The Castell of Courtesie Whereunto is adioyned The Holde of Humilitie: With the Chariot of Chastitie thereunto annexed. Also a Dialogue betweene Age and Youth, and other matters herein conteined. By Iames Yates |
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The Houlde of Humilitie.
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 | The Castell of Courtesie |  |
2
The Houlde of Humilitie.
1582.
As
fixed minde desire hath,
more noueltie to see;
And wanton wittes are soone intic'd
with such toyes as they be:
So (trueth to tell) I must not faine,
that were no honest part:
I am as readie as the best
to practise such an art.
Small practise sure I thinke will serue,
for nature hath vs taught:
For to forsake that which is good,
and take that which is naught.
In deede more readie for the worst,
then seeke the best to chuse:
For nature is an enemie,
her Impes for to abuse.
The frailetie of our present Time
is much for me to write:
And silence seldome gets dispraise,
when tatlinge moues despite.
For little saide, a smalle amendes
will serue to counterpoyse:
When too much mischiefe doth arise
by talkers tatling noyse.
But whist, me thinkes I heere a voyce
which doeth commande me staye:
And telles me flatt in fewe wordes,
I am out of my waye.
O Youth what should become of thee
if Ayde were not thy guide:
What way would'st thou haue wandred heere.
how soone would'st thou goe wide?
Come followe me quoth father Ayde
let vs this Houlde goe see:
To view each parte and how it standes,
in state and eke degree.
So forth we went through forrest thicke,
and many craching Bryers:
Yet did we make no forse of them,
such were our due desires.
And when we had thus past the worst,
at length that place we founde:
The which did much delight our mindes,
and pleasure did abounde.
For loe, we sawe this passing Houlde,
so finelie fram'd in seate:
As in my minde I streight did muse
to see a thing so greate.
So huge and monstrous of higth
with Towers on each side:
That gaue it sure a goodly grace,
as did reporte my guide.
The Situation of the same,
vpon a pleasant greene:
Where Tellus bankes so braue did shew,
as like may not be seene.
An entrie of Trees did growe,
so streight vp to the skye:
As made me meruaile very much,
to see their length so hye.
And moated round, where pleasant springes,
doe yeeld a rare delight,
And him that gets a sip thereof
I count a happie wight.
Pernassus Hill where Muses keepe,
and ioyfull noates abounde:
May not compare now with this Houlde,
or pleasant fertle ground.
Apollo if he were in place,
to take a view therof:
Would presently, commend the same,
I knowe I do not scoffe.
The cost which Cæsar did bestowe,
within the walles of Rome:
Is not coequall vnto this,
as I suppose by doome.
When we aproched neere this Hold,
there did a Porter stand:
Whose name Resistance (sir) was cal'd
a greate clubbe in his hand.
For Grimnesse sure he might be Mars,
or Hercules indeede:
Who did commaunde vs for to stay,
whereto we both agreed.
He asked vs, wherefore we came,
and what was our intent:
We vp and told him all our minde,
and whereto we were bent.
Quoth Ayde, we are both straungers we
desirouse for to see:
This noble place the which is cal'd
the Hold of Humilitie.
Then straight Resistance gaue vs leaue,
to passe his watched place:
But in my dayes I neuer sawe,
so coucht a crabtreed face.
Resistance sure he might well be,
his face did shew the same:
His gesture therto was alike,
as nature well can frame.
Thus onwarde still withouten stoppe,
or any whit denyall:
When we had past Resistance hard,
we further put in tryall.
And venterously we did presume
to come vnto the gate:
Where as we met an other wight
of meeke and comely state.
Who asked vs from whence we came
and what was our intent:
We saide to see this noble Hold,
our mindes were fully bent.
Sir may we be so bolde (quoth Youth)
for to demaund your name,
He gently disclosed to vs
what was the verie same.
My name is Salutation,
which neuer doth disdaine:
The traueling wighte which worthie is.
All times I entertaine.
Youth.
more noueltie to see;
And wanton wittes are soone intic'd
with such toyes as they be:
So (trueth to tell) I must not faine,
that were no honest part:
I am as readie as the best
to practise such an art.
Small practise sure I thinke will serue,
for nature hath vs taught:
For to forsake that which is good,
and take that which is naught.
In deede more readie for the worst,
then seeke the best to chuse:
For nature is an enemie,
her Impes for to abuse.
