Emblemes and Epigrames :: :: University of Virginia Library

When false Synon, with tongue of guilefull tale,
had caused the monstrous woodden horse of Greece
to enter Troy wales, the bitter bale
of Priams state, flaminge in everie peece,
throughe raginge fiers, Eneas, full of pittie,
his sonne and father ledd forth of the Cittie.

He bare his aged Syre on shoulders stronge,—
oh sweete burdenn! the which the sonne did crave,—
and in his hand, Aschainus ledd alonge.
oh Fathers love! which never end maye haue.
his father, him self, his sonne, throughe Grecian foes
Eneas leades, when hee from Troye goes.

A lovinge deede of famous pietie,
when strength of youth releeveth feeble sprite;
a natural deed of sonne his love and dutie,
to helpe his syre, which brought him into light;
for which this holie mann doth iustelie gaine
renowned fame, for ever to remayne.

But thow, oh wicked monster of beastlie minde,
Cruell and blodie Nero, the dregges of kinges,
contrarie to Nature, and fleshlie kinde,
(with greefe I doe abhorr to wright these thinges)
didst noe whit shame, thy mothers wombe to teare,
to see where shee did such a viper beare.

Wherfore to thee is left perpetuall shame,
to kill thy mother, to answere thy desire.
But to Eneas, doth growe eternall fame,
that sav'd his aged father from the fire:
hee, for reward, raisëd Troy walles againe;
thow, for reward, in beastlie sort wert slaine.

(2) Vertue should not be condempned for one smale imperfection.

The heavenlie pallas of Celestiall skye,
resoundes with pleasant notes of musicks skill;
the godds and goddesses, with mellodie,
to Genius doe sacrifice their fill.

They leave the Care they had for earthlie thinges;
they daintie feastes freequent with sweet delight,
before whose eyes faire Venus freshlie springes,
in apt measure daunsing, with comelie sight.

Shee footes it soe, with crowne of flowers in hand,
that all the godds extoll her for the same;
but beinge prais'd by that moste sacred bande,
Momus beginns her daunsinge for to blame.

And findinge fault,—I knowe not well wherfore,
still redie, what best is, for to deface,—
affirmd the slipper which faire Venus wore,
with craaking noyse, her dauncinge did disgrace.

(3) Temperance abateth fleshlie Delightes.

Thow Cithereane Venus, I would knowe,
why thow, and Cupid houldinge of his bowe,

soe pensive bee, and over fier doe stande,
warming of thy feete, and warming of his hande?
Oh why? doth love and luste feele their decaye,
Yf Ceres and Iacchus be awaye?
Where Sobernes doth raigne amongst the wise,
there lust and hurtfull pleasures still doe frise.
They finde noe foode, nor anie warrs, can make
against the modest which sparing diet take.
but if that wealth and dronkennes beare stroke,
they, wicked warres of Lecherie, provoke.

(4) Death and Cupid.

The hatefull Death Ioynd to the God of loue
in one Cabine setled themselves to sleepe;
both had their bowes and shaftes, their might to prove;
the one gaue mirth, the other forct to weepe.
Thus blinded love, and death at this time blinde,
by chance doe meete, by chance doe harbor finde.

But starting forth of this their former rest,
heedlesse, the one, the others weapons caught:
the goulden shaftes from Cupid, Death berefte;
the dartes of Death, dame Venus sonne had raughte.
thus contrarie to kinde, and their nature,
Cupid doth slea, and Death doth love procure.

Ould doating fooles, more fit for Carons shipp.
that feele the goute, to grave which take their waye,
doe fall in love and youthfull-like doe skippe,
deckinge their heads with garlands fresh and gaye.
Their yeares and daies they easelie doe forgett,
and from their harte, colde sottishe sighes do fett.

But striplinges and yonge boyes that wounds receive
by yonge Cupid, then Nestor, yet more oulde,

against their kinde, their wished lift doe leave,
and vnto Acheron the waye doe houlde.
But Cupid, cease! and Death, thine owne stroke give!
Let yonge menn love, let ould menn cease to live.

(5) Art, the antidote against fortune.

On rolling ball doth fickle fortune stande;
on firme and setled square sitts Mercurie,
The god of Arts, with wisdomes rodd in hande:
which covertlie to vs doth signifie,
that fortunes power, vnconstant and still frayle,
against wisdome and art cannot prevaile.

ffor as the Sphere doth move continuallie,
and showes the course of fickle fortunes change,
soe doth the perfect square stand stedfastlie,
and never stirrs, though fortune liste to range.
wherefore, Learne Artes, which allwaies stedfast prove;
therbye, hard happes of fortune to remove.

(6) Labour quencheth Lecherie.

Dictinian Diana, which
Of Phœbus borroweth lighte,
The glistring Queene of Woodes and groves,
and Ladie of the nighte,
Pursues the Hart—whose nimble feete
doe make him seeme to flie,—
with bowe and howndes, whose thundringe voice
doth Eccho in the Skye.
Yonge Cupid is not farr behinde,
but followeth on as as faste.
He shootes, but leaves no wound; in vaine
his fierie dartes are caste.

If Ignorant of cause thow bee,
why loue can take not holde
Of chast and travelinge Diane,
Of this thow maiste be bolde:
It is, for that shee not consumes
her golden time in vaine,
Nor Idle thoughts of wanton youth
doe harbor in her brayne;
ffor, flienge Canker of slothfull eise,
in huntinge spends the daye,
Wastinge her time with those delights,
to beate fond thoughts awaie.
Whoe therfore wiselie seekes to shunn
the force of Cupids Ire
vse exercise, flie Idle thoughtes;
soe shalt thow quench his fire.

(7) Fortune.

There is a birde which takes the name
of Paradise the faire,
Which allwaies lives, beatinge the winde,
and flienge in the Ayre.
For envious nature him denies
the helpe of resting feete,
wherby hee forced is, in th'ayre
incessantlie to fleete.
Soe the vncertaine light and wilde
fowle fortune variable,
whoe onlie in vnconstancie
doth shewe herself most stable,
Doth never, in one pace or sorte,
prove constant in her power,
But doubtfull, fleeting here and there,
still changing everie hower.

Wherefore the cunninge Smirnians
her Image carved out,
With feete cut from her leggs, and sette
on ball turninge aboute.
And for she could not setled stande,
they sayd, as doth appeare,
`Sweet Fortune, thow dost flie in th'ayre,
like birde depainted here.'

(8) Bryberie.

After his Fathers funerall,
when as Tiberius went
Vnto his howse, his tender harte
with pittie did relent;
For, seeinge of a wretched mann
with scabbs and sores opprest,
On whom the suckinge flies did feed,
not suffringe him to reste,
Hee calld his servant, willinge him
to drive awaye with speed,
Those Cormorantes which eate his fleshe,
and forced him to bleede.
The mann obayed: but when he would
haue beate those flies awaye,
Thee wretched sowle did him forbid,
and mourninglie did saye:
“Yf that these gorged gnawinge flies,
full glutted with my bloode,
Were beaten from their place of praye,
newe troope, not half soe good,
Leane and greedie, with hungrie mawes,
would then renewe my paine,
and suck my blood even to the death,
not sparinge anie vayne.

