The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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| 1. |
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 | GLEANINGS. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
7
GLEANINGS.
I. A FAREWELL TO TOWN.
Since secret Spite hath sworn my wo,
And I am driven by Destiny
Against my will, God knows, to go
From Place of gallant company,
And, in the stead of sweet delight,
To reap the fruits of foul despite:
And I am driven by Destiny
Against my will, God knows, to go
From Place of gallant company,
And, in the stead of sweet delight,
To reap the fruits of foul despite:
As it hath been a custom long,
To bid farewell when men depart,
So will I sing this solemn song,
Farewell, to some, with all my heart:
But those my friends: but to my foes,
I wish a nettle in their nose.
To bid farewell when men depart,
So will I sing this solemn song,
Farewell, to some, with all my heart:
But those my friends: but to my foes,
I wish a nettle in their nose.
I wish my friends their hearts' content:
My foes, again, the contrary:
I wish myself, the time were spent
That I must spend in misery:
I wish my deadly foe, no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.
My foes, again, the contrary:
I wish myself, the time were spent
That I must spend in misery:
I wish my deadly foe, no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.
But, now my wishes thus are done,
I must begin to bid farewell:
With friends and foes I have begun,
And therefore, now I cannot tell
Which first to choose, or ere I part,
To write a farewell from my heart.
I must begin to bid farewell:
With friends and foes I have begun,
And therefore, now I cannot tell
Which first to choose, or ere I part,
To write a farewell from my heart.
First, place of worldly Paradise,
Thou gallant court, to thee farewell!
For froward Fortune me denies
Now longer near to thee to dwell.
I must go live, I wot not where,
Nor how to live when I come there.
Thou gallant court, to thee farewell!
For froward Fortune me denies
Now longer near to thee to dwell.
I must go live, I wot not where,
Nor how to live when I come there.
And next, adieu you gallant dames,
The chief of noble youth's delight!
Untoward Fortune now so frames,
That I am banish'd from your sight,
And, in your stead, against my will,
I must go live with country Jill.
The chief of noble youth's delight!
Untoward Fortune now so frames,
That I am banish'd from your sight,
And, in your stead, against my will,
I must go live with country Jill.
Now next, my gallant youths farewell;
My lads that oft have cheer'd my heart!
My grief of mind no tongue can tell,
To think that I must from you part.
I now must leave you all, alas,
And live with some odd lobcock ass!
My lads that oft have cheer'd my heart!
My grief of mind no tongue can tell,
To think that I must from you part.
I now must leave you all, alas,
And live with some odd lobcock ass!
And now farewell thou gallant lute,
With instruments of music's sounds!
Recorder, citern, harp, and flute,
And heavenly descants on sweet grounds;
I now must leave you all indeed,
And make some music on a reed!
With instruments of music's sounds!
Recorder, citern, harp, and flute,
And heavenly descants on sweet grounds;
I now must leave you all indeed,
And make some music on a reed!
And now you stately stamping steeds
And gallant geldings fair, adieu!
My heavy heart for sorrow bleeds,
To think that I must part with you:
And on a strawen pannel sit,
And ride some country carting tit!
And gallant geldings fair, adieu!
My heavy heart for sorrow bleeds,
To think that I must part with you:
And on a strawen pannel sit,
And ride some country carting tit!
And now farewell both spear and shield,
Caliver, pistol, arquebus,
See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield
To think that I must leave you thus;
And lay aside my rapier blade,
And take in hand a ditching spade!
Caliver, pistol, arquebus,
See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield
To think that I must leave you thus;
And lay aside my rapier blade,
And take in hand a ditching spade!
And you farewell, all gallant games,
Primero and Imperial,
Wherewith I used, with courtly dames,
To pass away the time withall:
I now must learn some country plays
For ale and cakes on holidays!
Primero and Imperial,
Wherewith I used, with courtly dames,
To pass away the time withall:
I now must learn some country plays
For ale and cakes on holidays!
And now farewell each dainty dish,
With sundry sorts of sugar'd wine!
