The Whole Works of William Browne of Tavistock ... Now first collected and edited, with a memoir of the poet, and notes, by W. Carew Hazlitt, of the Inner Temple |
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The first Eglogue.
Roget and Willy both ymet
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 | The Whole Works of William Browne |  |
173
The first Eglogue. Roget and Willy both ymet
The Argvment.
Roget and Willy both ymet,Vpon a greeny Ley,
With Rondelayes and Tales are set.
To spend the length of day.
Willie.
Roget, droope not, see the spring
Is the earth enamelling,
And the birds on euery Tree
Greete this morne with melody:
Hearke, how yonder Thrustle chants it,
And her mate as proudly vants it;
174
By her Margine with the best
Of Flora's gifts, she seemes glad
For such Brookes such flowres she had.
All the trees are quaintly tyred
With greene buds, of all desired;
And the Hauthorne euery day
Spreads some little shew of May:
See the Prim-rose sweetely set
By the much-lou'd Violet
All the Bankes doe sweetly couer,
As they would inuite a Louer
With his Lasse to see their dressing
And to grace them by their pressing:
Yet in all this merry tyde
When all cares are laid aside,
Roget sits as if his bloud
Had not felt the quickning good
Of the Sun, nor cares to play,
Or with songs to passe the day
As he wont: Fye, Roget, flye,
Raise thy head, and merrily
Tune vs somewhat to thy reed:
See our Flockes do freely feed,
Heere we may together sit,
And for Musicke very fit
Is this place; from yonder wood
Comes an Eccho shrill and good,
Twice full perfectly it will
Answere to thine Oaten quill.
Roget, droope not then, but sing
Some kind welcome to the Spring.
Roget.
Ah Willie, Willy, why should I
Sound my notes of iollity?
175
Any pleasing Roundelay,
But some one or other still
'Gins to descant on my Quill;
And will say, by this he me
Meaneth in his Minstralsie.
If I chance to name an Asse
In my song, it comes to passe,
One or other sure will take it
As his proper name, and make it
Fit to tell his nature too.
Thus what e're I chance to do
Happens to my losse, and brings
To my name the venom'd stings
Of ill report: How should I
Sound then notes of iollity?
Willie.
Tis true indeed, we say all
Rub a gal'd horse on the gall,
Kicke he wil, storme and bite,
But the horse of sounder plight
Gently feeles his Maisters hand.
In the water thrust a brand
Kindled in the fire, 'twill hisse,
When a sticke that taken is
From the Hedge, in water thrust,
Neuer rokes as would the first,
But endures the waters touch:
Roget, so it fares with such
Whose owne guilt hath them enflam'd,
Rage when e're their vice is blam'd.
But who in himselfe is free
From all spots, as Lillies be,
Neuer stirres, do what thou can.
If thou slander such a man
176
With him no such vices close.
Onely he that is indeed
Spotted with the leprous seed
Of corrupted thoughts, and hath
An vlcerous soule in the path
Of reproofe, he straight will brall
If you rub him on the gall.
But in vaine then shall I keepe
These my harmlesse flocke of sheepe.
And though all the day I tend them,
And from Wolues & Foxes shend them.
Wicked Swaines that beare mee spight,
In the gloomy vaile of night,
Of my fold will draw the pegges,
Or else breake my Lambkins legges:
Or vnhang my Weathers bell,
Or bring bryers from the dell,
And them in my fold by peeces
Cast, to tangle all their fleeces.
Welladay! such churlish Swaynes
Now and then lurke on our plaines:
That I feare a time ere long
Shall not heare a Sheepheards song,
Nor a Swayne shall take in taske
Any wrong, nor once vnmaske
Such as do with vices rife
Soyle the Sheepheards happy life:
Except he meanes his Sheepe shall bee
A prey to all their iniury.
This causeth mee I do no more
Chant so as I wont of yore:
Since in vaine then should I keepe
These my harmlesse flocke of Sheepe.
177
Yet if such thou wilt not sing,
Make the Woods and Vallies ring
With some other kind of lore,
Roget hath enough in store,
Sing of loue, or tell some tale,
Praise the flowers, the Hils, the Vale:
Let vs not heere idle be;
Next day I will sing to thee.
Hearke on knap of yonder Hill
Some sweet Sheepheard tunes his quill;
And the Maidens in a round
Sit (to heare him) on the ground.
And if thou begin, shall wee
Grac'd be with like company.
And to gird thy Temples bring
Garlands for such fingering.
Then raise thee Roget—
Roget.
Gentle Swaine
Whom I honour for thy straine,
Though it would beseeme me more
To attend thee and thy lore:
Yet least thou might'st find in me
A neglect of courtesie,
I will sing what I did leere
Long agon in Ianiueere
Of a skilfull aged Sire,
As we tosted by the fire.
Willy.
Sing it out, it needs must be
Very good what comes from thee.
178
Whilome an Emperour prudent and wise,
Raigned in Rome, and had sonnes three
Which he had in great chiertee & great prise,
And when it shop so, that th' infirmitee
Of death, which no wight may eschew or flee,
Him threw downe in his bed, hee let do call
His sonnes, and before him they came all.
Raigned in Rome, and had sonnes three
Which he had in great chiertee & great prise,
And when it shop so, that th' infirmitee
Of death, which no wight may eschew or flee,
Him threw downe in his bed, hee let do call
His sonnes, and before him they came all.
And to the first he said in this maneere,
All th' eritage which at the dying
Of my fadir, he me left, all in feere
Leaue I thee: And all that of my buying
Was with my peny, all my purchasing,
My second sonne bequeath I to thee,
And to the third sonne thus said hee:
All th' eritage which at the dying
Of my fadir, he me left, all in feere
Leaue I thee: And all that of my buying
Was with my peny, all my purchasing,
My second sonne bequeath I to thee,
And to the third sonne thus said hee:
Vnmoueable good right none withouten oath
Thee giue I may; but I to thee deuise
Iewels three, a Ring, a Brooch and a Cloth:
With which, and thou bee guied as the wise,
Thou maist get all that ought thee suffice;
Who so that the Ring vseth still to weare
Of all folkes the loue hee shall conquere.