Soe the old Iudge, once fullie fraughte
with guiftes and briberie,
Will not be easilie ledd by guiftes
to wrest the lawes awrye.
But hee that commeth newe in place,
and thirsteth after gould,
Or his Iuditiall office buyes,
with him there is noe hould;
for hee that buies, is forct to sell;
and new corrupted Iudge
Takes all and more; and, for reward,
is made a sinfull drudge.

(9) Immortallitie of the Sowle.

In former age, the Ethnikes, false gods servinge,
this solempne Ceremonie vsed to their dedd,
That when the paled corps went to buryenge,
a lawrell Crowne they wreathed about his head.

The cause wherof being asked by Adrian,
the famous Emperour of the Romaine state,
Byas replied: ‘because that then, ech man
whome death reduceth to that happie state,

‘forsaken hath all worldlie wretchednes;
they feele noe greefe, or sorrowes heavie payne;
wherfore, since they attaine such blessednes,
this garland shewes the Crowne which they doe gayne.’

Then since those vertuous Ethnickes, with such Ioye
addornd the funeralls of deceased wighte,
Whose faithelesse sowles, feirce Pluto did destroye,—
for vnto them was shut the gate of lighte,—

Why should we faithfull Christians bewaile
our loved frendes, and celebrate with greefe—
the manne deceased, with scaping Satans gayle,
leaves woe, and winns a place of sweete releefe,—

Since vnto vs is made assured promise
for to enioye the vision of gods sight,
and to ascend celestiall place of blisse,
our god to praise, in whome wee shall delight.

(10) Sotted loue.

Autoritie and Loue will scarce agree,
and in one place are neuer found to bee;
for decencie must serve to ech estate,
and ech must live according to his fate.
Nice Sardanapalus, th'assirian Kinge,
a mann effeminate in losse livinge,
doth fall in love, and loves so foolishlie
that hee forgetts his state and maiestie.
For, leaving of the kingdomes needfull charge,
and Heroike deedes, his kingdome to enlarge,
(oh sottishe loue!) hee whollie followeth luste;
hee followes Venus; in her doth hee truste;
hee locks himself from other companie;
and farr abasing his Regalitie,
not like a valiant mann, but all from kinde,
in woemens workes doth cheefest comfort finde:
hee cardes, and spinnes with distaffe in his hande;
hee workes and sowes, fast wrapt in Venus bande.
Wherfore yf thow wilt gayne an honest name,
and deedes performe to winn eternall fame,
Let Wemenn never soe bewitch thy witt,
as thow be forc'd from thine owne kinde to flitt.

(11) Pride.

The morrall Seneca, whose penn
intreatinge matters graue,
I finde, amongst his learned workes,
this worthie tale to haue:—

There was a kinge of highe renowne,
which iustice did vpholde.
to him, three sonns did nature give,
of courage feirce and bould.
To eche, the choice of birdes hee gaue,
wherbye that hee might learne,
the severall humors of their minde
and manners to discerne.
The eldest, of his haughtie harte,
the Eagle prowd did chuse.
the second, of fiers disposition,
the hawke would not refuse.
The yongest, of a myleder minde,
the vulgar thrushe did take;
On whome the kinge bestowd his crowne,
and him his heire did make.
Iudge what the kinge ment by this guifte,
for I maye not disclose it.
And thow perhapps maie be deceived
in thinkinge for to glose it.

(12) Patience.

The patient Socrates, true mirror of our life,
whoe for the godds did yeald his heavenlie breth,
twoe vnkinde wives did nourishe foolishlie,—
the first was blinde, the other had bleare eyes,—
of whome, good mann, he badlie was intreated.
Not once, nor twice, but allwaies when they raged,
the one would beastlie spurne him like a dogg;
the other would belabour him with her fists;
all which hee bare with vertuous patience.
with bitter words, but being fiercelie baited,
hee was enforct to leave the vnquiet howse;
whoe, going forth, did rest him at the dore,

where long hee could not quiet sitt at ease,
but that these sprites, these furies fowle of hell,
did add more ill to former wickednes;
for as hee satt with calme and gentle minde,
they on his hed did lothed vrine cast,
and shrewdlie wett him to the tender skinne.
But hee, which made of this a Iestinge sport,
as well aquainted with such brain sick witts,
vsed not revenge, but smilinglie did saye,
that after thunder, Rayne did still descende;
for hee these wives did keepe, for to envre
his vertues rare, and patience to encrease.

(13) Liberalitie.

Why doe these virginns faire, the Graces three,
Ioues daughters, borne of Eurinome the brighte,
On goddesse Venus waite in theire degree,
Since they from seed of heaven did take there lighte?
because from these the fruites of love proceed,
and loue is wonne by ech theire severall seed.

Their Rosiall faces, shap'd are after one,
as sister twinned, by reason ought to bee;
the twoe, allwaies the third doe looke vpon;
their youthfull age and bewtie doe agree:
Winged at feete they are; they naked stande,
ech halsing other with their cristall hande.

The first wherof, Aglaia is named,
and worthie place doth hould amongst the reste:
A peerlesse Ladie, in ech place well famed,
shining in honnor deepe harbored in her breste.
the next, Thalia, which meaneth, as some teache,
faire flower of youth, and elloquence of speach.

The third, which wee call the faire Ephrosine,
to her sisters in vertue not behinde,

doth signifie (as learned menn define)
the pleasant mirth and frute of frendlie minde.
thus these Charites, these faire graces three,
the forme of love, and guiftes, presents to mee.

But why are they naked, without attyre?
because they showe the playnesse of the harte,
quite naked of decyte, and free from hire;
for in all guiftes, this Is the chefest parte,
that what we give, be donne with meere goodwill,
with simple and pure minde, devoid of ill.

Or ells because vnthankfull menn by kinde,
whoe naked are of curtesie and love,
Will naught bestowe, to shewe a gratefull minde;
besides all which, as wee continuallie prove,
the graces coffers are emptie and naked found;
for thankfull menn, with wealth cannot abound.

Whye are they virginns fayer, freshe, and bright?
for that therby wee covertlie are tould,
that of the frendlie guiftes receyvd, (by righte)
perpetuall memorie wee are bound to hould;
for, freshe in thankfull minde, wee must conceive
the deepe record of favours wee receive.

Why winged are their feete like mercurie?
because that, whoe doth guiftes or thanks impart,
must not deferr the same, but spedilie
performe the frute of his well willinge harte;
ffor hee gives twice, that quicklie and with speed
bestowes his guift to serve our present need.

Soe lovinglie, why are they Ioind in one?
ech one, in armes embracing of her mate;
and allwaies twoe, the third looking vpon?
It shewes, that frendes must live without debate,
that guiftes receyved, be paid with vsurie,
and that true frendes fayle not in miserie.

(14) Vertue of Herbes.

Whilste prudent Epidaure, the learned leeche,
the sacred herbes in fertill soyle doth seche,
with stedfast eye caste on the vallies deepe,
a tall yonge ladd,—which kepte the fearfull sheepe,
adorned with crowne of herbes faire, freshe, and greene,
of straunge devise, most orient to be seene,—
This Epidaure beheld in greate despite,
with Basiliske to vse most cruell fighte;
which poysoning beaste, this manne (with Mars his blowe)
did prostrate on the ground, and overthrowe.
Then Epidaure (iudginge some vertue rare
within the garland which the heardman ware,)
Drewe nere, and by faire wordes did frendlie crave,
that hee, of him this herbie Crowne might haue.
wherto the herdman yealded his consent,
and then a freshe to basiliske hee went,
with that feirce beaste, movinge new fight againe,
in which the sillie mann was easelie slaine.
which donne, the phisition begann to saye,
‘within this bowe, most secret vertue laye;’
and with this garland freshe, in everie Ioynt
the bodie of deade herdmann did annoynt.
forthwith the mann (a thinge to all menn straunge)
began to live, and life for deathe did change.
Such vertues doth the power of god divine,
for our releife, to yearthlie herbes assigne;
wherbye wee maie from menn diseases take,
Recover health, and dangers great forsake.

