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 Booke to the Authour. |
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 | The Castell of Courtesie |  |
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The Booke to the Authour.
What verdict doe you giue of mewhat wordes be these you vse?
What follies fond doe foster forth
these ill compacted newes:
Why, stay your selfe for to surmise,
the worst of me I pray?
For none so ready faulte to finde,
as Bayard blind some say:
Whose faultes shall scanned be as thus
with wise men well I wot:
They will say, thou foole thou find'st a fault
yet seekes to amend it not.
But this I say in your behalfe:
your youth and simple skill,
Cannot accomplish that you would,
although you haue good will.
But truly (Authour) doe not thinke
that I shall get thee blame:
For in good sooth to tell my minde,
thou not deserust the same.
I knowe thy mind was bent to please
and none for to offend,
I knowe thou hadst a care to bring
me thus vnto an end.
I know thy friendes requsted thee
that I abroad might goe:
I know full well as true it is
that trueth is very so.
I knowe it is not Braueries bragge,
to boast or vaunt of praise:
Or Lucres craft, for profittes gaine,
that thus me first did rayse.
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who is thy very friend:
Which hath requited all this paines,
and will doe to the end.
Wherefore if worldlinges vainely iudge
as commonly they vse:
You must contented seeme to rest
sith so they will abuse.
And maruaile not if I be blamed,
when workes of greater skill,
Haue had such hatefull speaches giuen,
as trust me tis to ill.
But I shall so my selfe behaue,
and manner so my moode:
As none shall iudge amisse of me,
except be Robin Hood.
And if that none do iudge but he,
I doe not greatly care:
I shall him aunswere well enough
as time doth me prepare.
In meane Time humbly I end,
my selfe I doe commend,
Vnto all those that wish me well,
being loath them to offend.
FINIS.
Triall telles the Trueth.
| The Castell of Courtesie | |