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Certayn chapters take[n] out of the Proverbs of Salomo[n]

wyth other chapters of the holy Scripture; & certayne Psalmes of David, translated into English metre, by Iohn Hall. Whych Proverbes of late were set forth, Imprinted and untruely entituled, to be thee doynges of Mayster Thomas Sternhold ... as by thys Copye it may be perceaved

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The prouerbes of Salomon, translated into Englyshe metre.

[The wysdom of the Lord our God]

Argumentum. Cha. i.

The wysdom of the Lord our God,
doth call vpon vs styll
That we fle farre from wycked men,
and folow not their wyll.
My sonne thy father harke vnto
& to his lore enclyne
Forsake thou not thy mothers law
but sure let it be thyne
For that shal cause grace plentifull,
to lyght vpon thyne heade
And on the necke shalbe a chayne,
and stande the in good steade
Therfore (my sōne) take thou good hede
whē sinners do the tempte
For though that they do the entyce,
to them do not consente
Yf they shall saye, come thou wt vs,
let vs laye wayte for bloude


And causeles kyll the innocent,
and spoyle them of their good.
Let vs them swallow quycke and hole
let vs deuoure them al:
As those that slyde into a pyt,
so shall they take their fall.
And we shal costely ryches fynde,
to do therwyth our wyll:
And wt the spoyles that we shal get
we may our houses fyll.
Cast in thy lotte amonge vs now,
a man yf that thou arte:
And thē we wyl haue all one purse,
and thou shalte haue thy part.
But walk thou not wt thē (my sōne)
theyr pathes do thou refrayne:
Their fete are hasty bloude to shede
al yll they do retayne.
But al in vayne the nette is layde,
before the byrdes eyes:
Yet one an others bloude to spyl,
much yll they do deuise.
And thei thēselues their own deare bloud
this way do hurt and noye:


And theyr owne soules do quite depriue
of al eternal ioye.
This is the way of gredy men
and thys is al theyr feate:
For to beryue his brothers lyfe:
his ryches for to gette
Without therfore doth wysdō cal,
& putteth forth her voyce
Behold for in the open streates,
to you she maketh noyse
She calleth before the multytude,
that al men may her know
And in the towne gates openly,
her wordes she doth nowe shewe
Oh folysh men and fonde saith she,
how longe wyl ye delyte
In folysshe schole? and ye vnwyse,
to wysdom beare suche spyte
Oh turne to my correction,
I wyl my mynde expresse
And I wyll make you vnderstand,
my wordes both more and lesse
Sence then that I haue called you,
and ye refuse my name


And haue put forth mine hand also,
and ye forsake the same
And al my counsels ye haue hadde,
in mockynge and despite
And also my correction,
haue set at naught and lyght
Therfore wyll I laughe ioyfully,
in your destruction
And mock you whan the plage you feare
shal iustly on you come
And whā that whych you feare so much
ful sodaynly doeth fal
And troubles and great heuines,
shal come vpon yon all
Thē when you do vpon me craue,
I wyl not heare your minde
Though you seke me, & that earely
yet shal you not me fynde
And why? I say because that you,
my knowledge so abhorde
And cast away against my wyll,
the feare of god the Lorde
I sayd before they dyd refuse,
my counsels euery one


And dyd not cease, for to despyse,
my good correction
To eate the frute of their own way
the lord shal them constrayne
With the deuice he shal them fyll,
of theyr insensate brayne
And for the fal of the vnwyse,
he shal them slaye anon
And eke the wealth of foles shalbe,
theyr owne confusyon
But who to me that geueth eare,
shal dwell safely I saye
And haue ynough, & nede not feare
by nyght, nor yet by daye.

[It is hete taughte that we shulde learne]

Argumentum. Cha. ii.

It is hete taughte that we shulde learne
Gods wysdome to obtayne
The wealth also that cometh therof
Is here descrybed playne.
My sōne receiue ye these my wordes
the which shalbe right wyse
And kepe thou my cōmaūdementes,
my sonne I the aduyse


So that thine eares may euermore
to wysdomes scholes encline
Applye thyne harte to vnderstand,
suche thinges as bee dyuyne
For yf thou after wysedome crye,
and styl vpon her craue
And callest on for knowledge gift,
because thou woldeste her haue
And seke for her as thou woldest seke
for mony in the dust
And dygge for her as treasure that
in earth is hydde and trust
Thē shalt thou right wel vnderstāde
the feare of god the Lord
And of his law the knowledg find,
accordyng to hys worde
For god alone doeth geue to vs,
his wysdom for to speake
Out of his mouth doth knowledg spring
and vnderstāding eke
The rightuous mē he doth preserue
in welfare through hys myghte.
He doth defende the innocent,
that walke his way aryght


He doth thē kepe straight in his pathes
that they go not astraye
He doth directe hys holy ones,
to walke ryght in his waye
Yf thou be soch, thou shalt thē lerne
by iustice for to deale
With euery man in equitye,
throughout the comen weale
In iudgemet right thou shalt lykewise
al other men excel
And euery good path vnto the,
the lord shal shewe ful well
Yf wysdom enter into thyne harte,
and knowledge in thy spirite
Thē vnderstandyng good counsel,
shal the preserue vpryght
That thou mayst so deliuered be
from euery wycked way
And frō those mē that froward thīges
do alwayes speake & saye
The which do leue the wai of light
and walke in darkenes styll
And whych reioyce most iocundly,
when they haue done full yll


Whych do delyte in wyckednes,
whose wayes are vyle & vaine
Whose croked pathes are sclaūderous
frō them do thou refraine
That also from the straūge woman
delyuered thou mayste be
And from her eke that is not thyne,
or was not wedde to the
Which speaketh faire, & doth forsake
the husbād of her youth
And doth forget the cōnaunt made,
of God and of hys trouth.
Take hede, her house enclineth fast
to death, as I the tell
Her pathes ar sure the ready way,
that leadeth downe to hell
And they also that go to her,
shal not come oute againe
Nor take hold of the waye of lyfe,
I tel the thys is playne
That thou mayst walke in the sure waye
wherof I do the tel
And kepe the pathes of ryghtuousnes
thē shalt thou do ryght wel


For why? thee iuste shall euer lyue,
in ioye that dothe not cease
The innocente remayne on earthe
in wealth, and eke in peace
But the vngodly shalbe pluct,
out of the lande I saye
And wicked men chased shalbe,
out of the same for aye.

[Sure trust in God ought all men to haue]

Argumentum. Cha. iii.

Sure trust in God ought all men to haue
and not in theyr owne brayne
The wycked man thou shalte not feare,
ne yet the skorner vayne.
My sōne, forget not thou my law
but haue it styl in syghte
And let thine hart obserue my wordes
so shalt thou walke aryght
For sure they shal prolōg thy dayes
thy yeres, and lyfe also
And bryng the peace and quietnes,
and rydde the out of wo
Let mercy nor yet faythfulnes,
henceforth from the departe


Bind thē about thy necke (my sōne)
and write them in thyne harte
And so shalt thou great fauor win,
of god and eke of men
In vnderstandyng perfectlye,
expert thou shalt be then
With al thine hart to god the lord
put confidence and trust
And leaue thou not in anye wyse,
to thyne owne wyt and luste
In al thy wayes haue thou respect
vnto the lyuing lorde
He shal thy doinges order wel
accordinge to his worde
Be not to wise in thy conceite,
but feare god in thine harte
In hast also from wickednes,
endeuoure to departe
So shal thy nauyl styll (my sonne)
continue hole and sounde
Thy bones also and bodye shall,
wyth lyuely strength abound
Honour the lorde, and to hym geue
the best of thy substaunce


And the fyrst frutes of thine encrease
hys glory to aduaunce
So shal thy barnes be fylled ful,
and that wyth plentuousnes
Thy presses all shal ouerflowe,
wyth wyne of great swetenes
The bitter scorge of God the Lord,
(my sonne) do not despyse
And when thou art rebukte of hym,
faynt not in any wyse
For loke whō ye the lorde doth loue,
hys rodde shall on hym lyght
Euē as the father whypes his sōne,
to know hym self a ryght
Yet doth the Lorde neuertheles,
loue hys afflicted styll
Euen as the father doth hys chylde,
when he hath bete hys fyll
Full well is he therfore I saye,
the which doth wysdom fynde
And vnderstanding to obteyne,
doth sette hys harte and mynde
For marchaūdice ther is none soch,
through out the worlde so rounde


There is no syluer nor yet golde,
wherin soch welth is founde
More worth thē al the gold on erth
let wysdom be to the
To hyr al thynge thou canst desyre,
compared maye not be.
On her ryght hand attendaunt is
longe lyfe, wyth coloure grene
And honour stādes on her left hand,
wyth ryches well besene
Her wayes also right pleasaunt are
whych pleasure doth not cease
Her pathes lykewyse ar nothing els
but vnitie and peace
She is a tree of lyfe to them,
that laye holde on her ryght
And blessed ar thei that kepe her fast
wyth all theyr power and myght
In wysdom eke the lyuinge Lorde
ful wel the earth dyd founde
And wt his worde ye heauēs he made
the earth to compasse rounde
And through the wysdō of the lord
the waters brake vp al