(15) Wine.

ffayne wouldst thow know wherfore the god
last borne of Ioue his Thye,
Is winged on his hed, and whye
swifte Pegase standeth bye.

And why the horse of true honnor
conioyned is to Bacchus,
The following verse, the springe and cause
therof shall here discusse.
When people with Amicla did
the grapes to Bacchus bringe,
She said, ‘faire Bacchus, I see winges
from out the hedd to springe;
Oh Bacchus, thow haste quivering winges,
and heares that crowned bee
with greene Ivye; let Gorgon horse
allwaies associate thee.
ffor Bacchus doth increase the blood,
and force to vs it lendes;
To melancholie harts, both mirth
and cooller freshe it sends.
It raiseth vpp dull mindes from Earth,
to enterprise great thinges;
It comforteth the weake sinnowes,
and strength to witt it bringes.
This doth the swifte Pegasine horse,
conioynd with Bacchus tell,
But yet to vse wine moderatelie,
for soe shall witt excell.’

(16) Mann.

Behould, mann is the litle world,
as Gretiane gaue him name,
And as the ould Philosophers
did signifie the same.
ffor as the Sunn and Moone, bright lights,
doe shine in azured Skye,
Soe hath the mann two sparkling eyes
which vnder forehedd lie.

As goulden Sunn, with purple beames,
in morning freshe doth springe,
And going vnder Thetis bedd,
on world the shade doth bringe,
And soe doth rise and sett to vs,
as other plannetts all,
Soe mann by byrth doth rise and springe,
by death doth sett and fall.
The moving windes in skies that rowle,
both hott and colde are founde;
and in the mouth of breathing mann,
both colde and heate abound.
Our bones and members are the earth,
the ayre in Lunges doth swell,
The mouth and brayne doe water holde,
the fire in hart doth dwell.
Thus mann is moyst, earthlie, and hott,
with water, earth, and fire,
Be three the noblest Elements,
which nature cann desire.
To infancie compared is
the spring, sweet, freshe, and gaye;
the pleasant sommer vnto Youth,
where strength and courage staie;
The ripenesse of manns firme estate
doth fruitfull Autumne holde;
As crooked Age well likned is
to winters frost and colde.

(17) Witt.

Nothing more smooth then artificiall glasse;
more brickle, yet there nothing maye be founde;
nothinge more white or fairer is on grounde
then congeald snowe, yet naught lesse firme can passe.
Soe, shining and fayre witts, in which abound

Invention, quick conceit, and answering,
three cheefest thinges, true praise deservinge,
haue their desert, and most doe run awrye,
Since finest white doth soonest take all staines,
and finest witts are ficklest of their braines,
whose self-conceit ruynes them vtterlie;
much like the Bees, whose honnie breedes their paines
by surfetting theron Immoderatelie,
for, from her sweete, coms her perplexitie.
Thus these rich witts, which fondlie deeme
they all menn doe exceede,
By trusting to themselves too much,
doe fayle themselves at neede.

(18) The subiect.

The statlie flower that faire rich India yeldes,
which goulden Heliotropium wee name,
the glorious Marigolde of fruitefull feildes,
the course of all his flowring time doth frame
after the light of Phœbus norishinge flame,
on which she waites with still attending eye,
windinge her self like sonne, circularlie.

Of which effect, the name she doth obtayne,
& Heliotropium, of sonne is calld.
ffor, when bright Elios with the fierie wayne,
his fower feirce steedes in purple morne hath stalld,
Then this strange flower (with Sable night appalld)
spredds forth her golden lockes, but hides her face
when Phebus bedds, as fearing some disgrace

Thus doth this noble flower, her homage due,
paie to her Lord whome shee doth imitate,
Houldinge that waie which her doth still pursue;
whose pliant minde, to vs doth intimate,
that as this flower, by natures hidden fate

doth followe still the turning course of Sunn,
wherin she pleasures till her life be donne,
So pliant subiects follow still,
whilst rulinge Prince doth live,
The good or badd examples which
his customd actions give.

(19) Diligence obtayneth Riches.

The simple Cock, that with a hungrie minde,
on sluttishe dunghill scrapte, in stedfast hope,
for his releefe, some feeding grayne to finde,
being forct to seeke within that litle scope
to hym assigned by fortunes luckye lott,
a pretious Iewell for his paine hee gott;

which, though to him smale profitt it did give,
vnskillfull what the price therof mighte bee,
yet did it shewe the godds, for to releeve
the needie soule whome wee in labour see
turmoyle with swetting face, for to sustaine
his pore estate with such a luckie gaine.

(20) Vsurie.

The wealthie mann with blessings great indued,
raising his mightie halls to looke alofte,
whome never yet hath povertie pursued;
yf that his greedie minde be sett to ofte
to search for gaine, to fill his hungrie hart,
some froward chance the godds to him impart.

ffor a rich vsurer, which hordes of gould
entombed from some in armed chest dyd keepe,
not well content such heaped wealth to hould,
but vnderminding earth, did often creepe
in dungeons deepe, and mines of silver bright,
to rake for that which was his harts delight.

But Iust Pluto, a Iudge of rightfull rede,
when as this mann had entred goulden Cave,
his due desert, that was for him decreed,
as Iuste revenge permitted him to haue,
for hee by clodd (er hee might that auoyde)
of fallinge earth, was suddenlie destroyd.

Thus doe the godds to such as they enrich,
when thanklesse persons allwaies will appeare;
for thoughe to daye they send never soe mich,
yet when they please, they can with frowning cheere
spoyle them from all, but moste where they doe see
vnsaciate mindes still griping for to bee.

(21) Myrtilus Sheilde.

The famous souldier, Myrtilus the Knighte,
whose conquering minde did never stoope to feare,
in manye conflictes the Garland Palme did beare,
as well on Land, as in the Maryne fighte,
such was his force, such was his warrlike might,
still savinge his life by his helpfull Sheilde,
both in the swelling Sea and bloodie feilde.
On Land his faithfull sheild did him defend
from dobled strokes of stronge revenging foes;
and in mercilesse Seas devouringe woes,
this sheild, from drowninge, him to shoare did sende,
and brought him safe vnto his Iourneis ende:
in all mishapps, at everie time of neede,
this worthie Sheild did allwaies stand in steede.
So, my good Lord, be you, I craue, to mee,
Mirtilus sheild, where soe my bodie bee.

(22) Vayne Ostentations.

Wee dailie see the fruitfull Phœbus fier,
how richlie it brings forth the wished harvest,

which plenteouslie augments the owners hier,
one hundred foulde contentinge his request,
with his full eares still bending to the ground,
wherin greate store of grayne in tyme is found.

