Ane treatise callit the court of Venus deuidit into four buikis: newlie compylit be Iohne Rolland in Dalkeith, 1575: Edited by the Rev. Walter Gregor |
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| 2. | THE SECUND BUIK. |
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 | Ane treatise callit the court of Venus |  |
47
THE SECUND BUIK.
To Desperance not vnknawin in ane part
How that Venus wes set to eik his smart:
He him bethocht for to fang sum defence,
And for to get sum Aduocat expert:
Wald Venus court retreit, cast or conuert,
Or in sum part thairin mak resistence,
Sone he him hyit without mair residence
Vnto the seuin digne Doctouris in all A[rt]
Quhilkis clepit ar the well of sapience.
How that Venus wes set to eik his smart:
He him bethocht for to fang sum defence,
And for to get sum Aduocat expert:
Wald Venus court retreit, cast or conuert,
Or in sum part thairin mak resistence,
Sone he him hyit without mair residence
Vnto the seuin digne Doctouris in all A[rt]
Quhilkis clepit ar the well of sapience.
The first is callit Thales Milesius,
Quhilk is in Greik ane maister meruelus.
And dispute first in all nature of thing:
Quhais eloquence was sa compendius,
Sa clene, sa cleir, and eik sa copius,
Surmountit Grece be fer in his saying.
The secund als was ane doctour conding,
Callit Solon, ane Iurist cautelous,
That sa did speik vnto Cresus the King.
Quhilk is in Greik ane maister meruelus.
And dispute first in all nature of thing:
Quhais eloquence was sa compendius,
Sa clene, sa cleir, and eik sa copius,
Surmountit Grece be fer in his saying.
The secund als was ane doctour conding,
Callit Solon, ane Iurist cautelous,
That sa did speik vnto Cresus the King.
The thrid Chylon Lacedemonius.
The ferd callit Byas Pryeneus,
Wnto the laif was speciall President.
The fift to Name and hecht Poete Pittacus.
The sext callit the Clerk Cleobolus.
Ane ageit man in ȝeiris ancient,
In liberall science richt emmient
The seuint, hecht Periander Corinthius,
Last of thame all ane Cunning man and quent.
The ferd callit Byas Pryeneus,
Wnto the laif was speciall President.
The fift to Name and hecht Poete Pittacus.
The sext callit the Clerk Cleobolus.
48
In liberall science richt emmient
The seuint, hecht Periander Corinthius,
Last of thame all ane Cunning man and quent.
Quhen Desperance thir seuin in ane saw sit,
Wallie (said he) ȝonder is heid of wit.
Ane spark of peirtnes in his breist than grew,
Thinkand allane, my caus and I submit
[Vn]to ȝone seuin ane mis or els ane hit:
Thay will me schaw sum counsall or reskew:
[Q]uhidder I sall absent me or persew
To Venus Court, sen I thairto am knit.
[Gi]f thay not do, I tary nocht, adew.
Wallie (said he) ȝonder is heid of wit.
Ane spark of peirtnes in his breist than grew,
Thinkand allane, my caus and I submit
[Vn]to ȝone seuin ane mis or els ane hit:
Thay will me schaw sum counsall or reskew:
[Q]uhidder I sall absent me or persew
To Venus Court, sen I thairto am knit.
[Gi]f thay not do, I tary nocht, adew.
[He] saluist thame on his best wayis anone.
[OMITTED]mand GOD saif ȝow seid of Salomon.
In gentill wise thay him contersalued
Sayand gude Schir, quhat is thair to expone
Of argument probleme or questioun
That ȝe wald haif distrust or recountit.
Schaw furth belyue and mak it specified,
So far as ȝe ȝour mater will propone:
It salbe drest, and ȝe ȝour self depesched.
[OMITTED]mand GOD saif ȝow seid of Salomon.
In gentill wise thay him contersalued
Sayand gude Schir, quhat is thair to expone
Of argument probleme or questioun
That ȝe wald haif distrust or recountit.
Schaw furth belyue and mak it specified,
So far as ȝe ȝour mater will propone:
It salbe drest, and ȝe ȝour self depesched.
Sone he furthschew his mater haill and all
Vnto thay seuin Rectouris Rethoricall:
How that Venus was set in his contrair.
And Esperance with him in feid did fall:
And how he was summound to Tribunall
Be Nemesis the principall Officiar.
And how that he promittit to cum thair
Befoir hir Iuge Deput temporall,
Wnder all pane micht follow or danger.
Vnto thay seuin Rectouris Rethoricall:
How that Venus was set in his contrair.
And Esperance with him in feid did fall:
And how he was summound to Tribunall
Be Nemesis the principall Officiar.
And how that he promittit to cum thair
Befoir hir Iuge Deput temporall,
Wnder all pane micht follow or danger.
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And quhen he had schawin his narratioun,
He Implorit with all delectatioun.
Thay wald him gif thair counsal on best wy[se]
How he should chaip without Tribulatioun,
Manifest schame, or mair Blasphematioun,
Not turnand him, nor his to preiudice.
Thay said agane, ȝe haif done greit dispric[e]
Quhairthrow ȝe can not chaip Indignati[e]
Of hir, nor nane that makis hir dew seruice.
He Implorit with all delectatioun.
Thay wald him gif thair counsal on best wy[se]
How he should chaip without Tribulatioun,
Manifest schame, or mair Blasphematioun,
Not turnand him, nor his to preiudice.
Thay said agane, ȝe haif done greit dispric[e]
Quhairthrow ȝe can not chaip Indignati[e]
Of hir, nor nane that makis hir dew seruice.
Howbeit that we thairto nathing pertene,
Scho is ane Galland Nobill lustie Quene
Diuers gentillis will mak to hir homage
And serue hir with all courage fra the splen[e]
Quhen scho and thay to gidder may conuene.
At hir awin sport, scho dar lay counterplage.
Quhairfoir we think, that ȝe haif preuit fulage
For to offend that Souerane, and most schene,
So eminent ane Lady of linage.
Scho is ane Galland Nobill lustie Quene
Diuers gentillis will mak to hir homage
And serue hir with all courage fra the splen[e]
Quhen scho and thay to gidder may conuene.
At hir awin sport, scho dar lay counterplage.
Quhairfoir we think, that ȝe haif preuit fulage
For to offend that Souerane, and most schene,
So eminent ane Lady of linage.
Bot nottheles our counsall ȝe sall haif
In closit writ, the quhilk ȝe sall resaif.
And in gude haist ȝe sall pas on beliue
Vnto the nine Musis sweit and swaue:
Quhair that thay sit into thair clene conclaue.
Deliuer thame this pretty small missiue
In siclik Actis thay ar frequentatiue,
And mair facill ȝour mater will consaif,
Fra time that thay heir ȝour enarratiue.
In closit writ, the quhilk ȝe sall resaif.
And in gude haist ȝe sall pas on beliue
Vnto the nine Musis sweit and swaue:
Quhair that thay sit into thair clene conclaue.
Deliuer thame this pretty small missiue
In siclik Actis thay ar frequentatiue,
And mair facill ȝour mater will consaif,
Fra time that thay heir ȝour enarratiue.
Thus thay conclude all seuin with ane consent
Deliuerit him the bill Incontinent
Renuncit thame of thair cure and counsall.
He tuke gude nicht and on his wayis went.
Till he come to thay Rosis Redolent.
Ruit of regard, and fontane Musicall
Schryne of tresour, and port Poeticall:
Quhair all science hes daylie Entreitment:
The Musis nine most puir well virginall.
Deliuerit him the bill Incontinent
Renuncit thame of thair cure and counsall.
He tuke gude nicht and on his wayis went.
Till he come to thay Rosis Redolent.
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Schryne of tresour, and port Poeticall:
Quhair all science hes daylie Entreitment:
The Musis nine most puir well virginall.
Quhais Nobill Names ar thir in veritie:
The first Clio is cleipit sickerlie:
Ane Nobill Nymph baith for to sing and say,
The secund hecht to hir name Euterpe:
[Sy]ne Thalia: the feird Melpomene:
[Te]rpsichore fift is callit in verray
Erato sext: the seuint Polimnia:
The aucht is callit gentill Calliope
Maistres of all the nynt Vrania.
The first Clio is cleipit sickerlie:
Ane Nobill Nymph baith for to sing and say,
The secund hecht to hir name Euterpe:
[Sy]ne Thalia: the feird Melpomene:
[Te]rpsichore fift is callit in verray
Erato sext: the seuint Polimnia:
The aucht is callit gentill Calliope
Maistres of all the nynt Vrania.
Quhair thir Ladyes wes in thair chalmer clois
Thair was the rute of reuerence and rois:
Thair was Prudence: & thair was Pulchritude
Thair was of blis baith the waill and chois:
Thair was the sop of science I suppois:
Thair was the flour of fairheid, and the flude:
Thair was worschip with welth and valitude
Thair was the Court ane man for to reiois:
Thair was meiknes weil mixt with mansuetude
Thair was the rute of reuerence and rois:
Thair was Prudence: & thair was Pulchritude
Thair was of blis baith the waill and chois:
Thair was the sop of science I suppois:
Thair was the flour of fairheid, and the flude:
Thair was worschip with welth and valitude
Thair was the Court ane man for to reiois:
Thair was meiknes weil mixt with mansuetude
Thair was Grammar, and thair was Rethorik
For Questionis thair was Dialectik:
In argumentis full of subtialtie.
Pro and contra in termes of Logik:
In all this warld to serche there was nane sic.
For to decerne licht fra obscuritie.
Thair was Phisik: thair was Astronomie,
Thair was the mirth, and Mother of Musik:
Thair was nurtour, thair was Nobilitie.
For Questionis thair was Dialectik:
In argumentis full of subtialtie.
Pro and contra in termes of Logik:
In all this warld to serche there was nane sic.
For to decerne licht fra obscuritie.
Thair was Phisik: thair was Astronomie,
Thair was the mirth, and Mother of Musik:
Thair was nurtour, thair was Nobilitie.
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For to conclude of this quhat wald ȝe mair?
The seuin science compleitlie thay war thair,
With all kyn sort of mirth that micht be found
Thair manerit Mans sa perfyit and preclair,
Enuirond all aboit with hailsum air.
Mair plesund place stude neuer on the ground
With all delitis sa greitlie did abound,
Of all palice it was the luminair,
That euer ȝit was maid on Mappamond.
The seuin science compleitlie thay war thair,
With all kyn sort of mirth that micht be found
Thair manerit Mans sa perfyit and preclair,
Enuirond all aboit with hailsum air.
Mair plesund place stude neuer on the ground
With all delitis sa greitlie did abound,
Of all palice it was the luminair,
That euer ȝit was maid on Mappamond.