The cloudes also power downe the rayne
that on the erth doth fal
My son, let not these thinges depart
at no tyme from thyne eyes
But kepe my lawe and counsels all,
by the in any wyse
So shall it be eternall lyfe,
thy soule for to embrace
Thy mouth shall be replenished
wyth vertue and wyth grace
Thē shalte yu be right sure to walke
full boldely in the waye
Thy fete shall neuer slyppe from the
by nyght, nor yet by daye
Yf thou doest slepe at any tyme
thou nedest not be afrayed
But swetely slepe, and take thy rest,
for god wyl be thyne ayde
And thoughe that the vngodly men,
rushe in with vyolence
Thou shalt nor be afrayed at all,
for God is thy defence
The Lord wyl stād fast by thy syde,
and helpe the at thy nede


And kepe the safe, and suffer not,
thyne enemyes to procede
And soche as woulde to other men,
do good wyth all theyr harte
And haue therto sufficient,
to lette is not thy parte
And yf thy selfe thou able be,
thy neyghbour to releue
Helpe him wt soch as thou maist spare,
and gladly to him geue
Refuse not to do good to them,
to whom it dothe belonge
Whyle that thy ryght hand able is,
to do it them amonge
And yf thy frende do aske of the,
saye not, gette thou thy waye
To morowe come agayne to me,
or els some other daye
And thē wil I geue it ye (thou sayest)
where as thou mayste it nowe
Euen out of hand, and yf thou wilt,
thys God dothe not alowe
Intēde not to thy neyghbours hurt
where he no harme hath mente


And wher to lyue in reste and peace,
he settes hys whole entente
Stryue not (my sonne) with any mā,
where as he doeth no woo
Nor folowe thou the vniuste man,
but hye the faste hym froo
For why? the waye of scorners all,
the Lorde doth cleane deteste:
And for to talke wyth symple men,
the Lorde is pleased beste
Great scarcytie the Lord doth send
where wycked men abyde
But he doth blesse the godly men,
and shall for them prouyde
The lord shal laugh at skorneful mē
and mocke them to theyr face
But to the lowly he wyll geue
hys goodnes and hys grace
The wyse wyth theyr possessions,
in honour shall remayne
But shame is the promotion,
that folyshe men obtayne.


[Howe sagely and howe fatherly]

Argumen, Chap. iiii.

Howe sagely and howe fatherly,
he doeth vs here aduyse
That we from euyl our hertes refrayne,
and study to be wyse.
Ye childrē heare your father nowe
how he doth you exhort
Take hede ye you do wisdō learne
whych shalbe your cōfort
And I wyl geue you good rewarde
and therwyth wyl you fyl
Yf you wyl not forsake my lawe
but study therein styl
for when I was the only sonne
of bothe my parentes dere
And tenderly beloued was,
of father and mothere
Then he taught me full louingly
and vnto me dyd preache
And thus he sayde full often tymes
as I wyl you nowe teache
Se that thou doest receaue (said he)
my wordes into thy breste
And kepe thē wel, so shalt thou lyue
in perfyte ioye and reste


In vnderstandinge buselye,
applye thy selfe alwaye
Lette not the same departe from the
by nyghte, nor yet by daye
And wysdom neuer suffer thou,
from the for to digresse
Yf thou loue her she shal preserue,
and kepe the from distress
The chiefeste poynte of wysdom is,
that thou do take in hande
Before al goodes wysdom to gette,
and learne to vnderstande
Make much of her and she shal the,
promote to power and myght
And yf thou her embrace, she shal
to honour brynge the ryghte
For she wyl make thyne head truly
both good and gracious
And with a crowne shal garnishe it,
that is ful glorious
My sōne, therfore embrace wt spede
the wordes I saye to the
So that thy yeres in ioye and peace
on earth prolonged be


The wayes of wysdom vnto the,
I shall make fayre and playne
And in the pathes of equitie,
shall leaue the to remayne
So that thou mayste walke well in them
& haue none hinderaunce
And whē yu rūnest, thou shalt not fal,
nor haue an euyl chaunce
Of wysdō thē sure holde take thou,
and do not let hyr goo
In kepinge hyr, thou shalte surely,
defended be from woo
And in the pathe come not (my sōne)
of the vngodly trayne
Nor walke thou in the wicked way,
of them whose lyfe is vayne
From the yll trade of naughty men,
departe thou cleane asyde
And se that thou go farre from thē,
and kepe the styll awyde
They cā not slepe tyl they haue done
some harme or els mischiefe
Nor take their rest tyl thei haue wrought
to some mā wo or griefe


For they do eate thee bytter breade
of wylful wyckednes
And drinke the wine of cōmē spoile
and al vngodlynes
The pleasaūt pathes of godly men
appeare both lyght and gaye
And to al men more bright do shine
then doeth the lyghtsome daye
But thee yll waye of wycked men,
to darkenes is comparde
Wherin men fal, or they beware,
or els do scape full harde
My sōne, mark wel my wordes therfore
that I do to the tel
And to the same thine eares encline,
and vnderstand them well
And se that frō thy faythful minde,
thou lettest them not depart
But kepe them styl ful stedfastly,
in the mydst of thy harte
For they are lyfe vnto al those
that chaunseth them to fynde
And health of body to al suche,
as beare them in theyr mynde


My sōne also kepe wel thyne hart,
for therin resteth lyfe
And put frō the a frowarde mouth,
and lyppes that caused stryfe
And let thyne eyes wyth dylygence,
behold that which is ryghte
And eke thine eye liddes loke before
dyrectly in the lyght
Mark wel thy pathes, lest that thy fete
happe sodenly to slyde
So shal thy gate be sure ynoughe,
whether thou go or ryde
Turne not asyde on the left hande,
nor yet vnto the ryghte
But kepe away from wickednes,
thy fete wyth all thy myght
The perfite pathes ye lord doth knowe
that lede the way of lyght
The wycked wayes the lorde also
consydereth aryght
But such as walke in godlines
the lorde wyl kepe and saue
And all their iourneyes prospere so
that they none harme shall haue.


[Al harlottes fle, thine honour saue]

Argumentum. Cha. v.

Al harlottes fle, thine honour saue
thy yeres spende not in vayne
Of thine owne floure enioy the fruyte
straunge loue also refrayne.
My sōne geue eare & that wt spede
my wisdō folow thou
With good pretēce to wysdōs scole
thine eares se ye thou bowe
So that thou doest regard alway,
my ryght and good counsell
And ye thy lyppes may nurtour kepe
lykewyse in speakinge wel
The flatterynge lyppes of wycked whores
may wel compared be
To hony combes whych do dystyll
as we do often see
Whose wordes appeare vnto thine eares
as smoth as any oyle
But thou art lyke wtout good hede,
to take the shame and foyle
And in the ende thee pleasure paste,
assured mayst thou be
The bitter tast of wormewood shal
more pleasaunt seme to the


And so lykewise more sharpe she is,
the swerde of stele wel wroughte
Which on both sides wt cuttīg edge
mans lyfe doth brynge to nought
Forsaken she hath the path of lyfe,
vnstedfast is her waye
So that thou shalt it neuer knowe
what euer she doeth saye
Her fete do leade the waye to death
her steppes do leade to hel
The same be alwayes wanderyng,
and in no place can dwell
Geue eare therfore my sōne alway,
and herke well vnto me
And on the wordes of my wise mouth
attendaunte se thou be
Estraunge thy self as farre frō her
as euer that thou maye
And come not nie her dores nor house
by nyght nor yet by day
And do thou not thine honor geue
vnto an other one
Nor yet the fruite of thy lōg yeres,
to suche as be thy fone


That wyth thy ryches other men,
theyr houses do not fyll
Nor wt thy paines a straūgers house
be stuft agaynst thy wyl
Leste that yu mourne, but all to late
vpon a wofull daye
Whē thou hast spēt both life & good
and be compelde to saye
Alas why did I nourtour hate
why did myne harte despyse
The learning pure yt I was taught
which wolde haue made me wyse
Why was I not obedient,
to them that dyd me teach
And harkened not to thē the which,
so much to me dyd preache.
Wherfore almost all care & griefe,
is casten me vpon
In the mydst of thy multitude,
and congregacyon
To vse the drinke of thine own wel
is sure a pleasaūt thynge
And of the brooke that floweth frō
the heade of thyne owne sprynge


Suffer the same to ouerflowe,
as ryuers to the bryncke
That water pure the neady may,
of them at al tymes dryncke
Yet let them be thyne owne onelye,
yf nede of them thou hast
And the straunge mā kepe well frō them
yf long they may not last
Likewise be glad of thine own wife
depart thou not her froo
A louing hynd thou shalt her haue,
yf frendely be thy Roo
The brestes of her se that alwayes,
suffisaunt be to the
And with her loue hold the contēte
so shal you best agre
Wherfore (my sōne) why wilt thou haue
in harlots such delite
And doest embrace thy neyghbours wyfe
and doest to him such spite
Remembre that of eche mans lyfe,
the trade in the lordes syght
Apereth playn, which he doth iudge
accordynge vnto ryghte


And of mans steppes wt watchfull eies
the nombre hath he told
And doth his wayes wt iudgemente ryght
cōsider and behold
The wickednes of an yll mā
shal catch hym selfe at last
And wt the snares of hys own sinne
he shalbe trapped fast
Because he woulde not learned be
death shal hym ouercome
And headlonge for hys folyshnes,
to Sathā shall he ronne

[Here art thou warned of suretishyp]

Argumentum. Chap. vi.