But bragg amongst the corne aspires proudlie,
on emptie eare lookinge aboue the reste,
advancinge his highe creste presumptuouslie
even to the starrs, as though he were the beste,
whoe, beinge lighte, and fruitlesse of all grayne,
for want of waight, showes all pride is vayne.

Soe hee whome litle learninge doth commende,
is puft alofte with pride of highe conceite,
and deemes his witt maye with Minerve contende,
and scoole Mercurie with some queinte deceit;
but whoe that braggs, and deemes himself most learned,
most voide of art, by wise men is discernde;
Since he is allwaies somwhat, himself that nothinge deemes;
and he is nothinge found to be, himself that somwhat seemes.

(23) Losse of hurtfull thinges is gayne.

Producinge earth inrich'd, makes rich againe
the toylinge laborer hopinge fruitfull gayne;
but yf neglect, it vnmanurde growe,
corruptinge weedes and harmefull plants do flowe.
with wrootinge groyne, with feirce and warlike bore,
turnes vp and betters that bad lande before,
destroyeng those vnprofitable springes,
to frutefull land which such annoyance bringes,
which is not losse, but bettringe to the feilde,
more holsome frute then redie for to yeilde.
wherfore from thee, yf taken bee the thinge
which needlesse is, and doth not profitt bringe,
nor losse nor greife, let that be vnto thee,
for weedes pluck'd vp, hurt not the ground, wee see.

(24) Internall vertues are best.

Sweet tasting aple, which this faire virginn beares,
In cristall hand doth shine with pleasinge hewe,
for in th'externall forme, to eye appeares
a glistring cullor which doth delight renewe;
but vnder that thinne Coate, fayre nature hides
more gratefull frute, which shee for mann provides.

Then thow, whome nature outwardlie hath graced
with comelie shape, externall forme to winne,
trust not therto; it wilbe soone defaced,
as of noe vse, like to the Aples skinn.
wherfore with vertue cloathe thy inwarde minde,
that th'outward shape therbye maye comfort fynde;
ffor what availes the gorgious showe
of Apples outward skynn,
Yf the internall frute conteyne
not pleasing taste therin?

(25) Threates of the inferior to be contemned.

The melitane dogge, bredd onlie for delight,
whose force is smale, though voice be lowde and shrill,
with often barkinge putts greate doggs to flighte,
incensd with rage, as though he would them kill.

Yet thoughe hee threaten with moste cruell voice,
leppinge and runninge in haste for to devoure
the bloodie mastife, it lies not in his choice,
as wanting both a naturall strength and power.

ffor those greate dogges which flie not thence for feare,
contempne his threates, scorning revenge to seeke,
knowing the force and strength which they do beare
is overmuch for him which is so weake.

Soe hee whom strength and wisdome doth adorne,
the brawles and anger of the weake doth scorne,

since all the power wherin they doe abound,
consiste in wordes, which vanishe with the sound.

(26) Philosophie.

Ioues sonne, the valiant Hercules,
whose worthye travayling peyne,
by his twelve labours, vnto him
immortall fame did geyne,
made this the best and last labour,
as glorie of them all,
That triple hedded Cerberus
hee made to bee his thrall,
The mightie cheyned porter of
The darke infernall hell,
where thinges obscure as dampned sprites
in darke oblivion dwell.
which inwardlie to vs vnfoulds
Philosophies triple kinde,
wherin doth rest the triple good
of our celestiall minde.
ffor as three hedds of Cerberus
doe from one boddie growe,
Soe from abstruse Philosophie,
three severall springs doe flowe:
Divine, humane, and naturall,
wherin consist the parts
of heavenlie and terene creatures,
and of all learned artes,
which are not conquered without
great paynes of daye and night,
as Hercules by painfull toyle
brought Cerberus to light,
That sharpe labour beinge the last,
as cheefest and the best,
therin, all former labours of
the bodie for to reste.

(27) Societie.

The purple Rose which first Damasco bredd,
adornd with cullor gratefull to the sight,
hath in it self a fragrant smells delight,
wherbye two sences of the mann is fedd.
thoughe other things to such faire shewe haue right,
yet maye they not equall this Rosie flower,
whose dayntie smell therin hath cheefest power.

Soe two faire dowries which mann doth enioye—
true perfecte love, and suer fidelitie—
firmelie preserve humane societie,
their frends assisting in ech hard annoye,
when want of ech brings noe securitie;
both which, this damaske rose doth well vnfoulde,
as honest hart, which fayth and love doth houlde.

ffor as the rose, depriv'd of pleasing smell,
retayning yet the cullor for the eye,
or havinge smell, wanting righte bewtie,
is not a rose, for both in that must dwell,
or ells it cannot other flowers defie,—
soe our societie, without love and fayth
is never perfect, as true reason sayth;
ffor where is perfect love, there trustie fayth is found,
and where assured trust doth dwell, there love must needs abound.

(28) Counsell and vertue subdue deceipfull Persons.

The valiant knight whome Perseus wife did love,
whome she exilde for hee would not consent,
which tooke his name, as the effect doth prove,
of Bellerus, a prince to mischeife bent,
whose wicked deedes the Corinthes did susteyne
whilste over them his tyrannie did Raigne;—

ffor when his Heroike hand had Beller slayne,
he called was Bellepheron the worthie,
whose chefest glorie and fame which he did gayne,
was, when he slue Chimera valiantlie,
The Lician monster, that people which destroyed,
and the Sea coastes on everie side annoyed.

ffor Bellepheron, this Chimer (as he fledd)
pursued on Pegasus, the horse of fame,
(which of Medusas slater first was bredd,
for vertuous deedes doe breed immortall fame),
and him, with force of minde and warlike hand
did slea, for naught maye strength and witt withstand.

Soe you, my Lord, borne vp on Pegas wynge,
doe fill the Earth and ayre with worthie prayse;
your rare exploytes, which of your vertue springes,
on Fames horse are spredd abroad allwaies,
since you haue slayne, by great advice and skill,
those English Chimers which this land did fill.

(29) Pleasures to be eschewed.

ffonde Paris, in vnbridled age doth chuse
the life which seldom sorteth to good ende;
ffor in yonge yeares, whoe vertue doth refuse,
and doth on fading pleasures still attende,
can neither witt, nor wealth, nor honnor, gayne,
nor happie life in worldlie cares attayne.

He chose Venus, which ‘madnes’ is expounded,
and ‘wanton life of pleasures’ doth expresse;
he left Pallas, on which is rightlie grounded
the contemplation of all perfectnes;
he scorn'd Iuno, which ‘wealth’ doth signifie,
with thactive life meane that to multiplie.
Then shonne delight, yf riches thow doe craue,
Or perfect wisdome thow do seeke to haue.

(30) Vnitinge of Contraries make sound Iudgement.

Comforting Ceres Ioynd with hopps of bitter taste,
and faire waters, by art produce sweet liquors at the last,
not much inferior to Bacchus pleasant wyne,
as Emulus vnto that Ioyce which art doth well refine;
for the sharpe taste of hopps, the water and the corne
doe mittigate, and make that sweet, which bitter was beforne:
which doth vs teach the waye, ech cause to handle well,
and howe in knotted difficults a Iudgement right to tell;
for Ioyning contraries in peyse of equall weighte,
comparinge the effects of both, the truth appeareth straite,
So addinge hard to softe, and bitter to the sweete,
compounds a meane between them both, for Iudgment allwaies meet.

(31) Reuenge.