Farewell, I say, fine flesh and fish,
To please this dainty mouth of mine!
I now, alas, must leave all these,
And make good cheer with bread and cheese!
With sundry sorts of sugar'd wine!
Farewell, I say, fine flesh and fish,
To please this dainty mouth of mine!
I now, alas, must leave all these,
And make good cheer with bread and cheese!
8
And now, all orders due, farewell!
My table laid when it was noon;
My heavy heart it irks to tell
My dainty dinners all are done:
With leeks and onions, whig and whey,
I must content me as I may.
My table laid when it was noon;
My heavy heart it irks to tell
My dainty dinners all are done:
With leeks and onions, whig and whey,
I must content me as I may.
And farewell all gay garments now,
With jewels rich, of rare device!
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,
I must go range in woodman's wise;
Clad in a coat of green or grey,
And glad to get it if I may.
With jewels rich, of rare device!
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,
I must go range in woodman's wise;
Clad in a coat of green or grey,
And glad to get it if I may.
What shall I say, but bid adieu
To every dra[ch]m of sweet delight,
In place where pleasure never grew,
In dungeon deep of foul despite,
I must, ah me! wretch, as I may,
Go sing the song of welaway!
To every dra[ch]m of sweet delight,
In place where pleasure never grew,
In dungeon deep of foul despite,
I must, ah me! wretch, as I may,
Go sing the song of welaway!
II.
Not long ago, as I at supper sat,
Whereas indeed I had exceeding cheer,
In order serv'd, with store of this and that,
With flaggons fill'd with wine, and ale, and beer,
I did behold, (that well set out the rest!)
A troop of dames in brave attire addrest.—
Whereas indeed I had exceeding cheer,
In order serv'd, with store of this and that,
With flaggons fill'd with wine, and ale, and beer,
I did behold, (that well set out the rest!)
A troop of dames in brave attire addrest.—
Now gan I guess, by outward countenance,
The disposition of each dainty dame:
And though, perhaps, I missed some by chance,
I hit some right, I do not doubt the same.
But shall I tell of each one what I guest?
No, fie! for why? fond tattling breeds unrest.
The disposition of each dainty dame:
And though, perhaps, I missed some by chance,
I hit some right, I do not doubt the same.
But shall I tell of each one what I guest?
No, fie! for why? fond tattling breeds unrest.
But let them be such as they were! by chance
Our banquet done, we had our music by,
And then, you know, the youth must needs go dance,
First, galliards; then larousse; and heidegy;
‘Old lusty gallant;’ ‘all flow'rs of the bloom;’
And then a hall! for dancers must have room.
Our banquet done, we had our music by,
And then, you know, the youth must needs go dance,
First, galliards; then larousse; and heidegy;
‘Old lusty gallant;’ ‘all flow'rs of the bloom;’
And then a hall! for dancers must have room.
And to it then; with set, and turn about,
Change sides, and cross, and mince it like a hawk;
Backwards and forwards, take hands then, in and out;
And, now and then, a little wholesome talk,
That none could hear, close rowned in the ear;
Well! I say nought: but much good sport was there.
Change sides, and cross, and mince it like a hawk;
Backwards and forwards, take hands then, in and out;
And, now and then, a little wholesome talk,
That none could hear, close rowned in the ear;
Well! I say nought: but much good sport was there.
Then might my minion hear her mate at will:
But, God forgive all such as judge amiss!
Some men, I know, would soon imagine ill,
By secret spying of some knavish kiss:
But let them leave such jealousy for shame!
Dancers must kiss: the law allows the same.
But, God forgive all such as judge amiss!
Some men, I know, would soon imagine ill,
By secret spying of some knavish kiss:
But let them leave such jealousy for shame!
Dancers must kiss: the law allows the same.
And, when friends meet, some merry sign must pass
Of welcoming unto each other's sight:
And for a kiss that's not so much, alas!
Dancers, besides, may claim a kiss of right,
After the dance is ended, and before.
But some will kiss upon kiss: that goes sore.
