Poems by Sir John Salusbury and Robert Chester With an introduction by Carleton Brown |
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Poems by Sir Iohn Salusbury, Robert Chester, and others,
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 | Poems by Sir John Salusbury and Robert Chester |  |
Poems by Sir Iohn Salusbury, Robert Chester, and others,
CONTAINED IN MS. 184, IN THE LIBRARY OF CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD
9
[Bewty a bane yet blessing vnto many]
[_]
The initial letter of each of the first ten lines of this poem is emboldened, to spell Blanch Wynn.
lovelie desire being plased in their thought
and the true forme of love being ment of any
noe way to pretious or to deare is bought
Constant in word in thought in hart in dead
heapes twenty thousand blessings in loves steede
water your harts with true religious love
yow that intend loves love to be estemed
nothinge so sower as vnkynd to proue
nor nothing sweeter faithfull to be deemed
o beare in mind love is a holy thing
not to be hated by a mighty king.
Finis
Robert chester made in march 1598.
13
[Day glorefying Phœbe doth arise]
[_]
The initial letter of each line of this and the following poem is emboldened, to spell Dorothy Halsall and Dorothie Halsal.
Day glorefying Phœbe doth arise
Opening her christall colowred gates of bewty
Rose Coloured cheeks starre bewtefying eyes
Omnipotent deuinenes owes thee dutye.
The graces at thy rare Natiuety
Hoverd about thy head with siluer wings
Yelding a flowry chaplet fit for kings
Opening her christall colowred gates of bewty
Rose Coloured cheeks starre bewtefying eyes
Omnipotent deuinenes owes thee dutye.
The graces at thy rare Natiuety
Hoverd about thy head with siluer wings
Yelding a flowry chaplet fit for kings
14
Hate at thy birthday was a banisht slaue
And bewty like a prisner was thy thrall
Loue like a captiue crept from forth his graue
Swearing to be a seruaunt at thy call.
And Cupid on his knees to thee did fall:
Letting the world to know: that on his knee
Lowe bending honor stooped vnto thee.
And bewty like a prisner was thy thrall
Loue like a captiue crept from forth his graue
Swearing to be a seruaunt at thy call.
And Cupid on his knees to thee did fall:
Letting the world to know: that on his knee
Lowe bending honor stooped vnto thee.
[Diana in thy bosome plast her bower]
Diana in thy bosome plast her bower
Offring vp incens to soe fair a Sainct
Ritch Nature on thy browe hath built her tower
Outbrauing Venus with a looke soe quaint
Thy feature great Apelles colde not paint
His cunning workemanship was to to base
In painting of thy rare accomplisht face
Eternall honor wolde his art disgrase.
Offring vp incens to soe fair a Sainct
Ritch Nature on thy browe hath built her tower
Outbrauing Venus with a looke soe quaint
Thy feature great Apelles colde not paint
His cunning workemanship was to to base
In painting of thy rare accomplisht face
Eternall honor wolde his art disgrase.
How blessed is the partner of thy bedd
Attayning such a wonder in his armes
Loue-greetings with thy musky breath is fedd
Sweet sugred sleepe thy slumbring eyelidds charmes
Adonis sings like to a Nightingall
Loue ditties in thy praise maiesticall
Attayning such a wonder in his armes
Loue-greetings with thy musky breath is fedd
Sweet sugred sleepe thy slumbring eyelidds charmes
Adonis sings like to a Nightingall
Loue ditties in thy praise maiesticall
finis
Robt Chester.
15
A wynter garland of Sommer fflowers made in manner of A Neweyeares gyfte to the Right Worshipfull John Salusbury Esqr of the body to the Queenes most exelent Maiestye 1598.
Cold frosty wynter hauing nipte my penne
and Boreas Isycles nue hanging downe
enforseth wytt and wysedome now and then
to stand in dainger, and to feare the frowne
of ripe depe knowledge and experience,
that is my refuge and my sure defence,
and Boreas Isycles nue hanging downe
enforseth wytt and wysedome now and then
to stand in dainger, and to feare the frowne
of ripe depe knowledge and experience,
that is my refuge and my sure defence,
I charme the coldnesse to forsake my hand,
I coniure vp my spiryttes at this time.
