Three morall Treatises no lesse pleasaunt than necessary for all men to reade, whereof the one is called the Learned Prince, the other the Fruites of Foes, the thyrde the Porte of rest [by Thomas Blundeville] |
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 | Three morall Treatises |  |
To the Queenes highnes
Of
all the bookes that euer Plutarke wrote,
More mete is none, when they haue time & space,
For Prynces all to rede and well to note:
Then this, whiche heare I offre to your grace.
More mete is none, when they haue time & space,
For Prynces all to rede and well to note:
Then this, whiche heare I offre to your grace.
For lyke as he, the good doth iustly praise,
The euill their faultes, so, plainlye dothe he tell,
And whilst he doth consider both their wayes:
He shewes wherein a Prince ought most texcell.
The euill their faultes, so, plainlye dothe he tell,
And whilst he doth consider both their wayes:
He shewes wherein a Prince ought most texcell.
That is to saye in learnynge, wytte, and skill,
To tame affectes, and folowe reasons lore,
Whose steppes doe fle the wayes of froward will:
And treades the pathes of iustice euermore.
To tame affectes, and folowe reasons lore,
Whose steppes doe fle the wayes of froward will:
And treades the pathes of iustice euermore.
And though this Boke, your highnes oft hath redde,
In Grekyshe prose as Plutarke did it wright:
My rurall muse, for that, yeat, had no dredde
In Englysh verse, agayne the same tendight.
In Grekyshe prose as Plutarke did it wright:
My rurall muse, for that, yeat, had no dredde
In Englysh verse, agayne the same tendight.
Presuminge of the fauor whyche she fownde,
When that she sange, what fruites of foes might ryse
And that your grace, gaue eare vnto the sownde
Of suche rude ryme, as she did then deuyse.
When that she sange, what fruites of foes might ryse
And that your grace, gaue eare vnto the sownde
Of suche rude ryme, as she did then deuyse.
Wherfore now harke my liege and souraigne Quene
What Plutarke sayeth of Prynces good and badde
Who yf he were alyue to Iudge: I wene,
Of all the Quenes in honour to be had,
Your learninge, and your vertues pondred well,
He would your grace, should onely beare the bell.
What Plutarke sayeth of Prynces good and badde
Who yf he were alyue to Iudge: I wene,
Of all the Quenes in honour to be had,
Your learninge, and your vertues pondred well,
He would your grace, should onely beare the bell.
Your maiesties most humble Subiecte Thomas Blondeuille.
The learned Prynce.
The
Cyrens once made greate request,
That Plato wolde vouchsafe to wright
such lawes, as he for thē thought best,
Their state therby, to rule vpright.
That Plato wolde vouchsafe to wright
such lawes, as he for thē thought best,
Their state therby, to rule vpright.
But Plato tho, dyd cleane refuse,
So hard a thynge to take in hande,
Who knewe, they woulde good lawes abuse
Which had such welth within their lande.
So hard a thynge to take in hande,
Who knewe, they woulde good lawes abuse
Which had such welth within their lande.
For nothing is more hard tentreate,
More proude, ne worse to deale wythall,
Than is that man, in wealthye state
Which thinkes to stande, and fearth no fall.
More proude, ne worse to deale wythall,
Than is that man, in wealthye state
Which thinkes to stande, and fearth no fall.
Wherfore it is to harde for suche
As others rule, and beare the swaye,
To suffer lawes to rule to muche,
Lest than, their power should sone decaye.
As others rule, and beare the swaye,
To suffer lawes to rule to muche,
Lest than, their power should sone decaye.
For reason as their Cheffe to take,
They doe abhorre: lest Princely might,
They should then forced be to make
A slaue: to Iustice trueth and ryght.
They doe abhorre: lest Princely might,
They should then forced be to make
A slaue: to Iustice trueth and ryght.
As men alas which doe not knowe,
What Sheopony the Spartan duke
Sayd to his wife with voyce full lowe,
When she obiected this rebuke.
What Sheopony the Spartan duke
Sayd to his wife with voyce full lowe,
When she obiected this rebuke.
For whereas he dyd fyrst of all
To royall power, Tribunos adde:
She sayd thou bryngst thy Sonne, in thrall,
To leaue lesse powre, then thou hast hadde.
To royall power, Tribunos adde:
She sayd thou bryngst thy Sonne, in thrall,
To leaue lesse powre, then thou hast hadde.
