Ane treatise callit the court of Venus deuidit into four buikis: newlie compylit be Iohne Rolland in Dalkeith, 1575: Edited by the Rev. Walter Gregor |
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| 1. | THE FIRST BVIK. |
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 | Ane treatise callit the court of Venus |  |
15
THE FIRST BVIK.
Qvhen Eolus out ouir thir rokkis rang,
Be donk and daill, baith Herb & tre he dang;
With passand pith, fra Poleartike come doun,
Thringand with thrist out throw thir woddis thrang,
And ceissit swyith the small foulis of thair sang;
Causit thame throw cauld mak lamentatioun;
Quhilk cauld become be nature of sessoun:
For than Pisces with potent power sprang,
Into his Spheir, and tuik dominatioun.
Be donk and daill, baith Herb & tre he dang;
With passand pith, fra Poleartike come doun,
Thringand with thrist out throw thir woddis thrang,
And ceissit swyith the small foulis of thair sang;
Causit thame throw cauld mak lamentatioun;
Quhilk cauld become be nature of sessoun:
For than Pisces with potent power sprang,
Into his Spheir, and tuik dominatioun.
[OMITTED]ois and Nonis war than all gone areir
[OMITTED] tell Freik quhilk we call Feuerȝeir.
[OMITTED]arie was of his Trone exclude,
[OMITTED]md blawin, and haldin hait at weir:
[OMITTED]s micht, and rolling in his Spheir,
[OMITTED] power of the Fische in the flude,
[OMITTED] doun gart Aquarie be denude,
[OMITTED]rs had the rewle now tane on steir
[OMITTED] all course, that time as King he stude.
[OMITTED] tell Freik quhilk we call Feuerȝeir.
[OMITTED]arie was of his Trone exclude,
[OMITTED]md blawin, and haldin hait at weir:
[OMITTED]s micht, and rolling in his Spheir,
[OMITTED] power of the Fische in the flude,
[OMITTED] doun gart Aquarie be denude,
[OMITTED]rs had the rewle now tane on steir
[OMITTED] all course, that time as King he stude.
16
As I beleue be richt calculatioun
Of Planet, Signe, or of the Mone motioun:
The wedder than is sumpart Pungitiue,
Quhen Pisces takis in his Spheir possessioun.
And Aquarie is put vnto desertioun,
Be Fische in flude swowming so exertiue,
Quhilk be greit pith and power possessiue,
That tydement crauis be his operatioun.
Quhat day this be ȝe Auditouris discriue?
Of Planet, Signe, or of the Mone motioun:
The wedder than is sumpart Pungitiue,
Quhen Pisces takis in his Spheir possessioun.
And Aquarie is put vnto desertioun,
Be Fische in flude swowming so exertiue,
Quhilk be greit pith and power possessiue,
That tydement crauis be his operatioun.
Quhat day this be ȝe Auditouris discriue?
This samin day (gif I remember richt)
Is consuetude to all kin Foule of flicht,
Quha is vakand to cheis thame than ane maik.
Siclike it is to King, Keyser, and Knicht;
Gif thay sa be, cheis thame ane bird sa bricht,
To pas the time, and ather solace mak.
Bot I alone of sic curage did laik.
Pausing far mair how sone wald cum the nicht
Me to repois, in my couche rest to tak.
Is consuetude to all kin Foule of flicht,
Quha is vakand to cheis thame than ane maik.
Siclike it is to King, Keyser, and Knicht;
Gif thay sa be, cheis thame ane bird sa bricht,
To pas the time, and ather solace mak.
Bot I alone of sic curage did laik.
Pausing far mair how sone wald cum the nicht
Me to repois, in my couche rest to tak.
Neuertheles ȝit to reioyce my spreit,
Howbeit the day was sumpart set with weit;
I walkit furth on be ane valay syde,
With Hat on heid, & Mittanis that was n[eat]
Maid to my handis, and heich schone on m[y feet].
Vnder ane bus I sat me doun to byde,
Me to preserue fra tempest of that tyde.
And maist part was my prayers to con
Knowit on breist, and Cor mundum I.
Howbeit the day was sumpart set with weit;
I walkit furth on be ane valay syde,
With Hat on heid, & Mittanis that was n[eat]
Maid to my handis, and heich schone on m[y feet].
Vnder ane bus I sat me doun to byde,
Me to preserue fra tempest of that tyde.
And maist part was my prayers to con
Knowit on breist, and Cor mundum I.
With orisounis, quhilkis ar not ne[cessair]
Into this buik, at this time to declair:
I randerit ouir to GOD Omnipotent
In the meane time, into ane Gairth preclair
I saw compeir with fax and fassoun fair
Twa ȝoung ȝounkeirs, perfite at all pointment;
In riche array, and honest ornament,
But companie, bot thame self solitair:
Nothing knawand that I was thair present.
Into this buik, at this time to declair:
I randerit ouir to GOD Omnipotent
In the meane time, into ane Gairth preclair
I saw compeir with fax and fassoun fair
17
In riche array, and honest ornament,
But companie, bot thame self solitair:
Nothing knawand that I was thair present.
I Jowkit than but dout quhen I thame saw,
Behind the Bus (LORD) bot I liggit law.
Buir me richt coy, and this my caus, and quhy,
To se gif thay wald ony nar me draw,
Or gif they had sum secreitis I micht knaw.
Or gif thair was ma in thair company.
I ȝow assure ane lang time did I ly.
That I was thair forsuith thay did misknaw
Howbeit I was to thame ane secreit spy.
Behind the Bus (LORD) bot I liggit law.
Buir me richt coy, and this my caus, and quhy,
To se gif thay wald ony nar me draw,
Or gif they had sum secreitis I micht knaw.
Or gif thair was ma in thair company.
I ȝow assure ane lang time did I ly.
That I was thair forsuith thay did misknaw
Howbeit I was to thame ane secreit spy.
Thair waillit weid, and stature to descriue,
I can noo git perfite affirmatiue.
Sa gay it was, sa galland for to se,
[Sa] wariant to sicht and transitiue.
[Um]quhile agane serene and substantiue,
[Perf]ite of fassoun maid, and sa properlie,
[Sa far] as I can efter my Fantasie,
[I will y]ow schaw be Intellectiue,
[How tha]y war cled Ilk man in his degre.
I can noo git perfite affirmatiue.
Sa gay it was, sa galland for to se,
[Sa] wariant to sicht and transitiue.
[Um]quhile agane serene and substantiue,
[Perf]ite of fassoun maid, and sa properlie,
[Sa far] as I can efter my Fantasie,
[I will y]ow schaw be Intellectiue,
[How tha]y war cled Ilk man in his degre.
[I culd] not put of thair ȝeiris distinctioun:
[Thay war] baith fair, fat, plesant of persoun:
[Baith in] ȝouth, as had bene thretie ȝeir.
[Thay war l]ike men be euen proportioun,
[Strang a]nd stout, and baith of ane fassounn.
Bot that the ane maid not sa merie cheir,
As his fellow, at that time was his feir.
Bot in sum part sadder of conditioun,
Quhais countenance to me sa did appeir.
[Thay war] baith fair, fat, plesant of persoun:
[Baith in] ȝouth, as had bene thretie ȝeir.
[Thay war l]ike men be euen proportioun,
[Strang a]nd stout, and baith of ane fassounn.
Bot that the ane maid not sa merie cheir,
As his fellow, at that time was his feir.
Bot in sum part sadder of conditioun,
Quhais countenance to me sa did appeir.
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The glaidest man was gayest for to se,
With Scarlet cap, quhairin was Ostage thre,
Behoung with gold, and all of cullour blew.
With trim Tergattis weill wrocht & properlie
Circumferat with stanis subtellie
In signe he was ane lufer traist and trew.
His Spainȝe cloik was of the Holine hew:
Betakinnit ȝouth and Curiositie,
In Venus Bowe to eik baith game and glew.
With Scarlet cap, quhairin was Ostage thre,
Behoung with gold, and all of cullour blew.
With trim Tergattis weill wrocht & properlie
Circumferat with stanis subtellie
In signe he was ane lufer traist and trew.
His Spainȝe cloik was of the Holine hew:
Betakinnit ȝouth and Curiositie,
In Venus Bowe to eik baith game and glew.
His Hugtoun was of Crammesie veluet.
With precious Perle, and gold was souer set,
With Saphyris blew, and Ryall Rubeis reid.
The silkin cordis was all about thame plet
With Emeraudis so michtelie ouirfret,
Quhairon to luke, was rute of all remeid.
Howbeit ane man had bene in point of deid;
Better comfort I traist he culd not get.
Of all malice to saif him fra the feid.
With precious Perle, and gold was souer set,
With Saphyris blew, and Ryall Rubeis reid.
The silkin cordis was all about thame plet
With Emeraudis so michtelie ouirfret,
Quhairon to luke, was rute of all remeid.
Howbeit ane man had bene in point of deid;
Better comfort I traist he culd not get.
Of all malice to saif him fra the feid.
His dowblet was of goldin bruid riche
All set about with the cleir Cristalline.
And in the breist ane Charbukill sa cl[eir]
Quhilk did resplend as the sterne M[erceir]
Cleir Apollo Esperus or Lucine,
Before the day quhen thay do first a[ppeir]
With vther stanis quhilk was done [fair & fine]
As birnand gold ouir all his body Schine,
Baith Turkes, Iasp, Emeraud, and Sapheir.
All set about with the cleir Cristalline.
And in the breist ane Charbukill sa cl[eir]
Quhilk did resplend as the sterne M[erceir]
Cleir Apollo Esperus or Lucine,
Before the day quhen thay do first a[ppeir]
With vther stanis quhilk was done [fair & fine]
As birnand gold ouir all his body Schine,
Baith Turkes, Iasp, Emeraud, and Sapheir.