For to descriue thair honest Ornament,
Thair riche array, and thair habillement:
My feble wit stands in extasie
So bene, so big, and so Auripotent,
So ground michtie it was, and precellent:
It dullis far my small capacitie.
Thairfoir I most at this time let it be.
Bot ȝe sall wit thair was na thing absent
Of gold, nor silk, that ganit sic cumpanie.
Thair riche array, and thair habillement:
My feble wit stands in extasie
So bene, so big, and so Auripotent,
So ground michtie it was, and precellent:
It dullis far my small capacitie.
Thairfoir I most at this time let it be.
Bot ȝe sall wit thair was na thing absent
Of gold, nor silk, that ganit sic cumpanie.
In thair Chalmer thay war all singand nyne,
And als playand on Harp, and Cymbalyne.
Bot for to heir that sound Melodious,
It to compair to voicis femynyne
I can not do: it was mair lik deuine
Angellis of Heuin, it was sa amorous:
So small, so clene, so sweit, so curious,
So replenissed with the cleir chrystalline:
Sa weill digest, benigne, and bewteous.
And als playand on Harp, and Cymbalyne.
Bot for to heir that sound Melodious,
It to compair to voicis femynyne
I can not do: it was mair lik deuine
Angellis of Heuin, it was sa amorous:
So small, so clene, so sweit, so curious,
So replenissed with the cleir chrystalline:
Sa weill digest, benigne, and bewteous.
Quhen Desperance thir nyne did heir and se
Percust he was into perplexitie:
Quhidder gif he sould enter thair, or no.
GOD gif it war my fortoun than, said he,
My fatall weird, and als my destenie,
I war conuert into the May Echo,
That I micht bruik this greit quotidian Ioy,
[With tha]t he Incressit into audacitie:
[He tui]k his anter, and Inwart can he go,
[And] knelit doun anone law to the eird
Percust he was into perplexitie:
Quhidder gif he sould enter thair, or no.
GOD gif it war my fortoun than, said he,
My fatall weird, and als my destenie,
52
That I micht bruik this greit quotidian Ioy,
[With tha]t he Incressit into audacitie:
[He tui]k his anter, and Inwart can he go,
[And] knelit doun anone law to the eird
The Ladyis sawe, and suddanelie was effeird:
For seindill men vsit in thair companie.
Kissand the bill farthermair or he steird,
Deliuerit it as the doctouris him leird.
Quhilk his erand to thame did certifie.
Credence be toung he wantit sickerlie.
Quhairfoir I traist the quader was his weird,
That laikit speiche him self to fortifie.
For seindill men vsit in thair companie.
Kissand the bill farthermair or he steird,
Deliuerit it as the doctouris him leird.
Quhilk his erand to thame did certifie.
Credence be toung he wantit sickerlie.
Quhairfoir I traist the quader was his weird,
That laikit speiche him self to fortifie.
Als sone as thay the small missiue did reid.
Without mair baid thay wald not superseid.
And said gude Schir, is ȝour name Desperance?
This present writ sa manifestis ȝour deid,
That ȝe haue seruit greit magrie to ȝour meid,
For presumptioun, and eik vltrequedance
To Venus done by ȝour greit arrogance.
Quhairfoir we can na farthermair proceid
In ȝour support, bot stand vnto ȝour chance.
Without mair baid thay wald not superseid.
And said gude Schir, is ȝour name Desperance?
This present writ sa manifestis ȝour deid,
That ȝe haue seruit greit magrie to ȝour meid,
For presumptioun, and eik vltrequedance
To Venus done by ȝour greit arrogance.
Quhairfoir we can na farthermair proceid
In ȝour support, bot stand vnto ȝour chance.
To Intermell we will not with sic thing:
For we Intend on vther machyning,
In Musicall Airt, and diuers science:
As in Psaltrie, in Luit and Harp playing,
Versificat in meter and dyting
In congrew veirse, and to keep accidence
In sic effairis we haue experience,
Bot be no way in Venus disprysing:
For quhy scho is ane Quene of excellence.
For we Intend on vther machyning,
In Musicall Airt, and diuers science:
As in Psaltrie, in Luit and Harp playing,
Versificat in meter and dyting
In congrew veirse, and to keep accidence
In sic effairis we haue experience,
Bot be no way in Venus disprysing:
For quhy scho is ane Quene of excellence.
53
We counsall ȝow withouten mair abai[d]
Becaus we se ȝour stomak storme bestaid
Ȝe pas in hy vnto the Nobillis nyne.
Gif ȝe wald fra this auenture ewaid.
And gif thay pleis ȝow to supple and aid,
To ȝour mater gif thay will ocht Incline:
It is mair decent to courage Masculine
Ȝow to support, than vs for to perswaid
Contrair Venus, thairfoir gude Schir pas hine.
Becaus we se ȝour stomak storme bestaid
Ȝe pas in hy vnto the Nobillis nyne.
Gif ȝe wald fra this auenture ewaid.
And gif thay pleis ȝow to supple and aid,
To ȝour mater gif thay will ocht Incline:
It is mair decent to courage Masculine
Ȝow to support, than vs for to perswaid
Contrair Venus, thairfoir gude Schir pas hine.
The small missiue thay deliuerit agane.
Bot he nothing of thair answer was fane.
He said adew, and so furth can he fair
Out ouir the bent with hart richt fair constrane
Throw Mos and myre, & mony hie Montane,
Half wo begone allone all solitair,
Throw wildernes in woddis, & greit dangeir:
Richt desolait I traist of ane gude wane,
Till he come to quhair the nine did repair.
Bot he nothing of thair answer was fane.
He said adew, and so furth can he fair
Out ouir the bent with hart richt fair constrane
Throw Mos and myre, & mony hie Montane,
Half wo begone allone all solitair,
Throw wildernes in woddis, & greit dangeir:
Richt desolait I traist of ane gude wane,
Till he come to quhair the nine did repair.
Hector dux fortissimus, filius Priami Regis Troie, & hecube Regine, vt habetur in historia Troiana.
Thir Nobillis nyne togidder congregaitIn clene cureis he saw all situait.
Quhais Names ar thir (gif I can richt record)
Hector of Troy quhilk maid greit debait
Of the Greikis, xviij. Kings he cruciat:
Exceptand Dukis, and mony diuers Lord:
He spairit nane with him was at discord.
In euerie Camp the proudest man armait
His pray was ay, and maid him euer ford.
Iosue dux filiorum Israel, & filius Nun.
The nixt callit the vailȝeant Iosue:[Qu]hilk with Moyses past out throw the reid sey
[Qu]hen King Pharao persewit Israell,
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Bot be support and the deuine supple,
All the vengeance on Pharaos folkis fell:
Becaus contrair greit GOD he did rebell.
Eik Iosue slew of Kingis ane and threttie,
The twelf Chaptour of his awin buik dois tell.
Dauid filius Isai, alias Iesse.
The thrid Dauid, the greit propheit & King,That efter Saull in Israell did ring.
Quhilk slew ane Beir, and als ane Liones:
Quhen he was bot ane child of ȝeiris ȝing,
Vpon the feild quhair he had in keiping
His Fatheris flok into the wildernes.
Alswa he slew the Giant Golyas,
In the foirheid with ane stane and stafsling:
As the first buik of Kingis dois expres.
Iulius Cæsar, quia cæsus de matris aluo, (vt dicit Plinius).
The feird callit was Cæsar Iulius,Richt vailȝeand and als victorious:
As Doctouris reidis he was first Empriour,
Quhilk with scharp sword, & Actis anterous,
Diuers greit Kingis in feild he did vincus.
Of Babilon he was the conquerour:
Of Italie siclik disconfeitour.
Into plane camp with dintis dangerous
He brocht mony vnto thair fatall hour.
Alexander Philippi filius, construxit tres vrbes, vno nomine vocatas, scilicet alexandria in Ægypto. alexandria in Asia propre hostiū nili fluuij & alexandria in Scithia, vt habetur in Policr[ate].
Alexander the fyft, of MacedounAne nobill King and Campioun
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Quhilk with greit strenth, and mony bald Baroun,
Had all the warld at his dominoun,
Be force of men and lauchand destenie.
Greit Conquerour thairfoir cleipit is he.
At his plesure he micht louse or Ransoun
Quhairsumeuer he war, or quhat degre.
Iudas Machabeus.
The sext Iudas Machabeus was cald,Ane birnand Beirne, ane busteous, and bald;
Richt corpolent, and hie in his estait.
Aucht hundred Knichtes, & twentie thairto tald
At ane Iornay the Gaist he gart vpȝald.
His Fortoun was with strenth so roborait.
Into his dayis durst nane with him debait:
Quhome he vincust no langer leif thay wald,
Sic grace he gaif, bot thame all maid chak mait.
Godefridus.
The seuint callit Godfride de Billioun:Quhilk subiugait Ierusalem the Toun,
Of mony Iowis he was the finall end,
Depopulat that Cietie of Renoun,
With dynt of sword, and maid sic occisioun,
Of Ronciwell the battell it transcend.
His courage was ay Christindome to defend.
Quhen al was done he brocht of thorne the croun
Quhilk crownit Christ with him til ane commend.
Arthurus Britanniæ Rex (vt habetur in Cronicis eiusdem).
[Art]hur the aucht, he was ane Christin King,[N]obill, and fre, that in his dayis did ring
[Hi]s Intent was set on vassalage
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His cruell Knichts thairof sa entreting
With gold and geir to eik thair clene courage:
To him againe thay making sic homage.
Of Infidelis mony he did downe thring
Be battell mort, and put thame to thirlage.
CHARLFS LE MAYNE.
The nynt Charles baith King & Empreour
Fra the Angell of delyce tuik the Flour,
Quhilk in the Armes of France ȝit is worne.
All Hispanie he wan be battell sour:
Of Almanie he was the Conquerour,
Fra Infidelis, and mony of thame forlorne,
At Ronciwell quhen Rolland blew the horne:
Quha was betraisit and gat his fatall hour,
Be the fals Tratour Ganȝelone manesworne.
Fra the Angell of delyce tuik the Flour,
Quhilk in the Armes of France ȝit is worne.
All Hispanie he wan be battell sour:
Of Almanie he was the Conquerour,
Fra Infidelis, and mony of thame forlorne,
At Ronciwell quhen Rolland blew the horne:
Quha was betraisit and gat his fatall hour,
Be the fals Tratour Ganȝelone manesworne.
Thir nyne Nobillis all in thair cureis cleir,
Maist triumphand, and vailȝeand men of weir
Richt martiall like, so curious and clene,
Sa gay thay schine all in thair glitterand geir:
Hewmond on heid, sword, buklar, scheild & speir.