Thee giue I may; but I to thee deuise
Iewels three, a Ring, a Brooch and a Cloth:
With which, and thou bee guied as the wise,
Thou maist get all that ought thee suffice;
Who so that the Ring vseth still to weare
Of all folkes the loue hee shall conquere.
And who so the Broch beareth on his breast,
It is eke of such vertue and such kind,
That thinke vpon what thing him liketh best,
And he as bliue shall it haue and finde.
My words, sonne, imprint well in mind:
The Cloth eke hath a meruailous nature,
Which that shall be committed to thy cure.
It is eke of such vertue and such kind,
That thinke vpon what thing him liketh best,
And he as bliue shall it haue and finde.
My words, sonne, imprint well in mind:
The Cloth eke hath a meruailous nature,
Which that shall be committed to thy cure.
Who so sit on it, if he wish where
In all the world to beene, he suddenly
Without more labour shall be there.
Sonne, those three Iewels bequeath I
To thee, vnto this effect certainely
That to study of the Vniuersitee
Thou go, and that I bid and charge thee.
In all the world to beene, he suddenly
Without more labour shall be there.
179
To thee, vnto this effect certainely
That to study of the Vniuersitee
Thou go, and that I bid and charge thee.
When he had thus said, the vexation
Of death so hasted him, that his spirit
Anon forsooke his habitation
In his body: death would no respyte
Him yeue at all: he was of his life quitte.
And buried was with such solemnity,
As fell to his Imperiall dignity.
Of death so hasted him, that his spirit
Anon forsooke his habitation
In his body: death would no respyte
Him yeue at all: he was of his life quitte.
And buried was with such solemnity,
As fell to his Imperiall dignity.
Of the yongest sonne I tell shall,
And speake no more of his brethren two,
For with them haue I not to do at all.
Thus spake the mother Ionathas vnto:
Sin God hath his will of thy father do,
To thy fathers Will, would I me conforme,
And truly all his Testament performe.
And speake no more of his brethren two,
For with them haue I not to do at all.
Thus spake the mother Ionathas vnto:
Sin God hath his will of thy father do,
To thy fathers Will, would I me conforme,
And truly all his Testament performe.
He three Iewels, as thou knowest well:
A Ring, a Brooch, and a Cloth thee bequeath,
Whose vertues he thee told euery deal,
Or that he past hence and yalde vp the breath:
O good God, his departing, his death
Full grieuously sticketh vnto mine heart,
But suffered mot been, all how sore it smart.
A Ring, a Brooch, and a Cloth thee bequeath,
Whose vertues he thee told euery deal,
Or that he past hence and yalde vp the breath:
O good God, his departing, his death
Full grieuously sticketh vnto mine heart,
But suffered mot been, all how sore it smart.
In that case women haue such heauinesse,
That it not lyeth in my cunning aright
You tell of so great sorrow the excesse;
But wise women can take it light,
And in short while put vnto the flight
All sorrow & woe, and catch againe comfort:
Now to my tale make I my resort.
That it not lyeth in my cunning aright
You tell of so great sorrow the excesse;
But wise women can take it light,
And in short while put vnto the flight
All sorrow & woe, and catch againe comfort:
Now to my tale make I my resort.
180
Thy fathers will, my sonne, as I said ere,
Will I performe; haue heere the ring and go
To study anon, and when that thou art there,
As thy father thee bade, do euen so,
And as thou wilt my blessing haue also.
Shee vnto him as swythe tooke the Ring
And bad him keepe it well for any thing.
Will I performe; haue heere the ring and go
To study anon, and when that thou art there,
As thy father thee bade, do euen so,
And as thou wilt my blessing haue also.
Shee vnto him as swythe tooke the Ring
And bad him keepe it well for any thing.
Hee went vnto the study generall
Where he gat loue enough, and acquaintance
Right good and friendly, the ring causing all,
And on a day to him befell this chance
With a woman, a morsell of pleasance,
By the streetes of the Vniuersity
As he was in his walking, met he.
Where he gat loue enough, and acquaintance
Right good and friendly, the ring causing all,
And on a day to him befell this chance
With a woman, a morsell of pleasance,
By the streetes of the Vniuersity
As he was in his walking, met he.
And right as bliue he had with her a tale,
And therewithall sore in her loue he brent;
Gay, fresh and piked was she to the sale,
For to that end and to that intent
She thither came, and both forth they went,
And he a pistle rowned in her eare,
Nat wot I what, for I ne came nat there.
And therewithall sore in her loue he brent;
Gay, fresh and piked was she to the sale,
For to that end and to that intent
She thither came, and both forth they went,
And he a pistle rowned in her eare,
Nat wot I what, for I ne came nat there.
She was his Paramour, shortly to sey:
This man to folkes all was so leefe,
That they him gaue aboundance of money,
He feasted folke, and stood at high boncheefe:
Of the lacke of good hee felt no griefe,
All whiles the ring he with him had;
But fayling it his friendship gan sad.
This man to folkes all was so leefe,
That they him gaue aboundance of money,
He feasted folke, and stood at high boncheefe:
Of the lacke of good hee felt no griefe,
All whiles the ring he with him had;
But fayling it his friendship gan sad.
His Paramour, which that ycalled was
Fellicula, maruailed right greatly
Of the dispences of this Ionathas,
Sin she no peny at all with him sy,
And on a night as there she lay him by
In the bed, thus she to him spake and said,
And this petition assoile him praid:
Fellicula, maruailed right greatly
Of the dispences of this Ionathas,
Sin she no peny at all with him sy,
181
In the bed, thus she to him spake and said,
And this petition assoile him praid:
O reuerent sir, vnto whom, quoth she,
Obey I would ay with hearts humblenesse,
Since that ye han had my virginitie,
You I beseech of your high gentlenesse,
Tellith me whence comth the good and richesse
That yee with feasten folke, and han no store,
By ought I see can, ne gold, ne tresore.
Obey I would ay with hearts humblenesse,
Since that ye han had my virginitie,
You I beseech of your high gentlenesse,
Tellith me whence comth the good and richesse
That yee with feasten folke, and han no store,
By ought I see can, ne gold, ne tresore.
