University of Virginia Library

2. The second part of Songes, composed by Thomas Whythorne, conteining Songes for fower voyces.

[For to reclaim to frend a froward foe]

For to reclaim to frend a froward foe, or bring to passe affaires waighty & great, if patience cheefly doth work it so, as vertue rare it may be thronde in seate: for such in whom that thing is so to finde, though thicke be sown, yet most spring out of kinde, for such in whom that thing is so to finde, though thicke be sown, yet most spring out of kinde.

[The giftes of nature well disposde]

The giftes of nature well disposde, are pleasant to the sight, the like of fortune rule the rost,

be it in wrong or right: though both or none of these be had, yet to ye giftes of minde, the wise haue the prerogatiue, in all ages assinde, the wise haue the prerogatiue, in all ages assinde.

[Though choler cleapt yt hart about]

Though choler cleapt yt hart about, & set it all on fire, which causde the toūg in hasty wise, to blast out for my hire, a dreadfull change for me to haue, if it had taken place: yet now ye storme is gone & past, and I in quiet case, yet now the storme is gone & past, and I in quiet case.

[Now that the truth is tride]

Now that the truth is tride, of things that be late past, I see when all is spide, that words

are but a blast: and promise great, is but a heat, if not performde at last, and promise great, is but a heat, if not performde at last.

[Where prayses great be geu'n]

Where prayses great be geu'n, or fautes likewise be found, oft times they both are blown abrode, by will, without good ground. Ech thing is not as seems,

and as selfe wils likes it, to prayse or blame, for such most times do rather misse then hit.

[To ouercome by patience]

To ouercome by patience,

wher wrongs hath been of frēd, or to be stayd therwith frō will that would be reuenged, to finde out such in this sayd sort, possest with this vertue, is hard to do, so as ye same, is hard to do, so as the same haue alway perfect shew.

[Take heed of words thou mayst not vouch]

Take heed of words thou mayst not vouch, not spoke, for them th'art free alway, frō word and deed, but sayd, they do thee rule and touch thy sure estate, wherfore I say, of words take heed.

[Like as the smoke outwardly seen]

Like as the smoke outwardly seen, doth geue knowlege wher that fire is: so euill words discouers plain, the hatefull hart wher that ire is, so euill words discouers plain, the hatefull hart where that ire is.

[To reprehend or mock]

To reprehend or mock, therof the common end, is cōmon, and great hate to them that vse the same: to flout none hath the leaue, but to some to repr'hend, authoritie geues leaue, th'offender for to blame.

[It is a world some sots to see]

It is a world some sots to see, who measure honestie by welth, accounting all honest to be, as they posses of worldly pelth: and Lazarus with God did rest, when the rich gulch to hell was

prest, to hell was prest.

[I can not deem them happy sure]

I can not deem them happy sure, who can but onely crake of mucke, I meane ritches which worldlings lure, from heau'nly cares them selu's to pluck: but if vertue to welth ioynd be, twise happy then they be I see.

[All ye that serue ye blind God loue]

All ye that serue ye blind God loue, shall in ye end your labour loose, he is a fool & wil not moue,

but where he lighteth there to choose, and how should he geue due reward, who therto neuer had regard. Perchance his shaftes may pearce your mind, to make ye blind to serue your foe: thus when the blind doth lead the blind, ye know what good therof doth grow, therfore take heed how you do proue, to loose your ioye by band of loue, to loose your ioy by band of loue.

[It doth me good whē Zephrus rains]

It doth me good whē Zephrus rains, in Dians walke for to disport, wher dulcet ayres such ioy me gains, as spot of care doth not resort, the birdes with gladsom tunes remains, ech thing Apollo doth comfort, but I of all do most embrace: wherfore my song is and shall be, of ioyfulnes and of solace,

so oft as I this time may see.

[Prefer not great beuatie before vertue]

Prefer not great beuatie before vertue, the much gazing theron many may rue. For to beholde the beautie rare, of some who therwith possest are: but them t'accompany and oft to touch, is perilous this proof doth firmly vouch.

[It hath been proued both euen and morow]

It hath been proued both euen and morow, yt a little mirth is worth much sorow. Many that haue toyled & wrought in vaine, & that ech part of ease did little take, yet in the end for to quench all their paine, they did thē rest & sport, and good cheer make, they did them rest and sport, and good cheer make. It hath been proued both euen, &c.

[I haue ere this time heard many one say]

I haue ere this time heard many one say,

take time while time is, for time will away. Who so that great affaires haue to be done, let no deferrings of time be vsed, lest they be far off whē they would be sped. I haue ere this time, &c.

[Though crooked cares do chance]

Though crooked cares do chance, to wretched wilfull wils, which vnwisely aduance,

the reach of many ills: to those thus may we glaunce, where wilfull will planteth, wit with wisedome wanteth, wisedome wanteth.

