Albions England A Continued Historie of the same Kingdome, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: With most the chiefe Alterations and Accidents theare hapning, vnto, and in the happie Raigne of our now most gracious Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth: Not barren in varietie of inuentiue and historicall Intermixtures: First penned and published by William Warner: and now reuised, and newly inlarged by the same Author: Whereunto is also newly added an Epitome of the whole Historie of England |
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CHAP. XXXVII.
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CHAP. XXXVII.
Albions England |  |
CHAP. XXXVII.
Svppose (for so must be suppos'd) that Birdes and Beastes did speake:
The Cuckooe sometimes lou'd the Owle, and so with her did breake,
Then flew the Owle by day, so did the Cuckooe all the yeere,
So did the Swallow and the Batte: but howe it hapned heare.
The Cuckooe by the Swallow (then the Swallow was his Page)
Did send the Owle a sucking Mouse, a tydie for the age:
The Bat (the Bat then seru'd the Owle) preferd the Bringer and
The Present to her Mistres sight, that in her Todd did stand.
My maister to your Owleship, quoth the swallow, sends by me
This Modicum, desiring you to take the same in gree.
The Owle, that neuer till that day had tasted flesh of Mouse,
Had quickly lopte a Limbe or two, and feasteth in her house
The Swallow with a cursee of her then disgorged wheat:
When, talking of the daintie flesh, and elswhat, as they eate,
The Bat (then waiting at the boorde) fetcht siges a two or three:
The Owle did aske the cause. And doe you aske the cause, quoth she,
Why thus I sigh when thus in sight my kindred murthred be?
My selfe was sometimes such, and such am still, saue now I fly:
With that she freshly wept: and thus proceeded by and by.
The Cuckooe sometimes lou'd the Owle, and so with her did breake,
Then flew the Owle by day, so did the Cuckooe all the yeere,
So did the Swallow and the Batte: but howe it hapned heare.
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Did send the Owle a sucking Mouse, a tydie for the age:
The Bat (the Bat then seru'd the Owle) preferd the Bringer and
The Present to her Mistres sight, that in her Todd did stand.
My maister to your Owleship, quoth the swallow, sends by me
This Modicum, desiring you to take the same in gree.
The Owle, that neuer till that day had tasted flesh of Mouse,
Had quickly lopte a Limbe or two, and feasteth in her house
The Swallow with a cursee of her then disgorged wheat:
When, talking of the daintie flesh, and elswhat, as they eate,
The Bat (then waiting at the boorde) fetcht siges a two or three:
The Owle did aske the cause. And doe you aske the cause, quoth she,
Why thus I sigh when thus in sight my kindred murthred be?
My selfe was sometimes such, and such am still, saue now I fly:
With that she freshly wept: and thus proceeded by and by.
A fresh, quoth she, now comes to minde mine Auncestors ill hap,
Whō pride made praies to Kestrels, Kites, Cats, Weasels, Baē, & trap:
My Grandsier (for wheare Nature failes in strength she adds in wit)
Was full of Science: But, insooth, he misapplied it.
The Weasell, Prince of Vermen (though besides a vertuous Beast)
By shrewdnes of my Grandsiers wit his Holes with hoords increaste,
And seem'd to conn him thankes, whō none besides had cause to thank
For Princes Fauours often make the fauored too cranke.
Not only Mice, but Lobsters, Cats, and noble Vermen paide
In comming Coram Nobis for some crime against them laide.
But, God, it is a world to see, when purposes be sped,
How Princes, hauing fatted Such, are with their fatnes fed:
The Weasel seru'd my Grandsier so, and euery Vermen laught
To see himselfe in Snare that had in Snares so many caught.
Now also liue some wylie Beasts, and fatly do they feede
Mongst Beasts of chace & birds of game, with lesse, then needfull heed.
My Graundsier dead, my Father was in fauour nerthelesse,
Nor did his Father more than he for high Promotion presse:
And (though I say it) long time he deserued fauors well,
For quayling Foe men, and at home such Vermen as rebell:
And for the same the Weasell did him mightily preferre:
But Honors made him haughtie, and his haughtines to erre.
I will be plaine, he waxt too prowd, and plotted higher drifts
Than fitted him, or fadged well, for who haue thriu'd by shifts?
Nor will I say (because his sonne) he wrong'd the Weasell, but
The Weasell died, and that that did succeede to shifts he put.