If I tell it, quoth he, par auenture
Thou wilt discouer it, and out it publish;
Such is womans inconstant nature,
They cannot keep Councell worth a rish:
Better is my tongue keepe than to wish
That I had kept close that is gone at large,
And repentance is thing that I mote charge.
Thou wilt discouer it, and out it publish;
Such is womans inconstant nature,
They cannot keep Councell worth a rish:
Better is my tongue keepe than to wish
That I had kept close that is gone at large,
And repentance is thing that I mote charge.
Nay, good sir, quoth she, holdeth me not suspect,
Doubteth nothing, I can be right secree,
Well worthy were it me to been abiect
From all good company, if I, quoth she,
Vnto you should so mistake me.
Be not adread your councell me to shew.
Well, said he, thus it is at words few:
Doubteth nothing, I can be right secree,
Well worthy were it me to been abiect
From all good company, if I, quoth she,
Vnto you should so mistake me.
Be not adread your councell me to shew.
Well, said he, thus it is at words few:
My father the ring, which that thou maist see
On my finger, me at his dying day
Bequeath'd, which this vertue and propertee
Hath, that the loue of men he shall haue aye
That weareth it, and there shall be no nay
Of what thing that him liketh aske and craue,
But with good will he shall as bliue it haue.
On my finger, me at his dying day
Bequeath'd, which this vertue and propertee
Hath, that the loue of men he shall haue aye
That weareth it, and there shall be no nay
Of what thing that him liketh aske and craue,
But with good will he shall as bliue it haue.
182
Through the rings vertuous excellence
Thus am I rich, and haue euer ynow.
Now, Sir, yet a word by your licence
Suffreth me to say, and to speake now:
Is it wisedome, as that it seemeth you,
Weare it on your finger continually?
What woldst thou meane, quoth he, therby?
Thus am I rich, and haue euer ynow.
Now, Sir, yet a word by your licence
Suffreth me to say, and to speake now:
Is it wisedome, as that it seemeth you,
Weare it on your finger continually?
What woldst thou meane, quoth he, therby?
What perill thereof might there befall?
Right great, quoth she, as yee in company
Walke often, fro your finger might it fall,
Or plucked off been in a ragery
And so be lost, and that were folly:
Take it me, let me been of it wardeine,
For as my life keepe it would I certeine.
Right great, quoth she, as yee in company
Walke often, fro your finger might it fall,
Or plucked off been in a ragery
And so be lost, and that were folly:
Take it me, let me been of it wardeine,
For as my life keepe it would I certeine.
This Ionathas, this innocent yong man,
Giuing vnto her words full credence,
As youth not auised best be can:
The Ring her tooke of his insipience.
When this was done, the heat & the feruence
Of loue which he beforne had purchased,
Was quench'd, and loues knot was vnlaced.
Giuing vnto her words full credence,
As youth not auised best be can:
The Ring her tooke of his insipience.
When this was done, the heat & the feruence
Of loue which he beforne had purchased,
Was quench'd, and loues knot was vnlaced.
Men of their gifts to stint began.
Ah, thought he, for the ring I not ne beare,
Faileth my loue; fetch me, woman
(Said he) my Ring, anon I will it weare.
She rose, and into chamber dresseth her,
And when she therein had been a while,
Alasse (quoth she), out on falshood and gyle,
Ah, thought he, for the ring I not ne beare,
Faileth my loue; fetch me, woman
(Said he) my Ring, anon I will it weare.
She rose, and into chamber dresseth her,
And when she therein had been a while,
Alasse (quoth she), out on falshood and gyle,
The chest is broken, and the Ring take out.
And when he heard her complaint and cry,
He was astonied sore, and made a shout,
And said: Cursed be the day that I
Thee met first, or with mine eyne sy.
She wept and shewed outward cheere of wo,
But in her heart was it nothing so.
And when he heard her complaint and cry,
He was astonied sore, and made a shout,
And said: Cursed be the day that I
183
She wept and shewed outward cheere of wo,
But in her heart was it nothing so.
The ring was safe enough, and in her Chest
It was; all that she said was leasing,
As some woman other while at best
Can lye and weepe when is her liking.
This man saw her woe, and sayd: Dearling,
Weep no more, Gods helpe is nye,
To him vnwiste how false she was and slye.
It was; all that she said was leasing,
As some woman other while at best
Can lye and weepe when is her liking.
This man saw her woe, and sayd: Dearling,
Weep no more, Gods helpe is nye,
To him vnwiste how false she was and slye.
He twyned thence, and home to his countree
Vnto his mother the streight way he went,
And when she saw thither comen was he,
My sonne, quoth she, what was thine intent
Thee fro the schoole now to absent?
What caused thee fro schoole hither to hye?
Mother, right this, said he, nat would I lye.
Vnto his mother the streight way he went,
And when she saw thither comen was he,
My sonne, quoth she, what was thine intent
Thee fro the schoole now to absent?
What caused thee fro schoole hither to hye?
Mother, right this, said he, nat would I lye.
Forsooth, mother, my ring is a goe,
My Paramour to keepe I betooke it,
And it is lost, for which I am full woe,
Sorrowfully vnto mine heart it sit.
Sonne, often haue I warned thee, and yet
For thy profit I warne thee, my sonne,
Vnhonest women thou hereafter shunne.
My Paramour to keepe I betooke it,
And it is lost, for which I am full woe,
Sorrowfully vnto mine heart it sit.
Sonne, often haue I warned thee, and yet
For thy profit I warne thee, my sonne,
Vnhonest women thou hereafter shunne.
Thy brooch anon right woll I to thee fet,
She brought it him, and charged him full deep
When he it tooke, and on his breast it set,
Bet than his ring he should it keepe,
Lest he the losse bewaile should and weepe.
To the vniuersity, shortly to seyne,
In what he could, he hasted him ageine.
She brought it him, and charged him full deep
When he it tooke, and on his breast it set,
Bet than his ring he should it keepe,
Lest he the losse bewaile should and weepe.
To the vniuersity, shortly to seyne,
In what he could, he hasted him ageine.
