The Golden Aphroditis A pleasant discourse, penned by John Grange ... Whereunto be annexed by the same Authour asvvell certayne Metres upon sundry poyntes, as also divers Pamphlets in prose, which he entituleth His Garden: pleasant to the eare, and delightful to the Reader, if he abuse not the scente of the floures |
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A Gentleman reuealeth his former life.
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 | The Golden Aphroditis |  |
A Gentleman reuealeth his former life.
When youth was in his prime, and florisht most of all,I set my whole delight to vew, whom gallāt dames mē cal.
So wauring was my witte, so wanton was mine eye,
That all the day I walkt the streetes, to see who passed bye.
Such gasing sights did please me wel, and daintie fed my reumes.
If hir I did suspect a Curtizan to be,
Then would I clap hir on the lippes, though euery man did see.
And say all hayle faire dame, I ioye to see your health,
You will not know your wōted friēds such is your store of welth.
Then she herewith amazde not knowyng me before,
Will thinke I come (as one a fresh) acquaintance new to score.
If she whome thus I kiste, did sayle in vertues barke,
I crie you mercy then I sayde, I did mistake my marke.
No harme, she would replie: thus I a kisse would gayne,
Of those whome nere I sawe before, else was it to my payne.
And when my hand was in, with those whiche were of welth.
The tablet hanging on hir necke, sometime I gotte by stealth.
Sometime I got hir ring, sometimes hir chayne of golde,
Sometime she gaue me mony store, to bye me what I would.
Thus making vp my mouth, I made thereof a skoffe,
I counte I got it all by stealth, hir mate knew not thereof.
If hir by chaunce I met, in presence of hyr mate,
I passed by, I knew hir not, nor looked at hir gate.
Yet if he marked not, my nobbes a nodde should haue,
My Connie she would winke againe, but none should it perceaue.
If that she bitte hir lippe, thereby I knew hir harte,
I must be logging all in haste, hir husband would not starte.
And for a token true, to passe betwixt vs twayne,
Yea, for to keepe our hartes in loue, she broke a ring in twayne.
If ought I stoode in neede, this token did I sende,
At sight whereof she ready was, what might for euer lende.
Yea glad she was to bende, least hir I should forsake,
Who did hir selfe vnto my lure, so curteously betake.
Good cheere I could not wante, when gone he was from home,
Nor nothing else which pleasde mine eye (neglecting sillie mome)
This got my ranging foote, this got my glauncyng eye,
This got I say my trying tongue, whiche tolde hyr many a lye.
But now the pryme is paste, the flower of all my ioye,
Each thing most freshe of hue, in tyme of Lady Ver,
Now Titan with his parchyng beames, beginnes himselfe to ster.
Now Autumne he is paste, and Hiems cōmes in place,
My goodes are wasted whole & some, whō should I sue for grace?
What should I leane vnto? my pillers now are gone,
And eke the trulles whereto I lente, are changed euery chone.
Now must I turne my coate, and cleaue vnto my God,
Desiring pardon for my crime, that spared hath his rod.
This is the common ende, of those whiche vse the game,
Happie is he that sees the snare, and can eschewe the same.
Compare your former luste, vnto your after witte,
For wisedome sayes for Vertues schoole dame Follie is not fitte.
And tyme will force thee see, how follie did anoy,
For where dame pleasure bēt thy bowe, now fortune seemeth coy.
Thus thou at length wilt turne, if vertue giues thee grace,
If not, assure thy selfe to burne, where pleasures hydes hir face.
His Poesie.
Serò sapiunt Phryges. | The Golden Aphroditis | |