 | The Shorter Poems of Gavin Douglas |  |
139
KING HART
141
King Hart, in to his cumlie castell strang
Closit about with craft and meikill vre,
So semlie wes he set his folk amang
That he no dout had of misaventure;
So proudlie wes he polist, plane and pure,
With ȝouthheid and his lustie levis grene;
So fair, so fresche, so liklie to endure,
And als so blyth as bird in symmer schene.
Closit about with craft and meikill vre,
So semlie wes he set his folk amang
That he no dout had of misaventure;
So proudlie wes he polist, plane and pure,
With ȝouthheid and his lustie levis grene;
So fair, so fresche, so liklie to endure,
And als so blyth as bird in symmer schene.
For wes he never ȝit with schouris schot,
Nor ȝit ourrun with rouk or ony rayne;
In all his lusty lecam nocht ane spot,
Na never had experience in to payne,
Bot alway in to lyking, nocht to layne.
Onlie to Love and Verrie Gentilnes
He wes inclynit cleinlie to remane,
And woun vnder the wyng of Wantownnes.
Nor ȝit ourrun with rouk or ony rayne;
In all his lusty lecam nocht ane spot,
Na never had experience in to payne,
Bot alway in to lyking, nocht to layne.
Onlie to Love and Verrie Gentilnes
He wes inclynit cleinlie to remane,
And woun vnder the wyng of Wantownnes.
Ȝit wes this wourthy, wicht king vnder warde,
For wes he nocht at fredome vtterlie.
Nature had lymmit folk, for þair rewarde,
This godlie king to governe and to gy;
For so þai kest þair tyme to occupy
In welthis for to wyne; for thay him teichit
All lustis for to lane and vnderly.
So prevelie thai preis him and him preicheid.
For wes he nocht at fredome vtterlie.
Nature had lymmit folk, for þair rewarde,
This godlie king to governe and to gy;
For so þai kest þair tyme to occupy
In welthis for to wyne; for thay him teichit
All lustis for to lane and vnderly.
So prevelie thai preis him and him preicheid.
First Strenth, Lust and Wantownnes,
Grein Lust, Disport, Ielousie and Invy,
Freschnes, Newgate, Waistgude and Wilfulnes,
Delyuernes, Fulehardenes; thairby
Gentrice, Fredome, Price previe I espy,
Wantwyt, Vanegloir, Prodigalitie,
Vnrest, Nichtwalk, and Full of Glutony,
Vnricht, Dyme Sicht, with Slicht and Subtilitie.
Grein Lust, Disport, Ielousie and Invy,
Freschnes, Newgate, Waistgude and Wilfulnes,
Delyuernes, Fulehardenes; thairby
Gentrice, Fredome, Price previe I espy,
Wantwyt, Vanegloir, Prodigalitie,
Vnrest, Nichtwalk, and Full of Glutony,
Vnricht, Dyme Sicht, with Slicht and Subtilitie.
142
Thir war the inwarde, ythand seruitouris,
Quhilk gouernouris war vnto this nobill king,
And kepit him inclynit to þair curis.
So wes þair nocht in erde þat ever micht bring
Ane of thir folk away fra his duelling.
Thus to þair terme thai serve for þair rewarde,
Dansing, disport, singing, revelling,
With bissines all blyth to pleis the lairde.
Quhilk gouernouris war vnto this nobill king,
And kepit him inclynit to þair curis.
So wes þair nocht in erde þat ever micht bring
Ane of thir folk away fra his duelling.
Thus to þair terme thai serve for þair rewarde,
Dansing, disport, singing, revelling,
With bissines all blyth to pleis the lairde.
Thir folk with all the femell þai micht fang
(Quhilk nummerit ane milȝon and weill mo)
That wer vpbred as seruitouris of lang,
And with this king wald woun in weill and wo,
For favour nor for feid wald found him fro,
Vnto the tyme þair dait be run and past—
That gold nor gude micht gar þame fro him go,
No greif nor grame suld grayth þame so agast.
(Quhilk nummerit ane milȝon and weill mo)
That wer vpbred as seruitouris of lang,
And with this king wald woun in weill and wo,
For favour nor for feid wald found him fro,
Vnto the tyme þair dait be run and past—
That gold nor gude micht gar þame fro him go,
No greif nor grame suld grayth þame so agast.
Fyve seruituris this king he had without,
That teichit war ay tressoun to espy.
Thai watchit ay þe wallis round about
For innemeis þat of hapning ay come by:
Ane for the day, quhilk iugeit certanly,
With cure to ken the colour of all hew;
Ane for the nicht, þat harknit bissely,
Out of quhat airt that ever the wyndis blew.
That teichit war ay tressoun to espy.
Thai watchit ay þe wallis round about
For innemeis þat of hapning ay come by:
Ane for the day, quhilk iugeit certanly,
With cure to ken the colour of all hew;
Ane for the nicht, þat harknit bissely,
Out of quhat airt that ever the wyndis blew.
Syn wes þair ane to taist all nutriment
That to þis king wes seruit at the deis;
Ane wther wes all sovellis for to sent,
Of licour or of ony lustie meis;
The fyft þair wes quhilk culd all, but leis,
The heit, the cauld, the harde and eik the soft—
Ane ganand seruand, bayth for weir and pece.
Ȝit hes thir folk þair king betrasit oft.
That to þis king wes seruit at the deis;
Ane wther wes all sovellis for to sent,
Of licour or of ony lustie meis;
The fyft þair wes quhilk culd all, but leis,
The heit, the cauld, the harde and eik the soft—
Ane ganand seruand, bayth for weir and pece.
Ȝit hes thir folk þair king betrasit oft.
143
Honour persewit to the kingis ȝet.
Thir folk said all, þai wald nocht lat him in,
Be caus, thai said, þair lord to feist wes set,
With all his lustie seruandis, more and myn.
Bot he ane port had enterit with ane gyn,
And vp he can in haist to the grit toure,
And said he suld it parall all with syn
And fresche delyt with mony florist floure.
Thir folk said all, þai wald nocht lat him in,
Be caus, thai said, þair lord to feist wes set,
With all his lustie seruandis, more and myn.
Bot he ane port had enterit with ane gyn,
And vp he can in haist to the grit toure,
And said he suld it parall all with syn
And fresche delyt with mony florist floure.
So strang this king him thocht his castell stude,
With mony towre and turat crownit hie.
About the wall þair ran ane water void,
Blak, stinkand, sowr, and salt as is the sey,
That on the wallis wiskit, gre be gre,
Boldning to ryis the castell to confound.
Bot thai within maid sa grit melody,
That for þair reird thay micht nocht heir the sound.
With mony towre and turat crownit hie.
About the wall þair ran ane water void,
Blak, stinkand, sowr, and salt as is the sey,
That on the wallis wiskit, gre be gre,
Boldning to ryis the castell to confound.
Bot thai within maid sa grit melody,
That for þair reird thay micht nocht heir the sound.
With feistis fell and full of iolitee,
This cumlie court thair king þai kast to keip,
That noy hes none, bot newlie novaltee,
And ar nocht wount for wo to woun and weip;
Full sendill sad or soundlie set to sleip,
No wandreth wait, ay wenis welth endure,
Behaldis nocht nor luikis nocht þe deip,
As þame to keip fra all misaventure.
This cumlie court thair king þai kast to keip,
That noy hes none, bot newlie novaltee,
And ar nocht wount for wo to woun and weip;
Full sendill sad or soundlie set to sleip,
No wandreth wait, ay wenis welth endure,
Behaldis nocht nor luikis nocht þe deip,
As þame to keip fra all misaventure.
Richt as the rose vpspringis fro the rute,
In ruby colour reid, most ryik of hew,
Nor waindis nocht the levis to outschut,
For schyning of the sone þat dois renew
Thir vther flouris, greyne, quhyt and blew,
Quhilk hes na craft to knaw the wynter weit,
Suppois þat sommer schane dois þame reskew,
That dois þame quhile ourhaill with snaw and sleit.
In ruby colour reid, most ryik of hew,
Nor waindis nocht the levis to outschut,
For schyning of the sone þat dois renew
Thir vther flouris, greyne, quhyt and blew,
Quhilk hes na craft to knaw the wynter weit,
Suppois þat sommer schane dois þame reskew,
That dois þame quhile ourhaill with snaw and sleit.
144
Dame Plesance had ane pretty place besyd,
With fresche effeir and mony folk in feir,
The quhilk wes parald all about with pryde,
So precious þat it prysit wes but peir;
With bulwerkis braid and mony bitter beir;
Syn wes ane brig, þat hegeit wes and strang;
And all þat couth attene the castell neir,
It maid þame for to mer amis and mang;
With fresche effeir and mony folk in feir,
The quhilk wes parald all about with pryde,
So precious þat it prysit wes but peir;
With bulwerkis braid and mony bitter beir;
Syn wes ane brig, þat hegeit wes and strang;
And all þat couth attene the castell neir,
It maid þame for to mer amis and mang;
With touris grit and strang for to behald,
So craftlie with kirnellis kervin hie;
The fitschand faynis, floreist all of gold,
The grundin dairtis, scharp and bricht to se,
Wald mak ane hart of flint to fald and fle
For terrour, gif þai wald þe castell saill;
So kervin cleir, that micht na crueltee
It for to wyn in all this warld avale.
So craftlie with kirnellis kervin hie;
The fitschand faynis, floreist all of gold,
The grundin dairtis, scharp and bricht to se,
Wald mak ane hart of flint to fald and fle
For terrour, gif þai wald þe castell saill;
So kervin cleir, that micht na crueltee
It for to wyn in all this warld avale.
Servit this quene, dame Plesance, all at richt,
First Hie Apporte, Bewtie, and Humilnes,
With mony vtheris, madinis fair and bricht,
Reuth and Gud Fame, Fredome and Gentilnes,
Constance, Patience, Raddour and Meiknes,
Conning, Kyndnes, Heyndnes and Honestie,
Mirth, Lustiheid, Lyking and Nobilnes,
Blis and Blythnes, Plesance and pure Pietie.
