir command,
Be quhom sutche solas Infineit I fand
In spying hir celestiall resort,
And for to heir this subsequent report,
To confort the, as thow sall schortlie knaw.”
And so scho tuik me be hir tender hand,
The quhilk I kissit, and Inclynit law
Vith humyll thanks, syn did deuotlie draw
My paissis stretcht to pas at hir command,
Be quhom sutche solas Infineit I fand
In spying hir celestiall resort,
And for to heir this subsequent report,
Vith heawenlie voce quhilk from the palice spak;
“Behold I do vith men my duelling mak,
My tabernacle vith tham dois remaine:
for my awne peuple now I vill tham tak
And be thair God, tham saiffing all from vrak:
No moir of sorrow, crying, death, or paine
Sall thay susteine, quho to me may attaine,
Bot I sall vip all tairis from thair eine,
for the first things ar gon and purgit cleine.
“Behold I do vith men my duelling mak,
My tabernacle vith tham dois remaine:
for my awne peuple now I vill tham tak
And be thair God, tham saiffing all from vrak:
No moir of sorrow, crying, death, or paine
Sall thay susteine, quho to me may attaine,
Bot I sall vip all tairis from thair eine,
for the first things ar gon and purgit cleine.
263
“I am both Alpha And Omega trew,
Quho be my mycht sall mak all thingis new.
Of lywelie vell I frelie rander vill
To thristie sauls quho dois this place persew.
He that owrcumith, doing vyce eschew,
His harts desyr my presence sall fulfill,
And he Inherit sall all thingis still,
And I vilbe his God eternall heir,
And he againe my sone beluiffit deir.
Quho be my mycht sall mak all thingis new.
Of lywelie vell I frelie rander vill
To thristie sauls quho dois this place persew.
He that owrcumith, doing vyce eschew,
His harts desyr my presence sall fulfill,
And he Inherit sall all thingis still,
And I vilbe his God eternall heir,
And he againe my sone beluiffit deir.
“Bot fant Incredull curshit catifs vyle,
loud liars als, And vitchis that begyle,
Mischiwous murdrers maculat vith bluid,
All huirmongers, And thois quho dois defyle
Tham selfs in serwing Idols, I exyle
far from this place to the Infernall fluid
for to be vexit vith all torments ruid,
Quhair thay in deedlie dolor ay sall drie
The secund death, And ȝit sall neuir die.”
loud liars als, And vitchis that begyle,
Mischiwous murdrers maculat vith bluid,
All huirmongers, And thois quho dois defyle
Tham selfs in serwing Idols, I exyle
far from this place to the Infernall fluid
for to be vexit vith all torments ruid,
Quhair thay in deedlie dolor ay sall drie
The secund death, And ȝit sall neuir die.”
Be this vas said, than ve approtchit neir
The plesand place, quhilk peirles did appeir,
Vith vallis vyd all meed of pretious stone,
Quhilk be degreis vphich did perseueir.
The first vas Iasper as the christall cleir,
The Secund Saphir, The thred Chalcedone,
The fourt vas formd of Emerauld alone,
Of Sardonix the fyft vas polist cleine,
The Sext of Sardius Syn did semlie scheine,
The plesand place, quhilk peirles did appeir,
Vith vallis vyd all meed of pretious stone,
Quhilk be degreis vphich did perseueir.
The first vas Iasper as the christall cleir,
The Secund Saphir, The thred Chalcedone,
The fourt vas formd of Emerauld alone,
Of Sardonix the fyft vas polist cleine,
The Sext of Sardius Syn did semlie scheine,
The Sewent vas all of Chrisolit rycht rair,
The Aucht Berill, The nynt of Topas fair,
Of Chrysoprasus vas the tent degrie,
The lewent ane Iacinck glancing but compair,
The tuelt of purpour Amatist preclair.
And portis tuell till entir did I sie,
Quhilks all of perll apperit vnto me:
Of puirest Gould vas formit euerie streit,
Quhilk as the cleirest scheining glass did gleit.
The Aucht Berill, The nynt of Topas fair,
Of Chrysoprasus vas the tent degrie,
The lewent ane Iacinck glancing but compair,
The tuelt of purpour Amatist preclair.