With Iacinth fine, and Topaȝion sa fair.
Or Adamant or Dyamant but compair:
With Rubie sparkis ane greit number to se.
The Orient perle baith precious and preclair,
Was vmbeset his body ouir all quhair.
Bot ane precellit the laif fer in degre,
Quhais cleir reflex blindit my sicht to se.
Becaus he was sa rank, and trew luifar,
Weir it on breist, in signe of cheualrie.
Or Adamant or Dyamant but compair:
With Rubie sparkis ane greit number to se.
The Orient perle baith precious and preclair,
Was vmbeset his body ouir all quhair.
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Quhais cleir reflex blindit my sicht to se.
Becaus he was sa rank, and trew luifar,
Weir it on breist, in signe of cheualrie.
His hois thay war of the reid Skarlet maid,
With buird of gold bordonit, and barrit braid
Begaryit all with sindrie silkis hew,
Of nedill wark richt richelie all resplaid.
Of biggest bind as he thocht best to haid,
Or ladyis hand with nedill culd it sew.
All thortour drawin with taffeteis of blew.
[Hi]s veluot schone quhairwith ȝe gait he traid,
[Bu]klit with gold and of the fassoun new.
With buird of gold bordonit, and barrit braid
Begaryit all with sindrie silkis hew,
Of nedill wark richt richelie all resplaid.
Of biggest bind as he thocht best to haid,
Or ladyis hand with nedill culd it sew.
All thortour drawin with taffeteis of blew.
[Hi]s veluot schone quhairwith ȝe gait he traid,
[Bu]klit with gold and of the fassoun new.
[A] noble seme was on his sark of Rence,
[OMITTED]netent to ony King or Prince:
[Begane his f]rok with all forme of pictour,
[First cam a] Hynd fast rinnand for defence,
[Next twa houn]d rache with all expedience.
[The hunter]s sine fallowand on the stour,
[Dowt quhidd]er Deir or Doggis wes victour.
[All quhilk] was set with greit expence,
[Ouirfret wit]h gold quhilk wes of gret valour.
[OMITTED]netent to ony King or Prince:
[Begane his f]rok with all forme of pictour,
[First cam a] Hynd fast rinnand for defence,
[Next twa houn]d rache with all expedience.
[The hunter]s sine fallowand on the stour,
[Dowt quhidd]er Deir or Doggis wes victour.
[All quhilk] was set with greit expence,
[Ouirfret wit]h gold quhilk wes of gret valour.
With girdill of gold, nane gayar on the grund,
With fassis fyne nane fairer mycht be found.
And dicht dager, rycht plesand and perfite
Tabletis of gold, bayth quadrate als & round,
With Saphiris set so suttellie and sound,
Rattilland Chenȝeis about his hals so quhite,
Quhairon to luke, me thocht was greit delite.
With bag and belt, quhairnin was mony pinid
Be apperance with Iowellis Infinite.
With fassis fyne nane fairer mycht be found.
And dicht dager, rycht plesand and perfite
Tabletis of gold, bayth quadrate als & round,
With Saphiris set so suttellie and sound,
Rattilland Chenȝeis about his hals so quhite,
Quhairon to luke, me thocht was greit delite.
With bag and belt, quhairnin was mony pinid
Be apperance with Iowellis Infinite.
20
In the richt hand he bair ane plesant flour,
Repleit all with Aromatike odour:
With Cinamone mixt, and mellifluat.
Quhilk was the signe he come of Venus Bour.
In the Car hand he bair of greit valour
Ane goldin Ball, the quhilk himself oblait
To Venus Quene, quhair his hart Radicait
Was on all time, quhilk was his cheif treasour
This was he cled in waill Morigerate.
Repleit all with Aromatike odour:
With Cinamone mixt, and mellifluat.
Quhilk was the signe he come of Venus Bour.
In the Car hand he bair of greit valour
Ane goldin Ball, the quhilk himself oblait
To Venus Quene, quhair his hart Radicait
Was on all time, quhilk was his cheif treasour
This was he cled in waill Morigerate.
The secund als was cled richt curious.
Bot not be far so gay and glorious,
Als was his feir, nor half so delectabill:
With hylair vult, and fassoun richt fam[ous]
With Scarlet Cap appeirand bounte[ous]
His dowlet was of cullour variabill
Sum time ȝailow, & vther quhylis [OMITTED]
His coit and hois of silk and claith [precious]
His cloik was blak, & borderit with [sabill]
Bot not be far so gay and glorious,
Als was his feir, nor half so delectabill:
With hylair vult, and fassoun richt fam[ous]
With Scarlet Cap appeirand bounte[ous]
His dowlet was of cullour variabill
Sum time ȝailow, & vther quhylis [OMITTED]
His coit and hois of silk and claith [precious]
His cloik was blak, & borderit with [sabill]
Ane sword was belt about his [loins and rane]
With veluot cled: the Plumet gold[ane]
With purse and belt, like to ane man of age.
Chenȝeis of gold persaif that culd I nane.
He was most like to be ane Philistiane,
Be countenance, and clething wonder sage,
That in the self hart lakit, and curage:
And in the Net of wanhoip had bene tane,
Quhilk causit him want baith welth & wassallage.
With veluot cled: the Plumet gold[ane]
With purse and belt, like to ane man of age.
Chenȝeis of gold persaif that culd I nane.
He was most like to be ane Philistiane,
Be countenance, and clething wonder sage,
That in the self hart lakit, and curage:
And in the Net of wanhoip had bene tane,
Quhilk causit him want baith welth & wassallage.
In the richt hand ane bus of Rew he bair,
In signe he was betaucht all with dispair,
In the car hand he bair ane bludie Hart,
Thirlit outthrow, richt scharplie, sad and sair.
With ane fell flane, quhilk was baith braid & squair
Richt swa it did his awin body inwart
Quhilk was the caus of all his sowre & smart,
Furthschew he was sum time ane iust lufar:
Bot at that time, I traist he was conuart.
In signe he was betaucht all with dispair,
In the car hand he bair ane bludie Hart,
Thirlit outthrow, richt scharplie, sad and sair.
With ane fell flane, quhilk was baith braid & squair
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Quhilk was the caus of all his sowre & smart,
Furthschew he was sum time ane iust lufar:
Bot at that time, I traist he was conuart.
Thus was he cled, and with letteris of grew
In fine Scriptour, I saw it writtin new.
[V]pon his breist, his Name hecht Disperance.
[I b]lent about and thair richt weill I knew
[Quha was] his feir, als weill as hand culd sew:
[I saw his] Name embrowd ye quhilk hecht Esperance
[Vpon h]is breist about set with plesance,
[Into] that garth quhair that ye flouris grew:
[The twa] did tryne with diueris countenance.
In fine Scriptour, I saw it writtin new.
[V]pon his breist, his Name hecht Disperance.
[I b]lent about and thair richt weill I knew
[Quha was] his feir, als weill as hand culd sew:
[I saw his] Name embrowd ye quhilk hecht Esperance
[Vpon h]is breist about set with plesance,
[Into] that garth quhair that ye flouris grew:
[The twa] did tryne with diueris countenance.
[A] lang time into that garth so grene,
[They sat] allone, not thame ane word betwene
[The yo]unkeir moir wantounlie did trance
[Mair joyo]uslie, mair courtes, and mair kene.
Sayand, Mynȝeoun, quhairfoir do ȝe sustene
Sic displesure in hart be countenance:
I ȝow beseik in sum part tak pastance,
And ȝow reioyce for ȝour Lady or Quene.
Quhat that scho be to do hir sic plesance.
[They sat] allone, not thame ane word betwene
[The yo]unkeir moir wantounlie did trance
[Mair joyo]uslie, mair courtes, and mair kene.
Sayand, Mynȝeoun, quhairfoir do ȝe sustene
Sic displesure in hart be countenance:
I ȝow beseik in sum part tak pastance,
And ȝow reioyce for ȝour Lady or Quene.
Quhat that scho be to do hir sic plesance.
He answerit than, said gude Schir, let alane,
As for my self, Quene, nor lufe have I nane:
Bot as ȝe se, a man heir solitair:
Fra me allone sic pastance is ouirgane.
To verteous work all clene I haue me tane,
And refusis sic sport I ȝow declair:
For Fantasie it is, and nothing mair.
Quhairfoir brother for ȝow I mak greit mane,
Gifand ȝour hoip, quhair nocht is bot despair.
As for my self, Quene, nor lufe have I nane:
Bot as ȝe se, a man heir solitair:
Fra me allone sic pastance is ouirgane.
To verteous work all clene I haue me tane,
And refusis sic sport I ȝow declair:
For Fantasie it is, and nothing mair.
Quhairfoir brother for ȝow I mak greit mane,
Gifand ȝour hoip, quhair nocht is bot despair.
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Despair (said he) thow art far deuiat
For to conforme thy lufe to sic estait:
Gif thow sic hes (as weill may be perchance)
Or gif thy lust be ellis so saciat:
The to support sum vther man creat,
That thy Lady will hald into pastance.
And gif thow pleis, I sall for thy plesance
(Sa that thow mak me thy subdelegat)
Thy fault reforme, and caus thy Name [auance]
For to conforme thy lufe to sic estait:
Gif thow sic hes (as weill may be perchance)
Or gif thy lust be ellis so saciat:
The to support sum vther man creat,
That thy Lady will hald into pastance.
And gif thow pleis, I sall for thy plesance
(Sa that thow mak me thy subdelegat)
Thy fault reforme, and caus thy Name [auance]
Thairfoir thow sall tak lufe for n[ecessair]
It is the rite of comfort, I declair.