No rather yet, then aunswerde he
I shall hym leaue so muche the more
For nowe his powre shall stronger be
Then euer myne was heretofore.
I shall hym leaue so muche the more
For nowe his powre shall stronger be
Then euer myne was heretofore.
And thoughe this Prynce hymselfe depryud
Of that whiche he to geue thought good:
As thoughe small brookes he had deryud
Out of a goulffe, or flowinge floud:
Of that whiche he to geue thought good:
As thoughe small brookes he had deryud
Out of a goulffe, or flowinge floud:
Remyttynge yet the riguor greate
Of royall powre whiche none can beare
He dyd auoyde all enuyouse hate:
And leadde his lyfe cleane out of feare.
Of royall powre whiche none can beare
He dyd auoyde all enuyouse hate:
And leadde his lyfe cleane out of feare.
Yf reason gotte by wysedomes lore
Assist the Prynce: she gardes his health,
For ryddynge thill awaye before
She leaues the good tencrease his wealth.
Assist the Prynce: she gardes his health,
For ryddynge thill awaye before
She leaues the good tencrease his wealth.
But many Kynges that folyshe are
To masters rude that karue in stone
And haue no arte, I may compare
So lytle diffrence is or none.
To masters rude that karue in stone
And haue no arte, I may compare
So lytle diffrence is or none.
For they their Images do Iudge
Then best to make: when that they shape
them arms & thighes with legges most hudge
and ougly mouthes full wyde to gape.
Then best to make: when that they shape
them arms & thighes with legges most hudge
and ougly mouthes full wyde to gape.
Unprudent kinges euyn so I saye
By frowning lokes, bigge voyce, disdayne,
and keping closse in, all the daye,
Great maiestye do thinke tattaine.
By frowning lokes, bigge voyce, disdayne,
and keping closse in, all the daye,
Great maiestye do thinke tattaine.
Like Images in outward showe
UUhich do pretend some goodly one
Yeat inwardlye if you wyll knowe
they onely are but earth or stone.
UUhich do pretend some goodly one
Yeat inwardlye if you wyll knowe
they onely are but earth or stone.
In one thinge yeat they disagree.
For Images throughe that their waight
and heauy poyse, fast stablisht bee:
Ne do they moue but stande vp straight.
For Images throughe that their waight
and heauy poyse, fast stablisht bee:
Ne do they moue but stande vp straight.
UUhere foolishe kynges vntaught I saye
For that within they are not sounde
Ne truly waide they swarue and swaye
and oftimes fall vnto the grounde.
For that within they are not sounde
Ne truly waide they swarue and swaye
and oftimes fall vnto the grounde.
For why vnles to place thou wylt
In suer wise, thy Principall:
UUhat euer shall theron be buylt:
In breffe must nedes to ruyne fall.
In suer wise, thy Principall:
UUhat euer shall theron be buylt:
In breffe must nedes to ruyne fall.
But as the Craftsman should forsee
His rule be right and trulye made
UUithout all fault before that hee
In any woorke do further wade:
His rule be right and trulye made
UUithout all fault before that hee
In any woorke do further wade:
A Prince likewise ought first to kno
Hymselfe to rule and rightlye guyde
And then to frame his subiectes so
As in good rule they may abyde.
Hymselfe to rule and rightlye guyde
And then to frame his subiectes so
As in good rule they may abyde.
For whye it is a thinge vnmete
A feble man to take in hande
to set vp others on their fete
UUhen he himselfe can scantly stande.
A feble man to take in hande
to set vp others on their fete
UUhen he himselfe can scantly stande.
Ne likewise can it decente be
That he should teache whiche hath no skill
Or order men in eche degre
In whom doth raigne disorder still.
That he should teache whiche hath no skill
Or order men in eche degre
In whom doth raigne disorder still.
Ne should that man commaunde of right
UUhich reasons rule doth not obaye
Though fooles him count of greatest mighte
UUhich subiecte is no kynde of waye.
UUhich reasons rule doth not obaye
Though fooles him count of greatest mighte
UUhich subiecte is no kynde of waye.
The kynge of Perce, did all men take
To be hys slaues and lyue in thrall
His wife excepte whom he should make
His will tobaye, aboue them all.
To be hys slaues and lyue in thrall
His wife excepte whom he should make
His will tobaye, aboue them all.