Of welcoming unto each other's sight:
And for a kiss that's not so much, alas!
Dancers, besides, may claim a kiss of right,
After the dance is ended, and before.
But some will kiss upon kiss: that goes sore.
But what? I had almost myself forgot
To tell you on of this same gentle crew;
Some were, alas, with dancing grown so hot,
As some must sit; while others danced anew:
And thus forsooth our dancing held us on
Till midnight full; high time for to be gone.
To tell you on of this same gentle crew;
Some were, alas, with dancing grown so hot,
As some must sit; while others danced anew:
And thus forsooth our dancing held us on
Till midnight full; high time for to be gone.
But to behold the graces of each dame!
How some would dance as though they did but walk;
And some would trip, as though one leg were lame;
And some would mince it like a sparrow-hawk;
And some would dance upright as any bolt;
And some would leap and skip like a young colt!
How some would dance as though they did but walk;
And some would trip, as though one leg were lame;
And some would mince it like a sparrow-hawk;
And some would dance upright as any bolt;
And some would leap and skip like a young colt!
And some would fidge, as though she had the itch;
And some would bow half crooked in the joints;
And some would have a trick; and some a twitch;
Some shook their arms, as they had hung up points:
With thousands more that were too long to tell,
But made me laugh my heart sore, I wot well.
And some would bow half crooked in the joints;
And some would have a trick; and some a twitch;
Some shook their arms, as they had hung up points:
With thousands more that were too long to tell,
But made me laugh my heart sore, I wot well.
But let them pass: and now ‘sir we must part;
‘I thank you, sir, for my exceeding cheer.’—
‘Welcome’ (quoth the good man) ‘with all my heart:
‘In faith the market serves but ill to year,
‘When one could not devise more neat to dress.’—
Jesus! (thought I) what means this foolishness?
‘I thank you, sir, for my exceeding cheer.’—
‘Welcome’ (quoth the good man) ‘with all my heart:
‘In faith the market serves but ill to year,
‘When one could not devise more neat to dress.’—
Jesus! (thought I) what means this foolishness?
But let that pass.—Then, parting at the door,
Believe me now, it was a sport to see
What stir there was, who should go out before;
Such curtsies low, with ‘Pray you pardon me’—
‘You shall not choose’—‘In faith you are to blame.’—
Goodsooth! (thought I) a man would think the same!
Believe me now, it was a sport to see
What stir there was, who should go out before;
Such curtsies low, with ‘Pray you pardon me’—
‘You shall not choose’—‘In faith you are to blame.’—
Goodsooth! (thought I) a man would think the same!
Now being forth (with much ado) at last,
Then part they all; each one unto their house;
And who had mark'd the pretty looks that past
From privy friend unto his pretty mouse,
Would say with me, at twelve o'clock at night,
It was a parting, trust me, worth the sight.
Then part they all; each one unto their house;
And who had mark'd the pretty looks that past
From privy friend unto his pretty mouse,
Would say with me, at twelve o'clock at night,
It was a parting, trust me, worth the sight.
But let them part, and pass in God his name!
God speed them well, I pray, and me no worse!
Some are gone home with dancing almost lame;
And some go light by means of empty purse:
And, to be short, home goeth every one,
And home go I unto my lodge alone.
God speed them well, I pray, and me no worse!
Some are gone home with dancing almost lame;
And some go light by means of empty purse:
And, to be short, home goeth every one,
And home go I unto my lodge alone.
9
III. A Sweet contention between Love, his Mistress, and Beauty.
Love and my Mistress were at strife
Who had the greatest power on me;
Betwixt them both, oh, what a life!
Nay, what a death is this to be!
Who had the greatest power on me;
Betwixt them both, oh, what a life!
Nay, what a death is this to be!
She said, she did it with her eye;
He said, he did it with his dart;
Betwixt them both (a silly wretch!)
'Tis I that have the wounded heart.
He said, he did it with his dart;
Betwixt them both (a silly wretch!)
'Tis I that have the wounded heart.
