The noble arte of venerie or hvnting VVherein is handled and set out the Vertues, Nature, and Properties of fiuetene sundrie Chaces togither, with the order and maner how to Hunte and kill euery one of them. Translated and collected for the pleasure of all Noblemen and Gentlemen, out of the best approued Authors, which haue written anything concerning the same: And reduced into such order and proper termes as are vsed here, in this noble Realme of England [by George Turbervile] |
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George Gascoigne, in the commendation of the noble Arte of Venerie. |
 | The noble arte of venerie or hvnting |  |
George Gascoigne, in the commendation of the noble Arte of Venerie.
As God himselfe declares, the life of man was lent,Bicause it should (with feare of him) in gladsome wise be spent.
And Salomon doth say, that all the rest is vaine,
Vnlesse that myrth and merie cheere, may follow toile and paine.
If that be so in deede, what booteth then to buylde
High towers & halles of stately port, to leaue an vnknown child?
Or wherefore hoord we heapes of coyne and worldly wealth,
VVhiles therwithall that caytif care, cōmes creeping in by stelth?
The needie neighbors grudge to see the rychman thryue,
Such malice worldly mucke doth breede in euery man alyue.
Contention commes by coyne, and care doth contecke sew,
And sodeine death by care is caught, all this you know is true.
Since death is then the end, which all men seeke to flye,
And yet are all men well aware, that Man is borne to dye,
VVhy leade not men such liues, in quiet comely wise,
As might with honest sport & game, their worldly minds suffise?
Amongst the rest, that game, which in this booke is taught,
Doth seeme to yeld as much content, as may on earth be sought.
And but my simple Muze, both myrth and meane mistake,
It is a meane of as much mirth, as any sport can make.
It occupies the mynde, which else might chaunce to muse
On mischiefe, malice, filth, and fraudes, that mortall men do vse.
And as for exercise, it seemes to beare the bell,
Since by the same, mens bodies be, in health mainteyned well.
It exercyseth strength, it exercyseth wit,
And all the poars and sprites of Man, are exercisde by it.
It shaketh off all slouth, it presseth downe all pryde,
It cheres the hart, it glads the eye, & through the ears doth glyde.
I might at large expresse how earely huntsmen ryse,
And leaue the sluggish sleepe for such, as leachers lust deuyse.
How true they tread their steps, in exercises traine,
VVhich frisking flings & lightbraind leaps, may seeme always to staine.
VVhile Surfet sits in vaine excesse, & Banquet breeds debates.
How cries of well mouthd hounds, do counteruaile the cost,
VVhich many a man (beyond his reach) on instruments hath lost.
How setting of Relayes, may represent the skyll,
VVhich souldiours vse in Embushes, their furious foes to kyll.
How Foxe and Badgerd both, make patterns (in their denne)
Of Plotformes, Loopes, and Casamats, deuisde by warlike men.
How fighting out at Bay, of Hart, Bucke, Goate, or Bore,
Declares the valiant Romans death, when might may do no more.
How sight of such delights, doth scorne all common showes,
Of Enterludes, of Tumblers tricks, of antikes, mocks, & mowes.
And how the nimble Hare, by turning in hir course,
Doth plainly proue that Pollicie, sometime surpasseth force.
The Venson not forgot, most meete for Princes dyshe:
All these with more could I rehearse, as much as wit could wyshe.
But let these few suffice, it is a Noble sport,
To recreate the mindes of Men, in good and godly sort.
A sport for Noble peeres, a sport for gentle bloods,
The paine I leaue for seruants such, as beate the bushie woods,
To make their masters sport. Then let the Lords reioyce,
Let gentlemen beholde the glee, and take thereof the choyce.
For my part (being one) I must needes say my minde,
That Hunting was ordeyned first, for Men of Noble kinde.
And vnto them therefore, I recommend the same,
As exercise that best becōmes, their worthy noble name.
Tam Marti quam Mercurio.
T. M.
| The noble arte of venerie or hvnting | |