Quhairfoir brother, I the require of [plane]
Exalt thy Spreit, and mak the mou[e all fane]
Denude the of that darknes solitair
For I hald lufe ane A perse allane.
And for hir saik sum sang vencreane
I wald thow sang, with plesand voice preclair:
I the promit guerdoun Cesareane.
It is the rite of comfort, I declair.
Quhairfoir brother, I the require of [plane]
Exalt thy Spreit, and mak the mou[e all fane]
Denude the of that darknes solitair
For I hald lufe ane A perse allane.
And for hir saik sum sang vencreane
I wald thow sang, with plesand voice preclair:
I the promit guerdoun Cesareane.
Guerdoun (said he) of the I court nocht:
For that nor sic to this place I not socht,
Bot pas the time, and tak sum hailsum air,
In sic behalf, als far as I haue wrocht,
I sall abstene, that is my minde and thocht,
In future time, my purpois is na mair
Sic to persew, gif ȝe pleis to repair
In lufes seruice, thairof nathing I rocht.
To ȝour purpois in gude time and not spair.
For that nor sic to this place I not socht,
Bot pas the time, and tak sum hailsum air,
In sic behalf, als far as I haue wrocht,
I sall abstene, that is my minde and thocht,
In future time, my purpois is na mair
Sic to persew, gif ȝe pleis to repair
In lufes seruice, thairof nathing I rocht.
To ȝour purpois in gude time and not spair.
For I no way sic thing in heid dois tak.
That Law but leis in me lang time did lak:
And purposis it neuer to persew.
Thairfoir gude Schir, gif ȝe pleis for to mak
For ȝour Lady, or for ȝour lufis saik,
Sum Ballet or sang now breuit of the new,
It may weill be, but efter ȝe sall rew
[In]to sa far as ȝe thairon did waike:
[It s]albe gall as far as it was glew.
That Law but leis in me lang time did lak:
And purposis it neuer to persew.
Thairfoir gude Schir, gif ȝe pleis for to mak
For ȝour Lady, or for ȝour lufis saik,
23
It may weill be, but efter ȝe sall rew
[In]to sa far as ȝe thairon did waike:
[It s]albe gall as far as it was glew.
[B]ot sen I the to hir cure vassaill:
[To mak the r]efrane, my power laikis haill.
[For] in hir net thow art obnubilate:
[Gif] thow conuert, and tak my trew counsall
[OMITTED]eng or lust thow suld neuer assaill.
[OMITTED]waill hart fra hir to sequestrate,
[OMITTED] time sa far as is fustrate:
[OMITTED]oir repent, and thow sall ȝit preuaill.
[To mak the r]efrane, my power laikis haill.
[For] in hir net thow art obnubilate:
[Gif] thow conuert, and tak my trew counsall
[OMITTED]eng or lust thow suld neuer assaill.
[OMITTED]waill hart fra hir to sequestrate,
[OMITTED] time sa far as is fustrate:
[OMITTED]oir repent, and thow sall ȝit preuaill.
In verteous werk, scho beaud depriuate
He said agane, quhill I may bruik my liue.
Hir from my hart I will neuer depriue.
Thy counsall is of na gude discretioun,
Me to perswade with wrang enarratiue
Lufe to abstene, it is sa exaltiue.
Into that case thow laikis commissioun.
Thairfoir to the I put Inhibitioun,
Takand on me hir mater most actiue,
With Martiall minde, as cruell Campioun.
He said agane, quhill I may bruik my liue.
Hir from my hart I will neuer depriue.
Thy counsall is of na gude discretioun,
Me to perswade with wrang enarratiue
Lufe to abstene, it is sa exaltiue.
Into that case thow laikis commissioun.
Thairfoir to the I put Inhibitioun,
Takand on me hir mater most actiue,
With Martiall minde, as cruell Campioun.
And for hir saik, heir I acept on me,
Hir Aduocate euer to stand and be.
With stable mind laikand dissimulance,
In helth, seiknes, riches, and pouertie,
In eild, and ȝouth, blithnes, aduersitie:
And all kin sturt, bot ony variance.
And all is till hir nobill Name auance.
In contrair quhome, of quhat stait or degre,
Thay may be found, I byid heir at constance.
Hir Aduocate euer to stand and be.
With stable mind laikand dissimulance,
In helth, seiknes, riches, and pouertie,
In eild, and ȝouth, blithnes, aduersitie:
And all kin sturt, bot ony variance.
And all is till hir nobill Name auance.
In contrair quhome, of quhat stait or degre,
Thay may be found, I byid heir at constance.
24
And for the mair Ratificatioun
Of hir honour, and Glorificatioun;
I sall with laude reheirs ane small Legen[t]
Transferrit to hir as in oblatioun
Beand to hir greit grace delectatioun.
In signe scho is ladie most Eminent,
And I hir Knicht Lieutennent of luifren[t]
Makand to hir my pure Supplicatioun
My rime in time to hir be Redolent.
Of hir honour, and Glorificatioun;
I sall with laude reheirs ane small Legen[t]
Transferrit to hir as in oblatioun
Beand to hir greit grace delectatioun.
In signe scho is ladie most Eminent,
And I hir Knicht Lieutennent of luifren[t]
Makand to hir my pure Supplicatioun
My rime in time to hir be Redolent.
For I nocht can with laude and reuerence,
Hir Name exalt with perfite Eloquence,
As sould effeir bot as my faint Ingine
I sall discriue be my Intelligence.
Beseikand hir of hir Magnificence,
My spreit Inspyre and speich to me propine,
That hir honour distres thoill nor ruine:
Nor suffer it in na way haif discence,
As scho is Quene and fresche flour Feminine.
Hir Name exalt with perfite Eloquence,
As sould effeir bot as my faint Ingine
I sall discriue be my Intelligence.
Beseikand hir of hir Magnificence,
My spreit Inspyre and speich to me propine,
That hir honour distres thoill nor ruine:
Nor suffer it in na way haif discence,
As scho is Quene and fresche flour Feminine.
Laus veneris.
Out fra the Splene with cordiall amouris,
Greit salusingis with gretingis full of gloir:
Laude reuerence, helth, vertew, and honouris,
With all hauingis that may ane corps decoir,
To the Venus I rander euermoir.
And nocht causles: with superabundant
Mirth, melodie, thow dois my hart refloir,
As Inuincent victour, and triumphant.
Greit salusingis with gretingis full of gloir:
Laude reuerence, helth, vertew, and honouris,
With all hauingis that may ane corps decoir,
To the Venus I rander euermoir.
And nocht causles: with superabundant
Mirth, melodie, thow dois my hart refloir,
As Inuincent victour, and triumphant.
For to remane into Memoriall
Thy Name and fame in Chronik & Scriptour
I sall gar prent to keip perpetuall,
[As] is the Actis of the greit Conquerour.
[Ven]us Quene, of all Quenis the flour,
[Insp]ires my spreit, that I may say sum thing,
[W]ithin this gairth to thy laude and honour,
[All the] abute, and thy sone Cupid King.
Thy Name and fame in Chronik & Scriptour
I sall gar prent to keip perpetuall,
[As] is the Actis of the greit Conquerour.
[Ven]us Quene, of all Quenis the flour,
25
[W]ithin this gairth to thy laude and honour,
[All the] abute, and thy sone Cupid King.
[My spi]reitis thay feir, for dreid my hart dois quaik
[My tun]g trimblis half in ane extasie
[OMITTED] [feb]ill and faint Ingine to tak
[OMITTED] [desc]riue the greit Nobilitie,
[And clev]ernes, that dois remoue in the.
The prouerb is, gude will sould be payment,
Becaus the toung can nocht keip vnitie
As wald the hart now to purpois I went.
[My tun]g trimblis half in ane extasie
[OMITTED] [feb]ill and faint Ingine to tak
[OMITTED] [desc]riue the greit Nobilitie,
[And clev]ernes, that dois remoue in the.
The prouerb is, gude will sould be payment,
Becaus the toung can nocht keip vnitie
As wald the hart now to purpois I went.
Inchoatio litis.
O lustie lufe, thy lufesome obseruance
So Ioyous is, so Iocund for to vse,
So Iolious repleit of all plesance.
Quha can discriue, thair is no man can muse.
Saif thy seruice all vther I refuse,
And ever sall, vnto the day I de.
And quha dois nocht, to deid I sall accuse.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
So Ioyous is, so Iocund for to vse,
So Iolious repleit of all plesance.
Quha can discriue, thair is no man can muse.
Saif thy seruice all vther I refuse,
And ever sall, vnto the day I de.
And quha dois nocht, to deid I sall accuse.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, with sable countenance:
Allace brother thow rauis into thy rime.
That lufe thow speikis hes na continuance.
Bot slydis away as dois the snaw or slime:
Waistis all welth, and tinis the precious time,
Lattis laubour, traist weill this is no lie.
Quhairfoir I think, that thow committis crime.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Allace brother thow rauis into thy rime.
That lufe thow speikis hes na continuance.
Bot slydis away as dois the snaw or slime:
Waistis all welth, and tinis the precious time,
Lattis laubour, traist weill this is no lie.
Quhairfoir I think, that thow committis crime.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir than with curage fra the sp[lene]
Answerit and said, with ane full mery cheir
Thocht thow culd nocht of lufe kindnes obt[tene]
Than sall ilk ane hir obseruance forbei[r]
Thocht thow sa be with sorow set ani[OMITTED]
Sould lufe thairfoir be lichtleit sa be tr[OMITTED]
For thy awin gude sic problemes tho[OMITTED]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis [me.]
