University of Virginia Library

3. The third part of Songes, composed by Thomas Whythorne, conteining Songes for fiue voyces.

[When wit doth seek vice to embrace]

When wit doth seek vice to embrace, then wit him selfe doth much deface: for wit and wisedome diffreth so, as wit from wisedome needes must go. If wit by wisedome rule in place, as reason would it should be so, then wit so working, ye shall see, will worke all well in ech degree. But if wit worke without wisedome, I dout what good therof will come, but if wit worke without wisedome, I dout what good therof will come.

[The musicke tunes of voyce or sound]

The musicke tunes of voyce or sound, doth helpe the eares, and doth expell, all sorowes that ye hart doth wound, also ye wits it cherisheth well: it soupleth sinewes of ech wight, and eke the faint it fils with might, it fils with might.

[As t'is a signe of persons graue]

As t'is a signe of persons graue, patiently to beare th'unkinde parts, vsed to thē by such as haue, by frendly proof known their true harts: so is a signe a fool to

know, vnthankfulnes, wher it doth show, so is a signe a fool to know, vnthankfulnes wher it doth show.

[Of a hard beginning, of a hard beginning comes]

Of a hard beginning, comes a good end many say: which prouerb old a comfort is to some where cares bears sway. If good beginning chaunce, shall we then dout a change? Not so, for then the faithles will,

from goodnes soon estrange. Of a hard beginning comes a good end many say.

[The pleasant and the gentle speech]

The pleasant and the gentle speech, where countnaunce like doth show, court'ous behauour and gesture, where maners milde do grow. Of all things in absence to make the best with good report, doth winne and keep faythfull frendship, where reason doth resort, doth winne and keep faithfull

frendship, where reason doth resort.

[The haughtines of some but base]

The haughtines of some but base, whose outward show seems of some port, takes on them as they were in case, for to countnaunce the higher sort: these would haue all to thē be bound, and they from all free to be found, these would haue all to them be bound, and they from all free to be found.

[I haue not onely read]

I haue not onely read, but eke by proof haue tride, how such who daily haunt their

greaters company, can not shun great offence on th'one or th'other side, wherfore happy are they, who such an ill can flye.

[Nothing is sharper then low thinges]

Nothing is sharper then low thinges, when they by groth on hye be brought: so none in pride, and crueltie, are like to some who rise of nought, so none in pride,

and crueltie, are like to some who rise of nought, who rise of nought.

[In weale & wo be patient]

In weale & wo be patient, let not fury thy hart posses, for she alway ye same doth rent, and brings it oft in great distres, wherfore if thou wilt liue in rest,

in no wise harbor such a gest, wherfore if yu wilt liue in rest, in no wise harbour such a gest.

[As thy shadow it selfe applyeth]

As thy shadow it selfe applyeth, to follow thee wher so thou go, & when thou bends it self it wryeth, turning as thou both to & fro: the flatterer doth euen so, and shopes himself the same to glose, with many a fawning & gay show, whom he would frame for his purpose, with many a fawning and gay show, whom he would frame for his purpose.

[It doth belong more of good right]

It doth belong more of good right, to such as haue courage gentle, to shew forth plain to eu'ry wight, the loue or hate they bear them till: then slily to cloke, or closely to hide, by their dissembling look and cheer, the good or ill that in their harts doth bide, wherby their wyles cannot appeare, wherby their wyles cannot appeare.

[Who that to quaffing is bent]

Who that to quaffing is bent, and to drink the rate, that dame nature (the nursse of helth) hath thē forbod, the mastry of thēselues they loose, their strength doth so abate, beside their worse reward,

which is the wrath of God, beside their worse reward, which is the wrath of God.

[If flattered be ye wicked]

If flattered be ye wicked, frō ill to worse become they than, whē malice is likewise praised, the harme therof few suffer can,

the harme therof few suffer can, few suffer can, few suffer can.

[If thou yt hast a trusty frend]

If thou yt hast a trusty frend, desire that his loue may not swarue, then how to vse him to that end, thou shalt now know thy turne to serue. Both gentlenes and curtesie, to him to vse see that thou do. Let no rough speech his patience try: nor crooked maners see thou show. Forbeare him when he is angry. In his errour gently reproue. When aduers chaunce doth touch him nye, comfort him then as doth behoue. So mayst thou

not onely retaine, thy frend so long as life doth last: but double loue thou oughtst to gain, as gwerdon for thy frendship past. But whē thou hast so put in vre, the things that erst I told thee on: if all that please him not, be sure, he is no frend to trust vpon, no frend to trust vpon.

[Thy secretes told to such as haue]

Thy secretes told to such as haue, of dissembling the proper way, to be blabd forth

thee to be praue, look thou therfore there is no nay. And to the Foxe the Lamb shal gain, ere he of guile findes cause to feare, therfore ye faithfull hart retaine, that holds thy hart and secrets deare, therfore the faythfull hart retaine, that holds thy hart & secrets deare.

[By new broom]

By new broom, ye may be sure, store is good, for they will not long endure. The new broom sweepeth cleane, a prouerb old, that applyed is to such as heerafter shall be told. The double diligent the seruant new: And the hote soner that dy'eth at first vew. The hote loue is

soon colde, as oft is seen, and the temp'rate fire doth make the sweetst malt, as wise do ween. The frend at first that seems he will not change, inconstant, yet to prone, it is not strange. Thus my song for to end, in plain words few, t'is not good to trust these three ouer much at the first shew.

[Geue not thy minde to heauines]

Geue not thy minde to heauines, suffer not cares to make thee thrall, for they in time dry vp doutles, thy bones and moysture radicall. The ioy and cheerfulnes of hart, is onely comfort of mans life, and gladnes eke prolongs by art, his liuing dayes deuoyde

of strife. Now leaue ye sowre and take the sweet, thou shalt for helth finde it most meet, now leaue the sowre and take the sweet, thou shalt for helth finde it most meet.

[Shall I this wo sustaine]

Shall I this wo sustaine, which is come by mischance? and haue no ease againe, but still to haue greuance? Then patience the salue must be,

wherwith to heale this sore, till that my God shall send to me, a remedy therfore, till that my God shall send to me, a remedy therefore.

[Till time had taught me for to iudge of late]

Till time had taught me for to iudge of late,

I did not know the sure and quiet state: At first I thought the simplest life did best, but seing that made a thrall vnto the rest, I changed mind to iudge the best of powre, on whom knowing that high disdaine did lowre, I turned my sentence, and then decreed, the meane (with mind content) the best, whose seed yeldes rather sweet then sowre, the meane (with mind content) the best, whose seed yeldes rather sweet then sowre.

[As restles head doth always geue]

As restles head doth always geue, the like sowre sauce to minde and sprites, so do they all at once reuiue: and irksome dulnes frō thē fleets, when as the head to passe hath brought,

that which he would so faine haue wrought, so faine, so faine haue wrought.