An Alarum against Usurers Containing tryed experiences against worldly abuses. Wherein gentlemen may finde good counsells to confirme them, and pleasant histories to delight them: and euery thing so interlaced with variety; as the curious may be satisfied with rarenesse, and the curteous with pleasure. Heere unto are annexed the delectable historie of Forbonius and Prisceria: with the lamentable complaint of truth [etc.] [by Thomas Lodge] |
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TRVTHS COMPLAINT ouer England.
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 | An Alarum against Usurers |  |
37
TRVTHS COMPLAINT ouer England.
My
mournfull Muse Melpomine drawe neere,
Thou saddest Ladie of the sisters three,
And let her plaints in paper now appeere:
Whose teares lyke Occean billowes seeme to bee:
And should I note the plaintiffes name to thee?
Men call her Truth, once had in great request,
But banisht now of late for crafts behest.
Thou saddest Ladie of the sisters three,
And let her plaints in paper now appeere:
Whose teares lyke Occean billowes seeme to bee:
And should I note the plaintiffes name to thee?
Men call her Truth, once had in great request,
But banisht now of late for crafts behest.
Amidst the rest that set their pen to booke,
She pickt me out to tell this wofull tale,
A simple Poet, on whose workes to looke,
The finest heads would thinke it verie stale:
Yet though vnworthie, to my friends auaile
I take the toile, and praie my Muses aide:
To blazon out the tale of Truth dismaide.
She pickt me out to tell this wofull tale,
A simple Poet, on whose workes to looke,
The finest heads would thinke it verie stale:
Yet though vnworthie, to my friends auaile
I take the toile, and praie my Muses aide:
To blazon out the tale of Truth dismaide.
Such time as Phœbus from the couloured skie,
Did headlong driue his horses t'ord the West,
To suffer horned Luna for to prie,
Amidst the duskie darke, new raisde from rest,
As I in fragrant fields with woes opprest:
Gan walke to driue out melancholy griefe,
Which in my heart at that time had the cheefe.
Did headlong driue his horses t'ord the West,
To suffer horned Luna for to prie,
Amidst the duskie darke, new raisde from rest,
As I in fragrant fields with woes opprest:
Gan walke to driue out melancholy griefe,
Which in my heart at that time had the cheefe.
It was my hap fast by a riuers side,
To heare a rufull voice lamenting thus,
You falling streames, euen as your waues diuide:
So breakes my heart with passions perillous,
Which faine I would vnto the world discusse,
Were anie heere for to recount my moane,
Whose wofull heart for inward griefe doth grone.
To heare a rufull voice lamenting thus,
You falling streames, euen as your waues diuide:
So breakes my heart with passions perillous,
Which faine I would vnto the world discusse,
Were anie heere for to recount my moane,
Whose wofull heart for inward griefe doth grone.
[37]
Which sayd, she cast her dewed eyes askance,
And spying me, gan rowse her heauie head,
And praide me pen her sad and heauie chance,
And she recounted it that present sted,
I did agree, and graunting Truth me fed:
With these reportes which I set downe in vearse,
Which greeues my Muse for sorowes to rehearse.
And spying me, gan rowse her heauie head,
And praide me pen her sad and heauie chance,
And she recounted it that present sted,
I did agree, and graunting Truth me fed:
With these reportes which I set downe in vearse,
Which greeues my Muse for sorowes to rehearse.
Whilome (deere friend) it was my chaunce to dwell,
Within an Iland compast with the waue,
A safe defence a forren foe to quell.
Once Albion cald, next Britaine Brutus gaue,
Now England hight, a plot of beautie braue,
Which onely soyle, should seeme the seate bee,
Of Paradise, if it from sinne were free.
Within an Iland compast with the waue,
A safe defence a forren foe to quell.
Once Albion cald, next Britaine Brutus gaue,
Now England hight, a plot of beautie braue,
Which onely soyle, should seeme the seate bee,
Of Paradise, if it from sinne were free.
Within this place, within this sacred plot,
I first did frame, my first contented bower,
There found I peace and plentie for to float,
There iustice rulde, and shinde in euerie stowre,
There was I loude and sought too euerie howre,
Their Prince content with plainnesse loued Truth,
And pride by abstinence was kept from youth.