[When that well tipled are]

When that well tipled are, with boused bum, dan Bacchus birdes so deare, their tounges then talk, and blab at large, that which in mind doth come, not shame cā let their retchles speech to walk:

beside all this most times such factes they vse, as oft their frends their companies refuse.

[Who yt will wey of ages all]

Who yt will wey of ages all, their change of shapes frō time to time, what childish thoughts to younglings

fall, as yeres waxe ripe how they do clime, may wel in mind this sentence call: as time doth alter eu'ry wight, so eu'ry age hath his delight, so eu'ry age hath his delight.

[When fortune seemd so much my frend]

When fortune seemd so much my frend, to place me with assured stay, then with a becke she made me bow, vnto my foe to be his pray, then with a becke she made me bow, vnto my foe to be his pray.

[If I had not foreseen]

If I had not foreseen, the changes newly hapt, the sodeine chance therof in cares would haue me wrapt: therfore I do protest, foreknowlege is the best, of troubles that must come, for then they soon digest, therfore I do protest, foreknowlege is the best, of troubles that must come, for then they soon digest.

[Of natures giftes wit is ye cheef]

Of natures giftes wit is ye cheef, which doth discern both

good and ill, & both wit works for to be breef, as reason rules or wilfull will: Let reason therfore rule wit still, lest will in wit doth work his will, doth work his will.

[Who so that list]

Who so that list, his chaunce to try, on fortunes fickle wheel, he shal soon see & also spye, her pleasures strange to feel: For as soon as she hath him set, aloft on that her stage, frō high to low she will him set, and all his pompe asswage, frō high to low she will him set, and all his pomp asswage.

[Though fortune frowne on me alway]

Though fortune frowne on me alway, turning my ioye to pensiuenes, yet do I still hope for the day, that all my wo shall haue redres: And no mishap shall take the place, to bring me in this wofull case. For all my hope is in my God, whose look dame fortune dare not bide, his force and hers is so far odde, from where he is she will soon slide: And why should I pray for her ayde, since on her wheel she hath few stayde?

[Ponder the proof so far as thou]

Ponder the proof so far as thou, in worldly works be proued shall, how vaine they

are in deed and show, how dangerous to deal withall: and nothing els yu shalt then find, this world (thus working in his kind) but wide scaffold for vs ech one, to play our tragedies vpon, but wide scaffold for ech one, to play our tragedies vpon.

[The doutfull state that I posses]

The doutfull state that I posses, doth trouble all my wits throughout, one while good hap seems t'will not ceasse, then by and by it makes me dout: And thus standing in hope and dread, I wish oft times that I were dead, I wish oft times that I were dead.

[Is there no choice for me]

Is there no choice for me, but still to tast this strife? shall all misease and pensiue thought, torment me all my life? O Lord to thee I call, now let thy pleasure be, to keep me from this misery, in ioye with thine to be, to keep me from this misery, in ioye with thine to be.

[The diuers chance that God doth send]

The diuers chance that God doth send, to vexe the mind and body both, it doth proceed as we offend, or as his loue towards

vs groth: Somtimes for that, our sinnes encrease,somtimes to try our constantnes: But I for sinne must craue release, which neuer ceasse me to oppres.

[The great offence of my most sinfull ghost]

The great offence of my most sinfull ghost, with terror great doth ouerflow the same, and that

which now my sprite oppresseth most, is remembrance of life past out of frame. Whē I for grace lift vp my daseld eye, vnto the throne frō whence it doth descend, euen then dispaire seems to approch me nye, to make my hope in me for to take end. But loe, dame fayth bids me leaue slipper hold, and take sure gripe on promise made of yore, by him whose eyes disdains not to behold, the hūble cheer, with hart tormented sore. So that mercy, for mercy I do cry, vnto ye Lord, frō whō springs all mercy, so that mercy, for mercy I do cry, vnto the Lord, from whom springs all mercy.

[O good Lord haue mercy on me]

O good Lord haue mercy on me according to thy great mercy, & do away th'iniquitie yt I haue wrought most wickedly, yt I haue wrought most wickedly.

[I will yeld thankes to thee]

I will yeld thankes to thee, O Lord in Trinitie, because thou hast heard me, my prayer all: and in my turmentre, my hope in thee shall be, to turne mine enemie, when I thee call, to turne mine enemie, when I thee call.

[My soule and all that in me is]

My soule and all that in me is, to prayse my God alway, shall ready be to do the same, in the

best sort I may. For he to me hath shewde his grace, vnworthy though I be, therfore will I set forth his prayse, to all of ech degree, therfore will I set forth his prayse, to all of ech degree.