But some perhappes would nowe demaunde
UUho ought to rule a Prynce or Kynge?
The lawe as Quene, who doth commaunde
Both Gods and men, as Poets synge.
UUho ought to rule a Prynce or Kynge?
The lawe as Quene, who doth commaunde
Both Gods and men, as Poets synge.
I meane not that whiche is exprest,
In bokes of paper, wodde, or stone,
But reason graft within his brest,
To guyde his doinges euerychone.
In bokes of paper, wodde, or stone,
But reason graft within his brest,
To guyde his doinges euerychone.
The Kynge of Pearce was wont to haue
A chamberlane whome day by day
UUhā mornyng came he strayght charg gaue
That he to him these wordes shoulde saye.
A chamberlane whome day by day
UUhā mornyng came he strayght charg gaue
That he to him these wordes shoulde saye.
Aryse thou Kynge and slepe no more
But carefull be to do ryght sone
Suche nedefull thynges as heretofore
Mesoromasdes woulde haue done.
But carefull be to do ryght sone
Suche nedefull thynges as heretofore
Mesoromasdes woulde haue done.
But Kynges that wyse and learned are
Haue alwayes one within theyr mynde
More prompt to tel them of theyr care
Then any man that they can fynde,
Haue alwayes one within theyr mynde
More prompt to tel them of theyr care
Then any man that they can fynde,
Polemon sayde that Cupyde was
A seruaunt to the Goddes aboue
From place to place with spede to passe
To seke what dyd yonge laddes behoue.
A seruaunt to the Goddes aboue
From place to place with spede to passe
To seke what dyd yonge laddes behoue.
But one more rightly yet might saye
Gods ministers that Prynces bee
To take the charge of men alwaye
And eke their wealth to well forsee.
Gods ministers that Prynces bee
To take the charge of men alwaye
And eke their wealth to well forsee.
That like as God do lette them haue
Those godly giftes which they enioye
Some part euyn so they still shoulde saue
And wiselye ought the rest temploye.
Those godly giftes which they enioye
Some part euyn so they still shoulde saue
And wiselye ought the rest temploye.
UUe see the ample heauen howe he,
UUith liquid armes do thearth embrace:
UUho first sent downe the sedes whiche she
UUith fruit bringes forth in euery place.
UUith liquid armes do thearth embrace:
UUho first sent downe the sedes whiche she
UUith fruit bringes forth in euery place.
Some growe by raine, and some by winde,
By glittringe starres some norissht are
And some the Moone wyth moystures kinde
To foster vppe, hath onelye care.
By glittringe starres some norissht are
And some the Moone wyth moystures kinde
To foster vppe, hath onelye care.
And finallye the louelye Sonne
UUhose shyning beames adorneth all
His frendly course doth dayly ronne
And shewes like loue to great and small.
UUhose shyning beames adorneth all
His frendly course doth dayly ronne
And shewes like loue to great and small.
These godly gyftes yeat can we not
Ne rightlye vse ne well enioy
Onles also it be oure lot
To haue a Prynce Iustice and Ioy.
Ne rightlye vse ne well enioy
Onles also it be oure lot
To haue a Prynce Iustice and Ioy.
For Iustice is of lawe the ende
And lawe the Prynces woorke I saye
The Prynce gods lykenes doth portende
UUho ouer all muste beare the swaye.
And lawe the Prynces woorke I saye
The Prynce gods lykenes doth portende
UUho ouer all muste beare the swaye.
And neadith not the skilfull hande
Of Phidias, or Policlette,
Of Miron eke or suche lyke bande
Of those that Carue and colours sette.
Of Phidias, or Policlette,
Of Miron eke or suche lyke bande
Of those that Carue and colours sette.
For he himselfe by vertue canne
Hymselfe to God moste lyke descrye
An Image pleasinge eurye manne
And noble to beholde with eye.
Hymselfe to God moste lyke descrye
An Image pleasinge eurye manne
And noble to beholde with eye.
And lyke as God in heauen aboue
The shyninge Sonne and Moone doth place
In goodliest wise as beste behoue
To shewe his shape and lyuelye grace:
The shyninge Sonne and Moone doth place
In goodliest wise as beste behoue
To shewe his shape and lyuelye grace:
Suche is that Prynce within his lande
UUhych fearinge God, maintayneth ryght,
And reasons rule doth vnderstande,
UUherin consistes his porte and might.