I first did frame, my first contented bower,
There found I peace and plentie for to float,
There iustice rulde, and shinde in euerie stowre,
There was I loude and sought too euerie howre,
Their Prince content with plainnesse loued Truth,
And pride by abstinence was kept from youth.
Then flew not fashions euerie daie from Fraunce,
Then sought not Nobles nouells from a farre,
Then land was kept, not hazarded by chaunce,
Then quiet minde preserud the soile from iarre,
Cloth kept out colde, the poore releeued werre.
This was the state, this was the luckie stowre,
While Truth in England kept her stately bowre.
Then sought not Nobles nouells from a farre,
Then land was kept, not hazarded by chaunce,
Then quiet minde preserud the soile from iarre,
Cloth kept out colde, the poore releeued werre.
This was the state, this was the luckie stowre,
While Truth in England kept her stately bowre.
Iustice did neuer looke with partiall eyes,
Demosthenes was neuer dum for golde,
The Princes eares were ope to pesants cries,
And false suspect was charely kept in holde,
Religion flourisht, liuings were not solde
For lucre then, but giuen by desart,
And each receiud, & preacht with zealous hart.
Demosthenes was neuer dum for golde,
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And false suspect was charely kept in holde,
Religion flourisht, liuings were not solde
For lucre then, but giuen by desart,
And each receiud, & preacht with zealous hart.
Then learning was the Loadstone of the land,
Then husbandman was free from shiftes of lawe,
Then faithfull promise stoode in steed of band,
The Drones from busie Bee no Mel could drawe,
Then loue, not feare, did keepe the state in awe:
Then, then, did flourish that renowmed time,
When earth and ashes thrusted not to clime.
Then husbandman was free from shiftes of lawe,
Then faithfull promise stoode in steed of band,
The Drones from busie Bee no Mel could drawe,
Then loue, not feare, did keepe the state in awe:
Then, then, did flourish that renowmed time,
When earth and ashes thrusted not to clime.
For as the horse well mand abides the bit,
And learnes his stop by raine in riders hand,
Where mountain colt that was not sadled yet,
Runnes headlong on amidst the fallowed land,
Whose fierce resist scarce bends with anie band:
So men reclaimde by vertue, tread aright,
Where led by follies mischiefes on them light.
And learnes his stop by raine in riders hand,
Where mountain colt that was not sadled yet,
Runnes headlong on amidst the fallowed land,
Whose fierce resist scarce bends with anie band:
So men reclaimde by vertue, tread aright,
Where led by follies mischiefes on them light.
Use masters all, vse nurtereth mortall wayes,
Use, vse of good, continues happie state,
Use, vse of mee, made England then haue praise,
But since abuse hath banisht me of late.
Alasse the while, there runnes another rate,
Which while by sad insight I looke into,
I see the want of those that haue to doe.
Use, vse of good, continues happie state,
Use, vse of mee, made England then haue praise,
But since abuse hath banisht me of late.
Alasse the while, there runnes another rate,
Which while by sad insight I looke into,
I see the want of those that haue to doe.
And yet I see not Sodome: some are good,
Whose inward bowels dayly melt in mone,
To see how Britane now is raging wood,
Hard hearted, flintie minded, all in one,
Bent to abuse, and leauing me alone.
Alonely lead with carelesse shew of peace,
Whereas secure regard doth sinne increase.
Whose inward bowels dayly melt in mone,
To see how Britane now is raging wood,
Hard hearted, flintie minded, all in one,
Bent to abuse, and leauing me alone.
[38]
Whereas secure regard doth sinne increase.
Some, some there be whom zeale hath swallowed vp,
First, blessed Prince, of whom I finde releefe,
Some noble peeres that tast errors cup,
Some godly Prelates in the Church are cheefe,
Some Lawiers lead by zeale, lament my greefe.
Some Merchants follow God, not swallow golde,
Some countrie Swains loue truth you may be bolde.
First, blessed Prince, of whom I finde releefe,
Some noble peeres that tast errors cup,
Some godly Prelates in the Church are cheefe,
Some Lawiers lead by zeale, lament my greefe.
Some Merchants follow God, not swallow golde,
Some countrie Swains loue truth you may be bolde.