Here art thou warned of suretishyp,
and slouthfulnes to fle
Of doctrine false beware the sleyghte,
and fle adulterye.
My sonne yf thou a suretye be,
or promyse for thy frende
Thou haste thy hande so fastened
it wyl not be vntwind
And boūd yu art in thine owne wordes
as fast as thou mayste be
And takē art in thine owne speache,
tyll he acquytethe the


Discharge thy self for thou art come
into thy neighbours dette
Seke then al meanes, and se yf thou
thy neyghbour canste entreate
Refraine thine eies frō to much slepe
and to thy selfe beware
As doth ye doo the bloudy hoūdes,
or byrde the fowlers snare
The little ant (thou slouthful man)
to thyne example take
And learne of her for to be wyse,
and purueyaunce to make
For where she hath no gouernour,
nor maister her to learne
Nor wytty king vnder whose rule,
wel holden is the sterne
Yet nature doth in her thys worke
wythout any other gyde
In somer tyme wyth busy care,
for wynter to prouyde
How lōg wilt ye (oh slougishe man)
in ydlenes remayne
And geue the whole to rest & slepe,
and slackest to take paine


Go to, go to, slepe hardely,
and slumbre oute thy fyll
With folded armes lye down to rest
and take thou thyne owne wyl
As one that iourneth by the waye,
so pouertye shall come
And also lyke a weaponed man
on the shall fiercely ronne
But yf thou be industrious
and well thy labour plye
Thyne heruest shal be plentiful
and yelde abundauntly
And as the ryuers greate and depe,
encrease by rage of raygne
So shall thy barnes be stuffed full,
of corne, and eke of grayne
And thou shall stand nothing at all,
in feare of any lacke
The woful bagge of beggerye
shal neuer greue thy backe
A wycked man, and he that is
replenished wyth gyle
Doeth alwaye seke maliciouslye,
wyth lyes the to bewyle


He serueth to none vse at all,
he flereth wyth hys eyes
And wyth hys fyngers meneth craft
and geues hym selfe to lyes
And he doeth alwayes exercyse,
some mischiefe for hys parte
And causer is of moche discorde,
throughe malice of hys herte
Wyth haste therfore remedeies
some yll shall on hym fall
From hym hys lyfe shall taken be,
when he thynkes least of all
Sixe thīges ther be on erth (my son)
whych god doeth hate full sore
The seuenth aboue the other syxe
the lorde doeth moste abhore
A proude disdaynfull loke the lorde,
doeth vtterly refuse
A lying tongue wyth fyled wordes,
deceytfully doth vse
The hurtful handes whych hast do make
the giltles bloud to spyl
And can not els them selues refrayn
tyll they haue done some yll


An hart that doth his euyll thoughtes
to thys onely employe
Which way to worke most wyckednes
and other men to noye
The fete also whych ready be
greate synnes for to committe
And in one place can neuer stande
tyll they some mischiefe hitte
A wytnes false that doth hys lippes
deceytfully applye
And couertly his neyghbour greue,
wyth some new forged lye
The sower of discorde is worse,
when brethren doth agree
And he that doth cause louing frendes
great enemies for to be
But thou my sonne, my counsels all
print sure into thyne harte
Do not forsake thy mothers lawe
nor laye the same aparte
Commende them to thy memorie
bynde them thy necke aboute
And wher thou goest, lede thē wt thē
then slepe and haue no doute


And whē thou wakest out of thy slepe
in them se thou delyght
For my preceptes a lanterne are,
and to thy fete a lyghte
In which thou mayst without peril
passe safely on thy waye
For nurtoure is yf thou it take
to lyfe a ready staye
The same shal the preserue also
from her that lyueth amys
And also from the harlots tongue,
whych so deceytfull is
Let not her beautye the enflame,
her beckes are very hokes
To catche thyne hert into her snare,
through her deceytful workes
To bring a man to begge his bread,
it is an harlots guyse
But for the lyfe of honestye
the godly doeth deuyse
Maye any man the flamynge fyre,
in hys bare bosome bringe
But that it shall hys clothes burne,
and cause hys fleshe to wringe?


Or may a man on redde hote coles
barefote passe on hys waye
And yet the same hym neuer greue?
no, no, I dare well saye
Euen so I thincke that the same mā
that doth an harlotte see
And vseth hym to touche her oft
vngyltye can not be
The thefe is not despysed of all
that steales for very nede
His gredy wombe, & hongry guttes
in hongre for to fede
The vtmoost is, yf he be founde,
seuen tymes to yelde agayne
Or els to make amendes wythall,
hys goodes that do remayne
But yf thou be in whoredom foūde
wyth any neyghbours wyfe
Thou playest the fole, for that doth bring
destruction on thy lyfe
Thou gettest thy selfe rebuke & shame
wherof none can the rydde
Dishonour eke thou purchasest,
whych neuer shal be hydde


For why? her husbādes wrathful ire
entreated can not be
Though yu geue gyftes, amendes to make
as moch as is in the.

[In this he doeth all men exhort]

Argumen, Chap. vii.

In this he doeth all men exhort
to wysdom for to cleaue
He sheweth eke the harlots trickes
wherwyth she doeth deceyue.
My son marke well my coūsels all
& laye thē vp in store
Obserue wel my cōmaundementes
by the for euermore
And honour thou the lyuing Lorde
so shalte thou be ryghte sure
To raygne in ioyes celestiall,
whych euer shall endure
And other goddes feare not at all,
in men haue thou no truste
And thys doynge thou shalt be sure
to lyue amonge the iuste
Thē kepe thou my cōmaūdementes,
lo, once agayne I saye


Euen as the apple of thyne eye,
by whyche thou seest the daye
And eke about thy fyngers tenne,
se that thou do them bynde
And wryte thē in thine hert wt spede
and printe them wel in mynde
And se that thou to wysdom saye
thou arte my syster deare
And vnderstandinge call lykewyse
thy kynswoman full neare
For wysdom shal the safely kepe
from women that bryll
So that on harlots fyled wordes
thou shalt not set thy wyl
As I by chaunce sate downe to see
the folye of yonge men
And kepte me close wtin myne house
and pepte out nowe and then
Behold I saw a yonge fole passe
the corner of the strete
And hyed as fast as he myght goo,
an harlotte for to mete
And so towarde the harlotes house
he toke hys waye full ryght


Thynkyng to scape and not be sene,
when it was almost nyght
And sodaynly ther mette wyth him,
an harlot proude and bolde
Whych alwaye set her whole delite
to mocke both yonge and olde
For in her herte deceyte was hydde,
and wantonnes also
Whych she declared by her attyre,
and tokens other mo
Whose fete could not abyde wythin
the house, but ranne about
Now here, now ther, in eche blind lane
within and eke wythoute
She caught the yōg mā kissing him
and shamed not to saye
I made a vowe which to performe,
I purposed thys daye
Wherfore came I to mete the now,
and to beholde thy face
And thus I haue by happe the foūd
my waye as I dyd trace
My house is dect wt painted clothes
of Egypt the to please


My bedde doth smel of Sinamon,
of myrre and Aloes
Come on therfore and let vs lye
together al thys nyght
And let vs twaine our plesure take,
tyll it be broade day lyght
Mine husband is not now at home
he is gone farre away
With him he toke the money bagge
and comes not home to day
And thus wt man flatterīg wordes,
she dyd hym ouercome
And also through her lying lippes,
anon she had him wonne
Immediatly he folowed her,
much lyke vnto an oxe
Which led is to a slaughter house,
where he is kylde wythe knockes
Or lyke vnto the folysh lambe,
that skyppeth in the leese
Whē that the boucher fetcheth him
mens appetite to please
He thynketh not how shamefullye,
to pryson he is brought


My wysdom learne to vnderstāde,
and kepe it faythfully
Oh herkē wel, and geue good eare,
of wayghty thynges & wyse
My lippes shal speke, mine hart shal styll,
much godlynes deuyse
My talk shalbe on vertuous thīges
wherin I moste delyght
My lippes abhorre the wycked mā
for al his power and myght
My counsels all, and my preceptes,
be ryghtuous and strayght
There is in them no wyckednes,
nor any maner sleyght
To suche as do them vnderstande,
they be but very playne
And not to harde for them to kepe,
yf therof they be fayne
Before greate heapes of worldlye goodes
chose yu my dysciplyne
My doctryne is of greater pryce,
then is the golde so fyne
As lyghtsome dayes wt his bryghte beames
excelleth the dark night