Dianiane dogge, with blinde furie inflamed,
fearinge the hurled stone which him offended,
with sharpe and threatning teeth whollie inraged,
doth bite the stone, on that to be revenged,
Iudginge noe other thinge but that dead stone,
of that his hurt, to bee the cause alone.

which fonde revenge doth others mirth provoke,
vnto himself much greatur hurte increasinge,
for guiltlesse stone cann never feele the stroke,
allthough the dogg cease not his cruell bitinge.
wherbye wee learne, not rashe reveng to take,
of that which of it self noe hurt doth make;
ffor not the stone, but flinginge hande,
the iust revenge doth crave,
and actors, not the instruments,
due punishement should haue,

Since to our selves more further paynes
of greife wee shall procure,
yf rashe revenge, on guiltlesse cause,
wee striue to put in vre.

(32) Peace.

Pluto, the god of worldlie wealth,
which vnder yearth doth houlde
his goulden limittes and his bounds,
with manie hills of goulde,
there governs at his cursed will,
and goulden guiftes greate store,
with heaped Riches doth possesse
a thowsand fould and more.
vnder whose feete, Bellona lies,
still thirstinge after warrs,
a furious spoyler, and the cause
of all tumultuous Iarrs.
But fayre sweet Peace doth lead Pluto,
and draweth him with right hand,
And in lefte hand, Amalthea,
the fruitfull horne, doth stande;
ffor all thinges doe then flowe at large;
Bacchus and Ceres raigne;
Then Halcyon daies, then quiet rest,
their triumphes doth retaine.
Then blodie Mars, cast to the grounde,
to peace doth yeald his sword;
but perfect peace descends from him
Which was his fathers worde,
And first appeased the Angrie god
when hee, the loste mankinde
with peacefull concord, to our good,
for evermore did bynde.

(33) Pouertie.

As fishe Remora staies the Shipp,
which ells with prosperous wynde
Would sayle vnto the port of rest,
sweete comfort for to finde,
Soe hated povertie, with greife
of fortunes hard disgrace,
The Labors of the vertuous minde
doth vtterlie deface:
ffor none soe noble vertue doth dwell in anie wight,
but want obscures it, forcing him to silence with dispight.

(34) Syluer worlde.

The sacred Crowne adorning curled hayre,
and christall hand welding the kinglie mace,
the mounting Eagle which Ganimede did beare,
are ensignes of the mightie Ioue his grace.
All which doe shewe the sylver world fore past,
when Cuntrey Swayne prepared the happie soyle,
and with his seede the Earth did overcaste,
which yoked oxe did teare vp with his toyle.
Before which tyme the fertyle earth gaue out
her blessed frute, thoughe she vntilled laye,
And Saturne grave, the world did rule about,
the goulden age which did to vs bewraye;
But when that Ioue begann his Silver raigne,
and had expelde his father from his lande,
the feildes were tylld with greate & sweating payne,
and Wearied Oxe and horse, did mourning stand.

(35) Enuye.

The mightie Ioue from highest heaven did sende
the fayer Phœbus, these gratefull newes to tell

to wicked virginns, in vice which did excell,
this greate favour that hee to them would lende,
That for herself, what anie one did crave
of him, her fellowe, duble that should haue.

fforthwith, the monster vilde of all mankinde,
which gnawes her harte, and teares our worthie fame,
stepte forth and said, ‘Apollo, graunt this same,
that I one eye maye losse! for soe I finde
my fellowe shall loose her twoe eyes and sight.’
all which she spake through envie and despight.

Thus fretting envie, Ioyeng in our payne,
pininge her self when good to vs doth growe,
and fatting fast when hurte or losse doth flowe,
in all mischeif findinge her chefest gayne,
of her own hurte, nothing doth force at all,
yf double that vnto her neighbour fall.

(36) Our terme or limit of life not remoueable.

ffrom neck it hath the humane shape,
the rest a piller stone:
Thus Terminus the god is made,
of all the godds alone;
Whome, when the ruler of the starrs
beheld with scornefull face,
Hee willd him to depart the feilde,
and leaue to him the place.
But Terminus, all confident,
did bouldlie to him saye,
‘I yeald to none’: the septred Ioue
could not drive him awaye.
Hee standeth fixte, not to be moved,
whome wee cannot intreate
with price, nor prayer, with wordes, nor giftes,
nor yet with angrie threate.

Soe are the fixed bonds which god
doth limit to our daies,
not to be changed or removed,
to lengthe them anie waies.

(37) God slowlie punisheth.

What doth the waightie millstone meane,
not turned by the wynde?
Of heavenly god it signifies
the nature and the kynde.

The father of celestiall sprites,
of mortall menn the Kinge,
His thunder bolts doth rarelie shoote,
or lightnings downe doth flinge.

With slowe and stealinge pace, the wrath
of god doth on vs fall,
As one which gentlie doth expect
that wee for mercye call.

But when continnued patience
doth breake his former bande,
His anger is to furie turnd,
he strikes with heavie hande;

and with iust doblinge of the payne,
the grevous punishment
doth recompence the long delaye,
vnlesse wee doe repent.

ffor as millstone, once forct to turne
by rage of boystrous winde,
without regard, eche subiect thinge
doth into powder grynde,—

Soe clemencie of god, once broke
by our continuall sinne,
Doth vs torment with greater yre,
our sowles therbye to winne.

(38) Dull witts.

The cheife of gods, the mightie Ioue,
conceived in his brayne,
And in newe sort did beare a childe,
yf Poets trulye fayne.

But when that wonderfull burthen,
to worlde he could not leaue,
The fierie god, the lame Vulcan,
with Axe his hed did cleave.

Then Armed Pallas lepped forth,
true wisdome by her kinde,
for not of fleshe doth wisdome growe,
but of the precious minde;

ffor triple power of heavenlie minde,
which in the brayne doth dwell,
doth make vs like the triple god,
in wisdome to excell.

Some kinde of men there are, whose witt
soe pore wee often see,
As, but with payne and longe dayes toyle,
naughte will engendered bee;

ffrom whome their wisdome must be drawen
(since they want learned speeche)
As Pallas was from Ioue his hedd,
as doth this Embleme teache.

(39) The wretched not to be Doblie greiued.

The birde of Ioue, the Eagle of flight most free,
with manye bites, the naked hart doth teare,
of wretch Prometheus, hanging on the tree,
which for our skill doth this good lesson beare:
In this sorte not to vexe with doble greefe
A wretched mann deprived of releefe,

But rather showld, with words of myledest kinde,
a plaister give, to cure his greevous wound;
for to the same, sweet pittie doth vs bynde,
Since in godds nature dailie that is found,
and his preeceptes, in tables graven in stone,
gives vs in charge, the wretched to be none.

ffor hee whose tender hart with pittie dighte
vnto the sicke doth reache his helpinge ayde,
and partner of the waight of burdened wighte
doth ease his payne when hee is overlayed,
Amongst the heavenlie Saints shall firmelie gayne
A memorable name, still to remayne.

(40) Noe impuritie in heauen.

The blinded boye, which with his peircinge darts
and tender stroke, the heavenlie godds did wound,
felt greate delight to scorche their pliant harts,
since fellowe like amongst them he was found;
but when both sexes of gods did feele such blowe,
oft times greate warrs amongst themselvs did growe.