Goodmeaning tells me he my freind will stand,
To vnderprop my tottering rotten ryme
And I being armde with A presumpteous loue,
from my goodwill disdanefulnes will shoue:
I coniure vp my spiryttes at this time.
Goodmeaning tells me he my freind will stand,
To vnderprop my tottering rotten ryme
And I being armde with A presumpteous loue,
from my goodwill disdanefulnes will shoue:
Therefore to thee sole patron of my good,
I proffer vp the proffer of my hart,
my vndeserved favoures vnderstood,
to thee and none but thee I will impart:
O grace them with thy gratious gracing looke
that in pure kindnes much haue vndertooke
I proffer vp the proffer of my hart,
my vndeserved favoures vnderstood,
to thee and none but thee I will impart:
O grace them with thy gratious gracing looke
that in pure kindnes much haue vndertooke
16
O flattery great bandogge to the poore
Ile tye thee in an Iron fetterd chaine
Necessety shall goe from dore to dore
Wheare skueking mysers and fatt churles remaine
and feed thee with their crummes, there thow shalt perish
thee in my hart fowle monster ile not chearysh
Ile tye thee in an Iron fetterd chaine
Necessety shall goe from dore to dore
Wheare skueking mysers and fatt churles remaine
and feed thee with their crummes, there thow shalt perish
thee in my hart fowle monster ile not chearysh
A Jelliflowre whose sweet carnatian smell
the hony gathering Bee doth alwaies loue
seekes to incompasse the sweet Daphadill
and all her flowring vertues to approue
they ioy to growe in gardens both togeather
not fearing Boreas wrathfull stormy weather
the hony gathering Bee doth alwaies loue
seekes to incompasse the sweet Daphadill
and all her flowring vertues to approue
they ioy to growe in gardens both togeather
not fearing Boreas wrathfull stormy weather
Neare vnto theyse doth growe the Organye
and Orice that we name the Flowerdeluce
delighting in each others company
and in domme sylence doe their loues infuce
they water one and other with that dewe
that in the morning from their leaues doth flowe
and Orice that we name the Flowerdeluce
delighting in each others company
and in domme sylence doe their loues infuce
they water one and other with that dewe
that in the morning from their leaues doth flowe
The Honysuckle honyes only last
fills vp the Arboure wheare the Rose doth growe
and with her spreading braunches hath incompast
the sharpe growne prickles that this plant doth show
they doe embrace and in embracing vowe
Nature with nature will her force allowe.
fills vp the Arboure wheare the Rose doth growe
and with her spreading braunches hath incompast
the sharpe growne prickles that this plant doth show
they doe embrace and in embracing vowe
Nature with nature will her force allowe.
The Ladies Nauell Nauell of delyghte
A pleasaunt and delityous lovely plante
And Oleander whose rytch verteous sight
Learned Apothicaries doe often wante
bothe theyse do decke my garlands of rytch flowers
and bewtefy faire Venus louely bowers.
A pleasaunt and delityous lovely plante
And Oleander whose rytch verteous sight
Learned Apothicaries doe often wante
bothe theyse do decke my garlands of rytch flowers
and bewtefy faire Venus louely bowers.
17
The stickadoue that lyes in Ladies brestes
The gentle pillow to soe faire A plante
scorning to haunt the ravens coleblack nestes
And Touchmenot in this kind acte doth pante
both freinds, both favoryttes in perfect loue
is Touchmenot and kyndly Stickadoue.
The gentle pillow to soe faire A plante
scorning to haunt the ravens coleblack nestes
And Touchmenot in this kind acte doth pante
both freinds, both favoryttes in perfect loue
is Touchmenot and kyndly Stickadoue.
Amidst my lovely arbour there doth growe
the handmaid vnto perfect chastetye
rytch Agnus Castus that the world doth know
is A great queller of hott luxurye
to grace the loving humour of all these
I found A flower yt most men call faire Hartsease.
the handmaid vnto perfect chastetye
rytch Agnus Castus that the world doth know
is A great queller of hott luxurye
to grace the loving humour of all these
I found A flower yt most men call faire Hartsease.