Yet as great store of Darnell marres the seed,
Which else would spring within a fertile field:
And as the fruitfull bud is choakt by weede:
Which otherwise a gladsome grape would yeeld,
So sometimes wicked men doe ouerweeld,
And keepe in couert those who would direct,
The common state, which error doth infect.
Which else would spring within a fertile field:
And as the fruitfull bud is choakt by weede:
Which otherwise a gladsome grape would yeeld,
So sometimes wicked men doe ouerweeld,
And keepe in couert those who would direct,
The common state, which error doth infect.
Yet Truth must neuer alter from his name,
Good Prince sayd I, ye good: what of her selfe?
And that is good, for Princes that doe frame.
Themselues to priuate good, doo subiects good,
Yet that's not that same goodnesse I would name:
Good Prince, good people, that's the good I craue,
Of Princes goods, that goodnesse would I haue.
Good Prince sayd I, ye good: what of her selfe?
And that is good, for Princes that doe frame.
Themselues to priuate good, doo subiects good,
Yet that's not that same goodnesse I would name:
Good Prince, good people, that's the good I craue,
Of Princes goods, that goodnesse would I haue.
For as the great commaunder of the tides,
God Neptune can allay the swelling seas,
And make the billowes mount on either sides:
When wandering keeles his cholar would displease:
So Princes may stirre vp and some appease,
The commons heart to doe: and to destroy
That which is good, or this, which threates anoy:
God Neptune can allay the swelling seas,
And make the billowes mount on either sides:
When wandering keeles his cholar would displease:
So Princes may stirre vp and some appease,
The commons heart to doe: and to destroy
That which is good, or this, which threates anoy:
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For common state can neuer sway amisse
When Princes liues doo leuell all a right,
Be it for Prince that England happie is,
Yet haplesse England if the fortune light:
That with the Prince, the subiects seeke not right,
Unhappie state, vnluckie times they bee,
When Princes liues and subiects disagree.
When Princes liues doo leuell all a right,
Be it for Prince that England happie is,
Yet haplesse England if the fortune light:
That with the Prince, the subiects seeke not right,
Unhappie state, vnluckie times they bee,
When Princes liues and subiects disagree.
I know not I whence come these wayward woes,
Whose sodaine showes portend this sodain change,
Yet dooth mis doubt such sodaine feares disclose,
As Truth this present doubts the sequell strange:
When stable head, lets stailesse members range,
I feare me: as the buildings trust to sand,
So euery blast will stroy with turne of hand,
Whose sodaine showes portend this sodain change,
Yet dooth mis doubt such sodaine feares disclose,
As Truth this present doubts the sequell strange:
When stable head, lets stailesse members range,
I feare me: as the buildings trust to sand,
So euery blast will stroy with turne of hand,
When as in Court by proud contempt I see,
A fashion feedes the fancies now a dayes,
When as in Court promotions passed be
By selfe opinion: oft the wise man sayes,
The turnes are strange, and fauour soone decayes:
And those whom fortune windeth now a floate,
By change of fauour, soone may change their coate.
A fashion feedes the fancies now a dayes,
When as in Court promotions passed be
By selfe opinion: oft the wise man sayes,
The turnes are strange, and fauour soone decayes:
And those whom fortune windeth now a floate,
By change of fauour, soone may change their coate.
When as election dooth but passe by sence,
Then must I deeme the world is fed by showes:
When garish beautie causeth vaine expence,
It seemes the man should see, but little knowes,
Repentaunce is the fruite by louing growes:
So when in Court nought but such pleasures be,
Repentaunce must ensue we well may see.
Then must I deeme the world is fed by showes:
When garish beautie causeth vaine expence,
It seemes the man should see, but little knowes,
Repentaunce is the fruite by louing growes:
So when in Court nought but such pleasures be,
Repentaunce must ensue we well may see.
But leauing Court, where though the bramble groes,
Yet zealous care there sets her selfe I see,
I doo in Court but now complaine of those,
Who practise that that sits not their degree:
Whose vaines by powre full oft corrected be:
But now such colours cloake each bad pretence,
That showes doo hold the wise in some suspence.