Answerit and said, with ane full mery cheir
Thocht thow culd nocht of lufe kindnes obt[tene]
26
Thocht thow sa be with sorow set ani[OMITTED]
Sould lufe thairfoir be lichtleit sa be tr[OMITTED]
For thy awin gude sic problemes tho[OMITTED]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis [me.]
The Saddest said (saif and gude re[uerence]
Thocht thow awant lufe thus in thy curage,
The day sall cum thy barnelie Insolence
Contrair sall turne quhen thy lust is asswage.
Bot weill I knaw thy vndantit barnage
Will haif ane May bot fra it slokinnit be.
Thow will repent for all thy rampand rage.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Thocht thow awant lufe thus in thy curage,
The day sall cum thy barnelie Insolence
Contrair sall turne quhen thy lust is asswage.
Bot weill I knaw thy vndantit barnage
Will haif ane May bot fra it slokinnit be.
Thow will repent for all thy rampand rage.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, thy language salbe leis
My clene curage it neuer mair sall slaik:
Nor fra seruice of lufe sall neuer ceis
Bot ay Incres the mair heich for hir saik:
In all this warld that Maistres hes no maik,
This dar I say, with hart and curage hie:
Quha seruis hir weill, na bewtie sall thay laik,
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
My clene curage it neuer mair sall slaik:
Nor fra seruice of lufe sall neuer ceis
Bot ay Incres the mair heich for hir saik:
In all this warld that Maistres hes no maik,
This dar I say, with hart and curage hie:
Quha seruis hir weill, na bewtie sall thay laik,
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, lufe is full of dissait,
And be na way thow sall not find it stabill.
Scho alteris ay to euerie kinde and stait:
Quhylis to quhylis fra: and sa is ay mouabill
To sum scho is hylair and confortabill,
And thame exaltis in superlatiue degre.
And to vthers lufe is richt Lacrymabill.
[I] luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
And be na way thow sall not find it stabill.
Scho alteris ay to euerie kinde and stait:
Quhylis to quhylis fra: and sa is ay mouabill
To sum scho is hylair and confortabill,
And thame exaltis in superlatiue degre.
And to vthers lufe is richt Lacrymabill.
[I] luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
[The ȝ]oungkeir said, that planelie I deny.
[Luf is] stabill and luf is richt constant.
[Men e]uer will thair will to hir apply,
[And serue in m]irth hir in warkis vailȝeant.
[Quh]a is to hir obseruauce obitant,
[Can noch]t faill to fall richt suddanelie.
Quhairfoir I will thy seruice ay awant.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
[Luf is] stabill and luf is richt constant.
[Men e]uer will thair will to hir apply,
27
[Quh]a is to hir obseruauce obitant,
[Can noch]t faill to fall richt suddanelie.
Quhairfoir I will thy seruice ay awant.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
The Saddest said, and kest his cap ahite:
The febill fauour thow did of lufe obtene,
That is in the thow purpois not to quite.
Bot Ȝule is ȝoung, thay say upon Ȝule euin.
And diuers times it hes bene hard and sene,
That efter most Ioy followis aduersitie.
And lufe oft turnis hir feiris to tray and tene.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The febill fauour thow did of lufe obtene,
That is in the thow purpois not to quite.
Bot Ȝule is ȝoung, thay say upon Ȝule euin.
And diuers times it hes bene hard and sene,
That efter most Ioy followis aduersitie.
And lufe oft turnis hir feiris to tray and tene.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, thow faillis richt far in plane:
To lufe I keipit euer gude obseruance,
Sen I was man, and scho to me agane
Keipit gude lufe, with trew hart and constante,
Withouttin fraude, gyle, or dissimulance.
Sen scho me schew sa greit humanitie,
Suld I not than hir Nobill Name auance.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
To lufe I keipit euer gude obseruance,
Sen I was man, and scho to me agane
Keipit gude lufe, with trew hart and constante,
Withouttin fraude, gyle, or dissimulance.
Sen scho me schew sa greit humanitie,
Suld I not than hir Nobill Name auance.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
The Saddest said, thocht thow with words vane
Hir Name exalt, thy words ar till abuse:
Hir warkis ar sa odious and Prophane,
Into na sort thay ar not for to vse.
Scho can not mak sic caus hir for to rus[e]
For thy profite, nor gude vtilitie.
Quhairfoir best is thy opinioun refuse.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis [me.]
Hir Name exalt, thy words ar till abuse:
Hir warkis ar sa odious and Prophane,
Into na sort thay ar not for to vse.
Scho can not mak sic caus hir for to rus[e]
For thy profite, nor gude vtilitie.
Quhairfoir best is thy opinioun refuse.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis [me.]
The ȝoungkeir said, euer to tak hi[r part]
Heir I awow, and this my caus, and [quhy]
With ardent lufe scho holdis me at the hart.
In clene curage, and vailȝeant victorie.
Scho feidis me with fude of Lameurie.
Scho cleithes me with cloikis of curtesie:
With hir awin hand scho happis me quhair I ly.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
Heir I awow, and this my caus, and [quhy]
With ardent lufe scho holdis me at the hart.
28
Scho feidis me with fude of Lameurie.
Scho cleithes me with cloikis of curtesie:
With hir awin hand scho happis me quhair I ly.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
The Saddest said, that victorie scho the geuis
That fude and claithis ar all bot fenȝeirnes.
Quhat thow ressauis, thryis als mekle scho reuis,
That thou not wait, thocht thow it think glaidnes
Thow pretendis scho saifis the fra sadnes,
Quhilk scho not can without thy awin supplie
I the assure, scho is fals and faithles.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
That fude and claithis ar all bot fenȝeirnes.
Quhat thow ressauis, thryis als mekle scho reuis,
That thou not wait, thocht thow it think glaidnes
Thow pretendis scho saifis the fra sadnes,
Quhilk scho not can without thy awin supplie
I the assure, scho is fals and faithles.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, thair thy enarratiue
Into the self it is richt fals, and faillis.
Scho geuis to diuers heich prerogatiue
Quha with leill lufe hir grace dewlie assaillis.
Bot thy dolf hart for dredour ay deuaillis,
And laikis spreitis thy self to fortifie:
Quhilk is ȝe caus thow bruikis of lufe sic baillis.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
Into the self it is richt fals, and faillis.
Scho geuis to diuers heich prerogatiue
Quha with leill lufe hir grace dewlie assaillis.
Bot thy dolf hart for dredour ay deuaillis,
And laikis spreitis thy self to fortifie:
Quhilk is ȝe caus thow bruikis of lufe sic baillis.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
[The] Saddest said, I se the obstinate,
[Thy] wilful will thow can not weill refrane.
[Thy] minde it is sa Interlaqueat,
[Sa fet]terit in the Net of lufe Prophane.
[On its care]is thy cuir is set quotidiane,
[And vpon tha]t quhilk is bot fantasie.
[Mortifie thy c]orps, and be not sa constrane.
I lufit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
[Thy] wilful will thow can not weill refrane.
[Thy] minde it is sa Interlaqueat,
[Sa fet]terit in the Net of lufe Prophane.
[On its care]is thy cuir is set quotidiane,
[And vpon tha]t quhilk is bot fantasie.
[Mortifie thy c]orps, and be not sa constrane.
I lufit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, trowis thow be seductioun
Of the I wald be sa presumpteous,
To absteine luif, quhilk war greit distructioun
To my clene hart quhilk is sa curious.
And sine to me lufe is sa amorous.
I will it do for all thy subteltie.
I salbe ay baith rank and ryotous.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Of the I wald be sa presumpteous,
To absteine luif, quhilk war greit distructioun
29
And sine to me lufe is sa amorous.
I will it do for all thy subteltie.
I salbe ay baith rank and ryotous.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, sen lufe hes the sa hait,
Conuert that lufe to God Omnipotent,
For all thy lufe it is Intoxitait
With marrit mind, and thochtis Insolent,
Quhilk efterwart richt sair thow sall repent,
And sall the turne to Iangland Ielousie.
Amend in time, ȝit quhair thow hes miswent.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me:
Conuert that lufe to God Omnipotent,
For all thy lufe it is Intoxitait
With marrit mind, and thochtis Insolent,
Quhilk efterwart richt sair thow sall repent,
And sall the turne to Iangland Ielousie.
Amend in time, ȝit quhair thow hes miswent.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me:
Quia vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas: preter Amare Deum.
The ȝoungkeir said with voce half arrogant,
God ordanit lufe to be baith heir and hine.
Quha hes gude lufe into this life pregna[nt]
Gude lufe in heuin he suld nocht craif nor t[ine]
I me defer to the scriptour diuine.
Christ bad ilk man keip lufe and cheritie.
Thairfoir thir wordis in me sall euer schin[e]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
God ordanit lufe to be baith heir and hine.
Quha hes gude lufe into this life pregna[nt]
Gude lufe in heuin he suld nocht craif nor t[ine]
I me defer to the scriptour diuine.
Christ bad ilk man keip lufe and cheritie.
Thairfoir thir wordis in me sall euer schin[e]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
Iuxta illud hoc est præceptum meum v[t diligatis] inuicem, Sicut delexi vos. —JOH[N XV.]
The Saddest said, half mouit in his minde:
Authoritie richt gude to me thow schawis.
Bot wo allace, thow takis it in wrang kinde:
Thow allegis the thing that thow misknawis.
Lufe thy Nichtbour, & brek not Goddis lawis
Be Fornicatioun, nor ȝit Adulterie
To schame & lak thir twa thair seruand drawis.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Authoritie richt gude to me thow schawis.
Bot wo allace, thow takis it in wrang kinde:
Thow allegis the thing that thow misknawis.
Lufe thy Nichtbour, & brek not Goddis lawis
30
To schame & lak thir twa thair seruand drawis.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Non mœchaberis. —Exo. xx.