Our Ladies Seale A Seale of perfect bewtie
that adds the waxe vnto the honyed Bee
and Yooke Elme that doth make men owe their dutie
theise prety plantes in favour doe agree
wishing vppon the Elme to set a seale
that might the moysture of this plant reveale
that adds the waxe vnto the honyed Bee
and Yooke Elme that doth make men owe their dutie
theise prety plantes in favour doe agree
wishing vppon the Elme to set a seale
that might the moysture of this plant reveale
Amongst all these is Venus Looking glasse
A louely plant to please the gazing eye
and Hyacinthus that doth round incompasse
this fragraunt flower of maiesty
the queene of love sole paragon of blysse
this faire boy Hyacinthus stole to kysse.
A louely plant to please the gazing eye
and Hyacinthus that doth round incompasse
this fragraunt flower of maiesty
the queene of love sole paragon of blysse
this faire boy Hyacinthus stole to kysse.
With these is sett the spreading strawberye
both redd and whight, not pleasing to the smell
yet yeldes great comfort to the inward fancy
and for to quench the thirst doth much exell
Angellica the plagues preservatiue
Lovely and faire mongst these plantes doth thriue.
both redd and whight, not pleasing to the smell
yet yeldes great comfort to the inward fancy
and for to quench the thirst doth much exell
Angellica the plagues preservatiue
Lovely and faire mongst these plantes doth thriue.
18
And Basill best beloude beloude of many
for the rare vertue that yt doth inclose
and louely Lauander not vnknowne to any
smelling in operation like the Rose
Basill for Blessednes and blessed ioy
and Lauander beloude of Venus boy.
for the rare vertue that yt doth inclose
and louely Lauander not vnknowne to any
smelling in operation like the Rose
Basill for Blessednes and blessed ioy
and Lauander beloude of Venus boy.
All these do deck A Virgins lovely bower
and bewtyfie my garland in the spring
sweet Marierome amongst them beares A power
of whom the sheapheards roundelaies doe sing
And gather yt on playing hollydaies
that doth reviue ther homely springing ioyes.
and bewtyfie my garland in the spring
sweet Marierome amongst them beares A power
of whom the sheapheards roundelaies doe sing
And gather yt on playing hollydaies
that doth reviue ther homely springing ioyes.
Remembring Rosemary that increaseth sence
And doth reviue the dulled memory
Arkeangell that doth never make offence
but is accounted gentle meeke and lovely
Our Ladies smock doth overspread the rest
Vnder the which I sought to builde A nest
And doth reviue the dulled memory
Arkeangell that doth never make offence
but is accounted gentle meeke and lovely
Our Ladies smock doth overspread the rest
Vnder the which I sought to builde A nest
And Last of all to make my garland neate
I placed Youthwort faire Affections lover
And Lady Lacies mongst them tooke A seate
And thus I framd faire Venus Lovely bower
Wheare Cupid syttes and still his notes doth shifte
Singing thy prayses in A newe Yeares gifte.
I placed Youthwort faire Affections lover
And Lady Lacies mongst them tooke A seate
And thus I framd faire Venus Lovely bower
Wheare Cupid syttes and still his notes doth shifte
Singing thy prayses in A newe Yeares gifte.
finis
Rob Chester
19
Præcatio
Elizabeth that braunch of perfect blisseWe call our queene for whom we all must pray
raigne golden showers of peace vppon this land
[that she in peace may weare the English crowne]
and lett thy Angells lead her vp and downe
that she in peace may weare the English crowne
this makes me still to pray vppon my knee
and curst be he that praies not after me
the lord preserve the howse of Salusburye
Amen
Ro Chester
A poore Sheapheards introduction made in A merrimt of christmas at the house of the Right Worshipfull John Salusbury of Lleweny Esqr Etc.