UUhych fearinge God, maintayneth ryght,
And reasons rule doth vnderstande,
UUherin consistes his porte and might.
And not in Scepter, or in Crowne,
In thunder bolt, or glyttringe swerde,
wherby some thinke tobteyne renowne
Synce than, they shoulde be greatlye ferde.
In thunder bolt, or glyttringe swerde,
wherby some thinke tobteyne renowne
Synce than, they shoulde be greatlye ferde.
UUheras in dede, for that they seme
That none to them maye haue accesse:
They are enuied, and wise men deme
Suche porte to be greate foolishnesse.
That none to them maye haue accesse:
They are enuied, and wise men deme
Suche porte to be greate foolishnesse.
For God offended is wyth those
His thundringe power that imitates:
But he delightes in suche as chose
In clemency to be hys mates.
His thundringe power that imitates:
But he delightes in suche as chose
In clemency to be hys mates.
And doth promote them more and more
And of his owne benignytye:
Doth make them partners of his lore
Of iustyce, trueth, and equitye.
And of his owne benignytye:
Doth make them partners of his lore
Of iustyce, trueth, and equitye.
UUhiche thinges in dede are more deuyne
Than fyar, light, or phebus course,
Than starres that rise or downe declyne
Ye endles life it selfe, is worse.
Than fyar, light, or phebus course,
Than starres that rise or downe declyne
Ye endles life it selfe, is worse.
For why longe life is not the cause
That God moste happy counted is
But prince of vertue is the clause
UUheron dependeth all his blis.
That God moste happy counted is
But prince of vertue is the clause
UUheron dependeth all his blis.
UUhen Alexander sorye was
For Clytos death whome he had slayne:
Then Anaxarke, suche wofull cas
To mittigate: to hym gan sayne.
For Clytos death whome he had slayne:
Then Anaxarke, suche wofull cas
To mittigate: to hym gan sayne.
To Clito hapt but Iustice tho,
UUhich doth assiste the goddes alway
That what soeuer Princes do,
Should rightfull seme without denaye.
UUhich doth assiste the goddes alway
That what soeuer Princes do,
Should rightfull seme without denaye.
UUhich sayinge was ne right, ne good,
For where the kinge bewaild his cryme:
This semd to egge him in lyke moode,
To do like act an other tyme.
For where the kinge bewaild his cryme:
This semd to egge him in lyke moode,
To do like act an other tyme.
But if for men it lawfull were
Such thinges texamyne as them liste:
Full quickly then, it would appeare
That Iustice doth not Ioue assiste.
Such thinges texamyne as them liste:
Full quickly then, it would appeare
That Iustice doth not Ioue assiste.
For Iustyce euyn it selfe to be,
Almightye Ioue we ought to take:
A lawe of most antiquitye
UUhich neuer dyd the trueth forsake.
Almightye Ioue we ought to take:
A lawe of most antiquitye
UUhich neuer dyd the trueth forsake.
The old men also plainlye saye
It passeth Ioue his poure and might
UUhen ladye Iustice is awaye:
A kyngdome for to rule vpright.
It passeth Ioue his poure and might
UUhen ladye Iustice is awaye:
A kyngdome for to rule vpright.
UUho as Hesyode hath vs tought
A virgyn is immaculate,
A shamefast maide, which neuer wrought
But modestlye wyth eurye state.
A virgyn is immaculate,
A shamefast maide, which neuer wrought
But modestlye wyth eurye state.
And hereof kinges surnamed are
Right reuerent, and dredefull aye:
For those in whome doth dwel least feare,
Ought to be feared moste I saye.
Right reuerent, and dredefull aye:
For those in whome doth dwel least feare,
Ought to be feared moste I saye.
But it behoues muche more a kynge
To feare to do, then suffer ille,
For of the one the other sprynge,
So do so haue is Iustice wille.
To feare to do, then suffer ille,
For of the one the other sprynge,
So do so haue is Iustice wille.
This Princely feare a Prynce lykewyse
Should alwayes haue: Unwares that lest
To hym, for lacke of carefull eyes:
UUith wronges his subiectes be opprest.
Should alwayes haue: Unwares that lest
To hym, for lacke of carefull eyes:
UUith wronges his subiectes be opprest.
For so the dogges that watche the folde
UUhen they the cruell wolfe do heare:
Not for themselues which are full bolde,
But for their charge haue onely feare.