(Quod desperance) quhat may ȝone menȝe mene?
Thay ar richt like to turne thair fais to tene.
Thay luik sa gryme, with peruerst vult austeir
I dout with thame that I dar not be sene.
Maist triumphand, and vailȝeand men of weir
Richt martiall like, so curious and clene,
Sa gay thay schine all in thair glitterand geir:
Hewmond on heid, sword, buklar, scheild & speir.
(Quod desperance) quhat may ȝone menȝe mene?
Thay ar richt like to turne thair fais to tene.
Thay luik sa gryme, with peruerst vult austeir
I dout with thame that I dar not be sene.
So tedious thay ar be countenance
To luik vpon with vultis of vengeance:
So busteous and eik so bellicois,
So terribill thay ar be apperance:
Detestabill for to eik ane mischance
So scelerait, and ingrait for to chois:
So wickit like, and als so venemois:
So troubillois full of Intemperance,
To thame ane word that I dar not disclois.
To luik vpon with vultis of vengeance:
So busteous and eik so bellicois,
So terribill thay ar be apperance:
Detestabill for to eik ane mischance
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So wickit like, and als so venemois:
So troubillois full of Intemperance,
To thame ane word that I dar not disclois.
Quhat sall I do, and I pas hame againe,
All my trauell by past it is in vaine.
And byde I heir, I traist na thing bot deid,
Best is to say, I am ane Chirurgiane:
In Medicine ane greit practiciane.
Perauenture sa sall I eschaip feid.
Quhat than, gif thay of my craft with me pleid?
They will me call ane cassin Courticiane:
Ane fenȝeit Fox: and than of will my heid.
All my trauell by past it is in vaine.
And byde I heir, I traist na thing bot deid,
Best is to say, I am ane Chirurgiane:
In Medicine ane greit practiciane.
Perauenture sa sall I eschaip feid.
Quhat than, gif thay of my craft with me pleid?
They will me call ane cassin Courticiane:
Ane fenȝeit Fox: and than of will my heid.
Best is to say, that I couet seruice
With siclike men, that vailȝeant ar and wise.
Thus in a part my self dissimulat.
Bot I dreid sair all this that I deuise
I sall me turne perchance to preiudice
In all my dayis was I not half sa mayt.
Ȝit sall I se gif I be Fortunait.
With all my pith my hart I sall apprise:
I knaw the werst of all this haill debait.
With siclike men, that vailȝeant ar and wise.
Thus in a part my self dissimulat.
Bot I dreid sair all this that I deuise
I sall me turne perchance to preiudice
In all my dayis was I not half sa mayt.
Ȝit sall I se gif I be Fortunait.
With all my pith my hart I sall apprise:
I knaw the werst of all this haill debait.
And sa anone he enterit in the Mans,
[Qu]hair that thir nyne into thair geir did glans
[Tr]aisting to haue of thame aide and supple
[Joy]ous in hart and blyith be apperance:
[Presum]ing far in his awin arrogance:
[He leukit on] all with fenȝeit audacitie,
[Als he stood] befoir that cho is of Cheualrie:
The small missiue withouttin circumstance,
Deliuerit thame, law kneiling on his kne.
[Qu]hair that thir nyne into thair geir did glans
[Tr]aisting to haue of thame aide and supple
[Joy]ous in hart and blyith be apperance:
[Presum]ing far in his awin arrogance:
[He leukit on] all with fenȝeit audacitie,
[Als he stood] befoir that cho is of Cheualrie:
The small missiue withouttin circumstance,
Deliuerit thame, law kneiling on his kne.
58
And so thay reid the small missiue anone,
And syne begouth the sentence to expone.
Ane said of thame quhilk was maist Ancient.
Brether, this case concernis vs Ilkone.
Fra that thay knew that he was Venus fone
All thir atanis thay grew in matilent:
Sayand quad knaif, thow was ouir negligent
Of Quene Venus sic langage to propone:
Thou seruis weill on Rakkis to be rent.
And syne begouth the sentence to expone.
Ane said of thame quhilk was maist Ancient.
Brether, this case concernis vs Ilkone.
Fra that thay knew that he was Venus fone
All thir atanis thay grew in matilent:
Sayand quad knaif, thow was ouir negligent
Of Quene Venus sic langage to propone:
Thou seruis weill on Rakkis to be rent.
Ane vther syne quhilk was ane crabbit squyer
Kest doun his browis quhair he sat in his chyre
On Desperance, sayand, fals Renigate,
Quhat causit the be sa peirt for to delyre
Fra Venus Court, or thairfra for to gyre:
Or in that case quha the authoriȝate?
Tratour I sall thy corps Incarcerate.
And bet thy banis baith bodie, bowk and lyre:
Thow seruis quick to be excoriate.
Kest doun his browis quhair he sat in his chyre
On Desperance, sayand, fals Renigate,
Quhat causit the be sa peirt for to delyre
Fra Venus Court, or thairfra for to gyre:
Or in that case quha the authoriȝate?
Tratour I sall thy corps Incarcerate.
And bet thy banis baith bodie, bowk and lyre:
Thow seruis quick to be excoriate.
Quhen Desperance thir wordis outrageous
Hard said to him, he was sa dolorous,
All for frayitnes he fell in extasie:
Quhill the laif of thay Chiftaines Cheualrous
Raisit him agane, schawing thame gracious
Sayand, he suld not thair thoill villanie
It was na laude, nor ȝit Humanitie
On sic ane wicht to schaw thame villanous,
Nor to molest sic ane vith crueltie.
Hard said to him, he was sa dolorous,
All for frayitnes he fell in extasie:
Quhill the laif of thay Chiftaines Cheualrous
Raisit him agane, schawing thame gracious
Sayand, he suld not thair thoill villanie
It was na laude, nor ȝit Humanitie
On sic ane wicht to schaw thame villanous,
Nor to molest sic ane vith crueltie.
Ȝit nottheles for the greit contemptioun
To Venus done be his detractioun,
We will him schaw sum thingis terribill
Him for to fle fra sic Infectioun:
That he nor nane of his conditioun,
Of Venus speik sic wordis horribill.
Sa thay him sasit on ground quhair he lay stil
Sayand, curst knaif thow sall haif afflictioun
As thow did serue, rise, and resaif thy bill.
To Venus done be his detractioun,
We will him schaw sum thingis terribill
Him for to fle fra sic Infectioun:
That he nor nane of his conditioun,
59
Sa thay him sasit on ground quhair he lay stil
Sayand, curst knaif thow sall haif afflictioun
As thow did serue, rise, and resaif thy bill.
So vp he rais into ane stakkerand stait,
As he had bene fra wit examinat.
Askand thame grace, trimbland for feir did quaik
Sum said he seruit for to be cruciat,
That he micht be exempill scelerat
Till all vtheris, that siclik crimes wald mak
Sum said, he seruit for to hing on ane Aik.
Sum said, he seruit be quik confodiat:
Or rostit quik, and all for Venus saik.
As he had bene fra wit examinat.
Askand thame grace, trimbland for feir did quaik
Sum said he seruit for to be cruciat,
That he micht be exempill scelerat
Till all vtheris, that siclik crimes wald mak
Sum said, he seruit for to hing on ane Aik.
Sum said, he seruit be quik confodiat:
Or rostit quik, and all for Venus saik.
Bot we will not with sic ane Intromet.
Flane bellief lawcht on the it war weill set.
Richt swa thy bill and thy narratioun sayis.
And likit we to do to the our det,
Fra top to ta thy bodie wald be let,
Till thow did neuer gude in all thy dayis.
Wald thow further and prosper in thy wais,
In all gude haist thow hence the fra this ȝet,
And seik anone to the ten Sibillais.
Flane bellief lawcht on the it war weill set.
Richt swa thy bill and thy narratioun sayis.
And likit we to do to the our det,
Fra top to ta thy bodie wald be let,
Till thow did neuer gude in all thy dayis.
Wald thow further and prosper in thy wais,
In all gude haist thow hence the fra this ȝet,
And seik anone to the ten Sibillais.
[Quh]a ar forsuith forsuith Prophettes ilkane,
[To t]hame thow pas, and sadlie mak thy mane
And thy mater but feinȝetnes thame schaw,
And swa beliue his leif at thame hes tane,
Murnand in hart with mony greslie grane,
His veyage tuik, quhair he na gait did knaw:
Throw wildernes, quhair he na luging saw:
Throw mos and myre, and mony hie Montane
Till he come to mont Caucasus of snaw.
[To t]hame thow pas, and sadlie mak thy mane
And thy mater but feinȝetnes thame schaw,
And swa beliue his leif at thame hes tane,
Murnand in hart with mony greslie grane,
His veyage tuik, quhair he na gait did knaw:
Throw wildernes, quhair he na luging saw:
Throw mos and myre, and mony hie Montane
Till he come to mont Caucasus of snaw.
60
Quhilk Montane is most heich in Scithia:
Into the eist tendand fra India,
Vnto the north, and all excandidate
With snawis fell (as Albertus dois say)
Vpon that hill na nicht is sene bot day,
Except four houris the sone is obscurate:
Thair Desperance on force all fatigate:
He set him doun, na ferder he micht ga,
The mont with snaw was all sa condensat.
Into the eist tendand fra India,
Vnto the north, and all excandidate
With snawis fell (as Albertus dois say)
Vpon that hill na nicht is sene bot day,
Except four houris the sone is obscurate:
Thair Desperance on force all fatigate:
He set him doun, na ferder he micht ga,
The mont with snaw was all sa condensat.
And swa he baid throw hap and destinie
Vpon that hill baith hiddeous was and hie,
Him to refresche, quhilk was all faynt begone,
And to haif had thair sum tranquillitie,
Efter trawell his mind to mollifie.
Thair did he rest vpon ane Merbill stone,
Richt sad in hart makand ane drerie mone:
Till Morpheus that carll subtell and sle,
All his fiue wittis fra him hes reft anone.
Vpon that hill baith hiddeous was and hie,
Him to refresche, quhilk was all faynt begone,
And to haif had thair sum tranquillitie,
Efter trawell his mind to mollifie.
Thair did he rest vpon ane Merbill stone,
Richt sad in hart makand ane drerie mone:
Till Morpheus that carll subtell and sle,
All his fiue wittis fra him hes reft anone.
Thair sleipit he within ane littill stound
Vpon that mont, quhair he lay on the g[round]
Ane Ladye gent approchit quhair he lay
Quha in bountie and bewtie did abound
Richt fauorabill of fassoun, and facound;
To Desperance thir wordis couth scho say.
