A pleasant Enterlude, intituled, Like will to Like quoth the Deuill to the Collier Wherin is declared what punishments followe those that will rather liue licentiously : then esteeme and followe good Councell. And what benefits they receiue that apply them selues to vertuous liuing and good exercises |
The Prologue.
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 | A pleasant Enterlude, intituled, Like will to Like quoth the Deuill to the Collier |  |
The Prologue.
Cicero in his book de amicitia these woords dooth expresse,
Saying nothing is more desirous then like is vnto like:
Whose woords are most true and of a certainty doubtles,
For the vertuous doo not the vertuous company mislike.
But the vicious dooth the vertuous company eschue:
And like wil vnto like this is most true.
Saying nothing is more desirous then like is vnto like:
Whose woords are most true and of a certainty doubtles,
For the vertuous doo not the vertuous company mislike.
But the vicious dooth the vertuous company eschue:
And like wil vnto like this is most true.
It is not my meaning your eares for to wery,
with harkning what is the effect of our matter:
But our pretence is to mooue you to be mery,
Merily to speak meaning no man to flatter.
The name of this matter as I said while ere,
is like wil to like quod the Deuil to the Collier.
with harkning what is the effect of our matter:
But our pretence is to mooue you to be mery,
Merily to speak meaning no man to flatter.
The name of this matter as I said while ere,
is like wil to like quod the Deuil to the Collier.
Sith pithie prouerbs in our English tung doo abound,
Our author thought good such a one for to chuse:
As may shew good example and mirth may eke be found,
But no lasciuious toyes he purposeth to vse,
Heerin as it were in a glasse see you may:
the aduauncement of vertue and of vice the decay,
Our author thought good such a one for to chuse:
As may shew good example and mirth may eke be found,
But no lasciuious toyes he purposeth to vse,
Heerin as it were in a glasse see you may:
the aduauncement of vertue and of vice the decay,
To what ruin ruffins and roisters are brought,
You may heer see of them the finall end:
Begging is the best though that end be naught.
But hanging is woorse if they doo not amend.
The vertuous life is brought to honor and dignitie:
And at the last to euerlasting eternitie.
You may heer see of them the finall end:
Begging is the best though that end be naught.
But hanging is woorse if they doo not amend.
The vertuous life is brought to honor and dignitie:
And at the last to euerlasting eternitie.
And because diuers men of diuers mindes be,
Some doo matters of mirth and pastime require:
Other some are delighted with matters of grauitie.
to please all men is our authors cheef desire.
wherfore mirth with mesure to sadnes is annexed,
Desiring that none heer at our matter wil be parplexed.
Some doo matters of mirth and pastime require:
Other some are delighted with matters of grauitie.
to please all men is our authors cheef desire.
wherfore mirth with mesure to sadnes is annexed,
Desiring that none heer at our matter wil be parplexed.
Thus as I said I wil be short and breef,
Because that from this dump you shall releeued be:
And the Deuil with the Colier, the theef that seeks the theef,
Shall soon make you merry as shortly you shall see.
And sith mirth for sadnes is a sauce most sweet:
take mirth then with measure that best sauceth it.
Because that from this dump you shall releeued be:
Shall soon make you merry as shortly you shall see.
And sith mirth for sadnes is a sauce most sweet:
take mirth then with measure that best sauceth it.
FINIS.
| A pleasant Enterlude, intituled, Like will to Like quoth the Deuill to the Collier | |