First Hie Apporte, Bewtie, and Humilnes,
With mony vtheris, madinis fair and bricht,
Reuth and Gud Fame, Fredome and Gentilnes,
Constance, Patience, Raddour and Meiknes,
Conning, Kyndnes, Heyndnes and Honestie,
Mirth, Lustiheid, Lyking and Nobilnes,
Blis and Blythnes, Plesance and pure Pietie.
This war the staitis worthyest and ding,
With mony mo þat servit to this quene.
Ane legioun liell war at hir leding,
Quhen hir court leist semble, fair and clein.
In þair effeir fayr seruice micht be sene,
For wes þair nocht þat semit be a vyse,
That no man micht the poynting of ane prene
Repreve, nor pece bot payntit at devyse.
With mony mo þat servit to this quene.
Ane legioun liell war at hir leding,
Quhen hir court leist semble, fair and clein.
In þair effeir fayr seruice micht be sene,
For wes þair nocht þat semit be a vyse,
That no man micht the poynting of ane prene
Repreve, nor pece bot payntit at devyse.
145
Hapnit this wourthy quene vpon ane day,
With hir fresche court, arrayit weill at richt,
Hunting to ryd, hir to disport and play,
With mony ane lustie ladie, fair and bricht.
Hir baner schene, displayit and on hicht,
Wes sene abone þair heidis, fayr quhair þai ryd.
The grene ground wes illuminyt of the lycht.
Fresche Bewtie had þe vangarde and wes gyde.
With hir fresche court, arrayit weill at richt,
Hunting to ryd, hir to disport and play,
With mony ane lustie ladie, fair and bricht.
Hir baner schene, displayit and on hicht,
Wes sene abone þair heidis, fayr quhair þai ryd.
The grene ground wes illuminyt of the lycht.
Fresche Bewtie had þe vangarde and wes gyde.
Ane legioun of thir lustie ladeis schene
Folowit this quene, trewlie this is no nay.
Harde by this castell of this king so kene
This wourthy folk hes walit þame a way,
Quhilk did the dayis watcheis to effray,
For seildin had þai sene sic folkis befoir.
So mirrelie þai muster and thai play,
Withoutin outher brag or bost or schore.
Folowit this quene, trewlie this is no nay.
Harde by this castell of this king so kene
This wourthy folk hes walit þame a way,
Quhilk did the dayis watcheis to effray,
For seildin had þai sene sic folkis befoir.
So mirrelie þai muster and thai play,
Withoutin outher brag or bost or schore.
The watcheis of the sicht wes sa effrayit,
Thai ran and tauld the king of þair intent.
“Lat nocht this mater, schir, be lang delayit.
It war speidfull sum folk ȝe outwarde sent,
That culd rehers quhat thing ȝone peple ment,
Syn ȝow agane þairof to certifie;
For battell byd þai bauldlie on ȝon bent.
It war bot schame to feinȝe cowartlie.”
Thai ran and tauld the king of þair intent.
“Lat nocht this mater, schir, be lang delayit.
It war speidfull sum folk ȝe outwarde sent,
That culd rehers quhat thing ȝone peple ment,
Syn ȝow agane þairof to certifie;
For battell byd þai bauldlie on ȝon bent.
It war bot schame to feinȝe cowartlie.”
Ȝouthheid vpstart and cleikit on his cloik,
Was browdin all with lustie levis grene.
“Ryse, fresche Delyte, lat nocht this mater soke.
We will go se quhat may this muster mene.
So weill we sall ws it cope betwene,
Thair sall nothing pas away vnspyit.
Syn sall we tell the king as we haue sene,
And þair sall nothing trewlie be denyit.”
Was browdin all with lustie levis grene.
“Ryse, fresche Delyte, lat nocht this mater soke.
We will go se quhat may this muster mene.
So weill we sall ws it cope betwene,
Thair sall nothing pas away vnspyit.
Syn sall we tell the king as we haue sene,
And þair sall nothing trewlie be denyit.”
146
Ȝouthheid furth past and raid on Innocence,
Ane mylk quhyt steid, þat ambilit as the wynd;
And fresche Delyt raid on Benevolence,
Throw-out the meid þat wald nocht byd behind.
The beymes bricht almost had maid þame blind,
That fra fresche Bewtie spred vnder the cloude.
To hir thai socht and sone thai culd hir find.
No saw þai nane never wes half sa proude.
Ane mylk quhyt steid, þat ambilit as the wynd;
And fresche Delyt raid on Benevolence,
Throw-out the meid þat wald nocht byd behind.
The beymes bricht almost had maid þame blind,
That fra fresche Bewtie spred vnder the cloude.
To hir thai socht and sone thai culd hir find.
No saw þai nane never wes half sa proude.
The bernis both wes basit of the sicht,
And out of mesour marrit in þair mude.
As spreitles folkis on blonkis hvffit on hicht,
Both in ane studie starand, still þai stude.
Fayr Calling freschlie on hir wayis ȝuid,
And both þair reynȝeis cleikit in hir handis,
Syn to hir castell raid as scho war woude,
And festnit vp thir folkis in Venus' bandis.
And out of mesour marrit in þair mude.
As spreitles folkis on blonkis hvffit on hicht,
Both in ane studie starand, still þai stude.
Fayr Calling freschlie on hir wayis ȝuid,
And both þair reynȝeis cleikit in hir handis,
Syn to hir castell raid as scho war woude,
And festnit vp thir folkis in Venus' bandis.
Becaus thair come no bodwarde sone agane,
The king outsent Newgate and Wantownnes,
Grene Luif, Disport, Waistgude, that nocht can lane,
And with þame freschlie feir, Fule-hardynes.
He bad þame spy the cais, quhow þat it wes,
And bring bodwart, or him self outpast.
Thay said þai suld and sone þai can þame dres.
Full glaid þai glyde as gromes vnagaist.
The king outsent Newgate and Wantownnes,
Grene Luif, Disport, Waistgude, that nocht can lane,
And with þame freschlie feir, Fule-hardynes.
He bad þame spy the cais, quhow þat it wes,
And bring bodwart, or him self outpast.
Thay said þai suld and sone þai can þame dres.
Full glaid þai glyde as gromes vnagaist.
On grund no greif quhill þai the grit ost se;
Wald þai nocht rest, þe rinkis so thay ryde;
Bot fra thay saw þair sute and þair sembly,
It culd þame bre, and biggit þame to byd
Dreid of Disdane, on fute ran thame besyde;
Said þame, “Be war, sen Wisdome is away,
For and ȝe prik amang thir folk of pryde,
A-pane ȝe salbe restit be the way.”
Wald þai nocht rest, þe rinkis so thay ryde;
Bot fra thay saw þair sute and þair sembly,
It culd þame bre, and biggit þame to byd
Dreid of Disdane, on fute ran thame besyde;
Said þame, “Be war, sen Wisdome is away,
For and ȝe prik amang thir folk of pryde,
A-pane ȝe salbe restit be the way.”
147
Full-hardynes full freschlie furth he flang,
A fure leynth fer befoir his feiris fyve;
And Wantones, suppois he had þe wrang,
Him followit on als fast as he micht dryve.
So thai wer lyk amang þame self to stryve.
The fouresum baid and huvit on the grene.
Fresche Bewtie, with ane wysk, come belyve
And þame all reistit, war þai never so kene.
A fure leynth fer befoir his feiris fyve;
And Wantones, suppois he had þe wrang,
Him followit on als fast as he micht dryve.
So thai wer lyk amang þame self to stryve.
The fouresum baid and huvit on the grene.
Fresche Bewtie, with ane wysk, come belyve
And þame all reistit, war þai never so kene.
With þat the foursum fayn thay wald haue fled
Agane vnto þair castell and þair king.
Thai gave ane schout and sone thai haue þame sched,
And bisselie thay kan þame bundin bring
Agane vnto þair quene and bandis thring
About thair handis and feit so fast
Quhill þat þai maid þame, with þair tormenting,
Haly of þair lyvis half agast.
Agane vnto þair castell and þair king.
Thai gave ane schout and sone thai haue þame sched,
And bisselie thay kan þame bundin bring
Agane vnto þair quene and bandis thring
About thair handis and feit so fast
Quhill þat þai maid þame, with þair tormenting,
Haly of þair lyvis half agast.
The watchis on the kingis wallis hes sene
The chassing of the folk and þair suppryse.
Vpstart king Hart, in propir yre and tein,
And baldlie bad his folk all with him ryse.
“I sall nocht sit,” he said, “and se þame thryse
Discomfit clein my men and put at vnder.
Na, we sall wrik ws on ane vther wys,
Set we be few to thame be fifty hounder.”
The chassing of the folk and þair suppryse.
Vpstart king Hart, in propir yre and tein,
And baldlie bad his folk all with him ryse.
“I sall nocht sit,” he said, “and se þame thryse
Discomfit clein my men and put at vnder.
Na, we sall wrik ws on ane vther wys,
Set we be few to thame be fifty hounder.”
Than out thay raid, all to ane randoun richt,
This courtlie king and all his cumlie ost,
His buirelie bainer brathit vp on hicht,
And out thay blew, with brag and mekle bost,
That lady and hir lynnage suld be lost.
Thay cryit on hicht thair seinȝe wounder lowde.
Thus come thay keynlie, carpand one the cost.
Thay preik, þai prance, as princis þat war woude.
This courtlie king and all his cumlie ost,
His buirelie bainer brathit vp on hicht,
And out thay blew, with brag and mekle bost,
That lady and hir lynnage suld be lost.
Thay cryit on hicht thair seinȝe wounder lowde.
Thus come thay keynlie, carpand one the cost.
Thay preik, þai prance, as princis þat war woude.
148
Dame Plesance hes hir folk arrayit weill,
Fra þat scho saw þai wald battell abyde.
So Bewtie with hir wangarde gane to reill,
The greitest of thair ost scho can our-ryde.
Syn fresche Apport come on the tother syd.
So bisselie scho wes to battell boune,
That all þat ever scho micht ourtak þat tyde,
Hors and men, with brount scho straik all doun.
Fra þat scho saw þai wald battell abyde.
So Bewtie with hir wangarde gane to reill,
The greitest of thair ost scho can our-ryde.
Syn fresche Apport come on the tother syd.