Whē that the skies ar ful of sterres
or mone doth geue her lyght
Euen so truly doth wysdome passe,
and farre aboue excell
Al worldely wealth: to it nothynge,
maye be compared well
I which am the eternal worde,
and equall in al myght
To god, which al thinges hath made
and created aryght
Assystaunte am, from time to time,
in counsels that are iust
And likewise am of al good thoughtes
the geuer when I luste
And he which hath the feare of god
sure prynted in hys breaste
Doth hate al vyce, al pryde of hart,
and vtterly deteste
The wicked pathes in which to walke
yll mē haue their delight
The double tōgue his neyghbours hurte
which worketh wt despite
I onely geue vnto mans harte,
good counsell to deuyse


To deale vp right in equitye,
and iustice exercyse
Al wysdom doeth procede from me
as from the very springe
Al worldly strengthe and fortitude
to man alone I bryng
By me ye kīges theyr power do take
and rule the earth thereby
And holsome lawes are stablyshed,
and kept accordyngly
By me also all Magystrates
the people kepe in awe
And iudges geue theyr sentences
accordyng to the lawe
And suche as do vnfaynedly
loue me, I loue agayne
And whē thei cal great hast I make
to rydde them out of payne
Al worldly goodes be geuen to me
to do wyth them my wyll
And I haue power whō that I lyst
with ioye on earth to fyl
And I likewise of heauenly gyftes
haue plentye and great store


Wyth me doeth grace celestyall,
remayne for euermore
No treasure in the world so voyde,
comparde may iustely be
Unto the fruite and perfecte welth,
whych do procede from me
The tried golde and syluer fyne,
whych doeth on earth remayne
And stones of pryce vnto the same,
may well be compted vayne
And in the wayes of righteousnes,
to walke is my delyght
And in the place where iudges do,
accordyng vnto ryght
I do also the godly men,
throughe mercy to me call
And plentuouslye do them enryche,
wyth grace celestyall
With God I haue bene hetherto
and was eternally
Before the earth was created,
my father stode I by
I was begotte longe tyme before
the waters dyd surrounde


The earth, or that the mighti hilles
were setled on the grounde
I was likewise before the flouddes
had made them selues awaye
Or that thee earth or lyttle hylles,
were brought vnto theyr stay
And whē that god ye heauēs did make,
I was euē then at hand
And whē the depes he dyd cōmaūd
not to surrounde the land
And when also the firmament,
he made as we nowe see
And rūning springes of water pure
commaunded for to be
And when that he vnto the seas,
assygned a certayne place
And willed ye flouddes not to excede
theyr bondes in any case
And whē likewise the earth he made
immoueable to stande
I was with him, and to eche thing,
dyd put myne helpyng hand
I dyd reioyce, and day by day,
I dyd delyght in men


Great pleasure eke I had to be
in company of them
Wherfore my sonnes enclyne youre hertes
and herken vnto me
Most blessed he is that in my wayes
delyteth for to be
And doth the same kepe faythfully,
as I to hym haue taught
And spedely maketh haste to voyde,
the thinge whych semeth naughte
Geue eare, geue eare I say my sōnes
and learne for to be wyse
He is a foole and a wycked mā,
that doeth the same dispyse
And happy is the man that doeth,
heare me wyth good intent
And he also whose watchful eyes,
on me are al wayes bente
For he that hath obtayned me,
of perfyte blysse is sure,
And God to hym the lyfe wyll geue,
that euer shall endure
And who that doth against me sinne
doth bringe hys soule to care


Mine enemies shal of dredeful death
be wrapped in the snare.

[From synfulnes the sonne of God]

Argumentum. Chap. ix.

From synfulnes the sonne of God
doth call both yonge and olde
And sheweth playne the wyckednes
of harlottes proude and bolde
The wisdō highe of god aboue,
equall wyth hym in myght
Which frō the fyrst beginninge was
from heauen descended ryght
And here on earth the shape of man
disdayned not to take
Whych being done, vnto hym selfe,
a princely house dyd make
Wher ī were wrought of marble fyne
pillers both large & wyde,
The same therby that he might cause
for euer to abyde
And then anone great quantitie,
of vitayles dyd he slaye
With wholsom meates, & pure good wyne
hys table dyd he laye


And thē sent forth his hādmaydes al
and gaue them to theyr charge
To bydde al men vnto hys house,
whych was so fayre and large
And sayde also full louinglye,
yf any fole there be
Let hym resorte vnto my house
and come streyght vnto me
To synful men he spake lykewyse
resorte to me wyth spede
And of my bread eate you your fyll
prepared for your nede
And drinke the wyne before you syt,
and leaue your ignoraunce
Walke in the trace among the good
where wysdō leadeth the daunce
Yf thā thou doest the skorneful man
admonishe to repent
Thou doest nothinge but worcke in vayne
for he wyl not relent
Ne yet amende hys wycked lyfe
whereby he doth prouoke
The iuste and euerlastinge God
to plage hym wyth hys stroke


And in the same iniuriouse,
vnto thy selfe thou arte
And winneth hate: for thy good wil,
he setteth not a farte
But yf thou doeste, yea bitterlye,
rebuke hym that is wyse
He wyll the loue, and at no tyme
thy good counsel despyse
The wyse man dothe aduertisment,
alwaye turne to the beste
And by the same more ready is,
all vice for to deteste
For who so doth ye righteous teache
of thys thynge maye be sure
He wyl make hast learninge to win,
and therin wyll endure
The feare of God the first poynt is,
hys wysdom to obtayne
Of wysdom he shall neuer mysse
in whom gods feare doth raygne
To soche wyl god send ioyful dayes
and wyl theyr yeares encrease
And al theyr good wyl multiplye,
that they maye lyue in peace


The wyse man doth all yll escape
and nothinge doeth he lacke
The skorning men great synne doth beare
vpon hys woful backe
Of pratyng whores and impudent,
it is the wonnted guyse
Wyth flattering wordes & whorishe trickes
to tyce in the vnwyse
A shameles whore of godlynes,
doeth knowe nothinge at all
In open stretes she sytteth downe,
that men she maye ther call
As they do passe from place to place,
theyr busynes to do
Yf any man do want hys wytte,
let hym go her vnto
To whom she wyl not stycke to say,
and boldely to hym tell
The water that by stealthe is gotte,
all other doeth excell
And so lykewyse the stollen bread,
all thoughe the same be sowre
Moch sweter is then other bread,
at large whyle men deuoure


But in thyne harte my louing sonne
print this my sayinge well,
Who so by her is ouercome
descendeth vnto hell
And who that doth contrary wyse,
her wycked waye denye
Unto his soule winneth quietnes,
and saued shalbe therby.

[The wyse man wyth the folyshe man]

Argumen. Chap. x.

The wyse man wyth the folyshe man
is here compared playne
The feare of God commended is
and lyuing gotte wyth payne
The wyse sonne doeth his father fyl
wt gladnes & wyth ioye
But the vnwyse wyth sorow doeth
hys mother hurte and noye
And treasure gotten wyckedly
shall profyte the nothynge
But wysdom shal delyuer the
from death and from his stringe
The lorde wyll not hys holy ones
in honger to abyde


But the vngodly kepe he wyll
from theyr desyre full wyde
And ydle hand the thrifty man,
doth make both poore & bare
But yet the hande in labour quicke
the neady cryeth from care
The wyse man doeth in somer tyme,
hys fruytes laye vp in store
That he thereby in wynter colde
may helpe hym selfe the more
But who so that in haruest tyme
a slouggardes parte doth playe
A fole him sheweth and is compelde,
to begge another daye
With beauty deckt is the bright face
of euery ryghteous one
But past all shame the wicked are,
wyth theyr presumption
Of wysdom eke the memory
shall haue a good reporte
Euen so the name of wycked men
shall sone to shame resorte
A wyse man wyll admonished be
and that is sygne of grace


A foole wyl rather then he so do,
be stricken on the face
Who so that leadeth a gyltles lyfe,
doth walke awaye ryght sure
Yf thou treadest in the wycked trace
thou shewest thy selfe vnpure
The wicked man beware my sonne,
least he do the same harme
Out of the mouth of folyshe men,
all wyckednes doth frame
The righteous mouth doeth make moch peace
& is the wel of lyfe
The wycked mouth contrary wyse,
doth alwaye sturre vp stryfe
And enuy eke the mother is,
of cursed wordes and fell
But loue doth hyde full gentilly
the wordes not spoken well
The lyppes of thē that vnderstande
of wysdom haue no lacke
But the scourge doth onely belong,
vnto a folysh backe
Wyse mē doth good knowledge kepe,
more surer then theyr loud