184
And when he comen was, his Paramour
Him met anon, and vnto her him tooke,
As that he did erst, this yong reuelour;
Her company he nat a deale forsooke,
Though he cause had, but as with the hooke
Of her sleight he beforne was caught and hent,
Right so he was deceiued oft and blent.
Him met anon, and vnto her him tooke,
As that he did erst, this yong reuelour;
Her company he nat a deale forsooke,
Though he cause had, but as with the hooke
Of her sleight he beforne was caught and hent,
Right so he was deceiued oft and blent.
And as through vertue of the Ring before
Of good he had abundance and plentee,
While it was with him, or he had it lore:
Right so through vertue of the brooch had hee
What good him list; she thought, how may this be?
Some priuy thing now causeth this richesse,
As did the Ring herebefore, I gesse.
Of good he had abundance and plentee,
While it was with him, or he had it lore:
Right so through vertue of the brooch had hee
What good him list; she thought, how may this be?
Some priuy thing now causeth this richesse,
As did the Ring herebefore, I gesse.
Wondring hereon she praid him, and besought
Besily night and day, that tell he would
The cause of this; but he another thought:
He meant it close for him it kept be should,
And a long time it was or he it told.
She wept aye too and too, and said: alasse,
The time and houre that euer I borne was!
Besily night and day, that tell he would
The cause of this; but he another thought:
He meant it close for him it kept be should,
And a long time it was or he it told.
She wept aye too and too, and said: alasse,
The time and houre that euer I borne was!
Trust ye not on me, Sir? she seid,
Leuer me were be slaine in this place
By that good Lord that for vs all deid,
Then purpose againe you any fallace;
Vnto you would I be my liues space
As true as any woman in earth is
Vnto a man; doubteth nothing of this.
Leuer me were be slaine in this place
By that good Lord that for vs all deid,
Then purpose againe you any fallace;
Vnto you would I be my liues space
As true as any woman in earth is
Vnto a man; doubteth nothing of this.
Small may she doe, that cannot well byheet,
Though not performed be such a promesse.
This Ionathas thought her words so sweet,
That he was drunke of the pleasant sweetnesse
Of them, and of his foolish tendernesse.
Thus vnto her he spake and said tho:
Be of good comfort, why weepest thou so?
Though not performed be such a promesse.
This Ionathas thought her words so sweet,
That he was drunke of the pleasant sweetnesse
185
Thus vnto her he spake and said tho:
Be of good comfort, why weepest thou so?
And she thereto answered thus sobbing:
Sir, quoth she, my heauinesse and dreed
Is this; I am adread of the leesing
Of your brooch, as Almighty God forbeed
It happen so. Now what so God thee speed,
Said he, wouldest thou in this case counsaile?
Quoth she, that I keep it might sans faile.
Sir, quoth she, my heauinesse and dreed
Is this; I am adread of the leesing
Of your brooch, as Almighty God forbeed
It happen so. Now what so God thee speed,
Said he, wouldest thou in this case counsaile?
Quoth she, that I keep it might sans faile.
He said: I haue a feare and dread algate,
If I so did thou wouldst it leese
As thou lostest my ring, now gon but late.
First God pray I, quoth she, that I not cheese,
But that my heart as the cold frost may freeze,
Or else be it brent with wild fire:
Nay, surely it to keepe is my desire.
If I so did thou wouldst it leese
As thou lostest my ring, now gon but late.
First God pray I, quoth she, that I not cheese,
But that my heart as the cold frost may freeze,
Or else be it brent with wild fire:
Nay, surely it to keepe is my desire.
To her words credence he gaue pleneere,
And the brooch tooke her, and after anone,
Whereas he was beforne full leefe and cheere
To folke, and had good, all was gone.
Good & frendship him lacked, there was none.
Woman, me fetch the brooch, quoth he; swythee
Into thy chamber for it goe; hye thee.
And the brooch tooke her, and after anone,
Whereas he was beforne full leefe and cheere
To folke, and had good, all was gone.
Good & frendship him lacked, there was none.
Woman, me fetch the brooch, quoth he; swythee
Into thy chamber for it goe; hye thee.
She into chamber went, as then he bad,
But she not brought that he sent her fore;
She meant it nat; but as she had be mad
Her clothes hath she all to rent and tore,
And cryd, alasse, the brooch away is bore.
For which I wole anon right with my knife
My selfe slay: I am weary of my life.
But she not brought that he sent her fore;
She meant it nat; but as she had be mad
Her clothes hath she all to rent and tore,
And cryd, alasse, the brooch away is bore.
For which I wole anon right with my knife
My selfe slay: I am weary of my life.
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This noice he heard, and bliue he to her ran,
Weening she would han done as she spake,
And the knife in all haste that he can
From her tooke, and threw it behind his back,
And said: ne for the losse, ne for the lacke
Of the brooch, sorrow not, I forgiue all,
I trust in God, that yet vs helpe he shall.
Weening she would han done as she spake,
And the knife in all haste that he can
From her tooke, and threw it behind his back,
And said: ne for the losse, ne for the lacke
Of the brooch, sorrow not, I forgiue all,
I trust in God, that yet vs helpe he shall.
To th' Emperesse his mother this yong man
Againe him dresseth: he went her vnto,
And when she saw him, she to wonder gan;
She thought, now somewhat there is misdoe,
And said, I dread thy Iewels two
Been lost now, percase the brooch with the ring.
Mother, he said, yea, by heauen King.
Againe him dresseth: he went her vnto,
And when she saw him, she to wonder gan;
She thought, now somewhat there is misdoe,
And said, I dread thy Iewels two
Been lost now, percase the brooch with the ring.
Mother, he said, yea, by heauen King.
Sonne, thou wotst well no iewell is left
Vnto thee now, but the cloath pretious
Which I thee take shall, thee charging eft
The company of women riotous
Thou flee, least it be to thee so grieuous
That thou it nat sustaine shalt ne beare;
Such company on my blessing forbeare.
Vnto thee now, but the cloath pretious
Which I thee take shall, thee charging eft
The company of women riotous
Thou flee, least it be to thee so grieuous
That thou it nat sustaine shalt ne beare;
Such company on my blessing forbeare.