So bisselie scho wes to battell boune,
That all þat ever scho micht ourtak þat tyde,
Hors and men, with brount scho straik all doun.
Richt þair king Hairt he wes in handis tane,
And puirlie wes he present to the quene.
And scho had fairlie, with ane fedderit flayne,
Woundit the king, richt wonderfull to wene;
Delyuerit him deme Bewtie vnto sene,
His wound to wesche, in sobering of his sair;
Bot alwayis as scho castis it to clene,
His malady incressis mair and mair.
And puirlie wes he present to the quene.
And scho had fairlie, with ane fedderit flayne,
Woundit the king, richt wonderfull to wene;
Delyuerit him deme Bewtie vnto sene,
His wound to wesche, in sobering of his sair;
Bot alwayis as scho castis it to clene,
His malady incressis mair and mair.
Woundit he wes and quhair ȝit he na wait,
And mony of his folk hes tane the flicht.
He said, “I ȝeild me now to ȝour estait,
Fayr quene, sen to resist I haue no micht.
Quhat will ȝe saye me now? For quhat plycht?
For þat I wait I did ȝow never offence,
And gif I haue done ocht þat is vnrycht,
I offer me to ȝour beneuolence.”
And mony of his folk hes tane the flicht.
He said, “I ȝeild me now to ȝour estait,
Fayr quene, sen to resist I haue no micht.
Quhat will ȝe saye me now? For quhat plycht?
For þat I wait I did ȝow never offence,
And gif I haue done ocht þat is vnrycht,
I offer me to ȝour beneuolence.”
Be this battell wes neir vincust all.
The kingis men ar tane and mony slane.
Dame Plesance can on fresche Bewtie call;
Bad hir command the folk to presoun plaine.
King Hairt sair woundit was, bot he wes fayne,
For weill he traistit þat he suld recure.
The lady and hir ost went hame agane,
And mony presoner tak in vnder hir cure.
The kingis men ar tane and mony slane.
Dame Plesance can on fresche Bewtie call;
Bad hir command the folk to presoun plaine.
King Hairt sair woundit was, bot he wes fayne,
For weill he traistit þat he suld recure.
The lady and hir ost went hame agane,
And mony presoner tak in vnder hir cure.
149
King Hart his castell levit hes full waist,
And Hevenes maid capitane it to keip.
Radour ran hame, full fleyit and for-chaist;
Him for to hyde crap in the dungeoun deip.
Langour he lay vpon the wallis but sleip,
But meit or drink the watche horne he blew.
Ire wes the portour that full sayr can weip,
And Ielousy ran out—he wes never trew.
And Hevenes maid capitane it to keip.
Radour ran hame, full fleyit and for-chaist;
Him for to hyde crap in the dungeoun deip.
Langour he lay vpon the wallis but sleip,
But meit or drink the watche horne he blew.
Ire wes the portour that full sayr can weip,
And Ielousy ran out—he wes never trew.
He said he suld be spy and bodwart bring,
Bayth nicht and day, how þat his maister fure.
He followit fast on fute eftir the king
Vnto the castell of dame Plesance puire.
In the presoun fand he mony creatuire,
Sum fetterrit fast and vtheris fre and large,
Quhair ever þame list within the wallis fure.
Sone Ielousy him hid vnder ane targe.
Bayth nicht and day, how þat his maister fure.
He followit fast on fute eftir the king
Vnto the castell of dame Plesance puire.
In the presoun fand he mony creatuire,
Sum fetterrit fast and vtheris fre and large,
Quhair ever þame list within the wallis fure.
Sone Ielousy him hid vnder ane targe.
Thar saw I Lust ly law vnder lok,
In streinȝe strong, fast fetterrit, fute and hand.
Grene Luif lay bund with ane felloun blok,
About the crag wes claspit with ane band.
Ȝouthheid wes lous and ay about waverand;
Desyre lay stokkit by ane dungeoun dure,
Ȝit Honestie keipit him fair-farrand,
And Waistgude followand him quhair euer he fure.
In streinȝe strong, fast fetterrit, fute and hand.
Grene Luif lay bund with ane felloun blok,
About the crag wes claspit with ane band.
Ȝouthheid wes lous and ay about waverand;
Desyre lay stokkit by ane dungeoun dure,
Ȝit Honestie keipit him fair-farrand,
And Waistgude followand him quhair euer he fure.
Discretioun wes as than bot ȝoung of age.
He sleipit with Lust, quhair ever he micht him find,
And he agane wes crabbit at the page.
Ane ladill full of Luif, stude him behind,
He swakit in his ene and maid him blind;
Sua fra that tyme furth he micht nocht se.
“Speik þow ane wourde, thy four feit sall I bind,
Syn swak the our the wallis in the se.”
He sleipit with Lust, quhair ever he micht him find,
And he agane wes crabbit at the page.
Ane ladill full of Luif, stude him behind,
He swakit in his ene and maid him blind;
Sua fra that tyme furth he micht nocht se.
“Speik þow ane wourde, thy four feit sall I bind,
Syn swak the our the wallis in the se.”
150
Bissines, Newgate, Freschnes and syn Disport,
Fredome, Gentrice, Cuning and Fair Maner,
All thir wer lous daylie and ȝeid ouerthort,
To clois befoir the dungeoun windo neir,
Quhair wynnit fair dame Plesance, þat wes cleir;
Quhilk hes espyit richt weill þair gouernance,
And lauchan he, commandit tymes seir,
Thame to await vpone þair observance.
Fredome, Gentrice, Cuning and Fair Maner,
All thir wer lous daylie and ȝeid ouerthort,
To clois befoir the dungeoun windo neir,
Quhair wynnit fair dame Plesance, þat wes cleir;
Quhilk hes espyit richt weill þair gouernance,
And lauchan he, commandit tymes seir,
Thame to await vpone þair observance.
This lustie quene within hir dungeoun strong
Coud dysyde ay hir ladeis hir about,
And, as scho list, scho leirit þame to mang
That wald be in—all folk þat wer without.
For Hie Apport scho is hir capitane stout;
Bewtie hir baner beris hir beforne;
Dame Chaistetie hir chalmarere bot dout,
And Strangenes hir portare can weill scorne.
Coud dysyde ay hir ladeis hir about,
And, as scho list, scho leirit þame to mang
That wald be in—all folk þat wer without.
For Hie Apport scho is hir capitane stout;
Bewtie hir baner beris hir beforne;
Dame Chaistetie hir chalmarere bot dout,
And Strangenes hir portare can weill scorne.
Fayr Calling is grit garitour on hicht,
That watchis ay the wallis hie abone;
And Sweit Semblance is merschale in hir sicht;
As scho commandis, so swyth all is done.
Sa is þair nocht of mvsik nor of tvne
(The ladeis sweit, þai mak sic melodie)
Quhat wicht þat micht it heir suld iuge sone
To angell song and hewinlie armony.
That watchis ay the wallis hie abone;
And Sweit Semblance is merschale in hir sicht;
As scho commandis, so swyth all is done.
Sa is þair nocht of mvsik nor of tvne
(The ladeis sweit, þai mak sic melodie)
Quhat wicht þat micht it heir suld iuge sone
To angell song and hewinlie armony.
King Hart in till ane previe closet crappe,
Was neir the dungeoun wall neir by the ground.
Swas he micht heir and se—sic wes his happe—
The meikle mirth, þe melodie and sound,
Quhilk fra the wallis sweitlie can redound
In at his eir, and sink vnto his hart,
And þairin wirkis mony previe wound,
That dois oftsys him strang with stoundis smart.
Was neir the dungeoun wall neir by the ground.
Swas he micht heir and se—sic wes his happe—
The meikle mirth, þe melodie and sound,
Quhilk fra the wallis sweitlie can redound
In at his eir, and sink vnto his hart,
And þairin wirkis mony previe wound,
That dois oftsys him strang with stoundis smart.
151
Ay seik he is and ever he hes his heill,
In battale strang and hes both pece and rest;
The scharpe and als the soft can with him deill,
The sweit, the sour, both rewle and als vnrest.
Dame Danger hes of Dolour to him drest
Ane pallioun that na proudnes hes without,
With teiris weit ar rottin, may nocht lest,
Fast brikand by þe bordouris all aboute.
In battale strang and hes both pece and rest;
The scharpe and als the soft can with him deill,
The sweit, the sour, both rewle and als vnrest.
Dame Danger hes of Dolour to him drest
Ane pallioun that na proudnes hes without,
With teiris weit ar rottin, may nocht lest,
Fast brikand by þe bordouris all aboute.
Bot Ȝouthheid had him maid ane courtlie cote,
Als grene as gers, with goldin stremis bricht
Broudin about, fast bukkillit to his throte,
A wourthy weid, weill closand and full licht;
Ane wysar, þat wes payntit for the sicht
As ruby reid and pairt of quhyt amang.
Off coulouris micht þair nane be freschar dicht,
Bot Hevines had fassonit it all wrang.
Als grene as gers, with goldin stremis bricht
Broudin about, fast bukkillit to his throte,
A wourthy weid, weill closand and full licht;
Ane wysar, þat wes payntit for the sicht
As ruby reid and pairt of quhyt amang.
Off coulouris micht þair nane be freschar dicht,
Bot Hevines had fassonit it all wrang.
This wourthy king in presoun thus culd ly
With all his folk, and culd þair nane outbrek.
Full oft þai kan vpone dame Pietie cry,
“Fair thing, cum doun a quhyle and with ws speik.
Sum farar way ȝe micht ȝour harmes wreik
Than thus to murdour ws þat ȝoldin ar.
Wald ȝe ws rew, quhair euir we micht our-reik,
We suld men be to ȝow for euirmare.”
With all his folk, and culd þair nane outbrek.
Full oft þai kan vpone dame Pietie cry,
“Fair thing, cum doun a quhyle and with ws speik.
Sum farar way ȝe micht ȝour harmes wreik
Than thus to murdour ws þat ȝoldin ar.
Wald ȝe ws rew, quhair euir we micht our-reik,
We suld men be to ȝow for euirmare.”
That ansuerd Danger and said, “That wer grete doute,
A madin sweit amang sa mony men
To cum alane, bot folk war hir about.