[Since I embrace ye heau'nly grace]

Since I embrace ye heau'nly grace, in sort as I would haue, reioyce I must, till I for dust, do yeld my corps to graue. Was neuer none, did sigh & mone, I thinke more oft then I, for deep dispaire, me did empaire, confoūding me well nye, But then Gods grace, appeard in place, putting back that foule

feend: and sayd to me, of comfort be, for heau'n is thine at end. Wherfore reioyce, both sound & voyce, let no tune mourning be, but with delight, with all your might, reioyce ye all with me.

[When I remember of this world]

When I remember of this world, what I therein do know, how all the pleasures of the same, but vaine in th'end do grow. O Lord say I happy they be, who yu doost entertain, for they shal euerlastingly, in perfect ioyes remaine: O Lord say I happy they be, who thou doost entertaine, for they shall euerlastingly, in perfect ioyes remaine.

Grace before meate.

[O Lord aboue send vs thy grace to be our stay]

O Lord aboue send vs thy grace to be our stay, so as we neuer do that which belongs vnto the sinfull wicked way, the sinfull wicked way.

[Almightie God thy louing care]

Almightie God thy louing care, is to prouide for vs alway, & heer hast sent for our welfare, such worldly food as feed we may. So we thee pray to send also, our soules to feed thy food diuine, that thy glory in vs may show, to eu'ry wight. So ye infine, so ye infine, whē they by grace see our cōfort, may for ye like

to thee resort: and so to laud thy holy name, as all we heer do now the same.

Grace after meate.

[O our father we yeld to thee]

O our father we yeld to thee, for all thy gifts most thankfull prayse, which by vs now receaued be, or heertofore by any wayes. Desiring thee yt thou wilt saue, thy Church, our Queen, & all her land, and send vs all ye peace to haue, the which in Iesus Christ doth stand. Graūt this O Lord to geue to vs, for thy sonnes sake our Lord Iesus, to whō with

thee and th'holy sprite, be all glory for aye, so be it.

Psalme. 95.

O come let vs sing vnto the Lord: let vs hartily reioyce in the strength of our saluation. Let vs come before his presence with thanks geuing: and shew our selues glad in him with Psalms. For the Lord is a great God: and a great king aboue all Gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth: and the strēgth of the hils is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands prepared

the dry land. O come let vs worship & fall down: and kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture, & the sheep of his hands. Today if ye will heare his voyce, harden not your hartes: when your fathers tempted me: prouoked me, & saw my works. Fortie yeares long was I greeued with this generation, and sayd: it is a people that do erre in their harts, for they haue not knowne my wayes. Unto whom I sware in my wrath: that they should not enter into my rest. Glory be to the father, and so ye sonne, and to the holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and euer shall be, world without end, Amen, world without end, Amen.

Psalme. 100.

O be ioyfull in the Lord all ye landes: serue the Lord with gladnes, and come before his presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made vs, & not we ourselues: we are his people, & the sheep of his pasture,

O go your way into his gates with thanks geuing, and into his courts with praise: be thankfull vnto him, & speake good of his name. For the Lord is gratious, his mercy is euerlasting: and his truth endureth frō generation to generation. Glory be to the father, and to the sonne, and to the holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, & euer shall be, world without end, so be it.

Psalme. 123.

Vnto thee lift I vp mine eyes: O thou that dwellest in the heau'ns,

Behold, euen as ye eyes of seruantes, look vnto the hand of their masters, and as ye eyes of a maiden, vnto ye hand of her mistres: euen so our eyes wait vpon ye Lord our God, vntill he haue mercy vpon vs. Haue mercy vpon vs, O Lord, for we are vtterly despised. Our soule is filled, with ye scornful reproof of ye welthy: and with ye despitefulnes of ye proud. Glory be to ye father, & to the sonne, and to the holy Ghost. As it was in ye beginning, as it is now, & euer shal be, world wtout end. Sobeit.

Psalme. 134.

Behold , now prayse ye Lord, all ye seruantes of the Lord,

Ye that by night stand in ye house of the Lord: euen in ye courts of the house of our God. Lift vp your hands in ye sanctuary: and praise the Lord. The Lord yt made heau'n & earth, geue thee blessing out of Sion. Glory be to ye father, and to the sonne, & to the holy Ghost As it was in the beginning, is now, & euer shall be, world wtout end, so be it, so be it.

Psalme. 130.

Out of ye deep haue I called vnto thee O Lord: Lord heare my voyce,

O let thine eares consider well ye voyce of my cōplaint. If thou Lord wilt be extreme to mark what is done amisse, O Lord who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee, therfore shalt yu be feared. I look for ye Lord, my soule doth wait for him: in his word is my trust. My soule flyeth vnto ye Lord, before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israell, trust in ye Lord for with ye Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israell, frō all his sinnes. Glory be to the father, and to the sonne, & to the holy Ghost. At it was in ye beginning, as it is now, & euer shal be, world without end. Sobeit. Sobeit. Sobeit.