A Lamentable, and pitifull Description, of the wofull warres in Flaunders since the foure last yeares of the Emperor Charles the fifth his raigne. With a briefe rehearsall of many things done since that season, vntill this present yeare, and death of Don Iohn. Written by Thomas Churchyarde |
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To the VVorlde. |
 | A Lamentable, and pitifull Description, of the wofull warres in Flaunders |  |
To the VVorlde.
Go sillie Booke to suttle Worlde,and shevv thy simple face,
And forvvard passe, and do not turne
agayne to my disgrace.
For thou shalt bring to peoples eares
but troth that needes not blush,
And though Maell Bouch giue thee rebuke,
care not for that a rush,
For euill tongs do ytch so sore,
they must be rubbing still
Against the teeth, that should hold fast
the clapper of the Mill.
Desire those men that likes thee not,
to lay thee dovvne againe,
Till some svveete nappe, and harmelesse sleepe
hath settled troubled brayne.
And vvhen one house doth shutte thee out,
creepe to another streight,
And though thy mayster be but playne,
yet looke thou vse some sleight
To purchace loue, and credite both,
for that shall breede good bloud,
And thou vvith prayse, and honest brute,
mayst do thy Maister good.
slippe from them if thou may,
Let enuye svvell, and malice poult,
I heare not vvhat they say.
I made thee for to please the best,
the vvorst may mend the vvhile,
So vvisedome bids thee vvelcome Booke,
thou mayst at folly smile.
An ounce of prayse from vvise mens mouth,
vvayes dovvne a pound of fame,
That fooles do giue, vvhose slender skill,
scarce scannes mens honest name.
If Court embrace thee for my sake,
to Countrey then in post,
Be sure then neyther thy bare vvords,
nor my poore vvorke is lost.
Where Souldioures are, aduance thy selfe,
for though some faults they spye,
Their martiall minds vvill make them cast
on thee a friendly eye.
Among Diuines and Scholemen oft,
come not, but for a change,
For at thy levvde and rubbish phrase,
the learned vvill looke strange.
To men of Lavv do freelie goe,
for they good fellovves are,
the vveight of Countreys care.
With Merchant men make thine aboade,
vvho loues to heare of Peace:
So shall it be, vvhen bloudie broyles
in Flaunders ginnes to ceasse.
Thus haue I taught thee vvhat good course
thou oughtst of right to hold,
Thou art a Booke, goe vvhere thou vvilte,
like Bayard blind be bold.
Thou shalt haue mates to follovv thee,
and help thee if thou fall.
I haue vvide scope at vvill to vvalke,
yea Penne and Muse at call,
And other Bookes that I must needes
committe to Worldes report.
He is thrice blest that vvell doth vvorke,
our time is heere but short.
FINIS.
| A Lamentable, and pitifull Description, of the wofull warres in Flaunders | |