That is ane craft my self culd never ken.”
With that scho ran vnto hir lady kene;
Kneland, “Madame,” scho said, “keip Pietie fast.
Syth scho ask, no licence to hir len.
May scho wyn out, scho will play ȝow a cast.”
A madin sweit amang sa mony men
To cum alane, bot folk war hir about.
That is ane craft my self culd never ken.”
With that scho ran vnto hir lady kene;
Kneland, “Madame,” scho said, “keip Pietie fast.
Syth scho ask, no licence to hir len.
May scho wyn out, scho will play ȝow a cast.”
154
The lustie quene scho sat in the mid the deis.
Befoir hir stude the nobill, worthy king.
Servit þai war of mony dyuers meis,
Full sawris, sweit, and swyth thai culd þame bring.
Thus thai maid ane mirrie merschelling.
Bewtie and Loue ane sait burde hes begoin.
In wirschip of that lustie feist so ding
Dame Plesance hes gart perce dame Venus' tun.
Befoir hir stude the nobill, worthy king.
Servit þai war of mony dyuers meis,
Full sawris, sweit, and swyth thai culd þame bring.
Thus thai maid ane mirrie merschelling.
Bewtie and Loue ane sait burde hes begoin.
In wirschip of that lustie feist so ding
Dame Plesance hes gart perce dame Venus' tun.
Quha is at eis quhen bayth ar now in blis,
Bot fresche king Hart that cleirlie is aboue,
And wantis nocht in warld þat he wald wis,
And traistis nocht that euir he sall remove.
Sewin ȝeir and moir schir Lyking and schir Loue
Off him þai haue the cure and gouernance,
Quhill at the last befell and sua behuif
Ane changeing new that grevit dame Plesance.
Bot fresche king Hart that cleirlie is aboue,
And wantis nocht in warld þat he wald wis,
And traistis nocht that euir he sall remove.
Sewin ȝeir and moir schir Lyking and schir Loue
Off him þai haue the cure and gouernance,
Quhill at the last befell and sua behuif
Ane changeing new that grevit dame Plesance.
A morrowingtyde, quhen at the sone so schene
Out raschit had his bemis frome the sky,
Ane auld, gudlie man befoir þe ȝet was sene,
Apone ane steid þat raid full easalie.
He rappit at the ȝet but courtaslie,
Ȝit at the straik the grit dungeoun can din.
Syn at the last he schowtit fellonlie,
And bad þame rys, and said he wald cum in.
Out raschit had his bemis frome the sky,
Ane auld, gudlie man befoir þe ȝet was sene,
Apone ane steid þat raid full easalie.
He rappit at the ȝet but courtaslie,
Ȝit at the straik the grit dungeoun can din.
Syn at the last he schowtit fellonlie,
And bad þame rys, and said he wald cum in.
Sone Wantownnes come to the wall abone,
And cryit our, “Quhat folk ar ȝe þairout?”
“My name is Age,” said he agane full sone.
“May thow nocht heir langar how I culd schout?”
“Quhat war ȝour will?” “I will cum in, but dout.”
“Now God forbid, in fayth, ȝe cum nocht heir.”
“Rin on thy way, or thow sall beir ane route,
And say the portar he is wonder sweir.”
And cryit our, “Quhat folk ar ȝe þairout?”
“My name is Age,” said he agane full sone.
“May thow nocht heir langar how I culd schout?”
“Quhat war ȝour will?” “I will cum in, but dout.”
“Now God forbid, in fayth, ȝe cum nocht heir.”
“Rin on thy way, or thow sall beir ane route,
And say the portar he is wonder sweir.”
155
Sone Wantownnes he went vnto the king,
And tald him all the cais, quhow þat it stude.
“That taill I traist be na leissing.
He wes to cum; þat wist I, be the rude.
It dois me noy, be God, in bone and blude,
That he suld cum sa sone. Quhat haist had he!”
The quene said, “To hald him out war gude.”
“That wald I fayne war doin, and it micht be.”
And tald him all the cais, quhow þat it stude.
“That taill I traist be na leissing.
He wes to cum; þat wist I, be the rude.
It dois me noy, be God, in bone and blude,
That he suld cum sa sone. Quhat haist had he!”
The quene said, “To hald him out war gude.”
“That wald I fayne war doin, and it micht be.”
Ȝouthheid vpstart and knelit befoir the king.
“Lord, with ȝour leif, I may na langar byd.
My warisoun—I wald þat with me bring—
Lord, pay to me and gif me leif to ryde;
For micht I langer resyde ȝow besyde,
Full fayne I wald, no war my felloun fa.
For dout of Age, schir king, ȝe latt me slyde,
For and I byde, in fayth, he will me sla.”
“Lord, with ȝour leif, I may na langar byd.
My warisoun—I wald þat with me bring—
Lord, pay to me and gif me leif to ryde;
For micht I langer resyde ȝow besyde,
Full fayne I wald, no war my felloun fa.
For dout of Age, schir king, ȝe latt me slyde,
For and I byde, in fayth, he will me sla.”
“Sen þow man pas, fair Ȝouthheid, way is me.
Thow wes my freynd and maid me gude seruice.
Fra thow be went, never so blyth to be
I mak ane vow, thocht þat it be nyce.
Off all blythnes thy bodie beiris the pryce.
To warisoun I gif þe, or thow ga,
This fresche visar, wes payntit at devyse.
My lust alway with the, se that thow ta.
Thow wes my freynd and maid me gude seruice.
Fra thow be went, never so blyth to be
I mak ane vow, thocht þat it be nyce.
Off all blythnes thy bodie beiris the pryce.
To warisoun I gif þe, or thow ga,
This fresche visar, wes payntit at devyse.
My lust alway with the, se that thow ta.
For saik of the I will no colour reid
Nor lusty quhyt vpone my bodie beir,
Bot blak and gray alway quhill I be deid.
I will none vther wantoun wedis weir.
Fayr weill, my freynd, thow did me never deir.
Vnwelcum Age, thow come agane my will.
I lat the wit, I micht þe weill forbeir.
Thy warisoun suld be small, but skill.”
Nor lusty quhyt vpone my bodie beir,
Bot blak and gray alway quhill I be deid.
I will none vther wantoun wedis weir.
Fayr weill, my freynd, thow did me never deir.
Vnwelcum Age, thow come agane my will.
I lat the wit, I micht þe weill forbeir.
Thy warisoun suld be small, but skill.”
156
Than Ȝouthheid said, “Disport and Wantounes,
My brether both, dispone ȝow with me ryde.”
Vpstart on fute lyflie Delyuernes,
Said, “Schirris, I pray ȝow, tak me for ȝour gyde.
Trow ȝe þat I sall ly heir in to hyde
This wourthy craft þat Nature me to gaif?
Na, na, this cowartnes sall nocht betyde.
Fair on! I salbe formest of the laif.”
My brether both, dispone ȝow with me ryde.”
Vpstart on fute lyflie Delyuernes,
Said, “Schirris, I pray ȝow, tak me for ȝour gyde.
Trow ȝe þat I sall ly heir in to hyde
This wourthy craft þat Nature me to gaif?
Na, na, this cowartnes sall nocht betyde.
Fair on! I salbe formest of the laif.”
Out at ane previe postrome all thai past,
And wald nocht byd all out to tak þair leif.
Than fresche Delyte come rynnand wonder fast,
And with ane pull gat Ȝouthheid be the sleif.
“Abyd, abyd, gud fallow, the nocht greif.
Len me thy cloke to gys me for ane quhyle.
Want I þat weid, in fayth, I will mischeif;
Bot I sall follow þe within ane myle.”
And wald nocht byd all out to tak þair leif.
Than fresche Delyte come rynnand wonder fast,
And with ane pull gat Ȝouthheid be the sleif.
“Abyd, abyd, gud fallow, the nocht greif.
Len me thy cloke to gys me for ane quhyle.
Want I þat weid, in fayth, I will mischeif;
Bot I sall follow þe within ane myle.”
Delyte come in, and all þat saw his bak,
Thay wenit it had bein Ȝouthheid bundin still.
Bot eftirwart, quhen þat thai with him spak,
Thay knew it wes ane feinȝe maid þame till.
Sone quhen he had disportit him his fill,
His courtlie cloke begouth to fayd of hew,
Thriftles, threidbair, and reddy for to spill,
Lyk failȝeit blak, quhilk wes befoir tyme blew.
Thay wenit it had bein Ȝouthheid bundin still.
Bot eftirwart, quhen þat thai with him spak,
Thay knew it wes ane feinȝe maid þame till.
Sone quhen he had disportit him his fill,
His courtlie cloke begouth to fayd of hew,
Thriftles, threidbair, and reddy for to spill,
Lyk failȝeit blak, quhilk wes befoir tyme blew.
Ȝit wald he nocht away alluterlie,
Bot of retinew feit he him as þan,
And or he wist he spendit spedellie
The flour of all the substance þat he wan.
So wourde he pure and powrit to the pane.
Ȝit Appetyt, his sone, he bad duell still.
Bot, wit ȝe weill, he wes ane sory man;
For falt of gude he wantit all his will.
Bot of retinew feit he him as þan,
And or he wist he spendit spedellie
The flour of all the substance þat he wan.
So wourde he pure and powrit to the pane.
Ȝit Appetyt, his sone, he bad duell still.
Bot, wit ȝe weill, he wes ane sory man;
For falt of gude he wantit all his will.
157
Be þat wes Age enterit, and ȝit first
His branchis braid out bayr at mony bore.
Vnwylkum was the cry quhen þat thai wist,
For followand him thair come fyve hundreth score
Off hairis þat king Hart had none befoir.
And quhen þat fayr dame Plesance had þame sene,
Scho grevit and scho angerit weill more.
Hir face scho wryit about for propir teyne.
His branchis braid out bayr at mony bore.
Vnwylkum was the cry quhen þat thai wist,
For followand him thair come fyve hundreth score
Off hairis þat king Hart had none befoir.
And quhen þat fayr dame Plesance had þame sene,
Scho grevit and scho angerit weill more.
Hir face scho wryit about for propir teyne.
