 | The Lamentation of Follie |  |
The Lamentation of Follie
Alas
what meaneth man,
with care and greedy paine:
To wrest to win a wordly fame
which is but vile and vaine.
As though he had no cause to doubt,
the drift of his desire,
Not pleased though he rule the route,
but still to couet higher.
with care and greedy paine:
To wrest to win a wordly fame
which is but vile and vaine.
As though he had no cause to doubt,
the drift of his desire,
Not pleased though he rule the route,
but still to couet higher.
And wander after will,
farre passing his degree:
Not so contented still,
but a king himselfe to be.
Subuerting law and right,
detecting triall true:
Wringing euery wight,
that all the realme dooth rue.
farre passing his degree:
Not so contented still,
but a king himselfe to be.
Subuerting law and right,
detecting triall true:
Wringing euery wight,
that all the realme dooth rue.
Whose deed and ill desart,
compact and false consent:
I thinke no Christen heart,
can choose but needs lament.
Alas it seemed strange,
such thraldome in a realme:
Which wealthie was to wast away,
by will that was extreame.
compact and false consent:
I thinke no Christen heart,
can choose but needs lament.
Alas it seemed strange,
such thraldome in a realme:
Which wealthie was to wast away,
by will that was extreame.
Sith vertue was profest,
most famous franke and free:
Yet men transposed cleane,
more vile and worse to be.
And such as did pretend
to shew themselfe most holie:
Haue swarued in the end,
and fawned after follie.
most famous franke and free:
Yet men transposed cleane,
more vile and worse to be.
And such as did pretend
to shew themselfe most holie:
Haue swarued in the end,
and fawned after follie.
Whose wordes so disagree,
as waters come and go:
Their liuings to be contrary,
that should examples showe.
And fawning after fame,
pursue their owne decay:
As though there were no God,
to call their life away.
as waters come and go:
Their liuings to be contrary,
that should examples showe.
And fawning after fame,
pursue their owne decay:
As though there were no God,
to call their life away.
What surety is in man,
what truth or trust at all:
Which frameth what he can,
to worke vnworthy thrall.
Oppression hath beene free,
the poore alas be spoyled:
Maides and wiues be rauished,
the simple are beguiled.
what truth or trust at all:
Which frameth what he can,
to worke vnworthy thrall.
Oppression hath beene free,
the poore alas be spoyled:
Maides and wiues be rauished,
the simple are beguiled.
Lawe is made a libertie,
and right is ouerthrowne:
Faith is but a foolish thing,
falsehood is alone.
Pride is counted clenlinesse,
and theft is but a slight.
Whoredome is but wantonnesse,
and waste is but delight.
and right is ouerthrowne:
Faith is but a foolish thing,
falsehood is alone.
Pride is counted clenlinesse,
and theft is but a slight.
Whoredome is but wantonnesse,
and waste is but delight.
Spoiling is but pleasure,
riot is but youth:
Slaunder is a laughing game,
and lying counted trueth
Mariage is but mockage,
the children counted base:
Thus right is wronged euery way
in our accursed case.
riot is but youth:
Slaunder is a laughing game,
and lying counted trueth
Mariage is but mockage,
the children counted base:
Thus right is wronged euery way
in our accursed case.
Flatterie is the Forte of Fame,
and trueth is troden downe:
The innocent do beare the blame,
the wicked winne renowne.
Thus Sathan hath preuailed long,
and we for want of grace:
Haue troden vertue vnder foote,
and vice hath taken place.
and trueth is troden downe:
The innocent do beare the blame,
the wicked winne renowne.
Thus Sathan hath preuailed long,
and we for want of grace:
Haue troden vertue vnder foote,
and vice hath taken place.
But God that is most righteous,
hath seene our fatall fall:
And spred his mercie ouer vs,
to shield vs from the thrall.
Whose mercy is so infinite,
to such as were oppressed:
He hath restored them to right,
and hath their care redressed.
hath seene our fatall fall:
And spred his mercie ouer vs,
to shield vs from the thrall.
Whose mercy is so infinite,
to such as were oppressed:
He hath restored them to right,
and hath their care redressed.
And though that our vnworthinesse
hath not deserued so:
Now let vs cease our wickednesse,
and graft where grace may grow.
And let vs pray for our defence,
our worthy Queene elect:
That God may worke his will in her,
our thraldome to correct.
hath not deserued so:
Now let vs cease our wickednesse,
and graft where grace may grow.
And let vs pray for our defence,
our worthy Queene elect:
That God may worke his will in her,
our thraldome to correct.
That God be chiefely serued so,
as dooth to him belong:
That right may haue his course againe,
and vanquish wicked wrong.
That we may liue in feare and awe,
and truly to intend:
And haue the iustice of the lawe,
our causes to defend.
as dooth to him belong:
That right may haue his course againe,
and vanquish wicked wrong.
That we may liue in feare and awe,
and truly to intend:
And haue the iustice of the lawe,
our causes to defend.
That truth may take his wonted place,
and faith be fast againe:
And then repent and call for grace,
that wrought our care and paine.
That God send vs a short redresse,
with wealth and great increase:
And to our Queene, to reigne and rule,
in honour, health, and peace.
and faith be fast againe:
And then repent and call for grace,
that wrought our care and paine.
That God send vs a short redresse,
with wealth and great increase:
And to our Queene, to reigne and rule,
in honour, health, and peace.
FINIS.
W. E.
| The Lamentation of Follie | |