O wofull wicht, I repent in verray,
That thow art thus with faintnes all confound:
Awalk the sone, and pas on thy Iornay.
Vpon that mont, quhair he lay on the g[round]
Ane Ladye gent approchit quhair he lay
Quha in bountie and bewtie did abound
Richt fauorabill of fassoun, and facound;
To Desperance thir wordis couth scho say.
O wofull wicht, I repent in verray,
That thow art thus with faintnes all confound:
Awalk the sone, and pas on thy Iornay.
My sister dear to Name is callit Spes:
To the me send and to schow the this case.
Scho bad the tak ane hart mair masculyne:
It is the will of all the greit goddis.
Thow pwneist be for thy wilfull trespas
To Venus done and thairfoir to thoill paine.
Bot ȝit they will remeid all thy rwyne.
Howbeit ane time thow think it heuines:
Thow sall ouirput: this scho bad me defyne.
To the me send and to schow the this case.
Scho bad the tak ane hart mair masculyne:
It is the will of all the greit goddis.
Thow pwneist be for thy wilfull trespas
61
Bot ȝit they will remeid all thy rwyne.
Howbeit ane time thow think it heuines:
Thow sall ouirput: this scho bad me defyne.
Bot thow sall haif greit laubour and trauaill
And on thy part thow sall haif few partiall
Ȝit, sussie not, for thow will get reskew,
Thocht Venus will richt scharplie the assaill.
Dout not thairfoir, for nothing sall the aill
Thocht Rhamnusia agane the will argew:
Heirfoir be blith thir wordis salbe trew:
Arthemisia my Name is, naturall
Sister to Hoip: not ellis, gude freind adew.
And on thy part thow sall haif few partiall
Ȝit, sussie not, for thow will get reskew,
Thocht Venus will richt scharplie the assaill.
Dout not thairfoir, for nothing sall the aill
Thocht Rhamnusia agane the will argew:
Heirfoir be blith thir wordis salbe trew:
Arthemisia my Name is, naturall
Sister to Hoip: not ellis, gude freind adew.
[Th]ir wordis scho said richt sone him excitate:
[He turni]t about bot scho was gone hir gait.
[Wei]ll he knew, it was sum vncouth visioun
[Ȝit he k]new not how it was nominat:
[And he c]uld not hir taill weill diuulgait,
[Thinka]nd it was all haill bot derisioun
Ȝit he on knais askit ane petitioun,
At the greit GOD, his dreme for to debait:
With thir ilk wordis begouth his Orisoun
[He turni]t about bot scho was gone hir gait.
[Wei]ll he knew, it was sum vncouth visioun
[Ȝit he k]new not how it was nominat:
[And he c]uld not hir taill weill diuulgait,
[Thinka]nd it was all haill bot derisioun
Ȝit he on knais askit ane petitioun,
At the greit GOD, his dreme for to debait:
With thir ilk wordis begouth his Orisoun
Lamentatio ipsius per egrinantis incipit.
O God of Goddis, as thow art GOD abuse
Quhy sufferis thow ane creature mortall,
For none defalt to Incur sic vnrufe,
As I daylie but buit heir dois bewaill?
Help sone thow may of this pane corporall:
For I not may sustene this felloun feid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
Quhy sufferis thow ane creature mortall,
For none defalt to Incur sic vnrufe,
As I daylie but buit heir dois bewaill?
Help sone thow may of this pane corporall:
For I not may sustene this felloun feid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
62
I pray the GOD of thy benignitie:
As thow art God and gydis the ballance:
Sum gude comfort thow wald prouyd for me,
And me denuid of this curst cummerance.
And gouerne me to sum gude souenance:
For my wanrest I wald thow saw remeid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
As thow art God and gydis the ballance:
Sum gude comfort thow wald prouyd for me,
And me denuid of this curst cummerance.
And gouerne me to sum gude souenance:
For my wanrest I wald thow saw remeid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
Als I the pray that for me deit on Rude
(Considderand I am ane weirie wicht)
That thow wald turne my dreme vnto sum gude
Quhilk throw my sleip appeirit in my sicht.
For weill I knaw, it is small of thy micht,
To muif this Mont vnto ane vther steid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
(Considderand I am ane weirie wicht)
That thow wald turne my dreme vnto sum gude
Quhilk throw my sleip appeirit in my sicht.
For weill I knaw, it is small of thy micht,
To muif this Mont vnto ane vther steid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
Heir quhair I sit vpon this hie Mon[tagne]
To heir me call thy eiris thow wald [incline]
Wilsum of way, and wait not quhair [to gang]
Me to conuoy to gude purpois and fine
And not suffer that I may trauell tyne.
Out of this place to gude ludgeing me leid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
To heir me call thy eiris thow wald [incline]
Wilsum of way, and wait not quhair [to gang]
Me to conuoy to gude purpois and fine
And not suffer that I may trauell tyne.
Out of this place to gude ludgeing me leid.
Venus that wenche scho vexis me to deid.
Finis Orationis.
And so he rais and on his veyage past.
Fameist for fude, and richt skarslie repast.
Till he come till ane Palice prelucent,
All circundat with the quhite Alabast:
Quhais Portis was closit richt surelie and fast
With lok and band, and diuers Instrument.
To haue entres thair was few men frequent.
Bot with fair wordis he enterit at the last.
Quhairof he was hylair and weill content.
Fameist for fude, and richt skarslie repast.
Till he come till ane Palice prelucent,
All circundat with the quhite Alabast:
Quhais Portis was closit richt surelie and fast
With lok and band, and diuers Instrument.
To haue entres thair was few men frequent.
Bot with fair wordis he enterit at the last.
Quhairof he was hylair and weill content.
63
To seik thir ten Sibillis is he gane,
Bot of thame wit nor knawledge gat he nane.
Quhill at the last vnto ane Posterne ȝet
He come belyue, and thair enterit allane,
About the thrid hour Pomeridiane.
And thair come to ane Closter weill ouir fret
With all kin flouris, that in eird was to get:
Triangill maid, with craftie wark saxeane:
Quhairin was all thir ten Sibillais set.
Bot of thame wit nor knawledge gat he nane.
Quhill at the last vnto ane Posterne ȝet
He come belyue, and thair enterit allane,
About the thrid hour Pomeridiane.
And thair come to ane Closter weill ouir fret
With all kin flouris, that in eird was to get:
Triangill maid, with craftie wark saxeane:
Quhairin was all thir ten Sibillais set.
In euerilk Pane set ay togidder thre,
Weill exercisit in science and studie:
And speciallie of the Incarnatioun
Of IESVS CHRIST, and vther Prophecie
All in ane voit set thair Felicitie
[On] future thingis, and Predestinatioun.
[Da]ylie this was thair maist occupatioun.
[S]a full thair warkis was of oporcitie
Culd few thairof mak Interpretatioun.
Weill exercisit in science and studie:
And speciallie of the Incarnatioun
Of IESVS CHRIST, and vther Prophecie
All in ane voit set thair Felicitie
[On] future thingis, and Predestinatioun.
[Da]ylie this was thair maist occupatioun.
[S]a full thair warkis was of oporcitie
Culd few thairof mak Interpretatioun.
The first was callit Sibilla Persica.
The nixt to name was callit Libica.
Delphica thrid: thir thre sat in ane Pane.
The fourt to name was callit Cumea.
And sine the fift scho hecht Erithrea.
Samea sext: thir three sat nixt agane.
The seuint callit Hellespontia Troiane.
The aucht to name was callit Phrygia,
Tiburtina the nint was for certane.
The nixt to name was callit Libica.
Delphica thrid: thir thre sat in ane Pane.
The fourt to name was callit Cumea.
And sine the fift scho hecht Erithrea.
Samea sext: thir three sat nixt agane.
The seuint callit Hellespontia Troiane.
The aucht to name was callit Phrygia,
Tiburtina the nint was for certane.
Cumana tent, and Maistres to thame all:
Into the middis set in hir sait claustrall.
Of prophecie scho did write buikis nine,
In maid meter and veirs Rethoricall:
Quhilk scho presentit to Iuge Imperiall,
That time callit the Empriour Tarquine:
For quhilk scho askit twelf scoir of Phillippis sine
He thocht the price was ouir substanciall.
He lewch, and wald not to hir will Incline.
Into the middis set in hir sait claustrall.
Of prophecie scho did write buikis nine,
In maid meter and veirs Rethoricall:
Quhilk scho presentit to Iuge Imperiall,
64
For quhilk scho askit twelf scoir of Phillippis sine
He thocht the price was ouir substanciall.
He lewch, and wald not to hir will Incline.
Incontinent in presence of the King.
Thre of the buikis in the fyir scho did fling.
At him agane als mekill scho did Inquyre,
Gif he wald gif for the sex the same thing.
And he said nay: sine vther thre did scho bring
Of the same buikis: combust thame in the fyre,
Hir greit constance than the King did admire.
The last thre buikis: he tuik in his kepin[g]
And gaif the sowme that scho did first de[syre]
Quhilk buikis in Rome was keipit richt straitlie.
Thre of the buikis in the fyir scho did fling.
At him agane als mekill scho did Inquyre,
Gif he wald gif for the sex the same thing.
And he said nay: sine vther thre did scho bring
Of the same buikis: combust thame in the fyre,
Hir greit constance than the King did admire.
The last thre buikis: he tuik in his kepin[g]
And gaif the sowme that scho did first de[syre]
Quhilk buikis in Rome was keipit richt straitlie.
Be fiftene men best of the haill citie,
Ordainit thairto be all the haill counsall,
In time of weir or of mortalitie:
Quhen thair appeirit ony aduersitie
Greit tribulance, or famine accidentaill.
Thir buikis was red sic times in speciall,
For of all dowttis thay wald thame certifie,
Quhidder thay wald haif troubill, or preuaill.
Ordainit thairto be all the haill counsall,
In time of weir or of mortalitie:
Quhen thair appeirit ony aduersitie
Greit tribulance, or famine accidentaill.
Thir buikis was red sic times in speciall,
For of all dowttis thay wald thame certifie,
Quhidder thay wald haif troubill, or preuaill.
Than Desperance deliuerit his missine
Vnto thir ten, so sweit and scientiue.
Kneling full law, as weill him culd effeir.
Sine to counsall thay passit all beliue.
Considderit weill the sentence was pensiue.
All in ane voce thay said to him ȝoungkeir:
Vit nor Visdome in ȝow dois not appeir.
And for sentence we gif diffinitiue:
Do for ȝour self, support ȝe get nane heir.
Vnto thir ten, so sweit and scientiue.
Kneling full law, as weill him culd effeir.