The cloth she fet, and it hath him take,
And of his Lady his mother his leaue
He tooke; but first this forward gan he make:
Mother, said he, trusteth this weel and leeue,
That I shall seyn, for sooth ye shall it preeue,
If I leese this cloth, neuer I your face
Henceforth see wole, ne you pray of grace.
And of his Lady his mother his leaue
He tooke; but first this forward gan he make:
Mother, said he, trusteth this weel and leeue,
That I shall seyn, for sooth ye shall it preeue,
If I leese this cloth, neuer I your face
Henceforth see wole, ne you pray of grace.
With Gods helpe I shall do well ynow.
Her blessing he tooke, and to study is go,
And as beforne told haue I vnto you,
His Paramour his priuy mortall foe
Was wont to meet him, right euen so
She did than, & made him pleasant cheere.
They clip and kisse and walke homeward in feere.
Her blessing he tooke, and to study is go,
And as beforne told haue I vnto you,
His Paramour his priuy mortall foe
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She did than, & made him pleasant cheere.
They clip and kisse and walke homeward in feere.
When they were entred in the house, he sprad
This cloth vpon the ground, and thereon sit,
And bad his Paramour, this woman bad,
To sit also by him adowne on it.
She doth as he commandeth and bit;
Had she this thought and vertue of the cloth
Wist, to han set on it had she been loth.
This cloth vpon the ground, and thereon sit,
And bad his Paramour, this woman bad,
To sit also by him adowne on it.
She doth as he commandeth and bit;
Had she this thought and vertue of the cloth
Wist, to han set on it had she been loth.
She for a while was full sore affesed.
This Ionathas wish in his heart gan:
Would God that I might thus been eased,
That as on this cloth I and this woman
Sit heare, as farre were, as that neuer man
Or this came: & vnneth had he so thought,
But they with the cloth thither weren brought.
This Ionathas wish in his heart gan:
Would God that I might thus been eased,
That as on this cloth I and this woman
Sit heare, as farre were, as that neuer man
Or this came: & vnneth had he so thought,
But they with the cloth thither weren brought.
Right to the worlds end, as that it were.
When apparceiued had she this, she cry'd
As thogh she through girt had be with a spere.
Harrow! alasse! that euer shope this tide!
How came we hither? Nay, he said, abide,
Worse is coming; here sole wole I thee leaue,
Wild beasts shallen thee deuoure or eaue.
When apparceiued had she this, she cry'd
As thogh she through girt had be with a spere.
Harrow! alasse! that euer shope this tide!
How came we hither? Nay, he said, abide,
Worse is coming; here sole wole I thee leaue,
Wild beasts shallen thee deuoure or eaue.
For thou my Ring & Brooch hast fro me holden.
O reuerent Sir! haue vpon me pittee,
Quoth she, if yee this grace do me wolden,
As bring me home againe to the Cittee
Where as I this day was, but if that yee
Them haue againe, of foule death do me dye:
Your bountee on me kythe, I mercy cry,
O reuerent Sir! haue vpon me pittee,
Quoth she, if yee this grace do me wolden,
As bring me home againe to the Cittee
Where as I this day was, but if that yee
Them haue againe, of foule death do me dye:
Your bountee on me kythe, I mercy cry,
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This Ionathas could nothing beware,
Ne take ensample of the deceites tweine
That she did him beforne, but feith him bare,
And her he commanded on deaths peine
Fro such offences thenceforth her restreine.
She swore, and made thereto foreward;
But herkneth how she bore her afterward.
Ne take ensample of the deceites tweine
That she did him beforne, but feith him bare,
And her he commanded on deaths peine
Fro such offences thenceforth her restreine.
She swore, and made thereto foreward;
But herkneth how she bore her afterward.
Whan she saw and knew that the wrath and ire
That he to her had borne, was gone and past,
And all was well: she thought him eft to fire,
In her malice aye stood she stedfast,
And to enquire of him was not agast
In so short time how that it might be
That they came thither out of her contree.
That he to her had borne, was gone and past,
And all was well: she thought him eft to fire,
In her malice aye stood she stedfast,
And to enquire of him was not agast
In so short time how that it might be
That they came thither out of her contree.
Such vertue hath this cloth on which we sit,
Said he, that where in this world vs be list
Sodeinly with the thought shallen thither flit,
And how thither come vnto vs vnwist:
As thing fro farre vnknowne in the mist.
And therwith to this woman fraudulent,
To sleep, he said, haue I good talent.
Said he, that where in this world vs be list
Sodeinly with the thought shallen thither flit,
And how thither come vnto vs vnwist:
As thing fro farre vnknowne in the mist.
And therwith to this woman fraudulent,
To sleep, he said, haue I good talent.
Let see, quoth he, stretch out anon thy lap,
In which wole I my head downe lay and rest.
So was it done, and he anon gan nap,
Nap? nay, he slept right well at best.
What doth this woman, one the ficklest
Of women all, but that cloth that lay
Vnder him, she drew lyte and lyte away.
In which wole I my head downe lay and rest.
So was it done, and he anon gan nap,
Nap? nay, he slept right well at best.
What doth this woman, one the ficklest
Of women all, but that cloth that lay
Vnder him, she drew lyte and lyte away.
Whan she it had all: would God, quoth she,
I were as I was this day morning!
And therewith this root of iniquitee
Had her wish, and sole left him there sleeping.
O Ionathas! like to thy perishing
Art thou, thy paramour made hath thy berd;
Whan thou wakest, cause hast thou to be ferd.
I were as I was this day morning!
And therewith this root of iniquitee
Had her wish, and sole left him there sleeping.
189
Art thou, thy paramour made hath thy berd;
Whan thou wakest, cause hast thou to be ferd.
But thou shalt do full well; thou shalt obteene
Victory on her; thou hast done some deed
Pleasant to thy mother, well can I weene,
For which our Lord quite shall thy meed,
And thee deliuer out of thy wofull dreed.
The child whom that the mother vseth blesse,
Full often sythe is eased in distresse.
Victory on her; thou hast done some deed
Pleasant to thy mother, well can I weene,
For which our Lord quite shall thy meed,
And thee deliuer out of thy wofull dreed.