Omnis qui viderit mulierem ad concupiscendum eam, iam mechatus est in corde suo. —Mat. v.
The ȝoungkeir said, I meruell of thy minde,
And of thy will withouttin caus or quhy
Contrair Venus with thy hait hart vnkinde,
To tak sic part thocht scho it small set by.
Thow knawis veill and alswa sa do I.
God bad ilk man Incres and multiplie.
How can thow than Godis awin wordis deny?
I lufe ay leill, and that veill likis me.
And of thy will withouttin caus or quhy
Contrair Venus with thy hait hart vnkinde,
To tak sic part thocht scho it small set by.
Thow knawis veill and alswa sa do I.
God bad ilk man Incres and multiplie.
How can thow than Godis awin wordis deny?
I lufe ay leill, and that veill likis me.
Crescite & multiplicamini. —Genes. ix.
The Saddest said, I knaw the wordis richt weill
[Go]d said thai wordis, quhen the warld first began
[And] of that Text thow hes bot litill feill:
[The] sentence fer les thairfoir thow can.
[True] God thame said at that time to the man,
[He ment th]ame all of Matrimonie to be.
[The] name glois, as thow plesis, quhat than?
[I luifit to lan]g, and that forthinkis me.
[Go]d said thai wordis, quhen the warld first began
[And] of that Text thow hes bot litill feill:
[The] sentence fer les thairfoir thow can.
[True] God thame said at that time to the man,
[He ment th]ame all of Matrimonie to be.
[The] name glois, as thow plesis, quhat than?
[I luifit to lan]g, and that forthinkis me.
[Fugite forn]icationem, qui autem fornicatur, in [corpus su]um peccat. —1 Cor. vi.
The ȝoungkeir said, ȝit Salamon the king
That in his time was haldin the maist wise:
Into his Buik he sayis ane vther thing,
And puttis lufe to ane greiter apprise.
He sayis, quhair lufe into ane luifer lyis,
It is als stark as deith and life maybe.
Thairfoir I say thow carpis of cowardise.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
That in his time was haldin the maist wise:
Into his Buik he sayis ane vther thing,
And puttis lufe to ane greiter apprise.
He sayis, quhair lufe into ane luifer lyis,
31
Thairfoir I say thow carpis of cowardise.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill lykis me.
Canti Vltimo.
Quia fortis est vt mors dilectio: Dura sicut Infernus emulatio.
The Saddest said I pray the hald the still,
For to alledge on Salomon that saw.
For weill I wait it was neuer his will,
Men for to caus Incline in that behaw.
To wemen kinde, nor for to mak sic Law.
Bot this he sayis, and thow like sic to see.
Wemen causis men oft to diuilrie draw.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
For to alledge on Salomon that saw.
For weill I wait it was neuer his will,
Men for to caus Incline in that behaw.
To wemen kinde, nor for to mak sic Law.
Bot this he sayis, and thow like sic to see.
Wemen causis men oft to diuilrie draw.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Ecclesi. xix.
Nam mulieres apostatare faciunt Sapientes: Et qui se iungit Fornicarijs erit nequam.
The ȝoungkeir said, schaw me quhat is the ca[is]
That Salomon wordis said in vane:
Considdering he sayis sa mony sawis,
Sa gude, sa sweit, of all wemen but lane.
Luik how thow likes Canticorum in pl[ane]
All that haill Buik he sayis of thair be[wtie]
How can thow than the contrair say[OMITTED]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill ly[kis me.]
That Salomon wordis said in vane:
Considdering he sayis sa mony sawis,
Sa gude, sa sweit, of all wemen but lane.
Luik how thow likes Canticorum in pl[ane]
All that haill Buik he sayis of thair be[wtie]
How can thow than the contrair say[OMITTED]
I lufe ay leill, and that weill ly[kis me.]
Osculetur me osculo oris sui: quia m[eliores sunt] amores eius vino fraganti. —Can[t. i.]
The Saddest said, than hier with patience,
I sall the schaw ane answer releuant.
That buik he maid to ane vther sentence,
And fra thy mind ane mekle thing distant.
He menis that buik of the kirk militant,
Quhilk is the Spous of the blist trinitie.
Lat we sic by, caus we are Ignorant.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
I sall the schaw ane answer releuant.
That buik he maid to ane vther sentence,
32
He menis that buik of the kirk militant,
Quhilk is the Spous of the blist trinitie.
Lat we sic by, caus we are Ignorant.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Quia cœcus non habet iudicare de coloribus, Cœcus autem si cœco ducatum prestet, ambo in foueam cadunt. —Math. xvi.
The ȝoungkeir said, this mater meruellis me
Quhat sould a man, and lufe had neuer bene?
Like ane auld stok or as ane rottin tre,
Berand greit bouk quhair sould be leuis grene
And naturall is to king Keyser and Quene.
To spend their time in sum Iucunditie.
And quhair better than with ane ladie schene.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Quhat sould a man, and lufe had neuer bene?
Like ane auld stok or as ane rottin tre,
Berand greit bouk quhair sould be leuis grene
And naturall is to king Keyser and Quene.
To spend their time in sum Iucunditie.
And quhair better than with ane ladie schene.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Quia venerunt mihi omnia bona Pariter cum illa. —Cant. i.
The Saddest said, lufe is sa perrellous,
To all gude deid it is ane strenthie bar.
Of all poisoun it is maist venemous.
Sclandour and schame euer to it drawes nar.
[Ver]tew, wisdome to tuich it neuer dar.
[Wei]ll may thow wey thay will neuer agre.
[Refrane] befoir ȝit draw thy fute on far.
[I lui]fit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
To all gude deid it is ane strenthie bar.
Of all poisoun it is maist venemous.
Sclandour and schame euer to it drawes nar.
[Ver]tew, wisdome to tuich it neuer dar.
[Wei]ll may thow wey thay will neuer agre.
[Refrane] befoir ȝit draw thy fute on far.
[I lui]fit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
[Ne att]enderis fallaciæ mulieris: fauus enim diste[llans labia] meretricis: nouissima autem illius ama[ra quasi] absinthium. —Proverb v.
The ȝoungkeir said, I can nocht vnderstand:
Bot vertew is, and wisdome in hir cure:
Strenth, hardines, with manheid vailȝeand,
With all bewtie that may haif creature.
I put the case, ane man peradventure
In battell war present his Ladie fre:
He wald preuaill the erar I assure.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Bot vertew is, and wisdome in hir cure:
Strenth, hardines, with manheid vailȝeand,
33
I put the case, ane man peradventure
In battell war present his Ladie fre:
He wald preuaill the erar I assure.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Veni, propera amica mea, veni, ostende mihi faciem tuam. —Cant. ii.
The Saddest said, thocht it sa cauill for anis
In goddis kirk it hurtis greit deuotioun
Diuers cummis to kirk oft for the nanis:
And to be sene, that is thair maist notioun.
Of perellous stait it is the first promotioun:
God is forȝet, lufe hes the cheualrie:
First slais the saull, and puttis the bodie down.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
In goddis kirk it hurtis greit deuotioun
Diuers cummis to kirk oft for the nanis:
And to be sene, that is thair maist notioun.
Of perellous stait it is the first promotioun:
God is forȝet, lufe hes the cheualrie:
First slais the saull, and puttis the bodie down.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Quia lingua eius acuta, vt gladius biceps. —Pro. v.
The ȝoungkeir said, thow spekes now all to large:
That lufe to God is sic Impediment.
Quhy intrommettis thow with an vthers charge
In thy langage thow art our negligent.
Let ilk man do, as thay expedient
Thinkis for thame self, for that is maist lik[lie]
Thy rime in time I wald thow did repent
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
That lufe to God is sic Impediment.
Quhy intrommettis thow with an vthers charge
In thy langage thow art our negligent.
Let ilk man do, as thay expedient
Thinkis for thame self, for that is maist lik[lie]
Thy rime in time I wald thow did repent
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, I say bot Iust an[d hail]
I can nocht tell the teind, thocht I [it wald]
Of misfortounis, and euill that dois [assail]
Daylie mankind, be that luf thow [dost uphauld]
Quhat heretage? quhat biggingis coft & sauld,
Quhat deid? quhat slane throw lufis destenie?
Men & wemen has skalit thair hale houshald?
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
I can nocht tell the teind, thocht I [it wald]
Of misfortounis, and euill that dois [assail]
Daylie mankind, be that luf thow [dost uphauld]
Quhat heretage? quhat biggingis coft & sauld,
34
Men & wemen has skalit thair hale houshald?
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Non est malitia supra maliciam mulieris. Sors pcecatorum. Cadat super illam plaga mortis. Mulier nequam. A muliere inicium factum est peccati. & per illam omnes morimur. A carnibus tuis abscinde illam ne semper te abutatur.
Coniuge pro pulchra multi subiere sepulchra.
The ȝoungkeir said, with ane austeir aspect,
It sufficit lufe thyself to lichtleit thus.
Thow pretendis the haill warld to infect
With thy langage, and sawis Iniurious:
Bot of thy wordis sickill and friuolous
It reckes nocht, thay ar bot vanitie:
Howbeit thay be in sum part odious.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
It sufficit lufe thyself to lichtleit thus.
Thow pretendis the haill warld to infect
With thy langage, and sawis Iniurious:
Bot of thy wordis sickill and friuolous
It reckes nocht, thay ar bot vanitie:
Howbeit thay be in sum part odious.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, for sawis Iniurious
I rehers nane, but quhilk I will awow.
And quhair ȝe say, my sawis ar friuolous:
Thay ar richt suith and ar of sentence fow
I say thy lufe is nothing till allow.