She said, she only spake the word
That did enchant my peering sense;
He said, he only gave the sound
That enter'd heart without defence.
That did enchant my peering sense;
He said, he only gave the sound
That enter'd heart without defence.
She said, her Beauty was the mark
That did amaze the highest mind;
He said, he only made the mist
Whereby the senses grew so blind.
That did amaze the highest mind;
He said, he only made the mist
Whereby the senses grew so blind.
She said, that, only for her sake,
The best would venture life and limb:
He said, she was too much deceiv'd;
They honour'd her, because of him.
The best would venture life and limb:
He said, she was too much deceiv'd;
They honour'd her, because of him.
Long while, alas, she would not yield,
But it was she that rul'd the roast;
Until, by proof, she did confess,
If he were gone her joy was lost.
But it was she that rul'd the roast;
Until, by proof, she did confess,
If he were gone her joy was lost.
And then she cried, ‘Oh, dainty Love,
‘I now do find it is for thee
‘That I am lov'd and honour'd both,
‘And thou hast power to conquer me!’
‘I now do find it is for thee
‘That I am lov'd and honour'd both,
‘And thou hast power to conquer me!’
But, when I heard her yield to Love,
Oh! how my heart did leap for joy,
That now I had some little hope
To have an end of mine annoy!
Oh! how my heart did leap for joy,
That now I had some little hope
To have an end of mine annoy!
For though that Fancy Beauty found
A power all too pitiless,
Yet Love would never haue the heart
To leave his servant comfortless.
A power all too pitiless,
Yet Love would never haue the heart
To leave his servant comfortless.
But as too soon before the field
The trumpets sound the overthrow,
So all too soon I joy'd too much,
For I awak'd, and nothing so.
The trumpets sound the overthrow,
So all too soon I joy'd too much,
For I awak'd, and nothing so.
IV.
Thoughts make men sigh, sighes make men sick at heart,
Sicknes consumes, consumption killes at last:
Death is the end of everie deadlie smart,
And sweete the joy where euery paine is past.
But oh! the time of death too long delayed,
Where tried patience is too ill apayed!
Sicknes consumes, consumption killes at last:
Death is the end of everie deadlie smart,
And sweete the joy where euery paine is past.
But oh! the time of death too long delayed,
Where tried patience is too ill apayed!
Hope harpes on heaven but lives in halfe a hell;
Hart thinkes of love, but findes a deadly hate;
Eares harke for blis, but heare a dolefull bell;
Eyes looke for joy, but see a wofull state.
But eyes and eares and hart and hope deceaued,
Tongue tels a truth, how is the mind conceaved.
Hart thinkes of love, but findes a deadly hate;
Eares harke for blis, but heare a dolefull bell;
Eyes looke for joy, but see a wofull state.
But eyes and eares and hart and hope deceaued,
Tongue tels a truth, how is the mind conceaved.
Conceited thus to thinke but say no more,
To sigh and sob till sorrow haue no end;
And so to die, till death may life restore,
Or carefull faith may finde a constant friend;
That patience may yet in her passion prove,
Just at my death I found my life of loue!
To sigh and sob till sorrow haue no end;
And so to die, till death may life restore,
Or carefull faith may finde a constant friend;
That patience may yet in her passion prove,
Just at my death I found my life of loue!
V.
What poore astronomers are they
Take women's eyes for stars,
And set their thoughts in battell ray
To fight such idle warres,
When in the end they shall approve
'Tis but a jeast drawne out of loue.
Take women's eyes for stars,
And set their thoughts in battell ray
To fight such idle warres,
When in the end they shall approve
'Tis but a jeast drawne out of loue.
And love itselfe is but a jeast,
Devisde by idle heads
To catch yong fancies in the neast,
And lay it in fooles beds;
That being hatcht in beauties eyes,
They may be flidge ere they be wise.
Devisde by idle heads
To catch yong fancies in the neast,
And lay it in fooles beds;
That being hatcht in beauties eyes,
They may be flidge ere they be wise.