Then prudent Ioue, seinge that fyerie broyle
to rise by weapons which Cupido bare,
fearinge the godds would one annother spoyle,
the bowes and shaftes from Cupids backe he tare;
and with greate reason, for that boyes disgrace,
did throwe him downe from out that sacred place;

ffor the first father which hath made the skye
must keepe the heavenlie feilds most cleane & pure;
Soe Lucifer, the prowde, clyming on hye,
was caste from heaven, in hell for to indure;
for naught vncleane, as sacred letters tell,
in this most holie Cittie once may dwell.

(41) Honor and rewarde nourisheth artes.

Shewe mee, sweete muse, why thow and all the rest
which heavenlie spheres doe guide with harmonie,
were fostred vp with milke from Christall brest
of Euphemen distillinge plenteouslie.

Our nurce, her name doth well the same vnfold,
yf wiselie thow the sence therof dost knowe,
for Euphemen, none other thinge doth hould,
but this which from that greekishe man doth flowe.

Since Euphemen doth onelie signifie
good fame, good name, a good report & prayse,
true honour, due reward, and perfect glorie,
which nourishe Artes, and learned men allwaies.
ffor without that, who, learning would applie,
or weare himself with paine & miserie?

(42) Eloquence.

Some Learned menn affirme by abstruce skill
that Proteus, god and author of eche thinge,
who into severall formes, at his owne will,
oft turnd him self, as did occasion springe,
exprest a man, which fullie could expounde
ech severall thinge which was in nature founde.

Some sayed he was a man of pretious witt,
and greatlie skilld in kinglie government;
for they which at the Helme of state doth sitt,
must see wherto their subiects most are bent,
and turne him self into eche severall minde,
yf calmed realme he wishe, or hope to finde.

But I this Proteus severall formes doe deeme,
the force of Eloquence for to vnfould;
for as he oft did make his shape to seeme
a beast, a fowle, greene earth, or water cowlde,

Soe devyne Eloquence, mens mindes doth change,
Even as it lists, to like of thinges most straunge.

(43) Art cannot take awaye the vice of nature.

The healthfull bathe which daielie wee doe see
to cure the sores and fleshe of lothsome skinn,
cann never make the Negro white to bee,
or clense the harlot from her loathed sinne,
ffor such defaults as nature dothe committ
in the outward shape which she doth vs impart,
or such defaults as growe by minde or witt
cannot be cured by anie outward art;
ffor though a time wee bridle natures strength,
She will break forth, and houlde her course at length.

(44) Fortune.

As goulden Sonne doth worke from out the Skye
divers effectes, and those exceedinge straunge,
Soe wandringe fortune, by incertaintie,
workes her effectes with sundrie kindes of change.

ffor somm she doth oppresse with miserie,
ffrom dunghill, raysinge some to heapes of gould
Some she castes downe from great nobilitie,
and makes a clowne a noble place to hould.

Shee gives Kingdomes, shee takes them backe againe,
her wheele still turnes, not havinge anie staye;
she subvertes all, even as she please to fayne;
and as with ball, soe with the world doth playe.
In honnors Chaire, then see that thow sitt faste,
Least with her checke shee mate thee at the laste.

(45) Ganymede.

Yea, impure mindes whom vncleane lusts defile
against the rightfull course of natures kinde,
which perverslie your pleasant witts beguile,
with Ioue his loue, which Ganymede did finde,
deme that sweet fayre which forct the godds to love,
was sacred, and noe common lust did prove.

which Ganimede his name doth well expresse;
for that, a prudent mann, doth signifie,
who doth his minde to Heavenlie things addresse,
and flies to Heaven by livinge vertuouslie,
then which, on earth, nought cann be fairer founde,
causinge goddes love to vs for to abounde.
Then with true wisdome see
godds favour thow deserve,
In goulden cupp, with heavenlie drinke
of Nectar, him to serve.

(46) Eloquent wisdome.

The talking byrd, which gloriously is cladd
By natures guise in robe of Emeraud greene,
And Tyryan feathers gorgious to be seene,
with humane tongue and voice which art doth add,
of eloquent mann the worthie Tipe is hadd,
Such one as Tullie sayes he never found,
thoughe in sweet speech learn'd oratours abounde.

The Sea Tortoys, his howse which beares on back,
foure footed, shell clothed, and of fearefull sounde,
short hedded, Snake necked, without bowells fownde,
of hideous sight, and which warm blood doth lack,
whose Armor naught can peirce, of pase most slack,
true wisdomes signe doth vnto vs present,
And stayed minde to perfect wisdome bent.

Our Parrot then, vpon this Tortoys plac'de,
to vs doth note, by Egiptian misterie,
the sound effect of wisdomes veritie,
with Mercuries flowing tongue most swetelie grac'd,
which Ioynd in one, can never be defac'd;
wherof a truer mirror none maye knowe
then you, in whome such famous guiftes doe flowe:
Then live in hapie health,
since Mercuries worthie Arte,
And learn'd Mineruas skill,
doth harbour in your harte.

(47) Poetrye.

The artificiall Scale composd of gould,
the shyning mettall to Phebus consecrate,
doth fayre imprint the figure he doth hould
in plyant waxe, to secrecie dedicate;
that wax, transforming to his forme aright,
a gladsome pleasure to a Curious sight.

And golden Poet fedd with Appollos muse,
by his Emphatick verse of heavenlie kinde,
such charming power in reader doth infuse,
and grave such passions in his pliant mynde,
that he is metamorphos'd with delight
into the autors secret thoughts and sprighte;
ffor why, such enargye and life
doth in learn'd verse abound,
That sence, and witt, and hart, it doth
both ravishe and confounde.

(48) Ensignes of the Clergye.

Thow doest demaund of me,
why this right hand doth houlde

the slipperie Ele, which turnes himself
in circle manifoulde;
And whye the guelye arme
in midst of Sheild is placed,
Of Asured cullour, whose bright shine
the firmament hath graced.
The blewishe Scuttchion doth present
the vawted Skye,
Deenotinge that the spirituall man
should love the things on hye.
The reddishe cullor doth declare
the modest shame
which in his countenance should dwell,
a vertuous life to frame.
The Ele prest with the hand,
doth teach him to refrayne
His lipps and tongue from vttring wordes
deceiptfull, false, or vayne.
This must the learned Clarke
allwaies record in mynde,
yf of Saluation, care he haue,
or comfort hope to finde;
ffor as the slipprye Ele
not prest, doth slide awaye,
So doth the slipprye tongue, the thoughts
of inward minde bewraye.
The white cullor of Ele
declares that all his deedes
Should be white, pure, and Innocent,
which from his hart proceedes.
Thus yf he frame his life,
imbraced still is hee
Of godd and of the world, to which
he shall example bee.

(49) Flatterers.

There is a kinde of men, whome hell hath bredd,
Deceit hath nourc'd, and doble speech hath fedd;
naked of vertue, and impudent of face,
abhord of all, exilde from everie place,
ffalse flatterers nam'd, themselves which change
to every fashion, though never soe strange.
These doth the fishe Polipus represent,
in his conditions which be impudent,
Turning his cullor to everie kinde of Hue,
of everie obiect offerd to his viewe,
wherbye he maye, with bayt of cloked change,
deceyve the fishe which in the deepe do range,
Therbye more lightlie for to winn his praye,
to gorge his gluttenous mawe with foode allwaye.
Soe the false Parisites themselves doe wynde
to divers formes, as tyme and place they fynde,
Changinge themselves to ech mans severall vayne,
foode, wealth, or clothinge, therbye to attayne,
Deceyvinge such as in them put their trust,
paynelesse to serve their Hungrye mawe & lust,
and without labour to releeve their need,
worse then the Crowes on carrion which doe feed,
for they, dead bodies onlie doe devoure,
when these, the livinge doe consume ech hower.

