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 |
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G. W. to the signe of the brasen bell.
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 | The Rocke of Regard |  |
G. W. to the signe of the brasen bell.
And not without desart, I thee a tyrant call.Which saue a scorne thou madst of me, to eache mishape art thrall,
Thy credite is the church, O false vnfriendly bell
When as thou soundest the marridge ioyes, or ringst the carefull knell.
The souldier in distresse, by the alarum makes,
And when good hap doth him aduaunce, thy sides he rudely shakes,
Digressing from his state, to toyle of baser chaunce.
A thrall thou art, to Hick and Steuen, in euery morris daunce,
The hinde doth decke his horse, with belles to make him free,
The harmelesse foole, vpon his cap doth make a scorne of thee,
Besides to sauage beastes, a seruile slaue thou restes,
The deintie dog in Ladies lap, is iueld with thy iestes.
The mounting faulcon loft, bewrayes by thee her stande,
By thee the hobby dares the larke, before he well be mande.
Of yore this phrase I learnd, when things ne framed well,
A capcase for the foole to call, a cockscomb and a bell,
Then canst that thus arte scornd, besides thy seruile strokes,
A tryumph make vpon his teares, whom loue, ne lust prouokes.
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Who wel is bent to quite thy toyle, when stinted is his strife,
He sure would thee aduaunce, from brasse to glittering golde,
If that by pearcing peales thou wouldst, his sorrowes once vnfolde,
Thou seest what sighes I sende, and howe my suites be payd:
Thou seest my maistresse smyle with grace, and graunt she earst denayd,
Thou seest me Cupids thrall, her loue in league with hate,
Thou seest my blisse is wayd with bale, when wrath doth weaue debate:
Thou seest my greatest ioyes, are counterpeisde with paine:
Thou seest my myrth is mixt with mone, when iealousie doth reigne,
Yet when she smyles, thou spar'st, my sorrowes to deface,
And when she frownes, thou fearst to speake, to winne her wonted grace.
Well, sith through feare or scorne, thou lettst me languish still,
I present now will plead for grace, to winne my wished will,
And first good tong prepare, to tell a louers tale,
Sound foorth my ioyes, aduaun'st by hope, by dyre despaire my bale,
And when mistrust infectes my Ladies hautie hart,
Then scalding sighes, giue you the charge, to shew my ceaselesse smart.
But if she list to toy, and smyle with friendly face,
With easie force then armes assay, thy maistresse to imbrace:
Then sorrowe seeke reuenge, vpon her ruby lips,
Then wounded hart receiue the cure of cruell Cupids nips,
Thus forward vaunce your selues, the maister griefes to wray:
The silent man still suffers wrong, the prouerbe olde doth say.
And where aduenture wants, the wishing wight ne thriues.
Faint heart, hath ben a common phrase, faire Lady neuer wiues.
| The Rocke of Regard | |