The frailetie of our present Time
is much for me to write:
And silence seldome gets dispraise,
when tatlinge moues despite.
For little saide, a smalle amendes
will serue to counterpoyse:
When too much mischiefe doth arise
by talkers tatling noyse.
But whist, me thinkes I heere a voyce
which doeth commande me staye:
And telles me flatt in fewe wordes,
I am out of my waye.
O Youth what should become of thee
if Ayde were not thy guide:
What way would'st thou haue wandred heere.
how soone would'st thou goe wide?
[2]
let vs this Houlde goe see:
To view each parte and how it standes,
in state and eke degree.
So forth we went through forrest thicke,
and many craching Bryers:
Yet did we make no forse of them,
such were our due desires.
And when we had thus past the worst,
at length that place we founde:
The which did much delight our mindes,
and pleasure did abounde.
For loe, we sawe this passing Houlde,
so finelie fram'd in seate:
As in my minde I streight did muse
to see a thing so greate.
So huge and monstrous of higth
with Towers on each side:
That gaue it sure a goodly grace,
as did reporte my guide.
The Situation of the same,
vpon a pleasant greene:
Where Tellus bankes so braue did shew,
as like may not be seene.
An entrie of Trees did growe,
so streight vp to the skye:
As made me meruaile very much,
to see their length so hye.
And moated round, where pleasant springes,
doe yeeld a rare delight,
And him that gets a sip thereof
I count a happie wight.
Pernassus Hill where Muses keepe,
and ioyfull noates abounde:
May not compare now with this Houlde,
or pleasant fertle ground.
3
to take a view therof:
Would presently, commend the same,
I knowe I do not scoffe.
The cost which Cæsar did bestowe,
within the walles of Rome:
Is not coequall vnto this,
as I suppose by doome.
When we aproched neere this Hold,
there did a Porter stand:
Whose name Resistance (sir) was cal'd
a greate clubbe in his hand.
For Grimnesse sure he might be Mars,
or Hercules indeede:
Who did commaunde vs for to stay,
whereto we both agreed.
He asked vs, wherefore we came,
and what was our intent:
We vp and told him all our minde,
and whereto we were bent.
Quoth Ayde, we are both straungers we
desirouse for to see:
This noble place the which is cal'd
the Hold of Humilitie.
Then straight Resistance gaue vs leaue,
to passe his watched place:
But in my dayes I neuer sawe,
so coucht a crabtreed face.
Resistance sure he might well be,
his face did shew the same:
His gesture therto was alike,
as nature well can frame.
Thus onwarde still withouten stoppe,
or any whit denyall:
When we had past Resistance hard,
we further put in tryall.
[3]
to come vnto the gate:
Where as we met an other wight
of meeke and comely state.
Who asked vs from whence we came
and what was our intent:
We saide to see this noble Hold,
our mindes were fully bent.
Sir may we be so bolde (quoth Youth)
for to demaund your name,
He gently disclosed to vs
what was the verie same.
My name is Salutation,
which neuer doth disdaine:
The traueling wighte which worthie is.
All times I entertaine.
And as I was a going in
by chaunce cast vp myne eye:
And looking vp vpon the gate
this verse I did espye.
The verses vpon the gate of the Hold of Humilitie.
I am humilitie, the holde,the humble to receiue:
The stubburne I renounce them quite,
the froward I do leaue.
Approch not nigh you currish carles,
lest that my battering shotte:
Dischardged be to coile your coates,
and make your stomackes hote.
Aide
O master Salutation
these verses carry fire:
Theire sense is alligant and tarte.
4
And when I came within The Houlde,
how lik'st thou this quoth Ayde?
Youth.
Sir, I am euen Rauished,
my senses be dismai'd.
Aide
Dismai'd, why? Because I am
in Paradise I thinke:
Oh God what Christall glimmering shewes
doe make my eies to wincke.
As Goulde surmounteth Copper base;
or siluer passeth tinne:
So doe these sightes (which I doe see)
which are the house within.
Whil'st Salutation, Ayde and I.
were looking round about:
I heard a dore which opened
from whence there issued out,
Another wight of comely hue,
at which I stood apalled:
And was Desirous for to kowe
by what name he was called.