And portis tuell till entir did I sie,
Quhilks all of perll apperit vnto me:
Of puirest Gould vas formit euerie streit,
Quhilk as the cleirest scheining glass did gleit.
264
Me thocht this semlie Situatione schew
lyk till ane citie formit of the new.
The nams of the Apostols one be one
Vpon the vals I did perfytlie vew,
Depaint vith monie curious costlie hew.
In at the port I ȝarnit till hawe gone,
Quhill scho, quha quhyter is than Iwire bone,
The gratious fair felicitie, did say,
“Ane litill space heir outvart most thow stay.
lyk till ane citie formit of the new.
The nams of the Apostols one be one
Vpon the vals I did perfytlie vew,
Depaint vith monie curious costlie hew.
In at the port I ȝarnit till hawe gone,
Quhill scho, quha quhyter is than Iwire bone,
The gratious fair felicitie, did say,
“Ane litill space heir outvart most thow stay.
“Tym is nocht cum that thow may entir heir,
Bot sen thow art my Seruiteur so deir,
Thow sall approtching to this part abyd,
Quhair as transparant to the sall appeir
My priwie throch this vall of Iasper cleir,
Quhill pleasis God thy Ingress to prouyd.
So in this tour of strenth remaine besyd,
Most stronglie beildit on ane stabill rock,
for conseruation of the faithfull flock.”
Bot sen thow art my Seruiteur so deir,
Thow sall approtching to this part abyd,
Quhair as transparant to the sall appeir
My priwie throch this vall of Iasper cleir,
Quhill pleasis God thy Ingress to prouyd.
So in this tour of strenth remaine besyd,
Most stronglie beildit on ane stabill rock,
for conseruation of the faithfull flock.”
So in scho past vith hir most royall rout,
And In the tour approtching I stuid out,
Quhair I mycht sie be speculation cleir
Gloir, quhilk the vallis compast round about,
Throch Iasper brycht. So lowlie did I lout
for to behold that Ioy vithin but peir,
Bot all my sensis so vas raweist heir,
That thocht and langage laik I till expone
The state trivmphall of that trinfold trone,
And In the tour approtching I stuid out,
Quhair I mycht sie be speculation cleir
Gloir, quhilk the vallis compast round about,
Throch Iasper brycht. So lowlie did I lout
for to behold that Ioy vithin but peir,
Bot all my sensis so vas raweist heir,
That thocht and langage laik I till expone
The state trivmphall of that trinfold trone,
Quharon Ane God omnipotent deuyne
Vas hichlie set, And as the Rainbow syne
Ane holie schaddow circuat the place,
Quhilk dimmit so thir Daȝed ies of myne
That I mycht nocht his deitie defyne.
Great thundring lychts and voces at all space
Procedit from that heawenlie trone of grace,
And four and tuentie elders cled in quhyt
Sat thair about vith Gouldine crouns perfyt;
Vas hichlie set, And as the Rainbow syne
Ane holie schaddow circuat the place,
Quhilk dimmit so thir Daȝed ies of myne
That I mycht nocht his deitie defyne.
Great thundring lychts and voces at all space
Procedit from that heawenlie trone of grace,
And four and tuentie elders cled in quhyt
Sat thair about vith Gouldine crouns perfyt;
265
In myds of quhom vithin the trone preclair
On the rycht hand Immaculat and fair
Ane Holie lambe triumpantlie did ring,
Quhois douce regarde most meik and debonair
Meed Great Iehoua all his vraith to spair.
And cleir thencefro The vell of lyf did spring
To euerie one that thocht this lambe thair king,
Ȝea, ewene The lambe of quhom Ihon Baptist spak,
Quho sins of all the vorld away dois tak.
On the rycht hand Immaculat and fair
Ane Holie lambe triumpantlie did ring,
Quhois douce regarde most meik and debonair
Meed Great Iehoua all his vraith to spair.
And cleir thencefro The vell of lyf did spring
To euerie one that thocht this lambe thair king,
Ȝea, ewene The lambe of quhom Ihon Baptist spak,
Quho sins of all the vorld away dois tak.
Vith Angils brycht this citie vas repleit,
And of all Nations peuple Infineit
Vith palms victorious Stuide the trone befoir
In long quhyt garments couering to thair feit,
Pronuncing loud vith celest voces sueit,
“from Our Guid God Saluation euirmoir
Dois glaidlie cum, And from His lambe of gloir.”