(50) Our betters or enemies not to be prouoked with wordes.

Strymonian Cranes, which by their ayerie flight
preserv'd the wise Deucalion from the flood,
are taught by natures beneficiall lighte
to seek helping art for their better good;
for which, when they crosse frozen Taurus hill,
ech one, a stone doth carrie in his bill,

wherby they stopp the lowde voice of their crye,
leaste when they passe that huge and ragged mounteyne,
The Queene of birdes, their foe, should them discrie,
and their voyce make them praye to Iove his swayne;
but having overgone that dangerous place,
they leave those stones, and forth direct their pace.

Soe men, whome art and nature doth adorne,
should silent be, for feare of followinge hate,
and not with wordes, their betters for to scorne,
or ells their foes by tongue to Irritate.
for gentle speech, or silence, at the length
doth swage or keepe vs from our Ennemies strength,
which over pas'd, wee maie with courage bould
keepe on the course of life wee meane to hould.

(51) Wisdome and Strength are to be Ioyned.

Doe tell, rude verse, why that pure virginn fayre,
borne of Ioues brayne by helpe of Vulcans skill,
came armed forth into the Shining ayre,
not borne of Humane fleshe by natures will,
but whole begott of heavenlie seede and light,
being Pallas and Minerua call'd by right.

It shewes that wisdome doth from good discend,
not borne of fleshe, nor bredd of Earthlie kinde.
that shee came armed forth, it doth pretende
that wisdome without strength is but a wynde;
and strength without wisdome, subversion brings,
but Ioyn'd in one, doe conquer hardest thinges.

(52) The meane.

The Daulian Philomell, whose warblinge voice
descants the musick of natures sweete delight,
in her self notes soe greatlie doth reioyce,
that with the same she putts her life to flight,

soe swetelie yealdes this nightingale her sprite;
And vegitive plantes, watered with the meane,
doe springe; but overmuch, doe wither cleane.

Soe the excesse in everie Earthlie thinge,
and the extreame in everie fadinge kinde,
vncured hurt vnto it self doth bringe,
and extreame greife vnloked for doth finde;
ffor learned Flaccus putts vs still in minde
that witt is follie, and right iniustice named,
and vertue vice, beyond the meane once framed.

(53) Not to climbe ouer highe.

Bellerephon, which ruld without offence,
whome fretting envie could not make to yealde,
nor Pretus wife to incest could incense,
nor triple monster force to flie the feilde,

Did once ascend to his immortall fame,
the horse of honnor stabled in the skye;
but not of power, that vntam'd beaste to tame,
hedlonge is throwne to ground most worthilie.

Then thow which doste highe dignities attayne,
and clothed art with honnors purple gowne,
aspire not higher, least to thy bitter payne,
with extreame shame thow hedlonge tumble downe,
By fall, pervertinge former good
for which thow hast byn praysed,
And blemishing those worthie partes
which thee to honnor raysed.

(54) Monument of a harlott.

Whose tombe is this? whose bones doth this contayne?
the Ephereian Lais here doth lie,
whose peerelesse bewtie, wanton Greece did stayne
with her highe prys'd excessive Lecherie;

but wo, alas! sham'd not their destinie
to cut her fatall thred which was soe faire,
to whome to Corinth all men did repayre.

No, she was with crooked age foreworne,
her frowinced face her bewtie had defac'd,
And like a woman which weare all forlorne,
and that of Venus nowe noe more was grac'd,
her christall glasse on Venus wall she placed,
as lothinge in that mirror for to prye,
her wrinkled eyes and cheekes for to espie.

Vppon whose curious tombe, engraven by skill,
did stand a feirce and cruell Lyonesse,
which did the simple Ram, even at her will,
hould by the Loynes with clawes of bludinesse;
which vnto vs this morrall did expresse,
that by the Loynes she still did hould and keepe
her fonde lovers, as Lyonesse doth the Sheepe.

(55) Earthlie mindes.

The statelie Stagg, whose hornes threaten the skye,
is sencelesse dombe, not hearinge anie sounde
of hungrie dogges that seekes him eagerlie,
or hunters voice which doth in woodes rebounde,
whilst hee with grynding teeth feedes on the ground,
except he first his hed from Earth erect,
wherby the hearinge sence maye them detect.

Soe mortall men, full fraught with worldlie toyes,
whose earthlie mynde, howsd in such brutish wight,
(beastlie feeding on fleshlie fadinge Ioyes,)
cannot conceive the words of heavenlie spright,
nor heare the gladsome voice of heavens delight,
Leaste to the skye his hanging hed he raise,
from earth of Sinn, and sowles corrupting waies.

(56) The olde Testament.

The Oke, bearing a corne, Ioues sacred tree,
which, to wise Greekes, the Oracles did lend;
the Ayerye spredding beech, whose arms wee see,
frise clothed frut vnto the world doth sende;
In former Ages, and Earths infancie,
when eche Creature to natures lawe did bend,
with their swete nourishing mast fedd plenteouslie
our Auncient Syres, of other food deprived;
But wee, through Goddesse Ceres helpe revived,
comforting corne for Sustenance obteyne,
A pleasant foode, more exellent by kinde.
Soe nowe these trees noe needfull vse doe gayne,
but that to shade and buildinges they are sign'd,
which Moses lawe to vs doth signifie,
that was but mast, as stifneckd Iewes maye finde,
and shaddowes of the followinge veritie;
for nowe the immortall sonne of deitie,
Our Sauiour Christ, the autor of all good,
with rare bountie doth give abundantlie
his heavenlie corne to bee our dailie food;
wherbye wee leaue that mast and Iewish meate,
and hould that elder lawe confirm'd by blood
of beastes, and which but shaddowes doth repeate,
as figures onelie of Christes healthfull lore,
which is the perfect meate, whose signe the Iewes did eate before.

(57) Sophistrie.

Saturns daughter, and Ioue his Iealious wife,
Queene of Riches, pleasure of this life,
the angrie Iuno by her queint device,
self loving Syrens falslye did intyce
in songe with the sweete muses to contend.
these Syrens were, as autors doe pretend,

faire virgings, which in squamous fishe did end,
and fishe with virgins faces forth did send:
Wemen lacking natures feete of righte,
and fethered fowles wanting winges for flight,
which, though nature denye soe to combyne,
yet were they such as wee do here defyne,
conteyned in the holie number three,
whose names, significant are knowen to bee:
Parthenos virginn, with sweete Ligia,
and the most daintie white Leucosia,
who doth in false bewitching tunes excell,
wherby they sacred muses did compell
with them to singe, victorious crowne to gayne;
which learned muses did at first disdayne,
all though at length they yealded full consent,
and to their witlesse challeng did relent;
when with their shrill and most celestiall sound,
those prowde Syrens they easilie did confound,
by iustice lawe; for whoe maye well compare
the muses musick naturall and rare,
to the deceitfull Captious Syrens skill,
with which they all lascivious eares doe fill?
The muses then, full victors in the feilde,
vnplum'd those Syrens whome they forct to yeald,
and from them all their glorious fethers take,
wherof triumphant crownes they dulie make;
which mithologians thus doe moralize:
the muses, note the doctrine of the wise,
and perfect wisdome, which victoriouslie
triumphes on crag'd deceitfull Sophistrie,
which by false Syrens we doe signifie,
for what ells doe their fethers notifie,
but foolishe words, wanting true reasons ground,
which light, like fethers toste in wynde, are founde?
these doth true wisdome overthrowe in Scorne,
and with faire crowne therof, her hedd adorne.