UUhen they the cruell wolfe do heare:
Not for themselues which are full bolde,
But for their charge haue onely feare.
Epamynond the Theban knight
His subiectes tendinge feastes and playe
UUould all alone both day and night
Kepe watche and warde and oftymes saye,
His subiectes tendinge feastes and playe
UUould all alone both day and night
Kepe watche and warde and oftymes saye,
That he dyd aye lyue soberlye
And watchfull was to that intente
That others myght more quyetlye
Be dronke, and slepe, as they were bente.
And watchfull was to that intente
That others myght more quyetlye
Be dronke, and slepe, as they were bente.
UUhen Cezar hadde at vesque towne,
to Cato yeuen the ouerthro:
the reste vnslayne, then Cato downe
Did call: vnto the sea to go.
to Cato yeuen the ouerthro:
the reste vnslayne, then Cato downe
Did call: vnto the sea to go.
And hauinge sene them safelye shipte
and wysht them well to passe the sea:
as one with fewer cares beclipte,
Retourned home himselfe to slea.
and wysht them well to passe the sea:
as one with fewer cares beclipte,
Retourned home himselfe to slea.
By which ensample Cato heare,
Doth teache all Princes that be wise,
Of what, they should haue greatest feare,
And what againe, they should despise.
Doth teache all Princes that be wise,
Of what, they should haue greatest feare,
And what againe, they should despise.
But on the other part beholde
Clearchus cruell kinge of Ponte,
Howe lyke a Serpente layde in folde
In chest closse shut to slepe was wonte.
Clearchus cruell kinge of Ponte,
Howe lyke a Serpente layde in folde
In chest closse shut to slepe was wonte.
Full lyke Taristodeme therefore
UUho in his dyninge chamber hadde
A closette with a fallynge dore
And eke with beddynge fynelye cladde.
UUho in his dyninge chamber hadde
A closette with a fallynge dore
And eke with beddynge fynelye cladde.
UUherin his concupyne and he
UUere wont all nyght to take their rest,
And to thintente that none should se
Ne come to vexe them in their nest:
UUere wont all nyght to take their rest,
And to thintente that none should se
Ne come to vexe them in their nest:
The mother of the damsell should
The stayer cleane from thence remoue
And set it, theare against they would
come downe next mornynge from aboue.
The stayer cleane from thence remoue
And set it, theare against they would
come downe next mornynge from aboue.
Howe moch thynke you would this man flee
A Palays, Courte, or Feastynge place
UUhich of hys chamber as you see
A prison made to kepe his grace.
A Palays, Courte, or Feastynge place
UUhich of hys chamber as you see
A prison made to kepe his grace.
Thus trew kynges haue no feare in dede
But aye for those, on whom they raigne:
But Tyrantes for theym selues haue drede
Lest for their vice they shoulde be slaine.
But aye for those, on whom they raigne:
But Tyrantes for theym selues haue drede
Lest for their vice they shoulde be slaine.
The greater powre, the greater feare,
The more to rule, that they obtayne:
The more as foes to them appeare,
UUherby they growe in more disdayne.
The more to rule, that they obtayne:
The more as foes to them appeare,
UUherby they growe in more disdayne.
UUyth matter apt all shapes to take
And subiect aye to sondry chaunge
Of god some would a mixture make
and hyde hym theare which is full straunge.
And subiect aye to sondry chaunge
Of god some would a mixture make
and hyde hym theare which is full straunge.
But Plato sayith God dwelles aboue
And there fast fixt in holy sawes:
From trueth he neuer doth remoue
Ne swarues from natures stedfast lawes.
And there fast fixt in holy sawes:
From trueth he neuer doth remoue
Ne swarues from natures stedfast lawes.
And as in heauen lyke to a glasse
The sonne his shape doth represente:
In earth, the light of Iustyce was
By hym ordeynd: for lyke intente.
The sonne his shape doth represente:
In earth, the light of Iustyce was
By hym ordeynd: for lyke intente.
UUhich shape all wyse and happy men
To counterfete employe theyr payne
Full busuly wyth wysdomes pen
The chefeste blis therby tattaine.
To counterfete employe theyr payne
Full busuly wyth wysdomes pen
The chefeste blis therby tattaine.