Scantlie had Age restit him þair ane quhyle,
Quhen Conscience come cryand our the wall,
“How lang think ȝe to hald me in exile?
Now, on my saule, ȝe ar bot lurdanis all,
And sum of ȝow, be God, sall haue ane fall,
May I him meit fra presence of the king.
All fals tratouris I may ȝow full weill call,
That seruit weill be draw, both heid and hing.”
Quhen Conscience come cryand our the wall,
“How lang think ȝe to hald me in exile?
Now, on my saule, ȝe ar bot lurdanis all,
And sum of ȝow, be God, sall haue ane fall,
May I him meit fra presence of the king.
All fals tratouris I may ȝow full weill call,
That seruit weill be draw, both heid and hing.”
Fra Age harde þat Conscience was come-ing,
Full sone he rais belyve and leit him in.
Sadnes he had; ane cloik fra meture mvming
He had vpon, and wes of Ageis kin.
It war richt harde thay tua in sunder twin.
Thairfoir at his bak he ran anone.
In mid the clois, þair Conscience met with Syne,
Ane felloun rout he layde on his rig-bone.
Full sone he rais belyve and leit him in.
Sadnes he had; ane cloik fra meture mvming
He had vpon, and wes of Ageis kin.
It war richt harde thay tua in sunder twin.
Thairfoir at his bak he ran anone.
In mid the clois, þair Conscience met with Syne,
Ane felloun rout he layde on his rig-bone.
Conscience to Syn gave sic ane dunt,
Quhill to the erde he flaw and lay at vnder.
Ȝit Conscience his breist hurt with the dynt.
Bot Sadnes hes put this tua in sunder.
Folie and Vyce in to thair wit thay wounder,
Quhow sic ane maister man so sone suld rys,
In mid the clois, on luikand neir fyve hunder,
The kingis folk to ding and to suppryse.
Quhill to the erde he flaw and lay at vnder.
Ȝit Conscience his breist hurt with the dynt.
Bot Sadnes hes put this tua in sunder.
Folie and Vyce in to thair wit thay wounder,
Quhow sic ane maister man so sone suld rys,
In mid the clois, on luikand neir fyve hunder,
The kingis folk to ding and to suppryse.
158
Thai war adred and sone hes tane the flicht,
Syn in ane hirne to hyd sone can þame hy.
Than Conscience come to the kingis sicht.
Out at ane dore ran Falset and Inuy,
Gredie Desyr and gamsome Glutony,
Vant and Vanegloir, with new grene Appetyte.
For Conscience luikit sa fellonlie,
Thay ran away out of his presence quyte.
Syn in ane hirne to hyd sone can þame hy.
Than Conscience come to the kingis sicht.
Out at ane dore ran Falset and Inuy,
Gredie Desyr and gamsome Glutony,
Vant and Vanegloir, with new grene Appetyte.
For Conscience luikit sa fellonlie,
Thay ran away out of his presence quyte.
“God blis the, lord,” thus Conscience can say.
“This quhyle bygane thow has bene all to glaid.”
“Ȝa, Consience, and ȝit fayne wald I play,
Bot now my hart waxis wounder sad.”
“Thai haue bene wickit counsalouris thow had,
Wist thow the suth, as thow sall eftir heir;
For, wit thow weill, þair buirding wes bad.
The rute is bitter, scharp as ony breir.
“This quhyle bygane thow has bene all to glaid.”
“Ȝa, Consience, and ȝit fayne wald I play,
Bot now my hart waxis wounder sad.”
“Thai haue bene wickit counsalouris thow had,
Wist thow the suth, as thow sall eftir heir;
For, wit thow weill, þair buirding wes bad.
The rute is bitter, scharp as ony breir.
Thy tresour haue thay falsle fra the tane,
Thir wickit folk thow wenit had bene trew,
And stowin away fra the, ane and ane;
For think, thay never cum the for to glew.
Quhair is thy garment grene and gudlie hew?
And thy fresche face þat Ȝouthheid to the maid?
Thow bird think schame and of thy riot rew,
Saw þow thy self in to thy colour sad.
Thir wickit folk thow wenit had bene trew,
And stowin away fra the, ane and ane;
For think, thay never cum the for to glew.
Quhair is thy garment grene and gudlie hew?
And thy fresche face þat Ȝouthheid to the maid?
Thow bird think schame and of thy riot rew,
Saw þow thy self in to thy colour sad.
Now mervale nocht, suppois I with the chyde,
For, wit þow weill, my hart is wounder wa.
Ane vther day, quhen thow may na thing hyde,
I man accuse the as thy propir fa;
Off thy vane werk first witnes thow me ta,
Quhen all thy iolitie beis iustifeit.
It grevis me þat thow suld graceles ga,
To waist thy weilfair and thy welth so wyde.”
For, wit þow weill, my hart is wounder wa.
Ane vther day, quhen thow may na thing hyde,
I man accuse the as thy propir fa;
Off thy vane werk first witnes thow me ta,
Quhen all thy iolitie beis iustifeit.
It grevis me þat thow suld graceles ga,
To waist thy weilfair and thy welth so wyde.”
159
As Conscience wes chydand thus on hicht,
Reassoun and Wit richt at the ȝet thay rang;
With rappis lowd, for it drew neir the nicht,
Bad lat thame in, for thai had standing lang.
Said Conscience, “In gude fayth, this is wrang.
Gif me the key, I sall be portar now.”
So come thai in; ilkane throw-vþer thrang.
Syn, with ane wisk almost, I wait nocht how,
Reassoun and Wit richt at the ȝet thay rang;
With rappis lowd, for it drew neir the nicht,
Bad lat thame in, for thai had standing lang.
Said Conscience, “In gude fayth, this is wrang.
Gif me the key, I sall be portar now.”
So come thai in; ilkane throw-vþer thrang.
Syn, with ane wisk almost, I wait nocht how,
Ressoun ran on quhair at Discretioun lay,
In to ane nuke quhair na man culd him find,
And with his kniyf he schure the flesche away
That bred vpone his ene and maid him blind.
Syn gaif he him the thuide ewin behind.
“Now may þow se. Get vp, no langar ly,
And scouner nocht to ryd in rane and wynd.
Quhair euir I be, se þat thow be neir by.”
In to ane nuke quhair na man culd him find,
And with his kniyf he schure the flesche away
That bred vpone his ene and maid him blind.
Syn gaif he him the thuide ewin behind.
“Now may þow se. Get vp, no langar ly,
And scouner nocht to ryd in rane and wynd.
Quhair euir I be, se þat thow be neir by.”
The king begouth to speik vpone this wyse:
“Fayr Conscience, ȝe ar to crabbit now,
Ȝour souerane and ȝour lord for to suppryse.
Thair is no man of gude will ȝow allow.
Quhat haue I done, þat thus hes crabbit ȝow?
I followit counsale alway for the best,
And gif thai war vntrew, I dar avow,
Natur did mis, sic folk apone me cast.
“Fayr Conscience, ȝe ar to crabbit now,
Ȝour souerane and ȝour lord for to suppryse.
Thair is no man of gude will ȝow allow.
Quhat haue I done, þat thus hes crabbit ȝow?
I followit counsale alway for the best,
And gif thai war vntrew, I dar avow,
Natur did mis, sic folk apone me cast.
Nature me bred, ane beist in to my nest,
And gaif to me Ȝouthheid, first seruitour,
That I no fut micht find, be eist nor west,
Bot euir in warde, in tutourschip and cure.
And Wantownnes, quha wes to me more sure?
Sic Nature to me brocht and first devysit,
Me for to keip fra all misaventure.
Quhat blame serve I, thus way to be supprysit?
And gaif to me Ȝouthheid, first seruitour,
That I no fut micht find, be eist nor west,
Bot euir in warde, in tutourschip and cure.
And Wantownnes, quha wes to me more sure?
Sic Nature to me brocht and first devysit,
Me for to keip fra all misaventure.
Quhat blame serve I, thus way to be supprysit?
160
Ȝe did greit mis, fayr Conscience, be ȝour leif,
Gif þat ȝe war of kyn and blude to me,
That sleuthfullie suld lat ȝour tyme oursleif,
And cum this lait. How suld ȝe ask ȝour fee?
The steid is stollin. Steik the dure! Lat se,
Quhat may avale. God wait, the stall is tume.
And gif ȝe be ane counsalour sle,
Quhy suld ȝe sleuthfullie ȝour tyme forsume?
Gif þat ȝe war of kyn and blude to me,
That sleuthfullie suld lat ȝour tyme oursleif,
And cum this lait. How suld ȝe ask ȝour fee?
The steid is stollin. Steik the dure! Lat se,
Quhat may avale. God wait, the stall is tume.
And gif ȝe be ane counsalour sle,
Quhy suld ȝe sleuthfullie ȝour tyme forsume?
Off my harme and drerie indigence,
Gif þair be ocht amys, me think, parde,
That ȝe ar caus verray of my offence,
And suld sustene þe bettir part for me.
Mak answer now. Quhat can ȝe say? Lat se.
Ȝour self excuse and mak ȝow foule or clene.
Ressoun, cum heir. Ȝe sall our iuge be,
And in this caus gif sentence ws betwene.”
Gif þair be ocht amys, me think, parde,
That ȝe ar caus verray of my offence,
And suld sustene þe bettir part for me.
Mak answer now. Quhat can ȝe say? Lat se.
Ȝour self excuse and mak ȝow foule or clene.
Ressoun, cum heir. Ȝe sall our iuge be,
And in this caus gif sentence ws betwene.”
“Schir, be ȝour leif, in to my propir caus
Suppois I speik, ȝe suld nocht be displesit,”
Said Conscience. “This is ane villaneis caus,
Gif I suld be the caus ȝe ar disesit.
Na, Ȝoung Counsale in ȝow sa lang wes seasit,
That hes ȝour tressour and ȝour gude distroyit.
Richt fayne wald I with mirrour it war mesit,
For of ȝour harme, God wait gif I be noyit.
Suppois I speik, ȝe suld nocht be displesit,”
Said Conscience. “This is ane villaneis caus,
Gif I suld be the caus ȝe ar disesit.
Na, Ȝoung Counsale in ȝow sa lang wes seasit,
That hes ȝour tressour and ȝour gude distroyit.