Sine to counsall thay passit all beliue.
Considderit weill the sentence was pensiue.
All in ane voce thay said to him ȝoungkeir:
Vit nor Visdome in ȝow dois not appeir.
And for sentence we gif diffinitiue:
Do for ȝour self, support ȝe get nane heir.
65
For quhy ȝe haif ane greit falt perpetrat,
With corrupt thocht, and mind Immoderat,
To Quene Venus, and hir Ladyis so schene,
As in this bill it is Intitulat.
And fra hir Court we ar not depriuat.
Quhairfoir on force ȝe man fra vs abstene.
[He sa]id, Ladyis most secreit and serene:
[Of] courtesie ȝe wald me wis sum gait,
[Qu]hair ȝe beleue I may kindnes obtene.
With corrupt thocht, and mind Immoderat,
To Quene Venus, and hir Ladyis so schene,
As in this bill it is Intitulat.
And fra hir Court we ar not depriuat.
Quhairfoir on force ȝe man fra vs abstene.
[He sa]id, Ladyis most secreit and serene:
[Of] courtesie ȝe wald me wis sum gait,
[Qu]hair ȝe beleue I may kindnes obtene.
[Th]ay said gude schir surelie we knaw richt few
[Ȝou]r part will tak, to help ȝow, or reskew
[Ȝou i]n case into Venus contrair.
Bot wald ȝe to the thre fatales persew,
Quhair that thay dwell & ȝe thair Mansioun knew
Perauenture thay wald ȝow leis of cair,
And pair ȝow sum part of ȝour greit dispair.
He said Ladyis, God ȝow forȝeild, adew:
Bruik I my lyfe, in faith I salbe thair.
[Ȝou]r part will tak, to help ȝow, or reskew
[Ȝou i]n case into Venus contrair.
Bot wald ȝe to the thre fatales persew,
Quhair that thay dwell & ȝe thair Mansioun knew
Perauenture thay wald ȝow leis of cair,
And pair ȝow sum part of ȝour greit dispair.
He said Ladyis, God ȝow forȝeild, adew:
Bruik I my lyfe, in faith I salbe thair.
This he thame left, and forder can proceid:
Richt stomakat in hart ay haiffand dreid:
Be mony way baith ewill and anterous:
With beidis in hand crosand & sayand creid:
Daglit in weit richt claggit was his weid
In stormes fell, and wedder contagious,
In frost and snaw, and blastis busteous,
Quhill at the last, he restit in ane meid,
Quhair odour was aboundant precious:
Richt stomakat in hart ay haiffand dreid:
Be mony way baith ewill and anterous:
With beidis in hand crosand & sayand creid:
Daglit in weit richt claggit was his weid
In stormes fell, and wedder contagious,
In frost and snaw, and blastis busteous,
Quhill at the last, he restit in ane meid,
Quhair odour was aboundant precious:
And was ourgrowin with all kin kind of flour
Richt michtie spice it was of greit valour.
He sat ane quhyll with ane sad countinance.
Ourset he was with trawell and lawbour.
Bot of phebus the plesant resplendour
Refreschit him fra part of displesance.
Quhill at the last he blent about of chance.
And sa on case he saw ane proper tour:
Quhair thir thre sisteris did sit in daliance.
Richt michtie spice it was of greit valour.
He sat ane quhyll with ane sad countinance.
Ourset he was with trawell and lawbour.
Bot of phebus the plesant resplendour
66
Quhill at the last he blent about of chance.
And sa on case he saw ane proper tour:
Quhair thir thre sisteris did sit in daliance.
He approchit in haist on to that hald:
All for to se the fassoun and behald
That proper place sa weill edificate:
Wallit dowble about for the wedder and ca[ld]
Thair was na force of man micht gar it fa[ld]
With subtill wark it was sa roborat.
Properlie alswa with kirnalis weill quadrat.
For feir of life dar I not be so bald
Te enter heir (quod he) I am to blait.
All for to se the fassoun and behald
That proper place sa weill edificate:
Wallit dowble about for the wedder and ca[ld]
Thair was na force of man micht gar it fa[ld]
With subtill wark it was sa roborat.
Properlie alswa with kirnalis weill quadrat.
For feir of life dar I not be so bald
Te enter heir (quod he) I am to blait.
Than enterit he, and forward come bedene,
Till he come quhair thir sisteris sat so schene
In ane conclaue all maid of Christall cleir:
Inclusit thay war vneith thay micht be sene.
The glas blindit sa sar his corporall ene,
To luik on thame few men micht perseueir.
Bot ȝit he saw within that circuleir.
How thir thre did all the warld circumuene
With thair sle craft, and quent cunning perqueir.
Till he come quhair thir sisteris sat so schene
In ane conclaue all maid of Christall cleir:
Inclusit thay war vneith thay micht be sene.
The glas blindit sa sar his corporall ene,
To luik on thame few men micht perseueir.
Bot ȝit he saw within that circuleir.
How thir thre did all the warld circumuene
With thair sle craft, and quent cunning perqueir.
Twynand the threid with sic continuance,
Hung fra the heuin down fra the great ballance,
Smaller than silk, almaist micht not be kend
Quhairon the warld hid hing be apperance.
Part preissand vp with sa greit arrogance
Vnto the heicht euer thay did pretend:
Bot quhen sic folk abone thair stait transcend
Thir sisteris thre but ony resistance,
Did cut the threid, and gart them sone discend.
Hung fra the heuin down fra the great ballance,
Smaller than silk, almaist micht not be kend
Quhairon the warld hid hing be apperance.
Part preissand vp with sa greit arrogance
Vnto the heicht euer thay did pretend:
Bot quhen sic folk abone thair stait transcend
Thir sisteris thre but ony resistance,
Did cut the threid, and gart them sone discend.
67
Vtheris agane was sa humbill in thocht,
To clim the threid but leif thay craifit nocht.
Meiklie thir folkis ascend in thair degre.
Vtheris agane quhilk to the heicht was brocht:
Was sa elate, and thair mind ay in flocht,
[Thay c]uld not thair stait hald with stabilitie.
[T]his tender threid full of debilitie,
Sic orgweill mynde to suffer it not docht:
Sa it did brek, and thay to eird can fle.
To clim the threid but leif thay craifit nocht.
Meiklie thir folkis ascend in thair degre.
Vtheris agane quhilk to the heicht was brocht:
Was sa elate, and thair mind ay in flocht,
[Thay c]uld not thair stait hald with stabilitie.
[T]his tender threid full of debilitie,
Sic orgweill mynde to suffer it not docht:
Sa it did brek, and thay to eird can fle.
Sancta Marie than said Desperance,
Into this warld quhat is my fatall chance?
Quhidder gif I dar anter on ȝone threid.
I se this warld wappit with variance.
And I am bot ane wicht of Ignorance:
To hald gude grippis had I not mekill neid?
Clym I ouir hie (that I do GOD forbeid)
I brek my neck, and thair tak me mischance.
To clym ȝone Cord faith I will superseid.
Into this warld quhat is my fatall chance?
Quhidder gif I dar anter on ȝone threid.
I se this warld wappit with variance.
And I am bot ane wicht of Ignorance:
To hald gude grippis had I not mekill neid?
Clym I ouir hie (that I do GOD forbeid)
I brek my neck, and thair tak me mischance.
To clym ȝone Cord faith I will superseid.
So thair anone he fell into dispair.
Betaucht with sturt; and durst not enter thair.
All stupefact, wist not quhat to haue done.
And for faintnes he was sa sad and sair:
Befoir his Ene he saw his exemplair:
To sit sicker, or ellis to fall richt sone.
Ȝit ane small spark held vp his hart alone.
I haue (quod he) put by sa greit danger:
Anis sall I fall, or ellis pas to ȝone trone.
Betaucht with sturt; and durst not enter thair.
All stupefact, wist not quhat to haue done.
And for faintnes he was sa sad and sair:
Befoir his Ene he saw his exemplair:
To sit sicker, or ellis to fall richt sone.
Ȝit ane small spark held vp his hart alone.
I haue (quod he) put by sa greit danger:
Anis sall I fall, or ellis pas to ȝone trone.
Than he but baid vnto thair sicht did go,
His small missiue belyue he gaif him fro,
Vnto thir thre, kneilling downe to the eird:
Quhilk for to Name, the first is callit Clotho
Lachesis nixt: and syne efter thir two
Atropos thrid: thir thre sa weill ar leird.
To Ilk man geuis in warld his fatall weir[d]
Quhidder it be to weill wappit, or wo
None leuand spairis, nor for name ar effeird.
His small missiue belyue he gaif him fro,
Vnto thir thre, kneilling downe to the eird:
Quhilk for to Name, the first is callit Clotho
Lachesis nixt: and syne efter thir two
68
To Ilk man geuis in warld his fatall weir[d]
Quhidder it be to weill wappit, or wo
None leuand spairis, nor for name ar effeird.
Thay red his bill, and consauit the sence.
And thocht richt weill that he had done offence.
Bad clym the threid, stand to his destinie.
Gif he was clene, thair schaw his Innocence.
To clym past he with all beneuolence.
Skant was he vp, quhen at the eird was he:
He laikit Spreitis him self to fortifie.
(Quod thay) this is ane mater of conscience,
Ta wirk this wicht ony aduersitie.
And thocht richt weill that he had done offence.
Bad clym the threid, stand to his destinie.
Gif he was clene, thair schaw his Innocence.
To clym past he with all beneuolence.
Skant was he vp, quhen at the eird was he:
He laikit Spreitis him self to fortifie.
(Quod thay) this is ane mater of conscience,
Ta wirk this wicht ony aduersitie.
This threid to clym he dow be nak in wise:
Sa full he is repleit of Cowardise,
Bot we will gif to him his weird fatall.
Atropos said, he sall thole ane Assyse,
And of Venus he wald get greit disprise
Lachesis said, thow salbe hir Vassall:
And befoir hir thow sall stand in battall
Then quod Clotho, he sall bruik Benefice
Of Venus Court, and nathing sall him aill.
Sa full he is repleit of Cowardise,
Bot we will gif to him his weird fatall.
Atropos said, he sall thole ane Assyse,
And of Venus he wald get greit disprise
Lachesis said, thow salbe hir Vassall:
And befoir hir thow sall stand in battall
Then quod Clotho, he sall bruik Benefice
Of Venus Court, and nathing sall him aill.
This thay conclude all thre with ane consent:
Bot he thairof had na experiment.
For throw the fall he was in Frenesie.
Ȝit vp he rais richt heuie and dolent.
His bill thay gif to him Incontinent.
Bad him pass hyne, and seik vther supple:
For his default help thair nane get wald he.