Than all the Elders fell vpon thair face,
And vorschippit deuotlie in that place.
And of all Nations peuple Infineit
Vith palms victorious Stuide the trone befoir
In long quhyt garments couering to thair feit,
Pronuncing loud vith celest voces sueit,
“from Our Guid God Saluation euirmoir
Dois glaidlie cum, And from His lambe of gloir.”
Than all the Elders fell vpon thair face,
And vorschippit deuotlie in that place.
My muse, Go low And nocht So hich pretend,
In this Carib Do nocht thy saeill vpbend.
Hold bak, Hold bak, thow laiks the sycht to sie
Quhat Goulf of glorie heir dois flow but end.
My litill Mignone, prese nocht till ascend
Moir hicher than thow saif may carie me;
Thy vings ar vaeik And laikith force to flie
for to discrywe at lenth this blist repair,
Quhilk no man mortall dewlie may declair,
In this Carib Do nocht thy saeill vpbend.
Hold bak, Hold bak, thow laiks the sycht to sie
Quhat Goulf of glorie heir dois flow but end.
My litill Mignone, prese nocht till ascend
Moir hicher than thow saif may carie me;
Thy vings ar vaeik And laikith force to flie
for to discrywe at lenth this blist repair,
Quhilk no man mortall dewlie may declair,
Quharin no neid vas of the sone to scheine,
for gloir of God did clarifie most cleine
This heawenlie habitation But compair,
Quharof The lambe brycht luminator beine,
To quhom also did onlie apperteine
Till opin vp the buik of lyf preclair
Contining all Gods chosin Childreine fair;
Quhilk blissit buik for to disclois he tuik,
And gawe me liwe thairin ane space to luik.
for gloir of God did clarifie most cleine
This heawenlie habitation But compair,
Quharof The lambe brycht luminator beine,
To quhom also did onlie apperteine
Till opin vp the buik of lyf preclair
Contining all Gods chosin Childreine fair;
Quhilk blissit buik for to disclois he tuik,
And gawe me liwe thairin ane space to luik.
266
Bot now vith mirth I may my versis sing,
for Iofull nowels glaidlie do I bring,
Throch Albion apertlie to be knawne.
Vithin this buik I red ane priwie thing,
Quhilk appertenis to My Natiwe king,
And throch the vorld I wish it to be schawne.
Vith gouldin letters cleir thairin vas drawne
As phebus brycht quhilk gawe ane fair reflex,
Iacobvs Sextvs hic scotorvm rex.
for Iofull nowels glaidlie do I bring,
Throch Albion apertlie to be knawne.
Vithin this buik I red ane priwie thing,
Quhilk appertenis to My Natiwe king,
And throch the vorld I wish it to be schawne.
Vith gouldin letters cleir thairin vas drawne
As phebus brycht quhilk gawe ane fair reflex,
Iacobvs Sextvs hic scotorvm rex.
Quhan I haid sein thir heawenlie visions fair,
far Raueist vas I from all vorldlie cair,
Auating tym till entir euerie hour
Vithin this New Ierusalem preclair,
The onlie peirles and celest Repair.
Quhilk Space Induring I to God sall poure
My prayers, Duelling in the foirsaid toure,
Quhair grawin vas abowe the port abrod,
“This is the trew Catholick churche of God.”
far Raueist vas I from all vorldlie cair,
Auating tym till entir euerie hour
Vithin this New Ierusalem preclair,
The onlie peirles and celest Repair.
Quhilk Space Induring I to God sall poure
My prayers, Duelling in the foirsaid toure,
Quhair grawin vas abowe the port abrod,
“This is the trew Catholick churche of God.”
Quhilk Holie Churche, lord, of thy mercie gyd,
And for the ȝeall of thy Great gloir prowyd
That euerie one quho vold the same confound
May be conwertit, Or els schortlie slyd.
Sects, hereseis, And scismes Rycht decyd,
faith, Charitie, And concord cause abound,
That all our vorks may to thy praise redound.
So thow in ws thy Glorie scheine sall sie,
And we in the againe sall saiffit bie.