Richt fayne wald I with mirrour it war mesit,
For of ȝour harme, God wait gif I be noyit.
Ȝe put grit wyt þat I so lang abaid,
Gif þat I culd with counsale ȝow avale.
Schir, traist weill ane verrie caus I had,
Or ellis war no ressoun in my taile.
My terme wes set by ordour naturall;
To quhat work, alway I most obey.
No dar I nocht be noway mak travale,
Bot quhair I se my maister get a swy.
Gif þat I culd with counsale ȝow avale.
Schir, traist weill ane verrie caus I had,
Or ellis war no ressoun in my taile.
My terme wes set by ordour naturall;
To quhat work, alway I most obey.
No dar I nocht be noway mak travale,
Bot quhair I se my maister get a swy.
161
For stand he on his feit and stakkir nocht,
Thir hundreth ȝeir sall cum in to his hald;
Bot nevirtheles, schir, all thing ȝe haue wrocht,
With help of Wisdome and his willis wald,
I sall reforme ȝow it blythlie, be ȝe bald,
And Ȝouthheid sall haue wit of ȝour misdeid.
Thairfoir requyr ȝe Ressoun monyfald
That he his rollis raithlie to ȝow reid.”
Thir hundreth ȝeir sall cum in to his hald;
Bot nevirtheles, schir, all thing ȝe haue wrocht,
With help of Wisdome and his willis wald,
I sall reforme ȝow it blythlie, be ȝe bald,
And Ȝouthheid sall haue wit of ȝour misdeid.
Thairfoir requyr ȝe Ressoun monyfald
That he his rollis raithlie to ȝow reid.”
Ressoun rais vp and on his rollis he brocht.
“Gif I sall say, the sentence sall be plane:
Do never the thing þat ever may scayth the ocht.
Keip mesour and treuth for þairin lyis na trayne.
Discretioun suld ay with king Hart remane;
Thir vthir ȝoung folk seruandis ar bot fulis.
Experience mais knawlege new agane,
And barnis ȝoung suld lerne at auld mennis sculis.
“Gif I sall say, the sentence sall be plane:
Do never the thing þat ever may scayth the ocht.
Keip mesour and treuth for þairin lyis na trayne.
Discretioun suld ay with king Hart remane;
Thir vthir ȝoung folk seruandis ar bot fulis.
Experience mais knawlege new agane,
And barnis ȝoung suld lerne at auld mennis sculis.
Quha gustis sweit and feld nevir of the sowre,
Quhat can he say? How may he seasoun iuge?
Quha sittis hate and feld nevir cauld ane hour,
Quhat wedder is þairout, vnder the luge,
How suld he wit? That war ane mervale huge!
To by richt blew þat nevir ane hew had sein,
And servand be þat nevir had sein ane fuge,
Suppois it ryme, it accordis nocht all clene.
Quhat can he say? How may he seasoun iuge?
Quha sittis hate and feld nevir cauld ane hour,
Quhat wedder is þairout, vnder the luge,
How suld he wit? That war ane mervale huge!
To by richt blew þat nevir ane hew had sein,
And servand be þat nevir had sein ane fuge,
Suppois it ryme, it accordis nocht all clene.
To wis the richt and to disvse the wrang:
That is my scule to all þat list to leyr.
Bot, Wisdome, gif ȝe suld duell vs amang,
Me think ȝe duell our lang. Put doun ȝour speir.
Ȝe micht weill mak ane end of all this weir,
Wald ȝe furthschaw ȝour wourthy document.
For is þair none þat can forbeyr
The work of vice withoutin ȝour assent.”
That is my scule to all þat list to leyr.
Bot, Wisdome, gif ȝe suld duell vs amang,
Me think ȝe duell our lang. Put doun ȝour speir.
Ȝe micht weill mak ane end of all this weir,
Wald ȝe furthschaw ȝour wourthy document.
For is þair none þat can forbeyr
The work of vice withoutin ȝour assent.”
162
Wit said, “Schir king, be war or ȝe be way,
For Foirsicht hes full lang bein flemit,
Vnto knaw thy freynd for-be thy fa.
Gif thow will haue thy cuntre all weill ȝemit,
And be thow weill to hald the so it semit
[OMITTED]
Eftir thy deith thy deidis mon be demit,
Be thy desert, outher to baill or blis.”
For Foirsicht hes full lang bein flemit,
Vnto knaw thy freynd for-be thy fa.
Gif thow will haue thy cuntre all weill ȝemit,
And be thow weill to hald the so it semit
[OMITTED]
Eftir thy deith thy deidis mon be demit,
Be thy desert, outher to baill or blis.”
Honour he raid the castell round about,
Vpon ane steid þat wes als quhyt as milk.
“Is Eis thairin?” cryit he, with ane schout.
Dame Plesance spak; hir face hid with ane silk.
“He is ane gouernour of ouris, þat ilk.”
Wit said, “Cum in, full welcum to thir wanis!”
“I compt nocht all ȝour werkis wirth ane wilk.
Ȝe sall nocht herbrie me and Eis at anis.”
Vpon ane steid þat wes als quhyt as milk.
“Is Eis thairin?” cryit he, with ane schout.
Dame Plesance spak; hir face hid with ane silk.
“He is ane gouernour of ouris, þat ilk.”
Wit said, “Cum in, full welcum to thir wanis!”
“I compt nocht all ȝour werkis wirth ane wilk.
Ȝe sall nocht herbrie me and Eis at anis.”
Wirschip of Weir come on the tother syde,
Vpon ane steid rampand, wes reid as blude.
He cryit on Strenth, “Cum out, man, be my gyde!
I can nocht ryde out our this water woude.”
Dame Plesance harde, and on hir wayis scho ȝuid
Richt to the king, and bad him Strenth arreist.
“I wald nocht, schir, for mekle warldlie gude,
Want Strenth ane hour quhen euir we go to feist.
Vpon ane steid rampand, wes reid as blude.
He cryit on Strenth, “Cum out, man, be my gyde!
I can nocht ryde out our this water woude.”
Dame Plesance harde, and on hir wayis scho ȝuid
Richt to the king, and bad him Strenth arreist.
“I wald nocht, schir, for mekle warldlie gude,
Want Strenth ane hour quhen euir we go to feist.
In all disport he may ws gritlie vaill.
Gif him na leif, bot hald him quhill ȝe may.”
The king full weill had harde dame Plesance' taill,
And Strenth he hes arreistit be the way.
“Abyde,” he said, “we sall ane vther day
Seik Wirschip at our will and ws avance.
I dreid me sair, schir Strenth, of þat delay,
For armes hes both happie tyme and chance.”
Gif him na leif, bot hald him quhill ȝe may.”
The king full weill had harde dame Plesance' taill,
And Strenth he hes arreistit be the way.
“Abyde,” he said, “we sall ane vther day
Seik Wirschip at our will and ws avance.
I dreid me sair, schir Strenth, of þat delay,
For armes hes both happie tyme and chance.”
163
Strenth said, “Now I am grene and in my flouris,
Fayne wald I follow Wirschip, and I micht,
For gif I byde, in fayth, the falt is ȝouris.
I man obey to ȝow, sen þat is richt.
Now se I weill dame Plesance hes grit slicht,
And fy on Eis, þat haldis Honour out.
He is the man, micht bring ws all to hicht.
Lo, quhair he rydis bakwart with his route!”
Fayne wald I follow Wirschip, and I micht,
For gif I byde, in fayth, the falt is ȝouris.
I man obey to ȝow, sen þat is richt.
Now se I weill dame Plesance hes grit slicht,
And fy on Eis, þat haldis Honour out.
He is the man, micht bring ws all to hicht.
Lo, quhair he rydis bakwart with his route!”
With this Bewtie come in the kingis sicht.
Full reverendlie scho knelit in his presence.
“Dame Plesance sayis, schir, þat ȝe do vnricht,
Durst I it say vnto ȝour hie reuerence.
Ȝe haue displesit hir hie magnificence,
That suld lat Conscience in hir castell cum.
He is hir fo and dois hir grit offence,
And ofttymes can hir seruitouris ouercome.”
Full reverendlie scho knelit in his presence.
“Dame Plesance sayis, schir, þat ȝe do vnricht,
Durst I it say vnto ȝour hie reuerence.
Ȝe haue displesit hir hie magnificence,
That suld lat Conscience in hir castell cum.
He is hir fo and dois hir grit offence,
And ofttymes can hir seruitouris ouercome.”
Thairwith the king vpstart and turnit abak
On Conscience and all his court in feir,
And to the quene the richt way can he tak;
Full suddanlie in armis hint the cleir.
Scho wryit about; to kys scho wes full sweir.
Than he agane full fayrlie to hir spak:
“No, be no wraith with me, my lady deir,
For as I may I sall ȝow mirrie mak.
On Conscience and all his court in feir,
And to the quene the richt way can he tak;
Full suddanlie in armis hint the cleir.
Scho wryit about; to kys scho wes full sweir.
Than he agane full fayrlie to hir spak:
“No, be no wraith with me, my lady deir,
For as I may I sall ȝow mirrie mak.
Thocht Conscience and Wisdome me to keip
Be cunning both, I sall thame weill begyle.
For trewlie, quhen thai ar gone to sleip,
I salbe heir within ane bony quhyle.
My solace sall I sleylies thus our-syle.
Richt sall nocht rest me alway with his rewle.
Thocht I be quhylum bowsum as ane waile,
I salbe cruikit quhill I mak rewle.”
Be cunning both, I sall thame weill begyle.
For trewlie, quhen thai ar gone to sleip,
I salbe heir within ane bony quhyle.
My solace sall I sleylies thus our-syle.
Richt sall nocht rest me alway with his rewle.
Thocht I be quhylum bowsum as ane waile,
I salbe cruikit quhill I mak rewle.”
164
Dame Plesance said, “My freyndis now ar flede,
The lusty folk þat ȝe furth with ȝow brocht.
Methink thir carlis ar nocht courtlie clede.
Quhat ioy haue I of þame? I compt thame nocht.
Ȝouthheid and fresche Delyte, micht thai be brocht,
For with thair seruice I am richt weill kend.