The child whom that the mother vseth blesse,
Full often sythe is eased in distresse.
Whan he awoke, and neither he ne fond
Woman ne Cloth, he wept bitterly,
And said, Alasse! now is there in no lond
Man worse I know begon then am I
On euery side his looke he cast, and sy
Nothing but birds in the aire flying,
And wild beasts about him renning.
Woman ne Cloth, he wept bitterly,
And said, Alasse! now is there in no lond
Man worse I know begon then am I
On euery side his looke he cast, and sy
Nothing but birds in the aire flying,
And wild beasts about him renning.
Of whose sight he full sore was agrysed.
He thought, all this well deserued I haue,
What ayled me to be so euill auised,
That my counsell could I nat keepe and saue?
Who can foole play? who can mad and raue?
But he that to a woman his secree
Discouereth: the smart cleaueth now on me.
He thought, all this well deserued I haue,
What ayled me to be so euill auised,
That my counsell could I nat keepe and saue?
Who can foole play? who can mad and raue?
But he that to a woman his secree
Discouereth: the smart cleaueth now on me.
He thus departeth as God would harmlesse,
And forth of auenture his way is went,
But whitherward he draw, he conceitlesse
Was, he nat knew to what place he was bent.
He past a water which was so feruent
That flesh vpon his feet left it him none,
All cleane was departed from the bone.
And forth of auenture his way is went,
But whitherward he draw, he conceitlesse
Was, he nat knew to what place he was bent.
He past a water which was so feruent
That flesh vpon his feet left it him none,
All cleane was departed from the bone.
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It shope so that hee had a little glasse,
Which with that water anon filled he,
And whan he further in his way gone was,
Before him he beheld and saw a tree
That faire fruit bore, and in great plentee:
He eate thereof, the taste him liked well,
But he there-through became a foule mesel.
Which with that water anon filled he,
And whan he further in his way gone was,
Before him he beheld and saw a tree
That faire fruit bore, and in great plentee:
He eate thereof, the taste him liked well,
But he there-through became a foule mesel.
For which vnto the ground for sorrow and wo
He fell, and said, cursed be that day
That I was borne, and time and houre also
That my mother conceiued me, for ay
Now am I lost, alasse and well away!
And when some deel slaked his heauinesse,
He rose, and on his way he gan him dresse.
He fell, and said, cursed be that day
That I was borne, and time and houre also
That my mother conceiued me, for ay
Now am I lost, alasse and well away!
And when some deel slaked his heauinesse,
He rose, and on his way he gan him dresse.
Another water before him he sye,
Which sore to comen in he was adrad:
But nathelesse, since thereby other way
Ne about it there could none be had,
He thought, so streitly am I bestad,
That though it sore me affese or gast,
Assoile it wole I; and through it he past.
Which sore to comen in he was adrad:
But nathelesse, since thereby other way
Ne about it there could none be had,
He thought, so streitly am I bestad,
That though it sore me affese or gast,
Assoile it wole I; and through it he past.
And right as the first water his flesh
Departed from his feet, so the secownd
Restored it, and made all whole and fresh:
And glad was he, and ioyfull that stownd,
Whan he felt his feet whole were and sound:
A violl of the water of that brooke
He fild, and fruit of the tree with him tooke.
Departed from his feet, so the secownd
Restored it, and made all whole and fresh:
And glad was he, and ioyfull that stownd,
Whan he felt his feet whole were and sound:
A violl of the water of that brooke
He fild, and fruit of the tree with him tooke.
Forth his iourney this Ionathas held,
And as he his looke about him cast,
Another tree from a farre he beheld,
To which he hasted, and him hied fast.
Hungry he was, and of the fruit he thrast
Into his mouth, and eate of it sadly,
And of the lepry he purged was thereby.
And as he his looke about him cast,
Another tree from a farre he beheld,
To which he hasted, and him hied fast.
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Into his mouth, and eate of it sadly,
And of the lepry he purged was thereby.
Of that fruit more he raught, & thence is gone;
And a faire Castle from a farre saw he
In compasse of which heads many one
Of men there hung, as he might well see,
But not for that he shun would or flee;
He thither him dresseth the streight way
In that euer that he can or may.
And a faire Castle from a farre saw he
In compasse of which heads many one
Of men there hung, as he might well see,
But not for that he shun would or flee;
He thither him dresseth the streight way
In that euer that he can or may.
Walking so, two men came him ageine,
And saiden thus: deere friend, we you pray
What man be ye? Sirs, quoth he, certeine
A leech I am, and though my selfe it say,
Can for the health of sicke folkes well puruay.
They said him: of yonder castle the King
A leper is, and can whole be for nothing.
And saiden thus: deere friend, we you pray
What man be ye? Sirs, quoth he, certeine
A leech I am, and though my selfe it say,
Can for the health of sicke folkes well puruay.
They said him: of yonder castle the King
A leper is, and can whole be for nothing.
With him there hath bin many a sundry leech
That vndertooke him well to cure and heale
On paine of their heads, but all to seech
Their Art was; 'ware that thou not with him deale,
But if thou canst the charter of health enseale;
Least that thou leese thy head, as didden they,
But thou be wise: thou finde it shall no pley.
That vndertooke him well to cure and heale
On paine of their heads, but all to seech
Their Art was; 'ware that thou not with him deale,
But if thou canst the charter of health enseale;
Least that thou leese thy head, as didden they,
But thou be wise: thou finde it shall no pley.
Sirs, said he, you thanke I of your reed,
For gently ye han you to me quit:
But I nat dread to loose mine heed,
By Gods helpe full safe keepe I will it;
God of his grace such cunning and wit
Hath lent me, that I hope I shall him cure,
Full well dare I me put in auenture.
For gently ye han you to me quit:
But I nat dread to loose mine heed,
By Gods helpe full safe keepe I will it;
God of his grace such cunning and wit
Hath lent me, that I hope I shall him cure,
Full well dare I me put in auenture.
192
They to the kings presence han him lad,
And him of the fruit of the second tree
He gaue to eate, and bad him to be glad,
And said: anon your health han shall yee;
Eke of the second water him gaue he
To drinke, & whan he those two had receiued,
His Lepry from him voided was and weiued.
