The Worthines of Wales Wherein are more then a thousand seuerall things rehearsed: some set out in prose to the pleasure of the Reader, and with such varietie of verse for the beautifying of the Book, as no doubt shal delight thousands to vnderstand. Which worke is enterlarded with many wonders and right strange matter to consider of: All the which labour and deuice is drawne forth and set out by Thomas Churchyard, to the glorie of God, and honour of his Prince and Countrey |
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The Castle of Cargoorley in Denbighshiere
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 | The Worthines of Wales |  |
The Castle of Cargoorley in Denbighshiere
Cargoorley comes, right now to passe my pen,
With ragged walles, yea all to rent and torne:
As though it has, bin neuer knowne to men,
Or carelesse left, as wretched thing forlorne:
Like begger bare, as naked as my nayle,
It lyes along, whose wracke doth none bewayle.
But if she knewe, to whom it doth pertayne,
What royalties, and honors doth remayne
Unto that Seate, it should repayred bee,
For further cause, then common people see.
With ragged walles, yea all to rent and torne:
As though it has, bin neuer knowne to men,
Or carelesse left, as wretched thing forlorne:
Like begger bare, as naked as my nayle,
It lyes along, whose wracke doth none bewayle.
But if she knewe, to whom it doth pertayne,
What royalties, and honors doth remayne
Unto that Seate, it should repayred bee,
For further cause, then common people see.
But sondrie things, that are full farre from sight,
Are out of mynd, and cleane forgot in fine:
So such as haue, thereto but little right,
Possesse the same, by leauell and by line,
Or els by hap, or suite as often falles:
But what of that, Cargoorleys rotten walles
Can neuer bring, his betters in dispute,
That hath perchaunce, bin got by hap or sute:
So rest good muse, and speake no further heere,
Least by these words, some hidden thoughts appeere.
Are out of mynd, and cleane forgot in fine:
So such as haue, thereto but little right,
Possesse the same, by leauell and by line,
Or els by hap, or suite as often falles:
But what of that, Cargoorleys rotten walles
Can neuer bring, his betters in dispute,
That hath perchaunce, bin got by hap or sute:
So rest good muse, and speake no further heere,
Least by these words, some hidden thoughts appeere.
Kings giue and take, so tyme still rouleth on,
Good Subiects serue, for somewhat more or lesse:
And when we see, our fathers old are gon,
Of tyme to come, we haue a greater gesse.
First how to gayne, by present tyme and state,
Then what may fall, by futer tyme and date:
Tyme past growes cold, and so the world lukewarme
Doth helpe it selfe, by Castle, house or Farme:
That reach is good, that rule my frends God send,
Which well begin, and makes a vertuous end.
Good Subiects serue, for somewhat more or lesse:
And when we see, our fathers old are gon,
Of tyme to come, we haue a greater gesse.
First how to gayne, by present tyme and state,
Then what may fall, by futer tyme and date:
Tyme past growes cold, and so the world lukewarme
Doth helpe it selfe, by Castle, house or Farme:
That reach is good, that rule my frends God send,
Which well begin, and makes a vertuous end.
O Denbigh now, appeare thy turne is next,
I neede no glose, nor shade to set thee out:
For if my pen, doe followe playnest text,
And passe next way, and goe nothing about,
Thou shalt be knowne, as worthie well thou art,
The noblest Soyle, that is in any part:
And for thy Seate, and Castle doe compare,
With any one, of Wales what ere they are.
I neede no glose, nor shade to set thee out:
For if my pen, doe followe playnest text,
And passe next way, and goe nothing about,
Thou shalt be knowne, as worthie well thou art,
The noblest Soyle, that is in any part:
And for thy Seate, and Castle doe compare,
With any one, of Wales what ere they are.
This Castle stands, on top of Rocke most hye,
A mightie Cragge, as hard as flint or steele:
A massie mount, whose stones so deepe doth lye,
That no deuice, may well the bottome feele.