Fayne wald I that ȝe send men and þame socht,
All thocht it war vnto the warldis ende.”
The lusty folk þat ȝe furth with ȝow brocht.
Methink thir carlis ar nocht courtlie clede.
Quhat ioy haue I of þame? I compt thame nocht.
Ȝouthheid and fresche Delyte, micht thai be brocht,
For with thair seruice I am richt weill kend.
Fayne wald I that ȝe send men and þame socht,
All thocht it war vnto the warldis ende.”
The quene wourde wrayth; the king wes sore addrede,
For hir disdane he culd nocht gudlie beir.
Thai sowpit sone and syn thai bownit to bede.
Sadnes come in and rownit in his eir.
Dame Plesance hes perceauit hir new feyr,
And airlie, affoir the sone, scho gan to ryse
Out of the bed, and turst vp all hir geir.
The king wes sound on sleip and still he lyis.
For hir disdane he culd nocht gudlie beir.
Thai sowpit sone and syn thai bownit to bede.
Sadnes come in and rownit in his eir.
Dame Plesance hes perceauit hir new feyr,
And airlie, affoir the sone, scho gan to ryse
Out of the bed, and turst vp all hir geir.
The king wes sound on sleip and still he lyis.
Hors and harnes hint scho hes in haist.
With all hir folk scho can hir wayis fayr.
Be this it wes full neir myd day almaist.
Than come Diseis, in rydand with ane rair,
“The quene is went, allace, I wait nocht quhair!”
The king began to walk, and harde the beir.
Than Ielosie come strekand vp the stair
To serve the king, and drew him wounder neir.
With all hir folk scho can hir wayis fayr.
Be this it wes full neir myd day almaist.
Than come Diseis, in rydand with ane rair,
“The quene is went, allace, I wait nocht quhair!”
The king began to walk, and harde the beir.
Than Ielosie come strekand vp the stair
To serve the king, and drew him wounder neir.
Ressoun come: “Schir king, I reid ȝe ryse.
Thair is ane grit pairt of this fayr day run.
The sone was at the hicht, and dounwarde hyis.
Quhair is the thesaure now þat ȝe haue woun?
This drink wes sweit, ȝe fand in Venus' tun:
Sone eftir this it salbe staill and soure.
Thairfoir of it I reid no moir ȝe cun.
Lat it ly still and pleis ȝour paramour.”
Thair is ane grit pairt of this fayr day run.
The sone was at the hicht, and dounwarde hyis.
Quhair is the thesaure now þat ȝe haue woun?
This drink wes sweit, ȝe fand in Venus' tun:
Sone eftir this it salbe staill and soure.
Thairfoir of it I reid no moir ȝe cun.
Lat it ly still and pleis ȝour paramour.”
165
Than Wisdome sayis, “Schape for sum governance,
Sen fayr dame Plesance on hir wayis ar went.
In ȝour last dayis ȝe may ȝour self avance.
Gif þat ȝe wourde of thesaure indigent,
Go to ȝour place and ȝow þairin present.
The castell ȝet is strang aneuche to hald.”
Than Sadnes said, “Schir king, ȝe man assent.
Quhat haue ȝe now ado in this waist fald?”
Sen fayr dame Plesance on hir wayis ar went.
In ȝour last dayis ȝe may ȝour self avance.
Gif þat ȝe wourde of thesaure indigent,
Go to ȝour place and ȝow þairin present.
The castell ȝet is strang aneuche to hald.”
Than Sadnes said, “Schir king, ȝe man assent.
Quhat haue ȝe now ado in this waist fald?”
The king hes harde thair counsale at the last,
And halelie assentit to thair saw.
“Mak reddie sone,” he sayis, “and speid ȝow fast.”
Full suddanlie thai can the clarioun blaw.
On hors thai lap and raid on, all on raw,
To his awin castell, thairin he wes brede.
Langour, the watche, attour the kirnale flaw,
And Hevines to the grit dungeoun flede.
And halelie assentit to thair saw.
“Mak reddie sone,” he sayis, “and speid ȝow fast.”
Full suddanlie thai can the clarioun blaw.
On hors thai lap and raid on, all on raw,
To his awin castell, thairin he wes brede.
Langour, the watche, attour the kirnale flaw,
And Hevines to the grit dungeoun flede.
He cryit, “Schir king, welcome to thy awin place!
I haue it keipit trewlie, sen thow past.
Bot I haue meikill mervale of thy face,
That changeit is lyk ane winter blast.”
“Ȝe, Havines,” þe king said at the last,
“Now haue I this with fer mo harmes hint,
Quhilk grevis me quhen I my comptis kast,
How I fresche Ȝouthheid and his fallowis tynt.”
I haue it keipit trewlie, sen thow past.
Bot I haue meikill mervale of thy face,
That changeit is lyk ane winter blast.”
“Ȝe, Havines,” þe king said at the last,
“Now haue I this with fer mo harmes hint,
Quhilk grevis me quhen I my comptis kast,
How I fresche Ȝouthheid and his fallowis tynt.”
Strenth wes as than fast fadit of his flouris,
Bot still ȝit with the king he can abyde,
Quhill at the last in the hochis he cowris;
Than prevelie out at the ȝet can slyde.
He stall away and went on wayis wyde,
And socht quhair Ȝouthheid and his feiris wound.
Full suddanlie, suppois he had na gyde,
Behind ane hill he hes his feiris funde.
Bot still ȝit with the king he can abyde,
Quhill at the last in the hochis he cowris;
Than prevelie out at the ȝet can slyde.
He stall away and went on wayis wyde,
And socht quhair Ȝouthheid and his feiris wound.
Full suddanlie, suppois he had na gyde,
Behind ane hill he hes his feiris funde.
166
Swa on ane day þe dayis watchis tua
Come and said thai saw ane felloun mist.
“Ȝa,” said Wisdome, “I wist it wald be wa.
That is ane sing befoir ane hevie trist.
That is parell to cum, quha it wist,
For on sum syd þair sall ws folk assaill.”
The king sat still. To travaill he nocht list,
And herknit Syn ane quhyle to wit his taill.
Come and said thai saw ane felloun mist.
“Ȝa,” said Wisdome, “I wist it wald be wa.
That is ane sing befoir ane hevie trist.
That is parell to cum, quha it wist,
For on sum syd þair sall ws folk assaill.”
The king sat still. To travaill he nocht list,
And herknit Syn ane quhyle to wit his taill.
Desyre wes dalie at the chalmer dure,
And Ielousie wes never of his presence.
Ire kepit ay the ȝet with meikle cure,
And Wretchitnes wes hyde in to the spence.
Sic folk as thir he had to mak defence,
With all thair familie fullie hundrethis fyve.
Schir Eis he was the gritest of reuerence,
Best lovit with the king of leid on lyve.
And Ielousie wes never of his presence.
Ire kepit ay the ȝet with meikle cure,
And Wretchitnes wes hyde in to the spence.
Sic folk as thir he had to mak defence,
With all thair familie fullie hundrethis fyve.
Schir Eis he was the gritest of reuerence,
Best lovit with the king of leid on lyve.
To the ȝet come rydand on ane day
Wirschip of Weir, quhilk sawis honouris hie.
“Go to the king,” with sture voce can he say.
“Speir gif ony office he hes for me,
For and him list I will him serve for fee.”
Wysdome come to the wall, cryand our agane,
“Man, seik thy fortoun with Aduersitie!
It is nocht heir sic thing as the suld gane.
Wirschip of Weir, quhilk sawis honouris hie.
“Go to the king,” with sture voce can he say.
“Speir gif ony office he hes for me,
For and him list I will him serve for fee.”
Wysdome come to the wall, cryand our agane,
“Man, seik thy fortoun with Aduersitie!
It is nocht heir sic thing as the suld gane.
Strenth is away outstolling lyk ane theif,
Quhilk keipit ay the thesaure of estait.
Thair is na man suld cheris the sa leif.
Thir vther folk of Wirschip ar full blait.”
Wirschip of Weir agane with Wisdome flate:
“Quhy wald ȝe nocht me se quhen Strenth ȝe hade?”
Thairwith come Eis, sad, “I sit warme and hait,
Quhen þai þairout salbe with stouris stade.”
Quhilk keipit ay the thesaure of estait.
Thair is na man suld cheris the sa leif.
Thir vther folk of Wirschip ar full blait.”
Wirschip of Weir agane with Wisdome flate:
“Quhy wald ȝe nocht me se quhen Strenth ȝe hade?”
Thairwith come Eis, sad, “I sit warme and hait,
Quhen þai þairout salbe with stouris stade.”
167
Wirschip sayis, “Ware, I wait, ȝe haue at hand,
Quhilk sall assailȝe ȝour wallis hie and strong.”
Than Wisdome said, “Dame Plesance, sweit sembland,
In ȝouthheid wald nocht thole ws wirschip fang.”
“Adew, fayrweill!” Wirschip sayis, “now I gang
To seik my craft vnto the warldis ende.”
Wisdome sayis, “Tak ȝow diseis amang,
And wait on me als quhylum quhair ȝe wend.
Quhilk sall assailȝe ȝour wallis hie and strong.”
Than Wisdome said, “Dame Plesance, sweit sembland,
In ȝouthheid wald nocht thole ws wirschip fang.”
“Adew, fayrweill!” Wirschip sayis, “now I gang
To seik my craft vnto the warldis ende.”
Wisdome sayis, “Tak ȝow diseis amang,
And wait on me als quhylum quhair ȝe wend.
For do ȝe nocht, ȝe may nocht weill escheif.”
“Quhat is ȝour name?” “Wisdome, forsuyth, I hecht.”
“All wrang, God wait, ofttymes, schir, be ȝour leif,
Myn aventure will schape out of ȝour sicht.
Bot nevirtheles may fall þat ȝe haue richt.
Rent haue I none outtak fortune and chance,
That man I ay persew, both day and nicht.
Eis I defy, so hingis in his ballance.”
“Quhat is ȝour name?” “Wisdome, forsuyth, I hecht.”
“All wrang, God wait, ofttymes, schir, be ȝour leif,
Myn aventure will schape out of ȝour sicht.
Bot nevirtheles may fall þat ȝe haue richt.