And him of the fruit of the second tree
He gaue to eate, and bad him to be glad,
And said: anon your health han shall yee;
Eke of the second water him gaue he
To drinke, & whan he those two had receiued,
His Lepry from him voided was and weiued.
The King (as vnto his high dignity
Conuenient was) gaue him largely,
And to him said: If that it like thee,
Abiden here, I more habundantly
Thee giue wole. My Lord, sickerly,
Quoth he, faine would I your pleasure fulfill,
And in your high presence abide still.
Conuenient was) gaue him largely,
And to him said: If that it like thee,
Abiden here, I more habundantly
Thee giue wole. My Lord, sickerly,
Quoth he, faine would I your pleasure fulfill,
And in your high presence abide still.
But I no while may with you abide,
So mochill haue I to done elsewhere.
Ionathas euery day to the sea side
Which was nye, went to look and enquere
If any ship drawing hither were
Which him home to his country lead might,
And on a day of ships had he sight
So mochill haue I to done elsewhere.
Ionathas euery day to the sea side
Which was nye, went to look and enquere
If any ship drawing hither were
Which him home to his country lead might,
And on a day of ships had he sight
Well a thirty toward the Castle draw,
And at time of Euensong they all
Arriueden, of which he was full faw,
And to the shipmen cry he gan and call,
And said: if it so hap might and fall,
That some of you me home to my countree
Me bring would, well quit should he bee.
And at time of Euensong they all
Arriueden, of which he was full faw,
And to the shipmen cry he gan and call,
And said: if it so hap might and fall,
That some of you me home to my countree
Me bring would, well quit should he bee.
And told them whither that they shoulden go.
One of the shipmen forth start at last,
And to him said: my ship and no moe
Of them that here been, doth shope and cast
Thither to wend; let see, tell on fast,
Quoth the shipman, that thou for my trauaile
Me giue wilt, if that I thither saile.
One of the shipmen forth start at last,
And to him said: my ship and no moe
Of them that here been, doth shope and cast
193
Quoth the shipman, that thou for my trauaile
Me giue wilt, if that I thither saile.
They were accorded; Ionathas forth goeth
Vnto the King to aske him licence
To twine thence, to which the king was loth,
And nathlesse with his beneuolence,
This Ionathas from his magnificence
Departed is, and forth to the shipman
His way he taketh, as swyth as he can.
Vnto the King to aske him licence
To twine thence, to which the king was loth,
And nathlesse with his beneuolence,
This Ionathas from his magnificence
Departed is, and forth to the shipman
His way he taketh, as swyth as he can.
Into the ship he entreth, and as bliue
As winde and wether good shope to be,
Thither as he purposed him arriue
They sailed forth, and came to the Cittee
In which this Serpentine woman was, shee
That had him terned with false deceitis,
But where no remedy followeth, streit is.
As winde and wether good shope to be,
Thither as he purposed him arriue
They sailed forth, and came to the Cittee
In which this Serpentine woman was, shee
That had him terned with false deceitis,
But where no remedy followeth, streit is.
Turnes been quit, all be they good or bad
Sometime, though they put been in delay.
But to my purpose: she deemed he had
Been deuoured with beasts many a day
Gone, she thought he deliuered was for ay.
Folke of the Citty knew not Ionathas,
So many a yeare was past, that he there was.
Sometime, though they put been in delay.
But to my purpose: she deemed he had
Been deuoured with beasts many a day
Gone, she thought he deliuered was for ay.
Folke of the Citty knew not Ionathas,
So many a yeare was past, that he there was.
Misliking and thought changed eke his face,
Abouten he go'th, and for his dwelling
In the Cittie, he hired him a place,
And therein exercised his cunning
Of Physicke, to whom weren repairing
Many a sicke wight, and all were healed,
Well was the sick man that with him dealed.
Abouten he go'th, and for his dwelling
In the Cittie, he hired him a place,
And therein exercised his cunning
Of Physicke, to whom weren repairing
Many a sicke wight, and all were healed,
Well was the sick man that with him dealed.
Now shope it thus that this Fellicula,
(The well of deceiuable doublenesse,
Follower of the steps of Dallida)
Was than exalted vnto high richesse,
But she was fallen into great sicknesse
And heard seine, for not might it been hid
How masterfull a leech he had him kid.
(The well of deceiuable doublenesse,
194
Was than exalted vnto high richesse,
But she was fallen into great sicknesse
And heard seine, for not might it been hid
How masterfull a leech he had him kid.
Messages solemne to him she sent,
Praying him to do so mochill labour
As come and see her; and he thither went.
Whan he her saw, that she his Paramour
Had been he well knew, and for that dettour
To her he was, her he thought to quite
Or he went, and no longer it respite.
Praying him to do so mochill labour
As come and see her; and he thither went.
Whan he her saw, that she his Paramour
Had been he well knew, and for that dettour
To her he was, her he thought to quite
Or he went, and no longer it respite.
But what that he was, she ne wist nat:
He saw her vrine, and eke felt her pous,
And said, the sooth is this plaine and flat,
A sicknesse han yee strange and meruailous,
Which to auoid is wonder dangerous:
To heale you there is no way but one,
Leech in this world other can finde none.
He saw her vrine, and eke felt her pous,
And said, the sooth is this plaine and flat,
A sicknesse han yee strange and meruailous,
Which to auoid is wonder dangerous:
To heale you there is no way but one,
Leech in this world other can finde none.
Auiseth you whether you list it take
Or not, for I told haue you my wit.
Ah sir, said she, for Gods sake,
That way me shew, and I shall follow it,
What euer it be: for this sicknesse sit
So nigh mine heart, that I wot not how
Me to demene: tell on, I pray yow.
Or not, for I told haue you my wit.
Ah sir, said she, for Gods sake,
That way me shew, and I shall follow it,
What euer it be: for this sicknesse sit
So nigh mine heart, that I wot not how
Me to demene: tell on, I pray yow.
Lady, yee must openly you confesse,
And if against good conscience and right,
Any good han ye take more or lesse,
Beforne this houre, of any manner wight,
Yeeld it anon; else not in the might
Of man is it, to giue a medicine
That you may heale of your sicknes & pine.