[Fo]r thay had geuin ane sentence competent,
[All] in ane voice, for feid or fauour micht be.
Bot he thairof had na experiment.
For throw the fall he was in Frenesie.
Ȝit vp he rais richt heuie and dolent.
His bill thay gif to him Incontinent.
Bad him pass hyne, and seik vther supple:
For his default help thair nane get wald he.
[Fo]r thay had geuin ane sentence competent,
[All] in ane voice, for feid or fauour micht be.
69
[Q]uod he Ladies, sen ȝe haue schawin me sa:
[Will now] ȝow tell quhat gait sall I now ga.
Thay bad him pas with all velocite.
To the Gracis quhilks ar not far heir fra.
The first of thame is namit Aglia:
The secund hecht to name Euphrosina:
Pasithia the thrid callit trewlie:
With thair mothir hir name Euonia.
Perchance of thame thow will get sum supplie.
[Will now] ȝow tell quhat gait sall I now ga.
Thay bad him pas with all velocite.
To the Gracis quhilks ar not far heir fra.
The first of thame is namit Aglia:
The secund hecht to name Euphrosina:
Pasithia the thrid callit trewlie:
With thair mothir hir name Euonia.
Perchance of thame thow will get sum supplie.
He tuik guid nicht at thir weird sisteris than:
Richt sad in hart, and Venus ay did ban,
For pure despite and greit melancolie.
Than come he to ane reuer richt richelie ran:
In ane small bait the ferrie ouir he wan.
Bot I knew not gif he payit fraucht or fie.
Bot as I ges, superexspendit was he.
Thairfoir surelie but gyid of ony man,
He come quhair that thir graces sat al thre.
Richt sad in hart, and Venus ay did ban,
For pure despite and greit melancolie.
Than come he to ane reuer richt richelie ran:
In ane small bait the ferrie ouir he wan.
Bot I knew not gif he payit fraucht or fie.
Bot as I ges, superexspendit was he.
Thairfoir surelie but gyid of ony man,
He come quhair that thir graces sat al thre.
In ane palice weill wroucht with all Ingine:
With quhat kin wark I can not weill deffine.
Of glitterand gold thay sat all in ane chyir.
Circundat all with the cleir cristalline:
And vthers stanis quhilks precious war & fine
Ilk ane in hand ane Reill quhilk did not tyir,
To reill thair hankis so small of reid gold wyir
Fra Phebus rais to the hour vespertine
Ay gladderand grace all man for to Inspyir.
With quhat kin wark I can not weill deffine.
Of glitterand gold thay sat all in ane chyir.
Circundat all with the cleir cristalline:
And vthers stanis quhilks precious war & fine
Ilk ane in hand ane Reill quhilk did not tyir,
To reill thair hankis so small of reid gold wyir
Fra Phebus rais to the hour vespertine
Ay gladderand grace all man for to Inspyir.
Than Reillis all war maid of Euir bane
Weill souer set with diuers christall stane.
On the first reill was Keruit Claritude:
And on the nixt was kiruit for certane,
With letteris fine Blithnes ay to remane:
On the thrid reill of life the Longitude,
I saw keruit gif I weill vnderstuid,
Thir thre giftis thir graces gaif in plane,
Quha thair seruice soucht weill with mansuetude.
Weill souer set with diuers christall stane.
On the first reill was Keruit Claritude:
And on the nixt was kiruit for certane,
With letteris fine Blithnes ay to remane:
70
I saw keruit gif I weill vnderstuid,
Thir thre giftis thir graces gaif in plane,
Quha thair seruice soucht weill with mansuetude.
Of thair cleithing or Ornament to tell,
Ane thousand rimes my wit it dois excell:
Sa wonder riche it was and curious.
Heirfoir thairwith I will not Intermell,
Ilkane most lik thay war to ane Angell,
Be apperance als bricht as fair Phebus:
Of fassoun fair, facound, and fauorous.
Quod Desperance, faith I feill be my sell,
Heir sall I get sum guerdoun gracious.
Ane thousand rimes my wit it dois excell:
Sa wonder riche it was and curious.
Heirfoir thairwith I will not Intermell,
Ilkane most lik thay war to ane Angell,
Be apperance als bricht as fair Phebus:
Of fassoun fair, facound, and fauorous.
Quod Desperance, faith I feill be my sell,
Heir sall I get sum guerdoun gracious.
Inward he come law kneland on his kne:
His small missiue deliuerit to thame thre:
Lamentand soir with ane hewie regrait,
Askand at thame for luif and cherite,
Thay wald him mak sum aid, help, or supple:
Or his sorrow in sum part suffocat:
Of gude counsall he was richt desolate,
Sa sair he was vext with aduersite:
He was bot deid, without thay maid debait.
His small missiue deliuerit to thame thre:
Lamentand soir with ane hewie regrait,
Askand at thame for luif and cherite,
Thay wald him mak sum aid, help, or supple:
Or his sorrow in sum part suffocat:
Of gude counsall he was richt desolate,
Sa sair he was vext with aduersite:
He was bot deid, without thay maid debait.
Thir Ladies hard his sair lamentacioun:
Thay red the bill, and saw the narratioun.
Richt discontent thay war in till ane part,
[T]hat he had put sa greit blasphematioun,
[Vpon] Quene Venus be corrupt relatioun
[Sy]n said forsuith thay kuld be na kin art
Amang thame all, hir Court cast or conuert,
Be no Ingine or Imaginatioun:
Bot tak his chance, & than blak was his hart.
Thay red the bill, and saw the narratioun.
Richt discontent thay war in till ane part,
[T]hat he had put sa greit blasphematioun,
[Vpon] Quene Venus be corrupt relatioun
[Sy]n said forsuith thay kuld be na kin art
Amang thame all, hir Court cast or conuert,
Be no Ingine or Imaginatioun:
Bot tak his chance, & than blak was his hart.
71
With austeir voce he cryit loud and hie,
O Ladeis sweit of me puir haif pietie:
Ane drop of grace, sen graces is ȝour Name,
Ȝe wald wouchsaif of ȝour benignitie,
For to distill, and lat fall heir on me.
Sen I ȝow thre so far hes socht fra hame,
Ȝe suffer me not to returne with schame:
Bot me support in this necessitie:
Or ellis for ay mirth clenlie I quitclame.
O Ladeis sweit of me puir haif pietie:
Ane drop of grace, sen graces is ȝour Name,
Ȝe wald wouchsaif of ȝour benignitie,
For to distill, and lat fall heir on me.
Sen I ȝow thre so far hes socht fra hame,
Ȝe suffer me not to returne with schame:
Bot me support in this necessitie:
Or ellis for ay mirth clenlie I quitclame.
Thay hard his playnt it was so pieteous,
And richt laith was for to displeis Venus,
Thay said gude schir, tak this for na excuse,
Becaus we se ȝow drest sa dolorous:
Our guid counsall ȝit ȝe sall haif of vs
Sa with wisdome quietlie ȝe it vse.
Thair is ane Nimph, we traist ȝe sall her ruse,
Quhilk hecht Vesta, baith wys and verteous.
We wait scho will ȝour mater not refuse.
And richt laith was for to displeis Venus,
Thay said gude schir, tak this for na excuse,
Becaus we se ȝow drest sa dolorous:
Our guid counsall ȝit ȝe sall haif of vs
Sa with wisdome quietlie ȝe it vse.
Thair is ane Nimph, we traist ȝe sall her ruse,
Quhilk hecht Vesta, baith wys and verteous.
We wait scho will ȝour mater not refuse.
For quhy Venus, and scho is not at ane,
All Venus Court scho haldis at disdane,
Scho and Venus can neuer weill agre,
Howbeit thay be contemporaneane.
Venus hir warkis vsis venereane:
And Vestais warkis ar of virginitie,
Fulfillit with faith, and eik facunditie.
Greit diuisioun ar oft betuix thame twane.
And as we traist, sendill at vnite.
All Venus Court scho haldis at disdane,
Scho and Venus can neuer weill agre,
Howbeit thay be contemporaneane.
Venus hir warkis vsis venereane:
And Vestais warkis ar of virginitie,
Fulfillit with faith, and eik facunditie.
Greit diuisioun ar oft betuix thame twane.
And as we traist, sendill at vnite.
Quod he Ladeis, on kneis a thousand sis
I thank ȝow all of ȝour counsall sa wis.
Ȝit I imploir with pietie and kindnes,
And plesit ȝow sum gyid me to deuis,
That be the way I may eschew dispris,
Till I cum to that merciefull Maistres.
Sone call thay Hoip, thair seruand as I ges,
Send hir with him at that time in seruice,
Quhill he come to Dame Vesta the Goddes.
I thank ȝow all of ȝour counsall sa wis.
Ȝit I imploir with pietie and kindnes,
And plesit ȝow sum gyid me to deuis,
That be the way I may eschew dispris,
72
Sone call thay Hoip, thair seruand as I ges,
Send hir with him at that time in seruice,
Quhill he come to Dame Vesta the Goddes.
Sa hoip and he allane com furth the way.
Quod he, sister of ane thing I ȝow pray:
Quhat is ȝour office with ȝone Ladeis gent?
Ane messinger said scho, into verray
Thair erandis gais, baith nicht and als be day
Quhom to that thay thair giftis will present,
I schaw thair mind as thay bid and entent:
And gifis confort to all men ar in fray,
As thay command be thair aduisement.
Quod he, sister of ane thing I ȝow pray:
Quhat is ȝour office with ȝone Ladeis gent?
Ane messinger said scho, into verray
Thair erandis gais, baith nicht and als be day
Quhom to that thay thair giftis will present,
I schaw thair mind as thay bid and entent:
And gifis confort to all men ar in fray,
As thay command be thair aduisement.
My awin sister sumtime I send the till,
Arthemesia, quhen thow lay on the hill
Of Caucasus, drerie and wo begone.
Quhen thow culd not do thing, bot thair lay still
And knew not quhidder for to gang richt or will
Quhen thow sleipit vpon the Merbill stone.
[He]s thow sa sone now gewin obliuioun?
[M]adame (quod he) I do me in ȝour will:
[To do] of trewth that ȝe to me propone.
Arthemesia, quhen thow lay on the hill
Of Caucasus, drerie and wo begone.
Quhen thow culd not do thing, bot thair lay still
And knew not quhidder for to gang richt or will
Quhen thow sleipit vpon the Merbill stone.
[He]s thow sa sone now gewin obliuioun?
[M]adame (quod he) I do me in ȝour will:
[To do] of trewth that ȝe to me propone.