Rent haue I none outtak fortune and chance,
That man I ay persew, both day and nicht.
Eis I defy, so hingis in his ballance.”
Richt as thir two ware talkand in feir,
Ane hiddous ost thai saw come our the mvre.
Decrepitus—his baner schane nocht cleir—
Was at the hand, with mony chiftanis sture.
A crudge bak þat cairfull cative bure,
And cruikit was his lathlie lymmis bayth;
But smirk or smyle, bot rather for to smvre;
But scoup or skift, his craft is all to scayth.
Ane hiddous ost thai saw come our the mvre.
Decrepitus—his baner schane nocht cleir—
Was at the hand, with mony chiftanis sture.
A crudge bak þat cairfull cative bure,
And cruikit was his lathlie lymmis bayth;
But smirk or smyle, bot rather for to smvre;
But scoup or skift, his craft is all to scayth.
Within ane quhyle the castell all about
He seigit fast with mony sow and gyne,
And thai within gaif mony hiddowus schout,
For þai war wonder wa king Hart to tyne.
The grundin ganȝeis and grit gunnis syne
Thai schut without, within thai stonis cast.
King Hart sayis, “Had the hous, for it is myne.
Gif it nocht our, als lang as we may lest.”
He seigit fast with mony sow and gyne,
And thai within gaif mony hiddowus schout,
For þai war wonder wa king Hart to tyne.
The grundin ganȝeis and grit gunnis syne
Thai schut without, within thai stonis cast.
King Hart sayis, “Had the hous, for it is myne.
Gif it nocht our, als lang as we may lest.”
168
Thus thai within had maid full grete defence,
Ay quhill thai micht þe wallis haue ȝemit,
Quhill at the last thai wantit þame dispence,
Ewill purvayit folk for weir, and sa weill stemit.
Thair tunnis and thair tubbis war all temit,
And failȝet was the flesche þat wes þair fude,
And at the last Wisdome the best hes demit
[OMITTED]
Ay quhill thai micht þe wallis haue ȝemit,
Quhill at the last thai wantit þame dispence,
Ewill purvayit folk for weir, and sa weill stemit.
Thair tunnis and thair tubbis war all temit,
And failȝet was the flesche þat wes þair fude,
And at the last Wisdome the best hes demit
[OMITTED]
“And he be tynt, in parell put we all.
Thairfoir had wait, and lat him nocht away.”
Be this thai harde þe meikle fore-tour fall,
Quhilk maid þame in the dungeon to effray.
Than rais þair meikle dirdum and deray.
The barmekin birst, thai enterit in at large.
Heidwerk, Hoist and Parlasy maid grit pay,
And Murmouris mo with mony speir and targe.
Thairfoir had wait, and lat him nocht away.”
Be this thai harde þe meikle fore-tour fall,
Quhilk maid þame in the dungeon to effray.
Than rais þair meikle dirdum and deray.
The barmekin birst, thai enterit in at large.
Heidwerk, Hoist and Parlasy maid grit pay,
And Murmouris mo with mony speir and targe.
Quhen þat thay saw na bute wes to defend,
Than in thay leit Decripitus full tyte.
He socht king Hart, for he full weill him kend,
And with ane swerde he can him smertlie smyte
His bak in twa, richt pertlie, for dispyte,
And with the brand brak he both his schinnis.
He gaif ane cry, than Comfort fled out quyte;
And thus this bailfull bargane he begynnis.
Than in thay leit Decripitus full tyte.
He socht king Hart, for he full weill him kend,
And with ane swerde he can him smertlie smyte
His bak in twa, richt pertlie, for dispyte,
And with the brand brak he both his schinnis.
He gaif ane cry, than Comfort fled out quyte;
And thus this bailfull bargane he begynnis.
Ressoun forfochtin wes and ewill drest,
And Wisdome wes ay wanderand to the dure.
Conscience lay doun ane quhyle to rest,
Becaus he saw the king wourd waik and pure;
For so in dule he micht no langar dure.
“Go, send for Deid!” thus said he verament,
“Ȝit, for I will dispone of my thesaure,
Vpon this wyse mak I my testament:
And Wisdome wes ay wanderand to the dure.
Conscience lay doun ane quhyle to rest,
Becaus he saw the king wourd waik and pure;
For so in dule he micht no langar dure.
“Go, send for Deid!” thus said he verament,
“Ȝit, for I will dispone of my thesaure,
Vpon this wyse mak I my testament:
169
To fayr dame Plesance, ay quhen sche list ryde,
My prowde palfray, Vnsteidfastnes, I leif,
With Fikkilnes, hir sadill set on syde.
Thus aucht þair none of reassoun hir to reve.
To fresche Bewtie, becaus I culd hir heve,
Grein Appetyte hir servand for to be,
To crak and cry alway quhill he hir deve,
That I command him straitlie, quhill he de.
My prowde palfray, Vnsteidfastnes, I leif,
With Fikkilnes, hir sadill set on syde.
Thus aucht þair none of reassoun hir to reve.
To fresche Bewtie, becaus I culd hir heve,
Grein Appetyte hir servand for to be,
To crak and cry alway quhill he hir deve,
That I command him straitlie, quhill he de.
Grein Lust, I leif to the, at my last ende,
Of Fantisie ane fostell fillit fow.
Ȝouthheid, becaus þat thow my barneheid kend,
To Wantounnes ay will I þat thow bow.
To Gluttony, þat oft maid me our fow,
This meikle wambe, this rottin levir als,
Se þat ȝe beir, and þat command I ȝow,
And smertlie hing both abone his hals.
Of Fantisie ane fostell fillit fow.
Ȝouthheid, becaus þat thow my barneheid kend,
To Wantounnes ay will I þat thow bow.
To Gluttony, þat oft maid me our fow,
This meikle wambe, this rottin levir als,
Se þat ȝe beir, and þat command I ȝow,
And smertlie hing both abone his hals.
To Rere Supper, be he amang þat route,
Ȝe me commend—he is ane fallow fyne.
This rottin stomak, þat I beir aboute,
Ȝe rug it out and reik it to him syne,
For he hes hinderit me of mony dyne,
And mony tyme the mes hes gart me sleip.
Myn wittis hes he waistit oft with wyne,
And maid my stomak with hait lustis leip.
Ȝe me commend—he is ane fallow fyne.
This rottin stomak, þat I beir aboute,
Ȝe rug it out and reik it to him syne,
For he hes hinderit me of mony dyne,
And mony tyme the mes hes gart me sleip.
Myn wittis hes he waistit oft with wyne,
And maid my stomak with hait lustis leip.
Deliuerance hes oft tymes done me gude,
Quhen I wes ȝoung and stede in tendir age.
He gart me ryn full rakles, be the rude,
At ball and boull. Thairfoir greit weill þat paige.
This brokin schyn, þat swellis and will nocht swage,
Ȝe beir to him—he brak it at the ball—
And say to him þat it salbe his wage.
This breissit arme ȝe beir to him at all.
Quhen I wes ȝoung and stede in tendir age.
He gart me ryn full rakles, be the rude,
At ball and boull. Thairfoir greit weill þat paige.
This brokin schyn, þat swellis and will nocht swage,
Ȝe beir to him—he brak it at the ball—
And say to him þat it salbe his wage.
This breissit arme ȝe beir to him at all.
170
To Chaistite, þat selie innocent,
Heir leif I now my Conscience, for to scour
Off all the wickit roust þat throw it went,
Quhen scho for me the teiris doun culd powre,
That fayr, sweit thing, bening in everie bour,
That never wist of vyce nor violence,
Bot euirmore is mareit with Mesour,
And clene of Lustis curst experience.
Heir leif I now my Conscience, for to scour
Off all the wickit roust þat throw it went,
Quhen scho for me the teiris doun culd powre,
That fayr, sweit thing, bening in everie bour,
That never wist of vyce nor violence,
Bot euirmore is mareit with Mesour,
And clene of Lustis curst experience.
To Fredome sall ȝe found and fairlie beir
This threidbair cloik, sumtyme wes thik of wow,
And bid for my saik that he it weir,
Quhen he hes spendit of þat he hes now.
Ay, quhen his purs of penneis is nocht fow,
Quhair is his fredome than? Full far to seik!
A, ȝon is he, wes quhylum till allow.
Quhat is he now? No fallow wourth ane leik!
This threidbair cloik, sumtyme wes thik of wow,
And bid for my saik that he it weir,
Quhen he hes spendit of þat he hes now.
Ay, quhen his purs of penneis is nocht fow,
Quhair is his fredome than? Full far to seik!
A, ȝon is he, wes quhylum till allow.
Quhat is he now? No fallow wourth ane leik!
To Waist-gude luk, and beir Neid, þat I lefe.
To Covatice syn gif this bleis of fyre.
To Vant and Voky ȝe beir this rowm slef.
Bid þame þairin þat thai tak þair hyre.
To Bissines, þat nevir wes wont to tyre,
Beir him this stule and bid him now sit doun,
For he hes left his maister in the myre,
And wald nocht draw him out thocht he suld droun.
To Covatice syn gif this bleis of fyre.
To Vant and Voky ȝe beir this rowm slef.
Bid þame þairin þat thai tak þair hyre.
To Bissines, þat nevir wes wont to tyre,
Beir him this stule and bid him now sit doun,
For he hes left his maister in the myre,
And wald nocht draw him out thocht he suld droun.
Fule-hardines, beir him this brokin brow,
And bid him bawldlie bind it with ane clout;
For he hes gottin morsellis on the mow,
And brocht his maister oft in meikle dout.
Syn sall ȝe eftir faire dame Dangeir schout,
And say, becaus scho had me ay at feid,
This brokin speir, sum tyme wes stiff and stout,
To hir I leif, bot se it want the heid.”
And bid him bawldlie bind it with ane clout;
For he hes gottin morsellis on the mow,
And brocht his maister oft in meikle dout.
Syn sall ȝe eftir faire dame Dangeir schout,
And say, becaus scho had me ay at feid,
This brokin speir, sum tyme wes stiff and stout,
To hir I leif, bot se it want the heid.”
Finis
| The Shorter Poems of Gavin Douglas | |