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9

He reioyseth that his frende profited in learninge.

Eleg. 9.

Althoughe my hart for priuate chaunce, wyth sadnes so be fraught,
It lighter lyes when I hereof, the knowledge thou hadst caught.
I saw (most deare) that here thou should within this port ariue,
Afore this way the wrastling windes, thy ship began to driue.
If maners milde with vertue mixt, or life deuoyde of blame,
Be had in price no man that liues, deserues a better name.
Or if by art of conning knowen, that any do assend,
There comes no cause which thou cannot, with pleasant words defend.
With these in mind I moued thus, to the then streight can saye,
A greater stage (O frende) remaynes, thy vertue to displaye.
No spleene of sheepe, of lightning flame, no flashe on left side seene,
No chirting song nor sleight of foule, a syne whereof hath beene.
By reasons rule I did deuine, and iudge of that should come,
All these in minde I gessed right, and of them knowledge nome.
In hart therefore I ioyfull am, for the they proued true,
Also for me, to whom thy wit, was knowen as did ensue.
But would to God that myne had lyne, full low in darcknes hidde,
For neede requyres my studious stile, of louely lighte to ridde.
And as the science sad and graue, wyth pyked speache and fyne,
Doth profit thee: so am I hurt, wyth lore vnlike to thyne.
But yet my life thou knowes right well, how that far from this art,
Is masters maners distant all, repungne in euery part.
Thou knowest of old this verse was writ, by me when I was yonge,
And that it was though not to prayse, in iest and playing songe.
Like as no crafty couller can, in their defence haue might,
So I suppose my verse may not, excused be wyth right.
Euen as thou can do them excuse, and frends cause not forsake,
And wyth such steppes as thou hast goone, thy way right forth do take.
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