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 |
 |
|
|
Other verses presented vnto him, at new-Yeeres time.
|
|
|
|
 | The Castell of Courtesie |  |
13
Other verses presented vnto him, at new-Yeeres time.
Cleanthes he, whom learnings loreheld in such estimation,
As for to find himselfe at schoole,
he vsed this occupation:
At morning soone, and euening late,
he water tankards brought
Unto those houses of such men,
by whome hee vauntage cought.
For being poore, vnable was
to keepe in place of price:
Untill he found, by taking paine,
profit in his deuice.
Whereby he kept himselfe at schoole,
good letters to attaine:
And although he was very poore.
yet this way founde he gaine.
And when he had sufficient,
according to his will:
He then presented to those men,
some workes of better skill.
Which shewed in him a due Desire
his duetie to reserue:
And also eke an earnest zeale,
there fauours to conserue.
Euen so vnto your worship now,
my simple verse I send:
My dutie bids me be so boulde,
the same for to commend,
Unto your courteous true aspect,
to construe of the same:
The which is ment for meere good will,
more then for any fame.
For I haue not Cleanthes skill,
[13]
But such as come from simple head,
and eke a faithfull hart.
Which caused me this neweyeeres Time
newelie the same to write:
They newe are of inuention,
yet not newe of delight.
Impute it not good Sir, for want
of willingnesse in me:
But want of learning is the cause
no better verse you see.
I cannot glose with gallant phrase,
my bringing vp was plaine,
And simple sense inforceth me
to write in simple vaine,
Which I present vnto your view,
as heeretofore is saide,
And although not seemely set out,
yet willingnesse well weighed,
Shall counteruayle the want of skill
that aptly heere might bee:
But of an Ape impossible
it is a tayle to see.
The Lorde preserue your worship long,
in health, in wealth, and peace,
And graunt all thinges you take in hand,
may haue there due increase.
The Lord preuent each fauning foe,
and faithlesse meaning minde:
Who vnder shew of simplenesse,
worke mischiefe in their kinde,
God graunt unto you glad new yeere,
with long and ioyfull life:
And likewise I doe with the same
vnto your worthie wife:
Whome you and her the Lorde preserue:
12
To giue you thankes (Sir) while I liue,
for friendship I haue found.
Resting at your commandement, Iames Yates.
| The Castell of Courtesie | |