For which his Fathers Fortune did oretake him at the last:
Such fickelnesse in earthly pompe, which, flowing ebs as fast.
This double warning might haue iekt vnto my wit, but I
Did follow Kinde: Nay, more, I did importune Dis to fly,
And he did giue me these blacke wings, resembling him that gaue thē,
A proper Gift, and hardly got, to shame me now I haue them.
But know yee Dis? some Pluto him or Limbos God doe call,
Or, aptlier said, in Hell of diuels the Chiefe and Principall:
And somwhat now of him and how I changed say I shall.
Whō pride made praies to Kestrels, Kites, Cats, Weasels, Baē, & trap:
My Grandsier (for wheare Nature failes in strength she adds in wit)
Was full of Science: But, insooth, he misapplied it.
The Weasell, Prince of Vermen (though besides a vertuous Beast)
By shrewdnes of my Grandsiers wit his Holes with hoords increaste,
And seem'd to conn him thankes, whō none besides had cause to thank
For Princes Fauours often make the fauored too cranke.
Not only Mice, but Lobsters, Cats, and noble Vermen paide
In comming Coram Nobis for some crime against them laide.
But, God, it is a world to see, when purposes be sped,
How Princes, hauing fatted Such, are with their fatnes fed:
The Weasel seru'd my Grandsier so, and euery Vermen laught
To see himselfe in Snare that had in Snares so many caught.
Now also liue some wylie Beasts, and fatly do they feede
Mongst Beasts of chace & birds of game, with lesse, then needfull heed.
My Graundsier dead, my Father was in fauour nerthelesse,
Nor did his Father more than he for high Promotion presse:
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For quayling Foe men, and at home such Vermen as rebell:
And for the same the Weasell did him mightily preferre:
But Honors made him haughtie, and his haughtines to erre.
I will be plaine, he waxt too prowd, and plotted higher drifts
Than fitted him, or fadged well, for who haue thriu'd by shifts?
Nor will I say (because his sonne) he wrong'd the Weasell, but
The Weasell died, and that that did succeede to shifts he put.
For which his Fathers Fortune did oretake him at the last:
Such fickelnesse in earthly pompe, which, flowing ebs as fast.
This double warning might haue iekt vnto my wit, but I
Did follow Kinde: Nay, more, I did importune Dis to fly,
And he did giue me these blacke wings, resembling him that gaue thē,
A proper Gift, and hardly got, to shame me now I haue them.
But know yee Dis? some Pluto him or Limbos God doe call,
Or, aptlier said, in Hell of diuels the Chiefe and Principall:
And somwhat now of him and how I changed say I shall.
I hapned on a Cranny, whilst my Mouse-daies lasted, which
I entring, wandred crooked Nookes and pathes as darke as pitch:
Theare, hauing lost my selfe, I sought the open aire in vaine,
Both wanting foode, & light, and life well neere through trauels paine.
The Moole by chaunce did crosse my way, and (as ye know) her smell
Supplies her want of sight and serues her purposefull as well:
I heard a tracting sound, and, skar'd, my haire did stand vpright,
Nor could I see, or fly, but feare and blesse me from a Spright:
She had me, hild me, questions of my being theare the cause,
And in meane while peruseth me with fauourable clawes.
I was about to plead for life, when she preuents me thus:
Ha, Cosen Mouse, what Fortune giues this meeting heere to vs?
Feare not my Sonne (I call thee Sonne because I loue thee much)
Doe hold thy selfe as merry heere as in a Pantlers hutch.
What know'st not me? or see'st thou not? with that she leadeth me
Into an higher roome, wheare her to be mine Eame I see.
I did my dutie, and my heart was lightned when mine eie
Encountered a friend whereas I made account to die.
Before me sets Shee Viands, and my stomacke seru'd me well:
And, hauing fed, my Grandsiers and my Fathers ends I tell,
(For she enquires for them, ere I acquaint her what befell.)
The reuerent Moole, then sighing, saide: ah, let no vermine thinke
That Fortune euer fauors, or that friends will neuer shrinke:
I did fore-smell their loftie flight would cost them once a fall,
And therefore, Cosen, see thou be forewarned therewithall.
Heere seest thou me (I tell thee, though I prise not Gentry now,
Thine Eame and of the elder house) that long agoe did vow
My selfe a Recluse from the world, and, celled vnder ground,
Least that the gould, the precious stones and pleasures here be found
Might happen to corrupt my minde, for blindnes did I pray,
And so contemplatiuely heere I with contentment stay.
Admitte the Weasell graceth thee, the more he doth the more
The other Vermen will maligne, and enuy thee therefore:
Himselfe, perhaps, will listen to thy ruine for thy store:
Or thou thy selfe, to mount thy selfe, maiest runne thy selfe a shore
That Vermen that hath reason, and his owne defects espies,
Doth seeme to haue a soule, at least doth thriue by such surmies,
For what is it but reason that humaine from brutish tries?
But man, or beast, neither hath troth that this for true denies,
He hath enough that hath wherewith pure Nature to suffies:
In ouerplus an ouercharge for soule and body lies,
For Souldiors, Lawyers, Carrions, Theeues, or Casualties a Prize,
His comber-minde that liues with it and leaues it when he dies,
From whom to catch it scarce his heire staies closing of his eies:
O wretched wealth, which who so wants no Fortune him enuies.
Here maiest thou feast thee with a Mad, & here no Pickethanke pries.
Into thy life, nor words well spoke to ill vnmeant applies:
No Flatterer to vndermind: no tongue no eare for lies:
No gleaning from the Orphant: no oppressed widowes cries:
No bribes to giue, no hands to take: no quarrelling for flies:
No wrongs to right: no lawes to breake, because no law that ties,
But what we lust we doe, nor doe nor lust badd enterprize,
And finde lesse want in Nature, than wits-want in Arts disguize:
Nor any heere in force, in friends, fraud, wealth or wit affies:
O doe thou not so rich, so safe, and iust a life despies:
Theare lacketh not of noble Births to star the courtly skies:
Nor want we Pollititians, thou maiest for thy Soule be wise:
Then leaue thou matters of estate to States, I thee aduise:
And rather sit thou safely still, than for a fall to rise.
I entring, wandred crooked Nookes and pathes as darke as pitch:
Theare, hauing lost my selfe, I sought the open aire in vaine,
Both wanting foode, & light, and life well neere through trauels paine.
The Moole by chaunce did crosse my way, and (as ye know) her smell
Supplies her want of sight and serues her purposefull as well:
I heard a tracting sound, and, skar'd, my haire did stand vpright,
Nor could I see, or fly, but feare and blesse me from a Spright:
She had me, hild me, questions of my being theare the cause,
And in meane while peruseth me with fauourable clawes.
I was about to plead for life, when she preuents me thus:
Ha, Cosen Mouse, what Fortune giues this meeting heere to vs?
Feare not my Sonne (I call thee Sonne because I loue thee much)
Doe hold thy selfe as merry heere as in a Pantlers hutch.
What know'st not me? or see'st thou not? with that she leadeth me
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I did my dutie, and my heart was lightned when mine eie
Encountered a friend whereas I made account to die.
Before me sets Shee Viands, and my stomacke seru'd me well:
And, hauing fed, my Grandsiers and my Fathers ends I tell,
(For she enquires for them, ere I acquaint her what befell.)
The reuerent Moole, then sighing, saide: ah, let no vermine thinke
That Fortune euer fauors, or that friends will neuer shrinke:
I did fore-smell their loftie flight would cost them once a fall,
And therefore, Cosen, see thou be forewarned therewithall.
Heere seest thou me (I tell thee, though I prise not Gentry now,
Thine Eame and of the elder house) that long agoe did vow
My selfe a Recluse from the world, and, celled vnder ground,
Least that the gould, the precious stones and pleasures here be found
Might happen to corrupt my minde, for blindnes did I pray,
And so contemplatiuely heere I with contentment stay.
Admitte the Weasell graceth thee, the more he doth the more
The other Vermen will maligne, and enuy thee therefore:
Himselfe, perhaps, will listen to thy ruine for thy store:
Or thou thy selfe, to mount thy selfe, maiest runne thy selfe a shore
That Vermen that hath reason, and his owne defects espies,
Doth seeme to haue a soule, at least doth thriue by such surmies,
For what is it but reason that humaine from brutish tries?
But man, or beast, neither hath troth that this for true denies,
He hath enough that hath wherewith pure Nature to suffies:
In ouerplus an ouercharge for soule and body lies,
For Souldiors, Lawyers, Carrions, Theeues, or Casualties a Prize,
His comber-minde that liues with it and leaues it when he dies,
From whom to catch it scarce his heire staies closing of his eies:
O wretched wealth, which who so wants no Fortune him enuies.
Here maiest thou feast thee with a Mad, & here no Pickethanke pries.
Into thy life, nor words well spoke to ill vnmeant applies:
181
No gleaning from the Orphant: no oppressed widowes cries:
No bribes to giue, no hands to take: no quarrelling for flies:
No wrongs to right: no lawes to breake, because no law that ties,
But what we lust we doe, nor doe nor lust badd enterprize,
And finde lesse want in Nature, than wits-want in Arts disguize:
Nor any heere in force, in friends, fraud, wealth or wit affies:
O doe thou not so rich, so safe, and iust a life despies:
Theare lacketh not of noble Births to star the courtly skies:
Nor want we Pollititians, thou maiest for thy Soule be wise:
Then leaue thou matters of estate to States, I thee aduise:
And rather sit thou safely still, than for a fall to rise.
Not for shee was my Elder or mine Eame, but for the place
I hild my peace, that would haue sayd her Moolships minde was bace.
But she perceiues me to dissent, and saieth, Cosen Mouse,
Doe as you like, you shall not finde a prison of my house:
Stay while you will, goe when you will, come and returne at pleasure,
And euer welcome: Vertue is an vncompelled Treasure.
This past, and thence passe we through deepe darke waies, saue here & theare,
The vaines of gould and pretious stones made light in darke appeare:
Vaste Vaults as large as Iles we passe, great Riuers theare did flow,
Huge wormes & Mōsters theare I saw, which none on earth do know.
On goe we, till I saw a glimps, and she heard noise of flame,
Then said shee praiers, bidding me to blesse me from the same.
I, musing, frain'd her meaning: She her meaning thus did tell.
That flaming Region, euer such (quoth she) is Plutos Hel:
All gould, all mettals, wealth, and pompe that nourish Mortals pride
Are hence and his, and hether they doe theare mis-Guiders gide:
He them inchaunteth, and the same inchaunt the folke on Earth,
Vntill their dying dotage theare finds heere a liuing death.
Still nertheles I wisht to see the hellish Monarch Dis,
When he (more ready to be found then for our profite is)
Ore heard vs, and vnhid himselfe, and shinde in rich array,
And seem'd a glorious Angell, and full gently thus did say.
That slandrous blind bace-minded Moole, friend Mouse, deceiues thee much,
And prates of me, of Hell, and Earth more than is so or such:
Beleeue him not, but rather do beleeue thine eyes, and see
If any earthly pleasure is vntripl'd heere with mee.
Then shewde he sights (which since I found illusions to betray)
Of greater worth than Earth affords, or I haue Art to say:
Nay, more, he bids me aske what so I would, and I should haue it:
Then did I pause, bethinking what was rarest I might craue it.
My Holes were stor'd with corne and croomes, on Earth I walkt at will,
And in her Bowels now had seene indifferently my fill,
Vpon it, nor within it, not sufficing to my pride,
I asked winges, scarce asked when they grew on either side.
I hild my peace, that would haue sayd her Moolships minde was bace.
But she perceiues me to dissent, and saieth, Cosen Mouse,
Doe as you like, you shall not finde a prison of my house:
Stay while you will, goe when you will, come and returne at pleasure,
And euer welcome: Vertue is an vncompelled Treasure.
This past, and thence passe we through deepe darke waies, saue here & theare,
The vaines of gould and pretious stones made light in darke appeare:
Vaste Vaults as large as Iles we passe, great Riuers theare did flow,
Huge wormes & Mōsters theare I saw, which none on earth do know.
On goe we, till I saw a glimps, and she heard noise of flame,
Then said shee praiers, bidding me to blesse me from the same.
I, musing, frain'd her meaning: She her meaning thus did tell.
That flaming Region, euer such (quoth she) is Plutos Hel:
All gould, all mettals, wealth, and pompe that nourish Mortals pride
Are hence and his, and hether they doe theare mis-Guiders gide:
He them inchaunteth, and the same inchaunt the folke on Earth,
Vntill their dying dotage theare finds heere a liuing death.
Still nertheles I wisht to see the hellish Monarch Dis,
When he (more ready to be found then for our profite is)
182
And seem'd a glorious Angell, and full gently thus did say.
That slandrous blind bace-minded Moole, friend Mouse, deceiues thee much,
And prates of me, of Hell, and Earth more than is so or such:
Beleeue him not, but rather do beleeue thine eyes, and see
If any earthly pleasure is vntripl'd heere with mee.
Then shewde he sights (which since I found illusions to betray)
Of greater worth than Earth affords, or I haue Art to say:
Nay, more, he bids me aske what so I would, and I should haue it:
Then did I pause, bethinking what was rarest I might craue it.
My Holes were stor'd with corne and croomes, on Earth I walkt at will,
And in her Bowels now had seene indifferently my fill,
Vpon it, nor within it, not sufficing to my pride,
I asked winges, scarce asked when they grew on either side.
Short leaue I tooke, & mounting left the Hell-God and the Moole,
And soared to the open Aire through many a sory hoole.
It was at Twilight, and the Birds were gone to roust, but I
(Inchaunted with the noueltie of flight) vnweared flye,
And had the Sunne been vp, I ween (such pride bewitcht my wit
To Egel-fie my selfe) I had assayd to soare to it:
Not seeing that my limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de,
But at the Dawning also I of wing-worke still presum'de.
The swallow (and I weene it was this Sallowes father) he
Was earliest vp, with him I met, and he admired me.
I hild him wing, and wistly he suruaies me round about,
And lastly, knowing who I was, did giue me many a flour,
And fled to tell the other birds, what vncouth Fowle was bred,
Who flockt to see me, till with gibes and girds I wisht mee ded.
Then, shifting out of sight, I hung till Twilight in a hoole,
Transformde, derided, hunger-spent, and (minding still the Moole)
In vaine I wisht reducement of my shape, and (which was worste)
My hap was harder than to owne in that distresse a Crust.
Then fled I to my wonted Holes, of hoorded food to get,
Too narrow by mine added wings that did mine entry let.
Now Mise fled me, not to the Moole I would returne for shame,
To Dis I durst not, mong'st the Birds I was a laughing game:
Then curst I mine aspiring minde, then knew I Dis a Diuell,
The Diuell the Prince of Pride, and Pride the roote of euery euill.
Hell, Earth, Aire, Heauen, and what not? then conspiring mine vnrest,
What might remaine but death for me that liued so vnblest?
But as I, fainting, flew that night your Ladiship, Dame Owle,
Did call me to your Todd, and glad to see a new night-fowle,
Did take me to your seruice, thence your Chamberlaine to be:
Ha Iupiter reward it you that so releeued mee.
It is a sweete continuall feast to liue content I see:
No daunger but in high estate, none enuy meane degree.
And soared to the open Aire through many a sory hoole.
It was at Twilight, and the Birds were gone to roust, but I
(Inchaunted with the noueltie of flight) vnweared flye,
And had the Sunne been vp, I ween (such pride bewitcht my wit
To Egel-fie my selfe) I had assayd to soare to it:
Not seeing that my limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de,
But at the Dawning also I of wing-worke still presum'de.
The swallow (and I weene it was this Sallowes father) he
Was earliest vp, with him I met, and he admired me.
I hild him wing, and wistly he suruaies me round about,
And lastly, knowing who I was, did giue me many a flour,
And fled to tell the other birds, what vncouth Fowle was bred,
Who flockt to see me, till with gibes and girds I wisht mee ded.
Then, shifting out of sight, I hung till Twilight in a hoole,
Transformde, derided, hunger-spent, and (minding still the Moole)
In vaine I wisht reducement of my shape, and (which was worste)
My hap was harder than to owne in that distresse a Crust.
183
Too narrow by mine added wings that did mine entry let.
Now Mise fled me, not to the Moole I would returne for shame,
To Dis I durst not, mong'st the Birds I was a laughing game:
Then curst I mine aspiring minde, then knew I Dis a Diuell,
The Diuell the Prince of Pride, and Pride the roote of euery euill.
Hell, Earth, Aire, Heauen, and what not? then conspiring mine vnrest,
What might remaine but death for me that liued so vnblest?
But as I, fainting, flew that night your Ladiship, Dame Owle,
Did call me to your Todd, and glad to see a new night-fowle,
Did take me to your seruice, thence your Chamberlaine to be:
Ha Iupiter reward it you that so releeued mee.
It is a sweete continuall feast to liue content I see:
No daunger but in high estate, none enuy meane degree.
Then all this processe (quoth the Owle) doth tend, belike, to this,
That I should eate no Mouse-flesh: Nay, Sir Bat, so sweete it is
That thou, so neere of Kinne to them, shalt also serue my lust:
And therewithall in rutheles clawes the haplesse Bat she trust.
That I should eate no Mouse-flesh: Nay, Sir Bat, so sweete it is
That thou, so neere of Kinne to them, shalt also serue my lust:
And therewithall in rutheles clawes the haplesse Bat she trust.
Here meant the Courtior to haue left, whom Perkens Lady prayes
To tell what end such wowing had, And thus here of he sayes:
The Swallow saw that cruell pranke, and flyes aloofe and sayde,
Vngratefull Glutton, what offence hath that thy Seruant made?
Choke mayst thou with the murther: So he left her, and vnto
The Cuckooe telleth what the Owle vnto the Bat did doe.
Varlet (he waxed cholericke) and what of that, quoth he?
Was not the Bat her bond-Slaue, such as thou art now to me?
What tel'st me then of other newes then what her answere is
Vnto mine amourous Message, sayes my Lady nay or yis?
The Swallow told him that through such occurant of the Bat,
He, interrupted, came away vnanswered in that.
A mischiefe, quoth he, both on that and thee ill-fauoured Elfe:
And in a stammering chafe he fled to wowe the Owle himselfe.
The Swallow Mans him thether, whom the deu'lish Owle did hate,
And all because he had reprou'd her tyrannie of late.
The Cuckooe, offering to haue bilde, she coyely turnd her face,
Tis more, quoth she, than needeth that we kisse, as stands the cace:
Rid hence yonn same your knauish Page, you sent him with a Mouse
To spie my secrets, or belike to braue me in my house:
Gods pretious, would you knew I beare a mind lesse bace than that
I can disgest your Drudge with me so saucely should chat:
Iacke Napes, forsooth, did chafe because I eate my Slaue the Bat.
O what a world is this that we can nothing priuate haue
Vncensur'd of our Seruants, though the simplest Gill or Knaue?
Well, rid him of your seruice, Nay, it skils not if of life,
At least if so you meane that we shall loue as man and wife,
For such Colecarriers in an house are euer hatching strife.
The Cuckooe, hearing this complaint, flew on his trusty Page,
And vndiscreatly gaue him strokes that kild him in that rage:
Yeat, ere he lest his life, he thus vnto his Maister said:
Thus many honest seruants in their Maisters hastie brayd
Are Dog-like handled, either yeat like deare in Ioues iust eies:
Of Harlots and of hastines beware, said he, and dies.
To tell what end such wowing had, And thus here of he sayes:
The Swallow saw that cruell pranke, and flyes aloofe and sayde,
Vngratefull Glutton, what offence hath that thy Seruant made?
Choke mayst thou with the murther: So he left her, and vnto
The Cuckooe telleth what the Owle vnto the Bat did doe.
Varlet (he waxed cholericke) and what of that, quoth he?
Was not the Bat her bond-Slaue, such as thou art now to me?
What tel'st me then of other newes then what her answere is
Vnto mine amourous Message, sayes my Lady nay or yis?
The Swallow told him that through such occurant of the Bat,
He, interrupted, came away vnanswered in that.
A mischiefe, quoth he, both on that and thee ill-fauoured Elfe:
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The Swallow Mans him thether, whom the deu'lish Owle did hate,
And all because he had reprou'd her tyrannie of late.
The Cuckooe, offering to haue bilde, she coyely turnd her face,
Tis more, quoth she, than needeth that we kisse, as stands the cace:
Rid hence yonn same your knauish Page, you sent him with a Mouse
To spie my secrets, or belike to braue me in my house:
Gods pretious, would you knew I beare a mind lesse bace than that
I can disgest your Drudge with me so saucely should chat:
Iacke Napes, forsooth, did chafe because I eate my Slaue the Bat.
O what a world is this that we can nothing priuate haue
Vncensur'd of our Seruants, though the simplest Gill or Knaue?
Well, rid him of your seruice, Nay, it skils not if of life,
At least if so you meane that we shall loue as man and wife,
For such Colecarriers in an house are euer hatching strife.
The Cuckooe, hearing this complaint, flew on his trusty Page,
And vndiscreatly gaue him strokes that kild him in that rage:
Yeat, ere he lest his life, he thus vnto his Maister said:
Thus many honest seruants in their Maisters hastie brayd
Are Dog-like handled, either yeat like deare in Ioues iust eies:
Of Harlots and of hastines beware, said he, and dies.
When now her gluttony and spight had thus dispatched twaine.
The Cuckooe, plying amorously her fauour to obtaine,
Euen then, and looking very bigge, in came the Buszard, who
Did sweare that he would kill and slay, I mary would he doe,
If any Swad besides himselfe faire Madam Owle did wowe.
The Cuckooe, seeing him so bog, waxt also wondrous wroth:
But thus the Owle did stint the strife: Shee cals them husbands both:
Now fie (quoth she) if so you could betwixt your selues agree,
Yee both should haue your bellies full, and it no hurt to me.
The Buszard faintly did consent, the Cuckooe said Amen:
And so was Hen inough for Cocke, not Cocke inough for Hen:
For she deceiues them both, and had besides them other game:
The Gentle Buszard dying soone for sorrow of the same.
The Cuckooe wisely sawe it and did say but little to it,
As nooting she was set on it, and knowing she would do it.
But what the Swallow warned him of Harlots proued trew,
For, as was gessed, also him by trecherie she slew.
The Cuckooe, plying amorously her fauour to obtaine,
Euen then, and looking very bigge, in came the Buszard, who
Did sweare that he would kill and slay, I mary would he doe,
If any Swad besides himselfe faire Madam Owle did wowe.
The Cuckooe, seeing him so bog, waxt also wondrous wroth:
But thus the Owle did stint the strife: Shee cals them husbands both:
Now fie (quoth she) if so you could betwixt your selues agree,
Yee both should haue your bellies full, and it no hurt to me.
The Buszard faintly did consent, the Cuckooe said Amen:
And so was Hen inough for Cocke, not Cocke inough for Hen:
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The Gentle Buszard dying soone for sorrow of the same.
The Cuckooe wisely sawe it and did say but little to it,
As nooting she was set on it, and knowing she would do it.
But what the Swallow warned him of Harlots proued trew,
For, as was gessed, also him by trecherie she slew.
The Goddesse Pallas, to giue end vnto these tragicke deedes,
Descended, and (the dead reuiu'd) to Sentence thus proceedes.
The Bat, because begild of Dis, Shee pittieth partly, and
Permits him Twy-light flight: to giue thereby to vnderstand
That to aspire is lawfull, if betwixt a Meane it stand.
The Swallow, for that he was trew and slayne for saying well,
Shee doomb'd a ioyfull Sommers Bird, in Winter time to dwel
Euen with Mineruas secret store, as learned Clarkes do tell.
The Buszard, for he doted more and dared lesse than reason,
Through blinde bace Loue induring wrong reuengeable in season,
She eie-blur'd, and adiudged Praies the dastard'st and least geason.
Vnto the Cuckooe, ouerkinde to brooke Coriuals, she
Adiudg'd a Spring times changeles note, & whilst his yong ones be
By others hatcht, to name and shame himselfe in euery Tree.
But liue, quoth she, vnto the Owle ashamed of the light,
Be wondred at of Birds by day, flie, filch, and howle all night,
Haue lazie wings, be euer leane, in sullen corners rucke,
When thou art seene be thought of folke a signe of euill lucke:
Nor shall thine odious forme, vile Witch, be longer on my Shield:
Whence racing foorth her Figure, so the Goddesse left the field.
Descended, and (the dead reuiu'd) to Sentence thus proceedes.
The Bat, because begild of Dis, Shee pittieth partly, and
Permits him Twy-light flight: to giue thereby to vnderstand
That to aspire is lawfull, if betwixt a Meane it stand.
The Swallow, for that he was trew and slayne for saying well,
Shee doomb'd a ioyfull Sommers Bird, in Winter time to dwel
Euen with Mineruas secret store, as learned Clarkes do tell.
The Buszard, for he doted more and dared lesse than reason,
Through blinde bace Loue induring wrong reuengeable in season,
She eie-blur'd, and adiudged Praies the dastard'st and least geason.
Vnto the Cuckooe, ouerkinde to brooke Coriuals, she
Adiudg'd a Spring times changeles note, & whilst his yong ones be
By others hatcht, to name and shame himselfe in euery Tree.
But liue, quoth she, vnto the Owle ashamed of the light,
Be wondred at of Birds by day, flie, filch, and howle all night,
Haue lazie wings, be euer leane, in sullen corners rucke,
When thou art seene be thought of folke a signe of euill lucke:
Nor shall thine odious forme, vile Witch, be longer on my Shield:
Whence racing foorth her Figure, so the Goddesse left the field.