And if against good conscience and right,
Any good han ye take more or lesse,
Beforne this houre, of any manner wight,
Yeeld it anon; else not in the might
Of man is it, to giue a medicine
That you may heale of your sicknes & pine.
195
If any such thing be, tell out thy reed,
And yee shall been all whole I you beheet;
Else mine Art is naught, withouten dreed.
O Lord, she thought, health is a thing ful sweet:
Therewith desire I souerainly to meet:
Since I it by confession may recouer,
A foole am I but I my guilt discouer.
And yee shall been all whole I you beheet;
Else mine Art is naught, withouten dreed.
O Lord, she thought, health is a thing ful sweet:
Therewith desire I souerainly to meet:
Since I it by confession may recouer,
A foole am I but I my guilt discouer.
How falsely to the sonne of th' Emperour
Ionathas, had she done, before them all
As yee han heard aboue, all that errour
By knew she; ô Fellicula thee call
Well may I so, for of the bitter gall
Thou takest the beginning of thy name,
Thou root of malice and mirrour of shame.
Ionathas, had she done, before them all
As yee han heard aboue, all that errour
By knew she; ô Fellicula thee call
Well may I so, for of the bitter gall
Thou takest the beginning of thy name,
Thou root of malice and mirrour of shame.
Than said Ionathas: where are those three
Iewels, that thee fro the Clerke with-drew?
Sir, in a Coffer at my beds feet yee
Shall finde them; open it, and so pray I you.
He thought not to make it queint and tow,
And say nay, and streine courtesie,
But with right good will thither he gan hye.
Iewels, that thee fro the Clerke with-drew?
Sir, in a Coffer at my beds feet yee
Shall finde them; open it, and so pray I you.
He thought not to make it queint and tow,
And say nay, and streine courtesie,
But with right good will thither he gan hye.
The Coffer he opened, and them there fond.
Who was a glad man but Ionathas? who
The ring vpon a finger of his hond
He put, and the brooch on his breast also,
The cloth eke vnder his arme held he tho;
And to her him dresseth to done his cure.
Cure mortall, way to her sepulture.
Who was a glad man but Ionathas? who
The ring vpon a finger of his hond
He put, and the brooch on his breast also,
The cloth eke vnder his arme held he tho;
And to her him dresseth to done his cure.
Cure mortall, way to her sepulture.
He thought rue she should, and fore-thinke
That she her had vnto him mis bore.
And of that water her he gaue to drinke,
Which that his flesh from his bones before
Had twined, wherethrough he was almost lore,
Nad he relieued been, as ye aboue
Han heard, and this he did eke for her loue.
That she her had vnto him mis bore.
And of that water her he gaue to drinke,
Which that his flesh from his bones before
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Nad he relieued been, as ye aboue
Han heard, and this he did eke for her loue.
Of the fruit of the tree he gaue her ete,
Which that him made into the Leper stert,
And as bliue in her wombe gan they fret
And gnaw so, that change gan her hert,
Now harkneth how it her made smert.
Her wombe opened, & out fell each intraile
That in her was, thus it is said, sans faile.
Which that him made into the Leper stert,
And as bliue in her wombe gan they fret
And gnaw so, that change gan her hert,
Now harkneth how it her made smert.
Her wombe opened, & out fell each intraile
That in her was, thus it is said, sans faile.
Thus wretchedly (lo) this guile-man dyde,
And Ionathas with iewels three
No lenger there thought to abide,
But home to the Empresse his mother hasteth he,
Whereas in ioy and in prosperitee
His life led he to his dying day,
And so God vs grant that we doe may.
And Ionathas with iewels three
No lenger there thought to abide,
But home to the Empresse his mother hasteth he,
Whereas in ioy and in prosperitee
His life led he to his dying day,
And so God vs grant that we doe may.
Willy.
By my hooke this is a Tale
Would befit our Whitson-ale:
Better cannot be, I wist,
Descant on it he that list.
And full gladly giue I wold
The best Cosset in my fold
And a Mazor for a fee,
If this song thou'lt teachen me.
Tis so quaint and fine a lay,
That vpon our reuell day
If I sung it, I might chance
(For my paines) be tooke to dance
With our Lady of the May.
Roget.
Roget will not say thee nay,
If thou deem'st it worth thy paines.
Tis a song, not many Swaines
197
Not so deckt with nycetee
Of sweet words full neatly chused
As are now by Shepheards vsed:
Yet if well you sound the sence,
And the Morals excellence,
You shall finde it quit the while,
And excuse the homely stile.
Well I wot, the man that first
Sung this Lay, did quench his thirst,
Deeply as did euer one
In the Muses Helicon.
Many times he hath been seen
With the Fairies on the greene,
And to them his Pipe did sound,
Whilst they danced in a round.
Mickle solace would they make him,
And at mid-night often wake him,
And convey him from his roome
To a field of yellow broome;
Or into the Medowes where
Mints perfume the gentle Aire,
And where Flora spends her treasure:
There they would begin their measure.
If it chanc'd nights sable shrowds
Muffled Cinthia vp in clowds,
Safely home they then would see him,
And from brakes and quagmires free him.
There are few such swaines as he
Now adayes for harmony.
Willie.
What was he thou praisest thus?
Roget.
Scholler vnto Tityrus:
Tityrus the brauest Swaine
198
Taught him how to feed his Lambes,
How to cure them, and their Dams:
How to pitch the fold, and then
How he should remoue agen:
Taught him when the Corne was ripe,
How to make an Oaten Pipe,
How to ioyne them, how to cut them,
When to open, when to shut them,
And with all the skill he had
Did instruct this willing lad.
Willie.
Happy surely was that Swaine!
And he was not taught in vaine:
Many a one that prouder is,
Han not such a song as this,
And haue garlands for their meed,
That but iarre as Skeltons reed.
Roget.
Tis too true: But see the Sunne
Hath his iourney fully run;
And his horses all in sweate
In the Ocean coole their heate;
Seuer we our sheepe and fold them,
T'will be night ere we haue told them.
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