University of Virginia Library

1. The first part of Songes composed by Thomas Whythorne, conteyning Songes for three voyces.

[If eu'ry one that goth about]

If eu'ry one that goth about, to set abroad for common vew, a work, hath any fear or dout, that the faut finding carping crew, should vtterly the same deface, few works set forth then should we haue: but who by vertue doth purchase, their state aye lastes lye they in graue, their state aye lastes lye they in graue.

[As many heads haue many wits]

As many heads haue many wits, so diuers men of vertues haue, and vertue likes her

ritches so, as other goods she doth not craue: nor to be celebrate of those, which be but of the cōmon sort, because that of her selfe she hath, no need of prayse or good report.

[When fliering fortune fauoreth]

When fliering fortune fauoreth, the fals world then smileth, but turn she once about her wheel, strange changes shalt thou feel. Wherfore as now I coūsell thee, vse truth and honestie: so shalt thou stand & neuer quail, though fortune do thee fail, though fortune do thee fail.

[When Cupid had compelled me]

When Cupid had compelled me, to serue my fained frend, Pallas from that perswaded me, lest trouble I should finde: for though thy loue doth seem, quoth she, thy good will to requite, yet in the end thou shalt well see, thy gwerdon shall thee spite, yet in the end thou shalt well see, thy gwerdon shall thee spite.

[Such as in loue would haue long ioy]

Such as in loue would haue long ioy, their choice must be for vertues sake, if otherwise they seek to knit, no deep root shall their true loue take.

[The restles race]

The restles race, the yong man runs, is strange to know in ech degre, now heapes he ioyes, and cares he shuns, anon his myrth away doth fle.

[Though frends be frail]

Though frends be frail, in eu'ry place, and promise broke

that erst was plight: Yet one there is aboue all frends, who faileth not the faithfull wight.

[In frends of ech estate]

In frends of ech estate, look for equalitie to be alway,

of minde, of welth, and honours eke, els soon they swarue and part away.

[Who yt for truth decrees]

Who yt for truth decrees (as iudge most sage) true noblenes of right onely to stād, in dignitie, or auncient linage, or great ritches, or reuenues of land, if therwithall he do not

link in band, wisedome, knowledge, and other vertues rare, his iudgement then of reason is but bare, his iudgement then of reason is but bare.

[Thou shalt soon see]

Thou shalt soon see, in ech estate, wher that do take deep root these fautes, suspitiousnes beyond ye rate, that needful is, or like assauts, of hasty mind, or gelous mood, gret sorows ay to be their food.

[The happy life as I do take]

The happy life as I do take, the quiet mind therof is ground, which sowre sorowes

doth still forsake, digesting them as they abound: for who frō cares will passe to ease, must take all troubles in good part, and if the mind take no disease all troubles els will soon reuert.

[He that conteinneth iniuries]

He that conteinneth iniuries, his state better appeare shall soon, then his who frets maliciously, till he reuenge offences done: for as malice tormentes his hart, and all his helth doth straight vnwrest,

the other not forcing therof, returneth soon to quiet rest, returneth soon to quiet rest.

[Beware how sorowes thee oppres]

Beware how sorowes thee oppres, let wisedome rule thy fantasie, so as dispaire thee not posses, with deadly dread thy fayth to try.

[What euer hath been in time past]

What euer hath been in time past,

in time present t'is often found, yt flattery hath got ye cast, to get frendship both safe & sound, wheras plaines in word & deed, of hatred great is sure to speed.