But nygh to theyr destruction,
drawe folysh men and fonde
The richmans goodes ar his strōg holde,
wherin hys trust is all
Yf pouerty oppresse the poore,
the rych mans helpe is smal
The good is wont to neadye men,
part of hys goodes to geue
And of hys store hys neyghboures lack
with plenty to releue
But to bestowe in vanities,
the wycked do not cease
Such goodes as he shulde wel employ
vnto his neighbours ease
Take hede therfore and chastysmēt
receyue wyth al thyne hart
Yf thou refuse aduertisement,
thou playest a folyshe part
Dissemblyng lippes are very cause,
of hatred and despyte
A fole he is whych slaunderouslye,
his neyghbours fame doeth byte
Of many wordes and ydle talcke,
offences do aryse


But well is he that can refrayne,
hys tongue from tellyng lyes
The tongue whych is al innocente
a noble treasure is
The cruell harte of wycked men
delyght to do amys
The rightuous doeth wt their faire speach
a multitude enflame
For to embrace much godlynes
and to eschue all shame
And so lykewyse thee folysshe men,
are lyghtly caught in snare
Of their own wordes, & trapped fast
or they therof beware
The blessynge of the lorde onely,
of ryches sendeth store
The trauayle is the instrument
wherby he geueth more
Yf God do not encrease thy corne,
and blesse it wyth hys hande
Thē shalt thou labour but in vayne
in tyllynge of thy lande
A fole in vyce reioyceth styll,
for why, he doth not care


Yet neuertheles, I the aduise,
of suche one to beware
For at the last wyth myserye,
the wycked peryshe shall
When godly mē shal prospere wel,
and dreade nothyng at all
Ungodly men shall vanyshe quyte,
and neuer turne agayne
Moch like vnto an hurling sterme,
myxed wyth haile and rayne
The ryghtuous shal continue styll,
and hereof be ryght sure
In reste and peace of conscyence
for euer to endure
As vinegre good wt his sharpe taste
doth set on edge the tethe
And the thyck smoke vnto the eyes,
is cause of payne and griefe
A slouthful mā and sluggysh beast,
the good doth so offende
Whē they in vayne wold haue hym thryue
and he wyl not amend
The feare of god doth blesse ye good
and the yeres doth prolonge


As for the yeres of wycked men,
shal not continue longe
The good doeth byde in pacyence
and shalbe glad therfore
The wycked shal for al theyr haste,
peryshe for euermore
The waies of god doth courage geue
vnto al godly men
But suche as lyue in wyckednes,
greate feare doeth fynde in theym
The ryghtuous shal at no time fal,
but stedfastly shall stande
The wycked men shall dwel in lyfe,
no longe tyme on the land
The mouth also of godly men,
in wysdom doeth delyght
The lying tongues of froward mē,
agaynste the trouth doeth fyghte
The rightuous lyppes are occupied
in wysdomes talke onely
Ungodly men abuse their tongues,
in shame and blasphemy.


[To deale vpryght here are we taught]

Argumentum. Cha. xi.

To deale vpryght here are we taught,
and humble for to be
And mercy eke commended is,
ioyned wyth symplicitye.
In the lordes syght, & in his eye
it is a thynge moste vyle
With subtil weyght or mesure false
thy neyghbour to begyle
But god the lorde contrarye wyse,
in trouthe doeth moste delyghte
It is hys wyl that all men shoulde,
wyth other deale vpryghte
The equall weyght & balaūce iuste,
to god ryght pleasaunt be
When that thee same vnto all men,
do yelde wyth equitye
Rebuke and shame do folow pride,
in whome that it doethe raygne
But where ther is humylitye,
greate wysedome doeth remayne
Who doth not hate wil, hart, nor mīde
throughout ye world so wide


The fierce & proude disdaineful mā
whych is addicte to pryde
Who doeth not loue vnto theyr power
the man of hūble sprite
The way whych in doyng good
to other doeth delyght
The symplenes and meanyng true,
whych godly men assaye
Doth them directe in holynes
and in the perfyte waye
The wicked craft & wyly sleyghtes
whych in the yll are found
Do at ye laste cast downe thē selues,
and laye them on the grounde
The day that god in dome shall syt
to iudge both good and bad
What shal thē ye goodes vs preuayle
which in this world we had
The iustice yet and rightuousnesse,
whyche chryst to man dyd brynge
From death shal safe deliuer him,
and from hys deadly stynge
The meanynge true of simple men,
shal holde them styll vpryght


The wicked traine shal headlōg fal
for al their power and myghte
The godly folk through rightuousnes
delyuered be at last
The wycked in theyr owne deceyte,
shall trapped be full fast
Whē death arestes the wycked mā,
with his most dreadful darte
His hope is gone, for on his goodes
onely he set hys harte
The iust mā is, by the lordes helpe,
delyuered from yll
In stede of whom the wicked man,
tormented shall be styll
Beware also dyssemblinge men,
for they wyl sone betraye
Their faithful frēd through flattrīg wordes
what so their mouth doth saye
But yet the iust and faythfull men,
theyr knowledge shal defend
From al the snares of filed wordes
whyche wycked men intende


Yf that perchaunce an honest man,
to wealth aduaunced be
The hole citye wherin he dweleth,
reioyce as well as he
And yf so be a wycked man,
do happen to decaye
All men bee gladde that he so soone
is vanyshed awaye
And so lykewise thorow godly mē,
a cytye shal encrease
To which by their good gouernaūce
is brought both rest & peace
So that the same in noblenes,
all other shall excell
As in a ranke of ladyes fayre,
some one doth beare the bell
But through ye mouth of yu wycked
whych honestye do hate
Hole contryes and greate regyous
are set at stryfe and bate
Wherby at lēgth the same be broughte
to ruine and decay
And from a fall by no meanes can,
them selues vpholde and staye.


Who so that doth hys frend despyse
doth shewe but lyttle wytte
By thys it semes to lyue on earth
that he is nothinge fytte
The wyse man can euen whē he list,
from talke hys tonge refrayne
Wherby he scapes the daūgerous yl
of hatred and disdayne
The flatteringe man & famed frende
that doth nothinge but glose
Of hys deare frende vnfaythfully
the secretes doth disclose
But faythful frēdes whose doynges are
vpryght and also iuste
In no wyse wyl bewray the thinges
committed to theyr truste
And where ther lackes a gouernour
both politique and wyse
The people whych be vnder hym
shall fall and neuer ryse
But happye is that region,
whose ruler hath the grace
The talke of godly counselours
to folowe and embrace


Who so is boūd for straūgers dets,
doth bring him self to care
And is compeld the same to paye,
though he be poore and bare
But he shall lyue in quietnes,
and haue no feare at all
Whych taketh hede by surety shippe,
least he in daunger fall
A woman whych is gracious,
and doeth applye her mynde
To vertuous schole vpon the earth,
is sure great grace to fynde
An ydle hand can at no tyme,
to welthynes attayne
But he is sure the same to wyn,
that laboureth with payne
The mā in whose herte mercy workes
him self doth profite most
For mercy from infernall payne,
doth rydde hys symple ghost
The cruel man farre otherwyse,
wyth malice and debate
Euen soche as ought be nere to him
doeth persecute and hate


Of the vayne workes of wicked mē,
no profyte cometh at all
Theyr doynges are not permanent,
but sure to haue a fall
But who so doth seke righteousnes
and practyse her in dede
Is sure to haue eternall ioye
for hys rewarde and nede
And mercy doeth prepare the waye,
that leadeth vnto blysse
Yf thou be geuen to wyckednes,
of death thou shalte not mysse
The lyuing lord doth most abhorre,
the man whose herte is yll
And onely bente to wyckednes
wyth whole entent and wyll
But he doth moost reioyce in soche,
that in hys worde delyte
And leade theyr lyues accordingly,
in symplenes of spryte
A woman whych in beauty doth,
all other farre amende
And hath no good conditions,
her beautye to defende


Unto a ringe of pure good golde,
a man maye well compare
The which a sowe in her foule nose
continuallye doeth beare
The iuste men doo reioyce in god,
and holynes embrace
But bente vnto all fylthynes,
the wycked runne theyr race
And some ther be that wt their goodes
their neighbour doth releue
And yet the same do styll encrease
though they do largely geue
And some ther be contrary wyse,
that others robbe and pyll
Of ryches greate, yet for all that,
they be but beggers styll
The soule of hym most blessed is,
and neuer shall haue nede
Which in his store wt gladsome hert
the hongry men doeth fede
And so lykewyse he neuer shall,
for lacke of drinke decaye
That vnto him doth reache the cup,
that trauayleth by the waye.


The people cursse most bitterly
the tyller of the grounde
Whych in his barnes no corne at all
wyll suffer to be founde
In tyme of derth, although he haue
great plentye and great store
But kepes it close euen purposely,
to make the pryce the more
But blessed is he ī all mēs mouthes,
that when the corne is skant
Bringeth forth his graine, & suffreth not
the market for to want
He ryseth well, and in good tyme,
for good thinges that doth call
The naughti workes of wicked mē,
shal sone oppresse them all
Who so in hys vayne ryches dothe,
put confidence and truste
Is sure hereof whē he thynkes lest,
to fall into the duste
Wher as the iuste and faythfull mā,
shal prosper styll in peace
Euen as a tree in the springe tyme
doth budde forth and encrease


And who yt doth through foly bring
hys houshold out of frame
Shal washe his goodes, & in ye ende
susteyne rebuke and shame
And thē at length for lacke of wytt,
and spoylinge that was hys
Agaynst hys wyl the wyse mās nede
to serue he shall not mysse
The tree of lyfe or heauenly ioye
is euen the very gayne
A frute that iuste & righteous men,
shal repe for all theyr payne.
Here endeth the chapters of the Prouerbes of Salomō, and here after foloweth the .vi. chapter of the boke of Wysdome.