And thankis ȝow of ȝour greit gentilnes
That ȝe me schew, quhen I was in distres:
Beseikand ȝow ȝe wald me ȝit supple:
Sen ȝe on me befoir kyde sic kindnes,
Now help to put my hart fra heuines:
That I incur not the ferocitie
Of Venus Court, nor of his cumpanie.
(Quod scho) heir lyis with Vesta all expres
Thy weill and wo: as scho will, sa will be.
That ȝe me schew, quhen I was in distres:
Beseikand ȝow ȝe wald me ȝit supple:
Sen ȝe on me befoir kyde sic kindnes,
Now help to put my hart fra heuines:
That I incur not the ferocitie
Of Venus Court, nor of his cumpanie.
(Quod scho) heir lyis with Vesta all expres
Thy weill and wo: as scho will, sa will be.
73
Bot I sall do all that I can or may,
To put thy mater to ane sicker way,
Be word or deid, as thow sall se and hier.
Bot I beleue that this Ladie Vesta:
Scho will the help, and gyid thy mater sa,
Thow sall not neid of thy actioun to feir.
And of the Reill Euphrosine dois beir,
Ane threid of gold to the I sall forga,
Quhairon is keruit blithnes, and gude cheir.
To put thy mater to ane sicker way,
Be word or deid, as thow sall se and hier.
Bot I beleue that this Ladie Vesta:
Scho will the help, and gyid thy mater sa,
Thow sall not neid of thy actioun to feir.
And of the Reill Euphrosine dois beir,
Ane threid of gold to the I sall forga,
Quhairon is keruit blithnes, and gude cheir.
He said, Ladie, of quhat conditioun
Is Dame Vesta, or quhat fruitioun,
I pray ȝow schaw, and ȝour gudewill sa be?
Scho said Vesta is full of discretioun,
Haldand Venus euer in abusioun;
And als is callit Goddes of Chaistitie.
In quhais Tempill ar sex virginis surelie,
Euer keipand ane fyir fra extinctioun:
In signe of pure and clene virginitie.
Is Dame Vesta, or quhat fruitioun,
I pray ȝow schaw, and ȝour gudewill sa be?
Scho said Vesta is full of discretioun,
Haldand Venus euer in abusioun;
And als is callit Goddes of Chaistitie.
In quhais Tempill ar sex virginis surelie,
Euer keipand ane fyir fra extinctioun:
In signe of pure and clene virginitie.
And gif this fyir happinis to de in case;
The Archebischop of hir Tempill and pla[ce]
Dois punis thame richt austeirlie and sai[r]
Or gif ony happinis ane rakles race,
As be corrupt: to that falt is na grace.
Bot eirdit quik, to the laif examplair.
Thairfoir Venus scho hes ay in contrair.
And be this way within ane litill space,
I traist thow sall eschaip of all danger.
The Archebischop of hir Tempill and pla[ce]
Dois punis thame richt austeirlie and sai[r]
Or gif ony happinis ane rakles race,
As be corrupt: to that falt is na grace.
Bot eirdit quik, to the laif examplair.
Thairfoir Venus scho hes ay in contrair.
And be this way within ane litill space,
I traist thow sall eschaip of all danger.
Intill hir Court (quod he) is thair na ma.
Bot sex Ladeis how is scho seruit swa?
Scho said, few ma couetis hir companie.
For Ladeis had rather be Vestais fa,
Nor crab Venus, or ȝit hir Court forga:
For wantones and welth of Venerie,
In Venus Court thair is ay thousandis thre,
Aganis ane that dwellis with Vesta:
Sic hap thay haif with hir to multiplie.
Bot sex Ladeis how is scho seruit swa?
Scho said, few ma couetis hir companie.
For Ladeis had rather be Vestais fa,
Nor crab Venus, or ȝit hir Court forga:
74
In Venus Court thair is ay thousandis thre,
Aganis ane that dwellis with Vesta:
Sic hap thay haif with hir to multiplie.
(Quod he) Madame, I pray ȝow to me tell
Of the Ladeis that with Vesta dois dwell:
Quhat is the Names or we forder proceid?
Scho said the first Ladie of hir counsall:
Is Puritie of all vertew the well.
The nixt Measure: the thrid is callit Dreid:
Abstinence fourt (gif I can richt thame reid)
Chaistitie fyft dois till Venus rebell:
Deuotion saxt, an honest Nimph at neid.
Of the Ladeis that with Vesta dois dwell:
Quhat is the Names or we forder proceid?
Scho said the first Ladie of hir counsall:
Is Puritie of all vertew the well.
The nixt Measure: the thrid is callit Dreid:
Abstinence fourt (gif I can richt thame reid)
Chaistitie fyft dois till Venus rebell:
Deuotion saxt, an honest Nimph at neid.
He thankit hir as weill him could effeir.
Of hir talking and of hir mery cheir:
[OMITTED] gin that thay come to the plesand Palice,
[Qu]hair Dame Vesta sat in hir Circuleir.
[T]his plesand Mans as he thocht had na peir
Bot gif it had bene eirdlie Paradice.
with stark draw brig, weil forcit with fortalice,
That wit nor strenth of na man suld cum neir,
Thame to perswaid with violence or vice.
Of hir talking and of hir mery cheir:
[OMITTED] gin that thay come to the plesand Palice,
[Qu]hair Dame Vesta sat in hir Circuleir.
[T]his plesand Mans as he thocht had na peir
Bot gif it had bene eirdlie Paradice.
with stark draw brig, weil forcit with fortalice,
That wit nor strenth of na man suld cum neir,
Thame to perswaid with violence or vice.
Bot the sweit smell, and the suaue odour
Was seminate about that blisfull tour,
Sa weill sawrit, and viuificatiue,
Micht haue ransonit ane King, or Empriour.
The palice als it kest sic resplendour,
With strenthis stark, and turettis defensiue.
Quhen thay did to that Royall port arriue:
On the walheid was gretest Garaitour,
Dame Chaistitie, in armis most actiue.
Was seminate about that blisfull tour,
Sa weill sawrit, and viuificatiue,
Micht haue ransonit ane King, or Empriour.
The palice als it kest sic resplendour,
With strenthis stark, and turettis defensiue.
Quhen thay did to that Royall port arriue:
On the walheid was gretest Garaitour,
Dame Chaistitie, in armis most actiue.
75
Expand on hie, ga far about the wall:
Or in all haist, ȝe say how they ȝow call.
Desperance said, I am ane vncouth Knicht,
Cum fra far landis, and erandis hespeciall
To Dame Vesta, and hir court virginall:
Wald haif Ingres at ȝow Nimphs, & I micht
For I am put to wanrest and wnricht.
Wald god ȝe knew my greit lawbouris penall.
Go hine (quod scho) thou cumis not heir this nicht.
Or in all haist, ȝe say how they ȝow call.
Desperance said, I am ane vncouth Knicht,
Cum fra far landis, and erandis hespeciall
To Dame Vesta, and hir court virginall:
Wald haif Ingres at ȝow Nimphs, & I micht
For I am put to wanrest and wnricht.
Wald god ȝe knew my greit lawbouris penall.
Go hine (quod scho) thou cumis not heir this nicht.
(Quod he) Madame diuers writtingis I h[aue]
Quhilk ȝour maistres and plesit sould resau[e]
Quhom fra (said scho) fra seuin seges wisest
And fra the nine Musis most suaue:
The Noblis nine, richt greuous men and [braue]
The ten Sibillis, and the fatallis profest:
The graces thre on ground most gudliest.
(Quod scho) I trow thow be sum kankerit knait
Cum fra Venus, with fraud vs to molest.
Quhilk ȝour maistres and plesit sould resau[e]
Quhom fra (said scho) fra seuin seges wisest
And fra the nine Musis most suaue:
The Noblis nine, richt greuous men and [braue]
The ten Sibillis, and the fatallis profest:
The graces thre on ground most gudliest.
(Quod scho) I trow thow be sum kankerit knait
Cum fra Venus, with fraud vs to molest.
Thairfoir pas hine, thow gettis not heir Ingres
I ken the weill, ga do thy busines
Remane thow lang dowtles thow sall repent.
Allace said he to Hoip now speik Maistres,
Vnto ȝone Nimph that we may haif entres:
Caus hir to be in speiche mair pacient,
Schaw hir that ȝe ȝour self is heir present.
GOD forbid that hir Quene was sa reuthles,
As scho, than all war tint that by did went.
I ken the weill, ga do thy busines
Remane thow lang dowtles thow sall repent.
Allace said he to Hoip now speik Maistres,
Vnto ȝone Nimph that we may haif entres:
Caus hir to be in speiche mair pacient,
Schaw hir that ȝe ȝour self is heir present.
GOD forbid that hir Quene was sa reuthles,
As scho, than all war tint that by did went.
Than Ladie Hoip did cry on Chaistitie:
Said sister deir oppin ȝour port to me.
(Quod Chaistitie) quha is that that now cryis?
It is I hoip, cum fra the graces thre;
And I haue brocht ane in my cumpanie
And to Vesta his erand maist part lyis
Than Chaistitie or scho wald mair aduyis.
Ports and draw briggs, that lockit was richt sle
Scho did vnlok, and eik thame couth appryis.
Said sister deir oppin ȝour port to me.
(Quod Chaistitie) quha is that that now cryis?
It is I hoip, cum fra the graces thre;
And I haue brocht ane in my cumpanie
76
Than Chaistitie or scho wald mair aduyis.
Ports and draw briggs, that lockit was richt sle
Scho did vnlok, and eik thame couth appryis.
Than for to se, and to behald that mance,
In mappamond the maik is not perchance.
[I] tak on me that Preter Ihoms queir
[Is] not so riche vmbeset with plesance,
[For] all that place with burnist gold did glance.
[Circ]umferat with Christall and Sapheir.
[R]ubie sperkis and diamont most deir.
[So]urelie drest with sic daliance:
[In al] this warld I traist it had no peir.
In mappamond the maik is not perchance.
[I] tak on me that Preter Ihoms queir
[Is] not so riche vmbeset with plesance,
[For] all that place with burnist gold did glance.
[Circ]umferat with Christall and Sapheir.
[R]ubie sperkis and diamont most deir.
[So]urelie drest with sic daliance:
[In al] this warld I traist it had no peir.
And so beliue in com that Ladie gent.
(Quod Chaistitie) sister in werament
I did not knaw, this was ȝeet our port.
And sen so is, ȝour self is heir present,
That ȝe be welcum forsuith is my intent,
And ȝow intreit into all biggest sort,
With all plesouris guid seruice, and confort.
Bot weill ȝe knaw, thair is na men frequent
To enter heir, thair plege is sudand mort:
(Quod Chaistitie) sister in werament
I did not knaw, this was ȝeet our port.