The Rocke discends, beneath the auncient Towne,
About the which, a stately wall goes downe,
With buyldings great, and posternes to the same,
That goes through Rocke, to giue it greater fame.
A mightie Cragge, as hard as flint or steele:
A massie mount, whose stones so deepe doth lye,
That no deuice, may well the bottome feele.
The Rocke discends, beneath the auncient Towne,
About the which, a stately wall goes downe,
With buyldings great, and posternes to the same,
That goes through Rocke, to giue it greater fame.
I want good words, and reasons apt therefore,
It selfe shall shewe, the substance of my tale:
But yet my pen, must tell here somewhat more,
Of Castles praise, as I haue spoke of Uale.
A strength of state, ten tymes as strong as fayre,
Yet fayre and fine, with dubble walles full thicke,
Like tarres trim, to take the open ayre,
Made of Freestone, and not of burned Bricke:
No buylding there, but such as man might say,
The worke thereof, would last till Iudgement day.
It selfe shall shewe, the substance of my tale:
But yet my pen, must tell here somewhat more,
Of Castles praise, as I haue spoke of Uale.
A strength of state, ten tymes as strong as fayre,
Yet fayre and fine, with dubble walles full thicke,
Like tarres trim, to take the open ayre,
Made of Freestone, and not of burned Bricke:
No buylding there, but such as man might say,
The worke thereof, would last till Iudgement day.
The Seate so sure, not subiect to a Hill,
Nor yet to Myne, nor force of Cannon blast:
Within that house, may people walke at will,
And stand full safe, till daunger all be past.
If Cannon rorde, or barkt against the wall,
Frends there may say, a figge for enemies all:
Fiue men within, may keepe out numbers greate,
(In furious sort) that shall approach that Seate.
Nor yet to Myne, nor force of Cannon blast:
Within that house, may people walke at will,
And stand full safe, till daunger all be past.
If Cannon rorde, or barkt against the wall,
Frends there may say, a figge for enemies all:
Fiue men within, may keepe out numbers greate,
(In furious sort) that shall approach that Seate.
Who stands on Rocke, and lookes right downe alone,
Shall thinke belowe, a man is but a child:
I sought my selfe, from top to fling a stone
With full mayne force, and yet I was beguyld.
If such a height, the mightie Rocke be than,
Ne force nor sleight, nor stout attempt of man,
Can win the Fort, if house be furnisht throw,
The troth whereof, let world be witnesse now.
Shall thinke belowe, a man is but a child:
I sought my selfe, from top to fling a stone
With full mayne force, and yet I was beguyld.
If such a height, the mightie Rocke be than,
Ne force nor sleight, nor stout attempt of man,
Can win the Fort, if house be furnisht throw,
The troth whereof, let world be witnesse now.
It is great payne, from foote of Rocke to clyme
To Castle wall, and it is greater toyle
On Rocke to goe, yea any step sometyme
Uprightly yet, without a faule or foyle.
And as this Seate, and Castle strongly stands,
Past winning sure, with engin sword or hands:
So lookes it ore, the Countrey farre or neere,
And shines like Torch, and Lanterne of the Sheere.
To Castle wall, and it is greater toyle
On Rocke to goe, yea any step sometyme
Uprightly yet, without a faule or foyle.
And as this Seate, and Castle strongly stands,
Past winning sure, with engin sword or hands:
So lookes it ore, the Countrey farre or neere,
And shines like Torch, and Lanterne of the Sheere.
Wherefore Denbigh, thou bearst away the praise,
Denbigh hath got, the garland of our daies:
Denbigh reapes fame, and lawde a thousand waies,
Denbigh my pen, vnto the Clowdes shall raise.
The Castle there, could I in order drawe,
It should surmount, now all that ere I sawe.
Denbigh hath got, the garland of our daies:
Denbigh reapes fame, and lawde a thousand waies,
Denbigh my pen, vnto the Clowdes shall raise.
The Castle there, could I in order drawe,
It should surmount, now all that ere I sawe.
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