Qvips vpon qvestions or, A Clownes conceite on occasion offered. bewraying a morrallised metamorphoses of changes vpon interrogatories: shewing a litle wit, with a great deale of will; or in deed, more desirous to please in it, then to profite by it. Clapt vp by a Clowne of the towne in this last restraint, hauing litle else to doe, to make a litle vse of his fickle Muse, and carelesse of carping. By Clunnyco de Curtanio Snuffe [i.e. Robert Armin] |
 |
|
He begins well, but endes ill.
|
 | Qvips vpon qvestions |  |
He begins well, but endes ill.
In his beginning, all he did was well:
For why, his labour sought still to excell:
But ere the middle came, wearines tooke him,
So that his Muse offended, quite forsooke him.
For why, his labour sought still to excell:
But ere the middle came, wearines tooke him,
So that his Muse offended, quite forsooke him.
So in the ende, it must of force be ill,
Although perchaunce the Author shewde goodwill:
Weakenes of wit, was cause he did so bad,
Not loue of hart, for that was alwayes had.
Although perchaunce the Author shewde goodwill:
Weakenes of wit, was cause he did so bad,
Not loue of hart, for that was alwayes had.
Loue cannot labour, if the witt do want:
But witt without loue, may both sowe and plant:
Yet in the ende, such witles loue hath hope,
To reape in Haruest, but a sorry croppe.
But witt without loue, may both sowe and plant:
Yet in the ende, such witles loue hath hope,
To reape in Haruest, but a sorry croppe.
Who would be wearie in his dooing well,
But labour earnestly still to doe well:
Well dooing hath an Ague hauntes him still,
Which must b'out labourde with an earnest will.
But labour earnestly still to doe well:
Well dooing hath an Ague hauntes him still,
Which must b'out labourde with an earnest will.
Pepper and Aqua-vitæ will not sarue,
For so well dooing may too sodaine starue:
Nor sleeping on a bed, or sweating theare:
This Ague must be driuen hence with a feare.
For so well dooing may too sodaine starue:
Nor sleeping on a bed, or sweating theare:
This Ague must be driuen hence with a feare.
Which feare in labour doth maintaine goodwill:
Feare so, and labour so, and thou shalt still,
Begin at first, and as thou dost begin,
The middle and the ende shall ioye therein.
Feare so, and labour so, and thou shalt still,
Begin at first, and as thou dost begin,
The middle and the ende shall ioye therein.
Quip.
All is as much to say, the Author feares,The Reader vowes to haue him by the eares:
Because beginning well, and ending ill,
Shewes haughtie thoughts, vsing but little skill.
How ere it happens, my good will is such,
As what I doe, I doe not thinke too much.
| Qvips vpon qvestions | |