The .vi. chapter of the Boke of wysdom called Sapientia.



Sapientia. Chap, vi.

The Kynges and rulers of the worlde
the wyse man here doeth call
Yf they to wysdom wyll not cleaue
God wyll them punishe all.
Wysdom is a better thynge
thē strength & force to fyght
A wyse man is more worth also
than a strōge man moch of myght
Heare o ye kynges and vnderstand,
be wyse therfore and learnde
By whom the matters of the earth,
be iudged and desernde
Geue eare to me, I saye: all ye
that rule the multitude
Which in moch people haue delyght
and al thynges shulde conclude
For power and strēgth is geuē you,
of God the Lorde most hye
He shal serche out that you inuent
and al your workes euyll trye
Howe that you beynge officers
vnder hys kyngly trone
You dyd not iudgement execute
as vnto hym is knowen


And how you haue not kept the law
of righteousnes I saye
Nor haue not done his blessed wyll,
nor walked in hys waye
Horribly and that ryght soone,
to you he shall appeare
For right hard iudgemēt shal thei haue
that power & rule doth beare
Mercy vnto the symple men
is graunted with good intent
But they that beare auctorite
shal haue sore punishment
For God, that is the Lorde of al
and iudgeth very ryght
Shal stand in awe of nomās power
hys greatnes or hys myght
For he hath made the small & great
hys care on all is bente
But they that be of myght shal haue
the sorer punishemente
O ye Kynges to you therfore,
do I speake all thys
Because that you may wisdō learne
that you go not amys


For they that righteousnes doth kepe
shalbe iudged righteously
And thei ye ar lerned in righteous thīges
shal answere redely
Wherfore loue my wordes I saye
and on them set your lust
So shal you wel by norture come
in season due and iust
Wysdome is a noble thynge
awaye she wyll not moue
And she is sene full easelye
of them that doeth her loue
Them that doeth her desyre
them she doeth preuent
So that she may shew first her self
to them with good intent
Who so awakethe too her by tyme
shal haue no great trauayle
For at his doore he shall her fynde
she shall him neuer fayle
Ryght perfectly they vnderstand
that thynketh her vpon
And they that watch for her shalbe
ryght safe and that anon


For she alwaye about doeth go
and seketh euery where
For soch as shuld for her be mete
and God doth loue and fere
Full cherefully before theyr eyes
her selfe she doeth showe
And metethe them wyth dylygence
because they shuld her know
For the desyre vnfayned
of reformacyon
Is her beginning and her grounde
that she is buylt vpon
To care for norture loue it is
ye loue wyth hys prudence
And loue is kepynge of her lawes
and that wyth dylygence
It is perfectyon to kepe thee lawes
and ryghtly doeth accorde
An vncorrupt lyfe maketh a man
famylyar wyth the lord
Yf your delyght in royall seates
and scepters than shulde be
Ye kynges that do the people rule
I saye harke vnto me


And vpon wysedome set youre luste
I say to you therfore
That you may raigne in great glorye
with god for euer more
O loue the lyght all ye that rule
the congregation
And I wyll make of wysdom nowe
a declaration
What wysdom is, how she came vp
I wyl tell you thys tyde
The misteries of God the Lorde
from you I wyll not hyde
But I wyll seke her oute
that all men shall it see
Yea, from the fyrste oryginal
of her natyuytie
And brynge the knowledge of her light
and shew you al the groūd
And as for kepinge backe the truth
in me shal not be found
Nether wyll I haue to do
wyth enuye and disdayne
For such men in no wyse maye
to wysdome apertayne


The multitude of the wyse doth make
the worlde ioyfull to be
A wise king doth his realme vphold
wyth ryghte and equite
O receaue ye norture then,
it is a blessed foode
And let my wordes be your councell
and it shall do you good.
Here endeth the .vi. Chapter of Sapientia, and here after foloweth the .ix. Chapter of Ecclesiasticus


The .ix. chapter of Ecclesiasticus.

Argumentum. Chap. ix.

Howe that men shuld behaue them selfe
wyth wyues that be theyr owne
An olde frende is the beste of all
for he is truelye knowen.
Be not gelous ouer thy wyfe
But kepe thi house wtoutē strife
That she shew not some poīt of yl
Of wicked doctrine the to spil
Geue not thy power, nor yet thy lyfe
Unto an whore that maketh stryfe
Lest she redound wtin thy strength
And so cōfound thy soule at length
Loke yu not then on women nought
That vpō men set al theyr thoughte
But vpon soch set not thy care
Lest that she twiche the in her snare
Se thou eschew thy selfe alwaye
From her that vse to daunce & playe
Heare thou her not in any wyse
Tho she full oft do the intyse
Behold not a mayde, I say to the
Lest thou be dismayd of her beautie
Cast not thy mynd on harlots then


Nor on thee kynde of euyll women
Lest thou destroy thy self in age
And eke anoy thyne herytage
Be not gasinge I say to the
At euerye thynge in the cytye
Do not wander in euery strete
And turne away thy face her fro
The womā gay wil work moch wo
And loke not on the great beauty
Of any one vnknowen to the
For many mē the whych dyd stare
On strāge womē that were so faire
Were perished through their desire
Which kindled lyke burnyng fyre
An aduouterous woman wyth yre
She shalbe thus trodē in the myre
Under the feete as dort and clay
Of all that goeth vpon the waye
Many a man wonder haue had
of a strāge womā were thei not mad
Yes for they were as cleane outcast
Her wordes did fare as a fiery blast
Thus kepe the styl in godly lyfe
Set not thi wil on āother mās wife


Syt not wyth her at any sted
Lye not with her vpon the bed
No talke wt her make thou at wine
Lest that to her yu shuldest enclyne
And so thou & thy bloude shuld fall
And on the land destroyed all
Forsake not you a good olde frend
For such a new thou shalt not fynd
For a new frēd is like new wyne
Which is not kind tyl it be fyne
Let him be old then shalt yu be sure
To drīke hī be bold wt great plesure
Do not desyre, the honour therfore
That a sinner doth kepe in store
Thou doest not know ye destructyō
The which doth flow & come thē on
kepe yu fro ye mā ye hath power to stay
Thou nedest not thā of death to fraye
And se yu make wt him no strife
Lest that he take frō the lyfe
Remēber how in the cytye
Thou styl doest go in ieopardie
And take good hede of an euyl neybor
Lest wt his dede he ye deuoure
With wyse men be in companye


It shal do the, greate honestie
Let iust mē be, thy gestes alwayes
And merely, geue god the prayse
Se euer styl, that thou be kynde
And wt good wyl, kepe god in mind
Let all the wordes, with good intēt
Be on the lordes, commaūdement
The craftsmā, maketh gorgious ende
Al other then, doeth it cōmend
Princes that rule, their people well
Ful oft they wyl of wysdom tel
A mā that many wordes doeth vse
A wyse mā than, wyl them refuse
For such a one I say to the
Doth make moch mone, in a cytye
Ther is so moch tymeryte
Without it, such men can not be
He is past shame, I say therfore
Mē shal him blame, and eke habore
Thus endeth the .ix. chap. of Ecclesiasticus, and here after foloweth the .iii. chapter of the second epystle of Saynte Paul to the Thessalonyans.


The .iii. Chapter of thee second Epistle of S. Paul, to the Thessalonians.

Argumen, Chap. iii.

Yf any be that wyll not worcke
but ydely wyll leue
Eschewe oute of hys companye
no meat we shulde hym geue.
Further more brethren,
praye you for me
That the word of god,
may haue a passage fre
And be gloryfyed, as it
is wyth you then
That we maye be delyuered,
from vnreasonable men
For all men haue not fayth,
but the Lorde is iuste
The whych shall stablyshe you, that
in hym you maye truste
Thorowe the Lorde, to you
we haue good truste
That ye bothe do and wyll do, that
whych we sayde moste
And the Lorde guyde youre
hartes in hys loue


Of God and also pacientye
of Iesu Christe aboue
We requyre you brethren, in the
name of Iesu Christe
That you wythdrawe youre selues,
from soche as do resyste
From euerye brother that
inordinately doeth naught
Not after the institucion, whych
we vnto you taughte
Ye youre selfe dyd knowe howe,
we dyd you amonge
For we behaued not oure selues
inordinately & wronge
Neyther toke we bread, of any
man for noughte
But wyth laboure and trauayle,
nyghte and daye we wrought
Because that greuouse, to you
we woulde not be
And yet not, but that
we hadde auctorite
But we oure selues in sample
to you made


That you shoulde folowe vs
accordinge to the trade
For whan we were wythe you
we gaue a warninge great
If any were that would not worke
the same shulde not eate
No doubte, there are amonge you
some as we heare tell
That walcketh inordinatelye
the whyche do not well
But are busye bodyes,
and worcke not at all
Theym that are soche, we
commaunde you to call
By oure Lorde Iesu Christes name
do theym intreate
That they wythe quietnesse
theyr owne bread maye eate
Brethren be not weary, thoughe
the tyme be longe
Not of well doynge, yf
anye of you amonge
Obeye not oure sayinges, wryte
and to vs sende


And haue no company wyth hym,
tyll that he do amende
That he maye be ashamed,
and counte hym not a foo
But warne hym as a brother,
that he nomore do so
The verye Lorde of peace,
geue you peace alwaye
The Lorde be wythe you all
and kepe you nyghte and daye
The salutacion of me Paule
wythe myne owne hande
Thys is the token of pystles
all for you to vnderstande
So I wryte too you, and
vnto God I call
The grace of oure lord Iesu Christ
be euer wyth you all.
AMEN.
Here endeth thee .iii. Chapter of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, & here after foloweth certayn Psalmes of Dauid.