And as it seem'd he did ene heare,
for why? he aunswere made:
What be these wightes, which aske my name,
or what Sir, is there trade?
Quoth Salutation vnto him,
they are both straungers (they)
Resistance gaue them leaue to passe
hether (as they doe say).
I Sir (quoth we) straungers we are,
but may we knowe your name:
It is Sir Gratulation
of trueth the very same.
Gratulation Captaine of the Houlde
The Captaine I am of this Houlde,
commanding euery man:
(That is within my gouernment)
[4]
But by what meanes (I pray you tell)
did you finde out this way.
Youth
I shall declare the cause is such:
I fired was to stray,
And like a yongling lost my selfe,
in forrest thicke vnknowne:
And crying out with ruthfull voyce,
to haue my miserie knowne.
By Gods assignement (as I must,
of force confesse in deede:)
Came then vnto my father Ayde,
to helpe me at my neede.
And to be short, I did declare,
vnto him all my minde:
How that I was affectioned
some Noueltie to finde.
Why then quoth Ayde, come on thy way,
rise vp and go with me:
And I will shewe you a Castel cald,
by name of Courtesie.
Gratulation.
And were you at the Castel (Sir)
the better now apaide:
You are as welcome to this place,
as can with tongue be saide.
For I am (Sir) solemnly sworne,
this Hold I do maintaine:
To helpe the Castle when they neede,
or do commaunde my paine.
But Sirs, since that you come from thence,
you be most welcome sure,
And though you are straungers to me,
yet what I can procure,
You shall commaund vnfainedly
sirs, with a willing hearte.
Then Ayde and I both gaue him thankes,
5
Forthwith he call'd a seruant out,
whose name was Dilligence,
And gaue him charge in any wise,
as he woulde scape offence:
To shewe vs what we did Desire
within the Houlde to see:
And charged him in any wise
from vs two not to be.
He well obeyed his Masters hest,
he tooke great paines in deede:
To shewe vs euery place within,
that might our pleasures feede.
Truely Dilligence delited much,
to signifie and tell:
To burnish out his Masters praise,
it seem'd he lou'd it well.
So vp and downe from place to place,
by Dilligence directed:
He was not slow to shewe vs all,
no labour he detracted.
But thus in briefe to cut it off,
and make relation small:
Of any sight that euer I sawe,
it passeth most of all.
Then Ayde and I, when we had seene
enough to please our minde:
We asked Dilligence if he could
his Master for vs finde,
That we might yeeld him thankes,
for this his friendship shewed:
And alwaies resting to requite
the Courtesie bestowed.
Then Dilligence did bring vs both
to Gratulation kinde:
Who asked vs if we had found,
[5]
{I lie} quoth we, we haue that founde,
and seene we neuer sawe:
And if we may stand you in stead,
we sweare by faithfull lawe,
You shall command vs at all times,
and so we minde to parte:
Protesting yours for to rest,
with faithfull fired hart.
And truelie of your gentlenesse,
we shall not let to tell:
Sith you haue entertained vs,
with faithfull minde so well.
And thus adue, high Ioue of all
be your chiefe guide and trust:
For we will homewarde take our way,
as needes of force we must.
Quoth Ayde to me, my Youth marke this,
in each time, state and season:
For to requite where paines are tooke,
me thinkes it were good Reason:
Shoulde wee depart and nothing giue
to Dilligence (O fie)
Since he hath taken all the paines
to seede and please our eye.
Youth.
[illeg.] was forgetfull of the same,
of Trueth I must confesse:
I thanke you for remembring it
my duetie to expresse.
So then I called Dilligence,
and gaue to him Rewarde:
Who gaue vs thankes with open mouth,
that easily might be heard.
So we departed from this Houlde,
and did retyre then backe:
Unto the place from whence we came,
6
And Agonie of pensiue minde,
in place where I was lost:
And houling lay, with yelling voyce,
as one whome fortune tost.
Ayde.
Quoth Ayde (my Youth) I found you heere,
and heere I will you leaue:
And followe you this path before,
and then you shall perceaue,
Your homeward way from whence you came
it doth Direct aright:
And I will to my Cottage poore,
to rest my Aged spright.
Untill such time as fatall Mors,
bereaues my drudging dayes:
Unto whose pleasure I submit,
not vsing of delayes.
Youth.