But nothing can this habit brede
In vs so sone, as reasons lore
Got out of wysdoms schole in dede:
To guyde our doynges euer more
In vs so sone, as reasons lore
Got out of wysdoms schole in dede:
To guyde our doynges euer more
UUhen Alexander hadde well tryde
The prompt wytte of Diogenes
And sene his stoutnes great besyde:
He marueyled, and sayde, doutles:
The prompt wytte of Diogenes
And sene his stoutnes great besyde:
He marueyled, and sayde, doutles:
If I not Alexander were,
I woulde become diogenes,
As one that vertue woulde fayne leare:
But princely powre dyd hym oppresse.
I woulde become diogenes,
As one that vertue woulde fayne leare:
But princely powre dyd hym oppresse.
UUhich would not graunt him time tapply?
The thinge so muche estemed aye
For lacke whereof he did enuy?
The Cinickes scrippe, and pore araye.
The thinge so muche estemed aye
For lacke whereof he did enuy?
The Cinickes scrippe, and pore araye.
UUherewith he sawe the Cinicke made
At all assayes more stronge and stoute:
Than he hymselfe when to inuade
Of horse and men had greatest route.
At all assayes more stronge and stoute:
Than he hymselfe when to inuade
Of horse and men had greatest route.
Thus in desiar and good will
Diogenes the kinge might be
And yeat in dede remayning still
In princelye state and highe degre.
Diogenes the kinge might be
And yeat in dede remayning still
In princelye state and highe degre.
Yea, he, more nede had in this cas
To be diogenes aryght:
In that he Alexander was
An emprour great of powre and might.
To be diogenes aryght:
In that he Alexander was
An emprour great of powre and might.
UUho hadde in fortunes seas to stryue
UUith cruell stormes and rockes besyde
UUheron his shippe might easlye dryue
Onles he had the better guyde.
UUith cruell stormes and rockes besyde
UUheron his shippe might easlye dryue
Onles he had the better guyde.
For priuate men of lowe degre
That others can offende no waye
Thoughe they taffectes oft subiect be
Their greues yeat are but dreams I saye.
That others can offende no waye
Thoughe they taffectes oft subiect be
Their greues yeat are but dreams I saye.
But whereas powre is ioynd vnto
Euill ordred life, thear thinke it true
That such affectes will cause also
Great grefe in dede for to ensewe.
Euill ordred life, thear thinke it true
That such affectes will cause also
Great grefe in dede for to ensewe.
The chefest fruit that Dionise
Dyd of his empyre take: it was,
(He sayde) what he dyd than deuise,
UUith spede to haue it brought to passe.
Dyd of his empyre take: it was,
(He sayde) what he dyd than deuise,
UUith spede to haue it brought to passe.
A thyng most peryllouse therfore
It is, vndecent thynges to wyll:
UUhen he that wylleth, euermore
Hath powre, the same for to fulfyll.
It is, vndecent thynges to wyll:
UUhen he that wylleth, euermore
Hath powre, the same for to fulfyll.
For powre doth malice quickly moue,
UUith euyll affectes the mynd to streke
As enuy, wrath, aduowtry, loue,
Mens goodes also, and lyues to seke.
UUith euyll affectes the mynd to streke
As enuy, wrath, aduowtry, loue,
Mens goodes also, and lyues to seke.
And then the worde nys soner sayde,
But wo to hym that is suspect
Toffende in that to hym is layde,
For sentence there, must take effect.
But wo to hym that is suspect
Toffende in that to hym is layde,
For sentence there, must take effect.
Of nature, such as searchers be:
Do hold that after thunder clapp
The lyghtnyng coms, yeat do we se
The same before we heare the rapp.
Do hold that after thunder clapp
The lyghtnyng coms, yeat do we se
The same before we heare the rapp.
The bludd lykewyse before the wound
To vs most commonly appeares:
For sight doth mete the light, wheare sound
Is fayne to come euin to our eares.
To vs most commonly appeares:
For sight doth mete the light, wheare sound
Is fayne to come euin to our eares.
In kyngdoms so, some men we fynde
Taue suffred care, thaccused were
And sentence yeuen to wrath inclynde
Before due profe of cryme appeare.
Taue suffred care, thaccused were
And sentence yeuen to wrath inclynde
Before due profe of cryme appeare.
For wrath nought hable is twithstand
The powre of malice when she list,
As is the anker fixt in sande
UUhich can the cruell sea resist.
The powre of malice when she list,
As is the anker fixt in sande
UUhich can the cruell sea resist.