Sheapheards be sylent and our musick ceaseheare duells our frolique freind of Arcady
whose dogges defend our sheep from greedy wolues
whose sheep doth cloth our silly sheapheard swaines
whose oxen tills the grownd that yelds vs corne
whose corne doth reliue the fatherles
And fatherles still pray for his relieffe
we of Arcadia sometime frolique swaines
swaines that delight in homely pleasaunt mirth
in due obedience and regard of loue
shold heare present as newe yeares homely gifte
20
or other fruite that this faire clymatt yelds
but nipping winter and a forward spring
blasted our trees and all our sommer budds
whose blossomes shold haue yelded dainty fare
therefore seing all giftes giftes that shold befreind vs
the balesome weather and cold spring denied
In signe of honor and obedience
to the whight Lyon of Arcadia
that doth defend our liues from ravenous beares
and feeds vs with the pray that he persues
A homely cuntry hornepipe we will daunce
A sheapheards prety Gigg to make him sport
and sing A madringall or roundelay
to please our Lordlike sheapheard lord of vs
take hands take hands our hartes lett vs Advaunce
and strive to please his humour with A daunce.
finis
Rot Chester
A poore sheapheards profecye
A milke whight Lion that betokned mercyedid rainge About A pleasaunt wildernes
where foxes Serpentes and devowring Tygers
The long paude beare and stearne Rinocoros
The fearefull hare and nimble footed Roe
The vntamd Oliphant and other beastes
beastes of sterne nature did this Lyon haunt
21
That Tyger-like his blood did seeke to perish
A limping foxe that still the dogges did haunt
barkes at this Lion: and the lordlike beast
Smiles at his follie: O Gentillity
how thow woldst quaile thy folish enemie
A time shall come when as this Lion rores
The poore lame foxe will hide him in a hole
And all his petie ffreinds wil be Amazd
And dare not peepe for feare: o misery
When men like beastes are wrought with knavery
As for the rest that are this Lions freinds
hee'le bid them welcome to his Lordlike caue
And kill fatt venison to make them merry
Thus ends my Simple Sheapheards profecy
True as my creed though he deferres the time
he'le make the foxe the pillery to clyme
The Lion bids yow welcome once agen
And craues his fellow ffreinds to say Amen.
finis
Robt Chetr.
23
A welcome home To the Right Worshipfull John Salusbury Esqr of the bodie to the Queenes most Exelent Maiestye
Your eares hauing hard the Nightingall soe long,
I feare will blame my hoarse-throat rauens song:
The swanns that laue their blacke feet in the streames,
Haue in their sweetnes sang you golden theames:
Court-bewtefying Poets in their verse,
Homerian like sweete stanzoes did rehearse:
Then blame not my homebred vnpollisht witt,
That in the Nightowles cabinet doe sitt:
Yf that my lines be blunt, or harsh, or ill,
Seing they proceed from rustick Martius quill;
Yet how I striue to please my still pleasde freinde,
Let my true harty thoughts my lines commende:
I feare will blame my hoarse-throat rauens song:
The swanns that laue their blacke feet in the streames,
Haue in their sweetnes sang you golden theames:
Court-bewtefying Poets in their verse,
Homerian like sweete stanzoes did rehearse:
Then blame not my homebred vnpollisht witt,
That in the Nightowles cabinet doe sitt:
Yf that my lines be blunt, or harsh, or ill,
Seing they proceed from rustick Martius quill;
Yet how I striue to please my still pleasde freinde,
Let my true harty thoughts my lines commende:
Bould and too bould.
To tye my thoughtes to smoth fast flatterie
Were for to scourge with whipps poore Innocence
And yf my penne should not explaine my dutie
I might be blamed much of necligence
Speake trembling Innocence and speak the truth,
That Honestie ingrafted in thy youth;
Were for to scourge with whipps poore Innocence
And yf my penne should not explaine my dutie
24
Speake trembling Innocence and speak the truth,
That Honestie ingrafted in thy youth;
As A ritch Iewell of esteemed prize
That almost all men thinke Invaluable,
Adds comfort to the poore mans gazing eyes,
And to himself is thought inestimable
But being lost, death is not counted cruell
To perce his hart seing he hath lost his Iewell.
That almost all men thinke Invaluable,
Adds comfort to the poore mans gazing eyes,
And to himself is thought inestimable
But being lost, death is not counted cruell
To perce his hart seing he hath lost his Iewell.