Oh father Ayde my onely guide,
my faithfull Trust and stay:
And is it thus nowe come to passe,
that you wil needes away?
Who hath since first our meeting heere,
so faithfull to me beene:
As euer was the trustie zeale,
of Dido that was Queene.
Whose loyall heart was firmely fixt.
to false Æneas hee:
That stoale awaye in truethlesse sorte,
to force her Miserie.
So trueth to tell I doe beleeue,
since thus you doe departe:
It will occasion be of griefe,
and wounding to my heart.
But Ayde will not be frustrate quite,
if vrgent cause require:
But Ayde will be a meane to helpe,
[6]
Some knowledge of this waywarde world,
which tosseth vp and downe:
Like furious fretting foaming flouds,
when Neptune guts to frowne.
Perchaunce some mutall minde will Muse
and murmure at this case,
And say, what foolish fond Deuice
hath semed such a place.
To which demand I doe replie,
the faithfull fixed heart:
Did study for to finde out this,
by Aydes good skill and art.
Humilitie, a Houlde in deede,
for those that humble bee:
A place prepared for repasse
In modest sort we see.
Where Godly graces grafted are,
with Impes of vertuous race:
The buddes do burnish on the braunch
with gallant goodly grace,
Which Ioyce the heart of euery wight,
Whome Natures forme hath framed:
Whose lowlie life, with lenitie,
deserues not to be blamed.
The Loyall lore that linkes in loue,
of force doth merrite fame:
The good and well disposed minde
is worthie of the same.
But Amorous toyes of Youthfull youth
respecteth not with care:
The fructelesse troth, and friendlesse fraud
that some full closely bare.
No sound nor sober counsell can,
their wilfull minde affray:
Esteeming it as speeches vaine,
7
Wherfore (O Youthes) marke now a Youth,
something to staiednesse bent:
Which spyes that romers raunge in ragges:
and lurke in deepe lament.
Who findes that likely Fortune is,
a fond incertaine Dame:
Which heapes more hazzardes to the heart.
then thought can thinke the same.
Who sees the stoute and lustie bloudes,
full quyetly abyde:
When as the hote and furieuse force,
is let out from their side.
I not commend the fickle friend,
that falles out for a strawe:
Nor that will rangle for a Rushe,
ne deale so like a dawe.
For he that sweares by woundes and bloude,
and lookes so like a Bull:
When as he comes to doe the feate,
his hart is in his skull.
And hotest men of many wordes
are slowe enough in deedes:
And some will fainte that showe good face
when but their singer bleedes.
And he that doth prouoke so much.
the sober man to fight:
If he be entered in his acte.
the lustiest blowes will smite.
A prouerbe olde, in Englande here,
the still sowe earns the draffe:
And some do weep which haue small cause,
when some aga[illeg.] do laugh.
I must needes now declare a thing,
which comes within my minde:
How some for to out face the worlde,
[7]
And since of Castell and the Hould,
I did at large display:
Now somewhat of this craftie world
I breefly minde to say.
For I am priueledged in deede,
since Aide hath taken leaue:
A litle to disclose my minde,
for that I do perceaue,
The slily falshood now a dayes
that restes within the lande:
As trust me it was neuer more,
the trueth to vnderstand.
The counterfeating crookes to catch,
and simple to allure:
The faithlesse fond and filthie fraude,
that dayly is in vre.
When as that one shall come to you,
and say he is right sad,
And hartely sory in his minde,
for ill luckes that you had.
And by my troth I tell you true,
I would I could know how:
To helpe you in this your distresse,
I make to God a vowe.
Another comes professing eke,
for to remaine a friend:
And neuer to exempt his faith,
vntill his dayes do ende.
And saith if I eke in stead may stand,
I pray you to be bolde:
But when in deede there commeth neede,
his doings then are cold.
Oh noble flattering fleating world,
oh guilefull glowing heate:
Oh subtle sounde, of truethlesse tongues,
8
Not knowing how for to dissemble,
not knowing then to liue:
But God for his greate mercies sake
such filthie factes forgiue.
And root the vipers from their vaine,
of stinging at vnwares:
By whom the simple sillie soule,
is caught in doubtfull cares.
And thus the Author makes an end,
desiring each good minde:
To thinke the best of this his worke,
so further shall they finde.
The end of the Hould of Humilitie.
| The Castell of Courtesie | |