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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Fiftie apples of admonition, late growing on the
tree of good gouernment: bestowed on his especiall friends and companions,
the Gentlemen of Furniuals In.
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 | The Rocke of Regard |  |
Fiftie apples of admonition, late growing on the tree of good gouernment: bestowed on his especiall friends and companions, the Gentlemen of Furniuals In.
Serue
, loue, and dread you God on high, obey your Prince on earth,
Unto your betters dutie shewe, be they by rule or byrth.
Unto your betters dutie shewe, be they by rule or byrth.
Liue you within the bounds of lawe, and tether of your fee,
For lightly after one yeares store, of scarcitie commeth three.
For lightly after one yeares store, of scarcitie commeth three.
Use studie when your wits are fresh, and aptest to conceiue,
But studie not the fruites of fraud, your neighbour to deceiue.
But studie not the fruites of fraud, your neighbour to deceiue.
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Use exercise with such a meane, as workes your bodies wealth,
And too much toyle doth hinder strength, & sloth impayreth health,
And too much toyle doth hinder strength, & sloth impayreth health,
Make choice to choose such companie, as are of honest fame,
For to be seene with thriftlesse men, impayreth your good name.
For to be seene with thriftlesse men, impayreth your good name.
Use modestie in all your wordes, despraise no man too much,
For lauish speach breeds great vnrest, in you and them you tuch.
For lauish speach breeds great vnrest, in you and them you tuch.
Make you no shewe of such conceit, how others you excell,
For if you doe, the wise will say, wit with a foole doth dwell.
For if you doe, the wise will say, wit with a foole doth dwell.
Inforce your selfe, silence to vse, when others tell a tale,
For babble then, both troubleth them, and sets your wits to sale.
For babble then, both troubleth them, and sets your wits to sale.
Haue care to vse some recompence, where you beholding are,
For trust me with ingratitude, no honest mynde can bare.
For trust me with ingratitude, no honest mynde can bare.
What so your friend commits to you, be euer secrete found,
Who giues his toung much libertie, doth all his body wound.
Who giues his toung much libertie, doth all his body wound.
Beware of taylers curious cuts, for they will shake your bags,
The merrie meane I holde for best, tweene roysting silkes & rags.
The merrie meane I holde for best, tweene roysting silkes & rags.
The tipling tauerne, and such like, to haunt haue small desire,
Of all reports it is the worst, to be a drunken squire.
Of all reports it is the worst, to be a drunken squire.
Who quarels much hath care enough, with mischiefe oft he ends,
Saūce need throw not your selus in brals, in need assist your friēds
Saūce need throw not your selus in brals, in need assist your friēds
Shun you ye trains of wantō dames, whose bayts are sweet in tast
But yet in truth, helth, welth, and fame, the courtesan doth wast.
But yet in truth, helth, welth, and fame, the courtesan doth wast.
As high way vnto beggerie, beware of dogged dice.
The greatest cause of blasphemie, a vaine of filthy vice.
The greatest cause of blasphemie, a vaine of filthy vice.
Out of the merchants iurnals keepe, buy sildome wares on trust,
Such vsurie bites aboue the rest, do try it who so lust.
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In neede make choice to sell out right, before you morgage lande.
What so befalls, looke for no grace, at any cutthrotes hande.
What so befalls, looke for no grace, at any cutthrotes hande.
Looke what you seale, read ere you seale, therin trust no mās truth
And writings seald, keepe safe your owne, lest had I wist ensuth.
And writings seald, keepe safe your owne, lest had I wist ensuth.
Haue great regard to suretiship, all is not golde that shines,
Yet stretch your selues, to help your friend, wt penurie that pines.
Yet stretch your selues, to help your friend, wt penurie that pines.
Whē wedlock life, doth like your mynd, match wt a vertuous maid
The mischiefe of the contrarie, a plague next hell is sayd.
The mischiefe of the contrarie, a plague next hell is sayd.
And married wel, the citie leaue, sing then Pierce Plowmans song,
For women vsde, to London once, will euer thether long.
For women vsde, to London once, will euer thether long.
Where so you liue, haue great regarde, to vse your neighbor well,
A good report in my conceit, doth riches farre excell.
A good report in my conceit, doth riches farre excell.
What some consume in painted pride, good house keep you withal.
Relieue the poore in any case, let chaps walke in your hall.
Relieue the poore in any case, let chaps walke in your hall.
Intreate your honest seruant well, giue him his hired due,
The flatterer and the make bate wretch, in any wise eschue.
The flatterer and the make bate wretch, in any wise eschue.
Account that wrangling in the lawe, is enimie to rest,
A spoyle of fame, a losse of time, a theefe that robs your chest.
A spoyle of fame, a losse of time, a theefe that robs your chest.
This reckoning make to serue your selues, you are not only born,
Your countrie, friends, & children looke, each one for som good turn.
Your countrie, friends, & children looke, each one for som good turn.
Three sorts of men, with speciall care, salue you their needy griefe,
The scholer forced from his booke, abroad to seeke reliefe.
The scholer forced from his booke, abroad to seeke reliefe.
The souldier spoyled in ye wars, whose hassard works your peace,
And next the simple husbandman, who toyles for your increase.
And next the simple husbandman, who toyles for your increase.
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So spend your time, as you may leaue, some monument of fame,
Preferre an honest death, before a life prorog'd with shame.
Preferre an honest death, before a life prorog'd with shame.
Quod cauere possis, stultum est admittere.
| The Rocke of Regard | |