Certayne Psalmes of Dauid, drawen in metre.

[The faythful man that feareth God]

Ad te domine leuaui animā. Psal. xxi

The faythful man that feareth God
doth praye wyth harte and mynde
For helpe agaynste hys enemyes
the perfyte waye to fynde
To the I lyfte my soule o lorde
my god I trust in the
Oh suffre not myne enemyes
to triumphe ouer me
For all they that in the hope
ashamed shall not be
And they that vseth skorne & spyght
shall be confounded of the
My kynge my God I praye to the
shewe me nowe thy wayes
O Lorde, & teache thy pathes to me
and I wyll geue the the prayse
Leade me Lord thy trueth to speake
and learne me to be iuste
Thou art my God & my sauiour eke
all daye in the I truste
O call to thy remembraunce
thy tender mercy pure


And eke thy louyng kyndnes lorde
that euer hath bene sure
Remēber not my synnes o God
and fraylte of my youth
For thy goodnes and mercyes sake
thynke on me lord wyth ruthe
How frendly and howe ryghteous
is god the lord of myght
Therfore he wyl the synners teach
to walke the waye of right
The symple he doeth leade aryght
and kepeth them nyght and day
Such as be meke them learneth he
to walke ryght in hys waye
The wayes of god are mercyfull
and faythfulnes is plyght
To al that kepe his testamente
and couenaunt aryght
For thy name sake o lyuynge lorde
be mercyful to me
And to my sinnes for they be greate
and myne iniquyte
What so euer he be
that feareth the lorde I saye


He shall to hym show his preceptes,
and eke hys chosen waye
Hys soule shall euer dwell at ease
thereof I you insure
Hys sede shall styll possesse the lande
for euer to endure
The secretes of the lorde ar knowē,
to theym that feare hym styll
He sheweth to them hys testament,
hys couenaunt and wyll
Myne eyes are lokynge to the lord
on whom my truste is sette
For by hys might he shall pluck out
my fete oute of the nette
Turne the vnto me o God
nowe for thy mercyes sake
Haue mercye Lorde on me
for I am desolate
The sorowes of my harte be greate
full sore it doeth me greue
O bringe me out of troubles Lorde
In the I do beleue
Loke vpon my myserye
and myne aduersytie


Forgeue me all my synnes o lorde
I haue offended the
Consyder how myne enemyes
be many moche and greate
And beare an harte malycyous
for they wolde me defete
O kepe thou my soule o god
and eke delyuer me
Let me not be confounded lorde
I put my truste in the
Righteous dealyng & innocencye
now wyth me let them dwell
And out of hys aduersyte
delyuer Israell.

[How god doth kepe the ryghteous men]

Benedicā dominū in omni. psa. xxxiii.

How god doth kepe the ryghteous men
and he wyll them defend
How for to leade a godly lyfe
yf you do so intend.
I wyl vnto the lorde
be geuinge thankes alwayes
My mouth & tongue shal euer be
a speakyng to hys prayse
My soule shal make her boste
in god the lord of myght


The pore opprest shal heare ther of
and gladlye shal delyght
I do you now exhort
o prayse the lorde wyth me
To gether wyth an humble harte
hys name to magynyfye
For I my selfe besought the lorde
he harde me by and by
And out of al my payne and wo
he dyd delyuer me
O come and be you lyghtened
and to him drawe you nere
And then wythouten shamefastnes
your faces shall apeare
This poore man cried vnto the lord
And he dyd heare hys prayer
And from his troubles euery one
delyuered hym full fayre
The aungell of the lorde
doeth pytche his tente full rounde
Aboute al thē that doeth him feare
to kepe them safe and sounde
How frendly is the lorde
o taste and se who luste


And blessed is that man
that in him putteth hys trust
O feare the lorde his holiones
se that ye do hym please
For they that feare him lack nothīg
but euer shal haue ease
The rych shal suffer hunger greate
and want that lyuyng foode
But they that seke the lord shal lack
nothyng that which is good
Come hether o you chyldren
and harken to my voyce
I shal you teache the feare of god
and therin to reioyce
Who so lusteth for to lyue
to se good dayes is fayne
Let hym hys tongue & lippes kepe
all euyll to refrayne
Al euyl thinges let them eschewe
do good and neuer cease
And let him seke and eke insewe
to lyue in reste and peace
For why the eyes of god are set
vpon the ryghteous men


Hys eares are open to theyr praiers
and he prouydethe for them
The face of god is also bent
thy wycked men to se
Them to destroy out of the earth
and all theyr memorye
When ryghteous men do crye
the lord doeth heare their mone
And from their troubles by and by
he wil them helpe anone
The lorde is nere vnto al them
that are in harte contryte
And he wyl helpe soch as be meke
and of an humble spryte
The troubles of the ryghteous
although that they be great
The lord shal helpe them out of all
and fayre wyl them intreate
He kepeth all theyr bones
together safe and sounde
So that not one of them is broke
wyth any strype or wound
But mys fortune greate
the wycked men shall kyll


And they that hate thee ryghteous
shalbe accused of yll
The lorde wyl the soule saue
or them that doeth him serue
And al that put ther trust in hym
that they shall neuer swarue

[How that the ryghteous man]

Deus in nomine tuo saluū. Psal. liii.

How that the ryghteous man
for helpe to god doeth call
And how that he incontynente
had his desyres all.
For helpe I call to the o god
because that I haue nede
For thy names sake and in thy strength
delyuer me wt spede
Heare my prayer my god my kynge
whan I to the shall praye
Consyder wel the wordes of me
that I to the wyll saye
The straungers & the myghteones
agaynst me doth surreckt
Whyche haue not god before theyr eyes
my soule they wold in feckt
But lo, god is my helpe at nede,
yea, onely it is he


That doth vphold my soule in dede
from theyr iniquitie
And euyl shal the lorde rewarde
vnto myne enemyes
And in thy truth thou shalt destroy
them that do thee despyse
I wyl offer to the o lorde
and geue thy name the prayse
O lord because thou comfortest me
and helpest me alwayes
For thou Lorde haste delyuered me
from al myne agonyse
So that mine eyes seyth hys desyre
vpon myne enemyes.

[How happye ar the men on the earthe]

To decit himnus deus in sion. Ps. lxiiii.

How happye ar the men on the earthe
whom god hath chosen and bleste
How god prouydeth for man also
in this psalme is exprest.
Thou o god art praysed well
in Syon euermore
And they shal make theyr vowes to the
and kepe thē wel therfore


Thou doest heare my prayer lorde
and thou art my comforte
Therfore all fleshe with one accord
to the they do resorte
Oure mysdeades agaynste vs lorde
ful fast they do preuayle
Be mercyful vnto our synnes
that styl doeth vs assayle
Blessed is that man that thou
hast chosen vnto the
And doest elect wt in thy courte
hys dwellynge for to be
With pleasure he is satysfyed
wyth in thyne holye place
Yea, euen of thy temple lorde
replenyshed wyth grace
Heare vs o lord according to
thy wonderous power & myghte
Of god yea, our saluacyon
in whome is our delyght
How myghtie is that sauyour
it can not be dyscust
Al thinges on earth or in the sea
in the doth hope and trust


Whyche in hys myghtye strengthe
doeth set the mountaynes faste
And he is gyrde about with power
in heuen he is plast
Which stylieth the waues in the sea
and the rorynge of the same
Thee woodnes of thee people also
the lyuing lord wyl tame
The dwellers in the vtter partes
they feare thy wonderous fame
The morning & the euening starres
doeth prayse thy holy name
Howe that thou vysytest the earthe
I can not it expresse
Thou waterest it and makeste it
so full of plenteousnes
The riuer of god with waters pure
doeth flow on euery side
And thou preparest for mā his corne
the earthe thou doest prouyde
Thou waterest her forowes al
thou breakeste the clottes in pece
Thou makest thē softe wt droppes of rayne
& blessest the increace


Thou crownest yu yere o liuing lord
full wel wyth thy goodnes
Thy fote steppes all wt one accorde
to vs they drop fatnes
The dwellynges in the wyldernes
are fat in lyke manere
The lytle hylles on euery syde
doth pleasauntly appeare
The feldes & valeyes wt shepe & corne
stand full on such a sort
That al the people laughe & synge
with ioy and great comfort

[The ryghteous man that fearethe God]

Beatus vir qui timet Psalm. cxi.

