[The Courte of Vertu contaynynge many holy songes, Sonettes, psalmes and ballettes] [by John Hall] |
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The iust and true mā complaineth,
that flattery and falshod is more regarded
then truthe, and reioyseth that he is hated for the truthe. |
 | [The Courte of Vertu |  |
The iust and true mā complaineth, that flattery and falshod is more regarded then truthe, and reioyseth that he is hated for the truthe.
If
truth may take no trusty hold,
nor cleue so fast as flattring sence,
wel may thy harte poore man be colde:
for then is gone all sure defence.
nor cleue so fast as flattring sence,
wel may thy harte poore man be colde:
for then is gone all sure defence.
The Nyghtyngale must change her note,
And of the Cucow learne to syng:
The modest mynde must learne to dote,
Or conne some other fayned thyng.
And of the Cucow learne to syng:
The modest mynde must learne to dote,
Or conne some other fayned thyng.
[102]
If meanyng well may take no place,
Nor dealyng iust haue no regarde:
Thou must deuyse an other space,
To fayne suche thyngs as may be heard.
Nor dealyng iust haue no regarde:
Thou must deuyse an other space,
To fayne suche thyngs as may be heard.
Shall vertue dwell in such disdayne,
And honestie be had in hate?
Then must we learne to glose and fayne,
Or els remayne in vyle estate.
And honestie be had in hate?
Then must we learne to glose and fayne,
Or els remayne in vyle estate.
But yf there be none other way,
To purchase fauor and good wyll:
Better it were I dare well saye,
In vyle estate to tary styll.
To purchase fauor and good wyll:
Better it were I dare well saye,
In vyle estate to tary styll.
What call ye then the vyle estate?
As some doo iudge this is the thyng:
If my superior doo me hate,
And would me to displeasure bryng.
As some doo iudge this is the thyng:
If my superior doo me hate,
And would me to displeasure bryng.
And that also without desert:
(If reason may the cause decerne)
And haue disdeyn for my true heart.
Wherfore to please I am to lerne.
(If reason may the cause decerne)
And haue disdeyn for my true heart.
Wherfore to please I am to lerne.
Yet is myn heart determind sure,
If truth and reason take no place:
Of suche disdeyne to take no cure,
But wyse men rather wyll imbrace.
If truth and reason take no place:
Of suche disdeyne to take no cure,
But wyse men rather wyll imbrace.
For yf wysedome were noblenes,
As noble byrthe and ryches is:
Then should not truth be in dystres,
And flattrye should of fauor mis.
As noble byrthe and ryches is:
Then should not truth be in dystres,
And flattrye should of fauor mis.
103
So flattrye and bland eloquence,
Should (as they are) be compted vyle,
And truth should then make none offence
Nor vertue reigne in suche exyle.
Should (as they are) be compted vyle,
And truth should then make none offence
Nor vertue reigne in suche exyle.
Blamd, but not shamd, the prouerbe is
And truth can haue none other wrong:
So may they hap theyr marke to mys:
That thinke them selues in falshod strōg.
And truth can haue none other wrong:
So may they hap theyr marke to mys:
That thinke them selues in falshod strōg.
Then hated lo I must reioyce,
And fonde regarde despyse as vayne:
Closing my mouth stoppyng my voyce,
From speache in presence of disdayne.
And fonde regarde despyse as vayne:
Closing my mouth stoppyng my voyce,
From speache in presence of disdayne.
| [The Courte of Vertu | |