And for the ȝeall of thy Great gloir prowyd
That euerie one quho vold the same confound
May be conwertit, Or els schortlie slyd.
Sects, hereseis, And scismes Rycht decyd,
faith, Charitie, And concord cause abound,
That all our vorks may to thy praise redound.
So thow in ws thy Glorie scheine sall sie,
And we in the againe sall saiffit bie.
Last, of thy mercie mychtelie protect
Thy awne Anoyntit veschell, cheif elect
Abowe this yle Imperiallie to ring.
from him expell all persons ewill infect,
And vith thy spreit his purposis derect.
Thy blissings, lord, aboundantlie lat spring
from tym to tym on this our kyndlie king,
To quhom most humyllie At his prencelie feit
I Represent this metir myn onmeit.
Thy awne Anoyntit veschell, cheif elect
Abowe this yle Imperiallie to ring.
from him expell all persons ewill infect,
And vith thy spreit his purposis derect.
Thy blissings, lord, aboundantlie lat spring
from tym to tym on this our kyndlie king,
To quhom most humyllie At his prencelie feit
I Represent this metir myn onmeit.
FINIS.
267
HIS FAIRWEILL TO THE MUSIS.
fairweill, my toynles trimbling strings,
fairweill, the Source quhair poems springs,
fairweill, brycht purpour Pean fair
And all thy sisters sueit that Sings
On plesand pernass mont preclair.
fairweill, the Source quhair poems springs,
fairweill, brycht purpour Pean fair
And all thy sisters sueit that Sings
On plesand pernass mont preclair.
fairweill, my versis varpit vrang,
fairweill, the harp quhairon I sang,
fairweill, My muse that meed me mont,
fairweill, for I hawe Serwed ȝow lang,
Quhill both my brains ar bruist and blont.
fairweill, the harp quhairon I sang,
fairweill, My muse that meed me mont,
fairweill, for I hawe Serwed ȝow lang,
Quhill both my brains ar bruist and blont.
Go scherse sum pregnant spreit perfyt,
Quho in ȝour douceur dois delyt,
And nether nycht Nor day vill spair
for to declair sum dew Indyt
In vorschip of ȝow Nymphis fair.
Quho in ȝour douceur dois delyt,
And nether nycht Nor day vill spair
for to declair sum dew Indyt
In vorschip of ȝow Nymphis fair.
Bot sum dois dalie dolor drie
for till obteine The lawrell trie,
And, thocht ane Branche thairof thay pull,
Most meschant mouth of Momus slie
Of sum Reprotche vill ay be full.
for till obteine The lawrell trie,
And, thocht ane Branche thairof thay pull,
Most meschant mouth of Momus slie
Of sum Reprotche vill ay be full.
Quhan lustie Venus veill did dance
Befoir the Gods, this Churle be chance
Vas present than to hir Mishap.
Quod he, quhan all did hir awance,
“Hir Sandals dois ower loudlie clap.”
Befoir the Gods, this Churle be chance
Vas present than to hir Mishap.
Quod he, quhan all did hir awance,
“Hir Sandals dois ower loudlie clap.”
268
I dout no thing to find also
This curshit Catiwe for my fo,
In finding fault vith this or that,
Bot ȝit I cair him nocht ane stro:
My king sall veill protect my plat,
This curshit Catiwe for my fo,
In finding fault vith this or that,
Bot ȝit I cair him nocht ane stro:
My king sall veill protect my plat,
Quhois Sacred thespian Science rair,
Bebatht in Source Castalia fair,
Arrouse sall all my Roustie ryme,
And vith Pegasien Spring preclair
Cleine cleinge the sam from ewirie cryme.
Bebatht in Source Castalia fair,
Arrouse sall all my Roustie ryme,
And vith Pegasien Spring preclair
Cleine cleinge the sam from ewirie cryme.
for as Bellerophon So Stout
from lycia dang the monsters out
And brocht Curst Chimere to ane end,
Ewen so his grace, I do nocht dout,
Sall Thersits fleme, And me defend.
from lycia dang the monsters out
And brocht Curst Chimere to ane end,
Ewen so his grace, I do nocht dout,
Sall Thersits fleme, And me defend.
THE END.
| Poems of John Stewart of Baldyneiss | |