[The Courte of Vertu contaynynge many holy songes, Sonettes, psalmes and ballettes] [by John Hall] |
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A description of auarice. |
 | [The Courte of Vertu |  |
A description of auarice.
Saint
Bernard saith the chariot
of auarice is borne,
on tower wheles of vices ill:
through which the poore are torne.
of auarice is borne,
on tower wheles of vices ill:
through which the poore are torne.
The first is courage faynt and fonde,
The next vngentylnes,
The thirde contempt of God, the fourth
Of death forgetfulness.
The next vngentylnes,
The thirde contempt of God, the fourth
Of death forgetfulness.
[86]
And horses two this chariot drawes,
That is as muche to saye,
As Raueny and Nygardshyp:
Whiche are in it alwaye.
That is as muche to saye,
As Raueny and Nygardshyp:
Whiche are in it alwaye.
The Carter whiche dooth dryue them bothe,
He is a greedye knaue:
And who so would hys name were knowen.
It is Desyre to haue,
He is a greedye knaue:
And who so would hys name were knowen.
It is Desyre to haue,
That Carter dryueth with a whyp,
Whych whyp of cordes hath twayne:
That is, Great appetite to get,
And Lothe to yeld agayne.
Whych whyp of cordes hath twayne:
That is, Great appetite to get,
And Lothe to yeld agayne.
Ryght many of the cart haue scorne,
And them that cartes doo dryue:
Yet moste men for to dryue thys cart,
Thys daye contende and stryue.
And them that cartes doo dryue:
Yet moste men for to dryue thys cart,
Thys daye contende and stryue.
And they that take in most yll part.
Of carters to beare name:
Doo dryue thys carte of couetyse,
And muche delyght the same.
Of carters to beare name:
Doo dryue thys carte of couetyse,
And muche delyght the same.
And suche as weare bothe sylke and golde,
(That strange is for to see)
Doo sue to master Auarice,
His carters for to bee.
(That strange is for to see)
Doo sue to master Auarice,
His carters for to bee.
Where some were wont with speare & shield,
Theyr countrey to defend:
Haue layde asyde theyr armour quight,
And to this carte attend.
Theyr countrey to defend:
Haue layde asyde theyr armour quight,
And to this carte attend.
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The Clergy whych should preache and teache
If they dyd playe theyr parte,
Doo laye asyde the worde of God,
And dayly dryue thys carte.
If they dyd playe theyr parte,
Doo laye asyde the worde of God,
And dayly dryue thys carte.
The Merchant and the learned leche,
And eke the man of lawe.
Forsake theyr artes, and dayly doo
This carte bothe dryue and drawe.
And eke the man of lawe.
Forsake theyr artes, and dayly doo
This carte bothe dryue and drawe.
And they that common carters be,
(Of moste men called so)
Doo knowe least how to dryue this cart
And farthest are therfro,
(Of moste men called so)
Doo knowe least how to dryue this cart
And farthest are therfro,
Our money (as sayth Seneca)
Ought ay to be our drudge,
To serue for our necessitie,
And at our wyll to trudge.
Ought ay to be our drudge,
To serue for our necessitie,
And at our wyll to trudge.
But yf we (as a lady dire)
Make her our souerayne:
She wyll not mysse to bryng our soules
Into eternall payne.
Make her our souerayne:
She wyll not mysse to bryng our soules
Into eternall payne.
God of hys mercy therfore graunt,
This cartynge we may leaue,
To loue and lyberalytie,
That we may alway cleaue.
This cartynge we may leaue,
To loue and lyberalytie,
That we may alway cleaue.
Free from the thefe and from the mothe
That we may horde our store:
Forsakyng gredy auarice,
And dryue hys carte no more.
That we may horde our store:
Forsakyng gredy auarice,
And dryue hys carte no more.
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