(58) Ingratitude.

The stam'ringe Cuckooe, whose lewd voice doth greeve
the daintie eares with her fowle note dismay'd,
In the Currucas neste doth her releeve,
Suckinge the Egges which that heysuge hath laid;
in lue wherof, her owne egg she doth leave,
wherbye she doth the gentle bird deceyve.

Which that simple heysuge findinge in place
(pore sillie foole, not knowinge of this guile),
doth lovinglie nourishe with moothers grace,
hatchinge those Egges that did her bed defile,
by dailie food them fostring, as they were
of her owne kinde, and her true forme did beare.

But these vile bastards, as they growe in strength,
and fethered are with winges of trecherie,
their nource and moother doe assault at length,
with thankles mouth tearing her cruellie,
till peecemeale they devoure ech severall part,
and suck the blood of their dames loving hart.

Soe, wicked menn, the bastards of mankinde,
whome neither love nor reasonn cann alure,
whome others great rewards, to them should bynde,
because their life is nourished by their cure,
Acteons curres, and thanklesse menn doe prove,
wounding their patrons whome they ought to loue.

(59) Children in youth to be framed.

In yongest yeares, when will and strength doe want,
doe frame the child like to the growinge plant,
which yonge and tender thow maist wrye and bende
vnto what forme thy fancie shall intende;
but once a tree, and growen to height of strength,
noe force cann make him bowe or bend at length.

(60) Of the same.

As tender whelpe, whome natures skill hath taught
by her instinct to hunt and chuse the game,
to his perfection never yet is broughte,
nor for to doe his maisters will can frame,
till first his tutor, crosse his necke doe tye
a litle bat, to frame his whelpe therbye.

ffor that Invres and teacheth him, to beare
the Yoke in youth, which age would not Indure,
and doth compell him to obedient feare,
which in his age he never should procure.
in youth then, hange about the child his neck
the staffe of feare, his stubbornes to check;
Soe he shall learne, in age for to obaye,
In youth that first was taught the readie waye.

(61) Benefitts.

The silver Moone, Diana Virgine bright,
on mortall creatours powred her moystening light,
wherwith she doth adorne the Sable nighte,
whose sleepinge mantle dimms the peircinge sight;
which gladsome shine she takes abundantlie
from her beloved spowse, who favourablie
doth spredd his goulden beames most liberallie
on that faire Phebee full of curtesie.
Thus, like the liberall moone, wee should bestowe
the bennefitts which from highe Ioue doe flowe
vnto vs mortall creatures here belowe,
vpon our neighbours, whome wee needie knowe,
ffor soe the beneficiall heavens
doe teach vs by their kynde,
whose comfortable vertues, wee
doe by their influence finde.

(62) Prodigalitie.

The craftie ffox, with longe and bushye tayle,
doth allwaies clense and sweepe the durtie soyle,
wherat the mockinge Ape begann to Rayle,
for that his heavie tayle was clogging toyle
and in his chase did put him oft to foyle,
when he was quick, and nimblie, clym'd ech tree,
as being taylesse, lighter for to bee.

But scoffers must rescoffed be againe;
for subtile fox, with answer soone replied,
and rightlie said it was noe heavie payne
to beare those thinges which nature did provide,
our open shame, and fowle mishapes, to hyde;
for better was, to cover secretlie
the hinder partes, then shewe them lothsomlie.

Thus did the foxe the truer cause defende,
since much better are superfluities
which vs adorne, and profitt doe pretende,
then want of thinges to hide deformities.
So prodigall men, with their extremities,
ffarr better are in spending lavishlie,
then he that wants to serve necessitie.
And witlesse vnthriftes, which
superfluouslie do spende,
Doe much more good then such
as hordinge do attende.

(63) To Mr Thomas Valence.

My Valence, to thy learned vewe
this skillesse vers I sende,
the fruit of my well wishing hart,
and guifte of faythfull frende;
doe take it with like lovinge minde,
to aunswer my desart,

whome frowninge fortune hath denied
a better to imparte.
The frutefull bough of sacred Olive,
the braunch of peacefull tree,
the leaves of oylie healthful frute
that allwaies greene wilbe;
Which never lose their naturall shewe,
whose leaves doe never fall,
ffor which the Romans in lesse triumphes
were crowned therwithall,
As were the troopes of valiant knightes,
because this holie tree,
To warlike Pallas consecrate
ys allwaies found to bee;
vpon which sacred florishinge bough
I offer to thine eyes
A gentle Swarme of Wittie Bees
and honnie bearinge flies,
By which, as former learned menn
did vnto vs present,
Prosperitie of dailie health,
and minde to quiet bent;
So by the same I wishe to thee
like health and quiet minde,
with good successe, wherby thow mayest
perpetuall comfort finde;
Like Olive never to decaye,
but allwaies freshe to springe,
In peace of minde, in peace of tyme,
Eternall peace to bringe;
ffor yf we warr within our selves,
distract with everie thought,
Desired health doth still decaye,
Sicknes is dailie wrought.
Then to this peace and quiet rest
is Ioyn'd sweete nutriment,

ffor whoe delights in bitter foode,
to shorter life is bent;
ffor that our Auncient fathers ment,
by addinge to this tree
Dedalan bees, bright Phebus babes,
which good phisitions bee.
Since from the Olive, oyle distills,
the Bees sweet honie give,
both which, the weake and feble parts
with comfort do releeve.
‘And who, longe life,’ saies Democrite,
‘would winne for payne and toyle,
must moyst his inward parts with honnie,
and outward parts with oyle.’
So shall continuall prosperous health,
longe life for vs obtayne,
which as before, soe nowe to thee,
I freindlie wishe againe.

(64) Strangers more freindlie to vs then our owne kinde and kindred.

My loved frend, and lovinge therwithall,
the same even nowe which former tymes did finde,
against true freindshipps bande, howe maye it fall
that I should shewe my self soe farr vnkinde,
as to lett slipp our frendship out of minde?
wherfore this Embleme, which I frendlie ment,
take with like love as I the same present.

The pretie youth, Telemachus the fayre,
the pledge most deere to Vlisses eloquent,
and chaste Penelope, which with despaire
did feed her hungrie sutors hote intent,
and never would to theire desire relent,
did fall from crooked shore, sitting at ease,
into the raveninge wombe of raging Seas.

fforthwith, full fraught with love and pietie,
the Arionian Dolphins were at hand,
whose gentle barks receyv'd him lovinglie,
and from the deepe restored him to land,
Savinge his life; wherbye wee vnderstand,
That straungers to our kinde and to our bloode,
then our owne kinde and kinn, do vs more good,
And that th' vntamed Seas
breed fishe of better kinde,
Then pleasant Earth doth yealde
vs menn of lovinge minde.