Gifand it quhair is na stabilitie
Now scho is mine: and thine agane richt now.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
I rehers nane, but quhilk I will awow.
And quhair ȝe say, my sawis ar friuolous:
Thay ar richt suith and ar of sentence fow
I say thy lufe is nothing till allow.
Gifand it quhair is na stabilitie
Now scho is mine: and thine agane richt now.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Qui tenet mulierem, quasi qui apprehendit scor[OMITTED] one, Ab omni irreuerentia oculorum eius caue. [OMITTED] & ne mireris si te neglexerit. Si dederit homo om[nem] substantiam domus suæ pro delectione, qua[si nihil] dispiciet eum —Cant. vlt.
35
The ȝoungkeir said half rampand in ane rage
Thy talking is to me Intollerable.
Euir I sall auant lufe with curage.
Scho is constant: scho is right confortable:
Lufe is bening and lufe is amiable:
Lufe is stable, and repleit of pietie:
To hir awin feris scho is right fauorable.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Thy talking is to me Intollerable.
Euir I sall auant lufe with curage.
Scho is constant: scho is right confortable:
Lufe is bening and lufe is amiable:
Lufe is stable, and repleit of pietie:
To hir awin feris scho is right fauorable.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, thocht thow hir sa auant,
Scho is faithles: scho is abhominable.
Thow furthschawis as ane daft Ignorant,
Luf is truthles: and lufe is tressonable:
Nocht lauchfull, but scho is lamentable.
Vod, wantoun, vane, and void of veritie.
Lufe is wrangous, and lufe is variable.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Scho is faithles: scho is abhominable.
Thow furthschawis as ane daft Ignorant,
Luf is truthles: and lufe is tressonable:
Nocht lauchfull, but scho is lamentable.
Vod, wantoun, vane, and void of veritie.
Lufe is wrangous, and lufe is variable.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, thocht thow thay wordis disclois:
Lufe is ardent, and lufe is delicious.
Of all vertewis, lufe is the crop and rois.
Lufe is mery: lufe is melodious:
Richt petefull, and also scho is precious.
Lufe is the trane of all tranquillitie.
Lufe is facound: and lufe is fauorous.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
Lufe is ardent, and lufe is delicious.
Of all vertewis, lufe is the crop and rois.
Lufe is mery: lufe is melodious:
Richt petefull, and also scho is precious.
Lufe is the trane of all tranquillitie.
Lufe is facound: and lufe is fauorous.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, cousing and all beg[OMITTED]
Lufe is lichtlie: and lufe is lecherous.
Lufe is wilfull: and lufe is vane and wil[OMITTED]
Lufe is richt mad: and lufe is malicious
Presumptuous, odious, and suspicious,
Scandalous, and cled all with scurrilitie.
Friuolous, venemous, and Iniurious:
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Lufe is lichtlie: and lufe is lecherous.
Lufe is wilfull: and lufe is vane and wil[OMITTED]
Lufe is richt mad: and lufe is malicious
Presumptuous, odious, and suspicious,
Scandalous, and cled all with scurrilitie.
Friuolous, venemous, and Iniurious:
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
36
The ȝoungkeir said, I se thy hart ouirset
All in malice, to lichtlie lufe that quene.
Lufe is fruitfull, and all with faith ouirfret;
Kinde, courtes, meik, mercyfull, Amene:
Maikles with mirth, substantious and serene
Gude, and gracious, ground of felicitie.
Scho laikis nocht to honour may pertene.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
All in malice, to lichtlie lufe that quene.
Lufe is fruitfull, and all with faith ouirfret;
Kinde, courtes, meik, mercyfull, Amene:
Maikles with mirth, substantious and serene
Gude, and gracious, ground of felicitie.
Scho laikis nocht to honour may pertene.
I lufe ay leill, and that weill likis me.
The Saddest said, lufe kendillis euer cair:
Vnkennand, kene, vnskilfull, and cruell:
Angrie, Irefull, birnand as baitit bair.
Vndantit, daft, ane reuar, and rebell.
Crabit, Cankerit, fenȝeit, baith fierce and fell.
Byitand, bostand, griefand, and gredie:
Bitter as Gall, and speciall net of hell.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
Vnkennand, kene, vnskilfull, and cruell:
Angrie, Irefull, birnand as baitit bair.
Vndantit, daft, ane reuar, and rebell.
Crabit, Cankerit, fenȝeit, baith fierce and fell.
Byitand, bostand, griefand, and gredie:
Bitter as Gall, and speciall net of hell.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
The ȝoungkeir said, with fax and face fumous:
Richt stomochat, thair standand him allone:
With austeir voice, as tirant tedious:
Sair mouit in minde, in hart halfwo begone:
Heirand the word the Saddest did propone.
Cryit, Cupid King to this mater haif Ee:
[Sh]aw the ane King, or King I hald the none
[L]ufe is lichtleit: thairfoir full wayis me.
Richt stomochat, thair standand him allone:
With austeir voice, as tirant tedious:
Sair mouit in minde, in hart halfwo begone:
Heirand the word the Saddest did propone.
Cryit, Cupid King to this mater haif Ee:
[Sh]aw the ane King, or King I hald the none
[L]ufe is lichtleit: thairfoir full wayis me.
[The] Saddest said, me think the sair anoyit
[T]ellis me, quhy thow sould sa the mufe
The ȝoungkeir said, suld gude lufe be distroyit
Be thy sophismes quhilk thow can neuer pruif?
Thocht thow sa wald, the greit God ay abuif
Will neuer thoill sa greit iniquitie.
The Saddest said, heir I defy fals lufe.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
[T]ellis me, quhy thow sould sa the mufe
The ȝoungkeir said, suld gude lufe be distroyit
Be thy sophismes quhilk thow can neuer pruif?
Thocht thow sa wald, the greit God ay abuif
Will neuer thoill sa greit iniquitie.
The Saddest said, heir I defy fals lufe.
I luifit to lang, and that forthinkis me.
37
The ȝoungkeir said, with voce superlatiue:
O Cupid King, o Venus luifis Quene:
Attend thir wordis that ar sa pungitiue,
Outthrow the hart thay thirll me sa kene.
Bot ȝe supple, I may not thame sustene:
For sic vnricht se ȝe not remedie:
I me defer into my graif so grene.
Umquhill I luifit; and than weill likit me.
O Cupid King, o Venus luifis Quene:
Attend thir wordis that ar sa pungitiue,
Outthrow the hart thay thirll me sa kene.
Bot ȝe supple, I may not thame sustene:
For sic vnricht se ȝe not remedie:
I me defer into my graif so grene.
Umquhill I luifit; and than weill likit me.
Argumenti finis.
As he that said to his hart straik ane stound,
Quhill of that place ne farder he micht found
Throw displesour, and greit melancholie.
The dart of deith, him thair gaif sic ane wound,
That suddandlie he fell vnto the ground:
Boyland but buit, vext with aduersitie:
Quhilk to Venus was schawin suddanlie:
That hir trew Knicht with faintnes sa confound
Was strikkin to deith for fault of hir supple.
Quhill of that place ne farder he micht found
Throw displesour, and greit melancholie.
The dart of deith, him thair gaif sic ane wound,
That suddandlie he fell vnto the ground:
Boyland but buit, vext with aduersitie:
Quhilk to Venus was schawin suddanlie:
That hir trew Knicht with faintnes sa confound
Was strikkin to deith for fault of hir supple.
Sone scho discendis but ony mair delay,
And brocht with hir bot ane ȝoung sempil Ma[y]
In hir chalmer quhilk ay was most secre,
Beheld hir Knicht on the ground quhair h[e lay]
Inquerit the caus, and effect of the fray.
The Saddest said, Madame of veritie
I do not knaw, he fell sa suddanlie.
Bot we allone the time passing with play:
Him this betuke ane suddane extasie.
And brocht with hir bot ane ȝoung sempil Ma[y]
In hir chalmer quhilk ay was most secre,
Beheld hir Knicht on the ground quhair h[e lay]
Inquerit the caus, and effect of the fray.
The Saddest said, Madame of veritie
I do not knaw, he fell sa suddanlie.
Bot we allone the time passing with play:
Him this betuke ane suddane extasie.
And so anone his bak alyte he wryit,
To pas away, and Venus that espyit.
Scho said gude Schir, an quhill ȝe may remane
Quhill time this corps be sum better applyit,
With ferce felloun he is rich fair Inuyit,
And that be ȝow, for sa appeiris in plane
Quhairfoir ȝe sall incur my greit disdane
Madame said he faith planelie I deny it:
Wald he reuiue, Lord, than bot I war fane.
To pas away, and Venus that espyit.
Scho said gude Schir, an quhill ȝe may remane
38
With ferce felloun he is rich fair Inuyit,
And that be ȝow, for sa appeiris in plane
Quhairfoir ȝe sall incur my greit disdane
Madame said he faith planelie I deny it:
Wald he reuiue, Lord, than bot I war fane.
Anone Venus that Ladye fair and bricht,
In armes swith scho claucht hir awin trew knicht
Confortit him with kiss ane thousand syis
With voce cryand, with all hir mane & micht.
Awalk, awalk, awalk, thow wofull wicht:
This is Venus, that sa oft on the cryis.
Schaw me the caus quhairfoir deid heir thow lyis?
Gif ony man hes done to the vnricht,
In word or deid, schawing ony dispryis.
In armes swith scho claucht hir awin trew knicht
Confortit him with kiss ane thousand syis
With voce cryand, with all hir mane & micht.
Awalk, awalk, awalk, thow wofull wicht:
This is Venus, that sa oft on the cryis.
Schaw me the caus quhairfoir deid heir thow lyis?
Gif ony man hes done to the vnricht,
In word or deid, schawing ony dispryis.