But yet it is a sport to see
How wit will run on wheeles,
While will cannot perswaded be
With that which reason feeles;
That womens eyes and starres are odde,
And love is but a fained God.
How wit will run on wheeles,
While will cannot perswaded be
With that which reason feeles;
That womens eyes and starres are odde,
And love is but a fained God.
But such as will run mad with will,
I cannot cleare their sight,
But leave them to their studie still,
To looke where is no light;
Till time too late we make them trie
They study false astronomie.
I cannot cleare their sight,
But leave them to their studie still,
To looke where is no light;
Till time too late we make them trie
They study false astronomie.
10
VI. A Prayer.
Oh, with Thy grace my heart inspire,To bring forth fruites of Thy desire.
Give me thy Peter's penitence,
Paul's faith, and Job his patience,
And Marie's grace, and John his loue,
That in my heart I may approue.
When all these graces meete in mee,
What ioy my soule shall have in Thee:
But oh, my God! my heart doth ake,
My soule with trembling fear doth quake,
That sinne hath brought me in such plight
As makes me ouglie in Thy sight;
And I (O wretch!) am one of those
Whom Thou hast reckoned for Thy foes,
And that Thy mercie will not heare mee,
Nor comfort euer shall come near mee;
My prayer turned into sinne,
No gate of grace shall enter in;
But all my thoughts are farre amisse,
Shall banisht be from hope of blisse;
And my poor soule, by sinne's desart,
Condemn'd vnto eternall smart.
And yet again, meethinks, I see
How Thy great mercie lookes on mee,
And tels me faith may be victorious,
While grace will be in mercie glorious,
And what true hartes do truelie proue,
That turne to Thee in teares of loue;
In which vnfaigned faithfull teares,
Wherein the wofull spirit weares,
I humbly fall at Mercie's feete,
Where grace, and loue, and glorie meete;
And in teares of true contrition
Thus makes my wofull soule's petition:
In mercie looke on me, deare God;
Forgive my sinnes, forbeare Thy rod;
Behold my griefe and ease my paine,
And take me to Thy grace againe,
That if I may see that bright Sunne shine,
Where glorie neuer can decline;
Where I with Simeon's ioy may sing
When I embrace my holy King,
And [all] sinne and sorrowes cease,
As my soule doth rest in peace.
VII.
Among the groves, the woods and thickes,
The bushes, brambles, and the briers,
The shrubbes, the stubbes, the thornes, and prickes,
The ditches, plashes, lakes and miers.
The bushes, brambles, and the briers,
The shrubbes, the stubbes, the thornes, and prickes,
The ditches, plashes, lakes and miers.
Where fish nor fowle, nor bird nor beast,
Nor living thing may take delight,
Nor reason's rage may looke for rest,
Till heart be dead of hatefull spight:
Nor living thing may take delight,
Nor reason's rage may looke for rest,
Till heart be dead of hatefull spight:
Within the caue of care unknowne,
Where hope of comfort all decayes,
Let me with sorrow sit alone
In dolefull thoughts to end my dayes.
Where hope of comfort all decayes,
Let me with sorrow sit alone
In dolefull thoughts to end my dayes.
And when I heare the stormes arise,
That troubled ghosts doe leave the grave;
With hellish sounds of horror's cries,
Let me goe look out of my cave.
That troubled ghosts doe leave the grave;
With hellish sounds of horror's cries,
Let me goe look out of my cave.
And when I feel what paines they bide,
That doe the greatest torments prove,
Then let not me the sorrow hide,
That I have suffer'd by my love.
That doe the greatest torments prove,
Then let not me the sorrow hide,
That I have suffer'd by my love.
Where losses, crosses, care and griefe,
With ruthfull, spitefull, hatefull hate,
Without all hope of hap's reliefe,
Doe tugge and teare the heart to naught;
With ruthfull, spitefull, hatefull hate,
Without all hope of hap's reliefe,
Doe tugge and teare the heart to naught;
But sigh, and say, and sing, and sweare,
It is too much for one to beare.
It is too much for one to beare.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |