The Rocke of Regard diuided into foure parts. The first, the Castle of delight: Wherein is reported, the wretched end of wanton and dissolute liuing. The second, the Garden of Vnthriftinesse: Wherein are many sweete flowers, (or rather fancies) of honest loue. The thirde, the Arbour of Vertue: Wherein slaunder is highly punished, and vertuous Ladies and Gentlewomen, worthily commended. The fourth, the Ortchard of Repentance: Wherein are discoursed, the miseries that followe dicing, the mischiefes of quareling, the fall of prodigalitie: and the souden ouerthrowe of foure notable cousners, with diuers other morall, natural, & tragical discourses: documents and admonitions being all the inuention, collection and translation of George Whetstons |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Why do I liue (quoth he) to see this lothsome sight] |
 | The Rocke of Regard |  |
91
[Why do I liue (quoth he) to see this lothsome sight]
Why do I liue (quoth he) to see this lothsome sight,Sith iustice is this day diuorst, and wrong is matcht with might,
Where cousnage was the clarke, where pollage was the priest,
Where deepe deceit, which gaue this dame, was father of the feast,
Where brydemen were abuse, where briberie bare the cup,
Where greedie earls as chiefest guestes, in euery boll did sup,
Where coyne was cater made, where cost the cookerie drest,
Where catchpoles false did fill the cups, at this great marriage feast,
Where parasites did prate, to free each sullen moode,
Wher cheting churles did fill their paūch, where poore mē steru'd for food,
Where countenance once dynde, and might haue cheard his mates,
Wide open then, but not before, the porter set the gates,
Yet thousandes preast to see, the res'due of the sport,
Some cloyd by craft, some foyld by force, for succour did resort,
But well I sawe (quoth he) which sight I sore did rue,
How blastes of scorne the belly Gods, among the needie blue,
How wealth did smile at want, how riches railde on right,
How vertue was supprest by vice, how pitie by despight,
How false suspect did forge, a thousand {flim flam} stayes.
In rightfull suites to tyre the poore, with cost and long delayes.
Anon the musicke soundes, and force his office shewd,
Well meaning mindes he wrapt so hard, that they his hart beshrewd,
First falshoode makes his choice, next flatterie takes his chaunce,
Then tag and rag about the house, deceitfull measures daunce.
A curious maske at night, the bridemen doth ordaine.
With shews of fraud to feed their thoghts, which care not how they gain,
Abuse did leade the bride, extortion maskt with craft,
To see deceit come hobbling on, a hundred carrens laught.
Pure neede to get a place, was glad to holde a torch.
But iustice during all this sport, was placed in the porch,
Good Ladie then (quoth he) alas and well away,
You sometime did possesse this place, this whilome was your day.
92
How chaunceth Truth, did suffer Craft, to enter in your gate,
What though that gaine did sowe, some seedes of Iealousie,
Might not (Remorse) attonement make, betweene thy feere and thee?
Is Conscience nowe exilde, who sometime counseld Might,
For to regard dame Iustice suite, and not to striue with right?
Are honest myndes nowe fled, doth rigour rule the rest?
Is Iustice nowe diuorst from might, doth wrong nowe scoure the coste?
Doth countenaunce cloake such crimes, as iustice did vncace?
Dare couseners false defende their faults, with shew of honest face?
They dare and doe God wot, by maintenaunce of might,
Why liue I then alas, he sayd, sith no man fauours right?
With that adieu good hope, and welcome woe (quoth he)
I see no gleames of grace appeare, my cloudes of scare to free.
| The Rocke of Regard | |