Yet zealous care there sets her selfe I see,
[39]
Who practise that that sits not their degree:
Whose vaines by powre full oft corrected be:
But now such colours cloake each bad pretence,
That showes doo hold the wise in some suspence.
But I poore I though greeud at courtlike scapes,
Lamenting there the lauish vaine expence,
Haue farther cause abroad to note escapes,
Where craft dooth keepe true meaning in suspence:
And wily worldlings couer their pretence:
With holy shapes, and in a holy coate,
Dooth flattry praise those men that swim a floate:
Lamenting there the lauish vaine expence,
Haue farther cause abroad to note escapes,
Where craft dooth keepe true meaning in suspence:
And wily worldlings couer their pretence:
With holy shapes, and in a holy coate,
Dooth flattry praise those men that swim a floate:
In Nobles traines, who sees not strange mis deemes,
Where each dooth gape and catch at priuate gaine,
And fleece the Lord, who though he blindfold seemes,
By oft attempts dooth barre them of their vaines,
The painfull wretch who toiles with often paines,
He hath faire words, when flattrie sucks the sweete.
Thus showes take place, and Troth's trod vnder feete.
Where each dooth gape and catch at priuate gaine,
And fleece the Lord, who though he blindfold seemes,
By oft attempts dooth barre them of their vaines,
The painfull wretch who toiles with often paines,
He hath faire words, when flattrie sucks the sweete.
Thus showes take place, and Troth's trod vnder feete.
In England gistes can compasse each reproofe,
The bad for gold may soone be counted good,
The wicked gainer for the states behoofe,
The blindest buzzard to giue heauenly food,
The faintest heart in warlikst place hath stood:
And who giues most, hath now most store of farmes,
Rackt rents, the Lord with golden fuell warmes.
The bad for gold may soone be counted good,
The wicked gainer for the states behoofe,
The blindest buzzard to giue heauenly food,
The faintest heart in warlikst place hath stood:
And who giues most, hath now most store of farmes,
Rackt rents, the Lord with golden fuell warmes.
And Iustice so I feare by power is led,
The poore may crie, and gladly creepe to crosse,
The rich with wealth, the wealthie now are fed,
The simple man now onely beares the losse,
The Lawier he the golden crownes doth tosse,
And now hath fees at will with cap and knee,
And each man cries, good sir come plead for me.
The poore may crie, and gladly creepe to crosse,
The rich with wealth, the wealthie now are fed,
The simple man now onely beares the losse,
The Lawier he the golden crownes doth tosse,
And each man cries, good sir come plead for me.
O sweete the time, when neither folly might
Mislead your hopes, nor alter olde decrees.
O happie Truth when as with sweete delight,
She laboured still for conscience not for fees.
O blessed time, when zeale with bended knees,
Gan blesse the heauens, that bent their powres diuine,
The English hearts to wisedome to encline.
Mislead your hopes, nor alter olde decrees.
O happie Truth when as with sweete delight,
She laboured still for conscience not for fees.
O blessed time, when zeale with bended knees,
Gan blesse the heauens, that bent their powres diuine,
The English hearts to wisedome to encline.
But now refusd, disdaind, and set at naught,
Inforst to seeke for rest in place vnknowne,
I wayle poore wretch, that no redresse is sought:
But well I wot, my greefes are not mine owne,
Some beare a part and helpe to waite my mone,
But all in vaine: such colours now are made,
That those would mend the misse, doo daunce in shade.
Inforst to seeke for rest in place vnknowne,
I wayle poore wretch, that no redresse is sought:
But well I wot, my greefes are not mine owne,
Some beare a part and helpe to waite my mone,
But all in vaine: such colours now are made,
That those would mend the misse, doo daunce in shade.
This said, be wetting all the place with teares,
And from her eyes expelling flouds of mone,
Her louely lockes bespred about her eares,
She waude her wings as willing to be gone:
And after pause, she soard away anone,
And thus she said: You Ilanders adieu,
You banisht me, before I fled from you.
And from her eyes expelling flouds of mone,
Her louely lockes bespred about her eares,
She waude her wings as willing to be gone:
And after pause, she soard away anone,
And thus she said: You Ilanders adieu,
You banisht me, before I fled from you.
Lenuoy. Beleeue me, Countrimen this thing is true.
FINIS.
| An Alarum against Usurers | |