Als sone as he the voce hard of Venus,
Vnto his hart he thocht it sa Ioyous:
He conuallessit within ane littill space,
Quhair he befoir was melancholious,
[Wod, ire]full, angrie, and rigerous.
[Inc]ontinent fra that he saw hir face
[He w]as alterit sone fra that tenefull trace:
[And grew m]or wantoun, with luikis amorous.
Vnto his hart he thocht it sa Ioyous:
He conuallessit within ane littill space,
Quhair he befoir was melancholious,
[Wod, ire]full, angrie, and rigerous.
[Inc]ontinent fra that he saw hir face
[He w]as alterit sone fra that tenefull trace:
[And grew m]or wantoun, with luikis amorous.
Ȝit for faintnes, and noy was at his hart:
The quhile befoir fra time he did reuert.
The sweit trikillis doun ouir his face thay ran
Sayand Madame, I pray ȝour Grace aduert:
I soll ȝow schaw the caus of all my smart.
Quhy, and quhairfoir, and how it first began:
In argument, I and that gentill man.
Fell heir on case becaus I tuik ȝour part:
First he ȝour grace did lichtlie, and me than.
The quhile befoir fra time he did reuert.
The sweit trikillis doun ouir his face thay ran
Sayand Madame, I pray ȝour Grace aduert:
I soll ȝow schaw the caus of all my smart.
Quhy, and quhairfoir, and how it first began:
In argument, I and that gentill man.
Fell heir on case becaus I tuik ȝour part:
First he ȝour grace did lichtlie, and me than.
39
Sayand thir wordis quhilk war Iniurious:
That lufe was faint, baith fals and friuolous,
Abhominable, and all sawin with desait:
Mixt with malice, and verray malitious:
Wod, vane, na worth, wantoun and vicious:
Vennemous, anterous, and dissimulat:
Fraudfull, faithles, fra all gude alterat.
Thus and siclike with rank voice rigorous
He did proclame, Madame mak ȝe debait.
That lufe was faint, baith fals and friuolous,
Abhominable, and all sawin with desait:
Mixt with malice, and verray malitious:
Wod, vane, na worth, wantoun and vicious:
Vennemous, anterous, and dissimulat:
Fraudfull, faithles, fra all gude alterat.
Thus and siclike with rank voice rigorous
He did proclame, Madame mak ȝe debait.
Scho said agane, it is Equiualent
To all ressoun, and als correspondent,
That thy mater suirlie I tak on hand:
Sen for my saik thow art heir schamelie schent
Ȝit I beleue als euill is subsequent
To thame in baill sa bitterlie the band:
Ioys I my life & bruik rowmes in this land:
Thay sall haif caus far mair for to lament,
That thus in sturt sa faint the causis stand.
To all ressoun, and als correspondent,
That thy mater suirlie I tak on hand:
Sen for my saik thow art heir schamelie schent
Ȝit I beleue als euill is subsequent
To thame in baill sa bitterlie the band:
Ioys I my life & bruik rowmes in this land:
Thay sall haif caus far mair for to lament,
That thus in sturt sa faint the causis stand.
Als scho that said withoutin circumst[ance]
With vengeabil vult, laik and gude [countenance]
In till hir hand she tuik of siluer quhite
Ane nobill horne, quhilk all the garth gart glance
And blew thairon with sic continuance,
Quhill at the last seir Nimphis of delite
Discendit sone to hir presence perfite.
Inclinand law with humbill countenance,
Weill preparit as thair vse was and rite.
With vengeabil vult, laik and gude [countenance]
In till hir hand she tuik of siluer quhite
Ane nobill horne, quhilk all the garth gart glance
And blew thairon with sic continuance,
Quhill at the last seir Nimphis of delite
Discendit sone to hir presence perfite.
Inclinand law with humbill countenance,
Weill preparit as thair vse was and rite.
Sayand Madame, with all obedience,
Heir we be cum to ȝour Magnificence,
In ȝour seruice ardent, and reddie boun,
To do ȝour grace plesour and reuerence.
Aganis quhome, or quha that dois offence
In that behalf concerning ȝour hie croun,
Of quhat degre, stait or conditioun
Thay may be found, with all Instant defence
We condiscend all heir in vnioun.
Heir we be cum to ȝour Magnificence,
In ȝour seruice ardent, and reddie boun,
To do ȝour grace plesour and reuerence.
Aganis quhome, or quha that dois offence
40
Of quhat degre, stait or conditioun
Thay may be found, with all Instant defence
We condiscend all heir in vnioun.
Than said Venus that lustie nobill Quene:
Lufesum Ladyis most secreit, and serene,
Of my counsell elect, and elegant:
This is the case I haif to ȝow to mene,
Quhilk in ane part to ȝow als dois pertene,
As to my self, thocht I be mair vibrant.
[Thair is] ane squier ane wod extrauagant,
[Quhilk] in my Court was sendill hard, or sene,
Nor in na sort thairof perticipant:
Lufesum Ladyis most secreit, and serene,
Of my counsell elect, and elegant:
This is the case I haif to ȝow to mene,
Quhilk in ane part to ȝow als dois pertene,
As to my self, thocht I be mair vibrant.
[Thair is] ane squier ane wod extrauagant,
[Quhilk] in my Court was sendill hard, or sene,
Nor in na sort thairof perticipant:
[Quha did] reheirs ane certane nyse Sermonis,
[With argu]mentis, and diuers questionis
[Of me con]trair, and of ȝow Ladyis all:
[Declairand] thus be seir opinionis
That lufe is foundit all of detractionis,
Man to desaif with foull lust mundiall,
And is the way of the stait Infernall.
This and siclik with diuers Infectionis,
He diuulgatis as Iuge Imperiall.
[With argu]mentis, and diuers questionis
[Of me con]trair, and of ȝow Ladyis all:
[Declairand] thus be seir opinionis
That lufe is foundit all of detractionis,
Man to desaif with foull lust mundiall,
And is the way of the stait Infernall.
This and siclik with diuers Infectionis,
He diuulgatis as Iuge Imperiall.
And not the les the great blasphematioun
New perpetrait vnto my michtie Croun,
Now recentlie Esperance our trew Knicht
He is neir put to finall distructioun,
With greit Iniuris, and sair forthocht felloun,
That neir the deith all maist he hes him dicht.
Caus our mater he tuik to hald in richt.
Think ȝe not this ane greit contemptioun?
This case Ladyis I refer to ȝour licht,
New perpetrait vnto my michtie Croun,
Now recentlie Esperance our trew Knicht
He is neir put to finall distructioun,
With greit Iniuris, and sair forthocht felloun,
That neir the deith all maist he hes him dicht.
Caus our mater he tuik to hald in richt.
Think ȝe not this ane greit contemptioun?
This case Ladyis I refer to ȝour licht,
41
Quhen thay all hard Venus enarratiue,
Thay wald not gif ane sentence sone beliue.
To counsall ȝeid with ane aduisement,
Ponderat weill the falt superlatiue:
And deput ane to gif diffinitiue
Answer agane with all thair haill consent.
Quhilk Lady hecht Themis in verament.
Greit Aduocat with power possessiue
Maid be thame all to furthschaw thair intent.
Thay wald not gif ane sentence sone beliue.
To counsall ȝeid with ane aduisement,
Ponderat weill the falt superlatiue:
And deput ane to gif diffinitiue
Answer agane with all thair haill consent.
Quhilk Lady hecht Themis in verament.
Greit Aduocat with power possessiue
Maid be thame all to furthschaw thair intent.
On humill ways, and richt greit reuerence,
Scho said Madame, this is ane greit offence
Done to ȝour grace, and vs Ladyis ilk ane
Howbeit sa be to expell negligence,
My sisters sayis thay can not gif senten[ce]
Sa breuiatlie, bot an ȝe plese refrane
Ȝour present will, and sumthing be constrane
Be thair aduise mixt with perfite prudence
To mend the crime thai will wirk all thair mane.
Scho said Madame, this is ane greit offence
Done to ȝour grace, and vs Ladyis ilk ane
Howbeit sa be to expell negligence,
My sisters sayis thay can not gif senten[ce]
Sa breuiatlie, bot an ȝe plese refrane
Ȝour present will, and sumthing be constrane
Be thair aduise mixt with perfite prudence
To mend the crime thai will wirk all thair mane.
Thair counsal is Madame, & plesit ȝour grace,
To set ane Court in leissum time and place.
Call the faltour, of his crime him accuse.
Gif he denyis, and grantis nocht the trespas,
To ane assyse it man ga with proces
For with resson ȝe can nocht this refuse.
And ȝe man do as vther Iugis dois
Nocht pretendand na puir man to oppres.
This thay respond, the falt nocht to excuis.
To set ane Court in leissum time and place.
Call the faltour, of his crime him accuse.
Gif he denyis, and grantis nocht the trespas,
To ane assyse it man ga with proces
For with resson ȝe can nocht this refuse.
And ȝe man do as vther Iugis dois
Nocht pretendand na puir man to oppres.
This thay respond, the falt nocht to excuis.
Than said Venus, Madame, that is bot skill,
To thair counsall hartlie applie I will.
Ane vther Nimph, the quhilk Nemesis hecht,
Without tarie sone scho did call hir till:
Quhilk was schiref sic Actis to fulfill.
Bad hir beliue pas to ȝone waryit wicht
Hecht Desperance, and for the greit vnricht
First done to me with peruerst mind and will
Secundlie done to Esperance my Knicht:
To thair counsall hartlie applie I will.
Ane vther Nimph, the quhilk Nemesis hecht,
Without tarie sone scho did call hir till:
Quhilk was schiref sic Actis to fulfill.