And sen so is, ȝour self is heir present,
That ȝe be welcum forsuith is my intent,
And ȝow intreit into all biggest sort,
With all plesouris guid seruice, and confort.
Bot weill ȝe knaw, thair is na men frequent
To enter heir, thair plege is sudand mort:
Than Ladie Hoip said to dame Chaistitie:
This man I tak in on my honestie:
For Dame Vesta will wichesafe he be heir.
And als I haif euin fra the graces thre,
Ane fre Conduct to suffice him and me.
That be the way na strangeris sould vs steir.
Thairfoir sister of this man tak na feir.
Pas in scho said as ȝe will sa salbe,
For weill I wait ȝe com not vs to deir.
This man I tak in on my honestie:
For Dame Vesta will wichesafe he be heir.
And als I haif euin fra the graces thre,
Ane fre Conduct to suffice him and me.
That be the way na strangeris sould vs steir.
Thairfoir sister of this man tak na feir.
Pas in scho said as ȝe will sa salbe,
For weill I wait ȝe com not vs to deir.
77
Than to behald thay Nimphis of Nurtour
As thay war set sa weill into odour,
Sa weil besene and als sa virgin lik
Thair luminat lampis of gret valour
Keipand thame an into perfite ardour
Or ellis beset in number trumphatik
Thair Ornament it was Eclesiastik,
Of gold and silk it had sic resplendour
Thet to my sicht it was almaist mistik.
As thay war set sa weill into odour,
Sa weil besene and als sa virgin lik
Thair luminat lampis of gret valour
Keipand thame an into perfite ardour
Or ellis beset in number trumphatik
Thair Ornament it was Eclesiastik,
Of gold and silk it had sic resplendour
Thet to my sicht it was almaist mistik.
Sine Ladie hoip scho past in wit[h Desperance]
Till that scho come to Dame Vestai[s Mance]
Did thair present with all credence hir squire,
He kneiling law with greit beneuolence:
Randering Vesta honour and reuerence.
With the missiue that sa oft did him myir.
Quha send this bill at him scho did Inquire
The seuen seges (he said) of sapience
Did dyt that bill, sen ȝe to speir desyir.
Till that scho come to Dame Vestai[s Mance]
Did thair present with all credence hir squire,
He kneiling law with greit beneuolence:
Randering Vesta honour and reuerence.
With the missiue that sa oft did him myir.
Quha send this bill at him scho did Inquire
The seuen seges (he said) of sapience
Did dyt that bill, sen ȝe to speir desyir.
Sone scho it red and consauit the text.
I traist (quod scho) that Venus hes the vext:
For be this writ the same I do persaif.
He said (Madame) richt fair scho hes me flext:
And to hir Court siclik I am annext
Wnder all pane, and refuge nane I haif,
Without ȝour grace with sum salue wald me saif.
Scho tuik him vp: and thryis scho him amplext
Sayand, quhat help I can thow sall not craif.
I traist (quod scho) that Venus hes the vext:
For be this writ the same I do persaif.
He said (Madame) richt fair scho hes me flext:
And to hir Court siclik I am annext
Wnder all pane, and refuge nane I haif,
Without ȝour grace with sum salue wald me saif.
Scho tuik him vp: and thryis scho him amplext
Sayand, quhat help I can thow sall not craif.
For ay the mair that thow anger Venus,
And all hir Court sa wantoun and vicious;
Suithlie to me thow art mair acceptabill:
The mair welcum Iocund and eik Ioyous.
Thy Actis pensit the far mair precious,
And to my Court the mair agreabill.
Quhat is the caus scho haldis the execrabill?
Madame (said he) few actis Iniurious
I perpetrate, forsuith this is na fabill.
And all hir Court sa wantoun and vicious;
Suithlie to me thow art mair acceptabill:
The mair welcum Iocund and eik Ioyous.
Thy Actis pensit the far mair precious,
78
Quhat is the caus scho haldis the execrabill?
Madame (said he) few actis Iniurious
I perpetrate, forsuith this is na fabill.
Scho dois allege Madame, and not causles,
Wordis of Iniure I said in reklesnes:
[T]hat scho and all hir Court was richt norine,
Denuid of gude repleit with bitternes;
Bandownit with baill and full of brukilnes
With diuers faltis and wordis Intoritiue,
Quhilk to Venus was all tald on beliue:
In matalent at me scho did Incres:
Heir now Madame to ȝow I do me schriue.
Wordis of Iniure I said in reklesnes:
[T]hat scho and all hir Court was richt norine,
Denuid of gude repleit with bitternes;
Bandownit with baill and full of brukilnes
With diuers faltis and wordis Intoritiue,
Quhilk to Venus was all tald on beliue:
In matalent at me scho did Incres:
Heir now Madame to ȝow I do me schriue.
And I haif bene for to fang some defence,
First at the seuin seages of Sapience,
For to haif had thair counsall and doctrine:
Quhilk wrait that bill all seuin with thair prudence,
And bad me pack with all expedience,
Quhill that I come vnto the Musis nyne,
Thair gat I not, but bad me sone pas hine,
Vnto the nine Nobillis of excellence.
Quhair I gat not be: ansueir detestine.
First at the seuin seages of Sapience,
For to haif had thair counsall and doctrine:
Quhilk wrait that bill all seuin with thair prudence,
And bad me pack with all expedience,
Quhill that I come vnto the Musis nyne,
Thair gat I not, but bad me sone pas hine,
Vnto the nine Nobillis of excellence.
Quhair I gat not be: ansueir detestine.
Thay bad me pas withoutin residence,
Vnto the ten Sibillais of science.
Fair wordis thair I gat of small effect.
Sone thay me bad into all haist me hence.
To the thre Fatallis of experience
And thair I come: and na euill did suspeck.
Thay bad me clim of that I tuik na rek.
And so beliue throw my awin necligence:
I clam ane threid, almaist had brokin my nek.
Vnto the ten Sibillais of science.
Fair wordis thair I gat of small effect.
Sone thay me bad into all haist me hence.
To the thre Fatallis of experience
And thair I come: and na euill did suspeck.
Thay bad me clim of that I tuik na rek.
And so beliue throw my awin necligence:
I clam ane threid, almaist had brokin my nek.
79
And sa I gat nocht of thir Fatallis thre:
Bot bad me pas, stand to my destinie.
And seik succour into sum vther place:
Thay wald not tak on thame audacitie,
For to Incur Venus ferocitie
Thay bad me pas to the thre Nimphis of grace
Swyith thair I come & schaw thame all the case.
Thay said forsuith thay culd me not supple.
And so with thame I taryit bot schort space.
Bot bad me pas, stand to my destinie.
And seik succour into sum vther place:
Thay wald not tak on thame audacitie,
For to Incur Venus ferocitie
Thay bad me pas to the thre Nimphis of grace
Swyith thair I come & schaw thame all the case.
Thay said forsuith thay culd me not supple.
And so with thame I taryit bot schort space.
And now Madame, to ȝow moste gracious
Gay on the ground: and I most dolorous
Wicht in this warld, I becum on my kne:
Faint, fatigat with trauell troubillous:
Ourset with snaw, and blastis busteous,
With sorrow slane, bot gif ȝour grace supple.
(Quod scho) be blyith, and I sall warrand the.
All thy Actioun in presence of Venus
I sall debait and tak it vpon me.
Gay on the ground: and I most dolorous
Wicht in this warld, I becum on my kne:
Faint, fatigat with trauell troubillous:
Ourset with snaw, and blastis busteous,
With sorrow slane, bot gif ȝour grace supple.
(Quod scho) be blyith, and I sall warrand the.
All thy Actioun in presence of Venus
I sall debait and tak it vpon me.
Gif he was blyith, it neidis not to speir.
Ane thousand syis intill his best maneir,
He thankis that Nimph, & all hir Court bedene.
Than said Dame hoip with a full merie cheir:
Adew gude Schir, pleis ȝe now to byid heir.
He sayis Ladie, quhill I may life sustene,
My puir seruice ȝe sall euir obtene,
With cordiall luif as it can best effeir,
Sa tuik gude nicht with curage fra the splene.
Ane thousand syis intill his best maneir,
He thankis that Nimph, & all hir Court bedene.
Than said Dame hoip with a full merie cheir:
Adew gude Schir, pleis ȝe now to byid heir.
He sayis Ladie, quhill I may life sustene,
My puir seruice ȝe sall euir obtene,
With cordiall luif as it can best effeir,
Sa tuik gude nicht with curage fra the splene.
And sa Dame hoip is departit Anone,
And to the thre graces agane is gone.
Than said Vesta, vnto hir Nimphis all,
Sen that this Squire is happinit Venus fone:
And heir he seikis supple with drerie mone
Befoir him we will stand in strang battell,
And him defend fra cairis Criminall.
[Qu]hat Venus has agane him to propone.
Or Rhamnusia in hir sait Tribunall.
And to the thre graces agane is gone.
Than said Vesta, vnto hir Nimphis all,
Sen that this Squire is happinit Venus fone:
And heir he seikis supple with drerie mone
80
And him defend fra cairis Criminall.
[Qu]hat Venus has agane him to propone.
Or Rhamnusia in hir sait Tribunall.
This Vestal Court quhilk ay was traist & trew
Said in ane voce, this Knicht we will reskew.
With all power and prepotent puissance.
Howbeit we be in number ferlie few.
In Iust quarrell we sex ar ewin anew;
Sine ȝe haifand of vs the souenance,
With hand we may not make hir resistance:
Bot with our toung we sall hir so argew:
We traist this man sall kep na skaith perchance.
Said in ane voce, this Knicht we will reskew.
With all power and prepotent puissance.
Howbeit we be in number ferlie few.
In Iust quarrell we sex ar ewin anew;
Sine ȝe haifand of vs the souenance,
With hand we may not make hir resistance:
Bot with our toung we sall hir so argew:
We traist this man sall kep na skaith perchance.
This thay concluid all sex with ane consent,
Of thair answer Dame Vesta was content.
And so beliue kest thame to keip the day:
Thair proud palphrais was grathit Incontinent,
In glansand geir and best abillement:
At ilk bridill ane proper Alakay,
Weill preparat into ane riche array:
To Venus Court without Impediment,
With Desperance thay cum all on away.
Of thair answer Dame Vesta was content.
And so beliue kest thame to keip the day:
Thair proud palphrais was grathit Incontinent,
In glansand geir and best abillement:
At ilk bridill ane proper Alakay,
Weill preparat into ane riche array:
To Venus Court without Impediment,
With Desperance thay cum all on away.
| Ane treatise callit the court of Venus | |