Ivst Guerdons for Ambition, for poore Soules opprest for well,
For dastard Dotards, Wittolrie, and Harlots nice you tell;
Said Perkens Wife: But thus now of her husbands pride befell.
At last when sundry Armes had end, Henry victorious still,
And Perkens passage was fore-stald, he yeelds, of his owne will,
Himselfe from Churches Priuiledge to Henries Mercy, who
Did onely limitte his abode, and lesse he could not doe.
But when he sought escapes he then had petite punishment,
And after, for some new attempts, to Tower was he sent:
Whence practising escape t'was said, he won to his intent
Young Edward Earle of Warwicke, that indeed was Clarenes sonne,
And euer had beene Prisner theare eare Henries raigne begonne,
And now, by law too strickt me seemes, for this to death was donne.
Perken was hang'd, and hang may such: but that the Earle should die
Some thought hard law, saue that it stood with present pollicie.
Sir William Stanley dide for this (oft King law is doe thus)
Deseruing better of the King: but what is that to vs?
For dastard Dotards, Wittolrie, and Harlots nice you tell;
Said Perkens Wife: But thus now of her husbands pride befell.
At last when sundry Armes had end, Henry victorious still,
And Perkens passage was fore-stald, he yeelds, of his owne will,
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Did onely limitte his abode, and lesse he could not doe.
But when he sought escapes he then had petite punishment,
And after, for some new attempts, to Tower was he sent:
Whence practising escape t'was said, he won to his intent
Young Edward Earle of Warwicke, that indeed was Clarenes sonne,
And euer had beene Prisner theare eare Henries raigne begonne,
And now, by law too strickt me seemes, for this to death was donne.
Perken was hang'd, and hang may such: but that the Earle should die
Some thought hard law, saue that it stood with present pollicie.
Sir William Stanley dide for this (oft King law is doe thus)
Deseruing better of the King: but what is that to vs?
The last of our three Phaetons was tuter'd of a Fryer,
Who, being fitted now by Art and nature to aspier,
(The foresaid name of Warwicke fain'd) seduced folke thereby.
As I my selfe in Essex heard and saw a Traitor dye,
That fain'd himselfe sixt Edward: and to grace out such his lye,
Lookes, bodie, words, and gesture seem'd heroyccall, to view
He had like age, like markes, and all that might inforce it trew,
Whereby to him assisting minds of simple Folke he drew.
Our Cowle-mans foresaid Actor so preuailed, that the Fryer
In Pulpets durst affirme him King, and Aydes for him requier.
But lastly both were taken, both did fault in one same ill,
Yeat rope-law had the Youth, the Fryer liu'd Clergie-knaued still.
When Armour ended Auarice began (for then begins
Who, being fitted now by Art and nature to aspier,
(The foresaid name of Warwicke fain'd) seduced folke thereby.
As I my selfe in Essex heard and saw a Traitor dye,
That fain'd himselfe sixt Edward: and to grace out such his lye,
Lookes, bodie, words, and gesture seem'd heroyccall, to view
He had like age, like markes, and all that might inforce it trew,
Whereby to him assisting minds of simple Folke he drew.
Our Cowle-mans foresaid Actor so preuailed, that the Fryer
In Pulpets durst affirme him King, and Aydes for him requier.
But lastly both were taken, both did fault in one same ill,
Yeat rope-law had the Youth, the Fryer liu'd Clergie-knaued still.
The slye Mercurilest, and more by wyles then valour wins.)
Beneuolences, Taxes and sore Fines for penall lawes,
To Henry hoords, from Henry hearts of many a Subiects drawes.
Empson and Dudley (fur'd Esquiers, more harmefull being gown'd,
To Englands friends than Englands foe, through Auarice profound)
In such exacting chiefly Act, applaused of the King,
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Yeat whē the gracious King found out their racking Rich and Poore,
He then did pardon much, and much did purpose to restore,
But, dying, those two Harptes lost their hated heads therefore.
So hardly fauoured of Kings themselues in bownes containe,
That they, securely stout, at length doe perish through disdaine.
So hardly to some Princes are from priuate Lucar wonne,
As, though their bags ore-flow, they thinke no harme abroad vndone,
Henry (acquite his latter daies of Auarice fore-named)
Deceast for Prowesse, Policie, and Iustice highly famed.
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CHAP. XXXVII.
Albions England | |