42
Hecht Desperance, and for the greit vnricht
First done to me with peruerst mind and will
Secundlie done to Esperance my Knicht:
And to my sisteris, and Ladyis curiall,
With certane vther actionis criminall:
Charge him compeir befoir my Maiestie,
[I]n hour of caus sittand in Tribunall:
Or my deputis quhat thay be greit or small.
[To] heir him self accusit of crueltie.
[Vnd]er all pane that layit thairon may be:
[With] exceptionis, and causis defensall.
(Gif he sic hes) that may himself supple.
With certane vther actionis criminall:
Charge him compeir befoir my Maiestie,
[I]n hour of caus sittand in Tribunall:
Or my deputis quhat thay be greit or small.
[To] heir him self accusit of crueltie.
[Vnd]er all pane that layit thairon may be:
[With] exceptionis, and causis defensall.
(Gif he sic hes) that may himself supple.
Inclining law but mair this Nimph anone,
Heiring the charge that Venus did propone:
Scho said, Madame, withouttin tariment
It salbe done: and sa furth is scho gone,
To desperance, quhair he stuid him allone.
Saluted him with gretingis condecent.
And he to hir with hauingis reuerent.
And scho in hand ane letter had quhairon:
Hir charge scho red, quhais tennour is sequent.
Heiring the charge that Venus did propone:
Scho said, Madame, withouttin tariment
It salbe done: and sa furth is scho gone,
To desperance, quhair he stuid him allone.
Saluted him with gretingis condecent.
And he to hir with hauingis reuerent.
And scho in hand ane letter had quhairon:
Hir charge scho red, quhais tennour is sequent.
Summonitionis litera.
Venvs, the well of worthynes,
Ground of all grace, and greit Goddes,
Of Quenis Quene, and eik princes,
That now dois ring.
To our louit condigne Maistres,
Nemesis constitute but les,
Our Shiref in that part expres,
Dewlie greeting.
Ground of all grace, and greit Goddes,
Of Quenis Quene, and eik princes,
That now dois ring.
To our louit condigne Maistres,
Nemesis constitute but les,
Our Shiref in that part expres,
Dewlie greeting.
43
Forsamekle as it is menit
Heuilie, schawin vs, and complenit,
Be our trew Knicht quhilk sustenit
Greit velanie:
Esperance, quhair he conuenit
With Desperance him nocht pertenit,
With cruell mind thair vnrefrenit
In this degre.
Heuilie, schawin vs, and complenit,
Be our trew Knicht quhilk sustenit
Greit velanie:
Esperance, quhair he conuenit
With Desperance him nocht pertenit,
With cruell mind thair vnrefrenit
In this degre.
Rehersit wordis Iniurious,
With peruerst will, and venemous
Corrupt Intent and dispitteous
Into this sort:
That lufe was wantoun, and vicious,
Irefull, pridfull, and rigorous,
Ouirset with slicht sulphurious,
And suddant mort.
With peruerst will, and venemous
Corrupt Intent and dispitteous
Into this sort:
That lufe was wantoun, and vicious,
Irefull, pridfull, and rigorous,
Ouirset with slicht sulphurious,
And suddant mort.
With diueris vther detractioun,
Concerning ws, and eik our Croun,
Caus our Knicht tuik our opinioun,
Callit Esperance.
He him beset with thocht felloun,
Quhill neir the deith that he was boun:
Quhilk is to ws greit contemptioun,
Be allegeance.
Concerning ws, and eik our Croun,
Caus our Knicht tuik our opinioun,
Callit Esperance.
He him beset with thocht felloun,
Quhill neir the deith that he was boun:
Quhilk is to ws greit contemptioun,
Be allegeance.
Our will is heirfoir als and we
Chargis and commandis straitlie,
Incontinent this letter be
Sene that ȝe pas.
In our Name and authoritie:
Command desperance sone that he
Compeir befoir vs haistelie
For his trespas.
Chargis and commandis straitlie,
Incontinent this letter be
Sene that ȝe pas.
In our Name and authoritie:
Command desperance sone that he
Compeir befoir vs haistelie
For his trespas.
44
Quhair that we hald our maist mansioun
Into this garth baith vp and doun,
Without ony exceptioun,
Had of beforne,
[Ob]stacle or reuocatioun:
[On the] thrid day efter executioun:
[Vnder] the pane of rebellioun
And to our horne.
Into this garth baith vp and doun,
Without ony exceptioun,
Had of beforne,
[Ob]stacle or reuocatioun:
[On the] thrid day efter executioun:
[Vnder] the pane of rebellioun
And to our horne.
The quhilk to do forsuith heir we
Commit to ȝow all haillelie,
Our full power in best degre,
Be this our letter.
Execute and Indorsat dewlie,
Deliuering it be ȝow trewlie,
To the beirar agane suithlie,
But falt or fetter.
Commit to ȝow all haillelie,
Our full power in best degre,
Be this our letter.
Execute and Indorsat dewlie,
Deliuering it be ȝow trewlie,
To the beirar agane suithlie,
But falt or fetter.
Geuin at our heid Mansioun Tempe:
And greitest Palace quhilk vse we:
Vnder our hand writ verrilie,
And our Signet.
Into the straitest forme may be
Of Maij the day aucht and twentie.
And of our Regne, sa mot I the,
The ȝear is forȝet.
And greitest Palace quhilk vse we:
Vnder our hand writ verrilie,
And our Signet.
Into the straitest forme may be
Of Maij the day aucht and twentie.
And of our Regne, sa mot I the,
The ȝear is forȝet.
Finitur Summonitio.
This Nemesis Schiref, and Officiar,
Into this case chargit as aduersar
This desperance to compeir day and place,
Be the tennour of letteris present thair,
Quhais forme and fetter in the self wald declair.
Madame (said he) plesit to speik ane space,
Sen this sa schort the mater cummis on case,
I wald require the copy of that quair,
For to aduise, gif I micht it purches.
Into this case chargit as aduersar
This desperance to compeir day and place,
Be the tennour of letteris present thair,
Quhais forme and fetter in the self wald declair.
Madame (said he) plesit to speik ane space,
Sen this sa schort the mater cummis on case,
45
For to aduise, gif I micht it purches.
This ladie said thinke ȝe it expedient
To pay for it, I have it heir present.
He said agane, Madame, it is ressoun
With all glaidnes to fulfill ȝour Intent.
Tak thair sex penneis without Impediment.
Scho said gude Schir, it is to small portioun.
Alswa ȝe knaw, this caus concernis the croun.
Thairfoir copie requyris goldin rent,
Becaus it is sa eminent actioun.
To pay for it, I have it heir present.
He said agane, Madame, it is ressoun
With all glaidnes to fulfill ȝour Intent.
Tak thair sex penneis without Impediment.
Scho said gude Schir, it is to small portioun.
Alswa ȝe knaw, this caus concernis the croun.
Thairfoir copie requyris goldin rent,
Becaus it is sa eminent actioun.
I Nill it gif without ane gold Besant.
Forsuith said he of sic I haue na hant.
Madame bruik weill, the price it is to hie.
(Quod scho) war nocht I se the repugnant
To Venus Quene, and to hir court obstant:
I wald nocht euir the copie to gif fre.
Bot I will nocht sic plesour do to the.
The copie clene I quite it is sa skant,
Ȝit nocht the les I sall compeir, said he.
Forsuith said he of sic I haue na hant.
Madame bruik weill, the price it is to hie.
(Quod scho) war nocht I se the repugnant
To Venus Quene, and to hir court obstant:
I wald nocht euir the copie to gif fre.
Bot I will nocht sic plesour do to the.
The copie clene I quite it is sa skant,
Ȝit nocht the les I sall compeir, said he.
So thay depart: Nemesis furth is go
To Venus, quhair befoir that scho come fro.
Recitit all hir charge in verrament.
How scho finischit hir Act scho had to do
With Desperance, quod Venus sen is so,
He will compeir and we all heir present:
I most deput ane Iuge mair competent.
For I myself will hald him as my fo,
Forthy I will not sit in Iugement.
To Venus, quhair befoir that scho come fro.
Recitit all hir charge in verrament.
How scho finischit hir Act scho had to do
With Desperance, quod Venus sen is so,
He will compeir and we all heir present:
I most deput ane Iuge mair competent.
For I myself will hald him as my fo,
Forthy I will not sit in Iugement.
In presence of hir Ladyis, ane and all:
[An]e vther Nimph to hir than did scho call.
[The] Ladie hecht (Rhammusia) to hir Name
[Cam] to Venus in hir best apparrall.
With countinance and facts virginall,
Inclining law all most tuiching the lame.
To quhom Venus, this case ȝe knaw Madame,
How desperance as knaif most criminall,
Contempnit me with wordis of defame.
[An]e vther Nimph to hir than did scho call.
46
[Cam] to Venus in hir best apparrall.
With countinance and facts virginall,
Inclining law all most tuiching the lame.
To quhom Venus, this case ȝe knaw Madame,
How desperance as knaif most criminall,
Contempnit me with wordis of defame.
And all my court, as ȝe knaw richt perfite:
With vther Actis of Iniuris Infinite.
Quhairfoir I Nill my self personalie
In Iugement sit: bot my power vnite
Salbe to ȝow as depute requisite.
For I suppone he will me hald partie.
Thairfoir present thir witnes standand by,
I creat ȝow to condampne or to quite,
My Iuge deput with power haillelie.
With vther Actis of Iniuris Infinite.
Quhairfoir I Nill my self personalie
In Iugement sit: bot my power vnite
Salbe to ȝow as depute requisite.
For I suppone he will me hald partie.
Thairfoir present thir witnes standand by,
I creat ȝow to condampne or to quite,
My Iuge deput with power haillelie.
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