The ryghteous man that fearethe God
shalbe ryght fast and sure
With fayth hys enemyes to wythstande
and strongly shal endure.
The man is blest yt feareth god
& walketh in hys waye
And to kepe hys cōmaundementes
delyghteth nyght and daye
His sede shall styl with might & power
vpō the earth prospere
The faythfull generacyon shall
be blessed in lyke manere


Ryches ioy and plenteousnes
in his house shalbe sure
And eke I say hys ryghteousnes
for euer shall endure
In darkenes to the godly man
there rysethe vp a lyghte
Which sheweth mercy louingly
and walke the way of ryght
Wel is he that mercyfull is
and lendeth with good wyll
And wyth discretyon euermore
hys wordes doth ponder styll
For moued shall he neuer be
his ryghteousnes shall sure
Be had in a remembraunce
that euer shall endure
When he doth heare of tydinges yl
he wyl not be afrayde
Hys harte beleueth assuredly
the lorde wyl be hys ayde
Hys harte is surely stablyshed
he wyll not shrynke vntyll
That he vpon hys enemyes
hathe hys desyre and wyll


He hath dealt abroade full well
and geuen to the poore
Hys ryghteousnes remaynethe styl
bothe nowe and euermore
His horne shalbe exalted styll
with power and eke with myght
The whych whā wycked mē shal se
ther at they wyl haue spight
And then shal he gnashe wt his tethe
and consume them awaye
The vngodly and theyr desyre
for euer shal decaye.

[It is oure duety bound]

Laudate pueri domi. psalm. cxii.

It is oure duety bound,
as in this psalme is found.
To prayse the lyuyng lord,
and in that lorde of myghte.
To set oure hole delyght
and in his holy word.
O prayse you now the lord,
and that withe one accorde,
ye seruauntes do the same,
and se that euermore,
ye serue hym wel therfore,
for blessed is his name.


The Lordes name to prayse,
we are worthy alwayes,
Euen from the rysinge tyme,
of the sunne fayre and brighte,
Untyll it be in syghte,
that downe she doeth incline.
The Lorde is hye of myghte,
ther is no maner of wyght,
That can wyth hym compare,
hys glorye certaynely,
Aboue the heauens hye,
remayneth in lyke manere.
Who is lyke vnto hym,
that wyl presume to clym,
The whych so hye doeth dwell,
the Lorde that is so meke,
Whych doeth behold to kepe,
both heauen and earth full well.
Whych doeth the symple take,
oute of the myry lake,
And lyfteth them vp agayne,
he taketh out of the dust,
All that in hym doeth truste,
And ryddeth them of theyr payne.


So that he maye hym sette,
among the princes great,
By hys great power and myght,
the princes all amonge,
That ruleth all the thronge,
of people daye and nyght.
The whyche doeth make also,
the woman full of wo,
That baren longe hathe bene,
A mother full of blys,
And kepeth an house ywys,
her chyldren maye be sene.

[Of them that doth in Idols truste]

In exitu Israel de Egipto. Psalm. cxiii.

Of them that doth in Idols truste
Kyng Dauid doth vs tell,
And they that set on God theyr lust,
He wyll defende them well.
Whan Israel dyd procede
forth of the Egipte lande
And the house of Iacob from
the straunge peoples hande
Iuda then was made
hys sanctuary sure


And Israell hys dominion
for euer to endure
The sea sawe that and fledde
wythoutē more delaye
And Iordan turned backe also
euen from hys wonted waye
The mountaynes lyke two rammes
they skypped by and by
The lyttle hylles lyke yonge shepe
they leped vp on hye
O thou sea what ayled the
so faste awaye to flee
Thou Iordan that yu turnedste back
and that so sodaynly
What ayled you ye mountaynes
lyke rammes for to skyppe
You lyttle hylles lyke yonge shepe
what caused you to lyppe
What was the cause ye earthly thinges
thus fearefully dyd shake
At the presence of Iacobs God
the earth dyd tremble and quake
Whych turned the rockes full harde
to standinge waters sure


The flint stones into springīge wels
the whych were very pure
Not vnto vs o lyuinge Lorde
not vnto vs I saye
But to thy name wyth one accorde
let vs geue prayse alwaye
Wherfore shal the heathen saye
to vs at any tyme
Wher is nowe theyr God be come
of whom they synge in ryme
As for our god we saye agayne
he is in heauen hye
He doeth on erth what pleaseth him
howe can ye thys denye
As for theyr Idols, what be they,
they are but syluer and golde
The worckes of men they be I say:
they are bothe dead and colde
Thei haue mouthes and speake not,
and eyes haue they also
Yet can they se nothinge at all
that goeth to or fro,
They haue eares and can not heare,
what ye to them doeth saye


Noses haue they and smell nothing,
by nyghte nor yet by daye
They haue handes and handle not,
they haue no maner of grace
Fere haue they yet go they not
nor moue not from theyr place
They that made them let them be
lyke vnto them therfore
And lyke all soch as put theyr truste
in them for euer more
But let the house of Israell
trust in the lyuinge Lorde
He wyll them succor and defende
accordinge to hys worde
And let the house of Aaron
truste in the Lorde alwaye
He is theyr succor and defence
to kepe them nyght and daye
All ye that feare the Lorde I saye
in hym put confidence
You maye be sure that he wyll be
your succor and defence
The Lord is myndeful of vs all
and blesseth vs full well


He blessed the house of Aaron,
and eke of Israell
Thē that feare him, thē blesseth he
both the great and small
The lorde increase you more & more
you and your chyldren all
Ye are the blessed of the Lorde
as he hym selfe doeth saye
The which did make both heuē and erth
and created night & daye
All the heauens are the Lordes
euen as it is hys wyll
The earth he hath destrybuted
the sonnes of men vntyll
The dead prayse not the o Lord,
as we maye truelye tell
Nomore do they I am ryght sure
that go downe into hell
But we that be alyue o Lorde
we wyll to the geue prayse
From this tyme forth and euermore
that is to saye alwayes


[The greatnes of the myght of God]

Exaltabo te deus meus. Psalm. cxliiii.

The greatnes of the myght of God
thys Psalme doeth shewe the same
And moueth all hys creatures eke
to prayse hys holy name.
I wyll magnifye the Lorde
my God, my Kynge moste pure
Thy name to prayse wt one accorde
whych euer shall endure
Euery daye wyll I geue thankes
vnto the lyuinge Lorde
And prayse hys name for euer more
and that wyth one accorde
Great is the Lord and meruaylous
and worthy of all prayse
There is no ende of hys greatnes
the Prophete Dauid sayse
One generation to another
doth prayse thy name full well
Thy hyghe glory & myghty power
they do declare and tell
They shal talcke of thy greate worship
and prayse thy holy name
They shal shew forth thi wōderous workes
& the glory of the same


And thyne abundant kyndnes Lord
remembered shall it be
Men shal shewe forth and also sing
the righteousnes of the
Both mercyful and paciente
is God the Lorde of myghte
Lōge suffering, & of greate goodnes
to them that walke aryght
The Lorde is louinge to euery man
that walketh in hys waye
Hys mercy is ouer all hys workes
to guyde them nyght and daye
All thy workes prayse the o Lorde
as it is very ryghte
Thy holynes geue thankes also
to the with all theyr myghte
Thy glory and thy kyngdom lorde,
to shewe and to declare
To talke of thy great power also
full well we maye compare
Thy power thy glory & myghtynes
to vs thou doest it showe
Thy highe kingdō & righteousnes,
that all men maye it knowe


Thy kyngdom is an euerlasting
kingdom true and sure
Thy dominiō thorow out al thinge
for euer doeth endure
The lord is faythful in al his dedes
and kepeth promyse iuste
Howe holy is he in all hys worckes
it can not be discust
The Lord vpholdeth them that are
in daunger for to fall
Them that be downe he lyfteth vp,
when they on hym do call
The eyes of al thinges wayt on the
and put in the theyr truste
For yu doest geue thē mercy full free
in season due and iuste
Thou openest thy handes to theym
that trusteth the vntyll
All thinges lyuing wt plentuousnes
ryghte well thou doest fulfyl
The lord is righteous in his wayes
hys worckes be holy all
The Lord is nye vnto faythful men
when they on hym do call


They that feare hym he wyll
fulfyll theyr hole desyre
He wyll them heare and helpe also,
whan they do hym requyre
They that loue the lorde
them preserueth he
And he wyl scatter all abroade
soche as vngodly be
My mouth shal speake abundantly
and prayse the Lorde therfore
Let all fleshe thanke hys holy name
for euer and euer more.
Finis.