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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Verses which were presented vnto the Patron of this booke at newe yeares Time. 1578.
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 | The Castell of Courtesie |  |
Verses which were presented vnto the Patron of this booke at newe yeares Time. 1578.
I reade (right worthie Sir)an extant open thing:
Of the rare shewe of Courtesie,
in Artaxzerxes King:
Who passing through his realme,
greate men for verie loue,
With presentes rare, presented him
there good will for to proue.
Whose giftes were of greate price,
to shewe their welth and porte:
The straingest things that could be got,
of euery kinde and sorte.
Which when the King receaued,
great thankes to them extended:
Their loyall heart, to duetie bent,
most Princely he commended.
But (ah) a silly soule
whom pouertie nere pined:
Be thought him to present his Prince,
as duetie hath assigned.
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no Iuels that were trimme:
Tooke vp his handfull of water faire,
came running towardes him.
And offered to his Grace,
as Token to Forshow:
Though welth he wanted, yet of good wil,
his duetie for to know.
But note the courteouse kinde,
of this most prudent Prince:
This present base, not to reiect,
nor once it to conuince.
But tooke it gratefully,
for that he did beholde,
The true intent, of simple soule,
whom dutie made so bold.
So Sir, I earnestly
request this at your hand:
My small present for to esteeme,
next this to vnderstand:
My boldnesse to excuse,
that saucely thus aspire,
To write so pertely vnto you,
before my state be hyer.
And thirdly for to beare,
my rudenes which hath raised:
A matter here before your face,
vnworthie to be praised.
But forced by good will,
something for to present:
Esteeming not the thing it selfe,
but simple true intent.
The meaning voyd of fraud,
composing voyde of guyle:
For Groslum Caput giues no leaue,
fine verses to compile.
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Experience hath me showen:
That Artaxzerxes kinde in you,
is easie to be knowne.
The which did set me on,
to shewe my true intent:
Some verses (Sir) this new yeares time,
vnto you to present.
For if that I had skill,
according to my minde:
A matter that were worth the fight,
your worship then should finde.
But what needes all these wordes,
as Preface now before:
To signifie a long discourse,
to trouble more and more.
But God graunt you your health,
his fauour and his aide:
To sheelde you from each fayned friende,
and make your foes dismaide.
God graunt accomplishment,
of that you most desire:
In what so euer as it be,
from heart I do require.
God graunt that Enuie may,
be voyde of her intent:
Not to preuaile at any time,
although that she be bent.
God graunt Dissimulation
may thine like Christall cleare:
That vnto you each double hearte,
may easely appeare.
God graunt that Deepe Deceipte,
at no time do preuaile:
God graunt as much as he can graunt,
God graunt no thing do quaile.
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approching still to Fame:
Whose worthie workes, haue merrited
high prayses to his name.
Whose happie helping hand
releeuing those that neede:
Doth winne the way to make you liue,
for euer more in deede:
Whose dayly deedes in vse
abroade do so resounde:
As passeth my Capacitie,
or wisdome to expounde.
Perchaunce your worship will
condemne me in this sorte:
And thinke I write in flattering wise,
to make a long reporte.
Not so (I doe protest)
for why? I you assure:
In that offence I guiltlesse am,
my conscience it is pure.
And as I scorne the vse,
of flattering flearing fraude:
So will I not, while I do liue,
neglecte to giue you laude.
Desiring still of God,
as erst I did before:
Your ioy to ioyne with new yeare now,
and many other more.
Thus (Sir) I humbly ende,
desiring God of grace:
Your worship long for to preserue,
in happie state and case.
And when your fatall dayes,
of force must yeeld to clay:
Then for to rest, in heauenly place,
that neuer shall decay.
Finis.
| The Castell of Courtesie | |