Onles that reason with her wayght
Presse downe such powre, and kynges abyde
To marke the sonne, in greatest hayght
Howe he hymselfe doth wysly guyde.
Presse downe such powre, and kynges abyde
To marke the sonne, in greatest hayght
Howe he hymselfe doth wysly guyde.
For when he mownted is aloft
To Cancers ryng, he semes to stay,
In that he goeth so fayre and soft
UUherby he doth assure his way.
To Cancers ryng, he semes to stay,
In that he goeth so fayre and soft
UUherby he doth assure his way.
But this by dayly profe we knowe
UUhere powre and malyce do abyde:
There, malyce nedes, her selfe must showe,
And can her face no long tyme hyde.
UUhere powre and malyce do abyde:
There, malyce nedes, her selfe must showe,
And can her face no long tyme hyde.
If those that haue the fallyng yll
At any tyme take colde I say,
They can not stand but stagger styll
UUhich playnely doth theyr grefe bewray.
At any tyme take colde I say,
They can not stand but stagger styll
UUhich playnely doth theyr grefe bewray.
Euyn so thunlearned sort you see
UUhen fortune chaunce them to addresse
To honor, wealth, and hyghe degree,
They shewe full sone their folishnesse.
UUhen fortune chaunce them to addresse
To honor, wealth, and hyghe degree,
They shewe full sone their folishnesse.
For why no soner vppe, but lo
They readye are agayne to fall,
For fortunes whele they do not kno
UUhich turneth rounde as doth the ball.
They readye are agayne to fall,
For fortunes whele they do not kno
UUhich turneth rounde as doth the ball.
To trye if that an emptye potte
Be sound or cracked anye wheare
Let fill the same, and eurye plotte
That faultye is will sone appeare.
Be sound or cracked anye wheare
Let fill the same, and eurye plotte
That faultye is will sone appeare.
Euyn so corrupted myndes that are
Not hable princelye power tabyde,
To broken pottes I may compare
That flowe with anger wrath and pride.
Not hable princelye power tabyde,
To broken pottes I may compare
That flowe with anger wrath and pride.
But why should these thinges heare besayde
Sithe lesser crymes and faultes most small
To noble Prynces haue ben layde
By suche as haue them noted all.
Sithe lesser crymes and faultes most small
To noble Prynces haue ben layde
By suche as haue them noted all.
To Cymon wyne, to Scipio
Much slepe as faultes obiected weare:
Lucullus noted was also
For that he loued costly cheare.
Much slepe as faultes obiected weare:
Lucullus noted was also
For that he loued costly cheare.
Howe happye than is Britan lande
UUhich dothe enioye so noble a Quene
As reasons rule doth vnderstande
UUherby no vyce in her is sene.
UUhich dothe enioye so noble a Quene
As reasons rule doth vnderstande
UUherby no vyce in her is sene.
For why she fearith God aboue
UUhose lawe is written in her harte
So good affectes in her to moue
As wicked thoughtes haue there no parte.
UUhose lawe is written in her harte
So good affectes in her to moue
As wicked thoughtes haue there no parte.
A wyse and learned Quene is she
And wholly bent to maintaine right,
Ne wrathfull tyrante can she be
In clemencye which doth delyght.
And wholly bent to maintaine right,
Ne wrathfull tyrante can she be
In clemencye which doth delyght.
UUho sekes her lawes and ordinaunce
To execute with Iustyce aye
All vertuous men she doth auaunce
And chaste the proude that nill obaye.
To execute with Iustyce aye
All vertuous men she doth auaunce
And chaste the proude that nill obaye.
Of speche full meke, and mylde of cheare
To whome all poore men haue accesse,
UUhose plaintes she willinge is to heare
And eke their wronges for to redresse.
To whome all poore men haue accesse,
UUhose plaintes she willinge is to heare
And eke their wronges for to redresse.
UUhat care she hath her subiectes all
And Realme to make both riche and stronge
By dedes appeare it doth and shall
In wordes I nede not to be longe,
And Realme to make both riche and stronge
By dedes appeare it doth and shall
In wordes I nede not to be longe,
But only wysshe and dayly craue
Of god to graunt, that ouer vs
Long tyme of raigne her bygones haue
UUhich is so good and gracious.
Of god to graunt, that ouer vs
Long tyme of raigne her bygones haue
UUhich is so good and gracious.
Finis.
| Three morall Treatises | |