Yf naked need oppressions chieffest freind,
With want did touch this poore sad harted soule;
His Iewell was his pawne; and in the end,
Redeemd him from proud envies fond controule,
Then found againe tenne times his greef before
With ioye is now redoubled, more and more;
With want did touch this poore sad harted soule;
His Iewell was his pawne; and in the end,
Redeemd him from proud envies fond controule,
Then found againe tenne times his greef before
With ioye is now redoubled, more and more;
I lost my Iewell then I sate me downe,
Vnder the fatall yewe and hoples pine,
One whose greene leaue the sunne did alwaies froune,
As scorning on that mournefull place to shine,
With eyes orecome with teares and hart with sorrow
The black cloked Syppres sisters aid did borrow.
Vnder the fatall yewe and hoples pine,
One whose greene leaue the sunne did alwaies froune,
As scorning on that mournefull place to shine,
With eyes orecome with teares and hart with sorrow
The black cloked Syppres sisters aid did borrow.
My Inke waxt pale, to se my face looke pale,
My penne being pluckt from A black ravens wing,
Would wright no Sonnetts but Vlisses tale,
And of his tenne yeares absence for to sing,
Tenne weekes to my sad lingring miserie,
Were more then tenne yeares to Penellope.
My penne being pluckt from A black ravens wing,
Would wright no Sonnetts but Vlisses tale,
And of his tenne yeares absence for to sing,
Tenne weekes to my sad lingring miserie,
Were more then tenne yeares to Penellope.
25
Then how I ioy at theese weekes happie ending,
Let my forepassed greef at full relate,
How pleasure in my brest the time is spending
That whilome liude Alone disconsolate,
ffound is my Iewell; Iewell vnto manie,
More pretious in our hartes by farr then anie;
Let my forepassed greef at full relate,
How pleasure in my brest the time is spending
That whilome liude Alone disconsolate,
ffound is my Iewell; Iewell vnto manie,
More pretious in our hartes by farr then anie;
Welcome thow great Armado, frought with treasure,
Vnto the port of thy desired rest;
Our longing thoughts wisht for thee out of measure
As in thy Anchorage delighting best,
Thy bodie is our barke thy hands our ores,
To guide vs from ship ruinating shores;
Vnto the port of thy desired rest;
Our longing thoughts wisht for thee out of measure
As in thy Anchorage delighting best,
Thy bodie is our barke thy hands our ores,
To guide vs from ship ruinating shores;
Thy feete our sterne, thine eies our Admirall
That like A lanthorne leads vs to the baie,
Thy head our compasse that we steare with all,
Thy hart our Indean treasure and our ioy,
Thy words our thundring Cannon that doth teare
Our foemens ramperd walls, walles full of feare,
That like A lanthorne leads vs to the baie,
Thy head our compasse that we steare with all,
Thy hart our Indean treasure and our ioy,
Thy words our thundring Cannon that doth teare
Our foemens ramperd walls, walles full of feare,
Sailes, maste, and tacklinge, all are comprehended.
With in thy self that hast vs still befrended;
ffor if thow hoist thy proud sailes in the wind
Blowne forth with honors resolucion
They strike their maine topp & to the Assigne
The chieffest place of commendacion
With in thy self that hast vs still befrended;
ffor if thow hoist thy proud sailes in the wind
Blowne forth with honors resolucion
They strike their maine topp & to the Assigne
The chieffest place of commendacion
ffor yf the Lyon rore by sea or land
The craftie forrest beasts Amazd will stand
Long liue thow milkwhight terror to thy ffoes
With the great Lyones of Brytania
Whose verie name her foemen overthrowes
As subiugate to royall Anglia:
The craftie forrest beasts Amazd will stand
Long liue thow milkwhight terror to thy ffoes
With the great Lyones of Brytania
Whose verie name her foemen overthrowes
As subiugate to royall Anglia:
26
Deare in her sight be thow, and in our eyes,
As deare be thow to vs as dearnes lies
And to knitt vp my thoughts lest I shold rome
To me deare Lyon tenne times welcome home
As deare be thow to vs as dearnes lies
And to knitt vp my thoughts lest I shold rome
To me deare Lyon tenne times welcome home
Yours in all duty: etc. R Chest
| Poems by Sir John Salusbury and Robert Chester | |